Written for fill day, filling the second day prompt - Snow.

This story falls in the same universe that "Searching" (a four chapter fic written for the second Arya and Gendry Week), just years before - you do not need to read that one to understand this

Also this will be a two chapter fic, so I'll add the other chapter when I finally have the time to write it

As any other morning, Ned Stark woke up, he threw his blankets off him, and moved to look out the window, he smiled at the snow falling outside, the first of a long winter to come, and as had happened many times before it fell on his birthday.

The house was still silent, he knew Lyanna was still in bed, she would never get up this early on a Saturday, so he left his room and went to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Ned took a quick shower; he tried to look for a name, still pretending he wasn't looking. He found nothing in his legs, or arms, or chest, or anywhere else – and just maybe he had nothing and he could relax, and not worry about the impossible standards the Gods established by marking someone.

His peace and relief only lasted until he got out of the shower and faced the mirror, ready to shave the small beard that was growing. But the name wasn't hidden like in most people, it was out in the open for everyone to see, and the biggest problem was the name itself. Ned didn't know how to deal with it, so he wrapped a towel around his waist and went to hide in his room.

He locked the door, and put on his clothes, before hiding under the covers. Twenty minutes after he was still thinking about it, and what he would do – he had already decided he would let his beard grow (he cursed not having his beard growing as fast as Robert's), but that was long term, he still didn't know what he would do today – especially with his entire family present.

The confrontation would come earlier than he wished, when his sister knocked on the door.

"Ned, are you in there? I heard you shower," she asked, but he didn't bother answering. "Come on... I know you're not sleeping anymore."

"I'm not feeling well," Ned said, not being able to think of anything else.

"I don't believe you. You never stay in bed when you're sick – you always need convincing," he knew how right she was, Ned had always hated getting sick, and missing any day of the week.

"I'm not feeling well, and I just knew Mother would confined me to the bed," he didn't hear any answer so he just hoped he had said enough to convince her. But he should know already... It was never that easy with Lyanna, so not much longer after he heard his bedroom's window opening.

"Lyanna, what are you doing here?"

"What do you think?! It's your birthday, I'm wishing you a happy birthday, and prove everyone that you're not actually sick."

"I am sick. And how did you come out of the window?"

"Come on, Ned... the wall outside your room is super easy to climb," she said it like it was obvious. "How do you think I get into the house when I get home late?"

"You use my room?! And it's snowing outside, you could slip."

"Of course. Brandon is super jealous he can't do it, but he always comes home too drunk and he is too big and makes too much noise."

Ned couldn't believe his siblings, and he had always believed that he was light sleeper.

"Hey... don't beat yourself over it! I'm like super quiet; nobody would hear me," she said, sitting on his bed, while he pulled the covers tighter. "Come on... now I know something is wrong – you're pulling your covers up."

"It's snowing outside," he told her.

"Ned..." she said with a tone of voice that mimicked mother's so well.

"You can't tell anyone, and you need to help me not going downstairs today or ever, at least until I grow a beard."

"Please don't tell me you have a pimple and you're worrying about it," Lyanna said laughing.

"No, it's not that, Lya. It's a bit worse."

"Wait... You just turned 18... Gods... Does it have to do with the mark? Did you get it?" His eyes must have said it all, because she immediately exclaimed. "You did! You did! Show me, Ned!"

"Please don't jump, Lya," but she completely ignored him, and made to pull on the blankets, and he let her do it.

"Ohhh… ohhh…" she murmured, before exclaiming rather loudly. "Ned! Ned! That's…"

"Shhh… Lyanna I don't want the all world to know."

"I guess why," she whispered again. "Do you really think it's her?"

"I do."

"Fuck… Ned… Did you have feelings for her? Do you have feelings for her?"

"No… I don't," he answered, more because it was the right thing to say than it was the reality – he just wasn't sure how he felt. "But now you know why I can't go downstairs."

"Wait…" she said standing up. "I'm going to get Mom."

"Why?" he said, pulling on her arm.

"Trust me, Ned," she said, coming to kiss his cheek, the unwritten one of course. "I think she can help," she said before running away. He locked the door, and five minutes after he heard his sister knock in the door.

"It's me, Ned. Open up," so he did, Lyanna entered first, but their mother was right behind her, she started to speak, wishing him a happy birthday, but she stopped when she looked at his face.

"Ohhh… Ned…" she said taking her hand to her mouth, not believing what she was seeing. "Is that…"

"I think so, Mother. I didn't mean to, I promise…"

"Ohh… Ned… nobody means to get marked," his mother whispered pulling him for a hug, and despise his eighteen years he felt like a child. "People wish for it, or curse it, sweetie."

"I can't go downstairs, Mom. I can't let them know."

"It's your birthday, son. Yes, you can. Just follow me into the bathroom," she said, walking out the door, but noticing his hesitation. "Your dad and Benjen are downstairs – they won't bother us."

"And Brandon?"

"He isn't even home yet. Now, come on." He followed both ladies to the bathroom, and she told him to sit in the toilet lid, before going to look for something on the cabinet.

"What is Mom doing?"

"Looking for make-up."

"Make-up?!"

"Of course, if she can hide a pimple, she can hide the letters, just trust her."

"I do," he said, his mother had never let him down. So he let his mother start to work on his cheek, while Lyanna sat by the tub, talking.

"You know… Robert is going to be so pissed – he was so waiting for you to have his name too."

"Hey… I thought the same, it would be simpler, that's for sure."

"Ned, don't talk. I can't do this correctly if you keep moving," he consented to his mother's request, and just listened to them.

"If you want this to work, you can't let Catelyn touch you. Not even with one hair. You touched Robert after he got the tattoo – you know what she would feel and know," Mother told him. "You need to make every effort, Lyanna and I will be looking out for you."

"Why should I be on babysitter duty?!" Lyanna complained.

"Because I told you so. And because you're a good sister and daughter."

"Okay…" she said, before sulking. The three of them stayed in silence while they waited for mother to finish her work.

"I think it's done, son. Now, no touching Catelyn, and do not put water in your cheek and be very careful when you clean your mouth."

"Okay," he answered, standing up and looking himself in the mirror – he looked very much like he looked yesterday.

"Wow… it looks amazing, Mom," Lyanna said.

"It really does…" he whispered,

"I can't do this everyday – do you know what are you going to do?"

"A beard should do it," he answered. "Until then I'm not sure."

"I can help you, until then," Mother suggested. "Juts be sure to wake up earlier."

"No problem," he said.

"Now go get dressed, son," she said sending him off with a kiss. "And happy birthday – I can't believe two of my kids are already 18, it makes me feel so old."

"You still have two more," he heard Lyanna say, while he went back to change clothes.

So very carefully, trying to ruin his mother's work, he changed from his t-shirt to a long sleeved shirt, and then put on some jeans, letting his slippers be. After that he left the room, with every intention of going downstairs to say "hi" to his younger brother and father, but he couldn't help but stop at Brandon's room first.

The room looked empty, without the energy it always had, like the room was missing its owner; but Ned was looking for something in particular. There were photos in his room, and besides family and friends, there were some of his conquests – the ones that marked him the most, like Ashara, Barbrey, and Catelyn of course.

There was a picture of Catelyn on his desk, she was smiling sweetly, and you could see the sea behind her – he picked up the photo, and looked at her face, memorizing the traces of a woman who shouldn't be with him, but at the same time should, according to the Gods. Ned liked her auburn air, it had been the first thing he noticed about her, and it was the one thing that always surprised me. But his mind shouldn't be bothered with his thoughts, so he put the picture back where it belonged, and walked downstairs.

In the living room, Benjen immediately ran to hug him and wish him a "Happy birthday", before Father joined in, clapping his son on the back and passing the same wishes.

"I think Mom is making pancakes for your birthday," Benjen said happily, while leading him to the kitchen. In five minutes, they all sat on their places around the kitchen table, talking and gorging on this amazing food. Ned was in the middle of putting another chocolate pancake in his mouth when the doorbell rang – this early it could only be one person, and Lyanna immediately ran off to open it.

Less than two minutes after, she was back, hanging on Robert's back, who let her down by her seat.

"Happy birthday, Ned!" He said, pulling Ned up and for a hug. "You seem bigger already," he told him laughing. "Hello, Mr Stark, Mrs Stark, little Benjen," he greeted each of them with a nod.

"I'm not little," Benjen argued.

"Sit down, Robert. Do you want anything to eat?"

"I'm good, thanks. My mom made me eat before leaving."

"Are you sure?" his mother double checked.

"Maybe, a pancake wouldn't hurt." Ned already knew Robert would end up eating; he could eat like an animal, and then burn all the calories in the field or the gym.

So with that Robert joined them for breakfast, Mom kept the conversations going, pestering Robert with questions, while he kept making eyes at Ned's sister, who in return would kick Ned's friend, under the table.

After breakfast, Robert, Ned and his siblings went to play some games in the living room, and by the minute he was more nervous of Brandon arriving; Lyanna tried to reassure him, but nothing worked.

So when the doorbell rang again, his heart beat so fast it seemed it was going to jump, but he did what he needed to do, stood up and moved to greet his brother.

"Neddy!" Brandon exclaimed. "How do you feel? You're finally an adult?"

"Not much different," he answered after pulling away from his brother's hug. His answer was sort of a lie, he did feel different but it had nothing to do with being legally a adult.

"Like you behave as an adult," Lyanna said before throwing herself into her brother's arms. But Ned's attention had already turned, Catelyn had entered the house, right behind me, and had struck a conversation with Benjen; they talked for a bit before she greeted the rest of the family, before clearly walking to meet the birthday boy.

Ned didn't know what to do, he couldn't run or hide, so he waited, pulling his arms behind his back, so she wouldn't try to shake his hand.

"Happy birthday, Ned," she said smiling, moving forward to kiss him (maybe even in the cheek that belonged to her), luckily Mom noticed and she came from the kitchen and approached Catelyn.

"Catelyn, how have you been doing, sweetie? We haven't seen you since the Summer."

"I'm well, Mrs Stark. I've been busy with senior year."

"I can imagine, Ned is been busy as well," Mom said, pulling him closer and farther away from Catelyn.

"Yes. You must be one of the first people to turn 18 in your year."

"Almost… Robert already turned 18."

"Right. Brandon mentioned it..." she said, looking down, knowing that the tattoos were an unspoken issue.

"Ohhh… Did you get Robert's name too?" Brandon said coming up behind him.

"Right, you know, I have your name; it's only fair if you have it too."

"Come on… do you have it?" Brandon insisted, as Benjen and Dad joined in. Ned didn't know what to answer, he did start by saying that no – he didn't have Robert's name. But after that, they kept pressuring him if he had any other marks, and that was when Mom intervene calling them about food that was ready – food had always been enough to distract both Brandon and Robert.

Everyone followed Mom into the kitchen, all but Lyanna, who whispered to him, "Are you okay, Ned?"

"Of course."

"Are you sure?"

No.

"Yes," and with his answer, they joined everyone in the dining room – Mom actually had food, and as not covering for him. Mostly sweets spread around the table, and everyone was eating and talking.

Brandon told everyone how college was going, his classes and friends; prompting everyone else to talk about their days, studies. And Ned couldn't be happier that the attention wasn't focused on him. Especially when his other friends and neighbours joined in – Greatjon was enough to monopolize a crowd, especially with Maege and Galbart with him, while Howland and Ned only talked.

"Can I tell you something?" Ned asked.

"Sure. Do we need to talk in private?" Howland asked, he could always read Ned, and see what he needed; they both walked outside, since they both felt better in the snow. "So is this about your mark?"

"Ohh… do you know?"

"You've turned eighteen and want to talk in private."

"I got the mark."

"Who knows?"

"My mother and Lyanna. I'll eventually tell Robert."

"And Brandon?" and then Ned didn't answer.

"Ohhh… it has to do with him…"

"Yes… it does."

"It's Catelyn, then…" Ned was quite surprised that he guessed so quickly. "You were looking at her quite a lot today. And it wasn't like you hadn't thought her attractive before."

"I didn't mean this to happen."

"I know, Ned. And I know you well enough, to know you're blaming yourself for this; but it's not your fault, it's in the Gods plan."

"Do you think you'll get Jyana's name? Do you know what you will do if you don't?"

"You know I love Jyana, and I see myself with her. She's my soulmate, I won't need a name proving it," he said with such certain, that Ned could never master. "Where is your tattoo?" Howland asked, and Ned pointed at his cheek.

"I have some make up today-" he was saying before Lyanna interrupted.

"Ohh… you told him. Are you telling the others?"

"Robert," he said. "Not the others for now. And certainly not Brandon."

"What about Benjen?"

"Not sure," he answered. "Do you need anything?"

"Everyone is asking for you. Mom wants to start serving dinner. We can't start without the birthday boy."

"Right," Ned said, moving inside with Lyanna and Howland.

"I found him, Mom!"

"Okay, come on. Everyone is hungry," Mom said, putting the last touches in the table. "Ned sit at your father's right side, Benjen, you take the other side. Then Brandon and Catelyn; Maege and Jon, you don't mind sitting next to them," she said moving to take the seat on the head of the table, in front of her husband. "Howland, you can sit on my other side, and then Robert and Lya, next to Ned." Everyone took their places as they were instructed, Maege fighting Greatjon for the place next to Catelyn, since she knew the man would only bother the younger girl.

Mom had made all of his favorite foods, something that he appreciated, since she rarely had the night to make elaborate dinners, and if she did it was usually with her siblings' favorite dishes – they were much more insistent that him.

"This is amazing, Mrs Stark," Catelyn was the first to offer a compliment, and everyone agreed – Robert with his mouth too full to speak and Greatjon spitting up food as he complimented, before Maege punch him and told him not to talk with his mouth full.

"Thank you very much. It was all homemade, and the oranges used were taken from our own backyard."

"I picked them," Benjen said proudly, and Dad thanked him too, making Benjen smile immensely.

"What's the cake?" Robert asked.

"Robert, can you think of anything but food?!" Lyanna exclaimed.

"You…" he said, winking at her. "But you know, Mrs Stark's cakes are like awesome – I just wanted to know which one is it today."

"Thank you. It's Ned's favorite, Robert. I'm sure you have eaten it, not last year, but probably before."

"I'll trust Ned's judgement here," he said, clapping his best friend on the back.

After that everyone turned back to eating, the food wasn't the only thing making the meal so great, but the company as well; he couldn't help but notice how well Catelyn got on with Lyanna and Maege, even with their differences, how Greatjon joked with her the same way he only did with people he actually liked, and how she held a conversation with Howland. Lyanna had to step two times on his toe, because he was looking at Catelyn too much.

It was between the main dish and the dessert that everyone stood up and went to pick up their presents – Ned dreaded being in the centre of attention in this moment, everyone's eyes on him.

Friends went first, he got a fantasy book from Howland, Maege gave him one shirt and a Batman t-shirt, while Greatjon presented him with an old bottle of whisky.

"He can drink now, can't he?" he said when everyone was looking at him.

Catelyn went next, she was so close to him that he could smell her perfume, and see the freckles in her face, when she gave him the package he quickly made sure their fingertips wouldn't touch, abiding his mother's advice. Taking it from her, he took a few steps back, making sure they were at a safe distance before opening it – inside he found a book and a blue neck tie. He thanked her, while Lyanna pushed Robert forward, so he wouldn't have to politely hug her or kiss her cheek.

Robert gave him a series of BDs, all from Marvel, perfectly knowing that Ned liked DC Comics more (he did throw a Green Lantern comic in there).

Next his siblings followed; Brandon gave him a box of condoms, hugging him and saying that he was a man now; Lyanna gave him a tape – of her favorite band, so it would be used by her too; and then Benjen made him a picture frame, where he put a photo from last Christmas with the all family.

And then his parents; Ned rarely asked for something specific (sometimes a book, but not this year) so he was always surprised by what they come up with. This year there were more presents that usually – in there he found a leather briefcase, with three comics and two books inside it, another neck tie wrapped and a board game, and new clothes.

"Your mom insists that you're still a boy. I know that you're becoming a man – this is the middle ground between two."

"Hey! Why didn't I get adult stuff?" Brandon asked, not giving a chance to his father.

"Since when are you an adult, son?!" Father said, leaving Brandon pretending to be offended, while everyone agreed, and Catelyn kissed his cheek and whispered.

"I think you're okay like this." And with that Ned felt a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Brandon smiled, and kissed her in the lips, more passionately that Ned wished to see – he could feel Lyanna, Mom and Howland's eyes stuck in him.

"Come on, let's go sing Happy Birthday. It's getting late and some of you need to get home," Mom said interrupting the kiss.

The rest of the night passed quickly, everyone ate a slice (or more) of cake, and before they knew it, goodbyes were being said. Only Robert and Catelyn were staying over.

He said goodbye, and hugged everyone, with Howland wishing him good luck; while Mother remembered everyone to shut their coats and keep covered from the snow.

"Of course, Mrs Stark. We're northerners; we don't fear a little snow. You should worry about the southerners under your roof," Greatjon said, eyeing Robert and Catelyn, who wanted to defend their homes, almost jumped in defence, it was Robert's voice who was heard.

"At least we don't turn into lobsters under the sun." Making Greatjon laugh, just before they left the house.

Everyone, including the guests, helped cleaning up the place, before people retired for bed, one by one. Firstly his parents, then Benjen, Catelyn left with Lyanna since they were sharing the room, leaving Robert, Ned and Brandon alone. His brother told him about college, about some things he preferred not to hear about, and once again asked him about the mark – Ned was able not to answer, thinking that was the end of the issue, but when he and Robert were alone in his room, his friend asked.

"So why don't you want to tell Brandon about your mark?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were avoiding the issue."

"I could have nothing."

"If you didn't have anything, you would have said so." Robert was right, but Ned didn't know what to say, he stayed in silence and waited for something. It was when he heard the first snore coming from Robert that he said.

"It's Catelyn's name. My soulmate is dating my brother."

"I knew you had a crush on her. There are only so many times, you can deny it," Robert said, and even if it was dark he knew his friend was smirking.

"It's on my cheek – I'll have a beard soon," Ned said before closing his eyes.