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beelicious-and-fictitious · 2 years ago

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My Big Shot, My Star

🖤 A Valentine's Day Special 🖤

Summary || [Steve Harrington X Female Reader SMUT] Your movie star boyfriend takes you out for a night on the town in Hollywood.

Movie Star!Steve AU | 5.6k words | NO BETA/SELF-EDITED, Old Hollywood/1950s AU, Valentine’s Day Theme, Prompt: “Day Five + Steve Harrington + Presents,” LuMax, Established Relationship, Lavish Gift Giving, Kisses, Loss of Virginity, Steve Is Barely Experienced, Premarital Sex (GASP), Tender and Outdoor Sex, Contraceptive, Fingering (female receiving).

More Valentines! | Other Keery Fics | Main Masterlist

You helped Max Mayfield with the rouge on her cheeks and her lips as the time to leave was overshot by a minute. You had both gasped when a black limousine had showed up at your hotel doorstep that morning, and a well-dressed man had informed you that Steve– your Steve– had sent it to bring you to him. Of course you climbed into the back seat and let Max explore with a giddy expression as she pocketed a few of the decadent treats loaded up in the car.

"So you really are dating a famous movie star, aren't you?," she teased.

"Well, I…" you stuttered and tugged on your ear nervously.

You knew Steve before he moved to Los Angeles with his parents. The Harringtons were always well off, but ever since Steve began appearing in films alongside the likes of Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart, you and the rest of Hawkins had believed that they were swimming in luxury. Steve had always made it sound more humble than that when he talked about it on the phone, but you were beginning to wonder if that was entirely accurate.

The drive was long but comfortable and you were excited to see Steve in the flesh at long last. Your family had been skeptical about allowing you to travel so far away (and for a boy), but you managed to convince them that it was safe and that Max would need a chaperone with her own boyfriend Lucas Sinclair (who is in California for the year to be mentored by Steve for basketball tryouts).

But you had no intention of spending Valentine's Day babysitting a pair of young teens when you could be with your Steve, alone for the first time since he visited (last year!). Max had eagerly assured you that she could handle herself and Lucas in Hollywood with only Steve’s hired man as chaperone and promised to check back into the hotel before dark.

Excitement bubbled in your stomach as the limousine parked outside of a beautiful gated home. There was a gorgeous Lincoln Continental waiting outside as well with the man of the hour sat on the car hood and waiting for you. You threw your arms around his neck and squealed, so glad finally even to smell his natural musk that you missed so dearly.

"Oh, Steve!"

His arms crushed you to his chest and your feet stopped touching the ground for a second. Your skirt swirled as he spun around with you, careful to set you down gently before kissing the breath out of you. When your lips parted, Steve stared down at you with a goofy smile and warmth in his eyes.

“Not a single day has gone by where I didn’t wish you were in my arms again.” Steve’s words stole all the air out of your lungs for the second time.

“I’ve missed you, too,” you said as you fought back tears. “Please don’t make me cry, my mascara...”

Steve laughed and swept you into another hug, distracting you from your feelings by chattering away about a new movie that he's filming for (something about baseball). When he was sure you weren't going to burst into tears anymore, he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on your lips.

“Did you like your gifts?”

Steve flicked one of your earrings, and you took your own hand to touch the matching necklace at your throat.

“Yes, I did. Thank you,” you replied sheepishly. “You don’t have to spend all that money on me, though, surely...”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Steve scoffed and waved a hand as if clearing the air. “Don’t worry about my pockets! I won’t say how much it cost but know this: I may be a man of means but I also have a sense for modesty. Isn’t that what you love about me?” He waited for you to chuckle before he said, “besides, I like spoiling you. You’re supposed to let me do that on the holiday!”

You relented easily and delivered more kisses to his handsome nose. Steve ushered you into the car for a late lunch or early dinner in town. The sun was still about an hour from setting, but the Hollywood strip dazzled you. Well dressed men and women walked in beautiful clothes in the warmish weather and every business was fancy and upbeat, even the streets were paved gorgeously and became a vision!

Steve took you into a nice diner (through the front doors, no less) and immediately you were seated by a host. A booth with vinyl seats and carved mahogany accents. You looked around nervously but most of the patrons seemed to be wrapped up in their own conversations and food tasting.

“Relax,” Steve soothed you with a thumb brushing over the back of your hand. “You’re safe with me, okay? Nobody is going to bother us.”

You ordered your food together and tried to catch-up on the past. There were things about Hawkins that you just couldn’t talk about over the phone and it was great to be able to share things with him in person. Steve asked about the other kids in Hawkins, and you told him that Mike, El, Will, and Dustin were loving Hawkins high and had been taken under the wing of a friendly outcast named Eddie Munson. Steve in turn told you a bit more about the parties he got invited to– you thought he might have down played some of the antics that the Hollywood people would get tangled in– but he also admitted he had a much better time making friends with an ice cream slinger named Robin Buckley, rather than the Hollywood Star’s wealthy children.

The food was delicious and filled your belly to bursting. You were laughing as he told you about how clumsy but brilliant Robin could be when suddenly Steve looked over your shoulder and his face went flat with shock.

“What is it?” You turned around and saw a large man approaching your table. There was some commotion behind him– a crowd of people, lights flashing, questions being shouted. Steve slumped back in his seat and looked like he wanted to disappear.

“M-Mr. Mannix,” he stuttered, then stood abruptly to shake the man’s hand. “Sweetheart, this is-is one of my bosses, Eddie Mannix.”

Mr. Mannix glances at you with a stoic face. He’s well dressed like most everybody else in Hollywood. Tailored suit and matching hat but he doesn’t look like a star, he looks like a working man, a man who gets shit done and who nobody messes with.

“Ma’am,” he tipped his hat almost as a second thought, then turned back to Steve. Mannix was so tall and broad that he blocked all of the natural light coming from the big windows at the front of the diner and cast a shadow over your beau. “Never seen you taking a girl out, Harrington. Wasn’t sure you were the type.”

Steve subtly wiped his palms on his pants. “This is my girlfriend, sir. Of quite a few years, actually, sh-she’s visiting from my hometown for Valentine’s day.”

Mannix made a surprised noise and returned his gaze to you. It wasn’t friendly, per say, but it wasn’t reproachful either. “Well if you don’t want to be in the papers tomorrow, I suggest you both slip out back. There’s vultures here for a 'candid' interview of another young couple, and I can’t have you take up all the spectacle, you understand.”

Your blood ran cold as you realized he must have meant paparazzi. It was an aspect of Steve’s life that he didn’t talk about much, but he did seem to hate. What counted for news around these parts could sometimes be more akin to gossip and rumors, and you wanted no part of that, not at all.

Steve’s face grew serious– he must have thought the same as you– but before he could try to flag down a host, Mannix stopped him.

“I’ve already paid your bill. Left a generous tip, too,” Mannix winked and gestured with his chin towards the door. “Go on, lovebirds, get outta here.”

Steve thanked him breathlessly and took your hand to help you up. Mannix positioned himself like a shield, protecting you from the photographers until you were ready to dip and even dumping his hat on Steve’s head with a firm ‘I’ll be wanting that back,” as he did. Steve threw his arm around you firmly and rushed out, not slowing down until you were far enough from the diner to break free of the hustle. The sun set and painted the sky as the darkness of night crept in from the opposite horizon and washed you both in warm shadow.

“That was close. I’m so sorry, doll,” Steve simpered and pulled your face towards his to kiss your forehead. “Mr. Mannix isn’t a bad guy, really, he’s just not a people person.”

Perhaps not, but he had saved you both. “I’ll be sure to thank him before I leave. I mean, I love being yours, Steve, but the way those tabloids talk about girls… even the prettiest ones…”

“I know,” he petted your back, and Mannix’s hat flopped down at an angle, almost obscuring his pretty eyes. “Let’s get you in the car, okay? I’ve got a few more things to show you.”

As you walked, you heard Steve muttering determinedly to himself. “Someday, things are going to be different. And you and I will never have to be afraid of hateful, ignorant people ever again.”

…

The heater in the car worked wonders for your chilly hands and you lamented not bringing a sturdy coat with you. Of course Steve loaned you his and discreetly left Mannix’s hat on the dashboard.

“Why’d he do that anyways?,” Steve griped, trying to fix his eternally perfect hair.

“Because with that do, they’d notice you in a dark room,” you laughed. His hair was too iconic, it had made headlines for months after just a small role as an extra in a film. Girls across the country swooned at the sight of him, even though it was longer than respectable men wore it, and that fact had launched the career his parents had so desperately sought for him to have.

“I suppose.” Steve stopped the car at the foot of a hill that made you gasp. “Yeah, the Hollywood sign. It’s impressive to look for the first time, I guess, but there’s more I want to show you. You wear those kitten heels like I told you?”

You gave him the stink eye. “You know I did, you’ve been looking at my legs all afternoon!”

Steve tilted his head and gave you a conspiratorial wink. “Well I can do far more than just look, if you want me to.”

The last thing you were expecting to do on Valentine’s day was hike up a steep hill, but it was worth it when you saw Steve also grabbed a picnic basket from the trunk. He finally let you stop beneath the letter D of the sign and began to unroll a blanket. The area here was flat and bare of the desert brush, almost like he had scoped it out or made it himself. It gave you a perfect view of the sun setting and the lights of the city coming on like their own earthbound stars (and less of a chance of being spotted from below by passersby or vagrants or the heat).

“Oh, Steve,” you gasped and covered your mouth in awe at the sight of the city. “It’s beautiful…”

Music filled the air from a portable radio. Steve came up behind you and held you close, watching the horizon himself and swaying gently. He lulled you to the point of dreaminess and kissed your neck until you were weak for him.

“Are you having a good time, doll?,” he whispered in your ear and made you shiver.

“Yes,” you whispered back. “Can we stay like this forever?”

“Not forever, dear,” Steve replied wistfully, then spun you around and danced with you gently. “But we can come back and do it over and over again.”

…

Lying on the blanket, you didn’t need the jacket or your sweater because Steve’s body heat was enough to warm you. You laid across his chest and watched the stars glitter from miles above and imagined a world where you were both old and simple-living folk, married and lying beneath the constellations of home in Hawkins. Maybe when Steve retired from the moving pictures, he would bring you back to Hawkins and you could raise a family there. Together.

“Darling?” Steve’s voice rumbled beneath your ear, his tie discarded and shirt buttoned down scandalously.

“Yes?” You lifted your head to look down at him with his hair splayed like a halo.

“I love you,” Steve said reverently. “I… need you to know that there’s no funny business going on with me when you’re not around. I don’t party with those socialites anymore, and Robin really is just a good friend. I want you to know I would never do something that would break your heart because my own belongs to you and you alone, okay?”

Your face stung for a moment and you couldn’t meet his eyes. You drew circles over the button keeping his shirt from opening further. “Well it sounds like you probably already know I was worried about it. But seeing you today? Well… now I'm certain more than ever before that you do have eyes only for me.”

“That’s exactly right,” he exclaimed, and pulled you into a deep kiss that made you light headed. “Eyes for only you, my love. No one could ever captivate me the way you do– understand me and love me the way that you do. This year has been so hard for me because I couldn’t be with you. I would give up everything if you asked me, doll, just say the words.”

You buried your face against his chest where the hair there tickled your chin and soaked up some of the tears from your wet lashes. “I won’t go that far, Steve. But what I will do, is love you with all I have like you do for me. I trust you to be loyal and honest for me, dear, and I… I know you’ll do right by me.”

Steve rolled you onto your back and kissed you soundly, trailing his lips over your eyes and down your throat until he was pulling the neckline of your dress aside and sucking on the skin there. You tilted your head further and further back and lost yourself in him, feeling heat gather in your face and deep in your gut as his hands explored other parts of your body like a man starved.

“Is this alright?” Steve’s hand smoothed up your bodice, gentle pressure brushing over your clothed breast and making you gasp.

You nodded and he continued, kissing over them and drawing his hand down. Self consciously, you gathered your skirt into your hands and pulled it higher. The cool twilight air breezed over your thighs and Steve’s wandering hand found purchase there, massaging you where no one, not even him or yourself, had ever dared touch you before.

You were left panting beneath his ministrations, wanting more as your awareness of the world around you shrunk until just the two of you remained. Carefully, Steve laid on top of you, his hips spreading your thighs apart naturally and fitting like he was always meant to be there. As he kissed your lips, you kissed him back fervently and did your own exploring. You unbuttoned his shirt further and felt over the expanse of smooth, freckled skin and the sparse hair on his chest.

When he rolled his hips into yours, you felt something pressing into your body that made you mewl.

Steve lifted his head so you couldn’t reach him and proposed a new query. “I have a condom in the basket... do you want to…?”

Your heart pounded hard in your chest. "Yes."

Steve didn't know he was holding his breath until he heard your answer. Back in Hawkins, the boy was happy to wait until you were ready, especially given his first time had been with Nancy Wheeler who for one reason or another had not been eager to do it again. He wanted to do it right with you. Make your toes curl and beg him for more.

He got up just to grab it and gave you room to breathe (in case you changed your mind). “Oh, I also have wine in here. Some cheese and bread if you want.”

“I’m good,” you patted your stomach, “that dinner was exquisite.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Steve came back and returned to his position, laying the wrapped rubber next to your head. “For later, just want to kiss you a little longer…”

You quickly lost yourself in his attention. His shirt became untucked and the zipper on the back of your dress lowered but it was not drawn down completely. His taste and his smell became indistinguishable from your own, and after a moment, you felt his hand return up the skirt of your dress, under your slip, and your knees pushed further apart until his calloused fingertips brush over your belly just above the waistband of your panties.

Nervousness trembled in your chest as he drew the cotton panties down your legs, but Steve never took his eyes off your face and he covered your nudity with his own warm body as soon as they were free. Your hand followed his with a light touch on the wrist as he averted his eyes just before finally touching your bare womanhood.

The contact was entirely expected and yet you jerked in surprise anyways. He checked your face for assurance and did it again, testing the waters and making sure you were enjoying it. The contact made your mind race with your heart and your sex ache and it was all so exciting, especially when you sighed pleasantly and a triumphant smirk appeared on his face.

“Feel good?”

“Yes,” you replied in a voice so dark and different from your natural one that it startled you. “Yes, Steve, yes.”

Steve shushed you and resumed his passionate kisses along your neck. His cool fingers collected slick and massaged your womanhood until they matched in temperature, and then he–

You moaned and threw your head back, instinctively trying to close your legs but unable to with the grown man laying between them. The intrusion of his finger inside you was beyond strange, but after a moment of stillness and placating kisses to your face, you relaxed around it and could almost forget it was there. When he began to move it, penetrating you back and forth and back again, you acclimated to the sensation rather quickly. At the second finger, you winced.

“Are you okay?” He whispered in your ear.

You hummed back and felt slightly embarrassed when you realized where the unusual squelching noise was coming from. “Is… is that, me?!”

Steve chuckled, “it is. Don’t be embarrassed, doll, it means you like me. It means I’m doing a good job, and your body is preparing for me.”

Preparing for what? And then you remember the condom on the blanket waiting to be used and the bulge in his pants that hadn’t gone away, just pressed into and sometimes rutting against your inner thigh. You wrapped your arms around Steve’s neck for comfort. The new touching was good, but would the pleasure last? Would it really hurt?

“Steve?” You must have sounded scared because he stopped all movement and looked deep into your eyes, searching. “...I’m ready. I want you. Please.”

Steve’s eyelids grew heavy, and he slipped his fingers out of your channel to sit himself up and take the condom. For a moment, you hesitated on what to do but decided that watching the stars was mundane now. You sat up on your elbows and watched him work, unsure if you would make him uncomfortable seeing as how he would need to take his clothes somewhat off. You closed your legs and rubbed them together to gather warmth and feel pleasure return at the apex of your thighs, as if you were strumming your own instrument.

Your boyfriend worked quickly and carefully. If he was bothered when you bit your lip and stared at the sight of his manhood, he didn’t show it. He just stroked his hand over his shaft and rolled the condom down, sheathing it in an opaque plastic or latex. Then he helped you part your legs again and repositioned himself at your entrance.

“Are you sure, baby?,” he said even as his desire was clear as day, “we can stop now if you want.”

You shook your head no and braced yourself. You did not want to stop. You followed his instructions, breathing and relaxing and tapping his shoulder when you needed him to pause. And then his warm hips were pressed flush into yours and his grunting turned into a relieved sigh.

“Is that it? Er, is that all of it?” Your face flushed hot at your own words and Steve pecked a kiss to your lips.

“That’s the whole thing, yeah,” he replied. And then his started moving, thrusting shallowly into you and you watched his face go slack with an occasional tick and grunt. “Oh, sweetheart, fuck– I’m sorry I don’t mean to cuss, but– fuck, you feel so good…”

That warmth in your lower belly was beginning to coil. It was good, it felt good and making Steve feel good felt good to you, too. You had never seen this side of him, only caught glimpses of it when you would make-out in secret at the drive-in theater back home. He was making noises you had never heard him make before– he was making you make noises you had never made before! And as he moved faster, he also moved a little harder, but not to hurt you, it was good and he was deeper somehow, and the mound above his shaft was massaging some part of you that made the coil tighten faster and harder like his thrusts until–

“Fuck, fuck, fuck–” Steve’s head dropped to your shoulder and he stopped moving all together. The tightening coil which had felt about ready to snap instead eased back some, leaving you tingly and pulsing with the beat of your heart.

Your brow furrowed in confusion. “What happened?”

Steve’s body went slack and he lifted his head, now sporting a drunken and sated look on his face. “I finished,” he said with a lazy smile.

“Oh.” That was sex. And you had finally had it with the love of your life, no less. It was a lot of fun! Being tangled with each other, sharing pleasure like one being, giving and receiving the most coveted form of love. You should be happy and satisifed too... but the twinge of disappointment that blossomed in your chest… well it confounded you.

“What’s wrong?,” Steve asked.

He had already fixed your clothes back into place and bundled you in his jacket to keep you warm before fixing his own clothes. You didn’t see what he did with the condom but you have a suspicion that it was simply flung somewhere on the empyy hill side. And he looked really sad right now, like a puppy left outside just as storm clouds gather overhead.

“Nothing,” you answered enthusiastically, “it was perfect, you were perfect! I’ve never felt so much pleasure in my entire life. I can see what all the fuss was about!” Your laughter was a little hollow and you could tell that Steve was not totally convinced, even if he was playing along. “We should get back. I want to make sure Max and Lucas are safe. You can stay the night with us girls if you want, there’s two beds.”

Steve nodded his head distractedly and began to pick things up and packed them back into the picnic basket as neatly as he could. “Actually, I was thinking the same thing, except for you and Max to stay with me.”

…

Steve drove to the hotel and collected the kids. Lucas and Max were so quiet in the backseat that you kept glancing at them through the mirrors to check on them, but they didn’t look like they had been fighting, they were just lounging sleepily with their hands folded together on the cushion between them. A part of you worried momentarily that they might have gotten up to the same adult antics as yourself and Steve, but then you dismissed it and returned your attention to massaging Steve’s right hand. If they had or they hadn’t, it wasn’t for you to know.

“Oh,” Steve said as you all walked together towards his home-- a certifiable mansion-- and he tapped his forehead as if to sell that whatever thought he had just had was genuinely forgotten. “I do have one more surprise for you! All of you.”

He steered everyone around the side of the house through a beautiful garden.

“What it is,” Max asked, but before any answer could be given, Lucas looked through a large, picturesque window and another equally big window out to the backyard, and screamed.

“HOLY SHIT! WILL! MIKE! EL! DUSTIN!”

The boy bounded away like a track star to the swimming pool, where four excessively happy kids were cheering and smacking the ground noisily with pool noodles. Lucas tackled a screaming Dustin into the pool, and Max broke away excitedly to meet El for a wet hug. Mike hopped into the pool to join in the fun, and Will hugged Max too before inviting her inside to get a swimsuit.

Stunned, you blinked a hundred times to see if you were dreaming. “Steve, I can't believe you did this!”

You tore your eyes away from the happy reunion to find your boyfriend pridefully stuffing his hands in his pockets and shrugging with faux humility. “No big deal. I missed them myself, the little rats. They almost got themselves caught when you were being dropped off earlier for our dinner date! Would have been a bummer to ruin the surprise so soon...”

The kids were unbelievably rowdy, but you paid them no more mind as you pulled your boyfriend into a thankful kiss. Steve quickly steered you inside, but not for a bathing suit like the kids had for Max (Lucas had already ruined his nice clothes and decided he needed none). Steve assured you his parents were out of the country and the house was so big that the kids would get lost before they found the two of you. And he showed you to his roomy bedroom with the forgotten bottle of wine from the picnic basket and some crystal glasses.

“I couldn’t imagine a better Valentine’s day,” you marveled. “Or a better Valentine, at that.”

Steve blushed and kneeled to help you out of your shoes. “Just wanted to give some love back.”

He discreetly pushed up your mid-calf length skirt and planted a kiss on your knee. “I know that maybe it’s a little soon but… I’ve been dying to see what you look like out of your clothes.”

You couldn’t fathom why you felt so scandalized by this– he was just inside of you not half an hour ago! But the more you thought about it, the more you became determined to indulge in desires of your own.

“You first,” you declared and swirled the wine in your glass.

Taking it as a challenge, Steve stood and began with slow and deliberate movements, undoing his pants without taking his eyes off of you. You watched him, enraptured. This time, his shirt came all the way off and landed on the carpet. He helped you stand by the hand and set your emptied glass aside, then slid your sweater down your shoulders. His lips returning to your neck was becoming a familiar feeling yet it never failed to leave your skin tingling.

You turned around and brushed your hair aside to offer up the zipper, feeling the dress loosen quickly, and you choked briefly as you felt your brazier loosening, too. You allowed both materials to slide down your arms and shivered over every tiny touch of Steve’s hands and his sweet smelling breath on your back.

He tugged on your hips until your body was flush against him. “So beautiful…”

You removed yourself from his grasp and slipped out of your underwear. You laid yourself on his bed half beneath the covers, feeling exposed but powerful and safe with him watching. As Steve was taking off his pants (all the way now), you grew bold and reached between your legs to see if you could find that spot that he had unconsciously stimulated earlier that created that coiling feeling in your belly and your legs and in between.

You found it quickly and began to massage it more. You discovered that circular motions provided the best stimulation as your pleasure began to build anew.

Steve divested himself of the last of his clothes and climbed into bed with you, looking mischievous. “What are you playing with down there?”

You flushed hot and bit the inside of your cheek, not knowing what to say, so opting to say nothing at all.

“Come on, let me see..” he pulled the covers back and looked down.

His mouth hung agape as he saw you were actually touching your most intimate area. He scooted in closer to you and laid a curious hand on your thigh, waiting for permission. “May I?”

You moved your own toying hand a little and sighed pleasantly as he took over, copying your motions exactly and applying some pressure as well. He was working you up faster than before and he loved the way you were falling apart for him, getting more comfortable with intimacy and letting him know just how good he was making you feel.

Steve covered your mouth with his own and swallowed a few of your moans. He stuffed his fingers inside you like before and pumped them, nipping your bottom lip as you dug your nails into his arm.

“Please don’t stop, Steve…”

Moonlight glinted off of the pool and danced in waves upon the ceiling as your moans climbed higher in pitch. But you felt a plateau forming and your disappointment came back full force as after a few minutes, Steve seemed to be slowing down. You just knew you needed one more thing to get you... somewhere, and then you realized suddenly that when he had changed the position of his hand, he had also stopped playing with that special spot.

“Steve, Steve.” You looked desperate and tried very hard to convey what you needed, as you were unable to speak coherently. And sweet, clever Steve caught on to your meaning, and without stopping the deep thrust of his fingers, he used his thumb to make those circles on that spot again as best he could. It was enough and you feel that tight coil snap.

You let out a gasping scream as your whole body convulsed and twitched rhythmically. Your legs snapped closed and trapped Steve’s hand between your thighs, and you writhed with pitiful and lewd noises until your soul returned to your body and left you completely drained. Steve stared at you for a long time until he gently eased his soaked fingers out and let you rest more comfortably.

It took him several minutes to collect himself while you were falling asleep beside him. Finally, he muttered, “so that’s what’s supposed to happen… hmph, well that's news to me...”

More Valentines! | Main Masterlist

First time with Steve Harrington's GOTTA be top ten on my list, y'all. He is so fucking wonderful and cute and FIFTIES Steve would be hella wholesome. Leave a like, comment, or reblog to let me know if you like these and want more!

#steve harrington smut #valentines day fic #bee's archive of fiction #black reader insert #joe keery character fiction #joe keery fanfiction #steve harrington x female reader #steve harrington x reader #three bees writing #🐝🐝🐝✒

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chickensarentcheap · 2 years ago

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Lost and Found- Chapter 8

Fandom: Extraction

Pairing: Tyler Rake and Esme Drummond (established OFC. Although you do not need to read the others to understand this one)

Warnings: angst, mild profanity,

Tagging: @tragiclyhip @secretaryunpaid @youflickedtooharddamnit @thesirenrealm @residentdormouse @asirensrage @munstysmind @muchadoaboutcj @starryeyes2000 @karimac @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciationtag @occommunity @themaradaniels

My tag list is OPEN. Just give me a shout if you’d like to added :)

Link to Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43179357/chapters/116371852

******

He arrives in New York City shortly after one pm; the owner of The Continental sending a chauffeured, bulletproof Lincoln Town Car to fetch him.

“Now is not the time to cheap out on security,” the driver had told him when he’d commented on how he could have just taken a cab; uncomfortable with the kind of treatment that comes with associating with the likes of those that work under The High Table. “People are watching. They are ALWAYS watching.”

The moment he steps foot in the hotel, he becomes the focus of attention; the eyes of both the politely curious and the disgusted and disdained following his every move. He ignores both the stares and the whispers as he confidently strides towards the front desk; the soles of his boots squeaking ever so slightly on the gleaming marble floods. He’s painfully out of place among the expensive Italian suits and designer labels; clad in well-worn blue jeans, and a blue, brown, and white long-sleeve plaid shirt over a white t-shirt under a beaten and tattered utility jacket. A simple, knitted black beanie covers his freshly shorn hair and a rucksack from his army days is slung over his right shoulder; enough clothes to last him a few days. IF they’re forced to say that long.

But despite his modest appearance and his long absence, he’s greeted by Charon’s warm, dark eyes and welcoming smile as he steps up to the concierge desk.

“Mister Rake. How nice to see you again. Welcome back. It’s been quite a while.”

“About ten years,” he confirms. “ See you’re still keeping the place running, huh?”

Charon chuckles. “I wouldn’t know about THAT. I merely answer the phones and book rooms and send people on their way. I’m hardly breaking a sweat. We have missed you. I know you were never a regular, but it was always nice to see you. To catch up. How are things ‘down under’?”

“Busy. And hot. Very hot. Things have been good here? I see the old place got a facelift. When did that happen?”

“About six years ago. But I assure you, she is still the same beautiful, graceful old lady.”

“You’ve got the same owner?”

“Same owner. “

Tyler reaches into his pocket for one of the gold coins that Yaz had given him before de-boarding the plane; placing it on the countertop and then sliding it towards the concierge.

Plucking the object up from the smooth, marble surface, Charon briefly inspects it for authenticity before slipping it into one of the pockets on his suit jacket. Then turns his attention to the computer in front of him, fingers flying over the keyboard. “I see we have you for three nights. Tentatively.”

“Depends on how things go. How fast we can get them off the ground. And how cleanly.”

“Of course, sir.” The other man produces a keycard from a drawer behind the desk, then holds it out in offering. “Room six fifteen. Should I announce your arrival?”

“Give me a few hours. Just to grab something to eat and some sleep. It was a hell of a long flight.”

“You will find a room service menu on the bedside table. All of the delicacies offered at our in-house restaurant can be delivered straight to your door. There are no restrictions. And our servers are at your beck and call; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”

“I expect nothing less from this place.”

“Is there anything I could get sent upstairs for you? Something to drink? A bottle of scotch, perhaps?”

“I don’t touch the stuff anymore. Haven’t had a drop in almost five years. But thank you.”

“My pleasure, sir. If there’s anything you need, please do not hesitate to call the desk. And do let me know when you’d like me to tell Ms. Khan that you’ve arrived.”

Tyler smirks. “MS Khan, huh? Nik know you call her that?”

“She has expressed disdain at the title. Scolded me once or twice. But we pride ourselves on our professionalism here at The Continental.”

“Definitely a diamond in the rough. Almost makes me wish I’d not gone into the private sector. Might have enjoyed things a bit more had I gone this direction.”

“Be careful what you wish for. It’s not for everyone. It comes with its…how should I say?...downfalls. I think someone such as yourself does much better in an environment that’s not so…strict.”

“You calling me uncivilized, Charon?”

“Never, sir. Merely stating that the circles you travel in are not quite the same as the ones who come through these doors are known to frequent. And that while it’s always nice to see you, it’s also a good sign when we don’t, if you know what I mean.”

“I do. And I appreciate it. It’s nice to know someone wants me to have some peace and quiet. Stay out of trouble.”

“You have more than earned your rest, sir. And I must admit that after such a long absence, I was quite hopeful our paths would never cross again. A sign that life was treating you well. As it should.”

“Trouble always seems to find me. One way or another. Nature of the beast, yeah? Once you get in this life, you never really get out of it.”

“For your sake, I hope that isn’t true. That this is the last time I will be welcoming you. And it’s not because I don’t like you. It’s because I DO.”

“Well, you’re one of the select few. And for what it’s worth, you’re alright yourself.”

A smile tugs the corners of Charon’s mouth. “Coming from you, I take that as an utmost compliment. Are you certain there is nothing more I can do for you at this time?”

“We’re good. I’ll let you know. When I’m ready to meet with Nik.”

“I feel I should let you know that the owner would like to meet with you at some point. There are some things he’d like to discuss.”

“Is that just a friendly heads up or a warning?”

“Simply a professional courtesy. It’s been a pleasure, sir. A genuine one.”

“Believe me, Charon, after the last few years I’ve had, the pleasure is all mine.”

“Onwards and upwards, as they say. And as always, it IS good to see you again. We hope you enjoy your stay, Mister Rake.”

*****

Following two hours of sleep, a long hot shower, and a change of clothes, Nik greets him in the fifteenth-floor hallway; wrapping him in a warm embrace and then holding him at arm’s length. “You look good, Tyler. Healthy.”

“I FEEL good. Healthier than I have in a long time. Mind you, the jet lag will catch up sooner or later, but…”

“How was the flight? I know it’s kind of a long haul and…”

“It was boring. Uneventful. Do we really have to do this? The small talk We’ve known each other for a long time, Nik. I thought we were past all this by now.”

“Just trying to catch up. It’s been a while since I last saw you. And I have to say, I was hoping that the next time we DID meet up, it wasn’t because of business. I would rather it have been a social call, but…”

“I gave you my word. Years ago. That I’d be around to help out if you ever desperately needed it. And it sounds like you’re pretty damn desperate.”

“Like I said on the phone, the client won’t even hear about another merc. They’re insisting that you handle everything. And if I’m completely honest, you’re the one guy that I CAN put all my faith into and not regret it in the end.”

He nods in the direction of the door. “So what’s with all the secrecy? And don’t give me some bullshit about not calling me on a secure line. I know how strict you are with things. There was no way you were calling me on something that wasn’t safe. What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s a delicate situation. One that needed to be handled face to face. I didn’t want to take the risk of telling you over the phone and having you turn the job down. I knew if I got you all the way here, the chances were pretty good that you weren’t going back to Australia empty-handed.”

“A good payday WOULD make the trip worthwhile. But I gotta admit; something doesn’t feel right. Whatever it is you’re not telling me…”

“It’s just…I don’t know…” Nik sighs and rakes a hand through her hair. “...complicated.”

“It’s always fucking complicated, isn’t it? Just who is this client? Why all the mystery? And who the hell did they piss off to find themselves in this kind of trouble?”

“It’s an employee of mine. An intel specialist I had working undercover. Infiltrating a local organized crime family.”

“The mob, you mean.”

“Extremely powerful and dangerous. With very deep roots. And a lot of skeletons in their closet. Not to mention the judges and lawyers and law officials they have in their back pockets. They have their fingers in a lot of pies. None of them good.”

“And this employee got busted?”

Nik nods. “Through no fault of their own. They’d been tied up with the family for eight months. and there’s even the slightest whimper of trouble. Four nights ago, I received an anonymous phone call that said my person’s cover was blown and all hell was going to break loose. The family was out for blood. And they were sending a small army to collect it.”

“Sounds like they’re not the type to handle failure very well. They know where you’ve got everyone hiding out?”

“Everyone knows The Continental is a safe haven. I doubt they’ll show up here. As tough as they are, even though they don’t want to piss off the High Table.”

“It’s the second we step out those doors that we’ll have a problem.”

“There’s a lot that needs to be worked out. A lot of planning we have to do. It isn’t going to be easy; getting them and yourself out of New York in one piece.”

“When is it ever easy? I didn’t come here thinking it would be a cakewalk. What I don’t understand is why anyone would get mixed up with people like that when they have a kid in tow. Why would a parent do that? Get caught up with dangerous people when they’ve got someone depending on them. The kid is innocent. They don’t deserve to be in the middle of all this.”

“I was the one who pressured them,” Nik admits. “Into taking the job. Just like you’re the perfect person for this, they were the perfect person for that. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. You know how I can be pretty persuasive. Lean on people pretty heavily.”

“How much is the payout?”

“One million. Two fifty for the client, seven fifty for the little girl.”

“So the kid is my main priority.”

“As per the client’s wishes. They’re not concerned for their own well-being. Their biggest worry is getting the little one somewhere safe and keeping her alive and well. That’s it.”

“I’m not a babysitter, Nik. I’m not a nanny. What am I supposed to do with her when I get her there?”

“You were a father. You know how to take care of a kid. I know you haven’t dipped your toes in that particular pool for a while, but I imagine it’s like riding a bike.”

Sighing heavily, he leans back against the wall; eyes briefly closing as he pinches the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger.

“Tyler, if you’re not up to this…”

“I’m here, aren’t I? I wouldn’t have come all this way if I wasn’t up to it. I’m just tired. It’s a hell of a flight from home to here. Just need more sleep. Before jet lag gets even worse. Or better yet, maybe someone can just pour some coffee into one of those IV bags and hook the fucker right up to my arm.”

“After the team meeting later, you’ll be able to get some reason. That’s all that’s on the schedule for today. We’ve got four days here. We should only need two to plan everything out. I’ve planned bigger and more dangerous things in less time.”

“So what am I walking into now? If we’re not all getting together yet, why’d you ask me to come down here? Why…?”

“I think you and the client should have some ‘one-on-one time’. Meet, feel each other out, see if you vibe. If it’s not a good fit, I’ve still got time to bring in someone else. I know it’s not how we usually do things, but this is…” She chooses her words carefully. “...very special circumstances.”

“Because of the age of the kid and all. I get it. I didn’t want her getting freaked out. Some big, beat-up-looking guy getting too close to her and her mum. Besides, aren’t kids usually really good judges of character or something like that? Guess she’s the one I need to win over, huh?”

“Just go in there with an open mind,” Nik encourages. “Just put all your reservations and your judgements and opinions aside. On the whole dragging your kid into the job thing. They need you, Tyler. And part of that is needing you to be as gentle and patient as you possibly can. Like I said…”

“Special circumstances.”

She nods and then turns towards the door; pausing before reaching for the handle. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

“I wouldn’t have come all this way if I wasn’t sure. I gave my word, didn’t I? To you. To them.”

“Circumstances CAN change. If you’re having reservations…”

“I’m in,” he assures her. “I am ALL in.”

*******

While Nik steps out of the room to fetch the client, Tyler surveys his surroundings. The suite is far more opulent than anything he’s spent time in The Continental; one of a handful of three-bedroom apartments that take up the entire top floor of the hotel. The walls are made of rich and glistening mahogany; bearing incredibly detailed carvings of flowers and trees, stretching upwards to meet the intricate cove ceiling. And the carpet is thick and plush beneath the soles of his combat boots; forest green interspersed with tiny flecks of orange and gold.

The whole place reeks of power and influence. Its fully stocked bar with only top-shelf liquor; accompanied by shelves of crystal highball glasses and long-stemmed champagne flutes. Leather couches and chairs with their brocaded throw pillows; vibrant golds and oranges lending much-needed color to the room. A marble globe and ivory chess set sit in one corner; a lone occupant leaving behind the stump of a cigar and half a glass of whiskey when they had departed. A state-of-the-art television mounted to one wall and an aquarium -full of brightly coloured fish- inlaid in another; the bubbling and humming of the filtration system the only noise disturbing the silence. And the lone picture window, giving a stunning view of New York City. With its congested traffic and its towering structures and the shimmering harbor in the distance.

He stands in front of it now. Hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans as he studies the horizon; mesmerized by the way the sun bounces off towers of steel and glass. It’s been years since he last stepped foot in New York City; a rare -yet extremely lucrative- North American gig that Nik had approached him during his first few months on the job. A gig that had required a little more class; a fresh shave and a fancy suit and mingling with those that inhabit the upper tier of society. His path crossing with many interesting and questionable people; corrupt politicians and crooked members of law enforcement, young socialites with their much older -and extremely wealthy- husbands.

And one infamous and widely feared hitman that was as heartbroken and damaged as he was.

“Tyler?”

It’s soft. Almost timid. And he turns purely on instinct; not leaving any time for the voice to register. His chest and throat immediately tightening; his mouth suddenly painfully dry and his eyes wide with disbelief.

It’s been five years but at that moment, they’re still standing in the kitchen of that old shack in The Kimberley. The one with the rusted tin roof and the creaky, uneven floors, and the pipes that groaned and shook whenever you took a shower. Back when they didn't have much but they were happy; healthy and healing and planning for the future. TOGETHER.

And when he finally manages to speak, it comes out as barely a whisper.

“Esme?”

*******

Her entire body trembles with anxiety; sweat gathers at the nape of her neck and her palms are suddenly cold and clammy. It’s all so much. Not just the tremendous guilt and regret she’s carried all this time, but a staggering amount of love, adoration and attraction. Still as overwhelming as it was nearly five years ago; in that hotel room in Dhaka when she’d finally allowed herself to trust and want and need again. Since the moment she’d walked out the door, she’s spent hours dreaming about this moment; the things she’d feel and how she’d react when they finally got the chance to come face to face again. How would his voice sound to her ears? What would his skin feel like under her fingertips? Would he still smell the same? That crisp and clean scent that always clung to hair and clothes; reminding her of safety and home and all of the other beautiful things he’d brought to her life. She had never once entertained the thought that it would be the job that would cause their paths to cross once more; always holding onto the thought that she’d simply show up on his doorstep, their daughter in tow. Never here. Shrouded in secrecy behind The Continental’s four walls.

“Tyler.” It’s all she can manage; her hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of her blouse, her feet rooted to the floor as she takes in his expression. Shock and bewilderment; the deep furrows in his brow, his wide, disbelieving eyes, and his ragged breathing.

He carries more weight now; his face is fuller and neck thicker, and his shoulders and chest broader. The gray in his hair is more prominent; littering his beard and congregating around his ears, at his temples, and along the bottom of his hairline. There are more lines on his forehead and by the corners of his mouth and around his eyes; the latter not as vibrant as she remembered. Life hasn’t been easy or kind to him; an ongoing struggle to keep his sobriety, the stresses of balancing his firefighting career with not only his home reno business, but the favors that Nik still calls in. It’s his lingering connection to ‘the game’ that has seen more scars added to his collection; tarnishing the skin by the corner of his right eye and the underside of his chin. And one that travels from under his left ear lobe and snakes its way down his jaw.

But he’s still very much Tyler; his scent and his voice familiar.

She attempts a smile; tearful and shaky. “Long time no see.��

“It’s been a while.”

He takes a hesitant first step; arms loose at his side and his hands unclenched. Not wishing to scare or intimidate; sending a clear message that despite how things had ended and how he’d both grieved and raged, he poses no threat. Feeling the abrupt change in himself; the peeling away of the layers of worry that had burdened both heart and shoulders. Many times he’d wondered if she were still alive; if she’d been taken against her will and had simply been unable to contact him before meeting her untimely demise. He’d have nightmares based around the scenario; masked men doing vile and demeaning things to her before killing her in the most brutal, bloody ways possible. And he’d spend days afterwards wallowing in guilt; hating himself because it was easier to accept her death than it was the thought of her leaving him for someone else.

“You’re the client?”

Esme nods

He closes the gap between them; bewilderment turning to concern as he studies the fresh injuries that mar her face. And it’s as if he’s operating on auto-pilot; reaching out to gently explore the blemishes that peek through her makeup. His fingertips slowly passing over every bruise and cut; eyes darkening as concern turns to anger. All these years later…despite all the hurt and the heartbreak…he still possesses a softness towards her; a tender and patient side that she had managed to unearth shortly after they met. He hasn’t shown or revisited since she walked out of his life; closing himself off emotionally and not finding that same level of comfort and trust that had existed between them.

Her eyes close; both body and mind are comforted by his touch. A moment that is so pure and beautiful that it takes her breath away; her head swimming and her cheeks flushed, and her knees weak. She had missed his touch; heart and body both experiencing an unbearable ache whenever she recalled what it was like to be loved… physically…by him. Not just the sexual encounters but the moments of more innocent and subdued intimacy. The feel of rough calluses against soft skin, the repeated brush of his knuckles along her spine, the tenderness displayed by large, powerful hands as they soaped and rinsed her body or scrubbed at her hair. Such a juxtaposition; the softness that could linger inside such an enormous man. Despite his painful back story and all the trauma he’d endured and the things he’d seen and done in combat and on the job, he’d still had so much humanity inside of him; a love and a tenderness that not even the harshest and most brutal of circumstances could completely erase.

“Who did this to you?” His fingertips brush over both the swelling and discolouration that have taken up residence under her left eye.

The need to protect is far greater than any of the negative he’s ever experienced; quickly pushing aside all of the hurt and sadness and long-simmering anger. They’ll return to the forefront eventually; thoughts returning to the year spent looking for her and the countless dead ends he’d encountered and all the horrible scenarios he’d entertained. He’ll want and demand answers; something…anything… that will finally put an end to all the questions and the wondering. And he’ll somehow accept and cope with her explanation even if it does sting like hell to hear.

“Bad people. Very bad people.”

His palm cradles her cheek; the pad of his thumb brushing across her lips. “Are you okay?”

Shaking her head, she peers up at him; unable to control the tears that well in her eyes. “I need your help.”

“When Nik said someone called demanding me, this is NOT what I was expecting. Why didn’t you get a hold of me yourself? Why…?”

“I wasn’t sure you’d even take my call. Or that if you did answer, you’d hear my voice and just hang up. I was scared, I guess; I thought I was probably the last person you’d want to hear from.”

“I’ve only been wanting to hear from you every day for the last five years.”

She blinks at his honesty. His tone neither harsh nor condescending, but instead tinged by the various emotions that come with both deep hurt and lingering affection. “Tyler, I…”

“What happened? Why DO you need me?”

“What has Nik told you?”

“That you were working a job. Something to do with organized crime. Your cover got blown somehow. Is that who did this to you?” His fingertips briefly come in contact with an abrasion on the right side of her forehead; stretching from her hairline to the top of her eyebrow. “Your mark?”

“I’m not sure WHO it was, exactly. People employed by his family, I’m assuming. It’s all so twisted and complicated…”

“Twisted and complicated come hand in hand with the job.”

“It’s a long story; how I got tied up in things. Nik needed someone that could get inside the family; get close enough to hear all the dirty secrets. And everything was going great. I’d been in there for almost eight months and there’d been any sign of trouble. I was SO careful. You know me; I never take unnecessary risks and I always watch my back. If I’d felt anything was off whatsoever…”

“So what happened? Nik said something about information getting leaked and people showing up at the house and…”

“She got a phone call. From an informant. That I’d been figured out. I don’t know if someone saw me with the family and recognized me from when I’d done business in New City before, but…”

“But all hell broke loose.”

“They brought a small army with them. A heavily armed one at that. And if it hadn’t been for Nik getting a team together to get us out of there…”

He frowns. “Us? Who’s us?”

“That’s where it gets even more twisted. And complicated. It’s something you and I really need to talk about. Before we get any further into the business side of things. It’s why I asked Nik to keep her distance; give us a chance to talk to each other in private. There’s a little…I don’t know how to say this…”

“She talked about ‘fragile contents’. And that’s code language for only one thing. There’s a kid involved. Somehow. Yours?”

“And yours.”

His eyes narrow; a scowl tugging at the corners of his mouth. “And mine? What…?”

“I didn’t know about the baby. Not until two weeks after I got here. I wanted to tell you. I wanted to call you right away; I wanted you to be here. But I had to protect both of you and…”

“Wait…wait…” He’s unable to contain the nervous chuckle. “A baby? MY baby?”

“She’s so beautiful, Tyler. She’s beautiful and she’s perfect and she is everything amazing inside both of us. And when you meet her, you’re just going to fall in love with her. I know you will. She is so much like you. From head to toe. She even has your smile and your laugh and all of your facial expressions. It’s like there’s nothing of me whatsoever inside of her. Like I was just the incubator and….” Her face flushes; cheeks feeling impossibly hot as she chews on her bottom lip to stop herself from rambling. “I’m sorry. I am so sorry. That you had to find out this way. This is the last thing I wanted. I had it all planned. How once I was done with this job, I’d take her to Australia and we’d get a hold of you and…”

The door of the suite unexpectedly and Millie rushes in. Her thick, dirty blond hair worn loose and tumbling down to the middle of her back; still damp from the time spent in the indoor pool with Abuela. Her long and lanky frame clad only in a bubble gum pink swimsuit adorned tiny, sparkling silver unicorns. And as she hurries towards her mother, she nearly trips several times over the bottom of the beach towel slung around her shoulders.

“Momma!” She wraps her arms around Esme’s thighs; eyes closing and a content sigh escaping her lips as she squeezes as tight as she can. “I missed you!”

Esme struggles in vain to disguise the nervousness in her voice; feeling the full weight of Tyler’s stare upon her. It’s a mixture of shock, hurt, and betrayal; the reality that the little one being scooped up into her mother’s arms is indeed his. There’s no way he could possibly deny it; Millie bears a striking resemblance to him. Hair color and texture, the long limbs and torso, the brilliant blue eyes, the same nose and jaw structure. “You weren’t even gone that long, sweets. Not even a couple of hours. And you still missed me?”

“I always miss you, mom. Even if it’s just ten minutes.”

“Well, I missed you, too. Nap time isn’t the same without my all time favorite cuddle buddy.” She showers Millie’s forehead and cheeks with kisses before placing her on the ground. “Can you do me a favor? Can you go and…?”

“Hi!” The four-year-old chirps; flashing her toothiest smile as she peers up at Tyler; intrigued by his sheer size and the tattoos that grace his skin. “I’m Millie! Well, my name is really Amelia, but I tell everyone to call me Millie. I think it sounds better. Who are you? What’s your name?”

He swallows noisily; barely able to force the word past his lips. “Tyler.”

“Are you a friend of mom’s?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“Millie…” Esme drops a kiss on the top of her head and then places her hands on her shoulders, attempting to gently steer her away “...why don’t you go and take off your swimsuit and wait for me in the bathroom. I’ll be in in a couple of minutes. Give you a bath and get all that chlorine off of you.”

“Are you here to help?” Millie inquires, as she steps closer to Tyler; the tips of her toes pressed against his boots; head tipping back as far as it possibly goes to ‘size him up’. “Are you going to get us away from the bad guys?”

“I’m going to try, yeah.”

“You’re really big.”

Esme reaches for her; embarrassed by the peppering of questions and comments. “Amelia…”

He manages a grin. “Maybe you’re just really small.”

“Uh-uh. I’m normal size. You’re a giant! Are you like ten feet tall?”

“Six feet. And a couple inches.”

“I like that picture. On your neck. It’s cool. What’s it supposed to be?”

“Tattoo,” Esme gently corrects. “They’re called tattoos.”

“Where’d you get it? In jail?”

“Amelia,” her mother scolds. “What in the world…”

“In the army, actually,” Tyler informs her. “A long time ago.”

“The army? You were like GI Joe?! I can see it. You’re really tall and it looks like you got really big muscles. Do you? Have really big muscles? Momma likes guys with really big muscles. Which is why I don’t get why she was with Alessio. He looks like a wimp. Really small muscles. Not like you. You look really strong. I bet the bad guys never mess with you. You got a girlfriend?”

“Not really, no.”

“She is way too nosey for her own good” Esme offers in a way of apology. “She thinks everyone she meets is automatically her friend and that she can ask a million and one questions and…”

“But he IS my friend, mom,” Millie informs her. “If he’s a friend of yours and he’s here to help with the bad guys…”

“I am so sorry,” Abuela gives a sheepish smile as she hurries into the room; using the towel around her neck to vigorously dry her hair. “She is so fast! And sneaky! Took off as soon as those elevator doors opened. You little miss…” Tousling Millie’s hair, she gently takes her by the shoulders. “...are coming with me. We’ll get you a nice warm bath and some comfy clothes and then decide what we’re going to have for dinner.”

“But I was talking to Tyler! He’s my friend. Why can’t I…?”

“Your mom was talking to him first. We interrupted. Come on, let’s go and get cleaned up. Sooner we do that, sooner we get to eat! Which means we get closer to having ice cream for dessert!”

“Ice cream is my favorite!” Millie gushes, addressing Tyler. “Do you like ice cream? What’s your favorite kind? Mine is mint chocolate chip.”

“That’s my favorite too.”

Millie gasps; eyes wide as she excitedly takes one of his hands on both of hers. “Really? Is it REALLY your favorite? You’re not just saying that?”

“It’s really my favorite.”

“We just became best friends! Besties! Maybe you come with us. To get ice cream! But we can’t have any until after dinner. Are you hungry? You come with us if you want. We don’t mind, right Abuela?”

“I got a lot of stuff going on right now, but maybe we can get ice cream some other time,” Tyler suggests and tentatively reaches out; fingertips clearing damp strands of hair off her forehead and looping others behind her ears. Wanting…needing…to touch her; as if requiring proof that she is actually real and standing right in front of him. It’s a surreal, mind and body-numbing experience; unable to control his movements and his brain struggling to get a firm grasp on this new reality. Trying to accept that after all of the heartbreak following his son’s death and those dark and troubled days filled with grief, guilt, and regrets, he’s suddenly a father again.

Millie keeps a tight hold on his hand; blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “Like an ice cream date?”

“Sure, we can call it that. I mean, if your mum’s alright with it.”

He offers Esme a shaky smile; feeling a potent, confusing mix of not only love and adoration, but hurt and anger. The last thing he wants is to harbor and feed into the latter; he sees the deep furrows of concern that crease her brow and the tears of remorse that prick her eyes. She IS the love of his life; all of those emotions and all of the attraction are still as strong as they had been five years ago. But a deeper layer has been added to both their lives; an even stronger, more permanent bond than the one they’d previously shared. She is now the mother of his child; they’d managed to create an incredible little human together.

The corners of her mouth turn up in a small smile of her own. It’s so hard; so goddamn hard. For everyone involved. There’s no way life has been easy for her; going through a pregnancy alone and then living the past four years as a single mother. But she’s obviously done right by their daughter. Millie is happy and healthy; an intelligent, free spirit that is the center of her mother’s universe.

“That sounds like a great idea,” she muses. “I’d like it if the two of you hung out together.”

“It’s a date!” Millie squeals. “I’ll even wear one of my new dresses! And get Abeula to do my hair all pretty. Ribbons and stuff. You’ll do that, right Abuela?”

“I will. But first thing is first…” She scoops Millie up into her arms. “...cleaning you up! And figuring out what we want to have for dinner. I can hear your tummy just grumbling away. Sounds like an angry bear!”

“I’m starving,” the four-year-old declares. “I’m so hungry, I could eat the ass out of a dead hippopotamus!”

“Amelia!” Esme scolds. “Excuse you?!”

She gives a sheepish grin. “Sorry, mom. I could eat the BUTT out of a dead hippopotamus! Bye, Tyler!” She waves enthusiastically as Abeula carries her through the room. “Maybe we can have our ice cream date tomorrow!”

“I’ll talk to your mum. Make plans.”

“And you don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to, but I’m going to wear my prettiest, frilliest dress. Just for you!”

He returns a final wave with one of his own; a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth as he watches and listens to her as she goes. Excitedly and incessantly chattering about their upcoming ‘date’ and the various dishes in the hotel restaurant that are her favorites. And it’s when she disappears out of sight that the pain returns; a profound sadness mixed with rage.

“Tyler…” Esme hesitantly begins; reaching out to lay a comforting hand on his bicep. “I’m so sorry. I never…”

His eyes narrow; tone menacing as he regards her angrily and yanks his arm away from her. “How could you do this? Keep her from me? How could you…”

“I didn’t do it to hurt you. I wasn’t trying to keep her away from you. Believe me, I wanted us to be together. I wanted us to be a family. But…”

“Four years, Esme. I’ve been a dad for FOUR YEARS and you didn’t even tell me. After everything we talked about. About how we were going to settle down and start a family and have a normal life. I gave you EVERYTHING I had of myself. And I would’ve given you even more if I could have.”

“I know. I know you would have. And I didn’t leave because I didn’t love you, Tyler. I left you because I did.”

“You know, for five years that’s all I cared about. It was the worst thing that ever happened; losing you and not knowing WHY. Constantly wondering what the fuck I did wrong that made you walk away.”

“You didn’t do ANYTHING. You were everything I ever wanted. I didn’t want to leave you. I just didn’t have a choice.”

“So someone dragged you out, kicking and screaming? Held a gun to your head?”

“No. But they would have. If I didn’t leave, I would have brought nothing but horrible shit to your doorstep. That you wouldn’t have survived. And I couldn’t do that to you. I couldn’t lose you. Not like that. I had to walk away. To save you.”

“You know what? Suddenly why you left isn’t even my biggest concern anymore. It’s why you keep her…our daughter…MY daughter…a secret from me. How could you do that? You knew I wanted to be a dad again. Despite the fact, it scared the shit out of me. I was fucking terrified but I still wanted that experience again. And I wanted it with YOU.”

“I couldn’t tell you. When I found out. I was in the middle of something really scary and horrible and getting in touch with you would have just put you in danger. And I didn’t want that. That's why I left in the first place.”

“What about after? When whatever was going on settled down? Why didn’t you contact me then? Tell me about her? Because I would have been on the next flight. To BOTH of you.”

“I was afraid. That you’d be so angry at me for leaving that you wouldn’t want anything to do with her. And I couldn’t handle that. If you decided not to claim her. I just couldn’t.”

“I would have NEVER done that to you. Or to her. I wanted a family with you. I wanted a kid. You knew THAT.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m sorry? I made a mistake? Because believe me, it was the worst mistake of my life and I have regretted every single second since I left. I really wish things could have been different. That I’d been given any other choice. But leaving was the best thing. Especially for you.”

“There is nothing you can say that will ever make all of this make sense. How could you do this to me? After everything we went through. All the times I spilled my fucking guts to you. The way I turned my entire life around so I could be the man you wanted. That you DESERVED. How could you fuck me over like this? Keep her from me?”

“If you’d just let me explain. If we could sit down and talk about this. Rationally. If we can just push the anger aside for even just a little bit. I know I have a lot of explaining to do. A lot of apologizing. But if you’d just give me the chance…”

“I can barely even look at you right now. How the hell am I supposed to sit and talk about things RATIONALLY?”

“Once you’ve been able to digest everything. To just calm down even just a little bit. That’s all I’m asking for, Tyler. Just a chance. To explain my side. Please? If not for me, for Millie. Because she deserves to know you. And if you just walk away…”

“I might be pissed, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to walk away. I’m here, yeah? I didn’t take off as soon as I saw you, did I? I stuck around. Do you honestly think I’d leave? After finding out about her? Do you think that little of me?”

“I’ve NEVER thought little of you. EVER. I was the one who believed in you, Tyler. I was the one who took the chance. When no one else would. I was the one who SAW you. The real you. All the rusted and broken parts and everything beautiful that still existed inside of you. Everything we went through…everything you came with…I STILL wanted you.”

“What do you want me to say? Thank you? For not looking at me like everyone else did? Like some huge piece of shit?”

“I want you to realize it isn’t just black and white. Why I left. I know you, Tyler. I know how smart you are. How well you read people. Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me that I’m lying to you? About how I felt? About what I wanted? About why I left? Can you do that? Look me dead in the eye and tell me you can’t tell I’m being sincere?”

His eyes focus on hers; cold and calculated blue at war with rich, apologetic brown. Despite the hurt and the anger, he still SEES her; his most loyal confidant, biggest cheerleader, the best friend he’s ever had, and the love of his life. It’s all there; the affection and the adoration and the lust. His pride doesn’t want to feel those things; he wants to wallow in his misery and blame her for his trouble out of sheer spite. But it’s impossible.

“No,” Tyler admits. “I can’t.”

“Can we please talk? Later? After all the business stuff is done for the day? I’m not asking for much. Just a chance to explain my side. That’s it.”

He nods in agreement and reaches out once more, skimming his knuckles along her bruised cheek. It’s so conflicting; needing and loving someone that much yet wanting nothing more than to rant, rave, and air your grievances. And he opens his mouth to speak; intending to comfort and offer reassurances that everything -at least in regards to the job- is going to be okay. But is interrupted by Nik suddenly appearing in the doorway; drumming her fingernails against the wood and noisily clearing her throat.

“We need to get the show on the road. Winston’s held the main conference room for us. We’re all going to meet down there. I can give you guys a few more minutes but…”

“We’re done here.” His tone is harsher than he intended, and when he notices her blink and physically recoil, he gives Esme a comforting smile. “At least for now.”

#Tyler and Esme series #Extraction #Extraction 2 #Tyler Rake #Tyler Rake fan fiction #Extraction fan fiction #Tyler Rake x OFC #Chris Hemsworth #Tyler Rake fan fic #Extraction fan fic #Chris Hemsworth Extraction

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deke-rivers-1957 · 7 months ago

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Kung Fu Elvis Part 3

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If you're new to this series, the point of this is to find out which Elvis character is the best fighter given an uninterrupted hand to hand combat styled fight. The goal is to rank each individual Elvis character and then within each tier determine who would win against who.

How I plan on determining this will be by finding each character's age, size and general background. How well a character does in on screen fights will also be considered but analyzed on a case by case basis. Sometimes an Elvis character loses a fight simply because it's a comedy, or due to the low quality stage fighting wins because his opponents are laughably weak.

At the end of the day this is all headcanon as these are all fictional characters. If you disagree with how I rank a character I would love to hear your thoughts on where you would put them.

Wild in the Country is a movie that doesn't have a particular year. You would have to use the cars seen in the movie to determine when it takes place. Despite the presence of cars from the 40s, you also see a 1961 Chrysler New Yorker. Culturally speaking, you can also tell this is the early 1960s as you have Glenn going to therapy instead of immediately being institutionalized, a black man working with a white attorney showing the progression away from segregation, and college being a somewhat viable option with attendance steadily increasing since 1957. Given that Glenn doesn't have much of a job and has a rough and tumble backstory, it's likely that he isn't getting a full three square meals a day.

Even though I said on some sources, Glenn is stated to be 25, I could see someone make the argument that he's younger. Since no one claimed that he was a bit "too old" to be a college student, I'd say he's about 20/21 years old. Glenn being drunk is a non-issue because I don't see this town as being the type to care about enforcing drinking laws. In fact, Glenn's dad is an alcoholic and his uncle has it readily available which would make it more likely for Glenn to have drank before he turned 21.

Kissin Cousins relies heavily on the US military wanting land to build an airbase for the sake of national defense. Given that the Cuban Missile Crisis would serve as a big motivator to have a solidified air defense, we can assume this movie takes place a little after October 1962. Josh is an Air Force pilot and since he doesn't have anything on his uniform to suggest he was involved in a war or military intervention, it's fair to say that he's been living comfortably yet still has to be at least somewhat fit. Jodie meanwhile has been living up in the mountains his whole life where everyone lives off the land, so there isn't a lot of room to take in an excessive amount of calories. That also means, given his lifestyle and his work as a wrestler, Jodie by necessity has to stay in shape.

Going off of Josh's rank as a 2nd LT. I would say that he's anywhere between 25-30 years old. He never mentions being involved in Korea so that would make him under 30 in 1963. Given that there's no war, it takes a little longer to be promoted so even if Josh went to the academy and graduated, he'd still need a couple more years to be a commissioned officer. If you're in the Air Force, please correct me on how this worked during the 60s. As for Jodie, I have nothing to go off of. We don't have anything in mountain life that's age based. We can only assume that since Jodie is played by Elvis, he's at least an adult. For simplicity's sake, I'd say he's about the same age as Josh.

Despite having a somewhat specific timeline, Kid Galahad doesn't have a specific date. What we can assume is that it's after the 1920s since a poster of the real Jack Dempsey fight from 1921 is shown to be really old. Since the movie was filmed in 1961, I wouldn't be surprised if it was thrown in to a be 40th anniversary nod to it. Given that we see a contemporary Lincoln Continental, I would think this takes place throughout 1961. Mushy Callahan exists in this movie's universe is shown to be an older man, indicating that this takes place well after his prime since he retired in the 1930s. Walter being stationed in Okinawa for the army doesn't really give you a specific clue of when it takes place since the US had a persistent military presence in Japan after their surrender in WWII. Walter never mentions a war though, so we can assume that this takes place after Korea yet before the US sent group troops to Vietnam in 1965. We can assume that him being a soldier and a mechanic meant that he's relatively strong and fit.

Walter only has a canonical baptism date of August 14th 1939 in Cream Valley, New York. Given the context clue of his parents dying when he was 14 months old and that he lived with his family in Kentucky since then, we would assume he was baptized before they died. He was baptized by an Irish Catholic priest if he was allowed to marry Rose, an Irish Catholic so that means his parents likely abided by Catholic guidelines that a healthy baby is baptized within a few weeks or months of birth. Therefore, I would assume he was born in 1939 which in 1961 would make him about 22 years old.

This movie is about as specific as you can get with the time period. The Seattle World's Fair only lasts 6 months from April to October, 1962. We also know that Mike and Danny fly over a potato field. Potatoes can have a variety of planting and harvesting times, but it's common for them to be harvested in August or September. Since the fair isn't overflowing with kids, we can assume most schools have already opened. Sue-Lin's 7 years old so she's old enough to go to school, yet she's able to attend. If we assume that Mr. Ling was saving up money to take Sue-Lin to the fair, he would've had to have been saving money throughout the summer so he can take Sue-Lin right before her schooling starts, so we can assume that this takes place in either August or September, 1962. Mike being a recently destitute crop duster, likely had enough money to eat properly. He would also have to be fit enough to have any chance at becoming a test pilot or an astronaut.

We don't Mike's exact age, but we can make a guess based on certain elements of his life. If he wants to apply to NASA he has to be below the age of 35, have a degree in most commonly engineering, etc. Mike doesn't feel concerned about the age requirement so we assume that he has a few years to wait. We know Mike was in the Army for 3 years and that it takes about 4 years to get a degree in engineering. If we assume Mike did meet that requirement, he likely did it right after he left the Army using his VA benefits. Since the youngest you can be to join the Army is 18, Mike at his youngest finished his degree when he was 25. Since he worked with Danny as a crop duster for 3 years that would make him at least 28. So for simplicity's sake we'll stick with him being 28 years old.

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Glenn might have an age advantage, but he's not at all in a good position to be the best fighter. He's a hot-headed character when he fights and only fought people who were impaired to some degree. He seems to win because of adrenaline and luck. He's similar to Deke from part 1 in that his ability to get proper nutrition is questionable at the very least. Given that he's the young, scrappy and hungry character I don't see him being able to have a long fight. If fact, I can see him being completely unable to win a planned fight. With no motivation to fight as his life isn't on the line, he just wouldn't do that well.

Therefore, Glenn is the worst fighter of this group but that's not an insult. With the exception of Jodie, everyone else has military training. Glenn is still in B tier simply because for the average person, he could beat them in a fight. He just wouldn't stand a chance against the other fighters in this group.

Josh and Jodie only fight each other. No one won because Azalea and Selena interrupted their fight. If you look at this realistically though, I don't see this as an even match. Josh having military training doesn't really help him if he was in a fight. He's an Air Force pilot so he's very unlikely to face someone one on one. Also he would have a gun which doesn't reflect your physical abilities. Jodie is essentially the strongest man in the whole mountain village. You can't live in the mountains your whole life, with no contact to the outside world, and not develop any type of muscle. The only gun they have is a hunting rifle, so must confrontations likely are settled through physical force. That gives Jodie a lot more experience with physical combat.

Therefore, Josh would be in B tier but above Glenn. Josh in general is more physically fit than Glenn. Simply having better nutrition by being in the Air Force would give Josh more energy. Glenn having the age advantage doesn't help him since he wouldn't have the stamina from lack of nourishment. Jodie on the other hand would be in A tier. Brute strength would be enough to win against the average person which Josh basically is. If you take him being a champion wrestler seriously, I don't see how Jodie could realistically lose against someone like Josh in a purely physical fight. I can't rank him higher because even this is based purely on what I think should happen. The movie just doesn't give us enough to know for sure.

Walter won every single fight, won against professional opponents, and won against opponents despite being unarmed. Even in the beginning when he had no technique, he still won his practice match against Joey with one punch. As a professional boxer, he's nothing but physically fit. You know that his camp is going to give him nothing but the best. We see him train and even when he's not training he's working with a heavy duty Model T.

Walter is easily the best fighter of this group. A character like Walter is the reason why this project exists. He is what this project is about: finding the best fighter in the ECU in a hand to hand combat, alone, and uninterrupted. Definitely an S tier fighter as he has direct boxing training, has an age advantage, and has never gotten out of shape. The only thing I question is how realistic it is for him to not get knocked out after being punched. The movie is making it sound as if this is some bizarre ability that I simply don't know if it could even exist in real life. I would still put him ahead of Jodie because if we do believe that Walter's ability to not get knocked out is a legit thing that can happen, then Jodie's brute strength is useless. It would be an insanely entertaining match since you just know that Jodie would be fueled by his hatred for losing.

Mike has only won fights that don't fit my proper criteria. I really think he can win on his own but the movie simply doesn't depict the fights like that. Then again, these are more akin to street fights where things aren't always fair. Adrenaline might play a big role in his fight against Vince, but again Mike being able to maintain a certain level of technique is a sign of skill.

Mike. E is in A tier and I can see him winning some good fights. Despite being a crop duster pilot, Mike being in the Army does give him an advantage. He has to have a bunch of stamina and it shows with him being able to run all over Seattle and still manage to fight Vince. However, without any official solo fights, I can't give him the edge over Jodie. If Jodie being the champion wrestler is a fact, then he would have more canonical solo wins than Mike.

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To summarize for this part:

Walter is in S tier.

Jodie is in A tier.

Mike E. is in A tier but below Jodie.

Josh is in B tier.

Glenn is in B tier but below Josh.

Tagging: @karel-in-wonderland, @crash-and-cure, @lynettethemadscientist, @leighpc, @alienelvisobsession,

@seredelgi, @southcarolinawoman, @arrolyn1114, @ash-omalley, @snicks-12,

@freudianslumber, @be-my-ally, @xanatenshi @vintagepresley, @peaceloveelvis,

@tupelomiss, @peskybedtime, @squaggleson, @idk583838, @mercsandmonsters,

@smokeymountainboy and @lookingforrainbows.