โฟ ms.wanye, the amazon imagine the build up of how bruce wayne meets his future wife, you, and it just turns out that you happen to be the sister of wonder woman.
โฟ batboys with a partner who is obsessed with looking good imagine each of the batboys dating someone who's main priority is to look good always!
โฟ slipping through my fingers in which bruce wayne finally comes to terms that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
DICK GRAYSON/ NIGHTWING
โฟ batboys with a partner who is obsessed with looking good imagine each of the boys dating someone who's main priority is to look good always!
JASON TODD/ RED HOOD
โฟ batboys with a partner who is obsessed with looking good imagine each of the boys dating someone who's main priority is to look good always!
TIM DRAKE/ RED ROBIN
โฟ batboys with a partner who is obsessed with looking good imagine each of the boys dating someone who's main priority is to look good always!
CLARK KENT/ SUPERMAN
โ tear up my stockings in which clark kent gets to do an exclusive interview with wayne!reader, bruce's younger sister, about wayne tech in place of him. however, the charm of the seems to disract the reporter, leading to a tension between the two... and little more.
โฏ lace me up kent following the interview with our wayne!reader, clark can not get his mind off what happened at the tower or you in general. so it's a miracle when you and bruce so happen to visit the daily. being your first time there, when you get a tour from clark, things get a little hot quickly.
โ only in journalism our wayne!reader visits clark after he has a long tiresome day of work. when tries to finish up his newest story, she's a bit distraction to him by all the affection she gives him as he tries to finish up his newest story. but when clark doesn't complete the story, don't worry. she has his back always!
WALLY WEST/ THE FLASH & KID FLASH
โฟ ace doesn't like speedsters imagine wally dating batsis!reader who is also the main caretaker of ace, aka, bathound. however, ace doesn't seem to take a liking to the speedster on bit and believes that he's taking away his owner from him and plots against him. now wally has to be faced with this "slight issue".
โโโโโโ
MCU
BUCKY BARNES/WINTER SOLDIER
โฟ full star power imagine being a tamaranean member of the new avengers and being confused when bucky says you two aren't together, which you mistake for him not wanting to be friends with you.
โฟ star-shaped hearts imagine the tamaranean!reader revealing to the team and bucky that she's never celebrated her birthday before. it catches some of them by surprise as she begins to dive into how she deeply wishes she could. however, she wouldn't know which particular day it would even be set on. however, there's a surprise coming for her
โฏ can you handle all that? bucky's got quite the interesting type, who knew the winter soldier had a thing for cat burglars? that only begs the question if he could handle you?
PETER PARKER/SPIDERMAN
โ wendigos webs imagine being trapped in the mines as the wendigo chases both you and peter. you're injured and cut up. both of you are hidden, you're terrified and peter keeps watch to make sure the monster doesn't find you two. so in the adrenaline of the moment you silently begin to confess to him incase you never get the chance too.
โโโโโโ
JJK
coming soon...
โโโโโโ
ONE PIECE
coming soon...
โโโโโโ
AOT
coming soon...
-peachessprincess is the creator of the all work shown above. please don't paste my work onto any other site
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summary: in which bruce wayne finally comes to terms that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
tw: just pure fluff, fiancรฉ/husband!roy harper mention! a little angst, based of two songs, "slipping through my fingers" and "maybe", crying bruce and batfam? father-daughter love chat. "father of the bride" based a little?
notes: i've had this on my mind for a while now and i always wanted to do a platonic batfam story so hear it is!
(check out my masterlist!)
he couldn't handle coming face to with this because today was the day he was supposed to let go.
BRUCE has faced many more difficult trails and tribulations than this one... so why was he having trouble with this one? maybe it was because it wasn't a life or death situation with the purpose of saving gotham from a bomb that would cause havoc for the entire city square.
this was something much more personal.
something concerning family.
it was your wedding.
it was about giving you away today, something he was slightly dreading for a while. don't get him mistaken. he was elated when he found out that roy had proposed to you, your entire engagement made him feel so proud and he was happy along with the rest of the family.
but it was only when he was on patrol with jason that the reality practically slapped him square in the face when jason said, "you ready to walk her down the aisle, old man?"
bruce froze on the rooftop ledge once he heard that, and then he thought of it. you were getting married. his little girl was getting married.
then the day finally came.
and now he was standing outside your dressing room, practically too paralyzed to knock.
prior to this, he had admitted one of his concerns to clark, but it only lead to the blue boy scout laughing square in his face which made bruce glare daggers at him. "iโ i just didn't expect out of all the problems in your life that this one bothers you so much that you had to talk with me!"
bruce just sighed over clark's continuous laughter before he felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. clark looked at him and shifted his glasses back up onto his face, "listen bruce, this day was going to come one day or another, and whether it's hard or not... she's not your little girl today."
she's a woman now.
those words rang through his mind and bruce closed his eyes, taking soft breaths before moving his hand up towards the door and knocking gently.
the ceremony was about to start soon, the time was coming. the time was coming to give you away.
the door opened to reveal cassie with steph peeping right behind her. as soon as they saw him, two big grins appeared on their face, practically gleaming with joy. "HE'S HERE!โ bruce cover your eyes and turn around."
chuckling softly, bruce put his hands up in surrender and covered his eyes, slowly walking in backwards into the room. both girls guiding him to make sure he didn't trip over anything.
giggles could be heard and he could just imagine the smiles all around him. the smells of rose, strawberries and vanilla clouded his scent, bringing a deep warmth feeling to his chest. it was soon that he had to look you in the eyes, the eyes of his little girl.
"okay you can look now!"
he uncovered his eyes, taking in the room in all its glory, elegant and ornate. its intricate white molding and decorative carvings adorning the walls and door frames.
bruce turns around, and then the air is kicked out of his lungs as soon as he sees you. his eyes widened at the sight of you.
the wedding ball gown is a cascade of ivory and lace that seemed to breathe as you stood in it. the bodice, sculpted with delicate embroidery, while the sheer sleeves wrapped yourr arms in a veil of elegance, traced with threads of silver light. you hold a bouquet of light pink flowers, and your hair is pinned up with grace as a floor length veil falls behind you.
"hi dad... " you say softly as you smile brightly, watching him take the most cautious steps towards. you look like an angel. you were his angel, a blessing that he was so grateful for.
then he felt it, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes as he felt them burn. he takes the handkerchief out his suits pocket and covers both eyes with them. he can't contain it anymore.
you're a woman now, in all your glory.
you feel tears weld in your eyes and you try to fan them away in order to not mess up your makeup. "you're gorgeous... you look perfect... " you hear bruce mutter as he tries to contain a choked up sob.
your lips quiver and you let out a soft hiccup before you shuffle towards him, steph and cass making sure to hold up your dress from behind so you wouldn't fall. you cry as you wrap your arms around bruce, you sob as if you were a kid again and hearing this made it even harder for him.
because you had always been his little girl for forever in his eyes.
he didn't want to let go of you when you both started to walk down that aisle.
he felt like he'd be losing something that he could never get back ever again. bruce didn't want that, but you were so happy, and seeing you that happy made his world.
"graysonโ please stop slobbering all over yourself, i'd like to watch my sister get married in silence." damien said, glaring at his older brother who couldn't control the waterworks. dick continued to cry into a rag given to him courtesy of starfire, who let him cry into her shoulder.
each step you took down the chapel towards the alter was a step closer and closer to what he had been dreading. but when he felt the way you held his arm in such a comforting way, he knew what was for the best.
he watched how roy take in every second of beauty and grace. jason stood behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder whispering something to him, probably "not to fuck this up." or whatever else he'd say to his best friend.
as you reached the altar, bruce felt your touch loosen before you let go of his arm. then you gave him one last smile before you gently kissed the side of his cheek, "i love you dad... " you whispered before you carefully took your place infront of roy.
bruce looked towards roy, something that he would hate to admit was scared to do, but here he was.
"... keep her safe."
roy's response was a courteous, solem nod, which was all bruce need. which was what gave him that final peace.
as he walked to his seat in the front row and sat down, he watched you interlock a hand with roy.
it was then that bruce finally realized that he would never come home to see you at the top of the stair case excited to see him again.
he'd never get to see you extatic on christmas morning after opening your gifts and immediately jumping on him to hug him again.
he'd never see you peep into the batcave because you had a nightmare and wanted to fall asleep next to him again.
you had simply grown up.
slipped through his fingers in the blink of an eye.
he drowned out the music, the excessive sobs from dick and damien telling him to shut up. he was just focused on how happy you looked up there.
he had to face that struggle of seeing you as a child.
he wished that you could stay the same forever.
but that's not how time is, isn't it? you were a woman now, and he would not hold you back.
-peachessprincess is the creator of this work. please don't paste my work onto any other site
dividers by (i lost creators @, if you know who made them please tag creator so I could give credit)
summary: in which bruce wayne finally comes to terms that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
tw: just pure fluff, fiancรฉ/husband!roy harper mention! a little angst, based of two songs, "slipping through my fingers" and "maybe", crying bruce and batfam? father-daughter love chat. "father of the bride" based a little?
notes: i've had this on my mind for a while now and i always wanted to do a platonic batfam story so hear it is!
(check out my masterlist!)
he couldn't handle coming face to with this because today was the day he was supposed to let go.
BRUCE has faced many more difficult trails and tribulations than this one... so why was he having trouble with this one? maybe it was because it wasn't a life or death situation with the purpose of saving gotham from a bomb that would cause havoc for the entire city square.
this was something much more personal.
something concerning family.
it was your wedding.
it was about giving you away today, something he was slightly dreading for a while. don't get him mistaken. he was elated when he found out that roy had proposed to you, your entire engagement made him feel so proud and he was happy along with the rest of the family.
but it was only when he was on patrol with jason that the reality practically slapped him square in the face when jason said, "you ready to walk her down the aisle, old man?"
bruce froze on the rooftop ledge once he heard that, and then he thought of it. you were getting married. his little girl was getting married.
then the day finally came.
and now he was standing outside your dressing room, practically too paralyzed to knock.
prior to this, he had admitted one of his concerns to clark, but it only lead to the blue boy scout laughing square in his face which made bruce glare daggers at him. "iโ i just didn't expect out of all the problems in your life that this one bothers you so much that you had to talk with me!"
bruce just sighed over clark's continuous laughter before he felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. clark looked at him and shifted his glasses back up onto his face, "listen bruce, this day was going to come one day or another, and whether it's hard or not... she's not your little girl today."
she's a woman now.
those words rang through his mind and bruce closed his eyes, taking soft breaths before moving his hand up towards the door and knocking gently.
the ceremony was about to start soon, the time was coming. the time was coming to give you away.
the door opened to reveal cassie with steph peeping right behind her. as soon as they saw him, two big grins appeared on their face, practically gleaming with joy. "HE'S HERE!โ bruce cover your eyes and turn around."
chuckling softly, bruce put his hands up in surrender and covered his eyes, slowly walking in backwards into the room. both girls guiding him to make sure he didn't trip over anything.
giggles could be heard and he could just imagine the smiles all around him. the smells of rose, strawberries and vanilla clouded his scent, bringing a deep warmth feeling to his chest. it was soon that he had to look you in the eyes, the eyes of his little girl.
"okay you can look now!"
he uncovered his eyes, taking in the room in all its glory, elegant and ornate. its intricate white molding and decorative carvings adorning the walls and door frames.
bruce turns around, and then the air is kicked out of his lungs as soon as he sees you. his eyes widened at the sight of you.
the wedding ball gown is a cascade of ivory and lace that seemed to breathe as you stood in it. the bodice, sculpted with delicate embroidery, while the sheer sleeves wrapped yourr arms in a veil of elegance, traced with threads of silver light. you hold a bouquet of light pink flowers, and your hair is pinned up with grace as a floor length veil falls behind you.
"hi dad... " you say softly as you smile brightly, watching him take the most cautious steps towards. you look like an angel. you were his angel, a blessing that he was so grateful for.
then he felt it, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes as he felt them burn. he takes the handkerchief out his suits pocket and covers both eyes with them. he can't contain it anymore.
you're a woman now, in all your glory.
you feel tears weld in your eyes and you try to fan them away in order to not mess up your makeup. "you're gorgeous... you look perfect... " you hear bruce mutter as he tries to contain a choked up sob.
your lips quiver and you let out a soft hiccup before you shuffle towards him, steph and cass making sure to hold up your dress from behind so you wouldn't fall. you cry as you wrap your arms around bruce, you sob as if you were a kid again and hearing this made it even harder for him.
because you had always been his little girl for forever in his eyes.
he didn't want to let go of you when you both started to walk down that aisle.
he felt like he'd be losing something that he could never get back ever again. bruce didn't want that, but you were so happy, and seeing you that happy made his world.
"graysonโ please stop slobbering all over yourself, i'd like to watch my sister get married in silence." damien said, glaring at his older brother who couldn't control the waterworks. dick continued to cry into a rag given to him courtesy of starfire, who let him cry into her shoulder.
each step you took down the chapel towards the alter was a step closer and closer to what he had been dreading. but when he felt the way you held his arm in such a comforting way, he knew what was for the best.
he watched how roy take in every second of beauty and grace. jason stood behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder whispering something to him, probably "not to fuck this up." or whatever else he'd say to his best friend.
as you reached the altar, bruce felt your touch loosen before you let go of his arm. then you gave him one last smile before you gently kissed the side of his cheek, "i love you dad... " you whispered before you carefully took your place infront of roy.
bruce looked towards roy, something that he would hate to admit was scared to do, but here he was.
"... keep her safe."
roy's response was a courteous, solem nod, which was all bruce need. which was what gave him that final peace.
as he walked to his seat in the front row and sat down, he watched you interlock a hand with roy.
it was then that bruce finally realized that he would never come home to see you at the top of the stair case excited to see him again.
he'd never get to see you extatic on christmas morning after opening your gifts and immediately jumping on him to hug him again.
he'd never see you peep into the batcave because you had a nightmare and wanted to fall asleep next to him again.
you had simply grown up.
slipped through his fingers in the blink of an eye.
he drowned out the music, the excessive sobs from dick and damien telling him to shut up. he was just focused on how happy you looked up there.
he had to face that struggle of seeing you as a child.
he wished that you could stay the same forever.
but that's not how time is, isn't it? you were a woman now, and he would not hold you back.
-peachessprincess is the creator of this work. please don't paste my work onto any other site
dividers by (i lost creators @, if you know who made them please tag creator so I could give credit)
pairing: king!bucky barnes x commoner!reader, cinderella au
warnings: 18+ MDNI, smut, dilf bucky, age gap, burn marks (from fireplace), a man who yearns is a man who earns, smoking, alcohol, misogynistic comments, miscommunication, kinda angsty, jealousy, possessive behavior, virginity loss, sexual tension, banter, semi-public sex, power dynamic, breeding kink, size difference, pet names: "my dear" "sweetheart" "my love"
word count: 19.6k
masterlist || ๐น๐ฝ.2
a/n: this is my contribution to the bwa fairytale collaboration! i know it's been a while, but i hope the word count for this fic makes up for it! this was the playlist i had on repeat while writing.
synopsis:
The Prince of Brooklynne is hosting a grand ball to find a future princess. But when you secretly slip away from your chores to attend, it isn't the Princeโs heart you captureโitโs his fatherโs, King Barnes.
You retracted your hands the instant the embers made burning contact with your fingertips. You swore quietly to yourself, pulling your hand to your chest and squeezing your eyes shut.
You had been burned countless times in this house. Burned while tending the fireplace, burned while cooking, and pricked by splinters from the worn wooden broom. Your life was a cycle of being on your hands and knees, scrubbing every inch of the floor until it was spotless for your step-monsters.
While you nursed your finger to ease the burning pain, your stepmotherโs voice, Beatrice, rang from the room just over. She was shouting at the top of her lungs about another party invitation.
โAn invitation sent from the palace!โ she announced, waving the paper around. โGirls, come here!โ
You stayed where you were. You knew better than to approach; when she said โgirls,โ she meant everyone in the houseย butย you.
The sharp, obnoxious clack of your stepsistersโ heels echoed from the top of the staircase down to the marble floor of the foyer. Their voices were already rising obnoxiously, high enough, you thought, to shatter every piece of glassware in the house.ย
โAn invitation from the palace?โ one of your stepsisters, Agnes, squealed. โPrince Jamie is hosting a ball?โ
Your other stepsister, Margaret, gasped so sharply she nearly choked on her own breath.ย
โHas the time finally come? Is Prince Jamie finally looking to wed?โ Her eyes were wide with excitement as she looked between your stepmother and Agnes. โIs it true, Mother?โ
You tilted your head, catching a glimpse of them huddled in a tight circle. Beatriceโs red lips tilted into a wide grin. โIt is true, ladies. Your moment has finally arrived. The Prince is looking for a brideโโ
โI want to read it!โ Margaret exclaimed, lunging for the parchment that Beatrice held just out of reach.
โNo,ย Iย want to read it! Iโm the eldest, itโs only fair!โ Agnes argued, reaching over her sister.
โNow, settle down, ladies,โ Beatrice cooed, pulling the paper back to her chest and holding it primly. โWhy exclude your sister from the fun?โ
Beatriceโs gaze drifted past the living room archway, where the fireplace glowed and the furniture sat in pristine order. The warmth she had held for her own daughters vanished the moment her eyes landed on you.
โStop sucking on your finger like a common infant and come here,โ she commanded, her voice suddenly sharp and cold. โRead the letter to us.โ She added, waving the parchment at you.
You stiffened, slowly lowering your hand. You had seen this coming. Every time an invitation arrived, you were forced to read it outloud. It wasnโt that they couldn't read; it was about rubbing salt into the wound.ย
These letters always went into agonizing detail about beauty, grace, and royal splendorโthings meant to make any girlโs heart soar, and things you were never meant to have.
You were bound to this house, their maid for as long as they allowed you to live.
โYour father taught you well before he passed, didnโt he?โ Beatrice asked, her eyes narrowed. It wasn't a sincere question; it was a reminder of what you had lost. โRead it clearly. I want to hear every single detail of the Kingโs requirements.โ
You stood quickly, your legs wobbly from kneeling on the hard floor for so long. Wiping your hands on your soot-stained apron, you crossed the room. As you reached for the parchment, the coarse paper grazed your injury and agitated the burn on your fingertips, making you flinch slightly.
โWell?โ Agnes prodded, leaning in so close you could smell her cloying floral perfume. โDonโt just stare at it!โย
You cleared your throat, your voice sounding small and raspy against the high-ceiling room.
โBy Royal Decree of His Majesty,โย you began, trying to focus on the elegant calligraphy instead of the throbbing pain in your finger.ย โTo the noble families and citizens of the kingdom, you are cordially invited to a Grand Masquerade Ball at the Palace, to be held on the final Saturday of the Harvest Moon.โย
Margaret let out a squeal, but a look from Beatrice silenced her immediately.ย
โThe festivities shall begin at sundown,โย you continued,ย โIt is the Kingโs wish that every eligible young woman in the province attend, for on this night, Prince Jamie shall choose the one who will stand by his side as the future Princess of Brooklynne.โย
The room went deathly silent for a heartbeat before the sisters erupted. They squealed and hollered, clutching each other's hands and jumping in circles. But your eyes remained fixed on the final line, written in a large, aggressive script at the bottom.ย
You read it under your breath, quietly to yourself.
โโฆ attendance is mandatory for all householdsโฆโย
Agnes and Margaret were too busy celebrating to heed your words. โThat means the entire province! Mother, weโll have to stand out. Weโll need the finest silk and the most intricate masks!โ
Beatrice ignored her daughters, her gaze fixed solely on you. She reached out and snatched the letter back, her sharp nails grazing your burned skin. You hissed a breath through your teeth, clutching your hand to your chest.
โMandatory forย nobleย households,โ Beatrice corrected cruelly. โIโm sure the palace wouldnโt want the ballroom floor stained by the soot of a kitchen maid.โ
โMother, may weย pleaseย go dress shopping now?โ Margaret begged, clutching her motherโs arm and bouncing impatiently. โWe must get the finest gowns before anyone else does! We have to absolutely stand out.โ She turned to Agnes, her eyes gleaming. โIsnโt that right, sister?โ
Agnes nodded quickly, her hair whipping. โAbsolutely! We canโt risk looking like commoners. We need to be the center of attention the moment we step into that ballroom!โ
โVery well,โ Beatrice sighed. โWe shall leave today. There is no time to waste if we are to secure the best seamstress in Brooklynne.โย
The sisters shrieked happily, already rushing towards the door to grab their cloaks. But before Beatrice followed them, she paused. She turned back to look at you, her gaze cold and belittling, as if you were nothing more than a speck of dirt on her rug.
Her eyes grazed over the room, landing on a stray speck of ash near the baseboards.ย
โWhile we are gone, I expect the house to be spotless by the time we get home,โ she demanded. โThat means the floors waxed, the silver polished, and the laundry pressed. If I find so much as a single ember out of place in that fireplace when I return, you will find yourself sleeping in the stable tonight.โ
When the doors finally slammed shut, leaving you alone in the silence of the massive house, that is exactly what you did.ย
While your step-family was out hunting for the finest silks, you spent the day bent over a scrub brush. You deep-cleaned their bedrooms, waxed the floors until your knees were bruised and aching, and scoured the silverware until it shined like a mirror.
As you swept the house from top to bottom, your mind kept wandering back to that final sentence in the invitation.
Attendance is mandatory for all households.
You had read countless invitations in your life, yet none of them had ever included those specific wordsโmuch less a direct command from the King himself. If the decree was absolute, what would happen if you, a member of this household, failed to attend?
Beatrice had married your father before he passed, and despite her cruelty, the law saw you as family. You were a member of the household, not a servant. You werenโt just a maid; you were a daughter of the house.ย
And if the King demanded every eligible woman be thereโฆ perhaps Beatriceโs โrulesโ were no match for the Kingโs law?
No.ย
It was silly to indulge in such foolishness.ย
Beatrice would never let you leave this house unless you were hanging laundry, tending the gardens, hauling bags after their shopping sprees, or feeding the chickens.
But after spending the day scouring the house until it was immaculate, and considering the Kingโs explicit command, surelyโฆ she would let you attend. Even if it were just for one night. Right? You had been a good girl. You had done everything they asked of you.
With hesitant footsteps, you retreated to your basement chambers and dug deep into the shadows of your closet. Pushing past the clothes stained with soot and grime, you reached into the very back and pulled out a neatly wrapped box.
The moment you lifted the lid, the familiar aroma of dried lavender drifted up to meet you.ย
Nestled neatly inside was your motherโs gown, a dress she had tucked away and passed on to you for a momentous occasion that had yet to arrive.
You pulled it out, the fabric shimmering even in the dim light of the basement. It was beautiful and uniquely your motherโs. You remembered how your father had lavished her with the finest gowns when you were young, and you had always dreamed of finding someone who loved you enough to do the same.
Stripping away your rags, you stepped into the dress.
You expected it to be too loose or too tight, but as you pulled up the bodice and fumbled with the fastenings, you gasped. It fit almost perfectly like a glove, though you struggled to lace the back properly by yourself. Still, the silk hugged your waist and flowed over your hips as if the gown had been designed for your body alone.
Standing before the small, cracked mirror, you didnโt see a housemaid.ย
You saw a girl who rightfully belonged in this houseโor even a palace, if only you knew how to do your hair.
You smiled softly at your reflection, your cheeks warming at the sight. For once in your life, you finally felt beautiful. And if the King insisted that every member of the household attend, then you were going.ย
You wereย actuallyย going to the ball.ย
Suddenly, the front door swung open. Beatrice, Agnes, and Margaret burst inside, their heels clicking against the floor. Their obnoxious laughter echoed all the way down to the basement where you stood.ย
โWhere is she?โ Beatrice barked impatiently, already expecting you to greet them at the doorโlikely to bring their bags to their room.ย
You scrambled up the basement stairs, the long silk hem bunching in your hands as you moved. You rounded the corner into the foyer, nearly bumping into the wall, just as Beatrice was peeling off her leather gloves. Agnes and Margaret were already surrounded by a sea of colorful shopping bags, tossing aside the tissue paper like spoiled children.
โIโm here!โ you called out, catching your breath.ย
The three of them froze.ย
The rustling of their shopping bags ceased instantly at the sight of you. Beatrice turned slowly, her eyes traveling from your face down to the shimmering hem of your motherโs gown, her expression cold and unreadable.ย
โWhat,โ Beatrice hissed, her voice unsettlingly low, โare you wearing?โ
You looked down at yourself. โIt was my motherโs,โ you said softly, stepping into the light of the chandelier. โIโve finished every chore you set for me. The house is spotless. And since the Kingโs invitation said attendance is mandatory for every member of the householdโฆโ you stood as tall as you could, despite the way your hands trembled, โIโve decided Iโm coming with you.โ
The house went silent as they stared back at you, wide-eyed.
For a moment, you half-expected them to agreeโto accept your declaration and welcome you with open arms. But the moment the sisters erupted into laughter, you realized just how naive you had been.
โYou? In that relic?โ Agnes laughed. โYou look like a ghost thatโs been trapped in an attic for twenty years!โย
Margaret scrunched up her nose. โAnd that smellโit smells like rotten fruit. Do you honestly think the Prince would want to dance with someone who reeks like that?โ
You bit your lip. You would think that for girls who lathered themselves in expensive floral perfumes, theyโd at least recognize the scent of dried lavender.
โNow, settle down, girls,โ Beatrice intervened. โThere is no need to insult your sister when sheโs spent all this time trying to make herself look... pretty.โ
She began to walk towards you, the slow clicking of her heels sounding like a death knell against the marble. A taunting smile played on her thin lips as she circled you.ย
โTurn around,โ she commanded. โLet me get a good look at the bodice.โ
You obeyed, your heart beating faster as you felt her cold presence behind you.ย
Because you had scrambled to get ready in such a rush, the delicate lace in the back was a tangled mess of knots and uneven loops. You had tried your best to tie the bodice alone, but it was clear you had failed.
โPoor thing,โ Beatrice cooed, her breath cold against the nape of your neck. โYou canโt even get the dress on right. You look quite pathetic, actually.โ She looked over her shoulder at her daughters, her eyes glinting. โGirls, be saints and help your poor sister, would you?โ
Agnes and Margaret shared a look, their lips curling into identical, malicious smirks. โOkay, Mother,โ they sang in unison.
They stepped forward, and your naivety got the best of you once again. You actually thought they might reach for the laces to tighten them. But as their hands clamped onto your shoulders, you realized for the second time just how wrong you wereโand how low they were willing to stoop to make your life miserable.
A sickening tear echoed through the foyer as Agnesโs fist tightened around your silk sleeve, yanking until the seam burst.
โThis lace is far too old!โ Margaret hissed. She grabbed the delicate ruffle at your neckline, tearing it away with a sharp, violent tug. โItโs doing you no favors!โ
โStop! Please!โ you cried, spinning around to protect the last piece of your mother you had left, but they were like a pack of wolves, their hands biting at you to shred the silk.
Both sisters refused to stop until the shimmering silk was reduced to hanging ribbons. They pulled and yanked frantically, their faces flushed with the thrill of destroying the only beautiful thing you owned. The delicate lace your mother had saved for years was now scattered across the marble floor like dead leaves.
Only when there was nothing left to tear did the sisters finally grow bored. They stepped back, wearing smug grins as you collapsed onto your knees.
You didnโt bother trying to get back up, because you knew theyโd only kick you back down.ย
You just stayed there on the cold floor, fingers trembling as you clutched the tattered scraps of the skirt to your chest, trying to shield the small bits of fabric that still smelled of lavender. The tears finally broke, blurring your vision as you sobbed into the ruins of your only treasure.
Beatrice stood over you, adjusting her pristine shawl. She looked down at your heaving shoulders with cold, clinical detachment. She wouldnโt even give you the pleasure looking a bit guilty; there was only the grim pleasure of a lesson well taught.
โI hope this will make you think twice before asking to attend the ball,โ she said. โOr any ball, for that matter. We did you a favor by taking you in after your father passed. Do not mistake a few yards of silk for a change in your station.โ
She turned to her daughters, her voice light as if she hadn't just destroyed a young girlโs heart.ย
โCome, girls. Letโs go try on your new accessories.โ
As the three of them began trekking up the stairs, their laughter echoing in the foyer, Beatrice looked back down at you one last time.ย
โAnd donโt forget to clean up this mess.โ
It was the day before the Grand Masquerade Ball, and Bucky found himself strolling through a narrow cobblestone alley, far from the gilded gates and suffocating comfort of the palace. He didnโt look like a King today. He had traded his heavy ceremonial robes for simple cotton clothes and a cloak to shield his face.ย
Through a small window, he watched as an elderly womanโ his late motherโs dearest friendโthreaded a needle with trembling hands.
As he pushed the front door open, a bell jingled overhead. The seamstress didnโt even need to look up to know it was him.
โYou shouldnโt be here, Bucky,โ Martha sighed, pushing up her circular glasses. โThe Royal Guard will have a collective heart attack if they find youโve slipped away from your duties again.โ
โThey worry too much,โ Bucky replied, his voice a low, tired rasp as he lowered his cloak.
He leaned forward, resting an elbow on her worktable.ย
โThe palace is suffocating, Martha. Everyone there is wearing a mask long before the ball even begins. I needed to see someone who would give me a breath of fresh air.โ
โAh, Bucky. Always the charmer,โ Martha chuckled. โYou and Rogers havenโt changed one bit. I bet Prince Jamie is starting to grow up just as you have.โ
โMy son,โ Bucky groaned, dragging a tired hand over his face. He looked every bit the weary father and not the formidable King of Brooklynne.ย
โHe is moving far too fast to find a wife,โ he complained. โMy father always pushed me to wed as soon as I couldโit was all about the line of succession and political alliances. Jamie should be lucky Iโm giving him some slack, but instead, heโs rushing headfirst into it as if he owes the kingdom a debt.โ
Martha smiled softly, her needle never stopping through the fine silk. โHeโs just trying to make you proud, Bucky. He sees the way you carry the responsibilities of this kingdom alone, and he thinks having a Princess by his side is how he proves heโs ready to help you.โ
Bucky scoffed. โThe kid has no idea that the wrong partner is only going to be a burden. Half the women coming tomorrow wouldnโt know a plow from a pincushion. They want the crown, not the duty.โ
He rubbed the tense lines between his brows, already agitated by the thought.ย
โI made sure to state in the decree that attendance is mandatory forย allย households. Iโm hoping to find someone who hasnโt spent her whole life rehearsing to wed my son. But I fear Lady Beatrice and her ilk have already decided the outcome. Theyโve been flooding the palace with letters.โ
Martha opened her mouth to speak, your fatherโs name on the tip of her tongue, but she was interrupted by the soft chime of the door.
You stepped inside, your silhouette framed by the sun poking through the open windows and doors. You looked utterly spent, your shoulders tense as your arm tiredly held up a heavy wicker basket filled with various produce.ย
โIโm so sorry Iโm late, Martha,โ you said, breathless. โThe mistress had extra chores for me today. Iโm here for the gowns for Lady Beatrice and her daughters.โ
Bucky quickly turned away, his shoulders stiffening at the dreadful and familiar name. He forced his fingers busy, brushing through the fabric swatches pinned to the wall to keep himself discreet.ย
โItโs no problem at all, dear,โ Martha smiled warmly. โTheyโre in the back. Let me get them wrapped up for you.โ
She gave Bucky a small wary glance before turning away, pulling the heavy curtains aside to retreat into the back of the shop.
With Martha gone, an awkward silence took over the shop, aside for the bustle of the street outside. Your eyes subtly drifted towards the only man in the store.ย
It wasnโt often you saw a man at a seamstress shop. He was a bit older, perhaps he was a butler picking up clothes for a household, or a father stopping by to commission a dress for his daughter?
Buckyโs gaze caught yours as he peeked from the corner of his eye, and you immediately looked away, your face flushing with embarrassment.ย
Not wanting to be caught staring again at the stranger, you began to roam the small space, your fingers hovering just over the vibrant dresses on display.
You admired them quietly, your eyes lingering on a soft, almost sky blue fabric that reminded you of your motherโs dressโthe one you had lost only nights before. A small, wistful sigh escaped your lips.ย
To anyone else, these were just clothes. But to you, they represented a world you were no longer allowed to inhabit.
Bucky watched you, his heart tugging with sympathy at the way you looked at the dress. He cleared his throat, the sound feeling loud in the cramped room.
โAre you picking up a dress for yourself?โ he asked carefully, his gaze still fixed on the fabrics in front of him. โFor the ball tomorrow night, I presume?โ
You jumped slightly, nearly knocking over a mannequin as you whipped around to face him.ย
โOhโno, sir. Iโm just picking up the dresses for my step-sisters,โ you said, forcing an awkward smile. โTheyโll be the ones attending the ball. Not I.โ
Bucky raised a brow, turning his body slightly to look at you. โBut the decree said attendance is mandatory for all households,โ he explained. โDoes that not apply to you?โ
You let out a small, breathless laugh that held no joy.ย
โThe Royal Barnes family is a busy lot, sir. I doubt the King or the Prince will notice if one woman from one house is missing. Besides, he likely meant the families... not the help.โ
Bucky lifted his head slightly, amused. He paused, waiting to see if you would recognize the face on the coins in your pocket, or the man from the portraits in the village square. But your expression didnโt change; you simply looked tired.
โThe help?โ he repeated, his brow furrowing as he leaned back against the table. โBut you said they were your stepsisters, did you not? That makes you family, regardless of the chores they set for you.โ
You adjusted the heavy wicker basket to your other hip, raising a brow. You didnโt know who this man was, but his insistence on โfamilyโ was a luxury you couldnโt affordโand his assumptions about you only made him come across as hopelessly ignorant.
โIโm not sure how things are handled in your home, sir,โ you said, a bit sassier than youโd like. โBut not every household in Brooklynne can afford a fleet of servants. Sometimes, it is up to one of us to make sure the fires are lit and the floors are scrubbed. And that person just happens to be me.โ
Bucky blinked, genuinely taken back.ย
Usually, people spoke to him in hushed, respectful tones or with forced flattery. He wasnโt used to being corrected, let alone by a girl with a smudge of charcoal on her nose and rags for clothes. A low, rich laugh resonated in his chestโa sound that felt far too sophisticated for a simple stranger in a cramped tailor shop.
โFair point,โ he conceded, his lips curving into a genuine smile. โI suppose I deserved that. It was a foolish question. I apologize.โ
As he tilted his head back to let out a soft chuckle, you caught a glimpse of his strikingly handsome features.
There was something hauntingly familiar about himโbut with his slightly messy hair, tired eyes, and simple clothes, you couldn't quite place where you had seen him before. All you knew was that he was undeniably attractive, and that was more than enough to make your heart skip a beat.
You relaxed your shoulders and smiled back at him.ย
โKind of,โ you teased, which only made his smile grow wider. โBut youโre forgiven.โ
The shop fell quiet again. You expected him to return back to his fabrics or even leave the store, but he remained rooted to the spot, his gaze still on you.ย
Feeling a bit self-conscious under his stare, you turned back to the display, trying to keep your hands busy. You ran your fingers down the skirt of the sky blue gown, tracing the fine embroidery.
โThatโs a beautiful dress,โ Bucky said suddenly. โYou should try it on.โ
You glanced at him, brows raised in surprise. You couldnโt tell if he was poking fun at you or if he was being serious. You let out a short, airy laugh, shaking your head.
โYouโre very funny, sir,โ you chuckled respectfully, taking a step away from the mannequin and back to the counter, setting your basket down. โI donโt think a girl like me would do a gown like that any justice. Besides, I have a schedule to keep.โ
You expected him to join in on the joke, but when your eyes found his again, his expression was completely serious. His eyes were blue, quiet, and intense, and it only making the tense air in the shop thicken.
Just then, the heavy curtains parted and Martha finally stepped out, balancing the three voluminous garment bags for your sisters. Before you could even reach for them, Bucky spoke up, his voice suddenly carrying an authority that hadnโt been there before.
โMartha,โ Bucky said, gesturing toward the sky blue gown you had been admiring. โShe would like to try this dress on.โ
You blinked, stunned. โIโm sorry?โ
โOh. Let me correct myself,โ Bucky cleared his throat. โIย want her to try this dress on.โย
Martha paused, looking between Buckyโs stern expression and your panicked one. Then, a slow smile spread across her weathered features. She set the garment bags down on the counter and began to round the desk.
โIs that so?โ Martha hummed, her eyes twinkling as she looked at you. โWell, who am I to argue with aย gentlemanโs request? Especially one with such good taste.โย
โMartha, please,โ you whispered, catching her arm as your face heated up. โThe mistress will be expecting me. I have to get back!โ
โThe mistress can wait ten minutes for her vanity,โ Martha countered, already reaching for the dress and lifting it from the display. She turned to you, her expression softening almost motherly-like. โLetโs see you in the light for once, dear. No more rags and dull dresses that are too big for you. Just for one moment.โ
โMartha, I couldnโt possiblyโโ
Before you could even finish the sentence, she seized your wrist. The elderly womanโs grip was surprisingly strong as she began dragging you towards the changing rooms in the back. She even hoisted the heavy silk gown over one arm as if it weighed nothing at all.
You found yourself stumbling along behind her, barely able to steady your footing as she steered you away from the shop floor and towards the back of the shop to the changing rooms.ย
As you were being hauled away, you managed to look back over your shoulder, shooting a sharp glare at the stranger who had started this whole ordeal.
Bucky didnโt look even remotely guilty. He leaned back against the wall, crossing his ankles and folding his arms over his chest. As Martha dragged you toward the back, he simply let out a soft snicker, his eyes filled with mischief as he gave you a small, teasing wave until you disappeared behind the heavy velvet curtains.
Once inside, Martha wasted no time. She stripped you of your potato sack of a dress and began guiding you into the silk.ย
โStop wiggling, child,โ she commanded softly. โYouโll look so beautiful in this, darling. I assure you.โ
โThatโs not my worry,โ you muttered, your shoulders stiff. โThe dress is gorgeous, and I know Iโll fall in love with it the second itโs on. It just hurts knowing I have no money to buy itโand no occasion to wear it to. This is all pointless, Martha.โ
Martha didnโt answer; she simply helped your arms through the puffy, delicate sleeves.ย
She didnโt even need to finish tying the laces for you to get the full pictureโthe gown was absolutely breathtaking. You shuddered as she laced the back carefully, the bodice molding to your frame as if the dress was woven specifically for your body.
That heart clenching realization, that you had neither the coin nor the freedom to ever truly own this, only returned tenfold.
โSeriously,โ you sighed, a sad, bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you looked at your reflection. โWhat was that man thinking?โ
Martha chuckled softly as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear. She leaned in close, studying your eyes through the mirrorโs reflection.
โI think,โ Martha whispered, โthat man was thinking that a beautiful dress is just fabric until itโs worn by the most beautiful girl in the kingdom.โ
The compliment made your heart flutter, though you quickly tried to brush it off with a roll of your eyes. โHeโs a stranger, Martha. Heโs probably just bored and looking for a way to pass the time while his own clothes are being mended.โ
Martha just smiled, shaking her head as she bent down to adjust the hem of the gown. As you stared at yourself in the mirror, your mind wandered back to the familiarity of the man in the other room. You recognized himโsurelyโthough you couldnโt quite pin downย whereย from, and the mystery was eating at you.
โSpeaking of that manโฆ how do you know him?โ you asked suddenly.
Martha lifted her head to give you a knowing, secretive smile, and your face immediately flushed. You realized how hopeless you had sounded asking that.ย
โI-I mean,โ you stammered, โIโve just never seen him walking the streets before, is all. I was curious.โ
Martha gave the hem of the dress one last fluff and stood up with a small groan.
โHow I know him?โ Martha repeated, letting out a soft hum as if trying to buy herself time to come up with an explanation. โOh, heโs an old family friend. A very long standing connection, you could say. Heโs a good manโextraordinarily hardworking. A father, too. He carries the burdens of his entire household on those broad shoulders of his.โ
A father?
Your shoulders deflated just a little, the magic of the blue silk losing a bit of its luster.ย Of courseย he was a father. A man that handsome, that observant, and that commanding was bound to have a wife and a brood of children waiting for him in some cozy cottage. It explained the tired eyes and tense shoulders you had noticed earlier.
You looked down at the faint burn marks on your hands, suddenly feeling foolish for the way your heart had been racing.ย
โOh. Well... his children and wife are lucky to have such a dedicated provider.โ
Martha noticed the sudden change in your posture immediately. A small, reassuring smile spread across her face as she leaned in closer.
โHe is quite dedicated. Though, heโs doing it all on his own these days. Heโs a widower, you see. Quite single. And I imagine heโs been very lonely in thatย veryย big, andย veryย empty house of his.โ
Your head snapped towards her, breaking eye contact with the reflection to look at her face-on. Your cheeks burned hot in a matter of seconds.
โMartha!โ you hissed, embarrassed by how easily she had read you.
There was a soft knock against a wall, and you went silent the instant you realized Bucky was standing just outside the curtains.
โMartha, Iโll be leaving soon,โ his voice came in, closer than you expected. โBut Iโd like to see that dress on the maiden before Iโโ
Before you even had time to react, Martha reached for the velvet and swept it aside swiftly. She stepped out of the way, leaving you completely exposed to Buckyโs view.ย
You immediately straightened your spine, your heart beating faster in your chest as you were barely mentally prepared to face yourself in the mirror, let alone reveal yourself to him.
Bucky felt like the air had been physically knocked out of his lungs once he saw you. He didnโt move an inch, nor even blink. And for a long moment, he didnโt even breathe.ย
He was the King of Brooklynneโa man who gave speeches to thousands and commanded armiesโyet, staring at you, his words failed him. You stood there with a faint smudge of charcoal on your nose and messy strands of hair framing your face, and he was defenseless.ย
He had seen a thousand women in fine gowns, but he had never truly seen aย fine womanย in a gown.
Your hands came up to bunch the shimmering blue fabric of the skirt, lifting it just an inch off the floorboards. You looked everywhere but at himโthe spools of thread, Marthaโs shoesโbefore finally forcing your eyes back to his.
โWell?โ you whispered, the word barely catching in your throat. โIs it as you expected, sir?โ
Bucky finally blinked, snapping out of his trance. He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, his face flushing a deep, sudden red.
โItโs, uh...โ he started, his voice cracking slightly before he forced it deeper. โItโs very... blue.โ
You tilted your head, a little confused. You had gone through the effort of putting this dress on at his demand, and all he had was to point out the color?ย
โBlue?โ you frowned.
โYes. Blue,โ he repeated, nodding far too many times. He seemed to realize how pathetic that sounded and tried again, gesturing vaguely with his hands.
โAnd itโs... it fits. The parts of the dress,โ he motioned toward the bodice, โthey fit your... body well. I meanโyou look... not like a maid at all. Which is... good. Very good.โ
You and Martha just blinked at him.
Bucky looked as though he wanted the ground to swallow him whole right up until a soft giggle bubbled up in your chest, escaping before you could stop it.
The sight of this large, commanding man, who looked so tired and overworked, being reduced to a stammering mess over the color of a dress was almost ridiculous. Yet, seeing him like this only made you fonder.ย
โIโm glad you approve of the color, sir,โ you teased with a bright smile. โI can only imagine the insults youโd say if the dress had been green.โ
Buckyโs ears turned an even more embarrassing shade of crimson. He looked at Martha, who was shamelessly enjoying his suffering with a snicker, and then back at you. He looked completely out of his depth, his usual stoic composure deserted him entirely.
โRight. Yes. Well,โ he muttered, taking a step back until he nearly hit the wall. โI must get going. I have... uh, matters to attend to.โ
He turned to Martha, his voice suddenly regaining that same authority he had used when he insisted you try the gown on. โMartha, wrap this up for her. Make sure itโs packed carefully.โ
โIโm sorryโwhat?โ your eyes went wide, and you let out a disbelieving laugh. โSir, you canโt possiblyโโ
The wordsโthe protests that you couldnโt afford it, that your stepmother would never allow itโwere immediately cut off the moment Bucky stepped closer. He caught your hand in his and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against your knuckles. Your breath shuddered in your chest. It had been a long time since a gentleman had greeted you with such grace, not since your father had passed.
โIโฆโ you tried to break the tense silence, but your voice failed you as Buckyโs face pulled away from your hand and something else caught his attention.
Carefully, he turned your palm upward, his thumb tracing the old burn marks that tainted your skin with a gentle touch that made your heart beat even faster.ย
With his head still bowed, his eyes slowly drifted up to meet yours. You felt goosebumps trail over your skin as he stared at you so intently. He parted his lips as if to speak, but he hesitated, and no words came out.ย
What happened?ย
Howโd you get these burn marks?ย
You figured heโd ask, but he didnโt.ย
Instead, his grip tightened ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment of a pain he seemed to recognize all too well. He finally broke his gaze, turning his head to Martha without letting go of your hand just yet.
โOn my dime, Martha,โ he stated. His tone was final, leaving no room for argument. โEverything. The gown, the alterations, the shoes. All of it.โ
โSir, please, I canโt acceptโโ
Bucky stepped back, his eyes searching yours one last time. This time, there was no more stuttering, no more awkward talk about the color of the fabric. There was only the confidence of a man who was used to being obeyed.
โIโll see you at the ball tomorrow night,โ he said. It wasnโt an invitation; it was a vow.
Before you could find the words to tell him you couldnโt even go, he turned on his heel. He moved quickly, pulling his cloak over his head as he pushed through the shop door and into the busy street.ย
The bell rang out, leaving you standing in the center of the shop in a gown worth more than your life, blinking as you watched him disappear around the corner through the shop windows.
Martha let out a long, theatrical sigh behind you. โWell,โ she spoke, her voice gleeful. โWhat a charming man, isnโt he?โ
She walked over, her boots thumping softly on the hardwood as she began to inspect the stitching of your bodice one last time.
โI take it heโs rather fond of you,โ she teased, her voice a little playful. โA man doesnโt pay for royal silk and French lace on a whim, dear.โ
โEnough with your foolishness, Martha,โ you shook your head, trying to keep calm despite your frantic heart beating.ย
You looked down at your handsโat the skin he had just graced with his lips and the scars he had traced with such tenderness youโve never felt before.ย
โHeโs only doing it because he pities me. He saw a girl in rags and felt a momentary lapse of charity.โ
You smoothed the silk over your hips, the fabric cool and.. almost mocking beneath your scarred fingers. โBesides... a man like that? A man with that kind of presence, that kind of look? He belongs in the stories you tell children. A woman like me can only dream of someone like him.โ
Martha stopped her work and stood tall, placing her hands on your shoulders. She looked at you through the mirror, her eyes bright with wisdom that felt older than the shop itself.
โA dream is a wish your heart makes, my girl,โ she whispered, her voice warm and melodic. โAnd if you wish hard enough, the universe has a funny way of making sure your heart gets exactly what it wants.โ
You looked at your reflection, feeling like a stranger in blue silk, and let out a tired sigh.ย
โIโve been dreaming for a long time now, Martha.โ You forced yourself to look away from the mirror. โThey donโt come true.โ
It was the night of the ball, and the house was unnervingly silent only after the whirlwind of your sistersโ screaming and your stepmotherโs frantic demands had finally vanished behind the rattle of a carriage.
They were currently dancing on polished marble floors, while you were on your knees, the scent of lye and old wood filling your lungs. When you had arrived home from the shop yesterday, it was a miracle you managed to sneak the dress into your closet without Beatrice and her gremlins noticing. They had been so preoccupied with their own vanity that they mistook your large garment bag for a pile of clean, pressed laundry.
With the dress hidden away and quietly taunting you in its small corner of the house, the memory of the manโs voice kept echoing in your mind, drowning out the scraping of your scrubbing brush.
โIโll see you at the ball tomorrow night.โ
You thought about his handsโhow large they were compared to yours, yet how carefully he had handled you.ย
He hadnโt looked at your burns with disgust.ย
He had looked at them with pain and deep sympathy.ย
It was a look you didnโt get oftenโnot from your family, and certainly not from strangers.
You tried to imagine him in that crowded ballroom; a widowed father standing awkwardly by the refreshments, looking out of place in a room full of preened lords. You imagined him fumbling over his words while trying to flatter the high born ladies, just as he had fumbled with you.ย
You couldnโt help but let out a soft snicker at the thought.
You looked down at your current stateโdull dress, a darkly stained apron, hair tied back with a piece of frayed twine.ย
The beautiful gown was sitting just a few feet away, a masterpiece bought on his coin, haunting you.ย
If you went, you risked everything.ย
If you stayed, you would spend the rest of your life wondering if he had actually waited for you near the entrance, looking for a girl who never showed up. You would spend the rest of your life wondering if you would ever see him again.
As the clock on the mantle ticked, it was like something clicked inside of you as well.ย
You dropped the brush into the bucket with a splash. You knew you couldnโt stay. Even if it was only for an hourโeven if you had to run back before the clock struck twelve and return to this life of ash and dirtโyou had to know why a man like that looked at you as if you were something special.
You scrambled to the basement, your breath hitching as you hauled the dress from its hiding place.
You removed your dress with urgency, but the second you stepped into the blue silk, realization hit you hard.ย
You didnโt know why you had expected the gown to fit as perfectly as it had in the shop. And without help, the luxury felt like a mockery.ย
This wasnโt a fairy taleโit was a logistical nightmare. You couldnโt reach the laces in the back, and the more you tugged, the more the bodice sat lopsided and gaping against your skin. You tried to pin your hair up, but the strands were limp and dull, escaping the pins and falling into your eyes.
โNo, no,ย no!โ you whispered, hot tears of frustration pricking your eyes.ย
You looked like exactly what you were. A servant girl playing dress-up.
Grabbing a heavy, hooded travel cloak, you threw it over your half fastened gown, cinching the hood tight to hide your disastrous hair and face. You burst out the back door and ran. You ran until your lungs burned and your feet ached, through the dark alleys and over the cobblestones until you reached Marthaโs shop.
The โopenโ sign was being flipped just as you reached the glass. Martha was reaching for the lamp, her coat already draped over her shoulders as she was preparing to leave.ย
โMartha!โ you cried in a panic, slamming your palm against the door. โMartha, please!โ
The older woman froze, her eyes widening as she recognized you through the glass. She fumbled with the locks and pulled you inside, the bells on the door jangling frantically.
โChild, what in heavenโs nameโโ
You threw back your cloak, revealing the tangled laces and the disheveled dress underneath. โI canโt do it! Iโฆ I canโt get the laces right. My hair is a mess, and I look like a fool.ย Please, Martha. You said the heart gets what it wants, but my hands canโt even help make it happen!โ
โHush now,โ Martha reassured. โWe have no time for tears. Stand on the pedestal. Feet apart, shoulders back.โ
The minute you stood on the pedestal, her hands wasted no time as her fingers flew over the laces, tightening the bodice until it sat perfectly against your waist. She did you hair into a neat, sophisticated style that was a far difference from how it was before. Then, with a damp cloth, she wiped away the tears from your cheeks and applied subtle touches of makeup that highlighted your best features, making your eyes shimmer in the warm overhead light.
She knelt before you, taking your tired, aching feet and slipping them into heels so clear and pristine that it looks like it could be made out of glass.ย
Finally, Martha reached into a velvet-lined drawer and pulled out a pair of pristine, elbow-length white gloves. She took your hands gently, smoothing the cool fabric over your fingers and up your arms. She paused for a moment as she tucked the silk over your palms, ensuring the scars were completely hidden from view.
โThere,โ she breathed, patting your hands. โCanโt have these burn marks showing off at the royal palace now, can we?โ
You stared at your reflection, breathless. The girl in the mirror didnโt look like she had spent the morning scrubbing a hearth or weeping in a basement.ย
She looked like sheย belongedย in a palace.
โMartha, Iโฆ thank youโโ
โOh! Before I forgetโฆโ Martha took a step back and hurried to the rear of the shop, rummaging through a hidden chest. You waited until she finally stepped back out holding a mask.
She had several masks displayed throughout the store, but you had never seen this one. It was ethereal, made with such delicate detail that it looked like it was made to go hand-in-hand with your dress.
Martha held the mask up to the light, its delicate silver filigree shimmering like frost against the dim shop interior.
โItโs a masquerade ball, isnโt it?โ Martha asked knowingly, stepping forward to carefully tie the silk ribbons behind your head.ย
When the knot was secure, she stepped back to look at you, her eyes softening. โMy darling,โ she sighed wistfully. โYou look beautiful.โย
A lump formed in your throat, and you parted your lips to speak, ready to drown her in a sea of gratitude. But before a single word could escape, the clock above the dresser tickedโa sharp, metallic strike that made Marthaโs head snapped toward the sound instantly.
โThe late-arrival carriages are passing through the square right now,โ she informed you, already ushering you toward the door with a sudden burst of energy. โIf you miss them, youโll be walking three miles in glass slippers, and I didnโt spend my after hours getting you dressed up just for you to ruin the hem in the mud.โ
โMartha, I truly donโt know how toโโ
โDonโt thank me, sweetheart,โ Martha interrupted, her voice softening as she gave your gloved hand a final, affectionate squeeze.
She looked at you not as a seamstress looking at a client, but with the pride of someone watching a long held wish finally take flight.ย
โJust go. Enjoy yourselfโthatโs the best way you can thank me,โ she smiled with a wink. โAnd donโt you dare come back until youโve danced at least once.โ
Bucky stood on the dais, his back straight and his expression stern, though his mind was miles away from the gilded splendor of the ballroom.
He felt more restless than he usually did at these gala affairs. With one hand tightened around a wine glass, his eyes tracked his son, Prince Jamie, who was doing his best to look interested while cornered by a pair of sisters in the center of the dance floor.
Jamie was a good kid, and it usually wasnโt difficult for the average woman to capture his attention, yet Bucky could see the way his sonโs jaw clenched as the two women flitted their fans and chirped in high, piercing voices.
Agnes and Margaret. Bucky remembered them from previous balls and the overwhelming mountain of letters they had mailed to the palaceโall of which hadnโt bothered reading.
He knew it was his duty, not only as the King but as Jamieโs father, to see his son settled with a rightful matchโespecially one that offered political advantages. But tonight, his focus was fractured. His eyes began to wander, scanning the sea of masks and trying to look past the peacock feathers and velvet. Every time a flash of sky-blue caught his eye, his heart thudded in anticipation, only to sink when he realized the shade was wrong or the stature wasnโt quite right.
As the night wore on, Buckyโs impatience grew thinner and thinner.
โIโll see you at the ball tomorrow night.โ
Had he not been clear enough?
Now, he felt like a fool.
Why would you come? He had seen your handsโhands that clearly told the story of the life you lived and the hardships you endured. He knew the barriers that stood between a girl like you and a palace gate.
And beyond that, there was the gap in your years.
You were younger.
Much younger.
Bucky swallowed hard, before bringing the cup to his lips. He drained his glass in multiple long gulps. The wine was cold, yet it did nothing to douse the heat building in his skin.
He was a King, a widower who had long ago accepted that his heartโand his bodyโhad gone cold. He was old, orโฆ at least he felt it in the marrow of his bones. He had assumed the days of blood rushing desire were behind him.
But tonight, his body was making a liar out of him.
His mind kept looping back to the age gap. He shouldnโt be feeling this restless, yearning ache for a girl who was likely half his age. It was improper, and it was dangerous.
But as he watched the dancers, he wasnโt thinking about trade levies or Jamieโs future. He was thinking about the way your small hand had disappeared inside his. He was thinking about the way he caught a glimpse of you through the velvet curtain in the changing room, his eyes lingering on your bare shoulders and the curve down your lower back as you got fitted into the gown.
He shifted, the heavy fabric of his royal trousers suddenly feeling restrictive.
A self-deprecating laugh rumbled in his chest. He was a king, a fatherโand here he was, standing on a dais with a goddamn hard on because of a girl who smelled like smoke and looked like a dream.
โKing Barnes?โ
Bucky turned to the attendant.
โSir Rogers and Sir Wilson are in the back gardens, Your Majesty,โ he stammered, bowing low. โThey sent word that they are... well, theyโre waiting for a smoke with you. They said the night air might do you some good.โ
Bucky let out a slow, heavy breath. His friends knew him all too wellโthey had probably caught the way he was gripping his glass and the way he was staring at the door like a starving man.
โTell them Iโll be there shortly,โ Bucky rasped, a little frustrated.
He took one last look at the grand staircase for good measure, several people walking in with fancy gowns and suitsโyet none of them were you.
โShe isnโt comingโ, he told himself. โShe has more sense than you do, James.โ
He stepped off the platform, his boots clicking sharply against the polished marble as he turned his back on the ballroom. Several guests attempted to intercept him, their mouths opening to offer empty flatteries, but he gave them nothing more than a dismissive nod as he pushed past.
He needed that smoke. He needed Steve and Sam to humble himโto laugh at him for being an old fool pining after a girl who likely saw him as nothing more than a kindly stranger who had bought her an expensive dress.
He made his way through the arched side exit, the orchestra fading into the background as he stepped into the cool, floral scented air of the royal gardens. He spotted them near the centerโtwo broad and tall silhouettes casting long shadows over the stone water fountain.
โAbout time,โ Sam called out, sensing Buckyโs approach without even turning around. โWe thought we were going to have to come up there and drag you off that throne ourselves.โ
โFind your lucky girl yet, Buck?โ Steve asked, finally turning to face his old friend. He held out a cherry-wood smoking pipe, the embers already glowing.
He gave Steve a sharp, side-eye look that would intimidate most people, but it just made Steve laugh.
โNo,โ Bucky grunted roughly, his voice dropping into a low gravel. โI havenโt found the โlucky girl.โโ He took a slow, deep inhale from the pipe, letting a thick gust of smoke roll from his lips into the cool night air. โI just need Jamie to hurry up and pick a girl out of the crowd so we can get this ball over with.โ
โThe boy turns eighteen and the first thing he does is look for a woman to settle his crown,โ Sam barked a laugh, leaning back against the stone fountain. โHeโs a playerโjust like his father was at that age.โ
Bucky rolled his eyes, the embers in his pipe glowing bright as he took another breath. โI was not. I wasnโt that restlessโโ
โYouโre right,โ Steve laughed. โYou were worse. You just had the benefit of not being a King yet.โ
While the three men shared a rare moment of peace, obscured by the shadows and the scent of pipe tobacco, the last carriage of the night finally pulled up to the palace gates.
It was silent and unassuming, no one wouldโve cared for whoever was inside, yet it held the only person Bucky had truly been waiting for.
You stepped out of the carriage and approached the looming marble staircase. The palace was huge, making your heart beating anxiously in your chest like a trapped bird. You almost wanted to retreat back into the carriage and hurl all over your pristine heels, but you just sucked in a deep breath and kept pushing forward.
You gathered the shimmering hem of your sky blue gown, lifting the silk to keep from tripping on staircase.
The moment you crossed the entrance, the cavernous ballroom seemed to expand, the soaring ceilings and gold leafed pillars making the space feel even more bigger than it had from the outside. You stood at the very precipice of the grand staircase, your gloved hand tightening on the silk of your skirts.
As you stood there, the frantic gossip and the laughter of the debutantes slowly died into a collective whisper. One pair of eyes landed on you, then two, then several, until the entire sea of masks was turned upward, captivated by the girl in sky blue.
At the center of the dance floor, Prince Jamie froze.
You were beautiful.
Your gown looked rich, the fabric shimmering with the kind of quality that suggested a woman of high standing and ancient lineage.
You looked exactly like the kind of woman his father would expect him to marryโand exactly like the woman Jamie had been waiting for all night.
He had been trapped between Agnes and Margaret, half-listening to their desperate chirping, but the moment you appeared, it was like a new sense of determination flooded through him. He didnโt wait for a polite opening; he didnโt even offer the sisters a parting nodโa dismissive streak he had clearly inherited from his father.
โExcuse me,โ Jamie murmured, his voice clipped as he stepped back, cutting them off mid-sentence.
The further you descended, the more the air suffocated you with the scent of expensive cologne and heavy perfume. Before your foot could even touch the ballroom floor, the path was blocked.
A flock of men swarmed the base of the staircase like vultures circling a prize. They were a blur of colorful sashes and different colored masks, their voices rising over the orchestra as they tried to catch your attention.
โA dance, my lady? I am the Earl of Hydraโโ
โPray, allow me the honor of the first waltz!โ
โIgnore them, fair vision, look this wayโโ
You clutched the railings. You felt like an imposter, a trapped bird in borrowed feathers, as the crowd pressed in and closed off your exits.
You scanned the room frantically through the narrow slits of your mask, searching for a single familiar faceโthe kind man from the shop who had bought you this dress and insisted you come. But all you saw was a sea of strangers draped in silk and greed.
โGentlemen,โ a sharp, authoritative voice interrupted. โI believe you are crowding the lady.โ
Your ears immediately perked at the sound of the voice. It was familiar, a resonance of the man from the shopโyet it wasn't quite the same as it was more youthful.
The men stiffened and turned, their expressions falling behind their masks as they realized the Prince of Brooklynne had arrived. They dipped their heads in respectful bows, scrambling to step aside to clear a path for him.
Jamie stepped into the center of the circle, the only man in the entire party not wearing a mask.
Your heart skipped a beat as you looked at him. There was something hauntingly familiar about his faceโthe same jaw, the same carved chin, and those stern cold blue eyes. But he lacked the weary, aged shadows beneath them.
โI believe the vultures have had enough of your time,โ Jamie extended his gloved hand with a charming smile. โI am Prince Jamie. And while the tradition of this ball is for me to find a match, I find myself suddenly uninterested in anyone else in this room. May I have the honor of this dance?โ
Every noble, every servant, and every debutante held their breath.
But you already felt as though you were suffocating.
You looked down at his hand, then out at the sea of faces. โA danceโฆ with me?โ
As you spoke, your eyes drifted to the edge of the ballroom.
There, standing near a marble pillar, were Agnes and Margaret. Their faces were twisted into masks of pure, venomous hatred, their glares so sharp they felt like they could pierce right through your silver mask and uncover the truth themselves.
Behind them, your stepmother stood like a looming shadow, her eyes narrowed like she could kill you alone with her glare.
The candles, the orchestra getting louder, the different wafting smells of perfume and cologne, hundreds of eyes watching your every breathโit all became too much.
You werenโt a princess.
You were an interloper in a silver mask who didnโt even know how to dance.
One wrong move, one misplaced step, and the dream of finding the man from the shop would be crushed like a bug beneath a royal boot.
โIโฆ I cannot,โ you whispered.
Jamieโs brow furrowed in genuine shock, his hand still suspended in the air. โMy lady?โ
โI am sorry, Your Highness. I need air,โ you gasped out, barely audible.
Without waiting for the Princeโs word, you immediately turned on your heel and bolted to the first exit that wasnโt already blocked by people. Behind you, the silence of the room snapped into already gossiping whispers.
Jamie stood frozen, his pride wounded. He watched the shimmer of your skirt disappear into the darkness of the garden, but before he could take a step to follow you, the lady vultures were already making their move.
โYour Highness, she was clearly unwell!โ a woman cried as she fluttered her fan. โPerhaps a dance with someone more... stable would clear your mind?โ
You hurried deep into the greenery, the hem of your gown whispering against the gravel until you reached a thicket of towering hedges and blooming jasmine. As you leaned against a cold stone pillar to catch your breath, you heard deep, masculine laughter drifting through the leaves from a distance.
Your heart leaped. You knew that laugh.
It was the same sound of the man you had met in the shop.
Quietly, you crept through the shadows, peering through the dense leaves of a large plant.
Three men were standing by a stone fountain, the glowing cherries of their pipes lighting the darkness. Two were tall and broad, but it was the man with his back to you who caught your attention. When he turned to laugh at something the blonde man said, the moonlight hit his face, and your heart nearly melted.
It was him.
The man you had risked everything to see just once more.
Who also happened to be the King of Brooklynne.
He looked far different than he had in the shop; his hair was slicked back neatly and he was draped in heavy royal regalia that shimmered under the moon. But the face was the same one you had memorized. You took a small, hesitant step forward, your hand reaching out to part the branches, ready to call to himโto tell him that you were here, that you had come for him.
But as the conversation continued, the words that left their lips made you freeze.
โYouโre brooding over nothing, Buck,โ Steve said with a smirk. โYouโre the King. You could bed any woman youโd want in that room, or ten of them. Youโre rich enough to cover the tracks and powerful enough that no one would dare whisper a word.โ
Sam barked a laugh, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. โHeโs right. One snap of your fingers and youโve got a new โfavoriteโ for the week. Why settle for pining?โ
You waited for Bucky to rebuke them. You waited for the โgood manโ and โhardworking fatherโ to say he wasnโt looking for that.
Instead, a slow, dark grin spread across his faceโa look of cold, royal entitlement you hadnโt seen at all in the shop.
โIt would certainly break the boredom of this godforsaken castle,โ Buckyโno, the Kingโreplied. โThereโs a certain thrill in taking what you want, isnโt there? The perks of the crown are the only thing keeping me sane these days.โ
Steve let out a low whistle, pointing his pipe toward Bucky. โAh. There he is. I was worried for a moment that fatherhood made you soft, but I see the old wolf is still in there.โ
Bucky chuckled, a sound that lacked any of the warmth you had felt in the small tailor shop.
โSoft? Hardly,โ Bucky scoffed so exaggerated, it seemed forced. โIโve spent half my life fighting for this kingdom. If I decide to take a girl as a โprizeโ for a night or two to pass the time, I think Iโve earned that much. Besides,โ he added, a little lower, โmost of the women in there would consider it the greatest honor of their lives to be used by their King, regardless of how quickly I forget their names the next morning.โ
You felt like you were going to collapse.
The man you had metโthe one who stuttered over his words trying to compliment you and kissed your hand with such gentlenessโfelt like a ghost. This man in front of you was a stranger, a cold-hearted ruler who likely saw you as a nameless โprizeโ to be discarded at the shop.
Was that why he wanted to buy you this dress?
Was that why he insisted you come tonight?
The realization made your head hurt. You knew it was too good to be true. You felt the bile rise in your throat, and you instinctively moved to flee.
You took a frantic step backwards, but in your haste, you didnโt see the heavy iron watering can sitting at the base of the hedge. Your heel caught the edge of it with a loud, metallic clang that echoed through the quiet garden.
The laughter died, and Sam perked his head up.
โWhoโs there?โ
Bucky straightened up slowly, his gaze narrowing to the exact spot to the greenery you were hiding behind. The orange glow of his pipe illuminated the sharp, dangerous lines of his face.
There was no point in hiding. They already knew you were there. You forced your legs to move, stepping out from behind the heavy jasmine vines.
โI apologize,โ you said, your voice brittle and trembling. โIโฆ I must have gotten lost. Excuse me, Your Majesty.โ
You bowed your head, refusing to meet his eyes, and hiked up the heavy silk of your skirtsโthe very fabric he had paid for, which now felt like a brand of humiliation against your skin. You turned to retreat towards the palace, desperate to vanish into the overwhelming crowdโso long as you get away from him.
Bucky stood frozen, the pipe nearly slipping from his fingers. The moonlight caught the shimmer of that familiar sky blue fabric, and the realization punched the air out of his lungs.
It was you.
You were the girl he had been waiting for all night, the one who had occupied his every thought since the moment he laid eyes on you in the shop. Even behind the silver mask, you were the most beautiful woman he had seen this evening. He saw the way your shoulders shook and the way you wouldnโt even glance at him, and a sickening dread made his heart cold.
You had heard it all.
Every arrogant, cold-hearted word he had spat out just to impress his friends.
Steve, completely oblivious to the internal collapse Bucky was experiencing, let out a dry chuckle and nudged Buckyโs shoulder.
โSee? Whatโd I say, Buck? Youโre the King. Youโre powerful enough to cover the tracks of any little wanderer. She wonโt say a word.โ
Bucky didnโt laugh this time. He couldnโt even look at Steve. His face dropped from a mask of royal arrogance to one of unadulterated panic as he realized he had just destroyed the only real thing he felt in years.
โExcuse me, gentlemen,โ Bucky rasped, his voice tight.
He broke into a stride, his heavy boots thundering against the gravel as he chased after you before you could reach the safety of the ballroom.
โWait!โ he called out, his voice no longer commanding, but a desperate plea. โPleaseโwait!โ
You didnโt look back. The blood rushing in your ears drowned out his voice. As you passed the archway back into the ballroom, the sudden blast of orchestral music and chatter filled your ears immediately.
Behind you, Bucky skidded to a halt right before the doors. He watched as you re-entered the lionโs den, and for a split second, he nearly followed you in like a madman. But then he saw dozens of eyesโthe eyes of his court and his peopleโturning toward the doors.
As much as he wanted to chase after you, he was the King.
He couldnโt chase a woman through his own ballroom without causing a massive scene.
โDammit,โ Bucky gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand straight and compose his features.
His eyes never left yours. He forced himself to remain calm, but the minute he saw a familiar figure weave through the crowd toward you, he felt his face burn with a sudden, hot anger.
His own son approached you before the other lords could, his youthful face lighting up in visible relief.
Bucky stood near the entrance, paralyzed. He couldnโt believe it. He felt betrayed by his own flesh and blood as he watched Jamie close the distance between you.
โI fear the night air had stolen you away forever,โ Jamie said softly, bowing low before you.
Jamieโwho you know now was Buckyโs sonโseemed far kinder than the version of the man you had just overheard in the dark. The resemblance was striking and understandable now, but the warmth in Jamieโs voice made your heart ache for what you thought you had found in the shop.
โPlease,โ Jamie continued. โOne dance? Titles aside, Iโm the most competent when it comes to dancing in this room,โ he joked, flashing a charming smile that highlighted his blue eyes.
You hesitated, the silver mask hiding your weary expression as you fought to keep your composure. You looked over your shoulder, and you could feel the Kingโs gaze glaring daggers down your back, almost making you second guess.
But as the nasty words he had exclaimed in the yard just a few seconds ago echoed in your mind, your heartache turned into a cold, sharp resolve.
You decided right then to spite him.
To him, you were just a โprize,โ but you wouldnโt be his.
Following Marthaโs wish for you to have at least one good dance of this night, you turned your back on the King. With a steady breath to settle your racing heart, you finally placed your hand in the Princeโs.
Jamieโs gloved fingers curled yours gently as a triumphant smile spread across his young face. As he led you to the center of the gilded floor, you didnโt dare to look backโespecially because you didnโt need to. You could feel Buckyโs eyes following you. It was heavy, but you were determined to ignore it as you used his son as your shield.
โI donโt know how to dance,โ you admitted softly to the Prince.
โDonโt know how to dance?โ Jamie blinked at you, slightly taken aback, before letting out a disbelieving chuckle. โA Lady who doesnโt know how to dance?โ
You expected him to mock you, but instead, he gave you an encouraging smile and adjusted his stance, placing a steady hand on your waist and lifting your other to proper height.
โThen itโs a good thing youโre with me,โ he reassured kindly. โJust follow my lead and keep your eyes on mine.โ
As the violins grew louder, Jamie moved gracefully, his hand firm on your waist as he began the first slow rotation of the waltz. You stumbled almost immediately, your heel landing right on top of his polished leather boot.
โIโIโm so sorry,โ you gasped, your face flushing in embarrassment beneath the silver mask.
โDonโt be. My boots have survived worse than a ladyโs dance. Besides,โ he leaned in, voice playful, โit gives me a reason to hold you a little tighter so you donโt fall.โ
You couldnโt help but chuckle at how romantically corny he was. His words were smooth and charmingโa miracle, considering he was the heir to the man you had just witnessed in the garden. As you finally caught the rhythm, a small, genuine smile spread across your lips. After the disaster in the garden, you had expected your night to be ruined, but this dance was almost enough to make up for it.
Then suddenly, the crowd near the edge of the floor parted like a wound opening up.
Bucky didnโt wait for the song to end. He marched onto the floor, his heavy royal mantle trailing behind him like a dark cloud. His presence alone was so suffocatingly dominant that the couples dancing around you slowed to a halt, watching him cautiously.
Bucky stepped directly into your path, forcing Jamie to stop mid-turn.
โSon,โ Bucky greeted coldly. Then his eyes turned to you, cold and sharp. โMy Lady.โ
He extended a hand towards youโnot as an invitation, but a demand. โThe music is just beginning to peak. Shall I take over?โ
Jamieโs brow furrowed, his hand tightening slightly on your waist. โFather? We are in the middle of a waltz. Itโs highly irregular to cut in on the first dance.โ
Bucky looked back at his son, his jaw clenched hard. The โgood manโ from the shop deserted him entirely, he was acting like a man who knew exactly how to use his power to get what he wanted.
โTradition is a suggestion, Jamie,โ Bucky said, stepping closer until he crowded your space. โBut a command from your King is not. Step aside.โ
Jamie swallowed hard, and you felt yourself go stiff between the two most powerful men in the kingdom.
โI suppose I cannot argue with the King,โ Jamie murmured, a little defiant sass seeping through his polite tone.
Reluctantly, he took your hand one last time and bowed his head low, his eyes never leaving yours as he pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the back of your gloved hand. It was the same hand Bucky had kissed at the shop just yesterdayโand a gesture Bucky knew all too well.
It was the kind of goodbye a man gives a woman he fully intends to find again.
Buckyโs brow twitched violently. It took everything in his power to keep from snarling while the entire court watched. The sight of his own sonโs lips touching your gloveโthe very silk he had held in his hands and bought with his own coinโwas almost more than his composure could bear.
โThat will be all, Jamie,โ Bucky snapped.
Jamie ignored his father as he took a step back from you, eyes still never leaving yours. โMy Lady,โ he bid goodbye with a final, pained smile, before turning to disappear into the sea of masks.
The space Jamie left was immediately filled by Buckyโs suffocating presence. He didnโt wait for your permission as he stepped into the gap, his large hand slid firmly onto your waistโexactly where his sonโs had beenโexcept he pulled you so tight against his chest that the surrounding guests began to murmur.
He didnโt just want to dance.
He wanted to reclaim what he felt was his.
As Bucky slowly began moving you along to the music, your eyes trailed over his shoulder, where Jamie retreated into the crowd.
Bucky sensed it. His grip on your waist tightened, his body tensing as he realized your mind was still with his son.
โYou look at me when Iโm holding you,โ he commanded, low and possessive. โNot him.โ
You stayed quiet as you looked up at him through the slits of your mask. His gaze on you was almost cold and authoritativeโthe kind of look most people would be scared to meet, let alone break. But you looked down anyway, your eyes finding his chest as you forced yourself to follow his lead.
Buckyโs grip on you didnโt waver, but his voice softened just slightly.
โYou look beautiful in this gown,โ he murmured, his eyes still on your face despite you not looking at him.
You said nothing, and he continued on anyway.
โIn the shopโฆ you looked beautiful,โ he admitted, his thumb gently grazing the back of your bodice, subtly playing with the laces. โBut now youโre even more stunning. Absolutely breathtaking.โ
He waited for a blush or a shy smile like the one you had given him just yesterday. Instead, he was met with a wall of silence. You kept your chin tucked, your eyes anchored firmly to the silver crest on his chest, as if you were constantly reminding yourself of his rank.
Bucky let out a deep sigh. He tilted his head down, trying to force his way into your line of sight, an act of vulnerability a King would never normally show.
โAbout what I said in the gardenโฆโ he started, guilty. โI wasโฆ my friends, theyโโ
โI heard nothing, Your Majesty.โ You interrupted.
Buckyโs jaw clenched. He knew that as the King, he held the power to silence anyone in the entire kingdom of Brooklynneโฆ yet, the one person he was desperate to hear from was treating him like a brick wall.
โI was playing a part,โ he whispered with a desperation heโd never shown a soul in this palace. โSir Rogers and Sir Wilson... theyโve known me since I was a boy. They expect a cold-hearted King. I said those things becauseโโ
He choked on the words, his pride warring with his heart.
โBecause I didnโt want them to know how much a girl from a tailor shop had actually shaken me.โ He looked around warily, his eyes darting to the side to ensure the surrounding couples were caught up in their own movements and not eavesdropping on the Kingโs unraveling.
โPlease, Your Majesty,โ you said, and you couldnโt help but let out a sharp laugh that passed for a scoff. โIโm sure a maid you happened to come across in a dusty tailor shop is hardly a โprizeโ, as you call it.โ
โYou arenโt a prize,โ he rasped, his hand tightening almost painfully around yours. โI shouldnโt have said it. I was a fool, trying to play the part of the man they think I am.โ
โOh, donโt be so modest, Your Majesty,โ you countered sarcastically. You tilted your head, catching his pained gaze with a cold, mocking look of your own.
โIโm sure there are many other, more eligible, โprizedโ women in this room who would consider it the greatest honor of their lives to be used and then forgotten by their King.โ
The final note of the waltz hung in the air before fading into the polite applause of the court. You didnโt wait for the silence to settle or for Bucky to utter another word. You retracted your hand and gathered your skirts to drop into a shallow, perfectly stiff curtsy.
โThank you for the dance, Your Majesty,โ you said, though your voice held no warmth and even less appreciation.
You turned on your heel and began to weave through the crowd. You had gotten exactly what Martha wantedโone good memory, or at least a story to tell. You had danced with a Prince, and you had danced with a King.
That should be more than enough.
But as you neared the exit, all you felt was a deep, aching stupidity. You had risked everything and snuck out in a dress that felt like a lie, all for a man who had treated your heart like a parlor trick for his friends.
You were over the music, over the masks, and most of all, you were over him.
The grand staircase you had entered from was now a wall of people. Nobles stood in clusters, laughing and sipping wine, completely blocking your path to the main doors.
Panic flared in your chest. You couldnโt stand to be in this room for another second.
Searching for a way out, you spotted a narrow side corridor draped in heavy velvet curtains. It was dim and seemingly abandoned. You slipped through the fabric, your silk skirts rustling against the stone floor as you hurried away from the noise.
The air here was cooler, smelling of old paper and beeswax. You didnโt hear the click of boots on the marble behind you. You didnโt see the shadow that detached itself from the ballroom doorway, moving with a predatory grace of a hunter.
You only focused on the door at the end of the hall, desperate for the night air and escape.
Just as your hand reached for the brass handle, a heavy weight hit the door beside your head, pinning it shut. A gloved hand clamped hard around your wrist, jerking you backwards until you hit a broad chest.
โDid your King say you were dismissed?โ Bucky growled, his voice a low, dangerous vibration against your ear.
โY-your Majestyโ?โ
With a swift, forceful movement, he kicked open the door to a private study, hauled you inside, and slammed it shut. The click of the lock turning felt like the final snap of a mousetrap. Bucky leaned his back against the heavy oak door, his chest heaving as he watched you through the dim light.
โYouโre not going anywhere.โ
โPlease move,โ you snapped, no longer caring about pleasantries or protocol.
You tried to shove past him, but it was like trying to move a mountain. He didnโt budge, simply adjusting his weight to block the handle.
โI am not letting you walk out of here thinking those things.โ
โOh, so now the King is concerned with my thoughts?โ you let out a harsh, mocking laugh and spun away, pacing the small room like a caged animal.
You tried for the window, but he was there in three long strides, his arm extending to block your path before you could even touch the latch.
โStop trying to run away.โ
You turned on him, your eyes blazing behind your mask.
โWas this just another one of your cruel royal games, Your Majesty? You buy a poor maid a gown, make her beautiful for a night, and then...โ you choked on the words, your gloved hands balling into fists at your sides. โAnd then what? You get to boast to your friends about how easily you can sweep any woman off her feet? How lucky a commoner should feel to be bedded by the King?โ
โIt wasnโt a game,โ Bucky rasped, reaching out to catch your shoulders, but you slapped his hand away.
โYour Majesty, if I were you, Iโd quit wasting my time with a common peasant,โ you spat, โand go find someone in the ballroom more suitable to bedโโ
โI said those things because I was terrified!โ he finally roared, the sound echoing off the wood paneled walls.
His chest heaved in frustration. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands until they fell messily over his forehead, obscuring the cold gaze of a King.
โI am the King. I am supposed to be calculated. I am supposed to be cold,โ he confessed, his voice growing agitated. โAnd then I met you. Suddenly, Iโm stumbling over a simple compliment. Iโm staring at the doors, waiting for you to arrive, hopingโprayingโthat youโd actually show up.โ
Bucky took a heavy step forward, the floorboards creaking under his shoes.
โYouโve been on my mind from the moment I laid eyes on you at the shop,โ he murmured, humming so low that it made your skin prickle. โEvery hour since thenโฆ until now.โ
His hand reached out, slow and careful as he hooked his fingers under the edge of your silver mask, lifting it gently. As the silk and lace came away, he set it down on the mahogany table without ever breaking eye contact.
โI wanted you to try this dress on because I knew it would look beautiful on you,โ he whispered, his eyes dark, hungry, and appreciating as they traveled from your face down to the curve of your throat.
Bucky let his hand trail down to your sleeve, his knuckles grazing the tender skin of your inner arm. The contact was light, yet possessive. His gaze followed the path of his hand, appreciating you from head to toe, admiring the way the silk hugged your body.
โAnd now,โ he stepped even closer, his shadow completely swallowing you as he leaned down until his lips were inches from yours. โThe only thing I can think of is how you would look with this dress off.โ
Bucky pulled his gloves off, tossing them aside as his hands slid from your arm to your face. His large, warm palms cupped your jaw.
His thumb traced the line of your lower lip, tugging it down just enough to reveal the plump, wet flesh beneath. He leaned in until the tips of your noses brushed, his lips hovering a mere breath away from yours.
โDid you have fun dancing with my son?โ he murmured, his voice a low vibration.
โForgive me, Your Majesty,โ your brows furrowed in confusion. โBut I donโt see how this has anything to doโโ
โEnough,โ he interrupted. He gave your jaw a light, commanding squeeze. โYou know this has to do with everything.โ
You swallowed hard, nodding instinctively before you could even find your voice.
โDid you like the way he held you?โ he pressed, his breath ghosting over your lips as he tilted your head back further, exposing the vulnerable line of your throat to his hungry gaze.
โDid you enjoy the way he looked at you? Because I hated every second of it. I hated that his hands were where mine should have been. I hated that you smiled for him when all youโve given me tonight is the cold shoulder.โ
His gaze dropped from your eyes to your shoulders. His hands left your jaw, tracing a slow, burning path down the sensitive skin of your throat until his fingers hooked into the delicate elastic of your puffy sleeves.
With a slow tug, he slipped them off your shoulders. The silk bunched at your elbows, leaving your shoulders bare and vulnerable under the warm glow of the candlelight.
โTell me youโve been thinking of me too, my dear,โ he rasped, almost pleaful.
He stepped even closer, his body pressing nearly pressing against yours, pinning you between the heavy desk and his own body. One of his hands slid around your lower back, pulling you upward until your chest brushed against his.
โThatโs why you came here tonight,โ he whispered, his breath hot against your lips. โYou wanted to find me. You wanted to show off the dress I bought you... isnโt that right?โ
You looked up at him, your breath hitching as the heat from his body seemed to seep through the silk of your bodice. Being this close to himโwithout the mask, without the safety of the ballroom crowdโwas overwhelming.
โIโฆโ you sucked in a breath, โI came because I wanted to see the kind man I met at the shop yesterday. Not a heartless King.โ
โHow can you call me heartless,โ he frowned, almost taunting, โwhen my heart only beats for you, my dear? It hasnโt known a moment of peace since I walked into that shop.โ
Buckyโs hands began to wander more boldly. One hand stayed firm at your lower back, while the other slid up from your waist, his thumb grazing the undersides of your breasts through the thin silk of your gown. You let out a soft, broken whimper, your knees feeling weak as the friction of his thumb sent jolts of heat through your entire body.
โYouโre so reactive, sweetheart. So innocent in the way you look at me,โ he murmured, his hips tight against yours until you could feel the hard, undeniable bulge that pressed against his pants. โIt makes me wonder.โ
His thumb returning to your chin to tilt your face up, forcing you to meet his burning stare.
โTell your King the truth,โ he warned. โHas anyone ever laid a hand on you? Has a man ever touched you soโฆ intimately in your life?โ
You swallowed hard, the lump in your throat feeling like a stone as you struggled to find your voice.
โIโve never been touched, Your Majesty,โ you admitted softly. You lowered your gaze, unable to maintain the intensity of his stare. โStill pure.โ
Buckyโs grip on your waist tightened, his fingers digging slightly into the silk of your dress as if he were already marking his territory.
โLike a flower,โ he breathed, his voice sounding both awestruck and dangerous.
He leaned down, his nose dragging slowly along the curve of your jawline until he reached the sensitive skin just below your ear. He inhaled deeply, taking in your scent as if it were the only thing keeping him alive.
โA perfect, white lily,โ he murmured against you, lips grazing your skin.
โAnd to think,โ he rasped, his hand sliding up from your back to tangle in the hair at the nape of your neck, tilting your head back to force you to look at him. โThat I am the first man to see you like this. The first to hold you soโฆ closely like this.โ
His gaze dropped to your mouth, his thumb dragging across your bottom lip again, more forcefully this time.
โIt makes me want to keep you locked away in this room,โ he confessed. โSo that no other man, not even my own son, ever gets the chance to breathe the same air as you again.โ
Before you could take another breath, Bucky leaned down and captured your lips with a hunger that was long overdue. For a King usually so poised, the kiss was a collisionโhot, messy, and desperate.
Caught off guard, you met him with everything you had, but your movements were frantic and uncoordinated. Your hands clutched at his shoulders, fingers digging into the expensive fabric of his coat as you tried to keep up with his relentless pace, your kisses coming out sloppy and breathless.
Bucky let out a low, vibrating chuckle against your lips and gently pulled back. He didnโt go far, as his forehead was still resting against yours.
โSo young and inexperienced,โ he grinned, his thumb swiping a stray drop saliva from the corner of your mouth. He didn't sound disappointed; he sounded enthralled.
โBut itโs okay, sweetheart. Iโll take care of you. I always take care of my people.โ
Your body felt so hot, the dress suddenly felt suffocating. The way he said my people made it clearโyou werenโt just any person anymore; you were his.
He took a slow step back, creating a sliver of space that felt freezing after exchanging body heat. His hands went to his waist, his fingers eager as he unbuckled his heavy leather belt. The entire time, his eyes were glued to youโhis jaw slightly hung as he was breathing heavy in anticipation for whats to come.
He tossed the belt onto the nearby chair, his expression darkening.
โNow,โ he rasped. โI want you to step out of that gown. Slowly. Let me see what I missed out on by being stuck on the other side of that dressing room.โ
You reached slowly for the fastenings at your side, but you didnโt pull them just yet. You tilted your head, playing into the innocent maiden he thought you were.
โAnd tell me,โ you whispered, voice low and sultry, โis this a request... or an order from my King?โ
Buckyโs eyes flickered darkly with amusement. He liked the bite in your tone; he liked that even now, even after the cold shoulders and witty responses, there was still a part of you that wanted him. His hand moving down to firmly palm the heavy length of himself through his pants, his knuckles teasing his own fabric as he began to stroke himself with a slow pressure.
โEverything I say from this moment on,โ he groaned, his gaze dropping to the curve of your chest, โis an official order from your King. And I suggest you obey it with haste.โ
You swallowed hard, holding his burning stare as you reached for the hidden laces. With a soft tug, the structure of the bodice gave way. Despite his command, you moved slowly, letting the heavy, expensive silk slide down your body inch by agonizing inch.
The gown pooled around your ankles in a cloud of white and silver, leaving you standing before him in nothing but your thin, sheer chemise and stockings.
Bucky could see everything just shy under the white sheer slip. He let out a groan, hand moving faster now as his thumb traced the ridge of his length through his pants as his eyes raked over every newly exposed inch of you.
โAll of it, my dear,โ he commanded gently. โBut keep the stockings on.โ
Your fingers trembled against your thighs as you reached for the hem. Slowly, you gathered the sheer fabric and pulled it up over your head, the cloth grazing your skin one last time before you tossed it onto the growing pile of discarded clothes.
You stood there, flushed and completely exposed, save for the white lace topped stockings that clung to your legs.
โLike this, Your Majesty?โ you whispered, small and breathless.
Bucky couldnโt wait another second. He let out another low groan, stepping into your space quickly as his hands made desperate contact with your waist. He tilted his head down and slammed his lips against yours once more, sliding his tongue that tasted of wine and pure need against your own.
You muffled and moaned against his lips, head spinning with equal desire. When he finally pulled away, his eyes were dark and blown out with lust. He reached down and grabbed your hand, his large palm covering yours as he guided it towards the center of his heat.
He pressed your palm firmly over the hard, throbbing length of him, trapping your hand against the rough fabric of his pants. With a shudder, he began to move your hand in a slow, rhythmic motion, palming himself using your smaller hand as a buffer.
โYes,โ he gasped, letting out a sharp hiss of pleasure as his head fell back. โJust like that. Feel what youโve done to me. Feel how much your King wants you.โ
Every twitch and pulse of him that you felt underneath your palm only made your heart beat faster.
โYouโฆโ you breathed, your eyes wide as you looked from his face down to where your hands were joined. โYouโreโฆ big.โ
Tentatively, you gave him a small and light squeeze against his trousers, making him gasp.
It was true that as King, he could have had any woman in the kingdom at his beck and call, but the truth was much bleaker; he had been starved of a genuine touch for years. Despite his bodyโs natural withdrawals, he hadnโt bothered to seek out a woman just to ease his pleasure.
He didnโt want a body; he wanted a soul.
He wanted you.
Buckyโs hands were under your arms immediately. Using little strength, he hoisted you up, making you let out a sharp, startled squeal. He turned and pressed you onto the massive mahogany desk in the center of the room. He swept aside a stack of royal documents and a heavy inkwell with one forceful arm, the items clattering to the floor haphazardly.
You let out a sharp gasp as he laid you flat, the cool wood a shock against your bare back. Your legs dangled over the edge, and your hair spilled messily across the dark surface.
Bucky didnโt spare you a second to adjust. He stepped between your thighs, looming over you, his eyes dark with a hunger that needed to be sated.
His hands left your body and reached to zip down his pants, finally freeing himself.
Your breath hitched, a sharp gasp escaping your lips as you saw him fully for the first time. The sight of himโthick, pulsing, and bobbing with his need for youโmade your head spin.
โYour Majestyโฆโ you stammered, your eyes wide as you instinctively tried to press further back into the wood of the desk. โI neverโฆ I donโt know howโ Iโve never done this.โ
Bucky kept his eyes glued on you. His hand wrapped around his length, stroking himself agonizingly slow as he took you in. His gaze drifted down to where your thighs were parted, landing on the glistening, bare slit.
โItโs okay, my dear. Just relax,โ he reassured deeply. He leaned over you, his free hand reaching down to find your wet folds. โI told you, didnโt I? A King takes care of his peopleโฆโ
He began to rub the tip against your entrance, the slick friction making you cry out softly. At the same time, his thumb found your clit, circling it with an experienced pressure that sent tingling waves through your lower belly.
โIโll take care of you,โ he whispered against your lips, his forehead resting against yours as he watched your eyes flutter shut. โIโll take goood care of you. Just let me in, sweetheart.โ
Bucky retracted his thumb, his hand finding your waist to hold you tight while his other hand guided himself against your entrance, testing you with a slow push past your walls.
The sensation was already overwhelmingโa relentless invasion of just the head of him that felt like it was already claiming every part of you. You were so incredibly tight, your body unaccustomed to such a feeling, and you let out a sharp, choked cry, your back arching off the cool mahogany of the desk.
โYour Majesty... it's... too big,โ you gasped, your voice breaking as he pushed in further, forcing your body to accommodate him. โYouโre stretching me alreadyโ! Pleaseโโ
Bucky gritted through clenched teeth, his body trembling.
It was taking everything in him not to lose his restraint and slam into you, breaking you open right then and there.
โI know it hurts,โ he groaned, his voice vibrating deep in his chest. โBut donโt worry... weโll make it fit. Just breathe for me, my dear. Just breathe.โ
You mewled, your hands frantically finding his broad shoulders for support, your fingers clutching his royal jacket. There was something deeply arousing about the contrastโthe King, fully dressed in his regalia from head-to-toe, looking down at you while you were reduced to nothing but a pair of flimsy lace stockings and your own skin as he deflowered you.
He was much older, and the social chasm between you was so deep you could drown in itโa King and a commoner, a master and a maid.
But thatโs what made this feel even dirtier, even better.
The fact that he was staining his royal reputation just to claim your innocence on the very desk where he signed his laws.
Bucky rocked his hips even deeper, feeling your walls clench and flutter, trying to accommodate him. You whimpered, fingers digging into his shoulders as a dark, prideful smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear so his hot breath could coat your skin.
โYouโre losing your virginity to a King, my dear,โ he murmured, sheer arrogance in his voice. โIsnโt that such an honor?โ
Bracing his weight on his forearms, he groaned lonely and gave you one final thrust.
โOh my godโ!โ you whined.
He sheathed himself fully inside you, his heavy cock pressing against your womb. You let out a long, broken moan that could shake the high ceilings of the study, your toes curling in your stockings as the world seemed to tilt around you.
The stretch was absolute. It was unfamiliar. It was a heavy, throbbing fullness that made your head fall back against the wood of the desk.
Bucky froze, buried to the hilt, his eyes squeezed shut as his cock savored the tight, clenching heat of your innocence. His chest heaved against your breasts, the medals on his jacket feeling cold against your hot chest.
โYouโre a maidโฆโ he murmured, his thumb tracing your lower lip possessively as he watched your chest heave. โSo you know how to take care of a home. You understand the responsibilities of keeping a house and a family afloat.โ
You blinked up at him, your vision slightly blurred. Your brows furrowed slightly in confusion, your body still shaking as his heavy, thick length kept you completely plugged.
As you looked at him, his eyes told you everything. It wasnโt just lust, but the deep, yearning of a man who had everything except the one thing he actually wanted. The one thing he actually needed.
โY-your Majesty?โ
โIโm a King who has spent too long without a Queen to steady him,โ he gritted out. His gaze drifted over your flushed face and the way your hair was fanned out across the table, a beautiful mess on his orderly desk.
โA man who needs someone soft to come home to,โ he rasped, his hand sliding from your lip to cup your jaw, his thumb pressing firmly into your cheek. โSomeone who understands the value of service... and the sacred duty of taking care of her husband.โ
You swallowed hard, heart beating anxiously fast. โโฆ Husband?โ
Bucky rocked his hips forward in a painfully slow, agonizingly deep roll. He was buried to the very root, the girth of him making you wince and whimper. He pumped out deep thrusts, his breathing growing heavier as he fucked you slow against the desk.
โMy sonโs been lonely in this castle, you know?โ he grunted, the suggestion sending a shiver down your spine. โThe halls are too quiet. Maybe you can give him a sisterโฆ or a brother to protect.โ
As those dark, possessive thoughts took over him, the slow rolls of his hips turned urgent and frantic. He reached down and caught your leg, his large hand firm behind your knee as he hiked it high over his broad shoulder. The new angle allowed him to sink to his very limit, his heavy cock bottoming out against your cervix so deeply it made your head toss back, your fingers scrambling desperately to grip the edge of the desk for balance.
Your entire body shook the moment he pressed his face against your inner thigh. The roughness of his salt and pepper beard tickled your sensitive skin as he trailed wet, worshipful kisses along your leg.
โThatโd be so wonderful, my dear,โ he rumbled against your skin. โSeeing you bred with royaltyโฆ carrying the Barnes bloodline.โ
Every word was punctuated by a heavy, wet thrust of his hips as he drove into you.
Your mind was spinning with these depraved ideas. You couldnโt form a single coherent sentence as your body was being ruined by the King of Brooklynne.
โI can see it already,โ he panted, his eyes snapping back to yours, dark and unfocused with desire. โYou, heavy with my child, walking through these gardensโฆ knowing that youโre the most precious thing in this entire kingdom. That you belong to me, and me alone.โ
Buckyโs hand tightened on your thigh, his fingers digging into your skin as he used his thumb to circle your clit in a fast, circular motion. He was thrusting deeper and harder now, his rough movements making the heavy desk creak and groan beneath you.
The sound of his moans mingling with your breathless mewls, and the echoes of his scandalous promises still ringing in your head, finally broke the last of you.
Your vision blurred as your body reached its limit, your sensitive, well-fucked walls fluttering and clenching tightly around his shaft, already milking him.
โYour Majestyโฆ Iโโ you gasped, turning your head away as embarrassment and shame washed through you. โIโฆ itโs too overwhelming. Iโm going toโโ
โNo,โ he grunted roughly in disapproval.
He moved forward, his weight pinning you more firmly as he hiked your leg even higher, folding you back until you felt completely open to him. He reached out with his free hand, his fingers catching your chin and forcing your face back toward his.
โDonโt you dare hide from me,โ he commanded, practically snarling. โLook at me. Look at your King while you take this. I want to see you come apart for me.โ
As you completely lost control of your own, you let out a shattered, high-pitched cry. And in return, he let out a low, gravelly chuckle that was more a growl of satisfaction than a laugh. โChrist. Youโre wet, my dear.โ
Bucky watched as your face flushed with warmth and your eyes rolled back. Your body arched so sharply off the table that your spine barely touched the wood, your entire being coming undone all over him.
You were so incredibly tight, your walls fluttering and pulsing in a desperate grip that milked him, demanding his own release.
The feeling was the final blow to his crumbling restraint. Buckyโs smirk vanished, replaced a grimace of pained ecstasy as he reached his limit.
โYesss,โ he hissed through gritted teeth, his hands moving eagerly at your thighs. โThatโs it. Iโm close, sweetheart. Youโre going to take every drop, do you hear me? I expectโhahโnothing less from my girl.โ
With a final, deep thrust that made the desk groan one last time, he buried his cock completely inside and stayed there.
โGodโtake it,โ he rasped, his voice breaking. โIโm going to pump you full.โ
His body went rigid, his head snapping back as a roar of ecstacy tore straight from his throat. You felt the hot, heavy pulses of him filling youโthe throbbing of his release pumping deep inside your womb. You let out a breathless gasp, feeling him claim you from the inside out, marking you with the Barnes bloodline just as he had promised.
Bucky remained draped over you for a long moment, his forehead resting against yours as you both fought to bring air back into your lungs. The study that once smelt like wood, paper, and ink was now heavy with the smell of sex and sweat.
Slowly, he shifted his weight to his forearms, looking down at you with a gaze that had softened from hunger into gentleness. His thumb reached out, gently caressing your warm cheek, tracing the line of your jaw before moving up to brush sweat dampened strands of hair away from your eyes.
โBeautiful,โ he graveled with appreciation. โAbsolutely beautiful.โ
Slowly and carefully, he finally pulled out.
You let out a small, shaky exhale at the sudden absence of him. He stood between your thighs for a moment, his eyes lingering on the sight of you absolutely ruined on his desk before he turned to compose himself, zipping his trousers back up that seemed to signal the return of the King.
You mentally prepared yourself for a curt dismissal, expecting him to revert to the cold, distant man you had encountered in the garden.
But instead, he reached for your discarded dress, lifting the fine fabric from the floor gently.
He stepped close, sliding his large hands under your arms to help you sit up on the edge of the desk. The scene felt like a distorted, intimate mirror of the dressing room at the shop yesterday; only now, there was no Martha, no sooted clothes, and no rush.
Bucky dressed you slowly, as if he were handling a piece of priceless porcelain. He guided your arms through the puffy sleeves, his fingers grazing your skin with feather light touches that made you shiver for entirely different reasons.
When he turned you around to begin the long row of tiny buttons down your back, he leaned in, his lips ghosting over your shoulder before pressing a series of soft, delicate kisses against your skin.
โMy God,โ he said quietly, turning you around slowly as his hands rested firmly on your waist. โStunning.โ
His eyes bored into yours deeply, soft and vulnerable. โI want you here. I want you in this palace, by my side. I think... I think Iโve fallen for you, my love.โ
Your eyes softened, your breath hitching in your chest.
A King falling for you was the very thing a little girlโs dreams were made of. After the way he had just made love to youโmarking you with vows and promises to keep you safeโthere was nothing you wanted more than to say yes.
But just as your lips parted to speak, a sharp, rhythmic knock echoed through the heavy oak doors.
โYour Majesty?โ a muffled voice called from the hallway. โThe delegates are requesting your presence. The midnight toast is approaching.โ
You gasped, your heart leaping into your throat as you instinctively tried to pull away, looking for a place to hide. But Bucky didnโt flinch. He kept his grip on your waist, his expression remarkably calm.
โRelax,โ he soothed, sensing your panic. โThey know better than to enter without my word. They are my people. They are loyal to me, not the gossip of the court.โ
He leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to the top of your head. โStay here. Compose yourself. Iโll be right back to come get you, I promise.โ
With one last possessive squeeze of your hand, he straightened his jacket, his face masking back to royal indifference, and retreated into the hallway.
You sat on the edge of the desk, the silence of the study feeling unnervingly tense now that his warmth was gone. You waited and waited, replaying the way he had looked at youโnot as a maid, but as his future.
As the seconds ticked by, the grandeur of the room began to feel like a cage. When the ornate grandfather clock in the corner began its slow, sonorous chime for midnight, you were suddenly hit with restless anxiety.
You couldnโt just sit here and wait any longer.
Trembling, you picked up your mask from the desk and slid it back over your face, the silk cold against your flushed, warm skin. You stepped out of the study, your footsteps ghosting over the marble floors as you followed the distant, echoing sound of orchestral music and hundreds voices.
You peeked your head past the curtains to look at the ballroom, where Bucky had disappeared to, and it was like the King was a sun at the center of a glittering solar system.
Bucky was surroundedโgenerals in stiff uniforms, foreign princesses in diamonds that were nearly blinding, and advisors whispering in his ear. He looked untouchable. He looked like a man who commanded armies and decided the fates of nations.
You looked down at your handsโhands that spent every day red and raw from lye and scrubbingโand then back at the women dancing below in silks that cost a year of your life.
It wasnโt just a distance of wealth.
It was an impossibility of worlds.
He belonged to history.
You belonged in a basement.
As you stood there, watching him at a distance, a soft cough sounded just behind your shoulder. You jumped, spinning around to find one of the high ranking attendantsโthe one who had knocked on the study door earlierโwatching you with a face as unreadable as stone.
โMiss,โ he said, low and professional. โThe toast ceremony is beginning. Would you care to join?โ
You hesitated, your gaze flickering one last time to the ballroom floor. You looked for Bucky, but he was almost entirely obscured now, buried under a sea of medals, silk sashes, and the rich laughter of noblewomen.
The attendant followed your gaze, then looked back at you. His expression changed subtly, like hollow kindness in his eyesโthe kind of look one gave to a guest who had overstayed their welcome.
โOr,โ he added, a little quieter, โshall I fetch you a carriage in discretion? The side gate is clear this time of night.โ
Discretion?
You looked over your shoulder at the attendant, your eyes widening as the realization of his offer sank below the depths of your already fragile heart.
He offered you a quiet exit as if he had done this a dozen times before for a dozen other girls who had been found in that study, breathless and glowing with the false hope of a Kingโs favor.
To him, you werenโt the future Queen Bucky had just promised you would be.
You were a mess to be tidied up before the morning sun hit the marble. You were a secret that needed to be swept away.
You realized then that while Bucky might have meant those words while his pulse was racing against yours, the world outside that study had no room for a maid with red, raw hands and a borrowed dress. You were just another body to fill his bed, another face to distract him from the crushing responsibilities of the crown until the next pretty thing caught his eye.
How could you have been so foolish?
โA carriage,โ you whispered, your voice sounding small and fragile in the vast, echoing hallway. โPlease. In discretion.โ
โOf course, Miss. Follow me.โ
Down in the ballroom, Bucky stood at the very center of the dais, raising his glass.
โTo my son, Jamie,โ he announced, voice forcefully bright with a smile that was sore. โMay you find a woman who doesnโt just wear a crown, but one who truly understands the importance of a family.โ
He held his glass steady, but his eyes kept flicking to the velvet curtains that hid the hallway to his study.
โMay you find someone who knows the grace of a Princess, yet possesses the heart to steady you as a Prince when the world grows too loud. Look for the soul who has the strength to turn a cold, stone castle into a home, and a man into a husband.โ
A roar of cheers erupted from the crowd, the guests raising their glasses in unison.
The moment the toast was finished, he didnโt linger for the pleasantries. He turned on his heel, his heart already racing back to the quiet sanctuary of his study where you wereโor shouldโveโbeen waiting for him.
He was stopped three times. First, by a General demanding orders for the spring campaign; Bucky dismissed him with a curt, icy nod. Then, by a Duchess who tried to lace her arm through his; he stepped away so sharply it was an insult to the poor woman. Finally, by his own prime minister, whom he practically pushed aside.
โNot now,โ Bucky growled, his long strides eating up the hallway.
He had only one thing in mindโand that was to get to you.
Bucky reached the heavy oak doors of his study, his breath hitching in anticipation. He had a vision of you still flushed and waiting, perhaps curled up in his chair trying on his royal cloak.
A soft smile already formed on his lips by the time he pushed open the doors.
โIโm sorry for keeping you waiting, my dear. Iโmโโ
The word died in his throat and his smile faded.
The room was silent.
The fire in the hearth had burned down to glowing embers, casting long, lonely shadows across the desk where you once laid. Papers were still scattered about, and the scent of you still lingered in the air like a taunt, but the space between the chairs was empty.
Buckyโs heart didnโt just sink. It felt as though it had been physically torn from his chest.
He rushed to the window, searching the dark courtyard, but he saw nothing.
โNo,โ he whispered, his voice cracking. โNo, no, no!โ
He spun away from the window, his movements jagged and violent. โGoddamnit!โ He roared.
His boot connected with a cluster of ink bottles that already fell on the floor during your lovemaking, shattering and staining the expensive rug in deep, mocking blacks. He didnโt care. He began to pace like a feral caged animal, stomping over the very papers he had been working on earlier, his heavy footfalls ground the royal decrees into the floorboards.
He shoved his hand through his hair, pulling at the strands until his scalp stung.
โHow?โ he hissed to the empty room, his chest heaving. โHow could she just go?โ
He thought of the way you had looked at him on that desk just a moment agoโthe vulnerability, the way you had clenched around him as if you never wanted to let go.
Did you not believe a word he said?
The thought was like poison. No. You couldnโt have not believe him. He remembered the look of shame that had crossed your face when you tried to turn away from him. He remembered the way you had trembled when he called you his girl.
Did you still think he was that kind of man?
Did you still think that he was that cold-hearted rake you overheard in the garden? That it was all just a game to him?
Buckyโs gaze fell to the floor, his eyes catching a white shape near the leg of the desk. He reached down, his fingers trembling as he retrieved the familiar glove.
He brought it to his face, inhaling deeply. His eyes fluttered shut as your scentโthat intoxicating mix of rosewater, soap, and the warmth of your skinโ filled his senses.
It was the glove for your right hand. The very glove that hid the burn marks on your palm, the marks he had kissed with such gentleness at the shop just yesterday. The marks that proved you were a woman of hard work and sacrifice, everything he admired and everything he wanted to protect.
By the time he opened his eyes, the vulnerability and sadness had been completely replaced by a cold resolve. His fingers curled tightly around the delicate glove, crushing it against his palm as if he were already reclaiming the skin it once covered.
He was going to find you.
He would tear the city apart stone by stone, he would burn down every basement and scour every shop until he found you. He didnโt care for your hesitation or your social standing.
Bucky had marked you as his on that desk.
And the King was going to do whatever it took to bring his property home.
Bucky pushed out of the study, his heavy royal cloak back on and billowing behind him. He didnโt get far before he spotted the same attendant from earlier. The man stopped, bowing low, but Bucky didnโt offer him the grace of a greeting. He stepped directly into the manโs personal space, his towering frame looming over him.
He held the glove up between them, snarling.
โFind her,โ Bucky seethed. "I donโt care who you have to threaten or what doors you have to break down. Find what is mine and bring her back to me. Now."
19.6K WORDS I AM SO SORRY SHE'S SO LONG but if you've gotten this far, thank you so much for taking the time to read my work and i hope you enjoyed it ๐ญโฅ๏ธ
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synopsis: sculpted from clay and given life by the gods, you were created alongside your sister, diana of themyscira, your twin in form, and fate. gifted the divine fruits of invulnerability and truth-compelling abilities. you once walked amongst a world filled with gods and goddesses. but after your sister is to depart from the island you once called home, you beg her to to let you come with her to help her in aiding the mortal world of man. destiny would lead you to being a hero, then to where you would eventually find love in your husband, bruce wayne. how will the chronicles of your life follow in you balancing being the wife to a billionaire, the mother to his children and an amazon all in one?
tw: suggestive themes, sexual themes(no nsfw), spice, harassment and stalking, intense situations/anxiety, threats of violence, physical cofrontation, mentions of slight injuries, bruising, mention of poison, child endgarment,
notes: hello! ahh first chronicle of goddess is here, i am so happy that it is! i apologize for the long wait laptop issues were happening and so was writer's block! if you were not mentioned in the taglist, comment below or follow to keep up! if you like the story make sure to like, repost and comment!<3
GODDESS, mrs.wayne, the amazon | NAVIGATION
โ"do you hear the well, my little heartbeat?..." hippolyta asked, her voice like the humming of a hive. she ran a hand over your hair, her eyes tracking diana as she chased a wave. "the gods were greedy with the souls of the world... but for me, they were kind. they reached into the very bottom of the well of soulsโ the place where the last breath of the innocent waitsโ and they gave me two...."
โshe picked up a handful of wet sand, letting it crumble through her fingers. "you and your sister are twins of form and fate. she is the spirit of the champion, meant to lead. you... you are the spirit of the anchor. given the blessings not just to survive, but to stand as a shield for those who can not bear the weight of the world..."
โshe leaned in, whispering into your ear, her breath tickling, a secret meant only for the daughter who shared the last essence of the well. "i never want you to forget that you were born beautiful, little one. do not be convinced you are not... even when the world of man tries to convince you otherwise..."
you spent your life in what was paradise. an isolated utopia that could be described as your very own eden. what could only look to be the gates to a heaven to outsiders.
imagining life outside of themyscira wasn't something that you had ever dared to cross your thoughts. you were a princess, hidden from the world of man, your life was serene, it was the most regal, and you had everything that one could dream for. a home, a destiny, and a duty to follow the word of the gods. but most of all, you had your mother and, more importantly, your sister.
diana.
they say twins are two halves of a whole, duality and balance. they couldn't be more wrong.
diana was always your complete half. a connection of life. the other half of your soul.
so the day she was going to leave themyscira, driven by the desire to protect the world of man and fight against the evils that were set free in this world. distraught wasn't even the complete feeling that spun through your veins in a frenzy, once the reality of the words that escaped her lips hit you like a solid gut punch. you were a strong blooded amazon. you faced greater obstacles, taken deeper kicks to the side, and had suffered more bruises and cuts that one could count when training.
but nothing could have held you back in that moment when tears gathered in the corners of your eyes, almost like they were turning to glass. not even diana would've thought you would fully run towards her just embracing her in a hug, begging her to not go, as your chin quivered, so small, so involuntary.
they say twins are two halves of a whole, and in that moment half of you felt like it was being torn away.
"why?โ you don't have to go.... diana, please don't go..." the pleads fell from your lips as you tightened your arms around diana. you refused to budge, your weren't going anywhere as you both stood at the at the cliffside of the island, the breeze gushing against you both, diana's hair flowing through the wind as the breeze ran its fingers through her hair. she furrowed her brows in a way that felt bitter-sweet. seeing you cry over her announcement of her departure felt like a dagger was being jabbed repeatedly in the gut, breaking through her armor.
"it is my duty now... my destiny bestowed upon me by the gods y/nโ... to protect the weak who have been kicked down onto their knees to cower below monsters who tremor before the likes of them." she spoke subtly, running a hand down your back, her fingers grazing along the cotton garments of your robe.
biting down on your lip, you pulled yourself back from her her brace and stared at her eyes still red, puffy, and glassy. the sound of your silent but noticeable hiccups followed before you abruptly slapped your hands onto her shoulders, almost immediately locking eyes with her and glaring at her.
"fine... i'm coming with you."
your teeth gritted as you said it, in your mind, thoughts began to rush. this time, you had truly spoken without even giving yourself a chance to think about the actions that you were willing to take just for your sister to not leave. gods! you didn't even know if the mortal world was for your calling. your heart began beating uncertainly as you truly started to take into account of what you had just said.
diana looked at you as if you were insane. she grabbed your hands and removed them from her shoulders, and began to slowly shake her head, you couldn't tell if it was disapproval or disappointment, maybe both. "sister, do not be obscene! you know mother would not refuse to letting the both of us goโ do not make such brash decisions out of the complications of your emotions!โ" she scolded you, a look of worry had washed over her face. she refused, she couldn't live with herself in knowing you could be harmed.
"but i want to diana... i too am allowed to make my own decisions!โ please, think of this.... the two of us are better than one!" you hastily shouted as diana began to walk away and you followed after her in an urgency. she wouldn't hear you out, she wasn't doing it, she refused.
then you stopped and yelled, "DIANA PLEASE!... please iโ.... i want to fight by your sideโ" your voice broke as tears still slipped down your cheeks, blurring your vision in the process.
she stopped once she heard you yelling, turning around slowly to meet your saddened gaze, listening to the cracking of your voice. "โnot only as your sister... but as a warrior. an amazon.... diana i beg you, to let me join you in protecting the weak."
you didn't even know if you would truly be viewed as protector to the world among men. what did the world beyond themyscira even offer to you to truly protect? what if you were really just thinking too boldly in wanting to follow your sister's desire to protect the human world?
you would just have to find out, won't you?
diana sighs, you could tell it's deep, the low rumble of her breath escapes into the salty air of island's beach. "...i suppose we are to make a good argument to mother, let's go now."
the relief soared through your body in a way that made you want to drop to your knees.
sculpted from clay and given life by the gods, you were created alongside your sister, to go onward and protect the weak with the fruits bestowed upon you from birth.
as you follow diana down the path of the cliffside, you could only ponder on what outside world had to offer for you.
what did destiny have to offer you now?
"you are so damn beautiful. tell me how did i get so god damn lucky with you hm?"
you let out a series of giggles and laughter. sets of kisses were pressed along your jaw slowly running down your throat. so this is where life had brought you?
it had been so very long since you had left the place you had once called paradise and your home. since you had left to join your sister in a journey to a world beyond your own discoveries that laid outside of themyscira. life was unimaginable for the longest while, you did miss your home. you missed your mother most of all, but you knew hippolyta would want you and diana lead on with stride of the way of the amazons.
world was a culture shock for you. the people. the life was so different from back home.
it made furthered you to want to protect sacred balance of life. but you had never expected such evils to lie in a place where beauty should bloom and flutter from all corners of the earth. you wouldn't let anything keep you from your of being a shield to the people who needed it. you were devoted to being the blessing that people needed for your entire life, you weren't going to slow down, not when you were by diana's side or as she began to be called by the people, wonder woman.
that all changed in a click, though.
"must you no?... it's incredibly early!" you whisper shouted to your husband, as you cupped his head. gently caressing each of your thumbs along the back of his neck as made his way down your chest, softly peppering kisses all over your skin and collar bone. "i can't love my wife? don't tell me i married you for no purpose, sweetheart?" he raised a brow, hands slowly creeping under the night shirt that you had worn to bed that night. tracing circles on your skin, that went closer and closer up to your bra.
"bruce! it's 5 in the morning!" you shout silently at him and slap his back, laughter continues to escape your lips.
never in your wildest dreams, had you expected to get married. you didn't imagine yourself falling in love, it seemed like only the type of things hippolyta would read from old stories to you and diana when your were just children. but, you are to never doubt destiny, right?
it was sort of shocking the way you and bruce ended up together. after years of fighting with diana as a duo together, you both had gone your separate ways. you both figured that you'd do good work if you were able to travel to other places around the world and help more people. the decision was mostly made on your part, though it meant actually being away from your sister this time, and no convincing one another to come.
but those years lead you to discover powers in yourself that you had never known. you were goddess walking among men.
in that time you knew she joined, she wrote to you saying they were named the justice league. that's how you would find out about a hero named batman. that's how you'd meet bruce.
"you just got back from patrol, darling... i believe it's time for you to rest." you spoke in a hushed tone, giggling once more as you felt him hoist your legs up around his waist and your earnestly secured your place, wrapping your legs around him. his hands traced the curve of your waist, his touch slow and reverent. the soft glow of the bedside lamp, you watched him look at you as if your were the only thing that existed, your own breath catching in your throat as your lips were caught in a sudden kiss.
you were his everything, the day that you both were on the same page, he knew you were his. bruce had been used to his fair share of women in his youth, he didn't get the title of "billionaire playboy" for nothing. his charm with women had been a facade for some time to mask his true nature, its what made him in sense. but when it came to you, it became all true.
you were his wife, he would do anything for you.
as your bodies molded against eachother in a desperate need for closeness, you both were flushed together. bruce's fingers began to slip their way downward of your hips, running along the lining of your underwear. he continued to kiss you with an intensity of longing, like he couldn't wait to return to you after his patrol of gotham. he was still in the bottom half of his armor, that's how much he couldn't wait.
the breaths you let out were shaky, your giggles were still stifled by his lips. there were moments were you gasped against his lips, as moans escaped yours, pulling his face closer to yours. "bruce lock the doorโ"
the sound of door to your bedroom, suddenly being opened immediately made your eyes jump open from a state of pure relaxed, lust to immediate horror as if you had scene pure ware. the light in the hallway entered the room, and like it was a stage light, it shun on both you and your husband. from the entrance you could see a tall figure towering there.
"ma, dick wants to know if you could hold his hand while he's gettin' stitchedโ OH FUCK! JESUS, WHAT THE FUCK?" it was jason, one of your sons, of it was him. only that boy could swear like he was the captain of a ship.
the red helmet he once held to his side, drops to the carpeted ground in an immediate thud as he groans loudly in utter disgust(and betrayal) using his hands to shield his eyes from what he had to bare witness.
the embarrassment clouds over you and throw a pillow straight at jason's head, your aim meticulous. "CLOSE THE DOOR!" you yell at him, shoo-ing him out because he's clearly drawing attention. if your face could change its color entirely, you'd most likely be the shade of a tomato.
"oh my god... oh my godddโ this changes everything for me, bruce you seriously couldn't keep it in your pants we just got back!" okay, now he's just being dramatic. i mean, who could blame him? if someone were to walk in on their parents having sex, they would probably want to rip their eye balls out of their eye sockets too.
"GET OUT AND CLOSE THE DOOR!โ" Bruce shouts and jason stares at him and his face scrunches in disgust, "YOU'RE STILL ON TOP OF HER!"
"jason, you're yelling really loud, where's mom?โ AH! AH! AH!โ" tim, another one of your sons, appears from behind his brother who's standing there, body completely stunned from the shock of what he's looked at. unfortunately, like jason, tim yells, voice at the highest bass and pitch. the color from the boy's face completely drains at the sight of bruce half naked on you. your poor babies.
"BOTH OF YOU GET OUT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" bruce yells once more, getting off of you and off the king-sized bed. you cover your face turning away to face the large curtains. you were blessed truly, you had a husband, and with him came children who you vowed to protect like your own.
but moments like this, made you question your sanity.
both tim and jason are dragged out of the room by bruce, you could hear him sternly scolding jason especially on a key concept of knocking.
breakfast was going to be god awkward in a few hours time.
your life with your husband had its moments. through everything you only loved bruce. however, you learned of the risks that it would have being of someone with his status. the entire world practically knew the last name "wayne". if you didn't, you must've been on mars definitely.
when the press found out you both were dating, it was practically hell on earth. you both had to meet in the most secret and secluded spots. at times he invested in his private islands. you both would even be dressed head to toe in the most ridiculous disguises. you fondly remember laughing at the time he showed up to one of your spots in a realistic mask that made him unrecognizable.
but when you both got engaged, the public erupted.
paparazzi would swarm bruce's private cars as you both left galas together. they were like a ravenous wolf pack, hungering to photograph "billionaire, bruce wayne and his mysterious fiancรฉe?" seeing who would be the first one to push out the story of spotting you both to the public.
they were relentless, never ever stopping for a second. you remembered finally making it into the car with bruce the night of a charity ball, and the anxiety that crawled up your skin when the night turned into a blinding, stuttering slideshow of flashes nearly made you crack. a swarm of paparazzi had cornered your car, their shutters clicked in a deafening, metallic chorus. you both barely made it out of there.
not a single lesson from the amazons could've prepared you for moments like those. you had a strong will, you were a "tough cookie" according to your oldest, dick. but you sometimes could never handle the fame that came to being bruce wayne's wife. being mrs.wayne was sometimes enough to make or break you... but you would persevere. atleast you tried?
"i do not understand why we must partake in such childish errands, y/n." damien said to you as he held the ice-cream cone in his hand, staring down at the dessert as if it was alien to him. the nine year old tilted his hand, a thick, sugary ribbon of vanilla, already losing its shape, snaked down the side of the cone and onto his knuckles. his teeth grits in annoyance before he sucks his teeth, "it's getting everywhere..."
you grab a napkin, sighing as you hold onto his wrist to wipe of the remnants of the melted ice-cream on his hands before they could get to the cuffs of his school uniform. "damien, you are a child... use your mouth and eat it. i can assure you that it is not poisonous, seeโ it tastes goodโ mmm" you murmur wirh a sweet smile on your face, licking your lips from the taste of chocolate from your own cone. damien rolls his eyes licks around the sides of the waffle cone, he stops for a short second as the flavors hit the receptors of his taste bud. maybe he doubted this too quickly.
"well, i doubt regular poisons would affect you considering you aren't a human... but i suppose this does taste satisfactory to me." he says silently as he continues to eat his ice-cream before sitting down on the park's bench. you chuckle at his response before taking a seat next to him.
damien was, an "interesting" child to say the least.
being his stepmother felt so odd. in themyscira, "motherhood" was a communal heartbeat, it was a shared raising of sisters by sisters. but here, in the silence of the manor some of your children weren't there, the title felt like a suit of armor that didn't quite fit. damien did not require nurturing, he was a child that was forced to grow up much faster than he was intended to do. he was a creature of edge and instinct, a fledgling hawk who had been taught to hunt before he was taught to speak. for you to even offer him a soft hand would be to invite a blade. instead, you learned to offer him your respect.
even as damian begrudgingly admitted the ice cream was "satisfactory" the peace of the park felt fragile, like glass ready to shatter under the weight of the wayne name.
โthe first flash was a familiar sting, a sharp, artificial spark that didn't belong in the natural dappled light of the trees. then came the second. And the third.
"mrs.wayne! is this the new heir?" a voice barked, thick with a nuisance greed that made your blood slowly begin to boil. "ay kid, look this way! 'gimme a smile for the front page!" just like that two men emerged from the bushes like scavengers circling a wounded animal. they couldn't give two fucks or more if damien was only a child. they only saw dollar signs.
damien's posture stiffened instantly. the vanilla cone remained in left his hand, but his right dropped to his side, fingers curling into the precise shape of a strike. the shade of green color of his eyes, usually full of youthful arrogance, turned cold and lethal. he wasn't a boy in a park anymore, he was a weapon unsheathing. an al ghul.
your jaw tightened, your grabbed his hand pulling him up, fixing the biege trench coat you wore. "let's go, just ignore them and don't respond..." you whisper down to damien, holding him close to you, your heels clicking against the concrete of the pavement as you walked with sheer determination to get away from those men.
but they didn't stop, they never do.
the taller paparazzi laughed from behind, continuing to run after you both, his camera shutter clicking in a deafening, metallic chorus. "come on, mrs. wayne, give us a quote! is it true the boy was raised inโ"
he wouldn't finish. he ran infront of you both, lunging forward, trying to get a close-up of damianโs face, effectively cornering the boy against the park bench and breaking his hold away from your hand. you stumbled backward, nearly falling onto the ground with the sudden push. you were thankful that you caught onto the fountain next to you, and that's what finally did it for you.
fuck preserving.
in a quick motion, you stood up throwing your purse to the side. you tried not hurt people who were weaker than you, it went against your moral code. but today, this man was finally testing it against you. when you left themyscira all those years ago, you made an oathe to protect others from threats that could harm them and it was safe to say... this could be defined as a threat.
in a blur of motion, you were between that paparazzi and damien. hand shooting out catching the photographer by the thick knot of his collar and with a single, effortless jerk, you hoisted him off the pavement. his boots dangled, four inches above the grass. his camera swung wildly on its strap, hitting his chest with a dull thud. his partner froze, the color draining from his face, immediately he realizing he was looking at something far more dangerous than a "socialite."
you lean close to his face, voice calm, but your eyes spoke otherwise. they were clearly running with a aggressive force of anger.
โ"you have mistaken my patience for weakness..." you said to him, grip tightening just enough to make the fabric groan. "this is not a public forum. this is my child. if you do not cease this harassment and vanish from this park immediately, rest assure that i ensure you will regret ever drawing breath near his vicinity... do we understand?"
you didn't need to shout, you were pretty sure he got the message clear.
"i said do we understand... am i clear?"
the photographer nodded frantically, his eyes wide with a primal terror. once you dropped him, he stumbled back, nearly tripping over his own feet. without a word, both men scrambled toward the parking lot, their "wolf pack" mentality utterly broken by the sheer presence of a lioness. as they retreated, you could hear one of them yell, "chick's fuckin' crazy!" you didn't need to care, all that mattered was that damien was safe.
you took a slow breath, smoothing you dress from the underneath of your coat, and turned back to damian. he was watching you, his hand no longer a fist. for the first time, you saw a flicker of something that wasn't defiance in his eyes, it was recognition. a softeness.
โ"your form was... acceptable." damian muttered, flicking a stray drop of melted vanilla off his knuckle, staring at the ice-cream cone that he dropped in the process of what had happened. "though a strike to the larynx would have been more efficient."
you laughed and took up a napkin wiping his knuckles. "i still achieved victory in knowing your safety wasn't breached..." you said and smiling before taking his hand once more. your heart warmed when you felt him hold back onto you, it gave your pride knowing he too could be nutured. he was still a child.
but gods.... the press get everything.
"HAAHAHA!!โ LOOK AT HIS FACE BRUCE LOOK AT HIS FACE!!" dick laughs as he holds his phone up to your husband's face, but could barely contain his laughter and he falls onto the couch, then rolls onto the ground. he heaves, holding his stomach in pure glee at what he looked at on his phone. bruce could only sigh at his son's antics, but directs his atttention towards the vidoe on dick's phone, before his slightly widens at the sights.
turns out at the park, when you those photographers were harassing you and damien, a passerby happened to record the entire altercation... including the part where you lifted the man off the ground by his shirt collar. now it's blowing up everywhere.
you sighed, though a flush of heat was creeping up your neck. the video on the screen looped for the tenth time, your arm extended with effortless grace, the paparazziโs feet dangling uselessly like a broken marionetteโs.โ "t-the way his camera just... clattered against his chest!" dick wheezed, rolling onto his back on the rug, clutching his stomach. "b-bruce, look! you can see the exact moment he realizes heโs not dealing with a gotham socialite."
"dick please, you're going to hyperventilate..." you say as you rub the bridge of your nose. bruce didn't laugh. he remained standing, his eyes fixed on the footage with that analytical squint he usually reserved for crime scenes. his silence felt heavy, making the "suit of armor" feeling return to your chest. your throat felt dry, this time you felt as if you had snapped your moral obligation in half, almost as if you had messed up this time for the worse.
"bruce iโ... the situation was escalating," you began, your voice firm but carrying a hint of apology. "he was cornering damian, the boy was merely seconds away from taking the man's eyes out with his fingersโ" you stammered out, hands still shaking slightly as you attempted to explain yourself.
"i would've had the situation under control, father... but I suppose her form of neutralization was "simpler"..." damian snapped from the armchair, his arms crossed tightly over his turtleneck. he looked more annoyed by dick's volume than the viral video, though he pointedly refused to look at the screen. tim, sitting on the edge of the sofa with his laptop, let out a dry, tired huff. "damian, you would have been on interpolโs radar by sunset. at least this way, the headlines just say 'billionaire's wife is secretly a worldclass powerlifter.'"
"yeah, maybe you should say thank you, you little shitโ" jason grunted rolling his eyes grunted from the corner, leaning against the bookshelf. he kicked at dickโs foot. "can you shut the hell up up for five minutes? some of us have a headache." jason spat out, a vein of irritation growing on the side of his head.
dick didn't shut up, he just let out a fresh peal of laughter.
โyou turned back to your husband. "i am sorry if this complicates things for the company, bruce. i know we try to keep a low profile, but seeing them swarm him like wolves... no lesson from themyscira teaches you to just stand by while your own are hunted..."
bruce's expression softens at your genuine apology. he steps toward you, his expression warm in a way the public never got to see. he ignored the cackling from the floor and the bickering of his sons, he just reaches out, his hand resting steady and warm on your cheek. "sweetheart, you don't need to defend yourself to me." bruce said, his voice a low, grounding rumble. "you protected damien. you de-escalated a league-trained assassin and a persistent harasser without a single injury. as far as i'm concerned, thatโs a win."
he glanced down at dick, who was now showing the video to alfred. โ"besidesโ" bruce added with the ghost of a smirk, "โitโs nice to see someone else in this family taking the heat for once. itโs almost satisfactory, wouldn't you say, damian?" damian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue, he only scowled.
"you're doing such a good job..." bruce murmured bringing you into a hug wrapping an arm around your waist. you nuzzle your cheek into his sweater and sigh, gripping onto his side. "mrs. wayne" the title feel less like ill-fitting armor and more like a badge of honor. "you're a hero in ways the world doesn't see. keeping this family together, keeping him safe from himself, is a feat greater than anything before..."
โhe leaned in, his forehead resting against yours for a brief, raising your chin up so you can meet his eyes. you were breathless just for a second before he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to your lips. it was a grounding kiss, one that tasted of home and shared secrets, momentarily silencing the noise of the world outside and the laughter still bubbling from the floor.
"oh fuckโ not this again..." jason breaks the moment with a face that looks like he's scene hell itself. his nose wrinkles as his lips curl into a sneer. tim on the other hand, looks up from his laptop and immediately freezes still before he closes his laptop, takes it out and walks out of the room. the memories of that morning had clearly rushed back to his mind and polluted it immediately.
"tt. utterly unrefined," damian muttered, though he didn't look away quite as fast as he usually did.
โbruce pulled back just an inch, a rare, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he kept his arm draped protectively around your waist. dick laid on the ground scrolling through his phone, just shaking his head. that's mostly because he's seen worse.
you were an amazon, a warrior, a wife, and more importantly a mother. all those roles aligned in a way that you never thought destiny could bring to you. when you really thought the world beyond themyscira had nothing at all to offer you. a new paradise had opened it gates to you, and you couldn't ask for more.
"mom, you practically have everyone on your side. they're calling you amazing in the comments under this video." dick says in awe to before turning the phone screen to you. you look at one of the hundreds of comments that reads, "mrs.wayne is literally a goddess. did you see that grip strength? she didn't even break a sweat. if were that paparazzi, i'd move to another continent immediately. we stan a queen who protects her kid!"
synopsis: sculpted from clay and given life by the gods, you were created alongside your sister, diana of themyscira, your twin in form, and fate. gifted the divine fruits of invulnerability and truth-compelling abilities. you once walked amongst a world filled with gods and goddesses. but after your sister is to depart from the island you once called home, you beg her to to let you come with her to help her in aiding the mortal world of man. destiny would lead you to being a hero, then to where you would eventually find love in your husband, bruce wayne. how will the chronicles of your life follow in you balancing being the wife to a billionaire, the mother to his children and an amazon all in one?
tw: suggestive themes, sexual themes(no nsfw), spice, harassment and stalking, intense situations/anxiety, threats of violence, physical cofrontation, mentions of slight injuries, bruising, mention of poison, child endgarment,
notes: hello! ahh first chronicle of goddess is here, i am so happy that it is! i apologize for the long wait laptop issues were happening and so was writer's block! if you were not mentioned in the taglist, comment below or follow to keep up! if you like the story make sure to like, repost and comment!<3
GODDESS, mrs.wayne, the amazon | NAVIGATION
โ"do you hear the well, my little heartbeat?..." hippolyta asked, her voice like the humming of a hive. she ran a hand over your hair, her eyes tracking diana as she chased a wave. "the gods were greedy with the souls of the world... but for me, they were kind. they reached into the very bottom of the well of soulsโ the place where the last breath of the innocent waitsโ and they gave me two...."
โshe picked up a handful of wet sand, letting it crumble through her fingers. "you and your sister are twins of form and fate. she is the spirit of the champion, meant to lead. you... you are the spirit of the anchor. given the blessings not just to survive, but to stand as a shield for those who can not bear the weight of the world..."
โshe leaned in, whispering into your ear, her breath tickling, a secret meant only for the daughter who shared the last essence of the well. "i never want you to forget that you were born beautiful, little one. do not be convinced you are not... even when the world of man tries to convince you otherwise..."
you spent your life in what was paradise. an isolated utopia that could be described as your very own eden. what could only look to be the gates to a heaven to outsiders.
imagining life outside of themyscira wasn't something that you had ever dared to cross your thoughts. you were a princess, hidden from the world of man, your life was serene, it was the most regal, and you had everything that one could dream for. a home, a destiny, and a duty to follow the word of the gods. but most of all, you had your mother and, more importantly, your sister.
diana.
they say twins are two halves of a whole, duality and balance. they couldn't be more wrong.
diana was always your complete half. a connection of life. the other half of your soul.
so the day she was going to leave themyscira, driven by the desire to protect the world of man and fight against the evils that were set free in this world. distraught wasn't even the complete feeling that spun through your veins in a frenzy, once the reality of the words that escaped her lips hit you like a solid gut punch. you were a strong blooded amazon. you faced greater obstacles, taken deeper kicks to the side, and had suffered more bruises and cuts that one could count when training.
but nothing could have held you back in that moment when tears gathered in the corners of your eyes, almost like they were turning to glass. not even diana would've thought you would fully run towards her just embracing her in a hug, begging her to not go, as your chin quivered, so small, so involuntary.
they say twins are two halves of a whole, and in that moment half of you felt like it was being torn away.
"why?โ you don't have to go.... diana, please don't go..." the pleads fell from your lips as you tightened your arms around diana. you refused to budge, your weren't going anywhere as you both stood at the at the cliffside of the island, the breeze gushing against you both, diana's hair flowing through the wind as the breeze ran its fingers through her hair. she furrowed her brows in a way that felt bitter-sweet. seeing you cry over her announcement of her departure felt like a dagger was being jabbed repeatedly in the gut, breaking through her armor.
"it is my duty now... my destiny bestowed upon me by the gods y/nโ... to protect the weak who have been kicked down onto their knees to cower below monsters who tremor before the likes of them." she spoke subtly, running a hand down your back, her fingers grazing along the cotton garments of your robe.
biting down on your lip, you pulled yourself back from her her brace and stared at her eyes still red, puffy, and glassy. the sound of your silent but noticeable hiccups followed before you abruptly slapped your hands onto her shoulders, almost immediately locking eyes with her and glaring at her.
"fine... i'm coming with you."
your teeth gritted as you said it, in your mind, thoughts began to rush. this time, you had truly spoken without even giving yourself a chance to think about the actions that you were willing to take just for your sister to not leave. gods! you didn't even know if the mortal world was for your calling. your heart began beating uncertainly as you truly started to take into account of what you had just said.
diana looked at you as if you were insane. she grabbed your hands and removed them from her shoulders, and began to slowly shake her head, you couldn't tell if it was disapproval or disappointment, maybe both. "sister, do not be obscene! you know mother would not refuse to letting the both of us goโ do not make such brash decisions out of the complications of your emotions!โ" she scolded you, a look of worry had washed over her face. she refused, she couldn't live with herself in knowing you could be harmed.
"but i want to diana... i too am allowed to make my own decisions!โ please, think of this.... the two of us are better than one!" you hastily shouted as diana began to walk away and you followed after her in an urgency. she wouldn't hear you out, she wasn't doing it, she refused.
then you stopped and yelled, "DIANA PLEASE!... please iโ.... i want to fight by your sideโ" your voice broke as tears still slipped down your cheeks, blurring your vision in the process.
she stopped once she heard you yelling, turning around slowly to meet your saddened gaze, listening to the cracking of your voice. "โnot only as your sister... but as a warrior. an amazon.... diana i beg you, to let me join you in protecting the weak."
you didn't even know if you would truly be viewed as protector to the world among men. what did the world beyond themyscira even offer to you to truly protect? what if you were really just thinking too boldly in wanting to follow your sister's desire to protect the human world?
you would just have to find out, won't you?
diana sighs, you could tell it's deep, the low rumble of her breath escapes into the salty air of island's beach. "...i suppose we are to make a good argument to mother, let's go now."
the relief soared through your body in a way that made you want to drop to your knees.
sculpted from clay and given life by the gods, you were created alongside your sister, to go onward and protect the weak with the fruits bestowed upon you from birth.
as you follow diana down the path of the cliffside, you could only ponder on what outside world had to offer for you.
what did destiny have to offer you now?
"you are so damn beautiful. tell me how did i get so god damn lucky with you hm?"
you let out a series of giggles and laughter. sets of kisses were pressed along your jaw slowly running down your throat. so this is where life had brought you?
it had been so very long since you had left the place you had once called paradise and your home. since you had left to join your sister in a journey to a world beyond your own discoveries that laid outside of themyscira. life was unimaginable for the longest while, you did miss your home. you missed your mother most of all, but you knew hippolyta would want you and diana lead on with stride of the way of the amazons.
world was a culture shock for you. the people. the life was so different from back home.
it made furthered you to want to protect sacred balance of life. but you had never expected such evils to lie in a place where beauty should bloom and flutter from all corners of the earth. you wouldn't let anything keep you from your of being a shield to the people who needed it. you were devoted to being the blessing that people needed for your entire life, you weren't going to slow down, not when you were by diana's side or as she began to be called by the people, wonder woman.
that all changed in a click, though.
"must you no?... it's incredibly early!" you whisper shouted to your husband, as you cupped his head. gently caressing each of your thumbs along the back of his neck as made his way down your chest, softly peppering kisses all over your skin and collar bone. "i can't love my wife? don't tell me i married you for no purpose, sweetheart?" he raised a brow, hands slowly creeping under the night shirt that you had worn to bed that night. tracing circles on your skin, that went closer and closer up to your bra.
"bruce! it's 5 in the morning!" you shout silently at him and slap his back, laughter continues to escape your lips.
never in your wildest dreams, had you expected to get married. you didn't imagine yourself falling in love, it seemed like only the type of things hippolyta would read from old stories to you and diana when your were just children. but, you are to never doubt destiny, right?
it was sort of shocking the way you and bruce ended up together. after years of fighting with diana as a duo together, you both had gone your separate ways. you both figured that you'd do good work if you were able to travel to other places around the world and help more people. the decision was mostly made on your part, though it meant actually being away from your sister this time, and no convincing one another to come.
but those years lead you to discover powers in yourself that you had never known. you were goddess walking among men.
in that time you knew she joined, she wrote to you saying they were named the justice league. that's how you would find out about a hero named batman. that's how you'd meet bruce.
"you just got back from patrol, darling... i believe it's time for you to rest." you spoke in a hushed tone, giggling once more as you felt him hoist your legs up around his waist and your earnestly secured your place, wrapping your legs around him. his hands traced the curve of your waist, his touch slow and reverent. the soft glow of the bedside lamp, you watched him look at you as if your were the only thing that existed, your own breath catching in your throat as your lips were caught in a sudden kiss.
you were his everything, the day that you both were on the same page, he knew you were his. bruce had been used to his fair share of women in his youth, he didn't get the title of "billionaire playboy" for nothing. his charm with women had been a facade for some time to mask his true nature, its what made him in sense. but when it came to you, it became all true.
you were his wife, he would do anything for you.
as your bodies molded against eachother in a desperate need for closeness, you both were flushed together. bruce's fingers began to slip their way downward of your hips, running along the lining of your underwear. he continued to kiss you with an intensity of longing, like he couldn't wait to return to you after his patrol of gotham. he was still in the bottom half of his armor, that's how much he couldn't wait.
the breaths you let out were shaky, your giggles were still stifled by his lips. there were moments were you gasped against his lips, as moans escaped yours, pulling his face closer to yours. "bruce lock the doorโ"
the sound of door to your bedroom, suddenly being opened immediately made your eyes jump open from a state of pure relaxed, lust to immediate horror as if you had scene pure ware. the light in the hallway entered the room, and like it was a stage light, it shun on both you and your husband. from the entrance you could see a tall figure towering there.
"ma, dick wants to know if you could hold his hand while he's gettin' stitchedโ OH FUCK! JESUS, WHAT THE FUCK?" it was jason, one of your sons, of it was him. only that boy could swear like he was the captain of a ship.
the red helmet he once held to his side, drops to the carpeted ground in an immediate thud as he groans loudly in utter disgust(and betrayal) using his hands to shield his eyes from what he had to bare witness.
the embarrassment clouds over you and throw a pillow straight at jason's head, your aim meticulous. "CLOSE THE DOOR!" you yell at him, shoo-ing him out because he's clearly drawing attention. if your face could change its color entirely, you'd most likely be the shade of a tomato.
"oh my god... oh my godddโ this changes everything for me, bruce you seriously couldn't keep it in your pants we just got back!" okay, now he's just being dramatic. i mean, who could blame him? if someone were to walk in on their parents having sex, they would probably want to rip their eye balls out of their eye sockets too.
"GET OUT AND CLOSE THE DOOR!โ" Bruce shouts and jason stares at him and his face scrunches in disgust, "YOU'RE STILL ON TOP OF HER!"
"jason, you're yelling really loud, where's mom?โ AH! AH! AH!โ" tim, another one of your sons, appears from behind his brother who's standing there, body completely stunned from the shock of what he's looked at. unfortunately, like jason, tim yells, voice at the highest bass and pitch. the color from the boy's face completely drains at the sight of bruce half naked on you. your poor babies.
"BOTH OF YOU GET OUT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" bruce yells once more, getting off of you and off the king-sized bed. you cover your face turning away to face the large curtains. you were blessed truly, you had a husband, and with him came children who you vowed to protect like your own.
but moments like this, made you question your sanity.
both tim and jason are dragged out of the room by bruce, you could hear him sternly scolding jason especially on a key concept of knocking.
breakfast was going to be god awkward in a few hours time.
your life with your husband had its moments. through everything you only loved bruce. however, you learned of the risks that it would have being of someone with his status. the entire world practically knew the last name "wayne". if you didn't, you must've been on mars definitely.
when the press found out you both were dating, it was practically hell on earth. you both had to meet in the most secret and secluded spots. at times he invested in his private islands. you both would even be dressed head to toe in the most ridiculous disguises. you fondly remember laughing at the time he showed up to one of your spots in a realistic mask that made him unrecognizable.
but when you both got engaged, the public erupted.
paparazzi would swarm bruce's private cars as you both left galas together. they were like a ravenous wolf pack, hungering to photograph "billionaire, bruce wayne and his mysterious fiancรฉe?" seeing who would be the first one to push out the story of spotting you both to the public.
they were relentless, never ever stopping for a second. you remembered finally making it into the car with bruce the night of a charity ball, and the anxiety that crawled up your skin when the night turned into a blinding, stuttering slideshow of flashes nearly made you crack. a swarm of paparazzi had cornered your car, their shutters clicked in a deafening, metallic chorus. you both barely made it out of there.
not a single lesson from the amazons could've prepared you for moments like those. you had a strong will, you were a "tough cookie" according to your oldest, dick. but you sometimes could never handle the fame that came to being bruce wayne's wife. being mrs.wayne was sometimes enough to make or break you... but you would persevere. atleast you tried?
"i do not understand why we must partake in such childish errands, y/n." damien said to you as he held the ice-cream cone in his hand, staring down at the dessert as if it was alien to him. the nine year old tilted his hand, a thick, sugary ribbon of vanilla, already losing its shape, snaked down the side of the cone and onto his knuckles. his teeth grits in annoyance before he sucks his teeth, "it's getting everywhere..."
you grab a napkin, sighing as you hold onto his wrist to wipe of the remnants of the melted ice-cream on his hands before they could get to the cuffs of his school uniform. "damien, you are a child... use your mouth and eat it. i can assure you that it is not poisonous, seeโ it tastes goodโ mmm" you murmur wirh a sweet smile on your face, licking your lips from the taste of chocolate from your own cone. damien rolls his eyes licks around the sides of the waffle cone, he stops for a short second as the flavors hit the receptors of his taste bud. maybe he doubted this too quickly.
"well, i doubt regular poisons would affect you considering you aren't a human... but i suppose this does taste satisfactory to me." he says silently as he continues to eat his ice-cream before sitting down on the park's bench. you chuckle at his response before taking a seat next to him.
damien was, an "interesting" child to say the least.
being his stepmother felt so odd. in themyscira, "motherhood" was a communal heartbeat, it was a shared raising of sisters by sisters. but here, in the silence of the manor some of your children weren't there, the title felt like a suit of armor that didn't quite fit. damien did not require nurturing, he was a child that was forced to grow up much faster than he was intended to do. he was a creature of edge and instinct, a fledgling hawk who had been taught to hunt before he was taught to speak. for you to even offer him a soft hand would be to invite a blade. instead, you learned to offer him your respect.
even as damian begrudgingly admitted the ice cream was "satisfactory" the peace of the park felt fragile, like glass ready to shatter under the weight of the wayne name.
โthe first flash was a familiar sting, a sharp, artificial spark that didn't belong in the natural dappled light of the trees. then came the second. And the third.
"mrs.wayne! is this the new heir?" a voice barked, thick with a nuisance greed that made your blood slowly begin to boil. "ay kid, look this way! 'gimme a smile for the front page!" just like that two men emerged from the bushes like scavengers circling a wounded animal. they couldn't give two fucks or more if damien was only a child. they only saw dollar signs.
damien's posture stiffened instantly. the vanilla cone remained in left his hand, but his right dropped to his side, fingers curling into the precise shape of a strike. the shade of green color of his eyes, usually full of youthful arrogance, turned cold and lethal. he wasn't a boy in a park anymore, he was a weapon unsheathing. an al ghul.
your jaw tightened, your grabbed his hand pulling him up, fixing the biege trench coat you wore. "let's go, just ignore them and don't respond..." you whisper down to damien, holding him close to you, your heels clicking against the concrete of the pavement as you walked with sheer determination to get away from those men.
but they didn't stop, they never do.
the taller paparazzi laughed from behind, continuing to run after you both, his camera shutter clicking in a deafening, metallic chorus. "come on, mrs. wayne, give us a quote! is it true the boy was raised inโ"
he wouldn't finish. he ran infront of you both, lunging forward, trying to get a close-up of damianโs face, effectively cornering the boy against the park bench and breaking his hold away from your hand. you stumbled backward, nearly falling onto the ground with the sudden push. you were thankful that you caught onto the fountain next to you, and that's what finally did it for you.
fuck preserving.
in a quick motion, you stood up throwing your purse to the side. you tried not hurt people who were weaker than you, it went against your moral code. but today, this man was finally testing it against you. when you left themyscira all those years ago, you made an oathe to protect others from threats that could harm them and it was safe to say... this could be defined as a threat.
in a blur of motion, you were between that paparazzi and damien. hand shooting out catching the photographer by the thick knot of his collar and with a single, effortless jerk, you hoisted him off the pavement. his boots dangled, four inches above the grass. his camera swung wildly on its strap, hitting his chest with a dull thud. his partner froze, the color draining from his face, immediately he realizing he was looking at something far more dangerous than a "socialite."
you lean close to his face, voice calm, but your eyes spoke otherwise. they were clearly running with a aggressive force of anger.
โ"you have mistaken my patience for weakness..." you said to him, grip tightening just enough to make the fabric groan. "this is not a public forum. this is my child. if you do not cease this harassment and vanish from this park immediately, rest assure that i ensure you will regret ever drawing breath near his vicinity... do we understand?"
you didn't need to shout, you were pretty sure he got the message clear.
"i said do we understand... am i clear?"
the photographer nodded frantically, his eyes wide with a primal terror. once you dropped him, he stumbled back, nearly tripping over his own feet. without a word, both men scrambled toward the parking lot, their "wolf pack" mentality utterly broken by the sheer presence of a lioness. as they retreated, you could hear one of them yell, "chick's fuckin' crazy!" you didn't need to care, all that mattered was that damien was safe.
you took a slow breath, smoothing you dress from the underneath of your coat, and turned back to damian. he was watching you, his hand no longer a fist. for the first time, you saw a flicker of something that wasn't defiance in his eyes, it was recognition. a softeness.
โ"your form was... acceptable." damian muttered, flicking a stray drop of melted vanilla off his knuckle, staring at the ice-cream cone that he dropped in the process of what had happened. "though a strike to the larynx would have been more efficient."
you laughed and took up a napkin wiping his knuckles. "i still achieved victory in knowing your safety wasn't breached..." you said and smiling before taking his hand once more. your heart warmed when you felt him hold back onto you, it gave your pride knowing he too could be nutured. he was still a child.
but gods.... the press get everything.
"HAAHAHA!!โ LOOK AT HIS FACE BRUCE LOOK AT HIS FACE!!" dick laughs as he holds his phone up to your husband's face, but could barely contain his laughter and he falls onto the couch, then rolls onto the ground. he heaves, holding his stomach in pure glee at what he looked at on his phone. bruce could only sigh at his son's antics, but directs his atttention towards the vidoe on dick's phone, before his slightly widens at the sights.
turns out at the park, when you those photographers were harassing you and damien, a passerby happened to record the entire altercation... including the part where you lifted the man off the ground by his shirt collar. now it's blowing up everywhere.
you sighed, though a flush of heat was creeping up your neck. the video on the screen looped for the tenth time, your arm extended with effortless grace, the paparazziโs feet dangling uselessly like a broken marionetteโs.โ "t-the way his camera just... clattered against his chest!" dick wheezed, rolling onto his back on the rug, clutching his stomach. "b-bruce, look! you can see the exact moment he realizes heโs not dealing with a gotham socialite."
"dick please, you're going to hyperventilate..." you say as you rub the bridge of your nose. bruce didn't laugh. he remained standing, his eyes fixed on the footage with that analytical squint he usually reserved for crime scenes. his silence felt heavy, making the "suit of armor" feeling return to your chest. your throat felt dry, this time you felt as if you had snapped your moral obligation in half, almost as if you had messed up this time for the worse.
"bruce iโ... the situation was escalating," you began, your voice firm but carrying a hint of apology. "he was cornering damian, the boy was merely seconds away from taking the man's eyes out with his fingersโ" you stammered out, hands still shaking slightly as you attempted to explain yourself.
"i would've had the situation under control, father... but I suppose her form of neutralization was "simpler"..." damian snapped from the armchair, his arms crossed tightly over his turtleneck. he looked more annoyed by dick's volume than the viral video, though he pointedly refused to look at the screen. tim, sitting on the edge of the sofa with his laptop, let out a dry, tired huff. "damian, you would have been on interpolโs radar by sunset. at least this way, the headlines just say 'billionaire's wife is secretly a worldclass powerlifter.'"
"yeah, maybe you should say thank you, you little shitโ" jason grunted rolling his eyes grunted from the corner, leaning against the bookshelf. he kicked at dickโs foot. "can you shut the hell up up for five minutes? some of us have a headache." jason spat out, a vein of irritation growing on the side of his head.
dick didn't shut up, he just let out a fresh peal of laughter.
โyou turned back to your husband. "i am sorry if this complicates things for the company, bruce. i know we try to keep a low profile, but seeing them swarm him like wolves... no lesson from themyscira teaches you to just stand by while your own are hunted..."
bruce's expression softens at your genuine apology. he steps toward you, his expression warm in a way the public never got to see. he ignored the cackling from the floor and the bickering of his sons, he just reaches out, his hand resting steady and warm on your cheek. "sweetheart, you don't need to defend yourself to me." bruce said, his voice a low, grounding rumble. "you protected damien. you de-escalated a league-trained assassin and a persistent harasser without a single injury. as far as i'm concerned, thatโs a win."
he glanced down at dick, who was now showing the video to alfred. โ"besidesโ" bruce added with the ghost of a smirk, "โitโs nice to see someone else in this family taking the heat for once. itโs almost satisfactory, wouldn't you say, damian?" damian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue, he only scowled.
"you're doing such a good job..." bruce murmured bringing you into a hug wrapping an arm around your waist. you nuzzle your cheek into his sweater and sigh, gripping onto his side. "mrs. wayne" the title feel less like ill-fitting armor and more like a badge of honor. "you're a hero in ways the world doesn't see. keeping this family together, keeping him safe from himself, is a feat greater than anything before..."
โhe leaned in, his forehead resting against yours for a brief, raising your chin up so you can meet his eyes. you were breathless just for a second before he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to your lips. it was a grounding kiss, one that tasted of home and shared secrets, momentarily silencing the noise of the world outside and the laughter still bubbling from the floor.
"oh fuckโ not this again..." jason breaks the moment with a face that looks like he's scene hell itself. his nose wrinkles as his lips curl into a sneer. tim on the other hand, looks up from his laptop and immediately freezes still before he closes his laptop, takes it out and walks out of the room. the memories of that morning had clearly rushed back to his mind and polluted it immediately.
"tt. utterly unrefined," damian muttered, though he didn't look away quite as fast as he usually did.
โbruce pulled back just an inch, a rare, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he kept his arm draped protectively around your waist. dick laid on the ground scrolling through his phone, just shaking his head. that's mostly because he's seen worse.
you were an amazon, a warrior, a wife, and more importantly a mother. all those roles aligned in a way that you never thought destiny could bring to you. when you really thought the world beyond themyscira had nothing at all to offer you. a new paradise had opened it gates to you, and you couldn't ask for more.
"mom, you practically have everyone on your side. they're calling you amazing in the comments under this video." dick says in awe to before turning the phone screen to you. you look at one of the hundreds of comments that reads, "mrs.wayne is literally a goddess. did you see that grip strength? she didn't even break a sweat. if were that paparazzi, i'd move to another continent immediately. we stan a queen who protects her kid!"
SYNOPISIS: โwe are all born beautifulโฆ the greatest tragedy is being convinced we are not.โ
sculpted from clay and given life by the gods, you were created alongside your sister, diana of themyscira, your twin in form, and fate. gifted the divine fruits of invulnerability and truth-compelling abilities. you walk amongst a world filled with gods and goddesses.
however, in a mortal world, you find an unlikely mirror in bruce wayne, a man forged by grief and secrecy, whose life is defined by masks and unspoken truths. as his wife, you become both his anchor, his reckoning, and his beloved. as a mother, you become a protector to the children you've vowed to guard with gifts that were bestowed upon you the day you took a breath in this world.
how will the chronicles of your life follow?
OUR MAIN CHARACTERS: bruce wayne(batman) x amazonian!reader
OUR SUPPORTING CHARACTERS: alfred pennyworth, dick grayson, jason todd, tim drake, damien wayne, duke thomas, cassie cane, stephanie brown, barbara gordon, diana prince, the justice league and whoever graces the screen.
CONTENT WARNING: this storyline may contain mentions of violence, death, explicit or suggestive language, use of alcohol, angst, trauma, injuries, mentions of the death of a loved one, depression, use of substances, suggestive themes, as well as sexual themes.if you are uncomfortable with any of these themes, please avoid reading.
for starters, one, i would deeply like to apologize for my hiatus on this app!
ALOT happened, mainly concerning how i publish my stories on tumblr, mainly through the use of my computer. i broke that and ended up losing most of my drafts for new stories i was coming out with. that had me in a little rut, but thankfully i got my hands on a new laptop so yay!!
secondly, writer's block is a bit of a bitch. when i lost one of my main stories i was writing, i couldn't come up with how to re-write it(cause i lost the draft notes for those too). i was also really lost on how i could make other stories that could be different from others and ones that i've made before.
however, it's time for me to make my ultimate comeback for you, the people!
so, starting in a while, i'd like to list out a few stories that will soon(HOPEFULLY AND WILLINGLY) be released. i am still very busy with my life, so releasing stories will take HEAVY amounts of time, i am sorry...
1. navigation post for a batmom series, based off one of my posts. where the reader is the twin sister of wonderwoman
2. my first jjk post, nanami x black!reader
3. thunderbolts fic, where the reader is a kryptonian
4. supergirl x fem!reader
this is the current list of stories that i'm planning on releasing in order, hopefully lol. feel free to ask for requests that so that I can have new ideas on what i can do next!
pairing: teenage dirtbag!bucky barnes x popular girl!reader
warnings: 18+ MDNI, smut, banter, enemies w/ benefits, bucky bashes on trap music (sorry if you like it), pining but semi unrequited, john walker (kind of slandering him. also sorry), angst if you squint, miscommunication, fluff, semi-public sex, alcohol, jealousy, m!masturbation, soft dom!bucky, dacryphilia, degradation, dirty talking, pet names: "pretty princess" "angel"
word count: 11.7k
masterlist
a/n: getting a lot of rodrick x regina edits on the tiktok tl... so i had to whip out a fanfic inspired by that. i called bucky a teenage dirtbag but they're in college. dedicated to the biggest teenage dirtbag rodrick rules herself @54nboo. erin rules.
synopsis:
You're the picture-perfect popular pretty girlโall style, smiles, and social status. Bucky is the typical campus dirtbagโloud music, attitude, and bad decisions. You can't stand him, and he fucking hates your guts.
That is, until one house party changes everything. When Bucky catches you headbanging to classic rock instead of pop, instead of hating your guts, he ended up being inside your guts.
Youโre desperate to keep your arrangement quiet for the sake of your reputation, but Bucky is growing tired of being your dirty little secret.
Metallica. AC/DC. Led Zeppelin. Guns Nโ Roses. Iron Maiden.
Bands that unite everyone with sick riffs and pure rock energy that still blasts through peopleโs headphones and car stereos to this day. Timeless. Monumental. Sensational.
You could be complete opposites with someoneโhell, even sworn enemiesโbut thereโs one thing people will always agree on, and thatโs good fucking music.
And thatโs exactly why Bucky canโt stand what heโs seeing right now.
Because there you areโsitting in the student unionโwithJohn fucking Walker beside you, talking your ear off about โseventeen thirty-eight,โ โstrip clubs,โ and โtrap beats.โ
All telltale signs of shitty music. Music Bucky hatesโand music he definitely knows you hate too.
Yet there you sat, in your cute little pink outfit, twirling a strand of hair around your finger and nodding along to every word Americaโs Asshole had to say.
โBuck,โ Steve called, his eyes glued to his laptop screen. โDid you already submit your article forโโ he glanced up mid-sentence and paused when he noticed Buckyโs glare fixated somewhere past him.
Steveโs eyes followed, glancing over his shoulder, and he let out an agitated sigh at the sight.
โSo fucking stupid,โ Bucky muttered under his breath, clicking angrily at his pen.
โBuck,โ Steve tried again.
Bucky sat up straight, tearing his eyes away from you. โWhat?โ
โStop looking at her,โ Steve lectured, tapping away on his laptop. โYouโve got no chance.โ
Bucky let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh, shaking his head. Heโd heard that claim a hundred times from his friends, but only he knew the truth.
He did have a chance with you.
He had a chance with you that night weeks ago, when he locked eyes with you across the crowd at a house party. He remembered the night clearly. Some underground garage band was thrashing in the backyard, and he was squeezing through the crowd to find the bathroomโthatโs when he saw you. All the breath was knocked out of his lungs. He thought you were the most beautiful thing heโd ever seen.
He never expected to find someone like youโsomeone whoโs popular and thrives on the attention of football playersโat a party like that, much less listening to music like this.
The whole concept of popularity in college was stupid. He thought that shit ended in high school, but you proved him wrong, and he hated you for it. Every man turned their head when you walked by, girls started dressing like you, and everyone scrambled for an invitation to the parties you hosted.
God, he fucking despised girls like you.
But there you were that night, stripped away from all the popularity, the tight clothes and short skirts, and the preppy makeup. You were justโฆ a dirtbag.
Just like him.
Bucky didnโt know what came over him, but he started moving before he could think, his feet carrying him through the crowd toward you. He tapped you on the shoulder and you turned, eyes bright and wild. He said your name, and youโฆ just stared at him.
He remembered that face clearly, a blank look that told him he was no one to you.
Of course you didnโt know his name. You were complete opposites after all.
He immediately regretted walking over to you. At that point, he wished the ground wouldโve just swallowed him whole.
Just as he turned to leave, you snagged his wrist and smiled.
Then you said, โBucky Barnes, right?โ
And then that night, he took you to the bathroom, where he fucked you hard against the sink, the door, and the toilet seatโkept you full of his cock until you were a crying, moaning mess. It was the best night of his life. The sloppy sex, your voice crying his name through the music, your manicured fingernails digging into his back and gripping his hair. He could never forget it, because that night replayed in his mind every time he jerked off to the thought of you.
You exchanged numbers, and the next morning, he woke up to a text message from you that ended your guysโ story before it could even start.
๐: hey
๐: can we keep what happened last night between the two of us?
No explanation. Bucky didnโt need one.
And like the stupid idiot he was, he let you get away.
bucky: yeah
bucky: looks bad
From there on, you were his dirty little secret.
And he was yours.
โI donโt know why that girlโs got you wrapped around her perfectly polished finger,โ Steve continued, snapping Bucky back to reality. โYouโve got girls throwing themselves at you after every show, yet you canโt stop staring at her. I thought we hated girls like her?โ
Buckyโs jaw clenched, his eyes drifting back to you and John. โI do hate her.โ
โHate her or want to fuck her?โ
Bucky shot him a sharp glare. โSteve.โ
Steve chuckled and raised his hands up in surrender, shrugging. โIโm just sayinโ. Itโs hard to tell nowadays with you.โ He shut his laptop and got up, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. โAnd donโt forget about the gig thisโโ
Steve grinned, ruffling Buckyโs shaggy hair before Bucky swatted his hand away. โGood boy.โ
โGet out of my face, Steve.โ
Once Steve was out of the way, Buckyโs eyes naturally flickered back to you. By the time he was looking, you were already staring at himโnot at John Walker, but at him. You shouldโve looked away, but right now, the only interesting thing in this room was Bucky. Not the blonde droning on about โsicko modeโ or โmo bamba,โ whatever the hell those words even meant.
And how could you possibly look away when Bucky was holding your gaze just as intensely?
But then, with an agitated sigh that you could practically hear across the union, he swiped his belongings off the table and left the room, breaking the silent staring contest.
โSo anyway,โ John spoke up. โAre you coming this Friday?โ
You turned to him, reluctantly. โWhatโs happening on Friday?โ
John laughed, almost disbelieving. It was very obvious from the start that you werenโt listening to himโnor did you have the intention toโyet he still stayed. John was persistent: heโd get into the skirts of any attractive, popular girl on campus, and for a football player like him, having a hot girl on his arm was simply an ego boost.
โThe big game is on Friday,โ he said flatly, as if you were the stupid one. โAnd then the frat party right after.โ
โOh,โ you blinked, trying to play dumb. โRight.โ
A small, almost doubtful smile tugged at his lips. โSo youโre coming, right?โ
You forced a smile so wide it hurt. โOf course I am.โ
John let out a low whistle, clapping his hands together loud enough to make a few heads turn. You had to bite the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from cringing.
โThatโs my girl!โ
My girl?
You couldnโt hold the cringe back anymore, your face scrunching up into a sour expression before you could stop it. John was too far ahead of himself to even notice. You got up suddenly, snapping John out of his little victory dance.
โIโm going back to the chapter house to studyโโ
โOh!โ John immediately jumped up with you. โLet me walk you back, then.โ
โI can walk myself,โ you said, flashing a polite smile as you pushed your chair in and made your escape before he could argue.
Behind you, you heard John gathering his things frantically, the chair squeaking as he scurried after you. โWait!โ he called out, but you continued walking, pretending not to hear him.
You pushed the door open, and just as it was about to swing shut, John slammed his hand against the frame, barely catching it as he held the door open for himself.
โWaitโhold onโโ
You rolled your eyes and continued walking, but you stopped short at the sight of Bucky standing in front of the message center. He was messily pinning up posters, scattering them across the board and blatantly covering the existing ones before his. Once John caught up, he opened his mouth to speak but noticed your attention was caught elsewhere. His eyes followed yoursโand then he saw Bucky.
Bucky was covering up the frat party posters John had hung up earlier today, not even trying to be sneaky or ashamed about it.
โThat fucking asshole,โ John muttered under his breath, already stomping angrily toward Bucky.
โJohn,โ you reached out, trying to stop him, but it was too late. โWait!โ
โDirtbag Barnes!โ John called out, finally catching up to him. His face was twisted in an angry, unpleasant look. He scrunched up his nose, looking down at Bucky like he was trashโeven though there was only about an inch difference in height.
โWhat the hell do you think youโre doing?โ
Bucky gave him an impassive look. โIโm putting up posters for my gig this Friday. What else?โ
John scoffed. โYouโre covering up my flyers for my party.โ
โNo one wants to go to that shit anyway.โ
John let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking his head. His jaw clenched, and he fisted his hands at his sides. Just as he was about to raise one for a punchโleaving Bucky completely unflinchingโyou stepped in the middle.
โJesus Christ, John!โ you glared at him, putting your hand out defensivelyโa small, absurd barrier against a football player. You knew John was an asshole, but you also knew he wouldnโt risk his reputation and his spot on the team by laying a hand on a woman.
John sneered, dropping his hand reluctantly.
Bucky, meanwhile, offered him a smug, taunting grin. โWould you look at that,โ he drawled. His eyes tracked you up and down slowly, before flicking back to John. โYour guardian angel, dressed in pink, here to rescue you.โ
John let out a cruel, barking laugh at the comment. The taunt should have offended you, but you found yourself physically tilting your head down, trying to hide the pink flush on your cheeks as you bit back a smile, because... wellโฆ
Bucky had called you an angel!
โI donโt need โrescuing,โโ John crossed his arms, completely oblivious to your reaction. โIf anything, she was the one who saved you. If it werenโt for her, you already wouldโve been doubled over on the floor with a bloodied fucking nose.โ
โGreat,โ Buckyโs smile only grew wider. โHaving a bruised nose would look sick when I perform on Friday.โ
John made a face of disgust. โYouโre fucking disgusting.โ
โAnd youโre a fucking asshole. What else is new?โ
โBucky,โ you warned.
His shoulders deflated just slightly. John mumbled something under his breath, already half-turned away and seemingly forgetting his mission to "walk you back to the house."
โDonโt linger around that dirtbag for too long,โ John scoffed. โUnless you want to start smelling like trash.โ
He gave Bucky one last dirty look, then turned back to the poster board, violently ripping one of Buckyโs posters down. He crumpled it in his hands, tossed the ruined paper haphazardly at Bucky, and finally walked away.
Once John was out of sight, Bucky turned his full attention to you. You didnโt even need to look at him to know the expression on his face; you could feel his judgmental glare burning into the back of your head. You turned to meet his eyes.
โHey, loser.โ You teased, trying to play dumb.
โJohn fucking Walker,โ he said with an incredulous laugh. โHim, out of all people? Seriously?โ He looked down at the crumpled paper in his hands, slowly unfolding it. โCanโt say Iโm surprised,โ he mumbled the last partโbut you heard it perfectly clear.
โJohn and I arenโt datingโโ
โYeah?โ Bucky cut you off. โThen why is he following you around like some lost fucking puppy?โ
โI donโt know! He wonโt leave me alone. He only keeps an arm around my shoulder because it makes him look good. Itโs nothing serious,โ you said defensively.
You honestly didnโt know why youโd let John hover around you like this for the past few days, or why you had done nothing to stop it. You were used to guysโespecially the popular onesโflocking to you; being near you gave them an incredible ego boost. You were just an accessory, and before, you hadnโt cared. You thought the same thing of men like John. You werenโt any better.
But after meeting Bucky, after letting him touch and defile you the way he did at the house party, a deeper part of you couldnโt help but keep John slung over your shoulder just to see Bucky riled up and jealous.
โNothing serious,โ he nodded, the understanding look completely fake. โJust like the guy before? And the one before that?โ
You crossed your arms. โWhat are you insinuating? That Iโm some kind of slut?โ
Bucky just grinned, playing with your reaction.
โNo. Not at all, angel.โ He took a step closer, his fingertips catching the ends of your hair, twirling it tauntingly in his fingers. โBecause those guys havenโt had you the way I had you, is that right?โ
You sucked in a sharp breath and glanced around warily. You hated how easily your body still reacted to him. You circled his wrist, prying his hand away with a shaky grip.
โBucky,โ you sighed, managing a firmer voice. โWhat we had weeks agoโit was a one-time thing. Someone like me would neverโโ
โ...fuck around with a sleaze like me?โ he tilted his head down at you, the look almost condescending despite the self-insult. โIs that what you were going to say?โ
Truthfully, you were drawn to Bucky as powerfully as he was drawn to you. But you couldnโt date someone like him. College was about networking, surrounding yourself with upstanding people who would connect you to future success. Being around Buckyโall dark, baggy clothes, shaggy hair, stubble, and loud musicโfelt like a direct detour from that steady path.
Yet, you relished the way he fawned over you.
But then a colder feeling snapped you back to realityโmaybe Bucky was no different from John. Maybe, by having a woman like you on his arm, he was just building his own brand of reputation, too.
That reminder alone was enough to bring you crashing back hard down to earth.
โBucky, letโs be real,โ you insisted, jutting a hip and crossing your arms to maintain confidence. โAside from our music taste, we have nothing in common. We have no chemistry.โ
You expected Bucky to be upset by thatโto finally give up and retreat. But Bucky, unpredictable as always, only smiled wider. He leaned in, his warm, low breath feathering against your ear.
โOh, princess,โ he cooed, his voice low and raspy. โYou didnโt even know what chemistry was until you met me.โ
Your face immediately warmed with sudden heat. You couldnโt understand how Buckyโa guy who managed to set most people off with an unintentional string of words and only hung out with the same three peopleโcould make you melt with such a simple phrase.
โTh-thatโsโฆโ you cleared your throat, already turning halfway, โโฆso unbelievably corny.โ
Bucky chuckled behind you, but before you could take three full steps, he called your name.
Like an idiot, you stopped and turned back around.
โCan you make it this Friday?โ he asked, and suddenly he didnโt sound so confident. His brow furrowed just slightly, and his shoulders slumped a little with genuine appeal.
โTo your gig?โ you frowned.
He nodded, handing you the crumpled, unfolded paper of his flyer. You glanced down at it; in big, bold black letters, โCIVIL WARโ was written in the center in a messy grunge, edgy style.
Bucky pressed his lips together, already knowing what you were thinking. John had his football game and the frat party on the same night. And one thing Bucky knew about you was that you never skipped out on a party.
He glanced at Johnโs remaining poster on the message board, then back at you.
โCome on. Just skip a party for one night and come watch me play instead,โ he pleaded. โListen to actual good music. Not thatโฆ trap shit Walker was going on about.โ He motioned lazily with his hand toward Johnโs poster.
โI wonโt go,โ you said flatly. But despite your words, you folded the crumpled paper neatly and tucked it into your shoulder bag.
He smiled as he watched you. โThatโs a shame. I want to see my pretty girl in pink cheering my name in the crowd.โ
You felt like the breath got knocked out of your lungs. When John Walker called you his girl just a few minutes ago, you wanted to double over and hurl vomit all over his pristine Nikes. But hearing Bucky call you his girlโhis pretty girlโmade you want to drop everything and run into his arms.
But instead, you inhaled a steady breath and turned on your heel. โIโm not going to that dump just to watch mediocre playing,โ you shouted over your shoulder.
Bucky just barked a laugh behind youโa sound that couldnโt help but make a smile tug reluctantly at your lips.
โAlright. Iโll see you there, princess.โ
It was Wednesday night, and Bucky was practicing drums in his garage with the rest of Civil War: Steve on lead guitar and vocals, Sam on backup guitar and vocals, and Natasha on bass.
Mid-song, Nat stilled her fingers on the strings and shook her head, letting out an exasperated sigh. โSteve, are you getting sick? You sound off.โ
Steve turned from the microphone and gave Nat a look. โIโve been singing for two hours straight. Of course, I sound off.โ
โAmateur,โ Bucky coughed behind his fist.
Sam and Nat chuckled until Steve turned and gave them all a dirty look that silenced them. โShut the hell up, Buck. Youโre drumming off-beat too, and itโs throwing the rest of us off.โ
Bucky huffed a laugh. โThatโs impossible. Iโm the drummer, so technically, you all have to follow me.โ
Sam scrunched his face. โThatโs not how it works.โ
โWhatever,โ Nat cut in, already lifting the strap of her bass over her head. โLetโs all take five,โ she said, pointing a finger at Steve. โGo drink some water.โ
As everyone scattered, their idle chatter filling the garage, Buckyโs thoughts raced back to you. Heโd sounded so confident when he said, โIโll see you there,โ but in reality, he wasnโt confident at all. He knew girls like you were avid partygoers, and he hadnโt cared until he met youโuntil he had a taste, until he had marked your body and claimed it as his.
Now, the idea of you going to that party, vulnerable among assholes like John Walker, sent his blood boiling.
He pulled his phone from the back pocket of his worn jeans and opened social media. Of course, he immediately saw a bunch of stories from tonightโs party. Seriously, what was the appeal of all these parties anyway? On a Wednesday night, too. It was unbelievable, he thought, even though he was staying up way past midnight rehearsing for his own gig.
His thumb idly scrolled through stories until a particular one stopped him cold. It was a brief video of you, dancing exuberantlyโand clearly drunkโto loud music. You were in your typical cute little outfit; short skirt, heels, and plenty of pink. Buckyโs jaw tightened as he replayed the clip, devouring every detail. Your skirt was riding high, giving the cameraโand everyone nearbyโan ample view of your legs. The way you moved, the way your body was bouncing as you dancedโฆ
It sent a thunderbolt of desire straight through his body and right to his dick.
โAlright, break timeโs over,โ Steve announced, tapping the microphone so the sound echoed through the garage. He looked over his shoulder at Bucky, who was still absorbed by his phone.
โBuck. Did you hear me? I said break timeโsโโ
โI gotta use the bathroom,โ Bucky snapped, shoving himself out of his drum seat. The cymbals clanged loudly as he bumped into them in haste.
โWhat? Where the hell are you goingโ!โ Sam barked, but Bucky was already past the door.
Bucky scrambled quickly to the bathroom, slamming the door shut and locking it. His phone shaky in his hands, he kept replaying the video of you over and over again. How badly he wanted to send you a text, to drive over there and pick you up just so he could keep you for himself. He wanted to be the only one to see you like thisโnot John Walker, not your stupid sorority posse of mean girls.
Just him.
His erection was pressing insistently against his boxers and jeans, and he knew he couldnโt go back out there inโฆ such a state.
He set his phone down on the bathroom sink, unbuckling his belt quickly, pushing his jeans down along with his boxers. His cock sprang out, heavy, slapping against his lower bellyโaching to be touched. He replayed the story a few more times, then shut his eyes as his eager hands went down to his dick with a low groan.
โFuck,โ he groaned to himself, tossing his head back as his mind started to fill with flashbacks of the night he had you.
He remembered you on your knees on the bathroom tile, taking him in your perfectly puckered lips that shined with a shimmery lip gloss.
โFuck, angelโฆโ he moaned as he balanced one hand against the wall, his forehead pressing against it as the other hand fisted his cock eagerly. His hand wasnโt nearly as soft, as warm, and as wet as your lips. But this would have to do for now.
He started rocking his hips into his hand as he remembered the way you batted your cute, long eyelashes at him. He groaned, his thumb swiping over his slit, spreading pre-cum over his cockhead.
โGod, babyโฆโ he sighed. โThis isnโt fucking fairโyou shouldnโt be flaunting yourself at theseโฆ stuโstupid parties,โ his fist moved faster, and his legs started to shake as he remembered your soft legs wrapped around his waist as he held you up and fucked you against the door.
โYou should be hereโฆ w-with me, fuck, baby.โ
He squeezed his eyes shut, his breath hissing out as his hand quickened its pace around his shaft. The more he surrendered to the filthy thoughts of you, the more his cock throbbed and jerked in his grasp.
He replaced the feel of his fist with the tight, wet warmth of your mouth. He visualized the way your tongue trailed along the heavy underside of his cock, lapping at every sensitive ridge. Buckyโs eyes snapped open, his vision blurred as he focused on the floor, imagining you kneeling directly in front of him.
โFuckโฆ just like that, baby,โ he moaned to himself, his hips moving in rhythm with his fist, as if you were taking him in your mouth.
โGonnaโฆ fuck, gonna paint your fucking pretty face with my seed, princess.โ
The imagined sounds of your moans and gasps drowned out the guitars and Steveโs singing from the next room. Your sweet voice, the way you cried his name and begged him to cum inside youโit was enough to shatter his control.
His rhythm broke, and his grip turned sloppy over his cock as he pulsed and shuddered. โFuckโฆ baby, Iโm gonna cumโโ he groaned, driving a hard and final thrust into his palm, spilling himself all over his fingers.
Catching his breath, he watched his seed drip down his hand and onto the cold tiles. With a soft sigh, he reached for the toilet paper, meticulously wiping himself and the floor clean.
Bucky knew this was wrong, finding arousal in the sight of you drunk at a party and fixating on the memory of the night you shared, but he was powerless to stop.
He claimed he hated you, but the hatred wasnโt for you.
It was for the fact that he couldnโt have you. It was for the fact that you wouldnโt choose him.
Samโs fist hammered on the bathroom door. โBuckyโwhat the hell are you doing in there?โ
โIโmโuh,โ Bucky stammered. โTaking a shit.โ
โWell, hurry the hell up. Steveโs getting upset and we need to nail this song down by Friday, man.โ
Bucky hauled his jeans up, his belt clanking as he swiftly buckled it into place. โTell that punk to inhale and exhale for five and Iโll be right out.โ
He couldnโt see it, but he could practically feel Samโs eye roll from just outside the door. Sam mumbled a quiet โwhatever,โ and the sound of his footsteps shuffled away from the door and down the hall.
Just as Bucky reached for the lock, his phone dinged with a notification. He looked down at the screen, and he felt his breath catch in his throat.
๐: bucky. can you pick me up? please?
And that was all it took.
He pocketed his phone and pushed the bathroom door open. He strode back to the garage to retrieve his jacketโinstantly earning a round of โwhere the hell do you think youโre going?โ from Sam, Steve, and Nat.
โIโve got an emergency, justโฆโ he motioned dismissively, โpractice without me.โ
They continued to argue right up until Bucky snatched his keys and stomped out the front door and into his car, but he didnโt heed their complaintsโyou needed him. You needed his help.
And that was the final truth Bucky hated.
He hated how effortlessly he could drop everythingโno matter how importantโjust to answer your call.
Bucky broke every speed limit to get to you, to reach the stupid party youโd gotten caught up in. The entire drive, his mind raced with several thoughts: that you were okay, that you werenโt hurt, that one of those filthy frat boys hadnโt put their hands on you. When he pulled up to the house, you stumbled out by yourself to meet him at his car, but Bucky got out and steadied you, helping you slide into the passenger seat.
You reeked of alcohol, could barely stand, and your hair was disheveledโyour makeup was a smeared mess.
โJesus Christ,โ Bucky mumbled as he buckled your seatbelt. โYou look like a fucking mess.โ
โWow,โ you sighed, your elbow propped on the center console as you struggled to keep yourself upright. โArenโt you the sweetest thing?โ
He only rolled his eyes as he made his way back to the driverโs seat, quickly getting in so no one at the party would spot him. โYou also smell like shit.โ
โOh, come on,โ you pouted. โDonโt be mean to me!โ you whined as you gave his shoulder a playful nudge.
Bucky glanced at you, a warmth spreading across his face as he laughed at your words. This wasnโt the first time since you two met that you had called him in the middle of the night, needing his help. And every single time, he was there for you. Without fail.
โMe? Mean to you? Never,โ he teased as he put the car in drive and gently pressed his foot on the gas.
You let out a soft giggle, your face flushed pink, the sound making Buckyโs heart flutter in his chest. He cleared his throat, keeping his eyes steady on the road. The speed he drove now was a complete contrast to his reckless drive to get to you. He was slower nowโand despite the risk of you throwing up in his carโhe took his sweet time driving you back to your house, all just so he could savor these few minutes with you.
โSoโฆโ he drawled, โโฆ did somethingโโ
โNo. Nothing happened,โ you answered immediately, already expecting the question. Every time Bucky picked you up, he always asked and made sure you were okay. โNo one touched me. Well, they tried, but I didnโt let them. You know how these frat boys are.โ
You looked out the window, your eyes glossy as the world outside blurred, but you caught Buckyโs reflection, and you spotted the way his jaw clenched.
โI just wanted to get out of there.โ
โAnd the first person you thought to text was me,โ he huffed a non-humorous laugh. โItโs starting to become a pattern, isnโt it?โ
You, being in a drunken haze and completely oblivious to the strain in his voice, only tossed your head back and laughed.
โBut you like it, donโt you? It gives you the excuse to see me,โ you leaned over, poking your manicured finger at his cheek. โAnd I know how bad you want to see me.โ
He parted his lips to say somethingโperhaps try to taunt you backโbut the words caught in his throat. Because, despite your drunken state, the truth of your words was undeniable, and you knew it. You knew exactly how badly he wanted you, and here you were, drunk and vulnerable in his passenger seat, dangling that power right in front of him.
You noticed the grumpy look on his face and turned toward him, a lazy smile tugging at your lips. โOh, donโt be mad, Buck,โ you cooed, drawing out his name, which only made his grip on the wheel tighten. โYou always look so serious when youโre mad. Itโs kinda hot, actually.โ
โChrist,โ he muttered under his breath.
โWhat?โ you giggled, leaning closer. โYou donโt like it when I say stuff like that?โ
If you were sober, he wouldโve slammed the car into park, dragged you to the back seat, and claimed you for himself. But he couldnโt. Instead, his temper flared with how intensely you were taunting him, knowing damn well how much he wanted you.
โI donโt like it when you drink like this,โ he shot back. โOr when you go to parties where you know those idiots canโt keep their hands to themselves. Itโs self-sabotage.โ
You pouted, the sound of it almost childlike. โYou worry too much.โ
โSomeone has to,โ he said with a scoff. โThe Barbie and Ken dolls that you love to surround yourself with donโt seem to. Thatโs why you keep calling me insteadโbecause no one else will.โ
Your smile faltered.
His words struck you hard. Painful as they were, they rang trueโa truth you never wanted to admit. You surrounded yourself with people like John Walker, who only cared about social status and appearances, always looking out for themselves and themselves only.
Bucky was genuinely the only person who looked out for you.
You leaned back in your seat, crossing your arms defensively over your chest, and turned your gaze back to the window. โCan you hurry up and take me home?โ you said, your voice so painfully soft it was barely audible. โI feel sick.โ
Bucky sighed, immediately regretting the words as they left his mouth. โLook, I justโฆโ he pressed his lips together, struggling to find words that wouldnโt upset you further. โI worry, okay? You call me because you know Iโll show up. And I do, every timeโโ
โYeah. You show up. Then you remind me why you shouldnโt have.โ
Bucky exhaled sharply through his nose, frustration building in his chest. โThatโs not fair.โ
โNeither is what you said.โ
A tense silence settled in the car again. He wanted to apologize, to tell you exactly how he felt every time he came to pick you up in the middle of the night. It was always about youโabout the way his stomach twisted when you called his name through slurred words, needing him, wanting him, but just never in the way he needed you to.
But he couldnโt say that. Not when you were sitting there looking so small, so hurt.
So instead, he muttered, โDid you have anything to eat?โ
You blinked, your eyes hazy as you looked back at him. โWhat?โ
โYou need to eat. You canโt drink on an empty stomach.โ
โI havenโt,โ you said, frowning. โIโm not hungry.โ
Bucky flicked his turn signal on. Instead of turning right toward your sorority, he turned left, heading elsewhere. โWeโll stop by a gas station and pick you up something to eat.โ
You scrunched your face, your nose wrinkling. โA gas station? Thatโs all greasy, processed food. Iโm not messing up my diet.โ
He huffed a laugh, trying to keep things light. โYou just shot back a couple of tequilas and now youโre worried about your diet? A chili hotdog for one night isnโt going to ruin you.โ
Each protest and whine went in Buckyโs ear and out the other. Once he pulled into the gas stationโs parking lot, you sat reluctantly, arms crossed. Bucky laughed at your resistance, unbuckled your seatbelt, and hauled you up in one swift, steady motion. You collided into his chest as he wrapped a strong arm around you, holding you steady against him.
At this point, you werenโt drunk enough to be stumbling over yourself anymore, but you werenโt about to push yourself away from Buckyโs arms. He led you toward the hot food section, and your nose was immediately hit with the smell of the rotating hotdogs.
You made a sour face. โPlease tell me youโre not actually going to feed me that.โ
He grinned, already grabbing a bun and splitting it open. He grabbed a hotdogโstill slick with juicesโand slapped it onto the bun. He started loading it with chili from the dispenser, the machine sputtering and making strange noises as it poured itsgoopy contents, nearly overflowing.
โThat looks disgusting.โ
He only laughed as he started piling on shredded cheese that had been sitting on the counter for God knows how long, followed by diced onions and a drizzle of mustard.
He turned to you and held it up. โThere. Five-star dining.โ
You blinked down at the hotdog, not even hiding the disapproving look on your face.
When you didnโt move, he let out a low sigh and gently took your hand, guiding the hotdog towards you. โCโmon. Just one bite.โ
The warmth of his hand pressed against yours, and for a second, you felt your breath catch in your throat at the contact. You stared at himโthe faint smirk on the corners of his lips, the messy hair falling into his eyesโand was that eyeliner?
With a hesitant sigh, you took a bite. Immediately, your face twisted, but you didnโt stop chewing. โOh my god, thatโs so bad.โ
He laughedโa real one this time, soft and deep. โYouโre a goddamn liar. You love it.โ
He turned to make his own hotdog, and you couldnโt help the smile twisting at your lips as you watched him. At the party, there was no one else like him. There was no one with baggy and ripped jeans, scuffed Converse, or shaggy hair who wore eyeliner. You watched his hands as they got to work on the hotdog. His hands were callousedโnot because he worked out frequently or obsessed over sports. His hands were rough because of his constant drumming.
And for some reason, that fact made your body warm.
After he paid for the hotdogs, he led you back outside where you two sat in his car, Iron Maiden playing on his speakers at a low volumeโmusic they would never play at the parties you go to, and music you secretly enjoyed.
He had his seat reclined back, arms draped behind him as he ate his hotdog. The both of you sat in comfortable silenceโaside from the music playingโas you looked out at the ongoing traffic, the lights and cars zooming past each other.
โI fuckinโ love this song,โ Bucky said, turning The Trooper up. โThe band and I have been trying to learn itโbut Steve canโt even get the beginning riff right.โ He shook his head, taking another bite.
โIโm sure Steveโs trying his best,โ you casually took a bite. โHeโs probably just rushing the gallops.โ
Bucky paused mid-bite, turning to you with a surprised look on his face. โLook at that,โ he grinned, leaning over and ruffling your hair. โYou know what gallops areโhow cute.โ He finished his hotdog, crumpling up the wrapping paper.
โSooner or later youโre going to be wearinโ black eyeliner and replace Steve as the lead guitarist in my band.โ
โGodโno,โ you scoffed lightly. โI would rather be caught dead than be seen wearing sloppy dark make up around my eyes.โ
He gave you a look. โYouโre sayinโ my eye make up is sloppy?โ
A small, smug smile tugged at your lips. โIโm saying you could do a better job,โ you motioned to beneath your eyes, โat blending it in.โ
โOh yeah? Enlighten me.โ
You crumpled up the wrapper of your hotdog and tossed it somewhere in the backseat. Leaning down, you rummaged through your pink handbag and pulled out a black eyeliner pencil.
โWouldnโt be caught dead wearing it, yet you have an eyeliner pencil in your purse?โ
โShut up,โ you mumbled.
You crawled over the center console, squeezing and wiggling your way into the tight space between the driverโs seat and the steering wheel, nestling yourself onto his lap. Buckyโs body suddenly felt so warm, his heart thumping so loudly in his chest that he prayed you couldnโt hear it.
He also prayed that you couldnโt feel his hardening erection.
โOkay,โ he tried to say casually, but he couldnโt help but feel giddy.
He went still as your hand came up, your thumb resting just beneath his eye. The car suddenly felt so smallโso suffocating. You leaned in, close enough for him to catch the faint scent of your expensive perfumeโthe exact one he smelt that night he had you.
You were close, so fucking close.
All he had to do was lean in and kiss you.
He let out a shaky exhale, and you furrowed your brow slightly.
โYour hairโs in the way,โ you said, your soft hand running through his long hair, pushing it back from his face.
He was so starved for your attention and touch, that the gentle graze alone, the suffocating proximity, your smell, your voiceโit was all enough to make his cock unbearably hard. And he knew you could feel it now too; every exhale you let out was shaky, and your hands were trembling just slightly. He was confident you felt the same tension he did when your eyes flickered down to his lips just briefly before looking back up.
Bucky cleared his throat, his hands subconsciously finding your hips and holding you in place. โHow are you feeling?โ
You paused. โBetter now,โ you slowly retreated your hand. โHead hurts a little. But I mostly just feel exhausted.โ
He nodded. โWe should take you homeโโ
โWait,โ you pulled out your phone, opening the camera app and flicking it to the front camera. โLook. It looks way better, doesnโt it?โ
He paused, taking your phone and looking at himself carefully. He huffed a laugh. โYeah, I guess it does. You knowโโ he handed your phone back to you, โyou should be my makeup artist for my gigs. Youโre coming to my show on Friday, right? You can do my makeup then.โ
You rolled your eyes. โYou want me to be both your makeup artist and your cheerleader? For free?โ
His hand couldnโt help but wander to your backside, more instinct than intentional, really. But you didnโt pull away. If anything, you leaned closer to him.
โCome on, just show up for me. I show up for you all the time, donโt I?โ his eyes flickered down to your top. โI could even make you a band shirt, and Iโll have it designed all pink and pretty instead of blackโjust for you. What do you say?โ
You couldnโt help but smile. โIโm not showing up to your gig, Buck.โ
He smiled back, a little crooked. โWhatever you say, princess.โ
You two stared at each other for a moment, neither pulling away. The Iron Maiden track and the sounds of the street began to die down; it was well past two a.m. in an empty parking lot, quiet and dark, leaving the two of you alone in that confined, tense space.
Bucky felt his heart hammering against his ribs. If he could freeze time, he would stop it right here. It was just the two of youโyou sitting pretty in the passenger seat of his beat-up car, his favorite band faintly playing. It was perfect. All that was left to do was kiss you.
โYouโre so fucking pretty,โ he mumbled so quietly it was more for himself than for you.
His face immediately burned when he saw the mischievous glint in your eye and the curl of your lips.
You leaned in closer, your lips barely brushing against his, teasingโtaunting. โAm I?โ
He shuddered. โThe prettiest girl I have ever seen.โ
You swiped your tongue across your bottom lip, making Buckyโs breath catch in his throat. Before he could react, you closed the remaining space between you and pressed your lips against his.
His body melted instantly at your touch, as if heโd been anticipating this very moment, and he let out a low groan as his fingers slid into the strands of your hair, his grip tightening just enough to hold you still against him as his lips explored yours hungrily.
You felt him push his tongue past your lips, exploring frantically, tasting you as much as he couldโhis body moving in a way that was filled with desperation, yet still savoring the moment. He kept kissing you until you were both out of breath. He pulled away, his hand still tangled in your hair, not wanting to let go. He sighed softly and pressed your forehead against his.
โFuck, princessโฆ Iโฆโ he breathed, pressing another messy kiss to your lips. โIโve been waiting to kiss you all night.โ
You huffed a breathless laugh. โI know you were. I could see it in your eyes the minute you picked me up.โ
He gave your hips a gentle, yet possessive squeeze as his hands moved up your thighs and around your waist. โThere are so many things I want to do to you,โ he managed, swallowing hard. โAnd it fucking kills me knowing I canโt.โ
โDo things like what?โ you teased, your fingers tracing the pattern of his T-shirt across his chest.
His jaw went slightly slack. He watched your fingers graze his clothed chest, breathing hard. โLikeโฆ lift up this tiny skirt,โ he muttered, his hand playing with the hem of your miniskirt, โpush your panties to the side, and fuck you right here on my lap.โ
A small, complacent smile tugged at your lips as you gave your hips a subtle roll, feeling the thick bulge of him against his jeans.
โYeah?โ you leaned closer, your lips brushing against his. โYou want me to ride you? Right here, in your car?โ
A deep groan rumbled from his chest as his hands shoved the hem of your skirt higher, his erection straining against his denim as he caught sight of your bare and supple thighs.
โDonโt push me, princess,โ he muttered, his fingers slinking underneath your panties, gently grazing your mound. His thumb found your clit and rubbed, his fingers dipping a little deeper, and his eyes darkened once he felt how warm and wet you were.
You whimpered, your hips immediately bucking into his touch. Your heart hammered in your chest and your legs felt like jelly just from being so close. The way Bucky called you "princess" made you feel something no other man ever had. You had been called plenty of pet names before, but none of them ever came from the campus dirtbag, Bucky Barnes.
โCall me princess again,โ you pleaded.
โOh, baby,โ he rasped, one hand sliding behind you, squeezing your ass through your panties and pulling you impossibly closer. โYouโre a princess, my fucking princess. Fuck. I worship the ground you walk on, and I want to keep you all to myself. And you know thatโyou know youโre my pretty little princess, donโt you?โ
You nodded, biting your lip.
Bucky smiled softly at you, but every word that left his mouth was filthy. โYouโre such a dirty little girl, yet you still want to be called a princess?โ His hands found yours and guided your fingers down to his belt. โIf youโre such a princess, why donโt you go ahead and help me out, baby? Go on. Help me out of these pants.โ
Your manicured nails clinked against the buckle of his belt as you worked to remove it and unbutton his pants. He lifted his hips slightly, strong enough to hold you up, and helped you pull his cock free from the confines of his denim. He was already hard, already slick and pulsingโbegging for your attention.
You gasped softly at the sight. You cupped him in your hands and began to pump him slowly. His hips immediately jerked, his mouth hanging open as he savored the feel of your smooth hand against his warm cock.
It had only been a few weeks since you had last seen him bare and aching for you, but it felt excruciatingly long. You watched him, mesmerized by the way his brows furrowed and his eyes kept fluttering shut under your movements. You knew he missed you just as much as you missed him.
โDoes that feel good, Bucky?โ you leaned in, pressing your forehead against his.
He sighed. โSo good, angelโฆ donโt fucking stop.โ
While your palm worked his dick, you slowly rocked your hips back and forth against him, rubbing your clothed pussy against his thigh and making the car shake. Bucky watched the provocative sight; the roll of your hips, the way your miniskirt rode up to your waistโnow a sad excuse for a belt.
The sight alone was enough to make his cock throb in your hands.
You looked down at him, letting out soft sighs and moans to help him along. Your hand began pumping him faster and harder, the speed quickly overwhelming him. And as much as he loved the feeling of your soft hands and the sight of your pretty nail polish around his cock, he couldnโt fight his greed.
He couldnโt control the burning desire to be buried deep inside you.
โFuckโbaby,โ he grunted, his hands clamping down hard on your hips suddenly. โHold on.โ
โHold on?โ you raised a mocking brow. โBut you just told me not toโโ
He mumbled something grumpily under his breath that you couldnโt catch, his hands coming roughly to the waistband of your panties and trying to push them down. But his movements were clumsy, urgent, and desperateโnearly tearing your expensive, lacy underwear in his grasp.
โBucky, babyโwait! Youโre going to rip them. Theyโre my favorite pairโโ
He groaned as he tore angrily at your panties, ripping a hole right in the center to expose your wet slit. You let out a sharp gasp at the sudden roughness, but his frenzied need for you sent butterflies to your stomach and made your core clench with anticipation.
โIโm sorry, baby,โ he breathed, though he didnโt sound sincere at all. His hand found the base of his shaft, already positioning the tip toward your wet entrance. โIโm sorry. You know I canโt help myself around you, pretty princess. Especially not when youโre right hereโฆโ his tip caught your entrance, slowly pushing inโtesting you, โโฆsitting so pretty in my lap, just asking to be ruined.โ
Your hands steadied on his shoulders, your hips instinctively pulling away, intimidated by the size you havenโt had in weeks. โBuckyโฆโ
โDonโt shy away now, baby,โ he grunted, guiding your hips down. He slowly sank you deeper onto him.
You tossed your head back, gripping his shoulders tighter as he guided you down onto his lap. Your walls were warm as they fluttered around him, clenching down as you took him in slowly but eagerly.
โFuck, princessโฆโ he moaned, eyes locking onto yours. โYou remember how to take me?โ
โOf course I do,โ you said, trying to maintain confidence. You nuzzled into his neck, pressing a soft kiss. โHow can I not after the way you fucked me in the bathroomโoh!โ
Your words were cut off by a sharp moan as Bucky rutted his hips up, his cock completely sheathing inside you in one hard motion. You shook in his lap at the rough thrust, and Buckyโs arms immediately hooked behind you, wrapping you tight against his chest as your face remained snuggled in the crook of his neck.
โFuuck,โ he moaned into your hair. โThatโs it, baby. Youโre taking me so good, arenโt you?โ another hard thrust up, but his arms held you steady against him so you wouldnโt jolt again. โI bet your pretty little pussy missed me so much, is that right?โ
โYes!โ you moaned into his neck. โI missed you so much, Buckyโโ
โYeah? You missed me?โ he groaned, one of his hands tangling into your hair.
You yelped as he gave your hair a harsh tug, pulling your face away from his neck so you were forced to look at him. He held you absolutely still as he continued rutting up into you, his cock fucking you hard and deep. His tight grip on your body immobilized you, forcing you to take every inch of his relentless thrusts.
โTell me, baby. Tell me how much you missed me.โ
โI missed you s-soโฆ so much. God, I missed you so much, Bucky!โ you moaned, your neck slightly arched as you looked down at him.
A low, seductive sound rumbled from his throat, and he smiledโa nearly sneering grin. โGoddamn, youโre so cute when you tell me that,โ he growled as his hips continued to pound into you, setting the driverโs seat creaking and the whole car shaking.
โI missed you too, princess. I missed you so muchโyour body... the way itโs pressed against mine... fuck, I missed holding you closeโโ he rushed out, staring at you with lustful, hazy eyes. โNow, tell me how good Iโm fucking you. Tell me how good Iโm making you feelโhow no one else can fuck you as good as I can.โ
Despite being trapped in his arms, you rocked your hips in time with his thrust, desperate for more friction.
โYouโre fucking m-meโฆ so good, Bucky. Oh my god, donโt stopโ!โ
โNow, will you tell me how no one else can fuck you as good as I can?โ His voice turned soft and pleading, yet every word felt rough and demanding. โTell me that Iโm the only one for youโthat I belong to you and you belong to me. God, please. Will you make me the happiest boy and tell me that, princess? Please?โ
Tears prickled at the corners of your eyes as he pounded upward into you. You clung to his shoulders even tighter, your walls fluttering and clenching down on him as he only fucked you deeper; your chest pressed tightly against his with the force of his hold.
โI-I belong to you, Bucky. I only belongโฆ to you!โ you moaned, your voice pitching into a whine. โIโm yours, all yoursโโ
โGoddamn, you moan so pretty, baby,โ he said softly.
A soft laugh left his lips as his thumb came up to wipe your tears, smearing your mascara and eyeliner. You felt his cock throb inside you at the sightโteary-eyed, mascara running, and eye makeup everywhere.
โLook at you, princess,โ he breathed. His eyes were soft and admiring, but his thrusts were anything but. โYouโre a crying little mess on my cock. And your makeupโฆโ His fingers grazed beneath your eye, then gently pushed messy strands of hair away from your face. โYou look so fucking beautiful like this. I want to keep you like this, a crying mess on my lap forever.โ
Every sense was overwhelmedโthe sharp scent of his cologne, his lustful, hungry gaze, the contrast of his gentle hands against his brutal thrusts, the soft sweetness of his voice delivering filthy words. You tightened around him, nearly coming undone.
Bucky groaned, driving another hard thrust as he felt you clench around him. โFuck, baby, are you gonna cum?โ his hands wandered back down, gripping your ass tight as he rutted into you. โShit, princess. Iโm gonna cum tooโโ
You couldnโt contain yourself. Tucking your head into the crook of his neck, you whined and moaned like a desperate slut as he drove you to release.
โBucky!โ you cried out his name, shaking and trembling in his lap as your climax hit you hard and fast. โIโm cummingโfuckโh-hold meโโ
He cooed softly into your ear, his arms never losing their grip. โIโve got you, baby. Thatโs it. Cum all over me, baby. FuckโIโm gonna cum tooโโ
His words died in his throat as he tucked his face into your neck. Melting into one, you were impossibly close as he gave one final, hard rock of his hips upward, burying himself completely deep inside you. His cum filled youโwarm and thick.
โMy god, princessโyouโre fucking... takinโ everything insideโshit...โ he babbled, his hands wandering greedily and desperately all over you. Your waist, your thighs, your back, your hair. Everywhere.
Both of you were left panting in the driverโs seat, his body warm as he held you close. You kept your face buried in the comfort of his neck while he pressed soft kisses to your head. His arms now loosened their hold, his fingers grazing lazilyโand lovinglyโup and down your spine.
A soft smile curled at your lips. You loved this. You loved being nestled in his lap, held close after the nasty, filthy love heโd made to you. You loved the safety you felt in his armsโa feeling no one else could ever give you.
And in this moment, tangled up in each otherโs grasp, you never wanted to leave.
โThat wasโฆโ you panted, โreally, really goodโโ
โCome to my show on Friday.โ
โBucky,โ you pulled away slightly to meet his eyes, keeping your voice light with a soft, tired laugh. โI told you. I canโtโโ
โPlease,โ he pleaded, his voice breathless. โThereโs nothing that I want more than seeing my pretty girl in the crowd, cheering me on.โ
You bit your lip, hesitant. When he looked at you like that, it made saying no feel impossible.
โWould your band even want someone like me in the crowd?โ you asked quietly. โYour friends make fun of girls like me.โ
He sat up straighter, as if sensing your slow agreement, and you nearly tumbled out of his lap before he held you still.
โCome on, think about it,โ he said, a grin tugging at his lips. โHow good Iโd look with my arm around you. Everyone would be talking about us. The band would start getting recognized, and youโโ he paused, his thumb brushing your waistโโyou could finally stop pretending. Listen to whatever music you want. Do whatever the hell you wantโฆโ
Bucky kept talking, but the only words that stuck were โhow cool Iโd look with my arm around your shoulder,โ โeveryone talking about us,โ โmy band will start getting recognized.โ
It hit you like a punch to the gutโthe very fear youโd been trying to bury clawing its way back to the surface. He didnโt want you. He wanted what came with you. The attention. The status. The boost.
He wasnโt any different from John Walkerโexcept this time, you had actually slept with him.
He kept rambling, excitement spilling from his mouth, but the words blurred together, meaningless. Without saying a thing, you slid off his lap, tugged your skirt back into place, and crawled over to the passenger seat.
Bucky blinked, his confusion clearly visible at your sudden withdrawal.
โTake me home,โ you mumbled, trying to straighten your clothes back into place.
He frowned, reaching a hand toward you. โHeyโโ
โI said take me home,โ you bit back, your glare suddenly harsh. โI want to fucking go home.โ
His brows rose at your sudden change in tone. โDid I say somethingโโ
โI told you to take me home, Bucky!โ you yelledโpractically screamedโloud enough that it made him recoil in the driverโs seat. โI shouldnโt have asked you to pick me up, and we shouldnโt have done this.โ You motioned a finger between the two of you. โIโm not going to your gig. A girl like me should never be caught with a loser like you, anyway.โ
You had to turn back to face the window, because the hurt on Buckyโs face would have otherwise crumbled you to pieces. But you needed to put yourself first. You were tired of being an accessory for men.
โJesus,โ he mumbled, adjusting his seat and quickly putting the car into drive. โFine. Iโll take you home.โ
The drive home was silent. Bucky kept stealing glances at you from the corner of his eye, but you refused to look backโstaring hard out the window, putting miles of distance between you even as you sat side by side.
It was obvious he had more to say, but the words never came.
It was Thursday afternoon.
Bucky hadnโt seen you since the moment he dropped you off. He kept replaying every second of that night in his headโthe look on your face when you begged him to take you home, the crack in your voice when you called him a loser. He tried to go back to his usual routine, attempting to drown out every thought of you with band practices, loud drums, and hanging out with his bandmates.
But it was no use.
Tomorrow night, he had his gig. And you had your party.
Maybe thatโs how things were supposed to be in the end. He was the dirtbag loser in his corner of loud music, instruments, and dark clothes. And you were the pretty princess on your throne, surrounded by mean girls and boys who only cared about their own backs.
Maybe this was exactly where the two of you belonged.
But as he walked into the student union to hang up a few last-minute posters for his gig, he saw you.
Same corner table. Same group of people. You were laughing as if nothing between you and Bucky had ever happened. John Walker was sitting right beside you, leaning close, whispering something in your ear that made you smile wider.
Bucky stopped in his tracks, the posters clutched in his hand. For a moment, he thought about walking over thereโjust to say something, anything. Even if it meant a public humiliation ritual in front of your posse. But the look on your face told him he didnโt belong to you anymore.
He crumbled the papers in his hands and turned the other way.
It was Thursday night, the night before his gig. He lay in bed, the screen lighting up his tired eyes. He typed and deleted the same messages over and over.
bucky: can we talk?
bucky: iโm sorry
bucky: i miss you
Then, he sucked in a breath and finally found the courage to send one.
bucky: you looked happy today.
He watched the screen, his heart beating loud in his chest. A few seconds later, the message was marked Read.
And then nothing.
No reply.
Just that tiny, mocking word at the bottom of the screenโreminding him that youโd seen it. That you were choosing silence.
Bucky leaned back against the wall, the screen of his phone fading to black. Heโd written a dozen crappy songs about heartbreak before, but none of them had ever felt quite like this.
Like losing someone who was still right there, just out of reach.
It was Friday morning.
Buckyโs gig was later that night, and the campus was already bustling with energy for the football game. Across the square, he spotted youโsurrounded by your friends, all dressed in pink and laughing. It was ridiculous how much they all took after you, trying to be you.
In his hand, he clutched a small pink gift bag. He had spent half the week working up the nerve to bring it to you, the other half designing what was insideโhis bandโs shirt, but re-imagined just for you. Soft pink cotton, delicate script instead of bold print, a design that looked more like something youโd actually wear.
You hadnโt spoken since that night. But he couldnโt let today go by without trying.
He crossed the quad, his worn Converse crunching over the gravel. Your friends noticed him firstโa few stifled laughs, some whispered comments he tried hard to ignore. One of them even elbowed you just before he reached your group.
He stopped in front of you, the gift bag dangling awkwardly from his hand. โHey,โ he said quietly, his voice rough.
You blinked. โHey,โ you drawled awkwardly, acting as if he wasnโt speaking directly to you.
โI, uhโฆโ he rubbed the back of his neck, then held the bag out toward you. โThis is for you.โ
Your friends exchanged looks, trying and failing to hide their amusement. One of them muttered something under her breath that made the others snicker, but Bucky didnโt care. His eyes stayed on you, earnest and pleading.
โI made it,โ he said. โThought you might like it.โ
You stared at the pink tissue paper peeking out from the top of the bag, then back at him. He looked tiredโdark circles under his eyes, his hair a mess, his denim jacket slightly frayed at the cuffs. But he looked sincere.
With a nervous hand, you reached into the bag and pulled out the shirt. The hoops of the bag dangled on your arms as you spread the fabric wide.
Your eyes widened.
He had made you a shirt, just like he said he would.
โBucky, Iโโ
Before you could finish, one of the girls spoke up behind you, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. โAww, thatโs so cute. He made you a band shirt?โ
Laughter rippled through the group, but you werenโt laughing. Your eyes stayed on him.
โCivil War?โ one of them scoffed. โNever heard of โem.โ
โTheyโre probably not that good.โ
All their words sounded like a blur to you. You tuned them out completely, focusing only on Bucky, who was the only thing in front of you.
Every word those girls spoke hit him hard, but he tried to hide it. As if sensing your guilt, his jaw tightened. But he didnโt move.
โItโs fine,โ he said under his breath, offering you a small, crooked smile that was supposed to be reassuringโit wasnโt. โI just... wanted to see you and tell you that Iโm sorry.โ
But before you could say anything else, Bucky gave you a small, dismissive nod and turned away. You watched him go, the gift bag still dangling uselessly from your wrist. His broad shouldersโslumped in defeatโdisappeared into the crowd, swallowed by the noise of the square.
And behind you, the girls were still laughing obnoxiously.
โOh my god,โ one of them giggled. โDid you see his jacket? Does he smoke or something? I swear, I smelled cigarettes.โ
โAnd that shirt,โ another snorted, gesturing at the one still clutched in your hands. โDid he print that in his momโs basement or something?โ
โPlease,โ someone added, โI can only imagine the kind of songs he wrote for you. Thatโs so creepyโโ
You turned sharply, the sound of your heels cutting through their laughter.
โYou done?โ you asked, your voice calm in that terrifying, icy way that threw every single one of them off guard.
They exchanged awkward glances. โWe were justโโ
โNo, really,โ you interrupted, smiling sweetly. โPlease, finish. I want to make sure I hear every single shallow, brainless thing that comes out of your bitchy mouths.โ
One girl stammered. โE-excuse meโโ
You took a step closer, the pink shirt still balled in your fist. โYou sit here pretending youโre better than everyone because you wear pink and flirt with mediocre football players who can barely spell your names,โ you sneered, almost laughing in their faces. โBut in realityโall of you whores are a herd of sheep who just canโt seem to stop copying me and wanting to be meโโ
One girl tried to laugh it off. โGod, whatโs your problemโโ
โMy problem?โ you cut in, flashing a perfect, pristine smile. โMy problem is that Iโve spent way too long pretending youโre all my friends when really, youโre just discount versions of me with worse hair and cheaper shoes.โ
The group went silent.
You didnโt bother wasting another breath on them.
Instead, you turned on your heel and walked away, the sharp click of your heels echoing against the pavement as you disappeared into the crowd.
It was Friday night.
The air of Thunderboltโs Bar, the kind of off-campus dive that always felt held together by duct tape and noise, was thick with the smell of sweat, stale beer, and cheap stage smoke. The crowd was better than usualโshoulder-to-shoulder, the low sounds of conversation punctuated by the clink of bottles and the occasional cheer from someone already half-drunk.
Backstage, Bucky sat on an old amp case, his knee bobbingโa nervous habitโas he twirled a drumstick in his hands.
Steve was pacing, hyped as always before a set. โPlace is packed, man. Itโs gonna be a good night.โ
โYeah,โ Bucky muttered, glancing toward the heavy curtain that separated them from the crowd.
He stood, shoving his drumsticks into his back pockets. He wiped his palms on his jeans and peeked through a slit in the curtain for what had to be the tenth time. The front row was fullโfaces he recognized from campus, people holding drinks, heads bobbing to the warm-up playlist blasting from the speakers.
But not your face.
โHey,โ Sam called, tuning his guitar. โYou good, Buck?โ
Bucky forced a smile. โPeachy.โ
But his stomach twisted as he looked out one last time. Heโd imagined you there all weekโstanding in the crowd in that pink shirt he made for you, smiling at him like you used to. He had hoped, maybe, youโd show up after all.
Yet, after that night in his car, and after the poor choice of words he had strung together, why would you come to a dump like this for him?
You called him a loser. You told him that a girl like you should never be seen with a guy like him. You had stood there while your friends laughed at him.
And yet, deep down, Bucky knew you didnโt mean it. You couldnโt have.
What you two hadโit was different. It wasnโt just some party fling or a drunken mistake. It was late-night drives at two in the morning, listening to Iron Maiden in his car and making love. It was greasy chili dogs. It was smudged eyeliner and band shirts.
He wouldnโt call it love. He wasnโt stupid. Love was too heavy, too final a word for what you two shared. But he cared for youโGod, he cared for you so bad it hurt. It sat heavy in his ribs, an ache that wouldnโt go away no matter how big the status quo was or how hard he played his drums.
And he knew you cared for him too, even if you tried to hide it behind the perfect hair, the designer purses, and the flawless smile you put on for everyone else. Heโd seen you without all of thatโbarefaced, soft, and real. The kind of real that made him forget to breathe.
He cared for you so much that maybe it was love.
He just didnโt know what to do with it anymore.
โBarnes,โ Nat called, slipping her bass strap over her shoulder. โWeโre on. You ready?โ
Bucky forced a nod, his chest tight. โAs ready as Iโll ever be.โ
The stage lights dimmed, and the peaceful hum of the crowd turned into eager whispers. He followed Nat and Steve through the side curtain, the heat of the stage lights hitting him hard. The noise was instantโcheers, laughter, clinking bottles, the pulse of bass-heavy music vibrating through the barโs floorboards.
Steve was the first to step up to the mic, flashing his trademark grin. โAlright, you beautiful people,โ he called out, his voice amplified through the speakers. โWeโre Civil War, and weโre about to make your Friday night a hell of a lot louder!โ
The crowd erupted. Steve was a great lead; he always knew how to hype them up.
Bucky settled onto his seat behind the drums, his heart thudding in his chest. His fingers tightened around his sticks, the familiar feel of the wood trying to calm him. He looked up, scanning the sea of faces under the flashing pink and blue lightsโpeople pressed against the stage, heads bobbing, phones raised.
He wasnโt looking for fans. He was looking for you.
He knew you wouldnโt come. You said you wouldnโt. He told himself he didnโt care. But the ache in his chest betrayed him, growing sharper with every passing second he couldnโt find you.
As Steve started strumming the opening riff, the sound Bucky had complained about all week, his gaze swept over the crowd. A sea of faces blurred together; sweatshirts, hats, flashing phonesโnone of them were you.
Until he saw pink.
There, near the middle of the crowd.
You stood out like you always didโsoft, glowing, completely out of place and yet exactly where you should have been. You were wearing his shirt, the one heโd made just for you, the one your friends had laughed at. The pink fabric stood out sharply against the black sea of band tees and denim jackets, and somehow, you made it look like the most beautiful thing in the room.
And for the first time in days, everything felt right again.
Your eyes met his across the stage. A slow, knowing smile spread across your face. And from there on, Bucky knew what this was.
This was love.
You mouthed two words that hit him harder than he had hit any drum.
โHey, loser.โ
THANK YOU FOR READING!! i didn't anticipate this fic to be any more than 7k+ words but unfortunately i can't stop yapping.
but anyway. i hope you enjoyed, and thank you for reading!!!! <333 it means a lot to me.
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Yall.... idk what the hell happened but the posts for cat gyal 1-3 have actually fucking disappeared and I am so mad rn that idk what to even say๐ I have absolutely no clue if I'm gonna be able to remake these 3 parts cause I cannot find my saves for where I draft my writing on so rn I'm going through it๐ญ
summary: bucky's got quite the interesting type, who knew the winter soldier had a thing for cat burglars? that only begs the question if he could handle you?
tw: mdni nsfw, smut, scraping, biting, hickeys, reader's a thief guys so there's stealing, dw we have some fluff stuff too, alpine, not proofread, i apologize for ooc
notes: back at it again, i have alot of stuff that needs to be released ngl but enjoy!
(check out my masterlist!)
"be careful, okay?..."
you purred softly into the side of BUCKY'S cheek, pressing a gentle kiss into the scruff of his stuble. you felt his hands slowly run down the curve of your back, the leather suit traced his gloved finger tips.
"a kitty only has claws when it needs to pounce... i'll be fine." you whisper softly near the shell of his ear and pull away to look him up in his eyes. grasping his jacket, you pull him into a deep kiss, bucky let's out a loud, muffled grunt but then relaxes as he pulls you closer against him. your bodies mold against eachothers.
a loud whistle is heard, causing bucky to break away from the kiss and look at sam.
just standing there in all his glory, smug and smirking at them both. "i apologize, i hope i'm not interrupting anything between you both." he says in a teasing way, that causes bucky to deliver and ice cold glare in his direction.
you cough into your hand and smile at them both, "well, i'll be on my way now... i have things to do now." you say with a small smirk plastered across your face as you hold onto bucky's metal arm. "does that include robbing another jewelry store?" sam asks with a brow raised as he looks towards you.
scoffing at him, you roll your eyes, "obviously not... i'm saving that for tomorrow, i'm actually heading to the bank right about nowโ"
"(y/n)โ"
"baby, i'm kiddingโ call you when I get home." you whispered kissing him on his cheek one last time before waving bye to sam then walking towards your motorcycle.
bucky watched you from behind as you got onto the bike. he just in taked the sight of how that suit fit you so perfectly and the way your ass body looked in it. he'd be lying if he said it wasn't worth the watch.
he was simply simply entranced at this moment as he listened to rumbling sound of the start of the engine. sam coughed, breaking his "deep" focus and he was once again met with that smile.
that damn smile.
"you're having some fun huh?" he asked bucky as walked back towards an alley, the distant lights of the city guiding them as their torch. "yeah... what about it?" bucky asked quietly before looking back at his friend who only shrugged with smug grin still stapled onto his face. at this point it was really gonna piss off bucky really bad.
"i don't wanna come off rude but... can you handle all of that?"
it made him freeze in tracks and pause in thought and he looked at sam immediately. "what do you mean by that?" he asked and crossed his arms, immediately tilting his head.
what did he mean by, him "handling that" ?
"i mean buckโ don't get me wrong but, she's like a challenge. you're up for that?"
it was like his eyes darkened at those words, bucky just stood there silent as sam continued to look at him with that shit-eating look on his face. he took a big step towards him, until they were face to face, sam startled at the sudden movement as bucky's face was inches away from his.
"i am the ONLY one who can handle that."
with that he aggressively moved past sam towards his own bike as sam stood there still in slight shock. "well damnโ" he could only mumble to himself as he watched bucky drive out of the alley, no bye, no nothing.
the way you'd be pressed on the mattress underneath him, his body would hover over yours as he pressed wet, open-mouthed kissed along your skin. he's the only one who could make your lips purse together in this moment as you squeezed your eyes shut from the fluttering feeling in your stomach.
"b-bucky..."
he's the only man who'd make your toes curl into the mattress sheet, and make your back arch like a cat's.
he'd his when he would feel you claw into him and scrape your finger nails down his back, then run your fingers to feel the definition of his toned muscles once you did.
when his pace would quicken you'd cry and try to grab onto his hair as he bit at your neck, sucking and licking down your cleavage. leaving a series of dark purple marks and bite marks in his trail before he'd latch onto your nipple.
sweat would crowd his forehead, it would make his hair stick onto it. it would run down his chest as he would place one of you legs over his shoulder and fuck into you deeper before it dripped onto you, who was already sweat covered as well.
his teeth would grit as he pushed you leg down so you knee would reach your head, his hips still aggressively rutting deeper and deeper into your velvet walls. your sounds would only cause him to continue.
bucky's feeding off this right now, because he's only proving his point more. he can take on a challenge.
he can handle you.
"p-please... pleaseee!!" you'd squeal as you dug your nails into his shoulder blades, his grunts and gruffs mixed with your ghastly choked up moans and sobs. he knew you loved this. and you did, you couldn't lie. no man makes you feel like fucking good.
"put me down now!" you yell as you slap and hit at his, he barely even reacts to the hits as he carries you over his shoulder like you're a sack across a rooftop. "bucky... i'm giving you to the count of three!โ" he stops and sighs before placing you down onto your feet.
you slap his chest and glare at him waiting for him to say something. bucky looks down at you and rubs the bridge of his nose, "do you understand that i'm trying to keep you out of trouble by not getting you arrested?" he asks and looks at you in the eyes.
you place a hand on your hip and roll your eyes at him, "i'm sneaky for a reason baby... i outrun the police everytime." you say a small smirk curling onto your lips. "you just don't know when to stop huh?" he snaps at you causing you to raise a brow at the shift in tone. "i mean, bucky... when i see something i want, i'm gonna take it. you signed up for this."
he sighs once more, and cups your cheek, tracing his thumb along your cheek bone. "i just wanna make sure you don't get caught up into something alright?" he says softly.
the words make your heart beat faster, and it fills your stomach with butterflies. you coo at him, a blush spreading across your cheeks underneath your mask as you hold his hand that cups your face. "you care for me... what's next for you huh?โ wanna marry me?" you tease as you tip toe up to his height.
bucky watches as you lick your lips and stare at him as if he's meat that needs to be torn apart.
he just rolls his eyes and moves his hand down to your hip before he kisses you softly, bring you in towards his body in a swift motion.
"just be careful okay... " he mumbles against your lips. you softly nip at his bottom lip to which he hisses at and you smile.
you'd be cornered near his kitchen counter, as he kissed all over your neck. just holding you close to him.
your arms were wrapped around his shoulders as you ran your fingers through his hair, letting out tinny breaths as he nibbled at you skin. you heard a tiny meow below your feet and gasped before practically pushing bucky off of you, which basically startled him.
you smiled loudly and kneeled down on the ground to look at the cat you just stared at you in confusion before knuzzling its head into your hand. "buckyyy!!... why didn't you tell me you had this cutie?!" you whined with a pout before scooping the cat gently into your arms and cradling it as if it were a baby.
"was pushing me necessary?... and yeah forget to introduce you to alphine..." he said quietly before he reached to scratch the side of the cat's ear.
you listened to the low rumbles of the snow white feline and you looked in awe as the cat comfortably curled into you.
"i wanna come over here forever!" you happily exclaimed, pressing soft kisses repeatedly into his cheek that caused him to chuckle deeply as he wrapped his arm around your waist. "she's gonna steal your attention away from me now huh?" he asked and pressed a kiss into your head.
you ran a finger down his stuble and smirked, "nothing ever steals from me, you'll never lose my focus."
"mhm... i'll count on that, hun."
of course he could handle you, cause who else would?
-peachessprincess is the creator of this work. please don't paste my work onto any other site
summary: in which bruce wayne finally comes to terms that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
tw: just pure fluff, fiancรฉ/husband!roy harper mention! a little angst, based of two songs, "slipping through my fingers" and "maybe", crying bruce and batfam? father-daughter love chat. "father of the bride" based a little?
notes: i've had this on my mind for a while now and i always wanted to do a platonic batfam story so hear it is!
(check out my masterlist!)
he couldn't handle coming face to with this because today was the day he was supposed to let go.
BRUCE has faced many more difficult trails and tribulations than this one... so why was he having trouble with this one? maybe it was because it wasn't a life or death situation with the purpose of saving gotham from a bomb that would cause havoc for the entire city square.
this was something much more personal.
something concerning family.
it was your wedding.
it was about giving you away today, something he was slightly dreading for a while. don't get him mistaken. he was elated when he found out that roy had proposed to you, your entire engagement made him feel so proud and he was happy along with the rest of the family.
but it was only when he was on patrol with jason that the reality practically slapped him square in the face when jason said, "you ready to walk her down the aisle, old man?"
bruce froze on the rooftop ledge once he heard that, and then he thought of it. you were getting married. his little girl was getting married.
then the day finally came.
and now he was standing outside your dressing room, practically too paralyzed to knock.
prior to this, he had admitted one of his concerns to clark, but it only lead to the blue boy scout laughing square in his face which made bruce glare daggers at him. "iโ i just didn't expect out of all the problems in your life that this one bothers you so much that you had to talk with me!"
bruce just sighed over clark's continuous laughter before he felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. clark looked at him and shifted his glasses back up onto his face, "listen bruce, this day was going to come one day or another, and whether it's hard or not... she's not your little girl today."
she's a woman now.
those words rang through his mind and bruce closed his eyes, taking soft breaths before moving his hand up towards the door and knocking gently.
the ceremony was about to start soon, the time was coming. the time was coming to give you away.
the door opened to reveal cassie with steph peeping right behind her. as soon as they saw him, two big grins appeared on their face, practically gleaming with joy. "HE'S HERE!โ bruce cover your eyes and turn around."
chuckling softly, bruce put his hands up in surrender and covered his eyes, slowly walking in backwards into the room. both girls guiding him to make sure he didn't trip over anything.
giggles could be heard and he could just imagine the smiles all around him. the smells of rose, strawberries and vanilla clouded his scent, bringing a deep warmth feeling to his chest. it was soon that he had to look you in the eyes, the eyes of his little girl.
"okay you can look now!"
he uncovered his eyes, taking in the room in all its glory, elegant and ornate. its intricate white molding and decorative carvings adorning the walls and door frames.
bruce turns around, and then the air is kicked out of his lungs as soon as he sees you. his eyes widened at the sight of you.
the wedding ball gown is a cascade of ivory and lace that seemed to breathe as you stood in it. the bodice, sculpted with delicate embroidery, while the sheer sleeves wrapped yourr arms in a veil of elegance, traced with threads of silver light. you hold a bouquet of light pink flowers, and your hair is pinned up with grace as a floor length veil falls behind you.
"hi dad... " you say softly as you smile brightly, watching him take the most cautious steps towards. you look like an angel. you were his angel, a blessing that he was so grateful for.
then he felt it, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes as he felt them burn. he takes the handkerchief out his suits pocket and covers both eyes with them. he can't contain it anymore.
you're a woman now, in all your glory.
you feel tears weld in your eyes and you try to fan them away in order to not mess up your makeup. "you're gorgeous... you look perfect... " you hear bruce mutter as he tries to contain a choked up sob.
your lips quiver and you let out a soft hiccup before you shuffle towards him, steph and cass making sure to hold up your dress from behind so you wouldn't fall. you cry as you wrap your arms around bruce, you sob as if you were a kid again and hearing this made it even harder for him.
because you had always been his little girl for forever in his eyes.
he didn't want to let go of you when you both started to walk down that aisle.
he felt like he'd be losing something that he could never get back ever again. bruce didn't want that, but you were so happy, and seeing you that happy made his world.
"graysonโ please stop slobbering all over yourself, i'd like to watch my sister get married in silence." damien said, glaring at his older brother who couldn't control the waterworks. dick continued to cry into a rag given to him courtesy of starfire, who let him cry into her shoulder.
each step you took down the chapel towards the alter was a step closer and closer to what he had been dreading. but when he felt the way you held his arm in such a comforting way, he knew what was for the best.
he watched how roy take in every second of beauty and grace. jason stood behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder whispering something to him, probably "not to fuck this up." or whatever else he'd say to his best friend.
as you reached the altar, bruce felt your touch loosen before you let go of his arm. then you gave him one last smile before you gently kissed the side of his cheek, "i love you dad... " you whispered before you carefully took your place infront of roy.
bruce looked towards roy, something that he would hate to admit was scared to do, but here he was.
"... keep her safe."
roy's response was a courteous, solem nod, which was all bruce need. which was what gave him that final peace.
as he walked to his seat in the front row and sat down, he watched you interlock a hand with roy.
it was then that bruce finally realized that he would never come home to see you at the top of the stair case excited to see him again.
he'd never get to see you extatic on christmas morning after opening your gifts and immediately jumping on him to hug him again.
he'd never see you peep into the batcave because you had a nightmare and wanted to fall asleep next to him again.
you had simply grown up.
slipped through his fingers in the blink of an eye.
he drowned out the music, the excessive sobs from dick and damien telling him to shut up. he was just focused on how happy you looked up there.
he had to face that struggle of seeing you as a child.
he wished that you could stay the same forever.
but that's not how time is, isn't it? you were a woman now, and he would not hold you back.
-peachessprincess is the creator of this work. please don't paste my work onto any other site
dividers by (i lost creators @, if you know who made them please tag creator so I could give credit)
HIII!! Thank you all for 300 followers, I haven't had this many people like me writing, and it was quite unexpected! If you all would like to see a special I could definitely do that but other than that thank you!!:D
summary: in which bruce wayne finally comes to terms that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
tw: just pure fluff, fiancรฉ/husband!roy harper mention! a little angst, based of two songs, "slipping through my fingers" and "maybe", crying bruce and batfam? father-daughter love chat. "father of the bride" based a little?
notes: i've had this on my mind for a while now and i always wanted to do a platonic batfam story so hear it is!
(check out my masterlist!)
he couldn't handle coming face to with this because today was the day he was supposed to let go.
BRUCE has faced many more difficult trails and tribulations than this one... so why was he having trouble with this one? maybe it was because it wasn't a life or death situation with the purpose of saving gotham from a bomb that would cause havoc for the entire city square.
this was something much more personal.
something concerning family.
it was your wedding.
it was about giving you away today, something he was slightly dreading for a while. don't get him mistaken. he was elated when he found out that roy had proposed to you, your entire engagement made him feel so proud and he was happy along with the rest of the family.
but it was only when he was on patrol with jason that the reality practically slapped him square in the face when jason said, "you ready to walk her down the aisle, old man?"
bruce froze on the rooftop ledge once he heard that, and then he thought of it. you were getting married. his little girl was getting married.
then the day finally came.
and now he was standing outside your dressing room, practically too paralyzed to knock.
prior to this, he had admitted one of his concerns to clark, but it only lead to the blue boy scout laughing square in his face which made bruce glare daggers at him. "iโ i just didn't expect out of all the problems in your life that this one bothers you so much that you had to talk with me!"
bruce just sighed over clark's continuous laughter before he felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. clark looked at him and shifted his glasses back up onto his face, "listen bruce, this day was going to come one day or another, and whether it's hard or not... she's not your little girl today."
she's a woman now.
those words rang through his mind and bruce closed his eyes, taking soft breaths before moving his hand up towards the door and knocking gently.
the ceremony was about to start soon, the time was coming. the time was coming to give you away.
the door opened to reveal cassie with steph peeping right behind her. as soon as they saw him, two big grins appeared on their face, practically gleaming with joy. "HE'S HERE!โ bruce cover your eyes and turn around."
chuckling softly, bruce put his hands up in surrender and covered his eyes, slowly walking in backwards into the room. both girls guiding him to make sure he didn't trip over anything.
giggles could be heard and he could just imagine the smiles all around him. the smells of rose, strawberries and vanilla clouded his scent, bringing a deep warmth feeling to his chest. it was soon that he had to look you in the eyes, the eyes of his little girl.
"okay you can look now!"
he uncovered his eyes, taking in the room in all its glory, elegant and ornate. its intricate white molding and decorative carvings adorning the walls and door frames.
bruce turns around, and then the air is kicked out of his lungs as soon as he sees you. his eyes widened at the sight of you.
the wedding ball gown is a cascade of ivory and lace that seemed to breathe as you stood in it. the bodice, sculpted with delicate embroidery, while the sheer sleeves wrapped yourr arms in a veil of elegance, traced with threads of silver light. you hold a bouquet of light pink flowers, and your hair is pinned up with grace as a floor length veil falls behind you.
"hi dad... " you say softly as you smile brightly, watching him take the most cautious steps towards. you look like an angel. you were his angel, a blessing that he was so grateful for.
then he felt it, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes as he felt them burn. he takes the handkerchief out his suits pocket and covers both eyes with them. he can't contain it anymore.
you're a woman now, in all your glory.
you feel tears weld in your eyes and you try to fan them away in order to not mess up your makeup. "you're gorgeous... you look perfect... " you hear bruce mutter as he tries to contain a choked up sob.
your lips quiver and you let out a soft hiccup before you shuffle towards him, steph and cass making sure to hold up your dress from behind so you wouldn't fall. you cry as you wrap your arms around bruce, you sob as if you were a kid again and hearing this made it even harder for him.
because you had always been his little girl for forever in his eyes.
he didn't want to let go of you when you both started to walk down that aisle.
he felt like he'd be losing something that he could never get back ever again. bruce didn't want that, but you were so happy, and seeing you that happy made his world.
"graysonโ please stop slobbering all over yourself, i'd like to watch my sister get married in silence." damien said, glaring at his older brother who couldn't control the waterworks. dick continued to cry into a rag given to him courtesy of starfire, who let him cry into her shoulder.
each step you took down the chapel towards the alter was a step closer and closer to what he had been dreading. but when he felt the way you held his arm in such a comforting way, he knew what was for the best.
he watched how roy take in every second of beauty and grace. jason stood behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder whispering something to him, probably "not to fuck this up." or whatever else he'd say to his best friend.
as you reached the altar, bruce felt your touch loosen before you let go of his arm. then you gave him one last smile before you gently kissed the side of his cheek, "i love you dad... " you whispered before you carefully took your place infront of roy.
bruce looked towards roy, something that he would hate to admit was scared to do, but here he was.
"... keep her safe."
roy's response was a courteous, solem nod, which was all bruce need. which was what gave him that final peace.
as he walked to his seat in the front row and sat down, he watched you interlock a hand with roy.
it was then that bruce finally realized that he would never come home to see you at the top of the stair case excited to see him again.
he'd never get to see you extatic on christmas morning after opening your gifts and immediately jumping on him to hug him again.
he'd never see you peep into the batcave because you had a nightmare and wanted to fall asleep next to him again.
you had simply grown up.
slipped through his fingers in the blink of an eye.
he drowned out the music, the excessive sobs from dick and damien telling him to shut up. he was just focused on how happy you looked up there.
he had to face that struggle of seeing you as a child.
he wished that you could stay the same forever.
but that's not how time is, isn't it? you were a woman now, and he would not hold you back.
-peachessprincess is the creator of this work. please don't paste my work onto any other site
dividers by (i lost creators @, if you know who made them please tag creator so I could give credit)
