Who: Myrcella & Jaime What: Father/daughter bonding When: fuuuu uh I have no idea, a week or so ago? Where: Santa Monica Pier Rating: PGish, some mentions of incest so minor trigger warning Status: Complete!
Myrcella was really looking forward to spending the day with her Uncle Jaime, he was one of her most favourite people in the world. He had always been firm but fair with her and enjoyed spending time with her. Something her own father seemed to try and avoid more and more. She had been more upset to leave England and their home than she had let on but since moving into Jaime’s home everybody seemed to be much happier, herself included. Her mum even managed to smile more, Myrcella had begun to think she had forgotten how.
Joffrey and Tommen weren’t with them, which she was pleased about - as selfish as that may seem - being the middle child and the only girl was difficult sometimes. Especially with an older brother like Joffrey who liked nothing more than to torment anyone and anything.
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There wasn’t a Circus in town, but Jaime didn’t let that stop him from taking his daughter somewhere special. The Santa Monica Pier was a perfect replacement. It was basically a Carnival and he knew it was the perfect place to be able to spoil Myrcella rotten and get some quality time in with her. He was happy to have his whole family living with him now. It gave him the opportunity to do things like this with his children on a whim and Jaime did like his whims.
Jaime handed Myrcella a stick of bright pink Cotton Candy he had bought for her and then places his hand on the small of her back to give it a friendly rub. He smiled and took a look around at the playground before them. “What should we do first?” he asked.
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Myrcella knew the circus wasn’t in town so she’d been expecting the park but when they arrived at the pier she was ridiculously happy. She thanked him for the cotton candy before looking around “Maybe the carousel?” she suggested, “You’re not too grown up to come on with me right?” she asked smiling sweetly offering him some of the pink sweet stuff.
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Jaime knew full well he would feel absolutely ridiculous going on a carousel with a little girl, but Myrcella could basically get him to do anything with that little smile of hers. He shrugged and started walking towards the brightly colored unicorns and horses on the merry-go-round. “What do you mean? I don’t think anyone can ever be too grown up for a carousel.”
Jaime handed the ticket taker their tickets and followed Myrcella onto the platform waiting for her to pick out her horse. He could take whatever was next to hers. He just hoped it was somewhere in the back. At least his sister wasn’t there to laugh at them and take pictures. He would never heard the end of it.
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Myrcella smiled happily and chose horses that were out of sight. She wasn't stupid or mean and she truly appreciated him spending the day with her and joining in.
Settling herself on her horse she looked over at her Uncle in thought, "I'm really happy we're here" she told him, "Everybody is happier. Does it make me a terrible person that I don't miss dad all the time?" she asked softly, concern lacing her tone. She felt bad about it but she couldn't help thinking everybody was better off with things this way.
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Jaime settle down on top of the horse directly next to Myrcella. He hadn’t been expecting a question like that out of such a sweet little girl so it took him a moment to gather his thoughts. He knew he needed to tread carefully. He had never openly shown his contempt towards Robert and certainly never shown it to the kids before. He wasn’t about to slip up now.
“No, it doesn’t make you a terrible person,” Jaime replied. “Why would you say something like that?” He reached out to touch Myrcella’s cheek before the carousel started on it’s merry-go-round. “He will always be your father and I’m sure you will always love him, but it’s okay for you to be happy. He would want you to be happy and I’m glad you’re all here with me now. It’s my turn to take care of you.” There. That was good, right?
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It had been playing on her mind lately and she didn’t want to upset her mother by asking her. Her brothers were out of the question since Joff would just tease her and Tommen still didn’t realise it wasn’t really a vacation. Jaime had been the obvious choice as he had always been fair and honest with her and she trusted him completely.
Robert was her dad and as such she thought she was supposed to miss him all the time but her Uncle’s words reassured her. She nodded with a small smile, “I’m glad we’re here too. You’re doing great Uncle Jaime”
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“Oh, you think so, huh?” Jaime couldn’t help but smile at that. Here was this little angel faced girl telling him he was doing a good job. He wasn’t so sure about that considering he was constantly lying to his children about who he was. He knew it was for the best, but there were definitely times when Jaime really just wanted to tell them who he was to them. He wanted to be a real family and maybe that was starting to happen for him, maybe it wasn’t. He was just glad they were here.
“Good.” Jaime had to take a look around at where he was for a moment to get the full meaning of what little Myrcella had said. Yeah, despite the lying he was doing a pretty good job. Somehow he couldn’t see Robert Baratheon get on a Carousel with his daughter.