Another fluffy piece for our 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs fluff-fest. This time it's Caleb Shepard and Kaidan.
Title: Our Cabin
Rating: T+
Summary: Major Kaidan Alenko gets lost in his own thoughts until Shepard arrives to 'deal' with the situation.
Characters: Kaidan Alenko, Commander Shepard, James Vega, Steve Cortez
Tags: fluff, kisses (sort of), Majors and Commanders need hugs, Kaidan's thinking too hard again, and Shepard knows it, still early in their relationship, little things count, sort of snuggles, promises of more, why is there ONLY ONE WAY to get down to the Cargo Bay inside the Normandy????
Excerpt:
“Hey, Major, chow time!” Vega calls from the lift as he holds the door for the rest of the crew to hop on. “Rodriguez is cooking tonight. Mmmm mmm! Some good home cookin’! Almost as good as my abuela would make it!”
“That’s our Mr. Vega. Always thinking with his stomach,” Cortez quips as he sneaks under the lieutenant’s arm while faking a poke into his belly that leaves everyone laughing, even Vega.
“What can I say, Esteban? Everyone needs some hope cooking now and then.” Vega sticks his arm back out as the doors to the lift try to close. “You comin’, Blue?”
Kaidan spares them a quick glance from the work bench as he waves them off. “I’ll catch up with you later. I want to finish this, first.”
“Suit yourself,” Vega warns, “but don’t blame me if there’s no leftovers!”
The doors close on good natured laughter, including Kaidan’s, but he bites back a smile and keeps his focus on the task at hand.
Their last mission out had been rough. Too rough, in some respects, but he isn’t about to say that out loud. They’re in the middle of a war; what else can they expect? Still, everyone is doing their part, giving all they can and then a bit more.
Summary: Follow up to Coffee Cottage | Modern AU – Just some fluff about your relationship with Steve
Warnings: Too much fluff, rude customer who can’t deal with rejection (nothing bad and Steve handles it his own way)
Word Count: ~2.6k
A/N: this piece is only existing because of two people: @jenniweaslee & @sweetascanbee who both don’t really have a clue what will happen here, but they hyped me up nevertheless | Coffee Cottage was supposed to be a OS, but I wanted to write something really fluffy so this happened
Part One | Masterlist
The phone of the shop rang and you took the three steps to answer it. “Coffee Cottage, how may I help you?”
“Hey honey, how’s your day? How’s the new help?” Your boyfriends voice greeted you and it caused you to take a look through the café and you gaze stayed on the young woman currently laughing with a customer.
“It’s going great, I have a really good feeling!” Your voice expressed the relief you felt. Business was going crazy, more and more tourists came through your small town and it was impossible for you to manage the café on your own.
“I’m happy to hear that! Bucky asked if we wanted to come over tonight. I could pick you up and you could stay the night. Remember most comfortable bed you ever slept in.”
“This is always your reason to get me to stay over. I have to be at the café early though,” but Steve interrupted you and told you he would drive you home of course.
“I haven’t seen you yesterday and I miss you, so you kind of have to agree,” he said and a smile was slowly stretching on your face. Of course, you would have said yes. You missed him too!
“Only because of the bed,” you agreed and Steve told you he would pick you up later. Time flew by and closing the café with four hands was way quicker then when it was just you. Steve arrived just when you pulled on your coat.
“I’m so sorry, but we’re closed,” Wanda called towards your boyfriend and looked helplessly at you.
“Hi, I’m Steve. I’m just here to pick up my girlfriend,” he said charmingly and there was a small tint of red on Wanda’s cheeks when Steve came forward and held his hand out. Of course he asked if Wanda needed a ride home and she surprisingly accepted. Or maybe it wasn’t such a surprise, because if he wanted to Steve could get anyone to agree to anything.
After dropping Wanda off at her place, which was farther away than she had first told you, the both of you made your way over to Steve’s best friend.
Bucky was surprisingly a very good cook and after dinner he placed the cheesecake that you had brought over, in front of you. He announced that he had something to discuss.
“I have to call in a favor. A huge one. And a permission,” he started and he waited until Steve and you looked at him expectantly. “I thought about moving out. This flat isn’t for eternity for me. And I want to live somewhere a little bit quieter. And I have this guy that I know. Kind of a lumberjack. Somehow very talented with wood. Has built his own house, which is pretty cool.” At this point you knew exactly where this conversation was going. “And there is this place, somewhere close to his house. That would be a perfect spot for a new house.”
“Oh, just say what you want, jerk,” Steve smirked.
“I want you to know, that I’m asking both of you,” he started slowly.
“Bucky,” you scolded him.
“Just wanted to make sure. I want to buy the property next to you. I want to built a house and I need your help, Stevie. And of course, if you don’t want me living next to you, that would also be okay. Kind of. Would hurt my feelings, but,” he shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Of course, this is okay for me. You helped me with my house, so I will help you with yours. Do you have ideas?” Steve was excited. You could feel it in the air, but Bucky looked at you.
“Is this okay for you too? I know I’m asking for a lot. The both of you don’t have that much time together and it will keep this guy away for a while,” Bucky looked into your eyes while he wanted to make it clear that you also had a say in this.
“Needless to say that this is okay for me, Bucky. Think about how much time we will safe when we don’t have to drive out here to see you,” you smiled at him. “We will manage.”
“I have no doubt that you will. This,” he pointed from you to Steve and back, “is endgame. And I want to make it clear here that I will be best man and that you better remember this.”
“Buck, we haven’t even,” Steve started, but Bucky interrupted.
“No buts. I’m just saying it so you’ll remember it once its time. I haven’t seen him so happy in such a long time, it’s refreshing. And the both of you together make me sick – but in a good way.” He winked at you. “Anyway, I might have written out some ideas.” And with that the evening was spent with talks about Bucky’s new home.
In the end Bucky had been right. It was a lot of time that Steve had to spend helping his best friend. The work at the café went better, Wanda was a huge help and when you were finally able to have more time for yourself you had to spend it alone. You understood, Steve and Bucky had to use the good weather while it still lasted. So the rainy days were for you and Steve and you wouldn’t complain as it ended in a lot of cuddling inside.
“Is it weird for me to say I like the rainy days more than the sunny ones?” you asked once, your head on Steve’s chest while he was keeping you close to him and Murphy laying at your feet.
“Not weird at all, because I feel the same.” He kissed your head and you let out a content sigh. Murphy let out a huff as if he was agreeing. “No wonder he’s agreeing. He’s a total Momma boy now.”
“Well, I do take our child often to work now. And I do have the good snacks, so you can’t really blame him. I am good company,” you teased.
“That you are and I might be a bit jealous. But the house shouldn’t take much more time. I hope for 2 months top now. And then I can’t wait to spend winter here with you.”
“What makes you think I’ll spend it here with you?” you asked. “I have a perfect apartment just above my working place.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have this comfortable bed. And don’t you dare say anything against it as it was your excuse to come over visiting me in the first place. This bed is worth the drive. And I’ll even give you my truck so you have a safe vehicle that will bring you safely from and to work through the woodland.”
That stunned you and cause you to sit up and look at him. “You would?”
“Yeah, why are you sounding so surprised? I like your car but it isn’t really built for this surrounding. And with all the snow it would be safer. Sweetheart, you remember what Bucky said all those months ago about us?” He waited until you nodded. Naturally you didn’t forget about that one, but Steve and you didn’t talk about that. The great thing about your relationship? You didn’t need much words to... just get the other one. “He wasn’t wrong. I can’t remember the last time that I was so happy. We’re both very independent people, but I look forward to the days when I know you'll be here when I come home. Bucky always knows when you’re home because he says I smile a lot more. I love coming home to you,” he admitted.
“And I love being here with you. And it’s so relaxing. Must be the bed,” you played to pretend, but Steve was already tackling you down which caused you to let out a squeal.
Murphy was having a weird day. At first you couldn’t find your keys until you finally found them in Murphy's dog bed, which caused you to be late to work. He was also almost not leaving your side until you told him off and to lay down in his corner of the café. You didn’t need to trip over him again. It was Wanda’s day off so it was just you and it had been busy. Now there were only four people left in the café and you were busy cleaning up. It had just started to rain so you were sure Bucky and Steve would show up soon.
“Can I get you anything else?” you asked once you passed a table with two guys. They had to be a little younger than you if you had to guess.
“What’s here to do once it starts raining? Is there a club?” one of them asked you while you collected their plates.
“I’m afraid not, but there is a bar that will open in an hour.” you offered and put your weight on one foot. You’ve been up for a while and you looked forward to sat down soon.
“How about you accompany us. We could get a few drinks, get to know each other better,” the other one offered now and his body turned in your direction.
“No thank you, I have to work,” you laughed and noticed the body of your dog pressing against your legs. You looked down to see Murphy staring at the guy at the table in front of you, while the two guys didn’t spare him a glance.
“What about when you’re off? You said the bar would open in an hour, sure you’d,” he started but you interrupted it.
“I’m sorry but not even then. I’m not interested, but I hope you have a good time,” you said and were about to turn around when you heard the first one open his mouth again.
“Whatever, you aren’t pretty anyway,” he scoffed and you stopped. Murphy was still pressed against you and you were speechless. He didn’t even mumble it, he said it out loud for you to hear. And it hurt. But before you could say anything you noticed a presence in front of you.
“You better not repeat that,” you heard a voice that you knew just too well. You heard it often in the morning when it was still full of sleep. And you would recognize the back in a wet flannel. Murphy took two steps forward to stand next to his dad.
“What’s it to you?” The guy wasn’t intimidated by Steve.
“That is my girlfriend you just insulted in her own café. So, I suggest you leave after you pay for your stuff.” Steve emphasized the word after after the boys tried to get up. “What do they own you, sweetheart?” He didn’t move an inch and you could just stare at his back as he blocked the view of the table. You said the amount and Steve repeated it.
“You just put that money here on the table. A nice tip would be also nice for the trouble she had to go through. No, no,” he suddenly stopped and he must have held a hand out. “You don’t look at her. You will leave this café without doing so. Looking at this woman that I’m lucky to call my girlfriend is a privilege. You just lost that by calling her anything other than beautiful. So you better hurry up and leave. And be sure that I let Clint know to not let you in the bar. See, this is a small town. You insult one of us you insult us all. And we don’t forget shit like that.” You heard the bell of your door shortly after that and only after a few more seconds did Steve turn around and you were able to look into his pretty face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Of course I am. My ego is a little bruised, but other than that I’m fine,” you assured your boyfriend.
“Don’t let your ego be bruised only because some jerks can’t handle rejection,” Bucky, who you hadn’t seen until now patted your shoulder and walked towards the counter to take a seat there and left you in Steve’s care.
“Bucky’s right. Don’t let it get to your head my beautiful,” he kissed your forehead, “beautiful,” now the tip of your nose, “beautiful girl,” until he finally landed on your lips. This made you giggle, which caused Steve to smile at you.
“Oh what would I do without my knight in my shiny armor – or more like wet armor. And now please step aside so I can scold Bucky because he came in here like a wet cat and now I have to mop,” you pushed past him to get rid of the plates still in your hand and to get the cleaning supplies.
Bucky’s house was packed the day he was moving in. His mother and sister were there along with some of his friends. The house wouldn’t stand there without their help, at least not yet anyway. But if someone needed help everyone offered it without blinking twice. And so you were standing in the new house on a warm autumn day and getting a refill of your water once everything was moved inside the house. You noticed Bucky next to you and refilled his glass too.
“Thanks, pretty,” he said and took a sip.
“Ugh, when will you stop calling me that?” You groaned.
“Never,” Bucky smirked at you.
“As he should. Come sit down with me,” Steve said from the other side of you. He pulled you along to the seat he had occupied before and pulled you on his lap. You learned early to never question again if the furniture (he had built!) could hold the two of you or if you were too heavy. When you were sitting comfortably on him and watched your friends mingling he whispered in your ear. “Move in with me.”
“What?” you asked confused.
“Sweetheart, you already live in the cabin. Most of your stuff is there. You spend most of your days at my place and the few night that you don’t I miss you. I love coming home to you and the bed feels lonely without you. Just isn’t the same,” his beard tickled your neck as his words flew over your skin – and heart.
“What is it with you and the bed?”
“It was your excuse to come over and see me. So I will use it to get you to move in with me officially. You can rent the flat to Wanda. Her apartment is far away so it could help a lot. Might give you some morning to spend longer in bed with me.”
“How long have you thought about this?” you asked and turned around so you could see him.
“Months,” he admitted.
“Well, then I guess you can call in a favor from Bucky so we will get my stuff over to our house,” you said. When you met Steve, you would have never guessed that the grumpy man could smile so big as he was now.
“I can ask him now. Three hours and everything will be over,” he said and you stopped him when you pressed your lips to his.
“We have time. Let’s just calm down and then you can start moving stuff around again.”
“You’re right. We have all the time in the world,” he whispered back and kissed you again.
