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And realised he needs to mark his territory

So after having another attack of Sansan feels, I was compelled to blog about them again, and it occurred to me that these two are ALWAYS touching one another. In fact, in nearly every single Sansa chapter, from the beginning to the end of their interactions, they are making bodily contact. Here’s the proof for your shipping pleasure:

AGOT: 

1. Their first encounter:

Strong hands grasped her by the shoulders, and for a moment Sansa thought it was her father, but when she turned, it was the burned face of Sandor Clegane looking down at her, his mouth twisted in a terrible mockery of a smile. “You are shaking, girl,” he said, his voice rasping. “Do I frighten you so much?”

2. After the Hand’s tourney, when he is escorting her back to her room:

Sandor Clegane put a huge hand under her chin and forced her face up. He squatted in front of her, and moved the torch close… His fingers held her jaw as hard an iron trap. His eyes watched hers. Drunken eyes, sullen with anger. She had to look…

The silence went on and on, so long that she began to grow afraid once more, but she was afraid for him now, not for herself. She found his massive shoulder with her hand. “He was no true knight,” she whispered to him…

The Hound caught her by the arm and leaned close. “The things I told you tonight,” he said, his voice sounding even rougher than usual…

3. In the aftermath of her father’s death when Joffrey comes to her:

Sandor Clegane scooped her up around the waist and lifted her off the featherbed as she struggled feebly. Her blanket fell to the floor. Underneath she had only a thin bedgown to cover her nakedness. “Do as you’re bid, child,” Clegane said. “Dress.” He pushed her toward her wardrobe, almost gently. 

“Here, girl.” Sandor Clegane knelt before her, between her and Joffrey. With a delicacy surprising in such a big man, he dabbed at the blood welling from her broken lip. 

ACOK:

4. Returning from the godswood:

She was racing headlong down the serpentine steps when a man lurched out of a hidden doorway. Sansa caromed into him and lost her balance. Iron fingers caught her by the wrist before she could fall, and a deep voice rasped at her… 

The Hound gave her a push, oddly gentle, and followed her down the steps. By the time they had reached the bottom, he had lapsed back into a brooding silence, as if he had forgotten she was there. 

“That one there is nothing to fear, girl. The Hound laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. “Paint stripes on a toad, he does not become a tiger.” 

“A hound will die for you, but never lie to you. And he’ll look you straight in the face.” He cupped her under her jaw, raising her chin, his fingers pinching her painfully. “And that’s more than little birds can do, isn’t it? I never got my song.” 

5. After the riot:

Sandor Clegane cantered briskly through the gates astride Sansa’s chestnut courser. The girl was seated behind, both arms tight around the Hound’s chest.

6. On the eve of the Blackwater battle, atop Maegor’s Holdfast:

A stab went through her, so sharp that Sansa sobbed and clutched at her belly. She might have fallen, but a shadow moved suddenly and strong fingers grabbed at her arm and steadied her. 

7. Night of the battle; Sansa’s room:

“I could keep you safe,” he rasped. “They’re all afraid of me. No one would hurt you again, or I’d kill them. He yanked her closer, and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. He was too strong to fight. 

Some instinct made her hand and cup his cheek with her fingers. The room was too dark for her to see him, but she could feel the stickiness of the blood and a wetness that was not blood. 

My brief, completely unnecessary analysis: 

It’s especially interesting when you compare it to Sansa’s other relationships (note, not ship-shaming, just comparing). With Tyrion they have one passionless kiss to seal the marriage, and then afterwards nothing (IIRC! I may have missed a touch or two since it’s not a ship I focus on). And with Littlefinger, the main impression you get of his touches/kisses is how incredibly uncomfortable Sansa is made by them. Whereas with Sandor, though Sansa doesn’t like it when he grabs her firmly/painfully (not to mention the whole weirdness of the Blackwater scene), later she still thinks of him fondly (for lack of a better word) or even erotically re her dreams/false memories.

Can we take a moment and appreciate the fact that Sandor sort of holds Sansa’s hand? He also kind of stumbles his words like some green boy when Tyrion questions him.