A/N: A better person would say no excuses, but I'm just me. I do have a really legit excuse, but it's personal and tragic and I'm trying to escape that by being here, so instead I'm going to share another excuse that is equally as real, but much more fun: in my obsession (mentioned in an earlier chapter) of scrolling Dany/Yara tags, underneath a pic of their adorbs handshake, I found mention of this thing called Clexa. And down that rabbit hole I went. I had never even heard of The 100, and now I'm obsessed (which is depressing considering my favorite storyline seems to have run its course) and pining over Clexa. This story was my first f/f pairing, so I've learned a lot from these fandoms which now means I'm also really scared for Dany/Yara—questions plague me: will this ship ever become canon, will I have to endure a season of waiting for them to get together only to have it never happen, or will GOT join the terrible tradition and kill Yara off? This story is nearing its end—I'm planning for one final chapter after this one. This chapter feels rushed (and I apologize for any plot holes you find—but let's be honest, I'm really just here for the Stormjoy love). Thank you for reading!


King's Landing fell quickly. It wasn't that Cersei didn't put up a fight, but rather that her forces were so completely overwhelmed by the size of Daenerys' army that in short order they were decimated.

Dany ventured alone into the throne room and gingerly sat on the Iron Throne for the first time.

"How does it feel?"

Dany jumped at the unexpected interruption, eyes searching for the source of the voice.

"Fulfillment?" Yara strode into view.

Dany jumped up out of the seat and threw herself into Yara's open arms. She buried her face in Yara's neck. Yara winced slightly but wrapped her arms more tightly around her fiancé, drawing her closer. "Are you alright?" Dany asked, pulling back and dropping her hands to Yara's waist, lifting her shirt slightly.

"I'm fine," Yara's breath hitched when Dany's fingers brushed the bare skin beneath the bandage.

"No, you're not." Dany said looking up into Yara's eyes.

Yara placed her hand over Dany's, stilling her fingers. "It's nothing," she dismissed.

"Let me see. These need to be changed anyway," Yara rolled her eyes but allowed Dany to lead her to the throne.

"Dany…"

"Hmm?" Dany hummed, pulling Yara's shirt over her head and setting it on the armrest.

"Here?" Dany's brows furrowed in confusion as Yara continued, "This seems a bit… public."

Realization dawned on her, and she just laughed and shook her head. "It's fine," Dany soothed pressing a kiss to Yara's forehead, then her lips, before sinking to her knees between her legs to unwrap the bandage. Yara couldn't control the blush that blossomed on her cheeks. "Yara?" Dany teased.

"It's been too long," Yara sighed, allowing her eyes to slip shut.

Dany chuckled, "I agree." Her face contracted at the sizable cut across Yara's side. "How did this happen?"

"How do you think?"

"Yara…" Dany reproved, her tone serious and slightly hurt.

Yara opened her eyes and took in Dany's expression. "Hey," she whispered softly, cupping Dany's chin and leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips. "It happens in battle. I'm fine." Dany nodded, but her eyes filled with tears. "I'm fine," Yara repeated more insistently.

Dany stood and wiped her eyes, "Okay, okay, I'm going to grab supplies."

She returned with a bundle of material and sanitizing solution and set about cleaning and rewrapping the cut, occasionally glancing up at Yara's face.

"I'm not in any pain," Yara smiled in reassurance. Dany bit her lip. "I swear." Dany leaned back to get a better view of her work, ghosting her fingers over the wrap. "Actually, I feel pretty good," Yara said, grasping Dany's hands and pulling her up and into her lap.

Dany gasped, "Yara, be careful! I don't want your cut to reopen."

"I'm fine, Khaleesi," Yara drew out the title seductively, eyes glinting. She took both of Dany's hands and placed them on her sides. "I'm not fragile. I won't break if you touch me."

"Damn it, Greyjoy," Dany cursed, smashing her lips against Yara's. "You can't just say stuff like that."

Yara smiled against Dany's urgent kisses, responding in kind. "God, I missed this. Missed you."

Yara's words encouraged Dany, who reached around to unhook Yara's bra before pulling her own dress over head, unclasping her bra, and then pulling Yara's face to hers once more.

Yara stood and picked up Dany, who instinctively wrapped her legs around her and continued to assault her lips. She spun and set Dany down on her throne, breaking their kiss to kneel before her.

"Yara?"

"Hush," Yara smiled, placing her hands on Dany's shaking knees, sliding them up her thighs slowly pushing them apart as she went.

"Yara," Dany whined, letting her head loll back against the seat as Yara's fingers spiraled slowly along her inner thigh.

"This throne suits you," Yara sighed beginning to place butterfly kisses in the wake of her fingers. "In fact, I think this is your best look yet." She nipped at the exposed skin then soothed the bitten flesh with her tongue. Dany's knuckles turned white as she grasped the armrests. Yara buried her face at the apex of her thighs, nuzzling the damp material of her panties.

"Yara," Dany breathed out in protest as Yara pulled away.

"Did war stunt your vocabulary? All I've heard from these lips," she said tracing Dany's trembling lower lip, "is my name." She leaned in, "Not that I'm complaining," and bit down before running her tongue over it and then sucking gently on it.

"Fuck."

"Not really an improvement," Yara laughed, deepening the kiss, while allowing her fingers to tease the edge of Dany's underwear.

"Please, Yara, I can't take it."

Yara slipped her hand into Dany's panties and traced her slick entrance slowly. Dany's hips bucked up to meet Yara's fingers. "Always so impatient."

"I need you," Dany begged. Yara couldn't refuse, sliding a finger into Dany's pulsing folds. "More," Dany demanded. Yara smirked and sank a second digit into her before pumping them in and out aggressively. Dany writhed beneath her ministrations, whimpering with every thrust.

She cried out when Yara suddenly stopped and cried out again when her fingers were replaced by her tongue. Yara licked the length of her entrance, nibbling at the sides until she had Dany begging again. Then she plunged her tongue inside, grabbing Dany's hips to pin them to the seat of the throne.

"Oh Gods," Dany screamed, as the girl moved to suck on her clit. "I'm so close!"

Yara reinserted her fingers while her lips continued to work the bundle of nerves. Yara paused for a moment, to look up at Dany's hooded eyes. "Come for me, baby," she crooned, placing her mouth back over Dany's clit and curling her fingers against her front wall. Dany lost it, crying Yara's name as she came, while Yara steadied her shuddering body as she rode out her orgasm. "That's it, Khaleesi," she whispered gathering the tiny queen in her arms. "Let's finish this somewhere more comfortable." Dany's mumbled the directions to her bedroom as best she could in her delirious state, which meant several wrong turns a few close calls before Yara was dropping her onto the mattress and kissing her senseless again.

"You think this will last?" Yara asked as morning light crept into their bedroom.

Dany shook her head, "No, I know it won't." She threw her arm lazily over Yara's hip and drew the girl closer to her.

"How long?" Yara breathed out, curling into Dany.

"I can't say. We have as long as we have. That's life."

3 days later they had their answer when Theon's head arrived without the rest of him.

Yara fell to her knees at the sight and Dany fell beside her, wrapping her arms around the brunette. Yara didn't cry; she couldn't, but the loss drained her as though she had cried all the water out of her body.

Surveying the scene, Tyrion whispered to Missandei, "The boy was always arriving in pieces." Missandei glared at him. "At least he wasn't tortured this time," Tyrion sighed.

While Dany was rubbing Yara's back, she noticed a note had fallen out of the package. She snatched it and read, "Sister next." Her eyes widened in terror, and she shot Tyrion a questioning look. He hurried over to her side and read the message.

"Who?" Dany hissed.

"My guess?" Tyrion asked.

"Littlefinger," Dany murmured.

"If I were a betting man, that's where I'd put my money."

"He's not acting alone."

"No, he's not." Tyrion locked his jaw.

"Who else?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. Any enemies, Targaryen?" He placed special emphasis on her family name.

"None personally, but=" Dany's eyes widened.

Tyrion shook his head, "Yep."

"You can't be serious," Yara demanded.

"Deadly," Dany responded.

"This is insane. I'm safe now."

"And I'm not just going to wait around for that to change."

"Dany…"

"I've made up my mind." Yara pursed her lips as Dany ordered her queensguard to protect Yara. "I'm going to end this now."

Daenerys stood and walked through the open doors to the balcony just as Drogon appeared. She leapt to his back and took off to eliminate the threat to Yara's life and her own rule.

She found Ellaria, sitting calmly as though expecting her, as though Dany had been invited to tea and was merely running late.

"What did you do?"

Ellaria raised a brow and lowered her wine glass from her lips, "I wasn't informed that Tyrion was your hand."

"This is your fight with me?" Dany sneered.

"I wanted the Lannisters eliminated."

"It is done."

"One stands at your right hand," Ellaria stood in her anger.

"One last Lannister means nothing," Dany dismissed.

"It means something to me."

"What is this really about?"

"Hand over the little Lannister."

"And if I refuse?"

"I'll take him anyway. And your girlfriend as well."

Dany raised her chin, "And how do you know who my girlfriend is?" Ellaria pursed her lips, realizing her slip. "That's what I thought. This won't end even if I were to hand over Tyrion, which I have no intention of doing. Littlefinger wants the throne. And now I'm guessing you do too."

"Ours was a temporary alliance built on false promises."

"I gave you what I promised," Dany protested.

"Yes, but what you promised was not enough."

"It was when you agreed to it!" Dany shouted.

"I agreed to it because I was fooled by your lies!" Ellaria bit right back.

"I never lied to you."

"An omission is a lie. You never told me Tyrion was your hand—"

"—We've been over that."

"You never told me that your brother, Rhaegar, betrayed Ella for Lynna Stark and that their union resulted in a child—the man known today as Jon Snow."

"I only just learned that myself."

Ellaria continued to talk over Dany, "I'm feeling less friendly toward Targaryens, my dear. And I think that I'd like to see the end of your family's reign."

Dany sighed and then rolled her eyes, "Everyone's always trying to eliminate my name." She turned to Drogon, "Draycarys!"

The goblet fell to the ground as the body holding it incinerated.

When Daenerys returned to King's Landing, she summoned Tyrion immediately to confirm what she'd suspected: Littlefinger and the Sands were conspiring to take the Iron Throne. However, when Tyrion arrived, he was first to break news.

"What?!" Dany roared.

"They just appeared. We're still not sure how they got in. But they did. They took her and no one else."

"Where did they go?" Dany's voice was strained.

"I don't know," Tyrion apologized.

"I do." Littlefinger emerged from the doorway.

"Do I not have a queensguard? How is this happening?"

"Relax, they let me in when I told them I had something you wanted."

"Yara."

"Yes, your rather feisty fiancé. She didn't come easy from what I understand." Dany slapped him across the face. "Touchy," Littlefinger laughed, his eyes narrowing sinisterly.

"Where is she?" Dany asked grabbing Littlefinger by the collar.

"With the Sand Snakes," Littlefinger answered, putting his hands over hers. "You can have her back once we work out some things here."

Dany only tightened her grip and backed him up to the wall. "Bring her back now," she growled.

"I thought you might say that." Littlefinger whistled and Yara appeared flanked by Obara and Nymeria, whose whip was wrapped around her prisoner.

"Yara," Dany breathed out releasing Littlefinger to face Yara. When she made a move toward her though, Obara pulled out a sword and held it across Yara's throat.

"No closer," she spat.

Dany held up her hands and turned back to Littlefinger, her tone conciliatory, "What do you want?"

"My original proposal isn't looking too bad now is it?"

"What do you want?" She repeated, desperation creeping into her voice.

"The same thing I've wanted all along. The Iron Throne."

"I can't give you that," Dany's voice dropped to a whisper and her eyes flashed to Yara who let out a whimper as the blade of Obara's sword pressed into her neck. Dany hurried to add, "If it were as simple as trading it for her, I would. But the throne is not mine alone to give. Even if I step down for you, the Houses will not accept you."

"Who said anything about you stepping down?"

Dany's eyes widened then narrowed, "I won't have you rule by my side."

"If you want her to live, you'll agree to whatever I want," Littlefinger nodded toward Yara.

Dany shook her head. "Even if I agree to this, what is to keep you from threatening her life in the future, every time you want something from me?"

"Nothing," Littlefinger purred. "That's the beauty of this. I will really by the one ruling and you will be at my side."

"This is insanity," Tyrion pronounced. "You know this won't work."

"On the contrary, I think it already has."

"You can't agree to this," Tyrion addressed Dany.

"I already have," Dany admitted.

"The wedding happens tonight. For all of King's Landing to see, including her," he smirked at Yara.

Yara scowled and caught Dany's eyes, the begging clear. "Don't do this, Dany," she choked out.

"It's done," Dany shook her head and then turned to the Sand Snakes. "Let her go," she demanded.

Nymeria and Obara released Yara, who was immediately captured by Dany's arms. "What are you thinking?" Yara whispered into her silver tresses. "You can't do this."

"No, the thing I can't do is lose you. This I can do," Dany murmured into her neck.

"Okay, take her away," Littlefinger called.

"What? No," Dany demanded. "You said you'd release her!"

Littlefinger frowned, "No, I said I'd let her live."

Nymeria took hold of Yara, wrapping an arm around her neck. "You know, if you weren't spoken for…" she passed her lips over Yara's ear, causing the brunette to squirm away. "Or if you get lonely while your fiancé is being bedded by her new husband, I could…" She flicked her tongue along the shell of Yara's ear and wiggled her body into Yara's side." Obara rolled her eyes at her sister's antics, distracted for the millisecond Dany needed to land a clean hook to Nymeria's jaw, sending her sprawling onto the floor.

"Keep your fucking hands off her," Dany snarled.

Obara, affronted, turned to look at Littlefinger, who just shrugged. But the snap of Nymeria's whip splitting Dany's cheek open got his attention.

"You just sliced my bride's face," he shouted. "How's that going to look?"

"She punched me," Nymeria defended, still on the floor.

Littlefinger cocked his head and chided, "You should be embarrassed."

Nymeria pouted as Obara helped her up, hissing, "Keep it in your pants next time."

Meanwhile, Dany was shooting daggers at Tyrion and Yara, both of whom eyed each other questioningly.

Dany turned to Littlefinger, "I'll marry you tonight, but don't make Yara watch." Her eyes searched his pleadingly. "Please. I love her."

"That is certainly true. You're trading your whole kingdom for her life… Fine." He relented and turned to the Sand Snakes, "You two keep her here." Obara nodded, and Nymeria licked her lips, causing Yara to recoil and Dany to raise a fist. Littlefinger placed his hand over her fist and lowered it. "My queen will not be a barbarian."

"Who will make sure they place nice?"

"Don't you worry, princess, we'll place nice," Nymeria smirked, a hand dropping to Yara's hips.

Littlefinger shook his head in annoyance. "Your hand can stay," he turned toward Tyrion. Dany too turned to look at her most trusted advisor. His brow furrowed. It was clear her look was significant, but for the life of him—and Yara—he couldn't decipher the message she hoped to convey.

"How is my hand going to keep them from harming her with their weapons? He's an unarmed dwarf."

Tyrion was deeply offended by Dany's uncharacteristically demeaning remark. "I may be short, but I am smart," he protested. As Littlefinger laughed, Tyrion caught himself, reflecting on his own statement. He was smart. And Dany had never cared about his height. What was she getting at? He wasn't just a dwarf in her eyes, he was an unarmed dwarf.

"The cleverest of the Lannisters," Littlefinger acknowledged. "Relax, my future queen, I promise no harm will come to your love tonight." He took her chin in his hand. "You can have her by your side as soon as the ceremony is over." Dany yanked her chin away, and managed to catch Tyrion's thoughtful gaze as he gave her a curt nod.

A couple hours later Daenerys stood in front of Littlefinger, who held her hands a little too tightly in his. Dany looked out over the large crowd that had assembled.

"Be happy," Littlefinger reprimanded. "It's your wedding day."

"I have never found my weddings to be happy affairs," Dany sighed.

"Should be the happiest day of your life." Dany's scowl deepened at this. "Well, at least find joy in the knowledge that your Ironborn fiancé is alive because of you."

Dany swallowed, her sad eyes again scanning the crowd.

"Queen," a small voice startled Dany.

"Sansa?" She could barely contain the terror, trying to mask it with surprise. "What are you doing—"

"I couldn't leave you without a bridesmaid. You didn't want Yara, so I found the next best thing." Littlefinger's smarmy smile made Dany's skin crawl.

She clenched her jaw and turned to Sansa, who was escorted by Tyene. "Thank you for coming," she said, her gaze boring into Sansa. Sansa shook her head in confusion at the intensity. "Yara and I were going to be married in the sea, in the tradition of her people. Do you know how to swim?" Dany looked to the edge of the pavilion where the ocean rolled 25 feet below.

Sansa's eyes widened. "I do, my Queen. I'm sure it would have been a lovely wedding."

Dany nodded and let out a breath. The ceremony got underway and moved slowly as customs were observed.

In the castle, Tyrion attempted to make small talk with the Sand Snakes. "You know, this one," he tilted his head toward Yara, "is in a committed relationship. So she wasn't as open to your advances as say an unattached hand of the queen might be."

"Not my type," Nymeria dismissed. Tyrion turned hopefully toward Obara, who just ignored him.

"Alright, no sex. How about wine?" Obara's eyes flickered toward him. "Does that interest you? How about I go get us some?"

"You're supposed to be ensuring I don't get gutted or felt up," Yara pointed out.

"I can do that with a little wine in me."

"You never drink a little," Yara drawled. Obara smirked.

"Yeah, well, we all have our vices. I don't have a queen burying her face between my legs to distract me from the uglier parts of life."

Yara blushed, and Nymeria caught her eyes, raising her brow suggestively.

Tyrion left and returned with no small amount of wine and poured them all a glass. Yara refused, so Tyrion drank her glass himself. "I feel really safe now," she deadpanned.

Nymeria scooted closer, "I'll keep you safe." She refused Tyrion's offer of another glass, "No more for me." She smiled at Yara who choked back vomit.

Obara peeled her from Yara's side, "Enough, you're disgusting her and me." Obara accepted another glass from Tyrion, who helped himself to a third.

He offered Yara a glass again. "I already said no," she snapped, annoyed at his reckless behavior. It was like he'd already given up. His heavy drinking was normal, but to do so in this situation was unlike him. Her eyes snapped to his then, as he passed the glass to Obara and while eying Nymeria. Yara's breath hitched.

Back on the pavilion the time for vows had arrived. Dany said a silent prayer, looked over her shoulder and mouthed, "Run," to Sansa, who turned and took off toward the sea cliff, Tyene immediately hot on her heels.

As Dany stepped forward, Littlefinger's eyes darted from his bride to her sprinting bridesmaid. He looked into Dany's eyes in disbelief. What he saw there was almost enough to cause his immediate demise. And later, he'd wished it had. Flames. Black flames. Suddenly the flames were no longer just in her eyes, they were all around him.

The screams drew Nymeria and Obara to the balcony. As Obara reached it, she suddenly grabbed her throat, which felt tight. Her eyes widened as she realized it was closing. Seconds later, she was free falling over the edge unable to scream for want of breath.

Dany's three dragons had lit up the entire pavilion. Bodies were on fire. Littlefinger looked down at his own body. He was on fire. He looked back at his bride. She looked remorseful until her eyes turned back to him. Anger. A pure, burning hate. That was the last thought he had before he was no more than a stain of black ash on the ground.

Dany had watched Sansa throw herself over the edge into the sea just as fire engulfed the pavilion, and now she watched innocent people burn alive in the fire. She looked to the balcony of the room where Yara was kept prisoner just in time to see a body falling from it. And then another.

"Poison!" Nymeria screamed as she watched her sister fall. Her cry turned into a gurgle as a blade cut through her middle. She turned her head to see Yara release the handle of Obara's sword, which was now plunged through her stomach, and push her over the railing.

Dany looked to the sea where Drogon appeared with Sansa on his back and Tyene in his mouth. Expressionless, she made her way toward the room where she'd left Yara. Her wedding dress was falling in pieces from her body.

She burst into the room to find Tyrion sipping a glass of wine, several cases of which were around him, and Yara, who was sitting on the floor next to him and looked up just in time to see the last of the white dress turn black and flake off Dany's skin.

"Dany," she breathed, standing up as Dany fell down into her arms. "Dany?" She repeated worriedly.

"I'm okay," she whispered, breathing in the scent of salt on Yara's skin. "How is it you still smell like the sea?"

Yara's laugh was soft and soon choked out into a sob. "I thought I… you… I thought…"

Dany pressed a kiss to her throat. "No." Yara sighed, brushing her fingers over her lover's ash-stained face. "I chose you. That's all there is to it."

"It comes at a price," Tyrion murmured into his drink.

Dany's eyes darkened, "I know the cost."

"You'll have to pay for it. The Houses will demand reparations, if not more, for their lost citizens."

Dany nodded. "Thank you for protecting her. For being brilliant and figuring out what needed to be done." Tyrion nodded. The silence stretched between them.

"I love you," Dany whispered against Yara's skin.

"I love you too," Yara whispered back. "Even if you do smell like smoke."

Dany tightened her grip around Yara, who buried her face more deeply into Dany's hair.