Disclaimer: All characters and settings in the below piece of fiction belongs to George RR Martin, and I am in no way profiting off of this

Warning: None

Authors Note: This is it! The last chapter! Thanks again for the reads, peaches!

"Did you really try to stick horse shit in your brother's boots when you were a child?"

"Well I certainly did not attempt to stick them in my own!"

"And did you? I mean, did you succeed?"

"I did. I grabbed a ball of the stuff and ran into his room where I proceeded to crumble the clump into them. Of course I did not factor in the idea that he wouldn't wear the boots for at least a few days. So poor Stannis spent the next couple of days wondering what in seven hells smelt so bad! I'll never forget when he stormed into my room, dragged me into his room and asked if I smelt horse shit, and when I said no he looked as if he was losing his mind! It took another two days until he looked into his old pair of boots to discover the shit, and by that time I was off visiting a court on the Island of Tarth."

Laughing, Loras shook his head, brown curls bouncing as he did so. Calming quickly, he looked down at a silver coin in his hands, a soft smile playing at his lips. "You're utterly ridiculous."

Grinning, Renly shrugged and leaned back against the wall of the keep, the rich fabric sliding against the abrasive stone as a leg dangled off the edge of the ledge. They were sitting in one of the larger windows of the keep, the shutters pulled back to let the light and wind come in. Renly would sit here for hours as a child and look out at the sea, despite his maester's pleas to stay off of the ledge and on to the floor where it was safe. He never listened, of course. "I don't believe that is what Stannis called me, but it will do." Scratching the back of his head, he slid his hand down and cupped the side of his neck, rubbing it as he watched Loras play with the coin. Thick eyelashes brushed against his pink cheeks, bringing out the boyishness of a face that had become handsome and masculine almost overnight. Sighing, he looked away as soon as Loras glanced up, and turned his attention to the sea.

"What did he call you?"

"'Cock sucking brat' was what one of the servants told me. I can't even imagine Stannis saying the word 'cock' outside of the context of an actual rooster, but it's been known to happen when he's incredibly affronted. He probably didn't know how true his words were," he said, trailing off at the end. Loras heard them, though, and Renly saw him shift out of the corner of his eye, his attention leaving Renly's form to once again play with the coin.

"I heard that the king asked you to move to King's Landing… something about joining his council?" Loras asked after the awkward moment had passed.

Groaning, Renly nodded and squeezed his eyes shut, sighing in a dramatic fashion. "Yes, yes he's asked me to move all of my things to serve in his small council with the most vile and manipulative men of all of Westeros while he fucks and eats himself to death. The only one on that council who is worth anything is Littlefinger, and that is only because I love seeing his face contort after a particularly good jest. Whenever he thinks he has the upper-hand I enjoy knocking him down and seeing him try to pick himself up." Smiling to himself, Renly pictures Littlefingers pointed face losing that ever present smug grin for just a split second.

"You don't like this Littlefinger I take it?"

"No, I like the man well enough—I just enjoy trying to kick him off of his pedestal. He does the same to me; it's all good fun, really. I mean, what else am I going to do on that council? Attempt to reason with my brother and maester Pycell? Please, I'd rather fuck Stannis' wife than attempt that… although, on second thought…"

Loras' laughter broke Renly from his feigned musings, and he opened his eyes to watch him rub a hand over his face. "You should really watch your loose tongue, Renly—someone is bound to use that to their advantage soon enough." Shrugging nonchalantly, Renly waved it off and tapped his foot against the ledge. "So… will you be leaving soon, then?"

Shaking his head, Renly scooted his foot forward and knocked it against Loras' boot. "Not yet, and it is all because of you!" When Loras gave him a quizzical look he continued. "I said I was not able to attend to my duties while you were my squire, and so I was given permission by the sweet king of Westeros time to get you knighted before I ship myself off to his services. As soon as you're a knight, which should be soon, I get to watch my brother run the kingdom into the ground first hand, while you get to court ladies and joust and partake in all of that wonderful frivolity."

"Sounds like fun," Loras mumbled, rolling his eyes before eying Renly. "I'll be a knight soon, did you say?"

"Soon, I hope. If what I hear is true you're a born natural, Loras, and being so gifted makes it so you naturally excel at what is required. While most men would take a few more years to achieve what you've accomplished, you've done it at an almost record speed. I would wager that in a few months, perhaps two, you'll be a knight." Renly felt as if no time at all had passed since Loras had arrived, as if Loras had always been a part of his life and the life at Storm's End. The thought that soon it would all be over left Renly feeling slightly morose, but he hid it behind the pride and admiration he had for Loras. He deserved it.

The news obviously made Loras proud as well, his back straightening a little while a smug smile tugged at his lips. Looking out at the sea, he flicked the coin over his knuckles, deft fingers working the silver along the bones as he became lost in thought. Renly figured he was thinking about what sort of suit of armour he'd wear as a knight.

Renly hoped for something with flowers.

"How was your brother's wedding?" he asked, snapping Loras from his daydreams.

"You've asked that twice already," Loras replied as he slipped the coin in the small green pouch he had kept on his twelfth birthday. "And it was good, just like the last two times you asked."

Chuckling, Renly shrugged and knocked his head back against the wall gently. "Sorry, I was just… wondering, I suppose. Did anything happen while you were there?"

"No," Loras said it so quickly that Renly couldn't help but quirk a brow. "I mean, nothing important, no. Why do you ask?"

Renly did not really know why he did. It was just… there was something different. Something had changed with Loras when he came back to Storm's End. He looked relaxed and rejuvenated, as if the troubles that had been plaguing him for months had finally left.

Perhaps he had found himself a maid whom he was beginning to court, and all of those frivolous thoughts of being with him were gone. The idea pained him more than he cared to admit. "No reason really, you just… you look good. Refreshed."

"It was nice to see my family again. My little sister, she wouldn't leave me alone," Loras looked out at the sea, a fond smiling tugging at his lips. "My mother kept telling me how proud she was of me, and my grandmother actually said a few kind words about my new skills. Father was, of course, telling me how much good I was doing for the family… And my older brother, Garlan, he gave me sound advice. Willas and I went hawk hunting as well, and—"

Watching Loras talk about his family brought about a whole new light to him. He was practically glowing, his entire face light up as he watched the sea and spoke with his hands, eyes distant but bright and alive with love and admiration for his entire family. Renly envied that bond he had, and wished he had someone close like Loras did. Someone he could talk to and confide in—share his personal moments with. Loras was lucky to have the people he did.

"You're very lucky," Renly whispered, and Loras stopped talking immediately, his attention returning to him in an instant.

"How do you mean, Renly?" he asked, eyebrows furrowed as he studied him.

"That you have a family so close that you can talk to. It's a gift, Loras, so you must treasure it."

"You have a family, too," Loras mumbled.

Snorting, Renly shook his head and looked down at his lap, his thumb twirling around a silver ring on his forefinger. "I have a family by blood, but that is it. My brothers… we do not love each other. Not as brothers shoulder. I don't have anyone like you do, Loras."

"You have me."

It was so soft and innocent in the way he said it, and Renly thought perhaps he had made it up. But slowly looking up he was met with fierce hazel eyes that bore into him. Loras mouth was tight and his shoulders tense, but there was tenderness and something else in his movements—something that Renly could not quiet read but understood on some level. A breeze from the sea pushed a few hairs in his face, and without thinking Renly moved forward to brush the curls away with the tips of his fingers, his hand moving forward and palm sliding against his cheek to cup it. "I have you?" he whispered, his own voice wavering slightly.

"Always," Loras whispered, voice strong despite the tremble in his body. That word made Renly stop breathing for a moment, the raw sentiment and emotion behind it thrilling. No one had stayed with him—no one had every promised they'd return or they'd be with him. Robert left to fight his war, Stannis left to serve and resent, and with him went their maester, a man who raised and brought Renly up when his parents had left never to return.

No one stayed and Renly became used to it. But hearing Loras say those words made him realize how much he had needed to hear it. To know that someone cared beyond what was needed and what was expected of them.

"Thank you," he whispered, thumb rubbing his cheek before he pulled away. Swinging his leg back over the ledge he stood up and dusted himself off. "I really do mean it, Loras—I appreciate your—"

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off abruptly as Loras jumped down from the ledge, grabbed his arm, turned him around and kissed him. It was awkward and hard, Loras' lips tight body stiff, one hand grasping his arm while the other cupped the back of his head, calloused fingers pressing into dark locks. Unable to think properly, Renly stood still, the two of them not moving as their relationship turned around on them in a split second.

Pulling away slowly, Loras' face was tight and his eyebrows furrowed. He looked offended more than anything—offended and aggressive, but determined. Renly had no idea how he must have looked, still shocked that Loras had kissed him, his mouth slightly parted and eyes wide.

Loras had kissed him.

Loras had kissed him.

Not the other way around.

It was awkward and harsh, their lips tight and their bodies taught, but it was a kiss. A kiss that held so much promise and so much potential—a kiss that told Renly exactly how stupid he had been to try and push away someone who did not want to leave; who never wanted to leave. Not because he felt obligated to stay or because he thought it his duty to reciprocate his lords feelings. No, Loras stayed and Loras kissed him and Loras looked at him with such love and compassion that he thought his heart might break because he was Loras; Because he was beautiful and kind and talented and just a little vain and cocky, and because he took what he wanted when he wanted, and he wanted Renly. He was not some blind fool easily manipulated into believing he loved his lord because of admiration. Loras kissed him and Loras was kissing him again because he refused to be frightened by the 'what if's' and the possibilities that it couldn't work and would never work.

Loras was kissing him because he saw what Renly was and did not mind. He did not see the flash and the glamour, the pomp and bravado. He was Renly, his friend and his partner, a man who would frighten and scare and doubt himself just like any other person. He saw him and he wanted him still.

And Renly wanted him in return.

Wrapping one arm around his waist while the other cupped his cheek in a motion so familiar to them both, Renly opened up under Lora's breath, lips parting and head tilting to the side as he kissed him back in the presence of the rolling sea.

When they broke Renly couldn't help but laugh. It bubbled forth without him being able to stop it, and he cupped Loras' face with his hands and knocked his forehead against his gently, their eyes locked as he continued to laugh and Loras continued to smile.

"Why did you do that?" he asked, unable to stop smiling as the kiss spread through is limbs, making him feel dizzy and giddy.

Shrugging, Loras reached up and pressed his hand over Renly's own. "My brother gave me sound advice, as I said before. I thought you would never do it, so I took it into my own hands."

"You're a bold bugger, did you know that?"

Loras laughed and moved in for another kiss—quick and simple. Renly felt as if they'd been doing this for years. It felt so right and he couldn't resist kissing him again and again between laughter. Finally pulling away, Loras bit his bottom lip before moving towards the stairs to his room. "I'll be right back."

Not even being able to ask where he was going, Renly watched Loras run up the stone steps, skipping every other one before he was around the bend and gone. Moving to sit on the ledge, back to the sea, Renly touched his lips gently, still tingling, a smile still tugging at the corners. Playing with a ring, he waited for some time and began to wonder what Loras was up to, before he heard footsteps coming down the steps at a quick pace. Looking up just as Loras rounded the corner he pushed away from the ledge and approached him, meeting him half way.

One hand was behind his back, and his hazel eyes were bright with excitement and mischief—a look that Loras would soon reserve only for Renly. "I have a gift."

"A gift?" he asked, an eyebrow raised as he tried to see behind Loras' back.

"A rose," he said, pulling a beautiful dark red rose from behind his back. It was freshly cut, the stem still beading at the end, while the petals were soft under his touch, like satin. The bloom itself was large and fully open, the bud in the center tight while the outer petals were wide and spread, easily covering the palm of his hand. Taking the rose, he smelled it, the perfume from it almost overpowering.

It was almost as beautiful as the man before him. "Thank you, Loras," he said, his hand covering Loras' own. "Is this from a new rose? I haven't seen one this dark and rich a colour…"

"Yes, but it wouldn't bloom," he began, a slight growl in his voice. "The buds would come but they would never fully bloom, that is, until this one. I took it as a sign."

"You shouldn't have cut it just for me," Renly said, bringing Loras' hand up for a kiss. "You should have saved it."

"It will wilt eventually—this way it can spend some time in the hands of someone worthy enough for its beauty, rather than on a balcony where only servants and I may admire it. Besides, a rose such as this should be given to someone whom I truly cherish and adore. If I could, I would give you all the flowers in the world, but hopefully this will suffice."

Loras said it with such conviction and passion, that Renly could not help but stare, once more enraptured by him. Everything Loras said and did drew Renly in, and this time he did not resist the pull, moving in to kiss him, his hand gently holding the rose. Pulling away slightly, he knocked their foreheads together and broke out into a soft, pleased smile. "A gift from my summer knight…"

"A gift from your summer knight," Loras repeated, catching his upper lip in a kiss.