Heaving heart is full of pain,

oh, the aching.

'Cause I'm kissing you.

Oh, I'm kissing you.

Touch me deep, pure and true,

gift to me forever.

'Cause I'm kissing you.

-Des'ree, "Kissing You"

Jon watched with amused eyes as Dany fidgeted with the silver band in her hair, attempting to figure out the placement without a mirror.

"Here," he offered, fixing it for her and letting his hands rest on her shoulders when he was done.

"I think I've adopted your nerves," she chuckled.

"Aye, it looks that way."

"This is crazy."

"Even more than last time?"

Dany nodded, a sweet smile on her face, "Only a month and everything's different."

Jon opened his mouth to agree when the booming voice of the herald interrupted him.

"Presenting Their Royal Highnesses, Jon of House Stark and Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Prince and Princess of the North, Duke and Duchess of Last River."

And so began one of the last major portions of the evening. Get through this, he thought, and you'll be back North before you know it. Jon exhaled as the massive doors swung open to reveal the gilded ballroom. He slipped his hand into Dany's and drew up his posture.

The guests lounged around the ballroom, sipping cocktails and chatting in their formal wear. Most were nobles, some were extremely lucky politicians, and the rest were visitors from lands foreign and not. Their idle chatter died down as the royal young couple swept past, either because they wanted a better look at Dany's new outfit or they wished to evaluate the prince who stole her heart. All Jon could feel were their invasive stares over the rims of their glasses.

A squeeze to his hand brought his attention to the woman next to him. She smiled as he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, the prying eyes and low-lying nerves lost in the sparkle of her eyes. He should tell her.

They took their seats at the head table, elevated above the others in the ballroom, alongside the two kings and their queens. Champagne found its way around for the toasts, which were heartfelt but short, so they could get onto the three-course meal promised to their guests as a reward for waiting through the hour of royal portrait taking.

As the first course got underway, Jon scanned the sea of faces. He recognized the Lannisters seated close to the head table, out of respect for Tywin's position as Rhaegar's Hand. The Martells also sat nearby due to their proximity to Elia. And, of course, the Starks that didn't fit at the high table.

And next to him, in her gown of pure moonlight, sat the beautiful woman he had the honor of calling his wife.

He opened his mouth to say something, but she leaned in close and he abandoned his plan.

"That man seated next to Tywin with the dark hair, that's the Prime Minister. He flew in from Slaver's Bay this morning. Rhaegar has him bouncing between Yunkai, Mereen, and Astapor to negotiate crude oil prices," Dany whispered into Jon's ear.

Her low voice sent a tell-tale shiver through him, raising heat through his neck. It wasn't an unfamiliar sensation, but one he found occurred more often in Dany's presence.

"You import your oil?"

It was the only thing he could think to say.

"The North doesn't?"

"Not all. We allow companies to maintain contracts with the Free Folk in the Gift and Beyond the Wall, but we have to monitor them; employment quotas, land boundaries, and all that."

"Why watch them so closely?"

"The projects are meant to support both our economies, so it's written into the agreement that a certain number of Northmen and local Free Folk are hired in different positions. It helps with observing the land boundaries. A lot of Free Folk still follow the old way, especially farther north. They allow the companies on their land with the understanding that they're visitors who can't disturb what lies beyond the agreed-upon boundaries."

"And what if they do?"

"In most cases, fines and investigation. In others, the permission to drill is revoked."

"Companies would rather pay fines than protect their workers or shy away from profit," Dany pointed out.

"That is the unfortunate side of things."

"Can I pick your brain about something else?"

"Anything."

"Your thoughts on renewable energy."

A sly smile peeked over the clear rim of her wine glass, her playful nature shifting in the amethyst eyes.

"It's a step in the right direction but it's too idealistic."

"How so?"

Jon sighed in contemplation, "We have an entire region that relies on coal mining to keep its people alive. Most are too poor to consider other options. If we made the switch it would be death to them and their way of life."

"Slow implementation, then," Dany offered.

"It's a start but there would still be complications. Pushback from the lords, the people in that region. It's all they know and change is scary."

She hummed in agreement, "Well, I'll have to introduce you to the Minister of Energy. She's got ideas I think you'll love."

"Are you two seriously talking about politics at your wedding?" Elia's voice cut in.

"Why not?" Dany smiled.

Elia muttered something about them being an odd pair, which was the only kind of couple they could be considering the circumstances. Enemies to friends to hopefully lovers, if Jon could get the words out of his mouth.

The second course appeared with the flurry of the waitstaff fluttering about the tables. In the daylight, the formal ballroom felt airy and open. The gold was less overbearing and more like a pretty dusting along the hand-painted walls. And the ceiling seemed loftier without hundreds of bodies pressed together.

Important members of state made toasts throughout the final courses-positive proclamations to Jon and Dany's health, their union, and the hope for the continuation of the two great lines. Even Tywin Lannister had something gracious to say about the young royals he recently hosted under his roof, though his expression hinted he wasn't too pleased to say it.

Outside, the sun began its languid descent, shining through the tall windows until it met the other wing of the palace. By that time, most guests finished their dessert and mingled around, waiting for the next event of the evening. Champagne continued to flow and with it came the loosened state of mind. Jon doubted anyone even noticed the couple seated above them. The newlyweds would be old news by tomorrow.

The party moved to the courtyard after dinner, relishing in the decreased temperature from the setting sun. With the amount of alcohol going around everyone soon forgot where they were and the rigid sense of decorum they carried slipped away without much care or thought.

Jon stood with his arm around Dany, the two of them watching their party guests let loose on the dance floor. He also relaxed into the evening alongside her. The courtyard was crowded but they lived in a world of their own, sharing secret moments as no one watched.

As they talked, his eyes lingered on the places they hadn't been tempted to before. He watched the way her breath disturbed the flowy fabric at her chest, the neckline pulling taunt at her laughter, the way the unstructured dress managed to hide and accentuate her curves and moved with her as she swayed and moved.

And Dany's touches set his skin to flame, even through the heavy fabric of his suit jacket, especially when she placed her hand on his upper arm and whispered in his ear. Her lips brushing the shell and her heated breath gave him a chill.

He returned the favor of course, allowing his fingers to brush along her bare shoulder and exposed back when he exchanged whispers with her.

These feelings weren't new or foreign to Jon; he'd met women who made his heart race and his skin burn before, but something about the unexpectedness and strength of his relationship with Dany put everything in a new perspective. The skips in his heartbeat still caught him by surprise and he lost himself in her smile and eyes. And perhaps most surprising, he longed to feel her skin beneath his hands.

He should've expected it from the catastrophic first meeting in the greenhouse. His taste for particularly lethal women threatened to rise to the surface despite the importance of the situation at hand. But the weight of everything stopped him and it was for the better. His restraint allowed them a journey of discovery, their trust and emotional understanding the hard-won reward.

As Jon pointed out another guest who clearly enjoyed the free champagne, and while his eyes glossed down the soft golden skin of Dany's neck, someone snatched her from his side.

Her surprised shriek dissolved into laughter as Robb spun her around.

"Welcome to the family!"

Dany nearly tripped over her feet when Robb set her down, still laughing as she managed to say, "I've been part of your family for over a month."

"Aye. But now it's officially official."

Jon couldn't help the smile as Dany swatted Robb's arm, pulling the stubborn look she always gave when play-fighting.

"You know what this party needs?"

"What?"

"A good old-fashioned reel."

At the suggestion of the traditional Northern dance, Dany shook her head, "Oh Gods no!"

"Too late. I've already requested one from the DJ."

Dany shook her head before the arms of Catelyn took her up, "We're so glad to have you, dear."

Jon turned to Robb with a furrowed brow. Catelyn never hugged anyone besides her own children, and Jon knew she was wary of Dany at the best of times.

"She's had a few," Robb informed.

"I can tell."

Dany caught Jon's eyes through Catelyn's embrace, a look of satisfaction and humor on her face.

"And you!" Catelyn turned her gaze on Jon.

He froze in anticipation of a reprimand, an old habit that never died. But the influence of several drinks turned her usually icy gaze rosy and warm, hinting at the young woman his father must have encountered all those years ago at Barrowton.

"Have I told you how proud I am? I feel like I don't tell you that enough."

And without much time to process that, Her Majesty simply pulled Jon into a hug.

He never fought for Catelyn's approval, never craved her validation, never thought she could treat him with anything other than disdain and cold distance. And yet her simple, albeit drunken, gesture brought an unexpected wave of emotions.

"Whoa," came Arya's impressed voice.

"Oh Gods, she's really in the sauce," Bran seconded.

"I heard that," Her Majesty reprimanded without moving her chin from Jon's shoulder.

"Alright Mom, maybe we better find a nice cool place to rest for a minute," Sansa suggested, gently removing her mother's arms from around Jon's neck.

Although he was grateful for Sansa's intervention, a part of him didn't want Catelyn to go.

A sudden burst of fiddles and pipes filled the air from the speakers expertly hidden by the staff, breaking into the strange but peaceful moment.

"This one's mine! C'mon Dany!" Robb cheered.

Dany glanced to Jon, "You coming?"

"No, I- uh- I think I'm going to need a minute."

She gave him a knowing smile and allowed herself to be pulled to the clearing of people.

At first, Jon didn't recognize the melody, too caught up in his encounter with Catelyn to think about it. Then it hit him. It was the same song from the Midsummer festival, the night Dany accepted the proposal. The same twists and spins and steps came from Dany with no hesitation and much more confidence. In her fluttery dress, she looked every bit the fairytale maiden, a lithe woodland creature come to walk among mortals before retreating to the mystical place she called home.

Laughter and excited shouts cut through the demure, polite conversations of the evening. A change Jon welcomed.

"Gods, we're being invaded," an elder member of the court laughed as she wandered near.

It took Jon a second to realize she meant the comment for him.

"Aye," he exaggerated, "Quite so."

And with that, he entered the floor. The dance brought him to Sansa first, then Arya, and finally Dany. They weren't professionals by any means, and with a little too much to drink, they stumbled around each other. But dancing the old dances was more fun that way and Jon liked having the excuse to touch Dany.

She only laughed when he let his hand wander lower than necessary, or when he pulled her closer and tight to his chest. And she let herself do the same. It wasn't just the burning influence of alcohol, although it helped, but the renewed confidence in each other, the trust and understanding that they could be more now. Nothing held them back.

When it was over, they bowed to each other, cheeky smirks on their faces.

The Martells stole them after the excitement of the Northern dance, trying to hold a conversation with the breathless, giddy couple. So far, they were the most entertaining guests, treating Jon as though he were really part of the family. As Arianne put it, "anyone Dany loves, we do." At her sweet comment, Jon squeezed Dany tighter.

Their conversation was cut short however, as the familiar figure of Rhaegar approached. Dany's subtle tense and shift closer put Jon on his guard. Even the Martells sensed the change and scattered, though he would've preferred they stay.

Even though he was technically family, Rhaegar was still an imposing and distant figure, impossible to read and even harder to decipher his motives.

"Dany, have you talked with Uncle Aemon yet?"

"Of course, we greeted him when he arrived."

"Perhaps you should speak with him again, I heard he might be leaving soon."

Uncle Aemon was near a hundred years old and surprised everyone by staying as long as he had.

Dany looked at Jon, brow furrowed in concern.

He pressed a kiss to her temple, "Go, I'll be fine."

She only nodded before detaching herself and heading across the courtyard for her uncle.

"Congratulations again, Your Royal Highness."

Jon regarded the Targaryen king warily, picking up the falseness in his tone. This was their first interaction since the first wedding, the one where he threatened Dany before the ceremony.

"Thank you," Jon said, making sure he didn't sound overly friendly, or too cagey.

"Having you all as part of the family is wonderful. Daenerys made the right choice about this marriage."

Jon's stomach twisted at the phrase. Dany's choice. Neither of them had a say in the matter, unwilling participants from the start.

"The way I hear it, Dany's decision didn't matter."

Rhaegar blinked at him, clearly trying to formulate a response, "Well, the situation wasn't ideal but Dany had as much autonomy as you did."

"Did she?" Jon tested, he wanted to see if Rhaegar actually thought Jon had no idea.

"Of course," Rhaegar scoffed, "But you know Dany and her flair for the dramatic, making a big deal out of little things. I'm sure she told you how trapped she feels, how much of a burden this family is. She's smart. She knows if she plays the victim people will take her side, no matter what."

Jon fought to keep his expression unchanged. He never doubted Dany when she warned him about Rhaegar. And this exchange was more proof to trust her assessment.

He glanced toward the other side of the courtyard, where Dany accepted a hug from her ancient uncle and leaned down to hear him better. Her smile was unbelievably genuine and wide with care.

Keeping the same careful tone he'd employed for the whole conversation, Jon said, "If you told me two months ago, I would've believed you. But now, I can't."

Rhaegar looked the prince up and down, arching a brow in the same way Dany often did. "And why's that?"

"You once mentioned that Dany had the biggest heart in your family and I've spent enough time with her to know it's true. She's not the woman your media makes her out to be. And your confrontation before the first wedding had more witnesses than you think. Dany told me what you asked her to do, what happened when she refused. She said she feared you."

All the land and titles in the world couldn't protect Rhaegar from what he was; a man who still cared deeply about his family no matter how he chose to manipulate them. Jon's carefully constructed comment was enough to shake the foundations of Rhaegar's intimidating facade.

"My sister understands what's expected of her… and the outcomes of her decisions."

"Aye, she does. Could that be why she left her real family behind for one she hardly knew?"

"You're bold," Rhaegar commented, the slightest hint of being impressed in his voice.

"I'm taking a page out of someone else's book."

The southern king's eyes flickered with recognition, a cool smirk growing on his face, "You've fallen for her."

"Maybe I have. Is that really so bad?"

For all Jon could think it was not. He looked back toward Dany, who was waving Uncle Aemon off, the picture of womanly grace. She made her way back across the dance floor, pure white bold among the more subdued palette of other guests. With the fading sun, the hundreds of twinkling lights strung overhead got to work. Their incandescent light provided artificial starlight to the not-yet-dark-enough sky.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to make sure she knows it."

Jon left Rhaegar behind to join his wife on the dance floor. He met her in the center of it all as the previous track faded away. The guests took note of his presence and whispered excitedly, stopping their own dancing to watch the young couple.

A simple piano ballad surrounded them and Jon wordlessly took Dany into his arms. The song became an opportunity to hold each other and breathe. Jon's hand found the small of her back, spine bared by the low cut of her dress and highlighted by the short row of buttons. He paid no mind to their audience, only the rhythm and the way Dany fit into his arms.

She gladly folded into his embrace, resting her head against his chest and swaying with him. Jon felt her contented exhale, the way her ribs settled with it, and tilted his cheek to rest against her forehead. He didn't need to look at her to know she was distracted, agitated.

"What's wrong?" He pulled back to examine her face.

She looked at him with a small smile, "Nothing."

Her answer wasn't reassuring so he followed her eyes to the subject of her discontent.

Rhaegar stood with his arm around Elia as they looked on, occasionally gazing into each other's eyes, an unusual show of affection now that no one watched them; their own secret moment in a crowded room. The southern king whispered something into the Dornish woman's ear that made her turn her face into his shoulder to hide her chuckle.

"I always wondered how they did it," Dany remarked.

Now was his chance to tell her the very thought plaguing his mind all night.

"Do you remember the first wedding? When we stood under the Weirwood as nothing more than two people who hardly knew each other and said some words?'

She chuckled, "Yes. I remember being so nervous to get them right. And how strange it was to say such beautiful words without really meaning it."

"It was. But this time it was different, standing in front of all those people and the septons. And, I'm not sure if it was the same for you, but I meant them."

She raised her brows sharply, in surprise, "You did?"

"Yes, I did. Dany, I realized that I want to share my life with you and not because of a treaty or because someone told me I have to. But because you are genuine and lovely and fierce and if we weren't already married, I would be proposing right now."

"Jon, I- I really don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Dany… I love you."

Underneath them the music crescendoed and Jon swore tears welled in Dany's lavender eyes. His throat felt tight too as Dany threw her arms around his shoulders.

"I know what I want to say," she murmured as he released her. "You once asked me if you weren't a prince with lands and titles, just a random man I happened to meet at a bar, what would I do? And I didn't answer."

Jon nodded.

"The truth is, and I have to admit I'm a little shocked I'm saying this," she scoffed, "But I would've dragged you back to my apartment first thing and I'd go through all of this, everything, again. I'm having the time of my life with you, which I didn't think possible. Gods, I think I love you."

She inhaled, a little shaky, "I do. I love you too."

Jon kissed her as though he was swearing in the sight of Gods and men, for a third time, to hold her forever, to gift to her the entirety of his mind, body, and soul.

He didn't even notice the music ended until the people around them started moving again.