Got One-Shots Book 2

A Little Gentleness (Tyrion Lannister x fem!reader)

You smiled at Tyrion. You couldn't understand why people didn't like him. True, he was sarcastic and often times insulting, but all in all, he was a great man. He was witty and charming when he wanted to be and so intelligent. You came to the conclusion that most people chose not to enjoy his company because he was a dwarf and that didn't sit right with you.

Considering the hundreds of other men you could have been betrothed to, you counted yourself lucky that you were betrothed to Tyrion. The two of you actually got along and you grew to care for him. A lot. In fact, you could almost say that you loved him. Not that he would ever believe it.

Tyrion, though he boasted otherwise, had very low self-esteem. He didn't believe that anyone could love a dwarf. Not really. You had tried to reassure him that you were happy to be betrothed to him despite the fact that it was arranged. Of course, he thought you were simply playing along with whatever Joffrey wanted so you wouldn't lose your head. That is, until one night during supper.

Once more, Tyrion was the butt of many jokes. You hated it. You ate in silence unless young Myrcella asked you questions, as she usually did. When you finished, you excused yourself and got up. As you passed by Tyrion, you gave his hand a slight, loving squeeze. Then, you left the room. Tyrion had frozen with a soft gasp as soon as your hand made contact with his. It was as if you hadn't noticed you'd done it. He had, and so had everyone else around the rather large table.

As soon as he could, Tyrion got up from the table and went after you. At that time, he figured you were in your chambers. His legs carried him there and he knocked quickly. "Come in," your soft voice called out. Tyrion opened the door and saw you sitting at your vanity as your handmaiden brushed your hair. You smiled at him. He was taken aback. How had he never noticed how tender your smile was when you looked at him?

You waved your handmaiden off and turned in your seat. "Lord Tyrion. What brings you here?" Tyrion poured himself a goblet of wine. "What you did at supper." Your brows drew together. "What did I do?" Tyrion relayed what you had done with grabbing his hand. You laughed lightly. You hadn't realized you'd done it. It was a natural thing for you. "Does it bother you?" you asked.

For a moment, Tyrion didn't answer. Did it? Or was it a welcome gesture, albeit unexpected? He glanced up at you and found you looking at him expectantly. "No," he finally said. You reached over and took his small hand in yours. "Wonderful. You deserve all the gentle tenderness in the world, my lord and I am the woman lucky enough to be able to give it to you as your wife-to-be."

"Lucky?" You grinned and nodded. "Of course. Tyrion," you started, once more surprising him. You only ever address him by his title. "You are everything I could ever have asked for in a husband. You are intelligent and charming. You are not naive and you keep me from being so." Tyrion looked down at your intertwined hands. "I am a dwarf. I am no one's idea of a perfect husband."

With your free hand, you reached over and lifted his chin up gently. "You are to me. So you're a dwarf. I don't care. Your stature doesn't change who you are on the inside. Inside, you are the biggest man to ever walk the earth. Bigger even than the Mountain. And being dwarf doesn't change the fact that I love you unconditionally. As I said, I am lucky enough to be betrothed to a man that I absolutely adore."

Tyrion stared at you the whole time you were speaking. His eyes were scanning your face for any sign of deceit. There was nothing there other than gentleness, adoration, and love. It was then that Tyrion registered what you'd said. "Did you just say that you love me?" You giggled and finally let go of his chin. "I did, Tyrion. I love you very much and I hope you will believe that one day." Tyrion actually smiled. "The more you say it, the more I shall believe it." The two of you shared a laugh.

When you stopped laughing, you smiled at him again. "May I kiss you, my lord?" Tyrion blinked in shock. He nodded and you leaned in and kissed him on the lips. He took his hand out of yours and moved it to rest on your cheek. Just like you, your kiss was gentle and tender. You pulled away after a moment and pressed your forehead to his. "I love you, Tyrion." Tyrion's heart swelled at your words. He had a feeling it wouldn't take him long to fully believe that he was loved. All it would take was a little gentleness.