angst ahoy

[cherrytrees]

ANGST MEME


Sometimes we all want to play some angst and see just how far our characters can and will fall.

- Post your characters, name and series in the subject along with any preferences.
- Go to random.org and roll.
- Play!





1. just depressed.
Things are tough, you're feeling worn out, or whatever the case, you're depressed. You need help or someone else thinks you do anyway.

2. abandoned.
You were left behind by everyone you hold dear and now you're forced to see how well they've adjusted, how happy they all are while you're screaming inside.

3. sick.
Cold, flu, or something even worse, all you can do is lay back and let someone take care of you.

4. fight.
You've been fighting nonstop with the other person and it just keep escalating.

5. break up.
You're being broken up with and they won't reconsider... Damn.

6. separated.
For some reason, you've been separated from the other person for a long time.

7. kidnapped.
You've been held captive for how long now? Maybe they've been torturing you even, using your blood to write ransom notes, threatening to cut off fingers to send next, etc. Rescue is on the way though, right?

8. beaten up.
Just because someone didn't like you or maybe they wanted something you had, whatever the case is, you're coming home sporting some nasty wounds and bruises.

9. jealousy.
You just have this undeniable jealousy suddenly and you need to let it out.

10. cheated on.
This goes beyond just suspicion and you have full on proof of what your lover has done. How do you handle it?

11. apathetic.
You're not sad, you're not happy, you just... don't feel much anymore. The sparkle of life has gone right out of you and you're just going through the motions now.

12. addicted.
Drugs, alcohol, whatever your drug of choice is, you can't fight the draw and you can't draw yourself out of the hole, but the other person is going to try.

13. bad romance.
You know this isn't good for either of you, but you can't stop now.

14. fear.
Nightmares, the feeling someone is following you, etc. You can't shake the feeling.

15. insanity.
You're seeing things and hearing them, waking up only to realize you've done things you don't remember or you're in a place you weren't before. You're losing it and you don't know what to do.

16. guilt.
It's eating you up inside and you have to tell someone about it now. You want to be punished and you won't take no for an answer.

17. loss
You've lost something dear to you.

18. wild card.
Combine some options or make your own!

Comments

[forceshadowed]

She hadn’t realized just how scared out of her wits she’d been, not until he takes her into his arms and holds her close. It’s only then that it dawns on her that she’s finally safe, that the worst is over, and she starts sobbing against his chest, clutching the front of his cloak as though the rest of the world has come to hurt her. She doesn’t even think to question how and why he’s in Winterfell, not anymore, simply soaking up the fact that he’s here and looking out for her, just as he always has.

There’s a slow nod in agreement to his offer, and he’ll find out soon enough that he’s the only man she’ll be comfortable being around her for a considerable amount of time. Even the Northerners she’ll keep some distance from, not because they’d done her any harm but because she can still see what the Ironborn had tried to do to her when she closes her eyes. Jon’s embrace, at least, is something she’s long known, something she’s come to trust — though even that trail of thought is followed by the hounding whispers of betrayal, some buried part of her singing a song of warning. They’d trusted Theon, too; she never got along well with him, but Robb had trusted him, and so, so did she. Yet look at what he’d done and tried to do.

She tenses a little in his arms. Jon wouldn’t do that, would he? He’s always been kind, strived to do the right thing—

And he left you and broke your heart.

She shudders at that thought, at the bitter taste it leaves her, and for a moment she’s torn between holding on to him tighter, or trying to break away from his hold. He makes her feel safe, but could it be all a lie? How could he be here, if he hadn’t broken his vows and deserted? How could he not have done it sooner, not do it for her?

“The boys,” she manages, and she takes a deep breath to try to push those dark thoughts out of her mind. “They’re in Bran’s room. We should... check on them first.”

[scaledwolf]

They can get to the how and why he’s in Winterfell once she’s settled and tucked into a warm bed, clean and patched up and safe from the world. And when she clutched at him and cries, he hold hugs her closer to him, hoping his presence will help to calm her down now that Winterfell is theirs again. There are soft whispers of how sorry he is, how he’s never going to leave her side again, how he’s going to see any man that’s touched her - even if it’s just to bring her to her room for capture - dead. But mostly he’s sorry. And he’s never leaving again.

It’s a soft murmur, barely audible, said into her hair as he hugs her close and rests his nose against her hair. Ans he does feel her tense in his arms and he makes a soft, soothing murmur about she’s safe now and that no one is going to hurt her again. Not ever. Not as long as he’s alive. Because he doesn’t know the entirety of what she’s been through, but Theon’s smirk had said he’d at least tried to take her or he’d at least wanted Jon to think he’d taken her.

He stops at the comment about the boys, luckily Bran’s room isn’t too far from his. Just a few doors sooner from here. So it’s easy to head there instead as he places the gentlest kiss to her temple. “We’ll check on them, but I’ll have one of the men see to them over all. There are a couple men that were trained with Robb and I that they’ll recognize. I want to make sure we clean those cuts and get you settled to rest.” His voice is still think with apology, a shimmer of anger at her having to go through this, and concern that she’s more hurt than she looks. “And I can have one of the maids bring up a bath if you’d like. I can... settle in Robb’s room while you take mine to heal and rest.” Because he can’t see her wanting to go back to her room. Not after this. And it will take a few days to clean and fix even if she does. There’s a hesitance in his suggestion he take Robb’s room, leaving her alone in his room. But he’s not sure how close she needs him, or if she needs space after everything. “Anything you need, Janey, I’ll see to it you have.”

[forceshadowed]

It's soothing, having him close and being able to hear his voice again; she's not realized how much she's truly missed him, either, not until now, not when she'd spent the time since his departure for the Wall just trying to ignore the part of her that had felt hollow and empty. Her doubts and her dark, terrified thoughts are slowly being melted away by his very presence, a force of healing that's wrapped around her and has decided never to let go.

She nods absently when he talks about checking on the boys, but the bath and him leaving to settle in Robb's room has her clutching at his cloak tighter, and she pulls back a little to look up at him. That panicked look in her eyes has calmed some, but there are still hints of fear lurking in the shadows. "No, please—" She knows it's selfish, and she thinks he can't be here to just look after her, that perhaps the Night's Watch had sent them to reinforce Winterfell per Robb's command or something. But she wants him around her, not just nearby. "Please stay. I... I don't want to be alone, Jon." Her voice breaks a little. "Theon, he—"

Then she shakes her head. She's not ready to speak of it after all. "I can... I can bathe by myself. But will you stay with me? Please?" She flushes a little at that request, because they've never even kissed beyond what's considered chaste and proper, but even though the very idea of him seeing her naked should have her mortified, she's more terrified of what else might happen if he's not there, not when Winterfell has stopped becoming a safe place for her.

[scaledwolf]

He knows he's missed her every second of every day since he's left. And he's grateful his brother has gone to great lengths to free him from the vows. Not because he's glad he's made it back here in time to free it from a betrayer, though he is, but because it means that he can be by Jane's side again. He'd regretted taking the vows almost as soon as they'd left his mouth, but now he was no longer beholden to them and it wasn't because he was a deserter but because he was a free man. Something he wants to share with Jane, but isn't sure right now is the proper time either.

There's a soft kiss placed to her nose and then one to her forehead as he hugs her close when she grips him tighter, when she says she doesn't want to be alone. There's a soft shushing sound from him as he dips to rest his face against her hair as he hugs her to him more, careful not to squeeze and hurt her but definitely tighter like he won't ever let her go. "It's okay, Jane, I'm right here. He won't ever even look at you again." Because she doesn't have to say it.

Part of him does want to know how far Theon actually got with her, if only to know how slowly to make him bleed out in death. But also because knowing how far the trauma went meant he could try to be more careful with her while she heals too. That he wouldn't overstep in any way. "I won't go anywhere, I promise. Anywhere and every where you need me, Jane. Even if it's facing a wall while you bathe so I can just hold your hand, I'm here." It's less about her modesty and more about her comfort level. And honestly, it's probably a very Jon offer, to stare at a wall so he can still be in the room with her but not have her feel like he's being a creep.

A part of him would rather settle in the bath with her, though that's also a space they've never explored together. And the image makes him flush a little as he hugs her close. It's something that maybe, in the future when they get there, it'll happen.

[forceshadowed]

"Thank you," she murmurs gratefully as she nods and burrows into his arms a little more, lingering in the feeling of comfort and safety he's providing. He's always been that for her, the person who understood her the most and had her best interests at heart; that's why it had broken her when he'd told her he was leaving to join the Night's Watch, because until then she'd thought he knew that she wanted them to have a future together, regardless of her betrothal to Robb. Why else hadn't the wedding happened as soon as she came of age, as had been intended? She'd done all that she could to stall it, buying them time, trying to find a way so they could run away together.

Dropping by Bran's room, she's also grateful to see that the boys are unharmed — she'd made Theon promise not to hurt them, though as the days passed she'd grown less and less assured of their safety. They were the true heirs, after all, for she was just a proxy, and an unofficial one at that, only by virtue of her betrothal to Robb. Theon had been quick to strip her of her authority in the keep, of course, announcing that Robb had called off their engagement as he was marrying one of the Frey girls, although he'd also made it known that he would make her Princess of the Iron Islands instead. Her response had been to spit at his face, telling him that she would never be his, and that he knew why.

Jon was why. Robb hadn't been blind, and neither had Theon, though while Robb had grown to love her like a sister, Theon's feelings for her had always been desirous; he'd have had no second thoughts about sleeping with her if she'd shown any interest in him, even if she was intended for his best friend. But, no, she loved the bastard instead, and that had been why Theon had become even more derisive towards Jon as the years passed.

The boys are surprised to see Jon, too, though their attention is quickly drawn to Jane, concerned at seeing her hurt. "Will she be okay?" Rickon asks Jon worriedly, reaching up to hold Jane's hand and give it an comforting squeeze.

[scaledwolf]

"Always, Jane," he answers as he snuggles her to him. Gods he's missed her, and he broke his own heart when he'd left. And it hurts more because had he never left, none of this would have happened. He would have been here to stop Theon from even trying something like this. Theon never would have taken over, never would have terrorized his brothers, and never would have laid a finger on her. She would have been safe.

He doesn't let her go when they get to Bran's room to see the boys, only kneeling a little so Rickon can see that she's mostly okay a little better and so she can see that Rickon is okay as promised. Jon offers a small smile at the boy and nods as he glances over at Bran to make sure the elder of the two are fine. "She'll be okay. I'm just taking her to rest. We'll be in my room." Because he's sure the boys will want to know where she is and that she's safe, but also where to find her if they want to reach out and check in on her.

Tilting his head, one of the Northerners that's about Jon's age comes in and nods to the boys. "Calip here will stay and make sure you two stay safe and help with everything you need while I make sure Jane gets the best care." Calip's been training with Jon and Robb since they were boys, so there's a recognition for both Rickon and Bran for the man, and a familiarity that will help keep them settled and safe without Jon or Jane having to worry about them, "but it is late so we're going to have dinner brought up for you two before bed. Tomorrow if you want to join us, we're going to take a walk around the Keep and make sure all the bad men are gone."

Technically, Jon and his men know they're gone or in the dungeon, locked up while they await their execution. But keeping them in here tonight means that his men can get the bodies of the dead out of the keep before the boys have to see them. He also knows it might take a while for the boys to feel safe without someone near, just in case something happens again. Whatever they need too, he'll see to it they have it. Though he mostly wants to see to Jane right now. He places a soft kiss to Jane's temple. "Ready to go get cleaned up? Or do you want a few more minutes with the boys?"

[forceshadowed]

She gives the boys — especially Rickon, who'd been clinging to her since she'd returned to the keep like she was his new mother — her assurances that she's fine, and thanks them for being brave and helping her keep Winterfell safe. It's easy to see why the Northerners have grown to like her, how they've accepted her not just because she'd been arranged to be married to their Lord; she genuinely cares about the people, taking the time to get to know them and be with them when she's not hovering around Jon or dealing with official family business.

"I'm ready," she murmurs softly at his question, closing her eyes as she takes a moment to rest. She's honestly not sure how long it's been since the Ironborn had taken over, time blurring while she'd been in the confines of her room, though she supposes her exhaustion is mostly due to the adrenaline wearing off than anything else. Though apart from wanting to rest, she also doesn't want the boys to see her in the state she's in far longer than necessary. They don't need any more reminders of what they'd been through in Theon's hands.

Once they're in his room and she's settled into his bed, she lifts a hand to his cheek, fingers brushing lightly against his skin. The skin around her wrist is chafed from the ropes, the dried up blood dark against the redness that's persisted. "You're here," she repeats, and she bites her lower lip, looking like she's about to cry. "You're really here."

[scaledwolf]

He's gentle with her when he settles her on his bed and his head tilts into her touch like he's been in a desert and her touch is water he craves. Though, seeing the skin of her wrists, he'll catch her arm and place soft kisses to the chafed skin. It's almost like an unspoken apology for her ending up injured. "I'm really here," he answers back. He stands for a moment, leaving her on the bed so he can remove his armor and set it aside before he's returning to her so he can hug her to him.

The room has already been prepped by his men with bandages and warm water and a cloth for washing. Though he'll have to call someone for bathwater if she wants one now. One hand cups her face and he kisses her forehead gently, then her nose, and then there's the softest, chastest kiss to her lips. "I'm home for good, Jane," he breaths softly. "Robb pardoned me so I could come home to you."

He'd hoped to surprise her in a good way upon coming home. Mostly racing back to Winterfell in the hopes of making sure to catch her before she returned to Alderaan. He's glad, all the same, that he raced home though. Because she'd needed him in the worst kind of way, all of Winterfell had.

"I'm sorry I ever left in the first place, it was the worst decision I've ever made," he offers as he turns a little to dip the cloth in the warm water. He's gentle as he slowly washes around her wrist to clean it so it can start to heal better and faster. "I'm never leaving you again." It's a promise, and there's a strength to his words that says he means them with all his heart. It's not just finding her like this that causes that strength and determination, it's that his heart had felt hollow and broken at the Wall. And even with seeing her hurt, his heart feels whole because they're just here together.

[forceshadowed]

Her eyes widen at the news. Well, pardon is such an odd word to use, especially when he'd gone up to the Wall on his own accord, but all the same, it's news. "He really... he really did it?" she manages to say through her shock, and there's a sound out of her that's halfway through a laugh and a sob. Because Robb had talked to her about it. Not about freeing Jon from the Night's Watch specifically so they could be together, but so he'd have someone in Winterfell he trusted, although he'd also admitted that bargaining for a man's release from the Watch had never been done before. She hadn't dared to hope, having already had her heart broken more than enough in her lifetime.

Had the Ironborn not attempted to take over Winterfell, she probably wouldn't have been in the keep anymore. She'd made the necessary arrangements as soon as she returned, to eventually hand off the responsibility of running things to Bran, after all he was the rightful successor to the position Robb had vacated, so that she could return home to Alderaan. With her engagement called off and Jon at the Wall, she no longer had any reason to remain in Westeros.

Had the Ironborn not attempted to take over Winterfell, she'd have been angry. Now she's just glad that he's back, that he'd returned just in time to save them all. Though he's still tending to the cuts on her wrist, she shifts to sit up anyway. She gently pulls her hand away so she could cup his face with both of them, resting her forehead against his. "So you're not vowed to the Night's Watch, and I'm not betrothed to your brother." She could feel her heart racing as the implications of even just two facts sink in.

[scaledwolf]

It's an odd word because he wasn't condemned to the Wall, and yet because of the vows he kind of was once they were spoken. It's the best way to say Robb sent him home. He smiles at her question though, thumb brushing across her cheek as his heart aches for that half sob she gives. "He really did it." His letter hadn't told Jon Robb had mentioned the plan to Jane, though he can understand her disbelief of it happening before him sitting in front of her too, because no one has ever been allowed to walk away before. But Robb had done it for him. For them.

And while he's glad she's still here, honestly, he'd have preferred to have to go after her to bring her home versus what had kept her here. Because being home, there'd been no hesitation to try and get her home from Alderaan, either by sending a message to her or following her to meet her and sail her back himself.

He smiles a little at the way she phrases things, tilting his head just enough to brush her nose against his. "I am no longer vowed to the Night's Watch, and am all yours, my Lady." He shifts her a little so she's cradled in his lap, he wants her closer but after everything, she's been through or might have been through he doesn't want to have her straddle him. When she's ready, they'll get there. "And you are not betrothed to my brother, but you can be betrothed to me, Jon Stark, next in line for Lord of Winterfell after Robb." Because that was the other news too. He's officially a Stark now. Because yes, they can be together now too. There's absolutely nothing holding either of them back now.

[forceshadowed]

Robb had mentioned it all but once, after dismissing everyone else from his war council, leaving just him and her to ponder over the map and their troop's positions. While she'd stay quiet during those meetings, afterwards he'd ask her for her thoughts and observations, and she'd give them to him unfiltered; it had caused some tension originally, especially since he'd asked Theon to stay behind too, but in the end he'd learned to just keep Theon out of it and simply swallow his pride — as painful as that usually was — whenever she'd disagree or think a decision stupid. And she'd been very careful not to let her emotions show when he brought the matter up, both because she didn't want to break down in front of him, but also because she didn't want to have to answer to his face if he makes her choose between him or Jon.

"Jon would never desert the Watch. You know that as well as I do," she'd told him. The acid in her tone then could have melted Valyrian steel. So much for not showing emotion.

"What if he didn't have to?"

But, yes, Robb had done it. For them. It's... still a little hard to wrap her mind around, considering that they're in the middle of a war.

And it's not the last of Robb's surprises, either. "What?" she asks with an incredulous laugh, pulling back a little so she can look at Jon properly. Holy kriff, he's not kidding. She could kiss Robb right now. "You're a Stark. That's... gods. That's what you have always wanted." She touches his cheek gingerly, like she still can't believe he's here or that all this is happening. "I'm happy for you, Jon."

She leans in to give him a soft, chaste kiss. "But I would have married you, regardless. I never needed you to be a Stark, only for you to want to be with me." Her voice breaks a little at those last couple of words, for while she could no longer bring herself to be mad at him for leaving, it doesn't mean that it didn't hurt that he did.

[scaledwolf]

Jon knows he also did it because Bran and Rickon are too young to be able to secure and continue to run Winterfell while Robb is in the South, to give the family more strength. But he had said he also wanted Jon and Jane to have a chance to be happy together. Because it was painstakingly obvious to everything in the keep that the two have pined after each other for almost as long as Jane has been coming to Winterfell.

There’s a bright smile on his features as she takes that bit of news in, nodding because he had always wanted it. His head turns so he can kiss her palm lightly, and there’s the softest laugh for the part about marrying him regardless. “Even if he’d only pardoned me from my vows I’d be here to ask you to marry me, Jane. Bastard or legitimate, my love for you doesn’t change.”

It’s his turn to cup her cheek at that break in her voice, dipping to rest his forehead against hers as he gives a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. It was the stupidest decision I have ever made, Jane. And I promise I will never make a decision that takes me from your side again. I have regretted leaving this entire time.” His nose brushes hers gently, “I am yours, if you’ll have me. Forever and always.”

[forceshadowed]

That's all she really needed to hear. That he'd regretted what he'd done, that he would never leave her again, that he wouldn't let anything like their social status come in between them anymore, that he was hers and hers always. Overwhelmed by emotion and a happiness beyond words, she tilts her head so her mouth is on his, and this time it's not a chaste kiss, though without having kissed anyone else in her life she doesn't really know what she's doing. That lack of experience isn't stopping her, though; her hand slides into his hair as she refuses to stop, wanting him close and to linger in the warmth and safety he provides.

"And I am yours," she breathes against his lips after a while, figuring he'd want to hear it still. "Forever and always." She laughs softly, giddy at the thought of being his wife — something that she'd long wanted, perhaps for as long as she'd started coming to Winterfell. "We need to tell my parents," she says. "And we can ask them to send us some more men to secure the keep."

And ships, she thinks, because suddenly she knows how to make it up to Robb, to somehow repay him for his kindness and for giving her heart back. She won't say it tonight, but the idea's in the back of her head now: they're going to take the Iron Islands.

[scaledwolf]

He’d made the decision to not let anything come between them again when it had just been him going home to her. Before he’d even read his personal letter legitimizing him as a Stark. Because they’d lost too much time, even if in the end it hadn’t been that long of a time apart. It had been long enough. Her deeper kiss has him groan softly, his hand sliding up her back gently to keep her close as he kisses her back, just as learning in this as she is. She’s the only girl he’s ever kissed, and he swears to himself she will be the only girl he ever kisses.

Her words warm his heart, happy to hear it from her. “Forever is just perfect for us, I think,” he breaths happily. It feels nice to hear her laugh and giggle at this news, lightening her heart in the wake of what she’s been through. “We can write your parents tomorrow, I promise.”

There’s a soft nip to her lip. There’s not going to be any fight to not for taking the iron islands. After this, he’d agree they can’t stand on their own anymore, nor under the Ironborn’s rule. This was the final straw for the Greyjoy line and them being free. But that too was a problem for tomorrow. He pulls back just enough to dip and kiss her wrist. “Shall I continue to tend your wounds, my Lady?” The ‘my’ in that is what the tone stresses as important. His Lady. All his. No one else’s.

[forceshadowed]

She shakes her head a little at his offer, though her face is now a bit flushed from their kissing. "I can do it," she says gently with a small smile, thinking she's inconvenienced him more than enough already. She shifts to reach for the washcloth he's set aside; thankfully it's easy enough for her to get to with her seated on his lap like that. "But let me tend to you first."

When he tries to stop her, she makes a shushing sound and gives him a look, before grinning and smoothing back his hair so she can clean up the cut on the side of his head. "You know it's ladies first, my Lord," she teases in turn, also placing an emphasis on that my like he did. Because that's the part that really matters, and they both see eye to eye on that.

"I... think I need a bath, though," she mumbles shyly after a while, glancing away from his eyes a little. She feels absolutely filthy, and while she knows he doesn't mind, it's still embarrassing. Especially when they're curling up and snuggling like this.

[scaledwolf]

There is a try to stop her, though he sighs softly when she gives him that look, because honestly, he's not going to argue with her either. She's been through enough, and if she wants to tend to him, who is he to stop her? Especially if it makes her feel better and more normal. "That's not exactly how that phrase works, love. It means I should tend to you first," he teases back since she's bringing it up. And his tone says he'll be glad to tend to her. She's not an inconvenience in the slightest.

"I'll have someone get some warm bath water in here, unless you want to use the hot springs downstairs." He's giving her a choice because he wants her comfortable. The hot springs means no cleanup, warm water that won't cool while they sit, and a dark private room for them to snuggle up with. But having the bathwater brought up means they can stay here and they're super close to the bed for once they're done. There are strong points for doing both, so it comes down to which one she'll want to do.

Also. "Do you want me to stay while you take your bath?" To be fair, there's a little bit of dried blood on him, so he could use a bath too. But her care and comfort comes above everything else tonight. He dips to brush his nose against hers when she's done tending to his head. He can't lie and say the idea of staying with her for her bath, of potentially helping her wash and get clean is incredibly tempting if she's up to having him with her.

[forceshadowed]

She pauses, closing her eyes and smiling as she leans closer to rest her forehead against his again, one hand still cupping the side of his face gently. "Say that again," she requests, almost shyly. Because up until today, he'd not really used an endearment for her, and never out loud; neither did she, both of them cautious enough to refrain from calling each other something else least they use it in front of other people. On Jane's part, it had been less about her being berated for her actions, and more because she knew Catelyn would find a way to pin the blame on Jon and give him trouble for it. So, no, it had always been their names, some chaste kisses in the dark, and a few professions of love whispered into each other's ear.

"Here would be fine," she answers when he asks him about her preference for a bath. It's an easy choice, not because of the proximity to the bed, but because it means he wouldn't have to carry her down and then back up again, and whoever would be coming up to bring the water will only have to make one trip, too. She might not be an inconvenience, but she certainly feels that way, and tries to not to unnecessarily burden him or anyone else in the keep.

Her face flushes darker as she adds, "And if it's okay with you to... stay." You can almost hear her blushing. Because they've never gotten past this before. Though perhaps the assurance that they're getting married anyway is already making her a little bolder.

[scaledwolf]

There's just a hint of mischief in his eyes at her request and he steals the softest kiss from her. "That's not exactly how that phrase works," he repeats gently. There's a pause as his lips quirk in a teasing smile, leaving the beat long enough she might think he really did think that's what she wanted him to repeat for her. But then it's followed by, "Love." Because yes, he knows it's the first time they've used endearments, but it's not the first time he's wanted to. But getting too familiar with endearments risks saying it out loud in front of Robb or worse, Catelyn. But they don't have to worry about it anymore. They're both free of their prior ties and chains and her old betrothed has told them to be happy. And calling her 'love' makes him happy. "I think I like it more than, my Lady, don't you?"

It's not any trouble for him to carry her anywhere. Honestly, he loves carrying her everywhere. He'd be happy to carry her around, cradled to his chest every day if that's what made her happy. Because it keeps her close and in kissing distance no matter what they're doing. "Here it is," he answers. And there's a kiss for that last add, for her blush, and for the way her voice even sounds like its blushing. "I didn't want to be forward," he breaths against her lips, "but that's where I wanted to be."

He nips her lower lip gently, "I know we've never..." It's his turn to blush a little more strongly, though his hand settles on her cheek as he offers her a shy smile. "But I want to be here with you. Maybe one day soon get to the point of settling in the bath with you." Because it's not weird for husbands and wives to want to be together everywhere, right? Tonight, he'll be happy to just wash her back for her while she rests in the warm water.

And true to form of not wanting her to be too far from him, he slips off the bed with her in his arms and moves to the door to catch a maid and ask her to bring bath water for Jane please. And then he's leaving the door open just a crack, so the maid knows she can enter before he's settling them back on the bed. It's not an inconvinence, if the way he hugs her to him and kisses her hair is any indication.

[forceshadowed]

"I like it," she agrees with a quiet laugh. She's his lady, sure, but love has a nicer ring to it. And there's a relief at being able to say it out loud now, for the person it's always been intended for. "Thank you, love." She shyly presses a kiss to his lips after she says that, because while she knows she has every right to call him that, too, it still feels surreal to actually be able to do so.

There's also thanks for the bath, and all that talk of it keeps her blush steady on her face. It had been one thing to think about him being able to see her naked, but he'd brought up settling in the bath with her and now she can't stop thinking about him naked. They've never done it before, and he's never even touched her anywhere that wasn't appropriate—

There's a flash of memory, one that she'd really rather not remember, but with the recent turn of events, she's not sure it'll leave her alone for a while yet. Thankfully it's while he's talking to the maid, so she's able to curl up against him and bury her face against his chest for a moment to deal with her troubles in silence.

She draws herself up a little to kiss him softly — mostly because she needs it. "We have to tell everyone, too," she says, trying to push away those unpleasant thoughts and just stay in this moment with him. "I haven't had the chance to do much since I got back here, so everyone still thinks Robb and I are..."

[scaledwolf]

He smiles more as he kisses her back gently, enjoying hearing it from her too. There's something exciting about saying it, about being able to not have to hide how he feels about her anymore. He could stand in the great hall and kiss her and no one could grumble about it, because she's his now. Not Robb's or anyone else's. "I like it too," he offers happily.

The blush that stays on her features only has him smile at her, because honestly, it's something he'd love to get to. It's a large step down the road, after they're more comfortable around each other bare, because that will definitely be new, but it's definitely a place he'd like to end up with her. And no, he's always been a gentleman when it comes to touches, and that won't stop now, even with her naked in a bath unless she initiates it, he's still going to be gentlemanly. Because he doesn't want her to feel he's pushing, he never would.

There's the softest kiss placed to her hair, because he notices the shift in her as she deals with whatever has slid into her head. But he also won't question it, just holding her and giving a soft murmur of I'm here to her before he continues. And he'll kiss her back just as softly when she's back up to looking at him. "We'll tell everyone tomorrow at breakfast. Tonight, the boys are safe and looked after, and I'm here to keep you safe and look after you."

Because everyone's probably tired as the adrenaline leaves them from the fighting. He settles them back on the bed so they can wait for the bathwater, but he picks up the cloth and starts to clean her wrist again gently. She hadn't let him get too far before now, and it's something little he can do for her at least. "I mean it though, Jane. Anything you need, I'm here for you. Just tell me and I'll make it happen." Food, drink, a softer pillow, a kiss, the priest to marry them tomorrow at breakfast. Whatever her heart desires, he'll see she has it. The maid is also going to bring her a night shift to sleep in from her room, and a dress for tomorrow. Though, honestly, Jon's happy if she wants to wear his tunic to bed instead when she curls up in his bed and him tonight.

[forceshadowed]

Breakfast will be interesting, she suspects. There's the good news of having reclaimed their home from the Ironborn, and Jon being free from the Night's Watch and able to stay in Winterfell to keep everyone safe would be good news, too. But there's still the matter of deciding Theon's fate, and that Jane's no longer betrothed to Robb. She wonders what the people would make of that, or would they be happy, too, that she and Jon can be together now? Surely they've seen how close, how nearly inseparable, they've always been? As for her family, well... in the end she would be marrying a Stark, and in the grand scheme of things, at least from a political standpoint, that would be all that really matters.

There's the slightest frown as she tries not to wince when he resumes cleaning her wrist, not wanting him to feel like he was hurting her. Though soon enough the bathwater is brought up as well as her change of clothes, though she's also thinking that she wouldn't mind being nestled in Jon's tunic as they cozy up for the night. It's silly, she knows, to be so ridiculously sentimental about things, but that's how she is sometimes; nobody had caught her back then, but the very night he'd left for the Wall she'd actually climbed up to his room and slept on his bed, curling up against the furs as though she could feel him there.

"I'm just happy you're back, Jon." And, really, she means it. She doesn't need him treating her like a pampered princess, although she wouldn't mind getting married in the morning, either. Though her parents might probably want another wedding once they're able to visit from Alderaan. "But if you could help me to the bath, please?" she asks sheepishly, once more turning pink.