Game of Thrones Oneshots

Theon x Bolton reader- Cruel man

As the only legitimate child of Roose, you had been showered with gifts and priviledges. Dressed in the finest furs and silks. Fed the most exquisite food. Treated with the upmost respect. Given an education that not many women of your stature were given. Through years of learning with stern tutors, you could name the houses of Westeros and recite their banners. Battle tactics and basic defence was also drilled into your mind. In the eyes of high society, you were the perfect child.

Ramsay, however, did not get the same treatment. It lead him to resent you entirely and quietly plot ways to make your life hell. First it was innocent. When you were children, you'd wake up to your braids nailed to your bed. A fish found amongst your dresses. Your notes for your lessons hidden away somewhere and so made you late, leading to a punishment. Then it turned dark the older you both got. He set his viscous dogs on your sweet and loving hound. When he found out you had your first love, he lied to your father that the young man forced himself on you. You found the poor boy flayed with Ramsay grinning beside his bleeding corpse. So from then on, you would refuse to care about anything. Not when Ramsay was so eager to take everything from you.

When your half brother took over Winterfell and tortured Theon Greyjoy to the point where he forgot his own identity, you had been sent over to help him organise a running household. Roose wouldn't listen to your objection.

You kept out of Ramsay's way, more so than before since the chance of him being legitimised became increasingly possible. But as you readied yourself for the day, your stomach dropped when your door opened with no warning and there was Ramsay. "Hello sister."

"Ramsay." Not showing any expression, you moved to your vanity and grabbed a brush. You focused on brushing your hair as Ramsay's heavy steps moved further into the room and settled behind you. His reflection could be seen in the mirror. Grinning like he usually does when he had a cruel plan in mind.

"I've noticed you haven't been making any friend's here in Winterfell and I know it can get quite lonely." Ramsay placed his hands on your shoulders and you couldn't hold back your flinch. Quietly reprimanding yourself. You must never show any sign of weakness in front of him. You continued to brush your hair with nothing showing on your face. One quirk of a brow was enough to let him know he had the upper hand. He snatched the brush out of your wooden grip and ran it through your hair. Smoothing it down with a hand after. "Because of this, I have decided to be the wonderful brother I am and introduce a new friend to you."

Every muscle in your body tensed up, already knowing the motives behind his plan. If you weren't going to form connections with people then he was going to make them for you and rip it away. So you said in a cold and detached voice, "I don't need a friend. They get in the way and most people are...breakable."

"Spoken like a true Bolton!" Ramsay barked out and harshly yanked the brush through a knot. Yet you held on to control, gritting your teeth. "But one mustn't turn down a gift. So with that in mind...Reek!"

Throwing the brush over his shoulder, Ramsay turned to the door and you slowly glanced in the same direction. The broken Greyjoy limped in. His back curved and shoulders hunched as he trembled in Ramsay's presence. Even though you tried to rid yourself of your empathetic and kind heart, you still felt sorry for the poor man.

Ramsay approached him and swung an arm around his shoulders, pointing your way, "see the pretty lady there? She is my half sister and you will be her friend, understood?"

Theon awkwardly nodded as Ramsay pushed him towards you. The rigidness of the tortured man tugged at your heart further and so you stood up to give him a proper greeting. "Hello, Theon."

"Reek. My name is Reek." Oh how you wanted to strangle your brother in his sleep for what he had done to a living and breathing human being. But then there would be people unable to get their much needed revenge on him. How could you deprive them of that?

"Sorry, Reek. I will not be needing a friend, but I am flattered for the offer." You showed him a rare smile and then returned to blank coldness when you turned to your brother. "At least give him a bath, there is no need to be so cruel."

You left the room and when you were certain Ramsay was no where close by, you punched a window. Glass shattered and sliced into your hand. And even though blood rolled down your arm, you carried on with your day completely expressionless as usual.

~

As you completed your duties, you began to notice Theon was always around. From a distance he'd stand awkwardly and look about as if he were lost in a foreign country. But every so often, when you'd wince due to your wounded hand, his eyes would stick to you and clear up ever so slightly.

The day was drawing to an end and you had finished up checking on grain reserves, when you headed back to your chambers. The stinging ache in your hand worsening through the constant use of your hands. It'll heal in time. No use bothering someone to patch you up. Since Ramsey would find out and use it to his advantage. All you wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep away the lonely hours of your day.

As you closed the door behind you, you yelped when you noticed a person standing in your chambers. It made him flinch and scamper behind your small rounded table, to put more space between you.

"Theo- Reek, what are you doing here?" You placed a hand on your chest, calming down after the fright.

Theon twitched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a needle and thread, as well as a roll of bandages. He held them up with shaking hands. Still afraid to do anything he was not ordered to do.

Sighing, you sat down on the edge of your bed and rolled up your sleeve, revealing streaks of dried up blood and deep gashes on your knuckles and forearm. "Fine, come help me clean this up."

With his order clearly said, Theon scurried to your side and knelt down. As he worked on your wounds, you watched him carefully. How much pain had he endured before he broke? Was this what Ramsay had planned for you once he's legitimised? "Why do you not try to escape?"

Theon didn't stop cleaning your gashes. "Reek must always stay by your brothers side."

"How can you after what he has done?"

"I have to stay."

Theon held the needle over a flame before he moved to stitch up the deeper wounds. You hissed as the first stab came and he faltered. Glancing up with terror. He expected to see you angry. But all he was shown was an understanding smile. "Needles hurt, no way around that."

Once the stitching was done, Theon began to wrap the bandage around your arm and hand. You watched his handy work as you whispered, "thank you for helping me."

The look he gave you was heart wrenching. He seemed utterly speechless at your thanks. As if he'd not heard it in a while. But you wouldn't insult him with pity. So instead you offered a small smile before continuing, "you don't have to hang around me because Ramsay told you to." 

"I want to be here, you are light in a dark place." Theon instantly squirmed when he saw your surprise. Backing away whilst trembling all over, "I am sorry. Sorry for...Sorry."

"It's fine, It's fine." You hushed him as you slipped from the edge of your bed to kneel on the floor. Reaching out to gently grasp his quivering hand. "If you want then you can come here in secret. Then you can spend time with me. It can get very lonely."

The tortured man stared at you with distant eyes before he woodenly nodded his head. 

"Good, then how about we sit by the fire and warm up." Giving his hand a light squeeze, you guided him over to the hearth and sat him down on a plush lounge chair. All while he seemed like he was going to break apart at the kindness he hadn't been shown in a long time. So as you sat beside him, reaching to move Theon's head to rest on your shoulder, you vowed to yourself that you were going to protect him with everything you have. Ramsay will have to kill you first.

And it may just come to that.

But for now, you comforted Theon and thought up ways to protect him.