Sansa breathed a sigh of relief once she passed Sandor's queue, immediately being let in. She winced when she heard the groans of annoyance and disapproval but it wasn't her fault that she technically worked there.
The music became louder in her ears with every step she took. As soon as she hit the dancefloor, the memories of the past few days left her mind and she felt herself start to dance. Her eyes closed and she swayed her hips to the heavy pop song that was playing.
But somehow, Cersei's 'wise words of wisdom' seeped into her mind.
"Love no one but your children..."
She frowned, her brows furrowing yet, she continued to dance. The music taking over every part of her body.
After Cersei dropped her off, Sansa had taken some painkillers and now she was sure that they were making her a little bit free, the pain no longer prominent and sending impulses to her brain.
Once the music stopped, she felt a tap on her shoulder making her jump.
"Sorry!" Loras laughed, just as the next track started. "Didn't mean to scare you. I was watching," he was now shouting over the music. "From the VIP section! You're a great dancer!"
Sansa blushed, letting out a nervous laugh as her grip on her handbag tightened.
"Thank you," she said.
"Follow me!" He told her.
They made their way through the dancing clubbers on the dancefloor to get to the VIP section, Gregor immediately letting them in. They were quickly served at the bar and they turned on their stools to look at the rest of the club where people we mingling, drinking or dancing. Sometimes even all three.
"You look amazing by the way," Loras said, leaning into her side. "I've never been out with a woman with such a great sense of fashion. I'm used to Geri's floral outfits. She's obsessed with the pattern."
"Oh, really? I'm guessing her wedding dress will have some floral patterns on it."
Loras chuckled. "It sure will. Thank God that you made it. Stannis and Robert were here earlier to list what they want for Renly's stag do next week. No offence, but they're kind of old so I told them I was going to make it my mission to make Renly's stag great."
"Well, I hope you guys have fun."
"How do you know Renly? I know you're close to the family but what do you know about him?"
Sansa shrugged. "Not much. I know that when I was little, he gave us kids piggyback rides. He's eight years older than me so that would make you...?"
"Twenty-nine," Loras chuckled. "There are other ways to get a guy's age and number."
"Who said I wanted your number?" Sansa smirked, sipping her lime and water. "We've only met a couple of times."
Loras shook his head with a smile. "I see the lust in your eyes, Sansa. You're that readable from the first moment we met at my grandmother's café back in Braavos. But you're keeping your distance. Probably because you think I'm gay but how can you be so sure?" He leant even closer to her, his mouth close to her ear. "Why would you want to help out someone who is technically still a stranger?"
"Well, are you? Gay, I mean."
He shook his head. "I've had girlfriends... I've had boyfriends... I'm what people call 'greedy'. It's not my fault if I'm attracted to people so easily."
"Being bisexual doesn't make you greedy. It just gives you more of a selection. My late brother's former best friend's sister is bisexual. I don't know much about her but last time I checked her Instagram page, she was married."
"Ah, so you don't mind?"
"Not at all." Sansa smiled. "How about your number? I'll even see if I'll text or call you within the day."
Loras raised an eyebrow, smiling as he slipped his phone out of his pocket and gave it to her.
"How about your number?" He asked her.
"If you'd listen a couple of seconds before, I asked first."
"You want the upper hand? Have it. I'll give you my number."
After he had recalled his number to her, she saved it quickly and placed her phone back into her handbag.
"And here's my queue to leave-"
"A guy hanging? Come on. Show me around London, a little. Let's get out of here."
Sansa took a deep breath in, turning to see that she had caught Ygritte's eye. Turning back to Loras, she nodded.
"I know just the place."
...
Jon shook his head in disbelief as he reread the letter over and over again.
He had just managed to get his mind straight to treat many patients and was soon sent on his way home.
In the early hours of the morning, he sat on the sofa and reread the letter.
"Any chance of a cuppa?"
Jon quickly shushed Theon, making the latter raise his hands up in defence and head to the kitchen.
"Arya and Bran are asleep."
"No Sansa?"
"She's staying over at a mate's. Anyway, this is impossible," Jon began, smacking the letter lightly. "I'm not a Stark. Well, a full one anyway."
Theon rolled his eyes. "You are a Stark as it is your father's name. If that's a problem, your dad's old mate, Roose, can sort that out for you."
"My family will never ever have ties with the Boltons." Jon hissed.
Theon's eyes widened when he realised what he'd said. "Shit. I forgot. Is Sansa-"
"She doesn't need reminding and neither do we."
"Well, I've got some news if you'd like. About Ramsay."
Jon glared at Theon. "And why would I want to know?"
"To put Sansa's mind at peace. I don't know. Anyway, he died. He was mauled to death by his own dogs. He'd been mistreating the poor animals and RSPCA had to put them down and everything."
"Now," Jon sighed. "He'll never get sent down for what he did to her. She still gets nightmares, you know? We all pretend not to hear it because Arya gets them and so does Bran. We're all messed up in some way."
"I'm sorry, mate. I know that I wasn't a good friend to Robb nor you before everything happened but that's why I wanted to give this to you personally. I want to build bridges. I even called up my dad for the first time in a long time. And my sister. I was in a bad place back then... Anyway, how about I make us a couple of cuppas, yeah?"
Jon silently nodded, returning his attention back to the letter. It couldn't be...
This letter meant that he'd have to not only change his surname, making him even more distant from his mother but he'd have to leave his job as being Lord of Winterfell Manor meant staying at the manor and overseeing its existence.
That was why he was elated to leave when he went to boarding school after being expelled from private school. It meant being free from the manor's clutches. He had never felt like it was home. It almost drove him insane doing the same mundane things which Catelyn made him do. He had many arguments over his adolescent years with her but in a way, it made him stronger and resilient.
"Can't Sansa take over as Lady of Winterfell Manor?" He suddenly asked.
Maybe, this would be great for her. She wouldn't be able to do what she had intended to do with older men and her modelling career...Well, she'd live a life of luxury and comfort whatever she did.
Theon shook his head. "If you reject this offer, Winterfell Manor would be held until Bran is of age. By age, I mean when he's twenty-one."
"Are you sure you can't find our uncles? Brandon... We're pretty sure he's dead anyway but Uncle Benjen, he's probably still alive. I mean, he travels all around the world a hundred times over. Last we heard, he was in Cambodia on a charity trip."
"That could be a lead. When was this?" Theon asked, getting his phone out after placing two teas on the coffee table.
"Uh, after the funerals. He wanted to let us know that he was sorry he couldn't make it but he was heartbroken to hear what had happened."
Theon nodded. "And if he rejects this, it may whirl back to square one. You. And you changing your name to legitimately be a Stark."
"If Catelyn was alive, she'd never let this happen..." Jon mumbled, stroking Ghost's head as the husky jumped up onto the sofa beside him.
He always knew when people needed comfort or company.
"Until we can confirm Brandon's death, think about it."
Jon nodded. "You know I will but you also know that my answer would be the same. I didn't get out of the place after when I was a teenager only to be dragged back as an adult."
"Come on. It wasn't all bad. Remember when you, Robb and I would learn archery from your dad back in the woods behind the manor? We'd always convince Rickon and Bran to join in but it was Arya who would always hide their bows and quivers."
Jon smiled softly, scratching under Ghost's neck as he reminded himself of the good times at the manor. Theon was right for once.
Ghost let out a little whine and jumped off the sofa, heading to Bran's room.
Curiously, Jon followed the dog and opened the door once Ghost began to scratch it.
As they entered, Jon spotted Bran wide awake doing his math work.
"Brandon Sonny Stark, why aren't you sleeping?" Jon asked, his arms crossed
Bran looked up, narrowing his eyes at the sound of his distasteful middle name being called.
"I want to..." He paused as Ghost jumped onto the bed to lay on Bran's legs. "I had... nightmare."
Jon sighed softly, taking a seat by Bran's side as he brought the young teenager for a tight hug.
"Do you want to tell me what it was about?"
Bran nodded against his chest. "You were... all gone. I was... alone. Jojen and... M-Meera... gone too."
Jon kissed Bran's forehead and rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. He felt bad as if he'd let Bran down. It had been a long time since Bran had seen his best friends. He was sure that Bran missed them a lot.
They hadn't seen each other since the funeral where their father had insisted that the Reeds pay their respects to the Starks after being longtime friends for centuries through their grandparents and great-grandparents and so on. Catelyn and Howland were also partners at their law firm, Stark & Reed which was never renamed.
"How about I call Mr Reed and ask if Jojen and Meera can come over the week to see you?"
Bran looked up at his brother, his eyes full of hope and excitement.
"Please," he said.
"Of course," Jon smiled. "Anything for my baby brother."
...
Sansa yawned as she dug into her bag, looking for Dany's spare house keys. She was sure that she'd put them in the zipped area...
Bingo!
Just as she was about to insert the key into the hole, she heard loud arguing coming from Daenerys' home.
What on Earth...?
Sansa put her ear against the door and strained to listen to what was being said which was muffled but slightly clear.
"You need to leave, Viserys. I can't take you doing this to yourself anymore. You need to get help and you need to get it fast otherwise Uncle Egg and I will completely abandon you."
"Come on, sis! Come on, Dan-Dan! You'd never leave me."
Sansa heard Dany scoff. "I'm done looking after you every time you're going through withdrawal. What's the bloody point when you'd go for even harder stuff next time? You're not serious about your life so if you want to die, go ahead. Leave me-"
There was a gasp.
"I-I didn't mean to! You made me do it! You made me punch you!" Viserys yelled.
"Get. Out." Dany gritted out. "And never dare come back."
Sansa heard footsteps heading towards the door and she quickly backed against the wall beside it just as it was forcefully opened and a scrawny man exited, stomping his feet as he walked towards the lift, not looking back.
He had the same colour hair as Dany and from a quick glance, she saw bright blue eyes that were sharper than Dany's.
How had he not noticed her? Maybe he was as out of it as she heard.
After she was sure that he was gone, Sansa entered the flat.
"Shit!" Dany cursed when she turned around to find her there. "I'm guessing you heard all of that-"
"You're bleeding."
Dany smiled. "I'm a doctor, I can clean up a little cut."
She pressed an antiseptic wipe against the bottom of her eye, heading over to the fridge-freezer to get some frozen peas for what was an incoming black eye.
"Do you need any-"
"Go to bed, Sansa. I'm fine. Honestly, I'm going to bed straight after. I literally got home from work when he came. He wasn't even here long. He never is unless he's going through withdrawal... why am I even telling you this?"
Sansa chuckled. "We're women. We're easy to talk to. Unlike men."
"Hmm, yes," Dany agreed, chuckling herself. "Hey, when we both wake up, I'll tell you a story about me and... well, my brother."
"Sounds like a plan. Good night."
Dany raised an eyebrow. "Or good morning, Miss Stark. You'll be telling me who you spent the night with."
Sansa blushed but didn't say anything as she headed to the guest bedroom, a small smile playing on her lips as she checked her phone.
From Loras Tyrell:
You lost the upper hand x You texted me within ten minutes after seeing each other.
Sansa bit her lip, sitting down on the bed as she thought of a text.
To Loras Tyrell:
Who says I lost? I just saw something I wanted and went for it x Now, how about a good night from the one who still holds the upper hand?
From Loras Tyrell:
Haha. You're probably not going to text me back after this but I bid you good morning, Sansa. I hope you sleep well x
He was so sweet and caring. Sansa was sure she'd mentioned this to herself so many times but it had been ages since she'd had a boyfriend. Joffrey was a nightmare, Ramsay was hell and well, after being fed up with men after those two terrible relationships, Loras was a warm welcome.
I'd make you mine because without you, Loras Tyrell, I'm bound to be insane in love... Sansa smiled to herself.