A/N: Thank you all for your kind support of my last chapter! It was new territory for me, and I'm glad people enjoyed it!

Daenerys

Daenerys strode through the grand halls of the Red Keep, the late morning sunlight filtering through the arched windows and casting a warm glow on the marble floors. She nodded at servants and knights alike as they passed, even stopping to speak to some, but otherwise she walked at a brisk pace in hopes of avoiding anyone on her small council.

I'll tell him, she had promised Jacen, but promises had been easy when there was also the possibility of falling back into bed together. Without Jacen to fix her with those disarming green eyes, she felt much less sure of herself.

Even still, she found her thoughts drifting back to the previous night and the tender moments they had shared. The exploration of each others' bodies, the passionate kisses they had shared, the intensity of his gaze boring into hers as he caressed her breast, how his eyes had shone with a mixture of embarrassment and vulnerability as she had slid her hand down his body to caress him, the feel of their lips coming together and his tongue meeting hers as he slipped his fingers inside of her and—

She pinched herself on the arm and walked faster, nearly dropping the night clothes that she had stashed under her coat.

We're together now… She thought. As a couple. A proper couple.

Well, for now.

She couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity of the proclamation and the weight it carried. In all of her years of ruling, in Westeros and beyond, this felt like one of the most impactful decisions she had ever made. A decision that would affect not only her life, but eventually the lives of the people they would lead as a couple.

If it gets that far.

Daenerys pushed the nagging thoughts of doubt away.

Westeros would be as lucky to have Jacen as I would, if not more, she thought. Tyrion did his best, but the men he chose for me would only abuse their power or attempt to use me to their own ends. Jacen has no desire for power in the first place. If anything, the prospect of being a king terrifies him.

Assuming he's even considered that possibility yet…

We haven't even had sex, and I'm already worrying about how our marriage will fare for the rest of Westeros. I've been around Tyrion for far too long.

Lost in her reflections, Daenerys found herself smiling once more, though the thoughts of doubt were anything but comforting. Love had found its way into her heart, a flame burning quietly amidst the political machinations and power struggles that defined her rule. Amidst this game of thrones that she had been forced to play.

Smile, Daenerys Stormborn, she thought as she arrived at her chamber doors, regardless of the circumstances or the doubts that plague you. You're in love.

When Daenerys opened the door to her chambers, Lenna looked up from a pile of Daenerys's clothes that she was folding or placing on hangers to go in her closet. Ever perceptive and always eager to delve into the details of Daenerys's personal life, her eyes narrowed with a knowing glint when she saw her.

"Well, my queen," Lenna began, a sly smile playing on her lips, "you certainly look like you've had a night to remember. You are glowing if you don't mind me saying so."

Daenerys couldn't help but smirk, a subtle blush tingeing her cheeks. "It was a pleasant evening, Lenna. Jacen's home is as charming as the man himself."

Lenna's grin widened. "Charming, indeed. Did you stay out all night discussing the forging of swords, or was there another kind of forging happening?"

Daenerys rolled her eyes, but her laughter betrayed her amusement as she slipped Jacen's sleep clothes out from under her jacket and set them on her bed. "You have an overactive imagination, Lenna."

Lenna's eyes sparkled mischievously at the sight of them. "Oh, my queen! I can see it in your eyes. There's a tale to tell, and I want every detail."

As if she had been waiting all morning, which she likely had, Lenna rushed over to a nearby cabinet and grabbed two goblets and filled them with a dark red wine, the rich aroma wafting through the air. She handed one to Daenerys and pulled her down onto the couch she had just vacated.

She tapped the rim of her goblet against Daenerys's. "Tell me everything!"

Daenerys chuckled and took a sip of the wine. "You make it sound like a plot from one of those scandalous stories. It's hardly a secret anymore, anyways, I'm sure everyone from Dorne to Winterfell knows about it by now. If anything, I'm surprised I haven't heard from Tyrion about it yet."

Lenna grinned and took a sip from her goblet. "Well, my queen, Westeros could use a scandal or two to keep things interesting. Your rule has been dreadfully boring, regardless of what Lord Tyrion has to say of the matter. Now, the details. Did sparks fly in more ways than one?"

"They did," Daenerys nodded. "I could tell that he was nervous at first, and even embarrassed about his home, but it was amazing. It felt like more of a home than any I've ever been in, and the food was delicious. We had the best time just talking and laughing. He even put out flowers on the table," she smiled fondly.

"Not the dinner, Your Grace," Lenna jokingly rolled her eyes. Both women laughed.

Swirling her goblet and taking another sip, Daenerys reflected on the depth of the emotions she had experienced the night before.

"We kissed, and there were… wandering hands."

"Oh, you know I won't be satisfied with that," Lenna's eyes lit up. "Start from the beginning."

Daenerys smiled, not surprised in the slightest at her longtime friend's excitement. "When we were finished eating, he asked to talk about us and our relationship. I kissed him… deeply."

A grin began to creep across Lenna's face, but she didn't interrupt her.

"After we kissed, he asked me to stay the night."

"Obviously," Lenna nodded for her to continue.

"When we got to his room, he offered a pair of his sleep clothes for me to sleep in—"

Lenna rolled her eyes. "That is so adorable, Your Grace!"

Daenerys smiled and nodded her agreement.

"After we laid down, he put his arm around me, kissed me on the top of my head, and just held me."

"In his muscular arms…"

Daenerys laughed. "Very muscular, yes."

"Well, tell me of them!"

"If you must know," Daenerys smiled. "They were perfectly sculpted by years of hard labor. There's a certain strength in the way he walks and how he carries himself, but when he touched me, there was a gentleness that I never would have expected."

"And his hands were the same?"

"They were," Daenerys nodded. "Rough, but with a gentle grip."

"And how did they feel…" Lenna's voice trailed off and a sly smile crept across her face.

Daenerys laughed and took a deep sip to hide her blushing.

"You did!"

"Patience," Daenerys chided her. "I'll get there, I promise."

Lenna nodded vigorously for her to continue.

"As we were lying there together, I kissed him."

"You initiated it?" Lenna seemed surprised.

"In every sense," Daenerys nodded. "He said that I was his first, so I—"

"His first?" Lenna interrupted her again. "The Royal Blacksmith, muscled with calloused hands and that tousled hair, has never been with a woman?"

"That's what he said," Daenerys responded, "and I was as surprised as you."

"Did he tell you why?"

"He said he was saving himself for the perfect woman," Daenerys felt herself begin to blush again, remembering how her heart had jumped into her throat when he had said those words after a night of such closeness and vulnerability.

"Daenerys," she put a hand over her heart and rolled her eyes. "Hurry and secure this man before someone else takes him first. This must be ordained by the gods themselves if a man like that is still without a wife. The fact that he allowed himself to be vulnerable with you after forgoing such contact for so many years… you clearly mean a great deal to him."

She laughed. "It's certainly going that way, believe me."

"Is it, now?"

"It is," Daenerys couldn't keep the smile from her face. "He asked me this morning to officially pursue a relationship."

Lenna's jaw dropped. "And you said yes, I hope?"

"I did."

Lenna likely would have lunged forward to hug her if they hadn't already been holding goblets of wine.

"That's amazing!" Lenna laughed in delight. "Now, how do you feel about it?"

"Happier than I've been in years," Daenerys smiled. "The thought of having that one person who will always be there and will always love me is a… surreal feeling."

"It is, indeed," Lenna agreed, "but a most precious thing to have."

"And I wouldn't have it without you," Daenerys looked at her loyal handmaiden and confidant. "I never could have done this on my own."

"I think we both know that," Lenna responded with her usual smug smile. "Hence, it is my true occupation in life to guide you in such matters."

Daenerys chuckled. "You have succeeded, I assure you."

"That being said," Lenna smiled mischievously, "continue. You initiated, and?"

Daenerys laughed and held out her goblet for Lenna to refill it. "We kissed, and I guided his hands in touching me. He was visibly nervous, but he… caught on quickly, shall we say."

Lenna laughed. "You sound like an excellent teacher, if I may say so."

"Apparently I was," Daenerys shrugged her shoulders, "because, Lenna… it was otherworldly. Like nothing I've ever felt before."

"The intensity, you mean?"

"'Intense' is too light a word to describe whatever it was. I couldn't even speak after."

"And he did this on his own?"

"Once I showed him where to put his hands, yes. All on his own."

"Another reason to keep him, to be sure," Lenna laughed. "And the aftermath?"

"He kissed me once and just… held me as it passed. No words, no wandering hands, nothing. We just laid there together and fell asleep in each other's arms. It's the safest and most loved I've ever felt in my entire life."

Lenna put a hand over her heart again. "Daenerys…"

"I know," Daenerys smiled.

"And the morning? I imagine it was a bittersweet parting."

"It was," Daenerys nodded. "Waking up in his arms was… serene."

"I can only imagine. And were there other… activities?"

"What activities?" Daenerys raised an eyebrow.

Lenna's eyes sparkled with amusement and curiosity. "Did he take you into his muscular arms and ravage you?"

"Is that all you think about?" Daenerys said in joking exasperation.

"As if you don't know," Lenna grinned.

"Well, if you must know, we didn't do anything else. We kissed, we talked, then I got dressed and left."

"Is that it?" She sounded disappointed.

Daenerys nodded.

"And last night?"

"We were going to, but we… couldn't." Daenerys let her voice trail off, not wanting to betray Jacen's trust on such a private matter, even to her long-time friend.

Lenna gave a nod of understanding and, for once, took Daenerys's hint and pursued the subject no further.

"He didn't escort you to the Red Keep this morning?" Lenna offered a much welcome change of subject after a brief silence. "Based off of what you've told me of him, it seems out of character for him not to."

"He wanted to, but I told him that he couldn't. Not until I tell Tyrion and my council that we're now officially together.

"And when will that be?" Lenna raised an eyebrow.

She knows me too well.

"Soon," she said simply, knowing that Lenna wouldn't be remotely satisfied.

"Soon?" Lenna asked, circling in for the killing blow.

Daenerys nodded.

"You may as well go tell him now," Lenna shrugged her shoulders. "You know as well as anyone that he is far from a fool, and you said it yourself — he undoubtedly knows already."

"That's what Jacen said," Daenerys sighed. "I will. Not today, but I will."

"Not today…" Lenna shook her head. "Your favorite words."

Daenerys laughed sheepishly and took a sip from her goblet.

"What is it that's stopping you? It sounds like he loves you, and I can tell that you love him. You're only delaying the inevitable."

"I know," Daenerys shook her head. "I guess I just don't want him to think less of me."

"Do you think that he would?" Lenna raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know."

"If I may make a guess, Your Grace…"

Here it comes.

"Of course, Lenna."

It's not like you've ever asked before.

"I think that you don't want him to convince you that this will never work. That a queen cannot marry a commoner, especially a queen in your position so early in your rule. You know that this cannot work, but you want it anyway."

"Ironic, isn't it?" Daenerys responded, not bothering to deny the notion.

"Not as much as you think," Lenna shook her head. "It is so often that what we want most is the one thing we cannot have."

"I don't just want this, though, Lenna," she shook her head. "It's more than that. I can't describe what it is, but I know."

"Then you will have it," Lenna shrugged her shoulders. "I've known you for some time now, Daenerys, and I know that, for better or worse, you will have it."

Daenerys smiled and shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"All for the better," Lenna drained her goblet, set it on the table beside the couch, and picked up a previously discarded shirt from the floor. "I have grown so tired of seeing you alone in your bed in the mornings."

Jacen

Jacen walked through the streets of King's Landing on the familiar path to his shop, his head still spinning from the previous night. Daenerys Stormborn, Queen of Westeros, had spent the night in his bed, and they had almost had sex.

Gods, don't remind me…

Regardless of his inability to perform, the night had still been amazing. He had never felt as close to someone as he did to Daenerys when they were in bed together, wrapped in each other's arms with their hands exploring every inch of each others' bodies. It had been a closeness that he never thought he would experience. A closeness that he had heard people talk about, but had never believed was real. Daenerys had left his home mere hours ago, night clothes in hand, but Jacen already missed her more than he ever had before when she had visited his shop.

Jacen walked into the shop to the sound of a hammer striking an anvil. The sound stopped as soon as the bell attached to the door sounded and his uncle, Theodore Senneck, called Theo by all who knew him, appeared at the workshop doorway seconds later with an excited look on his face. He walked around the counter at a brisk pace, and Jacen met him halfway across the shop and pulled him into a tight hug.

He was slightly taller than Jacen, with a muscular build surpassing his own that was developed through decades of working a forge. He had the same brunette hair as his nephew, and he always had a warm smile etched on his face.

"Good to see you, son," his uncle clapped him on the back.

"You too, Uncle," Jacen clapped him on the back in return before pulling away. "How was the journey?"

"Uneventful, as always," he shrugged his shoulders. "The Arryn boy is an odd one, but his knights shouldn't have an excuse for losing their next battle."

Jacen thought that he detected a hint of sadness in his uncle's voice. He had been very close to Jon Arryn before his death, and hearing that his sickly son was ruling in his place had saddened him more than Jacen would have thought. Even still, he always enjoyed a journey to the Vale, where he had been making regular journeys for many years to perform armor and weapon repairs. He had always been the only man allowed to perform the task, even over Jacen and his father, and he had become very close with the knights who protected the seat of House Arryn.

"Is that the only place you visited?"

Theo nodded. "The Vale is always a big job, so I don't schedule anything near the same time frame that I'll be there."

"What's next, then?" He asked as he took a seat at the counter on a stool frequently occupied by Daenerys.

"Dorne in a week or two," his uncle walked around the counter and seated himself on another stool. "Doran Martell has requested some repairs and upgrades to their armor and weapons. It's been going around that they've had a lot of rebel activity lately, and he's preparing for the worst."

Jacen had heard as much. It had been no secret that the Dornish had not been accepting of a Targaryen queen, and Doran Martell had barely been able to bring them into the fold of her rule. The senior Royal Blacksmith being called by Doran Martell himself could not bode well for the Dornish or for Daenerys and her rule.

"Are you worried?" Jacen asked.

"No," his uncle shook his head. "The Dornish are borderline crazy at times, but they're not the Freys. I'm a guest called upon by the prince himself. I won't be harmed."

The Starks thought the same about the Freys, I'm sure, he couldn't help but think, but he didn't give voice to his reservations.

"So, on to more important news," Theo smiled and leaned forward. "I hear you've finally met a woman."

Jacen raised an eyebrow.

"Alex wrote to me a few weeks ago. Said you'd been spending an awful lot of time with a certain queen."

Jacen swore under his breath. Alex was one of his oldest friends, having been very close with his sisters growing up, but she could rival Varys himself with how quickly she could find out information about his personal life.

"I have," he conceded. "I haven't told anybody yet. Neither of us have."

"Is it serious?"

"It is, Uncle," he smiled. "I think I've finally found her."

"Only took ten years of bitching and moaning about it."

Jacen could only laugh. "True enough."

"Tell me about her, then," Theo said. "I haven't interacted with her much beyond a courteous greeting."

"She's amazing," Jacen smiled. "She's kind, caring, and her smile is infectious. She has the most beautiful violet eyes that you can lose yourself in, and the way they light up when she talks about the things she loves is really something to behold. She always makes time for us, regardless of how much her responsibilities weigh her down, and we have the best time when we're together, no matter what we're doing."

He glanced over at his uncle, and he had a wide grin on his face. It wasn't until then that he realized how animated he had become when talking about her.

"I've never heard you talk about someone like this."

"I haven't," Jacen returned his smile. "She's worth everything I've gone through to get here, Uncle."

"And when do I get to formally meet her? She sounds like quite a woman."

"Hopefully while you're here. I offered her this morning to come by and visit."

A sly smile spread across Theo's face, and Jacen's heart skipped a beat when he realized what he had just given away.

"This morning…" His voice trailed off.

Jacen pushed a hand through his hair as he felt his cheeks growing hotter than any piece of metal he had ever shaped. "This morning, yes."

"Don't be embarrassed, son," Theo chuckled. "Seeing you alone has gotten hopelessly old. Everybody's glad you've finally found someone."

"Everybody?"

"You know how Alex likes to talk."

"All too well," he grumbled.

"So are you two officially…" his voice trailed off.

"We are," Jacen smiled and nodded. "As of this morning."

He noticed a look of hesitation cross his uncle's face, as if he had now seen the uncomfortable reality of the situation that Jacen hadn't considered until this moment — if he and Daenerys pursued this relationship, if she really was the woman he had been searching for his entire life, he would eventually have to give up his life with his uncle and become a king.

No, THE king.

"I'm glad to hear that, son," Theo gave him a warm smile, full of love and pride. "Sounds like you've had quite a morning."

"I suppose I have," Jacen smiled in spite of the sudden dull ache in his chest.

A sudden silence passed between surrogate father and surrogate son — a silence thick with words unspoken. Words that neither had anticipated saying when Jacen first walked into the shop that morning.

Ever the stoic, Theo stood up and walked to the doorway that led to the workshop. "Come on, let's get to work. I need to make sure your quality control hasn't fallen off."

Jacen laughed and slid off of the stool. "If you say so, Uncle." He walked around the counter and followed Theo into the workshop

Uncle and nephew traded idle conversation as the work day came to a close and they began to shed their blacksmith garb in exchange for casual jackets. Jacen still found himself sore after hours of working at the forge, but Theo, despite being almost two decades older than Jacen, only seemed revitalized by it. The door opened, and they both turned to find a young girl with blonde hair standing in the doorway. Jacen's heart jumped when he saw her, thinking she was Daenerys, but this woman was as far from Daenerys as a woman could be.

"How long have you been back in the city, Theo?" She asked.

"Late last night," he responded before walking over to her and pulling her into a hug, which the young woman returned. When she pulled away, Theo planted a kiss on her cheek and released her. The woman then turned to look at Jacen.

"Hello, Jacen," she said, sounding almost offended that he hadn't greeted her first.

"Hi, Alex," Jacen forced a smile. He loved Alex dearly, but she was the last person he wanted to see at this moment. "What brings you in?"

"Just dropping by to see if you two wanted to go out for a drink," she turned to look at his uncle.

Yes… Just.

Theo shook his head and held up a hand. "You two go, I'm beat after a full day."

We both know that isn't true, Jacen threw him a dirty look.

Alex turned back to Jacen. "I suppose it's just us, then," she smiled that smug smile that always preceded a tongue-lashing or an interrogation.

"Just us," Jacen returned her smile, and the pair followed Theo out of the shop.

"So," Alex stared at him over a glass of ale at the tavern that sat across the street from the blacksmith's shop. "Tell me about it."

Jacen took a deep sip from his own glass.

"Stop stalling," she said with mock sternness. "You and the Queen. Daenerys. Last night."

"How do you even know about that?"

"As your self-appointed relationship advisor, it's my job. I told you years ago, Jacen: you're better off coming to me with these things, because you know I'll find out," she gave him a joking grin. "Especially in matters like this, where you're woefully inexperienced and have an abysmal track record. Not to mention you've been talking about her nonstop for weeks now, so it could only be her."

"Fair point," he forced a smile. "I had Daenerys over for dinner. We ate, we slept together, and she left this morning."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "She spent the night?"

"Don't sound so surprised," Jacen responded matter-of-factly.

"I'm more surprised that you managed to ask her."

"Well, I did, and she kissed me and said that she would."

"I believe you," Alex grinned, now intrigued. "Tell me more."

Jacen felt his cheeks grow warm, and he took another long sip from his glass.

"Well, we went to my room, I gave her some of my clothes to sleep in, and—"

"You did not…" Alex sounded appalled.

"I did," Jacen responded, trying not to sound defensive.

Alex sighed and pushed a hand through her blonde hair. "You never fail to amaze me, you know."

Jacen resisted the urge to make a rude hand gesture and continued. "We got into bed together, she kissed me, then there were… wandering hands."

"And you initiated?" She asked, mild disbelief in her voice.

"Of course not," he gave her a nervous smile. "She took the lead and guided my hand where she wanted it, but I took control as I became more comfortable."

"And she was fine with that?"

"Completely," Jacen nodded. "She's the one who kept asking me if I was okay, actually."

Alex gave a small smile of approval and nodded for him to continue.

"Well, she began to touch me while we were kissing, and I was touching her…"

Would Daenerys be okay with me going into this much detail?

As if she hasn't already with her handmaiden.

"I put my fingers inside of her and…" his voice trailed off as his face grew even warmer. "How easy is it to make a girl orgasm with just your fingers?" He asked before he could stop himself.

Alex's jaw dropped. "No, you didn't…"

"I think I did," he said slowly.

"You'd know if you did."

"Then I definitely did."

"And you did it with just one hand?"

"Well, not exactly… my other was on her… chest."

Alex laughed. "A true professional!"

I can't believe I'm having this conversation right now.

"To answer your question," Alex began. "Every woman is different. For some women, it's incredibly easy. Some others require more… encouragement, if you will."

"Is it always so… intense?" He asked. "By intense, I mean intense."

"It can be," she shrugged her shoulders. "If she feels a connection between you that goes beyond surface level, it can be quite an experience."

"What was I supposed to do after? All I did was hold her."

"That was a good move," she nodded her approval. "Most women like to be held after experiencing something so intense and emotionally charged with someone they care about. It makes us feel safe after such a vulnerable experience. Did she like it?"

"She did," he nodded. "She fell asleep in my arms, actually."

"That's so adorable," she smiled warmly and took a sip from her glass. "Now, did you…"

"No," he shook his head sheepishly. "We tried, but I… couldn't."

"It happens," she responded simply and waved it away. "It's nothing you should be ashamed of. How did she react?"

"Like you just did."

She nodded her approval. "That's the mark of a quality woman. Think no more of it, my friend. I promise it'll be easier next time."

Unsure of how to respond, Jacen gave a simple nod and took a small sip from his glass.

"Speaking of…" she began. "Will there be a next time?"

"There will," Jacen couldn't help but smile. "We decided this morning that we're going to explore a relationship."

She almost dropped her glass as her jaw dropped again. "No…"

"You always sound so surprised," he chuckled and took a deep sip from his ale, which he had hardly touched.

"And you asked?" She asked, even more incredulity creeping into her voice.

"I did," he gave her a proud nod.

"You've really outdone yourself, Jacen," she raised her glass and took a deep sip. "I mean it. It sounds like you've found yourself a woman worth keeping, for once."

"I think I have, yes."

"What's next? For you two, that is."

"I'm not sure," he shook his head. "She says that she's going to tell her council, and that there could be issues with a queen entering into a relationship with a commoner."

Alex nodded her understanding. "Have you considered the future? You know that kings and queens don't date around for pleasure. They date to marry."

"We haven't discussed that yet, but it's something I'm willing to do. She's different, Alex. Like no other woman I've ever met."

"I'm glad you feel that way," Alex nodded, "because, when you do get married, you'll be a king."

"As I just realized this morning when I saw how happy my uncle was that I met someone."

"A tough situation, indeed," Alex sighed. "There's no easy way to go about it, Jacen. Sooner or later, you'll need to tell him that you're in this for the long haul and that you can't stay with him forever."

"I think I dread that more than anything."

"It's understandable. He raised you, and you've been by his side at the forge since you were old enough to walk. Your sisters were married off and he doesn't have a family of his own, and now he's going to lose you too."

"You're not making this any easier, you know."

"There is no 'making it easier' this time," Alex sighed and took a sip from her glass, "but whatever choice you make, you know he'll support you. He only wants what's best for you, even if it hurts to watch you go. Plus, there are far worse women to fall in love with than a queen, as you very well know by now."

Jacen gave a small chuckle. "You're certainly right about that."

"When are you planning to see her again?"

"We haven't really talked about it."

"And why not?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

Jacen shrugged his shoulders, unsure himself.

"The party tomorrow at Brandon's house — bring her."

"Already?" Jacen asked, surprised. "Don't you think it's too soon?"

Alex waved it away. "Everyone's anxious to meet her after hearing you talk about her so much. It'll be a nice time. Bring her."

"Of course, my lady," he grumbled. "You've always been insufferably pushy, you know."

Alex just smiled and shrugged her shoulders before raising her glass of ale to her lips.

BEHIND THE CHAPTER

I initially found this chapter kind of odd because I wanted to show two different perspectives on the evening, but those perspectives often ended up retreading old ground or mirroring each other. I decided to stick with it, and once I re-read it in the context of the previous chapter I think it worked out pretty well. This chapter originally had only the conversation between Daenerys and Lenna, which was actually fairly long when I didn't have the smut scene in Chapter 6, but I felt that it was important to see the night and the relationship as a whole from two different perspectives — both with vastly different levels of experience. Plus, Jacen's dynamic with his friends compared to Daenerys's dynamic with Lenna is something I always enjoy writing since they're basically two different worlds, but they're not vastly different at the end of the day.

Once I added the smut scene, I had to chop down the conversation with Lenna a bit (most of the conversation was made irrelevant by the inclusion of the smut scene anyways), and I decided to introduce Jacen's uncle earlier than I intended. Alex was also a very late addition, but she was going to appear fairly soon anyways. It was probably the chapter that went through the most revisions when I decided to add the smut scene.

Theo and Alex were two characters that I wanted to get on the table sooner rather than later. I wanted Jacen to have a proper father figure, so an uncle with no family of his own who adores his nephew was my first choice. A lot of my choices about his character will become clear over the next few chapters, so I'll be talking a lot more about him later. As for Alex, I wanted her to be the "relationship advisor" friend that we all know, either through our own experiences or seeing them in television and movies. Just someone to help orient Jacen and address his inexperience instead of having him stumble along all on his own. Plus, I wanted an equivalent to Lenna, though vastly different in personality.