Tess (A Dark!SteveRogers AU)

Chapter 11

Tess was still awake when Steve returned from the evening's activities in the early hours, ensuring that Sarah had eaten the stew she'd made earlier (It hadn't been that bad if she said so herself, even Steve had eaten it before he'd left) before heading to bed. 

"Successful night?" She asked through the darkness, once he'd sorted himself out and got into bed. 

"More so than I thought it'd be". Was all he said. 

"You stashing it at Nat's?" 

He was silent for a moment before questioning her. "How'd you know that?" 

"She told me. Said if I ever had anything then I could hide it below her shop". Tess explained. "Don't worry, you ain't gonna be ratted out by me. I ain't stupid, I'm in this life too". 

"Good, coz if you did then I'd kill you". 

"Of course you would" She replied flippantly. He was quick with a gun but Tess? Well, she was sharp.

He changed the conversation. "Was Ma ok this evening?" Steve had been worried for her, especially leaving her in Tess's 'capable' hands. 

"She's still breathing if that's what you're really asking. I didn't poison her Steve".

"Never said or implied that you did".  

Tess stared into the darkness. "She ate though. So that was something. She's bored, wants to get back on her feet". 

He snorted at this. "If she does then I'm sticking her straight back into her bed". 

"I think she enjoyed the company though, regardless of whether I wouldn't let her have her own way or not - I did too". 

"Didn't you have anyone back at your place?". 

"Nope - just whatever man I chose to take to bed, and even then, some nights I didn't. I'm not denying I have a reputation, and I couldn't care what anyone says or thinks about me. I've already heard what the people in this town think". 

"Well then you'd be right to ignore it". He said. 

When she was like this. Subdued. She was easy to talk to. No quarreling or making comebacks. The only stuff he'd heard about his wife was the same as everyone else. He'd not heard anything from her lips until now. "Seems the men you had didn't care about who you were, or your reputation". 

"Nope. All they wanted was a quick fuck - and to sometimes take the stress off a bad night? So did I". 

"So you'd seek them out instead of the other way around". He snorted. "Well...that's new to me". 

"It's not as though I sat there with my legs apart begging for them to come and get it" She defended her actions. "But sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do - I'm not a lady, I don't wait for a man to come crawling to me". 

There was one thing he had to ask. "And how'd they treat you?" 

Silence. 

Tess was plucking up the courage to speak and then finally did. "Some took that I like it 'rough' literally. One bastard beat me because I wouldn't do as he wanted, another forced himself on me on a rare night that I simply wanted to drink alone and make for home. I'm used to being treated badly, that's why I fight back. It's the only thing I've ever known since I was a kid. I just turn the bad shit into something that'll be pleasurable. I like the control I have, even if it's just for a night, or even an hour". 

The fact he'd treated her badly only made him just as bad as the other men she'd been in bed with. His wife may put on a front that she was this woman to be feared - and she was - but she had reasons for doing so. 

"I see..."

"So your threats? They mean nothing. I've been through it; I know what it's like - ain't nothing new there". 

Steve said nothing for a moment. "We should get some sleep". 

"Bit hard considering that I'm wide awake". 

"Guess it's the same here". He said but was still trying to process the information that she'd just shared with him. "Ain't anyone ever treated you the right way?" 

Tess frowned to herself. "In what way?" 

"Every way". 

"Not really. But I suppose I've never really given anyone a chance to do so or welcomed it. I learnt very early not to trust anyone". 

"Not even your brother?" 

"Not even him, and I was right. He practically sold me to you - so yeah, didn't trust him then and certainly don't now". 

There was no one she could hold her trust in, even her own blood, and that spoke volumes. She still didn't even know what the deal was that he and Steve had made, and most likely never would. 

"Tessie..." 

"I told you not to call me that..." 

"Well I am - when was the last time you had a decent lay?" 

She snorted at this. "I could ask the same for you, considering you're a cranky ass most of the time".

"And who's fault is that? For your information, I can't remember, not many have been decent if I'm honest, but I've taken what I can get". 

Immediately he found himself pinned against the bed with her climbing onto him. "It can be a meaningless fuck, but I can sure as hell make it a decent one". She said, looking down at him. "Bang out that frustration, plus I need some relief". 

Steve looked up at her and then began to pull her nightgown off, exposing her bare form underneath. He'd not really taken notice when he'd taken her to bed on their wedding night, but now his eyes roamed over her. Her breasts large and perky, body slender which made them appear even bigger. His hands slid up the curve of her waist and over her chest to cup them. 

"Meaningless fuck? I think I can manage that". He said, feeling his cock grow slightly as he began to toy with her nipples. "Alright then Tessie, show me just how much of a decent ride you can give me".