People do know that the party has parents of their own, right? That the whole 'Mom Steve' thing is just a joke? Right?

Author’s Note: I’m posting late, which sucks. My editing software crashed this evening and it dumped in a bunch of random stuff into my document. Commas, words running together, that sort of thing. At nine fifteen last night. Of course this happened when I was doing my final pass. I hate Google docs. Anyway, please enjoy. And if I look at this tomorrow and see anything that runs together or has double commas, I’m going to scream. I tried so hard to edit it back to normal.

Word Count: 5,312

Masterlist

Warnings: Smut, adult themes, this chapter is part of a work that contains explicit content. Minors do not interact. 18+ only. NSFW.

Chapter Eleven

Andy cut through the water, the muscles of his arms bunching as he reached for a downstroke. The splashes of his motion made a relaxing beat against the walls of the pool. You were relaxing on the lounge watching his workout. A slow smile curved your lips as he reached the end of the lane and flipped under the water, taking off back towards the far side of the pool. He was even hotter than he’d been in college. Those muscles weren’t just for show, you thought dreamily, watching his breast stroke. You should’ve brought a drool rag.

A shadow fell over you and your head whipped around to find Ari standing next to the lounge chair. His eyes were shaded by dark glasses and his hair fell into his eyes as he looked down at you.

“Hey, handsome. Thanks for moving my stuff.”

“I made Steve do all the heavy lifting,” Ari said, flashing a grin.

He sat down on the edge of your chair and slipped off his sunglasses, dropping them on the side table. Stretching back, he reclined in the narrow space next to you.

“I’m glad you moved out.”

“Andy persuaded me to. I wasn’t crazy about him interfering at first, but he was right.”

Ari shifted onto his side and looked at you. You moved to face him on your side, sliding your arm around his waist. Relief flashed over his features. He was tense. You could feel it as you touched him and then saw the lines around his eyes.

“What’s up?” you asked.

Your free hand cupped his jaw as you rubbed at the short beard with the pad of your thumb.

“I wish we’d have taken things slower. You should have known we wanted more than sex yesterday. I’m sorry I deceived you. I’ve realized that Andy lying to me was pretty much karma.”

“Okay.”

“I wish you’d told me what Jackson had done, but I know I never gave you the chance.”

“Ari, I wouldn’t have told you. It was private information. And humiliating. I haven’t told anyone what’s going on. Not even my family knows.”

He scowled. “You trusted me.”

“For sex, absolutely. With the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me? I don’t think so. I wouldn’t have even told Andy.”

Ari’s eyebrows jumped. “That actually makes me feel better.”

“I enjoyed last night. It helped me put Jackson out of my life once and for all. And the added benefit is that there’s no way he’ll ever come back. Not after all that. He’s so done with me.”

Your grin made his mouth curve into a smile and you found the expression much more suited to his features.

“How are things with Andy?”

“I love him and he loves me. Neither one of us ever stopped. I understand what happened now. Knowing our break up wasn’t an abrupt change of heart or another woman helps. This morning I realized I could just let it all go and be happy. So that’s what I’m going to do.”

Ari pulled you tight to his body and sighed, running his hands over the skin exposed by your bathing suit.

“The bastard shouldn’t have sprung himself on you like that, but since it all worked out… I’ll let it go too.”

“Look at you, already absorbing my positive vibes.”

Ari rolled his eyes back to stare up at the linen curtain over the cabana. “Awesome. After a lifetime of staying alive out of sheer spite, you’re going to lighten me up, aren’t you?”

“Seriously, spite? I would have figured you for a hedonist.”

“Being petty is hedonistic. And being petty with my older brothers is my birthright as the youngest.”

You propped yourself up on your elbow and considered him.

“Wait. There’s entertainment value in this, isn’t there? You should wait on changing too much while I reevaluate.”

Ari snorted. “Someone likes fireworks, don’t you?”

“Yes. Particularly when they don’t involve me.”

Andy completed his last lap and stepped out of the water. Rivulets ran down his pectorals and clung to his neck. Mmmhhh… you wanted to lick the droplets off his collarbone.

“The view up here is amazing,” you said.

“Yeah, the entire city is at our feet,” Ari said. He glanced towards the west, where the skyline was outlined in the fading light.

“Not the view I was referring to, Tiger.”

Ari noticed his brother padding towards you and groaned.

“To each their own, sweetheart.”

“And thanks to you, that is mine.”

In the space of an afternoon, your confidence in your relationship had bloomed once again. Thinking of Andy as yours felt like slipping on a favorite pair of sneakers that had been misplaced. It was familiar and right, fitted just the way you needed. Andy padded over to your lounge and you handed him the towel he’d left beside you. He wiped at his face and nodded to his brother.

“Ari.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t punch you.”

“Steve already clocked me this morning. With you, I’m more concerned about finding the air let out of my tires tomorrow.”

“I’ll keep that one on my list for the future,” Ari said.

He burrowed into your arms and smirked at Andy. “How’d your afternoon go? From the state your bed was in, I’m almost jealous.”

You smacked his shoulder. “Shut up.”

Andy looped the towel around his shoulders and stepped back, shaking his head.

“I’m going to shower. Why don’t you and Duchess soak in the hot tub for a while? She’s sore.”

He turned around and walked off, rubbing his hair with the towel. You glared after him. Spoilsport. You could have dragged another round out of Ari if he’d kept his mouth shut. The jerk. Maybe you shouldn’t have tried to talk him into sex in the cabana.

“Honey, settle down,” Ari said.

“He really spoils all my fun. You know that?”

His dark eyebrows arched. “Well damn. I thought he was warning me.”

You curled into him, arching your back and twining your arms around his neck. With your most seductive look, you sighed and fluttered your lashes.

“I’ve been neglected, you know. It’s been two years since my last good orgasm with a man.”

This intrigued Ari. “So, there’s another guy between Andy and Jackson? Tell me more, I want to have something over the boss.”

“You’re going to think I’m evil when I tell you who it was.”

“This is getting juicy.”

“I slept with his friend Ben. We ran into each other two years ago and I had the urge to get even. To be fair, I thought Andy had abandoned me. So I hit on Ben, and well, you know men. He was very willing.”

Ari laughed. “Good for you, sweetheart. I like that you give him hell. He needs it.”

“Andy’s always been the serious one. Left to my own devices, I’m pretty serious myself but he makes me want to be playful.”

“We can crawl in the hot tub and you cuddle me. Yesterday, Steve got all the snuggles, and I only got to watch.”

You grinned. “Come here, Tiger. We can curl up together.”

Fifteen minutes later, you were surrounded by bubbling water as you sat on Ari’s lap. He had collected a bottle of Doux from the kitchen and brought two flutes that were currently balanced on the ledge of the hot tub. In a bucket of ice, the rest of the champagne waited. In the corner of the hot tub, the jets on the left massaged your back while Ari leaned against the adjacent stream. You sipped at your second glass of champagne and started to feel fuzzy. Ari reached for the bottle.

“Top up?”

“Why not? It’s the weekend.”

“Steve said he filled you in on our proposal this morning,” Ari said.

He corked the Doux and put it back into the ice bucket.

“Yes. The three of you, with me. All of us together. Is that what you want?”

Ari leaned back and sank deeper into the water. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Any of you could have a woman of your own if you felt like it. I could drop you off at a bar downtown and you’d have five phone numbers by the end of the night.”

“You’re an optimist. I’ve managed four before, but that was during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”

“You know what I mean. You don’t have to share. Why do you want to?”

Ari’s jaw clenched. “I’m the only one who isn’t bothered by how our lives turned out. Being in the mob doesn’t upset me. The casino business is like running a party. The underground games are fun. We set up a full bar and make things comfortable so the gamblers stick around all night. I make money hand over fist because it’s all rigged. And not even illegally, it’s just the standard fare for the gambling industry. Heck, if I was running this in a different state, it would be legal. What I do doesn’t feel wrong.”

He went quiet and looked away, towards the skyline. You laid a hand on his shoulder.

“That’s not what I asked.”

“It didn’t feel wrong to me until I found out what Jackson had done to you so he could keep gambling at my casinos. Let’s just say all the fun is sucked out of my work now. I feel like crap. I’ve never felt this way about what I do before and I don’t know how to handle it. If I could quit, I think I would. But that’s not an option.”

“Jackson is responsible for what he did, not you. I don’t have any objection to gambling, just so you know.”

Ari pulled his gaze from the sky and looked back at you. “Jackson stole money from you to fund his habit. He has a sickness and if it were drugs he was addicted to, I’d be his dealer. I can’t shake off how I feel. It’s like I had a part in the con he pulled.”

“You feel responsible for what Andy did to me, for what Jackson did… That’s not a healthy weight to carry.”

“It’s not. I keep having these moments... spasms of conscience, you might call them. At first, I thought it was Steve rubbing off on me. Sometime early this year, I started needing something different. I wanted an outlet that wasn’t related to the mob, but my whole life is the business. Nothing I can do will change that, not for a long time. Then I realized what I could do. I figured out what was wrong. I was ready for a relationship. But after a look around at my options, I didn’t find anyone I wanted.”

You smiled, amused. “Wow, I thought you said your casinos were fun. What are they, strictly men? That’s so 1950. I should stop by and liven up the place.”

Ari’s expression turned dark. “No. Not a chance in hell. Our clients are worse than Jackson. You’re staying very far away from the business.”

“Really?”

“Hell yes.”

“Way to be a killjoy.”

He rolled his eyes. “You want fun? I’ll take you to Rio. Just don’t stroll into one of my casinos. It’s a rough crowd.”

“Message received. Stay home. Be boring. Take up cross stitch and golf. Sign up for my AARP card, I got it.”

Ari groaned. “You’re supposed to give Andy hell, not me!”

You curled your arm around his neck and nuzzled his cheek. His eyes slid half closed in pleasure.

“I’m teasing you. I’ll stay away from your games, and you can take me to Carnival in Venice.”

“Good choice,” Ari said.

“So you’re planning on being around for that sort of thing in the future?”

He turned and slid his hands to your hips. “I want something more than making money for the mob. I’m at a different stage of life now. I kept dealing with Jackson because I knew about you. When Steve decided he wanted you too, I was furious. After I calmed down, it hit me. My work is dangerous and every criminal on this coast knows what I do. They know how much money I have access to and there’s been attempts on my life because of it. Bringing a woman into that life would be stupid. Unless it didn’t involve them. And because Steve can get out while Andy and I are in this for life, that makes it perfect. The three of us sharing one woman was the solution. I’d get what I needed and you would be safe.”

“It’s extremely non-traditional. What if I’d bolted?”

Ari nodded. “That’s why we had to go for sex first. Steve and I have shared women before. Andy sometimes joined in, but not until…” he stopped and licked his bottom lip. “Uhh…”

“Until after me?”

His shoulders moved with a heavy sigh. “We didn’t share regularly. It was only for fun. Watching each other was light voyeurism, safer than the stuff that could get a person arrested. I love a woman’s stamina in bed. The women we shared loved it, and that kept me coming back to it. Being the center of attention and having three men guarantees her satisfaction. It was enjoyable for everyone involved. It didn’t seem like such a bad set up for a relationship. We can all meet your needs in different ways and you’ll be safe.”

Your heart flipped over as his voice caught on the word safe. Rather than address it, you lightened the mood.

“You’re such a pleasure dom.”

Ari winked. “Oh, you have no idea, sweetheart. Wait until I get my hands on you.”

You rocked on his lap, feeling the evidence of his arousal.

“Mmmmhhh… I’m game.”

“Down girl. You’re sore. There’s plenty of time for that later.”

Admittedly, your muscles ached. Andy had persuaded you to take two ibuprofen with dinner. It may have helped too much, since you were currently thinking about dragging Ari downstairs and riding him. Probably not your best plan if you wanted to walk right tomorrow.

“I’ve never done anything like this. Being with the three of you would be amazing. I don’t doubt that. But I can’t imagine how we’re all going to share outside of the bedroom. Do you all get a night on rotation, or am I going to be with all of you at the same time?” You shook your head, running your hand over your hair. “But maybe it’s crazy to try and work out every little detail before we’ve even started. No relationship can be predicted, right? We just have to try. I guess I’m scared that I don’t even know how to try. Other than Andy and Jackson, I’ve never had a serious relationship.”

“You’ve had two more than me.”

You waited for the punchline. He took a sip of his drink.

“Seriously?”

“I got into the life of crime when I was in my early twenties. It doesn’t leave much room for romance.”

“Crap, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude, I’m just surprised. For the record, my relationship experience consists of being with Andy, who felt like my best friend, and then screwing up majorly with Jackson. I’m no one’s idea of an expert.”

Ari cocked his head. “I’m as shocked by you as you are about me. I expected a string of heartbreaks behind you. All I know is this would allow me and Andy to hide a relationship from our associates. Steve would be a perfect cover story. If he were your boyfriend, no one would pay much attention. Everyone knows we stick together and for you to live with all three of us would appear perfectly ordinary. No one will ever suspect that you’re ours, not just his.”

“How are they going to know about me if you don’t want me around your business?”

“Andy has bodyguards and so do I. When we’re out in public, they’re a necessity. I’m not the boss, but I still don’t venture too far without Steve around. That’s why the thought of dragging a woman into my life, as much as I wanted to, sent an icy shiver down my spine. She would constantly be under threat and it would drive me crazy.”

“That’s sweet.”

Ari met your gaze, his face somber. “No. It’s reality. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Steve leaving the mob means that you’d never fully come into contact with our enemies, with our men. He’s never been as connected as Andy and I. He’s the forgotten brother, the one who showed up out of nowhere. The mob is traditional. If our old man forgot about him, then why should they care if he’s our blood? Their boss never did.”

“Does that bother him?”

“Nope. He hates the mob. He only stayed to keep Andy alive. There was no one we could trust during the war, just ourselves. We had to clean the house. A few of them betrayed us and it’s how our mother died. After getting back on an even keel, Andy was paranoid. Rightfully so. Steve or I were always with him. For a while, we even slept in shifts and moved between safe houses every week. It was that bad.”

“And now?”

“We’re on top again. It’s taken years, but our position is well funded and the money coming in is better than ever. I might get out if I can train someone who can take over. It has to be someone so tightly under Andy’s control that he’s not at risk, but it’s possible. I want to tell you it’s a sure thing, but I won't lie to you.”

“I’m not asking you to make any changes, Ari.”

“But I want to change. You make me want to change and that’s a good thing. I’m far too comfortable being who I am. I needed the jolt Andy sent me into last night. I pushed you into a corner and demanded sex for money.”

“Ari…”

“I framed it as fun and games, but that’s the bottom line. Steve made a fuss about how we were going to approach you. Asking versus trying to lure you in. I laughed at him. To me, any way to get you was enough. Once I had you, I’d use sex as the bait to keep you around. My plan was to become a casual lover, a friend with benefits, and then work up to something more serious.”

“I said yes to your offer. There’s blame to go around if you want to play that angle. But I don’t care. I’m reconnected with Andy and it feels good. I’m so glad to have him back. Why should we dwell on how we got here? Let’s just enjoy it.”

“The outcome was excellent, but the process was shit. And that’s on me.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Fine. It’s all on you. Everything was a major screw up, start to finish. Get over it.”

Ari made a face at you. “I’m trying to have a moment. Stop being irreverent.”

“Quit the Debbie downer routine and I will. What do we do next, from here? I’m on board and I want to try this relationship. Is a group date in the cards, or are we splitting time evenly?”

“We can bring your stuff back here and you can move in. Specifically, with me.” Ari curled his arms around you and lowered his gaze to your throat. “I feel so terrible about how this all started.. I need you to cuddle me. One night won’t cut it. A week isn’t enough either. I want pillow talk and lazy morning sex, all that couple stuff. I’m starving for a normal relationship. You can break me in, just how you’d like.”

Your mouth was dry by the time he finished and your heart was fluttering. He was potent when he turned up the smoulder. Enhancing the appeal was the undercurrent of emotion behind the humor. His teasing was light-hearted, but he didn’t hide how much he wanted you. The gleam of vulnerability in his sapphire eyes made you want to cover his face with kisses and take him on romantic picnics.

You would take him. He was going to get all the softness and pleasure he’d missed out on when the mob had taken over his life. You were going to make sure of it. A spark of hope caught fire in your chest as you made a mental list of dates. The picnic. Going to the beach. A long walk around the marina with ice cream. Pumpkin patches and fall festivals.

“I think we could pack a lot of fun into the rest of this year,” you said.

Ari smiled. “It’s been a rough one for you so far. But we can turn that around.”

“I’d like that.”

“So you’re staying?”

“For tonight.”

Ari tensed. “What do you mean?”

“I need to keep my own space while we figure this out. I jumped in too fast with Jackson and I regret it. Don’t be offended. I just need some space while we settle in. This has been going at a breakneck speed and I want to take my time.”

“We could get a house. How about a dog? You like dogs.”

“No. I’m going to the place where Andy had you put my stuff.”

“What’s wrong with fast, when you know what you want?” Ari asked.

“We met yesterday. Literally. That’s not fast, that’s insane.”

“You spent three years with Andy.”

You tilted your head. “Yeah. And less than twenty-four hours with you. I need my own place. After how everything unfolded with-”

“I’m not Jackson.”

“Did I say you were? I’m going to look before I leap this time and dive in feet first. Respect that.”

Ari sighed. “Fine. But stay with me tonight? In the morning, we can go over and unpack your stuff. I’ll help you settle in.”

You kissed him on the mouth and laced your fingers into the long hairs at the back of his neck.

“That sounds perfect, babe.”

You felt the tension drain out of his neck and shoulders. He was scared. This was a step for him. Another thought occurred to you, one that had bothered you once you’d had time to process all that had happened.

“Ari, why did you want me? You’re a logical person. You think things through, I can tell. So what made you go from seeing me with Jackson to plotting out a full-blown relationship?”

He shrugged. The sudden stiffness in his shoulders contrasted his blank expression. You’d nailed him down and he hadn’t seen it coming.

“Tell me.”

“Jackson was a problem for me, okay? I was watching him to get leverage on our deal. He had money coming in from other sources. You weren’t his only scam. I’m not much for force, but I believe in getting my returns. So I watched him, waiting for a hint about where he was hiding his cash. Unfortunately, watching him also meant I saw you every day for the past three months.”

“You watched me?”

“Not like that. You weren’t the subject I was interested in, but I kept seeing you in passing. At first I found you beautiful and way out of his league, but then it became more serious.”

“Why? What happened?”

“The neighbor’s puppy got out. You saved it.”

Your mind flicked back, remembering the day he spoke of. Socks was the beagle mix that had a penchant for digging holes under the fence when his owners were gone. It had been early evening, right after work, when he’d taken off through the neighborhood like a bullet. High on his unwarranted freedom, he’d wiggled under the fence and sprinted into the road. The silver sedan hadn’t seen him coming. You’d thrown him into the backseat of your car and nearly flew to the animal hospital.

“I saved Socks, and that made you want me? A lot of people love animals. It’s hardly a litmus test of character.”

“Yeah, but I saw you come back and talk to the family. You hugged the little girl and gave her Mom tissues. I figured you’d taken him to the animal hospital down the street, so I stopped by. The tech was talkative. I found out you’d paid half the bill and asked the vet not to tell the family.”

You sighed and rubbed your shoulder, uncomfortable with the way he was looking at you. It didn’t mean what he thought. What you’d done hadn’t been a planned action. You weren’t a saint by anyone’s standards. A softie, perhaps. Because Socks was a puppy who’d not only been a pet, he was a much needed companion. You’d acted for your neighbor’s daughter more than anything when you’d seen the injured puppy.

“There’s more to the story. Her husband died right after Jackson and I moved in across the street. At first, she had a lot of support, but it tapered off. They were having a tough time. Annie - my neighbor, the Mom - she told me she was adopting the dog so her daughter could have a friend. Believe me, the girl needed one. The vet said his leg was broken and our only options were to put him down or do an expensive surgery. Annie couldn’t afford it, not after losing her husband’s income.”

“Neither could you,” Ari said.

“Nope. But I had about half the cost in cash in my office. An emergency fund I’d been rebuilding. I asked the secretary if she could give me a discount for an immediate payment in cash. She gave me ten percent off.”

Ari leaned down and pressed his forehead to yours.

“See? That’s what made you go from another pretty face to the woman I wanted.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re special. You’re kind to people, not just animals. People are harder to care for. I want someone who knows how to do that. I want wholesome and loving, not just hot sex. The past few months have made me realize how much I need a normal, stable relationship. I don’t deserve you. But you already know that.”

“No.”

His head snapped back and horror flashed across his features, then devastation. His jaw clenched, and you reached out before he could pull away. You swung your leg over him to straddle him. When your weight settled on his legs, he went stiff.

“Ari, listen to me. You don’t get to decide if you deserve me or not. In a relationship, you receive, and it isn’t about what you deserve. There are standards you deserve to be treated well and respected. But playing with a scorecard and keeping track of who deserves what is a recipe for a terrible relationship. Try it in reverse. What if you deserved me? Do you get to be entitled to another human being?”

He grunted and his eyes flicked down. “No, you don’t.”

“Good answer. If you’d said yes, I’d be sprinting for the elevators.”

Ari bent his head to burrow into your neck. “I know I want this, but I have no clue how to go about it. You’re going to have to take your time with me.”

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders. “I already think you should have the entire world, Ari. You’re kind. When Jackson was crude last night, you didn’t let him tear me down. At the hotel, you made sure I was going to be safe. Taking the time to understand my boundaries made me trust you. And after my experience with Andy - because of being abandoned - I don’t trust easily. Right after that discussion, I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for you. Because I knew it was a risk.”

He shivered in your arms and you hugged him tighter.

When he tilted his head back, you saw the faint ring of red around his eyes.

His poker face was on, but nervousness danced in his gaze. He grasped your hips and leaned in. Gently, he rubbed his lips over yours, then flicked his tongue. Your mouth opened to allow access as he took the kiss deeper. The caress of his mouth was heated, but not sexual. The tight clasp of his arms and the softness of the kiss warmed your heart. He didn’t stop when you broke away to gasp for air. Instead, he veered over your cheek, across your jaw and worked his way up to your ear. When he took possession of your mouth again, you melted. You moaned as he assaulted your sensitive lips with his. Ari purred. The noise shot a zing of pleasure through you.

“I love you,” he murmured. “It’s too soon and I know it’s beyond what I can really feel after such a short time. But I can smell a storm brewing and I know you’re it for me. So prepare for a declaration of undying love in the future, honey.”

“Ari? Take me to bed. I want you to hold me and love me.”

“You’re sore, we’re not doing anything.”

“I don’t mean sex. Take me to bed, okay?”

He did as he was told, clearly suspicious of your intent. His room wasn’t one you’d seen before. The bed had a walnut headboard and woven gray comforter. He took you into the shower for a quick rise from the hot tub waters. When you picked up the lotion, he took it from you and did your legs and back. It surprised him when you returned the favor, but as your hands kneaded his shoulders and spine, he relaxed.

“That feels so good, sweetheart.”

“Mmmmhhh. Come on, I want to cuddle. I think you could use an early night. I know I could.”

He wrapped around you like a python and settled in with his head cushioned on the slope of your breasts. The warmth of his breath teased your skin.

“I get it now,” Ari murmured as you ran your fingers through his hair.

“Get what?”

“Loving on you. You didn’t mean sex.”

“Loving can mean sex. It doesn’t mean love in every case. But there isn’t a way to show love that’s more honest and raw than giving and receiving pleasure.”

“You make it sound wholesome,” Ari said.

“Who says sex isn’t wholesome?”

“Uh… everyone?”

Your lips curved into a smile. “Then everyone is wrong.”

He chuckled. “It’s very in character for you to say ‘screw what everyone else thinks’ and define it for yourself.”

“I actually didn't. I was raised with a neutral view of sex. All I ever learned was to respect myself and what I wanted, and how to stay safe. But at a minimum, I have to give credit that my parents never told me sex was bad or dirty. They treated it like an academic subject and made sure I knew the basics. It was Andy who formed my healthy view of sex.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I was nineteen when we got together. Before him, I didn’t see the point of sex. I’d had it and it wasn’t very impressive. Then I met him and what had been boring and lame was different. He was attentive and passionate. I learned to appreciate the expression of trust and mutual enjoyment. Before I knew it, sex wasn’t something dirty and obscene like my friends and I had thought of it in high school. I felt happy and loved when he was touching me and with that kind of positive reinforcement, your brain gets wired a certain way.”

Ari turned his face into your chest, nuzzling your cleavage above the neckline of your tank top.

“I want you to think of me like that.”

Your lips pressed to his hair.

“I already do.”

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Next - Chapter Twelve

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Masterlist

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SEE YOU IN A MINUTE (PART TWO) Natasha Romanoff x fem reader

Summary: Instead of Natasha and Clint going to Vormir, it’s Natasha and her girlfriend Y/N Parker, the older sister of Peter Parker. What will happen on the journey to get the stone?

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of blood, angst?.., fluff, mentions of death, injury…? (Kind of…y/n’s leg gets crushed by a rock but yeah….) *I think that’s it…if there’s anything else feel free to tell me*

A/N: Part two!! Get ready for the sadness!! By sadness I mean Y/N’s whole life and Peter and Y/N will reunite!! Y/N says some things in Russian….because why not. I feel it’s cool because it’s like Natasha taught her it. Which is adorable 🥺 I also used google translate, so if the wording is off…I’m sorry. Anyways, enjoy….😃

мой дорогой брат (my dear brother)

дорогой (darling)

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The Avengers were now outside of the headquarters, at the lakeside. They all sat at the dock mourning their fellow teammate Natasha Romanoff. Everyone felt sadness but Y/N was the only who truly felt pure pain. She saw Nat die right in her eyes and she couldn’t do anything about it.

“Do we know if she had family?” Tony asked making Y/N look up finally.

“Yeah. Us.” Steve replied as Y/N got up and sat next to Clint, who put his arm around her shoulder.

“What?” Thor asked confused. Tony turned to him.

“I just asked him a question-“

“Yeah, you're acting like she's dead. Why are we acting like she's dead? We have the stones, right? As long as we have the stones, Cap, we can bring her back, isn't that right?“ Thor ranted. “So stop this shit. We’re the Avengers, get it together.”

“We can’t get her back.” Y/N sniffed.

“Wha-what?”

“It can’t be undone. It can’t. She’s gone.” Y/N said.

Thor laughed. “I'm sorry. No offense, but you're a very earthly being. Okay? We're talking about space magic. And "can't" seems very definitive don't you think?”

“Yeah, look. I know I’m overreacting way too much here. But she isn’t here, is she?” Y/N questioned him.

“No, that’s my point-“

“It can't– be undone. Or at least that’s what the red skull faced floating bastard said.” Y/N exclaimed. She then started raising her voice. “Maybe you wanna go talk to him, okay? GO GRAB YOUR HAMMER, AND YOU GO FLY OVER THERE AND YOU FUCKING TALK TO HIM!”

Y/N’s anger stopped when Clint put a hand on her shoulder and her anger changed back to grief. “It was supposed to be me. She sacrificed her life for that stupid stone. She bet her life on it.”

Bruce then grabbed a bench and hurled it across the lake in a burst of anger. He turned to the others with a resigned look on his face.

“She’s not coming back. We have to make it worth it. We have to.” Bruce said.

“We will.” Steve replied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tony, Bruce, and Rocket had just finished putting the stones on the new gauntlet. Everyone gathered around as they tried to figure out who’s gonna snap their fingers.

“All right. The glove's ready. Question is, who's gonna snap their freaking fingers?” Rocket questioned.

“I’ll do it.” Thor said.

“Excuse me?” Scott questioned.

“It’s okay.” Those words hurt Y/N. It was the last words Nat said to her.

Thor was about to go up to the gauntlet, when everyone stopped him. “No, no, no, whoa. Stop. Stop. Wait a sec. Hey, hey–“

“Wait, wait, Thor, just wait. We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet.” Steve said.

“I'm sorry. What, we're just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?” Thor questioned.

“We should at least discuss it.” Scott replied making Y/N nodded.

“I agree with the ant.” She said.

“No, no, sitting here staring at that thing is not gonna bring everybody back. I'm the strongest Avenger, okay? So this responsibility falls upon me. It's my duty.” Thor explained.

“It’s not about that-“ Tony tried.

Thor hushed everyone. “It's not that– Stop it! Just let me!” He started to tear up. “Just let me do it. Just let me do something good. Something right.”

“Look– It's not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent, I'm telling you, you're in no condition.” Tony told him before Thor grabbed onto his arm.

“What do you– What do you think is coursing through my veins right now?”

“Cheez-whiz?” Rhodey questioned.

Thor slightly glared at him before saying, “Lightning.”

“Yeah.”

“Lightning won’t help you, pal. It’s gotta be me.” Bruce spoke up.

Thor let go of Tony. “You saw what those stones did to Thanos. It almost killed him. None of you could survive.” Bruce said.

“How do we know you will?” Steve questioned.

“We don't. But the radiation's mostly gamma.” Bruce looked at the gauntlet. “It's like...I was made for this.”

As everyone decided that it should be Bruce to do it, Nebula snuck off to the Quantum portal to activate it because, she was actually Nebula from 2014.

“Good to go, yeah?” Tony asked Bruce as he picked up the gauntlet.

“Let’s do it.”

“You remember– everyone Thanos snapped away five years ago and just bringing them back to now, today. Don't change anything from the last five years.” Tony explained.

“Got it.”

Everyone got ready as they suited up and shielded themselves.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol. Will you?” Tony ordered the AI.

“Yes boss.”

The Avengers facility then went on lockdown. “Everybody comes home.”

Bruce put on the gauntlet, which nanobotically expanded to fit his hand, and the power surged overwhelmed him. He grunted in pain.

“Take it off! Take it off!” Thor shouted.

“No, wait. Bruce, are you okay?” Steve asked.

“Talk to me, Banner.” Tony said as everyone waited for Bruce to say he was okay.

“I’m okay. I’m okay.” Bruce nodded. Thor gave him a double thumbs up. Bruce screamed, fighting through the intense pain coursing through his body courtesy of the gauntlet, and managed to snap his fingers. He fainted and the gauntlet slid off his arm. Clint then kicked it away as they all checked on Bruce.

“Bruce!”

“Don’t move him.”

Bruce held onto Steve’s arm, “Did it work?”

“Worth a shot. It’s over. It’s okay.”

Scott walked towards the outside windows and sees plants and birds everywhere. Clint then heard his phone ringing and Y/N heard hers. Clint saw it was his wife calling before answering and being filled with joy when he heard her voice.

Y/N walked up to her phone which was sitting on a table. She looked down at it to see her Aunt May calling. Y/N almost went in tears before picking up to phone.

“Hello?”

“Y/N is that you?”

“…..May.” Y/N smiled.

“Guys I think it worked!” Scott called.

Bruce opened his eyes and saw the Sanctuary II up in the sky and a single middle hearing towards the base, which blew Scott away. Y/N finished talking to May, when suddenly missiles destroyed the base completely and everyone sinked below to the underground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clint and Y/N found themselves in the sewer system and tried to get up. Clint flashed a light upward to see what happened.

“Cap?”

“Clint!” Y/N called as she tried to get a rock off her leg. “Help!” Clint ran over to her and helped her get the rock off her leg before helping her up.

Clint saw the gauntlet was with him but he had feeling him and Y/N weren’t alone down there. He shot an arrow with light towards the dark tunnel and found hordes of Outriders.

“Damn.” He muttered under his breath.

Y/N turned to what he was looking at before cursing under her breath, “Shit.”

Clint quickly took Y/N’s hand and pulled her along with him.

Clint took the gauntlet as him and Y/N ran towards the other direction while the Outriders chased after them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clint and Y/N were still running with the gauntlet. Clint blew the place and escaped before the Outriders could overwhelm him. He then spotted Nebula.

“Oh hey, I know you.” He said as he gave her the gauntlet. Nebula then puts her hand on an earpiece.

“Father.” She said making Clint and Y/N gasp as they realized she was Nebula from 2014 and not from now. “I have the stones.”

“What?!”

Clint tried to get up but Nebula (2014) stepped her foot down on him and pointed her gun at him.

“Don’t touch him!” Y/N’s voice cracked before Nebula pointed towards her.

“Stop!” A voice was heard. Y/N turned around to see it was Gamora from 2014.

“You’re betraying us?” Nebula questioned.

Suddenly, future Nebula joined Gamora (2014) with her hands up. Nebula (2014) pointed her gun at her future self.

“You don’t have to do this.” Future Nebula said to her past self.

“I am this.” Nebula (2014) said.

“No, you’re not.” Gamora (2014) replied.

“You’ve seen what we become.”

“Nebula, listen to her.”

“You can change.”

“He won’t let me.”

Nebula (2014) pointed her gun at Gamora (2014).

“NO!” Gamora yelled before present Nebula shot her past self, and she died. Clint picked up the infinity gauntlet before helping Y/N back up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanos from 2014 and Steve had started fighting. Steve had went down and got up again to face Thanos by himself when suddenly, a crackling comes in on his communicator.

“Hey, Cap, you read me?” Sam’s voice was heard.

A yellow portal began to form behind him. “On your left.” Steve looked behind him to see a portal on his left side. Three figures then stepped through to reveal, T’Challa, Okoye and Shuri, restored and ready to fight.

Steve and the revived Wakandans shared a look when Sam zoomed in from above in his Falcon armor. As he did, a dozen more portals opened up all around the battlefield. Through one of them, Doctor Strange descended in. He was joined by Drax, Mantis, Star Lord, and Spider-Man. Everyone watched in confusion and awe as more and more heroes arrived from all corners of the universe. Black Panther and his Wakandan army, Valkyrie, and the Asgardians also joined. Then Wong, the Masters of the mystic arts, and several Ravagers ships came out. Amongst the throngs of heroes, Bucky, Groot, the Scarlet Witch, the Wasp, and Pepper Potts are all seen as well. All of the heroes in the world have been magically transported to the battlefield to face Thanos’ hordes.

“Is that everyone?” Doctor Strange asked.

“What, you wanted more?” Wong questioned. Suddenly, Ant-Man emerged from the rubble of Avengers facility as a giant. Bruce, Rhodey, and Rocket joined him.

The Avengers, Guardians, Wakandans, Asgardians, and Ravagers take their battle positions. The heroes stood face to face with Thanos and his army.

“AVENGERS…………………….” Steve summoned Mjolnir. “……Assemble.”

Thor made a battle cry, as did Black Panther and the heroes charged. Thanos raised his sword towards them, commanding his army to charge as well. Then both sides collided.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clint and Y/N got to the battle and Clint was running with the gauntlet. Y/N started fighting some of Thanos’ army. When, suddenly she caught a glimpse of someone. She was able to get the things down when she looked over and saw her little brother, Peter.

She smiled in joy before an Outrider went in front of her. She quickly shot her webs and pulled it to her before, throwing the thing to another Outrider. It made them both fall down.

She quickly ran over to him and Peter saw her running towards him. A smile grew on his face before he felt Y/N wrap her arms around him. Peter then slowly wrapped his arms around her too.

“Peter, I missed you so much.” Y/N felt a tear roll down her cheek.

“Yeah….I’m happy to see you too.” Peter replied before Y/N released the hug. Peter noticed Y/N limping a bit. “Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. A rock just fell on me.” Y/N replied making Peter grow a bit worried. “Hey, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I’m just glad you’re okay, мой дорогой брат.”

Peter smiled at the name. Natasha had taught her Russian, and after learning that name, she always called Peter it.

Speaking of Natasha, Peter noticed she wasn’t there in battle….was she okay? He would ask Y/N that when he had the chance.

Y/N and Peter then saw that the Avengers needing help with the gauntlet. Y/N turned to her brother and smirked.

“You ready to kick some alien ass?” She asked.

Peter looked over before back at his sister, “Let’s kick some fucking ass.”

Y/N’s smiled faded before she said, “You’re too young to say that word дорогой.” Peter laughed slightly before Y/N held her hand out. Peter took it and they both swung on their webs towards the other Avengers. It was time to avenge the world and….it was time to avenge Natasha as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys!! Part 2 is here!! I’m absolutely obsessed with the fact that Y/N speaks Russian because of Natasha. I think it’s adorable!! Also sorry this is a little late, I’ve been busy with school so I haven’t had time to write.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter and part 3 is coming real soon!! Also if there was spelling mistakes, I’m sorry, I wrote this on my phone…so…

Have a good day!!

-Mary💗

Quantum Entanglement

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader

Words: 6.4k (oops)

Rating: 18+ (get outta here ya children)

Summary: Steve Rogers decides to disappear, take some time for himself in the solitude of a small town where he meets you.

Warnings: p in v. oral fem receiving. size kink (reader is much smaller than Steve in more ways than one). soft (very very soft) fem dom.

AN: This is stupid soft. Just simping all over the gd place. I'm so sorry but my baby Steve deserves nothing but the purest, sweetest form of love and that's what he's getting, though I imagine he likes to be ordered around. Took me way too long to feel good about this.

---

There had been the snap. And then the resurrection. Steve had lost everyone he loved and then had most of them returned, and it felt good to go back to normal, in some ways. In other ways, it was stifling.

As the world reeled and tried to figure out how to "be normal" in a time that was anything but, normalcy felt forced, rushed, exaggerated. He wanted to be in this world, of course. The 1940s were no longer his home, and Steve had everything he wanted here. But he didn't feel complete. A piece was always missing, something from a past life, that he couldn't quite name but knew he had to find.

So he disappeared. Went undercover as some might call it. Bucky knew, of course, and Sam on some level. But to the rest of the world, he had slipped quietly back into the past to live the rest of his life. In reality, he'd slipped into Herrington, Massachusetts, a small coastal town where he was invisible to the world.

He'd found a little house, a cottage on the beach, and settled in completely. He didn't need a job, the government was more than willing to pay him a severance check of some sort, but he took one anyway, stocking the local grocery store and delivering groceries to the elderly when they ordered. It was just antiquated enough to remind him of a faraway time, of the past, but didn't force him to give up his wifi and color television. That was something he'd come to love.

And that was where he met you. You, the petite spitfire with a bone to pick with the entire world. Fierce, loyal, and slightly terrifying when double-crossed. The first time he met you, you had come out of your great-aunt's house shaking a fist over the groceries.

"I told Mr. Pierce," you were yelling, "not to skimp me on the meat." Mr. Pierce was the grocery store owner. And the meat in question was a roast, for what purpose, Steve wasn't sure, but one that apparently did not satisfy your desires.

You hadn't been the one to answer the door, that was your great-aunt Agnes, a kind, leather-faced woman who liked to tip Steve a healthy amount for "carrying all those heavy groceries for a silly old lady like me."

"It's no problem ma'am," he'd replied and stepped back toward his motorcycle, recently decked out with a basket on the back to transport deliveries. Then you'd chased him down the road until he noticed you and stopped, shouting all the way.

"When you see him," you said, your finger wagging in his face, puffing and out of breath from your yelling and running, "tell the bastard that's the last time he gets away with making me pay for his shitty cuts of meat."

Steve didn't really know what to say, but then your face softened, your voice calmed, and you took a deep breath. Maybe the panicked look on his face had made you have a change of heart. "I apologize for yelling at you, I know you're just the messenger. But that slimy son-of-a-bitch is going to get what's coming for him someday."

"I'll let him know," Steve replied with half a smile on his face.

"You aren't from around here are you?" you had asked, a sudden look of curiosity in your bright eyes.

Steve nodded. "Just moved here."

"Look, I'm really sorry." You stuck out your hand and introduced yourself, and Steve had found that hand to be surprisingly supple and calloused for its tiny size. "Let me make it up to you. Aunt Agnes seems to like you. We're having a potluck tonight, her place. Why don't you come by and meet the neighbors? I'm sure they'd love a new face, especially one as handsome and friendly as yours. Maybe make some friends, even."

You were being surprisingly friendly and sincere, and Steve had no choice but to accept the invitation.

So that's how he ended up in an old lady's backyard, handing off a bowl of his mother's jello salad (it was a potluck after all), and accepting a beer from a man who looked similar enough to be your brother (a cousin, it turned out). You didn't even notice his arrival, flying about, getting everything set up, taking part in the appropriate amount of small talk. Earlier, when you'd chased Steve down the road, your hair had been flung all about your head, wisps of it sticking out from all directions and looking positively a mess. You'd been wearing jeans with mud on the knees and a t-shirt that had more holes than necessary for your arms and head. Now, your hair was pinned back and tamed and you floated about in a soft blue sundress, revealing a delicate plane of skin across your shoulders and tan arms and legs.

The calloused hands and muddy jeans made sense now as well. The backyard of Aunt Agnes' house was primarily a garden, not only beautiful rose bushes and creeping wisteria but rows and rows of fruits and vegetables, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries. The work was obviously the product of a talented gardener.

Aunt Agnes was the one to welcome him in, having noticed Steve before you did and taking his arm. She began to talk, of you and the neighborhood and her many, many family members. She introduced them one by one, though most of the names he immediately forgot. But it was a blessing to not be recognized and he relished the feeling. Sure, he'd grown out his beard and his hair was a bit longer than the standard military high and tight, and he wore a flannel with the sleeves rolled up instead of red, white, and blue spangles, but it still amazed him that he could pass through the world like this.

Eventually, the conversations became too much, and Steve excused himself to the kitchen to find a drink while he waited for the food to be ready. Really he just wanted some silence, a relief from society. But you'd beat him there, and, ever the busy bee, were scrambling to fill a cooler with more ice.

"Steve!" you exclaimed when you saw him, pleasant surprise plastered across your face. "I'm so glad you came."

You reached out and gave him a hug that took Steve so much by surprise he almost forgot to return it. It was shockingly warm, your arms around his neck, and though he had to stoop down to your level, he wrapped his arms around your waist anyways.

"I hope they didn't overwhelm you out there. My family can be a lot."

"No, not at all. Just needed some quiet. I'll let you get back to work."

"I could actually use your help if you don't mind."

You directed him into the front room toward a stack of boxes, cases of drinks he assumed. When Steve returned to the kitchen, all four boxes piled in his arms, you nearly dropped the glasses in your hands in shock. You recovered quickly, trying to remain polite despite your poorly hidden astonishment, but Steve could already tell you were trying to compute how he had managed to carry over a hundred pounds of drinks in one go.

"You can, um, put them on the counter I guess," you managed to stutter out. Your sudden flustered state was amusing, and Steve noticed he liked the way you seemed almost embarrassed, cheeks flushed pink, though he had no idea why you should feel that way.

But then you picked back up with your normal bubbly chatter, and Steve found himself lingering longer and longer in the kitchen with you until he realized neither of you were doing anything but talking, the work abandoned in lieu of discussions about the town, your stall at the farmers market, and eventually, very naturally, the passing of your parents. The slip into deep conversation was easy, surprisingly easy, easier than it had ever been with anyone else, even though Steve felt himself having to lie a bit about his past. Sure, he could admit to being from Brooklyn and having no family and his stint in the military, but that was about the extent of it. He found himself wanting to tell you more but refraining.

When your cousin called that food was ready from the backyard, the jolt back to reality was abrupt and almost unwelcome, until you smiled and allowed him to put a hand on your back, pulling Steve out to enjoy some food.

As night fell, lights twinkled on in the backyard, and the summer heat reduced to a light thrum as the breeze from the ocean swept through the town. Fireflies glowed in the darkness of the low trees behind the house and you seemed to glow as well, good food and friendly conversation lighting your face up with joy. You caught Steve's eye several times during the night, noticing him watching you from across the garden, but he didn't care. He liked that his attention made you smile.

Finally, the party began to dwindle, as parents with young kids trickled out, followed by the older folks, heading off to bed. Soon, even Aunt Agnes turned in and only the cousins close to you in age remained. They pulled out the stronger bottles of alcohol, sitting in plastic chairs and passing shots around the barbeque that still glowed hot with coals. Steve accepted every pass of vodka that came his way, despite knowing it wouldn't get him even remotely drunk. But the camaraderie of the moment helped ease a bit of that gaping hole in his soul so he clung to it as best he could. And you were sitting next to him, insisting he take a sip, and again he couldn't turn you down.

"And then Jack nearly sunk the boat in the bay," you were saying, telling the story of one of your cousin's finer moments. "Your dad almost killed us."

"Oh you want to bring that up?" he teased. "How about the time you snuck out and Aunt Agnes caught you making out with Michael on the beach."

You blushed bright red at the reminder but protested that was years ago. Then another cousin brought up his own late-night escapades and you devolved into a fit of giggles, leaning so far out of your chair that Steve had to catch you before you slipped right to the ground. Your hand gripped his to recover but, to his surprise, you never removed it, even as you righted yourself in your seat. Your hand just remained in his, your small fingers wrapped in his large ones, as you turned to pester him into telling a story.

"What about you Steve? Tell us an embarrassing story."

He looked around at the group and they leaned in expectantly, curious to know more about the stranger who was quickly becoming a friend. Steve didn't know what to say, most of his stories involving things he wasn't yet ready to reveal about himself. So he picked one from long ago.

"I once picked a fight with a guy at a bar. He was a bit of a Nazi. Got my ass kicked. Fortunately, I had a friend to back me up or he definitely would have killed me."

Everyone looked shocked. "But you're so strong," someone spoke up. "Look at you. How could anyone beat you in a fight?"

Steve shrugged, not wanting to admit to it being a pre-serum story. "Guess I'm a bit of a pacifist."

He turned to you to gauge your reaction. Your eyes were wide, sparkling with mischief and curiosity and a hint of disbelief. For a moment Steve thought you had figured it out, figured out who he was, but then you started giggling again and the only thing keeping you in your seat was his hand in yours.

"That's not embarrassing Steve, that's just the most fucking noble thing I've ever heard. Making us all look bad."

Your teasing words made his heart flutter in his chest and he felt like he could get used to this crowd.

Eventually, the coals of the barbeque started to wink out, and the cousins excused themselves for the night, heading home on foot to the various houses they had come from. It seemed no one lived too far apart in this town. Suddenly, the backyard was quiet.

"Can I give you a hand cleaning up?" Steve asked, not wanting to leave you with the job that looked a bit overwhelming to him.

You looked around and shrugged, a little tipsy but fully aware that it was a big mess. "I'll probably just take care of it in the morning. Can you just help me get the dishes inside?"

Steve obediently gathered up plates and cups, filling the dishwasher in several trips. Finally, the last were inside and you stood in the kitchen filling the sink to wash the pots and pans while Steve tried awkwardly to find a way to say goodbye.

"Um, thank you," he said at last, "for welcoming me into your community. It means a lot. I'll, uh, see you later I guess. Have a good night."

You stopped your scrubbing to look up at him, bubbles up to your elbows, your face flushed from the warm night air and the alcohol.

"Steve?"

"Yeah?"

You paused, hesitant, eyes searching his face for confirmation of a mutual feeling. "Do you ever feel like you were meant to meet someone? For a reason?"

The question hit him like a ton of bricks, and he realized that this night had made him feel exactly that way, that somehow he was meant to end up here and meet you, of all people. Why else had there been an instant connection unless this was just the way you were with everyone?

But your question made him think otherwise. You had to be special. Steve, in that moment, could do nothing but nod in affirmation. And then, like you had both had the same thought at the same moment, you were meeting him halfway, rising on your tiptoes, wrapping your arms around his neck, and kissing him. Really, truly, kissing him.

It was like that missing piece had found itself. You slotted your soul into his and Steve was pressing you to his chest, wrapping his arms around you, and lifting you so he didn't have to bend down to reach you. Your wet hands tangled into his slightly too long hair, pulling him impossibly closer, tasting one another's tongues.

And that was the start of it, of late-night motorcycle rides down the causeway, of Saturdays spent on the beach that tapered into drinks with friends, of dinners filled with your chatter and smiles and laughter, and Steve couldn't believe how lucky he was. He was not used to this feeling, of building friendship and companionship and perhaps even love. And he certainly wasn't used to the intense desire to reach out and pinch your ass every time you showed up at his house wearing those gardening jeans, high-waisted and tight and so goddamn cute.

But he never did, was never sure how you'd react. You kissed him, a lot in fact, every morning that he came over and every night that he dropped you off at home. And you never shied away from telling him how handsome he was, how much you liked his hands and his arms and his short beard, how sweet he was and kind and soft and gentle. So many words, words that made his head spin and his world wobble and sway. But it never came to be more than that, never late at night when he was thinking of you most. And oh lord, did he think about you, how your small frame might fit against his in bed while you spooned and slept, or how tight you'd be if he fucked you until the sun rose. He didn't particularly like sleeping in bed, it was too soft for his taste and he tended to take the couch or even the floor most nights, but he would sleep in bed for you if you would just tell him that was what you wanted.

It was like you were waiting for the right moment. And apparently, that moment was July 4th, during the annual celebration. Steve had whispered to you that it was consequently also his birthday, and had begged you to keep that a secret, but it seemed you had simply forgotten the fact entirely. The day passed without mention that Steve was turning 39 (105 if he'd been really counting) and you kissed him as the fireworks exploded over the ocean, sitting in the sand, hands tangled together. He thought the two of you would sit through the show, but then you were standing and pulling him to his feet as well and slipping away as everyone else's faces were turned to the sky.

At your house, you pulled a small cake from the fridge, just big enough to split between two people, and lit a couple of candles as you sat next to him at the kitchen table. Of course, you hadn't forgotten.

"Make a wish," you said with a happy smile. So he did, hoping this summer would never end. "What did you wish for?"

"Can't tell you, otherwise it won't come true," he replied. But then you pouted and he lost all resolve. "How about I show you instead?"

The look on your face said it all, shock mixed with intrigue and the mischief he had noticed that first night almost a week ago. So he reached down and tugged your chair closer, forcing you to face him with your knees between his. And then he leaned over and kissed you, taking your small cheeks in his large palms, putting all the power of his suppressed feelings behind it. He hoped you understood that he wanted more than to just kiss you, he wanted to occupy space inside you, fill you, complete you. Steve could feel your smile against his lips.

You pulled away. "Did you wish that I was dessert instead of the cake?

"I might have. Should we make my wish come true?"

Again you smiled, bright and guiding like a lighthouse torch, and something in your demeanor changed. Instantly, you were relenting to his touch, letting him pull you further into his lap, straddling his waist and settling into him like that was where you were meant to be. The quiet house, probably as old as him in this New England town, creaked in the silence of the night, only occasionally disturbed by the bang of a firework. But it all faded away with you in his arms.

You fit perfectly, just as Steve had hoped.

"You gonna be gentle with me, big man?" you whispered, that same brilliant smile on your face, wiggling as close to him as possible, the fingers of one hand tangled into the hair at the nape of his neck, the others tracing down the point of his sharp nose and pressing against his soft lips. "You gonna fuck me good? Be a good boy?"

Oh, Christ. Steve nearly lost his mind with your hips so tight against his, lost it at your words that made his heart race and color rise to his cheeks. He could be good. Really damn good. You seemed to know something about him that Steve didn't even know about himself, of how much he liked your praise, your commanding tone. If there was anything he was good at, it was taking orders.

"You just keep telling me what to do and I'm all yours," he mumbled against your fingers, the thump of his heart beating in time with yours somewhere deep in your chest, echoes of one another in the silence of the house. Your hand came to grip his chin, pushing another kiss against his mouth, a kiss with lips parted in a sigh, the mingled palate of you and him, like a glass of wine on the beach and chocolate melted on the tongue, sweeping over taste buds and breathed into starved lungs.

"Mm, you taste so good. Like you were created just for me, don't you think?" you asked.

"Built from the best material, just for you." Built to love you, he wanted to say. Steve shut up instead.

You hummed with pleasure and the hand on his chin gripped a little harder, a little more suggestively. He opened his mouth obediently as you slipped your thumb between his lips, and he let you press it against the soft muscle of his tongue. You wanted him to taste you, so he did, his teeth biting gently down on the pad of your finger, another pleasant hum running down your body and straight to his groin.

He waited for your instruction.

"Undress me."

He complied, obediently. Steve's large hands hiked your sundress up around your waist, revealing the softness of your hips. His fingers smoothed up the length of your thighs, kneading at the flesh of your ass that he had so longed to touch. Your reaction was music to his ears, a soft moan leaving your lips and breathed against his, and Steve closed his eyes, arousal spreading through his body at the thought that he was making you react this way. His length hardened, tight in his pants, pressed against the thin layer of fabric that covered the heat of your core. The thought that he might not fit flickered through his mind but it dissipated at the feeling of your fingers pressing into the rough stubble of his jawline.

Steve's hands continued to travel further up your body, taking time to release the zipper of your dress down the length of your spine, and you answered his quiet, "can I?" by pulling slightly away and lifting your arms over your head. The dress landed somewhere in the kitchen and Steve dragged you close again, arms wrapped around your back to encompass you completely, his lips finding purchase against the skin of your neck.

"Look at you, so perfect," Steve mumbled, face pressed into your hair. If he had looked up he would have seen you blush, but he was too preoccupied letting his senses discover every piece of you he could touch, smell, or taste. He wanted to envelop you, inch by inch, roaming and discovering and satiating his curiosity, but you dragged his attention back to your face.

"Hey, eyes up here," you said, pulling his face toward yours and locking gazes. The intensity of your eye contact was stunning, but there was something else behind those eyes, something other than intense attraction and unsatisfied arousal. Was it doubt? Insecurity? The reason why you kissed him for so many nights and never asked for more? You were searching for something, and it came in the form of a question. "You won't leave me after this, right?"

There it was, the bit of insecurity, a fear of loss, of transience, of lacking control. Someone had hurt you before. Maybe that's why you approached everything in life with such ferocity and sincerity. But Steve would never hurt you like that, never let you feel that way again. He hoped you could see it in his eyes the way he felt about you, but words would be more reassurance. "I'm yours tonight. And tomorrow. And the day and week and month and year after that, if you'll have me that long. Whatever it is you need, I'll give it to you."

You blinked and then smiled and pressed another quick kiss to his lips before murmuring, "touch me" against them. So he did, trailing his hands over every sliver of skin before him. He felt the goosebumps rising in their wake, the downy hair on your legs and arms, the heat of your core against him, grinding almost imperceptibly to find some kind of friction, any friction. He wanted to touch you so desperately, but he got the sense that you needed to take the lead, that it would give the control you felt you lacked. So he slid a hand down the plane of your stomach and stopped just shy of dipping into your panties, waiting for your word. But you were no longer interested in playing games. Your hand found his and pulled him lower, using his fingers to press into the seem of your cunt, and he found you slick and warm with desire.

You urged him forward. "Rub my clit, baby. Slowly. Gently."

Slowly and gently. That he could do. His fingers crept absentmindedly closer to the swollen bundle of nerves and when he landed there, touch soft and circling, you jerked against him, your whole body moving with the force of anticipation and a cry leaving your lips. And though it seemed to burn, seemed to be torture for yourself, you demanded he do it again. Your forehead leaned against his, eyes shut tight, and Steve watched as your face contorted in pleasure as he flicked and circled again and again and again.

"Yes, baby. Perfect. So good. So. Fucking. Good."

Every bit of you was soft, from your neck where he placed his kisses to the curled hair hiding the swollen bud of your clit where his fingers played gently and rhythmically. Even the orgasm that gushed from your smooth cunt and stuttered from your lips was soft. You came with a choked cry as your hand pulled him closer by the back of his head, your tits pressed to his chest. Steve looked up to watch you devolve into pleasure, eyes squeezed tightly shut, your hair messy and swirling about your face, the straps of your bra slipping from your shoulder.

"Bed. Now. Right now," you demanded before you even had a chance to come down from your high. He would have been just as happy to have you in the kitchen, just like that, but Steve picked you up, with you latched to his chest like a koala, and carried you upstairs. You felt feather-light in his arms, easily tossed onto the mattress, your hands reaching out to pull his white t-shirt overhead and grab at the plane of his chest. Even as Steve kissed you again you couldn't stop tracing your fingertips over the lines of his torso, the ridges of his abs, the v-line that led tantalizingly toward the waistband of his pants. He felt his cock twitch and strain against the fabric of his boxers, the rough cotton not enough to stimulate him but enough to make him ache for your pussy. Your fluttering hands were not helping and Steve pictured your thin fingers wrapping around his length.

"Look at you," you said. "You're fucking perfect." It was Steve's turn to blush.

Steve wasn't...inexperienced. But it had been a while, to say the least, since he'd had the time or energy or capacity to even feel attracted to anyone. And even longer, perhaps never, since he felt the way he felt about you, like a bee to a flower, drunk on sweet nectar and high on honey. That was you, the delicate flower, so small and tender beneath him, yet as stunning and resonating and thunderous as the fireworks bursting somewhere overhead.

Fighting to survive was all Steve had known for so long, standing up to the bully and helping the fallen to their feet, that it was a relief to not have to be that man for you. You didn't require protection or help or anything from him at all, and yet you welcomed his presence endlessly. Steve realized he was not a need for you, but a want, and for the first time he felt valued for something real, something that wasn't just his brute strength, but something almost bordering on love. This he understood as he stared at your sweet face, caging you beneath him in bed.

"Earth to Steve," you said softly as your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling his pelvis down toward yours and dragging a deep groan from his lungs. He hadn't noticed he'd stopped kissing you and was getting lost in drinking you in amidst his reverie until your small hand pressed to the back of his neck and gently guided him back to your lips. But you stopped just shy, your eyebrows knitted in concern, taking his leisurely manner for uncertainty. "We can stop if you want."

"No, definitely not."

"Good. Then stop staring and kiss me."

"Where?" he teased.

"Everywhere, big man."

Everywhere was doable. So he started at your lips with one so big and breathless it rivaled Mount Everest. For a moment he let himself forget about everything except how long he could go without oxygen against your lips. But there remained more of you to taste.

Steve's lips connected with your chin and slid down your jawline, taking time to kiss the pulse of your neck and the dip of your clavicle. The fan of his breath tickled across your skin and you giggled, the purest sound of joy bubbling from your lips at his touch. More of that he wanted. So he continued down to the valley between your breasts, full and round despite your stature, removing your bra as he did so, nibbling lightly at the peaks of your chest before replacing his teeth with his pinching fingers and moving lower again. Lower toward the edge of your ribs, arched upward to meet the movement of his mouth, toward the slope of your hips, his sharp nose following each kiss as your underwear joined your bra into the abyss.

Your thighs he kissed, top to bottom, left and right, but it was your ass he couldn't get enough of, filling his grip with handfuls of your flesh, using it to pull you toward the edge of the bed where he kneeled, lifting your hips toward his face, your legs slung one over each shoulder. Steve sunk his tongue into your folds without warning and you gasped, your thighs suddenly squeezing tight around his head.

"Yes, right there," you hissed between ragged breaths.

He responded by burying deeper, gripping you harder, and moaning with delight at your overwhelming taste and scent bombarding his senses. You squirmed but didn't pull away as Steve's hands worked their way back up your stomach to cup the tissue of your breasts, the width of his palms capturing the flesh in one big handful. Your hands covered his, holding them there, forcing him to press you into the bed while his mouth left you twitching and bucking beneath his touch.

And in spite of the urgency with which Steve wished to devour you, he continued on leisurely, doing his best to build you up slowly and gently pick you apart bit by bit the way you had asked him to do it before. Your body betrayed its delight, evidenced enough by the way your legs hooked around him and held him down, but you praised him anyways, rapture falling from your lips between sporadic moans of pleasure.

"Fuck, Steve, you're so good, oh God yes, baby, you're doing so good, taste me like that," you cried, and the words spurred him onward, hurried his movements just slightly, his tongue circling your clit, fingers circling your areolas. He would do whatever you asked, jump off a cliff, take a bullet to the chest, drown himself in a river, if only to please you. But you would never ask anything of him that he couldn't give, and Steve knew the moment you asked for his heart it would be his heart you'd receive. And with that intent in his mind, he made you come undone with a silent cry.

Eventually, the trembling ceased, even as he continued to drink your release with the ministrations of his tongue.

"Oh fuck, you like the way I taste baby?" you asked. His affirmation came out muffled and sloppy between your legs. Even you were breathless, barely getting out the words, but you pushed him nonetheless. "I wanna hear you say it, Steve. You like eating me out? Like drinking my juices?"

"Fuck, yes, you taste like goddamn heaven, darling."

"Kiss me, Steve."

"Yes, ma'am."

He complied without a second thought, crawling back up your body to lean over you, giving you a taste of the heaven he had just dipped into. When your fingers found his belt, he helped you remove the rest of his clothes. And then your hands were roving down his chest again, searching blindly until they found what they were looking for. Steve groaned at your touch on his swollen cock.

You gasped. "Oh, God."

Before Steve could respond you pushed him over onto his back and straddled his thighs, eyeing the length on display before you, fingers around it as if testing the girth and finding them unable to wrap all the way around.

"Oh God," you repeated. A short laugh bubbled up from your throat, the controlling front you'd managed to maintain this whole time slipping from your tone.

"Something wrong?" he asked, feeling slightly inadequate under your scrutiny. Steve sat up to meet your eyes, hands finding their place on your hips.

You gazed at him, eyes wide and glassy. "You're gonna split me in half with that thing."

"We don't have to. Not if you aren't comfortable."

"Oh baby, I'm gonna get real comfortable sitting on your cock." Your sultry grin was back and you rose up on your knees to look down at him. Your other hand swiped between your legs, two fingers gathering the warm, wet juices of your orgasm, before joining the first around his cock. You pumped, rolling a drop of precum off the tip with your thumb and rubbing it down his length, mixing the release of your pleasure with his. Steve barely held back from bucking his hips into your hand. He would save that for your pussy.

"I want you to fill me," you whispered. "I wanna be so fucking full. Just go slowly, okay?"

"Slowly. I got you, baby girl. You can take me. Let me fill you."

Steve lifted your hips and guided you forward, aligning your entrance with his length. You moved at a crawling pace, letting gravity sink your pussy around him, pausing every inch to adjust to his intrusion. His biceps stung with the grip of your fingernails in his skin, but it was a welcome distraction from the rush of pleasure threatening to tip him over the edge prematurely. Agonizingly you dipped further, a cry falling from your lips, until you were fully seated, the tip of him pressed into the cavity behind your cervix. You were warm, so, so warm, and soft and tight and you fit perfectly, just like he knew you would.

"Fuck, Steve, you're so big."

"Am I hurting you?" he asked, wiping away a tear from your cheek with his thumb.

"No, fuck, no, you feel so good. I just--I can't move."

"I got you, darling," Steve whispered, his face falling to your chest and burying it in the soft flesh of your tits. And then he wrapped his arms around your waist and did all the moving for you, lifting you up and sinking you down again, just fast enough to make you gasp for air and whine his name. With every thrust, you cried out in pleasure.

"Don't stop, Steve, please, baby, don't stop."

The fingers of one hand tugged at his hair dampened by sweat, nails scratching lightly across his scalp, as the other fell between your legs. You pressed your fingers around your clit and along your entrance, feeling where Steve's thick cock was pushing in and out of your tight pussy, feeling how big he was, how much he filled you. The meandering touch of your fingers almost sent him straight over the edge.

But it was the slick warmth of your cunt that was too much, and Steve found himself resting his forehead more and more heavily against your chest, willing himself to give you everything you wanted before he even thought about himself. The satin scent of your skin, like talcum and rose and his cologne, intoxicated him with every breath, and he sucked and nibbled on one breast and then the other, mindlessly attending to the most sensitive parts of you. A drop of sweat rolled down your sternum and Steve chased it with his tongue, licking a warm stripe up the center of your chest.

"Tell me what you need, darling."

"Fuck, that's perfect," you whined. "You fuck me so good, baby. Don't stop. Gonna make me come--make me come so hard."

Your fingers pressed against your clit once more and then you were clenching around him, your already tight pussy settling into a pulsing vice grip, your body shaking against his while he kissed the sweat from your collar bones. Steve felt you pumping the life out of him, riding out your orgasm and dragging him closer to his. The hand that had been on your clit moved to cup the weight of his balls, pinching and massaging as they pulled in heavy with the need for release.

"Where do you want me, darling, you gotta tell me."

You practically ordered him to come inside you, told him you wanted to feel him sticky between your thighs all night and it was suddenly Steve's turn to come undone, his hot seed pumping deep inside you, his twitching member finally finding release. He moaned your name against your lips, pulling you into a final searing kiss.

When, after a good twenty minutes of not moving from that position, of breathing heavy and kissing softly, you finally pulled away to lean down and lick his cock clean, the sticky mingling of you and him on your tongue, and he had to fight the urge to get hard again. And when you kissed him again, he tasted that mingling, two souls becoming one, as they were meant to be.

He slept next to you for the first time that night, your small frame encased in his, even though there was no need to share body heat in the dead of summer. But he actually slept, no dreams, no nightmares, no waking up in the middle of the night. Just deep, heavy sleep, your head tucked beneath his chin, back to his bare chest, his hands holding your breasts, and your hands holding his. Tangled together. Souls as one.

Eyes of the Devil

Summary: Pietro finds someone faster than him and you find your missing piece.

Warnings: violence, curse words, angst?, fluff

Reader: I wrote this with the reader being a male but it could be read as gender neutral; Male Vampire Reader

Pairings: Pietro x Male Vampire Reader (Gender Neutral); Laura Barton x Male Vampire Reader (Platonic)

Word Count: 3,312

A/n: Reader speaks Slavic. According to Google Translate =  Moja duša - My soul. Malá holubica - Little dove. Malý - Little one.... I plan on doing more one shots in relation to this one. I wouldn’t really call it a series just a collection of random one shots with Pietro and this type of reader. Let me know if you wanna be tagged in them or if you have a request for a specific one shot you wanna see. This one shot was really just a starter for those future one shots coming.

Masterlist

If you were being honest, you didn’t know how old you were. You knew you were at least a few millennia’s old but after the first thousand years, who cares to keep track? 

You also knew that life could get very boring if you didn’t spice things up a little bit. Being a part time Avenger did just the thing for you. You didn’t care enough to help out full time but you were there if they were dealing with something extra tricky. Like an alien invasion or enhanced individuals.

It had been a hot minute since you had seen the rest of the team and was pleasantly surprised to get a call from them. Apparently Hydra had managed to pass abilities from Loki’s scepter onto humans giving them powers. One of them had an ability you shared thus pushing the Avenger’s to call you in.

Of course, you had a life of your own (surprisingly) and couldn’t just drop everything to help them. Although, once you managed to push your responsibilities to a loyal friend you left to track down the team.

This lead you to a seemingly abandoned factory. Shocker. 

You stayed in the shadows, undetected by everyone on the lower levels. You listened to the exchange between your team and the large robot. Your eyes then fluttered to the two that stood on the robots side. You deducted that those were the special individuals the team had called you in for.

You took in a deep breath, separating their scent from the others. You could sense the power coursing through their veins. While they had both gotten their abilities from the same source, you knew that they were very different.

If you gambled you would bet that the man was the speedster that Clint had complained about. Apparently he was a cocky little bastard. You didn’t have to know the guy to know he was arrogant. He stood tall, his chest slightly puffed out and his chin high. 

The talking didn’t last long before a brawl broke out. Your eyes followed the male as he zoomed around the room. While it would be impossible for the others to see him moving at such speeds, it was as if he were walking to you. 

He started coming your way, oblivious to the fact that you were even in the building. When he got close enough you stepped out and slammed a punch in his jaw. The force knocked him out of motion and over the railing. You watched as he fell to the main floor.

He groans, rolling onto his side as you land silently in front of him. Your entire body is covered making it impossible for him to see what you look like. Even your face, head and eyes were covered by some form of cloth or glasses.

“What? You didn’t see that coming?” You ask, smirking behind the face covering.

You had to admit, with Clint’s description of him you were expecting him to look different. Instead he’s older and more attractive. The arrogance clung to the air around him and it only drew you in.

“Welcome to the party, Y/n,” Clint greets from somewhere in the building. You didn’t respond knowing he wouldn’t be able to hear you like you could hear him.

“Who are you?” The man asks, standing up on his feet. The Sokovian accent thick on his tongue.

“Someone you don’t want to piss off,” You warn fairly. He scoffs, causing your smirk to deepen. “Wood of advice, stay out of the way, Moja duša” You said, the name rolling off your tongue so casually you didn’t realize what you had said at first. When you do realize, the weight of the situation falls onto your shoulders. 

You stare at the man in front of you, his eyebrows furrowed. You knew that he could translate the words but he did not know the true meaning of them. Before he could ask anything, you sped out of sight.

You help out the rest of the team whilst keeping an eye on the speedster. After a few minutes, you noticed the others slowly begin to drop. Natasha stopped responding, Thor was muttering to himself and Steve looked lost. You could hear Hulk going on a rampage with Tony trying to stop him.

You snap out of it when you sense a presence behind you. It didn’t take a genius to figure out it was the witch that had single handedly taken down the team.

When she got close enough to you, you whipped around and wrapped your hand around her throat. Her eyes widened and she becomes panicked. Her hand claws at your wrist as you lift her a few inch off the ground to become eyelevel with you.

“There is no nightmare you can show me that I haven’t already lived,” You hiss, tightening your grip around her. “Be careful, little witch, or you’ll find a fight you can’t win,”

You see, out of the corner of your eye, her brother speeding to her rescue. You hold onto her for a moment longer before dropping her to the ground and wrapping that same hand around his throat. While your grip is firm, it doesn’t constrict his airway. You take a moment to admire how he looks with your hand around his throat. An unseeable grin comes to your lips.

“Are you mentally challenged or do you just not listen?” You ask, tilting your head. He glares and fights your grip but it’s iron tight. “Take your sister and run far away, Moja duša,” You tell him, the name slipping your tongue once again.

“Who are you?” He asks, once again.

“Someone who will get you killed,” You tell him. You hand slowly leaves his neck. He stands there, observing you pensively. When he blinks, you’re out of sight.

...

You stuck around with the team. You got caught up on what was going on and what had happened since you last saw them. They asked if you would stay for a bit longer and your agreed.

You spent the night at Clint's with the others. His children hanging off of you as if you were a jungle gym. You tossed them into the air as many times as they pleaded you too. You also sped them around and played games with them. Even if you didn’t want to admit it, the children had you wrapped around your finger. They have since they were born.

When you weren’t entertaining children, you’re mind lingering on the male enhanced. You had learned their names through Steve. Wanda and Pietro.

You found yourself whispering his name as the night rolled on. You would smile a bit but it never lasted. You knew what he was to you and you to him. You also knew nothing could come of it, no matter how much you desired.

“You’re up late,” Your head snaps to the side to see Laura waddling into the kitchen. You winced when she flicks the lights on. She mutters a small apology.

“I don’t sleep, remember?” You reminded her.

“Ah, right,” She whispers. “In my defense, I have pregnancy brain mixed with morning brain,” She admits. “I’m forgetful,”

“I’ve known you since you were a child, how could you forget me?” You question, smirking at her. “I feel as if I’m quite unforgettable,” You admit, watching as she reaches for a glass to fill with water.

"I can’t forget you because you continue to pop up in the most random moments demanding for attention,” Laura tells you, slowly lowering herself into a seat at the table.

“I may be an isolated creature but even I need some socializing,” You tell her. She motions for you to sit as she sips on her water. “You should go back to sleep, Clint will be leaving in the morning. You need your rest, malá holubica,” You whisper to her.

“You leave as well and who knows when the next time you’re going to pop in,” She says, patting the spot beside her. Her eyes pour into yours. Without the threat of the sun, you didn’t need so much covering. You stayed in your trousers and vest but your arms, neck and head were exposed. “Don’t make me beg for you to sit next to me,”

Sighing, you give into her wishes. You glide across the floor and sit beside her. She shifts so that the both of you are face to face. One of her hands rest on her stomach while the other falls onto your lap. You smile a bit, holding her hand within yours.

“Something’s on your mind,” She mutters.

“Something’s always on my mind,” You whisper back, keeping your gaze on her hand. It’s significantly smaller their yours. It reminds you how fragile she is compared to you. “Its nothing for you to worry about,” You assure her.

“Well, we can still talk about it and make conversation,” Laura smiles.

“There’s plenty of other things to talk about, it’s been a while since we've seen each other,” You said, finally meeting her gaze. She doesn’t say anything for a moment as she stares into your eyes. She’s always been fascinated with them. They’re so inhuman. It always amused you how she found something about you, that struck fear and panic into so many, so beautiful.

The color of your iris’s are different shades of red. The red around your narrow pupil is bright and rich before transitioning into a deeper, darker red. The dark red seemed the slowly blend into the blackness of your sclera. Although, at the moment your eyes are significantly darker than normal as your throat continues to ache with hunger.

“You need to feed,” She tells you. “When was the last time you ate?”

“Dinner was lovely,” You comment. Her eyes narrow. “I’m fine, malá holubica,”

“You need to take care of yourself,” She scolds.

“What will happen if I don’t? I’ll die?” You growl, your hand clutching her a smidge too tight. Your anger vanishes when you notice her subtle flinch. “I’m sorry,” You whisper, gentle massaging away the ache you had caused in her hand.

“What happened today?” She asks. “Did you get affected like the others?” You smile, laughing quietly.

“No amateur witch can sneak up on me, you should have more faith in me than that,” You tell her.

“Then what’s going on?” She asks you. “You’ve been distant, lost in your own world. You snapped at me, you never snap at me,” She playfully pouts.

“I apologized, malý,” You practically whined. She smiles giving your hand a squeeze. 

“I know but it just shows that something is bothering you... I won’t be able to sleep unless we talk this out,” She threatens. You narrow your eyes at her. “Like you said, I’ve known you since I was a little girl. You can’t intimidate me,” Your glaring snarl turns into a pout. “Talk to me,” Sighing, you give in.

“Moja duša,” You whisper. Laura stares at you.

“My soul,” She mumbles under her breath. “Dimitri?” Your dead heart pangs at the sound of his name. Her face softens, her hand gripping yours in comfort.

“Pietro,” You correct her.

“Pietro?” She questions. “As in..?” You nod. “Maybe this is fates way of using you to get him and his sister on the right path,”

“Or it’s way of cursing me into another heartbreak,” You growl, withdrawing your hand from hers. You stand and return to your spot by the window. “The fates are cruel and hateful,” You snap.

“You don’t mean that,” She whispers. “She never meant to bring you more pain. She only wanted you to find unconditional love during a heartless time,”

“She should have kept to herself,” You growled. “Should have left me to my isolation. If she had she would still be alive and I would be-”

“Alone,” Laura cuts you off. “Your sister didn’t want you to live alone. She knew she couldn’t live as long as you. She knew you would outgrow everyone you knew,”

“Way to cheer me up,” You mumble. Laura sighs, pushing herself out of her chair. “Point is, this wasn’t supposed to be a curse... She had the right intentions,” She mutters, rubbing your back gently.

“I miss her,” You whisper, closing your eyes tightly.

“I know but you have me for the time being,” Laura whispers, hugging you tightly. You wrapped your arms around her, resting your chin on the crown of her head.

“Have I ever told you how similar your soul is to hers?” You whisper. “It’s what drew me to you... It’s like I have her back through you,”

“I just want you to be happy, she would too,”

“Can you women just let me find my own happiness on my own terms and stop meddling with things?” You grumble. She laughs quietly. 

“We can’t help it,” She whispers. “I love you, Y/n,” She whispers.

“I love you too, malá holubica,” You whisper, kissing her head. “Now, you’re caught up on the drama’s of my life. Please, go get some rest,” 

“Fine,” She sighs. “But do me a favor,” You sigh as she steps away from you. “Think about the good that will happen if you let Pietro in instead of pushing him away. Then remember all the times you tried to push them away but ended up holding them close,”

“Why am I so open with you about my past?” You sigh. “All you do is throw it in my face,” She laugh, gently tapping your face.

“Think about it,”

...

In the morning, you left with your team. You gave the kids extra long hugs before giving an equally tight hug to Laura. She scolds you for not visiting more and you promise to change that before climbing onto the jet.

When you find Ultron, you stick with Steve. The two of you fight the large robot to keep him occupied. While Steve managed to push the tin man around a bit, your punches managed to dent his plating. 

Ultron began to put his focus towards you, which you found flattering. You took the brunt of the punches while Steve basically danced around him. The both of you were managing to fight off the robot when Ultron got a hand on your hood and ripped the jacket off of your body. 

You screamed as your arms, neck and face began to burn under the sun’s rays. You barely register Steve tackling Ultron into a train. You fall to your knees feeling your skin begin to catch on fire.

Your mind pushes you through the pain. You look for shade but before you can run for cover your being grabbed and put onto the train. You lean against the wall, away from the sun.

You breathe heavily, your eyes opening a little to see Pietro kneeling in front of you. There’s concern in his eyes and despite the pain you’re in you smile.

“Perfect timing, Moja duša,” You pant.

“Y/n, you alright?” Steve asks, standing beside you. You just give him the thumbs up. “Lost sight of Ultron, there’s civilian’s in our path,” Steve say looking to Pietro knowing that your body is too focused on healing to help.

“Go,” You whisper, seeing his hesitance. Pietro nods and speeds off. You groan when the train goes off the rails. 

“You sure you’re going to pull through?” Steve asks, once the train stops. While the burns on your skin were to a lesser degree they were still red and you were still sore.

“Just help me up,” You grumble, holding out a hand. Steve grips it and hauls you to your feel. “Fucking robots and trains... I miss the days when humanity didn’t have fucking technology,” You grumble, following Steve off the train.

“-need to take a minute,” Pietro pants.

“I’m very tempted not to give you one,” Steve snaps, marching up to him.

“The Cradle, did you get it?”

“Stark will take care of it,” Steve assures them as you speed past the sun and back into the shade. Pietro stares at you for a moment before disappearing only to reappear with a sweatshirt. He hands it to you.

“Thanks,” You mutter, pulling it on to shield you from the sun.

“Don’t mention it,” He smirks.

...

Vision’s introduction was dramatic, to say the least. You stayed out of the drama. The only reason you continued to stick around was for Pietro. Although, you weren’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Death follows you wherever you go, even more so than the Avengers.

You knew you needed to make a decision soon before the bond got to the point where you couldn’t leave. It didn’t help that Pietro didn’t respect the distance you were putting between the two of you. He followed you around like a damn puppy.

“What are you?” He asks.

“Take a wild guess,” You say, looking through the fridge for something to drink.

“I can only think of myths and legends... Stories to scare children,”

“You believe in talking robots but not me?” You ask, turning towards him with a blood bag in hand. He watches as your fangs extend and sink into the bag.

“So, you are real...” Pietro mutters.

“Unfortunately,” You mutter, tossing the empty bag to the side.

“What does Moja duša mean?” 

“You know what it means,”

“I don’t think I do,” He says moving toward you. “I think it means something more to you,”

“Stop,” You tell him but he doesn’t until you’re toe to toe.

“My grandmother would tell my sister and I stories about you... or your kind,” He tells you. “Said that certain people were cursed to be stuck with your kind for eternity,”

“She’s right... it is a curse,” You tell him.

“Doesn’t feel like it,” He tells you.

“Candy, bread, beer, it all tastes good but they’re not necessarily good for you,” You tell him. “Think of this on a much bigger, much deadlier scale,”

“Sounds exciting,” He smirks. You sigh pressing your lips together. He raises his hand toward the glasses you had yet to take off. Your hands shoot up and wrap around his wrist.

“Turn around and go back to your sister,” You demand. “Forget you ever saw me,”

“You’re unforgettable,” Pietro whispers. The two of you stay still until Pietro begins to move his hands again. They slip from your wrist as you allow him to take the glasses off. “Oči diabla,” He recites the line that is in all the stories. “Eyes of the devil,” He translates. “Who would have thought the devil would be so attractive?”

...

“If I see another Goddamn robot after this, I’m going to blow a gasket,” You hiss towards the end of the battle against Ultron and his multiples. You run around the city killing robots and rescuing civilians.

Eventually, ships come to the edge of the city to evacuate everyone. You run through the city multiple times in order to make sure nobody is left behind. You return to the ships in time to see Pietro go to save Clint and the child he’s protecting.

Your instincts over take you. Your by his side faster than a heart beat. Your arms wrap around him. You speed out of harms way without missing a beat. When you’re out of the way, you rip a door off a car and launch it at the spaceship sending it to the ground before turning to Pietro.

“Are you alr-” Pietro cuts you off with a kiss. The simple kiss amplifies the already strong bond between the two of you. Your hand instinctively rest on his hips and pull him against you.

“Thank you,” He mutters against your lips. You smirk, returning your lips to his.

...

I plan on doing more one shots in relation to this one. I wouldn’t really call it a series just a collection of random one shots with Pietro and this type of reader. 

Let me know if you wanna be tagged in them or if you have a request for a specific one shot you wanna see

First night

This is for nastybuckybarnes' au challenge. I hope you like it babe.

Run through - You're nervous to consummate your marriage with your new husband.

Warnings - medieval au, smut, heavy dub con, innocent/inexpericened reader, loss of virginity, light breeding kink. Read responsibly.

Pairing - King!Steve Rogers x reader

Word count - almost 3k

Masterlist is linked in the bio!

You bit your lip getting up from the bed, thinking of maybe pacing around the chambers to help your restlessness. You looked at the pot of red wine right next to the fruit basket. You could have one, that would help with your nerves. But you were afraid you wouldn’t handle the alcohol well and make a fool of yourself in front of the king.

You looked at the crisp white cloth laid on the bed. Maybe you should lay down? That’s what your mother had told you.

“Just lay down and let your king do the job. Don’t move for a while after it’s done, or you won’t be able to conceive. If it hurts too much just think of something else”

Her words didn’t make things easier for you. But then you had heard good things about it from your friends. You really didn’t know what to believe. You hoped that you would meet a boy, fall in love and get married. Perhaps knowing a person helps with the coupling? Not that you need to know Steven anymore than you already do. He is your husband now. He could do whatever he wants with you.

When you were told you were to be married to him. You were as scared as you were happy. You didn’t know the first thing about marriage or men. But you had heard of king Stevens bravery and kindness, along with tales of his ethereal beauty. They said that he was carved out by gods themselves. You fell in love as soon as you saw his portrait. His rugged jaw covered with a thick beard, his long locks sweeped back, his broad shoulders and alert stance, akin to that of a soilder.

You couldn’t believe you were to be the queen. Being the youngest of three sisters you would never have had such an opportunity. But both your older sisters were married off. One to a prestigious Lord and another to a king of a small kingdom. You did feel a tinge of pride when they were so jealous of you. Of the power you were to have as a queen and of your beautiful and brave future husband.

Power. Something that scared you the most. Sure being a queen was glamourous. But what if you let your new kingdom and people down. What if you let your king down?

You had never met him before the wedding. When your face was unveiled, and you looked at his face and him up close you were taken aback. Of just how much more handsome he looked in reality. That portrait did him no justice.

You couldn’t tell if he found you satisfactory at all. His face was set in an unreadable expression. Was he pleased or disappointed with you? He barely spoke two words to you the entire ceremony and feast. You cringed as you recalled your first dance. How even after so many lessons you kept stepping on his feet, while he kept moving gracefully. You imagined him moving with the same grace on the battlefield.

You wanted to please him. To be enough for him. You knew men seeked pleasure from other women if they found their wives unsatisfactory. You didn’t think you could stand it if he did something like that. In a moment of desperation you asked your newly assigned handmaiden for some help on how to please a man. She, of course was embarrassed and refused to give you a clear answer. They would probably gossip about you now. No. You can’t think about that. Not right now.

You straightened your back to sit up straight as you heard the doors being opened. You let out the breathe you didn’t even know you were holding as you looked at him. With his white shirt, which gave you a generous view of his chest and the thin hair splattered over it and his dark pants, he looked much different without his informal attire. He stared you down but didn’t really acknowledged your presence as he made his way over to the wine.

Before he could pour a glass you quickly made your way over to him, fetching the glass from the table. “Allow me, my king” you gave him a nervous smile. It was probably a bad idea since you couldn’t stop your hands from shaking. You cringed as you splashed a few drops out of the glass.

He only shook his head making a sound of disapproval, grabbing the pot from you he poured the glass full handing it to you. “You might need it more than me”

“Oh well... thank you...” You took it from him. Too scared to refuse him. To tell him you absolutely hated the foul taste of wine. You tried your best to keep a straight face as you swallowed the liquid. You chugged the glass down setting it on the table. You could feel it taking effect in your limbs as you felt your whole body loosen up.

“Have you been with other men before?” he asked walking over to the bed.

You were floored by his question. They had sent a doctor to make sure you had never been touched before. Which you weren’t. He knew the answer. But then why was he asking. “I won’t dignify that with an answer” You huffed. He was getting some kind of sick pleasure from your humiliation. You wouldn’t have him make fun of you.

“Oh?” He smirked in amusement at your boldness. He felt his cock stir in his pants at your defiance. A stark contrast to what he perceived you as.

He never really cared much for marriage. Always thinking that he would find the right woman along the way. Sure he indulged in some courtesans here and there but he held back. Not wanting any bastard children. He knew how doomed their fate was just like his half brother James.

He wished for a strong woman, capable and worthy of being a queen. But he learned that you didn’t even know how to ride a horse. You were nothing more than a spoilt sheltered princess. But he agreed to the marriage, for his kingdom and his duty.

He could make it work. As long as you give him a few sons the marriage wouldn’t be an utter failure. He could learn to bear you or even care for you a bit.

But then he looked at you face, your hair and gown all made up, you were the prettiest bride he had ever seen. His bride. He couldn’t help but be proud you were going to be his.

And now that he could see you and your plump figure through the thin petticoat, he couldn’t wait to tear it off and to find out if you were just as curvy underneath. “Come here” He smirked as you instantly followed standing in front of him, your fingers fidgeting with your gown. “Have you ever kissed anyone before?” he knew you hadn’t. But he needed to hear it from you. He would be proud to be your first in everything.

You shook your head staring at the floor. You looked so small and helpless in front of him. It was a dilemma. Because it made him protective of you but at the same time want to do devious things to you. He thought about how he could take you. Of course he’d get to have you every way and anyway he wanted, you were his wife and his future queen, but he needed the first time to be memorable. “What was that?”

“No. I haven’t, your grace” You spat almost spitefully.

He chuckled at that, staring at your lips, he bent down to capture them and have a taste. He felt you go stiff when his lips touched yours, as soft as rose petals and oh so sweet. You gasped into his mouth as he pulled you into him by pulling at your waist. He threw you on the bed, over the white sheet.

You stayed there panting, your kiss swollen lips, your nipples that turned into stiff peaks he groaned just at the sight of them. You were looking at him as if you were afraid of him, maybe you should be. He climbed onto the bed and settled between your legs. He pushed the helm of your petticoat up until it revealed your smooth soft legs and thick thighs to him.

“Oh! Wha –“ you stammered as he nipped at the inside of your thigh, slowing moving towards your core. He could smell your arousal. He couldn’t wait to dig his face in it and taste it. Find out if it was as sweet as you were. He wasn’t a patient man but for now he would wait. You were a fine woman. One who should be enjoyed at the fullest. So he would take his time, even if his cock was aching to be inside you.

He was trying to get the gown off of you with no help from you it was turning out to be quite a task. Fuck it to being patient. He tore the collar of your gown, ripping the whole thing off. He quickly threw the shred of cloth away and tossed it away.

He stared you down. You were sniffling as tears of shame escaped your eyes, your hands pathetically trying to cover your chest. You made yourself small trying to curl in on yourself ,but with him sitting between your legs, didn’t leave you much room to move.

He took your wrists in his hands pushing them down besides your head and he bend down to lick the salty tear off your cheek. He pressed a small kiss to your cheek before squeezing your wrists. “Keep them here. I’m your husband, you don’t hide from me” He stated as he pulled back up to admire your nude body. You gulped down as you moved your head so you wouldn’t have to look at him, but you didn’t dare move your hands or cover yourself.

He pressed a thumb over your hard nipple pulling on the nub as you gasped and tried so hard to contain those your moans, but he heard them. He licked the peak before sucking it into his mouth placing soft kisses over your breasts as you kept whining and shivering under him.

He kissed down your stomach finally looking at your heat between your legs. He had never been as awestruck as he was in that moment. He took in a deep breathe to get a whiff of your arousal.

“My king?” you hesitated sitting up on your elbows looking down at him between your legs “ what are you doing?” you panicked. Surely he wouldn’t.... “Oh!” You cried out loud as you felt him lick a stripe up your folds. You sat up pushing at his head “This isn’t how it’s done” you tried to argue. Although you weren’t sure, no one told you about this. What was he even doing?

You fell back on the mattress as he pushed his palm down on your chest “Stay” He commanded. You had no choice but to lay back. You stared at the rose garlands painted on the ceiling, trying to distract yourself, as he licked and sucked at you. You really did try to hold in the noises your body was so desperate to let out. But you couldn’t not when you were feeling so strange yet so good.

You whimpered as he wrapped his mouth around your bundle of nerves sucking it into his mouth and swirling his tongue over it. Maybe he was doing it to make you feel good but it felt more like a sweet torture. You felt as if you were on the edge of something about to crash and burn. But then, your world came to a screeching halt as you felt him push a finger into your channel. You clenched around the alien object, the invasion felt so strange you didn’t know what to make of it.

“Fuck you’re tight” you would’ve been upset at his foul language and his use of the forbidden word but what he was doing was much more sinful than that. You couldn’t think of anything but his mouth and his tongue on you, his finger inside you. You moaned as he pushed another finger inside you pulling them out only to quickly push them back in. “Don’t know how I will last” He groaned curling his long digits inside you as you screamed at the top of your longs.

It was as if everything came crashing down on you. The feeling was incomparable. Unlike anything you had ever felt before. Your skin was on fire as your muscles spasmed.

You could vaguely hear him undress as you looked at him through your hooded eyes. His pupils blown wide, his cock standing up straight against his hard stomach. You could see the faint scars littered across his body, proof of his many battles.

You were expecting him to do the deed, make love to you and truly make you his wife. But he pulled you up to sit on your bum, your eyes staring straight at his cock. “You gonna return the favor princess?” He asked his voice was much deeper and his tone more gruff. “Taste it” He said pushing the head of his cock against your lips.

You weren’t quite sure what you were supposed to do. So you simply opened your mouth as he pushed himself in. You gagged as he hit the back of your throat, your spit dripping down your chin. He tasted salty and musky. You felt as if you’d cry again, of being naked and in such a compromising position. All the while he was so composed and graceful.

He held onto your face pulling his cock out of your mouth but before you could breathe out in relief he slammed back in again. You couldn’t fit all of him, he was too big. He thrusted a few times before pulling out of your mouth completely. You coughed and gasped for air, cleaning up his spend and your spit with the back of your hand.

“Can’t cum in your mouth” He groaned pushing you to lay down he hovered above you. You felt him rub his tip against your folds.

“Wh – what if it doesn’t fit?” you asked nervous again. You had never seen a naked man before, but he looked big. At least right now, he was looking at your face instead of your naked body.

“Just loosen up” You followed his advice as you held onto his thick arms. You winced in pain as you felt the pinch of him entering your weeping channel. You moved your head away biting your lip to contain your screams.

“Look at me” he demanded grabbing your chin “look at your king” You reluctantly opened your eyes staring at him. He was so beautiful. You couldn’t help but run your fingers through his thick beard, just a shade darker than his golden blonde hair. You wailed throwing your head back as he pushed into you completely seething himself.

“Shh” he hushed you as he snaked a hand between your bodies striking your clit to distract you. “It’ll feel better soon” He promised. As he let you get accustomed to his length. The fact that he was much larger than most men and that you were a virgin wasn’t lost on him. He would have to restrain himself. Which seemed impossible at the moment. Your walls so snug and tight, clenching around him, he would cum right this second.

He pulled out of you before slowly pushing himself back in. He set a steady pace as your cries slowly turned into moans. You clawed at his back, your legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. He was only spurred on by your little mewls and hot puffs of air against his ear.

You cried out again thrashing and squirming under him another wave of pleasure crashing into you. He grunts as he felt you clench around him, milking him for all he’s worth. He snapped his hips against yours a couple of times cuming deep in your womb.

He laid on top of you, catching his breathe. He pulled the white sheet from under you and used it to clean you between your legs. You jerked as the cloth touched your sensitive skin. He cleaned his cock and went outside his chambers to hang the sheets up.

When he returned you were about to get up and put on whatever you could salvage out of your torn nightgown. “Lay back down” He demanded fed up “you have to give me a son” he reminded you pushing you into the mattress. Just how many times would he have to tell you before you would understand. He’ll have to work on a way to make you listen. That’s alright though, he had all the time in the world.

Tags will be in the reblog! If you wanna join the taglist lemme know or click on the link in the bio. divider by @writeyourmindaway

Ima go soak in holy water for like ten hours to wash off these sins🥵🥵 this is as dark as I'm gonna go lol. Who knows maybe there will be a part two 👀

I'll Love You 'Til I Die

Masterlist | Playlist

Summary: A Brooklyn schoolgirl fell in love with James Buchanan Barnes at the tender age of nine. With this love she made a vow, promising to love him until her very last breath.

Pairing: Bucky x OFC

Warnings: Language, violence

Word Count: 4.3k

Author's Note: I am... so sorry for taking so long. I was not expecting the start of the semester to be so hectic. I can't promise I'll go back to posting as regularly as during the summer, but I can promise that I'm not disappearing. I promise. I WILL SEE THIS FANFIC THROUGH EVEN IF IT KILLS ME. Thank you for the kind words and support while I've been MIA. Enjoy a chunky chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Little Saint Lottie

October 27, 1943

“I’m worried about her, Betty.”

“I know, Gladys. I know.”

Lottie couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten a full night’s rest. Days seemed to bleed into each other, with no slumber to distinguish today from tomorrow. It wasn’t long after arriving at Azzano that she realized that he wasn’t waiting for her. Bucky was gone. In his place, dozens of men awaited her arrival with sunken eyes and twitching lips that begged for relief, whether it be through a healing touch or a final blow to the head.

When the realization hit Lottie, there wasn’t much she could do besides throwing herself into her work; if she couldn’t help Bucky, the least she could do was help his brothers in arms. Although anxiety ate her up from the inside out, Lottie had confidence in Bucky’s abilities. He wouldn’t let himself die in some POW camp, he just wouldn’t. Because then who would take care of her and Steve? He’d fight tooth and nail to get back to them, she just knew it.

She threw herself into her work, rarely stopping long enough to have a proper conversation or a full meal; this bad habit of hers came to a halt, though, when she came upon a boisterous redhead in need of stitches. Lottie had been deep in thought while examining the gash above his forehead when the soldier cracked a grin and peered up at her without moving his head too much.

“Do I know you from somewhere?”

Lottie shook her head, “I’m afraid not, Private—” she glanced at his dog tags, “—O’Connor.”

“Ever done pinup? Maybe I know you from one of those cheesecakes we’ve got hanging up.” The man— more of a boy really, with his lanky frame and jovial smile —wiggled his eyebrows and ruined her diligent work of cleaning the blood from his wound.

The question left Lottie flustered; the idea of dozens of men gawking at her scantily clad figure left her feeling mortified, “Certainly not! I find that my talents are better suited for healing.”

O’Connor nodded and inspected her face carefully as she went to work on his gash once more. “I’ve got it!” Lottie nearly jumped away from him when he clapped his hands together, “You’re Little Saint Lottie, in the flesh!” The boy crowed his revelation, earning him glares from the other men recovering in the medic tent.

Lottie nearly dropped the needle that she’d been preparing to thread, “Excuse me?”

“Ah, it’s a funny story,” O’Connor chuckled, “Y’see, Sarge had this little photo he’d take everywhere. Always had it in his pocket, tucked in his helmet, you name it. Wouldn’t let the damn thing go. Anyway, we stole it out of his fatigues one day while he was cleaning up in some river ‘cause we wanted to see what the big deal was. Once we saw it was some dame—” Lottie shot him a look, “—lady, we started yanking his chain about it. He was just about as obsessed with that photo as my Ma is with her holy cards, so when he finally told us your name, we dubbed you ‘Little Saint Lottie,’ patron saint of the one hundred and seventh. That kinda pissed him off, but it’s not like you’re his girl, y’know? Though he sure acted like you were.”

Lottie was speechless. About halfway through his story, her mouth had dropped open and her hands had fallen to her lap. Here she was, looking dumb as an ox, while the soldier in front of her chuckled with childish glee.

“Me and the guys would even ask for your intercession whenever the chaplain came by to pray with us. Poor guy had no clue which saint we were talkin’ about. We tried to give it a place of honor in the tent but Sarge made us run laps when he found out we’d nicked it again.”

O’Connor nearly doubled over in laughter as he watched Lottie’s expression grow in horror. “Well as I’m sure Bucky— Sergeant Barnes has told you, I’m no saint. I’m just a nurse. Now hold still, unless you want these stitches to be more painful than they already are.” Before she could stop herself, the question came tumbling out of her mouth, “Speaking of Sergeant Barnes, do you know—” she fumbled with the needle as she made the first stitch, “—is he alright? Did you see him?” The soldier let out a hiss of pain, “Yeah, I got a glimpse of him while they were takin’ him away. He was battered but alright. There’s no man quite like Sarge, I know he’ll be back. He’d fight tooth and nail to get back. That’s what he said at least, ‘cause he always went on and on about how you needed him and all that. He sure talked about you an awful lot for a guy who hasn’t even asked you to go steady.”

Lottie’s breath hitched at the final comment, the mere idea of going steady with Bucky reducing her to a stuttering schoolgirl. She began to tie off his stitches, “We’ve been best friends for over a decade, it’s perfectly normal to care for each other deeply without bringing affection into it.”

O’Connor shrugged, which jostled her arm slightly, “I’ve never heard a guy talk about his best friend like that.”

Lottie didn’t respond. She gave his fully sutured wound one last glance, “Looks like you’re all set. Now don’t do anything stupid to get it infected.”

He gave her a crooked grin and wiggled his eyebrows, Lottie nearly scolded him but held her tongue, “As you wish, Saint Lottie.”

Lottie rolled her eyes and moved along to the next bed, where another soldier waited with a smile just as wide. It seemed that these men had become pleased as punch to know their patroness had come to grace them with her presence.

The USO’s visit to their camp took Lottie completely by surprise. She’d spent so much time floating from one medic tent to the next that she’d ended up completely out of the loop of the camp’s other goings-on. It wasn’t until she saw the fully-erected stage in the middle of camp that she realized. Her heart beat powerfully within her; with Steve here, she would be one step closer to finding Bucky. One step closer to bringing him home. “They say he’s gonna be here in a few hours,” Mary beamed, obviously giddy to see the Star-Spangled Man up close and in the flesh.

Lottie returned her smile, though it was weak. The weariness was starting to catch up to her, making her feel much older than a youthful twenty-three. Her stomach was in knots with anxiety; she needed to get to Steve as soon as possible.

Betty stood with them as they watched the hustle and bustle of preparations, “I’m pretty sure we’re the only ones looking forward to seeing Captain America. All these boys care about is seeing a bunch of girls dancing for them on stage, not some hunk of meat in a red, white, and blue suit.”

Nancy, who had just joined the conversation, scoffed, “It’s quite disappointing how little you think of these men and their patriotism.”

Gladys rolled her eyes, “They’re still men, Nancy. Scantily clad women or a guy singing about war bonds? They’re gonna prefer the women.”

Several hours later, Gladys was indeed proven right. Although he’d been driven off-stage with jeers and taunts, Lottie was waiting for him with a warm embrace.

“Hey, Lottie,” She could hear the smile in his voice, she felt its warm timbre as it surrounded her and reminded her of home.

“Good to see ya, Stevie.”

Steve pulled away from her and gazed around the camp, a grimace growing on his features, “Things don’t look to good around here.”

Lottie nodded, a twin grimace gracing her lips, “The hundred and seventh started out with two hundred men. Now they’ve only got fifty left. They’re barely holding on.”

Steve’s gaze shot to hers the moment she mentioned the one hundred and seventh, “Lottie that’s— this is Bucky’s—” The desperate look in his eyes made her own calm exterior begin to crack.

“Stevie, I know,” she whispered, a lump forming in her throat and tears pricking at her eyes, “I know, and I’m sorry. He’s not here. They— Those bastards took him, damn them!” For the first time since arriving at camp, Lottie cried. She sobbed and clung to Steve once more, feeling every bit like a scared little girl from days gone by.

Steve rested his hand against her back, “I’ll get him out, Lottie. He’s gotta be alive and I’ll get him out.”

She shook her head and wiped the hot tears from her cheeks, “No, Steve. You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you.”

“Lottie, you know I can’t put you in harm’s way like that—”

“Steve. I’m serious. What do you think I was doing that whole time I was with the SSR? Yes, we were making the serum, but they nearly trained us to death. I can shoot, I can use my knife. I can’t let you go without me.” Her voice was starting to crack, “We have to find Bucky together.”

There was silence between the two of them until Steve finally conceded, a wary gaze in his eyes, “Fine. But you need to be by my side the whole time.” Lottie nodded her chest warming with hope. “C’mon, we need to have a conversation with Colonel Philipps.”

The two of them jogged to his tent with their coats held above their heads to shield them from a sudden shower of rain. They entered the colonel’s tent, looking comical with their wet hair and heaving chests. Around them, soldiers and officials paced to and fro, examining maps or signing off various forms. If Lottie squinted, she could just barely make out the words. Letters of condolences; heartbreakingly clinical letters of regret for the losses of these sons, these brothers, these boys.

“Colonel Phillips,” Steve began, “Are you planning a rescue mission? For the surviving prisoners from the Battle of Azzano?”

The colonel looked back at him with a straight face, “Yeah, it’s called winning the war.”

Steve’s blond eyebrows furrowed, “But if you know where they are why not at least—”

“They’re thirty miles behind the lines. Through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We’d lose more men than we’d save, but I don’t expect you to understand that because you’re a chorus girl,” before Lottie could protest, he shot her a glance as well, “and you’re just a nurse.”

Steve’s gaze on Colonel Phillips was cool, “I think I understand just fine.”

The colonel pushed past them, “Well then understand it somewhere else. Now if I read the posters correctly, you’ve got someplace to be in thirty minutes.”

“Yes sir, I do.”

Steve grabbed Lottie’s hand and pulled her behind him, “C’mon, we’ve gotta get going. You go get changed.”

Lottie nodded; her medical uniform would impede this mission so she’d need to wear the fatigues that the government had finally issued to them. Her heart raced a mile a minute as she scrambled back to the nurse’s tent to change. She knew that Colonel Philipps would be terribly angry once he found out she’d shirked her night duties, but her loyalties to Bucky took precedence. The recovering soldiers were left in the capable hands of her peers. She swore as she nearly toppled over while yanking her boots on; it was rather hard to get dressed in such a hurry. By the time she was ready and had exited the tent, she was met with the somber faces of Agent Carter and Steve.

“Agent Carter, what are you doing?” For a moment, she feared that they’d already been caught, that the SSR was already putting an end to their mission.

The other woman pursed her lips, “I’m here to help.”

A mere half-hour later and they found themselves in the SSR’s plane, headed to Krausberg, where the POW camp was located. Howard Stark called out to them from the cockpit, “We should be able to drop you right at their doorstep.”

Fear was starting to creep into Lottie’s mind and burrowed itself deep within her gut. She heard the conversation continue all around her, but she was still processing the daunting mission before her. She and Steve up against Hydra. All alone. Even Bucky had struggled against them; he’d lost to them in the Battle of Azzano. Bucky. That’s what worried her most. It’s what filled her with the most fear. If she and Steve got through the Hydra camp safe and sound only to find that he was dead, Lottie wasn’t sure how she’d deal with it. She’d probably go mad, in all honesty. She’d end up in some institution, crying over lucky pennies and charcoal drawings while being molly-coddled by some woman in white. How tragic that would be.

Before her thoughts could become any darker, Lottie was jolted back to reality by the sound of bullets against metal. Steve grabbed his shield and her arm, urging her to join him by the plane’s exit.

Agent Carter shot up from her seat, “Get back here! We’re taking you all the way in!”

He turned to respond, “As soon as I’m clear, you turn this thing around and get the hell out of here!” “You can’t give me orders!”

A smile grew on his face, “The hell I can’t! I’m a captain!”

Steve shifted his goggles and nudged Lottie, “It’s go time. When you see me pull the chute out, you do the same.”

Lottie nodded with a quiet determination, and together, they jumped.

Entering the base was painstakingly quiet; once they’d snuck into a truck and eliminated the guards inside, Steve and Lottie were left to mouth words and offer silent support through unwavering gazes. Once they’d safely passed the gate of the base, they exited the truck and swiftly dealt with any opposition.

Steve led her across the base with caution, giving hand signals when it was safe to turn a corner and sprint across a patch of unobstructed space. The two of them traveled with the shadows, avoiding any spotlights that could catch them in the act. Lottie scarcely felt that she could breathe, it was as if one exhale would reveal their presence to the multitude of guards.

Once they entered the main building, the two of them found themselves in what seemed to be a factory. There were giant sheets of metal everywhere and huge bombs seemed to surround them. Amongst them all, Hydra soldiers transported other metal parts and containers of glowing blue material. That did not bode well with Lottie at all.

Lottie spotted some guards walking to a lower level, jangling keys in hand. “Steve, they might be guarding the prisoners.” Her whisper was barely audible, fear keeping her from speaking any louder.

“The blueprints said they were below the manufacturing level. C’mon.”

They followed the guards onto a walkway that had large circular grates that cut into the metal, each forming the ceiling of small cells that the poor prisoners had been separated into. Lottie and Steve knocked the guards out and stole their keys. The two dropped to the same level as the cells and began unlocking their doors.

One of the soldiers gazed at them through the bars of his cell, “Who are you supposed to be?”

Steve panted from stress, “I’m Captain America.” He gave Lottie an expectant look.

“I guess I’m Little Saint Lottie,” she responded somewhat sarcastically, referencing the retrospectively comical nickname that was developed by the one hundred and seventh.

Some of the men cracked grins, “So you’ve heard our prayers, huh?”

“Loud and clear. Now let’s get you out of here, yeah?”

She tried to ignore the growing horror inside of her upon the realization that none of these men had brilliant blue eyes. Not a dimpled chin in sight.

“Is there anybody else? I’m looking for a Sergeant James Barnes.” It seemed that the same horror was growing within Steve.

A man in a scarlet beret responded, his British accent prim and proper, “There’s an isolation ward in the factory, but no one’s ever come back from it.”

“Alright,” Steve nodded, “The tree line is northwest, 80 yards past the gate. Get out fast and give ‘em hell. We’ll meet you guys out in the clearing with anyone else we find.”

“Wait, you know what you’re doing?” “Yeah. I’ve knocked out Adolf Hitler over two hundred times.”

Lottie couldn’t help but stare at Steve in amazement. Gone was that awkward boy from Brooklyn. He was a man now, a leader who could do anything he put his mind to. He’d grown so much, not just physically, but in his character.

While the prisoners worked their way out of the base, Steve and Lottie began their search for the isolation wards. Lottie tried to ignore the sounds of explosions and men crying out from below them while they traveled across metal catwalks. She could only hope that the cries of pain were coming from Hydra soldiers.

After turning several corners, they found themselves in an old hallway, surrounded by brick on both sides. They hurried down the corridor out of desperation; they knew they were running out of time. Lottie stopped suddenly when she heard a groan. It was close. She drew her weapon and dragged Steve into the room, her heart stuttering and her palms slick with sweat.

“Sergeant. Three-two-five-five-seven…” That voice. Oh, how she knew that voice; she loved it so. Lottie heard it whenever she found the time to fall asleep. It crept into her sweetest dreams but tore her apart whenever it wiggled its way into her nightmares.

Bucky lay in front of them, strapped down to a table; his lips moved ever so slightly as he repeated the same phrase over and over again.

She rushed to his side alongside Steve and nearly let out a cry of happiness. Had the situation not been so dire, she would’ve descended upon him with a bone-crushing embrace and great big sobs of joy by that point.

Lottie whispered a quiet, “Bucky?” His eyes were glazed over and his mouth agape, “Is that— is that—”

“It’s us, Buck,” Steve nodded reassuringly as he tore at the straps across Bucky’s chest. Bucky looked up at him, taking his face in,

“Us?”

“Me and Lottie,” he nodded, tugging her closer so that the two of them could be in Bucky’s field of vision.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him, finally feeling whole again. She’d gotten her Brooklyn boys back. Bucky only looked back in confusion, “Little Lottie, she— she’s always been here. Always. Stayed with me the whole time.”

It was Lottie and Steve’s turn for confusion. Lottie brushed the hair back from his forehead to calm him down and ground him, “Bucky, I’ve been with the SSR this whole time. We’re here to rescue you.”

Steve nodded and dragged him off the table, “I thought you were dead.”

Bucky was obviously having a hard time processing everything that was happening, “I thought you were smaller.”

Lottie listened as the gunfire intensified, “Come on, we need to move.” Steve threw one of Bucky’s arms over his shoulder and the two fell into step behind her.

“What happened to you?” Bucky grunted out, pain etched into his voice.

“I joined the army.”

“Did it hurt?”

Steve was growing agitated, “A little.”

“Is it permanent?”

“So far.” Lottie huffed, “I’d sure hope so after all that effort I put into it.”

Bucky mustered out a befuddled, “Huh?”

“I helped to create the serum that made him like that.”

“So that’s why you left without saying a word.” Bucky’s tone was only slightly accusatory.

Lottie muttered a weak “Yeah.” They’d need to have a lengthier conversation once he wasn’t struggling to walk five yards.

As they crossed the catwalks to get towards the exit, the factory below them began to combust. Huge flames erupted from the metal contraptions and triggered explosions all around them. They hastily climbed the metal stairs to get to higher ground.

“Captain America, how exciting!” A thick German accent cut through the noise of explosions and gunfire. “I am a great fan of your films!” Before them stood two men; one was a short little fellow clad in a jacket and fedora. The other was tall and wore a distinguished Hydra uniform with its menacing crest emblazoned on his shoulder.

The taller of the two gave Captain America a once over as he strode across the catwalk that separated them, “So, Dr. Erskine managed it after all. Not exactly an improvement, but still, impressive.”

“You’ve got no idea,” Steve snarled and punched the man in the face. The swift blow caused a blotch of redness to appear near his eye and a sinking feeling of realization settled into Lottie’s stomach. This was Schmidt, the monster who used the serum prototype.

Before she could say anything, Schmidt struck back and left a dent in Steve’s shield, “Haven’t I?”

There was a brief scuffle before Schmidt backed off while the other man pulled a lever, pulling the catwalk apart. With a grin, Schmidt began pulling at the skin of his face and revealed fiery red muscle and tissue beneath, just as Lottie had seen when she first began experimenting with the formula. “You are deluded, Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier, but in reality, you are just afraid to admit that we have left humanity behind. Unlike you, I embrace it proudly. Without fear!”

“Then how come you’re running?”

Steve never got an answer. Schmidt and the other man had already boarded an elevator and left them standing on the catwalk, nearly helpless.

Another explosion went off, cueing the trio to leave, “C’mon, let’s go. Up.” Lottie instructed the men to follow her, though she wasn’t too sure how to escape the factory. All she knew was that they needed to keep ascending the stairs.

When they reached the top of the stairs, they were faced with a metal beam that led to a catwalk with an exit. It was terrifyingly slim, with only enough room to place one foot in front of the other.

“Ladies first,” Bucky murmured, “but I’ll be right behind you.” Lottie felt sure of herself knowing that at least she wouldn’t have to cross on her own.

She took a tentative first step, testing how well it would hold her weight. Lottie tried not to look down at the fiery pit below while she carefully moved along the beam. It was a comfort to have Bucky behind her with his chest nearly pressed against her back as he followed her every step. Lottie had just scrambled over the railing of the catwalk when a jarring explosion shifted the beam’s position and sent it careening downwards. She gasped in horror as Bucky leaped to grab onto the catwalk.

“There’s gotta be a rope or something!”

Steve stared at the two of them from across the pit, “Just go! Get out of here!”

Bucky slammed his fist on the railing, desperation tearing at his voice, “No, not without you!”

“Steve, please! We can’t just leave you here!” Lottie pleaded. Steve couldn’t die, not like this.

With a look of determination, Steve backed up and made a running jump to clear the gap between the two catwalks. An explosion threatened to swallow him up, but he made it over safely, although a little worse for wear.

Lottie and Bucky could only stare in amazement. Steve nodded to them both, “Let’s get outta here.”

Several ladders and a whole lot of dodging later, the trio found themselves trudging towards the tree line.

It was silent amongst the three of them; painfully, dreadfully silent. She decided it was time to break the silence, “Bucky, I—”

“Look, Little Lottie, I know you’re sorry, alright? And I forgive you. Even though you lied to my face and left without saying goodbye, I had a whole lotta time to spend forgiving you.”

Now that the fear of being caught by Hydra soldiers had fully subsided, Lottie allowed herself to let out a sob of joy and nearly threw herself at Bucky. She almost apologized for the force of her embrace since it was likely to hurt a man who’d been captured by Hydra, but he didn’t show any sign of pain. She’d need to remember that for later.

“I missed you so much, Bucky. I really did,” Lottie nearly whimpered. Gosh, she sure sounded lovesick. “I missed you too, Little Lottie.” His embrace was sure and strong, and with it, a flood of memories came back to her. Nights on her fire escape. A birthday evening spent swing dancing. A lucky penny slipped into her hand. For the first time in months, Lottie finally felt whole. Her heart that had been splintered into shards of pain and hopelessness had finally begun to mend itself back together. While she found comfort in his arms and forgiveness, she knew there were still so many words left unsaid; words that he needed and deserved to hear.

“Yeah, I missed you guys too,” Steve muttered, obviously peeved that he was being left out of their moment.

“Aw, come on, Stevie,” Lottie grinned and pulled away from Bucky a little to allow Steve to join their hug.

“And if I remember correctly, Bucky, I think it’s actually Little Saint Lottie now,” she grinned. While she couldn’t see his face at the moment, she just knew it was turning a gorgeous shade of scarlet, based on the sputtering coming out of his mouth.

Stark Spangled Banner

One Shot- To The Stars And Back

Intro: Steve and Katie receive a message which Tony left before his death.

Warnings: “Language!” 

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: This was originally a full chapter, however I as I ended up publishing Stark Spangled Man I stripped out the flashback, and it left me with this little mini. It always sat in my head that Tony would leave personalised messages for Katie and Steve, along with the rest of his family, not just the generic one we saw at his funeral so here we are.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“Happy?” Katie frowned momentarily as the man strode into her kitchen, followed by Steve. “Wasn’t expecting to see you today, not that you’re not welcome, of course you are.” She hastily added.

“It’s okay, Kiddo, I know what you meant.” He chuckled softly “The kids not here?” “Jamie’s gone to the park with Bucky and Sam, and Emmy’s taken Lucky for a walk.” She answered. “Why, do we need them?”

“No, I was just gonna say hi but I’ll see them tomorrow I suppose.” He smiled sadly at the thought of the funeral. “But, anyway, I came to deliver this. It turns out even, well, even when he’s gone your brother has me running errands.”

Katie smiled softly as he held up the box in front of her.

“He left three. One for you and Steve, one for Pepper and Morgan, and one for his Funeral….so…”

“His Funeral?” Steve frowned, as Katie opened a drawer and retrieved a knife before she walked over to the table. She had a feeling she knew what was in there, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she carefully slit the tape on the cardboard box and took a breath as she realised she was right.

Inside was an Iron Man helmet, one of his many spares from his suits over the years.

“He’s erm, ” she took a breath as she instantly recognised which suit this had come from. “He’ll have left a message or something, like he did all those years ago from Tennessee.”

Happy nodded. “He did. The boxes arrived at the house today. Along with instructions that if he had, you know, then they were to be distributed accordingly.”

“Thanks.” Katie set the helmet on the table and glancing into the box. There was another, smaller package inside, to which an envelope was attached. She smiled as she read her brother’s handwriting on the front. It simply said ‘Spangles’.

“We were just about to get lunch.” Steve tore his eyes away from Katie as he looked to Happy. “Do you want to join us?”

“Thanks but I should be getting back.” Happy declined the offer politely. “Stuff to do before tomorrow.”

Katie gave him a small smile, placing the smaller box on the table “Can’t say I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me neither.” Happy swallowed, dropping a hand to her shoulder “But we’ll get through it. We always do, huh?”

“I’ll see you out.” Steve said, as Happy gave Katie a hug before he nodded and the two men left the room.

Katie looked at the helmet which now sat on the table, and she took a deep breath before she picked it up and looked straight into the eye sockets. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, resting her forehead against the cool metal she held in her hands. She had no idea which suit this was from, but then again Tony had made so many of the damned things, it could be Mk500 for all she knew. The tears began to fall down her face as she screwed her eyes shut, head pressed against the helmet, before gently hands pried it from hers.

“Hey,” Steve spoke softly, dropping into the seat next to her, placing the helmet on the table. “Come here.”

She turned into him, pressing her face to his chest as she shook with silent sobs. His hand gently rubbed her back as he soothed her, waiting for her to calm down.

“Sorry,” She pulled back. “Stop apologising.” Steve shook his head, wiping her tears with his thumbs. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

Katie took a deep breath and glanced at the helmet, before she remembered something. “Oh, here.” She reached out for the smaller box, and nudged it towards him.  “This was in there for you.” Steve frowned and took the box, looking at the envelope. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes “That fucking nickname.”

“Open it.” Katie urged. “I wanna see what it is.”

Smiling at her ever impatient nature, Steve tore the envelope open. His eyes scanned the writing and his brow furrowed slightly, before his lips turned up in a soft smile and he handed the note to her.

Hey Old Man. My dad once told me that no amount of money can buy a second of time, yet he had a hell of a lot of expensive watches, so go figure. This particular one, however, I couldn’t auction for charity. I always intended to pass it to you, one way or another. And if you’re reading this note you’re getting it after my demise…so I best explain.

I did a bit of digging and it turns out that most of the guys involved in ‘Operation Rebirth’ and the Howling Comandos got one of these post the War. It’s a Wartime Rolex Oyster, probably worth a fair dime or two but the sentiment makes it priceless as you’ll see when you look at it. (Here’s a clue- check the back!) It only feels right that you have it. I had intended to pass it to you for your 40th,or your 107th, whatever you wanna call it, but again, as you’re reading this I won’t be there for that.  

I know Jamie’s surname is Rogers but there is half Stark in him so he’s not a complete lost cause, and maybe when he’s older you can pass this down to him. Or if you have any more kids that are boys, I dunno, maybe you can give them a strap each or something. Whatever.

I’m also assuming you’ll be reading this before watching the message I left as we both know Kiddo is an impatient brat so I’ll leave it there, I don’ t wanna spoil my heartfelt speech too much.

T 

Whilst Katie was reading, Steve opened the box and he gently took the watch in his hand. It was silver, with a black leather strap and a simple, classic face. He studied at it before he turned it over and he instantly felt a lump in his throat. Engraved on the back was the Howling Commando emblem- they had adopted the wings from his helmet which had adorned their uniforms in whichever place they chose- with the words ‘To The Captain’ arched over the top in copper slate writing.

He gently handed it to Katie and she glanced down at it, turning it over to read the inscription, her fingers running over the writing.

“Wow.” She whispered, wiping her eyes “I’ve never seen this before.”

“It’s erm, ” Steve cleared his throat, his voice thick, “it’s pretty…”

“Awesome.” Katie smiled up at him.

“Yeah.” Steve nodded as she handed it back to him, and he placed it back in the leather box, setting it to one side.  Seeing that had brought a wave of emotions crashing back over him. Nostalgia, slight sadness at the loss of not just Tony but his other friends, and pride.

Pride that even after he was gone they’d remembered him in such a touching and genuine way.

Shaking himself out of it, he looked at Katie and then nodded to the helmet. “Do you wanna do it now or…” She nodded and picked it up in a shaking hand, before she put it on.

“Retinal Scan authenticated” FRIDAY’s voice spoke “Greetings Mrs Rogers…accessing Stark Secure Server, hologram projection activated.”

Katie removed the helmet and placed it on the table, pointing it away from them as the footage beamed out from the eye sockets. She took a deep breath as the hologramatic form of her brother appeared and he smiled at them.

“Hey Kiddo.” He spoke, “Cap…”

Katie wanted to speak back, so badly, but she knew it was pointless, he wasn’t actually there. Steve gently reached for her hand and she linked her fingers into his.

“So, I thought I better record a message, you know just in case it all goes sideways tomorrow.” Tony sniffed, sitting down on a chair. “I’ve left one for Pepper and Morgan too and the gang, but I wanted to leave you your own. I hope that you’re watching this back and our plan worked, that everyone came back and we did it,” he took a deep breath, “but there’s a couple of things I wanna get out of the way before we get into the soppy shit. So, first off, I’m leaving half my shares of Stark Industries to you, the other half goes to Pepper who will more than likely keep it for Moo once she’s old enough. If you both come to the decision to sell then, that’s cool. It’s probably run its course anyway. If not then good luck taking it in whatever direction you choose, not that you need luck, you’ve proven yourself more than capable of running it pretty much singlehandedly over the last five years.”

Katie took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes with her spare hand, the one that was entwined with Steve’s tightened around his fingers.

“Second, most of the cash assets I have pass to Pepper, but I’ve left instructions that there’s some for you as well. I know you don’t need it but I want you to use it for the kids, however many you end up with. Tell them Uncle Nee wanted to leave them something. And thirdly, the house in Malibu. I knew we never got round to rebuilding it but I still own the land and I want you to have it, Kiddo. That was our home for years and I watched you grow up there into the strong, beautiful woman you became so it only feels right. Plus it’s where we buried that fucking turkey too so it’s probably haunted by the evil bastard anyway. There’s a fund set up as well which should let you rebuild it however you want.

I know you probably won’t want to move from Brooklyn, I mean Cap’s lived there pretty much all his life, well, maybe, if you don’t count the sixty-five years doing time as a Capsicle or the time in DC and then wherever the hell you were when, well, you know,” Tony waved his hand, “whatever, the point is you can rebuild it how you want and use it how you want, nice little holiday home maybe.” Katie took a shuddering breath as now her tears were falling thick and fast. She’d forgotten all about that house, their home that had been destroyed. The fact that Tony had never sold the land so she could have it back in some form was astounding and overwhelming at the same time.

“So now that’s dealt with, onto the good stuff. First off, Spangles.” Tony spoke and Steve shifted slightly “I know we’ve had our differences, but I just wanted you to know when it comes to Katie I trust you implicitly, I think I always have done in a way. I never really had any doubts in my mind since that day I spoke to you in DC. To be honest you’re such a straight guy I trust you with pretty much anything, well, maybe not quite, I’m still not sure about our driving but that’s a different story.” Tony winked and Steve spluttered a chuckle. The fact that Captain America was a bit of a speed demon behind the wheel and been a long running joke amongst the Avengers since the beginning. “You’re a good man with a good heart, everyone knows this, I mean that’s the reason you were chosen for the serum anyway isn’t it? Because it makes the good better. I know I’m leaving my girl in good hands, but just so you know,” he raised his fingers to his eyes in the familiar ‘I’m watching you’ sign and Steve smiled, “and that won’t stop now, because if you ever do let her down I’ll make it my mission to haunt you for the rest of your life.” Tony smiled “But I know you won’t. And because I know you probably still don’t believe me I wanted to tell you once and for all that I don’t blame you for any of the shit that went down. I Love you buddy, Take it easy.”  Steve took a deep breath and wiped his tears with his spare hand as Katie gently squeezed his other again as hologram Tony shifted in his seat and his attention turned to Katie.

“Kiddo,” he sighed, “I don’t even know where to start. I know I’ve said it and said it again, but my biggest achievement in life will always be how well and good and honest and…amazing you turned out, even with me as a role model. If Moo turns out to be anything like you when she’s older then…” he trailed off and shrugged, “well, I only wish I was gonna be there to see it, oh, and that reminds me, Spangles I’m counting on you to be there to vet all potential boyfriends for suitability.” Both Katie and Steve let out a watery chuckle at that.

“But yeah, where was I…oh, right…I watched how you took Emmy under your wing, then when you had Jamie and how they’re both growing into spectacular people, it’s awesome and I really couldn’t be any prouder of the woman you became. Never lose that will to do the right thing, never lose that Stark stubbornness, never lose that streak of ferocity that leaves everyone quaking in their boots. After everything you’ve been through, I’m just sorry that I’m bringing more shitty times to your door by meeting an untimely death, but I know you’ll get through the other side, you always do. Just remember, this was my choice to fight, my choice. So I don’t want anyone thinking they’re to blame. You know, I think, deep down, I’ve always known it would end this way ever since New York. And rather this than some crazy old bastard rattling round in a home not knowing what day it is.”

Katie took another deep breath as Tony wiped his hand down his face.

“Anyway, please make sure they don’t play any soppy shit at my funeral. AC/DC, Queen or Led Zep will suffice, maybe some Train, I dunno.” He winked and Katie smiled through her tears “And if Ross is there, give him this from me.” He raised his middle finger of his right hand before he chuckled. “But I don’t know why I’m recording all of this anyway as I’m sure it’s gonna work out. I’ll probably be sat here watching it back and grimacing at how ridiculously stupid I sound and look, but just in case…I want you to remember that I love you to the stars and back my girl, I always will, and I’m beyond proud of you.”

And with that the message cut off, leaving the kitchen quiet bar Katie’s shaking, soft sobs. Steve gently turned towards her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. She pressed her face into his chest, her hands sliding around his back where she gripped at his shirt her brother’s final goodbye to her echoing in her head.

**** Chapter 60

 **Original Posting**

Dream Boy Lover

June 12, 1985

The dead heat of Hawkins summer is almost in full swing, but in the damp cement back room at Hawkins Community Pool, it’s freezing.

Waiting out the time before her next turn in the chair is Heather Holloway, laying down on the wooden bench, one leg hanging lazily over the side. She’s got a pair of sweats on over her bathing suit and a throw blanket that was supposed to be on the back of her mother’s expensive couch wrapped around her shoulders.

With her on the same bench is Billy Hargrove, laying on his back like her, their heads touching so that curly pieces of their sprayed hair get tangled together. He’s got his ankles crossed one over the other, wearing his lifeguard hoodie and a pair of boots, but the tips of his nose and fingers are still ice cold. Even out of the sun, lounging around on break, he’s got a pair of aviators propped up on his nose.

They don’t have to be back out in their chairs for another hour or two, something about the manager's nieces coming in and taking over everyone’s shifts, so they’re just killing time.

Heather’s got a gossip magazine that’s a bit too immature for her, the kind aimed at middle schoolers rather than a couple of fresh out of high school adults, and she’s reading out loud anything she finds interesting. Billy’s got a bag of skittles he got from the vending machine on his chest, and occasionally, when he doesn’t have a cigarette hanging from the corner of his lips, he drops a few into his own or Heather's mouths. She’d suggested the skittles, he likes M&Ms better.

After a few minutes of silent page turning, Billy feels himself start drifting off to sleep, it’s too cold and he didn’t sleep last night and he’s bored, but Heather startles him awake with an exclamation of, “Oh! Listen to this.”

She clears her throat and reads in a smug, over enthusiastic voice. “How to tell if your crush likes you back.”

Billy groans, he knows the teasing that’s about to come will be insufferable. Ever since Heather got herself a relationship, she’d been trying to get him to follow suit, and she’d weaseled it out of him with hardly any effort that he’d already been gunning it for someone.

Pretty much every day he had to get at least one reminder that he was a coward and a wimp for not making a move, her obsession with his romantic life just that intense, but he’s usually a good sport about it. Like now, as he listens to her read out of a magazine too lame for even his little sister, not interrupting her once as she reads off the list.

Well, at least until she strays from what is actually printed on its glossy pages. “Number one. Does he or she talk to you everyday?” She waited for barely a second before reprimanding him. “Come on William, I’m expecting answers here.”

Sighing through his nose, he plays along. “Whatever. Sure.”

“Okay. Number two. Does he or she tell you all of his or her deepest secrets?”

“Deepest? Dunno about that.” That answer isn’t good enough for Heather, who waits impatiently for him to give her a better one. “Alright, fine. Yes.”

The smile on her face is almost audible through the excitement in her voice. “Number three. Did he or she give you his or her phone number like, the third time you ever talked to each other?”

“That’s not in the magazine, Hetty.”

“Um, it totally is.” She says it like she means it, but there’s a little hint of humor in her tone almost giving her away.

Because she’s so relentless, Billy admits, “It was the fifth time.”

“Number four.” The pause between her words as she thinks of something to taunt Billy with is enough that he knows something ridiculous is about to come out of her mouth. “Does he take you out to the quarry, a place we all know is the cooler older brother of Lover’s Lake, in the middle of the night ‘just to hang out’?”

“That’s it, I’m cutting you off.” He announces, reaching behind his head and snatching the magazine from her hands, flipping it around so he can read it. “My turn.”

“Oh no.” She says with a giggle.

There’s the sound of laminated pages flipping until, Billy says, “Ooh, this one sounds good.” in a tone matching the one Heather used when she started reading.

“How to know if your relationship is going to last.” He gasps for dramatic effect, and Heather can’t stifle a giggle while she waits for the rest of the question, “Do you call each other a thousand times a day and whisper sweet nothings over the phone?”

Even though he can’t see her face, she rolls her eyes. “Duh.”

“Did you pine helplessly after each other for literally three years just to kiss on the first date?”

“Yeah and it was awesome.” They both laugh at that one, her obviously overdone response enough to break the false seriousness they had going.

It’s also a challenge for Billy to do it again.

“Do you stay over at her house every night just so you can wake up together in domestic bliss? Does she pack your work bag for you every morning like you’ve been married for years, and make you your lunch in a little brown bag and kiss you on the forehead on your way out the door and-“

“Alright, alright. I get it.” Billy’s point having been proved, she takes her magazine back and sets It aside with the rest of her stuff. “You’re just jealous because you won’t shoot your shot with Steve.”

“Am not.” He scoffs, trying not to let the little bit of offense he felt at that show. “Have the situation perfectly under control.”

“Sure. Is that why you spend all of your time sighing wistfully and daydreaming about your one true love?” Her hands are clasped together at her cheek and she lets her voice get higher and dreamier.

“My options are limited.” It’s a lame excuse just to deflect the truth and they both know it.

So she calls him on it, and uncontainable smile accompanying the song-Singh remark. “You didn’t deny it!”

“What?”

“That you’re in love with him!”

“Thought that was obvious. Why the hell else do you think I’m still single?” He motions vaguely to himself. “Just look at me, Hetty. Could have anyone I wanted.”

“Except Steve.” The reminder is mostly meant to be like, a way for her to show him that he should just make his move already because he can have anyone he wants, but, having missed the point entirely, Billy sighs and agrees. “‘Cept Steve.”

“I don’t know though, Rob’s been putting out some feelers, and like, her gaydar is super good.” Her and Robin are probably more involved in this than their idiot best friends by this point, it seemed to be all they ever talked about anymore. “She’ll be able to tell you if he’s on the market.”

“I don’t need a lesbians dating advice, thank you.” Billy chuffs. “Pretty sure I can figure it out on my own.”

“Oh.” In a show of feigned nonchalance, she holds her hands above her face so she can examine her painted nails as she says, “So I guess you already knew that his freshman year, Steve dated Tommy Hagan for an entire month.”

The rest of their skittles were sent scattering all over the stained up concrete floor as Billy sat up quickly, his boots swinging to the floor and blood rushing to his head fast enough to knock him silly. “What?”

“See. You had no idea.” Sitting herself up much more gracefully, Heather turns so she’s facing Billy with her legs crossed. “For months you’ve been moping over your straight dream boy, and he’s been bi the whole time.”

“No way.” Stupidly baffled is the only way to describe the look on Billy’s face.

“Yes way.” She nods smugly. “He said so himself.”

This was something she thought was completely obvious at this point, so she can’t help but say, “Seriously, William, when were you going to open your eyes? Someone who doesn’t like you isn’t going to let you crash at their place and tenderly bandage your wounds.”

“S’not tender.” It’s such a confident comeback, Heather could almost believe it.

Almost, but she’d heard all the stories about how Billy’s dad would rough him up, kick him out with a nasty split in his lip or bruises all over, and he’d drive all helpless to his savior Steve Harrington’s house to get patched up. Not tender her hind end.

“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter, because I also seem to remember him driving an hour into the city to pick you up when your car broke down, sooo…..” Billy wouldn’t win this one, she had just about a million other courting attempts from poor Steve on stand by.

“It wasn’t like that, H.” His gaze fixes to the floor, to a green skittle melting over in the corner, as he mumbles, “We’re not even friends.”

“What about when he saved you a seat on the basketball bus?” The nerve of him to come running back to her with all of his romantic troubles and woes, and still deflect like this. She almost couldn’t bear it. “Or literally like, a week ago when he hand delivered a bunch of super thoughtful birthday gifts to you?”

“I don’t know what you want me to say!” His hands are thrown up in exasperation, though Heather would argue he doesn’t have the right be upset when he’s the one doing all this to himself. “He’s just too nice for his own good.”

“Please lord give me the strength to deal with this boy.” She turns her eyes to the wooden ceiling, joining her hands together in a false prayer. Sighing through her nose, she turns her attention back to Billy, who’s trying to hide his smugness with how frustrated he’s making her. “William. I know you think you screwed that friendship over forever, but I promise you, if Steve didn’t forgive you, he wouldn’t let you in his house, let alone do all this other stuff for you.”

“Dunno Het, kind of hard to forgive someone who doesn’t apologize.” She could ring his neck for how casually he says it.

“What! You mean you didn’t say you were sorry yet?” Rolling up the discarded magazine, she smacks him on the back of the head with it. “William that was like, seven months ago!”

The strain in his voice tells her they’re on the same level of annoyance. “What am I supposed to do! Tell him I’m sorry I almost killed him with my bare hands, and he’ll just forget about me being an evil bastard so we can live happily ever after like you and Robin?”

She hits him again. “One, you are over exaggerating by a long shot buster, and two, you need to quit projecting your crap onto that boy before someone else comes along and swoops him up.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means that you’re an idiot William Hargrove.” Another whack with the magazine as she tries to explain the situation, something that makes perfect sense to someone who isn’t emotionally constipated, to Billy who is, well, extremely emotionally constipated. “Steve is trying to move on. He flirts with you like, every day and he was willing to be civil without an apology. That doesn’t mean you ‘aren’t even friends’”

“It means that you,” Her cherry red fingernail presses into the material of his hoodie, “you are the one that needs to forgive yourself.”

“You think so?” There’s a sort of disbelief in his voice, but it’s not like he’s doubting himself so much as he’s mocking Heather for thinking it’s so easy.

And that, well, she’s used to it. They’ve been friends since early December, so she didn’t let him being a big jerk put her off after so long dealing with him acting like this. “Yes I do, as a matter of fact.”

“Think you’re giving me too much credit then, sweetheart.”

“You are so difficult.” She felt like a tired mother scolding a child. “Now you listen up and you listen tight. I don’t want this self-deprecating garbage keeping you from what you deserve, you hear me? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m telling you, you have got to take it.”

“Steve does not care one little bit what you think of yourself. He likes the real you. Not who you think you should be, not who you think he deserves. He wants you.” Maybe she’s being dramatic, who knows, but Billy keeping his mouth shut means she’s probably on the right track. “And I guarantee you, you will never forgive yourself if you let that boy go.”

Sure, she’s up on her high horse there, talking down to Billy like he’s completely incompetent, but she’s been in the same boat. From experience she knew Billy’s heart would never recover if he lost Steve to someone else. It was in part for her sake so she wouldn’t have to hear about it, but mostly for her best friend, who already had so much other stuff on his plate to deal with that she wanted to make sure that didn’t happen.

“Don’t be so dramatic Het.” Is what he comes up with, but he’s biting the corner of his nail, something he only does when he’s thinking hard about something. It doesn’t take very long for him to break. “Promise you’re not just hyping me up?”

“You know me better than that. I don’t have a dishonest bone in my body.” With her hand on her heart she promises, “I wouldn’t say any of that stuff if I didn’t mean it.”

“Yeah, whatever.” He waves her off, but he looks sort of queasy, won’t hold eye contact with her for more than a second. “I’ll think about it.”

“You better.” Leaning over across the bench Heather wraps him in the best hug she can in the awkward position. “You know you’re my best friend in the whole wide world, right?” He lets out a breathy laugh against her hair, “I know, I know.”

It’s for Billy’s sake that she lets him drop it. Were it up to her entirely, she’d want him to make his decision now, she’s tired of watching him be too scared to make decisions for himself, but really, they’ve been at it for half a year, what’s a few more days to get the ball rolling?

So she listens with her full attention, keeping her arm around his waist to never fully break off the hug, as he shifts the conversation to more casual topics, like his failed attempts at trying to teach his little sister how to drive, how his new tattoo is taking way too long to heal, and how he’s triple booked for swim lessons tomorrow morning.

When after so long Adams' voice cuts over the speakers calling for the next ten minute pool check, their break is officially over.

The manager pops his head in to tell them they need one of them to switch out, and Billy, after sitting in one place for so long, stands up and stretches his limbs before he offers himself up, “You stay here in the cool, princess. I’ll keep watch over your loyal subjects.”

It’s obvious he just wants some time to himself, so, where she normally would’ve come back with something silly about how the pool goers respected his abs more than his authority, she instead gives him something to think about during his solitude.

She waits until he’s kicking his boots off and shoving them under the bench to say, “You know, maybe it’s fate that the both of you, absolute hunks that you are, have stayed single this whole summer. You’re probably like, destined to be together.”

“Keep dreaming Holloway.” He says, snatching up his whistle and his smokes from the pile with the rest of his stuff.

All smugly nonchalant she replies, “I’m leaving that up to you, lover boy.”

Billy just laughs as the metal door swings shut behind him, but he admittedly goes on to do exactly that, dreaming of his pretty boy up in the lifeguard chair.

Realizing it might be a hazard to public safety to ignore his responsibilities to drool over Steve Harrington while he’s on duty, he blows his whistle at a kid holding another one under the water, and tries to let the noisy pool distract him.

Heather’s right, this is getting to be ridiculous.

Read also on ao3!

From the prompt list: 5) “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?” For stevetony w/jealous steve, please, if you feel up for it? ☺️

Hi there, thank you for the prompt and sorry for the long wait!

This is 2k of no powers/bodyguard au that can be read as a standalone fic or a prequel to this fic of mine, as the two fics are set in the same universe. I feel obligated to warn you that although this one is fluffy, the linked fic contains angst with an unhappy ending (which I may or may not end up fixing with a happy ending eventually). I didn’t even plan to add another fic in the same universe, and yet here we are. I just love the concept of young heir!tony and bodyguard!steve too much, I guess. 

Enjoy! :)

TL;DR: click here for part 2 of this no powers/bodyguard au (warning: linked fic contains unhappy ending.)

a fool for you

steve/tony, fluff, au: no powers, bodyguard!steve, young!tony, 2204 words

(5 from this list)

“It’s so hot out here,” Tony groans, using the collar of his shirt to fan himself.

“Well, would you rather be in there with them?” Pepper nods at the general direction of the mansion, where he knows his and Pepper’s parents are still sitting together in the dining room. 

Tony makes a face. “No.”

He wants to be as far away from them as possible. 

The two of them escaped to the garden just before dessert. This has become a routine of some sort, something they always do during the monthly lunches their parents insist on having ever since they arranged their marriage contract. Tony knows the only reason they are allowed to get away with it is because their parents think that it’s good for Tony and Pepper to spend some time alone, to get to know each other before their marriage. 

An arranged marriage. Seriously, Tony’s life is one huge cosmic joke.  

Don’t get him wrong; Tony adores Pepper. She is one of his best friends and they have practically known each other since they were in diapers, but they definitely don’t see each other that way. Pepper has little to no interest in dating, and Tony is—

Well, Tony’s heart has been very much occupied by someone else for quite some time now.

“Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I’m telling you, Pep, it’s so hard to figure him out. I just never know what he’s thinking.” Tony leans back in his seat with a sigh, the rigid wood of the bench digging into his spine. 

“He is so gone on you, it’s ridiculous.” Pepper fans herself with a folding fan. As usual, Pepper looks well put together despite the weather, dressed in a white eyelet dress that looks lovely on her and her hair up in a neat ponytail. 

“But how can you tell?”

“I just can. Trust me. Have I ever let you down?”

“Well, no, but…” Tony trails off, looking into the distance. His eyes land on Steve, who is stationed far away from the bench Tony and Pepper are sitting on, with rows and rows of the red and yellow tulips of the Potts family estate’s garden separating the distance between them.

His blond hair gleams golden under the scorching heat of the sun. The man is standing straight, hands clasped in front of him. Tony wonders if Steve has always had perfect posture or if it is something he cultivated in his training as a bodyguard. Steve must also be suffering under the heat, dressed in the mandatory dress code for bodyguards of the Stark family—a black and white suit that fits him like a dream. Tony is sitting on a bench under the shade of an umbrella, and even his shirt is already sticking unpleasantly to the skin of his back, damp with sweat. 

“Just look at him. He’s always so proper and polite,” Tony grumbles.

“Well, can you blame him? It is his job.” 

Tony pouts at that, even as he knows that Pepper is right, like she always is. It’s just that he knows how improper and impolite Steve can be. Steve is hilarious when he wants to be; he has demonstrated his dry humor multiple times in front of Tony. Granted, it is usually only on display when he is in the company of Tony and the other guys in the security detail with no one else around or when he and Tony are alone. The thought of those moments brings a smile to Tony’s lips. Those secret moments are when Steve allows himself to relax, his real personality bleeding into his job persona. 

He turns to watch Steve again. Steve is looking down at the ground, a hand pressed to the earpiece Tony knows he wears in his left ear. Tony watches as Steve nods almost imperceptibly before raising his wrist to his lips, speaking to the microphone resting inside his sleeve. When he finishes, he lowers his wrist back to his side. He looks up and meets Tony’s eyes by accident. 

Tony stills and stops breathing.

Steve holds his gaze for a few moments before looking away almost immediately, reverting back to his previous posture.

Tony slumps in his seat, dejected. Pepper slaps his back with her folded fan and Tony yelps, straightening his back immediately. 

“Don’t slouch. What time is the party again?”

“Seven, but you know me. I like to be fashionably late. Besides, no one can say anything about me being late tonight because I am the birthday boy. The party only starts when I arrive. Then again, that is also true for any other party.” Tony winks. “What did you get me?”

Pepper shrugs, not giving him an answer.

Tony narrows his eyes before gasping dramatically, a hand on his chest. “Pepper Pot, did you even get me anything?” 

Pepper rolls her eyes.

“Why?” Pepper deadpans. “Is it your birthday?”

***

“I’ve called Happy. Car will be here in fifteen,” Bucky says as he arrives at Steve’s side. Steve nods. 

Anthony Stark and Virginia Potts are casually chatting on a bench in the distance, looking like two completely normal 24-year-olds instead of the heirs to two of the most powerful companies in the world, Stark Industries and Potts Enterprises. With the way Stark behaves sometimes, Bucky tends to forget that the man has a net worth of a couple billion dollars. 

Catching sight of the man behind them, Bucky snickers. Sam looks calm and collected as he stands behind the bench to hold an umbrella over Stark and Potts’ heads, but Bucky knows that he is going to complain about his sore arm to Bucky later. 

“Look at Wilson. Poor bastard. He hates umbrella duty.” Bucky’s smirk widens an inch when he catches Sam’s gaze, the latter widening his eyes dramatically. “Also, what’s with the sudden switch? I know it’s your turn for umbrella duty today and you never give up umbrella duty ‘cause it gives you a chance to ogle at Stark’s ass.”

Bucky turns to face Steve when his friend and commander-in-chief says nothing in reply. Steve always reprimands him whenever Bucky teases him about his gigantic crush on Tony Stark, something about “protocol” and Bucky being “inappropriate”. 

Steve is staring at Stark and Potts with unbridled focus. To the untrained eye, it may look like Steve is just doing his job of guarding his client but Steve’s eyebrows are furrowed and his jaw is doing The Clench and—

“Wait a minute, are you jealous?” Bucky gasps, part scandalized, part incredulous. “Is that why you asked Wilson to switch with you?”

Steve’s head snaps upright and he turns to Bucky with wide eyes.

“No,” he says, sounding equally as scandalized, but the way his eyes slide away as soon as they meet Bucky’s is telling. Ever since he was little, Steve has always been a terrible liar.

“Stevie.” Bucky gawks at him, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ve never seen you moon over someone like this before. You weren’t even this bad with Peggy Carter back in high school.”

“I’m not mooning over anyone,” Steve says through gritted teeth. “Fix your posture.” 

Bucky snorts, but clasps his hands in front of him obediently. 

“I keep telling you, you should tell him how you feel.”

“Stop talking nonsense. It’s against protocol,” Steve says, eyes once again staring longingly at Stark, who is listening attentively to whatever Potts is saying.

Bucky rolls his eyes. “As if Stark ever cared about that.”

Just when Bucky thinks that the conversation is dead, just like the million other times Steve has shut Bucky down whenever he attempts to talk some sense into his best friend, Steve says in a quiet voice:

“Besides… they’re engaged.”

Bucky sighs in exasperation, refusing the increasingly strong urge to bash his own head against the nearest tree. They have gone over this exact problem countless of times. 

He loves Steve like a brother, but never let it be said that the man is not stubborn. 

Bucky opens his mouth to protest some more, but then Happy announces that he is entering the estate’s premises and Steve begins barking orders into his microphone to prepare the team for mobilization. 

***

Tony loosens the tie around his neck as he steps into his bedroom, sighing in relief. If it were up to him he would have left the party hours ago, but alas, being the birthday boy comes with its own responsibilities. The older he gets, the more his birthday feels less like a day to celebrate his birth and more like a day to mingle with his father’s business associates. The fact that his glad-handing skills have practically been hardwired into him by now is his only saving grace. Well, that and…

Turning around, he finds Steve standing at the doorway of his bedroom. Tony waits for the obligatory ‘Would that be all, Mr. Stark?’ and is surprised when it doesn’t come immediately. Having Steve by his side throughout the entire night was Tony’s favorite part about his birthday bash. Tony absolutely lives for the minute twitches of Steve’s lips whenever Tony whispers witty quips and insults about various high-profile people mingling around him at every public event, and tonight was no exception. 

As much as Tony enjoys Steve’s company, however, he is also well aware that Steve must be exhausted. After all, as tiring as the event was for Tony, it was still his birthday party. Steve, on the other hand, was dutifully doing his job of shadowing Tony and looking out for potential threats.

Tony is about to dismiss him for the night when he is suddenly struck with the realization that Steve is... hovering. 

“Steve?”

“Sir,” Steve says in reply, back straightening immediately. His eyes are wide and he opens his mouth once before closing it again without saying a word. He looks like he has something to say and is struggling to work out a way to say it.

“Tony,” Tony corrects automatically as there is no one else in the room but them, but otherwise he says nothing, waiting patiently for Steve to gather his thoughts. 

“Tony, I…” Steve trails off. Tony watches in amazement as Steve’s fists clench and unclench at his side, a rare sight for a person who is usually so graceful and poised. He lurches forward, walking towards Tony before stopping in front of him. 

With his eyes trained on the floor, Steve fishes out a slim black box from his breast pocket and holds it out to Tony.

Tony’s breath catches in his throat. “Is this…?”

Steve looks up and finally meets his eyes, jaw clenched in determination. 

“Happy birthday, Tony.”

Tony reaches out to take the box, his fingers brushing Steve’s.

“Can I open it?” 

Steve nods with a swallow. Gazing down at the box, Tony opens it carefully and takes a deep breath the second he sees what is lying inside—a beautiful red tie, made of some soft fabric that seems to gleam under the moonlight streaming in through the windows of Tony’s bedroom. He unfolds it to admire the tie in its entirety. 

Something flutters in his stomach when he sees the gold monogram sewn into the tip of the necktie. Tony traces the initials ‘A. E. S.’ reverently with his index finger. 

“Steve.”

“Do you… like it?” Steve asks, watching Tony with trepidation. 

Tony beams at him. “I love it. Thank you.”

A reluctant smile appears on Steve’s face, even as the man scratches the back of his neck with an air of bashfulness. 

“I know it’s not much and I know you’ve already received lots of gifts. Better and more expensive ones. It certainly is no golden cufflinks, but I—”

That gets Tony’s attention.

“Golden cufflinks?”

“Uh, I mean— I might have seen, um, the golden cufflinks Ms. Potts got you, and I know—”

Tony barks out a surprised laugh, realization dawning.

Confusion takes over Steve’s face, his eyebrows furrowing adorably.

“Why are you laughing?”

Tony takes a step closer to Steve, grabbing the knot of Steve’s tie and pulling Steve down to his height. 

Steve’s blue eyes are staring back at him, pupils blown wide with shock. Tony gazes at him intently, lips tugged upwards in a helpless smile as his heart swells with affection.

“You’re so cute when you’re jealous, you know that?” Tony says, standing on tiptoe to plant a soft kiss on Steve’s forehead. He releases Steve afterwards, stepping backwards. 

Steve proceeds to stare at him like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, mouth ajar and breath coming out in ragged pants. A delightful blush blooms on his cheeks. 

Tony bites his lower lip to stop himself from laughing. Then he raises his eyebrows, saying:

“Well, you’re dismissed. Thank you for the birthday gift.”

Tony watches in amusement as Steve flounders to regain his composure. Eventually, he gives Tony a curt nod before leaving without a word, blush still high on his cheeks. 

The moment the door closes behind Steve, Tony throws himself onto his bed and lets out a stupidly hysterical giggle into his pillow, feeling giddy with joy. 

He makes a mental note to send Pepper some flowers in the morning. 

Beauty and the Blackheart - Chapter One

@jewels2876​​  @moonbeambucky​  @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​​  @iammarylastar​​@captstefanbrandt​​  @badassbaker​​  @pinknerdpanda​​  

I know I’m forgetting people, sorry. If you want in, hit me.

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Rating: M

Warnings: Language, general nuttiness, smut

Word Count: 2750+

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Okay, so……

Lev, the serious one, is visiting her wild-child twin brother, Clint. There she meets Bucky, a tall, dark, brooding mystery who’s her total opposite in every way. Of course, she’s intrigued even as her mind screams to run for safety, but what could go wrong, right??

***********************************************************************

As the seatbelt light shut off, Lev exhaled a deep breath and stood, pulling on her plain white button-down shirt to smooth the wrinkles and drew her backpack from the overhead compartment. Slinging it on her shoulder, she waited quietly to exit, grimacing faintly as a Karen behind her began to object loudly to the order, demanding she and her little darling exit first.

Lev agreed wholeheartedly, about to push the bitch out of the plane herself, boot her offspring out behind her, but held back, taking another deep breath.

Thankfully, no one else seemed inclined to indulge Karen and she subsided with a few indignant, unladylike sounds, falling into line with something resembling humility.

And, thankfully, Karen headed off in the opposite direction once they hit Arrivals. No doubt to find someone else to pay for her inconvenience.

Jesus, that was why she’d chosen Trauma medicine as her specialty, the situations were too life-and-death for such foolishness. Shaking it off, she raised on her tiptoes to see over the crowd, looking for a certain familiar face.

“Hey, Trouble!”

Lev startled, whirling. “Jesus, Clint!”

He laughed gleefully, killing himself and Lev fought a smile, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You’re a bastard.” She said, by way of greeting, which only added to Clint’s mirth. Still howling, he slung an arm around her neck, giving her a close-up view of his heavily tattooed forearm.

“I missed you,” he laughed, pressing a messy kiss to her hair, roughing it up just the way he knew she hated.  

The perfect definition of ‘good twin/bad twin’, Clint and Lev were alike only in a shared birthdate and parents. Even from birth it was obvious they were polar opposites; the fair-haired little Clint wild and incorrigible, the darker Levka all seriousness and calm serenity. While Clint could rock and roll for hours past bedtime, infant Lev would settle right away, ignoring the antics of her slightly older brother as he weebled and wobbled the next crib over.

The dichotomy continued throughout their childhood, with Clint deciding to refer to his serious little sister as ‘Trouble’ entirely to illustrate just how ‘un-trouble-like’ she truly was, while he happily answered to anything she threw at him, up to and including ‘you little shit’.

“I missed you, too.” Lev admitted, fighting a grin; although complete opposites, they were inseparable, yin and yang all though their shared lives.

“C’mon.” Clint pulled her towards the luggage carousel, squinting at the rotating bags. “So, which plain black bag is yours?”

Lev made a face, just because he preferred shades electric didn’t make hers plain. Reaching for the familiar case she smirked when Clint whistled.

“Whew, a silver one? Who are you and what did you do with my baby sister?”

“Shut up,” Lev laughed, dropping the case unceremoniously in Clint’s arms, grinning when he grunted under the weight. “Take me home, I’m hungry.”

Clint rolled his eyes, jerking his chin in the right direction as he turned and walked away.

“So, how’s the life of a doctor?” Clint asked as they roared down the highway, perched high in his jacked-up pickup.

Lev grinned. “I’ve just finished my residency, I’m not a true doctor yet.”

“But you will be, soon?”

Lev nodded. “Yeah, I took a few months off but I’m pretty sure I’ll be working with Dr. Hawkins.”

“That ER guy? The one you trained under?”

“He’s the one.”

“What is it with you and that ER trauma stuff?”

“What is it with you and tattoos?” Lev shot back mildly. “You never even had a tattoo until you met Nat out here.”

Clint shrugged, glancing down at his fully inked arms. Ten years ago, when Lev had been heading directly to university after high school graduation, Clint had thrown a duffel bag into his old beat-up Camaro and gone on a road trip, no destination in mind, no real plans. After a while he’d met a similarly spirited woman named Natalie and, after a whole whirlwind week of romance, married her in her hometown city hall, calling afterwards to inform his family that he was surprise! married and moving in with his new wife.

If Clint had been anything less than a Tasmanian Devil all his life, this might have surprised his family, but his parents took the news in quite a blasé way, even laughing as they told Lev during their weekly check-ins.

While Lev had met her sister-in-law a few times in the decade since, it had always been when Clint had flown home to visit, and Lev happened to be home from school as well. She’d never gone out to visit her brother, and these few months after her residency had been the perfect time to remedy that.

“You going to let me give you a tattoo finally?” Clint asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Lev leveled a glare at him. “Are you any good?” It was a joke, and they both knew it. Despite having never touched a tattoo gun until after he’d married Nat, Clint had proved himself an absolute prodigy, joining Nat’s brother and his friend as an apprentice in the local parlour and quickly becoming a startling skilled artist.

Five years ago, that brother-in-law, his friend and Clint had all gotten together to open their own shop, Blackheart Ink and Body Mod, where you could get a wrist tattoo and a nipple piercing all in the same day.

“You know I am.”

“No.”

“C’mon, get a piercing at least.”

“No!”

“It doesn’t have to be visible-”

“Clinton Derrick Barton!”

“Levka Valentina! Or should I say Dr. Levka Valentina Barton!”

“Don’t,” Lev rolled her eyes. “I still say mom was high when she named me, you at least got something normal, which is ironic, since you’re anything but.”

“Love you, little sis.”

“Love you too, ass. Are you taking me to your place?”

“Nah, I thought we’d stop by the shop first.”

Lev hesitated, she felt dirty and wrinkled, always preferred meeting strangers looking her best.

“You look fine.” Clint deadpanned. “Stop worrying.”

Lev huffed at her infuriating brother, pulling down the visor to check herself in the mirror. Frowning, she pinched her cheeks for color, making Clint shake his head and chuckle. Running her fingers through her hair she contemplated grabbing some facial wipes from her backpack, but by then Clint was slowing down, flipping on his signal light.

“Here it is.” He announced proudly, pulling up in front of a large storefront. Painted black, with the shop’s name displayed prominently you would be hard to mistake this as anything but a black hole of debauchery and Clint grinned, elbowing Lev when he saw this in her eyes.

“You’re such a snob.” He teased, laughing.

“And you’re deranged.” Lev lobbed back, sticking out her tongue.

“Do that again and one of the guys will pierce it.” Clint snickered, yanking open the glass door. “Hey assholes, I’m back! Oh, hey Spider, didn’t know you were here, getting a touch up?” Instantly Clint integrated himself into his habitat, heightening the difference between him and his sister, who stood just inside, looking lost.

“Christ, baby. You could introduce her to everyone.” Nat scolded mildly, elbowing Clint as she passed. “Hey, honey. Welcome!” She opened her arms, gathering Lev into a tight hug, pulling back to grin at her. “You look great, Lev. How are you?”

“I’m good, Nat. Thanks. What about you.” Lev replied, grinning, almost stupidly grateful.

“Oh, getting by. These guys keep me busy.” Nat gestured over her shoulder with the flip of a wrist, which seemed to be some kind of signal for Clint and a tall blond holding a tattoo gun and leaning over whom she assumed was ‘Spider’ based on the giant Black Widow tattoo on his bald head, to start hooting like monkeys. Nat’s gesture morphed instantly into the bird, which she doubled by adding her other hand when she spun to face the men. “Oh, shut the hell up!” Glancing back at Lev she grinned fondly. “See, barbarians and fools.”

“Hey.” Spider protested with a grin.

“And bikers.” Nat teased back, taking Lev’s hand and pulling her nearer. “Lev, this is Spider, as I’m sure you’ve figured out.”

Lev offered a timid smile, received a crooked grin and wave back, one gold tooth glinting underneath a thick goatee.

“And this big dickhead is my brother, Steve.” Nat continued.

Steve pulled his attention away from Spider’s tattooed bicep and nodded, a surprisingly handsome smile lighting up his face. “Hi.” His deep voice was gentle, a startling contrast to his intimidating bulk, highlighted by a fitted tank top that hugged each muscle and showing miles of velvety, inked skin. A short crewcut showed off strong, clean-shaven features and his blue eyes sparkled with good humor. “So, you’re Clint’s twin sister. We’ve heard a lot about you.”

Lev felt her cheeks warm; she could only imagine the stories Clint had told. “Oh, really?” She squeaked, flicking a glance at Clint, who grinned merrily back.

“Uh huh,” Steve turned his attention back to Spider’s arm, wiping carefully at a spot before speaking again. “He says you’re a doctor.”

“Yeah,” Clint broke in, slinging an arm around Lev’s neck. “She can take a look at that growth on your ass-”

“Clint!” Both Lev and Nat screeched, and he yelped as Nat connected with the back of his head.

Steve threw Clint a look, one of mild exasperation and brotherly tolerance before turning his blue eyes back to Lev. “I don’t have a growth on my ass, but maybe you can prescribe your brother some sort of heavy sedative.”

“Hey!”

Steve grinned at him, lessening the dig then winked at Lev. “Welcome, Lev. Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Lev replied, feeling herself relax. He may have looked like a barbarian, as Nat had put it, but Steve seemed to be a kind soul, a genuinely benevolent person.

“I was wondering where you were hiding!” Clint suddenly shouted, pointing as if Elvis himself had just appeared from the back room. “Lev, this is the other third of the Blackheart team, Bucky.”

Lev turned at Clint’s direction and froze, her heart suddenly afflicted with tachycardia.

If she’d thought Steve was big, she was wrong, for Bucky was bigger still. Thick, corded muscles flexed as he paused, brow furrowing slightly as he seemed to be working out what Clint was babbling about. A thick but neatly trimmed beard obscured most of his face, while his chocolate brown hair brushed his shoulders and fell over a pair of startingly blue eyes.

He looks like he could pick me up and snap me in half, Lev thought shakily. She’d seen similar builds and musculature on heavyweight cage fighters, brought into the ER with some gruesome injury after their latest match and she couldn’t be sure if her pulse was racing in fear or something else entirely.

Bucky, the name didn’t belong on such a giant and Lev licked her lips nervously, feeling like she was standing in the entrance of a dark forest, able to hear a low growling from inside.

The silence in the shop was suddenly overwhelming to Lev, she could feel her heartbeat making ripples in the surrounding air and she stumbled to speak.

“Hi,” it came out little better than a squeak, broadcasting to everyone in the room that she was scared shitless of the newest arrival.

Piercing blue eyes locked on hers and a shadow passed through them, too fast for Lev to understand. He started moving again, lumbering to a workstation closer to where Lev, Clint and Nat stood. The padded stool groaned under his weight as he sat, setting a series of drawings on a light-up tabletop and he grunted, nodding once at her, before returning his attention to his papers.

“Okay,” if this was unusual, Clint gave no indication. “Let me show you around, kid.”

Lev followed obediently, saw Bucky glance up at her once as she passed, then look quickly back down and she hoped she didn’t stink from her plane ride.

In the back was a supply room, large break room and three private rooms. All three men, Clint explained, had a private room for quote ‘nervous’ customers or ‘intimate’ piercings, in addition to their spaces out in the front and the customer was free to choose where they wanted to be, however most decided to stay out front to be a part of the varied conversations that flowed like cheap beer.

“So, you all do body piercing too?” Lev clarified, eyeing a clearly sterilized and sealed tray in what Clint had said was Bucky’s room.

“Yeah,” he answered, peeking over her shoulder. “Bucky does the most of the three of us, but we all do a fair bit. Why, you thinking about one?” He elbowed her and snickered, then grabbed the side of her head and pressed a loud kiss to her temple. “Shit, I missed you little sis. It’s been too long!”

Lev agreed, for all their differences, there was nobody Lev loved more than her infuriating twin brother and smiled at him, leaning in for a quick hug.

Clint squeezed her bone-creakingly hard for a moment then released her. “You want to go? You’re probably tired.”

Relief washed over Lev, she’d kill for a shower and nap. “Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.”

“So….” Lev began, then wished she’d kept her damn mouth shut. Steve, Nat and Spider had bid her goodbye with friendly calls and waves, while Bucky had continued to glower, like a toad on a stump, Lev thought sourly and it had continued to bother her, even as they left Blackheart in the rear-view.

“So?” Clint asked leadingly, cocking a brow in question as he kept most of his attention on the road. The truck rumbled underneath them, the obligatory air freshener, in the iconic silhouette of a Trucker Girl, swinging from the rear-view mirror.

“Is Bucky always that talkative?” She gritted her teeth, hating herself instantly for asking. Clint could take this as anything from a dig at his friend’s personality to a thinly veiled show of interest and, with her luck, he’d assume the latter.

“Yeah….” Clint drew out the word, as if considering what to say next. “Just be careful around him, little sis.”

Lev jerked her head to stare at him. What was he talking about? Had he opened a business with a convicted murderer or something?

Clint chuckled, reading her horrified gaze correctly. “Nothing like that, kid. Buck’s just…. intense. He parties hard, lives hard. Nicest guy you’ll ever meet if you’re a friend, but I’ve never seen him with the same girl more than once or twice.”

Oh. That was crystal clear. Hands off.

“I didn’t-”

“No judgement,” Clint interrupted. “But we all know he’s a handsome guy and you wouldn’t be the first to get burned if you tried to touch him.”

Sometimes, a completely different side of Clint appeared; a stable, rational man and Lev knew better than to waste that guy’s wisdom by not listening the rare times he did surface.

“Don’t worry, though. He’s alright. He won’t, like, try anything with you. You’re not his type.”

“Oh, really?” The sand in the Sahara was wetter than Lev’s voice.

“Yeah,” Clint nodded, signalling to turn down a residential street, waiting until an old lady hobbled slowly through the crosswalk. Lowering the window, he leaned his head out. “You need a hand, Sylvia?”

Sylvia peered upwards to see the speaker then smiled. “No, dear boy. I’m fine. Thank you, though.”

Clint sat back upright, completing the turn and glanced sideways at Lev’s surprised look. “What? She’s a nice old lady, asks us to fix little things around her house, brings cookies by the shop.”

Lev grinned, warmed by her brother’s sudden display of heart then remembered their earlier conversation. “Not his type, huh?”

“Nah,” Clint took the change of subject easily, turning into the driveway of a modest little Craftsman. The only hint that someone like him lived there was a ‘Tattoo Gods Only Parking’ sign above the garage door. “You’re too buttoned-up, too serious. He dates girls that can twist cherry stems into knots with their tongues and deep throat like a porn-star.”

“Ewww!”

Clint shrugged before gesturing out the windshield. “We’re here!”

lonely for her

Paring: Robin Buckley x Original Henderson!Female Character (Jade)

Summary: Robin and Jade hate each other, and can’t put aside their differences, even during the events at Starcourt while their lives are on the line. Murray is sick of their shit, and finally calls them out.

Word count: 2,927

Warnings: cursing, angst, nonsensical arguing, enemies to lovers bullshit, fluff, season 3 spoilers

A/N: okay hi!! I tried doing this as a reader insert and I just can’t get into writing things like that, I’m sorry y’all. Maybe it just takes a few tries. Hope y’all still enjoy this with another OFC, though!! I never see these fics for Robin (but pllllleeeeeeeease throw them my way if they exist!!), so I wanted to give it a shot. Title is from ‘lonely for her’ by jack’s mannequin!! Enjoy!!<3

“Do we have to separate you two? You’re both acting so childish!”

Ignoring Murray’s comment, Jade looked away, frustrated enough to cause herself to start crying. She’d be damned if she let any tears fall, though. To her, crying meant she was weak. Meant she was already giving up a fight. Giving up in any fight was no option.

“Yeah, well, not like Jade knows how to act otherwise.” Robin spat back, glaring at the other girl. Jade still wouldn’t look at anyone, though.

“Robin, seriously? Just drop it. We’ve got worse to worry about right now.” Steve suggested, trying to keep the peace between his friends. It was true, they had much worse to worry about; they just narrowly escaped from an underground Russian base below Starcourt, and they barely made it past the Russians searching for them throughout the mall itself. If it wasn’t for El throwing a car with her mind, the group would have been dead.

Dustin got up off the floor, pulling himself from the group of kids surrounding El as they tried to help with her gnarly wound, and over to his older sister. “Hey, you okay?”

Jade refused to look at her brother, not wanting to cry in front of him, especially. She was always the strong one in the family, always holding steady and firm like the rock he and their mother always needed. She hated having to rely on anyone else.

“Fine.” Jade managed to say, voice cracking, still looking down, kicking her shoe against the floor. “Just wish Robin would leave me the hell alone in a time like this.”

She thought she was quiet enough, but Robin still heard every word Jade said, and immediately began defending herself. “You wouldn’t have to wish that if you just stayed the hell home like you should have!”

Jade rolled her eyes, sucking in a breath, crossing her arms before finally facing back around to Robin. “Forgive me for caring for my brother and my friends! You’re so selfish sometimes, Robin.”

“Me? Nobody asked you to be the hero down there, Jade. Nobody asked you to do shit!”

“I don’t have to be asked to do anything to help out the people I care about.” Jade’s voice cracked again, and it wasn’t until she felt the tears reach the edge of her chin when she realized that she was crying. She had been crying. Jade swore she saw something in Robin’s expression soften, just for a moment, before growing cold again.

Jade had no idea what they were even fighting about anymore, exactly. Her and Robin never really got along to begin with, they had never really coexisted peacefully, and it didn’t help that she saw more of Robin this summer, with Steve working at Scoops Ahoy with her, and because Steve and Dustin were friends, by default, Jade just saw more of her. Jade adored her brother, would do anything to protect him and make sure he was happy at the drop of a hat, and she adored how close Dustin and Steve were. Dustin needed that, even if Steve was a total idiot at times, she knew their bond was special. But god, she’d be a liar if she said she was fine with Robin’s existence coming along with all of that.

“What are you two even fighting about anymore?” Murray snapped, grabbing the girls’ attention. “All of your friends and family are in danger, and you’re here having this meaningless squabble like you’re married.”

Jade’s eyes jumped to Robin, quick enough to watch her face drop and skin pale just a bit, enough to show Murray struck a nerve somewhere. Jade’s stomach backflipped, not sure exactly why.

“Yeah, yeah, Murray, don’t you have plans to discuss with the grown-ups over there?” Dustin interjected, unknowingly directing attention away from the ever growing tension.

Murray glared at Dustin for a moment before looking back between Jade and Robin. “Fine, but if you guys want to survive this night, go work out your romantic squabbles and sexual tension elsewhere, and fast.” He scoffed before walking away, leaving the girls floored. Thankfully, the only others paying attention were Steve and Dustin, while the rest of the kids were coming up with a plan of their own to keep El safe from the Mind Flayer.

“Wait, what does he mean by tha-“

“Uh, Dustin, why don’t we go over here, give them some space...” Steve trailed off, trying to drag Jade’s younger brother away from the now incredibly awkward situation unfolding.

“But they’re gi-“

“Dustin.” Steve hissed, dragging him away by the arm, leaving Robin and Jade alone. Jade watched them increase the distance, confusion written all over Dustin’s face.

Robin stepped a bit closer, pulling Jade back to the moment at hand, and sending chills up her spine when she saw how close they were.

“You know what’s funny about Murray talking out of his ass?” Robin started, looking over at Jade with a smirk. “That bastard is right sometimes.”

Jade’s eyes widened, “Wh- wait. What do you mean?”

Robin faced Jade, now looking down on the ground, anywhere but directly at Jade. She took in a deep breath before saying, “Before you, Dustin and Erica found us in the bathroom, I uh... I came out to Steve.”

Jade felt her voice stuck in her throat, not sure how to respond to this, and why was Robin even telling her?

“Like- you- you like-“

“Jesus, Henderson, you’re a pain in my ass, but you’re cute when you’re flustered.” Robin mumbled, still smiling, still looking away from Jade until she spoke again. “I like girls.”

Jade felt her mind spin, not sure why this news made her stomach flutter, still unsure why Robin even mentioned it to her. And did she just call her cute? “Um... how did that even come up?”

“Apparently Steve had a thing for me. Has? Had? Whatever, either way, it ain’t happening.” Robin snorted, and it pulled a chuckle out of Jade, surprising herself. “Had to break it to him the hard way, but he took it well. Figured I might wanna admit it to someone else, y’know, in case we die tonight, or whatever.”

Jade’s stomach was filled with butterflies at this point. Ignoring them as best as she could, she said, “We’re not gonna die tonight, no one is, Robin.” To which, Robin rolled her eyes to.

“I’m serious. We’ve watched these kids battle this shit before. El could take anyone, anything out, no problem. Steve might be a total dingus, but he is great at protecting the little shitheads, and Dustin is a smart cookie-“

“Okay, okay, I get it!” Robin laughed, interrupting Jade’s rambles. Still unsure, she forced herself to believe Jade. “If you guys survived shit in the past, we’ll all be fine.”

A tiny smile curved its way upon Jade’s face at Robin. “And if we do die, I’m sorry for being such a pain in the ass to you, Robin. You’re not so awful, you know.”

Robin’s face fell, softened, even, before replying. “I don’t hate you, you know. It’s... it’s complicated.”

Jade’s brow quirked up, but Robin looked away.

“If we survive tonight, we can figure it out later, alright?” Robin said, clear she wanted the topic to drop. Jade just nodded, not wanting to push any buttons. “You’re not so awful yourself, Jade.”

———

Saying they survived was just an understatement. They made it out by the skin of their teeth, unaware just how intense the night would become, with the Mind Flayer wreaking havoc on everyone and everything in its path. El, who ended up powerless, was only still alive because Billy jumped in the way. Saved her by sacrificing himself. And they saw it all. Jade wanted to take a wire scrubby to her brain to rid it of all the gruesome events.

Hopper didn’t make it back either. Jade was wrong, and she knew she was lying to keep herself calm, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. Jade was wrong, and shaken up by what she saw, what she experienced. She was grateful any of them made it out alive, but the pain still ached in her heart. Nothing would be the same ever again.

“Hey,” Robin said, sitting next to Jade in the back of an ambulance. Jade was wrapped in a blanket, any sign of emotion had been shaken out of her. She stared at the ground, in a daze.

Robin pulled her into a side hug, and without hesitation, Jade rested her head on Robin’s shoulder, feeling the tears sting her eyes again, not caring if they fell anymore. She didn’t have the energy to hold them back anymore.

Steve walked over to the girls; he was making his rounds, checking on everyone as soon as he got the A-OK from the medic that he was good to go. Still a battered mess, he was more worried about everyone else before himself.

“I think we’re all going to stay over at Joyce’s tonight, if you guys want to join. The kids don’t want to leave her alone, and I’m sure as hell not going back to an empty house either.” Steve offered, and Robin nodded, listening, but more focused on comforting Jade as she put her other arm around the distraught girl. Steve gave Robin a puzzled look, and Robin shot one back that loudly said, “not now, dingus.”

“If either of you need rides, let me know soon okay? I want to get the hell away from here.” Steve said before walking off to give them space. He glanced back at Robin, noticing Jade was looking away, and shot Robin a quick thumbs up. Robin rolled her eyes before pulling Jade closer into a hug.

“Did you hear any of that?” She asked Jade, and Jade sniffled, pulling her head off of Robin’s shoulder.

“Yeah, but I think I’m going to head home tonight.” Jade whispered, looking down. “I bothered you all to cover for at least a fucking year.”

“You’re not bothering anyone, Jade.” Robin quickly corrected her. “You’re definitely not bothering me.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“No way, not one bit.” Robin said firmly. Jade sighed. “You drove tonight, right? Do you think we could leave together? Just us two? I want to talk about this with you, honestly.”

“Why, so you can kill me and ditch my body in the woods?” Jade snarked, a glimmer of humor shining through. Robin chuckled, shaking her head.

“Only if you keep this shitty self talk up. C’mon. I can drive us, if you’re okay with that.” Robin offered, and Jade grew quiet, contemplating the idea. She guessed they might as well get it all out in the open, that the worst of the night was over, and life was too short to be so spiteful towards one another.

Nodding, she slowly pulled her keys out of her pocket, handing them over to Robin. Grabbing them and letting her hand linger a bit too long on top of Jade’s palm, Robin took the keys before standing up, and pulling Jade with her. She pulled a side of the blanket off Jade, wrapping herself next to the girl before they began walking to Jade’s car.

What no one around saw, was Robin’s arm sneaking around Jade’s waist under the blanket, making Jade’s heart beat wildly.

After climbing in and starting the car, Robin began slowly driving off in silence, not sure exactly where to start. Jade stayed quiet, waiting for Robin to begin, since it was her idea. Robin drove just under the speed limit, trying to give them enough time to talk as necessary.

“I don’t hate you, you know.” Robin finally spoke up, almost startling Jade from her daze. “I don’t hate you at all. Never did.”

“Kinda’ hard to believe, considering how you treat me.” Jade mumbled, wrapped in the blanket still. “Now you’re just being nice to me because we could’ve died.”

“No, that’s not the case either.” Robin groaned, trying to find an easier way to word her thoughts. “I’m really fucking glad you didn’t die, by the way.”

Jade turned to Robin, watching her as she continued driving. “I’m glad you didn’t die either.”

Taking in a shaky breath, Robin continued. “Y’know, all this death and shit is making me realize how stupid I’ve been. Life is too short for us to be at each other’s throats like this, Jade. And I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

Jade watched as her bottom lip quivered, trying to hold strong, stay away from crying, and the first thought that popped into Jade’s mind was how she wanted to kiss Robin, distract her from how shitty things have been, even for a moment.

Then she thought further, I’m a girl. Girls don’t do that together. Followed by, but she came out to me earlier. Maybe that really is okay, then.

Disrupting her thoughts, Robin spoke again. “I know I’ve been a real jerk, like, really rotten to you, Jade, and saying sorry won’t make it disappear... but I mean it. I thought I had to be mean to ignore these ... these thoughts, these feelings-“

Jade sat up a bit at her words, “What thoughts and feelings, Robin?”

Robin’s eyes flickered in the side mirrors, then the rear view mirror, seeing the street was empty besides the two of them, and slammed on the brakes. Startled, Jade gasped.

“What are you doing, Robin?!”

Robin threw the car into park, and let go of the steering wheel, burying her head in her hands, confusing Jade further.

“You, you are all I’ve thought about for years, now.” She mumbled into her hands, and Jade felt her heart drop. “I didn’t like that. Didn’t want to get close, because why get close to someone when you can’t have them? Why go through that pain?”

“Robin, I-“

“I’ve fallen for straight girls before, Jade, and it blows.” She began crying, afraid to pick her head back up. “I wasn’t going to let it happen again, and I tried distancing myself, and it just ended up hurting you in the process. You deserved none of this.”

Glad the backroad they were on was still empty, Jade glanced in the mirrors to be sure once more before directing her gaze back to Robin. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Robin pulled her head up, eyes red and wet, finally looking over at Jade. “Why would I joke about this, Jade? You’re so pretty, and kind, and you have such a big heart for your friends- I couldn’t let you get close. I couldn’t mistake you being a genuine human being for more.”

Jade shut her eyes tight before speaking strong, even with a shaky voice. “You might’ve assumed wrong, you know.” Eyes slowly opening, she looked back at Robin, whose eyes were wide now.

“... you?-“

“Listen, I don’t know what I am, and I’m not concerned about that right now. All I wanted was to be friends at first, but seeing you almost every day this summer, I- I don’t know- this is so different for me, and terrifying. I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore, but with this, I don’t care.” Jade explained, reaching for Robin’s hands, gently cradling them in her own.

Speechless, Robin could only watch and listen as Jade continued.

“All I know is, for sure, I- I think- no, I know, I like you, Robin.” Jade’s voice continued to shake, never hearing such an honest confession fall from her own mouth. “I really like you.”

“You promise this isn’t a prank-“

“Swear on Cerebro, and Dustin would kill me if anything happened to that hunk of metal.” Jade smiled, and a laugh tumbled out of Robin, putting her tears on hold.

“Jesus- now I feel even worse for being so rotten to you, Jade.” Robin muttered, and Jade shook her head.

“We can make up for lost time, now, though. We both survived the night, remember?”

Without missing a beat, Robin unbuckled herself in a swift motion, leaning closer, cupping Jade’s face in her hands. Jade moved closer, resting her forehead on Robin’s. Silence and their shaky breaths and rapid heartbeats were the only noise around them.

Jade wasn’t sure who closed the gap first, but she was so sure she saw fireworks behind her closed eyes as she and Robin kissed softly. Her lips were a little rough, tasting like vanilla and a hint of blood, and Jade smiled into the kiss, pulling her crush closer.

A blaring horn startled them apart, breaking their moment. They watched as a car sped around them, Dustin hanging out of the car’s window, with Steve driving. They heard him release a victory yell, shooting a fist up into the air, his voice muffled through the windows. The entire scene caused a fit of laughter to rise out of the girls.

“Guess Steve explained to him what Murray said earlier.” Jade laughed, shaking her head as she kissed Robin’s cheek.

“Well, this whole coming out thing is terrifying, but at least that reaction has been worth it all.” Robin joked while grabbing Jade’s hand, lacing their fingers together. With her other hand, she put the car in drive to finish the trip to the Byers’ house.

“That old bastard was definitely right.” Robin mumbled, her thumb gently grazing back and forth on the back of Jade’s hand. Jade giggled before Robin added, “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“I swear on Cerebro, baby.”

Seductive Tendencies

You know that one scene that we all can’t forget yeah, I always thought about how erotic it was so i made it even more erotic

“That’s my brother if he finds me here he’d kill me...he’ll kill you!”

Steve ignored the girls freaking out as he watched the signature Camaro pull into the Byers yard, “stay inside and don’t look outside.”

“But Steve you won’t beat him in a fight.” Dustin pleads.

Steve gave him a look as if he’d said the dumbest thing in the world, “I’m not gonna fight him. That’s stupid.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

Steve simply smirked as he popped a piece of bubble-gum in his mouth and gave a long look at the blond exiting their vehicle, “Talk. Now go somewhere where you can’t see.”

————

Billy grinned like a wolf once he saw a figure that was forever ingrained in his mind ever since he moved to this stupid town. Harrington stood in the doorway looking good enough to eat in Billy’s opinion. Something about Harrington made Billy want to fuck him senseless; like he emitted a sluts energy.

“Am I dreaming or is that you Harrington?”

“Yeah dont cream your pants...yet.”

Billy perfectly heard the hidden implications at the end of what Harrington said but that didn’t stop him from saying, “Oh?”

His legs were moving on his own. Soon, he was directly in front of Harrington and he got pulled even closer by his belt holes till he was flush against Harrington’s smaller frame. The only thing his eyes could focus on was Steve Harringtons perfect face. Maybe it was the way Harrington’s lily white skin glowed in the night or how pink blended so well with him; from his lips to his blush to even the gum he’d blow on like those bombshells in movies.

“Hargrove, are you stalking me?” The sly smirk on the pretty face was odd but fit so well.

“Not today princess,” Billy played along for now; wrapping his arms around Harrington’s slim waist and pressing even more onto the boy, “I’m looking for the shithead. Told she was here.”

Harrington only hummed as if in thought, only to spit out, “who?”

Billy growled at the response, “Max. The ginger bitch,” his grip became tighter around the waist. Probably to the point of hurting the boy, but there was no expression on Harrington's face that hinted that to be the case, “I know she’s here.”

“Jeez and I was excited. I really thought you were here for me man,” seeing those lips pout did things to Billy; he wasn’t the only one. Even though not popular, Billy has witnessed Harrington pout his way into being left alone and becoming a non-targetable person. He knew that Harrington knew that those lips affected everyone, “you’ve really hurt my feelings now.”

In Billy’s non-horny mind, he knew he was being distracted. He could see Max’s stupid red hair scurrying in the window for a hiding place. He could easily push Harrington way and give her hell but it was like he was in a trance. The thought of doing anything but fucking Harrington’s slutty ass made him unnecessarily dissatisfied.

“Don’t piss me off,” Billy warned, “who’s saying I won’t beat you black and blue?”

Instead of being intimidated, the brat wrapped his arms around Billy’s shoulder and changed the fucking topic, “You’re strong. Bet you could lift me straight off the ground.”

So Billy did exactly that; by the legs too so those long legs could wrap around his hips. He then turned around just to slam the boy onto the nearest surface—the hood of his car, “I’m. Not. Fooling. Around.”

Harrington only laughed, “seems like Billy Jr wants to ‘fool around’ badly.” Showing what he meant by grinding onto Billy’s hard on, “admit it Hargrove. You want me.”

Billy only smirked before letting out a series of chuckles himself. He plucked out his cigarette to blow smoke on to the boy’s face—which remained unphased—before flicking it away, “Oh, I intend to have you princess but I got to go deliver the brat first. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back and then I’ll fuck you on this very hood.”

“Who says I’ll be there when you come back?” Steve questioned cheekily.

“You will,” Billy scoffed, “you’re a slut but you’re also a good boy. I’m sure you can wait for half an hour before getting the best sex of your life.”

He was about to leave to do his task before he found his body being clung to by the thickest legs ever and Harrington’s grip on his necklace‍‍‍, “Your right about one thing...I am a slut. And we aren't known for our patience.” Billy felt his zipper be toyed with but he made no move to stop the hands.

Billy began to cave. Submitting to Harrington’s seduction by groping the goods; letting his hands squeeze Harrington’s ass like it belonged to him,“Geez, don’t you have like 5 kids in the house,” hands trailing towards those thick thighs to spread them to their maximum width, “this feels like a porno. ‘Hot babysitter fucked while kids sleep’. People have fantasies about this kinda stuff, y’know?”

Harrington only rolled his eyes, “you know a lot about those, think of me?”

“Every day.” With that Billy devoured the boy’s mouth.

Kissing Harrington was like getting high; his scent, his feel, his moans, all addictive substances. Billy forgot why he’d even come, only focused on exploring every crevice of Harrington’s mouth.

When they separated, it felt like hours had passed by but it had to have been only a few minutes.

“Fu....fuck,” having Harrington breathless under him, face even more flushed and lips even more red was like a dream to Billy and he really didn’t want to wake up, “you’re good.”

Billy only replied to the compliument by taking out the gum in his mouth and handing it back to Harrington, “yours?”

Harrington smirked and plucked the fucking thing off Billy’s hand with his mouth. Making direct eye contact with him as he did it. ‘Fuck, what a slut’ he thought, grateful that he will be the lucky bastard that gets to hit that.

“Wanna go inside?” Harrington asked coyly. Billy didn’t even think it was a question worth answering and simply picked him up and off the hood. Indicating with a jut of his chin for the boy to lead the way.

When they entered the Byers house, Billy didn’t noticed the hushed whispers and quite gasps. To focused on getting his dick wet.

“So where are we doing this? There’s bedroom right?” Billy’s question was met with silence. Before he could turn around to see what was going on, something sharp was stabbed into his neck. He placed his hand in the hit area, feeling himself get drowsy as he tried to comprehend what happened. All he saw through his fuzzing vision—body slowly losing consciousness—was Harrington standing in the door way with some sort of needle in his hand, “yo...you fucking whore...yo...you tricked m-” before he could finish his sentence his entire body collapsed onto the floor with a probably loud thud.

He couldn’t move but his eyes were still fighting to stay awake. He simply watched as Harrington’s sneakers got closer to him before he squated to be eye to eye with Billy, “don’t

worry I’ll pay you back.” That was all he had to say before he pressed those lips onto his head and Billy guessed he did this to comfort him. He hates how much it did.That’s all he saw before his eyes blacked out themselves.

Never witnessing the kids scurry into their living room.

————

“Wow.” Max was the first to say something as she walked over the body of her older brother to Steve, “he’s gonna be mad when he wakes up, y’know? Not only at me but at you.”

Steve had that same longing look on his face from before, still directing it at the sleeping boy, “don’t worry, I can handle him”

“How?”

“By talking.”

Hawkins’ Charm (Part 6/?)

Synopsys: They had gotten out of Hawkins. After all the shit that had happened, all the heartache and pain, Billy and the Reader had gotten away from that hellhole, building their life in California as he had dreamed. But when Max’s graduation rolls around and they go to celebrate, it’s as if the Upside Down was just waiting for all of them to return. And it has a bone to pick.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x f!Reader; platonic!Steve Harrington x f!Reader

Genre: angst, lil bit of fluff

Warnings: blood, mentions of injuries and death, fighting, swearing, implied stuff, smoking

Word count: 3319

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT CONDONE BILLY’S ACTIONS AND THE THINGS HE’S DONE! THIS IS BASICALLY AN AU, WHEN REALLY LOOKING AT IT! SPOILERS FOR S3! READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!

Billy’s grip was crushing as he held onto Y/N’s limp body who'd been sedated by Joyce and Hopper with a tranquillizer. It had been against every word of his, but he could only glare at them as he maneuvered her out of the house and towards the Camaro. Next to it stood a big van, it sides a rust-covered white and there were no license plates.        “Place her in the trunk,” Hopper motioned with his head.        Billy had to scoff, unconsciously hugging Y/N tighter. “I’m not placing her in the trunk, are you fucking insane?”        “Just put her in the trunk, we don’t have time for this!”        “She’s a human! She’s Y/N, not some roadkill!” Alex argued for his brother-in-law.        “She’s that thing's slave right now!” Hopper raised his voice with each spoken word. “And we don’t want it to know where we’re going."        A tense silence settled between the three men. In the back of Alex’s and Billy’s minds, they understood that Hopper cared for her, and he wanted the best, which would be not letting her sit in the car next to them and give away their position to the Mind Flayer, but they wouldn’t budge.        “I’m not placing her in the trunk.” There was no room for a discussion. Billy had put his foot down.        Hopper looked like he might burst, as he ran a hand through his thinning hair. Only then did everyone notice what he was wearing.    Jim was adorned by what looked like a prison suit. It was dark grey, had tears and holes pretty much everywhere and didn’t smell too great. He’d gone through hell, and for a second, Billy’s heart twinged. But then he remembered him choking the life out of Y/N (even though he was doing it to save him and the rest), he still didn’t appreciate it.        “Let’s put her in my car,” Nancy came as the savior, holding the brake cables in her hand. “I have an open trunk, so you can sit next to her and watch over.”        “Fine,” Hopper replied earning a scowl from Billy. “But we need to put something over her head, so if she wakes up, the Mind Flayer doesn’t find out where we’re going.”        Small grunts of agreement erupted around them, and even Billy couldn’t find anything to counter it, so with gritted teeth, he nodded, watching as Nancy opened the back of her car. Johnathan quickly rushed and slid underneath it to hook the cables back into place, and Joyce came out of the house with a large white piece of cloth and El’s black blindfold.        “That is so not helping,” Alex mumbled, as Hopper put the pillowcase over Y/N’s head and tied the other piece of fabric around it as well. “Now it looks like we’ve kidnapped her.” Her blood-soaked shirt was not helping one bit.        “Look, kid-“        “I’m eighteen.”        “Look, kid,” Hopper gritted, losing his cool. “I know it’s your sister, and I know you care about her, we all do. But right now her comfort’s the least of our problems while the Mind Flayer is inside. Now, if you want, you can be my guest and announce to the Demogorgon and his little doggo army where we’re going, but if you want to keep your head on your shoulders, and save Y/N, this is what we have to do.”        Alex and Billy had never wanted to punch someone more for being right.

       “She’s gonna be okay. We’ve done this before,” Joyce gave the Californian a tight-lipped smile and patted his shoulder.        “That does not make me feel any better,” Y/N’s brother mumbled but didn’t say anything else.        He wanted to sit at the back with his sister, but when Billy laid her body down, it made him think she looked too much like a dead body, so he opted for driving with Joyce, Hopper, Robin, Lucas and Dustin in the van the ex-Chief had stolen when he had escaped. The rest consisting of Max, Billy, Johnathan, Mike, Will and El hopped into Nancy’s restored vehicle.        “Hop, you said the Russians are back,” Joyce asked after he’d told them to drive to the local store. “What do they want… again?        “I don’t know, world domination? It’s not like they talked about their big evil plan while torturing me.”        She gulped, sharing a look with Lucas and Dustin, but didn’t say anything.        “The Gate’s open,” Dustin announced. “Do you have any clue what they could want with the Upside Down? What did they want in the first place?”        Hopper shook his head, turning down a hard left. “Whatever they think they can do with it, they’re wrong… it’ll kill them first and then us.” The next sentence threw everyone for a loop, as he stopped by where Joyce used to work at the convenience store. “We need a bunch of foil.”        Mike’s eyebrows scrunched up as they all jumped out of their cars, El and Billy standing guard to keep an eye on Y/N and to deter anyone that might wanna know what’s up. “Why?”        “Cause we wanna cook that bastard out of her.”        Billy hadn’t smoked in years and now despised the smell and taste of the cancer sticks, but he hoped Y/N wouldn’t mind much if he did it just this once given as to what they were preparing to do.        He looked through the back window and watched how Y/N’s chest rhythmically rose and fell.        “It’s gonna be okay,” El’s voice made him turn around and look at the teenager. Billy’s mind played the memories of him trying to feed her to the monster four years ago in vivid detail. He remembered how gentle her touch on his cheek had been. How she had talked about the one time before Y/N that he’d been happy. She had helped him break out from the spell.    “We’ll get her back. I promise.”        Billy smiled. Somehow, he didn’t doubt her words. “Thanks.”        El just shrugged. “She’s my friend too. I care about her. Besides,” she let out a small chuckle, “I miss Clara.”        She’d met his gremlin only once, but the little blond-haired girl had taken a huge liking to El. Especially when she had made her dolls dance with her powers. Y/N and Billy had been very much so against her showing her telekinesis, but, later on, understood there’d be no harm in letting the two-year-old witness a little bit of magic.        The sight as everyone exited the store with handfuls of tinfoil would’ve been almost comical, if not for the fact everyone knew what it was for.        “Were to?”        Before Joyce had left Hawkins with her sons and El, she had cleaned up Hopper’s old place a bit. Fixed the roof as best as she could and covered the furniture with some sheets, so that it didn’t seem like they’d left it without a care. It had been El’s home. Jim’s home. She couldn’t do that to them.        Y/N didn’t stir once throughout the whole silent ride, and from time to time Billy had to doublecheck underneath the pillowcase if she was breathing. When her soft warm exhales greeted the back of his palm, he sighed in relief.        The car stopped with a jolt, and everyone was up and running. Billy didn’t even heave a breath, so used to Y/N’s weight whether she wanted to have a piggyback ride or acted dramatically and made him carry her to their bed.        Nancy, Johnathan and Will were carrying every heater they could find into the bedroom and given how the cabin was in the middle of the nowhere, and winters in Hawkins were not the kindest, there was quite a lot of them.        “Is it gonna be enough?” Billy asked, placing Y/N down on what used to be El’s bed, and smoothed some hair out of his wife’s face. She looked so peaceful like that, he almost forgot what had transpired in the last twelve hours or so.        “I don’t know, but it will have to be,” Hopper said and gave instructions to the rest of the Party as they laid out the foil along the walls and ground.    “Cover the rest with sheets and everything you can find. Block out any markings she could see to identify where we’re at.”        “We had less when Will…” Joyce started but didn’t finish the sentence, though everyone knew what she meant. “It worked then.”         "It's just gonna have to work," Hopper said. They didn’t want to think about what they’d have to do if it didn’t.        Billy and Steve were left to tie Y/N up on the bed, belts and ropes at their disposal.        “When you think it’s tight enough, tighten it more,” Hopper stated and nailed a piece of sheet to the wall.        “Yeah, I’d like for her to retain all her limbs, thank you very fucking much,” Billy snapped at the older man but did as he was told. The Mind Flayer was strong, and he remembered how much power he himself had. Granted, he’d been possessed for different reasons, but there was no doubt in his mind, once that thing figured out what they were doing, it would fight tooth and nail to remain in its current host.        Hopper rolled his eyes and huffed, making sure that not even a sliver of light from the setting sun peaked through the fabric. “I think she’d much rather lose a hand than her life.”        Together they brought every possible heater around the bed and plugged them in. It became almost unbearably hot in the span of a second, and Billy was happy for his open shirt and that he’d left his jacket in the car.        Robin had helped Steve stoke a fire in the flimsy-looking fireplace and the flames that licked upwards added to the growing temperature.        Y/N’s chest started heaving, and she stirred on the bed. A soft whimper escaped her mouth, and Billy saw how her clothes stuck to her chest. Her lashes fluttered open but quickly closed when a bright light above shone directly into her eyes.        “Billy please, it hurts,” she begged tears slowly running down her cheeks. Or maybe it was sweat. Either way, he wasn’t happy seeing her face scrunched up in agony. “Billy,” she panted looking into his eyes. “Please.”    He had to turn away from the sight before him. He couldn’t stand watching as she arched up from the bed, and the rope dragged across Y/N’s skin, burning a bright red line across her collarbones. The only marks he ever wished to see were from his fervent kisses, and this was so not it.    “It’s not her talking,” Joyce reminded everyone, as she pushed one of the heaters closer.        Their clothes were already clinging to their bodies, beads of sweat rolling down their skins, accompanied by the perspiration of stress. The foil had helped. A lot. It felt like they were stuck under the direct heat of the blazing sun, combined with an open fire. Which it kinda was.    “Honey, please,” Y/N whined, trashing on the bed and lifting against the ropes. He saw her muscles flex and unflex and thought to himself it was a miracle they were holding her in place.    "Bil-" she started, but he wasn't going to listen.        Two hands slammed on each side of her head, and their eyes met. For a second, Billy was lost in her Y/E/C gaze, but then he looked at the black veins in her orbs. “Get out of my wife.”        That was not the right thing to say, as it would seem he’d just pissed the Mind Flayer off.        “You’re a shit husband, let alone a father!” Y/N sneered and then groaned as Max shoved a portable heater closer. “I’ve thought about leaving you so many times, it’s ridiculous.” Every word was laced with so much venom, it was like acid was being poured over his head.        Alex grunted as Y/N tried to break free from the binds and had to hold her down. “Don’t listen to her!”        “But every time I stayed,” she continued her verbal assault. “Out of pity. Because I knew no one else would. Not even your fucking mother wanted to stay around a piece of shit like you.”        It took everything in Billy not to rip her out of that bed and slam her against the wall. He was just about to crack, when his eyes saw her veins turn completely black to the point the color could block out the moon in the sky at night. It wasn’t Y/N speaking, he reminded himself, it was the Mind Flayer.        “You can’t take care of me or Clara; you don’t deserve us,” even in so much pain she was delivering a blow after blow to Billy’s heart. All of his self-control was now turned to not breaking apart as Y/N spewed his worst fears at him. No, not her! He reminded himself. It’s the Mind Flayer. “And I certainly won’t let you taint the three of us with y-“        She didn’t get to finish the sentence. Y/N’s back arched up from the bed, the belts digging into her skin leaving angry marks. Billy shut his eyes to block out what was happening. Instead, he thought of the times her back had lifted from the mattress while his head had been between her legs, or their hips had met one another’s in harsh thrusts. Not when a scream of pain tore through her throat as El used her powers to pull out the piece of Mind Flayer possessing her body, seeing as the heat alone wasn’t helping.        Y/N was struggling back as if she didn’t want to let go of the demon in her body. For a moment El lost her balance. She had fought bigger things, worse things, but for some reason, this was the hardest battle yet. Maybe because she was trying to save her friend, yet, it seemed like she was doing more harm than good.            Nancy had been hugging Johnathan from the moment Y/N had started screaming, but it wouldn’t stop. It just wouldn’t stop. His shirt was soaked not only from his sweat but her tears.    She couldn’t lose another friend.        “What are you doing?!” Billy yelled at her as she rushed to the open fire and pulled out a brightly glowing piece of metal.        “I won’t let it win!” Nancy bellowed and thrust the burning hot poker in Y/N’s side.        It was the last nail in the coffin. Black plumbing smoke propelled itself out of her from every possible place, making everyone who was near stagger back and away, as if being just in the proximity of it would infect them as well. But El didn’t let it escape.        Her hand was outstretched, and a little stream of blood trickled down her nose, mouth and then chin.        “Burn it,” she sneered as she held it in an invisible grip.        Mike was right there with a can of old hairspray he’d found in El’s old room and a lighter Hopper had tossed him.        Even in its separated form, the second bright red flames touched it, the Mind Flayer released a shriek, that made everyone else close their ears.    Both Mike’s and El’s faces were scrunched up at the piercing sound, but they had to get the job done. And in two minutes there was nothing, but black flakes left that drifted to the floor like ash from the sky.        The whole place turned completely silent; it was like the woods outside were holding their breath as well, not believing what had transpired in the old, half-broken cabin they were hiding from the rest of the town.        “Benny’s,” a hoarse voice from behind them said.        Billy whipped around and saw Y/N’s head lol to the side, eyes blinking and trying to adjust to her surroundings. “Dollface?”        “Benny’s,” she mouthed again.        “Are you-” he was beyond confused as he pushed the matted locks away from her sweaty skin but couldn’t help the astonished chuckle that escaped his mouth. “Are you hungry? Really?”        “No, you idiot,” a horrendous cough rattled through her body as she tried to sit up but couldn’t because of her binds. “It’s where the Mind Flayer is. I don’t think it thought I’d make it, so it didn’t bother with hiding… there’s a whole tunnel system down there. I think they used it as storage and had products delivered that way… it’s a pretty cold place… and leads right to the lab…”        A small voice from the very back of the room spoke up.        “Y/N?”        She smiled as Billy removed each rope and tie, and she opened up her arms as Alex barreled towards her and crushed her in a hug.    “Hey shitbag, ya’ miss me?” Y/N whispered, her throat still very much so sore.        “No,” he sniffled pushing his face in the crook of her neck. “Just didn’t want to be the one to tell mom you’ve been possessed.”        “Sure,” she drawled out. “Just admit you fucking missed me.”        “Why would I do that? I was so close to getting your car…”        Y/N pulled back with her eyebrows scrunched up. “You do realize I’d rather have it chucked into the ocean than let you have it?”        “What a great big sister you are,” Alex scoffed, but when he pulled away, there was an undeniable smile on his face.        “Uh, I’m the best,” Y/N mimicked his tone, as she slowly sat up on the bed, Billy’s palm resting on the small of her back, as she did so.            “I’m uh,” Hopper scratched at his neck making her look at him. Now when he was face to face with Y/N, instead of the Mind Flayer, the bruises on her neck were harder to swallow, especially since it was his handiwork. “I’m sorry about, you know… choking you and stuff…”        “ ‘S okay,” she lifted her shoulders and dropped them as if it was an everyday thing she had to go through. “You had to do what you had to do… I’m glad you’re back, by the way. You know, just as a side note.”        Hopper grunted and put his hand on El’s head, as the girl leaned into his side breathing heavily; a small smile played on her face as she looked at the other girl.    “Yeah," Jim said. "I’m glad I’m back too.”        Y/N looked around the room giving everyone shy grins and snorted when Steve and Robin waved at her, but when she saw Max pacing around the room, her lips turned down a bit.        “You okay there, Maxine?”        The redhead didn’t even react to being called by her first name, even though she despised it will all her being.        “It’s just that… I don’t get it,” Max was biting her nails, and Lucas gently slapped her hand down. She’d already bitten them down to the skin during the whole ordeal, he didn’t want to see her rip them apart so hard they started to bleed.        “Don’t get what?” Nancy asked, offering Y/N a towel to wipe the sweat and dirt and blood away from her face and arms.        “Why would it want to kill you, apart from punishing Billy? Wouldn’t that, you know,” Max nodded vaguely, “kill the Mind Flayer? It made sense when he tried to kill Billy, seeing as he was the only one strong enough to go against it.”        Everyone was looking at Y/N whose eyes had dropped to the floor. She couldn’t look at them. She knew why, it just wasn’t something she wanted to say out loud.    “Because I wasn’t the main host…” Y/N finally sighed out after a moment. But when Billy asked who was, there was no way she’d meet the blue orbs that were like the ocean. She kept her gaze on where his wedding ring used to sit, only now realizing it was missing.        “It’s your dad, Billy. Neil's the main host.”

Tags (crossed out wouldn’t take): 

Hawkins’ Charm tag list: @genius2050 @aiifandomsunite @ashleymarieriffle @littlefool-smalljester @infinitelycharmed23 @llcalumllhoodll @benevolentgemini @rxmanovbby @euphoniumpets @krazykatykat456 @believerofall @ccidk @babechief @meganmj @blackhood5sos @fml9603 @noodlenerd101 @universefinds @kuroidesuchloe @im-a-stranger-thing @grxxn-gardxns @springholland @beforethebraces @robinisourlesbianmom @queeneliza108 @neenaw-neenaw @lexisntthatweird @choicesismylife @mckenzie2020 @kcd15 @snuggleducky @reckless-sofia @didyouseetheflair @silver-winter-wolf @jay-ta-blog @hopeless-lovex0 @anyasthoughts @robinismyqueen @yeah-butyourenot-dacremontgomery @mcrganstarks @psychoticobsession @cutehipstergirl25 @sbfandom @mickmoon @jackyfrost01 @txhmine @dark-princess99 @morgangrice18 @graveyard--baby--666 @changingmylifestyle367 @sweetdayme4427 @alowexpectation @sexyvixen7 @golddvstwoman @evelynfreakinaddams @sunfucked @sataninsatin @queenbbarnes @venomavocado @rangotangomango @psychosupernatural @sereiins @frickin-bats @bandsruinedmylife @thee-brunette-princess @queenskyster @aspiring-fangirls-world @gracethegeek9902

Forever tags: @lumelgy @palaiasaurus64​ @supernaturalbaesduh​ @breezy1415​ @crazy--me​ @thatawkwardlittlefangirl​ @sea040561​ @staryeyedgirl @deathbyarabbit @s-c-a-r-e-d-po-t-t-e-r @reblogger-not-a-blogger @m-a-t-91 @dalilx @i-need-a-hero-i-need-a-loki @maladaptive-ninja-returns @averyrogers83 @in-the-end-im-still-trash @gallifreyansass @dewy-biitch @avxgers @unlikelygalaxygiver @sweet-ladyy @magicwithaknife @ollyoxenfrees @bnhvrdy @tvwhoresblog @celebsimagines @thatkindofgurl @sj-thefan @teenwolflover28

A/N: my tags are always open :)

Skeletons In Closets

Hands covered in blood and so, so much death and screaming and he wanted to stop but he was d r o w n i n g—

Soldat— no, the Winter Soldier—no, his name was James dammit— jerked awake in cold sweat and a racing heart and nothing banished his latest nightmare quite as effectively as hitting the ground from his makeshift bed on the old couch.

Right. 

He was safe now, HYDRA would have a hard time getting to him here.

“James?” Maria’s voice called softly from the doorway, and he relaxed even more as the lights turned on and the last remnants of his fear left with the shadows. “Everything okay?”

He swallowed, and shook his head. “Nightmare.”

“Oh. Okay. Um...” She looked to be floundering for a way to help him, before she straightened up and part of him felt amused as he recognized the intent look in her eyes that screamed ‘I have an idea and God help anyone that gets in my way’.

Well. Good to know where Tony got that from. 

“I was about to get up anyway, got an early shift at work and one of Tony’s clubs is having a bake sale. Want to help?”

He took a deep breath, and nodded. 

.

Tony made his way to the kitchen not long after the brownies were put in. 

“Oh, learning the family recipe?” He piped up and James didn’t jolt because he was a super-soldier with the hearing to match but how did Maria notice?

“You can’t have them until they’re done cooling,” She said without turning from the cutting board and completely missing both James’ and Tony’s faces as her son froze, hand still hovering over the pan of cookies. 

“You need a taste tester.” He immediately deflected, and she nodded. 

“Yes. After they’re done cooling.” 

. 

Tony made a strange face as he continued chewing. “Who made these?”

“Your uncle.”

“Have you thought about being a baker? Because these are even better than the ones in the bakery by the park.”

James paused in the middle of adding a dash cinnamon to what had started out as shortbread but was now his attempt at replicating something he’d seen once, where had he seen it? Had it been Before, or—

Then, he bit back a curse as his metal arm spasmed and shattered the bowl he’d been using and flour and cornstarch and egg white flew everywhere and he’d failed, he’d failed and he was supposed to be better he was—

“I’m so sorry, where’s there a broom I can’t—”

“Don’t worry,” Maria said with a very measured and calm voice. “It’s okay, it was an accident. We can fix this.”

He didn’t know what she saw when she looked at him, but he couldn’t help the rush of gratitude [and shame] that came as she deliberately telegraphed her every movement as she handed him the dustpan and reached for the broom. 

What he did know, was the way Tony had paled. Paled, and stepped back and cut off his chatter. 

In retrospect, that probably should have been his first clue.

.

They were at a grocery store, restocking everything they’d used for the bake sale. It was supposed to be just a normal, routine thing. 

Instead, he got faced with an interrogation from some small-town busybodies the likes of which he’d last seen during World War II and no, he wasn’t joking. 

“Cheryl, Linda.” Maria’s voice cut through the din, and he felt himself relax slightly at the sight of a familiar face in the sea of potential hostiles. “This is my brother, James. He just got back from the Army, so would you mind giving him some space?”

“Oh! Sorry, I just got a bit enthusiastic. It’s not every day we see a new face around here, you know.” One of the pushier ladies said, and gave him enough space for him to get to safety. 

Then someone caught sight of his arm and gasped. “Oh, is that—” 

Last time he’d seen that smile, it had been aimed at him when Maria had first mentioned her son. It was...very gratifying to see it used in his defense. 

“He’s had a hard time of it, yes. Let my brother breathe, people.”

“Oh, um...thank you for your service, young man.” One of the older people in the crowd said [oh, if only they knew—], and with that, they dispersed.

Well, mostly.

As they continued to go through their shopping list, James couldn’t help but pick up the whispers that seemed to follow them throughout the store. 

“That poor woman...”

“Car accident and a brother who’s a—”

“Show some respect—”

Huh. 

He’d known Maria had her own secrets [she’d thought the HYDRA squadron had been for her, back when they’d first met], but...this indicated there was more to it than that.

He was still trying to figure himself out, trying find out who he was apart from the living weapon that HYDRA had made of him, but...he wouldn’t deny that his curiosity was piqued. 

.

The third clue was staring him in the face, literally.

James took one look at the face on the milk carton, then at the ‘missing child’ sleeping right in front of him, and frowned slightly.

It wasn’t his place to ask, but he had questions and the distinct feeling that only Maria could answer them.

Because Stark? 

He might still be having memory issues, but that name rang a bell. And last he remembered, Howard was a good man.

.

“I thought you would’ve noticed by now,” Maria said with a tight smile, “that what some people say, and what the reality is, are two very different things.”

“I just want to know why.”

“And I just want my son to grow up in a house where he doesn’t have to be afraid of getting hit.”

Oh.

.

“Wait, you mean you did...this,” James gestured vaguely but still couldn’t fully encompass the magnitude that was the sophisticated network and falsified records and emergency cash that would have made a secret agency proud, “to hide from your ex?”

“How well did you know Howard, James?”

He started to open his mouth, but stopped. Steve had always been closer to him than he was, but...Howard had always struck him as the kind of guy who pulled out all stops to get things done. 

And by the looks of things he was now very, very rich and powerful. 

He didn’t know what face he made, but Maria nodded. 

“Yeah. I did my best, but he...apart from that,” she gestured at the milk carton sitting innocently before them, “rumor has it there’s going to be a national organization formed just to search for missing children. And that’s not even counting the private detectives Howard keeps sending out. So you might understand just why I know about hiding.”

Well. That changed things.

.

Maria was good, had worked wonders with what she’d had at hand, but...the Winter So— James knew he could help strengthen their cover even more than he already had just by living with them.

(”I won’t say I’m sorry because I’m not, but...thanks for the help. They’re looking for Tony and me, with you in the picture a lot the heat’s been taken off.”)

But first things first, as influenced by the way he’d seen red when he’d learned of the abusive alcoholic Howard had become: time for these two to learn self-defense.

That way even if he didn’t get the chance to take a swing at the bastard, at least the people who’d sheltered him wouldn’t simply be at anyone’s mercy ever again.

.

“You’ve done this before, haven’t you.” Maria said once, after a successful workout and Tony had raced off to take a shower.

He pushed back memories of dead-eyed men squaring off against him, of little girls training until they dropped [of pushing and pushing until bones broke but the instructors were still unsatisfied with some of their performances— no, stop], took another sip from his water bottle, and nodded slowly.

“Yeah, I...think so.”

She eyed him, then clapped a hand on his shoulder and started heading back inside. “I’m in the mood for carbonara. Want to learn?”

One night in Bangkok

Fandom: MCU

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC Kairi Higarashi

Setting: After the events of Endgame

Song prompt I was given: One night in Bangkok by Murray Head

Word count: 4.5k

Warnings: fluff, open end, slightly OOC Bucky, mild angst, violence

Summary: The former Winter Soldier decided that it was time for him to live a little so he travelled to Bangkok and discovered two things: ecstasy and despair.

Author’s note: This monster was written for Mimi's One Hit Wonder Challenge. It is my longest fic since 10 years and it took me some time to finish it but overall I am proud of it! <3  @captain-rogers-beard Also I am posting this on my writing sideblog, my main is @saratour

~*~

It was another humid night at Rattanakosin, the old quarter of Bangkok. As there was an old quarter in almost every town, Bangkok's wasn't much different. Despite a few impressive temples and an actual palace, you could find many shopping opportunities and the main street was busy every night with its bars, restaurants and clubs.

A certain ex-assassin walked idly over the buzzing main street. After they won against Thanos with all the sacrifices that came with it, life got back to normal. Steve gave his shield and the duty of being Captain America to Sam. As Bucky was walking through the crowded street, he thought to himself, that it was probably for the best. Sam becoming the next Cap and not him. Steve knew as much as Bucky, that the latter wasn't ready to take on the shield. Heck, it was roughly only a year after the talented scientists in Wakanda freed him from this horrid brainwash.

He needed to live a bit - a thing, that both Sam and Steve told him with big smirks on their faces. So he took their advice to heart and travelled the world. His current stop was the capital of Thailand. It was a nice warm night and the dark haired man was looking for a place to eat. He loved all the different smells  and intriguing offers he saw. All the restaurants and bars on the main street however were cramped, a fact that Bucky didn't find appealing. So he wandered a bit off street and spotted a small restaurant. It looked almost empty and he had to make sure that it was even open for business. He wasn't good with big crowds after all. His social skills were rusty to say the least.

His feeling didn't let him down. The restaurant was small, but clean and only a handful of tables were occupied. He took a seat at an empty one and waited. A young woman with violet hair shouted something in Thai. After a moment, she came to his table. The first thing Bucky noticed about her, were her piercing green eyes. They were almost cat-like and sparkled with honest kindness. Her hair was violet and rather short, experts would've call this a bob. She gave him a gentle smile and greeted him again in Thai. The super soldier must have had a dumbfounded look on his face because after him not responding, she repeated her greeting, this time in English.

“Here is the menu. Do you know what you want to drink or do you need a minute?” She handed him the afore mentioned menu and waited, a small block and pencil at the ready. Bucky tried a smile himself. “Water would be nice.” She nodded but didn't write it on her block and just turned around. The dark haired man watched her get behind the counter and pouring a glass of water. He was so captured by her skilled hands that he forgot to read the menu and choose a dish for dinner. As she returned to his table with the glass of water, he hadn't chosen at all. “Take your time, I will be back in a couple of minutes.” She assured him with another smile and went to tend to another table.

“Oi Violet, move your ass over here!” A harsh and loud voice interrupted the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant. Bucky tried not to look up from his dinner but after hearing her voice he couldn't help himself. “I told you countless times, that my name is not Violet!” The young woman shot back angrily with both hands on her hips. “And I would appreciate it, if you could lower your voice. You're disturbing the other guests.” The rude man grunted as a response and stood up. He was quite tall and towered over her small frame. “And what if I don't, sweetheart? What will you do, huh?” He put a finger under her chin and lifted it, so that she had to look him in the eyes. “I will kick you out!” The waitress informed him matter of factly. This response earned her a loud laugh. “I don't think so, sweetie. But I am sure we can come to another agreement...” He eyed her up and licked his lips with a wolfish grin. Bucky watched the scene in front of him. His metal arm, covered by his jacket and a glove almost broke the chopsticks. If this bastard would make another move, he would interfere! Maybe this wasn't the 40s anymore but in no era should a woman be treated like that. But just as he was about to get up, the rude man was hunching next to the woman. He cursed profoundly while holding his manly parts. This waitress knew her moves, Bucky was quite impressed. The remaining conversation was quite and ended with the rude man leaving the establishment. After that she came to his table with an apologetic look on her face. “I am so sorry, that you had to witness this. In satisfaction of the disturbance dessert is on the house.”

After this incident Bucky found himself coming to the restaurant almost every night. It wasn't so much for the food, which was delicious, it was more for the woman who peeked his interest with simply not being a damsel in distress. At his fifth visit, his waitress joked that he was becoming a regular. He tried every dish on the menu and when he wasn't sure, he enjoyed to get a recommendation from her. On a particular quite night she even sat down at his table and had dessert with him. Bucky grew comfortable around her, even that much, that he took off his glove. She wasn't startled, she just gave him a curious look but knew better than to bring it up. He appreciated that. After a whole week, she eventually told him her name.

“That's not a Thai name... Kairi is what, Japanese?” She smiled and continued to dry the glasses from the open dishwasher. Bucky was standing at the counter, enjoying a cold beer.

“Something like that. I am half Japanese. All I know from Google is, that it is associated with the ocean.” “I think it suits you... better than Violet.”

“Definitely better than Violet! Do you plan on staying in Bangkok longer? I remember that you said you would only be here for a bit more than a week.”

“That was my initial plan, yes... However I discovered something interesting which makes me want to stay a bit more.”

What was happening to him? This wasn't his usual demeanour. His people skills were rusty and all that he knew was war and battles and death and fights! Travelling to all this exotic and amazing places, meeting all kinds of people made him less than an hermit, granted but still he was surprised that he knew how to flirt after all.

“Well, this interest must be quite fascinating to make you extend your visit.” Kairi leant on the counter which accentuated her well-formed breasts. Bucky wasn't able to look away, he was just only a man. He gulped audibly and licked over his dry lips. Was she flirting back at him? Could it be, that she took the same liking to him as he took to her? There was only one way to find out! “Would you like to go out with me?” He blurted out suddenly. Surprising her and him both. A few uncomfortable seconds ticked by and then the silence was broken by her soft giggle. “I didn't expect you to be so bold.” The super soldier was about to apologize and tell her that she should forget about it, but she interrupted him. “Tomorrow's my day off. Pick me up at noon.” She gave him a wink, grabbed her block and pencil and greeted the new guests, who had just arrived. Bucky was left with mixed feelings. Not in the world would he have thought, that she would agree to go on a date with him. A warm and pleasant feeling started to settle in his chest and made the world look just a bit brighter.

Tomorrow noon came way too fast for Bucky's liking and he was actually nervous. He hadn't had a date since well a whole lifetime. But something about Kairi made it easy to relax and be himself. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He got a text from Steve.

Don't sweat it, Buck. She will see the same humble guy as I see.

Bucky smiled at his phone. He wasn't sure that this guy was still in him. But maybe it was time to find out. He typed a quick response and put his phone back just in time for Kairi to arrive.

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble

The date went wonderfully well much to Bucky's surprise and delight. He learned a few new things about this amazing woman. She had six older half-brothers and she came from a patchwork family. Her favourite colour was green and she hated plumbs. In return he opened up to her a bit more. He tried to focus on the good things from the past. Like the Stark fair he went to with Steve just before deployment. Or the countless times he had to save Steve from some jerks. After knowing his name and seeing his metal hand Kairi clearly put one and one together. That also meant that she knew he was the Winter Soldier. An ex-assassin. A cold blood murderer. The internet was full of reports of him killing people. While chatting about this and that his thoughts got gloomy. Kairi was a smart and wonderful woman, Bucky could hardly believe that she would want to enjoy his company after knowing about his dark past. He figured that she only stayed because he was now a member of the Avengers who saved the world. This thought soured the wonderful date he had with her.

Not much between despair and ecstasy

“You are making that face again, Bucky.” They were walking along a beautiful small canal, the moon rising to its zenith illuminating the landscape and the couple. Bucky was still in thoughts and didn't hear her. When she took his metal hand in hers, she caught his attention. “What is on your mind?” Her eyes sparked like precious emeralds and her even features were beautifully highlighted by the moonlight. Her lips adorned a gentle and warm smile. He couldn't help but bring up his flesh hand and cupping her face. His eyes flickered between her eyes and lips. Unsure if he should proceed or not. “You gonna kiss me, soldier or not?” Her hands travelled to his neck and pulled him closer. Their faces where only inches apart, soft breaths were exchanged and just when the tension wasn't bearable any longer, their lips met in a chaste kiss. Soon they had to break apart, both panting a little and smiling softly. “I would say, still got it, soldier.” Kairi smirked and caressed his stubbled cheek with one hand. Bucky was still amazed by this sweet kiss that he couldn't form a coherent sentence. Instead he kept looking at those mesmerizing green eyes. A warm breeze rustled her hair and it felt oddly like a scene out of a romance movie. Bucky couldn't help but smile at her in utter bliss. He would have never imagined ending up in a reassuring embrace and looking into a warm and loveable face. After they shared this tender moment under the dazzling moonlight they continued their stroll. The day or rather night ended too fast and in true gentleman fashion Bucky walked his date to her apartment.

Kairi turned around, hand on the door knob, door half opened. “Do you wanna come in?” Her smile was honest and it reached her eyes. The dark haired man shifted uncomfortable on his feet. “I think we should let it end here. I am not good with... You know I wasn't with someone since...” He searched for the right words and grew even more uncomfortable. But the violet haired woman understood and ended his suffering. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, stepped closer and kissed him again. It was just a quick peck on the lips. “I understand. No worries.” Kairi opened the door to her apartment fully and headed inside. “I'll see you tomorrow in the restaurant?” She wanted to know, a small flash of insecurity crossed her face. Bucky returned her smile. “You will. Good night, Kairi.” He bid her farewell and after her door closed fully he turned around. His heart was overflowing with a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. As the ex-assassin was walking back to his current residence, a realization hit him with the force of a truck. He was about to fall for this woman! The thought made his heart stutter and he felt like his legs would give in any minute. Was he allowed to feel so light and good? Was he allowed to love and more importantly was he worth to be loved in return?

One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble

They went out a few more times after the first successful date. And after staying in Bangkok for almost a month, he thought about getting his own place. With the help of Kairi he got himself a nice and small apartment in a decent neighbourhood. He even got a job as a part time bouncer for a club. As Kairi was working as a waitress she had a wide social network and she was friends with some of the girls working in afore mentioned club. They were having a hard time with some very rude and impertinent customers. So it was not far fetched that with his background and appearance he was perfect for the job. He was becoming unbend and made a few friends even. When he called Steve the other night, his friend mentioned that he was becoming more Bucky and less Winter Soldier. He had to promise the other super soldier that Bucky would introduce the woman who unfroze his heart soon.

Life was good. He felt that he finally had arrived in the 21st century. Bucky looked down at the sleeping woman in his arms and couldn't help but smile. He kissed her head and hugged her tighter, his eyes closing and sleep finally taking over him as well.

The former Winter Soldier awoke to an unknown amount of noise. It sounded a lot like things breaking and crashing. His brain still heavy with sleep couldn't figure out the source yet. Bucky got up and noticed that he was alone. “Doll?” He called out while putting a shirt on. The crashing noises grew louder and a scream let Bucky's blood freeze. Adrenaline rushed through his body and he was back in fight mode in an instance. He stormed into the living room, hands balled to fists ready to fight. But nobody was here. The furnishings were overthrown, a broken vase laid on the ground. But there was no sight of Kairi. With panic raising Bucky searched the small apartment. But he was utterly alone. Anger boiled in him, whoever took her from him would pay dearly! Just when he was about to leave the apartment, the unharmed TV sprung to live. Bucky was greeted with a white light and a voice that sent shivers down to his very core. Hydra, he thought immediately. “Good day, Mr. Barnes. I believe we haven't met. Please have a seat my friend.” The smooth voice told Bucky, who stood in front of the TV and didn't move a muscle. “Don't want to sit? Fine with me. I have to say I was rather surprised to read a report, saying that our Winter Soldier was alive and somewhat rehabilitated.” Bucky tried to get as many information out of this obscure conversation as possible. As much as he wanted to shout and tell the man to get to the point, his tactical side took over. “And I was even more surprised to hear that you were here in my beautiful city.” You could hear the sly smile in the voice. “I believe you already figured out what we want, Mr. Barnes.” Bucky gritted his teeth together. Of course he knew what they want. Him, back on duty. Back as the mindless killing machine. “Before you say anything you would regret you should take into account that we have something of much value to you...” The screen went from bight to dark and a shuffling noise could be heard and after a minute, a face came into view. The image made Bucky gulp and he anger threatened to boil over, his metal arm crunched with a metallic sound. Kairi's face was covered in blood and bruises. She was barely conscious. Two hands had to hold her face into the camera, so Bucky could see her. This made him sick to the stomach and he had to mentally calm himself down. At least she was alive, he kept telling himself. The screen flickered again and the bright white light was back and so was the velvety voice. “Well, I think you are more than keen to comply, aren't you?” Bucky clenched his fists tighter. “Ready to comply.” Was all he hissed. The screen went black and his cellphone buzzed.

After the initial shock and disgust, Bucky complied. Kairi's life was on the line after all. The tasks Hydra told him to do were rather simple. It involved killing some people without getting seen or caught. And after 10 hits they would release the woman that he loved and he was free to go. Bucky scoffed at that, he knew better than to believe it. So he had to save her on his own. Luckily the Hydra agents weren't what they used to be. The super soldier easily extracted the information he needed to pinpoint Kairis location. “Just a little while longer, doll.” he thought to himself while he disarmed a patrolling agent. Getting in was easy and if he had had more time to think about it and wouldn't have been so pre-occupied with fear and sorrow, he would have seen it coming. But all he could think of was Kairi. And when he finally found her deep in the facility he couldn't suppress a relieved sob. He cradled her bruised form carefully in his arms. The violet haired woman whimpered and slowly opened her eyes. “Bucky?” She muttered breathlessly. “I got you, doll. You're safe now!” Relieve flooded him and he placed feather-light kisses on her hair, forehead, nose and everywhere he could reach without hurting her further. “Let's get out of here.” He picked her up bridal style and just when he was about to reach the door a gunshot graced his metal shoulder. Bucky moved within a second. His metal arm released her legs gently and he took the extra second to make sure she was able to stand on her feet. With his right hand he steadied her while he used his left hand to deflect the bullets as best as he could. Adrenaline cursed though his body, he was so occupied to shield the woman in his arm, that he missed the prick of the needle in his exposed neck. His body suddenly felt stiff and the fire stopped. In total shock his eyes searched for the familiar emerald ones. But this time they weren't full of love or even fear due to this whole situation – no this time they were like the gem stones, hard and unyielding. The drug was working, sending his body into overdrive. He felt his legs gave in and his head throbbed painfully. He only half registered that Kairi freed herself from his arm and made her way through the other end of the room. Still pretty beaten up but not as weak on her feet than a minute before, she stood dutifully next to the door. “Well, well, well. You exceeded our time frame, Mr. Barnes.” An all too familiar velvety voice announced cheerfully. A dark, tall man wearing an expensive suit walked in. “It pains me too see that we had to use Agent V's talents to finally get to you.” He gave Kairi a small nod which she returned.

Can't be too careful with your company

But all Bucky could see was his woman stand next to those Hydra agents. He couldn't believe it. He refused to do so! A pain much grater than all the countless battle wounds he suffered settled in. He was such a fool for trusting her. Just when he thought that he deserved this happiness, destiny came and proved him wrong. She tricked him! But what was even worse, he let her. Bucky was furious! Her betrayal weighed heavy on his chest. Breathing became almost unbearable with every breath and every heartbeat the realization sunk deeper into his brain. “I think now he is more open to comply again, sir.” Kairi observed, her eyes taking in her lovers haunched state. “Very well then!” The man in charge clapped his hands. “Get Mr. Barnes set up for the procedure, Agent V.”

The drug and his broken heart made his attempts at resisting futile. Two strong arms dragged him to the wall and chained his hands behind his back. He swore when Shuri finally rid him from the programming that he would not be made into a mindless killing machine ever again. But although his vow he was slipping in and out of consciousness. Kairi was saying something to the other agent but he couldn't make out the words. His head felt clouded and dizzy. He was about to pass out completely.

The first thing he felt, when he finally regained consciousness was a warm and wet cloth pressed gently to his temple and forehead. His eyes fluttered and violet hair came into his view. “Kairi...” Bucky breathed out. “Shh, don't speak.” She hushed him and continued to wipe his forehead. “How could you...”  He slurred still affected from the drug she gave him. Kairi paid him no mind, her attention was set on something else. Two other agents joined them and Kairi's whole body stiffened slightly. “I don't need help... or a babysitter.” Kairi quipped while helping Bucky to stand up. “Suit yourself, V.” One of the agents scoffed but left the room nonetheless. The female agent made quick work of his chuckles. Once free, he slumped against her firm body, resting nearly all his body weight on her. “We need to hurry, Buck.” The former Winter Soldier wasn't sure what was going on, he still had a hard time believe that she was a Hydra agent. The drug was loosing its effect on him slowly. Rather slow the made it out of the room and into the long and sterile looking floor.  Bucky attempted to stand on his own, still wobbly on his feet and dizzy from the heavy drugs the violet haired woman gave him. Kairi was looking over her shoulder the entire time they walked through this underground maze. A piercing sound tore through the air and distant shouting could be heard. Bucky raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly to his guard. “Seems like we've been caught.” Kairi mocked and increased her speed. Bucky's mind was reeling, why would they've been caught? Wasn't she just transferring him to another cell or something?

“What is going on, Kairi?” The use of her actual name rather the endearment hurt her more than she would like to admit. “What does it look like? I'm busting you out!” Bucky couldn't trust his ears. But she was Hydra? So why on earth would she help him? A small fracking of his heart chimed in hopefully. “Because she does love you!” He tried to nip this feeling in the bud. There was literally no time for emotions now. Later, not now. He hoped that there would be a later when they accounted a couple of agents at the end of the corridor.

“What is this all about, Agent V?” One of them wanted to know. “I am done with you guys!” Kairi exclaimed with a smug smile on her face and balled her hands to fists. “When I say now, shield your eyes with your metal arm, Bucky.” She whispered to the man beside her. “You rat!” And with that shout the Hydra agents launched forward. “NOW!”

A blinding white light erupted from her palms. The agents screamed in agony and tried to cover their eyes but it was too late. One after another slumped to the ground with a final thud. After the intensity decreased Bucky had to blink a few times to see something. “We need to hurry now!” Kairi noted while making her way past the bodies. Bucky followed her suit. He noticed in passing that the eyes of the agents were burned out and only black sockets looked back at the ceiling.

“What the hell are you?!” Bucky wanted to know when he caught up to her. “I am gifted and a long time ago Daisy Johnson recruited me to work for SHIELD.” They crossed another empty hallway, their heavy footsteps echoing in the silence. “Look, I know you have questions, but right now, we need to get out of here! I will explain everything to you. I promise!” Bucky had a hard time believing her again. But what she said made sense. A while ago, he ran into Daisy himself and he talked to her about her project. But she was right, getting out of here was the priority. The dark haired man couldn't help himself but to glance at her running beside him. He was impressed and terrified at the same time of her powers.

I can feel the devil walking next to me

Escaping the secret Hydra facility wasn't easy but not unmanageable. In no time Bucky found himself inside a helicopter, Kairi piloting and contacting Daisy at the same time. And for the first time after this debacle had started he allowed himself to feel hope. He looked to the side, at this incredible woman who owned his heart. She noticed his gaze and looked at him. The sun was just announcing a new day and the warm light shone upon them, Kairi reached for his hand but stopped midway, doubt and fear holding her back. She was pleasantly surprised when she felt a cool and firm grip on her still hoovering hand. She looked up from their interlaced fingers and met his open gaze. Maybe there was hope after all. Kairi smiled and squeezed Bucky's hand reassuringly. There was a lot to talk about but for now they both were sure, that there was still hope.

Hope that this fateful night in Bangkok did led to a brighter future.