This was 1DaughterOfGod's second contest entry. Hope you enjoy!

-------

Femke

Jumping from roof to roof, I make my way towards the cemetery. After pulling that heist, I need a drink. Even if it's the skeever's water that the Ragged Flagon serves.

Heavy with precious loot, I jump down from the last roof and make my way to the "tomb." Upon arrival, I lay down a single nightshade flower. Always covering my tail by checking to see if anyone's here besides me. Like that damned Talos priestess that's always at the shrine. I've lost count over how many hours she's cost me to complete a job, having to wait for her to stop her caterwauling and go home before I could enter the Cistern.

Pressing the secret button, the top of the stone entrance pulls back, making a horrible screeching sound. Looks like the wheels need to be oiled again. Else it would make a horrid escape, especially if everyone knows it opens. Wouldn't be so secret then, would it?

My boots hit the damp ground, making an echo across the open space. Who knows what time it is? Most likely early morning, since most of us are asleep. But there's always one who waits.

"Hiya, Bryn! Finishing up your love letter to Maven?" I bat my eyes at him sweetly. He looks up at me with an amused gleam in his eyes.

"You're just a barrel of laughs, aren't you, lass? This is serious. Without Maven, the Guild would just be a ragtag group of lowlifes."

"Wait, you mean that the she-devil is on our side? Why, Brynjolf, your letters must be hitting her where her heart should be." I fake shock and playfully punch him in the shoulder.

He looks up from the letter and walks over to me. Tucking a hair behind my slanted ear, he murmurs, "Come on, lass, you know there's only one who has my eye." My heart falters and skips a beat. My throat constricts, allowing only a whisper to come out.

"Who, exactly, would that be?" He leans in closer. Closer. Closer.

He throws a septim in the air and catches it. Holding it right in my face.

"Why, wealth, of course." He steps back and laughs heartily at that. Trying to ignore my disappointment and humiliation, I try to recover.

"I'm afraid you have some competition, then, for her heart. For she already loves another." With that, I place my treasure on the desk in front of him, showing the success of the night.

He laughs again, making my heart flutter and my mind gasp.

"Smart as a whip you are, lass." He places the booty where it needs to be, then turns his attention back to me. He gestures towards the beds and tells me to hit the hay. "Looks like you could use it."

"Gee, Bryn, you really know how to make a girl blush."

Flashing a smile, I follow the advice. I shed my armor without a thought and slip under the covers, fully aware of the eyes on the back of my head. The time before the waves of sleep allow my mind to wander. From being rich, to my newfound friends, and to him. Always to him.

When sleep does come, it comes with the image of him.