𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘧𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙

where theon is all GUILT-RIDDEN ATONEMENT and a twisting knife of regret, the youngest stark is all bared teeth and spitfire; a snarling pup with its haunches raised, ready to fight. the blade twists deeper in his gut, and the former ward finds it difficult to maintain the young lordling's gaze. he had found him. here, in skagos — 𝚂𝙰𝙵𝙴 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙷𝙸𝙼, 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚂? ... maybe so. theon can feel the boy's rage as his gaze pierces him, reminding him of the atrocities he had committed against what was, by all rights, his family.

what had he done? what had he been thinking?

" ric — my lord, please — " it's as though he's approaching a feral beast. arms extended, palms facing outwards as blade is dropped to the ground. he could strike him where he stood, and theon would allow it. maybe it would be his penance? he deserved it, after all.

the boy flinches and recoils at the use of " my lord ", as if repulsed by it. he hasn't been anyones lord in a long time, let alone lord of the man before him. in any case, osha had long since taught the nobility out of rickon— not that it was a hard feat to accomplish in the first place. he was young and feral before the wildling had come into his life, and he would be young and feral after her, too.

burying fingers into the dark fur of shaggydog's hide, he reigns in both their fears with just a simple touch; providing a physical bond of comfort. if this was anyone else, shaggydog would have attacked without hesitation— if this was anyone else, their bones would be left on the shore for the birds to pick apart. but shaggydog recognized this man, as broken as he may be, and he hesitated.

for despite every ounce of rickon that says to attack the man before him, to kill him as he killed those the young child had once cared about, he recognizes something in theon. a childhood memory. hands under his arms, hoisting him near as high as bran could climb it seemed, proudly bolstered on theon's shoulders once like a king. when did it all go so wrong? when did hands that promised safety, turn into hands that promised harm?

a collection of quotes, phrases, and sayings for when your muse needs a little TLC. change & alter as needed.

THE HURT:

“Nah, it’s not that bad. I’ve had worse.”

“I don’t think I can walk that far… or at all.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”

“Will you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?”

“I’m sorry, I’m just—I’m just really tired.”

“I don’t need a break. I’m okay.”

“It was my fault. It was all my fault.”

“I think I need help.”

“So, I don’t think I’m dying, or anything, and it’s probably not that serious, but… I’m kinda bleeding. A lot.”

“Is the room spinning right now, or is that just me?”

“No, I’m okay, I just… I hit my head. Really hard. I’ll be okay, just give me a second.”

“I’m not sick! I’m fine!”

“No, I don’t think any of my bones are broken, or anything like that. Just bad bruises.”

“Yeah, but you should see the other guy.”

“I’m fine. This just happens sometimes. It’s normal for me.”

“I’ve got a headache.”

“Seriously, though, I’m fine! Stop making such a big deal out of it!”

“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I don’t need your help, and I definitely don’t need your pity. Fuck off.”

“Please tell me I don’t look as bad as I feel.”

“I think I’m running a fever.”

“So, what’s the prognosis, Doc? Am I gonna live?”

“Stop fussing over me! I’m not a baby!”

“Can I stay with you tonight? I just… really don’t want to be alone right now.”

“No, I-I’m okay. It was just a nightmare. Go back to sleep.”

“I… can’t actually remember the last time I had something to eat.”

“You shouldn’t be here. You’ll get sick, too.”

THE COMFORT:

“Honey, have you been crying? What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I think you’d better take a break.”

“It’s not your fault, sweetheart. You did everything you could.”

“You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m right here for you if you’ll just let me in.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Don’t ever let yourself believe that there is.”

“You really don’t realize just how many people love you, do you?”

“If you’re not going to take care of yourself, at least let me do it for you!”

“I’m sorry. I know it hurts.”

“You’re not alone, baby. You never have been.”

“Let’s get you some food.”

“You’re dead on your feet, poor thing. Come on, you need some sleep.”

“Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you.”

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“How many times have I told you to be more careful?!”

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m right here, okay? I’m not gonna leave you. I’m never gonna leave you.”

“Oh, honey, you’re safe now. I promise. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Go ahead and take a shower. I’ll fix you something to eat.”

“What happened to you, baby?”

“I’ll kill that bastard. I’ll kill him for what he did to you.”

“You look like shit, man.”

“Whoa, whoa, take it easy! You got pretty banged up back there, and you don’t want to go making yourself worse.”

“I’m not trying to baby you. It’s called taking care of my friends.”

❝ it’s wanting that gets so many folks in trouble. ❞ ❝ it ain’t no secret i didn’t get these scars falling over in church. ❞ ❝ if you win power, remember why you wanted it. ❞ ❝ you do a man wrong, he’ll shoot you for it. you do a man right…well, he still may shoot you for it. ❞ ❝ trust me. there’s things you’re better off not knowing. ❞ ❝ you remind me a lot of myself. how i used to be. stubborn and angry. ❞ ❝ i hope you will give me some warning if you get the sudden urge to kill me. ❞ ❝ my side wasn’t chosen. my side was given. ❞ ❝ a little sore, but apart from a couple extra scars, it will be as nothing happened. ❞ ❝ i don’t think you’re a bad person. a little stupid perhaps, but not rotten. ❞ ❝ i certainly don’t mind you asking, if you don’t mind me not telling. ❞ ❝ you are being deliberately obscure as a substitute for having a personality. ❞ ❝ so do tell me, have you needlessly risked your life since we last spoke? ❞ ❝ i came into this world fighting. and i’ll go out of it fighting. ❞ ❝ i hear you speak and suddenly i'm reminded of how the people i respected most in my life had a problem with authority. ❞ ❝ you're looking much better. considering you were almost buzzard food a couple days ago. ❞ ❝ power is like a drink. the more you have, the more you want. ❞ ❝ people don’t forget. nothing gets forgiven. ❞ ❝ sometimes in the service of what is right, you got to do terrible things. ❞ ❝ you have quite a story. i really am a little jealous. ❞ ❝ old friends make the worst enemies. ❞ ❝ i had everything, and gave it up in the pursuit of nothing. ❞ ❝ hah. you were always bad at lying. ❞ ❝ i’m not going to stand by and watch good people suffer. ❞ ❝ some trees flourish, others die. some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. ain't nothing fair. you know that. ❞ ❝ if you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. ❞ ❝ now, if you don't mind, i'd hate to spoil such a beautiful afternoon on such beautiful land with any further unpleasantries. ❞ ❝ i, too, have a family, friend. and so that we may see our families again i suggest we part ways amicably. ❞ ❝ sometimes i tell myself that everything happens for a reason. ❞ ❝ i see the good in everybody. it’s a flaw of mine. ❞ ❝ well, try not to get yourself killed. ❞ ❝ see if you can keep your gun holstered for once. ❞ ❝ i don’t pay much attention to rumors. ❞ ❝ i swear, if it was down to me, i’d never have gone anywhere. ❞ ❝ lock all the doors. whatever happens, don’t come outside. you hear me? whatever happens. ❞ ❝ what would you care? i’m just a nuisance to you anyway. ❞ ❝ i’ve been hearing some things about you. ❞ ❝ i would rather be dead than a cynic like you. ❞ ❝ damn, a little gratitude wouldn’t kill you. ❞ ❝ trust me, i ain’t no hero. ❞ ❝ as it turns out, it's you or me. the way i see it, might as well be you. ❞ ❝ you live in a dream world. it ain’t like they tell it in books. ❞ ❝ i’m asking you to do what i say, before you get yourself killed. ❞ ❝ those who sit on the fence make a choice…in their own way. ❞ ❝ i’d do anything for you, you know that. ❞ ❝ better watch your mouth, my friend. i've cut out a man's tongue for less. ❞ ❝ there's nothing worse than a nobody thinking he's a somebody. ❞ ❝ you got it all wrong. i’ve always loved you, even now. ❞ ❝ what the hell were you thinking, going off on your own? ❞ ❝ first impressions are hard to erase. ❞ ❝ it’s a long story. too long to tell without a drink in my hand. ❞ ❝ i’m not angry. i’m disappointed. ❞ ❝ you know me. i’ll be late to my own funeral. ❞ ❝ that tone of voice ain’t so becoming on you. makes you seem all pent up and angry. ❞ ❝ you think i don’t know who you are. ❞ ❝ why don’t i get a warm and tender embrace? ❞ ❝ what do you want me to say? yippee? ❞ ❝ there’s always a choice. you’re just too blind to see. ❞ ❝ you’re not ready for that yet. one step at a time. ❞ ❝ every time you go off, i worry you’re not coming back. ❞ ❝ it didn’t have to be this way. ❞ ❝ come on now. try to look on the bright side. ❞

 ‍ she didn't think he'd made it. it is an admittance of cruelty, or at least callousness, perhaps. but he was a boy; soft and wide - eyed, naive to the shadows coming to claim him and his ( at least, so he had been the last time she'd laid eyes on him ). sansa had not prayed for his wellbeing. the gods would not protect him from ramsay bolton. ―― and yet, here he stands, against all odds. rickon had always been wild, a bit more than just a touch of the wolf blood in him. but he is hardly even a boy here, years and stature aside; his eyes reflect the fear of a cornered, untamed animal, his auburn hair ruffled like the fur of his wolf and his cheeks scuffed with grime. their captors had not been kind to him.

 ‍ sansa's heart, swelled close to bursting, jolts with a sharp pain as her littlest brother scrambles away from her. he scarcely recognizes her. her breath is sharp, but her eyes do not leave the wolfling as she throws out a hand to ward their gathering further away. ❝ leave us, ❞ give him space to breathe. even jon, who she knows aches for their brother as well.

baring the wounds of his captivity, the child's eyes flicker as fast as the lick of flames towards each face as they quietly and quickly disperse upon the woman's command; narrowing his gaze particularly upon one that lingered longer than the rest, just as familiar as the girl he stood beside.

𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎, 𝚊 𝚠𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖.

the boy attempts to shake the memory and the ache forming behind his eyes with a toss of his head. it is by the time rickon has stopped, holding now his wounded temple, that the aforementioned man had gone— however, he had not left an empty space behind. for beside the girl now stood something tall and gallant; 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚠𝚗, a wolf the same as the one left on skagos' shore.

SHAGGYDOG ! the name is howled through his pounding skull, adding weight to the injury he bares. he'd be lucky if he was left with only a scar, and not a more serious detriment. as it were, he cared little of the pain now coursing through his head and more of the words pouring past the woman's lips.

𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎 ? this isn't home, this is a graveyard!

rickon snaps his eyes from the direwolf and drags it painfully back to the girl he refuses to acknowledge as sister, 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑— they were dead. all of them. they'd all left him one by one, and now they return? he snarls again, but this time in a mix of pain and anger.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ " no! this is not home, home is far away! "