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Chapter Text

HPGOT

Harrison sat staring out over Kings Landing as his brain spun, trying to work out where he went from here. Alicent was pregnant again, and Harrison needed to make his move before he got buried. She was at the centre of Harrison’s father’s group of supporters, the supporters of the Hightowers, and so Old Town and the groups of Nobles that were from there. 

Daemon was still at the Stepstones and he had been Harrison’s main form of protection and support in the years since he had lost his mother, but now he was standing on his own, with only a few people around him watching his back while Alicent kept popping out half siblings. 

He was teetering on the edge constantly of losing his position, and he had no doubt that if he were to be swapped out for one of his father and Alicent’s children then as soon as his father passed he would either be killed or exiled, killing him was far more likely. There was a chance it would happen before his father passed, no doubt making it look like a tragic accident. 

Sometimes he resented the fact that he had been born a carrier considering the position that it had placed him in, he was the son that his father needed him to be, but he was a carrier which dropped him down in the line of succession, if his father and mother had had a son that wasn’t a carrier than he would have superseded Harrison’s claim. The fact that Alicent had produced that son for his father made it worse for him. 

The name that they had given their first son had everyone glancing calculatingly at Harrison as well, Aegon. 

Harrison was teetering over the edge, and this pregnancy was dangerous for him. If it were another boy, then the chances were he was going to be overthrown as his father’s heir, unless he married smart. 

He wrapped his arms around his legs and carried on staring out over the city below him as his mind went to the many conversations that he and his mother had had about the type of marriage that he needed to make, and the way to navigate through the political fields of the courts. 

He had to make the right marriage. He had managed to get his father to allow him to choose his husband, but he needed to find the exact right one, a husband that would boost Harrison and his claim to the throne, a husband that would cut through the support around Alicent and her children, one that was smart and would be quick thinking to keep up with the plots and plans of the Court, and someone who was ruthless enough to be able to do what was needed to ensure that Harrison, his position, and their children were safe and got what was their right. 

The Valyrians were an obvious choice, especially considering they had Dragons at their side too, the problem being that through those that were loyal to Harrison he knew that Laenor, though Harrison being male wouldn’t be an issue, was not a political animal by any way shape or means, and though Corlys and Rhaenys were political animals they had shown that they couldn’t drum up the support that they needed when it came down to it, and Harrison needed the person that he was married to, his partner, to be politically minded and to be at his side through the troubles that unfortunately were going to come. 

Harrison grit his teeth as he remembered all the smug little smiles and comments that Alicent had made recently, the comments that had been made by her group and the mutterings that he had heard around Court. 

Everyone thought that he hadn’t chosen a husband because he was putting off marrying, and that he was dragging it out for as long as possible, it wasn’t true, he was trying to find the right person, with the right name, that would be able to fight on his side, and shore up his side massively. He had one chance at this, he had to pick carefully and he had to pick right. 

The wrong husband, and it would mean Harrison's murder, Civil war, or both. 

He needed someone with the smarts to push Harrison’s rights alongside Harrison himself, that had the right name, that was tough enough to weather what was going to come, that would shore up Harrison’s side in one move massively, who would be able to give him children and would be able to push their rights to the throne as well. 

He wished his mother were here, many dismissed her as only having been an incubator for his father’s children who had ultimately failed at her job, but she had been so much more than that, she had been incredibly politically minded, and she had been incredibly good at reading people. There was a reason that politics had been shaky since his mother died.  

He closed his eyes and dropped his head against the wall as his brain spun through the many options that he had weighed up, trying to think about what his mother would have recommended to him, what she would have said about each other, the different men that were his options. 

He went over his list of what he needed in a partner and he ran them against the list of potential men trying to narrow it down to someone who could possibly be the right person. He was running out of time, and he needed to choose, and he needed to choose right. 

He suddenly sat bolt upright, his eyes snapping open as one name came to mind, someone that he hadn’t considered before, but the more he ran over what he needed in his partner, and the more he thought it over the more he was able to tick nearly everything off of his list. 

It also helped that turn about was fair play!

Harrison sat listening to the meeting, taking in everything that was being said and the different parties that were discussing their points as he did through most of these meetings, listening more than speaking unlike Alicent, so that he kept his cards close to his chest. 

“Is there anything else to be discussed today?” Orwyle asked, shuffling his papers as he looked around at them all, clearly expecting it to be a no.

“I do,” Harrison said softly, sitting up a little straighter in his seat, and managed to gain the attention of everyone in the room. His father perked up a little, nodding to him encouragingly. 

“Yes Prince?” Orwyle placed his papers down with a little bit of a huff at the meeting being extended, but picked up his quill and looked at Harrison. 

“I have decided on who I will marry,” Harrison announced, and the whole room practically held their breaths as they realised what he had said, Alicent’s brown eyes flashed onto him, and he could already see the members of the council plotting how they could make this work for them.

He was very aware that they all had their lists of the people that they thought he should marry, for many different reasons, each of them thinking of the qualities that he would be looking for in a partner that would match someone that would benefit them. 

Many of them had in various different ways tried to press onto him who they thought he should marry, trying to press the marriage on him.

“You have?” Viserys perked up, looking at him hopefully.

“Yes, I have, and I think you will be very happy with my choice,” Harrison smiled.

“Who is it!” Viserys asked eagerly, and Harrison couldn’t help but pause a moment to really allow the tension to build, seeing everyone hold their breaths. 

“Otto Hightower,” Harrison announced the name, and watched everyone’s eyes widen, clearly having never expected that.

“What?” Alicent demanded. 

“Otto?” Viserys blinked. 

“Yes,” Harrison nodded. 

“It makes sense,” Lyonel said slowly, his eyes twinkling when he met Harrison’s, clearly putting two and two together.

“It does,” Harrison nodded.

“I will…summon him back to the capital then with the good news,” Viserys blinked.

“You can not allow this!” Alicent snapped at her husband. 

“Alicent…” Viserys frowned at her, and Harrison watched as she tried to draw in her immediate reaction. 

“This is wrong, my father can not…” Alicent shook her head slightly. 

“Otto was Hand of the King, he is Father to the Queen, he has high influence and intelligence, ties to Old Town and knowledge of the Court, he is also a second son and so will have no distraction of his own lands to rule,” Harrison looked wide eyed at his Father, knowing that he was weak to these looks from him, he used them sparingly to maintain their impact. “I thought that he would be a good choice,”

“He is,” Viserys nodded. “Unexpected, but I believe him to be a good choice, I will send for him right away,” the King nodded to his servant who was hurrying out of the room to send the letter even as Alicent stood, her face red as she clearly tried to think her way around it. 

She couldn’t. 

Not right now. 

Harrison knew that this wasn’t a done deal, he actually had to get Otto Hightower into the city, into the Sept and married, he had to convince Otto that backing Harrison as his husband, and any children that they had would be better for him than backing Alicent and her children. 

Even then the man had to actually give him children, but right now he had managed to make a good step in matters. 

“Father,” Harrison smiled, bowing before leaving the room. 

This was a never ending game of chess, and he had just knocked a few of Alicent’s pawns and bigger pieces from the board. He needed to keep going and make sure that there was no sneak attack on him.

Otto Hightower had not really changed in the time that he had been gone from Court. There was perhaps a little more caution around him, which was fair, after his fall from grace and needing to leave the city, no matter how disguised it was under different reasons, he had to be a little nervous being back here. 

He was straight backed and proud, cunning green eyes were as sharp as ever as they washed around the room he was in, taking it all in, and Harrison could see his mind spinning as he put together what was happening, what it meant, and where it could leave him. 

“Prince Harrison,” He bowed slightly as he walked over to where Harrison was sitting in an armchair in front of the fireplace reading. 

“Lord Hightower, I was expecting you to take at least a week longer to get here,” Harrison placed his book to the side and stood. “Leave us,” He nodded to his servants. 

“I admit curiosity drove me to move faster than I would have moved normally when I received the letter from your father,” Otto said, turning to watch the servants leave before adding, “being alone with you is not really appropriate, if people were to to find out, it could cause issue now,”

“They are all so glad that I have finally chosen someone to marry that they will not argue,” Harrison shook his head. “Have a seat please,” he motioned to the chair opposite him.

“Indeed, on the matter of that marriage, you have chosen me?” Otto said, sounding so incredulous that Harrison couldn’t have stopped his laugh if he had tried. 

“Is it that hard to believe? You surely can see why it is that you are the choice I have made,” Harrison tilted his head to the side as he watched Otto sitting stiffly in the chair. 

“The Hightower, Old Town faction that have surrounded my daughter and her children will be divided. I am a political person and can provide the advice and knowledge that you need to work your way through the Court, work your way around those that you can, and go through others,” Otto paused.

“You have friends within the Court, and know them well, you will be able to help me win them over, or at the least make them respect me, you have proven that you can sire children, and so will be able to give me heirs,” Harrison nodded. “And should something happen to me in childbirth, it would be worth more to you to have your child on the throne than your Grandchild,” Harrison finished.

“Was this your plan from the start? Have you been waiting the last two years to summon me back for this after having me sent away? Is this to make me appreciate you and feel dedicated to you?” Otto growled.

He looked at Harrison confused when the younger man tilted his head, a small frown on his face as one indigo and one green eye took him in intently, that intelligence that the carrier had clear in his face.

“I believe you are labouring under a misapprehension, I had nothing to do with you being banished from Court,” Harrison shook his head.

“Yes, you did, Alicent and Cole told me that…” Otto started to say and then stopped.

“Why would Alicent have you sent away, that doesn’t make sense,” Harrison shook his head, coming to the same conclusion as Otto did at nearly the same moment. 

“My plans for her were not for her children to be Viserys’ heirs, my plans were to be in a position of power, Queen and your closest friend, related to you when you became King regnant. Your soft heart was always easy enough to manipulate,” Otto sighed and scrubbed his face. Harrison bit down his anger and waited for the man to carry on, “I was advising her to take a step back from the path that she was taking, to reconcile with you, and make clear that she was not creating another side, a side to oppose you,”

“Do you believe our falling out to be on my head?” Harrison asked calmly. 

“I did predominantly, and on your stubbornness, now I am doubting it,” Otto sighed. Harrison stood and moved to pour them both a drink, allowing his thoughts to pull together after once again being blown apart as he realised the extent of the betrayal of the girl he had thought was his friend. 

“I was angry, and betrayed at first, mainly because I had been kept in the dark about it until that moment. Then the moment that they were married, she started acting as though she was better than me, knew more than me, and just made my life hell,” Harrison held both glasses out to Otto.

“I don’t think you’re going to poison me,” Otto snorted, reaching out and taking one of the glasses, taking a sip of it right away. “I was informed that you were the cause of the issues,” 

“I believe that you have been informed of a good few things that were not correct,” Harrison snorted. 

“I believe so,” Otto dropped back into his chair. “She was quite impressively believable when I was forced to leave, tears, standing in the rain, pleading with me not to leave,” Otto sighed. 

“Without sounding cruel,” Harrison started to say. 

“I believe whatever you have to say will sound that way, despite your best efforts,” Otto snorted.

“You have become disposable to her, she doesn’t need you,” Harrison said.

“And you do?” Otto’s eyes were intent as he looked at Harrison, who met his eyes steadily.

“I am my Father’s named heir, and I am a carrier. Alicent’s power can be claimed through marriage and her son, I do not have that luxury. I need a husband with political power, knowledge and intelligence, and I will carry on needing that partnership,” Harrison said, knowing what this moment meant, and the choice he needed Otto to make. 

“She is my daughter,” Otto said slowly. 

“Yes, she is, and she has proven what that means to her, she sent you away, and she has kept you away,” Harrison nodded, “After everything that you have done for her, making sure that she was my playmate when we were growing up, making sure that she was in my mother’s eyes after your wife passed, making sure that she became queen and got the power she protests she doesn’t want,”

“I…”

“I can also give you more children, heirs to the throne, children that will grow up knowing that you are part of the reason that they are where they are,” Harrison placed his glass to the side and stood. 

“But?” Otto watched the young man walking closer to him. 

“But they will be Targaryens, not Hightowers,” Harrison said firmly. 

“Hmm,” Otto also stood and stepped into Harrison’s personal space. “My line’s name carries on with my brother, the power and renown that I wanted for my own line was always entwined with the Targaryens’, I wanted my daughter and her children to have power and safety, and to be higher than my brother’s children,” 

“I can give you more daughters, more sons, I can give you heirs that will sit on the Iron Throne, you would be consort to the King,” Harrison took one more step forward and tilted his head up to look into Otto’s pale green eyes.

The older man cupped Harrison’s face and leant down to press their lips together. It wasn’t demanding or smothering the way that Harrion had thought it would be when he had imagined this happening. He didn’t envelop Harrison the way that he thought he would. Instead, he carefully cupped his face and gently pressed their lips together. 

“You are innocent,” Otto murmured. 

“Another lie?” Harrison snorted, pulling back and looked up at the other, his indigo and green eyes peering at him. 

“I do not want anything to befall my daughter or grandchildren,” Otto sighed.

“As long as Alicent backs down and tries not to harm us, or our children, I will not harm her,” Harrison said firmly. “As for the children, I have no desire to harm my siblings,” he looked away to glare into the fireplace, the accusation stinging.

“No, I remember your joy and sorrow over the years of your mother and father’s pregnancies,” Otto nodded. “I saw you with Aegon a few times as well,” 

“I have been allowed very little interaction with Aegon, I have no doubt that I will not be able to be any closer to this baby,” Harrison snorted, he started when Otto took Harrison’s chin and turned his head back to him.

“Except we will change that,” Otto said softly. 

“We will?” Harrison asked.

“Yes,” Otto nodded, agreeing to both Harrison’s question and to the wedding Harrison quickly realised. 

“You are sure? Once you agree to this, there will be no backing down, and you will be taking on the danger that comes with being my partner,” Harrison offered one out.

“I had essentially already agreed to it when I hurried here, and even if I had said no, the fact you put my name forward would put me in danger,” Otto pointed out and Harrison just inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement. 

“Then we have an agreement,” Harrison nodded.

The two moved to reclaim their seats, their minds spinning as they tried to settle on what was now in place. 

“I will not tolerate cheating or lying, if we are going to do this, we need to be a team,” Otto said firmly. 

“That goes for you as well,” Harrison narrowed his eyes. 

“We will both agree to it,” Otto nodded, leaning his elbows on his legs and staring at Harrison intently. “For all my faults, I never cheated on my wife, or lied to her. We will both be honest and true to each other,”

“I agree,” Harrison nodded. 

They paused when there was a knock on the door. Otto glanced at Harrison who shook his head indicating he was not expecting anyone. Otto stood and moved to the other end of the room, far from Harrison. 

“Enter!” Harrison called.

“Forgive me Prince, but you have been in here too long alone, I do not want to risk anything being called into question,” Ser Harold said, stepping into the room, glancing between them sharply. 

“Peace Ser, I have not harmed him, and I mean him no harm,” Otto held his hands up as Harold shut the door, he walked back to the fire and to Harrison. “You are most loyal to Prince Harrison, are you not?” he asked thoughtfully.

“I will give my life for the Prince!” Harold huffed.

“So, were Prince Harrison and I to carry on talking, what is said will remain in this room, correct?” Otto asked.

Harold looked between Harrison and Otto before he inclined his head.

“I am aware of the danger towards Prince Harrison, but there is little I can do about it unless a plan is made or someone strikes at him. As long as nothing is said in here that will endanger the Prince, I will say nothing at all about what is said in here,” Harold nodded.

“Thank you Ser,” Harrison stood and took the Knight’s hand in both of his, squeezing them gently. Otto watched slightly amused as the Knight basically melted at Harrison’s words and touch, and though Harrison realised he had the Knight’s loyalty, he did not realise the power that he had over him. 

That was something that Otto would have to teach him, while ensuring that he did not lose the honest gentleness that he had. 

Alicent for all he loved her was too sickly fake with that gentleness that she rubbed people up the wrong way, she came off as a martyr while enjoying all the trappings of being Queen. 

Harrison needed to not lose the likeability and warmth that had made him the Realm's Delight, while ensuring that he could use those traits to their highest advantage. 

“Otto?” Harrison’s voice broke him from his musings. 

“Apologies, I was thinking,” Otto shook his head realising that Harrison had clearly been trying to get his attention. 

“Deeply from the look of it,” Harrison seated himself again, and Harold moved to stand behind his chair. 

“You are beloved, and have a power through the gentleness and kindness that you possess. We need to use that to our advantage, while making sure that you do not lose the honesty of it, and that it does not become fake,” Otto said honestly. 

“You want to use him?” Harold scowled. 

“Harold,” Harrison said softly.

“He chose me because he needs my help politically, and we need to push forward to ensure that he has the upper hand in this, because now that he has made this play, and has the chance that he will produce his own children, those that have thrown their lot in with my daughter and her children will make plays against Harrison more strongly, and openly now,” Otto said to Harold. 

As much as the Knight clearly disliked it, he nodded his understanding. Though his beard seemed to bristle a little in annoyance. 

“I am binding myself to Harrison and his cause now, anything that I do will be for myself yes, but it will be for the two of us and our side,” Otto said firmly to the man that he knew he needed on his side. 

“Except this could be another way to get your daughter on top,” Harold said sharply. 

“But it was Harrison who brought me back, not her, and through my conversation with Harrison I am convinced that it was her that had me sent away in the first place. I do not want her or her children harmed, but my loyalty will be to…my husband and any children that we have. I know that you do not think much of me, and I know that I can be a hard man, but I do take the vows of marriage seriously, I will be loyal and honest to Harrison,” 

“If I find out for a moment that you have harmed or are planning to harm the Prince, I will slit your throat myself, Prince Consort or not,” Harold growled out. 

“Understood,” Otto smiled a little. “I am relieved that Harrison has a King’s Guard so loyal to him, it will place my mind at rest, and make our plans much easier to know we can rely on someone to protect Harrison,” 

The older man looked to Harriosn who had sat there silently through the exchange, his indigo and green eyes moving back and forth as they spoke, but just allowing the two to talk, showing that intelligence that Otto would be relying on. 

“I do have an important question that I need to ask,” Otto said to Harrion, getting his attention back to him. 

“Yes?” Harrison asked, a little concerned. 

“Why does Christan Cole dislike you so much?” Otto asked, but to his concern Harrison blanched. “Harrison?”

“I,” Harrison glanced down at his hands that were suddenly clenched in his lap. A thought jumped into Otto’s mind, and he was a little surprised at the level of emotion that he felt at it. 

“Has he harmed you?” Otto asked, sitting back in the chair he had vacated, perching on the edge of it and looking at Harrison intently as Harold’s hand went to the hilt of his sword as though he would fend off this potential danger from the Prince. 

“He tried to…he tried to kiss me, and tried to…he pressed me against the wall. He said that he loved me, and that he wanted me to leave with him, go sell oranges. When I rejected him, he became…angry and…he acted as though I had promised him something,” Harrison shook his head. 

“Was there ever anything romantic between the two of you?” Otto asked and then quickly shook his head at the expression on Harrison’s face. “I am not asking because I am concerned about your purity or any rubbish like that, I am asking to understand the danger that he is to you,” 

“No there wasn’t. I believed that we were friends, and that he was someone who was on my side, he appeared to have taken it as something else,” Harrison sighed. “He also said some…horrid things about Daemon and I,” 

“There have been some unfortunate rumours about you and Daemon,” Otto sighed. 

“Do you need me to answer that question?” Harrison raised an eyebrow. 

“No I do not, I saw the interaction between you and him on Dragonstone, you love him, but you see his failings,” Otto snorted.

“Daemon is on my side, but he is a loose cannon and he is not someone that we can rely on,” Harrison sighed again. 

“Correct,” Otto pinched his lips. “He is popular with the common people, but he rubs a lot of the nobles up the wrong way. He has also never liked me, this marriage could cause issues with him,” 

“I will write to him and ensure that he knows that this is my choice, and that he is not to make a show about it unless he wants to help my enemies stab me in the back,” Harrison nodded.

“Our first appearance together needs to be impressive, and it needs to make a statement,” Otto said. “I will be summoned to the throne room tomorrow once your father knows I am here,” 

“We need to make a big statement,” Harrison agreed before he smirked. 

“What?” Otto perked up. 

“Hang on,” Harrison stood and moved into his bedroom, and Otto had to fight down the urge to laugh when Harold glowered at him as though he were about to get up and follow him. They could hear Harriosn rummaging around in the room as the two of them stared at each other. “You should summon Gwayne here and have him as part of my guard, he and Alicent still are not close, correct?” Harrison called from his bedroom. 

“Correct, she never thought that she would need to court his favour, she believed that he, and I to an apparent increasing degree, would be forced to follow behind her. Setting Gwayne as part of your personal guard will go far to winning him over and encouraging him to choose our side, especially once I explain that it was Alicent who was the one that sent me away,” Otto agreed and Harold blinked at him. 

“Here,” Harrison walked out with something clasped in his hand, walking over to Otto as he stood. 

“This was…” Otto looked up at Harrison as he dropped the item into his hand. 

“My mother’s, it will make a statement, yes?” Harrison smirked, raising his eyebrow. 

Harold growled when Otto cupped the back of Harrison’s head, burying his fingers into the long, thick hair and pressed his lips to the younger man’s again, kissing him a little firmer than he did their first kiss. He pressed deeper into the kiss when he felt the younger man giving under him, his smaller hands coming up to grip hold of Otto’s coat and he held onto the other.

“I believe that we will work very well together,” Otto said as they parted, looking down into those unusual eyes. 

“That is what I hoped,” Harrison nodded looking up at him. 

“Prince!” Harold groaned in protest when Harrison went up on his toes and pressed his and Otto’s lips together again. 

Otto gripped Harrison’s hair in his grip a little and kissed back, losing himself this time in just enjoying the kiss, the taste of the Prince, the feeling of the Prince’s warm, firm body against his own. 

“I should leave, I will see you tomorrow though, yes?” Otto forced himself to step back even as he drank in the red, just slightly swollen lips of the other, and the slightly wide eyes. 

“Yes,” Harrison nodded.

“If you need me, though, send for me?” Otto hesitated in leaving. 

“I will, yes,” Harrison smiled a little. 

“Tomorrow then,” Otto nodded before bowing slightly and turning to leave. 

“Don’t look at me like that,” Harrison chuckled, seeing Harold looking at him. 

“Prince,” Harold whined again.

“Father,” Harrison walked into his father’s office and bowed slightly. 

“Harrison,” his father smiled quite brightly, waving him further in. He sat down in front of his father’s desk. “I believe that Otto visited you immediately upon arriving last night?” Viserys asked. 

“He did, Ser Harold was with us,” Harrison said cautiously. 

“Good, good, it seems as though he is happy for this marriage as well?” Viserys looked eager, and Harrison relaxed a little. 

“He is, we spoke and reached an agreement, and he is willing as well to go forward with the marriage. He promised that he would be true to me, and we promised each other that we would be honest with each other,” Harrison nodded. 

“Wonderful, it sounds as though you are off to a good start. I admit I was surprised by your choice, and concerned at first, but it seems as though you know what you are doing?” Viserys glanced over him. 

“I believe that he will be a good partner and someone who can support me as I need,” Harrison said. 

“I am happy that you have made a choice, Harrison, and I believe that it could work well for you. It will also bring our families closer together, despite this being a bit unusual,” Viserys smiled brightly. 

Harrison ignored the urge to sigh at his father’s ignorance and just smiled and nodded along with him as his father spoke about their family ties. Finally, though, he was allowed to leave and he hurried back to his rooms. 

Sitting at his desk, he scribbled out the letter to Daemon about the marriage and warned him against doing anything rash, considering the damage that it could do to Harrison. That done, he passed it to a servant that he trusted to get it sent off to Daemon before he made his way to his wardrobe and dug through it to find something that was suitable for his appearance with Otto. 

He dug out a couple of items after nearly an hour before scowling and deciding that they were not enough. He rummaged back through his wardrobe, digging through the items before making a small noise of success as he found what he had been looking for, an item that he had shoved to the back of his wardrobe over a year ago. 

“Prince, there is a servant at the door for…did the wardrobe attack you?” Harold blinked at seeing Harrison’s ruffled hair. 

“Shush, someone is here?” Harrison asked. 

“Yes, from Otto,” Harold pulled a face. 

“Can you take it from them please?” Harrison asked.

“Fine,” Harold huffed before moving away. Harrison tried to straighten his blond hair out, and Harold stomped his way back to the room, holding the package out to him with the same grumpy expression. 

“You know that he is taking as big a risk with this as I am?” Harrison asked him taking the package from him. 

“I don’t trust him,” Harold sighed. 

“I don’t fully either, not yet, but by agreeing to the marriage he is openly declaring himself on my side, and aside from anything he will gain much more power by being my husband, and father to my children, than being father to the queen and grandfather to her children, the queen who sent him away. She did me the biggest favour she could have by doing that and blaming me, that has pushed him further to my side,” Harrison explained softly. 

“Why would she send him away?” Harold frowned. 

“He says that his main intention was to push for her as my friend to gain a high position once I was King, and being able to use my half-siblings when my father passed, after having the power of being Queen,” Harrison hummed. “I am inclined to believe him; none of the pushing that he did while he was here passed those positions, and the main open pushing for more started only after he left.” 

“I just want you to be safe and happy,” Harold sighed. 

“I know, and I am not sure that I will be happy with Otto,” Harrison admitted. “But this is the best way that I can think of to be safe,” 

“Very well, I will watch both your backs,” Harold sighed deeply. 

“Thank you,” Harrison reached out and squeezed Harold’s hand gratefully. 

“Ok, see what he sent you,” Harold nodded to the package. 

It was a simple red fabric wrapped around a small item, but it had been sealed with Otto’s personal seal. Harrison broke it open and pulled back the fabric to find that it held a necklace and a small letter. 

Harold snorted, amused at the necklace, before turning and leaving to guard the door again. The pendant was the three headed dragon of Harrison’s House, looking closer Harrison realised that it had to have been a pin that Otto had had at some point, but he had taken the pin off of the back, and had threaded a couple of links through it before attaching it to 3 pieces of dyed green leather that had been twisted together. It would sit like a choker, resting against Harrison’s throat, and it sent a clear message about their union, the green the perfect colour for Otto’s House, and the same green that Alicent had been wearing nonstop for over a year now. 

He opened the letter curiously. 

Dearest Harrison,

Forgive me for the crudeness of the necklace. I promise I will get you something much more appropriate as soon as I can. However, I believe that this could be something that would make the statement that we are looking to make. 

Our meeting last night definitely gave me a lot of hope for the future I believe that we can have together, and the partnership that we can make. I know that we made promises together about the shape of our relationship, but I hope that I made it clear as well that I will try and be a good romantic partner to you, I know that this is an arranged and political marriage, but I do honestly hope that we can find our way to a good friendship at the least, with the spark that I felt, and I truly hope you felt between us during our kisses, I hope that it can definitely be more than friendship. 

I always admired your intelligence, even if I was frustrated by it more than once. I am looking forward to getting to work with you and that intelligence, and I confess to finding myself eager to spend more time with you and get to know you better. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and I will see you this evening. 

With respect and care

Otto.

Harrison huffed as he realised that he was blushing a little at the words, remembering those kisses and the spark that he did indeed feel between them. 

The words gave him a little hope. He knew that his father had loved his mother, what he felt for Alicent was perhaps love, but Harrison wasn’t really sure if it was or just interest in the younger woman and the chance of more children, he did not really like to think about it very much. He knew that Alicent was not in love with his father, and did not find him attractive in any way, and despite everything, he did feel a little sorry for her. 

He did not want his own marriage to be the same, locked in a loveless marriage with a man that he was not attracted to. The feeling of Otto holding him the night before, the press of his kisses to Harrison’s lips, the feeling of his hand tightening on Harrison’s hair…it all caused sparks through him that gave him hope. 

He ran his thumb over the pendant of the necklace before tying it around his throat and then moving to get ready, his thoughts humming around in his mind like a storm of bees.

Harrison was standing next to his father at the head table in the Great Hall, and he could feel Alicent’s eyes burning into him from where she was standing on his father’s other side. 

He was wearing white robes carefully sewn alternately with red and black thread in the colours of his House along the seams. On the back was a large three-headed dragon in black thread, under he was wearing a neat black shirt that fitted him like a second skin, it had a deep V that left his throat and some of his chest open, leaving the green leather and pendant of his necklace on perfect display. 

His trousers were a little more fitted than he would normally wear, and he had felt eyes on him as he walked into the room, especially as the white of the robes made his slightly curved figure more defined by the contrasting colours. The emerald green belt around his waist that he had not worn in years, but it matched nicely with his necklace.  

The door opened, and every single eye moved to it as Otto Hightower walked into the hall for the first time in two years. The gossip, possibilities and shock of the announcement of his return, and the reason behind it had the Courts’ gossipy little hearts afflutter. 

Harrison’s own heart was a little afflutter as he took in Otto as he walked towards him…them. 

His brown and grey flecked hair had been combed neatly, and his beard had been trimmed and groomed neater than Harrison could remember seeing it. What he was wearing though, had Harrison’s breath catching. 

A deep crimson red shirt was tailored perfectly to him, as were the black trousers he was wearing under his crimson red coat that was threaded with a stunning golden thread that definitely caught the eye, and the golden and red chain necklace that he was wearing around his throat, the pendant resting on the centre of his chest, definitely matched nicely. 

Harrison heard his father catch his breath next to him as he clearly caught sight of the necklace, and he heard Alicent hiss out a breath as mutterings started amongst some of the Courtiers. 

Harrison kept the smirk from his face that he wanted to let loose as Otto strode to the head table, his head tilted up proudly. His light green eyes stayed locked onto Harrison, not drifting to where Alicent was standing, glaring faintly at him. 

It reminded Harrison so much of when Alicent had arrived at his birthday banquet wearing Hightower green and striding through the hall, making her point to everyone, well, everyone except his ignorant father, that he really wished he could laugh out loud. 

She had hammered the point home and then beat it to death by only wearing Hightower green ever since. Harrison was fairly sure that her pyjamas, underwear and socks were Hightower green. 

Otto swept along the table and then around it, walking along until he reached Harrison and the free chair that was sitting waiting for him next to the Prince. 

Harrison turned to him as he reached him, and Otto smiled a little at him before reaching out to take Harrison’s hand and bowed before raising his hand to his lips and brushing a lingering kiss on it. Harrison’s breath caught in his throat when Otto turned his hand and brushed what felt like a much more intimate kiss to the inside of his wrist before he stood straight, but he kept Harrison’s hand in his. 

“Your Highness,” Otto bowed deeply to Viserys. 

“Otto, it is good to have you back in the city, and under such happy circumstances,” Viserys smiled. 

Otto squeezed Harrison’s hand as though feeling the exasperation coming from him at the ignorance of his father as to the reality of what was going on around him, especially as Alicent was fighting hard not to glare at the two of them. 

Lyonel Strong was not ignorant, and his clever eyes flicked between the two of them and their joined hands, and then to Viserys and Alicent. 

“Queen Alicent, daughter, it is wonderful to see you again,” Otto said, and Harrison believed that he could sense the honesty and the lie in the words.

“Father,” Alicent said shortly.

“Lord Otto, a pleasure to see you again,” The Hand of the King said to the man that he had replaced, stepping in when the awkwardness started to linger. 

This time, it was Harrison squeezing Otto’s hand. 

“You too Ser Lyonel, it has been too long.” Otto smiled pleasantly before stepping behind Harrison and leaning down to breathe in his ear. “I have nothing to be jealous or petty about, I am gaining a position higher and more sure than Hand of the King, and gaining something more than anyone here could wish for.” 

Harrison glanced up at him, confused at the last part, before a flush overtook his cheek as pale green eyes left no doubt as to Otto meaning him. 

The gossips were all aflutter even more, seeing the interaction and the blush on Harrison’s cheeks, and Viserys and Alicent eyed the two of them for very different reasons as Otto seated Harrison before sitting down next to him. 

“When I thought about being back at this table, I never in a million years would have thought it would be in this position,” Otto muttered amusedly after a few moments of awkward silence, startling Harrison into laughter as he glanced at the other man. 

“I don’t think that anyone else would have either,” Harrison leaned a little closer to murmur back. 

“That is rather part of the fun of it, isn’t it?” Otto smirked, and Harrison chuckled, nodding. 

“It is definitely part of the fun, I am maybe seeing why Daemon is the way that he is,” Harrison laughed softly. 

“I admit I can partially see it as well. My brother’s face when I informed him of your father’s letter was enjoyable, especially as he had been commenting on my living with him after my ‘fall from grace’. Alicent’s face after the revelation from yesterday is more satisfying than I thought it would be,” Otto admitted.

“The last couple of years have been more than a little tough; it is nice to be in this seat for once,” Harrison confessed, focusing on filling his plate now that his father had filled his, and the rumble of talking filled the room, the band springing to life from their corner, helping to mask Harrison and Otto’s conversation. 

He froze a little at the feeling of fingers on his chin, but he allowed Otto the slightly possessive touch as he followed the press and turned his head to look into pale green eyes, and fought not to flutter his own eyes shut when the press of fingers became a caress. 

“I saw how hard it was for you before, and how alone you seemed to be, and even before your mother’s passing, the pressure that was on you and the uncertainty. You bore it without complaint, even when more and more was dropped onto your shoulders. You won’t have to bear that on your shoulders alone anymore.”

Harrison reached up and twined his fingers together with Otto’s, lowering his hand from his face as he leaned a little closer to the other man, sure that his own unusual eyes were intent as they stared at the older man. 

“Are you trying to seduce me?” Harrison asked, and was a little thrilled at the slightly husky laugh that he received.

“Yes, I am,” Otto smirked. “But I am also telling the truth,” 

“And why are you trying to seduce me? The marriage will go ahead one way or the other,” Harrison tilted his head a little.

“Because you deserve to be seduced, and I am aware of what I am gaining with this marriage, what you have offered me with this marriage, I want to ensure that you are enthralled with me. I want to ensure that you have eyes for no one but me,” Otto said as smoothly as chocolate. 

“We already promised each other that we would be faithful to each other,” Harrison frowned a little. 

“There is a difference between being faithful to each other because of a promise, and you only wanting me,” Otto smirked. 

“And should I ensure you have eyes for only me?” Harrison tilted his head. He blinked a little confused when Otto chuckled in amusement. “What is so funny about that?” 

“My Prince,” Otto had never said his title with so much honesty, or in that tone either, like it was rolling over Harrison. “I assure you, there is nowhere else that my eyes will be looking now that I have the chance for you to be my husband, and you to be mine, where else would my eyes roam?” 

“Someone younger, prettier, female,” Harrison listed, raising an eyebrow. 

“Females are not actually to my taste. I had a good friendship with Alyrie, but that was it. Younger, I believe that you are more than young enough, almost too much if it were not for your maturity.” 

“And prettier?” Harrison pressed with a little sigh when Otto purposefully paused. 

“There is no one prettier than you,” Otto said with such surety, and an intentness in his green eyes that Harrison felt that damned blush spreading over his cheeks again, especially when Otto reached out with his free hand and ran a lock of Harrison’s blond hair through his fingers. 

“You need not lie!” Harrison huffed, and then blinked when the lock of hair was tugged a little more sharply. 

“And we promised we would not lie to each other. I have not lied,” Otto said firmly. 

“I…”

“You two are so wrapped up in each other, you are forgetting to eat! The meal will be finished and you will have not tasted a bite,” Viserys said cheerfully, interrupting their conversation. They both turned to him to see him looking quite happy. 

“Apologies my King,” Otto inclined his head, slipping the lock of hair fully through his fingers but not releasing Harrison’s hand. 

“Nonsense, it is good to see that you are getting on so well,” Viserys beamed. “Isn’t it, Alicent!”

Harrison squeezed Otto’s hand when Alicent looked briefly like she was swallowing a lemon before she was able to hide it under a sickly sweet smile. 

“It is,” She hummed. Her face remained sweet, her eyes felt as though they were boring into Harrison. 

For the rest of the meal, Viserys talked to Harrison and Otto, chattering away happily to them, catching up with Otto as though he had not banished his Hand who despite everything had been faithful to him for years, speaking as though he had not demoted him and sent him away at the demand of his pretty, young wife, who was said man’s daughter. 

A couple of times, Harrison and Otto had reached for each other to provide a touch here and there at something that was said. Comfort, warning, and even humour pressed in each touch. 

Harrison ignored Harold’s eyes burning into them from behind, while Otto’s eyes flashed with amusement every now and then to the King’s Guard. 

“Will you take a walk with me?” Harrison asked after the meal had broken up and they had mingled with the Court for a respectable amount of time, Otto staying at his side, and guiding him around a specific set of people. 

Harrison watched, impressed both with Otto, and himself for his choice, as Otto charmed, battled and talked around many of the people they talked to, and Harrison felt happy with his own inclusions to the conversations, feeling that he and Otto worked quite well together. 

It felt as though on their first evening that they had laid a good groundwork for what they needed, and Otto was definitely using the advantage of the shock of his return and to such a higher elevation to their advantage. The element of surprise was with them right now, and they had used it with a number of the Lords and Ladies that they had spoken to. 

It felt a little odd for Harrison to be taking the offensive really, and to have backing while doing it, Otto had seemed to want something specific from him, and he was fairly sure that he had provided it. 

“Of course,” Otto smiled at him, nodding to Harold who stepped closer to them where he had been keeping a careful distance allowing them their space to work. 

“Oh, are you leaving?” Lady Parnell asked as the two of them made their way across the room. 

“We are, we are going to take a little walk and have some time together before the night finishes,” Harrison smiled brightly at her. 

“Oh, that is lovely, of course you will want a little time away from this crowd,” she simpered. 

“Indeed, My Lady,” Otto bowed slightly, getting a tittering laugh from her before they swept out. As they left Harrion caught Alicent absolutely glowering at them. 

Harrison turned and blinked when as they stepped into the thankfully empty corridor Otto’s hand slipped down and once more took his, and after a moment's hesitation he closed his own hand around Otto’s larger one. 

They walked in silence for a good ten minutes as they just walked along the keeps corridors, the only sound their footstep and Harold’s behind them, the clink of his armour remaining them that he was with them as they walked hand in hand in quite peaceful and pleasant quiet between them after the noise of the banquet. 

Harrison found his feet leading them to the courtyard, filled with plants and trees that he loved. Some torches were burning in the courtyard lighting it pleasantly, and he tilted his head up to look at the stars glittering in the sky, trusting Otto to lead him along the pathway. 

“Shall we sit?” Otto offered, motioning to a bench that looked out over the city, small lights glittering and glowing below them. 

“Thank you,” Harrison sighed, sinking down onto the bench.

“You did very well tonight,” Otto said, settling next to him. 

“I was not sure if I was playing the part you wanted me to play,” Harrison admitted. 

“You did, and you played it very well. We impressed a lot of people, and made a mark on a lot of the others. We announced ourselves and our side well tonight,” Otto hummed. 

“I still wish that there were no need for sides,” Harrison admitted softly, still looking out at the city even as he felt Otto’s eyes burning into him. “I love my father, but his naivety feels like willful ignorance to live an easier life while everyone else's is made more difficult,” 

“Your father has always been…” Otto started and then sighed. “He is a man full of joy and a bright spark, and he is an able ruler, but he does not want to acknowledge or deal with the difficulties of life. When Alyrie passed, he didn’t want to really acknowledge the sadness of the loss, and what it meant for myself, Alicent and Gwayne,” he carried on, and Harrison turned to look at him now. 

“He and I have never really spoken about mother and her loss,” Harrison said quietly.

“Have you…” Otto started to say and then paused. 

“Why did you stop speaking?” Harrison frowned. 

“We have been getting on well, I don’t want to push at your boundaries,” Otto admitted.

“I will keep that in mind,” Harrison nodded.

“Have you been able to speak to anyone at all about the loss of your mother?” Otto asked and Harrison tensed, unable to help himself as he looked back over the city. Otto waited patiently as he pulled his thoughts together. 

“Daemon…he would not talk about it. The only person that I have spoken to about her death was…Alicent, before the announcement of the wedding,” Harrison said almost tonelessly. 

“I…I have no clue what to say to that,” Otto admitted, his mind going back to that time, and remembering how he was thinking about his chance to push Alicent forward, to get her into a position that could set her up for the rest of her life, and her children's lives. He could remember Harrison walking around the Keep, pale and drawn, but putting a brave face on it, his back straight and chin tilted up.

“There is little to say, and if you think because I have not had people around me to share things with, and because Alicent’s side has been feeling brave recently, that I will be easily manipulated…” Harrison stopped speaking when Otto reached out and gently touched his cheeks, his green eyes soft in a way that Harrison had not often seen. 

“I do not wish for you to be easily manipulated, under my thumb, or anything that you are thinking. If you wish to think of it this way, then I need a partnership with you in order for our marriage to flourish and benefit me the most. I need you to play your part of this partnership as you are, and not crushed by me. I have my part to play, but people are not going to follow me, they will not swear loyalty to me, they will to you,” Otto said softly. “I realised that you have borne a lot on your shoulders, by yourself because those that should have supported you have ignored you, been selfish and let you down. With the exception of a small number, whose hands have been tied. You have stood strong through all of this, and still managed to pull the shock of your marriage choice out of the bag.”

Harrison stared at the older man with his unusual eyes, a little shocked at the words. Somehow it was easier when Otto slid closer so that their legs were pressed together, and then pressed their lips together, cupping his face and kissing him firmly, his thumbs pressing after a moment under Harrison’s jaw and tipped his head back, and suddenly Harrison felt a little breathless at the change of angle to kiss and the heat behind it as Otto pressed what felt like drenching kisses to his lips, drawing him in until all he could focus on was the heat of the kiss and Otto’s hands, the taste and scent of him, spiced orange filling his senses, and heat building in his stomach. 

“I will always push for more, and I will push you at times, but I never want to crush you. I mean it when I say that I want to have a partnership with you,” Otto said as he pulled back, but he stroked his thumb over Harrison’s cheek. 

“I am used to people wanting to suck everything that they can from me and giving nothing back, even father, he named me heir to get back at Daemon, but he offers me no support and help in being his heir as a carrier, and leaves me to deal with the consequences of his choices alone,” Harrison admitted closing his eyes. 

Otto looked at the Prince, and he felt his heart burning a little, the younger man tugging at him as he felt like he was truly seeing him fully for the first time.

“I may ask a lot from you at times in trying to ensure our place and push us forward, but I will always be here for you to lean on, to take strength from when you need it, I will be here to watch your back, and to support you when it is feeling too much,” Otto promised, pressing his lips to Harrison’s temple as he spoke.

“I admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect fully when I made my choice, but this was not it,” Harrison murmured softly, reaching up to wrap his hands around Otto’s wrists. 

“I know many think I am a hard-hearted, greedy, grasping man whose heart is empty. But I would like this to be a true marriage and partnership,” Otto smiled a little when Harrison looked at him. 

Harrison touched Otto’s cheeks before leaning forward to kiss Otto again, much gentler than their previous kiss, but telling the older man the response to his words. 

“I don’t want a cold, loveless marriage,” Harrison breathed out between them. 

“Then we will make sure that we win this, and we win it together, and that we will both work hard at our marriage together to be good to each other,” Otto combed his fingers through Harrison’s hair. 

“Father!” Alicent clipped her way towards him, her heels clacking off the floors as she moved, Christan Cole right behind her and glowering a little. Otto stopped and turned back towards his daughter, waiting for her to reach him as he took her in. 

The two years that had passed seemed to have changed her, and he could definitely say it was not for the better. There was something cold about her, something bitter, something that showed on her face and in her eyes. Though he was sure that as her father he could definitely see it, he believed that there had to be others in the Court, sharp eyed Lords and Ladies that picked up on it. 

Part of him regretted pushing her forward to speak with Viserys, placing her in his eyeline, but at the end he had not done anything that hundreds of fathers and mothers hadn’t done to try and gain their child a safe and secure place in a cut throat world. 

Viserys and Aemma had been an arranged marriage and he had loved and doted on her, as he had Alicent, and that was what Otto had wanted for his daughter, someone who would treat her kindly and gently, someone that would love her and give her a good life. He knew that the age difference wasn’t the best, but he had definitely seen worse, and Viserys could have been a cruel, demanding husband who beat his daughter and their children. 

He had thought that Alicent and Harrison being friends would help, that it would make Alicent stepping into the marriage even easier for her, and would ensure that she and any children she had would live a charmed life as step mother/friend of the King and half siblings of the King. He hadn't known that Alicent had kept it secret from Harrison until he had seen the Prince's face when Viserys had announced it. 

What Viserys had been thinking about announcing his marriage to his son's closest friend at the Council without talking to Harrison about it first Otto didn't know, except that it fell in with what Harrison had said about willful ignorance and leaving everyone else to deal with the consequences. 

Otto didn't know what had turned his daughter this way, yes he was aware that she had not been attracted to Viserys, but she could have made a good friendship with him, perhaps even finding love of sorts with him, he treated her kindly, he may not live her in the way he had Aemma but he did love her, and she wanted for nothing.

The power play against Harrison was not something that he had encouraged, plunging the country into civil war would benefit neither side, but she seemed determined to try and start it, that was clear with her getting him sent away from court and blaming Harrison. 

Had Harrison not proposed the marriage between them Otto believed that Alicent would have brought him back to Court once Viserys was truly ill, or dead, and used the hatred that he had felt building towards the Prince for her benefit. 

He had been confused by the marriage offer, and then believed that sending him away had been a way to soften him up. Realising that it was his daughter who had orchestrated his banishment had hurt far more than he had let onto Harrison, and sent his world spinning slightly. 

“Father!” Alicent tipped her head back as she reached him.

“My Queen,” he bowed correctly to her and watched her flinch a little. 

“There is no need for that, you know that, you are my father,” she smiled sweetly, but it was not the smile on the face of the girl that he used to know, and he believed that that girl had not existed for a while. 

“It has been a long couple of years, I am unsure as to what has changed and what has not. It is good to see you daughter,” he said honestly despite all the other emotions going through him. 

“What are you thinking with this marriage, Father?!” Alicent demanded, and some of the hope that he had had faded a little. 

“It is a good marriage for me to make,” Otto shrugged, glancing to the side and meeting the eyes of Cole as they burned into him, if he was not mistaken jealousy seemed to be the fuel behind that fire. 

“This is an attack against me!” Alicent hissed, getting his attention back. 

“I believe I am worth more than just an attack against you, Harrison chose me because of my contacts, my skills at Court, my political knowledge and my ability to support him,” Otto shrugged as nonchalantly as he could manage. 

“And you are going to support him and not me?” Alicent narrowed her eyes. 

“Harrison is Viserys’ chosen heir, his named heir, and he has not changed his mind in the two and a half years since Aegon was born. I have always supported Viserys’ choices and what is best for the realm. I am unsure in what way I am not supporting you? My marriage to Harrison will bind you even closer to him and secure your place further when Viserys passes; it will secure your children's places even further.” Otto glanced at Alicent's swollen stomach. “You will be half sister to Harrison's children, his heirs.”

“I…you are… Harrison does not wish for me to have a place at court! Or my children!” Alicent pressed her hand to her stomach and looked at him with big, brown pleading eyes. 

Once upon a time, it would have worked only too well. 

 Now he had the revelation of her machinations in sending him away, he also had one indigo and one purple eye in his mind looking at him intently, looking at him with a burning intelligence that sparked something in Otto in return. 

“And what actions has he made that have indicated this?” Otto asked, folding his hands in front of him and watched as Alicent’s brain spun to a halt. 

He was a little offended that she had thought he wouldn’t question her, that he wouldn’t look at the situation himself. 

“I…he has made it clear!” Alicent flustered. 

“How?” Otto asked calmly. 

“You are so entrapped by him already that you would question your daughter on it!” Cole spat out. 

“You will watch your tone, Kings Guard, you are addressing the future Prince Consort,” Otto said pleasantly, allowing the bite to be in his words. “And I am asking in what ways that Harrison has threatened you and your children so that I can protect you, tell me what threats he has made against you so that I can guard you, that is after all part of the reason that I have accepted the marriage,” 

Otto wanted to sigh as he saw his daughter’s smug expression before she could hide it, reaching out to touch Cole’s hand to stop his comeback, thinking that she had won him over.

“They are not direct threats but things that he says, hints that he lays,” Alicent said in a fretful tone. 

“Indeed, that is truly concerning,” Otto wished he could believe her. “What types of things does he say?” 

“He says…” Alicent glanced at Cole. “He says many things about our safety,” 

Otto fought the urge to sigh. 

“What type of things?” 

“Do you not believe me?” Alicent hissed, looking furious. 

“The more that you dodge around this, yes,” Otto raised his eyebrow. 

“He said that he would banish me from court, across the sea with my bastard children!” Alicent blurted out. 

Otto wondered how much Viserys pandered and pampered Alicent that she thought she could create these stories and just be believed. 

“I thought you said that he did not make direct threats to you? That is a fairly direct threat, two of them by calling your children bastards,” Otto snorted.

“I…it slipped my mind when I was trying to explain to you!” Alicent apparently couldn’t believe that he was not just believing her.

“That is rather a big thing to have slipped your mind,” Otto said amused. 

“Are you calling the Queen a liar?!” Cole spat his hand going to his sword. 

“Yes I am, shall we go to the King and you can put forward your accusation of my behaviour to the King?” Otto raised an unimpressed eyebrow at the man. 

“There is no need for that!” Alicent held up her hand. “Father, surely you can see that you are being manipulated! He sent you away so that he could summon you back to make you appreciative to him, he is marrying you to hurt me! You are too old to remarry as well! He is too young!” 

“I believe that Harrison has been quite honest with me, and we talked about the manner in which I was sent away,” If he needed confirmation, the slight widening of Alicent’s eyes blew away the last of the doubts that he had in regard to who was responsible for his banishment. 

“He wouldn’t know telling the truth if it bit him,” Cole muttered, and Otto chose to ignore it, feeling that his temper would get the better of him if he did not. 

“As to my age, I am only 42, I hope to have a long life in front of me, and a companion, a partner going forward would be nice to have, and I am still young enough to enjoy having more children. While fully being able to enjoy the position that marrying Harrison will give me, and our children.”

“What do you think mother would say?!” Alicent spat out, looking disgusted. 

“Well, considering Alyrie was more than aware that I preferred the male form, she would be quite understanding in my taking the chance to marry a handsome, intelligent man who wishes to marry me,” Otto snorted. 

He turned and swept down the corridor, leaving the two of them gawping after now.  

“Otto,” Lyonel Strong looked up when Otto walked into the Tower of the Hand, the place that had been his home for so many years. 

“Lyonel, I like what you have done with the place,” Otto nodded, looking around the office as he made his way to sit opposite the man at his desk. 

“Are you here to try and make my life difficult for accepting your vacant position Otto?” Lyonel sighed, placing down his quill and sitting back. 

“I have no interest in that, and I have no interest in trying to claim back being Hand of the King, being husband to Prince Harrison will more than fill my time and is an advancement in position above where I was,” Otto shook his head.

“Very well, then what is it you are looking for?” Lyonel asked. 

“You are aware of the factions that are forming around Harrison and Alicent,” Otto didn’t need to ask, the man was far too intelligent to miss it. 

“I am, and I have to wonder as to your loyalty in this,” Lyonel pinched his lips together. 

“You are loyal to Harrison,” Otto smiled. 

“I am…and you seem relieved about that,” Lyonel blinked, reading Otto’s body language correctly. 

“I am, my support will be with my husband and any children that we have together. I never intended for Alicent and her children to replace Harrison, just to have comfortable positions in life, I will take my vows to Harrison seriously as his husband, and it will be a more secure position for me for my children to be the legal heirs to the throne and we both know that Viserys is not going to replace Harrison now in the line of succession. I also have no desire at all for this country to be plunged into civil war. Any country in a civil war is bad enough, but one where the leading parties will have dragons? No,” Otto shook his head. 

“So what is it that you wish from me?” Lyonel asked curiously. 

“I want you to work with Harrison and myself to create a strong and firm position for Harrison inheriting the throne,” Otto leant forward. 

“And?”

“I want you to send Larys to Harrenhall to your brother, he is too close to Alicent and looking to scheme with her, I worry about what they would come up with together and what damage that they could do,” Otto watched closely for Lyonel’s reaction. 

“I…have been concerned about that as well,” Lyonel sighed, settling back in his seat, his shoulders drooping. 

“Christan Cole has a hatred for Harrison that feeds with Alicent’s hatred, I do not want the danger of Larys mixed in there too, he unfortunately has your intelligence, he needs to be far from here where he can do damage,”  

“I agree, I will send him away,” Lyonel sighed. 

“I want Harwin to be part of Harrison's personal guard,” Otto said after a moment, and allowed an amused smirk to touch his lips when Lyonel looked at him wide eyed. 

“What?” Lyonel spluttered, clearly shocked at the words after the laying out of the shame of his younger son. 

“Harwin is as strong as your name, he is a good fighter, he is loyal and honest, and he is brave, he is not as intelligent as you or Larys, but he is not stupid. I want a stronger guard around Harrison to protect him, and I believe that Harwin would be ideal,” Otto listed. 

“I…was not expecting that,” Lyonel admitted.

“For whatever reason you wish to believe, Harrison’s safety is now my priority,” Otto said.

“I believe that you care for him, and will come to care for him more the longer you spend with him. He has a warmth to him that once you are allowed to feel it, it is very difficult to let go of it,” Lyonel smiled a little. 

“My daughter and Cole seem to have managed not to have felt it,” Otto snorted. 

“Have they not? Or have they pushed themselves into a position away from him and are now lashing out because they want that warmth back and can either not ask for his forgiveness, or hate that they need to?” Lyonel asked, and Otto contemplated the man and his words. 

“They’re obsessed with Harrison,” Otto stated after a moment. 

“Love, hatred, jealousy, fear, all of them I believe are all twined together in that jealousy,” Lyonel nodded. “I have tried to speak to the King about it, about my fears but…”

“He wants to remain willfully ignorant to it,” Otto sighed. 

“I believe that Harrison made a good choice,” Lyonel said, looking Otto directly in the eyes. Challenging him to not prove him wrong. 

“I want Harwin to be ready for Harrison’s guard tomorrow, my own son will be arriving and joining him and Ser Harold,” Otto said in answer. 

“He will not be swayed to his sister?” Lyonel asked, concerned. 

“No, there is no love between them, Alicent never saw any worth in being close to her brother before now, any attempts that she makes will be blatant," Otto shook his head. “I also have full faith in Harrison charming Gwayne completely unintentionally,”

“My Prince,” Otto inclined his head as Harrison dismounted Syrax and patted her gently. 

“Husband to be,” Harrison greeted instead and Otto smiled a little as he walked over to the Prince, leaning down to kiss him gently.

A rumbling growl broke them apart a little faster than Otto was ready for, and by the slight pout on Harrison’s lips than he was ready for either. Otto’s eyes were drawn to the dragon that was glaring over her shoulder at him however. 

“Will you come greet her?” Harrison asked curiously, reaching out to take Otto’s hand. 

“I have been around plenty of dragons in my time here in the city, and yet they still remind me how small and flammable that I am,” Otto sighed before squeezing Harrison’s hand when he looked disappointed. “Introduce us properly,” 

Seeing Harrison brighten and smile at him almost, almost, made it worth stepping in front of the glaring dragon. 

“Gīda, Syrax, Gīda,” Harrison cooed as she shuffled on her feet in front of them. “This is Otto, you know him. He is to be my mate,” Harrison soothed before looking at Otto when the man sucked in a sharp breath. 

“Hearing you describe it like that is…” Otto cut himself off before he said something completely inappropriate, but the burning red of Harrison’s cheeks said that he understood what he was going to say. 

“She does not understand marriage or husbands; she knows mates,” Harrison wouldn’t look at Otto as he spoke, but the older man squeezed his hand gently. 

“She has laid many eggs, hasn’t she?” Otto asked. 

“Yes, her and Quicksilver have laid a lot, the chances of having more hatchlings soon is quite likely!” Harrison nodded excitedly. 

“I am sure her children will be as stunning as she is,” Otto murmured, admiring how the sun glinted off of her scales this close. She was stunning from the distances he had seen her at before, this close was even more impressive, her golden scales shining. 

He turned when Harrison didn’t answer and found him watching him with a warm look on his face. 

“Your bond with her is impressive,” Otto said after a moment as Harrison waved off the Dragon Keepers, stopping them from interrupting them to take Syrax away. 

“The bond with her is like something I can not properly describe; it is a connection I can feel to my soul, like there is something binding us together. I know that it is likely she will live a long, long life and have another rider, but I can understand why Targaryens can only have one dragon that they will ride. I am bound to her and she to me,” Harrison explained, leaning a little against Otto as he gazed into Syrax’s eyes. 

“That sounds like something utterly amazing, like being able to touch a star. You also have a being that is with you, supporting you that is as steady and strong as the rocks beneath our feet,” Otto smiled honestly when Harrison turned to look at him again. 

They both startled when after a few moments of them standing looking at each other intently Syrax moved his head forward and nudged Otto with her nose. 

“She is not tenderising me, is she?” Otto said in a little bit of a strangled voice, barely keeping his feet. 

“No, she is accepting you,” Harrison said through bright laughter. 

“That is a relief, both the not eating and the accepting me,” Otto said dryly, gaining more of that bright laughter. Syrax seemed pleased with the laughter as well as she blew a small amount of smoke over Otto. 

“I always wanted to fly with someone else on her, maybe, one day…” Harrison cut himself off hesitantly. 

“You think she would allow me to fly on her with you?” Otto said, sharply turning to Harrison. 

“I believe that she would, with some more meetings, if you…”

“Yes! That would be…I never thought that I would…” Otto uncharacteristically rambled, and Harrison brightened again. 

“You would want to?” Harrison bit his lip to try and hide the smile a little, and Otto couldn’t have that. He reached out and gently with his thumb relieved the flesh from his teeth. 

“To see that smile on your lips, even if I did not want to and was utterly terrified, I would try,” Otto said softly. 

“But?” Harrison asked as that delicious blush stained his cheeks. 

“But I am utterly terrified and absolutely desperate to try it at least once,” Otto chuckled. He was startled when Harrison threw his arms around his shoulders and pressed their lips together firmly, going up on his toes to reach him. 

Otto quickly caught on, however and wrapped his arms around Harrison’s waist, holding him close as he kissed him back, Harrison showing what a quick learner he was as he tilted his head to that perfect angle for Otto to kiss him deeper, sliding his tongue along Harrison’s plump bottom lip teasingly before tasting the stunning Prince. 

“Well, that was rude,” Harrison huffed against his lips while also waving one hand in front of their faces to disperse the thick smoke Syrax had blasted them with. 

“I spoke to a good few people today, convincing a lot more of them to seriously consider our side,” Otto said as he and Harrison rode at a leisurely pace back to the Keep. 

“I shouldn’t be shocked that you have hit the ground running,” Harrison chuckled, but he sobered fairly quickly. Before Otto could ask about the pensive expression on his face, he explained. “You must have been so bored this last couple of years,” 

“I do not believe that Old Town has run so smoothly in decades, and yet I was still bored out of my mind,” Otto huffed. 

“Well, you will have plenty of entertainment now,” Harrison snorted.

“I believe I will. Which brings me to some of the other people I saw today. Alicent and Cole approached me,” Otto said. 

“And how did that go?” Harrison asked calmly. 

“Frustrating would be the word. Alicent was insultingly sure that she could manipulate me, while demanding answers from me as though she were a toddler again,” Otto shook his head. 

“And Cole?” Harrison asked. 

“Blatantly still obsessed with you and jealous, I actually found myself wishing to punch him, and I am not a scrapping man by any way, shape or means,” Otto snorted. 

“Punch him?” Harrison blinked. 

“The way that he spoke about you, the interest that he clearly still has in you, infuriated me more than I was expecting,” Otto sighed. They rode in silence for a few moments, both of them thinking deeply. “Did he really ask you to sell oranges with him?” 

Harrison tilted his head back and laughed, green and purple eyes shining brightly and filled with joy as he did so. 

“Yes, he did, and I believe that he was completely serious,” Harrison said through his laughter as they rode into the keep. 

“He expected you to give up being heir to the throne, give up Syrax, to sell oranges!” Otto may have laid on his incredulousness a little thicker than he would have, but the laughter he received was worth it. 

“I have no clue what my face did, but I don’t think it was anything good,” Harrison laughed. 

“Well that is a pleasant sound,” Viserys called, and Harrison and Otto turned to see he was standing at the end of the courtyard watching them ride in. 

“Father,” Harrison smiled as they pulled their horses to a stop. 

“I have not heard you laugh like that in a good while,” Viserys beamed back, watching Harrison and Otto climb down from their horses and head to him, Harrison slipping his hand onto Otto’s elbow. 

“I enjoy hearing him laugh like that. I will do everything I can to try and hear it at least once a day,” Otto said charmingly. The smile that he gave Harrison when the younger man looked up at him was honest.

“Wonderful!” Viserys clapped. 

Otto looked up, but the eyes that he met were the bright blue ones of Ser Harold, who was watching them intently. The older man inclined his head in acceptance after a moment. 

“I wished to talk to you about the wedding, when were you thinking?” Viserys asked as they started walking with him into the keep. 

“As soon as possible,” Harrison and Otto both said at nearly the exact same time. 

“Well, that was clear!” Viserys beamed. 

“Two weeks should be long enough to give people time to get here and put something together, yes?” Harrison looked between his father and Otto. 

“That is doable, we will need to get your clothing started probably tomorrow, I will let the master of the wardrobe know and we will have people here tomorrow to measure you both and start putting something together. Otto I am sure can lead planning most of the wedding, he planned many banquets and events over the years,” Viserys said thoughtfully. 

“Harrison is more than capable in planning this with me, he knows a lot of the people within the castle that will get this moving faster better than I, and has more charm to make sure that they do it well,” Otto said smoothly, feeling father and son's eyes staring at him in shock. 

“I indeed, indeed, well I am sure you both can get things going and have everything in place. I will let the treasurer know that they are to give you whatever you need!” Viserys quickly got over it, clapping his hands together. 

“We will have everything in place father,” Harrison agreed. 

“Wonderful, so exciting! I waited years for you to marry and now you have picked there is no waiting around! I shouldn't be surprised, you really are of the dragon!” Viserys chuckled before waving to them as he turned and walked off down another corridor. 

Otto turned questioning to Harrison when he did not carry on moving with him once they had bowed to the King and he had moved out their sight, but his stomach heated pleasantly when he turned and took in the expression on Harrison's face. 

The Prince let go of his elbow but stepped forward into his personal space and gripped the lapels of his coat to tug him down into a kiss. 

Both were aware they were in the corridor of the castle and couldn't take it too far, but Otto couldn't prevent himself from sweeping his arms under Harrison's riding coat and tugging his closer, spanning his hand over Harrison's warm, muscled back and kissing him with the heat that was rapidly building in him. 

“I am fairly sure you have the Court poets writing epics about the two of you already,” Ser Harold muttered, gently breaking them from the kiss to look at him amused. 

Harrison was relieved to see that there was no sign of disagreement on his face, instead he seemed to be warming to Otto, something close to approval in his eyes when the older of the two pressed a sweet kiss to Harrison's cheek before stepping back. 

Otto claimed Harrison's hand this time and they started walking, ignoring the giggles and chatter that they could hear from the people further down the corridor who had clearly been watching them. 

“Shall we go to your office? There are further things I wish to discuss,” Otto smiled. 

“Of course,” Harrison led the way, but as they walked he turned thoughtful. 

“Is something the matter?” Otto asked concerned. 

“I was just thinking, you do not have rooms of your own here in the Keep anymore, you are in a guest room at the moment yes?” Harrison hummed. 

“Correct,” Otto nodded. 

“We should look at having the rooms next to mine taken over, perhaps have a door knocked through, and change my rooms a little so that you have your own space?” Harrison suggested. 

“That would be good, I am sure that the Keep builders can have that done by the time of the wedding. Would I have my own bedroom, or would I be sharing yours?” Otto asked, and there was the scowl back on Harold’s face. 

“I…” Harrison spluttered. 

“You don't need to answer,” Otto took pity on him as Harrison, face bright red, tugged him into his office. 

“I want to try the same room,” Harrison muttered as he moved to the sofa in front of the fireplace rather than putting his desk between them as Otto had expected. 

He moved to quickly claim the seat next to Harrison and turned to look at the younger man, waiting patiently. 

“I always found it cold, mother and father having separate beds, and it was degrading for my father to go to her bed when he wanted…” Harrison grimaced.

“I did not find Alyrie physically attractive despite knowing she was beautiful, we barely shared a bed, especially not after Alicent. I would not be opposed at all to getting to fall asleep with you and wake with you,” Otto said honestly, reaching out to take Harrison's hand. 

“We can try it? If for whatever reason it isn't working for either of us then we discuss it and can get something else arranged privately?” Harrison licked his lips. 

Otto privately thought as he looked at the beautiful Prince, with that delightful blush still staining his cheeks, that he would not have any reason to want to change that, and he would do everything in his power to make sure that Harrison did not wish for it either. 

“Agreed,” Otto nodded, squeezing Harrison's hand. “We can get the builders up here to plan out what we can and want to do with your rooms and the room next door to make this into a larger suite for the two of us. Perhaps we can take the rooms on the other side as well,” 

“That would be a large suite,” Harrison blinked. 

“I was thinking for guards,” Otto said before turning to where Harold was glowering from where he was guarding the doorway, looking like Otto had already deflowered his precious Prince. “Ser Harold, perhaps you should join us for this discussion?” he offered. 

Harold huffed but moved across the room to sit in the armchair near the fire, moving quietly as ever despite his size and his armour in a way that always impressed Otto. 

He shuffled the armchair a little so that he could better see the doorway before settling into it and nodded to Otto. 

“I was concerned about the expressions I read in Cole's face when we were talking this morning, and about the obsession that he and Alicent have over you,” Otto started. 

“They're not obsessed, it is…” Harrison started protesting, but Otto reached up to stroke his cheek. 

“I'm afraid that they are. Jealous, guilt, passion, hatred, many emotions that they hold for you is all rolled into obsession,”

“You're worried Cole will lash out?” Harold leant forward, all signs of annoyance gone as concern mixed with professionalism swept over his face. 

“I am, the way he looked at me concerned me, it was pure jealousy. I don’t really want to know what the preparation of the wedding and then the wedding itself will do to him,” Otto pinched his lips together. “I want to try and have him assigned to guarding Aegon on the day of the actual wedding,” 

“I will make sure that it happens,” Harold nodded. 

“Gwayne is on his way, he should be here in another 3 days, but in the meantime I went and spoke to Lyonel Strong. He is sending Larys away back to Harrenhall, and I would like Harwin to be part of your personal guard as well,” Otto said to Harrison. 

He faltered however when he found Harrison frowning deeply. He felt a flash of fear that he had pushed too far and that by making arrangements as he had that he had upset Harrison. 

They had been getting on well, almost too well it felt like, and he found himself suddenly concerned that all that was about to come falling down because he had acted without checking in with Harrison. Whatever was building and working for them suddenly felt a lot more tenuous than it had, and he found himself panicking at the loss of it. What he was creating with Harrison felt like it could be something big, something important to him. 

The idea of losing it filled him with a fear he hadn't really felt before. 

“What about you?” Harrison asked, breaking him from his spiraling thoughts. 

“To guard you?” Otto blinked. Harold’s beard twitched in what Otto was fairly sure was a smile. 

“No,” Harrison smiled a little, “what about a guard for you? You have plans in place for my safety, but you could be in danger as well, I don't want something to happen to you,” 

“I…” Otto blinked at Harrison. 

“What is the matter?” the Prince tilted his head in that bird-like way he had. 

“I was worried that you were upset for me for putting things in place without asking you,” Otto admitted. 

“I would not be happy if you did it all the time, and I will admit I wouldn't have been happy if it had been someone that I did not agree with, but Gwayne we had already agreed on, and I like Lyonel and Harwin, so there is no issue there, I also understand that you reacted to the concern that you had. And honestly Larys creeps me out, I am more than glad that he is gone,” Harrison grimaced.

“Right,” Otto breathed out. 

“But I want protection in place for you as well,” Harrison said firmly, looking at Harold. 

“I trust Arryk and Erryk, if we alternate them into your guard. With them we can ensure that 2 of us are with each of you at all times without someone crying foul at you taking too many of the King's Guard,” Harold offered. 

“I like that idea,” Harrison nodded looking at Otto. 

“Agreed,” Otto hummed. 

“Now, wedding planning,” Harrison said standing and heading to grab some paper, quills and ink from his desk. 

“I will guard the door,” Harold muttered, hurrying to his feet and across the room. 

“My Lord,” Harwin bowed as Otto walked into the room. 

“Harwin,” Otto acknowledged before walking over to where Harrison was seated in front of the fire on the floor. 

Worryingly he hadn't even noticed Otto walking in.

Otto took in the shrapnel of paperwork sitting around Harrison. 

“You look as though you have been attacked,” Otto said dryly, sitting down on the sofa. 

Harrison startled as he looked up, and then Otto was greeted with a soft smile. 

“I feel like I have,” he sighed, sitting up and stretching with a yawn. “The paperwork attacked me, I have a papercut,” he pouted, holding his cut finger out to Otto. 

He started when Otto caught his hand before he could retract it and placed a kiss to the cut, and then to the inside of Harrison's wrist, the second more lingering. 

“You need to take more breaks and not work yourself to the bone,” Otto scolded gently. 

“I take breaks,” Harrison pouted. 

“He didn't take lunch,” Harwin coughed. 

“You will no longer be my favourite guard if you carry on telling on me Harwin!” Harrison huffed. 

“Harold would genuinely cry if he heard you saying that,” Otto snorted. “It is a good job I have plans for supper that do not include an awkward ‘family meal’,” 

“Plans?” Harrison perked up. 

“I have spoken to your father and we are going into the city for a meal,” Otto nodded. 

“Where in the city?” Harrison asked suspiciously, making Otto look at him confused, not having expected this reaction. 

“One of the Lords has opened a fancy inn under the Dragon Pit, we have a private table there, and we will gain his support by patronising it,” Otto explained. 

“Oh, that sounds alright!” Harrison nodded, looking relieved and brightening again. 

“Where did you think I would take you?” Otto asked, a little bemused. 

“The last time I went into the town was when Daemon took me, we ended up on the Street of Silk and he took me to a brothel,” Harrison shrugged and Harwin started choking from the doorway.

“I beg your pardon?” Otto spluttered.

“Exactly, I managed to sneak away while it felt like every person there tried to grab at me, and get back into the Keep,” Harrison rolled his eyes. “I thought we were going to see a festival,” he added with a huff. 

“If someone had found out, or seen you there that could have…” Otto cut himself off blinking at Harrison. 

“I know, I am unsure whether he didn’t think about that, didn’t care, or did it on purpose,” Harrison sighed before he brightened and moved so he was sitting at Otto’s feet and leant against the sofa. “So we are going into the town?” 

“We are, a carriage will be arriving in hour for us, Harwin will of course be with us, Gwayne arrived three hours ago, I have caught him up on everything, and Harold is getting him settled and then the two of them will be escorting us along with Arryk,” Otto said. “I am sorry, he took you to a brothel!” 

“I have learned that whatever expectations I have of Daemon, he can always beat them,” Harrison snorted before standing and leaning down to press a sweet kiss to Otto’s lips. “I will go and get ready!” He beamed before sweeping through the door connected to his office and into his bedroom. 

“He is excited for this,” Harwin said once the door was shut. 

“More than I was expecting him to be,” Otto nodded as the knight came closer. 

“He has been trapped in this Keep for most of his life, flying on Syrax is really the only escape from the Keep he has. His father never really thinks to take him anywhere, and the King has not left the Keep in a good while,” Harwin said. 

“You have been watching him a lot?” Otto stood and moved around the sofa to lean against the back of it to see the other better. 

“I hoped for a while after father was chosen to be Hand of the King that the Prince might choose me for his husband,” Harwin admitted uncaringly. 

“And now?” Otto raised his eyebrow feeling an ugly sharpness in his chest at the thought of this younger, handsome man, who Harrison in return seemed fond of, managing to turn his future husband's head. 

“Prince Harrison is loyal and honourable, and I know the promises that you made to each other, Harold made sure that I was aware of them, the Prince will not break those promises, and he has chosen you. I will guard you both, and assist you both whenever I can,” Harwin smiled pleasantly. 

“And you are trying to help me here?” Otto asked curiously. 

“I am not in love with the Prince, but I care for him, and I want him to be happy,” Harwin shrugged.

“You believe that he is feeling trapped here?” Otto asked.

“He barely gets to see anywhere but these walls, and the last few years within these walls have been increasingly uncomfortable and pressured for him,” Harwin nodded.

“Thank you,” Otto said absently before standing and making his way out of the room and down the corridor to his own, his mind spinning. 

He had not really thought about it, but Harrison had not really had much of a chance to get out of the Keep since he was child. With the exception of a few visits to different cities that could probably be counted on one hand, Harrison had never been able to leave the Keep besides his flights of Syrax. 

Alicent’s marriage to Viserys must have made the one place that he was made to live in, feel unsafe, and unbearable. He had been facing increasing attacks, increasing acts against him, increasing threats within these walls when he had had no escape, and no real support that could obviously stand beside him and support him. 

Increasingly Harrison’s slightly wild throw of the dart in choosing Otto as his husband was making sense, and increasingly Otto found himself impressed by the daring risk, but also determined to ensure that Harrison did not regret taking the risk. 

 Otto felt his breath catching as Harrison swept towards him, he was a little more dressed down than normal, and yet somehow looked even more stunning for it. He was wearing his favourite fitted back trousers that drove Otto mad, with neat black, knee high boots, he was wearing a white button up shirt with a thin red jacket over the top that flowed around him as it sat open allowing for the warm heat of the evening. 

The Prince’s waist length blond hair was loose and flowing around him, and as ever his purple and green eyes stood out. 

“You look stunning,” Otto said as Harrison reached him, and those cheeks burned darkly as Harrison looked up at him. Otto held out a red rose to the Prince, who smiled brightly and happily, taking the rose from him. 

“Thank you, you look handsome,” Harrison bit his lip a little looking up at Otto. 

“I…” Otto frowned a little looking down at himself. He had tried to dress nicely for Harrison, choosing a deep blue pair of trousers with a black shirt and a slightly lighter blue jacket over the top, making sure to avoid wearing the colour green. 

“What is it?” Harrison asked concerned. 

“I have never really thought myself handsome, or worried about it, my looks have never really been something that was important,” Otto heard himself admitting. 

“Come, let's get into the carriage,” Harrison took his hand and led him to the carriage that Otto had been waiting near. Otto assisted Harrison into the carriage and then climbed in himself, nodding at Harold closed the door for them. 

Otto settled into the seat opposite Harrison and met the Prince’s unusual eyes as the Prince leant forward to take his hand. 

“I do find you handsome, especially now that your beard is not wild,” Harrison chuckled, leaning forward a little more to comb his fingers through Otto’s beard before he tilted his head and stroked his fingers over Otto’s cheek. 

“I am not really traditionally handsome,” Otto said, his mind flashing to the very traditionally handsome Harwin who was riding at the side of their carriage, and tried not to squirm under Harrison’s intent gaze. 

“You are not, but then I am not really interested in traditional. I do find you handsome, and your mind makes you even more attractive. I had a crush on you when I was 15,” Harrison admitted with a shy laugh. 

“Really?” Otto choked, surprised. 

“Yes, as I said, I find you handsome, I always appreciated your mind, and I have found for years your ability to get things done, even if I have not always appreciated the things that you have done,” Harrison huffed.

“I am…I am honestly surprised,” Otto admitted. 

“I find myself becoming more attracted to you as we spend more time together,” Harrison glanced at the rose still in his free hand, twirling it in his hand. “Your seduction seems to be working,” he said dryly, gazing back up at Otto from under his eyelashes. 

Otto reacted before he could really think about it, reaching out and catching Harrison’s hand and pulled the startled Prince into his lap, cupping the back of his neck and slamming their lips together, kissing the younger man with a passion that had been building in him, but he had not allowed out. 

Now he could not seem to stop himself as he devoured the Prince who mewled against his mouth and seemed to sink into Otto’s hold and against his body. His more slender body melted against his own larger one, making Otto tighten his hold around him as he kissed Harrison deeper and harder, listening to the noises that spilled from the Prince, and unable to stifle his own groans in return. 

“Harrison,” Otto gasped tugging back when the Prince writhed in his lap and their erections rubbed together. 

“Otto, please,” Harrison groaned trying to get closer as Otto tightened his grip on his hip to stop him from carrying on rubbing them together. 

“We can’t,” Otto groaned, the disappointment clear in his voice.

“Why?” Harrison pouted, leaning forward to scatter kisses to Otto’s lips to try and tempt the other man. 

“Because I will not risk your reputation, I will not risk drawing anything bad to your name,” Otto said through gritted teeth. Harrison pulled back and looked at him with those damned eyes that had haunted Otto before all of this had started, and now seemed to be branded into his mind.

“Ok,” Harrison smiled, slipping from his lap, but moving to the seat right next to him, leaving his legs thrown over Otto’s lap, and he carried on watching Otto.

“I need to get you something nicer,” Otto hummed, reaching out and touching the Targaryen pendant on the green cord that Harrison was once again wearing. 

“I like this one,” Harrison admitted. 

“It was hodge podge,” Otto shook his head.

“Kind of like us,” Harrison laughed. “It is the first gift that I have been given in a while that I truly wanted and liked,” 

“Really but…you get so many gifts,” Otto tilted his head. 

“Meaningless, they are given to me wanting something, some are backhanded towards my position, more insult than gifts, I like this,” Harrison shrugged. 

“You are so much more than I ever thought you were, and I thought you were impressive before,” Otto smiled, combing his fingers through Harrison’s hair. 

“You…” Harrison's cheeks flushed making Otto chuckle softly, moving the backs of his fingers along Harrison’s cheek and taking his chin, gently leading him forward to press their lips together again, kissing him sweetly this time. 

“My stunning Prince,” Otto sighed against Harrison’s lips. 

“My handsome husband to be,” Harrison said in return, smiling softly at the expression on Otto’s face. 

“You are terrible for my mind and heart,” Otto sighed softly. “I said that I was going to seduce you, but you have once again turned that around on me,”

“I told you, you are doing quite well at it,” Harrison smiled at the rose he was still holding. 

Otto carefully took the rose back, and Harrison watched curiously as Otto reached up and looped some of Harrison’s long blond hair, and then carefully fed the rose through it, the red standing out beautifully against his light, Targaryen hair. 

“I want to make sure that you have eyes only for me not just to ensure my position at your side politically, but personally as well,” Otto admitted.

Harrison leant forward and pressed their lips together, cupping Otto’s face, running his hand along his cheek. 

“I am not looking anywhere else,” Harrison promised softly. 

“We’re almost there,” Harold called, tapping on the top of the carriage in warning. 

“I am looking forward to this,” Harrison breathed out excitedly. 

“How about we go on a royal progress after the wedding?” Otto suggested and Harrison’s head snapped around so fast that it should have hurt. 

“What?” Harrison asked.

“You don’t deserve to be locked in that Keep, Harwin pointed out to me that you have not been really able to leave it, and that isn’t right, it is like caging a Dragon,” Otto shook his head. 

“I…”

“Hold that thought, we will carry it on inside, we have a private table,” Otto promised when the carriage pulled to a halt and Harrison looked at the curtained window unhappily. 

“Ok,” Harrison said impatiently, allowing Otto to stand and leave the carriage first, the older man reaching out to help him down. 

Otto watched happily as Harrison looked eagerly around the area despite clearly wanting to carry on their conversation, but he couldn’t but take the time to look around the streets, to look around the buildings around them, and then at the large, beautiful building that they were standing in front of. 

Lord and Lady Valent were standing eagerly in the doorway, and when Otto and Harrison approached them they bent into a bow and a curtsey, looking beside themselves at Harrison and his future husband being here. 

“Prince Harrison, Lord Otto, we are so happy that you are here and trying our inn,” Lady Valent said happily. The two of them were minor in the hierarchy and had been looked down on a little as they topped up their money to allow them to afford to stay at court. 

Harrison realised what a good play Otto was making for them to be here, they would gain the respect of this couple, but also those lower down the rungs of Court, especially if they carried on encouraging it. And really there were a lot more at the lower rungs, people that Alicent ignored, that could be of great help to them. 

“This is absolutely beautiful, I am truly looking forward to my evening,” Harrison said honestly, and Otto watched the Lord and Lady fall in love. 

“We have a table ready for you, we have placed it away from the others and made sure that there is plenty of space between you and the others, but thank you for letting yourself be seen here,” Lord Valent bowed again. 

“Thank you for considering our privacy and safety. I am looking forward to being able to enjoy a peaceful, pleasant evening with my fiance,” Harrison smiled looking at Otto as he took his hand. “It is also nice to have a break from the wedding planning!” 

“I am sure that it is, so much to plan in such a short time,” Lord Valent said before spluttering as he realised how it sounded. “I did not mean..”

“Neither of us were willing to wait much longer, we wished to be married so that we can properly start our lives together, though we are aware that we are brushing on the edges of scandalous,” Harrison’s eyes glittered mischeviously as the Lord and Lady laughed. 

“We are hoping that the romance of it all will win out,” Otto chuckled, nodding. 

“I believe you are winning with that, especially when it comes out that you are having private, romantic meals together,” Lady Valent smiled.

“Please, let us take you inside,” Lord Valent motioned inside. 

Harrison smiled a little nervously when Gwayne stepped up to his side where he had been waiting for the conversation to finish. Gwayne was giving him a carefully assessing look, but he smiled and nodded politely to the Prince before leading the way in, following behind Lord and Lady Valent. 

They were led to a table that had been set to the side, indeed ensuring their privacy while allowing them to be seen within the premises, already there were people seated there watching them eagerly. 

“Please enjoy,” Lady Valent said excitedly before moving away. 

Otto held Harrison’s chair out for him, and seated him, bending to brush a kiss to his cheek before moving to sit opposite Harrison as their guard moved into place. 

“Royal progress,” Otto picked up as he poured them both a goblet of wine. Harrison’s attention snapped to him, immediately losing interest in looking around the room and instead looked with wide, hopeful eyes at Otto. 

“What?” Harrison frowned a little confused when Otto huffed in amusement and looked away from the Prince to place the goblet in front of him. 

“If you look at me like that I will do everything in my power, and probably out of it to give you what you want,” Otto said amused, and watched as that blush burned over Harrison’s face. 

“I…oh…I didn’t…” Harrison thankfully stopped his embarrassing stammering when Otto took his hand and kissed it, but he couldn;t stop hearing those words, and how honest they were echoing around his head, and more than that the honest affection behind them. 

He had gone into this thinking that he could make a good friendship with Otto if they worked well together, knowing that the man’s intelligence would make him realise what he was gaining by working on Harrison’s side. Yes, Harrison had had a crush on the man when he was younger, he had followed him around a little watching him, the man’s brain had fascinated him, and his mother had clicked on, looking at him with bemused amusement and exasperation. 

He had hoped that that old crush and appreciation would help him in this marriage, and it seemed to be doing that and more, the longer he and Otto spent together, the more touches they exchanged, the more kisses and caresses he could feel himself becoming more and more attached to the other man. 

It truly felt as though he were indeed being seduced, though a good number of the things that were seducing him Otto wasn’t even doing intentionally. Harrison believed that that was a good sign for their marriage.

The other man was more than he had believed him to be, more than he had seen, and as they spent their time together he was being allowed to see more and more of just Otto and not Otto Hightower, second son who had managed to make himself Hand of the King. 

He liked the real Otto increasingly, and the more he saw him playing his games, especially when they were now completely focused on furthering Harrison and their side, the more he became entranced with the other. 

“You’re thinking deeply. Did I upset you?” Otto asked, squeezing Harrison’s hand and making the Prince realise that he had been quiet for too long. 

“No, quite the opposite,” Harrison smiled, tangling their fingers together. “I was just thinking about how much I enjoy your company, and how I enjoy it more and more by the day. I was also thinking that this is the happiest I have been for a long time, I feel as though I am living my life and not merely drifting through it. Standing beside you playing political games, dancing around the Lords and Ladies of Court, discussing the future with you…I realised I feel alive again,” Harrison admitted softly. 

Otto’s light green eyes stared at him intently for a moment as Harrison could see him try and put together a response to his words, even as the larger hand tightened around his own. 

“I can not go back and fix the years of loneliness and hurt that you have felt that others, including myself, should have seen. But I promise you will not feel like that again,” Otto said softly. 

“I trust you,” Harrison smiled brightly, and Otto knew he had no clue what those words meant to him. 

He had always been the slippery eel, not to be trusted, not to be relied on. Everyone had thought that he was leading Viserys astray, making power plays for his own gain, everyone had thought that he was trying to oust his brother from position as Lord Hightower, his own daughter believed that the only reason he had placed her in Viserys’ sight was because he wanted the power of it. 

Alyrie and he had been friends in their marriage, but she had never trusted him.  

He believed the only people to truly trust him was Gwayne and now Harrison. 

His throat slightly choked up, Otto raised Harrison’s hand to his mouth and held it there, hoping the contact and the expression on his face would say everything that he could not put into words. 

Harrison’s gentle look said that he did. 

“Your meals my Prince, my Lord,” Lord Valent breezed in and placed their plates down before hurrying away. 

“So a Royal Progress,” Otto smiled a little, going back to what had started all this as they let go of each other and turned to focus on their meals. 

“You really think we can do one?” Harrison asked brightly. 

“Yes,” Otto nodded. “I believe that it would be good for you to get out the Keep, away from your father and Alicent, and that whole environment, it would also be good for us to be seen going out into the country and meeting people, spending time with the Lords and Ladies that do not frequent the Court,” Otto hummed as he tucked into the meal. 

“We should spend a good bit of time in the North, they are often ignored and almost forgotten about, actually seeing them and being seen by them would be a good idea. I have also believed for years that there should be at least a couple of Northerners on the Council, we could make inferences to that for when I have my own Council, and feel out potential people for it,” Harrison said eagerly.

“They will love you,” Otto chuckled. “The Northerns more than anything like respect and honesty, and you are right, the council is outweighed,” 

“I have always wanted to see Old Town and Highgarden,” Harrison bit his lip. 

“Taking you to see where I grew up would be a great joy, though I will be keeping an eye on you to make sure that we do not lose you into the Citadel and its books,” Otto reached across the table to tap Harrison’s chin and watched the Prince practically glowing in pleasure. 

“Will…will Father allow it though?” Harrison dimmed a little looking at his plate. 

“Between us we will make sure that he thinks it is a brilliant idea, I will also get Lyonel on side, he will see the sense in us going on progress to try and unite the country,” 

“He will back us more openly than just Harwin?” Harrison asked curiously, glancing to where the Knight was scanning over the other guests of the Inn, nearly every eye in there watching Harrison and Otto intently and clearly putting their guards on the edge. 

“I believe so, more than anything he is loyal to your father, and it has become clear that Viserys is not going to change his mind on you being heir. He will back you because you are your Father’s choice,” Otto nodded.

“We would need more guards than just our five,” Harrison hummed.

“I will speak to Harold and we will organise a group that he trusts, though I do believe he might cry a little at the thought of you being out and about in the world and not as easily protected,” Otto smirked. 

“Stop, he isn’t that bad!” Harrison laughed, poking Otto’s shoulder.

“He is like a Dragon protecting its eggs!” Otto smirked. “I swear I see scales under that beard, and smoke coming from his ears every time we so much as hold hands,” 

Every eye in the Inn turned to Harrison as he threw back his head and laughed brightly, the joyous sound filling the room. The knight who had been the basis of the discussion huffed ruefully seeing the joy on his charges face.

“Speaking of Dragons, would Syrax be able to come with us?” Harrison asked once he had calmed, biting his lip again. 

“Aside from the fact I would not dream of suggesting that we part of the two of you for that long, it would be a good thing to take her with us. The only other real Targaryen that has a Dragon right now is Daemon, reminding people that you are in fact a capable Dragon rider with an adult Dragon would do us good, show the people that you are as Targaryen as they come, and that the ridiculous idea that you can not rule because you are a carrier is null and void when you’re flying over their heads and can easily burn them should you wish,” Otto nodded.

“You think that my being a carrier does not affect my ability to rule?” Harrison asked.

“I thought that was clear?” Otto frowned. 

“You have never really said one way or the other,” Harrison shrugged. “Even when father announced me as heir you only said that the people would protest it, not what you thought yourself,” 

“I have always thought you capable, your ability to carry children does not affect that. Were you a carrier, or female, with your mind I would believe you fully capable. I was going to suggest that once you are on the throne we change the laws around succession, allowing carriers or women to inherit and rule,” Otto shrugged. 

“Really?” Harrison blinked. 

“Yes, it would prevent stupidities and uncertainties like this from happening in the future, for our heirs. Your father has made you something of an exception to the rule rather than changing the laws, we should change the laws, make them clear. The Targaryen rule is young enough, you will be the sixth in your line and the fifth generation, nothing is truly set in stone yet,”

“You think that would work?” Harrison asked. 

“Of course it will, especially when we are dazzlingly successful and show them all how good we are at it,” Otto sniffed haughtily, and as he desired Harrison brightened with laughter again. 

“We huh?” Harrison said through his laughter.

“We, you will be seated on that throne, and I will be with you every step of the way,” Otto nodded a little more seriously, and Harrison’s smile turned into something warmer. 

“Where else do you think we should visit?” Harrison asked, tucking back into this meal. 

“Where have you wanted to visit?” Otto countered. 

Otto spoke softly to Harold before climbing into the carriage with Harrison, and they moved off smoothly, Lord and Lady Valent beaming from the doorway, bowing and waving to them. 

“I believe that they have made more tonight than they have since opening, even having to lose a few tables to allow us privacy, the amount of food and drink that the other tables bought so that they could stay to watch us will mean they will have to reorder more stock,” Otto chuckled as they settled. 

“I think we have their undying loyalty, especially after we said that we would come back,” Harrison chuckled. He settled against Otto’s side and rested his head on his shoulder, reaching out to twine their fingers together. “Thank you, I really enjoyed tonight. You were right, it was nice to get away from the meals at the Keep,” 

“We will try and organise more private meals for us once we are married, we can claim we want the privacy of as a married couple,” Otto promised, kissing Harrison’s temple. 

“Having private meals sounds nice and not just for escaping from the awkwardness,” Harrison admitted.

“Then we shall make sure we have at least a few every week,” 

“I used to dream about having breakfast with my partner on the balcony of my rooms, just sitting looking over the sea together, getting to have a peaceful moment together before the madness of the day starts,” Harrison said absently as he just enjoyed the closeness of Otto and the movement of the carriage. 

“It is nice to see you relaxed,” Otto stroked his fingers through Harrison’s hair. 

“Thank you for tonight. It is nice as well, the main work and getting our rooms created will start tomorrow, it will be a little manic now until the wedding,” Harrison smiled at Otto before blinking when the carriage stopped far too soon for them to be at the Keep. “Is everything ok?” 

“One more surprise,” Otto kissed him before opening the carriage door when there was a tap against it and slipped out, holding his hand out to Harrison. The Prince took it curiously and allowed himself to be guided from the carriage before letting out a breath when he realised where they were. 

They were standing on the pier of Kings Landing, the sea stretched out in front of them, lights from the city glittering in the moving water, the stars bright over their heads. Harold, Gwayne, Arryk and Harwin were standing in a way that blocked the very end of the pier allowing them privacy and safety. 

“Come,” Otto tugged him gently, closing the door of the carriage and led Harrison over to the very end of the pier, sitting down so that his feet were hanging over the edge of the water. Harrison smiled before settling down next to his fiance, resting his hand over Otto’s and his head back onto his shoulder as he looked out over the beautiful water. 

They just sat there for a good half an hour listening to the sound of the water lapping against the harbour, and watching it flow back and forth like dark ink. Just enjoying the peace and presence of each other. 

“Ready?” Otto asked as the night started to cool down around them. 

“I wish we could stay here all night,” Harrison sighed. 

“When we go to visit Storms End we will find a night when it is not too wild, and place a tent on one of the cliffs to sleep looking over to the sea there,” Otto promised. 

“Thank you for tonight,” Harrison sighed contently looking up at Otto. The older man couldn’t have stopped himself from cupping the Prince’s face and kissing him even if he had wanted to. Harrison sighed contently into his mouth and pressed back, resting his hand on Otto’s lap to lean further into him and sink into this kiss, his green and indigo eyes fluttering shut. 

“You are more than welcome, I wish to make you happy,” Otto almost promised against Harrison’s lips. 

“You are,” Harrison pulled back to look up at him, his expression making Otto’s heart speed up.

“Come,” Otto helped him to his feet, and they started making their way over to the others. 

“This was truly a lovely night,” Harrison smiled at him. 

“Better than a brothel?” Otto snorted.

“Pardon?!” Gwayne choked spinning around. 

“Daemon’s idea of a fun night out,” Harrison rolled his eyes. 

“A…” Gwayne stared wide eyed between his father and Harrison. 

“Exactly,” Otto snorted.

“He did what?” Harold thundered.

“I had to sneak my way back through the city and into the Keep when he disappeared off there with some woman,” Harrison nodded, rolling his eyes. 

“He…he…he…I…” Harold went bright red in fury.

“I think he may actually be about to breathe fire,” Otto said, intrigued. 

“When I get my hands on him!” Harold snarled. 

“But…a brothel of all the places!” Gwayne shook his head. 

“Please tell me part of our orders are never to leave you alone with him?” Harwin asked Harrison. 

“Honestly it is probably a good idea. I love Daemon, but by the old and new gods that man is a menace,” Harrison shook his head. 

“This must feel boring after being taken to the Street of Silk and a brothel,” Gwayne said. 

“No, it was perfect,” Harrison smiled up at Otto, missing the expression that crossed Gwayne’s face as he took them in. 

“Come, let us get back to the Keep, we have the builders due to your rooms early tomorrow to get the work started,” Otto kissed Harrison’s hand before helping him back into the carriage. 

“No green, red or black,” Harrison shook his head. 

“But Prince!” The man spluttered.

“I said no, blue, purple, some orange, I like the idea of some teals and turquoises," Harrison said thoughtfully. 

“I…yes of course,” The man bowed before hurrying out leaving Harrison to turn back to his paperwork, scribbling through it quickly. 

“You have something that you want to say to me?” Harrison suddenly asked, looking up at Gwayne where the man was standing at the door watching him intently. 

“I…” Gwayne glanced at Erryk who was standing on the other side of the door. The guard looked a little uncomfortable. 

“Could you leave us for a little while Erryk sorry?” Harrison smiled at the man.

“I will just be on the other side of the door,” Erryk partly warned Gwayne before bowing to Harrison and leaving the room. 

“Come and have a seat?” Harrison motioned across from him with a smile. 

Gwayne moved across the room and settled down into the seat, and then sat there looking at Harrison, clearly at a loss now as to what to say. 

“Is there something in particular that you want to ask me?” Harrison asked after a moment. 

“I…you seem to enjoy spending time with my father, and like him?” Gwayne asked. 

“I do, I suggested marriage to Otto purely because it made sense politically and it was a good way to try and defend myself and my position from your sister,” Harrison looked at Gwayne and saw him grimace but nod. “I always had every intention of trying to make the most of the marriage, to get on with Otto and try and be friends. However, spending time with him, I am enjoying his company more and more,” 

“I…this is quite a change in what I thought that the future was going to look like,” Gwayne admitted. 

“And what did you think it was going to look like?” Harrison asked curiously. 

“Civil war if Alicent carried on walking the path that she was, she was being so aggressive in her quiet way that even if you had been willing to step down for Aegon when the time came, you couldn’t have without it likely have ended in your death. You would have had to fight, and out of family loyalty I would have had to be on her side,” 

“And now?” 

“My loyalty is to my Father, and he has clearly made his choice, and it seems as though his place will be a certainty at your side,” Gwayne tapped his finger unconsciously on Harrison’s desk. “I have not seen him like this before,”

“How do you mean?” Harrison asked, feeling his heart speeding up a little in his chest. 

“I have known for a few years now that father prefers men, it makes sense how he and my mother were close but not in love. He has had male lovers before now, but I have not seen him…entranced by someone as he is with you. I admit I was initially worried about that, this marriage is unequal really, but seeing how you are with him, has put my mind at ease,” Gwayne said before snorting, “even is my mind is still spinning about all of this,”

“You’re not the only one when it comes to that,” Harrison chuckled. 

“I would like for us to get on, and it is an honour to help guard you,” Gwayne smiled at Harrison. 

“I would like for us to get on as well,” Harrison smiled brightly at the other.

Harrison yawned as he walked into his rooms, throwing his robes over the back of his sofa. 

“I have no clue how you deal with so many questions, especially stupid ones,” Harwin snorted, shaking his head. 

“It is amazing how stupid people can get,” Gwayne agreed. “My Prince, do you want four roses and three lilies, or three roses and four lilies, as though that will ruin the whole wedding and is the most important question that could be asked of the whole thing,” he imitated one of the requests making Harwin and Harrison start laughing. 

“People panic when things like this happen, especially when it is going to be one of the biggest events of the year,” Harrison said before double taking and walking backwards to look at his balcony realising that there was a difference there. 

He gasped when he realised what he was seeing and threw open his balcony doors to look properly at the beautiful blue marble round table with golden legs and the ridiculously comfortable looking 2 chairs that were placed at the table. Two small hanging lamps that looked as though they had been designed in Dorne were hanging from either side of the balcony, brightly coloured glass creating pretty patterns and casting a beautiful light over the balcony. 

“Prince?” Harwin called out as Harrison spun and raced to his door, Gwayne and Harwin cursing before chasing after him through the corridors. 

Harrison was barely aware of them as he raced down the corridor and along the second until he got to the guest rooms where Otto was currently staying. He threw open the doors to Otto’s rooms, ignoring Arryk whose hand flew to his sword before relaxing when he saw who it was breaking into the rooms, Harrison only had eyes for Otto who stood and turned quickly to him looking concerned. 

“Harrison what…” Otto managed to get out before the Prince was throwing himself at him and kissing him sweetly. Otto quickly responded, wrapping his arms around Harrison to hold him close and pressed back into the kiss, cupping his face and losing himself in the Prince as Harrison threw his arms around his shoulders and held tightly onto him. 

“Hem,” the two of them pulled apart, and Otto actually flushed a little when he remembered his guest that he had been talking to before Harrison burst in. 

Harrison turned and blushed darkly when he met his father’s amused, but thankfully happy, eyes. 

“Father! Sorry!” Harrison stepped back a little.

“What on earth brought that on?” Viserys smiled between them. 

“Oh, I love the table and chairs! Thank you!” Harrison remembered what had brought him here, turning to beam at Otto. 

“I had them ordered a couple of days ago, and wanted them installed while you were busy as a surprise, I am glad that you like them,” Otto smiled, touching Harrison’s cheek. 

“They’re perfect,” Harrison beamed at him. 

“A table and chairs?” Viserys blinked between them. 

“For us to be able to enjoy breakfast at together, something that Harrison wished for,” Otto explained without giving away fully what Harrison had said to him. 

“Oh, well that is lovely,” Viserys smiled again. “Will you join us? I feel as though I have barely seen you recently,” he asked Harrison, motioning to the sofa. Otto moved with him to sit on the sofa instead of reclaiming the armchair he had been in when Harrison came in. 

The Prince sighed happily and leant into Otto when the older man placed his arm on the back of the sofa, enjoying pressing against his fiance’s warmth. 

“The planning of the wedding has eaten up a lot of my time, and planning the changes to my rooms,” Harrison said to his father as he got comfortable. 

“Indeed, what the two of you have managed is impressive, it is going to be a wedding to remember,” Viserys smiled. 

“It has been hard work but it will be worth it,” Harrison smiled at Otto. 

“Harrison still will not let me know what his wedding robes look like though,” Otto pouted playfully at him. 

“You only have a few days longer,” Harrison huffed, nudging into Otto. 

“It is a few days too much,” Otto growled, taking Harrison’s chin and kissing him. 

“Indeed, it seems that the wedding can not come quickly enough,” Viserys chuckled. 

“You think that you have won? Walking around here as though you have conquered everything! Walking around as though you are untouchable,” Alicent spat, and Harrison spun around to see her storming towards him, her beautiful face twisted in fury. 

“I am simply getting everything ready for the wedding,” Harrison said calmly, unable to stop his eyes from flicking to Cole with worry, remembering what Otto had said. 

“You are a smug little prick and you think that you have won this!” Alicent hissed.

“My Queen, you will remember that you are speaking to the Prince of this Realm,” Gwayne spoke up carefully.

“You are choosing his side over mine! You traitor!” Alicent only got more furious, and Harrison saw Harold placing his hand on the hilt of his sword concerned. 

“I am supporting Father’s choice and marriage, and I am guarding your husband's son and heir, the choice that the King has made, something that you should well remember,” Gwayne frowned. 

“Are you threatening the Queen of this Realm?” Cole placed his own hand on the hilt of his sword. 

“Do not forget yourself Cole, you are the King Guard, and the lowest of our ranks, you are to guard the Queen, not to be involved in machinations that go against the King’s will and choices,” Harold narrowed his eyes at the Knight. 

“You accuse me!” Alicent shrieked. 

“If there is nothing to accuse, then how can you think that I am going around as though I have won something?” Harrison narrowed his eyes on her, watching as she spluttered. “I am not the one attacking Alicent, I am not the one threatening. I am simply trying to live my life, and right now I am simply trying to plan my wedding,” 

“To the Queen’s father,” Cole sneered.

“You mean not to you?” Gwayne smirked.

“What do you mean?” Alicent frowned between the two of them. 

“You mean he didn’t tell you?” Harrison tilted his head. 

“What do you mean?” She demanded. 

“In amongst all the accusations that I know he has made against me, did you not stop to ask why it was he went from being my guard and friend, to hating me? Or were you so happy to have someone else on your side to make my life hell, to try and bring me down that you didn’t care?” Harrison asked calmly. 

“You seduced him! You made him sleep with you, betray his vows and then threw him away! I found him about to kill himself for breaking those vows and convinced him that he was meant for more than that and your games!” Alicent snapped.

“Wow…” Harrison blinked at Cole whose face stayed stony, even as his eyes widened a little. 

“Father was right about you, you’re obsessed,” Gwayne shook his head placing his own hand on the hilt of his sword now. 

“I never slept with him, I am still a virgin,” Harrison snorted, shaking his head. “I thought he was my friend, a support while I struggled with everything that was going on around me, a friend that I needed after my only other friend lied to me, and kept from me that she was spending time with my father in a romantic sense,”

“I didn’t…”

“I never cared that you married my father! I cared that you lied to me and kept it from me instead of just being honest!” Harrison raised his voice a little and Alicent’s eyes widened. “As for him, I never slept with him, he wanted me to! He tried to seduce me, I tried to get me to run away with him. He went running to you, and apparently put on quite the show when I said no,” Harrison sneered. 

“I…you are corrupt and…”

“The only corruptness I see is in front of me. I never wanted to attack you, I never wanted this hatred and fight between us,” Harrison said sharply before turning and starting to walk away. 

“Where do you think you are going?!” Alicent shouted. 

“I am going back to planning my wedding, and I will not be engaging you!” Harrison said as he carried on walking. Harold kept an eye on Cole as they walked, not liking the anger he could see boiling in his eyes. 

“You look exhausted,” Otto said, concerned walking into Harrison’s rooms and finding him sprawled on the sofa with an arm thrown over his eyes. 

“Thank you!” Harrison huffed not moving, even when he felt Otto sitting at his feet on the sofa. He did pay attention when he suddenly felt his foot being gripped. Before he could say anything thumbs suddenly dug into the aching muscles there and the question that had been forming turned into a loud groan. 

“Keep making sounds like that and I will not be held responsible for what I do,” Otto said huskily even as he carried on massaging Harrison’s ankle.

“I will hold you responsible,” Harold huffed from the door making Harrison and Harwin laugh while Otto looked at the man amused. 

“That feels good, I feel as though I have had to walk around the Keep five times,” Harrison sighed, dropping his arm from his eyes so that he could see Otto as the other man pulled his shoe and started digging his thumbs into Harrison’s foot. 

“Gwayne is whining in our rooms about walking the keep ten times,” Otto snorted. 

“How was your day?” Harrison asked as Otto switched to his other foot. 

“Much less active physically, but mentally exhausting. I have managed to convince over a good few more of those that were following Alicent while also making sure that the banquet after the wedding should run fairly smoothly. We have the rooms ready here in the Keep for the nobles that are now arriving,”

“I came across a good few of them on my travels, they all looked at me utterly baffled and confused as to the change in politics this has caused,” Harrison grinned. 

“Lord Bolton actually had the nerve to ask the Prince if he was serious in choosing you for his husband,” Harwin snickered.

“The tongue lashing that he received was impressive,” Harold said, still scowling faintly at Otto. 

“Arrogant prick,” Harrison grumbled. “Thinking he can question my choice, and as though he would be better than you,” 

“There are a number of people that people think would be better than me,” Otto snorted.

“Not for me,” Harrison huffed. 

“Don’t even think about it!” Harold growled seeing the expression on Otto’s face.

“I am banning you from our rooms once we are married,” Otto said pleasantly as Harrison started laughing under him where he had moved to rest one hand on the sofa next to Harrison’s head, the other resting on the back of the sofa.

“Try it!” Harold said back equally as pleasantly. 

Otto swallowed Harrion’s laughter as he dropped down onto the Prince and pressed him into the sofa, kissing the Prince until the laughter died and he was groaning instead. 

“What the fuck!” The exclamation following the sound of the door being thrown open and Harold and Harwin drawing their swords startled Harrison and Otto apart, and they quickly sat up and looked over to see Daemon standing at sword point.

“Wonderful,” Otto huffed a little, but quickly turned his attention back to Harrison when the prince leant up to kiss him sweetly. 

“What the fuck!” Daemon spluttered.

“You have already said that Daemon,” Otto sighed.

“I…this is not…what the…”

“Fuck?” Harrison offered shifting so that he was sitting on the sofa but left his legs draped over Otto’s lap. 

“What is going on, you chose to marry him! You’re kissing him!” Daemon hissed storming further into the room. Gwayne, Arryk and Erryk slipped into the room and stood by the door as Harold and Harwin crossed the room to stand either end of the sofa.

“As opposed to you?” Otto offered before huffing. “Why does everyone want you?” 

“Huh?” Harrison looked at him confused.

“I mean I know why they want you, but honestly,” Otto grumbled. Harwin fought from looking too sheepish, ignoring the glower Harold shot at him, no doubt catching the expression. 

“What?” Harrison frowned. 

“He wants you, he took you to that brothel to try and destroy your reputation and force your father to allow a marriage between you,” Otto scowled at the Rogue Prince. 

“I can still say he was there, ruin this marriage and make sure that…”

“The Prince was with me that night,” Harold said sharply. 

“One word against a Prince of the Realm,” Daemon sneered.

“I saw the Prince going to his room that night,” Erryk shrugged.

“I saw him at supper,” Arryk nodded.

“I heard from some of the city watch that you like to take silver haired boys, there are a few of them in that brothel, ones that could be mistaken for the Prince at a bad glance,” Harwin hummed.

“You all…”

“You are going to behave yourself, you have made everything as difficult for Harrison as you possibly can with no care for him, his well being, or his safety, and I will not allow you to place him in any more danger, or risk his reputation. This wedding will go ahead, and I will guard Harrison with everything that I have, with all the power that I have, and make sure that he is safe. If that means I need to destroy you to do it, I will!” Otto stood after carefully placing Harrison’s legs to the side and moved over to the Prince. 

“You think you can do that?” Daemon sneered.

“Easily, I knew you would be a threat one way or the other to the royal family, I have years of evidence saved against you, and I will use it all the protect Harrison,” Otto didn’t blink when Daemon’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, Dark Sister, even as the others in the room drew their swords and he heard Harrison cry out getting to his feet.

“Why?” Daemon hissed the word into his face. 

“Because I care about it, and I can see myself loving him, because he is to be my husband and that means something to me, because he deserves better than to be destroyed at the base of someone else’s games and greed, and he has been alone and coping with all of this by himself for too long while everyone around him ignores the pain he has been in, and not seeing how amazingly strong he is,” Otto snarled. 

“You made a good choice,” Daemon said reluctantly after a moment's silence where the two men just glared at each other. 

He released his sword and stepped back with his hands held up in the air, turning to look at where Harrison was being held back by Gwayne. 

“I thought that I could help and protect you by being your husband, and yes I want you, but I went about it…in my normal way. Instead of trying to step up to your level, I tried to pull you down to mine so I could have you,” Daemon sighed looking to the side. “I will support you,” 

Harrison threw off Gwayne’s hands and hurried to Otto’s side, taking his hand and held it tightly, glaring at his uncle. 

“I won’t be part of your games and plays Daemon, my life is at stake here, and you were more interested in playing around than actually helping me. You left me here with no support, I have made support for myself!” Harrison glared darker and pressed himself against Otto. “I don’t want your support if you are just going to carry on playing games and making my life harder. Do you have any idea what Alicent and Cole would have done with the knowledge that I had been in that brothel? And do you think after what you did when my brother died, after your ‘heir for a day’ comment when he and mother died that father would ever have allowed you to marry me and have a claim to the throne again? He would have married me off to someone who was not of my choice, after I fought for the right to make that choice!” 

“You are ungrateful,l I was trying to hel…” 

“No,” Harwin said as he cleanly lifted Daemon off his feet by the back of his tunic, Gwayne and Arryk gripping both his arms to stop him from going for his sword. 

“You were trying to help yourself. I love you, I have always loved you and supported you, and all you have done is resent me, and try to make my life harder,” Harrison shook his head. “Go back to your war Daemon, we will talk after the wedding, I don’t want you here to risk anything,”

“You will leave,” Otto said firmly. “That is Harrison’s wish,”

“And if I don’t?” Daemon sneered.

“Not even your brother can protect you from evidence that you killed your wife. Do you really think she was riding out there by herself?” Otto raised his eyebrow. 

“He will betray you Harrison,” Daemon shook his head as he was lowered back to his feet.

“No, he won’t,” Harrison said with such surety in his voice that Otto squeezed his hand. 

“And how do you know that?” Daemon snapped straightening his clothing. 

“Because I am seducing him,” Harrison grinned a little up at Otto, who despite the atmosphere laughed. 

“In joke,” Harwin shook his head at Daemon. 

“Time to leave,” Gwayne said calmly. 

“I will speak to you after the wedding Daemon, once I have calmed down and it is done,” Harrison sighed. 

They watched as the rogue Prince stared at them before spinning and storming from the room, Harold nodded to the others and Arryk and Erryk left to escort him. Harwin, Gwayne and Harold nodded to them before stepping out the room, allowing them privacy. 

“Are you ok?” Otto asked gently. 

“Even knowing what he was doing, even knowing what he could have done, I still care for him,” Harrison sighed. 

“Harrison do you…do you want him?” Otto asked hesitantly and green and indigo eyes snapped onto him. 

“I will be honest, when I was younger yes I did, and for a while I imagined him sweeping in and rescuing me from all this. But then he did what he did on the day my mother and brother died, and that part of me died too. He thinks of himself before he thinks of anyone else, I am not sure that he can really think of anyone else. I don’t want a marriage like that, I want a marriage where my partner thinks of me as much as I think of them, I want a partnership, I want someone who doesn’t do things that will destroy me while claiming he was doing it for me,” Harrison sighed. 

“Harrison,” Otto breathed. 

“I want a partner who buys a table and chairs and places them in my rooms as a surprise because I mentioned once that it was something I had thought about,” Harrison looked back up at Otto, reaching up to cup his face. “I can see myself falling in love with you as well,” the prince said softer.

“I will not do you wrong,” Otto promised softly, wrapping his arms around Harrison’s waist and leaning down to kiss him sweetly. “I am sorry for what you have had to go through, but you aren’t alone now,” he added another promise, kissing Harrison’s eyelids. 

The Prince sighed and dropped against him, trusting him to keep him standing as he allowed the stress to wash through him. 

“Can we have supper at our table here tonight?” Harrison requested quietly after who knew how many minutes of just standing there holding each other. 

“Our table,” Otto smiled. “Of course we can, I will get it organised. Lie back down and rest,” Otto led Harrison back to the sofa and helped him lie back down, leaning down to kiss his lips and then his forehead before heading to the door. 

Harrison relaxed back onto the sofa as Harold stepped back into the room, and despite everything found himself relaxing into the sofa cushions. 

“I think we should turn the sofa around so it is not seen so easily from the doorway,” Harrison muttered into the room. 

“Absolutely not, I can not see where he is putting his hand if you do that!” Harold huffed, smiling softly when he got the laughter that he was looking for. 

“We’re to be married in a couple of days,” 

“I will be sleeping at the bottom of your bed!”

“In armour?”

“100%” 

Harrison’s laughter filled the room at the image. He was also fairly sure that it was something Otto had imagined and feared. 

“I feel nervous,” Harrison huffed as he adjusted his robes. 

“You are not having second thoughts are you?” Viserys asked concerned. 

“No, I just…I have hope for this marriage, I don’t want anything to go wrong,” Harrison admitted softly. 

“I am glad, I know…I know that you were concerned about choosing the right husband, I believe you have chosen well,” Viserys smiled at his son. 

“I know I have,” Harrison said firmly, making Viserys startle and then smile a little nodding. 

“He looks as white as a sheet,” Gwayne announced, walking in with a grin. “I have never seen him so nervous before!” 

“Don’t go teasing him too much!” Harrison snorted.

“No mum,” Gwayne said before laughing when Harrison threw a book at him.

“You are all getting on so well,” Viserys smiled. “I know…Alicent has not been welcoming of this match, but I hope she will come to see what a good thing it is,” he added softer.

Harrison and Gwayne exchanged a quick look before they moved to carry on getting ready. 

“That looks heavy,” Gwayne frowned as he watched Harrison finishing twisting his long hair into twists and then settled a large, circular head piece on his head, not really a crown but close, and settled it in place over the twists. It was golden and had engravings that looked like Syrax on it, sapphires and diamonds sparkled from it, catching in the sunlight coming through the windows, and matching the small sapphires that Harrison weaved into his hair. 

“It is, but I am used to wearing such things,” he chuckled. “I will be glad to take it off when the wedding is finished and put something lighter on,”

“Well, let's get this show on the road,” Gwayne grinned at Harrison, offering him his arm as Viserys did the same on the other side. 

Otto took a deep breath where he was standing at the front of the room as the priest nodded to him to indicate Harrison was about to approach. He waited for the music to start, and took another couple of deep breaths before turning to watch Harrison walking towards him. 

He had a moment to feel proud of Gwayne and how handsome he looked walking beside Harrison in his green robes, they had all agreed it would look good for him to show his support by also walking Harrison down the aisle. Beside Harrison and Gwayne, Viserys looked a little shabby as he always did, but he was looking proud and happy as he walked. 

Otto’s eyes locked onto and remained on Harrison though. He looked every inch the Prince that he was with the headpiece that sat on his blond hair, the locks pulled away from his handsomely beautiful face and making him look even more stunning than normal. His robes were an icy blue with deep blue seams, the shades going well with Harrison’s colouring. Otto had the thought that Harrison looked like a god walking towards him, utterly stunning, utterly unique, and for some reason falling in love with Otto. 

Despite all his best plans he had not honestly thought that he would be able to put the expression on Harrison’s face that he was currently wearing as he walked towards Otto, seemingly as unable to take his eyes away as Otto was from him. 

Otto had imagined that he would allow himself some smug looks to his brother, but he watched until Harrison was standing in front of him and then turned to face him, reaching out to take his hands in his and squeeze them gently. 

“You look stunning,” he said softly, though from the mutterings close by his voice carried a little. 

“You look so handsome,” Harrison smiled at him.

“Hem, we are gathered here today for…” the priest interrupted them and Otto had to hide his laughter as Harrison rolled his eyes at him before turning to face the priest with faux rapt attention. 

“So we are married,” Otto breathed as they sat at the head table, looking out at the party going on around them. 

“I was honestly expecting someone to protest it,” Harrison admitted. 

“I had a few images of Daemon bursting through the doors,” Otto confessed and smiled when Harrison laughed. 

“I can’t believe it is done,” Harrison sighed. 

“Are you happy?” Otto asked, taking his hand and pressing a kiss to it. 

“I am, more than I dreamed that I would be on my wedding day,” Harrison turned to smile at him. 

“Even if the Dragon dance was the most awkward thing I have ever done?” Otto smiled. 

“You weren’t that bad,” Harrison said through his laughter. 

“You are my husband now, you have to defend my honour!” Otto shook his head. “I have many skills, dancing is not one of them, we are lucky you came out of that with both eyes still,” he lamented, gaining more of the laughter he was looking for. 

“We will make sure in the future there are limited Dragon dances and dances altogether,” Harrison promised. 

“In the future,” Otto smiled. 

“Hmm?” Harrison looked at him questioning the change in atmosphere. He smiled when Otto raised his hand to his mouth and kissed his fingers tenderly. 

“I like the sound of it, in the future, our future. I know we have been making lots of plans, but part of it didn't feel like it was real, like it would happen,” Otto admitted, settling back into his chair to look at Harrison. 

“Honestly I feel the same way, as though I was just waiting for something to happen. But we're here,” Harrison smiled so beautifully at him that Otto couldn't have stopped himself from leaning over and kissing him, faintly aware of their audience and so keeping it at least moderately decent. 

“It seems as though the writers are all in a flutter with you two,” Gwayne smiled, dropping down next to his father just as they parted. 

“What?” Harrison blinked confusedly, his mind catching up with himself as Otto's scent and touch seemed to draw him in. 

“It is gross how apparently talented you are,” Gwayne sighed at his father who fought from looking smug. “I have heard all of them fluttering around today about how you looked at each other, how you touched each other, how you have barely stood to be parted from each other,” Gwayne drawled in a fancy way, waving his hand around ridiculously. 

“If you are talking about…” Otto started to huff. 

“I am definitely talking about when you practically ran through the hall shoving people out the way because you had lost sight of Harrison,” Gwayne smirked. 

“You did what?” Harrison covered his mouth to fight back his laughter, not helped when Otto shot an aggrieved look at his son. 

“I hadn't been able to see you for nearly twenty minutes,” Otto muttered. 

“I nearly threw Lady Soliee three feet out his way when she stepped into trying to congratulate him,” Gwayne teased. 

“It's sweet,” Harrison grinned, stroking his fingers over Otto's cheek. 

“I'm considering sending you to be a Master, or maybe the wall,” Otto narrowed his eyes on Gwayne. 

“You wouldn't, I am your precious heir,” Gwayne grinned. 

“But I am going to give him some more precious heirs,” Harrison smirked, all three of them ignoring the wounded noise that came from Harold standing behind them, suddenly fighting from looking like a dying duck while Arryk and Erryk fought to keep their faces straight. 

“Harrison, how could you! We're friends!” Gwayne clutched his chest. 

“Just stating a fact,” Harrison grinned. 

“It's weirdly like imagining your mother and father,” Gwayne grimaced. 

“That is…Otto, are you OK?” Harrison asked, concerned seeing his new husband sitting there a little unresponsively. 

“I think all the blood has gone in the wrong direction,” Harold grunted annoyed. 

“Oh, oh!” Harrison blushed darkly. 

“That is not helping,” Gwayne snickered. 

“Shut it,” Harrison waved his hand at Gwayne. 

“You can't just say things like that,” Otto groaned, catching Harrison's hand and kissing it. 

Harold whined loudly behind them. 

“Harold is right, I think it is time to leave,” Harrison said a little breathlessly. 

“That is not what I said! Let's stay here for a few more…days,” Harold groaned. Arryk patted him quickly on the back before moving back into place. 

“Are you ready? We can wait longer,” Otto asked gently. 

“I am ready,” Harrison smiled, shaking his head. He leant forward and kissed Otto firmly but quickly. 

“Come then,” Otto stood and helped Harrison to his feet, and the whole room went practically silent, drawing a blush to Harrison's face. 

“The happy couple are leaving!” The cheer went up and Harrison once again fought back his blush at some of the things that were shouted at them. 

They waited as the council formed and then, with their guard, escorted them through the Keep. 

Harrison tightened his hand around Otto’s as the group walked with them through the corridors and got a reassuring squeeze back. 

“We will be right here my Prince, as soon as things… Start we will leave,” Lyonel assured him a little awkwardly as they piled into what was now Otto and Harrison's living room together. 

“Right,” Harrison fought back his grimace and nodded to them instead before leading Otto through to his bedroom, his new husband shutting the door firmly behind them.

“I was that I had been able to get rid of this part of the tradition for you,” Otto sighed, reaching up to remove the circlet resting on Harrison's head and carefully setting it to the side. 

“I know, I wish that they didn't have to be there, but I know we can't risk any chance of someone saying that we didn't consummate tonight, it is the only way that we really be secure in the marriage,” Harrison grimaced. 

“Just focus on me, don't think about them,” Otto combed his fingers through Harrison's hair, leaning down to kiss him gently. “You look absolutely beautiful today,” he breathed out against Harrison's lips, stroking his fingers along his cheek as he looked at him with the passion starting to burn in his eyes.

“You look so handsome, my husband,” Harrison smiled, reaching up to wrap his arms around Otto's shoulders and pulled him down for a longer, deeper kiss. 

“What is it?” Otto asked concerned when Harrison pulled back with a blush. 

“It is silly,” Harrison shook his head. 

“What is it?” Otto pressed with a smile. 

“I just realised we don't have to stop, I don't have to hold back anymore,” Harrison breathed out 

“Harrison,” Otto huffed out before gripping Harrison by the back of the neck and pulling him in for another kiss. Harrison mewled against his mouth as this kiss felt like none that that had shared before, it was consuming and seemed to envelop him, lust seemingly being pressed into him through Otto’s lips, drenching him in desire as he clung to the other’s shoulders and pressed back into the kiss as best that he could. 

He sucked in a deep breath pulling their lips away when he felt Otto removing his outer robes, tugging the material from him and dropping them uncaringly to the floor so that his hands could span up Harrison’s back, his palms feeling as though they were burning through the thin material of his shirt while his husband’s lips attached themselves to his throat, nipping and licking the flesh there.

“I feel like I am burning up,” Harrison gasped before Otto’s lips claimed his again.

Harrison found his fingers undoing the button of Otto’s own deep blue robes without any real conscious thought to do it, desperate to feel skin under his hands. He swept the material from his husband, the thump of the fabric to the floor sounding ridiculously loud as he remembered the man waiting on the other side of their bedroom door. 

“Focus on me,” Otto growled, gripping the back of his neck, tilting his head back so that he could reclaim Harrison’s lips. 

The Prince groaned as Otto drowned him in those kisses again, leaving him clinging onto his shoulders, he knew that at his core Otto was a man of passion, but he was shocked to realise how much, and how in control the other had been over the last weeks. 

It felt as though his husband couldn’t get enough of him, and Harrison felt some of the doubt and nerves that he had been feeling on being able to please Otto fading away as he lost himself in the older man. 

He hadn’t even been aware of them moving until his knees hit the side of his bed and Otto tightened his grip to help him lower himself down onto the mattress rather than fall back. Panting he looked down his body as Otto reached down and quickly untied his boot laces before easing them from his feet, and then reached for Harrison’s trousers, and after a quick nod undid the laces there, and eased them down his legs leaving Harrison in just his underwear and unbuttoned shirt that he couldn’t remember Otto opening. 

He expected the other to hurry things along, he wasn’t expecting Otto to take his leg in his hand and start kissing up the sensitive skin until his reached Harrison’s hip, pausing to nip and suck what would be a dark mark onto the skin of his hip, before repeating the action with his other leg. 

By the time a matching mark was left on his other hip Harrison was panting under his husband, and harder than he felt like he had ever been in his life. 

“Otto!” Harrison groaned when his husband stepped away from him instead of coming closer, reaching out to try and catch him. 

“Say my name again my Prince,” Otto groaned, and the title that was spoken by so many, seemed so intimate and like a caress coming from Otto’s mouth. 

“Otto!” Harrison groaned louder, reaching forward and managing to capture Otto’s shirt, tugging him down on top of him. He sealed their lips together again even as he slightly shyly parted his legs so that his husband could fall between them, but that shyness faded when he felt how hard Otto was against him. “Please!” he panted, rolling their hips together. 

“You never have to beg me,” Otto promised, combing his fingers through Harrison’s hair before sealing their lips together again. They quickly stripped each other of their shirts, and Harrison lost himself for a good few moments in stroking his hands over Otto’s firm chest and down his stomach. It wasn’t washboard solid in the way that Harwin or Gwayne’s were, but he found himself liking Otto’s form more, enjoying the softness of his stomach under his touch. 

“Otto, I want you,” Harrison pulled back from the kiss to look at his husband, and whatever expression he made seemed to push Otto even further into the arousal they were losing themselves in, making Harrison feel even more powerful in this moment. 

“I don’t know if you are any different, how they know you are a carrier,” Otto admitted, pulling back a little to look at Harrison who felt himself burning a little with a blush.

“The Targaryens keep it secret,” Harrison murmured, tipping his head to the side, but Otto wouldn’t allow it and turned him back to face him. 

“Whatever it is, I will still find you attractive,” he promised. 

“I have another entrance, between my dick and my arse,” Harrison breathed out, turning his eyes away and feeling the blush scorching his face, but then Otto’s trousers were suddenly flying behind him leaving his completely bare, and his lips were pressing to Harrison’s again, his lips almost frantic in their demand this time. 

Harrison clung onto Otto’s shoulders, digging his fingers into his muscles as Otto somehow managed to wind his body tighter and tighter, until he was nodding frantically when his husband tugged questioningly at his underwear. 

“Fuck,” Otto breathed out as his fingers brushed over the wet entrance Harrison had described to him, pressing his finger inside of the hot, tightness of his body. “Fuck,” he repeated when Harrison threw his head back and groaned. 

By the time Otto had three fingers inside of him Harrison had lost any embarrassment that he had been feeling, he was holding tightly onto Otto’s wrist as the other pumped his fingers in and out of him, driving Harrison’s pleasure higher and higher, until with a cry he threw back his head and cried out loudly as he came. 

Panting his was vaguely aware of the sound of a door shutting from his living room, but he couldn’t find himself to care as he watched his husband stroke his red, weeping erection, slicking himself with Harrison’s own liquids, before he was settling between Harrison’s parted legs, his eyes drinking in every inch of Harrison and his pleasure. 

“Otto,” Harrison breathed out, tilting his hips into his husband as he pressed his erection to Harrison’s entrance, whining loudly when lips attached themselves to his arched neck.

“Beautiful, you are absolutely stunning,” Otto breathed out, scattering kisses over Harrison’s face as he started pressing inside of him. “My beautiful, strong, intelligent husband, I will make sure you never regret choosing me, I promise,” 

“Husband, make love to me,” Harrison wrapped his arms around Otto’s shoulders and tilted his hips, taking him a little deeper. 

“I wish I could do this forever,” Otto groaned, sliding himself into Harrison until their hips were pressed flush together and their lips were sealed back together, unable to get enough of drinking the other in. 

Otto let out a small punched out noise when Harrison suddenly clenched down on his and rolled his hips experimentally, Otto’s own hip thrusting almost automatically at the pleasure that washed through his system, and then he was moving inside of Harrison, thrusting and taking pleasure, and giving back everything that he could, absorbing every expression, every sound and every movement that came from Harrison as they lost themselves in their lovemaking. 

“I am going to…” Harrison whined out, tightening his legs around Otto’s waist, the pleasure that was building inside of him partly making him want to take more of it, and partly wanting to escape from it as it felt as though it was going to swallow him. 

“Yes, me too, cum for me Harrison, cum for me,” Otto panted and with those words Harrison arched his back as he spilled himself between them. “By the gods, Harrison!” Otto cried out as Harrison tightened around him almost painfully, feeling as though he was milking him. They cried out together at the feeling of Otto cumming and filling Harrison.

Harrison felt himself trembling a little in pleasure as Otto withdrew from him, moving to dip a cloth into the bowl of washing water, returning to carefully and tenderly wash Harrison down from their coupling, before wiping himself down much more efficiently. 

They moved together to lie properly on the bed, shuffling a little to try and find a comfortable position that worked for the two of them, settling on Otto lying on his back with Harrison curled against his side, a leg over Otto’s and an arm over his waist, resting his head on his shoulder. 

He hummed happily as Otto started combing his fingers through his long hair, feeling sexual and decadent lying naked in bed with his new husband. 

“How hard do you think Harold is crying at the door?” Otto asked, and Harrison burst out laughing, squeezing his arm around Otto as the other man’s hand moved to sweep up and down his back. 

Harrison hummed happily as he settled his feet onto Otto’s lap and held his cup of coffee closer to take away the slight chill of the morning air as he looked out over the balcony and to the sea beneath them. 

“I would like us to take a ship one day,” Harrison said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. 

“That would be lovely,” Otto turned to him. 

“Maybe we could go to Dorne on a diplomatic visit, sail our way there and back,” Harrison smiled a little. 

“Now that sounds ideal, relaxing, good company, plenty of time to kill,” Otto smirked dangerously at him. 

“Was three times not enough to slow you down?” Harrison teasingly poked Otto’s thigh with his toe. 

They turned when there was a choking sound from inside the living room and they caught Harwin mischievously handing Harold the biggest handkerchief that they had ever seen in their lives while Gwayne was looking horrified and a little green around the gills. 

“Maybe we should have closed the door?” Harrison bit his lip to stop from laughing as Harold started trying to strangle Harwin with the handkerchief while growling ‘where the fuck did you even have this made?’

“Think we could find some more normal guards?” Otto asked as they turned to watch Gwayne halfheartedly trying to stop the two. 

“I think if we tried we would find someone worse,” Harrison snorted. 

“Where are they?” Alicent sighed annoyed, shifting in her seat as she ran her hand over her stomach. 

“They are newly weds, running a little late is to be expected, especially when they are technically on a holiday from official duties,” Viserys announced cheerfully, and the grumpy looking Lords and Ladies standing around them visibly calmed down a little at the reminder of why their Prince and new Prince Consort were likely running late and keeping them all waiting. 

“They have been married for four days, surely they have it out of their system by now,” Alicent huffed annoyed. A few of the Lords and Ladies that heard exchanged slightly uncomfortable looks at the picture those words painted. 

“From what I have heard of their bedding ceremony I wouldn’t be surprised if you were lucky enough that a grandchild will be on their way, and the next in line will be on the way,” One of the Lord’s that supported Harrison and Otto openly from the beginning grinned, not missing the chance to shoot Alicent’s bitter face a look when Viserys threw his head back in delighted laughter. 

The shriek that filled the air was familiar, and all heads snapped up to see Syrax appear from the clouds and head towards them. 

“It seems as though the newly weds have maybe had a falling out already,” Alicent smirked a little back at the Lord as everyone’s eyes fell to the horses that were hurrying towards them, quite clearly only Harold, Gwayne, Harwin, Erryk and Arryk were on horses, not sign of Otto amongst them. 

Viserys cast a concerned glance to Alicent and then to the guards as they pulled to a stop and climbed down from their horses to make their way through the small crowd and over to the King. 

“Is Otto unwell?” Viserys asked concerned. 

“He may be,” Gwayne smirked at his sister. 

“What…” Alicent was cut off when Syrax rumbled out a roar into the air and banked to the side so that she could get into position to land, and the Lord and Ladies waiting exploded into chatter when they realised that there were two people in Syrax’s saddle, not one. 

“No…” Viserys breathed out, leaning forward as Syrax landed, before staring open mouthed as the Dragon landed and they could all see Otto seated behind Harrison. 

“That was…amazing!” Otto breathed into Harrison’s ear, squeezing Harrison’s waist. “And I am really hoping that I don’t fall on my face when we get off,”

“Remember, lock your knees,” Harrison whispered leaning around to kiss Otto before turning and climbing down Syrax, Otto watching carefully how he did it, before imitating him, slightly terrified of slipping in front of all these people, and slightly terrified of hurting the being that was bonded and so important to Harrison. 

Harrison stood waiting for him, and reached out for him once he was close enough, helping him down the last few feet and then holding him firmly as he locked his knees as advised and took a moment to refrain his legs. 

The silence around them was echoing, and Harrison smiled mischievously at Otto where his face couldn’t be seen by the crowd before going up on his toes and kissed his husband sweetly in front of everyone before linking their arms around and leading the way to where his father was standing. 

“Harrison…Otto…that was an…entrance,” Viserys stammered, clearly lost as to what to really say.

“I wanted to fly with Otto on Syrax, we had a flight around this morning before coming here, it seemed like a good way to kill two birds with one stone,” Harrison beamed at his father. 

“It was the most amazing and terrifying experience of my life in equal measures,” Otto said and managed to break the atmosphere, those around them laughing and relaxing from their shock, his words clearly being passed along the crowd. 

“Shall we open the building?” Viserys said with a growing smile as he looked between them. 

“Of course,” Harrison nodded.

“I think maybe the two of you should do it,” Viserys said thoughtfully.

“What?” Alicent nearly shouted from her seat before catching herself, she couldn’t hide the displeased expression on her face. 

“The extension to the Dragon pit is for the growing number of Dragons that we have, a number of them are from Syrax, and Harrison and Otto are the future of the Targaryen line that are tied to these Dragons. It is right that it is them to open this,” Viserys smiled between them. 

“We would be honoured,” Otto bowed his head to his new father in law before he and Harrison moved to do as they were asked, ignoring the burning of Alicent’s eyes into their backs. 

“That went well I believe,” Otto said to Harrison over the cheers of the crowd once they were finished, the on the spot speech that Harrison had come up with clearly going down well. The faces and voices of the people made it clear that they were quite taken with Harrison, and they were quite taken with their new royal couple. 

“It gives me hope for our progress,” Harrison turned to smile at him. 

“I can’t wait,” Otto sighed leaning forward to kiss him, the cheers around them going even wilder. 

“Are you ok?” Harrison asked, biting his lip as he looked over the edge of the sofa at Otto where he was lying on the sofa with his eyes closed and a pack of ice between his legs. 

“I know you are grinning at me, you minx!” Otto huffed without removing his arm from his eyes. 

“You get used to it,” Harrison promised with a laugh. 

“I am unsure if it is the newness of riding a Dragon, the marathon sex, or both!” Otto snorted. 

“And you are blaming me?” Harrison exclaimed in mock offense, he squeaked and then started laughing when Otto suddenly lashed out, grabbing him and tugging him over the back of the sofa and down on top of him, the Prince only just managing to arrange himself so that he didn’t hurt the other man. 

“You are insatiable, and I can not get enough of you,” Otto groaned, grabbing Harrison’s arse and thrusting up into him. “I feel as though I am addicted to you,” 

“I am glad that it is not just me,” Harrison pressed his fingers to Otto’s cheeks and leant down to kiss him. 

“I feel as though I could be 91, decrepit and still I will want you,” Otto shook his head when they parted.

“I never imagined that the days after my marriage would be like this,” Harrison sighed, lowering himself onto Otto and turning to rest his head on his shoulder. 

“Like what?” Otto asked, combing his fingers through Harrison’s hair.

“Happy,” Harrison breathed out the word like it was the most amazing thing. Otto looked down at the man in his arms, his husband, and he knew for sure in that moment that he was falling in love with him. 

“You have done well on your visit here,” Cregan said as he walked along the humongous ice wall towards where Otto was standing looking out over the dominion of the Night’s Watch. 

“We have?” Otto turned to the Heir of Lord Stark who had been sent to escort him and Harrison to visit the Wall as part of their progress. 

“The North has been twittering about you both since you started your progress and have been taking a respectful amount of time visiting us. You impressed my Father with the consideration and thoughts that you both have about the North and the future that you see, with us actually included in it,” Cregan said as both he and Otto’s eyes drifted upward to watch Syrax soar over their heads, Harrison in black standing out on her golden back. 

“Harrison and I understand the importance of the North in this country, but more than that we respect it. I have always had respect for your Father, and you are growing to be a man that can match, if not grow the honour of your House,” Otto smiled, still watching Harrison happily soaring in the air. 

“At first a lot of us believed your words to be empty, sweet words to try and draw us to your side and away from your daughter’s and her children's," 

“You Northerners are always blunt,” Otto chuckled looking back at the younger man. 

“We also thought the story of the affection between you and Prince was exaggerated and something to try and win more people over, but we have realised that you mean what you say, and that the partnership you are forging together is something quite real,” Cregan carried on.

“We have your support?” Otto asked.

“The North made vows to support Prince Harrison as our heir Lord, vows are important here, but after seeing and spending time with you, you will always have our support,” Cregan nodded seriously. 

“We appreciate it, we truly do,” Otto gripped Cregan’s shoulder in gratitude. 

“We look forward to the country you will create together, and seeing the place that we will have in it,”

“Are you homesick?” Otto asked, wrapping his arms around Harrison’s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder, looking out of the window Harrison was standing at, looking down at Winterfell spread beneath them. 

“A little, I am enjoying myself, but it is odd being away from the Keep and away from my Father,” Harrison rested his head against Otto’s shoulder and twined their fingers together. 

“You have not been away from each other really since you were a child, and despite his failings, he has been all that you have had for a good while,” Otto hummed. 

“I think that is why it is a good thing that we got away, I needed to break away from that with our family that we are creating around us, and spend time just the two of us together,” Harrison smiled. “Father would have tried to insert himself in the middle of our relationship without meaning to,” 

“Six months in, and you are not sick of me yet?” Otto asked, kissing Harrison’s cheek. 

“No, I have found myself falling in love with you,” Harrison said casefully before squeaking when Otto’s arms tightened around him like a snake constricting him. 

“Sorry! Sorry!” Otto apologised before spinning Harrison around so he could look him in his unusual eyes. “Do you mean that?” he asked a little desperately, his light green eyes scanning over Harrison’s face for any trace of teasing. 

Instead, all he found was a warm, gentle expression and a look in Harrison's eyes that said…

“I love you,” Harrison smiled that sweet private smile that Otto had realised months ago was just for him. 

“I love you too, so much,” Otto closed his eyes as he pressed their foreheads together.

“I love you,” Harrison reached up and stroked his hands over the face that had become utterly beloved to him, and he could see that reflected back at him, he had never imagined that his husband would look at him like he was the most precious thing in the world, because of him and not who he was.

“My love,” Otto sighed happily before pressing their lips together, drawing Harrison into the now familiar heat between them, the Prince happily surrendering himself into his husband’s arms. 

They were laying the world at their own feet, and together they would make sure that they walked that path to the very end, and if Harrison was correct in his suspicions then in around seven months time the first of their heirs would be with them, helping to secure that path. 

Right now though as his husband laid him down on their bed and made love to him, his thoughts were for nothing but his husband, the man that he was desperately in love with.