A/N: Here's the next chapter. Unfortunately I am not receiving reviews, which I hope I would get. But thank you so much who are following this story.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING.

Chapter 4: The Forge

It was already 6:45PM when Gendry arrived at The Forge, he went in and went straight to the bar, people are already arriving and then his phone went off,

"Hello?"

"Hey Gendry, we're already here, just trying to find a parking spot. Can you meet us outside?"

"Oh yeah, yeah sure, I will be right out"

"Thanks!"

"See you"

He hung up and went right back out, he stood by the door, when he saw Arya approaching, for some reason he can't control his smile, his breath was taken away. She's wearing a dress. When they come near,

"Hey Arya, you look great!"

"Thanks. You too."

"Not as pretty as you"

"Shut up!"

He couldn't help but chuckle on this, another woman stood beside her, tall, with red hair, and blue eyes, "This must be her sister" he thought,

"This is my sister, Sansa"

He reached out his hand to shake hers, and she smiled and took it,

"I'm Gendry"

"Nice to meet you"

"Yeah same here"

He turned again to Arya,

"So shall we miladies?"

"Oh don't start!" she chuckled

Gendry walked with them to the entrance, and unconsciously he placed his hand on Arya's lower back as if guiding her, Arya looked at him with her gray eyes meeting his cerulean eyes, but he was surprised that she smiled at him instead of being annoyed. When they got in, the place isn't packed yet, although his friends are already there preparing their set,

"So… Do you want me to get you a table or you want to stay at the bar with me?"

"Table would be nice, but you won't get to hang out with us since you're working"

"Yeah I actually thought of that. But should you want to have a table, I can always make an excuse to talk to you."

Then Sansa interrupted,

"Arya, I think it would be best if we just sat at the bar with Gendry. Since we don't know anyone yet"

"I think Sansa's right Gen."

"So it's settled then"

"Yep"

"Alright come with me"

The girls settled on the bar stools as he went in and try to mix them something, then handed it out to them,

"Okay ladies, this round is on the house"

"Thank you"

Then he saw his friends approach him, Hot Pie was the first to say hello,

"Hey Gen! How have you been?"

"HP! Been great man, oh these are my friends, Arya and her sister Sansa. This is my friend Hot Pie"

"Hey there!"

"So man where's everyone?"

"Well, Lem, Lommy, Thoros, and Beric are already here even Anguy is here; The Hound's still missing"

"You know how Sandor is"

Then again, Sansa interrupted,

"Sandor?"

Gendry, Hot Pie and Arya, looked at her in shock

"Sandor Clegane? He's… he's your friend?"

"You know him?" Gendry asked

"Yes, he erm, he…."

"What's wrong Sans?" Arya asked

"Nothing, nothing, it's just that he…"

"What?"

"He saved me, from Joffrey. Then I haven't seen him in a long time, they told me he quit"

"Oh."

"Wait Joffrey Baratheon?" Gendry asked Sansa

"Yeah, you know him?"

"Everyone knows him, that fucking little shit always trying to show off how rich he is and how he can be powerful. But then when you challenge him to a fight, he always front Sandor!"

"Wow you're really angry!" Arya added

"Well yeah, everyone is pissed off with that wanker!"

He noticed how Sansa has been quiet with the talk of Joffrey, Arya noticed it to, and he observed the two sisters.

"Sansa, you okay?"

"Yeah, erm. Yeah. I'm fine. I just erm… it's just I haven't seen him ever since that erm…"

"What happened?"

"I can't tell you. Not here, when we go home"

"Alright. Fine, but promise to tell me everything okay?"

"I promise. Now, let's drink"

Gendry just watch them as he serves some of the customers that are coming in. When the last of the hour disappeared to the crowd, he took the chance to talk to Arya,

"So… how do you like this place?"

"It's great! I like it! Erm, your friends' band, they any good?"

"Yeah, they are. At least that's what I think. They'll be playing in a few minutes, and then you tell me"

"Wow, I didn't know you're such a dick" she smirked

He chuckled,

"Well, I think I am still an adorable dick"

She rolled her eyes on him, and then smiled, "She's really beautiful" he thought. He noticed Sansa stood up and excused himself to go to the ladies' room. Finally, at least for a few moments, he have Arya for himself,

"How are settling in King's Landing?"

"Alright I guess. Oh I met Loras Tyrell earlier"

"Oh the owner of the gallery?"

"Yeah. Renly, you remember him right? Well he took me and Sansa to lunch and Loras was also there. Apparently, Renly told him about me, so he asked if he can see some of my work and then maybe, he could launch my career"

"Lucky you!"

"I am actually don't know what to think of it. Remember what I said yesterday? Well I don't want to have a career just because of my name or who I know, but because I am good enough to the eyes of those who would accept me and my art"

"But don't you think it would be a lot of hard work for you?"

"Look, I know you may think that I am some spoiled little girl who trots around with her daddy's money and connection. Believe me I am not that girl. In case you don't know, I like hard work, and I have been doing that ever since I was little. There are so many things you don't know about me so don't you dare judge me!"

He was stunned with the sharpness of her words, "Bollocks! She's angry at me!" he thought, "I have to make this right,"

"I'm sorry Arya, I didn't mean it like that…"

"Yes you did."

"Will you let me explain?"

His voice raised a little, she didn't say anything and didn't even look, and so he just took that as his cue to continue,

"I guess, I am just a little jealous you know. Maybe a little angry and judgmental. I'm really sorry. It's just that I literally work so much just to get by. And you having all this opportunity and you still needed to think about it. I know I haven't seen any of your work, but I am sure they will like whatever you do. So I'm really sorry okay? Please don't be angry."

She looked at him, she wasn't saying anything, and they just locked their eyes with each other, when finally she sighed,

"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to snap, it's just that I don't like it when people think of me like I just have it easy. Because I never had it easy. Just please; don't treat me like I am some wealthy girl that you know. My father did not raise me like that. I hope you see that I don't look down on people just because they have nothing or they work too hard to be something. I am not like that. Do you believe me?"

Gendry was just staring at her, and then he nodded,

"Yes, I believe you I'm sorry again."

"It's fine"

Sansa finally came back, but he noticed something about her, it's like she cried or something, Arya stood up,

"Gen, I'll be back just excuse me I need to go to the ladies,"

She turned to her sister, held her hand and they both went to the rest room. As if on cue, his friends came over to the bar, then Lommy started talking,

"So Bull, who's the chick?"

"Don't call her that! She's my friend okay? We're just hanging out"

"I didn't say whatever you're doing. Where did you meet her?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Nothing. Just curious"

He rolled his eyes on his friend, and then Hot Pie continued,

"They don't look alike to be sisters. Are you sure that's not her girlfriend?"

"Oh my god! Will you shut up Hot Pie? That's her sister okay. So is Sandor coming?"

"Yeah he texted me, he's on his way."

"I think Sansa will be surprised to see him"

"Yeah about that, what's up with her, she looks like she was about to cry at the mention of his name."

"I don't know and I really don't want to ask. I think it involves Joffrey Baratheon"

"Why do you keep saying his name like that? Don't you watch the news anymore?"

"I can't believe you watch news. And what do you mean?"

"Well, apparently that little shit is not a Baratheon. It was all over the news man. His mum was divorced by Robert Baratheon with the help of Joffrey's uncle. Then it was revealed that the tosser is an actual son of his mum and his mum's twin! So he is now Joffrey Lannister not Baratheon."

"That's gross!"

"I know right? No wonder that fucker is so bloody odd at all things. Fucking incest child man!"

"Wow! That's some news! When did this happen?"

"While back man. You should really watch some telly sometime"

He just smiled at Hot Pie and went back to the customers.

Meanwhile in the ladies' room, Sansa is still quiet, while Arya is waiting patiently, for her to come clean with whatever it is.

"Arya, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to spoil your evening"

Arya held her sister's hand,

"Look Sans, I don't know what you've been through during the time I was in Braavos. I have no idea. But I want you to trust me enough that you can tell me everything. And if you're not ready to share that information, then I will try my best to wait. I just want you to know that I am here for you, I am not leaving. Except next week when I visit Winterfell"

"So you're coming back here after?"

"Yeah. I don't have anything there you know"

"If this is about mum, you have to forgive her"

"I don't know, I don't think I am ready yet. I don't know how she can explain everything to me. Mum is a sensitive matter for me. But trust me when I say I do love her. Maybe we just both misunderstood each other. I don't know Sans, but I will deal with it once I get there. What's important is for me to know what's up with Gendry. I like him you know."

"I know. I can see it"

"How?"

"Oh for god's sakes! I am not a total idiot. Its how you look at him, and I think he likes you too"

"What if he finds out about my plan tonight?"

"Is that your initial reason you're here?"

"No. I'm just trying to hit two birds in one stone"

"Then there goes your answer. If the time comes, then I am sure he will understand you"

"What about you?"

"Well, I don't know I want to see him little wolf"

"Sandor?"

"Yes Sandor. He's been good to me. He saved me from Joffrey. He's a monster you know."

"What did he do to you Sans?"

"I will tell you at home, not here. But trust me when I say this. He can't hurt me now. I just want to know why Sandor just disappeared like that. I need to know."

"Well, let's hope that he comes tonight, and then maybe you two can talk. Alright?"

"Alright"

"You ready to go back there?"

"Yes I think so. Do I look like I cried?"

"Not anymore. You look perfect"

The duo walked out of the restroom and went back to the bar, where Gendry is being bombarded by customers and some guys with Hot Pie. When they got there, Gendry smiled at them,

"Look who's back! So… these are the rest of them, that's Lommy, Thoros, Beric, Anguy, Lem, and of course you already Hot Pie"

The sisters just smiled at them, then Arya, feeling bold enough,

"Shots! Come on Sansa let's do this!"

"You're driving Arya,"

"I know. But I didn't say I am getting drunk. Come on, just one! Gendry! Tequila!"

Gendry smiled at her and placed to shot glasses and poured it with tequila,

"You ready Sans?"

"Yeah"

"On three! One, two, three!"

They both gulped the tequila and Sansa made a face when the alcohol hit her throat, and Arya, just giggled at her,

"Alright little whole, we've had enough. Gendry can we just have two long island and please make it a virgin. Thanks!"

"Right away"

Gendry mixed their drinks while Arya watched him intently, he was looking how his muscles show whenever he move, then she heard a whisper,

"Stop drooling Arry!"

"Shut up! I wasn't drooling!"

"No you weren't, but you're staring"

"Well what's not to stare? Look at him!"

They both stared at Gendry as he serves customers and continue to make their drinks,

"Yeah, I can see that. Alright, I need to freshen up,"

"Again? You won't be crying aren't you?"

"No silly of course not. Just getting ready, you know if he comes"

Then Gendry came up to her and served her drinks,

"Here's yours and your sister's. Oh where did she go?"

"To the ladies"

"Again? Does she have a weak bladder?"

"No stupid, she just needs to freshen up. Still busy?"

"I think I can take a break now"

He signaled to some guy and then he went out of the bar and sat next to her,

"This about Sandor?"

"Yeah I think so. I think my sister likes him. But then again, I don't know. Haven't seen her for 5 years"

"Wow! That's a long time"

"Yeah, I moved to Braavos to study. But mainly to escape"

"Oh."

She was waiting for him to say something else, but there was nothing,

"That's it 'Oh'? No snarky comments?"

"No. Why would I do that? If you want to tell me something, you would. But I don't think I needed to pry"

"I see. Well thanks. You seem very polite with your size" she chuckled

"And you seem to like to insult people who are bigger than you"

"Then I wouldn't get to insult anyone"

He laughed, "Oh his laugh!" she thought,

"So Gendry, how long have you been working here?"

"Five years now"

"Wow that's a long time! What time do you get off?"

"Around 3AM. Then I have work I still have work the next day"

"Do you ever sleep?"

"Sometimes"

She saw the tired smile on his face, "Is his life really that hard? Why does he do this to himself?" she thought, but before they can continue their conversation, a large shadow cast a upon them, even in the dark of the whole club,

"Hey man! Where have you been?"

"Yeah, I overslept. Who's this?"

But before Gendry could speak, she already put out her hand,

"I'm Arry"

He took her small hand and shook it,

"Sandor"

Then suddenly Sansa emerged from the restroom, walked over to them and stood beside Sandor,

"Sandor?"

"Li… Sansa! What are you doing here?"

"I came here with my sister,"

"Oh she's your sister, how do you two know each other?" he pointed out to her and Gendry,

"We met at a gallery"

Sansa, interrupted,

"Can we talk Sandor? Let's find a table,"

Arya gave Sansa her drink immediately and have her scope the room for an empty table, while Sandor orders a beer, when he got his drink, she watched Sandor follow her sister,

"Well that was awkward"

"I know. This is so weird. I don't even know that guy"

"He's good. Just really scary coz of how large he is. You should see his brother"

"And you're not aware that you're a giant too?"

Gendry laughed at her, and spoke again,

"So where were we, before we were rudely interrupted by my friend and your sister?"

She could not help but chuckle,

"Right so, you're wondering why I am working two jobs,"

"I didn't say that!"

"No. But it was written all over your face!"

She nudged him with her elbow, but not really to cause pain, and then she rolled her eyes,

"Fine! Why?"

"Well because, I have bills and debts to pay"

"I hope you don't mind, but debts? You're not a gambler are you?"

"No stupid I am not. I owed people money to pay my mother's hospital bills."

"Oh. She… erm… she alright?"

"I guess so. I'm glad she's not suffering anymore, she died five years ago."

"I'm sorry Gendry, I didn't…"

"No it's okay. I just don't talk about it a lot. I don't even know why I'm telling you this, but it seems easier you know"

"I guess so. Well, I'm here to listen. So erm, what about your dad? Didn't he help you with your mum?"

"No, I never met him. I asked me mum about it, but she never really gave me a concrete answer. I think she's trying to tell me that I was a result of a one-night stand."

He chuckled, but she heard the strain in his voice, and then for some reason, she took his hand and held it, and squeezed it lightly for reassurance,

"I know this may sound weird or even impossible to you, but I am sure everything will work out for you. You're a hard working guy. And if things don't work out here, then I'll take you to Braavos, so you can start over"

He smiled at her, and it was so warm in his face, they just looked at each other, and for some reason, she can see that he was looking at her lips, unconsciously, she was already leaning on him, when Sansa came to them,

"Hey, Arry. Erm, I won't be coming home with you"

She looked at her sister with surprise,

"What? Why?"

"Well, erm…" she turned to look at Gendry,

"Sorry if you have to hear this Gendry. Anyway, we're just going to try to catch up, get out of here, a place where we can hear each other talk"

She smirked at Sansa,

"Alright, sure. But text me if you need anything"

"Yeah I will. And don't drink anymore. You're driving"

"I won't mother, I promise"

"Alright, see you at home then"

Sansa kissed her on the cheek, and whispered, see you later, and then she walked out of The Forged followed by Sandor.

"Okay, I did not see that coming"

"Yeah me too"

"So when are you planning to show me your work?"

"When we both have free time?" he laughed

"Well, how about… I drive you home, and then you can show me"

"You do know that I will be working till 3, right?"

"Oh that's right, and you have work tomorrow, you need to sleep"

"That's right"

"Okay, are you working on Sunday?"

"No, it's my off, here and at the garage"

"Then you wouldn't mind if I invite you at home?"

"What? Why would you want to invite me to your home?"

"Because you're my friend, and please don't give me that crap about us being wealthy and shit. I don't care about that. But it would be nice to hang out. And it's not really my home. It's my dad's best friends house, but we're staying there, and he's okay with"

"I don't think, it's good Arry…"

"Come on! It would be fun! My dad makes the best barbeque! I will pick you up in the morning so I can see your sculptures, then we drive to the house. Come on please?"

"You're really pushing this aren't you?"

"Yes, I am"

"Why?"

"Because I want you to know that we are friends. I don't have any friends here to be honest. I've had friends in Winterfell, but I was forbidden… to mingle with some who are… you know not within our status. That's what my mum always say. But I don't like it. I want to be friends with people. All kinds of people you know. Please Gendry? We're friends aren't we?"

"You really know how to use your doe eyes on people!"

"Is it working?"

"Yes."

"So you'll come with me Sunday?"

"Yes. But tell me something. I feel like I have been sharing things to you, but you don't. It's like you're holding back something. I know we're not really close. But I feel comfortable to trust you enough with my own woes. So tell me about going to Braavos. Is it just really to study?"

"No, that's just a minor reason. But since you've shared so much to me, I want to share something to you that I haven't even told Sansa. Anyway, five years ago, I tried to run away from home, but Braavos saved me before I did something stupid. For so many years, my mum and I never got along, and I resent her for the way he treated Jon"

"Who's Jon?"

"He's my brother, well, my half-brother, but still my brother nonetheless. Jon's my favorite person aside from my dad in the family. Do you see how Sansa and I don't look alike even if we're sisters? That's because she got it from my mother's side, same with my other three brothers. Jon, dad, and I are the true Starks, by looks. Jon is like an older and male version of me. Anyway, my mum hated him, she treated him differently. It's not his fault he was born. She would call him bastard, and if we have guests, she would tell him not to show himself. I hated her. The last straw she did was to have him sent to military school. The only person who truly understood me got sent away, because my mum is a stuck up person. She would even compare me to Sansa, like how I should act and all. Then Braavos University offered me an Art Scholarship and I took it. She even hated me for that. My dad as always understood. He said to me that one day I will understand my mum. But I don't know. I know how Jon happened. Still it's not an excuse to treat him like that. That's her husband's son! Whenever I remember that day, I just feel so angry. I think she resents me too, because I am different. But my other siblings never treated me differently, except for Sansa back then"

Gendry didn't say anything, not just yet, he was just looking at her,

"I guess I can relate to your brother. I know I am a bastard Arry, let's not sugar coat it. But Jon's lucky. He got to spend his time with his dad. It was just me and me mum for the longest time."

Arya saw the glow in Gendry's eyes as he spoke about his mum, so she got even more curious,

"Tell me about your mum?"

"Well, you know she's my mum. She worked at a bar as a waitress, she has yellow hair, and she would sing to me every night before I sleep. She worked really hard. There were times that I kept asking her about my father, but it seems like she never knew anything about him, that's where I figured out that she had a one-night stand with my father. She didn't even tell me how he looks like, although, before she died, she told me I looked like my father. But I kinda figured it out, since I don't really look like her at all."

"What's your mum's name?"

"Anthea… Waters"

"Lovely name. Do you think… erm, do you think you could find your dad?"

"I don't know. I never really looked, or even tried. I don't really he knows I exist. I think I can manage on my own. Been doing that for the past 25 years"

He chuckled but Arya knows the sadness in his voice, so she just smiled, she wanted to add something more, but she doesn't him to question her intention,

"Right, anyway, I need to go back."

"Alright. I will be here; I think I'm going to watch your friends play"

"Okay, I will get back to you once the customer subsides"

Arya watch the Brotherhood without Banners play, in her opinion, they're actually good. Really good not to be recognized. An hour have passed, when Gendry got back to her,

"Hey sorry about that. Finally they have all their drinks."

"It's alright. They're really good you know. Your friends"

"Oh you think so?"

"Yeah. So are we good on Sunday?"

"Yeah, how could I say no?"

"Well you were about to say no, but I have my charms"

"Ah yes your charms. I never thought you really had it"

"Ha. Ha."

"Anyway, if I show you my work, you have to promise to show me yours as well," he said it with a smirk in his face

"Why does that sound so sexual?"

"What? No. I was talking about your work. What are you thinking?" still smirking,

"Shut up. I will show it to you, once my baggage gets delivered. I had it packed late. It should be here by next week."

"Next week then."

"Anyway, it's really late now. I think I better head home. Sansa did not text so I guess she's in good hands and she's a big girl now, she knows what she's doing"

"So I will see you Sunday then?"

"Yeah, but you have to text me your address, so I'll know where to pick you up"

"Pick me up, it sounds dirty Arya"

"You're a dick!"

"Yes, that I am"

They both laughed at this, Gendry signaled to another guy,

"So you ready to go?"

"Yeah I think so"

"Okay, I'll walk you to your car"

Arya smiled at him, and so they walked out of The Forge and straight to wear she parked her vehicle.

"So"

"So"

"I'll text you"

"Yeah okay"

"Goodnight Gendry!"

"Night Arya"

Feeling bold, she tip toed and gave him a small peck on the corner of his mouth, but just as she reached for the door handle, Gendry spun her around and crashed his mouth on hers. Stunned for a second, but she kissed him back. Arya felt Gendry's large hands on her back holding her tight like she would vanish any minute, she, on the other hand wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him hungry kisses. Finally, he pulled away, and then gave her small kisses on her mouth.

"Drive safely"

"Yeah thanks"

She got in, still stunned with what happened, she finally turned on the ignition and drove away. The night was not what she expected. Gendry is occupied her mind until she reached the Baratheon Mansion. She will sleep well tonight.