Harry/Daario

Daario smiled as he watched Harry talking to one of the Nobles of the city, easily soothing the few ruffled feathers that had recently built with diplomatic charm and not a little bit of charm of his own.

He had slotted into the daily life of the city so much now that Daario could not imagine him not being here to help Daario and his team of advisors on the day to day running of Meereen. Harry was charm and diplomacy where Daario was actions and hard words. They made a good team.

It had been a year since they had met, and Daario wasn't sure where he would be if he hadn't met the young Wizard, probably lying in a ditch with his throat slit, which was slightly ironic considering how they had met.

Daario had been making his way to one of the local taverns to drink away his sorrows for the 44th night in a row. His plan was the same as all the others, get roaring drunk and stumble into the pyramid at around 0700 in the morning to sleep until late, try and fit in all the politics he needed to keep the city running, repeat.

Night 44 had been very different though. Night 44 he had been making his way along the street when he had heard the sound of a fight and someone moaning in pain. He was going to ignore it, he was going to keep going and just leave whoever it was to it.

But then he had heard the words 'please we're friends! Don't do this!' The words and the pain in that voice had him freezing at the mouth of the street the fight seemed to be coming from. He had stood there fighting with himself debating what he was going to do, the call to keep going, get a drink in his hand and just forget what he had overheard was admittedly strong. He took a step towards the tavern. And then he heard the grunt of pain.

With a groan he turned and raced down the street, coming into sight of the fight in time to see Harry writhing on the floo under a curse, the redheaded man attacking him saying something about crucioing him mad. Daario hadn't even hesitated, his sword was plunging through the chest of the redhead without a thought.

And then he had been left with a body and Harry. The body he had not cared much about, he was Lord of Meereen, all he needed to do was tell his men where the body was and have them remove it. He did reach down and take what he realised was a wand and snapped it. But what was to be done with the young man lying unconscious and bloody on the street?

With a groan he had realised that it was likely that he would not get his drink tonight, he had bent down and scooped Harry up, stomping his way back to the pyramid.

Over the next couple of days Harry had been on death's door, and the healers Daario had summoned from the city had not been sure that he would make it, especially as some of his injuries were from a magic that they did not see very often.

But Harry was a fighter, and three days after Daario had brought him back to the Pyramid Harry had opened his green eyes and looked around confused. Daario had explained what had happened, and he was confused when Harry looked sad when he informed him that he had killed the man attacking him. But he had nodded and thanked Daario for saving him from what would have been death.

Two months of careful care later and Harry had been able to get up and about. He had a few scars from his fight, and all he would tell Daario was that he was running from people who wanted him dead because they wanted to vilify him and get him out of the way. He had admitted that people he was running from had been people that he trusted, people that he had thought of as friends and family.

The months had passed, and Harry had become a part of life at Meereen. And Daario had found that his night after night of drinking himself into an early grave had been stopped for months before he had even realised it.

Between looking after Harry and helping him get back on his feet, the interesting story of getting information from Harry about where he had come from and what had happened to him, his advisors and counsellors had pounced on him not having a hangover and drug him into the running of the city, and he had realised suddenly that he could run the city his way and not just carry on following how Dany had done it.

The next thing he knew he was acting like a responsible ruler, and Harry had become an integral and important part of his team of advisors, Harry's tendency toward diplomacy and peace was a good contrast for his own quicker temper and instinct toward violence after a lifetime of that always being his first answer.

When Harry had been attacked by people from his homeland out of nowhere, the city had reacted with fury. Harry was well loved and liked, and someone attacking him had been treated with absolute fury. The people that had attacked him in the street and hit him with what he called a cutting curse had literally been torn to pieces by the furious crowd.

The attackers could not have picked a worse place to attack Harry, he had been in the area of the re-homed poor, talking to people he had helped to get back on their feet and find jobs. Daario had been dubious about Harry's plan at first, but Harry had been so insistent that he had given it a go, and of course, Harry had been right. The poor had been given the chance to learn trades, learn new skills, and for the money that the city had put into housing them and training them, supplying them food, they had had doubled back into the city with the things that they made, built and grew.

And Harry had rightfully so been praised for the idea. The people loved him for what he had done to help him, and that he carried on ensuring that they were still being looked after and coping. For them to see the man who had saved them being attacked in front of their eyes had gone about as well as anyone could imagine it going.

Daario had found himself more panicked than he had imagined when, once he was recovered from the attack, Harry suggested he should leave. Two men had died in the attack as they came to Harry's defence, and there had been a bit of damage to the section of the city. The idea of Harry out there and alone, the idea of Harry not here for Daario to lean on for advice, the idea of not seeing Harry every day, had panicked Daario, and he had protested straight away.

Harry had been dubious, but he had finally been convinced when the rest of Daario's advisors had also protested, probably worried that he would slip back into his previous behaviour before Harry came into his life.

And so the last few months had passed peacefully.

"What was that?" He turned to Jazier one of his advisors, and dare he say friends, who just smiled at him.

"I said Lord Harry is looking rather beautiful tonight," Jazier repeated, nodding to where Harry was laughing at something one of the Nobles surrounding him had said.

He was indeed looking rather beautiful tonight. He had embraced the Meereen style and completely made it his own, and many people of the court were imitating him. Though no one could match him.

His ebony black hair had gotten even longer in the year that he had been in the city, when it was down it brushed the middle of his back, but he tended to wear it in a high ponytail, small shinning pieces of silver and a couple of emerald and diamond gems Daario had gifted him with sparkled where he weaved it into his dark hair.

His pale skin stood out in this city of dark or golden skinned men and women, he never tanned because of a spell that had been placed over his skin when he was younger, but it just made him even more exotic within the city. His bright green eyes could not be compared to any emerald or jade that Daario had yet seen, enhanced by the kohl that he had taken to encircling his eyes with.

His manner of dressing made him seem even more beautiful, he tended to wear what was more thought of a female style of robes, flowing chiffon and silks in beautiful colours of purple, blues, whites and golds. They flowed around his body like water, drifting behind him as he walked and gentling him and his lithe, trim figure with their softer shapes. But there something that was completely unmistakably masculine about Harry at the same time. Beautiful and gentle, but handsome and firm at the same time.

His smile was always gentle and warm, welcoming and kind, but Daario knew that he could be as hard as steel, iron or rock when he needed to be, and he had a fire in him hotter than anything Drogon could produce when he needed it. To have survived the life he had lived and the betrayals he had suffered and still manage to be forgiving and as kind as he was showed a strength that Daario could only marvel at.

"Oh fuck," Daario groaned as his own thoughts caught up with him.

"Ah, you have finally realised have you," Jazier chuckled.

"Realised what dear?" Keela, Jazier's wife asked curiously as she joined them.

"That he is in love with Harry," Jazier smirked.

"He's finally realised has he?" Menzara asked as she joined them at the tail end of Jazier's comment.

"About time," Pentieera, Menzara's wife, laughed.

"I hate you all, you're all sacked as my advisors," Daario grumbled.

As he spoke Harry turned, probably feeling Daario's intense gaze upon him, and met his eyes, a bright and welcoming smile being gifted upon him as he tilted his dark head curiously.

He was so different to Dany, so different. Harry was warmth and lightness, a welcoming smile and kind word always ready where Dany had been cool and distant. He was more likely to use a kind word where she was more likely to be sharp and to the point. Harry focussed on everyone but himself where she was so concentrated on her desire for the Iron Throne she was untouchable always in some way no matter how close he got. She had been beautiful and hard where he was beautiful and soft.

But both of them were hard an tough when they needed to be, both of them had been through so much and come out stronger for it when so many others would have crumbled away. Both of them cared little for 'what has always been' if it was unfair and cruel they tore it down and built it better.

Daario had only just reached Harry, his feet carrying him over to him without his permission, he had no clue what he had been about to say to the other man, and he would never know. Because just as he opened his mouth one of his messengers appeared at his side.

"Queen Daenerys has sent a group of messengers from Westeros, she has taken the Iron Throne and wishes for you to join her, they wish to discuss your successor and your journey there," The messenger said softly.

Something flashed across Harry's face that Daario could not name, but then he was turning to the Nobles with a bright smile on his face. "I am sorry everyone, Lord Daario is required elsewhere, the duties of running a city does not allow for even a second of peace to enjoy his own party, so I shall have to enjoy it with you for him," He said brightly drawing lots of laughter from those around him.

And then Harry was disappearing into the crowd and Daario followed after the messenger to where Dany's people were waiting for him. He had no clue what he was feeling besides lost as they made their way through the Pyramid.

"Lord Daario," Varys bowed to him.

"Varys," Daario nodded his head absently.

"It seems as though you have been doing very well with the ruling of this city," Varys smiled.

"Its been going ok. So she won then?" Daario cut through the small talk.

"Yes, she did, though it was not as easy as expected. She sent me here to inform you that she would definitely not be coming back and to oversee handing the city officially over. She wishes for you to choose someone that you believe will be a good ruler and return with us to Westeros. I have heard word of a wizard that has been doing very well here, I believe that he will…"

"I am not going to Westeros," Daario interrupted.

"Of course you...what?" Varys blinked at him.

"I won't be coming with you. I...this has become my home, I have worked hard to make this place better, and we have lots of ideas on how to keep improving it. And…"

"There is someone else?" Varys offered when Daario was not sure how to phrase it.

"Nothing that has happened, but someone that I would like something with. I offered to go with her last year and she said no. Our lives have moved on since then, and she was correct in her choice. Should she ever require help or aid, I will always be there for her, she is my Queen, and I will carry on ruling this city for her, under her name, and make sure my successor does so as well. But I won't live in Westeros," Daario said firmly.

"Right, very well. If I have your leave then to finish up some things here?" Varys looked a little stunned which amused Daario, the man had always been so straight-faced.

"Of course, I will have the guest quarters made ready for you, you are welcome to them and to the amenities here for as long as you need them,"

"Whoever they are, they have been good for you," Varys smiled slightly before bowing his head and sweeping from the room.

Daario considered going back to the party, but could not bring himself to do so. Socialising with the vapid Nobles was the last thing he needed right now, and he needed to get his head sorted out.

Making his way to the streets of Meereen he pulled up his hood and started wandering, allowing his feet to carry him where they would. If he were more romantic they would probably carry him to the street that he had first met Harry in, but he had no clue which street that was.

Instead, he walked the city with his thoughts rocking back and forth. He could not believe what he had just done. He had believed that if Dany snapped her fingers he would always go running, he always had. When she had told him that h was not going with her, he had been broken hearted and angry, he had been ready to drink himself into an early grave...and then Harry had come along. The younger man had become the centre of Daario's world, and while the brunette knew that he could survive without Dany, he was not sure that he could survive without Harry.

Dany had been someone that he had been allowed to touch, some distant being that had granted him her attention, however briefly, but had never been able to give him everything he gave her, had never been able to offer him anything more than her body. And he had been happy with that, he had.

But then Harry had come into his life. And the life that he hoped to have with him, the life that maybe he could have with him. It was worth the risk of turning Dany down in the hopes that Harry loved him back.

Sucking up what remaining courage he had, he turned around and headed back to the Pyramid, headed back to Harry.

When Harry answered his door he had clearly been getting ready for bed, and Daario's mouth suddenly went incredibly dry as he was greeted with the sight of Harry in a silk nightgown that swept down to just above his thighs, the chiffon dressing gown doing nothing to hide the shortness of the nightgown.

"Daario, I was not expecting to see you until the morning. I thought that you would be making plans to sail, Lord Varys seems eager to sail quickly," Harry said brightly. Too brightly. Everything was forced, from the smile to the chirpy tone.

"Wouldn't you miss me?" Daario asked tilting his head. Harry's eyes had not been this dull since his third month in the Pyramid.

"Of course I will! But I understand, you love her and...and you want to be with her. I am sure...we can write and...stay in touch," Harry nodded to himself.

"What if I asked you to come with me?" Daario knew that it was cruel of him to carry on letting Harry think that he was leaving, but he wanted to know.

"No! No, I...I couldn't," Harry backed away. Daario could not keep it up any longer as he saw tears appearing in those gem-bright eyes. He swept into the room and slammed the door shut behind himself, Harry looked so startled and confused that he could not have resisted tugging him into his arms and wiping away the tear that escaped if a whole army of Unsullied had stood between them.

Harry fit so perfectly in his arms, coming up only to his shoulders their bodies seemed to slot together like puzzle pieces, and through the thin material of Harry's clothing Daario could feel every inch of that beautiful body.

"Daario no, I can't...not when you're…"

"I'm not leaving," Daario said firmly.

"What? But the messenger said that she wanted you," Harry frowned confused.

"She did, does, I said no," Daario held on tightly as Harry tried to pull away.

"What? Why?" Harry looked so genuinely confused that Daario had to roll his eyes.

"Because I have fallen in love with you!" Whatever reaction that he had been expecting it was not Harry lowering his eyes and looking away from him.

"You should go," He said quietly.

"You don't feel the same way?" Daario asked, his heart sinking as he let go of Harry.

"I...no, no I don't,"

Daario could feel his heart breaking, but at the same time, he knew Harry well enough to know that he had just lied to him.

"Well that was a lie," He challenged.

"You think too much of yourself!" Harry snapped looking back at Daario, his green eyes flashing.

"No, I know you too well! If you genuinely don't feel the same for me, that is fine, but do not lie to me either!" Daario could feel his own anger flaring.

"Look, I have told you I do not feel the same way for you, there is your answer!" Harry yelled causing Daario to back away.

"Fine, have it your way!" Daario spun and stormed out the room, slamming the door behind himself, his arms suddenly feeling icy cold after knowing what Harry felt like in his arms.

As the door slammed behind Daario Harry collapsed down to the floor as sobs wracked through his body. He had longed to hear those words from Daario for months now, he had fallen in love with the dark haired man who had saved his life months ago. He had not even realised it, he had just realised one day.

And he had been happy with how things were, just getting to be in Daario's life, be by his side was enough. He hoped, of course, he hoped that Daario might feel the same, or at least feel something for him. He had dreamt about hearing those words, he had imagined how it would feel to have his strong, muscled arms around him, holding him close to his body and making that confession.

He had not expected to hear it on the back of Daenerys summoning Daario to her. Harry had heard stories about her, the breaker of chains, the Queen who rode Dragons, the woman that Daario loved and had wanted to follow.

How could he compare to that?

How could he compare to her?

The answer was that he couldn't and he knew it.

Daario was angry with her, upset that she had changed her mind after hurting him so much. It had been clear how broken hearted the man had been when Harry had come into his life, and people like Jazier and Pentieera had told Harry repeatedly how much their ruler had improved since Harry had come into his life after he had had his heart broken by their previous Queen.

He was angry and hurt, that was what had led to him refusing her request, taking up with Harry would be an additional slap to her face, and Harry didn't doubt that the handsome mercenary had feelings for him. But it couldn't match how he felt about Daenerys. He would realise that, and he would go to her.

And Harry would be left here with a broken heart, knowing what it felt like to be with Daario.

No, it was better to push Daario away now and save his heart from being broken even more. He would set sail with Daenerys' people, and Harry...Harry would survive.

Lying on the floor sobbing he told himself over and over he would survive.

"Harry?" Jazier poked his head into Harry's bedroom. It had been two days since the party and Daenerys' party had just set sail from their harbour.

Harry had not left his room since that night. Since the night he had rejected Daario. He had refused to leave the room, and he had barely eaten from the meals that the servants had brought him.

They had been all in a twitter, worried about him, coming to Jazier in their number with concerned expressions. They said that the man who knew the name of every single servant in the Pyramid and their families names had barely said thank you to them, he had just sat on his bed staring.

Stepping into the room Jazier finally spotted Harry, standing at his window in the side of the Pyramid staring out to where the advisor knew he could see the two great ships of Daenerys' fleet, the sails holding the red three-headed dragon on a black background, unmistakable for what they were.

"He is gone then?" Harry sighed not turning to look at Jazier.

"Not quite,"

Jazier frowned slightly when Harry turned, and his normally pale skin seemed even whiter, his eyes were red-rimmed and it was clear that he had been crying frequently.

"What do you mean?" Harry sighed sounding and looking absolutely exhausted.

"He's sitting in the throne room brooding and pouting. Will you please go speak to him and sort this out between you, I severely dislike seeing both my friends suffering when…" Jazier was cut off as Harry stormed passed him looking absolutely furious.

He rolled his eyes and turned to go and have something to drink, honestly, the two of them were going to be the death of him and his nerves.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Harry snapped angrily storming into the throne room. The servants and nobles with Daario took one look at the furious wizard and their furious ruler and beat a hasty retreat, one of the nobles nearly falling down the stairs in her rush to get away.

"I am still your ruler, a little respect," Daario growled.

"Why haven't you left?!" Harry snapped.

"Because I don't want to!" Daario stood, his expression dangerous.

"You will, once you realise and...you should have gone now, it would have been easier. She...she is the one you love," Harry pulled his red cotton shawl closer around himself, refusing to look at Daario as he spoke.

"No, she isn't," Daario frowned trying to work out where Harry's mind was at. "Even if you do not feel for me the same way that I feel for you, having distance from her has made me realise that I want something different than what she could offer me. I wouldn't be going to be her husband, I am not important enough, I would be her lover at best. I want someone to share my life with, someone to be my partner, my equal. I want love and marriage and to be someone's priority. I have realised that what she offered me was exciting, but I would never be anywhere near the top of her priorities," Daario shrugged.

"But…"

Daario looked at Harry, really looked at him for the first time since he had come into the room, and he took in the pale skin and red-rimmed eyes that Jazier had taken in earlier. He slowly made his way down the steps toward the confused looking wizard who also looked exhausted and as though he hadn't slept since the last time they had seen each other.

"I wrote her a letter," He said softly, descending the stairs slowly, terrified that Harry would run if he moved too fast.

"What did you say?" Harry breathed out, watching with wide, scared green eyes as the other man get closer and closer.

"I told her that I would always be her friend and that I would always support her and her rule. But that I had fallen in love with someone here. Someone beautiful and kind, gentle and warm, someone who I can not live without, someone who makes every day brighter, every day a little better than the last. Someone who makes me a better person. And that even if they don't love me back, just being in their life is enough for me,"

Daario stopped in front of Harry as he finished speaking, and he was close enough to hear the breath that Harry sucked in at his words, was able to see gem-bright eyes widening in awe.

"I do love you," Harry breathed out, and suddenly it felt as though all the breath had been punched out of Daario's body.

"What?" He demanded, unable to believe his ears.

"I do love you, I do," Harry's beautiful green eyes welled up with tears which he sniffed and dashed away with the backs of his hands. "I was scared that you would realise that I am not as good as her, that she is so much better than me. I thought...I thought it would be easier to lose you now than later,"

Daario moved to wrap Harry tightly in his arms as the wizard started crying in earnest. Gods help him but the Wizard was beautiful even when crying, though the sight and sound broke his heart even more.

"I'm in love with you in a way that I wasn't with her. You're both so different, that there is no comparison, she is beautiful in an untouchable way, you are equally as beautiful but in a touchable way. But when it comes down to it, the life that I want is the life with you. She could send 1000 summons, I would not give up the chance of the life that we could have for…"

Daario's words were cut off by Harry's lips pressing to his. Even though it tasted of salt and tears, Daario would not have changed it for the world. Finally having Harry in his arms, finally having his lips against his, was perfection.

It was coming home.

He pulled Harry even closer and deepened the kiss, tilting the beautiful wizard's chin up so that they were at the perfect angle so he could taste his wizard, not wanting their first kiss to ever finish.

Harry pulled back from their kiss and grinned happily at Daario as the ruler of Meereen beamed back at him. The two of them were completely deaf to the roars and cheers of their people as they gazed into each other's eyes and looked at their husband for the first time.

With another sweet kiss, grinning they turned to face their people, Daario took Harry's hand in his and raised them, causing another massive cheer to go through the enormous crowd that had gathered to see them wed.

And what a sight it was. Harry looked absolutely beautiful in his white and golden gown that shone in the sunlight, bangles of gold glittered on his wrists, and shimmers of gold glittered in his hair, the hem of his gown was lined with gems, as was the material that went over his shoulder. They sparkled and glittered in the sunlight above them making Harry seem like a god on earth.

He knew Harry planned on having the robe cut up and sent to the orphanages and hospitals that they had set up throughout the city after their wedding, and he knew that his new husband would be even more beloved than he already was.

Harry turned to smile at his husband proudly as the people started chanting their names. He seemed to think that a lot of their popularity was down to him, but the people loved Daario just as much. He had been the one who had helped free the slave cities with the Dragon Queen, and he had been the one who had worked hard to rebuild the city and the system with which it was run.

He was the reason that they were happy and there was plenty of jobs. He was the reason the city was still wealthy and there was more and more equality as the years went by.

As they made their way down the steps to the chariot that was waiting for them Daario nodded to the Nobles that lined the walkway, nodding to Varys and Jorah who had travelled to represent Daenerys at his wedding, the Queen sending her genuine apologies that she could not attend the wedding as she had hoped but she was in the middle of her royal progress around the seven kingdoms and could not afford to offend anyone by stopping it.

She had sent them a beautiful gift in the shape of a golden sigil the size of a horse with a dragon roaring with its wings spread, a sword and wand crossed in front of it.

Daario helped his beautiful new husband into the chariot before climbing in himself and took the reigns, starting their journey through the city so that everyone could see them, flowers and petals being thrown at them the whole way around as people called out their names.

The rule of King Daario and Kind Harry lasted for 65 more years after their wedding, and the area that had once been called Slavers Bay became a shining example of equality and progress. The people were happy and loved their rulers, and everyone prospered in a way that had never been seen before.

King Daario passed away at the age of 85 with King Harry at his side. King Harry lived only six months longer to see their son King Jaeherys crowned and starting his reign, before he followed his husband into the next life.

King Jaeherys had the two of them interred together at the start of the graveyard of their royal family, making sure that they were side by side in death as they had been in life. Over the next 1000 years the graveyard filled with graves of the ancestors of King Daario and King Harry, a great and proud line of Kings and Queens who ruled the area for many, many generations.