#I guess if we compare it with the place he had in TFATWS he has SOME things in here

[bugsbelovedrecources]

Bucky Barnes Apartment details (Thunderbolts*)

disclaimer I'm not resizing these or anything like that lmao

He has this little tray behind his sink that seems to be where he puts stuff when he comes home from work(/back from a run?) It has sunglasses, earbuds, that might be a wallet? possibly an ID badge, his watch off to the side and something with a black loop? I can't figure that one out. There's also a jar of what looks like lemonade powder packets?? Bucky loves lemonade??

upon further inspection from a different angle, the lemonade might be bags of candy?? idk its blurry. It looks completely different, I might've stumbled upon a continuity error. Also that is one thousand percent vodka next to is.

I saw this one on tiktok, apparently his dinner in this scene is from an actual chili-dog place in DC called Bens Chili Bowl! I honestly thought he microwaved a hot dog and a cup of chili the first time I saw it.

despite chowing down on takeout, he has a skillet on the stove. Bucky doesn't like doing dishes <3

I had to turn the exposure up but he has a cuck chair in his bedroom. Or a reading nook. It's up to the viewer to decide.

I honestly cant tell what this is. It's next to his stove. Possibly tea? Or, like, coffee he's stolen from hotels?? but that doesn't make sense so I really don't know :/ maybe its ganja

stacks on stacks on stacks of documents and folders. Man needs a filing cabinet. I also can't tell what that red thing is. Looks like a tiny video game gas can?? Could be a firework? Or a very small pen cup with one singular pen in it??

In the comics he wears Steve's dogtags, so I choose to believe that's what he's wearing! Could also be his tbh. Also look at the way he holds that phone. what is that.

ONE spice and ONE bottle of hot sauce next to the stove. I can tell he looooves living here /s

I've looked at this from several different angles and I can't tell what it is. Is this from a previous film? Is it some kind of can opener? a tiny kettle? a mini microscope?? wth is this???

two plates and one glass. I would bet so much money these are the only dishes he uses and he doesn't really put them away, only takes them out of the dishwasher to use them then replaces them when he's done. Which of course would lead to using a dirty dish more than once. Because Congressman Barnes is lowkey a mess. Classic bachelor. ofc he could've just started it early to clean his arm. but I like my take better

His view is just another building :/ normal for DC ig but it's kinda sad ngl

[oimoitalaina]

What If? Season 3 episode 1 rant

After waiting all this time to see Sam, one of the central characters to the MCU, get any screen time in What If? I can’t help but be disappointed by what we got. The version of Sam we see in this episode is just so flat compared to who he is in any other MCU project. Despite supposedly being the main character of this episode, I feel like by the end the audience has gained no further insight into who he is as a person.

Sam’s whole story in this episode is about his supposed friendship with Bruce. He says that he’d be more helpful to Bruce as a friend than as a therapist. But he spends the whole episode continuing to act as a therapist, because they are in a one-sided relationship. Bruce gets to vent his feelings as much as he wants to Sam, but we never in the entire episode see Sam get an opportunity to express his own thoughts and feelings to Bruce in return. That’s why everyone in the episode needs to keep *saying* that the two are friends, because nothing about the story is actually depicting it as an equal relationship. 

I think the best examples I can give are the two instances where the episode is trying to reference the friendships Sam has in the main timeline. We start with Sam and Bruce meeting on a jog in the same spot where Sam met Steve, and their initial conversation exists as a variant of that first conversation. But here we can already see the weakness of the comparison. In CA:TWS, Sam first makes an actual connection to Steve by correctly guessing that Steve is still uncomfortable sleeping in a regular bed. Sam is able to make this guess because he has lived through the same things as Steve, albeit in a different century. This conversation leads to Steve asking more about Sam, asking if he lost anyone during his time in the air force. Sam opens up about losing Riley, whose death serves as another point of connection between Sam and Steve.

Compare this to the What If? version between Sam and Bruce. Bruce gets to talk about how he’s using cardio to try and control the Hulk, how this problem makes him feel like a monster. Sam doesn’t have any opportunity to relate to this, there’s really nothing in Sam’s story that makes him feel like a monster, so there’s no actual point of connection between the two. In addition, Bruce doesn’t ask anything about Sam. This transitions to a scene where Sam is acting as his counselor, because that’s the relationship they have. In this one scene where the show is attempting to show them as friends it does just the opposite.

The next scene attempting to depict Sam and Bruce’s friendship is on the Wilson family boat, the Paul and Darlene. Best girl Sarah is even there! This is clearly meant to parallel Sam and Bucky’s reconciliation in episode 5 of TFATWS. Bucky is actively helping Sam because he cares about his friend who he had not been treating very well for the last few days.  They’re on the boat after a day of Bucky helping Sam fix it up. Not only that, but Bucky came to Sam’s home town in the first place to bring a suit that he requested from the Wakandans on Sam’s behalf. In the case of Sam and Bucky, this moment of the boat solidifies their friendship after Bucky gets his act together enough to support Sam.

In the version we see in this episode of What If?, none of that context exists. We don’t see Bruce being of service to Sam in any way. They didn’t have a falling out that Bruce was just working to repair. Now obviously it's fine that the narrative isn’t exactly the same, but the point that I’m trying to make is that this scene also doesn’t depict Sam as his own person with his own emotional needs that need support.

Sam’s whole motivation for the events of this episode are about Bruce. How he feels as if he failed his friend. This isn’t a terrible motivation but it is severely lacking in comparison to what we’re used to seeing with Sam. What does Sam’s friendship with Bruce say about Sam? Other than he’s just a nice guy, I guess? Sam befriends Steve for a reason, because he recognises their similar trauma. Sam and Bucky have conflict in their friendship because of Sam’s uniquely difficult position accepting the role of Captain America as a Black man. Sam and Bruce have conflict because Sam is … nice and Bruce is … the Hulk. 

I guess overall what I’m trying to say is that Sam’s character is flattened so much in this episode, and I hate that this is what people think he’s about. Because Sam isn’t in the MCU just to be some white guy’s therapist, he’s his own person with his own darling personality that I was hoping to finally get to see in this episode. I guess I should just be grateful he wasn’t killed off this time at least.

[amarriageoftrueminds]

Stumbled upon an old post about what awful lines were said about Bucky in TFATWS and holy fuck it is horrific.

"Your overextented life"

"Before you were his pet psychopat"

"Big cyborg brain of yours"

"They cleared the bionic staring machine and he killed almost everybody he's met".

Don't get me started on removing Bucky's arm without his consent. You DON'T take away someone's limb, especially not as a punishment for "bad behavior."

And people honestly wonder why some of us had issues with how Bucky was treated in that show. I remember people accusing us of not liking Bucky's story because "we don't want trauma survivors to find happiness and healing". Like I'm sorry but just because he's smiling at the end of the show doesn't mean his arc was written well. As a trauma survivor myself I don't have high expectations when it comes to Hollywood but Bucky's recovery arc (if you can even call it that) has been among the worst depictions of trauma and healing from it I've seen in recent years.

(I'd appreciate a link to that post so I can reblog it please, Anon! I was wondering the other day how many horrible lines there would be, if you put them all together. 😬 Yikes.)

.

*warning: this is gunna be salty af cuz I've been binge-watching House and have his acerbic voice in my head.

You're right not to call it a recovery arc, Anon. Bucky has never had a recovery arc, because that requires acknowledging he has something to recover from.

TPTB refuse to, because they want to paint Bucky as generic Crossbones dudebro villain, who needs to 'do better' after being a mind-controlled slave, and deserves to be verbally and physically abused.

As demonstrated by supposedly 'good' character X treating him like crap (ha! so hilarious! boys will be boys!) and/or not standing up for him when other character Y treats him like crap in front of them. (And yes I have to include Steve in this writing, too.)

Bucky in TFATWS is spoken of literally as Secretary Ross talked about Bruce et al in CACW. Comparing them to weapons. Things... not people. Just how a villain would talk about human beings. (And even badly-written!Steve was appalled by that, remember?) No alarm bells ringing in the TFATWS writer's room, tho? Hmm. Guess they were too lazy to watch the movies.

Although Disney skipped the actual arc towards happiness, to relegate SebStan to cheaper cut scenes, Bucky did have happiness and healing in the movies (thanks to Ryan Coogler, not the Russos. Thanks Ryan.)

But TFATWS had to shit on that, via the VA's Second-Worst Counselor. They wanted to take credit for what Coogler did -- by limp-dickedly retreading the exact same story beats (too lazy to come up with something original? too dumb? too reluctant to include Bucky in the first place?) Only with a different set of black people swapped in to replace T'Challa, Shuri, and the village people kids (because they're interchangeable? or because only black Westerners count, now? Ah but I'm forgetting that Arabic guy who came up to- uhh- thank the American Air Force? 😬 Genuinely jaw dropping. Gotta love those good clean Iron Man values.)

"I remember people accusing us of not liking Bucky's story because "we don't want trauma survivors to find happiness and healing."

I can't stand people who hijack that kind of therapy-speak to bullshit that that's why they like something.

IMO the truth is that fans don't want to admit that the writing sucks, that the writing of Sam has been sucking since CACW, because they like Sam and see TFATWS as his show -- when, jesus, is it really tho? Just because his name's on it?

Zemo and Walker got more attention and arc than Sam. Even Izaiah got the better speech. Steve got to demolish an American alphabet agency, what did Sam get to do in his show? Introduce the Flagsmashers when Sam is reluctant to dress in the flag, and he doesn't even get to lead them He gets stuck protecting the status quo?

That's the danger of 'media consumption' with Disney these days. Woke-washing.

It's... kind of like how fast fashion chains will greenwash their products, to pass off plastic fabric as organic material.

People who think of themselves as X-leaning, (or want to be seen as X), also want to believe they would recognise Y-leaning portrayals... but they lack critical thinking skills when it comes to media analysis.

So corps like Disney know they don't actually have to be left-leaning in their portrayals, because they can pass off any right-wing thing as a genuine progressive doodad just by cloaking it in the correct language or aesthetics.

(Hey, right wing writers! Want to make a dehumanizing ableist gag? Make a black woman do it! Ever wish sexual assault in the office could be shrugged at again? Make a white woman do it! (Make sure she's Upper Class and English, too!) Want to to make sure your protags can't be read as queer? Want to get away with basic locker-room homophobia without being nagged about it? Just play on the nostalgia of interracial 'buddy cop' movies, and - as usual - make a black guy do it! Want to portray the USAF as an heroic force in the Middle East? Make an Arab say thanks to a black American Airman! Wokewashing -- it covers all ills!)

Time was, Disney would only do this with their villains -- and you do get a hint of that Classic Disney long-coated predatory gay villain with Zemo.

Only now, instead of getting away with it because of widespread homophobia, Disney and fans can get away with it by accusing anyone who criticises of it being a homophobe.

But they're still writing the creepy gay scene-stealing villains. 🤔

Same with a shitty victim-blaming portrayal of a therapeutic 'arc'. The people who don't give a shit about that won't criticise it, and those that do- well, they must just hate trauma victims IRL, uwu. 😥

Insidious, isn't it?

Disney may be virulently allergic to giving SebStan anything significant to do these days, for fear of getting more gay cooties on Captain Comphet, or distracting from Captain Coloniser: Creator's Pet... but you cannot deny even those idiots M&M wrote a better arc for Steve and Bucky than the idiots that had a whole show arc to accomplish that for Sam and Bucky.

(Seriously, how do you fuck up in six attempts a thing you've already seen someone else manage in two? Oh- wait. Right. They haven't seen them manage it in two. They didn't watch the movies. 🤦‍♀️)

As far as friendship goes, I would have preferred Sam and Bucky ended as mutually-respectful frenemies (or even - imagine! both apologising for things they've actually voluntarily done to each other!)

Rather than just slapping some schmaltz onto a turd at the last second and calling it a rose. As you said: one instance of Mackie & Stan breaking character to smile at the end of a lazy montage does not equal a written arc. Let alone a well written one.

[forever-rogue]

hi! if requests are open for bucky, i like the concept of him being unsure of himself with reader (not a superhero/avenger, maybe just a mutual friend) and pining after them compared to how easy it was to get dates in the 40s. thank you!

tfatws revived my love for bucky im not ashamed

A/N: tfatws has definitely done the same for me! no shame whatsoever!

Pairing: Bucky x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: none

MASTERLIST

»»————-　♡　————-««

You tore your gaze off of the television before you turned to look at Bucky. His blue eyed stare was trained on you, intense and unwavering. Sometimes it had managed to unnerve you, but you’d gotten used to it over the year you’d known him. He was more than just silent...he was calculating, but it never felt wrong. Waving your hand in front of his face you made a small sound to get his attention. 

“Bucky?” you whispered his name softly and that seemed to snap him back into attention as he opened and closed his mouth a few times. Even in the dim lighting of the room you could see that a warm flush of red had crept up in his cheeks, “everything alright?”

“Y-yeah,” he shook his head, more at himself than anything else, a self-annoyed look crossing his features, “spaced out for a minute. What were you saying?”

“I wasn’t saying anything,” you couldn’t help but laugh at him, watching his features soften when he realized you weren’t going to chastise him for zoning out, “I for one was watching the movie, which is more than I can say for you - you should love the Hobbit if you actually read the book when it first came out. And these movies are actually good. Pay attention, Bucky!”

You grabbed one of the pillows off of your couch and lobbed it at his head; but he was quicker, reflexes still sharp and honed after all this time. The corners of his mouth pulled into a smirk as he held the pillow before determining whether or not to throw it back at you. Immediately sensing what he was doing, you shook your head and jumped up, ducking behind the couch.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart, why are you hiding?” you could practically hear the smirk in his voice as you peeked up at him. The nickname rolled easily off his tongue as it caused a shudder to run down your spine. You knew it meant nothing, that it was just something he tended to call people; it was definitely just a thing. It was nothing particularly about you or targeted at you but you couldn’t help but pause. You knew that you wouldn’t have minded if he called you that intentionally. But that could never, ever happen. This was Bucky after all and you were just...you.

“I know your game, Barnes,” you grinned at him, deciding to let the nickname slide, “I’ll call it a truce and we can go to your favorite place to get some dinner. I’ll pay! I’m waving my proverbial white flag.”

“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse,” he set the pillow back down on the couch as he stood up and raised his hands in surrender. Slowly you raised to your full height, but kept a wary eye on your best friend, “I keep my promises, you know that.”

“Fine,” you agreed as you grinned at him. Bucky’s breath hitched in his throat as he looked you over and he felt his knees go weak momentarily. He could stare at your smile for hours, “get your jacket and let’s go old man.”

He scoffed in jest as you grabbed your shoulders and jacket off the coat rock and motioned for him to follow, “I’m not that old-”

“106? Isn’t that old?” you raised an eyebrow, barely able to contain your giggles as he rolled his eyes dramatically, “just kidding, Bucky. You know I just love teasing you.”

“I am in my 30s,..technically, thank you very much,” he insisted as he slipped on his shoes and you handed him the leather jacket, “don’t push your luck, kid.”

“See,” you grabbed the keys and he opened the door, ushering you out with a hand on the small of your back, “I swear Bucky Barnes, you’ve been an old man since you were a kid. Now let’s go! There’s pancakes with my name on them waiting.”

»»————-　♡　————-««

Dinner with Bucky was easy...then again, everything with Bucky was easy. Every time you were with him, things just felt natural and normal, conversation and everything flowed freely. You’d met Bucky completely by chance, running into him, quite literally, on the street as you walked out of your favorite coffee shop and proceeded to spill coffee over both of you. He’d been apologetic, claiming it was his fault, but you’d been insistent that it was yours. One thing had led to another and soon enough you became inseparable friends. 

Much to his surprise, and delight, you’d never treated Bucky as anything but...Bucky. That’s how you’d met him and that’s all he was to you. Bucky. Of course, he was much more than a friend, at least in your mind, but you weren’t about to divulge that little piece of information. At least not yet. Maybe one day...or not. Probably not. No. You weren’t about to make a fool out of yourself and confess your feelings for a man that saw you as nothing but a friend.

Bucky, always alert and cunning, had noticed you’d become quiet throughout dinner as you both ate in silence. Normally he wouldn’t question it, but he knew your tells and could easily read you by this point and knew that something was up. 

“What?” he gently nudged your foot with his and you snapped back into attention as you looked at him, “you’re awfully deep in thought for someone that just wanted some pancakes.” 

“It’s nothing,” you insisted nervously, swallowing your bite down and clearing your throat, “just...tired?”

“Mhmm,” he wasn’t going to push you, know you’d come around eventually, “whatever you say, sweetheart.”

There it was again, and you felt a warmth flush over your face as you focused your attention on the syrupy mess on your plate. It was silent for a few more minutes before you noticed a few women sitting at the diner’s counter, giggling among themselves as they cast longing glances at Bucky. Something in your stomach twisted and your heart constricted. Of course they were looking at him, women often did. And you couldn’t blame them; Bucky was handsome in almost every way, and you yearned after him as well. But unlike most other people, you weren’t about to be so obvious about it. 

“Looks like you have a little fanclub,” you murmured softly under your breath as you lightly motioned towards them women. Bucky slyly followed your gaze and studied the newcomers and huffed in annoyance. He abhorred any sort of extra attention, especially when it came from people that only liked him because of his looks. Besides that, it often didn’t last terribly long; usually people realized who he was - used to be - and that scared them right off.

“They’ll leave soon enough,” he shrugged them off before turning his attention back to you, “besides, I-I’m not interested. It’s not like it used to be…”

“Back when?” you quickly snorted in amusement as he jokingly glared at you, “back in your day? I bet you had them all over you then too.”

“Well, it certainly was easier,” he admitted as he played with the straw in his almost empty milkshake, “nowadays people are harder to read. They all either want one thing, or they just stick around until they find someone else. It’s not worth it...and honestly, now one has caught my eye.”

“No one?” you asked as you pushed your last bite around the plate, letting the fluffy pancake soak up the syrup, “I find that hard to believe, even for you, Buck. Everyone has someone they’re interested in.”

“Huh,” he mused as drained the last of the milkshake, “well then, is there someone that has captured your interest?”

“I...no, not really,” you lied, hoping he wouldn’t pick up on the lie. Instead he immediately made a sound of small disbelief; you should haven’t even bothered to try and lie to him. He could see right through you, “there’s nobody.”

“I thought you said everyone has someone that they’re interested in?” oh yeah, he definitely wasn’t going to let this go at all. 

“Except me.”

“I find that doubtful.”

“What about you then, Bucky Barnes?” you decided to deflect by throwing the question right back at him, “has anyone captured your interest?”

Bucky paused for a moment, tongue darting out to wet his lips as he mulled over his next words carefully, “yes. There is someone.”

“O-oh,” you stammered as his gaze shifted back to you, blue eyes keenly studied your features, “you gonna tell me who it is?”

“Well,” he started slowly, tapping his fingers on the table as he leaned towards, "there is someone, but I don't know if she knows or thinks of me as more than a friend, but god, I hope she does. She's been my friend for a while now and I kind of want to ask her on a date, a proper date, but don't quite know how."

"Do you...do you think she could feel the same about you?" butterflies erupted in your stomach as you tried to calm the rapid beating of your heart. Surely he couldn't mean you. But then...why was a light flush of pink in his cheeks? Why was he watching you so intently?

"I don't know," he confessed with a light shrug as he sat back in the booth, an arm extended over the back, the picture of ease, "sometimes I think she might, but I don't want to think she does and mess anything up. I'd rather keep her as a friend than lose her."

"I guess you won't know unless you ask her…" you were positive that he could hear your heart beating rapidly, "you never know until you try. I have a feeling she won't turn you down if you ask...just a hunch…"

"Hmm…" a smile, dazzling and brilliant, grazed his features, "well then sweet-"

"Excuse me," one of the girls from the counter had approached your table and was leaning into Bucky, with her back to you. She was twirling her hair around her finger as she offered him her most dazzling smile. She was definitely beautiful and you really had nothing to base your annoyance off of, but she rubbed you the wrong way, "I was just wondering if you'd-"

"Hi, excuse me?" you couldn't help yourself as you gently tapped her arm. Bucky raised an eyebrow as she gave her a surprised look on her face, "I don't want to interrupt but he's mine. And if you don't mind...we're on a date."

"O-oh," her eyes widened as she looked between you and Bucky, who was currently sporting the most shit eating grin, "I didn't know. Sorry…"

She scurried back to her friends as you looked back down at your plate. Bucky cleared his throat as he leaned in, hardly believing what had happened. You could feel his curious blue eyes on you, searing and questioning.

"So she feels the same way or she's a good liar," he said softly as you chanced a glance, biting on your lip, "I'm yours, huh?"

"Shut up," you groaned, "it was to get her away from you, so you're welcome."

"Mhmm…" god that smile made you want to melt.

"Bucky!"

"Thank you," he bowed his head slightly, "what are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Nothing...why?"

"Can I take you on a date?" he asked as you looked at him in surprise, wide doe eyes meeting his, "a proper date?"

"I...yeah, Bucky. I'd like that a lot," you agreed softly, "see...I told you she won't turn you down."

"Guess you were right," he was causal, but inside his heart was fit to burst as he reached across the table and gently put his hand on top of yours, "I'm already hers, but she's my girl too."

Yeah. You could definitely get used to that.

»»————-　♡　————-««

Permanent Taglist: @secretsweetscollectionblog  @sheridans-dynamos  @queenbbarnes  @persephonesnebula   @ah-callie  @blushingwueen  @thisis-theway @rosetophighlander  @rae-gar-targaryen    @hiscyarika  @readsalot73  @huliabitch  @ollyoxenfrees @coffeeandtodd  @beepbeepsephy   @scarlettwitcher  @nerdyknightwritersblog  @choicesarcade  @arrowswithwifi  @everythingaboutnothingstuff  @suckerfor-fanfics  @bestintheparsec @javihoney  @aeryntheofficial  @hail-doodles @engineeredfiction  @asgardianvamp21  @keithseabrook27  @karmezii  @dearspacepirates  @thatsuitlooksgoodonyou  @paintballkid711 @mrpascals @lv7867 @artsymaddie @gooddaykate @rosiefridayrogersunday @heyitmelexie @criminalmind1927 @justanotherblonde23 @coni-martina @thewayofthemandalorian @phoenixhalliwell @lucifer @cosmoschick @kochamcie @linkpk88 @leaiorganas @nikkixostan @haley-the-comet @chibi-yuki @computeringturtle @4ng3lf43 @intu-witch-tion @wondergal2001 @gingerbreadandpaper @willowtheewisp @milkxxkookies @smollpinkgirl @zukoyonce  @boomtownboy @velia27 @discowitchyy

[spideeysense]

The cat sitter falls in love with it's owner. A Bucky Barnes/Reader fic! Chapter 1.

A/N: Hey y'all!! I'm back with a brand NEW fic for y'all! This will be a multipart series. Obviously, for fic reason, it will not follow the TFATWS plot to a T. There will most likely be plot points taken from it however. With that being said, each chapter will have a varying degree of spoilers (I'm so sorry!!), but I hope you all enjoy it! (P.S This fic will be a SLOOW BURN!) Please let me know if you'd like me to start a taglist for this series! Feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Don't be afraid to request! Edit: this is will not be released following every TFATWS episode.

This first chapter centers around James (Bucky), the start of his friendship.

Word Count: 1520

Warnings: None!

“Hand me your phone James.” The therapist says, rather sternly. Bucky pauses as if to speak. But decides against it, and defeatedly hands her his phone.

He watches her scroll through his minimal contact and text messages and sighs when her eyebrows shoot upwards.

“Well, this is new. Who’s Y/N?”

Bucky fumbles for a bit before speaking, ”She’s my neighbor, moved in right after the Blip.” He murmurs. The therapist scrolls through the messages between Bucky and you.

“You-“ The therapist pauses “watch her cat?”

Bucky nods. “Yeah, when she’s out of town, she visits her sister, cause she’s pregnant with her second kid.” The therapist purses her lips together and smiles. “Well this is progress, James. This is good”. James shakes his head. “I barely know her, I just watch her cat!” The therapist narrows her eyes as she scans the text. A few pictures of a fluffy gray cat appear the cat by the door, by the window, sleeping on a couch. All of these Bucky had sent.

[Bucky]: Sardine misses you. He keeps asking me when you’re coming home.

[Y/N]: Aw. Since when can you talk to my cat?

[Bucky]: We can speak through our eyes, he’s a kindred spirit you know.

[Y/N]: Good, Sardine needs some friends other than me.

[Bucky]: I think I’m his new favorite person.

[Y/N]: Shut up

He catches his phone with ease when the therapist tosses it back. “From what you just told me, and from what I just saw, you know her pretty well.” Bucky avoids her knowing stare and instead fixates on his leather gloves.

“Is she pretty?” He groans, and sinks into the couch.

“I-,yeah I guess she’s really pretty.” He mumbles, flexing his hands. “I’m not gonna say she’s ugly.” The therapist smiles at him and puts her small notebook to the side.

“You should a-” She starts.

“Can we go back to talking about making amends?” Bucky interrupts, knowing where this conversation was headed.

The therapist sighs and leans back into her chair. Defeated.

Later, while Bucky is walking home, his phone chimes. He fumbles with it in his pocket, before pulling it out.

[Y/N]: How did your thing go?

Bucky feels himself smiling as he types out a short message.

[Bucky]: Good.

At his apartment, he takes off his jacket and cleans up the few things he has. The TV is still on from when he left this morning, but he doesn’t mind. The sound is welcome in the neverending silence. He grabs a plastic water bottle from the fridge, and then leaves his apartment. He arrives in front of your door and fishes your key from out of his pocket. It takes a few tries to get the door open, and for a second he’s worried someone is going to think he is breaking in, but he sighs of relief when it swings open.

MroOOAAAAOOOOW. Bucky cringes at the long, angry, meowl of Sardine.

“Look buddy, I’m sorry I’m late.” He closes the door behind him and crouches down to pet Sardine. The cat walked in between his legs and rubs his head against Bucky’s outstretched hand. Mroooow. Sardine says, hungrily. “Ok, ok, I’ll feed you right away.” Bucky turns on the light in your apartment, and once again is taken aback. Your apartment is lively compared to his. There are plants by the window, on the coffee table, and on the counter. There are a few boxes still lying around from when you had moved in. The couch is a bit old but has a few knitted blankets strewn across it. Not much has changed since the first time he took care of Sardine.

It was already dark outside, and Bucky internally punched himself from arriving so late. He flicks on a light switch, and the kitchen lightens up. It’s quaint, and he can tell not everything is unpacked and put into place yet. He feels movement against his legs and looks down to find, a fluffy grey cat, circling around his legs calmly.

“Hey Buddy.” He whispers.

Soon, he’s rereading your texts to make sure he’s doing everything right. He feeds Sardine, gives him water, and rubs his head a little bit. Tentatively, he sits on the couch, careful not to disturb anything. Sardine hops onto his lap, and settles, purring softly. Smiling to himself, Bucky opts to use his flesh hand and strokes Sardine’s back. He stares around your apartment some more, but careful not to look too much, he didn’t want to pry. Bucky studies the few photos you have strung up, but in the mess of things, he spots a partially wrapped wedding photo. He assumes it’s yours, but secretly hopes it’s your sisters. He goes back to staring at the empty, black void of the television. Not really sure what to do next. He just sits and waits. He didn’t really want to cross some imaginary boundary and touch your stuff.

And as if she can sense his uncomfortableness from miles and miles away, his phone alerts him of a text message.

[Y/N]: Feel free to watch TV, I have Netflix set up. No cable. Sorry :(

Bucky smiles again.

[Bucky]: Ok, thanks.

He fumbles with the sleek remote control but figures it out eventually. He ends up putting on some random show he had found earlier. Bucky doesn’t really pay attention and instead relaxes a bit more into the couch. Sardine gingerly hops onto his lap and settles.

Bucky wanders around your apartment, before settling himself on the couch, like he always does. And as if on cue, Sardine hops into his lap. The two settle comfortably. Bucky turns on the TV, and shoes some random show. It’s alright. Sardine purrs softly on his lap.

You had told him that he didn’t need to spend hours with Sardine, but he had chose to (with your permission of course). He liked his mostly quiet companion. Sardine never judged, and sometimes he would find himself mumbling stories of his past to the cat, and Sardine never hissed, or scratched, or ran away. It’s almost as if Sardine could understand the guilt Bucky felt, the sadness, and sometimes the utter emptiness.

Hours later, a soft knock at your door pulled Bucky down from the dark expanse of his head and back down to earth.

He peered through the peep hole, and opened the door.

“Hey Y/N” The way your name fell off his tongue made your heart palpitate.

“Hi,” You breathed, and for a moment you and Bucky stayed in each others trance The color of his eyes always seemed to steal your breath away. “Thank you for taking care of Sardine, you didn’t have to stay up.” You finally spoke.

“No it’s fine, I wanted to.” Bucky said softly with a smile, “I mean- I wanted to make sure you got home safe. You know, long drive and all.” Bucky turned around and quickly grabbed his coat and pulled it on.

“You need any help with your luggage?” He asked kindly, and you politely declined. “No it’s alright, thank you though.” Bucky responded with a curt nod and a soft smile. “Here I got these for you!” You push a box into his hands enthusiastically. Bucky looks down, and finds a box labeled ‘Vermont Maple Syrup Cookies’. You look up at him expanctantly.

Bucky’s a bit shocked by the sudden gift, not many people have gifted him things. “Thank you.” He murmurs softly, his thumb tracing the lettering on the box.

“Now, if you excuse me, I probably need to see my son.” You chuckle and push past him. “Sardineeee! My baby!” You dote, rubbing your cat’s head with your cheek, and cradling him in your arms. Bucky smiles and gently shuts your apartment door.

Once inside his own apartment, Bucky can feel his heart beating out of his chest. He never feels this way. This isn’t normal for him. It has his head reeling, and for a moment he needs to lean against the counter and gather his thoughts. And his heart.

He stares down at the box of cookies in his hand, and puts the box on the counter. Gently opening the top, he pulls out the plastic cookie tray. The cookies are beige, and shaped like maple leaves, and the scent of maple syrup is heavy and sweet. He gingerly takes a bite, and chews slowly. Unlike the scent, the taste of maple syrup isn’t overpowering, it’s soft. The icing sandwiched between two cookies coats his tongue.

“Damn, these are good.” He says to nobody.

Deep down inside his stomach, a feeling is scartching at his insides. Is it jealousy? No. It’s a wanting. It’s a wanting for the warmth your apartment offers, the quiet and amicable peace. He sadly looks around his dim, grey apartment. It is definetly lacking.

But like he’s done most of his life. Bucky packs those feelings inside a brain box, and locks it. Tossing it into the void of his brain. Never to be opened again. At least, that’s what he tells himself.

[gingyboo]

Mirror Mirror

A/N: Again many thanks to @booglebug

Description- Soulmates existed. People knew that much. Soulmates were rare, a handful in each generation, an unexplainable phenomenon that formed a bond closer than blood and more sacred than marriage.

Bucky finds his soulmate when he needs her most. Little does he know how much she needs him too.

(Soulmate au that slots pretty much in to the MCU but with soulmates. Set after TFATWS.)

Pairing- Bucky Barnes x OFC

Warnings- Mentions of violence and guns, but its mostly fluff, drama and angst.

This is a multi chaptered fic.

Please like, comment, reblog!

prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

Chapter 9 Chapter 10

---------------------------------------------------

Chapter 11

Nancy was standing in the training room, more music playing in her ears, Ayo stood before her, spear in hand. Shuri, as usual, was standing in the corner with her tablet.

“This seems a dangerous test.” Ayo mused, twirling her spear. Nancy bit her lip. Her training had been going well. Over the past two days she found herself running faster and further, she could now successfully land moving targets and lift well above her own body weight. She still needed the music to calm herself, let her instincts take over but Shuri had decided it was time to put her training into practice. Who better to help than one of the Dora? Nancy had taken extensive self-defence classes as a child and teenager, her and Kit had attended judo classes, and both reached black belt. Their mother had seen it as a necessary precaution. Nancy had enjoyed it significantly more than ballet classes. Standing in front of Ayo 8 years since her last class she felt frightfully unprepared.

“She’s got this.” Shuri insisted.

Ayo circled the girl slowly, like a lioness stalking her prey. Nancy calmed her breathing. Stretching out her neck and clenching and unclenching her fists. The spear whistling through the air. Nancy’s arm shot out blocking its path, but Ayo stopped it’s attack short anyway.

“Okay, so you are fast.” Ayo smiled. She struck the spear out again, Nancy blocked again. This continued Nancy blocking strikes from all angles whilst Ayo spiralled around her. The speed of her assaults increased until Nancy grabbed out snatched the spear. Ayo didn’t let go and when Nancy kicked her leg out Ayo caught it in the air. One leg in the air and one hand on the spear’s shaft. She drops the leg spinning on the other and wrenching the spear from Ayo’s grasp. She landed crouched on the ground gasping for breath.

“Never again wildcat,” Ayo smiled taking back the spear.

“Not a wildcat,” Shuri said, approaching Nancy with her hand held out, helping her up. “Red Wolf.” Nancy laughed under her breath as she and Shuri grinned.

“So, I guess your theory was right?” Nancy said removing the headphones.

“Well, you didn’t just learn that in two days. It’s built within you.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The revelation of Duncan Ellis had led to more questions than he answered, they now played a waiting game for Sam and Bucky to return with him. Nancy was fresh out of the shower after training wrapped in a towel when her phone went off.

‘Mirror?’

‘Yes.’ She sent back straight away, she pulled on sundress and sat in front of the bedroom mirror. A few moments later she could see Bucky staring back at her. The interior of the jet displayed behind him.

“Hey, we are a couple of hours out.” Nancy smiled at his news,

“Okay, has he said anything yet?”

“Not yet, but he will,”

“Good, i think there might be more to this then we first thought.” Between what Sam and Bucky had discovered in Amsterdam and Shuri and Nancy’s own research, Nancy’s hopes had steadily risen, could Kit be out there? And if he was another question rose in the back of her mind, why hadn’t he made contact?

“Bucky?” She said hesitantly, “there’s something I need to show you when you get back.” Nancy hadn’t told Bucky about the princess’s and her experiments. She hadn’t explained her newly discovered reflexes or ability to hit superhuman speeds if in the right mindset. Which mean she hadn’t told him how much easier dipping into that place was becoming, or how at home she felt there.

“You okay doll?” He said frowning with concern.

“I will be when you get here.”

She didn’t have to wait long, a couple of hours was nothing compared to the days they’d been apart, but still it felt like an age to Nancy who stared into the mirror long after Bucky had left its surface. She pinned her hair back off her face but let it fall loose in a waterfall down her back, she dug out her great grandmothers necklace, remembering Bucky’s appreciation for it, and fastened it round her neck. She looked down at the sundress she’d slipped into for modesty and frowned. She wanted to look strong when facing Duncan Everett, fierce and intimidating, the dress made her look like she was off to the beach. She reached into the wardrobe flicking through the clothing she’d had to purchase in Wakanda after realising she’d be staying more than 3 days. She pulled out the black and red dress Katima had insisted she get. It was smart and official looking with a V-neck and asymmetric hem. It hugged her hips and thighs though the material had some stretch to it. Slipping into it and a pair of black heels Nancy once again returned to the mirror. That was much better. She applied a thick coat of mascara and a deep red lipstick before leaving to find Shuri.

“Woah, that’s a look.” Shuri called out to Nancy as she crossed the threshold to the lab. Navy gave a small lack lustre twirl.

“Buck has his arm, Sam has his wings and shield, I’ve got this.” She gestured to the outfit.

“Well, I love it.” She grinned “and I think a certain sergeant will too.” She laughed wiggling her eyebrows.

It was dark by the time the call came through that the jet had crossed the border. Nancy made her way down to the landing pad. She set her face in stone ready to face Duncan. Bucky left the jet first, marching over to her and engulfing her in his arms. He kissed her briefly but firmly.

“I missed you.”

“So, you said.” Nancy smiled back, stroking the stubble on his chin. He kept an arm round her shoulders whilst turning back towards the jet. Sam was leading the dark-haired man down the ramp and towards the palace, his hands held tightly behind his back, as he passed the couple he winked at Nancy, smirking as he did. Bucky’s grip tightened on her shoulder.

“Let’s go in,” he whispered in her ear. They followed the prisoner into the palace where he was sealed in a cell. Bucky waited until he knew he was locked away before making for the door with Nancy still by his side.

The stepped into a side room, Shuri was sat at a table, Sam by her side. They took seat opposite.

“How should we play this?” Sam asked the room, “he said nothing the whole way here.”

“British intelligence has given us clearance to hold him, turns out they thought he was dead as well. We have got to extradite him back to face questioning there when we are done with him, I’d say we have a week.” Shuri explained.

“I say we let him stew, get back to him in the morning.” Bucky stretched out. “He’s not going anywhere tonight.”

“I have questions, I want the answers.” Nancy argued.

“I know you do, and we will get them, but tomorrow, I want to know what you two have been up to.” Bucky said gesturing between the two women. They shared a look and a knowing smile.

“We were testing the subconscious link we discussed.” Nancy started.

“And she’s being showing great progress.” Shuri finished. Bucky simply looked confused.

“Come to my training tomorrow and you’ll see.” Nancy said slyly.

“Ooo that’s an idea, I don’t think Ayo will want to volunteer again.” Shuri winked at Nancy.

Bucky looked at Sam who just shrugged in return. It seemed things were decided and, be it reluctantly, Nancy let Bucky pull her from the room. They made their way across the square but at the door to the embassy building Bucky kissed her quickly on the cheek.

“I’ll be right back with you, just forgot something,” He darted back towards the palace. Nancy made her way up to the apartment, she slipped off the heels leaving them by the door and padded across the carpet. She switched on the stereo and poured herself a glass of wine. She swayed softly to the music. Tomorrow she would get her answers and then she’d know, either way, what had happened to Kit. She wanted to tell her dad what they were investigating but it seemed cruel to get his hopes up for nothing, and then there was their mother. She had told her where she was and to stay safe just in case they came for her as well. As always her mother had worried, told her to come stay with her because she’d decided that was what was best for her. Nancy politely declined. The thought of staying with her controlling overprotective mother was bad enough without worrying about her meeting Bucky. Larissa Cartwright had worshipped the ground her son walked on, when he’d died Larissa had retreated into herself. Her marriage collapsing and alienating her daughter. Telling her she thought Kit might not have died would likely cause more harm than good. Whilst thinking this over she heard the door click open and then Bucky’s arms were round her, his lips at her ear.

“I like this.” he whispered playing with the strap of her dress. Nancy smiled turning round so they could sway together to the music.

“Thank you, its my battle armour,” she said smiling. Bucky nodded in agreement. He stroked a thumb across her lower lip,

“And this?” he asked regarding the lipstick there.

“My war paint.” she laughed. He laughed with her, the right side of his mouth twisting up. He dipped her gently and as she leaned back the ruby pendent glinted in the low lights. He smiled seeing it nestled beneath her collar bone. As she rose back up he caught her lips in a fierce kiss, swooping her up in his arms, bridal style.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nancy awoke to find Bucky’s side of the bed empty. Alarm raced through her instantly. She crept out of the bedroom, her robe wrapped around her tightly. She found him lying awake on the sofa, a blanket thrown over him. she slipped around the arm of the sofa wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“What’s this in aid of?” she asked as he sat up turning around.

“Never again, I won’t risk hurting you again.” he said staring at her with wide eyes.

“Buck…” she started.

“No, I don’t care if I never sleep again, I won’t put you in danger.” he held both his hands up.

“We figured out what happened. Even if I do wake him again, I can call him off.” she argued, hands twisting in the t-shirt he was wearing.

“That’s only a theory, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Well, I’m not going back to sleep until you join me.” She stood up, arms cross staring him down.

“You know you’re as stubborn- “

“As I am beautiful, I know, now come with me I’m tired and I’ve missed you.” She held out her hand with one eyebrow raised. He took it and let her pull him to his feet and back to the bedroom. Tucked up again, his arms wrapped around her, Bucky slipped reluctantly into sleep alongside her.