Reigning Ships

So this is my OTP, there’s just so much possibility for what ifs and I could totally see how different experiences (like loving Ned) could change Cersei’s character or enhance it.

I’ve read literally all the fanfics out there and despite everything being AU obviously, the plot is usually similar: arranged marriage, Cersei married Ned instead.

I, however, found that scene in winter fell in season 1 to be so intense and full with emotions- the way he kissed her hand and their eyes met. A fic I think would be cool to see therefore, done by a better writer than me, is one where they fall in love while young. Ned and Cersei realise it is a doomed love, have sex before her wedding night and then when Cersei ends up with a child 9 months later, Ned’s in Winterfell wondering if it’s his. She wants to tell him of course that it is and she’s happy because tbh a green eyed black haired boy could just as easily be Roberts but she knows. The key is, though, that she doesn’t tell him because by that time word of Ned’s bastard Jon Snow reaches and she becomes overcome with hurt and insecurities, thinking their love meant nothing and she was just another of his conquests. When they meet, her slowly realises and you know bam tension, love, angst, does he tell Robert? Also I don’t know if Ned’s love would change Cersei so that she doesn’t settle for Jaime or she doesn’t love him like that.