Sansa was grateful to be in the car packed with her siblings. This felt normal, this felt safe. This is what she has been yearning for. She had texted Joffrey everything she was doing that morning so he wouldn't freak out and so he couldn't claim she didn't tell him anything. She even took screenshots of their conversations and stored them in their own folder in case she had to prove something.
Yes, she was still with him. Yes, she had been with him in that way. But now it was more willingly. She learned the less resistance and less timidness was better. Submission was better. Was she happy? When he was in a good mood she was happy. Did she think about leaving? Yes. But she tried to break up with him a day or two after...it...happened. he threaten to tell everyone that she was a whore and had begged him for it. He threaten to tell her parents.
She couldn't leave him easily so she tried to be with him effortlessly. But it took so much effort. So many fights about paranoia and so many times he threaten to hurt her. So many times he had hurt her. Sansa felt trapped and she couldn't tell anyone.
They played a game on the car ride up. Every yellow car her siblings saw they would punch each other. A game she used to love to participate in. It took everything in her not to scream at Rickon when he punched her hard in the arm where she was still bruised. She played it off as she wasn't paying attention and it took her off guard. Bran eyeing her suspiciously through the rearview mirror didn't go unnoticed by her. Or Arya.
Home. They were finally home. She had been wanting to be here for what felt like years but was only a month in reality. She could have kissed the ground she was so happy to be here.
She helped her father unload the bags. She packed better this time and she was grateful for it once she felt how cold it was in Winterfell. But she loved the way the land looked blanketed in sparkling white snow. The trees looked almost magical as did the hills off in the distance. Their house was decorated in white Christmas lights and garlands and red bows.
"Take off those shopping wet shoes!" She heard her mother yell as they came through the door. Arya and Rickon were already mucking up the obviously cleaned and polished fifty times over hardwood floors. "I brought you two into this world and so help me by the Seven I will take you out of it."
Sansa and her dad smiled at each other, stifling their laughter so Catelyn didn't hear them.
"Brandon Stark! You stop laughing!" Catelyn yelled again.
"I'm going to get the wildlings under control, can you put away their bags?" Ned asked her. She nodded and began taking off her boots.
Robb and Jon had showed up a couple hours after them and it felt like it was officially holiday break. They were all spread around the fire place in the living room watching movies and such. It felt nice to be lazy and home.
"Looks like Theon is coming over earlier than planned." Robb said aloud looking at his phone.
"How come? I thought he was spending Christmas morning with his family." Catelyn asked worried. As much as she would hide it, she cared for Theon as if he was her own. After his mother had a mental break down and killed herself, she felt bad that he was left with his father.
"Says he got into a fight with his brothers." Robb responded. "I knew that would happen."
Sansa didn't say anything, but she did feel a little excited that she would be seeing him before Christmas. She tried to deny herself the happiness he brought her in the forms of randoms texts and snapchats but it was useless. He was the only person who could make her laugh these days. Which was a weird thought for her. They practically grew up together and though he was close enough to feel like a brother, he didn't.
"Sansa dear, aren't you hot in that long sleeve shirt?" Her mother questioned her.
Sansa shook her head. "No, I feel pretty comfortable."
It was a lie. She did feel warm but she couldn't expose her arms. Some of her bruises she was able to cover with cover up if she needed to, but these ones were too new and too purple. So she hid herself in a light blue long sleeve shirt and wore some black leggings which she decided best so her pant legs didn't ride up.
They were in the middle of dinner when they heard the front door open and the dogs scatter over to the sound.
"Have no fear, I have arrived. Let the party begin." Theon announced with a cocky smile as he came around the corner.
Sansa smiled until she noticed the black eye he was sporting.
"Theon, what happened?" Catelyn asked alarmed.
"A family disagreement." He responded smartly.
"Cat, leave it be." Ned said to her, placing his hand over hers. "Do you remember how many black eyes my brothers and I gave each other? Or Jon and Robb? Or Arya and Rickon?"
Everyone laughed at her father categorizing Arya as a son.
"Come sit Theon, there is an empty spot across from Sansa." Catelyn instructed him.
Theon waltzed over to the empty seat and began filling the empty plate with the chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables that were laid out. Catelyn Stark always served up amazing dinners amidst her busy schedule.
Everyone was conversing loudly with one another. Arya and Jon were debating something while Robb laughed at them. Rickon was playing with his food. Bran began refereeing his siblings while Catelyn and Ned discussed work stuff and who else would be stopping by on Christmas.
"How's it going Sansa?" Theon asked as he ate his potatoes.
"Ah, it's going. Just glad finals are over. What about you? I bet you're glad your semester is done."
"Yeah, only like a few more years left." He joked with a grin that made her smile.
"You seeing anybody? I heard it's cuffing season." She half teased.
He shook his head. "Hasn't really been on my mind. I've been busy with work and school."
She nodded. Part of her was glad to hear he wasn't seeing anyone.
"You still with Jeffrey?" He asked with a cocked brow.
"Joffrey." She corrected with a laugh. "And yes, I am."
"He treat you good?" He asked sincerely, his eyes focused on hers making her feel somewhat nervous.
"Y-yeah. He does." She knew she didn't sound convincing.
"Good, I'm glad." He smiled curtly as he continued to finish his food.
After dinner, Sansa and Arya helped their mother clean up before heading into the living room to watch scary movies with the boys. Ned and Catelyn called it a night since tomorrow was Christmas Eve and they had some stuff to grab in town for Christmas day.
When Sansa walked into the living she noticed the only seat available was on the end next to Theon. Of course, she thought. She sat down, pulling the throw blanket down with her so she could hide behind it when she got too scared. Everyone voted for The Conjuring and Sansa just knew it would scare her.
As the movie started, she already felt creeped out and sitting on the end of the couch with nothing but open space to her left was nerve racking. Without thinking she scooted closer to Theon, who eyed her amused.
"Scared already princess?" He teased quietly.
"Shut up." She snapped. He just smiled that lopsided smile.
As the movie continued on Sansa could feel herself feeling paranoid about a jump scare, it was building up. Of course, it happened. Just when the mom is on the stairs and hands clapped. She nearly jumped into Theon's lap, it went unnoticed by her family because Robb and Jon jumped and Rickon screamed which earned an amused laugh from Arya.
Theon tried his best not to laugh and wrapped an arm around a scared Sansa who was buried in his side with a blanket in front of her face.
"You can look now." He whispered. Just as she did though, another spirit appeared out of nowhere atop of the girl's wardrobe in the movie.
Sansa buried her face into Theon's chest refusing to look until it sounded safe. She could feel Theon chuckling slowly. She could also feel how warm he felt under his plaid flannel shirt. She could hear the way his heart beat, strong and fast. He was somewhat muscular, his chest didn't feel super hard. And he smelt amazing. She couldn't really smell the cigarettes anymore but she felt intoxicated by his cologne.
Theon rubbed her arm gently to make her feel better, but what he didn't realize was that he rubbed right over her big purple bruise. He ignored the way she tensed up and flinched. Later, he decided. Later he would ask her about that. Theon wasn't always the smartest guy but he did pay attention to stuff. Like how Sansa who normally wore tank tops and t-shirts to lounge around in was suddenly wearing a long sleeve. How she had dark circles under eyes. How she seemed okay at first glance, but if you continued to watch her you could see something was keeping her on guard. Later. Until then, every time she felt scared during the movie he did his best to gently comfort her. To make her feel safe.
"Should we wake them?" Rickon asked. The movie had ended and when they all decided to head up to bed, they noticed Theon and Sansa fast asleep already.
"Nah, let them sleep. She didn't sleep the whole car ride and she mentioned not sleeping well last night." Bran reasoned.
"Plus, this picture will embarrass the hell out of them." Arya replied gleefully as she took multiple pictures of a sleeping Theon with a sleeping Sansa curled up to him. "He's even got his arm around her!"
"Guys enough." Jon demanded using his best big brother voice.
"They're not like that anyways." Robb interjected.
"Still makes for good blackmail." Arya shrugged as she took two more pictures for good measure.
"Let them sleep. If they wake up, they wake up." Robb said as he began walking up the stairs.
The rest of the Stark children left the living room to go to sleep. Leaving only the artificial candles as the only light source besides the Christmas tree. Jon did make sure to cover Sansa up a little more so she wouldn't be cold before heading up to his room.
Theon awoke, his eyes adjusting to the dimly lit living room. He felt the weight of something on him, or someone. He looked down and what he saw warmed his heart more than liked to admit as his lips formed a small smile.
Sansa was fast asleep with her head resting right over heart and for moment he was scared he'd wake her with how fast and hard his heart was beating. Her arm was wrapped around his middle holding onto to him while her leg was draped over his. The only way Theon knew it wasn't a dream was the fact that his eye still hurt where his brother had punched him.
He didn't want to wake her, but he thought she would be more comfortable in her bed than on the couch with him. Before he woke her, he ran his hand over her hair. Taking in the last of the moment before he woke her.
"Sansa?" He spoke softly as tapped her back. "Sansa, wake up."
She stirred and let out a groan as she opened her eyes.
"Theon?" Her sleepy voice asked as she began to sit up. After she realized that she had been sleeping on him, he could see her cheeks flush red even in the darkness. Theon just smiled amused. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I fell asleep. On you."
He laughed slightly. "It's alright, I fell asleep too. It looks like everyone else left us and went to bed."
They were sitting so close still and Theon could smell the scent of roses coming from her.
"I figured I'd wake you so you could sleep on something better than the couch."
Sansa tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yeah, good idea. But uhm, I think I'm going to get a snack first. "
She stood quickly and walked towards the kitchen, the whole way over feeling like her heart was going to explode. She had fallen asleep on Theon and not just like casually. She had her arm wrapped around him, her head was resting on his damn chest, her leg was on him. She felt embarrassed beyond any level she had ever felt before.
Sansa opened the freezer door and pulled out the pint of lemon cake ice cream her mother had bought specifically for her. She sat at the corner or the kitchen island with her spoon and ice cream. Trying to forget how award she felt.
Meanwhile, Theon stood from the couch with his hands in his pockets trying to debate his next move. Does he just say goodnight and go to bed? Does he go and talk to her? He didn't want to say goodnight quite yet.
Theon joined Sansa at the kitchen island. It didn't go undetected by him the way she tried to avoid eye contact with him. He found it cute and took it as a sign that maybe she was feeling that there was something between. Small as it might be, it was still there.
"Are you okay?" Theon asked as he folded his arms over his chest.
Sansa raised an eye at him. "What do you mean?"
Theon took a deep breath before specifying. "I mean in general. Are you okay? Is everything okay?"
"Why do you ask?" She questioned with a defensive tone.
"I ask because you seem different." He explained, treading as careful as he could. "Sansa you look like you don't sleep anymore, you look like you're losing weight, and I can't pretend I didn't notice the way you flinched and tensed when I touched your arm."
Sansa stared down at her ice cream that she was digging at with her spoon not knowing how to respond. She wasn't a good liar and Theon knew that.
"What's on your arm Sansa?" He pressed, his voice soft.
"I don't want to talk about it." She stated in a monotone voice.
"You can tell me." He assured, taking her hand in his.
It was too much for her. The aches in her body and in her mind, the anxiety she has had burning inside of her, whatever was going on between her and Theon, this conversation.
It was too much.
"There's nothing to tell Theon. Just leave me alone." She snapped, standing from the stool and storming of the kitchen and up the stairs to her bedroom where she locked the door and leaned against it.
She pushed herself off the door and walked over to her dresser to grab out shorts and tank top. She felt so hot all of a sudden in her clothes. Her door was locked so no one could barge in on her in the morning. As she took off her long warm layers clothes she caught a glimpse of herself in her mirror. What she saw brought tears to her eyes.
Bruises of all colors were displayed on her body. Her arms were she had been punched and held down. The big purple one vibrant in the mirror. She bruises on her ribs from when he blew up and started throwing punches at her. There were bruises from where he held her down, to make her still. There was a healing large brown bruise on the inside of her thigh from his boney hips being thruster against him.
Sansa pulled her long layers back on. She didn't want to see anymore of what her body had to show her. Not until she showered in the morning. She plopped down on her bed and laid there in silence staring up at the ceiling. The only lights in were the fairy lights she had hung and then moonlight that came in from her window. Her tears were drying and she was drifting off to sleep.
"Kids! Breakfast!" She heard her father's booming voice throughout their large house.
Stretching out her limbs, Sansa rose from her bed. She felt even more tired today than days prior. As she walked towards the door something on the ground just before her door daughter her attention. She bent down picked up what looked like to be a folded piece of paper.
Sansa,
I'm sorry about last night. Let me make it up to you? You always said you wanted to go look at all of those houses with Christmas lights.
Theon
Sansa felt herself smile. She felt bad about storming off last night and was going to apologize after breakfast.
"Kids come on!" Her father called out again.
She open her door and descended the wooden stairs. The scent of French toast bacon wafted through the house and Sansa suddenly felt like she could eat twenty pieces of of French toast.
"Morning dear, go ahead and serve yourself. Coffee is brewing now as well." Her mother informed as she strided over to the dining room table with her plate where most of her family already was.
Sansa was filling her plate when Theon entered the kitchen. Their eyes met but they didn't say anything. After grabbing her cup of coffee she joined her family at the table.
"So what's everyone doing today?" Ned asked from the head of the table.
"I was going to drive over to...a friend's house." Jon said carefully. "We have plans to go see a movie later."
"Just say her name." Arya rolled her eyes. "Bran and Rickon and I were going to go play hockey with the Reeds later. If that's alright."
"I don't see why not." Ned responded taking a drink from his mug. "Your mother and I have some stuff to tend to today."
"Margaery was going to be flying in tonight from Highgarden tonight. Her family is celebrating Christmas today." Robb said, Sansa smiled. Having her best friend under the same roof as her would be nice.
"What about you Sansa dear?" Catelyn asked as she cut up her French toast.
"Theon isn't doing anything tonight so I suckered him into taking me to go see Christmas lights." She said simply as she took a bite of her French toast.
Theon looked up from his seat next to Robb. His eyes meeting hers. She gave him a small smile that he returned. Arya, who next to her was grinning. This Sansa did not see.