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[kobes]

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koby



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[holyposition]

I've walked down it! Koby, relax.

[kobes]

I'm relaxed. I'm so relaxed. I'm relaxed enough that I won't even ask to wear a helmet.

[holyposition]

It won't fit over your hat! Wear a hat so your ears don't freeze off.

[kobes]

Oh, I forgot, yes. My ears were FREEZING when I went outside earlier.

The closet's given me some nice things, though. Lots of yellow. I guess for if I get lost in the snow?

You have a hat and things too, right?

[holyposition]

Of course I do. I'm taking some of the Westeros boys shopping to get winter ready, you should come.

[kobes]

They're not from an island too, are they? But they don't have winter?

[holyposition]

Their seasons last for decades. They were born in the summer, so they've never seen winter.

[kobes]

Decades, really? That sounds
Sort of like home, actually.

They'll definitely both need gloves. And hats. And scarves. All of them will.

[holyposition]

I'm on it.

[kobes]

For the brothers, I'm assuming.

[Elephant, room, tiptoing around it.]

[holyposition]

No, not Aegon. I told Jacaerys I'd help him out, too.

[kobes]

Not Aegon. Okay.

But not Daemon, right?

[holyposition]

No! That man is an animal.

Aemond, but you knew that.

[kobes]

I agree completely. He holds a grudge, 'm told.

I did know. [A pause, an invitation, maybe, in the silence.]

[holyposition]

You can ask, if you want to ask.

[kobes]

Only if you want to talk about it.

[holyposition]

I don't mind talking about it.

I just feel like I have to justify it over and over and relive all the horrible stuff that brought us together, and then get judged for it anyway.

And I get it. I know how bad it looks.

[kobes]

I'm not going to pass judgement on you for that, Tim. I may not understand it -- I may be worried about you, and Alicent, and the potential outcome, but I can't stand here and say I haven't made
Ill-advised choices before. Or even ones that not everyone understands. You don't understand me and Shanks, really, right?

I don't want you to get hurt. And I don't know if I trust Aemond.

[holyposition]

I understand that he helped you get through something terrible that no one else here was equipped to. So maybe it isn't that different.

I trust him. I know how he comes off, I'm not clueless. But he won't hurt me. When it's just us, he's really sweet and gentle.

I know that sounds like a lie but I swear it isn't

[kobes]

Maybe not, no. It's
Complicated. It's the village, before here, too. It's different than anything else, and I know it isn't going to last forever, because I know we both have different destinies, but
I care about him very, very much.
So maybe I'm the best-equipped to understand.

I don't think he'd do it on purpose. I think being young and angry and raised to hate has an effect on people, and he might not realize he's hurting you. I can feel him, just like I can you, and he's just as fiery as the rest of his family.

And it's already hurt you. I know it has.

[holyposition]

I'm not living in a fantasy where I'll rescue him and whisk him away back home with me where he doesn't have to die riding into war. But while he's here he deserves a chance to have something that isn't that. And I rely on him, too.

I know. I know too much, maybe. He's confided a lot in me.

He hasn't. Not since really early on, before we understood each other.

[kobes]

But would you, if it were possible?
As long as you aren't trying to save him here either, Tim. That's not your job.

Has he?

I didn't say HE'D hurt you. I said the situation had. You've sacrificed, to be with him, haven't you?

[holyposition]

If I thought he'd come. But he won't. He has too much unfinished business back home.

He has. And I have. Alicent wants nothing more to do with me. She said some nasty things, and I could have handled it better. It was a disaster. I don't blame her for being shocked and upset

But I'll endure it for him, he's worth it to me.

[kobes]

Sounds familiar. At least things have been quieter, lately. Library closure notwithstanding.

I'll keep an eye out for her, okay? She might just need time, but I'll make sure she's safe.

Then he's lucky.
And if he hurts you I'll make his life hell. 😊

[holyposition]

If the library closing is the worst they have for us this month, I'll take it. Sorry.

Okay. Thank you.

[ An unwitting confirmation that Koby doesn't know the full extent of why she feels so wronged by this. If it were only awkwardness, if it were only scandal, then time would probably be enough. But lives hinge on his ability to keep tight-lipped. It's been that way since Aemond arrived and the secrets only pile higher. ]

I don't doubt it, Koby. This is good, though. And it's not like the last time I told you that, because it's actually happening, and I'm happy. It's complicated, but I can handle that.