Brienne peaked out the door to make sure the wildling left before shutting it.
"What did you have to say that for?" Brienne said in frustration. "I almost got rid of him for good, now he still thinks he might have a chance."
Without the distraction of the red-haired wildling. Jaime took in Brienne's appearance. It had been a long time since he hadn't seen her with armour on, at least two years. Now she was in her sleep clothes, eyebrows pinched, nostrils flaring, face lit in red. It was one of the best things he's seen.
"W-why are you looking at me like that." I must look a mess, Brienne thought to herself, she was just in bed not long ago. She looked at herself self-consciously and tried to straighten out her clothes, then moved to smooth out her hair. Of course, he always looks handsome even after he just rode from King's Landing to Winterfell. "Is something wrong?"
Breaking out of his reverie, he smiled. Gods he missed having her to himself.
"Yes actually." He said as seriously as he could muster. Using the opportunity of her shock at his words, he closed the gap between them so that they were a foot apart at the end of her bed. Turns out, he wasn't as sly as he thought as Brienne moved automatically moved an inch back. After all these years it was still impossible for them to break any propriety. This was as close as they ever got. "When I scandalously entered your room at this time of night, I expected to find you in bed. I wasn't to pleased to see that you had lied about wanting to rest, let alone being confronted by one of your other suitors."
Brienne tried to form a response…but failed. Other suitors, does he mean himself? thought Brienne, No, he's just japing as always. But what is he doing here?
Sensing her discomfort, he dropped the act.
"Sorry, Brienne I was just teasing." I thought so, Brienne couldn't help feeling a little disheartened. "Although, what were you doing out and about?"
"Oh, erm, nothing." Jaime didn't expect her to blush. She even turned to move away. Quickly, he reached out to stop her clutching her wrist with his good hand using the opportunity to move slightly closer still. Please don't turn away when we are so close.
"Tell me, I won't judge you." Spoke Jaime softly, endeavouring to catch her eye to show his sincerity, but she still seemed too embarrassed to look up.
"I couldn't sleep, I went to look for you." Jaime felt his heart race at her words, he could feel the beating in his chest. "Tyrion was still in the hall and he told me that you went to get rest and that I should return to my chambers too… I didn't expect you here."
She was looking for me. He couldn't believe it. Could it be that Tyrion was right?
"What did you talk to me about?" Jaime's voice growled slightly with emotion and anticipation. What is she doing to me.
"I…I wanted to know."
"Yes?" He implored softly.
"I wanted to know if you knighted me because you felt like you were 'paying me a debt' or because we're friends of because you were bored or something."
"Oh." It wasn't what he wanted to come out of her mouth, it seems it wouldn't be as easy as he had hoped. It was so like Brienne to have doubts about her honour, the day before the end of the world. He wouldn't have her any other way.
He let go of her wrist that he was still holding and moved it to her chin, tilting it up towards him so that he could meet her gaze. She flinched a little at first and her breath hitched at the contact. The effect of his proximity on her was stronger than she cares to admit.
"Ser Brienne. I knighted you because you are the truest knight I know. I have seen no-one with such honour as yours. I know no-one so loyal. No-one so strong, so selfless, so stubborn, so brilliant as you." His eyes bore into hers, willing her to believe his words. Voice so raw with emotion that it was barely above a whisper. "Do you know why I came to Winterfell?"
All she could bring herself to do was shake her head. It was if her body was not her own. All these words are for me? Slowly, he moved his hand to brush a strand of errant hair then rested it on her cheek. Her skin was cold from the winter's night and softer than he had expected. This time she didn't move away instead are hand had found its way to rest on his chest.
"Because of you."
"Because of me?" She repeated in disbelief.
"Because of you. Gods, Brienne, I love you."
Not being able to resist any longer, he pressed his lips to hers wrapping his arm around her waist tightly as if he were afraid she would pull away. Brienne's eyes went wide. She had never been kissed before, her senses were on fire and she felt something churn deep in her belly. Despite this her body was frozen, she had no idea what to do. Sensing her discomfort, Jaime reluctantly pulled away and relaxed his hold on her. He felt guilty losing control and being so forward with her.
"Forgive me Brienne I - "
Before he knew it, she leant forward to catch his lips in hers and she encircled her arms around his neck and buried a hand in his long golden hair. She let her body move automatically. She wasn't sure what she was doing but she knew what she wanted. Him. After being briefly stunned, he regained himself and held her more tightly than before. Surprising him again, Brienne deepened the kiss acting on instinct. This caused Jaime to inadvertently groan. Gods, I want her. The blood was rushing to his head and he felt a high, he knew she hadn't any experience, but she was making him feel more than ever before. They started kissing slowly at first, but it quickly turned feverish, tongues intertwining. Brienne was learning fast, matching Jaime's movements with her own, a new kind of sparring she was becoming skilled at. The feel of her body through the thin layer of her night clothes made his groin stir. Thankfully, this was hidden under his armour, he didn't want to scare her away or give her the wrong idea. Although, all he wanted to do was throw her on the bed, tear her clothes off and make her feel like a woman. Reluctantly, they pulled apart to catch their breath. They still held each other tight. She silently wished that Jaime wasn't wearing his armour, so she could feel more him but blushed at the idea. Jaime took into her visage; her cheeks were glowing red and her lips swollen.
"Jaime…" She
"Brienne..."
"I want you."
"I want you too."
"I mean, I want you."
"Really? Are you sure? I will not lie that those are the thoughts are filling my mind, but I will wait as long as you need time."
She nodded.
"I have wanted this for a long time."
"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that, but I don't want you to give up your virtue to someone like me. You mean so much to me and I don't want to make you regret anything. I know how important your maidenhead is to you."
"Jaime…I know that you love me and would honour me. The only thing I might regret is not doing this before our battle tomorrow."
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger. I am hers from this day, until the end of my days. I don't expect you to say the words in return, but I just need you to know I pledge myself to you, whether we die tomorrow or years from now."
"I am yours and you are mine. From this day, until the end of my days."
She was smiling. A smile meant for him.
"You are quite beautiful when you smile, you know. I wish I had seen it more often." He gave her another small kiss and ran his lips down her neck, her body shivering at the new sensation.
"I didn't have much reason to smile back then when you were teasing me all the time." She countered.
Jaime pulled back.
"Me, teasing. Never. You must be mistaking me for some idiot who was too up his own arse to see how brilliant the woman was in front of him. I hate that guy." He said with a smile, it was hard for him to stop smiling now. "I bet he had two hands as well." He said in mock disdain. Brienne laughed. He had managed to make her laugh and somehow, he loved her more in that moment.
"I don't know, maybe he has some good qualities."
He knew she was always playful with his jests but now she wasn't reserved anymore.
"Oh yeah, like what?" He went to nibble at her ear, eliciting a gasp much to his delight.
"Handsome, funny although never as funny as he thought he was."
"As handsome as me?"
"Oh no, you're much more handsome. I seem to recall that guy never washed, was covered in mud a lot of the time."
"Well, he sounds horrible to me."
"Yes, but I loved him though, he saved me more than once."
"And now?"
"And now I love you." She kissed him all over again, this time they didn't stop.
That night the maid of Tarth became a maiden no more.