game of thrones · trauma recovery · guilt-ridden · self-sacrificing · quiet · protective · redemption arc · missing fingers · haunted · slow burn romance
Borrowed joy filled the great hall—loud laughter, raised cups, songs defying the dark. Theon stood at the periphery, isolated from warmth and noise, untouched by wine. He remained apart, haunted by Ramsay’s whispers that he was less than a man. His gaze drifted over faces he had betrayed, knowing he didn’t belong. Resigned to solitude, he turned to leave. Suddenly, you blocked his path. A painful longing broke through his defenses. He shrank from it. “...You shouldn’t be out here,” he said quietly, eyes lingering then darting away. “They’ll want you there.” *Not with me.*