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maysileeewrites · 7 days ago

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INVISIBLE STRING

Robb Stark x fem!reader || 17+

Summary: But somehow, you’d always felt yourself drawn to Robb the most. Almost as if there was an invisible string tying the two of you together. || Or: You, Robb and some unexpected nighttime confessions …

masterlist || w.c.: 4.2.k (oops?!)

tropes/content: friends to lovers, angst!! & fluff, Robb being a bit of a daft idiot (it’s a canon event in this fic), bantering & teasing; Robb and reader both having a little bit of a flair for the dramatic; some spice at the end (nothing too graphic though, just a good-ol’ make-out session)

AN: When I started writing this, I was expecting it to go completely different. Initially, I’d planned this to be quite smutty, with just a sweet little love confession beforehand. But whilst writing, I realized that there were so many different emotions that were preoccupying both Robb and Reader that going the full-on smut route didn’t feel entirely fitting for this fic. But don’t worry, I’ve got quite a lot of other fic ideas for Robb Stark! Hopefully you’ll enjoy reading this one just as much as I did writing it :)

When you wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.

Empty.

The bedsheets are still neatly arranged - unused.

Immediately, you’re wide awake, shaking off that dizzy, disoriented state your mind always is in the first few seconds upon waking. There’s nothing hazy or disoriented about your thoughts now though, instead there’s only this cold, bitter fear clawing at you as you hastily sit up, quickly adjusting your nightgown before getting out of bed.

Goosebumps immediately break out on your skin, because even though your nightgown has wide, long sleeves, the fabric is quite thin, due to the thick, incredibly warm furs you - and your best friend - always sleep under. Stepping into your slippers, you shiver, drawing the thin fabric of your nightgown tighter around yourself, but you don’t stop to pick up the shift you usually wear over your nightgown.

Instead, you step around the curtains separating your bed from the rest of the tent. Your heart grows heavier when you take in the rest of the tent - cold and untouched.

Robb isn’t here.

Trying to ignore the sinking feeling of dread in your stomach - this isn’t the first time this has happened, in fact, it’s already happened twice this week -, you walk towards the entrance of your tent, picking up one of the lanterns illuminating the tent and trying to think of where Robb could possibly be this time.

Hopefully he isn’t talking to the Kingslayer again, you think. But no, this already happened two days ago. Surely the Kingslayer can’t have wormed his way that much into Robb’s mind already, can he? But then again, this is the Kingslayer.

You shudder, not just from the bitter, cold night air hitting your skin as you step out of your tent, but also recalling that moment two nights ago, when you found Robb talking to the Kingslayer.

While your best friend had seemed less than happy at your arrival, a smirk had spread across Jaime Lannister’s face.

„Finally“, he’d said, totally unbothered by the glare on Robb’s face. „A pretty face I can put to the girl that’s clouding the young Starkling’s thoughts.“

„Don’t talk to her!“, Robb had growled, and you’re just as startled by recalling the anger and intensity in his voice as you’d been in the moment.

Later, when you’d made it back into your tent - back under the thick fur covers and back into Robb’s uncertain, tentative embrace - you’d asked him what the Kingslayer had meant by his words.

Though you couldn’t see it, as your back was pressed to Robb’s chest - one of his large hands splayed rather possessively across your stomach, the grip of his other hand on your waist tightening upon your words - you could practically feel him scowling.

„Nothing - he’s just trying to get into your head as well.“

And that had been that - at least for Robb.

You, on the other hand, hadn’t been able to go back to sleep that night.

Suddenly, sleep had seemed impossible, with your best friend - though was that even the right term to adequately describe the relationship between you and Robb? - right behind you, his hands on your hip and stomach, his warm, even breaths tickling your skin.

So close.

Robb was so close to you - he has been, for some time now.

Even closer than what you’re used to with him.

Growing up at Winterfell together, you’ve always been close to each other. Thick as thieves, as your mother, Lady Catelyn’s maid, always says fondly. With Robb being just a few months older than you, it had seemed only natural to spend as much of your time as possible with the oldest of the Stark children.

Growing up, you’d done almost everything together. You, Robb and his half brother Jon. As little children, you’d played in the woods surrounding Winterfell, using little wooden swords to learn how to fight with a sword. You’d ignored your mother’s words that it wasn’t becoming of a young girl to spend all her time running around with boys, like a little wildling - just like Robb ignored his brother’s and Theon’s teasing remark when you tried showing him how to knit.

With Robb, it had always been easy to just completely forget the rest of the world and get absorbed in this little universe you two had carved out for yourself. One where it didn’t matter that his brothers and Theon were teasing him relentlessly that he was spending so much time with you, a girl. One that was neither his sister nor taken in by the Stark family, so really, there was no reason - at least in Jon’s and Theon’s minds - for Robb to spend so much time with someone that wasn’t family.

When you got older, a new undertone found its way into their comments, like when you’d danced with Robb during the festivities for his fourteenth name day or when he’d turned red like a ripe tomato upon seeing you in your newest dress that you’d gotten as a gift from your mother for your fifteenth name day.

But these comments had never really bothered either of you too much and they certainly didn’t stop you from spending as much as possible of your time with Robb.

Of course, you’d also spent time with Sansa, Jon, Theon and then eventually Arya, Bran and Rickon, yet somehow, you’d always felt yourself drawn to Robb the most. Almost as if there was an invisible string tying the two of you together.

Precisely the words your mother used a few months ago, when you’d told her that you’d be accompanying Robb on his campaign to King’s Landing.

„I know that there’s no point in arguing with you on this, not when dear Robb is involved“, she’d said, sighing, drawing you into an embrace. „But just know my dear child, that I will kill the young lord myself if he doesn’t bring you back home to me safely.“

And despite of the draining last few months behind you, the memory warms your heart and brings a smile to your lips.

However, the warmth doesn’t last long. It’s gone, snuffed out like the flame of a candle, when you see how dark - and empty - Robb’s tent is.

Fortunately for you, one of the guards stationed outside the tent - it had been you, alongside with Robb’s mother, Lady Catelyn, that had finally convinced him that as Lord of Winterfell and King in the North, he does need protection around himself at all times, and not just when he feels fitting - notices you.

You know the guard quite well - in fact, he’s the one who’d pointed you to the Kingslayer’s cage two nights ago and accompanied you there. He’s young, only a few years older than you and Robb, friendly and quite overeager to prove himself. If you recall correctly, his name is Gerad.

„He went into the nearby woods, my Lady“, Gerad now informs you, worry and regret coloring his words. „Snuck out of his tent some time ago, and when me and Ben over there noticed him, insisted that we do not follow him. He took his direwolf with him, though.“

You frown, sighing. This sounds just like Robb. At least Grey Wind is with him, though the thought isn’t as reassuring as you’d like it to be.

„He especially insisted that we were not to inform you of his whereabouts my Lady, he didn’t want you to worry or go after him.“

You just shake your head. Now, this sounds even more like Robb.

„Of course he did“, you mutter, inwardly cursing your best friend and his stupid reckless tendencies.

Not giving Gerad the chance to say anything else, you turn around, already walking away, ignoring the words he calls after you.

„But - my Lady, it’s dark and - and I don’t think you should go alone into the woods at night…“

Crossing your arms in front of your chest, trying to fight off the chill of the cool night air, you quicken your pace. Gerad is right - it’s dark and seven hells knows what’s lurking inside of the woods, especially at night.

But Robb needs you right now, and so, you swallow down your fear and tighten your grip on the lantern, as you walk into the woods. At least you had the foresight to grab the lantern, you think, as you stumble over a branch, cursing quietly when your nightgown gets caught in a root.

You curse yourself for not throwing over your linen shift over your nightgown, because even though knowing your luck the shift would have probably got caught in a root as well, it at least would have offered you some protection against the bitterly cold night air.

You’re freezing and your teeth have already started chattering, but just turning around and walking back to your warm tent and the thick, warm furs isn’t an option. Not when you still haven’t found Robb.

Just then, the light of your lantern falls onto a familiar silhouette and in your hasty excitement to get to Robb, you stumble, almost tripping over a branch on the ground. The loud sound of the branch snapping echoes off into the night air, causing Robb - it really is him, thank the seven! - to turn around. Grey Wind is by his side in an instant and though you hear the threatening growl of the dire wolf, he immediately relaxes once he recognizes you.

When Robb sees you, his eyes widen in shock, and instantly, he’s at your side.

Worried, he calls out your name. „What - what are you doing here? Are you mad? You could’ve frozen to death! Here, take this!“

Ignoring your protest - secretly you’ve always thought that Robb had a bit of a flair for the dramatic, because, really while it might indeed be freezing, saying that you could’ve frozen to death is a bit of a stretch- he immediately takes off his thick fur coat and wraps it around you, wrapping his arms tightly around your waist and drawing you into his chest in the process.

„I - I’m not - Robb, please, I’m fine!“

„Fine?“, Robb asks, raising his eyebrows, but he can’t entirely mask his evident concern for you, „you’re shivering, Princess.“

You’re so distracted by his sudden proximity that you don’t even protest the term of endearment that Robb often uses to tease you.

Using your momentary distraction to his advantage, Robb continues to admonish you. „What are you even doing out here, all alone at night? Don’t you know how dangerous it is to be walking through the woods, all by yourself-“

„I was worried about you, you idiot!“, you interrupt him, softly hitting his chest, finally overcoming your confusion, even though his hands on your waist and shoulders and the intensity in his bright, blue eyes still very much distract you.

„I - what?“

Robb sounds genuinely baffled at your words and you can’t help but roll your eyes at him. You love him, you really do, but sometimes he can be a bit - well, daft.

Then, you freeze, going over your thoughts again.

The realization hits you like an icy wind on a stormy winter night in Winterfell: you love him.

At first, the thought doesn’t feel entirely new. You’ve always loved Robb, in some capacity.

But this - this is different.

This isn’t the gentle, steady kinship you’ve felt for him all these years, this almost familial kind of love.

This is much more akin to the way your heart was beating wildly in your chest that night a few years ago, when Robb asked you to dance with him on the festivities for his fourteenth name day.

Or the way you felt your palms grow sweaty when Robb first saw you in your new dress for your fifteenth name day.

Or the dizzy, breathless way you felt that one night last spring when Robb had gently brushed a stray strand of hair from your face, before leaning down towards you, his eyes unable to hold your gaze, instead flickering towards your lips - only for him to almost jump away from you when Jon had entered his chamber unannounced.

And the look in Robb’s eyes right now is not unlike the one back then. So full of emotion and intense-

Just then, Robb softly mutters your name. „Hey, you still with me?“, he asks, his tone light and teasing, but you can see the concern for you in his eyes.

You don’t answer his question.

Instead, almost as if your mind and heart had just been waiting for you to finally realize your true feelings for Robb, it’s as if a heavy, constant weight on your chest has lifted from you and all the words you’ve held back these last few weeks - all this fear and worry that have been gnawing at you - finally fall from your lips.

„What were you thinking, Robb?“, you say, voice colored with worry and frustration.

Robb’s blue eyes widen in confusion at your sudden shift in mood, but you don’t give him any chance to interrupt you, ploughing on instead.

„Probably nothing, right? You’re so … by the seven, you can be so - stupid sometimes, Robb!“

Robb frowns and he says your name in irritation, but you quickly interrupt him.

„Do you know how dangerous it is for you to just go off, sneaking into the woods, alone, at night? You’re the King, Robb! Just think about what would’ve happened if it wasn’t me that had found you, but someone else instead, maybe even an assassin-“

Saying your name again, Robb interrupts you. „I have Grey Wind with me. And we have guards stationed all around the Camp-“

„Oh yes, those same guards that didn’t even notice the first few times you snuck away at night?“, you reply frostily, raising your eyebrows at him.

„What - why are you making such a big deal out of this?“ Now Robb’s voice is colored in anger and frustration, but you don’t back down.

„Because you’re my best friend and I-“

And I love you.

The words are right there, right on the tip of your tongue, but maybe right now isn’t exactly the best moment to say them out loud for the first time. No, first you need to get it through Robb’s incredibly thick and stubborn skull that this isn’t Winterfell - this is war, and even though Robb’s first instinct will always be to protect everyone else first, he needs to take care of himself as well.

And you want him to know that he can always rely on you, can always talk to you.

Because even though Robb hasn’t really talked about it to you yet, you think that you have a good grasp on just what exactly it is that’s been bothering him so much lately.

„ - and I worry about you! Do you think I haven’t noticed how distracted you’ve been lately, Robb?“

„I don’t - you don’t need to worry about-“, Robb starts to say, but you quickly interrupt him.

„Yes. Yes, I do. And I think that by now you know me well enough to know that I will always worry about you, Robb.“

At this, Robb’s resolve finally breaks and he laughs sadly.

„I’m always here for you, Robb“, you say, tone much more gentler than just a few seconds before.

Robb sighs heavily. „I know, Princess, I know. I didn’t want to - this must be hard enough for you as it is and I don’t want you to carry this burden as well, I don’t want you to worry so much about me-“

„And so you thought it better to just sneak off alone at night?“, you reply, irritated. „You thought that wouldn’t worry me?“

At this, Robb looks at you rather sheepishly. „I hoped that you wouldn’t notice.“

When you inhale sharply, he immediately rushes on. „It’s just - it’s all so - it’s so much, all the time … and I just - I need - I need some time to think, to be alone, to just breathe and- I don’t know, everyone always expects so much of me and I know that I must sound like an ungrateful, whiny coward right now, but I don’t - I never asked for this - this responsibility. Not under these circumstances, I - I just want to avenge my father and to save my sisters and most of the time I feel like I don’t even know what I’m doing … I don’t - these people, they all call me their king, but I just - I-“

He breaks off, biting his lips in frustration and angrily shaking his head. „It’s stupid, I know. Which is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you any of this.“

„No, it’s not stupid“, you say softly, gently brushing one of his auburn curls out of his face. „None of it is.“

„But-“, Robb starts to protest, but you shake your head at him.

„It’s not, Robb. These times are hard for all of us, but especially for you. You’ve been thrust into this role without warning, under horrible circumstances. And for that I’d say that you’re handling things extremely well - the only thing I think you should change is talking to your best friend more often.“

Robb grins. „Oh, really?“

„Really.“

„Oh, and why is that?“

Robb’s blue eyes are alight with amusement and you can’t help but grin back at him.

Later, you’ll talk to him again, about all of this. It’s too much, too important to just leave it at that, but right now, both of you need a warmer, brighter moment.

„Because you need to talk to someone. And because it’s incredibly stupid of you to just sneak off like that, alone at night.“

Robb’s grin widens. „Well, if you promise to stop calling me stupid so frequently, then maybe I’ll think about it.“

You laugh. „I’m sorry, but it’s true! I love you, Robb, but sometimes you can really be a bit of an idiot-“

Your eyes widen in shock.

Already, you can feel your cheeks burning up.

You said it.

You actually said it, out loud. Just like that, without even thinking about it. Oh, by the seven, how could you be so incredibly - well, stupid?

Robb’s silence and the stunned look on his face isn’t helping, either.

„I didn’t - I didn’t mean it like - I just - I“, you stammer awkwardly, trying to hide your face behind your hands.

But then Robb’s hands are there, gently cupping your cheeks, and before you can fully comprehend what’s happening, he leans down towards you and softly presses his lips against yours.

For a moment, you’re too stunned, too shocked to react.

Then, you register what’s happening: Robb is kissing you. He heard your confession and didn’t turn away from you.

A soft, surprised noise escapes you, and just when you feel Robb starting to pull away from you, you throw your hands around his neck, reciprocating the kiss with so much force that Robb stumbles, caught off guard.

Chuckling, he breaks the kiss. „Someone’s eager“, he says, grinning down at you.

Your cheeks start to burn even more, and you roll your eyes at Robb. „You’re so stupid.“

„Didn’t you promise to stop calling me that?“, Robb asks, while gently brushing a stray strand of hair out of your face.

„Promise?“, you ask, raising your eyebrows at him. „I don’t recall promising you anything-“

„Well, maybe you just need a reminder“, Robb murmurs, before his lips claim yours in a hungry kiss.

And if Robb’s idea of a reminder to stop calling him stupid consists of him kissing you senseless, so that every coherent thought in your head is washed away, then he very much succeeds with it. His lips move against yours and just when you can feel his tongue prodding at your lower lip, one of his hands trails down from your cheek, moving over your collarbone, your chest - here, your breath actually hitches and you swear that you can feel Robb grinning into the kiss -, your sides, until it settles on your waist.

Overwhelmed, you move your hands up from his neck, tangling them in his auburn curls, trying to ground yourself against the onslaught of different sensations.

Robb’s tongue hungrily exploring your mouth.

His hand on your waist, his grip on you so certain and dominant that you don’t even care that he’s most likely going to leave bruises on your skin.

His other hand still assuredly cupping your face, his calloused fingertips softly moving over your skin.

Your heart, beating frantically in your chest.

There’s still a certain sense of wonderment within you, a small part of yourself that keeps asking whether this is actually happening. Because Robb kissing you senseless is all of your wildest dreams come true, and then some.

But almost as if in reply to your thoughts, Robb uses the hand that’s settled on your waist to draw you in even closer, until you’re pushed right against his chest and now, there’s really no space left between you two.

Even through the thick fur coat you’re still wearing you can feel the hardened planes of Robb’s chest, and something else, something harder straining against his breeches.

A soft, surprised noise escapes you.

Just then, you shift, trying to move one of your hands up higher, but then you accidentally grind yourself against Robb in the process. The chocked off moan that leaves Robb as a reaction leaves you feeling dizzy and breathless - and wanting to repeat that exact same movement in order to elicit that delicious noise from Robb again.

Feeling bold and brazen, you press yourself even closer against Robb, but just then, Robb’s grip on your waist tightens, keeping you in place.

Breathlessly, Robb breaks the kiss, looking at you with such an intense fire in his eyes that is in stark contrast to his next words. „Not - not here. I mean - I - maybe we should - go back … back to camp, back to our-your tent, I mean, I … “

You smile.

His curls are a mess, his lips are red and swollen from kissing you and his cheeks are looking rather flushed and pink, but to you, he’s never looked more beautiful than in this moment.

„You’re right“, you say, sounding just as breathless as Robb. Still smiling, you reach up to brush a few curls out of his face.

For a moment, Robb closes his eyes, leaning into your soft, comforting touch.

If it’s even possible, you feel your smile widening even more.

Robb looks so beautiful. So peaceful and serene-

Then, suddenly, his hands on your waist are scooping you up into his arms, and carrying you in bridal style, he starts walking through the forest, Grey Wind following at his side, ignoring your protests.

Hastily, you throw your arms around his neck for support.

„Robb, just let me down, I can walk just fine!“, you huff, but once again, he ignores your protest.

This continues all the while through the forest, and even once you’ve reached camp, he just smirks at your continued protest. Frustrated, you roll your eyes at him, even though you feel like you might die from embarrassment due to the curious looks the guards stationed around camp throw you two.

„Finally!“, you say, sighing frustratedly and crossing your arms in front of your chest, after Robb entered your tent and finally let you go.

Though your irritation doesn’t seem to phase Robb in the slightest - instead, he just grins.

„Really“, you continue, shaking your head at him, „I could’ve managed fine on my own. No need for all that fuss.“

Sighing, Robb steps closer towards you, gently tugging a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

„Look, I’m sorry, it’s just - this night … it’s all so - gods, I’ve loved you for so long and to finally realize that you feel the same way - can you imagine what an incredible feeling that is?“

For a moment, you’re too stunned to say anything.

Your eyes find Robb’s and when you see all his love and yearning for you reflected in them, your throat suddenly feels dry.

Biting down hard on your lip, you uncross your arms from in front of your chest and reach for Robb’s free hand - the other is still tenderly cupping your face -, intertwining your fingers together.

You know exactly how Robb feels. After all, it seems that you two have been going through the exact same thoughts and emotions these last few weeks.

„Robb“, you whisper, looking up at him.

You both lean towards each other at the same time and your lips meet in a soft, tender kiss, so full of emotion that it’s threatening to overwhelm you even more.

When he breaks the kiss, Robb leans his forehead against yours, smiling softly.

„By the seven, you’re incredible. I love you - I love you so much, Princess.“

You press another chaste, soft kiss to his lips, still smiling so stupidly widely that normally, Robb would’ve already made a teasing remark. „And I love you, Robb.“

Robb laughs, the sound a bit shaky and uncertain, but still it warms your heart. „I fear that I’ll never get tired of hearing these words.“

You laugh. And then, because you can’t not say it: „Stupid“, you murmur lovingly under your breath.

Robb laughs. „Yes - but you love me.“

And not giving you the chance to come up with a reply, he leans down to kiss you again.

i really hope you liked reading this <3

tagging: (if you want your tag to be removed, just lmk, but I thought I'd tag you just in case!) @wrensical003 @2049garden @rheanyraaaa @amethystinie @vyctorya @dragontearsandunicornfears @heartofmortis @2049web

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