Following you to the ends of the earth
BRANDON STARK X READER
Summary- Your time with Bran, Meera, and Hodor in the Three-Eyed Raven's cave. Unsaid feelings become said 🫶😩.
Part two right here!
A/N- This is my first writing piece ever! I am 100% open to constructive criticism! If there is any typos or mistakes pls lmk!!
Word count- 4,067
The cold of the cave had always left you unsteady. Even though you were finally out of the harsh snow and plundering winds, you couldn't help but feel a sense of unsafety in the dark rock that was now your shelter.
It had all happened so fast, following Bran, pledging to stay by his side through it all. It was a decision you little heart was determined to follow through on. All because of a small crush. You remember playing with Bran in your free time, a privilege of your mother being a handmaid to Catelyn Stark. But you weren't a child anymore, years had passed and your pledge turned into a duty, then an admiration for the boy.
His still body was leaning onto you, head falling back onto your shoulder. Though his legs to the right of your own. Brans weight was heavy against your chest but it was a feeling you wouldn't trade for anything.
Foggy eyes returned to you after what seemed like hours. With a gasp and a small shake in your arms, he came to. A Raven fluttering and exclaiming as the two men came out of the sight. Though it was only a few minutes, his time in the past always seemed longer to you.
His face expressed confusion, yet he still gave you a gentle smile. He turned to face the Old man, just after adjusting himself onto his side, out of your touch.
Him being in your arms during his visions started as an uncounsions act. You always wanted to be close to Brandon when he wasn’t fully with you. He worried you to no end and you wanted to be right there, holding him. Over the months of shyly inching closer to him while he was in a state of unconsciousness turned into you resting his head agaisnt your shoulder. Sometimes even leaning into your stomach, chest, or lap. Which was much to your enjoyment. Even if he didn't realize he leaned into your touch, it still warmed your heart.
He voiced his concern after a sharp breath,"You finally show me something I care about, and then you drag me away" His voice was emotional and yearnful. You chewed the inside of your cheek, waiting for the Three-Eyed Raven to respond.
"It is beautiful beneath the sea, but if you stay too long, you'll drown." The old man spoke in riddles. You never quite had the nag for understanding the man and his complex way of wording, although you knew that Bran would have explained them if you asked.
"I wasn't drowning, I was home!" The quiver in his voice left you saddened. He let out a puff of air as he reverted to his original position, off of his elbows and his back to your chest. Which was much more comfortable for him. You tried your best to comfort him as you squeezed his arm and swept some of his hair from his face, fondling a few of his locks. A pass-time you both enjoyed.
You never really had to ask, but the words flowed anywyas, "Where did you go this time?" A smile was on your face as you were curious for some details on his latest adventure.
His tone shifted into a lighter one, and you could feel some of the tension in his body release itself. "I saw Hodor." He said to you, then turned to the named man.
"Wylis?" He was only met with a "Hodor."
"I saw you as a boy." He then faced you, eyes staring deep. "His name was Wylis and he could talk, he was speaking normally." You questioned him for his own amusement, his smile growing. "Really? What happened, you saw him in your vision?" You were met with a small shrug of his shoulders, and you both looked to the person in question. Who only responded with his expected, "Hodor."
You changed the topic by starting with a sigh, "Meera's outside again, she's going to get sick... Nothing I say will bring her in." You contemplated even asking, but it was worth a shot. "You want to go see if you can change anything?'
He wouldn't even know where to start, but if you had asked him to pull down the moon and take out the stars out one by one, he would try his hardest.
A nod signaled his wilingness to you, and you called Hodor over. Hodor lifted Bran with ease, and you continued on. "Maybe tell her about Hodor- or Wylis- in your vision." He loved how you were always trying to make people feel better, even if it clashed with your true emotions and own thoughts. You always seemed to think of others before yourself.
The three of you made your way to the entrance of the cave, where Meera sat. All of a sudden you missed the dark alleys of the cave, It was much colder outside. You were already losing the feeling in your toes, as a result of not being properly clothed at the moment. A consequence of taking your wools off, which might have been to hold Bran better.
Hodor slowly lowered Bran to the fluffy snow beneath, this being routine for the two. You subconsciously sat down onto the snow as well. Maybe it was to be on the same level as everyone, or possbly to make yourself feel what Bran did. Whatever the reason, you helped him shuffle his legs straight, then you both turned to Meera.
After Jojen had died, it was as if you were talking to a hollowed out shell. A part of her was lost. Though, she found a wicked wave of comfort looking out into the mountains of ice. Her back was to the cave, including Hodor, Bran, and you.
"Meera, Its not safe out here. You shouldn't be outside the cave." Bran tried, unknowingly repeating what you had told the girl earlier.
"It's not safe anywhere." Meera responded, eyes locked on the snow infront of her.
Brandon looked at you before continuting and facing Meeras back, "I saw that Hodor wasn't always Hodor."
"His real name is Wylis. He could talk and he could fight, and-and then" His words stopped as the girl shifted to see the three of you.
"Meera, please tell us what we can do." You said, reaching a hand out to her. "I want to help you, truly, but you need to open up a little. We are here for you." You were met with silence and an unwavering look of stubbornness from her.
Bran broke the quiet, "The Three-Eyed Raven says there is a war coming."
With a scoff Meera spoke, "Yeah, and we are going to fight it in there?" You patted Bran on the forearm, he took it as his sign to leave you and her alone together. You always had a better time at connecting with Meera. She was like a sister to you, and you knew that she needed someone to be there for her.
Hodor clamored over at the request of the Stark, and lifted Bran to take him back inside the sheltered cave.
"He tries to understand, Meera, he really does." You defended.
"I know, but all I do is sit and watch his visions. I don't know how you do it, it all seems pointless. How do you not go mad, because I know I will if we keep at this." She revealed. As she spoke, you got up and sat down next to her, knees touching.
"I question that myself sometimes too." She gave a light smile, then back to melancholy. "We need you. Brandon, Hodor, and I can not do this without you. I heard that we will be leaving soon though... And frankly, I am terrified. Terrified that I might lose another one of the people I love most. You have to swear that you will talk to me Meera, please. We can work through this." All you wanted were for things to go back to the way they were before her brothers death. When the five of you would feel comfortable with each other. You wanted it so bad, even when you knew it was impossible.
You are met with a nod of her head, and seeing her face you recognized that she needed to be alone now. With a friendly nudge of her shoulder, you made your part and went back into the cave.
Another day brought Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven a new vision. From what you understood, they kept going into the past, seeing glimpses of what happened before Bran was born. Although you were confused on how this woud help the war, Bran insisted that with time it would be revealed. You were just happy that Brandon was getting training for his special sight.
Unlike his last vision, Bran wasn't in your arms. You were too busy helping Hodor untangle one of the strings in his coat. He tended to fiddle with them when he as anxious, and they got pretty messy.
You were interrupted by a much more violent and sharp gasp from Bran. Before you could ask on what had happened, he spoke.
"Why did you do that! Take me back, I want to go back!" he panted. You got up from your seat with Hodor, making your way over to the distressed boy.
Crouching down next to Bran, you started to reach out, but were interrupted.
"No." Was the simple answer given to Bran by the old man.
In an attept to convey the urgency to the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran pulled away from you. He struggled to pull himself up, but was untimately successful. Now facing the old man, holding himself up by his forearms and elbows. "He heard me!" Bran's voice was getting louder.
Contrary to him, the Three-Eyed Raven stood monotone, "Maybe. Or maybe he heard the wind." You did not know what was going on. You were starting to grow anxious at Bran's response to the situation.
"He. Heard. Me." Bran insisted.
"The past is already written, the ink is dry."
"Can someone please enlighten me to the sitution?" You questioned. Though, upsettingly met with no response. The two carried on with their quarrel, like you were not even there. If there was one thing you hated, it was being ignored by your own friends.
"What's in that tower?" Bran demanded an answer, shifting on his forearms, staring daggers into the Three-Eyed Raven. "I want to go back there."
"I have told you many times. Stay too long where you don't belong, and you will never return." A warning from the man.
"And why would I want to return!" You gave a barely auidble gasp at Bran's words. He couldn't possibly mean that he wanted to leave this world for the one in his visons? Could he?
"What, so I could just be a cripple again? So I can talk to an old man in a tree?" Bran stated fiercely. His words were true, he did want to leave this world.
"Brandon, what are you saying?" You wanted to hide away as soon as the words left your mouth, they were weak and revealed what you felt. Bran craned his neck to see you. He didn't look for long, as he turned back to the Three-eyed Raven when he spoke.
"Do you think I wanted to sit here for a thousand years? Watching the world from a distance, as the roots grew through me?"
"So why did you?" Bran tried to reason.
"I was waiting for you." Bran was irritated by this response. "I do not want to be like you." He said as-a-matter-of-factly.
With a laugh, the old man said "I don't blame you. You won't be here forever. You won't be an old man in a tree. But, before you do leave, you will learn."
"Learn what?"
"Everything."
With that being said, the Three-Eyed Raven dismissed Bran claiming he needed rest.
With all the bravery you could muster, you went over to Bran. "Can I speak now?" You angrily said.
"What is there to say?" He was angry as well, but not at you. Never at you.
You rubbed both hands down you face, "Help me understand. What could you have possibly seen that would make you want to leave us?"
"I can do so much more in my visions. I can walk! I feel things, I can do things. I mean something and I am not just a broken cripple." his voice raised at his last words.
"Can't you see, you have never been just a cripple to me. You are not just Bran the Broken. Are you so selfish that you would leave us without you? Brandon, I cannot live without you. Why do these visions claim you like an obsession? I thought we were in this together, that we work things out as a team. I am always on your side, but I do not take lightly to being ignored, you know this." You wanted to cry, to bawl your eyes out and to go back in time. To tell your little self that her heart would be torn. That the childhood crush was now complete and raw love for Brandon. But he would never feel the same. There was no point in wishing. It was a cruel trick your mind played.
He thought on his next words to say, but you had already made up your mind on the silent treatment. There wasn't many rooms to storm off to in a cave, but the many crevices of the stone would give you enough decisions.
You knew it was cruel to walk away from a man who physically couldn't follow, but you couldn't bare to see the look in his deep eyes. Oh, the eyes you loved so dearly. The eyes you could only wish to die looking into.
Night fell quickly, and Meera didn't even take notice to your swelled eyes, or the fact you were avoiding Bran. Not that you would have had a minute alone anyways. She was far too lost in her grief.
You tossed and turned on the cold, hard ground. Sleep escaped you. You found yourself not just thinking of Bran and your feelings to him, but also the future. Would Bran simply return as the new Three-Eyed Raven. Would he become the Three-Eyed Raven, what would happen to the old man? Were his poor siblings alive? Was your dearest old friend Sansa well?
It was hard to miss the heavy footsteps that shook you from your thoughts. You recognized them to be Hodors. He let a hand out to grasp your shoulder, thinking you were asleep.
"Whats wrong Hodor, did something happen?" "Hodor." His voice was even, he wasn't upset or in danger. This gave you little relief however, what else could he want.
You sat up, squinting at him. "Hodor."
Should you get up? Does he want food, was his coat tangled? No, he wouldn't wake you for something so small.
You stood up. His height over you was intimidating to anyone who didn't know him. But, you did know him. One of the most gentle souls.
He guided you to a section of the cave which was partially blocked off. With a hand to your back, he ushered you forward. You trusted him, going blindly to the closed off area.
Bran was sat against the cave walls, hands folded in his lap. Summer was curled up beside him, eyes slightly opening at the disturbance then shutting again. You wanted to turn around and run outside, maybe the Wights would get you before further embarrassment.
"Thank you Hodor." Bran dismissed the large man.
You were at a lost for words, bashully staring at the floor. After replaying the conversation in your head over and over again, you realized your feelings had got the best of you. You had overreacted.
"I am so sorry Bran, I spoke before I thought. I know you didn't mean what you said, I've just been a ball of anxiety and emotions. We can just forget what happened and move on, so you can grow with your powers." You mustered out, words losing strength. Still standing rigid in front of him, feet away.
He let you finish. Somehow he knew you needed to speak before listening. With a deep breath he began. "Please sit?"
You expected him to have a plain excuse, and leave it at that. Though things were never that easy with Bran. He gestured to the spot next to him.
Timidly, you moved to sit down. Careful to keep your distance and not touch him, you didn't understand why though.
He said your name in an exhale, looking off to the empty space that was now infront of him. He then turned to you.
Your heart was racing, there had never been a time like this. Any squarrel the two of you had was forgotten quickly and moved on the same day of. This was a bigger feat, and was much more than what Bran had let slip to the Three-Eyed Raven.
"I do not have the proper words to express... Here.. In this world I am just a cripple," You tried to stop his negative talk about himself, but was shushed. "I would give up many things to feel my legs again.. But it would not even be a consideration to leave you beind. I know without a shred of doubt I cannot live without you. But you- you don't need me." He admitted, picking at the wool of his coat sleeve.
"Bran, I do not care if you cannot walk or run." You insisted.
He knew you were telling the truth, but he also knew that there would be much you would miss out on if you stayed with him.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Anything, anything at all Bran."
"You mustn't tell a soul, it could ruin many lives." You were a bit worried, but urged him to go on.
"Of course not."
"I didn't fall." He waited to see your reaction, which was confused.
"The day when I had my accident, I did not fall. I was pushed. I was pushed by Jamie lannister."
"The Queens brother?" You scooted closer, your leg knowingly touching his. A hand dropping on to his own. Which he held.
"While climbing an abandoned tower, I saw him and his sister...Queen Cersei." You begged him to continue, what could they have possibly been doing to push Bran from the top of a tower.
"They were engaged in want I found out to be intimate relations." He had a sour look on his face.
You mouth fell open, "But, they are twins? The queen was married, and engaged in such acts?" you were baffled, and quickly understood why it was a touchy subject.
"Why would you let them get away with such an act. They left a permanent change on your life.."
He deeply inahaled, he possibly didn't know why he did it either. His posture changed as he prepared his next words. Pursing his lips before speaking.
"The last thing I remember was him sayng, 'The things I do for love.'" His mouth slightly ajar as he stared at you.
"Bran, I would do anything for you..." You tightly gripped his hand with your own.
He gave you a sorrow look. "You don't want me."
A sob threatened at your throat. How could he possibly think so lowly of himself. When you thought the world of him.
"Bran I love you. It would be a cruel joke to claim otherwise." You brought your free hand to cup one side of his cheek. Thumb moving up and down, a soothing method.
He loved you too, so much that he thought his heart might burst. That he could die in content just knowing you would have a happy life. A happy life where a husband could give you whatever you wanted. He thought you deserved piles of jewels, maids at your feet... children.
He changed his gaze to the floor, forcing your hand off his face. He prepared himself to use his last resort to turn you away. "I could not give you a child."
With a slight scoff, "That is years before us, how could you possibly know anways. How could you know for sure."
"Many Maesters had come to check my legs, each confirming a thing I didn't understand at the time. You need someone who can provide for you." His insecurities flowing out. You swear you saw a single tear flow down.
You couldn't imagine being with anyoe else "If it means being with you, then I do not want children. It would be the greatest honor to spend the rest of my life with you Brandon Stark." You continued.
"Please, Bran. I would live in misery if I knew I never had a chance with you, what can I do to be enough."
He jerked up, eyebrows frowning. "You are everything anyone could ask for. How could you say that, nothing else would make you more perfect."
"Then why don't you want me? I see past a cripple, I would scream it to the world that I love you. That you are much more than what people see with their ignorant eyes." You begged, pulling at his hands. "Prove to me that I am enough Bran." You finished.
"I would have wished to do this in a more proper way, to have planned better. But It would fill my days with an unspeakable and ultimate joy for you to be my bride one day, will you make such a pledge? To wed back in our home, in Winterfell one day?" He asked. Tightly holding your hand in his. Heart pounding and cheeks rosy. His eyes looking back and forth at you, searching for any sign of disgust or dismay. He feared this was all some kind of joke Meera and you decided to play.
You didn't respond at first, you leaned out to him, placing you head on his chest. You got comfortable in his arms, which had quickly invited you. He rubbed your back with one hand. The other resting on your shoulder.
You listened for his heartbeat, knowing it was quicker than normal, then you whispered, "Nothing would make me happier." you turned your head up, noses touching.
His brown eyes deeply filling your gaze. You didn't want anything else to ruin this moment.
You swallowed stiffly and brought your head up a smidge higher to brush your lips to his. He grabbed the back of your head and closed the gap, kissing you.
It wasn't like how you had read in stories. No, this was very different than you had ever imagined your first kiss being. This was Bran, warm and soulful. You swore you could never leave this moment.
The painful inexperience the two of you had was promiennt. Both slightly insecure, but nonetheless in love. You pulled back slightly to hold his face in your hands. He brought a hand up to wipe a tear you didn't know had fallen from your cheeks.
A laugh escaped your mouth, "I have wanted this forever. I had dreamed about this moment, Brandon" He looked silently, and responded by pulling you in for a hug.
"You are now my betrothed," He spoke as if you might have denied it. "I will love you till the day the gods take me from you, and I will stay true to only you." He ended with your name on his lips.
You giggled, looking up at him once more. Giving him a peck before nestling back into his fur coat.
From all the movement, Summer had awaken again. She came up to the two of you and tried to nuzzle inbetween. Though Bran had no intentions of letting you go. Summer gave each of you a long lick across your faces, like she knew what had just happened.
Now straddling the boy beneath you, you thought how on you were prepared to spend your whole life with Bran.
With Summer leaning against you, Bran and you fell asleep in eachothers arms. The troubles of the future could wait another day, and Bran would tell you every detail about his vision with his father tomorrow. But all he wanted now was to hold you.
A/n- TYSM for reading ily!
380 notes
·
View notes