THIS IS ACTUALLY MORE PERFECT THAN I EVEN IMAGINED IT TO BE!!! I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT!!
The set-up is so good: Robert and Ned fleeing the vast losses in their lives, the Lannisters taking over Targaryen-style, Benjen running Winterfell, Cat dutifully waiting until she won't wait any more. It's like Robert manages to ruin everything for Ned no matter how he goes about things! XD
I adore how you handle Ned and Cat's relationship progression. The exchange of letters is such a good way for them to get to know each other and start to fall for each other. I love that Ned finds the letters easier because they reduce his social awkwardness! Cat pushing Ned to return and his almost cowardly evasion--GUH. So perfectly awful! Of course, Hoster takes charge, and Ned doesn't want to hold Cat back from living her life.
Ned is so perfect in this fic! He stays loyal to Robert but remains aware of the duties they are shirking. Justifiably, he feels extreme guilt about abandoning Jon Arryn and holding Benjen back. Ned thinking about how Brandon would have done better and how Brandon and Rickard would be disappointed in him are so in character. Ned realizing that he screwed up in not marrying Cat, that she is more prepared to be lady of Winterfell than he is to be lord of Winterfell, is great.
And Ned/Cat in King's Landing--all my feelz! Ned grudgingly admitting that Highgarden might be better for Cat than Winterfell, Cat being separated from Sansa to suit Tyrell ambitions--excellent choices. Ned trying to defend himself that he didn't break their betrothal, Cat's mix of anger and understanding about Ned's decision--so much love. Most of all, Cat telling Ned he should have been honest about his lack of intention to marry her and Ned's response are perfect! "Was I that hard to like?" Oh, Ned! And Cat admitting that Ned writes much better than he speaks--so true and so cute!
Ned virtually courting Cat, acting as though he can turn back the clock and take her with him to Winterfell! Cat calling him out on what he's doing and Ned being good at not answering! You are the best. And the consummation is fantastic. Cat looks almost northern with her hair down, and Ned can pretend she is his wife. Ned feeling his hands are too rough for Cat's skin (until he's making her come, XD) and his regret over the lost opportunity of being able to have her anytime, of being able to freely love her--you kill me! Ned and Cat are so perfect for each other, and it's heartbreaking that Ned ruined their chance to be married, with an assist from Robert.
Your Robert characterization is also fabulous. Of course, he loves the mercenary life and the lack of real responsibilities. He is relatively affable but also relatively useless, and he cares about Ned but is incapable of understanding him. Robert's comments at the end about Cat are so him, and Ned's irritated reaction is spot on.
YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF AMAZING NED/CAT AUS!! ILU FOREVER, BB!!!
Ugh, Robert is so lucky to have Ned for a friend. Though I could almost see, post-Lyanna's death, Robert just being like "I need to get out of here, I don't want to be a king" because obviously he is not made to be a king, and doesn't enjoy it. And I can imagine Ned needing to get away for awhile, too, though I do think he'd eventually smarten up and come home - too much guilt leaving Winterfell as Benjen's responsibility. I kinda actually love the idea of Robert in the Free Cities - he would love it. (BUT LEAVE NED IN WESTEROS!!!)
YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT NED AND WORDS. MAINLY THAT HE'S NOT VERY GOOD AT THEM, SOMETIMES. <3 So I do think writing would be a bit easier for him (LESS LAME COMEBACKS). Ned was basically just a big ol' ball of angsty bad decisions in this AU, unfortunately.
I AM SO GLAD YOU ENJOY MY RIDICULOUS AUs, IT MAKES ME FEEL SLIGHTLY LESS RIDICULOUS. XDXD ILU!
The set-up is so good: Robert and Ned fleeing the vast losses in their lives, the Lannisters taking over Targaryen-style, Benjen running Winterfell, Cat dutifully waiting until she won't wait any more. It's like Robert manages to ruin everything for Ned no matter how he goes about things! XD
I adore how you handle Ned and Cat's relationship progression. The exchange of letters is such a good way for them to get to know each other and start to fall for each other. I love that Ned finds the letters easier because they reduce his social awkwardness! Cat pushing Ned to return and his almost cowardly evasion--GUH. So perfectly awful! Of course, Hoster takes charge, and Ned doesn't want to hold Cat back from living her life.
Ned is so perfect in this fic! He stays loyal to Robert but remains aware of the duties they are shirking. Justifiably, he feels extreme guilt about abandoning Jon Arryn and holding Benjen back. Ned thinking about how Brandon would have done better and how Brandon and Rickard would be disappointed in him are so in character. Ned realizing that he screwed up in not marrying Cat, that she is more prepared to be lady of Winterfell than he is to be lord of Winterfell, is great.
And Ned/Cat in King's Landing--all my feelz! Ned grudgingly admitting that Highgarden might be better for Cat than Winterfell, Cat being separated from Sansa to suit Tyrell ambitions--excellent choices. Ned trying to defend himself that he didn't break their betrothal, Cat's mix of anger and understanding about Ned's decision--so much love. Most of all, Cat telling Ned he should have been honest about his lack of intention to marry her and Ned's response are perfect! "Was I that hard to like?" Oh, Ned! And Cat admitting that Ned writes much better than he speaks--so true and so cute!
Ned virtually courting Cat, acting as though he can turn back the clock and take her with him to Winterfell! Cat calling him out on what he's doing and Ned being good at not answering! You are the best. And the consummation is fantastic. Cat looks almost northern with her hair down, and Ned can pretend she is his wife. Ned feeling his hands are too rough for Cat's skin (until he's making her come, XD) and his regret over the lost opportunity of being able to have her anytime, of being able to freely love her--you kill me! Ned and Cat are so perfect for each other, and it's heartbreaking that Ned ruined their chance to be married, with an assist from Robert.
Your Robert characterization is also fabulous. Of course, he loves the mercenary life and the lack of real responsibilities. He is relatively affable but also relatively useless, and he cares about Ned but is incapable of understanding him. Robert's comments at the end about Cat are so him, and Ned's irritated reaction is spot on.
YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF AMAZING NED/CAT AUS!! ILU FOREVER, BB!!!
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Ugh, Robert is so lucky to have Ned for a friend. Though I could almost see, post-Lyanna's death, Robert just being like "I need to get out of here, I don't want to be a king" because obviously he is not made to be a king, and doesn't enjoy it. And I can imagine Ned needing to get away for awhile, too, though I do think he'd eventually smarten up and come home - too much guilt leaving Winterfell as Benjen's responsibility. I kinda actually love the idea of Robert in the Free Cities - he would love it. (BUT LEAVE NED IN WESTEROS!!!)
YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT NED AND WORDS. MAINLY THAT HE'S NOT VERY GOOD AT THEM, SOMETIMES. <3 So I do think writing would be a bit easier for him (LESS LAME COMEBACKS). Ned was basically just a big ol' ball of angsty bad decisions in this AU, unfortunately.
I AM SO GLAD YOU ENJOY MY RIDICULOUS AUs, IT MAKES ME FEEL SLIGHTLY LESS RIDICULOUS. XDXD ILU!
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