You grow up in Las Almas dreaming of your soulmate just like everyone else.
As children, it doesn't mean much, just an inevitable fact of life. Someday, you'll meet someone and you'll know, and that will be that. But then as you grow older, the idea of it truly starts to sink in, that there's somebody out there destined to be yours, to love you and care for you just like that.
It's beautiful. It's romantic. It's perfect.
Some people, like your best friends, are lucky. Alejandro and Rodolfo meet in third grade and immediately– the very second they lock eyes– their names are burned into the others wrist in flowing, golden letters.
You've always envied them, constantly telling them how lucky they are. When you think of soulmates, they're the first example you can be think of. Best friends, lovers, they always have each others back and compliment each other perfectly.
You yearn for the day you meet your own match.
Yet when that day comes, the unthinkable happens.
"You and I aren't going to be together."
You stare at him, smile falling and the party around you going silent.
"What?" You ask, uncomprehending, staring, just staring at this man meant to be yours.
He's beautiful, you think, name flowing like silk across your wrist and eyes sucking you in. Yet then they turn, looking towards a woman in the crowd of fancy people, all dressed to the nines for this special occasion; when your father had offered to bring you to a company ball, you'd never imagined meeting your soulmate.
You almost wish you hadn't because what– what is he talking about? He can't mean it. You're meant to be!
He sighs, eyes fluttering shut before they snap open. You're frozen in place, ensnared once more.
You can't help but think about all the times you would've gotten lost in then if you two got together.
"Listen, the universe, god, whatever might have decided we're perfect together, but I don't want you. I want her." He makes sure you see her, that beauty you don't think anyone can compare to. "We've been together since childhood. Promised to each other. A lot of business is involved with us staying together. But–" he quickly says before you can cut in, "we also love each other."
And just like that, any hopes you have are crumbled. Because really, how can you convince your– god, your soulmate now? She's rich, beautiful, and already owns his heart while you... what? Exist?
The worst part is that you look at this man, this strange, unfamiliar man, and you know you could fall in love with him. It's an inevitable part of life, but not instantaneous.
No, not even soulmates fall in love instantly.
You'd fall in love in parts. With that hair as you ran your fingers through it; that jaw as you kissed along it every morning; those hands as they settled on your hips or held yours and pulled you close; his voice as he spoke to you, day and night, about any topic there was.
You could practically see it in front of you. Early mornings in bed, him flirting with you as you made dinner, him holding you down in bed so he could whisper corny, ridiculous, affectionate things to you.
You can picture it all.
Yet as your soulmate steps away, you can also see that future, that meant to be, burning away.
Alejandro and Rudy pound at your door after five days of silence. When you finally drag yourself out of bed and open it, the men stare at you.
"Mierda, what happened to you?" Alej asked, taking in your rough appearance.
You just shrug, throat too raw to speak.
Rudy just frowns before guiding you back inside, immediately getting to work.
Both men don't even hesitate to help you, cleaning up and preparing a meal and starting a bath for you. It's as he's helping you bathe that Alejandro sees the mark.
"... no." He says, realising– but, no, how? Why would–? It doesn't make sense.
You just shrug. "He was... already in love." You whisper, voice completely shattered.
When Rudy learns, he's equally as stunned. Neither of them had ever heard of a soulmate rejecting their other half before. It just... didn't happen.
Except it had.
To you.
The knowledge your soulmate rejected you soon becomes known all over Las Almas. It was inevitable, really. All it took was seeing the band over your wrist for tongues to wag. And if you weren't showing it off proudly, if you didn't have a person with you...
Well. The conclusion was obvious.
Through it all– the gossip, the pity, the well-wishers, the looks– Alejandro and Rudy are there for you, supporting you the best they can. But this scenario... it's just so insane. Yes, search results did show soulmates have rejected each other before, but there was usually a good reason for it.
A too big age gap. A man being the cause of his soulmate's family's death. Being related. Coming from enemy nations.
But never something so... basic. There was always a good reason.
And in most people's eyes, love and money weren't good enough to reject your soulmate for. Because you'd have love with them, love stronger than any other, and money? Over your destined partner?
Despite the sheer horror of your situation though, they stay by your side, even on the days when you have no energy, when you just want it to end, they stay.
They stay, and they love you.
It almost seems inevitable in hindsight. The three of you had always been close, growing up together and knowing each other better than anyone else. And with the recent added intimacy of them being there for you, helping you put yourself back together, of seeing you at your lowest and tending to your needs...
Was it truly a surprise?
"Alejandro..." You murmur, feeling his scruff tickle you as he kissed along your neck. "Please..."
Behind you, Rudy kissed at your shoulder, then upwards, nibbling your ear.
Both men's hands roamed, caressing and squeezing. You felt your heart ache, tears pricking your eyes.
God, you'd felt so unlovable after the rejection, yet now...
"Shh, cariño," a thumb brushed away your tears. "It's okay. We're here."
"And we're here to stay," a hand gripped your wrist, tight, tapping the name there. "We'll get rid of this, replace it with our own names."
And they did. Not long after they claimed you for themselves, you underwent a minor cosmetic surgery to remove your soulmark, getting their names tattooed once it was safe to do so.
Yet somehow, you were still surprised when they showed you your name written on their previously blank wrists as well.
Despite everything, things worked out. And you were thankful every day that they had.
Heyo my fellow! Me again, the weirdo one who has a love for you. Anyways, greetings aside with all the love and respect of course, could you do the tf and los vaqueros reaction to reader wanting to lead?
Rudy is absolutely glad to let you take control over him, in any way. he does want a small warning beforehand, so tell him you wanna try and he'll agree. absolutely putty in your hands when you tie him to the bed while kissing all over him and praising him, making him all giddy and worked up. when hes dominant he doesn't moan much, grunting and dirty talk are more his thing, but when you're taking the lead? loud whore. prefer less painful treatment, but is fine with things getting rough while you fuck him. <3
alejandro is a little harder to convince there, if you do it don't ask beforehand. he likes putting up the fight and will quickly let you know whether he's in the mood or not, but if he lets you? be prepared for a bratty little slut. wiggling out of restraints, trying to pin you down, even (lovingly) mocking you for trying to take the lead, but trust me, the second you start edging him he's a begging, whimpering mess, trying his best to thrust up into whatever you're giving him.
Virtually immortal, invulnerable to fire and heat, can summon wings to fly– what more could you want in a soldier?
It's all fine and dandy at first. If he 'dies'– body erupting into flame, a tiny bald chick emerging from the ashes– Alejandro or one of the other Vaqueros will grab him, take him back home to grow. 24 hours, max, and he'll be back to normal.
And then he meets and marries you. That's when his abilities are... less fine.
Because when you open the front door to see Alejandro with a sheepish expression and a tiny bald baby bird in his palm, you already know what's happened.
"It was for a good cause–"
"Uh-huh, that's what you always say." You mutter, holding your hand out.
"We couldn't have done it without–"
"My husband, Alejandro." You cut him off, eyes hard, tone curt; you're clearly unimpressed. He does as told immediately, Rudy giving him a betrayed look. The tiny phoenix shrivels under your hard look.
Inside, you put him in his nest– constructed for instances like this, of which there was many– sighing as you give him some water.
"Thie is the third time this month, Rudy."
He trills sadly.
"I just... you need to be more careful! One of these days, the bad guys will have a weapon that will actually kill you, or they'll capture you before Alejandro can get to you." You sigh again, petting his head– some feathers have begun to sprout, a good sign. "Just... please? For me?"
He gives you the bird version of puppy eyes, singing sweetly.
{A/N: Link to prev ch + mini epilogue to the ch where it goes into another character's POV in that ch hehe } :
Chapter 2: Jobless? More like Job-bless
A/N: Link to prev ch + mini epilogue of the chap (where it goes to another character’s pov aside fr
{A/N: I might make this a regular thing 'cause I love character development}
Link below to the 2nd Chapter :DD
Chapter 2: Jobless? More lik
Preface:
So you meet the sons and the soul crashing reality reveal of what you found yourself in the middle of. You thought that getting a job was hard? This circustry of a shit show was on a whole another level, one for which you refuse to involve yourself in adamantly.
Yet that gets swept under the rug as the chores pile on again and this time with a promise of getting your end of the bargain much earlier than you estimated.
But at what cost?
‘At the cost of my life!’ You internally scream, ‘the whole nine yards of it!’
After that bombshell of a reveal, and you losing another a piece of your soul with it— as they (unanimously forced by Nonno) decided to let that sit and stew with you as you got placed into the same room you woke up in.
“Ridiculous!” You cursed yourself, “what are the chances?!”
You wanted to rip your hair out at this point from how skewed your priorities were at the moment.
The minute you agreed, once again, to a damn proposal by the old man-- you got yourself fucked in the ass!
'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,'
"Shame on me," you mutter, your pace now slowing down as your distress subsides- thinking of better positives like, how losing a job and being out of it is still way worse! At least they were paying... right?
Oh, for fuck's sake- that money isn't even clean!
Although in times of struggle, you think of which weighs more- your hunger and comfort or your morals....
It was an easy pick, priorities were priorities after all- morals weren't gonna feed you on the street, a job was.
And an opportunity provided you with one!
With its own drawbacks of course, which meant that you were now tied to whatever family mafia this bakery started from. Which makes you question if... Nonno is or was... the big boss, the head muchacho, the el capitano, of the family.
"Cara," a knock sounds at the door, "can you let me in?"
'Speak of the devil...'
"Yeah," you gulped and approached the door, "its your shop, you know?"
The man laughs, as soon as your head peaked through the door to open it for him.
Nonno was quite tall for his age even with his back slightly hunched, but he had no need for a cane-- he still looked as lively as the photo on the pin board, just with salt and pepper colored hairs and it growing out at all of his possible orifices.
He looks like that type of old guy that reads the paper outside of coffee shops that open up in the wee hours of the morning. Kind, lowkey, keeps to himself, offering up a pleasant, "good day!" to whoever passes.
Yet, that gets skewed now with how your perception gets tainted with your previous thoughts of him being... that type of person.
"But your room." He simply counters, slowly entering the room and ending up by sitting by your bed, to which he pats his hand on.
Nodding, you approach him and sat where he signaled you to. Hands on your lap with your back as straight as a trained soldier, it was too easy to notice the uneasiness you were feeling. Which was quite the opposite of the vibe Nonno was exuding at the moment.
"So you want to work here?" Nonno asks, starting it off easy, to which you appreciated and replied in kind.
"I do," and you face him, "if you'd let me."
He smiles this time, gently grabbing your hands with one and patting it with the other.
"You're a good kid." He compliments confidently.
You pout, "that's kinda ironic for what I'm signing up to, isn't?"
He shakes his head, the smile never leaving his face, "so you've heard."
"Nonna said so," you shrugged, "I honestly wouldn't have figured that out if she didn't tell me otherwise."
This time he huffs, as if he couldn't believe his wife did such thing, but you think it might be because of a different reason from how that smile contrasts that far away look in his eyes.
"And you still want to work here?"
He asks after some moments of contemplation and you nod.
"And you're fine with us being affiliated with the mafia?"
You take a pause this time, reading into his wording.
"So," you slowly voiced out your concern, "you and Nonna aren't part of the mafia?"
He pats your cheek, shaking his head.
"Our children are. We just raised them, and naturally," he wistfully reminisces, "we couldn't let them go. 'Family is forever-' a creed that similarly works for them as well."
You took a breath in as you try to ingest the explanation you needed to hear, you wanted to hear more but it looked as if that it was taxing for the man to continue on.
So you gave him space, but he pulled you closer by tugging your hands, silently telling to not leave yet and hear him out more.
"People came and went at this bakery but they never left," he says so softly, his thumbs rubbing your clasped hands, trying to find his own means of comfort- whether you provide it or not.
But you did, and let him.
"and they wouldn't let someone like you left hanging by your own as well."
This time you had to raise at brow at his vague wording.
"But," you try to explain, "I just met them? I'm quite literally a stranger you met not even twenty-four hours ago."
You feel him pull you close, your head under his chin and you don't feel the instinctual urge to pull away at the moment.
"They're soft-hearted kids," you could feel his chest rumble, "they only want to help. We want to help."
You were a bit confounded but nodded anyways, not feeling like denying this right now would end well, so you try... to let it pass.
"You raised that bearded guy right then," you let out a chuckle of your own, "said the same exact thing-- even though it was said through Suds."
He pulls you away for a moment to look at you, asking who the hell is 'Suds' and you explained what happened earlier- making him bellow quite similarly to how Graves was earlier.
You smile at the similarity, now seeing how close these children might be to the old couple.
Maybe the reality you were in wasn't so bad. The five men you've met so far have been decent to you, and haven't quite attempted anything that made you consider them dangerous of the sort.
Maybe you can't take their words and actions as it is at the present, but you knew you could with Nonna and Nonno.
You had your own intuition, a personal vibe check of people you meet and you unconsciously do it with everyone; so you were quite sure that, if you had to work here and had to rely on someone-- they would be your best bet every time.
So you let the moment happen, accepting that if life had led you to this moment, it must be for a reason right? You could only that it was a good one at that.
After clearing up that murky air in your room, you offered Nonno your genuine appreciation.
"Though," you added on after a couple of giggles from the story you told him, "you shouldn't feel forced to help me. I'm happy to work the hours and for the meals you and Nonna have given me so far."
He huffs, standing up from your seated positions on the bed.
"To think that you have the audacity to assume that we're being forced to do anything at our age?"
You kinda had to laugh at that statement, it was quite excessive but truthful all the same.
"Just want to let you know that I'll still help around here if you need me to."
You both share a grin and a nod of agreement, understanding the feelings underneath all the words exchanged.
"Then let's put you to work!"
Nevermind.
You wished you hadn't let that moment happen.
Fate simply likes to toy with you and your existence apparently.
Right when you thought you could be on the same page with someone, they slap you with a dose of reality that your list of chores is unending and it needs to be worked on now.
After your chat with Nonno, he asked you to go and pick-up groceries for him.
In which you find yourself trapped between two men, where you could say that they could quite easily and thoughtlessly break you neck with their biceps and thighs alone.
"A'int no way Nonno would let someone pick up his groceries for 'im."
The man, standing intimidatingly hot in front of you, had a deep frown on his face- arms crossed in a wide legged stance that made it impossible for you to escape at any angle you tried to even attempt to wriggle through.
Especially not with his, stern and cute, buddy that held the same position but with a more stone-cold look on his face.
"Look," you sigh, "I don't know who you are but I'm just running errands for him."
You see them share a look, whispers of 'spanish?' you think that you picked up on but drop it when they turn to you again.
"Hard to believe that he would, pendejo."
You gave him an offended look but grunted, arms shaking from the amount of plastic and paper bags you had in your hands.
You find yourself in quite a predicament, all because you mentioned who the groceries were for when you entered a couple shops around the market district of the city.
The list, in of itself, was quite lengthy and all the more of the things you had to carry.
You only regretted now that you rescinded your acceptance of Ghost's assistance in shopping once he dropped you off here.
Maybe he would've warded off these weirdos with his presence alone, or slap a brand right in front of his jacket stating he was part of the mafia-- whichever way that could be easier and less humuliating than the moment where you're in right now.
Arms struggling to juggle the bags, legs shaky from all the walking you had to do, and just simply overly exhausted from the life you stumbled into not even 48 hours in since you had left your own city.
"What else do you want me to say then?" you grumble, wanting to get over with this so you could just catch the next bus already-- which was coming in quite close with a few minutes to spare.
"Proof," the more clean faced guy answers, hand held out as if you were going to something.
You aren't even able to hand them ANYTHING!
Though you were tired, tired of the conversation, and tired of them hustling you so you nodded, saying that the list Nonno wrote himself is in your jacket pocket.
The more scuffed bearded man nods, letting the other check your pocket and grab the paper hanging out of your pocket.
He opens it up and his eyes widen, offering it to the other guy who you noticed had cursed under his breath.
"Believe me now?" you ask sassily, although a bit out of breath at this point and they nod.
"Apologies chiquit@," the second guy apologies, a more welcoming grin on his face, "can't be too safe around this place, you know?" {A/N: spanish for little one}
"Uhuh..." you agree, eyes narrowing. "Can I leave now, then?"
They both shook their heads, which made your mouth open in complaint until they grabbed all the stuff from you- ruffling your feathers even more.
Like you didn't have enough problems in the world-!
"We're gonna get ya' back to the bakery," the second one explains and you let them, quite relieved that they got the stuff from you but you still had your guard up. "you were gonna catch the bus right? We can just bring you there."
You shook your head at that proposal. You- alone with two strangers that literally was one click away from ending your guts just because you knew someone called Nonno?
"I don't even know you people!" You accused, "If you ask me, don't you look strange for knowing Nonno and asking a stranger if they knew who he was?!"
They both looked at each other before cracking up in laughter, making you toss your hands up in frustration, furiously rubbing at your face as the blood started rushing to your cheeks.
"You really don't know huh?"
The less bearded guy asks, wiping an invisible tear from his eyes ad you nastily remarked back a, "i don't fucking know- so what?!" to which makes him cackle again by throwing his head back.
"I'm Alejandro," the other introduces, finally coming down from his own set of his giggles, but you could still see his chest stutter.
He slaps his other friend on the back, making him sputter but eventually introduce himself as "Rodolfo, my boss' right hand man," and he pats Alejandro on his shoulder, making them both grin.
And you stare.
And stare.
And...stare...
"Oh shit!"
You facepalmed.
This was the guy you were going to ask Nonna about in the photo at the pin board. You couldn't believe this guy existed in the flesh--
"You look so different from your picture!" You pointed at Alejandro who slightly tilts his head in confusion, "the one at the pin board at the kitchen!"
He nods and chortles, "well I was quite young then," realizing what photo you were referring to.
Your shoulders drop at this, that photo looked recent from how colorized and clean it was!
"Ah sorry," you apologized, "for my comment and not realizing you were Nonno's sons."
They waved their hands, a more easy-going pace exuding from them as the tenseness from the air dissipates.
"It's all good," Rodolfo reassures, "we we're just alarmed that Nonno allowed someone asides from himself to get his ingredients."
"We weren't even allowed to do it," Alejandro rolls his eyes, "that uptight viejo." {A/N: spanish for old man}
You nod in understanding... well only a bit because you didn't quite relate to that notion but agreed nonetheless.
"So," Alejandro smirks to you, "let's ride?"
Surprisingly, the ride wasn't even half bad, nor getting to know the two and their own mafia called Los Vaqueros.
The ride was quite long from the traffic so that gave you enough time to explain your situation and what you knew to them. You thought that, if they were Nonna and Nonno's sons anyways, you'll eventually meet them down the line while working at their place. You were bound to meet them one way or another, even though first meetings aren't your best first impressions.
By the time you got back, it was nightfall and the time to close up shop. Which meant, you were also clocked out for the day--
"once I get this all sorted, I swear I'll sleep so soundly tonight."
Your grumble made the two laugh.
Alejandro and Rodolfo stayed to help with sorting all the groceries after having a quick chat with Nonno- who you overheard had scolded them and got a TV remote slapped to the you think.
You could only assume from the buttons you could press on Rodolfo's cheeks really.
Either way, you were quite grateful for their help, even when they offered you a ride back to your co-worker's apartment.
You thanked the old couple profusely, and they could only roll their eyes in response, saying that it was not a problem and just go (even though they were the ones tightening their arms around you.)
"You take care kid." Nonno pats your head and bids you farewell kindly.
"Don't forget to come in early tomorrow!" Nonna reminds and bids you farewell not so kindly because of it.
Poking fun at your expression, the two were just so amused by how quickly both you and their parents had become so attached.
"Still can't believe your co-worker would put you in this damn place chiquit@." Rodolfo comments from the hood of the car, as he leans backwards to eye the rundown building that was in front of you three.
You shrugged, pulling closer your purse to look for the keys he gave you with the note.
Right... you couldn't find the note.
Oh, well- you guessed that you lost it in the rain that night.
"Well I had no choice, need a bed to sleep in and a place to call home y'know?"
They both frown at this but made no moves to stop you as you step into the building and ascend the stairs to the apartment.
"Thanks a lot Alejandro, Rodolfo." You smile, giving a little wave while they do the same.
"Just call us if you need anything!" Alejandro shouts and you grin, giving up a thumbs up before leaving their line of sight.
Leaving them to their thoughts.
"This is too suspicious," Rudy mutters, "smells like something is brewing."
Alejandro nods, "and we need to find out just what, amigo."
"That note," Price lifts said paper up and slides onto the middle of the table, "had the logo of a lamb's horn it."
The three men stand in shock, hands slamming on the table.
"Ya' mean..."
"Its him."
"Any other leads?" Gaz asks, now pacing around the room.
"This is the lead," Price points at the paper, "gave up finding the bastard and he willingly shows up." He mutters to himself, hand stroking his beard in thought.
"Boss," Ghost starts, "we need to interrogate her now."
"Oi," Soap counters, "not so fast sir."
"Why not?" Ghost growls.
"'Cause she's a bystander." Price explains, hands both faced down on the table.
"How are you so sure of that?"
"Ghost watch your tone," Gaz warns but backs down with the raised hand of Price.
"Why don't you test her then?" Price turns to Ghost- a knowing grin on his face, "see if you can squeeze out anything for us, hm?"
Ghost nods while Soap protests, but was silenced by both his superiors.
"I'll leave it to you then."
A/N: And that is ch 3 with more to look forwards to in the epilogue! I kinda imagined Alejandro and Rudy to be the more in-tuned characters with the reader, acting as your close friends of sorts while the story progresses so expect to see you interact with them a lot!
Many much extra scenes to discuss on that so the update might take longer for that part <//3 Thank you for reading and giving my work some love hehe
