Chapter Warnings: This chapter has mentions of violence, emotional abuse, blood, restraints, serial killers/murder, cannibalism...again, basically everything Steve does to people in Fresh is a warning this chapter. And again, Steve Kemp and Nick Fowler being their unhinged and possessive selves towards the poor reader.
~~~
Later that night, Y/N stands alone in her bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror...and also staring at the large, purple marks covering her neck. Y/N drifts her hands up towards her neck, her fingers gently tracing the outline of each one. She turns her head and her neck for a while, trying to find a part of her skin that isn't covered in them. There are more of them than she expected there to be. Despite her attempts to scrub them off and cover them with makeup, they're still there. They're so...big, so bold, and they just won't go away. Y/N scoffs. She's spent so long wanting someone to love her and to have someone to call her own. Yet the first time she has it, she's ashamed, and wants to hide every trace of him.
It's just that the love bites are so noticeable. As she looks at them more and more, Y/N begins to realise that this isn't what she wanted. She doesn't hate Nick or anything. Quite the opposite. Nick is great...sort of. He's gorgeous, firstly. They both have great sexual chemistry together (she has the marks to prove it, after all). And Nick is kind enough to her. When he's having a good day, anyway. But Y/N knows he can switch to cold and unwelcoming in the blink of an eye. She's been witness to it a few times already. Of course, given that her career is working with murderers and other criminals, Y/N knows that Nick hiding his feelings and letting some anger slip out from time to time isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things. However, it still unsettles her every time she sees it. She knows most of her worry is because of her job, since once you witness the full scale of human depravity, you start thinking that everyone is evil, and that some people simply know how to hide it better. And after meeting Steve, Y/N knows that fear is not too hard to believe.
Yet with Nick, it's different. Of course, Y/N has her usual worries about him, but she swears there's something else there, some secret that Nick's keeping from her. And that thought drives her crazy. Not to mention that Steve seems to hate Nick, too. Again, Y/N knows there's a rational explanation for that: Steve is possessive, and he's mad that Y/N is being taken away from him. But despite how much she convinces herself that everything is fine and that she and Nick will work out in the end, Y/N still swears there's something else to it. And a part of her brain is telling her that if Steve hates Nick, then there must be more to him than what he's showing her.
Oh god, Steve. As soon as she remembers him, their argument floods back to her. Even though she knows it never left her brain. And deep down, she knows Steve's right. There is something about Nick that she doesn't trust either. Steve's hurt and angry face reappears in Y/N's mind, and she sniffles. No. She's already cried enough over Steve tonight. She can't cry anymore. Even though she has ruined her relationship with Steve again, this time probably beyond repair. At least, it will be if she stays with Nick.
"Hey." Nick murmurs. Speak of the devil. Nick comes up behind her, making her jump a little. He wraps his arms around her waist and nuzzles into her neck. Y/N moves her neck reflexively, not wanting him to touch or mark her anymore. "You alright? I'm missing you in bed." Nick asks, gently pressing a kiss to her jawline. Y/N shudders. Nick chuckles, thinking he's doing the right things to her. Meanwhile, Y/N is starting to hate the feeling of Nick's skin against hers. Although Y/N hasn't had many romantic partners in her life, she knows that this isn't right. You can't say you're in love with someone even though you hate feeling them kissing you and touching you.
"Nick?" she asks, her voice little more than a soft whisper.
"Hm?"
"Do you...." She trails off, knowing the question is stupid before she even asks it. Because who asks those kinds of questions? Who asks their boyfriend if they love them? She and Nick haven't made it official or anything, but with the time they've spent together, and the things they've done, it's pretty obvious they are together. "Do you love me?" She asks. Almost immediately, Nick laughs. Y/N's face falls.
"What sort of question is that?" He asks. She expects him to stop laughing and answer the question, but to her surprise, Nick keeps going, and doesn't even say anything in response. Her heart sinks. He can't even say the fucking words. "Come on, let's go to bed." He tells her, gently taking her hand. Although Y/N can feel the crushing realisation that Nick doesn't love her beginning to sink in, she does as he asks, following him to her bedroom and getting into bed with him. Soon, Nick falls asleep, and as he snores, Y/N looks over at him. The same thought comes to her again:
"Is this it?" Y/N sighs sadly. Like she said, Nick was supposed to be her ideal man. So why isn't she happy? Of course, she still has those worries about Nick and his intentions, but he's definitely not the worst choice she could have in a man, especially considering the alternative is Steve Kemp. Because Nick is the good choice. Sure, he may not be all he seems, but he's respectable. He's an agent in the CIA who saves the world whilst Steve sets out to destroy it all. Nick is the one she can bring home to meet her parents without fears of repercussions. All things considered, Nick's the one she should choose. And yet, she doesn't want him. She has some feelings for him, and she's still willing to try and make things work. But, if anyone was to ask her right now if, after disregarding her worries about his temper and how much Steve hates him, she's 100% happy with Nick, then she'd say no. She's not happy.
Saying those words feels freeing, and Y/N takes a breath, rolling onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. So now what?
A few days later, Y/N walks back into the office. As she makes her way around the building, she can see people looking at her and still murmuring under their breaths. Although a part of her still wonders what the hell they're saying about her, Y/N doesn't care at this point. She just wants to see Nick. The pair may be going through a strange patch at the moment, (well, she is anyway), but they're still working together on this case, so Y/N knows she has to put all the confusing feelings she's having about Nick aside, and work together with him. Aside from that, Y/N soon realises that she has another problem developing: she can't find Nick anywhere. As she looks around the building for him, Y/N becomes increasingly frustrated the longer she tries to find him. After a while, she wonders if Nick has fucked off somewhere, and left her with all the work to do.
Groaning, Y/N glances over at two of her coworkers sitting together, both crowded around a computer. Given the way people here talk about her, the last thing Y/N wants to do is to talk to them. Especially not about Nick. However, if asking them if they've seen Nick is what she has to do, then so be it. She takes a deep breath to brace herself and walks up to them both. Sometimes, Y/N wonders why she has such better luck talking to people like Steve than with actual human beings. But given the way they both glare at her when she approaches them, Y/N realises that maybe spending time with Steve Kemp isn't too bad after all. "Hey, have either of you seen Nick? I need to ask him something." The men look at each other, and one laughs. The sound of his laugh is making Y/N wish that she never asked them at all. However, right now, she's focused on finding out where Nick is, so she tries her best to ignore it.
"Well, he's probably in there with the boss and the chief." One of them informs her, pointing to a door. "After all, they organised a case meeting for this afternoon." Y/N's brows furrow together in confusion.
"There's a case meeting today? Since when? Nobody told me." The men snigger, and Y/N frowns.
"Oh, didn't they?" One of them asks, a sick grin on his face. "That means that lover boy didn't tell you, did he?" He continues. Noticing the confusion on Y/N's face, he chuckles. "The boss is taking you off the case, sweetheart." Y/N gasps. Her stomach sinks, and all the apprehensive thoughts that she had about Nick and his intentions come flooding back to her, despite her attempts to ignore them. He wouldn't do this to her. He can't. Still, she knows there's every possibility that the men are joking. And with everything in her, Y/N hopes they are joking.
"Yeah, sure. Good joke." She shakes her head, scoffing. "I know that you're lying. He can't be. He trusts me to do this job."
"Now, now. Don't lie to her like that, that's not nice." The other man replies, and Y/N breathes a sigh of relief. Oh, thank god. They're just trying to get a rise out of her. She looks over, ready to thank the man who stood up for her...and her face drops when she realises that he's smirking too. "Especially when the truth is so much worse."
"W-What are you talking about?" She stammers, her mind already racing with possibilities, and she can feel her heart rate rising in fear. The man turns back to his friend, not even looking at her.
"After all, wasn't her boyfriend, Agent Nick Fowler, the one who personally asked for her to be taken off the case?" The man nods. Y/N gasps. She feels her stomach churn and her chest aches.
"N-No. You're lying. He wouldn't." She stammers, shaking her head and trying to ignore the tears rapidly building in her eyes. They have to be lying. They must be. After all, they've always had it in for her, and it's definitely possible that they would make up some kind of cruel joke to torment her. And besides, Nick knows how much she puts into this case and how much she lives and breathes it. He wouldn't. He can't. Y/N keeps repeating those words to calm down and reassure herself...although the little voices of doubt and insecurity are rearing their ugly heads once more.
And this time, they're louder than ever.
"Ask him yourself. He's in there with the boss." The men grin, pointing down the hallway. Y/N gives them a small nod, too afraid to open her mouth in case she starts crying. Walking down the hallway to talk to Nick, Y/N feels the same fear she did when she first met Steve. But this time, she feels much worse. Oh god, Steve. If she's taken off the case, she'll never see Steve again. And that realisation hurts more than anything else. Reaching the door, Y/N knocks once, waiting for the signal to enter. Her stomach feels like it's in knots, and she knows she's dangerously close to bursting into tears.
"Come in." A voice calls, and Y/N takes a deep breath. Once she opens this door, her life will never be the same. Stepping into the room, Y/N's boss, Nick and the Police Chief's eyes all turn to face her. Although she's in a room with her colleagues and her boyfriend, Y/N has never felt as isolated as she does at that moment. "Ah, Y/N. Can we help you?" Her boss asks.
"I'm sorry for the interruption sir, it's just that nobody told me there was a meeting on, so I was wondering if my invite was missed." She chuckles awkwardly. Nobody laughs. Y/N steps forward, reaching out to pull out a chair.
"No, that won't be necessary Y/N." Her boss tells her. "Did you not get the recent case update? I told Nick to give it to you himself." Y/N's stomach twists even more, and she glances over at Nick. The smirk on his face tells Y/N everything she needs to know. Her coworkers were right. He's the one that did this. Her boss opens his mouth to continue, but Y/N knows what he's going to say before he even says it. "I'm sorry, but we mutually decided that we no longer require your help in this case. We're also going to speak to the prison, and your relationship with Steve Kemp will stop as of today." Those words make her feel a pang in her chest. One that aches more than anything. Y/N looks back over at Nick. He's still smirking at her. Mutual decision, her ass. Y/N nods and tries not to let out a cry. "It's not that your help and intel hasn't been incredibly useful to us, because it has, it's just...."
"We don't need you anymore." Nick finishes for him. And Y/N knows he doesn't just mean on the case. Those words feel like a complete punch to her gut. Even though she realised she wasn't happy with Nick, she still had some kind of love in her heart for him. And he's just destroyed every last shred of it.
"Well, I understand that, sir, but I could still help you all." Y/N begins, trying to string together a sentence, and trying to sound like this whole scenario isn't tearing her apart. "I mean, my work with Steve has been so beneficial! And I've invested so much into this case! Perhaps, I could-"
"No Y/N, it's okay. Thank you though! At least you can go home, and put this whole thing out of your mind." Her boss grins, and Y/N nods, letting out a bitter laugh. God, if only he knew. Turning away, Y/N reaches for the door handle.
"I'm so sorry about that interruption sir, it must've slipped her mind. I'll talk to her." Nick sighs, making Y/N stop. She lets out a silent sob. He's trying to act like it's her fault, and that he's the decent one in this scenario.
For a moment, Y/N considers turning back around and smacking Nick right in his smug fucking face, but she knows that won't end well. So, trying her best to muffle her sobs, Y/N leaves the room and speed walks back down the hallway and to the exit, desperately trying to ignore her coworkers' comments and laughter from all around her. "Well, I'm glad to be your friend." Nick's words echo in her mind, and Y/N sniffles. Ever since he came here, Nick has always made Y/N think he cared about her, and that he would defend her against her coworkers. But in fact, she couldn't have been more wrong. Because Nick has betrayed her in the worst way, and given more fuel to make her coworkers taunt her even more. And he's done it all with a big smirk on his face. Y/N's not sure if he even cared about her at all.
As she walks, tears spill over, and a part of her just wants to run into the bathroom and cry. Yet, despite how appealing that idea sounds, especially considering how much pain she's in, Y/N knows she can't do that. She can't let everyone see how much this is affecting her. She can't let Nick win.
Finally, Y/N reaches her car and gets inside. Before she can even close the door, Y/N starts sobbing. She leans down, leaning her forehead on her steering wheel to shield her tears from passersby, or from anyone who snuck out to see her cry. Even though she knows it's obvious what she's doing, and that her coworkers know it too, by this point she wouldn't put something like that past her coworkers. For what feels like hours, Y/N sits in her car, sobbing. As she cries, she takes deep breaths, her mind racing as it tries to understand why Nick would do this to her. Stupidly, a part of her still hopes Nick is somehow pretending, and that there's a reason why he would treat her so cruelly. Maybe she'll see him tonight, he'll kiss her, explain everything, and then she'll understand. Y/N knows it's not possible, but to her, hoping that this foolish dream is real is much better than the truth.
Because the realisation that she has ruined her relationship with Steve, the one person who actually seems to give a damn about her and mean it, for someone who's betrayed her and crushed her heart makes Y/N feel even worse, something that she never thought was possible. Nick used to be the safe choice, the one who would save her from Steve and treat her well. How wrong she was. She scoffs. Maybe she was worried about the wrong monster after all. At least Steve doesn't pretend to be something he's not. He's always been open about how evil he is.
Y/N gasps as another realisation hits. Steve. She's off the case, so she's never going to see him again. It's not like she can still visit him every week. After a while, people will start to get suspicious. But she can't just let him go. They both have such a strong connection, and it's clear that they care deeply for each other. Too deeply, some would say. However, Y/N doesn't even care about their opinions anymore, because they don't give a shit about her. The only one who cares about her is Steve. Her mind goes back to the last time she saw Steve. He seemed so heartbroken, like he never wanted to see her again.
And now she won't even get to say goodbye. And it's all her fault. But suddenly, a sense of injustice takes over her. No. She won't let it end like this, with her heart broken, and the one person who can mend it not speaking to her anymore. Even if she'll never see him again, Steve Kemp is the only one who makes her happy. And she will not go without saying goodbye.
Taking a breath and wiping her eyes, Y/N begins the drive towards the prison.
Y/N stands in Steve's cell, waiting for him to come back. As she tries to think about how to break the news that this is her last visit, Y/N looks around the cell. Before, she used to treat coming here like it was her worst nightmare, and like she was being led to her execution. All she could think about was when she could leave. But now, leaving it forever is the last thing she wants to do. Her back is to the door when she hears a familiar voice, the voice that's both haunted her dreams and yet still been a comfort to her speak:
"Y/N, you really need to pick better times to come see me. I was in the middle of television time! Besides, I told you-" Steve complains, and although she's close to tears, Y/N chuckles. God, it's going to be awful saying goodbye to him. She turns around, and Steve stops his rant the moment he sees her tear-filled eyes. Immediately his face softens, and he becomes concerned, quickly moving over to check on her. "Y/N? What's happened? What's the matter?" He asks, his voice soothing. Y/N sniffles.
"I'm not sure if you've been told this, but I wanted you to hear it from me." She replies. Steve raises a brow, noticing the pain in her voice. "I'm being taken off the case, Steve. As of today, our meetings and relationship are officially over." Steve blinks at her in silence for a moment as her words sink in, and Y/N waits for his reaction. In all honesty, she doesn't know what she expects, or what she wants him to say. Steve's body tenses, and his fists clench.
"Who did this to you?" He demands, his voice low and threatening. "Was it Nick Fowler?"
"What? Steve, why does that matter-" Y/N begins, but Steve cuts her off.
"Y/N, answer the question. You and I both know that hiding the truth from me is pointless. I'll find out. I know you." Y/N feels her cheeks heating up at that comment. Yeah, that's true. "Now. Tell me the truth. Was it Nick who took you off the case?" He repeats. Y/N stays silent. Nick may be a total asshole, but she also doesn't want to put him on Steve Kemp's bad side. Steve scoffs. "Oh please, it's not like I'm going to kill him or anything, is it?" Sighing, Y/N nods. After all, he has a point. And what's the worst that could happen by telling Steve?
"...Yes Steve. Nick was the one who took me off the case." She admits. Once the words leave her mouth, Y/N starts crying again. "I'm sorry Steve...." She whimpers. Steve steps forward, closing the gap between them. He's so close that they could touch each other. Y/N can feel her heart rate rising, and she lets out a breath. She used to be terrified when Steve came this close to her. Now, however...it excites her. Y/N looks up, her eyes blurry with tears. "It's all my fault." She sobs. "I should have listened to you, and I should never have trusted Nick Fowler."
"Shh, shh...." Steve whispers reassuringly. "It's alright. You just didn't know what sort of person he is."
"I know. It's just-" Y/N cuts herself off with a sniffle. "I work with so many monsters, and I couldn't even spot one under my nose." Steve chuckles slightly.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of us look normal." Despite the tears rolling down her cheeks at that point, Y/N laughs at his comment. Steve frowns.
"That's one of the first things I thought about you, actually." She admits, a small smile on her lips. Steve chuckles. "Well. At least I know I was wrong now, and never to trust someone like that again." She sighs, sniffling. Out of the corner of her eye, Y/N notices Steve raising his hands, lifting them towards her face, as if he's about to wipe her tears away. However, he stops once he reaches his chest, as if remembering that they handcuffed his wrists. So, he drops them back down. Without even thinking, Y/N reaches out her hands, her fingers brushing against Steve's, which causes them both to gasp. This isn't the first time Y/N and Steve have brushed hands with each other. But this time, it's different. This is the first time either of them has done it willingly, and the other person has wanted it to continue.
For a moment, Y/N almost takes Steve's hands and pulls his hands towards her face, or around her waist. To be honest, she doesn't care where they go. She just wants Steve to comfort her. She just wants Steve Kemp. Because the truth is that she was never happy with Nick because he's not Steve Kemp. Steve is the one she wants. He's the one she's always wanted. And well, that's all she's wanted since she met him.
But then, Y/N remembers where she is, and the sort of person Steve is. And although she'd love nothing more than for Steve to touch her, she knows that despite how much she wants it, it's the wrong thing to want. So, she drops Steve's hands without another word; her face turning a bright red.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking, I just-" She begins, her words coming out fast and in a big jumble. Steve cuts her off.
"It's alright." He whispers. "I liked it." Y/N gasps. Both she and Steve both stand together in silence for a few minutes more. To them, though, it feels like an eternity. The chemistry between them is palpable, and Y/N feels like her body is on fire. Her eyes trace down Steve's face, coming to rest on his lips. Y/N's can feel her heart rate rise even more. Soon, it'll feel like it's about to burst out of her chest. But this time, it's not out of fear. It's out of excitement, and a desire to kiss Steve. If this was a rom-com, this would be the part where the two leads kiss, cute music plays and there are fireworks in the background. This isn't a rom-com, though, and Steve definitely isn't that kind of person. Y/N moves her head, tilting it as if she is about to kiss Steve. Her lips part without her even noticing. For a moment, she sees Steve moving his head in the opposite way, almost as if he was going to kiss her.
Y/N realises that even though Steve is nothing like a romantic leading man, she's past the point of caring, and would still kiss him, anyway. Maybe she should just stop pretending to herself and admit the truth. The same truth that's been staring her in the face for months now. The glances, the comments, the smiles, the sparks. They all point to the fact that Steve Kemp isn't the man who Y/N thought she was in love with. He is the man she's in love with. Y/N takes a deep breath.
"I'm in love with Steve Kemp." She thinks. Although finally admitting that to herself feels incredible, and makes so much sense, Y/N knows nothing can come of it. Despite how much she wants it to, and how much it pains her to admit it, Y/N and Steve can never be together. Y/N pulls back, looking over Steve for what is probably the last time. Maybe in another, ideal world, she and Steve would work out. "Well, I should go. Don't want to cut into your television time." Y/N jokes. Steve doesn't reply. He looks devastated, and for a moment Y/N swears she sees tears glistening in his eyes. That makes her feel even worse. "Goodbye Steve. It was nice meeting you." She gives him a small smile and a wave, squeezing her eyes shut tightly so she doesn't cry any more. Of course, it doesn't work, and Y/N can feel tears continue to roll down her cheeks. Turning away, Y/N walks towards the exit of the cell.
"Y/N, wait." Steve orders, almost making her jump a little. Y/N turns back to face him. "Come closer." He beckons, and she does as he asks. When she's close enough, Steve leans in. For a moment, Y/N thinks he's actually about to kiss her, and she prepares herself for it. However, he doesn't, and instead whispers in her ear: "I have to be quiet because of the cameras and guards, but if you don't want this to end yet, and if you feel the same way I do about this, and about us, then come see me next Tuesday at 9.45pm. Don't be late." He orders, and she nods, focused on the feeling of Steve's hot breath against her cheek and in her ear. "Oh, and Y/N?"
"Yeah?"
"The next time you see Nick, give him hell for me, alright?" He smirks, and Y/N nods.
"Oh, there's no way I'm letting him get away with this." She promises, and Steve chuckles.
"Good girl. After all, we can't have him thinking he can take my Y/N away from me." Y/N's entire body shivers at that, and she nods, backing away from him. "Goodbye Y/N. I'll see you soon." Steve smiles.
As Y/N leaves and begins the walk back to her car, Steve's words play on her mind: "If you feel the same way I do about this, and about us...." What the hell could he mean by that? Y/N knows he's talking about how close they've both become, but what if he means something else? What if he means he knows how she feels about him, and he feels the same way about her? That thought fills Y/N with excitement once more, and it's then she decides that she's going to see Steve again, just like he told her to.
Like she'd ever say no, though.
That night, Y/N sits on her couch, waiting for Nick to come back. After what happened earlier, she wasn't expecting or even wanting him to come over. However, she sent Nick a text about half an hour ago saying they needed to talk, and he's already messaged her saying that he's on his way over, so here she is, almost biting the skin off her lips and fingers in nervous anticipation. Even if the very idea of seeing Nick Fowler is enough to make her blood boil and her stomach churn, Y/N knows it has to be done. And of course, she promised Steve she'd give him hell, so she can't break that promise. An almost empty bottle of wine sits on the table across from her. Y/N doesn't know if she drank it to give her liquid courage, or to erase any memory she ever had of Nick Fowler. She doesn't care about that though. She just hopes it works.
Y/N can feel the skin around her neck stinging and tingling, so she places her hand on it, hoping it soothes the pain. As she takes another drink of her wine, almost finishing the bottle, Y/N's mind goes back to the cause of the stinging. Only fifteen minutes ago, she was scrubbing at her skin with all kinds of lotions and serums until she was almost crying in pain. She did it in the hopes her efforts would remove the bite marks Nick left all over her. The marks that claim her as his, despite how much she's tried to remove them. But they just won't go away, despite how hard she tries. Much like Nick Fowler. Soon, she can hear a key turning in the lock, and Y/N braces herself for Nick's arrival.
"Hey." He announces, walking into the room and sitting down on the sofa beside her. Reflexively, Y/N turns away from him. She can hear Nick huff, which only makes her angrier. "Oh, come on, don't be like that. It's not like I had a choice." Nick tells her.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? How do you expect me to react Nick?!" Y/N argues back, angrily turning to face him. "You had no fucking right to take me off this case! This is MY case!" She glares at Nick, a part of her expecting him to explain himself, or to even apologise. Nick stays silent. "Well?!" Y/N demands. "Nick! Answer me!"
"Like I said, I don't know why you're so upset. What was I supposed to do? And besides, it's not like you were doing much anyway, were you?" He shrugs. Y/N gasps.
"Oh please. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even be here, remember?"
"That's true, you're right. But who's the one that's still on the case?" Nick asks, smirking. Y/N considers punching him right in his smug fucking face. "Oh, come on, sweetheart, don't be mad. I told you, I had to do it."
"Don't you dare call me that." Y/N snaps, trying not to let the pain in her voice come through. "You have no right to, especially not after what you did." As Y/N rants and lets out all her pain, Nick just sits there with a brow raised, as if he's just waiting for her to finish. As if Y/N detailing every single way he hurt her and tore her heart to shreds is boring him. God, she was so wrong about him. And it fucking hurts. How could she have been so stupid? "Did you feel anything at all for me, Nick?" Y/N asks, even though she swears she already knows the answer to this. "Or were you just using me so you could get in good favour in this case? Is that what I was, Nick? Was I just a gateway to you getting a promotion? Or was I just a fun bit on the side for you to fuck and then discard?" Y/N demands, angry tears already filling her eyes.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Nick replies. "You definitely helped me get further, and I thank you for that. I'll definitely mention your name in my report." He winks, and Y/N tries not to cry. Just a footnote in a report. That's all she's worthy of. After all of the pain, the confusion, and everything she did for this case...that's all she'll be. One brief sentence. Nick looks over at her, biting his lip slightly. Y/N tries to ignore how that makes her feel. He may be an asshole, but he's still hot, and there was a time in her life when she thought she'd end up with him. "You are pretty fucking good in the bedroom, though. And I know you liked it, despite how hard you've tried to hide it." Nick grins, looking pointedly at her neck. "Tell you what, how about we go back to the bedroom and I can show you just how sorry I am?" He offers. Y/N gasps angrily. He really doesn't care at all. Her hand moves towards Nick's cheek, but just before she's about to slap him, Nick swiftly grabs her wrist, gripping it tightly and making Y/N yelp in pain a little.
"You fucking asshole." She hisses. Nick scoffs, laughing.
"Is that the best you can do? God, it's right what they say about you, you know. You are just a lonely freak. But then again, when your only friend is a serial killer, maybe it means something...." Those words cut Y/N harder than any other thing Nick has said to her. Her body filled with rage and pain, Y/N snatches her wrist back from Nick's grasp. Before Nick can even do anything, Y/N smacks the side of his face, the noise reverberating around the room. As Nick sits in silence, trying to figure out what to say or do in response, the realisation of what Y/N's just done sinks into her. Of course, Nick had it coming, but she's never reacted like this before. Despite how much she wanted to, that is. Oh god, what has she just done? How much trouble is she going to get in for this? But then, as she sees Nick's still stunned face, Y/N remembers the words of Steve telling her to give Nick hell, and she chuckles a little.
If all else fails, she can just say that one was for Steve.
"Now, Y/N. There's no need for that, is there? You know, I could get you arrested for the assault of a CIA Agent." Nick warns, although there's a joking tone to his voice. "Slapping someone with a spotless record like mine...I wonder how much trouble that'll get you in?"
Y/N scoffs. "Oh, you have a spotless record? Tell me then, Nick, why is it that earlier, when I searched for more information on that case you told me about, the one with the drug dealer you tracked to his house...you're not mentioned at all? Turns out everyone else did the hard work, whilst you just laid around on the beach." Nick's cocky facial expression drops, and his face goes pale. Now it's Y/N's turn to smirk. "I checked some more of your records, and it seems you do this a lot, Nick. You let everyone else do all the hard work, and yet you end up taking the credit for it." She leans in close, so close Nick can feel her angry breath on his face. "So yeah, put my name in your fucking report, but I'll make sure that I get the credit I deserve. Because sure, you might solve the case, but it's only because I did the work for you. It's still my case, Nick, despite you taking me off it. And you can live with that for the rest of your life, because you're not as special as you think you are."
Almost immediately, Nick becomes angry. "You fucking bitch." He spits, clenching his fist. However, Y/N doesn't even care about his anger anymore, or the consequences. Y/N gets up, angrily pointing towards the door.
"Get the fuck out of my house." She orders. Sighing, Nick stands up. However, he doesn't leave right away. Instead, he stands and looks at her. "And you, Nick Fowler, are to stay the fuck away from me. Got it?" Nick doesn't move. He just keeps standing there, staring at her as Y/N's fist clenches with anger. "Got it?" She repeats, trying to make her voice sound louder and more threatening.
"You know Y/N, I am sorry it has to end like this." Nick sighs. She knows he's lying. And then, Nick turns on his heel and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Once she's sure he's gone, Y/N drops to her knees on the floor and sobs.
The week passes slower than Y/N would like, but soon it's Tuesday night, and she's on her way to the prison. As she drives, she can feel her stomach twisting into knots from her apprehension. Although she's excited to see Steve again, she still does not know what it's for. Meeting a serial killer during the day is one thing, but meeting one at night is a whole other scenario. Steve has told her multiple times by this point that he won't hurt her, but Y/N would be lying if she said she still wasn't worried about being around him from time to time. Despite these worries, though, Y/N's love for Steve outweighs any fear she has. Which is why she's here.
Once she's walking towards Steve's cell once more, Y/N breathes a slight sigh of relief. It still feels a little weird to admit that the cell of a cannibalistic serial killer is one of the few places she finds solitude nowadays, but after the week she's had, she doesn't even care. She needs Steve more than ever. Speaking of Steve, he turns to see her as soon as she walks in.
"Y/N! You're here." He smiles happily, making Y/N smile just as wide. So what if Steve's the only one who cares about her? At least somebody does. "I'm so glad to see you."
"Me too. Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" She asks.
"Well firstly, I'm glad to know you feel the same way about this relationship as I do, since you're back here." Y/N nods. "However, there are some things I want to know." Warily, Y/N nods once more, her mind wondering what the hell it is that he wants to ask her. Knowing Steve, it could be anything. "Obviously, I have to know if you gave Nick hell, just like I told you to?" Y/N can't stop a smile from spreading onto her face.
"I did. Slapped him too." Steve gasps, but then grins proudly.
"Oh, you are a bad girl, aren't you?" He smirks. Y/N almost shivers at those words again. "Well done." Steve winks before continuing with his questions. "And second, well...." He trails off, chuckling awkwardly. "Last time I saw you, you said that the first thing you thought about me was how normal I looked." He explains, and Y/N nods. "So I was just wondering. What else did you think about me? And what do you think about me now?" Steve asks. Y/N's cheeks flush, and she takes a deep breath. She's already admitted it to herself. It's about time she does the same to Steve.
"Well, I have to admit that I found you terrifying, and a part of me still does." She replies, and Steve nods in agreement. "But fuck, Steve, from that first time I saw you, I thought you were gorgeous. I still do, actually." Steve's eyes widen a little in wonder, his cheeks flush, and he gasps. And yet, there's still a smile on his face.
"Why, thank you Y/N." He whispers. Steve's eyes look over her once more, and he sighs. "I guess it's my turn to share my feelings, right?" Y/N shakes her head.
"You don't have to do that, Steve." Steve chuckles.
"I know. But I think we both know that I do...and what I'm about to say next." A small smile graces his lips, and he soon continues. "God, Y/N, when I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I still do, in fact." Y/N's mouth drops open and her cheeks go pink. "And ever since we met, I seem to have a strange connection with you. Of course, I think part of it is because of the nature of our relationship, but to me, there's always been something more there, something unexplainable. I tried to hide it, and to ignore it, but I couldn't. By this point, I'm tired of hiding it. I'm ready to admit the truth." Steve steps forward as Y/N's mind races to try and figure out what he's going to tell her. But deep down, she already knows what he's about to say. After all, she's been feeling the same way ever since she met him.
"...I'm in love with you, Y/N." Steve breathes, his voice little more than a whisper. Y/N gasps, and her heart swells. Although she already confirmed her feelings for Steve, in that moment it's as if everything she's ever thought about Steve, and all her confusion about her feelings for him finally makes sense. And it feels great.
"I love you too Steve." She replies. Steve grins. Y/N swears it's the happiest she's ever seen him. She even sees a tinge of pink flood his cheeks. "I always have. It just took me way too long to accept it and come to terms with it." She admits, and Steve nods. Although Y/N can feel the realisation and the consequences dawning, she doesn't let it stop her anymore. "And I know it's wrong, and that I shouldn't be feeling like this, but I don't even care anymore. I've spent so long hiding my feelings for you, I thought I was crazy...but I don't want to hide them anymore." Y/N whispers, stepping forward. She and Steve are so close that they're almost touching. The energy between them is palpable, and Y/N takes a deep breath.
Suddenly, a voice sounds from behind them. One they both know all too well.
"Agent Y/N." Nick speaks. Y/N's blood runs cold. How the fuck does he know she's here? Did Steve tell someone? Was he tracking her? "You know that you are no longer part of this case, and that means you're not supposed to be here. Please leave the cell immediately." He orders.
"Mr Fowler. Y/N and I are having a private conversation, which doesn't concern you. You're the one who should leave." Steve replies. Y/N can sense the anger in Steve's voice, and the hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up. Nick scoffs, shaking his head.
"You don't get to make orders to me anymore. I'm the head of this case now, and Y/N is a nobody as far as I'm concerned." Steve's body tenses in anger, and Y/N gasps. This won't end well.
"What the fuck did you just call her?" Steve asks, his voice dangerously low.
"Look, it's not that big an issue. I'll just go, right Steve?" Y/N asks, giving him a look to tell him to not poke the bear that is Nick Fowler any more. Steve shakes his head.
"No. You're staying with me." He says protectively, making Y/N feel slightly more reassured. "Lean in closer." He tells her again, and she obeys.
"Agent Y/N! I'm being nice here and giving you a warning, but if you don't listen, I'll forcibly have you removed from the premises. Trust me. You don't want that." Y/N knows he's not lying.
"Steve, what is it? Even though I love you, Nick's right. I don't want to be taken out of here by guards or agents." Y/N hisses, becoming more scared.
"And you won't. I promise." Steve reassures her. He leans in close, whispering once more. "You said you love me. is it true?" Y/N nods. "And do you trust me?" She nods again. "Good. Like I said, I feel the same about you....Which is why I'm so sorry to have to do this to you." Steve sighs, and Y/N frowns. But before she can even ask what the hell Steve means, she hears a click. Looking down, to her horror, Y/N realises that Steve has handcuffed her wrists. Her eyes widen, and she begins to hyperventilate. Oh god. Is she about to be kidnapped? Is this a prison break?
"Steve, what the hell are you-" It's then she realises Steve has somehow escaped from his handcuffs (which explains the ones on her wrists). However, it's what she sees clutched in his hand that makes her stop mid-sentence, and causes her panic to increase even more. It's a scalpel. "Oh, my god!" Y/N gasps in fear. Everything about Steve's past comes back to her at that moment. Everything he did to those women and their bodies. The stuff Y/N tried to ignore. The stuff he's going to do to her. Y/N's panic rises, and she tries to step away from Steve. Steve sighs.
"I said I was sorry." He huffs. "Just play along. I won't actually hurt you." Before she can even reply, Steve grabs her, pulling her closer to his side, so strongly and harshly that Y/N yelps in pain. "Excuse me Mr Fowler, but we'll be going now." Steve announces, leading Y/N out of the cell.
"No, don't you dare-" Nick begins, moving his hand towards the gun holstered at his side, but Steve moves the scalpel to her neck before he can. He presses it against her skin, and Y/N lets out a small cry as she feels it cutting into her neck.
"If you don't, I'll have to hurt our dear friend Y/N here. If you want her blood on your hands, by all means, continue to try to stop me." When she hears those words, Y/N whimpers and shakes in fear as tears begin to roll down her cheeks. Oh god, how could she have been so stupid? She fell in love with a cannibalistic serial killer and stupidly hoped it would turn out well. And now here she is, being kidnapped with a scalpel held to her neck. Of course, Steve said he wouldn't hurt her, and when he said those words, she used to believe them...but it's a whole different scenario when he's actually holding something to her neck and fucking kidnapping her. Y/N looks over at Nick. Although they clearly don't like each other anymore, Y/N still stares at him, her eyes wide as she begs and pleads with him to say something, and to not let her go off with a fucking serial killer.
To her horror, Nick doesn't say another word. He doesn't even try to fight for her or reason with Steve for her safe return. Y/N gasps.
"It's just like old times, isn't it, Nick?" Steve calls, smirking. "But this time...I won." Nick's face twists into something unrecognisable. Whether it's anger, pain, regret or a weird mix of them all, Y/N doesn't know. Before she can say anything more, Steve pulls Y/N's shivering body even closer to his chest, and continues to lead her down the hallway until Nick fades from view. "Don't worry." Steve reassures her. "It's just us now Y/N. Always and forever." He grins, squeezing her tightly. "My beautiful Y/N."