7x03 spoilers! A Daenerys & Jon Snow introspection fic, describing their thoughts upon their first meeting, and going beyond. Frustration and weariness are their first experience of each other. But, when they get to know each other deeper...
M for future chapters...

DISCLAIMER: All of the Game of Thrones universe, and the cast of characters in it belong to G.R.R.M. and the show writers. All Hail! I own and make nothing of any of this- just playing with my favorite characters, to keep from going nuts till the new episodes air... and because, they're just too fun not to play with! :D

On with the show!

The crashing waves against the jugged rocks protruding from the water, nearly drowned out the splash of the oars as the crewmen rowed Jon Snow towards the shore. But they only increased his nervous heartbeat. It seemed an impressive landscape- imposing, majestic, and made no less so by the group he could see awaiting them upon the shore.
The shorter figure in the forefront was unmistakable, and Jon half-smiled as he thought of the last time he'd seen Tyrion Lannister, as a green youth, heading to the wall, not yet a brother of the night's watch. It seemed a lifetime ago- so much has happened; so much had changed. His smile faded at that.

"The bastard of Winterfell", the shorter man greeted him as he stepped towards him, having disembarked from the boat and made his way towards the not-quite-welcoming welcome party.
"Dwarf of Casterly Rock", Jon deadpanned, before his face found the half-smile again, just as his companion's did too. There was a camaraderie here, good-natured and respectful, and Jon was glad to see a familiar face among the group of Dothraki guards, who's decidedly unWesterosi dress and curved weapons looked so uncomfortable to his eyes.
They shook hands warmly.
"I believe we last saw each other atop the wall."
"You were pissing off the edge if I remember right. Picked up some scars along the road." Jon commented, nodding slightly at Tyrion's face. The scar across it was clearly visible, healed and softened with time though it was. His eyes, however, showed a different kind of scarring- the otherwise invisible toll of the strain and loss these years have held for the shorter man.

"It's been a long road, but, we're both still here." was Tyrion's reply. He was eyeing Jon with eyes which took in the hardened weariness which the years have carved upon the face of the once-green and broody youth he had been.
He's a man grown now, Tyrion thought, the sulky sombreness of his younger days transformed into a solid and resolute stoicness which suited his long handsome face. A true Stark, bastard though he may be. Tyrion was glad to see him.

For his part, Jon was no less glad, weary though he was. He wondered how this man, who seemed utterly unconcerned with politics or the fate of the kingdom last he saw him, should come to be here now, the hand and second-in-command within the invasion of Daenerys Targaryen, the last surviving member of that royal house which his father fought to dethrone. Daughter of a mad and cruel king which the realm was glad to be rid of.

But then, he thought, what are the odds that I would be here either?!

If it wasn't for the dire and dangerous situation his people were facing, he'd never had come; never had set foot anywhere near this "Dragon Queen", and would have done his best to steer clear of all of her affairs, which did not concern the North, or its' people.
We have enough to concern ourselves with already, he mused.
But, that is precisely why he had come.

Further introductions were made, of Ser Devos and Missandei, and as she welcomed them to Dragonstone, and requested with gracious diplomacy that they surrender their weapons, Jon looked around more keenly.

Enough Dothraki guards to wipe us from the face of the Earth, should we show resistance. Enough sharp weaponry in plain sight to drive this point home to us.
It wasn't a request. Yet he played along, politely acquiescing and handing over his sword, and watched as his party gingerly followed suite.
His mask of calmness nearly slipped as he then watched the Dothraki guards pick up the sloop they'd rowed ashore with, and carry it away. No going back now, he gulped . If this was indeed a trap, though he still wasn't certain it was, they'd played right into it.

As they began their ascent up the hill, Jon's eyes easily noticed the dark slabs of stone poking along the shore, and shining in patches through the beach dunes surrounding them.

There were also more than enough reasons to have come, he though.
Dragon glass was visible even with the naked eye! Dragon glass, one of the only hopes his Kingdom had, of surviving the Winter, and all that came with it.

It's worth it, he told himself. It'll all be worth it.

What do you think? I know it starts a little slow. I aim to make their observations of each other in the coming chapters much more... interesting. ;) I hope.

This is my 2nd time publishing on this site, in 1 day, and I'm still getting the hang of it. The ficlettes and story ideas keep coming. The fic-lette I published earlier today (An Alternate Approach) can now be considered an off-shoot from this one (or a future chapter I'd have to merge into this story later. Apologies. Posting on this site is proving notably more complex than just reading on it. For now, they are complementary stories.)

Do you want to see them merged into one, or remain split, despite going in the same direction?