Skyrim Drabbles ('N whatnot..)

Mercer Frey

Mercer and I were arguing once again. Which, really was nothing new. With Mercer's brash attitude and my stubborn personality, we tended to butt heads in multiple situations... often. 

The other guild members showed obvious annoyance and frustration whenever our bickering started. However, they didn't dare say anything from a past experience Brynjolf had. He had tried to calm Mercer and I both down, but since we're both hotheaded, we ended up yelling at Brynjolf together. He and the other members took a mental note to not interfere with our fights from then on. 

This time, however, our fight was about a certain job I was wanting to take. It was rather risky, but if it went well, it would prove highly beneficial. It was a shill job - to plant some stolen jewelry in Jarl Laila's strongbox and a few other rooms with chests and whatnot. If it were to go according to plan, Maven could have Jarl Laila step down from the throne, putting Maven as the new Jarl. It would prove to be very beneficial for business.

Yet, Mercer was refusing to give me the job. He kept coming up with excuses such as 'too many guards', 'he already gave someone else the job', and my favorite 'he can't lose his best asset'.

"Recently, you've been doing better than Brynjolf, Delvin, and even Vex-" Mercer started, but I cut him off before he could finish. 

"Exactly! Wouldn't that make enough sense to send me?" I asked, slamming my hands down onto the ledge of Mercer's desk, using that as support as I leaned forward.

Mercer sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can't afford to lose my best asset to the guild. It's the Jarl's palace, meaning there is way more security inside than the ones patrolling the city."

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, how rich! This isn't the first time I've done something risky, Mercer. Why do you care so much this time? And don't feed me that 'best asset to the guild' garbage! It's a bullshit excuse and you know it!"

The both of us remained quiet for a moment, glaring at one another. 

"I'm giving this shill job to Vex and that's final," Mercer said lowly, staring into my eyes with his steely blue ones. 

"She couldn't even handle Goldenglow! What makes you think she would be able to accomplish this? Why won't you let me do this? I mean, hell, it's not like you actually give a damn about me, personally," I replied, overwhelmed with frustration, breaking our eye contact. I shifted to where I was leaning against the desk with my hip.

Mercer was quiet for a moment before speaking up again. "You really wanna know why I don't want to give you the job? It's because I care for you. I don't want you to be thrown behind bars, and of course, I'd have someone bail you out if that were ever the case, but I'm also trying to avoid spending our coin if you were to make a stupid decision. Yes, you were able to do something Vex wasn't able to, but she's particularly good at avoiding guards. Whether that means persuading them or, more often than not, intimidating them," Mercer explained. 

My frustration from before had worn off the more I listened to him. Of course, I still wanted the job, but I just heard Mercer, the man who seems to care about nothing but getting a job done and getting gold in the end, just said he cared for me. 

"Fine, you win... Vex gets the job," I huffed. "But.. you care for me, huh?" I said after a moment, smirking slightly. 

"I suppose," he replied, his face still as emotionless as ever. 

"I gotta say, I'm surprised," I stated, crossing my arms. 

"Occasionally, I give a damn," he retorted with a slight shrug and a slight half smile. 

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Sorry if Mercer was out of character at all! I tried 😅 Also, I know this isn't super romantic and lovey-dovey, but the other chapters will be more fluffy than this.