Notes: I am so sorry for how long it took me to come up with this...

Thank you so much for the kind comments.

This chapter is an explanation of sorts, I hope you enjoy it.

It hasn't been beta-read or anything, so let me know if there's something too wrong about it.

Chapter 10

"Greywind, you aren't supposed to be on the couch." Robb told the dog sternly.

The animal didn't even open his eyes to acknowledge his owner; he just remained with his head firmly on Sansa's lap as she petted him.

"I'm sorry." She giggled. "Should I stop petting him?"

Robb sighed. "I don't think he'd ever forgive me if I made him leave that spot." He spoke rather dramatically.

"No. Greywind is a good boy. He wouldn't hold a grudge. Would you?" She cooed at the dog.

"I know I would if I were on his position." Robb told her cheekily.

She gave him a flat look. "Robb Stark!"

Jon came from the kitchen chuckling. "Let me guess. He just said something remotely flirty to you."

"Not that remotely." She informed Jon.

"Did you talk to the others?" Robb asked Jon.

"Yes. Alys and Jeyne say they'll wait and see if the rain lets up a bit. Theon said 'fuck no'."

Sansa snorted.

She couldn't believe she'd actually become friends with all these people. 17-year-old Sansa would be appalled by the low profile and down-to-earth companions, but this Sansa was happy.

One month after the night at the pub and she felt comfortable in their presences. She was a regular fixture on their group and she didn't feel uneasy around Jon and Robb.

Even if she still scolded Robb for flirting too much.

They were supposed to have pizza and movies at the boys' place that night, but the rain that had been falling softly when she arrived had picked up strength and turned into a downpour. And now the others were saying they might be late or not even come at all…

Sansa wasn't sure how she felt about that.

"Now we have a lot of pizzas for us." Jon mused.

"You're staying, right, Sansa?" Robb asked. "You don't have to go."

Sansa bit her lower lip. Robb was way too perceptive sometimes. He'd obviously noticed her inner debate.

She cleared her throat. "Sure."

Jon opened his mouth, then closed it, then repeated the whole process two times. "I want to say you can stay here and you'll be fine, but I have a feeling this isn't the right thing to say." He looked bothered by the idea.

Sansa gave him a weak smile. "It's okay." She assured him.

Robb pushed Greywind off the sofa so he could sit by Sansa. The dog whined, but went to lay down next to Ghost, who'd been by her feet the whole time. Robb left some space between them, and Sansa was grateful for that.

"Is it something we did?" He asked, honestly concerned. "Because if it's the flirting…"

"It's not." Sansa cut him. "And it's nothing you did. I was a mess even before I came here."

"You aren't a mess." Jon spoke, sitting on her other side.

"You can tell us. If you want." Robb pressed gently. "Maybe you'll feel better if you say something. Maybe we can help you if we understand."

It was sweet of him to think so. Therefore, Sansa decided to explain to them, make them understand how pointless it was.

"My first boyfriend used to slap me around." She informed them both, her voice detached. "Our fathers were very good friends that worked together. I was 15 and impressionable and he looked perfect to me. He was perfect for a while. The first time he slapped me, it was because I laughed at some joke made at his expanse. I thought I deserved it."

"Sansa…" Robb started, but she raised her hand, asking for him to wait.

"I don't remember why the second time happened, or the others after that, but when I finally decided to tell my mother she said I probably deserved it, and that I had to treat him well, so he wouldn't do it again."

She wasn't looking at any of them at this point, her eyes fixed on the coffee table. She didn't want to see their expressions, whatever they were.

"I dated him for two years. I became a ghost, did everything he wanted and he still found ways and reasons to be cruel to me."

As if they could sense her mood, both dogs sat up, and put their heads on her lap. Sansa touched them, getting strength from the touch.

"I'd love to say I left him, but he left me. He found someone better." She sighed. "He actually overdosed on his own wedding, if you can believe it. Joffrey sure knew how to throw a party."

"So…" Jon cleared his throat. "Joffrey?"

"And he was just the first one." She scoffed. "When I started college I dated another boy, Harry. My mother practically threw me at him, because he was from a good family of the Vale. He was different from Joffrey in some aspects, but not that many. At least he never slapped me."

"This shouldn't be considered a point in his favor, Sansa." Jon spoke before he could stop himself. "It should go without saying."

"At the time it didn't." She shrugged. "Harry was charming and funny, and I loved the attention. He loved to show me off, tell everybody I was his girlfriend. I felt cherished, at first, but eventually, I realized I was just a trophy."

She sighed. "Harry made me feel like I was going mad. He accused me of being controlling and manipulative all the time. One of my friends even confirmed it when I asked her; she said I was suffocating him."

"I don't think you're that type of person." Robb put in gently.

Sansa snorted. "It turns out she was sleeping with him the whole time, so I guess that explains that…"

"Fuck, Sansa." Robb groaned. "That sucks."

"Oh, hold your horses, Stark. It's not even the end." Sansa informed him, her laughter sounding a bit maniac. "A month after that, my father had a heart attack and died. I wasn't even there when it happened. Two months after that, my mother remarried; and he took over the family, and he…" She pressed her lips together.

"Sansa." Jon touched her shoulder gently. "You can tell us if you want to, but you don't have to."

"I need to." She told him, even though her eyes were on the dogs. "You'll understand better that way." She took a deep breath. "Petyr was a 'friend of the family', and he'd always been the definition of 'creepy uncle'."

"Did he touch you?" Jon growled.

"Not when I was a child." Sansa admitted. "But he was always telling me how mature I was for my age; he made me feel adult and smart, you know? He only started putting his hands on me when I turned 14. Too long hugs, lingering kisses or touches… That was when I realized something was wrong. But it was so rare for us to actually see him, that I never said anything."

"But he married your mother." Robb voice was dangerously flat.

"Yes."

"Did he…"

"If you're asking if he actually did anything…" Sansa cut Jon. "He didn't. He tried to kiss me once, but my mother saw it."

"What did she do?" Robb wanted to know.

"Accused me of trying to seduce him and almost kicked me out of the house."

"Your mother is a piece of work." Robb growled.

"You have no idea."

"Is that why you came to Winterfell?" Jon asked. "To get away from him?"

"Yes." She admitted. "By that time, I've already taken time off from University, but I knew I wouldn't be going back to King's Landing. Then he offered me his private apartment, so I'd be 'more comfortable' if I stayed in the Vale. The next day I called Winterfell to see if I could transfer."

"Do you want us to beat him up for you?" Robb offered, very seriously.

She arched a brow. "Petyr?"

"Any of them, really." He shrugged.

"I don't need you to be my knight in shining armor, Stark." She snorted. "I'd rather fight my own battles."

"We know you can do that…" Jon spoke softly. "But…" He cleared his throat. "We want to be your friends; and that means we want to fight your battles too."

Sansa sighed one more time. "But do you understand why it's hard for me to trust people? Can you understand why sometimes I get uncomfortable?"

They both nodded, their faces somber.

"I'm sorry." Robb finally said. "Now I feel like I've been pushing you too hard."

She rubbed Ghost and Greywind behind their ears. "I needed to be pushed a bit." She spoke softly. "Alys was right; I was living some kind of self-imposed penance. I like having people to talk to. I even kinda like you two."

"Careful with those words, Lady Arryn." Robb teased, much more gently than he normally would. "My heart can't take that kind of feeling."

She rolled her eyes at his drama. "Don't make me regret saying it."

Robb became immediately serious. "We don't want you to ever regret meeting us."

"If you ever feel uncomfortable, if you feel like you need to leave…" Jon took hold of one of her hands. "Just tell us. We won't lock you in."

"Or out." Robb put in.

In those moments, Sansa wished she could hate them both for being so good. How could they possibly exist in the same world where people like Joffrey and Petyr did? It didn't seem right or fair.

But then again… When had life ever been fair to anyone?

Notes: Next chapter, Sansa goes to a (perhaps) surprising person for advice.

Bad news, guys… My life is about to be turned upside down. I quit my job, but I still have to stick around for a month to help until they find a replacement. However, I still have to start working on the new place, so for a month I will have two jobs. That means I am so fucked right now. So… It's very unlikely I will manage to write anything for the next month… But life is life. I hope you guys don't give up on me!

Let me know your feelings here.

Cheers!