CHAPTER ONE

Jon watched the royal family at the feast.

From his seat with the common men of the household, he had an excellent vantage point. And there was certainly much to see.

The King was deep in his cups, while his own Father had a stoic expression on his face that Jon had learned from experience was well schooled. Lady Stark was bearing up well under the scrutinizing presence of the Queen, but from what he could tell Cersei Lannister was being especially cruel. He feared his father may well step in and put things to right, or at least excuse his lady wife from the table, but suddenly Lord Tyrion, the Queen's dwarf brother, stepped in, making some joke that put the whole table in a roar. Even Father smiled.

As the laughter soared, Jon could see Cersei lean close to her brother whispering in his ear, her eyes hard, like onyx. The youngest Lannister blanched, a pained look crossing his face as the Queen leaned back and, with a smug air, joined with the rest of the table in the laughter.

Unnoticed by all but Jon, Tyrion quietly slipped from the table.

Jon wasn't sure exactly what it was about the exchange, but it made his heart twist in sympathy for the little lord.

The rest of the night proved difficult. Unexpected emotion always put him off his balance, and he soon found himself a bit too far into his cups to hold his tongue in civil conversation, and was very glad that his lowly placement allowed for an easy exit.

Outside, underneath the sky, he finally felt able to breathe.

He was now too much full of wine, and a sour disposition after his conversation with his Uncle Benjen. His face flamed as he remembered how he had dishonored himself, and played the part of an over-zealous young boy, too eager for glory and recognition. Ghost slipped in behind him as he set off. A walk would do him good, clear his head.

As they rounded the corner by the stables, a small shadow came ambling out. Jon was startled to realize it was Lord Tyrion. He bowed to the Lannister briskly, and was about to move on, when something made Jon tarry.

It was his posture, Jon realized. In the many weeks the Royal family had honored them with their presence, Jon had never seen Lord Tyrion look anything other than a lord.

Now he looked like Jon felt, common and worthless.

No sooner had he realized this, than Tyrion Lannister cam upon a stone on the path, and suddenly the small Lord was falling forward and onto the ground. Jon darted to him, announcing his presence with a quick "M'lord," as he knelt by the small man's body, making short work of helping him upright again.

"Lovely, just what I need. Ned Stark's bastard to scrape me out of the dirt," the little man muttered.

Jon stiffened and stood, about to take a step, when a soft "Bastard, come here" bade him stay. He stood still, waiting.

Tyrion sighed, raising his eyes to meet Jon's in a tired, but no longer volatile manner. "Forgive me. My hackles are raised, and I forget not everyone is my sister."

Jon nodded, and heard himself easily saying "There's nothing to forgive." To his surprise, it was the truth. The Lannister smiled, and walked on a step or two, before grimacing.

"Are you well, Lord Tyrion?"

"I am never well, Snow. But, at present, it is manageable. My body occasionally finds this large world wearisome, and I have no choice other than to bear it." He sat down on a bale of hay, and rubbed his thighs, his face twitching.

Jon moved over a foot or two to the well near the stables. He fetched a ladle full of clear water, bringing it back to the Lannister. Tyrion's eyes opened in surprise. "There's no cup, m'lord."

Tyrion nodded, and accepted it gratefully. "My thanks."

Jon stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do in a situation like this, but feeling it would be bad form to leave the Queen's own brother like this.

"That is some beast you have there," Tyrion commented, pulling Jon out of his own thoughts. He found himself swelling with pride. "A friendly one, to be sure, but he'd rip your throat out if I commanded it." Tyrion smiled, small and painful. "No doubt. But first he would have to get in line."

Tyrion's sadness and discomfort tore at Jon's heart, and they sat in silence for a moment, each remembering the Queen's actions at dinner, before Jon made up his mind.

"My Lord," he said, turning to Tyrion, "might I show you something?" Tyrion looked surprised, but nodded. "It is not far from here. if you will follow me?." And Jon led him slowly on around the corner, through the practice yard, and behind the stables, slowing his steps to match the dwarf's halting gait.

Once they had reached the spot, Jon stacked his customary crates atop one another, building a path to the roof. When he was done, he hopped down, helping Tyrion up, and occasionally lifting the small man, until they had both made it to the flat part of the stable's roof.

Ghost patrolled the base, as Jon leaned back to stare at the stars. After a beat, Tyrion followed suit. Moments later, Jon heard a small exhale as they both appreciated a star streaking across the blackness overhead.

"Up here," Jon began, "nothing matters but the sky." He turned his head to make eye contact with Lord Tyrion. "Up here, there are no bastards, no dwarfs, no houses, no kingdoms, no names. Up here, m'lord, we could be giants."

The smaller man's face softened, and Jon layed back down next to him; both staring upwards into the deep for a long, long time.

All too soon, raucous noise could be heard from down and across the yard. The great hall was beginning to clear, and all the guests headed to bed. They tarried until the noise quieted, before retreating from their own little corner of the world, neither really ready to give it up.

Jon lead him back to his assigned quarters in silence, kneeling down to bid him good night, when Tyrion suddenly placed a hand on his cheek, and leaned forward to kiss him.

Jon's lips burned with an immediate heat he never knew existed. He opened his eyes, a look of pleasant surprise gracing his face.

"I couldn't help it, you know," Tyrion said softly. "You are a thing of beauty."

And then the little Lord walked inside his quarters and shut the door, leaving Jon alone with his thoughts.