For Tormund, it was a lovely surprise to find out Brienne is a cuddler.
Their relationship is still flourishing, and Brienne does not feel quite ready yet to tell the world, and most of all, Lady Sansa Stark, they are a couple. As long as Tormund gets to spend as much time as possible with her, he is perfectly fine with it. He had done the most difficult part already, which was stealing her in a way he was not used to; an official announcement could wait.
He suspects, however, that she is starting to give away their secret without knowing she is.
It first happened one night when Tormund's watch was almost ending. He was supposed to wake Brienne up for her turn, but she had been quicker.
"It's not your turn yet, woman," he smiled when he saw her standing next to him. "You should go back to your tent."
"I know," she replied with a grumpy face. "I just can't sleep anymore. Too cold for my taste. I might as well wait for my turn here."
Tormund shrugged. "Then be my guest. Would you-" before he could complete his invitation, Brienne was sitting down on the log he was occupying, and he could not help but chuckle.
After a few silent moments, while looking into the distance, Tormund caught himself thinking how nice it would be if he could wrap his arm around Brienne, but knowing how she would about public displays of affection at this early stage of their relationship, he decided against it. However, before he knew it, he felt the weight of her head on his shoulder.
"Brienne?" he called quietly after searching her face. Yes, she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Tormund smiled, and this time he was incapable of stopping himself from involving her in an embrace and kissing her yellow hair he loved so much.
Tormund felt knackered the next morning, but he could not care less. It had felt really good to have Brienne sleep in his arms, in a way.
On another occasion, they were coming back from another night of hard riding, along with some men of Winterfell. Tormund, still not used to riding a horse, was feeling especially tired and ready for some sleep, when he felt an impact on his arm. He looked to the side, and there was Brienne's head falling to his direction. He delicately tried to straighten her body, but without success. Soon her head once again had found her place on his shoulder.
Just when Tormund was feeling thankful he and Brienne were at the end of the line and thinking no one had seen what transpired between them, a man decided to casually look over his shoulder and could not hide his shock. Tormund's reaction was to only shrug, pretending to be as stunned and confused as he was. The man of Winterfell raised his eyebrow, but eventually turned his head.
The Free Folk man let Brienne sleep until they approached the Great Castle. He had decided not to tell a word to her about that.
Tormund is now in his bed, laughing at that morning's events when a few knocks on his door interrupts his thoughts. He reluctantly leaves his furs, opens his door and is amazed to see the Lady of Tarth outside his chambers.
"Lass," he gasps. For some reason he was not expecting to see her there. Not yet, anyway.
"May I come in?" she asks hesitantly.
"Of course." Tormund promptly steps away from the door. He observes her close the door behind her, wondering what she could want at this hour of night. Still hesitantly, Brienne slowly comes closer to him and stops, her hands twisting together nervously.
He breaks the silence between them, "So? Anything wrong?"
She cleans her throat, looks everywhere before then begins. "I, I can't sleep."
That again. What's her plan? Tormund raises one eyebrow, "You can't sleep? Why not?"
Brienne sighs, a little annoyed. "Well, my chambers are cold, I don't want to go out and get more logs for my hearth and," she pauses, and Tormund notices she is blushing. "The truth is, turns out I can't sleep if you're not around."
"Oh," he tries hard not to laugh, choosing to express a mock shock with a hand on his cheek. "You're saying you want to sleep with me, my lady?"
"Ugh, yes, but only sleep, if you wouldn't mind," she answers through gritted teeth, the annoyance in her voice growing.
Tormund giggles, but indicates to her the way to his bed. They then proceed to lay down and make themselves comfortable under the soon-to-be-their furs, and once again Brienne manages to astonish him by placing her head over his chest, wrapping one arm around his abdomen and thrusting one leg between his.
"This still stays between us, or I'll shave this red beard you're so proud of off, alright, Tormund?" Brienne suddenly threatens without raising her head.
This time Tormund's laughter is louder. "As my lady wishes."
And who would have thought such a respected knight like Brienne of Tarth could be a massive cuddler? And the best part is, only Tormund knows that.