Chapter Text
She hadn’t meant to be so forward. The words had spilled from her lips before she’d had time to think on them. She’d been a bit too eager, it seemed.
Sansa was new in town, after all. King’s Landing was a whole different ballpark compared to Winterfell. She had yet to make any friends in this new city, and as a result, the past week -her first week- had been notably lacking in human conversation.
“Are you enjoying it?” She’d asked. The man looked up, only alerted to her due to the proximity of her voice. He clearly did not think she was talking to him, as he tossed a glance over his shoulder, shifting on his feet as though he intended to move aside.
But no one was behind him, and he looked back, confused and a bit startled.
“Beg your pardon?” he blurted. His brow, for he only had one, pulled inward.
Sansa felt heat bloom on her neck and ears, a familiar prickling sensation. She stepped forward and weaved passed the vertical pole. The C train was busy this Monday morning, but not as packed as Sansa had envisioned public transit would be. She dutifully held up her book to make it more visible.
“Your book.” She said, and pointed to the object in his hand that mirrored her very own. He looked down at it, as though he needed to be reminded what he was holding, despite that he’d been reading it just a moment ago.
“Oh.” He said, in a much less agitated tone than before. “Uh.” He met her eyes again, looking a bit bewildered and, if she were being honest, put out.
She immediately felt guilty. She’d seen the book and hadn’t a single thought toward whether or not she’d be disrupting him. Wonderful. Her first day as a cityfolk and she was already that annoying person on the train.
“I’m sorry.” She said, “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I just saw we were reading the same book and I-”
“I’m only on chapter three.” he said. Or rather, confessed. He held it out like pittance and gave a shrug. Sansa was relieved.
“I just started chapter three, as well!” she told him gleefully. “I like it, so far. I’m definitely picking up on an allegory for racial discrimination in the form of the Earth One descendants and the Tarsniack.” She stammered, words coming out rushed. If he noticed, he didn’t bring attention to it, instead nodding as she spoke, “Though the heroine is a bit crass for my taste.” she added.
The leathery part of his mouth remained still, but the other side twitched upward for a moment.
“She rather suits mine.” he said, “But it helps that her cyborg friend provides a balance against her stubborn nature.” Sansa nodded vigorously.
“Yes, absolutely.” she agreed. She watched as he reached up to mussy his hair a bit, resulting in more dark strands falling over the marred side of his face.
She recognized the gesture. Something Shireen often did when she was young, and still embarrassed of her affliction. She still did it every now and then, even after years of being neighbors.
His scars looked old. It seemed as if new skin had grown back over in some places. Though the shape of his face and jaw were intact, his left ear was but a nub of flesh. It was no pretty sight, that was certain. He looked up again, gauging her silence, perhaps.
It was then she caught sight of both his eyes. Whatever had happened to him took his left eye as well. It was glossed over, the iris light.
His other eye, though, was dark and stormy, and scanned over her with unbridled attention.
“Can I ask what made you choose this book?” she gripped the railing as the train came to a stop, and the doors opened to allow more passengers. “The author isn’t very mainstream, and it has so many feminist undertones.” The man backed up against the wall, giving Sansa space to move forward. “I’m honestly surprised to see a man reading it.” she admitted. His lip twitched again, and his brow pulled in. She had to arch her neck to look up at him now. He was terribly tall, even to someone of Sansa’s height. The train jostled into motion.
“Mayhaps more men ought to read books like these. In any case, there’s plenty to be had outside of the political and social themes.” he argued, “Interstellar chases, laser showdowns and what have you.” he said gruffly. Sansa laughed, and his shoulders relaxed. “But truth be told, my sister lent it to me.” he admitted.
Above them, the PA system crackled to life.
“Next stop: 5th and Pearl St.”
The automated voice rang. Sansa hurriedly unzipped her bag to pack her book away.
“This is my stop.” She announced as the train began to slow, coupled with the screeching sound of metal grinding metal. Sansa gripped the railing as it came to a halt. “It was nice chatting with you.” She told him with a smile. The man nodded as the doors beside him opened, and Sansa made to move past. A few people crowded in behind her, forcing her into his personal space. Despite his size, he somehow managed to back into the wall even more, giving her room to step by. “Have a good rest of your day!” She chimed. He nodded quickly.
“Aye.” he blurted as she moved to leave, “You too.”