Chapter Text
“I don’t know what it is with those two.” Rhaegar complained, stripping off his clothes to climb into bed. “Daenerys loved Dragonstone when she was little. They both complain all the time about feeling trapped in the Red Keep. We come to Dragonstone, they spend most of their day exploring the island and spending time together. Then, they complain every evening about how they hate it here and want to go home. Lya...I don’t get it.”
Lyanna sighed and turned to Rhaegar as he aggressively fluffed his pillow to let out his frustrations. She waited until he settled down, holding her laughter at the boyish frown on his face.
“Rhae, they’re sixteen. They want freedom. Maybe your council should continue their vetting process for their spouses.”
“I just don’t want to worry about the two of them.” Rhaegar sighed. He kept his eyes on the ceiling above him. “They’re never as happy as they are when they’re here together.”
Daenerys was thinking the same thing, unable to fully concentrate on the man between her legs.
It was easier to sneak into his room than it was for him to sneak into hers. While the boys that cleaned his room often discussed their findings amongst each other, their words teemed with pride and not with conviction nor salaciousness. They’d coupled in her chambers once and Dany had to ruin her sheets so that her handmaidens didn’t run to Rhaegar, or worse, their preferred circle of gossip with tales of the princess’s deflowering.
Jon moved back, leaning his head on her thigh. His curls tickled the skin beneath them as his hand tantalized the skin on the other side.
“Why did you stop?” Dany propped herself up on her elbows to look down at him.
He gave a shy smile before kissing her upper thigh lightly.
“I’m not going to tire myself out if you’re going to zone out on me.”
“I’m here. I was in it.” She heard herself whining and knew by the smirk on his face that he was satisfied about being right. “Don’t be mean to me.”
Jon began to place soft kisses on her thighs, following up a trail that his hands led to her neck. Daenerys quickly wound her arms around him and placed light, playful kisses on his lips.
“We go home tomorrow.” Jon grumbled. The burr of his deep voice sent vibrations through her chest and a shiver up her spine.
“Don’t talk about it.”
“ You were the one thinking about it. While I was trying to make you cum, I might add.” Jon raised his eyebrow daring her to challenge his aphorism. The smile that she threw him in return was syrupy.
“I’m just tired of all of the sneaking. Dragonstone would be perfect if Maegor had made his improvements here.”
It was difficult for the both of them. On Dragonstone they could spend all of their time together, largely unattended. Who would dare bother them at their ancestral seat which also happened to be a near impenetrable island? They could explore the caves and the nests left behind by the dragons. They could stroll the beaches and ride horses around the castle.
The problem was that Dany had to walk the main corridors to get to him at night and to get back to her chambers in the morning. It was a routine that was impossible to time. Guards were in the halls at all times. The occasional attentive maid might drop by to empty a chamber pot or stroke the fire. If anyone discovered that they were spending their nights fucking each other into oblivion, it wouldn’t be long before the handmaidens suddenly remembered the times they’d arrived to Dany’s room to find it empty. Jon’s boys in waiting would be eager to to give details about the various juices that mingled on his sheets when they were taken away to be cleaned. They would suddenly have so much to say about the silver hair that could be found on his pillows, on his clothes, and in his bath.
The Red Keep, with its passages and secrecy, protected them from observing eyes and scandals that could tear their family apart. It would be ideal if the court wasn’t always so full with parishioners and old enemies and new friends and any and everything in between.
It made it impossible for them to spend time together during the day. Time alone was a commodity that they were never afforded outside of Dragonstone. It would be easier if anything untoward was suspected. People would give them space just to catch them at anything inappropriate. It was simply because no one suspected anything that they couldn’t spend every moment in each other’s presence like they longed to. Because what teenage boy and teenage girl would choose to spend time together if they weren’t looking to improve their status with marriage?
Daenerys had been asked that very question by one of the sycophants that hovered in her orbit since she could find her way into it.
“You must know that the Prince is what we all dream about. What girl doesn’t want to be queen? Even you I suppose.” The room went quiet as everyone turned their attention to Daenerys. “Targeryens fought against the Seven for centuries for the right to marry each other. I’m sure it’s crossed your mind a time or two to simply snatch Prince Jon from the rest of us and secure your place as queen. Why else would you enjoy the company of your nephew so much?”
“I would never marry Jon for the sake of being queen. There are better ways to make myself miserable.” Daenerys hummed lightly with a small, polite smile on her face. She lifted her tea cup and let the steam cloud her face before taking a small sip.
It was noted how she’d referred to the prince by his name and not by his title nor his familial relation to her. It was curious to those that wanted to turn this gab session into a one fit for gossip. Daenerys never gave them so much as a crumb so they fed on insinuations with the verve of a piranha.
“But you would marry him?” Another piped up, asking the question into her tea cup.
“I’ll marry whomever my brother and king sees fit for me to marry. As you all know very well, we’re not the ones who choose where we’ll spend the rest of our lives. Our husbands are chosen based on how we can serve our family. That will be my duty to the Seven Kingdoms. I’ll give my contribution by strengthening the crown with marriage. Not as queen.”
The ladies tittered at her response and the subject was changed promptly. While their mothers and fathers sent them to the Princess’s side for gossip and a chance at the throne, it would not be helpful to be removed from the keep as a nuisance.
Daenerys remembered everything about the girls that questioned her that day and more about the ones that kept quiet but were overly interested in her answer. She made sure that her armor never slipped in their company. That she was neither complimentary nor defamatory towards Jon. She walked the line of either being ridiculously formal or playfully familiar. He was, after all, her nephew. She scolded him for poor manners and complained about his incessant need to keep his wolf around. It was exhausting. It was exactly why Dragonstone was a breath of fresh air.
“There’ll be talk of you marrying soon. If my father hasn’t already started narrowing it down.” Jon lamented and tucked his head into her neck. He liked the feeling of her hands tangled in the curls at the nape of his neck.
“Rhaegar would never agree to a marriage without talking to me first.”
Jon wanted her to be right. Rhaegar tried hard to make sure that his sister was treated fairly. He wanted her to have the voice and power that she was entitled to. However, he often struggled.
Viserys clung to Rhaegar like a scared cat during his childhood and fought against any perception of weakness as he grew. He popped in and out of King's Landing on occasion but the tales of his adventures across the Narrow Sea came more frequently by the mouths of sailors and Lyseni whores. Rhaegar worried little about Viserys. Viserys idolized him and Rhaegar contextualized their relationship in a way that allowed him to guide Viserys when needed and step back when he didn’t. He truly was a good brother.
Daenerys was always different, though. Growing up, Jon thought that Rhaegar had surely loved Daenerys more. He knew that Dany was his aunt but Rhaegar treated her like his daughter. He expected Jon to treat her as a sister. They were raised together under Rhaegar’s protective watch and with Lyanna’s fierce love. Rhaegar tried to replicate the relationship he had with Viserys, with Daenerys. He rarely succeeded. He’d raised her. He taught her to play the harp and kissed her fingers when they bled. He held her when she was sick and sang to her when she was scared. She stayed curled in the middle of his bed for moons longer than Jon had been allowed, simply because Rhaegar wanted her there. He treated her like the daughter he’d lost in Rhaenys and no one questioned it.
Jon felt that his anxiety over Dany’s potential marriage alliance was justified. Fathers protected their daughters like they safe guarded their legacies. While Rhaegar tried to include Daenerys in decisions that concerned her, Jon knew that when it came to sending her off to another kingdom with a man that he would never trust, Rhaegar might make the decision alone. Just to mitigate the potential for her to say no to someone that he finally convinced himself was right for her. He could never give her everything she wanted but he would try.
Jon knew that he was right when he was barred from entering a council meeting merely a week later. He sent his thanks and prayers to Maegor for the second time that day. Sometimes he imagined that Maegor would be proud that his descendants had found such uses for his complicated system of passages and tunnels.
He settled on the other side of the wall, hidden from view and quieter than he thought possible. Jon immediately heard the basis for his exclusion.
“She needs to be married off within the year. You’ve already held off for too long, Your Grace. The other Houses have received your silence as insolence.”
“Insolence?” His father seemed offended. “They should learn the art of patience. I won’t make this decision lightly. I won’t send Daenerys off like I’m trying to rid myself of her.”
The room was quiet for a moment. Jon would have given anything to be able to see their faces. What he did know was that this was difficult for his father. Rhaegar didn’t want Dany married anymore than he did. His affection for her might work in their favor.
“Your Grace...I understand that you have a duty to your sister-” He heard his father scoff as he often did when they talked about Daenerys that way. He took it as an insult toward his love for her. “However, Daenerys should have married ages ago. She flowered young so your hesitance...we’re sure the Princess appreciated your sensitivity.”
“It’s time now, Your Grace.” This voice was vacillant with its viewpoint. “She’s a woman grown. She attracts the attention of men now and not greenboys in the courtyards. It’s time that you found a husband for her. It won’t be difficult with her beauty.”
“We do have a suggestion, Your Grace. It would be advantageous to send her to Dorne given the untimely deaths of your late wife and-”
“And marry her to whom? Doran the Cripple? He is a man nearly 40 years her senior. Or did you have Oberyn the Whore in mind? Should I send my sweet sister off to be the mother of his eight bastards?”
“We meant no offense, Your Grace. You have always gotten on well with Oberyn Martell.”
Jon heard his father rise and begin to pace the floor with a rough breath every time he turned to pivot. He’d told Jon often that he was never meant to rule. He wanted what was best for his people but he could easily trade the stress of the monarchy to travel and play music with his loves by his side.
“Oberyn Martell is a great friend to me. What he will not be is a husband to Daenerys.”
Papers shuffled and people shifted in their chairs.
“Then it looks like Robb Stark is the final choice. He would be a good fit for the Princess.”
Jon tensed and waited to see if his father would object. Would he dare send his sister to off to Winterfell when he knew she would never want to be that far from the south?
“You know Robb Stark. He takes after his mother in looks but surely he’s as honorable as his Lord Father. He’s a firstborn so Winterfell, and essentially the influence of the North, will go to him. It would be good to have our influence there. None of them were happy with Lyanna’s decision to follow you south. This way, we bridge the gap she left. Plus, as Lyanna’s nephew, I’m sure Daenerys would be inclined to agree to this match as well.”
It was quiet again. He could no longer hear his father’s footsteps and had to assume that he stopped pacing. Finally a rough sigh came from Rhaegar and the sound of his movements placed him at the door.
“Be done with it then. We’ll send a raven to Ned Stark.”
He abruptly left the room and the men he left behind broke out with chatter. Jon knew that he should stay behind. He wanted to know what the letter said but his feet carried him to the solar where he knew Dany would be sitting with her ladies.
Her eyes barely met his before she was excusing herself and guiding him into another room. She pulled him into her arms and wrapped herself around him.
“What happened? What’s wrong?”
“They chose Robb.” He kept his face buried in her neck to muffle the sound of his voice and blot out their meaning to the ears that strained in the next room. “Father agreed to send you to Winterfell.”
She jolted in his arm and took a step back. Her face crumbled and her eyes watered.
“He won’t. He’ll talk to me first.” Her whisper was apprehensive.
“Not this time, Dany. He wasn’t happy about it but he’ll do it to keep up appearances. If they’re hounding him about you, then I’m next. They’ll want us married in close proximity to each other.”
“I’ll just talk to him then. He always listens to me.” Daenerys was shaking her head in disbelief.
“We’ll talk to him together.” Jon grabbed her and squeezed her knuckles. “He’ll either give us each other or he can complain after we do it anyway.”
Daenerys pulled him in for a hug, letting him kiss at the top of her head before they separated.
“I can’t keep them waiting.”
Jon nodded and watched her leave, mentally preparing the argument for their freedom.
Daenerys asked that they be given a private audience over dinner. All it took was a well placed plea—I want to spend time with you without fighting for your attention— and Rhaegar crumpled like paper and sent his visitors to dine without him. He liked how normal it looked with the four of them seated together. It rarely ever happened. They told stories and shared jokes and Rhaegar basked in the sounds of the laughter of his children. It was a state of ataraxy that they were about to smash to pieces.
“Father, I’d like to ask you something.”
Lyanna sat up straighter in her chair and Rhaegar leaned forward with interest.
“Of course, Jon. What is it?”
“First,” Jon cleared his throat and took his father’s amused expression as a good thing. “I’d like you to really think about it before you give your answer. I think you’ll be inclined to give in to whatever enters your head first but if you really think about it, you might not be so averse to it.”
“Okay.” Rhaegar’s eyebrows furrowed as his eyes darted around the table. “Don’t be nervous. Speak to me like the king you’ll be someday.”
Jon nodded and looked at Daenerys before turning his attention to his mother and then finally back to his father.
“I’ve been thinking about my marriage prospects.”
“That’s great, Jon. We’ve passed the time by quite a few moons for the two of you to marry.” Lyanna interrupted before Jon could continue but he could have kissed her for the way that she worded her approval.
“That’s exactly what I want to talk about, Mother. We think it’s time for the two of us to marry.”
“Daenerys? You’ve been thinking about marriage as well?” Rhaegar looked skeptically between the two of them. “That was actually our topic of discussion today. I didn’t think you’d be open to it.”
Lyanna reached over to squeeze Rhaegar’s arm in support and approval. He clearly shared the thoughts of his council meeting with her and she approved. Fuck. Jon hoped that she would be on their side.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, actually.” Daenerys nodded, folding her hands to keep from fidgeting. “We’re old enough to start building our future and our family.”
“That’s perfect.” Rhaegar sat back in his seat with a satisfied smile. “I’m glad that I can be more open and honest about this process. I didn’t want to upset you.”
He reached across the table to cup Dany’s face. Instinctively, she leaned into his hand as his thumb brushed her cheek. Jon knew he had to just say it. The love his father had for Daenerys would never allow him to accept another man in her life. Even if that man was his son. Especially because that man was his son. It was better to tell him now before he settled into the idea of their compliance.
“Father, you don’t understand.” Rhaegar dropped his hand and tilted his head in Jon’s direction. “We’re ready to start building our future. Our family. Singular.”
“Together.” Daenerys added, linking her fingers with Jon's.
Rhaegar’s eyes darted down to their hands. The sound he made could have been confused for choking.
“Father-”
“What have you done to her?” Rhaegar hissed, his eyes wide with anger.
Daenerys stood quickly and rushed around the table. She lowered herself to her knees in front of Rhaegar and took his face in her hands. She often did the same thing when she was younger and Rhaegar was upset about something. “Don’t be mad, Whae.” Her small voice and gentle touch would calm him instantly. Jon thanked every God he’d ever heard of that those four words still had the same affect on him.
“We’re nothing like Mother and Father. Jon would never hurt me. You know that.”
He turned to look at Jon with eyes filled with accusations. Although, he softened when his eyes went back to Daenerys, he pushed his chair back from the table and fled to the other side of the room. He needed to be away from her to think clearly.
“How long has this been going on?”
“A couple of years.” Daenerys answered honestly, chancing a look at Jon. “We’ll be better together, Rhae. You know that, too.”
Rhaegar looked like he might cry. He turned his back to them and stared out of the window as he spoke.
“You’re going to Winterfell in less than a moon’s time. When you arrive, Ned Stark will be there to welcome you as Robb Stark’s bride. His time will come as Warden of the North and then you will be the Lady of Winterfell. Your-”
“And Jon?” Her voice cracked when she spoke. Jon didn’t need to see her face to know that she was crying.
“Margaery Tyrell is making her way to King’s Landing as we speak.”
“Rhae! Look at me.”
He kept his head turned but Daenerys was persistent. She stood and walked closer to him only for him to face her when she reached out to touch him.
“I’m not arguing and I don’t want to hear anything else about this…” He waved his hand between the two of them and scoffed when he couldn’t find a word to describe their relationship. “Now leave. Both of you.”
“Father-”
“Get out of my sight. Now.”
Daenerys let a sob slip through her lips as she turned and hurried from the room. Jon looked at his mother. He expected her to take up for him. For them.
“Mother, please say something.”
Lyanna stood and propped herself against her chair. She turned to look at Rhaegar before letting out a sigh and facing her son.
“Margaery Tyrell is a lovely girl.” If the hurt on his face moved her at all, she didn’t show it. “Dany will be happy with Robb. You should want that for her.”
“Dany will be happy with me. Dany is happy with me.” Jon pretended not to see his father sway on his feet when he heard those words. “We’re happier together. Mother, you say it all the time.”
“We have expectations of you, Jon.” She sighed and shook her head as she spoke. “Daenerys is your sister. You’re supposed to protect her not-” She cut herself off and didn’t finish. Instead she turned her back to Jon and crossed the room to her husband. “Please go. Your father needs a bit of time.”
Jon stared at the backs of his parents as they huddled together by the window. He was gone before he could see his father collapse into the arms of his mother. He couldn’t focus on them or he would lose his mind. By the time he made it back to his chambers, Daenerys was in his bed with an arm around his wolf and a book in her hand.
“Have you been with my brother this whole time?”
Jon shook his head and sat at the end of the bed.
“When we break our fast tomorrow, I’m sure that my parents won’t be speaking to us. They’ll do everything in their power to appear too busy and they know that no matter how upset we are, we won’t embarrass them in front of an audience. All we have to do is be normal and then I want you to say something about not leaving your chambers. You should sound frustrated...say something like you’re not coming out and you don’t want to be bothered. Like it’s some type of personal protest.”
“What difference is that going to make? Rhaegar made me cry tonight and he didn’t even care. I doubt my a little protest is going to sway his opinion.”
“Because,” Jon shrugged nonchalantly. “When you leave the hall, you’re going to disguise yourself and meet me in the tunnels. From there we’ll go to the docks where I’ve secured us both passage on a boat headed to Dragonstone.”
“And because Rhae is so mad, he won’t check on us for at least a day as his own form of protest. We’ll be too far ahead for them to stop us.”
“Exactly.” Jon gave her a wide smile before climbing up the bed to join her and Ghost. “We can marry once when we’re there and they won’t be able to do anything about it.”
“Then, we win.” Her smile was enough to make him breathless.
“Then, we win.”
They had a plan.
The thought gave her comfort as she dressed herself the next morning to creep back to her quarters. Jon sat in bed, watching her with his tousled curls in his face and his arms around the pillow she preferred. She chanced a look at him and couldn’t stop the bright smile that spread across her face. Their lives were going to change today and damn if it wasn’t the most exciting start to the rest of their lives. Things were already different. The energy of their decision was palpable. Daenerys had to hurry before she changed her mind and joined him once more. She gave Jon one last look before she slipped through the open panel in the wall. As always, he gave her a small smile and nod before she snuck back through the castle to her room.
“Be careful.” He whispered.