Drabble prompt: "Who's gonna take you home tonight?"
Whatever babe you're in the mood for!
You wobble on your heels, giggling to the concerned bartender that you simply stood up to fast as you wave him off. Though maybe being a regular isn't in your favor, because the look Frank gives you makes you nervous.
"Who's gonna take you home tonight?" Frank asks, eyes never leaving yours as he pours a jack and coke for the man beside you.
Suddenly there's a presence at your back, and you don't need to turn around to know they're not pleased with you. "I am." Curtis growls, hands resting on your upper nods. Frank nods in satisfaction as Curtis turns you around, walking you to the door. "I thought I told you not to go alone?
You sigh, leaning against your boyfriend's chest as you arrive to his truck. "In my defense, I was with a friend after her breakup. She's only been gone... five minutes?"
Curtis huffs out a small laugh. "You drank her sorrows away with her, didn't you?"
"I didn't want her to feel alone." You blush, shyly peeking up at him.
He hums, pressing a kiss to your temple. "That's one of the things I love about you." He opens the truck door. "Come on. Let's get you home to prepare for the hangover you're about to get."
Summary- 6.2k Curtis Everett x You. You are ready to be intimate with Curtis again after the assault. Edgar is told something from the past that shocks him, makes his world come crashing down. Warnings- Sex, mentions of assault, talks of cannibalistic survival, violence. NSFW.
Chapter 11 / Masterlist
“Babygirl, I got you. Your safe.”
Curtis was sure to pause, wait until the panicked ebbed from your eyes and you started to visibly relaxed underneath him, and although your eyes wide staring back up at him said you were afraid, he could see it ebbing from your face, even where his hand rubbed at your waist, you seemed to lose tension. “All you have to do is ask me to stop, and that's where it ends, okay?”
You give him a wide-eyed nod, and he lifted up enough to press his lips against yours, his voice soft against them. “I need to hear you say it Babygirl.”
Your hands, they seemed to have a mind of there own as they curled around his biceps and you let yourself forget the weight of another, but that it was Curtis’s slim hips pressing slightly against you and Curtis’s heavy masculine weight just pressing into you, not crushing as your previous experience had been, but grounding. If you think his name enough, then your assault will no longer have control over you. Your voice hovers in your throat, and he held himself still waiting, his hand still stroking you till you could focus on that alone. Comfort, soothing. Hands that never brought you any pain.
Even the callouses on his fingertips and palms were familiar to you, you've felt these hands a hundred times before and will continue to do so as long as you want to. You had nothing to be afraid of. Your fear that was locking your throat eased back, enabling you to answer him. “I will, Curtis.” Tilting back up to press your lips harder against his, and his tongue trailed the seam of your lips till you parted from him, and his tongue explored you, intimately.
A stroke to the roof of your mouth had you tipping up further for him, slow, sensuous strokes to have your own following along the underside of his till he tilted his head, slotting close to take your soft moans that started to rise from you. A hand grasped your waist for a moment until it eased it's hold, shifting enough so that there was room between the two of you, his hand rubbing against your lower belly, where you would grow hot. He knew how you liked to be touched, as familiar with you as you were with him. Curtis's fingers danced along the band of your panties, and followed the seam to between your legs, just brushing fingers at your clothed core.
Doing nothing more than stroking the cloth, Curtis could feel the dampness building, and lifted from your lips, to watch your head fall back to the pillow, your eyes haze's as they looked up at him, your breathing turning more rugged, like drawing in the air was the last thing you were remembering you needed to do. “Feel Good Babygirl?” Curtis asked, and you gave a nod, spreading your legs a bit further for him.
Hitching a finger into the lining and pressing aside, he was sure to keep his touches light, still feeling the occasional quivering roll through you. The pad of his finger slides up and down, working between the folds into your warmth, gathering slick and spreading it to your clit, and along the outside of your folds. “Mmmmh, you feel really good to me Babygirl, your so wet and welcoming.” His finger swirled around that tiny bud, making you jolt your hips and whine out in a needy way. “Curtis, again please.” Your fingers traveled to interlace at the back of his neck, and he obliged, watching your face contort in the pleasure as he rolled your clit with just that right amount of pressure he knew was your undoing.
Now the quivers in your legs weren't from anything other than the feeling he was building in you, one lifting to hook around him. It was hard for the man, how badly he wanted to just sink into you, knowing just how good you would feel clenching around his member, the way your hands would scramble till they found the hold they wanted with your cries telling the world you were coming undone for him.
That you were only for him. Not anyone else, not the filthy fuckers that tried to use you before and break you until you were a shell of his girl.
It all became overwhelming to him in that moment, watching you as his fingers continued to make you tilt your head back into the pillow and roll your body, saying his name in a lovely chant to keep him with you. He dropped to covers your lips, muffled your cries as he let a finger start to press into you.
And that's when your eyes shot open and you started to freeze, your fingers curling into the back of his neck, and he stopped. All his movements froze right along with you, “Y/N, Babygirl, come back to me.” Curtis moved enough to try to catch your hollowed eyes, and they suddenly filtered back to his face, and you took a deep breath. “I'm here.”
He was getting ready to stop the whole thing, and just entice you to go to sleep, but you shook your head and tugged lightly at his hair you're managed to be able to fist in your hand, “Keep going, it's okay. I'm with you, I trust you. Let's keep going.” He looked like he was still going to pull away when you leaned up to nudge your nose against his own, breathing out softly. “Please? I need this.”
Searching your eyes, Curtis gave a soft nod and let his lips settle against your neck, whispering between kisses. “Do you know how strong you are Babygirl? A fucking warrior. I never would be here without you.” While saying this, he continued letting his finger stroke your channel, slowly working you open with gentle presses and strokes. “That’s my good girl.” he mummers as his beard gently scratches along your collarbone, lips still soft with the tip of his tongue gracing patterns in your skin. You start clutching around him, sliding your hands down from the back of his neck to his shoulders.
It felt better then you had remembered. Your mind so clouded with your last experience, that all the ways he was working your body in the way Curtis was so intimate with, made you moan out loudly. Clearing out those memories from before in this moment. Rocking your body into his hand as he pumped you for a few moments, Curtis pulled out to add another. “I still got you Baby” You vaguely heard him, arching a bit to rub yourself against him, but he pressed himself against you to lower back into the mattress, giving you that weight and friction you're craving against your stomach and open thighs.
It was a sight for Curtis, watching as you rocked underneath him as much as he allowed you to, your head tilted back to expose your throat, seeing how you gasped and dropped your mouth open trying to drag in some air. The corner of his mouth curved upwards, pressing lips back along your collarbone, and back up your neck, he could feel you squeezing and flexing around his fingers, moving so his thumb could roll and slide up and down your clit. “Curtis! Oh god.” You pressed up against him once more, and he let the warmth of his breath husk against your ear. “Come for me Babygirl, let me see you feel good.” You started panting, twisting your head to meet him, whimpering as you rocked onto his palm again, his fingers expertly stroking against your g-spot. “Come on Baby, feel good for me again.”
You nodded and cried into his mouth, clenching around his fingers and straining your thighs against his ribs from where he was draped between you. A hand came up, lightly brushing your hair back, and holding the back of your head as he kissed across your face. “Beautiful baby.” Lowering you to the pillow, slowly letting his fingers spread your slick around you, he loosened your thighs grasping him and say back, just admiring the way you looked, your body quivering and you weren't hiding away or trying to become small, curling in on yourself.
Blinking up at him, Curtis was bathed in a soft glow from the window above your head, your eyes went from his pleased expression and down, it had been a while since you really just appreciated his physically, hiding that from your thoughts but now, still on a high from a few moments ago, you couldn't help but take in the broad shoulders and his wide chest with the trail of hair that led down his belly in a tempting path. The pants he wore were slung low, that sharp V cutting into him, made you whimper softly, and he chuckled, watching you pull at your fingers to keep from reaching out. “Do you see something you like Babygirl?”
Your eyes shoot up and you feel heat warming your cheeks at being caught staring at him, never really been able to do that before in the dark of the tail end. He quirked a smile and leaned over you, letting a hand slide up your side and cup a breast, leaning his head down to lap at the nipple before sucking it into his mouth to roll and tug on it slightly till you said his name. “Yes, Curtis I was. Fuck do that again.” You clutched your fingers into the sheets beneath you and he did as you asked before popping his head back up, his blue eyes twinkling a bit as he stated. “Don't worry, I was to Babygirl. Can't keep my eyes off you when your like this.” He returned to give the same treatment to your other breast, making you squirm a bit, and give a giggling moan. “I missed this and you.” Your hands moved to the front of his pants, and he lightly grasped her wrist, lifting enough to kiss your lips.
“I missed you to Y/N, but don't feel bad if you ask me to stop, okay?” He loosened his hold and let you decide from there. Nodding, you wriggled his sweats down over his ass and down his legs. “Take them off Curtis, all the way.” Your eyes remained on his face, and he kicked his legs, finishing pushing them off while you reached between the two of you and took his throbbing member in your hands. His face contorted at the slight squeeze, gliding upwards, your fingertips tracing over the throbbing member. Part of you made your heart flutter in a small panic at his size, his girth. But the more important part took pleasure in seeing him clench his jaw and hiss in pleasure, how he had to close his eyes for a second feeling your fingers wrap around him. Your thumb swirling over his cocks head, and then back down exploring, feeling that steady throb. Taking his balls into your palm, adding to his pleasure, you can tell he likes it by the way he pumped into your hand. “Babygirl, I’m not going to last if you keep that up.” He finally grunted, out and lifted his head to look at you, clearly trying not to get to carried away, but you would swear the way his eyes looked into yours, that he was happy at your boldness in touching him.
Wriggling underneath him till your comfy, and hooking a leg over his back, you pressed him against your entrance and nodded. “No more teasing Handsome.” You promised and he moved to his elbows along each side of your head, while he eased himself into you, and your leg tightened around his back in response as you wrapped your arms around his neck to hold on, breathing out. Fuck it felt good, the way he stretched you open, quick to lift your other leg to hold onto him. His hand moved to cup your face, and kiss you deeply at the first roll of his hips, nudging himself against you. It wasn't fast, or hard, there was no rush in the way he rolled against you, just brushing his cock through your flexing channel. Soft whimpers escaped against his lips, open-mouthed and breathing heavily against one another and then deep kisses while inhaling each other's moans and hungry sighs.
Curtis broke away, his mouth finding purchase down your neck, as his hips rocked against you again, which started to meet him, his upwards grind pressing against your pelvic bone and clit, a trigger for another urgent “again, please, more Curtis.” Your bodies rocking against each other, working together in a slow dance and his arm slid around your waist, angling your hips upwards and giving a slow roll, making you gasp and clutch his back while you arched sharply, “Oh fuck.”
Curtis watched as your eyes rolled back, your mouth turning into a O of surprise and your body locking tight with a quiver. He gave that slow deep roll again, you were so fucking tight around him that it was hard to keep control, wanting to rut his cock hard till he spilled, but he held back, ready to pull away when it got to be to much. To watch you though start to dance that edge into your orgasm, your nails making deep half-moon marks where you grasped his back, the soft mewling noises driving him crazy.
“Baby... please tell me your close,” Curtis said roughly, and you nodded urgently, rocking back to meet him again when your room burst in soft green, making you gasp in surprise. Another roll of his hips and reassuring whispers from Curtis “Fuck Baby! Just like that, so good how tight you are.” Your gaze fell to him, and the soft glow shimmered across his face, making his features sharp. The tendons in his neck sharp as pleasure riddled through him, full lips and dark beard that you had come to appreciate, the wisp of freckles across his nose, and the bluest crystal clear eyes you've seen coming through the green shimmers in the room, “Come for me baby, please”
It was enough, under the sky showing you one of the truest wonders of nature, you came undone in his arms, your crying his name while you withered and squeezed around him to milk his cock, and the moment he tried to pull away from you, you refused to let go, locking your arms and legs around him, and he shuddered against you, rolling deeper as you flexed around him. “Babygirl, you have to let me go, I can't stop it...” His voice groaned out against your shoulder as he tried to still himself, and you buried into him.
“I don't want you to. Don't leave me.” You wanted him, and weren't willing to sacrifice the moment by him pulling out, willing to take that chance. You had to forget, that feeling your assaulters made your body remember. Replace it, recall this moment, this feeling, full of Curtis, safe in his arms, right where you belonged. And he didn't try to fight out of your hold, his ruts turning more demanding, his face screwing up and head dropping as he eased himself enough to hover over you, and chasing his own orgasm, fill you with his seed with his own roaring cry, as he sank into you that final time spilling himself. Curtis collapsed into pleasured oblivion for a few moments, cause fuck if this wasn't the best thing he's ever felt, just being buried in you, and letting himself go.
This was the first time he had ever let himself release in you, and to say that bliss feeling wash over him wasn't a high all on its own for him would be an understatement. Sinking down, you let your thighs loosen till they were relaxed and your hands slid from that tight grasp in his muscles downwards to his lower back, rubbing softly while your face was tucked into the crook of his neck, just feeling him slowly loosen around you. Closing your eyes, his heavier body was pressing you into the mattress, but it felt good, being able to feel Curtis come down from his high, the soft groan as he slowly came back around, and he rose back to his elbows, his chest pulling off yours, his hand coming up to brush some of your hair back from your face.
“Fuck you were beautiful, watching you come for me.” Placing a soft kiss to your lips, he pulled out and shifted off of you to get comfortable once again. You rolled to your side to face him, and his thumb smoothed along your brow, smoothing it out. “What are you thinking Babygirl?”
Your hands reached up and took his, weaving your fingers together. “First... How much I missed being with you Curtis. Missed this, these moments where it's just us, nothing between us.” You smiled softly, and he lifted your hands, kissing against the knuckles. You started to blink back tears, getting a bit overwhelmed with how it was all crashing on you just then, and your voice cracked at the next part. “Then I was also thinking how different it all was going to be, but it wasn't Curtis, it wasn't any different, and I'm not broken.”
Curtis couldn't help the way his own eyes filled hearing the relief in your tone, the way you were just breaking with him. Letting go of your hands, he pulled you closer to him, and you sunk your face into your chest, your tears warm against him as your body shook in a few broken sobs. Finally letting more of it go. He let his hands soothe against your back, his lips pressed to the top of your head till you pulled back, red-rimmed eyes looking up at him. “I would have waited as long as you need baby, but I promise your not broken. I'm glad you finally see that, your still my girl regardless of what happens.”
The two of you settled in for some rest, your fingers trailing up and down his chest lightly as your head laid on his shoulder, the northern lights still dancing in the window behind your bed, and while you feel asleep, Curtis watched out the window with a slightly tilted head, recalling how you came right when they appeared, lighting up the room so nothing was truly hidden from you two.
Maybe it's a sign things are going to get better...
Edgar was waiting in the kitchen that morning, lost a bit in thought while some food was being put together for Matt. It had stuck with him for weeks Matt’s parting words shortly after he was locked up.
“How much do you really know about your precious 'leader of the tail end’ ?”
And he had left it at that. But they stayed in Edgar's mind, what the fuck did he even mean with that? Edgar known Curtis his entire life, and there was nothing hidden in the tail end. Everyone was up in each other's business, whether they liked it or not. A clang of a tray brought Edgar back, looking down at the mess of food tossed on. “What is this?” He dunked the spoon in and lifted it to sniff it, and taste it. Surprisingly it wasn't all that bad.
“Its called a stew, been going all night, and y'all can have some later.” Tess knocked the spoon out of Edgar's hand and he rubbed at it.
“Ow, really necessary? God damn.” He muttered while picking up the tray, Tess, waved a spoon at him, narrowing her eyes at him. “Now don't you go eating that. He may be the prisoner now, but we're not gonna starve no one.”
Edgar gave a grin as he pretended to lift the spoon up and she tossed a hand towel at him, which he ducked out of the line of fire, laughing. “Course Tess! I wouldn't do such a thing.”
He proceeding towards the car that was being used to house Matt still. Johanna sat with the door open, letting in a bit of fresh air into the car when Edgar arrived.
“You mind if I slip over to the kitchen for a bite myself while your here Edgar?” She pushed off the floor and stretched to get the kinks out. “Long night sitting here while he's sleeping, and I can use a pick me up.”
“Sure, I got him till your done. Should be about time for the next shifts anyways.” He held out his hand for the keys, and stuffed them in his jacket pocket while Johanna handed off the rifle they used with each shift change. Edgar propped it against the wall and shut the door as Johanna left. “Hey, git yer ass up, got you some food.” Edgar was careful to approach the homemade bed Matt used, and shoved the tray over, moving back and out of the man's reach. Matt grunted, rolling to his side, to see the steaming bowl, and moved to sit up, ignoring Edgar for now and pulled the tray closer.
“Ahh Tess’s stew, the best there is.” Holding the bowel in his palms, he blew on it and took his first few bites while Edgar made himself comfortable, slipping off his jacket, and draping it over his knees, watching as Matt continued with drinking some of the liquid off the top. “Y’all should be thankful that she didn't die in the sabotage. Fucking Curtis doesn't deserve this.”
Edgar didn't bite back at his remark like he usually did. Matt's words echoing again, Edgar cleared his throat, broaching the subject. “Few weeks ago, when you were brought here, you asked me what did I know about Curtis. What the fuck did you mean with that.”
Matt looked up from his bowl, using a finger to run along the edge and suck on his finger, smirking. “What, having some issues, are you? Curtis cracking under the pressure of taking care of everyone?”
Scowling at him, Edgar rolled his eyes, and glared across the car at him. “No, in fact, best we've ever been. Why I’m wondering why you're saying that kinda shit at all, to be honest.” Matt set his bowl back on the tray and pushed it back over. “Come on Edgar, use your fucking brain. You heard the rumors, the stories surrounding the back end, and Curtis. What are they?”
Edgar gave a shrug, and casually repeated the rumors he had heard over the years, the ones he scoffed at cause there's no way in hell any of it happened. “They didn't feed the tail-enders when they first came on. Soon out of desperation people started to kill and eat each other. Until one day Gilliam made the ultimate sacrifice, cutting off his arm and giving it to the people. Fucking made-up man, I asked Gilliam himself and he told me that never happened, that his limbs got infected and had to be amputated by your parents.”
“Well fuck Edgar, they aren't going to tell you the truth. That whole place is Lies just to survive. You didn't think Gilliam was working for the front end, Wilford's friend. But guess what, nightly phone conversations. I was there, I heard them all. Talking about all of you, what you were up to, who's fucking who, who's planning what. Curtis, freak fucking accident. He was supposed to be killed at the tunnel. Funny though, you seemed to ALMOST take his place there. Let you get sacrificed.” Matt could see the doubt crossing Edgars face at that, and laid it on thicker. “Who knows Edgar, I mean... for all I know, Curtis was originally working for Wilford to. Lost his God damn mind, before it all went as it was supposed to. Curtis was offered to come up front you know. Almost took it to.” Matt smug when he said this, Edgar's gaze flashing in horror.
“He wouldn't, he hated Wilford with everything he had.” Edgar shot back to defend the man.
Matt scoffed, picking at his shirt and sneering. “Really? Cause as soon as Curtis was offered Y/N to come up to join him, he just about caved. So close, he was that close to taking it. Having the girl, living up front with us.”
“Lying fucker you are. Now I know you’re full of shit. Y/N wouldn't ever come up to live in the front end.”
Nodding Matt sighed. “I'm afraid in that your right, not willingly anyway. But she could have been forced into it. Y/N never was the brightest woman there was. She cuddles right up to that murdering fucker the minute she could. I always figured it was a protection move. My sister is pretty, is she not? By tail end standards. She is an easy target.”
“Your fucking sick, that is your sister your talking about like you don't even care.”
“Your right, I don't. She barely tried to get me back when I was first taken. Know who else didn't care Edgar?” Matt grinned coldly, finally prepared to drop the latest bit of information he had. “Curtis didn't care when he stabbed your mother right in the stomach. Dropped her and took you right from her arms as she laid, bleeding out all over the floor. He didn't care, took you, and you know why?” Matt leaned forward a bit, saying it as calm as if they were discussing everyday matters. “Cause according to people like Curtis, little babies like you were, tasted better.”
Edgar paled hearing Matt, and whispered darkly. “Your lying. He didn't kill my mom. She died due to complications having me.”
“Yea, that's what everyone told you cause probably half of them didn't want to admit that they ATE HER.” Matt shook his head at the man's denial. “You’ve seen that nasty scar on Curtis's arm? Where he tried to cut off his own arm to offer because of the fucking guilt at gutting your mother. Y/N fixed him up by the way.” Matt toyed with the chain next, trying to take some of the pressure off his ankle. “Probably only reason his arm got saved. She didn't help your poor Momma though Edgar. Nah, she watched as a whole group of people swarmed over her to finish her while Curtis carried you away, the knife still hot dripping your mother's blood. Drip... Drip... Drip.”
Edgar sprang up, his jacket sprawling across the floor. “STOP! STOP WITH IT!” He was pointing a finger at Matt, who just blinked at him, shrugging.
“Sorry Man, but it's all true. What have I got to lie about? I'm already chained the fuck up, probably for life. I mean, I've done some bad stuff for Wilford. But to eat someone, how fucking sick do you have to be?”
Edgar paced, back and forth, the look of horror plastering on his face as it started to really click into place. All those years he would question about his mother, the way Curtis would look at him and then away like a slap in the face, everyone would just say “oh she just died" with no further details. His gut clenched and bile rose up his throat. Making his eyes burn and his chest heave as he tried to get enough air to breathe through the way his mind was racing.
“Wanna know the worst part?” Matt said and Edgar stopped in his tracks, listening to what he had to say. “He didn't even need to kill her. The next day they brought the protein bars, handed them out, they weren't even finished processing her.”
Edgar lost it, he wrenched that door open and shot outside, leaving Matt all alone, with an ajar door, a rifle, and Edgar's coat, which had the keys stuffed inside.
Shifting to crawl across the floor, Matt picked up the coat and feeling them found his prize, pulling them out and sorting through them till he found the key to his ankle, opening it and rubbing at the raw skin.
It pays to be fucking patient.
Curtis rolled to his back, and stretched, you were right beside him on your stomach, sliding over with a murmur and pressing your face into his chest, hiking a leg over his hip. Dropping his hand to your head, he let his fingers slide through your hair and look down at you. “You awake Babygirl?”
It took a few moments, but you finally sighed with a contended “Yes, I guess we should wake up?” You look up at him, and he chuckles, shrugging. “Only if you want to, I would lay here with you all day if you wanted to.” He said honestly, and you grinned, moving to prop yourself up on an elbow and give a kiss good morning, taking a glance outside at the shimmering white snow being lightened up with a rising sun all orange and pink in the sky till a little later when it would go baby blue.
“I know you would, but we have a lot to do in the greenhouse from what Tess told me. And I don't want to miss out on any of it.” You crawled over Curtis, straddling him for a moment, and cupping his face, kissing him deeply, letting your forehead pressed against his. “Thank you, for helping me last night. I love you, very much.”
“Catching him by surprise at your open affection, he rubbed along your back, and down to your hips. “Thank you for trusting me.” You finished sliding off to pick up some of the scattered clothing and getting changed, Curtis sat on the edge of the bed, and was just getting his pants on when the door of the small room was slammed open, and Edgar stormed in, making Curtis shoot up in shock, and you screamed in surprise, yelling out as you tugged the shirt over your head. “What the hell Edgar?! Don't you-" you never get to finish as Edgar reared a fist back and shot it right into Curtis unsuspecting face making him stagger back and turn away. “WHAT THE HELL!” Curtis shouted in surprise as his hands flew to his busted lip.
The younger man full-on tackled him then, the two scuffling around the room, Curtis trying to block kicks and wild punches, shocked and not wanting to his Edgar back. You're doing your best to stay out of the way of these two huge men crashing around the room while screaming at Edgar to stop. Curtis managed to catch one of his hands flying at his face, when Edgar shocked him with a fist to his chest, knocking him back against the wall, and a kick made him double on himself. You hit against Edgar, knocking him out the door, screaming at him. “Are you fucking insane?!” Dropping to your knees, and trying to get Curtis to loosen his fetal position.
“Insane?! I'm not insane. Know what I just found out? Curtis killed my Mom to EAT ME when I was a baby.” Edgar wiped at some blood running from the corner of his mouth and tipped his head to spit out the mouthful. “You wouldn't know anything about that, would you Y/N?” You could feel Curtis coming back around, uncurling, and pushing to sit up.
“Edgar, I-" Curtis started and Edgar roared out at him. “DONT! Don't you fucking dare make some lame-ass excuse. Matt was right, wasn't he? That scar on your arm, half the people missing limbs. There were no infections, you all ate people. Killed them and ate them. Killed my defenseless mom!”
Curtis let his head hang in defeat, cause it was the truth, and you're kneeling next to him. “Edgar, please, you have to calm down.”
“Calm down? CALM DOWN? Fucking hell Y/N, were you a part of it too? Help him gut her?” Edgar snarled and seemed about to descend on them, which Curtis’s arm swept you back behind him, glaring at Edgar.
“Don't you touch her. Beat on me all you want, but don't you lay a fucking hand on her. She had nothing to do with it.” Curtis groaned and you stayed back, feeling the tension in his hand grasped against you. The thumps of footsteps could be heard, and Edgar spit out a mouthful of pink spittle once more, landing near Curtis.
“Don't worry Curtis, I wouldn't DREAM of hurting someone you cared for and loved. What do you take me for, You?” Edgar turned away, disappearing from sight when John appeared in the doorway, looking at the state of the room and you two still on the floor.
“We heard yelling, are you two okay? What happened? I saw Edgar leave.”
“Were fine John, just give us a few please,” Curtis said, and the man nodded, closing the door once more for privacy. Once it was just you two, you reached out to rest your hand on Curtis's shoulder.
“Curtis, he's just upset and when we can tell him all of it-" You started but Curtis pushed away from you, moving to a stand.
“Tell him what Y/N? He knows, and nothing he said was a lie. I did that, and I was going to do that.” He grabbed his boots and started to shove on socks before shoving his feet into them. “Now Edgars always going to wonder who else was involved. There is no way to make him forget what Matt told him.” He reached down, grasping his shirt and tugged it over his head, searching for his beanie, while stuffing it in his pocket. You had no way to rebut what he was saying, it was all correct.
“Curtis, where are you going? Just let Edgar cool down.”
“I'm not going to see Edgar, I'm going to see Matt. See what else he filled his head with.” Grabbing his jacket, he shrugged it on, preparing to leave when you grabbed his jacket to stop him.
“Wait, let me come. I can help you with Matt, he's not likely to talk to you.”
“There's plenty of ways to make him talk.” Circling around, Curtis grabbed your arms and made you back up till you were sitting on the bed the two of you were in not just moments ago, relaxed with one another. “Stay Here Y/N, that's not a request.”
Before you could protest, the door slammed shut hard enough to echo the walls, and your mind was still trying to process everything that just happened. Your mind playing catch up and you couldn't stop the way your chest tightened and your eyes burned as tears threatened to roll. Which they did, cause it was all just wrong again. Things had been going so well for everyone and now, your hands lifted to cover your face as you sobbed into them, and a soft knock was tapped on the door, and it was eased open, Yona taking a step inside. Taking one look at you, she went to sit next to you, her arm easing around your shoulder and the girl tugged you into her. “It will be okay Y/N, trust me in this. It needed to happen.” Yona said softly.
You looked at the girl, with her soft eyes that looked far wiser then the teenager you knew her to be. “More death and destruction? we left the tail end to get away from that.”
“Just for now, later you see.”
You had no idea what she was talking about, but at this moment you were just grateful you weren't stuck here alone while Curtis went to go drag the information out of Matt, Matt who was locked up and still managing to hurt the people closest to you.
Maybe it would just be better if you just stopped trying to protect Matt.
Curtis made his way down the train, passing people who avoided his gaze, not cause of fear of him, but because they to lived through it, done the same thing, and it was guilt riddling there gaze. Curtis paid them no mind as he brushed past the people he risked everything to get them here. His mind was just on one thing.
Beat the ever-loving hell out of Matt to get whatever else he knew out of him, and maybe spare his life. For You. Although at this point even you might not be able to save him. Just before entering the kitchen, Johanna burst out, her eyes wild and roaming till they caught sight of you. “Curtis! He's gone, Matts gone! Edgar was watching him, and I don't know. I got back, the door was wide open, and no one around. I don't even know how he got out of the chains unless Edgar let him go. I went around with Adam looking for tracks, about four cars up he met up with a group and they hightailed it out of here.” She rushed her words as fast as she could, and it sunk in Curtis who he must have met up with.
Wilford's ex- men.
Snarling, Curtis snapped out. “Get a group together, were going after them.” Johanna nodded, and went to gather some of there stronger people and Curtis, went to find Edgar.
He wouldn't have just let him go, not after everything, but now... Curtis wasn't so sure.
"If you're looking for mercy, you're in the wrong business, Sunshine..."
One of the main mechanics under Steve Rogers, Curtis focuses on building whatever is needed and not asking questions. Homeless until recruited by the Captain, his hard edges and silent loyalty are part of what make him one of the most trusted in the circle. So long as he's left alone and can focus on work, Curtis is content with the messier parts of life and remaining in the shadows.
Curtis’ hand twists on the handle of his bike, easily speeding along as the engine purrs. Though his Harley isn’t the newest, the time he put into restoring it and making it run smoother than most market cycles was well worth the effort for him. New paint, new parts, and it rides like butter- who could ask for more?
Behind the helmet Curtis’ brows furrow, seeing a worn down old car off the road and a woman running back and forth around it. Out of reflex he slows down, seeing the woman going between the open drivers’ seat and the front where the hood is popped, though he can see the duct tape and parts held together by mere threads of hope and tape. He immediately pulls over beside her, kicking the stand and removing the helmet as he strolls over. “Everything ok?” He asks, voice gruff from a long day.
The woman turns, looking more than a little embarrassed as she smiles sweetly up at him. “Oh I’m fine, just a little problem with the thingy.”
Curtis feels his jaw twitch slightly, her optimism and clear naivety almost amusing- almost. “Care if I look?” At her nod he moves closer, starting to inspect under the hood.
“This is… Creative.” Creative and dangerous- duct tape can only fix so much.
She laughs a bit, leaning over the side to see what he’s doing. “Well, we’re on a budget, and I need her to run until she falls apart- well, beyond what I can fix.” She glances at his face curiously. “What are you doing riding so late at night? It’s not safe.”
His lips curl in amusement, nearly smirking into his beard. “I could say the same about you.” He slowly straightens, taking time to observe her- bright sweater, worn jeans and boots that look like they’ve seen better days, yet she’s still smiling, still has a sparkle in her eyes that surprises him despite how rough her situation clearly is. “Where are you headed?”
“Just home,” She hums, studying him curiously as he tugs at the sleeves of her sweater. “I take it you can’t help?”
Curtis shakes his head, glancing back at the parts under the propped hood. “It’s the ignition, you’ll need to take it in to get it going again.”
She bites her hip, thinking as she looks over her car. “I guess I’ll leave it here until I can get it figured out…”
He frowns, noticing the piles of boxes and bags scatter in the back and trunk of the car. “I can call in some favors.” The words leave his lips before he can think, unsure where the thought came from but knowing he can’t leave someone like this.
She smiles, eyes sparkling as peers at him. “It’s ok, I can walk home and see who I can get it towed with."
“Not a chance.” Curtis closes the hood of her car, making sure it latches closed.. “Give me a minute, I’ll drop you off and get this to the shop. I should be able to fix it quickly, I just don’t have the tools I need here.”
She tilts her head. “You’d do that?”
“I’m not leaving you here.” He sends Steve a quick text, knowing his boss would be able to handle it for him. “Come on, Sunshine, I have a helmet.”
She giggles, the sound stirring something in Curtis’ chest. “And what do I call you?”
He hums, smirking as he hands over a spare helmet. “Curtis.” He waits to make sure she has it secured, using the mic inside to speak. “Just tell me where to go and hold on tight.” He easily revs the engine, making sure she has what she needs before starting the drive, unable to help frowning more as the houses become smaller and more trashed, piles of garbage surrounding houses that look lucky to be standing. He finally arrives at a small trailer, slowing to a stop as he kicks the stand, helping her to her feet. “Here, let me give you a number. Just message me and I’ll get your car ready.”
She smiles, handing the helmet back and scribbling the number down on a paper. “Thank you, Curtis. Really.” She waves at him as she steps away, clearly expecting him to leave after dropping her off.
He doesn’t move, simply waiting and crossing his arms as he watches her clear struggle to go up to a building. "Something wrong?"
"No, no, just... Thinking a moment." She smiles, clearly not expecting him to wait for her to get safely inside.
Curtis hums. "You don't have a place to go, do you?"
She bites her lips, hesitating. "I do! Things are just a bit tight, that’s all."
Curtis sighs, rubbing a hand over his buzzed scalp before running a hand down his beard. "Sunshine, I'm not comfortable leaving you on the street." He frowns, tilting his head as
he watches her. "If you need a place to stay, I have a spare room at my place. It’s yours until you get on your feet."
She swallows, clearly taken aback by that. "You'd do that?" She asks softly, looking so vulnerable that it stirred something unrecognizable deep within his chest.
He says nothing, tilting his head for her to come closer. “Let’s get you safe, Sunshine.”
…
“The time table is set- we should be able to start work on the new factory next week, not including the new reinforcements on the vehicles.” Steve crosses his arms, the black sweater tugging tighter around his broad shoulders. “How’s the… other assignment going?”
August Walker hums, looking perfectly clean and polished in his suit, not a wrinkle in sight or hair out of face. “The target is… Difficult. He knows how to hide when he wants to, but Lloyd and I are better. We’ll get the White Wolf to meet.”
Steve hums, thinking as they pause by Frank Adler, the brunette wiping grease from his hands with a towel as he steps away from the vehicle. “Just keep him in line. This is a job, not a hunt.”
When August nods and leaves Steve turns, waiting until the agent is out of earshot. “How’s Mary?”
Frank releases a breath, tossing the towel to the bench and putting his hands on his hips. “A pain in the ass, as usual.”
The boss chuckles, shaking his head with a smirk. “Glad to hear it.” His phone dings, immediately catching his attention as he reads the screen. “Curtis needs a tow.”
Frank grumbles a little, head falling back. “Damn it, Everett…”
“You of all people know how easy it is to find a stray,” He smirks, confirming it with his other mechanic.
“The strays I find are cats Mary refuses to give up on.” Frank sighs, now owning three of them.“I’m on my way, shouldn’t be too long to get it in the shop before we lock up.”
Steve nods, smirking when Frank’s phone goes off with the address. “Good. We’ll see what happened tomorrow, for now just leave when the car gets in.” He slowly walks away, mind working as he considers what’s coming next.
In the shadows, there's an entirely different way to survive. Gambling, bloodshed, deals and hits, nothing about the mafia world is welcome to outsiders. Though Steve Rogers runs a tight ship, not much can touch the heart of the Captain and his men... until now.
Trigger warnings for mentions of murder, organized violence, hiring murderers for a job, illegal activity, and corrupted people in positions of power. As always 18+ only for NSFW themes later in the series, warnings will be added as needed.
I do not own any of the characters portrayed by Chris Evans and Henry Cavill respectively. All rights belong to the original creators and serve only as faceclaims and personalities for the series.
Main Series
Meetings- Andy Barber has been a thorn in your side for trying to take your pride and joy, your company, away from you. You give him your answer.
Breakdown- On the way home from a long day, Curtis Everett finds a stray along the road.
Cat, Meet Mouse- Lloyd Hansen discovers a clever little mouse causing trouble outside of Andy Barber's office. He decides to make things more interesting.
Under the Covers- A busy day of work and freelancing leads Frank Adler to his favorite bar in search of a way to unwind. In the process he finds a new mystery to pursue.
Little Bird- A typical job turns into an unexpected encounter in a crowded club, leaving Geralt Rivia more exposed than he'd care to admit.
Infiltration- When August Walker's attempts at recon are stalled by a small office worker, he takes a different approach to get his information.
Proposal- Steve Rogers manages a deal with a problem rival, leading to an unexpected proposal with a new acquaintance. Coming Soon
Life After Snowpiercer: Adjusting To The Everyday Life
Summary- 5.4k Curtis Everett x You. The new way of life is becoming routine, and your starting to adjust. Curtis does his best to help you along. Warnings- swearing, hints of smut, talk of pregnancy.
A/N- yea, it's a slower chapter, I suppose like a filler. But this was the mood I was in, so this is what happened.
A/N2- To see the story behind the picture, read this short- Surprise
Chapter 10 / Masterlist
Slowly the new room was becoming 'Home', it had been a couple weeks since Curtis brought you to the room, and together you two cleaned it out of the personal stuff that couldn't be used, and you took the time to bring down yours and his few belongings. Since settling in, he brought you two a couple changes of clothing, and for the first time in years, you were able to give both of your clothes a proper wash. A few things were just unable to be saved, one of his jackets, you just couldn't salvage, but the other couple you could. Part of you wished you were able to clean out your bunk in the tail-end. But it was a days travel through the deep snow to get back to the car, and you couldn't bring yourself to mention it to Curtis, not when there was so much going on.
Maybe someday.
But there was one thing you knew made it from the tail-end, cause Curtis carried it with him everywhere, and that was the slightly smudged charcoal drawing you commissioned back when you knew it was close to Curtis’s birthday before the riot, and you had seen him tuck it away when you two first moved in. So when you opened the drawer and it wasn't safely tucked in the folds of your few clothes, you felt your heart catch. “No, where is it?!”
Starting to pull out the items from the drawer, and shaking them out, your panic got the best of you, and you were searching among the bedding stored there when Curtis walked into the room to find you on your knees, looking under the bed, among all the stuff on the floor. “Baby, what is going on?” And he was shocked further to see you come out from under the bed with tears brimming your eyes. “Curtis I can't find it, and I saw you put it away.”
Confused, he used his boots to gently push stuff aside and squatted down next to you, gripping your chin to have you look at him. “Put what away Babygirl?” His brows are raised well above his beanie in concern and you sniffle in his hold. “The drawing of us, the picture. I could have sworn you put it in the dresser before your shower the other night, and now...” your hands pick up one of his shirts as if the picture will just fall out from underneath it. Curtis’s blue eyes snap in understanding and he lets you go, opening his jacket and pulling out a slightly bent out of shape paper.
“I got it right here, sorry Babygirl. I just usually carry it on me for safekeeping. I put it away the other day cause we were going to be working on the water, and didn't want it to get ruined.” He handed it over and your teary face turns into an uplifted one, careful when you took it. “Of course! Curtis, I don't know where my head's at these days. Everything is just... “ You sigh, and looked at him apologetically. You've been terribly emotional the past few days, and you've either been mad at Curtis or crying over nothing. Shaking his head, he grunted to move to a stand, taking your hands and drawing you up.
“It's okay, I don't need to carry it anymore.” He used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe at your cheeks. “What did you want to do with it?” You look at the picture and smile again, it simply made you happy and you pointed to a spot above the door. “Can you hang it up? Then this place can be officially home.” You held it back out and he took it, there was a lip of steel running along the wall just above the door, and Curtis arched to his toes to get high enough and set it on the beam, stepping back. “How's it look Babygirl?” His arm moving around your waist and pulling you in front of him. Letting yourself lean back against his chest while studying the picture sitting above your doorway, you tilted your head up to look at him. “Perfect, Welcome Home.”
It was so easy to make you happy, Curtis let his hands slide around to your midsection and just hold you there, kissing your tilted back forehead. “It is perfect.” He really couldn't remember when he had been happier, everything was going okay, the people were settling in and accepting this new way of living, the greenhouse was thriving, as well as the remaining animals that survived the crash. People were eating actual food, for the first time in 17 years, at least for the tail-enders. You actually we're coming around to more affection, although he would wake up to find you worrying yourself in the dark now and then, you were far easier to coax into his arms and fall back asleep. Assuring you that whatever happened, you two would deal with it together.
That was the last part, waiting to see if you were actually pregnant or not. I could see it worrying you, making you fret when you thought no one was paying attention. And Matt. Matt, Curtis was at a loss of what to do with that fucker. He was still locked in the Car they stuffed him in weeks ago. But you insisted on once a day walks with him, and Curtis to. There was no way in hell he was leaving you alone with Matt. Brother or Not. Speaking of which, Curtis knew what was coming and you turned to look up at him, the question in your eyes.
“Can we go see Matt now Curtis?” you worried your bottom lip, always seeming to be nervous to ask, although he never told you no. Today was no different, kissing your forehead.
“Only if your up for it Babygirl.” He said with a bit of hesitancy, simply cause not even 20 minutes ago you had been in a full panic. But you nodded with affirmation, and grabbed at your jacket, and stuffed a hat on your head since usually you all went outside for the fresh air and sunshine, although still bitterly cold. So many years in the dark, you especially couldn't get enough of the sun. Curtis would find you often standing outside, lips blue with your eyes tilted into the sun, seeming to soak it in. The man pictured you soaking it in, light was drawn to light. Why you were drawn to him, he didn't know. Leading you down the aisle, his hand resting in the small of your back.
Snapping open the heavy door between cars, you leaped over the gap, and worked Matt's car open, and light spilled into the darkness to show Matt leaning against a wall. One arm hooked over his knee, lifting his head to scowl at the two of them, you went in wringing your hands and smiling hopefully. Curtis right behind you, a dark imposing figure scowling. The complete opposite of your hopefulness. “Hey Matt, how you feeling today?”
Matt snorted and tugged on the heavy livestock chains around his ankle. “Fucking fantastic Dear Sister. Living the fucking dream.” Curtis snarled out while digging for the locks keys in his pocket and handing you off a knife for protection in case Matt happened to overpower him. “Cut the shit, Matt. She didn't come here for you to be a little bitch.” Cutis squatted down and yanked his leg into the light enough so he could see the lock. Matt seemed to somber a bit. “Been better Y/N, thanks for asking.” His hand moved to his now bare ankle rubbing at the red ring. Curtis stood and reached to grasp Matts forearm, bringing him up to a stand.
This was ritual by now, You and Matt walking ahead just a little, Curtis not far behind. Close enough that should Matt try to put a hand on you, Curtis would snap your brother's neck. It was a promise he made to Matt when you first started this. Otherwise, Curtis didn't interfere with your conversation. Most of the time. Your hands were stuffed in your sleeves as you trudged along, your voice optimistic, hopeful that Matt would engage back. “The greenhouses are really thriving Matt, they survived the crash intact for the most past. A bit of the pipework bringing the water in got damaged, but we've been regularly melting snow to compensate.”
“You think You all will be able to keep up with that? Eventually, the water is going to run out. Without the train moving anymore, it's not gathering any to store in the tanks.” Matt smirked as if he was dropping some devastating news, looking between you and Curtis.
“Were keeping a close eye on the tanks, and only using that for stuff absolutely necessary. Everything else... well we're covered in snow.” You kicked at the Frozen snow covering the ground. But he was right, eventually the water would become an issue, just like the power. The whole train was temporary. Eventually they will have to move, see if they can find something more suitable for the group on the outside of one of the cities. Of course, they were estimating where they were on the tracks. Curtis, Edgar, and John having dug through Wilford's main car a few weeks ago and came across maps. If their estimations are right, they were somewhere in what was once Russia.
A massive landscape staring at the map. But dotted with cities. All Curtis had to do was convince the council that packing up a small scouting party and seeing if they were near any of the major cities, it would mean more supplies available to them. They had to get off the train, all its resources were going to run out eventually. Wilford never prepared for the Snowpiercer to ever be at a standstill. These worries were settled at the back of Curtis mind, but these walks with Matt, he was sure to remind them of it. Even you sobered a bit after Matts little jibe.
“We will deal with it when it comes up Matt.” You wanted to reach out, staring at Matt. God, he looked so much like your father, just not the coldness. Your father always so welcoming and open, Matt though sniffed either from the cold or distaste to your answer. “Well, we were able to deal with it till your man insisted on crashing the train. We would certainly not be stranded in the middle of fucking Russia. Couldn't have planned that a little better Curtis. Crashed us somewhere with resources at least? But you never think ahead, do you Everett. Always just brute Force and no couth, is there anything between those ears?” Matt hissed at him, his rage crossing his face once more.
Once more he got the best of your temper as he was bad-mouthing Curtis for those few seconds before Curtis could put a stop to Matts ranting, you pushed against your brother's chest, sending him sprawling in surprise. Curtis actually had to hide a chuckle of surprise himself, but you were furious and snarling at your brother. “Jesus Christ, your just... Cruel all the time, aren't you. Fuck you, Matt. Curtis, I'm done.” You turned away and brushed past Curtis, in which he shook his head, and went to collect Matt, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket and pushing him forward. “Ya know, you would think you would learn to at least treat her decent since shes the only one who gives a shit about you and why you're still alive.”
Matt snorted as he trudged back through the snow, following your quicker paced form as you reached the outskirts of the camp once more.
“Maybe it's time she grew up Curtis, quite thinking that any of us are out for more than ourselves.”
“Well your certainly proving that to her aren't you,” Curtis growled as they to reached the outskirts of the camp, the snow here all pounded down from people walking on it all day long. “When that day comes and she gives up on you entirely, what do you think is going to happen to you?” Curtis said darkly, and Matt eerily grinned. “Be the day I end up going free.”
“We will see about that.” Curtis pushed him back up the stairs and into the darkness of his car once more. Matt plopped on the mattress while Curtis went to lock him back up, Matt watching him closely, and to the open door, debating. Curtis even though he wasn't looking at him knew his thoughts. “Try it and it won't end good for you Matt.” Wait, we got to wait... The younger man thought, instead getting himself comfortable. Their guard won't be up forever.
You just had to get away, even managing friendly conversations was out of your wheelhouse right now, and you stomped back to your room, and slammed the door behind you as if you were a child all over again, grabbing a pillow off the perfectly made bed this morning and sitting on the edge of it, you screamed into it. What was it going to take to get the meanness out of Matt?! You have done nothing but be good to him short of letting him go free, had even managed to get Curtis to reluctantly agreed that if there was any change, they would see about giving him a bit more freedom. But nothing you tried softened him. Nothing. Ripping off your jacket and hat, you shoved them away into the chair when you sat down, and you just suddenly felt drained. All over, like it all just seeped from you.
Sighing, you lift your hands and rub at your face, glancing up at the picture hanging above the door. That made you smile, thinking back on earlier when Curtis hung it up for you. Maybe it's not all bad, and you shrug off the negativity being around your brother brings on you. Changing into something not as warm, you decide the best way to spend the rest of the day was helping in the greenhouse, and maybe the kitchen. Things would be okay, you were doing more than surviving, you all were actually living.
When you left the car and headed towards the greenhouse, you didn't even glance at the car that held Matt, giving it a wide berth, entering the greenhouse, immediately the earthy smell the plants gave off was as good to you as feeling the sun on your face. A musty heaviness of dirt, greenery, and water. All over the labors of the past few weeks showed with healthy trees bearing apples, bright and red. Green sprouts of leaves down rows and rows, all edible. Even now one of the people who worked the kitchen was picking bundles, piling them in her apron. “How do you know what is ready?” You asked, wandering down the aisle while piling your hair behind your head and trying it off.
“Easy child.” The older worker said, holding out a leaf that was full and vibrant for you to take. “Go ahead, taste it.” You ripped off a piece of it and slipped it in your mouth, when the tender leaf crushed between your teeth, vibrant fresh bitterness flooded your mouth, your taste buds still getting used to food. “When these bunches are all full like this, it's meant to be picked.”
“What is this?” Unable to help yourself, you ripped off another piece and chewed on it, getting the same overwhelming effect from before. “Kale. I will sautee this just a bit in some marrow, and put it in a soup for the camp today. Shave off some of that meat off a hock in the freezer, add those new baby potatoes we have at the end.” The older woman continued on, bringing you to where the rows of potatoes were hidden from view, her fingers digging into the dirt and dragging up the bulbs, shaking the dirt off them. “We get enough of them, and you have yourself a meal.”
You dug your fingers into the moist wet dirt, the sensation oddly familiar and weird, bringing back memories of planting flowers with your mother in the front of the house. The woman watched her with interest, taking in your reaction to it all. “Yer from the back, aren't ya?” You nodded slightly, and carefully brushed off the dirt encasing the baby potatoes. “Yes, one of the tail enders who came up with Curtis.”
“Ahh, yes. Thought you looked familiar. What your man did letting us go took a lot of guts, not many would have that. Trust me, very few of us have much to thank Wilford for or have any reason to give him loyalty. My name is Tess by the way.”
“It was touch and go, but it was the right thing to do. We can't start living a new life following the old ways.” You shrugged and Tess smiled at your words, her wrinkles lining around her eyes deepening.
“Like hearing wisdom come right out of the babes mouth. I could use your help if you don't mind. Getting this camp fed is a couple people process, It's my turn to water but I got to get this all started up. Feeding all these people is a lot different than just cooking for Wilford.” She continued placing potatoes in her apron. “all-day process, and the only way we don't burn through what we got stored. You mind watering for me?”
“Be a pleasure to.” You assured her and you took over where she had left off. Curtis came later to find you, having poked his head in earlier to see you were settled into a project after dealing with Matt, he didn't want to bother you. But now it was getting late, and after pouring over the maps in what they turned into a meeting space of sorts with the rest of the “council” they formed, passing ideas of where to go, and how to proceed, he was tired. The sky was starting to darken, and spending a quiet evening with you really was all he wanted at this point. Figuring you would be where he had left you, Curtis shrugged off his jacket as he went into the humid car, glancing around, and walking down the aisle, checking the rows till he found you, kneeling while using your hands to churn dirt, snipping off any dead leaves on each individual plant, a small trailer left behind you.
“There you are... was wondering where you had gotten off to.” Heavy boots thudded the floor and you looked up in surprise. Your hair curling around your temples and a streak of dirt across your forehead, you gave him the sweetest smile that Curtis would have sworn made his heart skip a beat. “You've been in here all afternoon, think it's time we call it a day.” Hand reaching for yours, you hesitate cause yours are dirty, but a wiggle of his fingers, enticed you, and you let him pull you up. “It can't be that late, it's still light.”
“In here, artificial lighting for the plants.” Leading you to a window, you leaned into his side, looking at the way the sky was painted in so many vibrant hues.
“Alright, maybe I did lose track of time. I only meant to stay in here for a couple hours.” You admitted and he laughed, his arm resting around your waist.
“Come on, let's go eat.”
As becoming another regular was all eating dinners together. Tess would bring out whatever, and those that didn't have something stored away would come to get a bit of whatever she made that day. Groups of you would sit together, and slowly it was a mingling of people. Today you sat at Curtis’s side, sipping from a cup he brought you, and across from you, Edgar and Yona did the same as you, Yona talking about what she was doing with the kids. The kids, it was hard to think of them as the trains orphans anymore. They simply seemed to just belong to everyone now, no longer separating the train in classes as before.
“Teach them some manners, the little shites.” Edgar teased Yona, and you nudged your boot against his leg to get his attention.
“Excuse you, you were no peach either Edgar. Always sassing when you didn't get your way.” You smirked back at him over your cup as you sipped from it, Yona giggling at his side, and he narrowed his eyes at You. “I was a great kid! I listened. Kinda.”
“Right. Just as good as you listen now.” Curtis laughed deeply, moving to get up, and held out a hand to take the emptied dishes to bring them back to the kitchen. You moved to a kneel, beckoning Edgar to turn around. “Let me look at your back, see how that scar is healing.” Pushing himself from the wall, he twisted, and hiked the back of his shirt up. You leaned in closer, tracing around it for a moment. “Sore any? It looks really good, considering what happened.”
He pulled away and tugged his shirt down, giving a roll of his shoulder. Whenever the matter of his scar came up, he would go quiet. “It’s a'right. Tender once in a while, especially when hauling stuff.”
“Yea, you probably should have waited to do the cleanup.”
“Well, it had to be done.” He stated, and Yona next to him frowned slightly studying him. But Curtis coming back distracted them from the conversation, and you yawned, pushing to a stand.
“Doesn't matter if it had to be done, still should have waited. Night.” Biding your goodbye to your companions, a hot shower sounded excellent, and Curtis came up behind you, wrapping his arms around your middle.
“You okay?” a soft kiss was pressed just at the hollowed curve of your neck, and you let your hands weave over the top of his around your stomach. “Yea, just super tired suddenly. Been feeling this way most of the day. I'm sure it's nothing. “
He lifted his head and frowned hearing that. “You sure you shouldn't go see Price? Could be something.” You turned just as you reached the door, and pulled yourself in close against him with a fist of your hands in his shirt, leaning up to tease your lips against his. “Handsome, I'm fine. Tired is all... I promise.” Blue eyes looked slightly doubtful, but he relented and the two of you went into the room.
“Would you tell me if you thought otherwise?” Curtis locked the door while you started stripping out of the dirtied clothing to escape into the bathroom. Curtis caught just a glimpse of your backside, and inhaled sharply. No sex for the past month and half was starting to in ways he didn't care for. But it didn't matter, there was no way in hell he was going to try anything until you were ready. Instead, he set about taking off his boots, sitting on the edge of the bed to untie them, make himself comfortable.
In the bathroom, you turned on the water and slipped in before it got hot. Not wanting to waste any water, and tipped your head back to moisten your hair, and start scrubbing it, getting the dirt and sweat out from earlier. Then getting ready to wash your body, you looked down and saw red swirling by your feet. Your hands start roaming over your body quickly without thinking, a panicked cry out. “Curtis!” You twist in the shower, looking behind you to see if your cut anywhere and it hits you.
You had your period. If came... You weren't pregnant.
And that moment relief flooded you so intensely, you slid to the floor of the tub, somewhere between a cry and laugh of relief, Curtis burst into the bathroom, in response to you calling his name. “Y/M?! Baby, you okay?” He opened the curtain to find you sitting on the bottom, and immediately scanned you going to his knees. Cupping your face as you had it pressed to your knees, making you lift up to look at him. Your body shaking slightly under his hold. “What is wrong?” and that's when he caught the bit of red escaping down the drain. “Fuck, where are you hurt?” He is shifting you forward and you finally regain yourself enough to put a stop to him.
“I'm fine, I'm okay. Turn the water off and hand me a towel?” You ask and he reached over to turn it off, worried eyes finding you again and his hands seeking to look for whatever was causing you to bleed, but you grab his hands to make him focus on you. “It came Curtis. I'm not pregnant.”
His face is just stunned, his shirt half clinging to him from where he had leaned into the spray to check on you, and you couldn't help but giggle at the way he looked, blinking water out of his face before he repeated what you said. “You're not pregnant...?” the realization flooded his expression to relief and you nodded with a grin. “You're not pregnant!” He repeated and drew you into his arms, hugging each other out of relief. “Oh Babygirl, thank god. Are you okay?” He leaned back to look at you, and moved to get up and grab a towel, holding it open for you. Pulling yourself to a stand, you step into it, feeling prominently better then you had since you were raped.
“Relief Curtis, I just feel light as air. I didn't know what we were going to do if I was.” You pressed your face into his chest, breathing in deeply while he rubbed your back through the towel.
“We would have done everything we could, just like for any other child,” Curtis assured you, thanking everything under the moon and stars though that you weren't made to go through that as well as everything else that had happened. You mumbled in his chest, and lifted your face to look up at him. “I will go see Price in the morning, just to be sure.”
“Thank you.” Curtis kissed your forehead and let his hands cup your face, kissing you in that slow way that made your heart flutter, you opened to him, your tongue sliding with his and a soft moan between you two. Curtis pulled back and let his forehead rest against yours, his hands had fallen to your hips and his fingers flexed through the terry cloth. “You better get dressed Babygirl.” Both your eyes closed, merely breathing in each other before he moved to kiss your forehead and released you.
Curtis left you to pull on a large tee, it swept well down your thighs that you've been sleeping in as we as well as a pair of panties with a liner, brushing all your hair out, and debating about putting it up, you recalled that Curtis loved your long hair. Spreading it around your shoulders, you brush it out more till it's soft waves were shining, and once you checked to make sure any mess was gone. Flicking off the switch you came into the room being dark, Curtis sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for you to get in since you always slept against the wall. When he saw you, his hands opened up and you happily stepped into them, resting your cheek against the top of his head.
Nuzzling against your ribcage for a moment, and his hands sliding up and down along your sides, you let your fingers slide through the back of his head, and along his neck. “Today was a good day, right?” You ask softly while lifting your head to look at him. Your hands settled on his bare shoulders. Curtis lifted his head just a bit and looked up at you, flattening his hands against the small of your back and pulling you in closer. “It was a good day Babygirl.” His hands lightly pressed against the back of your thighs and you shifted to straddle him, letting your forehead rest against his. “Even with everything that happened today, it was a good day.” His arm tightened around you and shifted back with a slight roll so he could lay you down and shifted to his side next to you.
Loping an arm around your hip and kissing your shoulder, you slid in closer to his heat while he dragged the blankets that was collected. You felt him relax under your fingers playing in his hair, and although you didn't fall into the same lull that he did, his breathing turned shallower, soft snores rolling from his chest. Twisting to your side, his hand instinctively tightened around you, but you weren't going anywhere. Your gaze was able to follow the lines of his face from the window right behind your head, casting the room in a silver glow. Your thoughts drifted.
You were lucky, You knew it. Curtis had been with you since practically you came on the train, kept you alive and safe. You've done what you could to show your love back over the years, but you knew in this you wouldn't still be here if it wasn't for him. Even these past few weeks, surviving through the revolt, he didn't even realize it was coming back to him that saved her from the attackers. Everyone was so focused on surviving, they forgot why they survived.
If it wasn't for Curtis, they would be wasted away in the darkness, a forgotten memory of a past life.
And he never asked for anything in return. Not really. Not even during this time where you were slowly opening back up did he push for me. And another day, another time you would have fallen into that mind-frame that he no longer wanted you. But you knew better, just that morning you happened to see him relieving himself in the shower, barely catching whispers of your name, just under the sounds of his grunts. You knew he was trying to be quiet, not wanting to pressure you.
A soft shift and your name brought you out of your thoughts, and Curtis was leaning on his elbow, blue eyes searching your face. “What's on your mind Babygirl?” he had expected you to deal with some conflicting emotions since finding out that you were not pregnant, but you just looked at him with a soft expression, leaning into him and kissing him deeply, your hands clutching his shoulders and leaning back, bringing him along, and the kisses turned more feverish. Curtis groaned against your lips and down along your jawline, hissing softly against your neck. “Are you sure?” His head lifted, his hands cupping your face to search you for any doubt, any sign that you didn't want him to touch you and make love to you.
Your hands splayed over his chest raised just above you, spreading your fingers through the crisp dark scattering of hair and hummed softly in appreciation of the feeling against your palms, nodding. “Please Curtis... I miss you. But I'm scared.”
His head tilted and those kisses against your neck went to your face, each one a well placed soft brushed of lips warming you. “scared of what Babygirl?”
“What-what if I'm broken?” Your brows furrowed, and your fingers eased to his back, tracing along the flexing of muscles.
“Babygirl, you're not broken. I promise.” Curtis rubbed along your hip under your shirt. “But there's no rush Y/N.”
Your eyes roamed him and then your hands folded into your shirt and you pulled it off, letting it fall off the end on the bed.
“Show me.” You lean back into the pillows, and then Curtis shifted, wide shoulders blocking out the rest of the room as he leaned over you, leaving you gasping underneath him. Tilting your head back to give him access to your neck, outside, the stars.
There were so many stars and those desired kisses on your neck, his calloused hand sliding along your skin.
Your breathing came out in rushes, the stars going blurry in your vision. Curtis's hand grasped your chin lightly and made you look at him.
Summary- 6.6k Curtis x Y/N. Dealing with the captured front enders, it's time for Curtis to make a choice in how to combine the people. You begin helping the Doctor, and discuss what options are available to you. Warnings- Mentions of death, assault, rape, abortion.
Chapter 9 / Masterlist
“Okay, explain it to me.” Curtis had his arms folded over his chest and a brow raised, trying to make sense with what the trains engineer was saying. The engineer opened his mouth to start again. “There is a battery that's been charging on the train, as the train moved it built up a charge and was stored. It's been going... what 17 years now?” The engineer shrugged his answer. “I can't begin to tell you how long it will last, but Im gonna guess a damn long while.”
“Why? Why would Wilford have a back up plan built on the train?” John asked from nearby, Curtis waiting on an answer. The engineer turned his gaze away from the imposing man in front of him to the other.
“Cause if the train ever had to stop Wilford needed a way to keep things going. There was emergency switches to turn off certain sections from receiving power and water, make it last longer. So you get to that box, and you can still control that.”
“Where is that?” Curtis questioned, thinking of all the times Wilford could have just cut the power on them. In fact he probably had a few times, recalling the blackouts in the tail end. If the train ever stopped, they would have been dead in days, frozen and starvation, dehydration. They would have just cut the tail end off and continued. “Your going to show John and cut off any cars still attached that were not currently using.” He instructed, and as they left, Curtis turned to the rest of the front enders waiting for his next move.
So far going through the surviving front enders was a bit tedious and Curtis could feel a headache coming on, a press of his fingers to the bridge of his nose did little to help his headache behind his eyes. He had been interviewing them all night, with questions like “What did you do before the crash, what skills can you provide.” General questions to how they could help the survivors, gauge where their loyalties lay. John and Johanna joined him in this, a sharp nod or shake no as to what they thought of the individual.
So far most seemed generally harmless. Scared, wide eyed, just looking for someone to tell them what to do. Curtis was pleased to find that it wasn't just the 'high class' front enders he had here for the most part. No, he actually got lucky enough to find some that had skills. People who knew how to work the plants in the greenhouse, some that cared for the animals that had actually survived, that in itself was a blessing Curtis never even suspected would have actually survived the derail.
A Doctor was next, a medical professional in the train that survived, and once he stepped forward for his questioning and revealed what he did, Curtis sighed internally with relief. “Doctor you say... good, we have immediate need for you right now.” He stated, turning to Edgar instructing him to bring the doctor to the injured when Dr.Price pulled up short. “Im not going anywhere with you.”
This set Curtis off, quick to cross the small space between him and the doctor, his eyes snapping at the man. “You will do as we say. We have a people in the medical rooms all needing attention now. We never had a doctor to care for us. The Nurses we did have no equipment to try and keep us alive. Wilford shot them both.” Curtis all but snarled out, his hand coming out to fist in the doctors shirt pulling him close, face to face. “Leaving behind there untrained daughter to keep us alive. So when I say go help the people in the medical car... I wasn't asking you, I was telling you Dr. to go treat the remaining people.”
Dr.Pierce’s eyes widened and he shook his head, not fighting Curtis, but still not willing to make the effort to follow through with his commands. “Listen, we have plenty of wounded as well, who Im currently helping.” Curtis looked over his shoulder at the frightened people cowering, just as they used to do in the tail end. Yes, these people weren’t filthy in the way they were, but the same fear rolled through the crowd, the same defiant eyes hating him just as he had hated Wilford. He loosened his grip and stepped back from the Doctor. Was he being no better then WIlford right now?
It wasn't easy to trust any of them with the remaining people, but they were now in his charge as well, this wasn't what he was supposed to be, another Wilford. Curtis set out to set the tail end free, not cage the front end. “How many are wounded?”
The Doctor was quick with his response. “There’s two with some serious injuries and minor stuff. I'm okay with helping those in the medical car, it's an oath I took before we lived like this. But I'm not abandoning them either.” Curtis looked over his shoulder, motioning for Johanna to join him.
“Get some people to move the injured into the medical area, along with anyone else Dr...?” Curtis arched a brow and Pierce filled in the question. “Pierce says need to go with him. Then ask everyone to meet me outside where camps set up.” They nodded and Johanna went to get a couple more people to help with the severely injured, another splitting off to help Dr.Pierce prepare the patients. Curtis turned away from the rest of the group, stepping out of the cart, leaving the rest behind for now. The sun just started to come up, and stretch it's light in haze's of pink and oranges across the sky, lighting up the sky. Would he ever get tired of this sight? No.
“What are you thinking Curtis?” Edgar came up next to him, the younger man was surveying the camps set up around the train, a bit anxious at what Curtis was possibly considering.
“We can't just keep them locked up Edgar... I’m going to talk to everyone at once, we have to give them a chance right? Fucking hell if I know, but you saw them. There's hardly any fight there at all. They are just as blindsided as the rest of us.”
Edgar didn't seem to fully support what Curtis was saying, his hand coming up to the back of his neck and rubbing at it, wincing from the pain in his back, it was hard to forget it was the front enders that had tried to kill him, another part of his mind that it was Curtis who turned away to continue forward. “They are from the front end, you saw what happened when Matt put some rifles in their hands Curtis. They were ready to kill us.”
“Its not like we came up with fucking picnic baskets wanting to be friends Edgar. They were just as scared we were going to attack as we were. Go let people know.” Curtis shut down the conversation for now, nodding to the man guarding the door as he swung down the train. Edgar did as he was asked, going to gather people up from the camp. Curtis went to go see where you were, and then meet up with everyone. Things we're going to be changing again. He prayed for the better.
You woke with a start, shooting straight up in bed to the barely there light streaming through the window behind your head. A glance around the small room let you know you were alone, and you twisted yourself to sit up. Already you felt better then you had yesterday, and curious as to where Curtis was, you started pulling clothes on, the last was his beanie he must have forgotten. Stuffing that on your head as well, planning on bringing it to him. Making your way out, you caught sight of Yona up ahead, the teenager picking her way towards you with a smile. “Curtis is coming up to get us.”
You hadn't really gotten to know the girl yet, but her eyes and smile were warm, and from the bit Curtis told you, he highly valued her opinion. Smiling at her in greeting “well then, let's go see what he wants, shall we?” the two of you heading off together, and once out of the sleeping section the train hollowed out for more people to be gathered. You found Curtis talking to individuals in passing. A wave of your hand caught his attention, and he finished up a conversation he was having and met you halfway. “I was just coming to find you.”
“Oh Yona said you already were... ?” You questioned with a look to the girl, who just smiled knowingly and gave a shrug.
“I’m gathering people outside... “ Hearing that Yona took her leave to go with the others. And Curtis led you away from prying ears. “The prisoners, you were right.They are just looking for someone to tell them what to do. I'm not going to hold them hostage, would make us no better then Wilford. I will make the consequences clear and any will be free to try there luck out on the ice.” You nodded slightly, looking up at him. You could see the worry in his eyes, the way it lined his features. Hard set in stone resolve, that stiffened his back. You pressed your hand against his clenched tension filled fist, and worked your fingers to weave with his. His hand finally released and relaxed in yours.
“Were not like Wilford, and we won't ever be that way.” Your hand squeezed in support and he visibly relaxed, some of the tension easing from his features. He had your support, it was all he needed. Reaching up to yank off his beanie from your head, you let his hand go with your other and leaned up to tip toes to put it on his head, giving him a peck on his lips. “Your a better man then Wilford ever was, we will get through this.”
Curtis gaze softened as he reached up to readjust his beanie, and dropping to run his fingers along your cheek. “You seem pretty sure of me Babygirl.”
“Of course I am Handsome, come on.”
Together you two went out to where everyone was gathered now, waiting to see what was next. Was it good news? Bad? It had them all on edge, unsure of what to expect anymore. Your hand rest against his back, and Curtis looked over familiar faces and unfamiliar ones.
“So you all know we have a car full of people, from the front end. Workers mostly, they tended to the people in the front, maintenance and such. We can't just keep them locked up, and forgotten. So those that want to stay with us can, they will help rebuild.” Even as Curtis got the words out, there was resistance, protests being thrown out. “What they ever do for us?” “Left us in the tail end to rot.” “say we just get rid of them.” Curtis’s brow furrowed and he shouted out “Enough! Does anyone have anything beneficial to say or is it how they were just from the front end and we should kill them?”
There was a sort of hush, then someone did step forward, a man you didn't recognize and suspected he was from another car. “Say we let them disperse amongst us back end people. Who's to say were not in danger from them? You going to excuse them or let us actually defend ourselves? They did just try to kill us yesterday.” You resisted the urge to roll your eyes but Curtis remained calm.
“They were following Matts orders and were afraid for there lives. Would any of you had reacted any different if roles were reversed?” He pointedly stopped and waited before continuing. “Were not going to tolerate any danger to ourselves... Or them, should anyone of us survivors kill one another, they are done. We're all that's left. There's no tolerance for murders, rapists or thieves.”
“And who decides? You? Are you taking over as 'Leader'?”
Curtis shook his head. “No, Im not labeling myself as leader, in fact I have given some thought, and a Leader just is like when Wilford ran the train.” You were curious, having not heard anything further on how they would proceed forward. “And if you all agree, along with the others, we will make a council. Someone from all the sections left.” Your hand rubbed assuring against his back, and there was a visual shift in the crowd, some who agreed, and some who didn’t. The rise in vocal yays and nays started to pick up, and somewhere in the back a argument broke out.
Edgar cussed out loud as he pushed through the group to reach where people started getting a bit physical, and Curtis hopped down to help break it up. You shared a look with Johanna who was next to you, and you decided enough was enough. “HEY!” you shouted in a sharp demand, and everyone stopped, looking up at you in surprise. “Cut the crap, alright? None of you can see the benefits of what Curtis is saying. Those people, y'all hate so much can keep us the fuck alive.” They looked doubtful, arms crossing over chests in defiance. “Can any of you properly grow food in a enclosed ecosystem, understand how this train works. Any of you know why the train is still running electricity or water? Fix up our people with actual medicine? Cause I sure as hell don’t. Hmm? Who knows what else. We're guessing here people, all of it. We've been stuck for the past 17 years scraping to just survive. How about we expand from that and start fucking living.” Johanna and John both came up side you for show of support.
“Curtis already explained the council, so everyone has fair representation, were not going to make them into anything less then equals, cause fuck they are just trying to survive as well. No, they didn't struggle like we did, they might have been given better accommodations from Wilford, can we blame them for what they have had to do to survive? Any one of us might have done the same thing given the chance back then if we knew.” Your eyes searched over the faces to see if anyone would disagree with you.
“And what about Matt? You just letting him go?” Someone asked. Your head shook out a no. “Right now, probably not. Not for a damn long time at least. Not till we're all sure he can be trusted. That would be a matter something like a council would weigh together and decide after discussing it with the group, that means all of us.” you breathed out, feeling the tightness in your chest just discussing your brother. “Curtis... I will be in the medical car if you need me.” Ending with having your say, Curtis nodded at you, his eyes flashing with worry for a moment, before turning back to the crowd. “Any more questions?”
You made your way through the cars, passing kids playing, older couples settling into new accommodations that didn't feel the need to attend the meeting, they would accept whatever at this point. And you finally came into what looked almost like a waiting room from your childhood, at the far end a curtain was pulled shut, just the shadows of people stretched in it's fabric. Working through the crowd, you poked your head around with a ''hey to see a Doctor working on Sara. Sara whom you tried hard to help, but now she was laid out, not in pain, she looked almost in bliss as the doctor looked up, his brows coming together. “If you have something urgent...you got to wait.”
“I was just coming to see if you needed help Dr. I have some training and I know a lot of the patients out there, my name is Y/N by the way.”
“Dr.Price, and I’m certainly not gonna turn you down on the offer. Go scrub up, and we will get started.” His eyes warmed when he smiled, and you immediately started to do as he asked, relieved to be of use again.
Curtis went to talk with the front enders, which it went a lot smoother then his previous chat went, all of them agreeing with the terms, and conditions. The people who ran the industrious food giving cars immediately went to there posts, along with handfuls of tail enders to help them clean up the mess the derailing caused, Curtis, John and Edgar organized teams to do some of the harder work. They had to get the dead removed, at least as quickly as possible from the liveable cars. It was something they had all avoided discussing, going car thru car to find the dead.
“What are we uh... going to do with them?” Edgar asked as the opened another door and looked in, looking at little green. Curtis was having a hard time with it, the heaviness of knowing these people would still be alive if he hadn't shoved his hand into the gears. The ache in his arm he figured was the least he deserved, his tone was clipped when he spoke. “Were going to have to burn them, it's the only way to get through this many people. If we just bury them under the snow, and it ever melts, they will just rot.” Having a plan in place, they got to work, dragging bodies wrapped in blankets away, someone finding gasoline and matches to light them on fire. It made for a long day. As it turned dark, the fire glowed bright as a beacon should there be any other people out there.
The lights flickered on in the doctors office as Price hit the switch, and looked in the waiting area. “Think were done for the night.” It was just the two of you left, and you perched against the examination table. “Not quite, Curtis should be by soon, and I really need you to look at his arm. Then there's me.” You admitted, your arm going around your midsection in a defensive way, and the doctor arched a brow. “Okay, what's going on with you?” He asked kindly, his voice made you relax a little.
“I might be pregnant, and I’m not sure if you happen to have anything for me, and some other women who might be in the same situation I am.” Your nose wrinkled to keep from letting yourself get to worked up, doing your best to keep this from turning into you crying in frustration, fear and trauma.
“Unfortunately Child, Tests went extinct a few years ago. But the best way to tell now is waiting for your cycle to happen. Do you have a estimate of when you start?”
You gave a shake of your head, time had been impossible to follow in the tail end. “No no... but I haven't ever missed before that I know of .”
“It’s the best way now, although not entirely reliable. If you don’t, then in the future I can do an exam for a fetus. Does the potential father know?”
Here is where your tears spilled and you covered your face in your shame, shaking your head. “There isn't a father, it wasn't consensual...” And suddenly Curtis came around the curtain, having heard part of the conversation, his arms immediately coming around you, rubbing along your back as you went from crying in your hands to his chest. His hand moved along the back of your head, holding you close as he spoke to Dr.Price, who just observed the interaction. “If she's pregnant and she decides to continue, then I would be the father.”
“Okay, if you happen to be Y/N, we are equipped to handle it in the way you should so choose.” Dr.Price started once you had calmed down, still tucked up against Curtis, but able to stay calm. “There are risks with either choice, so that's something you two will have to discuss. You should have any others come see me to, so I can talk to them.” Both you and Curtis nodded at him, and he reached down taking your hand in the very same way you had take his earlier, giving a light squeeze. “And for those interested... “ He looked directly at Curtis. “If you don’t mind spreading the word that I can do vasectomies to any that don’t want to risk it.”
“Yea, I will be sure to start letting people know. “ Curtis assured Dr.Price, rubbing the small of your back and on your hand you could feel him feathering his thumb back and forth over your knuckles. Dr.Price gave a reassuring smile to the both of them. He turned to a closet, and opened the door, stepping inside, and came back out with box of condoms, handing it over. “Use these for now. We do have limited amount of birth control supplies.” Your eyes widened as you took the box. “Like... actual prevention.” stunned as you turned the box over in your hands.
“Yes, I will only be giving it out to dedicated couples for now. There just isn't enough otherwise to go around unfortunately. Wilford had extreme rules for the front end. Every family was only allowed to have one child.” He said with some regret as he closed the door behind him, not offering more of an explanation as to what would happen should an unexpected pregnancy happen. “And they are damn old, so it's a risk, m'kay? Use with extreme caution.” You gave them to Curtis, nodding with understanding what he was saying. “So Y/N, just wait to see when your cycle comes, okay? We will know soon and you can decide where you would like to do from there. Try not to stress yourself sick over it. Now, I have an arm to look at?”
You tilted your head to look at Curtis. “It really needs to be looked at and cleaned up Curtis.” You move away while he went to shrug off his coat, and you took it from him. You bit your lip with a bit of anxiety while Curtis also reached over his shoulder and tugged off his shirt. “Just easier than trying to roll a sleeve up over it.” He remarked as he held his arm out. Standing behind Curtis, this had to be the first time you’ve seen him in bright light like this. And all over his back were little marks like scars. Nothing serious, but pale pink marks scattered across the spanse of his shoulders, and down. It tighten your chest seeing the struggles of their survival, how many times had Curtis been in pain and never said a word.
You really couldn't help in, your hand braced against his back and he stiffined a moment while the doctor looked over his arm. He glanced over his shoulder to see you sliding your hand, across his upper back, the tip of your finger tracing some of the bigger ones. He couldn't help the ripple of muscle that followed your touch and you pulled away, mouthing sorry. Curtis gave a light shake of his head. I missed your touch Babygirl, flashing you a smile before he turned back to the doctor finishing up.
“Let me tell you, your damn lucky. The scabs are keeping everything sealed up from infection. If any of them come off and it's an open wound, you haul ass here to me. You got it? No waiting. If any kind of infection settles in, you can easily loose your arm.” He twisted it a bit, and frowned at a few bright red spots that had some heat lining around the jagged cuts. “But just to be safe, Im giving you a shot to deal with any infection. I'm sure your white blood count is off right now dealing with this.” He prepped a shot for Curtis and you came around to see what his arm looked like. It looked so angry to you, all of it even hid his old scar from years ago. Dr.Pierce swabbed at Curtis upper arm and promptly gave the shot, without Curtis even paying attention. “well that finished that up, unless you two got more to fill me in on tonight?”
“No... I think that's everything I can think of.” You say and Curtis agrees with a subtle 'all good’ while putting his shirt back on, and taking his jacket from you, to drap over his arm. Dr.Price held out his hand, giving a firm shake to each of you. “Then I'm bidding you two good night, I'm exhausted and will be back in the morning. Y/N, if you got no other plans, I could use your help again. Curtis, I respect what your trying to do here. Good night.”
“Good Night Dr. Pierce, I will stop by tomorrow.” You assured him and all together you left, he turned one way, you two turned another. Curtis kept his arm around your shoulder, checking in on Yona. You leaned against the doorframe while Curtis made sure the girl was all set up, she had found a book somewhere and was struggling to read it to herself. It occurred to you she might only know the basics, making a mental note about seeing if she could help you with the orphans once you started to get in a routine. She would benefit from the lessons. “Night Yona" you waved your fingers at her and the girl did the same in a friendly manner.
Once you two reached the room, Curtis growled going in, rubbing at his face. “tomorrow I'm really switching our room for one with a bed.” You chuckle as you shuck off the outer clothing, and sitting on the edge of the couch to remove your boots. “Did everything else go okay?” You ask while toeing your boots off and leaned back against your hands, watching Curtis dig out his pockets. Apparently he brought a few cans with him. Dinner for the night to pair off with the jar of peanut butter Tam brought the night before. “It was... long. But everyone seemed on board after what you said, and let's just cross our fingers nothing happens tonight with anyone.” Using a knife, he started to pry off the top of a jar of fruit, and peeled off the top to set it aside. “We also started taking care of the dead, burning them several miles away.” His jaw tensed as he glanced out the window to see the red glow a ways in the distance, of it dying down.
Flicking his knife closed, he put it back in his pocket, and fingers closed around the box the doctor had given them. Taking it out and flipping it in his fingers looking at it. You had dipped your finger into the peanut butter jar when you saw it, unfolding off the couch and approaching him, biting your lip. “Did you ever use one before Curtis?” His brows arched at your question and gave a bit of a chuckle and quirk of a grin. “Yes, before the train I had, not a lot, I was just 17, but enough. They are not hard to use.” Curtis studied your face, the look of curiosity as well as tension and hints of fear. Giving a shake of his head, Curtis opened a drawer and tossing them in to shut them out of sight. “And you don't have to fret about them Babygirl, your not ready.”
You dropped your face to look down, picking at your fingers, Curtis slid his fingers underneath your chin to lift it to have you look at him, cupping your face in between his hands. “There's no rush Babygirl, whenever it happens for us again, it's because you want to and were ready to.”
You couldn't help the irrational thoughts swirling through your mind, and even though Curtis has already assured you that it wasn't the case, there was always that dark part saying you were ruined for him. “Its not because you don’t-" Curtis cut you off right there dropping a kiss on your lips, and leaning his forehead against yours.
“Not at all Babygirl, it wasn't your fault. I wouldn’t ever look at you any differently. Your still as beautiful to me as when we first got to know each other. Come on, get ready for bed Sweetness.” He said softly, and the two of you got comfortable for the night, Curtis turning you two to easier converstaions.
Weeks passed and just a few mishaps had happened, but nothing serious. There was still some tension between the tail end people and the front end, but much to Curtis pleasure, there were more people actually trying than not. A council did get made after some time, a fair representation of all the people. Curtis was chosen to represent the tail end, even though he encouraged others, you had found it quite amusing how shocked he was about the whole ordeal. John was the second tail enders choice, Dr.Price and a woman named Madison was chosen to represent the front end. So far the first order of business was what to do about Matt. And it was unanimous that he was kept locked up.
You became a permanent resident working with Dr.Price, seeing how the tail enders were still nervous about the doctor, and there health issues were various. You had convinced the other women who were in the end car during the revolt to see the doctor and talk about the attacks. Like you, it was all a waiting game, and it was a heavy knot in your stomach most days. Curtis would check in several times a day, pulling you aside as his eyes searched yours, and you would smile, tilting up to kiss him and assure him you were fine. That day you were cleaning up a scraped knee, the little boy sniffling as you rolled up his pants leg. “my name is Y/N” You tell him as you set your stool in front of him and pour some cleaner on a cloth. You didn't know him, so you figured he must be one of the other car residents. “Whats your name?”
A couple sniffles as he looks at his knee and a little miserable voice finally answered. “Tommy... but you can call me Tom. I'm getting to old for Tommy.” He said, trying to sound a bit tougher, and you were very gentle, dabbing at his knee to clean up the blood. It was certainly not as worse as it seemed, but you praised Tommy up. “Well Tom, this was a nasty fall. Your really tough.” You put on some antiseptic cream, remembering not to long ago you couldn't do this much, and here you were getting ready to put a bandage on a scrape, if only to make a little boy feel better. Tommy wiped at his eyes to get rid of the tears. “Really? I tripped when playing tag with the other kids.”
“Oh certainly Kiddo.” You heard Curtis voice behind you and a glance over your shoulder showed him coming around the curtain. “You heard Curtis.” You agree turning back to Tommy while un peeling a band-aid from the wrapper. Curtis heavy hands came to rest on your shoulders, massaging them while you attended to your patient. “In fact, tougher than Curtis.” You whispered to him, and Tommy’s eyes widened as they looked from you to the tall man standing behind you, in which Curtis was nodding in agreement.
“Yup, and you have the best nurse there is. She fixes me up all the time, and everything is all better afterwards.” You couldn't help but smile to yourself hearing him, sticking the bandage on his knee and rolling down his pants leg. “Okay Tom. You are all set to go.” You moved to a stand, to feel Curtis hand slide down your back to curve around your waist as Tommy said a quick thank you, and raced off, all fixed and ready to play again. Curtis chuckled watching the boy duck out of the car into the next. “Good job Nurse Y/N.” and you winked up at him, rubbing his chest as you leaned in his side. “I had a little help, what are you doing here though? I thought you were helping out with clean up.”
“Ahhh, I was, but I have a surprise for you. I came down to see if you were busy.”
“No, Dr.Price is doing some rounds on the train doing check ups, I was about to head into the kitchen to help out. But for you, I can spare... 3 minutes.” You teased as Curtis led you out. “Where we going?”
“Well Babygirl... A surprise means I can't tell you.” He smirked at you, his arms circled your waist from behind and he tipped his head to place a soft kiss just below your ear. You whined a bit to play back, reaching for his hands and taking them in your own, palms pressed to the tops of his hands, and weaving your fingers with his own.
“You can give me a hint Curtis.” you ask hopefully, just maybe he would give some clue as to what he had.
“Okay... Your going to really like it.” He teased as the two of you went down another walkway, and he pulled you two to a stop.
“You know, that isn't much of a clue Handsome.” You look up at him while turning to face him, your hands releasing his to cross over your chest, He looked so damn excited, that you couldn't help but bite your lip at the anticipation.
“Well close your eyes and I can get you ready.” He grasps your shoulders and turns you to face a closed door, making you snap your eyes shut and a hand went over your eyes. The click of the door sounded and his breath was warm when he whispered in your ear. “Okay take five steps forward and stop.”
You took five tentative steps like he asked, and the click sounded again. He removed his hand and said from behind you. “Okay... Open them.” When you did, you were greeted with a new live in room, so much larger then the last one, it was still all one room, but this had a large bed, with a window that stretched the length of the room giving a wall length view outside, and you spun on your heels to continue looking around. An easy chair that was for relaxing next to a table, nearby a door going into what you assumed was the bathroom, which you stepped into, your jaw dropping just a bit. “That’s an actual tub... not a shower.” You stepped back out, Curtis tilting his head with arched brows.
“You like this room? If you don't I can switch us back, we just finished going through this car and I thought that this would be a better-” he was rambling and you caught him by surprise, tugging on his shirt to drag him down, and your lips met his with excitement and happiness. You pressed him to back up to the easy chair which he fell back into and you straddled his lap, to cup his face and feather soft kisses across his face. “Its perfect, really. More than I could have asked for Curtis.” His hands rested on your thighs on either side of him, sliding his hands along the tops and over to your waist, holding you while his blue eyes for the first time in weeks seemed content and relaxed.
Your arms slid around his neck, and you leaned into his chest with your head tilting to rest on his shoulder. Curtis slid his hands just under your shirt, rubbing small circles along your hips and lower back. He was content, the best hes felt since that day of the Revolt. Besides sleeping at night, this was the most intimate you've been with him, and he wouldn't look a gift in the mouth. These moments Curtis had long ago learned to appreciate. His head dropped and kissed the hollow between your shoulder and neck. “I love you Babygirl.”
Your arms tightened around his neck a bit more when he said that. “I love you to Handsome.”
Cars away Edgar made his way towards where they were keeping the prisoner. His memories of Matt were few and far between. A boy who would play with him, doing races or climbing the bunks in a hide and seek with Y/N. It upset Edgar deep down that Matt no longer seemed to be his friend that he remembered. Now, he was just a tyrannical man, bent on bringing his friends to an end. He held up the bag of food to show the guard, and by passed the man standing at the entrance, flicking on a light to show Mat laying on his side, situated in a pallet Curtis had made for him. Heavy chain with a cuff circling his foot. They had come across the equipment in the livestock car, if it was good enough to keep an animal in it's place, it was good enough for a prisoner.
“Got yer food...” Edgar approached cautiously, and set it down, nudging it closer with his foot. Matt looked over his shoulder and pushed to sit up, pulling the bag closer and looking in. “Is there gonna come a day you all give me something real?” He pulled out some heels of bread, and chewed on it while Edgar sat away from him, working on opening a can.
“Until we are better situated, this is what we got for you. If you look there is some chicken in there to.” Edgar pried off the lid and was sure to set it further away, knowing it could easily cut someone should Matt get ahold of it. “Be fucking thankful, would ya? We don't have to give you anything. Let you starve.”
“My sister would never allow that.” Matt said with confidence, digging out the chicken leg and peeling the flesh off to pop it into his mouth. “Curtis though... Given the chance, he would. Y'all think I'm cold hearted. Well...” He shrugged, and Edgar frowned as he harshly pushed the can of vegetable over to him.
“Shut your fucking mouth, ya don't know what your talking about.”
“Oh don't I Edgar?” He quickly snatched the can before it could be taken away, Scooping out mixed veggies and shoving them in his mouth like he was starving. “How much do you really know about your precious 'leader of the tail end' ?”
Edgar snarled in anger, using the knife to press against Matt's throat and took back the can that was mostly gone and the bag that was almost empty now. “You don't even deserve to talk about him, after what you did. Helping Wilford, all those innocent kids y'all took.” Pulling away, Matt leaned back against the metal wall.
“What... just trying to survive? Cause none of us done that.” Watching closely, he could see he got Edgar flustered, the way he was picking up the stuff he brought and shoving it into the bag, his actions were more like jerks in agitation. Matt hid a smirk, having just laid his foundation in the young man's mind. As Edgar went to stomp out, Matt said calmly. “See you around Edgar... Tell Curtis and Y/N I said 'Hi’. “ Edgar shot a look at him, and the steel door slammed shut, leaving Matt whistling a child hood uplifted tune in the dark, waiting for his moment.
