Benjamin & Aurora

"Honestly, I don't know," I said, leaning against the railing. "I don't know what Tywin plans to do with everyone." 

"If something happens to him...my life is over. It physically hurts me to even think about it."

"Then don't. We don't know what's going to happen yet, and there's nothing we can do to change it. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is." 

"I can't just not think about it. I love him and I thought I lost him once and I don't know if I can do it a second time." I said and the tears started to come gently.

"I'm sorry. I wish I knew what to say. I've never been in a relationship and I don't have any family left. I wasn't very close to any of them anyway." 

"Technically....you have family now. I mean...here I am. Your wife and all."

"Just on paper though," I said and smiled a little. "You'll never think of yourself as my wife. And I won't  blame you one bit." 

"But I am here and you said you wanted to be friends. I'm fine with that now that I know you aren't a complete ass."

I chuckled a bit. "Nope, not a complete one, though I do have my moments," I said and smiled at her. "Tell me about you. Something I'm not gonna find in your file I mean." 

I didn't know what to say at first and I had to actually think about his question. "Well...my favorite perfume is coconut sunset."

I saw the look in her eyes. "It has some kind of special meaning to you doesn't it? Beyond the scent, I mean." 

"Yeah...it does."

"You don't have to tell me. I was just curious." I paused. "I still have a teddy bear I got when I was three years old," I said, chuckling a bit, trying to lighten the mood.

"Really? That's sweet." I smiled a little.

"My mother gave it to me. It's the only thing I have from my parents. Never could seem to part with it. No one else knows about it either, so that can stay our little secret," I said and chuckled again.

"No worries, I won't tell your friends about your teddy. I bet they have things too that they don't want others to see or know about though."

"Oh I'm sure they do. Those things never seem to come up in conversation though." 

"Right. None of you can risk losing your man card."

"Oh hell no, definitely not. That's too important to lose. Once it's gone, you don't get it back," I said, trying to keep a straight face.

I laughed a little "Wow, that sounds so...dire."

She had a beautiful laugh. "Oh it is. I don't think you truly understand how serious it is." 

"I'd probably have to be a guy to understand completely."

I smiled. "Probably. Women don't have the equivalent of a man card or what?" I teased. 

"Not to my knowledge."

"Not to mine either. I guess it's just men that can't get over their huge egos," I said and laughed a little. "The food should be ready by now. Do you want to go in?"