Chapter Text
Of course Aemond would show. He would have been an idiot not to. All he’d wanted, all he’d worked for was a place in their family and he thought he had lost it. Now, he was feeling something he hadn’t felt in so long—hope.
Aemond had dressed for the occasion. If he was to have dinner alone with the Daemon Targaryen, he knew there were expectations. He had to look the part. Aemond wore a high collared black sweater under a dark green leather jacket. His black pants were a bit snug, but not too snug—tasteful. A pair of black leather boots pulled it all together. It was a classy look and the dark colors suited Aemond’s pale skin and white hair. He had tied some of it back but let other strands hang loose around his face. Aemond had hoped that Daemon would like what he saw. More than ever, he wished to impress his uncle.
If the smirk on Daemon’s face when he saw Aemond waiting by his car was any indication, Daemon waspleased. Daemon himself wore all black as well—a silk dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and the top few buttons unbuttoned. The shirt was tucked neatly into his dress pants and held with a fine leather belt. The outfit was simple, but Aemond knew it had probably cost a fortune. His uncle had expensive tastes right down to the cologne and aftershave he wore.
Daemon had spared no expense on his car either. On nights such as this, he drove a sleek red sports car that was entirely impractical but a beauty to look at. Daemon opened the passenger side door and gestured for Aemond to get in. “Nephew.”
“Uncle,” Aemond returned with a smirk of his own, getting in the passenger side. This was feeling less like a meeting and more like a date, but Aemond didn’t let that deter him. He needed to hear what Daemon had to say, and really, if it was a date, he had to admit he wouldn’t mind that either.
Daemon closed the door behind Aemond and got in the driver’s seat, starting the car. The engine roared to life and music began to play on its stereo system. Aemond was surprised to hear Daemon had been listening to something softer. Jazz, was it? He couldn’t judge precisely. Daemon was a mystery that no one had managed to solve quite yet—not even his wife, Aemond’s half-sister, Rhaenyra.
“May I ask where we’re going?” Aemond had buckled in and relaxed into his seat, trusting that Daemon probably had something extravagant planned. That was his way after all.
“Sol y Luna,” he answered with a smirk.
Ah, Aemond thought, the Martell place. It was a fine restaurant with beautiful scenery no matter where you sat. Everything came with a high price tag and was served by beautiful women—of course they were going there. Aemond had never been there himself, but he knew Viserys and Daemon had met with the Martell family there on many occasions. “Hm,” Aemond said to confirm he’d heard Daemon.
“What? Had you hoped for somewhere else?” Daemon had mistaken Aemond’s response for disappointment.
“Oh, oh no,” Aemond smiled now to give Daemon a better response. “I’ve just never been there.”
“Not once? Not even with Aegon?” Daemon was well-aware Aegon frequented the restaurant/bar quite often to drink his fill and ogle the waitresses. Daemon was certain that Viserys had to apologize to the Martells for Aegon’s behavior on more than one occasion.
“I think you overestimate how much time I spend with Aegon, uncle,” Aemond answered with a smirk. He glanced out the window, catching his own reflection in the rearview mirror. Even with his eyepatch on, this one made of a dark leather, he looked quite handsome. Beautiful even. Not that Aemond himself believed it, but he knew it was a look Daemon would appreciate.
The comment earned a chuckle out of Daemon as he continued to drive, reaching over to turn up the music. He contentedly hummed along to the melodies and Aemond hated to interrupt him. The drive was a relaxing mix of music that made the journey go faster than it actually was.
When they arrived at Sol y Luna, Daemon pulled his car to the front so that a valet could take his keys to park it. Aemond was surprised Daemon trusted a valet with his beloved car, but then again, it was only money.
Aemond followed Daemon into the restaurant, staying close to his side as he glanced around to take in his surroundings. Daemon greeted the hostess as if they were old friends and she led him to a more private table in what had to be the VIP section. As Daemon sat down, Aemond followed, taking a seat close to his uncle. The dull hum of conversations around them, the gentle flow of the restaurants many fountains, and instrumental music, mostly strings, filled the air with background noise that disoriented Aemond for a moment. He only fell back to planet earth when Daemon placed a hand on his thigh and leaned in close to him. “Tell our lovely waitress what you’d like to drink.”
“Oh!” Aemond turned his head, a faint blush coloring his cheeks when he saw both Daemon and the server staring at him. “Whatever he’s having is fine, thank you.” The server gave Aemond a polite nod before leaving the table for now.
“What’s wrong, nephew?” Daemon asked quietly, giving Aemond’s thigh a gentle squeeze.
How could Aemond explain it? Daemon would never know what it was like to have one eye and yet two ears that sometimes processed too much for his remaining eye to take in. How easily it could overwhelm him, or the migraines it sometimes caused. He’d never get it, not really. It was best to answer simply, “It’s just a little loud. I’m sorry, Daemon.” Daemon’s hand on his thigh wasn’t exactly calming his nerves either.
It seemed as though since their fight after Sunday dinner months ago, things had only kept getting tense between them. What it was building towards, Aemond could only venture to guess. “No apology needed,” Daemon answered with a smile. He lifted his hand from Aemond’s thigh to push a menu towards him. “Here, have a look at the menu, although I do recommend the seared lamb and—”
“That’s fine. I’ll have that,” Aemond snapped, not bothering to open the menu.
“You don’t want to look for yourself?” Daemon looked at Aemond, a bit puzzled by his behavior.
Aemond assumed it was something else Daemon couldn’t possibly understand. After months of feeling so out of control, it felt good to have Daemon choose for him. It felt good to not have to decide for himself. “No, I trust you.” It didn’t hurt to butter Daemon up a little, and hell, it worked.
Daemon smiled and took the menu back then. “You’ll love it, I promise.” Aemond knew he would.
--
He was right. The lamb was delicious. It was cooked to tender perfection with spices that drew out its savory flavor. Paired with the Dornish red Daemon had ordered, it was divine. Aemond always had to hand it to his uncle, he had fine taste in everything.
Aemond ate with care, savoring each bite as it deserved to be savored. After all, a lamb had died so that they could have their meal.
“So, what did you wish to talk about, uncle? You said that there may be a place for me in the family yet,” Aemond reminded Daemon–as if he'd forget the point of their dinner.
Daemon had just had a sip of his wine, and he nodded, knowing Aemond would bring up the subject again sooner or later. It was only fair. “Mm, yes,” he began, taking a deep breath. “I have a proposition for you. You can take your time to give me an answer, of course, but I thought it best we discuss the matter alone.”
This sounded serious. “Yes, uncle?” Aemond lifted his head, tilting it towards Daemon so that he could look at him with his good eye.
“I think, at least for now, we both know there is…no chance for your promotion to Captain. Not after what happened to Luke. But we also know chances weren't great before then.”
The words stung more than they ought to. It felt like Daemon had just brought him to dinner to insult him. What the hell was he getting at? “Yes, and?” Aemond couldn't hide the bubbling annoyance behind his words.
Daemon sighed–there was his angry nephew. The nephew with the chip on his shoulder. The nephew that was too much like him. This would be hard work and yet he suggested, “Train with me. Work with me. Maybe chances for a promotion are slim, but…with work? Who knows. Perhaps your father will reconsider.”
Now, Aemond felt as if he had been dunked into ice without warning. He was sure his eye betrayed the shock he felt. “What?” was all Aemond could manage.
“I know it isn’t what you wanted exactly, but—”
“Yes,” Aemond interrupted, eye wide in surprise still. “Yes, I’ll do it.”
Daemon thought it was going to take more persuasion. That was part of the reason he’d brought him to dinner. The other part of the reason…he’d rather not consider now. “You’re sure? You’re ready to take commands from me? No matter what I ask…,” Daemon questioned, raising an eyebrow. Aemond knew the kind of work they’d be doing and that things could get dangerous and dire. Daemon had to know Aemond was ready to commit.
“I’m sure.” Aemond let go of a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I…I appreciate you taking the chance on me,” Aemond added, knowing the risk Daemon was taking as well. Surely, Rhaenyra wouldn’t approve of this, and yet here Daemon was, giving him a chance.
Daemon nodded and dabbed his mouth with a napkin, placing it on the table to signify he was finished with his meal. “You’re welcome, nephew. I trust you will not disappoint me.”
Aemond, eager to please as always, shook his head and watched his uncle with admiration and still a bit of surprise. “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will,” Daemon said with a smile, finally looking over to meet Aemond’s eye again. He thought, perhaps foolishly, that maybe with the right guidance, Aemond would turn out even better than he had and serve their family well yet.