Romantic stucky!  the companion happy times to my sad Steve hours; one of 3 arts that I created for my @notanotherstuckybb 2020 collab with @powercrow
the fic is a fantastic Planet Hulk comics and MCU Endgame divergent crossover adventure! đ Â
Warnings: major character death, poison, pain, au, bleeding, asphyxiation, choking, blood tasting (?)
Rating: Mature (just because of themes)
Words: 506
Written for: @agonyapril2022 | @buckybarnesbingo | @badthingshappenbingo
Event: Agony April | Bucky Barnes Bingo 2022 | Bad Things Happen Bingo
Prompt/Square: Day 6 (Alt 8): Poison | Y2: Pain | I3: Left for Dead
Summary: Bucky is wanted dead by the witch that has killed his family and staked claim to his kingdom. He had no army, no allies, so he had no choice but to run.
Type: Drabble | Moodboard
Bucky thought the young redhead he came across in the woods was just a kindly peasant girl selling her family's produce. Her coy smile and bright green eyes drew him in, and her melodic voice brought a smile to his normally glowering face. It was refreshing to see someone after what felt like weeks out in the god-forsaken forest, running from the impending doom at what was once his castle, so when she offered him a taste of the green apple she was eating, he threw caution to the wind. There was nonway the witch could find him after so many days gone; she probably had already given up the search for him knowing he was dead somewhere, thinking predators were feasting on his rotting corpse. And so, he took the piece of apple and bit into it, the juice slightly dripping down his lips and chin. It felt like a godsend compared to the nuts and berries he had been feasting on since he ran, and he wasn't overly concerned when it felt like the juice caught in his throat, making him cough.
But the cough didn't stop. He felt his lungs burn for air as he continued to half choke on the apple, sputtering out pieces of the half chewed fruit as he fell to his knees, his fingers digging into the soft earth. His eyes watered as he tried to look to the young girl for help, but she was standing behind her small table, her coy face now set in a slight scowl and sinister smirk.
"My darling prince," she sang, leaning forward on her hands to look down on him, "you thought you could escape your fate. You're a fool to think you could run from me, to try to survive. I made a promise to a very powerful deity to end your family's line, and I fully intended to follow through to see the light leave your eyes."
He could say anything, his throat closing on itself slowly, making it harder to breathe. He watched her with wide eyes round the table to lower herself in front of him, the devilish smile on her face.
"Y-y-you."
It was all he could manage before a coughing fit overtook him again, this time blood splattered the forest ground.
Her finger hooked under his jaw, lifting his head up to make him look at her, not flinching when his cough misted her hand with his blood.
"I could have done it quickly, you know, but I wanted to savor every second of your life dwindling to nothing. Just makes it sweeter to see you suffer."
Bucky went to grab her hand as he felt air leave him and not be replenished, but she brushed him off, making him fall hard to the ground, her finger turning his head to face her.
"Sweet dreams, darling prince," she smiled saccharinely as she stood, her bloodied hand going to her lips, where she licked a speck off of her finger. "And thank you for the kingdom."
|| warnings: language words, smut, sex, sex pollen kinda, animal transformation, grumpy bucky, angst/horror?, fae/faries, fairy tale vibes
|| challenge: @sourpatchkidsandacokecanâ Little Darlinâs Mystery AU Challenge - Werewolf AU - You have been lost in the forest due to a curse that wonât let you leave.
|| square filled: @star-spangled-bingoâ SSB2020 I3: âThis is not what it looks likeâ
|| square filled: @buckybarnesbingoâ K2: Survival in the wild
|| summary: You wake up in a strange, magical place. All alone, you start to walk and find that you arenât the only one wandering the trees.
|| link: ao3
|| note: i donât know why iâm nervous to post this, but i am! forgive me, my brain gets the best of me sometimes. i hope you guys enjoy this - despite the posting anxiety, i did enjoy weaving this little tale. i just hope it all makes sense :)
line dividers by writeyourmindaway!
Your feet are blistered and bloody. Youâve been walking for hours. Your throat is dry, your eyes puffy and swollen; watery. Your sundress is tattered and ripped and you donât know why. You canât remember. You donât know where you are, why youâre here, or how you ended up in this place - but the fear sitting in your belly is the only thing keeping you moving.
Itâs dense here. Thick, green, lush trees and shrubs line the dirt path that you walk on. Sun rays peek through the treetops, but because theyâre so thick, the trees, it looks like a dark day; a muted day. You can hear birds chirping, little bugs buzzing around, even spot a butterfly or two. Itâs beautiful - but ominous. Like thereâs danger lurking just around the bend.Â
You hear crackling in the distance - leaves being crunched, twigs being broken - and you freeze, snapping your head towards it. You swallow hard as you zero in on the noise, everything else going silent around you. You clutch the hem of your dress in your hand, as itâs the only tangible thing that makes any of this real, and just listen. Your heart beats loudly in your ears. A bead of sweat slips down the side of your face. Your breath is shallow.
The crackling stops. You wait for a beat or two, blinking slowly, listening hard, and then you start moving again - trying to find something, someone⊠anything. You nervously continue to play with the hem of your dress as you pad through this still forest, the soft dirt squishing through your toes. The sound of water soon hits your ears, soft and rippling, and just at the end of the path, thereâs a small bank leading to a quiet little river.Â
You quicken your pace, stepping into the grass, and then the wet sand before you fall to your knees and dip your hands into the water. You splash your face, once, twice, three times, before dipping your hands back into the surprising cool liquid, cupping them to collect a small amount. You bring it to your lips to drink, slurping it in haste as your thirst overwhelms you. Handful after handful, you bring the small offering of water to your lips, barely finishing the gulp before thrusting your hands back in the water.
Youâre so consumed with the cool liquid that you donât even hear the crackling of the leaves behind you. You drop your hands back into the water as you lift your eyes to the other side of the bank slowly. Your breath goes shallow again as you blink rapidly, now acutely aware that youâre being watched by someone, or something. You swallow hard and let your lips part as you turn your head, peeking over your shoulder - and suddenly, youâre face to face with a large, white wolf.Â
Your chin starts to tremble as fear paralyzes you. The animalâs eyes are a piercing blue as they stare back at you. Its head is low, ears laid back on its head. Its nose twitches as it sniffs at the air, but it never takes its eyes off of you. It lowers its head to the ground, sniffing at the footprints you left behind before it lifts its gaze to you again.Â
It takes a step towards you, slowly, and then another, and another. You donât move -Â you canât. You just start to tremble as it closes the distance between you, a single tear slipping down your cheek as your eyes cloud over with water. It gets nose to nose with you, blinking slowly as it starts to sniff you. You let out a sob as it pushes its nose into your hair, breathing you in. It lets out a hard breath, tossing your hair with it before it tilts its head towards the sky and howls loudly.Â
You jump and gasp at the sudden burst of noise as it rocks through the forest. Birds flock from the trees as more howls from somewhere deep in the trees, making you snap your head towards the chorus, your chest now heaving.Â
âYouâre quick,â a deep voice sounds, making you snap your head back again, âTook me hours to track you.â
The wolf is suddenly gone, now replaced with a very tall, blonde, blue eyed, naked man. Your eyes go wide as you scramble back into the water. You blink furiously, pushing more hot tears down your face as your mind starts to race. You shake your head as your face breaks, finally giving into the confusion and fear thatâs motivated you for most of the day. The man kneels and tilts his head as he watches you, his eyes still searching as if he isnât quite sure of you.
âItâs okay,â he says softly, holding out his hand, âIâm not going to hurt you.â
âI donât know whatâs going on,â you cry openly, âI donât - I donât know where I am.â
âItâs okay, Iâll explain it to you on the way. Come.â
He wiggles his fingers, trying to coax you out of the water. You shake your head again frantically, dragging in a breath, nearly choking on it, âPlease, I just, I want to go home. Please.â
âCome.â He says again, his voice still soft- still calm.Â
âNo, please let me go. Please.â You beg.
The man sighs, blinking back at you slowly, âYou canât go home. Come with me please, before something dangerous finds you.â
You stare at his hand, still outstretched towards you, before you cut your eyes back up to his. A deep growl sounds through the trees, followed by a series of menacing barks. You and the man both snap towards the noise. A black wolf moves through the trees on the opposite side of the stream, instantly sending chills down your spine. Its eyes are golden, but a darkness looms in them as it peers at you. It starts to growl again, lowering its head as it bares its teeth, barking loudly again.
âCut it out,â the man behind you says sternly, âSheâs already claimed, Rumlow.â
You gasp when the black wolf changes right in front of you. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, a dark haired man stands on the bank, âShe hasnât been marked yet,â he smirks, his eyes bouncing between yours and the man behind you, âSo technically, she hasnât been claimed, Rogers.â
âBack off. Iâm warning you.â
âOoooh,â Rumlow laughs, âScary voice.â
You swallow and glance up at the man behind you, Rogers. He keeps his eyes across the stream, his hands balled at his sides, his chest swollen with possession, âGet behind me,â He hisses, âNow.â
You oblige - and fast. You scramble to your feet and step behind him, peering around his arm at the menacing Rumlow. He sneers at you, wiggling his fingers, trying to intimidate you. The golden eyed man takes a step into the water and Rogers transforms back to his four legged alter ego. He digs his paw into the wet sand and lowers his head as a deep growl rumbles in his throat.Â
You skirt your eyes back to this Rumlow, watching as he turns, thick black hair and four legs returning to his frame. He barks at you and Rogers, saliva dripping from his mouth as he bares his teeth.Â
They lunge at each other without so much as a warning, making you stumble back as you inhale sharply. The sounds of nails ripping through flesh, water splashing, loud barking and growling fill the air as you once again blink back tears. You stand in utter disbelief as these two half animal, half man creatures rip into each other - one, seemingly for your protection, the other for ownership.Â
Rogers prevails. He pins the black wolf to the mud, his teeth biting into the others throat and neck, shaking his head back and forth. The black wolf whelps in pain as it kicks and scratches at the much larger, much stronger opponent. Rogers releases him, taking a few steps back but keeps his eyes on the other as it scrambles back up the bank. The golden eyes are back on you as he whips back around, growling lowly, but soon scampers off with a heavy limp.
Rogers watches the trees for a minute longer before he turns and moves slowly back to your side. He rubs his head against your hand, licking your fingers gently. You look down at him, his big blue eyes gazing back up into yours and you canât help but pat the top of his head. He did just save you, after all.
âThank you.â You offer softly.
He takes a few steps past you and then turns to look at you, waiting for you to join him. You really have nowhere else to go and knowing now what exactly lurks out in the trees, youâre too afraid to have him leave you. The two of you start to walk back in the direction that you first came. He stays in his wolf form, his heavy paws padding softly in the dirt next to you, his eyes wide and alert as you traipse through the forest. Your mind races with the silence, his words playing over and over again - you canât go home. You canât go home. You canât go home. Your stomach starts to twist all over again. Why canât you go home? What did you do to make it so?Â
Maybe itâs a dream - maybe itâs just all one big, bad dream and you canât wake yourself up. You start to pray, closing your eyes as you walk, pleading with God to just wake you up from all of this. But you donât - wake up that is.Â
You walk for hours. The heat beating down on you from the sun starts to wear on you, your throat going dry again as sweat beads on your forehead. Your feet ache as each footprint you leave behind starts to clump with blood. Your vision starts to blur and you stumble slightly, making Rogers snap his head towards you.
He circles your legs, barking a few times before he changes into his human form again. He grabs your elbow, his eyes searching yours intently before he brushes your messy hair away from your face.Â
âWeâre almost there, let me carry you.â
You pull away from him but stumble again, âIâm fine, I -â
Without another word, youâre lifted from your feet with ease. He curls you into his broad, hairy chest, wrapping an arm around your back and tucking the other underneath your knees. Youâre too exhausted to fight him. You rest your head against his chest and let him carry you slowly the rest of the way, your eyes closing to slits. Youâre barely conscious when Rogers steps through a wall of brush and shrubs and suddenly, youâve stepped into a utopia.Â
You blink furiously as you try and make sure that you are seeing what you are really seeing. The air smells sweeter. The trees and grass are alive with motion as a breeze whips over your body. You feel eyes on you as Rogers moves you through this new town-like place. You can see cottages placed randomly throughout the trees as people start to come out from them, watching. You tense, but Rogers is quick to quell your fear.
âItâs okay. Your scent is spreading, thatâs all.â
âMy scent? I smell bad?â
He smiles a little, keeping his eyes straight ahead, âNot bad, just new.â
âWhere are we going?â
âTo see Wanda. Sheâs our seer.â
He moves you through another set of trees and youâre standing at the edge of a large lake. The water level is low - a wispy waterfall to your left barely dribbles into the body of water. Thatâs when you spot her, a redheaded woman bathing in the water. Her back is to you, but sheâs calm as she sweeps her hand over her outstretched arm, smoothing water over her skin. Rogers sits you on your feet but keeps his hand on the small of your back to help keep you steady.Â
You glance over at him, where he meets your gaze, shaking his head gently as he taps his index finger against his lips, âWait until she calls for you.â He whispers.Â
Another man pops up from underneath the water seconds later, scaring you slightly. He pushes the water away from his face with his hands before he sweeps them over the top of his head. He smiles at you, and you smile back without hesitation - heâs so beautiful. Itâs a warm, gentle, friendly smile - the gap in his teeth and the crinkles at the corner of his eyes invite you to feel just a little more comfortable. The sun makes his brown skin glow, accentuating the drops of water that collect on his shoulders and chest.
âSteve?â You hear the woman say.
âYes. I have her.â
âI know you do,â her voice is sweet, thick with comfort and amusement, âSam, can you bring her to me?â
She disappears under the water. You watch as the other man, Sam, swims towards you and glance nervously over at Rogers - no, Steve. He gives you a reassuring nod and a hint of a smile before you turn back just as the smooth skinned Sam emerges from the water. You quickly avert your eyes towards your feet, as heâs stark naked as well, but steal a glance or two. Water cascades down his rippled chest and stomach, glinting underneath the strong sun.
Sam outstretches his hand, a broad smile lighting up his face, âHi, Iâm Sam. Welcome.âÂ
When you hesitate, Steve steps a little closer, âSheâs still a little foggy.â
âThatâs okay, darlinâ. Weâre not going to hurt you. Promise.â Sam reassures, keeping his hand open and outstretched.Â
You take it with trepidation, allowing him to slowly pull you into the cool water. It feels good on your achy, bloody feet, and sore limbs. Sam turns to you again, âItâs okay if you want to dip under. Youâll feel a whole lot better, I swear it.âÂ
You donât even hesitate. You push your body underneath the water, closing your eyes as your hearing gets muffled by the liquid. You pop back up seconds later, pushing your hands over your hair as the sun warms you again. Heâs right. You do feel a whole lot better - clean.Â
Sam wraps his long fingers around your arm and places it over his shoulder, before doing the same with the other. Before you can question him, he starts to swim out deeper, pulling you with him. You let him carry you towards the mysterious woman, who is now wearing a bright smile as she wiggles her thin fingers at you as you approach. She swims underneath the waterfall and Sam follows, setting you on your feet before he exits.
âHungry?â She asks, handing you a small bowl of assorted fruits, âI wish I could offer you more, but weâre going through a bit of a rough growing season. I had to walk for miles to find these as it was.â
âThatâs okay,â You greedily take the bowl, stuffing the sweet berries into your mouth, âThank you, Iâm- starving. Thank you.â
âEat up, baby. I know youâre exhausted.â She watches you as you eat, her eyes twinkling as she smiles. She closes her eyes after a few minutes and tilts her head upwards, nodding every now and again as if sheâs listening to something - or someone.Â
She moans softly as she sways her hands back and forth in the water, her fingertips just barely touching the surface. Then, suddenly, she pops her big eyes open and blinks at you, âMy God,â she whispers, âItâs you.â
âM-me? I-â You stammer, glancing around nervously.
She smiles big as she grabs your hands in hers, âWeâve been waiting for you. Bucky, heâs⊠I promised him youâd come and here you are.â
You shake your head slowly as dread fills your stomach, âI donât know what youâre talking about. I donât- I donât even remember how I got here and Steve says that I canât go home. Please. I just- I want to go home.â
Wanda pulls you into her bare chest, hugging you tightly. She pulls away seconds later, her eyes bouncing between yours, âThis is scary at first, it was for all of us, but youâll come to love it here. You are going to rule this forest one day and drive out all of the evil. You, dear girl,â she smiles at you again, âYou will finally bring us peace. Please, close your eyes.â
âWanda, I donât-â
âShhh,â she coos, âClose your eyes.âÂ
You take a breath, letting your shoulders slump slightly but close your eyes. You feel Wanda braid her fingers with yours before she starts to speak again.
âOnly the cursed inhabit this enchanted forest.â She says softly. Your lips part as fear flushes through you, âAll of us, at different times found ourselves wandering through these trees, cursed to never be able to leave. Each one of us has gained an affliction over time, some sooner than others.â
âAffliction?â you whisper, your chest starting to heave.
âIâm a seer. I wasnât at first, it came to me over time. I can see otherâs afflictions before they manifest. Iâm also known to have premonitions and visions of whatâs to come. Steve and Sam, they are lycans, able to shift between wolf and human form. Bucky, whom youâll meet soon enough, a werewolf. Unlucky for him, full moons come around every night. Clint, another shifter of an avian kind. Natasha and Carol, mermaids, unable to walk to the earth.âÂ
âThen what am I?â You ask, your voice trembling.
âWeâll get to that soon,â She answers. You feel the water shift as she moves around you. She drags her hands up your arms and shoulders softly, âTry and remember. Remember what brought you here.â
You focus your breathing, in through your nose, out through your mouth, as you force your brain to try and remember. You squeeze your eyes tight, but nothing forms - not a thought, not a memory⊠nothing. You shake your head as your chin starts to tremble, all of the fear and anxiety rising up in your throat.Â
âI canât,â you start to whimper, âI canât remember, I donât know.â
âItâs okay,â Wanda coos, hugging you from behind, âItâs okay. Relax, just try and remember. Feel the water and the warm sun, just let it carry you away. Focus on the waterfall, hear it.â
Tears stream down your cheeks but you push out a shaky breath as you digest her words. Feel the cool water. Hear the waterfall. Wanda grabs your hand, flipping it over before she presses her fingers into your palm, drawing gentle circles, âJust try and remember.â
A quick image flashes before your eyes - pink. Balloons, a congratulations banner⊠the clinking of champagne glasses. Then, thereâs faces, happy ones - Shelia! Romero and Tammy are also there, all hugging you, wishing you luck. Youâve worked so hard for this! No one deserves this more than you!
âI got it,â you whisper, âI got the job. I was promoted to bank manager.â
âThatâs it. Stay there, just remember.â
You see it now. They threw you a party during your lunch break - bought you a cake and everything. After the celebration, you walked back to your desk and there it was - one singular cupcake, topped with pink icing and white sprinkles.Â
You gasp, covering your mouth with your hand, âOh my god.âÂ
Wanda sways you back and forth softly, resting her chin on your shoulder, walking you through it. You looked around, but saw no one paying you any attention. You sat in your chair, stuffed to the gills from the lunch and the cake - but you brought the small pastry to your nose anyway, inhaling the sweetness of it. You moaned as a smile spread on your face. You were always a sucker for a cupcake.Â
You peeled away the wrapping and brought it to your face again, ready to take a bite, when you noticed a small slip of paper peeking out from underneath your keyboard. You pulled it out with the tips of your fingers and furrowed your brow as you read the unfamiliar handwriting. You deserve all thatâs coming to you.Â
More tears spill from your eyes as the realization hits you like a ton of bricks.Â
You looked around one final time to see if anyone was watching, but found no one paying you any mind. You looked back down at the cupcake in your hand and shrugged before closing your eyes and taking a bite. You moaned again as the spongy cake exploded on your taste buds. It was the best cupcake you had ever had. You finished it quickly and tossed the wrapper and note, before waking up your computer and returning to your emails, not even noticing the little old woman slipping out through the front doors.Â
âI didnât give her the extension.â You whisper, your voice shaky, âShe was months behind on her mortgage, we had already given her three. I couldnât. My hands were tied. I couldnât grant her another extension, I just couldnât.â
âItâs okay, dear girl.â
âItâs not okay!â You shout, âShe cursed me! She sent me here!â
âI told you it was going to be hard at first.â
You pull away from her, spinning around to face her again, âI want to leave! Now!â
âHoney -â
She reaches for you but you slap her hands from you as you back away, âIâm leaving. Iâm not- I donât know what you want, but Iâm leaving!â
You move underneath the wispy waterfall and back out into the large lake as Wanda screams for you to stop. You swim hard, and fast towards the shore, feeling Sam and Steveâs eyes on you as they lounge underneath one of the large trees. They both stand, their eyes wide as you stumble up onto the bank, tripping over your own feet as you try and gain some traction.Â
You run towards the trees, the weight of your wet dress not slowing you down in the least bit. You hear Wandaâs voice again, this time instructing Sam and Steve to let you go, âSheâll get lost out there.â Steve worries.
âSheâll be fine,â Wanda says, taking a breath as she wades in the water, âYouâll just have to find her again in the morning.â
You run for miles. You run until the sun is replaced by the moon and the sounds of the day have completely stilled. You hear nothing but your own footsteps and the chirp of a cricket that you never seem to find. Itâs cooled down considerably, your body is racked with chills as a gust of wind whips around you. The only thing keeping you going is fear. Youâre afraid to stop and rest, not knowing what or who is out in these woods in the dark.Â
You push deeper, trying to use the moonlight as a guide but you have no idea what youâre looking for. Every time you think youâve found a way out, that maybe you think you see a road or hear a car, you just move into a section of trees and shrubs and grass. This forest is never ending. Maybe they were right. Maybe you canât -
You snap your head and gasp as a loud scream erupts from deep in the trees. It awakens the birds, making them all screech and fly out from their nests. The scream erupts again, this time louder, so loud you have to cover your ears. It sounds like a man being ripped apart from limb to limb. He screams again - a blood curdling one - and you cringe as it seems even louder, like heâs right behind you.Â
You start running again. The screams continue but each one gets deeper, more animal-like, more painful. You freeze right in your tracks when a loud, long howl sounds through the sleepy forest - a bay at the large, white moon in the sky. Unlucky for him, full moons come every night.Â
Soon, all you can hear is your own breathing. You cower behind a tree, hugging it tightly as you keep your eyes wide, your pupils surely blown. Thereâs a rustling in the trees and brush, twigs snapping, heavy, fast footsteps. Another howl, followed by random barks and then rushed footsteps again. Your eyes fill with water as your mind races, unsure of what to do, where to go. You donât want to die out here.Â
Smell? I smell bad?
Not bad, just new.
Fuck.
You snap your head over your shoulder, watching as the bushes in the distance start to shake as something moves through it. You push away from the tree and dart off to your left, ducking and dodging random limbs and vines as you try to flee. You keep turning around as you run - but you see nothing. You just hear it. Barking, growling, howling - the heavy footsteps pounding into the ground as it closes in on you.Â
âShit!â You cry as you push yourself as hard as you can, willing your feet to carry you faster. Your lungs and legs burn as you cut through the trees, ignoring the stinging cuts on your arms and feet from the branches whipping against you. You turn again, gasping you finally spot the beast chasing you emerging from the brush.Â
Just as you do, your foot tangles in an exposed root, tripping you. You hit the ground hard, face first, screaming as pain rips through your ankle and lower leg. A shadow casts over you as a large mass jumps clear over your head. It lands on all fours, the ground shaking with its weight when it lands. You sit up quickly, trying to back away, dragging your now bum leg as your fingernails dig into the dirt underneath you.
You drag in a deep, shaky breath as instant tears flood your face. Your body shakes as your face completely breaks with emotion. You stare back into a pair of pitch black eyes. This beast is huge - larger than Steve and Rumlow combined. It howls again, making you scream as your eardrums nearly burst from the sound. It stands on its back legs as it bays again and you could swear itâs seven feet tall. It falls back to the earth with another heavy thud, then lowers its head as it zeros in on you again.Â
It starts to growl, snarling its lip to show its sharp, white teeth. It barks and snaps at you, saliva dripping from its mouth as it takes a step towards you. You scamper backwards but your back slams into a tree. You try to stand but fall back to the ground as your leg just canât carry you. It steps towards you again, still growling, still snapping.Â
You push up against the tree as hard as you can, almost wanting it to swallow you whole. You shut your eyes as the heat from its breath washes over your face, the rush of air pushing from its nostrils tossing your hair. You squirm, whimpering when you feel its wiry hair on your legs, its whiskers grazing against your cheek. You turn your head as it sniffs at you loudly, pushing its long nose through your hair and down your neck.
It pushes out another forceful breath through its nose, making you jump. You blink your eyes, slowly opening them as you turn back to face it. You pull in deep, audible breaths as you stare back at this⊠thing, this affliction, as Wandaâs words come back to you. Bucky, heâs⊠I promised him youâd come and here you areâŠÂ
âPlease,â you whisper quietly, so quietly you barely hear yourself, âBucky, please.â
It tilts its head at the sound of the name - but not in the way youâd hoped. His eyes narrow as he snarls his lip again, that menacing growl rumbling through his chest and throat. His ears lay back on his head as he drops it, clearly threatened. He crouches down as he snaps at you again, dragging his front paw through the dirt as he readies himself to pounce.Â
You start to sob loudly, holding your hands out as you plead and beg - screaming for your life. The adrenaline and anxiety coursing through your veins becomes ever present as your head starts to spin. Your palms get sweaty, your heart racing and thumping against your chest as your body shakes. You canât catch your breath, no matter how hard you try, you just canât fill your lungs with air. Youâre hot and cold all at the same time. Your vision tunnels - your pupils shrinking to the size of the tip of a pin.Â
Suddenly, everything goes black.Â
Bucky glances down at the woman in his arms as he trudges through the trees. Itâs early morning, the sky still orange and pink as the birds start to sing. Heâs not sure who she is, he just remembers her smell - strong - calling to him in the dark of the night. Itâs the most vivid scent heâs ever encountered. So pure, so heavy that he can remember it even after his change. Sheâs not the usual newcomer around here -Â that he can tell.Â
He pushes into his home surroundings, most of their small community still snuggled tight in their cottages - âBucky! There you are.â
He snaps his head towards the approaching Wanda, eyeing her as she steps next to him, sweeping her hand over the passed out womanâs forehead, âYou know this one?â He asks.Â
She nods, âJust came to us yesterday. Sheâs -â
Bucky just nods, glancing out into the distance as he knows what sheâs about to say, âSheâs hurt. I think her ankle is broken. I might have - I think the gashes are from me.â
âNo worries, Iâll get her fixed up. Do you mind taking her to your cottage?â
He sighs heavily, sending his eyes towards the small redhead, watching as she smiles softly, âWanda,â
âYou and Steve have more space,â she shrugs, her face filling with surprise as Bucky scoffs and rolls his eyes, âSam and I just had a baby. This poor thing needs rest and looking after.â
âWell,â Bucky starts gruffly, âSteve can look after her then.â
Wanda throws her hands on her hips, giving him a stern look before she turns her attention to the shuffling coming from behind them, âClint? Can you do me a favor?â
The short blonde approaches, nodding his head towards Bucky, âOf course. Whoâs that?â He asks, pointing towards the unconscious woman in his hands.
Wanda smiles brightly, âSheâs our Faery.â
Clintâs eyes widen as a smirk spreads on his face, âNo shit, really?â
Wanda nods, and Bucky rolls his eyes again.
âWhatâs the favor?â Clint asks, chuckling softly.
âSee if you can find Steve and Sam. Theyâre out looking for her. They couldnât have gotten far.â
With another quick nod, Clint is now soaring towards the tops of the trees, his arms replaced by long, sleek wings as he transforms. He screeches, his bird call rippling through the forest as he flies out of sight.Â
Bucky starts to move again, readjusting the woman in his arms as her legs bounce against his naked thigh. He moves into he and Steveâs shared cottage, Wanda right behind him as he moves into his room. He lays the unconscious woman down on his bed before walking back out of the room without a word.Â
He collects a large bowl from the kitchen and fills it with warm water while grabbing clean towels and cotton swabs. He pads back into the room, sitting the supplies on the small table next to his bed before he pulls open the drawer, grabbing his stitch kit and tossing it on the bed.
âWhere are you going?â Wanda questions from her spot on the bed, watching as he walks back towards his bedroom door.
Bucky doesnât even turn around. He just holds up a bar of soap as he heads for the main door, âBath.â
Bucky runs his hands through his short hair as he comes up from underneath the water. Heâs still not really used to it, but he needed the haircut, and Steve actually did a good job on it. He keeps his eyes closed and his head tilted towards the sky as the sun beats down on him, warming him as he stands in the cool water. There is nothing better than a bath after a night of pillaging.Â
His mind floats back to Wanda and the strange woman keeping him from collapsing into his bed. He scoffs at just the thought. Heâs never bought into Wandaâs bullshit. Sheâs been blowing smoke up his ass for years, but it just goes into one ear and right out the other one. Sheâs coming Bucky, I can feel it. Sheâll fix this place and sheâll love you forever, plus a day. He rolled his eyes then and he rolls his eyes now. She seems to forget this place is a literal curse.Â
Who could love you? Bucky pops his eyes open as the thought floats through his mind. Who could actually love a monster like you? âNobody,â he mumbles to himself, letting his eyes drop to the water. Thatâs why itâs all bullshit.Â
He hears a rustling in the trees and turns his head and body to watch Sam, Steve, and Clint emerge. Sam lifts his hand towards him, which Bucky returns with a head nod, before he swims towards the bank to join the three men.
âWhere did you find her?â Steve asks as soon as heâs on the bank.
Bucky shrugs, âOut pretty far. I came across her on my way home.â
âSheâs hurt?â Steve questions again, his face and eyes full of concern.
âBroken ankle, some gashes and cuts, but sheâll live.â
âYou didnât hurt her, did you?â
Bucky grits his teeth as he narrows his eyes, âI donât know, maybe. Whatâs with all the fucking questions?â
Clint slaps him on his arm, smirking all the while, âYou know Steve and that bleeding heart of his.â
âSheâs our faery, weâre all supposed to take care of her.â Steve says, pushing past Bucky.
âJesus,â Bucky mumbles, dropping his head into his hands to rub his face, âIâm not in the mood for all of this.â
âWhen are you ever in the mood?â Sam quips, shaking his head, âWhereâs my wife?â
âIn my bedroom, tending to our fabulous faery.â Bucky huffs, âFuck, I just want to sleep. I should have put her in Steveâs room.â
âI wouldnât talk about your soulmate like that, Barnes. Women donât like sarcasm.â Sam smiles, wiggling his eyebrows.
âDonât you start. Sheâs not my soulmate, she not gonna bring peace or whatever the fuck Wanda is always spouting off about. Sheâs just another cursed soul, just like the rest of us. Nothing more, nothing less.âÂ
Sam and Clint glance at each other, shaking their heads at the cynical man before them, âWhatever, fuck off. Iâm going to sleep.â Bucky grumbles, turning back towards his cottage.
âYou can sleep at ours if you want,â Sam calls, âI'll bunk with Steve until the girl is back on her feet.â
âAnd have that sniffling, whiny little brat of yours waking me up every hour? No thanks.â
He ducks quickly as a rock whizzes by his head, âDonât talk about my baby boy like that, Barnes!â
Bucky bounds inside his shared home and makes his way towards his bedroom, leaning against the door frame as he listens in on Wanda and Steve. The girl looks better already, the dried blood splattered on random parts of her body gone. Her tattered dress is also gone, replaced by one of Wandaâs hand sewn tunicâs. The deeper of her gashes are sewn together, her feet wrapped in leaves of the bountiful lamb ear.Â
Her face is soft as she breathes in and out gently. Her hands are crossed over her chest as Wanda crushes up more herbs beside her, smoothing the goop over her flesh wounds. He turns away after a few minutes, as her scent starts to make him dizzy in this confined space. He wonders how Steve can handle being that close.
His heavy feet carry him into the living room, his eyes growing heavier and heavier with each step. He falls onto the old, lumpy hand sewn pillows that sit atop the nicked up couch that Steve fashioned with his bare hands, and grabs the blanket thrown over the back. He covers his entire body and head while burying his face in the cushions as he tries to drown out Wanda and Steveâs hushed voices.Â
Bucky wakes with a start hours later. A loud pounding noise beats over the roof of the small cottage, making him spring up. He snaps his head towards the front door, finding it wide open. He stands quickly, peeking his head into his room, finding the woman still asleep on his bed but doesnât find Wanda or Steve. He takes off towards the front door, but stops in his tracks when he realizes what the pounding is.Â
Rain.Â
He moves out onto the small porch, finding Steve sitting on the step, âHow long has it been raining like this?â
âHours,â Steve smiles up at him, âStarted right after you fell asleep. Do you remember the last time it rained like this?â
Bucky shakes his head. They get showers here and there, just enough to keep the stream and the lake flowing but this? Itâs been months since theyâve seen a steady, strong, purposeless rain.Â
âWanda had a premonition, a strong one. She had to go lay down.â Steve says gently, not taking his eyes off the rain, âShe said this is just the beginning. This is because of her.â
âSteve, come on-â
âThereâs not going to be a full moon tonight.â Steve says, cutting him off, âWanda saw it, Buck.â
Bucky squares his jaw as an irrational anger flushes through him, âThatâs not possible.â
âIt is. She saw it, Bucky. Wanda is never wrong, you know that. Sheâs proved it time and time again.â
âIâve been here for seventy years,â Bucky growls, his tone hard, âIâve turned every night -Â every single night thereâs a full moon. Thatâs my affliction, it doesnât just go away because some woman shows up one day.â
Steve drops his head, shaking it softly. He shrugs after a minute or two, not wanting to pick a fight, âOkay, Buck.â
âI donât know why you fall for that shit.âÂ
âMaybe because I want to believe in something more, something bigger. I get it,â Steve retorts, âWe fucked up in our old lives, but we were given a second chance.â
âA second chance?â Bucky asks incredulously, âYou call this a second chance? Bound to a god forsaken forest and having to skulk around like an animal for the rest of eternity?â
Steve hangs his head, but smirks nonetheless, âItâs not that bad.âÂ
âFor you,â Bucky reminds him, âTry having your limbs twist and break every night and get back to me about it being a second chance.â
Bucky pushes past him, off of the porch and into the rain. He lets it beat down on him, cleansing him of the anger building inside of his chest before he pushes his hands over his hair, âIâm going for a walk.â
Steve just nods in acknowledgement and returns his gaze towards the gray sky.Â
You wake up slowly, fluttering your eyes as you stretch out your limbs. You rub your face as you groan slightly, rolling your head into the pillows beneath you. You sit up and let out a yawn before you glance around the unfamiliar room. Itâs minimal, a table, a chair in the corner, and a bed. Itâs cozy still, even with the scarce decor.Â
Youâve never felt better in your life. All the aches and pains in your body are gone. Thereâs no anxiety or fear. Your eyes donât burn, your throat isnât dry. You feel so good. You glance down, running your fingers over the hand stitched garment that covers your body. You then graze your fingers over the stitches in your leg, a purple and blue bruise surrounding it, but you feel no pain. You unwrap the leaves around your feet and wiggle your toes before you toss your legs over the side of the bed.Â
You notice a small bowl of fruit and a homemade mug sitting on the small wooden table next to the bed. You pick up the bowl, popping what looks like a blueberry into your mouth before you moan in satisfaction, closing your eyes as you swallow. You stand, tucking the bowl into your chest and grabbing the mug before you head out of the bedroom. You glance around as you move slowly through the cottage, from room to room, finding it empty. As you pop a strawberry into your mouth, you move out of the second bedroom and back into the living room, where you peek out of the small window.Â
A steady, hard rain pours from the gray sky. You stand and watch for a few minutes, bringing the mug to your lips and draining the cup of itâs sweet liquid. You sit the now empty cup and bowl down and walk out onto the porch, the defending sound of the rain now unmuted by the walls of the cottage. You reach your hand out, letting the fat drops plop against it as a smile spreads on your face. Youâve always loved the rain.Â
You close your eyes and take a deep breath, breathing in the earth - the dirt and leaves and grass - letting it fill your lungs as theyâre all nurtured by the water. Without thinking, you step off of the small porch, right into the rain, letting it wash over you. Your hair sticks to your head, your thin tunic becomes glued to the curves of your body, accentuating your hips and breasts as you start to walk aimlessly through the quiet, sleepy little community.Â
You move into a field of tall grass and hold out your hands as you walk slowly, letting the blades graze your palms. You close your eyes again as your head starts to swim and a warmth starts to spread through your body, starting in your toes and moving all the way up to your head. Youâre not sure what exactly has happened over the past twenty four hours but, now, with each passing minute, you start to feel like youâre home - almost as if this is what youâve been searching for your whole life.
âWhat are you doing?â You jump at the sound of the deep, gruff voice. You pop your eyes open, spinning on your feet to come face to face with a dark haired man. His eyes are a crystal blue, his jaw square, his eyes crinkled in the corners as he squints at you, âYou shouldnât be out here.âÂ
âW-why not?â You ask softly.
âYouâre ankle, itâs-â he drops his eyes to your feet, his lips parting as he finds them in perfect condition, âWhat did you do?âÂ
He moves towards you quickly, scaring you slightly as he lifts the thin material covering your body, âWhat did you do?â He asks again, his voice irritated, his eyes angry.
âN-nothing. Why do you keep asking me that?â
âYour ankle was broken. Wanda had to give you stitches in that leg.â He points.
You snatch the material of your tunic from his fingers, stepping back, âI still have the stitches,â you rebuff, glancing down at your leg, âSee? Theyâre right -â
Your breath hitches in your throat as you stare at your now healed leg. You shake your head, letting out a breath, âI just⊠the stitches were there, my leg was bruised, just⊠just right before I walked out here.â
You look up at the man standing before you, your eyes bouncing wildly between his as he stares back at you. You canât read his expression, but the wheels in his head are definitely turning as he drops his eyes from yours. He turns his head to the side slightly and stares into the grass as he tries to work something out in his brain.Â
âDo you know whatâs happening to me?â You ask softly as you push your wet hair out of your face.
He turns back to face you as soon as the words leave your lips. His mouth falls open, but no words come out. He just stares at you as the rain beats on him, slipping down his neck and chest and abs before it hits the ground below.
âYou havenât spoken to Wanda?â
âJust a little,â you shrug, swallowing hard as you drop your head to look at your feet, âI didnât really, um, give her a chance to explain it all. I was... scared.â
You feel his eyes roam over you as you twist the bottom of your tunic in your fingers, âYou need to talk to Wanda. Sheâll explain it to you.â He answers simply as he turns away.
You watch him as he walks away from you. His shoulders broad, the muscles in his back flexing as he moves. You bite your lip as your eyes fall to his behind, sculpted and hard, and his thighs, thick and sturdy. Your stomach clenches. The rain doesnât help either - the water droplets cascading down his sinewy body, providing you with quick, fragmented images of your tongue licking each droplet away.Â
You let out a breath, and then Wandaâs words float back to you again, stronger and louder this time. Bucky, heâs⊠I promised him youâd come and here you are.
âAre you, um,â you call out to him, âAre you Bucky?â
He stops, rolling his shoulders in irritation, âWhat about it?â
âYouâre what attacked me last night?â
You watch as he drops his head, his back muscles tensing as your question reaches him. He turns to face you, his jaw tight, his eye narrowed, âYouâre still breathing arenât you?â
You glance around nervously, âWell, yeah, I-â
âThen I didnât attack you, did I?â
You swallow. Youâre not sure if itâs just you or if heâs always like this, but heâs trying really hard to intimidate you. Itâs working⊠kind of, âYou tried too.â You answer back quietly.
He scoffs at the notion, âIf I had tried to attack you, Iâd be digesting you right about now. I shouldâve, I wouldnât have to eat for a week. That would be a welcome change.â
You squint your eyes at the unnecessarily rude comment, âYouâre an asshole.â You spit back angrily, your brow furrowing, âIâm just trying to-â
âI donât care what youâre trying to do.â He shouts, âKeep outta my way and Iâll stay out of yours.âÂ
âNo problem there, pal.âÂ
âWonderful, darling.â He sneers, before turning and walking off again.
You scoff hard, crossing your arms over your chest in a huff. You cut your eyes back towards him as he moves through the grass and your stomach tightens again. A warmth spreads through you as your fingers start to itch - wanting to feel him. Your lips part as your breath starts to come a little faster - a little harder - and youâre not even sure why. Something is just drawing you to him.Â
You donât understand for the life of you whatâs happening in this moment. Maybe it was the berries and fruit, or that drink that was left by the bedside, but youâre warm all over, your head is spinning and you want nothing more than to feel that man inside of you - even now after your tense exchange. Heat rises in your cheeks as your breath starts to rush. You twist the bottom of your tunic harder as you become acutely aware of the ache between your legs. A fire starts to rage in the pit of your stomach - you want him to put it out.Â
Before you can stop yourself, you're running after him, your feet squishing in the mud as you move. You reach out for him once youâre close, grabbing his shoulder to stop him. He turns quickly, bringing to you a quick halt in front of him. He scrunches his face in utter confusion and maybe a little annoyance as he blinks down at you, âWhat? What do you want?â
You push up onto your tiptoes and kiss him hard. You moan into him as you rest a hand on his shoulder and push the other into his hair, pulling him closer. He pulls away seconds later, his lips parted and swollen, pure befuddlement playing in his eyes.
You blink back at him as your chest heaves. You open your mouth to speak, but you canât find the words. Your mind is just - blank. You rest your hands on his shoulders again and drop your eyes to his chest as your fingers start to trace the light scars littered across his otherwise smooth skin. Some are old and white, some deep and purple, some raised, some smooth. Theyâre all beautiful - they make him beautiful. You drop your hands down to his stomach, just feeling him, his muscles, his masculinity, his strength.Â
You bite your lip.Â
You take a deep breath as you feel his arms wrap around you, his hands cupping your ass before he lifts you right off your feet. You stare back into his ice blue eyes as you push your hands into his dark hair again and wrap your legs around his waist. He kisses you - deeply. You accept his tongue into your mouth, letting it massage the roof of your mouth before it slides along yours. You push your chest into his as your lips smack against one anotherâs, both of your moans rising into the air around you.
The rain is still heavy as he lays you down in the grass. You tug at the wet garment covering your body, pulling it over your head to expose your nakedness to him. Youâve never been this forward in your life, but something is pulling you, filling you with confidence and power and awareness. You want to be one with him, with the earth, with the wind and the rain. You want to connect with everything around you. You let him grope your breast with his large, calloused hand. You let him drag his lips along your neck, his teeth nipping at your sensitive skin.
He pushes your legs open gruffly with his hand as he pulls away from you. You dig your feet into the wet, soft earth, the mud squishing between your toes as you feel his rough fingers sweep through your folds. He rubs at your clit quickly, not really for you, but for him - just to touch you - giving you the feeling that itâs been a while since heâs felt a woman. Pride swells in your chest.Â
He then leans over, his lips hovering over yours, his fingers gripping the grass. Then - oh, and then - he starts pushing at your opening, breaking into your awaiting cunt. You gasp as your body inhales inch after inch of him until heâs buried to his hilt - his hips flush against yours. You whimper softly as your flesh stretches wider than ever before to hold him. It feels good. You let out the breath that youâve been holding as Bucky settles into the feeling of you. His eyes flutter as his mouth hangs, the rain dripping off of his brow and the tip of his nose down onto you.
He bucks into you and you grunt, grabbing onto his forearms and digging your nails into his thick skin. He pushes again, and again, and again until he has a succinct, hard rhythm. Your body bounces with each thrust, your pussy gripping him harder and harder with each pass. The sky really opens up then. A flash of lightning streaks across the sky as a crack of thunder rips through the silence. Not that either one phases the two of you.Â
You lean up and kiss him again, biting down on his lips as he fucks into you. You wrap an arm around his shoulders and neck, hanging on for dear life as you breathe him in - the raw, carnal scent of him filling your lungs. He thrusts into you suddenly, as hard as he can, and then just stays there, pressing against the deepest part of you. Another bolt of lightning slashes through the sky as you cry out - his name falling from your lips - the sound of it tripping off your tongue sending a shiver right down his spine.Â
Your pussy starts to quiver as he moves again. His hips are quick and swift, his cock pushing, pushing, pushing until youâre writhing underneath him. Tears sting your eyes as the intensity of the past twenty four hours rolls through your body. Every synapse within you fires as the warm tears start to slip out of the corners of your eyes, the hard rain sweeping them away.Â
You cry out again as a sharp pain travels through you, your sensitive nipple now between Buckyâs teeth. Thunder claps again. You push your chest into his wet mouth as his tongue swirls around your skin. He bites down again and your hips jerk up into his as you roll your head in the mud. You run your hands up and down his arms, gripping and groping as his weight pins you to the ground. Youâre almost certain that as he drills his hips into yours, heâll push you right into the ground, straight down to the earthâs core.Â
The orgasm thatâs been laying in wait, deep inside of your belly, starts to ripple through you. The sparks start to fly, soft as first but within minutes, the embers are now a full blown fire. You screech and wail as your body tenses and curls into his. The rain gets harder, the lightning spidering through the clouds, the thunder so loud it could burst your eardrums. Another push of his hips and you let out a long, deep growl as your release is finally set free.Â
The air whips up around you as you come undone beneath him, shaking the leaves of the trees and the blades of grass. His hips still crash into yours as you claw at his back with your fingernails, but they grow more desperate as the seconds pass. A moan rumbles through his chest, then his breathing hitches - his eyes slam shut. You tense, squeezing your slick pussy around his cock as he starts to spill his seed. You want it all, every last drop - not an ounce to be wasted.Â
You grab his face in your hands and press your forehead into his as you both ride out the waves of your orgasms. The warmth of his thick cum spreads through you as his hips jerk and his body shudders. His body slides against yours until he is totally spent, collapsing on top of you when he just canât hold himself up any longer. You cradle his head with your hands as he tucks into the crook of your neck. You push your fingers through his wet, dark tresses, massaging his scalp slowly as you stare up into the sky.Â
The rain slows - itâs still steady, but calmer than before. The lightning and thunder disappears, the wind dies away. You and Bucky stay connected as you drag your fingers up and down his spine. He leans back after a few minutes pass, and stares down at you, his eyes roaming your face as he tries and fails to figure you out.Â
âWho are you?â He asks softly, slowly realizing the power you hold.
You breathe gently as you blink back at him, âI donât know.â
You throw your head back as you pant loudly. Your hips roll against Buckyâs as you ride him on top of his bed. You lean forward slightly, pressing your palms into his broad chest, your fingers digging into his flesh. His strong hands are around your hips, helping you move, pushing you forward and then backwards, and then forwards again.Â
A bead of sweat slips between your breasts but his tongue captures it before it can delve any further. He falls back onto the thin mattress that holds the two of you and lets his hands fall to your thighs, âGod,â he pushes out between clenched teeth, âSâfuckinâ good, girl.â
You start to bounce on top of him, pushing more of your weight into the center of his chest. His hands leave your hips to grip your bouncing tits, massaging them hard before he takes each of your nipples between his rough fingers. He slips his hands around to your back, groping your flesh quickly before he grabs your long locs to pull them gently. You groan as a slight pain prickles at your scalp, but smile as you push your hands up to cup your breasts.
The rain picks up outside again as the familiar pull of an orgasm starts to tickle your insides. You work your hips, up and down, up and down, up and down on his cock until youâre quaking. Your clit jumps with convulsions as you come, your thin fingers stroking the aching flesh to exacerbate the feeling. Bucky isnât far behind, just like the other four times the two of you have made love throughout the day and evening.Â
He hisses and grunts as he lifts his hips into yours, fucking up into you as his spunk fills you to the brim before it slips back out and down his shaft. The thunder outside cracks again as you fuck him for all heâs worth, until you literally canât sit up any longer. You fall onto his chest, your breath heavy and hard as you nuzzle into him. Your skin sticks to his as humidity fills the room but you hum happily.
You start to trace the scars on his chest with your index finger, your eyes growing heavy. You still donât know what is drawing you to this man. One minute, youâre both seething with anger directed at one another, the next, youâre making love like itâs your last hours on earth. With each passing moment, you feel him seeping into your heart - your soul - and you donât even know him. All you know is that you donât ever want to leave this bed again.
âI have a question.â You whisper after several minutes.
âWhatâs that?â He slurs, half asleep.
âHow long have you been here?â
He wraps his arms around your waist, holding your body tight to his, âToo long.â
âHow long?â You press.
âSeventy years,â he says, letting out a breath, âGive or take a year or two. Go to sleep.â
You giggle but close your eyes anyway, âYouâre a jerk, you know that?â
âIâve heard that a time or two. Now shut up, I mean it.â
âSteve said that I was already claimed. What does that mean?â
âYouâve asked your question, girl.â
âCome on,â you whine, âPlease?â
He sighs heavily, turning his head into the pillow, keeping his eyes closed, âThereâs evil out there in the woods. Not everybody is as nice as us.â
You sit up, flattening your palm to his chest as you blink at the side of his face, âRumlow? Heâs evil?â
âYou saw Rumlow? When?â He asks, popping his eyes open as he turns to face you.
âYesterday, when Steve found me.â
Bucky lets out another breath, his eyes calming, âHeâs evil. Itâs a good thing he didnât find you first.â He reaches towards you, sliding his hand along your face before he cups your chin, âNow, Iâm going to put you out if you donât go to sleep.â
You smile softly and lay back down on his chest, nuzzling into him, âSheesh, okay grumpy.â
He tightens his grip around your waist and just as you are slipping between consciousness and sleep, you swear you feel his lips on your forehead and hear a faint goodnight, girl.Â
Bucky sits straight up as a jolt of fear flashes through him. He snaps his head towards the window as the sun peaks in behind the thin, white curtains that cover it. Daytime. Itâs daytime and heâs still in his bed. How in the -Â
Something shifts beside him and he jerks again, letting out a breath as an arm slinks over his chest. He eyes the small woman next to him, her leg slung over both of his, her face nuzzled into his bicep as she drags in deep, calm breaths. The previous dayâs events flash through his mind - his lips on hers, her nails dug into his skin, her sweet gasps as he plunged into her over and over and over again.
Sheâs coming Bucky, I can feel it. Sheâll fix this place and sheâll love you forever, plus a day.Â
Wandaâs words play back through his mind. He huffs, letting out a breath before he lowers his head to his hands and rubs his face. He turns his head and peeks over at the sleeping woman next to him. Itâs been a long time since heâs woken up to such a sight. Warm brown skin, long locs spidering across the stark white sheets, a gentle, soft face⊠it takes him back to the 40s. How it felt to wake up next to his girl everyday. God, he wonders where she is now, if sheâs even still alive.
He blinks and reaches out slowly, placing his palm flat on her back. He watches as it rises and falls with each steady breath before he sweeps his fingers across her smooth skin. He cups the side of her face and rubs his thumb across her cheek⊠itâs been a long time⊠and it feels nice. She feels nice.
Movement outside of his door grabs his attention and then a soft knock spreads through the room. Steve pokes his head in, smiling softly as he eyes the sleeping girl.
âThis is not what it looks like.â Bucky mumbles, rubbing his face again.
âOf course it isnât,â Steve shrugs, âWandaâs here for you.â
âWonderful,â Bucky titters, âGive me a minute.â
When Steve disappears, Bucky turns back towards the sleeping body next to him. He dips down and places his lips to her forehead, and then the side of her face, and then on the tip of her nose before he sits up straight. He watches as she smiles in her sleep, before she hums softly. He smiles back. He throws his feet over the edge of the bed and stands - what the fuck is happening to him? He couldnât stand her twelve hours ago.Â
âWanda,â he starts as he moves into the living room, shutting his door, âWhat brings you here so early?â
She smirks, tossing her red hair over her shoulder as Steve hands her a mug, âYou know why Iâm here.â
âDo I?â He asks sarcastically - smirking as she levels a slap to his arm.
âHow is she?âÂ
âWho?â
âGoddamn you, Barnes!â She laughs.
âSheâs fine,â he shrugs, âStill sleeping.âÂ
âWith you?âÂ
Bucky sends his eyes towards her, squinting them just a bit as she smiles back at him. Steve hands him a mug seconds later, which he accepts and sips before he answers, âNosy ass.â
âYou are awfully nonchalant about this whole thing,â Steve pipes up, âIt rained like hell all day and well into the night, and then, more importantly, you didnât turn. No full moon, and all we get from you is your usual sarcasm.âÂ
Bucky shrugs, âYeah, that was nice.â
âThat was nice?â Steve scoffs, âThatâs all you have to say?â
âWhat do you want me to say?â Bucky laughs lightly, âOkay, yes, some weird shit is going on, alright? I donât have an answer for you.âÂ
âItâs not weird, itâs her.â Wanda says, sending her eyes to his closed door, âShe is powerful.âÂ
Bucky rubs his face again, his brain turning, âIt still doesnât make any sense. You have to be cursed to end up here, right? So how does she have all of this power? Where is it coming from? Who fucking decides?â
âIf Iâve told you once, Iâve told you a thousand times,â Wanda says, tilting her head, âWe may have been cursed, but even here, in this place, we all still have a destiny to fulfill. We were meant to adapt and survive for some reason or another. Our afflictions have shown that.â
Bucky casts his eyes to his feet as he runs his hand through his hair. He doesnât want to bring up that within twenty four hours, her broken ankle is completely healed. That not one scratch is present on her body. That every time she came in his arms, the wind and the rain got stronger and harder. If he does, itâs real. Everything Wandaâs been telling them for years is actually coming true - and heâs found the love of his life.Â
âWhat is it? What happened?â Wanda asks, eyeing him quietly, âWhat are you thinking?â
Bucky clicks his tongue, throwing her a look, âNothing, damn.âÂ
âJames Buchanan Barnes, so help me!â
He rolls his eyes, âSheâs⊠her ankle, you remember? It was broken, clearly.â
âI remember.âÂ
âWell, itâs not, now,â he says slowly, shifting his eyes around the room, âIt wasnât yesterday when she was roaming around outside.â He snaps his eyes to Wanda when she gasps and covers her mouth with her fingers, âThe gash on her leg, her feet, theyâre all healed up. Itâs like nothing even happened to her.â
Wandaâs eyes go wide as she glances off into space, her mind racing. She opens her mouth to speak, but a loud knock at the front door interrupts her, âBabe,â Sam starts as he pops his head inside, âYou gotta come look at this.â
The three of them follow the excited Sam as he pulls them down towards the lake. The waterfall rushes with intensity, the water level of the lake higher than theyâve ever seen it. They rush up the hill just to the side of the lake and waterfall to the connecting stream above and stop in their tracks as they push through the trees.Â
Fish, all sizes and colors, leap from the water and then dive back in as they swim along. Natasha pops her head up out of the water, her green-blue tail swishing behind her, âDo you see this?â She laughs, âThis is incredible! We havenât had fish like this in God only knows how long.â
âWhen did this start?â Bucky asks.
âLast night, but it was just a few. Carol and I just thought a few got separated from their school, but we woke up this morning to all of this.â
The water starts to ripple upstream as something cuts through it with ease. Once the shadow underneath reaches them, it circles Natasha before it bobs up in the water, Carolâs blue eyes and warm smile falling onto the group, âGo check the orchards. Iâve never seen them like this.âÂ
Apples, oranges, peaches, and lemons scatter the ground as Bucky, Sam, Wanda, and Steve move through the trees. They havenât yielded in months and now they are so full, they canât even hold their production. Wandaâs eyes fill with tears as she reaches towards a blueberry bush, plucking off a single berry. Sam wraps her up in his arms, kissing the side of her face as she smiles up at him through the emotion, âSheâs going to save us, Sam. Weâre going to be okay.âÂ
âI never lost faith, baby.â He whispers, swaying her gently back and forth, âNever for a minute.â
Steve picks a bright red apple from the sprawling tree above him and brings it to his mouth, sinking his teeth into it. He closes his eyes and hums in appreciation as the sweet taste explodes against his taste buds.
Bucky wipes at the corners of his mouth, wiping away the juices from the plumb heâs just inhaled. Wanda was right. He should have never doubted her.Â
âIs everything okay?â A soft voice sounds behind them, making them all turn. You stand a few feet away, worry written all over your face, the bottom of your tunic bunched in your hand, âI woke up and everybody was gone.â
You cut your eyes to Bucky as he plucks a handful of blueberries from a small bush. He walks towards you, stepping right up to you before he brings one of the berries to your lips. Your eyes bounce back and forth between his, searching for an answer that youâre not sure he has. Youâre almost shocked when he smiles back at you. You open your mouth and accept the small piece of fruit, chewing slowly before you swallow.
âEverythingâs okay.â He answers, kissing your lips quickly - softly, âWeâll take care of you. Iâll take care of you.âÂ
You turn your head towards Wanda as she advances, placing her hands on your shoulder, a smile on her face, âCome, baby. I have much to tell you about your journey.âÂ
Title: Sing me a song about you
Collaborator Name: Riot
@buckybarnesbingoâ Square Filled: C5, kink: non-penetrative
@starkbucksbingoâ Square Filled: I5, AU: Rockstar
@tonystarkbingoâ (card 4052) Square Filled: A3, Freespace
Ship/Main Pairing: WinterIron
Rating: M
Major Tags & Triggers:Â musician Bucky, grad student Tony, a meet-cute and a back alley handjob
Summary: Bucky doesnât usually notice much about the crowd while heâs on stage, instead just losing himself in the music. Tonight is different though.
Word Count: 915
With moodboard made by the wonderful @crownofstardustandboneâ!
-
From pretty much the first second Bucky steps onto the stage of the tiny, rundown venue, he can't stop noticing the guy in the corner booth.
He looks a little young to be in a bar, but the books and papers spread across the entire table scream grad student. His fluffy hair looks perfect for running fingers through, and he chews on his lip while he scribbles nearly frantically in his notebook.
Bucky may almost fall off the tiny stage, once or twice over the course of the show, heâs so busy staring. He also might run into Steve a couple times.
At least he doesnât have to worry about the cute guy noticing his sudden lack of grace, Bucky is pretty sure he doesnât once looked up from his book the entire night.
Bucky is sitting at the bar for the bandâs usual post-show drink, working up the nerve to actually do something about it, when Steve elbows him in the ribs.
âAre you actually going to go talk to him, or just stare like a creeper all night?â Steve asks,one eyebrow raised pointedly.
âIâm working on it,â Bucky grumbles, but it takes Steve elbowing him again before he downs the rest of his beer and pushes away from the bar.
-
"Why's he so twitchy?" Sam asks, shooting a look over at where Bucky is pacing in sporadic circles around the backstage area, chain smoking and running his hands through his hair until it nearly stands on end.
Steve glances up from his guitar, then smirks widely as he says "He invited Tony."
Sam looks confused for a second, and then his nose wrinkles a little as he asks "The kid who did homework through our whole set last week?"
"He's so smart, Sam!" Bucky screams and then nearly trips over an amp when he looks up from his nervous pacing for too long and fails to dodge the equipment scattered everywhere.
"You've mentioned that, buddy!" Steve calls back, and then mimes gagging.
-
Tony sits at the same table, in the back corner, and he doesn't bring homework this time.Bucky can feel his eyes on him the entire show.
When he gets off stage Tony has a wide smile on his face and an extra beer on the table in front of him, obviously waiting for Bucky.
âI like the way you didnât almost fall off the stage this time,â Tony says in greeting, eyes bright and teasing.
âI didnât think you saw that,â Bucky groans miserably as he drops into the booth across from Tony, cheeks warming.
âOh I definitely did, and I am never letting it go,â Tony says with a soft laugh, and Bucky finds that he really doesnât mind.
-
They end up in the alley behind the bar, making out and pawing at each other furiously.
Bucky knows, in the back of his mind, that this alley is disgusting. He complains about it every time they unload or reload their gear from the van, but right now all he knows is Tony.
Tonyâs fingers against his jaw, tangling in his hair, Tonyâs lips soft and warm against his and the way he opens so sweet when Bucky kisses him harder.
The way Tony whines softly when Bucky presses in closer, hitches him up a little higher against the wall, and the way it forces an answering groan out of Buckyâs chest when one of Tonyâs legs wraps up around his hip.
Tony is the one who practically tears their pants open, hands clumsy and nearly shaking with desperation in the minimal space between their bodies, and Bucky groans softly in relief as his cock is freed from the tight denim. He takes them both in hand and swallows the noise that bursts out of Tonyâs throat, jerks them both off quick and messy while Tony claws at him and rocks into his grip, moans and gasps against his lips.
When Tony comes he tosses his head back against the rough brick with a shaking cry, his hair a mess and fingers digging into Buckyâs shoulders through his jacket while Bucky bites at the curve of his jaw. Tony tugs him into a kiss and Bucky ruts against him harder, growls his way through his own orgasm until heâs left panting weakly.
When Bucky slumps against him Tony just laughs and presses his fingers into Buckyâs hair, pulls him into another kiss thatâs lazy and sweet.
They break apart slowly, still pressed in close and sharing the same air as the chill of the night slowly starts sinking into the warm little bubble they've created for themselves.
"Well, should we go finish our beer?" Tony asks with a crooked little grin, and Bucky huffs out a soft laugh at the mention of the half-full mugs still sitting abandoned on the table.
Then he looks down at the mess of their cum slowly cooling on his hand, and their pants, and his shirt, and then fixes Tony with a flat look.
âOr, my place isnât far,â Tony suggests, a hopeful light in his eyes.
Bucky spares a brief thought for how pissed the rest of the band will be if he just bails, and quickly decides that it's more than worth it.
"Lead the way," Bucky says, and Tony smiles, and yeah, totally worth it. Even if he just knows he's going to end up loading and unloading the van by himself for the next several shows.
This is a collection of pieces I did for Kara and her absolutely gorgeous work, A Twist of Fate which I have linked in the title.Â
For the art, I decided first I wanted to do a cover piece and connect the pair through a twist like a red string. It surely connects them the same way their heads and their hearts do, though I felt it more compelling to do the less obvious. We, the audience know, but they donât. Something as silly as a red string wonât deter them from their present, will it? Oh, but it will.
The second piece, I think, was meant to place you in the heavy tension in their first meeting. Itâs not bright and happy per say. Itâs foreign and dark- could be mistaken for sinister only if you donât care enough to look at all the signs. The red keeps pointing towards them, lighting them up. May We Meet Again on the poster behind Clarke- the chains on her shirt that links her to her fate. Bellamy, blue. Steadfast and curious. Enraptured by something he canât quite place.Â
Finally, something that took me a long time to finish because theirs is a story that evolved from the dark tension to the bright and happy. It seems the world moved for the two of them. And so they dissolve and mold into one another as they collide, their red strings of fate tightening and their heads and their hearts aligning in their rushed breaths. Everything is upside down, but theyâre reeling from it and kissing like thereâs tomorrow. A private pandemonium within their bubble, if you will. Months and months and months in the making.Â
I hope I did them justice as Kara did in her incredible story. It lies in the less obvious, if you ask me. The small things like loaded silences, the flick of a wrist or the twitch of a brow. The seeking one another out for affirmation because the two are the one thing that grounds them. Itâs the falling in love with the friendship and the person before you realize youâve grown close. Itâs the private observations and the thoughts you keep to yourself. Itâs the itching on the arms, the same thoughts of getting salve to heal it faster before realizing what it is in the shower. Itâs the kiss that makes them feel that the world spins on its axis.Â
Itâs all from the mind of one beautifully skillful Kara. Thank you for your work and patience with me. Youâve been so, so kind through it all.
Here is the collection of all the masterposts! All the works created by each of these participants is linked on their individual masterposts.
You wanna know something AMAZING?! We had more than 850 fills made this round of the BBB!!! BLOWN AWAY is a great way to describe this modâs reaction to it. It has been fantastic to see so much Bucky love out there, coming from so many fabulous people!
Now go peruse these lists to find what you missed, and donât forget to give these creators some love!