A/N: General disclaimers and all that jazz.

One Cannot Delay The Inevitable: Chapter One

Rating: T

Tags: ModernAU! & OOC!

"I still don't understand why the two of you are being so secretive about your first date. We are your friends and we only want to look out for you."

"Some things are just too real and emotional to talk about Margaery."

Daenerys strolled down the walkway, enjoying the afternoon sun and glad that lessons had just ended for the day. As always, Margaery and Missandei walked on either side of her and her two friends were still pestering her for details about her first date with Jon. Even thinking about the memory caused a silly smile to steal across Daenerys' face and she wondered if her boyfriend was being pestered about their first date like she was. A few days had passed since that special evening and they hadn't been able to go out on another date since the end of term projects and finals kept them busy.

"I should have known that the first time the two of you have sex that you would be all secretive."

"We didn't have sex Margaery."

"Is there anyone besides Jon that can verify that?"

Daenerys rolled her eyes at Margaery's weak attempts to garner more information and took her phone out of her pocket when it started ringing. She smiled when she saw Jon's name and face flash across the screen and turned her back on her friends for some privacy. Margaery and Missandei laughed behind her but Daenerys ignored them and answered her phone.

"Hey. I was wondering if I was going to hear from you at all today. How's your senior showcase project going?"

"I just finished actually and that's why I'm calling. Do you mind swinging by the art building?"

"Ooooh! Do I get to see the finished works?"

"You know the rules Danyi. See you when you get here and I'll be waiting just inside the front doors."

Jon hung up and Daenerys pouted. Even with her newfound girlfriend status, Jon wouldn't let her see his senior showcase project and the rumor mill was going crazy about the senior showcase this year. A hand on her elbow made her turn around and Missandei looked at her with a small smile on her face.

"I take it that we're going to the arts building?"

"We? I don't remember the two of you being invited."

Missandei rolled her eyes and linked her arm through Daenerys'. Margaery looked up from her phone and raised an eyebrow.

"All is well in lover's paradise?"

"Jon has invited Daenerys to the arts building and we are going to escort her there."

Margaery grinned, nodded and took up her position once again on Daenerys' other side. Even though she was annoyed that her alone time with Jon would be interrupted, especially in such an important place for him, Daenerys couldn't help but appreciate her two girlfriends. Daenerys and Margaery had climbed to the top of the social and political standings for their senior class and wielded tremendous influence. The solid alliance between the beautiful rose of the Tyrell family and one of the three last remaining Targaryen's had created quite a stir but over time that alliance had turned into an even stronger friendship.

"If I heard you correctly Daenerys, then Jon is done with his selections?"

"Yes Missandei, but he still won't let me see them!"

"I suppose you could always…convince him."

Daenerys grinned as Margaery waggled her eyebrows to go along with her suggestive comment and the girls laughed. Daenerys now knew with strong certainty that she tempted Jon Snow's iron will but she respected him too much to push too far and he respected her for that. Missandei stiffened on her left, causing Daenerys to look at her friend and then look forward to seeing what had startled her friend.

"Why is he walking towards us with a smirk on his face?

Daario Naharis strode towards them, cocky smirk on his face and one hand pushing his unbound hair out of his eyes. At one time the sight sent shivers of desire down Daenerys' spine and his smirk made her giggle. Now, Daenerys felt nothing and instead couldn't help herself when she compared Daario to Jon. Her ex-boyfriend stopped in front of her, or would have if both Missandei and Margaery hadn't stepped in front of Daario.

"Easy there ladies. I just want to talk to Daenerys."

"And what makes you think that she wants to talk to you? You cheated on her remember?"

Daario Naharis stood unaffected by Margaery's hiss of disdain and his handsome features remained pleasant. Even as she gazed at him, Daenerys couldn't find the fault or mannerism that had caused Daario to stray in their relationship and she much preferred the darker, heavyset features that Jon boasted.

"Yes, something I regret and something that I don't think that you will ever let me forget Margaery."

"Danyi, there you are. I was wondering what held you up."

As if by magic, Jon stepped up to Daenerys' side and Daenerys couldn't help it when her body turned to his. Daenerys watched Daario take in the sudden closeness between her and Jon and he must have sensed the newfound intimacy between them as well because a crack appeared in his pleasant expression.

"Jon Snow. I see that the rumors are finally true and I'll say goodbye for now."

Daario strode past and none of her friends relaxed until he was out of sight. The breath Daenerys didn't know she was holding came out in a slow, measured exhale and she leaned into Jon's side when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at Jon and raised an eyebrow.

"How come you wanted to meet at the arts building?"

"I, um…damn. Let's take a walk."

Jon led Daenerys down a random path through the quad and despite her curiosity, Daenerys knew that Jon would speak when he was ready. Margaery and Missandei trailed along a few steps behind them (Daenerys had glared at them until they did so) and Daenerys wrapped her own arm around Jon's waist.

"The senior showcase is going to be a big deal this year because quite a few of us were recognized in different media outlets."

"Were you recognized?"

Daenerys knew the answer when Jon ran his free hand through his curls. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips and she kissed Jon's shoulder.

"Yeah a few of my pieces were and thankfully none of them are selections that are drawing in the crowd. That's more Loras, Sansa and a few others deal then mine."

"This is wonderful and all but doesn't explain why you're upset."

"My family is coming down. They're using the senior showcase and the fact that Sansa and I are being prominently displayed as an excuse to visit."

Suddenly Jon's nervousness and tension made sense and Daenerys pulled Jon even closer to her. Ned and Catelyn Stark placed high standards on all their children and much emphasis was placed on securing connections in various networks or scholarships for further education. Robb Stark had already secured a full-ride to a prestigious business college, Sansa Stark to Julliard and both Bran and Arya were making great strides as juniors. Jon was the only Stark child to not declare for his future or make his preferences known and his answer had to be given by the end of this term.

"I know what I want to do and my decision won't make too many people happy."

"You're going to join the military, aren't you?"

Jon stopped walking and Daenerys didn't need to look up to know that he looked down at her.

"The last time I was in your dorm, you were arguing with that idiot across the hall and I saw the open folder with all the papers and military paraphernalia in it."

Despite his attempts to look her in the eyes, Daenerys wouldn't look up at Jon and he turned her towards him. She didn't go to him like she usually did, despite her mind screaming at her to do so and Jon sighed.

"I'm doing nothing out here in the world right now Danyi and it has been a tradition in the Stark family for the men to serve for generations."

"Your father served and your Uncle Benjin is retiring. You don't have to."

Jon didn't answer and Daenerys knew this was a sensitive subject; especially for the Stark men. Bran wanted to serve but couldn't due to his accident and with Robb's intellect for business that left Jon.

"Do I really mean that little to you Jon Snow?"

Before she could even register what was happening Jon crushed Daenerys to him and delivered a bruising, intense kiss. Daenerys submitted to him, her mind shutting down and she kissed him back with just as much passion. Jon pulled away, his forehead against hers and his grip tight on her shoulders.

"Don't ever think that you don't mean the world to me Daenerys Targaryen. It is because of you that I am so conflicted and no man should have to choose between love and duty."

"Who said anything about love? I'm just in this for your body Jon Snow."

Jon laughed and their next embrace was gentler. Daenerys knew that they would discuss this subject again but for right now they would let the matter rest. Daenerys looked over her shoulder and saw both Missandei and Margaery trying to look busy on their phones.

"You two can stop pretending. We're finished talking."

"It didn't look like a lot of talking in that last bit there."

Margaery's dry quip broke the tension and everyone laughed. Missandei hurried to Daenerys' free side and took her hand in hers. Daenerys squeezed to let her friend know that she was okay and the four teenagers resumed walking.

"Is the senior showcase a black-tie event again Jon?"

"Unfortunately."

The girls giggled at Jon's grumble to Daenerys' question and Daenerys looked at Margaery. The other girl rolled her eyes and waved her hand.

"Girl, I have so many dresses with your name on them. You just let me doll you up and you'll be more than enough to bring out dark and broodings good attributes."

"Hey!"

Daenerys stood on tip toe and kissed the side of Jon's neck to take the sting out of Margaery's remark. Jon grumbled under his breath again but remained silent as Daenerys and Margaery talked about dress styles and color choices.

The day of the Spring Formal found Daenerys, Jon, Missandei and Margaery along with many of their friends and siblings partying on the beach. All of them had called off 'sick' from lessons that day and had driven three hours down the coastline of King's Landing to a piece of the beach where they wouldn't be recognized as students' of King's Landing. At the moment Daenerys, Missandei, Margaery and Sansa were sprawled out on their towels, tanning and gossiping. A rather competitive game of beach volleyball had picked up a few moments earlier between Jon and his brother Robb versus Loras Tyrell and Theon Greyjoy. Grey Worm stood on the sidelines and acted as referee.

"You have already staked your ownership over him Daenerys. The fact that you continue to stare at him is an indication of how weak your willpower is."

"Pot meet kettle there Margaery. Ever since Robb took his shirt off you've been eyeing him like you want to eat him. At least my gaze is warranted since he is my boyfriend."

Daenerys didn't bother to look at Margaery as they teased each other, her gossip mag long having been placed in the sand in front of her and she appreciated Jon's athleticism. Missandei laughed at Daenerys sharp retort and fingered the bracelet on her right wrist. Grey Worm had given it to her last night "as a show of his intent" and Daenerys had happily cuddled with Missandei in her bed as the other girl recounted her first date with Grey Worm.

"All in good time my dear. He hasn't begged quite enough yet."

The girls giggled at Margaery's breezy dismissal and reached behind her to tie the strings of her black bikini. She stood up, brushed off the sand and situated herself. Margaery raised an eyebrow and Missandei tied the strings of her own bikini before standing up as well.

"You're going to tease poor Jon, aren't you?"

"I do so love watching him fidget Missandei."

Daenerys sauntered over to the game and clapped her hands when Jon spiked the ball over Theon. Jon turned when he heard her and Daenerys smirked when his gaze slid over her body again.

"And to what do we owe the pleasure of having you come over here? I thought you wanted to look 'as golden as possible.' You've only been tanning for thirty minutes."

"Oh, I think I've acquired quite the golden hue, don't you?"

Daenerys took this opportunity to flirt with Jon even more by twisting her body and making a show of it. Jon's gaze heated up and he growled. The volleyball hit him in the back and the boys called for him to return to the game. Daenerys raised an eyebrow and waved him off. He grinned, a devilish twinkle in his eyes and he took his place back in the game. Missandei walked over and fixed some of Daenerys' braids.

"And what was that exchange about?"

"I'm not sure but I'm about to find out."

The two girls walked over to Grey Worm and the boy's stoic expression broke when his girlfriend kissed his cheek. Daenerys giggled at Missandei's blush, the new couple not used to public displays of affection and Daenerys attention returned to the game. Jon seemed to be going above and beyond and even though she knew what he was playing at, Daenerys couldn't take her eyes off him.

"Oh, naughty naughty. Let me see if I can't invoke the same dedication."

Margaery passed by and stood by Robb. She waited until the next point was scored and whispered something in Robb's ear. The poor boy stumbled, a look of disbelief on his face and then took on a determined expression. He called Jon over, the brothers shared a few words and then they took their positions. Theon and Loras set in as well and Daenerys knew that the level of play had been amped up to the next level. Margaery strolled over, a positively naughty expression on her face and Daenerys snorted.

"Do I even want to know what you said to him?"

"Oh, nothing too scandalous. I simply mentioned to him that my dress for tonight is backless and then I might have promised to put him out of his misery if he impressed me enough."

"The poor boy."

Daenerys laughed with Margaery at Missandei's words and her attention returned to the game. Theon and Loras put up a great fight but the other boys couldn't match Jon and Robb's determination or desire. The Stark boys were recognized as honorable, good ol' boys and the perfect gentlemen. This garnered them quite the attention from the girls at King's Landing but Jon and Robb also exhibited a raw, animalistic quality as well and it was often joked that the Starks were like a pack of wolves. Jon and Robb didn't wait for the opportunities and chances in the game to come to them, they created them and their teamwork was impressive. Not long after the match concluded and the Stark boys reigned victorious.

"How was that my queen?"

Daenerys didn't know how Jon wanted her to answer because after the match he ambled over to her and took her in his arms. His forehead was pressed to hers and his sweat soaked muscles felt glorious under her hands. The fact that he used his pet nickname for her in public clued Daenerys in to how happy he was and she knew that it was because he had been paired up with his brother.

"You performed as I expected Jon Snow."

"And my reward for completing your task?"

"I suppose I can give you something."

Daenerys sighed, rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. Jon huffed in amusement and Daenerys stood on tiptoe to give Jon a quick, gentle kiss. That wasn't to Jon's liking however because he leaned back down and captured her lips in a more torrid kiss. Daenerys melted into Jon's arm and returned Jon's kiss with languid strokes of her tongue and gentle nips at his lips.

"Okay you two, the sex is supposed to be later tonight after alcohol is involved!"

Theon's words doused the flames of their passion somewhat and Jon grumbled. Daenerys kissed the corner of his mouth and turned around with a raised eyebrow. Theon held up his hands and Daenerys took Jon's hand.

"Let's get you cooled off and not sweaty."

"As you wish."

Jon scooped Daenerys up in his arms and ran into the surf. Daenerys giggled and clung to his neck with her arms.

"Jon please don't get my hair wet!"

Her warning came just in time as Jon stopped moving and set her down. The waves came up to her waist and Jon winked at her before falling back into the ocean. He surfaced a moment later and pushed his curls out of his face.

"So, you still haven't told me anything about your dress."

"You know what you need to know Jon. Sansa tells me that your suit will compliment my dress and that's all you need. Don't be greedy."

"I always want more when it comes to you Danyi."

The heartfelt, passionate words from her boyfriend made Daenerys weak in the knees and she laid a hand on his stomach. He rested his hands on her hips and Daenerys chewed on her bottom lip.

"What is it?"

"I received a letter from my oldest brother Rhaegar this morning. He has decided that my other brother Viserys and I are now on equal footing. Viserys has let himself slip these past two terms in college with is grades and social habits. Rhaegar is now not sure whether Viserys can lead my family's business empire with the 'bold clarity and stunning grace' that the Targaryen's are famous for."

"What are you saying exactly Danyi?"

"My brother is unofficially not the sole heir to the Targaryen name."

The implications had weighed heavily on Daenerys all morning, her saving grace being that she could hide her emotions away by being distracted by todays activities and Jon's handsome face. It seemed like fate conspired against the young lovers with Jon's desire to join the military and now her family calling her to task.

"Do you have to give him a decision now?"

"No, it's not that kind of letter. Rhaegar's intent is to possibly groom me to become the next heir and this all depends on how my grades look at the end of this term."

"Then let's not think about all that now. Tonight, you are mine Daenerys Targaryen and I am not going to let anything ruin that."

Daenerys smiled at Jon's words and nodded her head. He wrapped an arm around her and they walked back to their spot. The others lounged about and Jon dried off. He put on his shirt, Daenerys slid on her shorts and pulled her tank top on. Robb looked at them and pointed a popsicle at them.

"Oi, where are you two going?"

"We need a moment to ourselves. We'll take our stuff back with us and Robb you can load the rest into the back of your car."

"No, really, what's going on?"

Missandei stood up, her best friend always attuned to her moods and Daenerys shook her head. She hugged Missandei goodbye and waved to everybody else. Jon packed up their supplies on one of the moving carts and they walked back to his truck. Daenerys climbed into his truck as Jon packed everything up and he climbed in a moment later with a heavy sigh. He started his truck but didn't drive off and stared down at the dash. Daenerys' heart broke at the anguished look on his face and she crawled into his lap.

"I'm still here Jon."

"I know."

Jon squeezed her tight and Daenerys returned the embrace. She squeezed harder when she felt his chest shake with his sobs and a tear trickled down her cheek.

A/N 2: If you have a comment question or concern, leave a review or PM me. Ja ne

-Kaden