Happy Family

One of the few things you had not missed about working under Stark Industries were the nonsense parties that Tony had adopted into the company. It had been over a week now since you had personally seen Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers. Meetings regarding the project was handled by Sam and Carol as you still find yourself unable to look at both of their eyes after the last incident you had seen of them in the office.

But it was for the best, without you, in the meeting, the project was slowly going under way. With all three men’s approval, the project you had created with your team was now in developmental and everything was slowly falling into plan—in more ways than you would actually believe.

In what was now an apparent celebration for a success that wasn’t even in the horizon just yet, you were forced by your own brother to join in the festivities, and that meant dressing up and socializing with the people you weren’t so fond of even talking with. The fact that there was a large possibility of the two men also being in the party slimmed down any chance you had of being semi-civil in this whole ordeal.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Babe.” A smirked had rested on your face trying to school in the initial shock you had at the familiar man standing at your door. It’s been well over months now since you had last seen the man and having him appear out of nowhere—post breakup wasn’t something you had actually wanted to face now especially with what you’re gonna be experiencing. “And never thought you were into dressing—but I don’t mind the change.”

“What are you doing in here, Castle?” You questioned, hip resting on the door frame, hand still holding on to the door and ready to close it any moment he gives you trouble—not that he ever did when it comes to you.

“I was back in town for a while, heard you were back in your old man’s company, thought I’d stop by to see if it was true. How the few months actually did you good this time.”

You blinked, memories of your time with Frank was brought back and you had thought that this time around, with how busy you had been with working with Stark Industries, you would forget about him, you could lay down the drink a little longer and become more productive with you life and with your career. Now he comes back to ruin everything for you.

“Now you know, you can leave.” You whispered, not wanting to prolong your conversation, but at the same time—you wanted to be in his presence a little longer. You missed him, you truly did. “I’ve got a party to head to. You know how much I had to not disappoint my family.” The familiar pang lingered in your features at the statement and he was quick to pick up on it.

His rough hands come cupping onto your cheeks and for a moment you wanted to flinch away, but the more pressing need to be held by him won you and you savoured the moment even for just one last time.

“You said you wouldn’t go back to them.”

“You said you would stay, but I think we’ve established that neither of us can keep our promises.” You whispered finally pulling away from his hold.

“I had to, Babe.” He whispered, the familiar excuse coming along with those words.

Finally breaking eye contact with the man, you turned your attention back to your phone, as numerous notifications rang. Without even looking, you know it was either Sam or Tony making sure you actually head to the party.

“I want to make it work, but I can’t do this on my own.”

You closed your eyes, knowing fully well that if you did, it will never work. It was always one thing or another when it comes to either of you.

“Why are you back in New York, Frank?” You questioned once again.

“Always cutting to the chase, I see.” He chuckled. “My boss heard news about SHIELD refurbishing in their executives, he wanted me to check things out and sniff around.”

You tensed, knowing very well what the reason for it was.

“Mardock still trying his luck?” You inquired knowing that whatever Frank’s relationship with Matt Murdock was had been more than just a boss-employee relationship. They were best friends through and through and you had learned the hard way that they would always choose each other at every chance would arise. Even you.

“Thought it had something to do with you so I just wanted to make sure you were alright and to warn you.”

You blinked knowing where this conversation was going.

“You think it’s a bad look that I’m with Stark Industries.” You point out, a statement more than a question.

“Got some intel that your brother is doing some insider trading and I don’t want you to get involved with the crossfire just because of your name.”

You tensed, betrayal consumed you at the fact that it was a possibility, How dare Tony do this to you, to your father’s company.

“Stark Industries is going bankrupt and Tony is still acting like nothing is wrong.” Frank continued.

“So what do you have planned?” You questioned still lost at what Frank had planned now.

“I’m gonna outbuy him and maybe, just maybe place your perky ass as his replacement.”

“Frank…”

“It’s still not set in stone, but we know your capabilities. You helped more than the marketing side of SHIELD and ARC and that was the downfall of Stark Industries. I want to show you the pieces before we make this into a reality, Babe.”

“What about Tony, and the two people my Dad had hired?”

“It’s up to you what you want to do with them. If you want to fire them when the time comes, be my guest, three less motherfucker in the company. Or you can keep them just for the hell of it.”

There it was, an opportunity you never thought you could have. Working for Frank and Matt in the past made you perfectly aware that they are more than capable of making this a reality, but you know how drastic they change a company they overthrow—you felt uncertain if those changes would also mean ruining everything you father had ever worked on in the past.

“So what do you want me to do?” There was a catch, no matter how good the possibility was, it was too good to be true.

“Nothing.” Frank smirked cupping your cheeks once again. “You’re gonna act like nothing is wrong, like there isn’t anything happening behind the scene, can you do that for me, Babe?”

Blinking, you nodded. It was the only opportunity you had. If it means saving everything your father had worked so hard for, then you’re gonna take the chance as dangerous as it was to do. You could care less about the cross fire at this point in time now.

“Do you really need to be at those lame parties?” He inquired kissing your forehead. “I kinda miss you and I thought we’d spend the rest of the night watching those trashy reality show you like so much.”

“I can’t.” You melted into his touch for now. “It’s not just Tony waiting for me anymore.”

“Want me to tag along?” He inqured.

Bitting your lips, you know perfectly well no one would like the sight of Frank Castle knowing his reputation in the business world—but then again, no one likes Frank, especially Tony. The idea of ruining Tony’s night somehow was a bigger pro you could see with Frank in attendace aside from keeping you company for the night.

“Yes, please.” You relent.
~
“You really need to enjoy the night, Punk.” Bucky had pointed out the moment both Steve and Bucky had made their way inside the banquet hall where the Quarter party was held.

How could Steve enjoy when his mind was filled with you and the promise you had made just a few days ago. It brought an unending fear in the back of his head the possibility of you make true of your promise. How you would use his secret against him in whatever plan you might have. It was fine for him if it were the case, but the fact that it would involve Bucky was what worried him the most.

It's been days now since he had last seen you and the gnawing anxiety brought him further down the rabbithole of the what if’s.

“You know how much I hate parties, Buck.” He muttered right back to his lover, his eyes catching sight of your team, how easy it was for them to ease their way into the company. How no one treated them any differenty since their arrival.

“And here I thought Stark finally rub in on you.” Bucky smirked nudging his attention away from the growing crowd huddled at the Marketing Team, the fact that you were still missing brought a momentary relief for Steve at the moment.

“Not by a long shot, Buck.” Steve snorts his gaze turning to the resounding whispers by the entrance. “Who the hell is she with?”

Speak of the devil and he comes to arrive. You. In all your glory, in the arms of an infamous man in the world of Mergers and Acquisitions; Frank-Fucking-Castle. Of all the people he would have like to see you ever associate with, the man was the last person he would have ever thought you’d be in the presence in.

All eyes were on the couple as they made their way to where the rest of the Marketing Team were, even they had a sense of tension at the arrival of the man, but you had been quick to cut it out before it gets worse. Sam shaking the man’s hands casually before everyone that wasn’t part of their inner circle had disperse.

“Never thought she was involved with that bastard.” Bucky muttered.

The thoughts lingering in Steve’s mind, how easy it would be for you to make all the necessary steps to takeover Stark Industry should you wish to do so. It genuinely scared Steve, the resentment you always had for him and for Bucky knows no bound and he expected you to do this to him one of this days.

“I’m gonna have Maria do a research about those two.” Steve muttered.

“Steve—“ Bucky warned but it would obviously go to deaf ears when it comes to Steve and his constant need for control now.

“Then what, Punk? You’re gonna use what information you have on them and have her fuck us over?”

Steve closed his eyes, trying his best to control his anger. Not for Bucky, but for the situation. A situation that he knew perfectly well that would be used against him if he wasn’t careful. It was the very reason why he tried his best to avoid you at all cost.

“She can’t take everything from us just because of it. I’m not gonna make her think she has any power over us.”

“But she does, whether we like to admit it or not. She does, she still does because she is a Stark.”

“And you are Barnes and I am Rogers.”

The name that the business world had praised and cursed for in the last decade. This was their time to clean their reputation, whatever it may take. Whoever they made need to hurt along the way, it always them against the world.
~
It didn’t take long for you and Frank to be practically skin to skin even in the height of the party. In the confinements of the men’s restroom, you were practically melting in his arms as he lifted you up, legs wrapped around the narrows of his waist.

The pounding vibration of the music could never compare to the beating of your heart. Fighting their way to escape your chest cavity, for this man, the only man that made you feel more like yourself away from the Stark name, and away from the constant ghost that came with what could have been in your life.

“I need you so much, Frank.” You whispered moaning at how ready you were for him, his erection slipping past you and bringing you into the familiar comfort of him, in his presence. “I always do.” You whimpered, nails digging onto his shoulder.

The chaos that had been your brother seeing Frank in the building, The very words that you never thought would come out of his lips after everything you’ve learned your brother had been doing behind the company’s back.

Traitor.

You, the daughter that had lived and breathed the company was the traitor after everything you had to do to make this company. The growth you had made to the company in your college years. It meant nothing to Tony, and that made the whole situation hurt more than it should have.

“I’m here.” He whispered reassurance, moving gently into you. The squelching sound of you two fucking drowned out everything. It was the peace you never thought you needed right now until it was given to you. “You know I am.”

This will hurt in the morning. You know very well the lie in Frank’s words. He had more important things that needed his attention instead of you. You will never be his first choice and you’ve come to terms with the truth a long time ago. Even for a moment, you wanted to believe that it would be alright that he was here and everything in your life was alright too. Between the two of you, the past you try so hard to move on from, the responsibility that rested on your shoulders because of it.

For a moment, you wanted a semblance of peace in your life.

“Baby, I got you. I always do.” He thrusted himself deep into you, slowly but surely bring you towards your own release. “Come on, give it to me.”

As his motion become more rough, you felt more alive. Nails digging so deep into his skin that you were drawing blood at this point, but neither of you cared. The familiar firm hand had now slipped around your neck constricting your breathing and bringing you closer to your release, just a little more.

“Come on, Baby.” He urged, completely cutting the air from your lungs and bringing you to the familiar pleasure that Frank was the only one capable of giving you.

As the white dots lingered in your eye sight, from behind Frank you had noticed a familiar duo making by the door, shocked at the sight of you now in a compromising position—a reversal of what you had once seen them back in the office.

“Get the fuck out, you perverts!” You spat at Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes.

As the both of them left, your attention turned back to Frank that looked far too amused with the whole predicament. In the bliss still lingering in your head, you placed a kiss on his cheeks before unclasping your ankles from their hold around his waist.

Standing right back onto your two feet, you winced realizing the copous amount of cum in between your legs.

“You still in the pills?” Frank inquired, helping you up with your own dress before fixing himself with his own shirt and pants.

“You know I am.” You muttered, your pills were religiously taken knowing a pregnancy was never a priority for you and you can’t make such a mistake with everything going on in your life.

“Ever thought about having your own family?” He inquired.

This was what you hated post-sex with Frank. He wasn’t much of a talker about his own life or of his own business. But when it came to you, he wanted to know, small talks that would turn into existential crisis you did not want to ponder on for the most part.

“Ever thought about moving on from your wife and kids’ death?” You inquired knowing how much that was a lowblow that was to him.

“Sometimes it makes me wonder, who hurt you so much that you turn into this cold woman, Y/N.”

You fell silent, knowing just how much truth that fact was. Cold. That was what they always say about you. You’ve come to accept it at this point now.

“Come on, let me take you home.” He sighs, cupping your cheeks, and wiping the last residue of sweat lingering on your skin.

You pulled away from his touch this time. Now that the fantasy was over, you were back to this cold cold woman like he said you were.

“I think I’ll stay, I still need to socialize with my team.” You muttered knowing how much that was a lie, you didn’t even know if they were still in the party at this point.

“Okay, just send me a text when you get home.” He request, taking a step towards you and as he cupped your cheeks for the second time, you didn’t pull away, allowing him one last moment to kiss you on the forehead before finally leaving you in your own thoughts and this emptiness you know you had one way of solving.

Alcohol.