As with Chapter 8 and the fire pit scene, this is the song I was envisioning when I wrote this chapter if you'd like to listen: watch?v=ZdbGDLC4qhI

Jacen

Jacen awoke the next morning alone, much to his dismay. He had only shared a bed with Daenerys on two occasions, but he already found it unnatural to wake up without her next to him, or to wake up in the middle of the night and not feel her head on his chest or his numb arm under her.

It was the right thing to do, he told himself once more. It will just make tonight more special.

He had found himself overjoyed and immensely touched when Daenerys had left. Nobody had ever made such an event of apologizing to him for hurting him before, and the feeling was… exhilarating. Knowing that someone felt that he deserved an apology for anything he did. That they didn't just immediately cut him off when he made a mistake or became inconvenient. He had immediately set to work on the surprise he had been planning for Daenerys for some time now, and he had worked late into the night to finish it.

He dragged his hands down his face and took a deep breath.

The Queen of Westeros said she loves me…

Such a notion still baffled and excited him. He had been scared of saying those words to Daenerys, though the feelings had been present for some time prior. Her position was indeed precarious, and it can't have been easy for her to choose to be with him. Her choice only served to make their love that much more real.

But still, fear lingered on the horizon at the events that would take place later that very evening. He had been unable to perform the first night that they had slept together, even as he explored her body while she caressed him. Daenerys was obviously more than ready to take their relationship to that level, and what would she do if he couldn't perform again? Would she leave him for someone else who could perform at will?

You were nervous. It will get easier with time.

Daenerys's response to the unfortunate turn of events had instilled this hope in him. She could have very well left him that night, but she had stayed.

Jacen had so much love and passion to give, but he just… couldn't. Not when it mattered. All he could do was hope that it would indeed be easier next time.

He threw back his comforter and got out of bed. As he walked to the washroom, he pushed a hand through his hair, debating telling his uncle that he wouldn't be able to stay with Nikolai this morning. He knew that, all day, he would be too occupied with the events of the coming evening to be of significant use.

Give it a few hours this morning, then go for a drink and talk to Alex about tonight. Bathe and take a nap when you get back, then work on the surprise.

Should I, though? He thought, recalling how Daenerys had seemed almost intoxicated by his musty and sweaty smell when she had visited the previous night.

May as well, just to be safe. Gods only know where her mouth will be going…

He walked over to the wash basin and splashed water on his face. He took a deep breath and looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were bleary with sleep

The Queen of Westeros said she loves me… he grinned at his reflection and set about combing his hair.

Jacen watched Nikolai as he swung the hammer at the glowing piece of metal resting on the anvil. Once the ringing subsided, he looked up at Jacen.

"How was that?" He asked.

"How do you think it was?" Jacen asked with a knowing grin.

Nikolai rolled his eyes, a familiar gesture in their exchanges since Nikolai had begun his apprenticeship. "Please, not today, Jacen."

Chuckling, Jacen settled onto a nearby stool. "You need to learn to judge your own work. When Theo is gone, you'll be on your own. If your work is subpar and you don't catch it, you'll hear about it. Not to mention Theo will be breathing down your neck until he's satisfied that you can make it on your own. Trust me, this will speed along the process."

"Was it like this for you?" Nikolai asked as he resumed striking the metal.

"It was," Jacen admitted, raising his voice slightly over the clangs of the hammer, "but I didn't have anybody to help me. It was just Theo and me back then, and I felt the full force of his wrath on more than one occasion."

"Something I should worry about?"

"I wouldn't," Jacen replied with a reassuring smile. "Theo's softened over the past few years as he's started traveling more."

"That's comforting, at least," Nikolai replied with a grin. "So you won't be around anymore?"

Jacen briefly looked away, choosing his words carefully.

"I'm not sure," he finally said. "You may have heard that I've taken up with the Queen…"

Nikolai laughed. "Me and the rest of King's Landing, yes."

Jacen forced a small smile. "Well, don't tell Theo, but it's starting to get serious. It may come down to me needing to step away from the blacksmith shop, but I can't say for sure."

"He already knows, you know."

"I suspected," Jacen sighed, "but you can't say a word to him, Nikolai. I'm serious. I need to tell him myself."

"Of course not," Nikolai shook his head, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation. "I just know he'll miss having you around."

"I know, but all things must come to an end sooner or later," he responded, his tone much more melancholic than he had intended.

A brief silence passed between the two, and Jacen began to wonder if he was oversharing, but Nikolai didn't pursue the subject further.

"Do you think he's going to call in one of your other family members to help him run the shop? I can work for him, but I can't exactly take over the shop when he decides to step away."

"I don't know," Jacen shook his head. "He'll probably reach out to my sisters and ask if their kids want to come and learn the family trade. Maybe he'll reach out to an extended family member, or maybe he'll do neither expand it beyond just us. This same shop has been in my family since the days of Aegon the Conqueror — maybe Theo will bring in more people like yourself to carry on his legacy."

"It's your legacy too, you know," Nikolai responded matter-of-factly.

"Yes," a new wave of guilt rushed over him. "I suppose it is."

As if on cue, the door opened loudly from the outside, and he heard his uncle's distinct brisk gait passing through the storefront. He walked into the workshop and smiled at them.

"How's it going?" He looked at Nikolai.

"Better than yesterday," Nikolai responded.

"That's all we can hope for, I suppose," Theo nodded in approval. "Hey," he looked at Jacen. "Have a second to talk? Just the two of us."

Any day but today…

"I would, but I actually have to meet Alex for lunch," Jacen responded quickly as he walked past Theo towards the workshop doorway and began to shed his apron. "Another time?"

Theo was visibly disappointed, but he nodded and raised a hand. "Of course, son. Enjoy your lunch."

"I will," Jacen forced a smile, the guilt settling into the pit of his stomach like never before.

You can't even be bothered to tell the man the truth…

He walked out of the workshop without looking back at his uncle or Nikolai.

You won't be able to avoid him forever, you know, he could hear Alex say.

He heaved a sigh and pushed the thought from his mind as he stepped off of the front porch into the street, knowing that the thought of having such a discussion with his uncle would bring him to tears.

It won't be easy, and it won't be painless, but he'll understand, he assured himself as he walked down the street in the direction of the tavern where Alex worked as a waitress. He's only ever wanted what's best for you.

Yes, but what's best for me has never been something that could hurt him this deeply…

As it often did, his mind then turned to the time he had spent with Daenerys during their relationship: helping her make her first shortsword, bringing her to the party at Brandon's house, how she had smiled at him and sat on his lap that night, sitting with her while she was sick, and the night they had spent exploring each others' bodies.

I've never heard you talk about someone like this, he had said when he was telling him about Daenerys, and he knew that Theo would never stop him. In fact, he would likely be angry if Jacen somehow managed to ruin what he had found with Daenerys.

Not that that would make it any easier to tell him…

He climbed the steps onto the front porch of the tavern and paused at the door. He took a deep breath before entering, and was immediately assaulted by the overwhelming scent of ale and wines of all different barkeep noticed him and offered a friendly wave, to which Jacen responded with a smile and a nod before heading to a nearby booth.

As he settled into an empty seat, Alex caught his eye from across the dining room and approached him.

"Hey," she said, surprised. "What brings you here?"

"Are you free for a bit?"

Alex nodded. "I can spare a few. I'll be right back." She disappeared into a room behind the bar, returning moments later without her apron and joining Jacen at the booth.

"How are you?" Jacen asked as she took a seat across from him.

"Can't complain, I suppose. Yourself?" Alex replied.

"About the same," Jacen shrugged.

"Is this about Daenerys?" She guessed. "Best make it quick, lunch rush starts soon so I don't have long to talk."

"It is," Jacen nodded. "Did you have to talk to her without telling me?"

Alex chuckled. "Don't act surprised, Jacen. You know you wouldn't have done it yourself. I did you a bigger favor than you think."

"Did you?" Jacen raised an eyebrow.

"I did," Alex affirmed. "Did she visit you last night?"

"She did," Jacen nodded.

"And?"

"We made up, we talked about our future, we kissed, and we almost…" Jacen hesitated.

A grin spread across Alex's face.

"No, we didn't," Jacen clarified quickly. "We were going to, but Daenerys got rather… enthusiastic, and she fell off of me onto the floor."

Alex laughed. "Just can't catch a break, can you?"

"You're not wrong," Jacen sighed. "She's on the brink of madness."

"I can imagine. And you?"

"I'm getting there myself," Jacen admitted, "though I haven't been as forthright about it as she has."

"Nervous or excited?"

"Definitely more nervous."

"That's to be expected," she reassured him. "And you've already taken a step in that direction. This isn't much more of a leap. When are you planning to see each other again?"

"I told her to come back later tonight."

"You told her?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "Is it possible that you're finally learning to take some initiative?"

"I think I just might be."

"Looks like you're not a lost cause, after all," Alex smiled.

"I like to think not."

"And what do you have planned?"

"Well, hopefully we can… make it happen tonight," Jacen said slowly, his face growing warm.

"My friend, you need to get comfortable talking about these things," Alex shook her head in amusement. "You know I'm not the only one who will be asking about it. Sex is a natural thing, and you shouldn't be ashamed of it, especially when you're doing it with the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."

Jacen simply shrugged, wishing he had ordered a drink to occupy his hands.

"And you've come to ask for advice about tonight?"

"I have," Jacen confirmed, grateful that Alex had reached that conclusion on her own.

"Well, let's hear it," Alex urged him to continue. "What is it that makes you nervous?"

"I just… don't know what to do."

"Ask her," she said simply. "I can't tell you what she'll like and won't like. If something seems weird or uncomfortable, ask her if it's okay. If she likes it, keep doing it. If she doesn't, stop doing it."

"Seems simple enough," Jacen replied, feeling only slightly more reassured.

"It always is with the one you love. Speaking of which…"

"We did," Jacen smiled. "We both said it."

"It certainly took you long enough."

"It did, but we made it nonetheless."

"And how did it make you feel?"

"Happier than I've been in a very long time."

"As you should be. You've certainly paid your dues."

"Many times over," Jacen gave a small smile, reflecting on all of the painful years he had spent so desperately searching for what he finally had.

"Well, I'm glad—"

"Hey!" The bartender called. "Wrap it up, we've got customers coming in!"

Jacen blushed and gave him a small wave of apology, but Alex threw up a rude hand gesture and turned back to Jacen.

"Looks like we'll have to adjourn early. Let me know how it goes?"

"I will," Jacen stood as well, "and thank you. Sincerely."

She waved it away before turning to walk to the bar. "Thank me by not fucking this up."

Jacen smiled after her. He gave another small wave to the bartender and walked out of the tavern and into the bustling streets of King's Landing. He took a deep breath and looked up and down the street before turning to walk in the direction of his home.

Daenerys

Daenerys stood at her window staring out across King's Landing as the last vestiges of sunlight diminished into the dark of night. A cool, gentle breeze wafted through the room, stirring her silver-blonde locks that fell around her shoulders. Lenna and her Queensguard had always chided her for keeping her windows open at night, but she relished the feel of a cool breeze blowing carelessly through her bedroom and rustling her hair. On nights like tonight, it would carry with it the faint scent of flowers blooming in the gardens below.

She smiled and turned away to look at her newly made bed, and the neatly folded nightclothes sitting on top of it.

Tonight was finally the night. She didn't know how she knew, but she had no doubt. There would be no failures to perform, and no painful falls onto abnormally hard floors. No setbacks, and no awkward fumbles — just the intimacy she yearned for with the man she had come to love so dearly.

Even still, the thought of sharing herself with Jacen filled her with some amount of apprehension. Their two previous attempts had ended in failure, which had only served to increase the anticipation and pressure. Daenerys had worried that Jacen may not want to try again after their past failures, one of them being particularly frustrating for him, but she had been immensely relieved when he had believed her when assured that it was nothing to be ashamed of. She had been even more relieved when he had taken much of the initiative the previous night.

And when Jacen had kissed her and told her to come back the next night, she had barely been able to contain her excitement on her walk back to the Red Keep. She now had assurance that, despite their past failings, he still wanted to be with her. He wanted her to be his first, and he had been forthright about admitting it. Not only that, but Jacen had said that he loved her, in spite of how she had hurt him by betraying his trust.

The thought still brought a wide grin to her face.

She hadn't experienced anything that approached true love since her time with Khal Drogo. She had loved Drogo dearly, but sometimes she wondered if she had been so accustomed to Viserys's cruel and abusive tendencies that she would have taken to anyone who didn't treat her like that.

The feelings she felt for Jacen were markedly different in ways that she had trouble articulating. They felt more… natural. Less born out of a need for survival.

Or maybe it's because Jacen isn't the type of person to viciously rape me every night after our wedding until I have no choice but to learn to enjoy it and fall in love with him, the thought crept unbidden into her mind. Though many years had passed since Viserys had first traded her to the Dothraki, and she had grown to love Khal Drogo and the Dothraki people as if they were her own, the bitterness had never completely left her.

What would Viserys think if he could see me now?

The Beggar King, she allowed herself a small chuckle. He'd call me a whore and tell me I don't deserve what I have.

Unlike Viserys, when Jacen looks at me and talks to me, he looks me in the eyes and treats me as his equal. His touch is gentle — he doesn't touch and grab me like he owns me or like I'm a piece of meat.

Daario didn't either, another unbidden thought that had plagued her lately.

Daario… He was convenient, and admittedly fun, but we never truly connected beyond physical pleasure. Tyrion was right. He would have only complicated things.

Moreover, he didn't love me. Not truly. He loved the Mother of Dragons.

Daenerys sighed and walked away from the window.

There's a reason Daario is in your past. Jacen is your present. He's what matters now. Daario likely moved on long ago, and he would have been nothing more than a mistress1. He never could have been a king, not the king Westeros needs. Not the king you need.

She walked into the washroom and began to check her hair in the mirror, as she had done so many times this hour alone that she scarcely realized that she was doing it. She walked out of the washroom and paced over to her bed, absentmindedly twirling a few strands of her silver-blonde hair around her index finger.

The Mother of Dragons, who sailed across the Narrow Sea and deposed Cersei Lannister with next to no bloodshed… reduced to a nervous maiden by a blacksmith who doesn't have a drop of noble blood in his veins.

She chuckled to herself and ran a hand over the nightshirt that she would be wearing later that evening.

And bring your own nightclothes… The way he had whispered those words, the mixture of desire and jest in his voice, the way he had nipped at her ear… It still made her knees weak just thinking about it.

Not only was she in love, she was in love with a man who loved her enough to want to wait until the moment was right to cross a line that could never be uncrossed. Even more, he had never been with a woman, and he trusted her enough to want to give her something of himself that he could never get back. Something that he valued so deeply that he had gone without it for his entire life, waiting for a woman he felt was worth the wait. Waiting for her.

It boggled her mind that she, of all people, was worthy of such affection after everything she had done in her life. She had always assumed that, when she married, it would be to a man who loved her position in life, not her. She would be no more than a tool to broker and strengthen alliances. Another pawn in the game of thrones.

But no… She was Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, born during the most violent storm in living memory. When her last living relative had tried to use her as payment for an army and proceeded to threaten her unborn child, she had watched in apathy as molten gold was poured over his head. She had stood in the center of a blazing inferno that burned several Khals alive and had walked out completely unscathed. She had built an army of freed slaves and seemingly uncontrollable Dothraki, sailed across the Narrow Sea with three dragons, and ripped the Iron Throne directly from the hands of Cersei Lannister before having her executed when she refused to kneel. She was nobody's pawn.

She took some comfort in this thought, but she still found herself uneasy, even after the night they had spent together when she had been excited to have such an experience with him. She had taken her first steps with him that night in trepidation, but as soon as his hand touched her bare stomach, all of her anxieties had vanished. It had felt so natural, as if it were destined to happen in exactly that way at exactly that time. It had felt as though she had finally found her place in the world, and with a man who any nobleman would scoff at, no less.

Even still, she was hopelessly nervous.

For what reason, exactly, she found it difficult to say. Jacen had forgiven her, they had professed their love for each other, and she had tentative confirmation that Jacen wouldn't want to stay with her. She had every reason to be happy, at ease, and excited for the evening; but a part of her wasn't. Regardless of all that she was and had been in her life — a queen, a leader, a symbol of strength and resilience — she was still Daenerys Stormborn, a woman with anxieties and vulnerabilities.

To a point, being nervous is good, Lenna had often told her. It means that you care about the outcome.

Daenerys picked up the nightclothes, put them back down, and paced back over to the window, finding little comfort in Lenna's words of comfort that had become a mantra that evening. The sun had completely set, and the lights of King's Landing were aglow with the nightly activities of its inhabitants.

Waiting won't make you any less nervous, she pushed her hair out of her face and grabbed her jacket off of the windowsill, where it had been sitting for the past hour that she had tried to convince herself to leave. With a final look out of the window, she swung it over her shoulders, grabbed the nightclothes, tucked them under the jacket, and walked out of her chambers.

She stood on Jacen's doorstep, silently urging herself to knock, if only to escape the chill outside.

What's he going to do, turn you away? She scolded herself, summoning her courage. With a determined breath, she rapped firmly on the door.

Several heartbeats later, the door swung open, revealing Jacen with his usual crooked smile. His hair was tamed and noticeably clean, and his clothes lacked their characteristic smudges of soot. He had clearly forgotten to shave, but Daenerys found herself taken with the scruffy look it gave him.

"Good evening, Your Grace," he greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good evening," Daenerys returned the smile, her tension easing at the sight of him and the inviting scent wafting from within.

"Come in," Jacen stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. She was immediately met with the strong smell of cinnamon and a warmth that seemed to embrace her, accompanied by the gentle sound of a fire crackling in the hearth. She slipped her folded nightclothes from under her coat and discreetly placed them on an armchair beside the couch. As the door closed behind her, Jacen approached, pulling her into his embrace and capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

As their lips met, the warmth of their closeness melted away the cold that had gripped her on his doorstep. Daenerys savored the sensation of his lips on hers. They tasted of a mint flavor that she couldn't quite place, but she found herself enjoying it nonetheless. It was certainly different from the taste of soot.

Jacen's hands roamed gently, tracing the contours of her back as their kiss deepened. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her hands up to rest on his shoulder blades as she leaned into the kiss, conforming her body to his and opening her mouth to allow their tongues to meet. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the intensity of their connection.

When Jacen finally pulled back, Daenerys leaned forward, craving more of his touch, her breath mingling with his in the hushed intimacy of the moment.

"I missed you," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. He pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

"I missed you too," Daenerys smiled, her cheeks flushed with warmth. "You bathed…"

Of all the things you could say.

"I did," Jacen nodded. "Problem?"

"No," she quickly shook her head, her embarrassment melting into a shy smile. "I just found the musty smell… not terrible."

"Noted," Jacen chuckled. "I'll remember to skip the preparations next time."

"You also didn't shave," she ran a hand over his rough cheek, relishing the feeling against her hand. It was prickly, as expected, but not uncomfortably so.

The blood drained from Jacen's face and he began to stammer an apology, but she leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"I love it," she whispered as she slowly ran a hand from his ear around to his chin.

"Also noted," he smiled, visibly relieved.

With a gentle step back, he motioned for her to turn. As he always did, he helped her out of her coat and hung it in its usual spot on the coat rack beside the door.

They locked eyes for a fleeting moment, and Daenerys watched as Jacen's gaze flickered to the armchair beside her, where her nightclothes lay. A smirk tugged at his lips, and she felt a new rush of heat flood her cheeks as she shrugged.

"You said to," she said sheepishly.

"I did," he responded with a playful glint in his eyes.

Another quiet moment passed between them, filled with unspoken longing. Daenerys yearned for nothing more than to lose herself in his embrace once more.

"So…" She began, breaking the silence.

Before she could say more, Jacen interjected, "I have a surprise for you." He motioned for her to sit on the couch. "Have a seat."

Her heart fluttered with anticipation as she complied, feeling a surge of nervous excitement coursing through her veins. Jacen placed a hand on her shoulder and led her around the couch before disappearing into his bedroom.

As she waited, Daenerys couldn't help but recall their last conversation, the uncertainty lingering in the air. She wondered if this surprise was related to his decision regarding their future together.

He returned to the room carrying a large black box, set it on the table in front of the couch, and sat down next to her. He turned to face her and took a deep breath, suddenly looking much more nervous than he had only minutes ago.

"Yes," he began without preamble, his voice filled with sincerity. "I love you, and I want to be with you. I don't care what I have to lose, or what we have to go through. You're worth the risk." He reached out, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Not to mention, I've put too much work into this relationship to turn back now."

A soft smile tugged at her lips as she squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"You always joke when you're nervous," she teased gently, unable to suppress a small laugh.

He chuckled, but his expression turned more serious. "But in all seriousness, Daenerys, I'm here to stay. I'm here for you. I love you more than anything, and I want a life with you, with us."

Her heart swelled with emotion at his heartfelt words. "Well, I'm not promising you an easy life, Jacen, quite the opposite, but I promise you that I'll be there with you."

He smiled and captured her gaze in his own. She felt as if he were staring beyond her own violet eyes to something deeper within. She felt understood and cherished in that moment, as if he could read her deepest desires and fears. His deep green eyes sparkled with love and devotion, filling her with a sense of security and warmth that she had longed for for so long.

She reached up, her hand finding the back of his neck, and pulled him towards her. Their lips met once more in a tender and passionate kiss. As they parted, he smiled at her, and for the first time she saw the desire in his eyes. A pure, primal desire — a desire for her, and her alone.

"The surprise," he reminded her gently.

"Oh, yes," she said as she lowered her hand, hoping her disappointment didn't show in her voice. "I thought that was your surprise."

"No," he waved it away as he adjusted himself to face the black box sitting on the table in front of them. "This is better, I promise."

He reached into the box and drew out what she recognized as a large guitar, an instrument that she didn't see often in the Red Keep. It was finely crafted, and its sleek curves gleamed in the dim light cast from her candles scattered about the room.

"Your guitar!"

"That's right," Jacen said as he plucked one of the strings and turned a small knob on the end of the neck of the instrument. "I wanted to play something for you — something I've been writing," he looked up, and she saw in his eyes a mix of excitement and vulnerability.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She smiled encouragingly and nodded for him to proceed, knowing how much this meant to him to share this moment with her. Only a few nights ago, she had laid her head on his shoulder as he poured all of himself into his guitar for his friends, his passion radiating to all of those sitting around the fire. Now here he was, playing for her.

The first notes resonated through the room, a delicate melody that seemed to echo the unspoken feelings between them. He had been noticeably nervous and hadn't been able to look into her eyes during the first notes of the song, either more accustomed to playing in front of larger groups of people or nervous that she wouldn't like the song, but as he sank further into the music, his posture straightened and he looked up into her eyes and gave her a small smile as he began to sing.

His deep voice filled the room, weaving a tale of a tender moment where they were alone, the only two people in the entire world. With each verse, the emotion in his voice grew, conveying the depth of his love and the intimacy of their connection. As the song unfolded, time seemed to stand still, allowing them to bask in the warmth of their shared moment, where nothing else mattered except for the love they had for each other.

As the song came to a close, Jacen lifted his hand from the guitar to let the final notes linger in the air and slowly dissipate. He set the guitar on the floor leaning against the table and looked at Daenerys, his eyes searching for a reaction. She sat in front of him, moved by the beauty of the moment and a gesture that was clearly immensely meaningful to him, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Acting on instinct, without preamble, she leaned forward and pulled him toward her by a sudden gentle hand on the back of the neck and kissed him on the lips. It carried with it a deep sense of longing and passion that no words or song could convey. Surrendering to the moment, she felt herself being slowly drawn towards him by a gentle hand in the small of her back. She leaned into it and matched her body to his, only increasing his vigor as he hungrily kissed her.

She laughed softly against his lips, her fingers curling around the collar of his shirt as she pulled him closer. They tumbled back onto the couch, Jacen finding himself on top of her, his hand slipping under her shirt to caress her bare back. A low groan escaped her lips as she arched into his touch, her voice thick with desire. With each tender caress, she felt a new rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, igniting a fiery passion that consumed them both. As his lips trailed from her lips to her jaw and on to her neck, she relished in the new and intoxicating sensation of his stubbled cheek brushing against hers, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine and only fueling her desire for him further.

She began to tug at the hem of his shirt, resorting to removing it herself this time, but he teasingly pulled away.

"Stop doing that!" she chided as she slapped him on the chest, though her tone held a hint of jest.

Chuckling, Jacen shook his head and sat up. "Awfully impatient for a queen, you know."

"I know, trust me," she gave a small laugh and sat up on her elbows. "Now, as your queen…" She reached up and grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back down to capture his lips in hers once again.

He laughed at her assertiveness, though he didn't seem surprised in the slightest. Pulling away, he shook his head, a playful grin on his lips, and rose to his feet. In one swift motion, he effortlessly lifted her into his arms, her lips already seeking his as he carried her towards his bedroom. Her nightclothes remained forgotten, neatly folded in the sitting room.

BEHIND THE CHAPTER

Again, I decided to split this chapter into 11 and 12 for the purpose of length and tone/pace change. It was a fun one to write, and it's another chapter that largely came together as I was writing a different chapter. One of the main things I wanted to accomplish was convey the excitement and nervousness for Daenerys and Jacen to take what would be a huge step in their relationship, and how each character handles that (whether it be desperation, excitement, fear, nervousness, or some mixture).

One thing that I initially thought I might draw some heat for is how I talk about Daenerys's past relationships in the early part of her POV section. I just based it off of the vibe that I personally got when watching the show and reading the books, with Drogo being a love born out of the need for survival or fear of a people whose language she doesn't even speak (like Stockholm syndrome), and Daario being a fun side-gig who she never really felt anything for beyond just generally caring about him. I did try to toe the line between character bashing and offering my unbiased take on them and how their relationship would have influenced Daenerys long-term. I was on the fence about including a section like that at all, but I decided that it was far too important to have her reflect on past partners when considering such a huge step with a potential new partner who's making her feel feelings that she's never felt before.

If you agree or disagree, feel free to drop a comment! I'd love to talk about it.

As for the song choice, "We're All Alone" is my favorite love song, and I love acoustic renditions of it. It also seemed to capture the ambiance of that specific moment while also conveying the feelings they have for each other.