A/N- Greetings everyone! Thanks so much for the follows/fav/reviews! You guys rock! Here's chapter 10 - hope you like it!


Chapter 10: Grateful

"Now, how long do you think ole' Reiner will be out?" Delvin asked, ignoring the irritated barmaid who approached them. The woman sighed, wiping away puddles of spilled ale resulting from their previous, attention-drawing conversation. Delvin decided to purposely ignore the tavern full of gawking spectators, as well.

"That drunkard won't be waking up until noon tomorrow. He never does." Astrid stated, as Delvin grinned at her response.

He looked into her hazel eyes, noting how they remained a bit glassy from previous, unwanted tears. He knew he should probably be angry with Astrid for her accusing tone, but instead Delvin was left feeling deeply sympathetic. The poor girl had hit a dead-end by the time that he had come along. Apparently, she'd been hurt so many times that she'd come to expect it from everyone - and he was no exception. Strangely, if anything, his feelings for her began to grow after seeing her in such a tormented state. Perhaps their little spat wasn't the most peaceful of events, but it did help him understand the mysterious woman a bit further. The brief moment during their heated debate that Astrid was sincere and revealing to him had made everything quite clear. Delvin realized that she had honestly, truly been confused by his kindness toward her. Astrid had been baffled, fearing his true intentions. Well, he certainly hoped that he'd cleared things up for her now.

"Why do you ask?" Astrid inquired, this time her voice holding no signs of defensiveness, only curiosity.

"Because it's too late for you to be travelin' home in the dark. Why don't you just stay the night with me, eh?" he smiled, hoping she'd not get the wrong idea about him. Sure, he'd love to do certain things with her. Any man would with a woman like her, he mused. Of course, he wasn't expecting that from Astrid - he merely enjoyed having her around.

"Where? I thought I wasn't allowed to stay with the guild until I became one of them." Astrid asked, with Delvin noting that it wasn't a flat-out 'no'.

"Why, here o'course! No need in you leavin' Riften during these hours. Whaddya say, luv?" he inquired hopefully.

Astrid smiled, shrugging nonchalantly. "I don't see why not."


"I'm sorry, Miss Astrid. I truly didn't realize that none o' these rooms had two beds. I live here an' all, but I never stay at the inn. I just don't want ya to think-"

"It's Astrid, Delvin. Just Astrid." she interrupted, watching his expression grow worried from her words. Perhaps he feared that she'd begin questioning him again.

"I-I'm sorry, luv. Force of habit, that's all..." he replied, apologetically.

"No, I'm not angry. It's just that you don't have to call me 'miss'. You can drop the formalities, okay? We are friends, after all." Astrid smirked, watching his expression grow to match her own.

"Very well, Astrid. If you say so..." Delvin continued, dropping his possessions on a nearby endtable. "Like I said, I didn't know about the bed thing. If you like, I can sleep on the floor. I won't bother ya or anything."

Astrid began to feel her heart beat a bit quicker. This man really was a gentleman - the first one she'd come across in her short lifetime. If anything, his demeanor made her feel the impulse to tell him to do just the opposite of sleeping on the floor. So, she simply went with the impulse. "Nonsense." she stated bluntly, suddenly feeling flushed by the pleasant surprise of Delvin's features. "I won't have you sleeping on the floor." she demanded, sitting on the edge of the bed and patting the empty space next to her.

"You sure?"

"Certain." Astrid answered, watching him apprehensively crawl upon the bed with a wary look on his face. She was certain that if she made any sudden movements that he'd hit the ceiling at any given moment. It was rather endearing, really. It was as if he was intimidated by her in some unknown way.

She noticed the hush that fell over him as he crawled under the fur blankets, now gazing at nothing in particular. "Are you okay?" she asked, curiousity getting the best of her.

"I care about ya, luv. How 'bout you tell me if I should leave you alone or not. Like I said, you're stuck with me, cause of the guild an' all, but I won't harass you just cause I fancy ya." he stated bluntly, cutting right to the point. Somehow, Astrid found that even more endearing. Gods, he was so kind, so considerate, and handsome to boot.

"Are you asking me if I'm interested in you?" Astrid returned the bluntness, feeling happy with the ease at which they were now communicating. He simply gazed at her, nodding slowly, completely fixated on nothing else but her. It was strangely overwhelming in the best of ways. Her heart began to thump rapidly in her chest, as she felt a sudden rush of sweet intoxication run through her veins. Somehow, Delvin fit nicely into the empty space inside of her. He filled the void, and deep down that made her feel safe and at ease.

Delvin began to look unsure of himself as Astrid remained silent, bound up by her rampant thoughts and overwhelming mix of emotions. "Look, luv, if you don't feel the same way, I won't bug ya, like I sai-"

Astrid heard a muffled grunt of pleasant surprise as she let go of her inhibitions, kissing him passionately. Internally, she felt elated, watching his eyes grow wide with surprise as he began to reciprocate her affection. She felt his arms gently wrap around her, pulling her into him.

With each soft kiss, each gentle touch, she felt the world slip away, if only for that moment. Life had been hard, cold, and apathetic to her - and yet - he wasn't. Delvin was a good man, and she needed that - wanted that more than anything. With him, she didn't have to be so defensive and calculated. She realized that now.

As they tangled into each other, breath for breath, touch for touch, she vaguely felt a soft spot inside herself open up to him. Delvin was right - he wasn't Reiner, and he wasn't her good-for-nothing father, either. Not at all. He was a shady, criminal pillar of hope to cling to in a world where righteousness was futile and heroines like her mother were slaughtered like sheep for the taking. In a world where vile, putrid creatures like Reiner were allowed to roam free, and where the god's were surely punishing Astrid by forcing her to exist alongside a creature such as him.

As the two became one, her gaze pierced deeply into his blue eyes. Delvin wanted to take her away from it all. He wanted her to be free - away from the cruelty of those who were supposed to love her. She kissed him forcefully, never once allowing her eyes to close. Astrid wished she could see into him - into what possessed him to care for her. In the dark, hidden recesses of her mind, she'd been terrified of the fact that she believed herself to be truly damaged and unlovable to the fullest extent. However, despite her deeply ingrained beliefs, Delvin saw fit to care for her - to save her.

Their lips parted, with their worlds colliding and shattering together, Delvin taking in deep breaths of air from their time spent intwined. He gazed into her eyes, unwavering. A sly, content smile spread across Astrid's lips. Maybe - just maybe she had a future, after all...


Delvin watched the first traces of sunlight kiss Astrid's face. He smiled contently, watching her sleep peacefully. She looked divinely beautiful covered in the warmth of morning, he thought to himself. Astrid - a beautiful, magnetic mystery, he mused. There, slumbering quietly and with no traces of pain or heartbreak on her features, she appeared almost fragile to Delvin.

His heart ached for her - for the pain he'd witnessed when she became confused and distrustful of him. He quickly began to realize that the cool exterior was her armor - to shield that frightened, emotional girl from the harsh reality of her existence. The young woman he'd made love to last night wasn't aloof or apathetic in the least. She was deep, passionate, intoxicating, and seemed to deeply appreciate him. In short, she was perfection.

Delvin sighed, realizing with frustration that he needed to wake his slumbering lover, ensuring that she returned home before that son of a bitch woke up. He gently brushed a wild strand of hair away from her eyes, "Astrid..."

In a slow, beautiful motion, much like a butterfly's wings fluttering in the wind, her glimmering hazel eyes opened, bringing her consciousness back into the world. "Delvin...Is it morning already?" she asked, her voice low, gentle, and breathy in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

"Afraid so, luv." he replied, regretfully.

She sighed, placing a frustrated hand on her forehead, while staring blankly at the ceiling. Before his eyes, Delvin watched Astrid's exterior harden once more, preparing for the icy gale of reality waiting for her at the farmhouse.

"I guess I'd better get out of here, then. His majesty will be grumpy from the hangover. He'll have my head if I don't have his breakfast prepared..." she grumbled, clearly dreading being in her uncle's presence.

The mere thought of Reiner began to make Delvin's blood boil. He quickly grabbed Astrid by the wrist as she began getting out of bed, causing her to stop in her tracks. "You let me know if that bloke touches a hair on your head." he spoke, his voice low and threatening.

And for a brief moment, the fragile, emotional, young thing was back, gazing softly into Delvin's eyes. "Thank you." Astrid breathed, almost too softly for Delvin's ears to register.

She was absolutely perfect, Delvin reiterated to himself. Absolutely. Perfect.