Story Summary: Buck Cashman works as the head of security (among other things) for the most powerful man in New York City, Mayor Wilson Fisk. However, Buck has committed the most grievous sin of security detail — he has fallen for the mayor's daughter.
After seeing you flirting with a new Assistant District Attorney pushes him over the edge, he decides to take his chance and petition Mayor Fisk for his blessing to ask you out.
Will he get the mayor's permission or will his hopes (and possibly job and/or life) come crashing down around him?
Tags/Warnings: F!Reader, Pre-Relationship, Buck is down bad for Reader and finally decides to do something about it, one use of Y/N
A/N: This is a short little prequel/companion piece to my next fic, The Princess and the Bodyguard. I started writing that then had the thought that Buck respects Fisk enough to where he totally would get Fisk's permission to ask his daughter out.
Enjoy! The Princess and the Bodyguard will be up hopefully in the next few days.
Tag list: @lillycore @not-the-teen-witch @fiiorii @bluerobin35 @giuliahowlett
God, I hate these things, Buck Cashman thought to himself as he scanned the crowd at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual fundraising gala.
He was currently on official duty as the Mayor of New York City's head of security, which meant that unlike everyone else, he wasn't there to participate in the merriment. Too many security holes.
His eyes roamed around the room, finally settling on you. You were holding a glass of champagne while talking to some wanker that had been recently hired in the District Attorney's office and seemed to be enjoying yourself.
He clenched his jaw as he saw you laugh at something whatever-his-name-was was saying and lightly touch his arm.
He hated having to watch you flirt with other men, imagining them kissing you, touching you… tasting you. It was enough to drive him mad.
He sighed. It wasn't like the two you were dating. Hell, you didn't even know how Buck felt about you — and for good reason, too.
Because not only were you the Director of Community Engagement for the City of New York, but you were also Mayor Fisk's daughter.
Buck wasn't exactly sure what the history was between the Mayor and your mother, just that your mother had passed away when you were 6 and you had gone to live with your father. By the time Buck started working for the Mayor you were off at university getting your degree in sociology, so it wasn't until after Mayor Fisk had been elected that Buck had met you in person.
"— You're starin' at her again."
Buck looked away from you to glance over at Daniel, who stood next to him. "Just making sure he doesn't try any funny business," he said smoothly.
Daniel chuckled. "In a room full of people? Come on, man, just ask her out already. The worst thing that could happen is she says no."
He patted Buck on the back. "Just think about it."
Buck glanced over at you again as Daniel left to go get a glass of champagne. He was right — you were kind enough to let Buck down easy and professional enough to not let things become awkward between the two of you if you weren't interested. But if you were…
There was just one thing he needed to do first.
It was a few days later when Buck set his plan into motion. The Mayor had just wrapped up a meeting and dismissed everyone, but Buck hung back.
Here I go. "May I speak privately with you, sir?" he asked.
Mayor Fisk nodded. "Of course. What is it, Buck?"
"It's about Y/N."
That got Mayor Fisk's attention. "What about her? Is she in some sort of trouble?"
He trailed off, wondering how best to approach the subject before finally deciding to just be straightforward. "May I speak freely?"
Mayor Fisk nodded again. "Yes, of course you can."
Buck took a deep breath. "I've come to care for her, sir… More so than what would be deemed strictly professional."
A look of understanding dawned across Mayor Fisk's face. "Ah. You've developed romantic feelings towards her."
Buck nodded. "Yes, sir."
"And what do you plan to do about that?"
"I would like to possibly pursue a relationship with her; however, I thought it best to get your consent before I asked her out."
Mayor Fisk leaned forward, steepling his hands under his chin. "And if I said no, what then?"
A pit formed in Buck's stomach."Then I would do whatever it took to change your mind, sir."
"I see." Mayor Fisk sat back in his chair. "You know my daughter is very important to me."
Buck nodded once again. "I do, sir."
"And you also know what I do to those who hurt the people that are important to me."
"Yes, sir." Buck knew all too well, especially considering he himself personally carried out the Mayor's orders. "I have no intention of ever hurting her, I assure you."
Mayor Fisk nodded. "Then you have my consent."
Buck let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, sir."
He turned to go.
"One more thing," Mayor Fisk added.
Buck turned back around. "Sir?"
"I appreciate you coming to me first, Buck." Mayor Fisk gave Buck a genuine smile. "Good luck."
Buck couldn't help but grin. "Of course, sir. Thank you."
He turned and left the Mayor's office. Now he just needed to find the right time to do it.
Story Summary: You are known as "The Princess of New York" — a moniker only fitting for the daughter of the Kingpin-turned-Mayor of New York City. With that title comes the attention of others, although you only want the attention of one man, who just so happens to be your father's head of security. Too bad he could never be interested in you.
Tags/Warnings: F!Reader, Getting together, First date, Gets a little spicy but no smut yet (that's in the next installment 😉)
A/N: Okay, so I know I said that this was just going to be a duology, but I'm obsessed with the thought of Buck and Fisk'sDaughter!Reader being together, so this will now be at *least* a 10-part series (and probably more) set against the backdrop of DDBA seasons 1 & 2 (and maybe beyond 👀). This means that there *will* eventually be some canon divergence (basically in the sense that Heather can fuck off in season 2 because Buck is Reader's man, lol).
If you'd like to be added to the taglist, please let me know!
Okay, let me just run the numbers one more time to be sure, aaand… yep, perfect, you thought to yourself as you finished populating some results for a statistical report you were compiling as the Director of Community Engagement for the Mayor of New York City, Wilson Fisk — who also happened to be your father.
You had been the product of a brief dalliance between him and your mother and had had no idea who your father even was until your mother had died from cancer when you were 6, after which you had gone to live with him.
Your father had done the best he could as a single parent — he'd had your last name legally changed from your mother's last name to Fisk (after a paternity test confirmed your parentage, of course) and had had himself added to your birth certificate. He'd also kept you out of the spotlight as much as possible, making sure you had the best education available while still teaching you the value of hard work (which was why you had always been determined to make it on your own, including going to college across the country where no one knew who you were and staying there after earning your master's degree instead of returning to New York until recently).
You saved the report then glanced at the clock on your computer before you shut it down for the evening, looking forward to eating some leftovers and taking a long soak in your bathtub before heading to bed. Geez, it's already 9.
You unlocked your desk drawer where you kept your purse and grabbed it, then put the key back in its usual spot inside a hidden compartment in a fake plant you kept on your desk.
You turned your office light off and headed down the hall towards the elevator, pressing the button to call it and noticing that it was already heading down from an upper floor.
You smiled as the elevator stopped at your floor and the doors opened to reveal Buck Cashman, your father's personal assistant, head of security, and (from what you could tell so far) most trusted advisor.
You knew what line of work your father (and now also your stepmother) was in although you normally distanced yourself from their business affairs, so it wasn't until after your father had been elected Mayor and asked you to accept a position in his administration that you had met the handsome, dark-haired Englishman.
The more you got to know Buck, the more attracted you became. He was fiercely loyal to and protective of your father, always standing near him during black-tie events and scanning the room like a hidden threat would emerge at any given moment. You had caught a glimpse of the gun carefully hidden in a holster he wore underneath his perfectly-tailored business suits more than once and hoped he never had to use it (even though you had it admit that seeing him carrying a concealed weapon combined with the fact that he knew how to use it was a major turn-on).
But Buck wasn't just some handsome, broody, mysterious bodyguard — in the few months you had known him you had come to learn that he was actually quite funny and charming and liked to read when he wasn't working (none of which helped you get over him).
You mentally shook your head and stepped into the elevator. "Hi."
Buck smiled back at you as the doors closed and the elevator began to descend. "Hi. Late night?"
You nodded. "Yeah, I had some reports I needed to wrap up before the press conference tomorrow. What about you? Mayor's got you working overtime again?"
Buck chuckled. "Actually, I just got off duty."
He paused and rubbed the back of his neck. "I was thinking about stopping for dinner on my way home, if you'd care to join me? There's this lovely little Italian bistro just around the corner from here."
You nodded, unable to keep a smile from spreading across your face. "I'd love to."
The elevator doors opened once again and the two of you stepped out into the lobby of City Hall then made your way to the staff entrance.
Buck took his employee badge out of his wallet then swiped it to unlock the door.
He held the door open for you. "Ladies first."
Your heart fluttered as you stepped through the doorway, Buck following behind you. "Thank you. Lead the way."
The two of you made your way to the restaurant and stepped inside, Buck holding the door open for you once again.
"Would you like to eat at the bar?" he asked. "We can have a drink while we're waiting on dinner."
You nodded. "Sure. That sounds good."
You headed over to the bar and sat.
"Good evening," the bartender, an older-looking man with short salt-and-pepper hair, said. "What can I get for you folks?"
You gave your drink order and the bartender nodded. "And for you, sir?" he said to Buck.
"I'll take a whiskey, neat," Buck replied. "And can we see some dinner menus, please?"
The bartender nodded again. "Certainly."
He pulled a couple of menus from underneath the bar and handed them to you. "I'll go get those drinks ready for you."
You began looking over the menu as the bartender moved down towards the other end of the bar to start preparing your and Buck's drinks. "Hmmm…"
"Have you been here before?" Buck asked you.
You shook your head. "Any recommendations?"
"Well, the risotto is good, as is the branzino, but…" Buck leaned in to whisper in your ear like he was telling you a secret. "When I'm feeling naughty I like to get a pizza."
Oh, mercy. You huffed out a laugh even as your face heated. "And are you?"
Buck grinned. "Well now, that depends on if you're interested."
Your breath caught. Buck had always been cordial towards you, but for the past couple of weeks it sometimes felt like he was flirting.
You coughed and looked down at the menu. "I could be convinced."
"Care to split one, then?"
You nodded. "Sure."
You looked over the pizza options together and had just agreed on one when the bartender returned with your drinks. "Here you are," he said. "Have we decided on food?"
Buck nodded and gave your order.
"Okay, I'll go put that in for you." The bartender picked up your menus and left.
Buck took a sip of his whiskey. "So, ready for tomorrow?"
You nodded. "Yeah, I think so. I think the community will be pleased with what we have to announce. What about you? Any security concerns?"
Buck shook his head. "Nothing that hasn't already been taken care of."
He paused as his phone began to buzz in his jacket pocket. "One moment."
He took his phone out and checked the screen. "Apologies, I have to take this. I'll be right back, yeah?"
You nodded. "Not a problem. I'll be right here."
Buck swiped to answer as he stepped away. "This is Buck Cashman."
You turned back towards the bar and pulled your phone out of your purse, checking to see if your father or stepmother had texted you regarding dinner plans over the weekend.
"Heyyyy, you're Mayor Fisk's daughter, right?" slurred a voice to your left.
You turned towards the voice, inwardly cringing when you realized that it was some random guy wearing an ill-fitting suit and reeking of alcohol.
You gave him a tight smile. While you wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, you were still the mayor's daughter and a member of his administration and therefore had to be polite to a voter. "One and the same."
"Yeah, I remember seeing you on TV." The guy leered at you. "How about a drink?"
Eww. You had no patience for sloppy drunks hitting on you, especially not after the long day you'd had. "No thanks."
"Come on, Princess," the guy slurred. "Just one drink."
You cringed at the nickname. The press had dubbed you "The Crime Princess of New York City" during your father's trial as Kingpin years earlier and had continued to run with the nickname (although shortened to "The Princess of New York" after your father was acquitted on all charges) ever since.
You turned back towards the bar. "I said, 'no thanks'."
The guy roughly grabbed your wrist. "Hey, don't be such a frigid bitch."
Okay, that's it. You yanked your arm away and was just about to punch the guy in the face when Buck stepped in between the two of you. "Excuse me, mate, can you do me a favor and fuck off?" he said.
The guy took a step back in surprise. "And who the hell are you?"
"I'm the one telling you to fuck off," Buck replied. "Keep up."
The guy scoffed and began to step around Buck. "We were just —"
Buck followed the guy's movement, raising one hand to stop him while subtly revealing his gun with the other. "You don't want to do that, trust me," he said quietly but firmly.
The guy raised his hands as if in surrender, then began to back away. "Alright, man, we're cool."
He looked over at you. "Hey, no hard feelings, right?"
You narrowed your eyes, but said nothing.
Buck waited until the guy had left, then turned to you. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." You let out a breath and rubbed your wrist with your other hand. "Thanks for that. Guy wouldn't take 'no' for an answer."
Buck carefully took your wrist and examined it. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Your breath caught as he caressed your pulse point with his thumb, a pleasant shiver running down your spine.
When you didn't answer, Buck looked back up at you and questioningly said your name.
You quickly shook your head. "No, no, he didn't hurt me."
Buck nodded. "Good. I'd rather spend my evening with you than have to track him down and make him regret his life choices."
You huffed out a laugh even though you were unsure if Buck was actually joking. "Not necessary, although…"
You bit your lip. "Do you mind if we get this to go, eat at my apartment? I don't live far from here."
Buck shook his head. "Not at all."
He let go of your wrist and turned towards the bartender, who had just come back behind the bar. "Excuse me, can we get that pizza to go?"
The bartender nodded. "Sure thing, let me go tell the chef to box it up when it's ready."
Buck turned back towards you as the bartender left once again, his eyes studying you. "Are you certain you're alright?"
Your face heated once again under his attention. "Mmhmm. Just a bit shaken up."
Buck seemed to relax slightly. "I'm glad, because Mayor Fisk would not be very pleased if something happened to you under my care."
You deflated. You were reading too much into everything — Buck definitely hadn't been flirting with you earlier, or actually probably ever. He just saw you as an extension of the Mayor.
You sighed. Of course. "Right, yeah, don't want to piss my dad off."
You took a sip of your drink. "I'm fine, I promise. Let's just finish up here so we can go."
The two of you finished your drinks in silence while you waited for the pizza, which thankfully only took a few more minutes.
"Here you are," the bartender said. "And how are we handling the check tonight?"
You began to dig in your purse for your wallet. "I've got cash for my half."
Buck shook his head. "No need. It's on me."
You looked up at him. "You sure?"
Buck nodded before handing the bartender his bank card. "One check, please."
"Thank you," you said. "I appreciate that."
You waited as Buck signed the receipt then you thanked the bartender once again before the two of you left.
You exited the restaurant and turned towards your apartment. "It's this way."
Buck smiled gently at you. "I know. I helped you move in, remember?"
You definitely remembered — the sight of Buck showing up at your door to help you unpack while wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket instead of the personally-tailored business attire you usually saw him in would be forever ingrained into your memory. "Oh, uh, yeah, that's right."
You walked the two blocks to your apartment in more comfortable silence than you had been in at the restaurant then headed inside and up to your apartment, stepping out of the elevator into your foyer.
Since you had been in a rush to move from where you had been living on the west coast back to New York City, you had allowed your father to make your living arrangements. You knew he wasn't going to allow you to live in a shoebox, but you still hadn't expected the 5,400 square foot, 4-bedroom, 4-bath, $8 million penthouse he had purchased for you.
"Consider it a 'welcome home' gift," he had said when you had protested that it was entirely too much. "All in your name, of course. And don't worry about any HOA fees. Those have been taken care of as well."
You knew it was best not to argue (plus it wasn't like you'd had anywhere else to live) so you had accepted. (And if you were honest, the place was both beautiful and to your taste.)
"Make yourself comfortable," you said as you took your shoes and blazer off and put them in their respective places. "I usually just eat in the media room. Is that okay with you?"
Buck hummed in the affirmative as he followed you through the gallery (which you used as your formal dining area). "Yeah, that sounds fine."
"Great. Here, let me grab a couple of plates." You stopped in your kitchen to get some plates and napkins. "Would you like anything to drink? I have water, beer, wine, whiskey…"
"Whatever you're having is fine," Buck replied, taking the plates from you and stacking them on top of the pizza box.
"Water, then?"
Buck nodded.
"Okay, great." You poured two glasses of cold, filtered water from a pitcher you kept in your refrigerator. "Lemon?"
Buck shook his head. "No, thank you."
You nodded and carried the glasses to your media room before setting them down on a pair of coasters you kept on your coffee table.
Buck set the pizza box down and handed a plate to you. "Here you are."
You took it then sat on your sofa. "Thank you."
You each took a slice of pizza.
"Oh my gosh," you said after taking a bite. "This is excellent."
Buck nodded after taking a bite of his own slice. "It's my favorite in the city."
"I can see why."
You began to relax as the two of you made small talk in between bites of your respective slices of pizza.
Once you were both finished, you picked up your plates and water glasses and stood. "Want anything else to drink?" you asked Buck. "Glass of whiskey? Or do you need to get home?"
Buck smiled and shook his head. "I could stay for a drink."
You nodded, pleased that he hadn't seemed ready for your time together to end either. "Okay, be right back."
You gave your dishes a quick rinse then set them in your dishwasher before preparing a drink for both Buck and yourself.
You walked back into your media room and handed the glass of whiskey to Buck. "Here you go."
You sat back on the sofa, tucking your feet underneath you as you got comfortable.
Buck took a sip of his whiskey. "How are you getting on at work? I don't really hear much about you spending any time with the rest of the staff, and believe me, some of them love to gossip."
You made a face. "If you hear all the gossip then I'm surprised you don't also hear the whispers behind my back — 'Nepo baby, only got the position because she's the mayor's daughter. Must be nice having your daddy hand you a job'. Like I didn't actually earn my master's degree and work my ass off gaining the years of experience I brought to the position."
You shrugged. "Just my luck, I guess. Everyone only ever sees me as Wilson Fisk's spoiled little rich daughter, 'the Princess of New York'."
"Not everyone."
You looked back up at Buck. "Oh yeah? Who doesn't see me that way?"
"Me."
You snorted into your drink as you took a sip. "Yeah, okay."
Buck shook his head. "I don't see you like that. You know what I see? I see a beautiful, capable, intelligent woman who knows what she wants in life and doesn't need to rely on her father's wealth or influence to get it. I see someone who has more than proven herself worthy of her job title and everything that goes along with it. I see…"
He paused and took a long sip of whiskey before setting his glass down. "I see someone who I've grown to care about very much, care that has nothing to do with my duties to her father — as the mayor or otherwise."
Your mind reeled. "You think I'm beautiful?"
Buck huffed out a laugh. "Is that all you got out of that speech?"
He gently took your drink from you and set it on your coffee table before taking your hand. "I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, but also that anyone who can't see you beyond public perception is a fool."
Your mind finally caught up and you gasped. "You were flirting with me earlier. About the pizza."
Buck smirked. "Of course I was, darling. I thought it was obvious."
You shook your head, your heart fluttering at the term of endearment. "But then you said that thing about my dad not being happy if something happened to me under your care, so I thought you meant —"
"—That what, that I meant you were my responsibility?" Buck shook his head with a dark chuckle. "Oh, on the contrary. You're not a responsibility to be around, you're a privilege."
He reached up with his free hand and caressed your cheek. "I'm going to kiss you now. Is that okay?"
You sucked in a breath and nodded. "Uh huh."
You tilted your face up to meet Buck's as his warm lips pressed against yours.
You melted into the kiss, the flavor of pizza and whiskey on Buck's tongue as he deepened the kiss making you dizzy with want.
You let out a gasp as Buck pulled you into his lap, breaking apart just long enough to adjust yourself so you could straddle him before kissing him again.
You reached for his suit jacket and pushed it off of his shoulders, then pulled your camisole up and off as Buck finished taking his jacket off and discarded it to the side.
Buck looked at you with reverence in his gaze, his hands gently trailing along your sides. "Fucking hell, you're beautiful," he murmured.
You sighed as Buck began kissing along your collarbones, each press of his lips setting your skin on fire.
You tugged at his tie, finally managing to undo the knot and slide it out from his collar then began unbuttoning his shirt as his hands trailed up your back to unhook your bra.
Suddenly Buck's phone began to ring.
You froze. There was only one person who would be calling at this hour.
"Shit," Buck muttered, reaching for his suit jacket to pull his phone out.
He winced as he looked at the screen. "It's the Mayor."
You sighed and slid off of his lap. Yep.
"Sorry," he mouthed, then swiped to answer. "Yes, sir," he said. "Yes, sir, I understand. Absolutely, sir, I'll be there straight away."
He hung up. "My apologies, but I have to go. Urgent business for the Mayor."
You nodded, your heart slightly sinking in disappointment even though you understood. "Okay."
You stood and found your top, pulling it back on as Buck rebuttoned his own shirt and slid his jacket on before tucking his tie into his pocket.
You walked him to the door, silently cursing your father for disrupting what probably would've led to the best sex of your life.
Buck paused at your entranceway. "I, er, I enjoyed our evening together."
"I did too." You shrugged one shoulder. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
Buck nodded. "Can I take you out to dinner again tomorrow evening? Properly, this time."
You bit your lip and smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Buck cupped your chin in his hand and tilted your face up to meet his before giving you a soft, sweet kiss. "Good night, darling."
Your heart fluttered. "Good night, Buck. Be careful."
He nodded. "I will."
You let Buck out then shut and locked the door behind him, unable to keep a smile off of your face.
While your evening hadn't quite gone as you had planned, it had actually turned out better than expected.
"Ah, Buck, good," Mayor Fisk said as Buck stepped into the mayor's office at City Hall 15 minutes later. "My apologies for disturbing your evening."
Buck shook his head. "Not a problem, sir."
Mayor Fisk raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Because I'm sure you would rather still be enjoying pizza at the moment."
Buck froze, then chuckled as realization dawned on him. "The man at the restaurant, the drunk one…"
Mayor Fisk smiled, seemingly pleased that Buck had figured it out. "Yes, he was a test — one which I'm proud to say that you passed."
Buck nodded. "Thank you, sir."
Mayor Fisk leaned back in his chair. "Unfortunately this 'emergency' is not a test. There was an… incident this evening between the Tracksuits and the Kitchen Irish that needs to be dealt with…"
Story Summary: The day after the events of The Princess and the Bodyguard, Buck and Reader have their second date.
This time, there aren't any interruptions. 😉
Tags/Warnings: F!Reader, Buck's PoV, Here Be Smut
A/N: Welcome to the third installment of the The Princess and the Bodyguard series! This is set the day/night before the 'restitution' meeting between the Tracksuit Mafia and Kitchen Irish in DDBA Season 1, episode 4 (which is why Buck was in such a good mood in that scene, lmao).
If you'd like to be tagged in future installments (or any of my other stories), please let me know!
"…Which is why I'm pleased to reveal that the City of New York has partnered with No Hungry Hearts to provide free lunches for all students, elementary through high school, including during summer break," Mayor Fisk announced at his latest press conference on the steps of City Hall.
Buck joined in the applause as he stood behind him, thankful it was almost over. He'd had trouble concentrating on Mayor Fisk's speech, admittedly distracted by the woman standing next to him.
He was still surprised at the events of the previous evening, during which he'd finally asked you out — although things definitely hadn't gone according to plan.
Instead of taking you out for dinner and drinks like he'd initially intended, the two of you had wound up having pizza at your apartment, after which Buck had confessed his feelings towards you and kissed you for the first (but certainly not the last) time.
Things had… escalated, so to speak, before the Mayor had called and said that he needed to see Buck right away. There had been an incident between the Tracksuit Mafia and the Kitchen Irish that needed smoothing over before things heightened into a full-out gang war.
Luckily for Buck, before he had left your apartment you had accepted another dinner invitation for the current evening — one which he was hoping would not also be interrupted.
He glanced over at you. You looked beautiful in the black and white blouse and black knee-length skirt you wore with a black overcoat, although honestly, Buck thought you looked beautiful in anything.
"— Unfortunately I have other important business matters to attend to and will be unable to take questions at this time, but I'd like to thank everyone for attending today," Mayor Fisk finished before stepping back from the podium.
Buck mentally shook his head and stepped into place behind the Mayor, automatically shielding him as they went inside followed by you and the rest of the administrative staff.
"I think that went well," the Mayor remarked before turning towards Buck and the rest of the staff. "Don't you?"
Buck nodded. "Yes, sir, quite well."
"Next to safer streets, that was the most requested necessity in four of the five borroughs," you added. "The fact that you were able to fill the need so quickly will definitely help garner the community's favor."
The Mayor nodded. "Good work, everyone."
He said your name. "I'd like to see you in my office for a moment, if you don't mind. Buck, you as well."
Buck nodded. "Yes, sir."
The two of you followed Mayor Fisk upstairs to his office.
Mayor Fisk sat at his desk. "Dr. Glenn has suggested that Vanessa and I take some time to… reconnect, as she put it," he began, "so I will be surprising Vanessa with an out-of-town getaway for Valentine's Day this weekend."
He looked at you. "That means that unfortunately we will have to cancel our family dinner for this week."
You nodded. "That's okay. I hope you and Vanessa have a great time."
The Mayor turned to Buck. "Buck, for you that means that I will need you to take my meeting for tomorrow afternoon."
Buck nodded. The Mayor had been intending to meet with Victor and Luca regarding restitution for the truck hijacking and shooting the night before, but it looked like he would be going in the Mayor's place instead. "Not a problem, sir. I will be more than happy to handle that for you."
"There also seems to be an… interpersonal matter," Mayor Fisk added.
Aha, Buck thought. So that's why he called us in together.
Mayor Fisk folded his hands in front of him. "I do not see an issue with any sort of romantic entanglement between the two of you… that is, as long as it does not interfere with your respective positions within this administration."
In other words, work comes first, Buck thought.
He glanced at you, glad he had asked Mayor Fisk in advance for his blessing to date you — otherwise this might be a different conversation. "Yes, sir."
You nodded. "Understood."
"Now, I'm assuming you both have other duties to attend to at the moment, so I'll let you get back to them."
Buck followed you out of Mayor Fisk's office and down the hallway.
You paused as you reached the elevator. "Sorry about that. Even though I'm a fully-grown adult my dad can still be a bit… overprotective."
You huffed out a breath. "To be honest, I don't even know how he found out so fast."
"It's quite alright." Buck rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I believe it's actually my fault. You see, I, er, I actually asked him for his blessing to ask you out a few weeks ago, so I'm sure he's been keeping an eye on the situation."
"You asked my dad if you could date me?" A soft smile spread across your face. "That's…actually really sweet."
"Yes, well…" Buck shrugged. "He is my employer."
You shook your head. "No, it's okay, I get it, trust me."
You paused as you pressed the button to call the elevator. "I was thinking though, since it's Valentine's weekend and our dinner plans are last-minute I doubt we'll be able to get in anywhere without a huge wait, so how about dinner at my place again instead? I'll cook."
Shit. Buck hadn't even thought about it being Valentine's weekend when he'd asked you out for dinner again. You were right, though — it would be next to impossible to get a reservation anywhere decent in the city that evening. "That sounds agreeable."
You smiled. "Great! 6:30?"
Buck nodded. "Okay."
"Any food allergies?"
The elevator arrived and you stepped in together.
Buck shook his head and pressed the button for your floor before also pressing the button for the first. "Whatever you have in mind for dinner is fine."
"Okay, good." You bit your lip as the elevator began to descend. "I'm looking forward to spending some more time with you."
Buck smiled as he thought about your previous evening together — the feel of your lips on his, the subtle smell of your perfume in the air, how soft your skin was underneath his touch… "Me too."
The elevator dinged its arrival at your floor.
You stepped out of the elevator and turned back towards Buck. "So I'll see you tonight then?"
Buck nodded. Thankfully it seemed like he'd be completely off-duty since the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk were going to be out of town. "See you tonight."
He mentally shook his head as the elevator doors closed once again. He had to focus on work for now, but afterwards…
Well, who knew where the night would lead?
Buck checked his watch for the time as he headed towards your apartment building. Ah, good, I'm still a few minutes early.
He had seen Mayor and Mrs. Fisk off to the airport then stopped by a nearby wine shop to pick up something for the two of you to drink with dinner.
He entered the building and gave his name to the doorman. Mayor Fisk had given him a key card for the private penthouse elevator that opened in your foyer in case of an emergency, but Buck didn't feel comfortable using it so instead he headed to the public elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse floor.
He stepped out into the hallway and walked down to your door, taking a deep breath before knocking.
He could hear your heels clacking across the floor before the door opened a few moments later.
Buck smiled as he took you in. "Hello, darling."
His smile widened into a grin at the flustered look that appeared on your face. Apparently you liked that particular term of endearment. Hmm, noted.
"Hi," you replied somewhat breathlessly, then stepped out of the doorway to let Buck inside. "Come on in."
Buck stepped inside and waited while you closed the door behind him, then held up the two bottles of wine he had bought. "I didn't know what you planned for dinner, so I brought a bottle each of red and white wine just in case."
"Oh, you didn't have to do that," you said. "But thank you. You can set them on the counter in the kitchen."
Buck followed you into your kitchen, where a pot of pasta was bubbling away on the stove while bowls of salad and freshly grated cheese sat on your counter. "Whatever that is, it smells delicious."
"Cacio é peppe," you replied. "It was the quickest and easiest thing I could make after work. It's almost ready, I just need to put the sauce together."
"Can I help with anything?"
You shook your head. "Nah, I got it."
Buck watched as you cracked some black pepper into a pan, lightly toasting it for a few seconds to let the aroma out before saving some of the pasta water and draining the rest.
You then added the pasta to the pan along with most of the of the shredded cheese, pouring a bit of the pasta water in as you stirred everything together to form a smooth, creamy sauce. "Dinner's ready."
You served some of the pasta onto a plate and handed it to Buck. "I thought that we'd eat at the table tonight."
Buck nodded. "Okay."
He waited until you had served your own plate of pasta then helped you bring everything to the table, which he had noticed had been set for two.
"Oh, shoot, I forgot to grab the wine," you said before you sat. "Red or white? I think either one would pair well."
Buck shook his head. "Whichever you prefer."
"Okay, one second."
You retreated back into your kitchen and uncorked one of the bottles of wine before returning. "I figured we could have the red with dinner since it didn't need to be chilled," you said. "I went ahead and put the white in the refrigerator."
Buck nodded. "That's fine."
He reached for the bottle of wine. "May I?"
You handed it to him and sat. "Sure."
Buck poured each of you a glass of wine and set the bottle down before sitting. "This looks wonderful," he said. "Thank you for making dinner, although I do intend on actually taking you out on a proper date soon."
You shrugged. "It's okay. I didn't think about tomorrow being Valentine's Day until Dad mentioned it earlier."
You paused to place some salad onto your salad plate. "I, uh, I haven't had reason to celebrate it in quite some time."
Buck shook his head. His life up until now hadn't left a whole lot of opportunities for personal relationships. "Me either, although I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate it with you."
You smiled softly. "Me too."
The two of you continued to talk as you ate, mostly about work (or at least, what Buck could share with you since you weren't actually involved in your father's non-mayoral business) but also about your childhoods.
You told him about your mother — or rather, what little you said you could remember of her — and life with your father, and Buck found himself opening up to you about his own upbringing.
"I didn't quite know what to do with myself after secondary school," Buck explained as the two of you began picking up from dinner, "so I joined the military at 17. After I completed my duty in the Special Air Service I moved to the States and became an… independent contractor, which is how I met your father."
If you understood exactly what Buck meant by independent contractor you didn't let on. You nodded. "Yeah, I think I remember him mentioning you once or twice. You were friends with Wesley, right?"
Buck nodded as he followed you back into your kitchen. "He was a good man. I was lucky to have known him."
"Yeah, he seemed okay from the few times I talked with him. It's unfortunate what happened." You set the dishes you carried into the sink and reached for the ones Buck held. "Here, I can get those."
Buck handed them to you. "Do you want some help with the washing?"
You shook your head. "Oh, these are just going in the dishwasher as soon as I rinse them off."
"Then in that case, I'll rinse, you load?" Buck caught your eye and shot you a smile. "It's the least I could do to thank you for dinner."
You nodded, a soft smile forming on your own face. "Okay, if you insist."
Buck moved to your sink and rinsed off the dishes from your dinner before handing them to you to load into your dishwasher.
"There," you said as you put the last plate in. "All set. Thanks for your help."
Buck smiled. "Not a problem. It's been quite a while since I've had a home-cooked meal like that."
You bit your lip. "So, I uh, I was thinking we could head into the media room, finish off that bottle of wine from dinner? That is, if you don't need to be getting home anytime soon."
Buck shook his head, more than happy to accept your invitation to stick around. "No, no hurry."
"Great! Shall we, then?"
Buck followed you to the media room, making sure to grab his glass of wine that he had brought into the kitchen as well as the still-half-full bottle that you had left on your kitchen table.
The two of you sat, Buck making himself comfortable by sitting sideways with one leg propped up on the sofa while you took your heels off and sat facing him with your feet tucked underneath you much like you had done the evening before.
Buck took a moment to study you. "By the way, darling, I believe I failed to mention just how beautiful you look today. Of course, you always look beautiful."
You ducked your head bashfully, making you look even more beautiful. "Thank you. So do you — look nice, I mean. Handsome."
You took a sip of your wine. "I, um, actually I'm really glad you agreed to have dinner here again tonight instead of trying to get a table at a restaurant."
"Oh?" Buck took a sip of his own glass of wine then set it down on your coffee table. "And why is that?"
"Couple of reasons." You took a deep breath. "I really like you, but I'm already under enough scrutiny with the media and at work, so I'm thinking maybe we keep this private for at least a little while? I mean, obviously my father knows, but if anyone else at the office found out that we're dating or if it got leaked to the press…"
Buck nodded. With things already heated between the Tracksuits and Irish, the last thing he needed was for one of them to spot your name in the press and get any ideas. "I understand. And the other?"
You licked your lips. "I was kind of hoping we could continue where we left off last night?"
Buck hadn't wanted to be presumptuous, but he had been hoping for the same thing.
He grinned. "I believe I can agree to that as well."
He reached out and caressed your cheek. "I suppose we should actually start that part over, yeah?"
You leaned in towards him and nodded. "Uh huh."
Buck tilted your chin up then kissed you.
Fucking hell. Kissing you for the second time felt just as good as the first, if not even better.
Buck quickly made his way down to your neck as you began to push his suit jacket off of his shoulders, much like you had done the previous evening.
He turned to sit properly on the sofa, pulling you into his lap, then tugged your blouse free of your skirt, his hands sliding up your back to lift it over your head before raining kisses to your chest.
You gasped out his name, the sound sweeter to Buck's ears than any music he had ever heard.
Buck groaned as you began to unbuckle his belt. He wanted to hear his name on your lips again and again — preferably while he was buried deep inside you. "Bedroom?" he murmured.
You nodded, sliding his belt through the loops of his pants and tossing it away. "Uh huh."
You slid off of his lap and stood. "This way."
Buck got up and followed you up a small set of stairs and down another hallway to your bedroom, toeing his shoes off as he entered.
You turned and kissed him, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked you backwards towards your bed.
Buck lifted you up and set you in your bed, climbing in behind you as you scooted towards the headboard.
He knelt before you, pulling his shirt off then leaning back down to kiss you once again, cursing when his sleeve momentarily got caught on his watch.
You giggled against his mouth. "Wardrobe malfunction?"
"Bloody watch," Buck mumbled, finally shaking his shirt sleeve loose.
He tossed his shirt away and braced himself above you, relishing in the gasp you let out as he kissed his way back down your neck to your chest.
You arched towards his mouth, sitting up slightly and reaching behind you to unhook your bra, a lacy white thing that Buck was sure had been expensive.
Buck groaned as you bared your breasts to him. "You're so beautiful, darling," he whispered before taking one breast in his hand and circling your nipple with his tongue.
He gave your other breast the same attention as his free hand slowly caressed its way down your stomach before pausing at the top of your skirt. "Can we take this off?" he murmured.
You nodded. "Yeah, just lemme—"
Buck leaned back as you sat up and reached for the zipper on the back of your skirt.
Once it was unzipped, you lay back down and lifted your hips before tugging your skirt and underwear down and off.
Buck licked his lips. "May I touch you, darling?"
"Uh huh," you breathed. "Please."
Buck settled himself between your thighs, working his way up your leg with gentle kisses until he reached your center.
He lifted his face to watch yours as he circled your clit with his thumb before slowly pressing a finger inside you, then two.
You gasped, your head falling back against your pillows. "Fuck."
Buck hummed as he slowly drew his fingers out of you, then slid them back in. "We definitely can do that, if you'd like."
You nodded. "Uh huh. Want you, Buck, please."
Buck leaned up to kiss you as he worked his fingers in and out of your core, relishing in the gasps and pants you made as you clenched around him. "You sound so beautiful, darling, letting me know how good I'm making you feel."
You let out a sigh, your nails scratching lightly down Buck's back. "So good, Buck, gonna come."
"Yeah?" Buck began circling your clit with his thumb once again as he continued to fuck you with his fingers. "Gonna come for me, darling?"
Your breathing began to quicken. "Uh huh. Uh huh, uh huh, uh — Ah!"
Buck groaned as you came around his fingers, slowly working you through your orgasm until you began to relax.
He carefully withdrew his fingers from you and lifted them to his mouth, tasting your essence. "Fuck, darling, you taste divine."
You reached for the button of Buck's pants, your eyes dark with lust. "Need you, Buck, want to feel your cock inside me."
Buck groaned out your name. "I want that too, darling."
He reached for his back pocket to pull a condom out of his wallet.
You bit your lip at the sight of the foil packet. "I'm on birth control — the implant, just so you know."
Buck sucked in a breath. How tempting it would be to be inside of you bare, to feel your walls around his uncovered cock…
He set the condom on your nightstand. "I haven't been with anyone since my last health screening."
You shook your head. "Me either."
Buck shuffled out of his pants and boxers, kicking them off before taking his place between your thighs once again.
He slid his hard cock between your folds, coating himself with your juices. "We'll take it slow, yeah?"
You nodded. "Okay, yeah, that's —Ohmygod."
Buck huffed out a breath as he slid inside you in one smooth stroke. He wasn't massive by any means, but it still had been a few minutes since you had come and he wasn't sure how tight you would be. Fuck, fuck, just take it slow, mate.
You felt amazing around him — while Buck had had his share of sexual partners, there was something about you that felt right.
He waited a few moments, kissing your temple, then your cheek, then your lips before pulling out and sliding back in.
He pressed his forehead to yours as he made love to you (because that's what this was — not the few fumbled encounters he'd had during his secondary school years nor the frantic, passionate fucking he had sought out after a job back when he was freelance, but pure, unhurried lovemaking). "You feel so good," he whispered against your skin. "Don't know if I can hold back much longer."
"Me either," you panted. "Jesus, Buck, don't stop, please."
"Mmm, gonna come again for me, darling? Gonna come around my cock while I'm buried deep inside your tight cunt?"
You nodded. "Uh huh. Want you to fill me up, need you to come inside me."
Fuck, he was close. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, need it, Buck, shit —"
Buck pumped into you once, twice, three times more before spilling inside you with a groan of your name, your fluttering walls milking his cock of every last drop of cum that he had to offer.
He gave you a gentle kiss as he carefully pulled out of you, grabbing some tissues from the box on your nightstand to catch his spend dribbling out of your still-quivering cunt.
He wadded up the tissues then climbed out of your bed. "Bathroom?" he asked.
You waved a hand towards the hallway. "Door on the left."
Buck went to the bathroom to dispose of the tissues and clean up before wetting a washcloth with some warm water and returning to you.
He climbed back into bed and held the washcloth up. "May I?"
A soft smile spread across your face and you nodded. "Uh huh."
Buck gently cleaned between your thighs before tossing the washcloth into a nearby laundry basket.
He lay back down, pulling your back to his chest and giving you a kiss on the shoulder.
You turned to face him, tangling your legs with his. "Stay the night?"
Buck nodded. He hadn't missed how you had phrased the question — not can you stay the night or do you want to stay the night.
He took your left hand in his and pressed a kiss to your knuckles. "My meeting isn't until tomorrow afternoon."
"So is that a 'yes'?"
Buck huffed out a laugh. "Yes, darling, that's a 'yes'. I would love to spend the night with you."
"Good." You rolled the two of you over and straddled Buck's lap, "Because I'm nowhere near tired."
It's okay, it's just New York's elite, you thought to yourself as you got ready in one of the guest rooms at Gracie Mansion for your father's Stronger New York fundraiser. You and Buck had been dating for just over three months and were 'soft-launching' your relationship at the event (as in, you were attending it together even though you and Buck were both technically working) and you were admittedly a bit nervous.
You continued your pep-talk to yourself as you sat at the vanity table to finish up your makeup. What are you even afraid of? You've been around these people a million times. Hell, you even like some of them.
You applied some lip stain to your lips and studied yourself in the mirror. Good as I'm going to get, I guess.
You picked up the diamond and purple sapphire necklaces you had brought as options to accessorize your dress with and held one, then the other to your neck. Hmm…
"—The sapphire, I think."
You turned and smiled as you saw Vanessa in the doorway. "Yeah, you're right, the diamond is too showy for a fundraiser."
You and Vanessa were close — while she had never tried to replace your mother, she had naturally fulfilled the role of maternal figure to the best of her ability, guiding you through all of the circumstances of womanhood that your father either didn't know or couldn't understand how to.
Vanessa walked over to you and squeezed your shoulders in an embrace before leaning down next to you. "Buck is waiting downstairs," she said with a smile.
Your heart fluttered. Since this technically was a work function, you had decided to stay at your parents' that evening so you and Buck could still arrive together (and so you would have him for moral support since it had been several years since you had attended an event that involved your father's rich friends). "Okay."
You paused. There was something you needed clarity on and you didn't want to ask your father for advice. "Before we go… Can I ask you something?"
Vanessa nodded. "Of course, dearest."
"When did you know you loved my dad?"
A small smile spread across Vanessa's face. "Dare I ask if there's a particular reason behind your question?"
You'd had the thought regarding Buck for the past few weeks but didn't want to say anything until you were absolutely sure about what you were feeling, especially since the two of you had only been dating for a few months. "Just asking."
"Mmhmm." Vanessa sighed. "I have to admit that it was very early on. Your father was so… formidable, yet I always felt safe with him. And of course, I saw how wonderful he was with you. How could I not fall in love with a man like that?"
"Did you love Adam?"
You knew about Vanessa's affair — some artist from her gallery that she had sought comfort in whilst your father was off on one of his "business trips" (which wasn't a euphamism, as far as you knew he had never so much as even looked at another woman).
If Vanessa was surprised by the question, she didn't show it. "No," she mused. "Not like I love your father."
"How did you know you loved Dad?"
"That I can't tell you." Vanessa shook her head and straightened. "Love isn't on a schedule, my dear. When you do fall in love, you'll know."
You nodded. You still had a bit of self-reflection to do, but you were pretty sure you were in love with Buck. "Thanks, 'Nessa."
You stood and gathered your purse before following Vanessa out of the room and to the staircase, a smile spreading acrosse your face when you spotted Buck.
He was dressed in a simple black suit that you had seen on (and taken off of) him before, but it never ceased to amaze you just how good he looked in it. He was talking with your father but looked up when he heard you and Vanessa coming, a broad smile spreading across his face as you descended the stairs.
He wrapped an arm around your waist and pressed a chase kiss to your temple. "Darling, you look radiant."
You beamed. "Thank you. You look wonderful too."
"All set?"
You shrugged. "As ready as I can be."
Your father nodded, his own arm wrapped around Vanessa's waist. "Shall we, then?"
You and Buck followed your parents to the SUV waiting outside the mansion.
You got in and sat in the back seat, followed by Buck next to you then your parents in the middle seat.
The driver looked in the rearview mirror. "Good evening, Mr. Mayor, sir, madams. We'll have you at your destination in just a bit."
You buckled your seatbelt then looked over at Buck as he took your hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze, your heart fluttering once again. Yep, definitely in love. Now what do I do with that information?
Buck watched you look out the window of the SUV you both currently were riding in along with the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk as the streets of New York City passed by, your hand in his a comfort.
The past three months had been filled with stolen glances across press conferences, secret smiles in meetings where the other was present, and nights spent naked and wrapped in each other's arms, until finally, finally, you had decided it was time to take your relationship public — or as public as attending the Mayor's "Stronger New York" fundraiser together was.
He sighed as the vehicle approached the Waldorf Astoria and slowed to a stop. While this was technically your first public outing as a couple, you were both still on the clock, so Buck would enjoy every moment you had together. Time to go to work.
He waited while Mayor and Mrs. Fisk got out then followed, turning to extend a hand to you as you also exited.
You smiled as you took it. "Thank you."
The two of you followed behind the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk, stopping every few feet once you were near the private club area to greet one the members of New York's high society.
Buck stayed mostly in the background as you (unfortunately unsuccessfully) tried to shore up support for the Mayor's Red Hook Port Revitalization Project.
Artemis Sledge had scoffed while her husband, Arthur, had listened on. "You don't honestly believe that this is for the betterment of the city, do you?"
"I'm sorry, my hands are tied," another man named Michael (unfortunately Buck hadn't caught his last name) had said as you presented him with facts and statistics you had gathered about the port.
Your final attempt with Jacques Duquesne, a French businessman with ties to some of the biggest businesses in New York, also fell on deaf ears.
"My dear," he had said, "there have been quite a few changes since you'd been away. Your father's authority may not quite reach as far as he thinks, even as Mayor. As I told him, all it would take is one phone call from someone with influence for all of his power to be stripped away from him."
"He's being stonewalled," Buck murmured to you as Mr. Duquesne walked away.
You huffed out a frustrated breath. "Yeah, that's what it seems like. I need to go find Dad, form another plan of action."
Buck nodded. "Okay, let's go."
He paused as Daniel came rushing up to him. "Buck, wait a second."
Buck nodded for you to continue on. "Yes, what is it, Daniel?"
"There's been another murder — two, actually." Daniel pulled up an email on the iPad he carried and tapped to open the attachment. "It's that Muse guy."
Buck sighed as Daniel showed him the photos. So much for a quiet, peaceful night. "We need to show the Mayor. Immediately."
He quickly caught up to you and your parents and placed a hand on the Mayor's shoulder. "Sir."
"There's something you need to see," Daniel added, then looked at you. "You too, actually."
You looked to the Mayor, who nodded then turned to speak to Mrs. Fisk. "Vanessa," he said softly, "I am sorry but there's pressing business. Can you make my apologies for me?"
Mrs. Fisk nodded. "Yes, of course."
Buck stepped to the side to let you and the Mayor pass then followed you to the SUV waiting outside the Waldorf.
The Mayor asked the driver for some privacy, after which you and Buck climbed into the front seats while the Mayor sat in the middle and Daniel in the back.
Daniel handed the Mayor the tablet. "There's been more murders."
"These came straight from the forensics team, sir," Buck added as the Mayor swiped through the photos. "Man's obviously mocking the police."
"The community is definitely going to have something to say about this." You shook your head before sighing. "Jesus, those poor girls."
The Mayor looked at you, then at Buck. "We can use this."
"How?" you asked.
The Mayor shook his head. "We'll meet tomorrow. In the meantime, get some rest."
Buck nodded. It looked like it would be an early morning for him. "Shall I go get Mrs. Fisk, sir?"
"I can get her," Daniel said, moving to get out.
Mayor Fisk nodded. "Thank you, Daniel."
Buck and you moved to the back seat while you waited for Mrs. Fisk.
Buck sighed. It didn't seem like Muse had been targeting anyone specific, but with several of his murals depicting the Mayor in a negative light he easily could decide to target you in order to make a statement.
While Buck honestly didn't want anyone to be harmed — or worse, killed — by a psychopath masquerading as a street artist, he would be damned if he let anything happen to the woman he loved.
He blinked in surprise. Wait… the woman I love?
He sat with the thought for a few moments before looking over at you.
You seemed to be lost in your own thoughts, nervously chewing on your bottom lip as you looked out the window.
Buck wanted to take you home and reassure you that he would do everything in his power to keep you safe then show you exactly how he felt about you.
He took your hand, his heart warming as the worry melted off of your face as you looked at him and smiled. Yeah, I'm in love with her.
His thoughts were interrupted as Mrs. Fisk exited the hotel. "Everything alright?" she asked as she got in the vehicle.
"That serial killer," Mayor Fisk replied, "that… Muse person, he claimed another two lives tonight."
Mrs. Fisk made a face. "That's terrible."
Mayor Fisk shook his head. "Fortunately I have a plan."
The ride back to Gracie Mansion was silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.
Buck followed as you, the Mayor, and Mrs. Fisk all climbed the steps leading up to the porch.
You paused near the doorway. "I'll be right in."
Mrs. Fisk nodded and took the Mayor's arm. "Come, dear, let's give them some privacy."
The Mayor nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Buck."
"Yes, sir," Buck replied.
He waited until the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk were inside before turning to you. "Everything alright?"
You shrugged. "Just not how I expected our first public event together to go. I figured we'd be celebrating tonight, not getting nowhere on gathering support for the port restoration project then finding out that there were more Muse murders…"
You shivered.
Buck shook his head and stepped closer to you before wrapping his arms around your waist. "I know, darling, but I have faith that everything will work out."
You sighed and relaxed into his embrace. "You really think so?"
Buck nodded. If there was anything he had learned in his time working for Wilson Fisk, it was that the man always had a contingency plan. "I do."
He gave you a kiss. "Now, you'd better head inside. We have a long day tomorrow."
You nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Good night, Buck."
"Good night, darling."
Buck waited as you went inside, then sighed and turned to walk back to the waiting car that would continue on to his apartment. While he'd wanted to tell you he was in love with you, now unfortunately wasn't the time.
"—Fucking hell, sweetheart, that feels so good," you moaned into your pillow as Buck pressed into you with practiced skill. "Keep doing that."
"Yeah, darling?" Buck murmured into your ear. "You like it when I do… this?"
You bit back another moan as he pressed into you again. "Fuck, baby, yeah, keep going. Don't stop."
Things had been perfect the past 6 months — both the Safer Streets initative and the Red Hook Revitalization Project had passed with full support from the City Council and private matching donations, vigilante crime was at an all-time low, community satisfaction was at an all-time high, your father and Vanessa's relationship seemed to be stronger than ever, and best of all, you and Buck were now celebrating a whole year together as a couple.
"I've got you, love," Buck continued to murmur in your ear. "Just relax for me, yeah? You're doing so well."
You sank into your bed as the stubborn knot that Buck was massaging out of your shoulder began to ease. "Oh my God, yes."
"There we are." Buck eased up on the pressure he was applying to your scapula. "How's that?"
"Mmm, heavenly." You rolled your shoulders. "Breakfast in bed and a massage? Must be a special occasion."
Buck chuckled. "And the day's just getting started."
He gave you a kiss and got up to go wash the massage oil from his hands.
You sat up and watched as he sauntered into the hallway towards your bathroom. "Does that mean that I have to move from this spot?"
You could hear Buck chuckle. "You don't have to," he replied, "but if you don't you'll miss out on all the fun I have planned."
When Buck had asked what you wanted to do for your one-year anniversary, you had told him to surprise you, which apparently was exactly what he was planning to do. Since it was on a Saturday neither of you had had to work, and because your father and Vanessa had gone out of town for Valentine's Day weekend again there was a good chance Buck wouldn't be "on call", either.
You grinned and got up, picking up your discarded pajama top to toss into your laundry basket before joining him in the bathroom. "Damn, and here I was hoping to spend the day getting railed by my super hot boyfriend."
Buck smirked. "Oh that's definitely on the schedule, darling, just for later tonight."
"Mmm. Good to know." You gave Buck a quick kiss. "I know you said you wouldn't give me any details about today, but I do have a few questions."
Buck nodded. "Yes, my love?"
"First off, is there a dress code, second, do you want your anniversary gift now or later tonight, and finally, how tight of a schedule are we on, exactly?"
Buck shook his head. "We'll be outside part of the day, so dress accordingly — otherwise, no specific dress code. I was thinking we could exchange gifts later this evening, maybe after dinner, if that's alright with you. And as for the schedule, it's not extremely tight, why?"
You grinned. "Because I was hoping we could squeeze in a shower together? I might need some help washing this massage oil off of my back."
Buck wrapped his arms around your waist. "Mmm, I think we can fit that in."
You gave him another kiss then finished getting undressed before stepping into the shower and turning the water on, Buck joining you a few moments later.
After your shower (during which Buck made sure that all of the massage oil was thoroughly washed off of you), you wrapped a towel around yourself before drying your hair, brushing your teeth, and doing your makeup while Buck went to get dressed.
You walked into your walk-in closet and stood looking at outfit options for a few minutes before settling on a pair of comfortable maroon trousers, a cozy gray sweater, and a gray overcoat along with some warm winter boots and taking them into your bedroom to get dressed.
You had just decided against accessories when Buck walked back into your bedroom.
You turned towards him. "Holy shit, babe, you look hot."
It wasn't very often that you saw Buck in anything other than his usual business attire (or nothing at all), so you took time to admire his choice of outfit for the day — black slacks, a yellow polo shirt, and his black leather jacket along with glasses instead of his usual contacts.
Buck chuckled. "Why, thank you, love."
You looked down at your outfit. "This is okay for what you've got planned?"
Buck nodded. "You look beautiful, as always. We will have to come back here before dinner, though."
You nodded. "Okay, that's fine."
Buck's phone chimed with a text message. "Ah. Time to go."
You grabbed your purse then took Buck's hand as you boarded your private elevator together.
You rode the elevator down to the ground floor and walked through the lobby of your building to the doors leading outside, where a private car was waiting for you.
The driver opened the door for you. "Good morning, madam. Sir."
"Good morning," you replied before getting in.
Buck said something to the driver before joining you.
You looked over at him. "All good?"
Buck nodded as the driver shut the door. "Just verifying our first stop."
"First stop? As in multiple?"
"Mmhmm."
"And you won't tell me anything about where we're going?"
Buck shook his head. "Just that we've got a couple of hours' drive to get there."
You spent the next two hours alternating between talking to Buck and looking out the window at the scenery and trying to figure out where he was taking you. Maybe the Hamptons, you thought at the car crossed the Williamsburg Bridge and headed towards Long Island. Buck's certainly dressed for it.
Your guess was proven incorrect, however, when the car continued along the northern part of Long Island, finally pulling into a long driveway with a sign reading "Rose Hill Vineyards."
You grinned. "Are we doing a wine tasting?"
Buck nodded with a smile. "Several, actually."
The car stopped in front of a walkway leading to the main building. "Here we are," the driver announced.
Buck nodded and opened the door. "I'll text you when we're ready to head to our next destination."
"Yes, sir," your driver replied.
Buck got out of the car and held a hand out to you.
You took it with a smile and walked hand-in-hand to the building before heading inside.
"Welcome to Rose Hill, how may I help you today?" A woman greeted you.
"Yes, we're here for a wine tasting," Buck replied.
"Okay, wonderful." The hostess nodded. "And may I see your IDs?"
You and Buck handed your IDs to the hostess, who copied down your names and dates of birth into a ledger before handing them back to you. "Okay, right this way, please."
You and Buck followed her to a table outside.
"Here we are," the hostess said, then pointed to a QR code on the table. "You can scan this to take a look at our tasting menu. I'll be right back."
You nodded. "Thank you."
You and Buck used your phones to scan the QR code and pull up the menu.
"Hmm, I wonder how much wine you get with each flight," you said. "If we're going to mutiple vineyards I don't want to drink too much too early."
"How about we share a flight then?" Buck suggested. "And perhaps some whipped ricotta to balance it out."
You hummed in agreement. "That sounds delicious. The winter flight, then? That seems to be a mix of both red and white wines."
Buck nodded. "Sure, that sounds fine."
You looked around as you waited for the hostess to come back. "This is beautiful. I honestly didn't even know there were vineyards around here."
Buck smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
The hostess returned. "Okay, have we decided?"
Buck nodded. "We've decided to split the winter flight and get some whipped ricotta to pair with it."
The hostess nodded. "Wonderful choice. I'll go get that ready for you."
You thanked her once again as she left.
Your phone chimed with a text message alert.
You pulled it out and smiled as you saw that it was from Vanessa. "Vanessa wishes us a happy anniversary."
Buck smiled. "Tell her thank you for me, will you, love?"
You nodded and replied to Vanessa. Thank you! Buck says thank you as well.
You took a few photos of the scenery, then put your phone away just as the hostess returned with your wine and cheese.
"Okay, here we are," she said. "Let me know if you'd like to take home a bottle of any of these."
You and Buck both nodded. "We will," Buck said. "Thank you."
"Which do you want to try first?" you asked as the hostess left once again.
Buck looked at the wine descriptions accompanying your flight. "Mmm, maybe the merlot?"
"Okay, then I'll try the Reisling."
You each picked up your respective glass of wine. "Happy anniversary, love," Buck said with a smile.
You smiled back at him. "Happy anniversary."
You clinked your glasses together and each took a small sip.
Your brow furrowed as you considered the depth and flavor of the wine. "Hmm."
You dipped a piece of bread into the whipped ricotta then popped it into your mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing."
You took another small sip of wine, leaving the rest for Buck. "Yeah, I don't know about this one. How's the merlot?"
"It's okay," Buck replied. "Earthy."
He tried the whipped ricotta and took another sip. "It does pair really well with the olive oil in the ricotta though."
You swapped glasses and took a sip of the merlot. "Mmm, yeah, that is pretty good," you said.
Buck took a sip of the Reisling. "Hmm, I know what you mean about this one," he said. "Almost like it doesn't know if it wants to be dry or sweet."
"Yeah, exactly," you said. "Could be the wrong pairing, but I don't think it goes with the cheese either."
Buck tried it with the ricotta. "Mmm, no," he mused. "Not my favorite."
Next you tried something called the 'concrete blonde', which was a concrete-aged sauvingon blanc while Buck tried the 'wild boar doe'.
You nodded. "Oh yeah, I like this one."
Buck nodded as well. "This one is excellent too."
You both tried it with the cheese then swapped. "Oh, yeah, this one is definitely one of my favorites," you said after you tried the bordeaux.
"This one as well," Buck added.
The final glass was the vineyard's signature 'rose hill rosé'. "This one is really good as well," you said.
Buck tried it and nodded. "Yes, definitely. What do you think, darling? Should we get a bottle each of the bordeaux, sav, and rosé?"
You nodded. "Did you like the merlot enough to get a bottle of that as well?"
Buck thought a moment, then shook his head. "One of the other vineyards might have a merlot I like better."
"Okay then, that sounds good to me."
Once the hostess came to check on you, Buck gave her your wine bottle order.
"We can certainly do that," she replied. "Give me just a moment."
You waited as she brought your wine and the check. "Okay, here we are."
Buck gave it a glance before handing it and his bank card to the hostess. "Thank you."
After the hostess returned for the final time, Buck texted your driver to let him know that the two of you were ready to go.
A short car ride later, you arrived at your second location, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery, where Buck had booked a private tour and wine tasting for the two of you.
After touring the vineyard, tank room, wine cellar, and the winery, you sat down for a guided tasting of the winery's signature sparkling wines.
You and Buck found one you both liked and decided to take a few bottles home, then headed back out to the car where your driver was waiting.
"Which winery are we going to next?" you asked on the way to your next destination.
Buck smiled and shook his head. "Actually, our next stop isn't a winery."
Your brow furrowed. "It isn't?"
Buck shook his head. "I thought it might be fun to take a chocolate-making class together, break up the day a little."
You nodded with a smile. "Yeah, that does sound like fun."
A few minutes later, the car pulled up to Atelier Disset, an artisan chocolate shop known for its hand-crafted confections.
Buck opened the door for you. "After you, my darling."
The clerk behind the counter smiled as you and Buck approached. "Good afternoon," he said in a friendly tone. "How many I help you today?"
"Hi, yes, we have an appointment for a chocolate-making class," Buck replied.
The clerk typed something into the computer. "Your names, please?"
You gave your and Buck's names to him.
The clerk nodded. "Ah, yes, I see you right here. Let me just get you checked in… Okay, you're all set. Come with me, please."
He led you and Buck down a hallway and through an open doorway into a small room with a table in the middle. "You'll be right in here. I'll go let Ursula know you've arrived."
You took a look at the items on the table while you waited. There was a portable electric stovetop with 3 simmering pots of water on it, 2 bowls each of chopped dark, milk, and white chocolate, several candy thermometers, various chocolate molds, and a few different glitters and what you assumed was edible paints.
A few moments later, a woman with dark brown hair with red highlights walked in the room.
"Good afternoon," she said, then confirmed your names.
You and Buck both nodded.
"My name is Ursula, and welcome to your confectionary lesson. Please wash your hands and take an apron, then we'll get started."
You and Buck both washed your hands in the sink at the back of the room then took an apron off of a hook by the door and put them on.
"Now," Ursula said, "there is an artistry in making the perfect confections, so today I'm going to teach you the basics — which starts with melting your chocolate."
She explained how each type of chocolate tempered at slightly different temperatures then instructed you and Buck to set the larger bowls of chocolate on top of the pots of water. "Don't worry, they won't break," she reassured. "You just need to make sure that the bowls don't actually touch the water."
As you waited for the chocolate to start melting, Ursula asked, "so, are we celebrating anything special today?"
Buck nodded. "It's our anniversary."
"Oh, how lovely! How long have you been married?"
"Oh, sorry, no, we're not married," you rushed to correct. "It's our dating anniversary."
Buck put an arm around you and planted a chaste kiss to your temple. "We're celebrating a year together," he said with a soft smile.
"That's so sweet. How did you meet?"
"At work," you replied with a smile of your own. "I got lost trying to find our boss's office and Buck came to my rescue."
You had just arrived back in New York and were supposed to have been meeting your father for lunch, but you had gotten hopelessly lost trying to find his office and were wandering the halls of City Hall when your knight in shining business suit had appeared.
"May I help you, miss?" he had said.
You had sighed. "I hope so. I'm supposed to be meeting the Mayor for lunch and I got a bit lost looking for his office."
Buck had looked at you curiously, then said your name like he had been asking a question.
You had nodded, surprised that he knew who you were. "Yes, and you are…?"
Buck had given you a warm smile and held his hand out for you to shake. "Buck Cashman. I'm the Mayor's personal assistant and head of security."
So this is 'Buck', you had thought. Your father had mentioned him a couple of times but you'd had no idea that he would be this attractive.
You had shaken his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Buck had gestured down the hall. "Your father's office is right this way."
He had led you down the winding hallway to your father's office. "Here you are."
"Thanks." You had bitten your lip. "I guess I'll see you around then?"
Buck had given you a wink, setting your heart aflutter. "I guarantee it."
You smiled to yourself. Little had you known that that would be only the first time Buck had come to your (both literal and figurative) rescue.
Buck gave you a fond look. "I was instantly smitten," he added, "but it took a few months before I found the courage to make my move."
You huffed out a laugh. Buck had told you when the two of you had first started dating that he had gone to your father for his blessing to ask you out — which you honestly found quite adorable. "Which brings us to now."
"That's wonderful." Ursula checked the chocolate. "Okay, once your chocolate starts to melt, you're going to stir it…"
With Ursula's help, you and Buck managed to get your chocolate tempered then poured into your molds.
Ursula gave a satisfactory nod. "Okay, we're going to let these set while we work on our filled confections."
She showed you how to fill your chocolate molds with melted chocolate then tap off the excess without wasting too much and how to add just the right amount of filling before topping them off with more chocolate.
"Very good!" she praised as you and Buck both popped passable-looking confections out of your molds. "Now, our final step — use our cocoa butter paints and edible glitter to decorate them as you see fit."
You decided to decorate a few of your chocolates with your and Buck's first initials with a heart in the middle, "Happy Anniversary" on another, and the day of your first date on a third, while adding little hearts and generic swirls to the rest.
Ursula nodded in approval as you boxed up your confections. "Not bad at all for beginners!"
"Thank you so much for the lesson," you said. "This has been fun."
"Yes, thank you," Buck added.
"Enjoy the rest of your day," Ursula said as she led you back out to the front. "And happy anniversary!"
"Thank you!" you and Buck both replied.
"Before we go, I want to get Dad and Vanessa some chocolate-covered strawberries," you told Buck.
He nodded. "Not a problem, darling."
You ordered a dozen strawberries along with a few other goodies then waited while the clerk boxed them up.
"How was the class?" he asked.
"Oh, it was fantastic," you replied. "Ursula is a great teacher."
The clerk nodded. "And did I hear it's your anniversary?"
You smiled and glanced over at Buck, who was standing near the entrance quietly talking on his phone. "Yeah, we've been together for a year today."
"Well, happy anniversary."
"Thank you."
Buck hung up and walked back over to you as the clerk handed you your purchase. "Ready, darling?"
You nodded and took his hand. "Yep."
"Thank you again," Buck said to the clerk.
"Thank you," the clerk said. "And come again!"
You and Buck stepped outside just as your driver was pulling up to the curb.
Buck opened the car door for you. "After you, love."
You got in and buckled your seatbelt as Buck shut the door and went around the other side to get in.
"We have one last wine tasting before we head back into the city for dinner," he said once he was settled and the car began moving.
You nodded. "Okay."
After a final wine tasting at RGNY (which specialized in a white merlot Buck loved so much that he bought three bottles), you and Buck were back on your way into the city.
About halfway back, Buck's phone chimed with a text. "Sorry, love," he said. "Just a second."
He read the text then typed something back in reply.
"Everything okay?" you asked.
Buck nodded as he put his phone back in his pocket. "Just confirming dinner."
Your stomach grumbled at the mention of food. You hadn't eaten anything since Sparkling Pointe and was ready for something with more sustenance than dips and cheeses. "Oh, okay."
You huffed out a laugh. "You know, when we left the city this morning I didn't think we'd be coming home with an entire case of wine."
Buck shrugged, a grin on his handsome face. "At least we're stocked up for a while, right, love?"
You nodded with a grin of your own. "Yeah, that's true. By the way, today has been wonderful, sweetheart."
Buck leaned in and gave you a kiss. "I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far."
You spent the rest of the ride home reminiscing about your day — Buck surprising you with breakfast in bed and a massage, the amazing time you had had at each winery, the chocolate-making lesson Buck had booked for the two of you...
You looked over at him. To be honest, you had no idea if he ever wanted to get married. You knew he loved you and was committed to your relationship, but you also understood that his career could complicate things. But then again, Dad and Vanessa got married and that's mostly worked out for them…
As it was, you at least hoped one of the surprises you had planned for Buck didn't fail spectacularly.
Your thoughts were interrupted by the car pulling up to your apartment building.
Your driver popped the trunk so you and Buck could get your purchases out then walked around the car to open your door for you.
You gave him a smile as you got out. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, ma'am," he replied with a smile of his own.
You grabbed the bag with your chocolates while Buck grabbed the bags containing the wine.
He shook your driver's hand then handed him some cash. "Thank you again."
The driver nodded in appreciation. "You're very welcome, sir, miss. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
You and Buck headed inside to your private elevator then up to your apartment.
You gasped as the elevator doors opened and you stepped into your foyer. "Wha —"
Fairy lights had been strung along the wall, giving the space a soft glow, while electric candles lined the hallway into your galley.
As you walked in, you noticed that your table had been set for two, with a bouquet of your favorite flowers in the middle.
You turned towards Buck. "How?"
Buck grinned. "I had some assistance."
He set the bags of wine down in your pantry then walked back over to you before wrapping his arms around you and giving you a sweet kiss. "Happy anniversary, my darling."
You wrapped your arms around his waist. "Happy anniversary, sweetheart."
Suddenly your doorbell rang.
"Ah, that'll be dinner," Buck said.
Your brow furrowed. "Dinner? So we're not going out?"
Buck shook his head. "Be right back."
You began putting your purchases away as Buck went to answer the door.
When he returned, he was holding a rectangular box that you recognized from the bistro around the corner from City Hall.
A smile spread across your face. "Is that…"
Buck nodded. "I thought we could end our anniversary by recreating our first date — just with no interruptions this time."
Your heart warmed. "I love you so much, you know that?"
Buck nodded. "I love you too."
The two of you sat down to enjoy your dinner together.
"Mmm, delicious," you mumbled as you took a bite of your slice of pizza.
You and Buck ate quickly, both apparently hungry from your full day of fun.
After you were both done, Buck loaded your dishwasher while you went to go get his anniversary gifts.
You came back to find him seated on the sofa in your media room and a small, wrapped box on your coffee table.
You shook your head, a soft smile on your face. As much as Buck had spent on you that day, you definitely hadn't been expecting a gift as well.
You sat down next to him.
Buck picked the box up off of your coffee table and handed it to you. "Here you are, love."
You smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart."
You unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal a circular Cartier necklace with the word 'love' engraved on it. "Oh, Buck, honey, this is beautiful."
Buck took it out of the box and held it up. "May I?"
You nodded and turned so he could fasten the necklace around your neck. "I love it."
You gave him a kiss then handed him his first gift. "Here you go, sweetheart."
Buck smiled at you. "Thank you, love."
You waited as he opened the box and pulled out the Arsenal Football Club jersey you had special-ordered for him. "I didn't know who your favorite player was, so I got it custom-printed."
He looked at the back and smiled at "CASHMAN" printed in bold letters. "That's actually really brilliant, darling, thank you."
You handed him his next gift. "I'm glad you like it, because I thought you could wear it to this."
Buck's smile widened into a delighted grin as he opened it. "You got me Arsenal tickets for when they're here this summer?"
You nodded. "Dad helped me get them before they even went on sale so I could be sure to get the best seats. Sometimes being the daughter of the mayor of New York City has its perks."
Buck chuckled. "Thank you so much, darling."
"There's something else." You stood and took Buck's hand. "Follow me."
You led him up your hallway stairs to your walk-in closet, half of which was empty.
Buck smiled. "You're giving me closet space?"
You nodded and took the other box you had been hiding out of your pocket. "And one other thing."
Buck opened the box, a small look of confusion on his face as he pulled out a key.
"I know Dad already gave you a key card for the penthouse elevator in case of emergency when I first moved in here," you explained, "but I wanted to give you one for the front door too, because... well, because…"
Buck looked at your closet, then at the key, then at you, a look of recognition dawning on his face.
He said your name then paused briefly. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"
You took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. If you're not ready to take that step though, I completely understand —"
Buck cut you off with a kiss. "It would be an honor and a privilege to share a home with you, my darling," he murmured against your lips. "To wake up next to you each morning, come home to you each night… Make love to you in our bed."
He tucked the box that held his apartment key in his pocket. "Mmm, and speaking of, I did say that was on the agenda for tonight, didn't I, love?"
You grinned as Buck wrapped his arms around your waist. "Mmhmm. I just have one request."
Buck raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"Glasses stay on."
Buck chuckled as he lowered his lips to yours once again. "I can definitely do that."
Story Summary: You and Buck officially make your public debut as a couple during the Black and White Ball, where tragedy strikes. Once things calm down, you let each other know the extent of your feelings for one another.
Tags/Warnings: F!Reader, Love Confessions
A/N: For those following along with canon, this is set during Season 1, episodes 8 & 9!
You stood in a corner of the Grand Ballroom at the Mayor's Annual Black and White Ball, glass of champagne in hand while you waited for Buck to arrive. He'd had something to take care of for your father beforehand but had been given the rest of the evening off to enjoy the Ball as a guest and had planned to meet you there.
You waved at Daniel, who had just been promoted to Deputy Mayor of Communications — which honestly was a relief on you since you'd now only have to focus on your actual job rather than PR and media management in addition to dealing with the wants and needs of the community.
You narrowed your eyes as you spotted Jacques Duquesne coming towards you. Your last conversation with the man hadn't gone well and to be honest you were still a bit salty about it.
"Ah, Miss Fisk," he greeted you as he approached.
"Mr. Duquesne," you replied rather icily.
"I must apologize for our last encounter," he said. "I'm afraid I… underestimated the lengths the Mayor would go to get the Red Hook project pushed through."
You nodded. "Yes, well, it's an important project. The port has long since been in need of revitalization."
"And I agree with that, I just don't think that port revitalization is what's within the best interest of the community at the moment."
You did not know what this guy's problem was. "Well according to our research, the community says otherwise."
You smiled as you spotted Buck enter the room. "Now if you'll excuse me, I see someone else I need to speak with. Enjoy your evening."
You left Mr. Duquesne and walked over to Buck, who looked amazing in the tux that he wore. "You made it."
Buck smiled at you, a hungry look on his face as his eyes swept over you. "Darling, you look ravishing," he murmured. "Absolutely delectable."
Your face heated. Since Vanessa was wearing red tonight, you (at her suggestion) had followed suit and settled on an A-line, cold shoulder spaghetti strap dress with flowy chiffon sleeves in the lightest shade of pink you could find. "Thank you. You look gorgeous too."
"Is the Mayor here yet?"
You shook your head. "He and Vanessa should be here any minute."
As if on cue, an announcement came over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed New Yorkers, welcome to the Black and White Ball."
You and Buck both turned as the door across the room opened to reveal your parents.
"May I present your hosts," the announcer continued, "Mayor Wilson Fisk and the First Lady of New York, Vanessa Fisk."
You and Buck joined in the applause as your parents made their grand entrance.
They smiled and posed together for a few moments, then went their separate ways to greet guests.
Buck put an arm around your waist. "Come on, darling. Let's go say hello."
You approached your father first. "Hi, Dad."
Your father said your name and gave you a hug and kiss on the cheek. "You look lovely, my dear."
"Thanks."
Your father then shook Buck's hand. "Buck, everything taken care of?"
Buck nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Very good." Your father gave you a quick, affectionate pat on the hand. "You two enjoy your evening for now. I have some business to deal with."
You shook your head to yourself as your father walked away. Always working. Ah well, such is the life of the mayor, I suppose.
You and Buck made your way over to Vanessa, who was speaking with a brown-haired, somewhat melancholy-looking woman.
"Sweetheart, you look beautiful," Vanessa said before turning to the woman. "I don't believe you've met Dr. Glenn?"
You shook your head. "I haven't had the pleasure. Dr. Glenn, it's so nice to meet you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help my parents through this difficult time in their marriage."
Dr. Glenn nodded. "It's been my pleasure. Mr. Cashman, it's nice to see you again."
Buck nodded politely in return. "Dr. Glenn."
Vanessa smiled at you. "I'll see you two for the first dance?"
You nodded. You and Buck had talked things over, and since the media had been distracted with the Muse case and you seemed to be more accepted at work by your colleagues (who had finally started to realize that you were more than capable of doing both your job and probably most of theirs), you planned to publicly reveal your relationship by joining your parents in the middle of the first dance of the evening. "Yeah, that's the plan."
"Wonderful. I'll see you soon then."
You and Buck made your way around the ballroom, speaking to various other guests and enjoying your evening until it was time for the first dance.
You smiled as you watched your parents take to the dance floor and begin to sway together. They seemed genuinely happy and more content than they had in months — you assumed thanks to Dr. Glenn. Must've had a breakthrough in therapy.
As your father spun Vanessa away from and back to him, Buck took your hand. "That's our cue," he murmured into your ear. "Are you ready?"
You nodded, a smile on your face. "Let's do it."
Buck escorted you to the center of the room to join your parents, a soft gasp ringing throughout the crowd followed by a smattering of applause as he pulled you close.
Buck grinned. "I do believe we meet with the crowd's approval, don't you, darling?"
You smiled up at him, huffing out a light laugh as a wolf whistle rang out. Ah, Daniel. "Yeah. Seems we do."
You glanced over at your parents and saw them watching you and Buck, smiles on both of their faces.
You and Buck continued to sway in each other's arms, eyes only for each other.
Buck placed a gentle kiss to your cheek as the song ended. "There's something I need to tell you," he murmured.
You took a deep breath. Now seemed like the perfect time to tell him exactly how you felt. "Me too."
Suddenly Buck's phone began to buzz.
He cursed under his breath. "I have to take this. Be right back."
You nodded. "Okay."
You followed him to the edge of the dance floor and watched as he stepped away.
"So how long has this been going on?" Daniel's voice said to your right.
You turned to him and huffed out a light laugh. "A while, actually. We've just been keeping it private until now."
"Well I'm happy for you. The two of you look good together."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." You watched as Buck walked up to your father and murmured something to him, then nodded as your father murmured something back. "Excuse me, will you please?"
Daniel nodded. "Sure."
You walked over to Buck. "What's going on?" you whispered. "You have that 'something's wrong but I'm trying to act all mysterious and casual' look."
Buck sighed. "Benjamin Poindexter killed a prison guard and escaped tonight."
You gasped. "Oh my God."
"Security is on it, but your father wants us to keep it under wraps."
You looked over at your father, who was now dancing with Dr. Glenn while Vanessa danced with… Matthew Murdock? What was he doing here?
You shook your head in confusion. "Do you think he's going to try to come here?"
"I don't know, but—"
Suddenly a gunshot rang out.
You screamed.
"Gun! Balcony!" Buck yelled, pulling you behind him before drawing his own weapon (which you didn't even know he was carrying that evening since he was technically off-duty, although you were admittedly thankful).
He directed you towards your parents then ushered you all through the door your father and stepmother had used to make their grand entrance to safety.
Once you were in the hallway, he put his gun away and took your hand. "This way, quickly now."
You followed him and your parents to a limo waiting outside.
He opened the door. "Get in."
You climbed in and sat across from your parents, gasping in shock when you noticed red staining your father's white suit. "Dad, you're bleeding!"
Your father shook his head as Buck climbed in and shut the door. "It's not my blood. I'm okay, it's… it's not my blood."
You huffed out a breath. "Oh, thank God. So who was shot?"
"Matthew Murdock."
Your eyebrows raised. "Really?"
"He jumped in front of me at the last second, I…" Your father trailed off.
"Where to, sir?" the limo driver asked through the partition.
"Home," your father said.
"Yes, sir."
"I want an emergency response meeting at City Hall in thirty minutes," your father said as the limo began to move. "The two of you, Daniel, and Sheila, plus Gallow, Powell and North. Buck, send out the call."
Buck nodded. "Yes, sir."
You sighed. So much for off-the-clock tonight. "Yes, sir."
Vanessa gave your father a sideways glance. "Are you okay, my dear?" she asked you. "I'm sure that must have been quite a shock."
You nodded, leaning against Buck for comfort. "Yeah, just a little shaken up."
Buck took his tux jacket off and draped it around you. "Here darling, you're shivering."
You clutched Buck's jacket to you, letting the familiar comforting smell of him ease your tension.
You rode in silence, looking out of the window at the passing streets of Manhattan until you arrived at Gracie Mansion.
"I'll be right back," your father said.
You didn't respond, instead waiting long after your parents had gone inside before speaking. "I didn't know it was going to be like this."
Buck looked at you warily. "Didn't know what was going to be like what?"
"This." You shook your head and waved a hand around. "I expected working for my father's administration to be easy, not that it was going to need to come with hazard pay."
Buck huffed out a light chuckle and wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close before pressing a kiss to your temple. "Well that's one of the reasons I'm here, darling, to protect both him and you."
You leaned back to look at him, realization dawning on you. "You did, didn't you? You protected me."
He took your hands in his, his eyes searching yours. "I love you."
You sucked in a breath. Had Buck just voiced what you had been wanting to say to him for months? "I—"
You were interrupted by the limo door opening and your father, now wearing a fresh white suit, getting back in.
"I have a plan of action," he announced, seemingly unaware that he had just interrupted a private moment between you and Buck.
You sighed and leaned back. You would have to continue your conversation later. "What is it?"
"—You're going to go out there and hunt down not just Poindexter, but all vigilantes," your father reiterated twenty minutes later as you stood in his office along with Buck, Sheila, Daniel, Commissioner Gallow, and Officers Powell and North along with a couple of other Task Force members you didn't immediately recognize. "There'll be no body cams, no due process, no warrants."
"—Sir, that not only goes against the operating principles of the NYPD, it's illegal," Commissioner Gallow interrupted. "I mean, next you'll be condoning the use of lethal force—"
"Condoning, absolutely not," your father countered. "Encouraging, Gallow, encouraging! I want the bridges shut down! I want the tunnels closed!"
He banged his fist on his desk as he spoke, marking his point.
"Sir, a lone gunman attacking the mayor is a massive affront, of course, I see that," Sheila gently protested, "but to seal the city, you need a large scale, real and present threat to public safety."
Your father put a hand up to stop her. "Shelia, your concerns are noted," he said more gently. "Now, you all have a job to do."
You began to follow Buck out of your father's office. Your task was to write a public statement to be sent out to the media condemming the attack.
"Buck, one moment please," your father added.
Buck gave you a quick kiss. "Go home. I'll meet you there as soon as I'm able."
You nodded. "Okay."
You left Buck and your father to speak alone, walking down the hallway to where Sheila and Daniel were talking.
Sheila turned towards you as you walked up. "You don't honestly think this is right, do you?" she asked.
"A man escaped prison and tried to kill my father tonight," you replied coolly. "I think he should be found and brought to justice by any means neccessary, don't you?"
"I certainly think so," Daniel replied.
You gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Daniel. Now if you'll excuse me, like the Mayor said, we all have a job to do and I'd like to do mine so I can get some rest."
You headed home and typed up the public statement, CCing your father, Shelia, and Daniel (as the newly-minted Deputy Mayor of Communications, this technically would've been his job, but your father had said he'd rather you take care of it) before sending it out to the media and posting it to the Mayor's website right before the power grid shut down.
Thankfully your building had emergecy backup power via a private generator, so you then took a shower and scrubbed off your makeup before changing into a silk pajama set and sitting up to wait for Buck.
Finally, you heard the private elevator to your apartment ding.
You stood and walked into the foyer as Buck exited the elevator.
His eyebrows raised in surprise. "Darling. you're still up."
You nodded. "Wanted to wait for you."
"Everything alright?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
Buck walked over to you and wrapped his arms around your waist. "Your father has it handled."
You laid your head against his chest, relaxing against him and letting all of the tension of the evening drain away. "You said something earlier."
Buck leaned back to look at you. "I said a lot of things earlier, darling. I'm going to need a bit more context."
You shook your head. "Three words. Eight letters. Very important significance."
A look of realization dawned on Buck's face and he smiled softly. "Ah. That."
You nodded. "Did you mean it?"
"I did." Buck caressed your cheek then gave you a tender kiss. "I love you."
"Good, because I love you, too."
Buck smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah?"
You shivered as he trailed his fingers underneath your pajama top along your bare sides. "Yeah."
Buck hummed. "How about you let me show you just how much I love you?"
You let out a small shriek of surprise as Buck picked you up and carried you to bed, where he did exactly that... Over and over again.
Buck stood near the entrance to the Grand Hall at the Governor's mansion and observed the crowd at the Governor's annual dinner while he waited for security to give the all-clear. He had agreed to keep an eye out while they did a perimeter check, although there had been no sign of any credible threat. Poindexter was in the wind and Murdock — ahem, Daredevil — seemed to be content causing chaos closer to home.
"On duty tonight?"
Buck glanced over as Dr. Glenn walked up next to him, glass of champagne in hand. "For the moment, just until security is done making its sweep."
"I'd have thought the Mayor would've let you off this evening."
Buck chuckled. "No need to feel sorry for me, Dr. Glenn. This affords me the best spot in the room."
"How so?"
"Well you see, from here I have the best view of the court — as in, royal court. Suitors, subjects, all swirling around." Buck nodded over towards the Mayor, who was conversing with the Governor as you and Mrs. Fisk looked on. "The King, of course, locking horns with the Governor, the Queen, obverving everything, cataloging it…"
Buck smiled softly and nodded over at you in greeting as you made eye contact with him and gave a little wave. "…The Princess, heir to the throne — should she choose to accept it."
You had finally decided to embrace the moniker "The Princess of New York" after the papers had picked up on Buck's and your relationship. (Granted, it hadn't exactly made the front page of the New York Herald since the story of Benjamin Poindexter's attempt on the Mayor's life obviously took precedent, but there it had been nonetheless, on page 3 — a photo of you and Buck standing next to each other at one of the Mayor's press conferences with the headline, "The Princess and the Bodyguard" along with a short write-up about your public debut.)
"And we are their humble courtiers," he continued, "each chosen for the talents we possess. Like Daniel, for instance…"
He nodded over at Daniel, who was standing with Shelia while subtly pumping the lieutenant governor for information.
Dr. Glenn took a sip of champagne. "The jester?"
Buck chuckled. "At first glance. But… Is there more than meets the eye? An heir unapparent — if the Princess should choose to abdicate the throne, that is."
"You like him, don't you?" Dr. Glenn asked.
Buck thought for a moment. Professionally, he had watched Daniel grow from a kid from Staten Island into a bright, calculating young man. As for personally, Daniel had been the one to convince Buck to take a chance on asking you out, and not only that, but he had also graciously and enthusiastically accepted Buck's request to decorate your apartment while you and Buck were in Long Island on your anniversary. "He's grown on me."
He nodded towards Sheila next. "And then we have Sheila, the chief of staff. Or… Iago, waiting with a sharpened blade."
Dr. Glenn chuckled and took another sip of champagne. "And you?"
Buck looked at her. "Me?"
"Mmm." Dr. Glenn nodded over at you, smiling knowingly. "That would make you the Knight, wouldn't it?"
Buck couldn't help but grin as he shook his head. "I am but the Princess's humble courtesan, fortunate enough to have earned her affection."
Dr. Glenn studied him. "You love her."
Buck nodded as he looked over at you again. "I do. Very much so."
"Have you told her?"
"I have, yes."
"Good. Hold on to her. You two seem happy together."
Buck smiled again. Little did Dr. Glenn know that he had set a plan in motion earlier that afternoon to do just that.
He had asked the Mayor to briefly meet before the Governor's Dinner and had made an excuse to you to pop out for a bit so he could stop by Gracie Mansion.
"Thank you for meeting with me, sir," he had said as he and Mayor Fisk has stepped into the Mayor's home office.
"Of course, Buck," the Mayor had replied. "Is this regarding business, or is it a personal matter?"
"A personal matter, sir."
"Ah." Mayor Fisk had raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face. "Then I assume it involves my daughter."
Buck had nodded. "Yes, sir, it does."
Mayor Fisk had waved a hand at him. "Go on, then."
Buck had taken a deep breath. "I wish to ask her to marry me, sir."
Mayor Fisk had huffed out a chuckle. "I see. I take it living together is going well, then?"
Buck couldn't help but smile. With his lifestyle and career he'd never thought he would be able to even have a stable relationship, much less come home to another person… until he had met you. "It is."
"And so you've come to me to get my blessing to ask for her hand."
Buck had nodded again. "Yes, sir."
Mayor Fisk had shaken his head. "Buck, you've been with me for a long time. You know I do not suffer foolishness, nor do I trifle with others — which is why I'm not going to beat around the bush here."
He had smiled and put a hand on Buck's shoulder. "I would be honored to have you as my son-in-law."
Buck had grinned. "Thank you, sir."
"Have you gotten a ring yet?"
Buck's mind had drifted to the engagement and wedding rings he had seen that matched the necklace he had given you for your and his anniversary a few months prior. "Not yet, sir. I've chosen one but I've been trying to figure out a way to sneak a ring out of Y/N's jewelry box without her noticing so I can get the correct size."
Mayor Fisk had grinned and shaken his head. "That's not necessary. I'll call my jeweler tomorrow. He has her sizing information."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that." Buck had paused. "I don't suppose I can ask you to keep this just between us for the time being?"
Mayor Fisk had nodded. "Of course."
He had clapped Buck on the back. "Now, let's go see what information we can get from the Governor, shall we?"
Buck mentally shook his head, lest he give away his thoughts. "I will. Thank you, Dr. Glenn."
He raised a hand to his earpiece as the Governor's security team gave the all-clear. "And that is my cue. Enjoy your evening."
Dr. Glenn raised her glass of champagne to him. "Have a good night, Mr. Cashman."
Buck removed his earpiece then took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and walked over to you. "Here you are, darling."
You gave him a kiss on the cheek as you accepted it. "Thank you, love. Everything okay?"
Buck nodded. "All clear."
"Glad to hear that. Shall we sit, then?"
Buck and you joined the Mayor and Mrs. Fisk at the Governor's table for dinner.
You took a sip of your glass of champagne. "Have an interesting conversation wtih Dr. Glenn?"
Buck nodded. "Indeed. It was… illuminating."
He took your free hand and gave it a squeeze. "Now, darling, let's enjoy our evening. After all, I'm here with the most beautiful woman in New York."
And if he spent the rest of that evening imagining you with a diamond ring on your left hand, well, no one but him would know.
