He was not well. Despite the efforts of his friends to cheer him up during that month, that was a pretty easy thing to see. Jon was not particularly inclined to cooperate in those efforts too. The break up with Ygritte was not something easy or painless so the fact that he needed more time to process things was normal.
Jon was still working as usual, keeping on with his life as if nothing had happened, but eventually even his half-brother began to notice that despite Jon's efforts not everything was going the way it should.
That was when the brilliant idea of a party appeared. And for brilliant, he really meant ridiculous. His birthday was coming and even thou Jon insisted on saying that he was not in a particular celebratory mood, his protests were utterly ignored by Aegon. Daenerys was also of no help since she was totally excited with his brother idea.
It was not as if he could impose his will when his brother and aunt combined forces and joined in a plot to remove him from his stupor by putting all the women who were worthy to be known in society parading in front of him. Jon felt like a perverted old man facing a catalog of luxury prostitutes or maybe one of those ridiculous fairy tales of princes who were forced to choose a wife in some random ball without have ever exchanged a few words with the girl in question.
His complaints didn't stop Danny from entering in his office smiling and informing him that the party would be a masquerade. All he could think about the matter was that the idea was becoming more and more absurd every day. Was it that hard to understand that he was still recovering from the disaster that the end of his engagement was? And that returning to the "action" was not a priority in his list at the moment?
Apparently that notion was inconceivable. At least he got to include some names of people he actually liked in the guest list. People who would help him feel less uncomfortable. Sam Tarly, and some other friends from college were called even thou they didn't fit the standards of the list Daenerys had done. Besides these friends, Jon also insisted on the presence of his childhood friend, Robb Stark.
There was a long time since they saw each other. Ever since Robb went to study outside the country they had barely spoken. Stark had arrived earlier that month and soon had started to reestablish the contact with the friend who for years he treated like a brother. After the break up with Ygritte, Robb was the only person able to make Jon clear his head and Jon didn't regret their newly reestablished friendship in the slightest.
Jon had the memories of the time he and Robb were close friends among his favorites. The Stark family in general had always been very warm and gentle towards him ever since the day Ned Stark had acquired an important position on the board of the Targaryen enterprises. Even after Jon's dad passed away, Ned Stark remained at his post, he was the person responsible for helping him manage the company and to teach a thing or two to the boy who would inherit half of an empire. Ned was like a second father and that allowed him to share many moments with the Starks.
Ned and Catelyn Stark had five children, Robb was the oldest and also Jon's best friend. Sansa was the second oldest, who never cared much for him. There was also Brandon and Rickon who were always very entertaining and smarts, they should probably be as tall as him now. Finally there was the troublemaker.
Jon couldn't think about Robb's youngest sister without smiling. It was impossible to control, like a reflex. Arya Stark was ten or eleven years old when he last saw her and by then she was the more outspoken, spirituous and witty girl in the world. The way she dressed made her look like a sloppy boy and she was better than her brothers in football and in any other contact sport.
Theon Greyjoy, who was another friend of them, insisted on teasing him by saying that the girl had a platonic crush on Jon. Not that the claim had any foundation. Jon just liked her with her sharp and funny mind he would occasionally buy candy for her and help her to sneak out when she ruined one of Sansa's dresses and needed to run to avoid punishment.
Neither way that was seven years ago, when he was around seventeen, and didn't have any major concern in life. Arya should probably be finishing high school now probably thinking about attending an university.
The party was still a stupid idea. Nonetheless he found himself staring as his reflection in the mirror without a hint of enthusiasm. He was wearing a dark grey shirt, black pants, black jacket no tie and his collar was unbuttoned only because Aegon kept insisting that it would be an "informal event". With he as a host it was quite possible that the party would be a total disaster.
The bright side was that a party was a good excuse to drink more whiskey than recommended and laugh at Sam Tarly lames attempts to get a girl. At worst if everything got to tiring and boring he would return home hoping no one would notice since it was a masquerade.
His half-brother opened the door unannounced and stares at him evaluating.
- Whose funeral are you planning to attend? – He asked. Aegon was much more adept of using colors than Jon, he was also considerable more pleasant and successful with woman. Sometimes Jon would doubt they shared some kinship at all. But even with all the differences they got along well.
- I see no point in pretending that I'm having fun with this idea. Be glad I agreed to show at all. – Jon replied turning back to the mirror.
- If you didn't show up you would be an ungrateful git. Dany and I had a lot of trouble preparing all of this to get you out of that little cocoon of misery – Aegon said handing him a black mask that would cover only his eyes – Smile, bro. Maybe you will get it on tonight. Ygritte is hardly the last woman on earth let alone the right woman for you.
- Says the expert in steady relationships – Jon retorted as he placed the mask in his face – I feel as if I was going to my school prom. How do I look?
- Lovely, you are looking like a crow. – Aegon mocked – Not bad, but do try to put a smile on your face if you don't want to scare all the lovely ladies at the party. By the way, the party has a rule that everybody have to follow. Nobody can reveal his own name nor take the mask out until dawn.
- What sort of bullshit is this? – Jon asked facing his brother. Aegon just placed his own mask and smiled.
- It's part of the game. – he said laughing – For one night you can be whatever you want to be with whoever you want. Just for today you can pretend you are an irresponsible funny guy and that all you want is make a girl go crazy.
- You're so encouraging, you know? – Jon muttered.
- You're welcome, bro. – Jon still thought that sounded like a bad idea but apparently resisting was an even worse one. He just followed his brother allowing Aegon to take him to the place where that scenario (that was worthy of a cheap swing house exactly as the ones Aegon would sometimes go) would happen.
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Going out with Gendry Baratheon just entered her list of "worst decisions of Arya Stark's life" in grand style nonetheless meaning Gendry was now displacing her former foreign boyfriend Jaqen H'ghar from the first place in the said list.
Not that Gendry was a bad person or that her inexplicable attraction for older guys has passed. She just couldn't shake off Gendry image from the one she had of his father. Gendry's dad was a brute with much more muscles than brains with a disposition to alcoholism. Gendry was far from being brilliant but sure was a handsome guy. He was the type of person Sansa would look at, not her.
Arya would prefer guys with style, guys cunning and intelligent. How she ended up in "playboy Baratheon" imported car were still a mystery she couldn't solve just yet. She had met him two or three months ago. His father was a great friend of her dad and eventually he had showed up in a stupid barbecue the Starks had offered.
He hasn't let her alone since then. Arya doubted anyone could be more impressed by a girl able to discredit half of the guys at the party by winning a tennis match or any other sports that they choose to practice for that matter. Gendry had lost shamefully to the point Robert Baratheon would face him with a stern face. Since then, he hadn't stopped calling her or sending her massages practically harassing her to go out with him.
Screw the fact she was still underage. Despite the difference be of only three years between them, that could still put him in jail if she had chosen to report him to the police.
Arya only accepted the invitation for two reasons. The first was to make him stop with that damn insistence. The second was because the date would be in a masquerade witch would make immensely easier to foil him and disappear. Then she could find another person to talk or just be content with the free drink in a place no one would ask for her identity.
Besides, she knew whose party that was.
It had been seven years since the last time she saw Robb's best friend, but she still remembered very clearly how Jon was nice with her and more cooperative with her tricks than any of her brothers. Robb used to say that when she was close to Jon she was wilder than usual, Jon, however didn't seemed to mind her lack of manners.
After Robb went studying overseas and Jon inherited a more than generous share of his parents companies, the two lost touch with each other and Arya hadn't seen him since. Robb eventually returned to the country and was now planning on buying an apartment for him and his fiancée, the first thing he did thou was looking out for his old friend and invite him to drink a beer and talk.
Robb was also invited to the party and if Gendry stepped out of line and she got in need of a backup plan, her brother would be more than happy to make a scene. On the other hand if she manages to get rid of Gendry right away and perhaps picking somebody up than the party would be a fun hide and seek game.
Gendry was leaving the car with the valet while Arya was straightened a white mask over her eyes. Her dress was covered by a trench coat preventing her from the cold weather on the outside. He turned back to her offering his arm to lead her inside.
- I think I need to go to the loo. – She said as they entered the hall. There were lots of people and the music was playing loudly. Everyone was using masks and no one seemed particularly familiar.
- But we just got here. – He said disappointed almost purring next to her ear.
- I really need to. – Arya insisted – I'll be back soon.
- We can't reveal our identities until dawn. – He smiled – Who should I look for if you disappear in the crowd?
- Look for Weasel. It's my nickname for tonight. – She tried to throw him her best smile and he looked pleased at her.
- If you need to find me, my nickname will be Bull. – Arya tried hard not to roll her eyes. He certainly was strong as a bull and with a bit of luck she would provide him a fair pair of horns to adorn his head that night.
- I'll be back soon. – She said again smiling. She left her coat at the entrance and run toward the restroom as fast as her high heels would allow her.
She hated heels. She hated to wear dresses and hated above all to pretend she was a helpless maiden. Arya stared at her reflection in the mirror and was pleased to have asked Sansa to help her with the makeup. Gendry would find really hard to recognize her in the dark after she finished her magic.
Arya opened her handbag and took out a dark shadow and black eyeliner. Within minutes the girly makeup Sansa had done was replaced by something much more suited to a rock show. She messed up her short hair applying some gel that she had inside of her purse. As a final touch she applied a red lipstick.
Another girl stood beside her in the bathroom, retouching her own lipstick. Arya observed the mask she wore. It was graphite grey and simple unlike the white and laced one Sansa had chosen for her.
- Excuse me. – Arya said drawing the woman with silver-blonde hair attention. The woman looked at her gently – Would you bother to change masks with me? – The blond stared her now in a funny way.
- Why wouldn't you want to wear a mask as sophisticated as yours? – The blonde asked curiously.
- I'm trying to escape from a bad date. - Arya said.
- Oh, I see. What is the fun of coming to a masquerade to get stuck with somebody you already know who is it, isn't it? –The blonde then removed her own grey mask and handed it to Arya who replaced it taking of the white and covered with laced mask she had come with. The woman was young and beautiful and had a kind face with violet eyes and a pretty smile. – Good luck with your disguise.
- Thank you. - Arya thanked her quickly placing the new mask. She left the restroom returning to the crowded room with loud music.
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He was getting a headache because of the music. He could see Aegon seated in a corner flirting with some redhead, the sight made Jon turn in to the opposite direction. All he didn't need was another redhead to remember him of Ygritte.
He went to the bar picking another shot of whiskey. The party appeared to be a success. If truth be told thou he was still confused with all that masks stories and false names until dawn.
A blonde girl had approached him trying to flirt with him. But he could hardly hear what she was talking about. The name she had given him was "wild girl" and she had tried to tease him in every possible way. All she could manage was to get him angrier with the damned party. He ended up getting rid of her as fast as he could by going to the back of the room.
Someone putted a hand on his shoulder and Jon turned to face whoever it was. Even with the low lights and the mask Robb looked as comfortable as he was.
- Nice party. – Robb said trying to look pleased.
- I swear I'll kill my brother the next time he has another stupid idea as this one. – Jon muttered staring Robb and the peculiar mask he was wearing. – What is you name tonight?
- I'm Wolf. – he replied smiling. Wolfs were Robb's favorite animal.
- That's so typical of you. – Jon laughed – I hope you're enjoying the party. You came by yourself?
- Jayne went to the loo, but she should be coming back. – Robb said – I think that the party has at least made you angry enough not to think about anything else. You should try to have fun. Remember how it is to be single.
- I'm not sure if I remember how that feels at all. – Jon replied awkwardly.
- It's a fine opportunity to remember. There are a lot of pretty girls here and all that history with the masks makes everything sexier. If I weren't engage right now I wouldn't mind taking on the advantages of being single. – Robb laughed – I'll walk around and see if I can find Jayne. All this masks are making a mess in my head.
Robb didn't expect him to answer. He soon vanished in the crowd leaving Jon alone again. Jon gulped his glass of whiskey taking a good look across the room.
Robb and Aegon were right. If there was any chance of him forgetting Ygritte this was the ideal place to do so. People were clinging against each other, exchanging kisses and prying obscene caresses in the dark corners. Girls were kissing on the dance floor, stroking and fondling each other. He saw Aegon from far away sneaking himself along with two women into the garden.
There was nothing interesting for him here. Nothing that really has attracted his attention that was until someone bumped on him with full force. It was a woman and she was small despite the high heels.
- I'm sorry. – She said hurried – Damn! I hate high heels! – She muttered as she tried to stand again.
- Are you okay? – He asked helping her to regain her balance. She had short brown hair that was sticking out in all possible directions as if she was a member of a rock band.
- I'm fine. – She said finally lifting her gaze at him. She was not tall and her face was concealed by a grey mask or maybe it was a black one? He could not say. Her makeup was heavy and her lips were painted with blood red lipstick that contrasted with her pale skin.
- Are you sure you didn't sprained your ankle or something? – He insisted, but the girl didn't pay much attention in what he was saying. She kept looking over her shoulders as if she was running away from something or someone – Is there a problem?
- Oh shit! – She muttered startling him. That girl was really not paying attention in anything he was saying. To his surprise she grabbed him by the arm pulling him until they had reversed their positions. His backs were now facing the crowded room as her faced the wall. That left him curious – That stupid git! – She kept on muttering.
- Trying to escape someone? – He asked having fun with the improbable situation.
- Yeah. I'm trying to ditch unbearably boring date. – She replied without looking at him – I will never do something this stupid again.
- What stupidity would that be? – He asked genuinely curious. If the girl was being plagued by some inconvenient guest he could arrange for her to return home safely.
- Go out with a guy just because he bored me by insisting until there was no other way beyond agreeing. – She said staring directly at his eyes. Jon had to agree that she was beautiful and someone totally different from the kind of woman he was used to relate.
- Some say that whoever believes in something always ends up achieving it. You can't blame a guy for fighting for what he wants. – Jon said smiling at her.
- The only thing he'll end up winning is my fist in his nose. – she retorted.
- You look like a good troublemaker. – Jon said friendly. Something about her was rather familiar however he couldn't tell what that was – Do you know the host?
She shrugged and was silent for a few seconds.
- I do. – She said – or I did. I haven't seeing him in a long time and he probably doesn't remembers me. – Jon did a little mental note to ask Aegon about the guest list to see who that girl was. – How about you?
- We're old friends but today he is too occupied and to confused with this entire masks thing to recognize anyone. – He said smiling. Aegon had told him to pretend to be someone else at the party and to give himself a chance to be irresponsible and have fun. Maybe that was a good moment to start.
- I can picture that. This is also giving me a headache – She replied – Loud music and strange people. I don't like it.
- That makes two of us. – He said – Care for a drink?
- A Dry Martini would be great. – She answered.
- Let's go to the bar then. – He suggested – We wouldn't want for your annoying companion to find you, would we?
- A knight in a shining armor at a costume party. You must have hit a record today. Nobody can be so cliché in one single night. – She laughed – Hurry up before I have the chance to change my mind.
He offered her his arm and together they walked towards the bar where he got another shot of whiskey for himself and a martini for her. The cup between her red lips had some strong erotic appeal. The smell of cigarette smoke and alcohol was leaving him dizzy. He was not so sober as he would have liked and that girl was looking more and more interesting by the second.
She drank half her glass in one single gulp. She rested the cup on the table as she passed her finger over the cup's edge lazily then she picket the olive up and put it whole in her mouth. For sure she was attractive. The touch of rebellion, the mask and that dazzling story about ditching a boring date made her more mysterious and interesting She turned to face him and Jon realized he was staring at her for too long.
- Something wrong? - She asked.
- No, nothing. - He said hastily – I was just wondering if your little date was your ride home.
- It's another stupidity to add to the list. – She said as he laughed.
- I can take you home if you want. – He offered as she smirked.
- Stop being so nice. – She muttered.
- Why would I stop? You can call me old fashioned, but I'm a gentleman. – She rolled her eyes.
- I'm serious. If you continue acting this way I'll end up believing you're the only worthy guy in this damned party. – She said laughing.
- What if I'm the only guy worthy in this fucking party? – He whispered at her ear, his voice sounding hoarser than he had intended. It had been a long time since he tried to flirt with someone and get troublesome girls at a party wasn't really his style. Either ways he was getting a little carried away in the game he had just entered. That night he was going to pretend to be someone else.
- I'll have to wait until the morning to know your name. – She replied.
- Until then you can call me Crow. – He said still very close to her ear – How should I call you? – She didn't try to pull away nor did she touch the Martini. The girl turned now facing him.
- Today I'm She-Wolf. – She said almost in a whisper. Her parted lips looking like a silent invitation.
- What should we do until dawn? – He leaned over her a bit more. He could feel her breath. It smelled like Martini and mint. She shot him an ironic smile and Jon felt a shiver go through his spine.
- I have some ideas in mind – The words had barely come out from her lips when his lips were already over hers devouring her in an almost wild kiss.
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In the end was neither Gendry nor Robb. Who took her out from that odious party was the lad with the black mask and stern face. A glass of martini and a few polite words were all it took for him to win a kiss. Or maybe it was her victory after all.
All that talk about chivalry and good manners had made her believe he was more restrained or even dull kind of guy. She couldn't be more wrong. He, that Crow could kiss her as if the world was about to end he awoke in her feel a heat that she didn't know she was able to feel until them. Gendry was like a cold water bath, Jaqen only worth it for being exotic, but this man… He was like fire and he made her burn without any effort.
Arya felt the wall against her back. His hands pulled at keeping their bodies together while he kissed her. He smelled of expensive perfume and twelve years old whiskey. His breath was fresh without any trace of tobacco or any less acceptable herbs. She set her arms around his neck seeking for support trying to relieve her uncertain knees.
For a brief moment they separated and she recognized Jayne and Robb with her peripheral vision. The couple did mention to go towards where they were but changed their minds once Arya gripped the unknown man again. The music remained high and the kiss remained unbelievable good.
- Do you want to find someplace quieter? – He asked kissing her neck and breathing heavily – Or you prefer me to leave you home?
He was really unbelievable. How could someone have the guts to ask if she wanted to go home after leaving her in such a state?
- What other place you have in mind? – She asked by his ear kissing Crow's neck.
- My place. – He suggested reaching his hand towards her face stroking her cheek where the mask allowed – It's a good place. A quiet, roomy, confortable place… I think you'll like it.
- So take me. I don't even know what we're still doing here. – She said hoarsely kissing him again perhaps with a bit more violence than she had intended he however responded her with the same intensity.
She put her long coat on covering her entire dress. They were also still wearing masks even though no one was giving a damn about the party rules while the car went through the empty streets. It was late night and it was cold maybe it would even snow before the sunrise. Her blood was hot thou and that was all that mattered.
She didn't went out with strangers, she didn't give chances for guys at random parties just because he looked interesting, but the forbidden taste of this flirt was leading Arya to forget everything Sansa or her mother thought as appropriate. Appropriate in theory would be staying with Gendry until she completed eighteen years and get an engagement ring on her finger before even finishing college and she didn't wanted neither one thing nor the other.
She wanted the Crow. That guy with the most stupendous kiss she had ever tasted along with all those good manners and out of fashion chivalry. The funny thing was that she even liked the way he spoke and worried about her. Even if it was a pretense it didn't seem such a big lie when he was saying it.
His hands were placed steady on the wheel. He hadn't tried to caress her thighs not even once, or even tried to fondle her breast while they were kissing at the party. The radio was playing some music she couldn't identify. Arya had tried to slide her hands over his leg to cheer him up a bit but he had asked her to stop.
- You'll make me crash the car if you keep doing that – Was all he said and she stopped – We're almost there.
She recognized the neighborhood. It was a upscale neighborhood very expensive and full of sophisticated apartments designed for young businessmen. Some of Robb's friends lived there she recalled Jon being one of them if she remembered correctly the last news her brother had given her.
They entered the garage of one of the most expensive buildings in the place and that all started to look a bit intimidating. Hopefully she would be out of there before dawn and he wouldn't even know her real name. Everything a man as important as he appeared to be didn't need was a one-night stand with an underage girl he just met at a party.
He got out first and went to open the door for her. Arya accepted the hand he had offered her politely. Apparently Prince Charming now drove a Mercedes sedan instead of riding white horses.
They took the elevator and Arya didn't even have time to see the floor number for which they were going. He slammed her against the bottom of the elevator firmly but not without softness. She suddenly recalled that movie with Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp… He was Don Juan and she was being carried away by his lure. His lips were soft, warm and molded against hers perfectly.
The elevator stopped and he took her by the hand leading her to the door of his apartment. Finding the keyhole was a problem at first, but once the key was turned he was kissing her again.
Arya felt him take her coat out in one single motion throwing it on the ground before picking her up like some rag doll. She clung to his neck never stopping from kissing him. She couldn't tell what colors were the walls or how the furniture was. She saw nothing of his home, all she knew was there were a bed and it was ridiculously large and comfortable.
She didn't have the patience to wait much longer. She wanted to see if that guy was everything that he was promising. In a single tug she broke as least half of his shirt's buttons. He smiled against her neck.
- Why are you in such a hurry? – He asked hoarsely in her ear.
- You are too polite to understand that I need a little more action in here. – She answered while she bit his earlobe and tried to get rid of his damned shirt.
He grabbed her wrists and pinned against the bed. Arya's eyes widened and that was the first time that masks really bothered.
- People say patience is a virtue. – He said as he kissed her lightly – and the good things in life should be savored slowly. – It was almost like he was purring next to her ear.
- Patience may be a virtue but I never was a very virtuous girl. – She said annoyed.
- For some reason I doubt that. – He said in an almost affectionate way as he set her hands free and went down to open the side zipper of her dress.
He pulled back from the bed. Removing his dark grey shirt left on the ground before pulling her dress by the edge leaving her only in panties and high heels. He stared her evaluating every inch of her exposed skin along with every curve with an interest that was almost scientific while he took out his shoes and unbuckled his belt. Arya crossed her arms over her breasts feeling incredibly exposed.
Soon he returned to bed as he kissed her withdrawing her arms from her breasts. His mouth went down her neck and chest until he reached her nipples he teased her then almost nastily. Arya closed her eyes and held on the nape of his hair. His hand slipped down to her navel where he played with her panties as his fingers touched her with precision.
She moaned responding to his touch and waited for more. His fingers were skilled at massaging her but the pace was too slow like a torture.
- Like that, don't you? – He whispered in her ear. – I like to hear you moan. – He put it on a little bit more of pressure lightly increasing the speed and Arya promptly responded moaning again.
His mouth came down over her body again, kissing her belly until he reached her panties. He stripped her off that last piece of clothing as Arya protested from losing the touch of his fingers.
She had a tattoo on her hip. It was the head of a howling wolf. He kissed her there first before returning to touch her between her legs. He kissed the inside of her thighs, slowly, leaving red marks across her skin until he reached his goal.
Arya yelped as she felt his tongue invade her and then suck that little point of pleasure. He didn't do anything hurriedly and he ignored her requests for more speed, for more intensity for more of him. Jaqen had only done that on her once and was not exactly something she had enjoyed. Arya also doubted if Gendry had the kind of inspiration and until that moment the Crow had proven to be a man above all her expectations.
She tried to restrain herself. She tried to delay the impeding orgasm for a while, but it was for no avail as she came inexorable and overwhelmingly. One hand she had took towards her mouth in a vain attempt to muffle the embarrassing sounds, her other hand was placed over his head. Her eyes were moistening.
He moved away from her to unbutton his pants and remove what was left of his clothes. Arya was still stunned by her orgasm. Her breath war short, her lips were swollen, her hair was disheveled, her legs were spread and her knees were weak.
She felt his mouth against her once more. Her own taste could still be sensed in his tongue. Arya held him with one hand, massaging him with slow movements in an attempt to return the favor. He growled against her lips and Arya felt as the most powerful woman in the world.
He didn't allow her to go to the end not with her hands at least. Arya had not noticed but he took a packet of condoms from his pocket.
- Can you help me with this? – He asked her beside her ear and Arya agreed with a curt nod.
He dropped to his knees in the space between her legs as he watched her open the condom package with her teeth. She quickly slipped the condom around him and was delighted to see him throw his head back when he felt her touch teasing him.
He pushed her again, until she was lying on the bed. He kissed her smoothly than any of his previous kisses as he positioned one of her legs near his waist. One single thrust and she found herself biting his shoulder with such force that she felt the metallic taste of blood in her mouth.
He began moving slowly, like everything he did, just to tease her. Arya scratched his back merciless, begging for more speed, but he was too stubborn. She closed her eyes then giving up of trying to convince him to go faster. Gradually he increased the pace as Arya encouraged him by moving her hips against him.
Arya closed her eyes biting her lower lip as she reflexly scratched him in the middle of her orgasm. He kept on moving against her, going faster and faster and deeper until his whole body shuddered.
They were exhausted. She considered closing her eyes for ten minutes and then call a cab to take her home. He hugged her from behind, locking his legs with hers and stroking her naked abdomen. It was a pleasant sensation, like he really cared about her in spite of the fact that this was a one-night stand.
- I have the strange feeling that I know you. – He said vaguely, his head still clouded by pleasure.
- I doubt it. - She replied sleepily.
- Look. – He said pointing to the large balcony that she had only now noticed – I guess we'll find out soon enough. – The sun was rising. It was no more than a beam of light on the horizon yet, but gradually the sky began to lighten. Her heart skipped a beat.
She didn't want to stay here long enough for him to have a name, an address and a phone number. She would rather prefer that the night was just a good memory to be remembered sometimes when she was alone. She would rather think that this was no more than an insane dream and that the entire fetish with the masks and secret identities were maintained.
He kissed her neck and Arya felt her body tremble once more.
- What's your name? - He asked.
- Wouldn't be better to leave things as they are? – She suggested evasively. He pulled her by the shoulder, throwing her back against the bed again. He was above her, part of his face remained hidden by the mask he wore and he was staring at her as he could see the inside of her soul.
- No. – He said, kissing her fondly – Believe it or not, I don't always go to bed with unknown women and parties are not my ideal of a proper first date. Next time I intend to take you to dinner or maybe watch a play or a movie.
- Who says there will be a next time? – She asked suspiciously. He laughed.
- I can be as insistent as the guy you dismissed tonight. – He said smiling – And I liked you. I wouldn't have brought you to my house if I hadn't liked you. The rule said that the masks should be used only until dawn. I wanna see your face and I want to know your name.
- Okay. – She said without much alternative – But you will have to take your mask too and tell me your name.
He agreed with a nod. Arya took her hand up to his mask and he did the same with hers. Arya felt relief as the accessory was removed from her face. She opened her eyes to behold his exposed face for the first time.
Her blood froze, her heart failed and for a split of second she didn't know what to say, however she knew he has had more answers than those he wanted for in the moment he withdrew her mask.
- Arya? – That word being the confirmation that they had committed the greatest madness of their lives. Jon moved away from her as if she had some kind of contagious disease. – How…? Oh my God! I didn't…
- I better go. – She said getting up from the bed and tried to get her stuff from the floor, avoiding his gaze – And it will be better if Robb die without finding out what happened here.
- What were you doing at the party? – He asked still shocked and Arya finally looked at him with an incredulous expression. Suddenly their nakedness became too embarrassing.
- I told you. Believe me, I was not lying just to get you aroused and if it weren't for these stupid masks I wouldn't had gone near you unless if it were to wish you happy birthday, Jon. – She replied sharply.
- I had no idea. – He answered bringing his hand to his forehead – You were just a child when I… No. – Now he seemed genuinely sick – You're still a child and even worse you are my best friend's baby sister.
- Thank you for saying the obvious. – She retorted – Just so you know children don't do what we have just done. Now if you excuse me I'll leave before any of us end up throwing up here. – She said dressing herself hurriedly. Jon seemed to recover part of his consciousness and attempted to hold her by the hand.
- I'll take you home. – He said.
- No, I'll rather take a cab. – She replied seriously – None of us want to arouse suspicion and Robb may have slept there. Let's just… Let's just pretend none of this ever happened and move on with our lives.
She didn't want to stay at the apartment any longer. All that Arya didn't need was to look at Jon's face and meet with any offense that could be stamped there. To even think he had being her platonic love when she was a child didn't help the situation a bit. All she wanted was a hot bath, aspirin and a providential amnesia. All she could hope for was that he would not be so unforgettable.
Author's Note: Once more Nani did a superb job with the translation. This is supposed to be a short fic and I'm still writing it. I don't own any of the characters and have no profit from my fic's. I hope you enjoy and review it.
XOXO
Bee