#thecitylightshow

[all-the-stevetony-fics]

Part 1 of Of Dragons and Dating

All dragons have hoards.

Tony was not ashamed of his heritage, but he’d learnt early on that older generations didn’t care to do business with dragons. Thus, Tony hoarded in his heart but never in a way that could be deemed more than eccentric, a way that could be deemed dragon.

Most people, if they knew, would assume he hoarded technology.

A couple might assume instruments, and Pepper would claim he hoarded paperwork because he never gave it back.

Most people would be wrong.

Tony hoards souls.

Words: 5365

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - June 18th

I read so much this week!!! And so much was delightful I’m super excited about this list! I did re-read Bulletpoints this week which is 100% reflected in my fic reading as well. Enjoy that.  

Check out this week’s reads and be sure to leave your author a comment/kudos! 

~*~ 

Time, Space, Flesh by veryvincible 

“I’ve got a hotel room,” Tony said.

“And if we’re seen?”

Tony’s response came quick, too confident. He’d given the same spiel many times before. “Oh, you know. Good friends. Had a bit to drink. Maybe we’re French— you know how it is. Besides, we’ve been here for how long, now? If anyone was going to notice you, you’d think they’d have done it by now.”

The Day Before Tomorrow by lastdream

Less than twenty-four hours before the Iron Man's last fight, Steve Rogers gets an evening to himself.

Icebreaker by Sineala

Months after Tony is murdered on a strange, starless world, a world almost no one remembers, Steve plummets from a drone plane into the cold waters of the North Atlantic. He's fully expecting not to survive -- but instead he wakes up on another new world, where he meets a very familiar stranger. And it turns out the two of them have a lot in common.

Not Your Reality (The Time-Out Remix) by Veldeia

An unlikely visitor crash-lands at Natasha Stark and Steve Rogers' doorstep on the eve of their wedding. Just who is this alternate universe Iron Man?

Marriage and Mate Chases by NotEvenCloseToStraight

A Regency-ish AU:

Strict, stern Alpha Captain Steve Rogers is firmly in control of himself, his army, and his life and intends to marry an Omega who shares the same ideals while wild, flighty Omega!Tony loves to flaunt Howard's rules, society's expectations and has no intention of settling down.

An arranged marriage forces Alpha and Omega together, but Steve's constant disapproval and Tony's refusal to compromise leads to anger and arguments, missed heats, harsh ruts and a lack of bonding bites. Vicious rumours fly about the Omega's fidelity and the Alpha's ability to control his mate and when Steve runs away to war to distance himself from his unpredictable husband, Tony turns to new friends and illicit activities to hide his hurting heart.

Steve returns from war a changed man ready to be a good husband, dedicating every minute of every day to winning Tony's heart back, but Tony is tired of being ignored, busy with his own projects and unwilling to give the Alpha another chance.

With outside forces plotting to ruin what little happiness they have, are Steve and Tony doomed to be unbonded husbands, married but never truly mates?

Some Dragons Are Famous Dragons by Eudoxia 

Bucky's not surprised when Steve beings home stray cats, dogs, and even a raccoon once, but a dragon?

Really, Steve? A dragon?

A dragon that likes to steal tools and watch the news about missing persons, too.

Anthony and Natasha by TheCityLightShow

On Steve's sixteenth birthday, as was the norm, he woke up with a name on his wrist, etched beautifully into his skin. In blocky, scruffy handwriting now sat “Natasha Stark” on his left wrist.

It was elegant handwriting, but not in a way that anyone other than Steve would share the notion.

Now, he's out of the ice, and he lifts his wrist to his face as his vision swims for a second. Oh thank god, he thinks at the sight of the black blur that mars his wrist, and then his thought processes stutter and screech to halt because it's changed.

The handwriting is still the blocky scruffy script that he loves, that holds comfort for him in the cross of the t and the arc of the r, but it's not Natasha. It doesn't say Natasha Stark any more.

No, the name on his wrist is Anthony Stark.

This time – this new time, Director Fury explains to him, this time sixty seven years in the future – this time he will find him. Whether they're ninety like he should be, or closer to his actual age, Steve won't make the same mistake twice.

 He doesn't tell SHIELD that the name in their file is now wrong.

Emergency Protocol by navaan 

In New Avengers V1 era, Tony and Steve discuss the Avengers Protocol for Bang or Die situations. It's awkward. It gets hot - and then it gets out of hand but maybe they're getting to the heart of something that they should have discussed a long time ago.

You could have my heart, and I would break it for you by Missy_dee811

The mission they’d been on had been an abject failure. Even if the rest of the Avengers had been able to stay on task, it wouldn’t matter. Two of their own were missing: Iron Man and Captain America.

Sacrifice the Gift by hollyandvice (hiasobi_writes) 

When a biological agent nearly takes the life of Captain America, Iron Man risks everything to keep his friend alive. Now Tony Stark needs to deal with the fallout.

Sleepwalking by NotEvenCloseToStraight

Every year on Tony Stark's birthday, his soulmate Steven Grant Rogers crosses time and distance to spend the day with him...until the day the Valkyrie goes into the water in 1943.

Fifty years in the future, Tony starts a desperate search to find Steve beneath the ice, racing against time and fate to bring his soulmate into the newest century so they can finally be together.

like daylight by ohjustpeachy

Because through all of it, the slammed fists and the miscommunications, the people he invited into his bed and kicked out in the morning, he never thought that it would be Steve Rogers in the end.

Or, Tony thinks back on past relationships and why they never worked out.

Nothing Else but Miracles (An Ancient Secrets and New-born Dreams Remix) by Muccamukk

In the rough and tumble of the Lower East Side, the only constants in Steve's life are the solid black letters of the name on his wrist. Because even with the law and society against them, his world falling apart piece by piece, and his search for his soulmate taking him to stranger and wilder places, Steve has faith that finding Tony Stark is only a matter of time.

my one and only by meidui (orphan_account)

Tony has been self-conscious about his laugh lines lately, but Steve always takes his hands and kisses his face, telling him he loves them. It’s the truth. Tony looks so beautiful with them, and they remind Steve of what a privilege it is to grow old with him.

A bullet to mend our hearts by tonymystark

Tony is stuck in a time loop; he keeps getting thrown back to their fight in the quinjet before the whole invasion. He finally figures out how to end the loop.

Safe Haven by gottalovev, zappedbysnow

It's been three months since the Battle of New York. Four since Steve woke up in the future. Everything is still too fast, too bright, too glib. And then, as if it wasn't enough, Steve is dragged through a portal into an alternate universe. Other Him is happy, though, and that feels like hope.

No Good Deed by raeldaza for merelydovely 

Steve’s not happy in the future. Tony gets it in his head that he’ll be a good friend and create a time machine to send Steve back to the 40s.

But as time ticks on, and Steve and Tony grow closer, do either of them actually want Steve to use it?

I (created from fantasies) exist solely for you by Mizzy

Six years ago, without the Avengers Initiative there to save the day, scientist Dr. Eric Selvig sacrificed himself to save the world, the almighty demi-god Thor was lost to a terrible storm, and vigilante Iron Man – spotted with a nuclear weapon trying to take advantage of the situation – was forever labelled an enemy of SHIELD.

This is a comic book office AU, where Steve is defrosted a year too late, Thor has forgotten who he is, and no one knows Tony is Iron Man.

Also includes: office pranks, inappropriate post-it notes, and superheroes who like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Bright Things and Fair by sheron 

The course of true love never did run smooth — and neither did time-travel to retrieve the Tesseract. When circumstances outside their control force Steve and Tony to spend more time together in the 1970, they do what two people with their history do under the circumstances: work together and try to get through it without unnecessary feelings getting in the way. Falling for each other is definitely a bad idea, isn't it?

[themculibrary]

Comfort Masterlist

a father's comfort (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor ned/peter G, 1k

Summary: Peter gets a migraine at school, and all he wants is the comfort of his dad.

Answer All My Prayers (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 6k

Summary: It was rather ironic that the first mortal to pray to Loki in centuries, was not only an enemy, but a man who had no idea what his words were doing.

Caring for a Human (ao3) - The_Winter_Writer tony/thor N/R, 2k

Summary: There was a constant low level fear that had settled at the back of Thor's mind. Humans were a fragile race, though constantly trying to hide that fact, and Thor hated the reminder of it in Tony’s exhausted eyes. He hated how the sight of fever flushed cheeks and the sound of a raspy voice made that fear slam to the front of his mind.

Comfort (ao3) - TheCityLightShow bucky/steve/tony G, 1k

Summary: He finds a sweatshirt folded up on his bed. He frowns – it hadn't been there when he left, but it is quite obviously just a sweatshirt with a little note on top.

It's in Stark's unmistakable scrawl – stop leaving your shit in my lab Steven – and that only confuses Bucky more. Surely Stark knows better than anyone the layout of the tower, of each floor? But he's left it in the wrong room.

Bucky picks it up with the full intention of returning it to Stevie's room, but the fabric jostles as he does and the fucked-up serum in his system means he can smell it. It's somewhere between paper and something Steve-like, and grease or oil, something he only gets in Tony's workshop. They're out there, fighting, but for a second Bucky's brain can believe they're here, safe, with him.

Full Disclosure Not Required (but Appreciated) (ao3) - Potrix steve/tony, pepper/rhodey, sam/bucky E, 16k

Summary: The one where Steve knows more than he lets on, Tony knows less than he pretends, Clint has a big mouth, Bucky is a little shit, and everyone learns why keeping secrets never ends well.

Almost never, anyway.

hold the things you wanna say (ao3) - SailorChibi steve/tony T, 6k

Summary: Tony is still a consultant, and between SI, the team and SHIELD he's overworked and exhausted. That's okay.

He and Steve have been having sex for weeks but that's all it is, just sex, and Tony wants more but he'll never get it and that's okay. Really.

What's not okay is the fact that Howard Stark has somehow appeared in the future and is the same as always.

This is definitely going to fuck up his schedule.

In Our Room (ao3) - ClaraxBarton bucky/clint E, 2k

Summary: After another Avengers mission, Clint is left questioning his line of work. Or: Good, old fashioned comfort via sexy times.

Long way from Ok (ao3) - Ghostshappen T, 1k

Summary: Maybe Bucky was lying about being OK but he’s trying

Mr. Hospitality (ao3) - abysmallydull steve/tony, clint/tony, bruce/tony E, 7k

Summary: Never let it be said that Tony wasn’t the perfect host. Have something you need? It will be there, just say the word. It’s a twisted sort of pride that makes this proud man cater to your every wish and need. He’s the best host, damn it, and you’d better appreciate how he’d bend over backwards (or forwards, if you want) to see to your needs.

peace and quiet (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor clint/steve N/R, 945

Summary: Clint knew it was going to be a bad day when he woke up to no coffee available.

Protect Me From The Storm (ao3) - LadyAngelique, orphan_account steve/bucky E, 2k

Summary: Steve's afraid of thunderstorms. He hates them, they make him feel vulnerable and remind him of a time where Bucky was no longer at his side. And that hurt, like nothing he'd ever felt before.

Quadrant (ao3) - AvaKelly clint/steve/bucky/sam T, 7k

Summary: In a world where loving someone causes their unique soulmark tattoo to appear on his skin, Clint has been falling for too many people, but never has been loved back. So when he sees his mark on Bucky's shoulder, he can't really believe it.

Storm Incoming (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor clint/steve/tony N/R, 1k

Summary: Clint is terrified of storms, has been for as long as he can remember. But now, he has two alpha's to comfort and protect him from the storms, even though he sometimes forgets and needs reminding. Also, Bucky's there, because I thought it would be cute.

That Carnival's A Death Trap (ao3) - emily_ann_1021 G, 2k

Summary: Peter and Ned want to go to the carnival, but Tony insists it’s too dangerous. The boys, thinking they could sneak out without anyone noticing, are fastly in over their heads when a fun night out turns into an attempted kidnapping. Luckily the Good Dad™ is always prepared when Peter manages to get into trouble.

Two (or Three)'s Company (ao3) - natalia_alianova_romanova_01 bucky/steve/natasha T, 2k

Summary: After a hard therapy session, Bucky comes back to the apartment and has a deep conversation with Steve and Natasha and they comfort him. Classic hurt/comfort with a fluffy ending for your troubles. (I guess this is set between Civil War and Infinity War? Idk, I just wanted to channel classic 2012 Marvel fics, you know, when times were simple.)

Vibrato (ao3) - shattered_sian loki/stephen M, 15k

Summary: Thor and Loki return to Earth with the people of Asgard, but Strange won't allow Loki to roam Earth after all of his devilish deeds. Thor makes an agreement with the sorcerer to keep Loki on Earth- his brother will have to be under the supervision of Doctor Strange at all times. While at first Loki's antics are nearly too much for Strange to handle, things slowly change.

Winter Soldier: Resurrection (ao3) - DCAngst G, 38k

Summary: In 2024, Bucky Barnes follows a lead about more super soldier serum that takes him to Siberia. He encounters the unexpected and finds himself in 2014, shortly after the Winter Soldier vanished.

Winter Undone (ao3) - DCAngst steve/bucky T, 74k

Summary: What if, after the Endgame battle, Dr. Strange used the time stone to save Tony and undo 80 years of Hydra for Bucky? In other words, 1945 Bucky ends up in 2023 and has to come to terms with...a lot.

[s-horne]

Hey, if you're still taking prompts - everything is making me cry atm, including today when my best friend gave me the best news ever. I was wondering if you could do something like that, with SteveTony and one of the comforting the other/wiping the tears away? Much love, and it's totally okay if this prompt isnt your jam. ^-^

(so so happy for you! and yes, i loved this prompt)

Steve let out a sigh of contentment, his eyes falling closed. There was a soft chuckle and a breath tickled his nose, but he didn’t open his eyes to look.

“How are you still crying?” Tony whispered into the space between them. “I don’t know how you can possibly have any tears left?”

The corners of Steve’s mouth lifted into a grin as he felt another tear slide down his cheek, following the curve of his face until it melted into the pillow. “It’s been an emotional day.”

“I don’t know why.” Tony shuffled forwards ever so slightly and pressed a kiss to the side of Steve’s nose, his lips brushing away another tear. “You had to know what I was going to say.”

“Disagree,” Steve murmured back, keeping his voice low. There was no need to be speaking so quietly, but the moment felt too precious to risk a louder tone. “I can never predict anything you do.”

Tony preened and Steve laughed lowly.

“I’m glad I keep you on your toes.”

“Always.”

“But in this case,” Tony said, his hand dancing down Steve’s arm, “I hope you know I was a sure thing.”

“Are you ever a sure thing?” Steve squirmed when Tony’s lips tickled underneath his eye and yelped when Tony pinched him.

“When it’s you asking, I always am.”

Steve’s eyes flew open at that, taken aback by the unbridled honestly that was so rare from Tony and then again by the proximity of their bodies. He knew he should have been used to Tony pressed against him from head to toe, but it felt like one of those things that Steve would never not be awed by, would never take for granted.

Tony scoffed, his hand sliding round Steve’s body to press them ever closer.

“Shut up,” he muttered and Steve felt another tear drip from his eye, smile big on his face.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to. I just know that look in your eyes.” Tony took one finger and drew a heart on the small of Steve’s back, the cool metal of his new ring catching Steve’s warm skin.

“Leave me alone,” Steve said, letting his eyelids fall again and another blissful sigh pass his lips. “I’m happy.”

Tony leant forward again, his un-styled hair trailing over Steve’s cheek as he kissed one more tear away.

“You know what? I’m happy too.”

[itsallavengers]

I had to take a break from tumblr and I just want you to know I missed you 💖

awww, well Im glad to see you back darling! Hope ur well

[imaginetonyandbucky]

Prompt: Bucky (and Hydra) are discovered way earlier. So when Steve is defrosted, he meets Tony and his husband James Stark.

Steve could hear the conversation going on in the kitchen, and he didn’t have to strain his unnatural hearing range to do so.

“Why would you not report this Romanoff?” Fury was demanding, and god, Steve had no reason to like the man and he didn’t make it easy.

“That would’ve been counter-productive.” Rushman- Romanoff’s reply came in slightly accented English, and Steve could hear Fury’s spluttering the same as he could almost picture Stark- Tony’s smirk.

“To what?”

“To keeping him away from Shield.” Romanoff told him, and more spluttering ensued.

“You helped-?!“ Steve missed whatever one of them said next, distracted by the elevator opening down the corridor and two steps of footsteps clumping out.

“Shit,” one voice hissed, “the fuck did they do to get yelled out now?” the speaker emerged into Steve’s line of sight with the end of his sentence – he was short and stocky, with weather-beaten skin, scruffy blond hair, a flash of purple in his ears (one of which he was fiddling with) and a bow and arrow set slung across his bag. He swallowed hard at the sight of Steve. “Oh. That.”

Steve merely raised an eyebrow, and the blond man turned to say something to whoever had followed him out of the elevator.

It had been a strange few days.

He’d been wondering through the what-happens-next when Tony had come in with Agent Romanoff (as his assistant Natalie Rushman) and ripped the world out from under him a second time.

(Watch out for the break!)

The first time had been two hours previously, when he’d woken up (a shock in itself) and after the worst fucking charade – Steve suspects it was on purpose – been informed he was almost seventy years in the future. They’d won the war, and Steve hadn’t even been there to see it. God, Steve ached – Peggy was old but losing her memory, Howard was gone, the Commandoes were gone, and Bucky had been gone before he even ended up in this mess. All he wanted was a familiar face in this alien century; and for a second he almost did.

Tony had stuck his head around the door of the room Steve was in, and at first Steve had thought he looked almost unbearably like Howard. But his face had broken into a bright grin, and Steve could pick out the differences. His facial hair was an obvious one, a full goatee that’s neatly cared for, but there’s his eyes – brighter than Howard’s, like whiskey – and the laughter lines around them. This man is older than Howard was to Steve, but seems both younger and wise. Kinder. He’d certainly happy to see Steve, and they’d come in and shut the door with so little sound that Steve had known they weren’t meant to be there, almost endearing him to them.

They’d brought him to the tower, arguing in quiet Russian – Steve knew what the language sounded like, even if he didn’t know what they were saying. They’d introduced him to Jarvis and presented him with a room and a studio, and set him off discovering the world, promising him company. It’d taken two days for Fury to show up again – in that time Steve had discovered, perhaps, more than he’d ever wanted to know, but discovered a love for animated films – and he’s done so with barely concealed anger.

That had been an hour ago.

The second elevator occupant joins the blond man then, and Steve has the fleeting notion that he’s still drowning. The man’s hair is longer than Steve ever saw it, and there’s a good week of stubble that would previously have been loathed – he’s taller and broader and older, and has a fucking metal arm, but the resemblance is undeniable. It’s worse than seeing Tony and seeing Howard, seeing this man who looks like the ghost of Bucky Barnes. He wants to say something, introduce himself, but he’s sure the blond man had recognised him, so this man must too. He can’t make his mouth work, his throat’s too dry and his lungs can’t find the air-

“Stevie, shit-“ the long-haired, metal-armed, Not-Bucky swears, and drops whatever he’d been holding, to dash around to where Steve’s sat on the couch. “Breath with me, c’mon Stevie.” He utters and the voice is the same, and Steve had been so certain no one would ever call him Stevie again, had mourned his loses and somehow-

“B-Bucky?” he manages, and the grin is so familiar. “What-?” he tries, but Bucky just pulls him into a hug. Tight and all-encompassing, and for a second Steve feels utterly tiny again. The loss of the past strikes again, another sledgehammer to the chest, and he buries his face in Bucky’s neck, clutching at what he thinks might be the modern equivalent of a tac-suit. Bucky’s clutching him back, hands crossed and pressed tightly over the strap of his suspenders at the back.

“God, you look like you just stepped out…” Bucky muttered, leaning back enough to rest his hands on Steve’s shoulders. His smile was bright and his eyes were damp – Tony had nonchalantly pointed Steve in the direction of the wardrobe, ridding Steve of the tight, shield-issued, tees and pants, letting him step back into 40s fashion and putting him a little more at ease in his skin. Then his smile grew into a grin, and were Steve still that skinny kid, he’d be worried. He glanced at the blond man over his shoulder. “Think Nat’ll take him shopping?”

The blond stopped looking quite so worried, and shared Bucky’s amusement. “Oh, I’ve got to come along this time.” Bucky laughed, and reeled Steve back in for another hug as the kitchen door opens.

“You’re home!” Tony declares, punching the blond in the shoulder. Bucky steps back then, tugging Steve up to stand, squeezing his arm with another smile, before walking right up to Tony – who looks oddly nervous and Steve doesn’t know why- oh. Bucky kissed the younger Stark, metal hand coming up to delicately cradle Tony’s jaw. There’s a ring, golden but probably not gold if Steve’s come to understand anything lately, on Bucky’s left ring finger. Steve thinks back on Tony’s gesticulating and finds in his memory a matching one.

Bucky’s married. To a man. He thinks, and he can’t help but smile. Maybe the future’s not so bad.

Everyone turns to look at him then, and he realises he said that aloud. Bucky’s grinning at him, eyes shining, and Tony looks – well, he looks a little dazed.

“You’re okay with it?” the blond man asks. Steve shrugs.

“More surprised they can than they are.” Any worry or doubt or cautious anger that had remained on the blond’s face then dissipates, and he holds out a hand for Steve to shake (Fury’s eye twitches, but he does not object). Steve takes it gladly, and finds that it’s calloused and rough, from more than just twanging a bowstring.

“Clint Barton.” He introduces himself, “Welcome to the future, Rogers.” He’s grinning and the distinction between Cap and Rogers seems important and he’s grateful for it. Romanoff – Natasha? – comes up to Clint’s shoulder, smiling and Steve thinks, glancing at Bucky and the arm he’s got slung round Tony’s waist, that he can do this. He has to.

 Steve finds watching Bucky interact with Tony soothing.

Oh, it aches something shocking – a large what-if that hangs with Peggy’s smile behind his eyes – and often he feels guilty; he knows what happened to Bucky now, and is torn between the same ache of wishing he’d caught him and the guilt of being glad he didn’t, because Bucky gets this.

Bucky gets to hum as he cooks, and be hugged from behind, gets to place kisses into Tony’s hay-wire hair and roll his eyes because Tony is crazy, but Bucky loves him. It’s so obvious, and so wonderful, that Bucky’s head over heels for Tony – they’ve been married several years and it seems for all the world they’re still honeymooning. Steve enjoys sketching them, and as the two of them take him on a tour of the future, piece-by-piece, he shows his thanks in the drawings. He leaves them where he knows they’ll find them, and often they’ll be stuck to the fridge, or one of the walls of Tony’s workshop. They’re almost like proud parents, especially in the way they mother the hell out of the rest of their friends and take all the risk themselves, using each-other as battering rams and distractions, secure somehow in the knowledge that they’re good at what they do, and they’ll always come back to each other. It doesn’t stop them yelling at one another for getting hurt, or making stupid calls… but Steve’s never seen them go to bed angry. It’s a relationship of determination and trust, of laughter and love, the two of them now so intertwined in their routines and opinions and even how they speak, that even to Steve who knew Bucky first, alone, and best, one without the other is jarring in the worst possible way.

If Steve were inclined to believe in the kind of fairy tale with a happy ending, he’d say it was True Love; and not just for them, but for the whole family they’re building from their broken friends. Steve mentions it, one day, and there must be something sad in his eyes – it’s only been a few months after all – because he comes home from Shield to find a puppy waiting for him, wriggling in Bucky’s arms.

“What the fuck?” Steve asks, stalling only momentarily, but gladly retrieving the wiggling golden ball from his friend, and the little fella gives a happy yip. Bucky is somewhere between exasperated and amused, the very best kind of fond, as he sighs and scratches the dog behind its ears.

“Tony.” Bucky says it like it’s explanation enough, and Steve wonders what it says about the eccentric genius that it kind of is. Steve raises an eyebrow anyway, the slightly judgy look ruined by the dog licking up his neck and cheek happily, making Steve laugh so easily. Bucky’s grinning at him.

“I don’t need a dog.” Steve tries to point out, but Bucky waves him off.

“Tony doesn’t know how to show people he cares. Have you not met Liho yet?” Bucky asked, but knowing the answer was no, he barrelled on. “He decided that Natasha needed something that would provide unconditional love without talking to her, and bought her Liho. That cat is an asshole.” Bucky’s rubbing the shoulder of his flesh arm unconsciously, and Steve’s certain there’s a story there that involves far too many claws. “You need someone to love, and considering it’s illegal to buy people, ta-daa. He got you a puppy.” Steve just stares for a moment, oddly touched by Tony’s gift. He hugs the dog a little closer, and the pup is only too happy to wiggle even more and yip right in Steve’s ear.

“I- does this happen a lot?” he asks, because he’s not a hundred percent sure he can say thank you without crying.

“Most occasions in the beginning. Hell, even without occasions once or twice… but he finally understands he doesn’t have to buy his friends.” Bucky’s gaze seems a little far off, and then he smirks, drawing himself back into the moment. “Those that wanted to be bought got taught a lesson.” Steve grins, “and Tony learnt that stuffed toys you can’t get through the door?? A total no-go.”

“Wait, what?” Steve asks around a laugh, but Bucky just grins and tugs him into a hug.

“Welcome to the Stark-Barnes family of misfits Stevie.” He tells him.

“Happy to be here.” Steve whispers, and despite the ache in his heart finds that he means it.

[tuntematonkorppi]

thecitylightshow replied to your post: just realized that i’ll probably never be able to...

I’m sorry dude, I know how you feel - Britain doesn’t get non-binary either.

yeah. i feel like i’m never be able to truly come out in france ‘cause on top of the whole not understanding what the fuck is non-binary, the language is also super mega gendered and the gender neutral pronouns that have been created by the queer community don’t feel like they fit to me like ‘they/them’ does.

[kayvsworld]

thecitylightshow replied to your post: hello! May i send you my Pocket Camp ID so we...

Can I join in too @kayvsworld?? :)

of course!!!!!

[savedbythenotepad]

thecitylightshow replied to your post: It’s painful to view Steve and Tony as soulmates...

I got a physical pain in my chest wtf

YOU’RE WELCOME

[the-faultofdaedalus]

thecitylightshow reblogged your post and added: “the-flightoficarus: rowantreewrites: the-flightoficarus: ...”

Bro @rowantreewrites what the actual fuck were...

listen if i have to think these things you guys have to see them.

...honestly, vanko could’ve won. he had everything he needed to win.

but he sent rhodey after tony. 

he used the armor instead of the person inside. he used a weapon. not a hostage

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - April 23

 So this list is short this week BUT a lot of that is because I read a ton of one shots by complicationstoo. Check them out and give their stories (and everything else!) a read! 

One Bad Night by complicationstoo

Steve Rogers has a one night stand the night before his first day as a surgical intern. And that's fine - until his one night stand turns out to be his boss.

take me away to you by complicationstoo

One perfect weekend. That's how it starts.

this grey house where I come from by jukeboxhound

There was never any actual violence, nothing dramatic or traumatizing, so Tony doesn’t know why ancient history can occasionally make him feel nauseous, or why some of the most innocuous and nonthreatening things that come out of Steve’s mouth can make his breath stutter.

you standing in the doorway by Mireille

The most remarkable thing about you standing in the doorway / Is that it's you and that you are standing in the doorway - Mountain Goats, "Going to Georgia"

Sensitivity by ladyshadowdrake

Steve wakes up hypersensitive from a nightmare and in need of comfort.

Beloved by TheCityLightShow 

Steve wakes up on the morning of his 18th birthday and takes a moment to just breathe.

He never thought he’d make it to 18, and he’s still not convinced that he’s going to have a soulmate. He’s been doodling on his skin all his life, but from today on, those doodles might appear on someone’s skin. He might have someone’s doodles on his.

Tony has to take a deep breath before he writes on his skin each morning.

It’s been so many days since he turned eighteen and he’s never had a response. Howard says they don’t want him and Maria thinks his soulmate is already dead. Rhodey promises him that he’s just the older one of the two of them, but he’s 20 now.

Right off the Rails by autoschediastic

Tony's still pretty sure the dirty little fantasy playing out in his head isn't going to come true. Almost one hundred percent sure.

The Heaven in the Morning Rays by darefanny

Sure, it was annoying to be kicked out of bed during the night by your kids. Possibly even more annoying was to be four months pregnant and waking up two mornings straight without finding your alpha next to you. None of that, however, was nothing a bit of lazy morning shibari couldn't fix.

Together by complicationstoo

During the Time Heist, Steve and Tony travel back to April 7th, 1970, only to get stuck there when an accident destroys the Pym particles. While they devise a plan to get back home, conversations uncover buried feelings and long-kept secrets that alter their relationship forever.

Surrounded by Chaos by Captain_Panda

. . . and all I can think of is him.

Endgame AU. Steve wields the Infinity gauntlet. And lives.

In a world where Pepper and Tony broke up long before Infinity War, Steve and Tony must both face an "after."

[themculibrary]

Vegas Masterlist

Almost Ever After (ao3) - Major sam/bucky T, 11k

Summary: Sam and Bucky get married in Vegas and live happily ever after.

Well, almost.

bright light city, gonna set my soul on fire (ao3) - writerkenna sam/bucky M, 2k

Summary: After a truly horrible mission in Area 51, Sam and Bucky make the relatively sober choice to get married in Las Vegas.

Drunk Weddings (ao3) - Purple_ducky00 tony/thor, rhodey/heimdall, sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Tony and Thor are cold when sober, but highly affectionate when drunk. What happens when they wake up married with strange tattoos?

Dude, Where’s My Pants? (ao3) - debwalsh steve/bucky, natasha/sam N/R, 3k

Summary: In which Steve wakes up with the man of his dreams in his bed ... but apparently that’s his crush’s worst nightmare.

What happens in Vegas may spell the end of a beautiful friendship.

It’s a good thing Nat and Sam aren’t going to allow Steve and Bucky to get away with not talking about what happened ...

Go to Vegas, Cap (ao3) - simpleParadox steve/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Steve and Bucky get drunk and decide to get married. Drink responsibly kids.

I Do. I Just Don't Remember. (ao3) - WillowPerpetua steve/bucky E, 14k

Summary: After years of mutual pining, Steve and Bucky join their friends on a trip to Las Vegas and make excellent, poor life choices. They discover that what happens in Vegas may not always stay there, but maybe it was never meant to.

“We’re in Vegas. Las Vegas, Buck! We could do anything. We could get married!” “You want to?” Bucky asked. “Why the hell not?”

Las Vegas (ao3) - elcapitan_rogers steve/natasha M, 219k

Summary: Steve was freaking out over his own wedding and the gang decided to take him to Las Vegas to unwind him.

Mandatory Fun (ao3) - Neverever steve/tony T, 6k

Summary: Steve loses a bet to Tony and has to go to Las Vegas for a fun-filled vacation. Or it was fun until people started thinking that they were married.

Mr Rogers, Mr Rogers (ao3) - TheCityLightShow steve/tony G, 944

Summary: A Vegas Cliche, without the Vegas part.

Or, in which Tony married Steve and he doesn't remember.

nevada heat, nevada streets (ao3) - loverloser steve/tony G, 4k

Summary: steve rogers takes a ride, and his bike breaks down in las vegas, nevada. tony stark's garage is the only one with a light on.

Not According to Plan (ao3) - Amiyusesha steve/tony G, 1k

Summary: Steve is Planning a Las Vegas Wedding. Tony finds out.

oh, there’s a show alright, but it may not be the one you want (ao3) - tielan sam/bucky, maria/steve E, 6k

Summary: “So, after months of trying to keep you lot quiet and under the radar, you’ve managed to completely blow your cover, start a manhunt, and declare yourselves gay for each other in just over fifty hours.”

That one special person to annoy for the rest of my life (ao3) - artsies loki/tony M, 6k

Summary: Tony and Loki end up drunk in Vegas - and married, to both their surpise. Loki turns out to be a devoted husband, as does Tony, so they stay that way.

In secret.

That's What You Get (ao3) - kiwigirl nick/darcy G, 7k

Summary: Darcy Lewis goes to Vegas and makes several terrible alcohol-fuelled decisions. This is what happens.

that’s what you get for waking up in vegas (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor clint/sam G, 1k

Summary: Sam knew Vegas was going to be crazy, but he didn't think his trip would end up with him being married to Clint Barton.

try for the universe (ao3) - DobbyRocksSocks steve/tony T, 3k

Summary: Waking up in Vegas with a ring that you didn’t have before drinking copious amounts of alcohol should only happen in the movies. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—for Steve and Tony, they’re idiots and they have to deal with the consequences.

[s-horne]

What's that snippet from? Can we read the whole thing?? I'm super intrigued!!

Eeeee!!!!!! This is actually still a WIP. I got the idea over a year ago and I’ve been working on it in fits and starts.

It’s a non-powered AU and it’s my baby. It’s one of those that I keep coming back to but I can never get it to where it needs to be.

[itsallavengers]

I fucked off Tumblr for a while and my god, I have missed your blog oh my god

WELCOME BACK BUDDY!!!!!!!

[cloistergardens]

hey, in case you were wondering, my best friend @thecitylightshow is gorgeous, even when she won't let me take nice pictures of her 😘

[imaginetonyandbucky]

Imagine WS is in love with Tony but Bucky is not. Noone has any idea why WS constantly spends time with Tony, noone but Bucky who does not want to admit that WS is capable of any emotion. Thanks to WS Bucky falls in love with Tony too.

Warmth

The day Bucky realises that theWinter Soldier is in love with Tony Stark, he nearly brains himself on thedoorway between his room and the rest of Stevie’s floor.

Because that’s the thing, he’ssomehow not noticed, despite sharing a headspace with him. It’s been ateam-wide question since Bucky came in from the cold as to why the Soldierspends so much time with Stark, and even Bucky’s been unable to answer, thoughnow he’s just unwilling.

The Soldier is in lovewith Stark.

He’s the sun, the Soldier thinks.

How the hell is this Bucky’slife?

“You okay, Buck?” Steve’squestion drifts over from the kitchenette where Steve’s just about to leave forhis run with Sam, and Bucky nods.

“Yeah-“ -no- “-just stilla little tired, is all.” Bucky tells him, hoping to God he buys it. There’sonly a moment of scrutiny, and Steve’s nodding in acquisition.

“Rough night?” he asks, thoughthey both know it wasn’t – Bucky’s truly rough nights involve a lot ofscreaming – and in fact, when Bucky thinks about it he didn’t dream atall.  Bucky only shakes his head inanswer, and within moments, Steve’s given his shoulder a gentle squeeze andgone. Bucky stands and watches the doorway for a moment, and lets his smilegrow wistful. He’ll never tell him, not in a million lifetimes, but Buckymisses his Stevie. The one who was as small as he was itching for afight, could fit right under Bucky’s arm like he was coming home. There’sglimpses of him sometimes, when this new Steve forgets to duck, or seems whollyquite surprised to receive any kind of compliment, but the whole thing isjarring.

There’s a flicker of a thoughtthen, of how maybe the Soldier’s got the right idea, maybe it’s time to move onfrom the past. Bucky clenches his fist against it, and when he looks down againto watch them uncurl, there’s only a flicker of red.

The Soldier is sat in Stark’slab. Bucky’s watching this unfold reluctantly, though with none of the viciousreluctance he’d built up for so many years when kept in the back of his ownmind. Stark’s fingers are dancing over the blue holo-screens, and he keeps up aconstant stream of chatter between Jarvis, the bots and the Soldier that’salmost soothing on Bucky’s grated nerves. Bucky had given up trying to shovethe Soldier aside and gain his control back somewhere around the time he becameaware of the dull pain in his shoulder – the arm had been fucked up duringbattle, and Bucky realises a little belatedly that the Soldier’s keepingcontrol so that Bucky can’t feel it.

He also can’t feel Stark’sfingers dance over the wires in the arm as he sets about repairing the damage,which makes the Soldier warm, gain a shadow of a smile. The sensation from thearm disappears entirely, and Bucky gives a giant mental shove, forcing theSoldier back in the corner. Stark glances up at him them, before deflatingslightly around a bright smile.

“Almost done, Barnes.” Starktells him, but the chatter’s gone. Bucky sits in silence while the arm isfixed, and finds he misses it.

Movie nights, it’s fairlystandard for the Soldier to be in control. Bucky’s still not one hundred percentcomfortable with having people or doors at his back when he can help it, andmovie nights that’s somewhat unavoidable. Bucky’s used to watching filmsthrough the Soldier’s objective gaze, and he’s given up pushing it away becauseanything is better than icy panic creeping its way up his spine. He pauses inthe elevator when the doors open, waiting for the Soldier to take control, butthere’s a tiny mental shove and Bucky’s walking into movie night as himself.He’s suddenly greatly unsure, because the Soldier sits next to Stark, but Buckydoesn’t know if he’s welcome. Stark might’ve forgiven him for his parents, butthat doesn’t mean he likes him. All at once, Bucky’s worried that Stark puts upwith the Soldier’s puppy-love out of fear, while he’s simultaneously sure thatStark is in no way scared of the Soldier.

He takes a breath to stealhimself and heads towards his usual place next to Stark on the couch. Stark’salready there, finishing up something on his tablet – jeez, the man never stopsworking, never stops doing things for SI and the team and for Shield as itrebuilds – and so Bucky pauses. It takes Stark a moment, but he looks up. Heknows that it’s Bucky running the show, and that, Bucky realises, is what makesStark deflate slightly. He prefers the Soldier to Bucky, and while Buckydoesn’t know what he did, he’s going to change that. “May I?” he asks, smilingsoftly and Stark just stares at him for a moment. Eventually he smiles, andshuffles sideways slightly so that Bucky will fit. Stark’s feet end up in hislap, and Bucky lets his hand rest on the genius’s ankles and doesn’t mind onebit.

Bucky would like to argue withhimself, that if is someone such as the Soldier could fall in love with Stark,what did that say about him? It wasn’t a slow build thing – the Soldier was inlove with Stark from day one, even though all the Soldier could’ve known aboutStark is everything Bucky knew. Son of Howard, former Warmonger, playboy,arrogant, Iron Man. Except – and here’s the other thing he doesn’t want toadmit – the Soldier isn’t a monster. The Soldier is somewhere between a robotand a small child, but he’s not a monster. He’s strangely perceptive too, andBucky wasn’t the only one terrified and trapped in his body, watching thedeaths of all those people and screaming for it to stop. Just as Bucky islearning to see, the Soldier might’ve always seen – right through Stark’sfaçade of confidence, to the eager-to-please and generous soul underneath.

In fact, the more Bucky thinksabout it, he can see how the Soldier would love Tony. The little bits ofcasual care the genius throws out. Everyone on the team gets it, but it meansmore to Buckythe Soldier than it ever would to them, and god, how theSolider craves it. Leftovers labelled for those who skipped the meal,little ‘go get em’ notes for when they’ve got to go do something they don’twant to, the light touches and hair ruffles. Tony’s kind to the point ofbreaking himself to make everything easier for anyone who isn’t him, and theSoldier’s never experienced kindness before. Of course he’d follow thegiver around like a puppy. That’s all it is.

Bucky’s not sure who he’s tryingto convince anymore.

The Soldier doesn’t come out thenext time someone scares the shit out of Bucky by accidentally sneaking up onhim. Bucky actually braces himself for it, but all he gets is a prod to hisconsciousness and something that should be an eyeroll, but has no physical formto be so.

Bucky turns to find Tony frozenand waiting cautiously, and god, Bucky’s heart flutters at the sight of fluffy-haired,oil -streaked Tony, even at 4am when his memories are raging a war in his head,the red on his hands won’t flicker and die, and he feels like he’s dead on hisfeet.

“Soldier?” Tony asks, confusedbecause he already knows the answer is-

“Bucky.” Bucky tells him, andTony watches him a moment longer before shrugging and sitting himself at thetable, making grabby hands for the coffee. Bucky delights internallythat he doesn’t seem slightly deflated like he would’ve a month or so ago, andhumours him with a smile, filling Tony’s mug before his own. Tony takes it likeBucky just handed him the nectar of the gods, and hums happily around his firstsip.

“Sorry for startling you.” Tonytells him eventually, and Bucky just gives a shrug.

“It happens, doll, I’m used toit.” Bucky freezes when he realises what he’s just said – not the admission tobeing easily startled, everybody knows that, but the endearment.For a moment, Bucky prays that Tony didn’t notice, but the Soldier’s presencehas gone warm and happy like it does when Tony’s smiling, and- yup, there itis. It’s not that shit-eating grin that means Bucky’s even more of a goner thanhe already was, though. No, this smile is small and tentative, there’s no teethto it, and it’s… Tony looks a touch confused.

“Doll?” he asks.

“Yeah, sorry, it just- slippedout.” Bucky mutters, pulling his mug closer and ignoring the eye-rollingsensation from the Soldier. There might even be a facepalm in there somewhere,and Bucky wonders if the kid-like thing picked that up from Natalia or Stevie.If anything, Tony deflates at that response, and the Soldier’s not the only onewho goes cold and sad at that. “But it suits you.” Bucky says, and Tony’s justfrowning at him now. Apparently, Bucky can’t win at four in the morning.

“I’m not one of your 40s dames,Barnes.” Tony’s scowling at him now, making the Soldier nudge Bucky’sconsciousness insistently like he’s begging him to fix it, and Bucky’s shakinghis head before he’s finished talking – partially because he’s wrong and partiallybecause it makes his hair fall from behind his ears and hide his face a little.

“Not what I mean, Tony, not atall.” Bucky tells him, but the scowl barely shifts.

“Then what do you mean?”he asks, and Bucky’s not entirely sure what he’s meant to say.

“It’s just- a term of- uh-friendship.” Bucky tries, wincing internally at how it comes out. “Y’know. Anickname, I guess.” Tony’s still scowling, but it’s not as bad, and the Soldier’sless insistent with his nudging (though it’s going to give Bucky a headache ifhe doesn’t cut it out).

“A nickname.” Tony repeatsslowly, and Bucky waits for his decision to be insulted or not with batedbreath. After a long moment, he shrugs, and sips his coffee again. “Whateveryou say, cupcake.” Bucky feels like he’s dodged a bullet there, and the Soldiermelts into a puddle of gooey warmth that makes Bucky sated and sleepywhen Tony grins around the word ‘cupcake’, proud of himself. It even lasts whenTony stands, mug in hands, and gives a tiny salute. “Sleep well, WinterCupcake,” and then he’s gone into the elevator. The warmth is still therethough the genius is gone, and settles somewhere in Bucky’s chest as he makeshis way back to his own room, feeling like he might actually be able to sleepnow.

It takes time to undo his owngrave-digging, but Bucky’s pleased with it. Tony could never assume Buckydoesn’t like him now, he’s certain, and Bucky – alongside the Soldier – ratherenjoys taking care of Tony. Soon, it doesn’t even feel like effort to makeextra sandwiches at lunch to take down for him, or to make more coffee, or toread through the textbooks trying to catch him up with a little moreattentiveness because he wants to understand what Tony’s saying, notjust smile at the words as they wash over him. The workshop becomes somewherehe likes to hide and somewhere he’s welcome to, and Tony smiles each and everytime.

Once, in a fit of Soldier nudgedconfidence, Bucky tries adding little casual touches to the friendship they’rebuilding, but the only thing Tony allows is an arm around his shoulderspost-battle, or when they’re on the couch. Tony might feel safe enough to fallasleep on him – and Bucky’s personal space is all Tony’s now – but everythingbetween them is strictly platonic is. It makes the Soldier’s presence like adisappointed weight, and a part of Bucky aches for something more, but the restof him will take what he can get. If friendship is all he’s good enough to earnfrom this man, it’s still more than he deserves.

The Soldier does come out,however, when Tony gets hurt in battle. Bucky’s almost thankful for it, becausethe Soldier might be a panicky child internally, but the robotic outerdemeanour is better for dealing with this, and mother of God, there’s somuch blood-

Bucky’s consciousness is pawingagainst the Soldier’s, he knows it is, but it’s like they’re sharing theheadspace for once instead of shoving the other out, and the Soldier’sobjective view that the injury is ‘not as bad as it looks’ as he liftsthe genius from his battered suit is helping slightly, but Bucky is fairly certainthat it’s him who’s doing the talking right now.

“C’mon doll, you gotta stay withme, okay?” Bucky cradles Tony to his chest, and picks his way over the rubble.Steve’s already said – over the comm’s where Bucky’s not really paying attentionand the Soldier only deemed it relevant to note because Tony will care – thathe’ll collect the suit, now just dead weight- “C’mon honey, you mean too muchto us.” He’s begging, and he might even be crying, but it’s- the Soldier’snever cried before.

Bucky and the Soldier reach themedical team ready to leave in the Quinjet in good time. The bleeding isslowing, and Tony’s not quite conscious, and Natalia is watching him weirdly,but they just carefully lay Tony down on the stretcher thing, and even brushthe hair out of his face before he’s whisked away. They watch him go – Quinjetdoors closed, and now up in the air – before even noting that Natalia haswalked up to stand beside him and the battle is over.

“He’ll be okay.” Natalia tellshim, and the Soldier knows that, firm beside Bucky in their shared headspace,if cold with the residual panic that’s still doing its best to choke Bucky.“Soldier?” she asks when he doesn’t respond – and Bucky turns to watch Stevelug the suit over the rubble when he speaks, voice cracking.

“I don’t know.” He replies aftera moment, and a tear runs down his cheek without his permission because healmost failed, and the Soldier was trained never to fail missions- Tonyisn’t a mission, he’s a choice- that just makes it worse- their sun is hurt-

Natalia is staring at him inshock, though, and Steve carefully lays the suit in a clear patch by them –Clint will bring the Quinjet back for them – before looking between them inconfusion. “Bucky?” Steve asks cautiously, and there’s a hesitation before theSoldier (and it’s definitely the Soldier now) shakes his head. He licks hislips and-

“Soldier.” He confirms, the tearforgotten and no more following it. Bucky feels his face go blank, and he leadsthe way silently onto the Quinjet when it returns, ignoring the red on hishands.

He doesn’t know if it’s theSoldier or himself who rips up the note ‘You got this Winter Cupcake!’in Tony’s left-handed handwriting while his arm’s in a sling a few days later –Bucky was meant to be going to group with Sam – but they agree that it’sundeserved. Bucky goes to storm off, but a nudge from the Soldier brings himscurrying back before anyone can see. The scraps of the note are swept up intohis hand, and Bucky tucks them into his pocket because the Soldier’s right; itwouldn’t do to let Tony think his affections, even if only platonic, areunwanted. “God, I’m sorry…” he whispers, not quite sure who to or what foranymore.

Bucky’s pacing outside theworkshop – it’s not the first time he’s done this since Tony came out ofmedical. Usually, ignoring the Soldier’s disappointment mingling with his ownand their combined shame and heartache burning like a brand, he just leaves whateversnack or coffee he’s brought with him by the door and runs away to sulk again.He wishes Steve was wrong, but he is sulking, right there curled up with theSoldier pining and whimpering away in his head because sure they fucked up butthis torture is new and awful and Bucky misses their sun as much as theSoldier does. This time, though, Bucky’s pacing because Tony asked Bucky tocome down in five minutes, and he’s certain that this is it. Finally,Tony will ask Bucky and the Soldier to leave, the team, the tower, New York,because they failed and Bucky’s never got to keep anything he loves.

Jesus, the Soldier might not bea monster, but Bucky’s not looking forward to finding out how he throws thetantrum that will follow hot on the heels of heartbreak.

Right on the five minute markthe doors to the workshop open, and Bucky nearly falls into the Soldier’sfacial patterns as he tries to compose himself. He shoves his hands in hispockets so Tony won’t see the flesh one shake, and mutters a thank you toJarvis as he steps inside. The doors slide shut behind him, and Bucky is struckimmediately by how oddly lifeless the workshop seems – the Soldier’s presencesomething like a lament at the lack of blue lights – and Tony spins on thechair to face him. His face is oddly blank, nothing but tiredness there, as hestudies Bucky for a moment.

“Who am I talking to?” he askseventually, and that… that just might be the first time someone hasn’t assumedone way or the other.

“Me.” Bucky settles on, after amoment. A smile ticks up the corner of Tony’s mouth, but it doesn’t stay, andBucky’s never felt this nervous in his life.

“And that is?” Tony probes, andBucky shrugs a shoulder.

“Some combination of both of us,I think. We’re bonding.” He says, not quite sure what makes him add the lastpart, but it’s no less true. He is bonding with the Soldier. They’reless two distinct personalities with one set of jumbled memories and more twomindsets, two point of views of the same person now. The answer, intentional ornot, makes Tony smile, and Bucky lets himself relax slightly.

“Some combination…” he muses.“So I’m talking to you, the Man Who Lives Now, the Phoenix From the Ashes, youjust as you are, as you will be.” It doesn’t sound like a question, but Buckynods and answers him anyway.

“As I am.” Bucky confirms, kindaliking the warm imagery of the phoenix metaphor. The Soldier hums a tiny bit ofagreement, but the nerves are still there – and they rack up twelve notcheswhen Tony stands up, and steps right into Bucky’s personal space. Bucky wantsto scramble backwards – and the Soldier seems inclined to let him – but Tony’seyes are warm and hopeful, and Bucky’s caught like a trap. “Tony?” he asksafter a moment.

“Answer me this, WinterCupcake,” Tony starts, smiling wider when Bucky relaxes automatically at thenickname, “was it the Man Who Lives Now who said I was too important?”

If Bucky hadn’t still beenlocked in Tony’s gaze, he might’ve missed how much Tony feels like he’s riskingto ask that question, but he can see it now, like the Soldier’s been seeing allalong. He takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words – a breath that’sfull of coffee and oil and something that’s all Tony. His eyes arebright and soulful, like the sun through whiskey or something so equallysoothing, hopeful and yet still teasing, and his smile is soft and warm andhe’s the sun, he’s all Bucky ever wants, ever wanted, will ever need,he’ll never be cold or alone again as long as Tony’s around because he’smagnificent and wonderful and-

Bucky’s speaking aloud, up untilthe moment Tony cuts him off.

With a kiss.

A really good kiss.

It’s chaste but in no waytentative, and when Bucky gets with the program, tips his head to the side alittle, it’s not even chaste. It’s languid and warm and Tony’s lips and tongueand hands burn against him, more heat and light and happiness than Buckyor the Soldier ever thought they’d get. Bucky lets his hands drift down Tony’sback in a gentle caress, before he’s picking up the genius and sitting him onthe desk. Tony doesn’t have to pull him down to kiss him now, but he pulls backas if to protest, so Bucky doesn’t let him. He kisses him again, an insistentpress of lips, before he pulls back, just far enough and long enough to say“you’re everything, Tony.”

Bucky feels like his very soulis singing with the warmth Tony kisses him with then and- oh god, Bucky pullsthe brunet closer, tight against his chest as Tony goddamn sucks on histongue. Bucky kisses him back, as good as he remembers how to, and theyonly stop when breathing becomes a thing they really ought to do.

“Everything, huh?” Tony asksbreathlessly, and he’s smirking but there’s no tease in his eyes.

“Everything, il mio sole.”Bucky says, loving how Tony’s face lights up at the Italian, and proves Bucky’spoint – the Soldier’s point, their point – entirely. Tony kisses him again,grinning too hard for it to be anything but Bucky’s grinning right back and-

“Ti amo, la mia luna.” Tonywhispers, right against his lips, and Bucky knows the warmth in his chest isthere to stay.