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Upcoming Fic for December:

Last Christmas

Summary: Last Christmas Alicent Hightower gave Rhaenyra Targaryen her heart, but the very next day everything fell apart. This year to save herself from tears, Alicent vows to avoid her at their family's Christmas vacation. She'll bear it for her children. It's only a week after all. With aggressive snowball fights, meddling in-laws, Christmas tree decorating, matching pajamas, and hanging mistletoe will Alicent keep her vow? Or will her heart be broken again?

Last Christmas Chapter One: Snowy Cabin

Summary: Last Christmas Alicent Hightower gave Rhaenyra Targaryen her heart, but the very next day everything fell apart. This year to save herself from tears, Alicent vows to avoid her at their family's Christmas vacation. She'll bear it for her children. It's only a week after all. With aggressive snowball fights, meddling in-laws, Christmas tree decorating, matching pajamas, and hanging mistletoe will Alicent keep her vow? Or will her heart be broken again?

Chapter Summary: You'll never fool me again

Series Masterlist

Read on AO3

Pairing: Alicent Hightower x Rhaenyra Targaryen

Warning: brief mention of infidelity, enemies with a history together,

Words: 3,409

A/N: Each chapter summary is a lyric from Last Christmas by Wham, I don't make the rules. The spirit of Christmas made me write this

Alicent was beginning to think she hated the holidays. When she glanced at the house address in the family group chat, she felt a headache forming. It should be relaxing. A holiday trip to the Rocky Mountains in Tennessee. It would be beautiful with the Christmas lights and decorated trees everywhere. It should be nice but there was one problem. It was a family trip with her in-laws, the Targaryens.

Her eldest, Aegon, ran down the stairs followed by his brother, Daeron.

“Aegon, be careful,” Alicent scolded.

Aegon frowned, gesturing at his younger brother. “But Daeron was doing the same thing!”

Alicent raised a brow. “Because he was following your example, you need to be a better role model for him. He looks up to you.”

Aegon glanced at Daeron. “Obviously 'cause I’m taller.”

Alicent sighed. Then turned to the suitcases laid on the couch.

“Where’s Helaena and Aemond?” She asked while zipping up the pink luggage.

“She’s feeding her bugs”, Daeron answered.

Alicent pushed down the stack of clothing in an attempt to close the suitcase. “And your brother?”

“He’s upstairs”, Daeron replied.

Alicent grunted as she tried to close the luggage however, the clothes refused to nudge. “Can you get them both, darling?”

Daeron nodded and went back upstairs. Alicent huffed. She rolled up her sleeves ready to try again when Aegon moved toward the suitcase. With one push Aegon shoved the clothes down enough that he was able to zip it with one hand.

“Thank you, my love.”     

He shrugged and began to close the rest of the suitcases. Alicent examined them. One green leather suitcase, one golden-colored, one pale blue, one black, and one cobalt blue. She looked at the items her children were bringing along for the drive: a neck pillow, a portable video game, a bag of chips, and some headphones. She began mentally checking off everything they needed. She had the address, no problem there. Unfortunately. They had plenty of sweaters and jackets for the cold. Bathroom utensils were the first things she bought and didn’t need to worry about. Maybe she should get anxiety medicine, the Gods knew she needed it.  

The sound of heavy footsteps pulled her away from her thoughts. She was about to scold her children for running down the stairs again when two large dogs came barreling down at top speed. Alicent moved out of the way to avoid being trampled.

Daeron, Helaena, and Aemond followed behind. “Got them!” Daeron announced.

Alicent sighed as she looked at the dogs. “And I see you got them as well.”

“They’re excited for the trip”, Aegon mused.    

At least someone was.

Alicent grabbed the suitcases and scanned the house. Nothing was out of place, good. 

“Aegon, help me put the suitcases into the trunk. Helaena take everything you’re bringing inside the car. Aemond, Daeron get the dogs inside the car.”

Aemond was quick to grab the four leashes and approach the dogs. With ease, he hooked the leash on the collars. Daeron took two leashes while Aemond held the other two. Alicent hesitantly opened the door and watched as Daeron was practically dragged outside by the large dogs. Aemon was bigger but she could tell he was resisting the pull of the massive dogs. Helaena picked up the items and shuffled inside the car. Alicent rolled the suitcases out with Aegon and lifted them into the trunk. She closed the back and walked to where her children were debating over seats. And of course, over the dogs’ seats.

“I want to sit with Sunfyre”, Aegon demanded.

“I want to sit with Dreamfyre”, Helaena added.

Alicent cut them off. “The dogs are too big. One of you has to sit in the passenger side.”

She looked at the dogs. Tessarion was the smallest of the dogs and the skinniest. Sunfyre and Dreamfyre were relatively large but Vhagar was a monster in terms of size. She had wanted to bring the dogs in carriers but her children fought against her. And the last thing she wanted was them arguing with her in an hours-long car ride.  

“Vhagar’s the biggest”, Aegon commented.

Aemond frowned at the idea of being separated from his beloved pet.

Alicent placed her hand on his shoulder. “Aemond, she’ll be in the same car as you, don’t worry.”

Aemond sighed in defeat. “Okay. Vhagar will sit away from me.”

The open road was fairly empty at this time of day. It was close to seven in the morning as they had headed out of their neighborhood in Oldtown around five. Red and orange leaves from the surrounding trees were carried off by the cold wind. With a quick tap on her window, she felt the chill pierce through her finger. The car smelled nice, thankfully given the dogs. There was a delicate pine scent floating through the vehicle, Alicent smiled. The car freshener she bought on clearance came in handy.  

A glance at her rearview mirror revealed the sight of her children sleeping. Aegon was leaning against Sunfyre and his golden fur. Helaena was using the neck pillow as Dreamfyre rested on her lap, nearly crushing her with her large size though Helaena didn’t mind. Daeron had his head on Aemond’s shoulder and her second son in turn leaned on Daeron’s head, with Tessarion lying on the car floor.

Alicent glanced at her own companion beside her. Vhagar.

The giant Tibetan Mastiff was easily the largest dog in her family, hell even the largest in the Targaryen family. She remembered the first time Aemond brought her home, Alicent refused to allow the creature to step foot in her house. She kept the dog outside in the backyard for weeks. However, once Aemond became attached and Vhagar in return, she gave in.

Of course, things were never that simple.   

Her brown eyes shifted to the dog. One of the sources of pride for the family. The dog has been part of the Targaryen family for years, how long no one knows anymore. Her late husband, Viserys joked that Vhagar was over a hundred years old. She was more ingrained in the Targaryen family legacy than Alicent or her children ever would be. As a result, Aemond’s adoption of her caused quite a scandal. Her brother-in-law, Daemon threw some words in her face. Aemond threw more at him. And Viserys did nothing as usual. She would never admit it but when Viserys passed two years ago, she was relieved.

“Do you want to listen to something?” Alicent asked Vhagar.

The Mastiff stared straight ahead at the road with dark eyes and her pink tongue slipping out of her mouth.

Alicent nodded. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She turned up the volume and heard a familiar jingle of bells. The electronic keyboard was nostalgic as the soulful voice came on.  “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…”

Alicent hummed along while trying to ignore the lyrics. She didn’t want to think about what happened last Christmas when she saw Rhaenyra Targaryen.

The road became slippery as they approached the supposed address. Alicent kept checking the address on her phone. Gods be damned if this was the real one or if her in-laws were pulling something over her. She frankly wouldn’t be surprised.  The hills turned into mountains with sheets of white snow covering them. Alicent made a rather harsh turn and refused to look down over the edge of the mountain she was driving on. She lowered the window on Vhagar’s side and the dog stuck her head out. The air was crisp and cool. A small comfort that at least her children would enjoy the Christmas weather. She continued driving further up the mountain before making another turn. Once off the main road, Alicent saw the crowded forest and a handful of cabins. Eventually, the other cabins disappeared leaving her alone with the white woods. The snow was more present on the road and she slowed her pace to avoid the car swerving. A clearing was coming up ahead.

Alicent squinted and saw a russet-colored wooden cabin with Christmas lights around the edge of the roof. A layer of snow covered the top of the house and the pathway to the porch. A chimney sprang out from the top where black smoke was pouring out. Another car was parked, it was a black SUV with a familiar license plate.

Alicent exhaled through her nostrils. One week. It was only one week.

The children woke up with a start, as did the dogs. Vhagar was the only one awake the entire trip holding a thousand-yard stare through the ride. Honestly, Alicent could see why she was thought to be a century old. She parked the car and slipped out of the car. After stretching her legs, she moved to the passenger’s side and opened the door for Vhagar. The Mastiff watched her for a moment with seeming respect before jumping out and running through the snow. Alicent adjusted herself as she opened the door in the backseat and the other three dogs came running out. Her children practically melted into the ground, their legs being jelly after hours of not moving.

Alicent shared the sentiment but still moved to take the suitcases out of the trunk. She warned her children about rolling the luggage when there was snow. As they approached the porch, she asked her children to call the dogs over. In the pale snow, Alicent found Vhagar quickly as she stood out like a sore thumb with her midnight fur. Dreamfyre, however, was a different matter altogether, she knew Great Pyrenees were white but the dog’s fur blended in with the snow perfectly, so much so that Alicent didn’t see her until the dog was running onto the brown clashing porch. Sunfyre was pushing against the closed door, sniffing the entrance excitedly, desperately waiting for her to open the cabin. Alicent pulled a silver key from her purse and placed it in the lock. She turned it, half expecting it to not work, and it clicked. She opened the door, and both children and animals ran inside.

Daeron was shaking from the cold and jumped onto the couch in front of the fire, with Tessarion closely behind. Aegon unceremoniously dropped the suitcases he was holding and ran to find the bathroom. Aemond followed Vhagar and sat down in a chair, with his beloved dog next to his feet. Helaena was the only one who looked remotely interested in exploring the cabin they would be staying in. Alicent placed her suitcase next to the door and removed her green scarf. The living room was impressive for lack of a better term. The couches were dark brown leather and surrounded a fireplace with burning wood. A crimson carpet was laid on the wooden floor in front of the cushions. A simple black coffee table was at the center with a book titled Dog Breeds for Dummies. She rolled her eyes, her in-laws lived and breathed dogs. Well, they were what made them who they are.   

Alicent glanced up. There was a large staircase that went upstairs and a wooden railing that allowed for someone to look over the living room. The ceiling was quite tall and arched upward making the room feel even bigger. Some warm yellow lights hung from the spacious ceiling, though in Alicent’s opinion, the many windows provided enough light. The kitchen was a few feet from the living room and the decoration blended in well with the house’s rustic and somewhat old ambience. Alicent noticed it had a big kitchen island and slightly smiled. She imagined how nice it would be to cook there. She glanced at the dining table, it was large like everything in the house, and was meant to seat the whole family. She realized that beside the table were doors leading to the porch that went around the house. A single mistletoe hung above the doors.

“It’s nice, right?” Alicent asked her children.

Daeron nodded enthusiastically. “Do think it’ll snow on Christmas Day, here?”

“Maybe”, Alicent said in a hopeful tone.

Vhagar laid down on the kitchen floor and fell asleep. “Vhagar likes it”, Aemond stated. “It’s nice.”

Alicent tried to hide a smile. Of course, her son would approve of it if Vhagar did.

“Can we pick out the rooms?” Helaena asked.

“I wouldn’t count on it”, Aegon answered as he came around the corner.

“Why not?” Daeron asked.

The sound of the door clicking open interrupted the conversation. It swung open and revealed a woman wearing a coat with two young boys. The boys’ hair was dark brown and curled. The woman meanwhile had striking white hair, that matched Alicent’s own children. Rhaenyra Targaryen.

“That’s why”, Aegon mumbled under his breath.

Rhaenyra’s violet eyes shifted between Alicent’s children before landing on her. Her gaze was cold. “You made it”, she said with no particular joy.

“Yes, the address Rhaenys sent was helpful”, Alicent responded.

“I imagine it was.”

Alicent pursed her lips. “When will everyone else be arriving?”

Rhaenyra lifted the black scarf from her neck. “Rhaenys is spending the holidays with Corlys’ side of the family this year, especially after the excitement two years ago.”

Alicent bit the inside of her cheek. Of course, she would bring up what happened two years ago.  

“Well, I’m sure she will have a wonderful time with Corlys and Laenor.” Alicent smiled.

Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes slightly.

“The children and I were just discussing where they would be sleeping, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if we looked around?” Alicent asked innocently. 

“Of course, not”, Rhaenyra replied.

She shuffled inside the house. Her sons, Jace and Luke walked past them, heading quickly upstairs to their rooms. Alicent gestured for her children to head upstairs and watched them go. As she was about to climb the stairs, she stole a glance at Rhaenyra. In one hand, Rhaenyra held a car seat with a sleeping baby buckled in. He had small tuffs of brown hair.

Alicent looked away and followed her family upstairs. Aemond avoided the room where Luke and Jace were sleeping in like the plague, he asked if he could sleep far from the two and Alicent agreed. Aegon wanted his privacy and begged for his own room but Alicent pointed out that Daemon Targaryen and his family could still arrive. He then begrudgingly decided to share his room with Daeron and Aemond. Helaena would get her own room but agreed to share it if Daemon’s daughters came. Alicent hoped that wouldn’t be the case and didn’t want Daemon or his children near hers after what happened two years ago.

“How long will we be here?” Aemond asked her while unpacking his clothes on the bed.

“A week and only a week.”

“Do they have to be here?” He inquired, though he likely knew the answer.

“Rhaenyra is your father’s daughter and her children are your nephews, your father’s family likes to do holidays together, Aemond, you know this.”

“But why do we have to keep seeing his family, when he’s dead?”

Alicent turned to look at her second son. “Aemond don’t say that.”

“What? It’s true, he’s been dead for two years. Why do we have to keep seeing them? They don’t even like us.”

Alicent was about to say that was not true but they would have both known she was lying. The Targaryens didn’t react well when Viserys remarried her. They never accepted or took her in. Even when her children were born with the same features as Viserys, the same as Rhaenyra, they were still cold. Alicent remembered the hurt she felt when Rhaenyra presented her firstborn, Jace, to the family. He had brown eyes, a pug nose, and mahogany curls, they all doted on him and would do the same with Luke.

“It’s what your father would have wanted, all of his family here, together.”

“So, we’re chained to the wish of a dead man?”

Alicent sighed. Her son was very morbid for his age. She approached him where he was unpacking. “I know what you’re feeling, trust me, I understand.”

She cupped his cheek. “I’ve been thinking for a while that maybe next year we could have our own Christmas at home.”

“Just us?”

“Just us”, she confirmed.

Aemond nodded. “I’d like that.” He gave a shadow of a smile.

This would be their last Christmas with the Targaryens and Alicent was perfectly fine with that fact.

She went downstairs afterward, the exhaustion of the day slowly creeping up on her. Alicent rubbed the back of her neck, the idea of sleeping on the couch beside the warm fire seemed very appealing right now. To her dismay, seated on the cushions was Rhaenyra.

Alicent tried to go back upstairs but the sound of her boots caught Rhaenyra’s attention.

“They found rooms?” She asked with no interest in her voice.

“They did, yes.” Alicent promised she would be better than Rhaenyra. She would be the embodiment of decency and class compared to her. “Thank you for asking.”

“Hmm. Daemon and Laena will likely be coming with Baela and Rhaena, though with Laena pregnant they want to be careful and may come later on.”

Alicent dug her nails into her cuticles. That left just their two families here. The Gods were cruel.

“Very well.”

Rhaenyra looked over her shoulder. Her eyes glared into Alicent. “Do always have to pretend to be polite or is that just how you cope?”

Alicent returned the glare. “I was raised to have manners, it’s one of the ways we differ.”

Rhaenyra scoffed. “I’m sure those manners transferred well to your children.”

“Oh, I’m sure you taught those boys some valuable lessons after all what a wonderful example you are.”

“And you believe yourself so righteous and good? After marrying a grieving widow?”

“It had been three years; he was a grown man and chose to move on. Or do you believe yourself a victim in everything? Was it also somehow Laenor’s fault you cheated with Harwin?”

Rhaenyra laughed humorlessly. “What do you know of loyalty? You run whenever things get too difficult.”

“I run? But it's different for you because when you run it's to hide behind your father. Now you’ve changed to run into other people’s arms.”

Her violet eyes narrowed. “Targaryens stay together. It’s a concept you wouldn’t understand.”    

Rhaenyra stood up from the couch and passed by Alicent without another word. She climbed up the stairs, her heavy boots sounding against the hollow wood.

Alicent was left alone.

She pushed her auburn hair back. Against her better judgment, she went to the fridge and pulled out a beer. She cracked it open against the edge of the countertop before sitting on the couch. She took a long sip. Then she stared at the fire. It danced to its own unique rhythm with passion.

Rhaenyra was like the fire in a way, she always moved to her own beat and did everything with passion. That’s why Alicent liked her and became her friend all those years ago. For a moment, Alicent believed there was something more between them. Those feelings resurfaced last Christmas. It had been a regular Targaryen Christmas with Viserys’ side of the family present except Viserys himself after he had passed away a few months prior. The vacation was oddly filled with a few moments of kindness and gentleness from Rhaenyra, something Alicent hadn’t seen since she married Viserys. They were close again and in a moment of vulnerability, Alicent said it. I love you. Rhaenyra smiled at her with that bright smile of hers. Her violet eyes gleamed in the winter breeze. Alicent couldn’t begin to describe the happiness she felt that night when she went to bed in her room, awaiting the next day when she would see Rhaenyra. The next morning, Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra’s ex-boyfriend was outside. He hugged her and their sons. The family welcomed him inside for breakfast. 

Alicent left with her children that same day. Two months later, Rhaenyra announced she was pregnant with a third child by Harwin.

“Never again”, she mumbled to herself with the glass close to her lips.

She wouldn’t fall for the false words of Rhaenyra Targaryen again. She would avoid her as much as she could. It was only a week. She wouldn’t waste any tears on her. She would never be that fool again, she promised herself. 

Last Christmas, Series Masterlist

Summary: Last Christmas Alicent Hightower gave Rhaenyra Targaryen her heart, but the very next day everything fell apart. This year to save herself from tears, Alicent vows to avoid her at their family's Christmas vacation. She'll bear it for her children. It's only a week after all. With aggressive snowball fights, meddling in-laws, Christmas tree decorating, matching pajamas, and hanging mistletoe will Alicent keep her vow? Or will her heart be broken again?

Fandom: House of the Dragon

Pairing: Alicent Hightower x Rhaenyra Targaryen

Warnings: language, angst, brief smut, enemies to lovers, and a lot of fluff

Chapter One: Snowy Cabin Chapter Two: Merry Town Chapter Three: Warm Eggnog Chapter Four: Winter Skating Chapter Five: Hanging Mistletoe Chapter Six: Singing Carols Chapter Seven: Christmas Miracle

Read on AO3

Last Christmas Chapter Two: Merry Town

Summary: Last Christmas Alicent Hightower gave Rhaenyra Targaryen her heart, but the very next day everything fell apart. This year to save herself from tears, Alicent vows to avoid her at their family's Christmas vacation. She'll bear it for her children. It's only a week after all. With aggressive snowball fights, meddling in-laws, Christmas tree decorating, matching pajamas, and hanging mistletoe will Alicent keep her vow? Or will her heart be broken again?

Chapter Summary: I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice

Series Masterlist

Read on AO3

Pairing: Alicent Hightower x Rhaenyra Targaryen

Warning: brief mention of infidelity, enemies with a history together, language, mentions dead parents, Viserys bashing

Words: 4,585

Tagging: @martellspear and @lynnbeth5172

Rhaenyra was convinced the Holidays were the worst time of the year. She kept her gaze fixated on Luke, whose coat needed to be zipped, rather than Alicent. The other woman was tapping her foot against the wooden floor. A hollow thud every time. It was annoying to no fucking end. Then Alicent had the gall to cross her arms and sigh. Rhaenyra resisted the urge to turn and say anything. She zipped up Luke’s red coat and that was that.

“Let’s start heading to the car”, Alicent suggested.

“See you at the town then”, Rhaenyra mumbled.

“What did you say?”

Rhaenyra turned around. “I said see you at the town then.”

Alicent’s brows crinkled together. “Are you going in your own car?”

Rhaenyra nodded as it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Yes?”

“You’ll get lost”, Alicent stated.

Rhaenyra scoffed. “No, I won’t, I’m not a child.”

“I’ve seen your driving, that’s debatable.”

Rhaenyra smiled. “At least I didn’t fail my driving test two times.”

“I had anxiety that’s not even mentioning that you were waving your hands in front of the car.”

Rhaenyra grit her teeth. “I was-“

“Can we go outside?” Luke asked.

Rhaenyra and Alicent both looked at the small boy.

“It’s hot in this coat, please?”

Alicent nodded. “Yes, yes. Go inside my car, we’ll leave soon.”

The children practically sprinted outside. They opened the car doors and shuffled inside. Alicent’s children took the back while her boys went near the front. Rhaenyra rolled her eyes. Of course, Alicent would buy an SUV. 

“Hurry up, we’ll be waiting outside”, Alicent said.

Rhaenyra sighed. She shifted to the car seat on the couch. She bent down to be face level with the wide-eyed Joffrey. He was dressed in his little coat and a pair of black boots Rhaenyra had bought at a baby store near her apartment. She thought they were the cutest things and dropped nearly everything in her arms when she saw them. Joffrey had his fingers in his mouth but stared at her intently. Rhaenyra smiled as she buckled him in.

The drive was awkward. None of the children talked—much less her and Alicent. The only living person who made a sound was Joffrey who occasionally cooed or squirmed around his car seat. To avoid too much silence, Alicent put on the radio. As usual with the time of year, it was Christmas tunes. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas started playing. Rhaenyra glanced at Alicent. She wasn’t singing, not even humming. Rhaenyra frowned. Alicent liked to sing back when they were younger.

Back when they were teenagers, Alicent would practice driving in Rhaenyra’s neighborhood. To calm her nerves, she would sing whatever was on the radio at the time. When she failed the first driver’s test after accidentally hitting a cone, Rhaenyra insisted on going with her the second time. Alicent ended up having a panic attack behind the wheel from being so nervous about failing again. Rhaenyra remembered she began waving her hands in front of the car. She smiled thinking about it. She yelled out, Alicent you can do it over and over. The man failed Alicent anyway and scolded Rhaenyra for the ‘stunt’ she pulled. Rhaenyra swallowed bitterly. But that was then.

The sky was clear blue. Frozen leaves cascaded down. As Rhaenyra leaned against the window, her breath fogged up the glass. Even with Alicent’s air freshener, Rhaenyra could smell the frost on the trees outside. Her hands warmed against the AC of the car, a welcomed change from the biting cold. Her violet eyes watched them come up to the clearing. Houses began to appear. Then so did gas stations, hotels, grocery stores, and finally the town. Its gentle yellow lights contrasted against the white sheets of snow. As far as she could see there was red and green.

Alicent parked somewhere near the town. She placed her parking ticket on the dashboard before joining the rest of them. She wore a thin smile when her brown eyes met Rhaenyra’s.

“So, where to first?” Rhaenyra asked dryly.

Alicent pulled out her phone. “Well, actually I have a few places written down. They have wonderful reviews online and I think we should start with these.”

Rhaenyra adjusted her hold on Joffrey’s car seated and followed Alicent. The Christmas Town as Rhaenyra referred to it, was beautiful. The houses were an older European style, Bavarian if she was correct and each had a decorated wreath on the doors. Their green pine needles were distinct against the red ribbons tied. The brick roads of the town were a chestnut brown. Life-size models of Santa stood in the front of the town’s entrance, wishing all who entered a merry Christmas. As her eyes roamed, she caught glimpses into the stores. Toys, candies, decorations, candles, trees, and even a store to take pictures with Santa.

Rhaenyra found herself beaming. She knew her father owned a cabin in Tennessee but never knew how enchanting the area was.

She squeezed Jace’s hand and bent down. “Do you like it?”

Jace smiled, his rosy cheeks turning redder. “Yes.”

Then she turned to Luke. “And you, Luke?”

Luke was focused on the candy store. “Can we go there?”

Alicent cleared her throat loudly. “Before we do that, we need to take pictures.”

The children groaned and Rhaenyra found herself joining them.

Alicent shook her head. “Come on, when you’re older you’ll be thanking me for taking these lovely photos that you will look back on for many years.”    

She pulled out a camera from her purse.

“You can just use a phone”, Rhaenyra pointed out.

“Phone quantity doesn’t compare to a professional camera. If I’m taking pictures, they will be good pictures.” Alicent waved her hand and gestured for them to move. “Now everyone get close to the sleigh and smile.”

Rhaenyra shuffled next to the wooden sleigh. It was painted red with golden accents and the town’s name written on it.

“Say vacation!” Alicent said as she pressed the shutter.

Rhaenyra lost count of the number of photos Alicent took. In the end, Aegon was the one who begged her to stop. She begrudgingly put the camera away. When they walked into the candy store, Luke was the first to run ahead. Her second son put his face right in front of the glass, peeking at the sweets behind the barrier. Jace ran to his side, glancing throughout to see everything the little shop had to offer. Chocolates, cookies, fudge, pralines, gummy bears, lollipops, ice cream, and so much more than his brown eyes could take in.

Luke pointed his finger against the glass. “Jace! Look! Look!”

Jace leaned forward. “What is it?”

“Look at that fudge”, Luke stared at the display.

Rhaenyra approached the two and peered over. It was white chocolate with pieces of crushed Oreos inside. It was appropriately named Cookies and Cream Fudge.

Luke smiled the dimples in his cheeks on full display. “It looks like Vermax.”

Rhaenyra chuckled. The resemblance between her son’s Dalmatian and the sweet was funny, to say the least.  

Jace, however, did not find it funny. His tiny face contorted. “That’s not true. Vermax doesn’t like anything like that.”

“Yes, he does”, Luke said bluntly.

Rhaenyra sensed an argument about to erupt at least on Jace’s side and placed a hand on both her sons’ shoulders.

“So, what are you two going to get?” She asked.

Luke’s eyes gleamed. “I want to get ice cream and fudge!”

Rhaenyra gave a confused smile. “Ice cream? But it's cold outside.”

“I want ice cream”, Luke said with confidence.

Rhaenyra nodded slowly before turning to Jace.

“And what about you Jace?”

“I want a caramel apple with sprinkles.”

Rhaenyra leaned over the glass and repeated the order to a woman who worked there. She was given a bag with the treats which were hastily taken from her by her children. They sat down at a table where they were joined by her half-siblings. Aegon was eating sugar cookies with frosted images of Santa Claus, Helaena was eating a marshmallow covered with sprinkles, Aemond was eating chocolates, and Daeron was eating gummy bears that were molded to look like Christmas trees.

Alicent was standing while leaning against the wall. In her hand, she had a small paper bag. Rhaenyra bit the inside of her cheek. Should she even try to speak to her? The Targaryen was angry beyond belief with her, still, they were going to be here for a week.

Without thinking she asked, “Did you get something?”

Alicent’s head whirled around, clearly caught off guard by the question. Her eyes glanced down at the paper bag.

“Oh, this? It's not mine, it's Daeron’s he wanted to get some marshmallows too.”

Rhaenyra stared. “Oh, my bad. I thought you still liked sweets.”

“I never said I didn’t”, Alicent said with no particular emotion.

Rhaenyra pursed her lips. Her gaze slowly drifted away. Even though they were only a few feet away, Rhaenyra felt they were miles apart. Once talking to Alicent was as breathing now she felt herself suffocating whenever she opened her mouth.

They went to a bookstore next, Alicent’s insistence. Most of the kids groaned. Rhaenyra herself was not exactly jumping at the idea either but forced herself to go inside. She gestured for Jace and Luke to sit in the children’s reading circle where there were cushions. Her sons were not the biggest fans of reading but at least they could wait in a comfortable spot. Jace took Joffrey’s car seat and set it beside him. Her son then grabbed a Christmas picture book and began showing it to his baby brother. Rhaenyra warmed at the sight.

Rhaenyra wandered around the bookstore. It was rather cozy, she would admit. The store was filled to the brim with decorations of the season. Rhaenyra couldn’t imagine the lighting bill for this place given the amount of fairy lights she saw. She passed the children’s books and found the books for an older demographic. Oddly enough, when she turned the corner, Rhaenyra saw Helaena standing there, a book in hand.

Rhaenyra realized her half-sister hadn’t seen her. A part of her considered walking away and pretending she was never there. She rubbed the side of her jeans. That was mean but she didn’t really know what to say to her.

She awkwardly scratched her head and went for it. “What are you reading?”

Helaena’s eyes shot up from her book. She eyed her for a moment, likely confused by her attempt at conversation.

“It’s about bugs.”

“Bugs?” Rhaenyra nodded slowly. “That’s super… cool.”

Helaena’s eyes went back to her book. “Hmm.”

Rhaenyra approached her with her hands in her pockets to hide her fidgeting. “What type of bugs are your favorite? I like spiders.”

Helaena lifted her head from her book. “Spiders are arachnids. Not bugs.”

Rhaenyra fidgeted with her rings. “Oh, sorry. Um, are Ladybugs, bugs?” Rhaenyra felt like an idiot, it was literally in the name. Why did she do this to herself? She should have walked away.

“They are.”

“Oh, then those are my favorites”, Rhaenyra replied.

“My favorites are beetles”, Helaena answered.

Rhaenyra glanced at the book. She noticed Helaena was on a page of what looked like a beetle.

“Oh, is that one?” Rhaenyra placed her hand on Helaena’s shoulder while she pointed at the page.

Helaena roughly pulled her shoulder away. Rhaenyra froze. She stared at her half-sister who had widened eyes and a rigid posture.

“I’m sorry, did I do something?”

Helaena gripped her book tightly. “No, it’s fine. I just don’t like it when other people touch me.”

Rhaenyra realized Helaena’s gaze went everywhere expect meeting her own eyes.

She nodded slowly. “Okay, again I’m really sorry Helaena, I didn’t know.”

“It’s fine.”

Rhaenyra walked away, feeling like a piece of crap. She hastily moved toward another section and just when she thought she would get a moment alone, she ran into Alicent. Of course.

Alicent almost dropped the books she was carrying. “Where are you going in such a rush?”

“Nowhere.”

Rhaenyra glanced at the books in her hands. They were all fantasy novels with dragons and knights on the covers.

“I didn’t know you were a fantasy fan”, Rhaenyra commented.

Alicent shook her head. “It’s not for me, it’s for Aemond. He loves fantasy, especially books about dragons. He adores this one particular series that is very popular.”

Rhaenyra squinted at the titles. “I’ve heard of it before. He likes to read?”

“Him and Helaena both do.”

Rhaenyra lowered her shoulders. “That's nice that younger kids like them like reading.”

Alicent nodded. “Helaena’s teacher in Oldtown Middle says she’s one of the best in her English class. When Aemond starts there next year I’m sure he’ll be the same.”

Rhaenyra raised a brow. “Aemond is starting middle school next year?”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t he eight?”

Alicent frowned. “No, Aemond is ten.”

Rhaenyra stared blankly. Alicent scowled before passing by her. Rhaenyra still stared at where Alicent had once stood. Aemond was ten? Helaena didn’t like to be touched? She wasn’t fully a part of their lives, Rhaenyra admitted. But she considered herself to at least know basic information about them. They weren’t close in any regard. Still, she should have known. Why didn’t she know? The thought made her stomach churn. Did she truly not know her half-siblings?

Rhaenyra watched from a distance as Alicent bought the books and hid them inside her purse when Aemond and the rest of her children came over. Jace and Luke returned with Joffrey, with Jace claiming that Joffrey loved the picture books. She didn’t have the heart to tell him Joffrey couldn’t understand pictures yet and likely only loved hearing Jace’s voice. They walked across the street to a Christmas store and Rhaenyra felt herself get lost inside. It smelled of fresh pine needles and something warm in an oven.

She picked up a green nutcracker, chuckling at the funny beard painted on his face. Alicent passed by and picked out gold tree ornaments, placing them in a shopping basket. Rhaenyra’s face scrunched together.

“What are those for?” Rhaenyra asked.

“For the tree?” Alicent picked out more from the shelves—some different shapes and hues of gold.

“Why? We have Christmas ornaments at the cabin in the closet.”

Alicent waved a dismissive hand. “Those are old, the Gods know how long it’s been since someone used them.”

Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes at her. “We’re using the other ones.”

“These can bring out more color than those dusty ones in the cabin.” Alicent gestured at the new ornaments.

“Did you make it your mission to try and worm your way into my family or are you trying to change things now that my father can’t stop you?”

Alicent seemed taken aback but something in her eyes flickered. “Worm my way into your family? I married a consenting adult when I was a consenting adult. Forgive me Rhaenyra if you truly believed that there was room for three in the marriage, that Viserys would always belong to you.”

“You moved into my family home for college”, Rhaenyra pointed. “Then when the semester ends suddenly you and my father want to get married? Do you think I’m a moron? All those hours when I was studying at the library or staying late for night classes, what were you doing Alicent?”

Alicent grabbed one of the ornaments and shoved it in Rhaenyra’s face. “This is a stupid decoration. What does this have anything to do with me and your father?”

Rhaenyra held a stern expression. “The ornaments at the cabin are red and black, that’s how they’ll remain. My father made me his heir before he passed. The cabin is mine. You won’t be decorating my tree with those.”

Alicent stared at her with loathing in her eyes. “Even when your father is dead, you still hide behind him.”

Alicent walked away, though Rhaenyra saw that she still had the ornaments in the basket. The Targaryen picked up one of the golden ornaments. Her mind went back to the ones in the cabin. Those tucked away in the closet were made of glass, they were hand-painted by gentle fingers. Rhaenyra loved watching her mother take her brush and dabble the paint. When they finished, Rhaenyra gave her an ornament she made herself. It was poorly painted with smears of black clashing against the red but in the middle, she had glued on a picture of the two of them. Just her and her mother. Her father, Viserys, tossed those ornaments into a closet when her mother died. He shoved it away like he shoved away anything that was her mother’s. She refused to allow Alicent to toss away her mother’s ornaments too.

Rhaenyra waited with her children outside the store. Eventually, she heard the chiming of the bells on top of the door. From the corner of her eye, she saw Aegon and Helaena walking out. Alicent was surely behind them. Rhaenyra stood up from the bench she was sitting on and turned away toward the car.

Without a word, she marched to the exit. She couldn't wait to get to her room in the cabin and lock the door. Alicent shut her out and Rhaenyra would do the same.

Jace and Luke strolled beside her, they were nearly to the goodbye sign when a voice erupted from the group.

"A snow pile!" Daeron shouted.

Rhaenyra turned to her half-brother and saw his gaze was focused on a small patch of grass that had a pile of snow. Likely from the previous days. Daeron ran off. His little feet sprinted to the snow.

Luke, upon seeing the snow, raced there as well. Soon after, he was followed by Jace. Then surprisingly Aegon and Helaena followed.

“Aemond, come on!”, Daeron called.

Her younger half-brother was standing with his arms crossed. He sighed before shuffling over where the rest of his siblings were. Daeron pulled on Aemond’s sleeve as he fell into the snow, taking Aemond down with him. Daeron began laughing as he pushed the snow away with his arms, creating a snow angel.

Rhaenyra leaned forward. Well, as good as a snow angel could be.

Aegon was lying down on the snow, clearly tired from their ventures. He closed his eyes and ignored the chaos of the children playing. Luke was building a castle out of snow. Jace was helping him create a moat around his kingdom, claiming that a castle needed protection.

“Maybe we can build snowguards,” Luke suggested.

Jace shrugged. “That might be a little harder but we can try.”

Her eldest turned his back to pick up a handful of snow. Then without warning, a snowball hit his back. The snow exploded into white powder. Her son whirled around, red in the face.

“Who did that?” Jace huffed.

Rhaenyra watched as her son scrutinized Aegon first.

He, however, scoffed, “It wasn’t me.”

Jace’s brown eyes went to Aemond suddenly. “You!”

Aemond frowned. “Me?”

“Yes, you. You threw a snowball when my back was turned.”

“No, I didn’t”, Aemond said.

Before Jace could say anything in response another snowball hit his chest. This time Jace and everyone else looked up to see Helaena holding snow in her hand. She was giggling.

“Your face is red, Jace”, Helaena chuckled.

Jace became even warmer in the face, however, the anger he held was gone, replaced with embarrassment.   

“That’s not funny”, Jace mumbled.

“It is a little bit.”

Jace narrowed his eyes, a smirk on his face. “Well then let’s see who’s laughing now.” He dug his hand into the snow and raised his “weapon”.

He threw the snowball, which hit Helaena’s coat. A declaration of war.

Aemond quickly moved toward Helaena and scooped up snow before cascading it down on Jace. Luke sat up from his castle, going to his brother’s defense. Daeron abandoned his snow angel, opting to join the battle. Snowballs began to land everywhere. The icy powder would hit a child resulting in a scream or giggle depending on the victim. Aegon, who almost fell asleep became one such victim. A snowball landed on his face, waking him from his indifference. The thirteen-year-old stood up.

The other children paused to look at him. Aegon turned to them, a distinct scowl on his face. He stood up with his hand behind his back. In a swift motion, he threw snowballs at both sides. Hitting Daeron and Luke at the same time. The battle commenced again.

Whatever teams were at first established quickly fell apart. It became every man for himself.

Rhaenyra glanced at her watch. It was getting late. While she was glad her sons were having fun, she wanted to go back to the cabin. The air was getting colder and she shivered as a harsh wind breezed by her face. Alicent set some of her things on a bench as she watched the snowball fight. A particular sound of glass clanking rang out. Rhaenyra looked over at the bag Alicent set down. It was a shopping bag. From the Christmas store, they had just been at. Her brows furrowed together. She didn’t.

“What’s that?” Rhaenyra inquired.

Alicent tore her eyes away from the children. “What?”

Rhaenyra pointed at the bag. “I said what the fuck is that?”

Alicent’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“Are those the ornaments?” Rhaneyra snapped.

Alicent crossed her arms. “So, what if they are? I can buy whatever I wish it is my money, that I earned for myself. Not something that was handed to me.”

Rhaenyra put down Joffrey’s car seat on the bench. She didn’t want him right there as this was going to escalate.

“As if your father didn’t work for mine. Did he not hand you everything? Otto especially handed you my father, didn’t he?”

“Do you truly see the world as yours, Rhaenyra? That everyone else is simply a character meant to revolve around you? If someone doesn’t worship your feet, they are villains? Have you never even considered how others see you, the so-called perfect princess?”

Rhaenyra clenched her teeth. “You have always been jealous of me. I had a family who loved me. My father was there and he cared. My mother was wonderful and loving. You wanted that and tried to take it for yourself when my mother died. You are no friend of mine.”

“I thank the Gods every day for that. Why would I want to be friends with someone like you? Why would I wish to associate myself with a liar and a cheater? You were with Laenor yet you were unfaithful to him. It wasn’t enough that you publicly humiliated him, no, you went to the family get-together with Jace. Did you ever care for Laenor? Or did you truly just wish to hurt him further by showing your son with Harwin?”

Alicent leaned closer. Her voice was low. “You are selfish and only think of what benefits you. I heard you broke up with Harwin yet again. Was it worth it? Was the trail of victims you left in your wake worth it? You care so much about others’ loyalty to you but you never return the sentiment.”

“You were nothing but a leech, someone who drained my family.”

“And you were nothing but a spoiled brat who can’t survive without her father’s inheritance.”

Alicent turned away and walked to get a better view of the children. Rhaenyra stood shaking with anger. She was not done with that stuck-up.

Rhaneyra marched up to Alicent. With thinking, she bent down and scooped a snowball then threw it at her former friend’s face. The powder landed on her features. Her brown eyes blinked, processing what had happened. They slowly moved to her. Alicent glared.

“You childish…” Alicent bent down and formed a snowball, launching it back at Rhaenyra.

The Targaryen felt the cold powder land on her nose. She growled, “Fuck.” Rhaenyra wiped her face. She picked up the snow, throwing it at Alicent.

“You traitor!” Rhaenyra shouted.

Alicent threw snowballs back. “You liar!”

The children realized they had joined the fray and took positions beside them, oblivious to the argument. Rhaenyra didn’t care, she just kept throwing snow at Alicent. She wanted to hit her stupid eyes, her dumb nose, her conceited lips, and her dreadful hair. Her hands were nearly frozen from the cold of grabbing the snow without gloves. Alicent had married her father. A man who was practically a father to her, better than her own father, Otto. She had children with him, rubbing in the fact that her mother couldn’t have more than one living child. Then she left her. Alicent, fucking left. She said she loved her, yet she left like a coward last Christmas. She never said a word to her. Rhaenyra tried to call her. After the first twenty-five calls, she realized she was blocked. She shivered in the cold wind but still threw the snow. How could she have thought that Alicent changed? Alicent proved what she would do to those she “loved”. She would run.

Rhaenyra’s arms were growing heavy. Her chest was heaving. She glanced to the side. Jace, Daeron, and Aegon had taken up arms together. As the eldest, Aegon acted as a shield while the two younger boys launched the attacks. When she squinted toward the left, Rhaenyra thought she was mistaken by what she saw. Luke had made an alliance with Aemond. The two boys had grown distant since what happened two years ago, yet there they were bent down behind the snow fort, working to throw snowballs.

In the chaos, she realized someone was missing. Where was Helaena? Rhaenyra’s heart dropped for a moment. She dropped the snowball in her hand. Her violet eyes scanned for her little sister, desperately. She quickly found her sitting on the bench. She had removed her glove and let Joffrey hold her finger. He curiously observed her and she gently rocked his car seat while his brown eyes blinked, tiredly.

A snowball hit her face. Rhaenyra was brought back to the fight at hand. Alicent was pissed. Upon seeing her face, Rhaenyra’s rage reignited. Fuck Alicent Hightower. She picked up a snowball and threw it at her traitorous former best friend.

The car ride back was quiet, however, not for the reason it was last time. The children had fallen asleep in the backseats, exhausted after the hour-long snowball fight. Rhaenyra could not blame them as her arm ached from being raised so many times. She rubbed her sore arm. There was no music in the car. Alicent stared straight ahead both hands gripping the wheel. Rhaenyra leaned her head against the window, the coldness of the glass cooling her forehead. She kept herself from looking at Alicent. The snowballs hit her head, leaving white snowflakes in her auburn hair. The Hightower was deathly quiet. She was visibly upset but remained her usual icy self. Rhaenyra was convinced her soul might be made of ice as well. That’s one thing she hated about Alicent; she always wore a mask hiding away her true feelings. Back then she did it to please others with a smile and hid her discomfort. Now, she didn’t even know who this person was beside her because of it.

Rhaenyra sighed softly. It was only five more days. She could make it until then.

Last Christmas Chapter Three: Warm Eggnog

Summary: Last Christmas Alicent Hightower gave Rhaenyra Targaryen her heart, but the very next day everything fell apart. This year to save herself from tears, Alicent vows to avoid her at their family's Christmas vacation. She'll bear it for her children. It's only a week after all. With aggressive snowball fights, meddling in-laws, Christmas tree decorating, matching pajamas, and hanging mistletoe will Alicent keep her vow? Or will her heart be broken again?

Chapter Summary: But if you kissed me now, I know you'd fool me again

Series Masterlist

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Pairing: Alicent Hightower x Rhaenyra Targaryen

Warning: brief mention of infidelity, enemies with a history together, language, mentions of dead parents, Viserys bashing, heavily implied grooming, mild smut, Helaena is Autistic in this fic and it is briefly mentioned

Words: 3,887

Taglist: @lynnbeth5172 @martellspear @moonshine999 @mariahossain A/N: Tumblr is being horrendous rn and refuses to let me upload the full story too bad I'm stubborn af