I Love You, I'm Sorry / Otto Hightower / Vaera Targaryen

17. Finding Home

"Your girls are following in your footsteps," Otto remarked as they sat down at the table finding a little tavern for supper.

"What do you mean-" Then vaera noticed. "Yeah it comes with being little." Vaera agreed with a laugh. "I bet you were always tall. You never had to deal with this."

Otto liked how small she was, pocket sized.

~

"Can I ride on your shoulders when I'm done with daddy?" Vaera questioned as she grabbed Harwin's hand.

"Anything you want." Harwin agreed. Vaera smiled brightly before moving to the door.

'Daddy don't worry I'm here!" Vaera declared. Rhaenyra was pouring the wine for a meeting. She had got an earful about being on time and respecting the council but when Vaera came running in Viserys rose up hugging her tight. Rhaenrya rolled her eyes, spilling the wine as she glanced to her father.

"Heavens!" Otto shot up as wine spilled over his pants yet again.

"Sorry." Rhaenyra murmured.

"It's..." Otto huffed out a breath cleaning up best he could. These girls were useless.

"You wanted to see me daddy?" Vaera questioned

"Meeting is almost done, just sit tight." Viserys requested. Vaera held out a cup and grinned back at Rhaenyra.

"I'm not pouring you a glass, you got me in trouble." Rhaenyra hissed.

"What did I do?" Vaera countered. "Do you have juice?"

"I went flying with you and you made me late." Rhaenyra remarked.

"You wanted to go riding, you asked me." Vaera countered.

"And conned me into it." Rhaenyra shouted back.

"Ladies," Viserys begged.

"No I didnt!" Vaera jumped up on the chair. "Because i dont know what conned means!"

"Both of you." Viserys begged. "It's over now, lets just..."

"Sorry I am late!" Daemon remarked.

"Uncle Daemon!" Vaera shouted jumping up and running across the table, she flew off as if she had wings herself and launched herself into Daemon's waiting arms.

"Hey beautiful, I missed you." Daemon purred.

"I missed you, eww, you got blood on you, or is that strawberry glaze?" Vaera poked at his cheek.

"Blood gorgeous, dont lick it." Daemon agreed.

"Why would I like you?" Vaera questioned confused.

"When you are older you might want to." Daemon mused.

"Gross." Vaera countered.

"Daemon." Viserys growled.

"Just some innocent fun, you know its more fun when she doesnt understand what I'm saying." Daemon offered.

"I understand and I dont lick people." Vaera corrected.

"Daemon." Viserys demanded through gritted teeth. Daemon shifted Vaera in his arms.

"This is going to be so much fun... I'm so glad i'm back."

"WHy did you leave?" Vaera questioned. Daemon kissed her cheek. "Did you have a baby yet?"

"No." Daemon assured. "Would you want me to have a baby?"

"No." Vaera admitted. "I like being the baby, but mommy can have a baby I suppose..." Vaera offered. "I know daddy wants a son, it would be fun to have another sibling. One that doesnt yell at me."

"WHo is yelling at you?" Daemon countered.

"I just said my sibling, Uncle Daemon. I only have the one."

~

"Hey baby girls use your manners please. Chew. Dont swallow whole." Vaera requested. "Endless pits they are." Vaera agreed. "Im only endless for cookies."

"Im glad you came with me." Otto remarked.

"Me as well. It will be good to have a fresh start."

Getting the kids tucked in that night vaera sat by the window nursing a cup of tea when otto came up beside her.

"I requested a bed be brought in so you dont have to sleep apart from the children." Otto remarked.

"Thank you." Vaera whispered

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Just thinking about how all this came to be." Vaera admitted. "My sister wont be a good queen but i dont think aegon will be the best king either." Otto knew she was correct. "He sent you away and replaced him with cole. That was foolish. Criston doesnt know how to lead like you. He just became commander he doesnt know what the realms need."

"He doesnt." Otto agreed touching her back and guiding her back inside as a light rain dribbled down on them. He closed the window after her.

"Im sorry to say that the realms are probably doomed." Vaera realized "maybe we stay here. Not here but south for a long while. Finding home..." she offered softly violet eyes pleading with him.

"I could get used to finding home with you."