The music starts before he can even run. Lucerys places a hand on Aemond's waist as he ushers him to the center of the floor. He feels everything constricted suddenly as Lucerys looks only at him as they dance to the music. From afar, Aemond sees the queen whispering something to her husband causing him to laugh abruptly.
"Don't look at them, only look at me. It is just you and me right now, Aemond."
Perhaps Lucerys can feel the tremble of Aemond's hands and his breath becoming uneven. He can feel the prince's fingers run down his back, attempting to sooth Aemond. Even though he hates it, Aemond appreciates the effort Lucerys puts in to keep him from losing his mind. They circle the dance floor in sync as other guests join them. Soon enough, Aemond feels slightly better, staring at the prince's violet eyes.
Aemond thanks the gods above when the music finally ends. They both bow and Lucerys dissolves into the crowd for his next partner without a word. Perhaps this is what it will be like, hoping to keep the prince's attention for more than a few minutes. He finds Helaena quickly as she chats with Lucerys' cousin, Rhaena Velaryon. The girls look like they are enjoying themselves though, and Aemond envies his sister for having such good social skills.
As the others enjoy themselves, Aemond walks to an open balcony, letting him see the city of King's Landing down below. It was beautiful, showing the skyscrapers and the people walking around. Would probably be more exciting than this event right now. Mother would tell him to be friendly and not look like a spooked horse.
But after dancing with the prince, he felt like going home and drawing or playing with Vhagar, his cat. She was a grumpy old thing, all black with spots of gray mixed in.
"Do try to cheer up, you look as if you have a death sentence."
Daemon, a charming, roguishly handsome man. Aemond could see why Rhaenyra could fall for him. He couldn't remember if the man was a distant cousin of the Targaryen family or what but he had the normal Targaryen features. Silver hair and pale skin, a bit warmer though, with violet eyes. Yes, quite handsome if Aemond could say so.
"These sort of events are not my sort of thing. Definitely something the prince will consider."
"Yes I noticed, you looked sickly when he wanted to dance with you."
"I hate dancing, especially if others are watching me."
"I'm guessing you hope to not be chosen as the omega he marries then? There are others that are begging for his attention at the moment."
Daemon gestures to an omega who has pretended to faint, as the prince holds them in his arms. There is a small crowd surrounding them, watching in shock. Aemond rolls his eyes, this was not Bridgerton after all, though he quite enjoyed that show.
"No, I believe begging is beneath me. If Prince Lucerys finds interest in me, I'll consider that pure luck."
The consort manages a small smile before his wife is calling to him. Leaving Aemond alone once again, staring at a window in silence as music played on in the background.
"How you've grown so much since I last saw you, Aemond."
He turns around to see Jacaerys Targaryen, tall and proud, standing before him. Aemond curtsies, smiling politely at the comment. The heir to the Iron throne was a handsome and wise one. With hair white as snow and eyes a dark purple. Jacaerys was a bit tanner than the other children Rhaenyra had though.
"Shall we dance?"
"Might as well, I don't have a grudge against your pretty face." Jacaerys laughs, wrapping his hands around Aemond without hesitation. He pulls them onto the dance floor, leading the way the whole time. Jacaerys makes a show of twirling Aemond around dramatically, his skirts moving with the wind. Their arms move in sync as the music plays on, smiling at each other.
"I hope my brother hasn't caused you too much trouble. He can be quite foolish sometimes but give him time. There's more to the story than you think, Aemond. I know we haven't spoken since childhood but give him a chance."
The music plays as they circle around the floor, looking beautiful from afar. On the sidelines, Rhaenyra watches on, grasping her hands to her chest as she smiles proudly. Daemon watches with curiosity the whole time. The only one not looking too happy is Lucerys, watching his brother dance with… Aemond.
For a big finish with the music, Jacaerys lifts Aemond into the air, causing him to gasp in surprise. The crowds cheer on in delight as Aemond lands on his feet gracefully. He lets Jacaerys do as he pleases, twirling Aemond around with the beat of the music. By the end of it, Aemond pants a little, overwhelmed by all the moves he just made.
"I see you love to dance."
"Of course, handsome, wise, and a good dancer."
The heir smiles, practically beaming at this point, with a bit of sweat on his brow. The dance was far better than Aemond had expected it to be. "Would it be terrible of me to ask you for another?"
"We have more than enough time, may I?" Jacaerys offers his arm to Aemond. If Aemond found him more attractive, he would've swooned at the sight a little.
——~~𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮~~——
The media loves Aemond out of all Lucerys' contenders. From his dancing with the second born prince to the heir apparent. People are comparing the two dances to each other, making guesses on who Aemond liked more. There are polls all over the social media platforms on who would marry who.
He doesn't care though as he takes his leave, the car driving him back home now in the afternoon.
In the car ride, Aemond reads all the articles about the ball last night, wondering if he had a bad reputation now. Something he could not afford since he still represented the Hightower name everywhere he went. Some articles were already claiming him to look frigid and unlikeable, looking like he would be shot if he rejected Lucerys' advances. Others just talk more about the history of the gown Alicent made Aemond wear, going into detail about House Hightower's history with the royal family.
He was going home now since there was another event tonight, only a month after the last. The queen encouraged the omegas that Lucerys chose to try to meet with him outside the events. Aemond refused to do such a thing with Lucerys. If he wasn't required to meet the prince for an event, then Aemond wouldn't even try.
Alicent smiles when he arrives home, looking happy to see her son not entirely angry and irritated about this event. It's been a few months now since this whole circus started and Aemond watches as more and more contenders disappear. It was a contest of who would survive the royal family tearing into them. Many omegas were mainly kicked off because of the dislike each family member had.
The only one the whole family had tolerated so far was Aemond himself, always enjoying his company the most. Because of that, other omegas attempted to spread rumors about him, all false. There was nothing to prove that Aemond Hightower was a bad person, only ever following the duties that he was given. One day he would work at the Hightower company but for now, he had his freedom.
Tonight was simple, just another ball where Aemond was forced to socialize and hope for the best. Lucerys was still enamored by the other contenders so he was by himself most of the time. Aemond wore a simple black gown that clung to what little curves he had to show. With long sleeves and a high collar neckline, it made him feel protected.
Alicent doesn't say anything, feeling as though she did not need to worry tonight. Aemond was going by himself, Aegon and Helaena were both busy. But she knew that he could handle himself well in the presence of the royal family.
The night was still young as Aemond went to the palace, watching people having fun as he passed them. The city of large skyscrapers glows in a beautiful way as he watches the sun setting behind the buildings. By the time he makes it to the palace for the event, the stars are shining in the sky. Aemond feels lost as he enters, with no one to guide him this time around. But that doesn't stop Aemond from heading straight to the open bar, requesting a martini immediately. He sips on it, watching as other omegas make their entrances with their escorts.
He notices though that there are some omegas from various elite houses that did not make. The Tyrells, for one, and even House Baratheon. How interesting…
"How kind of you to join us tonight, Mr. Hightower," the sweet voice belongs to Rhaena Velaryon, the daughter of Laena Velaryon. Her long white hair was turned into a high bun on her head, with some pieces loose. She wore the colors of House Velaryon, navy blue gown and a necklace with a seahorse on it. It was all very simple but looked beautiful in a manner that Aemond couldn't describe.
"Indeed, princess. Your cousin seems to be quite enjoying himself so far."
"Lucerys is quite enamored with some of his chosen omegas but I see he hasn't gotten to you yet."
Rhaena and Aemond both watch as Lucerys is talking to an omega from House Stark. She looks quite pretty though, too pretty to be Lucerys' wife though.
"We do not have much in common, there is no point in choosing me at all. I only do this as a favor to my mother as she is friends with the queen herself." Aemond says the words but he can tell that the princess does not believe him at all. Does no one believe Aemond to be the intelligent one in this situation?
"You were childhood friends once, Aemond. Surely, you have forgiven him by now."
"What is there to forgive if he never even apologized? There is no point in trying to win his hand either. I have no wish to marry in this house or be married at all. I do not need a husband, nor do I need Lucerys out of all things. He cut out my eye without any regret, never looking back. So I too, will not look back, I will keep moving forward."
Aemond feels his temper rise, hand slamming the martini glass a little too roughly. But he attempts to keep his composure, attempting to smile at Rhaena. She coughs awkwardly, bowing her head before leaving for good. He doesn't attempt to apologize or chase after her for his rough words. Groaning, he walks away from the bar and the people, ending up in the hallway instead.
In the slit of his dress, near the garter belts, there was a cigarette and a pocket knife on Aemond. He takes the cigarette out, lighting it in the darkness of the hallway. He can hear the people from inside the throne room, chatting away as music plays loudly. Aemond wanted to go home already, thinking about leaving as he took another puff.
Walking around, Aemond ends up looking at all the family portraits on the walls. Some were painted, others were professionally done by photographers. Each photo shows the royal family at different times, a little description box next to the frames.
There were pictures of the queen at a young age, looking so young and naive. He spots his mother in a few of them, smiling brightly next to Rhaenyra. Then there are photos of Rhaenyra and her first husband, Laenor, and the first two princes. Jacaerys holds onto his mother's skirts as she holds Lucerys in her lap. Aemond can see the visible bump she is sporting though, a sign that Joffrey hadn't been born yet.
The painted portraits of Lucerys and his brothers depict them as regal and patient. Aemond scoffs at the images, wanting to press his cigarette into the painting just to piss someone off. But Alicent wouldn't approve, and he can picture her sharp glare at her son in disappointment.
He walks down the hallway until he reaches different rooms. There were no guards here, which meant it was unprotected and open to the public eye. If Aemond was a spy, he could easily sneak in here and take as much information as he wanted.
"Not enough entertainment for you tonight, Aemond?"
Aemond turns around to see Lucerys in the hallway, an unreadable look on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"I came looking for you when I couldn't find you near the bar, your hiding spot."
Lucerys comes up to him, towering over Aemond easily as he looks down with violet eyes. Aemond swallows, not saying anything as the prince looks at him. They don't say anything for a moment, just watching each other.
"Rhaena told me that I should apologize to you.
"She should learn to keep her mouth shut."
Something snaps in Lucerys, his eye twitching suddenly, He grabs the cigarette from Aemond's hand. "Are you not tired, Aemond? Of keeping this to your chest for so long, reminding me every time we meet. You swear you are intelligent but sometimes I do not think you are when you speak of this. We were children then, and I was only protecting my brother! I have apologized to you many times, despite what Rhaena and everyone else thinks."
"No! You are the idiot here, not me!" Aemond shoves the prince away, almost knocking him to the ground. The boy gives Lucerys a dark look, a sneer appearing on his face as he looks down at him.
"You told me how you saw me that night, when we were children, Lucerys. It was a clear sign of how you think of me. That is why I cannot forgive you, no matter how many times you apologize!"
Aemond furiously wipes away the tears that are streaming down his face, disgusted at showing his vulnerable side to Lucerys. The prince looks speechless though, still laying on the floor as Aemond collapses to his knees.
"You chose your brother, your family, over me. I thought we were friends, and I thought we could be more one day. But when you cut out my eye, it… broke my heart. Because I realized, you will never feel what I feel, Lucerys. You hurt me, hurt me physically and mentally. I gave you my heart and yet, you squeezed it hard enough to bleed. You watched me bleed but never said anything."
Aemond pulls out the pocket knife he had, the blade gleaming in the moonlight. "The fact you want to marry me now, after all those years, I do not understand it."
"Aemond, I have loved you since I understood the concept and knew what the feeling was."
Lucerys stands, hoisting the omega to his feet as well. He carries the omega, letting Aemond wrap himself around Lucerys. He leans them against the wall, only staring at Aemond now with pain and anger. "I may have cut out your eye but I only offer my own heart for you to squeeze. I never meant to hurt you, Aemond, never. You do not know how many times I wanted to pick up the phone and call or text you. Do anything I could just so I could see you again."
There are tears still streaming down Aemond's face as he angrily wipes them away. He pounds his fists against Lucerys' chest, panting and quietly sobbing. He can feel the pain in his heart trying to escape in some manner.
"Why! Why must you say these things now when I want to hate you! When you caused me harm and never told me anything again!"
"Because I am in love with you, Aemond. Did you really think when you got this job at the palace, that it was all just a coincidence? That my mother just happened to have chosen you to protect me? I did that, I chose you, because I wanted you by my side. I knew that you would refuse to talk to me but I wanted you with me. Don't you understand? I want you to be my queen, my omega, the mother of my children, the person I love until my death!"
"No," Aemond shakes his head vigorously, tears drying on his face now. It was not true, all these words would be said and forgotten by tomorrow.
"Yes, I need you to believe me. If you don't believe me, let me show you then, Aemond."
Aemond gasps as the prince kisses him, hard enough for sharp teeth to nip at his lips. It sends shivers down his spine as he clings to Lucerys in return. His hands tangle in his white blonde hair as Lucerys holds his thighs, squeezing them. Lucerys sucks hickies into his skin, teeth digging in as his hands tighten enough to bruise. Aemond pulls on his hair with frustration, his other hand unbuckling Lucerys' pants.
Lucerys' hand wanders to Aemond's inner thighs, fingers caressing the soft skin of his lips. If the prince focuses hard enough, he can smell the slick that starts to leak into the omega's lace underwear. A wave of possessiveness washes over Lucersy as he yanks the panties down, hearing a loud rip at the seams. Aemond trembles, gasping in surprise against the prince's lips as he does it.
"Let me take you here, right at this moment, let me show you that I care more about you than ever before."
Aemond moans as fingers enter him, an obscene squelching sound echoing as slick continues to leak out his cunt. Lucerys groans, looking down at his tan fingers thrust in and out of Aemond, slick covering his fingers.
The omega moans the whole time, feeling Lucerys' fingers thrusting in and out of him at a fast pace. Aemond can feel his inner walls clenching down, wanting more with each movement. He can feel himself start to go over the edge, mouth open in an 'o' shape. Lucerys manages to unzip his dress, sliding it off his shoulders. Aemond whines loudly as he watches himself squirt on Lucerys' fingers, his own hand rubbing at his clit for more friction.
The whole ordeal leaves his legs shaking as Lucerys holds him up. "You look so pretty like this, quivering under my touch and coming with just my fingers."
"Luce…Lucerys, please." Every word is music to the prince's ears as he pulls his cock free, stroking it a few times. Aemond whimpers, legs widening further as he feels the tip of Lucerys' cock teasing his opening. It was driving him crazy and he wanted the prince inside him already.
Aemond bites his lip as Lucerys slides all the way in until he can feel the prince's cock against his cervix. He murmurs the word 'please' over and over again as Lucerys thrusts hard, his pattern rough. The sounds of the alpha's hips meeting Aemond's ass is obscene but neither care. Every thrust sends Aemond's head in circles, a bit of drool escaping his lips as he pants and moans.
"Ahh! L-Lucerys, please!"
"You want to come? Come on then, come on my cock like the good little omega you are." The words should send Aemond into a rage but it only makes him throw his head back, hips grinding into the prince as he feels so close. His hand finds its way down to his clit, rubbing it furiously as he can feel his orgasm coming. Lucerys keeps thrusting in and out, over and over again.
Aemond gasps loudly, eyes widening as his orgasm washes over him quickly. His hands gripping Lucerys' shoulders tightly. He continues to rub his clit as liquid squirts from his cunt, splashing onto the floor and Lucerys' cock. He whimpers, feeling over sensitive now even as Lucerys chases his one orgasm now.
"Fuck. Let me knot you, Aemond. Please, omega."
"N-no, Lucerys, we can't. We're not even married or mated." Aemond's brain feels mushy at the moment as he clings to Lucerys,
But it's too late, as Lucerys' knot swells at the base of his cock, slowing down his pace. Lucerys groans, growling deep within as his knot catches on the entrance of Aemond's cunt. Aemond clings to him continuously, his body arching as he feels hot spurts of come enter him. There's so much, it starts to leak out of him, dripping onto the floor.
Lucerys positions them to the ground, holding Aemond tightly to his chest. The omega groans, hands still grasping any inch of Lucerys he can. But the prince forces him to meet him in the eye, giving him a stern look. "Let me marry you, Aemond. Let me make it up to you for the rest of our lives."
Aemond states back, sighing in defeat. "What about the others? Won't they be angry."
"I don't care, I only want you Aemond, just your hand in marriage."
Aemond closes his eyes in thought, feeling conflicted and lost: not after all these feelings that Lucerys just shared with him. It felt more complicated now even though it wasn't