**Chapter 10: Vulnerability**

The memories came flooding back, like a tidal wave crashing over her. Arya's eyes snapped open, and she was thrashing about, her body shaking violently as she let out a blood-curdling scream. Gendry was by her side in an instant, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he spoke softly into her ear. "Arya, it's okay, I'm here. You're safe. You're safe with me." She was curled up in a ball, her body trembling, and her eyes wild with fear. Gendry could feel her heart racing, pounding against his chest, and he knew that she was reliving another nightmare. He held her tightly, trying to calm her down, but she was beyond consolation. As he stroked her hair, he could feel the tension in her body begin to ease, and her breathing slow. She was still shaking, but she was no longer screaming, and Gendry knew that she was starting to come back to reality. "Arya, it's okay," he whispered again. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, and Gendry's heart went out to her. He could see the pain and the fear in her eyes, and he knew that she was still haunted by her demons. For a moment, they just looked at each other, and Gendry could feel the connection between them growing stronger. He knew that he had to be patient with her, to let her heal in her own time, but it was hard to see her like this, so broken and vulnerable. Slowly, Arya's eyes began to focus, and she looked up at Gendry, her gaze searching his face. "Gendry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. He smiled softly, his eyes filled with compassion. "I'm here, Arya," he said. "I'm not going anywhere." Arya's eyes filled with tears again, and she reached out, her arms wrapping around Gendry's waist. He pulled her close, holding her tightly, and for a moment, they just stood there, holding each other. As the night wore on, Arya's tears subsided, and she began to calm down. Gendry held her close, his arms a safe haven, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could let her guard down. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest. Gendry stroked her hair, his eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to be sorry, Arya," he said. "You're safe now. You're safe with me." Arya looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "I don't know what's wrong with me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just can't seem to shake these nightmares." Gendry's expression was gentle, his eyes filled with compassion. "You're not alone, Arya," he said. "I'm here for you, always. We'll get through this together." As he spoke, Arya felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go, that she still had to confront her demons, but with Gendry by her side, she felt like she could face anything. She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. Gendry's arms were still wrapped around her, holding her close, and she felt safe. "Gendry?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Arya?" he replied, his voice soft. Arya hesitated, unsure of how to say what she needed to say. But something about Gendry's gentle expression made her feel like she could trust him. "I need to tell you something," she said, her voice shaking. Gendry's expression was encouraging. "You can tell me anything, Arya," he said. "I'm here to listen." Arya took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. She knew that she was taking a risk, but something about Gendry made her feel like she could trust him. "I'm scared," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared of what's inside me. I'm scared of what I've done." Gendry's arms tightened around her, holding her close. "You're not alone, Arya," he said. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." As he spoke, Arya felt a sense of vulnerability wash over her. She was finally opening up to Gendry, finally telling him the truth about her fears and her demons. And as she looked up at him, she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. She was safe, she was loved, and she was finally starting to heal.