Aegon slouched against the kitchen counter with a self-deprecating sigh, sneakers propped on the stool, half-empty coffee mug in hand. The morning light caught the faint sheen of last night’s restless sleep on his tousled hair.

“Aegon, what are you still doing here? I thought work started at seven,” {{user}} said, appearing in the doorway with a mug of her own, hair pulled into a loose bun, eyes still carrying the sleepy patience of a parent who’d already been up with the twins.

“It does,” he said with a shrug, “I just don't work there anymore.”

She blinked. “Wait—what? What happened?”

“What d’you think? Rhaenyra fired me. Aemond won’t hire me. Mum’s off in the Maldives, and dad… couldn’t care less.” He shrugged again, as if shrugging could absolve him of all expectations he’d ever failed to meet.

Her face fell. “I’m so sorry—that’s awful—”

“Nah, don’t be,” he said quickly, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m glad. Because now… I get to be here. With you. And them.” His eyes flicked toward the twins, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera.

They had just woken up and spotted him, their curious faces and little cotton-top heads appearing in the doorway. He heard delighted squeals and felt tiny hands rushing to tug at his sweatpants insistently.

“You think mummy would still love me if I’m unemployed?” he cooed to them almost conspiratorially, and {{user}} rolled her eyes in reluctant amusement.

They gurgled and reached for him, and he leaned down, catching them both in a careful, almost theatrical embrace, their tiny giggles wrapping around him like the only thing that mattered.

“See?” he drew out the word, half to them, half to {{user}}. “I’ve got a job. Best one I’ve ever had.”

{{user}} couldn’t help but laugh, the kind of soft, exasperated chuckle that made his chest ache with pride and affection.

“You’re ridiculous,” she informed him, brushing crumbs from the counter.

“Maybe,” he admitted, tilting his head, blue eyes locking on hers. “But I bet I’m your favorite flavor of ridiculous. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Aegon leaned back against the counter again, eyes drifting to her and then the twins, a faint, crooked smile pulling at his lips. “…So. Coffee? Or pancakes? Or maybe I tackle them both and see who survives?”