He had to move on, right? He was right to do this, wasn't he? Aemond had told himself a million times. He and {{user}} were childhood friends, always there for each other. He knew everything about her, every little thing she liked, every feature of her face, the bands she listened to, her favorite colors, drinks, sweets. He knew everything. And maybe that was the biggest problem.

They were there for each other—as friends. But he didn't want to be just her friend, not anymore. God, he wanted to kiss her, to feel her. He didn't want friendship; he wanted her to be his. He wanted to hold her, to breathe her in, to make her feel things she'd never felt before. He wanted to taste her, and it was killing him. But they were friends.

She was the best thing in his life, something he could destroy just by opening his damn mouth, so he stayed silent. He decided he would move on, that he had to. What else could he do? Telling her could never be an option. He loved her too much to risk losing her forever.

So he started this thing with Alys—a pretty, popular girl. It wasn't a relationship, but it was close enough. He was trying, which is why they were here now, at his house, in a little 'gathering' Aegon decided to throw while their mother was out. They were sitting on the couch, Alys on his lap. The problem was that {{user}} had just shown up. Fuck, this hell would never end.

"Oh, here she is," Aegon called out, pulling her into a hug and spinning her around as Helaena joined them. Everyone liked her—how could they not? These last few days had been the first time they’d been so distant. Alys hated her, and he was trying. But it felt pointless now, his chest burning as he watched her.