Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[09:14 PM] V :):

You comin’ out with us tonight?

[09:14 PM] River Ward:

Would you miss me if I didn’t?

[09:15 PM] V :):

I’m serious, River.

[09:15 PM] River Ward:

Yes, I’ll be free in around an hour.

Where we headed?

[09:15 PM] V :):

Lizzie’s.

Got someone I want you to meet. :x

[09:15 PM] River Ward:

Are you trying to set me up with someone?

[09:16 PM] V :):

(typing…)

[09:16 PM] River Ward:

… V.

[09:17 PM] V :):

What if I told you she’s really hot?

And a super badass? >:)

[09:17 PM] River Ward:

I’d tell you I already know someone like that.

She just happens to not be interested in me.

[09:17 PM] V :):

Forget her.

She’s obviously got no taste.

Plus, it seems like Panam’s already your type.

[09:17 PM] River Ward:

I’m not really looking for a relationship right now. :/

[09:18 PM] V :):

Who said you guys had to get into a relationship? ;P

******

Was it weird to dress up for a blind date with the person the woman you were in love with was trying to set you up with?

River looked over himself again in the mirror. The cream-colored tee he’d chosen contrasted beautifully against his dark skin, and, as always, he was wearing his signature leather jeans, dark brown this time, and fur-lined coat.

“You’re looking better than usual. Going on a date?”

Joss peeked in through the open doorway, arms crossed. The slight upturn of her lips was enough for River to know exactly what she was thinking.

“Date, kind of. With V, no.”

“I didn’t say anything about V.”

“You wanted to.”

Joss huffed, throwing up her hands and rolling her eyes.

“Jesus Christ, River. You are thirty years old. When are you going to stop beating around the bush and just tell her you like her?”

River finally looked away from the mirror and glared at Joss. She was acting like she did any time River’d had a crush back when they were teenagers.

“One, that’s none of your business, and two… V’s the one who set me up on this… I don’t know, date?”

Joss oof’ed audibily without intending to.

“Harsh. Almost as bad as a ‘he’s like a brother to me’, huh?”

“Joss… please get out of my room.”

She shook her head but obliged, making her way back to the kitchen for more coffee while mumbling something about River’s childishness under her breath.

This wasn’t exactly how River’d expected to spend his night, but at least there was the promise of… something fun. He hoped his fun was the same as Panam’s, if they ended up hitting it off.

Might help him keep his mind off a certain someone.

******

[10:48 PM] V :):

You here yet?

[10:48 PM] River Ward:

About to head in.

What should I expect?

[10:49 PM] V :):

A really good time?

She’s waitin’ for you at the bar.

The dress she’s wearing is…

Well, you’ll see.

[10:49 PM] River Ward:

Will I get to see you too?

[10:49 PM] V :):

Focus, River!

You got a hot date tonight.

[10:50 PM] River Ward:

Doesn’t mean it’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.

Panam was, just as V had described, really hot and a super badass.

Definitely River’s type, the kind of woman he would’ve loved to spend the night with if he could only keep his mind off V for one goddamn second.

But how could he, when she stood barely ten feet away swaying her hips so enticingly it made River’s blood run hot?

When the sweat on her body made her skin glisten in the most irresistible way?

When she bit down on her lip self-consciously every time their eyes met?

God, he could watch her move underneath the colored lights all night long.

Sometimes, when she held his gaze with her big olive eyes, he really wondered if she felt the same way he did. 

That would be ridiculous, of course.

“River?”

He snapped back into himself and turned to look at Panam, who had been trying to hand him a glass for the past few seconds.

“Is everything okay?”

She sat down on the stool beside him, leaning forward to rest her chin on the palm of her hand. River kept his eyes on hers, though the cut of her neckline was admittedly enticing.

And V wasn’t wrong about the dress she was wearing. A dark green knee-length dress that hugged her every curve in just the right way.

It’d been years since he’d slept with a woman, and he couldn’t deny the fact that, under normal circumstances, he’d more than willingly take Panam to bed.

“Everything’s fine, yeah. Thank you for the drink.”

Panam sipped her drink slowly, eyes turning towards the direction River’d been looking previously. 

Of course, he’d been eyeing V. For a woman of her height she was tastefully buxom, and the way her body twisted to the rhythm of the music was enchanting, to say the least.

“Why’d you say yes to coming on a date with me?”

River blinked a few times, slightly thrown by the question. Why had he said yes?

He took a long drink and set the glass down, buying himself time to think.

V’d said some nice things about her, if being cool and very attractive were considered nice things.

But he’d also been explicitly not looking for anything serious. Was he just looking for sex?

Maybe, if it would help him stop thinking about V.

“V said you were my type.”

Panam laughed, a small chuckle that indicated amusement.

“V said the same thing to me about you. Funny thing is, I think we have the same type.”

River nearly choked on his drink at her confession. That math wasn’t hard to figure out.

“Do you?”

“Imagine my surprise when she tells me she wants me to meet you, the guy I was positive she was into.”

That was not something River was aware of. He looked back towards V, who was now laughing at Jackie’s attempt to twirl Misty. She was absolutely radiant.

“V? No, I’m probably more like a brother to her.” And there were Joss’ words, swimming around in his brain.

Panam rolled her eyes, downing the last of her drink. It was astounding how completely oblivious both River and V were, for a detective and a mercenary.

“People don’t talk about their brothers the way V talks about you- well, at least they shouldn’t.”

River couldn’t help the quickening of his heartbeat. Not the conversation he’d expected to have with his date, but better than anything he could have imagined.

“What way would that be?” He was trying so hard to not sound too curious.

Panam knew by the tone of River’s voice that she had him. 

“Oh, I don’t know if I should tell you all of that. V tends to say more than she should when she’s drunk.”

River’d never seen V tipsy, let alone drunk. He wondered what sorts of things she might say to him in that state.

He motioned for the bartender and ordered another round of drinks, hoping he could ease V’s secrets out of Panam with the help of a little alcohol.

“Oh, come on,” River began innocently, “it’s all in good fun.”

Panam began sipping on her drink, leaving River’s words to hang in the air for a moment. Was she gonna let him have this so easily?

“For you, maybe. If she finds out I told you anything though…”

“You know she’s all bark and no bite when it comes to her friends.”

That he was right about. Not much of a threat there. 

“Tell you what: let’s play a round of dice. You win and I’ll share some things I may have heard. I win and you’re buying all my drinks for the rest of the night.”

“Deal.” A game of luck, which River wouldn’t exactly consider himself having much of. 

But damn did he want to know what V’d said about him. 

As if on cue, the bartender placed dice and a shaker in front of them.

“I think I have pretty good luck when it comes to these games,” Panam teased, shaking the leather cup in her hands.

She released it. Forty-five. 

“Oh,” she exclaimed in delight, “looks like I might be drinking for free tonight.”

River grabbed the dice from her. Forty-five was good, too good. He’d need at least a forty-six, because there was no way he was winning a tiebreaker.

Thirty-three. Damn it.

“Good thing for you it’s best out of three shakes,” Panam said with a smirk. 

Thirty-four.

River could see his chances slipping. Forty-two. Close, but not a winner.

“Last one.”

Panam shook the cup hard and flipped it down onto the bartop. She looked at River with raised brows. 

Forty-three. She scowled. 

“I’m still ahead. Can you beat forty-five?”

River took a deep breath as he gathered the dice in his hands. It wouldn’t be the end of the world to lose, no, but it would be really disappointing. 

Fifty-two. He nearly couldn’t believe it. 

Panam visibly deflated, while River, on the other hand, sat up straighter in victory. 

“Guess I can beat forty-five.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Panam mumbled, not upset she’d have to tell him anything, but disappointed she’d have to buy her own drinks.

“So,” River asked, trying his best to hide a smile, “what was it that V said?”

Panam ordered them a round of shots, as was customary for the loser. Her choice, tequila, because she was still salty that she’d lost. 

She railed her shot and finally answered.

“She’s dreamt about sleeping with you. Multiple times. I didn’t press for details, but she seemed quite flustered when she told me.”

River’s entire body stiffened. Oh, what a delicious little secret V had. 

“Has she?”

Panam smirked. She caught his change in disposition.

“There was something else, if you wanted to know.”

She wanted to hear him say it. 

“I mean, if-“

“Do you want to know? ”

River swallowed the last of his drink and looked Panam right in the eyes.

“More than anything.” Pathetic. The alcohol was beginning to speak for him.

“She wonders what it would be like to be held down by you. Something about you being so much bigger than her.”

River’s cock twitched and he slid a bit in his seat to adjust his position.

He wanted to hold V down and fuck her until she came. 

“Oh.”

“Just ‘oh’?”

River cleared his throat, trying to think of what to say next. Before he could try to fumble, Panam spoke up. 

“You know you’re the only person who can’t tell that V is head over heels for you, right?”

That last sentence made him freeze. There was no way in the world V felt that way about him.

Him, an awkward ex-cop with a sad past who lived with his older sister and her kids out in the boonies.

“And you call yourself a private investigator,” Panam huffed, to add insult to injury.

River’s heart was beating so fast his breathing began to quicken.

There was that one time V came by for dinner, right after they found Randy. At the water tower, for just one second, River’d been sure she was going to kiss him.

And then, of course, he’d convinced himself that fleeting feeling hadn’t been anything at all.

Fuck. Panam was right, and he was so stupid for not seeing it. 

“You’re also not as conspicuous as you think you are, from what Jackie and Misty have told me. We all have a bet going, to see who’s gonna say something first. Though now I’m involved, so I won’t be winning any prizes.”

She sounded genuinely hurt about that. River couldn’t help but smile tenderly at her. 

“So you just came on this date to play matchmaker?”

Panam placed her hand gently on River’s shoulder. She almost looked sorry for him.

“We’re all just really tired of watching both of you do nothing.”

River chuckled, watching her expression change to kindness.

“Seriously though, tell her how you feel before the rest of us go crazy.”

He placed enough eddies to cover their drinks, and a few more rounds, on the counter before standing up. It was the least he could do for her. 

“Thank you, Panam. You’re a good friend.”

“Oh, I know.”

******

[12:02 AM] River xo:

Where’d you go?

[12:02 AM] V:

Stepped out back for a smoke.

Date goin’ well?

[12:03 AM] River xo:

Better than I ever expected.

Stay where you are, heading your way.

V took a long drag of her cigarette, a twinge of anxiety settling into the pit of her stomach. 

Better than he ever expected.

Why had she set this up in the first place? A sense of masochism? She thought, maybe, that if River started dating Panam she’d finally be able to get over him. 

But now, with the pain tightening her chest, all V could feel was regret.

What a stupid, stupid thing to do.

V flicked her cigarette onto the ground and crushed it beneath her go-go boot. 

“V.”

She turned to look towards the back entrance and found River walking towards her.

Fuck, he looked good. But when did he not, with that playful little earring and fluffy coat?

“Hey, River. Glad the date went well.”

He didn’t say anything, just kept moving with a look in his eyes V’d never seen before. A nervous, thrilling intensity.

And then he was right in front of her, so close she stumbled back against the wall. He took the opportunity to take a step forward, caging her between his arms, and leaned in to whisper into her ear.

“I heard some things tonight I’d really like to ask you about.”

V swallowed hard, a shiver running through her body at the sensation of his breath against her skin. Her mind couldn’t wrap around why he was doing this. 

“What did you hear?”

River chuckled, cupping his cybernetic hand behind V’s head. He tilted her face until she was looking him in the eyes, feeling the anticipation in her gaze.

“I heard you wanted me to take you to bed.”

V’s lips fell open slightly in shock, but she recovered quickly.

“So what?”

Playing tough to hide her embarrassment was typical V.

“So what if I wanted the same thing?”

River’s other hand had moved to her waist, trailing down the velvet fabric of her dress until his fingertips reached the hem. He brushed the pads of his fingers against the soft skin of her thigh, pulling her dress up just a few inches before stopping.

“I’d also love to hold you down.”

V flushed bright pink, feeling a heat building between her thighs.

Fuck. This was really happening.

She swallowed hard, a little embarrassed, a little thrilled. Her legs opened slightly, just an inch or two, and River raised his brows at her.

“Oh, really?”

V bit down on her lip, moving her face to turn away from him, but River held her in place, eyes piercing.

“Tell me what you want.”

Softly, V answered, “I want you.”

She grabbed his lapels and pulled him to her, crashing her lips against his with a desperation that shocked even her.

How long had she been aching for him? Dreaming of this very moment? Waking wet and sweating and breathless at the very thought of his hands on her skin?

River answered without hesitation, parting his lips to allow her tongue to explore his mouth. She tasted like bourbon and peach-flavored lip balm, a combination so enticing, so unique, so purely V.

He finally found the will to pull himself away, afraid of what his raging desperation and her willingness to participate in it would result in.

“V, what kind of man would I be if I ravished you before taking you out for a date?”

River’s voice was husky, dripping with restraint. V knew that it wouldn’t take a lot of pushing for him to break.

But he was a country boy, through and through. She had to let him do his courtship thing, or whatever it was people outside the city felt was proper.

Wait. Was he courting her? What happened to not looking for a relationship?

As if reading her mind, River said, “I have to do things the right way, if I want you to be my girlfriend.”

His girlfriend. V bit down on the inside of her cheek, trying to conceal the little smile that was threatening to break.

“Better make it soon, then.”

River grinned, tucking a strand of hair behind V’s ear. Despite her best attempts, he could see how absolutely elated she was.

“Are you free tomorrow night?”

“For you, yes.”

Did that sound too desperate? At this point, it didn’t matter; V wanted him, all of him, as soon as she could get him.

“Let me think of something and I’ll let you know. Promise not to disappoint.”

He winked at her, which V always found charming considering his cybernetic eye. 

“Can’t wait."

River leaned in to kiss her again, gently this time. He could feel her smile against his lips.

“See you tomorrow then.”

“See ya.”

V’s legs began to quiver as soon as River reached the door. He could’ve fucked her right then and there, if he’d wanted to. She took a deep breath and pushed herself off the wall, already calling for her bike.

It was going to be a long wait until tomorrow.

Chapter Text

[10:03 AM] V <3:

I know you said you’d pick somethin’ but…

How ‘bout a drive-in?

[10:04 AM] River Ward:

A drive-in?

We going old school?

[10:04 AM] V <3:

And private.

[10:05 AM] River Ward:

Oh, is that it?

Then I’m very much looking forward to having you all to myself.

[10:05 AM] V <3:

Hm.

I was just thinkin’ the same thing.

Silver Pixel at 7?

[10:06 AM] River Ward:

Can’t wait.

******

“Looks like the date went well.”

River hadn’t been able to stop smiling the entire morning. V’s mouth on his, their raw magnetism, the pure, burning need they both felt for each other when their bodies were that close… The memory of it had him euphoric.

“Extremely well, yeah.”

Joss raised an eyebrow but didn’t look up from the vegetables she was chopping. For almost a year he’d been pining for V like a love-struck teen and now, all of a sudden, he had that same look in his eye for someone else.

“Who’d V set you up with?”

“Friend of hers. An Aldecaldo, actually. Panam.”

“Palmer?” Now she stopped. No way her little brother scored with Panam Palmer. The woman was a walking flame, both in looks and personality.

“The very same.”

River already knew the conclusion Joss was coming to; a single date with the beautiful Panam and he’d thrown his infatuation for V out the window. She thought too little of him sometimes.

“Did you sleep with her?” Joss’ tone was approaching accusatory.

“Jesus Christ, Joss, I just met her. No, I didn’t sleep with her. You think you did that bad of a job raising me?”

The line of questioning was just becoming more and more insulting.

“But you’re gonna go out with her again.”

“When did you decide to become a detective too?”

Joss rolled her eyes, setting down her knife. If she went into this holding it she’d come off as too threatening. She did feel indignant, after all; she really liked V, and it was disappointing that River’d moved on so quickly. 

“If you’re gonna be bringing random women home, I want to know who they are.”

“I’m not bringing Panam here, Joss.”

“So it’s not serious?” She never took River for a casual fling kind of guy. He was always so sentimental, a romantic since he was a child.

“You always been this nosy?”

Joss narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t say anything, which signified that something terrifying was on the horizon.

“Fine, jeez. I was just kidding. I’m not going out with Panam. She used the date as an excuse to push me into asking V out.”

The exasperation on Joss’ face dissipated instantly. She returned to her chopping as if she’d never stopped at all, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Did you do it?”

“Of course I did. We’re going out tonight.”

Joss grinned for a fraction of a second, something River’s eyes didn’t miss. Still, she kept her voice steady, trying not to give her excitement away.

“You should wear that knit I got you for Christmas last year, the gold one. You look good in warm colors.”

Classic Joss. River smiled, accustomed to her way of showing love, and answered, “Sure, sis. Thanks.”

As he walked back towards his room, Joss called out after him, “And tell V she should come by for dinner again sometime.”

******

V’s bike was parked in front of the drive-in by the time River arrived there at exactly 7pm.

She’d left the gate open for him but was nowhere to be found. River made his way into the adjacent building and, as he ascended the stairs, began to hear a soft humming coming from the floor above.

He found V in a small room, tinkering with a film projector from before the tech even went digital. She had her back to him as she carefully fed the reel into a slot, and River took the opportunity to just enjoy watching her. For a woman with such a hefty punch she had delicate fingers, the type that could stitch up a knife wound flawlessly and painlessly; River would know.

Just by looking at her one might think she was soft. That was River’s first impression of her, after all. V’d shown up at Chubby Buffalo a foot shorter than him with bubblegum pink pincurls and a teddy bear backpack. He’d nearly laughed when she introduced herself as the person who’d contacted him, but he’d quickly found out just how ruthless she could be. It wasn’t soon after that he’d began to fall for V, and before he knew what had struck him he was thoroughly and inescapably in love with her.

River approached V from behind and wrapped an arm around her midsection, his warm palm landing gently on her bare midriff. He pressed his lips to her cheek, stubble brushing against her soft skin, and whispered, “Hey, V.”

“Hey,” she whispered back, tensing in his arms but continuing to adjust the focus on the projector as if nothing’d happened. Her skin was beginning to heat up beneath his fingertips, her attraction to him becoming undeniable. River brushed his fingers down to her lower abdomen, lingering for a moment before letting her go. He watched as V drew a shaky breath.

“So, pick a good movie?”

V turned, her pupils dilating slightly as her eyes caught sight of him. Her lips turned up into a shy smile, and River grinned in response, enjoying the effect he had on her just a little too much.

“Does it matter?”

River chuckled, raising a brow at her boldness. She was still blushing furiously, gaze avoiding his, but somehow still as daring as he’d come to know her to be. He closed the distance between them, hand landing on the small of her back as he pulled her closer to him. His mouth was nearly on hers, eyes darkened with a need he knew he was going to have to satiate.

“C’mon, before I decide that I’d like it better if we skipped the movie altogether.”

V merely nodded, a heat building in the pit of her stomach as River began walking away. She flicked the projector on and followed after him, well aware of the thoughts running through River’s mind. She couldn’t deny that she wanted the same.

He was already in the driver’s seat when V opened the passenger side door of his Thorton. It was a place she’d come to associate with comfort; late nights talking parked in front of the coast, driving from job to job while playing their favorite albums, wet and waiting for the rain to pass with the heat turned up to high. She’d canceled plans before just to sit in his truck with him for a few hours.

“V?” The way he said her name made V’s legs clench together.

“Hm?”

“I would really like to fucking kiss you.”

V could only nod, and River’s hands were instantly buried in her hair, pulling her against his eager mouth. He kissed her with hot intensity, tongue pushing past her lips to get a taste of her. V’s shaking hands found his shoulders, fingers digging into the muscles hidden beneath his sweater, teeth digging into River’s lower lip.

She pulled herself as close to him as possible, cursing the gearshift between them in her head, when River’s large hands dug into her hips and lifted her onto his throbbing lap. The indents of his fingers felt like they might leave bruises, and the idea of it thrilled V. River’s mouth trailed down to her jugular, tongue snaking out to taste her skin, and he asked, “Would you like for me to touch you?”

V tilted her head back, gifting him more hot flesh. She groaned softly as he scrapped his teeth along her skin, already so aching and wet she was seeing stars.

“Yes, please.”

That was the only green light River needed. His cybernetic hand held her hips in place while his organic one snaked beneath her vinyl skirt, fingers caressing her slowly over the fabric of her soaked panties.

V cried out in pleasure, legs quivering around his thighs. He ran his thumb along her slit, parting her slightly, and he pulled his mouth away from her neck to watch her writhe against his touch. River smirked, hooking his index finger on the elastic of her underwear and tugging teasingly before sliding his middle and ring fingers into her throbbing cunt.

They both released a sharp breath, River’s fingers curling in her and V tightening around him in response. His fingers slid in and out of her slowly, thumb caressing her swollen clit as V’s moans became more desperate. He wanted her so badly it hurt, so much it was beginning to drive him mad. River pulled his dripping fingers out of her and rubbed them roughly against her clit, watching her back arch in pleasure and her mouth fall open with a yell. Absolutely exquisite.

“Look me in the eye and tell me what you want.”

V’s heavy-lidded eyes captured his, their olive green replaced by the deep black of her pupils. River’s breath caught in his throat, cock aching against his denims.

“I want you to fuck me, right now.”

River was more than happy to oblige. He unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, lifting up his hips a few inches to slide them down to his knees. His cock sprung free against her thigh, scorching and long and so fucking hard. V bit down on her lip to keep from groaning at the sensation, already so dizzy with lust she felt she might break.

“How much do you like these?” River’s fingers were hooked around her panties again and V responded, “A normal amount?”

“I’ll buy you a new pair.”

He ripped the seams along the sides and tore the broken cloth from her body, V gasping in shock and admiration. His hands moved down to her ass, capturing her plump cheeks with greed, fingers boring into the supple flesh. He lifted her over himself, keeping her elevated as he slid the head of his cock over her wet slit, lubricating himself, groaning and cursing with restraint.

V squealed in delight, hands tightening around his shoulders. She could feel him begin to part her, the thick head of his cock both painful and pleasurable as he stretched her open. River’s teeth clenched, body coiled tight as he filled her with himself, V’s sweltering pussy already threatening to send him over the edge. She was throbbing around him, adjusting to his girth and length, accommodating him so patiently and lovingly.

River’s hands moved up her back, pulling her cropped tank over her head, leaving her in only a skirt pooled around her hips. She looked absolutely fucking stunning; swollen lips, disheveled hair, ample tits, all for him to enjoy. He ran his thumbs over her pert nipples as she settled at his base, a low groan escaping her lips.

They began building a slow rhythm, V guiding and River following her lead. He pressed his mouth against her shoulder, pinching and rolling her nipples between his fingers as her grinding became a gentle bouncing. V angled her hips forward, arching her back to take him fully, mewling softly every time he bottomed out in her. The feeling of her big ass slamming down against his hips was goddamn ethereal, and he was beginning to worry the overwhelming pleasure wouldn’t let him last much longer. He snaked his hand between her thighs once again, desperate fingers burying themselves between her folds and running over her throbbing clit.

V clenched tight around him, milking his cock, her hot, wet cunt making a mess of his seat. River began thrusting to meet V’s hips, his free hand wrapping around her waist and pulling her to him. He was losing himself in her, in her scorching flesh and her pretty pink curls and her sweet, plump mouth. 

And just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, he felt V tense in his arms, a shudder running through her body as her thighs clamped around his. Her hands cupped the back of his head, pulling him to her, and she crashed her mouth against his as an orgasm rocked through her. She was impossibly tight around him, aching and burning hot, and River lost it.

He groaned loudly against her lips, fingers digging into her skin, hips twitching and bucking as he released himself inside her. V bit down on his lip, clenching and releasing to the throbbing of his cock, desperate for every last drop of his cum.

River’s grip on her hips finally loosened, his lips less desperate and more tender against V’s. She ran her nails over his scalp, humming happily, a smile on her lips that River could feel on his. When she pulled away, there was a little mischievous glint in her eyes, and for a moment River was afraid he’d have to, unfortunately, decline a second round. For now.

“So can I be your girlfriend now or…?”

River chuckled, brushing a curl away from her face. It was good to know that she wanted to be his as much as he did. He pressed his lips against her forehead, her flushed cheeks, her soft lips. Yeah, she could be his girlfriend now. Most definitely.

“I’d like nothing more.”