Three Little Thieves

Liam Reed | Imperial | 32 Smuggler Aaron Paul Payne | Imperial | 25 Forger Kat Dennings I track the threelittlethieves tag

[tortulja]

AU: The Buying Game [Liam, Tort]

[threelittlethieves]

@tortulja

Sitting down across from him, Tort let out a short laugh at the suggestion and offered him an apologetic look.

“I didn’t pick the phrase, Delvin suggested it,” she replied with a shrug, before leaning forward in her seat. “I know we’ve got business to deal with: after all, you didn’t send for a fence for nothing, but I do want to catch up some after, aye? …I’ve missed getting to spend time with you.”

There had been a slight pause before her confession, and she felt her face grow hot again. Suddenly, she felt an urge to further explain what she had meant, before he made some joke about her choice of words that would only embarrass her further.

“I mean… it’s always nice to see friends.”

As Tortulja talked, a smile grew on Liam’s face until it bloomed into a smirk when she tried to correct herself. The Imperial tilted his head an raised his eyebrow, “and that’s what we are? Friends?” he asked, his voice low. He liked watching her squirm, but only for a bit. There was no need to overdo it, he figured, so he straightened up.

“But yeah, I did need a fence,” he confirmed with a nod before he leaned over towards her to fetch a small stachel from the floor underneath the table, then handed it to her.

[tortulja]

AU: The Buying Game [Liam, Tort]

[threelittlethieves]

@tortulja

first, Tortulja felt her heart leap with excitement. She knew that voice. She hadn’t gotten to hear it in what felt like far too long, but she knew that voice. The reply, however, brought a different flush of heat to her face.

When the Imperial opened the door, he was met with a very disapproving, very embarrassed frown. Clearly, Tort was not pleased with being brought to blushing, especially when it came from him: and she knew from that smug smirk on his face that he was enjoying every second of it, which that only made her blush deepen in color.

“Afternoon, Charming,” she replied, putting emphasis on the nickname as though it were an insult, yet the playful smile that had taken over her frown gave her away. The Nord didn’t even hesitate: upon the confirmation that the voice did indeed belong to her good friend Liam, she flung her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. After the hug concluded, she walked past him into the room, turning to face him as he closed the door.

“If I had known I was meeting you, I would have been here earlier.”

He did indeed enjoy every second of watching her all embarrassed, and if he was completely honest with himself, her frown was quite adorable.

At her greeting, the Imperial merely let out an amused chuckle. When she embraced him, he wrapped both arms tightly around her in return, his hands resting flat on her back.

He closed the door behind her before he motioned for her to sit down with him at the table in the corner, then sat down himself.

“it’s no big deal,” he replied with a shrug and leaned back on the chair. “Though you could have picked a better codephrase,” he complained half-heartedly and flashed her a teasing smile.

[tortulja]

AU: The Buying Game [Liam, Tort]

It had been some time since Tortulja had last found herself in Whiterun. Which came as a surprise to the Nord. After all, the town was one of the more pleasant and welcoming in Skyrim.

But she was here now, and she’d enjoy it - even if she had business to attend to first. Smiling and offering a wave to the barmaid, Tort continued past, towards the rooms that were rented out at the inn, mentally counting until she was certain she was standing in front of the correct door.

Tort knocked, and waited for someone to answer. When she heard a shuffling from inside the room and what she assumed was a muffled voice, Tort said the phrase that was given to her, trying hard not to laugh, “Do you have any troll fat? I need to slather up the Falmer.”

[threelittlethieves]

Liam had been waiting at the inn for roughly half a day when he finally heard the knock on the door.

The Imperial leaned against the doorframe, the familiar voice drawing a smile to his face. “Nah, it’s dog tallow you want. Goblins use troll fat as lube for their ogies, ” he replied resting his forehead on the door, and for a moment he could practically feel her blush. He pushed open the door, inclining his head and looked down at her with a downright smug expression.

“Hello Doll face,” he greeted with a smirk.

[threelittlethieves]

Overdue Dinner [Payne, Gregor]

[riftborn-deactivated20160517]

“I try to impress,” he replied, a bright smile crossing his face at her words as he returned her hug. “You are looking as lovely as ever.” Breaking the embrace, he moved to pull her chair out from under the table, motioning for her to sit down before he sat across from her.

“I’m glad you were able to join me tonight,” Gregor said, smiling again. “I enjoy your company. So tell me, how was your day?”

[threelittlethieves]

Payne sat down and flashed him a warm smile and crossed her legs. “How could I pass up an opportunity like this?” she asked with a light tone and smiled warmly as she leaned forward slightly and folded her arms on the table.

“Pretty uneventful to be honest,” she admitted and moved her hair to fall over her left shoulder. “Worked a bit on a painting and did some paperwork. How was your day?” she asked and tilted her head.

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

[tortulja]

“It is pretty difficult to get rid of you,” Tort agreed, managing a somewhat genuine smile. “I mean, you’ve put up with my puns and hugs this long.”

Despite the tone, she still wasn’t fully herself, and likely wouldn’t be until she had some time to be by herself and reset. The Nord was grateful that he was reacting how he was, but she had a nagging feeling that no matter how fine he seemed now, things weren’t going to return how they were.

A thick feeling of guilt settled in her stomach. As she had feared, she should have just kept her mouth shut. If she had never confessed how she felt, she wouldn’t have had to have this conversation with Liam. Wouldn’t have had to push him away.

“Thank you… for hearing me out.”

[threelittlethieves]

Liam chuckled and let out a short “yeah,” and leaned back against the railing like he had done earlier. 

He felt a little better now that they had managed to laugh together, but the guilt still lingered in the back of his head. He cleared his throat an motioned towards the inn before he spoke, “Do you want to go back with me? Grab a bite to eat maybe? ‘Cause I’m starving,” he suggested.

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

[tortulja]

“Don’t say that, Sirius seems to like having you as a partner,” she said, trying to lighten the mood but seeming to fall short. “I still want you to be a friend. Of course I do. The whole point of this was so I could still have you as a friend and not chase you off with my stupid fears.”

[threelittlethieves]

Liam let out a light chuckle at her attempted tease and released her completely. “Then I’m not going anywhere,” he told her with a warm smile that threatened to turn into a smirk any moment, “you’re gonna have to do better than that to get rid of me,” he teased and nudged her shoulder lightly.

The fact that he felt both relived and guilty didn’t seem to affect his expression, which he was thankful for. Guilty for leading her on to this point, and the emotions that had flared within him these last few months, but relieved they had managed to solve everything.

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

[tortulja]

The silence felt just as heavy as the ache in her chest, and Tortulja was surprised when Liam pulled her into a hug. His words and embrace were reassuring, but she still felt as though she had only made things worse. She had practically rejected him, why would he ever want to be around her again?

“You mean a lot to me too,” she mumbled into his chest, wrapping her arms around him and hiding her face for the time being. “I’m sorry. I’ve messed it all up. I should have stayed quiet. I just got scared.”

[threelittlethieves]

“No, no,” he said in a low voice, “you haven’t messed up anything, so stop saying that.” He started slowly stroking her back before he pulled back slightly, so he could look at her and offer her a reassuring smile. “I might not be the best partner, in any sense of the word, but I can manage being a friend, if you want me to be one.”

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

[tortulja]

Tortulja was relieved that he agreed, and she let out the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding in. However, the more he spoke, the less relieved she felt. Once again, that anxiety was back, twisting her stomach and gnawing at her chest.

“No, that’s… it’s not just you,” she said, trying not to sound as pained as she felt. This was not going how she had thought. She didn’t want him to take the blame. She wasn’t trying to blame anyone.

“It’s not fair to you, either,” she continued. “Like you said, I’m stuck here. I can’t go with you and I don’t expect you to just drop everything and settle down. I wouldn’t want you to do that. That’s… that’s not you. I don’t want you to change.”

Suddenly, the ache in her chest was heavy and she felt her eyes sting with the beginnings of hot tears. Taking a moment to collect herself, Tort let out a sigh.

“This isn’t your fault. It’s not all on you. I just… I don’t want to lose you,” she admitted, biting her lower lip. “I don’t want to get so far that we can’t turn back and it hurts us and I… I’m afraid if we tried that might happen.”

[threelittlethieves]

He wanted to protest, tell her to stop blaming herself, grab her shoulders and shake her, but he did nothing. He simply stood there and let her rip herself to shreads, simply because he didn’t know what to say.

When she had finished talking, he still didn’t know what to say. In an attempt to make himself not look like a total fool, he pushed himself from the railing and took a step towards her to close the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, and held her there against his chest.

“I don’t want to lose you either, Tort, you’re one of my best friends, and you mean a lot to me,” he murmured slowly against the top of her head.

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

[tortulja]

“Maybe just take a walk around town?” Tort suggested, shrugging her shoulders. “Or at least out of the inn, so we can hear one another when we talk.” 

At his excuse, she shook her head and waved a dismissive hand. He didn’t have to explain, she knew it - she had been a thief before and knew they tended to travel. Besides, he wasn’t the only one at fault. She hadn’t made the grandest of attempts at seeking him out.

“I’ve been busy myself,” she confessed, and offered him a weak smile. Walking with him out the doors of the inn, she cleared her throat and tried to figure out just what she wanted to say. The only problem was that she wasn’t entirely sure what it was she wanted to tell him.

“I’ve been thinking about… us,” Tort began, attempting to choose her words carefully, “about our last talk, when we told each other how we felt and… I guess I’m just… not sure? About anything. I mean, I know that I like you. I know that I care about you. I just… don’t know what to do from here? Or… or even if we should do anything different.”

The Nord paused, debating on how to continue with sharing her thoughts, but not wanting to stay quiet too long, or not make it seem like Liam couldn’t contribute to the conversation.

“It’s just… with how busy we are… and with how different our lives are…” she started, but faltered, and a frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I’m just not really sure what we should be doing about how we feel. Or if we should be doing anything. If… if any of that makes sense. How do you feel about it?”

[threelittlethieves]

“A walk sounds good,” he agreed with a nod before he lead them towards the door and pushed it open. 

He fell into a calm pace next to her as they walked, and as they walked he got a nagging feeling in the back of his head to say something, anything, but nothing came out. When she spoke he looked over at her and furrowed his brows slightly. He nodded appropriately and had begun to chew on his lower lip.

He stopped walking and leaned against the railing along the upper walkway before he cleared his throat. “I know what you mean,” he began and placed his hands on either side of himself, “and I agree, not because I don’t like you, because I really do, but...” he paused, took a deep breath and ran a hand down his face, “I just don’t think it’s fair, I mean... We live two very different lives. Youre life keeps you here, and mine keeps me on the move...” the Imperial groand and shrunk a little, “this all sounded much better in my head,” he sighed.

“I can’t give you what you deserve...I don’t want to disappoint you, by not being around enough, or saying the right things, or remembering important dates... I just, I can’t be that man... not now,” he said after a moment of silnce and contemplation.

[tortulja]

Hard Answers [Liam, Tort]

The thoughts had been gnawing at her for some time. Admitting she and Liam had feelings for one another was one thing. The two of them actually doing anything about that confession was a whole other beast.

Between working at the Hall, caring for the animals by herself, and spending time with Dalamus in order to keep him company (and keep an eye on him), Tortulja had little time to spare. Add in the fact that Liam was often away on jobs and that was more missed opportunities. 

Her thoughts had plenty of time to wind her into a knot of anxiety, and she felt as though she should make the time to have a proper sit down with Liam and discuss where each of them would like things to go.

Fortunately, he wasn’t difficult to find. Knowing he was in town, Tort headed to the the Bee and Barb. Waiting until he had separated from his table, she approached him, and offered him a small smile.

“Do you have a moment? I’d like to spend some time with you. Alone, preferably.”

[threelittlethieves]

He had mostly been traveling with Sirius these past weeks, but also some rookies from the Guild on the smaller jobs. If he was being honest with himself, he'd had very little time to think and even less time to get everything done correctly, what with all the jobs for the Guild, the traveling and not staying in a town for more than a night or two at a time to reload.

That’s why he was surprised when Tort approached him, seemingly out of the blue. “Tort,” he uttered in surprise and blinked at her a few times before her request registered in his brain. “Uh, sure,” he answered with a casual shrug. “Where did you want to go?”

“I’ve been meaning to come see you, but,” he began and rubbed at the back of his neck, “well, you know how work gets in the way sometimes.” He cringed at the lame excuse and hoped she wouldn't pay it too much attention. 

[threelittlethieves]

Dark Cyrodiilic Wine [Tortulja/Liam]

[tortulja]

Tort did glance away once the awkward moment had filled the room, and instead stared at the dark liquid in her cup. Perhaps it hadn’t been her place to ask. Maybe Liam didn’t want to talk —

"You did?" she said, whipping her head to look at him, brows raised in surprise. "…and somehow you managed to survive all his inevitable teasings? I’m surprised. You’re a lot tougher than you look."

A smile was starting to quirk the corners of her lips, but she successfully reigned it back. She then leaned one of her elbows on the arm of her chair, resting her chin on her hand.

"Just how did you keep him quiet?”

[threelittlethieves]

Liam laughed and shook his head, "It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that," he admitted and glanced over at her.

"Nah, he wasn't all that bad to be honest. He teased me for a bit, sure, but he's my buddy - he's supposed to do that. Besides, when I told him he actually took it seriously, it's why I'm here now," Liam continued, and once he was done talking he drank the last few gulps of wine in his goblet. 

[threelittlethieves]

Overdue Dinner [Payne, Gregor]

Payne smiled back at him. “How about tomorrow evening?” she suggested with sightly raised eyebrows and leaned slightly over the table.

[riftborn-deactivated20160517]

"I will await your company eagerly, then," he replied with a broad smile.

~ ~ ~

Await, he did, though it was more nervously than eagerly if he was honest with himself. Which was foolish, really. He had spoken to the woman before and they had gotten on well. Even if she didn’t show, he would still enjoy a meal.

But oh, how he hoped she’d show.

[threelittlethieves]

The amount of teasing she had received from Sirius and Liam when she told her about her plans for the evening was ridiculous. Regardless, she had left the two to their own devices and was now headed to the inn where she hoped to find Gregor. 

Once inside it didn't take her long to spot him and she flashed him a bright smile as she walked over to him. "Look at you," she said and motioned to his clothes and general appearance before she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly hug. "You clean up nicely, dear," she murmured close to his ear.

[threelittlethieves]

Dark Cyrodiilic Wine [Tortulja/Liam]

[threelittlethieves]

"You know how it usually ends for him and myself on a job, and this time he decided to make a bee line back here even before we had started," Liam told her before he poured himself some more wine, then offered to do the same for her. "That, and he insisted we went straight to you once we got here," the Imperial added.

[tortulja]

"Why, did something happen on the way or after the job?" she asked, glancing over at him, brows furrowed. "Sirius doesn’t seem the type to play match-maker, so why would he suddenly want to drop you on my doorstep?"

A pause.

"…did you tell him how you felt about me?"

[threelittlethieves]

Liam was in the middle of a sip when she asked him whether he had told Sirius or not, and he couldn't help but prolong the sip as long as he could. He continued drinking until he could practically touch the awkward moment, and first then did he lower the goblet and clear his throat.

"I might have... mentioned it once.. or twice," he mumbled as he leaned forward, supporting his elbows on his knees and tapped his fingertips together. 

[threelittlethieves]

Dark Cyrodiilic Wine [Tortulja/Liam]

[tortulja]

"Oh? What gives you that idea?" Tort asked, looking over at the Imperial, her brows raised in intrigue. A vague memory bubbled to the front of her mind, one in which she had spoken to Sirius about some… confusing feelings of hers.

He probably knew who (or at least one of the who’s) she had been talking about. She resisted the urge to hide her face in her hands and instead took another sip of wine.

[threelittlethieves]

"You know how it usually ends for him and myself on a job, and this time he decided to make a bee line back here even before we had started," Liam told her before he poured himself some more wine, then offered to do the same for her. "That, and he insisted we went straight to you once we got here," the Imperial added.

[threelittlethieves]

riftborn

"Mercenary work isn’t stable enough to help fund the orphanage," he admitted, smiling brightly at the woman. At her last comment, he laughed and nodded. "Aye, I still owe you dinner. Let me know when I can repay that debt?"

Payne smiled back at him. "How about tomorrow evening?" she suggested with alsightly raised eyebrows and leaned slightly over the table.

[threelittlethieves]

✪✄

✪ for my character to hug yours

Sirius flashed the woman a charming smile as he approached her with open arms. Once close enough, he pulled the woman in for a tight hug, and quickly and skillfully searched her if she had anything of value he could… borrow without permission. When he didn’t seem to find anything, he pulled away from her, all in one fluid motion honed and perfected over the years.

"Come have a drink with us, yeah?" He let one hand remain on her shoulder as he motioned to the table he had come from, and he smiled at her.

✄ and my character will insult your character

"It’s not called showing off, its called you being mad because you can’t do it," Sirius told her, but the smirk on his face said otherwise. 

[threelittlethieves]

✄

✄ and my character will insult your character.

Liam had gone to visit Tort, Sirius had run off with one of the wenches, Cael had retired to his room and Payne found herself sharing the table with a young man she had never met before.

She finished her wine and furrowed her brows, looking at him. “Right now I’m sitting here looking at you trying to see things from your point of view, but I can’t get my head that far up my ass,” she told him, idly shaking her had.