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cowboywritersworld · 21 days ago

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365 days to fall in love

General Masterlist | AEW Masterlist | Claudio Castagnoli Masterlist

Characters: Claudio Castagnoli, Reader, Sheamus, Jon Moxley, Darby Allin

Plot: Claudio is the boss of a mafia family with Sheamus and Jon as his right and left hand men. What happens when Reader discovers her big brother owes them way too much money and can't afford to pay them?

AN: This fic, which will get part of a serie, is partly because of @madhatterbri, who has been fueling my insane ideas. ♥

Claudio looks at himself in the mirror, while tying his tie. Together with the jacket, that is the only piece of clothing he is still missing. His tuxedo is totally black, while his button down shirt is of a different color: white. From the corner of his eyes he can see rays of sunshine timidly make their way into his suite. His bed is kissed by them, but it is empty... Far too empty for his likings.

Hir Rolex shows that it is already 8 am and he sighs, knowing that he should hurry up. He rolls his cuffs, walking to the chair, from where he takes the jacket and wears it with a swift movement of his callous hands. As the Swiss born man finally gets out of his suite, he notices Sheamus - his right-hand man - there waiting for him.

"Is the car ready?" Claudio asks as they walk through the corridor and down the stairs.

"Yes and everyone is ready to go." Sheamus follows him and when they get to the car he opens the door for his best friend and boss, sitting down next and buckles himself in.

"The idiot better has the money he owes us." Claudio contemplates. He doesn't really like that family and he feels fooled by the man who owes them money, ever since he has noticed a badass motorcyclein their yard, the last time they visited. "We have already left him some hints, he should know better than let us wait anymore." There is litte to no room at all for him to get away with it. "Me, you and Jon will be at the door, the others will stay behind, in the car, so he doesn't see them." The boss looks out of the window, while Sheamys simply nods at his words.

Y/N is in her room: she just got ready for University, wearing some tight black pants, a long sleeve shirt and a motorcycle jacket, so she is protected in the very rare case she should have an accident. In the two years she has had her driver licence, she never had an accident, but one can never be too sure about that.

She fluffs out her curly long hair, putting her notebook and pencase together in her backpack, where she already has the clothes she will change into at the coffee shop for her shift. She loves her part-time job, even though it has nothing to do with what she is actually learning, but it helps with her student fees, so she is not a burden to her parents.

"Ehy big bro, do you want me to prepare some breakfast for you as well?" She calls out while walking down the stairs.

"Yes please. Some scrambled eggs and bacon, if you have time?" He is not sure when she is set to start, her lessons aren't always at the same time.

"Don't worry, I still have more than one hour, you take your time." She normally likes to wake up early, take a shower, get everything ready for the day and at the same time listen - through her airpods - at the last lesson she had with that day's teachers. She starts cooking the bacon, while cracking the eggs in the heating pan. She hums while she juggles between the pans, almost jumping when the door bell rings. The clock shows 8:15 am, so who could it be that early in the morning? "I'll take it!" She turns the stoves off, making sure that the food doesn't burn, cleans her hands and finally gets the door while drying them. "Uh... How may I help you?" She is confused, those men all in black are huge and she can't recall ever seeing them there.

"Wo ist dein Bruder?" The tallest man asks her. He seems more intimidating as well and she would love to answer, but she really has no idea what he asked her.

"We don' hav' da whole day!" Jon snorts, but Sheamus smacks him on the nape, before Claudio can get nervous.

"Where are your manners, men?" Sheamus sighs and turns to Y/N. "Please excuse them. Someone apparently forgot not everyone in the States knows German." He points at Claudio. "He asked you where your brother - Darby, if I recall correctly - is. Is he - by any chance - still at home?"Even by being a man from the Mafia, Sheamus tries to be polite. She seems already scared enough.

Claudio sighs, nodding at his right-hand man's words. "Yeah, sorry. We are looking for your brother." That girl is beautiful and very cool, he has never seen her before, but Darby and her are so much alike. The boss licks his lips, taking more interest in her with each movement she makes.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know a single word in German." She turns slightly around, exposing her bare neck to them for a brief second, looking around before calling her big brother out loud. "Big bro, someone wants to speak with you."

Y/N is not sure she should let them in, so she just waits there. The more seconds pass, the more she feels like she is naked in front of those three men. Even with being half turned around, she knows the tallest man between them isn't taking his eyes off her body, especially not off her legs kissed by those tight black pants and she doesn't feel at ease. The situation feels even worse for her, when the man rambling about not having the whole day, starts to smoke. It is one of the few things she can't stand: she literally hates it. She coughs when the smoke reaches her nostrils, feeling relieved when Darby finally comes downstairs.

"What do you want?" He asks coldly, taking Y/N by one arm and bringing her behind himself. "Go to your room, I'll handle this." He doesn't want her to get involved in any way, nor for her to hear about their financial problems. He puts himself more between Claudio and her, not liking how he is looking at his sister.

"Oh no, there is no need for your beautiful little sister to go to her room. There are no secrets and she is old enough to know about this meeting, Allin." Claudio's voice is sharp, not letting room for a no.

Y/N looks down at Darby first, then her gaze meets the German man's and she has to take a step back, a bit scared. "I-I think I'll stay here." She claims, stepping back a bit more though.

"Imma go to da car, don' take fuck'n too long." Jon leaves them there, rolling his shoulders and still smoking.

"What are you all doing here?" Darby has to pretend: he knows exactly what they want, but he still doesn't have the money.

Claudio bursts out laughing, taking a step closer to the younger man. "Oh, I am sure you know more than well what we are after." His gaze crosses once again Y/N's, and the girl blushes just at the silent and single staredown.

"Let her go, she doesn't need to know about our problems." Darby squeezes her hand, in a silent affirmation that he is fine and everything will be as well.

"How old are you, Y/N?" Claudio keeps looking at her, not even caring about the small man in front of him. The more he looks at her, the more she seems interesting to him.

"I turned 19 last month, Sir." Chills run down her spine, while she registers his deep voice, now strangely tender, than where he was talking with her brother.

"Don't talk to her!" Just the way he looks at his little sister, is making Darby sick.

"So? She is old enough, no need to keep it a secret anymore." Claudio smirks, raising an eyebrow at him. "Playing the protective brother's role? You are very laughable." He shoves his head, staring back at the girl. "I can decide who to speak with." He adds, hissing.

"I don't have what you are searching for. Neither does my little sister." Darby doesn't care about what may happen to himself, he is more worried about Y/N and her dream to become a doctor. "I'm asking you one more time, man. Let her go, she is learning at the University, she wants to become a doctor. She has lessons to be at." Why should he even expect mercy from men like them?

"Oh, so you are a future doctor? How convenient." Claudio licks his lips once again, laughing at Darby's snort.

"Stop looking at her like that. She will never be yours!" That man is really testing out his patience, but he knows he will be in serious trouble if he dares to hit him. "What kind of future do you think you can give her? She doesn't belong to your world or business." He makes the bold and stupid decision of spitting down at his feet, enraged.

"Trust me when I tell you that she would live a better life with me, rather than staying here with you and your family." His eyes get dark, he can't stand that insult anymore. His hand moves quickly, but it never really reaches Darby's face. The hand around his wrist is tiny in comparison to one of his, but it's still quite strong.

"You...!" Sheamus wants to grab her, but Claudio raises a hand in a silent request to not take action about it.

"Such a strong and fiery little woman you are, Y/N." The Swiss man deep inside is angry, but he is deeply amused by the guts she has.

"My brother may have said wrong things and I apologize for that, but I won't let you hurt him." She doesn't let his wrist go at the moment.

"I like your behaviour, you may be young, but don't let anyone get over you." Claudio wriggles his wrist easily out of her hold. "Fine, you can go. What me and your brother need to talk about takes more time than you actually have."

Y/N takes a deep breath, taking her backpack and the helmet, together with the keys of her blue Yamaha R1. Darby lets her through and, when she goes past the tallest man, she feels one of his hands rub on her right arm. From the corner of her eyes she looks at him, walking to the garage, where her motorcycle is. She brings it out on the street, getting on it, before looking back at the entrance of her house. She can see that they are still there and she can't help but look at Claudio, who has his back turned to her. His broad shoulders and his entire body are interesting for her. She still has no idea about who those men are: she is sure Darby never had friends who speak German, but it doesn't matter. With a sigh she finally drives off, still feeling that brush on her arm.

"Now that your precious little sister is gone..." Claudio looks darkly at Darby. "This is your last notice: you have ten days. If when we come back you still don't have my money, there will be consequences." He grins now. "You sure have a pretty sister." He underline, leaving rhw discussion at that. "Ten more days, Allin. If I was you, I would make sure to get the money." He turns halfway around. "Let's go."

"Fuck you!" Darby screams at the top of his lungs, closing the door hard behind him.

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

Five days pass by and even if Y/N tries to get answers from her brother, he always dismisses her. That day is a Saturday and she is working full time at the coffee shop, since she has no university and the boss needs her as an extra help. She reaches her boss at the register, still putting on her apron, smiling at her. That old woman has always felt like a second mother to her.

Normally Y/N would get assigned to the private rooms, if anyone asks for one of them, else she normally helps out in the three normal rooms they have. The private ones are fancier and require a level of attention which is higher than in the shared ones.

"So Y/N, right before you came in, three men sat in Lounge 1, so I would say you focus the first hour on them. If they are good and help is needed out here, you can come help out." Lysa adviced her: whenever Y/N is there, she does that, since she is so good at what she does. If she wouldn't have university, Lysa would surely offer her an open-ended work, full time.

"Sure Lysa. I'll get directly to them, so they won't wait anymore. You all know where to find me, if needed." Y/N smiles at her coworkers, walking towards the lounge she has been directed to, getting her palmtop ready to take the order. She freezes at the door, as she hears the men talking between themselves. She can clearly hear that German accent she had heard just five days prior. She hates how it sends chills down her spine, but she brushes it off, getting professional. "Goodmorning gentlemen. I'll be your server for today." Is it a coincidence that they are there?

"Good-" Claudio's words die in his throat as he clearly remembers that voice and that figure. "Will you be serving only us, Y/N?" He needs to speak with her and that opportunity is perfect, rather than having to wait for her to finish her shift.

"I am assigned here, but if my coworkers need me, I'll have to leave you alone and help outside, Sir." She has no idea why he would want to know something like that and it kinda creeps her out.

"Good, because I need to speak with you. It's good that we stopped here to have my daily dose of coffee." He looks at Jon and Sheamus: the first rolls his eyes, the latter chuckles instead.

"He can't live without coffee, don't mind him too much." Sheamus sits comfortable on the couch, smirking at Claudio.

"Stop that, Sheamus." Claudio rolls his eyes as well, glancing back at the girl. "Put in an order for an iced caramel macchiato for me, please." He is strangely tender and gentle this time around.

"Black coffee both for me and Jon here." Sheamus adds, elbowing the other man when he groans.

Y/N nods and sends the order, standing there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. "So..."

"No, let me speak, Y/N." Claudio stops her from speaking any further, still being gentle though. "Come here for a moment, please."

"Sir, I don't think -" She looks around: surely her boss or her coworkers can't see her, but that's not professional.

"I won't hurt you. I know our first meet has not been one of the best, but I promise I don't intend to hurt you in any way." He kist lets his hands rest on his knees, after turning around to face her better.

"I..." Y/N sighs, getting some steps closer to him, stopping not too far away. If he reaches a hand out, he can touch her.

"Good girl." He sits back in his chair, so that she can feel less tense about the whole situation. "I knew you could be a good girl for me." He slowly raises a hand until it reaches some strands of her long hair, snaking through them.

Y/N looks at his hand, following each of his movements, holding her breath until she is sure he won't really touch her so directly. She wasn't prepared to get praised by him. so she isn't sure about what she should say. "I haven't -"

"Sh..." Claudio shushes her, raising his hand until it reaches her lips and he places a finger on it, lightly pressing on it. Her shaky breath seems to be engulfing it and that makes him smirk. That girl really is interesting.

She can feel her heart beat faster, her breath catches up, but she can't bring herself to react, apart from still melting because of the praise. She bites her lower lip, torturing it.

"Very good girl, listening to me." He taps on her lips. "Don't torture this cute lips." He smirks, letting her finally peaceful. "On a more serious note: I wanted to apologize for what you had to see. I apologize that you had to see that part of me." He sighs. "Your big brother owes me a lot of money and I can't wait forever to get it back." Claudio hates to have to tell her that, but he is sure Darby hasn't told her anything, even with the last timeline he has given him.

"Darby what?" She gasps, shocked at those words. "Why..." Her mind races, she doesn't understand why he never told her anything, not even after what happened some days prior. She takes a couple of steps back, almost as if she has burnt herself.

"I am sure he loves you so much he didn't want to drag you into this mess." Claudio lets her take distance, but he is not at fault there.

"How much does he owe you?" She may not have much on the side, because of university fees, but she wants to do something.

"Why do you want to get involved, Y/N?" Claudio is amused once again, but she is different from before.

"They have done so much for me, I owe them so much, so please do tell me. I'll do anything." She rubs a hand on her arm, nervous now.

"I appreciate you wanting to help, but a woman is not in a man's business. Your brothwr knew what he was getting into when he signed a deal with me." The gentle tone is now gone.

"Don't hurt him please!" Tears threaten to roll down her cheeks and she feels like she is about to have a mental break down. "Is... Is there any way for me to help them out?" She needs to go take some fresh air, but she has to work as well.

"There is literally nothing you can give me or that you can do, Miss Y/N. Your brother is a little weasel, he'll go around, tell that I let him go and everyone will think I have become soft." He pinches his nose, now he only wants his coffee, he feels bad enough for her.

"I'm sorry Sir. I'll bring your order quickly."

She is relieved when she hears the bell with which her coworker Jenny is calling her. She lets the three men alone, getting their order from the counter with a smile. She is back into the room not long after, leaving the coffees in front of them without a single word, before getting out another time.

"Jenny, can you please cover me for a moment? My stomach is hurting." She just eeds to go to the bathroom and cry, she can't hide the tears anymore.

"Of course Y/N, just go."

Y/N can tell that Jenny is concerned, worried about her, but she smiles fondly at her, running to the bathroom, where she leans against the door, finally letting the tears stream down her cheeks. She absolutely has to find a way to help her brother out, but she can't think straight at the moment. It takes her a few minutes before she is calm enough to get out there after wiping her cheeks. She assures the boss that she can go on working, now feeling better, before Jenny gets back to her.

"They are waiting for you. I tried to help them out, but they were very adamant on having you there, Y/N." She smirks at her. "You never told me you have such handsome friends."

"Thanks for covering. I'll get back to them." You blush at her smirk, even though they are not her friends, they are indeed handsome. "Because they are not my friends." Y/N leaves her there, going back to the lounge. "I'm sorry, here I am." She smiles as much as she can, but her eyes decieves her.

"May I get another iced caramel macchiato, please?" Claudio looks up at her, feeling bad at seeing her red eyes. "You have been crying." He finally states, confusing her.

"Sure, Sir. Anything else for you as w-?" Why would he even care about that? "Something got in my eyes, Sir." When Sheamus and Jon both shake their heads, she sends the new order.

"Here, take this." He hands her his business card. "We'll be back in five day, but if you want, you can call me before and we can come to some sort of agreements."

Y/N takes the card cautiously, turning it around in her hands for some moments. "What kind of agreements? I want to know the options beforehand." But should she really do something like that?

"You come stay with us for a whole year. I'll take care of you, of course. If by the end of that period you fall in love with me, your family's debt will be extinguished and you'll stay with me, If it doesn't happen, at the end of the year you are free to go back to your family and the debt will be extinguished as well." Claudio doesn't think too much about it, he is sure of himself. "You can add stipulations, of course."

"Da f'ck? Are ya outt' yar mind, Claudio?" Jon rolls his eyes, quite shocked at those words.

"Let's pretend I'm okay with this stipulation..." Y/N starts to say, getting Claudio's complete attention. "I still want to be able to go to university. To become a doctor has always been my dream and I've sacrificed so much for it. Plus, from time to time, I still want to work at this coffee shop, exactly like nothing happened." She waits eagerly for his answer, really hoping he would be okay with that.

"Fine, that's a possible deal. Think about this and let me know. If I don't hear from you, we'll surely see each other when the time is over."

Claudio stands up, leaves her 50 dollars, letting her know she can keep the change, before walking out with Sheamus and Jon. She just nods, taking the cash, changing it at the register. For the reminder of the time, she works flawlessly.

*********

Four days after, Y/N is laying down on her bed, turning the business card in her hands with a heavy sigh. She knows very well that her brother hasn't gathered enough money,m even without knowing exactly how much he owes that man. The house is silent: her parents are at work and Darby is... Somewhere. She has woken up completely alone, so she has no idea where he has gone. Reaching out to her phone which is on the nightstand, she unlocks it, typing the number written on that damn card.

"Claudio Castagnoli speaking." His voice is calm as he answers at the third ring.

"It's Y/N." She tells him, his voice once again sending chills down her spine.

"I was thinking you would never call me. You are amusing me each day that passes." Claudio grins: he knows what that call is about. "What do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

"Let's do it. 365 days. If I fall in love I'll stay with you, if not I can come back here when it is over." She states quickly, before she can change idea. "With my stipulations too." She finally adds.

"You made the right decision, Y/N. Pack your things, I0m picking you up in 30 minutes." He stands up to get ready.

"My motorbike as well, of course." She says firmly.

"We'll get that taken care of as well."

When he gets there, he lets her know with a message, helping her to load the suitcases in the limo. She looks back at her house, sighing sadly. She is doing that for her family, but she'll still miss them dearly. It is hard to go without saying goodbye, but if she stays, it'll be even harder to go.

#all elite wrestling #aew fanfiction #aew imagine #aew fic #claudio castagnoli #Claudio castagnoli x reader #mafia au

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