A/N: General disclaimers that I don't own Game of Thrones and all that jazz. My first foray into the Game of Thrones fandom.

One Cannot Delay The Inevitable: Chapter One

Rating: T

Tags: ModernAU! & OOC!

"The lady asked you to back up there mate."

Daenerys Targaryen would deny it with her dying breath but her heart stopped trying to hammer out of her chest at the sound of her best friend Jon Snow's voice. She felt his presence come up behind her and she crossed her arms underneath her breasts; feeling safe in the knowledge that Jon would protect her. The college boy sneered, his once charming expression twisting into something dreadful and he took an aggressive step forward.

"Piss off. The lady and I are having a private conversation."

"And that conversation is now over. Leave."

The steel in Jon's tone of voice sent delicious fissures up Daenerys' spine as she could hear his quiet passion simmering underneath as well and she knew she needed to intervene or this unlucky fellow would see Jon's passion unleashed. When she turned around, Daenerys saw that Jon's expressive brown eyes had turned black and his jaw twitched with restrained emotion. The usual tingle sparked from Daenerys' hand, up her arm and into her heart when she touched Jon's forearm and he looked down at her. She smiled, making sure to show her gratitude and Jon nodded once. Daenerys turned back around, tilted her head to the side at a slight angle and raised a manicured eyebrow.

"I just wanted to talk to you is all. You're hardly ever alone and with the Spring Formal coming up…"

"I appreciate your flattery and honesty but my answer is still no. Please leave."

This time the college boy acknowledged her dismissal and walked away with an angry huff. Daenerys waited for a full minute before she turned around and looked up at Jon. Her best friend didn't look at her, his hard eyes glaring at the rapidly retreating back of the college boy and Daenerys grinned. The protectiveness Jon had for her always made Daenerys smile, she chose not to look too far into the why, and she filed the moment away for when she was in the privacy of her own room later tonight.

"I'm down here Jon Snow."

Her voice snapped Jon out of his glaring but he couldn't turn off his emotions quick enough and Daenerys stood spell-bound as she had a brief opportunity to look past the emotional armor that Jon wore all the time. The fact that he could restrain so many wild emotions and give off such a quiet stillness impressed Daenerys and she waited for him to collect himself. He did with a shake of his head, a slight flush on his cheeks and he reached for her. He stopped himself at the last second and scuffed his boot on the ground.

"I'm sorry that I interfered but the idiot didn't get your dismissal the first time and he got too close."

"Ever my knight in shining armor. Your determination to protect what you call my 'innocence' is oh so charming and I thank you for it."

The teasing lilt in her voice had the desired effect and Jon rolled his eyes. The awkwardness between them disappeared and Daenerys took a hold of Jon's arm. Before he could make a comment, Daenerys started walking and Jon complied with their physical arrangement.

"You still have a certain innocence about you Danyi and that's part of what makes you who you are. Don't knock it."

"I know who I am Jon Snow. And despite my many perceived failures and flaws, I will endure. I will endure and keep moving forward."

Her life philosophy fell from her lips in a whisper and Jon squeezed her forearm with his other hand. Daenerys smiled up at him, a small sad smile and she didn't want to dwell on the litany of dark memories that plagued her dreams some nights. She cleared her throat and a flash of brilliant red caught her eye. The lithe, graceful form of Ygritte would destroy the peaceful moment she was sharing with her best friend and Daenerys didn't want it to end just yet. The platinum-blonde tried to direct Jon away from Ygritte but her much smaller form could not so easily move Jon's powerful body.

"Oi, what are you doing? Your dorm is over that way and you are not getting me into the library again today."

"I saw something over this way and I just wanted a closer look."

Despite her best attempts to keep her tone innocent and carefree, Daenerys knew that she failed when Jon stopped walking and looked around. She knew the exact moment that he spotted his ex-girlfriend because his body stiffened and Daenerys hugged him tight with her face buried into his solid chest.

"Breathe Jon. It's okay. I won't let her hurt you anymore."

Jon's body relaxed just a little at Daenerys' impassioned whisper and he let out a deep breath with a long, shaky exhale. He stiffened again, moved Daenerys half-behind him and the young Targaryen knew that Ygritte must have spotted them and was walking over.

"Hello Ygritte."

"Jon. I haven't seen you in a while. How are you?"

Daenerys couldn't help it, she gave a very un-lady like snort in disbelief and Jon reprimanded her with a pinch on the back of her arm. Daenerys bit back the reflexive hiss but didn't say anything and the two former lovers ignored her. Ygritte stood a full head taller than Daenerys and Daenerys knew that despite her slender frame that the red-headed woman had some serious strength to her. That hadn't helped the other woman in the end when Daenerys had kicked Ygritte's ass for the deplorable words Ygritte had spoken to Jon when the two broke up.

"I'm doing well Ygritte. And you?"

"The senior show case is right around the corner it feels like, and I'm still fine-tuning my final dance. Have you submitted any of your art pieces for selection yet?"

"No, I haven't. I don't know which ones to choose and I feel like something is missing from each one."

Neither young woman said anything, both holding their breath and hoping that Jon would continue talking about his art designs. The bastard child of the elitist and honorable Stark family had quite the creative eye and his works were mesmerizing. Jon never let anyone see his unfinished works or works in progress however but that didn't stop Daenerys from attempting to at every opportunity. Their shared love for the arts is what drew Ygritte and Jon together in the first place and it served as a large staple of their ill-fated relationship.

"You better hurry and get back to work then Jon. The selection committee isn't known for their patience and understanding. You know that they don't accept late submissions."

"Aye, I know."

The social awkwardness in Jon's character began to show and usually Daenerys never failed to tease him about his lack of social graces. His siblings were all well-spoken in their own ways and his brothers were all charming in their own rights. This time however, Daenerys wanted nothing more than to leave Ygritte and continue her walk with her best friend…alone. Daenerys forced a pleasant smile for Jon's sake and tilted her head to the side.

"If you'll excuse us Ygritte. Jon and I were on our way to lunch."

The simpering words fell like honey from her lips but did little to hide the frosty dismissal in her tone. Ygritte's eyes narrowed and her hold tightened on the strap of her duffle bag but she didn't move. Daenerys put a gentle pressure on Jon's lower back and he stumbled into a walk. Neither of them spoke for several long moments; Daenerys didn't know what to say for once and she hugged Jon to her through their linked arms.

"Do you want to come to my dorm and hang out? We can watch movies and eat junk food."

"Always thinking with that sweet tooth, aren't you?"

Daenerys huffed, a look of mock indignation on her face and she glared up at Jon. She almost broke character at the twinkle in Jon's eyes but she kept up her charade.

"Just because you fail to grasp the benefits of delicious sweets and candy doesn't mean that the rest of us normal people do. Besides, I forgot that you have to watch your figure."

Daenerys ran her hand down Jon's chest and his abs that she could feel through his shirt. Her best friend had a ridiculous physical regiment and his discipline was almost unparalleled. Though Jon's physical fitness did make sense because most of his friends were on the football team and although he was good enough to play, Jon didn't participate in formal sports.

"Your sarcasm is on full-force, today isn't it? Besides, I thought you were cutting back on sugar because you wanted to fit into your 'oh so special' dress for the stupid dance? We should go to the gym later tonight."

Daenerys groaned and placed the back of her free hand on her forehead in a dramatic gesture. Her head dropped back, she closed her eyes and groaned. Jon laughed next to her and Daenerys knew that his mind had now moved on from Ygritte.

"No! Not the gym. We were just there two days ago. I don't feel the need to work out almost every day like you do. And besides, you're too hard. There is no softness to be found on your body anywhere."

The implications and sexual overtones of her statement came to Daenerys too late and she flushed at Jon's snickering. She swatted his arm hard and glared at him. He stopped laughing but didn't tone down his wide smile and Daenerys realized that a long time had passed since she had last seen Jon smile with such openness. The combination of his full-blown grin and twinkling eyes hit her and she felt the butterflies dance around in her stomach.

"Mind telling me the joke too?"

The sound of her other best friend's voice saved Daenerys further embarrassment and she turned to face Missandei. The older woman stood with calm poise and a knowing grin on her face. Daenerys flushed as she realized how Jon and she must look.

"Is there something that you need Missandei?"

"I was looking for you to remind you of our dinner plans. Remember? But I see that you are busy and we can reschedule."

"Oh no! I'm so sorry that I forgot Missandei. Of course, our dinner plans are still on."

Daenerys let go of Jon's arm and stepped away from him. She walked over to Missandei and took her hands in her own. Missandei's smile widened and she nodded her head happily. Daenerys turned around, still holding Missandei's hands and looked back at Jon. He grinned, nodded and waved goodbye.

"You two enjoy yourselves. Missandei, don't let her eat too much as she and I are going to the gym later tonight."

"Oh really? I see that you are really stepping up your training Daenerys and I wonder why that is."

"I hate you Jon Snow and we really must be going. See you!"

Before Missandei could continue to poke fun at her, Daenerys tugged on the other girl's hand and dragged her in the other direction. She heard Jon's soft laughter, the sounds warming her heart and she only slowed down when the flush faded from her face. She turned to Missandei and poked her repeatedly in the shoulder.

"That was mean! Like really mean! Why did you have to be like that?"

The beautiful, frizzy-haired woman laughed and stepped away from Daenerys so she would no longer be poked. Daenerys grumbled and crossed her arms as they walked to the parking lot. The two best-friends had dinner out together at least once a week and always at the same Panera.

"I always point out the obvious Daenerys. A quality you seem to like except when it is about a certain perpetually brooding boy with messy black curls."

"Stop it! Please!"

The childish whine escaped Daenerys before she could help it and mercifully Missandei stopped teasing her about her friendship with Jon. The two of them were the closest of friends, confidants even and she knew that the both of them were too emotionally damaged to pursue anything other than close friendship. Her latest boyfriend and romantic tryst, Daario Naharis, was living proof of that and Daenerys quickly pushed those troubling thoughts to the back of her mind.

"Daenerys, where did you go?"

With great effort Daenerys dispelled her current train of thought with a shake of her head and she smiled reassuringly at Missandei. Her friend had guided Daenerys to her car, a sporty but functional vehicle and now grasped both of Daenerys' shoulders.

"In the past. Sorry, you ready to go?"

Without waiting for her friend to answer, Daenerys unlocked the doors and slipped into the driver's seat. Missandei sat down next to her without a word and a worried frown on her face. Daenerys took great care in starting her car, putting on her seatbelt and turning on some music down low. Missandei reached over and took Daenerys' closest hand in both of hers.

"Breathe Daenerys. In and out. In and out. There we go. Just like that."

With one last controlled breath Daenerys regained her composure and smiled at Missandei. The other woman smiled back at her, winked and settled back into her seat. Daenerys backed out of her assigned parking place and drove out of the school parking lot.

"Boys are stupid. Did you know that?"

"I agree, yet we both want a very specific one to call our own."

Daenerys rolled her eyes again at Missandei's insinuation towards Jon but decided to latch on to her friend's statement and get the attention off herself. She pulled into the parking lot for Panera's and zoomed into a parking spot.

"So, is today the day that you are going to ask Grey Worm out?"

"Daenerys! That's not…! We are…we are not talking about this right now!"

The other woman hastily unbuckled her seatbelt and scrambled out of the car. Daenerys laughed and followed at a more leisurely pace. Missandei glared at Daenerys, a very rare occurrence for the mild-mannered woman but Daenerys didn't feel ashamed. She locked her car, resituated herself and looked at Missandei.

"Are you done denying your attraction to Grey Worm? I'm starving."

"You're paying this time."

Missandei strode towards the restaurant and Daenerys met her friend in front of the large menus hanging from the ceiling. Daenerys never understood why Missandei took such great care in reviewing the menu, since the woman ordered the same items every time but Daenerys scanned the menu and made her decision. She pulled out her credit card and smiled at the other young woman behind the register.

"Hello Sansa."

"Hey there Daenerys. Your usual I presume?"

"Please."

Sansa Stark nodded and tapped away at the registers screen. Both women ignored Missandei's huff and Daenerys merely turned to her friend with a raised eyebrow. When Missandei didn't say anything in rebuttal, Daenerys nodded and turned around to see Sansa place a frosted cookie down on the counter next to two large soda fountain cups. The platinum-blonde sighed and pushed the cookie back towards Sansa. The beautiful red-head raised an eyebrow at her and Daenerys pouted.

"Jon is taking Daenerys to the gym later tonight and Daenerys wouldn't want to do anything that would make Jon frown. Like if he found out that she had too much sugar before they went to work out."

"Ah. I see."

Daenerys grit her teeth as Jon's oldest sister and Missandei teamed up to tease her about Jon and she put her credit card back in her purse. She raised a hand when Sansa started to tap on the register's screen again and the Stark woman looked at her.

"Don't you dare take that cookie off my order."

"Daenerys it's okay. Really. Ninety-nine cents really won't be that much of a difference…"

Sansa stopped rambling at Daenerys' glare and sighed. Daenerys nodded and left whatever spare change and few dollar bills she had in the bottom of her purse on the table. She took the delicious looking cookie off the counter and turned around to look at the people in line behind her. She spotted an adorable looking little girl standing behind her with her mother and walked over.

"Excuse me but would you mind if I gave your daughter my cookie? You see, I have to-"

"I heard everything my dear and no I wouldn't object."

Daenerys blushed at the humor in the other woman's voice but knelt so she was eye to eye with the little girl and held out the wrapped cookie. The little girl hugged her mother's leg and looked at Daenerys with wide eyes. Daenerys smiled and waggled the cookie.

"Would you like this for dessert? I'm afraid I won't be able to eat it."

The girl looked at the cookie and then up at her mother. The mother nodded and the little girl snatched the cookie from Daenerys' hand. She held it close to her chest and nodded. Daenerys smiled and stood up.

"What do you say to the nice woman now?"

" 'Tank you."

"You're quite welcome. Enjoy."

Daenerys smiled one more time and walked across the bakery to where Missandei had already claimed a table. Missandei smiled at her and made a heart shape with her hands. Daenerys flushed and sat down. She took a sip of her fountain drink and grimaced when the bland taste of water hit her tongue.

"You need to be hydrated if you are going to the gym with Jon."

"But I gave up my cookie! Certainly that warrants…"

Daenerys stopped talking when Missandei didn't look up from the book she was reading and Daenerys settled back into the booth with a small grumble. Sansa set their food orders down on the table a moment later and sat down next to Missandei.

"How come you two didn't change out of your uniforms before coming here?"

"Daenerys was too wrapped up in conversation with Jon and we didn't have time to return to our dorm."

"I was hungry!"

Daenerys stabbed her food with her fork at the other girls' chuckles and Daenerys looked up when a foot prodded her calf. Sansa appraised Daenerys' school attire with a critical eye and nodded her head.

"I'm not saying you don't wear King's Landings mandatory attire rather well but you have so many cuter options to choose from. Does my dear brother know that you wear thigh highs instead of the mandatory tights?"

"N-No! Why would he?"

"Well, considering you two do spend an unusual amount of time together I figured that he had seen underneath your skirt at some point."

Daenerys chose to flick a piece of food at Sansa in childish reply and Missandei laughed. Sansa wiped her face with a napkin but her teasing smirk didn't relent. It was a school tradition that the juniors and seniors forewent the black or white stockings that were part of their uniform in favor of garter belts and thigh highs. It was considered more sophisticated and sexy and Daenerys often wondered what Jon would think if he did know of her choice in attire.

"Anyway, have you chosen your gym outfit for later tonight at least?"

"Sansa…"

"No, I will not stop pestering the two of you until you two dunderheads do something about this sexual tension between you two. I want adorable nieces and nephews to spoil in the very near future and yours and Jon's children will be so adorable."

The Stark family didn't mince words and in most other situations Sansa had a considerable amount of tact but the subject of the supposed romantic interest between Jon and Daenerys didn't warrant it. At least that's what Sansa said every time her and Daenerys had this conversation and Daenerys played with her food instead of looking at Sansa. Sansa reached across the table and took Daenerys' hands in her own.

"I don't know why the two of you continue to fight the serious chemistry between you two. And from what little I know, I don't see why."

"It's just never the right time."

"That's nonsense Daenerys and I think that you know it."

Daenerys looked up and sought out Missandei. Her best friend looked at her calmly and her eyes asked the same question that Sansa had verbally. Daenerys felt the world closing in on her like every time she dared venture into the terrifying territory of thinking of taking Jon Snow on as a romantic interest whilst in public. It was one thing for her mind to think about it in that time and space between being awake and dreaming and another completely while in public and having two of her girlfriends question her.

"My lunch break is over Daenerys but I leave you with one question to think about. Would it be so bad to love my brother and be loved back by him in return?"

Sansa stood up and walked away with a gentle smile. Daenerys angrily pushed away her food and drink. She stood up suddenly and walked out of the bakery towards her car. She unlocked her car and fell into the driver's seat. Missandei slipped in a few moments later and took the keys from Daenerys' shaking hands. The car rumbled to life and Missandei turned the music on down low again.

"We only push as hard as we do because we love both of you and we want to see you happy."

"I am happy."

"Truly happy Daenerys."

Daenerys didn't respond, clicking on her seatbelt and they drove back to King's Landing in silence.

A/N: Well? Curious to see what the reactions are and if there are mistakes/concerns let me know in a review or PM. -Kaden