From the Ashes (ASOIAF) (Sandor Clegane x OC)

Chapter 41: Tyrion

      The wheelhouse creaked and wobbled slightly around the turn. Tyrion looked up from his reading to make sure Tess hadn't been jostled too much. The wheelhouse had technically been provided originally for King Bran, but he preferred to ride on horseback with the custom saddle Tyrion had designed for him. Tyrion was all to happy to be riding here in comfort but Tess didn't not share his opinion. She'd been very put out when Sam had informed her that he didn't advise her being on horseback for any length of time in her current condition. They were after all, trying to keep that baby inside her until she returned to King's landing in three weeks. Tyrion pulled the fur blanket he had tighter around his shoulders. As far as the wheelhouses his sister had commissioned when she was Queen, this one was rather plain. Just one cabin with two bench seats facing each other and open on both sides, save thick curtains that could be pulled if the rider wished. Not the most lavish or comfortable of the ways to travel that had been available to them, but certainly the most efficient as far as speed was concerned. The curtains were pulled back at the moment, giving Tyrion and Tess an easy view of their traveling companions riding on both sides and to the front and back of them. 

"Are you even listening to this book? Or should I read it silently?" He teased, looking at Tess's far off and vacant expression.

"I'm listening." She said, "You're at the part where Aegon the second tricks his sister into coming to Dragonstone." 

     Tess's hand was absentmindedly rubbing her large swollen stomach as she spoke and she was looking out the carriage window. As she did, he saw her eyes fix on something and a mischievous smirk play on her lips. Tyrion had no doubts about who it was directed at. 

"You know....considering you've shared a bed for almost a year now. Quite successfully as is evidenced." He motioned toward her stomach and she smiled again, "you'd think at some point you'd begin to stop looking at each other like you want to tear each others clothes off every second of the day."

"What can I say my friend." Said Tess, "When it's perfection....you never tire of it." 

"You know I have to admit....it does surprise me a little." Tyrion said, "meaning no offense of course, but in my experience being a great lover, usually means being more of a giver than a taker. That's not exactly something I would classify Sandor as." Tess laughed and shook her head. 

"That amuses you?" He questioned.

"It does." She said, "because I think if you really stop to think it through you'll see how completely untrue that statement is, and actually always has been." Tyrion cocked his head and waited for her to continue.

"He spent the majority of his life as a sworn shield. That's literally the entirety of his purpose being about taking care of someone else. His entire job was to put Joffery's needs and wants above his own." She said. 

She had him there, Tyrion thought.

"And he did a good job didn't? Even when Joffery was being a miserable spoiled little shit. He always made his protection and best interests a priority. He was always by his side." She said. 

"Until he wasn't." Tyrion pointed out, "he walked away and left him to die at the battle of the black water."