Written for @wehaveabucky ’s 2.5k writing challenge
Prompt: “I told you to duck”
Warnings: None (unless fluff counts)
Word Count: 532
Peter Parker wanted to die, or maybe just move to Antarctica and never be seen again, anything to get out of the situation he was in right now. They were making some new long-lasting webs when something went wrong and the beaker exploded. Peter, with his enhanced senses, was lucky enough to realize something was going wrong before it did and had just enough time to yell duck before the fluid went everywhere. He was able to escape the incident unharmed but Tony, on the other hand, was encaged in a dome made of webs.
“Shit! Shit! Shit! Mr. Stark, I’m so sorry!” Peter exclaims, knocking their notes to the floor.
“Don't worry about it kid, we couldn’t have known that the enhanced formula didn’t react well with heat” he replies while trying to get out of the enclosure that had formed around him.
“It doesn’t look like you’re getting out of there anytime soon. It’ll be at least 24 hours before the webs start to dissolve. I guess you could say this is a sticky situation” Peter quips, grinning.
“Yeah, well until I can get out of this thing, you’re stuck here with me. Friday can you order us our regular from the pizza place down the street?” Realizing he had played into Peter’s sticky pun, he continues, “And yes I did hear what I just said.”
“Wait a second,” Peter pauses “What do you mean? Aren’t we going to try and get you out?”
“Nah, we’re having a slumber party,”
“A slumber party?”
“What? Don’t tell me you and your buddy Ned don’t get together and talk about that nerd stuff you seem to like so much. Also, it’s kind of your fault I’m stuck in this thing”
“Well, yeah but we’re 16, you’re like old. Plus, I told you to duck” he says without thinking.
“I’m sorry did you just call me old?”
“Too old for slumber parties, yes.”
“You’re never too old for slumber parties kid, can you get the projector setup? I don’t see us getting up to the screening room tonight but you can’t have a sleepover without movies.”
Peter doesn’t know what to say, he expected Mr. Stark to at least be semi-upset with him but he was taking it like it was the most normal thing in the world. He was stuck in a web cage for crying out loud! But instead of trying to get him out they were going to watch movies? He wasn’t going to complain though, so he got up from where he was sitting and went to get the projector to begin their night of movies.
After 12 hours and 6 different movies, Tony was finally starting to get restless. He had been sitting in the same position since they had started and it was either that or stand. He didn’t want to fall asleep in case the enclosure started to dissolve and he ended up sprawled on the lab floor.
Peter, somehow, was as awake as ever and talking about a mile a minute. They had just finished watching Return of the Jedi and he was explaining one of his intricate fan theories, of which he had many and then suddenly, he stopped.
Summary: Miracles seem to occur when you share an elevator with a presumed stranger.
A/N: Here’s my entry to @wehaveabucky 2.5k writing challenge (CONGRATS!) I chose the elevator location prompt. I pictured the characters in this story existing in an AU. I hope you guys like it!! And as always thank you so much for reading!
“Hold the door!” you shouted as you entered your building and saw the doors to the elevator closing. It was pouring outside and the only thing you wanted to do was wrap yourself up in your blanket and watch movies. There was nothing like the smell of rain in the air, but after the day you had just had you had no energy left to enjoy it. After picking up your groceries you almost ran home. The faster you got to your apartment, the better.
You saw a hand stick out from the elevator, stopping the doors from closing all the way, and you were seriously considering jumping into their arms out of gratefulness.
“Thank you!” you said as you entered the elevator. You stood with your back on the furthest wall, facing toward. You had expected to see one of your neighbors but instead it was someone you hadn’t seen before. He gave you a quick nod and ducked his head. He wore a cap and it seemed he was doing his best to cover his face; the terrible lighting in the elevator was certainly helping his cause. “Can you press 3 for me, please?”
He didn’t respond, simply following through with your request.
As the elevator pulled upwards you scanned this mystery man sharing the ride with you. You were tired, beyond tired, but that did not mean you couldn’t perk up when you spotted what seemed like a gorgeous man. He was tall, something you had quickly realized when you stepped in the elevator. His hair was long, hitting his broad shoulders that were perfectly accentuated by his black leather jacket. Long hair hadn’t been your thing, but my god was it really working for him. Now if you could only see his face!
Your flirtatious thoughts were suddenly halted as you felt a small drop of the elevator and saw the lights flicker. The elevator then came to a complete stop.
“Oh no,” you said as you realized what had happened. “No, no, no, no! I told him this would happen again if he didn’t fix this cardboard box he calls an elevator! Better settle in, pal. The landlord is usually in no hurry to fix this.”
The man had not turned around at your ranting or reacted at all, really, at the elevator getting stuck. He simply kept looking forward.
Come on, just turn around! Let me see your face!
If the two of you were going to be stuck in this elevator, the least he could do was let you see his face. Let you complete the image you were most certainly beginning to paint.
He seemed to be determined at becoming friends with the wall before talking to you, though. You slid down the wall you were leaning on and sat with your legs crossed in front of you. It would be at least an hour if this was anything like the previous experiences other tenants had, so you began looking through your groceries in the hopes of finding something you could munch on while help came.
You almost screamed when you saw the family sized bag of chips you had gotten. They had been meant for your movie-watching time but perhaps you could enjoy it during your stare-at-handsome-stranger time, now that it had suddenly sprung up. You could only see his back, but you were by no means complaining.
“Do you want some?” you asked as you opened the bag of chips. The fact that he hadn’t spoken to you didn’t mean you couldn’t be friendly and share. And besides, maybe he turned, and you got to see his face. It would simply be common courtesy to turn, at this point.
“No, thank you,” he replied quickly barely even looking at you.
That voice! You had heard that voice before, but where? Your mind raced as you tried to put his voice and what little you had seen of him together, to try and figure out why he had sounded so familiar.
Low, velvety, and oh so swoon-worthy. Where had you heard that voice before?
The realization hit you like a thousand lightning bolts. Electricity shot up your body as you realized who he was. Immediately feeling all exhaustion leave your body.
“Bucky?” you asked.
You saw him dramatically drop his head as if he had been disappointed you had figured out who he was.
He turned around, finally, and you got your first good look at his face in years.
You had crushed so hard on Bucky Barnes all through high school but never felt confident enough to approach him. Being surrounded by beautiful girls all the time, he never had time to even look at you. Seems not much had changed in that respect. You, on the other hand, had grown to become more confident than you could have ever expected. Everything had changed when it came to that.
He was still as handsome as ever. His blue eyes and chiseled jaw had always been your weaknesses. His hair was much longer, though, and you wondered if he had actually not recognized you or if he simply just didn’t want to talk to you when you came into the elevator.
“Hey, Y/N,” he said nervously.
“Hey,” you said. “It’s been a while, huh?”
“Umm, yes,” he chuckled, “It has.”
He seemed so nervous. You wondered if having the elevator get stuck had made him anxious, so you tried to get his mind off of it.
“You sure you don’t want chips? I have a pretty big bag here,” you said as you extended your arm towards him and shook the bag.
“Ok,” he smiled. “I’ll take up your offer.”
He sat beside you and reached his hand inside your bag of chips.
“What are you doing here, by the way?” You asked, secretly hoping he had no romantic connections with any of you neighbors. It might’ve been a few years since high school and you might have not really talked through those four years, but a girl could dream, right?
“Uh, a friend of mine just moved here. I’m just dropping by to visit him.”
“Wait, is it Sam?” you asked almost relieved he hadn’t mentioned anyone else. The apartment next to yours had been empty for a while until another very handsome man had moved in.
“Yes,” he smiled. “That’s him. How’d you know?”
“He lives right next door to me! You’re such a bad friend, though . I didn’t see you here helping when he was moving in,” you teased.
“I was away for work!” he laughed. “I don’t need you on my case too. Sam can barely go an hour without mentioning it.”
You couldn’t hold back your laugh and if the lighting would’ve been better you would’ve noticed a blush appearing on Bucky’s face at the sound of your laugh.
“Wait, you’re his next-door neighbor?” he asked. You saw his lips twist up into a smirk.
“Yes,” you said. “Don’t tell me he’s been complaining about me. I’ve been nothing but a delight, just so you know.”
“No, he has not been complaining at all,” he chuckled, drawing out those last two words. There was more to that answer, you knew, but you chose not to press.
“I like your hair, by the way,” you said taking full advantage of the confidence you had been working on building up. Highschool-you could barely get out a proper sentence when talking to Bucky, let alone a compliment.
“Thanks,” he said shyly subconsciously running his hands through it . “I.. um.. sorry about before. I kind of panicked when I realized who had asked me to hold the door.”
Panicked?!?!?
“Why?” you asked.
He sighed and you noticed how he started looking around the elevator as if he was looking for something. He finally brought his eyes back to yours.
“I kind of had a crush on you back in school,” he confessed. “I didn’t know what to say when I saw you, so I just froze, I guess.”
What in the world? He had NOT just said he had once had a crush on you.
“A crush?” you asked in disbelief. “You’re kidding!”
You saw how his gaze dropped and you immediately realized he had taken your response in a way you had not intended.
“Bucky,” you started. “I had the biggest crush on you in high school.”
His eyes lit up at your confession and he began to laugh.
“No you didn’t,” he said. “You’re just saying that.”
“Oh my god! Bucky, are you kidding me? I could barely speak to you, I would get so nervous. You just never realized since you didn’t really pay much attention to me.”
“Ok, now you’re kidding! Y/N I couldn’t have made it more obvious! I tried to be your partner for literally all class projects we ever had, but you always ended up picking someone else! I also tried speaking to you whatever chance I got, but you just avoided me. I could give you countless of other examples of how I thought I was being obvious, throughout all four years of high school, mind you.”
Your mind flashed back through your memories to see if what he was saying was true. As you looked back, you realized that your inability to form a thought around him had made you run the other way every time he got near you. Maybe it hadn’t been that he never looked at you. Maybe it was that you were so busy running away that you never got a chance to see him attempting to talk to you.
You laughed. You couldn’t believe how oblivious you had been.
“We were crushing on each other at the same time and didn’t even know!” you said as you continued to laugh. “We have such bad timing.”
“Well,” he said as he raised an eyebrow. The charm and confidence you had crushed on coming back to him at full force. “This seems like perfect timing to me, doll.”
You blushed furiously at his words.
“How do you know I don’t have a boyfriend?” you joked trying to fight the blush away. “Maybe I’m married with kids! And here you are suggesting this,” you faked offense.
He laughed, “I told you Sam had not been complaining about you. That does not mean he hasn’t been talking about you.”
“Oh yeah?” you said. “Well since the timing seems to be so right, according to you, what do you say you ditch Sam and come watch movies with me?”
“Just know the sacrifice that’ll require, doll. I mean Sam hasn’t stopped complaining about me not helping him move in and now you want me to ditch him,” he said with a smirk.
“Sam will get over it,” you laughed. “And besides he’s had you all this time. I just got you to turn around and look at me. And he owes me for spilling my secrets to his friends.”
“I had been looking at you all along! But, you make a compelling argument,” he said. “I’m all yours.”
The elevator needed to become un-stuck now! It was responsible for a miracle, but it needed to get its act together immediately.
As if all the good things in the world decided to spare you one more miracle, the elevator pulled up once more and finally opened.
You both turned towards each other as if asking the other if that had truly happened.
Summary: "You started to water down my drink throughout the night and I drunkenly demand to know why.” Bartender!Bucky AU
A/N: I wrote this for @wehaveabucky‘s 2.5k challenge. Congratulations again, Emmy! And thanks to @thepokyone for reading through this and helping me with a title :)
It was one of those days.
Actually, it was one of those weeks.
Every day this week seemed progressively worse than the day before, like the universe was playing some sick joke on you. On Monday, you found out that your niece used your 4 page research paper as a coloring book and had to ask your professor for an extension. On Tuesday, you found a note taped onto your car that read ‘So sorry for the scratch :(‘ and a dent on the passenger’s side door. The week never got any better after that, and today, you just needed to let off some steam. So when your best friends Natasha and Wanda invited you to go out with them to a trivia night at White Wolf, a new bar that opened in Brooklyn, you had no reason to say no and stay home, as you typically would. Tonight was going to be fun, a way to let off some steam.
You looked yourself up and down in the mirror, still having doubts about leaving your house. There was a The Office marathon on TV that was calling your name, and while tempting, you knew Nat and Wanda were already on their way. You let out a sigh as you heard a knock on your apartment door, and opened it to let in a squealing group of four -- Nat, Wanda, Steve, and Sam. You gave them a small smile and let them into your now crowded apartment. Nat and Wanda were quick to jump on the loveseat, Steve and Sam sat on the bigger couch, with Sam stretching his legs out along the length of the couch until they rested on Steve.
“What even is happening tonight?” you asked the group. “I mean, I know it’s a trivia night but how does it work?”
“Well, as Clint explained it,” Natasha began before you cut him off.
“Wait, who’s Clint?” you questioned.
“Nat met Clint in college, and they’ve been best pals ever since,” Steve explained, smiling at Natasha who nodded in response. “He’s actually a co-owner of the bar we’re going to. Said he’s working tonight.”
You nodded in understanding. “Sorry Nat,” you apologized. “So what’s happening?”
“As I was saying,” Natasha continued on. “Clint said that since it’s a trivia night, we need to come in teams, and just be ready to answer a bunch of random trivia questions. Not too difficult.”
“Alright,” you nodded back to Natasha. “I guess this is a good enough reason to keep me from binge watching The Office tonight.”
“See,” Wanda smiled. “I told you guys she would be interested.” You rolled your eyes in response. You may love The Office and all its shenanigans, but you also loved trivia. There was just something about completely useless information that really stuck to you. You just liked knowing things, and since randomly yelling out that humans start life out with 300 bones is not a good way to use that knowledge, this might actually be fun.
“So, you ready yet?” Sam asked you, folding his arms behind his head as he got more comfortable on the couch. “It’s supposed to be pretty packed tonight, so we need to get on it.”
“Yeah, I’m good to go,” you replied. You grabbed your purse and keys and headed for the door, the rest of your friends following suit.
As soon as the you entered, trailing last behind the group, you were hit with the overlapping chatter and clinking glasses that filled the bar. Your eyes scanned the room to see that the whole bar was set to live up to its moniker, with primarily white walls and furniture and hints of violet poking out in the smallest flashes of light and small accents sporadically placed throughout. This place was definitely trendy, and it was a nice change of scenery. The bar was busy, but not too crowded, which you appreciated. There was room to breathe.
As your group searched for an empty table for the five of you to settle, Steve and Natasha separated from the group throwing a quick “I’ll be right back,” over his shoulder as he made his way to the bar table. You followed closely behind Sam, who was gently nudging people out of the way, to an empty booth not too far from the side of the bar where Steve and Natasha were talking to two of the bartenders, one of whom was a handsomely rugged man shoulder-length dark hair that could make any girl jealous, and the other slightly older with short blonde hair and a wide grin. You continued to look on, trying to stay out of Sam and Wanda’s argument over what appetizer they should order. The other two noticed your gaze fixed on them and waved to you. You called him back over and they waved a quick goodbye to their friends as they slid into the booth beside you.
“Looks like Bucky is here too,” Natasha observed, looking towards the pair who were busy taking orders and performing elaborate tricks at the bar.
“Who the hell is Bucky?” you asked.
“He’s Steve’s best friend, he co-owns this bar with Clint,” Natasha explained.
“Yeah, it was busier than Clint thought it would be so he called him in,” Steve replied. “Anyway, we should be starting any time now.”
As if on cue, a deep voice came on a microphone. “Hey everyone, if you’re participating in trivia night, I’d like to ask you and your teams to come closer to the bar, and everyone else get the hell on somewhere.” The bar came together in a roar of laughter as people dispersed to allow for the teams to have a little space. You and your friends looked around and saw only a couple of other teams, much to your surprise. The voice continued, and you looked over to see that it was coming from the blonde man. “Alright folks, I’m Clint, and I’ll be your trivia master for tonight. I’ll go over the rules, and then we can get started.”
An eruption of cheers came from your table. Natasha pulled 5 homemade signs out of her purse and handed one to each of you. “I almost forgot, Sam, Wanda, and I made signs for us.” You let out a chuckle as you looked over your sign, covered in red and blue glitter with the words “NICK’S FURRIES” drawn on in scented marker. Steve looked at the sign, not understanding the pun, and Sam leaned in towards you and Wanda.
“Do not, I repeat, do not explain to Steve what a furry is,” Sam stage whispered. Steve, looking offended, opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by Clint’s voice.
“Okay, simple really,” he began to explain. “If your team knows the answer, raise your sign up, and if you get it right, congratulations, you get a point.” Clint paused. “And if not... your team has to send a person over here to take a shot of our signature whiskey.” The crowd let out a mix of laughs and cheers. A part of you groaned, but the other half was a little bit too eager to be able to drink. “Alright let’s begin.”
“First question: What type of animal is a kolinsky?” Clint asked. Before you could finish processing the question, Sam’s sign shot up, making him first to answer. “Alright, Nick’s Furries, what do you guys have?”
“What is, a weasel.” Sam answered, scoring the team a point and confused looks from you and the rest of your group. “Who do you think came up with the team name?”
“One point to Nick’s Furries,” Clint announced as the bar filled with applause and laughter. “Also, this isn’t Jeopardy. Teams Tequila Mockingbird, Trivia Newton John, and the Quizard of Oz, take your shots!” You watched as the other three teams sent someone down to the bar where the other bar tender, smiling kindly at them, poured small amounts of whiskey into their shot glasses, and laughed as they scrunched their faces after quickly downing the shots.
Next question!” Clint pulled out the next index card and cleared his throat. “What year did Henry VIII become king of England?”
You glanced around your team, Steve’s eyebrows were scrunched up, Wanda had her hands against her temples, Natasha looked down at the table while chewing your lip, and Sam was tapping intensely against the table. You actually knew this one, and were proud to push your team into a two point head start. You raised your sign with a smug smile, and when Clint called on your team you proudly called “1547!” you watched as Clint’s face distorted into a frown.
“Sorry, pal, but it was actually 1509.” Clint corrected, with a guilty look on his face. “It’s your team’s turn to take a shot,” so you looked around at your table and got up, knowing nobody else wanted to do it. You made your way down to the bar where the shot glass lay waiting for you. The bartender smiled softly at you, despite your grimace.
“1547 was King Edward VI, doll,” he said with a slight chuckle. You rolled your eyes and quickly took the sip of whiskey, your face contorting together as the prickly liquid made its way down your throat, leaving a trail of warmth behind it.
“Oh god, what did you put literal fire in this whiskey?” you coughed, not being able to take it well. “All things considered, this may be what I needed tonight though.”
“What, the trivia?” the man asked. His clear blue eyes twinkled in amusement while you set down the glass on the counter and got up.
“No, the alcohol,” you replied with a smirk, noticing how the bartender bit his lip as he chuckled while you walked away. He was cute, you noted, and his laugh was even cuter. You were still smiling when you returned to your table, and when you couldn’t help but glance back at the cute bartender, you saw that he was too. And honestly it had you distracted for the rest of the game. Every time your team would miss the question (apparently Steve thought that Louis Armstrong was Neil Armstrong, and Wanda panicked and said a Granadilla was Godzilla’s grandmother), you volunteered to take the shot. Partly because you needed to drink away your stress, and also because making the cute bartender laugh was more and more fun after each fiery shot.
By the end of the game, you were just a little bit plastered.
“Alright folks, last question, to break the tie between Nick’s Furries and Quizard of Oz,” Clint announced. The bar erupted in cheers. “Who was the first mailman in Philadelphia?”
For a few seconds, no one answered as both teams huddled together to try and decide on an answer.
“Well, who is it?” Natasha asked in a frenzied tone.
“Hell if I know, I slept through history classes,” Sam said.
“It wasn’t Obama,” you commented, laughing to yourself.
“I’m not from here,” Wanda commented.
“Um, I have a guess,” Steve said quietly. “Probably wrong, but it’s fine.”
“No, Rogers, if it’s wrong don’t say it.” Natasha warned. She was more than a little bit competitive.
“Well, does anyone else have a better answer?” Steve asked the four of you, who shook your heads in response. “Then I’m saying it.” Your group huddle broke as Steve raised his sign to answer. “Benjamin Franklin?” he answered hesitantly.
“That’s correct! Nick’s Furries wins the game!” Clint announced excitedly. The crowd cheered as the other teams clapped disappointedly. Your group cheered along with the crowd, high fiving and hugging each other over the table.
You went back down to the bar at the end of the game to take one more shot, convincing yourself that you were walking straight, but the world was spinning just a little bit to throw you off your rhythm. You pounded your fist down on the bar top, getting the attention of the cute bartender. “Listen here pal,” you accused, your face contorting into a mix of anger and confusion at his amused face. “You may be really cute b-but,” you paused, hiccuping. “I don- I don’t appreciate you putting water in my whiskey.” Your words slurred together and crescendoed towards the end of your sentence.
“Now, now, doll,” he smiled as he tried to calm you down as your raised voice drew the attention of your friends. “I’m just trying to save you from a terrible hangover in the mornin’.” Natasha was by your side, wondering what had you riled up. “Nat, your friend here wants to know why I won’t give her any more whiskey,” he laughed.
Natasha let out a chuckle and put an arm around your shoulder. “Thanks Bucky, she can’t handle her booze very well.” You scowled at Natasha for taking his side.
“You’re telling me,” he replied. He looked back at you, and set down a glass of water in front of you. “Drink this, doll,” he offered. “It’s water. It’ll help a little bit with the major headache you’ll have in the morning.” But of course, your drunken pride got the better of you, and you refused.
“So you’re this Bucky that everyone keeps talking about,” you exclaimed. “You have a really nice laugh, but you’re not nice.” Natasha let out a laugh, waiting a beat before putting a hand over your mouth. You swat it off and continued. “Bucky Bucky Bucky, it rhymes with ducky. You’re soft, like a ducky, I bet.” Before Natasha could stop you, you reached out to poke his cheek. Bucky chuckled and gently grabbed your wrist.
“Nat, I think it’s someone’s bedtime,” he teased as Natasha nodded.
“Alright (y/n), let’s get you home, so you can regret this in the morning.” Natasha said, pulling you up to your feet and heading towards the taxi with your friends already in it.
The next morning, you woke up to a killer pounding in your head. You turned over in your bed to see a glass of water and a tylenol set out with a note that said “Good morning sunshine :) happy hangover! Xoxo - N” Slowly, you sat up and drank the water and the tylenol, already working to dull a bit of the pain in your head. You looked around for your phone, to thank Natasha for taking you home, but it was nowhere to be found. You panicked, before the memories of last night flooded your head, and you realized you had left it at the bar last night. Groaning, you made your way back to White Wolf, still in pajamas and unkempt hair and slid on a pair of sunglasses.
You entered the bar, leaving your sunglasses on, as your eyes were still sensitive to the light that was bounced around from the white walls. Thankfully the place was still empty as it was only 11 in the morning, and quiet. You walked over to the bar where you saw Bucky, and your face suddenly felt very hot, as you remembered everything you said to him. Ducky?? Really? I should just turn around and--
“Hey, you again,” Bucky called out, causing you to wince at the loudness of his voice. “I told you it was gonna be a killer hangover.” He smirked. “You here for your phone?”
“Yeah, I think I left it here when Natasha came over last night,” you confessed. “Listen, I’m sorry for the face-poking,” you added.
“It’s no problem at all, doll.” He smiled sweetly, handing you your phone. “It was kinda cute, really.”
“Bucky, right?” you returned his smile, letting your hand linger on his a little bit too long while grabbing your phone.
“Yeah, don’t you remember?” he questioned. “It rhymes with ‘ducky’,” Bucky smiled playfully back at you. Instinctively, your hand went to cover your face in embarrassment. “Well listen, since you confessed that you think I’m cute, it’s only fair that I tell you that I think you are too. Even hungover as hell.”
You laughed as you felt the blood rise to your cheeks. “Really? Even after how embarrassing I was?”
“Especially after that. It was endearing, really,” he said. “So maybe tomorrow, if you’re feeling better, can I um,” his confidence seemed to falter just a little bit. His nervousness brought a small smile to you. “Take you out? I know this great diner just down the block.” he continued.
“Yeah,” you answered. “I’d like that a lot, Bucky.”
A/N: So...this is the start of a new series and I’m really excited for it and I hope you guys enjoy it! All feedback is greatly appreciated and congratulations once again the 2.5k, Emmy! (I reference a lot of Captain America: the First Avenger. Adapted it for the use of the story, I do not own it)
Warnings: Just a little bit of angst.
Word Count: 1.958
Masterlist - Series Masterlist - Part (1) - The Triple Threat
Bucky Barnes. 1917 – 1944.
His picture one that brought a small smile on your face. He wasn’t smiling, but he wasn’t stern. It wasn’t an image that captured him surprised, but it wasn’t one that he was necessarily prepared for. Her eyes connected with that of the black and white image of him.
His hair wasn’t in the usual slicked back style from before the war. No, it was after he cut his hair and the air, wherever he was, blew the short locks in every direction, as if it had known that he was getting his picture taken. You looked down and your smile grew.
Below where videos playing throughout the war. Little moments between Steve and Bucky. Bucky’s laugh where his eyes squinted as he tried to finish his sentence while bursting out into laugher. His eyes and nose did that crinkling thing you loved whenever you made him laugh after he picked you up after a shift at the hospital. The little head shake made your heart soar and your head hurt.
You couldn’t help but wonder whether he sounded the same, at least from the last time you heard him. Liquid velvet you had once told him when he asked once on why dames had been so attracted to him, outside of the physical aspects.
A sharp pain shot through your head and you couldn’t help the little gasp as you leaned onto the glass, your hand smack in the middle of Bucky’s face. Murmurs echoed all around you and your heart began to beat at an inhuman speed.
It hurt. It hurt to know that everyone thought they knew the lives of Steve and Bucky before the war. It hurt because they didn’t know the entire truth. It hurt because just like that, you were forgotten.
“Buck, please tell me you told Steve before you told me,” you called out to him as Bucky pushed through the crowd of people in the late afternoon. If your hand wasn’t on the crook of his elbow or if he wasn’t so tall, you would’ve lost him.
“Where’d ya think we were headin’, doll?” Bucky chuckled as they branched away from the crowd and brought you next to him as the two of you neared the theatre. The sound of a metallic object being hit against sounded through the alley and caught both of your attention. Bucky gave you a knowing look before he broke the contact between the both of you and sped walked to the origin point of the sound.
“I could do this all day.” You followed after Bucky, keeping your distance for when Bucky jumped in or pushed whoever decided to pick on Steve away. Just as the man’s fist was about to strike down, Bucky yanked him from Steve’s still figure.
“Hey! Pick on someone your own size!”The fat-head made the mistake of trying to fight Bucky only to result in a punch to the face and a literal kick to behind. The fool scrambled past you as he ran back to the main street. You turned your attention back to Bucky as he offered a smug smile, Steve getting up behind him.
You pushed past Bucky as he claimed how he thought Steve enjoyed getting punched. “You alright, Steve?” You asked gently as your hand enclosed around his small bicep. Steve wiped the blood from his lip with a gleam in his eyes and you gave him small smile.
“Seriously, Jersey?” Steve’s attention moved from your face to Bucky, eyebrows scrunching up in confusion as he took in the sight of the Bucky’s war uniform. Steve’s eyes went back to you. You offered a smile and mouthed “sorry.” Steve had been fighting to find a way to get into the army, he’d been figuring out a way to join the war and of course, of course Bucky received his orders.
Knowing Steve and Bucky for so long, you knew the look in Steve’s eyes meant that as much as he loved his best friend, he couldn’t help but be envious. He wasn’t envious because you knew before him. Steve was just…he wasn’t surprised that of course Bucky got his orders. It still hurt him nonetheless.
It was one of those things. Though it was the three of you, Bucky would rant to you whenever he didn’t want to offend Steve and Steve would do the same. You were made the group’s mediator by default.
“You get your orders?” Steve asked as he stood himself up, his tone soft yet firm. You watched as Bucky straightened himself out as a sly smile spread across his face.
“The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes, shipping out for England first thing tomorrow.” Your eyes settled on Steve, a small and sad smile on your lips. Steve looked at you, his eyes saddening. He knew he wasn’t the only one hurt.
Steve was about ready to excuse himself until Bucky claimed that Steve needed to get cleaned up. You raised an eyebrow as Bucky wrapped his arms over both Steve’s and your shoulder, twirling you around to face the alley’s opening. His arm stayed over your shoulder as his other one dropped from Steve’s.
“Why? Where are we going?” Bucky shot you a smile before handing Steve the newspaper.
“The future.” You looked over and read “world exposition or tomorrow.” You looked up at Bucky with a small smile.
“Isn’t this the one that Howard Stark is holding?”
“The one and only.” Bucky grinned as he kept walking. You glanced over to see Steve walking behind. Steve gave you one last before pointing at his watch. Your eyes widened as you pushed Bucky’s arm and rushed towards the open street. The cons of Bucky dragging you around? He always, alwaysdid it before you had to head to work at the hospital.
“I’ll see you boys later,” you smiled at them before hurrying off.
“Still need a ride from the hospital?” Bucky called out. You quickly turned around and sent a smile as confirmation before running off towards the main street that led towards the hospital.
New dress, comfortable shoes, the sweater you had from your shift and your purse. You had changed for tonight’s event, Bucky’s last night before becoming a soldier. Your eyes scanned around the area until you noticed Bucky and Steve strolling off the steps towards you.
You grinned to yourself as you waved back at Bucky only for him to give you a quick hug and walked past you. You tensed and looked at Steve, which he returned with the look, the one look you knew so well. Of course, Bucky Barnes set himself and Steve on a last date.
“Hey Bucky!” one of the voices called. You didn’t even want to turn around to see who it must’ve been. Steve stopped beside you before he offered you an apologetic look. He was about to say something, but was stopped when you whispered, “I should’ve known, it’s not your fault.”
You inhaled and exhaled deeply, preparing yourself for the night. This wasn’t your first rodeo, but because it wasn’t your first, didn’t mean it hurt any less. It didn’t mean that the small ache in your chest when you watched Bucky’s left arm wrap around a girl’s shoulders or waist, didn’t go away.
You turned around to see which two girls out of the three billion in the world Bucky had chosen. Steve put his hand on the small of your back and walked with you towards the girls and Bucky. The closer you got, the clearer you could see that the brunette already had her hands intertwined in Bucky’s.
You bit your lip as you offered the girls large smiles, introducing yourself as the boys’ friend. They offered curt nods and friendly smiles before they pulled Bucky towards the Stark Industries area. You glance over at Steve. “Wasn’t the blonde your date?”
“You know how the jerk is,” Steve murmured. You laughed to yourself quietly as you placed your hand on the crook of his elbow. Steve looked down as his face reddened just as he began guiding you through the crowd to follow Bucky and the girls.
Throughout the evening, laughs were exchanged between Bucky and his dates. Steve and you kept each other company with little jokes, quick memories, and little shared stories of your days. The blonde, whose name you chose to forget because she was just so incredibly rude to Steve, would laugh loudly as she wanted Steve and you to pay attention to the three of them. You simply rolled your eyes or laughed with Steve in response.
You noticed Steve’s attention was on Uncle Sam during Stark’s car demonstration. You followed close, but not without glancing back at Bucky who didn’t even realize you both had left. You watched as Steve stepped onto the platform in front of the reflective picture. There was no head on the shoulder, or rather no face, because it was for the viewer to envision himself as a soldier.
“Steve,” you called out quietly. Steve stepped off and offered a smile, one that didn’t quiet reach his eyes. “I know you’re upset, but we’ll find a way to get you into the army.” Steve chuckled sadly as he shoved his hands into his pocket.
Steve was grateful that you helped him with getting different enlisting forms and identities. You understand his reasoning and for that, he was forever grateful. Just like you understood him, he understood you.
“You were going to tell him tonight, weren’t you?” Your eyes automatically shot down to your shoes as your face heated. Steve’s hand took yours, his thumb rubbing in a circle. “You can still tell him.” You shook your head.
“No, it’s…it’s okay, Steve. The last thing he needs before going to fight the war is about me and my small infatuation towards him.” You gave Steve a reassuring smile as both walked towards the recruiting building’s entrance.
“Of course, you two would be here! We were just about to leave for the night!” Bucky called out. His body came closer and his voice was no longer distant. You looked at Steve with a knowing glance and he looked over at Bucky.
“We’ll catch up, Bucky.” Bucky looked at both of you as he lost his smile. Bucky sighed.
“You two…” Bucky glanced at Steve. “Don’t do anything stupid until I get back.” Steve chuckled as his eyes met with Bucky’s.
“How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” Bucky’s jaw clenched as he walked towards Steve.
“You’re a punk,” Bucky stated as he engulfed Steve in a quick hug. Steve called Bucky a jerk as he moved back and turned his attention towards you. His eyes softened, and his smile returned. His arms stretched out and pulled you to his body. You quickly wrapped your arms around him and hid your face in the crook of his neck.
“Be careful, please. And please make sure you come back to us,” you whispered.
He pulled away and wiped the tears you hadn’t even felt from your face. “Keep this punk out of trouble okay?” You nodded with a smile and a sniffle. Bucky brought you back in one last hug and pressed a kiss to your temple. “I’ll come back to you, you have my word.”
You pulled back and sniffled as Bucky’s hand cupped your cheek one last time before he turned back towards.
“Don’t win the war until I get there!” You smiled sadly at Steve and watched as Bucky spun on his feels to give you two one last salute. Well, at least a last salute to you. Bucky never was one for keeping his word.
If you’re interested in being tagged for the series, click here and add yourself to series tag list (:
word count: 1,252 words
prompt: “the truth hurts but secrets kill”
warning(s): Angst. idk like broken trust?? Happens after Civil War
A/N: Written for @wehaveabucky. Thank you for letting me be part of an amazing celebration for your milestone, sweet heart! I hope I did the prompt justice. Also yall i guess im back from my hiatus.
masterlist
Steven Grant Rogers tries his hardest to protect the people he loves.
He firmly believed at one point that by taking in the serum he would finally be able to protect everybody he loves, to shield them from whatever evil is lurking in the corners of the earth, that he would be able to offer shelter to the people he cares from whatever monster is in the dark waiting for its chance to attack.
But in some cases, cases like this one, he wasn’t; he wasn’t protecting the people he loves, he wasn’t sheltering them from any monster, but he just wasn’t able to face a brutal reality.
That is up until the fight at an undisclosed HYDRA facility.
When Steven Grant Rogers saved you and your friends from the Raft, freeing you from the restraints of a straightjacket and the watchful, hateful eyes of the security guards, you felt relieved for one moment. One blissful moment.
That is until you see the tensed shoulders of Natasha as she maneuvers the Quinjet, her side-eyeing and stiff posture signaling for unease to crawl its way back to you.
It’s then that you finally see Steve; he’s abandoned his Captain America apparel, opting for an attire of dark blues and blacks, optimal for when you want to not be seen, his smile far too wide and far too frequent as he chatters with the others.
“Sorry I couldn’t make it sooner” Steve said, looking around the team –his team, standing in the Quinjet, somewhat free.
“We’ll try not to hold it against you” Wanda smirks from where she stood, obviously pleased to be wearing a proper shirt now as she emerged from the depths of the Quinjet with you.
“This has been fun” Clint began, clasping Steve by his broad shoulder before continuing “but believe me when I say I am officially retired now”.
It feels odd to you, their exchanges, Steve’s chuckles and responses, Nat’s quiet-self, as if it was holding off a foreboding situation, an imminent tale-tell sign of some horrid event. But you tried to keep that feeling at bay, tried to join them in a moment of joyousness, to believe in Steve.
So you followed him, followed him and Natasha and Sam in saving the world. You helped them by gathering intel about terrorists using alien technology for destruction, helped them bring organizations down.
Like old times.
As if nothing’s changed.
Fast-forward to a year and a half later, where you’re just in the lab of Princess Shuri, the sister of King T’Challa of Wakanda, discussing with her about her latest technology and referencing pop-culture to name her creations when that feeling of dread and ominousness settles in your heart once more, pausing abruptly your laughter with Shuri.
“What’s the matter, (y/n)?” she asked worriedly, settling her hand delicately on your shoulder.
It wouldn’t be fair to admit to her the whole of your worries –she already has enough on her plate, so you shake your head lightly, before telling her “it’s nothing”.
Later that week, you hear word that Steve is coming back to Wakanda for a quick visit, prompting for you to finally ask him what you should’ve asked him back in the Quinjet the day he helped you escape. T’Challa has kindly set up a room apartment for you in his home, giving you privacy that he suspected you needed when you decided to stop being on the run a year ago, too spent in discovering the extent of HYDRA and AIM’s arm-dealers and exploitations.
When you see the familiar outline of the Quinjet emerging into the dome from the window of your apartment, you swallow thickly the lump in your throat.
“Steve, I need to ask you something”
It’s the words he’s been terrified of hearing from you, even though he knew it was inevitable. Sitting across from you in your living room, he prepares himself for… for what, exactly, he wasn’t sure, but he’s certain that the outcome of it would tear him apart, that he would once again go through of losing someone he loves. He can’t show his fears right in-front of you –not now, not ever, because that emotion doesn’t fit to describe him, that fear is not an emotion Steven Grant Rogers should feel. So he bows his head and clasps his hands together (he chucks it to old habits), sighing deeply and quietly before he lifts his eyes to meet yours.
They’re not filled with anger like he anticipated; your eyebrows aren’t furrowed, angry lines proving for the rage simmering beneath your exterior. Instead, he sees pain –pain that’s mirrored his.
And it physically hurts him to see your gaze, a throb deep in his chest the cause of his sudden short breath, his body already so afraid of the storm that’s making its way to his world, threatening whatever happiness that he has left.
You slowly make your way to where he’s sitting –to where he is slowly falling apart on the inside, and take the empty seat right across from him, unaware of his inner turmoil.
The silence engulfs him whole. You don’t know where to start, unsure how to put into words these thoughts and questions without destroying your perception of your leader, your captain, your Steve. Those blue eyes you’ve seen, fell for, swam and now drowning in, held the ultimate truth.
You swallow thickly the lump in your throat and blinking once, breaking the gaze.
“Back before” you began shakily, clearing your throat to will your voice to be strong for just a moment, “when you saved us from the raft” you continued, wringing your hands together now, hyper-aware of his eyes looking straight at you.
There wasn’t a way that this wouldn’t hurt, wouldn’t wound the both of you, wouldn’t damage the dance the two of you had before things happened. There’s sand in your mouth, drying your tongue and throat, the words sinking deeper into your chest, supposedly ignored and avoided.
You closed your eyes and sighed heavily. It can’t be held any longer.
“Steve, what happened?”
The question sounds simple, easy, with the answer direct, but it wasn’t to him. So much has happened that he doesn’t know how to explain it without ruining everything, bursting this protective bubble he’s made you both –made his family, live in.
There’s a whisper luring him, encouraging him to answer you delicately stemmed no doubt from his fear; it mutters sweetly to him to tell you everything but what happened because your question had a loop hole. So much has happened that he can choose to hide the harsh truth from you, from the world.
But that would be wrong. His heart laden with guilt heavier than the responsibilities that’s weighing him on his shoulders.
Choose.
You and honesty, or his pride and arrogance?
He knows the answer. It’s painfully obvious, isn’t it? It is painfully obvious that either answers hold the inevitable; that he will, in the end, lose you too. He knows he should say something by no –he’s been far too quiet for far too long, but he still can’t bring himself to say the words. He’s been preparing himself for this since the beginning, using his missions with Natasha and Sam as an escape, to hold it off for a while so he can savior any moments left with his friends, his family, and you.
He swallows the lump in his throat before speaking.
{summary} : based on a dialogue prompt : “If you do that one more time…”
{warning} : swearing + ( a mini baking session with me in the background)
{word count} : 1860 words
{pairing} : peter parker x reader
{requested} : this was made for @wehaveabucky ‘s 2.5K writing challenge!!! go visit her blog!!! ( sorry for being late, school was killing me!!!)
{type of story} : imagine
{author’s note} : this was a very soft one hehehe. i hope you guys enjoy it and feedback is highly appreciated!! and this gives me a lot of autumn vibes. plus, thank you for 200 followers!!!
( drop an ask to be added to my taglist )
“Y/N, I can’t tell you the answer to that!,” Peter tried to reason with you as you both walked on the pavement filled with dried leaves.
“Pete, please just this once,” you looked up at him, trying to convince him with your puppy eyes so that he will break the answer for the chemistry question to you. For a moment, what you thought was Peter’s stand seemed to falter but he quickly composed himself.
“No and that’s my final decision,” he stormed off, leaving in front of a cafe in the mild autumn breeze.
You let out a sigh as you opened the door to the cafe. It wasn’t an ordinary cafe, it was a family business. It was named John’s Cafe, after your grandfather. Your parents usually took care of the cafe, you would just help them to bake pastries after finishing your homework or whenever you were free.
Your parents were out of town as they went to visit your ailing aunt. It was all up to you to take care of the cafe now.
You set your bag down, changed your clothes, and wore your apron, preparing the dough to bake the pastries. You were planning on selling the premade strawberry pastries, not only because it was on the menu, also because you wanted bring some for Peter as it was his favorite.
You started off by preparing the strawberry filling by combining sugar and tapioca in a small saucepan. You added fresh strawberries and let it stand for 5 minutes. When the mixture started to boil, you mixed some lemon juice in it, stirring it until it was thick and left it to cool.
You rolled out the premade dough and cut it into squares. You spooned out the fillings into the center of each square. After sealing the pastries, you placed them in the preheated oven.
After 10 minutes, the pastries turned a golden brown, prodding you to take them out. You drizzled the icing you made earlier and proudly set them up on the counter.
You dusted your hands on your apron before walking over to the entrance of your cafe and flipping the sign over to ‘OPEN”. You looked at the light evening sky which was full of golden rays that signified the end of the day and sighed contently to yourself.
Peter crawled up the wall of the Avengers Tower as he looked over the whole town, keeping an eye for any crimes happening out there. Suddenly, Karen’s voice woke him up from his thoughts.
“Peter, you have a message from Y/N,”
Peter smiled as he heard your name. He was planning to swing by your cafe to drop off the answer to the ‘indecipherable’ (according to you) question. He wanted to tell Karen a reply to your message, but something caught his eye.
A security alarm was going off at one of the cafes near him. The mechanical eyes on his suits squinted to see the name of the cafe. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw it.
John’s cafe
He swung quickly to your cafe as his mind swirled with thoughts of you. He was planning on activating ‘Instant Kill Mode’ if anything ever happens to you. He let out a audible gasp as he saw the scene between you and the robber unfold before him.
You were holding a frying pan to protect yourself from the perpetrator. Peter nearly laughed out loud when he saw you.
“What are you doing over there? C’mere and help me!” you waved your pan at the masked hero.
Peter shot some webs at the robber and tied him up. He ran and gave him a flying kick which sent him to the corner of the room. He made the robber stick to the wall nearby.
“So, ma’am, I would love to stay here but I have to go and drop off the criminal over there at the police station,” Peter said, intentionally deepening his voice.
“Sure, Spiderman, thank you for saving my life,” you nodded and smiled. To be honest, you were freaking out. Your favorite superhero was standing in front of you, and you had to try hard to calm yourself down.
“Um, here you go,” you stared down at the watch-looking device that Spiderman just handed you.
“What is this?” you asked as the device wrapped itself around your wrist, fitting you perfectly, as if it was made for you.
“Oh, it’s like a device where if you press the button on it and the red light flashes, it sends a signal to me and your coordinates. This will help me to save you if you are in danger. Plus tip, if the red light flashes thrice, it means that I didn’t get your message or I ignored it, but we both know that won’t happen,” he explained.
You slowly nodded and tried to grasp whatever the man/boy in front of you was blabbering about.
“Maybe I should get going- are tHOSE STRAWBERRY PASTRIES?!” he exclaimed.
“Yes! So, do you want some?” you asked and noticed that the eyes on his suit grew wider.
His head bobbed enthusiastically and you packed some of the pastries for him. He let a quick wave of his hand and left the cafe, leaving you in the cold night.
“I met him Peter, it was really Spiderman!” you explained to the brown-eyed beside you.
“Of course, Y/N, why would Spiderman even be there?” he asked you with a light smirk.
“Guess what,” you huffed.”I’m getting out of here. See ya later, alligator.”
Peter smiled as he saw your nimble feet skipping down the way to your cafe.
You toyed with the device that the masked hero gave you as you stared out into the oblivion. Your transient meeting with him has left a strong impact on you.
You wanted to see him.
Your finger hovered over the button as you bit the inside of your cheek. Holding your breath, you pressed the button.
In about a minute, you saw Spiderman standing right at the entrance of your cafe.
“Wait, why, what happened?!” he asked in between breaths.
“Oh, shit, sorry! The watch accidentally hit the wall, so I think it called you,” you lied, red rising up your cheeks.
“Ah ok then,” he scratched his head.”I think I better get going now.”
You nodded your head and gave him a bag of strawberry pastries. You gave a smile his way as he swung back to his quarters.
As days went by, you kept pressing the button on the device so that you can meet the young superhero. The conversations between you guys always went by like this :
“Wait Y/N, why did you call me?”
“Oh, sorry, I dropped the device and it called you,”
“If you do that one more time…”
“Why am I here again?”
“My cat stepped on it,”
“You don’t even have a cat,”
“No, I am telling the truth!”
“If you do that one more time…”
“Jesus Christ, Y/N what are you doi- IS THAT A MOUSTACHE?”
“EY HERMANA, hOLA”
“gET tHat mOUSTACHE OFF”
“NO, THIS IS MY pRIDE”
“If you do that one more time…”
But, unbeknownst to you, Peter was falling for you. A minor crush that he had on you was now a very major crush.
Even though he was tired of you calling his alter ego, but admittedly, he liked it.
He loved seeing you happy and the smile you would give him as you hand him the bag of strawberry pastries.
He was elated by the fact that you would tell him your encounters with Spiderman whenever you meet him.
He really wished that he could confess his feelings for you, but he didn’t want to place you in a precarious position He was worried that if anyone knew that he was Spiderman, they would come after you.
He sighed softly as he stood up from his bed to take a bath.
On his study table, the device that was connected to yours was flashing a bright red.
“Fucking hell,” you whispered softly, inaudible to masked robber in your cafe, “Where the hell is Spiderman when you need him?”
You kept pressing the button until the springs came out of it. You muttered a curse word to yourself as you reached to your back pocket to get your phone.
Your thumbs flew at a rapid speed, typing out words to Peter which might also be your last words.
Y/N
peter, there is a fkin robber
come n save me
pls
btw, i love y
Before you could type out the last message, your hair was yanked and pulled out from your hiding place. You wriggled out of the unknown person’s grip and punched him in the face.
You were face to face with the masked robber. A light drip of blood was visible on his jaw, the place you just punched.
He grabbed you by the shoulder, applying too much pressure which made tears from at the side of your eyes. He pushed you down to the chair and tied you up with a rope. Taping your mouth with a strip of duct tape, he proceeds to go to the counter to take all the money and shove it inside his bag.
You sat there helplessly as you saw smirking at all the money he just found
Isn’t there anyone to help me? you thought to yourself.
“Stop right there!” a voice came from the entrance of your store.
Ah, here this bitch comes, you mused as you saw Spiderman standing in his famous suit.
“Heh, what are you gonna do, Spiderboy,” a chuckled came from the bad guy.
“First of all, it’s Spiderman,” he said as he delivered a swift kick to his face and webbed his hands up.
The masked hero glided smoothly to web the perpetrator up against the wall and come to your side and untie you. You hugged him as you felt a wave of emotions sweep over you, mainly relief, happiness and love.
You hesitated as the mask of the hero deterred you from kissing the lips of the man behind it. Somehow he read your thoughts and pulled off his mask and only hesitated for a split second. Before that, he made sure that the robber did not see his face.
You were shocked and relieved to see your best friend standing in front of you. You gave him a soft smile and stood closer to him. Peter took your cheeks in his hands and guided your lips to his.
Sparks coursed through your whole body as Peter started caressing your lower back. It was just a small and sweet kiss, which signaled the start of your romantic relationship.
Both of you pulled back, foreheads resting against each others. Suddenly, Peter started sniffing something as he lifted his head up.
Summary: Tony Stark had a great idea, involving a giant field and you. Too bad, James Buchanan Barnes -- war hero, world's most dangerous assassin, occasional goat farmer, decides he needs to help as well. (Reader/Bucky Barnes)
Prompt: Field/Farm
Word Count: +3.7K
Masterlist
A/N: This is for @wehaveabucky writing challenge. Sort of takes places after Black Panther, but ignoring all of the IW stuff because I can. Started talking to my friend about Bucky’s particular scene in IW and I rolled with it. The Reader is enhanced and there are Karate Kid references.
Please enjoy and feedback is always welcomed.
Tony Stark was full of a lot of great ideas, though some were stranger than others but that didn't stop him -- from what you had seen nobody but Ms. Potts could stop him and that was only most of the time. However, this time his newest idea involved you coupled with the want to make the Avengers facility completely self-sufficient when it came to food, but instead of using all his time and energy on hiring people or scientists that could do the job properly, he decided to use the newest recruit -i.e you- who could use plant-based powers in order to move this project forward.
So, here you are on a bright Saturday morning wearing overalls and high boots in field behind the compound, trying to figure how compost works. It would be the understatement of the year to declare that you knew anything about farming. You were a city girl through and through, it just happened to be that your powers could make a beanstalk actually grow 10 feet tall. You were sitting on a bail of hay, because Stark had supplied you with everything, watching a video on mixing the best compost without trying to hurl your breakfast, completely unaware of a certain person making their way towards you.
"Is this all the progress ya've made so far?" the sound of a certain raspy voice makes you jump and look up to see at your fellow teammate assessing your work so far-- Bucky Barnes was dressed in a dark shirt (that maybe clung a little too tight), an old pair of jeans, and dark plastic boots with a shovel at hand. He was scanning over the field that you divided with string and small wooden poles to show where everything was going to grow.
You got up and brushed the dirt from your pants before turning to look at him, "Yeah, I wanted to set up some good compost before anything else."
He shakes his head like you're doing something wrong and you can't help but cross your hands and look at his direction, wondering why he is here and what he could be planning while trying to ignore how good he looked with the morning sun behind him.
"Am I doing something wrong?" you question with the quirk of an eyebrow as he turns to grin your way, like he knows everything when it comes to plants and gardening -- obviously unlike the woman that knew how to control them.
"It wouldn't hurt to have some extra help," he dodges your question before heading to the wheelbarrow full of dirt and the giant box full of seedlings and various seed packages. He looks at all of them with the same seriousness that he does his weapons before and after a mission, as you walk up to him.
"So, you're going to help?" you ask in slight disbelief since all the other Avengers had disappeared or had conveniently gone on a mission when this project come up after you had asked for help.
"I know a thing or two about this, doll. Like I said, wouldn't hurt to have an extra hand," he rummages through the box as you let out a snort of laughter.
"Hauling stacks of hay during your free time doesn't count as farming, Barnes," you state, drawing back to the stories you had heard from Sam of the former Winter Soldier's time in Wakanda.
"I raised goats," he turns and says it with a completely straight face.
"You raised goats?" you ask, trying your hardest to picture a long-haired Bucky with goats following him everywhere. It was just so hard to see the usually brooding man do something that you could consider cute, but you had to admit you didn't know him very well to begin with. Since becoming part of the re-established Avengers, you hadn’t gone on many missions with him and he mostly kept to talking with Steve, Sam, and on occasion Natasha. You usually stayed around Vision and Wanda.
"In Wakanda," he clarifies, though you already understood that coming from his previous statement. You doubted he would be able to raise goats in 1940's Brooklyn without it being mentioned as some strange historical footnote or trivia question.
James Buchanan Barnes -- war hero, world's most dangerous assassin, occasional goat farmer.
"In Wakanda?" you repeat his words in obvious disbelief.
"Yup," Bucky lets the p sound pop roll out of his mouth, as he looks up at you and laughs at the sight of your bewildered face.
"I guess lead the way, oh Great Goat Farmer," you let out sarcastically before shrugging your shoulders in silent defeat and crouching down next to him.
-----
It’s three and half hours of backbreaking labor to set up the compost (We should ask for goat manure, he stated like an expert as you cringe) and going between which seeds where getting planted and actually doing it. It was close to noon when you both had finished, looking proudly at the ground full of potential, though smelling of something foul and obviously ready for a shower.
“Ok, good work. I’ll see ya around,” you declare, while wiping away the sweat on your forehead obviously trying to ignore that fact that a certain super soldier wasn’t suffering like you were at the moment. You were about to head to direction of the compound and when his voice pulls you back.
“Hey, since we’re working on this together. No powers,” the sudden statement gives you whiplash as you turn around and look at a very serious Bucky, arms crossed and slightly glistening in the high afternoon sun -- no, don’t think about that right now.
“That kinda defeats the purpose Stark set up for me here,” you try to best to explain as he shakes his head, obviously already making up his mind since he was the only one actually helping you with this task. It could have taken you at least a few minutes to grow all the vegetables and fruits beneath the garden floor and while it could help your training --like Tony wanted-- it wasn’t really helping with the second part of the project, maybe that was Bucky’s point.
“We can find a different way to help you with that. But this,” Bucky motions at the field with a cheeky grin,”is going to be all natural.”
“Why?” you can’t help but ask, and he cannot help but rub the back of his head and let out sigh.
“Learning some survival skills wouldn’t hurt ya kid,” he reasons but his increased irritation lets his Brooklyn accent slips out for a moment, while blue-grey eyes stare into yours so that you try to understand his point, “ ‘aybe, even help ya with your powers.”
"So, is this some Karate Kid shit?" you laugh lightly at your own statement as a look of confusion briefly shows on Bucky’s face over the pop culture reference.
"Karate what?" he murmurs to himself, as you begin to walk back to the compound determined to make sure Steve adds it to his list when he comes back from the latest mission.
----
It’s strange getting used to Bucky Barnes’ more frequent presence in your life, though you guys develop a good pattern over the spring months of who was going to take care of what when the other was on a mission. However, the sudden midnight additions of a flower bed (where you can actually practice using your powers) a large as the field and an accompanying shed made you realize that maybe he needed this little side project more than you sometimes, especially when you found him watering the flowerbed in the middle of muggy June night after he had just returned from a mission.
“You’re overwatering them,” you state in a concern tone as Bucky --wearing sweatpants and a white tank top-- turns to look at you with bloodshot eyes, obviously not getting an ounce a sleep since he came back with Steve and Sam, “I watered them a day ago, it’s every two days.”
He pauses for a moment to look at the night sky, now hanging on limply to the watering hose as you stand there, unsure of what to do. While, you were aware that Bucky was no longer in the clutches of HYDRA due to the great work done by Princess Shuri and the scientists of Wakanda, there were things that never left the human soul -- things that didn’t seem to let the Sargent rest on most nights.
“You haven’t been sleeping well?” you ask as a yawn escapes your mouth, though that doesn’t stop you from taking the hose from his metal hand. However, he pauses to look at you from the corner of his eye for a moment. You give him a tight-lipped smile as he drops the watering instrument into your waiting hand. You place it in its proper place, as you can hear Bucky’s raspy and haggard voice from behind you.
“Not really...nightmares and such,” Bucky explains vaguely, while running his flesh hand through his matted hair in agitation. You walk over back to him and point to the tables not too far away.
“You don’t need to explain yourself,” you shake your head as he gives you an appreciative smile before you change the subject to something you have been practicing for a while, “Hey, wanna see something cool?”
You scrunch your nose a little in excitement as he nods, just needing something to take his mind off of certain things. You motion him to sit down on the patio table set that he and Steve had set-up just a few weeks ago and that Natasha liked to use to when watching you do the gardening. The air was cool and still compared to the muggy New York you had been so used to. You take a deep breathe and point for him to look at the unwatered section of the flowers. He gives you a skeptical look for a moment as you grin and begin to move your hands back and forth slightly. You let out a light hum, as the flowers begin sway back and forth as Bucky’s eyes widen.
“You’ve been practicing,” he says in awe, as you laugh while the flowers jingle lightly at the noise as fireflies slowly start up to light up the space, as if drawn by some magical force. You grin at the sight, completely unaware that something else had drawn Bucky’s attention. You turn to look at him, confused and a little flabbergasted at his sudden attention.
“Of course, I would. It’s one of the reasons we have this space,” you whisper softly as he nods, “And just you wait, by July they’ll be dancing to The Star Spangled Man with a Plan!”
Bucky lets out a hearty laugh at the idea you have for Steve’s birthday, as you soon follow with a slight chuckle. He grins and your heart seems to forget how to beat for moment, his demeanor a million times brighter than before. And in the end, you just end up watching the dancing flowers and fireflies until the sun comes up over the compound.
------
You pretend you don’t know what Wanda is talking about when there is sudden abundance of flowers, all of kinds of varieties, and the smell of apricots in full bloom more often within the Avengers compound. Sunflowers in full bloom in the mornings with camellias and daisies peppered around the rooms depending on who was in them. More often than not, they could be found in Bucky’s room and hair depending on whether he was asleep or not, it got to the point where Sam and Tony really did agree he was the Spring Soldier now. Even Steve smiled at the small set of forget-me-nots he found in his room, though it was mostly for what you were (not) doing for Bucky.
“How do I look?” you look up from your book to see a nervous looking Bucky wearing a black shirt, a black and white motorcycle jacket, and dark washed jeans -- perfect for the double date that Sam had set him up on back in the city.
“Handsome,” is all you can say, as he gives you a shaky smile and Sam walks into the room with two sets of bouquets and watching the scene before him...well like a hawk,”Knock ‘em dead, Sarge.”
“Sweet Titania, if you could please work your magic,” Sam voices in a serious and high toned British accent, as he comes from behind Bucky and places the flowers in front of your face. You laugh as Bucky shakes his head.
“Wow, Shakespeare. You must be serious tonight,” you exclaim before coughing and changing your voice to match his own with just as bad British tone, “Oh great bird man, your wish is my command.”
With a flick of your wrist, the flowers bloom to their peek as Bucky watches in awe one more before looking at the soft smile on your face. Your eyes flutter to meet his, and he swears he sees something melancholic in them before turning away in slight embarrassment. You stand up and both of them stop, Sam is grinning and Bucky still looks unsure.
“Have a great time, guys,” you say without any tone of emotion before grabbing them and pecking them both on a cheek. Bucky gives you one last look, like a kicked puppy waiting on its master, before you let go and Sam pushes him to the general area of the garage. You huff and drop back on the couch and stay there for a good while until it’s almost 11 pm and Wanda comes looking for you.
“Shouldn’t you tell him by now, sweetheart,” Wanda takes a seat beside you, worried like a mother would. You look at her and lean on the her shoulder and yellow carnations begin to bloom around your wrists.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Wan,” is all you say as she pulls you closer for the rest of the night.
Nobody ever tells you that Bucky’s bouquet wilted the moment he handed it away to his date.
-----
You, Wanda, and Sam are barely able to make it for Steve’s birthday due to last minute mission. It’s only thanks to Natasha that you have a nice yellow and white summer dress to wear for the party taking place in your growing garden with tables and benches set up for close friends and family. Unlike most 4th of July celebrations, Steve enjoys celebrating his birthday in a small, intimate way no matter how much Tony might complain. You might frown at the questionable sight of Tony and Bruce near the barbeque grill, but you’re all grins at the birthday boy and another certain super soldier.
“Happy Birthday, Cap!” you smile while giving him a side hug. You hand him a small gift wrapped box, while trying ignore the obvious looks from the other super soldier you might have been avoiding.
“Thanks,” Steve smiles lightly as he pats your on the back before letting go, “It’s good to see that everything went well.”
You nod, but before you can say anything else Wanda is taking you away to talk with some familiar S.H.I.E.L.D agents and Natasha. She’s pushing you with a sly grin in her face and you shake your head and laugh before yelling back at the two super soldiers.
“I have another surprise for later,” you wink as Steve gets a questionable look on his face, while Bucky seems to be laughing behind his plastic cup.
However, the rest of the evening is like playing a game of ping pong between you and Bucky because if you weren’t being dragged away to talk about the garden, he was though you were extremely proud to talk about the work you had put into it and how some of the ingredients for the meals were directly from the garden, but Tony took all the credit for the initial idea. It isn’t until the sparklers are being turned on that you call over Steve to the flower bed, as the current music dies down.
“I know you’re used to women dancing this song,” you laugh as Steve lets out a nervous laugh at what you might have planned. You make a motion towards Vision to play the song from your phone, the familiar tone begins to play as Steve starts to shake his head in disbelief, “But, have you ever had flowers dance it before?”
You begin to move your hands back and forth as the various flowers begin to sway back and forth to the song, the sparklers all around the flowerbed shining like diamonds as Wanda moves them around with her own powers, so that they are showering all the guests. Steve lets out a loud laugh as you sing along with the song, you look up for a moment to see Bucky just staring at you with his bright gray eyes burning intensely and shining like starlight.
As the song ends, Steve comes over to give you a hug and you don’t realize that your face is a bright red for the rest of the night.
-----
Due to several incidents and extended missions, you hadn’t see Bucky again since the party and it was already mid-August, though the two of you still managed to keep the garden in stable shape. Now here you were on a calm Sunday morning picking up the rest of the fruits and vegetables before fall set in, though since Bucky wasn’t here, you let your powers place the items into the basket as you sat down in the shade.
It wasn’t strange that you hadn’t seen him, it used to be like that once but since getting to know him, you missed him a lot. You and Wanda had talked about what you were feeling, but you were better at denying than confessing your true emotions -- it must have been something to do with your generation, as Tony like to say from time to time. You let out a sigh under the shady umbrella as the figs and apples dance in the air before falling into the proper baskets.
“I thought I said no powers, doll,” you shriek at the voice from behind you, as you jump slightly and turn to see a smiling Bucky Barnes. The fruits drop suddenly at your loss of concentration as you frown at him.
“What the hell, Buck?” you question hotly as he takes a seat next to you. He must just have returned from his latest mission since his hair is still wet and the dark shirt seems to be clinging to his upper body. You bite your bottom lip slightly, as you glance up to see blue eyes twinkling clearly catching you in the act of looking at him like he was your next meal. Damn.
“We made a sacred pact,” he laughs as you catch the reference,”no powers on the bigger field.”
“Finally watched Karate Kid, huh?” you question as he nods. Bucky turns to look at the garden, as you look down to fiddle with your hands and start making small flowers (bleeding hearts and comfreys) pop within your hands. There is an obvious tension between the two of you, but you aren’t sure why Bucky would be feeling anything.
“Don’t watch the other movies, but maybe Cobra Kai,” you babble on as Bucky suddenly gets up to look at the large field that you two have been working on for the past couple of months together and while it wasn’t easy, you wouldn’t have had it any other way, especially not without Bucky.
“We make a good pair,” he says looking at you, motioning for you to get up and stand next to him. You do so, and you can’t help but feel a little proud at all the things you had accomplish it terms of both gardening and your powers.
“Yeah, for an ex-goat farmer and a city girl,” You let out a sarcastic snort of air at the thought of Bucky raising goats again, as the sun makes the flowers in your hand bloom a little more.
“ ‘m sure we could work great together, in a lot of other ways too,” he moves his body in front of yours. His flesh hand running softly over the petals now covering your hands, as the metal one slides cross your waist.
“W-What are you trying to say?” you question in obvious confusion, vines wrapping around your forearms as if trying to protect you for whatever he might say next.
“I think you know,” he whispers softly, as he pulls you until you’re chest to chest with him. Blue eyes burning with something you hadn’t seen before “...I think you’ve felt it for awhile now too.”
You feel a little bold for a moment at the sound of his statment, as you look at him straight in his eyes with your hands splayed across his shoulders,”I think you need to show what you’re talking you.”
You open the Pandora’s Box, as Bucky ducks his head to catch your lips with his own. His hold tightens just a bit, as your feet dangle slightly above the ground due to him picking you up. The kiss is slow and sweet, but as you clutch the back of his head to bring him in closer he nips on your bottom lip. You let out a small moan as your tongues play languishly together, showing each other what you having been trying to hide these past couple of months, and it isn’t until the burn of your lungs needing air nearly suffocates you that two of you finally separate.
“So…” he murmurs breathlessly, pulling back a little and smiles roguishly at the dazed look you have on your face before you go back to looking at anything but him.
“So...are you asking me to go steady with you, Sargent Barnes?” you giggle as you lose a little control of your powers and flowers begin to bloom in Bucky’s hair. You keep laughing, as you take a sunflower out of his hair and he lets out a breathless chuckle.
“Only if ya let me, flower girl,” he pulls you in a little closer, foreheads touching and noses rubbing together softly. You throw the sunflower over your shoulder and you grab his cheek, already falling in love with the feel of the petals touching his light scruff.
“Oh definitely,” you kiss him again, briefly noting that nothing could be better than being with him underneath the morning sun in the garden you grew together.
A/N: Alright, so this is an idea that I was mulling over while I was on the toilet. Don't judge me! I think about a lot of things when I'm on the toilet, so this is just something that popped into my mind. I'm sorry if it sucks, but there's nothing I can do about it.
Gonna dedicate this to @wehaveabucky for her 2.5k celebration as a little extra somethin'. You deserve it, doll. I hope you like it.
Pairing: Stucky x Reader
Word Count: 2.3k
Warning(s): Some slight self fat-shaming, self hate, kind of a downer, fluffy ending.
Summary: Probably should've mentioned this is a plus-sized!reader thing. In laments terms, Steve and Bucky loved the reader for who she is and how she looks, but she hates how she looks. One day, she decides to make a change, but can they stop her before she starves herself to death?
Y/N's downfall started Monday morning.
It was one of those rare times where the team didn't have a mission to tend to, so they all ended up having breakfast together in the kitchen.
Well, everyone but one person.
Steve already knew she was in the room, thanks to his sensitive hearing and Bucky's obvious drooling at the mere sight of her. When he turned around, he understood why.
She'd walked in just as Wanda and Vision began plating up the food they had prepared for the team. A pair of black leggings hugged her legs perfectly, smoothing over her thick thighs and sitting snugly on her waist. He eyed her bare midriff before glancing over her black and white sports bra, which hugged her full chest.
If they hadn't known her, they would've thought she'd stepped out of a sports magazine or something.
The super soldier couldn't blame his boyfriend for ogling her, when he'd just done the same thing.
Steve and Bucky had been in a secret relationship before the war, knowing that such an affair would be frowned upon. When they found each other again, it only made sense that their feelings would resurface, and being in a new century made it easier for them to be together out in public.
However, their feelings for one another never stopped them from pining over Y/N. She'd joined the team almost two years ago, but she'd captured their hearts the moment she walked into the Common Room.
Steve was broken from his thoughts at the sound of her soft laugh, squirming in Sam's grip as he hugged her with a tired smile. "Mornin', Sporty. What's your poison?"
Y/N rolled her eyes, and both the super soldiers watched as she fiddled with the lip of her water bottle. "I'm pretty sure they only say that in bars, Bird Brain." She chewed on her lip before continuing. "I'm, uh- I'm actually not that hungry, so I think I'm just gonna go to the gym for a few hours."
Bucky frowned softly and sat back in his chair, absentmindedly tapping the fingers of his flesh hand on the table. Steve couldn't help but be concerned, knowing how she never broke her routine, even on the worst of days.
The others shrugged it off with smiles and mumbled responses, still too tired to fully comprehend what she'd told them.
But Wanda knew what was wrong, and by the look on his face, Vision knew of his love's concern for the girl.
While everyone dispersed to go lounge around or shop for groceries, Y/N spent hours upon hours in the gym, putting her headphones on when Friday voiced her concern.
Y/N stayed there through lunch and dinner, keeping her eyes closed as she panted heavily, only taking a break when she really needed it. Even then, it was only a short one.
Pietro had briefly seen the torture she was putting herself through when he made his daily rounds in the Tower. He sped by the gym a lot, and each time she was still there.
It was nearing eight o'clock in the evening when she left the gym, her headphones wrapped around her neck as she stepped into the elevator, stepping out when it arrived at the Common Room.
To her surprise, most of the team were sprawled out in the sitting area, watching whatever movie was playing on the TV. Bucky beamed when he saw her.
"Y/N! We missed ya, doll." He grinned like a child on Christmas day, which only made his boyfriend laugh. "Wanna join us? I don't have a clue what we're watching."
Y/N simply smiled and shook her head, grabbing another bottle of water from the fridge. "Maybe another time. I'm gonna go to bed, had a busy day." She grabbed an apple from the middle of the table and left before anyone could comment.
Bucky frowned at her response, sighing as Steve tugged him closer to his body, the smell of his body wash invading his senses.
"I'm sure she's fine, Buck. We can hang out with her tomorrow." Steve hummed, lightly scraping his nails over Bucky's scalp.
They didn't hang out that day either.
There was a simple information retrieval mission, in and out. Y/N had a couple of scrapes looked over by Helen Cho and then disappeared once again.
Her seat at the table was empty during lunch and dinner, and it didn't go unnoticed by the team.
Y/N didn't eat that day. She spent her time exhausting herself in the gym before heading straight to her room, telling Friday to buzz off whenever the AI tried convincing her to eat.
Every time she went to the gym, she'd weigh herself after. Y/N practically jumped for joy when she saw the numbers go down.
On Thursday, Tony called for a meeting straight after dinner. The whole team was there, all except for Y/N - who was the main subject of their meeting.
"I'm officially worried." Tony began, crossing his arms as he leaned against the pale wall. "The only time we see Y/L/N is on a morning, and that's only for a few minutes. Guys... I don't think she's eating."
Steve rubbed a hand over his face, his other arm slung over the back of the sofa where Bucky sat beside him. "She spends hours in the gym, more than I'd ever recommend to any one." He paused and sighed. "I mean, does any one even see her when we're not on a mission?"
"Friday, how often does Y/N eat?" Tony inquired.
"Rarely, sir. Agent Y/N has ignored my suggestions for the past four days, and has now taken to ignoring me all together." The AI answered. "Mr. Stark, if she does not eat soon, the chances of her passing out from malnutrition and dehydration are very high."
Tony frowned. "Thank you, Friday."
"Of course, sir."
"We have to do something." Steve spoke, his eyes stuck the the floor as he shook his head. "You've all seen her now. We all know what this is doing to her."
Despite her bright smile on a morning, the team could tell by the look in her eyes that she was exhausted. Her cheeks were hollow, light purple bags sat under her eyes and her skin was a sickly pale. She was running herself into sickness and it looked as though she wasn't going to stop any time soon.
Tony groaned quietly and leaned onto the long table that sat in the middle of the room. "Okay, this is what we're gonna do."
~
On Friday morning, Steve and Bucky woke up way before everyone else. With Friday's help, they cooked up an appropriate breakfast, given her lack of solid food, and carried it all to Y/N's room.
By the time they knocked on her bedroom door, it was already nine in the morning. They sucked in a breath when they saw her... I mean, really saw her.
Her frame was a bit smaller than before, her hips slimmer and her skin as white as a ghost's. It was almost painful for them to see what she'd done to herself, but they had to keep the smiles on their faces.
"Mornin' doll." Bucky beamed, leaning against the door frame with Steve stood behind him, tray in hand. "We made you breakfast."
Her cheeks turned a light pink and she looked down. Her skin was so pale they saw the blush as soon as it appeared. "Th-thanks, guys. You didn't have to do that, I-I'm not that hungry."
Steve clenched his jaw as anger and disappointment bubbled up inside him, he couldn't understand why she constantly lied to the team.
In all honesty, Y/N was starving. Her stomach growled painfully every time she caught the scent of food, and she couldn't help it when she drooled a little.
Bucky forced out a chuckle. "Nonsense! We haven't eaten with you in ages, doll. Thought it was time us three sat together and caught up." He slipped past her and took the tray from Steve, bringing it in over her head before the blond stepped into her room.
"Feels like you've been avoiding us." Steve faked a short laugh, ruffling her bed head before sitting cross-legged on her mattress.
Y/N chewed on her lip and gulped silently before shutting the door and turning to face the two men she'd inevitably fallen in love with. "U-um, no! Of course not! I was just, uh-"
"Busy." Bucky gave her a tight lipped smile. "Yeah, you keep saying... That's why we're here. Wanna hear all about what's keeping you away from us and tucked in the gym all day."
It suddenly felt like all the air had been sucked from the room. Y/N inhaled sharply and bit her lip. "Wh-what do you mean? I don't spend all day in there."
The star-spangled man growled in frustration and carded his fingers through his slightly longer hair. "Enough with the bullshit, Y/N." The roughness of his tone made her cower away, and she was unable to meet his eyes. "You've pulled yourself away from us all. It's gotten to the point where you look like you're on the brink of death! We're here, and we're not leaving until you tell us what the hell is going on."
Y/N glanced at Bucky, who only gave her a sad smile before speaking. "Friday, lock the door and windows to Y/N's room."
"Of course, Sargeant Barnes."
The two soldiers watched as she slid down her door, her shorts constricting against her backside as she drew her legs to her chest and held them there. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
Silent tears slid down her cheeks, tears that she wasn't even sure she had. Her hands trembled as she finally let all her emotions go, knowing that she wouldn't be left alone until she gave them some kind of explanation.
"I hate myself."
Those three words were enough to break both of the boys' hearts. Their entire demeanor changed, Steve's stone cold eyes softened and his heart clenched in his chest. But they stayed silent, waiting for her to elaborate.
"I hate the way I look." Y/N whispered. "Nobody wants to look at a fat girl. They don't want a fat Avenger. No man wants a fat girlfriend." She hid her face in her knees and let out a shaky breath. "I always feel like I'm not doing enough, and I'm so sick of feeling so useless all the time."
The super soldiers watched as her thinning body shook with sobs, the noises sounding strangled, as though she was struggling to breathe.
"I-I just hate waking up looking like this every day! I can't l-look in the mirror without wondering how much better things would be if I was thinner, like Nat and-"
"Okay, I've had enough." Bucky sighed, moving off the bed and crawling over to her until he was close enough to wrap her in his arms, his warmth immediately enveloping her. No amount of torture could ever feel as bad as her words.
"Darling, you are perfect just the way you are." He murmured, burying his nose in her apple-scented hair. "You may not believe me today, or ever, but it's true. You are absolutely beautiful, and I hate that you can't see that."
In the midst of Bucky's mumbling, Steve had shuffled onto the floor and crawled over to her, resting his chin on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her, adding to the warmth that radiated from Bucky.
Steve brushed his fingers through her hair, smoothing out the knots from her sleep. "If we have to, we'll remove all the mirrors from your room. 'Cause Bucky's right, Y/N, you are perfect. You don't have to be thin to be beautiful, doll. And, to be honest, we love your curves."
Y/N scoffed pathetically and shook her head. "You're just saying that." She mumbled into her knees, knowing they heard her.
The star-spangled man chuckled quietly and shook his head. "I'm not, honest. I'm surprised you don't see how Bucky drools over you when you walk into the room."
Bucky whined in embarrassment and hid his face in her hair. "Or how Steve can't take his eyes off you, 'cause you always look like a damn snack, doll."
"What we're trying to say is that we love you just the way you are, and we wouldn't change a thing about you." Steve concluded. "We don't care if you're not as thin as Nat or Wanda, we just want you to be happy and healthy. And we'll remind you of just how beautiful you are every day until you believe us."
As they spoke, Y/N could feel herself calm down. Her tears slowed to a stop, but she didn't dare move, she was too comfortable where she was. Her heart swelled with their words, and at that moment, she wanted to cry for an entirely different reason.
"We're gonna be with you every step of the way." Bucky hummed, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "Gonna help you be healthy and happy. 'Til the end of the line, right Steve?"
Steve grinned at his boyfriend, leaning over to press a chaste kiss to his lips before kissing her temple. "'Til the end of the line, Buck. We love you, Y/N, even if you don't love us like that, and we never wanted you to change."
"I do." She mumbled, her words almost inaudible.
"Do what, doll?"
Y/N blushed deeply, thankful that her face was hidden in her knees. "I do love you like that... both of you."
Their breaths hitched simultaneously, the super soldiers looking toward one another before looking down at her with a fond smile.
"I-I'll do it... for you." Y/N mumbled, whining quietly when Steve tugged on a lock of her hair. "And myself." She added, her voice resembling that of a moody teenager.
Bucky smiled in content and kissed her head once more. "Good. Now, let's eat... we didn't cook breakfast for nothing."
