#sam you can go run now steve will catch up soon

[itsthewritergal]

Just let me go - Bucky Barnes x reader

Okay this one is ANGSTTYYY Also there will be a part two! Posted tomorrow :)

TW: kidnapping, swearing, suicidal thoughts, guns, angst, sadness, suicidal ideation, also I haven't proof read this aha I'm sorry!!

“Sergeant Barnes, there is someone here to see you” One of the agent said as they stepped into the training room, 

“Who?” Bucky replied curtly, being halfway through a session with Nat he didn’t exactly want to be interrupted no matter who it was 

“I don’t know but she looks upset, if I was you I’d be worried” the agent said with a laugh, making a few of the other trainee’s laugh 

“Don’t forget your rank” Bucky said bluntly, 

“Sorry Sargent Barnes” The agent said, 

“You can start sparring, I’ll be back soon and I expect to see some improvements from yesterday” Nat said following Bucky out the room, 

“Who do you think it is?” Nat asked 

“I don’t know” Bucky said 

“What about that girl you went out with the other night?” 

“I don’t think she’d come here” Bucky said with a huff, “she didn’t like me” he said 

“Ooh what about the girl from Tony’s party?” Nat suggested, it sounded as though the idea of Bucky having a girl round was entertaining to her, Bucky narrowed his eyes at Nat, 

“No” He said bluntly, 

“Tensions killing me” Nat said with a dry laugh 

“Come on Nat, leave it alone” he said, turning the corner to the common room, he stopped immediately his breath hitching in his throat for a split second, 

“Y/N?” Nat beamed running over to give her a hug almost knocking her off of her feet “It’s been like a year since I saw you!” She grinned, 

“Hey Nat” She said gently, 

“You have to stay for dinner, Wanda’s cooking, she’ll want to see you. So will Steve, and Tony, oh and Sam!” She said “I’ll text them all now, they’ll set up a place for you” 

“Nat, I don’t think—” Y/N started 

“I don’t want to hear it, you’re staying” She said pulling out her phone and quickly tapping a message, 

“Y/N” Bucky said bluntly, his voice void of all emotions. 

“Hey” Y/N cut herself off unsure of what to call him so deciding against calling him anything,  her eyes wandered to his arm,  “the black and gold suits you” She said softly “Always said silver wasn’t your colour” 

“Shuri agreed with you” Bucky nodded

An uncomfortable silence settled across the two of them, 

“I should go” She said quickly, 

“Why did you come?” He asked a part of him not wanting her to disappear, not again 

“I, uh I found, I found this”  Y/N said her cheeks flushing red as she passed Bucky a t-shirt, one that he had forgotten about, but it certainly looked more worn now than how he remembered it. His heart squeezed at the thought of her wearing it after everything

“This is why you came?” Bucky said 

“You’re right, it was stupid. I’m gonna go” Y/N said quickly,  shaking her head as she turned, Bucky knew how she felt. He had imaged many times making an excuse to go and see her, he just didn’t think she was the kind of person to go through with it. 

“Y/N! Oh my, Nat said you were here. I’ve just laid the table dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes which is just long enough for you to catch me up on your life! Sorry Buck, but she’s with me until dinner. Then you can have her back” Wanda said not offering Bucky or Y/N a second option. 

----

“So Y/N where have you been?” Tony asked as they all sat down at the table “it’s like you dropped off the face of the earth

“Just around,” She said quietly 

“I came by your apartment, but it was empty” Tony said, 

“I had to move out” 

“You moved out?” Nat said “How come?” She said worry filling her voice 

“Life happens” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Bucky’s eyes fell on her face, watching how her eyes studied her plate not daring to look up 

“Well things always find a way of getting better” Wanda said squeezing Y/N’s hand on the top of the table 

“How about you guys, I’ve seen good things on the news” Y/N said softly 

“We’re okay” Steve said, 

“I”m pleased,” Y/N said with a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes, 

“What’s your new apartment like?” Wanda asked, 

“It’s nice” Y/N said gently , 

“You should give me the address,” Tony said commandingly 

“I’ll send it over to you, I still don’t quite know it off by heart” She said, it was a lie. Bucky knew it was a lie, even if he couldn’t hear her heartbeat pick up, he would be able to tell from the way she couldn’t look at anyone in their eye. 

“What part of town is it?” Steve pressed, 

“I really appreciate you guys having me for dinner but I’m going to head home” She said quickly, “I’ll see you guys around” She said picking up her coat, 

“I'm sorry if I said something wrong” Steve apologised quickly, he should’ve known better than to press her, Bucky thought

“You don’t need to” Tony said trying to savour the dinner 

“Why don’t you stay for a movie?” Wanda suggested, 

“I need to go” She said standing up and quickly hurrying out of the room 

A gentle silence fell across the room, “I shouldn’t have asked her” Steve said 

“It’s not on you” Wanda said “I don’t think that anyone could have convinced her to open up to us” 

“I’ll find her address and go over tomorrow, it’ll be easier without anyone else there” Tony said fiercely, 

“She won’t talk to you” Bucky said 

“And she’ll talk to you?” Tony snapped “You’re the reason we are in this mess in the first place. She is my friend and I will do what I think is right” 

“What even happened when you broke up?” Wanda asked 

“ Nothing” Bucky said 

“Don’t lie” Tony snapped 

“What the hell did you do? I thought you two were fine” Nat asked 

“You told us all you two were fine after the breakup” Wanda said 

“Leave him alone” Steve said sternly 

Bucky sighed softly “She just came to drop off a shirt” 

“Nobody drops off a shirt after a year” Tony said “She wanted to see you and you couldn’t even give her the time of day” He snapped 

“She’ll be okay, I’ll come with you tomorrow, we can check in on her” Wanda said 

Bucky didn’t dare to say anything, he just nodded gently. It was a thank you, all be it a silent one, but a thank you none the less. 

----

“Tony, you need to see this” Wanda said as an alert popped up on the screen alerting Tony to a new message, they had been in Tony's lab for a few hours scouting out Y/N's new apartment.

“Have you seen where she is living?” Tony said scanning through the photos that FRIDAY had brought up on his screen “it’s worse than I thought”  

“Tony now” Wanda said fiercely,

“What is it?” Tony asked, turning around, his face dropping when he saw the screen. “Is that?” 

“Y/N” Wanda finished

“Who sent this” Tony asked 

“I don’t know, it’s anonymous. I can’t trace the signal either” 

“FRIDAY, call the team and get them into the conference room now” 

“Yes Mr Stark” FRIDAY answered 

“We can’t tell Bucky” Wanda said, 

“We can and we will because he is going to help us” 

“That’s a bad idea” Wanda said 

“He once was one the best assassins, no debate. As much as I don’t like the tinman, he can and will help us” Tony said leaving little room for debate. 

“Tony what the hell? We’re meant to have the week off of missions” Nat said, sitting down in a chair with a mug of coffee nursed in her hands

“This is different” Tony said, 

“How so?” Steve asked 

“This is personal” Tony said sternly, 

“It’s Y/N” Wanda whispered, 

“What happened to her?” Bucky asked 

“I was sent this video” Tony said

 “We thought it was best we watched it together” Wanda added 

“FRIDAY, play the video please”

The screen went dark for a moment and then lit up with a picture of Y/N locked in a room, Bucky felt a strange wave of familiarity wash over him 

“Tell your friends what we want” A voice spoke, it sent chills down Bucky’s spine, he put her in this position. He had done everything to keep her safe, after all these years, this was his fault. 

“They won’t come” Y/N’s voice was strangely calm 

“Don’t be difficult girl, tell them what we want” The voice spoke again 

“You want the soldier, you want someone who’s gone. But here’s the catch. Even if he wasn’t gone, even if the solider still existed he wouldn’t come. Not for me.” She said 

“We’ve done our research” The voice mused, there was a hint of amusement in it’s voice, as though it had caught Y/N out, 

“Your research is wrong. I haven’t spoken to Bucky in a year, he does’t care” Y/N snapped, a gunshot sounded through the conference room, making them jump 

“Turn it off” Bucky’s voice was quiet but cut through the entire room 

“Shooting blanks at me won’t work” Y/N snapped “If you’re going to kill me then kill me”

“Turn it off” Bucky said once more 

“We want the soldat” The voice behind the camera spoke 

“Then you’ll have to find someone who he cares about, because it  isn’t me” She snapped 

“You have six hours or she dies” 

The camera turned off and the room went dark. All eyes turned to Bucky, 

“When was this sent?” He said 

“Barely ten minutes ago” Wanda answered softly, 

“Let’s start at her apartment” Steve said firmly “Wanda, Clint you’re with me, Tony, Nat you should try and find something from the video, there might be an idea of where they’re keeping her.” 

“I need to go as well” Bucky said 

“No” Wanda said “You need to stay away from this” 

“I spent years tracking people down, I think I’m the best chance we have to finding Y/N” He said challenging anyone to speak out against him

“I’ll go as support” Sam said patting Bucky’s back comfortingly. 

“We need to go, now” Steve said 

----

Steve’s skin crawled at the sight of Y/N’s apartment.  He hesitated before pushing the door open, it creaked and echoed through the tiny studio. Clothes were thrown across the room, plates were stacked up by the sink, two blankets were half heartedly thrown across the bed, no sign of a duvet or pillow. Bucky had to tear his eyes away from her apartment for a minute to regain his composure. 

“I can’t believe she was staying here” Wanda said stepping into it

“It was a means to an end” Steve said, 

“I should have helped her” Wanda sighed softly, her eyes falling on the pile of clothes in the corner of the room,  

“We didn’t know” Clint said

“We should have” Wanda snapped “Look at how she was living, we should have been able to help” 

“She was always good at surviving” Steve said firmly 

“She shouldn’t have had to be, we are her friends and the moment her and Bucky split we left her” Wanda said, tears building in her eyes 

“They must have taken her here, look at the mess” Steve said changing the subject quickly,

“No” Bucky said softly “This is Y/N” Bucky said with a sigh

“What do you mean?” Clint asked “this is normal?” 

“When she got busy, she used to get messy, never put things away. Found it hard to do anything” Bucky said swallowing tightly  “We argued about it” He admitted 

“So did they take her here, or not?” Sam asked 

“Not here, this is normal for her. It didn’t happen here” Bucky said firmly

“Ok so that’s something” Sam said, attempting at a loose sense of positivity

“It must’ve happened by the compound” Wanda said “think about it, if they wanted Bucky then surely they’d be keeping tabs on him. When she left last night they must have taken the next best thing to get to him” She said 

“We need to look at security cameras”  Clint suggested 

“Who wants Bucky though?” Sam said, “I think we’re focussing too much on Y/N, rather than on what they want” 

“Hydra” Steve said through pursed lips 

“It can’t be” Wanda said 

“It has to be” Clint confirmed “It makes the most sense” 

“So who are we looking at? Zemo?” Sam asked 

“Maybe” Steve said “Doesn’t feel right though”, Steve’s thought was cut short by his phone ringing 

“Steve, I’ve got an address” Tony said, “suit up”

----

Bucky couldn’t stop shaking, he’d been on tougher missions, he’d been in tougher briefings, he had almost died more times than he could count. But this felt like the worst day of his life, 

“We’ve been sent an address,” Tony said 

“It’s a trap” Nat said 

“We don’t know that” Steve suggested, “Who sent it to you?” 

“It came with a video, it was from the same people as before” 

“What’s the video?” Sam asked, noticing the tension that had fallen across the room, 

Tony instructed FRIDAY to play the video, Y/N’s face was brought up on the screen, 

“Y/N tell them what you just told me” The voice spoke 

“No” She spat through gritted teeth, her hair was matted with blood which dripped slowly from a wound on her hair line, her face was bruised and Bucky was silently pleased he could only see to the base on her neck, anymore and he was sure he would throw up. The skin he had once pressed kisses to so gently was purple and blotted with blood. 

“Our captive here has a death wish” The voice said again, “She had her little suicide letters in her pocket when we caught her” it sneered 

“Shut the hell up” Y/N snapped, there was something in her eyes that scared Bucky, she looked so void of the love that she had once been filled with 

“She was on the top of a building when we found her, she’s only got 3 hours left avengers. Are you going to give in to her wishes?” 

“Just kill me” She whispered 

“What was that?” The voice asked, it was mocking her, teasing her, it was a sight that Bucky couldn’t stand 

“Kill me!” She shouted, her voice sent chills down each of the spines of her old friends “Just kill me” She said settling into a bought of sobs, 

The video stopped and cut to a map with a pin placed directly in it. 

“We need to go” Steve said “We leave in 5” 

----

The quinjet landed softly and Bucky could feel a knot growing in his stomach, he had been on enough rescue missions to know the ways that this could go. It was an old hydra base, one that Bucky was sure should’ve been emptied years ago. But here it stood, admittedly it was partly falling down but the cells were deep underground and the structures were built to last. He knew that much well enough, if he strained his ears he would swear that he could hear Y/N’s cries, but he convinced himself it was all in his head. 

“She’s going to be okay” Steve said 

“I can’t loose her Steve” Bucky admitted “I’ve lost her once, I can’t watch her die” 

“Then don’t let her” Steve said 

Bucky followed behind the rest of the team, Wanda stood beside him, 

“Do you want me to take the fear away?” She asked under her breath, knowing nobody else would be able to hear her 

“No, I need it” Bucky said, he didn’t explain anything else but Wanda nodded, 

“Let’s go get Y/N home” Wanda said

Bucky followed Tony’s lead, any other mission he would have tried to take the lead off of Tony but he couldn’t for this. Y/N needed Tony’s planning, Y/N’s life couldn’t be in Bucky’s hands. He would never forgive himself if anything happened. They descended into the base, it was too quiet for Bucky’s liking. Hydra would never have kept it this quiet, something was wrong. 

“Welcome home soldat” the words echoed through the halls, 

“They know we are here” Steve muttered, 

“She’s down here” Tony said, taking another set of steps downwards, Bucky could hear her shallow breaths getting louder slowly with each step he took. 

“Y/N?” Steve called out, 

“I told you to fucking kill me” Y/N screamed,  Tony immediately picked up the pace to a run following the sound of her voice.  Their footsteps echoed through the concrete walls, as they came across a long hallway filled with cells made of glass. Bucky’s skin crawled at the sight. This was what he wanted to protect Y/N from, she shouldn’t see this.  

“KIll me” Her voice rang through the cells, 

“Soldat” Bucky turned to find the voice behind him. “Do the honours?” The man said, he was older than Bucky thought he would be. 

“We’re surrounded” Steve said, 

“There’s no getting out of this” The man sneered, 

“That’s kind of where you are wrong” Tony said smartly, “You really think there’s only four of us?” He laughed 

“What?” 

“The rest of our team have cleared out your base, and they’re on their way” He said with a smirk “Also not only have we got two super soldiers, we’ve also got a freaky witch and me, ironman, you might of heard of me” 

“Ironman, you forget. You have an unstable winter soldier on your team, All I have to do is say a few words and he’s under my control right?” 

“Doesn’t work anymore” Bucky snapped 

“I’m bored” Nat said sneaking up from behind, with a wicked grin she pulled the trigger and the body fell to the ground with a thud. Instantly Bucky turned and shot the guard who was keeping him surrounded “God why are all the people we go against so boring” Nat said with a huff, once they had dealt with the guards. 

“Let’s just get Y/N” Tony said letting out a breath. 

Wanda took a step away from the group into a nearby cell, it was as though she felt her. 

“Guys she’s here” Wanda called, 

Bucky took a deep breath and turned the corner, Y/N sat slumped on a chair, out of breath and covered in bruises and dried blood. 

“Please” She whimpered 

“We’re going to get you out of here” Wanda said slowly untying her gently 

“Please no” She cried 

“You’re safe” Steve said kneeling at her side 

“No Please, let me go” She said 

“We’re letting you go, you’re going to be ok” 

“No, please” She sobbed again “You have to let me die” She cried as Wanda pulled the ties away from her 

“Y/N, we can’t do that” Steve said, 

“You’re going to be okay” Tony promised

“Just let me go please?” 

PART TWO

[buckymorelikefuckme]

a shore thing

bucky barnes x fem reader

i decided to write it hehe

a/n: any and all mistakes are my own! feedback is encouraged & welcomed :) xoxo

Bucky calls your name for the umpteenth time, beyond exasperated as you stumble away, giggling uncontrollably as you evade capture. He's hardly tipsy anymore, having decided to nurse a single beer for the last couple hours when he noticed how heavy you were drinking. Somebody needed to be responsible, he told himself. Even Steve was letting loose more than usual. But, to be fair, they were all on vacation.

“Guys, the taxis are here,” Nat announces, yet again, leaning heavily against one of said vehicles. “Bucky, we gotta go.”

“I’m trying my best here,” he replies. Although, that's not entirely true. “Someone should've cut her off ages ago.”

“Boooooo,” you heckle as you run past him.

Bucky sighs heavily. “Fine. You can stay here by yourself.”

You pause abruptly, almost tripping over your own feet, but you catch yourself before you face-plant into the gravel. “You're leaving me?” you ask in a pitiful tone.

“Yup.” Bucky turns and takes a few steps away, hearing you whine in protest. “Have fun.”

“Noooo, wait!”

Your uneven steps come closer and closer to Bucky and as soon as he gauges you're within arm’s reach he spins around with a smirk. It makes you lurch to a stop, gasping as it dawns on you.

“Betrayal!” you shout, pointing an accusatory finger at him. You try to take off running again, but Bucky is quicker. You're swooped up into a fireman’s carry before you even register your feet leaving the ground. “Ack! Put me down, you absolute caveman!”

Sam sticks his head out of the taxi. “There's room in this one.”

Bucky steers his steps that way, feeling your tiny fists beating his back the whole way, and plops you into the open seat. You let out a cute oof that he ignores as he tries to latch the seatbelt. You're a squirmy little shit though, and he soon finds that the only way he’ll be able to get the group back to the hotel is to enter the taxi himself and pull you into his lap. He quickly shuts the door and finally latches the seatbelt around the both of you, telling the driver to go.

Sam shakes his head in amusement in the seat beside Bucky. “You're seriously the only one who can rally that firecracker of a woman.”

“Hey!” you object with a pout. “I'm drunkies, not deaf. I can still hear you.”

You and Sam begin bickering and Bucky rolls his eyes, but he doesn't do anything to interfere. He's too busy trying to think about literally anything else other than the ginormous mistake he made by placing you on his lap. You, the person he's been in love with for far too long now, who has absolutely no clue of his feelings and sends constant mixed signals.

There are days he's sure you feel the same with the way you look at him, but then the next day you go out of your way to make sure he knows the two of you are just friends. He's losing his fucking mind. He doesn't know if he should tell you how he feels or try to move on.

You're wiggling suddenly, body jostling atop Bucky’s and his mind is forced to return to the present, only to see you and Sam slap-fighting like children.

“I’m so sorry, sir,” he addresses the driver, “I swear they're actually adults when they're not three sheets to the wind.”

The driver waves off the apology with a chuckle. The fight ends with you pinching Sam’s nipple, his cry of pain and outrage making you giggle wildly and throw your head back onto Bucky’s shoulder. After you catch your breath you sit up and wiggle some more until you're sitting sideways and can look at Bucky. Your eyes are glassy and your smile is sly and a touch wonky, and Bucky still thinks you're the cutest, sexiest woman he's ever known.

“Why don't you like me for real?”

The taxi is uncomfortably quiet. Bucky blinks a few times, shifting his gaze to Sam, who’s suddenly very interested in the passing streetlights and palm trees outside the window. Traitor, Bucky thinks. With no help from his supposed friend, Bucky looks back to you.

He clears his throat. “I do like you.”

“No,” you huff, rolling your eyes, “I mean like, like me like me. Like, more.”

Bucky is silent again, his mind whirling with a million questions–the biggest one being what the fuck?

“I'm not sure what you mean,” he says carefully. He hopes playing dumb will work in deterring the conversation, but he should've known better.

“You always just joke about it, but you never mean it. Always get my hopes up.”

“What are you talking about?” he blurts, truly flabbergasted, but he cuts you off before you can reply. “No, don't answer that. You're drunk, okay? You don't know what you're saying.”

You poke his cheek roughly, pouting. “I just want you to like me back, Buck. Wanna kiss you whenever I want.”

Bucky swallows thickly, unable to take his eyes away from yours as you lean in closer.

“Don't you wanna kiss me?” you question, reaching up you play with the hairs at the nape of his neck. “Can I kiss you, Bucky?”

Your lips graze his, a feather-light touch, and he exhales shakily. Of fucking course he wants to kiss you. He's wanted nothing else for the last year. But he doesn't want it like this. He says your name, voice low in warning. You either don't hear him or you don't care.

Bucky’s eyes flutter closed as you continue pressing light kisses to his lips, the corner of his mouth, his chin, along his jaw. He fists his hands where they rest on either side of you, praying for the will to remain strong.

“You're drunk,” he repeats, a last ditch effort in getting you to stop, but even he can hear how weak the protest is.

“I still know what I want, what I feel.” You brush your nose against his. “I want you.”

Sam coughs pointedly beside both of you. “We’re here.”

Bucky is quick to unlatch the seatbelt and help you out of the car. Nat walks over and grabs your hand, Steve walking leisurely behind her.

“Let's go to bed, please,” she begs as she drags you with her.

You begin whining again, reminding Bucky of your inebriated state. He shouldn't have let you kiss him. You're not going to remember any of this tomorrow. Guilt punches him in the gut. He's so fucking weak when it comes to you.

“I wanna sleep with Bucky,” you complain as you resist.

Natasha squawks. “What?!” Her eyes are as wide as saucers, flicking back and forth from you and Bucky. Sam fails to hide his snort.

“His bed is bigger,” you explain, “You take up too much space.”

Natasha gasps. “How dare you!”

You turn to Bucky with pleading eyes. “Bucky, please let me sleep with you.”

“I… I'm not sure that's a good idea,” he replies.

You stomp your foot. “Pleeeease?” Your pout is lethal. “I promise I won't take up too much space.”

Sam puts his hand over Nat’s mouth before she can start yelling, doing his best to frogmarch her into the hotel so they don't cause a disturbance. Steve follows languidly, which is the sign that he's quickly coming down from his drunken high and will likely crash the moment his head hits the pillow.

“You should just sleep in your room with Nat,” Bucky advises.

“I don't wanna sleep with her,” you say, stepping back into Bucky’s space. One of your hands grasps his shirt, the other trailing across his chest. He fights the shiver threatening to run down his spine. “I wanna cuddle you.”

You look up at him through your lashes and Bucky knows he's lost. He sighs. You grin and giggle, grabbing his hand to lead him inside the hotel. He's quiet the whole ride up in the elevator. Your head is resting on his shoulder, humming along to whatever song is playing in your head. You’re still holding his hand.

When you're both standing in front of his room door, Bucky pauses, about to try one last time to get you to go two rooms down to the one you're supposed to be sharing with Nat, but you snatch the key card out of his hand and open the door before a word can leave his mouth. He doesn't trust you to be alone right now, and with Sam babysitting Nat and Steve probably snoring away in his own room, Bucky accepts his fate. He enters the room, closing the door with resignation.

“Ugh, god, these heels are the worst,” you grumble as you trip your way over to sit on the bed. You fight with the small buckle before making a noise of complaint. “Buckyyy…”

“Jesus,” he mutters, huffing as he walks to you.

He kneels in front of you and carefully takes your shoes off. You hum, pleased, once your feet are free, wiggling your toes.

“Why do you wear them if you hate them so much?” he mumbles.

“Because they make my legs and ass look fantastic, duh.”

Well. That's fair, Bucky supposes.

“Can you unzip me now?”

Fuck. Bucky chokes on nothing.

“Unzip you? What are you planning on sleeping in? Your pajamas are in your room,” he points out.

“Can't I borrow one of your shirts?” you ask, blinking innocent eyes up at him.

He doesn't trust it one bit.

“Please, Bucky? My dress won't be comfortable.”

Your pout makes yet another appearance. He doesn't bother pointing out that you wouldn't have this problem if you went to your own room. You'd ignore him anyway.

“Fine,” he grumbles. He rifles through his bag to find a shirt for you, grabbing pajamas for himself while he's at it. “I'll go change in the bathroom.”

He turns to head that way, but you stop him.

“My dress,” you remind him, spinning around and pointing at the zip.

Bucky's pretty sure you could do this by yourself, but he's just ready to go to bed at this point, so he’ll do whatever he has to to get there. He tries not to put too much thought into the action, but his mind can't help but wander, imagining unzipping your dress with different intentions. The more skin that is revealed to him, the more his breathing picks up. He takes note that you didn't wear a bra with this dress, which makes him realize you'll be wearing his shirt with only your underwear beneath it. He curses mentally.

He steps away like he's been burned once the zipper reaches the bottom. “There you go,” he says, voice gruff.

He doesn't wait for your response, quickly escaping into the bathroom before anything else can be asked of him. It doesn't take Bucky long to change his clothes, but he still lingers in the small space to gather his wits, taking his time as he brushes his teeth, and even splashes some cold water on his face. He stares at himself in the mirror for a moment.

“She’ll forget all of this by morning,” he assures himself.

He's not fond of the way that statement makes his stomach twist.

When he leaves the bathroom, he finds your dress pooled on the floor in the same spot you stood as he unzipped it. You're standing next to the bed, fidgeting with the hem of Bucky’s shirt that hangs off your small frame. He raises a quizzical brow.

“I don't know which side you prefer,” you say, unsure.

Bucky feels himself soften at your expression. “I'm good either way.”

You dart for the left side, lifting the comforter and sheets and snuggling underneath them. Bucky's lips twitch, but he resists smiling.

“C’mon, Buck, I want cuddles,” you entice, patting the spot beside you exaggeratedly.

He only hesitates for a split second. It's late and exhaustion is settling in his bones. He’ll worry about consequences in the morning.

You waste no time in invading his space once he's in the bed. You nudge his arm until he lifts it, worming your way under it and placing your head on his chest, your own arm slung over his waist. Bucky goes still, holding his breath until you get comfortable. Slowly, he lets his arm fall across your back, closing his eyes with a heavy sigh.

“Bucky?” you whisper.

“Hm?”

You nuzzle into his pec. “Love you.”

Bucky's eyes snap open then. His heart begins hammering in his chest and he prays that you're close enough to sleep to not notice.

“Goodnight,” he rasps after a minute passes by.

Your only reply is a light snore. Bucky feels his heart crack in his chest.

~

The next morning, Bucky lies awake, staring at the ceiling. He's not sure exactly how much sleep he got, but it wasn't a lot. You only got clingier as you slept, practically wrapping your whole body around him.

Bucky is a weak, weak man.

Sunlight begins peeking through the curtains, eventually finding its way to the bed and across your closed eyes. A frown forms between your brows and he almost smoothes it with his thumb. The only reason he stops himself is because you groan and turn away before he can.

“Turn it off,” you croak.

“The sun?” he retorts with a laugh.

“Yes,” you reply derisively. “Kick its ass for waking me up.”

Bucky smiles to himself. “Whatever you want, my love.”

It feels like the room freezes in time after the endearment escapes him. With a jolt, you sit up and face him. Bucky can't read your expression, but that's mostly because he's doing his best to look anywhere but your face.

“Seriously?” you gripe. “You're still going to poke fun about that kind of shit even after what I said last night?”

That gets his attention pretty easily. He meets your gaze and hates the dejected look on your face.

“What–what are you talking about?” he questions, thrown.

Your chin wobbles slightly before you scoff, whipping the comforter off your body as you attempt to leave the bed, but Bucky sits up and grabs your wrist to stop you.

“Wait–”

“Let go of me,” you demand, refusing to look at him.

“Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on,” he replies firmly.

You turn to him with a glare. “You're still joking about my feelings for you, even though I made it perfectly clear how I felt last night.”

“Felt? You… you don't feel the same anymore?” He's grasping for straws here. “I thought–I mean, I didn't think you were serious. You were drunk, I…”

“It doesn't matter if I still feel the same or not,” you reply, the fight leaving your body.

“Yes, it does!” he exclaims. “God, of course it fucking matters. If you have feelings for me, I need to know.”

“Have I not made it abundantly clear already?!” you retort. “If you're that fucking dense, then here you go: I'm fucking in love with you, you big, stupid, gigantic ass–”

He cuts you off by dragging your body to his and kissing you. You make a sound of shock, but you don't push him away, so he deepens the kiss, tilting his head and flicking his tongue at the seam of your lips. You open for him with a gasp, your tongue meeting his and making you both moan. He pulls away, chest heaving.

“We're both stupid,” he declares. “I'm in love with you too. I thought you were the one not taking it seriously.”

Your dazed expression begins clearing and realization sets in. “Oh my god,” you mumble as you yank him back into a kiss that has him reeling.

“Do you know,” he starts between kisses, “how fucking hard it was—to be a gentleman last night?”

You giggle. “I was hoping you wouldn't be a gentleman.”

Bucky curses, manhandling you until you're flat on your back. “That can be arranged.”

“Promises, promises,” you goad, biting your lip.

“Exactly,” he replies, lips tugging into a smirk.

~

Needless to say, the two of you have to put up with merciless teasing for the rest of the trip… But it's worth it.

[imtryingbuck]

Thirty Five

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader

Summary: Bucky comes from a well respected family, he falls in love with a girl who prefers the simple things in life. Follow their journey through the years.

Word count: 5,082

Warnings: angst, heavy use of pet names. Swearing. Fluff. Mentions of miscarriage. Cheating mentioned. Divorced mentioned. Car crash/death mention very briefly. Hit and run.

A/N: No description of reader other than she has curly hair.

Masterlist   Series Masterlist

“Georgia get here right now”

“Nooo”

Y/n sat on the soft couch laughing at hearing Bucky chase their four year old daughter around trying desperately to get her to put her shoes on. His little princess as he affectionately calls her had better ideas. To run.

“Bunny please help control your daughter”

“Oh she’s just my daughter now is she?”

“Yep” popping the ‘p’ Bucky pops his head around the door “please Bun she’s too fast, I really don’t know how she moves so fast”

“And you really think I’m going to be able to catch her with this” gesturing to her large bump “in the way”

Georgia Maria Grace Winnie Barnes. The apple of their eyes, the little spitfire with so much energy coursing through her tiny little body. Named after George as she was born on her granddads birthday, George cried and felt honoured that not only was she being named after him but she decided it was time to arrive on his birthday.

Her middle names were after her three grandmas.

Y/n found out she was pregnant again for the third time, she was scared to be honest. Two years after Georgia was born she had gotten pregnant again, at nearly three months along she had woken up to really bad cramping scared and alone as Bucky was on a business trip she rang Winnie who rushed over as quickly as she could. By the time Winnie had arrived it was too late. Y/n had sadly lost the baby.

Winnie rang Bucky his heart broke when he could hear the cries of his wife in the background, telling Steve that he needed to take care of the meeting he got on the first plane back.

It took both of them months to come to terms with the loss of their baby.

With this pregnancy Bucky handled business from inside their home, he refused to go anywhere wanting to be close by. In a way Bucky became slightly overbearing as he wouldn’t let Y/n do anything on her own, he did everything for her, looked after Georgia with little help and looked after the house. Y/n knew it was because he cared and was scared of losing the baby so she didn’t complain.

Eight months along it wasn’t going to be too long until she gave birth.

“Please pretty mama”

“You’re going to have to help me up Ducky” helping her stand he thanked her and gave her a kiss. “Georgie moo come and get your shoes on or you’re not going to see Billy and Tommy”

“Noooo” Georgia screamed shortly followed by her footsteps pattering the lamented flooring. “Wan’ see Tommy and Billy mommy”

“Well let dada put your shoes on then and we can go and see them”

Doing as her mommy said she let her dada put her shoes on. As soon as the laces were tied she ran off again, this time going to the front door.

“You ready to go Bun?”

“Yep, lets go”

Pulling up to Wanda's and Vis’s home Georgia was already trying to get out of her car seat, begging her dad to hurry up.

“Hey wifey” Wanda's soft voice greeted Y/n. “In the backyard Butterfly” her nickname for Georgia. Knowing where the twins were she ran through the house and out to the backyard where Wanda’s and Vis’ children were.

“Hey hubby. Nat here?”

“Yeah, just give you a heads up her and Clint have already had an argument.”

“Great, who won?”

“Neither really, it was Laura who put a stop to it”

Natasha and Clint got married less than a year after Bucky, Steve and Sam had met them. Everything was perfect and they seemed to have a perfect marriage that was until Clint got a new job and that’s where everything started to become strained.

Coming home late at night sometimes stinking of whiskey, he became cold and distant with Nat, secretive with his phone. He preferred to spend most of his time at the office instead of being at home and trying to create a family just like they both had planned.

Y/n had lost count of how many times Nat would ring her late at night drunk and crying, slurring and stumbling over her words. Wanda the same. Nat wasn’t stupid by any means but she refused to believe what she already knew. What everyone knew.

Clint was having an affair.

The final straw that broke the camels back as the saying goes is when Clint didn’t arrive to the high end restaurant Nat had booked a table for them at. To celebrate their wedding anniversary. Nat rang Y/n knowing she was with Wanda at the time crying and begging for them to come to hers so she could pack her things. Told them she couldn’t do it anymore. The two best friends showed up as quickly as they could, nearly two hours of being there all three of them froze when they heard the front door open and close.

The silence was deadly when Clint came up to the bedroom after seeing the suitcases and bags packed in the living room. He asked what was going off, looked at Y/n and Wanda and told them to leave, Nat told them not to move so they didn’t. Wanda’s and Y/n’s eyes burnt a hole in the side of Clint’s neck, where a hickey was. He denied Nat’s accusations, telling her that she was overreacting. Told her that she was just being dramatic and that the long hours were for them, it was for their future.

Y/n was fed up with seeing Natasha struggle, having to hear her cries it broke her heart. The truth only came out when Y/n started laughing, fed up with how someone she considered one of her best friends could stand there and lie to his wife – her best friend all while he had a hickey on his neck. Pointing to the side of his neck he sighed in defeat.

Though he claimed they never did anything, he actually swore on his life and when he didn’t drop down dead like Y/n always thought would happen if you did that and you was lying, she believed him. He did admit that he had fallen in love with someone else, that the night of his anniversary that had marked seven years of marriage he was with this other woman, he had made out with her, he swore that he didn’t do anything else. Said he couldn’t because he had a wife. He had confessed to telling this other woman everything about him and his marriage with Natasha.

For Nat it was worse than if he had just said ‘yes I’ve been sleeping with someone else’ as he was emotionally connected to this other woman. The next day with Y/n and Wanda by her side she filed for divorce.

It was a slow and very messy process. Natasha wanting more money just out of spite, Clint wanting the house… so he could move the other woman in. It took nearly two years for the divorce to be finalised, in that time Clint had proposed to the other woman and already had one kid. When Y/n met Laura she really wanted to hate her, she did for the fact that she took Clint away from Natasha. But Laura had to be really nice didn’t she making it really hard on Y/n to hate the woman.

Three years after their divorce Clint and Natasha was always at loggerheads sometimes about the most stupidest of things, always trying to outdo the other despite Clint being ‘happily’ married to Laura and Natasha ‘happily’ dating Bruce. A man that she had met one night, great guy incredibly shy.

“Laura stopped them? I’m surprised she said anything”

“So was I but apparently it was upsetting the baby”

Oh yeah, Laura was pregnant with their third kid.

Laughing and shaking her head she linked arms with Wanda as Bucky trailed behind them. All their friends were outside, the kids all playing together. Y/n had just greeted Steve and Peggy – his girlfriend, nice woman, made Steve happy. Sam and Maria – his fiancée, like Peggy she was nice and she made Sam happy. Nat and Bruce.

“Y/n? Oh my god it is you”

Turning around at the sound of her name her jaw dropped. Literally.

“Pietro?”

“Yeah it’s me. Gosh you’re still as beautiful as ever”

“Pie I’m a married woman” Y/n laughed.

“So am I-wait-I’m married-I’m a married man”

“No, no, no you’re now a married woman, you said so yourself.”

“God you haven’t changed have you?”

“Nope. How are you?”

Catching up with Pietro after not seeing him in over ten years, the last time they saw each other was for Wanda and his parents funeral, car crash. Wanda took it exceptionally hard, Vis rang Y/n one night asking if Wanda was with her when he heard that she wasn’t he started to panic. It took the group splitting up to look for her, Y/n and Nat found Wanda on the beach drowning her sorrows with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

“Mommy-mommy look” Georgia gained her moms attention as she ran over to her.

“What is it sweetie?”

“Hand” holding out her hand for her daughter her eyes widened when Georgia put a large spider in the palm of her hand.

“Sweetie where did you get this from?”

“Tommy tried to hurt it”

“Oh, lets get him back to his home, yeah?”

Georgia nodded as tears started to gather in her eyes, Bucky always said that she took after Y/n when it came to protecting animals, and creepy crawlies. Yes even at thirty six he still called them that. When Georgia was two she waddled in to the kitchen making Winnie and Bucky scream so loudly it made Y/n jump up and went running to the kitchen, bumping into things as she went. Entering the kitchen she came to a halt when Georgia’s tiny beautiful face, her bright baby blue round eyes looking up at her mommy, her cheeks being puffed out by her wide smile, with one hand she pushed back the same untameable hair that she got from Y/n. “Doggy” she giggled as she raised her tiny chubby arm up.

It was indeed not a doggy but a grass snake. A two year old Georgia was holding up a snake as her grandma stood in the corner of the kitchen shaking and her father well… he was standing on top of the kitchen island… holding a rolling pin.

“Okay” Pietro helped Y/n stand, thanking him she held her hand out for Georgia to take and she led her to the far end of the garden.

“Here you go baby, put him on the grass and he’ll find his way home”

“Okay. Look mommy he going home”

“He sure is bubba”

“My friend” Georgia squealed as she watched the spider walk up the fence.

Yeah she was definitely Y/n’s daughter.

“Hey Y/n/n can I ask a huge mega favour from you and Bucky, please?”

“Sure Wands, what’s up?”

“Can you both look after the twins this weekend? Vis has a work trip and ever the gentlemen he has said I could come along…so…yes or double yes?”

“If I say yes do I only get one of them?”

“Which one would you prefer?”

“Billy.”

“Wow okay you answered that pretty quick”

“It was wasn’t it? But anyway of course we’ll take the twins for ever and ever an-“

“She’s not taking our kids forever Wan” Y/n laughs as Vis cuts her off in the background.

“I’m sorry wifey its only for this weekend, Vis is being mardy”

“Shoot. Bring them around when you want-hold on there’s a knock at the door.” Struggling to stand she waddles to the front door, opening she rolls her eyes.

“Really Wanda?”

“Oh hi didn’t expect to see you here, long time no see huh. Anyway here are your godsons, boys be good for Auntie and I’ll see you both on Sunday. Love you all”

Shaking her head at her best friend, she goes to tell the boys to come in when she glances down they’re not there but behind her.

“Where is Georgia?” Tommy asks as he looks around.

“Gone to see her grandma and granddad, they’ll be back soon don’t worry”

Though the twins were a year older Tommy and Georgia were best friends. Tommy was the loud one out of the twins, the one that liked to explore and play in the mud, the one that got all the attention. It was one of the reasons Georgia got on well with him as she was just the same. Billy was the quieter one, preferred to have his head in his comics, his latest fascination was with a group of super heroes that were called The Avengers. People had a tendency of overlooking Billy because of how quiet he always was but not Y/n, Billy made her cry once when he told her that she was his favourite. Whenever he wanted a new comic book she always happily took him to the comic book store that opened on Maple Drive, always happy to spend time with her favourite godson. Don’t judge her for having favourites.

“Can I play in her play room?”

“Okay but don’t break anything!” she shouts as he started running when she said ‘okay’ “What about you Billiam, what do you want to do?”

“My names Billy Auntie not Billiam” the five year old whined with a small shy smile on his lips.

“That’s what Billy’s short for monkey, didn’t you know?”

“No it isn’t”

“It is Bilbo I’d never lie to you. So what do you want to do?”

“Ca-can we look at the photos some more please?”

The last time the twins were around Tommy and Georgia was keeping Bucky busy by destroying things and Billy was curled up in Y/n’s side as they went through the many photo albums she had.

“Of course my sweet Billiam, but you’ll have to get them, bottom shelve remember?”

“I remember Auntie”

Sitting down on the couch she watches Billy pull out two of the photo albums from the top of the pile and brings them over, handing them to her he climbs on the couch next to her.

“Who’s that?” Billy asked when he saw a black and white photo of Y/n’s mama, proudly telling him who she was his face contorted in confusion “But grandma Maria is your mom and that’s not her” the boys were just months old when Maria passed away but grew up hearing stories about her, they started to call her grandma as well.

“Well sweetheart I’m adopted”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m not really grandma Maria and granddad Howard’s daughter but they became my parents when they signed some papers”

“Where did your mom go?”

“She’s with grandma Maria and your grandparents”

“Oh. Look auntie its Georgia” he points at a picture, she laughed.

“That isn’t Georgia bub, its me” it was the only photo she had of herself when she was Georgia’s age, and even then she was sporting a black eye in the photograph.

“No it isn’t, its Georgia”

“It isn’t I swear I’m not lying to you”

“It looks like her and not you”

“She does look like me when I was younger doesn’t see?”

“Yeah, she’s pretty though”

Rude. Wait…what?

There was a bet going to see whether or not Tommy and Georgia would date when they got older, everyone thinks that they would as they are so similar to each other and always spend every chance they got with each other.

But Billy, the sly little fox might be the one who takes Georgia’s heart.

“Do you think she’s pretty bubba?”

“I do” his cheeks turn a shade of bright red “But she’s friends with Tommy not me”

“She’s your friend too Billy”

Just as he’s about to reply the front door opens and Georgia’s voice echoes throughout the house. “Honey I’m home” she giggles, it’s what Bucky always says when he returns home from work or meeting the guys.

“Hi Billy” she waves when she sees him “hi baby” she then says coming over to Y/n her hands going straight to her mommy’s belly.

“H-h-hi G-Geor-“

How on earth did she miss that? Billy always became a stuttering mess whenever Georgia was around...

“Georgia your back, come play” Tommy interrupts his twin, before Y/n can say anything Georgia runs over to Tommy and they both run out of the room.

“Hey pretty mama, hey kiddo” Bucky greets his wife and godson.

“Hi Uncle Bucky” Billy replies quietly, he slides the photo album off Y/n’s stomach closing it carefully before climbing off the couch and puts the photo album back.

The next day Y/n and Bucky treated the kids to a day out, the sun shined brightly in the clear blue sky as Bucky pushed Georgia and Tommy on the swings. Y/n sat with Billy on a bench, she had told him that he could play too but he opted to stay with her, feeling guilty at Billy’s glum expression she told got Bucky’s attention.

“Ducky, I’m nipping to the store do you want anything?”

“A bottle of water please Bun”

“Okay, I’m taking Billy with me. Come on Billy Bob, I’m kidnapping you”

“What that mean?”

“Never mind”

Holding his hand she walks across the road and up the street, he went to turn into the store that he knew sold water and frowned when Y/n told him ‘not just yet’. Further up the street was a new comic book store, she had seen it a few days back when she was driving to pick up Georgia from Howards, she made a mental note to make sure she took Billy there next time she had him.

The way Billy’s face lit up when he saw the sign warmed her heart, giving him a nod he let go of her hand and ran up to the window. “Look auntie look!”

In the store was large cardboard cut-out of the Avengers, Billy’s new favourite super heroes. “Want to take a photo with them?”

“Really?”

“Of course, and if you take a silly photo with me you can get two new comics, how does that sound?”

“YOU’RE THE BEST AUNTIE!”

“I know, I know. Come on then”

Letting him push open the door – with some help from her – he ran straight up to the super heroes, staring at them in awe. “Billy give me your super hero pose then” taking out her phone she took multiple photos of him standing next to each hero. The worker Ron came over and pushed them all together so Billy could have a group photo, Y/n asked Ron if he could take a photo of the pair of them he nodded happily.

“Right Bilbo silly faces now”

“Okay”

Billy stuck his tongue out and pulled out his ears whilst Y/n stuck out her tongue too and crossed her eyes.

“Thank you so much”

“No need to thank me Miss, it’s nice to see kids enjoy comics” and with that Ron walked back over to the checkout.

“Right Billiam since you did the silly photo with me, you can pick out two new comics”

“Thank you. Thank you”

Billy went straight to the Avengers section and picked out one before running all over the store to find his next comic. Hand in hand with his pick he came bouncing over to where Y/n was stood waiting as she sent all the photos in the group chat the group was in.

“I picked”

“Are you happy with your choices?”

“Yep”

“Okay sweet boy lets go and pay”

Standing behind a man who was being served Y/n noticed Billy’s eyes going to the second comic he had picked out to behind the counter and back again. “Bill what’s up?”

“T-they have new Avengers comic” pointing to behind the counter “bu-but I want this one” showing her New X-Men Volume 3: New Worlds comic he had picked.

“I thought you picked out an Avengers one?”

“Last one, that ones new”

“Oh, which one do you want more?”

“I don’t know…I get these” he stands on his tippy toes to place them on the counter as it was their turn to be served. Billy was always like that, he wouldn’t be screaming and having a tantrum if he wasn’t able to get all three not like Tommy, one time in a store with Wanda he threw himself on the ground because he wasn’t allowed to get two chocolate bars, Billy even told him that he could have his but that wasn’t good enough for Tommy. In the end he got his own way and got two chocolate bars, whilst Billy only got the one, then Tommy stole his.

Ron handed the plastic bag over to Billy who thanked him, he walked over to the Avengers cut out to say goodbye, just before putting her card in the machine she asked Ron for the new comic. She was going to surprise him. Paying and saying her thanks she walked over to Billy.

“Come on bubba”

“Thank you auntie Y/n”

“Don’t thank me just yet” Once out of the store Billy went to hold Y/n’s hand but something was in his way. “Oh what must that be?”

“I-I-It-AVENGERS!” his scream startled an old couple that was walking past.

“Am I the best or am I the best?”

“BEST AUNTIE EVER! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU”

“Bilbo sweetie calm down” she laughed at his reaction, the way he held the comic in his shaking hands “Hold my hand so we can get uncle Bucky his water and when we get back to mine you can read them”

Hand in hand they went to the store getting Bucky his drink, one for her and one for each of the kids, Billy talking enthusiastically about his new comics, she paid and they left. Looking over the road she saw Bucky standing by the bench her and Billy had previously occupied, tapping his watch his eyebrow flicked up, Billy had seen the gesture and held up his bag containing his prizes with a huge smile on his lips. Bucky laughed and shook his head fondly.

Looking both ways twice seeing no cars around before crossing, a loud screeching sound pierced her ears. It all happened in slow motion.

Turning her head to the right she saw a grey car speeding towards them, not thinking she pushed Billy in front making him tripping over and landing in the space between two parked cars. She had no time to move herself.

She heard Bucky yelling her name, the word laced with fear and panic

The impact was hard enough to send her tumbling over the roof of the speeding car. Landing on her back in the middle of the road her eyes desperately trying to find Billy, she breathed a breath of relief when she saw him with two elderly women, one of them on the phone the other keeping Billy’s face buried in her stomach.

“B-Bunny-baby keep those eyes open-Bunny don’t go to sleep-an ambulance is on its way-bab-baby no no keep your fucking eyes open Y/n! I mean it-Bun you c-can’t leave me”

Y/n could hear her Ducky pleading with her to stay awake and she tried, she really did but she was so tired.

So, so, so tired.

Her eyes burned as she opened them, her body ached everywhere, the memories of what happened came back in snippets. Taking Billy to the comic book store and going to get drinks for everyone, the grey car, said grey car hitting them. Billy bleeding. Billy was bleeding.

Shooting straight up she groaned in pain. Billy was bleeding. The blood on his little legs.

“Bun lay back down baby-Steve get the doctor-Bunny lie bac-“

“B-Bil-Billy” she croaked out.

“He’s fine baby, I promise just lay back down sweet girl”

“W-where’s Billy?”

“He’s just outside with Wanda and Vis. He’s okay I promise”

“He was r-ran over, blood Ducky, h-he was bleeding”

“Y/n, Billy wasn’t ran over baby. You was.”

Oh. As long as her godson was okay it was fi-

“T-the baby Bucky”

“He’s okay too Bunny, perfect honestly”

“He? Ducky…we ha-have a son?”

“We do Bun, he’s okay, Billy’s okay, you’re going to be okay. Please lie down baby”

They have a son. They decided not to know what the gender was as they didn’t with Georgia, hearing that they had a son and that he was okay, perfect as Bucky said made her listen to Bucky when he told her to lie down.

“Wh-where is he?”

“ma, dad and your dad is with him, he’s small Bun but doctors said that he’s perfectly healthy.”

“Georgia?”

“Outside with everyone. Don’t worry about anything okay? Just relax”

The doctor came in after Bucky had finished telling her to relax, he went over the extent of her injuries but she wasn’t real listening her mind on her baby boy that she hasn’t even met yet. She did hear the doctor tell her that she was very lucky to be alive, with her injuries, having to have an emergency C-section done in the back of the ambulance, the loss of blood, she was very lucky.

Hit and run.

She had missed the birth of her son because some idiot was speeding and he didn’t have the decency to stop just to check if she was okay. When the police had caught the driver he was unlicensed, drunk and high.

She missed the birth of her son because an idiot didn’t know right from wrong.

With her body throbbing despite the pain meds she drifted in and out of sleep, when Howard got word that she was awake he came barrelling through the door panting heavily. He held his daughter in his arms and cried, the thought of having to bury his daughter made his chest squeeze tightly. And it was a good job he was with George and Tony at the time he got that phone call as his legs collapsed underneath him.

She had fallen asleep in her dads arms and when she woke again he had gone back to see his only grandson. One by one everyone came into the room but under strict orders by the doctor that it could only be one at a time.

Bucky went to get Georgia who squealed at seeing her mommy for the first time in what felt like forever to the both of them. “Mommy, mommy”

“Hi baby, oh how I’ve missed you!” Georgia practically jumped out of Bucky’s arms and started to climb all over Y/n.

“Princess be careful” Bucky lightly scolded as he saw Y/n flinching at the four year old climbing over her.

“Mommy” is all she said. Taking her moms face in her tiny hands she placed kissed all over her mommys face. She’s seen Bucky do it plenty of times so of course she copies him.

“Did you miss me baby?”

“Miss you, miss you”

Georgia finally settles on Y/n’s chest and slowly falls asleep, Winnie came in an hour later so she could take Georgia home, not forgetting to give her sleeping daughter-in-law a kiss on her forehead.

When Wanda came in she burst into another fit of tears, she hadn’t stopped crying from the moment she had heard that her best friend had been ran over and not only that but she had saved her son.

“Y/n/n I-I will never be able to repay you f-for saving Billy” she stuttered, holding her best friends hand.

“D-don’t be silly Wands, he’s my godson”

“Billy wants to see his favourite auntie, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course I want to see him”

A few minutes after Wanda left the door came back open revealing her godson, he stumbled when he saw the bruises and cuts on his auntie. Bucky noticed and got up and knelt down in front of him.

“She’s okay buddy”

“R-really?”

“Yes bud, auntie Y/n is super strong-“

“Li-like an Avenger?”

“Exactly like an Avenger, do you want to come over?” Billy nodded but made no attempt to move forward “want me to pick you up bud?” nodding once again Bucky picked his godson up and placed him on his hip.

“There’s my Billiam, how are you baby?”

“I-I-I’m sorry a-auntie Y-Y/n-“

“Hey-hey none of that, it isn’t your fault sweetheart. You did nothing wrong.”

“I-I saw the baby auntie”

“You did? Is he cute?”

“No” Billy giggled causing Y/n and Bucky to join in.

“Have you read any of your comics?”

“N-no”

“Well climb in and read to me then monkey” Bucky gently places the five year old next to his wife and pulls the blanket over him and nips out of the room to grab the bag containing the comic, when Billy tells him which one he wanted Bucky took it out and handed it over to him.

Three pages in and Billy taps his uncle Bucky on his knee, pointing and quietly giggling at seeing his auntie Y/n asleep.

Two days after waking up for the first time after the accident the doctors gave Y/n permission to go down to where her baby was, Bucky helped her in to the wheelchair and started going the route he had become familiar with over the six days since the accident had happened, the one where he nearly lost his wife and baby.

“Are you ready Bunny?” he asked as he came to a stop outside the door.

“I’m ready Ducky”

The nurse opens the door and Y/n’s wheeled in, seeing her dad and parents-in-laws standing there with smiles on their faces.

And there he was. Their beautiful baby boy, small like Bucky said but looked so strong. His hair curly and the same shade of brown as Bucky’s. It was as if he sensed his parents he opened his eyes and turned to face them.

His eyes blue as the ocean and as wide just like Georgia’s were.

“Oh Ducky he’s precious”

“He is indeed Bunny, our precious little boy”

“Have you two got a name for the little fella?” Winnie asks wondering what her grandson was to be called.

Y/n looked up at Bucky who smiled down at her, nodding. Though they didn’t know the gender that had already picked out names.

“Jamie Howard Anthony Barnes”

<Previous   Next>

Tags: @cjand10 @unaxv @mcira @bisexualnikkisixx @kneelforloki @kandis-mom @sagebarness @sandyruston @scott-loki-barnes @nikkivillar @saltedcoffeescotch @scentedharmonymiracle @examinarei @sarcastickiddo @sadboiabby @unholyhuntress @8crazy-freak8 @ijustneedpopcorn @moonbeampillgoth @imcinnamoons @elmo-1066 @violetwinterwidow01 @suz7days @adoredire @ozwriterchick @randomrosie01 @mrs-bucky-barnes-73 @emerald-writes @justafangir1 @sibsteria @spencerreidisagorgman @sapphirebarnes @bruher @hawkinsavclub1983 @onlyonetifosi @parisadams @unabashedstarlightcrown @nash-dara @allofffmypeaches @loki-laufeyson68 @behindmygreyeyes @missvelvetsstuff @pigeonmama @lizslibrary @gloriouspurpose01 @gaya-is-weird-af

[buckyalpine]

Catch Me If You Can 2/3

Mob!Bucky x single mom police officer

I am so happy you all loved these two so here is more from this AU. I had the story half in mind but wasn’t sure if people would feel it, once again, LMK if you want more! 

Warnings: fluffffff, single mom reader, crappy ex, Mob Bucky is a whole ass warning 

Part 1

Part 3 

-

You woke up to the smell of fresh coffee, sun pouring in the giant room, your body still aching from the night before but the peaceful rest proved to be helpful. You smiled at the steaming cup that sat by your bedside table, picking up the hand drawn card that was placed beside it; giant heart coloured red was in the middle with the words Get Well Soon decorated in bold letters. You grinned, opening the card to read your sons hand writing. 

Dear mommy,

Get well soon. Uncle Bucky says he took good care of you and that you’ll arrest him once you’re all better. He bought me a kinder egg. He seems nice. Maybe give him a running head start. 

Love and kisses and cuddles,

Jordan 

PS: Can we stay a little longer? Peter is still trying to beat me in Mario Kart

On the side of the card were a bunch of other messages, each signed by Bucky’s men. You shook your head at the signatures, your son having asked every one of Bucky’s men to sign the card, well wishes from them all scattered across the paper. A knock at the door broke you away from the card as Bucky peeked in, happy to see you were awake. 

“Where did he get art supplies” You snorted, while Bucky walked in, carrying a tray of eggs and toast. You whispered a quiet thank you as he set it down for you, taking a seat by the edge of the bed. 

“Had Steve pick some up” Bucky couldn't help but chuckle, remembering the way your son had asked him to sign the card before proceeding to go around the house with a glittery pen. 

“He loves to draw” you hummed, tracing over the bright, colourful letters on the smooth paper, the materials clearly from a higher quality art store. As nice as everything was at the moment, tension lingered in the air; the question of how you ended up in this position in the first place still left unanswered. 

“What happened” Bucky spoke softly while you turned away not meeting his gaze. Your jaw clenched as your hand skimmed over the bandage that covered your gash, a dull ache still radiating through your side. 

“It was-nothing” You lied poorly, unsure of to explain the situation to Bucky of all people, “Just some people trying to scare me” 

He didn’t believe it for a second. 

“This was personal doll” Bucky tilted your chin to meet his eyes, knowing damn well even some of the more unruly gang members in the area wouldn’t dare attack a police officer in their home, especially when they had a child. “Who hurt you”

“It doesn’t matter” You shook your head feeling helpless, knowing the problem wasn’t something you’d ever be able to easily get rid of. Bucky chewed his lip, deciding not to press the matter further but he couldn’t help the curiosity that still picked his brain. 

“Jordan came to me...didn’t call 911″ He cocked his head, wondering why your son would chose to come to  his club over easily calling 911 to help you, something you would have surely taught him. (Especially after he had kidnapped him...)

“He goes to people he can trust” You stated, nibbling on the toast, groaning at the grin that spread across Bucky’s face, “Don’t get it twisted, that doesn't mean I trust you” 

“Of course, officer” 

God, he was such a little shit. You hated the way his charming laugh made your insides giddy along with the way he was taking care of both you and your son. As if he could read your thoughts on que, he spoke before you could mentioning leaving. “Stay a little longer”

“Bucky-”

He shook his head, not letting you speak further, urging you to finish breakfast instead. 

“Your home was compromised, the locks were broken off. Let Sam and Steve clear some stuff up a bit and reinstall some new locks. They’re on it right now” 

You wanted to protest but you also knew there was no arguing with him, if all past encounters with his illegal antics proved anything. When he set his mind to something, he did it. This was one of the few times you were secretly happy he was so hard headed. 

“Alright” You smiled softly, cocking your brow at the smirk that danced on his lips immediately after. 

“Can’t promise I won’t give myself a spare, doll” Bucky winked leaving you to finish eating and rest up while he quietly made his way out to make sure your house was taken care of. 

As promised, Sam and Steve had gone above and beyond, cleaning and patching up all the damages, including replacing the broken photo frames that were smashed to bits. The locks they added were far stronger than the ones you had from the Home Depot, clearly purchased from somewhere you had no idea existed. Bucky had dropped you home along with a very excited Jordan who felt like he had Christmas twice this year, hauling bags of art supplies behind him.

“Y’know this changes nothing” You reminded him,  your cheeks warming up at the way he bit his lip, giving you a cocky smirk. 

Little shit. 

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, doll” 

*****

As expected, gang activity was back up and you were back to your job of investigating the latest nonsense Bucky was up to. You seemed to still be the only one concerned about stopping what he was doing while the rest of the department pretended not to see a damn thing. Most of the day would alternate between you trying to do your job and being told to lay off the mob boss. 

The worst was the little traitor that lived under your own roof. 

“Uncle Bucky is kinda like Batman” Jordan stated while you gave him a pointed look, continuing to make him breakfast which now consisted of scrambled eggs and toast, just like how uncle Bucky makes them. 

“Explain”  You knew you were going to regret asking as soon as it came out of your mouth.

“Well, he’s rich. Very rich. He likes to help people. He wears a suit. He stops the bad guys”

“He is a bad guy Jordan” You had your hands on your hip, challenging Bucky’s latest swimfan. 

“But the badder guys! That has to count for something” He peeked at you with hopeful eyes before turning back to his toast, nervously poking at it. “Can I play with Peter?” 

“Peter” You frowned, not remembering any of Jordan’s friends with that name. “Peter who?”

“Paarkerr” He drawled out, blinking up at you while you connected the pieces together, your eyes growing wide. 

“Absolutely not” 

“But moooom” Jordan gave you his best puppy pout, “None of the kids in my class are as good, you told me I should challenge myself” 

“That doesn’t mean you find competition in the house of the Mafia, Jordan!” You scoffed while he slumped his shoulders, hopping off his chair to get ready for school. You knew he was guilting you, acting as if you had refused to feed him for the rest of his life, staring out the car window like a sad puppy on his way to the pound. You kissed him goodbye, promising him you’d “think about it” before driving over to the prescient, most of the day filled with paperwork, a part of your actually thinking about letting Jordan play video games with Peter before you shook some sense back into your head. 

Just because he saved you once didn’t mean you had to let your son play with his junior henchmen. 

*****

You sipped on some tea as evening rolled around after helping Jordan with homework, the rest of his night spent using the newest fancy art supplies he’d gotten. You no longer paid attention to the show on TV, frowning at the unmarked truck that had circled the block twice. Then three times. You carefully reached for a gun tucked under the sofa and stood by the side of the window just out of sight. The SUV came to a stop near your driveway; uncalled for butterflies erupting in your tummy when you realized who it was. 

Bucky stepped out of the truck while you opened the door, your son much quicker than you, slipping past your arm and darting straight outside. 

“Uncle Bucky!!” Jordan grinned, bounding towards the all black SUV, ignoring your calls for him to slow down, maybe not run with so much passion and admiration for a man who had once kidnapped him and taken care of you and nursed you back to health and changed your locks and why the hell were you feeling hot and fuzzy right now. 

“Hey kid” Bucky smiled while you huffed, making your way over, poorly masking the smile that tugged at your lips. 

“Did you get lost Barnes, or were you here to kidnap me today instead?” You teased while Jordan slipped back into the truck to talk to his second favorite “Uncle” Steve. 

“You wound me doll, y’know, I’m not just a heartless gang leader” his facial expression almost the exact same as what Jordan had given you earlier. “Just came to see how you were” He said sincerely, not realizing his heart rate had calmed as soon as he saw you and your little one safe in your home. 

“We’re safe” You nodded, your heart fluttering at the way his gaze softened, scanning the area just to be sure there wasn’t anyone he didn’t recognize lingering near by. 

“Good to know” Bucky murmured, giving you a once over before getting back in the truck and leaving for the night. He didn’t like that he was still in the dark over what your story was. He didn’t like not knowing who hurt you; they were still out there and it made him sick. You didn’t deserve that. Jordan didn’t deserve that. You didn’t need to know that he had done some digging, learning a bit more about you but not enough to get answers. 

You also didn’t need to know that his unannounced visits were more frequent that you realized, sometimes a car circling around Jordan’s school, sometimes a quick roll around the block at midnight. 

Steve and Sam were only able to contain themselves for so long, making their own betting pool over how this would all end. 

They hoped it’d end with them getting a nephew. 

Maybe one day. 

*****

6 missed calls

4 voicemails

100+ text messages

Your jaw clenched watching your phone ring again, the No Caller ID screen shining bright as you ignored the call. Of course you still had the other issue to deal with. One that you had kept hidden ever since you moved to the city. One that had followed and found you over and over again, even after you managed to change your number and address.

The nightmare never stopped.

“You gonna get that? Someone’s been trynna to reach you all day” Your boss piqued as he walked by, curiously eyeing your phone that had been ringing the entire morning and afternoon, eventually muffled when you stuffed it in your bag.  

“It’s fine” You gave him a tight lipped smile, waiting for him to pass by before calling your son’s school and making sure he was still there, informing them to not let anyone else pick him up but you. 

As you drove home with him, you were on edge, your nerves ready to snap, heart rate spiking erratically. Jordan chatted your ear off about how he was still the reigning champion of his video game but you couldn’t help but feel a sense of uneasiness, the same feeling you got the day Bucky rescued you. The same day you were attacked. 

You just knew. 

The front door was still locked as you inserted the key. 

The lights were all still turned off.

But you knew. 

The hairs on your neck stood up as soon as you entered your home, the smell of alcohol enough for you to know who was already inside.

“Babycheeekss” 

Your stomach flipped, the blood in your veins turning into ice as he stepped out from the shadows, his feet crunching over the glass from the window he had broken into. 

Not again. 

“Baby, go upstairs” you whispered to your son, who was reluctant to leave your side, refusing to look at the man that was supposedly his father. You nudged him, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze urging him to leave; the last thing you needed was for him to be further traumatized. Jordan shakily made his way up, stopping at the top of the stairs so he’d still be able to see you, reaching for the baseball bat he had kept by his room. 

Uncle Bucky would be proud of me, he thought, his small hands tightening around the handle, fiercely protective over his mama. 

“Why are you here” You hissed, flashbacks clouding your mind over the way he had broken into your house and didn’t take no for an answer. 

He’d rather have you dead than live peacefully single. 

“To see my son” Your ex shrugged, taking another casual step towards you while you backed up, slowly reaching for your gun. “I mean, he is my son, isn’t he? Unless you think there’s reason to believe he isn’t” Andrew sneered, while you scoffed, your hands trembling, hoping Jordan was safe in his room before you drew your weapon. The last thing you needed was for him to get hurt while protecting the both of you. 

Before you could do anything,  the front door swung open with a bang, your ex’s eyes growing wide, frozen in place, focused on the man that was now behind you. 

You turned around, gasping at the soft baby blue eyes that were peering down at you, his pink lips this time with a deep frown instead of his typical boyish smirk. Bucky gently tugged your arm, pulling you behind him, keeping you far away from your ex who was staring daggers at the both of you. 

“What the fu-”

“Stay away from her” Bucky growled while you ex scoffed, taking a step forward instead. 

“And who the hell are you? Her latest fuck? A new boytoy to play with?” Your ex challenged, unable to hide the quiver in his voice. If not for the seriousness of the situation, Bucky would have laughed. It was a valid question. Who was he to you anyway?

“Mommy?” Jordan padded down the stairs, instantly rushing to your side, his worries washing away when he saw who had come to the rescue. 

“Stay upstairs Jordan” You tried to urge him back upstairs but he stayed rooted in place, not willing to leave if there was someone trying to hurt you. 

“Let me see my son-” Andrew tired to take a step forward but Bucky wasn't having any of it, keeping the both of you behind him, and pushing your ex away. 

“Don’t” Bucky growled, keeping his itching hands away from his gun. It would have taken him all but 1 second to put a bullet between Andrews eyebrows and have the body disposed of within the half hour but he didn’t want to either of you to have to witness that. 

“Hey bud” Your ex tried to reach out for Jordan again, hoping he’d get some leverage if he got him in his hands. “C’mon, you missed me, didn’t ya?” 

Jordan trembled, his small hand clutching onto the back of Bucky’s suit jacket, the other still holding his bat. He shook his head, tightening his grip when he saw the anger flash across his fathers eyes. Bucky reached behind, taking your hand in his, holding it firmly in his grip hoping to ground you. 

“Leave” Bucky stared at your ex, nodding towards the door, giving him a final warning to leave with his life. Andrew glared at him before narrowing his eyes at you and Jordan while he silently left, the look he gave you telling you this wouldn’t be the last time he’d see you. Or so he thought. 

As soon as he was out the door, Bucky immediately turned to you, his hand cupping your face, scanning you up and down for any signs of injury, his features softening when he didn’t see anything. 

“You’re coming with me” Bucky stated, taking your hand in his again, ignoring the way his heart was still beating out of his chest. You wanted to argue against it but you didn’t feel safe in your own home and a hotel didn’t exactly seem like a safer option. 

Perhaps sleeping with the enemy wasn’t so bad...

At least sleeping at his house. 

You cocked an eyebrow, glancing at the door that was perfectly in tact, no signs of a forced entry from when Bucky entered the house. How the hell did he get in. 

“How did you-”

“Told you I’d make myself a spare” Bucky grinned, twirling a small gold key between his fingers, itching to wrap his arms around you. He squeezed his hand to his side instead, letting you go up to pack some things to take to his place while he waited for you outside. 

-

You had agreed to stay at his place until the window as fixed and a security system was installed throughout your house.

Then you agreed to stay for an additional week just to be safe.

Then that turned into two weeks to make sure Jordan was extra safe. 

Then that turned into three weeks while Bucky took care of business. He didn’t tell you what that meant but he promised you’d never have to worry about Andrew again. 

The nature of your relationship was confusing.

You spent time with Bucky, sometimes with Jordan and sometimes all by yourself while both boys ditched you to do something that would probably leave you reeling. There had even been a number of times where Bucky himself had gone to pick up Jordan from school, your little one more than happy to ride in the huge dark truck, any chance he got. 

You had no idea what to do with yourself, screaming internally on a daily basis, wondering why someone who did 101 illegal things a day made you feel giddy, feel safe, feel butterflies, all while quietly tossing a body off into the lake. 

It didn’t matter what you felt. 

It didn’t matter than his charming smile made you melt.

It didn’t matter than he took care of you in every way possible, not once looking at you in a way that was disrespectful. 

Nothing mattered. 

You were both still too different for anything to happen. 

Sweet as Bucky was, nothing would happen between the both of you.

That's just how things had to be. 

You reminded yourself that every night, whenever Jordan rambled on for hours over how much fun he had with uncle Bucky, how he taught him self defense, bought him more art supplies, beat Peter at video games again, got used as a human volley ball between uncle Steve and Sam. 

That's just how things had to be.

Then why were you still in his house. 

- 

“I don’t think I like the name Uncle Bucky anymore” 

“You don’t, huh?” Bucky smirked at his little side kick, your son no longer paying attention to his homework which he now often did in Bucky’s office. He took a sip from his apple house, swirling the ice around the glass cup just as Bucky did with his whiskey, taking another long drag before setting it down. 

“We look alike” Jordan stated, looking up at the mob boss while they both sat on the office couch, neither of them focused on their work anymore. Jordan reached over for the kinder egg that sat on the table, a treat Bucky had bought him for doing well on his math test. 

“We do” Bucky nodded, while Jordan smiled in satisfaction, munching on the chocolate, scooting over a little closer to Bucky. 

“Some people say you look like my dad” He spoke a little more quietly this time, inching closer until he was pressed against Bucky’s side. 

“Uh-huh” Bucky watched Jordan curiously while he assembled the toy, chewing on his bottom lip. 

“Sooo...”

“Soo?” Bucky waited for him to continue while Jordan fidgeted with his kinder egg toy, his eyes now trained on his lap, worried about what the answer would be. 

“Can I call you dad instead?” His voice was small, wavering slightly, unsure how Bucky would react. He held his breath, not daring to look anywhere else, hoping his request wouldn’t upset the mob boss. He didn’t need to know that he’d already been calling Bucky dad in his head for a while.

What would da-uncle Bucky say? 

Tags: @glxwingrxse @hungryyeyess @sebsgirl71479 @beabutterfly987 @teambarnes72 @witchywhore @jamesbuckybarneswify @slutforsexyseabass @chrisdrysdale @littlemarvelmenfan @buggy14 @whimsyplaty92 @sergntbarnes @inkedaztec @pono-pura-vida @moonlightreader649 @brooklynscherry-z @elle14-blog1 @justsebstan @littlelightnings @happyt0exist @emmabarnes @bethyruth @matchat3a @cjand10 @getwellsoontana @cherryschaos @lokisasgardianvampirequeen @ashenc-blog @buckybarnessimpp @potatothots @goldylions @high-functioning-lokipath @morganemorganite-blog @kingfleury @peaches1958 @spiderman-stilinski @peaceinourtime82 @gublur @wintersmelodie @geeky-politics-46 @lolawassad @almosttoopizza @a-poor-gryffindork @alternativeprincess @buckycallsmeaslut @kamaria-sweet-writes @charmedbysarge @xnorthstar3x @kryoee7 @alina02 @gh0stgurl @polishprincess999 @jessybarnes @alltheficsiwant @chemtrails-club @eralen @perdidosbucky-yyo @clqrosmgc   @buckybarnessweetheart   @pandaxnienke   @manyfandomsfanvergent

[world-of-aus]

All I'll Ever Need

Pairing: Bull Rider!Bucky x Reader

Warnings: None.

Author's Note: I've been in my cowboy, bullrider funk and I needed this out! I hope you all enjoy this piece, as always happy reading! Now back to my dark cave, I go.

It’s a high live event tonight, the grounds large enough for not only the main attraction bull riding, but the other rodeo sports being held this evening. You work your way through the crowd, the boy on your hip wiggling around in hopes to get higher to spot his father over the large crowd. You hike the brown haired, grey-eyed boy higher on your hip, the excitement coursing through his tiny body as you cross the arena grounds. Natasha and Wanda had texted you minutes prior after having parked the truck that they had just barely managed to secure the four of you good seats in the stands overlooking the ground.

Squeezing your way through the masses your feet meet the stands wooden stairs, you climb them carefully till your standing on the landing looking left then right as you look for your group. “Look!” Your attention is directed by the six-year-old over to the farthest corner on the right, Wanda and Natasha waving at the two of you wildly with their hats, Bucky standing tall behind them on the iron gates.

Grant snatches the hat that matches his dad’s off his head, waving it around just as wildly as his aunts. A sharp whistle pierces the air the boy’s eyes snapping past the awaiting women to the matching pair of cerulean blue waiting for him, how he hadn’t seen his father yet surprises you, but the boy becomes a bucking bronco in your hold till you’re releasing him from your grip. His form slips from your body as he runs through the stands to where his father awaits perched.

You chase after him, excusing yourself past the other patrons already in their seats. Natasha waits for the tiny brunette who is feet ahead of you with open arms, his body falling into his aunts hold as she hoists him high, his hat surpassing the both of them as he lets out a squeal of joy. He reaches for his father next, who takes him in even stronger arms squeezing his son to his broad chest.

You nearly falter in your steps at the sight, your heart racing, body warming at the sight before you. The bond the two shared was unlike any other you had experienced. Bucky Barnes had a hard time believing he could be the father his son needed when his mother just up and left two months into Grants first year of life, but he had proven himself wrong time and time again. There’s amazement in Grants eyes and love in Buckys as he explains to his son all about the ongoing events.

You close the distance saddling up next to Natasha as you hear Bucky’s promise to Grant to take him riding for the first time this week that he had off. “I’m all your’s bud, whaddya say? Uncle Steve and Sam can help too, aunt Wanda and Natasha can bring your favorite snacks.”

“Can y/n come too daddy, can she!” Bucky’s eyes find yours, pink lips curling into a breathtaking smile. “Of course she can bud,” he replies eyes never leaving yours, “that’s of course if she wants, think she might need a break from us boys bud, you’ve get her chasing you all day.”

Your lips curl in return, “I haven’t missed one of his firsts yet Barnes, don’t plan on doing so anytime soon. You can count me in, besides there’s no one I love to chase more.” A squeal of joy erupts from the smaller long-haired brunette and you’re just barely moving forward to catch his form as he jumps at you, his hat knocking yours clean off your head. Small but mighty arms wrap around your neck, his round cheeks smushing against yours as he thanks you profusely, promising you bouts of fun. Bouts of fun that you knew no matter what would be delivered. You’d spend the rest of your days with the Barnes boys if life itself allowed it.

The world melts away in the hug, your focus solely on the boy in your arms as you squeeze him just as tightly to you. “You going to show your dad how it’s done, how the real cowboys ride?” you question in a teasing tone as you pull back to look at the boy. The excitement he lets out draws a laugh from your group, “he’s going to be a hell of a lot better than I am that’s for sure.” Bucky chuckles, your eyes find his, “If he is, it’s only because he has a pretty awesome father to thank, give yourself credit B, you’re doing an amazing job with little man here.”

You don’t think you’ll ever tire catching the moments Bucky goes bashful under your gaze, the only sign that the man before you could feel the same, well as for what your friend's turned family all say. The brunette goes to reply but Steve is calling for him over his shoulder; his turn was coming around. You wave at the bearded dirty-blonde, grant following suit the hat coming too as he waves it around. You move forward into Bucky’s space to say your goodbye’s, grants arms going around his father as he gives him a tight squeeze. When the two pull away you fall in next, your arm that isn’t holding grant going around Bucky’s back, “you better be safe out there B,” you murmur into his ear, “you’ve got a little one that’s going to be watching your every move.” His chuckle rumbles deep within his chest, fingers curling tighter into your skin as he squeezes you much like his son, “is he the only one that’s going to be watching me ride tonight?”

The pinch you deliver to Bucky’s back has the broad-shouldered brunette pulling back that same chuckle bubbling out of his chest this time. “don’t be a smart-ass B, I’m being serious be safe out there.” His hand finds yours fingers curling with your own, lips meeting your intertwined fingers, “riding bulls is in my blood sweetheart you know I’ll be careful.”

“James Buchanan Barnes I’m being serious.”

His grin is heart melting as he pulls you and Grant back in, squeezing the two of you before placing a kiss to the side of your head. “I promise, I’m coming out of those gates to you.” His words stall your heart, but you tell yourself he’s not coming for you, he’s coming for the son you hold, his boy, his whole world. You let him go with Grant yelling for his dad to be careful, Bucky sends him a wave over his shoulder as he moves over to the gates Steve and Sam wait for him by. You take your seat between Natasha and Wanda settling Grant on your legs as you let him watch the current rider burst through the farthest Gate. Grant is lost in the show, his eyes bright as he watches the rider hold strong to the bull.

“Don’t know how much more proof you need.” Your eyes flit over to the blonde sitting next to you, “proof?” you question. A smile pulls at the corners of her mouth, “yeah, proof to see that that man by those gates is just as taken with you as you are with him.” You snort eyes gliding over to said man that stands at the farthest bucking chute awaiting his turn. There’s a snorting angry bull just below him, but his eyes are on you, your retort gets stuck on your tongue. Steve’s passing him his protective headgear an exchange for the hat he wore on his head. He sends you a final wink before placing the helmet on and falling over the bull who only bucks harder with his added weight.

Your heart races away in your chest as you watch him get into position, one hand going just above his head as the other laces its way around the rope tied to the bull. A buzzer goes off somewhere in the air, the gate slams open the bull racing out. Grants high on his feet as he watches his dad, fingers curled around the railing as he watches. You didn’t even notice the boy crawl off your lap your own breath caught in your throat as you watch that bull buck for his life to get Bucky off of him. Just 8 seconds you think as you push to your feet standing behind grant, just 8 seconds, hold on, hold on, hold on....

The air is electric as the buzzer goes off, patrons flying from seats to cheer Bucky on just as he falls from the bull, the clowns running in to get him out. Grant can hardly wait to get to his father once he’s getting out of the main arena. He’s grabbing your hand pulling, barely giving you a chance to tell the girls where you’re going, though they already know.

You follow the brown-haired boy as he tugs your through the stands, getting you two down on the ground before racing his way to where he knows he’ll find his dad and uncles. The crowd on the dirt ground clears, Grant seeing Bucky ways ahead laughing with his uncles. His hand falls away from yours the boy barreling with all his might towards the three men his fathers names falling from his lips to grab his attention. The three men turn to the barreling boy, Bucky moving forward to meet his boy halfway.

You slow your steps watching the two reunite Bucky lifting Grant in the air as he pulls his son in. Natasha and Wanda catch up to you, linking their arms with yours as they pull you forward. Steve and Sam move also, your group, your family moving closer as you close the distance. Hugs are shared as you finally greet Sam and Steve, “good to see you sweetheart!” Steve greets as he pulls you in for a hug

You pinch Steve in the ribs as if you hadn’t seen him earlier in the morning when you went to help Bucky with a still sleeping Grant. “You saw me this morning Steve,” you laugh, “it’s good to see you too though.”

“Move it over Rogers, favorite coming through,” Sam says as he pulls the bearded blonde coming in for a hug of his own. A wet kiss is pressed to your cheek, “Sammy,” you breathe squeezing the man just as tight, “always so good to see you!” Sam's grinning, "see," he tells the group, "favorite." Wanda moves in when you pull away her lips finding Sam's, "everyone knows Grant is y/n's favorite," she laughs as she pulls away, "but you're mine." Your group coo's at the two, Steve holding Nat under his arm, Sam holding Wanda, "Grant's not the only Barnes that y/n favors," Natasha grins.

You want to roll your eyes at her attempt, but the strong arm falling over your shoulder has you biting your tongue. You look over at the bearded brunette who's already looking right back at you, holding the bright boy who holds your heart, "good thing she's our favorite too." You could out yourself now to the man holding you protectively under his arm but you bite your tongue instead leaning further into his touch. His lips find the side of your head, "we should go catch the rest of the rides," Steve mentions, "we've gotta go check the trailers locked though," Bucky answers.

"Why don't you and y/n go check," Natasha offers, already moving forward to grab Grant, "we'll stop at the concessions first, save y’all a seat." They leave you no space for argument as Natasha urges your group to go, "see you in a bit," she calls over her shoulder, "take all the time you need!"

You inwardly groan at their antics, Bucky chuckles pulling you with him, "C'mon sweetheart, let's go check that trailer." You let him whisk you along the arena grounds, the feeling of being under his arm all consuming, it felt right, it felt like the two of you belonged, though there was never a moment in the years that you've know Bucky that being with him didn't feel right.

Then why couldn't it have been you?

Why her?

"You know," Bucky starts suddenly as he turns you towards the lot that holds the trailers, "you really are our favorite." You glance up at him smile on your lips as you continue to walk further into the lot, "that so B?"

He nods, the corner of his mouth ticking up in a smile, "how could you not be," he answers, "know you almost my whole life, you've stuck with me through it all even those moments you didn't need to, seen me at my worst and never thought to hell with this and walked away from me because nothing was tying you to me. If anything you grabbed my hand held tight and dragged me from the fire and Grant, god with Grant - I - I could never express how grateful I am for you, you took up a responsibility you didn't ask for, helped me raise a boy that wasn't yours. You never gave up on us."

You're glad you've come up to his trailer because his words have you halting in your step, your body stopping his from going any further. You turn to face him, "And I would do it all over if I had to," you respond with conviction, "you, Grant, you both mean the world to me. There's nothing you could ask of me that I wouldn't do for you. For either of you. You've been my best friend for years, stood with me as well when I needed you." He shakes his head the two of you knowing that statement isn't all true especially when Dolores had been in the picture, but you couldn't bring yourself to blame him, not now, not then. He was in love, and he thought she was too. He thought she was the one, you all did.

"I could have been better to you, after all you've done for me, for us."

You're shaking your head in return, your hand coming up to rest against his stubbled cheek. An act you've done before that feels so different now. "You were what I needed when I needed you to be B, I was in no position to ask more of you. All I knew was that when the time came I wanted to return that favor, I wanted to be what you needed." It falls silent between the two of you, eyes locked on one another in a gaze that you aren't sure you'd ever say Bucky Barnes would look at you with.

Strong warm hands come up to cup your cheeks, your breath is stolen in a moment. "Sweetheart - you're all I ever needed, I just didn't think I deserved someone like you, but the more time I spend with you, the more time I see you with Grant - I want to be that someone, I don't want to waste anymore time just being your friend."

You've lost count of how often Bucky has left you speechless, so you do what you've only ever dreamed of doing. Curling your fingers into the lapels of his shirt, you tug him closer, your lips finding his in an all-consuming kiss.

You didn't want to waste any more time either.

[pedrito-friskito]

Happy Sleepover lovely Kay!!

You know how I love me some Steve Rogers, I’d love to request him with the prompt…

“You have any idea how much I hated seeing someone else touch you.”

Please and thank you!

🌹

ericca!!! thanks for such a fun request ☺️ the inspo jumped out of me on this one (but my apologies for taking so long to get it posted!) and out came a sequel/follow-up to walking the wire!!

would def recommend reading that before you read this (if you haven’t already 😉)

tell me your troubles - steve rogers x fem!super soldier reader (phoenix)

word count: 3k

warnings: lil more than canon-typical violence (i like netflix marvel more than disney marvel these days can u tell), lowkey possessive!steve, heavy make outs, shower sex, oral (f receiving), unprotected p-in-v (they’re supersoldiers ok but wrap it before you tap it) - also russian translations from google so if it’s not right I’M SORRY

Nat gives the order to fall back, and it goes against every fibre of Steve’s being to obey.

They have you. They have his girl.

It’s Nat’s op. She’s in charge, and he knows this isn’t her fault, that she’s not to blame for the fact that you’re not by his side right now, that you’re instead being hauled into the back of a large van, too-thick cuffs banding your arms behind your back. He’s having flashbacks to Berlin, to Bucky in a cage. They put a hood over your head, and you manage to catch his eye before your face disappears from view.

Go.

His every instinct is screaming at him to go after you, doubly so when the van starts to drive away. But there are bombs planted between you and him, obstructing his path. One wrong step, and no amount of super-soldier serum could save him from being blasted apart. And then where would that leave him?

Where would that leave you?

+

“I want a plan,” he spits as soon as they’re back at the makeshift base they’ve been calling home the last few months. It’s no Stark Tower, but there’s running water and a bed he’s shared with you most nights, a haphazard sign scrawled on the door — Cap & Phoenix. Bucky drew a little cartoon shield and a flame to go along with it.

He sees Nat bristle as he barks his order, but when her sharp gaze flicks to him, something in him softens. He tends to forget, that she cares for you on a similar level to his own affection. Not the same type granted, but the Widow holds you close to her heart, and despite Steve’s own confirmation that Nat’s not to blame for your kidnapping, he can see in her face that she doesn’t think the same.

“You didn’t do this, Nat,” he says, following her into the large office they’ve used to map out missions. Bucky and Sam make themselves scarce, disappearing from the corner of Steve’s vision. “We all knew there was a risk.”

“She was right there,” Nat replies, shaking her head, sinking into a crouch in front of the table, surveying the map you’d all reviewed before leaving. “She was right there, and I let them grab her.”

“We couldn’t have known they’d have the capability, the means to—”

“This is my fault, Steve.”

“It’s not,” he reiterates, hand clenched into a fist, knuckles pressed to the table. “I know it, Phoenix knows it. But letting it get the better of you isn’t going to bring her back. You think you made a mistake, then fix it. We find her.” He plants his other fist. “No matter the cost.”

Nat arches one perfect brow, and he can already see the wheels turning behind her eyes. “Sir, yes, sir.”

+

Tracking you down is the easy part; recovering you proves to be a touch more complicated.

Natasha’s plan is airtight this time, outright refusing to split the team, the four of them moving through the building silently. They have each other’s backs, and soon enough, they’ll have you. But it’s a maze from the moment they step in. The map they have is accurate, but it’s more heavily guarded than they’re anticipating. Nat and Bucky both put men down with acute precision — assassin precision — and Steve finds himself lagging behind Sam, his knuckles aching from the sheer number of punches he’s delivered.

Part of him feels naked without the shield. He gave it up for a reason, before he had you. It’s something he’s talked through over and over, you sprawled on his chest, chin propped on the back of your hand, watching him talk as he stares at the ceiling.

Talk to me, drevniy. Tell me your troubles.

That last night, before the mission went awry, it was the same. He’d talked himself in circles, until his voice went hoarse and he was losing himself to the soft press of your body against his, and then all he really wanted to lose himself in you instead, so he did.

You held him close after and murmured something in Russian he couldn’t quite make out. He lifted his head to ask you what the words meant, but you kissed him before he could get the question out, and you’d drifted off to sleep a few minutes later. He didn’t have the heart to wake you.

Damn the shield, he thinks now, trying not to flinch when Bucky pulls the trigger on his gun, more men dropping to the floor. Damn it all.

They round a corner, and Steve nearly crashes into Nat’s stalled figure.

“Hello, Captain.”

You’re strapped to a chair. Restrained nearly the exact same way that Bucky was back in Berlin. Only him, the man Steve had watched cart you away, he’s got his hand knotted in the back of your hair, your head yanked back, your throat bared, a large knife pressed against it. It could be steel, but Steve would bet good money it’s vibranium.

Steve darts forward, but Nat throw her hand out, stopping him. She tilts her chin imperceptibly, and Steve’s eyes follow the direction, spotting a generator in the far corner. From the corner of his gaze, he sees Bucky catch on, and wordlessly, the plan is formed.

“Let her go,” Steve calls to your captor, and when the man starts laughing, Bucky slinks into the shadows, towards the generator. Nat raises her gun, aiming at the thugs flanking either side of your captor, and Steve’s hands clench into tighter fists.

“I would not do that if I were you, Captain Rogers,” the man taunts, waving a finger in the air. “You have not even heard the bargain I propose, for the return of your sweet Phoenix.”

“I don’t make it a habit of bargaining with kidnappers,” Steve returns, and the man yanks your hair back harder. He can hear your slight whimper from where he stands. “Let her go, and maybe I let you live.” From the corner of his eye, he can see Bucky near the generator, hidden by the shadows — perks of super-soldier sight and stealth.

The man starts laughing. He sees the glint of the knife press against your neck, and a single drop of blood beads along the blade. Nat’s eyes cut to Steve’s, he nods, and Bucky’s metal fist connects with the generator, sparks flying as the room is plunged into darkness.

It comes in flashes. Bullets spark through the air as Nat takes down the two thugs who have started running for them. Bucky shoots forward, yanking the metal away from where it’s restraining your arms and pulls you out of the chair. Steve disarms your captor, the knife now streaked with your blood, but before he can do anything else, you grab it from him, whipping it over your shoulder. The blade buries itself in your captor’s chest, and the man drops instantly.

Steve reaches for you, hauling you into his arms, and you cling to him as you all turn tail, heading out of the building. It’s not until you reach the Quinjet that Steve finally feels relief, but remembers the blood and takes you to the back of the jet while Nat and Bucky prepare for takeoff.

“Let me see,” he murmurs, and wordlessly, you push your hair away, baring your neck to him. The scratch is barely visible, already just the remnant of a scar, but Steve knows it won’t go away, not completely. He wipes the blood gingerly from your skin, his movements gentle even though he knows he can’t hurt you, not truly.

His brow furrows as he looks the rest of you over. There are no other obvious injuries, or evidence of them. Your clothing is tattered, dirt and grime smeared on your skin, and there’s a brightness in your eyes that he hasn’t seen in a long time — not since they pulled you out of that lab.

“I’m fine, drevniy,” you say, grabbing his wrist when his attention falls back to your neck, to the tiny scar now there. “It will take much more than a scratch like that to take me from you.”

Steve bristles at the mere thought. He feels like a live wire suddenly, exposed, vulnerable. You tug on his hand, pulling his palm until it rests over your heart, until he can feel the rapid beat if it against his skin. You lean up, fitting your lips to his pulse, a soft kiss to his throat. His whole body feels tight as a bowstring, and while the feeling of you has soothed it some, he can’t shake it.

“Steve,” you call, your voice low, almost cajoling. Suddenly, he feels guilty. You’re the one who was kidnapped; he should be comforting you, not the other way around. The corner of your mouth lifts. “Tell me your troubles.”

He groans, and the tether on his restraint snaps. Both his hands move to your face, cupping your cheeks in his palms. He hears your quick intake of breath right before his mouth covers yours, and you sigh into him, your body relaxing almost completely in his grip.

“You have no idea,” you murmur, and the purr in your voice makes his tac pants grow tight, “how much I missed your touch.”

“Baby,” he nearly growls, pushing you back against the metal wall of the jet. You’re tucked in the corner now, out of sight of Nat and Bucky, and Steve’s plan forms quicker than Nat’s rescue had. “I need you right now.”

Your breath hitches high, the noise catching in your throat, and Steve’s hands drop from your face to your waist, tugging your hips until they’re flush with his. “Right now?” you ask, a teasing smile on your face. “Buck’s hearing is as good as yours is, Steve. You want him hearing you take what’s yours? Want him to know what I sound like?”

The reminder tugs his restraint back into place. Something deep in his chest, something feral and wild, growls in response. Mine. He lifts you until you’re high enough to wrap your legs around his hips and his fingers press into your sides, feeling the rush of your blood beneath your skin, the heat of it. 

He kisses you until the jet touches down again. 

+

As soon as the ramp lowers, he hauls you over his shoulder and stalks down it, his boots clanging against the metal. He barely hears Nat’s low chuckle behind him and grinds his teeth when you palms settle on the small of his back, fingers tapping random patterns against his skin.

Once you’re inside, he heads straight for the bathroom you’ve been sharing. You barely get a word out as he turns the water on, nearly as hot as it’ll go, just like you like it. When he turns back, you’re naked, and more relief blankets him when he sees you’re untouched, unscarred.

“You’re wearing too many clothes, Captain,” you grin, and Steve backs you against the wall, desperate to feel your bare skin against his. You bite your lip as his palms skim up your ribs, but he feels your hands on his belt, unhooking it with ease. But then the light in your eyes changes, and as his belt thunks to the floor, your hand roves up his chest, two fingers tucked under his chin, tilting his face to yours. “I knew you’d come for me.”

Something in his chest cracks. “Of course I did. I…”

He’d barely let himself feel it, when he saw you there, strapped to that chair, that man’s hands on you, the knife at your throat. The…intensity, the way he instantly knew he would do whatever was necessary to get you back. If Nat hadn’t pulled his focus, pointed out the more sensible path, he can only guess what might have happened, what mess he might have left behind. 

Your palm, light against his cheek, pulls him out of his head. “Hey, come back to me,” you call, your voice so soft, so sincere, it pushes away the violence in his head, the guilt that threatens to brew over things he hasn’t even done. “I’m here, krasivyy. Alive. Intact. Yours.” You get closer, your nose brushing his, lips grazing his when you speak. “Only yours.”

“Mine,” he repeats, like the word might bring him back down to earth. His hands grip your hips, lifting you with ease, growling when he feels your legs wrap around his waist. “Watching him touch you, you have no idea how I…” He bites off the sentence with a groan as you grind against him, your bare core leaving a wet patch on the spot just above his waist. Keeping you in place with his hips, he rips the shirt off, tossing it away as he pushes at his pants, barely getting them down his legs before his cock is springing free. The head taps between your legs and it makes you squirm.

“I’m yours, drevniy,” you say, and the nickname once made him bristle, but now it just lights a fire in his chest. “Only yours. No one else gets to touch.” You lean up, pulling yourself against his chest, nosing at his neck, scraping your teeth at his earlobe. “Just you.”

Steve growls again, holding you against him with one arm, wrenching the shower door open with the other. You hiss when the water hits you, but the sound drags out into a low moan as he positions you beneath the spray, steam filling the stall, smudging your outlines.

He lets his hands roam, massaging your limbs, cleaning the dirt from your skin. You hum along with his movements, your head tipping back between your shoulders when he works your chest, wiping away the dried blood and grime. Then he walks you back, pushing you against the tiles. You gasp when your back touches them, the porcelain so much colder than the water, but Steve’s made up his mind.

He starts at your lips. Kisses you rough, bites at you bottom lip, pushes his tongue past your teeth to tangle with yours. When your hands move to grip his hair, wet strands wrapped around his knuckles, he groans into your mouth, drags his lips along your jaw, down your throat.

He bends slightly, tracing your collarbones with his tongue. Your hands don’t leave his hair, only gripping tighter as he moves down, nose dragging along your sternum. But then he pauses, cheats left, scraping the scruff of his jaw along the curve of your breast. You breathe out his name when he closes his lips around your nipple, giving you just the edge of his teeth, pinching the other between his knuckles lightly before rolling it between his fingers.

“Steve.”

He grins against you, sure you can feel it as he pulls back, satisfied only when he sees your nipple is peaked, tight from his attention. Then he does it all over again on the right, only stopping when you tug at his hair, a panting mess as you look down at him, your eyes heavy-lidded with lust.

“What are you…” you start to ask, but the words drop off into a moan when he drops to his knees, using his shoulder to wedge your legs wide, leaning in to bite the inside of your thigh.

“Appreciating what’s mine,” he replies, tongue soothing the spot he bit. “Too much?”

You shake your head, rolling it against the tile, a blissed-out smile on your face. Fuck, he missed you. Can’t imagine his life without you. “Never,” you reply, meeting his gaze again. “Prityazhatel'nyy padezh.”

Steve’s brow lifts, and he puts his face against your thigh again, dragging his tongue up toward the heat between your legs. “Translate, please.”

“Possessive.” You moan the word, one hand staying in his hair while the other reaches up to squeeze at your breast. “Fuck, I should have gotten myself kidnapped a long time ago.”

The thought makes him see red, and you squeal as he grabs both your thighs, throwing them over his shoulders and diving straight between your legs.

“Steve!”

He eats your pussy like he’s never done before. Nips and sucks and licks until your thighs are quaking around his ears, until your cries bounce off the tile walls. You’re an oasis in a desert, his first meal after being starved for days. You’re everything. 

You’re his.

He doesn’t stop until you cum, your hand an iron vice against his scalp, tugging so hard it gives him just that little twinge of pain, and he’s reminded how evenly matched you are. He takes everything you have to give, drinks down every drop until you’re pushing at him, overstimulated, body lax in his grip. He works his way back up to standing, worshipping you on the way up the same as he had on the way down. Your chest heaves against his as he pushes his body against yours, caging you in against the wall, keeping you safe.

“Tell me something,” he asks, and you nod, the movement lazy, your hands dragging up and down his ribs as he straightens, reaches up to brush a wet strand of hair from your face.

“Mm?”

Steve leans in, nosing at the curve of your jaw before pressing a soft kiss to your throat. “How do you say I love you in Russian?”

Your whole body jolts as the words fall past his lips, and he chuckles into your skin, pulling you even closer, wrapping his body around yours. Your head tips back, eyes trained on the ceiling, but you hold him just as close. “You’re going soft, drevniy.”

“Only for you,” he replies, nipping at your throat. “Yours, remember?”

Your quiet laugh seems to echo around the shower until you speak again. “Ya tebya lyublyu.” You say, and Steve gives his best repetition, earning himself another chuckle from you. After his second try, your eyes lower, and he sees the wetness in them. “I love you, too.”

[buckets-and-trees]

Late Night Quickie

Fandom: MCU Collection: SHIELD Gaming AU Title: Late Night Quickie Characters/Pairings: Joaquin Torres x Natasha Romanoff Word Count: 1.2k

Summary: It's still all hands on deck around the clock as time is running our for SHIELD to finish implementing an industry-changing element into the version of The Avengers they're about to send in for game approval before the beta test can be launched soon at PAX East. But Bucky and his game tester aren't the only ones at SHIELD entangled in a very satisfying side quest...

Content Warnings: smut, oral (male receiving), dirty talk, praise, dacryphilia, age gap (Nat is 10 years Joaquin's senior)

Logistical Notes: Third tick for my Bingo Card in @the-slumberparty's August/September Challenge with B2: "Clothes on Sex." Same universe as Perfectionists and Test Play but can be read as a standalone - all you need to know is Steve, Bucky, Sam, Natasha, and Joaquin are the five-person team of game engineers for the SHIELD Gaming company.

Additional Notes: Thank you @vonalyn for reading this for coherency. Gamer graphic by @sgt-seabass. Dedicated to my co-conspirator for "A Very Horny Monday to You All..." @biteofcherry for our first week of mischief - she chose the theme 'oral quickies.' We can all lovingly blame her for this!

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

2am.

Two fucking a-m.

Joaquin just grinned.

This was not the week any of them wanted or expected, and he certainly didn't want this to ever be the norm. But running off adrenaline, catching only a few hours of sleep (if he was lucky), lots of Red Bull, and late-night food orders to make up for what the typical in-house kitchen wasn't covering was something he couldn't deny was an experience.

Teams all across SHIELD Gaming had been and still were working around the clock to get the shelved-for-later Deep Shadow Conditions mode back into the release SHIELD was going to submit to the first party platforms for approval in just a few days. Marketing, story, game engineering, testers… everyone. It was a rush, pushing the limits for this short period of time, but they were close to pulling off a triumph with embedding Deep Shadow. Joaquin had loved the pitch for that aspect when it was originally floated, they had initiated the development, but then a couple of the execs had said to push it back to the next release. Fury had called the audible and said they needed to put it back in to top what HYDRA was developing with Project Insight. But Joaquin had always known Deep Shadow would really push them miles past everything else coming out right now.

That’s why he didn’t mind pulling these insane hours to get the work done with the rest of the engineers.

And he certainly didn’t mind this.

He had no problem leaning back against the wall of the women’s restroom, jeans unzipped, Natasha poised between his legs, and her pretty lips around his cock, deep throating him.

Fuck she looked so good like that. They hadn’t had enough time together since the Deep Shadow blitz, and he was so glad she’d pulled him into the bathroom right now. Her left hand was anchored on his hip, and the other was reaching up his shirt, roving over his abs and chest as his threaded into her hair, holding her head at the base of her skull. He was letting her control the pace and how much of his length she took in for now, just holding her, feeling that connection.

Joaquin had been under no illusion in the beginning that this absolute goddess who was ten years his senior had only been flirting with him because it was fun and had no intentions beyond more than maybe a night or two tumbling in bed together. But he’d had a hunch they could have more, that he wanted more, and categorically convinced her they were worth a shot.

He worshipped her but challenged her in a way no one else did. He knew that’s why she’d even started flirting with him, appreciating that he could go round for round with her sass, her sarcasm, and her saucy comments without getting flustered or cocky and the rest of their conversation – work and casual – had rolled along so easily like they’d been working together for years after only a few weeks.

Now they were eight months into an officially-disclosed-to-HR relationship – but not to their team because they did not need Cap, Sam, or Bucky in their business. Work was work, and until tonight, the physical had stayed outside of HQ.

It spoke to how little time they’d had together that they were here right now.

And he was just as hungry for her as she was for him.

Joaquin took over and pulled her head down slowly on him, drawing Nat down to take all of him, the tip of his cock hitting the back of her throat, then gently nudging further down her esophagus. She moaned around him, her hands flexing against him. “You always take me so well, Romanov.”

He knew she loved this. She was a cocky little minx and so loved the praise. In response she sunk the rest of the way down his cock. He groaned in ecstasy. Love this.

“Fuck, I could stay here with you on my dick until your legs give out.”

She tightened her grip on his hip.

“But I wanna fuck this pretty throat of yours, babe.”

A small noise from her as she stayed just as she was, their eyes locked on each other.

“That’s what you really wanted, isn’t it?”

Those lust-blown green eyes told him everything, and he grinned wickedly down at her. Abruptly twisting them around to place her on her knees with her back against the wall, he made sure she was secure before asking, "Ready for me?"

She hummed again.

He smirked. “Desperate for me?”

A growl this time.

He laughed. “Me, too, babe.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek, one more tender moment, then he slowly pulled out until only the head of the cock was the only thing she had her lips around. She sucked hard, hollowing her cheeks, and swirled her tongue over the leaking tip of him. “Oh, you’re so fucking good. Love that talented tongue. But now you’re really gonna take me.”

She nodded, eyes blazing with heat. He moved his right hand to cradle her cheek and jawline as he leaned his left forearm against the wall to brace himself, and then he thrust back into her wet mouth. He continued, pistoning his hips in and out, brutally but not recklessly. She clung to his shirt, his hips, anything from moment to moment. Her eyes watered, then the tears started to spill, and he groaned. “So pretty for me like this. Those gorgeous tears falling for me, just like you fall apart for me.”

And then he just focused on the feel of her around his cock, the heat, the sounds of him sliding in and out, her whimpers and moans. The frenzy built and then he spilled into her mouth and down her throat, hips stuttering to a stop, and she held him there in place, swallowing every bit of him until he was done. She pulled her mouth off him with a deliberately audible pop, smug, beautiful goddess that she was.

She slid up between his heaving chest and the wall, brushing her lips against his jaw with soft, playful kisses. “Like that?”

“Love that,” he corrected. “Bet your cunt’s a hot, drippy mess for me, isn’t she?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she teased before claiming his lips in a kiss, tangling their tongue so he could taste the evidence of his spend, and pushing her pelvis up against him.

“Meet back here in an hour?”

“Fuck, I’m hoping we can convince them there’s nothing more to do tonight and get out of here in the next hour. Then you’re taking me home to fuck me in your bed properly.”

He laughed, “Anything for my Natalia.”

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

[wandanatbabybear]

based on oldies music in the other room and it’s raining

thinking about sitting on the couch in the drawing room of Steve’s pre-war and restored new york apartment in front of the fire place. you’ve been trying to read for some political philosophy class you’re taking this semester, but there’s a dull ache in your chest at the fault of nothing in particular.

as you zone out staring at the fire, you can hear Steve, Bucky, and Sam laughing in the next room over every now and then, along with Natasha and Wanda - the loves in your life. you hear their feet shuffling and old music playing from the 30s and 40s.

still zoned out, Bucky comes in with a small smile on his face. he sits on the couch next to you, which is what grabs your attention. “you don’t seem to be getting far with that reading.” you look at him with soft and sad eyes but you try to hide it. he can see right through you.

“it’s just not as interesting tonight.” his eyes squint slightly at your non-answer. “you should take a break. you’ve been in here for a while.”

right as you go to reject the offer, Natasha and Wanda joyfully enter the doorway. they glow in your eyes.

“come back, James. Sam has two left feet,” Natasha says with a smug grin.

“duty calls,” Bucky says to you before standing with a pat to your knee.

“join us, детка!” Natasha calls as she pulls Bucky back in the other room. the nickname of her first language never fails to bring butterflies to your belly.

Wanda moves into the room closer to you. you watch her with doe eyes as she gently takes the book from your lap and moves it to the side table, saving your place with the ribbon. she sits on the coffee table in front of you and holds one of your hands in hers.

“Steve and Bucky are teaching us to dance like they did before the war,” she tells you softly. she’s lovingly running her fingers over the back of your hand. “Natasha is excelling, but I’m sure you could’ve guessed that.” a small smile graces your face at this, and Wanda smiles back at you. she leans in and you close your eyes as you feel her lips meet your forehead. one of her hands comes up to to your cheek as she holds your face and your eyes meet hers again. “come dance with us, darling.” she whispers it, like a secret invitation only meant for lovers. “let me lift your spirits.”

you lean into her hand and close your eyes again, this time two heavy teardrops roll down your cheeks, but Wanda wastes no time swiping them away with her thumbs. “come on, любовь. I just know Natty will let you stand on her feet. We’ll catch you if you fall.” 

you consider it for a second before silently nodding, and she smiles as she helps you up from the couch. she lets you walk ahead of her and you tightly grasp her hand again. entering the main room, you see Natasha’s head thrown back with a laugh as Steve leads her in a dance, and Bucky and Sam sitting on the couch laughing with them. you can only imagine Bucky and Sam were bickering about dancing with each other when Wanda was with you and Natasha danced with Steve.

when the pair turns, Natasha sees you and Wanda, and she somehow smiles even wider. it’s rare you see her so happy and relaxed; it makes you smile honestly for the first time all night.

“my princess has arrived to the ball,” Natasha smirks as she leaves Steve’s arms. she leans slightly over your right shoulder and shares a loving kiss with Wanda, right before the Sokovian releases your hand and replaces Natasha’s previous position with Steve. you watch Wanda and Steve for a moment before Natasha grabs your attention by pushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “come, my love. i’ll teach you, just follow my lead.” she says this softly, just as Wanda had earlier to you - a secret invitation only meant for lovers.

one of her hands takes yours as the other is gently placed on your waist. you stumble a little at first with a blush rising to your cheeks, but soon the two of you are gracing the room rhythmically alongside Steve and Wanda. you comfortably lean your head on Natasha’s shoulder, closing your eyes and inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume and soap.

a few moments pass before you feel another person swaying along to the music from behind you with their hands on your waist. the sweet humming you begin to hear tells you it’s Wanda. she presses a kiss to your shoulder as Natasha does the same to the top of your head.

the dull ache in your chest is not entirely gone, but you know for sure that, as long as you’re in Natasha and Wanda’s arms, the sadness in your body will easily be forgotten. your friends’ laughs buzz in the atomosphere, there’s a content look on your face; and you know you have found the peace within the people.

[ellieisaflower]

My beautiful bug ´ˎ˗

Main Masterlist

୨୧ ┊Pairing: Daddy!Steve Rogers x Ftm!Little!reader

୨୧ ┊Characters: Steve Rogers, Reader, sam

୨୧ ┊Genre: Fluff, Age regression (NOT KINK!!), oneshot

୨୧ ┊Summery: When at the store with daddy, reader sees a dress that he thinks looks so beautiful, but he doesn't want to be girly because he is afraid if what Steve would think. Steve catches on really quick that reader wants the dress so he buys it and they go home and play dress up.

୨୧ ┊Warnings: Steve calls reader Bug, use of baby talk (from reader)

୨୧ ┊Note: sorry, I missed so many things in the request. Also, someone help, I can't make a mood board

୨୧ ┊word count: 1235

No one's pov <333

Your big e/c eyes sparkled as you looked down at the princess pink dress. The sparkly ruffles started at the waist and ended at the bottom to the dress. The sleeves were off shoulder, with sparkly cuffs that would lay off the shoulder. The dress was stunning.

"Bug!?" Steve called out, worry evident in his voice. You broke out of your small trance from the pretty dress and looked up to where the voice was calling from. You hadn't realized just how long you had been staring at the pretty dress, you hadn't even realized that your daddy had wondered off without you.

"Daddy..? Where chu at?" You called out, mindlessly looking around for him. A gasp left your lips as two strong arms picked you up. "Ah, bug! Don't do that again! I thought someone took you! Are you alright?" He asked worryingly, checking all your uncovered skin for any marks or bruises to make sure you hadn't gotten hurt.

"m fine daddy! I was jus....uhm.." you quickly stopped yourself from talking any longer, taking a minute to think. Steve looked at you confused, concern still laced in his eyes as well. "What were you doing bug?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Your eyes trailed back to the pretty dress that was now being viewed by a woman with pretty long brown hair. Your eyebrows furrowed as you watched her stair at the dress with loving eyes. "Bug?" Steve was fast to realize that you had tunned him out and your attention was now on something else.

when he followed your eyes, his face softened seeing you staring at the pretty dress. With you still in his arms, he walked over to the rack with the dress and stood near it for a minute, waiting for the woman to walk away before he grabbed one of the dresses, that was your size, and placed it in the cart.

"Do you want another one, bug? Or do you wanna go home now?" He asked, watching your face that was blank and full of confusion. "Daddy..?" You asked, now staring at the dress that he had placed in the cart. "Yes bug?"

"Am I really allowed to wear that?" Pointing to the dress, you averted your eyes to Steve. "Of course you can wear it! Why wouldn't you be able to?" Before you could answer he placed you into the cart, which had little in it since you had only started to shop around twenty minutes ago.

Steve quickly walked off, returning a few minutes later with a few pallets of makeup and a few more pretty dresses. Your eyes instantly brightened at the sight. "Woah!!"

"now let's get home, bug. We can play dress up when we get home, and maybe we can bug uncle Sam into playing with us."

When you both arrived at the Avengers tower, you were quick to grab the bags with your new things and run inside, nearly tripping on your way there. While standing in the elevator on the way up, Steve kept a close eye on you, watching closely with loving eyes as you stood impatiently with your bags in hand.

As soon as you were both inside your room you ran off to the bathroom to try on your new dress. Steve let out a loving giggle as he watched you.

He sat on the couch as he waited for you to come back. And when you walked into the room with a huge smile on your face and the pretty pink dress on, Steve instantly brightened up. "You look so pretty bug! Wow! My beautiful bug!" He stated as he stood up and walked over to you.

"Chu hav to put on your dwess now daddy!" You chanted and doged his kiss and pushed him towards the bathroom where a dress waited for him; this all took your daddy by surprise, but he giggled softly and began to put on the dress like you requested.

While he did that, you set up all the new makeup you had just gotten. Daddy had not gotten any makeup brushes, but you had some stashed in your room. Auntie Nat was always to the rescue and she never told your secrets, so you had asked her for makeup brushes and a pallet.

When you got back from your bedroom with the makeup brushes and a few other things, your daddy was sitting on the couch, with a sparkly blue dress on and he was holding your favorite stuffie.

"woahhh, chu wook soo pwetty Daddy!!" You said, staring at your daddy in awe. "You look even prettier bug!"

"Nah ah, chu do!" You argued. "Alright, alright, fine. But that doesn't mean that my bug isn't very pretty!" He playfully smirked and then looked down at the makeup you set out. "Are you gonna do your makeup or my makeup? Or do you want me to do your makeup?" He asked.

"I'm gonna do yur makeup!" With a giggle you sat down Infront of him and got started. "Wha color first?" You asked, holding one of the brushed above the makeup palettes until he says a color. "Red please"

With that, you dipped your brush into the bright red eyeshadow. "Close eyes please" he did as such and you began to brush the bright red onto his eyelids, carful to not get it everywhere because you wanted it to look amazing.

When you started to do the other eye, there was knock at the door, which made you jump slightly. All of the avengers knew you are a regressor, so you just continued, knowing it was one of them.

"Come in!" Steve yelled slightly, making sure to reach up and cover your ears to not scare you. The door opened and in walked Uncle sam. "Hey kiddo, what are yah doing?" He asked, walking over to the two of you. "Me and daddy are pwayin dress up! I'm doin his makeup so he'll look wike a pwetty princess!!" You stared proudly as you continued to put red on his eyelids.

"wow, your doing amazing. I bet your daddy's gonna love it" Sam said.

Uncle Sam and daddy had a conversation while you continued to do Steve's makeup. A couple times you asked him to pick a new color, you cleaned your brushed every switch and around 20 minutes later, you spring off the couch. "Done!!"

Steve had a big smile on his face when you grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bathroom. "Wook daddy!"

"wow big, you did such a great job! I think you should do my makeup everyday" he said, examining his wonderfully done makeup in the mirror. You let out a small giggle before going back to clean up the small mess you had created in the living room.

When you walked into the living room you noticed that uncle sam was no longer there. You shrugged it off before beginning to pick up your stuff and put it into a pile then take a wet rag and wipe the table.

When your daddy finally came out of the bathroom, he noticed that you had cleaned up your mess which made him happy. "Thank you for cleaning up, bug!"

The rest of the day was filled with fun. You and your daddy played princesses, watched cartoons, and had a tea party with all your stuffies.

Tags´ˎ˗

[anonymityisfunwriter]

Going To The Chapel And They're Gonna Get Married

Pairing: Sunshine!Reader x Grumpy!Bucky Barnes

"Sam," Steve hisses, keeping his voice low so Bucky can't hear him from the other side of the door. "Where are you?"

"I know, I know," Sam says, his phone pressed in the crook of his neck and ear. He briskly exits the SHIELD offices, ignoring the side-eyes and grumbles as he jogs to his car. "I just left. I'm on my way now."

"On your way?" Steve echos angrily, loud enough that he catches Nat's attention. "We are at DEFCON 1 right now."

"Why? What happened?"

"What didn't happen? We've got a bride that we can only distract so long before she finds out you're not here. A very stressed out groom. People are already here and there's about a million other things that are all going wrong all at once."

"That doesn't sound so bad. Get Wanda and Nat-"

"And I might've lost the rings," Steve winces, anxiously scanning the area to make sure no one else heard him. Nat tries to catch his eye to ask him what's wrong, but he pretends not to notice.

"What?!" Sam exclaims, now fully shouting into the phone. "How do you lose- You had one job!"

"I had a lot of jobs!" Steve defends.

"Oh my God, Buck's just going to kill you. Kill you dead."

"Well I've been running around for hours trying to make sure that everything is just right and I put them down for a second, but I went to grab them and they weren't there," Steve rants. "And now I can't find them anywhere! How long now?"

"In the last two minutes that we've been on the phone I've made two minutes of progress, Steve," Sam retorts, haphazardly starting his car.

"I'm just going to tell him what happened, I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Oh no, you don't!" Sam interjects. "You don't bother the people getting married on their wedding day. Everyone knows that. And especially not when we're the ones that talked them into the wedding."

"So you want me to lie?" Steve anxiously asks.

"No!" Sam immediately replies, knowing that Steve couldn't lie to save his life. "Omit. I want you to omit until you find the rings."

"Omit," Steve mutters, trying to convince himself that he can keep this to himself. "Okay, I can omit. I can do that."

"I'll be there soon, just retrace your steps. I'm sure they're around there somewhere."

"Yeah," Steve doubtfully agrees. 

It's only a few minutes into Steve's intense scouring that Nat drags him into an isolated corridor to demand to know the cause of his strange, erratic behavior.

"What is going on?" Nat questions, staring Steve down.

Steve squirms under Nat's intense glare. It only intensifies as he presses his lips together to keep his secret. He tries to keep it to himself, but he blurts, "I lost the rings!"

"You what?" Wanda gasps from behind Nat. "Oh my God, this is bad. This is so bad."

"Okay, we are not going to do is panic," Nat orders, raising her hands to calm both Steve and Wanda. "Steve, retrace your steps. Wanda, go distract the bride. I'll help Steve look. And no one tell either of them, you hear me? They don't find out about this."

"Right," Steve nods obediently. 

All three of them fan out to find the rings and keep you in the dark about what was transpiring. It was like a mad dash for Steve, going to each of the places he'd been to in this mid-sized venue and he had yet to find anything. 

"Steve," Bucky calls, gesturing to him from one of the small side room. Steve falters, plastering his best unaffected smile on his face.

"What's up, Buck?" he lilts awkwardly.

"Steve, what the hell is going on out there?"

"Nothing," he stammers. "Nothing. Nothing at all. A wedding in a few minutes actually. Your wedding, you goof."

"Steve," Bucky calmly interjects. "Why are you lying to me?"

"Lying?" Steve scoffs. "No. Me? Never! I can't lie. I'm terrible at lying."

"You know what? I don't want to know," Bucky decides. "And don't tell her either. I want this to be the perfect day for her. Okay?"

"Great," Steve rasps, ready to scurry away.

"And Steve?"

"Yeah," he mumbles, turning back around. 

"Might want to grab a towel or something, buddy. You're sweating. Profusely."

Steve doesn't say anything just gives Bucky a shaky thumbs up. The second Bucky closes the door behind him, Steve scrambles to continue his search for the rings. 

"Bride wants to know where Sam is," Wanda calls, peeking her head out of the room you're waiting in.

"Lie to her. Tell her the wedding starts earlier than it actually does. That won't backfire at all," Steve mocks under his breath, checking his watch to see that it's ten minutes from when you think the wedding is actually starting. "Sam should be here any minute," he tells Wanda.

"Tell him to hurry," Wanda urges before shutting the door again.

"Okay," Steve agrees, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He pulls out his phone, pressing the redial button. The phone rings for a moment before Sam actually answers. "How long, Sam?"

"7 minutes out."

He sighs in relief, "Okay. That's one problem taken care of."

"You still haven't found the rings?" Sam exclaims. "Why are you calling me when you should be finding them?"

"Because there's a very preoccupied bride in the next room- the one that you insisted that we lie to so she'd be on time. Yeah, she's been asking for you."

"I'm going as fast as I can. Go find the rings, I'll help you look when I get there."

Before Steve can squeeze in another word, the line goes dead. He sighs, shaking his head at Sam. He knew you'd like the surprise Sam had pulled together for you, but Sam being MIA this morning was just another thorn in his side today. When he told you and Bucky that the team would take care of everything so that you two wouldn't have to worry, he severely underestimated how stressful wedding days really were.

"Okay, I'm here!" Sam calls, very literally down the corridor with his suit jacket over his shoulder.

"Sam!" Wanda calls, once again exiting your room to ease your worries about Sam's tardiness. "You're coming with me."

"But Steve-" Sam sputters as Wanda grabs his hand and starts pulling him away. 

"Steve is not the priority here. You're the one that lied to her about what time the wedding starts and she's starting to freak out-"

"Alright, alright!" Sam interrupts, sparing Steve an apologetic look then letting Wanda drag him out to the side room you're currently waiting in. 

Steve shakes his head, once again scrambling to go find the wedding bands. In the corner of his eye, he sees Nat subtly, but carefully, scanning every inch of the church. Even though Bucky's now taken his place at the altar, Steve gives up on subtlety, ducking behind each of the pews, carefully looking underneath and around the area.  

"I found it!" Steve exclaims, tightly clutching the small velvet bag in his hand.

Bucky's eyes flicker to Steve who's grinning triumphantly in front of the first pew. He schools his expression from a confused, furrowed look to something akin to a groom getting married in a few short minutes.

As Steve takes his place behind Bucky, Bucky turns his head just a little bit, "Do I want to know?"

"Not even a little bit," Steve whispers, keeping a smile on his face as people start walking into the church. 

Bucky nods. "Didn't think so. We good?"

"It's all perfect," Steve assures him as the music that you're walking to begins playing.

"Good," Bucky smiles as the doors open.

-

"Steve," Sam hisses, gesturing for him to duck into a small alcove at the reception venue.

"What?"

"Just a question. Generally speaking, how much of a wedding toast should be making fun of the groom?"

Steve takes a deep breath. "After your toast at the rehearsal dinner? Zero!"

"Come on, I was a hit," Sam defends.

"Generally speaking, when the groom gives you the middle finger in the middle of your speech, you're not a hit."

"It was funny!" Sam insists. 

"You called him a cradle robber," Steve reminds him. 

"Because he's 100 years old. And she's 27- it was hilarious!"

"He's physically younger than us, you do know that?" 

"So what I'm hearing is that I shouldn't make fun of Bucky?" 

"No!" Steve exclaims. "No, you should not."

"Okay, then I don't have a speech," Sam admits, crumpling up his folded up speech. "Can I look at yours?"

"No!"

"I helped you this morning, remember?"

"I thought we weren't ever going to talk about it again," Steve cringes, thinking about the absolute mess he found himself in before the ceremony and how that would be nothing if Bucky ever found out that he lost the wedding rings.

"Maybe I should bring it up in my speech? Since apparently I'm going to wing it?"

"You're going to blackmail me?"

"Hmm...maybe that's how I'll start. You want to hear a real funny story about your parent's wedding rings, Bucky? That priceless family heirloom. The only one that-"

"Alright! Fine," Steve concedes. "I'll help you, but you're not taking my speech."

"Guys!" Nat interrupts, appearing from the doorway to where the reception was going to be held. "What are you doing? They'll be here any minute."

"We just need to-" Sam begins, gesturing to Steve.

"Now!" she instructs, cutting Sam off.

Steve pats Sam on the shoulder. "You have fun with that speech, Sam."

"If I go down I'm taking you with me!" Sam calls after him. 

The evening went as smoothly as anyone could've ever hoped for. 

The cake and catering arrived without a problem. People were on time and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Several people even shed tears at your first dance with Bucky. There was not a single hitch in the event, but Sam's mind was racing trying to figure out how to pull together a speech in a few short hours. He kept thinking that it shouldn't be this hard- he was the one that introduced you two after all.

And then it was time for their speeches. With a smug smirk, Steve clapped Sam on the back and insisted that Sam went first. 

"I hate you," Sam whispers as he passes by Steve on his way to the mic.

"Have fun," Steve chuckles.

"Right," Sam sighs as he takes the mic. "Well, first, you're welcome."

He relaxes his grip on the mic as he hears the light chuckles from the audience. "For those of you that somehow don't know, I made this happen," he says, gesturing to the two of you sitting at your table. 

He watches as Bucky rolls his eyes and playfully nods his head. "No, but seriously, I have watched the two you grow so much both as people and together as couple. I knew almost right away that you two would understand each other in a way that most of us can't. From that very first meeting, in spite of my very best threats, I could see that there was something incredible there. And watching you guys, seeing two people fall in love- it's a beautiful thing to witness firsthand. And it truly has been a privilege and honor to watch the two of you grow into something that I know without a shadow of a doubt will last forever. No pressure. Except for you Bucky, there's pressure for you. I'm so proud of and happy for the two of you, so congratulations. It was about time."

He hands the mic back to emcee with a wide grin on his face as he sees people dabbing their eyes and applauding his fully improvised speech.

"Beat that," he whispers as he takes his seat next to Steve.

"Watch me," Steve retorts, standing up as Sam takes sits back down.

Steve walks up to the emcee with an air of confidence, his prepared speech sitting in his pocket. He smiles at the emcee, grabbing the mic. He turns to the room and falters under the feeling of expectant gazes waiting for him. He takes a deep breath and pulls out his speech.

"Um..." he starts. He clears his throat, and tries again, "Right."

In the corner of his eye, he sees Sam's smug look, and as much as he hates to admit it, it pushes him into the right mentality. Even if it only is to beat Sam's speech.

"I've known Bucky a long time, seen him fight through hell and high water. And the first time I saw the two of you together that he was a goner. From the very first, 'we're just friends'. And let me tell you, Buck, friends don't look at friends the way you looked at her. It's impossible not to see how happy he is with you. And I have to thank you for that, after all this time I'm glad he's found happiness with someone. After every thing that the two of you have gone through, I'm so happy that you get your happy ending. Sam's right- it was about time. Congratulations."

Steve walks back to his seat with the same reaction that Sam did, with an air of pride as he hears the applause. "Hah," he childishly taunts, the second he sits back down in his seat.

-

"We did it," Steve sighs, slumping down in his seat after they sent you off on your honeymoon.

It was the first trip that you two could go on alone without Sam, part of the reason he wanted to give you those freedom-establishing papers today.

It had been an elaborate plan between Sam, Tony, and Steve. Tony paid to send you on the honeymoon, Steve and Sam pulled so many strings and called in so many favors with SHIELD to expedite the entire process, and it had paid off seeing how happy the two of you were. 

"We?" Nat questions, collecting the last of the decorations and centerpieces. "By we, I hope you mean Wanda, Pepper, and I. You two didn't help at all."

"What are you talking about? We've been helping all day!" Steve questions, crossing his arms in disbelief. 

"No," Nat corrects, slowly shaking her head. "You two were running around all day fixing your own messes."

"Hey!" Sam interjects. "We helped."

"When?" Wanda asks. "When you were running around finding the rings you lost? Rewriting speeches you were supposed to have written weeks ago?"

"Or when-"

"Well," Sam interjects. "What about when we... Well, we- We gave amazing speeches!"

"Yeah, we did," Steve agrees, clapping a hand on Sam's back. 

"So did we! And we did everything else too!"

"Our friends are happy, isn't that what really matters?"

Wanda and Nat shake their heads and begrudgingly sigh, "Yeah, whatever you say."

"Two Sides Of The Same Coin" Chapter List AnonymityIsFun Masterlist

[sarifinasnightmare]

Rocky Road

Rating: For Everyone

Pairing: Sarah x Bucky

Author's Note: Sorry it's late. Had to track down my laptop!

Summary: Cass and AJ convince Bucky to buy them ice cream.

July 14-21: AJ and Cass Wilson 

Bucky considered it a real privilege to go out with Cass and AJ. For so long he only knew the sounds of violence or the silence that accompanied death. Hearing the boys goof around the forested path, running, climbing, chattering and laughing was music to him, reminding him of those faded, sepia-toned memories of him and Steve causing chaos on the streets of Brooklyn.  

The boys found some long sticks and started dueling with them, making lightsaber sounds as they argued about who was Darth Maul and who was Obi-Wan. Bucky smiled, remembering a similar argument with Steve on who would be Douglas Fairbanks. 

He patiently followed them, enjoying the childhood memories the boys provoked mingling with the scuffing of his boots on the dirt path.  

“Uncle Bucky do you fight with swords??” Cass called out from between the trees. 

“Knives, no sword.” He called back. 

“Oh…on guard!” the boy shouted before poking his brother with the end of the stick. 

“Ack!” AJ went, falling back, then tripped, sliding down the little hill accidentally. 

Bucky was quick to catch him before his head landed on anything. “You okay buddy?” 

“Yup!” the young boy said, bouncing on his feet with youthful energy.  

His older brother skidded down to them. “It’s hot. Can we have ice cream?” 

“Ice cream. Haven’t had that in decades.” Bucky realized. 

The boys were aghast. “You need some ice cream, stat!” 

“Did they have a lot of flavors back then or was it only vanilla??” AJ asked as they grabbed his hand and tugged him homeward. 

“Uh we had more than vanilla. They still have Rocky Road?”  

“YES!” 

________________--- 

Sarah walked out the house to greet them. “AJ look at those jeans! Dust yourself off before you come in this house.” 

“Uncle Bucky is taking us to get some ice cream!” Cass said as they bypassed the house and ran to the truck. 

“We have ice cream here.” She said, folding her arms across her chest. 

“But he wants Rocky Road! He hasn’t had ice cream in decades, Mom. Decades! He needs good ice cream!”  

She turned her arched gaze at the man who’s slowly becoming a family friend and maybe something more. “Is that a fact?” 

Bucky shrugged. “They said they knew the location for the best ice cream.” He added. “I’d be more than happy to buy you a sherbet. My treat.” 

He had that flirty gleam in his eyes and Sarah couldn’t stop the smile that spread on her face. “I’m more of a two scoops on a waffle cone kind of girl.” 

“Then that’s what the lady will get.” He grinned as he opened the passenger door with a flourish. Cass and AJ piled in the back. 

“Come on, Mom! Ice cream!” 

Three handsome boys wanting to treat her. Why not? 

_____________--- 

Bucky gallantly opened the door for them as they entered the Baskin Robbins. The boys quickly pressed up against the icy cold glass of the dipping cabinets. 

“See, they have Rocky Road, Uncle Bucky!” AJ pointed it out. 

“Okay boys just one scoop. No need to get greedy.” Sarah said.

Bucky opened a chair for her. “You still want two?” 

“Damn right. Mint n’ Chocolate Chip and Cookies n’ Cream please.” she said taking the seat. 

Bucky winked and grinned. “Coming right up.” 

She watched him as the boys took his attention away, eagerly taking advantage of his generosity. For a soldier out of place and out of time he showed an infinite amount of care and consideration. That secretly pleased her. Even though Sam was huffy about the idea of Bucky flirting with her, she was quite alright with it. It’d been a while since any man had given her any romantic attention and Bucky was persistent in a gentlemanly way. Now seeing him interact with the boys only made him more appealing. Oh dear, perhaps their flirtation can evolve to something more? 

Soon the boys squeezed in enjoying their scoops and Bucky joined them, enjoying a hearty helping of Rocky Road. 

“Does it taste the same?” Cass asked between licks of his triple chocolate and vanilla swirl. 

“It does. A little richer maybe.” Bucky said sampling some. “Definitely more marshmallows than before.” 

Sarah used a spoon to elegantly enjoy her two scoops. “Eat your ice cream guys. Let Bucky enjoy his first ice cream in a while.” 

“It’s okay. I don’t mind. They remind me of me and Steve.” He sighed. “Good memories.” 

Sarah smiled faintly. “You really mean that, don’t you?” 

“Why would I lie?” He glanced around admiring and envying the simple joy that a scoop of ice cream brought to them. “I’m eating my favorite ice cream with two great kids and their beautiful mom.” 

Sarah smiled bashfully and hid behind her ice cream. 

“Oooh!” Cass teased.  

AJ made kissy noises. 

The adults laughed then shared a secretive look before enjoying their treats. 

[lizzie-is-here]

like the dawn

part xiii- healing

“a monster is not such a terrible thing to be” - ocean vuong

summary: the trials come to a close, but you’re still struggling with what’s left behind.

wordcount: 3.4k

warnings: cussing, tooth-rotting fluff, angst and comfort, mentions of violence, trauma, allusions to homophobia

taglist: @whelvedfeelingsstuff @sebsgirl71479 @rebloggingmyrecs @babyblublossom @local-mr-frog @thenyxsky @capsiclesdoll @moonlightreader649 @saranghaey @almosttoopizza @itsivymusic

a/n: ok i’m slowly getting a bit less busy so hopefully i can post a little more often now! but also a heads-up that i’ll be putting this series on hold soon to do a 12 days of christmas thing! i might try to finish this first, we’ll just see how it goes. sorry for the long wait, and like always, hope u enjoy! love u 🤍🤍🤍

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The better half of the next two weeks were spent in court, ignoring the press, and sneaking away with Steve and Bucky wherever possible.

Years of unsaid words flowed between you three, and you could feel your walls being broken down day by day. You no longer apologize for the extra space your wings take up, or feel the need to soften your voice.

You’re sitting on the couch one day, entranced in an ocean documentary when Clint, Nat, and Wanda walk in, sweaty and straight from training. The latter two join you, while the archer goes to the kitchen and starts making sandwiches.

“So… Anything interesting going on lately?” the redhead asks. You shake your head.

“Not really. Been trying to catch up on everything, so-” You gesture to the TV. “Figured this was a good place to start.”

Wanda tilts her head. “Where are Steve and Bucky?”

“Yeah, I’ve rarely seen you three apart,” Nat agrees.

She wasn’t wrong. You three have been less-than-subtle these past days, even risking kisses in the living room a few times.

“They’re on a run with Sam,” you explain with a smile. “Needed to burn some energy.”

Unbeknownst to you, the three Avengers knew that. In fact, they’d made sure Sam had joined the super-soldiers on their run. They’ve noticed how strange you’ve been acting, and Nat got a bit too invested in finding out.

There’s no malicious intent, but her curiosity overpowers any guilt she’d feel for her mastermind plan. That is, to annoy the three of you until someone tells her what she already knows. She likes the confirmation.

Clint flops onto the couch next to the assassin, stacking two sandwiches and biting into both at once. The way his jaw pushes back to accommodate the ridiculous amount of food reminds you of a snake you’d seen in the previous episode.

“So, has Barnes always been that buff?” Nat hums. She quickly glances over at you to watch your reaction.

Wanda senses a twinge of jealousy that you stamp down surprisingly well. But you don’t give away any physical clues.

“Uhh, yeah,” you begin. “Used to do push-ups in our apartment while Steve and I ate breakfast.”

The redhead grins a devil’s grin, sly and only noticed by Wanda and Clint. “Bet you got a nice view of that ass.”

That makes you cough. Spluttering and bright red, the nearby lamp flickers in time with your heart. She wasn’t wrong, technically, not that you’d admit it.

“I- I never looked,” you excuse, discreetly fanning your face. She hums, but doesn’t press further.

Meanwhile, the super-soldiers are receiving the same treatment from Sam.

“Oh, come on. You two need to get back into dating eventually,” the man sighs, watching as they prickle and stumble a bit.

“I’m alright with where I am,” Steve says, careful in choosing his words. “I don’t really feel like dealing with all of the modern dating traditions.”

Bucky huffs. “Yeah, that time you made me sign into Tinder might have been the worst ten minutes of my life. Made me wish I was still getting brainwashed.”

“Buck!” Steve protests, glaring at his- Well, what was the right title? “Partner” seemed off, “boyfriend”, maybe? Nah, too childish.

“I saw too much, Steve,” the brunet laments. “Some dude had a tattoo of Stark on his-”

“Alright, I get it!”

Sam takes the opening. “Well, is (Y/N) thinking about dating?” It’s impossible to miss how they exchange a nervous glance. “I mean, she’s pretty, she’s been adjusting well. I’m sure she wouldn’t have any trouble-”

Bucky snaps first. “Ok! Ok, ok, Sam, listen.”

Steve sighs. “Buck-”

“Listen,” he continues. “You can’t tell anyone about this.”

Bingo. The Falcon feigns shock. “Oh? What’s ‘this’?”

———————————————————————

By the end of the week, Sam knows all about you three, and Nat is 98.2% sure she say you making out in the kitchen one night. The 1.8% is because she was also extremely over-caffeinated, so hallucinations were always a possibility.

Wanda’s been complaining to Clint about how “emotionally suppressed” you all are, but they think it’s sweet nonetheless.

In all honesty, you don’t really mind if the team knows. The hard part is keeping your budding relationship away from the public.

If they find out, it’ll just pile on more stress to the neverending trials. Your relationship will be grounds for more invasive questions, and you aren’t ready for that. At least, not until the trials come to a close and you either end up free or in prison.

Speaking of prison, Tony’s lawyers had finally confronted Thaddeus Ross about your treatment on the Raft.

“There was no permanent damage done to Ms. (L/N),” Ross’s lawyer argues, enunciating his words. “We knew that, due to her enhancements, she would survive the dosage.”

You say nothing but frown slightly. It had been hours of pain and nausea. Your memory from that week is foggy and jumbled. There was definitely some permanent damage.

“During her interrogations, Ms. (L/N) confessed to having blinded soldiers and burnt them with her powers. It was only reasonable to be concerned and want to minimize damages.”

“And for Mr. Barnes, we used a special set of cuffs that sent an electromagnetic pulse through his metal arm, which was enough to contain him without the assistance of sedatives.”

You bristle at the way they speak about you. Like an experiment. Like HYDRA. It turns your stomach and plants a deep unease. The way Bucky shifts on the other side of Steve reveals that he feels the same way.

The blond captain doesn’t dare to hold your hands. Not now. Not with all of the cameras and eyes. His hand twitches anyway.

You manage through the first half of the trial, but the judge’s next words make your heart drop. They’re calling a witness forward. A last name that echoes in the back of your mind.

“What is your relationship to the defendants?”

You can’t make eye contact with the man.

“They killed my dad,” he says. The courtroom goes silent.

You swallow. He continues to describe how he found the governor dead in his office, a hole burnt through his chest and a ghastly bruise on his neck.

By the time he’s done, you’re so far gone that you don’t notice your hands shaking, or how everyone’s getting up to leave.

“Hey, hey, come back to us,” Steve whispers. You blink, tears welling up as you spot the man shaking hands with Ross.

Bucky follows your gaze, only to rip it away when he realizes. He glances at his metal arm.

He hates excluding Steve, but the words slip from his tongue before he can stop them.

“Заслуживаем ли мы этого [Do we deserve this]?” This. The possibility of getting out of this mess. Of legally washing your hands of the blood, even if the stains would stick around.

A part of you, long buried since the ‘40s, says that you do. It promises that you weren’t in control, that neither of you would have done this out of your own volition.

But it’s so much easier to take the blame. If you’ve grown so used to the heavy darkness, then who will you be when it’s lifted?

And you hate that you can’t answer.

———————————————————————

It’s late that night when you finally turn in. Locking the door, you drop your covers.

You grab pajamas and tug the curtains shut, hand grazing Steve’s as he turns on the TV. Bucky’s sitting on the bed and is definitely staring at the former’s ass. Not that you can blame him.

With a knowing smile, you run a hand through his hair. You feel a presence behind you, and a kiss planted right between your wings. You sigh, exhaling the stress of the day.

“None of that was your fault,” Steve whispers. It hurts to hear. When he’s met with silence, he patiently reiterates himself. “None of it.”

“That man from the trial, I remember the… the victim,” Bucky mumbles. “He told us he had a son. Not that it did anything for him.”

Nodding, you close your eyes as the memory washes over you.

A well-dressed man kneels on an ornate carpet. Your bow is drawn. He holds up a framed picture, pleading in strangled gasps. You loose the glowing arrow as the Winter Soldier holds him up by the throat.

“Is that what you were saying earlier?” the blond asks. The Russian. Reluctantly, you translate your worries to him.

“Do we deserve this?”

It stuns him.

“Yes, you do. You deserve to heal, to be happy,” he chokes out. Steve won’t admit how horrible it is to watch the both of you like this. So worn down and unsure. You never used to doubt yourself, always confident in your skills and wants.

But now you’re blaming yourself for murders you were forced to commit.

Bucky clenches his fist. “They took so much.” There’s no need for elaboration. “We’re not the same people we were back then, Stevie. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be.” He takes the brunet’s hand. “You two are everything I want and all of the reasons I want it. None of us are the same.”

Slowly absorbing his words, the three of you lay down on the large bed, arranging for Bucky to be in the middle. Normally, that’s your spot, but you’re more than willing to abdicate for tonight.

“You’re too smart for your own good,” you chuckle, kissing Steve’s forehead before burrowing into Bucky’s side. Gently running your hand over the web of scars surrounding his shoulder, you allow your powers to flow for the first time in weeks.

A dim glow travels around the veins, casting golden light on the silver prosthetic. Even the residual power calms you as you trace small circles. When the nerves are a bit less inflamed, you stop, and he takes your hand, pressing his lips to your palm.

Steve mimics his motion on his metal hand, never batting an eye when it whirs and shifts.

“Love you both,” Bucky whispers. You parrot it back, the dim light of the TV casting a blue glow on you.

The blond speaks, muffled by his pillow. “Whatever happens, whenever it happens, we’ll face it together, okay?”

You link pinkies with both of them in succession.

“Deal.”

———————————————————————

“Whatever” ended up being the final trial, and “whenever” ended up being four days from then. Tony’s legal team had dragged in a large screen and started up HYDRA footage for the jury.

Even if they’d warned you in advance, you hated watching yourself succumb to the trigger words. It was almost as bad as watching Bucky do the same.

As your screams echoed through the room, many in the jury turned away. Not that you could blame them; it was a grisly sight. Tubes stuck out of your arms and the empty look in your eyes bored through any screen or recording.

But now it was time for the final verdict. You hung on every word, wings fluttering as a representative of the jury stepped forwards.

Her opening speech flies over your head, but then, she turns to you with a small smile.

“We, the members of the jury, find the defendants-“

Ross still has a smug grin on his face, but his confidence all drops away.

“-Not guilty.”

Your hands fly to cover your mouth, eyes watering as the trial concludes. Many reporters are clapping, and the judge offers a polite nod to the three of you before exiting.

You, Bucky, and Steve are instantly in the middle of a group hug, even as Vision awkwardly hovers around.

“We can get you two to Wakanda, T’Challa promised that his sister could help with getting those trigger words out of your heads,” Tony begins, still mid-hug.

Nat rolls her eyes. “Tony-“

“And once that’s done we can get you training, and even start missions if you feel comfortable,” he continues.

The redhead grabs him by the shirt, tugging him away and ushering the rest of the team with her.

“Let the lovebirds have their moment,” she chuckles once they get far enough away.

Sam runs right into the billionaire as he stops in his tracks.

“Lovebirds? What?”

Back in the courtroom, the three of you are still soaking in what this means for you.

“What do you guys want to do first, now that you aren’t enemies of the state?” Steve asks, leaning against a bench.

“I wanna go on a road trip,” Bucky hums. “Take a break before everything goes crazy.”

You nod. “Yeah, we could go down to the Grand Canyon like you always wanted.”

“You could fly it; that’d be cool,” he agrees.

The blond shakes his head. “You two are such nerds.”

Shrugging you stand to stretch from your seat. “You love us.”

Damn you and how right you are. He does. He loves you both a lot. And maybe now he can show it.

“Yeah, and I’d love to be able to kiss you two right now.” But it’s too public, and neither of you are ready. Or so he thinks.

“What, you want to tell everyone?” Bucky asks.

Steve blushes a bit. “Well- maybe not here, at the courthouse? That seems a bit… much.”

“Since when have you been one for subtlety?” you snort. “The only way you could be more noticeable is if you wore a traffic cone on your head.”

He falls silent, and you and Bucky exchange a look.

“Listen,” the latter begins. “We’re both comfortable with it if you are.” The last thing any of you want to do is push the others over their limits.

He thinks, really thinks about it, and steels his resolve. The three of you have waited long enough. “I’m ready.”

You entwine hands with Steve in the middle, and make your way to the front doors of the courthouse. The team is waiting, and Nat, Sam, Wanda, and Clint sport knowing grins. Tony looks a bit pale.

The crowd is bigger than usual today. More signs, more cameras.

“We didn’t really map out the logistics of this, did we?” Steve whispers. Bucky, apparently done with waiting, grabs him by the collar and pulls him in.

When they part for air, the brunet whispers, “Fuck logistics,” before Steve leans to kiss you, gently holding your face in his hands.

The crowd only screams louder, and, in a subtle bit of one-uppery that you recognize in Bucky instantly, he dips you in his kiss.

When you center yourself back in reality, the team is excitedly hurrying up to you. You can’t find it in yourself to give a shit about the crowd. Whether they’re clapping or screaming obscenities, they’re just background noise.

Wanda comes up to you, and without any warning, pulls you into another hug. Chuckling, you pat her back while listening to Tony rave.

“So, you three-“

“Yes, us three,” Steve interrupts.

Stark blinks for a moment. “Wait, you’ve all been sleeping on your tiny-ass bed?”

You shrug. “A queen bed is hardly tiny. We only had a full sized one back in our old apartment.”

“Yeah, but the three of you weren’t all squeezing on that one with your ten-foot wings and the extra inches on Cap,” Sam says.

You can see the gears turning in Tony’s head, but leave him to his scheming. Peter’s equally excited, shaking in place. Or that could be the energy drink he had. You weren’t sure.

“Scott, are you crying?” Rhodey asks over the crowd. The man sniffles before squeaking out, “No! I’m just… Ok yeah I’m crying.”

The rattling of the barriers is your cue to head out. Some of the crowd are pressing past the guards as you pass by.

An elderly man catches your eye, smiles, and tips his hat before disappearing in the throng of people.

Once in the bus again, you take your usual spot with your boys.

“You sure know how to stir up a crowd,” you laugh, taking Steve’s hand.

Bucky grins. “He’s been doing that since those USO tours-“

“Hey! You promised you wouldn’t bring those up,” the blond whines.

“They were really entertaining,” you hum. “Especially the first time I saw you and yelled at you in front of the whole camp.”

He only grumbles, placating when Bucky kisses his forehead and struggles to not laugh more.

“We’re sorry, we’re sorry,” he manages, smiling. You agree, gently tapping him with one wing.

Despite promising not to tease him further, you don’t let up until you get back to the compound, happily retiring to your rooms to change out of the stuffy formal wear.

You’re tugging on some pajama shorts when two arms wrap around you. One metal, one warm.

“Pasăre [bird].” You hum, leaning into the touch.

“Hi, Jamie.”

“‘M tired,” he whispers. You reach up to run a hand through his hair.

“You’re always either tired or hyper, love.” He shrugs, awkward due to your wings blocking the movement of his arms.

You hear familiar footsteps heading down the hallway. “Steve,” Bucky calls.

“Yeah?” The blond has a few bowls of fruit in his arms. “Figured you two were tired.”

“That’s what we were just saying.” You pluck a small orange from the bowl, peeling it slowly. “I think we should ask Shuri about it when we head down.”

“When’ll that be?” he asks. You shrug, discarding a spiral of orange peel in the bowl.

“I’m pretty happy with hanging around for a while,” Bucky says, laying down beside you two on the bed and taking an apple slice. He carefully avoids your wings from where you’re laying on your back.

You pop an orange slice free and pass it to Steve, and as you do so, notice a small cut on his finger.

Taking his hand, you roll over. “What did you do now?” you ask. It’s a tiny cut. Hardly worse than a paper cut.

“Nicked myself on the apple slicer. Turns out Nat sharpens the kitchen tools in her free time, ‘just in case’, whatever that means.” You chuckle.

“May I?”

He nods.

As you work, Steve watches you. He’s always done a lot of observing. It’s how he got good at art, how he got good at strategizing, and, eventually, leading.

He’s never seen a close-up of your powers on him. The last time you used them on him, he was, to be blunt, dying on the banks of the Potomac.

He knows that Bucky knows your powers well. They’re like a safe space for him. They provide memories that aren’t just the cold walls of HYDRA.

But they’re new to Steve. The first thing he notices is how your hands move. With Wanda’s powers, her hands are tense and shaking. The sheer force of the power she holds looks almost painful.

Your hands twist and bend in fluid motions, and though they have the slightest tremble, the differences are like night and day.

The second thing he notices is, well, the powers themselves. The only magic he’s encountered is Thor’s and Wanda’s. Maybe Vision, if the Mind Stone counts. All of their powers radiate a humming noise. It crackles and reminds you of their destructive force.

Your powers are silent. And they almost bloom from your hands. The gold light floats into small shapes, before fading away. When the light touches the cut, the skin sews itself back together.

“…Wow,” he breathes out. You tilt your head.

“What?”

He holds up his hand. “‘What?’? You just healed my hand, sweetheart, I’d say that warrants a ‘wow’.”

“Or two,” Bucky cuts in, pecking Steve’s hand from over your shoulder. You grin when the latter blushes, the slowly setting sun barely peeking through the curtains.

The three of you are tangled together, talking in hushed voices as your hands trail over each other.

Maybe you’re tired all the time now. Maybe the nightmares come every night and the public deems you a killer. And maybe they’re right in some ways.

But you have your boys the way you wanted them all this time. You have a little room and friends who care about you and two bowls of fruit and a TV that you only watch documentaries and cooking shows on.

And you think that that more than makes up for it.

[bsideminibang]

Masterlist

And that's a wrap! Many, many thanks to all the amazing authors, artists and betas who worked on this year's bang!

Below the cut are all the pieces that were submitted this year, so now's the time to check them out!

You're Fucking Perfect (To Me) by TwinOne with art from nickelkeep (8600 words, T)

Every Thursday Castiel visits Sam’s house, they share a glass or two of good whiskey and a bit of conversation like they’ve done for years. Everything changes the day he smells a new and intriguing scent as soon as he steps inside his friend’s house.

It’s the scent of an omega. Not just any omega, but his true mate.

A story told using the lyrics of the song Fucking Perfect by P!nk as prompts for each chapter.

You Can Keep Your Hat On by Redamber79 with art from PetraAmia (5444 words, E)

When a staff party with Cas' coworkers and boss gets too uncomfortable with unwanted advances on both of them, Dean and Cas ditch the party to go back to their place and celebrate on their own, starting with Dean performing a strip tease for Cas, and ending up in their bedroom.

Steve? Really...Steve? by Hectatess with art from Acaademicqueer (7625 words, M)

When Castiel wanders the empty streets out for revenge, he gets kidnapped. By the Law, no less. Had he been breaking the law so badly? And will he get that revenge?

When FBI-agents Sam and Dean are on an undercover job, they see the spitting image of one of the murdered victims in the case, walking, talking and… committing misdemeanours? Who is this guy, claiming to be Steve Milton? And can he really help them crack this case wide open?

Nice Like by MBQ with art from sidewinder (13700 words, E)

Dean and Benny search for Castiel in Purgatory, but the trio is rife with tensions when they finally "catch up" with the wayward angel.

Inspired by Lord Huron's, Meet Me in the Woods.

Play It Pretty For the World by cactusdragon517 with art from PetraAmaia (10805 words, E)

It's an old story, in the end: Boy meets boy. Boy falls in love. Happily ever after. But how they get there is a different story altogether (after all, what can you expect from rockstars?)

Family Business is in need of a new guitarist and lucky for them, session musician Castiel Novak is available. Guitar in hand and a bag over his shoulder, Castiel arrives in LA with Family Business on the brink of making it big.

Internally, however, is a bit more complex. Dean Winchester, lead singer and older brother, has found himself navigating his brother's growing addiction and their band's impending success.

After tours and traveling the world, they go their separate ways.

Can Dean and Castiel find their way back to each other?

Love From the Other Side by LadyKnightSkye with art from Dmitrievans (9245 words, T)

When Zachariah sends Dean forward into the world after the Apocalypse, instead of running into the National Guard, he runs into a person he thinks is his brother. In relief, he hugs “Sam.” This one choice of affection instead of aggression sets off a chain of events that ripples out from both sides of the Apocalypse.

Only Physical by nickelkeep with art from PetraAmia (4470 words, E)

Cas and Dean have been best friends for as long as Cas can remember. He's always wanted more, and when he and Dean slip into the friends-with-benefits category, he knew he could be satisfied with that. Until he wasn't.

Art for the bang by Rapscallion

I Had Some Time (With You) by songliili with art from Keikakudom (23970 words, E)

It’s 2005 when things go to hell.

Well. They go to hell for everyone except Dean, ‘cause he was ready for it.

Well. He was ready for the apocalypse, not for the gorgeous man who fell into his life, quite literally.

OR

A Destiel rewrite of Bill and Frank’s love story as shown on HBO’s The Last of Us episode 3: Long Long Time that uses elements of both universes.

Unraveling Unrolled by bleuzombie with art from golby-moon (3134 words, M)

A parent’s love should be unconditional. Coming out as trans has really put John’s love to the test.

[lacontroller1991]

KWF Day 4: Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Main Master List KWF Master List

Warnings: Language, Blood, stabbing, Spoilers for FATWS,

Word Count: 557

Day 4: Breath Play / Hidden Injuries / Hobbies

----------

It’s been an hour since Karli Morgenthau passed away in Sam’s arms. 45 minutes since Sam gave a speech to the world leaders and officially took on the mantle of Captain America. However, it’s been two hours since you were literally stabbed in the back by Sharon Carter. 

You wince as you try to apply pressure to your wound, but the harsh material of your tact suit does little to stop the bleeding.

“Hey, you okay?” Bucky appearing beside you startles you from your thoughts as you look him over; sweaty, dirty and a little bloody.

“You look like shit.” Bucky chuckles, looking up at the dark sky as he releases a breath, aware of your eyes watching him.

“Could say the same for you. You look more pale than Steve did when he rode those rides at Coney Island.”

“‘M just tired is all.” Your head lolls to the side as your body starts to fall forward but Bucky is quick to catch you in his arms, looking you over with concern.

“You sure you’re okay, doll? I can tell something is wrong.” 

“Is just a stab wound, I’ll be okay.” Bucky’s eyes widen as he lays you flat on the bench and looks over your body before finding a deep cut, still bleeding.

“Shit. Why did you say anything?”

“I thought it wasn’t that big of a deal,” you comment, eyes beginning to drift close, “I just want some sleep.”

“No way.” Bucky picks you up in his arms and rushes toward an ambulance, ignoring the looks of news broadcasters and random onlookers. “I’m getting you to a hospital.”

“Hey Tin Man, what’s going on? What’s wrong with (Y/N)?” Bucky rolls his eyes at the nickname but despite your semi-unconscious state, you laugh at the little joke. 

“She’s been stabbed. I don’t know how or when, but that’s not important. You handle the press and I’ll handle this.”

“Alright, give me a call when she’s awake.” Bucky nods and sets you on a gurney while paramedics rush to try and stop the bleeding as Bucky watches in fear. Even though you and him never put a label on whatever it is the two of you are, he still feels protective over you and the knowledge that somebody hurt you has him seeing red. 

“We’ll get her stable in no time. Would you like to come to the hospital with her?” The paramedic asks, a tablet in his hands as he logs you into the system. 

“Yeah. I’ll come with her.” He hops in the ambulance and grabs onto your hand, tugging his lip in between his teeth. Why wouldn’t she tell me she was hurt? Why would she keep it a secret? Your hand tries to move the oxygen mask to the side but Bucky beats you to it. “What is it?"

“Sharon. Sharon did it.” Bucky’s blood runs cold. Sharon has been with them this whole time and was helping them, so why would she go and stab you? “She’s the one behind everything. She’s the real one we’re after.”

“Ok, doll. We’ll get this figured out. Just rest for now.” Bucky places the mask back on you as he seethes. As soon as you’re better and out of harm's way, he is going to hunt down Sharon Carter and make her pay. 

==========

General Tag List: @marvelousmermaid @himbovillain-anon @babblydrabbly @a-reader-and-a-writer @fairchildflag @infatuatedjanes @11thstreetvigilante

[romanoffsmcu]

No one knew this but Natasha had been my idol since day one, and she felt like a sister to me. I obviously didn’t want anyone to know this since I thought it was embarrassing.

—————————————————————

”YY/NN, COME BACK HERE YOU!!!!” Nat yelled whilst chasing after me around the compound.

”NO YOU’RE NEVER GONNA CATCH ME!!” I yelled back.

Oh we’ll see about that real soon”, Natasha said to herself and jumped to the vents in the ceiling. I thought I had lost her and walked calmly back to the sofas to watch Tv with others.

”You got away?! How?!” Tony asked shocked

”I don’t even know I just ran and then she wasn’t there anymore? Okay there’s no way… I would never be able to get away from her-” I started

”Yeah you’re absolutely correct-”

I froze the second I saw her coming down from the ceiling smiling.

”You would never be able to get rid of me” I heard Nat say

Pretending not to hear Natasha I continued to talk with the others, Sam continued with me but Steve and Tony, they were afraid for my life.

I heard Natasha again:

”You think you can just ignore me like that after what you did?” She said and I could hear her smirking. It took me a while to answer, thinking whether I should apologize or just run again.

”Yes. That is exactly what I thought.” I said bluntly and went off running again, this time ending up in my bedroom under the covers. Natasha followed me all the way but walking, making me even more nervous about what was gonna to happen. She kicked the door open and within seconds she started walking towards me and said:

”Sometimes I feel like you do this on purpose.”

She teased as she took the covers off and dragged me to her. Her dragging me from my ribs made me squirm and giggle a bit.

”What’s wrong?” She asked with a teasing tone.

”Nothing… ” I said, trying to hide my laughter.

”That doesn’t sound like nothing and you’re all red!”

Yeah I was all red, from blushing obviously.

Natasha continued, causing me to yelp. She then realized what was going on, and I could see a smirk forming on her face.

”Oh my… y/n, you’re ticklish aren’t you?”

”What? No!” I said hiding my giggles well, but my blushing not so much.

”Awww! Is little y/n getting flustered by tickling?” She started squeezing my hips which caused me to yelp and squirm under her touch.

”NATASHHAAA NOHOOOHOOO!!” I tried to make her stop

”What? more? Alrighty then!” She grabbed my hands and put them over my head.

”Now that I’ve found out that you’re ticklish I need to find your worst spot! How about your armpits are they ticklish?” She teased

”NO!!” I screamd and tried to to throw her off of me

My eyes widened as soon as I felt her hands tickling my armpits. With her now sitting on top of me and holding my hands still, nothing helped me.

”NNOHOOOHOO YHOHHU’RE AHAHAAHH BHHIIHITHHHTTCHHH!!! ”

”Oh cheeky, you’re gonna pay for that. I think we should count your ribs, don’t you?”

”No, Natasha no we donAHHHAAHHAHAAHA”

”I think I found a good spot on your upper ribs! Now be honest with me, is there more ticklish spots in you or is that it?” She asked obviously knowing that this wasn’t it

I HATE YOU SOHOO MUCHH!!

Natasha: And ye-

AHAHHHAHAHHH NATASHHHAAA, I screamed and blushed even harder than before, when she squeezed my inner thighs

”You didn’t let me finish, and yet you haven’t told me to stop? She had switched her tickling to my thighs next, which was the worst spot of mine. I couldn’t handle it at all.

”AHAHHAAHHAA NAATTT PLEASE I CAN’T TAKE ITTT, PLEASSSEEEE. ” I was a squirming mess at this point

”Do you have any non ticklish spots? You’re the most ticklish person I’ve ever seen and it’s the cutest ever”

”IIHIHHI’MM NOHOHOTT CUUHUUUTE!!!!”

”Yes you are, yes you are!” She sang as she continued now tickling my feet.

At this point my laugh changed to silent laugh which caused Nat to let me breathe

”You’re so mean I don’t like you.” I said facing away from her.

”Excuse me little girl, you liked it and you know it!” She said and squeezed your hips.

”WHA- No I didn’t”, I said trying to convince her.

”Yes you did but I think it’s sweet. You’re still blushing and trying to hide that pretty smile of yours. Come here you.” She said now with a very sweet and calm voice.

”I don’t like being ti… you know what I mean” I said and hid my face into her neck

”You can’t even say the word tickle, awwww!” Natasha said adoring

I leaned more deeper into Natashas shoulder and she hugged me tightly.

”Thank you” I said with a quiet voice kinda hoping she wouldn’t hear.

”For what?” The redhead asked confused

”I- um… for being like a big sister to me, love you.” I told her very shyly

”You see me as a big sister? That is so sweet. I love you too so much”

”I do really, anyway from a topic to another… you’re such a softie Nat, I gotta tell others!!!”

I tried to run off but felt an arm grab my waist and pull me back, which caused me to get wrecked again by Nat.

[440mxs-wife]

In the Nick of Time

Pairing: Bucky x F!Reader. Other Characters: Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Thor Odinson and Loki Laufeyson. Also Dr. Ivan Zalinsky (OMC), Ryan (captured SHIELD Agent)

Word Count: 9329

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, hospital stay, medical experiments with drugs, gunshot wounds, use of pet names (sweetheart, baby, Solnyshka) BUT still has the right amount of FLUFF and an ending with a twist......?

Summary: The last time you heard Bucky’s voice, he was being taken prisoner. The man behind it is Dr. Ivan Zalinsky, the man responsible for unlocking your enhanced abilities. He’s threatened to do the same to Bucky, which you cannot and will not allow. Time for a rescue, but will you be successful?

A/N: This really was only supposed to be two parts. But my daughter and unofficial beta-reader, @phoenixisred, talked me into writing a Part 3. Bless her little pea-pickin’ heart. :) There will be a Part 4, which will be a crossover with another fandom, which will be obvious by the surprise in the ending. You can catch up on Part 1, Perfect Timing here and Part 2, Running Out of Time here. Enjoy!

A/N 2: Translation: Solnyshka = Sunshine

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Where am I? you wondered. Beep. Beep. Beep. You could hear the machines that were monitoring your condition as they emitted a steady rhythm of signals. The numbers for your vital signs like your BP, pulse rate and oxygen level were reflected on the screen. The numbers indicated that they were at a normal level, but you were still unconscious.

You could feel the delicate touch of someone holding your right hand. For a fleeting moment, you thought that Bucky had somehow escaped and made it back to you. Then your eyes flew open as you realized he was still stuck in that HYDRA base, and it was up to you to get him back. With a sharp gasp, you sat upright in the bed, straining the wires and setting off the alarms for the machines monitoring you.

"Whoa, easy there, sweetie. Shh, we've got you. Come, sit back on your pillows and relax," Wanda soothed.

You fell back against your pillows as directed, which stopped the machines from going wild with their readings of your vital signs. Off to your left, you noticed Steve sitting in a chair, looking like he hadn't slept well in a few days. "Hey there, Sunshine. How you doin'?" he asked.

Sunshine. One of Bucky's many nicknames for you, his favorite. "Been better, Steve. By the looks of it, so have you. How long have I been out?" you wondered.

"Couple of days. What's the last thing you remember?" he inquired.

You searched your memory of two days ago, when you returned to the Tower. "I came back after I heard James' voicemail message about going on the mission," you started, choking back a sob. "I got a taxi to bring me here as soon as possible. After I put my stuff in our room, and I saw you all in the COMMs room....I knew something had gone wrong. I shouldn't have left here, Steve," you whispered, the tears now flowing freely down your face. "I never got to tell him....."

"Hey now, try not to think about that right this second. You know those HYDRA missions go wrong about as many times as they go right. The important thing is for you to rest, because we've got work to do, and we're going to need your help," Steve replied. "And Sunshine? Don't worry, you'll get your chance to tell Bucky....whatever it is you never got to tell him," Steve promised with a wink. He gave your hand a final squeeze, then he and Wanda stood up from their chairs. Steve pressed a kiss to your forehead and walked out of the room with Wanda, closing the door behind them.

"I hope so, Steve. I really hope so," you replied softly. Now that you were sitting in your room alone, your thoughts drifted back to what you'd heard of the mission. Not only was Dr. Zalinsky alive, but he was holding Bucky prisoner, threatening to do to him what had been done to you. There was no way you were going to allow that happen to anyone else, let alone the love of your life. You just had to figure out a rescue plan and put it into action. As you let your mind wander, the tendrils of sleep slowly took over your brain, and you had no choice but to close your eyes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bucky heard the heavy door in his cell slide open and looked up as Ryan got pushed inside. Ryan was back from his "session" with Dr. Zalinsky. Bucky wasn't sure how much more the agent would be able to withstand before it would be too much. He had to figure out a way for himself and Ryan to get away from the facility and to a nearby safe house before any HYDRAs knew they were missing.

His thoughts drifted back to you and what you might be doing back at the Tower. He hoped that whatever was going on, that you were safe and unharmed. Bucky knew that Steve and everyone else would be looking after you, making sure you were okay until he could be rescued. He also knew that the worst part would be the waiting, and he hated that he was putting you through it.

That last day before he left on his mission kept playing on a loop in his head. When you told him of your new work assignment, his first reaction was that you'd be putting yourself in danger. Bucky did enough of that on a regular basis to know that there was no way he wanted that for you. Even when you explained that you wouldn't be going into the field, all he could see was you returning to the compound hurt or worse.

Bucky was sitting on his cot, head resting on the wall behind him and eyes tilted towards the ceiling. If only I had slowed down and at least listened to her, been more supportive instead. Dammit, I know she's a strong woman, smart, fully capable of handling COMMs for a mission. She can do just about anything she puts her mind to. Wish I'd said that rather than what I did say, Bucky thought. He'd take back what he said, just for the chance to see you again. "Oh, solnyshka, my solnyshka," he mumbled. "I miss you so much," he whispered. When he closed his eyes, a single tear slid down his cheek.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A couple of days later, you were released from the MedBay and allowed to return to the room you shared with Bucky. Although it was nice to be out of the MedBay, the room felt empty without your super soldier boyfriend. At the moment, you were sitting on the edge at the foot of your side of the bed, facing the headboard, lost in thought.

Alpine hopped up on the bed to join you, her right front paw no longer causing her pain. The same ability that allowed you to communicate with her also included healing properties. She nudged at your hands that were clasped in your lap, making you chuckle. "You want some attention, pretty girl? Is that it?" you asked. You reached out your hand to pet her luxuriously soft fur, which helped to reduce some of your anxiety about the current situation with Bucky.

You heard knocking at your door, and called out to the visitor to come in. "Hi, Wanda. Any news on James?" you inquired wearily.

Wanda took a seat on the edge of the bed on Bucky's side, facing you. In response to your question, she shook her head. "Nothing yet, honey. That doesn't mean they've stopped looking, although Fury seems to be convinced that they haven't moved him," she reported. "It's only a matter of time before we find them, until Bucky's safe and sound back here with you."

"I hope so, Wanda," you replied wistfully. "I need him as far away from Dr. Zalinsky as possible. There's a reason that maniac was kicked off campus all those years ago. Too many people were having adverse reactions to whatever he was handing out during his 'study'. As it was, I only took two or three doses of the stuff, but I quit taking it before his program was shut down. But I'm afraid that the meds I did take only made a bad situation worse," you explained.

"What did it do to you?" Wanda asked.

"At the time, Zalinsky told me it would help with the headaches and dizziness. I wasn't that far into the trial, and I would still get migraines off and on. I figured it wasn't working, so I quit taking the meds. There were others farther along in the program, and it made them extremely suspicious of those around them. Also made them paranoid, convinced that someone was lurking around every corner, out to do them harm," you added. "Some of them had even started acting out and in violent ways. The university's official statement chalked it up to 'adjustment issues' between students, which kept it mostly out of the press."

"How awful!" she gasped.

"Yeah, and it's the reason why they booted Zalinsky off the campus. I didn't think much of any after-effects causing me problems until that big headache hit a few weeks ago that put me in the MedBay. That's when Dr. Cho did the CAT Scan and found the red spot. She said it's the part of my brain that manages my ability to communicate with and heal animals. Like Alpine here," you smiled as you scratched behind the feline's ears.

"If you want, I could teach you how to control your ability, how to filter out some of the 'noise'," Wanda offered.

"Would you? That would be fantastic, Wanda, thank you. Because I'm definitely going to need that control when I go in with the team to rescue James," you noted grimly.

"Whoa, hold on a minute. Have you cleared that with Steve, Tony or even Fury about going on the mission?" she questioned.

"I have to go with them, Wan. Zalinsky said he would finish with James whatever had been started with me. I have no idea what those pills would've done to me, had I kept going with them. James has been through enough already, and I refuse to let Zalinsky make things worse for him. Besides, there's no telling what might happen if you combine the super serum and whatever Zalinsky's working with," you noted grimly.

"All right, meet me in the gym in an hour, and we'll start your training. The sooner you can control your ability, the sooner we can tell Tony to fire up the quinjet and go out after Bucky. Sound like a deal?" Wanda asked, holding out her hand for you to shake.

"Sounds like the perfect deal for me, Wan," you replied, enthusiastically returning her handshake. The two of you dissolved into giggles and fell into each other's fond embrace. "I just miss him so much," you choked out. "He may not be perfect, but for me, he's korol moego serdtsa," you added. (king of my heart)

"I know, darling, I know," she soothed and tightened her hold on you. "But for now, let's focus on harnessing this ability you now have, and see how we can turn this into an advantage in the field. One hour?" she kept her hands on your shoulders and leaned back to lock her gaze on you.

"One hour, Wanda," you promised. "Thank you." One final squeeze and then Wanda left your room.

During the next week, you worked with Wanda on controlling your ability, all while trying to keep your mind focused. It was difficult, especially since you knew that for each day that went by, that was one more day that Bucky was in danger from Zalinsky. Each time those thoughts invaded your concentration, you felt the effects right away. Slowly you were learning to filter out those thoughts and focus on seeing his face again, feeling his arms around you when you rescue him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

One day, you, Steve, Tony and the rest of the team were in the conference room, reviewing various strategies for extracting Ryan and Bucky. The approach they were favoring so far was a brute force attack, using all available Avengers to bulldoze their way in. You knew that Zalinsky and HYDRA would be expecting this, but no matter how many times you voiced this opinion, it was dismissed.

"Tony, there are other ways besides blasting your way through at the front door," you attempted to remind him for what seemed like the fortieth time. "It's not exactly subtle, either."

"Oh, and you know this because of your extensive field experience, is that it?" he retorted. "Why don't you go practice talking to the animals, Dr. Doolittle. That way you leave the strategy meeting to the grown-ups, hmm?"

You slammed your hands on the table causing everyone to shift their focus to you. "DAMMIT, Tony, could you quit being an ass for two seconds?!? Zalinsky and HYDRA are holding a highly trained asset--their highly trained former asset--and a SHIELD agent of yours. They KNOW we're going to come after them and attempt a rescue. Maybe it's better that we try going through a back door or finding some other way in," you remarked.

Tony stood across from you at the conference table, barely containing his fury at you, his arms folded across his chest. "Fine, what is your proposal, O Gifted Strategist?" he smirked.

You resisted the urge to roll your eyes at Tony's sarcasm, because you finally had his attention. "Wanda has been working with me on filtering out a lot of the background stuff that comes with my ability. Helps me to focus on one particular animal, bird, insect, etc., so I can determine how to communicate with it. Now, I'm not perfect at it yet, but for my plan, I believe I have enough of a handle on it to make it work."

Tony briefly glanced at Wanda, who nodded at Tony and smiled her encouragement at you. "What I'm suggesting is this: HYDRA has cameras everywhere, so they'll be able to tell when we're within a certain range. If we could somehow disable those cameras, we can slip in undetected," you began.

"Hmm. I suppose we could try and hack into the cameras," Tony mused.

"I was thinking of a really low-tech approach," you replied. Tony raised one eyebrow as if to indicate that he was still listening. "There's bound to be rats or mice in a place like that. I can communicate with them to chew through the wires or otherwise block the camera. As soon as that's done, we break in." When you finished, you looked around at the others. Some were nodding their heads, some were deep in thought. Tony, however, did not seem impressed.

"Seriously? This is what you've come up with? Rodents to chew through the security camera wires, then we just waltz right in there and break out the prisoners?" Tony retorted. "Please tell me the rest of you aren't buying this--this--amateur plan. Nope, playtime is over, kiddo. Besides, there's no way I'm letting you tag along on this mission," he vowed.

You could feel the tears gathering behind your eyes, but you were determined not to let Tony or anyone else see them. Taking a deep breath to compose yourself, you locked your gaze on Tony. "For this plan to work, I must be on-site to communicate. They are holding two of your people, a SHIELD agent and an Avenger, one of whom I am extremely attached to. For better or worse, Zalinsky gave me this ability. Please let me use it to rescue the man I love," you pleaded.

For a moment, it looked like Tony was seriously considering your plan instead of his own. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Then he abruptly raised his head and shook it in rejection of your plan. "Nah, sorry. Can't do it. I just don't see this kind of a plan working out," he remarked.

You started to walk out when a radical and dangerous thought popped into your head, but unfortunately didn't stay there. "Or, you could always use me as bait," you suggested.

Everyone began to immediately protest, shouting over each other that it was a bad idea. "Wait a minute, please!" you implored. "Listen, you heard Zalinsky when Ryan and James were taken. Either he uses them for his lab experiments, or he grabs me and tries to finish what he started with me when I was in college," you reminded them.

The room erupted again, with a chorus of objections rising from all sides. The noise was starting to affect you, and Tony didn't appear willing to look further into adopting your plan. So, you left the conference room to get away from the commotion and into somewhere quiet.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ryan paced the floor of the cell, muttering to himself. Clearly, the effects of the medication were starting to take hold, though Bucky wasn't sure if the meds were the cause. The constant motion of Ryan, along with his muttering under his breath, was making Bucky feel somewhat uneasy. He was sitting on the military cot, wedged into the corner next to the wall.

"Could you stop with the pacing? You'll only end up wearing yourself out, then someone will have to carry your ass out of here when they rescue us," Bucky grumbled.

Suddenly Ryan stopped in his pacing to glare at Bucky. "There is no rescue, you know. No one's coming for us," Ryan retorted.

Bucky rolled his eyes. "What do you mean, of course there's a rescue. The team is just waiting for the right time to barge in and lead us out of here," he affirmed.

"The team doesn't even know where we are, so they'll just waste time trying to find us. Then when they don't, they'll leave us here," Ryan snapped.

Bucky jumped up from his cot in a flash, and picked Ryan up with both hands, holding him against the wall. "Listen up, because I'm only gonna say this once. Nobody is going to abandon us. Zalinsky and whoever else is filling your head with this crap is lying to you. And you have to figure out a way to fight what the meds are doing to you or things are gonna get worse. Understand?"

All Ryan could do was nod his head, at which point Bucky let go of him. Once free, Ryan resumed his pacing, but only for a few minutes until he ultimately settled on his own cot. Bucky had taken up his previous position on his cot, one knee drawn up to his chest with his arms curled around it. "I know you're out there, solnyshka. Please come find me," he whispered to himself.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So this is where you ran off to," a voice behind you stated. You had escaped to the roof and were curled up in one of the chairs, a blanket from your room draped around your shoulders.

"Go away, Loki. I'm not in the mood for anyone telling me about my lack of field experience, or that my ideas won't work. I already know I have no mission work under my belt, but I believe that my suggested plan of action has merit," you retorted.

"Which one? Plan 'A', where you direct your army of animals, insects and other creatures? Or Plan 'B', where you offer yourself as bait in exchange for the SHIELD agent and Barnes?" Loki probed, his eyes narrowed at you.

"Better me than them!" you exclaimed.

"You can't be serious!" Loki retorted. "How can you say that? You are just as important around here as Barnes and the other agent. So, what do you really think we should do?" he asked.

"You're right," you acknowledged quietly. "Logically, Plan 'A' is the best choice, where I use my ability to sneak on base. Wanda's been working with me on how to better focus my powers, but.... The only time my concentration really breaks is when I think about James being hurt," you admitted, dropping your gaze.

"Norns, you're in love with Barnes, aren't you?" Loki asked.

Eyes still cast downward, you nodded in confirmation of your love for James Buchanan Barnes. "I am. With all of my heart. Only we had an argument before this last mission, and I didn't get a chance to tell him that before he left," you sniffled. "I have to get him back, Loki. If I didn't think Tony would fire me or arrest me on the spot, I'd hijack his stupid plane right now to go after him. Anyone else is welcome to tag along," you remarked.

"Perhaps stealing a quinjet won't be necessary, darling. When I left the meeting, most of the team was trying to convince Stark of the merits of your Plan 'A'," Loki revealed.

At that moment, the door to the roof opened, revealing Sam Wilson. He walked over to where you were sitting and crouched down to your level. He held his arms out in invitation, which you took advantage of by launching yourself at him. "Oof! Aww, hey, babygirl. How you holdin' up, hmm?" he asked as he rubbed your back to comfort you.

"I'm okay, Sam," you replied. Your voice was muffled by his shoulder, so you drew back a little before speaking again. "As long as you tell me we're leaving soon to go and rescue James," you added, looking him directly in the eyes.

"Yeah, Tony sent me to find you two," Sam mentioned. "We've got the makings of a plan, and he wants to run it by everyone. Make sure it's airtight, no margin for error."

"Are you sure he even wants me there? I mean, with all of the field experience I don't have, I'd be surprised if he accepts any feedback I'd give," you grumbled.

Sam gave you a slightly exasperated look. "Come on, just hear him out. At least he's willing to discuss your idea, instead of going in all guns blazin' like he wanted to do before," Sam gently chided.

"I'm sorry, Sam. You're right. Let's go back to the conference room and see what Tony has to say. You with us, Loki?" you asked as you moved towards the door.

"Right behind you, darling," he replied.

The three of you returned to the conference room, where Tony revealed the plan to rescue Ryan and Bucky. Every so often, someone brought up a point that hadn't been considered, then everyone would discuss how to handle it. Finally, a formal battle plan had been devised, with a departure time decided to be three days from now.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was 2:37am on the day of the mission to rescue Bucky and you couldn't sleep. You decided to run through your mission prep list in your head. You had a bag with weapons sitting on the floor next to the bed, which Natasha had helped you pack yesterday. Another go-bag with a change of clothes, toiletries and other necessities was leaning against the weapons duffel.

A tactical suit was hanging on the back of your closet door, waiting for you to slip it on. At the moment, though, you found comfort in wearing Bucky's red Henley. The cuffs covered your hands like mittens, and you had on a pair of black sleep shorts underneath. You were sitting cross-legged on the bed, leaning your back against the headboard, thinking.

"Mrowr" you heard, followed immediately by the appearance of your snowy-white feline. She placed both front paws on your knees and gazed longingly at you. With a chuckle, you reached over and pulled her fully into your lap, scratching under her chin and feeling the vibrations from her purrs.

"What am I going to do with you, hmm?" you mused. "Now, listen. Peter promised he would take really good care of you while everyone is gone, but you still have to behave. You know that what I'm doing is important, otherwise I wouldn't be leaving you for someone else to look after. I'll be back before you know it," you affirmed. You weren't sure who you were trying to convince more, though, Alpine or yourself.

Your best hope is for everything to go according to plan, and that you quickly find Ryan and Bucky unharmed. However, you also remembered hearing enough tales of past missions to know that things rarely went that way. That's why you kept your back-up plan to yourself and promised that you would only use it as a last resort.

A soft knock at your door sounded and was followed by Natasha slipping in then re-closing the door behind her. She walked over to where you were sitting on the bed and climbed up to sit next to you. "So, first op. Are you nervous?" she asked.

You nodded, then turned to face the super-spy and former assassin. "I mean, I'd be dumb not to be nervous, but I know this is something I have to do. I can't let Zalinsky do to James what he's done to me," you replied. Staring at your hands, you added, "I really don't know how you all do this, time after time. I hope you know, you all have my deep and undying respect for doing it."

Nat threw her arm around your shoulders and pulled you closer. "And it's okay that you're feeling this way. Hell, I'd be afraid if you weren't feeling at least something about it. Just remember your training, and also who and what you're doing this for. You'll be all right, and the team has your back," she remarked.

"Thanks, Nat," you choked out. "I appreciate everyone's help in getting me this far. I won't let you down." You took a deep breath and asked, "It's time, right?" you inquired.

Natasha nodded, then hopped off the bed and walked around to your side. You had climbed down and were readjusting the pillows when she reached you. "Let's go get your boyfriend back, hmm?" she grinned.

She waited while you changed into your tac suit, then you linked arms with hers and walked towards the door. Natasha picked up the weapons bag at the door, then you picked up the other one. The two of you headed towards the hangar, each step increasing the butterflies in your stomach. Once you reached the quinjet, you and Natasha handed the bags to Steve, who was meticulously stacking the incoming cargo. He paused long enough to give you a hug and mumble some words of encouragement.

When Steve pulled back, he asked, "I'm just helping load up, but I'll be back here, with the COMMs team. You ready for this, Sunshine?"

All noise in the quinjet came to an abrupt halt and it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. "'M ready, Cap. Before we take off, I want to say 'thank you' to all of you. I couldn't do this without you," you replied.

"Especially me, since it's my aircraft we're using," Tony smirked. "Strap in everyone, so we can get this show on the road." Each team member did as he asked and you felt the aircraft lift off the ground and head towards its destination.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Zalinsky entered the control room and examined the current footage from each camera. There were cameras pointed down hallways, at each exit and especially in the prison block. His eyes landed on the monitor for the interior of Ryan and Bucky's cell. A sinister smile formed on his face as he silently observed. Ryan was pacing the room as usual, while Bucky sat on his cot watching, but with no expression on his face.

"Oh, Soldat. Soon it will be your turn to participate in my glorious experiment. I'm excited to see how your serum-filled body will react to the medication," Zalinsky grinned.

"Doctor, he's just....sitting there. That's pretty much all he's done since we locked them in their cell. What if he doesn't react?" the technician asked.

"The mind powers of the Soldat are considerable. Probably more so, the longer he's been 'decommissioned'," Zalinsky spat out the last word. "It will be interesting to see how long it takes to break him. Especially when I mention Solnyshka," he remarked darkly.

As the men stared at the bank of monitors, they noticed that one by one, the screens were showing static then going dark. "What is happening?!?" Zalinsky thundered. His face paled when he saw your face on one of the hallway cameras. You looked directly into the camera and gave him a one-fingered salute just before it cut off.

"I don't know, Doctor," the technician frantically responded. He fiddled with the knobs and switches, desperately trying to restore video communication.

Zalinsky huffed in exasperation at the technician's inability to fix the problem at hand, and stormed down the hall. Soon he was in front of the door for Ryan and Bucky's cell. Zalinsky barked at the man guarding the door, ordering for it to be unlocked. Zalinsky took a deep breath to try and regain his composure, before barging into the cell.

"Well, well, Soldat. It appears that your friends are here to rescue you, and they brought me a gift. One of my former test subjects, your girlfriend, has broken into my base. I'm sure they think I'll just let you waltz out of there with them. Not a chance, Soldat," Zalinsky sneered.

Bucky remained seated on his cot, trying to look unaffected, but inside his heart was racing. Is he lying?? Or were you really here? he thought. Part of him knew this was no place for you, while another part of him couldn't wait to see you, hold you in his arms. That would have to wait until everyone was safe and on the way back to the compound. Bucky shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied nonchalantly, his eyes never wavering from Zalinsky's glare.

Zalinsky snapped his fingers at his guards, then gestured for them to grab Ryan and Bucky and take them to the lab. Bucky had yet to see the lab, but given his past experience, it wasn't anywhere on his top 10 list of places to visit. Zalinsky's guards gripped Ryan's and Bucky's arms and marched them down the hallway to the lab, with the scientist following behind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As soon as you knew the cameras were down, you made your way down the corridor. Natasha led, followed by Wanda, you, then Loki. That left Tony, Sam and Thor outside to keep a path clear back to the quinjet. The COMMs team back in the compound told you that Zalinsky was on the move with Ryan and Bucky, and they were headed for the lab. You asked for directions to the area, with the intention of intercepting them.

>>>

The guards continued to lead Ryan and Bucky towards the lab. They stopped every once in a while, hearing the sounds of gunfire, from both inside and outside of the base. Bucky caught Ryan's eye and sent him a look that said the team was here, and that they would be rescued. In return, Ryan gave him a quick nod as the men continued to be shuffled to the lab.

>>>

When you came to a T-intersection of hallways, you heard the ramblings of Dr. Zalinsky. You could feel the slow burn of a pain in your head at just hearing his voice. Taking deep breaths, you tried to push the pain out of your mind, using some of what Wanda and Loki had taught you. The pain seemed to subside for the moment, allowing for a little easier breathing.

"We must be....near the....lab," you whispered, still fighting through the pain. COMMs confirmed your assessment, saying Ryan and Bucky had just entered the room. They were still each being held by Zalinsky's guards, while the doctor considered his next move. "I'm going in," you declared, as you tried to move past Wanda.

Loki grabbed your arm and pulled you back. "Don't be stupid," he hissed. "We can't protect you if you go in there alone with four guards and a deranged scientist," he pointed out.

"Hold on, let me think," you murmured. A shot whizzed past your head, embedding the round into the concrete wall in front of you. Shouting from behind you brought your attention to the group of HYDRA soldiers who had stumbled upon your position.

>>>

"Strap these two into the chairs while I prepare the solution," Zalinsky ordered. "Then go outside and see what the commotion is. Eliminate the threat, or I will eliminate you," he declared ominously.

The guards did as they were told, then ran out of the room. "Soon, Soldat. In just a few moments, you will be taking part in my greatest experiment. Once it is perfected, I will not hesitate to unleash it on the world," Zalinsky smirked. "Don't worry, your sacrifice will be duly noted in my files," he added.

>>>

Outside the lab doors, Natasha and Wanda had taken on Zalinsky's personal guards. Natasha delivered blow after blow, kicking and punching one guard until he lost consciousness. On the other guard, she swept his legs out from under him. When he fell, she managed to wrap her legs around his neck and squeezed until he was knocked out as well.

As Wanda faced off against her assailants, bundles of red energy crackled in her hands. She kept them by her sides until they moved close enough, then she let them go. The men were sent flying down the hall, colliding with the other HYDRA agents who had found your team. A couple of them managed to get a shot or two off, but Wanda easily blocked the rounds with her energy bubble.

While the others were occupied, you took the opportunity to slip into the lab so you could free Ryan and Bucky. Ducking bullets as you went, you briefly caught Natasha's eye when you rounded the corner. She gave you a quick nod before returning her attention to taking down the guard in front of her.

"James!" you exclaimed. You raced over to the contraption he was strapped into and frantically unbuckled the restraints. As soon as he was free, he swept you into his arms and engulfed you in a fierce embrace. You nearly melted at the feel of him finally in your arms, and Bucky was more than happy to hold your body against his.

Bucky pulled back a little then cradled your face in both of his hands and pulled you towards him. "Oh, sweetheart, what are you doing here?!? You should be back at the Tower, where it's safe! What were you thinking?!?" His fear and scolding quickly gave way to words of love, all delivered between fervent kisses. "I never thought I'd see you again, baby. I'm never letting you go again, my love, you belong with me."

"I'm sorry, James. I know you don't want me anywhere near here, but I couldn't let them do this to you. I had to help you, and I hope you can forgive me," you pleaded.

"No apologies needed, doll, and you are completely forgiven," Bucky replied. He pulled you in for one long, passionate kiss that he hoped conveyed how much he missed you.

The sound of someone slowly clapping hands in the background interrupted your reunion with Bucky. "Isn't this cozy, the Soldat and his Solnyshka," Zalinsky taunted. "You shouldn't have come back, my dear. Now I get to finish what I started with you," he threatened.

Before you or Bucky could respond, Loki appeared in the doorway, followed by Natasha and Wanda. The corridors were quiet, so you knew they had neutralized the threat. Now it was a matter of removing Ryan's restraints and making your way back to the safety of the quinjet.

"Looks like I have quite a few new test subjects. No matter, everyone can have a turn, but Solnyshka is first. She will be my greatest triumph," Zalinsky smirked as he drew a syringe from a pocket in his lab coat.

Instinctively, you stepped closer to Bucky's side, and in response he tightened his right arm around your shoulder. While you tried to think of a way to get to Ryan without causing harm to yourself or anyone else, you noticed a green mist appear at Zalinsky's feet. You watched as the green mist formed itself into a snake that began to coil its way around Zalinsky's body.

Zalinsky began to laugh despite his inability to move his feet. "Your pitiful attempts at magic do not scare me," he scoffed. After his outburst, a red mist appeared at his feet, also forming itself into a snake. It coiled around him in the opposite direction, then both snakes squeezed.

With Zalinsky's arms pinned next to his body, it was impossible for him to move, and he was forced to drop the syringe. The object shattered and the liquid created a puddle on the cement floor.

The two snake heads each bared their fangs and took turns snapping their jaws at Zalinsky. Each time, they came close to biting him, only for them to pull back at the last minute. You could see the fear in his eyes, despite his attempts to keep it from showing.

While the snakes were toying with Zalinsky, Natasha quickly released Ryan from his restraints. As soon as he was freed, he bolted out of the chair, then Natasha ushered him out the door. The two of them, plus Loki and Wanda started running for the exit. You and Bucky followed, his hand in yours as you both ran along the corridor towards your escape. "How long will the magic last?" you called.

"Hopefully long enough for us to get to the exit," Loki answered over his shoulder, to which Wanda nodded.

In your ear, you heard Tony tell Thor to fire up the quinjet so that it was ready to go once everyone was inside. He and Sam were waiting by the exit in case anyone was injured and needed to be airlifted to the jet.

You felt a shot whiz by your head, while another grazed your right arm, causing you to cry out in pain. Bucky's attention shifted to you, trying to figure out where you'd been hit. "It's okay, James, just grazed my arm," you gritted out. Blood started to drip down from the gash in your upper arm.

"FOOLS!! Did you think your magic was enough to stop me!!" Zalinsky roared as he released another round from his weapon. This time, you were hit in the back, just to the side of your right shoulder blade. You dropped to the floor from the force of the impact, which pulled on Bucky's hand and he could tell that this was more than a graze.

"Come on, sweetheart, we're almost there," Bucky coaxed, trying to help you up. You got to your feet and tried to run again, but the pain was too intense and you fell to your knees. Without a second thought, Bucky scooped you up into his arms and cradled you against his body. He took off at a run and quickly covered the now-short distance to the door leading to the outside world.

Once everyone was through the door, Bucky passed you off to Sam, who flew you to where the jet was ready and waiting. Bucky closed the giant, thick steel door with his super strength before Zalinsky could follow. With a blast from his Iron Man gauntlet, Tony melted the lock and fried any circuit boards contained within it, which kept Zalinsky from reopening the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With everyone on board and accounted for, Tony worked the controls and the quinjet lifted off. Instead of turning back towards the compound, he maneuvered the aircraft so it was pointed at the base. He locked in a set of coordinates that were then fed to the missiles.

"Bit of unfinished business, if you don't mind," Tony explained with a smirk. He pressed the button on the control panel, which unleashed the missiles. Soon the HYDRA base became an enormous fireball, and when that cleared, all that could be seen was a pile of smoking concrete. He used the thermal recognition setting in his helmet to scan the area for survivors. When none were detected, Tony set course back to the Tower in New York.

As soon as Bucky was on board, he immediately made a beeline for you, where your wounds were being tended. The bullet graze on your arm was already cleaned up and bandaged by the time he got there. You were sitting sideways in a chair while the on-board medic was putting in the stitches on your shoulder wound.

Bucky pulled up a chair to sit on your left side, taking your hand in both of his. He pressed a lingering kiss to your left temple and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, the scent of your strawberry shampoo invading his senses. "Sweetheart, I missed you so much," he murmured against your skin.

Tears began prickling your eyes before you responded, but had yet to fall. "I missed you too, James. I'm sorry for what happened that day before your mission. I should've waited to--" you started to say, but were interrupted.

"Baby, no. Listen, I handled that all wrong. I should've listened first and been more supportive of you wanting to help the team. You're smart, and I know you'll be great at COMMs, because you can do just about anything you set your mind to, darlin'. Besides, if I have to have anyone's voice in my ear, bossin' me around, I'd pick yours every time," he grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

You giggled at his comment about 'bossing him around'. "Thank you, James," you replied, your voice thick with emotion. The medic had already finished with your stitches and cleaned up the area.

As you looked around, the events of the day finally started to sink in. Bullets zinging in your direction. Getting shot twice. Sneaking down corridors of an enemy base, hoping to not get caught. Successfully rescuing your boyfriend. Tears were streaming down your face, but you didn't realize it until you saw Bucky's smile falter and he reached to brush them away.

"Solnyshka, what's wrong? Why the tears, my love?" Bucky asked as he carefully drew you into his arms. You pressed your ear to his chest so that you could hear his heartbeat, which provided some comfort to you. Bucky's whiskers tickled your scalp as he dropped kisses to the top of your head.

You lifted your head from his chest and tilted back a little so that you could lock onto his beautiful but troubled baby blues. "I'm okay. I think it took until now for everything to catch up to me," you chuckled nervously.

Bucky breathed a visible sigh of relief. "Well, once we get back to the Tower, we'll get cleaned up and change into comfy clothes. Then I'm going to hold you in my arms and never let go," he declared.

"Mmm, I like the sound of that," you whispered. "Um, there was something else, though. Something that's been on my mind a lot lately, James," you remarked.

"And what's that, sweet girl? Whatever it is, you know that you can tell me anything," he reminded you.

You nodded and took a deep breath before responding. "I....I love you, James. I can't believe it's taken me this long to tell you, because I've known it for a long time. And I'm not just saying it--" your speech was halted by Bucky's index finger on your lips.

"Darlin', love of mine, I love you too. I meant it when I told Zalinsky I would take your place, that I wouldn't let him harm the woman I love," Bucky explained. He tenderly grazed your cheeks with the back of his knuckles and gave you a small smile. Then he slid his hand around the back of your head and pulled you closer to him.

The brush of his lips against yours was tentative, almost like his apology for what happened between you before the mission. You showed him your acceptance by cradling his face in your left hand, caressing his scruffy cheek with your thumb before deepening the kiss in return. As his silky, plump lips moved in tandem with yours, his hands drifted down to your hips, pulling you closer.

When the kiss was broken, Bucky rested his forehead against yours, both of you panting heavily, trying to catch your breath. "I love you so much, doll. My heart is yours for the taking, although you've always had it, since the moment I met you," he smiled softly.

"You mean that day I was reading on my lunch break? I remember you startled me when you sneaked into my office," you teased. "Was that the moment? Or was it when you caught me 'dancing while filing'?" You smiled as your index finger delicately traced the sharp edge of his jawline while you waited for his response.

"All of it, sweetheart. Those certainly were some good moments, though," he chuckled. "You've always been that ray of sunshine I've needed in my life. That's why I call you my solnyshka," Bucky whispered.

You could feel the tears springing to your eyes at his heartfelt confession. Then you curled your hand around the back of Bucky's neck to tug him forward. "I love you so much, James," you replied with a watery smile and surged forward to meet his lips in a fiery kiss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Steve got the notification, he rushed down to the hangar to greet the team. He greeted everyone with a handshake, high-five, or, in Tony's case, a quick nod as they disembarked. Bucky walked down the ramp with his arm around you and your bags in his left hand. You had your arm slung around his waist to keep close to him. Every few steps, Bucky would pause briefly to kiss you, and you couldn't help but grace him with a beaming smile.

Bucky eventually met Steve where he was waiting for the two of you. Steve crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look stern, but it was difficult in front of you and his best friend. You could see the corners of Steve's mouth trying not to twitch upwards in a smile.

Steve broke the stalemate first. "Buck," he remarked.

Bucky set down your bags and crossed his arms to mirror Steve's stance. "Stevie," he replied.

Steve's eyes flicked over to you. "Captain Rogers," you murmured.

By now, Steve was really having a tough time keeping a straight face. "Sunshine," he responded. That was all it took for the three of you to break out into laughter and take turns hugging Steve. "You doing okay? Heard you got injured, kid," he inquired.

"I'm all right, Cap. Got patched up on the way home, and James hasn't let me out of his sight since he got onboard the jet," you answered, then slipped your arm back around Bucky's waist.

"No way, doll. Hey, Stevie, I've got some makin' up to do with my girl, so if you don't mind," Bucky hinted.

"Get outta here, you two," Steve chuckled. He gave Bucky one last "welcome home" hug and you walked with Bucky to your shared room.

Right when you entered the room, a ball of white fur nearly tackled you and started rubbing up against your legs. "Well hello, pretty girl! It's so good to see you, did you behave for Peter while I was gone?" All answers to your questions resulted in loud purring coming from said feline, who was indeed happy to see you.

"Um, doll? Not to ask a dumb question, but when did we get a cat?" Bucky asked.

You grinned and motioned for him to sit beside you on the bed. Once he was seated, you explained how you found Alpine in the bushes outside of the Tower. You could see she was hurt, so you brought her inside.

"She told me her name, and that's how I found out what my powers were. I can communicate with animals and other creatures, as well as heal them. When I found her, Alpine had hurt her right front paw in some sort of alleyway scuffle. I treated her injury, and she's been my comfort while you were gone," you relayed softly.

As if on cue, Alpine leaped up on the bed so she could evaluate the newcomer, Bucky. If he was going to steal you away from her, Alpine wanted to check him out for herself. She placed her two front paws on his thigh and nuzzled at his hands in his lap. Bucky turned his right hand so it was palm up, so Alpine took the opportunity to sniff his hand. She stretched towards Bucky, still sniffing the air, then showed her approval by rubbing her face on his stubbled cheek.

Bucky laughed softly and started running his hand over her thick, white fur. "I guess that means she likes me, huh?" he asked.

"Of course she does, James. Besides, what's not to like, hmm?" you countered, then leaned your head on his shoulder. "I love you, James," you remarked.

"I love you too, Doll," he replied.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Six months later

"Has anyone seen James?" you asked. You had looked everywhere for him--the conference rooms, the gym, and you even had someone check the men's locker room. Now you were in the kitchen, asking if anyone knew the location of your wayward boyfriend. Everyone glanced around, knowing exactly where he was, but not being able to tell you. Not yet, anyway.

"Ooh! Have you checked your room yet?" Peter interjected.

"Not yet, Peter. Thank you, I'll check there," you answered. You left the kitchen and when you entered your room, there was a large white box with a red ribbon around it. A card was on top of the box, tented so that it stood upright. On the card were the words: "Meet me at 7:00pm in our favorite place to escape from everybody."

You searched your mind to think of the place Bucky was referring to, but when it clicked, you couldn't help but smile. When you opened the box, there was another card on top of something wrapped in tissue paper. It said, "Wear Me."

After you unwrapped the item, you pulled out a blue chiffon V-neck swing dress. It had short sleeves and wavy sequined lines running throughout the fabric, down to the knee-length hem. When you walked over to the mirror and held the dress up to your body, you couldn't wait to see it on yourself for real.

A quick glance at the clock showed it was 6:15pm, and you realized there wasn't much time to get ready. No way did you want to be late to meet Bucky, so you carefully laid the dress over the box and hurried to the bathroom to shower.

Thirty minutes later, and you were putting the finishing touches on your makeup and hair, both of which you kept simple. Just as you were ready to put on the dress, you heard a knock at your door. It was Wanda, and she asked to help you with the zipper. You suspected she had some idea of what Bucky was up to, but she refused to divulge any information.

Another knock at your door revealed Steve, who stated it was his duty to escort you to meet Bucky. As with Wanda, you figured he was part of the overall plan, but probably wouldn't tell you anything either. So you slipped your hand into the crook of his arm, and headed for the elevators.

Once you reached the rooftop, you were amazed at the sight in front of you. Off to one side was a small table with two chairs, a bouquet of assorted flowers in the center of the table. Twinkling fairy lights were strung together to create a canopy above the table. An ice bucket on a stand was waiting next to the table, the neck of a bottle sticking out of the top.

It was almost perfect. Almost. The only missing piece was Bucky, and he was nowhere to be seen, at least not at first. You walked to the railing on the roof and stared out across the city. So many lights filled the sky and so many sounds filled the air that you missed hearing Bucky's footsteps behind you.

"Good evening, my love," his rich baritone voice rumbled. You whirled around and when you saw Bucky, your breath was nearly stolen out of your chest. He was wearing black dress pants and a black jacket, with a white button-down shirt underneath. No tie, because the top two buttons were not fastened, giving you a glimpse of his broad chest. He was lazily holding a long-stemmed red rose and showed a gentle smile on his face.

"Whoa," you whispered, your feet taking slow, measured steps towards Bucky. "I knew I was dating a super soldier. Didn't know you were also a supermodel. You look handsome, James," you breathed.

"Awww, sweetheart. Wait, do I?" he asked while you nodded and walked towards him. "That's nothing compared to you, sweetheart. You look absolutely stunning, my darling," Bucky affirmed.

"Thank you," you murmured as your eyes roamed the setting Bucky had created on the rooftop. "You really did a wonderful job decorating up here. But I don't think it's our anniversary, and I know it's not my birthday. Am I missing something, James?" you asked.

Bucky picked up your left hand and cradled it gently in his vibranium one, then dropped to one knee before you. "My sweet solnyshka," he rasped. He cleared his throat before trying again. "Ever since we met, I knew you were going to be an important part of my life. And I was right, because you are exactly what I need and definitely more than what I deserve.

"You are everything to me. You are my best friend, my lover, my sunshine in what was such a dark world for me. The only thing that's missing is this," Bucky paused a moment to dig into his pocket with his right hand to produce a small, black box.

With shaking fingers, Bucky opened the box in your direction. Nestled inside the velvet cushion was a ring with an oval-shaped diamond and sapphire accent stones. The white gold band had elegant scroll work engraved on the top half of the band. "Oh, James. It's beautiful," you remarked in a voice thick with emotion.

Bucky reached inside and plucked the ring from its box and held it out to you. "I know that I have a lot of history that comes with me, and I can't promise we will always be free of danger. But as long as we're together, we can get through anything. Will you marry me?" he asked.

By this time, tears are streaming down your face, but they are tears of joy. "Yes, James, I will absolutely marry you," you exclaimed as you flung your arms around his neck.

Bucky wound his arms around you, holding you to his chest as he stood. After a long passionate kiss that took your breath away, he set you on your feet. The ring was still in his right hand, his left one holding yours steady while he slid the ring on your finger. Bucky raised your left hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "I am so in love with you," he declared.

"I am so in love with you, too. Kinda great that it works out that way, huh? Because you're stuck with me for life," you chuckled lightly.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, my love," Bucky replied as he rested his forehead on yours. "I love you, future Mrs. Barnes."

"And I love you, Mr. Barnes," you responded.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A month later, Natasha and Wanda were in your room, helping you decide on bridesmaid dresses. You were laughing with the girls at some of the more ridiculous dress styles, assuring them that you would never make them wear something like that. Bucky and Steve were down in the lobby, holding a small press conference, when FRIDAY broke through on the intercom.

"Excuse me, miss, but there are two visitors waiting in the lobby at Security for you. They are quite insistent and are refusing to leave until they see you," the AI relayed.

You looked at Nat and Wanda in confusion, because you had no idea who would be visiting you at the Tower. "I'll be right back," you remarked absently. You got up from your bed and slipped on your shoes, with your friends hot on your heels.

"Who do you think it is?" Wanda asked.

"I have no idea, Wanda. My parents are gone, no siblings, and the only friends I have are all here, in the Tower. Guess I'll find out in a few minutes, though," you shrugged.

The elevator doors opened and the three of you exited towards the lobby. You were all laughing at something one of you said on the way down about ideas for a bachelorette party. After turning the corner, Nat assured you, "Don't worry, if it's trouble, we've got your back."

You caught a glimpse of flannel, bringing you to a complete stop in your tracks. "No....," you whispered. Wanda and Natasha looked at each other and shrugged, neither knowing what to make of your reaction. "Oh, it's trouble, Nat," you growled then resumed your path to Security. Your friends followed for your protection and out of sheer curiosity.

With arms folded across your chest and fire in your eyes, you addressed your visitors. "What the hell are you doing here, Winchester?!?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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