A/N: See this is the problem with me, I'm shitty at keeping to my word. Every day I said, I'll stick to that I said. Bullshit. Still I'm sorry but I have somehow come to despise this fanfic's content. I'm really not used to writing stuff as pointless as this…also kinda frustrates me as now I know why I never finish anything while updating because I get more ideas and I really don't have to the inspiration to fit them into this story so sorry people who are expecting more from this, I will probably disappoint you. Also I really could look into way more of the things happening here but I'm far too fucking lasy, hey maybe I'll write another GoT fic that will make more sense? I already have two major ideas…it's just whether I can be bothered.

Noxious Snow

Part 9

Sunlight broke through the treetops and left patterns on the green grass below while the gentle stroke of warmth roused Robb from his slumber. Feeling refreshed the young Stark sat himself up and flexed his shoulders and neck. Upon noticing something, he haltered in his movement and narrowed his eyes to then glance towards the simmering fire with flames that just barely clung to life and then to his father who sat beside them.

"You didn't wake me for my shift," the Stark heir noted, wanting some form of explanation as to why.

"Aye, I didn't. You were exhausted from the night before so I decided to take the full shift, I have done many years of taking watch and have learnt to function well with minimal sleep," Ned clarified, taking a bite out of the shiny red apple in his hand while tossing Robb another (which he easily caught). It wasn't just that however, Ned also wanted to keep an eye on Jon throughout the night as once again his condition had deteriorated which left Ned changing the wet cloth more and more frequently as his temperature continued to climb.

"Well regardless, I think we should get an early start this morning, we can eat the apples on the horses, I'll wake Arya and get her sorted while you help Jon," Eddard instructed, trying not to make it sound like he was in a rush, but there was something about the shock of last night when he heard Jon whimpering in his sleep that really left a crushing impact on his heart. Jon was dying. He hadn't really put those words together in his head before that moment and he really hated the sound it made and the echo it left when he thought about over and over. It was a creeping vine that was finally tight enough to choke.

Robb felt his chest ache when he looked down at his brother who had somehow managed to get even paler – now not even the flush in his cheeks remained leaving only shadows hollowing his cheekbones and dark circles around his eyes. Eventually after a few long minutes, some gentle shakes and many repeated calls, Jon finally woke. One look into the sky and Snow flinched as the sunlight burrowed into his skull and his eyes stung like small pins had been poked inside them.

"I'm sorry to wake you, but we're about to leave," Robb announced keeping the volume of his voice to a minimum. With some serious effort, Jon managed to sit himself up, still feeling tired enough to pass out again. Even he had to admit that it was getting hard to stay positive, still, he was a Stark by blood and that thought alone gave him strength even if his importance to the family wasn't as much as the rest of them, hell maybe even Lady Stark would be happy if he died out here, or at least satisfied that she didn't have to look at him anymore.

"It's alright," the younger male uttered getting to his feet. His balance didn't even last the whole way up, if it wasn't for the sturdy arm that had curled round his waist he would have hit the floor. Snow sighed heavily, so now he couldn't even stand without help, he was really starting to feel useless.

"Don't be so hard on yourself brother...I know what you're thinking but you'll get better soon enough, just for now let me help you," Robb insisted, letting Jon circle an arm around his shoulders for support.

"Thanks..." Snow murmured as his brain literally gave up feeling ashamed of needing assistance from another to do such trivial things.

"No problem."

The midday sun was imperious and without the shade of overhanging leaves as shade, the constant heat was uncomfortable for the Starks but nearly unbearable for Jon. Having already ditched his cape many hours ago and several outer layers of clothing, Snow despite the irony of his bastard's last name was burning up. Unable to sit straight, Jon was hunched forwards with little strength to even hold onto the rains. Shallow became his breaths as his chest constricted and the ache in his side became a tearing pain. Black spots danced across his flaring vision, while his head throbbed and pounded, nulling all words from all possible thoughts. Snow wasn't aware of anything, not the extreme light-headedness, not the loss of balance and definitely not the feel of the hard ground as he fell off his horse. Darkness consumed him as he sunk into unconsciousness.

Robb, in urgency, nearly leapt off his horse while it was still in motion as he saw Jon hit the floor. At his brother's side, the elder Stark dropped onto his knees, gently raising his sibling off the ground by the shoulders.

"Jon!" Robb called frantically quickly scanning for any serious wounds. None were found. As if simply delayed in reaction Snow came round with a jolt.

"Robb?" He questioned with look of complete disorientation on his face alongside searching eyes that didn't seem to focus on anything.

"By the Gods Jon, you idiot! You fell off your horse! You should have said something if you were getting dizzy!" Robb scolded, feeling as though he was about to cry from relief. His racing heart finally began to settle itself as he held Jon tighter, afraid of getting another shock.

"Everything's so...dark..." Snow muttered, his eyebrows furrowing as he saw nothing but a wall of black.

"What do you mean?" Robb didn't want to ask, scared of the answer he was about to receive but the words had already left his mouth. The Stark heir had never been more fearful for Jon in his life than right at that moment.

"I...I can't see you," Jon replied, his voice shook as the shock of realisation hit him full force. He couldn't breathe, he could handle the headaches, the fever, the nausea, the pain, the tiredness but this...no, this was something he couldn't handle. Shaking hands reached out and grasped hold of Robb's tunic as Jon then did something he hadn't done since he was a small child and buried his face against his brother's chest in a desperate plea for comfort. But he refused to cry, Jon Snow did not cry and so, he didn't. Then Robb did something he hadn't done in a long time either, he threaded his fingers into Jon's curls and began to comb his hair gently. Robb remained silent, he had no words that could offer comfort in this situation so instead he just continued with the loving motion. Ned Stark soon approached, when sympathetic blue eyes locked with his, Eddard tensed his jaw and let his gaze slowly fall to Jon who was almost cowering against his older brother's chest.

"We'll give him a moment to calm down," Lord Stark announced with nothing but compassion in his voice, he didn't have to guess to know that Jon had just reached the blindness stage – the one in particular that he had kept hidden from his knowledge. Eddard knew his second son was strong but like everyone, he had a limit and that was one ailment that crossed over the line.

Eventually, Snow seemed to find the courage to pull away, having somehow found a way to mentally cope with this frightening new problem. Though the fact was, if it came down to it he would rather not live if it meant he wouldn't be able to see – he was already an outcast as it was, what would everyone think of him if was blind as well? What sort of life would that be? To not be able to fight, to not be able to see Robb's proud expressions or Arya's smile or even his mother may she still be alive.

"Is it permanent?" Robb questioned for his brother who he could tell didn't particularly want to speak knowing that he had hurt his own pride by clinging to Robb like a toddler. Not that he could blame him.

"The cure to the poison cures all its effects, Jon's sight will come back if we get there on time," Ned reassured, "but in the meantime he is no state to ride a horse of his own so he'll be riding with you Robb." Snow's pride took yet another wound but he quickly became tired of caring. Conversely the thought that this blindness was only temporary calmed his nerves immensely, so instead he managed to convince himself that this was just some strange training exercise to get him to train his other senses and that he was actually just wearing a blindfold. It worked.

Now with nothing but darkness to stare at, Jon started to find it even harder to stay awake, the whole word just felt so much more surreal with only sound to prove its existence, especially when he was already verging between states of consciousness. Getting on Robb's horse was quite an awkward task even with the help. Once sat atop, Snow's hands instantly found their way to the horse's mane, not really noticing how coarse the hair was before. Nor had he really noticed the feel of sturdy muscle or the silkiness of the horse's skin. Robb pulled himself up behind Jon and bent his arms past his hips to hold onto the rains. Jon didn't think too much when he decided to lean back against his brother's chest needing to feel something familiar even if it was just the motion of Robb breathing or his radiating warmth. And, for the first time ever he needed the security, Snow had never felt so vulnerable in his life knowing that was nearly nothing he could do to defend himself.

"Getting comfy are you?" Robb said not masking the playfulness but managing to do well with hiding the worry.

"I'm tired...this is already embarrassing enough, it can't hurt to use you as a mattress as well," Jon voiced on a long breath listening to the sound of hooves as they beat against the ground, it was actually a rather soothing sound, almost therapeutic.

"I suppose not, though I wouldn't think I'd be that comfy," Robb chuckled, instinctively he wrapped an arm taut around Jon's waist to hold him up having noticed the impending sleep signal his brother was giving, after all he didn't want him falling off again.

"You'd be surprised..." Snow mumbled. The older Stark at this point didn't really care how it looked to others in this position, he was keeping Jon safe and that all that mattered, if this was under any other circumstance – well they wouldn't even be sharing a horse.