A/N: Chronic illness is a bitch. Sorry if the quality declines. I'm not as 'on' as I usually am.
...
The Dragonborn was relieved to hear that Tonilia would not be a problem. His explanation rang true to her; she knew him well enough by now to know he considered the guild his family, and in that respect he was very much a family man. Hmm, does that make us the parents? she thought, amused at the image that formed in her head. I guess that makes Delvin the pervy uncle. She laughed out loud despite herself.
"What's so funny, lass?" Brynjolf wanted to know, a faint smile crossing his lips as he regarded her curiously.
"Oh, nothing really..." she replied as her laughter died down. "I was just thinking about things...the guild, you, me, Delvin..."
"Delvin?" he asked, no longer smiling. He looked perplexed and slightly concerned.
"Not like that!" she blurted quickly after seeing his expression change. "I was just thinking...if we're the mother and father, he's like the horny uncle."
He chuckled at that. "Oh, he's not so bad. He just likes to rile Vex."
"So does he also bait bears in his spare time? Sounds about as wise," she replied lightheartedly.
He laughed again. "Those two have been dancing around each other for years now. I'm not sure what he would do if she gave in to him."
"Oh, I think I know," she said seductively, running her hand along his chest.
"Hmmm..." he replied, pretending to consider the matter. "Maybe you could show me?"
"Maybe I could," she said coquettishly, slowly sliding her hand down between his legs while maintaining eye contact. She noticed his eyes dilating slightly as he watched her intently, and she lightly squeezed with the hand between his legs. His breathing was becoming a bit ragged, and she could feel him hardening again in her palm. She squeezed him again, and felt the flush of heat as more blood rushed to his cock.
He pulled her face to his and kissed her passionately. She moved to climb on top of him, but he stopped her. Still kissing her, he gently pushed her onto her back, his body covering hers. She reached down again to guide him inside her, mewling against his mouth as she felt him fill her.
...
Brynjolf took his time making love to her. He felt little urgency after the night's activities, but he was still a man, and a horny one at that. There was nowhere else he wanted to be more than here, inside her. He loved feeling how wet he made her, and how her warm silken walls would embrace his cock, especially when she came.
All things must end, however. Afterwards they lay together in a sweaty, sticky mess, panting but satisfied for a time. He was still thinking about what they would do on their return to Riften. He had to admit, her little joke about them being parents had stuck in his head. He had thought to conceal the new dimension to their relationship for a while, at least, or until someone outed them.
But maybe they didn't need to hide it. Maybe it was just a matter of presenting a unified front to the rest of the guild. Maybe it was even a good thing. Between the two of them, they could almost definitely persuade the others of that. But could he persuade himself?
She wouldn't betray him. How could she without betraying herself? I bet Gallus thought the same about Mercer, though. The little paranoid voice in his head was insidious, but it had also saved his life before. Surely that situation was different, though. She was not Mercer, not in the slightest. Aye, she could be ruthless, savage, and merciless, but not without provocation or reason.
She was also an unlikely weapon against him. If anyone could defend herself, she could. He didn't have to check on her in a fight, although he did anyway. They had both assisted each other in battle, of course, but he could also tell that she didn't truly need saving despite her appreciation for his help. No, anyone who tried to use her as a pawn would soon learn their mistake.
This brought to mind another issue, one he scarcely wanted to acknowledge. This woman was the stuff of legends. Would he really be okay with that? Or would he tire of being overlooked and ignored? Part of him loved having attention, even though much of his work depended on avoiding it. He knew she held the title of thane in several holds. Maybe he would enjoy the freedom that a veneer of respectability could give him, not to mention the easy access to the rich nobility. A scene flashed through his mind, of her distracting them with tales of Alduin's defeat while he emptied their pockets and manors. He almost had himself convinced.
That is, of course, assuming it even lasted. Not many women resisted his charms when he brought their full force to bear, but there were a few. Besides, maybe she was just having fun and didn't want anything more. Maybe for once it was he who was the momentary conquest left with nothing but regrets.
He needed to quit thinking in ifs and maybes. He needed to find out what she was thinking. And, he supposed, that meant talking to her about it. But not like a desperate young lad! He admonished himself, and was glad to realize she had fallen asleep in his arms again.