40 Chapter 39

I was standing in front of the Weirwood tree of Winterfell, enjoying the peace while I marveled at the wonderful work of nature. Magic was truly a fascinating thing. Never had I imagined I'd be transmigrated into a world of fiction, and yet, there I was in Westeros.

I'd destroyed the future I'd learned of and quite possibly prevented a realm-wide tragedy. I had no regrets about ending the Lannister house for good. It was the first time since I'd woken on that shore that I was at a semblance of peace.

So far, it had been all about my survival. I had no further plans.

'... Wait... There's one sisterfucker to whom I need to pay a visit.'

I narrowed my eyes at the face carved into the Weirwood tree. That sisterfucker was still alive. The Night King was still alive.

'I've nearly solved all the major problems of Westeros. Now, I have to do something about the true North and the impending doom that's awakened there.'

"Stark," I said to the man slowly creeping towards me. He jumped a little at the sudden mention, clearly startled by it.

"How did you know it was me?"

I turned towards him and said, "I just said Stark. It could've been you, Lyanna, or your brother. You just confirm your identity to me."

The young lord sighed and took a seat on a nearby log.

"What do you want?"

Ned frowned at my apparent disrespect, but I couldn't give a damn. He then said, "What's happening between you and Lya?"

I shrugged and replied, "She wants me to stay. I asked her why and she had no answer for it. I'm no longer her mentor. She doesn't need me to teach her anything else. I can be her friend even if I'm at the Moat. So, I just told her to think about what she truly wants."

Ned frowned at that and sat contemplating. He would look at me with narrowed eyes and then shake his head before brooding again.

Ultimately, I sighed and said, "Just say what's on your mind."

"Do... Do you love her? You helped her break the betrothal. You made a prosthetic arm for her. You even waged a war for her and destroyed two great houses! Isn't that too much for mere friends?"

I smiled and replied, "Friendship is a special bond, Stark, and love is complicated. You loved your father and brother. Did you want to fuck them? You love Robert, but will you fuck him? I'll say, not. There's love in friendship, but it may or may not involve lust. Do I feel lust for your sister? Not truly. She is beautiful, there's no argument with that. Rhaegar abducted her and Robert waged a war for her because they were enamored by her. But that was all they saw in her. I've known Lyanna for more than a year and we're very good friends. I'll even go to seven hells for her because that's how friendship works. And to answer your question, yes, I do love her."

"If you marry her, you'll make Robert angry."

I groaned and said with a frown, "Don't you know me enough by now?! I don't give a damn about that womanizer's feelings or his puny wrath! To me, his fury is comparable to that of a toddler throwing a tantrum."

Ned took a deep breath and asked, "So, will you marry her?"

"Why do you ask? You want me to be tethered to the North, huh?"

Ned squirmed under my gaze and I clicked my tongue. Then I said, "Leave that decision to her. You failed her as a brother, Stark. You stood by as your father forced her into running away. She ran away and got abducted because she received no support from her own family."

Frustrated, he shot up to his feet and yelled, "There was nothing that I could do! I was but a spare!"

"You were her brother! You chose to remain silent because you were too weak to stand up to Rickard Stark!"

Ned couldn't accept the fault and swiftly walked away.

Honestly, none were at fault. Such was the culture of Westeros. It wasn't right for me to blame Ned or anyone else. Rickard was doing what was culturally right.

'I simply don't belong here. I'm an anomaly. Nonetheless, I'm here and none can change that. So, let there be some chaos! Hmm... I can't wait for Balon to rebel. The days of the Greyjoys are numbered. Hmmm Greyjoys, Freys, Boltons, and those slavers in Essos... There's not going to be a Daenerys Targaryen to free the slaves. Should I ...?'

I looked back at the Weirwood tree and shrugged, 'Why the fuck not? That fucker's not going anywhere. I have more than a decade before shit hits the fan. More exp for me, anyway. The grind is truly real!'

(ACJTF)

I was in my chambers on the night after that day when I heard a knock on my door.

"Who is it?"

"It is I, Lyanna."

"... Come in."

Lyanna quietly opened the door and entered. She was wearing a loose robe. She was ready to sleep. 'Must've concluded her feelings and thoughts.'

"I've made my decision."

'If I were to guess, she'll be doing...'

Lyanna proceeded to untie the knots on her robes and allowed them to fall, baring it all in front of me.

'... That.'

She stood with her head held high while her chest heaved from her deep and nervous breaths. Slowly, as I showed no reaction, she began to flush from head to toe.

"... I want to be with you, sleep with you, wake with you, eat with you, have children with you, grow old with you... I'm in love with you."

Her confession was heartfelt and it brought a smile to my face. I walked towards her and gently picked her robes up and put them around her. Looking into her reddened eyes, I said, "You don't need to give your flower to me to show that you love me, Lyanna. Your words are more than enough. Your father saw it and so did I. We knew that you were slowly developing intimate feelings for me and I'll admit that so was I. Those feelings have only grown stronger. I couldn't bear the knowledge that you were abducted. Words cannot describe my rage at that time. I saw you as a dear friend... My only true friend in this world. But over time, I have begun to see you more fondly. If you'd decided to remain my friend, I'd have smothered my feelings for you. It seems like I'm not strong in every aspect of life. Aye, Lyanna, I love you as well."

Tears rolled down her widened eyes and I gently wiped them from her rosy cheeks. Slowly, our faces trudged closer, our lips touched and for that tender moment, I found myself lost in the kiss.

(ACJTF)

A/N: Last 2 exams left!! I have 2 hols before the next one, so I wrote a chappy!! Needed a break. Have fun, stay safe, and if you hate me, well I get to live rent-free in your head so I win.