#braime au

[everythingsdestiel]

now that it's all finished if anyone wants to read a little Braime high school au fic here it is!

(there's rugby and meddling friends and some angst but mostly fluff)

[filhadoboto]

Chapters: 1/1 (Explicit) Relationships: Jaime Lannister/Brienne of Tarth

Characters: Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth

Additional Tags: AU, Cunnilingus, First Time

Summary: AU where Tywin doesn't die, and still wants Jaime to get married. He doesn't much care who his son marries as long as she's high-born and of child-bearing age. Jaime already has someone in mind.

[seaworthee]

no, girl.

[jaimebrienne-art]

Braime! Game of Thrones x Good omens crossover by secret_drawingaccount_bylaw

[b-does-the-write-thing]

general incivility, chapter six

- a brienne x jaime pride & prejudice retelling -

chapter one l chapter two  l chapter three l chapter four l chapter five l chapter six l now on AO3

At the end of their first month in the Stormlands, a letter appeared from King’s Landing. Bronn, no doubt curious, brought it to the breakfast table, where he might be able to linger and ascertain its contents. A savvy move that Tyrion could applaud if it were not for the fact Cersei and Jaime could not help but notice the royal seal.

At its appearance, Cersei fell uncharacteristically silent. Though at the rate she was straining her neck, she’d be out of commission for the upcoming week’s assemblies. His dear brother pretended he had gone blind, deaf, and dumb, but Jaime was not leaving either, showcasing his interest in the missive. Tyrion would have preferred to retire to read it in peace; he already guessed at its contents, but there was nothing to be done other than to face the music. Cracking the seal, Tyrion’s suspicions were confirmed within the first few words, and the following ones compounded his headache.

Outside, the evening clouds had not departed, and the trees were whispering to each other in the breeze. A storm was imminent, not one of the gentle spring rains that had come and gone in their few weeks here, but a proper tempest, the true namesake of the region. Judging the entire thing to be more trouble than it was worth, Tyrion tossed the letter away. It landed on top of the porridge and, under the weight of the royal seal, began to sink. Cersei shot her cousin a filthy look before ordering one of the footmen to fish it out for her. Receiving it with the utmost care, Cersei devoured the soggy paper’s contents. A smile bloomed across her face until her smile was the only bright spot in the breakfast parlor.

When Cersei finally deigned to lower the letter, a footman rushed forward to offer her a serviette. “But this is wonderful,” Cersei said, seemingly unaware she was daintily wiping her hands on the footman’s jacket and not the offered napkin. To think, the king—here of all places!”

Jaime stirred to life. “What fortuitous reason do we have to thank for such an honor?”

Tyrion rubbed his forehead, running his stubby fingers across the odd ridges of his skull, letting the familiar sensation soothe his threatening headache. “He claims to visit Lord Stannis, but no doubt he has heard father’s succeeded in running me off finally.”

Jaime did not argue. Everyone knew there was little love lost between King Robert Baratheon, first of his name, and Tywin Lannister. The vaults of King’s Landing were rumored to have long since run dry, but perhaps with a son of Casterly Rock at his side…

Cersei stood, pressing her skirt down, her eyes staring past both her cousins, fixated on something far in the distance that only she could see. “I’ll have to send word home at once. I barely brought anything suitable for court-”

“Were you not still planning to depart within the next fortnight?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Cersei snapped, this time directing her glare at Jaime. “The King is coming to Storm’s End, and he will, of course, call here.” Her eyes darted to Tyrion. “You’ll need a lady to lead the house, plan the ball-”

“Ball?”

“Host His Highness, and well he mentions his Kingsguard will be attending. No mention of any courtiers, but of course, the usual toadies will be in attendance- “

“Cersei, if you would like to play lady of the hall, by all means, my home is at your disposal, but do me the very great courtesy of not looking like the cat who caught the canary. It’s very disconcerting.”

“Only you would have the king send him a personal letter and look as if the world was coming to an end.” Tyrion did not think his brother looked any happier about this development, but Cersei seemed determined to ignore Jaime. “If you will excuse me-” and with that, she swanned out of the breakfast parlor, looking all the world as if she already had a crown upon her brow.

“She’ll be insufferable,” Tyrion lamented. “Robert’s no tactician, but he’s not going to ignore a lioness laying down on her back for him-”

“Tyrion,” Jaime hissed. “Have a care for how you talk about our cousin.”

“You should be glad she’s not eyeing your neck for the noose at the moment,” Tyrion continued, tearing into the pastry to find it still warm and steaming. The manor might be considerably smaller than the Rock, but he quite enjoyed the new proximity to his kitchens, even if his belt protested. “Perhaps Robert's visit will allow you more time to pursue your interests without hindrance?”

Jaime’s eyes darkened in displeasure. “There is nothing of interest in this desolate corner of Westeros. I am only here because of you.”

“Interesting,” Tyrion continued, “I, for one, have thought you rather intrigued by our resident beauty.”

Tyrion had not seen it at first. He had been so taken with the odd Miss Tarth, finding her to be one of the truly most unfortunate people he had ever seen besides himself, that he had almost missed the way his brother’s eyes tracked her around the room, how Jaime moved after her when she passed by as if caught in her wake and drawn after her despite himself. He was not sure if his brother was even aware of his interest, if not for the odd way his lips quirked whenever Miss Tarth was mentioned.

“You are referring to which renowned Stormland beauty, Tyrion? Miss Tarth or Miss Baratheon?”

Tyrion chuckled. “Cersei has had your ear again, I fear. Miss Baratheon is not yet eight and ten. Her brush with death has added to her character, but I am not one for unaged wine.”

Jaime considered him across the table. ”And Miss Tarth?”

Tyrion grinned. “You know I am a great lover of beauty.”

His brother’s lips thinned, face darkening into a pensive glower until he looked just like their father. “Surely you of all people would think to look past appearances-”

“Have you?”

Jaime’s eyes shuttered, and he looked pointedly away to the storm gathering outside. “I have barely spoken a word to the party in question.”

“On the contrary, I believe you’ve spoken more to her than anyone else in the Stormlands.”

“If I happen to stand by the only other person who has less desire to speak than myself-”

“Happen? Jaime, you followed her around the length of the ballroom last week.”

Jaime shot up from his seat. “I should make haste if I want to get a ride in before the storm-”

“Jaime-” But his brother was already gone, leaving him alone with the great feast. Tyrion looked over at the footman nearest to the table, his cravat still smeared with oatmeal. “Do we have any blackberry jam?”

[greenmtwoman]

Chapter 3 of Human:

One step at a time, over mud and metal and rock, sometimes on her hands and knees.  One obstacle at a time, moving past rubble and shattered glass, wires, and bent struts.  One minute at a time, refusing to think about anything except her goal.  The signals strengthened.

And then she saw a man.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62478988/chapters/162091753

[braime-won]

I have a request! There is a scene in the end of Nightwatch 2 with Nikolaj cw taking his shirt off at a beach.Can u somehow make modern Jaime and Brienne gifs with that? No pressure!!!

Hmmm interesting! If I can find Nightwatch 2 at my usual dl palace then yeah I'll do it for you. I already got some Gwen beach footage in mind. It's been awhile since I made some modern au J/B gifs.

[insignificantly-notorious]

Lies Layered Like Peach Strudel - Chapter 5 UPDATED!!!

It has been hours of Brienne staring at her phone, aimlessly scrolling through any Kingsguard’s update while trying not to cry, even when she felt a slight sting on her wrist for holding her phone up to her face for hours.

-----

Fic Synopsis:

In order to not get relocated for the 3rd time in her stable job, Brienne uses one of the few exceptions to avoid it: getting married. Jaime intervenes. ------

[diana-prince43]

Una parte de mí y ti:

El aliento caliente de Jaime acariciaba la oreja de Brienne a medida que sus labios recorrían su cuello y sus dedos hacían lo mismo en sus muslos

Él lo había preparado todo para que fuera una noche especial,reservando para sí una de las mejores suites en su propio hotel nada más después de que ella le hubiera compartido los resultados del test de ovulación, y cuándo Brienne le reprochó medio en broma medio en serio que esa era un acto nepotista su marido solamente le había lanzado su típica sonrisa sardónica antes de responder:

–Estoy dispuesto a escuchar tus quejas… Una vez hayamos dejado el hotel y yo te haya dado tu regalo

Le dirigió una sonrisa pícara cómo para asegurarse de que ella entendiera a qué se refería

La noche perfecta sin duda… Y sin embargo Brienne Lannister no podía evitar seguir sintiendo ese desasosiego que la acompañaba ya desde hace días, ni siquiera cuándo su marido comenzó a hacerle el amor

Finalmente ese sentimiento ganó y se materializó a través de la siguiente pregunta:

–¿Y si no funciona? ¿Y si resulta que sencillamente no puedo tener hijos?

Jaime se detuvo y alzó la mirada hacia ella, sus ojos verdes la escrutaron con intensidad antes de responderle en un susurró:

–En ese caso adoptaremos. No será por falta de niños que necesiten un nuevo hogar

–Hablo en serio, Jaime…

–Yo también, Bri. No te voy a mentir, verte embarazada de mi hijo o hija sería un auténtico sueño húmedo para mi pero sigue sin ser la única forma de formar una familia. Por no hablar de que por mi parte ya tengo a Myrcella y Tommen

Brienne suspiró sintiéndose culpable, no había sido su intención sacar el tema a colación de esa manera, sin embargo tampoco quería ser deshonesta con sus temores, aún más dado el hecho de que ya habían pasado seis meses desde su primer intento de embarazo

–Eso dices ahora pero si de verás resultó ser infértil, puede que la decepción te acabe superando y…

–También puede que mañana muramos golpeados por un meteorito o que los extraterrestres invadan al final el planeta… Así que deja de pensar en lo que podría pasar y disfruta del momento, mi moza.

–Jaime…

Pero él cortó sus palabras acariciando los labios con Brienne, su lengua hizo presión solicitando así que ella abriera su boca, una petición silenciosa que ella no tardó en conceder

–Eso es, sólo déjate llevar, déjame hacerte un bebé.. - Murmuró él contra su oído con una sonrisa sardónica

–Serás…

Pero él calló su protesta de nuevo con un beso y Brienne ya no volvió a intentar replicarle.

Parecía ser un día usual hasta que Jaime recibió un mensaje de su hija:

“Papá, ve a casa cuánto antes,por favor. Ha pasado algo”

Obviamente él se apresuró en preguntar qué era lo que había ocurrido pero ya no recibió ninguna respuesta

Su mente voló hacia miles de posibilidades mientras abandonaba el edificio tras haber dejado al cargo a Tyrion, ¿le había pasado algo a Tommen o a Myrcella o a…?

Intentó tranquilizarse cómo pudo pero por supuesto fue en vano. Ya habían pasado semanas desde que Brienne y él pasarán la noche en hotel, semanas que habían estado cargadas de invisible pero igualmente palpable expectación

No había mentido cuando dijera que estaba abierto a la adopción, cualquier opción que le permitiera formar una familia con Brienne le parecía maravillosa

Y sin embargo al mismo tiempo su corazón seguía anhelando poder creer en la posibilidad de tener un bebé con los ojos de su esposa

“Después de todo, lo más probable es que sólo le este costando quedarse embarazada… pero Myrcella dijo que algo importante ha ocurrido… ¿y si?... “

Con un gruñido desterro esos pensamientos de la cabeza y tras un rato llegó finalmente a casa. Ignorando el pálpito ansioso que le presionaba el pecho, se apresuró a entrar:

–¿Niños, Bri?

Pero nadie respondió. Aún más preocupado que antes, Jaime subió al segundo piso tan rápido cómo sus pies se lo permitían

Sólo recibió un poco de alivio al ver a Brienne recostada contra la puerta del dormitorio, cómo si ya lo estuviera esperando

Un poco.

–¿Bri, dónde está Myrcella? Me escribió diciendo que…

–Lo sé. Ella y Tommen se han ido a pasar el resto del día a casa de Sansa, deberían regresar a la noche

Jaime calló mientras ella tomaba sus manos y le guiaba hacia el dormitorio

"Ella no suele dejar que los niños salgan con amigos tan tarde… Claramente algo importante debe de haber sucedido.. "

Una vez que ambos estuvieron sentados en la cama él encontró finalmente fuerzas para hablar de nuevo:

–Bri…

Pero ella le cubrió la boca con los dedos al tiempo que le abrazaba entre suspiros

–Lo siento amor mío… pero tal parece que no hay buenas noticias que dar…

El corazón de Jaime se hundió hasta lo más hondo mientras su cuerpo se helaba pero antes de que pudiera decir algo, Brienne añadió:

–... No para el resto del mundo al menos… Pues dentro de poco puede haber un pequeño Jaime Lannister por aquí

Su expresión se quedó congelada por el shock mientras su mente procesaba enteramente lo que ella le acababa de decir

–Brienne Tarth Lannister, eres una auténtica…

Ella río antes de callarlo a besos

–¿Qué manera es esa de hablarle a tu esposa, señor Lannister?

–Una esposa que esta noche va a ser castigada por andar jugando con mis sentimientos, te lo aseguró. Por eso y por involucrar a tu propia hijastra en esta treta- Replicó con una inmensa sonrisa irónica antes de estrecharla contra sí y tumbarla sobre las sábanas

–En mi defensa sólo le dije que te metiera prisa por llegar antes a casa, no sé me ocurrió que quisiera añadirle tanto... Suspenso al asunto

Sin embargo él ya no la escuchaba y su mano izquierda se deslizó por debajo de su camisa hasta posarse sobre su vientre

–Nuestra hija… ojalá no hubiera que esperar tantos meses…

–Mi marido tan impaciente cómo siempre… ¿y cómo estás tan seguro de que va a ser niña?

Jaime amplió aún más su sonrisa:

–Simple intuición. Además tiene lógica, ¿no crees? Primero una hija, después un hijo y ahora una segunda hija

Brienne frunció el ceño:

–Eso no funciona así y lo sabes…

Esta vez fue Jaime quien la calló con un beso aunque no en los labios sino en el vientre y los ojos de Brienne se humedecieron por la alegría

[g0lightly]

WIP tag game!

Rules: Tagger gives a word, then for each letter of that word you share an excerpt from your WIPs that start with that letter.

I was tagged by @gwenllian-in-the-abbey. Thank you Gwen! Never done a writing tag game before so this should be fun.

My word: BIRD

From the next chapter in the Hounds of Harrenhal, a Brienne POV full of chivalrous angst. Jonquil is Brienne's alias at this point in the story, as Alayne was for Sansa. Brienne is believed to be dead and fAegon has given Tarth to distant Tarth cousins who served him in the Golden Company after Selwyn "died of heartbreak" on the news of Brienne's "death." Though she hides her identity in part to keep a target off of her back, this chapter continues an exploration of the shame she feels that prevents her from thinking of herself as Brienne:

Brienne was soiled that night as well, though not by any cloak. If there had been a maiden’s cloak involved, perhaps it would be different. But Jaime had sworn to take no wife and she had asked him to take her to bed anyway.  “I cannot be a true knight,” Jonquil told her mournfully. The blood on the soiled white cloak Sansa had given her reminded her that the cost of her so-called knighthood had been a man’s life; not an innocent man, perhaps, but neither herself nor Jaime had any more of a claim to innocence than the thief they had slain.

From a yet-unpublished Victor!Maysilee AU in which Maysilee is a closeted lesbian (Azalea is the name I've given to Peeta's mom for the sake of this story):

If Maysilee Donner was the meanest girl in District 12, Azalea Armstead was a close second. The secret they shared ensured that Azalea understood her better than Asterid or even Merilee ever could. Maysilee had loved that once, but she had come to hate it after the night she and Merilee celebrated their 16th birthday with candy, coffee, and cake. Her sister didn’t understand why Maysilee wanted distance from Azalea so suddenly – or if she did, she knew better than to say anything that might reveal what she suspected. Surely, Maysilee thought, her own twin must have wondered why she and Azalea insisted on sleeping away from her and Asterid on the night of their party.

From a forthcoming Cersei POV in the Hounds of Harrenhal that introduces her relationship with Tyene, who remains in disguise as a septa. Unbeknownst to Cersei, Tyene is an informant for Arianne who is responsible for 1) killing Margaery and framing Cersei to get the Reach on Arianne and Aegon's side 2) killing Tommen and Myrcella. So I guess you could say the yuri is a little toxic!:

Robert had never been so bold as to bed a septa – he preferred easy prey in his bed but a lioness loves the hunt. The sight of Tyene’s blood on her fingers invigorated Cersei, filling her with the glory of a knight who saw his sword wet with blood in battle for the first time. She remembered how she watched Tyene’s face as she licked the blood off her own fingers, her wide eyes full of awe for her queen.

From a very far in the future Sansa POV in the Hounds of Harrenhal in which she meets Loras again and he confronts her over his suspicions that she tried to poison Margaery at the Purple Wedding:

"Do you struggle to imagine such a lady now?” “Jealous of Joffrey?” Loras pressed. “How do you mean?”  “Oh, I think you might know how I mean it.” Tears flooded Sansa’s eyes as memories of Margaery flooded her mind. “I did not leave my chambers for nearly a fortnight after news of her death reached me in the Vale, I could not bear the thought of living in a world without her in it. I will admit that I mourned for her as I never mourned for my own husband.  “If I had it my way I would have escaped King’s Landing as Willas’ bride and Margaery’s good-sister, not as a pawn for Petyr Baelish. I wished to be the Lady of Highgarden one day, yes, but perhaps even more than that I wished to have Margaery in my life forever,” Sansa explained. “I had a deep and abiding fondness for your sister… More than just fondness, in truth. Far more than I understood when she was alive.”

I hereby tag: @prince-aegon-targaryen @polysucks @thelaughingtree @somebodytoundress with the word YEAR. No pressure and feel free to play without tagging if you like!

[softmeetscreatureplz]

Mmmmmm was gonna. Do smth. Or try to. What the fuck was that.

[abouquetofdaylillies]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62897734/chapters/164991274

everyone hates me again so the link isn't posting how I want it to, but here's chapter 8 :P

[filhadoboto]

Chapters: 9/9 (Explicit) Relationships: Jaime Lannister/Brienne of Tarth

Characters: Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Tywin Lannister

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Pre-Canon, First Meetings, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Before season 1, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Courtship, Wooing, Fluff, Sexual Tension, Arranged Marriage, Falling In Love, Eventual Smut, repost

Summary: When he comes to know about Jaime and Cersei, Tywin Lannister wants to do everything he can to keep brother and sister away from each other. The best solution, of course, would be to get Jaime married and off to Casterly Rock.

Meanwhile, Lord Selwyn Tarth summons his daughter from the Stormlands to give her some news. He has a proposal for her that he cannot say no to.

[riocat01]

Modern Braime AU!

[b-does-the-write-thing]

general incivility, chapter five

  - a brienne x jaime pride & prejudice retelling -

chapter one l chapter two  l chapter three l chapter four l chapter five

Two days after the assembly, the Lannisters paid a visit to Storm’s End. Their visit was quickly returned, and from there, Lady Baratheon was pleased to circulate throughout the Stormlands that further acquaintance with Miss Baratheon was pursued by Miss Lannister. 

“The young ladies are increasingly fond of each other. Why, the Lannisters have dined with us twice now in a fortnight and are due to visit again this very evening!”

Though initially a bit taken aback by this development, Shireen was pleased to become the dear friend of such an accomplished woman as Cersei Lannister. 

Brienne perceived things rather differently.  

The Tarths had been invited to each of the dinners to better fill out the party, and while it was true Cersei Lannister did actively seek out Shireen’s company, Miss Lannister’s overall manner and tone were always vastly superior towards everyone, often bordering on arrogance. Her manners were always excellent but Brienne did not miss the double entendres of her words, often directed at the lack of culture and beauty of the Stormlands and its inhabitants. 

After careful consideration, Brienne rather suspected Miss Lannister’s attention was less due to the enjoyment of their company and more about Baratheon’s connection to the Iron Throne. She refrained from voicing these suspicions as she did not want to dampen her younger friend’s happiness. 

Occupied in observing Shireen’s growing relationship with Miss Lannister, Brienne did not realize she herself was the object of growing interest to one of the party members. 

Jaime Lannister had been taken aback to find Brienne Tarth in the dinner company at Storm’s End, but Cersei had later explained Miss Tarth was the only friend of the young girl, as no other families in the area would dine with the Baratheons for fear of catching grayscale over soup. After Jaime’s brief sight of Miss Tarth at the assembly, the sheer absurdity of her had hung in his mind, as a particular oddity is wont to do.

Truly unfortunate was a kind way to describe the lady, and yet, the more Jaime looked, the more he found himself unable to look away. He spent most of the first night trying to best determine the exact shade of her eyes and finally determined they were the same blue as a crystalline lake in the mountains. In his morbid curiosity, he learned in that evening alone, without speaking a word to her, that she was not fond of partridge and had a tendency to grow flustered if addressed directly in conversation but was not unintelligible when she composed herself to reply.

Upon the ride home, Cersei had been particularly vicious on the subject of Miss Tarth. Judging his cousin had not missed his particular attention on said lady throughout the evening, Jaime made it clear to himself and his companions that Brienne Tarth was the most unfortunate creature that had ever walked this earth. Satisfied, Cersei proceeded to sharpen her claws on how intolerable she found the elder Lady Baratheon. 

Jaime resolved that to be the end of the matter until Cersei invited the two ladies to join them for dinner later that same week. Everyone had one redeemable quality, and Miss Tarth’s just happened to be those remarkable eyes, so of course, when she smiled or laughed, they lent a slight charm to her otherwise homely face. 

Except as soon as he acknowledged that truth, he then began to notice her lips were rather full and often quirked upwards in pleasant reverie when she was not caught out or being forced to endure whatever ordeal was taking place at the moment. And while all her gowns were years out of fashion and only served to further make her look altogether too broad and heavy for anyone to consider pleasing, she had an uncanny sort of grace when she walked, a lightness that belied her stature. 

Brienne remained perfectly unaware of this development, as Lord Lannister had yet to speak a single word to her directly. It was not until a large party was assembled at Storm’s End did Brienne notice his eye upon her.

“Whatever have you done to Mr. Lannister?” Shireen asked after Brienne pointed it out to her. 

“Nothing in the slightest!”

“Well, we shall find out shortly, as he is coming this way,” Shireen announced. Before Brienne could escape, Shireen called out for him to join them. “I was just entreating Brienne to speak to Lady Whent about hosting a ball at Harrenhal.”

“And I was refuting the need for another dance so soon after our last.”

Lord Lannister raised a sardonic brow. “It is my experience that all ladies are keen for any and all opportunities in which to dance.”

“Your experience is limited to ladies of beauty and grace,” Brienne replied back before she could think better of her words. “Those ladies who are not gifted with such accouterments find dances to be a dreadfully different business.”

Behind them, a member of the party had opened up the instrument and began to play. Shireen brightened as Beric Dondarian led Cersei out for an impromptu dance. Struck by this idea, several others in attendance began to join them, including Tyrion and one of the youngest Penrose girls. 

Shireen brightened in a way that boded ill for Brienne. “Shall we put your sentiment to the test, Brienne? Surely Lord Lannister would not mind partnering with you for one song?”

“You twist my words to sound bitter,” Brienne said, drawing away from them. 

Jaime stepped forward and offered her his hand. “I would be most willing if you are, Ms. Tarth.”

She did not so much as regard his outstretched hand. “Thank you for the thought, but there is no need, I assure you. Excuse me, I believe I see my father looking for me.”

And just as neat as that, she was gone as the first song came to a close. Cersei appeared at his side with her dance partner on her heels. “Mr. Dondarian had high hopes to continue dancing,” Cersei said pointedly to Shireen, “but I am quite spent and could not oblige him.”

It was quickly decided that Shireen would be an ideal partner in her stead and they departed to join in for the next song. Jaime paid either of them little mind as he watched Brienne move around the edge of the room. Her declination of his offer had intrigued him and he was watching to see what she would do in the case of another offer.

“Jaime! Have you heard a word I’ve been saying to you?” He turned to find his cousin frowning up at him. “Do I interrupt your reverie?”

“Not at all. I was just musing on why a lady of little prospects would turn down an opportunity to dance.”

Cersei’s eyes went wide. “And which lady would be so foolish as to turn down a dance with a lion of Casterly Rock?”

“Miss Brienne Tarth.”

To his surprise, Cersei began to laugh. “Miss Brienne Tarth!” she echoed. “Why, Jaime, dear. Of course, she declined. The gentlemen of the region have long asked her to dance and then purposefully ridiculed her by leaving her waiting on the floor. She no doubt thought you meant to do the same.”

His brow furrowed at this news. “Why in the Warrior's name would I do that? What purpose does such behavior serve?”

“A lark is a lark,” Cersei said dismissively. “The question is, why would you ask Miss Tarth at all. You despise dancing.”

Her tone was prying, and he was in no mood for his cousin's acerbity. “This is true. Perhaps I have yet to meet the right partner.”

--

I'm amusing myself with this shorter bite-size chapter style. It's leading to quite an interesting structure, but I'm enjoying the practice so far.