Armour and Amour

"How long was that list?" Dany gasped, shifting slightly due to the awkward position she was still in against the wall.

Jon's head was on her shoulder, his breathing heavy as he clung to her. "We can write it down, if you like. When I can move."

"You'd better move soon, because I can't stay like this for much longer."

He raised his head to look at her and she gasped at the sight of him, all flustered and hot and … gorgeous. "Sorry," he said with not a hint of apology in his tone, gently lowering her leg whilst she winced and rubbed at her thigh. "I was going to lift you up but you're so nicely flexible there didn't seem to be any point."

"Not quite as flexible as I'd thought," she grumbled.

"Sorry. I'll kiss it all better later."

"Hmm." She grabbed at his neck, pulling him down and kissing him passionately.

"Don't tempt me," he complained. "I want to watch episode four."

"Fine, you make a start to that and I'll get us some food."

He frowned. "But, don't you want to watch."

"I've not only seen it before I've been in it, remember?" She rolled her eyes. "It's just a salad anyway, so I won't miss much."

A quick visit to the bathroom and then to the kitchen and it wasn't long before she was back on the sofa watching Jon watching the show as they both tucked into the salad. After the episode Jon looked hungrily between her and the screen and she laughed, understanding his dilemma.

"Magical Menagerie or The List?" she said. "Decisions, decisions."

"Both," he decided. "One more episode and then bed."

"What have you got in mind tonight?" she asked.

"A surprise," he replied, smirking. "But I'm quietly confident that you'll approve."

~o~0~o~

"We definitely need to start writing this list down," Dany said as they lay in bed later, her fingers stroking lazy circles around Jon's scars. "Definitely wouldn't mind revisiting some of these later."

"Good idea," he replied, pulling her a little closer. "Sleepy?"

"A little."

"Only I'm ready to talk a bit … if you don't mind?"

She looked up at Jon briefly but his gaze was on the ceiling and she quickly got the hint, snuggling down against his chest and understanding that this would be easier for him without eye contact. "Okay."

He sighed loudly before beginning. "The Powers That Be had ordered this building destroyed, you see. It was an important military target but, unfortunately, the enemy heard about the plan and did what they often do and housed a bunch of locals in there, promising them they'd be safe from us. And we only found out about that half an hour before the attack was due, and quickly made the decision to rush in and rescue them." He sighed again, but Dany didn't interrupt, simply snuggling a little closer. "Communication over there was shit and the attack ended up happening ten minutes early when my unit were still inside the building. Friendly fire, they called it." He scoffed. "Bloody stupid name."

"You survived though?"

She felt him nod against her head. "I was the only soldier who did and only because I'd run outside after a child who'd gone the wrong way. Was heading back when the whole building went up and … next thing I remember was waking up in a camp hospital feeling as if my whole chest had exploded."

She traced a few of the scars with gentle fingers. "When was this?"

"Two years ago? Longer. Two and a half." His next sigh was slow and heavy. "Part of me wanted to go back, despite everything but … well, not fit for duty and all that."

"I can imagine."

He turned to look at her slowly, that deep, dark stare firmly back in place - the one she used to struggle to interpret. "You're the only one I've really talked to about it, you know? Apart from my therapists. I do love my family but they were … well, treading on eggshells around me, I suppose, and it got … weird sometimes. That was the main reason I decided to move down here, really, deciding to stay with a friend of the family who is also ex military and so knows how to treat me."

"Gendry? I see. And yes, as good as it is to talk to therapists who don't know you personally, it does also help to have that one person who instinctively knows how to give you the space you need. For me, that's Missi."

"That's good," he said. "She seems nice and, yes, you're right, although I was a far-too-typical northern male and took a long time to fully embrace the idea of counselling."

"I can understand that. My current one is especially good. A bit unconventional perhaps, but better than the others." It was Dany's way of saying 'me too', as she thought that might help Jon feel less awkward about his confession. She knew it was still something that wasn't entirely accepted in this country - stiff upper lip and all that.

"Struggled to get on with the northern ones but the one here is better," he mumbled before laughing, still sounding a little embarrassed. "How is it I can talk to you about these things so easily?"

"I'm pleased that you can." She sighed. "And I would love to be able to chose who I can and cannot share my story with but, honestly, you could just go on the internet and find out the whole sorry tale."

"I'd rather hear it from you," Jon said. "If you want to, that is."

"I do and ... I might as well tell you some of it now because then I'll need comforting afterwards and you already know how I prefer that to be done."

He laughed gently at her poor joke, pulling her closer and kissing her head. "I love you, Dany." She looked up, shocked at his sudden declaration, and he smiled shyly, gently kissing her on the lips. "I know you thought seeing you on that show would change my mind about having a relationship with you, but that was never going to happen and this won't either. Tell me anything you want and I'll still be here with you afterwards, I promise."

~o~0~o~

Dany had quickly fallen asleep after being 'comforted' and woke from a deep sleep to see Jon sitting up in bed with his phone in his hands.

"Who are you texting?"

"I'm not." He smirked. "I'm making a start on our list."

"Ooh, let's see." She sat up to read it whilst Jon's head dropped down to her neck, gently kissing her there before slowly starting to travel downwards.

"Why have you not got a DVD player in here?" he said. "I want to keep doing this and watch the show."

"We'll have to move onto the sofa next door then," she said, "or … hang on … she took the phone off him and started typing. Jon looked up at her and his eyes widened.

"T-that's a very ... interesting idea."

"You think it would work?"

He smirked at her. "It's a great addition to the list, Dany, but I'm not going to be able to do any of these and focus on the show at the same time."

~o~0~o~

"You really get so-called fans hurling abuse at you because of Khaleesi?" Jon asked her after episode six, when her character had made a particularly poor decision. They were cuddled up naked on the sofa, wrapped only in a large sheet, each trying not to let the other distract them from the show.

"Yeah and often a lot worse than you've heard so far."

"How can they not get that you're the actress and … that she's a child anyway?" Jon continued.

"People take the show to heart, as you're beginning to realise. I suppose it's the idea of escapism – sometimes the line between fact and fiction gets blurred."

"I still say it's madness, though," Jon said. "And I still like Khaleesi despite her poor choices."

"Ah, but you're biased."

He grinned. "Almost certainly." There was a long, comfortable pause. "I understand that you don't want to attend, but would you like to come with me tomorrow to help out with the organisation for this charity event?"

"I ... I'm not sure. How many will be there?"

"Just me, Davos and a couple of elderly staff members. Not the type who are likely to be huge fans."

"You say that but you do know Davos recognised me straight away?"

"Well, I did wonder."

"And asked me for my autograph?"

"What? Really?"

She nodded. "The show was so popular because so many different types of people fell in love with it." She sighed. "But, if there are only a few people and if I can bring the dogs along then, yes, I'd love to help out and spend more time with you, of course."

He bent over to kiss her gently. "Thank you."

~o~0~o~

Dany was terrified. She knew there was no reason to be, really. She was just going to the animal shelter with Jon and a few volunteers to talk about the event but it was beginning to dawn on her that having a boyfriend was going to mean the end to her life of solitude. She knew Jon wouldn't force her to go out or meet people she didn't want to, but it was quickly becoming apparent that if this relationship did continue - and she really wanted it to - then they were both going to have to make a lot of adjustments. She may have pulled away from the spotlight, but once it was known that she had a boyfriend then it was very likely the media attention would resurface.

She tensed and Jon noticed immediately, turning towards her. "You don't have to come in."

She shook her head. "I-it's fine."

"And I'm here. I'll look after you."

"I know you will and … I can do this. I just need to … put on my mental armour."

Jon smiled. "Sounds like something my therapist would say."

Those in the hall certainly showed an interest in Dany when she arrived but that was mainly because she had arrived on Jon's arm and the elderly volunteers – who apparently didn't watch the show - all seemed delighted that he had brought his new girlfriend along to meet them. Then, of course, she mentioned the dogs she'd left outside and that helped her to relax even more as everyone was desperate to see them too.

After that it became a little easier and Dany started by quietly following Jon around or talking to Davos until, gradually, she began to make a few suggestions, including the idea of an auction for certain donated items and even offering a few things from her own shop.

"Are you sure?" Jon asked her.

"I have the money," she said, pulling a face.

"I'm sure but ..."

She laughed. "And you probably have no idea how much, do you?"

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"One thing that actually did work out for me. My family may have had ridiculously high expectations and not given me any actual love, but they did make absolutely certain they got a good deal for me." He just nodded, obviously still not understanding. "So, what I'm saying is … your girlfriend is both very famous and very rich."

He pulled a face. "As if either of those things are important to me."

She stepped on tiptoes to kiss him gently on the lips, quite forgetting that they weren't alone. "And that's the only reason I told you. Stop worrying. I thought you knew me well enough to know I don't easily get pushed into things."

"Unless it's your dogs doing the pushing."

"Well, yes, Drogon has a lot to answer for, doesn't he?"

Jon nodded. "Him and Davos between them."

"True. How are you for caterers?"

"I'm not sure we were going to worry too much about that?"

"Only I could ask Missandei."

"Really?"

"Yeah, see if her company want the publicity and an event like this is definitely something she would like to attend. Perhaps she could be your plus one?"

He looked at her suspiciously. "You're not setting me up with your best friend, are you?"

Dany just laughed, thinking it would actually be a good idea for the two of them to attend the event together. She was confident the pair would get along whilst not being each other's type romantically.

"Oh dear," she said, as her mind continued along that line of thought. "I'm going to have to chase away so many girls when I'm with you, aren't I?"

He gave her a stern look. "Says you."

She moved closer to him. "Just give them that look and they wouldn't dare."

"What look?"

"That glower. It would terrify most people."

"Not you?"

She smirked. "Turns me on, actually." Then she realised what she was doing and her eyes widened in horror.

"What? What is it, Dany?"

"I can't believe I'm flirting with you in public … I … I promised to never do that." She glared at him. "What are you doing to me, Jon Snow?"

"It's fine, don't worry. We're all friends here."

"Perhaps, but it really isn't a habit I should be getting into."

"You're doing great," he said, "and being really brave."

She scoffed. "Brave. Yet far too afraid to attend this event with you."

"I know what it's like to deal with fear and there's no shame in it. What matters is how we face it."

"What?" She stared at him. "Where did you get that from?"

He shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "My therapist."

"Never forget what you are ..." she began, looking at Jon closely and waiting until he worked it out.

"... because the rest of the world will not … Oh! You see Tyrion Lannister too?"

"Huh, the problem of being in a small town," she complained. "Well, that could get … interesting when the discussion gets around to why I've started to get into charity work."

"Or he asks me what happened with the girl I had the hopeless crush on."

Dany raised her eyebrows. "Hopeless?"

"It seemed like it last week, yes."

She winced. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I understand now."

She nodded. "But helping with this event appeals to me, especially seeing I got the dogs from here and that I'm a local. I think it's a good way of putting a toe back in the water without really having to throw myself into the deep end?"

"That's good," Jon said. "But there's no rush, right? Take it nice and slowly?"

"Yes."

"And perhaps you'll be ready to attend with me if we do another one next year."

"Next year?" She was shocked at the thought, but not about the idea of the event itself.

"Or the year after?" he continued, showing no sign that he understood how presumptuous he was being. Then he turned away without a further word to go and talk with Davos.

Dany breathed out, suddenly nervous at how casually Jon was talking about the two of them doing things together in the future. About having a future. She'd never dared to think that before about anyone and they'd really only just met and ...

She shook her head and headed over to check on the dogs, trying not to let the thought affect her.

~o~0~o~

Missandei came around the following evening and the two girls had fun fussing the dogs, drinking wine and, perhaps inevitably, talking about Jon. Her friend seemed delighted on hearing that Dany had helped with the planning of the charity event and had even met a bunch of new people in the process.

"It's easier with Jon there," Dany admitted. "I feel ... safer."

"Your Knight in Shining Armour?" she asked slyly.

"Actually, I dreamt he rescued me during my reoccurring nightmare," she remembered. "He wasn't in armour, exactly, but he did have this sword and ..." She grinned. "Perhaps it's because he's ex-military and so protective of me generally but, yes, I don't feel quite so vulnerable when he's around."

Missi nodded. "I imagine he could look quite intimidating if he wants to, despite his size."

"It's true," Dany agreed. "This guy called out something rude in the park the other day and … you should have seen Jon's reaction. I honestly thought he was going to kill the man." Missandei laughed. "What?"

"God, you are so smitten, aren't you?"

She smiled, suddenly not at all embarrassed. "Totally."

"And even though I've only met him briefly, I thoroughly approve of this Jon Snow. I can't believe how much he's been able to help you already."

Dany nodded. "I think that's going both ways. Would you go along to the charity event, Missi? I wouldn't mind."

"And you'd trust me with him?"

"Of course I would."

She smiled. "Good to know and I'll go as a caterer, or as your aide, but not as your boyfriend's plus one."

"Why not?"

Missandei gave her a long look. "Because you need to attend it with him."

Dany shook her head, furiously. "I-I can't. It's taking place in a large hotel with local business people and even some press attending. I … I really couldn't."

Her friend sighed and nodded. "I understand. Perhaps next time."

She frowned. "Jon said that too. Perhaps next year … or the year after."

"And ..?"

"It felt scary - the assumption we'd still be together - but also ..." She shook his head. "He's serious about me, Missi and I think I'm serious about him too but … I just can't see how this can go forwards. I don't want to put Jon through all of this because he's got enough issues of his own and, if we continue, then he's going to start getting attention too. You know, being connected with me?"

"And what has he said about that?"

She winced. "Well, we've not really spoken about it as such but ..." Missi raised an eyebrow and Dany sighed loudly. "Yes, there's still so much to talk about, I know, but this is all going so quickly and … it's terrifying."

Missandei nodded sagely. "Falling in love generally is."

~o~0~o~

A/N: So, some news for you. I've started work on a new Jonerys fic called 'Warg Riders'. It's Canon Era AU and is a cross between Game of Thrones and a sequel to Magical Menagerie! Plotting and planning this has been so TRIPPY you have no idea! A fic based on the sequel of a fictional TV show that Daenerys starred in but with all the standard GOT characters and locations. :P

As usual I'll want to make sure I'm comfortably ahead before I start sharing and I have another Jonerys Canon Era AU in early planning too. I'm really hoping to start publishing WR soon after this one is finished. Keep an eye on my profile page for up-to-date info.