Picture to Burn // Sandor Clegane (2)

35. Hearing Angels

'what did you do!' arya yelled.

'get your horse saddled.' Sandor said pulling the money from the man on the ground.

'you told me you weren't a thief!' arya yelled at him. ' he took us in and he fed us.'

'yes he took us in and fed us. His daughter makes a nice stew but they will both be dead come winter.' Sandor told her.

'you don't know that!' arya yelled at him.

'I do know it.' Sandor told her. 'hes weak. He cant protect himself. They will both be dead come winter... hes a dead man, dead men don't need silver.' Sandor explained.

'youre the worst shit in the seven kingdoms!' arya yelled. Sandor turned to face her.

'plenty worse than me I just see the world the way it is. How many starks are they gonna behead before you figure it out.'

"I dont know what Avalon saw in you!"

"Honestly," sandor murmured "neither do I"

+

'joffery, cersei, walder frey, meryn trant, tywin Lannister, the red woman, beric Dondarrion, thoros of myr, llyn payne, the mountain-'

'would you shut up?" sandor questioned.

'I have to say their names.' Arya told them.

'the names of every fucking person in westeros?'

'only the names of the ones I'm going to kill' arya corrected.

'hates a good a thing as any to keep a person going. Better than most.' Sandor told her. 'we come across my brother maybe we can both cross a name off our list.'

'if he were here right now what would you do?' arya questioned.

'I would tell him to shut the fuck up so could get some sleep... go on get it over with. Your list of doomed men'

'I'm almost done. Only one name left.'

'go on.' Sandor grumbled

The last name arya spoke each night was the first name she had put on her list actually. The second name but the first man she ever wanted dead. Arya got comfortable, laying down her back to him.

'the hound.' She spoke her words crisp and clear.

Sandor wasn't tired anymore, he lay staring at the sky. This little cunt. After everything he was trying to do for her... he was on her fucking list.

+

Avalon had traveled almost everywhere it seemed so she was good at getting places. Getting places fast and hearing Arya and Sandor screaming from a mile off was a great motivator that she was getting closer.

"Shut up!"

"One of these days Im going to stick needle through your fucking neck!"

"Try! Go on you little cunt!"

Avalon couldnt help but laugh.

"I hate you!"

"Hate me all you want that doesnt change a damn thing!"

"Goodness its like your only setting is screaming." Avalon remarked and she heard their footsteps stop.

"You hear that?" Sandor asked

"I think we are dead and hearing angels." Arya countered

"Im not going to heaven." Sandor countered

"Look at you two getting along." Avalon said jumping down from her horse.

"Avalon?" Sandor questioned not believing his eyes. "Avalon!"

"Sandor!" She lunged at him he held her close breathing her in the smell of oils and paints a familiar smell. The familar feel of her on him. She held tight to him legs wrapped around his hips arms around his neck his beard scratchy on her face.

"Hey gorgeous what are you doing here?" Sandor whispered still not letting go of her.

"Tyrion is on trial and everyone was distracted. I was never meant to stay at the capital long. I told them i was headed to harrenhal to finish the mural they didnt question it. But i heard them say you were spotted in the riverlands so i aimed for riverlands thought you might be with arya-hi Arya-"

"Avalon!"

"-might be going to the veil and here we are!" Avalon declared pulling back just slightly so she could see his face. "Sandor I missed you." Avalon whispered her legs wrapped tightly around him as he held his hands under her ass keeping her up as her lips met his.

Sandor didn't have the name yet for the way Avalon stared at him. The pulses of her light fogged his vision, colors still dancing across his eyes. Avalon was a kaleidoscope of colors. but he knew he never wanted to go another day without those eyes staring at him.

He didn't think he could stop kissing her. He refused to let her go, afraid he was dreaming. That he would let her go and his eyes would open this would have been just a magical and heartbreaking dream. Cruel reality would hit and Sandor would be alone. 

"I missed you." Avalon rasped between hungry kisses. Her legs wrapped tighter around him as his lips consumed her. 

"Are you really here?" Sandor whispered as she traced her hands over his face and into his hair. "I missed your kisses." Sandor remarked feeling her hands move over his face and neck. 

"Kissing with my hands." Avalon remarked resting her forehead against his. 

"I missed you. Tell me this is real. Tell me I aint dreaming baby. I can't be dreaming." He whispered kissing her again and again, savoring her every touch.