Dany V
A heavy thud abruptly woke Dany from her sound sleep. The ship's slow rocking on the calm seas was a gentle lullaby, she had only meant to rest a short while but found herself walking up hours later in the dead of night. Opening her eyes, she quickly scanned the room around her, wondering what time it was, after midnight, maybe later, she guessed. Her modestly appointed chamber was bathed in the bright light of the full moon, the unusually warm night coupled with calm winds almost made her forget that it was indeed winter. It was hard to imagine that not that long ago she was in a hopelessly frozen desert at the end of the world.
One half of the mission had been completed but not without immense grief and loss on her part. It was easier to cope with the loss of Viserion by thinking he was just off on a long hunting trek, thinking he'll be back soon. The false sense of hope gave Dany a semblance of strength when she could find none within herself; a story good enough to keep her chin up in trying times when she felt alone in the world.
And Dany did remember the loneliness she felt as a child, living in constant fear as an exile on the run from Robert's assassins. She would build her fantasy world of hope wherever she laid her head at night; be it a lush featherbed in a Braavosi Lord's palace or smuggled in the back of a wheat wagon on its way to Pentos. She'd pretend to be a princess of Old Valyria, the last remaining of the world's dragonkin with castles, dragons, loyal subjects, and all the things princesses were promised. And while her brother earned the moniker "the beggar king", conspiring to sell her to the highest bidder as they traveled the Free Cities, Dany would dream and hope of a different future. And now look, it all came true, even her impossible dragons.
An odd mix of elation and exhaustion had been the mood of late among the ship's passengers and Dany wasn't immune to it. Since waking yesterday, Jon was healing nicely, eating more and sleeping less each day. Last night, the men gathered in his chambers in an informal gesture of well-wishing for Jon's recovery and remembrance for those that were lost. Ser Davos had asked her to attend but she declined, Jon needed the camaraderie of his fellow warriors around him to get him back on his feet again. She really did occupy most of his time while he was asleep, it was now their time to spend with him as they set off on the next leg of their journey.
As the gentle swells began to lull Dany back to sleep, another loud thud shook the wall behind her. Jon, she knew. Dany had taken the room right next to his, meant for the captain's steward, wanting to be close to him while he was unconscious. She sprung to her feet, headed for the door and opened it. The hallway was dark, only a dim light from the dining room down the hall was visible. She approached Jon's door with trepidation, pulling her long braided hair over her right shoulder, making sure that her sleep tunic wasn't bunched up or too wrinkled. She knocked softly on the door but didn't announce herself as she slowly pushed Jon's door open into the chamber.
"Jon?" she quietly called, peeking her head further in, Dany's eyes swept around the dark room, looking over at the rumpled empty bed covered in moonlight.
"I'm here," Jon replied, Dany's eyes shifted and found him braced against a long table near the window, arms holding himself up while unsteady legs threatened to tumble him to the floor. His hair loose, long curls obscuring his face from her. He looked up from underneath them, out of breath and pained.
Dany swiftly entered was at his side in the next moment, grabbing his hand and arm without a second thought to help steady him. She looked up at him, eyes full of worry, "Why are you out of bed?"
"Why are you so warm?" Jon replied, eyes smiling in obvious jest, gripping her hand tighter. Dany was caught off guard by his momentary playfulness, she couldn't help but smile, not knowing how to respond. She flushed at the remark, pretty sure that was what Jon had intended.
Dany responded with an equally dismissive yet playful attitude, "Targaryen blood runs hot. Blood of the Dragon and what not."
Jon's gaze caught hers as they both stood for a long moment smiling at each other, not knowing what to say next but somehow enjoying this new found familiarity together. Dany immediately felt herself tighten as she held his arm, feeling his own muscles tense under her hands, he was strong despite it all he's gone through. Their fingers intertwined, warmth spreading between them. Jon barely let her hold any of his weight as they walked toward the small dining table in the middle of the room. He grabbed the sides of the closest chair and gingerly lowered himself down.
Dany lit the single candleholder on the heavy wooden table, bathing Jon is a soft glow of light that made Dany's heart quicken in response. They wore almost the exact sleeping clothes, black linen pants with a plain ivory cotton tunic, although Jon's shirt was open down to his chest, giving Dany a full view of his bruised muscles and deep, puckered scars. I will not bring it up unless he does, she had promised herself and Ser Davos. Pulling her chair closer to the side of the table, she sat down, watching Jon shift his weight until he was finally comfortable.
"Apologies, your Grace, for waking ya. I hoped to make it up to the deck but the table's as far as I got," Jon said between steadying breaths. His legs languidly stretched out before him as he sat in the heavy oak chair across from her. He gave her a quick grin, "I think I might have drunk a little too much last night."
"It was well-deserved drinking, to be sure," Dany smiled in return, "Although wasn't Gendry supposed to be with you this evening?" Even though Jon was awake, Ser Davos and Gendry had still decided to take turns turns sleeping on the large tufted bench in his room, just in case he needed anything during the night.
"I sent him away, I don't need a babysitter. Besides, I'm doing much better." Dany could see his frustration at having to take it easy during his recovery. He was anxious to get back to planning every step of this journey as he had been before he left Dragonstone. He was obviously not used to being rendered incapacitated.
"Almost falling twice while getting out of bed means you aren't well enough to walk around alone just yet, Jon." Dany replied, eyebrows lifting, daring him to respond back.
"Jon," he repeated back to her, grinning from underneath his curtain of long hair, "I like hearing you say my name."
"Well, considering all that we've been though in such a short time, I couldn't imagine calling you anything else." Dany said, surprised at her own forwardness, wringing her hands in the folds of her tunic.
"Aye, Daenerys," Jon replied, quickening Dany's heartbeat, I guess I like hearing my name too. The usual thick growl of his northern accent was soft and inviting tonight, "Davos told me that you stayed with me, took care of me while I slept, is that true?"
Dany began to flush, averting her gaze to look down at her lap. Jon was being very direct and even though she welcomed it, it still took a bit of getting used to. It was the middle of the night and she was alone with him, something she had wanted for so long. There was nowhere to hide now, no more throne rooms of intimidation or dragonglass caves to dig through. Hadn't I wished for this moment? To be alone with Jon? Why then am I so nervous?
Firmly avoiding his insinuation, "I promised the maester at Eastwatch that I would take care of you," Dany responded, "Besides, it wasn't just me, Ser Davos and Gendry also helped. We were all concerned for your well being."
"Well, I feel much better, thank you. You're a great maester." He leaned back in the chair a bit, resettling himself. Looking this beautiful, honest man sitting across from her, Dany couldn't help but feel flushed at every word he said, her chest shook with anticipation. Unconsciously, her gaze scanned his relaxed, strong posture soo dangerously close to her, dressed in thin linen fabric that barely hid the muscled outline of his body underneath, every curve of him accented under his clothes…gods! He was gorgeous, from the moment she saw him in the throne room, she knew…
Dany's eyes rose to meet Jon's watchful gaze, not being able to hide her obvious desire to undressed him a moment ago, Dany anxiously stood, straightening her tunic and pants in the process. Jon sat up quickly in response, wincing in pain with concern in his eyes, worried that he's said something wrong.
Their dance was a long time coming, but somehow she couldn't quantify her fears about him. Still feeling skittish despite knowing that Jon Snow was one of the most honorable, decent men she'd ever met. Don't be afraid to love again, she had told herself over and over, knowing what she had to do, but not knowing how to do it. Dany had to open up, let go of her fears, and just try to be with someone deserving of her affection and loyalty, Jon Snow had certainly earned both.
"Are you hungry?" Dany asked, changing the subject, "I didn't get a chance to eat last night."
"I drank my dinner last night," Jon laughed softly, "Every time my cup was close to empty, the Hound would fill it to the brim again." Dany grinned, knowing exactly what he meant. She had watched Sandor go through more than his share of ale and wine during their time on the ship.
"Well, Jon Snow, with your full recovery at stake, your queen insists that you accept her long-standing dinner invitation immediately." Dany stated with her faux regalness she'd loved to joke around with.
"How can I refuse my Queen's command?" Jon answered, his hand running through his curly hair, a wide flirtatious smile lingering on his face.
"Give me a moment, I'll be back," Dany could barely contain her excitement, feeling like a young girl as she practically skipped out of Jon's room. She heading down the corridor to the dining room and larder to see if there was anything she could muster up that would constitute supper. Entering the dining area, she saw Gendry sitting at the table with a piece of parchment and writing lead in hand, illustrating a new a warhammer he wanted to forge out of dragonglass and steel.
Gendry's eyes rose at the sound of her approach, he stood quickly as she entered, "Your grace…"
"It's fine, Gendry," Dany said as she passed the table, heading toward the pantry. "Jon's awake and hungry. I thought to get us something since we missed supper."
"Let me get it for ya, your Grace," he said as he made his way from behind the table and entered the pantry with her. "His Grace kicked me out of his room earlier before I got a chance to bring his supper. I kept it warm in case he woke. I'll bring enough for both of ya."
As Dany began to help prepare the tray, Gendry had insisted on taking over the duty, so she let him. Thanking him profusely, she returned to Jon's cabin and with a soft knock, she entered and shut the door behind her.
Jon was right where she'd left him, the light from the single candle in the room diffusing a warm, glowing aura around him. His eyes watched her cross the room and sit back down in front of him, never moving a muscle.
Dany sat down, hands folded in her lap, "Gendry offered to bring us a tray of food. The boy is very fond of you, but then again, all your men are."
"Aye, I guess. I just met him before we left Dragonstone. He's Robert Baratheon's bastard son." Dany's eyes widened as Jon continued almost apologetically, "He's a young lad, good to the bone, didn't know his father. He traveled with my younger sister Arya while on her way to Winterfell with the Night's Watch, but they got separated along the way."
"Everyone knows everyone," Dany said with a curious smile, "Everyone is where they are for a reason. It feels like fate sometimes…"
She was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Gendry appeared with a small tray filled with two hot bowls of bone broth with mushrooms and onions, half dozen hard biscuits and a large tankard of the good red wine from Eastwatch. Dany got up as he entered, taking the tray from him to set it down on the table in front of Jon. She thanked Gendry again as he and Jon exchanged quick, knowing glances, closing the door behind him after he left.
"See, good lad, no usurper there," Jon quipped as he took one of the bowls and set it in front of Daenerys' seat, taking the other for himself. Dany smiled at the remark and returned to the table. Sitting down, she took a warm biscuit and dipped it into the steaming hot soup that smelled so delicious. For a long moment, they sat in silence, drinking the hearty broth down, waiting for the other to say something.
Dany raised her eyes from her bowl to look across the table at Jon, only to find that he was already looking at her. She smiled and lowered her gaze again, focusing on finishing the last of her soup.
"I never pegged you as shy, your Grace," Jon said, forcing her to look up from her bowl again. He was sitting back, shirt opened, hair tousled and falling over one side of his face. She began to flush at the sight of his undressed state but then remedied the situation by asking Jon pointed question of her own…
Sitting up from her bowl, Dany straighten, wiped her mouth on her napkin and met his gaze, "Are you flirting with your Queen?"
"Maybe, maybe not. It's hard to tell if your Grace is interested in what I might have to offer her," Jon said with such assertion that he reminded her of Daario for a moment; beautiful and strong, all swaggering cock and bluster with the confidence to match. Except her former lover was untrustworthy and vain, things Jon could never be.
Dany let her gaze linger on Jon for a long moment before methodically pouring each of them a cup of wine. She reached out to give him a cup, holding his longing stare with her own, "The queen wants the king to get well and strong again. We have much to accomplish together and I want you at your best."
"My best is all you'll ever have, my queen," Jon took the cup from her hand, letting his fingers graze hers in the exchange. Raising his cup to her as she reciprocated, they drank long and deep together. Jon raised a single eyebrow over his goblet, "So am I still a king? My sister Sansa would be happy to know that I didn't give up everything just to have your support."
Dany sipped her wine, placing the cup down on the table. She understood what Jon was trying to ask. Yes, she had wanted his fealty when they first met, but now, Dany was unsure what she wanted. She didn't want this larger than life warrior king to bend the knee to anybody, not even to her. He had proven himself truthful and honest with flawless integrity during their short time together. She couldn't bear to take that away from him knowing that his people might not accept her as queen or even question his unwavering commitment to the North.
"Let's get past this next obstacle with the Mad Queen before we begin parsing up the seven kingdoms, shall we?"
"That wasn't an answer," Jon responded in a knowing tone.
"Its the closest answer I have to give right now, Jon"
"That's fair," Jon said, not pushing any further, taking another long sip of wine before returning the cup to the table. He rested his hand on the silver goblet, fingers absentmindedly circling the rim in distraction. He raised his gaze to meet hers, the playful jest gone from his eyes.
Dany noticed his change, she sitting up straight, "What's wrong?" she asked, noticing his furrowed brow growing as he thought through the next thing he was going to say to her.
"We've lost so much already, both of us. I fear losing more before this war comes to an end. You've seen what we're facing. I just…" Jon hesitated, his eyes looking down at the table, trying to find the right words. Dany saw the disquiet rising in him, so she reached out across the table, wanting Jon to know that she understood his fears now all too looked up, his worried face almost surprised at her outstretched hand
"We will do this together, Jon. You are not alone in this fight, I'm with you," Dany said, willing him to return the gesture.
Jon looked down and slowly reached out for her, taking her hand in his as they did a few days ago on his sickbed. He looked up as they met each other's gaze, locking eyes for what felt like forever. There was soo much she wanted to say, but this right here, holding his hand in the middle of the night far away from the rest of the world, was all she could ever want.
Jon swiftly moved forward in his seat, taking her by surprise. He took both his hands and enclosed hers into his, their arms resting on the table between them. He gently rolled his fingers through hers, watching their hands playfully hold and caress each other. The small yet intimate gesture made her cheeks flush, her breath unsteady as her building desire for him began taking over her senses. He kept his gaze on their hands, squeezing gently, the candlelight flickering between them.
"I don't want to lose you, Daenerys," Jon confessed, his eyes avoiding hers as she inhaled deeply to steady herself. Her head spinning, a flood of raw emotion coursing through her. She never thought he would ever be so direct with her, considering the rocky start they had. But despite the defiance and disagreements, the tension and attraction between them was a simmering volcano. She watched Jon's face change with indecision and concern, words sticking in his throat.
"I'm not sure what that means right now. There's so much happening, so much that's already happened. I worry about what's ahead for all of us. But when I see you, I know just one truth; I don't want you hurt or lost. I want you safe. So, as your King, sworn to obey your every command, I ask of you just one request: Please, never put yourself in harm's way ever again, not for me, not for anybody. Promise me."
His heartfelt plea took Dany aback, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes as he looked up from the table to meet her gaze. His heart was laid bare before her, as she looked into his deep brown eyes, she knew that she would do anything for this man, as he would do anything for her. She trusted him, felt his loyalty and affection deep within her as an unwavering truth she could hold onto until the end of her days. She didn't know how to respond for a moment, trying to push back the small swell of tears that began to build.
"I wasn't going to let you die, Jon. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to save you," Dany said, her voice wavering with emotion. "I may have lost my dragon, but I didn't lose you. You came back, alive, like a… I saw you go through the ice, I thought you were gone…"
Dany couldn't hold it in any further, she felt her throat tightened as the emotions gripped her hard, the flood of memories from that hellish nightmare came rushing back to her. She averted her gaze, trying to pull out of their embrace, but Jon held it firmly. He stood in one fluid motion, pulling Dany's hand up with him and before she knew it, he was standing impossibly close to her, the smell of him everywhere, pulling her into a gentle, protective embrace. Dany melted into his arms, her head resting on his chest, tears began to fall, wetting his linen shirt. He said nothing as he held her close, hands warm on her back, tracing small circles as her quiet sobs shook her petite frame.
As Dany's tears subsided, she slowly wrapped her arms around Jon, returning his embrace, feeling his body tighten in response. There was little clothing between them and Dany could feel the warmth of his skin, strong muscles pulling her close. Jon couldn't hide his arousal, hard and wanting between them. Dany's body instantly responded, her face grew flush as she ran her hands down Jon's back, feeling his body tense underneath. She pulled him little tighter, causing Jon to inhale slightly at the added closeness. Suddenly, she remembered his bruised ribs…
She quickly broke their embrace and Jon reluctantly let her go, his arms sliding down until he was holding both her hands in his own, not letting her stray too far from him. She looked up at Jon, worry spread across her face in remorse, "I'm sorry, your ribs, I was holding you too tight…"
"I'll never complain about that," Jon smirked down at her, gripping her hands tighter in acknowledgment. She looked up at him and smiled, eyes slightly puffy from tears and now the lack of sleep. He understood what she was going through, they had both suffered loss beyond the wall. Dany had nothing to hide from him, she knew that he would always be honest and true. His eyes held hers for a long moment, Dany wanted nothing more than to pull his face closer to hers and kiss his full lips. She could see that was what Jon wanted as well.
Instead, he slowly pulled both her hands up to his lips. Holding her gaze, he placed small, lingering kisses along her knuckles, her fingers, as his beard gently rubbed along the back of her hands. It was one of the most intimate gestures Dany had ever been a part of, watching him watching her, the desire between them strong enough to live a thousand lifetimes.
"I think it's best if we both get some rest," Jon said quietly between kisses on her tender skin, his beard warm on her hands, the sensation spreading deep, she could feel her wetness slowly slipping down her inner thigh in anticipation. Breathless, she watched him adore her, Dany had no words left to say.
With one last caress, Jon dropped their hands back down between them. Smiling between sighs, "It's late, your Grace, let me walk you back to your room," Jon said, taking her hand in his as they walked toward his chamber door.
"You will not be walking me anywhere," Dany quietly retorted, her body still heightened from their intimate embrace. As Dany reached out for the door pull, she turned to look at Jon. Still holding his other hand, Dany gripped it tight, "As your Queen, promise me that you will take care of yourself, no more foolish endeavors or dangerous missions, so I will not have to put myself at risk."
Jon bit his lower lip, holding her gaze with a devilish grin, "Promise me and I'll promise you." But as much as Dany wanted to punch and kiss him in that moment, she wanted his promise more.
"I promise you, Jon," Dany said, reaching for his other hand as they stood in the open doorway. Jon raised both her hands to his lips again, squeezing his eyes shut, he kissed her firmly with such admiration and love that Dany almost began to cry again.
"And I promise you, Daenerys," Jon replied, his voice low and breathless against her hands, "Now, go. Get some rest, I'll see you in the morning."