The Bastard Boy Of Dragonstone

The Bastard Boy of Dragonstone

Part 4 Jacaerys 1

Chapter Summary: Jace has to come to terms with what the new arrival means for him

Series Masterlist

Warning: Self Hatred, Targaryen Critical, talks of Valyrian blood/superiority, Angst, kind of bastardphobic?

Words: 1,669

A/N: Jace is not okay holy crap

Jace felt his blood run cold when he first saw him. There in front of the court stood a boy only a year younger than him. He was a bastard from Dragonstone. Nobody in their family claimed him as their own. Gods knew who his parents were. Only the Gods knew. Yet…he had the straight silver hair and the brilliant light violet eyes. His skin was pale, even his nose was pointed and thin. Jace saw the look of confusion in the court’s eyes, in his mother’s eyes. Eventually, those eyes turned to him. They scrutinized him. The Targaryen Prince. The future heir of the Iron Throne after his mother. Yet, he looked nothing like this stranger. Something was off and Jace knew it wasn’t the other boy. 

The wind blew past his face. It was a cold day outside the Red Keep. Jace stood in the training yard. It was completely empty save for the guards positioned by the doors. It served him better, Jace didn’t want to interact with any of his uncles. Given how tense his mother and Daemon had been since they arrived, Jace wanted to keep a distance from them too. 

Jace swung the sword in his hand. It felt odd. He decided a real blade would suit him better. He turned toward the weaponry and picked up a sword. However, it seemed dull. Jace walked to sharpen the blade when he heard the doors open. 

Soft steps went along the dirt ground. Jace froze.

No one said anything. No one did anything to him. Jace was half expecting it to be Aemond who would grab his tunic and push him onto the ground. 

He looked over his shoulder. It was him. The boy. He was leaning forward, staring at the weaponry. His hands gently held a sword. 

Jace watched him. He looked almost curious as he held the blade. Had he never held one before? 

The boy either didn’t notice Jace or didn’t care. Jace wasn’t sure if he was grateful for this. All he knew was that now as he stood before him, so much was rushing inside of him. 

Jace knew that boy was a bastard. It was what Daemon had mumbled under his breath whenever he saw him. But all Jace could see was a true Targaryen. Even if his family mocked whatever muddled blood he had, all Jace saw was someone who looked everything a prince should look like. Jace’s mother was a Targaryen, but he shared none of her features. It didn’t bother him…at first. He rode a dragon, there was no reason to deny him a title as a Targaryen. Then his mother had Aegon and Viserys. Jace loved his brothers more than anything but every time he looked at them, he saw the better Targaryens. The true Targaryens. Daemon and his mother looked proud at their two youngest sons. They were the better children. In the eyes of the court and deep down he knew in his mother’s too. These children wouldn’t raise brows and questions. And despite the boy’s title as a legitimized bastard, he wouldn’t either, he looked like he belonged. 

Jace let go of his sword and turned toward the doors in a huff. He didn’t want to be there any longer. The doors opened wide, however, both of Jace’s hands were still by his side. From the behind the doors came his brother, Luke.

“Jace, I’ve been looking for you. Why didn’t you tell me you were going to the yard?”

“I’m not staying so it doesn’t matter”, Jace sighed.

Luke glanced at the courtyard, Jace wished he hadn’t. 

“Is that Gaemon?” Luke asked. “Were you training together?”

“No.”

“Oh…” Luke stared at the other boy. “Maybe we could?”

“It’s best if we don’t”, Jace shut down the idea.

“Why not?”

Jace looked at the boy. How was Luke so blind? Was it not obvious?

“Nothing good will come out of spending time with him.”

“How do you know that?”

“It will only cause more people to stare”, Jace whispered.

“What? At him?”

“No Luke, at us.”

Without a word, Luke began walking around the training yard. Jace realized he was going toward Gaemon and ran after him. 

“Luke leave it alone”, Jace warned.

Luke didn’t answer, still walking. 

“Luke, stop.” Jace gripped his brother’s arm. 

Luke turned; his usually soft features were contorted with anger.

“Why do you care about this so much?” Jace asked.

“Because maybe he would understand”, Luke grit through his teeth.

“Understand what?”

“You know what I mean. He understands what it's like to be a bast-”

Jace shushed Luke before he could finish saying the word.

“Are you mad? Keep your voice down.”

Luke just glared at him. Jace didn’t care, however, his younger brother was acting childish.

“We are Targaryens. Our mother is the heir to the Iron Throne. We are nothing like him.” Even as he said it, Jace couldn’t believe his own words.

“He would know what it's like. The stares. The whispers.”

Jace shook his head. “He’s a common bastard from Dragonstone. Half of everyone there is baseborn already.”

Luke’s face only reflected disgust. 

“The closer we get to him; the more danger Mother’s position will be in as well as ours. Pay him no mind. Unlike him, we have everything to lose and the throne to gain.”

Luke lifted his face upward. His eyes shifted. “The only difference between us and him is our mother is a princess. To question our legitimacy is high treason, to question his is a small jest that he must hear every day.”

Luke pulled his arm away and left the courtyard, leaving Jace with his own thoughts. 

The next day, Jace went to the Dragonpit. Luke hadn’t spoken to him since the argument and his mother’s anxiousness seemed to grow with each day. He couldn’t stand it. 

Jace waited in the middle of the large dome building, the dragonkeepers went ahead to get Vermax. He was tapping his foot against the dirt when the doors of the Dragonpit were opened. His brown eyes shifted, and he caught a glimpse of silver-white hair. The choppy medium-length hair let him know who it was. 

The keepers looked at the new arrival and almost went to the corridors where the dragons resided until he put up his hand. 

“I’ll get him myself”, the boy said.

The dragonkeepers seemed like they wanted to disagree, but the boy went ahead toward the corridors without another word. Jace watched as he disappeared into the dark tunnels. Silence filled the Dragonpit until Vermax came out. Jace approached his dragon with a weary smile. 

Vermax nearly snapped at those who held his chains but upon seeing Jace calmed down. The dragon extended his neck out to get closer to his rider. Jace stroked his green scales, watching the ill-tempered dragon soothe at the touch. The keepers undid his chains. Jace kept the dragon’s yellow eyes on him. The keepers returned with a leather saddle. Vermax huffed at the touch of someone else and nearly snapped toward them. Jace whispered in High Valyrian to get his attention. After a moment, the keepers finished and gave the pair space. 

Underneath his hand, Vermax’s body tensed. His neck extended toward the dark corridors. Jace looked over. A voice was coming from the corridors. It seemed to be mumbling something. From the darkness, the other boy came out. Jace could see his lips moving, he was saying something. But he wasn’t looking at Jace or any of the dragonkeepers. Still, he was talking.

The shadows of the tunnel moved. Vermax took a step back in surprise. Jace watched as a large dragon crawled out. His scales were white with grey underneath his tattered wings. His eyes shifted between Jace, Vermax, and the dragonkeepers. 

Then Gaemon turned back to him still speaking- no singing. Gaemon was singing to him. The dragon’s gaze went back to the boy. He tentatively took steps further into the center of the dome. Once he was out enough, Gaemon approached him, dragging his hand along the dragon’s scaled jaw.

Jace stared in confusion when he saw Gaemon begin to mount the dragon. There was no saddle on the dragon’s back, yet the boy climbed on anyway. 

For a moment, Gaemon looked in Jace’s direction. His face was neutral in every sense of the word. 

Jace didn’t say anything to him and the boy in response said nothing in return. 

Gaemon turned toward the exit. His dragon passed by him and Vermax, looking at them wearily, before leaving the building. Jace heard a deep growling and knew that meant they had taken off into the skies.    

Jace felt the need to go after him. Why? He didn’t know. He had a duty to his mother and to his family. He had to make sure that his mother’s position as heir was secured. She told him he would one day sit on the Iron Throne. Their line would rule. All he had to do was play the part and ensure no ill word was spoken of them. Yet Luke’s words came back to him. He was a Targaryen but not a legitimate one. He shared the same blood as his uncles and aunt, half Valyrian and half Andal, they were the same, but they truly weren’t. He wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be a Velaryon. He was supposed to be trueborn.   

Would the other boy understand? Would he understand the anguish of knowing you were different, never truly fitting in? Maybe, just maybe someone could understand what it was like to be a mistake. But Jace would always put his duty first, that’s what made him a good son. He will keep Gaemon at arm’s length and go on living wondering if he could have had someone to understand him. For the sake of his mother. For his brothers. For the throne.      

Thank you for tagging me @lynnbeth5172 💕💕💕

What is a bad habit you have? Picking at my nails when I’m nervous and anxious

What‘s your dream job? Published author :)

How many times have you been pulled over by a cop? Never

What are the top two words your friends would use to describe you? Sweet and funny

Dream travel destinations? Vienna, Austria

Are you more independent, or need lots of people around you? I consider myself independent but I do love being around my friends

Have you ever had sex in a public place? Nope

Favourite beverage? Coca-Cola

Tagging (no pressure): @martellspear @mariahossain @snowprincesa1 @snowblack-charcoalwhite @sidraofthewildflowers

Question Time!

Thank you my darling Tumblr kindred spirits @lonnson @itbmojojoejo @bhxrdy @poetic-fiasco for the tag! 💜

What is a bad habit you have? Picking at my nails when I'm nervous/anxious

What‘s your dream job? Published author (unrealistic) or some level of product analyst for the internal software with a company (realistic).

How many times have you been pulled over by a cop? Oh boy... too many times to remember, which makes me sound like an absolutely hellion, but fuck it.

What are the top two words your friends would use to describe you? Trusting and reliable or kind and clever. DM me and you can decide for yourself. 💜😆

Dream travel destinations? Germany or Ireland.

Are you more independent, or need lots of people around you? Painfully independent.

Have you ever had sex in a public place?

...maybe I have hellion tendencies.

Favourite beverage? Water, or Celsius Sparkling Strawberry Guava energy drink. Their grape is pretty nifty too.

No pressure tags: @annikin-im-panicin @azperja @zaldritzosrose @zae5 @snowblack-charcoalwhite @dr-aegon @fan-goddess @lynnbeth5172 @elizarbell @schniiipsel @aegonx @thought--bubble @troublesomesnitch @persephonerinyes @chattylurker @primonizzutto @pendragora @hoosbandewan @fallingintoyourlilaceyes and if this comes across your dash, please tag me because I am nosey. 💜

The fact the House of the Dragon marketing team hasn't done a full-on Targaryen family promo shot is one of their biggest misses. Like can you imagine the entire Targaryen family both Blacks and Greens in something like this:

It's literally succession with dragons. Bruh the opportunity was right there smh 🙄

Good Luck Egg Chapter One: Welcome Egg

Summary: Jace Targaryen was one of the eldest siblings of his two mothers and when he found out they would be having yet another child he was both excited and nervous. His baby brother, Egg, would have to navigate life through their crazy family so as any good brother would do he started creating video diaries to give him advice for the future.

Chapter Summary: When his mother goes into labor early Jace struggles to wrangle all his siblings together to get to the hospital and meet their little brother

Pairing: Alicent Hightower x Rhaenyra Targaryen, Jace Velaryon x Sara Snow, Cregan Stark x Helaena Targaryen

Warning: some language

Words: 5,262

A/N: This is high-key written like a sitcom and is Jace-centric (since he's Teddy in this fic), also muña means mother in High Valyrian

The house was mostly quiet for once. The only sound came from the TV, a humming signaled the beginning of the theme song. Rhaenyra turned up the volume enthusiastically. She glanced down at her bowl of strawberry ice and frowned. Taking the whipped cream topping in hand she added more until it was a mountain that buried the ice cream, only then was she satisfied. She took a spoonful and smiled. 

Rhaenyra never felt fully comfortable when she was in her final trimester of pregnancy even when she had done it several times. However, to her, the best thing about being pregnant was that she could eat anything without her wife bringing up how “unhealthy” it was. She could say it was cravings and her wife moved on.

The screen lit up with the colors of her favorite fantasy series. Without hesitation, she took another spoonful. A sharp pain came from her abdomen. 

“Ow”, she huffed. Her eyes went to her stomach. “All your brothers were easy, why aren’t you?”

She swallowed the ice cream and turned back to her TV. Her favorite family drama show was on. She had yet to catch up to the current season like her son had but with the rest of the kids out of the house, she could watch her show without having to worry about them walking into the awkward parts.

Another pain came from her abdomen. She gripped the remote tightly. She winced. Slowly, Rhaenyra turned off the TV and put down her plate. She could barely adjust to sitting on her own couch. Every time she would end up rolling. Gods she forgot how much she hated this feeling. 

“Alicent”, Rhaenyra called.

The sound of boots clicking in the kitchen got her attention and before long, her wife walked into the living room. 

“What is it?” Alicent asked. 

“I’m going into labor”, Rhaenyra sighed.

Alicent’s eyes popped open. “What?! But you’re not due yet!”

“Well take that up with him.” Rhaenyra gestured at her stomach. “Unfortunately, I’m running on his time, not the doctor’s or mine apparently.”

Alicent scanned the couch for her purse. “Okay, okay”, panic edged in her voice. “A bit of a hiccup but it's fine.”

Alicent grabbed the purse which was thrown lazily on the floor. “Okay, I have our stuff here. Do you want me to bring you a robe and slippers?”

Rhaenyra bit in inside of her cheek as another round of pain resurfaced. “We don’t have time for that, my love.”

Alicent helped Rhaenyra to her feet. Rhaenyra threw on her sweater and casually walked toward the door with an anxious Alicent behind her. 

Rhaenyra looked over her shoulder and then smirked. “Ready for baby number eight?”

Alicent was practically shaking. “Gods no, but let’s do this.”

—---------------------------

Jace wanted to throw his controller on the couch. He had lost another video game match with Cregan. His best friend was smiling but he was not. How after so many times playing had he not improved at all? He thought at least with the new combo he had, he thought he could get one victory over Cregan but nothing.

He rolled his eyes at the TV. “This is rigged.”

Cregan threw back his head and laughed. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“This is your game and console. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had done something.”

“I only play games, Jace, I’m not a tech wizard that’s your brother.”

“I bet he did help you.”

A ring broke through the conversation. Cregan picked up his phone but saw his screen was pitch black. 

“Jace, I think it’s yours.”

Jace shuffled through his pocket and pulled out his phone. The word ‘Mom’ lit up the phone. He answered.

His face scrunched a bit in confusion. “Mom, what’s up?”

“Um”, he could hear the nervousness in his mom’s voice. “Your mother went into labor early.”

Jace sat up on the couch. “But I thought the baby wasn’t coming for a least like two weeks. Is Muña okay?”

“Yes. Yes. Your mother is okay.” 

A scream came from the background. “Alicent, can you drive any fucking slower?!”

“I’m talking to Jace”, his mom said.

“Watch the road!”, his muña yelled. 

“I’m trying to”, his mom responded in the calmest voice she could muster. 

“You’re on your way to the hospital, right?” Jace asked.

“Yes, we are. Jace, I’m so sorry to ask this but can you please bring your siblings here? I can’t leave your mother alone.”

Jace nodded. “Yeah, of course. I’ll get bring them over as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, darling,” his mom said. With that, she hung up.

Jace had wanted to record a film from their short film, but it seemed that would have to wait. He turned toward his friend. “Cregan, I need to borrow your car, it’s for an emergency.”

Cregan sat up. “I heard everything your mom was screaming, let’s go.”

“Believe it or not that’s her calm.”

Cregan threw the car keys at Jace, who caught them with one hand. They got into the car and Jace turned on the engine. He glanced between himself and his friend at their uniforms, it was for their film, but he didn’t have time to change. Whatever.   

“Do you know where you’re going?” Cregan asked. 

Jace nodded. “Yup, theater rehearsal.”

The younger teen was practically speeding until they got to the parking lot of their local high school. It was a weekend so few cars were in the lot when Jace pulled into an empty space. He turned off the car and ran toward the auditorium, with Cregan close behind. The two opened the doors to the building. Inside were other teenagers dressed in costumes reading over a script. Jace scanned the group assembled.

“See 'em?” Cregan asked.

“No.”

Jace opened the doors to the stage. On top of the stage, he saw a couple rehearsing some overly dramatic monologue while staring into each other’s eyes. Behind them was a group of teenagers dressed as fairies with cheap plastic wings. In the corner of the stage, she saw a girl with light hair dressed as a tree. 

“Helaena,” Jace called out.     

The couple stopped monologuing. The guy looked annoyed. “I thought we locked that door.”

Jace smiled awkwardly. “Sorry to interrupt, family emergency.”

Helaena in her tree costume made her way down to the stairs. The closer she got the more Jace was struggling to not laugh at his sister’s odd costume. She looked as if she could barely move with her arms stuck at her sides where the trunk of the tree was. 

“Jace, I’m at rehearsal”, Helaena reprimanded softly.

“I know. I know but it’s muña. She went into labor.”

Helaena’s eyes widened. “But I thought she wasn’t due yet.”

“She isn’t but the baby calling the shots here.”

Helaena nodded. “Okay, let me get out of this stupid costume. They can find another tree in the meantime.”

Jace helped Helaena unzip the back and she tossed off the tree costume. Underneath her costume though was a camo jumpsuit, supposedly to match the tree. Jace didn’t bother to bring this up. They raced back to the car. Jace jumped into the driver’s seat but found that Cregan was no longer in his passenger’s seat. The rearview mirror showed he was now in the backseat with his sister. Jace shook his head.

“Hel, do you know where everything else is?”

“Aegon and Daeron are at Ben Blackwood’s party”, Helaena admitted.

“Ben Blackwood is having a party today?” Jace asked.

“Yes, they didn’t want to tell mom and muña. You have to keep it a secret”, Helaena demanded. 

“Fine. Fine.” Jace then groaned. “Crap. How are we going to find his house?”

Cregan leaned close to Jace. “He lives in Ravenhall.”

“How do you know that?” Jace inquired.

Cregan glanced to see if Helaena wasn’t paying attention. “I used to date his sister, Aly.”

Jace’s face scrunched together. “You’ve never brought this up.”

“It was a long time ago.”

Jace sighed then started the car and pulled out of the parking space. As he began driving, he saw Cregan lean closer to Helaena in the rearview mirror. 

Cregan swallowed nervously. “So, are you a big theater person?”

“I like it, so I guess.”

“Cool. Um, what play were you doing?”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Helaena replied.

“Oh really? My teacher made me read that book for literature. It’s got a lot of freaky magic and stuff.”

Helaena smiled. “I know, right? I think that’s why I like it so much; it stands out from Shakespeare’s other work.”

Cregan smiled. “Yeah, it's awesome.”

Jace wished he could be anywhere else than inside this car and being forced to live through this conversation.

The neighborhood of Ravenhall was luckily close to where the school was. The security guard at the gate was nice and let them in once Jace said they were going to the Blackwood’s. The man asked if they were Brackens and Jace said no. He was confused about what was going on between the Brackens and Blackwoods but that was not the main objective. As Jace got closer to the house, he could see cars surrounding the house. The music from the backyard was playing loud enough that he could hear it from the front. 

“You’d think for a house party, they’d be more lowkey about it.”

Helaena pointed at the fence, suddenly. “Look the gate is open.”

Jace nodded. “Come on let’s these two.”

The three of them slipped through the half-closed gate. When Helaena told him it was a party, Jace had not expected this. There was a bounce house beside the pool where children around the age of ten were playing. A clown was face painting a little kid, while another clown made balloon animals. A pile of presents was in the corner next to a large table with an ocean cake. A banner above spelled out ‘Happy Birthday Sam!’ in big blue bubble letters. 

Jace stared at the scene before him. “Cregan?” 

“Yeah?”

“This is the Blackwood house, right?”

“I swear it is.”

“Helaena?” Jace asked.

“I swear they said they were going to Ben Blackwood’s party”, Helaena replied.

“This is a kid’s party”, Jace pointed out.

“Um, Jace.” Cregan nudged his rib.

Jace turned and saw Aegon and Daeron sitting in beach chairs beside the pool. Their legs were sprawled out as they laid back on the chairs, juices in hand. Without a word, Jace walked over to them. His older brother, Aegon was quick to notice him. 

“Hey, you were invited too?” Aegon asked.

Jace looked down at his two brothers. Both of them were wearing Hawaiian shirts with cargo pants and straw hats. Their accessories consisted of flip-flops, sunglasses, and a capri-sun in hand. Aegon even had sunscreen on his nose.

Jace sighed. “I don’t have the time to ask you why right, just know you need to come with us.”

“They’re cutting the cake soon, though”, Aegon complained.

“Muña’s having the baby”, Jace said.

Aegon sat up. “Wait, how?”

“I’ll explain in the car.”

The group hastily left through the open gate and shuffled back into Cregan’s car. Jace started the ignition and then turned back to the backseat.

“Okay, where’s Aemond?”

“At a friend’s house”, Daeron mentioned.

“Can you be more specific?” Jace asked.

“That girl he hangs out with, Alys Rivers,” Daeron added.

“Alright we need to hurry, mom and muña should have gotten to the hospital by now.” Jace began speeding down the road. His eyes occasionally went back to the mirror. He caught a look at Aegon and Daeron’s clothing again. 

Jace cleared his throat. “So, are you guys going to explain why you were at a ten-year-old’s birthday party?”

Daeron chuckled while looking at Aegon. “This should be good. Go on tell him.”

Aegon buried his face behind his hands. “So, I heard a rumor that Ben Blackwood was going to have a party this weekend and Blackwood is one of the most popular guys at school…”

Jace asked. “And?” 

“When we were in class, I commented that it sounded cool and that I could help out. He invited me and told me to bring my little brother so he could have fun too. I brought Daeron with me to the Hawaiian pool party he told me about. Turns out it's a party for his little brother, Samwell and when he told me to bring my little brother, he meant to bring Joffrey 'cause they go to the same school.”

Jace bit his hand to hold back a laugh. Unfortunately, a snort escaped. 

Aegon rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Yeah. Real funny. Laugh it up.”

Daeron suddenly stood up from his seat. “Wait Jace, that’s her neighborhood, you’re passing by it!”

“Shit!” Jace gripped the wheel and abruptly turned it without warning. 

Daeron who was standing, hit his head against the roof of the car. Aegon crashed into Daeron’s chest and then Helaena fell against Cregan. He immediately heard sounds of pain form the backseat. Jace was sure whatever he pulled was illegal, but he frankly didn’t care. However, he didn’t hear the end of it from his siblings until they arrived at the front door of Alys’ apartment. 

Jace knocked on the front door, impatiently. 

The person who answered was just as irritated as him. A guy wearing a long green cloak and riding boots glared at him. “What do you want?”

“Is Aemond here?” Jace almost growled.

The guy sneered. “We’re in the middle of something.”

Cregan stepped in front of Jace. “Let me handle this.”

The Stark was much taller than Jace despite the fact he was only a year older. His gray eyes bore down at the guy. “Either get Aemond or move out of the way.”

The guy was shaking when he turned over his shoulder. “Aemond.”

Aemond came around the corner. “Has the food arrived? Shall we finally feast?”

His older brother’s face fell when he saw them. Jace stared wide-eyed. Whatever annoyance he felt before was gone. His brother wore a long wig with an eye patch covering his right eye. He was wearing black pants, a black leather tunic, and a black leather trench coat. By his side was a fake sword attached to a belt. Aegon was the first to say something.

“Is that a wig?” He asked while slowly raising his phone to take a picture.

Aemond looked horrified. “What are you doing here?”

“Muña’s going into labor”, Jace explained.

Aemond stepped forward. “Now? Is she alright? Did mom get her to the hospital?”

“Yes, and we need to go”, Jace expressed.

Aemond nodded. “Okay.” 

“But my Prince, we need you for the campaign”, the guy said.

Aegon was trying to keep in his laughter. “Prince?”

Aemond sighed. “Sorry, family emergency comes first.”

Jace knew they didn’t have time to continue this argument and closed the door on the guy. 

“Car, now”, he directed his siblings. 

They didn’t need to be told twice. Aemond rushed to the passenger’s side while everyone else went to the backseat again. 

Jace took one look at his older brother. “Before we leave…a campaign?”

“And cosplay?” Daeron asked from behind. 

“It’s not cosplay, it’s for an original character”, Aemond explained.

“So, an OC?” Daeron asked.

Aegon furrowed his brows. “How do you know what that is?”

Daeron crossed his arms. “No reason.”

“Is that from the fantasy show you and Muña watch?” Helaena asked with a smile.

Aemond avoided looking at them. “Yes.”

Jace smiled. “Hey, at least you’re hanging with friends.”

Aegon leaned back in his seat. “Yeah, wait till we tell mom and muña when we get to the hospital now that everyone’s here.”

Aemond glanced back at the mirror to take in those present. Then he looked at Jace. Slowly, Jace’s brown eyes widened. 

“Oh my god, we’re still missing Luke and Joffrey!” Jace yelled.

Aemond stared in disbelief. “I thought you already got them.”

“Obviously not! Do you see them in the trunk?”

Aegon actually turned back to look inside the trunk. “Yup not there.”

Cregan looked at the Targaryen. “You thought I would put them in the trunk?”

“I mean saves space. Also, Luke deserves it depending on the day, especially when he’s always messing with the neighbor.”

Jace straightened up. “Wait. Wait. Say that again.”

“He’s always messing with the neighbor?”

Jace started the car. “I know where Luke is.”

“Terrorizing Ms. Velaryon, no doubt”, Aemond sighed. 

Jace made it quickly to the house. He refused to get out of the car and Aemond opted to be the one to knock on the front door. From what Jace could see from across the street, their neighbor, Ms. Velaryon answered the door. Her usual scowl was on her features when she opened the door. Aemond said something before she went back inside though curiously left the door open. Not even a minute went by when she came out dragging Luke by the collar of his shirt. His younger brother had a smirk on the entire time as she seemed to complain to Aemond about Luke. Eventually, she closed the door and Aemond walked with Luke back to the car.

Jace lowered his window as they approached. “Do I even want to know?”  

Aemond tilted his head. “Apparently, he broke in through her cat’s door and tried to ‘prank’ her by putting blue hair dye in one of her hats.”

Jace shifted to his younger brother. “Luke?”

“She said blue is her favorite color, I don’t see the problem.”

Jace looked at Aemond who was back inside the car. “He didn’t dye her hair, right?”

Aemond looked over his shoulder. “No. Ask him what happened instead.”

Jace turned at Luke. For the most part, his brother looked fine. His shirt was a bit wrinkled from where Ms. Velaryon grabbed his collar. However, his shoes were fine as was his baseball cap. Jace’s eyes narrowed. Luke’s curls weren’t sticking out of the cap. He couldn’t see his brother’s hair at all. It was all tucked inside.

“Luke, the cap.”

Slowly, his brother reached for the cap and took it off, revealing a head full of blue hair.

Aemond sighed. “Yup.”

“I might have mixed up the hats I was supposed to dye”, Luke elaborated.

 Jace could only stare. A moment passed before he turned back to the road and shifted the gears into drive. 

“Where’s Joff?” was all he felt like asking anymore.

“Mom mentioned that he was at a field day event”, Luke answered.

Jace picked up his phone and began to call someone as they made their way to the park where Joffrey was having his field day. As they approached the park, Jace saw the crowd gathered. He stepped out of the car and ran toward the group. The children were wearing different colors from their respective teams. Joffrey was sitting on a bench with a teenage girl beside him. His brother was wearing a jersey with the name Targaryen on it. However, dirt had gotten on the jersey, his shorts, shoes, and somehow his face.

Jace smiled at the girl. “Hey, thanks for helping me get Joffrey.”

The girl smiled in return. “You don’t have to worry about it, I didn’t mind especially with Rickon participating in this too.”

Jace glanced at her shirt. Team Stark was written in silver letters.

“You guys winning?”

“Well, sort of.”

“What do you mean? You’re always good at sports.”

“Sadly, the sign-up age was from seven to ten, so I missed the mark”, she joked. “Instead, I’m on water bottle and moral support duty.” 

Jace chuckled. “Maybe next time I can come and be the moral support of the moral support?”

He wanted to smack himself. God that sounded so stupid. 

She leaned close and gave him Joffrey’s backpack. For a second, their fingers touched. “Definitely would like the support next time.”

Jace nodded while he tried to ignore his heart beating in his ears. “Yeah, of course, I’ll see you soon, Sara.”

Sara gave a smile. “See you soon, Jace.”

Jace watched as she walked away by the time she left his sight, Jace realized Joffrey was halfway to the car. He rushed after his brother. Once he got into the car, Jace mentally counted the people inside the car. He had managed to get the last of his siblings. Now, they could go meet up with their mothers.

The hospital was busy when they got there. Jace, his siblings, and Cregan passed by dozens of patients in the waiting room. He walked up to the nurse in the front.

“We’re here to visit, Rhaenyra Targaryen. She’s having a baby”, Jace explained.

The nurse glanced at the seven other people who he was with. “Sorry, I can’t allow that many people inside of the room while she’s in labor.”

“But we’re her kids”, Jace insisted.

This time the nurse’s eyes bulged, and she again glanced at the large group. Jace recognized the surprise in her eyes. He was used to it, being in a big family and such. Now his muña was going to have an eighth. 

“I’m sorry I still can’t allow all of you inside during the labor.”

“What about like two of us?” He asked.

“Okay but only two.”

Jace turned back to his siblings. “Guys I’m going to check up on Muña and Mom, Aemond are you going too?” 

Aemond glanced at Joffrey who was standing in front of the vending machine. “Yeah, someone just keep an eye on him.”     

Jace and Aemond went down the hallway and found the room fairly quickly. Jace opened the door. His muña was lying on a bed while wearing a hospital gown and his mom was sitting in a chair beside her. Upon hearing the door creak open they both turned to him and Aemond. His muña gave him her usual bright wide smile.

“Jace. Aemond. You’re both here.” She reached out her arms. 

Jace hugged her followed by Aemond. His mom stood from her chair then captured both of them in a hug.

“Oh Gods, I’m so glad you made it. Are the rest of your siblings here too?” His mom asked.   

“They’re in the waiting room”, Aemond said.

His muña rubbed her belly. “That’s good. That’s good.”

“How’s everything been?” Jace inquired.

“Um”, his mom fidgeted with her nail. 

Jace’s stomach dropped. That was never a good sign.

“The doctor is running late”, his mom explained.

“What do you mean running late?” Jace asked. “I’ve been running around trying to get everyone here, if anything I should be considered running late. How is he running late?”

“There was an accident on the highway and he’s stuck in traffic”, his muña expressed wearily. 

“Wait but if he’s not here what happens?” Aemond asked.

“The nurses will have to help”, his muña said.

Jace scoffed. “So, the guy who we’ve been seeing for nine months for this exact delivery isn’t even here?”

“Jace, it's fine I’ve done this before. You have one example here and the others in the waiting room. I’ll be fine.”

She winced for a moment. “Just wait outside, don’t worry about me.”

Jace begrudgingly went outside and Aemond closed the door behind them. When they walked back into the waiting room, Jace excused himself and went outside toward the vending machine. Outside was fairly empty. Jace wanted to hit the machine, shake it, anything. He couldn’t just stand there and be useless when something bad might happen to his muña.

He wanted the machine to just swallow his dollar and give nothing back. He wanted a reason to take out his anger on the machine. That didn’t happen. The machine dropped a bag of candy. Jace roughly pulled it out.

“Didn’t know you were that serious about candy.”

Jace turned around to see Cregan had followed him.

“Shouldn’t you be in the waiting room?” Jace asked.

“Shouldn’t you? It’s your family.”

Jace looked away. “I just needed a minute.”

“Something happen?”

“You shouldn’t worry about it. I already dragged you into enough as is.”

“Okay, first of all, drop the bullshit, Jace. I let you take my car and went to go with you. I wasn’t dragged into anything. Call me crazy but I like hanging out with you and your family. And also, as your future brother-in-law-”

Jace scoffed.

Cregan looked offended but only cleared his throat. “I repeat as your future brother-in-law, your family is going to be my family too, so they concern me too.”

Jace shook his head with an amused smile. “Right your future mother-in-laws.”

“Exactly. So, what’s up?”

Jace shifted his gaze. “The doctor’s running late.”

“How late?”

“Might not get here in time late.”

“Crap. Okay. Okay. What’s his name?”

“Dr. Gerardys. Why?”

“Jace, just let me handle it,” Cregan assured.

Jace made a face. “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Everything you say makes me even more worried.”

Cregan put his hand on Jace’s shoulder. “Jace, for once let me help you.”

“Fine just don’t do anything like…illegal.”

“Says the one that made an illegal U-turn earlier.”

“That was a different scenario.”

Cregan rolled his eyes. “Sure.” His gray eyes shifted. “In the meantime, you might want to talk to Joff.” 

“Why?”

Cregan gestured over past the vending machine. Joffrey sat alone in a seat, staring at his lap.

Jace nodded at Cregan. The two parted before Jace approached Joffrey. He sat beside his youngest sibling. Joff wouldn’t look at anything beside his lap, tough.

“Hey, what are you doing here by yourself?” Jace asked gently. “Everyone else is inside the waiting room.”

Joffrey kept his arms crossed. “Waiting for the baby, I know”, he said bitterly.

Jace immediately knew what was wrong. “You’re upset about the baby.”

“Why did Muña and Mom have another baby? We were just fine before. Now when they have a baby, they’ll only pay attention to him. Everyone else is always busy. Aegon likes to go out with his ‘cool’ friends, Helaena comes home late from her play stuff, Aemond tells me I wouldn’t understand his shows, Daeron does his martial arts and soccer every day, Luke is always planning some prank on Ms. Velaryon, and you’re out with Cregan making your films. With the baby, you’ll forget about me even more than you already do.”

Jace faced his brother. “Joff, that isn’t true. Look, if I’m being honest, I was caught off guard by the baby too. However, even if I’m a bit nervous, I know that I’ll love him just like I love you.”

Joffrey continued to pout. 

“We don’t forget you, Joff. We just have our own things sometimes and can get caught up in them. But you’re still our little brother.”

“You won’t forget about me?”

“Never.”

“Even if I got third place in the field day today?”

“Hey, third place out of twenty isn’t bad.”   

Joff finally smiled. “I won at tug of war with my team.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, I accidentally threw dirt at someone on the other team.”

Jace’s face scrunched together. “How do you accidentally throw dirt?”

“I mean I said it was an accident.”

Jace stared at his brother. “An accident?”

“Yeah. I also accidentally stepped on someone else’s foot.”

“I’m starting to think these aren’t accidents.”

Joffrey giggled. Jace just ruffled his dirty hair. 

“Want to go back inside the waiting room?” Jace asked.

Joff nodded.

When they walked back to the waiting room, Jace sat next to Helaena while Joffrey rested his head on his shoulder. Eventually, Cregan came back inside from wherever he was and sat on the other side of Helaena. They waited in the office for fifteen minutes before the door to the waiting was slammed open. A man in a white lab coat hastily ran down the halls. Jace sat up. It was Dr. Gerardys. 

Jace turned toward his brother, Aemond. “He’s here.”

Aemond sighed. “Thank the Gods.” 

Jace leaned back into his chair. The stress left his body when he allowed himself to relax his muscles. Half an hour went by when a nurse called their last name. Jace gently awoke Joffrey, who had fallen asleep. 

Helaena took Joffrey by the hand and walked ahead toward the hospital room. Aemond followed behind with Aegon and Daeron, whose flip-flops squeaked against the white glossy tiles. Luke walked just ahead of Jace and Cregan.

“I’m surprised the doctor got here so fast”, Jace commented to himself. 

“A little bit of persuading helps move things along”, Cregan mused.

Jace turned to his best friend and narrowed his eyes. “What did you do?”

“A little bit of persuading.”

“What did you do? And should I be concerned that it was illegal?”

“I just grabbed his business card at the front desk and gave him a call.”

“What did you say on the call?”

“I may have said something along the lines of a car accident being the least of his concerns if he’s late.” 

“You didn’t. Cregan, you didn’t.”

“Motivation helps.”

Jace rubbed his temple. “Oh, my Gods.”

“Jace, hurry”, Helaena called.

They shuffled inside the hospital room. His mom was sitting beside the bed with a smile on her features. She gestured for them to get close. His muña was sweaty with her hair slightly tied as she held a bundle in her arms. Her eyes gleamed when she saw them enter the room. 

“Kids, come over here”, she beckoned. “Come meet your baby brother.”

They approached her side. Jace smiled when he saw him. The blue blanket did little to hide his face. His tiny cheeks were red and round. His eyes were closed shut as he slept. His fingers were wrapped around his muña’s gown. Small strands of light hair were on the top of his head.

“Do you have a name for him?” Jace asked softly.

“We were actually talking about that”, his mom replied.

His muña scoffed playfully. “We can think about that later, let’s get a picture of the whole family.”

His mom scanned the room. “Oh, Gods where did I put that camera?”

Cregan grabbed the camera from a seat. “I got it.”

His muña smiled gently. “Cregan, would it be alright if you took a picture?”

Cregan smiled. “Got you, Mrs. T.”

All of his siblings stood on both sides of his muña as she and his mom presented the baby in her arms. 

Cregan grinned. “Say cheese.” 

Jace smiled with his family. A flash went off. 

“You guys look great”, Cregan commented as he looked at the photo.

The door creaked as a nurse came in. Jace watched the color slowly drain from her face as she saw them. Jace looked back at his family. He had nearly forgotten Aegon and Daeron’s beach attire, Aemond’s eye patch, Helaena’s camo jumpsuit, Luke’s blue hair, Joffrey’s dirtied appearance, and his and Cregan’s shirts from their film.

“Hi”, his mom greeted the nurse. “Would it be alright if you took a picture of all of us?” She looked at his friend. “Cregan, get in the photo.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cregan rushed to take a spot by their side.

The nurse took the camera. Her face looked less than impressed with the family.

Joffrey was looking down at their news addition when he out loud he said, “He kind of looks like an egg. That’s what I’m going to call him, Egg.”

Jace gave an amused smile as the camera flashed. 

The nurse sighed. “Good luck Egg, you’re going to need it.”

This is too real. They aren't even doing the bare minimum and get fans

Asoiaf fans when female characters aren't the perfect mothers and wifes:

Asoiaf fandom when male characters are the worst husbands and fathers :

Random confession but one time I almost wrote a HOTD Rhaenicent wedding fic where everything that could go wrong would go wrong and Jackson Wang was going to be there in the background for shits and giggles