Mirrorball // Sansa Stark

2. Lonely

"Oh, hello there." Jae said running a hand over Lady's fur. "Sweet girl you are."

"That's Lady." Sansa told him as she sat down beside him at the table. "My wolf."

"No wonder she's so pretty, she takes after you." Jae remarked and Sansa felt a blush rush up her neck again as she sucked in a happy breath.

"She doesnt need an inflated ego." Arya informed him. "Don't tell her lies." Jae brought a hand to his heart.

"I don't lie. It's against my code." Jae informed her.

"You have a code?" Robb asked.

"Of course. All good men should. Your father taught me that." Jae informed them.

"Like keep the whores out of the manor?" Theon mused.

"Heavens no." Jae told him. "Whores?" He tsked. "I have more respect for women than that." Theon swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Thats honorable." Jon told him having never been with a woman himself but he figured a man like Gatsby had been. Perhaps a first love he couldnt get over.

"Why arent you married?" Arya questioned.

"Arya, thats inappropriate." Catelyn spat.

"No, it's alright, Catelyn." Jae assured. "I want love." Jae told her. "Real love, so I'm going to take as long as it takes to find her..."

"I'm sure you have women throwing themselves at you." Robb remarked.

"Robb!" Catelyn spat.

"It does make it harder. The wealth." Jae agreed. "You don't know who likes you for the parties and the jewels and who likes you for you." 

"Do you think you've met her yet?" Sansa asked innocently as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Quite possibly." Jae agreed locking eyes with her.

"Did father tell you that the King is coming?" Robb asked and Jae drew his gaze away from sansa.

"He did not." Jae remarked. "How exciting... why is he coming?"

"Missed me." Ned mused.

"Well that's why I came all this way." Jae agreed. "Well, it was more for them than you." Jae corrected wrapping an arm around Sansa's waist. She felt her heart flutter.

She knew it was irrational and stupid. Falling for an older man. Falling for someone that lived on an island, someone that was perfect in every way. She loved him still, knowing he would never love her back.

+

"What are you doing?" Ned asked the next morning when he saw Sansa pacing outside of Jae's room. 

"I was going to walk Lord Jae to break fast." Sansa offered. 

"Oh, that's sweet of you sansa." Jae remarked coming around the corner. 

"Good morning." Sansa said softly as she brushed her hair from her face. 

"Good morning, indeed." Jae agreed. 

"I woke Jae up early." Ned remarked. "Took him on a hunt. He is an excellent hunter." 

"Oh you flatter me." Jae mused. "Let me put on a warmer shirt and we can head down." Jae suggested and Sansa nodded eagerly. 

"You want to walk me down to?" Ned asked as she sansa nudged him down the hall. "I see, too cool for your old father now." Ned mused. 

"Father!" Sansa hissed shooing him away. She turned back to Jae's room and saw a scar running across his back as he peeled off his shirt. He caught a glimpse of her as he pulled on a new shirt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare." Sansa said immediately when she knew she was caught. 

"It's alright, just a scar." Jae offered his arm to her and she took it gladly. 

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking...' Sansa asked softly, she leaned into him as they walked. 

"It was during King Robert's rebellion." Jae remarked. "I was just a boy but we were all called to fight." Jae held the door open as they got to the banquet hall for Sansa. 

"Thank you." She said biting at her lip as she entered. Ned knew of Sansa's crush. It was impossible not to see it. He knew Jae was a good man, but he was a man a young man but a man. Ned knew that if Jae asked for Sansa's hand he would say yes. Jae was an upstanding man, good morals, strong dedication, a good fighter, he would protect Sansa. But Ned also knew that Jae was picky. 

In all the time that Ned knew Jae he never knew Jae to have any real suitors. Women flung themselves at him but Jae was kind and respectful. He hosted parties at the manor and was the life of every party. But Ned knew that Jae was lonely. Jae was looking the apple of his eye. The daisy in a bed of thorns. Ned didnt know that the woman Jae was searching for was out there. 

Ned also liked that Jae was sweet on Sansa. Jae could have easily avoided her if he wanted, kept his distance to keep away from awkward conversations, or saw the extent of Sansa's crush and taken advantage of that.  

But no, Jae was a good guy with a big heart. Ned saw the gentle touches on her arm or back, the way he leaned his ear closer when she spoke and how he looked her in the eyes when talking to her. 

"I want you boys getting a trim for the royal family." Catelyn declared. "Looking nice and proper." Robb grumbled. 

"No, listen to your mother." Jae agreed. "It is always good to put your best foot forward. No matter if you are meeting the king or his footman. Everyone deserves your very best."

Ned couldnt help but think that Sansa looked at Jae like he was the whole damn universe wrapped up in a fresh pressed suit.