A Holiday by Decree
~~Day 12~~
"Sansa, please come to me," Tyrion said again, as she found the strength to lift her eyes to him.
Even the icy pessimism she had developed as a defense over so much time was no match for the soft smile and warmth she immediately found in Tyrion's eyes. Still feeling shaky from her fears though, she carefully made her way through the water toward him.
As Sansa went, she tried to ignore the way the water lapped her exposed skin and fought the urge to hide behind the thick fall of her hair. She had positioned the loose locks over her shoulder in a way she hoped seemed enticing despite an overwhelming awareness that she did not really know what she was doing.
If he could accept her, would he still think her too childish? She felt silly second guessing herself, but she had had so few positive experiences in intimacy with men, that it was hard to imagine things going right. She shivered, as she took a deep breath and put her hands in Tyrion's waiting warm, open ones.
Tenderly, Tyrion looked down on their joined hands. The pads of his thumbs were unbelievably warm, stroking her wrists gently, as though they were two fragile birds.
When he looked back up into her gaze, his eyes glistened: "Sansa - I know it is no small thing what you have shown me now - for so many reasons. Please forgive some extra emotion on my part as a man who loves you, but more than anything, know that what I see is the body of a woman who has been strong beyond so many people's ignorant estimations of her. I am undeniably humbled to be the one to whom you have chosen to reveal yourself - particularly, as you could surely have your pick."
"D-do you mean that?" Sansa asked, barely able to speak.
Tyrion's face wrinkled. "Wha- Sansa, of course! Honestly, I still don't know why you have chosen me, but I will always be grateful-" he stammered, squeezing her hands with feeling.
"No, not that -" she whispered. They were so close to each other now, anything louder was unnecessary. "You said that… you 'love' me?"
Tyrion's breath caught. "Though I have wanted to say so repeatedly I… have been waiting to say the words. If it's too much - please forget - " he flushed.
"No, because I have wanted to tell you that I love you too, Tyrion," Sansa interjected, lightness overtaking her heart.
I love you.
Tyrion loves me!
Sansa had not known how much she had wanted to hear those words. After all, who was the last person she had exchanged them with where it really meant something?
She did not have time to dwell on it though, as Tyrion said with feeling, "Oh, Sansa," and wrapped her in his arms. In his embrace, with her hands to his warm chest and their faces cradled perfectly against each other's necks, Sansa had never felt so safe, so loved - so right.