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oh-my-damn · 2 years

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Good Places in Boston

Pairing: Colin Shea x Bestfriend/Neighbor!Reader

Summary: Your bestfriend and neighbor Colin comes to you in agony when it becomes a physical problem to think of you with anyone else.

Warnings: Angst, yelling, getting in a fight. Friends to lovers type beat, Colin is such a major fuckboy and reader is sick of it and wallows a bit in self pity (with wine lmao), fluff, this part is clean but I would def be up to writing a part 2 if it's wanted!

Wordcount: 5100

The beautiful divider is by @firefly-graphics

"Colin, what are you doing here?"

Colin sends you his characteristic grin, his fingers drumming on the pillar in your apartment as he leans against it, "Well, I uh.. I needed an escape."

"An escape from what, exactly?" You ask as you take a bite out of your breakfast bagel, quirking a brow in his direction.

"Well, I uhm... Have a girl at my place."

You roll your eyes, "Oh, so you invaded my private space to avoid the girl you just slept with... Again."

Colin laughs, "When you put it that way, it makes me sound like a total asshole."

"Maybe that's because you are a total asshole," you quip, sipping your orange juice, "I've told you numerous times that I don't like when you use me like this."

"Hey!" Colin immediately exclaims, "I'm not using you! I would never!"

Your eyes trail over his naked torso, the sweatpants he's wearing hanging so low on his hips, you're surprised they haven't slipped off already.

You place a hand on your hip as you look at him pointedly, "Sure you wouldn't. Tell me again why you're at my apartment at eight in the morning?"

Colin eyes you for a moment before he sighs, "Fine. You're smarter than me and figured me out. Is that what you want to hear?"

"No," you snort, tidying up your kitchen as you speak with your back turned to him, "What I'd like to hear would be; 'I met this girl and she's amazing and I'm gonna marry her because she's the best.' But for some reason, you keep ruining that."

Colin scoffs obnoxiously, "Why do you keep holding on to that fantasy?"

"Because I know you," you reply as you turn around to face him, "And I know you deserve an amazing person in your life. As your friend, I have a right to believe that. And I also have a right to believe that you're sabotaging yourself by sleeping with random girls every night."

Colin groans, "Will you fucking quit it, already? I don't know where you got the idea that I need to settle down when I've always told you that I don't want to settle down."'

"Right, you want to keep sleeping with strange women every night because it makes you feel better about yourself."

"Exactly!" Colin grins, "I love that about me."

You snort again, "Well I hate that about you. It's one of the things I tolerate about our friendship."

Colin walks up to you, plucking the breakfast bagel out of your hand before he takes a bite, "Please, shut it. It's not like you're any better."

"Better than you?" You scoff, narrowing your eyes at him, "Come on, Col. You must know I'm better than you when it comes to this."

"When we met each other you were just as much of a slut as I was."

"Yeah!" You exclaim loudly, "Five years ago! Did you not realize that it's been that long? Or do you just not believe that people change?"

Colin rolls his eyes, "No, what I don't believe is the fact that you're now suddenly celibate because you want to get married. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

You frown, turning your back to him as you put another bagel in the toaster, "Well, just because you don't believe it, it doesn't mean it isn't true."

"Oh come on!" Colin laughs, placing a hand on your shoulder, "You're so full of shit. I saw a guy leave your place yesterday."

You whip around to face him, your eyes narrowing, "Yeah, you did. The same guy that's been leaving my place for the last couple of months."

"What?"

"I'm dating someone," you say, frowning as your eyes meet his, "I've been dating Robert for months now."

"You're dating someone?"

"Yes!" You reply, rolling your eyes, "And you'd know more about him if you ever asked. But you never do! All you ever talk about are the random girls you fuck. Or Mexican wrestling."

"Wait.." He drags out, tilting his head as his eyes narrow, "So you're telling me you're dating someone? Someone serious? And you have been for months?"

"Oh my god, Colin," you sigh, stuffing the bagel into his mouth, "Yes, I am dating. And I have been for a while. Why is that so hard to believe?"

Colin pulls the bagel out of his mouth as he takes a step back, "It's not hard to believe.."

"Then what's with the attitude?"

"There's no attitude," he quickly interjects, "I was just.. I don't know.. Surprised."

"Well, you wouldn't be if our entire friendship wasn't based off of you and your conquests."

"Come on," Colin scoffs, "You know that's not true."

"Isn't it?" You immediately reply, "Because it seems to be the focus of our friendship."

Colin's brows furrow, "Yeah, but not on purpose.. That's just how it's always been.."

"Yeah," you scoff, turning your back once again to butter your fresh bagel when it pops out of the toaster, "That's how it's always been because I'm a good friend and that's what you need. The only times I basically see you anymore is when you come to hide out at my place. I don't feel the need to tell you about what's going on with me."

"Why not?"

You frown, looking at him over your shoulder, "Because you don't care about what's going on with me."

Just as you turn your back to him to focus on the task at hand, he replies, "I care."

"Colin," you groan, shaking your head as you focus on your bagel, "The only important person in your life is you. And I'm okay with that. I've accepted it. But don't fucking lie to me, I don't like being lied to."

"That's not true. And I'm not lying."

You scoff again, turning around to look at him as your arms cross over your chest, "So you're telling me that I hurt your feelings by not telling you about the guy I'm seeing? Come on, Col, we both know you don't give a shit."

"I do give a shit, though," he grits out, glaring at you, "And I can't believe you didn't tell me."

"Will you stop it? It's not that big of a deal. Can you just go back to being your normal self, please?"

"I am being normal."

"No, you're not," you huff, "You're being weird.. And I don't like it."

"Well, excuse me for having a reaction to you telling me you're dating someone," he loudly exclaims, turning his back to you before he starts walking away, "And that you apparently kept it secret because I'm such an awful friend."

"Colin-"

"No!" He yells, glaring at you, "Fuck off. You've said enough. I should leave."

He marches to your door stubbornly, making you huff out, "I thought you needed to hide out here so you wouldn't have to deal with your one night stand? Isn't that the only reason you ever come to see me?"

"Fuck you!" He yells, slamming the door behind him as he walks out.

"Well, fuck you too," you mumble, walking back to your kitchen to finish eating your bagel.

Five entire days went by without you seeing Colin.

That's the longest you've gone without seeing him since college. On the second day, you contemplated reaching out, but you also knew you'd done literally nothing wrong.

You were just being honest.

Truth is, you loved Colin.

In fact, you'd loved him since the second day you met him. And for the rest of your college days, you were also in love with him. But the closer you got, the more it faded.

The more you watched him hook up with a new girl every night, most of the time right in front of you, the more it went away.

When you found an available apartment in his building, you didn't know if you'd actually stay friends. You always suspected he just kept you close by in college to hit on your friends.

But then you moved in across the hall from him and he decided to keep you around. But he mainly did it so he'd have somewhere to go when he needed to hide from the women he brought home.

To be fair, usually when he'd come by, you two would end up spending most of the day together. You'd watch Mexican wrestling (he's obsessed with it and it's actually quite entertaining, so you didn't mind), or he'd play you music he'd been working on. Sometimes you'd both be doing separate things but within the same space, sharing a comfortable silence. Or you'd watch movies or simply just talk.

But there had always been a.. distance, between the two of you. He always had a hard time opening up, sharing parts of himself. You knew you meant something to him because on rare occasions, he would show a softer side to himself. Like when his dad died. He came to you for support and you did everything to help in any way you could, and it helped you get to know him a little better. He wasn't as guarded as usual.

But eventually, things went back to normal. Which meant he went back to hiding out in your place. You didn't mind that he was hiding, it wasn't about that. It was about the fact that it felt like that was the only reason he came to see you.

In the three years you've lived across the hall from him, he's had countless one night stands. Several times a week, if he wasn't working too much or was too busy to go out. It never grows old - at least not to him.

But it did to you.

Being in love with him did too.

It wasn't more than a few months ago when you decided that the dwindling feelings you harbored for him were not healthy.

That was the night you went on your first date with Robert.

And he's great; charming, handsome.. The only thing that's missing is that feeling inside.

The one you feel whenever Colin is around.

"I can come up if you want me to."

You're smiling politely up at Robert as you finish another very adequate date, but you're just not in the mood.

You haven't been in the mood for the past few days, but you don't really know why..

Actually, you do.

You know exactly why.

But you refuse to admit it.

"I'd love that, truly," you reply with a small smile, "But I'm feeling pretty.. icky, from the food tonight. I don't know, maybe I ate the wrong thing.. And I feel completely knackered out. I'm sorry Robert, is it okay that I call a raincheck on your offer?"

Robert just offers you a warm smile, "Yeah, of course. Don't worry about it."

He really is a very sweet guy. Not everyone would take a rejection that nicely. You've only been seeing each other for a few months, and it's not exactly serious; you haven't had the talk yet, and you're not exclusive with each other, either.

But he's nice and kind. Very sweet and understanding. And he's making an effort to get to know you.

Robert leans down to peck your cheek, making your smile widen before he pulls back.

"I'll see you later this week."

Once you're inside your building, you trudge up the stairs. You lied when you said you were feeling sick, but you weren't lying when you said you were tired.

Your body feels heavy, your head groggy as you walk up to your place, your mind wandering aimlessly.

You keep thinking back to the date with Robert, and how truly sweet and kind he is, but for some reason you also keep focusing on the fact that something is missing.

And once that thought hits you, your mind inevitably wanders back to Colin.

Fucking asshole. First he infiltrates your apartment and now your mind.

You shake your head and sigh once you reach the final flight of stairs. But you immediately tense up when you hear an oddly familiar sound.

Your eyes dart up at the sound of a high-pitched giggle, immediately landing on a tall, beautiful blonde, practically hanging off Colin's side.

You roll your eyes as you continue walking, glancing shortly at Colin as he fumbles with his keys to get the door open.

You walk past them, your eyes catching Colin's for a split second before he darts his away, back to focusing on getting his front door open.

You walk to your door, swiftly unlocking it, your eyes rolling to the back of your head when you hear the girl giggle out a "Colin, come ooon," before you slam the door shut.

Wine.

You need wine. Only wine can fix this dark cloud seemingly permanently hovering over you.

You hang up your coat before you patter into your bedroom, immediately changing into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. You swiftly move to your kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine and a large glass, and then you plop down on your couch.

Before you know it, you've drank half a bottle while watching some mindless rom-com on TV.

Is this really what it's come to?

You have a perfectly sweet guy, who would have loved to spend the night with you, and yet you're sitting here, moping on the couch and drinking wine. Alone.

Stupid Colin. Stupid Colin with his beautiful stupid face, and sculpted abs, and firm chest, and perfectly round ass, with his large hands that could-

Stop it!

You shake your head at your thoughts, topping off your glass of wine. You need to focus, need to get your shit together.

Maybe it's time you find somewhere else to live.

Yeah. That'll fix it.

You immediately pick up your laptop from the coffee table, perching it on top of your lap as you start typing.

Good places in Boston

Yikes. Okay, that's not going to work. You don't have that kind of money..

Cheap places in Boston.

Double yikes. You want to run away from your distractions, not get murdered..

You sigh, looking through some of the places as you take another sip of wine. Your fingers move over the keyboard before you can even stop yourself.

Places to live in Boston when you're trying to run away from your feelings

You chuckle at the fact that a few options actually pop up, immediately clicking through the pictures.

But then you almost spill your glass of wine on your computer when your front door is suddenly pushed open.

"Alright, we need to talk!"

Colin loudly slams the door shut behind him as he walks inside, making you snap your head to the side to look at him.

"Col, what the fuck?!" You exclaim, placing your laptop down on the coffee table, "What the hell? I thought I locked it, how are you in here?"

"No," he stomps inside, sending you a pointed look, "You didn't. Just like you never do. Sometimes I think you have a death wish."

You roll your eyes and pull your feet up on the couch, tilting your head as your eyes narrow, "Thanks for the lesson, I'll remember to lock it next time. Maybe that'll keep the assholes out."

"That's it!" He yells, crossing his arms as he walks up to you and stands in front of the couch, "We need to talk!"

"Oh, you think so? About what?" You retort, mirroring his expression as you cross your arms over your chest.

"Yes, I do!" He exclaims, clearly missing the sarcastic tone of your voice.

"What are you doing here?" You frown, glaring at him, "I'm pretty sure I saw you with a date. Shouldn't you be entertaining her?"

"I sent her home," he huffs, his stance tense. Your eyes momentarily gaze over him, noticing his grey sweatpants and his t-shirt. But then you inwardly sigh when you spot the text written on it; Free Licks.

"Okay," you sass, "And what's that got to do with me?"

"Everything!" He bellows, arms waving about exasperatedly, "It's all your fault!"

"What?" You snort, watching him as he walks closer to you on the couch, "How the fuck is that my fault? I didn't exactly invite you here, you're the one barging in!"

"Because I can't fucking... Ugh! You're so annoying!"

He huffs out a breath before he plops down on the couch dejectedly, practically staring daggers at you, "You ruined everything!"

"Colin," you sigh, shaking your head as you turn your body to face him. He's slumping down on the couch, legs spread wide, his face reminding you of a kicked puppy, "What are you talking about?"

"I can't do it anymore!" He exclaims, gesturing with his hands exasperatedly, "It doesn't work anymore! You broke it!"

"Broke what?" You frown, tilting your head at him.

"Me!" He yells, whipping his head to the side to look at you properly, "You broke me!"

You snort again.

"How exactly did I break you?"

"You were mean to me and now I can't do it anymore. It's your fault!"

"Okay, stop yelling," you sigh, sitting criss cross on the couch, looking at him, "Elaborate, please."

Colin sighs deeply before he turns his body towards you, "You fucking broke me. You were talking about that shit, about you, and settling down, and just-ugh! You fucking ruined it."

"Colin," you shake your head in confusion, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Do you mean that you're upset because we had a fight?"

"No," he replies, his eyes trailing over your living room, "I'm not just upset because we had a fight, it's not that. It's-"

His eyes narrow when they land on your computer and before you can even object, he snags it off the table, "What the fuck is this?! You're looking for an apartment?!"

You pull your bottom lip between your teeth as your eyes dart down, not saying a word.

His head whips to the side to look at you, "Are you moving?!"

"No, I was just looking-"

"Why?!"

"Please, stop yelling," you mumble, rubbing your temples with your fingers, "You're going to give me a fucking migraine."

His eyes move back to the computer screen, long slender fingers quickly tapping the touchpad as he looks through the site, "Why are you moving?"

You shrug, your fingers fiddling with the hem of your shorts, "I'm not, I'm just.. Looking. I just wanted to see what else is out there, just to, you know.. Have a look."

"But you love living here," he mumbles, glancing at you before he looks back at the screen, "And these places are.. Wait a fucking second."

You glance up at him at his tone, your breath almost hitching when you're met with the stern look on his face.

"Are you moving in with him?"

You scrunch your face up in confusion, "What?"

"You are!" He exclaims, fingers now clicking furiously on the touchpad as he glares at the computer screen, "You're fucking.. You're moving in with him! I can't believe this.. Why would you do that?!"

You put your hands up to calm him, "Okay, hey, calm down, that's not-"

"Why are you moving in with him?!"

You blink a few times as he looks at you, his eyes searching your face. You take a moment too long to reply, making him speak again, "Do you love him?"

"What? Colin, it's-"

"You fucking love him," he breathes out, eyes widening as he looks back at the computer, "You broke me, and now you're gonna move in with this fucking guy, and you're gonna leave, and-"

"Colin!" You interrupt, making him look at you again, "Calm. Down. I am not moving in with him. I was just looking for fun. Calm your fucking tits, Shea."

"But do you love him?"

Your brows furrow at his question.

Why would he ask that?

Your eyes search his face and it has this strange vulnerability to it, one you haven't seen many times before. It's so rare, because he usually hides who he truly is. The only times you've ever seen it have been when something awful has happened, like when his dad died and you went with him to his funeral for support.

Your words are quieter than before when you ask, "Why do you want to know?"

He takes a deep breath, cerulean eyes holding yours captive as he whispers, "I just.. I want to know.. Do you?"

You wait for a moment, holding his piercing gaze, "No, I don't love him."

He releases a breath, your eyes not missing how he visibly relaxes where he sits. Then his eyes move back to the computer without him saying a word.

"Why are you here, Colin? What's going on?"

"You broke me," he mumbles, not looking at you, "I don't work like I used to, anymore."

"What does that mean?"

"Means I can't fucking get it up," he grumbles, clicking through the pictures on the website, "Can't have sex, it's like you're infiltrating my mind. No matter how hard I try, or who I've brought home in the past five days, I can't fucking do it. Can't even masturbate, how pathetic is that?"

He lets out a dry laugh as he continues looking at the pictures on the website, not even glancing your way.

You can feel your heart pounding in your chest, slamming against your ribcage as nerves swirl around your body.

"Why do you think that is?"

"Dunno," he mumbles, "I just keep thinking about you, it's so infuriating. It's never happened to me before, I don't know what the fuck is going on. I think your domesticated stink rubbed off on me, or something.."

You smile, watching the side of his face as he keeps his focus on your computer. "Or maybe it's something else."

"Like what?" He asks dumbly, turning his head to look at you, "You think I'm going impotent?"

You snort, shaking your head, "No, you idiot, you're not going impotent."

"Then what is it? Is this normal? Can you help me? I'm going fucking crazy here."

You nod slowly, eyes holding his, "Yeah, I uh.. I've heard about this before."

"What does it mean?" He asks you urgently, putting the laptop back down on the coffee table so he can face you fully, "How do I fix it?"

"I'm afraid you can't."

"What?! Why not?! I can't live like this!"

You chew on your bottom lip nervously as you hold back a smile at his words, and you don't miss the way his eyes immediately dart down to your lips at the action.

"I don't think it's something that needs fixing, Col. I think it means something else."

"What does it mean?" he mumbles out, eyes staying locked on your lips, "What should I do?"

You lean closer until you can cup his cheek, making his eyes move back up to meet yours, "I think it means you have some feelings that you're trying to ignore."

He scoffs softly, eyes bouncing between your own as he whispers, "But I don't get feelings.."

You chuckle softly, tilting your head, "I'm sorry to tell you this.. But I think you do."

Colin's eyes widen slightly at your words, then dropping to your lips again, "So.. What do I do? How do I get rid of them?"

"Sweetie," you smile, making him meet your eyes again. Your thumb gently rubs his cheek as you whisper, "Why would you want to get rid of them?"

His brows furrow, baby blue eyes scanning yours, "Because they're ruining me. I don't work anymore, I can't-"

He trails off when you lean a little closer, his breath hitching audibly.

"What was that?" You ask, tiling your head, "What were you about to say?"

Colin keeps searing eye contact, his blue eyes slowly being swallowed out by his pupils as he breathes out, "I can't get it up."

You smirk, your eyes darting down to his crotch momentarily, noticing the large bulge straining against his jeans, before you whisper, "You sure about that?"

He looks at you in complete and utter fascination, a dumbfounded expression pulling at his features. Then he mirrors your actions, his hand raising to cup your cheek, "What is this? What's happening?"

You snort, offering him a small smile before you drop your hand from his cheek, "It's nothing, Shea. Doesn't mean anything. But at least now you know your issue isn't physical. It's all in your head."

Colin frowns when you start to pull back, the hand cupping your cheek suddenly sliding back to curl around your neck, "Wait! Wait, stop, don't move.."

He pulls you closer to him, slowly, your lips parting as you look into his eyes intensely. He inches you closer until your breaths are practically mixing, his gaze never faltering.

"Col," you whisper, your heart beating rapidly, "What are you doing?"

He doesn't reply, instead, his eyes bounce between yours nervously before he leans the rest of the way. He moves in, slowly, and then he releases an unsteady breath when his soft lips slot over yours.

Your eyes close on instinct, your body practically melting into him at the delicate touch. He holds you to him, his grip on you never wavering, and it makes you rest your hand on his thigh to steady yourself.

He hums quietly as his lips move over yours, slowly, exploring the feel of them, and you mirror his movement, kissing him back carefully.

You can feel practical fireworks swirling inside you, your mind swimming at how soft his lips feel, how fucking fantastic it feels to dig your teeth into that plump bottom lip of his.

He groans quietly at the action, his other hand lifting to cup your face, tilting your head to kiss you deeper.

But then, when his tongue swipes at the seam of your lips, it snaps you out of it.

You pull back immediately, eyes widening as they meet his, "What-"

"Come back," he whispers, his eyes wild as they meet yours, "Don't pull away, please. Kiss me again."

"Col, I don't know if-"

"Please," he says, his eyes pleading, "It felt so good."

You smile softly, leaning into his touch when his thumb strokes your cheek, "Yeah, it did. But we can't do this, Colin."

"Why not?" He asks, almost needily.

You let out a small sigh, your eyes dropping to your hand on his thigh, "Because I won't just be another notch on your belt. I can't do that, we can't do that. You're my best friend. I don't want to just be a fuck, if we did that it would ruin everything."

"No, you don't know that, maybe-"

"I wouldn't be able to do it," you reply as you look back up at him, "If we crossed that line, I wouldn't be able to go back. I can't do that and still be your friend, still watch you hook up with every girl you meet. It would be too painful."

Colin stays quiet for a moment, those baby blues almost haunting as he holds your gaze. But then his hands drop, releasing you from his hold, and it's like your heart shatters into a million pieces.

"You're right," he mumbles, looking away from you, "You're right, it wouldn't be okay. It would be bad."

You try to hide the hurt inside, forcing on a brave face as you reply, "Yeah, it would be."

"I'm sorry," Colin says, glancing back at you before he gets up from the couch, "I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't even have come here. I should go."

And then, before you can even manage to object, he's stormed out of your apartment, leaving you sitting on your couch, feeling even more lost than before.

When your door opens suddenly at 8 am two days later, it makes your blood run cold.

You almost cower in the kitchen, your eyes glued to the inside of your fridge, body tensing when the front door slams and you hear footsteps getting closer.

Guess it's back to normal, then.

And normal means he hooked up last night.

You take a moment to calm yourself before you mumble out, "Morning."

"Morning!" Colin says cheerfully as he walks closer, dropping something on the kitchen counter behind you.

You pick up the jug of juice in your fridge door, not looking at him as you turn to bring out a glass from the cupboard, "You're chipper this morning."

"Yeah," Colin replies, watching you pour juice into your glass, and you don't miss the happy tone of his voice.

Guess his problem got fixed.

You open another cupboard, reaching to pull out the bag of bagels hiding inside, when Colin's voice stops you, "No need, I got us breakfast."

That makes your brows furrow.

You glance at him over your shoulder, surprised to see he's actually dressed at 8 am, wearing a graphic tee and a pair of jeans, as well as his blue converse.

You tilt your head, smiling in amusement, "What?"

Colin lifts the bag off the counter, jutting his chin toward the couch, "C'mon, let's watch something. I got us fresh bagels. Bring the cream cheese."

You watch in utter confusion as he walks over to the couch and plops down on it, placing the bag of bagels on the coffee table. You remain a little sceptical as you bring out plates, a knife, and the cream cheese from your fridge, before you follow him.

You sit down next to him, frowning in confusion as you move to sit criss-crossed on the couch, leaning against the arm of it.

Colin just smiles as he pulls two bagels out of the bag, even preparing each of them with cream cheese before handing one to you.

You take it hesitantly, eyeing him carefully as he leans back on the couch and takes a bite, picking up your remote to turn on the TV.

As you watch him casually take a bite of his bagel, you finally ask, "Colin, what's going on?"

"Breakfast," he replies with his mouth full, eyes locked on your TV screen.

"Yeah, I got that," you chuckle, looking at him incredulously, "But, why?"

"Wanted to prove it to you," he says after he swallows his bite, finally turning his head to look at you.

"Prove what to me?" You ask curiously, watching the wide grin slowly spreading on his face.

"That it's different," he replies as he looks at you, "That you're different."

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adulting-sucks · 1 year

Text

Tired of the Temporary

Summary: You lost your beloved cat, Mavis. Your gorgeous neighbor is there to comfort you, and although you adore him, you don’t want to be another notch. Is he tired of temporary?

Colin Shea x Reader (You)

Word Count: 5,973

A/N: As always, thank you so much to @peyton-warren who always cheers me on. I was blocked by my own grief, hopefully this will allow me to continue on.

This is purely a comfort piece for me as I just lost my sweet cat unexpectedly. Colin is one of my comfort characters, so I hope anyone else who needs comfort can find it here 💙

Warnings: Pet death, euthanasia, angst-so much angst, Fluffy ending

It had all happened so fast. You’d just woken up, your sweet cat curled up next to you. She chuffed when you moved, irritated at the interruption to her beauty sleep. Mavis stood up and stretched, her two front paws stretched out in front of her, her back end in the air, yawning wide before she jumped off the bed.

You threw your covers back and made your way to the bathroom, then into the kitchen to feed Mavis who was already standing and meowing at the cabinet where you stored her food. She sat down, looking at you expectantly, and you were pretty sure if she could talk, you’d be getting an earful. You stopped to pat her head, always loving her purr while eating.

You made your way back to the bathroom to shower and get your morning started. This was your one day off this week and you’d made plans to hang out with Colin, your very handsome man whore of a neighbor. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t have feelings for him, the two of you spending more and more time together, but you were also wary. You’d seen the revolving door of women, you didn’t want to be just another one night stand, so you kept your feelings to yourself and your heart out of reach.

You’d just turned off the water, your thoughts running through your mental checklist as you got dressed when you heard Mavis yowl. You quickly threw on your hoodie and jeans, running out to the living room. Your heart dropped when you saw her, unable to stand no matter how hard she tried, her cries alerting you to her excruciating pain.

“Mavis?!” you yelled, dropping to your knees next to her, checking for any obvious signs of trauma or injury. When you got to her hind legs, you immediately noticed the limpness, the temperature cooler than the rest of her body. You knew what this was, she’d thrown a clot called a Saddle Thrombosis, a fancy way of saying a clot that paralyzes.

Time was of the essence, you knew as you scooped her up carefully, cradling her in your arms as you whispered she would be okay. Thankfully you didn’t live too far from the veterinary clinic you worked at, a five minute drive at the most, even shorter as you ran red lights. You pulled to a screeching stop, barely shutting your door as you ran into the clinic, Mavis having gone frightfully still.

You ran past the reception area directly into the back treatment room, calling for the doctor. You placed Mavis on the treatment table and moved to grab the emergency supply kit when the doctor came in, followed by the other two veterinary techs on duty. You pulled out the supplies to place an IV catheter, tearing the tape as you went.

“What happened?” Doctor Yang said as she made her way to the treatment table, gently pulling you back and out of the way so she and the techs could work. You explained everything to her, not even realizing you had started crying until you felt a tear hit your hand, a prequel to the tornado about to rip your world apart.

“I need you to go to a room and let us work,” Yang said gently as she palpated Mavis’ spine to evaluate where she was hurting and where the paralysis began. You knew she was right, you were too close to this, there was nothing you could do while you were blinded by your emotions. You silently left the treatment area and made your way to the waiting room.

After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Yang made her way to the waiting room, her face somber, a face you’d seen many times, the face she made when she had to deliver a terminal diagnosis or heartbreaking news. Yang had gotten only as far as apologizing before you dropped to your knees. You heard a keen wail, not realizing you were hearing yourself.

“I’m so sorry, she isn’t going to make it. You know I will do whatever you want, but you know the odds of her surviving after throwing a clot this large are very slim,” Yang said. “I need to know what you want to do here. If you want us to try, I need to get back there now.” Yang gently squeezed your shoulder, bringing you back to reality. As you stared into her face, looking for any direction, you knew what you needed to do. You told Yang your decision, compassion crossing the woman’s face.

You were led to the euthanasia room to wait for Mavis, your final goodby looming over the horizon. You’d thought about this day for so long, wondering how you would feel, how much it would hurt, wondering if you’d ever be able to love another cat the way you loved her. The door opened as Dr. Yang entered with the two other techs in tow, and the receptionist.

“We closed the clinic,” the receptionist, Julia, told you as her eyes filled with tears. “You need friends, and we need to say goodbye too. We all love Mavis so much.” Everyone nodded in agreement as the new tech, you weren’t too sure of her name, placed Mavis in your lap, wrapped in a warm blanket.

“We already gave her the pre med in the back,” Yang said softly as she flushed the IV with saline. You cried harder, kissing Mavis on the head and telling her over and over how much you loved her, how it was okay for her to go, how you would never forget her while the doc administered the medication to stop the heart. You cried harder, your sobs eching through the room, Yang nodding to confirm she was gone.

Everyone in the room was sobbing, and slowly one by one, they all left until it was just you. You kept holding Mavis, telling her how good she was, telling her over and over how much you loved her. After about an hour, you pushed the button to alert the front desk that you were done and they could come and take Mavis.

You weren’t sure how you made it home, the drive was a blur and done completely by muscle memory. You couldn’t stop crying, your eyes expressing a sorrow you’d never felt before, a piece of your soul ripped from your existence. You weren’t sure how you managed to get into your apartment, your tears streaming endlessly. You kicked off your shoes, not even bothering to change, and went straight to your bed to lay down, pulling your duvet over your head. Your tears dampened your pillow, catching every moment of sorrow.

You weren’t sure when you fell asleep or what woke you up, however you looked around confused wondering if it was all a horrible nightmare. You sat up and looked around, calling for Mavis with all of the hope you could muster, collapsing back into your grief at the realization you wouldn’t be waking up from this nightmare.

You slid even further down your bed, pulling your covers over your head as you sobbed, your heart shattered.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Mavis and you had found each other at very difficult times, you having just lost your mother, Mavis having lost hers also. You’d heard the tiny cries, following the sound to a tiny kitten, hungry and scared.

You took her with you, with the intention of taking her to a shelter as you weren’t sure you had the emotional capacity to care for another living creature, but you’d have to take care of her over the long weekend. You put your tiny friend in your purse, got back into your car to get some supplies.

You stocked up on wet food and kitten milk as she couldn’t have been older than three weeks, along with a litter box, and lots of toys. You heard the tiny cries as you made your way home, and held her as you set up her little spot with a heating pad, litterbox, toys, and blankets. You tried to put her down to make her a bottle, her tiny cries breaking your heart.

After she had her bottle and you did the dirty job of helping her use the bathroom, you put her down on the heating pad and covered her with blankets, moving to your bed, exhausted but sure you wouldn’t sleep. You’d buried your mother today, and now here you were, taking care of a baby kitten, a baby kitten who wouldn’t stop crying.

“Alright, alright little one,” you cooed as you made your way over to her, too exhausted to listen to her cry all night. You scooped her up, wrapped her in two blankets to maintain her body heat, and moved her to the bed with you. You placed her on your chest, her tiny purrs immediately relaxing you. You smiled as you felt her tiny paws making biscuits in the blankets, her purrs getting louder.

“So, you’re stuck with me for a few days,” you told her softly, her purrs seeming to grow in response. “What should we call you? Kitten? Cat? Little one?” You felt her climb up your chest, curling up in your neck under your hair. You pulled the blanket up to cover her, pulling out your phone to find a movie as you felt her breath even out, her purrs slowing.

You decided on a show you had just recently found, Gravity Falls, a supernatural cartoon you wish you’d had growing up. As the twins, Mabel and Dipper popped up, the name came to you, a name you’d always loved: Mavis.

“What do you think, Mavis? Is that your name?” you asked the tiny creature, a tiny chirp followed by a yawn your answer. Mavis it was then. You fell asleep like this, Mavis curled up, in your neck, your phone on your face still playing. It had been days since you last slept, but tonight, you found a comfort you never thought you’d experience again.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The next time you opened your eyes, you heard the TV in your living room playing softly, the scent of your favorite food flooding your senses. You sat up, your head throbbing from the crying, your eyes puffy and sore, and stretched, wrapped your blanket around you and made your way to the living room.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Colin said quietly as he handed you some ibuprofen and water, anticipating your needs before you even thought of it. You gratefully took the medicine, gulping down the water in just a few swallows, not realizing how thirsty you were.

You looked at Colin, his eyes filled with concern and sorrow, and you knew he found out. “Who told you?” you asked, your voice raspy and raw from sobbing as you felt the tears well up again. The last thing you wanted to do was have this gorgeous man look at you the way he was now; you hated anyone seeing you emotional, never wanting to seem weak. With Colin, you didn’t want to stop the thing before it even started.

“I stopped by the clinic to grab Mavis some of her favorite treats and Janice told me,” he said softly as he dropped down next to you on the couch, his arm instantly around your shoulder pulling you to rest your head on his chest, his other arm around you playing with your hair as he whispered softly to you that it was okay, to let it out, and that he wasn’t going anywhere.

As the tears started to slow, you lifted your head and saw Colin shedding tears of his own. You reached up to his face, wiped his tears away, and gently kissed his cheek as the two of you sat quietly in your grief.

“I remember the first time I met her, she was so cranky and mean," Colin said, his hand still softly playing with your hair as his other hand moved soothingly up and down your arm. You chuckled softly as you recalled that day also, your first glimpse of a very naked Colin, heading by your door as you brought some more boxes in from downstairs.

Colin stopped and smiled, covering the good parts with a dish towel while he ate an apple. “Hey, you must be new!” Colin said, pulling the towel up to wipe the corner of his mouth. "I’m Colin, I live right across from you-oh shit.” Colin opened your door and dashed in as you watched with your mouth open.

“Hey!” you yelled as you dropped the box and moved to open your door just as your naked neighbor’s front door opened with an equally naked woman standing in the doorway. You closed your mouth which was catching flies at all of the porn you’d managed to see in the last ten minutes, trying to look everywhere except this woman’s perfect tits. God damn, how was it fair to even look like that? You suddenly felt very self conscious as you stood there in a baggy t-shirt and shorts covered in cat hair, your hair in a messy pile on your head.

“Oh hey,” the woman said as she stood with everything out, very comfortable with her body. You’d kill to look like this woman, but right now, you’d settle for a bra and some shorts. “Have you seen a guy, I think his name is Coleman, Callum, no that’s not right either. Oh! COLIN! That’s his name. Have you seen Colin anywhere?”

“Can’t say that I have, sorry,” you mumbled as you turned and made your way to the front door. You heard the supermodel grumble and retreat back inside. You cleared your throat and balanced the box the best you could while trying to turn the door knob, cursing the rudeness of your uninvited guest, no matter how tight his ass was.

“Whoa, whoa,” you heard Colin say as you heard Mavis hissing at him. “Good cat, kitty, kitten, whatever you prefer, I’m not going to hurt you,” Colin said softly from the corner, the towel covering his dangly bits from your fierce, tiny cat. You watched with amusement as Mavis swatted at the bottom of the towel, growling and hissing again. “Little help?” you heard from a distressed Colin, the entire scene causing you to erupt in laughter.

You walked over to your girl, scooped her up, her body instantly relaxing at your touch. Her purr revved up as you pet her head, telling her she was the absolute best guard cat in the world. You heard Colin grumble and grouse from your couch, finally free to move about. You reminded him of the tiny fact that he had broken into your house, and Mavis was free to protect her territory.

“So…” you awkwardly began, trying to avert your gaze and look at anything besides his bottom half, a slight heat creeping up the back of your neck. “Do you like cheese?” you asked, mentally kicking yourself as soon as the words left your mouth. You were so shy and introverted, small talk was hard for you.

You both heard the door across the hall open and close as Colin’s guest yelled a not so nice goodbye as she left. Colin stood, thanking you for letting him hide, never answering what his favorite cheese was, and made his way across the hall. You went back to unpacking, chastising yourself as you worked, reminding yourself that this is why you didn’t have many friends.

A sudden knock on your door caused you to jump as you were lost in your thoughts, and you were surprised to see Colin standing there with more boxes. You opened the door to let him in, thanking him but reminding him he didn’t need to do this if he had other plans.

“It’s no trouble. It’s my day off and I am going to make friends with your psycho demon cat if it takes all year,” he said, holding out his hand to pet Mavis as she made her way into the living room and sat at your feet. She lulled him in with a false sense of security, hissing and swiping at his hand at the very last second, then cleaning the paw that had touched the offensive object while Colin cursed under his breath. You laughed and handed him a paper towel, your laugh bubbling to the surface of your shy demeanor.

“You don’t know much about cats, do ya?” you chided as you moved to the box of Mavis’ things and grabbed out her favorite catnip treats and toy mouse, and handed them to Colin. “Here, hold this out and let her come to you. Let her sniff you and get used to your scent. Once she accepts you and the treat, go ahead and hand her her favorite toy.”

Colin did exactly as you said, smiling like a little boy on Christmas when Mavis finally ate the treat out of his hand and took her mouse. She played on the floor a little bit defore laying on her back and offering her belly to Colin. Before you could warn him about the belly trap, Mavis grabbed onto his arm with all four paws, bunny kicking his arm with her two back feet, and holding his hand hostage with her front paws while she bit him playfully, not hard enough to break skin.

You laughed at his face of surprise, then laughter as he played with your grumpy little lady. Unbeknownst to you or Mavis, Colin Shea found you fascinating, something he had never felt before, preferring to keep everything casual because it was easier. But at that moment, Colin Shea knew he was in trouble and his life wouldn’t be the same, scared this would destroy him in the end.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“She wanted to eat you,” you said through your laughter as you moved your head off of Colin’s chest to look up at him, finding his eyes already on yours, his shoulders shaking with laughter at the memory. “Then when she tricked you into thinking you could pat her belly.”

Your laughter stopped as your body was wracked with sobs. “I failed her, I didn’t do enough, I didn’t get her there fast enough,” you said, finally vocalizing your grief, your guilt, your anger. “I should have had them try, I killed her. How could I miss what was happening?” you continued, your breaths becoming shallow as you found it harder and harder to breathe, the oxygen thick with your sorrow.

“Mavis loved you, she knows how much you loved her. You gave her everything.” Colin held you as you cried, trying to soothe your broken heart and soul. “She knew you would have done anything to save her, but she also trusted you to make the most difficult decision if you couldn’t.” Colin let you cry, rocking you back and forth comforting you the best he could.

As you calmed and your tears started to dry, you heard your stomach growl, the smell of your favorite food wafting into the living room. Colin laughed, and you grumbled as you chastised your stomach for embarrassing you.

Colin stood to grab plates for you both, leaving you on the couch, already missing his warmth as you wrapped your blanket tighter around you. You asked how he knew what your favorite food was, completely shocked at his answer.

“You told me last month We were up on the roof, you’d had a bad day, so we set up the inflatable sumo suits and drank between rounds.” Colin said as if his remembering anything you’d said to him was an everyday occurrence. You’d never had anyone really listen to you, no one ever cared enough to listen.

“You remember that?” you asked as you took a bite of the plate Colin set in front of you, your hunger taking over as you realized you hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Colin looked over at you, then back at the television, trying to find something for the two of you to watch.

“Of course I do, I remember everything we talk about.” Colin settled on DareDevil, a show you’d recently started watching together as you introduced him to the MCU. He continued staring at the screen, pretending he didn’t see the soft smile that crossed your face as you continued eating. Once you’d finished, you leaned your head on Colin’s shoulder, and before you knew it, you’d fallen asleep.

Colin looked down, pushing a piece of hair out of your face and tucking it behind your ear, and kissed you softly on the forehead. You smiled and sighed, snuggling even deeper into Colin’s arms, his head resting on yours as he made sure you were covered, falling asleep quickly.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You opened your eyes, confused for a moment as you weren’t in your bedroom. You felt movement behind you, forgetting that Colin had come over last night. You screamed, falling on the floor when Colin moved his hand around your waist to pull you in closer.

“What the hell?” Colin said as he sat up quickly, sleep written all over his face as he stared at you on the floor. “Are you okay?” he asked, slightly confused as he helped you off the ground. You hopped up, your face and neck hot with embarrassment as you sat back down on the couch, unable to meet Colin’s gaze.

“I’m, I’m fine. So-sorry. I forgot where I was for a second and when you moved you scared me, and I guess I fell….and now I’m rambling.” You shook your head as Colin laughed, completely humiliated by your reaction. Had it really been that long since you’d felt someone touch you? And if you were being utterly honest with yourself, you liked the way Colin felt. His touch made you feel safe enough to cry, to fall asleep, to just be yourself.

“Hey, it’s okay. You fell asleep right after we started the show, not even Matt Murdock could keep you awake.” Colin stood and stretched, turned to use your bathroom, and you couldn’t help yourself, your gaze landing on his perfect ass, one of your favorite sights.

You shook your head, trying to tell yourself Colin didn’t like you in that way, not the way you cared for him. He was your friend, he was there for you during hard times, but you knew his feelings about commitment, you were witness to his many different women. That’s why you kept your distance.

You started some breakfast, eggs, bacon, and toast, for the two of you. You didn’t have work today, your boss had given you the rest of the week and weekend off so you could mourn in private. Colin made his way in, coming behind you to steal a piece of bacon you’d just grabbed.

“Hey! Jerk. I made you some right here!” you grumbled, slapping Colin on the chest as you made your way to the living room with both plates. “Can you grab the hot sauce, utensils, and juice please?” you asked, as you grabbed the remote to start your show all over again.

Colin set all of the requested items down before you had even started the show, having grabbed everything and followed right behind you. Damn it, if he could just let someone stay more than one night, he’d be such a good boyfriend, you thought.

“You’re staring again,” Colin said, his eyes never leaving the screen as Matt and Foggy flashed into view. You dropped your eyes, mortified he had caught you. Again. You were thinking of some reason to have been caught when you heard your phone ringing in the bedroom.

You ran to answer it, tears forming by the end of your conversation. It was your boss calling to let you know Mavis had been a special cat, so she was sent for cremation and was back at the clinic for you to pick up. You thanked your boss, telling her you’d be there to get her shortly. You were so lost in your tears, you hadn’t heard Colin come in and sit beside you on the bed. You immediately leaned in, seeking the warmth and comfort of his embrace and let your tears go.

Colin offered to drive you to the veterinary hospital, which you gratefully accepted. The ride was quiet, and before you knew it, you were parked in front. Colin asked if you wanted him to go in with you, but you declined knowing this was something you needed to do on your own.

You came back to the car a few minutes later, a small urn clutched tightly to your chest, your sobs wracking your entire body. You felt Colin’s hand on your thigh as you drove back, but you were so lost in your head. You weren’t even aware of pulling into the parking lot or even making your way upstairs.

You laid down in bed, Mavis on the nightstand, and pulled the blankets over your head again, your place to hide from the world. You fell into a restless sleep, your dreams plagued with guilt over Mavis and your inability to save her. You woke from a particularly rough nightmare, and threw your blankets off, feeling suffocated under the weight of your feelings.

You dropped to the floor, panting with sweat running down your face mixed with your tears. You heard your door open, but didn’t register Colin was there until he made you look at him to regulate your breathing. Colin was trying to ground you as you were in the middle of an anxiety attack. The ringing in your ears finally softened to a dull noise, your tears finally slowed, and your breathing was back to normal, your breaths in and out matching Colin.

“There you go, that’s it. Keep doing that.” Colin moved beside you, his arm around your shoulder as he kissed your forehead so softly you weren’t even sure you had felt it. Once you’d finally calmed down, you allowed Colin to put you back into bed. He covered you up, then moved to lay behind you as you fell back asleep, safe and warm in his arms.

You woke up to find your bed empty and cold, Colin no longer behind you. You stood up and made your way to the bathroom, stepping into a hot shower and brushing your teeth. Once you finally felt a little human again, you dressed and made your way out to the living room.

You weren’t sure what you were expecting, but you found yourself disappointed when Colin was nowhere to be found. Not that you could blame him, though. You’d broken down in front of him more than once, and if he wasn’t completely sure he wasn’t the commitment type, you would definitely be the one to prove his point.

You grabbed some water and ibuprofen and made your way back to your room. You gulped down the glass along with three pills when you noticed it. The urn was gone. You dropped your glass, not caring when it shattered beneath your feet. You looked all over, only stopping when you heard your front door open.

“Hey, what are you doing awake?” Colin asked as he made his way into your room, takeout bags in his hand. He made his way next to you, stopping when he saw the broken glass on the floor. “Shit, don’t move, let me clean this up.” Colin left, returning with a broom and dustpan.

“Mavis, I can’t find Mavis,” you said as you looked around your room and on the nightstand again. “I know I left her here, I was asleep, you were here and then you weren’t…” you mumbled, rambling as you tried to think of anywhere the urn could have gone.

“I’m sorry about leaving like that, I had something I wanted to surprise you with,” Colin said as he continued sweeping the shards of glass. “I grabbed Mavis, I wanted to sur…”

“Why the hell would you take her?” you yelled, anger rushing over every fiber of your being at what you’d just heard. “You had absolutely no right!”

Colin stopped, startled at the sudden rage in your voice. “I didn’t mean any harm, I wanted to…” You stopped him, fury taking over every rational part of your demeanor.

“You had no right to take her while I was sleeping. What were you thinking? How on earth did you assume this would be a good idea? Just when I start letting my guard down around you, just when I think you’re someone I could absolutely let in, you go and do something like this. Get out.”

“Just let me show you what I am doing,” Colin said as he pulled his phone out to show you something. “You’re going to love it, and I promise to bring Mavis back when I’m done.”

“Just get the fuck out. I don’t want to see it, I don’t want to see you! You betrayed my trust, took the one thing that matters to me right now.” You turned and locked yourself in your bathroom, collapsing onto the floor. Your heart shattered even more, knowing Colin hadn’t meant any harm, yet you unleashed all of your anger and sorrow onto him, keeping him at arm's length.

You waited in the bathroom, eventually falling asleep on the floor, waking only when your back and legs started to cramp up. You stood and moved to your bed, covering your face and head again, not wanting to see the empty nightstand. You also missed the warmth behind you, the strong arms that held you while you cried, but it was better this way.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You spent the rest of your time off in bed, only leaving it to use the bathroom. You’d been awakened by knocking on your door the first couple of days, but you didn’t answer, choosing to hide away. Eventually the knocking stopped, and you weren’t sure if you were relieved or sad.

Monday came around too quickly, but you forced yourself up and made your way to the bathroom. You showered and dressed, unsure how you were going to make it through this day, but knowing you couldn’t hide any longer.

Your day was a blur, full of routine and muscle memory. You smiled when you had to, laughed when it was expected, and left looking cheerful and happy. You weren’t but you definitely faked it until you made it.

You pulled into your parking spot at home, sitting in your car for a few minutes to let the weight of the day fall away from you, exhausted and emotionally drained. You made your way inside and up the stairs where you saw a small package in front of your door. You stopped as you saw the small urn next to it, and dropped down to get a better look.

The urn was Mavis, and it had a small nameplate and picture of her added to the urn. Next you opened the small box, finding a beautiful necklace which looked like the cosmos swirled with the brightest strip of stars ever seen. You pulled the chain out to get a closer look when you saw the small insert in familiar handwriting.

This is a small charm made from some of Mavis’ ashes, this way you always have her with you. I”m sorry I broke your trust or hurt you, that wasn’t my intent. I just wanted you to have a piece of her always. -Colin

You hung your head in shame, fully realizing just how awful you had been to this man, this man who just wanted to make you happy. You took a deep breath and swallowed your pride as you made your way over to Colin’s door and knocked.

“Colin?” you called, waiting a few seconds before knocking again. “Colin, I know I was horrible to you, please open the door?” You waited again, sighing as you started to turn away before stopping. “I need to say this, and I don’t know if I will have the courage again, so please listen. I am so sorry. I was wrong and mean, I took all of my anger and grief out on you, you didn’t deserve it at all. You were nothing but amazing to me, and I am sorry. This is beautiful, but I can’t accept it. I don’t deserve this.”

“Yes you do,” you heard from behind you. You jumped, turning to see Colin leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. He smiled his crooked little smirk, the one that always made your heart race, his bright blue eyes focused on you.

“So, did you hear all of that or do I need to start all over again?” you asked, embarrassment creeping up your neck and face. You weren’t good at this, sharing and apologizing, and you were really hoping he’d heard it all.

“I heard it, and you don’t owe me any apologies. I’m sorry I worried you, I’m sorry I hurt you at all. I just wanted to surprise you with something to see that smile I’ve come to adore so much.” You stared at Colin in shock, not quite believing your ears.

“What do you mean? You don’t adore me, you don’t do relationships, remember?” you said, confusion written all over. You wanted this to be true, there is nothing you wanted more but you knew about his liaisons, and you weren’t going to be just another notch.

“I didn’t, but then I met this really quiet and shy neighbor who let me hide out in her apartment the first time I met her, and from there, I stopped being interested in the temporary.” Colin started walking towards you as he continued. “We started spending a lot of time together and I finally realized what I truly wanted. So, the endless parade of women stopped, and I started spending all of my time with her.”

You looked up, trying to remember the last time you’d seen anyone come out of Colin’s apartment, realizing there hadn’t been a woman in months. “You want me?” you asked, waiting to hear him finally say the words.

“I want you,” Colin said as he grabbed your face and pulled you in for a kiss. This was by far the most amazing kiss you’d ever had, his lips soft and sweet, his tongue gentle as he waited for you to allow him access.

You pulled away, the both of you breathless and flushed. “You’re sure this is what you want?” you asked, your uncertainty taking hold as you looked up at this man, the one you’ve wanted for so long.

“I’ve never been so sure about anything before.” He pulled you into his chest, holding you tightly. As you melted into his touch, you felt his hands move lower until your ass was placed perfectly in his grasp.

“And there he is, there’s the Colin I know,” you said, laughter bubbling up as you smacked his hands away. He looked at you, that sexy sideways smirk on his face.

“Hey, this is all just for you now,” he said as he gestured up and down his body. “I never said anything about being chaste, only that you were now the only victim of my hormones.” You laughed and kissed him again, softly and slowly, fully enjoying your new life.

You would swear you saw and heard fireworks if anyone ever asked, but for once, you finally allowed yourself to live in the moment. You weren’t sure if this would last, but if every day with Colin was like they had been, you were damn sure going to try.

#colin shea #what’s your number #colin x reader #Colin x you #colin shea x you #Colin shea x reader #colin Shea angst #Colin Shea fluff #chris evans characters #Chris Evans

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babyjakes · 2 years

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eva-knits12 · 8 months

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Colin's Ex-girlfriend

Trigger warning: Colin Shea's problematic ex, angst, implied, smut, Eva telling his ex off, fluff in the end.

Summary: Colin and Eva run into Ali, Colin's problematic ex.

It was a gorgeous summer day. Colin and I were going to go walk around our favorite pedestrian mall later, and then go to our favorite seafood place for dinner. Harper would be with us, and we were going to have a picnic in the park in the afternoon.

I wake up next to Colin, who has a smile on his face.

"Good morning, my beautiful and gorgeous wife, "said Colin.

"Good morning, rock star," I say.

Colin goes to the bathroom, relieves himself, brushes his teeth, and then puts on the coffee. Harper is still sleeping in her crib. Colin comes back, and starts kissing my arm.

"You know, Harper won't be awake for another hour. And the coffee still has a few minutes to go," says Colin.

"Mmmm, I love you", I say.

Colin and I start to kiss each other passionately. Eventually. Colin rolls a condom over his length, and it feels perfect when Colin moves inside me. After a few minutes, Colin and I are snuggling, enjoying some post coital bliss.

Colin and I couldn't remember the last time we enjoyed this, it felt like it had been forever since Colin and I had some adult fun time of our own.

I get up, relieve myself, and then brush my teeth and wash my face. Good thing Colin wore a condom. I have no intention of getting pregnant again, since we still have Harper to deal with.

I check on Harper, and she is still sleeping. I get me and Colin coffee, and I make it the way Colin likes it, black with sugar. I put some pumpkin spice creamer in mine.

Colin has quite his job at the school, and now works as a handyman at a retirement home. He also plays for the residents, and the job is better pay, with good benefits. It works perfectly for the both of us. I'm now a stay-at-home mom until Harper is old enough to go to school full time.

Colin and I are having our coffee, and we flip on the TV. We watch a rerun of Muder, She Wrote, and just cuddle in bed until the show is over. Harper starts to cry, indicating that she's awake.

"Good morning, baby girl", says Colin.

Colin goes down and gets her bath ready, while I sit in the armchair and breastfeed her. After I'm done feeding and burping Harper, we give her a bath. Colin has the day off today, and the other handyman is working today. Today was one of Colin's days off, since he works five days a week. Today, he's taking a day off because his co-worker wanted him to take a day off, something that Colin had rarely done when there were less people.

I'm happy that one of his two days off is on Wednesdays, so that leaves the middle of the week for us to spend the day together. Colin and I usually do laundry on Saturdays, and Colin and I also clean the house then.

Colin watches Harper, while I go shower. Colin and I then eat breakfast, and pack the diaper bag with more than enough diapers, three packs of wipes, toys, books, etc., everything that Harper would need for the day. I pack my purse and my tote bag with my small knitting project which right now is a basic vanilla sock. I'm making a pair for myself, and I'm making a pair for Colin when I'm done.

I'm enjoying this life as a wife and mother, even though the mother part happened a little backwards. I conceived Harper on Colin and mine's second anniversary as a couple. Dickens is near Harper, he's always near Harper. We make sure to have more than enough plastic grocery bags, and make sure to have Dicken's leash, and treats.

Colin is filling Dickens' water bowl and food bowl, and Harper is happily batting at the little toys in her baby gym.

"Aw, look at that. She's one amazing baby," says Colin, as Harper is trying to roll over. Harper is trying to roll over right now, and she can't quite do it yet. I'm busy packing the cooler for our picnic lunch and making sure that it will stay nice and cold for our afternoon picnic. I'm also busy folding up the stroller.

I kneel down next to Harper. I kiss Harper.

"You can do it Harper", I say, as Harper starts to cry. She's frustrated because she can't quite roll over yet. I pick her up, and just hold her.

"Oh, Harper. I know, I know. Shh, shh, you'll roll over soon. Keep trying, beautiful baby girl", I say.

Colin says, "You can do it Harper.

Colin and I load the car, and I put Harper in her infant seat. Harper has settled down a bit, and Colin loads Harper in the car. Dickens jumps in the backseat, and sits next to Harper.

We're not even out of the driveway, and Harper is out. Trying to roll over right now has worn her out, so she just sleeps. Colin and I arrive at the pedestrian mall, and we go to the Starbucks and get some coffee. I am waiting for Colin with Harper and Dickens.

"I have gotten coffee for mommy," Colin says. You laugh and say thank you. Colin puts the coffees in the cup holders on the stroller, and we both walk around for a bit. A bit later, I take Harper to the ladies room, and change her when I see that she needs her diaper changed.

After that, Colin and I head off to the park, and set up near the playground. I lay out the picnic blanket, and then Colin gets the food out of the cooler. I made some turkey and cheese sandwiches, and you both ate the sandwiches and chips and drank the water. You breastfed Harper again, and she was one happy baby. I lie her on the blanket when I'm done feeding and burping her. Dickens is laying on the blanket with his head in his paws.

Harper is smiling while you and Colin are both playing with her. Eventually, Harper rolls over.

"Honey, did you see that?" says Colin, with pride and excitement in his eyes.

"I did! Harper, you just rolled over! Great job, baby girl!" you say, with pride and excitement. You and Colin were beaming, and Harper was smiling. She did it! She rolled over on time!

"Aw, look at her little push up pose," Colin says. "Who just rolled over? You did!" says Colin, lifting Harper up, and kissing her cheek and her nose, making her smile. Dickens is happily wagging his tail.

You and Colin sit there for a while, and Colin picks up his guitar and starts to play. You're reading your book, and Harper starts to go to sleep. Colin stops playing, and he rests his head in your lap, and falls asleep. You're reading your book, just enjoying this.

After a while, Colin wakes up, and you mark your place.

"I guess we should go. If we leave for The Clam Shack now, we won't have to sit in late afternoon traffic," says Colin.

"Good idea. I'm starting to get hungry," you say.

As you and Colin pack everything up, and throw away your trash, Colin hears an all too familiar voice. The voice laughs, and it's familiar. He thinks nothing of it, and I'm busy changing Harper's diaper, because she really needed a change. She almost had a blowout, but lucky for me, it was contained in the diaper.

"I'll be a few more minutes, Colin. I just need to clean up Harper. She has a really dirty diaper," you say.

"Take you time, baby, I'll wait for a while," Colin says.

You and Colin are still talking while you're changing Harper's diaper.

"Colin?" asks the familiar voice.

I knew about Colin's ex. I knew that she had been with a TON of guys, 20 by Colin's last count. She had this belief that if you didn't track down you're exes, you wouldn't find the one. But isn't that's what dating is all about? Finding the one? If she hasn't found the one by now, what was wrong with being single and happy?

"Ali," says Colin. Ali sees Colin's wedding ring, and her heart sinks.

"Come on, Ali. If we want to get to the movies, we better go," says the other guy. Ali and her new boyfriend of the week are spending some time in the park, too. It's a public space, and they had every right to be there as much as me and Colin and Harper.

"How long has it been?" says Ali.

Colin, trying to keep the conversation short, says "It's been three years, Ali. But I guess that's too long for you," says Colin.

I could sense the heartbreak and rage in Colin.

"Let's go, rock star. The traffic will be too much, and we'll just inch to the Clam Shack by the time we get on the road," you say.

"Who's this? You never told me that you have a wife, but a child. I would think she's your latest one night stand", says Ali.

"I take offense to that. Colin is the sweetest and most thoughtful husband I ever had. I never thought I would meet someone like Colin. You pissed it away, you cast him aside when things started to take a serious turn," you say.

"This is my wife, Eva, and this is my baby daughter, Harper Marie," Colin says. Harper is sleeping in her stroller, oblivious to the angst and drama.

"So, is this guy number twenty-four? Twenty-five? Thirty?", asks Colin.

"This is my new boyfriend, John", says Ali.

"We better go. I promised Eva that I'd take her to the Clam Shack for dinner", says Colin.

"THAT'S OUR RESTAURANT!" screams Ali.

"It's a public place, moron! If Colin and I want to go there, then we have EVERY right to go there. I realize that this is beyond your scope, but since things didn't work out between you and Colin doesn't give you any right to dictate where we can and can't go!" I say.

Ali stalks off, and Colin is pleased.

"Come on, let's go," Colin says.

I get in the driver's seat, and I adjust the seat to my height. Colin sits next to me, and puts his head in his hands and starts to cry.

"Oh, Colin. I'm so sorry. I knew she was toxic, but I think that's an understatement, " I say. "Let it out, honey."

Colin grabs me, and buries his head in me shoulder, and just cries.

Colin stops crying, and starts to talk to me about what happened between him and Ali. I knew that Ali was bad for him, I had no idea that she was toxic to him in so many ways.

"I thought Ali was the one, but she isn't. She lived next door to me at the time. You changed everything for me. I knew it when we sat across each other on open mic night at that coffee house. You were the most beautiful and the most exotic girl there. You were wearing that red Costa del Sol shirt. We kept talking until they kicked us out because they were closing. I remember when I took you out on our first date, it was at a casual burger place, and then we just walked around and talked. I knew you were the one," says Colin.

"You're why I stopped with the one-night stands, you're why I wake up in the morning, you're why I go to bed. You and Harper are why I found the love and happiness I deserve," Colin says.

Colin grabs my hand, and squeezes it, and then he kisses it.

"Colin, I'm sorry I acted the way I did. Ali's the one who's missing out. If going jumping from one guy to another after her short-lived relationships end, so be it. There's nothing wrong with being single, but society doesn't see it that way,"

"Eva, you told her off. I think she needed that. I just say a new side to you and I love you even more now. You stood up for me, for Harper, and for you. I hope Harper grows up to be as intelligent, beautiful, funny, strong, and amazing, just like her mama," says Colin, kissing me lovingly.

I drive us to the Clam Shack, and Colin and I both order salad and clam chowder for dinner. We have their herbed bread, which is really good.

We go back home. I breastfeed and change Harper.

Colin looks at me with love an with awe and with adoration,

"Colin, this was an amazing day. I love you so much. I love how you can show emotion, and not let it bother you. You don't bottle it up," I say.

"I love you. I love that you're strong and intelligent and wise. I love that you gave birth to our Harper. I love that you're modeling your definition of a strong, independent, and loving woman for Harper. I love how you stood up for us. I love that I can have an adult conversation with you. I love how you don't judge me when I show emotion. I love that you let me go through it, and we can talk about it. I love you so much," says Colin, giving me another loving kiss.

Colin is glad he married me, and has the happiness and love he deserves.

#colin shea #angst #fluff #family day #seafood #clam chowder

2 notes · View notes

bigtreefest · 3 months

Text

Fic Rec Masterlist

*This list is constantly being edited as I read more that’s so good I feel the need to share

Fluff 💞| Smut 🔥| Angst 🧊 | ST’s Favorite 🌟

Bucky Barnes

Series

🌟An Offer by @wntrs0ldier

I Thought You’d Never Happen to Me by @nickfowlerrr

Van Helsing Retold 🧊by @gaysindistress

New Tricks by @sebstanwhore

The List by @srgntjamesbuckybarnes

Catch Me if You Can by @buckyalpine

Treat You Better by @notafunkiller

Wedded Bliss by @gutsby

I Think He Knows by @delicatebarness

One-Shots

Wrapped Around Him by @angrythingstarlight

Back Again by @delaber

Are You Bored Yet? By @pellucid-constellations

Curiosity Killed the Cat by @queers-gambit

My Everyday by @pellucid-constellations

Traitor (technically a 2-shot) 🧊🔥 by @insomniumstella

Details by @soulgazingwithbucky

When we are Older by @buckys-wintersoldier

Hell Hath no Fury Like a Farmer Scorned by @eat-limes-bitches

You Know Just What I Need by @sinner-as-saint

Right Here by @ellemj

I Hate You by @ellemj

My First and Only by @buckyalpine

Bake Nights by @jobean12-blog

Steve Rogers

Series

Reckless 💞🔥🧊 by @kinanabinks

The Gemini by @rogersideup

One-shots

With You by @buckets-and-trees

I’m So, So… Sorry by @ronearoundblindly

Stucky

Series

The Brooklyn Boys by @buckets-and-trees

Backstage Pass by @luxeavenger

Mafia!Stucky by @myfictionaldreams

The Fuckboy Committee by @kinanabinks

Ari Levinson

Series

Highways & Heatstrokes (trucker AU) 🔥 by @oh-my-damn

🌟Bedrock and Blueprints by @ronearoundblindly

Sweet Renegade by @cevansbrat0007

Being in Love (ex Bucky) by @imtryingbuck

Pearls & Sunflowers by @chase-your-dreams-away

Flamingo King by @onsunnyside

One-Shots

Stoner sex 🔥 by @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

I’ll Wait, Angel by @buckyscombatboots

Jake Jensen

Series

One-Shots

A Helping Hand by @buckymorelikefuckme

Curtis Everett

Series

Live Is Short So Make It Sweet by @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

I Know I Should Know Better by @krirebr

Dream Come True by @thezombieprostitute

One-Shots

Andy Barber

Series

Like I’m Gonna Lose You (with Ransom Drysdale) by @paperweight91

One-shots

Ransom Drysdale

Series

Precarious Agreements by @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

The Root of All Ransom by @ronearoundblindly

More Than This by @krirebr

One-Shots

Afterglow by @stargazingfangirl18

Johnny Storm

Colin Shea

Sprawling Multi-character AUs

Lucky Charms by @yenzys-lucky-charm

We’re All Monsters by @krirebr @paperweight91

Come Hell or High Water by @imaginedreamwrite

#Bucky Barnes #Steve rogers #Ari Levinson #Jake Jensen #Curtis Everett #fic rec Masterlist #Bucky Barnes fanfiction #Steve rogers fanfiction #Ari Levinson fanfiction #Jake Jensen fanfiction #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale fanfiction #Curtis Everett fanfiction #stucky #stucky fanfiction #chris evans #sebastian stan

173 notes · View notes

krirebr · 3 months

Text

I Know I Should Know Better 4

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

Word Count: ~3.5k

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

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

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She looked confused. “Project?”

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

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

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

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

“Oh,” was all you managed to say.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Well,” you shrugged, “he’s right.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You turned on a dime. “Excuse me?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taglist is open

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

#curtis everett x female reader #curtis everett x you #curtis everett x reader #curtis everett #bodyguard!curtis everett x actress!reader #bodyguard!curtis everett #snowpiercer #fanfic #chris evans fanfiction #ce characters #reader insert #bodyguard au #i know i should know better #kris wrote something

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buckys-wintersoldier · 3 months

Text

1K Followers | Special

Welcome to my 1K Followers Special, first of all I want to thank everyone here. I appreciate you all so much and I’m so grateful.

I want to give a special thanks to @lives-in-midgard with helping me to come up with the idea.

Below the cut is a prompt list where you can look for a prompt you like and send it with a character as ask. If you want to you can also add ideas you want me to include in the oneshot. You can sent the ask also anonymous.

The work can include Smut, Fluff, Angst and Dark stuff. The warnings are tagged in each oneshot, you’re responsible for the stuff you read.

Feel free to also check my Masterlist and feel free to join my Taglist.

Some of my followers are writing by themselves and for those people who want to write something by themselves just look for a prompt and write your own story. Just tag me in the oneshot then and I will add your work here.

Characters/People I will write for: (x fem!Reader, except Stucky)

Actors: Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Florence Pugh

Marvel Characters: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova

Other Sebastian Stan Characters: Mickey Henry, Steve Kemp, Jefferson, Max Burnett

Other Chris Evans Characters: Colin Shea, Andy Barber, Frank Adler, Johnny Storm

Fluff:

1. “I don’t mind cuddling all day with you.”

2. "Come on, grumpy face, this will be fun!"

3. “Everything okay?” “I just really missed you.”

4. "I feel so save when I'm with you."

Smut:

1. “Suck, it doesn’t clean itself.”

2. “I hope you don’t plan to cum before I allow you to cum.”

3. “I’m gonna fill you.”

4. “I like when you moan my name.”

Angst:

1. “Come home with me or it’s over between us.”

2. “I thought I could trust you.”

3. “You thought I love you? I don’t.”

4. “Who did this to you?”

Dark:

1. “You can’t escape me.”

2. “You will obey.”

3. “Be nice, it’s not bad here. I will take care of you but you have to listen.”

4. “Don’t worry, you will learn to love me.”

Fluff: ❤️ | Smut: 🔥 | Angst: 🍂

— 𝐈 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮

— 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭 | 🔥

— 1.4𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬

Prompts: “I hope you don’t plan to cum before I allow you to cum.” / “You will obey.”

Max paid so you don’t have to go to the therapy anymore and takes you home, but you didn’t know he owns you then, until he makes it clear and makes sure you know you’re his.

— 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

— 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 | ❤️

— 520 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬

Prompts: “Everything okay?” “I just really missed you.”

Steve comes home from his one-week mission

— 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

— 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬 | ❤️

— 1188 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬

Prompts: "Come on, grumpy face, this will be fun!"

You try to convince your best friend to go ice skating with you, which he agrees after you give him a bit more attention.

#1k followers #marvel #mcu #marvel mcu #marvel fanfiction #marvel fic #bucky barnes fic writer #bucky barnes writer #bucky barnes #james bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #james buchanan bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x you #james bucky barnes x reader #bucky x you #bucky barnes x female reader

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imaginedreamwrite · 2 years

Text

Alpha!silverfox!Steve Rogers

Asylum!Steve Rogers and nurse!Reader

Brave New World

Breathe You In

Curtis & Mousey

Jake Jensen & Pretty Girl

Jake Jensen & Princess

Lloyd & Pumpkin

Lycan!Steve Rogers & barista!Reader

Photo ask game drabbles

Silverfox!professor!Ari Levinson & his librarian

Silverfox!Bucky & Sweet Girl

Silverfox!Johnny Storm & Little flame

Silverfox!mechanic!Steve Rogers x nurse!Reader

Silverfox!paramedic!Bucky Barnes & Bambi

Werewolf!Ari Levinson & Sweetpea

Wildest Dreams

Six sentence smut — thick thighs, Stucky x reader

Johnny & Jake & plus-sized reader

Sugar & Spice welcome home Wednesday

Thick thighs save lives take out Tuesday

Mob!Andy & mob!Lloyd

Three reasons why…YAY Steve

Three reasons why…BB&B

Jefferson gets angry and runs off his cat familiar

Colin Shea hockey

Werewolf!Ari sleepy Sunday

Monster match-up orc!Curtis Everett

White werewolf!Bucky Barnes

Lycan!skinny!Steve Rogers

Lucas Lee university soulmate

Bucky and his ex wife (Bucky is an asshole)

Bucky loses Reader (Once Bitten, Twice Shy)

Steve x reader x Natasha (bisexual!reader)

Fae!Stucky find cat!shifter!Reader

Silverfox!Ransom Drysdale meets reader’s child

Silverfox!Nick Fowler

BT Ransom takes his omegas shopping

Chubby!Bucky takes care of Becca while reader’s gone

Demon!Curtis Everett x human!Reader

Death!Bucky Barnes x life!Reader

Demon!Curtis confronts readers ex

Pipsqueak makes a good tray for Nick and the team

Fae!Jefferson and his reader go to a festival

Construction!alpha!Curtis Everett

Nick introduces pipsqueak to his teammates

Silverfox!Nick Fowler

Kitty!Reader is saved and housed by fae!Curtis, her defender when Jefferson comes to collect her

Ceo!Ari meets plus-sized!Reader at her bakery

Alpha!biker!Steve and alpha!biker!Ari meet pregnant!omega!Reader

Chris Evans (rpf) x pregnant!one night stand!Reader

Demon!Curtis teases reader

Here’s Your Perfect (drabble)

Ari is in a rut, Ice Princess has to help him out

Werewolf!Curtis Everett meets his luna!Reader at his work

Soft!dark!Steve Rogers and his wife

Soft!dark!mob!Steve Rogers and his wife

Jake Seresin gets protective

Silverfox!biker!Steve meets Ladybug

Silverfox!cowboy!Curtis meets his bride at the airport

Silverfox!cowboy!Curtis & reader sleep together for the first time

Bucky meets Steve’s assistant (HFY)

Cop!Andy Barber x arrested!Reader — how they meet

A/b/o angst

Silverfox!lawyer!Andy Barber

Silverfox!mob!Steve Rogers

Werepanther!Andy Barber gets set up with human!Reader

Merman!Curtis Everett x nurse!Reader

Silverfox!Steve Rogers x Ladybug

Werewolf!Curtis Everett x human!Reader

Fae!Ransom Drysdale x human!Reader

Silverfox!cowboy!Curtis gives reader a sad goodbye

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bookishtheaterlover7 · 3 months

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Alright. The past few days have been both a mix of shit and awesome. And, I would like to take a moment to fully appreciate the gorgeous puppy romantic goodness... That is... COLIN SHEA!

I mean, look at that happy little dance!!!

I would kill for a guy to look at me like that... Actually I'd die, if a guy ever looked at me like that 😆

Exhibit B of the reason why I'm melting 🫠

HE'S ONE DOMESTIC HUBBY!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

THAT FUCKING APPLE 🫣

And AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! HE HAS HEART EYES!!! Like how?!

Okay, that's enough crazy fangirling for now.

Just felt like watching one of my favorite feel-good rom-com movies. Because I needed to cleanse after Tale of the Nine-tailed, fucked with my emotions.

Also, I'm in a weirdly "needs romance" mood. So, this is a thing, and I may need cute feel-good fic recommendations, if you have them.

Angst is optional, just as long as sweet fluffy goodness follows.

I may need something to offset my angsty fic.😁

Until next time, Fellow Fans! 😘

#booky reacts #chris evans #chris evans fandom #character appreciation #colin shea #what's your number?#chris evans characters #chris evans movies #need fic recs!

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imyourbratzdoll · 1 year

Note

How are we feeling about a friends with benefits relationship with Colin Shea and reader likes the arrangement, - until she realizes it isn’t exclusive and she finds out he has several? T.T

Further elaboration: Reader has developed feelings for him in the duration of their arrangement because Colin had expressed she was special to him. How will he take it when reader calls him out for sleeping with others without telling her? How will he respond when she confesses her feelings? Wether it ends with angst or a happy ending is up to you. ✨>>

hopefully, this is what you wanted haha, I was in need of angst but I've basically read everything angsty.

summary - the reader finds out she isn't so special to colin as she thought.

the gif I use isn't mine, divider by @newlips

My head rests on Colin’s chest, trying to catch my breath from the previous strenuous activities. My fingers trace his abs, outlining them and softly stroking my nails up and down his hairy body. The peace is interrupted by his phone pinging, causing him to reach over and grab the device. A smirk begins to form on his beautiful face.

I watch him as he answers whoever is on the other end before he slowly unwinds himself from me and begins to put his clothes back on, “Hey, can you go? I have someone coming over, and it’s kind of important.” His back is turned so he doesn’t see my face fall. I look at the time and notice it’s one in the morning, ‘who would come over at this time?’

“Oh, okay, uh, sure.” I blink a few times, not wanting to cry over something so stupid, sliding out of bed and slowly pulling my clothes back on. Colin comes around and grabs my face, and for a split second, hope fills me, thinking this is it. He’s going to tell me to stay and that he loves me.

“You know you’re special to me, right?” My heart flutters, beginning to smile as I nod, staring at his pretty blue eyes until the sound of his phone buzzing cuts through the air, filling the silence. Colin’s hands drop from my face, practically running to his phone as it continues to buzz. “Okay, well. I’ll see you.” He waves, eyes not leaving his phone, causing me to let out a shaky breath. The flash of a female's name catches my eye before I go.

I make my way to his door, not hearing Colin rush out of his room. My hand wraps around the handle as I open the door and bump into someone. I shake my head a bit, and my gaze travels up their body and land on a gorgeous woman. Our eyes lock, brows furrowed as we study each other.

“Oh, shit” We both turn and look toward Colin, who stands there wide-eyed and completely pale. My eyes move back and forth between the two, the pieces connecting like the simplest puzzle, and a gasp leaves my lips. I turn around entirely and stare at Colin. The woman behind me leaves, shaking her head and muttering something about men.

“Who was that?” My voice causes Colin to cringe, watching my eyes fill with tears at what I just witnessed. “Colin?”

“Fuck! She’s a friend, okay!” He shakes his head, not willing to look at my face as he says this.

“Friend?! What kind of friend comes over–” My eyes widen, and more of the puzzle connects. “You fucking asshole! I thought I was fucking special to you!? How many more ‘friends’ do you have?!” His blue eyes connect with mine this time, watching as rage fills my body.

“You are special to me! But we aren’t together, and I have needs! What, did you want me to sit around and only fuck one girl?! What does it matter how many I have, huh?! So what if I have several? YOU AREN’T ENOUGH FOR ME.” Colin sucks in a breath when the last words slip out of his mouth, watching me slowly break apart.

I shake my head, and a painful chuckle leaves my lips. “I can’t believe I fell for you and your stupid fucking act, special my ass.” I turn, ignoring his confused calls as I head out of the door and into the lobby. I turn one last time and look at him. My eyes still hold pain, but my face looks emotionless, “Goodbye, Colin, great knowing you.” And that’s when I take my leave.

thank you for reading!

feedback and reblogs are greatly appreciated.

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writing-for-marvel · 1 year

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These are all the fics l've read in March. Please go show all these amazing writers some much deserved love! Also please remember to read the warnings for each individual fic

🔥 - smut | 💗 - fluff | 💧 - angst | 😈 - dark

Dividers by @saradika

Bucky Barnes

💗 Peachy Sweet (series) by @straywords

💗 Pie-eyed over you (series) by @themorningsunshine

💧💗 My Little Love (series) by @crazyunsexycool

💧💗🔥 Is This A Crime? (series) by @/crazyunsexycool

🔥 Give It To Me by @flordeamatista

💧 Where’s My Love by @/flordeamatista

💗 Scars To Your Beautiful by @bucky-barnes-diaries

💧💗 You and Me and Us by @jobean12-blog

💗 With Love by @/jobean12-blog

💧💗🔥 Bucky x reader by @soulgazingwithbucky

💗🔥 Face to Face by @venusstorm

💧💗 Barrister Beau’s by @jadedvibes

💧💗 Oversteer by @slyyywriting

💗💧 Luminescent by @rookthorne

💧💗 Protective by @onceuponastory

Steve Rogers

💗 Take a Fucking Hint by @hannibals-favourite-meal

😈🔥 And All Was Lost by @witchywithwhiskey

😈💧 Love Like a Scar by @targaryenvampireslayer

💗 Too Many Wingmen by @beccaanne814

💗🔥 Not-so-lazy Rainy Day by @no-not-without-you-blog

💧💗 Paying It Forward by @kellyn1604

💧💗 I Promise by @saiyanprincessswanie

Joaquin Torres

💗🔥 These Hands Had To by @buckets-and-trees

Augustus Pugliese

💗 augustus pugliese x gn!reader by @rodrikstark

Colin Shea

🔥 Soul Sucker by @sidepartskinnyjeans

Curtis Everett

💧 Soiled by @navybrat817

Ari Levinson

🔥💗 Skin by @/flordeamatista

💗 The Flu by @secretswiftymarvelfan

💧💗 Your Bodyguard by @/secretswiftymarvelfan

💗 “I’m going to carry you to bed if you keep arguing with me about needing sleep.” by @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

💗🔥 Ari Levsinson x reader by @imaginedreamwrite

🔥💗💧 Free Practice by @/slyyywriting

💧💗 Open Up by @galatially

Sherlock Holmes (from Enola Holmes)

💗 En Garde by @ithebookhoarder

💧💗 Red Carnation by @shotgunbunny

Joel Miller

💗🔥 Boys In Bed With Books by @/jobean12-blog

💧💗 You’re My Purpose by @mellowsaturns

🔥 Shameless by @lavendertales

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adulting-sucks · 1 year

Note

what about Andy barber is secretly unhappily married with his wife lauri and meets reader, a single bartender, and a new next door neighbor

A/N: I am so sorry this took so long to finish, but this story just kinda ran away from me. And life bent me over too. But here you are! I’m sorry if you hate it!!

Andrew Fucking Barber

You have a gorgeous new tenant in your building with a screamer of an ex (not the fun kind). As you get to know Andrew Fucking Barber, you realize old wounds of yours are healed. Could Andy be the one? Would you allow him to be the one?

Warnings: SMUT, angst, stalking, bearings, almost death, SMUT 18+ only, fluffy ending

Word count : 13,068-sorry. I have no chill

As always, the biggest of thank you’d to @peyton-warren for pushing me to finish this story, no matter how blocked I became. You are truly the best 💙. AND Anon, I hope you like it!

“Are you fucking serious, Laurie?” you heard as you opened the front door to the stairs leading up to the apartments. There were only three on the floor, yours, Mrs. Stevens who you bought the building from ten years ago, and the new tenant, Mr. Barber who you actually hadn’t met yet. All of his interactions and payments were handled by your lawyer and his. “I don’t know how many different ways I can say this, I want a divorce. Do I need to say it in a different language? I know your pretentious education taught you at least more than one.”

You chuckled as you made your way upstairs towards your door, keeping your eyes on the floor as the argument spilled into the hallway. You heard Mrs. Stevens open her door and look out, about to yell at the noise until she locked eyes with you. You nodded your head imperceptibly letting her know you had this under control.

The man looked over at Mrs. Stevens and mouthed his apologies, fully embarrassed by the scene his ex wife was causing. Mrs. Stevens gave him a look of sympathy before going back in and locking her door.

“You are causing a scene, can you either lower your voice or leave?” he asked Laurie, at least you think that’s what he called her. You continued to keep your eyes on the floor as you tried all of your keys in your locks to hide how you were obviously eavesdropping. “I cannot go over this again. This is over. Just sign the fucking papers, you go your way, I’ll go mine,” he said, his voice laced wtih frustration.

“Not until you agree to my terms!” Laurie screeched, stomping her foot like a child throwing a tantrum. If you were being honest, her age probably matched her shoe size. “I want alimony, you owe me that at least!” she continued, her voice rising.

“I don’t owe you shit, you psychotic brat! You don’t deserve a dime of my money, especially not after what you did to Jacob!” the man said, his face red with anger, the vein in his neck bulging so far out, it might explode. “You don’t get one dime of my fucking money, it isn’t my fault your lawyer is an incompetent asshole!”

“Andy, that isn’t fair. Neal has done everything in his power to make this as easy as possible but you keep stopping every move he makes,” Laurie complained, pointing her perfectly manicured nail into the poor man’s chest. Man, you thought as you looked at your own hands, you were definitely in need of some nail care.

“It isn’t my problem, Laurie. Neal got you off the murder charge for what you did to my fucking son, but that doesn’t mean he’s a good lawyer. No one told you to pay him in pussy!” Andy yelled, his patience gone.

You couldn‘t help but laugh at the last line, and though you thought you said it in your head, you whispered “Yeah, looks about right.” You immediately looked up, meeting Andy’s eyes who was laughing at your sentiment. Laurie, on the other hand, looked as if she wanted to tear you from limb to limb.

“And who the fuck are you?” Laurie asked, and boy, if a sound could kill, you would be gone. Andy mouthed an “I’m sorry”, and shook his head in embarrassment. You turned to look at Plastic Surgery Barbie with her obvious lip and cheek fillers. You would be hard pressed to find anything authentic on this floating buoy.

“I’m the fucking owner of this building,” you responded, a smirk crossing your face at the look of surprise and resentment on Laurie the blow up doll. “You, from what I gather, are Laurie, and you have been asked to leave more than once. You might want to consider taking the hint.” You leaned against the wall with your arms crossed, your eyes never leaving the other woman’s face.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Laurie said, her face turning red at your insolence, spit flying from her mouth. She moved towards you, her finger out as she stalked towards you. You stood up, your arms at your side, your smile fake and plastered so big, your teeth touched your forehead.

“I didn’t know you were hard of hearing, or is the conversation moving too fast for you? I’ll slow it down. I - am - the - owner - of - the - building. You - are Laurie - and Andy - would - like - you - leave,” you responded, slowing down your speech and enunciating every word, then plastering another smile on your face when you finished.

“You fucking bitch!” Laurie screamed, pulling her hand back to slap you, but you were faster. You owned a hole in the wall bar with nightly fights . You’d learned a thing or two about defense. You grabbed her wrist, twisting it until her knees folded and she crumpled to the floor.

Andy laughed and now that you were finally looking at him, you couldn’t help but notice how absolutely fucking gorgeous this man is. Laurie fucked up if she left this Adonis for any other man, and all you could think of is how his large hands would feel running up and down your body, his hands exploring every inch of you. Popping back to reality, you let Laurie go, allowing her to stand.

“You’ll fucking pay for that you stupid, fucking cunt,” Laurie spat as she turned back to Andy. “This isn’t over, Andy, not by a long shot.” Laurie turned and stomped away, mumbling to herself all the way down.

“Bye Laurie! Tell Neal Andy says hello. Oh, and if you ever step foot in this building again, I will obtain an order of protection on you! I think I know a really good lawyer!” you called after the woman while Andy laughed even more. You weren’t usually this sassy and spicy, but women like Laurie made your asshole itch.

Andy was wheezing, tears streaming down his face. Not only had you been able to handle Laurie the Destroyer, you were able to do it with humor and grace. You also were the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Your hair, your eyes, your smile, everything about you was so nice and refreshing.

“So…did she really pay Neal in pussy for her fee?” you asked, amusement written all over your face. “I’ve heard of many different forms of payment, but I have to admit paying with pussy is a new one.” You couldn’t help but laugh at Andy’s laugh, it was so contagious and happy.

“She really did, and the pussy nor the dick was actually the work that was done.” Andy said, laughing again. “I’m Andy Barber, by the way. I believe you were dealing with my lawyer and my assistant as I was busy in court.” He held out his hand which you immediately grabbed, giving this beautiful man your name.

“I am the owner of this building, along with the bar downstairs,” you explained. You invited Andy in for a drink to calm his nerves as he was a little shaky after the confrontation. He politely declined, excusing himself with an early morning. “The offer always stands, same at the bar. My tenants get a discount on drinks, so come down one night,” you offered, a little disappointed at him declining the invitation. You didn’t know how, but you would get him into your house and bed somehow.

“Well, goodnight. I’m so sorry about all of this,” Andy said, rubbing the back of his neck. “She won’t sign the divorce papers, and that’s all I’m asking for. The pussy puppy is just doing her bidding because she allows him access to her nasty vagina. Some people call children crotch goblins, but I happen to think they live in Laurie’s vagina and come out to torutre the next man she lures in.”

You laughed so hard you snorted, tears streaming down your face. “All I can see is two little goblins popping their heads out as she tells them to run free!” you say in between breaths, your belly shaking. Andy couldn’t help but join in, the visual taking over his mind. Two little goblins peaking their heads out of the dragon’s vagina, popping out to wreak havoc on everything around them.

“Well, I guess I should turn in,” you said once you had your giggles under control. You wiped away your tears, turned your key into your lock and slowly opened your door. “The offer stands any time, my place or the bar. I meant it when I said I would get a protection order if necessary.

“I appreciate it, and I will definitely stop by for a drink when I have the chance,” Andy replied, his heart beating fast, his stomach full of butterflies. You were very different from Laurie, hell different from any other woman he had ever known. He was fascinated by you, and he was going to take every chance he got to get to know you.

“Goodnight Andy, sweet dreams,"you said as you closed your door and locked it, completely missing the fuck me Andy threw at you. You didn’t know who he was, but you knew he was now someone you really wanted to get to know, and unbeknownst to you, Andy felt the exact same way, his head filled with your smile as he shut and locked his door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday tended to be the slowest night of the week for you so you started a karaoke contest to drum up some business. Colin had been your neighbor and best friend for as long as you could remember growing up, so you managed to talk him into being the DJ with the promise of free drinks and women.

“Colin, please wait until the contest is over before fucking your conquest of the night in my damn bathroom,” you said as you passed a beer over to your friend. He smiled, completely forgetting you were immune to his bullshit, cursing and crying when you slapped the back of his neck.

The bar started filling up, busier than it had been in a few weeks which made you happy. You smiled as a few of your friends from college showed up, excited to see everyone had made it home safely . You grabbed all of their drinks and made your way over to the table.

“Jake, Pooch, Cougs, see you made it back in one piece,” you said as you handed out the drinks to your friends. Each man stood to give you a hug as you hadn’t seen each other in a few months.

“We did, almost didn’t, but the rest of the team and the Avengers came through,” Jake said. “I also happened to come across another old friend, thought you’d like to see her.” You turned and looked over your shoulder as the door opened, your mouth hanging in shock at seeing your old friend.

“My Bookworm!” you yelled as you ran and hugged her, almost knocking the two of you to the ground in the process. Wormie and you had been thick as thieves in college, which is how you ended up meeting the other three. You hadn’t seen her for about ten years. She disappeared shortly after Jake left her, her heart broken and irreparable at that point.

You had let Wormie crash at your place, taking care of her when she couldn’t, not ever understanding how Jake could do this. One day, you came home from work and she was gone, leaving a Thank You scribbled on an old receipt.

You asked your friend what she’d like to drink, your heart light and airy for the first time in a while. She followed you to the bar as you two talked, catching up on everything as if you’d never missed a day.

The door opened and in walked Paul Diskant, homicide detective and PI to close friends, along with your favorite regular, Grumpy Old Frank Adler. Frank was gruff on the outside, but a teddy bear to those he cared for. He did not care for one Jake Jensen, however and immediately rolled his eyes, a sour puss face taking over.

“Grumpy, Paul, the usual?” you asked as Wormie made her way back to her table. You couldn’t help the smile plastered on your face, and your friends couldn’t help but notice either.

“You got it, toots,” Frank said, knowing how much the word irritated you. However, when your demeanor didn’t falter, Frank threw a look at Paul, confused and concerned.

“What’s got you so upbeat today?” Paul asked as he took a pull off his beer, his eyebrow raised quizzically.

“Just running into old friends from school, friends returning alive from their last mission, and making new friends along the way,” you replied as the door opened and your Adonis Andy walked in. Paul and Frank followed your line of vision, however both men had different reactions. Where Paul was happy and amused, Frank was wary and cranky.

“Well, took you long enough to get down here, Adon-Andy,” you said, almost letting your nickname for this gorgeous creature slip. Andy smiled, that heart stopping, panty dropping smile of his when he looked at you.

“Meeting up with Paul here, and I really have been meaning to get down here, so I figured two birds, one stone,” Andy replied. He turned to Frank and held out his hand to introduce himself. “So, how do you and Paul know each other?” Andy asked.

“Paul helped me out with a personal issue a few years back, and he wasn’t a dick, so he started hanging out. And you?” you replied, pouring Andy two fingers of your best scotch on the rocks.

Andy smiled even wider, completely impressed by your ability to pick out his drink. “Paul worked a lot of cases with me, I’m in the DA’s office. He’s helping me behind the scenes with Laurie. Also, how did you know what I drink?”

“It’s a gift I’ve picked up along the way,” you said, winking at him. You looked over at Paul who was utterly amused at this side of you, then Frank who was not amused. If it were even possible, he looked crankier than ever.

“Alright, work first, play later,” Paul said clapping Andy on the back. The men moved over to a booth in the corner, Frank joining them. Andy looked over and smiled again before turning his attention to the others. Yeah, your panties were definitely ruined with that smile.

Karaoke was a success tonight, keeping you busy. Your regulars made their way to the stage throughout the night, keeping you entertained all throughout. Frank had come over for refills throughout the night, but you were so busy, you hadn’t stopped to visit. Frank was waiting at the bar when Colin announced Jake performing his usual choice.

“Oh for fucks sake, can’t he pick a different damn song?” Frank complained as the opening chords to Don’t Stop Believing came over the speakers. “Every fucking week, it’s the same fucking song with the same stupid voice.”

“This one goes out to my best friend, Cranky Franky! I know how much you love this song!” Jake said right before he started singing. You laughed, tears streaming down your face as Frank gave Jake the finger. Jake blew a kiss Frank’s way and continued on. You gave Frank the refills and headed towards the back to restock while you had a moment to breathe.

When you popped back up to the bar, you were happy to see Frank, Paul, and Andy perched, their meeting over, Andy and Paul sharing stories with Frank as you walked up and placed refills in front of the men. You wiped down the bar and removed the empty bottles and glasses as you listened to the stories, also highly amused.

Andy excused himself to answer a phone call, stepping outside so he could hear. Your eyes followed the man, a sigh falling from your lips, your face for lack of a better term, dreamy. Paul and Frank laughed, but also maintained an air of caution. Frank and Paul were the only two people who knew all about you, including your past and why you haven’t dated in a long while.

“So, Andrew Barber, huh?” Paul said, one eyebrow raised as he watched you closely. You felt your neck and face heat up in embarrassment, the warmth spreading to the tips of your ears. You dropped your eyes and took a long sip from your drink as you tried to buy yourself some time.

“I uh, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you said, not fully denying the implication, however also not admitting to anything. You were careful, had been for the last five years, and you hadn’t so much as looked in any man’s direction until now. You didn’t know what it was about Andy, maybe you felt sorry for him, maybe you just admired his beauty. If you were truly being honest with yourself, you knew it was because you could relate to his situation, not fully as you thought back on your last relationship, but enough.

You could understand why Frank and Paul were worried about you. They had been there to protect you and put you back together after the trauma of your last relationship, so you knew their worry was from a place of complete love. You couldn’t articulate your feelings, you just knew this was something different, something you hadn’t felt before.

“Okay, yeah, I like him. He’s funny, he is strong, and have you seen that ass? I want to rob a fountain just to find quarters to bounce off it all day long!” you said. You had your back towards the door, so you missed Andy walking in on the last part of your conversation, and his grin at the last sentence.

“I’d love to let you do that, but I really don’t want to prosecute you for theft,” Andy said, his voice filled with amusement, his smile fully reaching his eyes. You dropped your head, your eyes wide with surprise as you mouthed a silent fuck to the floor.

“Yeah, so you heard that, huh?” you said, turning around to face the consequences of your sarcasm and denial, throwing a death glare towards Frank and Paul they laughed at your misfortune. You flipped the finger to them both, and turned to look at Andy, surprised to see amusement and something else in his face. You weren’t sure what it was, but it was also ruining your panties too.

“I mean, I’m not going to deny it, I stand by what I said. You have an ass of steel, and I would beg, borrow, and steal to watch the money shots bounce off,” you said as nonchalantly as possible, as if this was a normal, everyday conversation for you.

“You’re not wrong, I work hard for this bubble butt,” Andy said, laughing as Frank and Paul spit their drinks out, choking on their laughter. Paul hadn’t heard Andy joke like this before, and he had to admit it was nice to see his friend so relaxed, although he suspected the liquor may also be playing a part in this. Frank was happy to see a genuine smile on your face for once, something he hadn’t seen in a long time.

The night continued on in much the same manner, you and Andy flirting shamelessly, not noticing the crowd around you thin out as the hour grew late. It wasn’t until Colin waved goodbye, his choice cut of the night on his arm, that you realized it was almost time to close. You said goodbye to Jake, Wormie and The Losers as they filed out, Paul and Frank not too far behind after that, until it was only down to you and Andy.

You continued to joke and laugh as you shut everything down, finished the dishes, and counted the register down, preparing your deposit for tomorrow. When everything was finally done, you and Andy started towards the door to head upstairs to your respective apartments, however Andy was a little unsteady and was leaning on you to remain upright.

“Alright drunky, let’s get you upstairs and into bed,” you said as you huffed from the weight of Andy as he sang Closing Time, but only those two words as he didn’t actually know the song. You chuckled, telling Andy he wouldn’t be selling out any arenas in the future.

“You’re so pretty,” Andy slurred, his eyes on yours, a goofy grin plastered on his face as he swayed back and forth. “Pretty woman, pretty woman, pretty woman,” he repeated over and over as he attempted to boop your nose. After his last attempt ended in your eye, you grabbed his arm and rested it on your shoulder as you continued to steer him home.

“Where are your keys?” you asked Andy as you stopped in front of his door. Andy couldn’t answer you let alone keep his eyes open and body semi upright. “Okay, big man, let’s get you to my house, you can sleep it off there.” As you turned and made your way to your front door, you felt Andy stiffen before letting loose an ungodly amount of vomit on your head and front.

“Oh god, oh pretty woman, I just threw up,” Andy said, laughing at his misfortune. “Oh shit, I think you have something in your hair,” Andy commented as you tried to keep your own vomit in your body.

“You don’t fucking say,” you replied, finally working your front door open. You dropped Andy on the couch, not wanting to go too far into your house as you didn’t want to leave a trail of vomit in your wake. You took off your shirt and pants, leaving them in a pile at the front door as you made your way to your bathroom to shower. Once freshly cleaned, you towled yourself off and made your way to your room to get dressed only to find your guest asleep on your bed.

You grabbed your shirt and shorts, dressing quickly before heading over to where Andy was asleep, pulling back the covers to remove his shoes and any piece of clothing that he may have vomited on, however you were pleasantly surprised to see he had already done this. You stopped, staring at his arms, the muscles hard and noticeable as he had removed his button up. You pulled the covers back up, making sure he was warm, pushing a loose strand of hair out of his face. “Goodnight, my glorious god,” you whispered, placing a kiss on his forehead before moving to your side of the bed to sleep. You missed Andy sighing, a smile on his lips as he fell into an even deeper sleep.

You woke early the next morning, your bed warm and comfortable as you stretched, completely forgetting about your guest until you felt him pull you in tighter to his chest, his soft snores almost lulling you back to sleep. You could get used to this, you thought to yourself, sighing and burrowing deeper into Andy’s embrace, You fell back asleep for a few more hours before hunger forced you out of bed.

After a quick stop in the bathroom, you made your way into the kitchen and put on your breakfast playlist, an embarrassing mix of 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s boy bands. You put your headphones on, not wanting to wake Andy as you got out eggs, cheese, peppers and onions, butter, and bacon. You lost yourself to your music, Nick, Drew, Jeff, and Justin bringing out your inner popstar, even if you couldn’t sing on key at all.

“I got somewhere else to be, promises to keep, someone else who loves me and trusts me fast asleep; I've made up my mind, there is no turning back, She’s been good to me And she deserves better than that…” you belt out as you add the bacon to the pan, dance your way over to the toast, and finally whisk your eggs before pouring them in the pan, giving you your microphone back.

You continued your concert, stopping to sing along with the chorus here and there as you chopped your onions and peppers, throwing them into the middle of the eggs before closing the omelet and covering it with cheese, stopping to turn the bacon in the pan on the next burner. You were so engrossed in your singing, you missed Andy walking into the kitchen, a goofy smile on his face as he watched you sing and dance.

Andy had a secret love of boy bands too, and started dancing behind you as you serenaded him unknowingly. You turned to start the toast, screaming when you saw Andy there, throwing the bread at him as you pulled your headphones down. Andy laughed harder, catching the loaf of bread with ease, placing it on the counter next to the toaster.

“You scared the ever loving shit out of me, fuck!” you said, your hand over your heart as you tried to calm your breathing. Andy continued laughing, “How much of that did you hear?” you squeaked out, embarrassment flooding your face as you started to butter the toast, plopping strawberry jelly on top, a little splatter remaining on your cheek from your jump scare.

“Nick and Drew would be proud,” Andy said as he wiped the jelly off your face, his smile infectious. You gave a bow, telling Andy he would have to pay for this sight next time, gesturing for Andy to sit at the counter as you placed his plate of food in front of him, along with some hot sauce as you moved around to take the seat next to him.

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence, you dancing in your seat at finally eating, a habit of yours since you were small. Andy smiled and enjoyed the company. It had been a long time since he had done this, however just as he was about to speak, you both heard the shrill call of Laurie in the hall.

“ANDREW FUCKING BARBER, GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE YOU FUCKING DICK!” Laurie screamed as she pounded on Andy’s front door. Andy sighed, murmuring a quiet apology as he stood to handle his ex.

“I’m assuming this is fallout from your meeting with Paul last night?” you asked as you moved to follow him. Andy, dressed in a tank top and pants, nodded, pleading with you to stay in the house as he dealt with this. You silently agreed, not wanting to make the situation worse for you Andy.

Laurie spun around as your door opened and Andy stepped out. “You ruin my fucking life and you fuck someone else?” Laurie screamed, throwing a folder at Andy.

“Good morning, Laurie. I assume you received my new terms of divorce?” Andy said calmly. Laurie moved towards him, fury ingrained in every feature of her face.

“New terms? You fucking ruined my life, you god damn psycho!” she screamed right before landing a slap across Andy’s cheek, the sound echoing through the hall. “You had no right to have me followed!” she continued as Andy was bent over picking up the folder and its contents.

“I had every right to have you followed,” he answered, his voice calm yet amused at the same time. He would have to send Paul a huge thank you, maybe a bottle of his favorite whiskey. Andy flipped through the pictures, even more thankful for Paul’s contacts and abilities; with this, he may just get the divorce he wanted. “Look, I haven’t given these to Neal yet. Sign the new divorce papers, with my updated terms, and he will never see them.”

Andy held up the picture of Laurie with a dick in her mouth, and it was not Neal’s. He went through every picture in the pile, each one showing Laurie in an even more compromising position than before, showcasing Laurie cheating on Neal, quite similar to the pictures Andy received when he found out Laurie was cheating on him.

“You are a spineless coward-” Laurie began, stopping when she heard your front door open again. There you stood, wearing nothing but the button up shirt you had washed for Andy last night.

“Andy, are you coming back-” you stopped, pretend surprise crossing your face. “I didn’t know you had a guest. I guess I should go put some clothes on. Nice to see you again, Laura.” You giggled, something you could honestly say you had never done before and went back inside, wondering if you had just made everything worse. You couldn’t help yourself, and you also couldn’t ignore the amusement and desire written on Andy’s face.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Laurie screamed again. “You’re fucking that whore?” Andy just laughed, and you couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

“She isn’t a whore, she happens to be a business owner and a damn good cook,” you heard Andy say as you changed back into your clothes. “She’s also a singer, I can see her going all the way to the Grammys. On that note, you have two days to accept my terms before those photos find their way to Neal.”

You had found your way back into the hall once dressed, smiling brightly as Andy made his way back into your place. As you waved at Laurie, you also threw a wink her way over your shoulder. Before you knew what was happening, Laurie was standing in front of you, a smack ringing through the empty hall.

You moved your hand to your cheek, feeling something wet where you had just been struck. You pulled your hand away and saw blood, looking down to see Laurie’s keys in her hand. She raised her hand to hit you again, but this time you grabbed her wrist before she reached your face, twisting her hand until she dropped her keys, a cry of pain leaving her lips.

“You really are a sneaky, stupid bitch. A slap with your keys is cliche and just plain annoying.” You dropped Laurie’s hand, kicking her keys across the floor. “Now, I do believe you’ve been asked multiple times to leave, so you should probably do that.” At that, you turned and went back to Andy, slamming the door shut behind you.

————————————————————

You and Andy spent the day together, watching TV and baking, one of your favorite ways to relax. You called Colin and Jensen, reminding them of all of the favors they owed you, asking them to open the bar for you as you were “sick”.

“Yeah right, sick my ass. Have fun with the lawyer!” Colin said, knowing exactly what was happening. You had never taken a sick day, even when you were sick. Plus Paul told Jensen about Andy, and Jensen has a big mouth. Colin hung up before you could say anything, and you knew you were in for it the next time you saw him.

“Everything okay?” Andy asked, having been in the bathroom when you made your call. You didn’t want to tell him you were playing sick, although you knew he’d find out sooner or later, but for now, you were all his.

“Yeah, absolutely. So, the cookies are done, the lemon cake has been frosted, and the cherry pie is cooling. Did you pick what you wanted to watch?” You made your way to the freezer to grab your cotton candy flavored vodka out to try a new drink you’d heard about. “Also, you’re my guinea pig tonight.”

You grabbed two glasses, filled them with ice, and added the cotton candy vodka, followed by actual cotton candy. You turned and handed one glass to Andy while keeping another for yourself, eyes shimmering in amusement at the worried look on Andy’s face.

“Where did you get this recipe, a kindergarten carnival?” Andy said with a smirk, his right eyebrow raised in amusement as he took a sniff of the sugary confection in front of him. Your laughter rang out, causing Andy to grin even more. He loved the sound of your laugh, so rich, and the snort was even more adorable. Andy liked everything about you; you were a breath of fresh air after Laurie.

“I mean, is there anywhere else to get the best alcoholic recipes?” you joked, feigning false offense, your hand clutched to your chest. “Go ahead, take a sip.” You waited, not wanting to drink this if it was an abomination.

“Oh, I see, I’m the sacrificial lamb here!” Andy said, laughing as he brought the glass to his lips. He took a tentative sip, his eyes going wide as the drink met his taste buds. “This is so good!” Andy said as he took another sip, effectively downing the entire drink.

“Slow down there, these go down really easy,” you cautioned as you took a long pull, almost drinking the whole thing all at once yourself. You refilled both glasses, and you and Andy fell into easy conversation.

You learned about his childhood, schooling, and even a little about Laurie and Jacob, which you suspected was only because of the alcohol. But, you were also a little more open than normal, discussing a rough and lonely upbringing which led to poor choices in relationships, which led to you owning a bar and apartment complex all in one.

“I can’t believe I told you all of that. Oh God, you must think I come with an insane amount of baggage,” you said, chuckling and shaking your head. Andy made you want to open up to him, made you feel safe and unjudged, made you feel happy.

“We all have our suitcases traveling behind us,” Andy said, humor laced in his answer as he took another sip. “Hell, you’ve seen mine up close and personal.” Andy laid back on the floor, his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes, almost as if he was trying to catch a memory.

“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” you replied in a sing-song voice as you grabbed his glass to pour another refill, neither of you wanting the night to end. Your favorite song started playing from your shuffled playlist, and you sang and moved your hips to the beat, missing the look of absolute bliss that passed over Andy’s handsome face as he watched you.

“Not too much to tell. Laurie and I met in college. I wasn’t sure about our future, even then, but Jacob came along our senior year. I was ready to end it, Laurie wanted to play house. I couldn’t walk away from him, from them. So, Laurie got the house and white picket fence, I got my law degree and a good job, Jacob got a family.”

You let Andy finish before you made your way back into the living room with his next cocktail, stopping to take a sip before you sat back down. You were really regretting the sharing game you set forth, worried you would chase Andy before it had even begun. You emptied your glass, needing all of the liquid courage you could muster, clearing your throat. Andy looked over, a look of worry passing over his face as he took in your solemn stature.

“Hey, are you okay?” Andy said, sitting up and making his way over to you. “You’re pale, and you’ve gone eerily silent.” Andy sat next to you, his hand resting on your thigh as you were brought back to earth, your mind and soul uneasy.

“Yeah, yeah I am. I’m just wondering how long until I have an Andrew Barber shaped cut out in my front door,” you half joked, suddenly very self conscious, unable to meet Andy’s eyes. As safe as he made you feel, your past was so painful. It took a long time to even feel safe once again, and telling Andy about it could take away that safety net.

“We don’t have to talk about it. I am not going to push you to do anything before you’re absolutely ready to. Trust me?” Andy said, sincerity in every word, his hand rubbing a calming pattern on your thigh. He grasped your chin, bringing your face up to his, making you look him in the eyes to see the truth of his words, and you did.

“I trust you,” you replied softly, leaning your face into his hand, closing your eyes to enjoy the sensation. You opened your eyes to see Andy’s face in front of yours, so close you could feel his breath on your nose. Andy leaned in and kissed you softly, his lips tender and smooth, yet breath stealing. You tasted the sweetness of the drinks on his lips as you ran your tongue along them.

You pulled back, dazed and warm, opening your eyes to see Andy mirroring you. You smiled, dropping your eyes shyly as he grinned from ear to ear, one of the first times you’d seen a genuine look of happiness from him in the short time you’d known each other.

“Wow, that was spectacular,” Andy said, laying back down on the floor, smiling like a middle schooler who just had his first kiss. You stood up, shuffling your playlist until you found something upbeat to dance too, a sudden burst of energy taking over. Andy leaned up on his elbows to watch as you moved and swayed your body to the beat of your favorite band, finally deciding to join in the fun.

At the moment, your playlist shuffled to Frank Sinatra, and Andy grabbed your hand, entwining his fingers with yours while placing his other hand on your lower back, pulling you into him as he swayed to beat, humming the melody in your ear. You closed your eyes, his smell enveloping every cell of body.

You lost yourself to the moment, finally allowing yourself to relax and just exist. You danced for another hour, each lost in one another, no words spoken yet poems flowing between you both. You yawned, the night finally catching up to you, which caused Andy to turn the music off and lead you to your bedroom. You laid down on your bed, Andy moving behind you, both of you melting into one another as you turned to face Andy.

Andy pushed your hair off your face, letting his hand caress your cheek before he closed the space between you, soft kisses placed all over, his tongue tracing your lips. You allowed him in, finally allowing yourself to fall into this man. The kisses continued until you needed to come up for air, snuggling into Andy, his warmth and scent lulling you to a deep and peaceful sleep, one without the nightmares that plagued you every night.

—---------------------------------------------------

“You’re sure about this?” Laurie said as she stared at the file Neal placed in front of her. She flipped through the pages filled with everything Laurie needed to get her revenge on you. Neal nodded, moving to sit behind his desk as Laurie continued to peruse the information in front of her.

“Absolutely. Everything is documented and legitimate, but I don’t understand why you need all of this,” Neal took a sip from the brandy on his desk, his eyes watching Laurie closely. Neal adored her, but he didn’t trust her. She did cheat on Andy with him after all.

“She is the easiest way to get to Andy. We do this, if we can pull this off, we can finally get him to sign the divorce decree you drew up. We get almost everything of his and he loses it all. His money, his job, his new whore.” Laurie moved to straddle Neal and encouraged him to ask not to be disturbed for the foreseeable future.

———————————————————————

Your mornings of singing and dancing, sometimes with Andy, most times without, continued, and for the first time in a while, you found a pep in your step that hadn’t been there before. When you and Andy were able to see each other, it was nice and sweet, mixed with heavy petting and makeout sessions. Dinner was also sometimes included in these moments, and you found you loved cooking with the man.

Tonight, Andy had managed to finish a large case and was able to join you at the bar. He sat on an open seat at the opposite end of the bar, a vase of tiger lilies held carefully in his large hands while his tilted face smiled at you with his lopsided grin. Andy knew in this moment, watching you, that he was madly in love, and nothing could change or break that bond.

You were finishing up an order while laughing at one of Jensen’s jokes as Wormie stood next to him rolling her eyes and laughing. Wormie looked back at Jensen, pushed his glasses up his nose, and gave him a soft and loving kiss, one that Andy wanted to give to you, if he were being honest.

You laughed, and also sighed at the touching scene in front of you, slowly realizing how closed off and isolated you had made yourself. Your thoughts turned to your lawyer, and for once, you couldn’t wait for the night to end so you could see him, kiss him, feel his arms around you. Jensen leaned in and told you someone was waiting towards the other end of the bar, and when you looked, your heart skipped a beat, maybe even a few.

You made your way down to Andy, your smile becoming so large you felt like your cheeks would explode. “Well, hey there handsome. Didn’t think I would see you for a few more weeks.” You leaned in, kissing your man softly on the lips, only stopping at the catcalls and whistles from your friends. You buried your face in his neck, kissing him lightly while laughing.

“Hey, there are children in this bar! Jensen isn’t allowed to watch the mature themed shows!” Colin yelled, The Losers howling while Wormie comforted her man. You chuckled and flipped Colin the bird before focusing your attention on the very gorgeous man in front of you.

“Hi, Handsome,” you said, kissing him again for good measure. “Hey, that’s my line!” Andy said, feigning offense as he handed you the vase of lilies. You took a deep sniff, your eyes closed and a small moan of happiness left your lips. It had been a long time since you had even thought about dating, and this man was not making it easy for you to hide away.

“Hey Andy!” Paul said, clapping the man on his shoulder. The two fell into an easy conversation as you freshened up their drinks. Frank walked up a moment later, throwing a nod to the two men before sitting down in front of his beer. The four of you hung out, drinking and talking, not realizing how late the time hour had gotten until you saw The Losers cleaning up for ya, and Colin taking him his flavor of the night.

You also never saw the clothed figure hiding in the back of the bar, face covered. The Losers had left just as the figure snuck in, and once all but you, Andy, Paul, and Frank had left, the figure snuck out the back door into the alley, waiting in the shadows.

You cleaned while the men talked, finishing the dishes and clearing out the register for the nightly deposit at the bank drop next door. Paul and Frank bid their farewells, heading out towards the night as you locked the door behind them.

Andy stood to help with the last of the closing work, helped you into your jacket, then made sure the rest of the lights were off as you waited for him at the back door. You set the alarm, you two leaving and locking the door behind you. Andy grabbed your hand, bringing it up to his lips as you smiled up at him, the butterflies floating through your stomach. Once you had dropped the deposit in the night deposit drawer, you both made your way back to the apartments, opening the door and climbing the stairs laughing. Mrs. Stevens popped per head out to smile and wave at the two of you as you unlocked your front door, allowing Andy in ahead of you.

You never saw the figure watch which building you went into, nor did you see him prop the door open for access. As quickly as he was in, he was back in the shadows, waiting for his moment.

He had waited years for this moment. He had waited in prison, on probation, and now, here he was. He never thought he would see you again, but this time, you were his.

You leaned your back against your front door, your eyes closed as you enjoyed the buzz running through your body. When you opened them, you saw bright blue eyes in front of you, felt a large hand on your hip while the other caressed your face. You leaned in, staring at the most inviting set of lips you’d ever seen. Andy closed the gap, his lips on yours gentle and passionate all at once, this man a walking contradiction.

You closed your eyes, allowing Andy entrance into your mouth as you kissed him with every emotion and ounce of passion you’d hidden away the last few years, grabbing his shirt to turn him around and pin his back to the door. You pulled away, panting from the best kiss you’d ever received. You saw the lust written all over Andy's face, and you knew without a doubt your face was a mirror image of his.

You started to his Andy’s neck, biting and sucking, down from behind his ears all over the soft flesh of neck to his collarbones. You felt a sharp intake of breath as you placed your hands under his shirt, running your fingers over every muscle and ridge. You removed your hands and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt, softly sliding it down his shoulders and onto the floor.

You looked up, looking for permission from this god damn man of perfection, as you kissed his shoulders, his collar bones, stopping to take his nipples in your mouth. You felt his hand grab the back of your head and lightly pull your hair, causing you to moan. You continued your kisses, moving down lower, stopping to loosen his belt and remove his pants and boxer briefs, falling to your knees as you pulled them down with you. You helped him step out, then pushed him back against the wall, your mouth watering at the first look of his beautiful cock.

You licked your lips, looking up at Andy for approval, your hand moving up and down on his thick shaft, your fingertips already covered in precum. Andy, with his hand still entwined in hair, nodded his consent, his eyes ablaze with passion.

You started with small licks up the shaft of his thick cock, the mushroom head red and leaking. You kitten licked the head, already addicted to the taste of this man. You continued to stroke him up and down while twisting your wrist as you sucked on his balls, your thumb running over the tip of his cock.

“Fucking hell,” Andy said, hardly above a whisper as you continued this assault for a few more munites, enjoying every taste of this man. You moved your hand down the shaft and sucked the top of his cock in as deep as you could, paying extra attention to the head, leaking your new favorite taste. You’d done this with other men, but not one of them tasted like this. You were now ruined for all other men. You continued sucking and licking, your hand moving over the part of the shaft you weren’t able to fully take into your mouth.

Andy kept silently cursing and praising whatever being out there who created you. Your mouth was the best he’d ever had, and he wasn’t sure he would ever let anyone else suck his dick again. You were it for him. As you moved deeper and deeper, down, he held your hair tight, pulling and pushing in the moments you made him feel so good; he thought he was a virgin again.

“Fuck, “m so close. I’m gonna cum,” Andy said as he tried to remove your mouth from his cock. You, however, were having none of that. You started sucking harder, drool dripping down off your chin and to the floor, your hand still pumping and working the cock you couldn’t fully fit yet, Andy was most definitely larger and thicker than any other man you’d been with.

You felt him still, his thighs tighten, your only warning before you felt ribbons of cum hit the back of your throat. You swallowed every last drop, once again instantly addicted to the taste of this man. When you were sure you’d swallowed every last drop, you released Andy, making sure to catch all the loose cum with your finger and put it in your mouth, never once breaking eye contact.

You stood up and Andy grabbed you, kissing you deeply and thoroughly, mixing the kiss with his cum still left in your mouth. “That has to be the best blow job I have ever had,” Andy said, contentment written over every feature as he leaned his head back against the door and closed his eyes.

“I am addicted to the taste of you, Andy. You have officially ruined me for all others.” You rested your head against his chest, listening as his heart slowed. He picked you up, moving you to the couch, placing you gently on the seat as he fell to his knees in front of you. He kissed you softly, moving from your mouth to your neck, learning which spots to hit by paying attention to every sound and sigh you made. He slowly unbuttoned your shirt, throwing it to the side. He stopped at your bra, waiting for your consent, not wanting to rush you into something you weren’t ready for.

You nodded, sitting up a little as Andy unclasped the bra from the back, slowly pulling the straps down your shoulders following with a trail of kisses and bites. Once your breasts were free, he wasted no time taking one nipple in his mouth as his other hand moved lower, his hand rubbing your pussy through the cloth. You grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in closer as you felt yourself growing wet while his had still stroked your cunt. soft and smooth, his fingers slipping in the covered folds.

He switched nipples, his mouth assaulting it with new vigor while his hand had started to remove your leggings, leaving you in barely there boy shorts, a very dark wet patch center and showing. He kept licking, biting, sucking on your sensitive nipple while his hand dipped under the band of your boy shorts, his fingers gathering your wetness. He pulled away from your breast and placed his fingers in his mouth, moaning as if he had just tasted the sweetest nectar in creation.

You watched, the sight of him licking your essence off of his fingers the most erotic thing you had ever seen. “Andy, please…” you begged, your hands in his hair. “Please what, baby? I need to hear what you want,” You groaned in frustration, asking Andy to eat your cunt, so wet all for him

He growled, something primal taking over him, as he pulled you to the edge of the couch He wasted no time in getting three fingers right into your cunt, already so wet and ready for him as he ran his tongue up and down your folds before finally sucking your clit into his mouth. His assault was fast and hard, working you towards oblivion in a matter of minutes.

You moaned and groaned, your hands in his hair starting to pull as he took you to a place you’d never recover from. You’d never been eaten out like this, so passionately and fervently. Most other men had always treated it like a chore making you feel it was your problem, not theirs. But not Andy. Andy ate you as if he would never have a meal again, as if he needed to memorize each scent, each fold, the way your body arched as his fingers found the sweet spot, a spot you had only heard of as rumor.

You felt the band tightening, your body starting to tense. Andy, feeling your pussy grab his fingers and suck them in further, double downed his attack on your clit, licking and sucking as if this was his last meal. “Andy!” you cried, his only warning before you started cumming harder than you had ever before. Andy continued on, cresting you into your second orgasm before the first had even finished. He finally slowed, his face and beard sleek with your wetness. You pulled him up, kissing him all over as you tasted yourself on his face. You finally laid back, panting from the two intense orgasms you had just experienced.

Andy rested his head on your chest, kissing every inch of skin he could, your smell still all over his face, and he never wanted it to go away. Andy was now fully addicted to you, your soft skin, your moans, your gentle calling of his name, the way your face scrunched as you came,. He would only want you, crave you, need you.

He gathered you up in his arms, carrying you to your bed, pulling back the covers, getting you both in and settled before he pulled the covers over you both, his hand wrapped around your stomach, pulling you in as closely as he could. He kissed your shoulder, already knowing you had fallen asleep, your deep and even breaths filling the room. “I think I love you,” he whispered as he kissed you once more before falling into his own sleep.

—---------------------------------------------------

You turned over, your body so soft and refreshed, a feeling you hadn’t had in so long. You opened your eyes, the gentle face of Andy Barber in front of you. You reached out to move some hair out of his eyes, and you felt your body melt all over again, your nipples hard, your skin cold and warm all at once.

Andy pulled his arm around your waist tighter, pulling you in, your face resting in the crook of his arm. He placed a kiss on the top of your head, sighing in content before saying good morning. You closed your eyes and breathed Andy in, never wanting to leave this bed or his embrace. Just as the two of you were falling asleep, a loud bang suddenly rocked the building.

You and Andy sprang up, grabbing your clothes and a hoodie as you made your way to the door and made your way downstairs. You told Mrs. Stevens to stay in her apartment, you would let her know when everything was safe. When you made it down and opened the door, there was nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. As you walked a little further down the alley, you saw it something you hadn’t seen in years, something you were sure was over and done with.

Your face went pale, and before you knew it, you fainted, the sounds of Andy calling your name. He rushed you upstairs, placing you gently into bed as he pulled out his phone to call the only two people you trusted.

It only took Frank and Paul two minutes to reach your place, Andy having met the men downstairs, and by the look on their faces, he knew this was more serious than he could ever imagine. “What is this, and why did it make her pass out? Andy said, not missing the silent communication between the other men.

“Where is she?” Frank asked, heading towards the door. “Is she in her apartment?” Andy confirmed, letting Frank know he had placed you in your bedroom as the man disappeared into the building. Andy turned his attention to Paul who had moved into full detective mode.

“Andy, were you with her all night?” Paul asked as he continued looking at the symbol on the wall. It was a painted black rose with a diamond painted over the stem, the petals painted to form a skull.

“Paul, what the fuck is this and why did it scare her so much?” Andy said, concerned for the woman upstairs, the woman he loved. His woman was strong and sassy, you wouldn’t take shit from anyone. So how did one picture shatter your carefully crafted facade?

“It isn’t my story to tell, Andy. She has to tell you this. And yes, Andy, this is bad. She is going to need you. I’m going to head up there. Go home.” Paul turned around and headed up the stairs, Andy not far behind. Frank was waiting at your door for Paul, and it took everything Andy had inside of him to not burst past the two men.

Andy waited, pacing around his living room, stopping at the door here and there to see if there had been any movement. He tried to read the paper or any new case files he had received, tried to listen to whatever game was playing, After what felt like hours, Andy heard the door across the hall open and close, Paul locking everything from the outside while the two men continued talking low and softly.

Andy opened his door as the two men walked up. “What’s going on?” Andy asked, concern laced in every word. Paul and Frank looked at each other. “We can’t tell you her story, that is hers and hers alone to share,” Frank said. “We will keep watch on her, and please keep checking in on her. Here is my spare key. If she gets worse, we will need to talk. Try to get her to shower and eat. I will check in daily.”

Andy shook Pau and Frank’s hands, and returned to his apartment. He put together some hand foods, a few bottles of water, and some of your favorite fruits. He made his way to your door, knocking softly. When you didn’t respond, he used his spare key to let himself in. He looked around, the living room still scattered with clothes from the amazing night you two had just shared, and he couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly things can change.

Andy walked into your bedroom, stopping at the foot of the bed. You were buried under all your blankets, not one part of your head showing. Andy heard the soft sobs, and it broke his heart to ever see you this way. Every bone in his body wanted to protect you, to keep you from ever crying again.

Andy softly placed the tray on the ground, and moved to pull the covers off your head, but you latched onto his hand and let out a blood curdling scream, fighting Andy with every ounce of strength you had. Andy backed up, his hands held in surrender, and slowly moved out of the room. You kept screaming for Andy to leave, to get out, never once stopping until the front door was closed and once again locked.

The rest of the week seemed to progress the same. Andy would try to feed or clean you; you were either MMA fighter of the week or catatonic, no inbetween. You never left your bed, your curtains were never pulled back, you had no food in the house, and you weren’t going to be leaving any time soon.

You thought this part of your life was done and behind you, but what happened last week was a warning that it would never be done. You were never going to be free. The way you saw it, you had two options. Die a slow and painful death, or finally give in to the person making your life a living nightmare. You chose option one. Anything was better than option two. You were sure HE was there, watching, just waiting for the right moment to rape you and kill you. Of one thing you were certain: You would never let him take you alive.

Andy was still so sweet, checking in on you every morning and night, feeding you and bathing you. He washed your linens and made your bed, he stayed with you until you pretended to fall asleep,

Then he would make his way down to the bar, open it up and run it, Jensen and Colin checking in on you, Andy saying just how under the weather you were. Andy wasn’t sure the two men bought the story, but it wasn’t exactly a lie. You hadn’t seen Frank or Paul, so you weren’t exactly able to connect with them yet, so you just continued on.

A few weeks had passed of this, and you were showing no improvement, and the knot of worry Andy carried with him grew and grew. Luckily that night, Frank and Paul showed up. The three of them took the corner booth, to discuss everything in privacy. Colin was watching the bar, The Losers out on assignment.

“I have fed her, bathed her, cleaned her, anything I can. Sometimes she yells at me, sometimes she doesn’t even look at me.” Andy hung his head in resignation, tears forming. He looked up at the other men, and asked what the hell was going on. “She is the love of my life, and she is just a shell of the woman I met. Please tell me what the fuck is going on because she has gone catatonic.”

Paul and Frank looked at each other before a silent decision was made. Paul was the one to speak. “About thirteen years ago, she moved here from Boston, bright and fresh faced, ready to start something new in life. She was so young when she left home, her mom having died when she was eighteen, so she took the first job she was offered.

“It wasn’t in a great club, she was a cocktail waitress at one of the sleaziest strip clubs owned by a porn tycoon, a man who toed the line between what is legal and barely legal, a man known through the criminal underground as Skull. Skull was ruthless in all dealings, legal and illegal alike. He killed indiscriminately, he groomed and violently coerced his most promising young women into his business. But it wasn’t until she had started working for Skull that me had moved into a full blown obsession.”

“He followed her everywhere she went. He made her stay late every shift so that she would miss the bus and he would have to drive her home. He started sending her gifts with love notes attached. When those didn’t work, he started to send her threats because she would end up dead before she was with another man.”

Frank hopped in, seeing the anger flash across Paul’s body. “Our girl is smart. She knew he was bad from the start and decided to find another job. She worked one last shift, and at the end, she let Skull, the owner of the club, know that she had found another position, and this was her last night. She left before he could respond, hoping that would be the end of it.”

“It wasn't,” Paul continued. “It started with him following her everywhere. She used to love walking, but now had to take a bus everywhere. She moved fifteen times over the next three years, and he found her each and every time. She changed her name, she changed her phone number, she filed restraining orders, did everything right, and it still wasn’t enough.

“One night, about twelve ago, she came home and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She started her shower, undressed and grabbed her robe, and made her way into the hot bath. As she stepped in the shower, she heard her security alarm beep as if someone had opened the door and turned the alarm off. She turned off the shower, slowly dressed, grabbed her baseball bat in the corner and made her way down the stairs.”

Paul sighed deeply, taking a long sip of his beer before he continued. “He caught her off guard, hiding right behind the corner of the kitchen, just out of sight. As she drew near, Skull grabbed the bat and beat her over the head with it, viciously. He continued beating her body, almost killing her. Through the entire beating, she just took it, waiting for him to mess up.:

“He dropped the bat, his hands covered in so much blood he was unable to grasp it any longer. In that one second, she grabbed one of the many guns hidden throughout the house, pulled back the hammer and released the safety. Skull turned around, laughing at her, thinking there would be no way she had the power to shoot him. She pulled the trigger, unleashing a full clip into his chest and abdomen, not stopping until he fell.”

“He was in the infirmary in the county hospital for three months. Once healed, he went to trial for breaking and entering, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder. His lawyer was a top notch defense lawyer, had his sentence dropped to fifteen years, no parole. The prosecution in this case was an idiot, Neal Logdice something like that, who opted for the plea instead of a trial.”

Andy’s face paled, his heart hammering in his chest. “Neal was his prosecutor?” Andy asked, his voice lethal and soft, a voice Paul and Frank had never heard before. Paul nodded, remembering Andy used to be an assistant district attorney. Andy knew where he’d seen that symbol before, from the case files Neal would leave out.

“How did she end up here and who knew about all of this?” Andy asked, pulling a notepad out. Paul gave all of the details of the arrest, and about how Skull had made parole last week. Frank gave all of the details of the apartments and bar, all under her dead mother’s name, with Frank as the landlord of all areas. The Frank and Paul correlation was now falling into place. Andy knew this was because of him, Laurie and Neal would be just stupid enough to go after you to get to him.

“Who testified on behalf of Skull at his probation hearing?” Andy asked. Paul pulled out the roster from the parole hearing and listed off the names, Laurie showing up on that list. “What were the conditions of his parole?” Andy continued as he looked at the legal forms of the parole forms.

“No felons, he is able to return to his prior legal business dealings, no random drug screens, weekly check ins by phone or text, all approved by Neal and the DA’s office.” Andy threw his beer against the wall, his anger finally escaping. This was his fault. He had brought you right into Laurie’s sights, and she would use whatever she had at her disposal to hurt Andy.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Paul, Andy, and Frank made their way out the back door and up the steps, stopping before the open door to your apartment. Inside, you were on the floor, a large man holding a knife to your throat.

Andy rushed the room, dropping the man to the floor, grabbing the knife and sticking it into his gut, twisting the knife as he watched the color drain from the man’s face. It wouldn’t kill him, Andy wasn’t a murderer, but he would incapacitated for a while. Andy was just about to check on you when Laurie, who’d been hiding in the other room, pulled out a small handgun, firing one into Andy’s shoulder. Before Laurie could get another shot off, you jumped up and hit her in the head with your favorite lamp.

Paul threw cuffs on Skull, making sure they were tight before moving to Laurie, who was still unconscious. In a matter of minutes, there were lights and sirens all over, ambulances and first responders making their way up the stairs to assess the injuries.

Skull was taken down first, his face pale with blood loss. Andy dropped one punch into the wound, a complete accident to all who saw. Laurie was taken next, and she had never looked better than she died not with bruises and cuts littering her plastic face.

Paul and Frank gave the story to the police, also bringing light to Neal’s involvement in everything that had transpired. As the chatter continued, Andy was taken to a truck to have his shoulder wound evaluated when he saw you, bruised and beautiful.

You walked up towards him slowly, shame written all over your face. You stopped in front of Andy, unable to look at him, unable to speak. “Baby, I’m so sorry, All of this is because of me.” Andy cried, distraught at the fact that his ex was the one who did this to you.

“No Andy, this isn’t your fault at all. I hadn’t fully dealt with this problem, and because of that, you almost got killed.” You snuggled into his side, careful of the shot shoulder, and started to cry, allowing yourself to finally let go of everything.

Andy turned your head, giving you a sweet and tender kiss, one that would live on your lips forever. “I will always be here to protect you, I promise.” Andy kissed you again and again, never wanting to let you go.

“We have to get him to the hospital ma'am, would you like to ride with him?” You looked at Andy and knew there was no other place you would rather be. It wasn’t the most romantic moment, but it made you realize just how much Andy Barber loved you, and how much you loved him.

—---------------------------------------------------

The next few weeks passed quietly. Skull was treated and released back to maximum security prison to await trial for stalking, attempted homicide, attempted sexual assault. As this was his strike three, Skull would be locked up for life, no chance of parole. He thought he would find some reduced sentence by turning in Neal and Laurie, but that was never an offer on the table.

Neal was disbarred and immediately fired from the DA’s office. He dropped Laurie as fast as he could, especially once he saw the photos of her infidelity. Laurie tried to reach out to Andy for another negotiation of the divorce, but Andy declined. He served her the papers, effectively giving her nothing, but took prison off the table if she signed. Before the ink had even dried, Laurie had left the state and moved back in with her parents.

You weren’t able to go back to your apartment. Your space and safety was violated, and you didn’t think it would return there. Andy suggested the two of you move in together and you agreed. You pulled out the blue prints of the apartments that Frank brought you, trying to find a way to make it all work. You decided to knock the wall between your old apartment and Mrs. Stevens’ apartment down, effectively doubling the size of the place for the woman.

Andy found a hollow wall behind his bedroom wall, and after looking at the blue prints, you found a large second apartment that had been blocked off in the original build, the previous owner never able to find someone to rent the space to.

It took a few weeks, but it all came together, this home for you and Andy. You went back to the bar once the apartment was done, welcomed back in with a surprise party hosted by none other than Jake Jensen and Colin Shea. The bar was closed to the public, allowing only your closest friends, even better, your family in for the festivities.

Andy was late, as usual when he was working a case, but he always made it, always made sure you were never alone. He’d just finished a huge win, and there was nowhere he would rather be than here with his family. Jensen handed him his favorite scotch, handed him a microphone, and lined Andy, Jake, Colin, Clay, and Roque up to sing a song from one of your favorite boy bands, *NSYNC.

Andy was red as he sang and danced while you whistled at your man, dancing as awkward as any one person could. He winked at you, throwing his tie in your direction, where you almost had to fight Aisha for it.

The festivities continued, you snuggled in Andy’s arm the entire night, laughing and smiling. For the first time in your life, this finally felt genuine, happy, as if nothing could make you scared ever again

The night started to wind down, Andy leading you out and to home with his arm around your waist, his tie hanging loosely around your neck as you made your way upstairs. Andy stopped and pressed your back against the front door, kissing you as a man lost, a man who may never see his love again.

You pulled away, breathless and hot, turning the knob to let you in the apartment. Andy stood in the doorway as you walked in backwards and stopped in the living room. You removed his tie first, letting it fall to the ground, never once breaking eye contact. Next came your shirt, button by button slowly undone before you let it fall to the ground. Next were your pants, undone and slowly pushed to the ground, lifting one foot out and then other as you kicked the pants to the side.

Andy couldn’t tear his eyes away, you were the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on, and the more that came off, the harder his cock got as he rubbed his growing bluge over his pants, his eyes never leaving yours.

You reached behind your back and unhooked your bra, letting the left strap slide down, then the right, keeping the cups in place over your breasts. You watched Andy undo his pants, pulling them and his boxer briefs low enough to allow his cock freedom, his hand stroking and twisting up and down the shaft, his thumb sweeping his precum down and over the shaft. You let the bra drop, rubbing your breasts, playing with your right nipple, then the left, your head thrown back at the sensation.

Andy continued watching, stroking himself slowly as you continued to play with your nipples, soft moans and sighs the only sound leaving your mouth. You licked your lips, biting the bottom one as you opened your eyes and watched your gorgeous man pleasure himself at the sight of you. The pure eroticism in this moment was the dream of Penthouse porns.

You kept your eyes locked with Andy’s as you dipped your hand under the band of your lace thong, your fingers swirling over your clit, sending jolts of pleasure through your entire nervous system. You were so lost in your feelings, you never noticed Andy crossing the room until he grabbed your wrist and pulled your fingers into his mouth, tasting the very essence he was desperate for.

He turned you around, your back flush with his chest as he dropped his hand between your legs, three fingers immediately disappearing in your wet and inviting pussy, squelching with the sound of your excitement. You leaned your head on his shoulders has he pummeled your cunt making sure you would be ready for him.

Andy spun you around, grabbing you beneath your ass as he hooked your legs over his arms and lifted you up, your legs wrapping around his waist. Andy moved your cunt to sit at the top of his rock hard cock, sliding your pussy up and down to coat the tip before he slowly pushed into you, inch by fucking inch.

He kissed you as he pushed, taking his time to feel every wall and ridge as you moaned and pleaded with him to please fuck you. Once he was fully seated, he started to do just that, fucking you so ruthlessly, you felt him prod your cervix, his fingers bruising your hips with their grip.

On and on he pummeled, over and over, grunting in your ear, whispering songs of love, until you felt the band snap, your soul exiting your body as he continued to fuck you, causing the soul to stay out of body as your orgasms took the very breath and existence out of you.

As you returned to your body, you felt his cum coat every inch of the inside of your abused cunt, so well spent, you never wanted to be without his dick again. As you both panted, slumped into each other as you caught your breath, you smiled and kissed him all over.

“Come on, lover man, we have at least six other rooms to desecrate before the night is through.” You continued kissing his face until he looked up at you and said you’d be the death of him as he carried you to the bedroom for round two. Mrs. Stevens was just happy Andy was finally in the apartment. Yes, he had a very nice ass indeed, but it wasn’t one she needed to see ever.

#chris evans characters #Andy #andy barber #andrew barber #defending jacob #jake jensen #Colin Shea #smut #Andy x reader #Andy x you #andy barber fanfiction #Andy barber angst #Andy barber fluff #Andy barber smut #hope you like this anon

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georgiapeach30513 · 8 months

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For additonal information on each, if needed, check out the moodboards masterlist

#moodboards poll #polls #moodboards event: sports

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pagesoflauren · 2 years

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Seeing Blind Ch. 5

Colin Shea x pregnant!reader

Summary: After a one-night stand, you find yourself pregnant. While navigating your pregnancy, the father of your baby seems to have another task at hand.

Warnings: angst, swearing, jealousy, eventual smut, slowish burn, in-depth descriptions/discussions of pregnancy, descriptions of mafia dynamics, Colin is a little shit

A/N: It’s been a minute since I've written; been going through a lot of mental health issues. I'm still working through them. I hope the next few installments of fics I post can make up for the delays. Thanks @eightcevanscentral.

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The park is crowded, teeming with people having picnics, walking their dogs, and letting their children run loose along the grass and walkways.

Everyone here seems to be more intimately involved. They hold hands or have their arms slung around their partners in one way or another. If they’re not attached physically, they walk in close proximity to each other.

It makes Colin and Aly stick out. They look like an awkward pair, staying about half an arm’s length from one another as they search for the picnic area where Aly’s next ex is meant to be entertaining a seven-year-old’s party.

“There it is,” Colin points out.

It’s the classic picnic-in-the-park birthday party with bright foil balloons, food everywhere, and kids running amuck with water guns and silly string. Parents are day drinking out in the open, not paying attention to whatever havoc their little monsters were creating.

Colin gulps when he realizes this is in his future. Over-the-top birthday parties for kids who probably won’t remember a single second of it, stupid presents, and mingling with actual adults who know what they’re doing.

He’s way out of his depth. He should’ve known he was punching out of his weight taking you back to his apartment; you were the only woman smart enough to leave before he woke up. His usual targets are the girls who have only a fraction more desperation than he has. It’s why they stay in the morning hoping for something more and what’s led him to running around Boston tracking down his neighbor’s exes.

“Well, there he is,” Aly’s voice comes, jarring him from his thoughts.

He spots a little wooden theater where two homemade farm animal puppets appear to be arguing. The kids burst into laughter while Colin and Aly exchange a look.

As the show comes to a close, it doesn’t get any stranger, but it gives Aly an opportunity to say hello while the kids get cake and watch the birthday celebrant open presents.

To avoid looking like a strange man lingering around a child’s birthday party, Colin makes his way to a tree and sits among the roots. He contemplates his impending fatherhood while people watching from his vantage point.

It’s not just stupidly expensive birthday parties coming. He watches a dad catch his kid mid-fall–it’s that too. He sees another lugging a diaper bag in one hand while his baby flails in his grip, but his hold never falters.

Colin looks at his hands. Can I do that?

At the birthday party, a man mediates a situation between two boys. One boy says something, he looks at the other one. On and on, until the man speaks once more and the boys hug before playing together again.

Will anyone teach him how to do this?

He thinks about his own father; Chief of Police in Salem, a well-respected man who produced two sons who have made a name for themselves in their own rights.

And a third who had no part of his life together, trying to usher a baby into the world with a woman he had a one night stand with.

“Well, that was a disaster,” Aly’s voice jars him from his thoughts, the ideas rattling in his brain before dissipating like smoke.

“Huh?”

“Didn’t get much out of that encounter other than the fact that I remember why we broke up.”

“And…?”

“His puppets creeped me out. Anyway,” Aly pauses as she opens her purse and digs through it. “Here is…twenty, forty, sixty, seventy.”

She hands him the cash and it crumples in his hands.

“You wanna grab a taxi back to the building? I need some wine.”

Colin shakes his head. “No, I’m just gonna head a few blocks that way before I head back.”

“What’s over at ‘a few blocks that way’?”

“Just gotta pick up some stuff,” he says as he shoves the bills in his pocket. “I’ll see ya around.”

She nods and walks on her way to the western entrance of the park.

Putting his hands in his pockets, Colin stands up and begins to walk down the path when a male voice catches his attention.

“Hey, Free Licks.”

Looking up, he finds Mateo, donned in all black with shades perched on his nose. Colin can’t help but note the difference between the two of them again; he was wearing stained jeans and a faded t-shirt.

Colin greets him with a nod. “Detective.”

“What brings you to the park today?”

“Oh, you know, the sunshine, the fresh air.” Colin inhales through his nose obnoxiously.

Mateo raises an eyebrow. “I see. Well, I was here on business from Y/N, but…when I see suspicious activity, I have to follow up on it, you know?”

Colin shakes his head, a little incredulous. “What? She’s got you spying on me?”

“Not you, but a point person. BPD business. There was a drop that was meant to happen. You know anything about that?”

Pursing his lips and raising his brows, Colin gestures “no” again. “Nothing that I’ve seen.”

Mateo reaches into his pocket and hands him his card. “Well, if you see anything, you’ll let me know, right?”

Taking it between his thumb and forefinger, the card nearly falls in his weak grip. Colin doesn’t know what to do with it or why Mateo is giving it to him. “Sure…?”

“Good. See you around, Free Licks.”

- - - - -

“I wasn’t expecting you to actually show up,” you scoff with a smile. “But, while you’re here, you can push the cart.”

You let go and the cart still moves, wheels squeaking as it glides down the aisle and Colin scrambles to get a grip on the handle. When he eventually gets it, he cranes his neck to find you studying the different boxes lining the shelves.

“What are we looking at?”

“Changing tables.”

“Like the ones in ladies’ bathrooms?”

“Not quite, but same idea. Just a space where you can store everything for changing a diaper and keep the baby safe while you’re grabbing stuff.”

“You make it sound like it’s a whole process,” Colin snorts.

You look at him. “You’ve never changed a diaper before in your life, have you?”

He scoffs, lying through his teeth. “Psh, what are you talking about? Of course, I have.”

“It’s okay if you haven’t, you know that right?”

How are you able to see right through him?

It seems his face shows his bewilderment, and you respond to it, “Colin, like I said, I didn’t expect you to do any of this. I still don’t expect a lot from you–not that I don’t welcome this, but because I can do this on my own if I need to.”

He doesn’t reply. Looking at his face, his cheeks look particularly round like a child’s, casting a sort of innocence on him that doesn’t reflect the person you know him as. He’s goofy and charming, things that attracted you to him in the first place that fateful night when all of this started. Along with that, he’s experienced, but you can see there’s a thought rattling in his mind that his mouth won’t say.

“Look, whatever your decisions are for doing this—if you’re trying to prove yourself to someone or if you’re putting expectations on yourself–you can’t let that bother you. I don’t know the extent of what I’m getting myself into. This kid could be like me, or they could be like you. But however they turn out, I’m gonna do my best to make sure they live happily. And that’s all you can do: your best.”

He nods, but you don’t think it’s really getting to him.

“Maybe I can sign us up for a parent coaching class. I’m sure we’d hardly be the first unusual pair of parents a teacher has seen.”

His cheeks turn red first, then his ears. He smiles and nods again. “Yeah…yeah, I think that’s a great idea.”

“It’s a deal.”

You grab his hand and hook your pinky with his.

“Now, while we’re here, can you do me a favor and put that box in the cart?” you ask, pointing to the one you want.

“Yes, ma’am.”

As he does what you request, you bite your lip and blink slowly.

You can feel your non-expectations–the ones you still hold on Colin where he’s welcome to do as he pleases–slowly metamorphosize. There’s a flash of him bathed in the morning sunlight, smiling up at a giggling baby he’s lifting over his head.

“Anything else from this aisle?”

The image is gone in a puff of smoke, trailing in the air before disappearing completely.

You shake your head. “No, but I need to go to the next aisle and look at rocking chairs.”

- - -

Hauling everything to the cashier for check out, your items are ringed up and bagged while you reach for your wallet.

“Oh, here…I have this.”

Colin shoves his hand in his pocket, pulling out some crumpled up bills and awkwardly setting them on the counter. Just by looking at it and the grand total of the items on the counter, you know it’s not enough.

“Colin…it’s okay,” you say, pulling out your card and handing it to the cashier.

As he gathers up the money, you ask where he got it.

“I did a favor for a friend.”

“And they paid you that much money for a favor?”

Grabbing the last bill, he puts it back into his pocket. “Well, she owes me.”

You don’t have time to wonder too much about why he’s being so vague, not with the cashier asking for your signature for the payment and asking if you want to join the store’s rewards program.

With all the items bagged, you and Colin hail a taxi to go back to your apartment. Every once in a while, you consider pressing further, your suspicion a by-product of the analytical mind that got you the position you work in.

Deciding against it, you send Colin on his way and prepare for work tomorrow.

- - - - -

You yawn as you exit your apartment, pivoting back to lock the door behind you.

A flash of blue stuck on your door as it closes behind you catches your eye. When you look at it, you realize it’s a note, probably from one of your neighbors.

The words become clearer as you reach for the note, peeling it off the surface and reading it.

If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop.

You huff. Rolling your eyes, you stuff it into your canvas bag–your newly-designated lunch bag ever since your appetite grew so that you could “eat for two.”

And prevent yourself from rage-quitting your job out of hunger-fueled anger.

Figuring it’s just the young kid on the second floor playing a prank, you head out to work.

- - -

“Bebitaaaa,” Mateo sings as he enters your cave of computer monitors.

He places a hand on your shoulder to straighten your spine.

“You need to work on your posture,” he remarks.

You scoff. “And you need to pack your own snacks and stop taking from a pregnant lady,” you speak, but are certain he couldn’t hear you over the sound of wrappers crinkling.

“Speaking of you being pregnant, I ran into Colin at the park yesterday..." he trails off. "What’s this?”

“Hmm?”

Your chair swivels as you look at him, finding the note from your door in his hand. “Bebita…where’d you find this?”

“Oh,” you exhale dismissively, “that’s nothing. I found it on my door this morning.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Tell you about what? It’s a note. Probably from the little boy upstairs.”

Mateo’s eyes narrow. “How old is that kid?”

“I dunno,” you shrug. “Fourteen?”

“I don’t think fourteen-year-olds play tricks like this.”

“Just because you didn’t because you were a damn genius who went to college at sixteen doesn’t mean other fourteen-year-olds don’t.”

“Bebita, I don’t think you understand this. ‘If you know what’s good for you’? That’s a threat.”

“Mateo, come on, after that it says ‘you’ll stop.’ Stop what? If this is a threat, it’s a pretty empty one.”

“We’re in a dangerous line of work, did you even consider that maybe this is a guy from the mob? Or maybe one of them put the kid up to writing the note to try and hide their scent?”

You roll your eyes, “Knock it off, Mateo. There’s no way they know who I am, much less where I live–”

“You don’t know that, you don’t know what they’re capable of–”

“I know what I’m capable of, and I’m pretty sure my work is completely untraceable.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then grabs your phone from the desk. Unlocking it, he swipes through and taps before showing you the screen. It’s Colin’s contact information. His thumb hovers over the call button.

“Don’t make me do this.”

“Oh my god,” you roll your eyes again, your head lolling back in annoyance as your arms cross. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He taps the button and he brings the phone to his ear as the call begins.

You hear Colin on the other line. “Hello?”

“Hey, Free Licks.”

“Oh, it’s you.”

You snort and Mateo’s eyes drift up in exasperation. “Yeah, it’s me. I’m calling though because Y/N found a threatening note on her door but doesn’t think it’s a big deal.”

“Wait, what?!”

“Yeah, it said, ‘if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop.’ I think the mob knows where she lives.”

“You really think they would?” Colin’s concern comes clearly through the speaker.

“I think anything’s possible,” Mateo says pointedly, throwing you a look. “But like I said, she’s pretty confident in her ability to be untraceable.”

“But if the note was on her door…”

Mateo nods slowly, smugly. “You get it.”

“Is she there?”

“Right in front of me.”

“Can I talk to her?”

You take the phone, sticking your tongue out before you speak, “Hey Colin.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the note when we were texting earlier?”

“Same thing I told Mateo,” you sigh, getting really irritated that you keep having to repeat yourself. “It’s not a big deal, it’s probably nothing.”

“But it was on your door.”

“I’m sure a lot of people find notes on their doors.”

“Not threatening ones!” Colin says into the receiver as Mateo nearly shouts the same thing in front of you.

“God, how do I turn off the surround sound in here?”

“Bebita, you might take this lightly, but I’m not.”

“Yeah…yeah, and neither am I!” Colin tacks on.

“A woman’s life is most endangered when she’s pregnant because that’s the time she’s most likely to get killed.”

You’re shocked Mateo would bring that up to you now, placing a hand on your lower stomach.

“I’m not taking any chances with you, especially with Riona Maher’s arrest at Logan happening earlier this week.”

You swallow, pushing your pride down as you look away from Mateo. You feel like a teenager getting lectured by her father.

“Promise me if you see anything else like this, you’ll tell me right away.”

You don’t reply immediately.

“Promise him,” Colin pleads from the phone.

“Fine, I promise. But only because I’m still pretty sure this is nothing.”

“I’ll take it,” Mateo sighs. “And Colin’s a witness.”

“Thanks for including me.”

Mateo says, “You’re welcome,” as you say goodbye and end the call.

“I’m gonna take this down to forensics and see if they can pull up anything.”

“You’d be wasting time,” you taunt as you turn back to your computer.

“And I’m driving you home tonight and picking you up in the morning.”

“Mateo–”

“Nothing you can do about it, my mind’s made up.”

He shuts the door behind him, leaving you typing away as you shake your head.

I’m the pregnant one, your mind gripes, I should be the one who overreacts to things, not them.

Permatag: @caffiend-queen @fckdeusername @lou-la-lou @bangtan-serendipity @lovemarvelousfics @rainbowkisses31 @richonne4life @damnndeanndamnn @meetmeatyourworst @tinyplanet-explorer @vivien-1211 @unknownmystery22 @nerdygirl8203 @xoxabs88xox @mariaenchanted @gotnofucks @denisemarieangelina @myoxisbroken @kelbabyblue @pspice639 @maynay43 @just-another-wretched-egg @jennmurawski13 @avantgardium-leviosa @random-butterfly @rachelderivia @kenzieam @bluemusickid @asiaaisa77 @angrybirdcr @inactivewhore @velvetcardiganbucky @madbaddic7ed @mysweetlittledesire @omg-mymelaninisbeautiful @buckymydarlingangel @mayasreadingnook

Chris tag: @onetwo3000 @patzammit @astheworlddturns @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters @maeleeme @tvckerlance @thiskindahotkindamusic @fizzahocleirigh @marantha @justile

Seeing Blind Taglist: @dbnightingale24 @twittytelly @chase-your-dreams-away @phoenixhalliwell @starlightcrystalline @chalametet @evanswife1918

#Colin Shea #Colin Shea fanfic #colin shea fanfiction #colin shea x reader #colin shea x you #What's Your Number fic #chris evans fanfic #pregnant!reader #Colin Shea x pregnant!reader #Chris Evans x pregnant!reader #pol!Seeing Blind #ficsofpagesoflauren

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krirebr · 6 months

Text

I Know I Should Know Better 3

Pairing: Curtis Everett x Female Reader, past Colin Shea x Female Reader

Word Count: ~4k

Warnings: Angst, adult themes, complicated power dynamics, minor age difference (not explicit in this part, but reader is mid-twenties and Curtis is early thirties), drinking & implied drug use, explicit language, bad boyfriend (Colin isn't even in this part and yet he's somehow even worse??), self-destructive behavior, anxiety, negative self-talk. Everyone's having a bad time, you guys. All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Part One Part Two Masterlist

A/N: Uh... It has to get worse before it can get better?? **runs and hides**

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

The party was raging.

People filled your living room and kitchen. They were on your deck, in your pool. Curtis scanned the area, trying to figure out where you’d gotten off to. He didn’t like not having eyes on you.

He checked his watch. It was well past three. Christ. It’d started with you declaring the club you were at “fucking dead” a little before midnight. A small group had followed you home and then they’d called their friends who’d called their friends who’d called their friends.

People milled around him. Whispers of “Did you hear whose house this is?” “I haven’t seen her, yet. Have you?” “My cousin invited me. He knows her publicist’s assistant’s roommate.”

One woman stumbled over to him. “Hey!” she whisper-yelled. “How much for two?”

“What.” he growled.

“Two!” she repeated, shoving two fingers in his face. “How much?”

Just as Curtis was about to lose it completely, her friend crashed into her. “What are you doing?” The friend asked. She looked at how her companion was holding her bag, ready to remove the correct amount of cash, then up at Curtis and let out a wild cackle. “No!” she said. “That’s her bodyguard!”

“What?” The first woman asked. “You said the guy in all black in the corner.”

The friend’s laughter was nearly uncontrollable now. “Yeah, that corner!” She raised an arm and gestured to the other side of the house.

“Oh my god!” screeched the first woman and also into giggles, as they thankfully made their way somewhere fucking else.

Curtis pushed himself off the wall. He needed to find you.

You weren’t in the kitchen, or out by the pool. He’d already been in the living room. He finally found you on the stairs up to the bedrooms, slumped against the wall. He crouched in front of you and said your name a few times before finally getting your attention.

“Mmm, Curtis,” you said, your eyes half-closed. “I’m sleepy.”

He sighed. “Well, it’s almost four in the morning, so that makes sense.”

“I’m gonna go t’bed.” You grabbed the railing above your head and put all of your weight on it as you tried to lift yourself. You faltered and he reached out, a hand on your hip to steady you. “Oh boy,” you whispered as you tried again to right yourself. “Bedtime.”

Curtis said your name again, trying and failing to keep his frustration at bay. “Your house is still full of people.”

You were moving up the stairs now and waved dismissively to him behind you. “Get rid of ‘em. I’m done.”

That’s not my job was at the tip of his tongue, but arguing with you right now would be useless. So he followed you up the stairs to make sure you didn’t fall and excused himself once you were safely in your bedroom. In the hallway, he took a deep breath, trying to push down the anger and frustration he felt. It wasn’t his job. He shouldn’t have to do it. But he would.

Back downstairs, he went straight to your sound panel and cut the music to the whole house. “Alight!” he bellowed. “Party’s over. Get the fuck out!” He had no energy for niceties at this point.

As people, very slowly, started milling out of your house, there was a heavy and demanding banging at your door. He grumbled and made his way to the front, finding two cops standing there. Fucking shit.

Opening it, he plastered on what he hoped but doubted was a friendly smile. “Morning, officers. How can I help you?”

“Is the homeowner here?” one cop asked while the other craned his head around to try to get a look inside. It did not seem to be a professional curiosity. Goddamnit.

“The homeowner,” he said, trying to give away as little information as possible, “is asleep. But I work here. What can I do for you?”

The first cop straightened. “Well, sir, we’ve had several noise complaints from the neighbors tonight. Looks like you all had quite the party.”

He gave the slightest nod of acknowledgment. “But as you can see, everyone’s going home now.” Curtis moved over slightly to make sure his large frame filled the doorway. Who knew what was still going on behind him?

The officer watched the people stumbling out around him for a moment. “Well–”

“I’m sure,” Curtis interrupted, “that she’d be incredibly appreciative if you let her off with a warning. Just this once. And I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He hoped it was worth the slight acknowledgment of who you were to avoid making this an even bigger problem.

The cop looked around again and then nodded. “Since everything’s already breaking up here. And you promise you’ll make sure she’s more responsible next time?” He looked to Curtis who nodded, knowing it was a big, fat lie. “Alright, yeah, I think a warning’s all that’s needed here. You have a good rest of your night.”

Curtis’s sigh of relief was cut short by the other cop stepping forward. A closer look revealed how young he was, early 20s. “Hey,” he said, “could you tell her that I really loved her in Sweet Sixteen? I used to have that Teen Vogue cover up in my locker.” Curtis tried not to grimace as the young man fished a card out of his breast pocket and held it out to Curtis. “And maybe give this to her? I know she just broke up with that guy, but I gotta shoot my shot, right?” He was lucky that Curtis just silently took the card instead of commenting on the fucking audacity. It was too late/early to deal with any of this bullshit.

“Well,” he said, trying to prevent an awkward moment and get out of this while he was technically ahead, “really appreciate you both coming out here. Have a good night.” The instant the cops started turning around, Curtis closed the door. He immediately tore up the cop’s card and added it to the mess of the living room.

He spent the next hour or so going through the house, kicking out the stragglers and making sure nothing was irreparably damaged. By the time he was done, it was just about five o’clock. Christ. He stood by the door. He could leave. He should leave. He’d done more than enough. He clenched and unclenched his hands once, twice, three times. He turned around and went to your kitchen, filling a large glass of water. Then he got two aspirin from your medicine cabinet. He took it all into your bedroom and set it on your nightstand. He checked to make sure you were sleeping on your side, then pulled your trash can so it was right next to the bed. Ok, now he could go.

It was after six when he finally got home. He sent a text to Michelle as he got off his bike.

Hey, I’m just getting home now. Last night was bad. She threw a party, cops came. Just a warning for noise complaints, but I’m sure the whole thing will be on TMZ in a few hours. Going to bed. Don’t know when I’ll be in. Only call if you absolutely need me.

He looked at it for a moment, then added

There needs to be a conversation about what my job actually entails

He knew Michelle wasn’t the right person to send that last bit to. She wasn’t his boss. But he was exhausted and he needed someone to know that he was at the end of his rope.

You were going through a hard time, he knew that. You’d ended your relationship with Colin in spectacular fashion, posting a picture to your Instagram stories of the flowers he’d sent the day after your fight on the deck lying in your trashcan, his apology note fluttering above them with the text “No thanks @ColinSheaOfficial.” It hadn’t been your most thought-through decision. Tanya had freaked out and it was deleted 15 minutes later, but it was too late. The post had immediately gone viral. Colin hadn’t been happy and had spent the last month telling anyone who would listen (bro-y podcasts, mostly) how awful it’d been to date you – you were unstable, too needy, a cold fish in bed. That had gone viral too. If Curtis thought he’d get away with it, he’d have driven out to Colin’s house and taken care of the asshole, himself. But his connection to you was too documented.

You weren’t handling it well. Of course, you weren’t. But Curtis felt like, while everyone else was doing damage control on how it was affecting your career, he was the one left to pick up the pieces of you as a person. If things had been too much for him before, they were becoming near impossible to deal with now.

It didn’t help matters that after your night on the couch together, you’d started to put some distance between the two of you. He understood. It was the right thing to do. This was his job. You weren’t friends, he was your employee. (Sort of. In a roundabout way. Technically, he worked for your manager. But still.) He couldn’t be your friend and do his job to the best of his ability. Trying to do both compromised your safety. He’d been ignoring that truth for too long. It had been inappropriate for him to stay that night when you’d asked him to. He shouldn’t have done it, no matter how often he’d thought about it after – the way you’d looked fresh out of the shower, how his fingertips had brushed against yours, your thigh resting against–

So the distance was needed. But it meant that all he was able to do was trail after you as you self-combusted with a determination he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen before. And it couldn’t be his job to hold you together. It was taking a toll. Something had to give.

He entered his house through the back, straight into his kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, surprised to see Edgar sitting at the island in his pajamas, eating cereal. “You’re up early.”

Edgar shrugged. “Didn’t hear you come in last night.”

“Yeah,” Curtis said, bending over to take off his boots. “Had to work really late.”

Edgar just nodded and took a bite of cereal. Curtis finished with his boots and took off his leather jacket, hanging it by the door. He was about to excuse himself to his room when Edgar spoke again.

“I have an interview lined up for this week.”

“Yeah?” Curtis grinned. “That’s great!”

“Mhmm,” Edgar hummed, looking into his cereal bowl as he continued. “If it works out, I probably won’t be able to afford my own place right away, but I swear, I’ll save up and get out of your hair as soon as I can–”

“Hey, no,” Curtis interrupted. “I told you, that room is yours for however long you want it. No strings attached.” Curtis had known Edgar since the kid had been in diapers, ending up in the same foster home right before Curtis had turned eighteen. He’d been the only one who’d been able to calm the kid down when he’d had a tantrum. After he’d aged out, he’d done his best to keep in touch with Edgar and now that Edgar had aged out of the system himself, Curtis was determined to do whatever he could to help him. Especially if that meant he could prevent Edgar from making the same desperate choices he had. He didn’t regret joining the army, per se, (he was mostly ambivalent at best about his experiences there, but it had opened up opportunities after he was discharged) but it had felt like it was the only choice for him at the time, and he didn’t want that for Edgar. So if having a place to stay that he didn’t have to pay for would help, then that’s what Curtis would give him. “Listen, I want to hear all about this interview, but I’m fucking exhausted right now. I need to crash. We’ll talk later, ok?”

Edgar nodded but furrowed his brow. “Everything alright?”

Curtis nodded and tried to smile at him. “Just a long fucking day. I’ll see you later.”

When he finally got to his room, he let out a sigh of relief as he collapsed onto his bed. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out to find a response from Michelle.

I’m going to have to tell Tanya. Fucking fuck fuck!

Curtis tossed the phone onto the other side of the bed. Yeah. Fucking fuck fuck sounded about right.

When he woke up late that afternoon, he had another message from Michelle.

She’s so fucking hungover. You don’t need to come in. She isn’t going anywhere. See you tomorrow.

So he ordered pizza with Edgar and they watched TV until Edgar fell asleep on the couch. It was a good night.

The next day he got to your house just before noon. On days when nothing was scheduled, you never started early. He stopped short when he saw two cars he recognized in your driveway.

Michelle was sitting at your kitchen island, staring at her laptop, one hand scrolling down the trackpad, the other nervously tapping the counter.

Curtis helped himself to an organic juice from your fridge as he greeted her and asked, “Wilford and Tanya are here?”

“Mhmm,” she said, not looking up.

“House call’s not a good sign.”

“Nope.” She looked up at him, more haggard-looking than he was used to. “You still pissed?”

He sighed. “Not pissed. Tired. Frustrated.” He paused to take a sip of juice. “Worried.”

“She’s fine,” Michelle said, “she just needs to reprioritize.”

“That what this house call’s about?” he asked.

She grimaced. “She lost that big ensemble movie. The director cited his ‘no assholes’ policy.”

“She isn’t an asshole.”

“No,” Michelle agreed, “but she’s getting a reputation as one. High maintenance.”

He glanced out the doors to your patio, where he could just see the edge of you. “So it’s a Come to Jesus talk.”

“Mhmm.”

“I don’t suppose they’re going to do anything to actually help her?”

“They’ll get her career back on track if she listens.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Curtis scowled.

“Listen,” she said, pushing her computer away and giving him her full attention, “my job is the same as yours – get her where she needs to go, on time and in one piece.”

“Yeah?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “And how do you think we’re doing on that ‘in one piece’ part?”

“She’s blowing off steam, that’s all.”

He snorted. “Sure, if you say so. But you’re never around for that part, are you?”

“Curtis–”

He shook his head, “I need to talk to her when they’re done,” then went to wait in the living room.

Wilford and Tanya left about half an hour later. Curtis watched them go, arms crossed over his chest. Wilford, especially, he did not like. They’d only been in the same room a handful of times, but Curtis would swear he could see the dollar signs in Wilford’s eyes every time he looked at you. If Curtis had his way, that man wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near you.

But that was part of the problem, this protective streak Curtis had for you. It wasn’t serving him. And it obviously wasn’t serving you either. It wasn’t helping anything. Protection was the job but from the outside world. Not from your own team. Not from yourself. He needed to get his act together. Set some boundaries. And that’s what he was going to do.

He let himself out onto your deck, expecting to find you lounging by the pool, in a swimsuit probably, maybe a drink in your hand. Instead, you were sitting at your outdoor dining table, knees pulled up to your chest, staring off into nothing, wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. You looked awful, hair sloppily pulled together on top of your head, red-rimmed eyes, a blank expression on your face. He stopped short. Maybe this wasn’t the right time to do this. But he knew that if he waited it wouldn’t happen. And maybe this was the right time, maybe he’d actually be able to have a conversation about everything with you.

He softly called your name and when you looked over at him he added, “We need to talk about the other night.”

“Oh, great,” you said, tone flat. “You here to yell at me too? Fun.”

“I don’t want to yell,” he said, sitting down across from you. He didn’t want to hover over you. “Just talk.”

You sighed impatiently. “Well, go on. Let’s get this over with. How have I disappointed you today?”

He said your name again, as gently as he could, but your reaction was the opposite of what he wanted. You looked down, shoulders coming up to your ears. Regardless of your size, you looked so small. The smallest he’d ever seen you. But he had to do this. So he plowed ahead.

“What happened the other night, at your party, that can’t happen again. I can’t be responsible for what happens in your house when you aren’t there. I have a very specific job. You don’t get to just use me however you see fit. I’m not here to clean up after you. Kicking people out of your house, dealing with the cops–” He shook his head. “I’m not your bouncer or your babysitter.”

He saw you flinch at his last word, but you came back with a glower. “Is that all?” you asked.

“No,” he shook his head. “I’m also not going to be working any more 16-hour days. That isn’t fair to me.”

“Are you going to quit?” you asked, voice somewhere between angry and pleading.

“I don’t want to,” he said, keeping his voice firm, “but I’m serious that what happened was unacceptable.”

You swallowed visibly and nodded. He waited for you to say something, but when you didn’t, he asked, “Are you ok?”

Your head shot up. “What?”

There was something in your eyes that told him to proceed with caution, but he still repeated his question. “Are you alright?”

You looked at him carefully for a moment, then "Are you my friend?"

Now it was his turn to ask "What?"

"You said you aren't my bouncer or my babysitter," you said with a challenge in your eyes. "So what are you? Are you my friend?"

He had to look away, understanding now what you were doing. "No," he said quietly, "I'm not your friend. I'm just your bodyguard."

He hadn’t looked up yet, unable to tear his focus from his hands in his lap, but he could feel you nodding in his periphery. “Right,” you said, voice low. “Then whether or not I’m okay doesn’t really matter to you, does it?”

Shit. He had fucked this up so completely and so quickly that he wasn’t sure exactly where it had gone wrong. He looked up to find you twisted around to stare over your pool, your knees still tight to your chest, your hand visibly gripping your chair for dear life. He breathed out your name, but you just shook your head.

“No, I get it,” you said. “You’re here to do a job. Because I pay you to do it. I understand. Consider me put in my place.” Your hand not holding the chair swiped furiously at your face, wiping away a few stray tears that fell down your cheek. You took a deep breath. “I’d like you to go away now.”

He stood up, wanting to give you what you asked, but he just couldn’t seem to pull himself away from you. He wanted to reach out to you, touch you, give you some sort of comfort, but what fucking right did he have to do that?

“Curtis, please,” your broken whisper was what it finally took to get him to move. He paused at the glass door back into the house. He wanted to say something, but he had no idea what. So finally, he ducked his head and went back into the house.

He tried to pass through as quickly as he could, but when he walked by Michelle, she started, “Hey, how’d it g–”

“I need a fucking minute,” he growled out.

He slammed out the front door of your house and began to pace behind your privacy fence. What the fuck had happened? It wasn’t supposed to go like that. He should’ve been able to set professional boundaries without feeling like he was tearing his own heart out. He’d done it before, countless jobs and assignments, where he’d drawn lines and it’d been expected and appreciated. It’d never hurt like this. No job he’d had had ever been this messy, this difficult, this all-consuming.

That was the problem, wasn’t it? His mind was always here, always on the job. He thought about you all the time. He worried about you constantly. You were always on his mind. My god, if he didn’t know any better, he’d say–

He froze next to your gate. No. No no no no no. Absolutely not. He could not. That– That was not possible. He started to walk again. Now that he’d let it in, this goddamn intrusive thought just got bigger and bigger as he paced around until he couldn’t ignore it anymore.

He was in love with you.

What a fucking disaster. He almost laughed. And he’d worried he couldn’t properly protect you when he thought you might be friends. He was completely fucking compromised now. He should quit. He needed to quit. He should quit. He should quit. He should quit.

But the idea of leaving you hurt even worse than he already did. You weren’t ok. It was obvious. And even though he had no idea how to help you, he couldn’t abandon you. He wouldn’t do that. Not ever. Not until you asked him to leave. Which you eventually would. Of course, you would. What could he possibly offer you when you already had all this? But he would stay until that moment. As pathetic as it was, he didn’t think he could do anything else.

The gate opened and he had to scramble to get out of the way of the car that drove in. It stopped on the driveway next to him and the driver’s side window rolled down. Jensen leaned out. “Hey man, you okay?”

Curtis just stared at him for a moment before he got his bearings. “I’m fine.”

Jensen looked at him skeptically. “You sure?”

“I’m fine, Jake!” he gritted out. Without giving Jensen time to respond, he continued, “I’ll meet you inside. I want to go over the exit plan for her appearance tomorrow.”

“Again?” Jensen asked.

“Yes, again. We need to be prepared.”

Jensen gave him a look and sat back. “Yeah, sure whatever you say,” then finally began driving to the back of the house.

Curtis put his head in his hands. He felt so fucking transparent. Everyone must know. Looking back, it felt so incredibly obvious. But no one had said anything. You certainly hadn’t, so he was hopefully safe there.

He took a deep breath. This was fine. He’d tamp it down. He’d ignore it. He’d do his fucking job. He began walking up the path back to your front door. He’d be there when you needed him and that would be enough.

It’d be enough.

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@stargazingfangirl18 @drabblewithfrannybarnes @thezombieprostitute @before-we-get-started

#curtis everett x reader #curtis everett x female reader #curtis everett #curtis everett x you #bodyguard!curtis everett x actress!reader #bodyguard!curtis #bodyguard!curtis everett #snowpiercer #fanfic #ce characters #chris evans fanfiction #reader insert #bodyguard au #i know i should know better #kris wrote something

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