Chapter Text
Jace's phone rang for what felt like the 999th time on that day, and Odette sighed.
It was charging right by her side, as if it was the only place it could be plugged in the house.
“I say it's Joffrey,” Aemond hummed from over his book, by her side.
She scrunched her nose. Joffrey? There were two of them.
“Stepdad or brother?”
Was Jace's brother old enough for his own phone? He had said himself he only got his first phone at 14 or 15, his brother was what...? 8? 9? Absolutely less than 10.
“I double the bet and say either.”
They'd been playing a bet over Jace's calls. His phone had been ringing the whole day for some reason. Dude had two dads and two stepdads, his mum, three grandparents and so many siblings! And all of them decided today was the day they wanted to call him.
“You can't double bet,” she giggled, slapping his arm. “I bet it's his dad.”
Aemond scoffed.
“Which one?”
“I'll quadruple bet and say it is either.”
She raised her eyes to look at him, and Aemond was squinting in her direction.
“That includes Joffrey,” he noted.
Odette stuck out at him, thinking for a moment, before a squeal stopped them.
“Odette!” Helaena exclaimed.
Her friend rushed into the room, wearing a bathrobe and holding her hand as a cup.
“Look, I found a bug in the shower!” she exclaimed.
She stuck out her hand and Odette shrieked, rushing Aemond, trying to get away from it.
It was huge and ugly and gross!
Helaena had no problem with grabbing bugs and picking things up. She actually liked them very much.
“Oh, that is nice Helaena,” Aemond spoke, but he sounded surprised too.
Odette frowned. He was usually very calm about her bugs.
His hand held her by her waist gently.
Oh. She was sitting on him, wasn't she?
“I can feed it to Sapphire,” she looked at it. “She is going to love it.”
Sapphire was her tarantula, a gift Mr Targaryen had given her when she passed her driving test.
That and a car, but Helaena had cared much more about the pet than the car.
“Do you want to see?” Helaena offered. “It's so cool to watch her feed!”
Odette blinked a little.
“No, thanks,” she shook her head quickly. “We are Jace watching. I think something is happening in their family, everyone keeps calling him.”
“Oh, it's because it's his birthday,” Helaena pointed out, closing her hand, so the bug wouldn't escape.
She stiffened up and Aemond did the same.
“What?” he asked, surprised.
She turned to him as Helaena walked away.
“You didn't know?” Odette asked. “He is your nephew!”
Aemond scoffed.
“I only remembered Aegon's birthday because mum told me, and you expect me to remember Jacaerys'?”
Her eyes widened.
Oh, no!
“Shit, should we get him something?”
Aemond sighed.
“I don't know,” he groaned. “Helaena probably got him something, we can just tag along?”
She glared at him.
“Oh, come on!” she crossed her arms. “We should get him something nice! Jace literally lets us stay here for free!”
This was his mother's estate, she had inherited it from her mother and neither Mrs Targaryen nor Jacaerys had asked for any rent, just help with the general bills.
“Technically, it is the family's place,” he pointed out. “The Targaryens have lived here since Aegon the Conqueror...”
“Aemond, I love your history lessons,” she interrupted him. “But can we at least get him a gift card or-”
Jace walked into the room, rushing and breathless.
“Hey, why didn't anyone tell me my phone was ringing!” he huffed, grabbing his phone.
Her eyes widened in embarrassment.
“Who is calling you?” Aemond asked, not looking any affected.
Jace picked the phone up and she slapped his arm.
“Actually, Jace,” she sat up straighter. “We've been talking, and we just wanted to say happy birthday!”
He looked at her, surprised a bit.
“Thanks?” he frowned.
“We?” Aemond asked.
“Yes, and we know we are not so close, but we are all very grateful that you let us live here with you.”
He shrugged.
“No problem,” he spoke slowly. “It's a huge place, I would hate to live here alone, the girls decided to go to college in Essos, and turning it into a frat house isn't an option.”
She chuckled. Yes.
“Well, since you are away from home, we-”
“Stop saying we,” Aemond sighed.
“We,” she insisted. “Wanna help you celebrate! Whatever you want, it will be our gift to you.”
Jace raised his eyebrows, surprised.
“Really?” he chuckled. “I didn't think you'd do that kind of stuff?”
“What?” she frowned. “Celebrate birthdays?”
He shrugged.
“Well... with Baela and Rhaena... well. Baela,” he corrected himself. “We heard of this family tradition since we got to actually drink, and I always wanted to do it but never had the chance of doing it with someone.”
She raised her eyebrows, and he pressed his lips together.
“And... before that too,” he whispered. “But on our birthdays, yes. A tradition.”
“Which would be?” Odette pried.
He pushed his hands into his pockets.
“Go to Dragonmount,” he told them. “And get absolutely hammered.”
Aemond laughed behind her.
“Oh, and what does my poor innocent sister think of that?!” he faux gasped.
Jace scoffed, smirking.
“My mum is in the hall of fame of Dragonmound both here and in Valyria,” he spoke proudly. “She outranked kepa, first in Westeros and then there.”
He scoffed loudly behind her.
“That place is filthy,” he accused. “Seedy.”
“And that is what makes it fun!” Jace exclaimed. “That is, of course, if you are not scared to go down there.”
Aemond stood up, nearly bumping her out of his lap, and stared at his nephew.
Odette felt so small between them, they were so tall.
They stared at one another like that, and she held her breath, imagining they would do some silly boy fight, but Aemond chuckled and patted his shoulder.
“Alright, my Lord Waters,” he smirked. “Let's make sure you have a birthday to remember, then.”
Jace glared at him, but his phone rang, and he had to look away, and smiled a little at it.
Mrs Targaryen was waiting, face-timing him with the two little boys on her lap.
She didn't remember their names, but they were very blonde and very cute.
He walked out to the corridor and Aemond left too, leaving her alone.
“Jaaaace!” she heard the little squeals.
Bet lost.