Hello again.
Thanks for all the lovely reviews, follows and favorites. I am truly honored.
Just a heads up, I changed the rating to M. I wasn't going to put anything in here that crossed the T line but as usual when I write, it sort of just took a life of its own. No lemons or anything in this chapter but you will experience it soon (sooner than I would have chosen but the story writes itself).
The song for this chapter is Classy Girls by the Lumineers.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not the Iron Throne, not the North and definitely not Tyrion Lannister. But oh the things I could do if I did.
Chapter Two: Classy Girls
Things had been going well in the few weeks since Sansa had opened up to Tyrion. He felt like they were finally learning to trust each other. He held her every night and their playful banter was a common occurrence between them during the day and especially at night as they lay in bed falling asleep. Sansa was quick witted and clever and this surprised him only slightly. She would have to be clever to have survived the political games of the capitol but he was surprised to find that she was well read. She admitted to him that before they had come to Winterfell all she cared for was needlework and the other pastimes that would ensure her the skills to be a good wife. But after coming to the capitol and learning of Joffrey's true nature, she had turned to books, eager to find an escape from the brutal reality of her life. This excited Tyrion to no end as they argued over books and stories. Sansa was still somewhat of a romantic while Tyrion had a bitter twist of cynicism in all his critiques. Their arguments usually ended with Sansa threatening to make him sleep on the chaise and then smiling when his mouth snapped closed.
He loved to see her smile. It happened so rarely before they were married and even less after the news of her brother and mother but he was pleased to know that he was the one to lift her spirits. They were becoming fast friends and while Tyrion hoped that one day their relationship would take a much more serious tone, he was pleased to be able to cheer her up and protect her. For now, he would content himself with their easy conversation and shared bed. Perhaps one day he would earn her trust enough to be able to tell her how much his feelings had grown for her because he was convinced, his feelings could only solidify and develop for her.
They were walking through the royal gardens on their way to dinner with his family. Tywin demanded their presence for dinner at least twice a week and they had been putting it off. Sansa endured the thinly veiled barbs from her new sister-in-law and nephew. Tywin surprised her by welcoming her into the family and seeming pleased with her compliance to play what Cersei so fondly referred to as the Game of Thrones. He also seemed pleased that she made Tyrion happy because it meant less embarrassment for the Lannister family. Sansa took his praise and admiration easily but with reservations. She had never known a Lannister besides Tyrion to offer kindness without a price.
"Sansa, little dove, don't you look just perfect," Cersei said cynically, eyeing Sansa's attire. She and Tyrion had unintentionally dressed to match and her new dress was slightly more revealing than her usual attire, one of the many changes of being a married woman.
"Thank you. Under Lady Margaery's guidance, I have been trying some different things," she said evenly. At Margaery's name, Cersei grimaced and rolled her eyes.
"My lady does have excellent taste," Joffrey said, smirking at Sansa. Tyrion moved to help Sansa into her chair. He pushed it forward gently while she indiscreetly stood to make it easier for him. He moved to sit but found that the chair next to his wife was considerably higher than hers. He struggled to climb up onto the seat while Joffrey sniggered maniacally. Sansa felt rage fill her and barely managed to keep a straight face and measured voice before speaking.
"My lord, I fear this chair is horribly uncomfortable," she said, turning to Tyrion who was avoiding eye contact with everyone at the table. "Would it be too much of an inconvenience to ask you to allow me to sit in yours," she asked and his head snapped up, eyes meeting hers. She could see the gratitude in his eyes as well as something else that caused her to warm from the inside.
"Of course, my lady. How inconsiderate of me to not take your comfort into consideration. I am a bad husband." He helped her stand and then helped her sit in the oversized chair that Joffrey had placed at the table. He sat in Sansa's former seat and she chanced a glance at Joffrey. His smile had soured into a grimace and she smiled internally, pleased to have foiled his plans at further embarrassing her husband.
"Tell me, Sansa, how is life being married to my brother? Is it as exciting as all the whores he's paid claim," Cersei asked bluntly and Sansa flushed with what her sister-in-law thought was embarrassment but was actually anger.
"That was completely uncalled for," Tyrion started angrily but Tywin interrupted him.
"Cersei, apologize to Sansa. Whatever your brother may have participated in for pastimes before his marriage to her, he certainly abstains from such activities now." Cersei shot her father a disbelieving look before turning to Sansa with a cold smile.
"Forgive me, Sansa. I am so unused to seeing my brother not involved in dishonorable and perverted past times, I-"
"Leave," Tywin bit out angrily, interrupting her.
"What," she asked incredulously.
"I will not have you trying to drive a wedge between your brother and his wife out of spite. If you cannot at least be civil, you will not eat with this family. Now leave before you embarrass us further." Cersei looked around the table, before glaring at Tyrion and pushing herself from the table. She stomped from the room and slammed the door behind her. "Your grace, perhaps you should go comfort your mother," Tywin suggested and Joffrey leveled Sansa with a leer before standing up and striding idly after his offended mother.
"Forgive me, Sansa. I do not know why Cersei continues to act uncivilized," Tywin said before beginning to eat his meal. Sansa glanced at Tyrion uncertainly and saw him staring at his father with his mouth hanging open. She grabbed his hand under the table and he closed his mouth and poured himself a glass of wine before offering some to her.
"There is nothing to apologize for, my lord," Sansa said. "If I had been banished from the table every time I said something disrespectful to my sister, I would have perished from starvation long ago." Tywin chuckled quietly and Tyrion turned to Sansa. She bit back the laugh that bubbled in her throat at the confused and awed look he directed at her. He shook his head in disbelief and then he too began to eat. Dinner was quiet as Tywin engaged them in conversation about city life and the lives and positions of multiple people. After they had finished, they bid him a good night and continued back to their rooms.
"You know, I think you could charm a white walker," Tyrion said as he closed the doors.
"Oh really? And what would I possibly have to charm a white walker into doing," Sansa asked as she moved to her mirror to let her hair down.
"Anything! Moving to the desert! I have never seen my father defend me in my life and certainly never banish Cersei from the table. Only you would make my father do something so completely out of character." Sansa snorted.
"I hardly forced him. Perhaps you underestimate how much your happiness means to him." At this, Tyrion snorted.
"Please, Sansa, I know exactly how high my father esteems me and I am barely taller than that mark. No, I think it is the prospect that my marriage to you has turned me into an honorable Lannister, not the perverted, lust driven, drunken imp he believed me to be."
"Yes, thank you, I would rather not know about your perversions," she teased.
"Past perversions," he justified. She rolled her eyes.
"You are a pervert, don't deny it."
"Well, I cannot have everyone thinking that marriage has tamed me," he said drily and she laughed. "Thank you," he said after a moment and she turned in her chair and give him a confused stare. "For saving me from Joffrey's unoriginal and unimaginative pranks," he explained, coming closer. Her face softened.
"You do not need to thank me. It was a poor joke that he played. I would have liked to rub his face in dung but foiling his plans seemed the safer option." He laughed and she smiled wider, feeling proud that she had amused him. Sometimes she felt like he was so much wittier than her that he would grow bored of her company.
"While that would have been a truly wonderful display to see, I am happy that you came to my aid. I feel ashamed to admit that I am related to someone who cannot even come up with a prank that does not involve my height. It's our wedding day all over again," he muttered quietly but she heard.
"I will always come to your aid," she said quietly, taking his hand and their eyes met. He squeezed her fingers gently.
"And I yours," he whispered. She felt heat building in her as their eyes held. Her eyes dropped to his lips, suddenly curious to know what they would feel like against hers. He watched her eyes lock on his mouth and his throat tightened. He moved his head closer so slowly the entire world could have ended and they wouldn't have noticed. She could feel his hot breath, sweetened with wine fanning on her lips and her stomach tightened. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers, anticipation building inside her until she felt like she would explode.
A knock on the door caused her eyes to fly open and meet Tyrion's, only centimeters from her face. She sighed and leaned back before he went to answer it. Podrick came in, bearing a note from Tywin. She watched as he read it, face serious before he glanced at her and then turned to Podrick.
"Tell my father I will attend him in the morning," he instructed. "There is nothing to be done tonight and my wife and I are tired." Podrick nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
"What was that about," Sansa asked, removing her dress until she remained in her shift. Her hair was hanging in loose waves down her shoulders and back. He stared at her, amazed by her beauty, much more a woman and less the girl that had come to King's Landing so long ago. His heart nearly broke knowing that as soon as he answered her question, uncertainty and anxiety would poison the beautiful moment they had just shared. But he couldn't –wouldn't –keep this from her.
"They've had word from my brother, Jaime. He's expected to arrive here tomorrow."