Chapter Text
This was super strange. No one in their right mind would actively set up their own daughter with a date. Not only to prom, but in general.
There was no doubt in his mind that Myrcella was a beautiful young girl who easily attracts attention with her beauty and grace but also her wits. But boys don't pay attention to that much.
When she told him that she was going to be going to prom by herself, the first thing he asked was if she was going stag with a bunch of her friends. But she mentioned that all of them are going with dates. Prom is fun but it's a lot more fun with a date.
So, with a heavy heart, he decided to set up his daughter. That part was hard. It couldn't just be any kid.
Like that notorious Greyjoy punk who'll hit on anything that moves. That Arryn kid seems nice enough, although painfully shy. He hung around Tom more then he did with Cella. Hell, I'm not even sure he likes girls. The Stark boy seems to spell out trouble. The Tarly brat seems a decent enough lad. The Martell lad was the reason they had broke up; apparently he decided to go to an exclusive military academy and had to leave early.
And that's when lightning struck. Two new fresh-faced recruits from the Academy had been sent to train under his wing. And it was good time too; Garrett and "Little" Lew had grown and become proper officers. The new guys seemed to be quite runty. Both of them just about eighteen or so.
There was Podrick Payne; who's straight dark hair practically covered his eyes and was quiet as a mouse. He was good but a bit clumsy and rarely talked; often stuttering out a quiet thank you for anything. His friend, Josmyn Peckledon, who proffered to be called "Peck", was definitely more livelier than him. Amiable and courteous, confident but not cocky. He took his training far more seriously and seemed to have a good sense of judgement.
That in lay the difficult part. I thought the difficult part would be weeding out the creepers in who would be good enough for Cella. How do I approach this without coming off weird, creepy or stupid?
So, he told Peck that he had a special mission for him. And he smiled and said, "What's the mission, boss?"
He sounded so ecstatic until he had told him. With a little bit of reluctance, he said okay. Although, it was apparent that he was blushing and sweating through his teeth.
That was a week ago. Cella was still getting ready and not that thrilled that I set her up with a fresh-faced newbie, or anyone at all really. And Peck was nervously pacing and muttering. Peck shaved off the tiny bit of stubble growing on his chin and neatly combed his hair. he definitely looked better than before.
Just as it seemed that he was about to run, Cella had come down. If the boy was blushing before, he was crimson now. The same with Cella too. Both of them just stared at each other mindlessly, like a pair of zombies debating on who gets the bigger brain.
"Uh, uh, um, HI! I mean, hi. I'm Josmyn Peckledon. But my friends call me Peck for short."
"Um, uh, hi. Hello. I'm Myrcella Lannister. But most of my friends call me Cella for short."
"Cool"
"Yeah, cool"
" ... Y'know, when your Dad told me about you, it's just, uh, you're not what I expected to be!"
"Well, what were you expecting?" she said teasingly.
"In all honesty, when he said that "my daughter's as pretty as me", I kinda imagined a slightly younger version of him ... in drag ..."
What the ...? Little brat!!
Myrcella then giggled.
"Well, I can't say that you're anything that I expected you to be. I thought you'd be some roided up douchebag reeking of Axe bodyspray and hair-gel!"
"Hey! I work out. I might not have the body yet, but I'm getting there!"
"No, no! That's not what I meant! I like ... your ... body?"
"Umm, thanks? I think?"
Ughhh, kids.
"OK. That's enough. You guys both know the rules. No handsy, no touchy. You bring her back home at 11:00, no later than that!"
"DAD! Prom doesn't end until 11:30!"
"FINE! 12:00 then! Just don't do anything stupid and have a good time."
"OK! Bye Dad. Take care of yourself!"
"And Peck, remember. I do have a gun!"
"DADDY!"
"OK, OK. Bye, pumpkin, I love you!"