stuckyonthemoon

[stuckyonthemoon]

Oh, Christmas Tree!

A christmas bed time story I wrote as a gift last year. Inspired by my love of Jan Brett, and my friend’s request for squirrel!steve&bucky. 

Pairing/Characters: Steve/Bucky, Winifred Barnes,  Mr. Nuthatch, Mr. Tree, Mr. Bear, Mr. Fisher, Ms. Caribou, Mrs. Bobcat

Rating: G, Wordcount: 2101

Tags: fluff, christmas fic, squirrels, squirrel!Bucky, squirrel!Steve, Bucky & Steve are squirrels, but also humans, there’s two of each, I didn’t know how to refer to them, so squirrel Bucky is named Bucky, human Bucky is called James, Stevie is the squirrel version, I asked my friend what they wanted for a christmas fic present, and they said squirrels, and I said, what?, and they said squirrels look, and I said, awwalkdjasf, fable, woodland animals

Summary: Steve and James don't buy a Christmas tree in time, but luckily they have cute little squirrel counterparts to help them out. ~ “It looks great!” Stevie said. He had wiggled his way into one of the stockings, and all they could see were his little ears and beady blue eyes. “It does” his human agreed, “I just feel like we’re missing something.” They all looked around. Garlands, lights, wooden Christmas horse. “Where’s the tree?!” Bucky gasped.

read it on ao3

...

The town was draped in snow, keeping the family snug and warm under its blanket. Bucky and Stevie sat on the mantle piece above a crackling fire watching their humans decorate for the holidays. James hung bows of holly across the sitting room windows, and Steve set out little ceramic Christmas deer. After lights were strung, and stockings were hung, their humans sat down to enjoy some mulled wine. “It looks great!” Stevie said. He had wiggled his way into one of the stockings, and all they could see were his little ears and beady blue eyes. “It does” his human agreed, “I just feel like we’re missing something.” They all looked around. Garlands, lights, wooden Christmas horse.

“Where’s the tree?!” Bucky gasped. “Oh my goddess, the tree.” his human said, “We forgot the tree.” Bucky burst out laughing. Stevie nudged him to be quiet. “Hey, it’s not a big deal. We’ll just get one at that tree farm when we go to your mama’s place tomorrow.” Steve said. “Good idea.” James smiled at him, “Alright, now that’s settled, who’s up for a story before bed?”

Bucky and Stevie scurried out of their stocking and onto the couch where their humans were. They sat atop James’ shoulders so they could see the pretty pictures of ‘The Mitten’. They curled their tails around James’ neck and Stevie held onto one of his human’s fingers. “Still don’t know why there’s no squirrels in this story.” Bucky chittered. Their humans laughed. Then James began to read.

The next morning woke with sunshine glinting off the freshly fallen snow. Everyone piled into James’ old pick up, and gifts were loaded in the back seat. Bucky and Stevie sat on their humans shoulders, eagerly watching old brownstones turn to tall forests.

It was mid morning when they pulled up to the tree lot. “Oh, no”, Steve whispered. A sign in red and green stood in front of the gate. Sorry, out of trees. See you next year! it read. “What are we going to do now?” Steve said. His eyebrows came together in a rather forlorn look. James put a hand on his shoulder, “Don’t worry pal, maybe we can get a fake tree this year. And we’ve still got a warm home full of decorations.” Steve knew James was right, but the smell of a spruce tree in their living room was one of his favourite memories of Christmas with his mom.

He perked up when they arrived at the Barnes’ home, though. Winnie was overjoyed to see them, almost as much as Bucky and Stevie were to see the large spruce forest that surrounded the yard.

“Stevie!” Bucky chirpped. James looked at the two of them, a fondness in his eyes, “Go ahead”, he said, “Just be back before dinner!” he had to yell over the squeaks and chirps of the little squirrels running off to play in the tree branches.

“Look at that one, Stevie! I bet a could easily beat you to the top!” Stevie chased after him, clutching his little santa hat to his head, “As if! You’d fall not even half way up.” Steve chirped, and scurried up the trunk after him.

Not a moment later Bucky found himself dangling by his fingertips, toes too far from the nearest bottom branch. “Bucky, hurry up!” Stevie called, “You can see everything from up here!” He had reached the top of the tallest tree in no time, but Bucky had made the mistake of jumping onto a particularly flimsy branch that bent all the way down, sliding Bucky off and sending him toppling to the ground. As a squirrel however, he was very good at recovering from blunders such as these, and managed to catch a branch on his way down. Unfortunately he had nothing to push off of. “Coming!” Bucky grunted. He began to swing his legs, lifting himself up with his arms, and pulling his legs over the branch. “Let’s try this again, shall we?” he muttered, and jumped onto the next branch above him. It was cold at the top of the tree, the wind brisk and snapping. The two huddled together, wrapping their tails around each other for warmth. Stevie hid his nose in the warm fluff of Bucky’s tail.

As they looked out over the forest of lush needles and breathed in the smell of spruce wood, Bucky began to think of James and Steve’s solunm faces when they saw the closed sign. He couldn’t stand to see either of them disappointed. Stevie seemed to have the same thought, “I have an idea.” he said. Bucky nodded at him, eager to hear what was likely to be a disastrous plan as always. “They want a real tree, right? I’m sure they have one to spare here.” “It would be the perfect gift. And then we’d have a tree to climb in. Inside!” Bucky agreed. And so the search began.

Stevie was the first to spot one, “Just there, do you see?”, he pointed out across the landscape. “Not really,” Bucky said, and grasped the branch with just the tips of his toes so he could see higher. “The one with long branches on the bottom and a tall point at the top.” Bucky squinted. “Hmm. Not quite right.” Stevie looked at him. “Really?” “What about that one off to the right? The needles look soft, and fun to play in.” Stevie rolled his eyes at Bucky, “It’s supposed to be for our humans, remember?” Bucky gave him a cheeky smile, “Who says we can’t have a little fun too?” Stevie couldn’t help but smile back, “Race you!”, and then he leaped to the tree across the way.

They sprang from branch to branch, and soon they came to the tree with soft looking needles. The needles were indeed soft, but the bark was covered in sap. “Um, Buck?” Stevie lifted up his hands and stuck them together, “I think.. It’s a bit too sticky for a Christmas tree, don’t you?” Bucky tried to pull needles off his sticky hands, “Yeah. Let’s try a different one.”

And so, the two squirrels began to hop from tree to tree searching for the perfect one. Not too long later Stevie called Bucky over to look at a black spruce. It had many branches, good for ornaments, and wasn’t too tall.

“I think you found it, pal!” Bucky cheered, and was about to jump over and join Stevie on his branch when he heard a shuffling behind him. Bucky and Stevie’s ears perked up and they turned to see a pair of antlers pushing past the trees. “Caribou?” whispered Bucky. (AN: Am I the only one who thinks of the engineer from Polar Express everytime they say caribou?) Sure enough the caribou came up and snuffled at the trunk of the tree. She began to nibble at the beard lichen there, hanging in scraggly strands off the stem. “Oh dear.” Stevie said, “Better not take this one. It’s hosting a caribou for dinner.” “Speaking of dinner, how much longer do we have?” Bucky asked. “Not long, the Sun’s gonna set in an hour or two.”

With hast, the two set off to find a tree that didn’t have lichen for a hungry caribou. Bucky found one only a few trees away, but when Stevie came to join him he stopped short. “Don’t move, Buck.” Stevie said through gritted teeth. Bucky held his breath. “There’s a fisher, behind you.” They stood as still as they could, hoping the fisher would move on quick. Sure enough, he slipped into the next tree. If it weren’t for the fact that he had moved up wind they might have escaped without a chase. As it was, the fisher sniffed the air, and then twisted around to pounce on them. Luckily, Bucky and Stevie were ready, and, nimble as anything, they sprang to the next tree. The fisher tried to follow, but when he landed on the branch, it proved too thin to hold his weight. Down he tumbled. The fisher brushed himself off, and scampered away to find a meal elsewhere.

“Oh goddess.” Stevie said. They were clutching each other tight, shivering on the branch. “Maybe we should just go back now.” Bucky said.

Stevie shook himself, “No, we can’t give up now. We won’t let them down.”

Bucky was about to protest, but Stevie had that stubborn look on his face that meant he was determined to succeed no matter what. So they began to search once more. Stevie thought he had found a nice one, but promptly turned away when he spotted a bob cat sharpening her claws on its bark.

Bucky’s cheer of delight rang throught the forest, “This one, Stevie!”

It was a nice tree, sort of big, but pretty and full of branches. They ran up and down the stem, celebrating their discovery. That’s when Bucky saw the tumbled rocks he hadn’t noticed before. The tree’s roots were holding them together, creating a little cave in the ground.

“Stevie come look at this.” he called. Stevie’s claws skittered across the rock when he came to join Bucky. “Neat!” he said. Then his face fell, “Can we still take it, though?”

“Well..”, They paused to listen. There was a soft snoring coming from inside the cave. “It’s a bear.” Bucky whispered, “He’s sleeping.”

“Let’s not disturb him then.” They hurried away to look for a tree, together this time.

Towards the edge of the forest, there was a tree full of nooks and crannies, and covered from head to toe in needles. It had all the hiding places anyone could ever want. They jumped into the middle part of the tree, and began to explore. Not only were there good hiding places, but it was warm and sheltered from the wind. Things were looking good until they came across a nuthacth, fluffed up and hunkering down for the night. “Hello Mr. Squirrels,” he sang, “If you’re looking for a place to rest, you’ve found the right tree.” He welcomed them with a ruffle of his wings. “Oh thanks, Mr. Nuthatch, sir, but we were actually about to head back home.” Stevie said. “Oh well, nice to meet you anyhow.” Mr. Nuthatch said pleasantly.

Bucky and Stevie climbed to the ground. “It wouldn’t do to cut down such a helpful tree. It seems like all the trees here have another job to do besides make James and Steve happy.” Stevie said. Bucky nodded, glumly, “I guess we will have to get a fake tree after all.” Stevie held his hand and sighed.

He took one last look around. At the same time Bucky and Stevie gasped. Stevie bounded across the underbrush, hands stretched out infront of him. Bucky followed and they scurried across the forest floor to a tree in the middle of a clearing.

They began to climb to the top. “Not much food here.” said Bucky. “No cave or den of a sleeping creature.” said Stevie “No one with scary claws.” They didn’t find anybody settling down for the night either. “And it’s the perfect height!” Bucky smiled when he reached the top.

“I know just the place you’re needed most Mr. Tree.” Stevie said. The little squirrels hugged each other in excitement.

In the distance, a voice was calling, “Stevie! Bucky! Dinner!” It was Winnie. When they got into the cozy house, brushing the needles and soil off, they made a mad dash to the kitchen.

“Steve!” his squirrel called his name, and Steve braced himself for the tiny claws. “James!” Bucky squeaked. Steve gave a jovial laugh, “What’s up? Did you two have fun?” “Yes, yes,” Stevie chittered, “And guess what?” “What?” James asked as he pulled Bucky’s hat off and ruffled his ears. “We found you a present!” Bucky chirped. “A present?” Steve said. “A Christmas tree!” the squirrels cheered in unison. Steve’s mouth hung open. Winnie looked at them with a smile and a tilt of her head. James’ eyebrows were high on his forehead, like when he finds one of them folding laundry, or pouring he and Steve ceareal for breakfast. “A- a real tree?” Steve asked. “Uh huh.” nodded Bucky James smiled down at him, “Well we better go cut it down before it gets too dark, right, Steve?”

A deep layer of snow sat heavy on the roof of the brownstone. Inside, a Christams tree gave a warm glow to the living room. And two little squirrels giggled and chirped as they dashed inbetween ornaments. Their humans smiled, and laughed along with them.

[stuckyonthemoon]

Keeping Warm

an autumnal fic that I’m hoping will manifest cooler weather. bring me all the fall vibes please.

Pairing: Peter/Thor

Rating: G, Wordcount: 1350

Tags: corn maze, autumn vibes, inaccurate norse lore, nature documentary, Peter Parker can’t thermoregulate, fluff and fluff

Summary: The rare and beautiful spiderling journeys through a cold land, full of Autumnal wonders, but with danger lurking around every corner will his hopes of finding the perfect mate ever come to pass? ~ Peter and Thor go on a date and enjoy Autumn festivities that we all know and love.

read it on ao3 

...

“Leaves of red and gold, crisp apples, and the smell of fall gathering in the air, are all signs that Summer has moved on. As the seasons change, and the cold fast approaches, everyone is hunkering down for a long winter's nap. All except the rare, and beautiful spiderling. Autumn may be upon us, but this is the season where a spiderling will find his mate.

On light feet, he tiptoes through the underbrush, careful to avoid the crunch of fallen leaves. The element of surprise is crucial. He slips between the corn stalks with nary a rustle to give away his position. His eyes never leave the worthy mate he has spotted.

When he reaches an expanse of open space he pauses. The choice he makes now will decide his survival in the impending frost. Will he sneak behind the humans in his path, or is speed his best adversary?

He removes his gloves, and tucks them in his jacket pocket. He has made his decision. A quick glare to the uptight lady who is judging his narration, and he’s off. Quick and spry, he expertly weaves through the throng of people, dashing in and out, in and out, and with one last step, he leaps.

He glides through the air, fingers outstretched, and body poised. He lands on the back of his chosen mate, and buries his near freezing fingers against the warm skin of his neck. The next actions of his mate will be instrumental in whether or not a pairing is to happen.” Peter finishes his narration with an evil smile and a giggle that Thor can’t deny is adorable, even if he does have ice cubes wriggling under his scarf. He holds Peter up beneath his thighs. “What are you doing my silly little bug, I am trying to get us some apple cider. Or would you like hot chocolate?”

Peter slithers his hands down closer to Thor’s chest and kisses his cheek. He presses his cold nose behind Thor’s ear, “Hot chocolate please.” Peter mumbles into his neck. Thor nods and turns to the cashier, “One hot chocolate, and a hot apple cider, if you would, kind sir.” He hands the man money, and steps off to the side to wait for their drinks.

Once he’s let Peter down from his back he gathers his hands between his, “What happened to your gloves, little bug?” Peter pouts, “How many times do I have to tell you spiders aren’t bugs. And I put them in my pocket.” His pout intensified, “My hands got cold.” Thor gave a hearty chuckle and smacked a kiss on Peter’s lips, “Well, that just won’t do. “ Thor turned to see their drinks had arrived, “Ah! Impeccable timing, drink master.” He pretended to frown when Peter tried to contain his giggles. Using ridiculous, over-the-top language was one of his favourite ways to hear Peter's laugh. He wrapped Peter's hands around the warm cup of hot chocolate and kept his hands there, “This should help, dear one.”

Peter hummed, “Thank you.” and went up on his tiptoes to give Thor a kiss. Thor grabbed his drink and they went to sit down on one of the straw bales scattered about the farm.

The farm they were visiting had carriage rides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and cats running about all over the place. Children too, were running around, kicking up leaves that the wind had sent tumbling to the ground. The sun shone in that way it does when everything starts to feel frosty, and your breath comes in a cloud, and the chill in the air seems to welcome you as an old friend. A perpetual sunset, almost as if it is holding on to a few more warm days. The sun glints off the cold grass, making it dewy. It shines on the yellow and red leaves, turning them golden. It warms their blushing faces.

Thor turned up the collar of his wool coat and put his arm around Peter’s shoulders. “Did you enjoy the maze of corn, then?” Thor asked. “Yes!” Peter said, “The scavenger hunt was so cool! Did you like it?” Peter snuggled further into Thor’s side. He really was very cold. You would think having super powers would mean this wouldn’t happen, but alas. Cold toes, and cold hands all winter long. The only remedy he had found so far was the endless heat that Thor seemed to supply. Thor hummed in agreement, “It reminded me of the Frey-Blessing. Balder and I would steal the Last Sheaf right out from under father’s nose. What a ruckus it would cause!”

“Oh really?” Peter laughed and encouraged Thor to go on. He began to tell the full tale with all its glorious misadventure. Peter settled listening to him speak of all the rituals he and his people would honour the harvest and the coming of winter with. Celebrating their kinship with both the living and dead. Remembering past deeds of great importance. Spirits of the land, and a fruitful harvest.

“Sounds peaceful.” Peter said, “Keeping each other warm. With memories, and prospect.”

“It’s a time to focus on our home, dear one. Perhaps my favourite of all our feasts.”

Peter looked at him dubiously.

“You are right, when the Berserkers feast before battle. That is the best.”

Peter just laughed, “Not really the same thing as a harvest feast tradition, but okay.”

Thor nudged Peter, “What are you talking about, it is the best viking tradition.” Thor said, and gave Peter a sassy smile. Peter just hummed in agreement, and reached over to kiss him soundly, only to hide his fingers from the cold on Thor’s neck once more.

After they had finished their drinks, and warmed themselves thoroughly, Peter insisted they still had to climb the tower of straw bales before leaving. And so, after handing his phone to a kind stranger, they began the perilous journey to the top. They took a picture with their hands to the sky, one of them locked in battle, and then many of them holding each other close. Peter looked up and Thor leaned down to kiss him, “I love you, little bug.” he whispered. And then crushed Peter to his chest. “I love you, and I am never letting you go!” he cried, swinging Peter around.

“Ahhh!” shouted Peter.

“Forever!” bellowed Thor.

Forever turned out to be quite promptly because, although Thor was a god, Peter still had super strength, and was indeed very wriggly.

“The spiderling effortly escapes his captor’s clutches. Glorious and profound, he flies down the mountain avoiding arrest with ease.” When Peter reaches the bottom, he snatches his phone out of the aforementioned kind stranger's hands, who had to endure the lovey dovey mess that is Peter and Thor on a regular basis, “Thank you!” he says, and beams. Then he throws his arms out wide, and spins around, eyes shut tight, smile open and bright. Peter gets to enjoy the warm sun on his face for only a moment before he hears a voice.

“In his celebration, the spiderling doesn’t notice a figure creeping up behind him. He lurches forward, his prey about to be within his clutches once more.” Thor grins when Peter takes off running.

“The spiderling slips from his grasp. The game is afoot!” Peter says.

Thor begins to run after Peter, towards the parking lot, “Intent on having his spiderling, he chases after the little bug.”, he continues the narration, exuberant and animated.

Peter weaves between cars, and Thor does his best to follow. Just when Thor thinks he’s catching up, Peter turns abruptly, and Thor almost runs into him. He stops just in time, and they fall all over themselves laughing at their chinanagins.

“Let’s go home, and warm up.” Peter tells him with a cheeky grin. Thor wraps his arms around his waist. He smiles at Peter, just as mischievously, “It would be my pleasure, dear one.”

And off they go, preparing to keep each other warm in the coming months. Not for survival, but for love.

[stuckyonthemoon]

I really wanna learn to swing dance. Like seriously what’s the point of all my swishy skirts and dresses if I can’t dance with them on

[stuckyonthemoon]

Bucky and Steve dancing will always make me cry because of this, and because of Bucky remembering and relearning how to dance and finding comfort in letting his body do something joyful again. And Bucky and Steve’s realationship growing with them. Doing something new but still familiar.

unpopular hc: post serum steve is actually a great dancer and there's no canon reason to say he wouldn't be. like he didn't have the energy and couldn't hear music too well before the serum but you're telling me mr genetically engineered perfection with probably enhanced senses wouldn't have an enhanced sense of rhythm too? Slander. the man started going to ballet/ballroom class to keep himself busy in the future (+ itd help in combat probably bc dancers kick like horses)

first off this hc is great because it makes sense, look at how this mf moves while he fights:

second of all this hc is great because it could start out so angsty

like, maybe circa 2011-pre-Battle-of-New-York-2012, when Steve goes to his gym one evening, he hears music he recognizes for once - music from the 40s - down the hall, and he's obviously irresistably pulled to it, and it turns out it's a swing dance class! and he's mesmerized because not only is everyone dancing like they used to but everyone's dolled up in 40s dress style (nothing is historically accurate but it's still jarring to see)

and he sits on the side and watches (just like he always used to do while Bucky danced with girls as he gave Steve bedroom eyes over their shoulders from across the room) but people keep beckoning him up and eventually he caves and joins in, and he warns everyone who takes a turn with him that he has two left feet, but he surprises himself with how quick he picks it up. and it'd be bittersweet because those classes very quickly become the highlight of his week, but he can never stop thinking if only Bucky could see me now...

he'd stop going after the Battle of New York though, once "Captain America's return to the 21st Century" stops being a conspiracy theory and starts being a newspaper headline :(

but the third thing that makes this hc so great is it would be so funny when Bucky gets back

maybe a couple years since he's settled and he's comfortable going out more and being more social, Steve encourages him to come with him back to swing classes, and Bucky's riling him up while they're on the way there like "you sure, Rogers? you can take the bench any time! I won't think less of you if you stand on my toes!" and Steve's like "😏😏 ok Buck"

and as soon as they're on the dancefloor Steve's swinging him around like a professional, and Bucky's too blown away by how well Stevie "Two Left Feet" Rogers can dance now that he doesn't let him dance with anyone else the whole night (and on the way back home he's so torn between joy and outrage because "you're such a good dancer now and that's great, but it's not fair!! I was supposed to teach you how to dance properly!!" "if it upsets you so much we don't have to--" "--hell no, we're going every week now! I'm gonna kick your ass next time!" "it's not a competition, Buck" "it is and I will win!" "whatever you say, sweetheart")

[stuckyonthemoon]

Thoughts during todays writing session;

I underestimated how difficult it would be to write Darcy. i’m not a particularly funny person and must work harder to obtain her levels of sass.

wolverine. badger? gasp, evil hufflepuff! newocnewocnewoc. definitely going to have a thing for evil hufflepuffs after this.

Bucky with knives>>>>> 

[stuckyonthemoon]

I’ve never finished writing a longer story before and I’ve always been amazed at how many works some people can write, especially if it’s a hobby. I started a wintershieldshock fic back in december and have finally made a plan to finish it! I think this’ll be good practice for future writing projects, which I have many ideas for. I might make posts about the process depending if I have anything interesting to say lmao. Also some random pieces that I have that I don’t want to post on ao3 for one reason or another.

I feel kind of awkward on tumblr, but I’m so excited to share more of my writing and get to know more people! Just bare with me as I get used to interacting online haha😅