— chapter 11—

"Now for the fun bit!" Allustria squees with excitement. Brynjolf smiled at her enthusiasm. They escaped the tunnels beneath the meadery and had found the brewing vats. Allustria jumps up the stairs to the top of the enormous containers, dancing to each one, and spilling the poison into them. She leaps from the second floor, grabbing onto a pipe to swing from and slow her fall, landing next to Brynjolf, who just watches her, mesmerized. She tosses the bottle behind her shoulder and grabs his hands.

"Let's go watch the show~"

Allustria leads Brynjolf into the shop. She smiles at Mallus at the bar and waves at Sabjorn, who scowls at Brynjolf.

"Who's this?"

"Oh, him? I thought he'd be a great addition for the payment of a job well done" She bats her eyes. "But if you're not into threesomes, He can just watch~" Brynjolf turns to her, shocked. Sabjorn's face is burning. He flicked his eyes at Mallus to see if he was paying attention, who was indeed, and had a hand over his mouth stifling a laugh.

"Ahem.." The Captain of the Guard cleared his throat from the corner of the room. Allustria leans forward to look past Brynjolf, who was still speechless. She waves at the Captain who ignores her.

"Can we please just get this done." He spoke, rolling his eyes.

"O-of course sir!" Sabjorn pours the man a fresh brew and waits. The captain takes a sip and immediately spits it out, spraying it all over Sabjorn's face.

"WHAT KIND OF SICK JOKE IS THIS? You told me you got rid of your rat problem!" The Captain spat all the remnants of the drink onto the ground. He grabbed the little man by the upper arm and led him to the door. "You're coming with me. It's obvious now that you're not fit to run this place." He wipes his mouth with his free hand and looks over to Mallus. "You, you're in charge here until I sort this thing out!"

"Yes, sir." Mallus gets out between hushed laughter.

"Wait, I— There's been a misunderstanding!" Sabjorn pleaded.

"Shut up and get going!"

Mallus burst into laughter as soon as the door was shut behind them.

"That was even better than I could have possibly expected! And with your little remark of bedding him for payment? Even better, HAH!" He continues with his laughter.

"Yeah," Brynjolf grabs Allustria by the arm. "What was that about? Were you going to actually sleep with the man?!"

She lifts her chin and looks Brynjolf dead in the eyes. A smile spreads across her lips.

"Of course not~" she cocks her head to the side. "It was just obvious that he was a horny little bastard. Plus… he's not my type~" Her tongue slides across her lips as she looks Brynjolf up and down. He swallowed a lump in his throat, trying to ignore the familiar throb pulsing in his pants.

After getting payment from Mallus, who also offered his services as a fence, they walked back to the city gates of Whiterun. Not much was said between them. Since the sun was setting, they decided it would be best to get a couple rooms at the Bannered Mare and head back to Riften in the morning. Allustria checked on Shadowmere and then they passed through the gates once again.

"We need to get some more inconspicuous clothing." Allustria whispered when noticing one too many guards keeping an eye on them.

"You can say that again. Let's get a couple rooms first, then we can figure that out."

"Agreed."

They hurry through the streets and enter the tavern in the marketplace. It was just as bustling as it was before. Hulda greeted them, warmly, as she did everyone.

"Got a couple of rooms to spare?" Allsutria leaned on the counter. Brynjolf followed her, resting his arm next to her while he scoured the patrons.

"Afraid not. We're quite busy tonight and only have the one available. Upstairs with the balcony."

Brynjolf and Allustria exchange glances. They kind of shrug at each other.

"...We'll take it." The elf smiles, keeping her eyes on Brynjolf's.

Hulda accepted their payment and called Saadia over, who showed them to their room. It was incredibly private, being the only room on the second floor. Brynjolf looked all around and whistled with approval. When Saadia left them, they dumped their packs next to the bed.

"I guess… I'll get a bedroll and sleep on the floor. You take the bed." Brynjolf started. "Looks like there's a couple of extra blankets in the dresser that I can use—"

"Don't be an idiot, it's a double bed. We can share." Allustria plopped down on the mattress. He looked a little nervous.

"What?" Her eyebrow raises. "Don't worry, I don't bite… hard." She teases him.

He snorts, smiling a little, feeling unsure.

"It's fine, I'll take the floor." He persists. Allustria frowns, but decides to leave it for now.

To Allustria's surprise, Brynjolf begins undressing in front of her. Swiftly unbuckling his armor, slipping off the leather belts and gloves. She sits and watches him, wondering if he finally decided to make a move. He kept his eye on her, smirking, and pulled off all the upper half of his thieves guild armor, revealing his soft cotton shirt beneath.

"What? You said to get a change of clothes~" He remarked at her staring wide eyed at him. She blushed and averted her eyes. Brynjolf adored that reaction. He always felt a rush of pride when he was able to fluster her.

Allustria got up and headed for the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Unlike you, I need to go get something else to wear. I'll be back soon." She haphazardly waved and disappeared out of sight. He smiled to himself and began folding up his discarded clothes, and did a little unpacking. Might as well get a little comfortable, since they're not in a hurry to get home.

After laying out some blankets on the floor for his bed, Brynjolf did his hotel room routine of checking every cabinet door and drawer, and pocketed anything worth his time.

His eyes trail to the double bed. He brushed his fingertips along the covers and couldn't help but imagine sharing them with her. Alone together with party goers an earshot away. His cheeks began to burn and a knot formed in his stomach at the thought. A nervous, but excited thought.

Thinking of waking up to her staring at him, morning sun shining through the gaps in the roof. Daring to explore his imagination a bit further and wondered what might take place during the night. Maybe she would steal a kiss from him and lead him to the bed for further exploration.

Brynjolf closed his eyes and let his thoughts wander a moment before continuing his search for goodies hidden in the room. A couple of septims had fallen beneath the bed frame from previous attendees. After collecting them, he kept his head to the floor. Maybe a ruby had rolled beneath a cabinet as well.

Once finished, he leaned against the balcony railing and watched the tavern's patrons. The sun had set and people from all over were coming in for their time to relax and socialize. He found himself checking the door occasionally. Still no sign of Allustria.

Brynjolf decided to go down and join the party while he waited for her return. Taking a seat at the bar, he sipped on a bottle of mead, and observed. Women were flirting with the guards, old friends were catching up, and mercenaries were sprinkled amongst them. It was incredibly lively. Every seat was taken and there was barely room to walk around. A few of the lovely ladies had wandered his way to flirt with him. Asking where he was from, if he was with anyone. He looked them up and down and would smile, but not engage.

Occasionally, Brynjolf would slip his fingers into loose pockets as the owners would drunkenly stumble by. Fetching some jewelry and other treasures.

Suddenly a symphony of wolf whistles filled the room. Brynjolf stopped mid-sip when he saw Allustria coming towards him.

She was adorned in jewels. A necklace delicately hung from her neck, bracelets at her wrists, rings on her fingers, and golden earrings framed either side of her cheeks. Half of her hair was tied up in a loose bun, held there by a single smooth stick. Bits of silky white hair hung around her face, draping across her shoulders and down her back.

Her dress was as beautiful and sensual as the elf herself. It had off shoulder sleeves, a small amount of golden green fabric covering her chest, tucked into a corset that snuggly wrapped around her waist. The dress spilled out from the bottom, passing her knees, and barely brushing against the tops of her feet. There was a high slit in the skirt that showed off her long legs. A pair of golden yellow boots adorned her feet, and climbed her leg, settling just past her knees.

Keeping her eyes on her goal, she completely ignored the mercenaries and guards that approached her, and walked straight to Brynjolf who was still at the bar. Without a stutter, she elegantly placed herself right on his lap, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked. He laughed, eyes darting between hers. He downed the rest of his drink and wiped his mouth.

"It is now, Lass~" Wrapping his arms around her waist, trapping her. Her heart swelled at his firm grasp on her. She let out a tiny yelp and looked down at him with surprise. He kept his eyes on the crowd, but tightened his grip around her hips, knowing she felt a poke from beneath her. She blushed and took note that he was a lively one…

The night consisted of merriment and drinks all around, with which Allustria partook of, heavily. Brynjolf decided to keep it minimal with the booze, since she seemed to be extra enthusiastic about it. He thought that someone should keep a level head. Allustria would get up occasionally to go dance at the bard's music and flirt with the men she noticed eyeing her up. Brynjolf kept watch on her, making sure she wasn't sloshed enough to be taken advantage of. Normally he'd be jealous, watching her dance around another man. She'd fall in his lap and ruffle his hair before getting up to dance some more. But he noticed her often looking in his direction, as if checking to make sure he was watching her. It eased his mind.

He oddly found himself enjoying it when she toyed with someone else. Every time he saw someone lingering their eyes on her, he felt the pain of arousal, just wanting her more. One of the onlookers got bold enough to caress his hand up her exposed thigh when she got close. Brynjolf was envious of what those fingertips were feeling.

Allustria lowered her eyes to the culprit and smiled, but pushed him away with her toes, and gave him a naughty look.

She twirled around, hair swirling in every direction. She had taken her shoes off at some point and found a spot to dance near the fire, being the center of attention. Everyone watched, cheering and clapping to the upbeat tune. She tapped her toes, isolating her hips, moving them expertly, and fluidly maneuvered her wrists through the air. Keeping perfectly in time with the beat.

Bending this way and that, arching her back so she faced the beams, dancing her fingers in the light above her. Brynjolf didn't know she was so flexible. She spun in place, hair whipping behind her, then stopped on her heel just as the song had ended.

The crowd cheered for her performance. Her chest raised and fell dramatically, showing how out of breath she was. Her skin glistened from a light sweat. A beautiful smile permanently stuck on her face. She blew kisses to the crowd and with a wobbly gait, she took her place next to Brynjolf.

"I didn't know you could dance so well," he nudged. She accepted another drink and leaned her back against the bar.

"I have many talents~" She said with a slight slur in her voice. Perhaps having a few too many.

—-

Time passed. Most of the crowd had dispersed. Hulda was leaning on her elbows, trying not to fall asleep, as she waited for the party goers to hit the hay or head to their homes. A couple drunkards were passed out, sprawled across the floor. Allustria was moments away from being one of them.

"I think it's time we head to our room, Lass." Brynjolf helped her to her feet, letting her lean her full weight on him.

"Nhhhnnnnnnnnn" She mumbled, not helping in any shape or form.

"C'mon, Lass, work with me!" He ended up slinging her arms over his right shoulder and scooping her up, arms wrapped tightly just beneath her butt. He thanked Hulda for the hospitality and carried the elf up the stairs to their private room.

He plopped her down on the bed and carefully lowered her onto her back. When trying to slip his arm out from under her, she quickly wrapped hers around his neck. He caught himself from almost falling right on top of her. His red hair, messy, and dangling in his face. She breathed deeply and opened her eyes to see him leaning over her. Smiling at the view.

"Brynjooooolf." She called, furrowing her eyebrows into a glare. "Why haven't you kissed me yeeeeeeet?"

His stomach filled with butterflies.

"Don't you like me?" Her lips formed an exaggerated frown.

"Of course I like you." He replied, softly, and removed her hair stick from its entanglement. He brushed any loose strands away from her eyes and caressed her cheek. Her pout remained.

"Then kiss me…" She sighed, barely able to keep her eyes open.

"Sorry, Lass… but not when you're this drunk." He laughs. "I'm not sure if that's the booze talking and I don't want to be wrong."

"Hmmmnnn…." Her grip loosened around his neck and she let her arms go limp. Brynjolf's eyes fell to the necklace draped across her collar bones. The top of her dress was tight and looked as though she could spill out of it with any sudden movement. By the Gods he wanted to do as she asked and more.

"Did you like my show?" She whispered. Eyelids lowering. "It was all for you…" she cooed.

Never had the butterflies residing in Brynjolf's stomach been so excited. He thought about caving in. Letting his arms give way and meeting her soft lips with his. But not yet. He wanted to be sure of her feelings.

"I loved it." He answered, lowering himself ever so slightly. A smile appeared across her lips. He let his fingertips trail down the side of her corset. Fingering the straps, considering loosening them…. So she could sleep more comfortably, of course.

"Good~" She whispered, finally letting her eyes stay shut. He leaned in a little more and took in a deep breath, letting her scent intoxicate him. She began to hum softly. Brynjolf's heart beat faster as he dared to inch closer. The tips of their noses were inches from each other. Tilting his head to the side, he aimed for his goal, but stopped when he noticed her humming turned into soft snores as she fell asleep.

He sighed, but smiled to himself. He let his shoulders relax and shook his head, shaking off the lust. He decided that it would be alright to loosen the corset's laces after all. Unraveling the knot and tugging them loose.

"Goodnight, Lass." Brynjolf leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead instead. He sat up and took another look at her. "You have no idea how much I want you." pausing for a moment, he lifts her hand and kisses her delicate fingers. Lingering them to his lips.

Brynjolf reluctantly pulled himself away and bent down, picking up one of his blankets. He unraveled it and laid it on top of her. Then he kicked his shoes off and plopped his rump on his bedroll. He looked up to the rafters and let out a deep sigh, wondering if there was something wrong with him. He laid back, but his mind went on.

She was just drunk. She's always a complete flirt. What's the difference between him and every other male she rests her eyes upon? His heart sank at those thoughts.

'Does she actually have feelings for me? Or was it just the booze.' He debated on that thought for a good while.

Turning onto his side with his hands tucked under his cheek, he looked over to her. All he could see were the soles of her feet dangling off the side of the bed. However she feels, he's just glad she's chosen to spend so much time with him.