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written-in-flowers · 1 day ago

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The Places Between Us: Prologue (OT8 X Fem!Reader)

Pairing: Kim Hongjoong x Fem!reader | Side pairings: Fem!Reader x ATEEZ

Word Count: 7k

Genre: Smut, angst, slight fluff | AU: fantasy!au

Summary: Afflicted by a terrible curse, YN must travel through the vast kingdom and suffer through eight lords of the north to reach her destination: the demon who created in the first place, Lord Kim.

Overall Tags: dub-con, mind control, enslavement, kidnapping, forced breeding, monster fucking, sex work, mentions/implications of abuse, mentions/implications of SA, public sex, exhibitionism, humiliation, degradation, breeding kink, bigdick!Seonghwa, bigdick!Yunho, undead sex, sex w/ undead, belly bulge, anal sex, anal fingering, vaginal sex, multiple positions, multiple orgasms, squirting/vaginal ejaculation, slight size kink (height wise), overstimulation, facials, cum swallowing, choking, dom!ateez, sub!reader, tit fucking, sex toys, bondage, multiple partners, threesome, orc!jongho, naga!seonghwa, demon!hongjoong, dragon!yunho, undead!mingi, goblin!yeosang, lycan!san, lycan!wooyoung.

Note: if you choose to ignore the red tags, don't cry to me about it.

Disclaimer: These works are completely fictitious and for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to reflect or label the members of ATEEZ in any way. The events within never took place. Thank you.

Part 1: The Naga King >

****

At the Rooster’s Nest, there are two types of clients: single clients and married ones. A lot of the workers there, whether they be “entertainers” or barmaids, tend to steer clear of the married customers. They don’t mind pouring them drinks, sitting on their laps as they gamble, or give them a private strip tease, but a personal session? Never. The last thing an “entertainer” needed was an angry wife bursting through the door and throttling her for doing her job. So, a good portion of them stayed away from customers with spouses at home.

Except you.

You didn’t mind customers who had someone waiting on them. In fact, you preferred them. You told others that it gave you an excuse to charge an extra fee, your ‘hazard pay’. If a man wanted you badly enough, he’d have to pay extra for the pleasure of your company. Your colleagues laughed at your boldness, often giving words of caution, but you told them the money was worth it. They weren’t surprised, of course. You became notorious for it.

“You can charm the pants off anyone, YN,” Hyunjin told you in the dressing room. The silver-haired siren sat at his vanity, combing out his long strands, as he spoke. “I thought I could seduce someone, but you have me beat, I must say. I don’t know how you do it, but you do it.”

“What’s your secret?” a woman with sleek brown hair came walking out of an adjacent room, half-dressed with her hair tied in a high ponytail. Chorong leaned against the wall next to your table and crossed her arms. “Love potion? Special pheromone perfume?”

You shrugged, “I just know what men like, that’s all. They’re not hard to read, especially after they've had a few drinks.”

Dabbing blush onto your cheeks, you smirked to yourself. It came naturally to you, you supposed. Since you grew up without parents, you’d started caring for yourself at a young age. You aren’t particularly big or strong. You might be clever and cunning, but you have no head for numbers or reading. You only had your looks and charm. If you were short of money in the market, you batted your lashes and budding breasts at the merchant and he gave you what you wanted. Whenever you’d been caught stealing, a few whispered promises and sweet words enchanted the sheriff into letting you go with a warning. People can be quite easy once you understand them. All the men who came into The Rooster’s Nest only wanted two things: booze and women. You provided both.

Fixing up your eyebrows for a final time, you checked out yourself in a mirror. Tonight you wore the red and gold halter top, and the long skirt that hung low on your hips. A tantalizing outfit, the two slits in the skirt left a bit for the imagination and the vibrant color drew the eye. The golden bangles on your wrists, and the necklace draped between your breasts added another layer of regality. In the mirror, you transformed from a country girl to a seductive goddess. You’d have no trouble alluring the right men tonight.

One man in particular stuck out in your mind.

“Are you seeing Him tonight?” Hyunjin asked, a knowing smirk on his face.

You couldn't suppress your smile at the question. A pointed face with dark round eyes came to the forefront of your mind. The thought of his wide, gummy smile only broadened yours. Your stomach filled with butterflies as his laugh echoed in your head. You hadn't seen or heard from Hongjoong in several weeks, but you knew he had not forgotten you. The numerous trinkets and love letters in your bedroom told you so. He never said when he'd arrive; he simply showed up and spent the night before leaving again. A situation like this might bother some women, but for a woman in your profession, it worked out well.

“I don't know,” you answered. “He hasn't said if he'd come by or not.”

“He's probably with his wife and kids right now,” Chorong joked, earning giggles from the people around her. “A good looking guy like him is definitely not single.”

“No,” you shook your head, “Hongjoong isn't like that. I can tell.”

Memories of your last night with him came flooding back. Eyes landing on a crystal necklace hanging from your mirror, you admired the white raw moonstone on a silver chain. The silver circled it as if encased in ice, gleaming in the light of the dressing room. You picked it up and clasped it around your neck.

“Do you really think it’s a good idea to wear that?” Hyunjin asked, tying a glittery sash around his hips. “Vernon might show up.”

“I don’t care,” you admired the stone laying on your chest. It stood out against the gold and ruby necklaces you wore. Hongjoong might come tonight and see you wearing his gift. “If he doesn’t like it, he can go with somebody else.”

“Ha, I doubt he’ll do that.”

Chwe Vernon was a walking money bag with a pretty face. Son of Gold Rush’s mayor, he also ran the largest farm in the area. He comes into The Rooster’s Nest with pockets full of gold and silver to spend on ale, gambling tables, and pretty girls. A lot of your coworkers didn’t mind humoring him whenever he came into the tavern, but they never went past a kiss or a feel. Vernon might be handsome and rich, but not enough to risk running into his wife.

He didn’t hold a candle to Hongjoong. Not by a long shot.

“You’re playing with fire, girl,” he chuckled. “Haeyoung isn’t one to be messed with.”

“Oh, what will that little rat do? Squeak at me?” You said, a bit annoyed thinking about Vernon’s jealous wife.

More people might pursue Vernon if it weren’t for the rumors that spread about Haeyoung. The rumors that she was more than a mere apothecary and healer. One of the church women claimed they once saw Haeyoung performing dark magic rituals in the forest while another claimed she’d set a curse upon her daughter. Witches are not well liked in the smaller country towns, where prejudice stemmed from fear of the unknown and unfamiliar. You found this to be hypocritical since your local priest, Father Moon, wielded what people called ‘Holy Magic’. But then again, he claimed his powers came from a high being, so people accepted him. The only reason Haeyoung never stood on the gallows was Vernon and his family. An upstanding family like the Chwe’s wouldn’t let a witch into their clan, so it must be a rumor. Still, people remained suspicious. That suspicion turned into caution. Cross Chwe Haeyoung, and become cursed.

You found this to be utter nonsense. The only beings with any real magic are the non-humans, or ‘magicfolk’, like Hyunjin, who was a Siren from the Northern Sea. You saw glimmers of his “unnaturalness” in the shimmery contours of his face, a light aqua against fair skin and the dark blue hue of his full lips. Aside from him, a good chunk of the people who lived in Gold Rush are also magicfolk. Some of your best and favorite regulars are not human; you had many elven, goblins and were-people as friends. You doubted Haeyoung, with her mundane humanity, was anything close to magical.

“Well, I’m off,” you concluded, slipping into a pair of sandals. “I’ll see you two on the floor.”

You walked out into the tavern’s main room. Several gambling tables took over the large hall, while a band played music in a nearby corner. Behind the bar, you saw Yoongi wiping down pint glasses while Namjoon served beer from the barrels. You gave him a wink, which made him smile brightly. You never could resist a handsome face. Men are a weakness of yours, especially the particularly handsome ones. It’s why you’d become so interested in Vernon initially. His looks drew you to him, but it was his purse that kept you around. Sauntering by the bar, you gave Namjoon a flirty smile.

“Evening Joonie,” you said, making eye contact.

“Evening YN,” he breathed, passing out a pint of ale while looking you over. “You look sensational.”

“Don’t I always?” you approached the bar, taking in Namjoon’s muscles and broad shoulders. “Busy tonight?”

“Not busy enough to ignore you,” he winked, then turned away.

You left the bar for the stages on the other side. The sensuality going through the room slipped into your body, and controlled your swaying hips as you walked. A young woman in nothing but a golden chain harness and mesh underwear contorted herself into complicated positions for a group of men near the stage. A tall, lavender-skinned she-elf danced provocatively on one of the smaller stages on either side of the area, golden coins in pails at the corners.

Standing near the area, you searched for Hongjoong. He liked sitting at the back tables, where he could watch in private. He always came alone; he hardly spoke to anyone except the occasional “business partner”. Hongjoong never said what he did for a living, but you knew it must be profitable. The man’s pockets never seemed to empty. Your heart weighed slightly when you did not see him at his usual spots. Perhaps he’ll come later on in the night.

You took your place on the opposite stage, and started swaying and whirling your hips. It didn’t take long for customers to gravitate towards you. You gave your flirtatious winks, your sly smirks, and sultry responses. You showed glimpses of your breasts and backside, knowing how it made them drool. Their attention fueled your movements; their desire to touch you sparked a similar arousal in you. Hongjoong said he loved watching you dance. His eyes followed every movement, glued to your body and already planning what he’d do with you later.

“Namjoon!” Vernon waltzed into the tavern, giving the bartender a wide smile as he put a coin on the bartop. “One pint, please. I’ve built up a thirst tonight.”

This was your chance. Hongjoong won’t be upset if you took up with someone else before him. A girl needed to eat after all. Hopping off the stage, you made your way over to Vernon through the crowd.

“Hello, handsome,” you said with a smile, taking the spot next to him.

Vernon’s eyes glued to your body the second he saw you. They drank in your scandalous outfit, focusing on your chest a bit longer before meeting your eyes. “YN…” he said, “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I bet people have been drooling over you all night.”

“They have,” you admitted, walking closer, “But there’s only one person I want drooling over me.”

Make him feel special. Even if it’s for an hour or two, your job was to make an everyday man feel like a king. You took the ale Namjoon placed on the bar and sipped it, keeping your eyes on Vernon as you did so. Pointedly, you let the top foam slide down the sides of your mouth before wiping them away.

“Trust me,” he smirked, pulling you by the waist and taking the beer, “I’ll be doing more than drooling by the end of the night.”

“Oh?” you teased, “And what about Haeyoung?”

“She’s out of town,” he said. “Something about meeting a friend up north. I don’t know, but she won’t be coming here.”

“Good,” you said, hands on his chest, “I don’t want her to spoil your good time.”

“Neither do I,” he replied, hand on the small of your back. “Come sit with my men and I,” he insisted, “I could use a good luck charm at the tables.”

You let him lead you to an open table and sat in his lap. ‘Good luck charm’ was Vernon’s way of saying he needed an accomplice. You’d distract his opponents with your tits or a compliment whenever Vernon switched cards up his sleeves or stole chips from them. Being a rich man who surrounded himself with desperate men, they didn’t dare speak out if they did catch him cheating.

“This is real silver and moonstone,” Vernon asked half way through the game. He lifted the moonstone from your neck, “Where did you get this?”

“It’s a gift,” you saw his jealousy rising, and you felt annoyed.

“From who? Nobody around here can buy this kind of thing.”

“He’s from out of town. He comes here sometimes, and he usually gives me nice gifts. Sometimes it’s rare flowers, other times it’s things from exotic places.”

“So, he’s got money?”

“I guess? He travels a lot.”

Vernon nodded, then dropped your necklace. “I don’t see why he bothers,” he said, “Why would any man spend money on a whore?”

You wanted to slap him. You almost did before you remembered his fat coin purse. Hongjoong would’ve punched him. Rich man or not, Hongjoong feared nobody. You knew this from the time you watched him square off against a large farmhand who’d insulted you. The man stood several inches taller, and much wider, yet Hongjoong did not back down. They didn’t come to blows, but just seeing him defend you when other men didn’t strengthened your feelings for him. Vernon would be no match.

After a few rounds of watching the same outcome, you gave a small pout. “This is starting to bore me now. Why don’t we go play our own game upstairs?”

“And what game might that be?” he questioned, pushing hair from your face and letting his fingers trail to your bare shoulder.

You pretended to give it a thought, then picked up a black gambling chip. “Find the Chip,” you winked, already standing with the chip between your teeth.

“My favorite.”

You led him upstairs by the hand, anticipation burning down your body. You knew you’d make a killing tonight. Men like Vernon never went only one time; they had the money, and they’d spend all they had. The moment he shut the door, you began slowly undressing. Vernon’s eyes stayed on you as you removed it piece by piece, unbuttoning his own shirt as he did. Soon, you were naked and pulling back the bed sheets.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” he marveled at your nude form, watching you throw the chip onto the bed. “I’ve never been with a woman as beautiful as you before…”

“I’m sure you haven’t,” you said, crawling into the bed and putting the covers over yourself, “Haeyoung isn't a great beauty.”

“Nor as erotic.”

He settled between your thighs and immediately started feeling up and down your body. You giggled every time he brushed a ticklish spot, and gave a soft sigh or two when he moved over a sensitive area. You knew the circular chip was right underneath you, and so did he, but he didn’t go there just yet. Vernon captured your lips in his as he “searched” your breasts. Cupping and squeezing them gently, you felt small sparks of pleasure when he rubbed over your nipples. Your hands roaming down to his waist, you slid them into his pants and squeezed the firm cheeks there. It earned you a low rumble that filled your mouth. Vernon let you massage them while he started grinding against your bare sex. It never took much to warm your clients up, particularly because they come to you already aroused. You simply drew it out of them in every kiss and touch.

Your head turning to give him more access, you happened to glance out the window. On the sill, illuminated by the lantern on the low side table, sat a black bird. You couldn’t make out the breed until it bounced a little closer. A crow. You have never seen one on its own before. The bird stared into the room as if watching you and Vernon. You amused yourself by thinking it’d come to peek in on you.

When he finally found the chip, Vernon received his reward.

“Yes,” he exhaled deeply, feeling your lips finally wrap around his tip, “Just like that.”

You gave the pulsing head a soft lick before sliding it into your mouth. The salty precum threw you off a moment, but you’d grown used to it right away. Sucking firmly, you bobbed your head gradually up and down while keeping your eyes on him. His whines and whimpers made your sex throb; you watched the powerful, influential Chwe Vernon slowly submit to you. You stopped sucking and jerked him as you kissed his thighs, knowing the move arched his back. The pleasure radiating from him brought life into your worn out body; it replaced the emptiness that filled your insides. Whenever you began having sex, Vernon became a man possessed. He suddenly didn’t see sense, and did whatever you wanted him to do. You immediately became his world, which you basked in gladly.

As you went back to sucking his cock, tasting the smooth skin and feeling the veins pulsate against your tongue, the door flew open.

“Vernon! What the hell are you doing?!”

Haeyoung’s howl broke Vernon from your spell, and he bolted upright. You smoothly moved away from him and faced Haeyoung. A sliver of a woman with black hair and dark eyes, Haeyoung’s glaring face irritated you. She always acted so surprised when she caught him with someone. You snatched up your skirt from the floor and started sliding it back up your legs.

“Haeyoung?” Vernon said in disbelief, using a pillow to cover himself, “Wha-What are you doing here? You said you were coming back tomorrow!”

“I came back early,” she said, not looking away from you, “Because I knew you’d take the opportunity to see your whore while I was gone.” She stalked into the room, not bothering to address her husband. “So, you’re the one he’s been seeing. Huh, I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always been the type to take things that aren’t yours, YN.”

“It’s nothing personal, Haeyoung,” you admitted. “Vernon’s just a client. Nothing more. If you’re gonna take it out on anyone, it should be him.”

“It’s not his fault you’re an evil temptress,” she hissed. “You’re a deceitful, greedy whore. You only became a brothel worker so you have excuses to sleep around and feel important, because you know deep down, you’re nothing. It’s probably the reason your parents abandoned you. They knew you’d grow up to be a no-good, worthless whore and didn’t want anything to do with you.”

This insult would’ve brought you to tears when you were ten. Now, as an adult, you felt your rage boiling.

“I wouldn’t know, Haeyoung, they abandoned me, remember?” You remarked, pulling on your top and clasping it behind your neck. “You two can work this out up here,” you tied your skirt around your waist and put it in place, “Goodnight to you both.”

Haeyoung stood between you and the doorway. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Out of my way, Haeyoung, before I call the bouncers.”

“You and those harlots down there,” she growled, “Are going to finally see what happens when you mess with what’s mine.”

“Haeyoung, please!” Vernon called out desperately, “Don’t!”

You saw the look in her eyes, feeling the rage burning within her and boiling to the surface. She did not frighten you. She was a puny little woman angry at the world.

“Goodnight, Haeyoung,” you said firmly, pushing her aside and leaving the room.

“Don’t you walk away from me, you slut!”

“Namjoon!” you called out from the loft above the main room, “Haeyoung’s at it again.”

“I’m on it.”

You’d started walking down the stairs when you heard her from the top landing. “You’re going to regret not curbing this appetite of yours, YN YLN!”

You’d only just turned around when something hit the lower part of your back. Hot, stinging pain paralyzed you, causing you to fall down the rest of the stairs. Your jaw clenched as you restrained a scream. White hot pain shocked your muscles and seeped deep into the area around it; you slammed into the bottom landing as the pain burrowed inside and started spreading. It slowly crept through your veins, starting on your back where it rolled against your spine. The pain came the worst here. You would’ve thought someone tried splitting you in half or swung a burning blade up your back. Your fingers dug into the carpet as your arms started trembling. You swore it went into your fingernails, causing you to curl your fingers into your palms until they bled.

“What the…” Namjoon’s voice sounded closer, “YN!”

“Oh my god, YN!” you heard Hyunjin from nearby.

Their voices barely reached you. The sensation moved from your back to your chest, which burned hotly. It went up into your throat like bile, acidic and viscous, but nothing came up. Only more horrific screams tore through your throat, calling into the air like a banshee. In the blurriness, you made out Haeyoung’s shadowy figure. When she bent down over you, you saw her wicked smugness.

“Haeyoung, what’s happening? Is she alright?” Vernon called from somewhere far away.

“You crazy bitch!” Hyunjin shouted, “What the hell did you do?!”

“You should've kept your legs closed, YN,” she smirked. “Now, you're gonna do anything but close them.”

You clawed at her, but the pain kept you in place.

“Witch!” a voice called out from nearby.

“She really is a witch!”

“Get her!”

Haeyoung yelped when a pair of strong arms lifted her away from you. The self-satisfied smile she’d worn vanished the instant she saw the people around her. “Wait! Wait, no! Vernon! Vernon!”

“Get the sheriff!”

“I got the rope!”

You wanted it to stop. You wanted to die.

“Namjoon, please help!” Hyunjin sobbed. “Please, don’t let her die.”

“A witch! She’s a real witch!” Somebody cried from nearby.

“Get the rope!”

“Let her swing!”

When another person bent over you, you flinched away from their touch at first. It was Namjoon. His hands pressed to the spot on your back, and it felt like fire on your skin. You couldn't hear what he was saying, but he murmured a low incantation in a strange language. Namjoon’s spell soothed the engulfing flames while relaxing the torturous pain.

“Namjoon-” Hyunjin’s whimper interrupted.

“-Hush!”

Namjoon continued chanting, his voice drowning out the commotion going outside. Someone screamed, but you couldn't place the precise location it came from. All you comprehended was your pain and Namjoon's steady, gentle voice. When the sensation slowly dwindled to a dull ache, your brain became fuzzy from the combination of the two.

“Just sleep, YN. Just sleep.”

And so you did.

****

Someone broke all your bones and put them back together with glue. At least, that was how you felt when you woke up the next morning. Laying face down in a soft bed, the faint scent of lemon and lavender filled your nose right away. It had a strangely calming effect on you, as if the scent itself clung to your skin and nostrils to heal you. You didn't know where you were at first. Your brain pieced together what happened the previous night, and all you mustered was Haeyoung’s gloating face. Haeyoung. You thought of the calls for a rope and cries of witchcraft.

“Did they hang her?” Came out of your throat hoarse and cracked.

“Not right away,” Namjoon answered from nearby.

Opening your eyes fully, you saw him crouching by the fireplace. He appeared to be stirring a small pot on the cracking wood. You curled, stretching your aching bones, to get a better look at him. The friendly bartender had shed his persona to reveal the simple man underneath. Gazing down his neck, you noticed his broad shoulders that led to lean arms. Free of his jacket, you saw the swirling black tattoos around his shoulders and wrists. They appeared to be in the shape of runes, at least you guessed. You’d never seen them in all the time you’ve worked at the Rooster’s Nest. When did he get them? What did they mean? It brought attention to his firm, toned body. For a brief moment, you saw yourself kissing down his smooth chest to his navel before slowly tugging his pants to his thighs.

You shook the thoughts from your head.

“Someone dragged her outside while Yoongi got the rope,” Namjoon explained, crushing herbs between his palms then adding them to the pot. “I managed to stop them before they yanked her up the tree.”

“She’s alive, then?”

“No. I only stopped them to question her.”

“About?”

“About where she learned demon magic.”

“Demon magic?” your eyes widened.

“The spell she casted last night can only be casted by a demon,” he nodded, stirring the potion which turned a bright green once the leaves touched the surface. “They're the only beings strong enough to wield them. If she’d been a mere mortal, it meant a demon taught it to her or she stole the magic from one of them.”

“I’m going to take a guess that she wasn’t human?”

“Oh, she was. She was a witch,” He sprinkled a few sprigs of herbs into the potion next, and you saw the green hue turn a murky jade. “Witches can consort with demons. When I asked her, she said a powerful demon showed her things that no mortal ever could. It took me a while, but I learned where she got it from.”

“Are you a demon then?”

He laughed through his nose, “No. You’d know if I was.”

“Then, what are you?”

“Warlock,” he tapped one of the runes on his shoulder. He stirred the green potion in the fireplace, taking a whiff before adding more herbs. “These are protection runes. If Haeyoung tried cursing me, it would have bounced back on her.”

“Wish I had some protection runes,” you muttered. “Where is she now?”

“Six feet under in an unmarked grave,” he said, “What they do to all witches.”

“What happened after they hung her?”

“Haeyoung’s neck broke the second they hoisted her up the tree. Of course, the death of his wife riled Vernon and his boys up so they started fighting the other patrons in the bar. Two men had been shot by the time the sheriff and deputy rode up to the place with their boys. It took them a while to settle everything up and get tempers cooled again, and when they did, the law took in two of Vernon’s gang, a dwarf who’d tried coming at him with an ax, and Yoongi. Don’t worry,” he said at your sudden gasp, “He’s out. They let him go when it was confirmed that she had, in fact, attacked you.”

“Vernon must’ve been pissed about that.”

“He was,” Namjoon nodded.

He ladeled some potion in a pint mug, then came back to your bedside. You forced yourself to sit up despite the tenderness in your limbs, and took the warm mug in your hands. In a few tentative sips, the potion started relaxing your sore muscles. Namjoon watched you drink as he continued.

“Though, I don’t get why. It’s not as if he was a faithful, loving husband.”

“He’ll be glad to be rid of her, I suspect.” You scowled over your drink, taking another sip before saying, “Wish they’d waited until I woke up so I could watch her swing.”

Your upright position stretched your back, and brought focus to the slight stinging coming from where the pain originated. Reaching behind your back to the left side, you felt several raised welts underneath a thin gauze bandage. The sizzling, scorching pain that initially shocked you faded into a faint stinging whenever your fingers brushed it. The patch itself felt wet, but when you brought your hand to your nose, you smelled the earthy scent of witch hazel.

“Is it bad?” you winced over at him.

“It was awful,” he confirmed, “But Healer Yang and I were concerned about the mark itself. It can get infected if left alone for too long. I applied some witch hazel to relieve any inflammation or irritation you might get from it.”

“Mark?! She marked me?!”

Namjoon sighed, then said, “She cursed you, YN. Minor to mild curses don’t typically come with any sort of mark to signify it, but the major ones definitely do.”

You furrowed your brow in thought. Haeyoung had said something as she watched your suffering, but you couldn’t recall it.

“I imagine she thought it’d be ironic,” he said. He went through his satchel nearby, retrieving a small leatherbound book with a strange symbol on the cover. “She already believes all brothel workers are sex-driven animals. It only makes sense that she’d curse you with the Hand of Lust.”

“Hand of Lust?”

He turned the book around on your lap. On the page, the author illustrated a realistic disembodied hand coming out from flickering flames, a bleeding heart inches above the fingertips. Aside from that, they’d written ‘The Hand of Lust’ and a description of the curse.

“‘Those cursed by The Hand will suffer unimaginable lust,” you read out loud. “‘A lust so powerful that it shall drive the cursed to pure madness within several days.’ Wait,” you paused, rereading the sentence, “Pure madness? I’ll go insane?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “You’ll lose your mind and become a zombie basically. I’ve seen it, and it’s not pretty.”

“I mean, I have sex loads so it can’t be that bad…”

“Yes, it can and it is. It’ll start with just being horny a lot but you'll be able to manage, then it’ll turn into an obsession. The slightest suggestion will have you dripping for it,” he explained. “Then, it’ll slowly turn into an addiction. You’ll want it all the time, and probably do crazy shit trying to get it. By the end, you’ll want nothing but sex. You won’t know anything. You won’t be able to think straight, and you’ll never get your senses back. You won’t eat or sleep. You become a shell of who you were before.” He saw the dread filling your eyes, and said, “But, luckily there’s a cure for it.”

“And you happen to have it on you right now?”

“No, sadly not. Demon magic can’t be undone the normal way,” he said. “You’ll have to go to the demon who created the curse. Only they know the secret to lifting it.”

“Great,” you huffed, drinking more of the herbal potion, “Just great. Where would I even find them?”

“You’re in luck. Haeyoung told me everything she knew, since she hoped it might save her. He’s in The Crescent Mountains,” he answered. “She wouldn’t give me a name, but she told me they call him ‘The Dark Lord’.”

“The Dark Lord?” you scoffed, “Really? That’s what he calls himself?”

“It’s what people who’ve met him call him. She said nobody knows his real name.”

“A demon who lives in the coldest mountain range in the north? Oh yes, Namjoon, I’m so lucky. They’re on the other side of the damn kingdom. It’ll take me ages to get there! I’ll be a zombie by then!”

“Two weeks,” he said, “Which is more or less how long the curse takes until it consumes you. But, I found a captain that’ll take you straight there by boat. No detours. You’d be there within a week.”

“And this demon will just lift it for me?”

“Oh, no, he’ll definitely expect something in exchange. That's why I packed this for you.”

He placed a rucksack in front of you. When you opened it, you saw the usual supplies: packets of food, a water canteen, a first aid kit, matches, and a small lantern. But, you also found something large wrapped in velvet. Removing the black cloth, you realized it was a large grey stone. About the size of a baseball, you saw the crimson rune etched into the sides.

“It’s a runestone,” Namjoon explained as you studied the stone. “Demons collect these so they can improve their skills and weapons. This ‘Dark Lord’ will have a hard time saying no to this. Plus,” he smirked, “It might only sweeten the deal if you offered yourself up to him afterwards.”

“I think sex will be the last thing I want once he removes it.” You wrapped the runestone back up, and put it in the bag.

Namjoon hesitated, “Yeah, you’re right.”

Even after hearing his explanations, you still couldn’t fathom your fate. As Namjoon started ladling the rest of the potion into small vials, you played with the crystal still around your neck. Touching it brought a strange kind of comfort. You wished Hongjoong had been there last night. You wouldn’t have bothered with Vernon at all if Hongjoong had been there. You rubbed your thumb along the icy design, you envisioned the end result. You saw yourself walking slowly, groaning and moaning as you searched for any sort of stimulation. The curse itself made sense when you thought about it. Haeyoung already saw you as a worthless sex addict, so she picked a curse that would make you regret every decision you ever made.

“The boat leaves in an hour, so I suggest getting ready to move out,” he said, putting the vials in a small pouch. “I’ve packed some medicine for you. You’re going to feel a lot of the curse’s physical effects, and these can at least alleviate that.”

“Wait, you’re not coming?”

“I can’t,” he said. “I have a business to run and The Dark Lord will probably smite me the moment I get near his palace. You’ll be safe, YN,” he said gently, sitting on the bed next to you. “Captain Jin is a good guy. He won’t take advantage of your mental state like other men might.”

“What if I don’t make it in time?”

“You will. Just follow the directions on the map, and you’ll make it there in no time. Jin’s boat goes straight to the northern port, so you could just go through the little town there until you reach the mountain. Trust me, it won’t be hard to find. It’s pretty big.”

This didn’t make you feel better. As you started changing, you thought about this demon lord. In your head, you saw a massive, hulking figure with big black horns, red skin and sharp fangs. He’d find your predicament funny, no doubt, since he was the curse’s creator. He’d be sitting on some kind of throne, wearing nothing but a pair of pants to show off his bulging muscles, and expect you to “offer yourself” to him.

Perhaps by the time you meet him, you would.

*****

The little port town near Gold Rush sat on the eastern coastline. According to Namjoon, the mountain port was just upwards from there and would take at least a week. You hoped his timeline was correct as you said your farewells and made your way to town in a wagon. As you rode there in silence, fear started filling your stomach and twisting it around. You’d never left home before; you never had a reason. It’s the only place you’ve ever known, and now you are leaving to somewhere foreign and new. What if you didn’t make it to the port? What if the captain did take advantage of you? The thought of being underneath a sweaty, flabby figure made you gag.

However, Captain Kim Seokjin was anything but sweaty or flabby. He was tall with wide shoulders a girl could hang onto in any position; brown hair swooped over his dark eyes, which gave you a friendly glint when you approached.

“You must be YN,” he grinned, coiling rope around his large hands. “Namjoon told me you’d be joining me.”

His boat was a small, rickety thing with a canvas sail and fishing equipment. You guessed you’d be sleeping below, since you didn’t see anywhere else.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “I need to get up north, and he said you’d be taking me there?”

“Yup,” he answered, holding out a hand, “Come aboard. I just finished getting stuff ready for our trip.”

As you stepped onto the boat, a loud ‘caw’ caught your attention. A crow sat perched on the cabin in the middle of the boat. Black eyes gazed at you from above, slightly flapping its wings as it moved around. It drew up a memory as you stared back. You’d been underneath Vernon, you think, enjoying his soft lips when you’d looked out the window. There’d been a crow there too. It didn't appear different from any other crow you'd seen, but the longer you looked at the bird, the more ominous it felt. The soothsayers who used to come through town during festival season said that crows were dark omens. Considering your upcoming trip, seeing the bird only worsened your feelings.

“Is he yours?” You asked Jin.

Jin looked up from the side of the boat to see the bird nearby. “Nope,” he answered, though seemed delightfully surprised nonetheless. “Crows aren’t really native to these parts. They’re more up north. You mostly get seagulls around here. Strange,” he dug into a sack nearby and fished out a small portion of sunflower seeds. “Here, buddy,” he said gently, cautiously putting the seeds down, “Have a snack.”

The bird did not flutter away or snap its beak at him. It only stared, then started pecking at the seeds. “He doesn’t seem…scared?” you said curiously. “Aren’t birds usually fidgety?”

“He might be domesticated,” Jin said, getting inside the cabin. “Now, let’s get going. The waters can get choppy around the northern parts, so we gotta tread carefully.”

You set your bag down by the crow, and watched him eat. From what Namjoon said, you expected to feel the urge to hump everything in sight. You thought you’d be aroused non-stop from the jump. That should’ve been the desired effect, surely. Yet, you felt nothing of the sort. For some reason, that worried you more. The sensation circled you like a shark looking for its prey. The thought taunted you in the back of your mind. You expected it to hit you at any moment.

It did hit you.

As day grew into night, Jin’s boat sailed past the coastline onto open water. He’d let you have the captain’s cabin, which was really just a small cot with a wash basin and dresser. The rocking waves moved the boat side to side, and it cradled you to sleep.

His hands were on you before you could comprehend anything. Soft fingers kneaded the flesh of your thighs, thumbs pressing to the inner sides as they slid to your center. You let out a faint gasp when one digit rubbed along your slit unexpectedly. Opening your eyes, you saw nothing in the cabin’s pitch black darkness. You could only hear his low, steady breaths as he continued feeling up your sex and thighs. He parted your legs easily, settling down on top of you as if you were made of glass. It couldn’t be Jin. This intruder was far slimmer, and his voice sounded higher. You smiled right away.

‘Hongjoong,’ his name fell from your lips in a soft breath.

‘I can’t wait to have you,’ he breathed in your ear, hands going from your thighs to your breasts. ‘To really have you.’

Warm lips caressed your neck, hot breath ghosting over your skin, and you melted. Your body suddenly became hypersensitive to his touch. Every light caress ignited the fires stirring inside your panties. Each kiss and lick brought out mewls that pleased your visitor. A sudden heat flared up around your neck to your cheeks as he kissed down to your chest. You realized then you wore nothing but your underwear. Smooth leather, crisp linen and rough denim brushed against your bare skin, creating a new friction that you needed. Thumbs rubbing over your nipples, soon he used his tongue to tease more cries out of you. No man ever took this much time with you. They always wanted to jump to “the best part”, which was you pleasuring them instead. Hongjoong never did that.

‘The gods really smiled on me when fate led me into that little brothel,’ he said in between soft suckles. ‘I’d never be here otherwise.’

Suddenly, his face was between your thighs and his tongue lashing your bare clit. You never felt anything like it before. His warm, slippery tongue easily circled your hard clit, flicking it until your back arched. He didn’t restrain you, only holding your thighs as you wriggled about on the bed.

‘So delicious,’ he groaned against your slick folds. ‘Exactly as I remember it. I can never get enough of you.’

Your mind spun with pleasure coursing through your body. Your fingers slipped into soft, silky waves and curls as you brought him closer. The lewd slurping sounds of him sucking your juices joined your constant moaning.

‘Hongjoong…’ his name escapes you in a soft sigh.

‘Be a good pet for me, and indulge in your mark. It’ll be worse for you if you don’t.'

“YN! YN, wake up!”

A pair of rough hands shook you awake, and reality broke through your dreams. The slight rocking that had lulled you to sleep had turned more violent. You noticed the porcelain wash basin laid on the floor in pieces, and your overheard lantern swung side to side in every wave. Jin stood above you, fear and panic widening his eyes, and he continued shaking you.

“Wha-what’s happening?” you asked groggily, rubbing sleep from your eyes.

“You gotta come help me,” he insisted, tossing your clothes at you. “This storm’s come out of nowhere. It’s bad. It’s…Just, come up and do what I say and we’ll make it out of here. Storms don’t last forever.”

Dressing proved to be difficult as the ship moved to the crashing waves. Through the small window, you saw nothing but the darkness and raindrops pounding the glass. Flashes of lightning were followed by roaring thunder, almost piercing your ears and making you tremble as you pulled on your jacket. Coming outside, Jin gave you a yellow raincoat to shield you from most of the pouring rain. It came down in hard sheets, filling the wooden boat before spilling out through holes in the sides. Boots sliding over wet floors, you followed Jin’s instructions to the letter. You knew nothing about boats, but you understood “pull that rope” and “push that lever”. It was harder than you imagined. The harsh waves and rain made it impossible to see. You couldn’t see anything past the dangling lights of Jin’s boat, the world around you shrouded in darkness. Only the lightning briefly illuminated the dark clouds rolling over you. It was hard to imagine an end to the madness.

“Brace yourself!” Jin called through the loud thunder, “A big one’s coming!”

You didn’t see the wave, but you certainly felt the boat tip upwards at a ninety-degree angle. Gravity pulled you downwards, and you grabbed tightly onto the main mast. A scream escaped you when you realized your feet left the ground and you dangled in the air. The sensation of falling backwards brought out more terror as your body and the boat capsized, plunging you into the icy cold water. Instinct told you to hold onto whatever oxygen you had as the rolling waves tossed you this way and that. You’d die like this. You were going to drown. Your eyes opened, and you sorely wished they hadn’t.

In the darkness of the sea, you saw glowing eyes. Bright gold, they blinked at you from the abyss. You screamed, desperately trying to get away to the surface. The figure swam closer, unbothered by the water as something slimy wrapped around your ankles and dragged you-not down-but sideways. You continued kicking and grasping at the water, your chest caving as your last breath left you. The creature carried you along gently, its tentacle keeping a firm grip but not so much it broke bones. Instinct kicked in once more and your mouth opened. Gallons of water filled your lungs as you soared through the ocean, salt burning your throat and tongue.

Namjoon never said elements might kill you before the curse did.

Though, right before you reached death, the creature flung you out of the water. Your body carried weightless through the air, more rain pelting you, and you crashed right onto something solid. Then, everything went black.

****

A/N: ooof, YN's going to be going on a very interesting journey! Hope you all stick around for the ride!

#ateez #ateez fanfiction #pirateeznet #ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #ateez smut #kim hongjoong #hongjoong ateez #ateez hongjoong #hongjoong x fem reader #hongjoong x yn

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sophiebelindasx · 8 hours ago

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if you think i won't beg, you don't know me too well. you are a woman worth begging for and that's a hill i'm willing to die on. we'll look up some safe adventures, nothing too crazy. maybe just some traveling? a wild ladies weekend somewhere nice and tropical? i swear i'm getting so many frequent flier miles that i won't be ending up on any environmental friendly celebs list, rip.

My ego would die to see you begging for me in your life, but I do love you enough to not put you through that.Shit I cant even argue? Damn. Yes throw it at me long as I dont lose something we doing alright. Yup we are. You bouncing bakc and forth is award winning

#* . ⊹ a heart that fights back ⊹ › chats

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lovebittenbyevans · 1 day ago

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When We Meet Again | One Shot

Maybe I’ll see you in another life if this one wasn’t enough – florence + the machine

Summary: Before leaving Paris, you wanted to take in the city one last time, but everything changed when you saw Lewis—someone from your past who somehow exists in the present. His presence feels like an unexpected second chance, bringing back emotions you thought were lost.

Pairing: Lewis Hamilton x Female Reader (Bloom)

Warnings: age gap (lewis mid-30s and reader mid 20s), cursed words, slow burn, flashback of past.

One Shot

Paris, France — 2022

“I’ll be back, Mom!” you shouted as you slammed the door behind you.

You were scrolling through Paris, capturing a few pictures with your phone, trying to take in the beauty of the city.

One thing’s for certain: you never believed Paris was the “City of Love” that everyone claims it to be. Deep down, you never bought into the idea of love at first sight or soulmates.

You stopped by this cute coffee shop and ordered yourself a cup of coffee even though the sun was going down slowly. The coffee shop was charming, with plants filling every corner. As you waited for your drink, you skimmed through a few messages from your cousin Ariel.

Ariel: I can’t believe him!

Ariel: He is a piece of shit! I should of listened to you 🥺

Ariel: Thank you for always being there for me, cousin. I miss you ❤️

“A medium ice Café Glacé.” The woman said with a French accent as she placed the drink on the counter.

You thanked her, took your drink, and walked out the door, sipping it as you continued on your way. You visited the Luxembourg Gardens and were captivated by the stunning flowers that caught your eye.

You take your phone out of your pocket and turn the camera toward the screen, ready to snap a photo. Just as you’re about to click, someone bumps into you. “Oh, shit I’m so sorry.”

You turn around to see who it was, about to reassure them. “No, it’s—” You pause as the person interrupts. “Bloom?”

You blinked for a moment, staring at the person in front of you, his face familiar but still surprising. “Uh… Lewis?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips as he gazed at you.

You were unsure of what to make of it. His face seemed familiar, like you’d seen it before, but this time felt different.

“Uh…” you hesitated. “Hi.”

Lewis opens his mouth to speak, then pauses, closing it as he carefully thinks about how to phrase his words without sounding awkward. “How long are you staying in Paris?” he asks.

You take a sip of your coffee before responding, “Today’s my last day. I was just visiting my mom for the week.”

He gave a nod. “Oh.”

“Yeah, I'm leaving soon.” You tell him.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets when the two of you heard a voice. “Lew, we are going to be late for dinner.”

You saw the woman holding onto Lewis’s arm as he glanced at her. “Right, uh…” He paused for a moment before looking back at you. “Well, I’d better get going.”

You clear your throat and nod. “It was nice seeing you, Lewis.” He nods in return. “Yeah, you too.” As you turn to walk away, you think you hear his voice again. “But hey, maybe we—” You keep walking, taking a sip of your coffee, and hear faint giggles in the background.

You shake your head as you walk through the garden, lost in thoughts of the “what ifs.” You can’t help but wonder how things might have turned out if the woman he was with hadn’t been there. Each step you take feels like a reminder that maybe you shouldn’t be getting your hopes up and should just keep quiet.

Paris, France – 2025

It’s hard to believe you’ve been living in Paris for a few years now, especially after all those years of traveling back and forth to visit your mom. The friends you’ve made over time and your mom’s joy at having you nearby make it all feel so worth it.

You open the door to your apartment, hoping to get rid of the awful smell, only to find Lewis standing there. “Lewis…hi.”

He stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at you. “Can we talk?”

“Oh… uh,” you muttered, turning around and calling out to your friend Kim, “I’ll be right back, Kim!”

You step out the door, closing it gently behind you, and follow Lewis down the empty hallway. Leaning against the wall with your arms crossed over your chest, you ask, “what’s going on?”

He stood before you and said, “A few years ago, I feel like I should have done better.”

You gave him a puzzled glance. “What do you mean?”

“3 years every time we passed each other I always remember your face. Your face always pops up in my mind.” He said, honestly. “You are always so kind and sweet, bloom.”

You wonder where he was going with this. “But, you were with someone Lew.”

He nods. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about you.”

Fuck!

Your heart begins to race as you sense where this conversation is headed.

“And I told you I don’t do love and relationships.” You remind him again.

He clears his throat and steps closer to you. “Well, maybe…” He places his hand on the wall above your head. “You just haven’t found the right one yet—someone who can change that for you.”

“Lewis…” Your voice barely a whisper as his gaze lingered on your lips. “Do you know why I call you Bloom?” He leaned in closer, his nose brushing gently against yours.

“No, I–I don’t.” You murmured, heart racing, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation flooding through your veins.

He smiled, just barely before his lips hovered over yours. “Because like a bloom, you’ve unfolded into something. Beautiful and Wild.” His voice dropped to a hushed, intimidating tone. “And I just can’t stop watching you be your true self.”

His words were tender and sweet. Your eyes fixate on his lips as he leans in, closing the distance between you both. “I am falling in love with you, bloom and I want to give us a try no matter what universe you live in.”

“I—” You tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, all you could do was press your lips to his, your hands tangled in his hair.

In that moment, all that echoed in your mind was, “Fuck it.”

#lewis hamilton #lewis hamilton x reader #lewis hamilton x you #lewis hamilton x fem!reader #f1 #f1 x reader #f1 x you #f1 x female reader #formula one #formula one x reader #formula one x you #formula 1 #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 x you #formula 1 x female reader

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sharrrrt · 12 hours ago

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The grumpy cynical awful evil man and the little girl he totally definitely doesn't care about <3

Skarra and Dee headcanons below 🥺 and also a fic idea cuz I got carried away with ranting 💀

Dee definitely does bad stuff just because it's fun and that's why she went along with Skarra's scheming. But she also looks up to him in some way, otherwise why would she copy his look☝️ she would never admit that tho cuz it's cringe

Dee is a bully at school. Skarra tries to tell her off but he can't help laughing at some of the stuff she does 💀

Dee's parents travel a lot for their work so she's usually left with a hired caretaker

One time tho, Skarra was free to look after her and ever since then they usually leave her to stay at his place (Dee really liked hanging out with him and annoyed her parents to death about it)

Skarra hates how Dee's parents are and once he realized how often she's basically left alone he makes the most of their time together yayyyy healing his inner child

Skarra loves Dee's personality but he also doesn't want her to end up like him :(

They practice soccer together sometimes. Dee isn't seriously into it but she has fun learning tricks

Skarra would make fun of her fails and then pick her back up the very next second

God forbid Skarra leaves anyone in IU to look after Dee 💀💀 he caught her talking to Dooma once and the man was about to list his entire criminal record 😭

So Skarra definitely spoils her right. Like yea the pink buggy wasn't her style but that must have cost some pennies, and most importantly her custom jersey awwwwwww 🥺💕✨️ srsly if Skarra didn't care he wouldn't have spent a dime for her✋️

Next few are a continuation of this post which I MIGHT turn into a fic no promises:

Shakes helped a lost Dee find Skarra and once they found each other she kicked Shakes in the shins and they both laughed at him 🫶🥺

This happens on the same day as a game against IU so Shakes honestly thought it was a ploy to get him to miss it

Dee kept running around and being generally annoying so Shakes at his boiling point said "fuck it" and left Dee to wait by herself (remember this is the same guy that didn't give a damn about that kid in japan 💀☝️)

On his way to the stadium tho, he spots Skarra!!! Asking people around, looking for Dee!! He's missing the game to find his neice...who Shakes just abandoned...for the game...

He leads Skarra to Dee.

They have a nice reunion :) and figured at this point they can't make it to the game. No second-half surprise entrances this time!

This fic idea is basically my answer to what !should be! Shakes' biggest flaw and that is his unwillingness to compromise soccer for anything. Like in "beautiful gaming" as mentioned it gets to a point where it goes from admirably fighting for his dream to an unhealthy obsession that's a coverup for some deep-seated trauma and self-worth issues

The guy needs to get a life🙏

#hope this is mildly interesting #they're so interesting when you look into the subtext of it all #shakes analysis is underrated like I wanna study him under a microscope #anyways also enjoy the uncle and neice bonding🫶#supa strikas #supablr #supa strikas skarra #supa strikas shakes #supa strikas dee #supa strikas fanart #rant #long post #supa strikas headcanons #if u saw this post before no u didn't

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elminx · 13 hours ago

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Wow, so, just checking in with everybody because it seems like almost everyone I know is having a shitshow of a double retrograde experience right now.

Some really bad stuff. Stuff I wouldn't share because it's personal.

But I've also heard about sudden bills showing up, huge miscommunications, major delays, travel mishaps (I have a friend who needed to fly through London on Friday night, figures), and the like.

Someone's work got flooded, and they lost 20,000$ in materials.

(an art shop, how au propos for Venus retrograde, amiright?)

I wouldn't blame you if you're too in it to be able to get any clarity or relief with realizing it is happening everywhere, but it is happening everywhere.

This is the kind of astrological weather where I would rather expect things to go poorly than hope for the best.

For what that's worth anyway - you are probably right on time.

And that really sucks.

#astrology #transits #personal #sorta

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tartquez · 23 hours ago

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Time travel au ☁️ (part 13)

link to previous parts

Vale had declined the invitation from the younger Valentino to follow him and Marc back to Marc’s motorhome but not without first considering it for a few seconds. Eyes fixed on the lanky arm curled loosely around Marc’s middle while Marc stared at Vale with his lips pressed into a thin line.

Then he had watched them amble off, a Valentino sporting an unkempt mop of curls pinching Marc’s side with an unwarranted level of familiarity. The tense line of Marc’s hunched shoulders, eased ever so slightly. Valentino peeked over his shoulder and had the gall to wave.

If self preservation was behind his initial rejection, a glaring lack of it delivers Vale onto the doorstep of Marc’s motorhome a few hours later. Pecco had given him a strange look but nevertheless provided directions. Pressing his ear to the door, Vale can just about make out the sounds of conversation.

“Ah, so, what exactly are you doing here, Marc?”

“You’re the one who invited yourself inside, shouldn’t I be asking you that question?”

“You know what I mean, he wasn’t very happy to see me — both of us, it is natural that I am curious, no?”

“I am doing what I have always done,” Marc‘s eventual reply is a little muffled, “I am waiting.”

“How long have you been waiting?” asked with undisguised interested.

A lengthy pause, then, so soft that Vale almost misses it, “a long time.”

“And you’re going to keep… waiting for him?” Vale can picture his expression, features scrunched up in disbelief. He remembers that age, being asked to wait for any length of time was inconceivable. Time, after all, had already proven to be both malleable and unreliable.

“Yes.”

A pause, then Valentino remarks, “so, you must be fairly certain that everything works out in the end?”

“Hm, where’s my shirt?”

Laughter erupts. Vale cannot hear if his younger self offers to help locate it the shirt in question.

“You did not answer my question.”

They’re both laughing when Marc throws something, it makes a soft thudding noise, a pillow making contact with a body maybe, Vale suspects, “hand me my underwear.”

“I don’t think I will.”

More laughter.

“Fine, fine, here.”

Vale realises how it would look, if anyone were to stumble across him, shoving his ear up against the door of Marc’s motorhome, there would be no illusions about what he is doing. It would be a shitshow if anyone with a phone were to walk past, much less a reporter. Vale shuffles closer, peers at the window and curses under his breath, the curtains are drawn.

More muffled rustling noises emanate from the other side of the door.

“You look very good in red… better than I might...”

Vale’s fingers are squeezed around the door handle, his knuckles are white. He strains his ears to make out Marc’s answer.

“Stop fishing,” Marc snorts.

“Ah, was worth a try,” his younger self says without any heat, a beat, “hey, if I fuck you again will you tell me how many championships I’ll win?”

Marc barks a laugh, “for only one round? Maybe I’ll tell you what age you start going grey.”

The younger Valentino hums consideringly, “how about if I make you come three times, what would that get me?” On the other side of the door, Vale’s fingers are starting to go numb with how tightly he is gripping the door handle.

Marc laughs, loud enough that Vale wouldn’t even need to press his ear to the door to hear it.

“Three times in a row? Fuck, I forgot what it was like being that young again,” Marc sounds bemused. Vale can see it in his head, Marc with his hair mussed and cheeks pink — that blush that extended down from his neck to his chest. Vale wonders if Marc still his most pliant and forthcoming in the hours right after being fucked.

A loud thump followed by a breathless laugh disrupts his train of thought.

“Three times,” a voice confirms, smug, Vale has not heard that voice in years, “allora, you strike a hard bargain, I suppose I could make you come four times if you insist, but that is my final offer.”

Marc’s laugh morphs into a pleased sigh. Before he realises it, Vale is rapping his knuckles against the door.

The laughter on the other side immediately dies.

The silence drags on and Vale rolls his eyes. “I know you’re in there,” he snaps, cuts to the chase, “open the fucking door or I will cause a scene,” it’s a bluff but he’s banking on Marc’s wariness towards him meaning Marc will to err on the side of caution.

The door opens a crack. Marc stares at him warily, nothing in his expression matches the easy laughter from a few moments ago. There is a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, it does not hide a bite mark at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Vale drums his fingers impatiently against his thigh.

The door swings open a fraction more and Vale wasn’t planning on waiting for a formal invitation, takes the opportunity as it is presented and slips past. Marc looks around quickly before shutting the door.

“What do you want?” Marc crosses his arms.

Valentino — his younger self, stares back at him. Bony, tanned shoulders, relaxed and loose, hair disheveled. Multiple small red scratches pepper his chest, he rubs one of them absentmindedly, smiling serenely. Vale’s answering smile is tight.

His gaze remains fixed on the younger Valentino when he replies, “I wanted to talk.”

“Right,” Marc eventually says. He brushes past Vale, doesn’t look at Vale once, and perches on the edge of the bed. There’s something deliberate in the way that no part of his body touches Valentino's, scant but pointed inches of wrinkled bed sheets between them. Valentino does not seem to have gotten this memo, he climbs over the sea of blankets, a tangle of long golden limbs, and slings an arm around Marc’s waist.

Marc doesn’t so much as blink, meets Vale’s gaze instead, expectant. There’s a tiny furrow between his brows, it was there when he first opened the door and hasn’t budged since.

Meanwhile, Valentino’s eyes dart between Vale and Marc, eyes bright, assessing. Then, holding Vale’s gaze, he hooks a thumb inside the waistband of Marc’s briefs. Vale doesn’t know what his reaction looks like but all Valentino does is blink innocently.

“Noise complaint, officer?” he asks lightly, worrying the elastic of Marc's waistband between his thumb and forefinger. Marc pushes his hand away errantly but Valentino’s arm remains wound around his waist, hand migrating to Marc’s upper thigh instead.

Vale snorts.

Valentino ignores him. He noses along Marc’s neck, lips ghosting Marc’s ear, “we could keep it down next time, don't you think?” a flash of white teeth against Marc’s pink ear lobe, “but anything after that is anyone’s bet if you ask me.”

Vale breathes in and out, his tongue runs along the ridges of his teeth. His hand twitches by his side, he doesn’t know what it is that he wants to do most right now, what could possibly make this entire experience a fraction less excruciating.

Marc shifts uncomfortably and jostles the blanket around his shoulders, it slides down his chest and Vale’s eyes zero in on a bite mark, a row of teeth, imprinted neatly around his nipple. Vale smiles, too wide, too many teeth. His breathing comes heavier, the tip of his tongue traces the shape of his canine as he eyes Marc’s dusky nipple pebbling in the cold air-conditioned room.

Marc looks wary, rosy-cheeked but wary. Valentino, by contrast, perks up. The unruly mass of curls bounce as he looks between them, “should I give you two some privacy?” he suggests flippantly. He pretends to stretch, yawns too for good measure.

Vale rolls his eyes, “no, it’s fine —“

“Yes,” Marc doesn’t so much as blink.

Vale frowns.

Valentino retracts his hand from Marc’s thigh like he’s been burnt. “What? I mean, should I,” he suddenly looks his age again, unsure, young. Regret coils in his gut at how he has been acting, it passes.

Valentino scratches the back of his neck nervously, “should I wait outside?”

It’s Vale’s turn to smile serenely, he jerks his head, “the bathroom is to your left.”

Valentino tosses him a dark look and turns to Marc, imploring, but Marc’s eyes remain trained on Vale’s face.

“Fine,” Valentino huffs loudly and rises from the bed. Vale catches a glimpse of a pert golden bottom before his younger self is scurrying off — though not without first ducking down to press one last lingering kiss to Marc’s neck. He murmurs something Vale doesn’t catch.

Marc shakes his head, features momentarily softening before, he twists around, probably to admonish Valentino and the fucker — the fucker, seeing his opportunity, steals a filthy kiss. He’s still cackling, humming to himself as well — humming, when the bathroom door shuts with a resolute click.

Vale clears his throat, the little fucker can probably still hear them from the bathroom, Vale doesn’t care.

“So how much do you really know?” They’d discussed it — before, how Marc had already met Valentino, but Marc had always dodged that question. Today Vale isn’t leaving without an answer.

Marc picks at a loose thread on his underwear before exhaling. When he looks up at Vale, he’s plainly exhausted. He studies Vale’s face wearily, Vale can practically see him trying to decide how much he is going to regret answering honestly. Vale digs his fingers into his legs, he’s not going to let Marc make him the bad guy for wanting the truth.

In the end, it’s Marc who relents.

“I was five years old when I first met you,” a small smile, “after that you would drop out of the sky every once in a while. Always a different age, never in any order or following any schedule.”

Marc’s lips twist, he blinks and then the wariness is gone, the fragile smile too, he straightens his back, “I’ve met you when you had pimples and a shaved head but also with grey hair and wrinkles” Marc juts his chin out like he won’t let Vale make him the bad guy either, for keeping that information close to his chest for so long.

Vale shakes his head, he’d always suspected but without Marc’s explicit confirmation, that’s all it ever was, suspicions.

“For the longest time, I thought I was having… strange dreams, elaborate ones.” He’d tried explaining it to his mother once, about flashes of a man with brown smiling eyes in a big house and expensive looking jumper pouring him a glass of water. By the time he’d realised the man from his dreams was real it was too late and there was a tenacious little fucker snapping at his heels and beaming at him from across the paddock. Much too late by then. Dots were always easier to connect when when you were looking backwards instead of forward.

Marc is still staring at him. “That was me,” he confirms.

Will be him too, future tense, but Vale doesn’t tell him this.

“Yes.”

Vale tries to do the math and feels a headache coming on, “how many times over your entire life — how many times did you meet,” he grimaces, “me.” He expects Marc to have kept count in some fashion.

Marc studies him carefully before replying, “over a hundred, I didn’t start keeping count until I was older.”

Jesus Christ. That headache finally makes its presence known, Vale scrubs his face, “that’s not — you shouldn’t have to wait,” god, decades, “for someone just because you think this is already decided, that’s not fair to you, Marc, or me, none of this is fair.” Marc needs to understand this.

“Sure,” Marc brushes it off, “but you don’t get to decide what I do with my life.” Vale feels like shaking him, doesn’t he see, that’s exactly what Vale has done, even if none of it was planned. That’s the whole point.

Vale sinks down on the bed beside Marc, head dropping into his hands. He can feel Marc’s gaze on the side of his face.

Apropos of nothing, “that Vale, the one currently hiding in my bathroom,” Vale can hear the slight smile in his voice, “he appeared this morning, where you're sitting right now, it was all more of the same really. Sometimes you do that, fall out of the sky. Sometimes you don’t know me, but you’re still happy to see me.”

Vale glances sideways at him.

“That Vale, he was meant to be hiding in here until you caught him trying to convince Luca to buy him a pack of cigarettes,” Marc’s lips twitch, he looks tired again, moves to nudge Vale but catches himself at the last moment, freezes and hunches his shoulders, “anyway — he was asking about you and me and well, that’s more of the same as well, sometimes I look at him, all these versions of you, younger ones especially, and wonder if we would have been friends,” he absently rubs his arm, “how different the last few years might have been.”

They’ll probably never know, time is malleable and unreliable but it’s not without boundaries.

Vale keeps eying the bathroom door but Marc does not spare it a single glance. He flicks some lint off the corner of his blanket, leans in towards Vale again, might be doing it unconsciously, the same way he unconsciously curves his right arm towards himself protectively, same but different.

“And he was asking all these questions,” Marc continues, “you were very daring, I had forgotten, asking all about my Vale and whether Sete ever gets that stick out of his ass—“

Vale massages the bridge of his nose, “he’s your Vale as much as I am,” he feels the need to correct Marc.

“No,” Marc shakes his head and fixes Vale with a hard look. It startles Vale, all the good humour that had slowly crept back into Marc features has all at once disappeared. “No, they are not,” Marc states.

Vale could imagine, in another time, having this conversation and reaching out to cup Marc’s cheek in gentle admonishment, or maybe they’d be discussing this with their legs tangled together and sweat cooling on their skin. Vale leans back, palms flat against the mattress, his back hurts. It’d be quicker to count the parts of his body that don’t hurt these days. Time, malleable but unreliable — and cruel, always so goddamn cruel.

“Marc,” his electricity chases up his spine, he’d underestimated it, the frisson from just saying his name out loud after all this time, “all of them — every version, we are the same by definition.”

Marc shakes his head again, calmly, “he’s just passing through,” he says quietly, “you are the one who stays,” stubborn, “you’re mine.”

Vale arches a brow at the irony. He can count on one hand how many times he’s been in the same room as Marc in the last five years.

Sensing the direction of his thoughts, Marc sits up, the blanket slides off his shoulder. The blush has started receding from his chest but he is still deliciously flushed, skin damp. Vale lets his gaze rove over the creamy expanse of skin without bothering to hide it. It’s curious, the ghost of familiarity despite the obvious differences from the last time Vale saw him undressed. That Marc was not as lean and weathered as this Marc, was still soft to the touch in a way that, even just looking at him now, Vale knows this Marc isn’t. He snorts softly, this Marc, that Marc. Maybe the man has a point. There probably is a distinction. His Marc.

He allows a single rueful smile.

“You are mine,” Marc reiterates, with surprising force. “They’re all visitors, I love them, of course,” because they are you, Vale tries not to hear, “but this isn't their home.”

Vale doesn’t know what to say. He used to get this urge sometimes, to slap a hand over Marc’s mouth, to warn him not to say so much. Because honesty was a privilege that not everyone deserved and Marc never understood this.

“Allora, I think it’s time we let your houseguest out of jail,” Vale suggests softly and rises to his feet, knees creaking ominously. He doesn’t turn to see what Marc’s face looks like.

Three long strides and he reaches the little bathroom, he knocks twice, “detention is over.” No reply. He tries the handle and realises Valentino did not lock the door from the inside, how thoughtful. “I am opening the door, this is the only warning you will get if your pants are around your ankles,” it’s not like it’s anything he hasn’t seen before.

He pulls open the door, unsure of what to expect on the other side.

There is no sound from the bed, Marc asks no question and offers no commentary.

Vale blinks and then swallows, his fingers dig into the edge of the door. Marc still has not said anything but Vale does not doubt that he is still there, waiting patiently amidst the sea of rumpled sheets.

No one says anything for a long time.

Vale finally glances over his shoulder, Marc’s expression is unreadable. Even without asking Vale is certain, Marc already knows.

Vale clears his throat, “he’s gone.” He steps aside, leaves the door open so Marc can see the empty bathroom for himself, not that Marc is surprised.

“Yeah.”

Vale opens his mouth, Marc looks so tired. Some three decades of waiting, Vale would be tired too. Vale is tired too. Marc is not the only one with a bone or two to pick with time, how everything has played out, he doesn't have a monopoly on that.

Marc exhales slowly before turning and sliding back under the covers. Vale watches as he curls up on his side, cradles his arm to his chest. Vale watches him for another few minutes and then silently lets himself out.

#time travel au #a DOOZY to write but worth it in the end #the most enormous thank you to beca for consistently being my sounding board for so much of this au 🥹💞

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silenthillmutual · 3 days ago

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i think my biggest critiques of quarantine so far are the new travel system and that apathy builds way too fast.

adressing the latter, it makes sense to a degree. daniil is stuck in a situation where things look hopeless and bleak, and it makes sense for a demo especially to put us in a "typical" day for him. and frankly, it's common for people with bipolar ii to struggle more with depression than mania, so i could even argue realism there. however, as a player, having to take medication every three steps is not going to make compelling gameplay. the mental metabolism scale favors apathy to a point where i was constantly aware of what the scale was doing, so i wouldn't go into that fail state. and again - on the one hand i do think this is an interesting statement i'd argue is quite accurate to the experience of mental illness (it's difficult to concentrate on anything else when you're having an episode) but that doesn't mean it will translate well to a good play experience.

[although for people arguing it won't be 'fun' - when has pathologic ever been about having 'fun'?]

for the former: i can absolutely see the argument that it fits with daniil's character to simply not care about the town enough to explore it. i personally love exploring gameplay environments, especially in horror games, but i also wonder if this means fewer sidequests (if so - booooo!). i also think it's a little silly that if daniil doesnt care about the town to explore it, why do we have to manually walk our way through infected and burned districts? to collect amalgam from those dying of the plague? but then wouldn't it put more pressure on the player to have to walk through "normal" districts - especially when not everyone there will be happy to see you either? i'd love to see daniil wandering through the town, getting lost (the true classic bachelor experience) and wandering until the capital and the town melt together in his mind. a personal hell he can never leave. idk, to me, this change feels the most like they're trying to appeal to new players by cutting down on the amount of walking you do.

anyway. i see a fair bit of They Changed It Now It Sucks from people, despite devs saying for years now that each route would have different gameplay styles. i'm sympathetic to the devs more than fans on this point. yes, i would've played patho 3 if it was the same gameplay-wise as patho 2, but thats not the philosophy of ipl as a studio and it never has been.

uhhh final note i guess is that i agree quarantine isn't particularly subtle, but i've been subjected to five years worth of bad takes about daniil dankovsky so perhaps they felt it was necessary.

#patho 3 quarantine spoilers #icarus.txt

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gardezamour · 2 days ago

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au were silco finds out vi is still alive. much earlier than in canon. and then having vulnerable feelings ensue) sorry silco. :(

here’s a teeny dabble on it while i think about how to go about it:

Silco didn’t make it a habit to travel Topside. He preferred the damp shadows of Zaun. And besides, a step in Piltover meant an immediate risk to his entire means. Which had been proven easily enough when he’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Although he covered his bases, and he wasn’t dense, incidents occurred. In addition to the fact that he was unfortunately, still very human, and the bridge of the nation’s boarder made his head swim and his eye ache terribly. He’d ignore the pang of hurt that continued to hit him in the chest until the day he died. Possibly even longer.

Stillwater was probably the closest thing a convicted Piltie would get to living in Zaun. Enforcers at every corner, barely enough food, and enough back-talk to fill the Pilt River. It made him miss work in the mines. Where the labor was absolute shit, but the people kept you coming back. He’d leave with enough pain in his body to knock out an elephant, but with Vander’s arm keeping him warm and Felica’s sass reminding him to laugh. Back when it had all been worth it, without a doubt. Blisters and bedrock.

It was no matter to him either way now, Marcus would correct his people’s error. If he knew what was good for him and his naive child. Silco knew himself, and his people knew him almost good enough. There was a tight deadline ticking away the second the puny rookie with black hair had strapped his wrists. In the mean time, Stillwater was tolerable. Besides the florescent lights that burned his damaged eye.

A flash of magenta made him halt in front of the guard behind him. His shackles clanged as he took a step back.

She almost looked like her mother. Almost. Jinx was a closer resemblance. Violet held a wrath that seemed to seep from her bones, her eyes hardened with so much determination and attentiveness that it made him weary.

What truly made him stumble, was the way she held herself. The slightest slouch, making herself look smaller than she was. Her fists were wrapped by stained scraps of white fabric. They were clenched, making the linen taut around her swollen knuckles. And, by the way a few of the men around her slithered away, she had earned a level of rightful hierarchy inside.

Worst of all, Silco snapped his jaw shut, was the fact that she was so much like him. Like Vander. He didn’t need to venture towards her to know. He knew it by the way she stewed by herself while everyone else gathered in pairs and groups. How her lips twisted upon noticing him. Even the flicker of hope that crossed like a bullet.

A hopelessly lonely soul. Two peas in a pod.

Vander had been alone, before any one of their group had drawn together. He had been alone, and he had stewed. He lived by his brute strength and bravery, and Vi was following all the same footsteps. Like a child in thick snowbanks.

He almost pitied her. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit that it was more of a mourning. Of what their lives could have consisted of. If everything hadn’t gone sideways.

The moment was broken when a rounded baton poked him sharply in his spine, “Move.” He glowered. But, he did adhere to the rookie’s insolence. Vi was spinning her food tray around in circles on the table, eyes dark with murderous intent.

The blue of her eyes made him miss Connol, who had always managed to keep their chaos barred. Unfortunately, Vi didn’t seem to even vaguely carry such a patience from her biological father.

She really was Vander’s girl. Fitting.

He felt eyes on the back of head even after he was locked away behind four stone walls and an iron door. She had stuck to him like an oil residue, and he felt dreadful at the realization.

He reflected on the discovery of her life. Knowing he wouldn’t allow himself once his current mess was in the process of being cleaned up, there would be too much to be done after such a discovery. With Violet alive, there were bridges left unburned. And he would have to figure a way to either bury the hatchet, or find a match to strike.

If he could handle disposing of the one person he’d loved and trusted the most, he could deal with just another byproduct. He stared at one of the little glints of light through the cracks of the door.

But, as he was all by his lonesome in a frigid box, his mind wandered to Vander. And, against his will, he mourned some more.

#silco #vi #vander #angst #arcane dabble #aracne #zaundads #vanco #paige’s personal plot portfolio #arcane silco #vi arcane #vander arcane

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buckybarnesisdaddy · 2 days ago

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Leave Her Wild pt 1

Summary: Busy morning and first day at the Ranch

Pairings: None official so far! Bucky x Reader, Ari X Reader, original female characters with Sam and Tony.

Warnings: language, drinking, talks of sex, inappropriate acts with guests, talks of being left at the alter & being abandoned, talks of forgetting to eat, overbearing best friend who means well. Probably missed some.

Word count: not gonna say cause then some of you won’t read it. 🤭 It’s long enough!

Dividers by: @firefly-graphics

Masterlist

“You’re just not who I fell in love with. You have no fire, no thoughts of your own. So this wedding is off, I will give you a week to move out of the penthouse. Feel free to take everything I bought you, I know you’ll need the money.” With an icy cold kiss on your forehead he leaves. Your chest feels tight and you can’t catch a breath. Your eyes fill with tears and everything goes black.

The bumping of the uber jolts you awake, the same nightmare as the past 4 months, the stress of the travel must have weighed on you enough to let that slip through… again. You sit up and look around, all your friends are passed out as well, the red eye really did you all dirty but it will be worth it when you see that first Montana Sunrise. It’s slowly peaking over the mountains and painting the sky in bright hues of pink and orange. The uber turns down a long dirt road and brings the ranch into view. It really is stunning, just like the pictures showed. Horses are running over the rolling fields on one side and cattle are grazing in the other. You see two men on horse back that seem to be herding the horses in one direction. The way they move and ride, well let’s just say they look really good. The main house is incredible, with all of the stone work and exposed wood. It’s settled right at the base of the mountain and there is a massive stable and barn next to it. When you were first looking up Dude Ranches you never thought you’d find one like this. The driver stops and turns to you, “We are here Miss. are you going to wake your friends?” You lightly laugh and turn around to shake them awake.

“Hey, wake up. We’re here!” You say before climbing out of the car. Your best friend Natasha wakes up first. She stretches and looks around before shoving your friend Peter off her shoulder.

“Wake up, Pete.” She says not so softly as she climbs over him to open the door and tumble out.

“Ouch! You could have waited!!” Peter shouts as he is stepped all over. Lizzy who was on the other side of the car shoots awake at the yelling.

“Where are we?!” She gasps and then calms down when she sees you. “Oh,” she sighs. “We are finally here?” You hear her climb out and walk towards you.

“Yup,” You take a deep breath and smiles. “And just in time for the sunrise.” You watch as it finally breaks over the mountains, it’s so beautiful you feel tears start to well up. You have to wipe them away before anyone notices. “Okay, you three hang tight, I’m gonna go get us checked in. Amelia, Sam, Tony, and Ransom should be pulling up any minute so keep an eye out!” You shout over your shoulder as you walk to the front door. You knock seeing as it looks to be someone’s actual house but the door is pushed open by your knock and you hear people talking inside, so you slowly walk in to see if you can find the owner.

“For fuck’s sake, Rogers! Barnes! Hurry up and eat, Bazen left the fucking gate open again and all the horses are loose in the east field. Need you two to round ‘em up.” Ari bellows as he stomps down the stairs. Steve nods from where he sits at the bar in the Kitchen. Bucky laughs to himself as he takes the last bite of his breakfast.

“I don’t know why you don’t just fire him, Ari.” Bucky laughs as he squares away his dirty dishes. Steve agrees and goes to grab his jacket from the mud room.

“Because his rich and powerful father wants him here, so he’s here.” Ari sighs, “and you like having a job and a free place to stay, don’t you?” Bucky stays silent, “that’s what I thought, go. We need those horses stabled and resting.” Bucky and Steve head out and Ari calls his thanks over his shoulder as they leave. “Mickey!” Ari yells as he sees the man slouched and laying on the couch, he shoot up at the sound of his name though. “Get up, you need to help Kemp and Jefferson get the guest rooms ready.” Mickey groans and sits up.

“Those freaks? No way, I’d rather help Turner and Jensen shovel the stalls.” Ari sighs and sets his hands on his hips as he looks to the ceiling.

“Then by all means, go do that! Go do something to get this place in order before our guests arrive!” He yells as Mickey jumps to get to work. “And if you see Storm and Collin tell them I need to see ‘em in my office.” Mickey waves over his shoulder as he heads out the back door. Ari grabs his coffee and heads to his office on the first floor of the house, the sun isn’t even up yet and he’s already on his second cup when Johnny and Collin come walking into the room.

“Sup, boss?” Johnny says as he jumps over the back of the arm chair and plops down in it, propping his feet up on Ari’s desk. Ari rolls his eyes and smacks his feet off and then glares at Collin to stop laughing and sit.

“What’s ‘sup’ is, we have a new group coming in today, there is 7 of them so I need you two to move out to the spare bunk room in the barn. We just fixed the heat so it should be good.”

Johnny groans and Collin shakes his head.

“We have to share with Kemp and Jefferson?!” Collin exclaims.

“I’d rather sleep in a tent.” Johnny says flatly. Ari stands up and grabs his empty coffee cup.

“I don’t care where you chose to lay your pretty little head, Johnny,” Johnny looks at Collin and pretends to swoon.

“You hear that? He called me pretty!” Collin laughs and Johnny gives Ari a shit eating grin.

Ari set his mug down, rests his hands on his desk and leans forward.

“Get your shit out of the bedrooms upstairs, now. And then go back and clean them up, they need to be spotless by 7am.” He then stands up straight and leaves his own office and the two grumpy men.

7am rolls around and all the men are gathered in the living room for their morning meeting. “Alright, everyone shut up! We have a lot to cover this morning.” Ari yells over them all and they finally shut up. “Rogers and Barnes are off this morning due to having to clean up Baizen’s mess of the gate last night.”

“I said I was sorry! I was running late for a date.” He smirks and the other guys wolf whistle. Ari pretends to laugh.

“And because of that you’ll need to cancel whatever date you have scheduled for tonight, you’ll have the first watch in the barn.” Carter curses under his breath and Ari just smile. “Kemp, we have a group of 7 checking in today and they will be here for,” he double checks his clipboard and whistles, “shit I forgot this is the extended stay group. They are here till June. So get ready to be on Kitchen duty for the foreseeable future- and for the love of God, STOP with the cannibalism joke!! No one thinks they are funny and in fact we’ve had guest call the police on you because they are actually scared we are feeding them humans, so just stop it or you’re fired.” Kemp rolls his eyes.

“People just can’t take jokes anymore.” He shakes his head and Collin scoffs.

“Dude! You told a lady she was ‘good enough to eat’ and then pretended to bite her! You’re lucky Andy talked her down and swooned her out of pressing charges!” He yells and the other guys back him up. Kemp just shrugs.

“To each their own, but fine I’ll stop.” He raises his hands and Ari thanks him.

“Jefferson? Laundry.” He says shortly and Jefferson just nods. “Mickey and Jensen you are on Milk cows, honey collection, and harvesting duty today. Cole you’re off till this afternoon and you’ll help Rogers and Barnes with getting the cattle moved to the lower field.”

“You got it boss.” Cole says agreeably.

“Okay that just leaves, Johnny, Collin, and Carter, You three are on dog training today. They have their test next week and they need to pass so we can get them sold to the interested Ranches.” Johnny raises his hand and smiles, so Ari knows his question is gonna piss him off.

“What?” He asks, already regretting it.

“So who is this new group and who is showing them around today?” He crosse his arms and then tilts his head as he asks, “And what are you and Andy gonna be doing, boss??” Heavy footsteps are heard coming into the room as if on cue.

“I’m gonna do whatever I damn well please cause this place is half mine and your sorry ass works for me.” Andy smiles. “And if I were you, I’d remember my place more often.” He grabs a mug and pours himself a cup of coffee. Ari laughs and agrees.

“What he said!” Ari gives Johnny that shit eating smile back and Johnny rolls his eyes. “But about our guests, 4 males and 4 females, They should be here soon. They all seem very nice and shouldn’t be too much trouble. But seeing as it is mostly women that make up the group, those of you who are on probation when interacting with guests alone,” he looks at Johnny, Collin, Kemp, and Jefferson, “should remember that probation is the last straw, step out of line again and you’re gone.

“Can we not call it that?” Kemp asks, “cause it sounds like we’ve tried to get rapey with them or something and we haven’t.”

“No you’ve just joke about eating them,” Carter snaps back and gives a ‘wtf’ look to the sky and anyone who was watching him, it earns a few laughs. “And not eating them in the good way.” He teases and Johnny reaches back and they high-five. Kemp flicks his ear and he turns and punches his leg.

“Enough!” Andy shouts. “As the lawyer in the room I feel I should say that even joking like that can still catch you a case, hence the probation.” Ari sighs, this is not how he likes to start his mornings.

“Look, we know you haven’t done anything wrong, you just get weird with the guests.” He gives a sorrowful look to Jefferson who shrugs. “Or you have inappropriate relationships with them while they are here.” He looks at Johnny and Collin.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Collin says nonchalantly and Andy laughs loudly.

“Yeah, your naked ass and some lady pressed up against the side of our barn on our security tapes beg to differ.” Ari points at Andy, confirming the words he took right out of Ari’s mouth.

“Anyway, remember to keep any sexual relation with guests to a minimum, preferably none at all!” A knock on the door interrupts him and then the sound of boots walking on the hardwood make all their heads turn.

“Oh!” You gasp, the amount of handsome men staring back at you makes you blush and you feel a little flustered for a moment. But you catch a breath and just smile as you talk. “I’m so sorry, I knocked and the door opened. Umm I’ll just go wait outside.” You turn to leave and someone calls after you.

“No, come on in!” The guy with a clipboard, hair to be jealous of, and a beard that looks like it would feel so soft to touch, walks closer and extends his hand. “Hi I’m Ari, part owner and this here is Andy the other owner. You must be-” you say your name, knowing he had probably forgotten it since you booked. “Well it is nice to meet you in person, welcome to Mountain Valley Retreat.” His smile is sweet and his hand shake is firm. “Is the rest of your party here?” He asks, looking over your shoulder.

“Oh, yes they are all waiting by the cars.” You explain.

“Well how about you go get them and we can show you to your rooms.” Ari offers. “Then once you all are settled we can give you a little tour.” You agree and turn to head back out to the car to grab your friends and your stuff. But before you do the front door swings open and in steps two men, both dressed in big jackets, jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat to match. The first guy lifts his off and his blonde hair shines in the morning sun. He is handsome, boy next door handsome. The second man shakes off his jacket and hangs it on the rack next to the door and places his hat over it. He turns and meets your gaze, his blue eyes pierce your soul and his brown hair a little longer but not long enough to tie back. He is just as handsome as the first and you are speechless. They are both solid, strong men who have clearly worked day in and day out on a farm.

“Howdy ma’am,” the second man says with a polite nod of his head and a simple smile. The first man finally notices you.

“Oh!” He looks past you to Ari, “you must be our new guest!” He brushes his hand off on his pants. “Nice to meet you, I’m Steve!” You shake his hand and introduce yourself. “This here is-“

“James, but everyone calls me Bucky.” He offers his hand and you shake it, wishing your voice would work to say more than ‘hi’. Ari steps up behind you.

“These two are our best cowboys! Steve rogers and Bucky Barnes. They are gonna be the ones teaching you and your friends about horse riding and the works. But first we need to get you all settled, go ahead out and I’ll send some guys to help with your luggage.” You nod and head out the front door, passing a look to Steve and then Bucky before fully turning around and leaving. It’s quiet for a moment when there is a wolf whistle, Bucky, Steve, and Ari turn around and look at a smirking Johnny.

“So what was that about keeping the sexual relations to a minimum or we will be on probation?? Cause that right there is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s soft and sweet, and mmhmm. Yes!” He teases and shoots a look to Bucky and Ari. Who have both turned back to watch you in the front drive. “And it looks like Barnes along with you, boss are gonna be on the Probation squad soon!” Johnny continues to tease, Bucky doesn’t say a word, just plops his hat back on his head and heads out to your car. Steve sighs and gives Johnny the middle finger before following Bucky. Ari clears his throat and shakes his head and turns to Johnny.

“Shut the hell up and get to work.” He grumbles, Andy walks up to him and pats his shoulder.

“You may have to rethink the probation and firing or you’ll have no one left by May.” Andy lightly laughs and then squeezes his shoulders, “let loose and maybe you’ll find your new pet,” he winks before heading to his office.

You head back to the uber, Natasha notices your flushed face. “Girl you okay?” She asks as she laughs. You shake your head and smile, moving in close you whisper.

“Hot men- and I mean H.O.T men filled that room in there,” you laugh and rub your forehead. “We aren’t going to last the summer.” Natasha smirks and looks over your shoulder.

“Oh well I think one of them is coming over here now.” She teases you. Your eyes widen and you try not to smile.

“Big Blonde, Big Brunette, or Big Hippie?” You ask and she bites her lip.

“Does it matter?” She asks as she looks him up and down, you can hear his boots getting closer and closer.

“Natasha?!” You exclaim

“Big Brunette, really big. Mmhmm” she teases. “Wow I’d like to ride that.” She mumbles and you laugh and give her a shove.

“Get in line.” You quip and turn around right as he arrives. “Oh, Bucky! Hi! This is Natasha.” He spares her a glance and nods his head politely.

“Ma’am,” he says and then looks back to you. “Can I help with any of the bags?” You look behind you and blush, suddenly very self conscious of how many bags you brought.

“Oh umm sure,” you say and he scoots between you and Natasha. He scoops up four different suitcases. Two under each arm and two in his hands. He turns and nods over his shoulder.

“Go ahead and grab your personal bags and follow me.” He smiles, “I’ll show you to your rooms.” He turns and walks towards the house. Natasha leans in and teases.

“Giddy up girl.” She smacks your ass and You laugh. You grab your book bag and purse and follow after Bucky. Steve and another man pass by you two to help grab the other bags. The other man is cute, he has glasses and spiky blonde hair. He looks at you and keeps looking as you keep walking. You giggle and wave before turning back to Bucky. Another man about runs into Bucky as he is walking through the door. He is tall and cute, seems a little clumsy. Steve calls him over.

“Cole! Over here,” Steve waves from the trunk. “Got a few more bags from this car.” He shuffles down the stairs and goes to help Steve. Bucky sets the bags down in the foyer as he talks to Ari.

“The rooms aren’t ready yet,” Ari sighs. “That’s what I get for telling Johnny and Collin to clean up after themselves.” He looks at you and then smiles. “So we are finishing up with the rooms and we will get you all settled soon! How about you set your stuff here and we will do the tour. And hopefully after the rooms will be ready and we will get you moved up there. Sound good?” He asks.

“Oh of course!” You lightly laugh, “I promise Mr. Levinson we are a very chill group. None of this is a problem, I promise!” You assure him. He laughs and looks down at his feet as he blushes.

“Well thank you, and you can just call me Ari.” He says and fidgets with his clipboard.

“Okay, Ari.” You answer sweetly. You glance from Bucky to Ari and then shuffle where you stand. Amelia, Lizzy, and Natasha save the day by walking in, giggling and talking in hushed voices. “Oh these are my friends Amelia,”

“Hi,” she bats her eyelashes at them both. Amelia is a tall brunette with sun-kissed skin that you dream of. She is a reformed party girl who has too many stories about you from college. You laugh.

“Lizzy,” she giggles and cover her mouth as she gives a little wave. Lizzy is a short blonde who was a cheerleader in college and would have married her college boyfriend had he actually ever proposed. You shake your head. “And Natasha,”

“Well hello,” she smirks and leans against you. Natasha is a beautiful redhead with striking green eyes. She’s is the epitome of ‘looks like she could kill you, would kill you.’ She’s also been your best friend since childhood. You blush and wished your friends weren’t horn dogs.

“Anyway, these are my friends and hopefully they won’t be too much trouble this summer.” You laugh and give Natasha a nudge and she just laughs. Ari smirks and looks at each of them.

“Well it’s very nice to meet you all. There were men with your group too, right?” He asks checking his clipboard. Bucky looks at you and you see a little smile in his eyes. Natasha speaks for you.

“Yup! They are getting all their stuff out of the car and dragging it in.” She smirks at you, “and they are just friends, no attachments to the two of us.” She puts her arm around you and you blush, completely mortified. “Only those two are in a relationships,” she points to Lizzy and Amelia, “we are free as birds.” She bites her lip as she looks back behind her to where Steve is lifting two suitcases clear over his head. Ari laughs and you can see the blush spread across his cheeks, Bucky looks you up and down and tries to hide the smile that breaks across his face.

“So about that tour?” You quickly change the subject. Ari clears his throat and tries to get a control on his flushed face. There is a loud commotion behind you on the stairs on the house. Tony, Peter, Sam, and Ransom are all trying to haul their luggage up by themselves, Steve, Cole, and the guy with glasses that you didn’t catch his name yet are stuck behind them. Steve doesn’t look to be breaking a sweat, Cole and the other guy look like they could use a rest for a moment. It makes you giggle. Bucky sighs and walks past you,

“Excuse me, ma’am.” He whispers as he passes, you slide to the side and watch as he walks straight up to Ransom, Peter, and Tony, grabs their bags from them, and throws them over his shoulders as he brings them inside. Tony scoffs and just follows, Peter looks embarrassed, Ransom calls out a thanks and then falls in line. You turn to face Ari again and you feel an arm drape over your shoulders, you know who it is without looking.

“So, when does the party start!” Ransom asks and squeezes your shoulder. “Speaking for everyone I think we could use some drinks.” He laughs and Tony agrees. Ari looks at Bucky and then over your shoulder to Steve, he nods and they both understand what he’s saying without even uttering a word.

“Actually we don’t party till tonight,” Ari explains. “We have to work before we can just slack off and lucky for you fellas you got here at the start of the day!” You sneak a look at Bucky, his smile has a hint of a mischievous nature, he winks and then gets real serious.

“So if you men will follow me,” Bucky turns and walks out the front door, “we need to get you dressed and in the field.” He walks down the steps and then turns back when he realizes no one if following him. “We are burning daylight!” He hollers, “you wanna eat and party, well you gotta work for your food. Let’s go!” Something about the authoritative voice and serious expression makes the men jump to follow. “Rogers bring up the rear!” Bucky heads to the barn and the four guys follow behind. Peter looks back at you and you gently smile and wave.

“Okay ladies,” Ari pulls your attention back to him, he smiles. “How about some mimosas?”

The thick wrangler jeans land on the ground in front of Ransom and he stares down at them in disgust. A t-shirt and button up carhart shirt is tossed at him and hits him square in the chest. “You’re insane if you think I’m wearing this,” he says sharply. Bucky shrugs and continues to toss the clothes to the others. Sam and Peter are already changing and Tony is begrudgingly picking the clothes up as they are throw his way.

“Suit yourself, but those loafers and kakis won’t do you any good as you help shovel horse shit.” Bucky explains. “And no, we won’t send them out for dry cleaning if they get messed up.”

He laughs as he looks Ransom up and down and then turns away. Tony picks up the clothes and shoves them in his arms.

“Get dressed and stop pouting, it’s giving you early wrinkles.” Tony teases and Ransom grumbles as he changes. Sam and Peter are already dressed and messing around, shoving each other and tipping their hats and stuff. “This is gonna be a long 4 months.” Tony mumbles and sits his hat on his head before walking to join the others. Steve passes by Ransom.

“You’re burning daylight, get changed.” He leaves Ransom alone in the back room of the barn.

Natasha won’t stop smirking as she sips her mimosa. She glances at Ari and then back at you. “So Ari? Any woman working on this Ranch?” Ari turns around and looks between Natasha and you.

“Oh, umm no.” He fidgets. “An all male staff, I hope that’s alright.” He says, glancing your way and then back to her. The smirk she gives him makes your stomach drop because you know she’s up to something.

“Oh Ari, that’s perfect.” She finishes her glass and then stands up. “So this tour-” She asks but is interrupted by someone walking out of the office off the living room.

“Ari, we need to talk when you have a minute,” he is staring down at some papers in hand. He finally glances up and sees the 4 women sitting in front of him. “Oh! These must be the rest of our guests!” He smiles and crosses the room, “I’ve met one of you already,” he smiles at you, “but I haven’t had the pleasure with the rest. I’m Andy, Ari’s business partner.” He smiles sweetly, Natasha narrows her gaze and looks between the two men before walking to stand in front of Andy.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re a great team,” she says as she looks him up and down. Andy smirks and then lightly laughs as he looks down at her.

“I run the books, he runs this place and he does what he’s told. Pretty good setup if you ask me.” He answers, and something about that makes you a little hot. Natasha blushes and then backs down, you’ve never seen her back down when flirting with a man. You give her a look and she blushes even more. “Anyway,” Andy smirks, “I’m sure Ari is treating you right. I see the men are already being put to work?”

Ari laughs, “yeah, Barnes and Rogers are giving them the special welcome.” Amelia laughs.

“Why does that sound dirty?” Lizzy scoffs,

“Cause you three are hornier than a teenage boy at the beach in the summer.” Andy laughs.

“It’s some kind of hazing, isn’t it?” She asks. Andy and Ari exchange a look.

“Well, when they come in acting like they owned the place we needed to be shown to them they in fact, don’t.” Ari explains with a wicked smile that makes you laugh.

“Oh good, Ransom’s gonna love that.” You exclaim and all the girls laugh along. “But I think Peter and Sam should have gotten a pass, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Andy and Ari look at each other again and Andy shrugs. Ari goes to grab his walkie talky from the kitchen.

“Barnes? Send Boy wonder and mister manners to the house. Over.” Ari waits a minute and then he gets a response.

“Copy that. What about Silver spoon and Hefner wannabe? Over” Bucky answers back.

You laugh and look at the other girls, you all can’t help but giggle at the nicknames the guys have already earned. Ari smirks and looks back at you before answering Bucky back.

“Leave them shoveling the shit and when they are done let them get cleaned up. Over” Ari lays his walkie down and he heres a “Roger that” as he walks back over to where you girls are sitting. Peter and Sam come walking in the front door, Natasha whistles and Sam spins around and tips his hat. Peter blushes and looks from you to Natasha. Amelia walks over and looks Sam over.

“Looking good, Babe!” She kisses his cheek and he pulls her close. "Oh but you smell like shit.” He grumbles and you all laugh.

“Yeah yeah, laugh all you want but now you’re stuck with my stinky ass till I can shower.” He hugs her tight and she screams as he lifts her up and spins her around. Lizzy sighs,

“I’m sure Tony is gonna be in the worst mood after this. But he deserves it, especially after his attitude with me this morning.” Peter laughs.

“Can you blame him? You shoved the guy in the car with Ransom, that would make anyone a little testy.” Peter justifies and Lizzy just shakes her head.

Ari and Andy just listen to the group of you talk, Andy sees Ari watching you and Natasha, he is so smitten and small, it starts to rub Andy the wrong way and eventually Andy nods for Ari to follow him, so he excuses himself and finds Andy in the office. “Ari,” Andy says, voice firm and authoritative.

“Don’t start,” Ari sighs and tries to walk out, Andy stops him.

“Ari sit down, now.” Not a request but a command. Ari grumbles but he does it. “All I was gonna say is you are acting like a blushing bride with those two women, which I do find rather adorable,” he teases and Ari rolls his eyes and laughs, wiping his sweat-less brow before meeting Andy’s gaze again. “But when it comes to ladies, you’re not like that.” Andy crosses his arms and stares him down, “get out there and be Hard-ass Ari, stop with this blushing and stumbling over your words.” He straightens up and walks closer to the man sitting in the armchair, “Go, be a big strong man and catch their eyes before Barnes and Rogers do. Find your little ‘pet’’.” Ari stands up and goes to leave but stops and faces Andy.

“What’s your obsession with me finding my own ‘pet’? Ever since Jane left you’ve been riding my ass about it.” Ari asks.

“Well one it’s cause you have a great ass,” Andy states matter of factly and Ari rolls his eyes again. “And two it’s cause you need someone to take care of. You need to meet that caregiver need of yours, so go out there and put your charms on one of those women.” Ari looks at the ground and then back at Andy.

“You think I’m just gonna take that order and hop to it?” He asks and Andy smirks.

“It’s what you do best, Ari.”

Ari huffs out a laugh and shakes his head as he grumbles, he turns around, ready to follow the order Andy just gave.

*****************************************************

When the two men disappear Natasha turns to you and garbs your hands, “Please for your own sake, go to Paris with those two men.” You are speechless and look around to see if the others heard her, they didn’t.

“Natasha” you hiss and she smirks, “what makes you think they are-“

“Did you see them? Did you hear Andy?! He was all ‘I run the place and Ari follows orders well.’ He was NOT meaning Ari is a good business partner.” You shake your head and Natasha physically stops you, taking your face in her hands. “You need to get between those two men and let them have their way with you, cause I’m scared if you don’t you’re gonna fall head over heels for that tall, handsome cowboy and that is not what you need after your literal wedding was called off.” You deflate, honestly you hadn’t thought about him or the wedding since you stepped out of the uber this morning. “I’m sorry, babes. I don’t mean to bring down the mood. But you don’t need to catch feelings and I know you- you will catch feelings for that cowboy. But you’ll have a great time and be able to move on as friends with Daddy and Daddier.” You lightly laugh and sigh, removing her hands from your face and lean back to look up at the ceiling. “You haven’t had your rebound, so rebound between those two hunks and call it a day.”

“I’ll see,” you agree and Natasha about squeals. Peter looks over.

“What are you two squealing about?” He asks, Natasha smirks and blows him a kiss.

“Oh nothing Pete, just some rebounding fun.” She winks at you and you lightly shove her. Peter laughs and sits next to you on the couch.

“You’re like my sister, so please don’t sleep with any of these men. They aren’t worth you.” He begs and you laugh.

“Peter you don’t even know them! And I wasn’t agreeing to it, I was just thinking about it.” You exclaim and Peter just shakes his head. The back door opens and in walks Steve. He smiles and takes off his hat.

“Just wanted to warn you all that those two guys are about done and they are not happy so, maybe make yourselves scarce.” He says and then leaves out the door he came in. You all laugh and stay exactly where you are. Bucky walks in the back door in the mudroom with the biggest smile on his face, a shit covered Ransom walks behind him and a dirt covered Tony falls in line behind.

“Alright you two, go hit the showers and then we can start on the tour.” Bucky says and points to the shower room off the mudroom. They both grumble and do as they are told, not noticing you all sitting there and watching. He turns to you and your heart flutters as you meet his gaze, his eyes are so blue and his smile makes you feel safe. You take a breath and look at Natasha,

"Okay you’re right. I’ll fall in love with him, so give me the two big men.” Natasha smirks and nods as she looks over her shoulder, the sound of Ari returning peaking her interest.

“Speak of the devil” she whispers and you blush before turning around and staring firmly at the ground.

“Are you shitting me?!” Ransom screams, “you were all in here drinking and laughing while I shoveled literal shit for an hour?!” He looks back at Ari and then Bucky who are both smiling ear to ear. Bucky tips his hat and then straightens up from where he was leaning on the wall.

“Maybe next time you’ll walk into someone else’s house with a little more respect.” Bucky says, his tone makes a shiver run down your back and you look to Natasha to hide the fact that you liked it. She glares at you and mouths ‘no’, you smile anyway and then look back at both men.

“Alright how about you all follow Barnes and Rogers to the Barn and we will get you all ready for our tour.” He looks down at the choice of footwear you ladies had, “and we will get you all some proper riding boots too.” You follow Steve out to the Barn, you can feel Bucky’s gaze on you and you don’t hate it. He gently ushers you to the side when he is getting around you to help Steve with the saddles, the small graze of his hand makes you want to melt. Who knew you were so touch starved. You look at Natasha and she sighs, coming up along side you.

“Yes he is perfect, and handsome, and a gentleman, and probably the exact guy you should date and marry. But are you ready for that type of man after-“ you glare at her, making sure she doesn’t say his name. She doesn’t, “get his number, become friends, rebound with those two men and when you are fully healed over the trauma of the monster from hell, give him a call. Don’t make him a rebound,” she whispers and you sigh knowing she is right. Bucky and Steve get all the horses saddled and ready. They start helping everyone into their horses, Sam helps Amelia and Tony tries to help Lizzy but she ends up waiting for Steve to boost her up. Tony huffs and gets on his horse with minimal struggle, thanks to the step stool. Natasha swings herself up on her horse and impresses Steve who was standing by to help, she tosses him a little wink before looking over at you. She sighs as she sees Bucky making his way over. You are trying to figure it out for yourself but almost fall on your ass in doing so, two strong arms catch you and haul you up to your feet.

“Careful there,” the low voices rumbles quietly. You turn and meet Bucky’s gaze, “Need some help?” He asks and you can’t find the words so you just nod. He lifts you by your waist and sets you right on top on the horses back, completely effortless. You straddle the horse and graze Bucky’s hands as he hands you the reigns. He gives a polite pat to the horses neck and is off to his own horse. You watch as he climbs on the back of his horse, his literal white horse. You look at Natasha who just shakes her head and laughs. Ari walks into the barn and right past you and up to his horse, Bucky had gotten the steed ready for him. He hops on the back and guides the horse around with so much ease.

“Okay, so some of our men will be placed along the group to help guide the horses if they start misbehaving. This here is Cole,” the clumsy man from early waves, “Carter,” the pretty boy who looks like he’s only ridden a horse to play polo just nods, “Jensen,” the guy with glasses who helped with the bags earlier tips his hat, “and of course you know Bucky and Steve.” They both wave and it’s not lost on you that they have made their way behind you and Natasha in this lineup. “We have a lot of men on staff, some you haven’t met yet. You’ll meet them soon enough. We will take you around the property and tell you about our day to day lives and what will be happening while you’re here. Okay if we are all saddled,” he looks at Ransom who has finally mounted his horse and grumbles about it. “We will be on our way,” Ari turns his horse and leads out the back of the Barn on the trail.

The countryside is so beautiful you could cry. Ari explains how you all came at a time where they will be working a lot with moving the cattle for spring and that there will probably be quite a few baby animals born while you’re here. He shows you all the different barns and where the animals are kept. Chickens, goats, sheep, cattle, even pigs and Dogs. There is literally a whole farm on this Ranch along with a garden and bees for honey. It’s like a homesteading dream. The whole time Ari keeps glancing back towards you and Natasha. And you keep seeing Bucky looking at you as you look to the side at Natasha. Steve is friendly and hits it off with Sam, turns out they both served in the army around the same time. Bucky too. Ransom, Tony, and Carter are kinda grumpy in the back of the line, Peter is enjoying the sights and chatting with Ari, Amelia and Lizzy are taking selfies and talking with Cole and Jensen. Bucky moves his horse in between yours and Natasha’s, “So where are yall from?” He asks. You look over to him and start to answer but Natasha speaks for you.

“We are from New York City," she says, You notice a little smile break across Bucky’s face and then he looks over to you. He notices your left hand and the tan line there on your ring finger.

“What part?” He asks and again Natasha answers.

“Upper East Side.” She says shortly. You see the realization about what that tan line means spread across his face and then he reacts to what Natasha just said as he nods as he whistles.

“Fancy digs,” he says “too fancy for a Brooklyn boy like me.” He says as he gives a sad little smile. He lets his horse slow down a bit to fall back behind you. You turn and look at him, forgetting about the trail in front of you.

“You’re from New York too?!” You ask, hopeful. He smiles and nods.

“I am, go home every so often to visit my mama. I love it there but I needed a change after the Army. I found the ranch and Ari and well…. I guess there hasn’t been any reason enough to move back to the city and away from all this beauty.” He nods the to mountains surrounding them. You make an agreeable noise and turn back around, Natasha is just facing forward shaking her head, she knows you’re already smitten. You pull up to a little clearing and all dismount your horses, there are some picnic tables set up and food already waiting for lunch.

“Wow, the service is impeccable.” Tony says and Lizzy laughs and pokes his side. Bucky helps you down and before you can say thank you Ransom is by your side pulling you along to sit.

“Okay, so when I heard ‘Dude ranch’ I didn’t except to actually be working on a ranch for 4 months.” He says and you just laugh as you shove him off of you.

Lunch is delicious and fresh and hits the spot after being in the sun for a few hours. The horses are resting and you all sit around the table while Ari tells you about the Ranch. “Everyone goes by nicknames or their last name.” He explains. Ransom speaks up,

“Well what’s yours then, Chief?” He quips. Steve answers,

“Hard-Ass,” everyone laughs and Ari shrugs and smiles.

“I like a tightly run ship, what can I say.” He says,

“Well this is a ranch so,” Steve joke and he gets a strawberry to the face for it, he catches it in his mouth though. “Let’s see who else? Oh! Cole is Ghost” Amelia laughs.

“Umm why?” She asks and Cole blushes and sighs.

“Because I have a tendency to get Ghosted.” He says sheepishly, all the women awe and refuse to believe that, the guys laugh. You slap Ransom’s arm and he nudges you back. Steve starts again.

“Jensen is just-Jensen, Carter is usually called by his last name- Baizen-“ you and Natasha look at one another, Tony and Ransom laugh.

“Wait?! Carter Baizen as in-“ you start and Tony finishes.

“The one that got shipped off to pay back his debts?!” He laughs and tosses a strawberry in the air and catches it in his mouth. “This is great!” Steve looks to Carter who just rolls his eyes and then back to the group.

“Yall know him??” He asks and Ransom answers.

“Bet your ass we do, I knew you looked familiar! You still owe me 10 grand.” Ransom says and the other ranch hands look at him and just shake their heads.

“Classic,” Bucky mutters. Steve quickly changes the subject.

“Anyway, um we call Bucky, Barnes or Sarge. And they call me Rogers or Cap.”

“Wait were you a Sargent and Captain when enlisted?” Sam asks. “I am not saluting while shoveling shit.” He jokes and Steve laughs.

“Yeah we were and don’t worry, we won’t make you.” He jokes. You look at Bucky and he looks a little embarrassed to have attention on him.

“Well what about us?” Peter asks, “do we have nicknames?” You girls laugh and nod.

“Oh yeah, Boy wonder, Mister manners, Silver Spoon, and Hefner Wannabe.” You tease and they all look at each other and point to try and figure out who is who. You giggle and just take in the sight of being surrounded with your oldest friends and hopefully some new ones. Natasha smirks and sits up straight.

“Well I want a nickname!” She exclaims and Ransom laughs.

“You have one, Black widow.” He says creepily and you all laugh, She scoffs and Steve speaks up.

“Umm why are you nicknamed after a deadly spider that kills her mate?” He honestly looks a little scared. Natasha smirks and leans forward grazing her fingers across the back of his hand.

“Because sweetheart, I eat men alive,” she sits back, “and they always come back for more.” She bites her lip and looks him up and down, you swear you see him gulp and then blush. Amelia laughs and then pipes in

“Well you can just call me by my name, Amelia.”

Lizzy agrees.

“Me too, just Lizzy.” She says sweetly as she leans her head on Tony’s shoulder. You look a little shy as everyone looks to you.

“Well? What are you going by?” Steve asks and you blush.

“Oh, I don’t know,” you shrug, “come up with something!” You laugh. They all start conversing on what to call you, Bucky is still quiet until he meets your gaze.

“Sunshine,” everyone turns to look at Bucky. He keeps your gaze, “your nickname should be sunshine.” He gently smiles and then stands from the table. “I’m gonna go check the horses,” he looks up at the sky, “we should be getting back, Hard-Ass.” He says and everyone lets out a chuckle. Ari agrees.

“Yeah, it’s gonna take even longer to get back so we should get a move on. Everyone load up, we pull out in 10.” Everyone leaves the table, you are still stuck in your spot, having been glued there by Bucky’s gaze.

“So, Sunshine,” Natasha teases, “What are we gonna do with you?” You blush and shove her away as she laughs. You laugh and head to find your horse.

“And that brings us back to the main house.” Ari says as he stops and turns his horse to face the whole group. “We are gonna head back to the Barn, the guys will give you all the proper procedures on how to care for the horses after a ride and then we will take you all to your rooms to rest and get ready for dinner.” You trot your horse to the barn and get it in the stall. You hop off and see Steve coming your way.

“Well, Sunshine,” he says and you turn to see the big smile on his face. “Let’s get Princess settled, huh?!” You look between him and the horse and realized you didn’t even know your horses name.

“Princess? Thats her name?” You ask and Steve laughs.

“Well that’s his name.” He laughs and so do you.

“What?!” You exclaim and Steve continues to laugh.

“He is a diva and drama queen, the name was fitting.” He shrugs and you just laugh again. He helps get the saddle off and teaches you how to brush Princess out. You enjoy every moment you have with Steve, he is sweet and you just feel at home. Something you haven't felt in a long time. “Okay, you’re all done. You wanna see your room? I can have someone show you up.”

“Sure, thanks!”

“No problem, hey Sarge come here!” Steve looks over his shoulder at you and smirks. You gasp and because he feels like a long lost best friend, you punch his shoulder. He laughs and winks before Bucky arrives.

“What?” He grumbles before he sees you. His face lights up.

“She needs to know where her room is, you wanna take her?” Steve explains, he must be giving Bucky some faces cause Bucky is just staring at him and then smiles and laughs.

“Sure thing, right this way.” He turns and walks out of the stall and Steve pushes you to follow. You catch up to Bucky as he reaches the steps of the house.

“If you’re busy I’m sure I can just find my way around,” you offer, “I don’t want to keep you from work.” Bucky turns and smiles as he stops in his tracks.

“Sunshine,” the way it falls off his lips makes you want to kiss him senseless. “You aren’t keeping me from anything, I promise.” You blush and look at your feet.

“You promise?” You ask and he lightly laughs and confirms again.

“I promise, follow me.” He leads you into the main house, you see the bags are gone, probably already in the rooms. “You have room all to yourself, private balcony and full standing shower and separate tub.” Bucky explains as he leads you up the stairs. You feel flushed as you glance at his ass, it’s a pretty great ass.

“Oh goodness, I hope that doesn’t put anyone else out!” You exclaim as you realize the grandness of what he just said. “I don’t need a private room!” Bucky smiles and looks back at you.

“Take it up with the boss,” he shrugs and then continues to lead the way. You follow behind quietly, as you get to the second floor you are in awe, you didn’t realize how big this place really is. There is a whole landing with another living room and entertainment center. Along with a little library off to the side in a little nook. “Okay, your room is back this way,” he leads you along through the second living room and through a little landing area that looks over the first floor. This hallway has 6 rooms, four of them say “private residence” and the other 2 just have numbers on the door. “Right here, room 1” Bucky leans up against the wall and knocks on the number plate on the door. “Natasha is room two right next door, and yes there is a door that conjoins them if you want to unlock it.” You laugh and thank him. You both reach for the handle and end up basically holding hands. “Oh ha, umm sorry.” He blushes and gently pulls his hand back. You giggle and cover your face.

“I’m sorry, I’m not normally this- well- girly and giggly.” You explain and Bucky just smiles. He opens the door and motions for you to head inside.

“It’s okay,” he assures you, “I like it.” He smiles and you blush even more. He then clears his throat and gets pretty serious for a moment. “I do want to ask, and if it’s out of line ma’am then I’m sorry,” he shuffles in the doorway, “I could help but notice your ring finger, are you involved with someone? Or were?” He asks and for the first time ever you didn’t feel pain or hurt at the thought of telling anyone about him, you felt like you would be seen, like you would be safe. You look down at the tan line and sigh.

“I was,” you simply say, “I was supposed to get married back in December but he-“ you stop for a moment and then take a breath. “He called it off.” Bucky’s eyes are so sad for you, he goes to move and then remembers he is in his muddy boots, he looks at the carpet and curses under his breath.

“I- I’m so sorry,” he says your real name, “you didn’t deserve that.” You give a sad smile and nod.

“Yeah, well there is way more to that story than meets the eye,” you look at him and your breath catches again, “and maybe once we know each other a little better I’ll be ready to talk about it.” You explain, Bucky nods.

“I understand,” he says before “whenever you’re ready, I’m here.” He lightly laughs, “and hey maybe I’ll tell you about my own personal runaway bride experience.” He says and your heart stops, he gets it. In this moment, this is why you felt safe and like you could tell him and he would catch you, he’s lived it.

“I’d like that,” you answer and then realize how stupid that sounded, “I mean,” you blush and stumble over your words, “not that it’s great- I would love to talk about- shared life experiences and stuff- I’m just gonna stop.” You finally say and Bucky just stands there with a smile and a chuckle.

“You’re cute,”He says before turning to leave. “See you at dinner.” He waves before he disappears into one of the private rooms right next to yours.

*****************************************************

“I’m such a fucking idiot,” Bucky groans and Steve laughs before he kicks Bucky’s leg. He is lying back on his bed and Steve has come to laugh at him in his misery. “ ‘You’re cute,’?!? That sounds like something a friend would say, or Cole!” He groans. “Ugh and Ari is about to try and get her into bed with him and Andy, I just know it.” Steve hums in agreement.

“Does that make you mad?” Steve asks.

“I mean a little but she’s not mine, she’s her own woman and if she wants to sleep with him then fine. I’ll play the long game, be there for her.” Bucky explains, Steve listens and smiles.

“Awww you really like her!” He gushes and Bucky sits up just to punch him in the arm.

“Oh whatever, go let Natasha eat you for Dinner or something.” Bucky grumbles and Steve laughs.

“I just might,” he says under his breath and Bucky laughs. “Look Ari and Andy are good guys and our friends, if she’s gonna sleep with someone at least it’s them and not Johnny or Collin.” Bucky shivers at the thought. “And hey, maybe she’s not even thinking like that! Just cause she’s blushing and stuff doesn’t mean she’s about to hop in bed.” Bucky sighs and looks at Steve.

“I heard Boy wonder talking to Silver spoon about how the girls were discussing who she should rebound with.” Bucky explains. “That's why I was grumpy when you called me over in the barn, that’s when I had heard them.”

“Oh, well… let her rebound and then pull out all the stops, she will come running. I just know it!” Steve says encouragingly. “Anyway, you smell like shit and so do I- I’m gonna go shower and change. So should you, also wash your sheets cause you being all in your feelings, you laid on your clean bed in your dirt covered clothes.” Steve says as he walks out and across the hall to his room, he glances and sees the light on underneath your door and Natasha’s. He laughs and goes to get cleaned up.

You change your dress for a third time and opt for a simple blue tunic dress and some vans. You curl your hair and put on some simple makeup before knocking on the joining door to Natasha’s room. It swings open, “help me zip this up?” She asks. She seems to have pulled out all the stops and is in a tight black dress.

“Well hello to you too,” you tease as you zip up her dress. “You know we are eating around a bonfire, right?” She turns and smirks,

“Yup, but that pit won’t be the only thing on fire tonight.” She winks and you laugh and then boo her.

“Oh booo that was bad and you know it.” You turn to go grab your phone from your bed and grab your room key. Closing and locking the door behind you, you turn and bump right into the wall. But then the wall was breathing and lightly laughing, you look up and meet Andy’s gaze.

“Whoa there, you okay?” He asks as he steadies you. A heat spreads through your face and you nod.

“Yeah, sorry. I should slow down a little more.” You joke and take a step back. Natasha exists her room and eyes you both before smirking and slipping by, you give a nervous laugh and motion that you are gonna follow her. Linking your arm with hers and hurrying off as Andy watches with amusement.

Dinner is good and the company is even better, the guys are all getting to know the other ranch hands while the girls sit around the fire. Bucky and Ari sit on the other side of the fire and you can feel their eyes on you as you talk with Natasha and Lizzy. You throw little glances their way and just smile every so often, it’s all very tame and fun. That is till Natasha brings out the shots.

“Nope! Everyone is drinking unless you are sober.” She starts pointing and waiting for anyone to back out and they don’t. “Alright, bottoms up!” Ari feels he needs to remind everyone that wake up calls start at 7am, and he gets boooed relentlessly till he finally gives up with his reminders. You are about 3 shots in when you find yourself sitting next to Bucky on a little wooden bench.

“So is this sweet cowboy charm just that? Charm. Or are you actually this much of a gentleman? Cause I’ve been burned and I- well- let’s just say if I fall for this then I’m falling hard. And I can’t do that unless I know you’re gonna catch me.” You can’t believe the words that are pouring out of your mouth. How strong are these shots?? Bucky gives you a sad smile and reaches out to twirl a strand of your hair around his finger.

“I’ll catch you, Sunshine.” You smile and start to lean closer but Natasha pulling you up from the seat and demanding that you dance with her makes the moment pass and it’s gone before it starts. She twirls you around and you end up in the arms of Ransom as she sits herself right in the spot you were occupying with Bucky.

“Okay Sarge, let’s talk.” She says, all cheer gone from her voice. Bucky turns and looks at her. “She’s been hurt, bad. Her ex was a master manipulator and built her up just to break her down. And as her best friend who had to check on her every day for three straight weeks because I was scared she wasn’t eating, I will not allow anyone to hurt her that way again.” Bucky looks over at you and then quietly levels with Natasha.

“Is that why you’re encouraging her to sleep with two men she just met?” He looks back at her, his face hard and unchanging. Natasha sighs.

“I’m trying get her to loosen up, also I know her, she’s not gonna sleep with them. Maybe fool around but she’d never go that far with someone new.” She takes a sip of her water. “I don’t want to tell her story for her so all I will say is she has made herself into the perfect wife for a man who didn’t choose her when push came to shove. For years she chipped away pieces of herself to fit what he wanted,” she looks at Bucky again, “I just want to make sure she doesn’t fall into the same pattern, because there’s not much left to chip away.” Bucky nods and takes her water from her hand and takes a sip for himself.

“Well that’s where you have the wrong idea of me, Natasha.” Bucky says plainly. “All I wanna do is add to her life, for whatever little time she lets me.” He says before he stands up and heads inside for bed.

Ransom is talking your ear off as you watch Natasha and Bucky talk. They don’t seem to be flirting which is good, but they don’t look happy either. “What do you say, huh?” You turn and look up at Ransom.

“Oh umm what? Sorry.” You lightly laugh and he sighs.

“I said what if we turned in for the night. Maybe head up to your room,” your stomach drops at what he’s suggesting, he’s one of your best friends, why is he saying this! “and you let me use that amazing tub of yours?!” There it is, you laugh and punch his arm before moving away from him. He laughs and waves you off as he goes back to bothering Tony and Lizzy. You find Natasha.

“Hey what did you and Bucky talk about?” You ask, hopeful. Natasha sees the look in Your eyes and sighs.

“We talked about you of course and how you should 100% try to get with Ari tonight. Shake off those cobwebs and just be a little care free!” She knows she shouldn’t lie to you but until she can get a good gage on Bucky, you needed someone you wouldn’t get attached to.

“Bucky said Ari is a great guy- probably one of the best here- Andy too!” You are a little taken aback.

“No for real what did you talk about?” You ask, she doubles down.

“Seriously, he said that he liked you but he’s not in a place to really be with anyone, dealing with his own baggage at the moment.” She hopes that’s believable, for all she knows he’s the most baggage free guy in the world. Your heart on the other hand breaks, you wonder how recent his failed wedding was and you coming on to him probably didn’t help. You look over your shoulder to Ari.

“He really said I should go for it?” You ask, the sadness in your tone could be heard even when Natasha couldn’t see your face.

“Yeah babes,” she prays you will forgive her for this, but it’s for the best. You take a breath and look back at Natasha.

“Well alright then,” you say sadly. You make your way over to Ari and grab a bottle of rum on the way.

“Oh fuck,” Natasha mutters, “What the hell have I done.

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