A/N: Prompt: Solve.
03x01, 'Valar Dohaeris'
Her future successes hinge on the meeting with the Astaporian Master.
Daenerys dislikes the idea. It feels… dirty, somehow. People would call her stupid. It's the way the world works; empires have been built on this.
That doesn't make it right to her. Why should anyone profit off someone else's life?
Daenerys moves over to the porthole in her cabin to catch a glimpse of the proud city as it breathes around their ship. The slaves are easy to pick out. Dusty clothes. Faces void of all emotion, for what is there to be joyous about here?
The black collars, stark around their throats.
There's a knock on the door of her cabin.
"Come in," she calls.
"Khaleesi." It's Jorah. "Are you ready to go?"
She nods. Jorah waits for her patiently, bracing one arm against the doorframe.
"I know you don't like this," he notes. "But it's something you need to consider."
She purses her lips. Jorah doesn't quite understand her reservations. He sympathises, but this is the way the world has always been. He's never had to experience it for himself.
She hasn't, not in the same way that these people have, but she does understand more than other rulers do.
She'd meant what she'd said on deck. It is too nice a day to argue. Sometimes she even enjoys it when they butt heads; it's liberating that she can speak so freely with someone, that he isn't afraid to speak his mind and will challenge her ideas. Sometimes she enjoys that back- and- forthing more than she should.
It's that thought that's in her head when she reaches him.
There's a flicker in his eyes.
Sometimes Dany thinks Jorah can read her mind. Right now she's afraid that he can.
There's a spark of something, heavy, suffocating.
For a suspended moment, she's almost sure that Jorah will lean in.
Kiss her.
She can imagine it: his warm, chapped lips on hers; the chafe of his beard against her cheek, the warmth of his tongue questing forwards.
His hands, so often restrained, breaking free of their chains to wrap around her waist and pull her closer.
And she'd push him away—of course she would, for he must not forget his place!—but there is a seed of doubt planted within her belly too, that's been slowly growing its roots inside her since their escapades in Qarth: would she be quick to push him away?
Yes, she tells herself firmly. Of course she would. She's not attracted to Jorah. It's only a idle thought because it's been so long since she was last with Drogo, there are bound to be some latent sexual frissons…
She doesn't have to find out the answer. Jorah clears his throat and steps away.
"After you, Khaleesi," is all he says.
She pushes past him, grateful to not have to follow behind, taking in the broad strength of him.
She has enough problems to solve without adding to them.