Chapter 1.
Sansa Stark was having a bad dream. Very bad.
In her dream she was back in the Winterfell, back in the castle where she grew up. But the castle was different now, full of menace and shadows. She was running through the corridors, trying to find her loved ones, but there was nothing. Only darkness behind every door she opened, only emptiness in the shadowy rooms.
She was crying now, calling their names desperately.
Mother. Father. Robb. Bran. Rickon. Arya.
Even in her dream she knew somehow that they were gone now and she would never get them back.
She cried aloud, still asleep.
Tyrion Lannister heard her.
He was standing in the corridor outside Sansa's bedroom, confused. He didn't know what to do next. He knew that Sansa needed her own space, her bedroom was the only place in this hostile environment where she was able to be herself occasionally. She certainly didn't want any Lannister to step inside unannounced, Tyrion knew that instinctively too.
He was her husband, yes, but he hadn't even tried to enter her bedroom since their wedding night three weeks earlier.
It was still difficult to think about that wedding. The awkwardness. The gleeful expression on king Joffrey's face when he looked at the bride and the groom. The pity in people's eyes when they glanced at Sansa - to marry the Imp, what a terrible fate - Tyrion was almost able to hear their collective thoughts.
The worst part was the moment alone in Sansa's bedroom, after the ceremony and an endless banquet. One look at Sansa's face had been enough for Tyrion.
She can't stand me. She hates this, she hates to be my bride. She definitely doesn't want me to touch her, he had realized. So he had bowed to her and left her alone in her chambers.
"My lady… I'll see you later. Sleep well", he had said to her politely just before he left. Tyrion Lannister had many faults, but taking young, noble virgins by force was not one of them.
The worst thing was to see the relief in Sansa's eyes.
"My lord… Good night", she had whispered and curtseyed, clearly delighted to see him go.
They had avoided each other ever since.
So - Sansa's bedroom was a restricted area. But Tyrion also knew that Sansa was scared and alone now - he could hear it. She needed someone to calm her down, someone to hold her. And Tyrion was the only one she had left. Despite his strange appearance Tyrion Lannister was a kind-hearted man. He couldn't let his wife to face her nightmares and the horrors of the night alone. She was too young and too frail for that. She had suffered enough.
So Tyrion made a decision. He inhaled, opened the door and stepped in the bedroom.
Silvery moonlight flooded into the room through the window. Sansa was lying on the bed, auburn hair all over her face and pillow, braid frayed. Her skin was sweaty and her face was pale. She was wearing a thin, white nightgown only. She moaned in her sleep.
Tyrion went closer, sat down on the edge of her bed and touched her arm lightly.
"Shh, Sansa, it's alright, it's just a dream..", he whispered, but words died on his lips somehow. Sansa's real life here in the Red Keep was kinda worse than any nightmare imaginable.
Most of her family had died, the rest of it was missing. Sansa had lost her home, her loved ones - and she was now tied to Tyrion with the unbreakable bond of a marriage. Tied to a man who was older and much more experienced than her, but only half her height. Tyrion knew very well that half of the kingdom laughed at his young wife and the rest of the good people of Westeros felt sorry for her. He was the reason for that, and his family was the reason why Sansa's family was torn apart and their proud, ancient name was discredited.
Tyrion touched her shoulder and called her name again.
Sansa didn't hear him in her sleep. She was breathing unevenly now.
"Oh, no! Robb!" she started to scream.
Tyrion had no choice. He wrapped his arms around Sansa's fragile body and hugged her.
"Sansa! It's a dream! Wake - up!" he said firmly.
Many things happened at the same time. Sansa started to struggle against him, still asleep. Tyrion grabbed her wrists, trying to hold her in place. Suddenly the drawstring in the neckline of Sansa's nightgown snapped. The front of the garment opened.
And then, finally - Sansa woke up.
At first she didn't recognize the man who sat on her bed. She cringed in fear.
"It's alright, it's me, Tyrion!" Tyrion said quickly and put his hands soothingly on Sansa's shoulders.
It was at that moment when he realized that she was almost naked now. Her skin glowed in the dark and felt silky smooth and warm under his fingers.
And then Tyrion saw her breasts. The nightgown was completely open now so they were fully exposed - and they were round and perky, the most beautiful breasts that Tyrion had ever seen actually.
And he had seen a lot of them over the years.
Tyrion stared at Sansa without a word. Somehow he was unable to look aside.
Sansa calmed down little by little. Soon she glanced at Tyrion shyly and realized suddenly what he was looking at. She blushed and covered her breasts with her hands.
"My lord, please… don't", she whispered voice trembling.
Tyrion forced himself to look the other way.
"I'm so sorry, My lady. I just tried to help you", he mumbled, loosened his grip and moved a little further.
Sansa tried to organize her clothes again, too confused to look at Tyrion anymore.
He stood up.
"I hope that your dreams get better after this, My lady… Sansa", Tyrion said politely.
"I hope so too… Tyrion", Sansa said and gave him a thin smile. But to tell you the truth she was still scared. The eerie atmosphere of her dream still lingered in her mind.
Fortunately Tyrion Lannister was a perceptive man. He smiled at her and pointed at the armchair in the corner.
"I'm not very tired yet actually. I can sit here for a moment if you want me to", he suggested.
Sansa smiled. This time it was a real smile.
"Oh, could you? Thank you, Tyrion. Good night", she said softly.
And just like that Sansa went to lie down again and pulled the blanket on top of her. Soon she was breathing evenly and Tyrion realized that she was already asleep again.
He sat in the corner for a long time, realizing something else too.
She is my wife and I want her. A lot actually.
Too bad she can't stand me.