authorsnotes: HERE WE GO, YEAS, I am sooooo sorry it took me forever and a half to update, just blame me being bad at updating, I suck.

I am firing through updates during lockdown tho, and am trying to update everything a.s.a.p. pls lemme know what you think of this chapter, fav/follow if you like and forgive me for being a bad updater.

songrecs: ashley - halsey (I cannot recommend her album manic enough, 2nd fav album of 2020, first being after hours).

How did they explain this? How did one explain they had come from the future, spent almost a year searching for a way back, had somehow found it and retained their memories against all odds? How did they explain that in the future they ruled the North, side by side as man and wife, rather than the siblings everyone currently believed them to be? How did they explain that they knew everything, knew what had happened in the past and what was to come next? How the fuck did they explain all of that?

He had no idea.

He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out, words failed him. Jon was usually good at making plans, had been a natural strategist from the moment he had tried, but now, stood in Sansa's childhood bedroom, as she was frozen in horror behind him, facing down her father, his uncle and the man who knew something was wrong … he had no words to say, no excuse. He could think of nothing, and as he glanced at his wife, he could see she had nothing either.

"I…" He started but was interrupted by a voice in the hall.

"Ned?" He had never been so pleased to hear Lady Stark's voice, and almost collapsed with relief that perhaps they had been given a reprieve. He watched as his uncle debated what to do, his eyes flickering to the corridor and then back to him and Sansa, Jon was worried for a moment, that he'd continue pushing, only for Lady Catelyn to join the mix. He did not want Sansa's mother seeing them in this state, she already hated him, he was sure if she thought he'd been in her daughters' bed she might actually kill him.

His uncle seemed to realise that as well and let out a frustrated sigh before looking hard at them both, "My solar, tomorrow morning before breakfast, we'll eat there, you will explain everything to me" Jon nodded hastily then, anything to get rid of him so they could talk. "Jon go back to your rooms when we're gone" And at that he shot them both another hard look before turning away, to head off his wife.

Once he heard the footsteps down the hall, he ran forward and closed the door quietly, before bolting it from the inside, and stacking a chair against it for good measure. Only when he was satisfied that no one would get in now did he turn back to Sansa, who was now pacing in panic, fisting great handfuls of her fiery hair, breathing heavily, clearly distressed.

"Oh my god" She moaned, and he could nod in agreement, what did they do now? "Jon!" She looked horrified, and he knew his expression mirrored hers. He didn't pace though, only sat himself on her bed and leaned forwards, elbows on his knees, he didn't want to pace, he needed to be still for a minute, to think. "Why didn't you see him come in after you?" She said furiously then, turning her panic on him, to which he glared at her. Love his wife he did, but whenever she panicked, she often lashed out without meaning to and tried to assign blame.

For all the love they had for one another they could argue like nobody else. Of course, they always made up, and nothing ever lasted beyond a few hours, but hell, they could go at it when a situation demanded it.

"It is your bloody room!" He fired back and then he was on his feet too, pacing with her, stillness was not working, clearly, "How did you not realise?" He said and Sansa glared at him furiously, pacing and pacing.

At that Jon signed and moved forward to grab her hands, to stop her, it would do no good to fight, they needed to work together here, if they had any hope of surviving come morning they could not argue amongst themselves. He had no idea what would happen, what excuse they could give, he just knew they could not tell Eddard Stark the truth, he wouldn't believe it, not for one bit, he would think them mad, perhaps send him to the Quiet Isle and Sansa to the Septa's convinced their brains were addled. And so, they needed an excuse, a good one at that.

Jon wasn't stupid, his uncle had found them in bed together, had heard the words of love they exchanged, he was surprised he had left them alone in truth, though perhaps he knew if Lady Catelyn had seen them she might kill his nephew. But come morning Jon knew his uncle would need answers as to why they were cuddling like lovers when everyone thought they were siblings. He knew he was already at risk of being sent away, his uncle would do it if he thought he had a relationship with Sansa, he couldn't let that happen.

They had to come up with a reason for their actions, for their words, and it needed to be a good one, one that meant they weren't torn apart.

He just had no idea what that could be.

"What do we do Jon?" Sansa said as she clutched at his hands, argument forgotten as they both looked at one another in desperation. They had to come up with a plan, a good plan. Eddard Stark was expecting answers to what he had heard, and if they did not have answers for him Jon knew it would end badly. He would not be taken away from Sansa, and he could see that happening if they did not have a good excuse, and so a good excuse they needed.

Minutes passed and neither said anything. They only held onto one another, looked at one another wracking their brains, thinking, and planning, trying to think of any good excuse for their behaviour that his uncle would believe and accept. The seconds ticked on, strained, and he could see a tear making its way down Sansa's cheek, she was having the same worries as him it seemed. He lifted his hand to brush it away, and she grabbed his hand to hold against her cheek as another tear fell.

"You can't be sent away" She said in a whispered tone, her gaze meeting his again, eyes filled with unshed tears, "You can't" She shook her head and he pulled her closer, pressing his forehead to hers, his eyes sliding shut as hers did. They took a second, in holding one another in comfort, he took a second to take a deep breath as he held onto her, to Sansa, to his wife.

He loved her, he had before he had even realised it, and he remembered he had been the first to say it, in a romantic context, to say those three words that had ensured a life of happiness for him, as no matter what life threw at him, he loved her and she loved him.

Flashback

'It has been a long day' He groaned and settled himself in front of the fire, in the Lords chambers that were his now, that he shared with Sansa, his wife.

He had never thought he would marry her, but they had grown closer since the revelation of his birth, closer and closer until they could not hold back anymore. It made sense as well, they ruled the North well together, and they had both wanted to continue doing that. Sansa had the Stark name that legitimised their rule, and Jon was a beloved King already, and so the union made sense, the fact they had already made love, had already decided they wanted no one else … that had just been a bonus before the wedding.

'I know' She said with a nod, settling down in the chair opposite, 'Honestly you'd think northern men would realise their armour was without leather, but apparently not She shook her head, 'Scolding blacksmiths three times my age feels strange" She laughed and he did with her.

'Imagine me lecturing the men who taught me sword fighting' He said with a shake of his head and she giggled too. She looked so beautiful when she laughed, her face lighting up, the hardness that had settled in her gaze disappearing for a few moments as she looked innocent and sweet again. Of course, to Jon she was sweet, but the giggling made her all the sweeter.

'I'm so tired' She said with a moan and with that he walked over to her chair and scooped her up, laughing at her delightful little squeal.

They made love, as they did most nights, it felt as natural as breathing to them, and after, as Sansa rested her head on his chest, and he held her close did he feel himself drifting off that the words simply slipped from his lips, unbidden, unprompted, without thought or anxiety, they just fell.

'I love you' He said with a smile, and almost rolled his eyes at her response.

'I love you too' She said, and he realised she hadn't picked up on how he meant it now.

'No' He looked down at her then, 'I said it before as family, now I say I love you, as my wife, I am in love with you Sansa' If he were a blusher no doubt he'd be red, but instead his eyes had taken on that intense expression and he held his breath as he looked down at her, awaiting a response.

'Oh Jon' She was whispering now, and she was smiling so wide he thought her cheeks must hurt, 'I love you too, I'm in love with you with everything I have' She leaned up to kiss him and he pulled her closer, holding her tight.

'Now and always' He whispered against her lips, before pulling her to him again, and as she moved on top of him, as she bought them both a deep pleasure, he heard her say those words back.

'Now and always'

Present

They loved one another, they were man and wife, and as he thought of that his eyes snapped open and he knew the answer.

"I know what we have to do" He said, and he was emboldened by Sansa's look at him, one filled with trust, with hope, and with an utter devotion that she believed in him to fix this for them. He knew she believed in him, as he believed in her, as he had fixed her in the past and she had fixed him. They fixed one another, over and over again.

"You trust me" He didn't ask, just said it as a statement and she nodded, and at that he grabbed his cloak, threw it over her shoulders, and then pulled his own tunic back on before pulling on his boots and encouraging her to do the same. Once they were semi-dressed, she in her shift but covered by his dark cloak, he in breeches and a light tunic, both with boots on their feet did he take her hand and make for the door, the direwolves followed and Jon quickly unbolted the door.

"Jon" She did pause, at the doorway, eyes wide with apprehension, "Where are we going?"

"Do you trust me?" It was a question then, and she only took a second before nodding again, and so he nodded his head and moved forward, "Then follow me" And she did, without question, for they trusted one another, loved one another, now and always.

Sansa did trust Jon, with everything, with her life, and so she followed, trusting him in when he simply asked her to follow. She followed him quietly through the halls, out into the courtyard (and resisted the urge to complain that he could have at least let her throw on a dress), and then she realised where he was taking them.

The Godswood was just as she remembered it, and just as they had left it before it had burned, minus the thick snow on the ground and icicles on the leaves. Here, the ground was still dirt, though more brown than green, with no snow on top of it. The weirwood tree was still dominant, imposing over her. As a child she had shunned the old gods, seeking solace in the seven, during her time in Kings Landing she had turned back to her father's gods, desperately hoping for their help, once back in Winterfell she had ignored them all, gods had been of no use to her up until then, and prayer had been pointless.

The Godswood was still a beautiful place though, but she didn't think Jon had hurried her through Winterfell in the dead of night, when they had much more pressing concerns just to bring her to a pretty place.

"What are we doing here Jon?" She asked as he came to a stop just under the weirwood tree, turned to her and took both of her hands in his. She did smile at him as he looked at her before feeling just a hint of panic again, she wouldn't let anyone send him away, she wouldn't.

Jon was everything to her, and as much as she loved her family, she loved Jon more. He was her soulmate, the other half of her heart, her true love. She would not let anything happen to him, nor let them be torn apart. And so, as much as she did trust Jon, she wasn't sure what his plan was here. They needed to be thinking up excuses and stories! Not catching a chill in the night.

"We're going to marry" Well, she had often commented she enjoyed Jon's honesty, how blunt he could be, though such a thing was a terrible trait for a King. Sure, he could be diplomatic when he wished, hell she'd seen him calm rooms full of unruly northerner's before tricking southerner's into thinking he were on their side better than she could, he was adept at it when he bothered. But with her? There were no frills to his words, he was honest, and she liked that. She had spent most of her life around schemers; Cersei, Margaery, Olenna, Littlefinger, she liked the change honesty now.

"We're already married Jon" She said then with an amused smile, stating the obvious. They had married long ago now! Though she supposed technically it was in the future. Their wedding had been quick, without fuss and still the best day of her life, she remembered it like it were yesterday, stood in the very spot they were now…

Flashback

'You sure you don't want more time to plan?' Jon said, in the tone of a man who had no idea how long weddings took to plan or what went into it.

Sansa rolled her eyes at him but smiled, why he asked that now, as they were stood in front of the weirwood tree, ready to marry she didn't know, but it got a chuckle from their small smattering of guests and she giggled a little as well, 'No Jon, let's just get married'

'Like get it over with?' He said with a laugh but a slightly offended look to which it she rolled her eyes again.

'Of course, not' She said, and he laughed, she could tell he was japing, 'But why wait? We both want this, we don't' need any frills'

'God, if 14-year-old Sansa had told me she wanted a no frills wedding I would have been sure she was an imposter' He teased and she smacked his arm as their guests laughed before giggling a little herself.

'Perhaps you're right' She teased, 'Perhaps we should wait a little longer'

At that it was his turn to roll his eyes, for he knew she was teasing, 'Alright, alright' He said, taking her hands again, 'Let's marry then!'

A cheer rang through the Godswood at that declaration and their guests cheered again as they were wed under the old gods and kissed to seal the union. For Jon, the kiss was soft and sweet, not their first but it felt more real somehow, to be kissing to seal their marriage. For Sansa, the kiss stirred something in her, some profound happiness that she had finally married a man she cared for, a man she loved.

The wedding was quiet, few guests and no frills, but to Sansa it was perfect, and as she looked at Jon, as he pulled her close even as they broke the kiss, she knew he felt the same.

'To feast' Tormund yelled, and they all cheered at that again, lots of cheering made for a nice wedding. Even with few people to witness their union the cheers were loud. Tormund was the loudest of course, though Brienne's 'huzzah' certainly rang true. Bran was quieter, and Arya too though they both had smiles for the new couple, next to Arya stood Gendry, smiling too, though he barely kept his gaze from Arya. Davos was looking on proudly, Samwell grinning from ear to ear as was Ed who'd come down from the Wall. They would need to do another feast, for their bannermen and the noble Lords and Ladies but for this they had only wanted it to be the people they loved.

All made their way inside for the feast, and yet the new couple lingered back, and Jon felt the need to say something, anything to the woman he knew he would soon love, if he didn't already.

'So, we're married' He said, and picked her hand up to kiss it, he was rewarded with a delightful blush, though he almost blushed at what Sansa said next.

'Not quite yet' At that his face froze and he almost stumbled to which Sansa laughed and laughed.

'Right that's it' He said, and Sansa squealed as he picked her up in his arms, 'I think you've teased me enough today' She shrieked at him but was grinning and laughing from ear to ear as he lifted her u[. He laughed too, even as he heard Tormund yell some profanity.

He kissed her again then, close and her hands cupped his face as he squeezed her waist. He could get used to this.

They had kissed before of course, and she had given him her maidenhead long before the wedding, but still they left the feast early, making love as man and wife felt different somehow, felt better, and as Jon rolled onto his back and pulled his happy bride close he knew then that he loved her, and though he didn't say it, Sansa knew, as she loved him too.

Present

"I know" He said with a nod and Sansa resisted the urge to laugh at his expression, one that looked a bit panicked that she might be suggesting he had forgotten they had married, but at her giggle he rolled his eyes and clutched her hands tighter, clearly he wanted to get his point across and Sansa nodded, the floor was his, for she had no idea how this would fix their problems.

"But, if we marry here, under the old gods, and consummate" Jon wasn't a blusher but Sansa knew if he could he'd go red, even now after so long together he was still sometimes like a maid when it came to love making, unless they were in the bedroom of course, and then Jon was no maid, he was more caveman perhaps, though very generous when it came to the 'Lords kiss'. Sansa blushed then, a pretty red colour across her cheeks as she thought of the first time Jon had done that to her and she had near screamed the castle down in pleasure. "They won't be able to tear us apart"

"They still could" She said, her blush gone then, her smile dimmed as the worry took back over that Jon, her Jon would be taken from her. She couldn't let them do that, wouldn't.

"No" He replied, with a fierce shake of his head and Sansa knew, Jon would find them a way out of this, he would, she trusted him, he had to. "Lord Stark respects the old gods, if we told him we married and we consummate, he will not dispute the union, he is too devout for that, even if your mother insists"

Sansa bit down on her lip then, thinking, before a smile spread across her face, he was right! She grinned, and a little squeal of delight left her lips before she threw herself into his arms, clutching him tightly. Sure, they'd still need to come up with an explanation and things would be complicated and likely unpleasant for a while, but this ensured they'd remain together! And Sansa knew, no matter what else happened as long as she and Jon were together, they could handle anything, they could deal with whatever came, and so his plan was genius in that regard.

"You know we could have just consummated and told them we married, since we already are" She said as Jon put her down and they walked closer to the weirwood tree, almost touching it then.

"No" He shook his head, "In our minds we're married but in this life? We're not. I won't dishonour you; I'll marry you before the gods first"

Again, she blushed, and she leaned forward then, to kiss him, to kiss her Jon, so thoughtful, so loving, so perfect, so honourable, even now, after all they'd been through. The kiss was soft, gentle, and Jon squeezed her waist before pulling back. "Isn't that for the end of the ceremony?" He japed, and Sansa scowled at him, to which of course he laughed before taking her hands again, in front of the gods, it was time.

Sansa oddly felt a little nervous which was ridiculous! They were already married! But then Jon was right, in this time they weren't. It was like doing it all over again. Part of her wanted to run inside, rouse her family, and get them out, for so many of them had been unable to attend their wedding before, but she knew that was impossible. Still, they were close by, alive, that made her smile, they were near now, as she would give herself to Jon all over again.

She was his, he was hers, now and always, and it felt right to confirm that again in this new time.

"Do you know the words?" She asked, and he nodded, for Sansa they were burned in her brain, had been since she had said them to Jon before, under this very tree, her heart already so filled with love that she hadn't even realised. Now it was fuller, filled to the brim with her love for Jon.

"I am Sansa of House Stark, I come here to be wed, a woman grown, true born and noble, I come to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim me?" She began, for there was no one to say the words for her.

"Jon of Houses Stark and Targaryen, who gives her?" He grinned, he knew now what he hadn't known back then, he was no Snow. Sansa didn't care either way about his status, though it made her proud, he was of two great houses, and more than worthy of both. He was also a great King, a King that made her proud to be his Queen.

"I do, Sansa of House Stark!" She proclaimed with a grin; this was not quite the way it was done, and Jon was grinning to. It felt appropriate in some ways, giving herself away though part of her wished her father could, here she would give herself instead. It was a little silly and they both smiled.

"Do you take this man?" Jon asked then, referring to himself. This was an odd ceremony but the ceremony of the old gods did not dictate the need for witness or signing a piece of paper, here they simply said the words before the gods, and to Sansa that was far better than the fripperies of ceremony. Here it was honest, giving themselves to one another under the gods, it was as true as any blessing could get.

"I take this man" She said, without hesitation or pause, smiling from ear to ear, and Jon was too, as he smoothed a thumb over her knuckles, he had done the same when they had married before she remembered, in reassurance, she needed no reassurance now, she would forever be sure that she wanted to be married to Jon, for the rest of their days, she knew he felt the same.

Not once had she regretted their marriage, not once had she questioned it or wanted to go back. From the moment they had said the words under this very tree she had stood by them, and she had wanted to stand by them.

It was then he pulled her into a kiss. Again, the ceremony didn't require a kiss, but he pulled her into his arms all the same and she was grinning as he did, as they held onto one another, as their lips met, harder this time, in a crushing embrace. They may have been married before but as a breeze danced over the Godswood this time felt just as good, felt just as true, and right, to be married now and here, to commit themselves to one another from such a young age but so sure it would be forever.

She giggled as Jon lifted her from the ground, spun her around in his arms but did not break their kiss. She only broke the kiss to squeal as he spun around too fast and she whacked his arm, laughing the whole while.

"I'd carry you back to your room, but I'm afraid we'd get caught" He said placing her down and Sansa nodded, they still had to be careful, though Sansa knew, Jon had been right, once they consummated none could pull them apart, and that was the most important thing.

"Your room" She said instead, "Don't want anyone to hear us" She said, and he nodded before taking her hand again, and leading her back to his room, it was time to join together again. They may have been in the bodies of teenagers, but they were of wiser minds, they would consummate, to ensure they weren't torn apart, but it would be different, perhaps awkward, but Sansa of course trusted Jon completely, he would take care of her.

They would join, and they would never be parted, not by anyone, not ever.

It was a little awkward as he led her into his childhood bedroom. When they had consummated the first time it had been at their own pace, filled with passion and joy, now he loved her more than he had back then, but he was nervous. He no longer had the sure command over his body as he had when he was a man, he was wary of hurting Sansa, and it did feel awkward as they sat down on the bed next to one another.

Silence persisted for a few seconds before Jon knew Sansa must be as nervous as him. He needed to take the lead here, to step up, and so with a deep breath he placed a hand on his wife's knee and turned to meet her gaze.

"It'll be alright" He said with a nod, and she smiled at him, nodding back.

"I know, I trust you Jon" That made him smile, her unfailing trust in him often made him feel 10 feet tall.

"I love you" He said, cupping her cheek with his hand and she leaned into his touch. He would make this as good as he could for her, he would try not to hurt her, he would make her feel loved, make her feel the love he had for her.

"I love you too" She said, and he nodded, before taking her in his arms. He moved them onto the middle of the bed, placed three gentle kisses to her lips, one to each cheek, one to each eyelid and finally one to her forehead before he pulled back for another kiss on the lips. She looked expectant, though a little nervous, and she reached for his breeches but he shook his head, and instead made his way down her body, first the Lords kiss to relax her, and then he would take her for the first time in this new time, take her as man and wife, now and always.

sooo thoughts? I dialed up the fluff in this chapter to 100000. does mean my next chap has to be horrific and angsty but ya know, you win some, you lose some ;-;

pls lemme know what you thought, also d'you guys like flashbacks? I want them to be an important part of the story, showing the future jon/sansa left but I'd love to know if you're liking them!

pls fav/follow always appreciated. again I will try to update sooner this time.

also if you like jonsa check out my new wip, 'eyes to the east', an update should be up soon for that one.

speak soon