04x06, 'The Laws of Gods and Men'
It's the end of a long day. Jorah shifts. His feet ache from standing in one position for so long.
Daenerys rises, looking as drained as he feels.
"Go," she says now. "Get something to eat."
"I'll see you back safely," Jorah replies. Tired as he may be, he will not shirk his duty.
Ser Barristan shoots him a look but doesn't argue.
Jorah gestures for Daenerys to step in front of him.
She rolls her eyes at him, but it's affectionate. "The Unsullied could do this."
"I know. But I wouldn't rest if I didn't know you were safely where you were supposed to be."
"You worry too much."
"You don't worry enough," he counters. "You do realise that you're a target, don't you?"
She waves a dismissive hand. "With a protector like you around, why should I worry?"
He smirks, falling into step with her. Since Qarth, since his foolish mistake of showing too much of his heart, they have slowly started to come back to where they had been before. He is glad of that. Whatever his feelings might be he treasures her friendship, treasures being her confidante. Nothing will ever be more important than that.
"I'm glad court is over, though," she confesses.
"You're glad it's over?" Jorah raises an eyebrow. "Forgive me, Khaleesi, but I didn't see you standing for the duration."
"And you're not the one who has to make a decision on every problem that comes through the door. I have a headache."
She's teasing him. It feels so good to have got that dynamic back.
"Would you like to come in?" she asks when they reach her quarters. "The Masters have left some wine. I feel a petty satisfaction in drinking it."
"Just for a moment," he allows. It will be nice to be of his feet.
She gestures for him to sit and pours the wine herself. The handmaidens bring her up a mountain of food which she offers to share with him, but he politely declines, knowing that he ought to go to the great hall to join the others.
Still, he can't quite get himself to move. His head is pleasantly fuzzy. A danger sign, he knows it. He hasn't eaten all day.
"You're looking at me funny," Daenerys says.
He blinks himself out of his stupor. "How do you mean?"
She fidgets, looking away from him. "I don't know."
She does. He can see it in her eyes. A sense of trepidation. And that gives him all the knowledge he needs.
Guard lowered by the alcohol, he's allowed himself to soften in her presence.
For her to see the affection he holds for her, that deep-rooted love he tries so hard to hide.
It makes her uncomfortable.
And he's reminded all over again of Qarth, of the cracks that appeared, of her distaste.
He stands abruptly. His tongue feels thick and stupid.
"I should go," he says.
Daenerys doesn't try to stop him.