107th | b.b
pairing: bucky barnes x reader word count: 8195 warnings: fluff, like tooth rotting fluff for the first 7k, smut, nsfw [18+ only], fingering, oral [f receiving],
prompt: kat told me to write it | cop!au / neighbour!au
summary: in which her hot cop neighbour asks for multiple favours and she can’t seem to say no to him
author’s note: my friend kat saw a hot cop in her building and told me to write her a gratuitous self-insert so i did. this is it
oneshot | masterlist
The high rise buildings tended to obscure the sun even on the best of days, so when the weather took a turn it always seemed more cold and dreary than usual. Umbrellas lined the streets as patrons attempted to reduce their carbon footprint, despite the heavy downpour. Jostling between everyone else who had the same idea to walk amongst the rain.
Every day the NYPD dealt with a variety of calls. The standard beat cops handled a huge majority of the calls. Checking in on reported robberies, potential DV cases, and anything in between. The more senior officers and higher ranking officials were called in for serious crashes or homicides. It was never a dull day in the NYPD, but every officer cherished going home after a shift. Some days they didn’t make it home. And some days racist cops were shone a light on in the media, and the wrath of the public was felt as less crimes were reported.
The trust was lost between civilian and law enforcer when the law had been abused to racially target a suspect, or even a passerby whose skin colour differed from their own. To those cops, everyone was guilty until proven innocent, but even innocence couldn’t save them in a racist world.
Sergeant Barnes ran his own unit within the NYPD. They were tasked with responding to all kinds of vehicle crashes within their precinct. Some days it was a simple ‘fell asleep at the wheel’ situation which was closed within the day and all paperwork filed before they clocked out. Other days they responded to burning cars, or drive-by’s. They knew how to handle every situation and search for the things other officers might glance over.
Today, the weather was a factor in most of the crashes reported. A learner driver spun out and crashed into a power pole. Fortunately no one was hurt, just a little shaken by the ordeal. But there were a couple more severe, ending with a few deaths that were always harder to deal with.
“Attention all units. We have a car versus semi collision with multiple casualties on the highway.” Bucky turned his radio up to hear the details over the sound of rain pounding against his car. “Ambulance and Fire are on their way to the scene now. Requesting police assistance.”
“Juliet Bravo Bravo Three One Zero. Be advised, plain clothed officer responding,” Bucky spoke through his walkie.
He hit the switch for his lights and siren, belting up and listening to other units respond to the call. The traffic parted for him as he drove to the location, fast enough that he’d get there promptly, but careful enough he wasn’t another statistic.
Sergeant Barnes was first on the scene. He drove past the cars that had stopped so traffic didn’t keep driving into them. Grabbing his raincoat before he stepped out of the car, he made sure he was parked away so the ambulance could get close to the scene. Making his rank known to the civilians who were trying to help. Holding umbrellas over a few of the victims, while others performed CPR, and attempting to get his head around the mess.
Thankfully, a rig pulled up on the other side of the highway. Barnes introduced himself to the Lieutenant and together they put forwards a plan. He’d go around to make sure all of the victims had someone helping them, while the firemen started to provide first aid to those who needed it. Swapping out with civilians doing CPR, while waiting for EMT’s to arrive.
The scene was horrific, and one of the worst he’d attended in a long time. The car that had driven straight up under the back end of the semi contained no survivors. The car behind that seemed to have swerved to avoid hitting it, but had smashed into another car. They both had young children on board who’d sustained serious injury. Barnes flagged down the Ambulances as they arrived.
“We’ve got an unresponsive kid over in the white sedan, and a suspected spinal in the black camry. My guys will make sure everyone else keeps their distance and try to get this traffic moving again.”
Barnes radioed in the situation from back at his car. He needed to get the traffic moving again, so asked for road workers to head down to try and shift the barrier between lanes. It would take some time, but they’d be able to use the other side of the highway until they got the road cleared. Otherwise traffic would be backed up for hours and they needed a solution before they had to deal with pissed off motorists.
For what it was worth, most of the scene was contained. As ambulances left with patients, more arrived to help out. Firefighters helped free passengers from their wrecked cars, and assist wherever they were needed. Barnes’ officers did what they could to provide shelter and take statements. Some headed off to the hospital, others stayed to help.
He finished his call and heard a whimper, followed by a small bark. The rain had eased up some, but not much. Storm clouds rumbled overheard. He reached into his car for his flashlight, shining it at the ground off the side of the road. He tried to find the source of the bark, calling out to the dog that had made the sound. It could be injured. A police officer’s job was never done.
Off in the bush, light reflected off a pair of eyes. A pained sound filled the air, followed by significant whimpering. There was more than one puppy seeking his help. He found the small animals huddled together, whimpering and shivering. Completely chilled to the bone. He put the flashlight in between his teeth and started picking them up, tucking them closer to his body to try and warm them up, despite his clothes growing more saturated the longer the jacket was undone.
In total, there were five shivering puppies that needed his help, so he bustled them back to his squad car and cranked the heat. Finding a blanket in the back seat and making a small pocket for them. He didn’t know what else to do, so he threw an old hoodie over top of them before jogging off to find Wilson.
Detective Wilson was his second in command, and could handle the scene without Barnes’ help. He’d just finished a double shift when he’d responded to the call. Now that things were finally under control, and all patients had left for the hospital, tidy up was well on the way. Someone had come to shift the barriers, and road cones were set up along the other side of the motorway, with traffic finally flowing again.
“What the hell are you still doing here, man?” Wilson asked. “Get your ass home and rest! We’ll call you if we need you, same as always. We got this handled, Sarge.”
“Alright, alright,” Barnes replied, holding his hands in the air. “Make sure you update me, yeah? I want the full report by the morning.”
Wilson mock saluted him, and Barnes laughed. Bidding his farewell and dashing back to his car. He shook his jacket off and threw it in the back before climbing into the car. His clothes hadn’t been as well protected against the weather as he’d imagined, and soaked the seat he sat on. He tried to warm himself up and leant over the centre console to check on the puppies. They were all still making noises of protest, but at least the shivering wasn’t as bad anymore.
He had no clue where the nearest vet or dog rescue was, so he drove. He didn’t know where he was going until the buildings became familiar and he pulled into his reserved parking spot. Under shelter of the garage, he scooped the puppies carefully into his arms, still wrapped in the blanket and his hoodie. He kept his keys handy, letting himself into the building, all the while using his feet to kick the two boxes inside the lobby. He never understood why delivery drivers couldn’t at least attempt to get buzzed in by anyone in the building, not just the intended recipient.
He couldn’t tell you how many times he’d stopped to pick them up and drop them at his neighbours apartments to keep them out of the rain, and despite having his hands full with freezing puppies, he still checked the names and apartment numbers. Scooping up the one for his neighbour, who had an affinity for online shopping, it seemed, before riding up to the 9th floor.
Bucky used the toe of his boot to kick the door, since his hands were full. Hoping to God his neighbour was home, because he’d learnt in passing that she worked at a dog rescue. If he wasn’t so sleep deprived he’d probably remember the address, but Y/N’s apartment was the next best thing. She was always coming and going with different dogs, so he figured she’d have something that could help. If not, she’d know who could.
“Sergeant Barnes. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit today?” Y/N asked. She kept a hand on the door as she opened it, her other hand on her hip.
“You had another package getting destroyed in the rain,” Bucky responded politely. “Also, I found some puppies on the side of the road lookin’ a little worse for wear, and I didn’t know where else to bring ‘em. Can ya help me?”
Y/N grabbed the box from his hands and threw it behind her. It wasn’t important. The only thing she was currently expecting was a box of snacks from her friend overseas. Nothing breakable was inside.
“Come in,” she told him, stepping aside so he could rush in and closing the door behind him. “You found them on the side of the road? How many?”
“Only found five,” he said with a slight sniff. He was freezing, but his priority was getting help for the puppies in his arms. Y/N pulled back the hoodie to take a look at the small animals.
“I’ve got some heating pads somewhere,” she said, wandering over to a cupboard and producing a clean towel. “You need to try and dry them as much as possible.”
Bucky knelt on the ground of the living room, opening up the blanket and using the small towel to dry them off. They were so small he was scared he’d hurt them, but Y/N was right. He needed to dry them off. Placing them onto a dry blanket Y/N had thrown at him while she searched for the heating pads.
“Jesus, they’re so fucking cold,” she cursed. She laid the pad out beneath the blanket, cranking it to the highest heat. “Good thing you found them. What were you doing on the side of the road anyway?”
“Car crash,” Bucky replied. “Heard ‘em whining. They’re so tiny.”
“They’re fucking babies,” Y/N agreed. “They’ve got to have just been born. A few hours old, at least. And they were all alone in the rain?”
Bucky didn’t even flinch as she started to release a string of profanity. Cursing out the assholes who abandoned these babies on the side of the road.
“Oh. Oh no. Oh baby,” Y/N whimpered, cradling one of the puppies to her chest. The others moved or made noises of complaint when they touched them. This one barely moved or made any noise. They were on their way out.
Bucky felt heat prickle his eyes as he realised why Y/N was upset and reached out to run his hand over the small pup.
“I think this one was the runt,” she said. “They’re all small, but I think the cold was too much for him. I’m gonna call the vet, see if she can pay a house visit. You should really go and change.”
“I’m fine,” he assured her, dropping his gaze to the other puppies and folding the blanket over them. He wasn’t fine and they both knew it.
“The vet’ll be about an hour in this weather,” she told him. “Go home and have a hot shower. Change into something warm and dry. You’re no use to these babies if you don’t take care of yourself. I’ve got them for now.”
“I’ll only be ten minutes,” he replied, rising to his feet. “Thank you.”
“It’s my job,” she replied simply, smiling when her eyes met his. “Can’t have you catching a cold, Sarge. Shower. Go.”
He laughed softly and showed himself out, fingers fumbling with his keys as he unlocked his door and headed straight for the bathroom. Throwing his wet clothes into the hamper and he stripped down and turned the shower on high. The water taking its time to heat up before he stepped under it and turned the dial to a much more suitable temperature. Shivering until the water warmed him enough to actually enjoy the shower.
He’d told Y/N he’d be ten minutes, but he was back in seven. His hair towel dried and dressed in an old fluffy sweater, grey sweats, and a pair of thick socks. He sat down cross legged beside the pile of puppies once again, with Y/N on the opposite side.
“Where’s the other pup? The one who might not make it?” Bucky asked.
Even with his wild hair, and ugly sweater, Y/N had to admit he was pretty cute. She’d always seen him in uniform, and something about it did all the right things for her. But this softer, more domestic look suited him just as well. If not better. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, he seemed younger without the uniform.
“The vet said body warmth might help, so I’ve got him tucked in my top,” she replied. “I don’t know if it’s going to do much. He’s still freezing.”
Without a vet checking him out to give them a proper diagnosis, things weren’t looking good for the littlest pup. The rest had started to warm nicely and were fussing happily, despite being so small. They’d need a foster home for a while to help nurse them to health before they were ready for adoption, if that’s what Bucky wanted.
“They’re all going to need a lot of care,” Y/N sounded him out. “If they are newborns and were out there for God knows how long before you found them, they could’ve picked up a number of illnesses.”
“I just gotta help them, y’know? It’s what I do,” he replied simply, smiling at the little pup who opened their eyes. “It’s usually people, but the same principle applies.”
“Yeah, I get it,” she sympathised. “What’re you gonna do with them? You gonna adopt them out, or keep them?”
“I–I haven’t really thought about it,” he said, eyebrows pulled together in thought. “Aside from knowing I had to get ‘em out of the rain and warmed up, I didn’t really think too far ahead.”
“You should probably start thinking about it, then,” Y/N advised. “I’ll probably end up fostering them until they’re old enough to be adopted. You should figure out what you want to happen to them after that. We can take them in at the rescue, if that’s what you decide. And we can help with paperwork and all that stuff if you decide to adopt.”
“Yeah,” he said, nodding his head, reaching a hand forward to catch the pup who tried to escape from the warm fort they’d made them. He lightly scratched behind the ears.
“Make sure they stay inside the blankets,” Y/N instructed. “I think I’ve got some puppy replacement milk in the fridge. We’ll try feeding them.”
“Okay,” he agreed, tucking the pup back inside as she fussed in the kitchen. “How often do you foster puppies?”
“Not just puppies,” she said. “Sometimes we find kittens as well. Or we find strays we need to get used to human company. It’s the kind of work I don’t mind bringing home with me.”
“Only work I ever bring home with me is paperwork and it does my head in,” he replied with a laugh, turning to look over his shoulder to watch her briefly. “I wouldn’t mind bringing this kinda work home with me.”
“Puppies are full on,” she warned him. “You can’t just leave them alone when you go to work. Someone’s always gotta stay with them. You got a roommate...or a girlfriend who could help out?”
“No. It’s just me.”
Y/N hummed in response. There was no way a guy like him was single. Maybe what they said about the Luck of the Irish was true.
“I dunno if I could take ‘em all,” he told her. “I’d love to, but it’s a bit impractical, y’know? These places are so fuckin’ small I’m surprised I can even fit a double bed in my room.”
Y/N laughed. She knew all about that. Their places had to be of similar size.
“I don’t know. I feel kinda bad, y’know? I don’t know if I’d have the time for one of these little guys. I work odd hours and like you said, they need someone with them.”
“C’mon,” she said. She could sense the apprehension in his voice. “These pups look like they could be a medium-sized breed once fully grown. They’d be perfect for these apartments. They’d obviously need to be walked and given attention but it isn’t like you’re gone for weeks at a time. I’m sure someone in the building would walk him or her.”
“They’re so cute. I never really thought about gettin’ a dog. Could be nice. Not coming home to an empty apartment, y’know?”
He laughed at the puppy who’d managed to crawl out of the blankets once again. His brothers and sisters content being inside the warm blankets, but this one just wanted to move. Bucky caught the small animal before he fell on the floor and scooped him into his arms, cradling him close to his chest and tucking him into his hoodie.
Y/N watched the whole scene unfold from the kitchen and smiled as Bucky turned to look at her once again. “I think he’s just chosen you as his new dad.”
The small pup nipped at his neck before making himself comfortable.
“I think I’m gonna call him Cruiser,” Bucky said. Y/N walked over to him with a few syringes full of warmed milk diluted with water.
“What about the rest of them?” She asked.
“Howler.” He pointed to the one who kept making noise. “I think they’re the one who caught my attention in the first place. Echo.” He pointed to the one that seemed to be copying every noise their sibling made. “And Blue.”
“What about my little guy?”
He thought for a second, watching her try to feed the weakened pup. “Sarge. Gotta name at least one after me, right?”
True to her word, Y/N fostered the puppies. Bucky came over every day after work to see them and help with their feeding. Sarge barely made it through the night, but after the vet had checked him out and given him some antibiotics, he slowly started to improve. Letting Y/N feed him, while his brothers and sister were quite happy in their makeshift blanket bed.
That first night, Bucky had stayed to help her with them. Needing to know they were all going to be okay, and eventually passing out from exhaustion on her sofa just after 9am. He’d called out of work just before 5am sounding worse for wear thanks to being caught in the weather. Y/N didn’t disturb him. Instead she gave him a blanket and readied some cold medicine and water for when he woke up, and went about feeding each of the puppies herself.
With Bucky back at work and the weather on the decline as they came into winter, Y/N made sure he had enough stuff for when Cruiser was ready to move in with him. He’d already been out to pick up some things from the rescue where Y/N worked, and she’d given him a list of things he needed to pick up elsewhere.
There were still nights where Y/N wasn’t too sure Sarge was going to make it. Even with the OK from the vet, Sarge was still tiny. He was growing at half the rate his brothers and sister were, and he had her worried more often than not. With the weather as bad as it was and snow sticking to the ground, Y/N constantly had the heat cranked. Even if she was a sweaty mess, Sarge was shivering.
Some nights she woke Bucky up. The exhaustion of caring for all the pups and doting on Sarge getting the better of her. Sometimes she was in tears. Sick with worry that he wouldn’t make it through the night. He wouldn’t eat or drink, so she woke Bucky up to sit with her. The two making sure to switch out nursing Sarge, and trying to catch some sleep.
Bucky had told everyone at the precinct about the puppies he’d found that day of the crash. How his neighbour, who worked at a dog rescue, was helping foster them to health. How cute they all were, and how excited he was to take Cruiser home when he was big enough.
He mentioned the other puppies. Howler, Echo and Blue. How they were growing perfectly, just like Cruiser, and how Y/N said they’d be ready for adoption soon. Word was that Sarge was still too small. The vet had popped around to check them all out again recently, and had started the smallest pup on a new dose of antibiotics. She’d told them to mix it in with his food, so that he didn’t fight them on it, and told them to call if they had any further worries.
Sometimes the runts stayed small all their lives. Sometimes they’d grow to a similar size as their siblings. The vet wasn’t worried about him not progressing as fast as his brothers or sister. It happened sometimes. He’d need extra love once his siblings were adopted, but Y/N couldn’t bare to separate Sarge and Cruiser. They had a bond like no other, and she voiced her concerns to Bucky late one night when Sarge was keeping her up.
“I’m not separating them,” she told him. “Blue, Echo and Howler are all well enough to be adopted, but I’m not letting you take Cruiser without Sarge. He’s still so sick and tiny and needs so much care. He’s gotta stay with at least one of his brothers, so either you take them both now or they stay with me a bit longer.”
Y/N had bonded with Sarge and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to let him go. Thankfully, Bucky only lived next door, so she knew he’d let her over to visit. But a part of her wished he wasn’t ready to take either of the pups yet. Now that Blue had found her forever home, and Howler and Echo’s potential adoptive family were still deciding if they take them both, she wasn’t sure if she’d handle a quiet apartment again. She’d grown used to having them all around, and felt the disappearance of Blue quite heavily. In the coming days, she’d be losing Howler and Echo, so she wished Bucky would let her take care of them a bit longer.
“Okay,” he replied. “It’ll be just like it is here, right? ‘Cept at my place. I can do that.”
Howler and Echo had retired for the night and were content. Y/N was about to break out the tequila when there was a frantic knock at her door. She shushed the pups and assured them it was okay as their little heads shot up from their beds. Taking a look through the peephole and sighing when she saw Bucky.
“They won’t stop whining,” he told Y/N. “Can you come over?”
It was the first time she’d set foot in his apartment, considering he’d spent most of his free time at hers while she nursed the pups back to health. It felt a little strange, but eerily comfortable. There was a stack of unopened mail at the end of the kitchen counter, as well as an assortment of gift baskets. She was about to ask him what that was all about when he dragged her into his room. She’d been moving too slowly for his liking.
Y/N crouched down by the pups bed and let them sniff her.
“They’ve been going at it for the past couple hours. I don’t know what to do,” he stressed, crouching beside her and running a hand through his hair.
“They’re just not familiar with their new home yet,” she assured him. “They know you. Maybe let them cuddle with you for a bit, rather than trying to keep them in their bed. Once they know you’re here they’ll start feeling more safe and ready to sleep alone. Usually when I’m just pottering around I’ll keep Sarge inside my hoodie. Cruiser usually follows us around, but if I’m sitting down he’ll find his way into my lap. You just gotta give them time to get familiar with their surroundings, Bucky. They’re okay.”
“Okay.” He exhaled in relief. “Thank God.”
She laughed softly, watching Cruiser naturally drift towards his dad. He had a tendency to do that, and she’d noticed that he seemed to be a little lost whenever Bucky wasn’t around. Wandering aimlessly around her apartment as if trying to find him. He settled easily once Bucky gave him a kiss, and let him lick his cheek.
He tucked both pups into the front of his hoodie, and there they stopped whining.
“You want to stay for a bit? If Howler and Echo are okay alone?” He offered. “I was about to see what kind of sweet treats everyone was trying to bribe me with.”
“Is that what all those gift baskets are for?” She asked, laughing as he nodded his head.
He hummed and Cruiser popped his head out of the neck of his hoodie. “If Wilson and Rogers don’t get Howler or Echo, everyone else is trying to. I would tell them it’s not up to me, but I have a sweet tooth. I’m enjoying all the home baking.”
“They should be okay for another ten minutes or so,” Y/N assured him. A smile spread across his face as he stood up and offered his hand to her. Helping her to her feet.
“I think I Romanoff is trying to bribe you too. She gave me a cheesecake and it’s got your name all over it.”
Y/N felt herself start salivating. “Oh, I’m already there. If it’s got a cherry glaze she can have Echo.”
Bucky laughed and led her out to the kitchen once again, aware he hadn’t let her hand go yet, but that she wasn’t complaining. In fact, she took the chance to slide her fingers between his own, giving his hand a squeeze.
They’d grown closer ever since that fateful night where Bucky had found the puppies and shown up on her doorstep. Their friendship was easy and comfortable, and full of concern for their baby, Sarge, who gave them both quite a good scare more times than they’d care to admit. She was his mom, always, and now he was his dad. Learning to care for both Cruiser and Sarge, but unable to do it without her help.
She was a little disheartened when he dropped her hand, but only to catch Sarge falling out the bottom of his hoodie.
“We talked about this,” Bucky said softly, tucking Sarge back inside his hoodie and making sure he wasn’t going anywhere for the time being. “You’re making me look bad in front of your mom.”
Y/N felt her heart swell. She reached forward to pat Sarge’s head, aware of how close they were standing together. “He’s a good boy. He could never make you look bad. Where’s this cheesecake? I need it inside me.”
Bucky cleared his throat and took a step back, attempting to hide how flustered her comment made him by sifting through the fridge to find the container he’d packed away. Eventually producing it, and knowing his cheeks had a hint of colour to them.
“There’s a charity thing the NYPD throws once a year.” Bucky was trying to change the conversation, but the way he was going made him more nervous. “I was wonderin’ if you’d like to come with me? It’s nothin’ special, just...thought it might be nice, y’know?”
“When is it?”
“Next Friday. I know it’s late notice, and you might already have made pla–”
“I’d love to, Bucky,” she was quick to assure him. “I’m assuming it’s black tie?”
“Great,” he said. “Yeah, it is. Starts at eight, so we’ll leave about half-seven, yeah?”
“Sounds good,” she said with a smile. “I haven’t had an excuse to get glammed up in a long time. I hope you’re ready to be outshone, Sarge.”
Hearing his name, the little pup yipped and popped his head out of the collar of the hoodie. The pair laughed and Y/N scratched under the pups chin.
“Not you, baby. My other Sarge.”
Bucky looked like sin dressed in his formal wear. He’d debuted his new haircut earlier in the week, and though Y/N missed the luscious locks he was always fiddling with, she couldn’t help but think he looked just as delicious with a more cropped hairstyle.
He wore his uniform proudly, and while Y/N had been expecting some kind of suit, she hadn’t expected he’d be required to attend in uniform. He looked good in uniform, she always knew that, but having him actually taking in her own appearance at the same time sent shivers down her spine. He took his hat off and tucked it under his arm, whistling lowly and shaking his head.
Y/N had on an all black number, with her hair twisted into a low bun. The material hung off her shoulders, which Bucky assumed was meant to happen, and it hugged her tightly in the bodice before flowing freely from the waist down. She’d paired the outfit with a small gold necklace, that caught the light and sparkled.
“You’re going to outshine me tonight, sweetheart,” he told her. “You look magnificent, Y/N.”
“You scrub up pretty well too, Sarge,” she teased, reaching out to straighten his tie and smoothing her hand down his chest. “You nervous?”
She didn’t know, did she? “Why would I be nervous?”
She shrugged. “It’s the first night you’re leaving Sarge and Cruiser alone so you can have a life for a couple of hours. It’s a big step,” she replied matter-of-factly. “At least everyone at the precinct knows you’re a new father to puppies, so we have an excuse to leave early, right?”
Bucky chuckled and nodded his head. He didn’t want to tell her that his sister was over to look after them because he was way too paranoid about leaving them alone. So he let her believe that she knew his plan. “You know me so well,” he told her, relaxing a little. “You ready to go? Our Uber is waiting for us outside.”
Y/N grabbed a black piece of material and hung it around her back, loosely draped over her arms. Reaching for her clutch before locking the door to her apartment and accepting the arm Bucky offered her. Wrapping her own around it and leaning into him.
They chatted about how quickly Cruiser and Sarge had adapted to life at Bucky’s after the first night he’d panicked. She stopped over to see them while he was at work. Happy to let them out for a toilet break, and give them cuddles. He was happy for her to be there. Occasionally he’d get a picture while he was at work of both puppies in her lap and he’d miss being at home. Wishing his shift would hurry up and finish so he didn’t have to rely on pictures to see his babies.
After Howler and Echo had been adopted by other cops at the precinct, Y/N’s apartment was far too empty and quiet. It was like Bucky knew, so he’d dropped by with a key and asked her if she minded checking on them during the day if she was home. And on the nights where he was on call, she came over and they ordered takeout and watched a film together. Cuddled beneath a large blanket, with Sarge happy in her lap, and Cruiser at home in his.
She always fell asleep, cuddled up next to him with his arm around her. He couldn’t let himself, because once his eyes closed his phone rang with a call and he had to go. He’d found that if he stayed awake he got to enjoy those moments more often, than have to wake her up so he could answer the call. Always a little put out that their peaceful moment was disturbed whenever his phone rang, but it was his job. She always woke up enough to tell him to be safe, and he’d assure her he’d be just fine, because she was his good luck charm. He had to come home, right? He couldn’t leave their babies without a dad.
And so he’d leave, but not before he’d kissed her forehead and made sure the blanket and been pulled up over her so she didn’t wake feeling the cold.
Bucky got out once they arrived and helped Y/N out after him. She beamed at him – ever the gentleman – and linked her arm with his again. He fixed his hat on his head and together they walked into the venue.
It was a large affair. Bucky wasn’t the only officer in uniform, but he certainly was the one who looked the best. He grabbed them a couple flutes of champagne from a passing waiter, and bashfully accepted the congratulations offered to him.
“What was that about?” Y/N asked, eyeing him as she sipped her champagne.
“I...uhh. My unit is being honoured tonight,” he confessed. “I knew you’d give me shit if I told you...so I didn’t.”
“I’d only give you shit because I’m proud of you,” she replied. “You guys do an amazing service to the people of this city. They’re lucky to have you on the scene, responding to their crashes. You deserve to be honoured. You all do.”
She tacked on the end part like an afterthought, and Bucky was well aware how it sounded. She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Congratulations. I’ll be cheering for you the loudest.”
“Thank you,” he replied softly.
“C’mon. I think you owe me a proper introduction to your unit. And I still have to thank Detective Romanoff for that cheesecake, so this is a perfect opportunity.”
Her clutch was tucked under her arm, while her hand that wasn’t holding her glass of champagne was holding Bucky’s. He opened his fingers up, letting her fit hers between them, before closing his hand and giving hers a squeeze. Sighting the familiar redhead through the crowd, engaging in conversation with Police Chief Stark.
Bucky had told his colleagues everything there was to know about his neighbour who’d helped foster five puppies he’d found. He’d never talked about a woman so much. Not even his ex had lasted through as many conversations he’d had. It was clear to everyone around him that he thought more of this woman than he was letting on. Masking it by bleeding in stories of something one of the puppies had done recently, but everyone knew him well enough to know there was something more going on. Even if he was acting like an oblivious idiot. They all knew he had feelings for her.
It was the same for Y/N. She’d had multiple calls with her friend overseas who knew all about Bucky. Who she’d been on the phone to some nights when he’d finished work and popped in to say goodnight to her and the puppies. Looking worse for wear after pulling a double, but not being able to rest until he’d seen them all.
She’d told her all about the hot cop who lived next door, whose radio often woke her at night when he was on call. How he was always stopping off to give her a parcel that had been left out in the rain, or the sweet smiles he gave her in passing. He was friendly, but she hadn’t known it was just for her. He certainly never went to the same trouble of hand-delivering anyone else’s mail to their doorstep. Just hers.
But she didn’t know that.
She’d called her that first night after he’d bought the puppies over and crashed on her couch. She’d seen how dead he was on his feet, so even though it was a mission trying to feed all five puppies every couple hours by herself, she let him sleep. He looked so peaceful, and about five years younger when he didn’t walk around like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Those puppies had given him the opportunity he needed to befriend her. Actually have a proper conversation about something other than the horrid weather they were having, or a friendly ‘good morning’ when their paths crossed as she left for work, and he was finishing a shift.
Now they let themselves into each other’s apartments without even knocking. Y/N had a key to his apartment so she could let Sarge and Cruiser have some cuddles while he was at work, and give them some fresh air out on the balcony that they’d puppy-proofed so they couldn’t squeeze between the railing. They were more than friendly, and neither of them were upset by the change in dynamic. Rather they embraced it, and each other, with open arms.
And now they were at the annual NYPD charity ball, which they often celebrated outstanding officers amongst their ranks, and tonight she was Bucky’s date. She was there to support him when his unit was honoured by the rest of their colleagues, and she was warmed that he’d asked her to be apart of his night. She’d give anything to go on a proper date with the smouldering Sergeant, but what she didn’t know that he was working up the courage to ask her on a proper date.
He just had to get his courage up a bit, and make sure she had a nice time tonight so she’d want to go out with him again in a less formal way. But make it clear that it was going to be a date. Preferably without coming across as a nervous, bumbling idiot.
“You must be Y/N.”
Natasha didn’t give Bucky the chance to properly introduce the two women. Smiling at the woman holding his hand.
The pair made quite the duo. Nat could see the appeal, and she approved of the woman for her boss. He was happy. He just needed to stop being an idiot and wine her and dine her like she deserved.
“You must be Detective Romanoff,” Y/N replied, almost reeling under the scrutinising gaze Natasha hit her with.
“Please, call me Natasha,” she insisted. “It’s lovely to finally meet you. Barnes never shuts up about you.”
Bucky loosened his grip on Y/N’s hand but she gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I understand the appeal. I’m kind of amazing.”
Natasha laughed easily. “Yes, I got that.” It wasn’t sarcastic, nor did it hold any hint of doubt. Bucky knew her well enough to know if she didn’t like someone she made it known, so the fact that she actually liked Y/N was huge. He exhaled slowly and smiled.
If only the rest of the night was as easy.
They both drank a little more than they should’ve during the other speeches and awards presented. He was nervously awaiting the moment he and his unit were called up to accept their unit citation badges, and Y/N simply enjoyed the free booze. Bucky still had a speech to make, and fiddled nervously with his cue cards. He was so focused on his cue cards he didn’t hear the name of his unit called, so Y/N jabbed him with her elbow.
“That’s you, Sarge. Go get ‘em,” she told him, pressing a kiss to his cheek and clapping for him as he and his unit made their way to the stage. He shook hands with Chief Stark and congratulated each member of his team and pinned their badges to their breastplate.
Then his eyes fell on Y/N, who was cheering just as loudly as she’d promised. He couldn’t stop the grin that formed on his face as he looked at her. She didn’t care that she was the only one making noise, but she did get the room to stand. Giving the officers a well-deserved standing ovation.
The only time she quietened down was when Bucky took the podium to say his speech. Trying to address the room, but unable to keep his eyes off Y/N. She sat forward in her chair, with her elbows on the table and hands clasped together beneath her chin. She was breathtaking. And whether it was the high of accepting the award, or the courage from the alcohol, the second he got back to the table he was kissing her. Holding her face in his hands and melting against her.
It was like they were the only ones in the room, but he heard Wilson and Romanoff say it was about damn time. Smiling as he pulled away, and Y/N reached up to cup his face.
“I agree with those two,” she told him. “Took you long enough, Sarge.”
He stopped her teasing by kissing her again. It was sweet. More than a peck, but not enough for them to make a scene. She pouted a little as he pulled away.
“Later,” he promised. She’d hold him to it. He kissed her cheek as they took their seats again, keeping his arm rested over the back of her chair. Doing everything he could to avoid the smirks of his colleagues who’d just witnessed their first kiss.
He was never going to live it down. But they could escape before any of them tried to corner them, because he had to finally tell her he had feelings for her before everyone else tried to do it for him. Pulling her away from the group, smacking into his chest as he spun around yet she kept walking.
“I’m sorry,” he said, brushing some hair from her face.
“It’s okay.” She placed her hands on his chest. His hands found her waist.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he told her. “Kiss you, I mean. Not make you bump into me.”
Y/N laughed. “I got that, Sarge,” she replied. “I want you to kiss me again. Without a room full of people watching us this time.”
He dipped his head to brush his nose against hers. Eyes closing as he placed a feather soft kiss to her lips, one that had her gripping the lapels of his jacket and pulling him closer. The kiss had been long awaited by both parties. For months they’d been overly affectionate with each other. Cute. Domestic. Caring for the sick puppies together at all hours of the night. Cuddling together on each other’s couches, or kissing each others cheeks as a greeting instead of saying ‘hi’ like normal people.
The kiss was so long overdue.
It wasn’t pretty like you see in the movies. It was all teeth clashing and hands touching wherever they could find. It was the doorknob digging into her ass, and awkward fumbling to try and open it.
It was tripping over their own feet inside his apartment after an awkward car ride home. It was his sister waking up on the couch hearing the breathy moans from his bedroom, showing herself out and wondering how they’d snuck past her.
He took his time undressing her. Unzipping her dress and letting it pool at her feet, pressing a kiss to her shoulder blade, his hand falling on her hip.
“You’ve got way too many clothes on, Sarge,” she chastised as she turned around.
“You say that any louder and we’ll have a puppy scratchin’ at the door, beggin’ to be let in,” he replied, fingers loosening his tie as she untucked his shirt from his pants and worked on undoing the buttons.
She laughed easily. “Don’t worry. I can be quiet.”
He groaned as her fingers started working his belt free. “Don’t want you to be quiet,” he confessed, undoing the last button on his shirt to strip it off. Watching her eyes hungrily rake down his body.
The sound of his zipper being pulled down flipped a switch inside him. Pushing his trousers down his legs and stepping forward to pick Y/N up. A delighted gasp falling past her lips as he walked them to the bed, her legs around his waist as he laid her down. Kissing a line down from the base of her throat, through the valley between her breasts, and down her stomach until he reached her navel.
He wasted no time removing her underwear and licking a bold stripe up her centre. Wrapping his lips around her clit and humming before slowly teasing a finger inside her.
“Fuck, Bucky, please,” she begged, hands wound into the sheets as he fucked her with his mouth and fingers. She was an absolute mess within minutes. Hips rising off the bed as her body shuddered under the force of her orgasm. His name falling past her lips like a chant.
He loved it. He never wanted it to end. Withdrawing his fingers and kissing her thighs before hovering over her again.
“Hi,” he said with a shy grin.
“Hi.” She laughed breathily, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck and lightly scratching his scalp. “That was better than I imagined it would be.”
“You think about it often, then?” He teased, the tips of his ears burning.
“Only every time I get myself off,” she told him, tilting her head to allow him access to her neck. “If I struggle to masturbate after this I’m blaming you.”
“Guess I’ll just have to help you out, hm?”
She moaned, feeling him grind his hips against her own. His cock still tucked away in his boxers, painfully hard as he stretched the material.
“Fuck me.”
He hummed. “Let me up so I can grab a condom.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m a grown ass woman. I have an IUD. Just please...stop dragging this out any longer,” she pleaded. He groaned as she dug her heels into his ass, pressing their bodies so much closer to where they both wanted to be.
He sat back on his heels, pushing his underwear down and kicking the material away. Moving back over her quickly, giving her a sweet kiss as he reached between their bodies and rubbed the head of his cock up her slit. Pressing deliciously at her entrance, letting her grow more needy the longer he teased her.
A whine fell past her lips and he grinned. Slowly stroking into her. Reaching down to grip her leg behind her knee, spreading her body wider. Allowing him better access.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he told her, dropping his head to her chest and showing her breasts so love. Taking his time with his thrusts at first. She squeezed him so deliciously he had to try not to come then and there. Groaning as he bottomed out and her name fell past her lips in a breathy gasp.
“Bucky!”
“‘M here, baby,” he said rocking his hips into hers and building up a steady pace. Her fingers found her clit and he groaned, feeling her walls tighten around him. “Fuck, yes.”
He was so glad she was close again because he couldn’t hold out much longer. Wanting her to come undone beneath him before he let his orgasm unfold. Hearing her moans grow more breathy and frequent. Her hand gripping his bicep and his mouth finding her own. Sharing needy, open mouthed kisses.
He swore he was seeing stars. Blinking spots from his vision as he watched her arch off the bed and shudder beneath him. Milking his own orgasm from him in the process of her own. Both groaning and cursing loudly as they came down from their highs and shared a slow, sweet kiss.
“I think I’m gonna be staying over a lot more from now on, huh?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”