#bryn is a stranger here so he's not named but uhh yes

[eeveevie]

blank space

Cherry lips, crystal skies I could show you incredible things Stolen kisses, pretty lies You're the king baby I'm your Queen [x]

Fiona travels to Solitude, following a lead on the Stones of Barenziah. While there, she meets a rather insufferable, yet charming, red-headed thief. 

❤

Brynjolf x Fiona 

1022 words | Ao3

The Blue Palace—Solitude. Of all the places Fiona had traveled in her life, she had hardly guessed she would one day end up in the capital. Even after her snafu at the border and the events at Whiterun that had her on the run again, she never thought she’d make the journey that far north. Especially considering all that awaited her in Haafingar were Imperial soldiers, the Thalmor and snow—so much snow. But for Fiona, the trip would be well worth the risk, when the reward was an item she’d been hunting down for as long as she could remember.

The Stones of Barenziah—long thought to be a rumor, especially those she ran into on her travels through Cyrodiil—until she found one by chance in Whiterun sneaking around the Jarl’s chambers. Afterall, it was what she did best. Now that she knew the stones were real, and likely scattered across Skyrim, she had made it a secret goal of hers to track down the gems when the opportunity made itself present.

That fall evening, Jarl Elisif was holding a grand masquerade, some kind of Frostfall celebration to appease the nobles with nothing better to do. Fiona caught word, lifted an invitation from the nearest messenger and was on her way with her nicest evening attire, taking the gamble that the Queen Consort would most definitely have one of the legendary stones stashed away in her private quarters. All Fiona would need to do was to steal it—and the Gods knew she was excellent at her craft.

Inside the palace, Fiona found it easy to blend in—occasionally mingling with stuffy nobles as she snagged fancy hors d'oeuvres and sipped imported wine, all the while eyeing the corridor that led to the restricted bedrooms. She was halfway mumbling some sort of prayer to any God that would listen for a distraction when an older man fell face-first into the buffet table, clearly intoxicated—Fiona took her chance to slip away, smiling to herself when not a soul noticed.

Or so she thought.

Fiona was surprised to find the Jarl’s chambers unguarded, but it hardly relaxed her. She crept along the wall, shuffling along to the bookcase, searching for the familiar golden case. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she moved on, slinking away towards the bed and the nearby cabinet when something shiny caught her eye. Almost immediately, she reached for it.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, lass.”

Fiona hardly flinched, barely glancing over her shoulder at the stranger with the peculiar accent. “Just who are you supposed to be?”

“A handsome stranger,” he replied with a sly smirk.

“You have a mask on,” she countered, finally turning to face him if only to anticipate his moves. As far as she could tell, her unwelcome intruder wasn’t a guard. Another guest? Unlikely. So another thief then? That she could handle—with pleasure. “How exactly am I to know you are handsome?”

“Female intuition.”

She perked up an eyebrow. “Hmm. I may need a closer look. Why don’t you come over here so I can see for myself?”

“Tempting,” the stranger replied, fingers rubbing at his chin. “Why don’t you come over here? I don’t bite. Unless you want me to.”

Fiona had enough of the man’s smug grin and overall appearance in the room. The longer she delayed, the more risk she posed at getting caught—and she wasn’t about to be captured with this idiot. She’d had enough of being captured with Nordic criminal-strangers for one lifetime. The man moved closer, testing her reactions until he was right before her, studying her eyes. His were green—vibrant, and beyond his mask she could see his dark auburn hair. Different for a Nord—she was getting distracted, almost so that she nearly missed the way he leaned forward, mouth dipping towards hers.

Whatever move he had planned to make, to woo or fancy her, she wasn’t interested—at least, not that moment. Fiona internally groaned at herself before quickly grabbing free her concealed dagger from her belt, gripping the man’s shirt collar tight as she kicked his knees to drop him to the floor. Within moments the edge of her knife was pressed to his cheek but instead of the expected fear that Fiona found on her enemies faces, she only found excitement—delight?

“Why are you laughing?” she asked, shaking him slightly out of annoyance. “This is poisoned! I could slice your neck open if I want!”

He let out a nervous chuckle, raising his hands up in mercy. “You’re beautiful.”

Fiona hesitated, completely bewildered and yet charmed by the stranger, unsure of what to make. If he really was a thief, he wasn’t a very good one—or perhaps he had a larger target and was just…fooling around. Regardless, she didn’t want to take the risk. She knew the little dose of poison from the minuscule slice of her blade would fade away within minutes—she needed something stronger to keep him put. Her eyes flickered back to the cabinet and she focused in on something other than the jewel. A pair of manacles.

Naughty, naughty.

“This isn’t exactly how I envisioned my night ending,” he mused, watching her as she shackled him to the nearest bedpost, leaving him kneeling on the floor. “Or maybe it’s exactly how I envisioned it.”

“Next time don’t follow suspicious women into bedrooms,” Fiona retorted, tightening the binds for good measure.

He laughed. “Aye, but that’s my livelihood!”

Fiona decided she needed a little more thrill before making her escape, quickly closing the gap between them as she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. She ignored the arrogant grin—if she was lucky, she’d never have to see it again—and stood, ready to leave Solitude once and for all.

“Wait!” the man shouted from his confined spot on the ground. “What’s your name, lass?”

Fiona paused in the doorway, regarding him with one last look. She flashed him a wink—a dare, despite it all. “Catch me one day and find out.”

❤  18/29  ❤

#elder scrolls: skyrim #brynjolf #brynjolf x f!dovahkiin #fiona bloom-holt #otp: I shall taunt you a second time #fanfiction #t-swift february fics #this is a long time coming yes #no longer a noodle incident #bryn is a stranger here so he's not named but uhh yes