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bigtreefest · 3 months ago

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Chapter 4: Caught up in the Country

From: Handiwork Series

Pairing: Mechanic! Farmhand! Curtis x Bartender! Reader

Summary: It’s a long night for both you and Curtis following his capture from the bar

Word count: 3,682

Content/warnings: depictions of light torture (punching, smacking), mentions of blood, bruises, mob themes, mentions of fire and guns, knives, kidnapping, sad vibes, I tried not to make it too graphic, threats, kissing, lil bit of sad vibes, happy ending tho

Author’s Note: it’s been awhile, so go easy on me as I jump back into writing. I’m still trying to figure out Cherry, but I hope you can see her toughness here, as well as how deeply she cares. Takes place at the same times as YCMBWH Ch. 11 and The Rainmaker Ch. 8

I can’t wait to hear your feedback in all forms! Thank you for reading!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

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Everything felt heavy as Curtis’s head lulled to the side. He was blinking back into consciousness as he awoke from a sleep that was anything but restful. The world was black. His muscles felt tight and sore as he tried to wiggle his fingers for sensation but his wrists were restrained by a familiar burning sensation: rope.

The smell around him was familiar, yet different. There was a rich fertilizer undertone, paired with the apparent moisture in the air. It was crisp, yet toasty almost. He knew this one: barn with a hint of hay, not one of his, but likely local? The only other farm owner around was-

Curtis’s eyes were presented to a searing light as a black veil was pulled away. He tried to blink into adjustment under the lamp that hovered only a few inches above his head as the world slowly became clearer. A dirt floor was under his feet and he was surrounded by four red walls. They weren’t worn like the ones on his family’s farm, though. They seemed new. As his gaze continued to search around, that’s when he finally saw her, the one woman who had been at the bar, and suddenly he knew exactly what was happening.

You bit your nail on one hand, the other wrapped around your torso for comfort, as you paced across the rug in the living room of the farm home. After the fight had been handled and dissipated at the bar, Decks had driven you back to Bee’s house in your truck, in near silence. The whole ride home, you’d have been trembling if it wasn’t for the way she let you hold her hand with a reassuring squeeze, but now she was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps she was out wherever Bucky and Steve were, but you were pulled out of your thoughts about where she or Curtis could have possibly gone as Bee burst through the front door.

“Hey, I’m not sure how to say this, but I think it’s about time for an interrogation? Bucky’s men have Lloyd and Cole in one of the old barns. Weren’t sure if you wanted to be there or not for it.”

Her normally bright voice held a tentative and gloomy tone, as did her eyes. You dropped your arms with a sigh and nodded, following her out the door.

When you got to the barn, you saw it was lined with twice as many guards as the bar earlier in the night. You looked around at the men standing tall and alert, a look on their faces like they weren’t about to make the same mistake twice. Good.

You stopped at the open doors as Bee went in to find Bucky and took a deep breath and a moment to steel yourself.

You walked into the barn, boots scuffing the hay floor, head turning, taking in the sights before you. In two metal chairs, tied up, were the men from the bar: Cole and Lloyd who crossed well, everyone here.

Bucky stood in front of them with a menacing glare, Steve off to the side, leaning back against a stack of hay bales, arms and legs crossed as he watched the scene occurring.

They must’ve been at this for a little while now based off the bruises you could see forming on the mob boss’s hand, but the look on the mustached rival’s face wouldn’t have given that away. He smiled through the grime that physically and metaphorically coated him. Cole looked as scared and unsure as ever, evidently not cut out for this. You weren’t either, if you were honest with yourself, but you’d seen your fair share of things in your day. And you wouldn’t let yourself dare to think if Curtis was going through worse than what you witnessed now.

You calmly made your way over and stood next to Bee, who had leaned next to Steve. Sensing your arrival, Bucky came over and began lowly whispering his strategy.

“I can’t get jack shit with Lloyd here, fucking bastard. I know Cole will squeal as soon as he’s alone, though. We just need to-“

He was cut off by a sound that made you all turn your heads. The rafters of the barn creaked and down swung Decks, before landing onto the soft floor. The action caught the attention of the captives, too, as the watched her stalk over to them. Her shoulders were stiff, unyielding.

Steve made a movement to go towards her, but Bucky barred him with an arm, likely curious to see where this went. You strained your ears to hear her.

“I’ll give you one more shot. I’m sick of watching this dance. Where. Is. Curtis?”

A stuttering voice came out of Cole. “I-I don’t know.”

Smack. In a flash, his head was tossed to the side.

“Wrong answer.”

She took a step to her left, putting herself directly in front of Lloyd.

“Where?”

Her voice was alarmingly even. Calm, yet rage-filled. All you could see was the back of Lloyd’s shaking head, paired with his shoulders that appeared to be raising up and down with laughter. You weren’t sure if he took notice, though, at the way Decks’s fists tightened.

“Oh, come on, Pumpkin. You’re a smartie. Bet you’re a sweet peach just like your friend, too, but I’m not giving up whe-“

Punch. Right to the jaw. It was almost in slow motion as Lloyd fell to the hay floor in a heap with a dull thump and a rustle. She had knocked him out cold.

Her eyes were fixed on Cole again.

“Is that motivation enough for you to help us now?”

Cole furiously nodded and looked back over his shoulder at you. “I’ll talk to her.”

Your eyes went wide. You knew the least here out of everyone. Well, you guessed Decks knew less since she was in the dark for so long, but you were the farthest removed from it all. You were saved, though, when Steve shook his head, this time stepping forward without being stopped.

“No way. You lost your right to negotiate when you let Lloyd cross that line. You talk to me or you don’t have a tongue to talk anymore. Got it?”

You could see Cole swallow even from your distance as he nodded. With that, Bucky tilted his head in reference for you and Bee to leave the barn. When you searched for Decks to follow out, she was already long gone on her way back to the house.

Curtis had been here for hours now, but with the adrenaline running through him, it simultaneously felt like minutes and days. His wrists and ankles were getting sore from the tight restraints, but at least he wasn’t gagged. He guessed that whoever these people were didn’t think they were in for a tongue lashing. Boy, were they wrong. Every ounce of politeness was wrung out of him by now, if not from the torture he faced, then from having to listen to Lillian yell at seemingly incapable henchmen. Bucky would never. Curtis had seen what a tight ship he ran.

After rolling her eyes at a man furiously typing on a computer, she made her way back over to Curtis.

“Do you know where you are?”

Curtis let out a dry, humorless laugh. He’d been sitting here for how long and that was what she had to say to him?

“Not really, but I’m sure you’re gonna tell me. I might have a couple guesses, though. But really, thank you for your hospitality for finally getting around to that.”

Lillian continued to circle him like a shark in her red bottom heels, doing her best to blow off his sardonic tone. The floor of this barn wasn’t dirt like the ones on his own farm property. It was wooden, so he heard the obnoxious clunk with every step she took.

She stopped and crouched down in front of him, hands on her knees over the grossly inappropriate pencil skirt she wore on this occasion.

“I thought you were supposed to be a nice, kind country boy. Chivalrous. Polite. Especially to women.”

Curtis tried his best to hold back a scoff.

“Perhaps I’d change my tune if you hadn’t…ya know, kidnapped me. But based on your behavior in general, how you were treating my girl? Calling someone a bitch knows no gender.”

Lilian slapped Curtis across the face at that and he leaned to the side, spitting, lucky to find no blood. At least she hadn’t gone in on him that hard. Yet.

She turned around and strutted to the table where the henchman sat with a computer and leaned back on her hands against it, crossing her ankles.

“When I’m done with you and your little friend group, you’ll be lucky to find yourself in a speaking position at all.”

Curtis’s body wasn’t sure whether to shudder at the coldness or roll his eyes. Maybe if he just kept talking, he’d be able to stall enough until help came.

“I thought Lloyd was supposed to be the unhinged one”

An eerie smirk crossed Lilian’s face at that. “Where do you think he learned his skills? I rarely spent time this far outside the city, but, you know, I’d like to think of myself as somewhat of a cowboy killer.”

Curtis shrugged before he remembered why he was hardly moving due to the jolt of pain that ran through him from the ropes. “While that’s mildly concerning, I do feel compelled to tell you that I’m more of a farmer and less of a cowboy. I’d say the closest thing you know to one of those is your boy Cole.”

Curtis was taking in every detail he could of his surroundings as he kept this conversation going. One of those details, though, included how Lilian’s eyes slightly widened at the mention of the prick Curtis had spent almost his whole life despising.

“Huh, that got something out of you….” Realization took over his features. “Oh my gosh, you’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?”

Her previously cool and deranged demeanor had shifted. “Psh, what? That’s absurd. You’ve known Cole for how long? Why would I want to be with him?”

If he wasn’t careful, he’d say he was almost enjoying seeing someone who seemed like they had it all figured out make such a terrible decision. He had to tread a line, though. Keep talking without fully upsetting her and making the torture worse.

“That’s a great question, but I mean, I didn’t have great taste in romantic partners in my twenties, so I can’t blame you, really. So what’s this all about? You’re attacking Bee because she turned down Cole’s business proposal? No, even he doesn’t have the brain capacity for this sort of a vendetta.” Another moment of realization accompanied a gasp. “Oh my gosh, you used to date Bucky, didn’t you? It’s because of that? You want to take her down because of that? Like, come on. This is a bit much, Lil.”

She scowled at the nickname and accusation. “You’re ridiculous if you think all of this is over a lost lover.”

Curtis cocked his head to the side. “Am I? Am I, though?”

Lilian sighed and threw her hands up at exasperation, not only at being exposed, but at the fact that Curtis wouldn’t believe her fake denial at the situation. “God, you hicks are so dense. Never listen. I’m sure I could say anything to you and it would go in one ear, out the other.”

Curtis droppped his head and shook it. Yeah, okay Lilian. Believe whatever you want. It’s your funeral. He looked back up at her through his eyelashes. So sass only got him more insults, what about compliments?

“You’re right, I think you’re probably the only one with a law degree within 100 miles of this place.”

She nodded. “You bet I am. And one would think tha-“

She was cut off by a henchman coming up behind her and whispering over her shoulder into her ear. Her ruby red lips turned down into a frown as she rolled her eyes once again behind a mask of mascara, eyeliner, and dark eye shadow. The more he looked at her, the more Curtis saw a person. One capable of making mistakes, several, sloppy mistakes, that were hopefully to his advantage. The henchman stepped back, awaiting further instruction.

Lilian groaned. “Ugh, fine. Alright.”

She pointed at Curtis with a menacing squint. “You stay here while I investigate. Move an inch and I’ll pull out the knife. You haven’t seen me yet with one of those.”

You waited anxiously in the farm house, pacing the floor once again before you gasped in alarm, stopped by a hand on the shoulder. When you looked up from your feet, you were met with concerned eyes before you were pulled in for a hug. It was Decks.

Her chin was tucked over your shoulder and she squeezed you close.

“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. They’re going to find him. I bet they already have.”

You nodded and squeezed her back, holding tight to the baggy flannel shirt she wore. From the smell of it, you could tell it was an old one of Curtis’s. You couldn’t blame her, it was probably way more comfortable than anything she had left.

You pulled away, seeing the sincerity in her gaze.

“Yeah, I know. Doesn’t mean I’m not a little on edge, though. Thanks for what you did back there, by the way. I was afraid I was gonna have to jump in and show those guys who’s boss, but you had it covered.” You gave a watery laugh.

Decks gave a shrug. “Eh, anything for a friend. And you’re really the only one here that I’m not upset with right now.”

That brought a rare smile to your face. It was a little funny, but also sadly true. You knew she wasn’t dealing with this all as well as you, but admired her for sticking around. You could see so much honesty in her, probably a quality that drew her so close in her friendship with Curtis. It was comforting and exactly what you needed.

And speaking of comfort, a welcoming smell began to waft in from the kitchen. Bee was cooking, which didn’t seem super appropriate for the moment, until you looked at the clock above the stove.

It was early morning by now. Though the curtains were all pulled tight, through the seam in the middle, you could see the beginnings of daylight peeking through. It was then that you realized you’d been running for nearly twelve hours on sheer adrenaline and a need to stay strong until Curtis returned. It seemed like you should keep fighting, keep pushing for him to come back, but it was out of your hands now. Bucky’s men were on the job. All you could do was wait at this point. Hopefully this good meal could hold you over until then.

It was an ambush. All Curtis heard was a light shuffling inside his shielding of the barn, followed by dampened swift blows and brief screams. That must’ve been Bucky’s men.

The closed barn doors allowed him little room to see what was going on, but the scattered gunshots were enough to sense that something was coming closer. Only Lilian’s men were fools enough to cause that much of a scene.

As the sounds died down, the barn door slid open, and Curtis squinted at the morning light that was directed right towards his eyes. A shadow quickly covered it, though. Curtis couldn’t make out the face, darkened by the rays of sun that framed it, but he knew the outline of that build. It was similar to the one that was in his farm fields for weeks, but the waist was slimmer. It carried itself with just a little more proper posture and grace.

“Steve?”

The figure approached and his face was lit up by the overhead barn lights. A crooked, apologetic smile was there under a pair of sincere blue eyes. It was Steve. Curtis wasn’t sure whether to scowl or smile at his savior.

“Hey there, partner. I’m here for retrieval service.”

Steve walked around behind Curtis and crouched down, pulling the knife out of his breast pocket, flicking it open, and cutting the ropes from his wrists. Curtis immediately brought his hands to his front, rubbing the tender area.

“Did you get Lilian? She was outside. And all the guards? Is everyone else okay? How’s Cherry? Decks? Bee?”

Steve walked around to Curtis’s front, crouching once again to begin sawing at the ropes that held his ankles.

“The girls are good. Safe on the farm being guarded, but I think they can handle themselves. Your girl has taken this quite well all things considered.”

Steve broke through the ankle restraints and looked up at Curtis’s face. There was a cut on his cheek that appeared to be bruising slowly.

“Lilian got you pretty good, huh? Don’t worry, we’ve got her now. And Lloyd and Cole. They’re getting delivered back to an old friend in the city as we speak. Probably won’t have to see their faces ever again. That’s a blessing.”

Curtis nodded in assent. “You could say that again.”

Steve looked Curtis once over. “Can you walk?”

Curtis nodded and groaned as he threw his hands to his knees and pressed out of the uncomfortable metal chair.

“Yeah…you never really answered all of my questions, though, city boy, at least not fully….”

Steve walked with Curtis up to the edge of the barn, peeking out to check if the coast was clear and speaking into an ear piece. He nodded with confirmation and his shoulders relaxed a little, although Steve grabbed the gun from the holster on his hip just in case, keeping it low as they shuffled out into the open field.

When Curtis looked around, he could see it was one of the Turners farms, but not the original one. A newer one: one that had been taken over. Scattered all around him were other, smaller barns on fire. When he looked back behind him to where he had just been moments ago, that one was too, flames ripping through it like a warm knife in butter.

Once Curtis turned back to him as they approached a black SUV, Steve looked at him with his eyebrows pinched inwards.

Curtis got up in the driver’s seat despite the way Steve was very evidently guiding him towards the passenger side and held his hand out for the keys.

“Come on. While I drive home, you’re gonna walk me through your plan to get Decks back. If the next time I see her, she’s as mopey as she’s been this weekend, or worse yet, this hardens her, you’ll have hell to pay.”

Steve sighed as he settled into his seat. “Okay, okay. But I think I’m gonna need a lot of your input. Just be nice about it.”

Curtis raised a skeptical brow at Steve as he pulled out onto the country road, leaving the burning farm behind them and Bucky and his men to finish up.

You had finished you meal and sat back on the couch, leg bouncing as you worked out a plan. Curtis needed to get back safely. He had to. You didn’t know what you’d do if he didn’t. Probably beat up Bucky first for getting you all in this mess, then move. Far, far away. Run like you always needed to, even if this was the first place you really felt like you belonged. That would be easiest, your truck could probably handle it, right?

You were startled by the sound of the front door clicking and in an act of self defense, you grabbed your empty coffee mug off the table and threw it at the front entryway. As the door opened, it shut just as quickly from the startle of the ceramic shattering against the wall. From the outside, you could hear, “Holy cow. Um, good arm? But it’s me, darlin’…”

Your shoulders dropped in relief. “Curtis!?”

You ran to the front door, socked feet gliding on the wood, and you pulled the handle and whipped it open. He was standing there, Steve behind him. You threw yourself into his arms, hands wrapped around his neck as he squeezed around your torso.

“It’s me. Hi sweet girl. I’m okay.”

You pulled away with a smile on your face. Your hands ran along his beard and you leaned in for a deep kiss. When you looked at him, your eyes roamed over his face, bruised and slightly wincing at the gentle circles of your thumb. You moved to pull away and apologize, but he grabbed your wrist to keep you there. I’ll never let you go.

You simply nodded and smiled, before looking over his shoulder at the dark-haired mob boss walking up the driveway. His car had just pulled in.

Your eyes narrowed to slits as you gave Curtis a quick peck on the nose.

“You go on ahead and get in there. I think some people will be very happy to see you.”

Curtis nodded, sensing what was about to go down, and gave you a kiss on the top of your head as his hand rubbed your waist before walking through the threshold, and Steve followed behind him.

As Bucky scaled the front porch steps, about to take the same path as the other two men inside, he was stopped by your pointer finger to his chest. Your voice was threatening and low. “You, mister. If you ever let another threat like this, or one of your crazy ex girlfriends near us again, no one is coming out that unscathed. Am I understood?”

His eyebrows raised as he gave you a salute. “Yes ma’am. You have my word.”

You gave him a curt nod of agreement and went inside.

Next >

Bonus A/N: sorry for the dark vibes, but go Curtis and Cherry! Two badasses even in a hard situation imo, although she’s not so forward with it because she doesn’t have the direct threat. What do you think?

Taglist: @evelineangel66 @hawkeyes-queen @ronearoundblindly @mercurial-chuckles

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steviebbboi · 3 months ago

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Sapphire Serenade Masterlist

Pairing: BandMember!Curtis x F!LeadSinger!Reader

Summary:

Being the lead singer in a band comes with its own trials and tribulations. Luckily, your weathered band member Curtis is there to guide and mentor you. The energy between you and Curtis is passionate and intense, but it also comes with immense risk. As your relationship deepens, you both learn to navigate the pressures of fame, the scrutiny of the media, and the jealousy of their bandmates, all while keeping your relationship a secret.

Genre: Smut 🌶️ , Angst 🩹, Fluff 🥹 Galore~

DISCLAIMER NOTE:

I don't give permission for anyone to post this work on any other platform. This only exists on Ao3 AND now Tumblr (5/29/24), so pls don't copy/paste. Also, I don't own any of the Marvel universe (I wish). All of my works are also unbeta'd so please be kind, and apologies for any edit mishaps.

*I'm thinking this will be more of a drabble series more than anything cohesive, but who knows where this will take us!*

Sapphire Serenade [1/?; IN PROGRESS]

His Little Gem [3.6k words~] 🥹 🌶️

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Curtis Everett Masterlist

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#curtis everett x female reader #curtis everett smut #curtis everett fanfiction #curtis everett x reader #curtis everett #curtis everett x you #chris evans characters #fic rec #series recommendations #series: sapphire serenade #curtis everett fluff #curtis everett angst #curtis everett au #bandmember!curtis

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ronearoundreads · 8 months ago

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the sheer amount of flailing and shrieking I did while reading this chapter....

I Know I Should Know Better 4

Pairing: Curtis Everett x Female Reader, references to past Colin Shea x Female Reader & past Johnny Storm x Female Reader

Word Count: ~3.5k

Summary: Curtis has been working as your body guard for almost two years now. Standing by and watching you work and party your life away is becoming more and more difficult, but is there anything he can do about it?

Warnings: Angst, adult themes, complicated power dynamics, minor age difference (not explicit in this part, but reader is mid-twenties and Curtis is early thirties), drinking & implied drug use, explicit language, bad boyfriend (Colin continues to be awful, even though we haven't actually seen him since part 2), self-destructive behavior, anxiety, negative self-talk. She's still having a bad time, you guys. All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

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A/N: Well, here it is! As I currently have it planned, this will be seven parts, so we're officially past the halfway point now. This part's a little shorter, but I'm hoping you'll think it's worth it.

Big thanks to @drabblewithfrannybarnes for helping me nail down the new character here! (If you don't remember doing that Carly, it's because it was ages ago 🤣)

Any comment, reblog, or ask to let me know what you think will be greatly appreciated. Even if it's just screaming at me. 😄 As always, thank you so much for reading! 💜

The drive to the restaurant was uncomfortable. Or maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was just you. Sitting in the backseat alone, while Curtis and Jensen quietly conversed in the front, you felt ridiculous. You should learn how to drive. You were a grown woman who couldn’t even get herself anywhere—just another way you didn’t know how to be responsible for yourself.

You stared at Curtis in the front seat. It’d been a few weeks since your boundaries conversation. You hadn’t spoken to him much since. He was right. It was better. Cleaner. But you missed being able to talk to him.

Something had changed about the way he watched you though. You would swear that it was more intense now, the way his eyes followed you around the room. And it always seemed like he had something to say, he’d just never say it. He didn’t make any sense.

You took a breath. You were nervous about this lunch. You weren’t entirely sure what the purpose of it was, aside from the fact that Marnie Reynolds had wanted to meet. You hadn’t seen her in years and then she just texted you out of the blue two days ago, asking if you wanted to have lunch. You assumed she was going to pitch you something. Why else would she want to talk? You hoped it’d be something easy to agree to. It would make Wilford and Tanya feel better if someone actively wanted to work with you, at the very least.

The restaurant wasn’t the kind of place you normally went to. It was nice, but tucked away, not designed for those who wanted to see and be seen. Marnie had chosen it. She was waiting for you at a small table in the back, even more private. She stood as you approached and enveloped you in a warm hug. She was just as glamorous as you remembered, suddenly hit by memories of sitting in her trailer while she let you try on her jewelry. She’d always been so nice to you. “Oh, honey, it’s so good to see you,” she said as you both sat down.

You smiled and nodded. “It’s good to see you, too. How are you?”

“Oh, good, good,” she said with a big smile. “Just got back from a shoot in Greece. Happy to be home.” Her eyes lost a little of their luster as she asked, “How are you, darling?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” you said. You could tell she wanted you to say more, but you just nodded and shrugged.

“Well,” she looked at you carefully, “I can’t get over how grown up you are. I know it’s silly, but I think I’ll always see you as the sixteen-year-old I met at the table read ten years ago.”

“You and all of America,” you said dryly before you could think better of it.

Instead of chastising you, she just nodded. “I’m very grateful I didn’t have to grow up so publicly and then have to make that transition to being an adult. I can’t imagine how hard that is.”

You shrugged again. You didn’t really know what to say to her.

“Which, speaking of, I owe you an apology.”

Panic rose in your chest. Oh, god. Had she sold a story about you? Said something private in an interview? Blocked you from a new role? You weren’t sure you could handle one more thing right now. “Oh?” you asked shakily.

She nodded, seriously. “I should have done a better job of keeping in touch with you after we’d finished the movie. I owed you that much. I’m sorry.”

You furrowed your brow, confused. “That’s fine. You’ve been so busy. I didn’t really expect you to remember me. I mean, you won an Oscar. I know how much work that takes.”

“Mmm,” she said, “and you sent me flowers.”

You shrugged. You just kept shrugging. “Well, you were always kind to me, and I was so happy for you. It seemed like the least I should do.”

“You were always so sweet. I’m so happy to see that hasn’t changed.”

At the sincerity on her face, you looked down at your menu. You didn’t know what to say to that.

“How’s your mom?” she asked, her tone strangely cautious. “Is she still your manager?”

“Oh, no. Wilford helped me get a new one when I turned 18. He thought I needed someone more experienced.”

She let out a breath, almost like she was relieved. “I have to admit, I’m happy to hear that.” You gave her a confused look and she continued softly, “She was always so hard on you. It was part of why I always invited you to my trailer. It seemed like you could really use a break from her.” She gave you another impossibly warm smile. “Plus, you were such great company. I loved making that movie with you.”

You couldn’t hide your relief when the server chose that moment to take your orders. You didn’t know what to do with the fondness in Marnie’s eyes.

Once you were both done ordering, you decided you were ready to talk business. “So, what’s the project?” you asked.

She looked confused. “Project?”

“Uh, yeah. Whatever you wanted to pitch me? The reason you asked me here.”

“Oh, honey, no, I’m sorry. There’s no project. I just wanted to see you.”

That didn’t make sense. That she didn’t want to work with you again made sense. No one did, so of course she didn’t either. But then why else were you here? “I don’t understand,” you said quietly.

She let out a sad little sigh. “I’ve seen some of what’s been going on with you, online, and it just seems like you need a friend. I want to be that for you. I think about you more than you know.”

“Oh,” was all you managed to say.

She grabbed your hand over the table. “There’s so much going on for you right now. I can’t imagine how hard it must be, and then to have to deal with it in public too.”

You didn’t say anything, just looked at your joined hands on the table. Then, finally, still looking down, “Uh, yeah. I’m having a pretty hard time.”

She squeezed your hand. “I’m so sorry. I’m here to listen if you ever want to talk about it.”

You finally looked up and nodded, but didn’t say anything else. You weren’t sure you could.

She looked at you carefully. “Have you thought about taking a break at all?”

You were reminded of Curtis, sitting on your couch, looking at you so earnestly, talking about taking a year off. You shook the image out of your head. “No,” you said. “It isn’t a good time. My reputation isn’t great right now, so I need to get back out there and show people that I can do the work. I need to fix it.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, “that sounds like agent speak.”

“Well,” you shrugged, “he’s right.”

“Remember, though,” she said, slowly, “that you’re a person, too. Not just a career.”

You just looked at her, blankly. Your career had been the most important thing about you since you were nine years old. You didn’t know how to separate the two. Luckily, that was when the server returned with your food, and Marnie graciously took it as a sign to take over the conversation for the rest of your meal. She talked about the movie she’d just finished, how her kids were doing, and the large garden she was planting at home. It was nice. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d had a meal out with a friend like this.

Still, you left the restaurant feeling raw and restless. You weren’t sure what to do with that conversation, the hard parts of it. The way she looked at you like she actually saw you. There was an itch in you now that just made you want to run.

Instead, as soon as you got home, you poured yourself a glass of sangria from the pitcher your housekeeper kept in your fridge and took the latest script Wilford had sent you onto your deck. You could feel Curtis watching you as you moved through the glass doors. That was his job, you told yourself. It was just his job.

The script fucking sucked. It was awful. The opposite of what you wanted to do. But you knew what Wilford would say. Beggars can’t be choosers. This was your fault. You were the one who’d destroyed your reputation. You had to be the one to fix it. And if making shit like this would fix it, then that’s what you had to do. Too many people relied on you for you not to do whatever you could, take whatever paychecks you could get. You hated it. You hated it so much. But you would do it.

You picked up your phone. You hadn’t realized how much time had passed. It was well into the evening now. There was a text from Michelle an hour ago, letting you know she’d left. And a few minutes ago, one from Nikki, a girl you partied with sometimes, that just said ‘Fuck them both!’

What the hell did that mean? Panic began to crawl up your throat and your hands started to shake as you typed your name into Google and clicked on News. Your stomach dropped. Johnny Storm, that snowboarder you’d barely dated over a year ago, apparently had a podcast now. And the latest episode, posted that day, featured Colin Shea as its guest. Shit. Fuck. You couldn’t even look at what they’d said. There was no point. It was all just the same old bullshit.

You felt tears start to prick at your eyes. Why couldn’t everyone just leave you the fuck alone? You weren’t even that interesting. How could they possibly have anything to talk about?

Fuck that, you thought, as you stormed back into your house. You distantly registered Curtis calling after you, but you didn’t pay any attention. You were too focused. You headed straight up to your bedroom. They wanted something to talk about? You’d fucking give it to them! You charged into your closet and grabbed the sluttiest, shiniest dress you had. Fuck yeah. You could do this. You would be exactly who they wanted you to be. If they wanted a show so fucking badly, you’d give them one.

You ran back downstairs, looking for a particular pair of earrings that a costar had given you as a wrap gift a couple of years ago – huge dangly ones that said Fuck on one ear and You on the other. There was nothing subtle about what you were going for tonight.

You’d have to think of someone to call, too. Someone suitable for the kind of scene you wanted to make, the kind of big mistake you wanted to fall into. You were so fucking tired of holding it all together. You were done. Your mind immediately landed on Lucas Lee, your costar in that dumb action movie last year. He was awful but so hot. Nothing but trouble and always up for whatever. Perfect.

As you entered your living room, your eyes landed on one of your jewelry boxes on the coffee table. There they were! As you picked up the box, you realized Curtis was sitting by himself on the couch. You saw him take in your short, sparkly dress and grimace. You weren’t in the mood to analyze it. “I’m going out,” you announced. “Have Jensen get the car ready.”

You were already moving through, headed back upstairs when you heard Curtis rasp, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

You turned on a dime. “Excuse me?”

“I think,” he said slowly, so calmly you wanted to break something, “that going out right now, in the sort of mood you’re clearly in, would be a very bad idea.”

What the actual fuck? “Since when,” you asked, your voice quiet with seething anger, “is it your job to tell me what to do?”

He shook his head and you didn’t know how to react to how sad he looked. “I’m not telling you to do anything. I’m asking you to stay home tonight. For your own safety, which very much is my job.”

You just stared at him, dumbfounded. You didn’t understand him. He told you you weren’t friends. He was the one who said he was just your bodyguard. So what the hell was he doing now?

In the moment you stood frozen, just staring at him, he took a cautious step forward. “Did something happen?” he asked barely above a whisper.

You shook your head furiously. You felt like you could barely form words. You were so angry and lost, and scared, and sad, and confused. You were feeling more than you thought your body could contain. And you knew, you knew, the only way to get these feelings out would be to go out and get as wild as you could. And here Curtis was, not letting you. You were afraid you were going to explode. “That’s fine,” you finally got out, ignoring his question. “You don’t have to come with me. Jake neither. I’ll get a fucking Uber.” You took a step towards the opening of the room. “Go home Jake!” you shouted through the house. “I won’t need you tonight!”

Curtis sighed your name. “I’m not going to let you go out by yourself,” he said firmly.

You threw your hands in the air. “Then make up your goddamn mind!”

Jake appeared in the doorway, looking confused and Curtis turned to him. You took the opportunity to get back to the safety of your room, leaving your security detail to figure their shit out. Once back in your room, you dug through the jewelry box until you found the earrings you were looking for. You heard your back door open and close. Good. Jake, at least, was gone. You knew Curtis would be harder, but you were fucking determined.

Just as you were opening Uber on your phone, Curtis appeared in your doorway. “What,” you growled.

“Would you just listen to me for a minute?!” He said, not quite a yell, but not not that either, as he barged into your room. All of his practiced calm from downstairs was completely gone. “Something bad is going to happen if you go out tonight! It is, I know it is. And I know you can feel it too!”

“Why do you care?!” You shouted at him. “No one else does! Why do you care so much?!”

“You know why!” he shouted back, and took another step toward you, but then suddenly stopped. Much, much quieter, much softer, and with eyes so pleading, he said “You must know.”

You didn’t. You really don’t think you knew until that moment, when the realization slammed into you. Every look, every sigh, all of the moments of him that hadn’t made sense. You took a step back. “What?” you breathed, barely realizing that you were shaking.

He took a step forward to follow you, then stopped. He opened his mouth to say something, but you shook your head at him. “No,” you said. “You can’t.”

“I can’t?!” he asked, incredulous and upset again.

“No!” you shouted, but it was so much weaker now. “I just– Why would– I’m such a fucking mess!” You were starting to cry, the adrenaline of the last half-hour finally leaking out of you, replaced by that same bone-deep exhaustion that you’d had for too long. “I barely have a high school education. I don’t know how to do anything for myself. No one wants to work with me. I am barely keeping it together and everyone knows it. I’m a trainwreck! Why would you–” You couldn’t bring yourself to say the words that you knew he meant. “Why would you have feelings for someone like that?”

The sadness was back in his face. You looked away, unable to bear it. In your periphery, you saw him take a cautious step forward, then pause. When you made no move to run, he eliminated the distance between you, standing directly in front of you. He slowly, gently, carefully brought one hand up to touch your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb. “I know,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “I know all that and I still love you. Because I also know that somehow, despite everything, you are one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. You are so kind. And thoughtful. You let everyone see your soft spots, even when all they do is hurt you. You have every reason to be awful or bitter or mean or any of a thousand things. But you aren’t. It’s all of it, it’s all of those things and the ones you said too. All of it together, that’s why I love you. I love you because you’re you.”

You wanted to sob. No one had ever said anything remotely like that to you before. Not anyone in your family, or a single one of your exes. No one had ever cared enough to say any of that. Except for Curtis. He’d always cared, hadn’t he? Since that first day he’d showed up, when you’d been so scared about the possibility of a stalker, he’d taken such care with you. He was the most caring, thoughtful, beautiful person you knew. You took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. You could see his worry, but also the deep conviction with which he’d just said all that to you. You couldn’t help yourself anymore. You surged forward and you kissed him.

He made a noise of surprise—you didn’t know how he could possibly be surprised after all that—but after just a moment he was kissing you back, bringing both hands up to cradle your head. You were getting your tears all over him, but he didn’t seem to care. He was soft and gentle and passionate. You needed more. You needed all of him.

You took a step back, breaking the kiss. You did what you could to brush the tears off your face. You grabbed the bottom of your dress and pulled it over your head, then tossed it on the floor. You stood in front of him in the lingerie you’d picked out to fuck Lucas Lee of all people and couldn’t understand how you’d ever been able to think about anyone but Curtis. But you did know how when you stopped to think about it. You’d never been able to fathom that you might deserve this man. That he might actually want you.

He stared at you. “Fuck,” he whispered. “You’re–” you braced yourself for what might come next. So hot or fucking sexy. You’d even gotten beautiful once or twice. He only took a second before he finished his sentence “–incredible,” with such awe on his face that you actually felt your knees go weak. You had to look away. He was too much.

He took your face in his hands again and placed a soft, short kiss on your lips. “But would it be ok if we slowed down?” he asked.

You couldn’t keep the disappointment out of your voice. “Why?”

“This is real for me,” he said. “And if we do this, I want it to be real for you too. I want you to be sure. And for now,” he stroked one thumb over your cheekbone, “right now I just want to hold you. Is that alright? If I just hold you tonight?”

You didn’t know how to respond to that. Sex had always been the best, most important part of any of your relationships. It’d been the biggest thing that any of your previous partners had wanted from you. You weren’t sure you knew how to do it any other way. But he was holding you so gently, looking at you so softly, all you could do was nod.

He kissed you once more. Then stepped back and started to take off his clothes. You made your way to your bed and got in, watching him as he shed his clothes. He really was the most beautiful man you’d ever seen. Nothing on any movie set you’d ever been on, any party you’d ever been to could compare to him.

Once he was down to just his boxers, he crawled in next to you and pulled you close. Your lips touched his shoulder as you asked, barely audible, “You really love me?”

He kissed your forehead. “Yes,” he whispered. “I really love you.”

Taglist is open

@stargazingfangirl18 @drabblewithfrannybarnes @thezombieprostitute @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @bval-1 @km-ffluv @texmexdarling @ladyvenera @before-we-get-started @veltana @andydrysdalerogers @royalwriteroftheuniverse @whosana-maria @dancer3205 @ijustneedpopcorn @mrsevans90 @pekusofixus @i-can-do-this-all-dayy @jamneuromain @kmc1989 @geminiflanagansblog @stcrrjoon @blogbog710 @blackhawkfanatic

#curtis everett fanfiction #curtis everett x reader #curtis everett au #bodyguard au #romance and angst #fluff and romance #curtis everett fluff #series #curtis everett angst

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eccentricallygothic · 2 months ago

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Psycho Husband!Steve Rogers who is a crazed coercive bastard.

Warning(s): Noncon, misogyny/sexism, depraved housewife kink, head shaving/hair cutting, he's a mental mf who thinks he is only doing what's best for you; cruel punishments are care and better sense according to him, age gap, fear kink, infantilization, humiliation, size kink. MDNI.

. . .

You meekly sit atop your husband, Steve Rogers' lap as he feeds himself and you the dinner you meticulously prepared for him as he cares greatly for detail and perfection.

The older man hums with each bite, one large paw caressing your back from over the thin -nearly sheer- material of one of the many dresses that make up the entirety of your wardrobe.

“Absolutely delicious, baby, good job” he has been praising you with each bite and so you cannot help but smile at the compliments, your smaller body resting against his as you gently comb his hair with your fingers.

This is good.

Him being pleased is good.

“Thank you, my heart” you kiss his cheek that he had shaved just this morning when you were on your knees getting rid of his morning wood. He usually does that at night but you chose to wear a certain dress yesterday that caused for you to remain trapped in bed from the moment he got home till the both of you woke up tangled and sticky.

“See?” Now his fingers silkily glide up the length of your spine, past its dents that appear on your nape and towards your scalp that holds no barriers between your skins. “Wasn't I right?” Steve's fingertips flex all over your shiny head that he keeps empty from any hurdle between yourself and him. “Didn't it make things all better for us, hm?” Your tongue grows heavy and you feel it beginning to swell.

But you must not speak your mind.

For you are not allowed to have one.

“Yes, hubby, you were” you feel him stroke the bald crown of your head and the feeling of his coarse skin rubbing your soft and moisturized one sends shivers down your spine.

His dark but relaxed blue eyes watch you, outwardly friendly but secretly inspecting you closely for the tiniest slip up. “Just too stupid to see it back then, weren't you?”

You nod nervously, offering him a smile as you avert your gaze from his, choosing to awkwardly play with his dress shirt instead. “Yes, hubby, I was.” Before you look up momentarily. He hates it when you don't look at him while speaking. “Thank you for teaching me better.”

“And what did I teach you?” You bite your tongue, his words scalding your ears.

Of course, he wants you to say it.

It is a routine that he likes to do every night.

“That you are always right because you know better.” You resist the urge to cringe from how he suddenly gives you a burst of praise head rubs.

It is a trap, meant to set you off.

He knows you don't like his hand rubbing your bald head like you're some kind of an animal and he still does it.

You've made the mistake of fighting back one too many times in the past.

But now you know it never fares well for you.

So better to just obey.

“Yeah?” His eyes begin to dance all over your form in that lewd fashion of theirs. “And how did I teach you that?” This is nothing new, and yet your heart drops.

“You taught me by…” Your face becomes hot from the embarrassment and humiliation. “B- By…” Fuck.

Even after all this time, it's no easier to do it.

“By?” You can feel his sick arousal poke into the back of your thigh. He shifts to readjust himself. “Know what, honey?” He actually has the gall to sound friendly like he's doing you a favor out of the goodness of his heart. “I'll help your little mind out by giving you a hint.” You cannot hold his gaze anymore. So you drop your eyes and train them on his collars as you whimper into his cheek from how he hugs you closer with the arm he has draped around you. He loves proximity. “It had something to do with a machine and a cute head” his long fingers caress your scalp in circular motions.

Your heart is erratic against his chest. “H–” the whimper you let out is shaky and pathetic. Your expression falters into one of pain but you recover just as fast. At least on the outside. “T- Taught me by shaving my head.”

Steve's smirk is one of pride. “Oh? And what setting did I shave it on? Did I leave anything behind or did you become a complete cueball?”

Tears sting your eyes from the sensitivity and helplessness as you feel your throat tighten even more. “N- No, hubby. Nothing was left. You shaved it all off…” Closing your eyes momentarily is the only way you can let out your next words. “Until I was a cueball.”

“And why was that, huh, baby?” Now he speaks to you like you're a child.

He does that when he is horny.

The realization makes your stomach twist.

“B- Because you warned me many times but—” your voice breaks and you softly sob into his cheek all of a sudden because the memories overwhelm you. “I didn't l- listen and my hair kept getting in the food I would prepare for you.” He somberly cooes and lowers your head forwards in a submissive position to caress the links of your spine.

“Oh, honey. Is that what happened?” Though Steve rests his cheek atop your bald head that he keeps shiny with scented oils and feigns sadness his bulge is too stiff against your tender skin for his little act to hold any weight.

“Yes, hubby.” Your tears fall on your lap.

“And how did it happen, huh, darling?” He loves the helplessness of your situation. That has got to be it. “Can you tell me?”

You nod and swallow the bile in your throat. Denial is not an option. “The scary razor went all over my head, hubby” you make yourself sound like a baby because that's what he likes. “Like buzz buzz buzz~” you try to mimic the sound and gesture as you run a pretend trimmer over your naked scalp.

“Aw, it was scary for your little baby self, was it?” You timidly nod, pouting a little. “That's because you're so small and easily scared, aren't you?” He presses kisses all over your head and pinches your cheek.

“Yes, hubby.”

“Aw, my poor girl” he cups your face and lets his thumb trace the shape of your mouth. “I get it, you’re just a baby” he cannot but kiss you deeply before speaking again.

“But it was necessary, wasn't it? And it worked” it is typical of him to seek validation for his unhinged actions from you, probably helps him sleep easier and pumps his pompousness further. “No more hair in the food.” He smiles and forces you to look at him by tipping your head back.

“No more hair in the food.” You echo him like the hollow doll he has made of you.

“Awww” he chuckles at the dejection in your voice. “Cheer up, silly. You look just as perfect as the first moment I laid my eyes on you” his lips repeatedly peck yours for a few moments. Then he continues. “I am the only one whose opinion matters for you and I think you're the most gorgeous thing alive” he scoops you up in his arms before standing up and you give him a smile like you're supposed to. He leans in to capture it in his own. “The cueball only makes you sexier and more nude for me. So it's a win all around” you whimper into the words he utters against your mouth. “C'mon, hubby will make you feel all better.” He whispers before carrying you to the bedroom. It is impossible not to be aware of your devastation and that is why he offers compensation the way he does. “Yeah?”

All you can do is nod defeatedly.

. . .

If you made it down here, hi you're cool.

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brandycranby · 3 months ago

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older man/younger woman with curtis who's just a little too gritty and blue collar for you to be making eyes at, or so he says.

"go find someone your own age, kid"

#anyways im going to angst in my bed now #curtis everett x reader #curtis everett x you #brandy rambles

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ronearoundblindly · 4 months ago

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Lexi's Monthly Edit

July 1st - July 28th, 2024

In case you missed any of the new posted content this month, here's a handy-dandy list--some with short excerpts--and links to all of them.

Below the cut you'll find 5 fics and 3 ficlets for your enjoyment!

He Needs the Calories, one-shot Steve Rogers & Reader humor

Steve's eyes shift guiltily from where you stand to the fridge and back. You drop the bag of peanut butter chocolate chip treats and step backward to open the french doors. "What's in here, Steve?" "Nothing," he rushes. "What's in the fridge, Steve?!"

Take My Whole Life, Too, part one, a Fools Rush In tale (mature) Steve Rogers x lab tech!Reader's honeymoon

“I almost can’t believe it,” Steve says quietly. “Believe what?” He could mean the beauty of the sky, or that Tony knocked it out of the park with your escape of a honeymoon, or that he didn’t croak instead of getting through all those mental and physical hurtles to be with you. You’re just not sure. Personally, you’ve ‘almost not believed it’ since the Captain America started talking to you, so it’s hard to judge. Steve doesn’t answer right away. His voice grows even softer. “Happy. That’s all.”

Yield, a sequel to Warning Signs Steve Rogers x Avenger!Reader hurt/comfort

In your months of working with the Avengers, the captain has never once casually assigned an endearment. He says ‘ma’am’ more often than not and barely has nicknames for the teammates he’s worked with for a decade. Everyone is Agent, Sir, or Miss. Your last name has always been enough. You were none of those things last night. You survived a horrid battle, a crippling loss, and a solitude which almost drowned you; it’s silly to admit how he heals your wounds with one simple word. Sweetheart.

Entwined (mature) Nomad Steve Rogers x Reader smut

Not until the second arm is secured all the way down, his hands reaching past the seat to the chair legs, does Steve’s breathing pick up, audible huffs with every exhale, his abs jumping every so often. If he expands his lungs fully, the rope strains, digging into his skin. The taboo nature of giving up and giving in has become a favorite release of his. You feel honored to be entrusted with this secret, and the most important part is, none of this makes Steve weaker or darker. He simply likes to sit still, take a backseat, and enjoy experiencing your enjoyment. He allows his mind to go blank. Only then will his body be drained of the thick tar of war and refilled with the electric arousal of now.

I Left You Something On The Body, part of No Promises (mature) Lloyd Hansen x rival assassin!Reader

At some point, you can’t tell if you two are letting each other get places first on not. The money is, oddly, totally irrelevant, and your career takes on a renewed joy. Lloyd claims a target. You show up, kill them, and drop off an intricately-packaged Gucci jock strap with “Eat Me” embroidered at the back of the waistband, right above his asshole.

Firefighter!Curtis, a blurb-inspired ask Curtis Everett x Reader AU

Gif-Inspired Drabble for It Had To Be You (mature) CEO!Steve Rogers x CEO!Reader

Mermaid Feelings Headcanon for Sun, Salt, and Shield Steve Rogers x deep sea mermaid!Reader

[Main Masterlist; Light Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

A/N: That's actually a decent amount yet, for some reason, feels like nothing...😢

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the-iceni-bitch · 9 months ago

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Aww, thank you! This is one of my favorite fics I’ve ever written so it always gives me the warm fuzzies when someone loves it 🥰

In the Pines

Pairing: Curtis Everett x fem!Reader, past Bryce Langley x fem!reader

Words: ~8k

Summary: You shouldn’t have been able to survive in the woods. Curtis found you though, taking you in and letting you hold tight to your secrets as you slowly move into his heart.

Warnings: explicit language, explicit sexual content (unprotected vaginal sex, outdoor section), creepy vibes, heavy angst, injuries and language that points to an extremely abusive relationship but no abuse on screen, threats of extreme violence (including against a pregnant woman), extreme violence, arson, character death, gore, pregnancy, SMUT!!! 18+ ONLY!!!

A/N: This is my entry for my little 5k Dark was the Night challenge! If you want to know why I haven’t been as active for the past few days, it’s because the visuals for this fic wormed their way into my brain like a mother fucker and I had to get it out. And I am in love with it, so I really hope you all enjoy! It was very much inspired by the American folk song “Where did You Sleep Last Night?” which is one of my favorites and is so perfect for spooky season. Lyric prompt below.

My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me

Tell me where did you sleep last night?

In the pines, in the pines

Where the sun don’t ever shine

I would shiver the whole night through

I am no longer doing taglists so if you want to stay up to date on all the latest filth, follow my sideblog @the-iceni-library and turn on notifications!

Divider by @firefly-graphics

Curtis felt the scream before he heard it, a shiver traveling up his spine that roused him from sleep with a start. Another eerie shriek cut through the air and he rose out of bed with a sigh.

He grabbed the rifle before peering out the window, telling himself it was just a cougar moving in for the kill as he gazed at the pines that surrounded his cabin. It sounded so close to the house though, and they didn’t typically come so near to his dwelling.

Venturing out there to investigate was out of the question. Less than a hundred yards from the walls of the cabin the trees grew thick and close, their branches so snarled together you could barely catch a glimpse of the sky on a clear day. Trying to find anything out there in the dark with nothing but the stars and the new moon to light his way was the epitome of stupid, even if he tried to stay on the thin carved path, not to mention the creatures that made the mountain forest their home.

Nothing caught his eye, so Curtis wandered back to bed with a weary groan, resigned to searching the copse in the morning in case the cougar left its kill too close to the house.

Keep reading

#natalie replies #comment reblog #thanks for reading #curtis everett #curtis everett x reader #curtis x reader #curtis everett fanfiction #curtis everett x y/n #curtis everett angst #curtis everett x female reader #curtis everett x you

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imyourbratzdoll · 2 years ago

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𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒍𝒖𝒎 (ma prune de sucre)

valentine's day masterlist - your stepbrother loves you

summary - your stepbrother curtis buys you something special.

the gif and headers I use aren't mine.

Warnings and Reminders - Please do not plagiarise, copy, repost/republish, adapt, or translate any of my work on any social media platforms, apps, or third-party sites. The only platforms I post my work on are: Tumblr and Wattpad. I do not own any character of any franchise (Marvel etc.) All my works are fiction and may be dark or triggering content: READ ALL WARNINGS BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Curtis knocks on your door, entering when he hears you yell, ‘come in’. He holds a large gift bag in his hand and smiles at you. “Hey, sugarplum. You busy?” You look up from your book and shake your head, giving him a soft smile before patting the spot next to you on the bed. Curtis walks forward and sits down next to you, your eyes following the bag he holds. “I got you something… Wanna see?”

You nod, placing your book down gently before turning to give Curtis all your attention. He puts the bag on the bed and gestures for you to open it, which you do. “Oh my, Curtis… These are so pretty. But expensive!” You look at him with wide eyes before returning to the items in the bag. It’s full of good-quality makeup, skincare, gift cards and chocolate. “Thank you!” You lean over and hug him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

Curtis shrugs, wrapping a large arm around you and hugs you back, pressing a rough kiss into your hair. “It’s okay. You deserve to be spoiled.” He smiles, looking down at you with heart eyes.

thank you for reading!

feedback and reblogs are greatly appreciated.

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bigtreefest · 8 months ago

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Chapter 4: Under Pressure

From: You Catch More Bees With Honey Series

Pairing: Mob! Bucky x Farmer! Reader

Summary: Bucky’s been weird since that night at the bar, but will a taste of danger at the farm bring him back to his senses?

Word count: 5,468

Content/warnings: Avoidance/masking of feelings, consumption and mention of alcohol, mutual pining, omg Cole is such a jerk, use of pet names, use of y/n, a little angst especially at the end, mentions of bullying, vulnerability

Author’s Note: I really enjoyed writing this chapter. There was a lot I wanted to include, and so much that made it in here that I hadn’t even intended originally. Happy reading!!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

< Prev | Series Masterlist | Next >

The rest of the weekend had been generally uneventful. You worked on the books and finances for the farm while Curtis did chores on Saturday and hung out with a book of your own on Sunday.

Bucky had become scarce. You had hardly seen him since Friday night besides mealtimes. Other than that, he was in his room, outside on the gravel talking to Steve over the phone, or shadowing Curtis to relearn how to do the tasks a sixth time.

You admired his work ethic and dedication to your agreement, but couldn’t help but feel that he was avoiding you. Was it something you said? Was he angry? To be honest, your memory seemed pretty clear. The last thing you remember was being grateful that he was there to help you get rid of Cole, and then waking up in bed to medicine and a glass of water on your nightstand. Not much could’ve happened in that small gap, right?

Wrong. Bucky had been consumed by the thought of you since that night. Every moment he went back to it, the nerves in his fingers burned all the way up to his shoulders with the thought of your touch. His gut felt tingly in a way he hadn’t experienced since he was a young boy daunted with the task of rising to power in his organization.

Was he nervous? No. Bucky Barnes doesn’t get nervous. He just gets pensive. When things seem like they’re getting out of his hands, he takes a step back to make a plan, then muscles his way through until he gets what he wants. He was used to using that same strategy to tamper down every emotion he felt except pride, and was well-practiced at that, so why did it all come crumbling from the simple act of you on his arm? Or was it the fact that he wished you taking his hat and putting it on your head could hold actual meaning? As soon as he identified his feelings, he called Steve.

“Whaddup, Buck? Not much has changed around here since last night, so I assume something has changed on your end?”

Bucky sighed. Why did he call in the first place? The last thing he wanted to do was acknowledge this… ~feeling~ by doing it the dignity of speaking it out loud. That made it real. “Um, no, not really. Just wanted to check in. I’ve got the day off.”

Steve paused on the other side of the line. “Okay….are you sure about that? Because you don’t seem very sure about that. Was everything okay at the bar? You didn’t get into a fight, did you?”

The corner of Bucky’s mouth turned up and he sighed in relief. “Oh, no, yeah, I’m sure. And I definitely did not get in a fight last night, some guy came up and was hitting on Y/N while I was out on the phone with you, so she wanted to head out right after.”

Bucky was satisfied with his well-formulated response until his best friend spoke up again. “Ah, so this is about your feelings for her, right? You were jealous?”

Bucky froze. “Pshhh….uh, no. Definitely not. She was very obviously not interested in him so we left.”

“That’s not what I asked.” Bucky could hear the deadpan in Steve’s voice. “I don’t care whether she was interested in him or not, I care about how her talking to some handsome stranger made you feel.”

Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose. “Steven, I’m going to be honest with you and I do not want you to say a word of this to anyone, or else.”

Steve poorly hid a smile in his voice. “Okay, Bucket. Floor is yours.”

“First of all, he was not that handsome. Based off her reaction, he was probably a scumbag in a Carhartt jacket that has never seen a day of actual work, but that’s besides the point….Yes…. Seeing her talking to that guy, and talking to her about her ex made me feel…things, but that wasn’t all of it….” The next words came out as a mumble. “She put my hat on her head and her head on my shoulder when I drove her home….andiwisheditwasreal.”

Steve was full-blown laughing now, so much was going on in that statement. Since when did Bucky care about work clothes and people’s worthiness of them? At least he was being honest. “Sorry Buck, missed that last part. Care to repeat?”

“Oh you know exactly what I said.” He spat back.

“Okay, okay. So what are you gonna do about it then? You’ve still got three more weeks out there. From what I can see, you’ve got a few opti-“

“Nothing.” Bucky cut him off. “I’m going to do nothing. I can’t play into her charm anymore. I’m just going to stay away and put my head down and-“

“Bucky stop. Slow down.” Steve cut him off in return to stop the spiral. “Your solution to everything can’t be to ice it out until freezes and shatters. Let’s look at this for a second. You care for her, so why can’t you stay friends? You obviously get along well, and I’m not just saying this from a personal standpoint, I’m saying this from a business standpoint. She very evidently knows how to deal with people and looking at the books, her finances are exceptional considering it’s a relatively small farm operation.”

“Okay, first off, of course I can ice her out. I need to show who’s in charge and this has worked with other associates before. And second off, what are you seeing in her finances?” Bucky huffed.

“Buck, she could buy your house. Somehow she’s invested so well that she doesn’t need our business deal, but she took it anyway. Makes me wonder why. Someone doing something like that doesn’t deserve ice, maybe you should try a little sweetness. I mean, I know you think everyone’s a sucker for that tough exterior of yours.” Steve’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “But you know what they say: you catch more bees with honey…. However, that sting on your face shows you can catch a bee just by standing there, so I’m not sure how fair that analogy is.” Steve let out a hearty chuckle at his own joke as a scowl crawled onto Bucky’s face.

“Ha ha ha, very funny, but we’re doing this my way. I’ll figure it out. I just have to last three more weeks.”

Steve sighed and replied with evident disappointment and a hint of frustration in his voice. “Okay, whatever you say, you’re the boss. I’ll call you later with a new update, Bucket.”

Bucky rolled his eyes in response. “Ugh, why do I still tell you everything when you use it against me like this?”

“That’s platonic love, my friend. Someone’s gotta hold you accountable and know you won’t punch them in the face for it.” And with that, Steve hung up and left Bucky looking up at the clear, blue sky.

Although Steve’s words and accusations stuck in his head, Bucky decided he wanted to muscle through this deal on his own. All he really needed to do was stay away from you and put in the work, and that would make it easier, right? He would simply do what he came here to do, nothing more, nothing less. If only Bucky could hear Steve’s grumble “why does he even tell me about this stuff if he won’t even take my advice?” that was said after every phone call.

You woke up to the first rooster crow on Monday morning. By the time you had gotten dressed and walked down the creaky stairs, you saw your breakfast plate made and sitting on the counter and a mug of coffee that had already cooled down to a more than drinkable temperature.

You peeked in the dishwasher to see a set of dishes had already been placed in there. Bucky must’ve already eaten and gone out for the day. He probably wanted to get a jump start on his work. At least he knew what he was doing.

The real reason he was up and going already that you hadn’t known? He couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned all night thinking about what Steve had said and honestly, he couldn’t bring himself to look at you. Couldn’t bring himself to mess up more in your presence and be saved and comforted by your seemingly bottomless grace. The solution was to do the work in pensive silence, as far from you as possible, so he could mess up and fix it on his own without the thought of your kind, yet penetrating, gaze. He was getting too close for comfort. The only solution was to pull away.

This continued for the next three days. Wake up before you. Make breakfast. Get a jump start on chores. Mess up on chores (as you secretly watched from the tractor, or the hay loft). Fix the mistakes. Carry on with his head down. Come home. Make dinner. Trap himself in his room. Go to bed. Start again.

Some notable moments that you’d caught unbeknownst to him: Bucky’s galoshes getting stuck in the mud of the pig pen, followed by him having to step out of the still-stuck boots, continue to walk to pour the feed in the trough while losing both socks as well, then returning to dig out the boots. At least half a dozen goat head-butts while trying to grab the babies to take them to the separate feeding area. The mommas were not happy with Bucky’s insistence on taking their kids, and they showed him by knocking him repeatedly into the white-painted fences. Bucky responded with an oof and him rubbing the affected area, returning a glower to the seemingly now unbothered mothers. Bucky losing sheep, but not knowing how to command your dog to corral them, thus having to run and herd them himself, surprisingly more efficiently each time it happened, you might add.

You were proud of Bucky for his work ethic. If he had put half this effort into his business dealings, you could see how he rose to the top so quickly. He wasn’t the only one who did research on whom they were dealing with.

He was stubborn and wanted things right, but didn’t let a lack of perfection stop him from completing the tasks. However, at some point, it looked like he was beating himself up. Like he was self-punishing for something you couldn’t quite identify, so you called Curtis to help at the farm so you could figure it out. Come Thursday afternoon, you handed off your chores to him and went back to the house early in hopes of catching Bucky. You were half way through dinner when the front door opened, the mud-covered mob boss in well-fitting farm clothes crossing the threshold.

You looked him up and down, doing your best to hold in a laugh at the disheveled appearance. “Well howdy. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you. Figured you’ve been working so hard, it’s my turn to help you out some.”

Bucky was taken aback by seeing you in the kitchen, not only had he purposely been avoiding you and planned to get in the house before you even considered dinner, but you just looked so relaxed. Something about that stoked an ember in him he’d tried hard to snuff out. You were wearing a t-shirt and your hair was pulled up off your shoulders, almost like any other day, but your features didn’t have their usual determined focus. They were at ease, which was in total juxtaposition with Bucky’s swirl of anxiousness rising in his gut.

Bucky looked at you with wide eyes and pointed over his shoulder with a thumb. “Um, I thought you were still out in the field. Saw the tractor turning the hay over.” He swallowed thickly.

You leaned to peek around him. “Ah, yes. That’s Curtis. Called him in today to help me finish up so you and I could talk about a few things. Go ahead and wash up. By the time you’re done, this should all be ready.”

All he could do was nod in response as he slowly made his way up the steps, mind racing with everything you could possibly say. Did you know how he felt? Did he do something wrong? Were you going to cut the deal? He could only hope the warm water would wash his worries away, along with the mud.

Bucky came back down to a homey aroma that wrapped him in comfort. That much was consistent every time he saw you. Your existence provided him a blanket of relief, despite the way he knew he should still be holding onto anticipation for what you might say. You were sitting at the head of the table flanked by Curtis, the both of you reading though some papers.

“Hey, Bucket, just in time.” Curtis greeted him, as Bucky took the seat across from him at the table, flanking your other side. You all started to dig into the food as you set the papers down on the table for Bucky to read them. It was a headline that read: TURNing the Tables: The Road to an Empire.

“What is this?” He looked up from his plate and directly into your eyes for the first time in days.

“Well, we haven’t gotten to talk about this yet, but remember that guy who we ran away from at the bar? This is him.” Bucky’s eyebrows pinched together, he knew the look of disdain on your face made sense, but still felt like he was missing something.

Curtis cleared his throat after taking a sip of tea and spoke up. “Forgot you didn’t grow up with us. Allow me to explain.” He looked to your eyes and you nodded in approval of his continuance. “In school, I was a few years older than Y/N here. Back then, there were a bunch of farmers around town, each with their own little niche, and a lotta nice farm kids who were in our classes. Except Cole. He grew up a little awkward kid, but once he hit puberty, he became the cockiest thing in town. Didn’t even care to know those other kids anymore, just bullied them. It didn’t help that it was around the same time his parents started buying out all the other small farms here, turning their small dairy operation into a much larger-scale distributor. Little too big for their britches, if you ask me.” Curtis mumbled that last part as he rolled his eyes and shoveled another fork full of food into his mouth.

Bucky nodded in acknowledgement, but still harbored some confusion in how this all tied together. “So why was it crazy to run into him at the bar if he’s from around here? And what’s the deal with him making you so uncomfortable. Like, I get it, he’s a prick, but you were running out of there. You hardly budged for me, so there’s no way he can be that intimidating to you.”

Curtis’s eyes narrowed slightly and his brows furrowed at that statement, but he let it go for now. He swallowed down another bite of food and looked at you again. Your mouth was slightly agape, debating the best way to move forward. “I didn’t look like this in high school, or throughout any schooling for that matter, so he didn’t recognize me when we ran into each other at the bar. Frankly, I hardly recognized him. And come to think of it, he didn’t even ask my name Friday night, so that goes to show what a trash bag he really is. But this is a good thing, because I think we’d be in a way bigger mess if he did remember me. It’s a long story, and I think we’ll have to go back even farther.” You took a sip of your water before setting down your silverware and leaning forward on your elbows on the table.

“Like Curtis said, Cole didn’t get along with anyone, especially Jake. In school he’d constantly push him around, so Curtis would come to his defense, even though I probably could’ve taken Cole myself.” You let out a small airy chuckle and Curtis smiled back at you, shaking his head. “But anyway, after every time Cole started a fight and Curtis finished it, he’d look at me with this big, almost mischievous grin. So honestly, I’m glad I didn’t play into getting close to him by personally defending Jake.”

Bucky continued nodding along. You seemed so unproblematic. Why were you in the middle of this? “So he didn’t recognize you at the bar, and again, he’s from around here. What’s the big deal?”

You sighed, having to explain more small-town politics to Bucky, who very evidently didn’t understand the delicate nature of places outside the city. “He’s not really from around here anymore. His farm still is, but it’s one of many now. After school, he went to get some fancy business degree from who knows where. What I’m truly concerned about is what he said to me at the bar. He’s here to squash the one thing Curtis and I, and frankly this town, have left.” Curtis rubbed your shoulder reassuringly and you rubbed your eyes in frustration. Bucky felt that same pang in his lower stomach again, seeing how close you and Curtis were and how that dumb little milk man had you this upset. You looked at Curtis gratefully and continued.

“My mom’s brother and Curtis’s dad’s sister used to run this farm back when Cole still lived here. When they passed, they left it to us, but Curtis’s dad also left the shop, which is why I mostly run things around here. But the thing is, anyone who hasn’t been to town since back then, doesn’t know that. The last name tied to this farm doesn’t apply to either of us.” Oh, so you and Curtis were second cousins? Explains a lot. Bucky hated himself that all he could think was ‘one more man who’s close to you he can check off as not being a threat.’ He really needed to get himself in check. Once he pushed those thoughts back down is when everything finally clicked.

Cole was back in town. He had a history with you. He’s got a bad track record in general. He said he wanted to squash competition. You were that competition. He didn’t know you were that competition. You had no idea where to go from here.

Before Bucky could open his mouth for his next round of clarification questions, there was a knock on the door. The three of you were so enthralled in conversation that no one heard the wheels crunching through the gravel in the driveway. You exchanged glances with the men on either side of you. A random visitor out here wasn’t too out of the ordinary, considering how much the community depended on you, but the conversation topic had you on edge. It was for good reason, because as you opened the door, leaving the screen in place, you were met with a face that had started to haunt your dreams these past few days: Cole.

He was wearing that sickening smile again, looking down at you. “Hiya, Peach. It’s been a minute.” You crossed your arms and looked at the man standing on your porch, a plastic smile glued to your face.

Bucky and Curtis shuffled behind you. Curtis shoved the papers and articles at Bucky to take somewhere else so Cole wouldn’t see them, while he made his way to your shoulder, his large stature holding every intention to intimidate Cole.

“Ah yes, your guard dog Curtis, great to see ya, buddy.” Curtis gave a death glare of acknowledgement, stance unyielding.

“Sorry I didn’t recognize you at the bar, you’ve all changed so much, including your pal, Jakey. He’s the one who so kindly told me my family missed this farm while we were on the rise. As soon as mom and pop gave me the reins, I knew I had to stop over, didn’t realize you were the one running things now.” You did your best to keep your face level.

“So what can I help you with, Cole? Are you lost? Need directions on a map? I’m a whiz at that. Happy to print one out for you.”

If it was even possible, his troubling smirk became wider. “Aren’t you going to invite me in? I’d love to talk business. Maybe over dinner? Smells delicious.”

You scrunched your nose, keeping the fake smile on your face. “Unfortunately, it’s all gone. Maybe next time. How about you and me mosey over to the office. It’s been too long. I’ve got some mints in there. Maybe those can tide you over.”

“Too long, indeed.” He ignored the rest of your statement, but Bucky didn’t. He’d never heard you say something that rude before. Someone like Cole might have been none the wiser, but those were loaded words that he knew you said with intention. How could he blame you, though. The man in the fake work clothes had invited himself in unannounced. Not even Bucky did that to you. The same couldn’t be said for his actions with other associates, but one thing he knew was that you were deserving of all the respect in the world. Respect Cole was not giving you. Cole nodded to the two men and followed you down the hall, not bothering to take off his shoes and add them to the files of boots by the door. Another mark in Bucky’s mind. You closed the door you’d held open behind him after giving a wide-eyed look to your two confidants whose eyes followed the whole thing.

Bucky scrambled to clean up the dinner plates and pack away the leftovers. It was smart of you to not offer Cole anything. He didn’t need any reason to stick around longer than you wanted him to. Bucky knew a thing or two about business dealings with enemies, and he was usually much cooler than this, but the fact he could tell you were freaking out, freaked him out.

He still hadn’t dealt with his emotions for you, and your earnestness not even half an hour ago had made it worse. So he did what he always does when he’s not sure and needs a wall to talk at: he called Steve.

Steve picked up in a surprisingly good mood. “Hey Buck, what can I do ya for.”

“I need to you gather everything you can on Cole Turner.” He frantically spat out. Steve grew serious to mirror his best friend’s tone. “And…” Bucky lowered his phone for a second and looked at Curtis. “What’s Jake’s last name.”

Curtis looked at him skeptically. “Jenson. Jacob Jensen.” Bucky nodded his head in thanks and lifted the phone back up to his ear.

“Did you get that?…Yeah, put our best guys on it. Ok, call me later tonight when you know. Doesn’t matter the time. Bye.”

Bucky lowered the phone and looked at Curtis who had just finished wiping down the counters. Curtis had his arms crossed and was leaned up against the kitchen island, opposite Bucky. “So you wanna tell me who exactly you are? Why you’ve got people who you can seemingly throw commands at for immediate attention? And why you care so much about this little farm that you’re only working at for a month?”

Bucky sighed and put his hands on the counter, pushing his body away from it, hinged at the hips, and hanging his head in between his arms. He stood up and quickly looked at Curtis straight in the eyes. “I think you know. I think you know the answers to all those questions, but I think you should also know, I care enough to be on your side.”

Curtis leaned in towards Bucky, his frame shadowing the mob boss’s in the evening light. For the first time in awhile, Bucky was intimidated. He knew how much Curtis cared for you, and he knew how hard he’d be pummeled if he messed up, whether Bucky used his combat training or not. He mustered up as much confidence as he could to rebuild his demeanor to face your Cousin. “You know I care, and I think all that matters is that I’m using my resources to make sure your cousin’s farm is okay and stays in her hands. You know I’m here to do business, but this is bigger than me and I see that now. I’m someone with power, and not unearned power like that prick in the other room. So I’m someone who uses that power in your best interest. That’s all you need to know right now.”

Curtis nodded in acceptance of Bucky’s answer. He could respect that logic, and the way Bucky held his cards close to his chest, because at the end of the day, at the core of Bucky’s motivations was your well-being. No matter how much he thought he could put a veil over it, Curtis saw through.

“Well, Bucky, I won’t doubt you then, but you better hold true and honest, for your own sake and for hers. And I hope to hear more of your other ‘business ventures’ later down the road, but for now, I think our girl needs us.” Bucky nodded along in agreement.

“I don’t think there’s much else I can do right now while I wait for that intel to get back. You got anything?”

Curtis grinned and gave a small shrug. “I can think of one thing. Go up in that top cabinet above the fridge. We’ve got a bottle of the good stuff. She’s gonna need it once we can get the slime ball to slide outta here.”

Bucky’s shoulder’s bounced with a small laugh as he pulled down the bottle. “Let’s get cracking then.”

It was another half hour before Cole emerged from your office and looked cockily at the two men chatting in your kitchen. You followed closely behind, doing your best to subtly corral him out of the house.

“I hope you’ll consider my offer. Actually, I know you will. Over dinner next time.” He smirked back at you over his shoulder. You escorted him out the door as politely as you could, draining your last bit of energy. You closed and locked the front door, which rarely was so, and peeked through the window until he was gone.

You turned around to look at the two of them as your shoulders slumped. You dragged your feet over to the island where Curtis and Bucky were leaning leisurely, grateful Curtis knew exactly what you needed as he slid the filled shot glass toward you.

You grabbed it and threw it back, slamming it back down on the butcher block counter top as Curtis moved to refill it. “How many do I have to catch up on?”

“Only two.” Curtis replied as he slid the shot glass back over to you again.

“Let’s make it three.” You choked out after you attempted to swallow down the burn of the second shot.

“Bucket, can you please make us some water bottles? I’ve gotta get out of this house. We’re going for a walk.”

“Yeah, okay, Honey. Only on the condition that you put my boots on me for the walk. My hammies are sore from being your little chore boy.” He replied as he reached into the cabinet to grab the bottles.

He smiled to himself when he heard your giggle. He’d normally never complain that openly and ridiculously, but you gave him the reaction he was hoping for. Anything to make sure the life wasn’t totally sucked out of you by Cole.

“Your negotiations are no good here. You put your own boots on and take your own boots off unless you’re married. My house, my rules. But tell ya what, I’ll let you have another shot of this small-batch bourbon with me and Curty boi. That’s more than payment enough.” You winked at him as he handed you the water bottle. The three of you taking the last shot and heading out the door, making your way towards the back of the property.

It was an easy walk through level fields, just long. The three of you fell into easy conversation about anything other than Cole, insisting you’d debrief them tomorrow, so the conversation mainly consisted of teasing Curtis about the new girl and her truck he had to fix last week. The comfortable silences otherwise were filled with the sound of the crickets chirping. You found comfort in the caress of the warm, humid breeze that blew through as you walked towards the hills where the old mines of the property resided.

Once you reached the entrance, you turned around and faced the two large men. “Buck, you’ve been working really hard this week, so I think it’s time I showed you what you’re working toward. Figured it would be a nice change of pace for us to take a look at this tunnel tonight, and we can start scheduling some time in for us to fix up the scaffolding and supports.”

Bucky nodded, looking at you with a grin on his face while Curtis clicked on his flashlight. “I’m honestly curious to see what’s going on in there. I don’t think we’ve ventured in since we were teenagers.” His voice echoed through the mouth of the mine.

You led the way, turning on your own flashlight, scanning the dirt walls and old, wooden supports. “Yeah, it’s been awhile, but I think you could work with this, right, Bucket? This tunnel specifically doesn’t have an outlet like the connecting network in some of the others, so it would be mostly storage. You could probably send some underlings out here to help you out.”

You both laughed as Bucky walked closer to the wall, examining one of the support beams. “Yeah, I mean, I own a construction company, so that shouldn’t be a worry at all.”

That caught Curtis’s attention as he stopped to give a side glance toward Bucky. You continued on ahead unfazed as Bucky kicked the wooden beam in front of him to test its integrity. It crumbled slightly at the toe of his boot. Underwhelmed with the scale of the break, the two men made a move to step forward when they heard a rumbling, followed by the beam Bucky had kicked crashing down in front of them. Pebbles shifted and fell out of the ceiling, followed by larger rocks and before they could blink, the tunnel buckled creating a wall of sand and stone between you and them.

All Bucky could hear was your muffled scream on the other end. I’m okay, just get me out of here. He was going into panic mode, but a plan still was racing though his brain as he made every attempt to mash it together into something coherent. Through the ringing in his ears he heard Curtis yell. “We have to call the police, the fire department, someone to get her out of there. She might not be injured now, but I can’t say the same if there’s a secondary collapse. We need to do something. Now.”

Bucky grabbed him by his collar. “No. No police. It’ll ruin everything.”

Curtis put his hands up in surrender. “Okay then, what do you suppose we do, big guy?”

Bucky paced back and forth, biting his thumbnail with worry. “Gimme a second. I’m figuring it out.” He stopped in his tracks. “Who all knows about the mines?”

“What? What does that ha-“

Bucky cut Curtis off. “Who. All. Knows?”

Curtis shook his head and shrugged. “I-I don’t know, not many people. Me and her, her college roommate, and Jake. That’s it, I think.”

Bucky rapidly reached into the pocket of his jeans and handed Curtis a card from his wallet. “This is my associate Sam. You’re going to call him and tell him those names. We’re gonna need all the help we can get.”

Curtis immediately pulled out his phone, trusting the judgement of his new friend. Bucky did the same, calling Steve. It was time to send backup to the farm. He could have his men out here tonight, and your friends by at least the morning, sending his private jet to retrieve them.

He needed you out of that tunnel like he needed to breathe, mostly because if he didn’t get you out of there within a day, you wouldn’t be able to.

Next >

Bonus A/N: so much going on!! What will happen next? Who was the girl whose truck Curtis had to fix??

Thank you so much for reading!! Likes, comments, reblogs, and asks are soooo appreciated. Lmk if you’d like to be added to any of my tag lists. Love you!

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trashbag-baby666 · 8 months ago

Text

Everyone’s Incomplete. And Who’s the Best at Saving Face?

Summary: Everretts girlfriend truly never wants to give John a break from her disgusting comments.

WC: 1,460

C/W: Mentions of John having an ED, Hurt/comfort.

MOTA Masterlist!

John stared down at the slice of pizza sitting on the plate in front of him. The grease from the pizza staring at him like this was some competition. He kept curling and uncurling his toes in the ill-fitting bowling shoes, his hands resting on his knee caps tapping his fingers against them. He needed some kind of social out but he felt stuck in the dark gray plastic chair at the bowling alley. John knew Gale was just in the bathroom and knew he expected John to eat the piece of pizza. The one that was still challenging him everytime he looked down.

He couldn’t throw it away Curt was just getting them a refill on the pitcher of Dr. Pepper. That and Gale told him to make sure John didn’t throw it away.

Maybe this wouldn’t have been the case if John would’ve been having a good day. But he quite frankly, hadn’t. This morning he threw up the peanut butter and Nutella toast.

So, of course he knew Gale would know he would be going on an empty stomach.

He felt embarrassed like some toddler stuck at the table because he wouldn’t eat vegetables. His partners turn away from catching him if tried to slip it to the dogs.

“Do you ever eat?”

John felt his heart drop to his ass at the sound of the wicked witch herself, Ava.

Everett’s evil girlfriend as they called her…do you ever eat? It rang and bounced around John’s head like a tuning fork. Then he felt the turn of his stomach and the sudden wave of nauseating fear of throwing up hit him. He most certainly would not let Ava get the power of seeing him cry. John pushed his chair, keeping his gaze on the carpeted floors of the swirly colorful bowling alley carpet. He went around the corner and down the hall and pushed the door open. Almost hitting Gale with the door, letting out a sob covering his mouth.

“Hey, hey, John sweety.” Gale basically caught him, “What happened?”

John leaned his head into Gale's neck letting out another wet sob. “It’s okay, baby. I’m right here, it’s okay to let it out.” Gale rubbed his back. John couldn’t hold it in anymore, he had been damn near in tears right before they left the house.

Curt came back holding the two pitchers of soda, his eyebrows furrowed as he didn’t see John where he left him a couple minutes ago. But Ava was standing at the high top table looking at her phone and texting. She let out a loud frustrated sigh as she most obviously was texting Everett.

“Did you see where John went?” Curt set the pitchers on the table.

She rolled her eyes with enough force she turned her head, “I dunno…I just asked him something and he stormed off.”

Curt could tell that his simple question was boring her from the two seconds she had to look away from her phone. “What’d you…no. Fuck you Ava.” Curt turned on his heels and stormed to the bathroom the atomic bomb going off in his brain…what the fuck did she say to him?

Curt opened the bathroom door and saw the two boys standing there. John sniffled into Gales' neck. “What happened?” Curt felt the blazing red, hot anger building up inside him just seeing John that upset.

“I don’t know?”

Then it clicked in Curt’s brain, he turned on his heels storming back down the hall and into the main part looking for Everett. What was he going to do when he found him? He’s not sure…yet…he wanted to punch him.

He saw Everett arguing with Ava by the counter. He’d wait till they were done and he would maybe say something; although, he never did.

“Curtie?” That sweet angel voice sang to him.

“Hey, doll face.” Curt kissed his cheek putting an arm around him, “Do you know what Ava said to John?”

“No, I didn't even see him walk away.” Ken’s lip fell into a pout, “She’s so mean to him.”

“I know, I wanna fuckin’ knock her perfect fuckin’ teeth out.” Curt clenched his jaw, balling up his fist.

“I do too but, sadly, that's an assault charge.”

“Do you think Everett’s dad would agree with me if I punched him?”

“Don’t punch anyone, babes.” Ken took curts free hand and began rubbing his knuckles that always seemed to have some kind of bruise or cut on them.

He knew he was right. Curt you shouldn’t punch anyone…well some…

Everett came storming back, his fists clenched. “Hey, outside.” Curt stood up nodding towards the door, catching Everett’s shoulders.

“What?”

“You heard me?”

Everett felt the steaming panic now coursing through his veins as he followed Curt outside of the bowling alley and around the corner of the parking lot. This was it…he was about to get his ass beat by Curt, prepare for the pain…

“What the fuck did she say to John?” Curt spat out at him.

“I don’t know, she didn't say anything about him to me?” Truthfully, they’d been fighting because she had wanted to go through his phone.

“Why are you with her, Ev? She’s a bitch, I’m sorry but it’s true, I’m not sorry actually. You see the way that she treats him when you drag her along to everything we do! You never say anything either becuase you’re a fuckin’ coward. You’re a Coward, Everett. You know just as well as everyone else that John has his shit going on and he does not need her stupid fuckin’ remarks when he’s basically in his own home. Fuck you, Everett.” Curt shoved him back.

Everett stood there silently for a moment then sunk his hands into his pockets to grab out a cigarette and his lighter.

“Ew, what're you doing?” Ava came around the corner, her keys already pulled out of her bag.

“Where are you going?”

“We’re leaving, come on.”

“Whatever, Ava. I gotta go get my shit and say bye to the guys.” Everett snapped, pointing back towards the door.

“Okay well hurry up.” She rolled her eyes. Everett wanted to punch the brick wall so badly but he knew what that would entail…broken hand and a fucked up football season.

Everett came back in and found his vans in the pile of the guys shoes. He found an open seat away from the others and toed off the bowling shoes.

Then Gale walked up…when you get your shoes on, can we talk?” He couldn’t read Gale's voice, he sounded calm but not necessarily in a positive way.

He followed him over to the doors, far enough out of earshot of the others as Everett started to fear for his life in another way. If you had gotten Gale upset you were in deep shit…and that’s about where he was gonna be.

“Look, Everett I love you, you’re one of the coolest guys I know and you’re one helluva football player. But I also love John, and he’s going through a very difficult time and you know that. I’m not getting into it, but I think for now it would be better if you didn’t come around for awhile. I can’t control who you talk to but I think me and John need a break.”

Gale sighed and squeezed Everett’s shoulder then turned on his heels disappearing back into the bowling alley…well obviously this was Gale's way of telling him to leave.

So he did. Not because he wanted to…not because Ava wanted to. Because he didn’t know what other options he had.

John sat in Gales' car, his head rested back on the headrest, staring out the window. The thousand yard stare Gale hated seeing on him.

“Are you doing okay?” Gale rubbed his thigh.

“I guess.” John sniffed, he didn’t know how to be okay. He felt guilty once again pulling Gale away from something .

“Is there anything I can do? Do you want to take a nap together, when we get home?”

“Please.”

“We can take a nap, I’ll make us dinner and then we can watch whatever you want till we go to bed.”

“Okay.” John smiled a bit through the dried up tears. “Maybe tomorrow I can swap lives with Meatball for a day?”

“Maybe, but I don’t know if you’ll like having to watch Meatball with your body getting all kinds of cuddles.”

“You wouldn’t cuddle me if I was Meatball?”

“Yes I would still cuddle you, John.”

“Good because I would totally cry and no one can turn away from a cute crying dog.”

“God, I love you, John.”

“I love you too.”

Thank you for reading!!! Liked and reblogs are highly appreciated!!!

Brought to you by Military La La Land @mangokitkats @ihearteugeneroe

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agent-whiskeys-sweetheart · 2 years ago

Text

Tail Between My Legs

Pairing: Curtis Everett x F!Reader

Summary: After growing up in the front section, you meet a man from the tail section when he sneaks into your room to hide from the guards after him. He defies all your preconceptions. And yet, the heart wants what it wants. In this case, it wants Curtis Everett.

Warnings: Mentions of reader’s dead sister, brief sexual imagery.

A/N: I would like to thank my sister for the brilliant title lol. Also, this is the start of a short series so stay tuned for more!

Every day seemed to bleed right into the next. There was no differentiation between yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Life was just one long string of days that seemed to have no end. That was, until you met him. It had started as a day just like any other. You sat with your family in the dining car, eating a lunch made up of foods that you couldn’t even pronounce the names of. However, you weren’t terribly hungry. Picking at your plate, you decided that you’d had enough and excused yourself. As you walked from car to car, you couldn’t find anything that brought you any kind of excitement. Every compartment had a different amenity that seemed altogether useless to you. Finding yourself too bored to do anything, you decided to slip away to your cabin and take a long nap.

Climbing up into the top bunk, you get comfy under several thick blankets. You were drifting off to sleep almost as soon as your head hit the pillow. You didn’t dream. You hadn’t been able to dream for months. Even your slumber was endlessly boring. The minutes ticked past as you snored until the world began to darken. You slept so soundly that you didn’t hear the door to your cabin opening up. Nor did you hear the shuffling of another person sneaking inside. The man hunkered down, watching carefully through the window beside the door as a team of guards ran past the room. Huffing out a sigh he slumped over in his crouched position, looking around the small cabin. If it hadn’t been for your gentle snoring he might not have known that you were there, tucked warmly beneath layers of blankets. As delicately as he could he pulled away the top blanket to look at your face. Your eyes were still shut, lost in a dreamless sleep.

Seeing that he hadn’t woken you up he figured he would slip out as easily as he had slipped in and you would be none the wiser. That’s when another grouping of guards come running past the cabin. Jumping down again, he shuts his eyes tightly. Just as he’s about to slide out of the door there is a harsh knock. Unsure of what to do now he spots an opening beneath the lower bed and crawls underneath, hiding himself away. The knock is enough to wake you up as you blink heavily, looking towards the door. Seeing a guard standing outside your room made you snap upright in your bed quickly before climbing down the ladder. Once you were on the ground again you opened the door, rubbing away the sleepiness in your eyes.

“Can I help you?” You ask groggily.

“Sorry to disrupt you ma’am. We’re looking for a tail section passenger that managed to escape to the front.” The words buzz inside your brain. A tail section passenger. You’d never met anyone from the tail section before but you’d always been so curious. You could never admit this to anyone but you found the class system to be wildly unfair. To know that the poorer among you were treated so disgustingly made you wish for a better world. Now one of them had figured out a way to slip past the guards and into the front section. How impossibly exciting. “If you wouldn’t mind we’re searching all of the cabins in this section of the train. May I come in?” At this the man under your bed recoils, bracing himself to be discovered.

As much as you knew that you should allow him inside, something in the depths of your heart told you not to. A deep unshakable feeling. “Yes I do mind as a matter of fact.” When he hears this Curtis lets out a silent breath. “I think I would know if there was a tail section passenger in my room. You have no reason to search this cabin.”

“With all due respect, ma’am, he might have snuck in without your knowledge. Those filthy tail sectioners can be crafty miss.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Excuse me ma’am?”

“Do. You. Think. I’m. Stupid?” The guard blinks in return.

“No, of course not.”

“So don’t you think I would know if there was someone in my room? Don’t you think I would be well aware of that fact?”

“I suppose so ma’am.”

“I’m telling you that there is no one else here. So you have no reason to search this cabin.” The guard takes a wary look around the room and you hold your breath, afraid he might barge his way inside nonetheless. However he straightens up and nods to you.

“Sorry to bother you ma’am. Have a lovely day.” As soon as he’s gone you let out the deep breath you’d been holding in your chest. Watching from the window you wait until he’s fully out of sight before quickly drawing the blinds and locking the door. Now that the guard has disappeared you look around the room. You get another unwavering feeling in your gut which you can’t help but act on.

“Is someone in here?” You ask quietly. For a moment all is silent. Then you hear a rustling from under the bed. “It’s okay. I’m not gonna turn you in. I just want to see you.” You assure the unknown entity.

The man under the bed knows that he can’t hide anymore. Resigning himself, he scoots out into the open room before standing to his full height. He’s taller than you, towering over you intimidatingly. He’s caked in dirt and grime but you’d have to be blind not to see how handsome he is. He watches you intensely, his features dark and intriguing. His hands clench and unclench as he eyes the door, deciding whether or not he should make a run for it. You pick up on this immediately and soften your features to put him at ease.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. There’s guards swarming this hall. You won’t get five feet before they find you. Who knows what will happen when they do.” The man doesn’t answer, simply exchanging glances between you and the door. Finally he lets out a deep sigh, knowing that you’re right. There’s nowhere for him to go now.

“I promise I won’t turn you in.” You say, sensing his growing unease. “Unlike the other snobs up here, I don’t think you deserve the treatment you’ve gotten. It’s not right.” He simply watches you, taking in your form. He’d be lying if he said that you weren’t one of the most beautiful creatures he’d ever laid eyes on. Your tantalizing figure drew him in and your soft, gentle features tugged at his heart. He hadn’t seen a woman like you in ... well, seventeen years.

“Where are you headed?” You ask although with the information you’ve gathered you’re sure you already know the answer.

“Engine room.” He says gruffly. You take in his words, contemplating what his intentions could mean for you and your family.

“Are you going to stop the train?” You ask out of genuine curiosity.

“No. I’m not going to stop the train. I just think it could do with some new management.” You nod, honestly agreeing with him. Wilford had been under power for far too long. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to put someone just and merciful in charge. Was the man standing in front of you the answer? You couldn’t tell yet, still wary of the stranger.

“I happen to agree with you.” You decided to say, showing him that you were truly no threat. “A man like Wilford only cares about himself. We need a leader that cares about everyone aboard this train.”

“Why should I believe a front sectioner?” He inquired.

“For the same reason that I’m not calling those guards in here. I have faith. Faith that you aren’t who they make you out to be. Maybe you should have faith that I’m not what I seem on the surface either.” The two of you stood locked like that in a world of uncertainty, trying to determine what you both thought of the other person. He didn’t have a weapon on him and even if he had he didn’t seem to want to hurt you. He just seemed like a man trying to do the right thing. Those are the kind of people this train desperately needed more of.

“Maybe you’re right. We could use more compassion in this world. At least there’s one person on this train that seems to have some.”

“Two people.” You add, gesturing to him. The uneasiness in your chest dissipates as you realize that he’s come to the same conclusion about you that you’ve come to about him. “You look tired. You’ve come a long way. Why don’t you sit down?” You say, moving back towards the corner to where your plush leather chair was positioned. Pushing it forward, you offer him the seat and after a moment of staring you down he moves to sit. A groan escapes him as he sinks down into the chair, unable to contain himself after what felt like days of constant walking. The pliable leather cradled him and his eyes lulled, nearly shutting against his will. “Is it comfortable?” You ask.

“Yes.” He replies softly. This makes you smile to yourself, happy to see him so at ease. “God, I haven’t been comfortable in seventeen years.” He adds, making your heart weep. After growing up in the front section you had come to take your luxuries for granted. Now, seeing him in such deep appreciation for something as simple as a soft chair, you were much more grateful for what you had.

“It’ll probably be a few days before the guards disperse. You’re welcome to stay until they’re gone.” The man remembers the situation he’s in, sitting up so that his arms are resting on his knees.

“Thanks. I’ll probably have to take you up on that offer.”

“Anything you need.” You tell him with a sweet smile. Much to your surprise the man smiles back. His teeth are beautifully white and his crooked grin makes your heart skip a beat or two.

“You’ve got a nice smile.” You can’t help but say.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t have reason to smile very often.” You nod, the grin disappearing from your face at his sad sentiment.

“What’s your name?” You ask, effectively changing the subject.

“Curtis.” He replied, nodding in your direction. “What’s yours?”

“Y/N.” You tell him. As you do he extends a hand to you. You lean down, taking it in yours as you shake it firmly.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Y/N.”

“It’s nice to meet you too Curtis.” His eyes leave yours briefly to look at the bottom bunk in front of him. He gestures to it.

“You have a roommate?”

“I, uh--” A sigh escapes your chest. “I did. My sister.”

“She’s not coming back anytime soon, is she?”

“No. She won’t be, uh ... She’s not ...” You take a breath to gather your thoughts. “She passed away. So, no. She’s not coming back.”

“Oh.” He adds, seeing your discomfort. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure you’ve lost far more people in your lifetime than I have. It’s just, um, a fairly recent wound. That’s all.”

“Loss isn’t easy for anyone. No matter where they’re born or how much privilege they have. Grief is one of the only truly unifying human experiences.” He adds, extending a hand outwards to take hold of your own. The gentle gesture takes you by surprise and your immediate instinct is to back away from him. However, you don’t. You stand there and let this stranger hold your hand, his thumb rubbing circles on top of yours. Soon he lets go and you take a deep breath, not having realized that you were holding it in.

“Thanks.” Clearing your throat, you pace towards the door. “Hey, um ... are you hungry by any chance?” He laughs at this.

“I’m starving actually.”

“Why don’t I go get you some food? The dining car is just right down the hall. I’ll be there and back in no time.” He contemplates the risks for a moment before standing up and walking towards the beds.

“I’d really appreciate that.” You nod, watching as he begins hiding under the bed again. You figure it’s smart, just in case anyone gets the bright idea to go peeping in your room. As soon as he’s safely hidden you step into the hall, looking both directions warily. Guards are posted at both ends, vigilantly watching the car. Swallowing thickly, you begin walking down towards the dining compartment. The guards don’t so much as look at you as you pass them by. Your heart hammers with excitement as you enter the next car, unable to contain your giddiness at your highly illegal act. You were harboring a fugitive in your room. How could you have possibly known that was the kick you needed to bring a little bit of joy back into your life? Yet here you were, happier than you’d been in months.

There was a long countertop where food was served. Walking up to the closest end, you pulled a waiter over. “Hi. What’s on the menu?” You asked, resting your forearms against the wooden surface.

“Steak with potatoes and assorted vegetables.”

“I’ll take mine rare please.” You say with a smile. The man smiles back and quickly goes about making your food. Well, Curtis’ food. It’s not long before he’s done, handing you the warm plate. You thank him and head back down the hall towards your room. The guards still don’t look your way as you open up the door quickly and disappear inside the cabin. As soon as you set foot inside the room he can smell the food. He makes quick work of sliding out from under the bed, standing up and immediately eyeing the plate in your hands. “You struck me as a rare steak kind of guy.” You say with a grin. The man yanks the food from your hands, sitting down in the chair again as he digs in with his fingers. He begins shoveling the potatoes and vegetables into his mouth, groaning lowly as he enjoys every single bite. Soon enough the plate is clean and he hands it back to you.

“Thank you.” He says, remembering his manners.

“Of course.” You add as he yawns. It triggers a yawn in your chest as well and you glance out the window at the dark wasteland. “It’s late. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Should we get some sleep?”

“Sleep sounds amazing.” He admitted. Just as he was about to sit on the edge of your sister’s old bed, you stopped him.

“I’m sorry. It’s just ... no one has slept there since ... my sister. I’d rather if you slept in my bed with me. There’s plenty of room up there for both of us and I can promise it’s very comfortable.”

“No worries. You don’t have to explain anything to me.” Just as he’s about to start climbing the ladder he stops, squirming in his clothes. He’d been wearing them for what felt like forever and he wanted one night’s sleep without being so restricted. He turned to look at you with a reproachful expression. “I’m sorry. Could I ... take off a few layers?” The request takes you off guard as you begin to imagine climbing in bed with this large, handsome man, only a few layers of blankets between you. Clearing your throat, you banish the thought.

“Of course. Whatever will make you comfortable.” He nods, peeling off his jacket and hiding it under the bed in case anyone should get in during the night. He kicks off his shoes before sliding them beneath the bed as well. Lastly, he pulls his shirt off over his head, showing his torso. He’s big, muscles rippling as he throws the shirt under the bed too. It’s impossible for you to look away as he begins climbing the ladder. His back muscles flex deliciously as he moves upwards before finally falling into the bed. You take a deep breath, changing quickly into your pajamas out of Curtis’ field of vision before following him up the ladder and into the bunk. When you get there his eyes are already closed. You get comfy beside him, pulling the blankets up over you as you watch him breathe slowly.

Once you’re sure he’s sleeping, you look at him intently. Soon you find your hand reaching to graze over his chest before gliding up to his jaw, touching him ever so gently. You just can’t help it with how vulnerable he looks. This gruff and guarded man who has probably never seen as much kindness as you’ve shown him, sleeping soundly as a baby. After a moment you take your hand away, tucking it beneath the blankets to stop you from touching him anymore. “Good night Curtis.” You whisper before turning over and closing your eyes.

If you hadn’t fallen asleep so quickly you might have seen Curtis open his eyes, turning over to let them trace across your sweet face. His entire life he’d been taught to believe that the front sectioners were the enemies of this story. Now here he was in bed with one. Not only was he in bed with one but he was restraining himself harder than he ever had from returning your gentle touch. Keeping himself at a distance so he wouldn’t let his lips press against your shoulder as his fingertips danced beneath the blanket. He had been so touch starved for so long that even the lightest touch from you was enough to make tears spring to his eyes. He wanted more. He wanted all of you but he knew that wasn’t practical. You were from two different worlds. However, the man could dream. And he did. As he fell asleep he was plagued with images of your naked form writhing beneath him. God. It was going to be a long couple of days.

Tags: @junipermuses @syntheticavenger @hansensgirl @venusstorm @shotgunbunny @onsunnyside @imaginedreamwrite @georgiapeach30513 @sweater-daddiesdumbdork @evansbby @xcaptain-winterx @navybrat817 @boxofbonesfic @littlelioncub43 @oh-my-damn @comfortcap @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @bluemirrorball-recs @unearthlydust

#curtis everett #curtis everett x reader #curtis everett x y/n #curtis everett x you #snowpiercer #tail between my legs #fluff #angst #chris evans character #chris evans #chris evans x reader #chris evans x you #chris evans x y/n

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imaginedreamwrite · 2 years ago

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A Permanent Claim: Part 2

The twin beds set against the wall were made in perfection, a task that you speculated was taken on by the maids Pari said Curtis had hired to look after the twin mess.

The dark grey blankets were pulled taut against the bed with lighter pillows placed at the top of the mattress with a stuffed bear on one bed and an alligator on the other.

The closet doors that were placed across from each bed were closed, the frosted glass giving you a limited view of their clothes inside, although you could depict the black and white soccer ball sitting on the floor by the door hinges.

The room was clean and well organized though it hadn’t looked like a typical little boys’ room, there was a distinctive lack of toys or games, the walls were decorated with generic canvas pictures but nothing that would have related to their personalities. It seemed as if their room was ripped from the pages of some interior design magazine, copied and pasted into the house. There was little here that was conducive to Theo and James, or it had appeared that way to you.

“I’ll show you the nanny suite.” Pari directed you out of the room, closing the door behind the two of you before she stepped further into the hall, the extension of the crisp and clean aesthetic of the boy’s rooms continuing into the hall.

The carpet beneath your feet was soft, and you found yourself curling your toes into the material briefly before you followed Pari down the hall toward the next set of doors on the right side of the long hallway.

Pari had given you the rundown on the twins’ schedule, the latest time they could stay up and when Curtis wanted them up in the morning. She had explained that they were going to be entering kindergarten after summer break and the private school Curtis was sending them to would take them out of the house three days a week until Christmas, and then after they would go four days a week.

It was a lot of information given to you within a brief time until she stepped in front of one door, opening it briefly to give you a brief look at the boys bathroom they shared. The bathtub and shower combo seemed to have more life and personality than their room, a few toys set in a faux wicker basket by the corner of the bathtub, and a set of matching towels hanging on the rack were synonymous with the double vanities.

A set of toothbrushes was hanging off two holders above the sink, one themed to a superhero and the other was designed with dinosaurs in mind, both giving you more of an idea of what the twins liked than their bedroom.

It was puzzling, a wonderment why there was nothing more for the boys in their bedroom. You put the thought in the back of your mind while you followed Pari down to the next door, a nanny suite that was going to be yours when you officially started the next day.

Tonight she was going to stay to make sure the twins had settled until they had gotten relatively used to the idea of having another new nanny around, and that would in turn give you time to pack some clothes before you would be on your own.

It was her deciding factor or something about you that she liked, to give you the job after the few short hours that you had been here talking with her and to her. The process of showing you around was one more indication that you were going to be given the job, one more step toward you being hired for the job that paid exceptionally well.

However, you were curious about the high turnaround, curious enough that you had almost asked Pari whether it was the twins that drove the nanny away in some kind of Hollywood feeling scheme or if it was the man you were working for that had done the job.

“It’s got everything you’ll need.” Pari directed you into the nanny suite and you had stepped through with speculation, your eyebrows furrowing as your lips had become pursed.

The nanny suite was larger than you expected and was rather captivating with clean crisp white walls, and an intricate chandelier hanging in the middle of the room.

The headboard was made of light grey material that was textured with cloth buttons that added extra detail. The bed itself was larger than the one you had in your apartment, and it was pushed against the feature wall with a nightstand on the right-hand side and a sitting chair on the other side. Across from the bed was an electric fireplace and mantle, the dark wood contrasting the white trim that ran throughout the room.

To the far left was a set of double doors that led to a small private balcony that was enclosed by a white railing. The room was designed with the same sleekness as the rest of the house, perfect to a near fault, and yet this nanny suite still had more character than the twins rooms. It was bothering you, it was getting under your skin like an itch that couldn’t have possibly been sated until you let the question be aired and given life.

“Pari, the twins room-“ You looked back at her, your eyes meeting hers and your mouth shutting closed when she had drawn in a breath and rubbed the bridge of her nose with annoyance.

The corner of her lips was pressed tightly together and the scowl on her face had told you everything you needed to know.

“I know.” Those two words told you enough. “Curtis hired some interior decorator because he didn’t give a shit about what the house looked like, he’s got enough to deal with. The nannies and housekeepers come and they see the state of this place and do everything they can to keep it this way.”

“High-turnaround-“

“Not just for nannies.” Pari drew her hand away from her face and down to her hip, glancing you over again with a far less stoic expression. “Housekeepers too.”

Your suspicions of the twin being hellions that sent the nannies off were partially right, and you couldn’t have blamed them. The twins were not allowed by the other nannies to have anything in their rooms because of the clutter, and it had made the boys double down on their mission to get rid of anyone ‘allergic to fun’.

They didn’t get to express themselves, they didn’t get to enjoy being messy like kids naturally were, or even have their favourite toys in their bedrooms to play with. It was almost as if they were being forced into this state of cleanliness that wasn’t achievable for them.

“They’re kids, they should be allowed to be kids.” You mumbled under your breath, taking another glance around the room before you and Pari stepped into the hallway again.

As the door clicked behind you, your hand settled on the doorknob while Pari made her way to the winding staircase, leaving you lagging for a few moments.

“Theo, James-“ A crash had come from the lower level and your feet carried you before you had time to think, following Pari toward the kitchen and the source of the sound.

“Sorry, aunty.” One of the twin’s bottom lips was trembling, his blue eyes watering and his chest heaving with the effort to hold in his tears.

Between the twins was a broken glass and orange juice, the mixture thankfully not hitting either of their feet. Theo, or so you thought, had huffed and gritted his teeth, almost as if he was trying to present himself as a stoic figure.

“James-“ you started to speak to the twins, first addressing the twin who wasn’t near tears.

“Theo.” Pari corrected you, taking a wide berth around the glass and juice, and stepping toward a small utility closet near the edge of the kitchen.

“It was an accident, it’s okay. You didn’t mean to.” You stepped the other way, slowly grabbing hold of James’ arm, and gently leading him away from the glass. “I’m going to clean it up, don’t step in the glass or you’ll cut your feet.”

“I was thirsty.” James pulled at your sleeve, his eyes brimming with tears. “I wanted a drink.”

“I know, it’s not your fault.” You lift him from the floor and set him on the table, sitting him on the edge before you lifted his left foot and then his right, looking for any cuts. “It was an accident.”

You drew your fingers along the bottom of his feet feeling for any nicks that you couldn’t see, biting down on the inside of your cheek when he laughed through some tears and jerked his foot. After checking both feet, you lifted him from the table and carried him further away from the mess and set him down where he wouldn’t be hurt or caught in the mess.

“Do you still want something to drink?” You crouched before him, watching him as he raised his arm and wiped away his tears with his sleeve, sniffling and nodding. “Orange juice?”

“We didn’t mean to,” Theo spoke with the same defiance, the same presentable little tough guy act he was trying to put on, almost as if he was afraid you or Pari would give them trouble. “It slipped-“

“It’s okay, Theo.” You were careful to step around the rest of the glass, carefully padding around the island toward the fridge as you stared at the rows of cupboards.

“To the left of the fridge,” Pari spoke without having to look up from the floor, “orange juice is on the right side of the fridge.”

You followed her instruction, first grabbing a glass and then the juice. You set both on the counter before closing the doors and unscrewing the cap, idly listening to the sound of James and Theo’s whispers behind you while you filled their glass.

Once it was halfway full, you grabbed the glass and turned. You nearly jumped out of your skin when they appeared closer than you anticipated, squeaking in surprise at their giggles and soft laughter.

“Funny.” You held the glass out to James, watching him and Theo guzzle down the sweet mixture before they handed it back to you. “Is that better?”

“Theo, James…go put your toys away. Pizza will be here soon.” Pari sent the directive and as quickly as the boys were here, they were gone.

They scattered from the kitchen with a few excited claims that they would beat each other to the playroom, leaving you and Pari alone. You set the glass in the sink and shifted your weight from one foot to the other while silence passed between you both.

“Crustaceans?” Pari drew your attention to herself as she stepped around the island and dumped the remaining glass shards into the garbage under the sink. “You’re allergic to crustaceans?”

“Oh.” You shifted your weight from one foot to the other before you cleared your throat and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t eat crustaceans but I can eat fish.”

“I don’t eat beef,” Pari relayed some personal preferences about herself just as you had, “It’s not an allergy, but a religious practice.”

“Beef?”

“I can eat chicken, lamb, and goat but not beef.” She looked you over as she spoke and then smiled, cracking a genuine and warm grin. “You’re going to do great with them. You’re exactly what they need.”

“Thank you-“

“-Curtis too.” She spoke over you while you fell silent. “He’s going to love you.”

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shamrockqueen · 2 years ago

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Grizzly chapter 3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Pairing : Alpha Jake Jensen × Omega Reader / Alpha

Andy Barber × Omega Reader / Alpha Curtis Everett

× Omega Reader: ABO Pairings

Warnings : violence, blood, aggression.

Word count : 1626

A03 Link

Summary : Being a homeless omega was extremely dangerous, which was why you had chosen to take shelter in the nearby woods instead of out in any of the towns. You happen upon the home of not one, not two, but three alpha brothers. Each day will be more dangerous than the last.

(I had to repost this chapter since the link seemed to be dead and I couldn’t fix it worth a damn)

Andy parks behind the truck but doesn’t step out just yet. Something was off, and he grabs his brother's arm before he takes his seatbelt off. Curtis was on the other side of the vehicle, but his appearance seemed almost manic.

It’s still lightly snowing out, but Curtis isn’t wearing any of his cold weather clothes; he’s not even wearing a shirt, and on closer inspection neither was he wearing shoes. He was out in the snow in nothing but fucking jeans.

“What the hell is he doing?” Jake leans closer to Andy’s window to get a better look as Curtis hops back into the truck.

Andy puts the car in park and undoes his seatbelt “stay here.” He insisted, but Jake didn't listen and he was out of the car as fast as his brother was. “I said stay in the c..”

“Fat chance.” Jake wasn’t going to just sit in the car when his brothers were in trouble.

Andy rounds the truck to where Curtis was digging around in it. He approaches slowly as he calls out his name. Something smelled very off about him, and another thick scent was tying a knot into both his and Jake’s stomach.

As the two had gotten closer Curtis was finally alerted to their presence. Their alpha stink was sizzling off their skin in discomfort. These were alphas in HIS territory, threatening the safety of HIS omega.

Every muscle in his body reacted at once as he pushed off the open door and leapt from the truck. His bare feet slapped the icy gravel as he bounded towards his older brother.

Andy couldn’t recall a time he, or Curtis had ever gotten into a fight, let alone a serious argument. Never in his life would he expect Curtis to lunge at him the way he did.

He grappled at the exposed shirt collar from under Andy’s coat, using it as leverage to jerk him forward and throw him towards the ground. Andy thrusts his palms out in front of him to catch his fall. His right hand hits the ice, but his body twists and his ribcage is the next to hit the ground. The air is forced out of his lungs as he hits a still sturdy ice patch. Now he can only struggle to his feet as he catches his breath.

Jake had rounded the other side of the truck and leapt onto Curtis’ back in the hopes of subduing him. The middle brother was bigger and stronger than his younger counterpart. Jake held on for a while as he grappled with the shirtless alpha, but brute strength eventually won out. Curtis throws Jake from his back to slap against the melting ice. This gave Andy a little bit of time to pull himself up but instead of chasing after his more manic brother he ran to the aid of his youngest sibling still on the ground.

Curtis is all alpha protecting his omega. While the other men help one another, he is bolting back into the cabin to barricade the door. Any common sense over his familial ties to the two alphas fails to reach his brain as he locks them outside. He only knows to keep them away from his mate during her heat.

When the front door seemed impenetrable, he ran to the couch to take you up into his arms. You're still so tired as you hang from his hands like a loose curtain, as he carries you to the main bedroom.

When both men are to their feet they scramble for the door, but it’s held tight. Andy lunges for a tacky lawn gnome near the main door and in his haste he smashes it against the log walls of the cabin. As ugly as the little ceramic man was, he held a hidden treasure. From the shards of pottery fell a little silver key.

Jake tries to calm his brother down as he scrambles for the key to pry the door open. He wrestled to jam the key into the lock, shaking the wood. His skin was reddening at the edges of his collar shirt and Jake was growing more and more worried over what this situation was doing to all of them.

Andy’s arms softened as he pressed the key into the lock. The metal clicks as the key turns with ease, but as Andy presses his hand to the door, it doesn’t budge.

Jake grabs Andy's wrist as he almost throws his shoulder at the unmovable door.

“What are you doing!” Jake shouts. “What the hell do you mean, he’s got the whole thing blocked.” Andy seemed to be more and more in his cool with each push on the wood. Jake had to pull him back by the jacket as it started to creak under the pressure.

“Something is clearly wrong here. We don’t know what he’s gonna do if we just bust the door down.”

Andy takes this moment to breathe in the cool morning air, not having realized he’d been holding his breath from the start.

At least one of the boys still had their wits about them. Instead of trying to break through, Jake rounds the corner in search of another way inside, and Andy follows. He spots a window with nothing blocking it. It was just low enough that he could pull himself through.

He grabs a small folded knife from his pocket and clicks it open.

He pushes the blade into the tiny gap where the pane meets the wood. There were old windows with no screens and ably God knew if anyone remembered to lock them. With luck as Jake presses on the handle of the blade, the window pops up enough for him to squeeze his fingers under it and push the damn thing up.

Instead of crawling in first, he squats down and cups his hands to boost Andy through.”c’mon you first.”

Andy does as directed and hikes himself up to shimmy through the window. Once through he offers his hand to his brother to pull him in.

There was the noise of Curtis all throughout the cabin, and this room is no exception. They are in a child’s room containing the three beds they all once occupied when they would vacation near the lake.

It looked like it had been dusted, but it had a stuffy smell that almost covered the scent of what lay farther past the closed door. It was surreal, being in their old bedroom, but neither could stop to reminisce as they heard boots thumping past the door.

The smell that permeated throughout the house was muted from the kids bedroom, but it became stronger the closer they got to the door leading back out to the hall. It makes their skin start to crawl underneath their coats.

“Christ, it’s all over the house.” Jake was nearly doubling over as he whispered to his brother.

Andy shushed him as he pushed the door open. Jake pulls his shirt over his nose to escape the smell while following close behind. Andy stood sturdy against the incoming wave of fresh omega heat, but below the surface it still pricked his skin and invaded his head.

What neither brother knew was that Curtis could smell the intruders through the thick fog of mixed scents. He bolted for the bedroom door and took Andy out by the legs.

His rut was in full swing as raw aggression flooded his veins. Two alphas have invaded the territory Curtis has made and he’s on red alert.

As the men fight you’re left alone as your body begins twitching from the horrid mix of angry scents.

Jake had been knocked over in the brawl and had to pull himself up from the floor to get ahold of Curtis to yank him off of Andy. Jake catches him by the foot and drags him out into the hall.

Andy pulls himself together before aiding his brother. He lips his arms around the back of Curtis and lifts him off the ground to successfully drag him out into the cold morning air.

Each brother takes their fair share of right, hooks the entire drag towards the car. The crummy Toyota shakes under the pressure of three men battling in the doorway of its passenger seat.

“GRAB HIS ARM!” Andy Shouted to the younger brother as he looped his arm under Curtis’.

Jake did the same so they could lift their brother up and toss him into the back of the car.

He’s still kicking and squirming against Jake as Andy clicks the child safety lock on before pulling his brother off and shouting for him to get to the other door.

Curtis’ focus was blurred by tunnel vision, and as his youngest brother rounded the car and tried to locate the child's locks, instead of trying to crawl out the other side, he kicked his bare feet against the closed window. Unlike Andy, Jake had to fumble with the door to find the little mechanism to keep Curtis barricaded.

Andy became quickly impatient and ran over to lock it himself. Curtis can see him sprinting around the car and sees he can lunge out the open doorway. Jake catches him and is nearly knocked back as Andy clicks the child lock.

Andy drags Jake away and slams the door in Curtis’ face, smashing his head against the window.

For a moment everything was horribly quiet. Curtis had stopped fighting against the door, and both brothers stared at the window.

The air is thin as both struggle to breathe, choked by the image of a little spatter of red in the center of the cracked web of glass of the car window.

Chapter 4

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