A Holiday by Decree

~~ Day 9 ~~

The afternoon wound on lazily, and Sansa and Tyrion took their drinks at ease. The sky was blue, and passing clouds provided cover against sunburn. The sun had begun its descent, when Sansa waded over by Tyrion, who had floated onto his back during a break in their conversation.

"How… do you do that?" she slowly asked.

Turning his head from where he had been looking up at the clouds, Tyrion righted himself to hear her better. "Floating?" he asked. "It seems to depend on body composition and air intake, but you likely can do it. Do you want to try?"

As Sansa nodded, Tyrion noticed the cute flush of her cheeks. The Queen of the North's eyes seemed to linger on him, as he explained the motion to use to float onto one's back. Tyrion's heart thrummed all the more, and he had to swallow to stay focused on his words through the heat and the alcohol that had him feeling flushed as well.

This woman will be the death of me, he thought dazedly, as Sansa thankfully looked away.

A bit clumsily, she gave a little bounce and tried to tip herself over onto her back, though her legs sank instantly.

"It's a bit tricky - you have to relax your limbs a bit more once you're floating, but also not too relaxed," he offered, though he wasn't entirely sure she could hear with her head tipped back in the water. Some of her long hair floated prettily around her head, like a gleaming copper halo.

Sansa floundered a bit more, until he noticed a point at which her arms and legs almost seemed right. Encouraged that she was close to getting it, Tyrion put out his hands underwater to support her.

His resulting touch to Sansa's upper and lower back was therefore innocent and involuntary - something he might have done with Tommen or Myrcella. However, as he had done it without really thinking, the deep gasp it elicited from Sansa instantly terrified him all the more - even before she flailed wildly, sinking fully beneath the water.

Tyrion felt himself nearly choke in shock, and he had to wick the water from his eyes, having not closed them fast enough against Sansa's sudden splashing. "Sansa!" he cried, wasting no time diving underwater.

The water was fortunately shallow. Despite their height difference, Tyrion found himself strong enough to easily push Sansa's upper body back above water. Upon emerging, Sansa's eyes were screwed shut and she began to hack.

Water had surely entered her nose or mouth. Still steadying her, Tyrion was relieved when unassisted she wretched up a mouthful of water, likely cleared from her airway. Shaking, Sansa breathed heavily, and he steered her gently toward the pool steps. Looking around, Tyrion spotted a young male servant passing by on the upper terrace.

Trying to sound far calmer than he felt for Sansa's sake, Tyrion shouted up, "Oi! Send for Jesa, Lady Sansa's maid, and perhaps a doctor too!"

:::

Note: *Author puts hands up ready to block well-aimed produce*

I'm sorrrryyy, it's another angst sighting! Have faith ~ I promise our sweet couple will get through this!

As a peace offering, I am hoping to make this a three-chapter week, as I will be away from my computer the following week ~ :-)