As much as Robb and Jon had a week off, just taking advantage of the lull and the company of his family, it didnt mean that the army or the war were stopped. Quite the contrary, because they were close to their father, they told Ned everything that was happening in the troop they were part of and what advantages his latest victory had brought them to continue advancing.
On the other hand, Daenerys continued her work of sending and answering letters; so she and Jon barely spoke in those days, but it didn1t mean that they had left each other's thoughts. In talking to him, Daenerys realized that they had the solitude in common, in a world where they were in the crowd, they felt completely alone.
As much as he had his family, the war and its challenges made Jon a lonely man, facing dangers for a greater good, but still on a lonely walk. For him, Daenerys was admirable because of her bravery and courage, determination and perseverance, attitudes she used as a resource to cross a difficult past and its obstacles. In a way, that was what he was trying to do in this war, fueling the hope that it would come to an end.
The first time the Stark brothers dined with the rest of the family after their arrival, Jon wanted very much to sit next to Daenerys, but he thought it best not to. He didn't know if the girl would see it as impertinent daring. He still had a certain timidity about her, precisely because they were not alone but surrounded by the rest of the family.
It was then that he had an idea. Sneaking up on his spy skills and description, Jon left a note in Daenerys's office. He was sure that the little piece of paper would not be beaten by her, leaving nothing to escape her gaze.
Jon's plan worked out as she found the note, reading the following:
I'm sorry for being so shy, but I wonder if I have your permission to sit next to you at dinner.
Lieutenant J. Stark.
Daenerys laughed and was very pleased and admired by all the chivalry of the older Stark brother. Surely she was liking him more and more.
When the Starks and Daenerys settled down at the dinner table, Targaryen made a point of sitting next to Jon, which made him smile gratefully at her.
Arya and Sansa exchanged lively glances. Robb gave his brother a friendly pat on the back.
As much as everyone ate in silence, Daenerys and Jon enjoyed the simple company of being side by side. Occasionally their hands touched over the table, which gave rise to a pleasant astonishment in both.
As they all finished the meal, Daenerys reached Jon in the hallway.
"Lieutenant! I've enjoyed your message very much, and I intend to sit down beside you every meal we have here."
"Thank you very much, Miss. Targaryen, "he said," and I promise to make every effort to speak what I desire without having to write.
"I don't care," she smiled. "Speak anytime, write anytime. I'll like it anyway. Well, I must go, but I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Jon.
"Good night," he wished, wanting her to stay a little longer, "Daenerys."
They walked away but soon in the morning they would be together again. Over breakfast Daenerys and Jon stood side by side and he seized the opportunity.
"At sunset, you usually quit your job, don't you?" He said already knowing well the routine of the girl.
-Yes but why? she said, sounding suspicious.
"As soon as the sun meet me in the watchtowers of the Fortress," he said cheerfully, "please."
"I'll be there Jon," she promised.
It was a busy day for both of them. Daenerys read and answered letters from all over where the Northern Army was while Jon was rewriting his spy reports. But near the end of the day, he had arrived at the Tower earlier than sunset, waiting eagerly for Daenerys. He still didn't know what he felt for her, but he wanted to have her around and enjoy his company.
He waited a little longer until he saw her coming.
"Jon," she greeted him simply, "so I'm here. What did you want to show me?
"Well, first this is for you," he handed her a blue rose, "it was my mother's favorite.
"Thank you." Dany accepted the gift. "I'm sorry You didn't meet her. I didn't know my mother either.
"I know little about her," Jon said a little sadly. "Her name was Ashara and she was a foreigner. My father is said to have fallen in love too quickly for her and soon wanted to get married. He didn't expect to lose her so soon. When he married Lady Catelyn, she and I were stuck. She was afraid, afraid of me for being her reminder that she was my father's second wife. And I was reluctant to have her as a mother figure, I was afraid she would erase my mother's place, even if I didn't remember her."
"But ... at least you had your father who take care of you and all your brothers" Daenerys tried to remedy the sadness "I practically only had Rhaegar, my elder brother, and the war took him forever, my two brothers actually."
"I'm sorry for your losses, too." He sympathized with Daenerys, who had a similar past to his as well " well, let's change the subject. I invited you to see the view from here."
She looked at the view, from where she could see all Winterfell and White Harbour, with the horizon line covered by the sea in the distance.
"It's a beautiful place," Daenerys sighed. "I hope someday it's my home, it's already been."
At the end of her sentence, Daenerys fixed her eyes on Jon. They understood perfectly what they meant, even just with their eyes, and wanted to say the same thing. What she wanted most was to comfort him, to show him that in spite of everything, there was still a chance of finding joy. And for her, Jon was the reason for her to overcome everything that had happened there.
Daenerys approached him, gently touched the young man's face and kissed him sweetly. When he received the kiss, Jon realized he had wanted it for some time.
A / N: Just to clarify, in this fic Daenerys and Jon is not related. Ned is his own father and Jon's mother is Ashara Dayne. I thought it best to do this so as not to get weird in the context of the story.
