As Cregan's best friend, he had also been around you— Cregan's little sister. Not much to say about it, really. You were there to open the door for him sometimes, to smile awkwardly and chime in whenever he teased Cregan about anything.

Now, that wouldn't be a problem. It hasn't been for years, truly. Jacaerys and Cregan had grown up together, best friended too hard to the point he's taken as another member of House Stark. As usual, he spent one holiday with his family and the other with yours. Always taken as one of your own.

This year It feels like some kind of cruel joke, designed to tear his eyes away from you every five seconds. Who looks this stunning on Sevenmas Eve? Just you. When the clock hit 00:00 on the 25th, and while the rest of the family exchanged kisses and hugs, he could barely hold himself together.

His eyes did not wander below your neckline as you came to greet him, nor did he feel the way your body pressed against his chest when you hugged him. Definitely not. Not as his heart skipped a beat, and his skin flushed beneath the warmth of your closeness.

He did not struggle to tear his eyes from you when you bent over to pick up your presents from the massive Sevenmas tree. No.

"Did you like it?" He blurted without thinking, his hand gripping the champagne glass a little too tightly. The drink was loosening his usual shyness, but he wasn’t used to this side of himself. "The gift, I mean. I wasn’t sure what to give you."

A light laugh escaped his lips, nervous but genuine, as he watched you light up over the gift card he gave you. It truly wasn't nothing, really. He just gave you some money for you to spend in whatever you liked.

A squeak of delight spilled from your lips as you doted on it, making his heart stutter and his neck flush. The sound of your joy was enough to make him wonder how he'd ever been blind to how beautiful you’d become. This new feeling made him forget about how off-limits you are.