#protective b/ucky

[whumpybucky]

A little while ago @softersteve mentioned how there is so little sick Steve content and that it made her sad. I felt like that needed to be fixed so this is for her.

3.5K of an idiots-in-love grad school AU with Steve being so sick with a head cold and so sad pining over his best friend, Bucky, who is so soft for him and also pining. There’s a happy ending I promise.

“Hel–” Steve had to break his greeting to clear his throat, which turned into a rough cough. He winced, half with pain from the lingering ache in his tonsils, half from embarrassment. “Sorry, hey, Buck.”

“Well, now I know why you’ve stood me up for the first time ever. How’ya feeling?”

Steve closed his eyes and rolled back onto the pillows he had been dozing on for the past two days. His brow was furrowed as he rubbed his palm across it.

“I’mb fide,” he replied, cringing at the rounded consonants. “Is it Thursday? Gosh I’mb really sorry—snf SNFF! Coulda sworn it was Wednesday…” Steve trailed off, the statement directed more to himself than his friend.

He and Bucky always met up on Thursdays during the break before his weekly seminar and Bucky’s TA office hours. They started the recurring date (though Steve had to constantly remind himself it wasn’t an actual date) at the beginning of the semester. Thursdays quickly became Steve’s favourite day of the week.

His head immediately filled with the image of Bucky sitting at their favourite loveseat, two steaming mugs of tea on the coffee table in front of him, getting lost in people watching as folks hurried past the café, bundled up in wool and scarves and toques. Handsome, brunette Bucky, alone and waiting for Steve to show up.

His chest tightened with guilt for standing his best friend up. And a longing seeped between his ribs at missing out on their time together.

“Sorry, pal, but it’s definitely Thursday. Jeez, why didn’t you tell me you were this sick, Stevie?”

Steve’s heart clenched at his friend’s concern and the nickname. “It’s ju-huh–SNFF! Just a cold, Buck.” He grabbed a handful of fresh tissues and pressed them to his nose, hoping to quell the buzzing in his sinuses.

“A cold that I gave you, so I know for a fact that it’s a bad one. How ‘bout I bring our tea date to you?”

Steve could feel the tingling intensify, it was a losing battle. “H-hold on Bu-huh!… HUH’shiew! EHShhh! HUUHTSCHOO!”

The triplet fell out of him before he even had time to cover his mouth fully with the tissues. Instead, he made the most futile attempt at directing the increasingly strong sneezes away from the phone. After catching his breath, Steve blew his nose a few times before returning his focus back to the conversation—though the action brought little relief and only seemed to move the congestion around his sinuses.

“Guh, sorry, that mbust have sounded gross.”

“Poor Stevie. Don’t apologize, you don’t sound gross, you sound so sick. Speaking of which, what tea do you want me to bring you?”

Steve almost whined at how sweet Bucky was being, acting as if he wasn’t completely disgusted by what a mess he obviously was.

“Really, you don’t need to come over, Buck– snff SNFFF! –I’mb just going to sniffle and sneeze and cough at you and then probably end up falling asleep. Again.”

Steve cleared his throat which immediately turned into another dry, weak cough, as if his body was trying to help him prove his point. He heard Bucky sigh through the receiver and his chest tightened more.

“Just like I did with you last weekend. Remember last weekend? When you came over and watched movies with me and took care of me for two days straight? Seriously, Steven–” another sigh, “I feel so bad for getting you sick. Let me at least bring you tea. Or soup? Or maybe that natural apple juice I always tease you for still liking?”

The soft pleading in Bucky’s voice nearly pushed Steve over the edge.

The love he felt for his best friend since high school had become a challenge to suppress on the best of days. But now that he was on day three of the worst cold he’d had in ages, probably running a low grade fever, and feeling absolutely miserable? Well, it was too much for the blonde grad student to bear.

Why did Bucky have to be so nice? So caring? So sensitive? So thoughtful?

In that moment of pure and utter weakness, Steve was grateful Bucky had phoned him instead of a video call. Otherwise he would have had a difficult time explaining the stream of tears suddenly making a path down his flushed cheeks.

He sniffled into the ball of tissues he was still holding before responding. “I…sn-snffff… I’ll be fide, Buck. Really. Y-you don’t n-need SNF! don’t need to...”

Steve’s breath was hitching as he tried to quell the threatening sob bubbling in his throat. He hoped to the powers that be that it sounded as if he was about to sneeze rather than burst into tears.

“But I want to,” Bucky insisted. Soft, quiet, with a timbre of sadness.

Bucky’s admission hung between them as Steve sniffled into his crumpled tissues and, for a fleeting instance of relief, calmed the ache in his chest that wasn’t from his cold.

Maybe he could try to get off the couch and clean himself up a bit. Maybe take a shower. Tidy up the mound of tissues he had accumulated over the past few days that now surrounded his nest of blankets. Maybe he could give in to being taken care of by his best friend. Maybe he could let himself have that.

But a final sigh from Bucky broke the pause.

“Look, I don’t want to push you, especially when you’re not feeling good. But please text or call me if you need something. Anything. Promise?”

Dammit.

“I promise,” Steve replied, his congested voice weighted with defeat.

“I’ll call to check on you later, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Get some rest, Stevie.”

“Thangks, Buck.”

Steve pressed the end call button just as the dam burst.

He knew crying was only going to worsen his symptoms but he couldn’t hold it in any longer. The stress of nearing the end of term. The pending holidays. Being in love with his best friend who he was certain didn’t love him like that. It becoming increasingly harder to be around said best friend because of said unreciprocated feelings.

Throw in a horrendous cold with a persistent low grade fever and Steve found himself smack in the middle of the perfect storm for a total and utter emotional meltdown.

He sobbed and sniffled his way through the remainder of the last box of tissues he had, having to reuse the balls around him until the skin around his nostrils was so irritated and his cheekbones and forehead were so sore from the combination of congestion and crying and fever that he simply fell asleep with a fist of used Kleenex pressed against his nose.

__________

Bucky dragged his feet into his shared office with his fellow TA, Natasha. The two had met during their undergrad, while Steve was out of state on scholarship. They became fast friends, almost like siblings, eventually getting an apartment together just off campus.

It hadn’t taken long for Natasha to put two and two together about Bucky’s feelings for Steve. And if there had been any doubt, it was dispelled during second year when Natasha watched him plummet into a deep depression when Steve told him about a brief fling he had with a cute engineering student named Tony.

When Steve moved back home and started grad school at the same university as them, Natasha had warned Bucky that she wasn’t going to spend grad school watching him pine over his best friend. Three terms in and that’s exactly what she was doing.

“I can feel you moping from here, Barnes,” the redhead murmured without looking up from her laptop. “Did loverboy cancel your tea date?”

Bucky’s brow crinkled as he removed his jacket and shoulder bag, the faded royal blue canvas one that Steve had bought him last Christmas that was becoming worn in all the right places. He slumped into his chair with a huff.

“I told you not to call him that. You’re going to let it slip one day when he’s around.”

“Would that be the worst thing?” Natasha smirked over the screen of her laptop.

Bucky sighed into his hands, rubbing his face in frustration.

“We talked about this. No meddling. Besides, he didn’t cancel…” Bucky’s hands dropped to his lap as he shifted his gaze to the small window of their office. Students bundled up, crossing the quad. A faint flurry swirling around them. “He didn’t show up,” Bucky mumbled.

That made the redhead finally give Bucky her full attention. “James, I’m sure there—”

“He’s super sick,” Bucky cut her off, turning towards his roommate to meet her gaze. “He didn’t even know what day it was, Tash.” His blue eyes were a sea of worry as he subconsciously rubbed his hands up and down his jean clad thighs.

Bucky flinched at the sound of Natasha’s laptop slamming shut. The smile on her face at least told Bucky he wasn’t in for one of her I’m done with your lovesick pining lectures.

“So you’re here because why, exactly?”

“He kept saying I didn’t need to go over. I didn’t want to push him…” Bucky suddenly felt like a scolded child and his head dropped into his hands again.

“Jamie, roomie, bestie. We’ve been over this.”

“I knoooow,” he moaned, looking back up at his friend. “But what if—”

“Nope, not doing this again. He’s literally sick because he doted on you all weekend long.”

“He’d do that for anyone.”

“Not a chance. Remember that summer when we were all at the cabin and Tony, Sam, and I all got some stomach bug that somehow evaded you two?”

Bucky nodded.

“He wouldn’t even come near us and made you two sleep in a tent outside because he didn’t want to risk ruining your vacation.” Natasha emphasized the last part with her best impression of Steve’s concerned voice.

Bucky stared blankly at her, a faint blush stroke appearing across his cheeks.

“You like him, he likes you, stop stalling and go take care of the poor guy,” she directed, opening her laptop again.

Bucky could have sworn he saw an eye roll. He sat still for a moment, processing everything Natasha had just told him. Then he shook his head. “But office hours. I have—”

“I’m merging them into my schedule as we speak. Go, before I change my mind.”

This was it then. In one fluid motion, Bucky jumped up from his chair, hopped over to Natasha’s desk and pressed a chaste kiss to the top of her head—which she batted away—then turned and scooped up his jacket and bag as he rushed towards their door. He paused for an instant, free hand on the knob.

“Thanks, Tash. Really.”

“Go get the guy, Barnes” she smiled, a rare moment of softness shining through her normally surly exterior.

Bucky didn’t have to be told twice. He nodded once before turning on his heel and out of their shared office.

__________

Steve was suspended between sleep and waking. He was vaguely aware of the dull ache in his head and sinuses, the scratch in his throat. But there was also something soothing. A gentle touch running through his hair. A soft voice, luring him to reality.

Was he dreaming?

A dry cough that only seemed to irritate his throat more pulled him fully awake. Then the voice.

“Hey Stevie. Sorry to wake you, but I think you might need some meds.”

Definitely not dreaming then.

Steve’s eyes fluttered open as he finished coughing into the ball of tissues he had fallen asleep holding. Everything still felt delayed.

“Hey Buck,” he croaked out. Though as soon as the greeting left his lips, his eyes widened as his brain finally caught up to the fact of his friend’s presence.

Bucky. Was here. In his apartment. Sitting on the chaise part of the couch Steve had fallen asleep on after his sob fest over his unrequited love. The best friend who was carding fingers through his probably very greasy hair. The best friend who was looking down at him with the most heartwarming expression, despite being surrounded by clusters of Steve's used tissues.

“Oh mby god, Buck!” Steve sputtered as he pushed himself up into a half sitting half leaning position, trying to put distance between them in hopes that Bucky hadn’t fully registered just how disgusting he must look at this moment. The movement caused a sudden shift in congestion and he felt his sinuses start to tingle. He pressed the tattered ball of tissues into his chapped nostrils.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Bucky offered, his hand falling back down to his lap.

“Snf SNF! What are you doing here?” The question came out more as a whine.

“You’re sick, I’m here to take care of you.” Bucky reinforced the matter of fact statement by holding up a canvas shopping bag that Steve hadn’t noticed until now. He then dropped the bag on his lap and started sorting through it as he continued, “Brought you some meds, the ones left over from what you brought me last weekend. The tea you always order when you’re feeling low. That raspberry oat muffin you like so much. A jug of apple juice. Soup. And some tissues—the soft ones you never buy yourself—which it looks like you need,” he finished, not unkindly, as he lifted his head up and noticed Steve’s fluttering eyes.

“Y-you didn’t ha-ha… hngxxt! Hngsht! Hngxxxsshh!”

Bucky quickly fished out the new box of tissues he had brought. “Don’t stifle, you know that just makes you sneeze more. Here,” he instructed as he pressed a handful into Steve’s palm.

Steve nodded in gratitude, eyes closing as he descended into another fit.

“Hshhmmpfff! Hngtshhh! Eishh! Tishh, tshh, ISHH!” His breath was suspended, hitching desperately as he finally brought the fresh tissues to his face. He dropped the used ball he had been holding and cupped both hands around his face just in time.

“HUH… HUUUH’HURRSSHOOOOO!” The last sneeze took him over so completely that Steve slumped sideways into the back of the couch in defeat. He muttered an “oh mby god,” before blowing his nose several times, giving up on trying to protect his friend from the grossness that was his body at this point.

“Jesus, Steve. Bless you, like ten times over.”

“Don’t have to keep count,” Steve huffed between nose blows.

Bucky chuckled at his friend’s annoyance. But he didn’t hesitate to continue his caretaking, leaning in to brush away the hair that had fallen into Steve’s face during the fit. Though upon making contact, his brow furrowed and he placed his palm across the blonde’s forehead once he had successfully pushed the hair back.

“Definitely feels like you're running a little temperature there. When was the last time you took something?” His inquiry was laden with concern.

Steve was done putting up defenses and leaned into the cool touch. Then he sniffled and coughed feebly into the now crumpled tissues before finally dropping his hands into his lap. He blinked at Bucky, simultaneously trying to recall the last time he took something and still reeling from the fit.

“Snf! Don’t know… mbabey yesterday? Or the day before?” His voice dropped and his eyes went down to his lap before adding, “I ran out.”

Bucky sighed. “What about the last time you ate something?”

Guilt flashed across Steve’s face as he looked up again. “Last night I think.”

Another sigh left Bucky’s mouth. He hesitated, but only for a moment, before moving his palm to cup Steve’s rose flushed cheek. Then he responded, barely above a whisper, “You should have called me.”

Steve returned the sigh. “Didn’t want to bother you.”

“You could never be a bother, sweetheart. You’re my guy.”

Sweetheart? My guy? Maybe he was dreaming.

An unexpected sneeze surfaced out of nowhere, forcing him to pull away from Bucky’s touch and turn his mouth into the couch cushions.

“Snf! Sorry, snfffff!”

“Nothin’ to apologize for. I should be apologizing to you, since I’m the reason you’re so sick.”

Oh, so that’s why he was here. Steve’s heart sank.

“Don’t need to feel guilty, Buck. Would’ve happened eventually. SNF! You don’t need to do this.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I want to.”

Even though he had a low grade fever, mixed with the low blood sugar and the grogginess of being couch ridden the past two days, it was his friend’s soft words and touches that seemed to squash every insecurity he had that was making his head spin.

Surely he was reading this wrong. Bucky was just here ‘cause he’s a good guy.

“But… but I’mb so gross right now. I’mb sure you have better things to do.” Steve brought the fresh tissues that Bucky had placed into his hand after that last sneeze up to his nose, hiding behind them.

“Like what?”

Steve sniffled, nerves delaying him from voicing what was running through his head. “I dunno… going on a date or something?”

Bucky balked at that, a look of genuine offense rippling across his face before his features softened once again.

“And who would I go on a date with?” he pressed. He really wasn’t going to let Steve win this one.

The gears turned as Steve tried to figure out a way out of this hole of a conversation he had dug himself into. “What about that guy Clint? From your first year lecture. You two went out a few times, no?” He asked sheepishly, still hiding behind the tissues.

“Oh, you mean the guy that confirmed that I only have room for one hot blonde in my life?” Bucky’s smile was unfaltering, if not slightly mischievous.

Steve shook his head, unsure if he heard his friend correctly. The action must have bothered his stuffy sinuses because a triplet burst out of him before he even had time to register it was coming.

“Huh’shmmph! EISHhhhh! HURSSHHIEW!” He blew his nose before finally letting the tissues drop. “God, this cold! This is the worst.”

He knew his complaining was allowing him to avoid the elephant in the room, but he couldn’t go there. He couldn’t bear it if he was interpreting this all wrong.

“I dunno… might not be all bad.”

Steve scoffed.

“I mean, I’m here aren’t I?” Bucky asked softly, brushing a thumb across Steve’s warm cheek.

The blonde’s breath hitched at the intimate touch. “Buck,” he whispered.

“Steven,” Bucky answered, sounding so sure of himself.

“I… I don’t understand.”

Could it be?

“Sure you do, Stevie. I want to take care of you. And not just now, but… always. If that’s what you want.”

Steve couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Tears pooled at the corner of his already red and puffy eyes. “Buck… I…”

“I know, sweetheart. Trust me, I know.”

“How… how long?”

“A long time. Too long,” Bucky admitted. He let his hand drop, but Steve caught it mid air. A heavy pause hung between them as they searched each others’ eyes for a sign. Anything that might show uncertainty. Neither of them found one.

Steve’s heart was pounding so hard he was sure it would break through his ribcage and out of his chest at any moment. He finally broke the silence.

“I want that. You have no idea how much I want that.”

The relief that flooded Bucky’s face was palpable. “And you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.” He clasped both hands around Steve’s.

“God, if it wasn’t for this cold I’d—”

Steve was cut off by Bucky’s lips crashing into his. They were soft, tender, warm. They kissed him slowly, hesitant at first, but then assured and strong without being forceful. It was just like Steve had imagined in early morning hours in bed, only infinitely better. It made his stomach flutter and warmth pool in his abdomen.

“Could get used to that,” Bucky whispered into Steve’s lips before breaking the kiss to allow his congested friend to catch his breath.

“That was…” Steve couldn’t find the right words.

“Yeah, it was.”

Before he could stop himself, Steve turned his entire body and wrapped his arms around Bucky, pulling him so that they were both leaning against the couch. He pressed his head into Bucky’s chest and sniffled wetly, overcome by the emotions of it all.

Bucky melted into the embrace, his arms wrapping tightly around Steve, one hand rubbing his back while the other gently stroked the nape of his neck. “My poor sick guy.”

They sat in quiet for a long while, holding each other, reveling in one another’s warmth.

It was Bucky that finally broke their silence, after leaning down to press his lips into Steve’s forehead and feeling the warmth still radiating.

“Babydoll, you need meds.”

“Hmmm, like those names,” Steve mumbled into Bucky’s sweater.

Bucky chuckled. “Yeah? Good. But seriously, let me go for just a sec so I can get you some water and something to eat with it.”

Steve only tightened his grip. “Five mbore mbinutes, Buck.”

Bucky sighed contentedly into the firm embrace. “‘Kay, Stevie, five more minutes. Then meds.”

“Deal,” Steve agreed, before adding, “Just got you. Not ready to let go yet.”

Bucky readjusted his arms as tight as he could around Steve. “You’ve always had me, sweetheart. And always will, for as long as you want me.”

[moonstruckbucky]

Royal Holiday (2/6)

Summary: Bucky Barnes is bored - trust him, he knows how that sounds. But being royalty, in his humble opinion, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Time to mix it up a bit.

Pairing: Prince!Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader, modern AU

Warnings: None - just dumb fluff.

Notes: Like everything else, I’m sorry for the wait on this. Enjoy x

If you like my work buy me a Ko-Fi.

Series Masterlist / Main Masterlist

Bucky’s unashamed to admit that the woman in front of the flower shop has been a permanent resident inside his mind. That expression of hope ringed in sadness on her face, paired with the subtle beauty she possessed has been stuck in his mind’s eye, even a week later. He’s already addicted and he doesn’t even know her name.

He doesn’t know the name of the flower shop, either. He’d been so enchanted by her, so preoccupied with who is she that he’d completely forgotten to get the name of the flower shop. He feels like an idiot, curses himself both internally and verbally, amusing the absolute shit out of Sam.

He’s never seen Bucky so torn up over a woman for more than a night, much less one he hasn’t even talked to yet. He actually feels bad every time Bucky requests to return to the city and Sam has to say no - “a meeting with your father”, “a suit fitting for the gala”, a number of other things that chip away at Bucky’s patience - and by association, Sam’s.

So he relents the next time Bucky has an opportunity to escape. He’d managed to fool his mother - something about a custom suit from a top designer in the city - and takes a car the first chance he sees. Or rather, Sam does, and he listens grudgingly as Bucky talks to himself.

“Was it...here? Or...or down 5th?” he mutters in the passenger seat, nose pressed to the glass like he’s out of some kids’ cartoon.

Sam rolls his eyes, taps his fingers against the steering wheel at a red light. Bucky, meanwhile, analyzes every building face they pass, eyebrows drawn downwards in concentration as he tries, gives himself a headache, to remember. He remembers the colors of the building - white brick and faded, green-grey paint befitting of a florist shop. One of the letters is crooked, tilted downwards like a nail’s come loose.

And then… he sees it, yelps out loud and points out the window. Unfortunately it’s just after Sam’s pressed the gas to move into the intersection. Bucky’s head bounces off the window as Sam slams on the brakes, spurring a chorus of angry car horns around them, harmonized with cursing and yelling.

Before Sam can yell at him for nearly getting them killed, Bucky’s stumbling out of the car, tripping over the seatbelt in his haste to make it to the curb. Growling under his breath, Sam eases down on the gas, waves apologetically to the cars around him and loops around to find a place to park.

Bucky pushes through people, offers half-assed apologies as his vision seems to tunnel, the flower shop the focus. Everything else blurs, becomes a white noise haze as he steps up to the door. Knob ice-cold in his bare palm,

and it’s locked.

Stomach plummeting, Bucky feels the hope leave his chest in a painful flurry. So tangible he actually winces. Tries the knob again and he feels that same aching pang - is that his heart?

He pitches forward, winces at the frigid glass on his skin. Taps his head once, twice, three times lightly against it because that’s just his luck isn’t it? He doesn’t even realize he’s muttering under his breath until Sam snorts behind him.

“They went to lunch, drama queen,” he teases. Confusion, an eye roll from his friend and a gesture at the window where a sign reads “back in an hour” in messy, feminine scrawl.

Another flutter, only this one is hope - taking off like a dove at a wedding. He elects to wait, declines when Sam offers to get him something from a bistro down the block. He leans against the wall beside the door, scrolling through his emails, barely sparing them a glance - he just wants the notification to go away. He waits, belly all quivering with nervous anticipation. After fifteen minutes, he lowers himself to the ground, knees tucked up so he doesn’t trip anyone.

Will she even show up to this shop? Or was it just a coincidence that she’d passed it in the first place? Is he just wasting his time on a girl he, realistically, might not see again? Doubt clouds his mind but he pushes it down, refuses to be at least a little rational. After all, the expression on her face as she gazed at the shop seemed far too coincidental that she’d just been passing by. There’s a correlation there, and he’s determined to find out what.

“Oh, jeez, I’m so sorry! I hope you weren’t waiting too long!”

A voice, sweet like honey, disrupts his thoughts, and as he looks up, he feels the breath leave his lungs in a whoosh. It’s her, the woman he’d seen before, her face flushed from the chill and a sincerely apologetic look. He thinks he’s in love already.

It takes him a few awkward moments for his tongue to reconnect to his brain, and then he clambers to his feet, nearly bowls her over in the process.

“Uh, um, n-no, I wasn’t waiting all that long!” he assures, feeling the heat creeping up his neck because her eyes are so big and sparkling in the sunshine. Then she smiles, and oh boy, is he in trouble.

“You don’t have to lie,” she teases lightly, sidestepping him with a key in her hand to unlock the door. “Are you looking for something in particular or are you just browsing?”

The shop is warm, filled with the aroma of fresh flowers - roses and hydrangea and gerbera daisies, pine and balsam and winterberry. It’s blossoming Christmas in the shop, fairy lights strung up everywhere and the fluorescent lights dimmed low - not too low that he can’t see the product, but just enough.

He gets so caught up in looking around he forgets she asked him a question. She’s shucked off her coat, looking pretty in an emerald green sweater that’s rolled at her wrists. She’s watching him, head tilted curiously and eyes bright. He shakes himself, gives her a smile that probably looks as shaky as it feels.

“Uh, well, I, uh, just thought I’d pick something up for my mother.” Barnes, you genius. He grins suddenly, rolling with the idea. “Yeah, something festive, you know? She loves flowers.”

She smirks and leans on the counter. “What’s her favorite?”

Bucky’s mind blanks, and he knows she knows he’s fibbing. He glances to his left, sees a large, bright red flower, wide open like a lion’s mane on a tall, green stem. He points.

“These.”

“Ah, amaryllis,” she says, sashaying around the counter. “A favorite around the holidays. I think I have some potted, if your mother would like to grow one of her own - they last longer.”

“Sure,” he agrees readily. He’s pretty sure she could ask him to walk on the Sun and he’d do it. She smiles that pretty smile again and turns away from him to fetch the potted amaryllis.

Even puts some pretty foil on the pot it comes in and drops it into a plastic sleeve to protect it from the cold. She does it all seamlessly, hands familiar with the task, and she rings him up. He pays her with a fifty, tells her to keep the $25.01 in change. Something akin to gratitude flashes in her eyes at that, but it’s gone when he blinks.

Awkward silence stretches - she taps her fingers, tries not to stare at him because why is he still here - and he searches his brain for any possible reason to linger a little longer. But he comes up empty, and all he can do is stare, looking stupid with that amaryllis in his hands and a far-off look in his eye. And then Sam - dear old Sam who he could throttle when they get outside - sidles up beside him and flashes her a charming grin that’s brilliant white against his dark skin.

“Afternoon, miss,” he greets, and Bucky thinks he feels his teeth crack. “What a beautiful shop! Are you the owner?”

To her credit, she seems to catch onto his game and smirks, cocks a hip as she leans against the counter. “Why, yes I am.”

And she introduces herself, just like that. Accepts the gloved hand Sam puts out, and Bucky feels the tips of his ears heat. How is it so easy for Sam when Bucky’s been practically rendered speechless?

This never happens, he thinks, especially not with women. But she’s...different. He isn’t sure how but she is, and she’s taken his tongue and glued it to the roof of his mouth.

Sam nudges him roughly, gives him an expectant look that screams get your shit together.

“This is my friend, Bucky,” he says when Bucky still can’t bring himself to speak. “He’s...shy.”

Another smirk and a slow appraising look up and down. He feels all too exposed under her gaze. “Pleasure to meet you, Bucky.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” he squeaks. Clears his throat right after as beside him, Sam snorts.

She giggles cutely, and Bucky’s mouth lifts on its own accord - finally, some brain activity. A long moment of silence, of eyes connecting and holding, until Sam coughs and both she and Bucky seem to jump at the sound - like they’d forgotten he was there.

“Well, we’d better get that back to your, uh, mother,” Sam urges with a pointed look.

Right - “appointment” with a tailor.

Sam has to tug him out the door - backwards, because he just can’t stop smiling at her. He’s spoken less than twenty words and he’s pretty sure he’s half in love with her already. She waves, a little wiggle of her fingers, before the door closes.

And Sam loses it.

“Pleasure’s all mine,” he taunts, high-pitched and squeaky before dissolving into raucous laughter. He claps Bucky on the shoulder. “Oh man, I am absolutely never letting you live that down. Ever.”

Bucky thinks he can live with that.

[facemypast]

“you’ve been crying. i can tell.” [ i know we talked about dom leaving for an extended period of time before coming back and well.... )): ]

@hellsholyground

Bucky roughlyswiped at his face, knowing he couldn’t do much about his reddened eyes or theshadows under them. He was still angry, god he was furious, but more and more often these last few days that anger hadbeen tempered by melancholy, a heavy feeling of being left that he’d refused to examine. Still unwilling- unable- toomeet the demon’s gaze Bucky stubbornly glared at the wall, arms crossedprotectively in front of himself. Now the anger at Dom was being overtaken byanger at himself for allowing to get so attached to begin with, for allowing a disappearance (which, really,by now should have been routine) to get to him this much.

But thistime had been long, longer than any other time, almost two months without sightor sound of Dom. At first it hadn’t bothered Bucky, welcoming his peace andquiet, his return to what he’d always thought of as his normal routine. But soonenough he’d found himself missing the demon’s sarcastic remarks, lingering onthoughts of Dom’s cooking, wondering if his cats (who had taken quite the shineto the demon) felt the absence as much as he did. Each and every time he’d shakehimself, remind himself of what they were doing and who- what- Dom was. It didn’t seem to work nearly as well as it shouldhave.

He’d evengone to a work party without Dom, which had prompted volumes of questions, onlysome of which Bucky felt prepared to answer. Bucky found the longing in hisvoice when he spoke about his boyfriend’s absence to be not so fake, could trulyfeel in his chest whatever emotions he was putting on display. It was awful,and with each passing day Bucky got angrier at the demon and at himself. Thedemon came and went as he pleased, Bucky didn’t have any sort of claim over him; if anything it was theother way around. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was really it,that maybe Dom had gotten tired of their game and was gone for good. It shouldn’thave hurt as much as it did.

Then Dom hadwaltzed in as if nothing had happened, of course on one of Bucky’s more patheticnights of feeling lonelier than he ever had, startling Bucky into throwing theremote at Dom’s head. It had shocked him out of his tears, though not quickenough to keep Dom from noticing. And now the demon was poking at him, lookingtoo closely, and Bucky felt more foolish than ever. It made him bristle like awet cat with flushed cheeks, not wanting to give Dom a gracious welcome back inthe slightest. He felt ridiculous, petty and mean and irrational, but heclenched his teeth so hard he thought one might crack.

    “Sowhat if I have? Not like what I’ve been doing the past    couple months has beenany of your business,” he shot back.

★ Post trauma starters! ★ Not accepting ★

[sterek]

okay, so... tony stark, bucky barnes and peter parker!

tony stark:

favorite thing about them: his devotion to the world around him, how even when the world is trashing his name he’s still fighting for them, his big dumb self sacrificing heart, the fact that in the end HE was the strongest avenger

least favorite thing about them: how much he doesn’t believe that he deserves the world

brOTP: rhodey, peter, nat

OTP: pepper

nOTP: peter, bucky (my two fave marvel characters lol but i can’t emotionally deal with their ship)

random headcanon: he mentioned that he doesn’t have a preference for a gender publicly a bunch of times, and when the media keeps twisting his words he decides to paint one of his suits with the bisexual colors because you either go extra or are dubbed as heterosexual and he ain’t gonna have that

unpopular opinion: he’s always been the heart of the avengers

song i associate with them: hogwarts house: ravenclaw going on gryffindor

favorite picture of them:

bucky barnes:

favorite thing about them: listen he’s right next to derek as the loves of my life, so like EVERYTHING. he’s been through unimaginable pain but he came out of it still with his kind heart and soft soul, never wanting to fight or hurt anyone. he’s so so so strong, and he deserves all the happiness in the world

least favorite thing about them: nothing, i love him for all that he is

brOTP: nat, sam

OTP: STEVE

nOTP: nat

random headcanon: everyone thought he was a ladies man, but in fact he was just taking out lesbian couples every weekend, helping them have some time together without being in danger (and also just to have fun and dance his little heart out or go do nerdy things like the big nerd he is)

unpopular opinion: he gay. also IT WASN’T HIS FAULT, ANY OF IT

song i associate with them: hogwarts house: hufflepuff

favorite picture of them:

peter parker:

favorite thing about them: how he stands up for the little guy, how he may be broke and struggling but will take it all in stride if it means he can keep protecting his city, how he’s a total mess and his heart is bursting with love 

least favorite thing about them: that he keeps losing his backpacks, like come on man! use a fanny pack!

brOTP: tony, ned, mj

OTP: wade (comics)

nOTP: tony

random headcanon: at one point he gives tony adoption papers like those kids who get adopted by stepparents later in life and they both cry like big nerds (i love them *sobs*)

unpopular opinion: he deserves to share with carol the right to be the new face of the mcu!

song i associate with them: hogwarts house: gryffindor

favorite picture of them:

send me a character for this!

[tiredoftonkies-blog]

Marvel AND now Tumblr has a way with character fatigue but I think for people in the fandom, it has to do with the stans as well. I actually see complaints of B/ucky fatigue because of his stans/Tumblr and how in all of the press junkets they had, his stans would flood the comments bashing other actors/characters and asking why SS wasn't given as many q's to answer/wanting him included in everything. It definitely goes w/territory in being protective of their faves I guess. Not as bad as Tonies.

oh yeah, that’s for sure. i can definitely understand annoyance due to the hardcore stans, especially when they bash other characters. (i saw a bucky stan pretty much talk about how steve is toxic as a friend for him because he didn’t coddle bucky in cw and it was just like… uh? does bucky in cw actually seem like he’d respond well to coddling? do you get that people don’t generally work in perfect unproblematic ways where they default to putting everyone else’s delicate feelings ahead of the situation?) i’m a steve stan and some steve stan arguments bother me so i totally get annoyance there too though, especially since it really is a lot worse when the other person is bashing your fave

i’m hesitant to say any one group of stans/antis is worse than another because i know harassment and bashing goes on… everywhere, pretty much, but especially on sites that allow anonymity. i’ve been exposed to a lot of nastiness from the tonky extremists as a st/ony reader who is dumb enough to read comments on ao3, but i’ve also heard there’s always been harassment toward tonky fans and it’s gotten worse over time, which i can totally believe

i dunno, just.. i’ve clearly got an anti blog but i try not to get into the ‘my fandom is better than your fandom’ thing because who knows what goes on outside my corner of the fandom. i’m trying to chill out a bit and keep my bitching more to frustrating arguments or tonky stan-related characterization pet peeves or frustration with marvel’s handling of tonky. tbh, having this blog has helped me to let go of some of my frustration with tonky standom, i guess because it gives me a place to vent rather than keeping all my frustrations bottled up so they get worse over time

[howlingsniper]

@wingmanriley // > CONTINUATION. 

Sam was Steve’s friend in a way he didn’t know how to be anymore. He wished he could convey his appreciation to him in a less threatening manner than his usual sarcasm. Yet, he had a difficult time when he tried. His best bet was to promise to protect the other man’s comrade - to say it out loud made it more real.

Bucky had nothing to prove to Red Wing. “You believe me. Good… good,” he murmured, studying the nervous tic with a cool eye. Like Falcon, Riley didn’t have decades of training in the Red Room. He didn’t know how to school his features into a measured blankness.

A strange, yet welcome part of the older soldier felt grateful for that fact. “How’s your shooting? Captain America tells me you younger brats got worse over the years.” His gaze shifted away and drifted towards the gun range.

 “Is he wrong?”

[whumpybucky]

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this scenario and I finally found the time to write it out. It's some sort of Silver Fox AU (always inspired by the incredible @softersteve obviously) and poor Steve just needs all the cuddles.

1k of sick silver fox Steve and protective Bucky under the cut.

All sick hurt/comfort, no plot. Enjoy!

A rough groan left Steve’s lips as he closed the snooze on his alarm for the upteenth time. The afternoon nap had done nothing to evict the ache that had taken up residence in his sinuses since last night. That familiar pain along his cheek bones spreading to behind his eyes. The one that meant he was on his way to a sinus infection. Maybe even an ear infection if the full underwater feeling was any indication. 

The serum had started to slow on his recovery time a few years back. Bucky’s too. After running them both through the gamut of tests, the head doctor of SHIELD’s medical team had joked that they were getting old. Bucky hadn’t found it funny.

Steve smiled at that memory, then blinked his eyes a few times trying clear away the puffy stiff feeling. In one, albeit slow, movement he shifted his legs off of the couch to sit up. The change in position moved the congestion in his head and a string of three rapid but strong sneezes overtook him before he had time to prepare. 

“Huh'ESHooo! HhTSCH! ETCHieeew! Ughhhh… snnfff!” 

Steve grabbed a handful of tissues from the coffee table and attempted to blow his nose as gently as possible, but it was no use. The congestion was stuck in his head like wet cotton and he was left dizzy, ears buzzing.

There would be no hiding this from Bucky, that’s for sure. 

When his husband had left earlier that week for recruit training, the beginnings of the cold had just settled in. Bucky had been so distraught about leaving him, despite Steve’s assurance that he would be fine.

“I just hate leaving you right as you’re getting sick,” Bucky had said sweetly as he hugged Steve goodbye. 

“Buck, I’ll be okay. You’re only gone four days—”

“Four and a half,” he had corrected with a worried tone.

“Four and half,” Steve repeated with a smile. “It’s just a cold—”

“A bad one that knocked me on my ass for three days. That’s with the serum.”

Steve saw the concern painted across his husband’s face, brows furrowed and jaw clenched. The same look from all those decades ago. It still made Steve melt.

“Buck, sweetheart… snfff! I promise I’ll go to med if there’s even a hint of a fever.”

“You better,” he had asserted, along with his best ‘I'm not kidding’ look before pressing a soft kiss into his forehead. His lips lingered ever so slightly, which had made Steve chuckle.

“I don’t have a fever.”

Bucky had sighed at being caught in the act. 

“I just worry about you,” he had admitted, barely above a whisper as he lowered his chin to rest their foreheads together, running his calloused hand through Steve’s sandy silver waves.

“I know you do, sweetheart. And I love you for it. You know I’ll send you status updates. Now go, or you'll miss your flight.”

Four and a half days came and went. Bucky would be home in an hour and Steve was… well, he was pretty sure he was running a fever now. He felt like he constantly had to clear his throat and it ached whenever he swallowed. His head felt like it was full of concrete. And the pressure, the pressure made him want to sink back into the couch and keep his eyes closed for the foreseeable future. 

Clearly Steve had cursed himself when he had assured Bucky he was feeling better the night before. He really thought he was. He had even promised him there would be vegetable barley stew for his return. He knew Bucky loved something comforting after a stint away.

Sighing at the combined thought of having to muster the energy to prepare dinner and disappointing his husband at his not improved state, the retired captain forced himself up off the couch and into their bathroom to take a hot shower. Maybe the steam would help loosen things up a bit. 

Thirty minutes later Steve barely made it back to the couch. The steam had made little difference. Only enough to send his sinuses buzzing, sparking another string of painful sneezes. The congestion was definitely in his ears and it made him feel like he was on a boat, so much so that he had to hold onto walls and furniture as he walked back into the living room. Plus the loss of heat from the shower had him shivering since he got out, unable to regain the same warmth. 

Steve decided he would sit for five minutes. Just to get warm again. 

As he finished pulling the fuzzy blanket Bucky had bought him for his last birthday across his lap, Steve heard the deadbolt turn. The stew would have to wait.

*****

“Stevie? I’m back, baby,” Bucky called out to his husband as he toed off his shoes and hung his jacket on one of the hooks in the hall. 

“In here, Buck.” The rough weakness of Steve’s voice, followed by a dry cough, made Bucky cringe.

“Steven,” Bucky chastised as soon as he had lowered himself onto the couch. Steve’s eyes fluttered open, offering a glassy blue look of apology—which Bucky accepted, noting the fevered flush across his cheeks and the puffiness around his forehead and cheekbones. 

“I’m sorry, Buck, but dinner isn’t made, SNFF!—” he paused to cough, then cleared his throat, “I was getting better, I swear… SNfff!”

Bucky huffed, but not out of anger, “fuck, you know I don’t care about dinner, I just care about how you’re feeling now.”

Bucky cupped Steve’s cheek, his lips pouting slightly at the heat radiating from his husband’s skin. Steve sighed into his palm, likely reveling in the cooling contrast of the touch. 

“I th–snnfff–I think I need to go to med,” Steve admitted, then suddenly turned away from Bucky’s hand and into his elbow, clearly about to sneeze. He hitched softly, coaxing out the strong soft triple.

“Huh… huh… hurrESHHUUU! het’STCH…huh’HSSHhhu!” 

“I think so too. Bless you, three times,” Bucky offered along with several tissues.

Steve accepted them with a grateful nod, snuffling into the bunch before all but collapsing into Bucky’s chest.

“Poor Stevie,” Bucky whispered more to himself.

Then he wrapped his arms around his husband, leaning them both back into the couch. Then one hand rubbed soft circles on Steve’s back while the other carded fingers through his fever damp hair. 

“Maybe in a little bit though?” Steve mumbled the delayed response into Bucky’s chest, followed by a weak cough. “Just got you back. Missed you.”

“Of course. Missed you too. So much.” 

Bucky’s chest ached for Steve. For not being there when he needed. But as much as Bucky wanted to run his husband down to med right away, he couldn’t say no to holding him a bit longer. He was home. He could take care of him now. 

[whumpybucky]

My first official fic under this handle! Classic tale of Bucky being sick and Stevie just wanting to take care of him. I’m imagining an AU where Bucky is an editor at a small press and Steve is an illustrator (it’s how they met). Don’t know if I’ll continue it, and it’s just a wee drabble, but it’s a start! 850 words under the cut. Enjoy! 🌲💛

Leaving work now, home by 6. Love you 😘

You sure you don’t want me to come get you?

It’s nice out and I want the fresh air. I’ll be fine, love.

K, Alpine and I will be here with tea and tissues 😻😻

Bucky chuckled softly at his boyfriend’s mother henning. He had woken up with the start of a cold that morning. Steve had of course encouraged him to take the day, but it was Friday and Bucky didn’t want to be seen as that guy. So he went in and kept his office door closed for most of the day—which he’s sure all his colleagues were grateful for. A scratchy throat the night before had turned into constant sniffling congestion with scattered coughs and sneezing throughout the day.

He pocketed his cell then pressed a knuckle to his itchy nose before zipping up his bomber-style jacket and starting on his route home. A straight shot up the boulevard that led to the main park in the centre of the city. Then a short jaunt past the dog park to the path that crossed through the small woods in the middle, which popped him out 20 minutes later at the end of their street. He did this walk at least twice a week. No big deal.

Bucky sighed when he finally made it to their floor of the three-storey walk up, more exhausted than he expected to be after his walk home. The exhale tickled his throat. His attempt to quell it as he opened their apartment door quickly turned into a cough that Bucky immediately covered with his elbow.

“Poor guy, you sound so much worse than this morning.”

“Snfff… ‘s not that bad. Just… SNF! Just a cold.”

Steve gave Bucky a soft sympathetic look as he watched him place his messenger back in the hook and slip his shoes off, all at a dulled pace. This morning he had said it was just the sniffles. He knew if his partner was admitting he was actually sick then it was indeed that bad.

Even Alpine seemed to agree, mewing as he rubbed against Bucky’s legs.

“Well you and your “just a cold” can get out of your work clothes, into comfy pants, and then onto the couch. I’ve got soup simmering on the stove and Alpine’s been waiting for you all day.”

Bucky finished hanging his coat in the closet then wrapped his arms around Steve, resting his head on his shoulder. He was so grateful to be home. “Love it when you get bossy,” he muttered, sniffling softly.

A warmth bloomed in Steve’s chest. “Yeah? Well good, ‘cause it’s going to be like that all weekend. I’m going to force you to rest and watch movies and eat soup and drink tea and—”

“W-whatever you say, love,” Bucky cut him off as he pulled out of the hug before catching three rapid-fire sneezes into the crook of his elbow just in time.

“Ble— one more?”

He didn’t have time to respond before the fourth and final sneeze erupted out of him. “HEHTSCHieeeew! Ugggh, ‘scuse mbe.”

“Aw, sweetheart. Bless you.”

Bucky nodded in thanks after grabbing several tissues from the credenza in the entry hall.

When he was finished blowing his nose, Steve stepped towards him again. Then pressing a kiss to his hairline, he followed up the gesture with a reiteration of his orders. “Changed, then couch. Now.”

“Yessir, captain sir,” Bucky saluted mockingly as he made his way to their bedroom to get changed. Alpine’s tail twitched as he trotted after him.

*****

“Hmmm, you feel warm.” Steve’s brows furrowed as he moved a palm from bucky’s forehead to one of his rosy cheeks.

Bucky just shrugged, glassy blue eyes blinking up at Steve.

“I’m going to get you some Tylenol. Then what do you say about going to bed early?”

“What time is it?” Bucky asked, voice hoarse and dry causing him to cough. He’d been dozing off and on, head on a pillow on Steve’s lap and alpine curled at his feet, as they watched some old Carey Grant film Steve loved.

“9:40, a perfectly reasonable time to go to bed. Especially when you’re sick. Which you absolutely are.”

Bucky managed a smile at his boyfriend’s concern.

“I’ll be fine, Stevie. Don’t need to worry.”

“I know you will. Just like to take care of you, sweetheart.” Steve added, brushing a thumb over Bucky’s cheek.

“I know you do. And I love you for it.”

“Love you too. Now bed?”

Bucky nodded and allowed himself to be pulled up from the couch, guided to the washroom where he was fed Tylenol, then into bed where he was tucked under their duvet. He was asleep within minutes, well before Steve shut off all the lights and finished his night time routine.

Slowly slipping under the covers so as not to wake him, Steve had to stifle a chuckle at the soft snores from Bucky when he finally joined him. Then pressing a ghost of a kiss into his temple, he whispered good night before drifting off himself.

[facemypast]

“Here, squeeze my hand. You can hold onto me. I’m real, I’m not going anywhere.”

@firstopenatab​

Bucky did as he was told, shaking as his head fell to his knees once again. Christ, this was pathetic. A sergeant who couldn’t even hold it together in front of his men. Yet every time he closed his eyes he saw those damn operating tables, Zola’s smug face floating above him, Red Skull tearing his face off and then Bucky doing the same to himself in the mirror. He shuddered again, feeling as if he might throw up. Dugan didn’t complain despite how hard Bucky must have been crushing his hand.

Normally he didn’t let anyone see him like this. Not even Steve. A man who couldn’t sleep for the nightmares and couldn’t go more than three days without having a fit wasn’t fit to lead. They would send him home, when now he had more reason than ever that he had to stay. For Steve, for his men, for some sort of closure, of revenge. Luckily, he didn’t think Dugan would report on him… but it was still embarrassing.

   “I’m sorry,” he muttered, eyes still squeezed closed against the night.

Dugan didn’t say a word, just settled a heavy hand against Bucky’s shoulders and squeezed firmly. It helped, in a way. A point of focus keeping him down to earth. It wasn’t much, but it was there, and solid, and protective. Bucky managed a deep breath, and then another. Seeming to realize Bucky was slowly but surely clawing his way back up, Dugan patted his shoulder, squeezed Bucky’s hand in return. “There ya go, Barnes. Easy does it.” Bucky nodded as he tried to force his exhausted muscles to stop trembling. It would be alright. He would be alright. He had to.

★ Helping with mental health! ★ Not accepting ★

[facemypast]

“Stay the night? I’ll take good care of you.”

@kidfrombrccklyn​

Bucky hesitated, chewing on his already-abused lip. Steve of all people he could trust, of all people he knew the best. The offer was genuine, Steve had trouble being anything but sincere in matters such as this. But... there was still so much between them, so many things dark and hidden, not the least of which were all of Bucky’s deeds over the last century. They were both changed, so far removed from those two asshole kids back in Brooklyn. Things couldn’t be that easy. Life never was. No matter how much Bucky’s body seemed to yearn for Steve’s they had to be smart about this. There were so many reasons not to, so many reasons to keep his distance, protect both himself and Steve.

     And yet, he found himself murmuring, “Okay.”

★ Daddy kink/soft dom starters! ★ Accepting ★

[shield-agent78]

Parring: Bucky x OC

Warning: Fluff, smut, language

Rating: NSFW 18

Summary: She has the ring, the guy and now the big day is getting closer. . . .

Sore and completely happy. I woke reaching for him. I needed to make sure this just hadn’t been a beautiful nightmare to which I would wake up and find one ring gone and the love of my life with someone else. I knew that was silly but sometimes a helpless romantic needs just that; reinsurance. “G’morning beautiful.” His husky morning voice bringing me to the realization that it wasn’t just a dream. I gave him a sleepy smile as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You know you're cute in the morning.”

“Haha. You know I am not a morning person.”

“Yes, I know but I think its cute.” I raised my head up and kissed him on his side of his lips. His chuckle making me just giggle. His blue eyes shone brightly while he just shook his head at me.

“I love that giggle.”

“I don’t giggle…” I pouted while snuggling deeper into his arms.

“Yes you do Doll and I love it, just like I love you.”

“I love you too 50.”

“50?” Bucky cocked his eyebrow at me.

“You got to read more baby, and I have training so I got to go Sergeant, and looks like I need to start planning a wedding.” I sat up the gray sheet slipping off my body as I walked to the bathroom to get ready. He gave me a wolfish grin as he grabbed me as I approached beside the bed. I giggled as he placed me right back underneath him.

“What are you doing? I have to go and...hum.” I was silenced fast with his soft lips on mine.

“No, since I took the liberty of calling in for both of us today. Besides I have a silk tie in there I been waiting to try out. . . .”

“Yo-you know ugh that reference. Don’t augh don’t you?” A smirk crossed his lips as he reached out and pinned my hands against the headboard.

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want. . . . “ his voice quiet like he was second-guessing his decision with me. My heart pounded in my chest. “Just know you ugh like that book and it looked interesting so I read some of it one the mission and just thought if. . .”

“James. Yellow.”

“What?”

“Safe world is yellow Winter. Now, what were you sain?” Bucky’s eyes darken as he shifted off of me only to return moments later with a silk gray tie in his hands. Let’s just say that tie is now my favorite. . . .

(Next Day)   

"We actually have some plans made," I stated to Natasha on our morning run."Simple, romantic and small and then a party until we kick you all out," I laughed. “Also I want you to be my bridesmaid. Bucky asked Steve to be his best man." "I would love to Ema. You know I'm so happy for both of you. Now, most importantly the dress. Have you seen one you liked? We can go after this, and how about flowers and location." "Congratulations you are now helping me plan all of that." "No need, I know a coordinator. Besides I want to know the other juicy details," she turned facing a little in front of me now walking backward. "I want to know how many times you said oh B-ucky in the last 36 hours that I haven't seen you." She laughed. "Nat!"My face now red from her and our workout. "Maybe I need to ask him," she took off running with me right behind her. "Natasha! No!" I saw Bucky and Steve ahead of us. They have just finished their morning run. The guys looked up at us just laughing at this site. Of course, she beat me to them. "Barns, Wie oft hat sie deinen Namen ausgerufen? (So exactly how many times did she scream out your name?)" I ran up to Bucky and covered his mouth before he could answer. He just laughed behind my hand as I gave him a peck on his cheek. "Ok so now that you had your fun I guess I will go with you to look at a dress," I said looking at Natasha. Bucky raised an eyebrow at me as I uncovered his mouth and kissed him on his cheek again. "And they just thought we were bad, he said as him and Steve chuckled. "You two are," I giggled. "So what are the plans?" Steve asked leaning against the tree. Bucky draped his arm lazily over my shoulders.

"Niagara Falls. Small. We just want our close friends and Kaye. Also four UNDISTURBED weeks off for our honeymoon." Bucky glared at Steve and Natasha with that task force look. Steve just rubbed his neck and then clapped him on his shoulder. "Four weeks shouldn't be a problem. Plus if I need you, Buck, I'll call you or Ema." Bucky kissed me on top of my head. However, I was lost in my own world. The idea of planning a wedding was overwhelming. Natasha gave me a knowing smile. She had known both of us long enough to know small and quiet was all that we really wanted.

"Now come on," Natasha said pulling me away as she checked her phone. "We can meet the coordinator at two and you can tell her what exactly what you want and then go dress shopping. ”Come on Jones let’s go.” She took my hand pulling me from Bucky. I just shot him a help look.

“I see you at two o’clock. Go. Have fun.” I gave him a nod while he and Steve chuckled at us two girls again.

  “ Fine but you two need to get suits." His grin was intoxicating.

“Ma’am, yes ma’am.” Within a month's time, a date had been set, dress picked out, suits, flowers, and a beautiful location. Bucky was called away for a couple of days with Sam to help with selecting new task force members. It was a Friday morning and the wedding was the next day. Everything was packed and ready to go. I decided to go and bug Steve before I went to pick up Bucky and drive up to Niagara. He and Natasha were following us up later that day. I found him in his office. "You ready? Not getting cold feet hugh?"He asked as I sat down across from him.

"No, not at all. But I do need a favor?" Steve raised an eyebrow at me. "Walk me down the aisle to him. I couldn't ask for a better person to do it. You're like a big brother to me and I owe you all so much. You gave me a new life here where I found the love of my life." I looked at him nervously. "Ema,I would be honored too. You don't have to thank me." He stated as he shook his head. "I think he is getting a great gal. Besides if he ever hurt you I would go big brother on his ass," I stood up and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Now get out of here and go get him." "How, I can't even get close to the jet?" "Here you go, you have definitely earned this." He threw a level 10 clearance badge at me along with a set of car keys. I looked at it and beamed. I pulled up an hour later at the hanger with bags in the trunk blaring music. I had never felt so free and happy. My badge helped me already get onto the secure landing area. I saw him and Sam before he saw me. Might as well have a little fun with this. I rolled down the passenger window and leaned over the steering wheel just enough to tease him with a little cleavage thanks to my v neck task force shirt just as the two walked beside my new gunmetal Maximum. "Excuse me, but can any of you two good looking guys help me?" Bucky looked at me and a smile crept onto his face. "I think I may can darlin'." He said huskily as he leaned down his hands holding onto the passenger window frame. "Good because I'm looking for my fiancé. I haven’t seen him in a week but all I want to see is his uniform on my floor and him underneath me." I beamed at him through my eyelashes. Bucky looked me up and down and sent tingles down my spine. "I think that could be arranged, doll." He said getting in beside me giving me a slow kiss. "Can't fly everywhere," he told Sam looking back at him. "No, you can't. See you two tomorrow.”

The next day I married my best friend. Steve kept his promise to me and walked me down the aisle to an awaiting James Barnes. The ceremony short and sweet just how we wanted it. Natasha stood by me while Steve stood by Bucky. The vows simple and sweet. "I promise to love and cherish you forever. Protecting you and always winning over your heart. With this ring, I marry you." He was mine and I was his. We celebrated with our friends who were more like family. The ones that saved both of us in a way and then led us to find each other. (Three hours later)    You would think that rose petals lining the hall leading the way to the bedroom would not cause you to want to immediately go outside, but after seeing this my throat had become dry. I needed fresh air. I stood looking into the darkness from the balcony. The sound of the waterfall echoed through the night. A condo to ourselves for four weeks overlooking the falls. Perfect and romantic.  So why was I so nervous? I couldn't help but laugh at myself. He was now my husband and I was about to be along with him for the first time since we had left the reception. I placed my hands on the cool rail while taking several calming breaths trying to shake off my nerves. Moments later I felt two strong arms being placed around my waist. "I was wondering where you wandered off to Mrs. Barns," Bucky whispered into my ear as he pecked the shell of it softly. He sent shivers down my skin as I let out a small moan leaning into his touch.

"I like the sound of the falls, and I ugh, guess I'm a little nervous too," I said shyly looking down at my new jewelry on my left hand. He turned me to face him and tucked a strand of my loose hair behind my ear. By now his suit jacket was gone his white shirt unbutton where his tie used to be. Dammit. He was not helping my nerves at all. "I think I can fix that sugar'." He took my hand and led me back inside. "Dance with me," he said quietly as he turned on the stereo with the remote. The song Trip began to play. I placed my hands around his neck as we swayed slowly to the music. Bucky never took his eyes off of me. A coy smirk playing on his lips.

”You know Sergeant you look very handsome in that suit. I think maybe you should keep the scruff and shoulder length hair for a while. It's really a good look.” I giggled. Now he had me giggling again.

”I love that giggle, ” he mumbled more to himself than me. ”Mă bucur că te-ai aprobat pe printesa mea, dar acum vreau să te aud strigând numele meu cu tine sub mine. (I'm glad you approve my princess but right now I want to hear you moaning my name out with you underneath me.) I gave him a confused glance.

”You know I don't understand Romanian right?” Bucky beamed down at me with a mischievous smirk.

Yes. But I also know you love it when I speak to you in a different language. Do you realize what you mean to me? I feel like the luckiest man alive to have you by my side. You are my world. You complete my heart. ”Ja. Aber ich weiß auch, dass Sie es lieben, wenn ich mit Ihnen in einer anderen Sprache spreche. Wissen Sie, was Sie für mich bedeuten? Ich fühle mich wie der glücklichste Mann am Leben, der Sie an meiner Seite hat. Du bist meine Welt. Du machst mein Herz fertig.”

My eyes filled with happy tears. Dang alpha male.

Bucky, I love you more than you will ever know. I'm so thankful I found you. You are my rock and my heart. Always.”Bucky, ich liebe dich mehr, als du je wissen wirst. Ich bin so dankbar, dass ich dich gefunden habe. Du bist mein Stein und mein Herz. Immer. Still, don't know what you said through.”

”I think I can help you understand Doll.” He brushed his thumb over my lips.”

”Is that right Sergeant?” His blue orbs fluttering to mine and down to my lips. His left hand creased the small of my back and pulled me closer to him as the other one traveled to to bottom hem of my short navy dress pushing it up my leg. His fingers playing softly on my thigh.  I closed my eyes as his lips met mine as I moaned into his deep kiss. I soon found myself up in his arms bridal style.  My eyes snapped open.

"This is not the threshold Sergeant," I giggled as I swatted at his arm. "That is not my intention.”

"Well then I approve Sergeant," I said looking up through my eyelashes running my hands through his hair.

”Mă bucur că te-ai aprobat pe printesa mea, dar acum vreau să te aud strigând numele meu cu tine sub mine. (I'm glad you approve my princess but right now I want to hear you moaning my name out with you underneath me.) He whispered in my ear causing me to bite my lip as he carried me down the hall to the bedroom.

”Yep, I think I got it now,” I said with a head nod.

(The next morning-Bucky POV) I felt the sheets from the bed shuffle and move as the body next to me, slowly tried to slip from the bed. Gently I grabbed her back and placed her underneath me. Her soft giggles filled the air.  I cupped her cheek and kissed her deeply before pulling away. "And where do you think you going Mrs.Barnes?" I question kissing her neck softly. She breathed in deeply and arched her head back a bit. "We got to go and.. ahh~!" She breathed out heavily as I nipped and licked at her neck softly. "Sergeant." She murmured as my hands slithered down her body, slowly caressing her. "It's our Honeymoon remember? Four weeks off.." She gasped as my hand pressed down softly on her bundle of nerves. She bit her lip, trying not to release building up breaths as I grazed her up and down. "But-" I cut her off with my lips, silencing her fast. I pulled away and whispered in her ear. "You're talking way too much. The only thing I want to hear from you right now, is you moaning my name." She released her lip and let out a breathless moan. "B-Bucky." She exhaled hard. I groaned and smirked down at her. "That's so much better," I said smugly and leaned down, kissing her lips softly. ”On your knees baby.” She rolled over on her knees as I skimmed her soft skin below of her back with my fingertips.”You are already so wet. Humm can’t wait to be in you. I pumped myself a few times before easing into her.

”Ja-mes.”

@jewels2876     @averyrogers83     @songsaboutbuckyy @theonelittleone  @mysticalfairytales                                                  

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@ nerd-in-a-galaxy-far-away

@teamcap4bucky

@hoewkeye

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@dmn-dmn

@littledarlinhavefaithinme

@shreddedparchment

@jewels2876     @averyrogers83     @songsaboutbuckyy @theonelittleone  @mysticalfairytales                                   @minerva1920              

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@verygraphicink @tuhl @buckmesideways22  

@jewelofwinter @catsandbooksinafarawayplace​

@ nerd-in-a-galaxy-far-away

@teamcap4bucky

@hoewkeye

@marvelandotherfandomimagines

@dmn-dmn @littledarlinhavefaithinme  @shreddedparchment

@catsandbooksinafarawayplace @carryoncaptainrogers​

@kombatfather1796 @toxic-pineapple  @itsfabipro​

[facemypast]

“Oh darling, no one cares about your pity act. Gasp for air all you like.”

@burnthemout

Bucky barely managed to glance up at Rumlow from where he was practically bent double, chest feeling like someone had a damn vice around it. His gasps were thin and reedy as he tried to get air, the panic from feeling close to suffocating just compounding the fear already trampling through his brain. Having Rumlow around was bad enough, but to have him see Bucky like this… it was just the icing on the fucking cake.

The other man snickered, obviously enjoying seeing the Winter Soldier look so pathetic. Bucky squeezed his eyes shut, half of his mind still stuck in the flash of terror that had started this, the other half hurling insults at Rumlow. Lot of good that did him. Eventually he gave in to the urges screaming at him and crouched down, curled in and protecting himself physically, even if it was meaningless. Another few moments passed as he tried deep breaths, all but dragging his mind back to the present. 

     “F-fuck off,” he finally managed.

★ Panic starters! ★ Not accepting ★

[facemypast]

"They always look to you like that?" Illya's glare darkens. Dangerous as as he steps closer, folds his arms like he can protect the little lamb behind him from ugly looks. He would say they are afraid but they have no reason, it is just expectation based on ifs and maybe. They use actions of otherz to justify their exclusion of him now. Ugh, Americans. No manners. "Like ticking bomb."

@redperil

Bucky had grown used to the sideways looks, the way eyes always shot to him whenever he moved too quickly, or appeared too suddenly. Everyone who had only known him as the Soldier- or, at least, the shattered person who came after the Soldier- would never totally trust him, would always have their reservations and doubts and contingencies. The only person completely at ease around him was Steve, and to be honest sometimes Bucky thought he was an idiot for that. A certain amount of caution was healthy around him; hell, Bucky himself never quite knew when he was going to break down. He took it day by day. 

Even so, Bucky was aware of the way people kept their eye on him, of the way he could see the constant attention paid to his movements and the occasional flash of judgement or pity in their gaze. He shrugged it off, knew what to expect when he’d joined. What was a little paranoia in exchange for leaving the grip of HYDRA? Illya, it seemed, hadn’t accepted it quite so easily. Bucky glanced up at the blond as he spoke, brow furrowing slightly at the anger in his tone, in the lines of his face. Gaze flickering to the team- half of which pretended not to know what Illya was talking about, half of which were now eyeing him just as warily as they had Bucky- and then back to Illya, Bucky tilted his head. 

     “To be fair, I sort of am….” he murmured.

Turning back to his task at hand, Bucky shrugged lopsidedly. Yes, he had more good days than bad now, thanks to therapists and memories returning and a lot of hard work. But there was no guarantee that would last, no way to predict when Bucky would wake up from a nightmare and send someone through a wall, or when he would lapse and the Soldier would take hold. Especially during combat. Part of the reason Bucky allowed himself to stay here was the fact that there were several people capable of (and willing to) putting him down, if the need ever arose. It was just what he had to live with now, knowing who he was, what he was.

     “It’s alright. I’d rather them be ready than me          catch them off guard and hurt someone.”

No, it wasn’t a great way to make friends, and yes, Bucky felt like an outsider more days than not. But if this was the way it had to be- him helping out as best as he could in an attempt to make up for the years he spent on the wrong side, being watched over by people as strong as he was, working his way back into being human but always being ready for the next misstep- then so be it. Illya just… had a different way of looking at things. Plus, he never had to fight the Winter Soldier for real. And if his protectiveness sent warm frissons through Bucky’s torso and made blood rise to his cheeks, well, that was between him and his ammo bag. 

[facemypast]

“Please tell me this isn’t true. You wouldn’t do this to me, would you? Would you?”

@queencfwolves

Bucky stared straight back at Erica, face blank, eyes cold. He’d always known there was the possibility of having to use Erica as a pawn, barter with her life or even hand her over to someone else in order to serve Bucky’s best interests. He was reasonably certain that Erica would have had plans to do much the same; if she didn’t, then moreso the pity for her. And when an alliance had been offered, one that could certainly put him ahead of any other rival groups as well as the mayor himself, well, Bucky hadn’t thought long before accepting the trade.

She looked small dangling there between the two goons, not nearly as cocksure and hardened as she usually came off. Still, Bucky hadn’t earned the nickname Winter Soldier for being soft-hearted when it came to business matters. And that’s what this was- nothing personal, merely business, protecting his own. Bucky shrugged, glancing at the henchmen to see if they required anything else.

     “Sorry, but business is business, and I will always      put myself first,” he drawled before turning to leave.

★ Heartbreak sentences! ★ Accepting ★