Inspired by the song "We Won't Let Go" by Freddie Webb & Joe Farley (lyrics at the end of the chapter)
I do not own these characters or lyrics.

This was it. Tormund and what was left of the Night's Watch had arrived and announced the enemy would be there before the sun would rise. They had planned their battle strategy. It all seemed to move too fast. It could be their last night alive and Sansa needed to find Jon desperately.

After the strategy meeting, Jon had pulled aside Bran, Sansa and Arya. He informed his so-called sisters of his true parentage and Bran confirmed it. Jon said he needed his family to know before whatever fate crept up on them that night. But then he walked off and disappeared. After eating her dinner with Arya, Sansa checked the Great Hall, the godswood, the armory, and the crypt. She was sure she'd find him with the statues of the long-passed Starks. He had been down there so often these past few days, always returning with a quiet and brooding demeanor that seemed to exceed normal Jon Snow behavior. He wasn't there. Before she left, Sansa gracefully placed her hand gently on the stone hand of her father. Thank you for keeping Jon safe, father. Please watch over us just one last time, she thought with eyes closed. She came back up into the icy air. The sun had fully set and even with all the furs she wore, they couldn't keep out the chill. She began to head up to her room, passing soldiers training with their weapons, northmen whose eyes seemed to have a thousand yard stare as they ate. She smiled gently at the scared children, hoping to give them some sort of calm in this madness. Once she climbed the stairs, she could see Brienne below, discussing the left flank's plan of action with Jaime, Podrick, and some of the Knights of the Vale. Sansa briefly wondered where Arya could be but figured she was training with whatever weapon she could get a hold of.

Sansa had never wished she could be like Arya. Never, until tonight. She so badly wanted to be useful for her people, for her family. But Sansa wasn't a fighter, and that's all that was needed right now. Uselessness was an awful feeling.

Sansa came upon Jon's room and knocked softly. No answer came so she slowly creaked the heavy door open and peeked into his solar. She found Ghost laying in front of the fire but no Jon. He must be outside the castle with the soldiers. Or with her, Sansa thought with a hint of bitterness. The arrival of Daenerys Targaryen had been difficult for Sansa in multiple ways. Learning that Jon had bent the knee to her angered Sansa. The North was theirs and he basically had given it away again after all of the effort they made to gain it back. This dragon queen came in with fake kindness and expected the North to be handed to her with no dispute. She was not the North's queen. She was not Sansa's queen. Seeing how beautiful she was when she entered Winterfell's gate next to Jon, and seeing them act fondly towards each other, made resentment rear within Sansa. It made her uncomfortable. Sansa had been trying to bury and deny uncomfortable feelings within herself after she had been reunited with Jon at Castle Black. She had begun to see him in a different light then. And soon she realized this was the kind of man her father had promised her. The man who was worthy of her, the man who was brave and gentle and strong. Sansa had to remind herself that he was her half-brother every time she caught herself gazing at him or thinking longingly of him. Maybe it was because she never viewed Jon as her brother when they were young, he was always just a bastard in her eyes back then. Sansa would never let those thoughts go far. But it turned out that he was never her brother, but a cousin, and plenty of cousins married each other in Westeros. This may be their last night in this world and she had to say something. And if she got too scared to say it, she had to at least see him before hell arrived at Winterfell.

Sansa finally reached her own room, hoping to find yet another fur to throw over herself so she could continue searching. She opened her door to find the fire ablaze and Jon's hunched figure in a chair in front of it.

"Jon?" Sansa gasped. He quickly stood and looked down when he heard her.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Sansa," he stammered. "I just needed to get away from everything."

"Are you alright?" she asked as she shut her door. He lifted his head slightly to look at her. "That was a stupid question, wasn't it?"

Jon gave her a hint of a smile. Even that small offering from him helped to ease her.

"Well, no need to apologize, I was actually looking for you," she said, peeling off her furs and cloak to bask in the fire's warmth.

"You were?" Jon asked with something that seemed like hope.

"Yes," Sansa said slowly, suddenly losing her nerve. It was getting too real now. She busied herself by pouring two cups of wine as she tried to think of what to say next. "I was thinking I could stay up on the battlements with the archers during the fight."

"Absolutely not, Sansa," Jon resolutely said. "You will be in the crypts. Safe."

"Jon, I will not abandon our people." Sansa said strongly. As much as she adored Jon, he had the power to frustrate her like no other.

"You're not abandoning our people. You will be in the crypts showing the women and the children strength and courage."

"You're sticking me down there because you think I'm a fragile little bird," Sansa said as she threw herself down into a chair by the fire.

"No, Sansa -" Jon tried to say, a bit more softly.

"I can do something useful, Jon. I can help the archers light their arrows. I don't know. I just can't be useless. Not when you're fighting out there. Our family. Our people."

"And what if the dead break through the castle walls? Or climb up to the battlements from the outside? What then? I will not have you be in that danger, Sansa."

Sansa could tell he was frustrated with her just as much as she was with him. "Yet Arya will be in the middle of that danger. You're placing Bran as bait. Your new queen will be very helpful on her dragon." Her bitterness peeked through her hard shell on that one.

"I need you to be safe, Sansa," he suddenly said softly, his eyes cast down to the floor. "I can't fully concentrate out there if you're out in the open like that. I need to know that you'll be safe." He looked over to her, his dark gray eyes held her blue ones in his tired but gentle gaze. "I can't risk you." It was a desperate whisper and it softened her.

"Okay," she said calmly.

"I should go," Jon said after a few moments of silence, yet he didn't move.

"Why did you come here, Jon?" Sansa asked and gestured for him to sit in the chair next to her. He slowly sank into it and took a minute to form his next words as he gazed into the fire.

"I just wanted to be around you," he said quietly. Then he gave his head a small shake, like he realized he just said that out loud. "How are you taking the fact that I'm not a Stark?"

"Don't say that. You'll always be a Stark, Jon. Your mother gave you Stark blood and that's all that matters."

"But we're not siblings."

"No."

"And I'm a Targaryen."

"Yes. And you have the better claim to the Iron Throne."

"I don't want it. I just want to live out my life here in Winterfell, if there's any life after tonight. I need to make sure Daenerys believes that when I tell her; she'll feel threatened."

"Gods, Jon, you're not telling her tonight are you?"

"I thought I would."

"Don't be stupid, Jon. We're on the eve of battle, don't risk your ally." Sansa also wanted him to stay with her all night, instead of finding the beautiful queen.

"The other night, you asked me if I love her. I don't."

"But she believes you do," she replied, hope blooming in her chest.

"Yes. I needed to secure her, her armies, and her dragons. I'm glad it didn't have to come to a marriage in order to bring her here to fight. She's shown that there's too much of her father within her."

"Jon Snow making political decisions. Or should I say Aegon Targaryen?" Sansa teased.

"Don't you dare call me that," Jon grumbled with another hint of a smile. Sansa loved these moments with Jon, the ones where they could make each other smile even if it was a difficult time. They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"You look worn out, Jon. Maybe you should rest for at least a little while? You can take my bed so that no one may bother you in your room."

"Will you stay with me?" Jon's voice sounded small and vulnerable in that moment.

"Whatever you wish."

The clattering noise of swords and armor had died down by then. Most of the people in the courtyard had seemed to have begun their rest and quiet reflection before what could be the end. However, a voice singing a song began to drift into Sansa's room. Down in the courtyard, Podrick began singing Jenny of Oldstones. His voice carried into the room, and even though it was soft and muffled, it was beautifully soothing as Sansa began to turn down her bed for Jon. Suddenly, she felt his hand on the small of her back. She turned towards him with curiosity in her eyes. He gazed at her and silently pulled her close to his chest, his hand gently on her back and his other holding her hand. They swayed ever so softly and quietly to the song and she laid her head on his shoulder. This was new. Jon had never been known to dance. While this wasn't any popular, structured dance that Sansa had seen in King's Landing, it was the most intimate thing she had ever experienced. Their dance was both delicately slow and yet over much too soon. As the voice faded away, Jon seemed to remember himself and took a small step back from Sansa. The intimacy emboldened her.

"I -" Jon began to say, looking down at the floor, embarrassed.

"Don't apologize," Sansa cut him off before he could. She stood up tall and took a step towards him as his eyes met hers. "I love you, Jon. I need you to know that before you fight for all of us."

"Sansa?" He seemed speechless.

"I've battled with these feelings for too long, determined to keep them to myself and hopefully snuff them out. But tonight, with finding out who you really are and the possibility that this could be the end for all of us, I had to say something. I love you, Jon Snow. I can't stop loving you."

Jon let out deep a breath as he looked at her. Then all at once, one of his hands was on her cheek and the other on her waist as he pulled her towards him and their lips met. Sansa was at first shocked but quickly fell deeper into the kiss as warmth seemed to blossom within her. He pulled back slightly, their lips barely separated, as Sansa caught her breath. Jon's full lips brushed against hers as his hand slid from her cheek and into her hair at the back of her head. He kissed her more gently and then rested his forehead against her own.

"Jon?" Sansa whispered.

"Ever since you walked into Castle Black, something was different," Jon said as he pulled away and grabbed her hands in his. "I didn't know how to explain it or what it was, but I knew it was there. The night before we took back Winterfell, you had told me if we lost, you wouldn't go back to him alive. I knew you were serious and the fear of losing you was almost overwhelming. I knew then I loved you. I tried to deny it, tried to stop feeling that way. Every time we argued, I tried to tell myself I didn't love you. It was all for naught." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I never stopped loving you, Sansa. I came here tonight hoping to tell you that. But you were braver than me."

"See, I'm braver than you, I shouldn't be locked up in the crypts for battle," Sansa teased.

"Don't start that again. I need you to be safe. And I know you'll keep everyone calm and strong down there."

Sansa smiled sweetly at him. "Just kiss me again, Jon."

He obeyed her command, kissing her softly at first but each kiss grew stronger and more hungry. A quiet moan escaped her lips and Jon grabbed her hips at the sound of it, pulling her harder against him. But then he suddenly pulled his lips away reluctantly.

"We need to slow down," he whispered.

"Why?" Sansa demanded as she began to place kisses along his neck.

"This isn't the proper way of doing things," he struggled to say as his eyes closed and he felt her soft lips against his skin.

"Jon. There's a strong chance the world is ending tomorrow. There is no time for propriety. I need you tonight," Sansa said, taking his hand and leading him to her bed.

"Are you sure?" Jon asked, his eyes hungry, as he closed the space between them and brushed some of her red hair behind her ear.

"Yes. I need to know what it's like to be truly loved at least once in my life. I'm not taking chances and letting it wait for this war to be over. Love me, Jon."

"I love you more than you know," he said softly, his lips brushing against her ear. Excited chills ran through her body. Jon's deft fingers loosened the laces of her dress that ran up her back until he was able to slide it down her slender body. His eyes moved down her length, slowly taking in the beautiful sight of her. The flickering light from the hearth brought out the thin white lines of Ramsey's scars that littered her skin. Sansa could see the anger flash within him, mixed with an anguished expression. She began to move to cover herself with her bed coverings. But Jon's hands stopped her as he pulled the furs from her hand; his look of pain and anger was gone, his dark gray eyes gazed at her lovingly. "You're beautiful, Sansa." She drew her lips to his and helped him unlace his tunic and pulled it and his undershirt off. His rough hands lightly grasped her arms and eased her down to sit on the edge of the bed.

Jon's lips created a trail from her ear, to her neck, and down to her chest as he slowly knelt on the floor in front of her. The feel of kisses and tongue on her breasts made Sansa's back arch towards him, her hand flying into the dark curls of his head as her legs slowly spread for him. Sansa had thought she'd never feel this way, she thought she'd never want a man near her like this again. But Jon was the one who helped her trust men again. And now it was him making her feel this pleasure; the golden touches of his lips and fingers along her skin ignited her. His mouth slowly traveled down her stomach, kissing each of her scars along his way down to the tops of her thighs. He spread her legs wider and placed his kisses on the numerous scars on the inside of her thighs, getting closer and closer to her growing wetness.

"Jon?" Sansa whispered, slightly surprised as to what he was doing while sinking deep into the pleasure.

"Do you trust me?" he whispered back, looking up at her.

"You know I do."

"Then lay back," he said, smiling a small, mischievous smile.

The first feel of his tongue on her wetness made her gasp. Soon enough, she was driven to the point where she was trying her best not to scream, for that would surely call attention to her room. It wasn't easy as Jon licked into her, his hungry, pleased moans muffled against her. A heated pressure built up within her and she lost all train of thought. Jon's fingers worked at rubbing her sensitive nub until all of that pressure exploded from her. As she panted and tried to recollect her senses, Jon pulled off his pants.

"Get over here," Sansa purred, grabbing his hand and pulling him onto her. Jon's strong arm wrapped around her and brought her up the bed to lay her head on her pillow. He hovered over her, their lips finding each other again. Sansa snaked her tongue into his mouth, tasting herself on him pleased her. "I need you in me, Jon." A hungry groan escaped his lips and he slowly and very gently, eased himself into her. Sansa could sense how wary he was of hurting her. Her hands slid down his back and onto his rear, pressing him and encouraging him. "I promise I won't break," she whispered into his ear. He pressed himself fully into her and her eyes shot open with the sudden bliss and slight pain as she stretched around his hard cock.

"Gods, Sansa," Jon groaned in pleasure as he paused. She smiled a small, sultry smile and rocked her hips into him. Jon grunted and moved in and out of her, his long strokes building up that now familiar euphoric pressure within her. Each time he buried himself as deep as he could, Sansa's nails pressed into his back, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning too loud. She finally came apart as he pushed harder and deeper into her, his hand working on her breast and his mouth on her neck. Her orgasmic tremors made her tighten on Jon's cock, leading him to his breaking point. In one swift move, he slid out of her and came on her stomach. "I'm so sorry," he muttered and collapsed onto the bed next to her.

"It's okay," she replied with a little laugh and cleaned herself off with her discarded dress. Jon wrapped his arms around her and she curled her body into his. "Can we just not let go and stay here forever?"

"If only we could."

They laid in silence for a time. It seemed like an eternity. It seemed like only a moment. Jon reached over, his fingers ran along her cheek and into her hair. His lips pressed a long, hard kiss to her forehead.

"You have to go, don't you?" she asked.

"Yes. I don't want to." There was a hint of fear in his voice. Sansa held his hand and brought it up to her mouth, kissing his knuckles lightly. Jon sighed and slowly got up. Sansa sat up and drew the bedding around her, suddenly feeling a deeper coldness despite the blazing fire. She watched as he dressed, wondering if this would be the last time they were together. When he was done, he slowly turned to her, his eyes full of worry.

"Come back to me, Jon." It was more of a command than a plea. She stood in front of him, determined to stay strong.

A horn blasted in the distance, signaling the arrival of their enemy. The sound tested her courage. She flew into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck as his held her tightly to him.

"I love you, Jon."

"I love you, Sansa."

One last deep, needing kiss and he was gone.

We Won't Let Go by Freddie Webb & Joe Farley

Kiss me with your eyes / I can see your smile tonight / No one really knows all that I tried to find

Touch me with your gaze / I can feel your eyes on mine / Guide me with your hands to the places we will find

Golden touches will hold me here / And I'll break through the weather, change for the better / Through the journeys we have had / And we won't let go

Feed me with your words / Tell me all the tales untold / Speak the things we've learnt / Map the trails that we have walked

Put the sun to sleep / Cover me with all the night / Tell me all your dreams / You had when you were young

Golden touches will hold me here / And I'll break through the weather, change for the better / Through the journeys we have had / And we won't let go

Golden touches will hold me here / And I'll break through the weather, change for the better / Through the journeys we have had / And we won't let go

No we won't let go / Be the wild ones / And there's still places we can't find / Won't let go / Be the wild ones / And there's still places we can't find