A/N- Hello everyone! Here's chapter nine - hope you like it! As per usual, a big thanks goes out to all my readers out there!
Chapter 9: Vulnerable
"Is it safe?" Astrid asked Delvin, who stood propped against a house in the dark alley, standing watch as she'd ducked into the shadows to change back into her usual attire. They'd been on a number of jobs together by now, and it had been the normal routine for one to stand watch as the other switched back into their peasant clothes.
"Aye, all clear, Miss Astrid." he answered, just out of her sight.
Stuffing her armor back into a satchel on her side, she darted out into the alleyway to join her comrade once more after they'd successfully burglarized a few of the local shops.
"You sure Reiner ain't gonna throw a fit over this?" Delvin asked, a wary look falling over his features. "It's already well into the night, luv."
"Believe me, I know my uncle. It was nearly dusk when I arrived here, and he'd been drinking all day. Most likely, he's sleeping with a bottle of skooma in his hand as we speak." Astrid replied, the thoughts of her uncle instantly churning her stomach.
"I know Miss Astrid, but the man is unpredictable. I just don't want him catching onto you. At least not until I have ya in my ranks, that is. Then the son of a bitch can explode all he wants. You'll have the protection of the guild by then. You'll be stayin' with me an' my people, and believe me, the bastard ain't settin' foot in there..." Delvin growled, leading her around the corner.
Astrid smiled to herself, feeling quite content that Delvin had become so concerned about her. Of course, she could very well take care of herself, but his kindness was a welcome and much-needed experience for her, however confusing it may have been. "Trust me, he's not awake right now. Besides, I'm tired of looking at him. I'd rather have a little peace away from his royal highness tonight..."
"Alright. Just promise me you'll get home before he wakes up, then?" Delvin asked, the sincerity in his voice causing Astrid to feel uneasy. It wasn't the same uneasy feeling that her dirtbag uncle gave her, but rather a strange feeling of vulnerability. It seemed to soften her frozen emotions in some mysterious way. She wasn't so sure she enjoyed that. Why was that happening in the first place?
Astrid sighed gently through her nose, giving in to his plea. "Fine. I promise. Happy now?" she smirked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
"Aye, that's better," Delvin grinned, holding the door to the Bee and Barb open as Astrid entered in front of him.
Astrid seated herself at a small table, with Delvin following suit. He promptly ordered two ales for them, before turning his attention back to Astrid. "So, I've mentioned you to the Guild Master. We're in need of new blood, and he's willin' to meet with you..." he began, as Astrid took a sip from her tankard. "It's really happenin', luv. You're more than experienced enough to pull off a beginner's job. Once he sees what you can do, you'll be one of us. You'll be away from that uncle of yours, livin' with me an' my lot in no time."
Astrid smiled quietly, glancing up at him as he spoke. She relaxed, scanning over his charming, crooked grin. His blue eyes seemed to be deeply fixated on her, so much so that she had to avert her own from his intense gaze. He was really quite handsome, she thought, noting his scruffy features. She also found him to be extremely gentlemanly and kind to her - aside from his occasional teasing or playfully lewd comment.
Pulling up her tankard for another drink, she mulled over things. He was too kind to her, really - kind enough to make her begin to question things. Setting her drink back down, her eyes fixated on a small, dancing flame from the candle on their table. "Why?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Huh?" she glanced up to see Delvin's own features twisted in a similar, baffled manner.
"Why are you doing all of this for me?" her gaze met his own again. She could feel her body grow tense, as if anticipating some hidden, dark secret to fall from his lips. Why else would a stranger enter into her life and treat her so well? Judging from her past life experiences, people didn't just do nice things for free, or at all, for that matter. Just what did the man want from her?
"I-I'm afraid I don't understand, Miss Astrid..." Delvin stammered, apparently caught off-guard. He certainly seemed suspicious. It was one thing to make a business deal with him, but what he'd been doing lately was far past the point of business.
"It's Astrid, just Astrid." she stated coldly, feeling her body bristle under the weight of her racing thoughts. What was he up to? Why did it take her so long to notice his odd behavior? "Tell me. Why are you doing all of this for me? I've done absolutely nothing to help you, and yet you keep doing all these ludicrous favors for me. What do you want from me, Delvin?"
The expression of shock and subtle pain on Delvin's features instantly sent a pang of hurt through Astrid's chest. He sincerely looked...innocent. Of course, he couldn't be innocent - he was a criminal. Or could he? Why did she feel so confused? So defensive? So full of panic?
"Uh...Miss Astrid, I-I just..." he stuttered, causing the fine hairs on her neck to stand on end.
"It's Astrid," she repeated, with ice in her voice.
"Oh, uh, right...Astrid. Well...I really just thought I'd like to..." Delvin mumbled, running a hand through his short hair.
"Like to what?" Astrid spat, her words as sharp as knives.
"Alright, already!" Delvin finally cracked, slamming a frustrated hand on the table and causing their drinks to spill over. Astrid merely glared. He was up to something. "I wanted to spend some time with ya, damn it! Is that some sort of crime?! For gods' sakes, woman! You're interrogating me like I've been plottin' on killin' ya or somethin'!"
"...What?" Astrid froze, feeling a mixture of confusion, shock, and feeling like the biggest moron in all of Nirn.
"By the gods, woman! Didn't ya know I fancied ya?! Just a little? Am I that terrible at wooin' a female? For the love of Mara...I never..." Delvin wiped his hand down his face, completely exasperated. With each word he spoke, Astrid was sure she'd shrunk just a little more in size. By the time he sighed, giving her the most miserable look she'd ever seen a man produce, she felt about the size of a torchbug.
"You...feel that way...about...me?" Astrid asked, her voice low and hushed.
"Yes, damn it! Why not? Is it some sort of crime?" Delvin snapped defensively, causing Astrid to wince slightly.
"No, it's just that I...thought you...I mean, I didn't understand why you..." Astrid found the tables being turned, as her own words were having trouble falling from her lips.
"Oh I see...You thought I was gonna do somethin' to hurt you, eh?" he spoke, his voice finally falling quiet after practically the whole tavern watched their little spat.
Astrid looked at his expression, which had fallen from anger to something more subtle, but also a bit more painful - disappointment. He was hurt. Astrid stared at him, speechless and wide-eyed.
"It's true, ain't it?" he paused, waiting for her to admit her fault. After a long moment of silence, he gave in. "Look, if I was gonna screw you over, it would have been about two thousand gold coins ago. I ain't that son of a bitch Reiner..."
"...I'm...sorry..." Astrid finally spoke softly, feeling her thick, protective walls fall down. She felt the warm trail of a solitary tear fall down her cheek. Why? Why was she coming so undone?
She looked on as Delvin sighed defeatedly. This was probably the part where he would leave and tell her to piss off, Astrid figured. "Look, I know ya had a rough way to go...You still do. I know that bastard mistreats ya. I ain't stupid, Astrid. I know what it can do to ya bein' treated like that. You don't trust a soul, do ya?"
Feeling put on the spot, Astrid slowly shook her head "no", sighing.
"Well you can trust me, damn it! Just think about it, will ya? Would I really go outta my way to train you? Would I really worry whether or not that slimy bugger will beat you half to death if ya piss him off? I may be a thief, but I ain't bloody heartless. I'm tryin' to help you..." Delvin explained, his demeaner somewhat calmer, but still seeming quite frustrated.
Astrid swallowed hard, trying to find the right words to say before he got up and walked out on her. It wouldn't be the first time a man walked out of her life. Hopefully, if he stormed away, she'd be used to that scenario enough to cope. Hopefully.
"You-you're right. I'm normally not this...crazy. I'm just not used to..."
"What? A man bein' good to you for a change? Treatin' you like a woman?" he interrupted, his voice still stern, but much softer than before.
"Well...yeah..." Asrid shrugged, staring into her tankard. She hadn't felt this vulnerable in years. Whatever defenses she'd had in place, this man had torn down in a matter of moments. Strangely enough, through all the confusion and pain, she felt gratitude.
"Well you'd better get used to it, Astrid. You're stuck with me now." he smirked cunningly, causing Astrid's brow to raise in awe. He wasn't going to tell her to piss off? "I ain't gonna let nothin' hurt you, understand?"
Astrid smiled, feeling uncharacteristically sheepish. She nodded quietly, taking a large gulp of her alcohol in an attempt to numb the strange, raw feeling she had developed inside. It was as if some mysterious flood gate of suppressed emotions, memories, and fears had opened inside of her in an instant. It was a rather painful, sobering experience - too sobering for her liking. At least, through the whirlwind of emotions inside of her, the gratitude remained.
"Besides, luv, I just told my Guild Master you were showin' up soon. I can't go back on my word now, can I?" he grinned.
