Gift Giving

[kingnamedstark]

Who: Robb and Eponine
What: Robb has a gift for Eponine
When: July 3
Warnings: None to start with, but will add if needed

The conversation with Sansa had been enough to shake his conscience loose, leaving Robb uncertain of what to do, but knowing he needed time to think and face his demons. That, of course, meant that he would need to pull back from Eponine and reassess his life alone. However he wasn't about to do that just yet, not when he had something for her and still planned to work a tavern with her. He made a promise and he meant to keep it.

Knowing already she was at her dome, he didn't bother to knock but walked in. He finally had his change of clothes, choosing the ones that were closest to Westorsi custom, not ready yet to try something new. "I have something for you." He held out the bundle of cloth. "Do you want to see it?"

Comments

[jondrette]

Robb had been granted permission to enter her room whenever he felt the need. It was often she found herself curled up in his bed, listening to his wounded heart beat as his chest rose and fell. Though they were neighbors, they had not made any official sorts of moves yet, and truthfully, Eponine had not even realized that was something offered.

This was for the best.

"Look at you, my sweet!" She says, turning to look at him. "you are as handsome as any I have seen, look at your finery! Your sister has done a wonderful job!" She runs her hand through his hair before turning her attention toward the gift.

She nearly snatches it from his hands. "A gift! Oh, Robb, you should not have! Yes, please, I would be honored to receive a gift! You must show me!" She's already unfolding it, her eyes wide as she looks at such fine fabrics in her hands. It's beautiful.

She tears her eyes away to look at him, unable to speak.

[kingnamedstark]

He looked down at the clothes, seeing the skill and talent there but not much for fripperies and fineries himself. That it at least didn't have his stained blood or reminded him of the wedding was enough. Though, perhaps without Eponine, he wouldn't have seen the details that Sansa had put into it. The wolves, the silver thread, the small nods to their house and who they were. He hadn't taken too long to appreciate it, but he could now.

He watched her as she tore open the package, curious what her response would be. He had said he would give her a dress, but given her response, it was hard to tell if she liked it or not. He was used to emotion, but sometimes it was hard to read Eponine's.

"Do you not like it?"

[jondrette]

"Do I not-?" She repeats back to him through a laugh. She cannot complete the thought though, not for throwing her arms around him. "It is beautiful! Such a garment I have never been able to touch. Oh, to think I would ruin it, stain it- at home it would not last a minute. But here-!" She kisses both of his cheeks, and then his lips.

"Shall I try it on?" She pulls back, holding the sacred dress to her chest.

[kingnamedstark]

It was a bit overwhelming to see how deep her happiness and passion ran, but Eponine was never someone to hold back. Once he understands and sees clearly that she's pleased, he's smiling softly, glad that he had given her something she could treasure. Each kiss is returned before he sat on the side of the bed.

"If you like?" He was curious to see it on her, he'd admit that. "You could wear it to the opening."

[jondrette]

"I would love few things more." She squeezes his hands.

"Yes! That is precisely what I shall do, thank you for the idea, mon coeur!" There's a happy noise as she disappears for a moment into the bath room to get dressed. While she's not modest, she wants to surprise Robb with how she looks.

It takes her a bit longer to figure out the dress, how everything fastens. It's the finest gown she has ever owned, and she can't stop running her hands over the raw silk, feeling the embroidery so carefully constructed: flowers and vines. Unlike Robb's, there were no direwolves or crowns to be seen, but it did not matter. What mattered was how well the dress fit, how soft it was against her petite form.

How beautiful she looked in it.

When she steps out of the bathroom, there are tears trailing down her cheeks, her hands smoothing out the creaseless fabric.

"Do... you like it?"

[kingnamedstark]

"That would be greedy," he laughed, brushing his thumb over her fingers.

While she's gone to change, he pours himself a drink. He's trying not to think about Sansa or their argument, he's trying not to think about his father and mother and what their response to all of this would be. In these softer moments, he could forget who he was and just enjoy Eponine's affection, even if there were times that he worried she fell fast and hard.

He looked up, surprised by how fine she looked. The flush on her cheeks, the way the gown emphasized her soft curves, she looked like a woman he might have known growing up. He set down his glass, grinning at her.

"You're beautiful."

[jondrette]

There was no other sort of love for Eponine but the sort that has you falling fast and hard.

Her hands cover his mouth at his complement, the way he looks at her like she's the most delicious pastry he's ever seen. All the same, it's so hard to believe him when she's been called bitch, cow, dog, ugly all her life.

"You- you think so?" Her hands flutter at her sides, smoothing the fabric again.

[kingnamedstark]

He nodded, stepping back to look over her again. Sansa had done her work well, which was what he expected, if he's honest. She was always talented with a needle. Whatever she might think of this, she had been kind in making something truly beautiful for Eponine.

"You look like a fine lady." He knew that would please her, but it was true as well.

She could almost be a girl that he grew with and seen around Winterfell.

I love that icon because he looks so hungry

[jondrette]

She draws in breath as more tears spring to her eyes. "I do? Oh, that is all I have ever wanted to hear! This is the finest gown I have ever seen or worn, and I would watch the ladies going to and from in Paris. And it is all mine!" Eponine giggles a bit, bouncing on the balls of her feet in an almost childish glee.

It's my favorite

[kingnamedstark]

"Once we start earning real coin, you can have more made if you like? My sister would be able to help you." Well, maybe. He's aware Sansa didn't approve. Maybe Angel would be better...but Sansa's skill was remarkable...

He shook his head, he'd deal with that when the time came.

"Now you look like those ladies."

[jondrette]

"Yes, please! I should love to have an entire wardrobe full of such finery! A different gown for every day of teh week! I had one dress at home, but it was threadbare and I traded it to a man for his clothes. And nothing like this."

She can't stop feeling the fabric, looking down and smiling to herself.

"I never thought I would. Thank you, my sweet Robb. My dearest King." She takes his hand, kissing his knuckles.