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midnightswithdearkatytspb · 3 years

Note

Mob bucky/seb or mob chris/andy recs??

Updated 07/04/21 ✨ = Just Added

To be added please tag me in your future works!

Hey Anon! I’m so glad you asked this because Mob/Mafia! Any version of those boys is my favorite. In my previous fic recs I recommended...

If love was an option by @mianorth » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Part 1 🦋 Part 2 🦋 Part 3

Good Little Wife & Good Little Girl by @donutloverxo » Mob!Andy Barber x Reader – A little dark and it has some really good smut in it.

Blackmail by @stargazingfangirl18 » Soft!DarkMafia Andy Barber x Female Reader — You were just doing it to protect your family, at least that’s what you kept telling yourself, especially once you started to like it. (One-Shot)

Blow Sweet and Thick by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky x Reader — Bucky is having a bad day, you can help him feel good. (Part of Mafia Monday’s)

Run To You by @bestofbucky » Mob!Boss Bucky x Reader — Mob boss Bucky Barnes hires you to be his bodyguard. (Series)

Can’t Run, Can’t Hide by @angrythingstarlight » Dark!MafiaBucky Barnes x Reader — When you get noticed by the infamous mob boss, you flee. But Bucky doesn’t like to be denied anything and he’s coming for you. (One-shot)

Six Feet | Ch.1 ⚰️ Ch.2 by @queenoftheworldisdead » Dark Mob!Steve x Reader + Dark Mob!Bucky x Reader — Your family’s small funeral home comes into financial trouble. In desperation your father finds the most unlikely solution to solve his financial problems. | (Short Series)

Bankrupt by @mypoisonedvine » dark!40’s!Mob!Stucky x Reader — Your husband’s gambling addiction quickly got him in hot water with the mob, and you by extension. When some debt collectors come by to settle what is owed, you realize that you have a lot more to worry about than money problems.

Partition by @angrythingstarlight » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Bucky comforts you after a bad day, and your boss learns why no one messes with his girl. —> Part 2: Let Me Show You — You wanted to know what your mobster boyfriend did, lucky for you he’s more into the show then tell.

Say the word and it’s yours by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mobster boyfriend rescues you from a long, boring day at work. Bucky always said, “ask and its yours”

Lost Without You by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Bucky Barnes would be lost with you. You’re his everything and he plans on spending Valentine’s Day proving it to you.

All Dressed In White by @angrythingstarlight » Dark!Mafia Bucky Barnes x Reader — You were going to marry someone else, Bucky won’t let that happen. You belong to him now and forever. Till Death Do You Part.

Thick As Thieves by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader x Mafia!Steve Rogers — The only thing the Mafia hates as much as snitches are thieves. And you’re planning on stealing from Bucky and Steve, what happens if you get caught?

Won’t Let You Go by @kind-of-crazy-butthatsokay » Mob!Bucky Barnes x OFC!Kori — Kori met Bucky in one of his clubs, out to get shit-faced with a couple of friends to forget about her worries and maybe take home a guy to further rid herself of her numerous frustrations. Little did she know that the one-night stand with Bucky would turn into so much more than that.

Tell Me What You Want by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve Rogers x Reader; Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mob boyfriend, is none other than Steve Rogers and he is willing to get you whatever you wanted, all you have to do is ask. And be careful what you ask for because he’s going to give it to you over and over again.

To Have & To Hold by @slyyywriting » Bucky Barnes x Mob Boss!Reader — Bucky is trying his best to provide and care for his daughter who just entered first grade. Everything was alright until she asks why everyone else seems to have a mom except for her. You’re just a plain mob boss who wants to turn a new leaf. Challenges arise when the world refuses to let you take a softer, non-violent route. A little girl helps you navigate a compromise.(series)

✨ Mob!Sugar Daddy!Stucky Moodboard by @brattycherubwrites » Mob!Stucky x Reader

✨ Laced Around Your Throat by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve x Reader, Mafia!Bucky x Reader — Your Mob boyfriend knows that the only thing that looks even better than his hand around your throat is his custom made necklace. You’re his girl and the world needs to know it.

✨ Hidden Gems by @jtargaryen18 » Mob!Steve Rogers x Mob!Daughter Reader — Your father is the head of one of the most powerful crime families in Boston but he’s protected you from that life. In your quiet home outside the city, you’ve been cared for and protected. When the desires of a more powerful man with the will to dominate bursts into your life, all your illusions are shattered as he comes to claim what is his.

Necessary Arrangements by @stargazingfangirl18 » Andy Barber x Fem!Reader, Ari Levinson x (Different) Fem! Reader ft. Ransom Drysdale » One of my favorite series, chapters are decent sized and the smut is so good!

Hugs My Love by @thatfuckingweirdo » Mobster!Bucky Barnes x Reader — You just really need a hug, and Bucky is the only one you want it from.

my old man is a tough man, but he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam by @cloudystevie » Mob Boss!Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader — steve gives you what you want… kind of.

Brooklyn Wars by @world-of-aus » Stucky x Reader

Petals and Bullets by @revengingbarnes » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader (One of my all time favorites series)

I would check out @sinner-as-saint’s Masterlist they have quite a few Mob!Bucky series and one-shots that I have loved in the past.

Special by @buckycuddlebuddy » Bucky Barnes x Reader — this one-shot is really hot.

Love, Honor, and Obey by @constantwriter85 » Bucky Barnes — This one is good and I need to catch up on.

Mafioso by @captain-barnes-writes » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Please do yourself a favor and read.

Lipstick and Crayons by @oneoftheprettynerds » Dark!Steve Rogers x Reader - In Progress

A really good DarkMob!Steve Drabble called Please Hurt Me by @gotnofucks *chefs kiss*

The Mobster’s Little Girl by @smutsonian » Steve Rogers x Reader

off to the races 🐻 off to the races 2 by @harryspet » Soft!Dark Steve Rogers x Reader

The Ignorant Beauty & the Beast by @mysterioh » Steve Rogers x Reader – With 21 parts sadly it hasn’t been updated in 8 months, it’s one of my favorite Mob!Steve Roger fics out there. *Thanks to @inactivewhore I found out this story was moved to AO3 and is now called where angels fear to tread it was last updated on 13/11/20*

What It Takes by @cherienymphe » Bucky Barnes x Reader — You left Bucky once you found out who he really is. The one thing you thought would guarantee your safety ends up sealing your fate.

Welcome Home by @punani » Chris Evans x Black!Reader — He’s been away for awhile, but he knows that his girl’s loyalty to him knows no bounds. Knows she’s been waiting for him after her adamancy in telling him there was no other option. It’s only right to make the reunion a memorable one. | So, so, so, so freaking good!

These are what I found on Tumblr that I plan on reading.

Handmaid by @extremelyblackandwhite » Sebastian Stan x ingenue!Reader — y/n works as a handmaid for the daughter of an influential mob leader who is promised to the new boss of the most powerful mob family in new york, sebastian.

AO3 Website Reccomendations

Satellite Heart » Stucky x Reader — You used to be Steve and Bucky's girl. Then they fucking left without saying goodbye. Little did they know, you were pregnant. But life went on. You raised your Talia to the best of your ability. But one day, everything goes to shit. Now your boys are back in your life. And they're not planning on leaving anytime soon.

Little Fox A/B/O Series » Soft!Dark Bucky Barnes x Soft!Dark Natasha Romanoff x OFC! & Peter Parker x Soft!Dark Tony Stark — So I can’t stress this enough you need to read the tags for this series and I kept getting confused as I read this story as to how old Violet Mason is. But this series takes you on a roller coaster, I like it, my cousin didn’t finish it, I need to catch up.

Pelmeni *finished* » Stucky x Reader — James Bucky Barnes has a good life, as a member of a powerful organized crime syndicate. His best friend Steve is a member too and his literal partner in crime. Bucky's got a problem though. You. His longtime love and secret girlfriend. Unfortunately, your father is his boss and has plans for you that involve normal life. Steve has a problem too. Steve wants in on your relationship and more than the semi-regular/occasional steamy threesomes. You don't have a problem, you're just busy with a big mob wedding coming up, which means a big celebration, that you're busy catering for.

Dying For This Love » Dark!Bucky x Reader — That was before. When you were Bucky’s girl. Now, you have a score to settle. That’s why you’re wearing Bucky’s favorite red satin dress, the one with the cuts that reach right up to the tops of your thighs, the tennis necklace he gifted you for your anniversary, and are fresh off of a mani/pedi and hair appointment. He’s going to regret the day he fucked with you. | This one is intense and a tad bit dark, but the smut is good.

off to the races » Steve Rogers x Reader — In which you call the kingpin your Daddy.

The Mobster’s Little Girl » Steve Rogers x Reader — what happens when the big bad mobster gets blackmailed by your father to marry you? (kind of fluffy kind of not. kinda dark kinda not.)

Brooklyn Sweethearts » Dark!Stucky x Reader — Bucky and Steve had always been meant to keep her safe and happy. As far as anyone else was concerned, that was their sole reason for being alive. Unfortunately, the things that kept her safe were not always the things that kept her happy. Lately, she was making it pretty damn hard for them to compromise. | Probably one of my all time favorite Mafia!Stucky stories I have ever read, just sadly it also hasn’t been updated in like 8 months and I keep hoping it will get updated.

Hot Doll » Skinny!MobBoss Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve Rogers is on the rise in the New York underground as you’re trying to keep your own place there. | Dark and good!

Doctor Doctor » Steve Rogers x PlusSize! Reader — (1940 Mobster AU!) You're a war widow down on her luck; and the King of Brooklyn, Steve Rogers, takes notice. | Another one of my favorites. A little bit dark as well.

The Widow » Dark!MobBoss x Reader — It’s the 1920s and everyone’s having a roaring time but you. | Trust me it’s just dark enough.

Those are just some on AO3, I would just go through Mafia AU tag and go to filter and click Avengers or Captain America.

#you ask i answer #ktk rec ‘21 #ktk rec #ktk fic rec #mob!bucky #mafia!bucky #mob!andy barber #andy barber #andy barber x reader #bucky barnes x reader #mob!steve #dark!steve x reader #stucky x reader #fanfiction recommendation #fanfic rec #mob!sebastian stan #mob!sebastian stan x reader #mob!chris evans

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shyneanon · 3 years

Text

And the fic I started about a week ago with a MF one-shot continues! It’s now called The Boss’s Daughter and it’s up on AO3.

I’ll continue to post it here but you can go to AO3 to subscribe or kudos or comment or whatever you’d like. It also just might be easier for people to read the whole thing there, since these chapters are long and the whole work will be in one place. Anyway, enjoy!

---

Your father was an unforgiving man.

As kind as he was to you and your mother, when he went to work, he became a different person. He did not tolerate failure, he did not tolerate deceit, and he did not tolerate disrespect. It was no wonder that he had become one of the richest and most powerful mob bosses in the city. People feared him.

And thus, they feared you.

He called you Princess for a reason. You were very much his princess. And there was no mobster in the city who didn’t know the consequences of making a wrong move around you. If he saw a man as a threat against his daughter-- whether physically, emotionally, or otherwise-- that man was as good as dead. And your father’s definition of a threat was a bit loose. He was a very jealous man. Every gangster knew that.

Well, Sans hadn’t, until Papyrus had gone on a tirade about it at him.

Truth be told, it hadn’t really scared Sans much at all. It was difficult to scare him-- though whether that was because he was tough or stupid, he wasn’t sure. Though it did make him view your encounter through a new lens. When he’d spoken with you, he’d had no idea you were such… forbidden fruit.

Unfortunately for Papyrus, whose… suggestion… was reasonable, telling Sans that you were a literal danger to him had only made you more desirable to him. It was that thrill that causes even the best of people to date partners who are bad for them: The feeling of playing with fire, of doing something despite knowing it was bad for you. You were so pretty, and you had been so much fun, but if he’d known all of this before, the spark of electricity he’d felt at being close to you would’ve felt like a thousand-volt shock. To think that he had held someone virtually unattainable-- had gone so far as to kiss your neck and the corner of your lips-- and come out of it alive?

Hell, now he just wanted to do it again.

Since he had nothing better to do with his time (well, he did, he just liked not doing what he was supposed to be doing), he’d eventually asked some of his men how much anyone even knew about you, if you were so heavily protected. Surprisingly, quite a bit, because your father liked to talk about you a lot. According to him, you were very intelligent. That didn’t surprise Sans at all, it had been pretty obvious. Well, sort of. It had been this look behind your eyes. Like you were always observing things, assessing them. No doubt you were unused to being hit on and yet you had remained cool and collected.

Heh. Maybe you’d make for a good mob boss yourself.

Your father even claimed that you helped with the business sometimes. The record-keeping and number-crunching, anyway. He didn’t like telling you exactly what your beloved daddy was doing during business hours.

It was funny how many small details had stuck with Sans’ men (and probably many others). You were just such an enigma that any information your father threw out was like a piece of a very large puzzle. You liked dancing, although you’d never actually been out dancing before. Papa was too worried about boys hitting on you. You did go out sometimes, with some friend of yours, but only during the day, and only to high-end spaces where the chances of a guy trying to put moves on you were low. An odd detail: You liked little chocolates, particularly the ones with cherry filling. Sans could vividly picture you gently biting into one, the filling as red as those soft lips. Dangerous lips that spelled death for anyone who dared to come near them.

You were just so off-limits that all you did was rile Sans up when he thought about you.

His mind raced with What ifs. What if he had just taken the opportunity to kiss you right there? What if you had agreed to his offer to show you how he could get around without being seen? What if he had been able to bring you somewhere private… and take away that innocence your father had worked so painstakingly hard to preserve?

Heheh. You would’ve been calling out “Daddy,” but you wouldn’t have meant--

“I heard that guy Acerbi is after her.”

“Acerbi? Don Acerbi?”

“No, you idiot, his son.”

Sans was snapped out of his incredibly racy daydream. “Huh? Who?”

Vinnie answered his question. “Adolfo Acerbi, Boss. The Acerbi family’s territory is right around--”

“I don’t care about that, whaddaya mean he’s after her?”

Don answered that. “Y’know, he wants to marry her. She’s an only child, so if he married ‘er, once her dad croaked he’d end up being the heir to their whole business.”

“Fuck, you serious?”

“Yeah. And for now it’d unite the families ‘n such. All that mafia stuff.”

Sans felt a surge of jealousy, even though he knew it was unwarranted. You didn’t belong to him-- well, you didn’t belong to anyone, you were your own person, even if your father wanted you to be his. Still, Sans wasn’t your boyfriend, he had no real right to feel jealous over you. Especially not the level of jealousy he was feeling right now.

But the objective truth couldn’t change the way he felt.

“Hey, Boss,” said Vinnie. “Didn’tcha say you were gonna talk with someone today?”

He was startled out of his thoughts again and checked his watch. “Oh, shit.” He got up. At least he wouldn’t be late. “Thanks, Vinnie.”

“Oh, uh, no problem, Boss.”

“Was he nice?” asked Mindy.

“Of course,” you told her. “He was in front of my dad.”

The two of you were sitting in a small but very expensive cafe and deli, immaculately clean and filled with people in nice dress. It was always nice to be with her, for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, she was your friend. You simply enjoyed her company.

Secondly, the cat monster was your window to the outside world.

While she was wealthy-- most monsters were after having left the Underground-- Mindy didn’t know where your father actually got his money. She was a civilian. Unlike you, she’d gone to college, and she’d been on dates with lots of boys. Ironically, despite being a monster, she knew a certain kind of freedom you’d never known. Mindy actually got around quite a bit, though you didn’t mind that. It was part of what made her interesting. She was wild, so she had a lot of fun stories.

At the moment, though, you were the one telling her a story, about the “nice young man” you’d met at the party. Adolfo Acerbi. Italian, obviously. Your parents had taken quite a liking to him, and you could understand why: He seemed well-educated, he was polite, and he had only said the sweetest of things to you.

You hated him already.

It was all fake. You could tell. He did a good job of hiding it from your parents but it was fairly obvious to you what was going on. You had no brothers. If he could just weasel his way into your father’s favor and wed you, then he could sit atop an empire made of two families’ blood, greed and arrogance. And you would be stuck right there with him. It was a no from you, but unlike Mindy, you didn’t really have any say in the matter. Mafia princesses were called princesses for a reason.

But you couldn’t tell Mindy all of that. She didn’t know where your family got their money. So all you said was, “He just wants my dad’s money.”

“Aw, honey, maybe you’re just being paranoid.” Mindy smiled at you. “Love exists, you know.”

You snorted. “I know that. It’s just… he’s sweet, but… too sweet? Too romantic.”

“Mmm, like he rehearsed it or something?”

“Yeah.”

“Ugh, those boys are the worst.” She shrugged. “Oh well. You don’t have to date him if you don’t want to.”

If only.

You considered telling her about the encounter with Sans and Papyrus-- she’d be bound to find it entertaining-- but you had the feeling that if you did she would just keep teasing you about Sans. Besides, she didn’t need to know anything about mobsters who didn’t really have anything to do with you. Your father didn’t do business with the skeleton brothers, as far as you knew, and chances were you would never speak with them again. Sans wasn’t worth mentioning.

But fate is a cruel mistress, and no sooner had you dismissed any thoughts of Sans than a large shape emerged in your periphery. Near the doorway. The shape was unmistakable.

Sans had been fun. Too fun. As much as you wanted someone in the underbelly of society to make you smile, you didn’t need it. If you had fun, you would forget just how bad your world was, and you would quit wanting to leave. You didn’t need to speak to him any more.

“What are you doing?” asked Mindy.

You realized you had ducked down and held up your menu in hopes of hiding your face. You wanted to relax, but you really didn’t need to talk to him anymore. “Nothing,” you said, though you knew she wouldn’t believe you.

“Oh my God, is it him?” She started to look around unabashedly.

“N-- no, it’s not Acerbi.”

“Not Acerbi-- Wait, is there somebody else? Is that why you don’t like Acerbi?” Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Oooooh, there’s a boy you haven’t told me about.”

“No, it’s not like that!” you said. But you couldn’t explain, it had everything to do with your world, and she couldn’t know about your world.

“Oh my, are you blushing?”

“What? No.” Your face didn’t even feel warm.

“Don’t lie to me, I can see it. Your face is so red.”

Well, now your face was warm. Mindy beamed. Thanks a lot, Mindy.

“Hey there, dollface. Fancy seein’ you here.”

… Fuck.

You lowered the menu. You didn’t have to look for him; Sans’ shape on your left blocked out everything else nearby. You tried to ignore the burning on your face and smiled politely. “Hello, Mr. Sans.”

“Hey, sweetheart, I toldja last night, ya can call me Sans.”

You saw Mindy’s eyes widen. Last night, no she’s getting the wrong impression, no no Mindy it’s not like that I didn’t have sex with him I didn’t I don’t even know how we would do that I just met him at a party--

You forced your mind to stop racing. “Right. Sans. Is there anything you need?”

“Just to talk to you, doll.” He winked. His smile was so genuine, so goofy despite the sharp teeth. You felt the corners of your mouth turning up and bit the insides of your cheeks to keep yourself from smiling any more. You’re just making this worse, jackass….

His voice lowered:

“What’s with the red face? Happy to see me?”

You tried to ignore your face getting hotter. “M… My friend here was embarrassing me about something.” Good, a distraction. You gestured to Mindy. “Um, Sans, this is my good friend Mindy. Mindy, this is Sans, my… um…”

Sans raised a brow. “Aww. Tellin’ me we ain’t friends?”

Oh my God, did he learn anything from last night?

“... friend,” you finished. “My friend, Sans.”

Mindy wasn’t buying it even though it was the truth. “Oh, of course. Your friend.” She wiggled her eyebrows. Still, she gave Sans a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, sweetheart.” His grin widened. “You look like the cat’s pajamas.” A wink. “Absolutely purrfect.”

Before you could stop yourself, you snorted, which only made Sans look more enthusiastic. You tried to hide your face again.

Mindy raised her eyebrows at him. “Oh my, aren’t you a charmer?”

He tipped the brim of his hat. “Sure, to the women I want.” His eyelights looked over at you and he winked.

You glared at him, openly this time. You are such a moron. You could literally die. For doing this. You couldn’t defend him forever.

His smile became slightly nervous. Finally, he was getting the message. Why did he have to be so thick? And funny?

“So,” said Mindy, “why are you here? You’re not stalking my friend, are you? Stalking isn’t romantic, you know.”

He chuckled. “Nah. I can’t actually talk fer too long, I’m here tah meet a, uh… business associate.”

Mindy smiled incredulously. “Business associate? What are you, part of the mob?”

You forced yourself to snicker at that, as if the idea was ridiculous. Sans blinked, looking mildly surprised-- he’d probably expected Mindy to know. Thankfully, he recovered quickly. “I wish. It’d be more exciting.” He turned back to you. “I also wanted to give you an offer.”

He nodded in the direction of the doorway and you squinted at him. You weren’t going to leave with him. Was he that stupid?

“I jus’ wanna talk over there.”

You raised an eyebrow, and felt your thumb fiddling with your menu. You didn’t need to speak with him… but you were curious. So you got up and followed him, still inside, by the door.

He dug around in his pocket. “Last night was nice.”

“Which part?” you asked coldly.

“All of it, babe, yer fun to talk to.” He pulled out his wallet and started going through it. “I was thinkin’ I’d like to talk to ya again, if ya ever want.”

He found what he was looking for and held up what was clearly a fake business card for whatever civilian job he claimed to have. He held it out to you.

“If ya ever need anythin’... like, y’know, company… jus’ give me or Paps a call, huh?” He shrugged. “Well, maybe not Paps. But me.” He flashed those shark-like teeth at you.

You just stared. What on Earth was his problem? He could easily go flirt with someone whose father wouldn’t have him shot for it.

“C’mon, babe, you were fun. I don’t meet a lotta fun people.” He held it out further. “Please?”

His pleading smile was seemed so genuine.

Whatever. You smiled politely, taking the card. “Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

Judging from the look on his face, he could tell you didn’t mean it. He seemed… disappointed.

You felt disappointed too. Good.

He tipped the brim of his hat again. “Anyway, I’ll let you two ladies keep talking. It was nice seein’ you again.”

“Nice seeing you,” you said.

When you made your way back to the table and sat down, Mindy folded her arms. “So. Mister Sans, huh?”

“It’s not like that,” you said.

“‘Sure, to the women I want,’” she said, doing her best impression of Sans’ deep, smooth voice. She then raised her eyebrows at you as if daring you to offer an explanation.

“We met at the same party where I met Adolfo,” you said. “He flirted with me, and I turned him down.” You left out the part where you let him hold you and… kiss you. The spot at the corner of your lip that he’d kissed suddenly felt tingly. It had probably been the most rebellious thing you’d ever done, despite how much you hated the lifestyle you’d been born into.

“You what?” Mindy said, almost slamming her hands down on the table in outrage. “Why?”

“Because I don’t like him. He’s probably the dumbest person I’ve ever met.”

“Ouch,” she said. “Harsh.” She sighed in mock disappointment. “What a shame. His name is so short. Easy to moan.”

You felt a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. “Why don’t you just go sleep with him if you find him so appealing?”

“Nuh-uh. I smell a budding romance.” She made a sweeping gesture with her hand. “An intelligent girl, wooed by an unlikely man. I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

“That will never happen in a million--”

“Ooh, ooh, before I forget to tell you! Next weekend this… club I know…” She gave you a wink. You knew what that meant-- a speakeasy. “... is having a swing night. You told me you’ve never gone dancing before. We should go!”

You felt your heart sink, the previous conversation instantly forgotten. You shook your head. “My parents wouldn’t let me.” Too many boys.

“Then sneak out. Easy fix.”

“N… No.”

She sighed in exasperation. “Just ask, OK? Please?”

You nodded. “... OK.”

“Thank you.” She looked at the card in your hand. “What’s that?”

“Oh, just some stupid card he gave me with his number.” You turned it over in your hand.

“Mmmm, his number. You gonna keep it?”

“I already said I don’t like him, why would I keep his number?”

You grabbed your purse. Trying not to make eye contact with Mindy, you tilted the bag towards you so that she wouldn’t see the small pistol inside, and tucked the card into a pocket inside the purse. You tried to seem nonchalant about it, but when you looked at Mindy again she was wearing a massive, smug grin on her face.

“I’m going to throw it away when I get home,” you told her.

“Riiiight.” She took a sip of her water. “Of course.”

“I am,” you insisted. You just didn’t want to toss it anywhere. But you told yourself you were going to throw it away.

You didn’t.

#fanfiction #self-insert #reader-insert #sans x reader #sans/reader #mafiafell #mf sans #mafiafell sans #fanfic

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smol-and-grumpy · 4 years

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Something Just Like This - CH05

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: Dean Winchester, mobster boss. He’s a little cocky, a lot ruthless and more often than not, short tempered. But he’s also, Dean Winchester, a war veteran and hero who suffers under a shit ton of PTS. He met her in a bar and thinks it’s fate that brought her to him. Little does he know why she’s really here.

Warnings: Angst, doubt, sadness a little. But also fucking fluff.

WC: 3575

SERIES MASTERLIST

“Winchester! You got a cigarette?” Milligan’s voice was clear in his ear. “Please, I need one.”

“No, man.” Dean shook his head. “But hold on, Milligan. You’re going to be alright. We will get you out of here.”

Dean blinks.

He’s back.

He’s still driving. A single tear streaks down his face and he jerks himself more awake from his daydream. His hand comes up to brush the tear away from his cheek.

Dean thinks about calling Charlie as he drives towards the bunker. He needs to make a pitstop and clean himself from the dirt of having killed a man, and needs to shower off the guilt. It usually doesn’t work. It never did. But at least there will be no blood of a dead man on any part of him or on his clothes left.

When he kills people, he doesn’t think about them as humans. He can’t let himself go there. Dean can’t say that he enjoys it either though, can’t say that he’s not dying a little on the inside every time he takes out someone. Even if they are the lowest sort of scumbags.

He never could take it lightly.

Not when he was at war, where killing enemies was demanded from him.

Not now, when he does it to protect his business, his family, his pride.

He’ll never get used to it and honestly, he’d rather not do the dirty work but also he doesn’t want anyone to have to bear the burden. At least not someone he’s close to, like Cas or Sam. Cas did kill people for him, but mostly it was also for Cas himself. But Sam? Nah, Dean would rather die than let Sammy do that kind of dirty work.

Sometimes, when he’s plagued by subsequent nightmares and has a hard time to even take his mind off them in the times he’s awake, Dean often finds himself asking if this was all worth it. If the life he chose to live was worth the effort, worth the sleepless nights, worth the sacrifices, the blood, the sweat and the tears.

But the answer was always yes . Because Sam’s in it. Because Sam’s gonna open up a law firm. Because Sam’s going to get out of this life. Because Sammy deserves everything good, even if it meant that Dean has to give everything he has in order for Sam to be happy. And Dean is ready to do that for Sammy, always had, always will.

And who knows? Maybe, if Dean’s lucky, his whole plan will work out after all.

He didn’t tell Sam yet — in fact, he didn’t tell anyone about his plan. Dean sometimes wishes for nothing more than to go legal. Maybe go into shipping and trading. Not narcotic substances, not illegal arms. Legal things, like a normal person, a normal business owner of a fucking family business. Do something he doesn’t have to break the law for. It’s just a dream, though. He knows that there’s no escape from reality. Not for someone in his position. Because who would he be then? They’d think that he’s weak. A wimp. A goddamn failure. Nobody walks out of here, especially not after what his father went through to keep the organization going and growing.

Before Dean went to Afghanistan, he actually quite enjoyed the life he had. Fast cars, frisky women, being respected. He had everything. He was cocky and narcissistic back then, thought that he could have it all and so much more. He signed up to be deployed because he thought that he has got something to prove. Proving to himself that nothing could bring him down. Proving to all the others, that he can come back unscattered and reign over them. He thought that once he’s back, people would respect him more because back then, they thought that he would never be able to take over.

Life changed drastically after a couple of days at COP Keating. He was being the one to get shot at and not the other way around. He was the one to take orders and not the other way around. He didn’t get along with his mates, didn’t want to join in and distanced himself. He never really had any friends because they all thought that he was stuck up. They weren’t really wrong, he guesses.

Dean never thought he’d get to come back with all his limbs still attached to him — let alone coming back alive.

War changed him. Changed his view of life and he often asked himself what he did it for, sometimes wished that he was the one dead and not his friends. But when he got out of the plane as they arrived back, he saw Sam waiting with a bright smile on his face and waving at him, Dean knew that he did it all for Sam. And yes, it was all worth it. Sam wailed like a baby when the President placed the medal around his neck, which Dean still thinks that he didn’t deserve at all. He just did his duty, really.

So yeah, this life sucks you in and will spit you out when you’re dead. Sometimes the dead part happens sooner rather than later. You never know.

Dean knows that he probably — most definitely — can’t win in this life. Maybe in the next.

He dials Charlie’s number and waits.

Charlie picks up at the second ring.

“Hey, my favorite Winchester,” She says and Dean smiles at the sound of Charlie’s voice. She’s always so cheerful.

“I bet you say that to Sammy, too.” Dean chuckles lightly.

“Me? Naaaah,” Charlie laughs now, loud and bright.

“I don’t believe you,”

“Yeah, yeah. You saw it?” She’s changing the subject quickly, knowing that Dean called her up to ask about the things he asked her to pick up for him.

“I haven’t been to the bunker yet. Just wanna ask if you did get it.”

“Got everything. How did you get the shoe size?”

“Ash,” Dean breathes out.

“Oh my god, I don’t even wanna know,” Charlie groans.

“Nope, I don’t wanna know either.” Dean feels second hand embarrassment when he thinks of it. Knowing Ash, he probably didn’t ask for it smoothly.

“Anyway, it’s in the bunker. Let me know if it fits.”

“I will. Thanks, Charlie.”

“You’re welcome, big guy.”

Dean hangs up and pushes his phone back into his pants pocket. He flips his wrist to be able to look at his watch. It’s not yet 10PM. If he hurries, he could make it there before her shift ends.

Y/N taps a beer when strong hands grab at her arm and pull her away swiftly, but the pressure on her arm is still gentle, which is weird and she didn’t spill a single drop.

She turns to look who it is, thinks about throwing the beer in the face of whoever thought that pulling her away from her work would be such a good idea when she can club them over the head with a full pint.

Her eyes meet a chest. She looks up from the neat dress shirt, trails her eyes past the scruff, almost freezes at the plump lips that’s widened by a smirk, but she wills herself to go on because she has a great idea who it is. Her eyes meet his green ones and the crinkles around them are deep and — not going to lie — mesmerizing.

“Hi,” It rumbles from his chest and she could literally feel the bass of his voice vibrating in her bones. It was loud in the bar but she could hear him clearly.

“Hi,” Y/N says, shy all of a sudden. Thinks that she’s blushing, but how could she not.

He leans down, the tip of his nose brushes against her temple and it makes the hair on the back of her neck stand up while goosebumps spread on her arm. “Think you can take a break?”

She looks at the line of people surrounding the bar, shakes her head no, “I don’t think so,”

Dean chuckles before he produces a bag which he probably had hidden behind his back. Y/N doesn’t know, but she can’t explain how a bag materializes in front of him. “Don’t worry, me and Ash will take over. You go back and see if this is alright.”

“What?”

“You remember the opening party?” He raises an eyebrow, and she sees the doubt in his eyes.

She pretends to think hard, the creases on her forehead deepening. She let the clock tick, thinks of stretching the moment out, just for good measure, before she answers. “Yeah?”

He relaxes, and she thinks it’s funny how she could wind him up.

“It’s in two days. Got you something.”

“You did what? I didn’t even ask Ellen yet if I could get the night off,” Y/N begins to say, because it’s true. She didn’t expect it to be so soon. He just asked her what? Two days ago? And said that they’re still figuring out the date?

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll talk to Ellen.” He’s still holding out the bag for her to take.

She looks at the people who are still waiting on being served. “But—”

“—Jesus, Y/N, just go, alright? I asked Ash. You can use his room.” He points his chin towards the back door and she sees Ash walking behind the bar too now, with a stupid grin on his face.

“Oh, okay.” Y/N nods, and places the pint onto the counter top before taking the bag from Dean’s hand. Their fingers brush for a brief moment and there’s a flutter in her chest.

Damn her chest. It has no business to be fluttering right now.

She searches for Dean’s eyes before she goes, as if she needs reassurance. He winks at her as he takes off his suit jacket, folding the sleeves of his dress shirt back. “Go! Trust us. You can take your time.”

Y/N can already see Ash taking orders before she nods again and slips through the door.

Y/N closes the door to Ash’s room. Locking it up, just in case. She takes a look around before she drops the bag on the floor and walks over to Ash’s laptop. She can’t make it too obvious, doesn’t want to try to type in a password, fearing Ash has some tracking device on his laptop and would notice someone logging in when he’s not around.

She opts to take out her phone instead, taking pictures of Ash’s room, especially his desk, and of the many scribbles of loose sheets of paper scattered around. That way she won’t be gone too long too, and she won’t raise any suspicions. It’s not her job to decipher or to dig too deep anyway, they have great people in the bureau. Her job is to deliver new intel while their job is to dig deeper from the bits and pieces she sends them.

After she’s done her other ‘work’, she takes the bag and peeks in. There are two more bags in the big one and she reaches for the first one. She takes it out and smiles when she sees what it is.

Y/N takes the item out and holds it up in front of her. It’s a red sleeveless couture cocktail dress, with mesh worked into it, a little see through but covered by red flower patterns. She holds it to her chest, and walks to the mirror, lets her hand skim over the fabric. She’s never seen a dress more beautiful and that’s not even a lie.

It’s red. Red. Y/N never wore red. Doesn’t think that red suits her at all. Red is for someone who likes to make a bold statement. Someone who likes to be noticed and seen and if anything, she’s the contrary. In fact, she doesn’t own a piece of clothing in red. She always opted for black, grey, white or navy, something not eye catching. She never felt comfortable being the center of attention.

She smiles to herself through the mirror because she never knew that red would suit her. Nonetheless, she can’t help but wonder how expensive the dress must be. She probably wouldn’t be able to afford it. What the fuck was Dean thinking? She can’t possibly take the dress. Can’t possibly wear it because it’s out of her fucking league.

There’s a note fluttering to the floor. It probably was laid out on the dress and she missed it as she took it out.

Y/N bends down to pick it up.

“I hope it fits. I thought red would look great on you. There are some shoes at the bottom of the bag. If you feel confident enough you could let me see? If not, it’s okay too. — Dean”

She bites on her bottom lip before they spread into a grin.

Y/N shimmies herself out of her jeans and takes off her shirt. The bra too, since it’s see through. She needs to find some nude strapless bra, makes a mental note to go shopping tomorrow before she meets with Linda.

She’s glad she shaved her legs today, that would have been really embarrassing. Not that she should care. Or should she?

She really doesn’t know but decides not to dwell on that super weird feeling in her guts. Instead, she laughs to herself as she pulls the dress over her head and looks into her mirror image.

Wow.

She rubs along the dress, flattens it on her body, still mesmerized and amazed at how great and beautiful it feels on her skin.

It fits her like a glove. How could he know her size?

She stands on her tiptoes, twists and turns, inspecting herself from every possible angle.

Shoes. The notes said something about shoes , she thinks and takes a couple of steps to reach into the bag. Y/N pulls out the other bag and opens up the box.

Red heels, the same color as her dress. Not just a similar color. The exact fucking same.

How?

She places one hand on the desk to keep her balance as she slips into the heels. Her legs feel wobbly in them, she rarely wears heels and these are super high.

Y/N takes a step closer to the mirror, turning herself in front of it. She bites on her bottom lip, suddenly very anxious of wearing it anywhere at all.

She takes a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.

In and out.

“Okay,” she sighs, “okay.”

It’s more a way to reassure herself because Dean asked if he could see it, and a part of her really wants to show him. It's just that the part that doesn’t want to show him really, really needs convincing.

She closes her eyes, her heart beating fast at the thought of walking out into the bar.

“Here goes nothing,” She murmurs and unlocks the door to Ash’s room.

Dean’s having a conversation going on with one of the patrons and pours himself another whiskey, laughing when the dude told him something funny. He didn’t even notice that the bar went silent, only notices it when all he could hear is some murmuring and his own laughter next to the usual songs playing in the background from the jukebox, and there’s someone whistling.

He looks around, wondering what’s going on and then he sees it.

He sees her.

Standing by the door, the red dress clings to her frame and Dean’s speechless for a moment.

The prettiest fucking thing he ever did see. There’s no other way to describe her.

Not that he didn’t think that she wasn’t cute before but Jesus, she’s beautiful and it’s a pity she doesn’t even know how lovely she is.

She looks around, all flustered and shy like a deer caught in the headlight and Dean almost feels guilty for wanting to have a taste of it. Almost feels guilty for wanting to corrupt her, wanting to feel her legs wrap around him, wants to fucking mark her as his, wonders sometimes, if she blushes as sweetly when he eats her out and makes her come on his cock alone.

Someone was yelling from the back, “Hey, baby, you wanna take a ride—”

“—Shut up!” Dean’s deep voice cuts the dude off and he throws in a malicious look, for good measure.

The one guy at the bar is still whistling and then he licks his lips, “Baby, are you a drill sergeant? Because you have my privates standing at attention.”

The bar erupts with laughter and she looks down to her shoes.

Dean didn’t hesitate to drive his fist into the man’s face. He hears a crack, grins because the dude deserved it.

“Anyone else?” Dean asks and looks around the room before he turns his attention to her.

He walks over, sees her blushing a little, “Come on, let’s go to the back.”

The guy who’s standing next to her opens his mouth to say something. Dean thinks the guy probably has a death wish or way too much to drink because he doesn’t know when to stop, “Those clothes would look great in a crumpled heap on my bedroom floor, baby.”

Dean’s about to strike out when she places her hand on his arm.

“I got this.” She whispers with a smirk and then she does. Y/N takes a step towards the guy and drives her elbow into the man’s jaw.

The guy drops to the floor, wincing and spitting blood.

“Anybody else wants to try their pick up line on me?” She asks the now silent bar and Dean has a really hard time to hold back the laugh that wants to burst out of him.

“No? Good. Because they all suck.” She says and just stands there and waits and Dean thinks she’s ready for anyone who would want to come forward with a stupid remark. When the bar stays silent, she turns around and storms through the door in the back.

Dean only shrugs at the people who were still speechless, before he follows her.

“Winchester’s whipped.” Ash could be heard under his breath before the door closes completely.

“I heard that.” Dean shouts back.

“Good.” Came loudly from the other side, followed by laughter.

Normally, Dean would go out there and probably rip Ash a new hole but she’s walking swiftly down the corridor and he follows, almost bumping into her when she turns around abruptly to face him, her hands are braced on her hips.

“How much was all this?” Y/N asks, gestures with her hands up and down her body.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“No, really, Dean. How much? I’ll pay you back.” She says, and Dean knows that she means it. Had known from the start when she wouldn’t even take the tip he wanted to leave for her.

“I don’t know.” Dean says and it’s the truth.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Her forehead creases.

“I really don’t know, alright?” Dean chuckles, brushing a hand through the scruff on his jaw. “I just went into the store and told them what I want. They said they needed time to get the right shoes and I had someone pick it up for me. I never asked how much it was, because I didn’t really care!” He runs his hand through his hair.

Dean sees her face softening, there’s even a smirk that’s tugging away at her lips.

“You actually went into a store for this?” She’s grinning now and Dean thinks it’s fucking adorable.

“Yeah?”

“You went into a store.” Y/N’s chuckling, “A women’s store. And bought a dress?”

“Yes?” His eyebrow raises on his forehead.

She laughs. Loud, clear. It’s a beautiful sound.

“Were you embarrassed?”

“Uh,” He’s laughing too, tries to search for the right word, “It was awkward. But it was worth it. You look beautiful, Y/N.”

“Thanks.” Her face flushes, and she quickly turns away. “Alright, I guess it fits. Do I look decent enough for you to take me to the opening like this?”

She walks the couple of steps to Ash’s room, stalling at the door and turns to look back to him.

“I’d take you anywhere, Y/N. Even if you’re dressed in your normal clothes, or a trash bag.” He says truthfully, and now it’s his turn to feel his cheeks heating up.

He doesn’t know why he said it. Doesn’t really know what’s up with him because he feels like he just poured his heart out to her by saying it. Thinks, that if she knew who he really was, how he really was, she wouldn’t let him take her anywhere at all, and he wouldn’t blame her one bit.

“Not— not saying that you’re a bag of trash or anything,” He squints because he’s an idiot and would love to smash his head against the wall right now. Dean clears his throat, “Alright, I need to go help Ash. You take your time.”

“Alright.” She smiles and takes a step into Ash’s room, stops to look back at him. “Thank you, Dean.”

He nods and smiles back, bright and wide, before he turns around and walks through the door to the front.

CH06

#something just like this #dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #dean x reader #dean winchester fic #dean winchester fan fic #dean winchester fan fiction #mobster!dean #nathalie writes

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simsadventures · 5 years

Text

Only Mine:Chapter 5: Can’t Seem to Let You Go

Summary: Bucky needs to take care of the men trying to rape you. But when his men won’t stop taunting him about you, he tries to forget all about you. But it doesn’t seem to work the way he’d like to. Warnings: violence (kind of explicit), murder, death, blood, fluff, mentions of sex (blowjob, but it’s really quick and nothing too explicit), swearing

Word Count: 3732

A/N: A lot of the chapter is written from “Bucky’s POV”, hope that’s ok. Just wanted to give you an insight into his life as well. And because he’s got some decisions to make.

What did everyone think of this chapter? Let me know, love you 3000 guys! xx

Series Masterlist __ Masterlist

< Previous Chapter

The car ride towards the mansion was silent and tense. He knew Steve would be in the cells, beating the crap out of the guys, and he smirked at the image. He couldn’t wait to get there and take care of the matter. He hated scumbags like that, running around forcing themselves on women, in the death of a night, two on one. Bucky knew he could be an ass towards women, but he would never push himself on them sexually, that was a huge no-go for him and his men. They might have been mobsters, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have any morals.

Bucky was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t recognise they were at home before Peter tapped his shoulder lightly. When he saw the murderous look on his boss’ face, he took a step back, and let Bucky get out of the car.

He couldn’t hear anything even when he started to descend the stairs, because he made sure the cells were sound-proof, precisely for situations like this one. He didn’t need his maids to hear the deathly yells and whines of some assholes.

When he finally entered the room, a gruesome sight welcomed him.

The two men from the city were tied to chairs, their heads hanging low, sobs leaving their bodies. Their faces were bloodied and bruised, their breaths shallow. His men had to take a number of them for them to look that way. But Bucky didn’t care. All that mattered to him was that they were still alive, waiting for him and his judgement.

Steve was standing beside the guy who tried to run away, while Brock was holding a collar of the other one. They both looked at their boss and nodded their heads before letting the guys go and stepping behind Bucky.

Bucky could see as the two lowlives sighed in what seemed to be a relief after countless minutes of being tortured. Bucky grinned wickedly, the most fun part was just starting, and they had no idea of that.

“Gentlemen, can you tell me why we’ve gathered here?” Bucky said nonchalantly, and both men in front of him swiftly raised their heads and dread set in their eyes. Neither of them was willing to talk, and it only spurred Bucky on.

“You’ve been naughty boys, I must tell you. You know, your fate would be much happier and easier if you took on someone who could defend themselves, you know? If you like, I don’t know, fought other two guys, or something, we wouldn’t have to be here. But no. You had to get out of your fucking way to find easy targets, women walking alone, rushing home at night, and you jumped at them and raped them. Does it seem fair to you? There is two of you, and you aren’t the smallest guys ever, and you deliberately chose women who you saw were no MMA fighters. Doesn’t seem fucking fair to me, what you think boys?”

Bucky turned around to face his men who all shook their heads, grunting their no, not fair at all and letting Bucky retake the floor.

“You know, I thought of what to do to you, and there was one particular thing that I thought was, you know, fair. You were raping women, so, how about we raped you?”

Their eyes went wide, and their skins got two shades lighter, blood rushing from their faces. They grunted and tried to free themselves, but there was no running away from their fates. Bucky strutted towards the table at the farthest side of the room and opened a cupboard, pulling something out. When he turned around, chuckles could be heard booming throughout the cell.

Bucky was holding two massive wooden sticks.

“Prepare to lose your virginity boys, this is gonna hurt,” Sam hollered from one of the corners and smirked. Bucky chuckled darkly and handed him one of the sticks, to which Sam’s eyes gleamed like child’s on Christmas Eve. The second was given to Steve, who only nodded with a grin plastered on his face, and Bucky brought a chair in front of the guys, to watch the whole thing comfortably.

“Let’s begin, shall we?”

—-

Beams of sunlight made it to the stairs leading towards the cells, on which many of the men were now walking upwards from the room. The deed was done, and they were all tired. Bucky made Peter and Luke, the other new guy, clean up all the blood and dispose of the bodies. He didn’t have the energy nor the need to take care of that as well.

Bucky was exhausted, but he still needed to make sure you were alright. He checked his phone and found out that it was already past 8 AM. He still wasn’t sure if you were asleep or not, and if you were, he definitely didn’t want to interrupt your so needed relax. He typed a quick message to you, asking you if you were alright and if you needed anything.

He made it to his room, which to a surprise of many wasn’t a dark, cold room, but was actually very welcoming, with the ivory walls and matching satin sheets on the massive mahogany bed. But before he could delve into the beautiful slumber, he needed a shower. There was blood on his hands, both literally and metaphorically, and he needed to wash it away. He didn’t feel remorse or anything like that, he was actually happy the world was rid of two assholes. He was more pissed than anything that a splatter of blood stained his shirt.

He made quick work of discarding his clothes into the washing machine, hoping the stains would come out. When the first splatter of hot water hit his body, his form and soul both relaxed at the same moment. He was actually glad the night was over. New York was a little safer, his men could have some good old-fashioned fun with torture, and their relationship with the police was better than ever.

And she is ok, a voice in his head whispered, and he let the water touch his hair. Yeah, and you were ok, and somehow, just the image of you not being ok made his insides clench involuntarily. He didn’t understand what was going on, but he didn’t necessarily like it. He pushed the image of you laying on the pavement, unconscious to the back of his mind and quickly finished in the shower.

He then checked his phone for a new message from you, but when he saw nothing was there, he told himself that you were genuinely ok and that he deserved at least a few hours of peaceful sleep.

It was little after 11 when he heard a soft buzzing next to his head. He was still drowsy, so he looked for the source of the small noise, and when he could feel his vibrating phone in his hand, he mindlessly picked up.

“Hey, Bucky,” your tired voice sounded from the speaker, and he was suddenly awake. Multiple possible scenarios ran through his head, all of them dark and evil.

“Are you ok? Where are you? Should I come for you? TALK TO ME, Y/N.” He raised his voice, and he could hear a sigh at the other end of the phone.

“I’m fine, calm down. I just woke up and wanted to let you know I was ok, but if I should call another time…”

Bucky listened to your sleepy voice, and he calmed his head down. You were fine. You were at home and in your bed, and nothing was trying to kill you, or anything like that. He heard a light knock on his door before he could see Sam’s head in the door. When he saw that Bucky was awake, he made it to one of the chairs in the middle of the room. Bucky didn’t pay him any attention and continued with his phone call.

“No, I’m glad you’re calling, I just woke up as well. So, how are you feeling?”

“Good, I’m good. Not really into the idea of ever leaving my apartment but other than that, I’m great.”

Bucky sighed and closed his eyes. “I know, doll, but you gotta get out of there someday.”

Sam raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a thing, just sat there and listened.

“Duh, I’m aware of that, it’s just the feeling of safety left my body when they ambushed me, and now I feel like they’ll be there every time I walk out of my door, waiting because they have unfinished business.”

“Don’t you worry about them, Y/N. They’ve been taken care of, and they won’t ever hurt anybody else, most definitely not you.”

Silence followed, and Bucky could almost hear the wheels in your mind, turning. “I shouldn’t be glad that you killed someone, but I just can’t help it. So thank you for taking care of me and of all the things, because you didn’t have to and you did it anyway. Thank you, Bucky.”

He smiled at your soft tone. “Anytime, doll, anytime.”

“Well, let’s hope you won’t have to do anything like that ever again, most definitely not for me.”

Bucky chuckled and imagined your face, all doe-like, with your eyes a little wider and your mouth agape, telling him not to kill people for her. “I’ll try my best, Y/N. Go back to sleep, you sound like you need a few more hours.”

“Aye aye, Captain. You do too, ok?”

“Ok, doll. Sleep tight.” Bucky said and hung up the phone, looking at snickering Sam.

“Oh, I’ll try my best, m’lady. Oh, oh, oh.” Sam mocked him, and Bucky threw a pillow his way. Sam couldn’t see it over his hysterical laughing, and so it hit him square in the head.

Bucky chuckled at his best friend and got out of bed.

“But seriously, dude, you sound so fucking whipped that it ain’t nice. Where’s the fuckboy I grew to love, huh?” Sam didn’t let the matter go.

Bucky growled in annoyance and continued to ignore him. He dressed in his usual attire: tight black jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket.

“You wanna settle down with the chick or what?”

Bucky turned around swiftly to face Sam, murderous look on his face. “I’m not fucking settling, ok? She was almost raped last night, so I just wanted to make sure she was ok.”

“Whatever, man. You know better than I do that it’s not just about yesterday. You’ve been thinking about her ever since you met her at the bar, we can see she’s all you think of. And that’s ok. But be a fucking man and do something about it, or go back to your old self. Don’t tell me you’re still the same guy while you’re in love with some pussy.”

“I’m not fucking in love. Jesus fucking Christ, Sam. What do you want me to do? Fuck some random slut so that you see I don’t give a shit about Y/N?”

Sam didn’t react to that and only shook his head at his friend’s behaviour. He always tried to be the spitting image of what his father couldn’t, and Sam was sick of it. Bucky’s whole existence was about not letting a woman rule over his life, and he was always determined to show everyone that no pussy could sway him.

But Sam saw that Bucky was into the new girl, the soft chuckles and his actual friendly side which he was showing her were betraying him. Sam just wanted Bucky to admit that there might be a possibility that not all of the women were that bad and that having one by his side wouldn’t be the end of the fucking world. He just feared he pissed off Bucky enough for him to do something stupid he would regret later.

“You came in to give me a lecture about my love life or was there something you actually needed?”

“Stark is coming. He said he’s got some new things for you, if you wanted, and he wanted to show you.”

Bucky nodded and ascended towards his office, where most of his meetings took place. Stark Industry was one of the biggest players on the gun market, and Bucky was one of his main customers. Over the years, they build a steady relationship, even friendship, to the point where they’d call each other from time to time, just to check on the other. Bucky was actually glad Tony was there, just to put his mind on a different course, not having to think about what Sam bugged him about.

—-

When the night came, and Tony left the mansion, Bucky thought of what to do with his night. He might have been in the club just a night ago, but he was there for business. He wasn’t there to take someone home, as he usually did.

Bucky knew you called him two times while he was at the meeting and he had to do everything in his power not to get up and call you just to make sure you were ok. But he told himself that he’s not gonna be somebody’s bitch and that he’s got better things to do than making sure one girl was ok.

He told Sam and Steve about his plan for the night, to which they only raised their eyebrows but said nothing. From the determined look on his face, they both knew they couldn’t sway him even if they wanted to.

They all silently sat in the car and let Peter drive them towards the Compound. Neither Sam nor Steve knew how to cut the tense atmosphere in the car, so they just sat there, staring blankly out of the windows. They really hoped Bucky wasn’t making a mistake by trying to prove to them something they really didn’t need him to.

When they got to the club, all eyes were on them. It wasn’t far from truth to say they were probably the most eligible bachelors in town, and all the women there knew it. Sure, some of them were obviously scared shitless so they wouldn’t even look their way, but most of them were running towards them, pantiless.

They all sat down at their usual places, watching as the bodies on the dance floor mingled and became one sweaty form. Bucky could see a few of the women watching him intently, waiting for a sign that they have been chosen to be the fun of the night, or a month for the luckiest of them.

One caught his eye. It wasn’t even that she was attractive to him, but her hair matched the colour of yours perfectly. He whispered something to Drax who got up and when towards the girl, gesturing that Bucky would like to talk to her. She giggled and almost run towards where Bucky was seated. He wanted to roll his eyes. You would never run toward him like that. He scolded himself internally because you weren’t supposed to be on his mind, not when he was trying to get another girl to bed.

He checked his phone to see if you called him again, or at least texted him, but after the few missed calls, there was radio silence from you.

The girl made her way towards Bucky and sat so close Bucky could smell her perfume. He didn’t particularly like it, but that didn’t matter. She would have to do for the night, he told himself and smiled at her.

She giggled stupidly and took a lock of her hair and started twirling it between her fingers, looking at Bucky through her obviously fake lashes. Bucky could swear he saw the glue stuck to her eyelid, but he didn’t want to make her feel too bad, so he just smiled politely.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Dennise. It’s so nice to meet you, Bucky, I’ve heard so much about you, you’re like a legend here, haha, and look at me, sitting in your booth, chatting with you like we’re old friends.”

Bucky had to stop himself from actually cringing. She was nothing like you, and it irritated him. He suddenly missed your personality, when you would tell him off as easily as if he was just another John. This girl was clinging to him already, and he didn’t even have to try. Whatever, Bucky! You’re here to show everyone you’re no whipped pussy. He told himself and ordered the girl a drink of his choice. Bucky knew you’d hate it, especially if he ordered you something you didn’t particularly like.

The girl, Dennise, was taking care of all the conversation. Even if she asked Bucky a question, she would never wait for him to answer and would keep on talking. Bucky was taking shot after shot, trying to get himself drunk enough so that he’d forget all about you, and would enjoy a night with a stupid girl, just like he always did.

But no matter how much alcohol did he take, he couldn’t get rid of your face in front of him. It was as if you were haunting him, always there, even when he blinked. Damn you and your Y/E/C eyes. He felt like you were staring right into his soul, and you weren’t even there. No girl had ever made think of her, not even when they stayed for a whole month.

But Bucky was nothing if not determined. He suddenly gripped Dennise’s hand and dragged her out of there, her girly giggles with her. He stopped before the car and turned to face her.

“I’d like to fuck, are you up for that?” He asked, and she eagerly nodded with what sounded like a forced moan of yes spilling out of her mouth.

“Good, get in the car, and we can have some fun together.” She obediently followed his orders.

The car ride was nowhere near as sexually fuelled as the one he took with you. Dennise was on his lap, kissing down his neck and grinding on his crotch, but no matter how much he tried, he just couldn’t get in the mood. He thought it would get better when they were finally at his apartment, but he was wrong.

Even in his bachelor pad, he couldn’t bring himself to actually enjoy what Dennise was doing. Bucky was sitting on a sofa, Dennise between his legs. He closed his eyes, trying to really get into it, and he could feel a warmth spreading from his lower belly when she gave him few kitten licks. He grunted when he took him into her mouth properly, and before he could stop himself, he moaned out your name. He forgot where he was, and his brain took him to the place where he actually wanted to be if he admitted it to himself or not.

Dennise giggled and whispered, probably thinking she was seducing him. “I can be whoever you want me to be, baby.” She winked at him and made her way back to his crotch, but his hand stopped her.

“Look, I bet you’re a really nice girl, but I’m not feeling like myself tonight. Maybe another time, ok?” She was staring at him blankly, not understanding what he was saying, both from the alcohol coursing through her veins and from the disappointment she was feeling.

“But, I could make you feel real good, Bucky, I promise, let me show you.” But Bucky was already on his feet, taking her by her elbow and leading her towards the door. “I mean it, Dennise, goodbye.”

Before she knew it, she was standing in front of a closed door, with Bucky’s bodyguards leading her away from the building, being so nice to actually drive her whenever she wished.

Sam and Steve watched the girl leave with confused looks on their faces. Steve knocked reluctantly, and when the door opened, they revealed dishevelled Bucky standing there. He motioned for them to come in and shut the door behind them.

“Don’t you dare tell me I’m whipped man, ‘cause I’m not. I just wasn’t feeling like it today.” Bucky mumbled and brought a glass of water to his lips.

“I was just joking this morning, man. You’re taking it all too seriously. So what, you like Y/N, what’s wrong with that? She seemed like a girl who could actually deal with you on a daily level and not going completely nuts from your bullshit.”

Bucky smiled at that a little because he had to admit you were the only girl who ever spoke up in his presence. You had an attitude, you were always yourself, and Bucky admired that.

“I just don’t want to make the same mistake my father did, you know? I mean, mum died because dad couldn’t protect her properly, and Julia almost took all of his money. Just because he was blinded by love. I don’t want any of that to happen to me. For fuck’s sake, I’m the most feared person on the East Side, and here I am, whining about a girl like some sappy teenager. What the fuck is wrong with me?”

Steve chuckled lightly and patted Bucky’s thigh. “Just give her a chance, pal, that’s all we’re saying. Nobody’s telling you to marry her tomorrow, but maybe stop being the mafia boss around her and show her that you can be your own person as well.”

Bucky thought for a second before he mumbled. “What if she doesn’t like that person, huh?” Steve dishevelled his hair even more. “Then she’s not worth it. We’re old enough to not be lonely all the time, and fucking different pussy every night, it gets old, man.”

Bucky looked at his friends thankfully, giving them a cracked smile, and feeling a little better about the whole thing. They were right. He couldn’t be scared till the rest of his life. And maybe you didn’t even like him that way. All he had to do was to find out and let you in, at least a little bit. Bucky smiled to himself before he remembered that you called him multiple times that day and that he ignored each one.

He groaned and threw his head back. Why did he always have to be such a jerk?

/ Next Chapter >

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misshvariety1307 · 4 years

Text

Bad Luck? Or A Strange Twist of Fate?

Sitting in her dressing room, getting ready for her first number of the evening, Light felt a subtle wave of spark-ache pass through her spark. It had been a few months since the ill-timed encounter with Powerdrain, the big time casino owner/Deception mobster. And since then she had been missing her family and friends terribly. She knew that by now they would be absolutely sick with worry at where she might be. Sadly she could never tell them where she was and what she was doing in fear of them being slaughtered by her new boss and "keeper" for breaking her agreed silence.

Brushing on some gold glitter around her optics her thoughts drifted back to when she was brought to the casino once the agreement was made. She remembered feeling so..so out of place and so afraid of what she was going to be doing for what she thought was the rest of her life. Even all the costumes, clothes, jewelry, and other things Powerdrain provided for her felt so uncomfortable to use. But thankfully one of the more experienced dancers saw her distress and, after some strong convincing, took her under her wing to teach her and ease her into this way of life. She was sad though when she decided to leave for another club closer to home that was hiring. It just felt like she was alone all over again.

Then there was the day a month ago that she foolishly let Powerdrain discover her natural singing talent while despite trying to be careful enough to hide it. Apparently the safe spot she was using to hide in for solace wasn't as soundproof as she thought it was. Now that he knew about it he could clearly use it as a means to bind her even more to this place and this nightmare she was in. And boy did he. He was so smitten by what he heard he quickly made her up to be the new star of his casino. The first she sang in front of an actual crowd she received a standing ovation from the quickly amassed crowd that watched. Overnight she became a hit in the burlesque scene and was certainly an added value to Powerdrain's growing business and fortune.

With her quickly growing success Powerdrain only saw it fitting that she "expand her horizons", in a manner of speaking. Making a deal with the club his boss frequented he would lend her out to them in case they needed a last minute dancer to fill a suddenly vacant spot. Which to her meant that she trapped even more and it seemed like there was no way to get out. But....to be fair....it really wasn't that bad. The first few times that she went to the club she soon struck up a casual friendship with Knockout, the favorite of many a patron to the establishment. Soon the more they talked and got to know one another the more Light saw the fabulous red mech as a confidant and someone she could turn to when things seemed just a bit too dark to handle. Plus, the little tips and tricks he taught her certainly came in handy during her own performances back at the casino.

Once she had finished brushing on the last fleck of makeup Light let out a gentle sigh and stood up from her vanity. Walking over to the rack of costumes her processor glossed over those performances. Gliding a servo over each piece the memories of each one flooded through her, feeling the familiar rush and strange exhilaration that she got every time she performed. The moves, the song, the spotlight, the crowd…. It…it lit a fire within her she had never felt before and..and it felt so amazing sometimes. Looking up a bit she got a wistful look on her face, remembering one performance that felt so wonderful it was like she was in another world as she was performing. Closing her optics she started to relive the feeling until realization hit her and her optics snapped open.

W-wait…. Did…did she actually…like performing like this? Starting to softly hyperventilate she looked around, not wanting to believe this and started to remind herself why she was here. She was being blackmailed to perform so that her family and friends stay safe. The mech imprisoning her in this was a mobster and an evil mech that was just using her to keep his secret identity intact and exploit her for her talent. Nothing more.

Reaching up and holding her helm she shook it back and forth, feeling overwhelmed by her thoughts and starting to cry. It was as if her processor and her spark were trying to battle to be the better of the other. Unsure how to compromise she felt herself getting weak in the knee joints and stumbled over to her vanity chair, sinking into it before she collapsed to the floor. Leaning against her vanity she looked at herself in the mirror, wondering who she really was at this point and whether or not she was still the femme she was before this whole mess started. Crossing her arms she put her head down and continued to cry, wanting everything just to end at that point so she wouldn't have to feel anything and finally get some sense of peace.

Just then a sudden knock came to her door and from behind it an all too familiar voice spoke in its recognizable sultry yet chilling tone. "Oh my little trinket, are you ready to shine on stage?"

Softly gasping and leaning up Light looked at the door in a frightened panic, not expecting Powerdrain to arrive so soon. Looking back at her vanity and seeing that her makeup was somewhat messed up she quickly cleaned herself up to the point where she was almost done just a few minutes prior. Grabbing what she needed she reapplied what was missing while she spoke up. "J-just about, sir!"

Softly chuckling Powerdrain opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind him before walking over and approached from behind. "Good, little one. Good." Seeing what she was doing he gave her a curious look while stopping and leaning down towards her. "Usually you would have been done with your makeup by now, my dear. What's taking you so long tonight?"

"Oh, I...I didn't like how part of it came out so I had to redo it. It was a late minute decision, I'm sorry." Looking up at him through the mirror Light tried very hard to keep calm and act normally. She didn't want to give away any hint that she was having a practical meltdown right before he showed up.

"I see. Well, I think that it was a very good decision to make, my pet." Smirking at her response Powerdrain nodded while reaching over and placing his hands on her upper arms. Softly and sensuously pulling them up he rested them on her shoulders then rubbed his thumbs around in a light and tender massage. "After all, I prefer that you look as perfect as possible when you're out performing. It heightens your appeal and makes you all the more...desirous to the patrons." Then reaching up with his left hand he gripped her chin between his index digit and thumb and tilted her head to look at him as he leaned in a bit more with a persuasive look in his optics. "You wouldn't want to disappoint them with imperfect looks, would you? Or worse yet…disappoint me?"

Her breath hitching for a brief moment when she felt his touch Light softly gasped and shivered. Venting heavier as she felt his hand slip up her arms a soft moan escaped her audials as her mind started to swirl. Shaking her helm she softly blushed when he took her chin like that and looked up at him with a slow forming guilty look in her optics. "N-no sir. Not..not at all. I….I know that's the last thing I can't…I can't let happen. Especially to you…"

"That's right. You've learned well over the time you've been here." Smirking at her answer Powerdrain chuckled and leaned in closer still, their faceplates starting to be mere inches from each other. "Who knew by that unfortunate encounter that I would have found my best money maker since starting this casino. And all it took was a little…coercion on your part to make it happen. Plus, who knew that you are such a natural with that graceful and limber body of yours?"

Her blush getting deeper the closer his faceplate came to here Light felt a cold chill go through her when he said that. It was as if he knew that she almost had that meltdown and was just twisting the knife further into her. Then when he mentioned that she bashfully flushed and softly shrugged to say that she agreed. "Y-yeah, who...who knew?"

Noticing her flush Powerdrain smirked and stole a quick glance down her body, looking back up into her optics with a playful and persuasive look. Letting her go he leaned away and walked over to her rack of costumes as he continued to coax her. "Oh don't be so bashful, my trinket! You need to be proud that you have a delicious body to use at your disposal. Consider it a means to reach a goal. After all, isn't it every little femme's dream to be a star? Well, this is certainly your chance to take it. Just let go of that modest thinking that you've been brainwashed with and finally take a chance to live like you are truly meant to!" Looking through her costumes he stole a quick glance at her. "And once you do, you'll see that you'll have the potential to be a queen of the burlesque scene. Plus get all the perks and pleasure of being one too."

As he turned back and looked through the assortment Light looked down at the floor for a few moments and considered his words. Was…was he actually right about what he said? Was she so wrapped up in keeping her modesty intact that she was missing what was right in front of her? Was…was this the way for her to finally do what she always wanted to do, even though it was considered by her family to be a most unsavory profession? Looking at herself in the mirror she started to think back to when she was with her family last and the discussion that they had about her preferred career choice. She remembered how sparkbroken she was when they thought that she wouldn’t make it and would be much happier staying where she was and married off to a prominent member of society so that she could live the rest of her life as a proper sparkmate. Looking away from her reflection she then begin to wonder if running into Powerdrain that night was really just an ill-timed accident…or fate showing her the way to what she truly wanted. Powerdrain’s words still ringing in her processor she still didn’t want to believe them but at the same time they…they made so much sense. Like before with her helm and her heart her sense of morale and her guilty wants and pleasures were wanting to war within her for control. She just didn’t know if she wanted to commit and really see this as her true way of life.

Making a decision and picking out a black costume with jeweled chains that would match Light’s makeup shades Powerdrain turned back and saw her deep in thought. Raising a curious optical ridge at her he walked over and reached down, lifting her head up by her chin again. As he did he gave her confident look that may or may not have bordered on his hypnotic one. “I know that you want to try and hold on to whatever you had left of your previous way of life but it’s time to forget it, my pet. You belong here now, deal or no deal, and there’s no way of going back. Best to just make the decision now and not let that pesky moral compass lead your life for you anymore. It’s time that you led yourself for a change and do what you want to do." Handing over her costume he pleasantly smirked as he caressed the corner of her dermas with his thumb then let go and stepped away towards the door. "Well, better hurry up and get dressed, my dear. We have a good crowd tonight so we can't keep them waiting. I'll see you out there." Giving her a wink he stepped out and closed the door behind him, heading off take care of other business.

Madly blushing from his caress she took her costume then watched as he headed to the door, nodding in understanding to what he said. The show had to go on, after all. Once the door was closed she looked down at the costume and softly sighed, running her digits over the silky fabric. If he was right and she needed to let go of her compass to be free to enjoy her chance at stardom....would she be the fool to let it slip by if she let it continue to control her life? Getting up she went behind the changing screen and slipping out of her robe she put on her costume, letting the fabric hug her supple curves and assets. Shivering a bit as the chains touched and settled against her protoform she pulled the zipper up then stepped out. Walking back over she sat down once more and pulled on her fishnet stockings and clipped them onto the attached garter belts on her costume. Making sure that they were secure she reached over for the pair of heels nearby and slipped them on, zipping up the backs of them while making sure the cuffs were sitting just right. The last thing was the somewhat long tulle and feathered train that she attached at her hips that swayed with every hip swing.As she was getting the last of her jewelry on she looked up into the mirror again and sighed, feeling herself coming to a decision at last. As she was changing she was continuously thinking about the last words Powerdrain told her before he left. If…if he was right and she should just…let go and embrace this new life….would she be able to come to terms with the consequences of her family finding out and disowning her? Remembering that conversation one last time she hesitated for a few moments as a realization slowly made itself known to her. No…no matter what she tried they wanted her to be what they wanted. They would never understand how her desire to be a singer was what she wanted to be and never accept her as anything else but as an obedient daughter who stayed in line and followed their morals. Looking away from her reflection she had to see that…that Powerdrain was right. This was her only chance to live her dream and be the singer she dreamed of being. Even if it meant that she had to become the one thing her parents never dreamed of her being then so be it.

Standing up from her vanity that familiar fire that she craved lit up within her and began to surge like never before. Ready to get things started she gathered up her train, slung it over her arm, and headed to the door. Stepping out she closed the door behind her she headed to the stage, confidently strutting as she did to get ready to perform her number. Time for the star of the casino to sing once more.

Watching her from the nearby shadows Powerdrain smirked and quietly chuckled as a victorious smirk crossed his gaze. Seeing how confident she was when she came out he knew that his little prodding and convincing had worked like a charm. Plus adding just a tinge of his hypnotic power to seal the deal worked to perfection. Knowing that she would be a liability the longer she feared being there and yearned for the possibility of freedom he had to do something to persuade her to stay and truly become his shining diamond. And to keep his mob identity perfectly intact.

Pleased that his plan had worked he stepped out and continued to watch as his prize disappeared around the corner. Deciding that he needed a well deserved break he headed out to the bar, got himself a much needed drink, then went over his reserved booth. Sitting down and relaxing he waited for his star to shine once more and enjoy the show.

}{}{}{}{

A little drabble that popped into my head while working on the colored versions of Cops and Mobs AU Light and Powerdrain XD. Hmm, is there more to Powerdrain’s plan? What more could he have in store for Light in the future? I just might have to write a sequel to find out!

This au is so much fun to be a part of! I hope you all like it!

Cops and Mobs AU belongs to @pastelpaperplanes

#transformers animated #cops and mobs au #drabble #fanfiction #oc #mccadam

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potatocrab · 4 years

Text

Salvation is a Last Minute Business (11/18)

Chapter 11: In the Name of the Law

After the media helps expose the truth about Boston’s corruption and crime, Eddie Winter finally comes out of hiding. On the steps of the courthouse, while waiting for an indictment to be brought down, the city’s crime-lord attempts one last coup, but Nick intervenes. Later, while Madelyn and her partner discuss the future of the agency, Deacon appears with a lead on an old cold case.

“In the name of the law.” - Inspector Karl Lohmann as played by Otto Wenicke (M, 1931)

Because of spoilers recapped in the first paragraph, the entire chapter is under a cut.

[read on Ao3] x [chapter masterpost]

April 21st, 1958

“I don’t like this.”

Clutched in Piper’s hand was the Sunday edition of Publick Occurrences—the previous day’s bombshell announcement that the District Attorney was moving forward with a grand jury trial against Eddie Winter after pressure from Chief Sergeant Danny Sullivan. That, and an exposé from Buster Connolly from the Boston Bugle—a listing of every corrupt cop, lawyer and government official that had been in Winter’s pocket and had worked to cover up the crime family’s business operations for years. More than that, it explicitly placed the blame of Jennifer Lands’ murder on the police—they had known about the holotapes and Eddie Winter’s recorded threats and had chosen to do nothing. Now, it was in the court’s hand. That was the good news. The bad news?

Eddie Winter had yet to show himself.

Madelyn stood on the courthouse steps, underneath the umbrella clasped in Deacon’s hand. Fitting, that on this day of reckoning, Mother Nature saw fit to bring down her wrath. Even though their partnership—relationship—had been mended, he kept his hands from her—now was not the time to give Piper any ideas. Though, knowing the reporter and the way she continued to flash them curious expressions, her head was already full of them—but now was not the time.

“I know,” Madelyn responded, digging her hands deeper into her coat pockets, desperate to keep warm. She looked over to where Piper was staring down the gathering of newshounds, barricaded off in the plaza near the street. Together, they were all waiting on bated breath for news of an indictment.

“What if the jury’s been rigged?” she asked, twisting her umbrella in an anxious gesture. “Can we really trust these guys to get the job done?”

“You can’t trust everyone,” she replied, noting the small pull at Deacon’s lips. These were the same lawyers that had booted her from the District Attorney’s office, handing her off to Valentine’s Detective Agency because of her fairer sex—but as far as Sullivan was convinced, they weren’t dirty—just jerks. “But there’s enough evidence that you’d have to be blind not to indict.”

Piper nodded, but her frown persisted. “Even with a grand jury indictment and arrest warrant in hand, Sullivan would still have to find the bastard.”

“Speak of the devil,” Deacon mumbled, gesturing with his free hand towards the crowd.

Madelyn had barely registered his words over the media’s simultaneous excitement, voices yelling and cameras clicking as reporters clamored to get a clear photo of the newest arrival to the courthouse—Eddie Winter himself. Surrounded by four bodyguards and one well-dressed man that was obviously his lawyer, the mobster gradually made his way up the courthouse steps. He was wobbling ever-so-slightly, clearly still suffering from the gunshot wound she’d inflicted upon him just a week prior. As his entourage approached she reflexively bristled, biting her tongue in frustration at the fear that crept up her spine. Deacon gripped her elbow, touch softening to support her as Winter stopped to stand before her. The faded bruises on her neck burned under his evil stare.

“Miss Hardy,” he greeted.

She glanced to his side, stone-faced. “How’s the stomach?”

He let out a low growl, eyebrows knitted together in frustration. “I should ‘a killed you when I had the chance.”

“Likewise,” she replied. Deacon’s grip on her arm tightened, and while she appreciated the subtle show of his anger towards Winter’s threats, she could handle herself. If anything, she was emboldened. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here. The minute that indictment comes down, you’ll find yourself in a pretty set of bracelets. I’ll give you a hint, they aren’t from Tiffany’s.”

“Oh, they’ll be no verdict today, sweetheart,” he grinned, his bodyguards instantly mimicking his amusement. “Not on my watch.”

“Don’t you know who I am?” he continued, laughing softly to himself. “I got the whole city in my pocket, the judge, the jury—don’t matter how many of my men you take out of the precinct, there’s always someone that gets left behind.”

Almost immediately, Piper’s hopeful expression dropped, though Deacon remained skeptical. Madelyn didn’t budge. She didn’t want to believe it—so she didn’t it. Eddie Winter was bluffing, and she knew it. This was just one last gamble, one last intimidation tactic against a foe he thought he could outplay.

“Even now, I see my good friend the police commissioner coming down to give me the good news—”

Madelyn turned so she could keep him in her sights, glancing over her shoulder to spot not only the commissioner but Sergeant Sullivan and a few members of his task force following behind. Confusion muddled her mind—she had just read the commissioner’s name in Buster Connolly’s report the previous day. Only when she realized the commissioner was in handcuffs, head hung low as he was escorted to the patty wagon on the street.

Winter’s expression faltered. “The fuck—”

“As I was saying,” Madelyn continued, resisting the urge to smile at the obvious anxiety in his gestures.

Sergeant Sullivan and his officers soon surrounded Winter and his bodyguards, ensuring Madelyn and her colleagues were separated by the uniformed men. He pulled a folded document from his jacket pocket, handing it off to a detective with an umbrella to keep it dry.

“Edward Winter, this is a warrant for your arrest,” he explained, loud enough so that the reporters in the crowd could hear. “You are under arrest for first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, bribery, and fraud.”

He held up the metal handcuffs, and Madelyn had to give it to Danny for asking the dumbest, or bravest question to the mobster’s face. “Will you come with us quietly?”

Eddie Winter was defiant as ever. “The hell I will.”

He backed away, the bodyguards making a path for him on the stairs for a quick escape. As soon as he turned around, however, he froze, surprised by the sight of the man at the bottom of the courthouse steps.

“Nowhere to run, Winter.”

Nick Valentine—alive and vengeful as ever. Madelyn was alarmed to see him standing there—he should still be in the hospital, recovering from the gunshot wounds inflicted from Winter. Then again, it wasn’t surprising that Nick hauled himself to city hall after learning about the grand jury, taking a gamble that Winter would show himself to the world and he’d have the chance to face him down once again. Her biggest fear, however, was that his lust for revenge would cloud his mind and he’d forget that he couldn’t just kill the man in broad daylight. Even if that man was Eddie Winter.

A stand off in the rain.

Nick slowly climbed the steps—steady and calm without a flicker of fear in his features. If anything, he was smiling, bright green eyes shining as they remained locked on his prize. Winter, meanwhile was shaking, frantically turning one way or another as he looked for a way out. To both sides were officers and the media, and behind him was Sullivan, offering the shackles. As Nick said—there was nowhere to run.

A desperate man always made desperate actions.

In one swift motion, Winter pulled the .44 pistol from his jacket and arced it towards Nick, finger squeezed around the trigger.

The detective was faster.

A single gunshot echoed through the plaza, the noise amplified by the sound of scurrying feet as people simultaneously rushed to get away and come closer for a better look. In the chaos, Madelyn couldn’t see a thing, blinded by the flashing lights of camera bulbs. Deacon yanked her aside, holding her tightly—protectively—to his chest as he surveyed the crowd, waiting, listening for another gunshot. Sullivan’s officers tackled Winter’s bodyguards to the ground, he lawyer tripping down the stairs as he tried to escape. A minute—five minutes? Madelyn wasn’t sure how much time passed, but when the panic settled just enough, there was only one victim.

Eddie Winter’s body lay on the pavement, crumpled across the stone steps of the courthouse, motionless. Blood seeped out onto the cobblestone beneath him, swept away by downpour of rain. Sullivan was the first to move, kneeling down to check the man’s pulse—he shook his head, staring up at the group before glancing to Nick.

It was over.

Eddie Winter was dead.

Nick stood back, expressionless, and looked towards the statue of Lady Justice in the plaza. “Long time coming.”

April 22nd, 1958

That rainy, Tuesday evening was the first time Madelyn had returned to the Valentine Detective Agency in over a week. The last time she had been in the offices had been before her and Nick made the fateful decision to go after Eddie Winter—back when their working relationship was as strong as ever, back when he hadn’t been shot—back when Jenny was still alive.

A lot could happen in ten days.

Ellie had kept the office open, mostly to field the incoming calls and solicitations from news agencies. The agency had seen a lot of foot traffic since word of Nick’s hospitalization and Jenny’s death got out—daily visitors stopping by with bouquets of flowers and sympathy cards—proof that the community he had served for so many years still supported him, and hadn’t forgotten about his plight. Even Vadim had shown up with a cask of freshly fermented moonshine, weeping endlessly into a delicately embroidered handkerchief until Yefim had to escort him back to the Dugout Inn.

That Tuesday, however, was quiet. Nick had returned to the office after the events at the courthouse and being cleared by the District Attorney, informing everyone that if they wanted to find him that’s where he’d be. While it was refreshing to know the agency wouldn’t be prosecuted for their involvement in stopping Eddie Winter, Nick’s behavior was troublesome. Madelyn knew better than anyone that he needed time to mourn—it was time to heal.

Public Occurrences Special Edition—Winter vs. Valentine: A Detective’s Hunt for Cold Justice Finally Ends

“Piper delivered it this afternoon,” Ellie explained with a grim smile. “Her proudest work yet. Produced in record time. Limited copies, she said.”

“Piper thinks they might sell for a fortune one day,” Ellie softly laughed, rolling her eyes. “Wanted Nick to frame his copy, but…Here.”

Madelyn looked over the newspaper the blonde handed her. Apparently, the detective had other ideas, leaving the print with their receptionist so he wouldn’t have to look at the headline, or the perfectly timed photo of gunning Eddie Winter down on the courthouse steps.

“Will you talk to him?” Ellie asked next, in a whisper as she stole a quick glance to his office. “He needs a break. We all do.”

“Yes,” Madelyn answered, though she wasn’t sure how convincing she could be. She read over the newspaper again as she walked towards Nick’s ajar door.

Sure, Boston’s notorious crime-lord was dead, and his hold on the city was no more. The police corruption had been exposed and was painstakingly being cleaned up by Sergeant Danny Sullivan and his task force. Nick Valentine—in the public’s eye—the detective was a hero for putting Winter down once and for all. But at what cost?

Their so so-called victory felt hollow.

Madelyn loitered in the doorway of Nick’s office, unsure if she had the right to enter. She hadn’t spoken to him since visiting the hospital, the same day she told him Jenny was dead. He had understandably lashed out, placing the blame on her—she had done the same, and still held a considerable amount of regret—wondering if her past actions could’ve resulted in a different outcome. No amount of reassuring words from Piper, Deacon or any other person in her close knit-circle would convince her otherwise—not until she cleared the air with Nick himself. So, she lingered there, chewing at her bottom lip until it was raw, fumbling with the newspaper in her hands.

“Hey doll,” he spoke, not lifting his head from the mess of files and paper on his desk. “You going to stand there all day, or help an old man out?”

She hesitated, noticing the hint of sarcasm in his tone and the flash of a smirk that pulled at his lips. It harkened back to a familiar banter they used to share, but she was still uncertain. Slowly, she entered his office, eyeing the two armchairs but decided to stay standing before his large, oak desk. Nervously, she swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’re hardly an old man, Nick.”

He sighed, flicking his gaze up to her. His light green eyes were bloodshot, dark circles from an obvious lack of sleep. “I think I’ve added a decade or two in the last week,” he replied. “That or lost some off the back end.”

Madelyn didn’t know what else to say, “I’m sorry.”

Nick was quick to respond, shaking his head as he pushed himself up to stand. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“But I do,” she insisted, even as he rounded the desk to approach her. Before she could stop them, tears started flowing down her cheeks and she used a free hand to wipe at her eyes, ashamed for shedding them in front of him. “F—for everything. If I had just shot Winter—”

“Stop—”

Nick’s voice was more stern than she expected, one hand gripping her shoulder, the other gently petting at her hair as he angled her head back to look at him. She sniffled, struggling to keep her eyes locked on his.

“What’s done, is done,” he sighed. “If there’s anything that Jenny taught me, it’s to live life with no regrets. Even…” he took in a shaky breath and Madelyn saw the haze of tears in his eyes. “Even when you’d give your life to start over.”

Madelyn had similar sentiments—for a long time after Nate’s death, she’d had done anything to bring him back, even if it meant sacrificing her own life. A gamble with God in prayers, until she ultimately stopped praying altogether. This was a pain she never wanted to share, especially with Nick. He’d always supported her—been her closest friend—and now it was her chance to repay the kindness tenfold. But first—she needed to stop blaming herself.

Nick moved to wrap his arms around her in a tight hug, and Madelyn quickly returned the gesture, burying her face in his shoulder. They stayed like that for a long time, silently mending their bond while mourning their losses. Eventually, he pulled away, wiping at his face and offering a shaky smile.

“Whiskey?”

Madelyn breathed a laugh, swiping away the last of her tears. “God, yes.”

He nodded, breaking away to move back behind the desk so he could fetch the glasses from the drawers. Madelyn briefly considered stating it was a from-the-bottle kind of night, but held her tongue, finally deciding to take a seat in her favored armchair to the left. Nick poured much more than a regular serving for them both, circling back to hand her the glass before leaning against his desk. They raised their cups in a silent toast, unable to speak the name on both their minds—for Jenny.

It wasn’t the most content silence she had ever sat in, but the whiskey helped—a delightful burn as she drank the amber liquid in tiny sips, sighing as the alcohol helped numb the lingering pain in her heart and mind. The last few months had been a testament to her emotions, but she had come out on the other end—a brave new Madelyn, ready for anything life was ready to throw at her.

In the lobby, the chime of the front door rang out. Nick and Madelyn exchanged a look, both glancing to the clock on the wall—midnight—before listening to Ellie’s cheery greeting. Madelyn was slightly surprised to find Deacon standing at the door to Nick’s office—last she understood, he was running a last-minute operation with Tinker Tom, and the only reason why he was absent from her side in the first place.

“Hey,” he greeted, not moving from the doorway. His hesitation to enter was understandable, considering his rocky relationship with the detective. If it wasn’t how they felt about Madelyn, it was now Jenny—Nick had trusted Deacon to keep her safe—and he’d failed just as spectacularly as Madelyn had.

Evidentially, however, the detective decided not to hold a grudge. Nick nodded his head, silently beckoning him into the room. The Railroad agent sat in the opposite armchair, leaning forward instead of relaxing against the cushions.

“Didn’t mean to intrude,” he started, before pulling a small notebook from his coat pocket. “But I figured you’d both be interested in seeing this.”

Madelyn was intrigued, shifting so she could take the papers from him when offered. “What is this?”

“Remember our first outing? The Switchboard?” he asked, holding back a grin. Fond memories, yes—but now was not the time to reminisce. “Tinkers’ has been hard at work decoding the files we recovered—this is just some of what he’s uncovered.”

She looked over the information, scribbled notes that were hard to read due to Tom’s messy handwriting, but one name stood out. Shaun. “Wait—that name—”

Madelyn passed the notebook to Nick, who took one large gulp of whiskey before setting his glass down. His eyes widened in realization. “The baby? Is this the same kid that was kidnapped in 1947?”

Deacon nodded. “Think so.”

“What is his name doing in Railroad intelligence files?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he answered with a shrug. “Tom is still working on deciphering the rest. It’s a slow process. Hell, it’s taken months just to get this much. Could be a missing person’s list from ten years ago, for all we know. Or…”

Madelyn swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’d tell me if the Railroad had baby Shaun disappeared, right?”

It wasn’t exactly fair to put him on the spot—especially in front of Nick—but he surprised her with a swift answer, tilting his head just enough so she saw the flicker of his steely-blue eyes. “Yes.”

“There’s another name here,” Nick tapped the paper, passing it back to Madelyn.

She squinted at Tom’s inked squiggles, mouthing the letters and words before landing on a name. “Preston? Preston Garvey.”

“Is that another missing person?” Deacon asked, looking to Nick, who shook his head. “A suspect then?”

“It’s a lead, if nothing,” she responded. A name could be anything. For all they knew, Preston Garvey could be another sandwich shop, or a bowling alley…or a museum. Deacon shrugged. Amongst their exchange, Nick had been silent, rubbing at his chin in thought.

Madelyn glanced to her partner with a hopeful expression. “What are you thinking, Nick?”

The detective glanced over to the notebook in her hands, and slowly a smile pulled at his lips. “I’d say our cold case just heated up.”

#fallout 4 #noir au #deacon x f!solesurvivor #madelyn hardy #deacon #nick valentine #piper wright #eddie winter #danny sullivan #end of act 1!#shorter chapter to tie up the winter arc #I can't believe I managed to finish this today

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blodeuweddschild · 5 years

Text

Tinsworth fics

Just a long list of tinsworth fics I really enjoyed!

I may add a few to this in the future but for now this is it ~

[[MORE]]

Completed:

Blood by icantwritegood

C.C. Tinsley, a sharp-tongued P.I. with an unwavering focus on justice and a need to give people what they deserve, is contacted by a mystery caller to help solve a murder in a quiet seaside town. His arrival is akin to a very big rock dropping into a very small pond.

The Goldsworths are a rich family with the entire town in their pocket. A stranger in their midst is not welcome, but he seems to refuse to leave, no matter the consequences. Someone was murdered, and he intends to find out who did it, and to give everyone what they deserve along the way.

The consequences come hard and fast. Some people just don't like what they deserve.

Catch me if you can by Chromission

A game of cat and mouse turns into an unexpected union.

How will it all end? Where will their allegiance lie? Who left their fake mustache at a crime scene -again?

Did someone say "slow burn?" -I think so!

There will be shenanigans, jam out sessions, mystery and wheezing. Some cameos from the BFU universe?

After the dust settles by nervous_artist

After Tinsley is abducted by some particularly nasty mob bosses, Ricky has to swoop in to rescue his damsel in distress.

The Ricky Goldsworth case files by luckysam78

a detective falls in love with his best friend, who happens to be a manipulative criminal mastermind but still has room in his heart for love. unfortunately, there are more obstacles separating them from each other than they expected

Ongoing:

Siberian Nights by icantwritegood (hiatus)

Holly Horsley's client is murdered. She hires private detective C.C. Tinsley to find out the who, what, and why of the situation at hand. Tinsley is a liar, a cheater, and a general bad person, who's not afraid of the grittier details in life. This is why she believes he can do it.

But what happens when he comes head-to-head with a wily hitman who is just as determined to come out alive as he is?

Letters left on your desk by Raisans_Grapeon

A series of one-shots in no particular order, detailing the 9 month exchange between detective C.C. Tinsley, and the infamous serial killer, Ricky Goldsworth, who's pseudo-name is "The Golden Killer" or simply "Gold." Almost all of the re-accounts are told via the various, and daily letters exchanged between the two foes, and focuses on the unlikely friendship that seemed to spur.

The Good Lie by icantwritegood

The Hand Of Fate by Greenoctober

C.C. Tinsley did not become a detective to cover up crimes. Certainly not for an asshole named Gold who he'd never even met. By god if he ever met him he'd put him in jail.

Ricky Goldsworth going by the name Gold is a hired killer, working for the Mafia to kill those that try to cheat them, not that he wouldn’t be killing anyways, its just nice to get paid for it.

The first time they meet in person was part of no one’s plan, or was it?

Rogues sleep by nervous_artist

C.C. Tinsley is the sheriff of a dusty western town. Set with the task of stopping a series of train robberies, he runs into a peculiar criminal with the name of “Goldsworth.” This criminal has stolen a lot, and Tinsley’s heart is next on the list.

We make quite a team by notmadejsbian

C.C. Tinsley isn't the biggest fan of Ricky Goldsworth, but when it comes down to tracking down a new notorious criminal, he's his best chance at catching this crook.

While following this case, the two learn more about each other's pasts, each other's feelings for each other and how fucked up the malicious Dr. Fear really is.

The art of murder and romance by henloamhere

C.C. Tinsley—a detective struggling to keep his head above the rising waters of San Francisco crime.

Assigned with the Golden State Killer, he investigates day and night. Each investigation leads to a dead end.

Ricky Goldsworth—a billionaire and playboy extraordinaire.

No one can say anything to incriminate him, whether it is because there is nothing to incriminate him with or plain fear of him, yet many are smitten at the Golden heartthrob.

Theories and enemies by justabagel

When Detective Charles C. Tinsley decided on this whole detective gig, he never thought that his vast knowledge of crime and murder would backfire on him. Now accused of arson, murder, and kidnapping, Tinsley is thrown into a whole new world of trouble. That’s when he meets Ricky Goldsworth, a serial killer with too much charm for his 5’10 body. The flirty killer offers to get the detective out of his jam in exchange for... what? Tinsley doesn’t know.

Death and all his friends by Chromission

C.C. Tinsley and Ricky Goldsworth haven't seen each other since Ricky dropped out of university without a word.

In 1967, the private investigator finds the chance to reconnect with an old flame he hasn't seen in 6 years.

As always, situations are rarely ideal or legal. At this point you can't tell if the Turkish cotton sheets are stained by blood or red wine.

The ongoing case of Ricky Goldsworth by hentailobster

*Old York is usually not a remarkable town in any sense of the word, but as if to make up for lack of activity it suddenly brings upon its citizens a double murder, a mysterious stranger and a lanky detective. Of course, he's been there for some time.

The tinman and the devil by snapdragonpop007

Tinsley had never wanted to go back home--he had closed that chapter of his life and burned it and started an entirely new book.

And then a case brings him back to Fayetteville, and as hard as Tinsley tries to leave, he finds himself stuck there, caught up in old cases and old blood and a man named Ricky Goldsworth.

wandering the roads of love by blowmedemons

decided to get all my tinsworth works in one place. for, yknow, easy access.

There’s no tranquility in death by killmongerrrr

“Is it peaceful?” He asks one night, sad eyes watching the jerky movements of his ceiling fan.

The bed dips as the spirit lies beside him. “No, it isn’t.”

___

CC Tinsley, along with his partner Francesca Norris, is a detective investigating a string of vigilante murders where victims are found disemboweled. Ricky Goldsworth is a medium who’s haunted by spirits. He kills their killers to help them pass on, but in turn is haunted by those he murders.

Killer on repeat by tinsworthisunderrated

My name is Richard James Goldsworth and I was a serial killer. This is the story of my life, well at least the crucial details. I’m telling you this because I need you to know my story. I am one of many stories that you need to find. This story begins in the winter of 1922.

Oneshots:

The very thought of you by notmadejsbian

In a world where Ricky Goldsworth is a detective and C.C. Tinsley is a serial killer, there's still an unspoken affection C.C. desperately wants to address.

Bang! by Greenoctober

Bang!

A look of shock crossed the face inches from Tinsley’s. The knife that had been held to his throat dropping as the man stumbled backwards.

Bang!

The man fell forward as a second gunshot echoed through the room. Tinsley looked up. Standing in the door to their apartment was his Ricky.

Alternatively by rydellon

He says “his ticket” with a loose tongue, because the ticket originally belonged to one Hamlet Christianson, who Ricky had borrowed the ticket from the night before. The man wouldn’t be needing it anymore, in fact, he would never need anything again in his life.

But the people on this train didn’t need to know that.

You talk too much, detective by Ourladyofresurrection

Prompt! From dogsareradical on tumblr: “Tinsworth for ‘are you drunk’ or ‘I’m fine.’”

In which Tinsley talks sweet to Ricky and Ricky pretends like he’s not flustered over it.

For what it’s worth (I’m desperate) by emptyswimmingpools

Tinsley doesn't like Goldsworth, but he's quite literally the lesser of two evils.

Or: a detective and a mobster must work together to defeat a much greater threat.

Wait for it by Agf

"I have you bang to rights and you know it. Just admit it," C. C. repeated for what could only have been the fourth time, but which felt like the hundredth.

"Your 'evidence' is purely circumstantial. You can't pin a thing on me," Ricky said, "Which makes sense, seeing as I'm innocent."

Then he winked.

Private Investigator C. C. Tinsley is certain that Ricky Goldsworth is the Sunset Killer. Ricky Goldsworth is certain that spending 24 hours messing with the PI is going to be a lot of fun.

The mysterious vanishing of C.C. Tinsley by Bergarahoe (flannelfeelings)

It's been a wonder for decades- puzzling the nation and all who encounter the story of the Sodder Family.

What happened to detective C.C. Tinsley?

#i made a post about this months ago but i wanted to read a few more before i made it and the lost i had before got accidently deleted #so i had to make another #some of these may not be explictly tinsworth but they all do involve Ricky and Tinsley interacting in some way #the large majority are tinsworth though #ugh the read more thing isnt working on the app #o #tinsworth

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kayteewritessteve · 5 years

Text

Secrets and Sins - 11/13

Description: You flee from an abusive situation and find yourself on the other side of the country, creating new friends and possibly finding new love. But will you be able to escape your past? To truly move on with your life? Or will everything come crashing down around you in the blink of an eye?

Catch up HERE.

Word Count: 5,690 ish. Damn, she’s a big one!

Pairing: Mobster!Steve Rogers x Reader.

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Descriptions of a car crash. Violence. Drinking. Curse words. Brief mentions of abusive behaviour, and moments of abuse—nothing to in depth but could be upsetting to some. Plus possible other triggering thoughts and feelings described.

A/N: I sadly don’t own any of these characters. And no beta reader, so I do proudly own all the errors and this story, so there’s that.

You woke up bright and early, again. Feeling just as relaxed and calm as the morning before. Maybe even more this time, now that you were starting to feel more at home here. More settled. You stretched and yawned then pulled yourself, reluctantly out of bed. Padding to the bathroom to throw yourself in a much needed shower.

Tonight was the Gala, and you knew it would take you a little while to prepare for it—for whenever ‘it’ actually started? You paused midway through changing realizing you had no idea when you needed to be ready for. You finished undressing as you made a mental note to ask Steve when you’d be leaving.

After your shower, you blow dried your hair and left it down so it wouldn’t crinkle before you could have the chance to style it. You pulled on a pair if light wash jeans and a white tank top then headed for the kitchen to get some breakfast.

You entered the kitchen and found all the usual suspects standing around, talking amongst themselves.

“Morning,” you said as you walked over to the coffee maker to grab a cup.

“Morning,” they all said in unison.

Maria walked up next to you, “You excited for tonight?” She asked.

You poured the coffee into a mug, “Yeah, actually. Really excited.” You smiled.

“Do you have a dress for it?”

You laughed, “Oh! I totally forgot to tell you. I figured out what Steve’s question meant yesterday morning. Turns out he had Peggy pick up some dresses for me to try.”

She laughed, “That’s actually really sweet of him.”

“Right?” You added your cream and sugar, then took a sip to test out the ratios, they were perfect. “Really sweet.” You both walked to the other side of the kitchen, and through the open french doors to sit in the outside living area with your coffee, as the guys were talking loudly about this and that, and you both could barely hear your own thoughts over their school girl gossiping.

“He really likes you,” Maria mused, once you were both settled, and had taken a few sips of your coffee. Her eyes locked on you.

You figured you knew what she meant, but you questioned her anyways, “What do you mean?” You raised a questioning brow at her.

“I’ve never seen him like this with a woman before,” she paused, “or anyone, for that matter,” she added with a laugh.

Part of you felt like you should keep your feelings to yourself, at least the ones pertaining to Steve. But at the same time, who better to voice your concerns to, then a long time friend of his. Maybe she could ease your mind, even just a little.

“He makes me nervous,” you admitted then took another sip of your coffee.

She nodded, “I can understand that, he is in a pretty intimidating position. And with everything you have, and are going through, being wary of him is smart. Safe.” She took another sip, “But I have known Steve for years, since before Sarah died. He was a sweet kid, but her death changed him. And not for the better.“

“I know a little about her murder, but not much.”

She stared off at the backyard as she spoke, “There isn’t much to tell. She was murdered and it destroyed Steve. He fell into a really dark place, and pushed a lot of people away for years. His father's death always affected him, but when Sarah passed, it was like the final nail in the coffin. He snapped and we all didn’t think he’d ever come back from that.” She paused then turned to you, “that is, until he came home from Tony’s club one night, talking about a woman he met. Then as the days went on, he started to change more and more, in little ways. It was like he had started to find himself again.”

“Wait, are you saying that I had something to do with him finding himself again?” You furrowed your brows, confused.

“Honestly, yeah.” She shrugged, “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You bring something out in him. Something good. Something none of us have seen in him, in years.”

“Wow,” It was about all you could say to that.

She chuckled, “No pressure though, you have to do what you feel is right for yourself. And even if that isn’t to see where things go between the two of you, you started a shift in him and I know he will continue to find himself slowly, with or without you.” She nodded, as if she truly did believe what she was saying, and didn’t want you to feel obligated to stick around.

“I really like him, Maria. I do. But I just don’t know if I’m ready for all of this. I don’t know if I’ll be able to give him what he needs.” You paused to collect your scattered thoughts for a moment. “I don’t want to waste his time, just to figure out in a few short months that I wasn’t ready,” you said quietly.

“Y/N, he has been sitting, basically frozen in time for years. Unable to open up, unable to let anyone in, aside Bucky and Sam, until you came along. If you aren’t ready, that’s totally fine. Take the time you need, but I can almost guarantee he will be waiting when you finally are ready.”

“Really?” You asked sceptically. Why anyone would just wait around for someone was beyond you. Not when there are so many people in this world to choose from.

“Really,” she affirmed, “you’re different to him. And I can see it in your eyes when you look at him, that he is different to you as well.” She smirked as you started to blush a little from her words.

“He is,” you said softly as you took another sip of your coffee. “Which scares the fucking shit out of me,” you added.

“I bet,” she laughed. “This sort of thing doesn’t happen to everyone,” she said nonchalantly, and just like that you were confused again.

“What do you mean ‘this sort of thing’?”

“Love at first sight,” she said calmly, matter of factly.

Jesus christ. No. There is no such thing as love at first sight— your mind halted as it drifted back to that night at the club. The instant connection you felt and the draw to him. How he flustered you and left you speechless. Which had never happened to you before. At least not the first time you’d ever met anyone. Could it have been love at first sight? Did that even actually exist? Here you had made yourself believe true love was just a fairytale, made up for little girls. That it didn’t exist in the real world. But. But, Steve sort of proved otherwise. Or rather, how he had made you feel from the first moment, proved otherwise. Now you were even more confused than before. Had you really been so jaded by what he did to you, that you forced yourself to ignore all the signs. Forced yourself to believe they weren’t there and pretend they didn’t exist. Fuck. What if they do? What if true love is real? “Shit,” you mumbled.

Maria burst out laughing, “Wait, please tell me that you didn’t just clue into this now?”

You scrunched up your nose, “Maybe..?”

“Oh my, you both are hopeless,” she muttered and shook her head, “If it wasn’t for Bucky and I, neither of you would even be here right now.”

“Bucky? What does he have to do with this?”

“He has been pressing Steve about you this whole time. Trying to help him realize just how much he likes you, and to ask you out. It wasn’t that hard to accomplish though, I clearly had the tougher mission with you,” she laughed again.

“Wait, how did you know how I felt about him?”

“Seriously?” She deadpanned, “I followed you around for days, Y/N. I saw the changes in your moods between when you’d see Steve, versus a few days without seeing him. It was written all over your face,” she gestured to your face and smirked.

“So basically I’m a fucking open book, is what you’re saying?”

“Yup,” She nodded again, “At least to the rest of us, you are. Maybe not so much to yourself though,” she laughed.

“Good to know,” you mumbled and laughed as well.

“It’s not a bad thing, Y/N. Maybe something in you just knew he’d play some role in your life. Even before your mind figured that out.” She shrugged, “most people don’t believe in soulmates, but I do. There may not be some tattoo on your skin, or timer counting down to the day you’ll meet, but I have to believe something in us just knows when we have found our match.”

You were completely stunned by her words. Your mind was silent for once, which—wasn’t a normal occurrence, at all. She just watched you as you slowly let her words sink in, but before either of you could say anything more her phone rang, and she got up to head back into the house, “sorry, Y/N. I have to take this, but I’ll see you later,” she called as she disappeared through the french doors.

You replied with a dazed, “Yup, see ya.”

Then you just continued to sit there, drinking your coffee in complete silence, just mulling over Maria’s words. You didn’t believe in Fated love, or soulmates, but at the same time you couldn’t really explain how you’d felt since meeting Steve. You’d never felt this deeply about anyone this fast, or maybe even ever? You still were not ready to jump in head first, but you’d be lying if you said you weren’t excited for tonight, and maybe even for the future. Though you did still need some time to come to terms with everything. To decide what you truly wanted. On your own.

You pulled out your phone and opened up a text window to Steve, typing, ‘Hey, when are we leaving for the Gala tonight?’

Your phone pinged almost instantly with, ‘5 pm. I can’t wait to see the dress you picked out.’

You smiled at that then replied, ‘Hopefully you like it.’

Another instant ping, ‘It will be on you, there is no way I won’t like it.’

You laughed and shook your head, quickly replying, ‘You’re pretty smooth, huh?’

*ping* ‘Sometimes ;) See ya at 5 in the front foyer.’

Did he just send you a wink emoji? You laughed, ‘Yes, see ya then.’

You stood up and headed back into the house, you made your way into the kitchen again and put your mug in the dishwasher, then headed for your room. You had some time to kill before you had to get ready and figured you’d take this time to unpack your clothes.

Unpacking took no time at all, as you didn’t have many clothes to put away. You spent some time texting with Wanda and Nat, creating a group chat just to make keeping in contact easier. Then watched a few youtube videos in the hopes they would make the time fly by. It didn’t work. This day was dragging on and on, and you figured it was because you were both nervous and excited for tonight.

After hours of basically just killing time, it was finally 3pm and you decided it was now an acceptable time to start getting ready. You spent a while on curling your hair and putting it in a fancy updo that framed your face just right. And decided to keep your makeup neutral, and your not gonna lie, it turned out better than it ever had before. You looked flawless, if you were being honest with yourself.

You walked into the closet and took the garment bag back into your bedroom, unzipping it and pulling the dress out. You laid it on the bed then moved over to the dresser to grab the undergarments you figured would work best with your dresses cut and lines.

Once you were all dressed, you checked the time on your phone. 4:50pm. You had 10 minutes, so you went into the bathroom again to give yourself one final look over. Realizing instantly that you had picked the right dress, it fit you in all the right places and the colour suited your skin tone perfectly. You grabbed the heels Peggy had given you to pair with your dress, sitting on the edge of the bed to put them on. Then you grabbed your clutch and put your necessities into it. Phone, makeup, identification and a few other odds and ends. Then you made your way to the stairs. Shutting your bedroom door as you exited the room.

From the top of the stairs you saw Steve near the front door, his back to you, with Bucky, Sam and the others. Clearly the whole gang was tagging along. And everyone looked amazing. All the guys were in fitted tuxedos, and boy, did they all clean up well. Maria was in a beautiful midnight blue, floor length gown, nothing to fancy, but it suited her perfectly.

As you descended the stairs Bucky and Sam looked up, and their eyes widened comically upon seeing you. It took everything in you to not laugh at the awestruck look on their faces. But then you saw Steve start to slowly turn around, most likely due to the look on his friends faces.

The second he saw you his jaw damn near hit the ground. As you reached the bottom of the stairs his eyes swept over you, from head to toe, and then locked onto your eyes as he just stood there. You couldn’t tell if he was frozen in place or just allowing you to come to him. You hoped for the former.

You walked up to him, standing in front of him now. But he still hadn’t utteres a word, so you smirked then took it upon yourself to speak first. As clearly he wasn’t going to. “You look really handsome, Steve,” you confessed, as your hand moved up to adjust one of his lapels that was sitting weirdly. Once you had corrected it, you tilted your head up and locked eyes with him again. Not missing the giant gulp he took as his blue eyes stared down at you, just watching you.

He shook his head lightly, as if trying to clear his thoughts then he awkwardly cleared his throat and spoke, “You look…” but it wasn’t for long, as he trailed off and took a step back to give you one more once over, before he damn near growled out, “stunning.”

You watched as his beautiful blues darkened with every passing second. Which caused your smile to grow, “Thank you, I’m glad you like my choice.”

“Like it?” He shook his head again, then stepped closer and whispered so just you could hear him, “Like isn’t the right word. More like blown away by it. Fantastic choice, doll.”

The pet name was new, and slightly out of the blue, but you liked it. A lot, actually. It made the pop rocks in your stomach return, and the heat rise in your cheeks, but luckily someone spoke up before you even had to attempt to form any words in this moment.

“Alright lovebirds, let’s get this show on the road or we will never get out of here,” Sam groaned, playfully, and Steve snapped his head around. You couldn’t see Steve’s face but you had a hunch he was currently giving Sam a wicked glare. And Sam's smug smirk in return only confirmed that thought.

You laughed. “Yes, Let’s,” you said as you headed for the door, realizing instantly that your body was no longer moving forwards. You looked down and saw two large hands on either side of your waist.

“Nu uh,” you heard him say in your ear, “That’s not how this works.” He gently pulled you back then spun you slightly to offer you his arm. You laughed and accepted it, then he walked you towards the front door, opening it for you.

You both exited the house and everyone followed behind. There were a few different expensive cars parked outside and Steve walked you over to a black Tesla sedan, opening the door for you again and offering you a hand to help you in. He closed the door and walked around the car to get into the driver's seat.

Once he was all seated and set, his eyes flicked over to you, and you watched as they lowered. However, this time you knew exactly what he was looking at. This time you had been one step ahead, and already had your seatbelt on. A smile spread across his handsome face the second this eyes met yours again, and he saw the knowing look you were now giving him. Then he laughed and started up the car.

The drive wasn’t too long, you pulled up to the venue and the valet took Steve’s keys as he walked around the car to open your door. You didn’t even attempt to get out on your own, as you knew he’d never let you open your own door. Not tonight, at least. So you just admitted defeat where doors were concerned.

He led you into a building and down a hall to the left, stopping in front of two large ornate ivory doors. He looked down at you, “ready?” He asked as he put his hand on your lower back, the warmth of it sending a shiver up your spin.

You quickly nodded, “I am.” Then two men pushed open the doors for you, and you both entered the massive ballroom that was full of people. Woman in beautiful gowns and men in handsome tuxedos. Your eyes travelled the room and landed on two familiar figures off to the side.

Peggy and Sharon. Both of them having severely differing reactions to you and Steve's entrance. Peggy had a giant smile on her face and gave you an appraising nod. Where as Sharon was once again glaring daggers at you, arms crossed and you could almost hear the displeased tapping of her foot on the floor.

You smiled sweetly at her and winked, then turned your attention back to Steve as he led you off in the other direction.

As you both approached a large group of people, a slightly older man with facial hair, in a gloriously tailed suit emerged from the group. Arms outstretched as he approached you both, with a smug smirk on his lips, “you’re finally here. Took you long enough.”

Steve just chuckled and shook his head, then they both shared a fond hug. You could tell they were either really close or had known each other for a long time. Or probably both. “Sorry Ton’s, traffic and all that.”

“Don’t lie, we both know it was probably Buck and Sam’s fault, those guys spend way to much time fixing their hair. Especially since one of them barely has any,” he chuckled and then his eyes landed on you, giving you a very unsubtle once over. Before he glanced back up at Steve, giving him a look.

The aforementioned quickly cleared his throat, “Tony, this is Y/N. Y/N—“

“Tony Stark,” he cut Steve off and stuck his hand out to you, “it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot.” He shot Steve a smug smirk then winked at you.

You laughed and shook his hand, “all good things, I hope.”

“The best,” he nodded, “and you’ve lived up to them so far, this dress is a show stopper,” he paused, then added, “Amazing choice.” And though the last part was said to you, the quick approving glance he gave Steve told you it was actually directed at Steve. Which caused the heat to rise in your cheeks, then you snuck a peek up at Steve, and saw the glorious smile now on his face at Tony’s clear approval of you. Tony obviously meant a lot to Steve, or at least his opinions did. Tony offered you his arm, “come dear, let me introduce you to some people so Steve can mingle.”

You looked up at Steve, and he gave you an approving nod to go with Tony. “I’ll find you shortly,” he whispered to you. Confirming in your mind that he trusted Tony and you figured by ‘mingle’ he actually meant talk business, and that they didn’t want you subjected to that tonight. You nodded and accepted Tony’s outstretched arm, allowing him to lead you off into the party.

You both chatted about the Gala and why it was being held. Turns out Tony does these a few times a year, raising money for different charities in the New York area. As his way to give back to the city that gave him everything, as he put it. He introduced you to lots of people, most of which whose names you couldn’t remember after a few minutes. But you did remember Pepper, Rhodey and Happy. Pepper being Tony’s better half as he said and the other two being his long time best friends. He told you a little bit about Steve’s parents, not much, just a vague outline on his connection to them both, and how he stepped in to handle things till Steve was old enough to take over.

As you were standing with Tony and the others, you noticed Bucky entering late. Not even realizing he hadn’t arrived with you all. But the stunning redhead on his arm, in a gorgeous floor length black fitted gown, told you exactly where he’d been. You excused yourself from the group, telling Tony you were just going to see Bucky and Nat when he gave you a questioning look. Which then changed into a smile as he nodded in understanding.

You made your way towards the pair, and as soon as you got close, Nat noticed you and her eyes went wide. She quickly made her way towards you and you both hugged, “I missed you!” She whispered.

“I missed you too, it’s so nice to have a familiar face here,” you whispered back as you both pulled out of the hug, “you look absolutely radiant, Nat.”

She held your arm out to get a look at you then grinned, “you’re one to talk. Look at this dress!” She said excitedly, then winked, “you clean up well, Y/L/N.”

You both laughed and then you felt a large hand on your lower back, turning to see a familiar set of piercing blue eyes, smiling down at you. And a quick glance passed him showed Sam had also joined your little group as well, then he pulled Nat in for a giant bear hug shouting about how much he missed her. To which she swatted him off after a moment, causing you all to laugh.

Steve then tore his eyes away from you and exchanged pleasant hello’s with Nat, though you could tell she was wary of him at first. But that quickly changed and she started to relax more and more, as the conversation continued on.

After a little while she leaned towards you, whispering, “powder break?”

You nodded and then you both excused yourselves, saying you’d be right back. You linked arms and headed towards the bathroom, and the second you were in it, she turned to you, “holy shit, what did you do to him?”

You laughed, “honestly, nothing.”

“Bullshit,” she shook her head, “that’s the Steve I remember from when we were kids. It’s like he never changed. It’s really tripping me out.”

“Maria mentioned that he’d been slowly changing back since we met, but this is just how he has been towards me since we met.” You shrugged, “so I obviously don’t see a difference.” You paused, “I mean, not that much of a difference, anyway.”

“Well, keep it up, girly,” she smiled, “I like the Steve he is when you’re around.”

You furrowed your brows slightly before you could stop yourself, then quickly nodded and turned towards the mirror to check yourself out. Making sure your hair and makeup still looked good, and was in place.

“Y/N?” She asked quietly.

“Hmm?” You hummed in reply as you wiped a finger under your eye to clean up some fallen mascara.

“Are you okay? Are you happy?”

You thought it over for a second, then sighed, “I’m okay.” You turned to look at her, “and yeah, I’m happy,” you trailed off.

“But?” She coaxed softly.

“But I’m just scared.” You whispered, “everyone keeps telling me how much he has changed since I showed up. And I’m so happy about that, truly, but that’s also a huge burden to put on someone. What if I fuck up? What if I’m not ready for this and I pull back, and that causes him to go back to what he was before? Closed off and angry.” You sighed, “it’s just a lot.”

She gently took your hand, “Y/N, do you wanna know what I see?”

You nodded and she continued, “Steve isn’t the only one who has changed for the better. You have also changed, a lot, but in good ways. You really started to come out of your shell after you met him, you were more relaxed, calm even. I mean, yeah, you were wary of him at first—Still are. But even in your day to day when he wasn’t present, you smiled more genuinely, you laughed more unabashedly. You changed in so many beautiful ways, Y/N. Now I don’t know what you were running from, but I can guess it wasn’t pretty. However, both Wanda and I have watched you slowly transform in front of our eyes.” She gave your hand a reassuring squeeze, “so if you aren’t ready for this, then tell him. If you want to take things slow, then do that. You have every right to choose how this all plays out, so do that.” She smiled, “But I can promise you this, the Steve I saw around you, the one that only you seems to bring out of him, he would never hurt you. Nor would he ever let anyone else hurt you.”

You nodded and felt the tears pricking your eyes, she quickly handed you a tissue, and you dabbed the tears away before they could fall, and ruin your makeup. “Thank you, Nat,” you whispered.

“Don’t mention it, Wanda and I are always here for you, you know that.” She released your hand and pulled you into a quick hug, which you returned and then she pulled back, “But I say we go back out there and enjoy ourselves, we deserve that.”

“That we do,” you smirked.

“Plus someone has to keep an eye on those silly boys,” she added with an eye roll as you both exited the bathroom, causing you to laugh.

You both re-joined the group, Steve's hand finding your lower back almost instantly, as he leaned down to whisper just to you, “everything okay?”

You nodded and smiled up at him, your talk with Nat put your mind more at ease. Not fully, but hearing someone you truly trusted telling you to just let it play out, and to put your foot down when you needed to, really did help. “Yes, everything is good.”

He smiled back and then you focused back on the conversations happening around you both.

The rest of the night flew by, as Steve introduced you to more people, while he made his rounds. He stayed right by your side from that point on—well, minus the odd time when he’d need to sneak off to talk business, but he’d always leave you with either Maria, or Nat and Bucky during those moments. And every time he’d come right back and find you, instantly. You both danced, a lot. And you had a bit to drink, though not enough to make you a blubbering mess, as that just wasn’t you, but enough to keep a slight buzz the whole night. Which was nice. Helped you to relax and miggle a little more.

However, as the night continued on, you found your feet were now starting to kill and your eyelids were becoming heavy. You tried to hide it from Steve but then you yawned, for like the tenth time, and attempted to conceal it behind your hand, yet again. Praying Steve wouldn’t notice, as you weren’t quite ready for this wonderful night to end. But when your eyes opened back up after the yawn, you saw his handsome blues staring down at you. A knowing look on his face. Shit. You’d been caught.

He excused you both from the few people you’d been talking to, then led you to a quiet corner of the ballroom. Once you were alone he spoke, “You’re tired.” But it wasn’t a question.

“It’s okay, I’ll be fine for a little longer,” you tried to assure him but another yawn betrayed you. Fuck.

He smiled, “Y/N, you’re clearly tired, why don’t we get Maria to take you home. I’d take you myself but I have a few other matters I need to attend to before I can leave. And I don’t know exactly how long those will take.”

“Are you sure? You don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind at all, I had the most beautiful woman in the room, on my arm all night. I’d say this night turned out better than I could have ever imagined,” he smirked down at you, then looked up and around the room before lifting the arm you weren’t holding and gesturing to someone.

You could feel the heat rising in your face at his words. As your heart began to flutter. Maria quickly approached you both ,“Boss. Y/N.” she nodded to each of you as she addressed you both.

“Maria, would you mind taking Y/N home for me.”

“Of course, Boss.”

Maria took off to get the car as Steve led you off to say your goodbyes to everyone, then walked you out of the ballroom and into the main hallway, heading towards the front entrance. But before he opened the doors he gently took his arm back from you and removed his tux jacket then wrapped it around your shoulders.

Once it was secured he looked you over and then smirked, before pushing the door open for you both to exit the building. You glanced down and realized what he was smirking at, you were damn near swimming in his large tux jacket. And you giggled lightly at that.

You both walked down the stairs to wait for Maria. Steve pulled you in under his arm and close to his body to help keep you warm as you waited. The heat from his body engulfed you and you never wanted him to let you go.

“Thank you, Steve,” you said contently from your spot tucked into his side.

“For?” He asked, confusion in his voice at the random praise.

“For everything. For protecting me. Taking me into your home. Being so sweet and patient with me,” you tilted your head to look up at him, “And for tonight, I had a wonderful time.”

He just stared down at you for a moment, eyes fixed on you, then one of his large hands came up, brushing the hair out of your face and tucking it behind your ear. “I also had a wonderful time, Y/N. Thanks to you,” he said softly.

Maria pulled up just then in a blacked out Mercedes, and you begrudgingly untucked yourself from his side and took a step back, you removed his jacket and passed it back to him, “And also thank you for the jacket.” You giggled, sleepily, just as another yawn started, you raised your hand to cover it.

“Okay, sleepyhead, let’s get you in the car so we can get you home and in bed,” he laughed as he reached down and opened the door for you, once again. But before you could climb in he took your hand and you paused, looking back at him. He raised it up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on your knuckles. He then helped you into the car with the same hand.

Once you were seated he just stood there and stared at you. Then his eyes narrowed and you asked, “What?”

“Belt,” he commanded.

You laugh at the realization that you had forgotten this time, “Shit.” You quickly looked around for the seatbelt, finding it tucked into the seat. Grabbing it then clicking it in, “Better?”

“Much,” he said then his face instantly softened again, “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight, Steve,” you replied, and with that he shut the door, and you heard him hit the roof 2 times. Signalling to Maria that you were good to go. She took the signal and the car started to move.

After a little while you were back on the main road heading towards Steve's house. “How was your night, Y/N?” Maria asked as she glanced into the rearview mirror at you.

You smiled just thinking about it, then you sighed out happily as you looked out the window, “Amazing.”

You heard her chuckle lightly, “Glad to hear it.”

The car continued down the road, then entered into an intersection and everything slowed down. Instantly.

At first you didn’t realize what was going on. You heard the loud rev of an engine and then felt your body jerk violently to the right, into the car door, your head hit the window, as your arms flopped around in the air. Before they smashed back down into your body, only to then repeat the action a few more times.

The sounds while this was all unfolding were so loud, so deafening. First the rev, then a bone crushing crunch, followed by metal on metal screeching all around you, for what felt like minutes but was probably only mere seconds. The tinted windows all spidered but luckily didn’t blow out.

But it wasn’t until everything halted, all the movements and noise came to a grinding halt, that you realized what had happened.

You’d been hit, and fucking hard. Clearly the car had rolled a few times. How many? You couldn’t be sure. But what you did know, was you were now dangling upside down, still belted into your seat. The car coming to rest on its roof.

Leaving you extremely dazed and confused, as your mind tried to comprehend what the fuck had just happened. But you were unaware of the true danger you were in. Oblivious to what was about to happen next. Your safe little life was about to shatter around you, and there wasn’t a damn thing you could do to stop it.

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@hopefulmoonobject @harlequinash @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @tessvillegas @boxofteenageideas @wangdeasang @giggleberts @casuallydarktiger @theonelittleone @agentbadbitch @ratwrites @starrystellars @bandsandanimefreak @rockyroadthepastryarchy @lovvliies @cuffski @icesoccerer @alwaysright4 @lilsthethrills

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clansayeed · 4 years

Text

Bound by Circumstance ― Chapter 10: Smoke and Mirrors

PAIRING: Nik Ryder x trans*M!MC (Taylor Hunter) RATING: Mature

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Circumstance ⥽

Taylor Hunter (MC) has made it good for himself in New Orleans; turns out moving to a new city fresh out of college to reinvent yourself isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. Things only start to get confusing when he finds himself the target of a malevolent wraith. Good thing someone’s looking out for him though — because without Nighthunter Nik Ryder as his bodyguard he definitely won’t survive long in the twisting darkness of the supernatural underworld he’s tripped into.

Bound by Circumstance and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing dramatic retelling project of the book Nightbound and the rest of the Bloodbound series. Find out more [HERE].

Note: Circumstance only loosely follows the events and plotline of Nightbound, and features a separate antagonist, different character motivations, and further worldbuilding.

*Let me know if you would like to be added to the Circumstance/series tag list!

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

Taylor and Vera reunite just in time for a stand-off between hands, guns, and a little too much screaming. He’s really starting to think he’s not cut out for this ‘main character’ gig.

[READ IT ON AO3]

Taylor recognizes the restaurant when a waiter exits the kitchen with a large silver cart laden with all the materials for their specialty flaming bananas foster. Peeks as best he can, standing on the tips of his toes, to see the bustling front of the gilded establishment before one of Smoke’s henchmen catches him looking and shoves him forward with a grunt of warning.

As if he wasn’t seriously dejected at the fact that he’s already having to miss out on the promised onion rings.

“What — is Smoke gonna make us clean dishes as punishment?” Cal sneers. The comment earns him a smack to the back of the head but even with a werewolf growling in his face the other suited guard doesn’t even blink.

Four men in mobster-movie suits ushering five unusual-looking characters around the back walls of the five star restaurant should raise more than a few alarms but you wouldn’t know it based on the staff’s reactions.

How they purposefully look away and give their entourage a wide berth; some even moving aside to take the long way around to where they need to go.

If they were actually being held captive and against their will it wouldn’t be any use to try and beg for help. Every waiter, cook, and busser knows to keep their attentions on their jobs. Whether they’re bribed or threatened into silence is the only question but ends in the same answer.

They’re on their own.

The journey ends in a large chrome door. One of the guards reaches out but jumps back as a broad-shouldered woman exits with a wooden crate of vegetables.

Not a word passes between them. Part of the deal no doubt.

He holds the industrial freezer door open and jerks his head. “In.”

“Yeah… not gonna happen.” Ryder gives them a look of ‘really, like we’re that stupid’ but then again they did all agree to join Cadence for his not-so-friendly meeting with Lady Smoke… so they very well may be.

Well; no. Cadence agreed — which automatically implied Katherine would join him. And the startling revelation of Lady Smoke’s real name meant that Taylor was either going to go at their side or find a way to sneak in on his own — this was just easier and less likely to cause injury.

And where Taylor goes Ryder is never far behind. Cal, too, apparently.

Not that the Shift trio didn’t try to tag along — but they already looked like an ambush waiting to happen. Probably best not to actually be one.

“Funny you think you still got a choice.” But before Ryder can call his cocky bluff one of the armed men whips out his gun and smashes it into the Nighthunter’s shoulder without warning or hesitation.

Taylor throws away any consideration that those around them might be getting paid off. Only fear would keep any decent person from helping the way Ryder cries out and buckles to his knees.

His assailant stows away his gun almost too slowly — like he’s ready to use it again; but just ready but eager. “Get in the fuckin’ freezer. Or else.”

If he felt useless before Taylor’s glad he’s suddenly too cold to dwell on how he feels now.

He blindly grabs for the nearest thing — a potato of all things — and holds it against Nik’s throbbing injury while helping him up.

“Are you okay?”

“Aw, Rook, I didn’t know you cared.” teases Ryder; probably to hide the wince in his smile.

“Not funny.”

“Admit it; a little funny.”

The three mortals are already shivering when two of the guards step inside with them. The click of the freezer door locking them inside definitely doesn’t help matters.

“Step back —” says the apparent leader, actually shoves Katherine into Cadence who holds her close and looks ready to add ‘asshole bodyguard’ to the restaurant specials for the night, “— I said back!”

So they press themselves against the shelving on the walls and watch — with some interest, but mostly spite and murderous intent — as he reaches behind hanging garlands of herbs and grabs for something blindly.

With a metallic thunk the back wall — no, the back hidden fucking door — loosens enough to be pushed forward and open. Revealing a set of rickety and definitely code-violating wooden steps that lead down into a no-less frigid abyss.

Before the guard has the chance to bark another order Cadence steps forward with hands raised. “Let me guess; in?”

The guard’s upper lip curls. But all it takes is a flash of the vampire’s true face for him to back off and mutter under his frosty breath.

Down, down they go one at a time with their new friends at their backs. The only consolation being, what, that it’s slightly less cold? Sure he can’t see his breath anymore but that doesn’t mean he’s not already a Taylor-sicle.

Cal arrives at the bottom first; opens the door to some kind of back office. Like a security room, only… underground.

A similarly-suited woman looks up from a row of fuzzy monitors as they start to crowd inside. It’s not a space meant for this many bodies especially when one of them is a broad-shouldered wolf and the other is a vampire too-damn tall. Judging by the abandoned snack wrappers and the digital solitaire game on her screen this isn’t a post that ends up with many guests.

She leaps to her feet; chair rocketing backwards on rickety wheels to collide with a small space heater loudly. But after catching sight of their captors before she can reach for her holstered weapon — she relaxes.

“The hell, man,” she yanks her chair away from Cal’s mere vicinity. Might be in the wrong business if that’s how she reacts to a wolf, but it’s not his place to comment. “You were only supposed to bring the fighter.”

He pushes between Ryder and Taylor — and Taylor swears he hears something like “you try arguing with these crazy bastards” under the man’s breath — to the only other door at the far end of the post.

“Fuck off.”

“Hope for your sake she’s in a mood for company.”

“I said fuck off.”

Good to know witty workplace banter applies to all occupations; even those of the hired henchman variety.

“Now listen here,” it takes him a second to realize he’s talking to them, now; and beyond monosyllabic orders — it’s a Mardi Gras miracle, “none of you are guests here. So don’t touch nothin’, don’t even look at nothin’. One toe outta line and it won’t end pretty for you.”

He looks pointedly at Cadence then. “No wards to protect you now, bloodsucker.”

But if he hoped to instill some kind of fear he’ll have to try a bit harder. Afraid seems to be the last thing he is — especially when he casually, almost coyly tucks his hair behind his ears and looks at the mortal man over the top of his glasses.

“None to protect you, either.”

And hopefully those threats won’t really be held up because the moment the door opens to a luxurious — and warm, thank the heavens warm — casino floor Taylor looks at every single thing he can. Blatant disregard; living life on the edge.

But who could blame him?

It’s not the same glitz and glamor of Persephone’s main atrium but that doesn’t make the underground treasure any less glittering. Lady Smoke’s Den is swathed in rich violet velvets and polished golden trim; every gemstone in inky black bright enough to catch the reflection of whatever passes nearby.

From the black iron of the gambling tables to the uniform designs on the back of each deck of cards in play there’s no denying the wealth it takes to wind up down here. Where the underbelly of Persephone was filled with rusted metal and bloodstained concrete this place undoubtedly hosts the cream of the crop.

Whether that specific crop is of the poisonous variety, though? Well Ryder is still using a semi-frozen potato as an ice pack so that pretty much says all that needs to be said.

He came here to meet Lady Smoke — without a doubt in his mind she must be some relative of Vera; even in New Orleans their family name is too unique; too ethereal.

But by some twisted hand of fate he doesn’t even have to go that far. Not when he recognizes a sleek pair of black satin gloves nursing a cocktail at the black diamond-encrusted bar across the room.

Two steps forward but someone yanks him still by the back of his collar. Turns to see Cal’s eyebrows raised in incredulity.

“Just ‘cause this place doesn’t look as dangerous as the fights doesn’t mean it ain’t, Taylor,” but his hard, stern tone quickly melts into just plain concern, “come on — you know better than to wander ‘round a place like this.”

“I — I’m not.” Taylor keeps looking back to the bar; keeps his eyes on Vera’s turned back. Refuses to have a repeat of last night at Persephone’s — refuses to let her slip through his fingers again like… like smoke.

“Then what the hell’re you doin’ Rook?” Ryder joins in but it’s hard to take him seriously with his spud pack. Even he looks at it like it offends him — makes quick work of disposing it on a passing silver tray of empty champagne flutes. “You asked me to follow ya on blind faith but the more I’m doin’ that the closer an’ closer I’m gettin’ to taking an injury I ain’t comin’ back from.

“So no more wandering off — not until you come clean about what you and Lady Smoke have in common.”

It’s been fifteen whole seconds and he’s terrified he’s lost her. Or maybe that she was never there to begin with. But even with Ryder snapping his fingers in Taylor’s face to draw back his attention he risks a look — exhales in audible relief when he catches her face in profile as she smiles and makes casual, inaudible conversation with the bartender.

“Her.”

In a reversal of fortune — and while Nik looks up to find just who he’s talking about — Taylor pulls at the side of the leather coat and digs around for the Nighthunter’s phone. “Hey — what — watch the coat!” But he steps just out of arms’ reach protests aside.

Luckily Cal’s on his side; stops Ryder from yanking back what’s his as Taylor quickly dials and holds the phone up to his ear; turns to watch intently as the metallic dialing starts chiming.

Across the floor decked in a rug more expensive than his theater company’s entire yearly budget the tiny digital first keys of the AME theme begin playing. Loud enough to draw an unimpressed frown from the bartender and a look of horrible realization from Vera.

The three men watch as she fumbles around; digs through the inside pockets of her black leather blazer. She procures Taylor’s phone from the left side and looks at the screen of dancing lights like she’s never seen such a miraculous and terrible device before.

Taylor ends the call by flipping the phone closed with a little too much force. At the bartop, Vera’s relief is short lived as the music ends and the screen goes dark. But the shudder that rolls down her spine is large and all-consuming. Makes her look around practically petrified when her gaze finds home on Taylor and his definitely not impressed frown.

“So that’s the girl who has your phone, huh.” Ryder doesn’t have to say it; they both know. She was there. She was there that night, and she ran away, and whether or not the Vera he saw in Persephone’s betting crowd was real she’s very much real here and now.

“What’re the odds?” Cal gives a surprised little laugh. But it’s not his fault; he doesn’t know the whole story.

Taylor, though — he’s starting to think nothing in this town is ever by chance anymore.

“Really, really likely.”

And it’s good to feel like he has support as he marches straight the-fuck up with a werewolf and a Nighthunter at his back.

Where were Cade and Katherine? Okay — okay — one problem at a time.

Only now what’s he supposed to do? Because he kind of wants to slap her — but that isn’t happening. One of those things that’s supposed to stay in the back of the mind and no further.

He could shout; make a scene. But that would make all their pushing and shoving and freezer-standing for nothing. And eventually they will find Cadence and help him out. So… no to that, too.

And it’s all so complicated and hard and makes his stomach twist and turn so finally Taylor just thinks fuck it and says the first thing that comes to mind. Turns out to be something a little more heavy than he’d anticipated but no less important.

“You knew about all this,” he jabs his finger into her shoulder, “about… about everything —”

“Tay, I didn’t —”

“And even if you didn’t know exactly what was happening you had some frickin’ idea.” Now that Vera doesn’t argue against — though she’s only barely biting her tongue and he can see it.

“You did; you had more pieces of the puzzle than us. And knowing that you… you let Krissy and I jump over that wall and to our own damn deaths.”

There’s a startled noise from Cal but that’s all. Taylor can’t quite care in the presence of all the frustration building up; bubbling over.

There’s been a nagging voice in his subconscious threatening him not to cry but Vera’s choked out words make that impossible.

“Is — Is Cookie dead, then?”

Taylor finds himself torn between wiping the tears before they can fall down her cheeks and telling her every. gruesome. detail just to make her cry harder.

“No —” — Vera claps her silken palms over her mouth to stifle a soft sob — “— no she’s not dead. Not yet.”

But she is in a coma; or probably worse. She’s in a strange hospital room in a strange city and she’s suffering untold horrors from that awful grotesque creature’s wicked touch and her two best friends in the entire world are in the same city and still haven’t gone to see her.

They are officially the worst people in this world and the other, preternatural world that borders theirs on the head of a pin.

“I’ll take my phone back now.”

She offers it like an olive branch; maybe he gets a little satisfaction from yanking it from her and shoving it in his jeans.

Then, because he’s mad but he’s not cruel; “I’m glad you’re safe Vera, really.” He opens his arms slightly but waits for her permission for an embrace — remembers what Kristin had said about Vera liking her personal space.

Now though he’s not so certain it’s that simple. He knows a lot more than he did when they first met.

“A-hem.”

They pull apart. Ryder stands with his arms crossed and an expectant tap to his boot. “Are we mad at her or not?”

“We’re…” Taylor and Vera exchange looks and there’s no doubt in his mind that her remorse is genuine. “We’re getting over it.” We, he thinks with a laugh. But doesn’t dare mention it lest Ryder close up more than he already is in this place.

Like he is right now.

“Good. Then maybe you can give us a proper introduction.” He’s zeroed in on her gloves; Cal too, he notices. Whatever has them on edge its more than a simple case of being protective of him. As if they didn’t have enough problems — and enemies — already.

Taylor clears his throat awkwardly; gestures between the meeting of two worlds who seem not to want to meet. “Uhm, okay. Vera, this is Ryder, my, uh, my bodyguard — don’t ask,” thank god she doesn’t, “and this is Cal; he’s a friend. Cal, Ryder; this is —”

“Vera, yeah, we got that,” interrupts the hunter lowly, “though how you came to be so buddy-buddy with Lady Smoke’s kid is my problem at the moment.”

And while Taylor’s brain is still turning rusted gears and starting to smoke with the sheer what the fuckery of Ryder’s accusation — Cal pipes up; “Smoke’s runaway kid, if I’m gettin’ my stories straight.”

Is he getting his stories straight, the look Taylor gives Vera — eyes so wide the whites go all the way around and jaw on a broken repeated hinge of not-quite-open and not-quite-closed — asks.

But that’s nothing compared to the look of utter shame that darkens Vera’s expression; to the way she looks around for listening ears and prying eyes.

“Keep your voices down.”

Ryder sees her buttons and, in classic Ryder fashion, pushes. “Yeah you ain’t gettin’ outta talkin’ that easy.”

She looks around with worry etched into her forehead. Finally lands her eyes on an empty poker table about as far out of the way as possible in the intimate space; half-obscured by a black-tile fountain where water the color of lavender fields bubbles and streams in arcs around an indiscriminate figure. “Fine, fine. Just — not here.”

And the Vera he sees now is definitely not the same young woman he’d met previously. She takes charge easier — less of a babysitting role and more of a… a woman who knows what she wants and asks for it unabashedly. At her call the bartender summons an attendant with bright, catlike yellow eyes that narrow into slits when she’s told to set them up a game at Vera’s preferred table.

Just like at Persephone they stick out like sore thumbs — but unlike at Persephone it doesn’t seem to matter. The attendants are ready to turn their noses up and away but the sight of Vera — the sight of her gloves like some status symbol — has them smiling, crooning; offering hors d'oeuvres more expensive than Taylor’s rent and drinks of all kinds. Even ones Taylor can partake in much to his surprise.

So they may look like they’re engrossed in a game of poker but one would be surprised to discover naught but a clever ruse.

Or at least a ruse on his end. Taylor’s got no living clue what he’s doing. But the cards are nice.

"Was it really you I saw at Persephone last night, Tay?” asks Vera. His nod earns a low whistle. “I figured I was just seeing… well, that you were a spectre of some kind; a manifestation of my guilt in leavin’ you and Cookie high and dry. And you really knew nothing about the supernatural world before y’all were attacked?”

“Since Twilight doesn’t count, yeah — er, no. I didn’t know a thing.”

“When you go in, you go all in, huh?”

If she means it as a joke it doesn’t really come off that way. Just makes him look down at his fancy deck and shrug. “Not exactly by choice.”

“Right. Of course. I’m sorry.”

“For what, though,” pipes up Ryder after downing a long gulp of his beer, “are you sorry for bringin’ it up like a joke or for leavin’ him utterly defenseless?”

“Christ, Nik.”

“Am I wrong, Miss Reimonenq?”

Something tells him the glare exchanged across the cards isn’t the first, nor would it be the last between them.

But Vera takes him by surprise when she shakes her head dejectedly. “No, no you’re not.”

Like a nervous habit Vera tugs at the edges of her gloves; hikes them up higher over her elbows. Cal physically shifts his chair over as she does — like she’s hiding knives and guns in the skin-tight fabric.

“Okay,” Taylor tosses his cards — it was probably a shitty hand anyway — and looks between the locals one by one by one, “usually this is the part where something weird or coincidental happens and I don’t end up having to be the one to ask the stupid questions. But apparently not this time.

“So either someone starts telling me what the heck is up or I start doing dumb shit until my answers come to me freely. And Nik — you know I can do some dumb shit.”

Taylor only adds emphasis because of the hesitation clear in Nik’s frown. The way he looks at Vera as if to get her to do it instead of his usual bravado-riding explanation train.

But neither of them say anything. So Cal leans back and nurses his whiskey with his words.

“Lady Smoke ain’t your average mafia boss, Taylor.”

“Yeah, yeah I got that part. Your brother was in a cell, there were death fights. The guns aimed at us at the Shift. I was there.”

The wolf gives him a little smirk. “Thanks for the reminder. But it ain’t just guns and suits and shady deals with Smoke.”

“Underground casino notwithstanding?”

“Let him finish, Tay.” mumbles Vera; the look she gives Cal is a grateful one. Taylor holds his hands up — mimes zipping his lips.

“The Reimonenqs are an old Quarter family. Y’all’ve even got Laveau on your tree, right?” He nods to Vera. “Certainly been ‘round as long as the Pack, and the only ones older than that are the Lamrian folk.”

“— Local fae colony,” interrupts Nik lowly, “we’ll talk about it later. Just know it was here before the city was even settled.”

“So you’ve got roots here, is that a big thing?” Taylor asks — would rather hear it from her than yet another secondhand account of something else. He’s getting far too many of those.

When Vera finally answers her hands are folded in her lap. The picture of politeness if not for the shining fear in her eyes.

“What you need to understand, Tay, is that the Reimonenq name used’ta belong to all who practiced under the coven. Eventually the coven became jus’ family so it didn’t really matter, but you won’t find anyone born and bred here who doesn’t know the name — and fear it.

“And she’s used that her whole life — my whole life — to build this awful, cruel mockery of an empire.”

“‘She’ being Lady Smoke?”

“Yeah.”

“Lady Smoke being your mother.”

“Yeah.”

“Your mom; Lady Smoke. The big bad everyone talks about like she’s a boogieman story — the woman who sent what basically amounted to hitmen to kidnap our friend for standing up to her and keeping Cal’s brother from getting mauled.”

He’s not saying it to be cruel, though Vera winces at every injustice like she personally signed off on it. Taylor’s just… a little out of his element. More so than usual.

“How many times does the girl gotta tell you, Rook? Yes.” Ryder’s knee knocks against his under the table. It’s enough to draw him from his factual-overload stupor; only just.

“So she’s — what — a witch? Wait — does that make you a witch?”

Witches, werewolves, and vampires; oh my.

Before Vera can open her mouth to answer their game is brought to a halt by the arrival of a familiar suit-clad asshole. And he’s got friends. This time Taylor pays close attention and watches the pain Vera stomachs in order to put on a brave, almost commanding atmosphere.

“We’re a little busy here. And we’d like some privacy.”

The henchman’s upper lip curls at the sight of Ryder — a grimace he only barely tosses aside as he answers Vera; “You can finish up your game of Go-Fish later. Lady Smoke requests your presence, Miss Reimonenq. And the presence of your… guests.”

“She can’t just summon me. I’m not one of her lackeys.”

“That may be — but you are under Lady Smoke’s protection. Or did you forget what you agreed to when you broke onto the floor last night?”

Taylor’s teeth grit painfully. “Back off, you soggy cockwaffle.”

“Tay —” her touch on his arm is gentle; appreciative, if concerned, “— hon’… he’s not wrong, okay? No matter how much I wish he were.”

“So much for bein’ the runaway…” Cal mutters under his breath.

“Lady Smoke doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

And he probably can’t pull his bully-type shit with Vera, not without some serious consequences whether there’s family tension or not, so there’s no missing the sick sense of satisfaction he gets in yanking Taylor’s chair practically out from under him.

Lucky him that Taylor isn’t unfamiliar with childish bullying tactics. He just expected people to grow out of them once they left high school.

Unlike before their goon leads the way rather than corralling them at the back. Gives them the chance to talk in hushed and hurried whispers because they’re being led fast.

“Magic — real magic — is something we’re born with; a gift we can’t give back no matter how badly we want to.” Vera continues hastily; “Yes, I’m a witch. And I ain’t proud of it, not like my mother is. I’ve spent my whole life tryin’ to get away from her and our curse.”

“And that meant running away to New York.”

“I could have run farther but… I refused to let her dictate where I was going to be. How I was going to live my life.”

That’s something he can definitely understand — but Vera’s actions are singing a different tune than her words. “If you hate her so much then why are you here? Why’d you go to her?”

“Because —”

“Because whatever was huntin’ you guys that night scared ya enough to look to the most powerful woman in the city for help.”

Nik doesn’t interrupt with a question — sounds so sure of himself. But Taylor’s ready to hear Vera out, really he is, until she suddenly can’t look him in the eyes.

It had been a whole other side of her; but Taylor had chocked it up to fear. Fear could make people do crazy things — like hide in walled-off cemeteries.

Finally Vera chokes out wetly; “Yes.”

The suit stops them in front of a closed door.

Nik reaches out and grabs Vera — holds fast despite how she jerks away. Leans in to whisper something so quiet Taylor has to step in himself in order to hear it.

“You know what it was, don’t you?”

“I-I —” stammers Vera.

“What was it?”

“I don’t…”

“This ain’t just about you anymore. Now quick, before they —”

“In.”

It’s too late. Judging by Cal’s look of apology he tried his best to give them as much time as they could but the door’s open and they’re out of time.

“We’re not done.” Ryder growls into Vera’s ear; lets her go before the suit decides he doesn’t want to ask a second time. The touch he lands on Taylor’s middle back is far kinder, coaxes him forward and through the awaiting doorway.

He doesn’t have much of a choice but to follow. Still throws a look back to Vera as she wipes away the smallest tear and puts up all the walls she needs to follow them inside.

“You didn’t need to be so harsh.” Taylor hisses at him.

“Sometimes there ain’t much of a choice.”

There was this time, Taylor’s about to say, when the literal fog obscuring the room beyond clears as though it’s been waiting for their arrival to part. Lady Smoke’s a witch, he remembers.

So maybe it was.

The ambiance of the back room is the same as the front — the only difference being the smoke that clings to their ankles and obscures the rug at their feet.

Off to one side a large couch curves in a wide semi-circle. Relief washes over him at the sight of Cadence and Katherine sitting close together with drinks in their hands; the honey-amber of Katherine’s bourbon catches the light in a way the contents of Cadence’s tumbler doesn’t. He’s content not to think too hard about what’s inside.

But for all their supposed relaxation the pair are stiff — tense. Their ease and touching outer thighs more about keeping close for safety rather than enjoyment. Katherine’s smile isn’t her usual teasing; instead rather strained. A grimace wearing an ill-fitting mask.

At the other end of the room rests a large desk — the kind Taylor might imagine a CEO would buy never to use and only to show off. But the papers and folders spread in a kind of organized chaos across the finished wood tell a different story; one of a business that never stops working.

The woman in the high-backed leather chair behind it is Lady Smoke without a doubt. Not just because he can see the resemblance to Vera — a family chin, the creases in her forehead decades ahead of her daughter’s; a living vision of what’s to come — either.

She emanates power in the way Kristof did. Control, dominance by birthright without mistake. The aura of someone who was meant for powerful things from the moment they entered the world; where the only thing left up to choice was how they planned on using it.

The gloves are pretty much a dead giveaway, too. Black lacework on golden fabric. She matches the den outside the way the sun matches the solar system; she sits at its heart and lets the rest revolve around her because it has no choice.

An unnervingly familiar wheeze of a voice catches him off-guard; probably for the best with the way he was staring.

“Well well well, justice for Meerl!”

Meerl cuts a scrawny figure between them and Lady Smoke. Tap-tapping his long claw-like nails together with the same smarmy grin as last night — only this time with a harsh red line of purpling pressure around his skinny throat.

Beside Taylor, Ryder’s laugh is nothing short of utterly shameless. “Nice choker you got there, Meerl. It’s a great look on you, really.”

His laughter incites a bloated face of rage in the con-goblin. “You mock Meerl?!”

“Was I not bein’ obvious about it?”

“Pissy—pissface—pissant Nighthunter! Meerl will—!”

“He will do nothing until he is told.”

There’s a touch of gravel to Lady Smoke’s voice. She doesn’t shout because she doesn’t have to — because the moment her lips part the only thing that matters is what she has to say.

Especially to Meerl given the way he backs off, cowers like his nightmares are coming to life.

It must be a reputation thing, Taylor concludes. Because she’s definitely the more-badass-and-less-fictional version of Don Corleone — no doubt. But for nothing but a sentence to get that kind of reaction? It’s almost satirical.

“Meerl apologizes, Lady Smoke,” the urchin cowers with every word, “the Lady knows Meerl does nothing Meerl is not told to do.”

But he might as well be talking to thin air the way she addresses him. Not at all. Because he’s no longer important to her — for the moment at least. Not now that Vera steps up from behind Taylor while the door closes behind them.

Immediately Smoke’s face softens; a shine in her eye, what she probably thinks is tender warmth in her half-smile. What people who can’t love must think love looks like as an expression.

“Vera, baby girl, you —”

The nickname makes Vera cringe. “I told you not to call me that.” She’s probably the only person who could get away with interrupting the mob boss and leave alive.

“Vee —”

“No, mother; no names but my own.”

Smoke’s brow twitches but her frustration is well-corralled. “Very well, Vera.”

“Where do you get off on demandin’ to see me like this? Or makin’ your wardens bully my friends into coming with?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were friends with the troublemakers at Persephone?”

There’s nothing familial about their exchange but Smoke still manages to make Vera feel like a scolded child. Ducked head and eyes searching for a spot on the carpet — but hindered by the fog.

“You know I don’t like non-answers, Vera.” Smoke presses, but Vera doesn’t yield. Earns them all a heavy sigh while Smoke leans forward and folds her hands together atop an open date book. “Lucky for you, girl, I know all I need to on account of how helpful our friend Meerl has been.

“See, he knew I’d take care of everything — but I can’t fix what I don’t know is broke. And would you believe he was the only one to tell me about the unfortunate situation of the fights before morning?”

The goblin practically preens — likely taking her words as praise.

“The Lady knows Meerl only wants what is best for the Lady’s business, of course.”

“Especially if it keeps his ugly hide from getting flayed alive?”

The haughtiness of Ryder’s tone doesn’t have an ounce of remorse. Not even when it drags the almost golden-yellow of Lady Smoke’s eyes to him. Resting with the full weight of her frustration just below the poised surface.

“You never cease to surprise, do you Mister Ryder?” she croons.

“‘Dunno what you’re talkin’ about; predictable’s my middle name.”

“If that were the case you wouldn’t have been waist-deep in my affairs at Persephone.”

“And here I thought I was building a reputation for stickin’ my nose in other peoples business.”

“This ain’t just anyone’s business, though, is it?”

It hasn’t occurred to Taylor until just now that Kristof and the Jensen Pack may not be the only big-wigs in New Orleans that Ryder has crossed. Luckily it seems like a distant familiarity though. A mutual respect; and an unspoken threat on both sides to stay out of one another’s way.

And now Ryder’s gone and drawn first blood — er, well, metaphorically speaking.

Oh this could be bad. This could be very very bad.

Only the ice in her tone seems to have the opposite of the intended effect. Makes Ryder stand up straighter with his jaw clenched tight, his words a snarl that makes even Cal blink in surprise.

“If I’d a’known you were in the business of pimpin’ out kids for your cash fights, Smoke, I would’ve gotten involved a lot sooner. You can bet on that.”

The color drains out of Vera’s cheeks. Catches her torn between looking at her mother for any kind of denial and, finding none, unable to face the truth without feeling like she’s about to wretch.

“Momma, you didn’t…”

“Don’t you start that now, Vera.”

“But a kid?”

Smoke stands with her fingertips spread and pressed into her desk. Her sigh carries a visible weight in her shoulders. It’s heavy for sure but if it isn’t the burden of guilt then whatever she’s feeling means fuck-all to him.

“The Lowell boy was betting with money that wasn’t his. On top of that — he thought he could swindle my hard-earning regulars without consequence. Sometimes they have to learn young.

“You’d know that, baby girl, if you hadn’t left.”

Tears well up, misting over Vera’s eyes. But its an incredible feat of willpower that keeps her from shedding them — that lets her choke them down. Certainly not the first, and likely not the last.

“Don’t you dare play it off like you were trying to parent my kid brother.” Only then does Lady Smoke actually notice Cal. Cal with his face flush with fury and canines bared; Cal with his eyes as yellow as the gold the mob boss wraps herself in.

“Mister Ryder; I suggest you rein your feral friend in a tad.”

Nik throws his hands up. “No way.”

There’s a very well in the roll of her eyes. Has her walking around her desk with a lush black velvet cape trailing at her modest heels.

“You must be Cal.”

“What the hell gave you that idea?”

“Then I will tell you the same thing I told your fledgling con artist brother. It’s an old saying — perhaps you’ve heard of it. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.”

Smoke stands there, haughty and higher than them all — even as Cal roars “You callous bitch!” and makes for her ready to draw blood. And a lot of it.

Whatever witchy-mojo she has must be fucking powerful even if Taylor can’t feel it. All it takes is Smoke’s raised hand and even Nik holds his breath.

“You had posters,” the wolf seethes, “locked him in a cage like he was an animal!”

“Your brother had racked up quite a debt.”

“He’s just a boy!”

“Enough!”

When the gloves come off — literally in Lady Smoke’s case — all hell breaks loose.

Taylor looks around wildly, feels himself being pulled back on two sides — catches the first and likely only time Vera and Nik are of the same mind. Backing him up against a wall-length bookshelf so hard he knocks a few volumes on their sides.

For the first time since they arrived Cadence is sprung to action. Holds Cal back with a firm hand but keeps his distance from the witch and her exposed skin. The same look of cautious fear in his eyes as he had in the cage.

And at the couch, their drinks forgotten and seeping into the rich upholstery, Katherine aims a familiar-looking gun dead between Smoke’s eyes. Completely disregarding the also-familiar sister weapons now aimed at her from across the room.

Now would be the opportune moment for the main character to leap out in the middle of the fray and convince everyone to calm down; to shout “Nobody needs to get hurt tonight — we’re all on the same side!” or some other amount of crap that would be the bare minimum in getting everyone to see the bigger picture.

Ha — no thanks. No way is he getting mixed in with a vampire who tore a Minotaur to shreds, more guns than should legally be allowed in the same room, and whatever danger Smoke’s manicure ignites.

Nope. See, the best he can figure is there’s a reason Vera and Nik were so hasty to pull his only-a-threat-after-a-ton-of-spicy-food ass out of the crossfire. And that’s good enough for him.

Only when everyone’s stayed statuesque-still for the better part of a minute does Cadence pull back — away from Lady Smoke, eying her palms with the same look Vera’s giving the guns.

“Enough,” he repeats and is no less forceful, “enough of this, Tonya. You force me here, you force others — innocents — here, all for this flagrant abuse of your power? I settled the Lowell pup’s debt. You and I are even and he’s out of your cross-hairs.”

“So you’ve been saying, Smith,” — so why doesn’t she sound like she’s content to agree? — “but I don’t recall agreeing to your commerce de dettes. As it is not the place of they who owe to decide what is suitable payment.”

“You may be speaking of Dominic Lowell, but the same could be said for you.”

Smoke curls her fingers in the air; reminds Taylor of spider legs.

But Cadence has to be right or she’d have thrown back a snide retort instead of the silent treatment given.

Finally she speaks but her answer is strained. “We never outlined the terms and conditions of that particular contract.”

“Because I know better than to get something in writing with you. I may not know much but I certainly know that.”

“I cannot let this abide, Smith. Actions must be made; consequences for those who would publicly challenge the safety I provide this town —”

Maybe there’s more for her to say but she doesn’t get the chance. Not at the disgusted noise that comes off to Taylor’s right — nor the bewildered look Lady Smoke throws their way. Only when she throws up her pointed finger like a gun instead of a stern mother’s tool does Vera make the noise again.

“‘Safety,’” now she actually sounds the part of the witch, too, with her curled upper lip and fists trembling at her sides, “you’re gonna dare stand there in front’a me and call New Orleans safe? After what I told you was after me?!”

Taylor’s glad he’s between them when Ryder turns a murderous flush of violet.

“Now is not the time to air our family grievances, Vera.”

“You did know.” Taylor whispers. Loud enough for Vera to hear, to flinch and hug her arms around herself. Looking the same measure of scared and young and vulnerable as she did that night. “You—you do. Know; what it is. You know.”

She nods.

“Why didn’t you say?” When Ryder asked, when we locked eyes under Persephone, before Kristin and I jumped over the wall and to our deaths. “Why didn’t you help?”

“I didn’t wanna be right.”

Tonya raises her voice, tries to speak over her daughter. “Vera, this is not the way.”

“How the hell would you know, mom?!” she lashes out a sob, “You’re content to hide here and pretend everyone’s safe when they aren’t?!”

“You’re safe, baby girl, that’s all I care about.”

“Well I ain’t that selfish.”

It’s taking everything in her to not choke; lose her nerve. “If I’d known you spent all this time thinking it was after you, Taylor, I’d’ve told you sooner. I swear I didn’t mean for Cookie to get hurt — you neither. I thought when I split that you’d be safe.”

“Wait — back up. You think this thing is after you?” Nik interrupts, surprised.

“Not another word Vera Claire Reimonenq, so help me God.”

Ice-cold demeanor finally melted, some version of the real Tonya Reimonenq shines through in the crack in her voice. In the way she bites her bottom lip so hard it might burst like the vein in her temple might burst.

Taylor just doesn’t get why everyone is suddenly so freaked out about the way her hand is held aloft at Cadence’s neck. One deep bob of his Adam’s Apple away from choking the life out of the undead.

Katherine the opportunist takes the stunned pause to aim instead at Vera. Passes the barrel of the gun over Taylor’s chest and this is now officially too many times in the same week his life has flashed before his eyes and been less-than satisfying.

“Back. off. Smoke.” The huntress orders.

Cadence resists swallowing — painfully so.

Time to finally take the hint and get as scared as the rest of them it seems.

“You even think about pulling that trigger — you know what I’ll do to him.”

Katherine’s laugh is an unfeeling thing. Like a whole different woman stands before them — someone used to carrying the gun, to doing what needs to be done.

“And the payday of a lifetime goes down the drain, sure,” but her finger doesn’t stop caressing just shy of the pressure point, “but I’ll always find another. Don’t think the same can be said about a daughter, though.”

“Katherine —”

“Shut up, Nik. I let you do your stupid shit. My turn.”

Taylor’s one stupid heroically-inclined thought from stepping in front of Vera when she speaks up; “Stop it, momma. Just — stop it. Too many people been hurt already.

“Too many more’ll be, too, if we don’t try to get help.”

“You think they’ll help us? The whole city will turn their backs on us — make sure we’re the ones who suffer instead of them!”

“You don’t know that! You don’t know them!”

“Stop being so damn naive!”

Voices, tensions rising. Arms wavering with the weight of their weapons and sweat beading like the first of so many bullets down everyone’s backs; their brows.

It’s not the heroic, main character thing to say but that doesn’t stop Taylor from feeling really good about it when he finally shouts —

“Will someone please just say what the literal flippity fuck is out there?!”

“A bloodwraith!”

The way Vera covers her mouth he half expects to see blood dripping down her chin to stain her blouse. Her tongue bit off as divine — or supernatural — retribution for her admission.

Not that that’s the case. In fact he’s left feeling a little bit like he was denied some grand climax.

So he does what he always does — because this other, darker world seems to exist to make him look absolutely ridiculous in how little he knows — he looks to Nik for the textbook entry he’s missing.

“And a ‘bloodwraith’ would be…?”

“Trouble, Rook…”

Lady Smoke’s pulling her gloves back on. The gun hangs limp at Kathy’s side. Even the biggest bully of the henchmen looks ready to wet himself. There’s nothing reassuring about Cadence’s slow nod of realization — the way the natural enemies vampire and werewolf share a look of ‘well hell.’

Sometimes it’s not a rallying cry that gets opposing forces to work together. Sometimes fear is more than enough.

And the way Nik pulls him in close, hugs him with one strong arm like he’s already a dead man walking? That’s… uh… that’s pretty damn fearful.

“— It’s really, really big trouble.”

#nightbound #choices nb #playchoices #nik ryder #cal lowell #nik ryder x mc #vera reimonenq #katherine nightbound #oc: cadence smith #nightbound mc #mc: taylor hunter #oblv: bound by circumstance #oblv: new chapter #; my fics

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randomfandomimagine · 5 years

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Fate Is Sealed. Chapter 1

Fandom: John Wick

Pairing: John x Elizabeth (OC)

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A/N: I hope you all enjoy this series based around my imagine ‘We’re Even’. As every time I start writing something as long, I get a little insecure about it, but I'm still very excited about this series. If you like it, please like/reblog/leave feedback! Hopefully you’ll like the first chapter :) More action in the next one, as well as some actual interactions with John.

I was running out of patience with these assholes. They wrecked my car, wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone and then that. They’d see.

Bam, another hit. Closing my eyes tight, I took a deep breath to try and assimilate all the adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

“Where the fuck is my money?”

“I don’t have it”

“You don’t…”

“Fuck off” I looked away and spit out the blood that was accumulating in my mouth. “If I had it, I wouldn’t be here letting you beat the shit out of me”

Gaige ‘Smiling’ Stoakes smirked, and I grimaced at the gesture. If you happened to be tricked into thinking his smile was lively and friendly, you were in for a nasty surprise.

“What are you gonna do with her then, boss?” Dominic asked him, still watching everything.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they found some sort of twisted satisfaction in witnessing this. Gaige’s other two goons, Delfino and Simone, were still there as well.

I stirred in the chair, uncomfortable in that position as my hands were tightly stuck behind my back. After receiving so many punches, I was weak and exhausted and basically sunk in my seat. My vision was a little blurry as well.

“I dunno…” Gaige replied to Dominic, serenely bringing a hand up to comb his dark hair. “Maybe teach her a lesson”

While they all had amused expression on their faces, it was Simone who took a step forward. She cracked her knuckles and set her heavy brown eyes on their boss.

“Go ‘head” Gaige turned around, then glancing at the other two. “You, come with me. And you, stay here and watch that one doesn’t try anything”

Appreciating the breather, I tried to settle down my heartbeat and accommodate my quick breathing pattern into a calmer one. My eyes followed Delfino as he walked after the boss, at his orders, and Dominic stayed with Simone and me.

“Well” She dedicated me a shit-eating grin. “Where do we start?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but before any words could leave it, she had crossed my face with her fist. I took a few seconds to recover from the violent hit and glared back at her. That hurt more than usual.

“Bitch” I muttered, watching the brass knuckles that suddenly covered her hand.

I could feel the wounds forming all around my face, the impact of her punch burning in the skin of my cheek, eyebrow and temple.

“Oh, Lizzie” Simone sarcastically said as she took me by the hair and tilted my head back. “What a shame… I hate to do this to you”

“Don’t lie” I still glared at her, speaking through grit teeth. “And don’t call me that”

“This would all be over if you paid” Dominic said behind Simone just as she let go of me. “That’s all we want”

I bowed my head down in exhaustion. However, I wriggled my hands in the handcuffs, trying to reach my sleeve.

“And I’d be happy to comply” I lifted my eyes to meet with theirs, trying not to arise any suspicion as I took the paper clip tucked in my sleeve. “But five grand is a bit much to ask”

“Then you shouldn’t have put yourself in this situation on the first place”

I rolled my eyes, refusing to fall into her trap. I pursed my lips and focused all my efforts in twisting the clip and introducing the end on the small hole in one of the handcuffs.

It was hard to ignore the pain and exhaustion, but I pushed through just out of spite against Simone. And against that other douchebag too while we were at it.

“Or maybe Gaige should just forget about the stupid debt”

As I expected, Simone let out a sarcastic chuckle, loud enough to cover the low satisfying click of the handcuffs. I turned my wrist in a sharp movement and freed myself from it.

Now or never.

I stood up at top speed and punched Simone in the throat while she was distracted. She immediately fell to her knees, gasping for air as she clutched her neck. Then I kicked Dominic in the balls and ran as fast as I could, swinging the door open.

I found myself in a room full of mobsters that turned their heads towards the running young woman who still carried one of the handcuffs wrapped around her wrist.

“Get her!” Yelled a mixture of voices.

“Shit” I tried to make a run for it, managing to make it through for a few meters.

It wasn’t long before a pair of hands amongst the sea of arms that tried to reach me actually took ahold of me. I squirmed, shouting and kicking in a desperate attempt to break free from the arms that took me from behind and lifted me off the ground.

“Let me go! Let go of me!!”

“We got a runner” I heard Gaige’s unmistakable voice and soon I saw that pair of calculating brown eyes set on me.

“What are you gonna do?” I said between ragged breaths. “Kill me? Then you won’t get your money”

“I have a better idea” There came his treacherous smile. “You’re gonna do me a favor”

An unsettling silence established in the room. My eyes frantically darted from him to the others present in the room. The rest of them had gone back to their business now that the interruption was taken care of, except for the three usual lapdogs as the other two reunited with their friends.

“I’ll settle the debt…” When Gaige spoke, I perked up at the possibility of living with that freedom. “If you solve some business for me”

“You can’t mean…” Delfino muttered behind me as he set me back on the floor.

“Great idea, boss” Simone’s wide grin was definitely a bad omen.

Dominic left the room, too busy swearing under his breath and driving his hands to his head in outrage. I watched the scene in confusion, and my stomach churned in anticipation. Gaige’s twisted smile only worsened my unease.

The Continental, a sight for sore eyes. I hadn’t been there in a long time, and even if I always felt more comfortable in the safety of my own home, I knew there I could rest until I recovered.

It was a huge effort to even get the heavy door open and dragging myself through the lobby to speak to Charon. The sight of the elegant marble floors was almost exhilarating, as well as the familiar face of the receptionist.

“Miss Dawson” Charon looked me up and down, tranquil as usual despite my terrible state. “Busy night?”

“More like a rough one” I leaned my arms on the counter, supporting my weight there and catching my breath.

“Would you like a room?” Charon slightly moved his glasses down to type on the computer.

“Yes, please” I shoved a hand in my pocket and pulled out a gold coin. My last one.

“Very well” Once he was done typing, he locked eyes with me again. “Shall I call the doctor?”

“No, that’s okay” I grunted as I pushed myself off the counter. “I can take care of these bruises myself”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I want to be alone”

“As you prefer. Please give me a call if you need anything”

“Thank you”

He slid the keys over the counter and I took them, looking forward to lying down. I moved slowly, since with every step my whole body ached with the aftermaths of the beating. But I headed to my room in peace, with the comforting knowledge that the Continental was a safe haven.

My hands shook as I closed the door behind me, setting my eyes on the hotel bed but barely watching it. Evoking the events of the day and their consequences felt utterly draining. Suddenly feeling exhausted just at the mere concept of pursuing this mission, I plopped down in the bed and blankly observed the ceiling.

I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and sleep, pretending like what happened never occurred. Still, I knew I probably should take care of my wounds and bruises first, even if they weren’t life threatening.

Waiting a few more seconds until my legs felt capable of holding my weight again, I pushed myself off the bed and to my feet. A groan escaped my lips, my sore muscles and bruises sending a collective complaint, as I forced myself to go into the bathroom.

I positioned myself before the sink and held my hands around it for support. I weakly reached up to open the mirror and grabbed the contents from the first aid kit.

Observing my image in the mirror, I feebly worked to cover all my bruises. First the long cuts along my cheek. Then my eyebrow. And my temple. And my jaw. Fuck.

“What a mess…” I whispered, watching my reflection once I was done.

My face was now covered in plasters, with blood subtly seeping through the material.

I bowed my head down as that damn thought popped up in my brain again. I had to accept my destiny. I needed to do what Gaige told me to, I had no choice.

I had to kill John Wick.

Tag list: @lea-kenneth, @lookinsidemyhead, @ciccithedreamer, @writerandee, @contanto-que-voce-me-queira, @recentcrib8422, @anita-e-taylor, @elena-mayfair, @fyspidey, @mell-bell, @yes-captainstark, @quentinbecksass, @buckysjuicyplums, @misfvit, @e-lysium, @alluna-naozumi, @alainabooks143 // If you want me to add you or take you off the tag list, go ahead and tell me!

#fate is sealed #fis #fanfiction #jw #jw fanfiction #john wick #john wick fanfiction #john wick x oc #oc #no reader insert

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xxseekritsxx · 5 years

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MCU references in the Marvel Netflix shows! Yes, they are canon.

(Disclaimer: I tried to edit the original version of this post to add a new reference to the “Multiple Sources” section since I did not feel like reblogging and wasting an extra part of the post for this. But for whatever stupid reason, mobile Tumblr apparently no longer keeps the original text when you try to edit a post, and I accidentally reposted the original without any text. So I deleted the original post and am doing this again. -_-)

Yes, despite what some ignorant people would say, the Marvel Netflix shows are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’re self-contained enough to be their own thing, but they are still part of something greater. IF they were completely separate like some people idiotically assume, then nothing from those shows would have pages on the MCU Wiki or be part of the MCU page for TV Tropes, nor would they be allowed to make references to the larger MCU if they weren’t in it at all.

So I have put together a list of references from the TV shows to the greater MCU. I have broken down my list by each show where a reference was made, as well as making a category of references that run across multiple sources at once. Everything is under the cut.

1. Daredevil:

In the episode “Kingpin”, upon learning how the Anatoly brothers and their fellow Russian mobster mooks failed to stop Daredevil so far, Wilson Fisk’s right-hand man James Wesley derisively mocks the mobsters over their failure with this remark: “If he had an iron suit or a magic hammer, maybe that would explain why you keep getting your asses handed to you.”

Among the headlines in Ben Urich’s office (which later becomes Karen’s office after Urich’s death) in season 1, there are articles written by Urich referencing the “Harlem Horror” (the final battle between Hulk and Abomination in “The Incredible Hulk”, which was also referenced during the first Avengers film and comes up again later in this list) and the Avengers saving the day during the Battle of New York.

Adding to the last part of the previous point, the devastation brought to Hell’s Kitchen from the fallout of the Battle of New York is what allowed Wilson Fisk to grow his influence in the underworld and make a profit off of the reconstruction that took place after all the fighting was done.

2. Luke Cage:

When Pops tries to encourage Luke to use his enhanced strength for good instead of hiding his powers, he gives Luke this advice with the following remark: “You should be out there helping people, like them other fellas downtown.” First heard in the Luke Cage season 1 trailer and in the very first episode, this quote is a clear reference to the Avengers (one of multiple made by this series).

A running gag with the young character Dave “D.W.” Griffith in season 1 revolved around him going into the streets selling bootleg footage of the Avengers in action during the Battle of New York.

Misty Knight’s former (crooked) partner Rafael Scarfe made an interesting statement about the redundancy of the police in New York with the following remark referencing Thor: “Unless this sidearm that I’m wearing suddenly turns into some kind of magic hammer, this whole job is irrelevant.”

Cottonmouth mockingly refers to Luke Cage (to the main character’s face) as “Harlem’s Captain America” when questioning Luke on whether the latter truly thinks of himself as a hero.

Remember when I said earlier that the final battle between Hulk and Abomination was going to be referenced again on this list? Since the “Luke Cage” series is set in Harlem, this is where it unsurprisingly comes up again. Locals in Harlem still remember the battle between the super strong monsters years later. I mean, how could you forget something like that easily?

Multiple references to Hammer Industries technology. Despite its founder still being behind bars (covered later), the company still continues to operate. Like SHIELD and others (such as HYDRA, Vulture’s crew, and a criminal couple who ended up working for SHIELD under an agent who would later go rogue-after Sitwell decided to go against his orders from said rogue agent to kill them for possessing a Chitauri gun), Hammer Industries salvaged leftover Chitauri technology from the Battle of New York to make new weapons out of it. In the show, these weapons include the Judas bullets (which are those rounds fired by Diamondback that were able to actually pierce Luke Cage’s skin). The other notable piece of Hammer tech in the show is Diamondback’s battlesuit, which he wore for the final battle in season 1 when he and Luke fought.

3. Jessica Jones:

In the episode “AKA 99 Friends”, Jessica is contacted by a woman who allegedly wants Jessica to use her investigative skills to follow her cheating husband around. However, this turns out to be a ruse. The woman who called Jessica lured her into a trap and attempted to kill her, the reason being that the woman’s mother died during the Battle of New York. Despite Jessica having no involvement in these events at all, the woman who laid the trap views all superpowered people as freaks-basically a much smaller-scale version of the attitudes shared in “Captain America: Civil War” who see superheroes as people that need to be brought to heel and put on a tight leash.

Shortly after learning about both of them having the power of super strength in common, Luke asks Jessica during their dinner if she knows about any other enhanced people besides themselves and the Avengers. Jessica reveals the existence of Kilgrave to Luke in response.

In the first episode of season 3, Jessica is asked to bring a young girl back to her mother following the divorce of the girl’s parents. As she is getting dragged by Jessica back to her mother, the girl asks the title heroine “Would Captain America do this?” when questioning Jessica’s actions.

4. Iron Fist:

When Danny is initially not believed by his friends Joy and Ward Meachum to be who he says he is after Danny and the Rand family were declared missing long ago, Danny is sent to a psychiatric ward. When Danny explains his title and powers to the doctor assigned to treat him, the doctor responds with a scoffing remark about the frequency of crazy people emerging with claims of possessing superpowers having increased since the emergence of Iron Man.

In season 2, we learn that Mary Walker/Typhoid Mary was held captive in Sokovia for nearly two years prior to her being discharged from the Army following her escape.

5. The Punisher:

Believe it or not, there is a connection between the Punisher series and “Agents of SHIELD”. Many of you may not remember this, but back in season 1 of the latter series, Daisy name-drops one of her old contacts from the Rising Tide hacktivist group she used to be part of: Micro. While the Punisher series itself does not return this reference at all, it is still worth mentioning. Micro was part of the Rising Tide group prior to his eventual recruitment by the NSA, who picked him up after learning of his skills.

6. Multiple sources:

Roxxon has been referenced as an Easter egg multiple times within the MCU canon, such as being featured in “Iron Man 3″ when Trevor Slattery murdered a Roxxon executive on live TV while posing as the Mandarin, and being featured in the first season of “Agents of SHIELD”. The company has also been integral to the plots of the TV series “Agent Carter” and in “Cloak and Dagger”. In the latter series, there are some references to the greater MCU:

Peter Scarborough, CEO of Roxxon in the present day, justifies the company’s attempted extraction of Darkforce and Lightforce energy with this remark while being held captive by Tandy/Dagger: “In this day and age, you need to keep up with the Joneses. As well as the Starks and the Rands.” A clear nod to Tony Stark and Danny Rand.

Detective Brigid O’Reilly reveals that she is originally from Harlem and was part of the local police force there prior to moving to New Orleans. In addition, she mentions a friend named Misty-a clear reference to Misty Knight. What makes this nod even better is when Luke Cage season 2 returns the reference when Misty mentions O’Reilly having moved out of town.

In season 2, Tyrone has a discussion with a friend about Luke Cage when the former finds out his friend cannot read what’s on the newspaper about Cage. The article in question is a “Harlem Rumble” piece about Luke, which is also explicitly mentioned to be written by Karen Page.

Carl “Crusher” Creel AKA Absorbing Man has been referenced in the Daredevil episode “Cut Man” as the young boxer Matt’s father Jack Murdock fought in the ring on the same night the latter was eventually murdered for not throwing the fight. The poster advertising their fight can be seen in the background of Fogwell’s Gym where Jack and, later, Matt, would spend time training. Creel himself appeared as a recurring character in seasons 2, 3, and 5 of “Agents of SHIELD”. In the latter series, Creel’s boxer past was referenced as part of his introduction in the second season.

Seagate Prison has appeared in multiple sources. In “Luke Cage” we know the prison as the one where the title character was sent for a crime he didn’t commit and where he received his powers from Dr. Noah Burstein’s experiments. In the Marvel One-Shot “All Hail the King”, it was revealed that Seagate is also the home to Justin Hammer and Trevor Slattery, following their respective arrests in “Iron Man 2″ and “Iron Man 3″. During the One-Shot, Slattery was interviewed by a documentary filmmaker named Jackson Norris. However, the filmmaker revealed that he was actually an agent of the Ten Rings (whom we all know as the terrorist organization who captured Tony Stark in the first “Iron Man” movie). Norris captured Slattery and extracted him from Seagate with the intent of taking the washed-up actor to meet the former’s master: the real Mandarin, who was not exactly pleased with Slattery’s portrayal of him. Slattery’s final fate after this is unknown.

So the next time someone says the Marvel Netflix shows are “not canon” or “completely separate”, show them this list.

#marvel #marvel cinematic universe #marvel tv #marvel television #marvel netflix #agents of shield #agents of s.h.i.e.l.d.#agent carter #cloak and dagger #daredevil #iron fist #jessica jones #luke cage #mcu #marvel mcu #marvel comics

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bobasheebaby · 5 years

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City of Silence- Crimson Rain chapter 12

Pairing: Bastien x Liza; Liam x Raven

Word count: 2,725

Warnings: angst, mentions of pregnancy loss, slight self blame

Summary: Liza came clean about her losses, and now returns home. Raven woman’s up and tells Liam about her concerns, only to receive some startling news of her own. (This chapter is heavy and deep, hopefully the last pregnancy loss chapter.)

A/N: @katurrade and @zaffrenotes kept pushing me to do a Mobster AU. Beta’d by my patient husband who is completely hooked.

Series warnings: Mobster AU, there will be violence, and death. NSFW content possibly to come. Possibly dark. If you ask to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I own my OC’s, the rest I’m simply borrowing from PB for a bit.

One and a half years ago; Trenton, New Jersey- Raven:

It had been six months since Raven returned to Trenton, leaving her chance of getting out behind her. She would do anything for Liam, even pretend to simply be his friend. She had been pleasantly surprised when a not so drunken confession of feelings was not only well received but answered with a kiss. Raven would be over the moon with happiness that she had a chance with her closest friend that she had fallen in love with if it weren’t for one person standing in their way, Madeline.

Madeline, the woman who refused to let go and insisted on making Raven’s life a living nightmare. She could still remember Madeline’s face when Liam told her that he would not be marrying her.

Madeline’s face twisted with displeasure. “You have got to be kidding me Liam! We belong together! You’ll see. She will ruin you, destroy you.” She screamed, her face turning as red tomato. “Why can’t you just follow the plan? Why can’t you just do what you are supposed to do?” Her hands curled into tightly clenched fists by her sides. “You will live to regret getting in bed with that family Liam!” She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Raven’s stomach twisted in knots every time Madeline’s words repeated in her head. She will destroy you. You will live to regret getting in bed with that family Liam! What was wrong with her family? What made Madeline’s any better than her own? Surely Madeline couldn’t think that since her aunt married Constantine that it ensured she’d be with Liam. Why can’t you just follow the plan? What plan? The engagement that Liam had been pressured into or something else?

Raven detested Madeline and the way she still walked around like she had won. Why can’t she just admit defeat and move the hell on?! Her dirty looks and little digs were starting to get on Raven’s last nerve. She wasn’t one for violence, but if Madeline didn’t back the fuck off she would gladly make an exception.

Raven tried to take her own thoughts under advisement and move on. Every time she thought she had put it behind her she would get a nagging feeling that Madeline’s words would come back to haunt them. She only hoped that Madeline was wrong and that she didn’t mark Liam’s undoing.

Present day; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

For the first time in she wasn’t sure how many years Liza felt lighter, freer. While she was still struggling to piece herself back together she no longer carried the secret that slowly destroyed her from the inside out. She never realized how much hiding the truth from Bastien truly affected her until she relinquished the burden that she alone carried. She had always kept the number of losses from him to protect him from the pain he had felt with the first one but she didn’t realize how hard on her it was to carry that pain on her own. It was a pain she knew she would always carry with her, but knowing that he wanted her even if having a child together was completely off of the table she suddenly felt less afraid of what the future held for them.

Even with the weight off her shoulders Liza was exhausted, ready to drop. Hours spent talking and crying with Bastien holding her and reassuring her had left her feeling completely drained. The flight across the country only added to the physical and mental exhaustion she felt. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep.

Liza had to bite back a sigh when Olivia ran up to greet her. She loved Liv dearly but she was too drained to do anything other than sleep.

“Thank god you’re back.” Olivia said pulling Liza into a tight embrace. She broke the hug smoothing down her dress.

Liza had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Liv always did have trouble with displays of affection.

“You ever run off like that again and I will hunt you down myself and bring you back in pieces.”

Liza bit back a chuckle. “I’m not going anywhere again I promise.”

“Good.” Olivia replied, hands on her hips, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched. “Now care to explain exactly why you went running off and to Percy of all people?”

Liza’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You knew?”

“Of course I knew! You only trusted one other person enough, it was easy to figure out. Now spill.”

“Later Liv, all I want to do now is sleep for a week.”

“Fine. I’m glad you’re back.”

“I missed you too Liv.” Liza replied a soft smile on her lips.

Liza walked the rest of the way to their shared room. She quickly changed and climbed under the covers. She knew she would be required to explain to Liv, and she would, she was done carrying the burden on her own. Maybe if she allowed those she loved to help her she could finally truly heal.

Eight and a half years ago; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Liza:

Liza was slowly pulling herself back together, she was starting to feel more like who she had been before she lost their child. She still had her moments when she felt the dull ache and thought about what she should be doing to get ready for the life that she would never meet. Her beautiful angel, gone before they even had a chance to live.

As the days turned to weeks, and the weeks to months since their devastating loss she found herself slowly returning to normal. She spent less time wondering who their child would resemble, less time counting the days until when they should have been arriving. She felt less jealous pangs when she saw a pregnant woman or new mother. Yet fate was cruel, a week before she should have been welcoming their child into the world she found herself staring once again at two dark lines. Her heart clenched in her chest, she couldn’t allow herself to hope, not when they should have been free of this pain that she knew would never truly go away. She wanted to tell Bastien, she wanted to believe that this one would be different, but she couldn’t allow herself to dream. I was twelve weeks, they were supposed to be safe. I should wait, be perfectly sure.

Liza was plagued with guilt as she went to the doctors by herself. She knew Bastien would be overjoyed with the news, but she couldn’t dare to hope, to dream. She needed to be sure, know this one would be safe before she told him. She refused to drag him through the pain again if he could be spared.

Two weeks later Liza knew she had been right in her decision to keep Bastien in the dark. The pain hit her with the force of a Mack truck, her only saving grace that kept Bastien from wondering why her tears were suddenly falling harder once again was all due to timing. Had it not be right around when their angel should have been born she knew he would have questions as to why her pain seemed to grow once more.

Liza found herself lying awake at night wondering if she would ever move past this fear that had since taken hold of her. She wanted to believe that she would one day be blessed with a child, yet she couldn’t allow herself to hope only to be knocked back to the ground once more. She needed to be strong, tough, like she always had been, the way she needed to be to keep from destroying him.

That was Liza’s only saving grace, knowing that she had managed to spare him the same pain all over again. She wanted to yell and scream and curse the universe, but she knew she needed to bury it deep inside. She could carry this pain alone, she could remain strong so she didn’t have to watch his hopes be dashed once more. As much as she was hurting, seeing the devastation on his face had been a million times worse. No she could keep this pain and bury it deep within. She alone would carry this burden, anything to spare him.

Present day; Trenton, New Jersey:

Raven was unsure how to broach the subject with Liam without upsetting him. She knew how he felt about Bastien, his feelings only becoming worse with the addition of Hope. She could only imagine how he might feel about her speaking to Hope without him. She had yet to uncover much, no solid proof, but maybe it would be enough to make him dig for the truth himself.

The fact that Emmaline wasn’t wearing her wedding band when found at the hospital was an unsettling discovery. It was as if someone was trying to erase all traces of Constantine from her. The fact that Constantine knew where she was and paid for her care but went on to remarry made Raven start to question how much of what they had been told growing up was true. She knew Liam wouldn’t want to hear any of it, he would instantly become defensive as soon as she suggested that his father might have been involved.

Raven needed to follow her gut and bring what small facts she did uncover to Liam, hopefully they would be enough to convince him to do some digging of his own. She needed to find some proof and quickly incase he still refused to believe any other option. She couldn’t allow him to do something drastic that he may later regret.

Raven walked into Liam’s open office, closing the door behind her. Liam looked up from his desk, smiling when he saw her. “What did I do to deserve the pleasure of your presence?”

Raven smiled tentatively, knowing his entire mood was about to take a drastic shift. “Hey Li, I wanted to talk to you about Bastien. I was talking to Hope and I really don’t think he had anything to do with what happened to your mom.” She stated softly, her voice wavering slightly as worry settled in her stomach.

Liam drew his lips into a thin line, all happiness at her presence disappearing with her words. “You spoke to Hope?”

“Yes, she said that your mother wasn’t wearing her rings when she was found. Bastien would have no reason to remove them, your father however—”

“Enough!” Liam exclaimed cutting her off.

Tap tap tap

“Come in!” Liam called. “All conversation about my father’s involvement in my mother’s attempted murder are tabled.”

“But Liam—”

Mara stepped into the room, her face paling. Attempted murder? No— that’s not possible, she was dead… Constantine said…

“No, you want to know why he hid her? He hid her because of Hope, nothing else.”

“Emmaline is alive?” Mara gasped, eyes going wide in shock. Her body tensed as if the weight of the world crashed down upon her. “No. It’s not possible!” Her eyes darted around the room like it held the answer within. How much does she remember? What does this mean? Her calm demeanor vanished as fear settled upon her. How much does he know? “I knew he acted too fast!” She muttered in a barely audible whisper.

“Mara, what do you know?” Liam questioned, anger coursing through his veins at the implications of her words. The pieces slowly started to fall together. She knows something.

Mara’s cold brown eyes locked on Liam’s, fear covering her face as she realized her mistake too late. “I knew he should have waited if he wanted her gone. But no! When he saw her bleeding he broke, he couldn’t go through with it, he said it was done, handled.” The words spilled from her mouth as if on their own accord. Her gaze raked over Liam, his jaw and fists clenching and unclenching in anger. She stepped back in fear, her body shaking, she glanced at Raven who stared at her slack jawed unable to move or speak, tears welling in her eyes.

“Who told you it was handled Mara?!” Liam growled. All his life he had been told the one who took his mother from him was Bastien Lykel, had that all been a lie? Had the real culprit been closer than he thought?

“C—Constantine, he ordered the hit to keep her from leaving.” Mara stuttered in fear, she looked to her daughter, mentally praying for her to come to her aid. “He never expected Bastien to refuse, I had her trust, I was the one who even told him of her plans to leave, so he gave it to me instead.” She spilled the truth, hoping to earn their, his forgiveness in return.

Raven turned from her mother, unable to face her. How could she? How could Constantine do that to his own son? As betrayed as she felt she could only imagine how Liam felt learning that his father was behind everything.

“You befriended her, betrayed her, and then tried to kill her? So what if she wanted to leave!”

“She was going to take you! Constantine refused to lose another child, so he ordered her dead before she could leave with you. When he found out about her indiscretion with Bastien he about flipped his lid, but decided to use it to his advantage, get rid of them both. But Bastien refused, your father was furious, and when he left he decided if he pinned it all on him, make him a pariah it would be better than killing him.”

“So what if she wanted to take me, how could you kill her?! She trusted you! I trusted you!” Liam bellowed, advancing towards the woman responsible for him growing up without a mother.

“He threatened Raven! After Bastien refused Constantine threatened Raven, he wouldn’t take anymore chances. I had no choice!” Mara screamed, backing up until her back hit the wall. Her eyes flitted around the room, looking for any way out, anything to defend herself with.

“You had a choice! You made your choice when you told my father her plans. You made it again when you agreed to help him instead of helping her. You could have gone with her, protected Raven and my mom, instead you made the selfish choice and made me grow up without my mother!” Liam shouted, his fist hitting the wall by Mara’s head, saw dust raining on the floor.

Mara squeezed her eyes shut in fear. Liam has every right to be angry with her, she deserved whatever she got. She betrayed his mother, took the selfish choice to destroy his family to protect her own.

“Liam, please!” Raven pleaded, her hand resting on his shoulder. “What she did was horrible, but she’s still my mom.” Tears streamed down her face, she couldn’t even look at the woman that raised her, but she couldn’t allow Liam to act rashly out of anger again and end up regretting his actions. She hated her mother in that moment, knowing she was the reason for all of Liam’s pain, that she was the reason for everything that had happened. She caused so much hurt and pain, but Raven knew she needed Liam to think calmly and rationally or he could end up beating himself up for another two weeks. She was just thankful that in his haste for revenge he hadn’t killed Liza.

“I think you should go.” Liam said through gritted teeth. The only reason he was able to hold back his rage was the woman he loved by his side. The woman he grew up with and fell for when she went away to college. The woman who dropped everything for him because he was in need of a friend. The woman who surprised him by returning his feelings. The woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. If it weren’t for Raven he wasn’t sure what he would be capable of in that moment.

Mara flinched at Liam’s words. She shot a remorseful and thankful look at her daughter who still refused to meet her gaze. She ducked out of the room, fearful of what was to become her now.

A/N: So who did you think it was? Are you surprised? Next chapter will just be dealing with Liam, Raven and the truth. It will all be in Trenton, no Philadelphia.

Masterlist can be found in my bio.

Tags: @speedyoperarascalparty @liamxs-world @annekebbphotography @syphaxs @hopefulmoonobject @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @riseandshinelittleblossom @cocomaxley @ao719 @blackwidow2721 @katurrade @leelee10898 @stopforamoment @akrenich @gardeningourmet @bella-ca @carabeth @bobbersb @endlessflame @kadencantarella @innerpostmentality @imma-winchester-addict @tornbetween2loves @cora-nova @indiacater @traeumerinwitzhelden @blackcatkita @darley1101 @choiceslife @alexpottrechoices @lolablackwrites @daniv2278 @sleepwalkingelite @gibbles82 @zilch3 @sirbeepsalot

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elenaxever · 5 years

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( Chloe Bennet, 25, cisfemale, she/her ) Have you seen ELENA EVER around ? I hear they’re a SINGER AT EDEN/HACKER who can sometimes be HEADSTRONG & RECKLESS. But I also heard they can be COURAGEOUS & COMPASSIONATE if you catch them on a good day. they’re usually hanging around FATES in their spare time. i sure hope they’re alright !

hello hello, claire (she/her, gmt+1) again i know you’re getting bored of me but here’s my third bby and the ‘normal’ one out of the three, though that’s relative too if we’re being honest... anyway if you want this stubborn little thing to plot with her, give this a ❤ and imma come @ you

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STATS: ➤ NAME: Elena Ever ➤ AGE: 25 ➤ DOB: 6th of May ➤ BORN: New York City ➤ HEIGHT: 5′5′’ ➤ SIBLINGS: unknown ➤ MBTI: ENFJ ➤ ORIENTATION: bisexual ➤ OCCUPATION: singer at Eden, freelance hacker ➤ EDUCATION: high school education ➤ TATTOOS: yes, a tattoo that was placed on her by the brothel, she hides it obsessively ➤ SCARS: yes, various ➤ AESTHETICS: leather jackets and combat boots, her phone and a cup of lukewarm coffee always in her hand, a flat full of computers, a raging motorcycle between her legs, leather fingerless gloves, nails painted black, skirts and dark stockings, a laptop in her bag, always going somewhere ➤ VICES: tobacco, alcohol, sex, drugs (before) ➤ PETS: yes a shiba inu and a hedgehog (idk man)

HISTORY:

➤ She was born a bastard to a mother that didn’t want her and a father that never knew. Her mom was an dancer and a prostitute in New York, a young woman trying to get by to whom the pregnancy happened by accident. Elena grew up among the women who worked at that club, and though her mother was far from thrilled by her - she still cared for her, as did the other women. There were a few kids like her there, but she was hardly aware that a life they were leading was far from ideal. ➤ During her teen years she started showing interested in computers, and had a mind for coding - able to see things and connections most others didn’t. It was a way to connect to other people of similar interests and she soon found a place where she finally fit in. She started running with that crowd, but it was far from ideal and Elena was desperate to keep her status now that she’d found a place where she was finally seen and respected. ➤ Out of some rebellious teenage stupidity, Elena ran away when she was barely 16. Though her family situation wasn’t ideal, it was a far cry from what was expecting her out there in the real world. She just didn’t realise that yet. ➤ As her notoriety grew in the community, people started showing interest. Chief among them being the man running and underground crime business that dealt exclusively with black-hat hacking. Hungry for a place to settle, and a stable community to call her own after 2 years on the run - Elena accepted the proposal. They’d give her a place to stay in the base, all the resources she needed and all she had to do was do as she was told. ➤ Elena trusted the man, she trusted everyone there and she would soon learn that people are rarely trustworthy, and she’d learn it the hard way. She was young and he enticed her, he was her idol - a notorious hacker in the business, brilliant and fascinating. How could a young girl of 18 not fall for that? ➤ Betrayal came like a bucket of cold water dumped on her - a field mission gone wrong, the enemy closing in without anyone to get her out. No one even tried. She thought he’d come till the last minute, but as they dragged her away into a dark van, there was no one to be seen, no one to catch her when she fell. ➤ Turns out the man who took her was a mobster from New York, running an illegal prostitution ring, and so he dragged her back home - but it looked nothing like the way she thought she’d return. ➤ They broke her spirits there - and don’t get me wrong, she put up hell of a fight. But there’s only so much a human can take, before they’re broken seemingly beyond repair. She became numb, distant - there were places in her mind where she’d go to hide, lines of code she’d go through over and over again until it was done. ➤ But even then, at her lowest, darkest moments - a spark was enough to light a fire within her. There was a person there - she never learned who they were exactly - but they offered her a chance, a split second to make a decision and run for her life. She got out. So many more didn’t. It would haunt her for the rest of her life. ➤ Once out, she found her mother again - she was beaten and bruised but still standing. A realisation came to her a few days later - was this all there was? This life? It couldn’t be. She’d been through so much - the world swallowed a girl and spit out a woman - it was about time she took things into her own hands. After all she was free again, and she would never let anyone own her again. ➤ On a whim, like she does most things, she decided she’d find the person that had offered her a chance at escape, she decided she couldn’t let this rest, she decided she would have to learn to fight so she would never feel so helpless again. So she followed the leads - back to Chicago. ➤ She knew the bare minimum about this person, only that they were involved with the criminal world of Chicago, the seedy underbelly of the city - but horrible odds never stopped her, so why would they now? ➤ She settled in Chicago, finding work at Eden as a singer - it was a small win for her, to take this part of her and piece it together. It reminded her of what was done to her, but it also reminded her that she was her own woman now, and no one was controlling her. On the side she still works as a hacker, but a freelance one - not involved with any syndicate and making sure she’s covering her tracks so they wouldn’t find her again.

PERSONALITY: + courageous, compassionate, kind, determined, clever

- stubborn, reckless, impulsive, addictive, idealistic

HEADCANONS:

➤ She owns a tiny apartment, but it’s enough for her needs. She doesn’t want to get greedy and expose herself too much just to get some more money. What she earns she spends mostly on her hacking equipment - it’s basically her baby. ➤ She spends a lot of time on her laptop at the Fates, downing coffee after coffee until her heart is in a wild tachycardia (it’s not healthy and she knows it). She likes being around people instead of just always locked at her apartment. ➤ Singing is a thing she has loved since she was a kid, it lets her get lost in the melody and the words, it’s almost like she’s someone else. This is why she’s working at Eden - it lets her couple work with something she loves, and it also allows her to face the fears from the past. After all you cannot always be strong, but you can be brave. ➤ She loves movies, especially the old kind - they’re idyllic, a much-needed escape from reality. So if she likes you don’t be surprised if she drags you to her place or the cinema to watch something. ➤ She absolutely adores her motorcycle and takes it everywhere, claiming it’s simply a more practical way of transport than a car is. Truth is, she just likes the thrill of it - the way she’s dancing with death when she’s speeding down the street. ➤ That’s another thing about her - she’s a reckless creature. She likes the danger, the thrill, and she’s always the first to jump into trouble if it means protecting someone. She’s big on being on the side of the underdog, and regardless of the situation, she just can’t let things slide even if it means getting her ass kicked in the process. It wouldn’t be the first time. ➤ She struggles a lot with ptsd and survivor guilt, but has never had enough sense to get some help. It’s mostly because she feels like she’s alone in the world and there’s never anyone to stand up for her - so she can do it on her own, she has to. ➤ She has like 20 leather jackets, a good 80% of her closet is just leather jackets. It’s unhealthy. And also combat boots and heeled combat boots, there’s just nothing in between except when she’s working and she has to dress appropriately. ➤ Her cigarettes of choice are Lucky Strike, and she has an old beaten-up zippo that a friend once gave it to her (the same one whose criminal syndicate she’d been working for). She hates him, yet she still keeps the lighter, a creature of habit. ➤ She’s an energetic person, always hell-bent on helping people (maybe because she feels no one ever held a hand out to her) so it’s not weird for her to approach people if she senses they’re not in a good place. She’ll talk to them, or offer them a cigarette or drag them out to have some drinks, but whatever it is she will be there. ➤ There is a tattoo on her forearm that she obsessively covers and hides with sleeves and arm pieces, it’s back from her days of prostitution when they marked her as theirs. She hates it but lets it stay there as a reminder never to give up her own agency like that again. She also has some scars and burn marks from that time but they don’t bother her as much though she hides them too. ➤ She can be seen taking self-defence classes and going to the shooting range to practice. It offers her peace of mind and some semblance of a hold on her sanity - a thought that she could defend her self (badly though probably) if something were to happen. ➤ She WILL try to befrend you count on it. Also I’ll come up with more random hcs I just wanted to give her an introduction :) wanted connections: i’m currently making a wanted connections page for her but honestly everything and anything is welcome!!! like she could’ve been a runaway kid with your charrie or smth (i would LOVE those connections), maybe people who were also in the syndicate with her? or people who were abused like her and managed to get away? also she’s sneaking around looking for clues about gangs and although she’s just trying to reach out to say thank you and all that jazz, it looks suspicious (she never thought of it that way cause ya know... the girls a genius for hacking but can be clueless), also fwb she has a thing for that because she has trust issues etc. but also likes to have fun, and friends just in general she needs her squad for more specific ones i’m gonna post like a wanted connection, like that guy from syndicate who left her behind, and also someone involved with gangs (doesn’t matter in which way) who helped her escape (i left that purposefully vague af) SO basically ALL of it??

#crimson.intro #ughh finally i posted everyone's intros #pls come give some love to my children #tw ptsd #tw prostitution #tw rape

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nicolabarth · 6 years

Text

Loyalty

Read it on AO3

Square Filled: Waiter!Cas

Ship: Castiel/Meg Masters

Rating: Mature

Tags: Mafia AU, Mobster!Lucifer, Waiter!Castiel, Mobster!Meg, Mention of Murder, less than friendly interrogation techniques, Death Threats (it’s how they show love)

Summary: Castiel just got out of prison, where he was doing time for helping his friend Balthazar sell military equipment. Since Castiel knows his cousin Michael is a successful business man, he asked him for a job. He didn't expect to end up as a waiter in Dean Winchester's bar. And the Archangels don't expect him having a less than pleasant secret mission. This is part of the Mafia Archangels verse, but you don’t have to read the rest to understand this one.

Word Count: 6723

Written for @spnaubingo

Thanks to @askatosch for cheering me on and making me change the ending so that it’s much better now. Also thanks to @coplins for beta reading and letting me use her OC Aleksandr “Sasha” Chaadayev.

There are too many new faces at once in his bar for Dean’s liking. Not customers, of course, new customers are always a good thing. But people he has to work with. People he hasn’t chosen himself.

For one, there’s the guy with the silver hair and the silver eyes sitting by the bar with a coke. Aleksandr Chaadayev, a name Dean still isn’t sure how to spell right. He also still hates the thought that he needs a bodyguard now, but if it makes Michael worry less, he’ll learn how to deal. It would probably be easier, if silver eyes was the only addition to the team.

But then there’s …

“You should show me some respect,” comes a deep voice from the direction of a nearby table. Dean’s new waiter is frowning down on a blond girl that’s seated there.

The girl rolls her eyes. “Listen, I totally don’t care what you think I should. I ordered a skinny latte, but this is like totally not low fat milk. It’s really not that hard to get a simple order right!”

That makes Dean bristle. He got that order right for sure. He takes pride in getting orders right, no matter how many extra requirements. So he kinda wants to echo what the new guy said, but there are things you don’t say to customers no matter what. That’s why he just sighs and steps out from behind the bar. “What’s the matter here?”

In the end he gives up trying to convince the girl that she got low-fat milk and just makes a new latte for her. Then he sends the new guy into the cellar to stock up on things, where he doesn’t have to interact with customers for a while. When Dean settles back behind the bar, silver eyes is watching him with an amused expression.

“What’s so funny?” Dean grumps.

“Never seen anyone as useless with customers as Castiel,” silver eyes says.

Ah yes, Castiel, that’s the name. Michael had asked Dean to hire the guy. Apparently he’s family. A cousin or something, and he just got out of prison. What was it again? Helping a friend sell military equipment? Way to get a dishonorable discharge.

“What do you know about the guy, Silver eyes?” Dean asks.

His new bodyguard lifts and eyebrow. “Silver eyes?”

“Would you prefer Immortal?” According to Michael that’s what some people call his new bodyguard. Pretty overdramatic nickname.

“Oy!” Silver eyes complains. “Don’t call me that. It’s too much like tempting fate for my liking, you feel me?”

Dean laughs. “Yeah, fair enough.” He has to give it to the guy, he’s not that bad. “But your actual name is a quite a mouthful.”

“Call me Sasha.”

“Alright, Sasha. So, what do you know about the new guy?”

Sasha shrugs. “All I know is that the boss wants me to watch him and see, if he’s trustworthy. Apparently he just showed up. Not much contact before that. But he’s family and he’s already been doing shady business. Apparently pretty successful, before he was busted. So maybe he’s useful.”

“What’s your verdict so far?” It’s only been a few hours, but Dean is curious. Maybe you have to have some kind of super people assessing skills to become a mafia bodyguard. Who knows.

Sasha grins and takes a sip from his coke. “That he’s pretty useless with customers.”

“No shit,” Dean says.

Castiel fumes, when he gets off work later. The nerve some people have! It’s like by showing up to work this morning he had somehow resigned some human rights. Instead they use him as an outlet to their frustration and expect him to smile and nod along the way.

He still doesn’t get why Michael has sent him to wait tables here, either. Wasn’t there supposed to be some shady business going on? At least that’s what Naomi said. If the FBI was wrong about this, if they practically forced him into service and sent him here for nothing, he hopes the feds will at least keep their part of the deal anyway.

Well, at least they had been right about Michael and Dean Winchester. There is some kind of connection obviously.

Castiel walks home through the darkness, not particularly afraid of what might lurk there, even though Dean had warned him that the neighbourhood isn’t the best. He kind of hopes someone might try something. At least he could vent some of his anger that way.

He has a small apartment not that far away in a house riddled with graffiti. The stairwell stinks of something rotten all the time, and he holds his breath until he reaches his door and hurries in.

He has only just pulled off his shoes, when his phone rings. He thinks about not answering it, just out of spite, but then he does so anyway.

“Report,” Naomi’s voice comes from the other side of the line.

Castiel huffs. “I waited tables for ten hours.”

“I want a report on the important parts,” she says testily. “Did you get close to Sam Winchester?”

He wishes there was some way to tell her to just fuck off. The words are on the tip of his tongue. He swallows them down, though. “The bar my cousin sent me to work in belongs to Dean Winchester.”

“Excellent.” The self-satisfied smile he hears in her voice makes him scowl at nothing. “Sam Winchester will show up there eventually. Just work on winning his brother’s trust for the moment. And that of your cousins.”

Castiel rolls his eyes. That much was kind of obvious. “Yes, ma’am. When will you let Balthazar out then?”

“As soon as there are some results.”

Castiel’s fingers clench around the phone. “What if there are none?”

“There will be. People that don’t have anything to hide usually don’t quit the service as a police officer and start a stripping career at questionable joints. Don’t worry. Do your work right and your friend will be free soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says again through clenched teeth. Hopefully, this will be over soon.

It actually doesn’t take long until Sam Winchester shows up. Castiel and Kevin are on their own for the night. Dean is somewhere else, Castiel doesn’t know exactly where. But he recognizes Sam from the photos Naomi has shown him. Not that it’s easy to miss someone that tall.

He’s in the company of a small brunette woman and a blond man that looks somewhat familiar. Castiel squints at the later until Kevin nudges him. “Dude, stop staring. Go wait on the people on table three. They’ve been trying to get your attention for a while now.”

Table three is making things needlessly complicated, of course, by wanting to pay separately, but arguing over who pays for what. Castiel resigns himself to waiting and eyerolling. By now he knows that any input from his side will not be appreciated.

When he comes back, Sam and his companions are sitting at a table near the bar, talking animatedly.

“Who is that?” Castiel nods towards their table.

Kevin doesn’t even look up from taping beer. “You mean Sam? The tall one? That’s Dean’s brother.”

“No, the other man.”

That makes Kevin stop for a moment. “Oh.” He hesitates. “I’m not supposed to talk about them. But don’t make him angry, please. He’s bad news. I’m telling Dean for a while now not to mess with the bunch, but does he ever listen to me? Of course not. Sam and Dean never listen to me. Always heading straight into trouble.”

Kevin closes the tap and looks at him for a moment through narrowed eyes. “Wait … Aren’t you related to them?” he asks. “I heard Dean talk about it. You don’t recognize your own family?”

Oh, now that he knows, Castiel remembers the blond boy he’s last seen when he was five or something like that. He and his siblings had shown up unannounced, hadn’t they? He doesn’t know why, but his parents had been angry and they hadn’t stayed long.

So this must be Lucifer. He’s finally meeting one of his other cousins. “Haven’t seen them in a long time and not met all of them so far. What do you mean the bunch is trouble?” Naomi hadn’t said anything about trouble from his cousin’s part. There had only ever been talk about getting closer to his cousins, because Dean and Michael are apparently an item and that’ll lead him straight to Sam.

Kevin looks at him as if he’s joking, then he shakes his head. “Nevermind. Just don’t make him angry.”

Castiel inclines his head. That’s what Balthazar would do, isn’t it? Be friendly until he gets a better opportunity to collect more information. “I see. If Lucifer scares you, I can take over their table,” he offers. It would be a good opportunity to get this job done so he can finally move on.

For a moment Kevin seems torn. “At least try and be nice to them, okay?” he says finally. “I don’t want any trouble while Dean is away.”

“No trouble.” Castiel promises.

Kevin doesn’t look as if he believes it, but he nods. At the same time, a movement at the table catches his eye. The brunette woman is laughing at something Lucifer said, then answers, mischievous grin on her face. Castiel likes that grin. “Who’s she?” he asks.

Now Kevin finally actually looks towards the table. He shrugs. “Meg, I think? Haven’t see her here often. Probably trouble too.”

Yes, she looks like it. He likes that, too.

They stop talking when he gets close enough to listen, which just helps confirm what Kevin said. Meg – if that’s her name – looks at him with a quirked eyebrow and a smile that shows pearly white teeth. “Haven’t see you here before, pretty boy. What’s your name?”

He could’ve done without ‘pretty boy’, but at least she isn’t treating him like he’s part of the furniture. “Castiel,” he says. “What can I bring you?”

Instead of an answer, her smile gets brighter. “Another angel?”

Lucifer shrugs. “It’s a family thing. That’s my cousin.” He points from Meg to Castiel and back. “Castiel, Meg. Meg, Castiel.” Then at Sam. “And in case you didn’t meet your boss’ brother yet. This is Sam.” Then he looks at Castiel curiously. “Haven’t seen you since our dad last tried to dump us at your parent’s and they threw a hissy fit about it.”

“I barely remember anything.” That seems the safe thing to say. Usually he’d ask them to hurry up with their order now, but that would be contrary to his mission. Instead he turns to Meg. She had commented on his name, so he can use that to start a conversation. “I’m named after the angel of Thursday.”

She laughs. “Looks like your parents though you have big things ahead of you, Clarence.”

Castiel frowns. “It’s Castiel, not –”

“She got that,” Sam interrupts with an amused smile. “It’s a movie reference.”

Of course it would be. Castiel rolls his eyes and can practically hear Balthazar teasing him about missing that. At least now he has Sam’s attention, too, even though he’s not sure what to do with it for now. “So,” he asks instead. “What do you want to drink?”

The evening doesn’t get quite as shitty as a few others he’s had at the bar so far. Of course Castiel gets why Kevin is afraid of Lucifer and Meg. He isn’t stupid. Illegally selling military equipment with Balthazar has made him come in contact with enough dangerous people to recognize them when he sees them. But no matter how many skeletons they might be hiding in their respective basements, at least they treat him like an actual person.

When there’s a lull, he spends some time at their table. Catching up with Lucifer gives a good excuse for that.

And there’s one thing he catches on pretty soon. Sam and Lucifer try to be discreet about it, but there are frequent touches, glances and a familiarity between them that seems to hint at Michael maybe not being the only one of his cousins that got himself a Winchester boyfriend. Castiel wonders why they’re trying to hide it.

“So, how did you get caught?” Lucifer asks during one of Castiel’s stops at their table.

“Lucifer!” Sam hisses. “You can’t just ask about something like that!”

Castiel blinks. “What?”

“Come on, I’m just curious.” Lucifer leans back with a grin. “We know what you did. Not holding it against you. But share with the class. How did you get busted?”

Sam throws Lucifer a silent judging bitchface, while Castiel finds Meg looking at him with even more interested than before. “I don’t know what you did,” she protests. “What was it, Clarence?”

“You really don’t have to answer that.” Sam leans forward over the table. “I’m sorry Lucifer brought it up. If you don’t want to talk about it, we all understand.”

Whatever Sam did to land on the shitlist of the FBI, Castiel decides, it can’t be that bad. At least not from his point of view. Sam seems like a pretty decent person so far. And usually Castiel hates talking about what got him into prison, but usually people ask out of some morbid kind of curiosity. Lucifer on the other hand talks about it like other people would about the weather. And Meg looks at him as if he managed to pull off a hilarious prank. “Me and a friend at the army sold military equipment,” Castiel explains.

Lucifer and Sam both nod, which is not a reaction he has gotten often to that kind of thing so far. Meg lifts both eyebrows. “Nice.” It almost sounds like she’s proud. “So, how did you get caught?”

Good question. “Someone must’ve betrayed us.”

“Another friend?” Sam asks.

“Most likely,” Cas agrees.

“Sorry to hear that.” Does Sam have to be so nice? Spying on him for the FBI would be so much easier, if Castiel didn’t like him.

“How long did you manage to keep it up without them noticing?” There’s interest sparkling in Lucifer’s eyes.

“Five years.”

That gets him an impressed whistle from Meg and a few more nods.

“Quite a feat,” Sam says.

There’s definitely something up with them. Cas tilts his head a little. “Dean mentioned you worked as a police officer until recently.” He makes it sound like a question: Why do you approve of what I just told you, if that’s the case?

Sam shrugs. “I was a police officer because I wanted to help people. But I realized I was too busy punishing poor people for being poor and desperate and not spending enough time hunting the real predators.”

That’s an interesting answer. Castiel thinks about it for a while. “So, what are you doing now?”

Sam smiles. “What I actually wanted to do. In a way.”

“I spoke to Sam Winchester today,” Castiel says on the phone with Naomi later. “I’m working on winning his trust.”

“Good. Keep it up.”

There are so many more things he should probably tell her about. What Kevin had said about Lucifer. Sam and Lucifer being close. Meg. What Sam had hinted at. Instead he says: “This would be easier with Balthazar’s help. My people skills are a bit rusty.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine. We’ll let him out as soon as you get a lead. Have a good night.”

The line goes dead before he can say anything else. Castiel throws the phone against the wall, cursing.

Something is going on in this bar, Castiel is almost sure of it. People are coming and going in the back rooms and it doesn’t look like they’re playing poker there. He thinks about listening in, but on the other hand, his mission is Sam. If there’s other sketchy stuff going on here, it’s none of his business and probably won’t even help getting Balthazar out. He can see Naomi going: “Thanks for the tip, but you still have a job to do.”

He’s not going to rat anyone out to the FBI on that basis. On the other hand, telling Naomi that there’s something big going on here might make her finally grant him some backup in form of Balthazar. It’s probably a question of how much she trusts him by now.

Castiel is still pondering what to do, when voices are getting louder in the back of the bar. He sees Kevin backing away from it. Dean is busy with a customer at the bar at the moment. So Castiel heads right for it.

There are two guys discussing something drunkenly and increasingly aggressive. He is almost at their table, when one of them stands up abruptly and lounges over the table.

Castiel doesn’t think. He turns the tablet he usually uses to carry drinks and smashes it right into the guy’s face. Then he shoves it back far enough that the back of the man’s head hits the wall behind him. The drunk’s arms flail wildly, but he can’t see anything past the tablet that’s still right in his face. Castiel punches him right in the stomach, and the troublemaker folds into himself. As soon as Castiel removes the tablet, he slides down the wall, clutching his midriff.

“Hey, asshole! That’s my friend.”

When Castiel turns, he sees that the other guy has gotten to his feet, too. “You should thank me,” he informs the man. “Your friend was about to hurt you.”

“He’s still my fucking friend! And if someone punches him, it’s me!”

Great. Castiel rolls his eyes. Ungrateful lot. Before anything else can happen, though, the silver haired regular customer that had been sitting at the bar walks up to the man and lets a hand land heavy on his shoulder. “Oy! I’d like to enjoy my drink in peace. If you got a problem with how the wait staff here is resolving fights, why don’t you just leave, hm?”

The guy looks from Castiel to Silver hair and back. Castiel knows he himself doesn’t look particularly intimidating, but Silver hair definitely does with his military haircut and broad built. It doesn’t take long until both troublemakers are hurrying out the door.

Castiel nods to the silver haired customer. “Thanks.”

The guy nods back. “Looks like you could’ve handled it pretty well yourself. I just figured your boss might appreciate this getting resolved mostly peacefully.”

Castiel looks in Dean’s direction, who’s watching them with a mostly neutral expression. “I guess you’re right. Thanks again ...” He lets the end of the sentence linger a bit.

“Sasha,” silver hair says. “Where did you learn how to fight like that?” He points at the tablet, and only now does Castiel realize there’s a bit of blood on its surface. That’s probably against some kind of sanitary regulations.

“I’m ex military,” Castiel says.

Sasha chuckles. “Yeah, no, that’s not where you learn how to do stuff like that.”

Castiel shrugs, frowning down on the tablet. “I just work with what I have.”

“Good job.” With that Sasha returns to his seat.

Dean says the same thing a bit later, patting Castiel’s shoulder. “Good job, Cas.”

It’s nice to be appreciated for a change. Castiel decides not to tell Naomi about his suspicions for now.

Dean watches Cas hurry from table from table, then he finally sidles up to Sasha. “So what’s your verdict now?”

“I’m reporting to my boss, not to his boyfriend,” Sasha says, his smile probably meant to take the sting out of the words.

Dean doesn’t take offence. As far as he’s concerned, Michael’s men staying loyal to Michael is a good thing. “Come on, man,” he tries anyway. “I don’t want to know any details about what kind of tasks he would be useful for. But he’d fit right into the family, wouldn’t he?”

“He would,” Sasha agrees. “Still not sure, if he’s trustworthy, though.”

“Well, you not gonna find out about that by watching him serve drinks.”

Sasha makes a sturgeon face and shrugs a shoulder to concede to the point.

“Clarence! Wait up!”

Castiel turns. He’s one block away from the bar by now and apart from him and Meg, who’s currently running to catch up with him, there’s no one on the dark street.

Meg is waving a cell phone. “You forgot your phone in the bar. Dean sent me after you.” She stops right in front of him, barely out of breath, holding the cell phone out to him with a smile.

He never forgets his phone. Castiel frowns, while he takes it. It’s definitely his, but he’s so sure he had his phone in his pocket when he headed out. He eyes Meg suspiciously, but her smile never wavers. “Thanks,” he says after a while, puts the phone back in his pocket.

“You’re welcome.” She falls in step next to him, when he starts walking again. “By the way, who’s Samandriel? You have a missed call from him. It rang on my way here.”

Samandriel called? Castiel curses silently, then he goes to check his phone. Sure enough, there is a missed call. “Little brother of a friend,” he explains, unlocking his phone while he speaks.

“And then he calls you?”

“Friend is still in prison. I promised to look out for his brother.” He taps the screen to call Samandriel back.

“Aww.” Castiel isn’t sure, if Meg is mocking him or not. “A real angel, aren’t you, Clarence?”

Castiel doesn’t answer, because that’s the moment Samandriel picks up.

Samandriel needs money. He always needs money. Part of the earnings from deals Balthazar made always went straight into Samandriel’s college fund. Castiel promises to send some, but the job at Dean’s bar doesn’t pay enough by far. He’ll have to get Balthazar out soon.

“Good friend, eh?” Meg comments. She’s keeps walking beside him, and Castiel isn’t quite sure why. Not that he minds the company, though. He watches her in the light of the streetlamps for a moment. She must know that the neighborhood is bad, too, but she doesn’t look concerned in the least, her attention mostly on him with little side eyes and smiles.

He nods. “He saved my life once.” And he is failing at a much simpler task right now. Damn FBI!

“You could always ask your cousins for help,” Meg suggests.

Could he? After he hadn’t seen them for more than twenty years? And they definitely wouldn’t pay some random kid’s college fees. “I’m pretty sure they can’t get Balthazar out of prison.”

Meg grins. “I’m pretty sure they could.”

It’s bullshit, of course. Balthazar has been proven guilty. No lawyer can change that.

They talk about easier topics after that. Meg is fun, and she even manages to take his mind off his worries for a while. He can’t do anything about them until tomorrow anyway.

Somehow they end up against the door of his apartment kissing, Meg’s arms slung around his neck, her body pressed flush against his. She nips on his lower lip, then lets her head fall back against the door as he kisses down her neck. “I’ve seen you deal with the troublemakers at the bar today,” she says a bit breathless. “It was pretty hot.”

“Is that why you stole my phone?” Castiel straightens a little, watching her face for a reaction. “So you had a reason to follow me here?”

For a moment Meg blinks in surprise. Then she grins. “You realized that?”

She really isn’t fazed easily, is she? He appreciates that she stands by what she did, though. “I never lose my phone,” Castiel says. “And next time you want to follow me home, just follow me home. If you steal from me again, there will be trouble.”

Meg’s grin gets wider. Her hands start to wander, find their way under his shirt and leave tingling trails on his skin. “Is that an invitation?”

“Do you only ever hear what you want to hear?” At the same time he cards his fingers through her hair, making her lean into the touch. He kind of likes her attitude.

“Most of the time. But don’t worry. I got what you’re saying. No more stealing.”

Castiel smiles and kisses her again. She can follow him home anytime she wants.

Archangel Chat

Gabriel: Bad news, guys. I’ve analyzed the data Meg got from Cassie’s phone and he’s been talking regularly to someone with a number that belongs to the feds.

Lucifer: Aw fuck. I almost started to like the guy.

Michael: Dean has just recently stopped complaining about him, too, but we can’t ignore this.

Raphael: Do we know who he was talking to and what they were after?

Gabriel: Working on it. But it wasn’t easy finding out that the number belonged to the feds in the first place.

Lucifer: Michael, what’s the plan? Reassign him somewhere where he can’t make trouble and feed him false information? Or get him out of the way?

Michael: I want to know what he’s after. Which means, if Gabriel can’t dig anything up, we’ll have to ask him.

Raphael: And then we’ll have to get rid him for sure afterwards.

Lucifer: Great. Meg will hate this.

Raphael: Is she going to make trouble?

Lucifer: I know how to keep my people in line, sis. Don’t worry. She’s loyal. But I’ll probably have to make it up to her somehow. And everybody likes Cassandra. Sam, too. The little guy is weird that way. No social skills, but people adopt him like some lost puppy or something.

Raphael: Maybe you can learn something from him, Lucifer.

Lucifer: Fuck you, sis. I like making people nervous, okay?

Michael: I’m not happy about it either. He seemed like a good addition to the family. Even Aleksandr was impressed by him.

Gabriel: I’m not surprised by that. Sasha always takes to the weird, but resourceful ones.

Michael: Let’s wait and see what else Gabriel will dig up. But in case we have no choice: Any volunteers?

Lucifer: He already knows me and thinks I’m a friend. I’ll do it.

Raphael: You sure? Last time you had to kill someone you liked, you spent the next few weeks even more grumpy than usual.

Lucifer: I said I almost started to like him. I’m not emotionally attached yet.

Raphael: Just saying. I could do it, too.

Lucifer: Appreciated.

Gabriel: It’s always creepy watching you two get along too well, you know that?

Lucifer: Quick, Raph, say something sarcastic to put Gabriel at ease.

Raphael: *eyeroll emoji*

Lucifer: That’ll do.

Castiel wakes up with a splitting headache and no idea where he is and how he got into this situation. He mouth feels dry, which comes to no surprise as soon as he figures out that there’s a piece of cloth between his lips, gagging him. Automatically, he tries to lift his hands, but that only makes metal dig into his wrists. He’s sitting on a chair, mostly held upright by his arms that are bound behind the backrest. With a groan he straightens up, blinks, recognizes his own apartment. He’s sitting in the middle of the living room. And across from him is Lucifer on a chair that’s turned around, his arms on the backrest, watching him.

Lucifer makes no move to help Castiel, so he’s probably responsible for his situation. Castiel feels a pang of betrayal, while his memories come back. Lucifer had knocked on his door with a six pack of beer a few hours earlier. They’d had a pretty good talk, even though Castiel had thought the alcohol had a bit too much of an effect. Now he knows why.

Castiel tries to say something, but the gag prevents words from getting out.

Lucifer smiles. “Hello there, sleeping beauty. I’ll take the gag out and get you something to drink and something against your headache as soon as you promise not to call for help.”

It looks like he should’ve paid more attention to what had been going on in Dean’s bar. Apparently it’s even bigger than he thought. Worry makes a tight knot in Castiel’s stomach, but at least he isn’t dead yet and Lucifer offering painkillers gives him hope. He nods. His neighbors probably wouldn’t react to calls for help anyway.

“Knew you’d be reasonable.” Lucifer gets up and steps behind him to open the knot that keeps the gag in place. “But just to be absolutely clear. If you make any kind of noise that’ll draw attention to us, I’ll shove a blade somewhere where it’ll hurt.”

It shouldn’t be able to make threats in such a gentle voice. Castiel nods again, though.

Then the gag is out, and Lucifer walks away towards the kitchen area of the apartment. Castiel tests his bonds. Hands and feet are handcuffed to the chair. No way he’ll get out of that.

Lucifer comes back with a glass of water and a pill. On the basis that Lucifer could kill him any time he wants anyway, Castiel opens his mouth and lets his cousin place the pill on his tongue. Lucifer helps him drink a bit of water, wash the pill down. Then he returns to his own chair.

Castiel tries to sit up straighter, just to have pain shoot through his skull with every movement. “Did you roofie me?” he asks.

“I wasn’t very keen on fighting you.” Lucifer makes an almost apologetic gesture. “I have a few questions you wouldn’t have answered any other way.”

Castiel pulls a face, knot of worry getting tighter. “I figured.”

That makes Lucifer smile. He puts his chin on his forearms that are on the backrest of his chair again. “Answer truthfully and I won’t hurt you, okay?” That may or may not be a lie. “We know you’re working with the FBI.”

Of course he’d thought it might be that. But how did they find out? They can’t know for sure. Even the number he has been calling shouldn’t be traceable back to the feds. Maybe Lucifer is bluffing, trying to make him confirm a suspicion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit,” Lucifer says. “I want to know what they’re after.”

“Lucifer,” Castiel says, trying to distract from more questions, “I don’t know what you have to hide, but I don’t care. I just got out of prison. I don’t exactly have the moral high ground here.”

“But you got out of prison early on good behavior, didn’t you? Which is interesting, because as it turns out, your behavior was anything but good. Unless starting fights has become the polite thing to do since I last spent time behind bars. It’s been a while, I have to admit.”

Castiel hadn’t know that and he files it away to maybe use it later. If there is a later. “I didn’t start fights, I ended them.”

Lucifer grins. “I really like you. Please answer my question. What is the FBI looking for?”

He’s dead anyway, isn’t he? Castiel stares at Lucifer for a moment. He can’t see any weapons, but he’s sure Lucifer has some on his person. And judging from the way he seems completely at ease with the situation this isn’t the first time he had done something like this. This whole thing really is way bigger than Castiel had thought. “Sam,” he says finally.

That makes Lucifer tense up. “What?”

Now that he’s started he can as well spill everything. “The way Sam quit his job made them suspicious. They know he spent the last few months stripping at questionable places now and then.”

“That’s it?” Lucifer asks. He visibly relaxes again.

Castiel nods.

Now Lucifer is the one staring, his jaw working in thought. Castiel shifts uncomfortably on his chair. The headache has receded a bit by now. At least that’s something.

“What did you tell them so far?” Lucifer asks finally.

“Nothing.”

Lucifer scoffs. “Oh, come on, Cassie. You’re trying to tell me you spent all this time at Dean’s bar looking for something off and didn’t see anything worth telling the FBI?”

“Of course I did.” He probably shouldn’t get angry, but how stupid does Lucifer think he is? “But I got promised that my friend gets out of prison, if I give them information about Sam. They didn’t ask for anything about Dean or his bar or you or your siblings.”

For a moment Lucifer blinks at him in surprise, then he throws his head back and laughs. It takes him a while to calm down. When he does, he takes a deep breath. “Oh, this is priceless. You really fit right in with the family. I wish you’d told any of us earlier. It’s hard to trust anything you say now, you know. Of course you’d take every offer to doublecross them now, would you?”

Castiel shakes his head, which makes Lucifer lift an eyebrow in surprise.

“I wouldn’t take any offer,” he clarifies. “I owe Balthazar my life and he’s still in prison. The FBI promised me to let him out as soon as I give them information about Sam. You’d have to offer something similar.”

Meg had been right, hadn’t she? His cousins probably could get Balthazar out. If you’re not relying on legal means only, a lot of things are possible.

Lucifer looks at him with a thoughtful look now, and Castiel holds his breath. That’s when they both hear someone fumbling with the lock of his apartment. Castiel’s heart speeds up, but before he can say anything, Lucifer has drawn a gun and goes into position next to the door. “If you make any noise, I’ll shoot you.”

“It’s me!” comes Meg’s voice from the hallway. “I’m coming in now.”

Lucifer relaxes a bit, but not completely. “Alright.” Still, when she steps in, he points his gun at her.

And that makes the coil of worry and fear in Castiel’s gut dissolve into anger. He know she’s working for Lucifer, but apparently he hadn’t expected her here. And she’d tried to help Castiel before, had told him how to resolve his problems without getting in trouble. Not her fault that he hadn’t believed her. Castiel pulls on his restraints. “Leave her alone!”

Meg stops in the doorway and lifts both hands to show that she is unarmed. She shoots Castiel an amused smile. “Aww, my hero.” Then she turns to Lucifer. “Boss, is there anything I can do to convince you not to kill him?”

So she’s really here for him?

“Will there be a problem, if there isn’t?” Lucifer asks.

“I pick a cause and I stick to it, boss. You’re that cause.” She doesn’t look happy, but she looks like she’s telling the truth. So much for her being on his side. Another sting of betrayal hits Castiel.

Slowly Lucifer lowers his gun. “I’m half convinced we shouldn’t kill him anyway. You got anything to add?”

Castiel doesn’t dare hope, while he watches Meg walk into the room and towards him. She steps behind the chair and cards her fingers through his hair in a way that’s soothing despite everything she just said. Castiel half closes his eyes, tries to enjoy it as long as he can. “Clarence, did you tell Lucifer about your friend Balthazar yet?”

“He did,” Lucifer says. “Apparently he’s the reason Cassie is working for the FBI.”

They could at least get his name right now and then, Castiel thinks.

Meg nods. “I figured as much. I heard him promise Balthazar’s little brother basically all the money he can spare. I’d bet my life on him being fiercely loyal to his friends, not to whoever he’s working for.”

The thoughtful look is back on Lucifer’s face now, and Castiel dares hope at least a little.

“You really think you could get Balthazar out of prison?” he asks.

“Of course we could,” Lucifer says. “Get him out, supply him with a new identity, resolve all money issues. But for that price, we’d want absolute loyalty from you.”

It sounds almost too good to be true. “Sure,” Castiel says.

Lucifer lifts an eyebrow. “That easy?”

“It’s not like I liked working for the FBI.”

“Told you,” Meg says.

Lucifer doesn’t look completely convinced yet. “So …” he says. “If I ask you to call your FBI contact right now and tell them something that’ll avert all suspicion from Sam, you’ll do it?”

So he’s fishing for a show of trust. Because there is the risk that Naomi will not release Balthazar for information like that. Castiel will have to trust that his cousins will keep their end of the deal. He isn’t sure why exactly, but he looks at Meg.

She smiles. “If the boss says something will get done, it will get done.”

Castiel nods. He thinks of Sam, who has either talked bullshit about helping people or found a bunch of criminals that somehow support him in exactly that. He thinks of Dean who doesn’t seem too bad either, but is obviously also involved in this. And then there’s Meg, of course, who had come here to try and save his life, even though not at all cost.

“I’ll do it,” he says.

Meg strokes Castiel’s cheek with the back of her fingers and leans down. “I promise you won’t regret that,” she whispers.

Castiel smiles, but looks at Lucifer. “May I make a suggestion, though?”

Lucifer tilts his head to the side curiously. “Go ahead.”

“Don’t just make it something I say. Give me something I can show her as proof and fabricate some more that she’ll find, when she verifies it.”

That makes his cousin smile. “I knew there was a reason why I like you.” He throws Meg the key to the handcuffs. “You’re under house arrest until we figured something out. Meg will keep an eye on you. Don’t give me any reason to shoot you.”

At least he won’t die today. “I’ll do my best.”

A few days later Castiel and Sam meet to have a scripted conversation that Castiel “secretly” records. It’s Sam telling him how much the death of Chief Henricksen has affected him (by the way his voice breaks a few times it really has), how he’s drifting since then, how he doesn’t feel like holding a regular job, and how he earns money stripping wherever they’ll take him whenever he needs it.

He claims having done drugs, which is something they can’t arrest him for unless they find some in his possession. For good measure they add a picture of some pills that Castiel “secretly” takes (he doesn’t ask where the pills are from and if they’re the real deal), and there’ll be some people at the places Sam had worked before that’ll claim having taken drugs with him and generally having witnessed him being the mess that fits his story.

After they’re done, Sam smiles and thanks him for not ruining his life. How someone that nice ended up with Lucifer is simply beyond Castiel. And he probably shouldn’t have commented on it, because he gets the stink eye from Lucifer for it. “You’re still not out of probation, Cassie.”

By now the death threats have lost their shock value a bit and Castiel just rolls his eyes.

He sends the file to Naomi. A bit later he gets a call from her. He takes it with Lucifer sitting next to him in a calm but slightly threatening way.

“Are you sure he’s telling the truth?” Naomi asks. She doesn’t sound happy. Apparently she wanted to find something.

“As sure as I can be,” he says. “Are you going to release Balthazar now?”

She hmpfs. “I’ll have to confirm this.”

“It’s not my fault there isn’t much to find. I did what you asked of me.”

“I’ll have to confirm this,” she says, voice sharper. And with that she hangs up. Castiel curses and only barely keeps himself from throwing the phone against the wall again.

Lucifer pats his shoulder. “Good job. And Michael will probably send some lawyers as a start, but your friend will get out either way.”

Castiel nods, still angry, but feeling less helpless at least.

“Oh, and Cassie?” Lucifer adds.

“Yes?”

“Welcome to the family.”

Tagging: @brieflymaximumprincess @lucibae-is-dancing-in-hell @humongouscandycoffee @schizonephilim @little-boyking @solo-skywlker @talkmagically @whinywingedwinchester @samwise-the-true-hero

#spnaubingo #megstiel #castiel #meg masters #supernatural #spn #fanfiction #mafia verse

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New Releases 11/14/17

‘Happy New Release Day! Today brings a few new manga and a graphic novel, along with a couple of new shows/movies, and even a new video game from Nintendo.

In Books --Fairy Tail Volume 62 by Hiro Mashima “During the chaos of war,the demon Acnologia slinks his way into the ranks. As Erza, Wendy, and Gajeel prepare to face their hardest battle yet, a strange woman shows up to lift their spirits! The woman knows the secret to sealing Acnologia away, but will the gang be able to execute her orders! Meanwhile, brothers Natsu and Zeref go head-to-head, with their lives on the line! The fate of the world sinks further into peril when Zeref reveals his ultimate mission: Neo Eclipse!”

I can’t believe this series is almost over (at least in the US). Just one more volume remains. I think I’m going to wait to pick this one up until volume 63 comes out so I can get them together. The last volume I read was somewhere in the early 50′s, I think. I started rereading the series but paused midway through volume 8 and will continue from there once the last volume is released.

--Forbidden Scrollery Volume 1 by Moe Harukawa “Where else would a girl with the power to translate any tome she sets in her lap reside except a library? Sure, some books may be more dangerous than others, but that's far from discouragement for a true bibliophile like Kosuzu Motoori!”

Books that are dangerous. That may or may not magical in some form. With artwork that reminds me of Cardcator Sakura. Sign me up. I really would like to try this series cause as I’ve mentioned before I’m a sucker for books that have books being a form of power in worlds. I did flip through some of this volume when it arrived early at my work. And it looks promising.

--Frau Faust Volume 2 by Kore Yamazaki “After narrowly escaping a battle with Lorenzo, Johanna falls unconscious. In her wounded state, the century-old memories of her first encounter with Mephistopheles run through her head. In these memories are answers Marion is beginning to understand: what is the nature of his master’s immortality, and how is her curse inextricably tied to the body of her demon? Faust, Marion, and Nico’s immediate aim is to find Mephisto’s right leg, a mission that becomes more urgent when evidence of a young girl using demonic power comes to light. To find the next piece of her precious demon, Johanna may even need to form a tenuous deal with Lorenzo...”

From the creator of The Ancient Magus’ Bride comes Frau Faust. I enjoyed the first volume of this series which included a cute short about a museum that houses invisible exhibits. I would like to see Yamazaki explore that short more in the future. The first volume follows Johanna as she tries to find the missing pieces of the demon Mephisto held captive by the church. Along the way she gains an apprentice named Marion and they meet up with Nico, Johanna’s daughter.

My favorite part of volume 2 was learning about how Johanna meet Mephisto.

--Rose Volume 1 by Meredith Finch, illustrated by Ig Guara “A classic fantasy tale about a girl trying to restore balance to a broken world. Rose must connect with her Khat—Thorne—to become the Guardian the world needs. But things aren’t easy for Rose and Thorne, the powerful sorcerous Drucilla has many powerful and demonic allies—all of them focused on stopping one scared little girl who’s desperately trying to stay alive and do what’s right.”

I have been waiting on this one since I first saw the cover to issue one earlier this year. A warrior-girl with her giant black panther companion. It was a good start to the series though the volume felt a bit rushed. A few of the pages cut off part of some sentences near the end of the volume. I am looking forward to volume 2 and hope that the pacing might find a better flow. I think it’s worth checking out.

In Movies/TV Shows --91 Days “Prohibition—a lawless era where bootleggers prosper and mobsters prowl. Avilio Bruno has grown up alone in this murky world after the Vanetti's murdered his family. One day, he receives a letter that holds the key to revenge. Befriending the don's son, Nero, Avilio works his way through the Vanetti family and sets his vengeance in motion.”

I haven’t had time to try this one out yet but I really want to. There is a standard and an LE edition. The LE has an art box and comes with a 40 page companion guide that has, “artwork, character profiles, background information on Prohibition, the Chicago mafia, period firearms, and more.” And a set of six art cards.

--Atomic Blonde “An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.”

I was really excited to see this one because of how they treated the main character. They made her fight how a woman would actually need to fight. And they made it also realistic by how bruised and cut up she was after all this was over. When she got punched in the face that bruise would stay there. Some of those fights were painful to watch just of the pain you see was being done to her. The fight scenes in this movie were just fantastic. But the plot was a little convoluted. Maybe it will make more sense during a second watch. Either way it was an enjoyable movie to watch.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/atomic-blonde-doesnt-pretend-women-fight-like-men-and-the-result-is-awesome_us_597b3c67e4b02a8434b5df58

--Blue Exorcist Kyoto Saga Set 1 “Born the spawn of Satan, Rin Okumura decides to hide his origins, and become an exorcist. He enrolls at the Exorcism Cram School, a training institute for exorcists located on the True Cross Academy grounds. But, his cover is blown during an attack by Amaimon, the King of Earth, and he is revealed to be the son of Satan. Terrified of Satan’s blue flames, his friends start to distance themselves from Rin…It is then that someone steals the Left Eye of the Impure King, sealed away in the deepest part of the academy, and Rin and the others find themselves embroiled in an unexpected crisis.”

The newest season of Blue Exorcist is starting to release. It was a pretty good season. And now I’m trying to remember if I finished it or not. I feel like I did but now I can’t remember.... Anyway. This is an Aniplex title so it is going to be a bit higher. There is a DVD edition and a Blu-Ray. They contain episodes 1-6 of this season. But if you buy the Blu-Ray it also comes with a booklet and some postcards.

--Doctor Who Complete Series 10 The final season of Peter Capaldi as 12 and with Steven Moffat as executive producer is now out as a complete set. Pearl Mackie was great as Bill Potts though sometimes I can’t help but feel like they could have done more with her character. Once I see the season again I might change my mind but for now that thought occasionally pops up.

My favorite episodes of this season are “Smile”, “Thin Ice” if only to watch the Doctor punch that guy over and over, “Empress of Mars”, and the two-part season finale.

--In This Corner Of the World “Based on the award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno, In This Corner Of the World tells the emotional story of Suzu, a young girl from Hiroshima, who’s just become a bride in the nearby city of Kure during World War II. Living with her husband’s family, Suzu has to adjust to her new life, which is made especially difficult by regular air raids. But life must go on, and Suzu - through the help of her new family and neighbors - begins to discover the joys of everyday life in Kure. Much is gained in Kure, but with war, many things cherished are also lost.”

This just looks fantastic. I’m really excited to see this one.

--Pokemon Indigo League S1 The original that started it all is out on blu-ray for what should be the first time. I love the Indigo League. It’s where I started with Pokemon. And it has some the saddest episodes I’ve seen from the series. At least up until the point where I stopped watching. I tried to pick it back up during the last season and the new Sun and Moon seasons but it has been sporadic.

This set has the first 52 episodes of the series. It also comes with a 64 page manga sampler, a recipe card, the complete Pokerap, and a “Who’s That Pokemon” gallery. I feel like they could have done more for this release as the extras just feel like a pull for you to start buying the manga and one of their Pokemon cookbooks.

I really hope they kept the other songs in at the end of episodes instead of just the Pokerap. I love the Pokerap but I also love the other songs. Yeah, I have them on one of the soundtracks but I’d still like to see them at the end of the episodes.

The box itself is really cool. It is designed to look like the original Pokedex.

--Preacher S2 “Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy hit the road in search of God, and quickly realize they're being stalked by a killer cowboy from Hell.”

I wasn’t as crazy about this season as I was the first. I’ve been that way with a lot of series this year. It is still a good series and had a great start to the season. And ended with a great cliffhanger.

In Video Games --RiME (Nintendo Switch version) “In RiME, you play as a young boy who has awakened on a mysterious island after a torrential storm. You see wild animals, long-forgotten ruins and a massive tower that beckons you to come closer. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.”

I’ve been really excited for this game for a while. But I am conflicted. It is half price if I get it on my PS4 but I was really hoping to get it for my Switch. Visually it looks gorgeous and the OST is supposed to be really good. But I have heard that the puzzles aren’t very challenging. I still want to try it out. Now I just need to decide what console I want it for.

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