Surviving

Chapter 25: The Boy Who Snuck Out The Girl

TW: Aegon

Time was a strange thing. No matter how much time could pass, some wounds would never heal. Some fears would never fade.

That's what Naerys would feel, just as she did as a child, as she looked at her vile, drunken uncle. His arm was wrapped in a sling and his face was littered with bruises and cuts that would slowly fading away. Looking like the true monster he was.

He had a small grin that made his cheek wince. His hair was greasy and a tangled mess as he walked slowly towards her.

She backed up with each step, feeling her chest tighten and the air escaping her. He was supposed to be gone. Tears pricked at her eyes and as she went to open her mouth to say something, her back hit the wall and a small whimper left her.

He stopped in his tracks, only a few feet separating them as he chuckled. "I see my brother has gone fully cunt-struck with you, sweet niece. Now I know why he refused my offer."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but no words could come from her. She hated the way she'd crumble just as she had as a girl whenever she'd see Aegon. It was agony constantly living in fear of him her entire life. Her eyes dropped from his for a moment and she saw the orange cloth from Aerys' blanket hanging from his pocket. All that remained of it.

"He hasn't told you, has he?" He smirked, chuckling lowly. "In all fairness I did give my word to leave you alone if he'd just let you go. But my brother being the whiney, selfish little shit he is just had to keep you here. And I don't blame him one bit."

He licked his lips, reaching for her but she swatted his hand away.

"Oh, still a feisty one." He mocked her as he snickered, pulling the cloth from his pocket.

She froze in terror, trembling as her heart was pounding in her chest. No, she couldn't lose it. She couldn't lose anymore of her little Aerys. Not to him.

"You don't seem to put up much fight when you think my brother is the one undressing you." He toyed with the cloth as a dark grin grew on his face. She lifted her chin, pursing her quivering lips together as she tried to muster up any scrap of authority in her, but he just laughed. "Well I'm sure my brother will eventually learn to share."

Though no words could be formed, she spat right in his face and he groaned, wiping his eye quickly. Then a twinkle formed in his violet eyes. He looked down at the cloth and to the fireplace nearby them to the side.

Something snapped inside her finally and she lunged for the cloth, but he tossed it into the flames and his hand shot instantly to her throat.

Black spots filled her vision as she was shoved back against the cold, stone wall. Her airway, completely crushed by his bruising hold.

She could feel herself slipping away, and fast. A numbness washing over her. She hated it. She wanted it to stop. This shouldn't be how it ends.

Her face turning purple now, eyes completely going out of focus.

Then suddenly she sucked in a harsh breath, dropping to her knees and clutching at her throat. She rubbed over the sore red hand mark left on her as she choked and coughed in the air, shuddering while he just laughed and walked away from her.

"Sleep well, niece. I look forward to many more nights like these in the near future." Aegon smirked and then she heard that same closing noise from earlier.

She let out a broken sob as her eyes came back into focus, seeing the remains of her late son's blanket burning into nothing. Her son, her baby boy. All that remained of him, gone in a flash. Taken from her by the very same monster who crawled into her bed as a child.