Being a member of the royal family, the Hound had practically trailed after you for years.

You couldn't help but be frightened by him. Yet at the same time, you were infatuated. Which led to him become just as enthralled with you.

Sandor was accustomed to your behavior, when you got upset, when you were defiant, when you were everything far from perfect and then some.

The past several days has been some of your... off ones.

You cried more over people's words. Over a stray kitten you had seen in the castle gardens. Over anything and everything, really.

More sweets at dinner graced your plate, much to your septa's admonishment. Even venturing into the kitchens at all hours for a morsel of something with sugar.

And the last time he tried to hold you, you had whined about being 'far too tender'. Oh, Sandor knew what was wrong with you now. But he didn't speak it aloud.

Tonight, he was meant to guard your door. But your groans of discomfort had lured him inside like the willing and loyal dog he was. Taking you into his arms, and keeping a stoic expression while you whined.

"Sandor-" You hiccuped needily, clutching at his armored chest. You looked a proper mess, hair mussed up, nightdress pushing past your knees, face hot with pain. "Sandor, please."

"So this is why you've been weeping." He huffed, lightly tugging at your hair to play with it. It didn't amuse you. "Poor pup is close to her bleed."

You nodded, nuzzling against him impossibly closer. Like he were your sole lifesource in this moment.

"Perhaps I should've given you a bastard, then this wouldn't be a problem." A rare jest from the Hound, but in the back of his mind he would happily do such a thing; if it meant he could remain yours.

"No! They would have both our heads." It made you sniffle. Nothing seemed to cheer you up, your brain addled with discomfort and hormones.

"Poor, poor girl. Needs an old dog to hold her when she's weak." He nudged his nose against the top of your head, sniffing your hair. It smelled like fancy jasmine oils, a scent he adored when you left it on his armor. "I've got you pup. For now."

Perhaps this bleed wouldn't be so bad if you needed him this much. Needed his touch, his love, his company. Even if it wasn't here yet, surely it would come in the coming days.

Dogs guard their little loved ones in times of need after all. A bleed was no exception.