It started out as another normal night for Chloe. The local bar was the place she frequented most often. There were plenty of lost souls there in need of guidance. A lot of the regulars recognized her. They called her the bar's therapist. It was a title she didn't mind in the slightest.
It was no secret that supernatural creatures walked among the humans. In fact, they didn't seem to mind so long as they didn't actively try to hurt anyone. People would willingly offer themselves up to the vampires so they could feed, breed with the wolves, leave gifts for the fae to get on their good side and whatever else they wanted to do. Some humans wanted to be turned while others just wanted to be known among the supernaturals as willing to do anything. Chloe didn't judge. It wasn't her place. As long as the humans were happy, that's all that mattered.
But everything changed when he walked in.
She was sitting in the back booth; her usual booth. It was quiet, away from the bar, and where everyone knew they could find her. She just sat there observing all the patrons in the bar as they drank, ate, and talked. A few of the regulars spotted her and waved or smiled. Chloe returned the gestures and took a drink from her glass.
The door opened and a tall, well-built man with shoulder length brown hair walked in. Chloe didn't recognize him, but she would tell what he was. His aura was definitely not something that said he was human. Either he was new to the area, or he lived nearby but didn't get out much. The former seemed more likely to Chloe.
Even from so far away, Chloe could see his blue eyes scan the bar. She knew that look. That inquisitive gaze as his eyes moved from person to person, sensing within a few seconds if he wanted them or not. His eyes came to rest upon Chloe and she could see a look of surprise flash across his features. Things were about to get interesting...
He took a few steps towards her, then stopped. The door opened again and another unfamiliar man walked in. He was tall and well built, like the brown haired man. Only he had blond hair. They both carried themselves in a confident way. Chloe wondered if they were brothers or just close friends.
The brown haired man seemed to groan when the blond walked in after him. Chloe watched their interactions closely. The blond shrugged at something the other man said. The brunet man turned his attention back to Chloe and rolled his eyes. The two of them walked towards her booth. She could tell that the blond was also not a human. He radiated the same aura as the brunet.
"Hey, doll." The brown haired man said with a sly smile. "Is this seat taken?" He asked. Chloe looked between the two men. The blond also had striking blue eyes. Both of them stared at her intensely, but Chloe was used to such gazes. Though she wondered if they knew what she was. Surely they had to have known, right? Otherwise they wouldn't be talking to her, right?
"Be my guest." Chloe replied softly, waving her hand at the empty space across from her. The blond shuffled in first, and the brunet followed. "You two gentleman want anything?" She asked, pushing her long jet black hair behind her shoulders before she waved over a nearby waiter.
"What can I get you?" He asked Chloe. She smiled up at him.
"Oh, not me." She motioned to the two men across from her. "Put it on my tab, will you?" The waiter nodded and turned his attention to the men.
"Any American drink." The blond replied with a nod. The waiter nodded and scribbled it down on his pad.
"Your strongest Russian drink." The brunet man said. He didn't even turn his attention to the waiter. He just stared at Chloe as he spoke. A smile spread across his lips.
"I'll be right back with those drinks." He smiled at them.
"Thanks, Paul." Chloe smiled back at him before he left. She turned her attention back to the men. "So," she began. Her eyes moved from one man to the other, "are you guys brothers?" She asked, crossing her legs under the table. The blond scoffed with a smile and the brunet laughed.
"Oh no. Not at all." The brown haired man shook his head.
"Ah. You two give off that kind of vibe." Chloe explained, sweeping all her hair over one shoulder.
"We actually have a...complicated relationship. But, I guess you could say we're brothers in that sense. We sure do fight like siblings." The blond eyed Chloe's exposed skin before bringing his gaze back up to her face.
"Here we are." Paul suddenly appeared at the table with a bottle and a shot glass on a tray he was carrying. "A Yuengling for you," he said as he set the bottle in front of the blond, "and a shot of Everclear for you." He set the shot glass in front of the brunet. "I hope that's to your liking. I asked the bartender for the strongest Russian drink, and that's what he gave me." Paul explained as he tucked the tray under his arm. "It's like one hundred ninety proof, I think."
"Should be fine. Thanks." The brown haired man replied. The blond took a drink from the bottle and nodded.
"Oh, good." Paul smiled and looked at Chloe.
"I'm good. Thanks." The waiter nodded and walked away. "So, who do I have the pleasure of sharing a booth with?" She asked them with a smile.
"Oh, forgive me. How rude of me to not introduce myself." The brown haired man said. "I'm James Barnes." He extended his right hand over the table for Chloe. She placed her hand inside his to shake, but was surprised when he brought her hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on her skin. "My friends call me Bucky." She smiled and turned her attention to the blond. He seemed to be annoyed by James' display, but he quickly plastered a smile on his lips as he brought his attention to her.
"I'm Steve Rogers." He held out his hand for her and copied James' move. She saw James shake his head out of the corner of her eye. "What's your name, beautiful?" He asked with a smirk.
"Chloe Devin." She replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." The dark haired girl took another drink from her glass. She could see both men stealing glances at her neck.
"The pleasure is ours." James said. He downed his shot, and it didn't even phase him.
"What brings you boys here? I don't recall seeing you around before." Chloe asked. Steve took another sip of his beer.
"I moved here recently." James said. Chloe looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "The old Cole mansion? I bought it, cleaned it up, and now I live there." He explained.
"Ah. I know the place." Chloe nodded. "That must have taken quite a while."
"I moved into a place down the road." Steve interjected, clearly wanting to be part of the conversation. Chloe looked at him and smiled. "Family by the name of Roberts used to live there."
"Oh? I wasn't aware the Roberts were moving." Chloe raised an eyebrow and Steve nodded.
"Yeah. It was rather, uh..." he coughed nervously, "sudden." He added before taking a few gulps of his beer. Chloe felt a slight uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.
"I see." Was her simple reply. James shot Steve a glare that Chloe didn't catch as she reached down next to her and grabbed her purse. "I'm sorry to have to cut our time short," she began as she slid out of the booth and stood up. James was immediately on his feet next to her, "but I have some things I need to take care of." She slung her purse over her shoulder.
It was then that both men saw her full figure. She was a petite little thing, probably no taller than five-one or two. She had long black hair that had a slight wave to it. It came to rest at the small of her back. She was wearing a v-neck light blue shirt, black slim cut jeans and a pair of peep-toe heels. They probably gave her an extra inch of height.
"Will I see you again?" James asked with a smile. Chloe couldn't fight the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. She looked up at him with her brown eyes.
"It's a small town. I'm sure we'll meet again." She replied with a nod. With a final wave, she turned and headed towards the bar. She slipped the bartender a twenty before she left. Outside, the sun had set and there was a rather cool summer breeze blowing.
Interesting pair, those two...
"Back off, Bucky." Steve growled, tightly gripping the brown haired man's shoulder as he walked away. Bucky turned around and pushed Steve's arm away.
"You're the one who scared her off, Steve!" He replied with frustration. "Don't tell me what to do. You're no good for her." Bucky took a step towards Steve. Both men stood at similar heights. They stared into each other's eyes, neither one wanting to break eye contact and admit defeat. "I've seen what you do to them..."
"And yet you've done nothing to protect them." Steve retorted with a smirk. Bucky balled his hands into fists by his side, resisting the urge to swing.
"Not for a lack of trying, you sadistic punk." Bucky shot back with venom in his voice. "How do you do it?" He asked. "How do you live with yourself?"
"I've got an eternity." Steve replied, holding his arms out as his sides with their palms up. Bucky rolled his eyes and turned around. "Don't act all 'holier than thou' on me." He said as Bucky began walking away.
"You know what, Steve? Just don't!" Bucky turned around to face him again. They were separated by a few feet. "I know what I am. I'm not acting like I'm better than you." He defended. "I am better than you." Bucky declared, glaring at Steve. The blond's expression turned sour as he glared back.
"Oh, you think so?" Steve stalked closer to him. Bucky stood his ground as the blond closed the gap between them. "What makes you think she'll choose you?" He asked. "You're too nice. You always were."
"So were you!" Bucky exclaimed. "What happened to you, Steve? I don't even know you - "
"I woke up!" Steve interrupted, his elongated canines showing as he hissed at Bucky.
"You 'woke up' to being a complete asshole!" The brown haired man wasn't intimidated in the slightest. The punch to the stomach sent him backward a few steps, but he remained on his feet. "That's exactly what I'm talking about!"
"Shut up, Bucky!" Steve growled, wanting a fight. "I want her, so she's mine." He walked towards him again, fists clenched.
"I'm not gonna fight you." Bucky replied. "And I'm not gonna let you have this one." He gritted his teeth and stood his ground. Steve swung, but Bucky easily side-stepped the blow.
"What's so different about this one, huh?" Steve asked. "Why do you want her so bad?"
"Because I know what she is, and I'm not going to let you corrupt her!" Bucky pushed Steve away. The blond looked at him with a puzzled expression. Immediately, Bucky regretted saying anything. He turned and hurried away.
"What is she, Bucky?" Steve called after him. Bucky gritted his teeth and ignored Steve. "What is she?!"