Riverrun, the following morning
The sun is shining brightly in the Riverlands's sky, warming up the rooms of the castle. His back bared by his movements of the night, Stannis wakes up slowly with the heat of the sun rays on his skin. His eyes still closed, he blind grabs the sheets, and covers his back with a sigh of contentment. The Lord tries to fall back asleep but he cannot, and, as he ends up opening his eyes, he gasps slightly as he sees Aylis asleep by his side, on her back, the sheets only covering the bottom of her body. It is the first time in his life he wakes up by someone's side, and he almost forgot, in his sleep, that he has gotten married the day before. His wife is sleeping peacefully, her face turned to him, her arms folded above her head. He can't help but smiling as he looks at her, obviously exhausted by the night they had.
They had made love twice more in the night: Stannis has woken up first with a painful hard on, that reminded him of the siege. The gods know why, it often happened to him back then, and he had to grit his teeth and to wait for it to stop. Back then, he could have not lost energy jerking off, and, anyways, he has never been fond of this. He has always felt weirdly ashamed of doing it alone, at night, in his bed. But, now he is not alone and he has turned to Aylis, stroked and kissed her neck. A whimper escaping her lips and her hand grabbing firmly his sex has let him know she has not been that asleep. He has lied on her and had slipped inside as easily as if it has been years they have been together. He had not lasted long, overexcited, and has fallen back asleep right after he has come, still in her. The third time has happened right before dawn, this time Aylis has started it. Exhausted, Stannis could not remember how it has been, really, because his eyes were half closed, even though his body has been responding to her strokes. He remembers she has come, this time and only then, because the sensations have been really different. This time, she has lied on him and has fallen back asleep soon. He has not resisted long and has drifted off to sleep in turn.
He remembers the events of the night, his face and body turned to his wife: he has been dubious about this wedding from the day Robert has announced it, but, he starts thinking this could be great, actually. She is very in love with him; he appreciates her spirit and her smartness. He would maybe end up loving him in turn. Seeing that she does not wake up, he silently leaves the bed, checks that the sheets have not suffered from the two last times, and walks to the little room by hers where he can take a piss. He washes his hand and his sex after, and, as he joins her, he sees she has woken up, and is looking at him with a huge grin. She bites her lip when she sees he's naked, and Stannis reddens like a little boy. He quickly joins her in the warmth of the sheets and she snuggles against him:
"Good morning", he says.
"Morning. What time is it?" she asks, looking through the window.
"Not early", Stannis smiles. "We should get up. I have things to show you", he argues.
She moans disapprovingly:
"I want cuddles", and wraps her arms around him. He is about to protest but he shuts his mouth and strokes her back slowly, enjoying the warmth of her body against his. Her hand strokes his chest and she looks up at him:
"What will our life look like?"
He looks down frowning:
"What do you mean?"
"Where will we live?" she precise.
"I usually live in King's Landing, as I am Robert's master of ships. But we will go to Dragonstone first, so you meet your new people. Then, you will come with me in the capital, if you wish it", he explains.
She smiles at him:
"Of course, I want to live with you."
"So be it", he nods.
"And…" she nibbles her lip. "When I am with child, I would like my first one to be born here, in Riverrun."
Stannis strokes her cheek gently:
"I understand. If it is possible, we will do it", he nods at her.
"Thank you", she pecks his lips and sits up, rings a bell so handmaids get in and take care of her. That's when she realizes Stannis is still here:
"Oh, sorry. I am not used to it yet. Well…"
She quickly hides him under the sheets, until his neck. He chuckles:
"Are you ashamed of me?"
"Not at all. I just don't want my handmaids to be jealous of my luck", she laughs and lays a loud kiss on his cheek. "Stay here until I'm dressed up."
The handmaids arrive quickly, and Aylis washes herself before letting them dress her up. Stannis notices their glance towards him, and the stifled giggles, but does not pay too much attention to them. They announce the lunch will be served soon. When they leave, he stands up and dresses up in turn.
"Before eating, I wish to show you some things", he tells Aylis, standing by him, helping him dressing up again. He forgets about the second tunic, the one he has been wearing for the wedding, and they walk out, hand in hand. He leads her out of the castle, and places his hands on her eyes. Silently, he leads her to the stables, tells her to keep her eyes closed as he leads her horse out of her box. As it's standing in front of her, he tells her to look and she opens her eyes. She squeals so loudly the horse recoils violently, and she throws herself on Stannis, kissing him deeply.
From a corner of the stables, Cressen and Davos exchange a knowing look.
"She is perfect", the Knight says.
"I have tried to make him understand for years, since this first letter she sent him. But, he is so stubborn", Cressen shakes his head.
Davos chuckles when he sees how happy she looks and he smiles at Cressen:
"No man deserves more to be happy than him."
Cressen smiles in turn, leaning against a wooden post:
"I know, Ser Davos. I know it very well."
They keep watching as their Lady gets on her horse and make it gallop along the courtyard. The smile she gives them warm up their hearts more than the sun shining high in the sky.