A/N: This was written for my 31 Days of Shipping prompt, The ship you never thought you'd love, but do.

Beta work was done by Grammarly. The only thing I own in this little tale is the plot.

Be sure to let me know what you think!

Love always,
~starr

Daenerys paced the length of the throne room, muttering under her breath as she went. Tyrion observed from the sideline, patiently waiting for her to stop so that he could advise where necessary. He hated seeing her distraught, but he knew that being at Winterfell was not easy. It wasn't easy for anyone who vowed allegiance to Daenerys to spend time in Winterfell. Sansa made certain of that and made an effort to turn the rest of the Starks against her as well. Jon was the only one who fought back when Sansa tried to stand her ground against Daenerys.

"True warden of the North," Daenerys hissed, shaking her head as she continued to pace. She could see Drogon and Rhaegal outside the castle, keeping an eye on her from the field. They were always close by whenever she needed them. She needed to get away from the unwanted advice and warnings her hand and the rest of her followers seemed to give her. Winterfell would never feel like home to her if she didn't sort out the feelings she kept hidden away for the man who brought her here.

After a moment of thought, Daenerys spun on her heels and made her way to the door. She brushed past everyone who had been watching her from the sides of the room without saying a word. Her pursuits were halted when she reached the door, hearing Tyrion call out to her.

"Where are you going, my Queen?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he cocked his head to the side. A smirk pulled at his lips when he noticed her glancing back over her shoulder.

She nodded to the window and watched as everyone's heads turned to take a look at what she was motioning towards. Tyrion opened his mouth to respond but closed it once more when his eyes met Daenerys'. He nodded his head and watched as she left the throne room.

Daenerys made her way through the rest of the castle quickly before slipping outside without being seen by any of the guards. She pulled her cloak tightly around her body as she braced herself for the cold, making her way around to the far side of the castle. Drogon was waiting for her; his temperament was giving off a sense of uneasiness. Daenerys furrowed her brow as she neared him. Placing a gentle hand on his nose, Daenerys brushed her hand against him.

"It's okay, Drogon," she whispered, smiling as she looked him over. "I'm doing better now. I just needed to get out of there."

Drogon let out a huff in response which made Daenerys laugh as she stroked him a bit more. Behind her, she heard something snap. She turned on her heel quickly, bracing herself against Drogon as he let out a low growl. She rolled her eyes when she saw who had followed her outside. Letting out a sigh, she took a few steps away from Drogon and crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him approach. "What are you doing out here?"

"You've been avoiding me," Jon replied, offering a smile as he strolled up to her. He paused a few steps away from her and bowed his head. "My Queen."

Daenerys squared up to him, looking him up and down. "I've been very busy. I think you are confusing that for avoidance. Some could say I am avoiding my hand because my people keep me busy."

"When I walk into a room, you quickly take your exit," Jon said, stepping forward. He reached out to caress her cheek. She pulled away from him. Jon's brow furrowed, and his lips drew into a hard line. "And now you pull away from my touch. Why are you avoiding me?"

"I left a room full of people today," Daenerys replied, shrugging her shoulders as she wrapped an arm around her waist. "Would you say that I am avoiding them too by being out here with my children?"

"Dany," Jon said, hanging his head.

Drogon let out a huff beside her, nudging her back with his nose. He knew his mother was hurting, and he wanted to protect her. However, Drogon knew she didn't need protection from Jon. She needed to be protected from herself.

"Tell me what I have done," Jon insisted, dropping to his knees in front of her. His face was solemn as he awaited her response.

Daenerys' heart broke at his words. She could tell he was hurting by her response, but she needed to protect herself and her heart. She turned away from him for a moment as a shiver ran through her body. Looking up to the sky, Daenerys closed her eyes as she spoke. "Because I think I am falling in love with you," she whispered. "That's why I'm avoiding you."

A smirk pulled at Jon's lips as he pushed himself up from his knees, taking a few steps until he closed the space between them, wrapping his hands around her waist, forcing her to turn and look at him. He reached up to loop his finger under her chin, encouraging her to look up at him. As her eyes met him, a shy smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Jon leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, wrapping both arms around her waist to pull her tight to his chest.

"I know I have fallen in love with you, my Queen," Jon said, resting his forehead against hers and brushing his thumb against her cheek. "There is no doubt in my mind that you are the true ruler of the North, and it is my honor to bend the knee to you."

Daenerys looked up at him as a tear rolled down her cheek. Hearing those simple words was all the reassurance she needed about who the true ruler of the North was to be, if only they could get Sansa to understand the situation. However, now was not the time for them to worry about such things. A confession had been shared between them, and it was time to celebrate that confession. She pressed up on her tiptoes and wrapped an arm around his neck.

Pressing her lips to his, Daenerys kissed him softly at first, only to deepen the kiss as she felt his arms squeezing her tight. No matter the outcome of the next conversation they had with Sansa, Daenerys knew that Jon would be standing by her side.