[A/N]: Thanks again to all those people who have consistently reviewed this. Let the story continue...

Gendry

Jon hadn't said a single word to him since they left the house. Not wanting to push his luck Gendry happily remained silent and followed his best friend as they seemed to edge further and further away from the house. They walked past the Godswood and continued until they reached the stone wall that he, Jon and Arya would climb when they were younger. Gendry watched as Jon tugged on the rope hanging on the branch of the giant oak tree that stood beside the wall. Once he was satisfied it was secure he began using it to pull himself up on the ledge. Gendry took in a deep breath before following, it had been years since they had done this and all he could think about was how it would just be his luck to fall and break his neck.

Jon was sitting down casually as his legs dangled off the ledge, reminding Gendry of when they were kids and how they would talk about what they thought their mothers were like. The fact that they had both grown up without their mums was one of the reasons the two boys were drawn to each other. Although they had other female figures, Catelyn for Jon and Cersei for him, they weren't the most welcoming and often left them feeling like they weren't part of the family. They sat there for a moment taking in the view of Winterfell estate. The rolling hills covered in green could be seen for miles. It truly was a beautiful sight and somehow always made him feel at ease.

"Do you love her?" Jon said abruptly, shaking him out of his daydream but still not making eye contact.

He knew he had to be careful with what he said but did he love her? Love is a strong word and he's never loved anyone so doesn't know what it feels like. All he knew was that what he felt for Arya was unlike anything else he had experienced in his life before. "Yea mate, I think I do," is all he could say.

"You think you do or you do?" his tone more demanding and his grey eyes now looking directly into his blue. He's not going to make this easy on me.

"Look mate, Arya and I have only been together a day and I know this might sound stupid but I'm crazy about her. I've never loved anybody before so I don't know exactly what it's meant to feel like but when I'm with her everything doesn't seem so shit anymore and she always makes my stomach do these stupid flips which sounds girly I know but it does ok. I feel nervous but so familiar with her all at the same time. She's just so different and it just feels right you know? So if that's what love is supposed to make you feel like than yes I do love her," he finished.

Jon looked at him slightly surprised by his declaration of love for his little sister but then nodded in response. His brows creased as he processed Gendry's admission of love for Arya. "You're my best mate Gen and you've been there for me when nobody else could but no matter what we've been through blood is blood and if you fucking hurt her I'll kill you," his tone serious.

"I won't I swear it. I wouldn't risk our friendship if it was just a fling you know I'm not that kind of guy. She's really important to me Jon and I'm going to do anything and everything I can to make her happy I promise."

"You fucking better," he smiled. "I think she's always had a crush on you but I never thought it would turn into anything," he continued. "I know she cares a lot about you Gen. The way she was looking at you earlier…I've never seen her look at anyone like that."

"I care about her too mate…a lot…but you've got to realise she's not a little kid anymore."

"Yea I know, I know but she'll always still be my kid sister. It's hard seeing her all grown up but I'm happy for you…both of you. At least you aren't a prick like that twat Joffrey."

"Thanks Jon that means a lot and I know Ar will be happy to hear we have your approval. She thought you might rip my balls of or something and to be honest I thought I would at least have gotten a punch or a push from you," he laughed.

"Well I would have but there's another Baratheon or rather Lannister I'd rather kick the shit out of."

"Ahh…yes Joffrey right? He's got wanker written all over him. I don't know what your sister sees in him to be honest, he could easily be mistaken for a girl from a distance," he joked.

"Trust me nobody does and now that little shit's gonna be my brother-in-law! Can you fucking believe that?"

"So it's all true then? I thought I may have misheard before."

"Yep, it's all happening. Sansa and Joff are going to get married and populate the earth with little Lannister minions" he huffed.

"That's full on mate, still can't believe she would say yes. Your dad and Robb must have loved that little announcement" he mused.

"Oh yea they're thrilled. Poor dad looked like he was going to have a heart attack and Robb looked like he was gonna glass the blonde git. Sansa and I might not get along but I even wanted to punch that dicks face in!"

"Yea he has one of the faces that you just want to hit with a chair doesn't he?"

"Yea he does. He just oozes dick-headery," Jon snorted. They were both laughing now like nothing between them had changed. This is going better than expected.

"So what do you think your dad's gonna talk to me about later?

"Isn't that obvious?" Jon rolled his eyes. "Look he'll just want to know that you have good intentions for Arya and that you're not a prick like your step brother. Don't worry you'll be fine my dad likes you, he always has, you're a better version of your dad" he finished as he clapped him on the back. "Plus I think he's secretly glad Arya isn't a lesbian" he teased.

"Thank God for that, it would be a cruel world if someone like your sister was gay," he chuckled.

"What was up with your dad anyways?" Jon asked. "He looked like he was about to jump Arya if you hadn't gotten in the way."

"I've got no idea he was probably pissed, you know how he gets once he's had a few drinks. It's embarrassing really. I still don't get how someone like your dad could ever have been friends with mine."

"People say that about you and me all the time," Jon chimed as he punched Gendry in the arm.

"Fuck off you dick, I'm nothing like my dad," he growled back.

Jon put his hands up in a mock surrender, "ok, ok just relax there angry man. I know you aren't like your dad but maybe you should give him a break. You know how much he loved my aunt? Everyone says he lost himself when he lost her."

"Yes and while he was busy losing himself he broke my mum's heart in the process," he answered coolly.

"Sorry mate I didn't mean to"

"No it's fine," Gendry cut in. "We should probably start heading back so I can face the rest of your family. Hopefully your mum hasn't sent Arya off to the nunnery," he concluded.

Jon looked at him confused but then dismissed it as they proceeded to head down the wall. It was much easier than climbing up and they were down in a matter of minutes. They headed back to the house when Gendry felt something knock him over. "What the fuck" he yelled. He looked down to see a very dishevelled Arya; her white singlet covered in a mixture of dirt and was that blood?

"Arya look at me, what the fuck happened to you?" her grey eyes were dazed, most likely from the impact of their collision. Both he and Jon were kneeling down in front of her trying to understand the ramblings that were pouring out of her mouth and checking to see if the red stains on her shirt were blood. Please don't be blood. It wasn't which sent an instant flood of relief through them both.

"Joff...rey…Gods…wood" she whispered.

"What did she say?" Jon all but screamed.

"I don't know! Ar I need you to focus please, who did this to you?" he pleaded again.

"Joff...rey…Gods…wood" she croaked a little louder but still not too faint for them to hear.

"Ar I need you to tell me," he begged. He knew it wasn't her fault that she couldn't speak any louder but he desperately needed to know who would do such a thing to her. Why would anyone want to hurt her?

"JOFFREY!" she finally bellowed as she raised her right hand and pointed towards the entrance of the Godswood. As if on cue the golden haired Lannister emerged, looking worse for wear. He was limping and his hands were covered in the same red substance that stained Arya's singlet.

"That fucking bastard," Jon roared as he got to his feet and ran at full speed towards Arya's attacker.

"Stop him!" Arya screamed pointing to Jon. Gendry didn't want to leave her alone but he knew Jon would surely kill Joffrey if he wasn't stopped. He wanted nothing more than to ring that little pricks neck but he knew how powerful the Lannisters were. He gently put Arya down before giving her nose a quick kiss then bolted after Jon.

Jon was fast, way faster than Gendry but he somehow managed to catch up to him and tackle him before he laid a punch on Joffrey. Joffrey stood looking at the two struggling men in horror and quickly limped his way towards the house to safety.

"Get the fuck off me Gen you stupid prick, he's getting away!" he hollered.

"You'll fucking kill him Jon, you know what Cersei is like, she'll have your balls for this."

"He hurt Arya, how can you say you love her when you aren't even protecting her," he spat.

"I do fucking love her and she wanted me to protect you from yourself! Joff will get what's coming to him don't you worry. Once my dad hears about him he is as good as dead."

Gendry still had Jon's arms behind his back as he waited for his best friend to calm down. They could hear feet shuffling and looked up to see Arya looking down at them, her grey eyes slightly more alive than before. Gendry immediately let go of Jon and stood up to capture her in his arms, encasing her small body in his.

"You scared the shit out of me Ar," he said as he buried his face in her hair taking in her scent.

"You're scared?" she questioned, "How do you think I feel? The look in his eyes Gen…it was…intense and not in the good way," she finished quietly.

"I thought you were" he trailed off as the vision of a blood stained Arya played back in his mind. "I thought it was blood on your shirt and it scared me Ar. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She wrapped her arms tighter around him and nuzzled her face into his chest. "It's not blood don't worry…its sap from the Weirwood tree."

"What did he do to you?" he questioned as he rubbed her back in comfort.

"He…he said he wanted me and…and that he always gets what he wants," she began. "He is so disgusting Gen and he's with Sansa, how could he even think I would ever…want him? Her hands now scrunching the fabric of his shirt.

He didn't know why he hadn't felt anger before but now the more he thought about Joffrey running his hands over Arya a rage began to build within him. How dare he touch her, how dare he even think he has the right. He was much bigger than his step-brother and it wouldn't take much for him to inflict some damage. "I'm gonna fucking kill him" he stated matter a factly through gritted teeth. "That prick gets away with everything but this is too much. Who knows what he would have done if you hadn't gotten away from him," he pulled her face to his.

"I want him dead as much as you do Gen…but we don't live in the kind of world where an eye for an eye works anymore. Don't worry; my dad won't let him get away with this."

He saw a small sparkle return to her beautiful grey eyes as she finished. Without hesitation he scooped her up in his arms and kissed her hard on her mouth. He could taste iron and pulled away quickly realising she must have split her lip during her ordeal.

"I'm sorry" he breathed resting his forehead against hers.

"It's fine, it's only a bit of blood you big baby," she joked. "So…you love me huh?"

He was caught off guard, but seeing those beautiful grey eyes staring so wistfully up at him made him say the only thing that made sense. "How could I not?"

"Ahem" coughed Jon who was obviously a little uncomfortable watching his best friend making out with his little sister. "I don't mean to break up your…arr happy reunion but we've got Joff to sort out," his face serious.

Gendry gently placed her back on the ground and they both nodded following Jon towards the house. He couldn't help but wrap her fingers in his as they approached her family home, feeling relieved that he had the support of his friend. Now he just had to win over her parents and other siblings.

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