Big Bad 7
Warning: age gap, dark elements….
My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.
Character: silverfox!Andy Barber (mob au)
As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️
It’s dark when you finish work. Only just after six but the dregs of winter linger. You’re looking forward to the spring though you think you might be stuck here for the summer. If you stay and grind through the term, you have an excuse to avoid home; you’ll be done sooner and may never have to go back.
You hitch your knapsack over one shoulder as you go outside. You stomp down the steps heavily, tired and hungry. You’re thinking of the spicy ramen in your cupboard, weighing it against the expense and ease of a cafeteria soup. There’s a persistent nip in the air and you’re just exhausted.
With the daylight crowds gone, campus feels eerily desolate. As you get to the bottom and turn toward the thick base of the stone railing, you nearly shriek. A shadow appears in front of you from the other side. You squeeze the strap of your bag and swing.
There’s a grunt as the weight stops bluntly. You blink and focus on Andy as he stares back at you. He grips your bag between his large hands. You gulp.
“Oh, Mr. Barber. I’m sorry–”
“No. I am. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he gently lets go of your bag. You let your arm drop and hold it just above your boot. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m… fine.”
“You’re on high alert,” he tilts his head. “You expecting someone else?”
“Um, no. I just… didn’t expect you.” You squeak.
“Mm, you sure? There’s not anyone bothering you, is there?” He pushes his shoulders wide as he clutches his wrist. He leans in and lowers his voice. “Cause if they are, I can take care of ‘em.”
You furrow your brows and blink. Huh? You shrug and shake your head.
“Erm, no. No one.” You assure him.
“Good,” he stands straight.
You’re both silent. You’re waiting for him to say something, anything. You cough and heave your bag onto your shoulder.
“I haven’t heard from Everly, sir. I think she’s with… um, her… er, Charles?” You stammer.
He inhales and lets it out slow. “You know my name, sweetheart.” He intones. “I know where my daughter is. Too busy for dad.” He runs his hand up his sleeves and grips his elbow, his arm folded over his stomach. It’s almost like he’s making himself smaller. “I’m stuck in town for the night, you know? Gotta talk to the coach tomorrow about… Jacob.”
“Oh, right?” You look at the building doors at the top of the steps. Your mind races.
“I was looking for a place to eat. Thought you might have some recommendations.” He draws your attention back to him.
You shake your head again. “I don’t eat out much. Just the caf now and then or… a sub shop up the other side of campus. They do discounts on Tuesdays.”
He nods. “It’s Tuesday.”
You give a perplexed smile. “It’s not very good.”
“Gotta be honest, I hate eating alone and I’ve been doing a lot of that… with the twins out of the house. I thought… well, we can go somewhere nicer than the sub shop.”
Your eyes flit back and forth. “Me?”
He snorts softly. “Yeah. Figured you gotta eat too. I bet it would be a nice change from ramen and energy drinks, right?”
You fidget. Now you feel like you should. Small and insecure. Him and Everly are so well off and you’re just the poor girl clinging on like a barnacle. You twist nervously back and forth.
“That’s really nice, Mr.-- Andy, but you don’t have to.”
“You’d be doing me the favour. Really. I don’t come here too much. I’m feeling a bit lost.” He argues. “My treat, don’t worry about money.”
“Ummm,” you hum. Your lips tug down as your brain reels in a troubling question. You scrunch your lips up. “Andy?”
“Yeah,” the light post limns his features as his brow lifts.
“How did you know I’d be here?”
He scoffs and runs his fingertips over his thick beard. He sucks his teeth. “Alright, I admit, earlier, I saw you go inside. I wanted to make sure you didn’t get trampled.” He explains coolly. “I had to go find my son but that didn’t turn out so good. I didn’t feel like driving back home and I thought…” he laughs. “I’ll be honest, I waited out here longer than I care to admit.”
“Oh?” Your eyes go wide. “For me?”
Your heart races at the thought. You don’t get why he’d do that? He’s been so nice to you yet you’ve seen how he can be with other people. Pity, maybe?
“Uh huh,” he nods as his cheek dimples.
“Andy? Do you want the phone back?” You offer. “It’s real expensive and—”
“Not mine. Yours,” his voice deepens. His face changes in the glare of the streetlight and his posture stiffens. “You coming to dinner or you gonna leave me out in the cold?”
The grit in his tone has you breathless. You guess you owe it to him. He won’t say it but you do. You even feel a bit bad for him. It doesn’t sound like Everly or Jacob want anything but his money. Besides, why are you so nervous? It’s a free meal.
“Oh, I… okay, sure.” You sniff. “I’m sorry… Andy, I wasn’t meaning to… argue. I just…”
“I know, sweetheart. You got lots on your plate. Working, studying,” he softens again. “I got it. I get it. It’s just dinner, you know? I been running back and forth so much, feels like I haven’t sat still.”
“Uh huh, yeah, I guess not.” You say as you shift your bag on your shoulder.
“Hey, that thing’s heavy,” he reaches for the strap. “I should know. You got me good.” He easily lifts your bag from your shoulder. You hang on for a moment before you relent. He slings it on his broad shoulder. “I think…” he looks around, “I parked over there.”
He turns and points you ahead, standing parallel to you. You set off and he walks in tandem with you. You twiddle your fingers then hug yourself to keep from squirming.
“You got that new-fangled phone. You wanna ask it where we should eat?” He nudges you gently with his elbow.
“Oh, uh… right,” you feel around then stop in place. He stops too. “Erm, it’s in my bag.”
“Ah,” he stands still and turns his body so the bag is closer to you. You reach to unzip the side pocket, grazing his sleeve as you dig inside. You take out the phone.
You step back and continue down the pavement. You open the map app and select ‘Place to Eat’.
“Erm, what do you like?” You ask.
He doesn’t answer. You glance up at him and catch him staring. He flinches as your eyes meet.
“What do I like?” He echoes your question curiously, timbre chafing in his throat.
“To eat?” You show your phone screen.
“Mmm,” he hums and his lips twitch as you pass a lamp post. The light flashes over him then he’s draped in shadows. His silhouette looms over you. “Whatever you like, sweetheart.”
You look down at your phone. You hate decisions. Even just dinner. You don’t want to seem like you’re taking advantage by choosing something expensive but then you don’t want to make him eat cheap grub. He’s probably used to fine dining. You sweat as you struggle to decide.
You opt for somewhere close. You tap the details. Good rating, not the worst prices.
“Okay, I found a place,” you say.
“Good girl,” he praises as his keys jingle.
He startles you as he touches your back and guides you into the lot. His headlights flash as he unlocks his car. Not the same SUV as last time but a sleek black two-door. Oh, wow.
“You got a new car?” You ask aloud.
“Nah, it’s better on gas,” he drawls. “Usually keep the thing in the garage.” He leads you to the passenger door and opens it. “Locked down since Jacob’s little joy ride last year.”
“Oh, um… It’s nice,” you say and carefully duck inside.
“Noted,” he says and shuts the door.
That response has you further confused. What does that mean? Oh, are you so obviously out of your element? He sees you so impressed by his cars that you must be low class? Well, you haven’t pretended at all, have you? He can see plainly that you’re not in the same league as his family. Maybe he’s just showing you that.
