authorsnotes: as always I hope you enjoy, I enjoyed editing this

let me know watcha think

songrecs: running up that hill - kate bush

'So there is magic beyond the Wall after all. He found himself thinking of his sisters, perhaps because he'd dreamed of them last night. Sansa would call this an enchantment, and tears would fill her eyes at the wonder of it...'

- Jon Snows thoughts

-x-

They had done it; they had actually done it … and now they were here they had a chance.

A chance to change the past.

Because this wasn't just about running from the pain of the future, the scattering of the pack and the hardships that had come to them, but this was about ensuring that future, the future of pain and suffering, never came to be. They had known if they went back, it would be hard, as two children trying to influence things, but it had been worth a shot, to change the terrible future they had already lived. That was why they had come back, to forge a better future going forward.

To make a world that is better than before.

And they already had a way to do that, the knowledge the future had given them would be invaluable here. Sure, they might not be able to fix everything, but Sansa was sure there were things they could fix, things they could prevent, and they could change the future. One little ripple could change the entire path they were currently set to follow, she was sure of it, and that was enough to quell her anxieties (for the moment) and have her smiling as she got ready for the day.

She hurried, washing, and dressing, and putting on a gown of hers, one in grey that was stuffed at the back of her wardrobe. She grimaced at that, remembering how foolish she had been as a child, so desperate to swear off the North, to turn her back on her heritage and ancestry. But not this time, this time she would remember where she came from.

She would remember what she was too; a Stark of the North, and proud to be so.

She vowed to never forget such a thing. She would not be the idiot girl she had been, desperate to acknowledge her Tully side first, and desperate to go South. She knew one thing would change at least; she was not stepping a foot below the Neck in this reality. She was of the North, this was where she belonged, she knew that now, and would carry it with her always.

Pulling on the dress, she left her hair in the maiden style of the North, slipped on some shoes, grabbed a cloak from the bed and slipped it on. It was only when she fastened it she realised it was Jon's she had left behind.

She went to take it off, and paused. She should take it off, knew it would be suspicious to wear it here (whereas in the future it had been a common joke with Jon that his cloak was basically her cloak for how little he got to wear it), and yet, she felt it wrap around her, Jon's scent of the minty soap he used, and pine needles giving her immense comfort. She felt almost as though she needed it, needed it to give her strength.

It was foolish, but she clutched it close, whistled for Lady and stepped out of the room. She was acting like a little girl again, not the player she'd come to be.

But then, was that such a bad thing?

Later she'd reflect yes, but for now she needed Jon's strength around her, needed to feel the comfort when she knew she wouldn't be able to get it directly from him.

For today she would allow herself to be girlish, draw on Jon's strength, bask in being back with her family, for one day, and then she'd get to work.

Just one day.

As soon as he left her room Jon was smiling to himself. They had done it; they had actually done it. He was grinning from ear to ear as he ambled back to his room, Ghost following him; it was odd seeing his companion so small again, and yet Jon was sure he would get used to it. After all, it was hardly the strangest thing he'd need to get used to; it was just one of many new adjustments he'd need to make.

Thankfully, they hadn't come into this blind. Sure, they had overprepared for the act of coming back itself more than what would happen once they got back, but they hadn't underprepared, they knew how they needed to act, knew what challenges they'd face.

But then in truth, neither could quite believe what had happened.

It was one thing talking about it, making plans, and mapping out how they could most effectively make change, but it was another to be confronted with it, to wake up in the body of the boy he'd grown out of, to be back at just 16 years old, it was something else.

Honestly, part of him wondered if this were all a dream, and he'd wake up soon, in his bed, a man once again, Sansa sleeping soundly on his chest, back to the normal.

But no, this was it, they were here, they had done it, this was the new normal.

Sure, it would be hard, he remembered this time with a grimace and not-so happy memories. His room was the first sign of it; tucked away by the armoury, away from his siblings thanks to Lady Stark. He knew he was back in for a life of being shunned and treated like dirt on a shoe thanks to Sansa's Mother, but he could deal with it, at least in his mind he was a man grown and could handle a little hostility.

It was all still worth it.

That they had discussed that more than anything; was it worth it? Over and over that had been a point of discussion, and each had agreed; yes, it would be worth it. It meant change, it meant real change, giving up the lives they had built and come to love, but such things were a necessary sacrifice, a sacrifice to make things better, not just for themselves or their family, but for the world.

A necessary sacrifice, they had acknowledged and accepted that as part of this journey.

He nodded to himself as he straightened up, put some shoes on (he had been in a hurry to check on Sansa, he had shoved on breeches, a tunic and his cloak and nothing else), and straightened out his clothes. He frowned at his reflection, at the stubble that now replaced a beard, at the strands of hair that were shorter and now curlier, at his height and lack of build. Still, that was nothing, he would become the man he was once more, he knew that, it would just take work, work he would happily undertake for everything else they had gained.

Once ready he adjusted his weapons belt (some would find it strange, carrying steel in the castle, but he felt better with it) and then reached for his cloak. However, as he looked for it, he realised with a small chuckle; he had left it in Sansa's room, of course he had. In their future, it had been a habit of his, to leave behind his cloak for her since she much preferred wearing his cloak to her own. Plus, Jon never felt the cold like others, hadn't in a long time.

With a smile to himself, he simply made his way out of the door then, Ghost at his heels, on his way to the dining room. It was breakfast time … a family breakfast, he looked forward to seeing everyone; Lord Stark, his Uncle now he knew, alive and well, Robb young and living as well, Bran, no longer burdened by the spirits and responsibilities of the Gods, Arya, a young girl once more, not the girl without a smile and only a crushed spirit, and Rickon, baby Rickon, no longer a corpse on the battlefield, but alive with life ahead of him.

He couldn't wait to see them, and so many others; even Theon, whole and well again, and the members of the Stark household, back where they belonged, instead of gracing shallow graves, their spirits gone from the world.

They were all here now, where they belonged.

He realised with a grimace that he would be seeing people he wasn't so keen on, but he simply surged forward, he had anticipated this, prepared for this, and so with a nod to himself he made his way down the corridors, no use worrying too much, this was what they'd come back for.

This and more, and the planning that came with it.

But today he would allow himself a little break; after months of planning, of sleepless nights and hard work, surely today he could have a respite? Reunite with their family, forget all the work they had to do, and simply revel in their success? Yes, he was sure that would be okay, just one day, one small day to simply be happy before the planning started anew. Just one day was all he needed.

Just one day.

She caught his eye as she entered the dining room from the southernmost door, and she felt a pool of heat quicken beneath her pale cheeks, and she smiled at him, the secret smile she reserved for only him. He too smiled at her (her smile, as she liked to think of it) as he entered from the northern door, and she tried to push away the simple thought…

It was going to be extremely hard to act normal around Jon.

In this reality, he was her half-brother, she had viewed him with contempt and distaste, that was what it had been between them, in truth Sansa was sure their lack of sibling closeness was what had allowed them to fall in love as adults, they had never viewed one another as siblings and so the love that had blossomed between them had been a different kind of love.

Still, how idiotic she had been as a child, to shun him in the way she had, and yet she had, and everyone would expect it to be as such now, it would seem odd if she started acting completely different around him, and yet Sansa knew it would be impossible to treat him as she would be expected to; she couldn't do that to Jon, and had voiced as much one night in Jon's solar.

And so, they had planned she would simply be friendly, as he would be to her, that wouldn't cause too much suspicion, and yet she knew it would be hard, because yes in this reality she didn't care too much for him … but she wasn't that child anymore, and her view had much changed.

She loved Jon, more than she had thought it would be possible to ever love anyone.

He was her husband, her soulmate, best friend, love of her life, and so many more things she couldn't begin to list. He was her everything, had become her everything, and to turn her back on that? To pretend that wasn't true…she knew that wouldn't be possible.

Being friendly would be enough in public and they'd find moments together in private, it would have to be enough.

And so, she made that choice, she would grab him after breakfast to talk to him about it. It wasn't any shame to her that she wasn't strong enough to shun Jon completely, she wasn't ashamed that she needed him, and never would be.

When Sansa had first returned to Winterfell, she had been like that, ashamed and embarrassed to accept help or rely on someone, but Jon had taught her that relying on one another strengthened them, rather than weakened them. And so, she would pull him to talk soon, it would just mean an adjustment to her plans she was sure, but nothing too serious. She nodded to herself then, before weaving her way through the tables, to the head table at the top, where the rest of the family were already seated.

It was a struggle not to leap at them one by one. She saw them all sat down, alive, healthy, happy, and she felt tears well at her eyes. She forced them down however, and glanced at Jon for support, but he seemed to be struggling too, and so she turned back, and simply gave in; hugs weren't suspicious after all.

First, she went to Rickon, to bundle her into his arms and kiss the top of his head, to which he erupted in giggles. Next was Arya, whom she pulled into a hug, her younger sister squirmed and looked surprised, but her smile showed how delighted she was at such a simple gesture from her sister. Bran was next, and he too grinned as Sansa kissed his forehead and stroked his hair. Robb merely looked bemused as she bundled him into a hug, and her Father smiled in surprise and let out an 'Oof' sound as she pulled him into a tight hug, before stroking her hair down her back. Finally, she went to her Mother, whom she too pulled into a hug, though her Mother looked confused she was smiling. Sure, as much as she had in truth come to resent her Mother for her treatment of Jon, she was still her Mother, she still loved her.

Once done she sat herself down with a grin, Jon was already sat down, having forgone the hugs, and instead was simply looking around taking everyone in, his face betraying very little, something he'd always been good at. He was smiling though at her, in exasperation likely since she'd confused everyone around the table, but it was a fond smile and she shot him a little grin back.

"Sansa dear, are you alright?" Her Mother asked gently, and Sansa merely nodded, she hadn't acted as she should have, and yet she had promised herself one day, just one day, in her mind that included a proper reunion with her family … even if it created some confusion. Even Jon didn't seem worried, instead he was smiling fondly, but had happily broke into conversation with Robb, his way of reuniting.

They couldn't and wouldn't begrudge each other this luxury, not after the months they had been through to get here.

After all this was one of the main reasons they'd risked everything to come back, to see their family back together again and to be part of it. This here was what they had been fighting for, searching for.

And Gods was it worth it.

"I'm quite alright Mother" She said, her voice gentle, "I just had a bad dream, and was glad to see everyone" Nods followed her words, and the confusion dissipated, everyone excepting her excuse. There, that was an easy explanation, and she couldn't help but send a wink Jon's way at her ease of explaining her strange actions. He muffled laughter at her, and she suppressed giggles too.

Sure, they were acting a little crazy, their joy was obvious, too obvious; they could barely contain it, and who would blame them if they knew the truth? If only her family knew what they had been through, though Sansa was glad they didn't, that they didn't have to know what had become of their family or the future they had come from.

That would be Jon and hers secret to burden alone.

Tucking into her breakfast Sansa was smiling to herself but frowned as her Mother spoke up then, interrupting her joy.

"Wait … Sansa, is that Jon's cloak?" A coldness had taken over her Mother's tone, and Sansa felt herself flinch in annoyance. She saw that same response reflected in Robb, and even in part by Arya then.

Ahh, so she wasn't alone in her distaste of her Mothers resentment for Jon, something she hadn't picked up on before now. She had been an idiot as a child, and found another reason to be thankful of their trip through time; to re-do the childhood she had squandered.

"Yes Mother, Jon borrowed it to me as I misplaced my own" She said simply, she had to offer some explanation, but there was a curtness in her tone that created suspicion, her annoyance stopping her from covering it.

"Sansa" Jon spoke next however and gave her a look, but she ignored it, her spine straight as she looked around the table, it was foolish, she should have pretended she didn't realise, and yet she couldn't do that to Jon, to take her Mothers side.

She should have, that would have been wiser, and Sansa was usually wise … except for when it came to Jon apparently.

"Quiet bastard" Her Mother's tone was harsh, and Sansa flinched, heard her Father admonish her, and yet that didn't stop her Mother, it hadn't in the past and would not now.

"Sansa take it off!" Her Mother ordered, and yet Sansa barely heard those words, instead she glared across at her Mother, to which her Mother's expression turned from rage to shock, and she even leaned back in the chair, in surprise, Sansa had never looked at her Mother in such a way before.

"No" Sansa said, her tone as cold as her Mothers if not worse, foolish but emotions were ruling her decision making now.

'Never let emotion cloud your actions, the surest way to highlight your weakness'

Littlefingers words, ones she'd usually take to heart, but Jon and Jon alone blinded her ability to play the game.

Something she'd need to fix and soon.

The Great Hall had become silent then, everyone listening to this … Sansa was always the perfect Lady after all, no one expected her to talk back (particularly not when it came to the boy she called 'half-brother'), and it was evident this was the first time this had happened. Sansa knew this of course, knew how she should be acting, how she was expected to act.

They had planned for this kind of scenario, and yet in her anger Sansa couldn't accept this, she couldn't act like this was okay, it wasn't okay, and as much as she knew she shouldn't be such a fool, her hands were shaking with annoyance.

"Leave him alone Mother" Sansa said, trying to catch her tone … and failing, "Jon is a member of this family, a Stark in all but name … " She wanted to continue, and yet she was cut off as Jon came up behind her and practically yanked her out of her seat, yanked her to her feet, and pulled her up before she said something even more stupid.

He looked worried as she turned her gaze to him, yet not angry, in a way he even looked touched, and yet she could see in his eyes, he mostly looked fearful, and she felt worry at his expression. Touched by her devotion, worried by her foolishness.

She had let her emotions get the best of her, had allowed them to run over, and she was acting completely out of character. This was the exact kind of situation they'd wished to avoid, the kind of situation that didn't work out well for anyone. She'd let her emotions run away from her so completely, she'd cast the gaze of suspicion across them both.

She even missed the look her Father gave them, as he noticed Jon's hand linger on her arm, and the look of pure adoration and trust in Sansa's eyes as she looked up at Jon. She missed such a look, and so jumped as her Father spoke, though he hid his worries better than she'd have thought he could, missed those too.

"Stop this now" He said, his voice was quiet, calm even and yet it was clear he was angry. "Jon, Sansa, my solar now" He said in a tone that was not to be questioned before he left the dining room, not waiting, expecting Sansa and Jon to follow.

This was bad.

They could not be suspicious, in doing so that would mean they would be questioned, Jon could be in trouble (since her Mother would evidently cast the blame on him), and the consequences could be far reaching.

Sansa knew she had messed up; she knew that as she looked up at Jon and her own look of worry was reflected back in him. Still, she nodded, as he did, the two silently communicating with one another as they often did. It was something they had often done in the future, communicating with just a look, it was useful when they were in front of their people, or at a war council, to be able to speak without words, and they were still able to do so now.

And so, they both turned away from the table and hurried to follow her Father, leaving behind a stunned dining room in their wake.

Their gaze was the words they spoke as they quickly caught up with Lord Stark This was bad, this was something they had actively wished to avoid, and yet planning didn't detail the actual situation, and how Sansa who would have once stood by, could not stand and watch her Mother speak to the man she loved this way, couldn't, wouldn't.

And that showed them, they hadn't been truly prepared, they hadn't been prepared for emotions, for anger, resentment, and fury to factor in it, to get in the way. They had messed up, they hadn't thought their plans fully through, and in doing so they'd bought attention to themselves … well Sansa had, but Jon walked with her, and would always stand beside her, she knew that.

"I love you" She mumbled, quiet enough that her Father did not hear as they followed after him.

"I love you too" He said back, and his tone was kind, he wasn't mad at her she could see that, though he should be.

Soon they reached the solar, and the door was left open, and yet they had a moment as their Father moved inside. They had a moment, and Sansa turned to Jon, as he grabbed her by the arms and looked down at her. They had a moment, and he spoke quickly.

"Just go with whatever I say" He said and she nodded before he pulled her inside, careful to let go of her as they crossed the threshold to her Fathers solar, into the first test of their ability to make a change and a difference since they had returned to this past.

She trusted Jon, trusted him to ensure they were safe, to make this cloud of suspicion go away before any real consequences would be wrought. She trusted him completely, and so she followed him inside, ready to follow his lead. She would always follow his lead no matter what.

That was how they kept each other safe, how they ruled the North, she would follow his lead, and he hers.

Always.

yikes sansa pull it in amiright?

just goes to show our bbys didn't think everything through... this won't be a 'perfect' run through for them, they are going to fuck up and you know what they say about time and stepping on a butterflies wing..

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