Misunderstandings
To Dany's relief, Jon didn't visit the shop for another couple of days. No, she really was pleased about it because it gave her a chance to focus on her work and her dogs and her ordinary, peaceful life.
What she had not expected was to encounter him next during one of her evening runs.
"Dany?" She was used to ignoring random shouts in the park, but those people rarely used her nickname and tended not to come too close with the dogs by her side anyway. "Hi … this is a nice surprise."
She turned around to see Jon also in running gear with his dark curls tied back and a stride which showed a great deal of confidence and fitness. Instead of the usual shapeless jeans and T-shirt he was dressed in a running vest and shorts and … She tried not to gape at the sight of the very well defined muscles now on show, moving her gaze up to his face to catch his eyes roaming too, his breathing uneven as he swallowed hard. Or maybe he was just catching his breath because of the run.
Unfortunately, much to Dany's annoyance, the dogs suddenly decided to bound towards him, causing her to lose her stride as the leads tangled around her legs. "Drogon, Viserion, stop. Rheagal … down!" She tugged on the leads, annoyed by her dogs' strange fascination with this man.
"Sorry, I didn't think … I was just so surprised to see you." Jon backed off a little, allowing her to take back control. "You run well."
"I was running well," she countered.
"Yeah ... sorry."
She sighed. "Join us for a bit then. Hopefully these silly dragons will get the message."
"I did wonder how such large dogs would get the exercise," Jon said once they were back into their stride.
"Going to report me to your charity?"
"Hey! I never would."
Dany shook her head, wishing she hadn't said that and really hating how hurt he had sounded. She didn't feel like apologising though, so instead changed tack. "You work for them or just volunteer?"
"Volunteer," he replied. "I actually work as a Personal Trainer."
"Ah, I see." That explained his fitness then.
They continued in pleasant silence for a while until they passed a group of young men lounging around a large oak tree and smoking. "Hey, Khalessi!" one shouted out. "Better keep on running." She pulled a face and tried to pretend she hadn't heard him.
"What was that about?" Jon asked.
"No idea," she replied, amused by the look of total confusion on his face. "God knows what they're smoking." He laughed and she frowned at the sight, turning away so she could focus on her breathing rather than on how gorgeous he looked when he smiled. "I, ah, wouldn't want to keep you … if I'm slowing you down, I mean."
"You're really not." She though perhaps he sounded a little surprised. "But I am annoying you, I think so … I'll see you soon at the shop?"
She nodded and smiled slightly, not wanting to either confirm or deny his comment. "Yes, of course. See you then."
He also nodded and moved away, whilst Dany grumbled at the dogs and reminded them that she was the one they were supposed to be following. Her gaze drifted after Jon, despite her better judgement, enjoying the view whilst he had his back to her. Hell, he did look good in that running gear.
"I have no idea why you like him so much," she said out loud.
She wasn't entirely sure if she was talking to herself or the dogs.
~o~0~o~
"You put the poster up!" Jon sounded annoyingly pleased about it when he returned a few days later.
"Yeah. I … thought about it." Although she also wished she had thought up a better excuse.
"And the tin's almost full."
"Well, yes, I think everyone knows what good work you guys do."
"My boss is making such a big deal about this charity event," he said then. "We've got the mayor attending and various bosses of local companies. Should raise a lot of money."
"That's good."
"Are you going to come?"
"No."
"Oh ..." He frowned, rubbing Rheagal behind the ear. The brown dog was leaning into Jon's touch, drooling slightly and Dany thought he might even fall over, he was tilting so much. Flirt. "I thought perhaps … you might like to come as my guest?"
"What?"
She looked at Jon to find his dark eyes fixed on her again, his expression still unreadable. "I would really like you to."
If he didn't know who she was then he must simply be flirting with her and … she just couldn't, for all sorts of reasons. She had to end this now before it started. "No," she said, firmly, using every trick she'd learnt to convince him. "I'm not interested."
He frowned, looking at her curiously, as if trying to work out if she really meant what she was saying. "Not interesting in the event or … going along with me?"
"Both," she said, lifting her chin. "I'm sorry if I lead you to think otherwise."
"Okay." He nodded and then sighed. "I'm sorry too."
Dany should have felt relieved but, as the door closed after him, she instead felt her stomach drop and tears begin to sting her eyes. Part of her had hoped she'd lost some of her acting ability over the years but, apparently not.
"Bother!"
Perhaps she should have specified the charity event. Perhaps she should have suggested meeting him somewhere else. I mean, what were the chances of finding someone else who was so handsome and kind and had absolutely no idea who she was. The thought of Jon getting to know the real her had been exceptionally appealing. Perhaps when he came back for this week's charity tin she could … What? Say she hadn't meant it? Say she'd changed her mind? She sighed.
"Bother."
~o~0~o~
The next few days dragged and Dany struggled to relax into her old, comfortable routine. She hoped Jon would return to the shop, or run past her in the park but she also dreaded it, hating that she had made her refusal quite so final.
She also had mixed feelings about Missandei's next visit. On the one hand she was really looking forward to the chat and the wine but, on the other, she doubted her ability to hide her mood from her best friend. Especially considering the topic of their last conversation.
"Are you all right?"
Dany shrugged. "Yeah."
Missandei sighed loudly and moved to top Dany's wine glass up. "Spill!"
She smirked. "I am not spilling wine on this carpet."
"You know what I mean. Has this got anything to do with 'dark and dreamy eyes'?"
"Oh God, I knew I shouldn't have told you."
She smiled brightly. "So, it has?"
"I … He definitely was flirting with me so I … told him I wasn't interested."
"Right … Even though you are?"
She shook her head. "I had to say no, it was just-"
"-Easier? Safer?" Missandei sighed. "We've been through this before, Dany. I know it's difficult when you don't know which part of you they're falling for, but you can't live the rest of your life that way."
"He ..." She swallowed. "He doesn't know who I am."
"What? It's certain now?" Dany nodded. "But, that's great, you really should have said yes and ..." Her eyes widened. "Hang on … flirting you said? What did he say? What did you say? Spill!"
~o~0~o~
The shop bell rang and, yet again, Dany's found herself hoping that it might Jon returning and then she could perhaps …
But it was an older man with grey hair and beard whose face broke into a broad grin as he walked in and saw all the fantasy merchandise surrounding him. Dany smiled in response, always enjoying these reactions to her shop.
"Feel free to browse," she said.
"Thank you, I might just do that although I actually came to ..." He turned to face her and then froze, his jaw falling open.
Dany rolled her eyes. 'Here we go.'
"I … ah … I'm sorry. Miss Targaryen?"
At least he knew her real name. "Yes," she admitted, "but keep it quiet if you would. That life is behind me and I'm now Dany Storm."
He nodded, his expression serious. "Understandable, considering what you went through." Then he looked back around at the shop and smiled again. "Here Be Dragons? So you're hiding in plain sight then?"
She laughed. "Something like that. Usually people just say how much I look like that Khalessi chick … The advantage of having been quite so young at the time."
He nodded. "Well, count me as a big fan … if that doesn't make you uncomfortable. My name is Davos, Miss Storm, and I'm actually here about our charity tin. Jon asked me to drop by."
"Oh ..." She blinked, surprised to hear the name. "Of course."
"Yes, you see, he told me that he hadn't made a good first impression on you, which surprised me, to be honest -Never known a more pleasant lad - but still ..."
"We had a … it's a bit … complicated."
Davos frowned. "This to do with the show?"
"Actually, no. He's never watched Magical Menagerie."
"What? He hasn't?" The man seemed horrified. "That's terrible! What sort of boss am I to neglect a young man's education so?"
She laughed then, quickly warming to him. "Actually it was kind of refreshing to have someone not recognise me," she admitted. "Can you keep my secret for a bit longer?"
Davos then gave a very knowing look. "Ah, now I think I'm beginning to understand. I knew there was something about all of this that wasn't making sense."
"All of what?" What had Jon said to him, she wondered.
"Never mind, Miss. Stor-"
"-Dany."
"Dany. Well, don't you worry, both of your secrets are safe with me."
"Both?"
He touched a finger to his nose and put the tin back on the counter. "I shall tell Jon I forgot - old age - that sort of thing. Or say that he needs to collect it, work on his diplomacy skills and get back in your good books by himself. How's that?"
She winced as she realised that Davos had obviously decided that they had had some sort of lovers' quarrel. "I'm really not sure … I mean ... it's not quite like that you see and ..."
"Oh, never you mind, just leave it with me. I'm sure the two of you will sort things out and, as you said, it must make a nice change to discover new friends without any of your past life getting in the way."
He started to turn around and then froze, fumbling in his pocket. "Ah … I don't suppose … would it be too presumptuous of me. I mean … Is there any chance I could have your autograph?"
~o~0~o~
It was especially quiet in the shop the following day and Dany was enjoying the chance to catch up on some reading; sitting at the counter with her feet idly scratching the dogs as usual. Suddenly Drogon shifted, scurrying out towards the door before it had fully opened, his paws slipping on the floor in his haste.
"Come back!" she shouted, shocked by his blatant breaking of her rules, before freezing as she realised who had just come in. She walked forward, still barefoot, to find Jon now crouching down and fussing the large dog, pulling his head back and trying his best not to get licked.
"Nice to see you too, Drogon, but I've already had a shower today, thanks."
"Hello, Jon."
He stood up and swallowed, dropping his head as he walked slowly towards her, one hand on Drogon's head. "I … came for the tin."
"Yes, of course."
"And I'm sorry for pushing you about the event the other day. I should have got the message that you weren't keen from your first comment and … I know you find me annoying and-"
"-No."
He looked up at her, blinking. "No?"
"I mean, you did come on too strong about the event and I really don't want to go to it but I … I don't find you annoying."
He looked up at her, his eyes wide and … hopeful? He swallowed. "Really?"
She smiled slightly. "Well a little annoying perhaps but …" She dropped her head, quite unable to look him in the eye when he was staring at her like that. "It's just … I'm not a very sociable person nowadays you see. Awkward about being in crowds and ..."
"Okay. I understand." He frowned, thinking. "Maybe we could go for a run together with the dogs some time then. I could take one of them for you, perhaps? How does that sound?"
"I'd like that." She took a deep breath, trying to find her courage. "How about tomorrow evening?"
His smile was gentle and almost shy, making her heartbeat suddenly quicken. "Tomorrow," he agreed, his voice breathy.
~o~0~o~
"Okay, that's it! I'm coming over when you close the shop tomorrow." Missandei's voice on the phone sounded positively gleeful.
"Well, I'm really not sure ..."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll just 'be on my way out' when he arrives, I promise."
Dany sighed. "Have I told you how much I hate you?"
"Often," she replied. "It's a good job you're such a terrible liar."
"I'm still not sure this whole thing is wise."
"I quite understand, Dany, which is why you need your best friend to give her opinion on the matter and help you pick out the perfect outfit."
"Outfit? We're going for a run."
"The perfect, very skimpy, running outfit."
"Oh, God!"
"If you've got it, flaunt it and you, my dear most definitely have got it. And so does he from what you've told me."
"I'm still not sure you need to come over."
"Nonsense, you drool worse than the dogs whenever you talk about him and so I need to see if this Jon Snow really is as pretty as you say he is."
~o~0~o~
A/N: Thank you so much for your early response to this one. And yes, I know I'm teasing here and you still have a ton of questions but you'll continue to get more as each chapter appears. I've drawn one of my Scribble-Pics for this chapter which you can find on my DA, Tumblr & Twitter.