After being on a tiny hiatus, I'm back with a special December advent calendar. 24 posts till Christmas with yours truly 🥰December is always a special month for me, because on the 15th, it's also my birthday! I wanted to do something special for this December and hopefully you enjoy it with me 😘
Disclaimer: They are not always "December" related + the descriptions of the stories are already posted on this list, meaning there is a chance of some minor spoilers.
⭐️Wednesday December 1st ⭐️
The Assignment
You and Henry are paired up for a college assignment. When one day you get locked in his room, something is bound to happen. (College boy!Henry Cavill x female!reader)
⭐️Thursday December 2nd ⭐️
Stewardess Chronicles - masterlist
⭐️Friday December 3rd ⭐️
Ever After Boutique Chapter 3
The hatred between Frankee and Henry only intensifies.
⭐️Saturday December 4th⭐️
Oblivious Chapter 1
Ivy Sullivan not only meets her new neighbor Erin, she finally discovers what the name of her grumpy neighbor is.
⭐️Sunday December 5th⭐️
Sugar Sugar - March 9th (an alternate outcome)
What if Becky decided to masturbate after all, after the jacuzzi incident in Barbados and what if Henry caught her?
⭐️Monday December 6th⭐️
Christmas tree
August Walker has yet to celebrate Christmas with someone, but then you marched into his life and boy, is August in it for a surprise. (August Walker x fem!reader)
⭐️Tuesday December 7th ⭐️
Ever After Boutique c.4
Frankee is supposed to visit her family in Florida, but when she misses her flight, there is one person who can help her out.
⭐️Wednesday December 8th⭐️
Stewardess Chronicles - introduction
⭐️Thursday December 9th⭐️
Oblivious c.2
It's four in the afternoon and there is only one Syverson girl at home.
⭐️Friday December 10th⭐️
Ever After Boutique c.5
The employees of Ever After Boutique are invited to a very prestigious fashion banquet with Henry and Frankee finally has the opportunity to mingle with important investors.
⭐️Saturday December 11th⭐️
A found miracle
After Tiki has passed away, the Wicks aren't ready yet for a new companion for Oreo, but that's before John walks over that bridge.
⭐️Sunday December 12th⭐️
A national treasure: Oliebollen
As a true Dutchie, you have eaten your fair share of oliebollen, however your sweet Sy has yet to try them (Captain Syverson x Dutch!fem!reader)
⭐️Monday December 13th⭐️
Dirty December
While No Nut November was a dramatic fail for Walter Marshall, he came up with Dirty December: a little advent calendar for you and him and there is no backing out. (Walter Marshall x fem!reader)
⭐️Tuesday December 14th⭐️
Ever After Boutique c.6
After making an impression, Henry takes Frankee along with him, on one condition: that she behaves.
⭐️Wednesday December 15th⭐️
Happy Birthday
How Henry and his characters would celebrate your birthday.
⭐️Thursday December 16th⭐️
A Snowy London
A lot has changed for Adelaide and Henry and they are gonna spend their first December month in a snowy London as a family.
⭐️Friday December 17th⭐️
Stewardess Chronicles - part 1
Alice has been a stewardess for quite awhile and it's time for her to meet Captain Henry Cavill.
⭐️Saturday December 18th⭐️
Oblivious c.3
When Ivy wants to wind down after a long day at work, the dear captain knocks on her door asking for a favor.
⭐️Sunday December 19th⭐️
But Professor - four years later
How are the Marshalls doing?
⭐️Monday December 20th⭐️
Ever After Boutique c.7
Frankee meets an insufferable customer and Henry decides to teach her a lesson.
⭐️Tuesday December 21st⭐️
The first day of winter
You are stranded in the terminal, unable to catch your flight, but then you meet a handsome stranger, who is stuck like you. (Walter Marshall x fem!reader)
⭐️Thursday December 23rd⭐️
Christmas and the Monroes
Bucky has yet to spend a Christmas with the entire Monroe family and boy, did he not expect the hectic that this family brings with them. Besides, he has something on his mind.
Friday December 24th
Christmas tree pt. 2
After getting the Christmas tree in the house, August slowly but surely falls in love with Christmas. (August Walker x fem!reader)
Summary: Bucky has yet to spend a Christmas with the entire Monroe family and boy, did he not expect the hectic that this family brings with them. Besides, he has something on his mind.
Bucky Barnes x Winnie Monroe (asian ofc)
Wordcount: 1.3k
Warnings: none
Serendipity masterlist
Bucky knew the Monroes were one hectic family, but this is the first time he gets to see the Monroe family Christmas edition and boy was he not prepared for this at all. They’re staying at uncle Fritz’ place, because it’s the largest, has tons of place for everyone to stay and he can make a giant campfire.
The entire family is bundled up around the fire, sipping their tea, coffee or hot cocoa. The only one who is not sitting around the fire, is Winnie, who has dragged Lia, Thomas, Didi and Felicity with her. These kids are totally sugared up, however, Bucky’s girlfriend Winnie puts them all to shame. Boy, is she energized.
A lot has changed. Winnie and Bucky moved to Portland and she’s currently thriving in a hair salon, close to the florist Bucky works at. Brie is pregnant with her second child (another girl), just like Eloise, the youngest in-law of the family.
Leo Monroe, the eldest Monroe and the man Bucky fought in war with, who saved his life and is a constant reminder of where Bucky should be, is sitting securely next to Bucky. Despite the physical age difference, they are the closest friends. It’s nice to be around someone who has gone through many of the same things. Despite Leo’s memory and all round state of mind are quickly declining, Bucky cherishes every moment they get to spend together, just like the entire family does.
Leo is slightly shivering and Bucky wraps his arm around the old man, who’s already covered in a thick blanket. ‘Something on your mind?’
‘This might be my last Christmas,’ Leo confides to him.
Bucky shakes his head. ‘No, Leo, don’t think like that.’
The old man sighs. ‘But if it is,’ he says, ‘promise me you take good care fo my Winnie Bear.’
He can’t stop his in love smile, as he watches his girlfriend do a pretty good cartwheel, causing Didi, Felicity, Lia and Thomas attempting to do the same. However, they miserably fail. ‘Always, Leo, you know that.’
Bucky’s gaze doesn’t leave Winnie, the true love of his life. He sure is lucky to be with her.
‘You’re one lucky man,’ her dad Harold always says to him when they go see them.
And he is.
Winnie watches the girls attempting to do more cartwheels, while Thomas wraps his arms around her waist. Of all of them, Thomas was probably the happiest she moved closer to home. The little fella already slept over many times at their place. He’s quite attached to Winnie and loves her deeply, probably because she’s so different than the other cousins. She’s kinda weird, bit of a klutz and patient with all of the little kids.
And because she’s so good with the kids, he knows Harold and Raine—Winnie’s mom—are talking about eventual grandkids. They don’t know he overheard them and they never said it out loud in front of the two of them. Mostly because Winnie never brings up having kids of her own and they haven’t been dating for so long.
But there is one thing Bucky is pretty sure about: he doesn’t want kids. No matter how good Winnie is with kids, how much he likes being around the kids.
❀ ❀ ❀
That night Winnie and Bucky are in their respective bedroom. This one is the furthest away from the rest and the smallest, however they don’t mind. Winnie has put on a thick sweater of his and a pair of leggings, while he sits shirtless in just a pair of boxers underneath the covers, waiting for his girlfriend to get in bed.
This night has been quite draining, because after they made s’mores, put the kids to bed and Leo and Bettie, everyone hung out quite a bit longer. But the kid thing, it never left Bucky’s mind.
Winnie steps into the bed next to him. ‘You’ve been quiet all night. Did something happen? Did Papa say something to you?’
Bucky shrugs. ‘Just worried this might be his last Christmas, but that isn’t quite what’s on my mind.’
‘Care to let me in?’
He nods. ‘It’s just that I have a question for you first, okay?’
She nods. ‘Sure, enlighten me, darling.’
‘You want kids?’
Winnie turns around, crosses her legs and takes his hand in hers. ‘Don’t know, man,’ she says after shrugging. ‘Seeing both Brie and Eloise pregnant, certainly does not make the idea very appealing. They were talking about hemorrhoids, hence the reason I dragged the kids with me, because one) I can’t relate and two) I don’t want to talk about it. Also, did you know that Tess had a total rupture, meaning there was just one giant hole downth—’
‘I get the picture,’ Bucky quickly interrupts her.
Winnie chuckles. ‘Sorry,’ she says, squeezing his hands. ‘But why do you ask? You don’t want kids?’
‘I don’t,’ he says. ‘I don’t picture myself as a dad.’
She nods. ‘Okay. Got to admit: you rock the cool uncle role so much.’
That’s it? That’s all she’s gonna give him? ‘But?’ he carefully asks.
‘No but’s,’ Winnie says. ‘It’s okay.’
He does not quite understand. She’s so chill about it? Why? How? ‘You don’t want kids either?’
‘I’m not sure,’ she says. ‘When Brie and I were growing up, she was always dead set on having a family. I never really knew if that was for me. Besides, seeing her pregnant—then and now—makes me have a personal aversion against pregnancy for myself.’
‘So, you really don’t mind?’
She shakes her head. ‘No, besides if we do want kids in the future, we can always adopt. I mean, I’m quite the success.’
He smiles. ‘You sure are.’
‘Oh, oh, oh, you know what we could do? We could get a pet, I feel like we’re in that stage of our relationship. Personally I prefer a dog, but that’s all debatable. Or, don’t you want a pet? Because if you don’t want a pet, I don’t think this relationship can work.’
He starts to chuckle, before wrapping his arms around her shoulders. ‘I’d love a dog,’ he says.
She leans into his touch, before giving him a kiss on his lips. ‘In the new year, we could go to the pound, to see if there’s a sweet one for us to adopt.’
‘Just one ground rule,’ he says. ‘One animal. I know you and I fear if we don’t set this rule beforehand, we end up with the entire pound in our house.’
Winnie chuckles, but that’s a chuckle out of guilt. ’That is true.’
Bucky gives her a kiss. ‘You sure you’re not upset?’
‘Honey, I’m not upset. Really, how could I? I love being with you and I wouldn’t love you any less, kids or not. It’s all fine with my. Besides, I don’t have this burning wish of becoming a mom anyways.’
‘Just a burning wish for a boyfriend.’
She smacks his chest, causing him to laugh. ‘That’s mean,’ she exclaims. ‘Cannot believe you would genuinely say something like that.’
‘Just kidding, darling.’
The two of them lay underneath the covers and Winnie says: ‘I love you, my personal human heater.’
He chuckles. ‘I love you, Winnie.’
‘I have an idea,’ she says. ‘How about you and I go back home tomorrow morning, pretending we have forgotten some of the presents and have hot and heavy sex in the safety of our own house.’
He can’t help but laugh. ‘This sounds like a good idea.’ Bucky presses a kiss on her lips, when there’s a knock on the door. ‘Bet it’s Thomas who can’t sleep without his beloved aunt.’
‘Who’s there?’ Winnie asks.
The door opens and it’s all four of the young kids. ‘Can we sleep here?’ Thomas asks.
‘Sounds good. How about we get your mattresses, while Bucky makes room here, so we can place them all on the floor?’ Winnie suggests.
They all nod and Winnie gets out of bed. She ushers the kids with her and looks over her shoulder once more. ‘I love you,’ she mouths to him.
‘Love you too,’ he mouths back.
He is quick to put on some sweats and a shirt, before he lifts up the bed and carries it to the side.
Winter ‘Winnie’ Monroe is a well known and very loved hairdresser at the Nobel Elegance Hair Salon in Brooklyn. One day, she meets her new neighbor Bucky during a slightly unfortunate event and she cannot help herself, but to be intrigued by him. The two of them slowly grow pretty fond of one another, even to a point where Winnie would consider them friends. However, when she has to go back to Eugene, Oregon for a family gathering, she asks if Bucky wants to come and pretend to be her fake boyfriend. Her slightly senile grandfather however seems to recognize Bucky and why does Winnie think he might be right?
Christmas and the Monroes - Bucky has yet to spend a Christmas with the entire Monroe family and boy, did he not expect the hectic that this family brings with them. Besides, he has something on his mind.
‘My mom might be under the impression I have a boyfriend.’
‘How come?’ he asks.
I grab a meatball out of the hotpot and dip it in the sauce. ‘I might’ve told her that,’ I say, putting the meatball in my mouth.
Bucky places down the chopsticks and leans back in the seat. ‘What’s his name?’ he asks me, as he crosses his arms in front of his broad chest. My eyes fall on his gloved hand, still because he is not at ease enough to show me his scars, but I understand. I mean, I have a nasty scar on my side and I’m not showing that to him.
Do I want to drag him into this?
‘Bucky,’ I whisper, but loud enough for him to hear me.
Summary: After a long day of work, Winnie Monroe goes back to her apartment to enjoy a well deserved night of self-care. However, it does not go by undisturbed.
Bucky Barnes x Winnie Monroe (ofc)
Warnings: Mentions of sex and porn, but it’s all implied.
Wordcount: 3.3k
A/N: I said it once before, but I’ll say it again: what does one do when they found a new obsession (at least I do that)? You write fanfiction about them. It’s kinda like ‘The Proposal’ meets ‘Age of Adelaide’ eventually? Also, I might've cut my own hair, but I am in no way a hairdresser. My only resource/experience is watching Brad Mondo videos every now and then lol.
Masterlist // Serendipity Masterlist // Next chapter
Normally, I wouldn’t stay at work till six p.m., but when two lovely young ladies come to the hair salon to get their hair done for their double date, you honestly think I’m gonna say goodbye and leave? I mean, just because I cannot seem get someone crazy enough to go on a date with me, does not necessarily mean I can’t indirectly enjoy the whole giddiness during the preparation of a date with some high school girls.
When they walked into the salon, they were beauties already, however they turned into absolute visions when Julie and I were done with their hair. We even retouched their make-up a bit. If they don’t get that second date, I’m gonna find those guys and kick their asses for being stupid.
This is not the first time something like this happens. People come in all the time, hoping we can revamp their looks before dates, an important work meeting and sometimes to meet their in-laws for the first time. I love changing up looks and enjoy it with all my heart, but it’s the rewards in the form of glimmering eyes and happy smiles that make me never get sick of this job.
I drop my bag on the floor as I enter my apartment and let out a deep sigh. I think tonight calls for a nice self care night. I’ve had a self care night yesterday, but with the hectic day I had, I can use it again. It’s not everyday I need to save someone’s hair from a bleaching job gone horribly wrong.
That poor woman’s scalp.
I kick off my shoes and quickly rush to the kitchen, where I heat up some water in a kettle. It’s actually a gift from my mom. She gave it to me when I first moved out. She swore that a kitchen is not complete without a kettle. Besides, if I would heat up my water in the microwave, I think she would have aneurism without knowing why.
I grab some ramen and normally I would go out of my way to make something out of it, but today, just ramen will do. Besides, what’s a self care night without it?
Okay, maybe this is the third time in a row I’ve eaten this as dinner this week, because I’m too lazy to actually cook, but we will ignore that fact for now.
After I poured some hot water on the ramen and wait for it to be done, I sit at the little table I have in the kitchen for moments like these. I grab the picture frame and smile as I look at the picture. I think I’m about seven years old here, sitting on my father’s lap, as mom stands behind us and has wrapped her arms tightly around me.
They raised me in Eugene, Oregon. I was the only child of Raine and Harold Monroe. They were high school sweethearts and after they got married at around twenty five, they wanted to start a family. Dad told me once they wanted a large family, because he grew up in one. He had four brothers, while mom grew up alone. The sheer joy of having multiple kids running around, was a dream for both of them.
However, they had difficulties conceiving and after careful consideration and saving, they adopted me from China when I was a year old. It was hard to grow up in a place where everyone, including my entire family was white, but despite that, I never had an issue and for that I know I am extremely lucky. While it went paired with multiple embarrassing events, my parents went out of their way to give me tons of opportunities for me to reconnect with my Chinese roots. Though it being humiliating from time to time, it’s the thought and effort they put into it that counts.
They have always been supportive of me. When school and I didn’t necessarily go hand in hand, they helped me through the most important parts of high school. Things they thought I should master, while constantly reminding me to follow my heart and my dreams, no matter how bizarre it seemed.
If I truly wanted it and I work hard enough for it, everything could be possible for me to achieve.
When I was very young, my ultimate dream was to become the next pop star people all over the world would come to adore. However I chickened out right before the start of not one, not two, but three different recitals and I didn’t need my parents to tell me that being in the spotlight performing was not the goal I should have in life.
Quickly I proceeded onto my next goal in life: becoming a hairdresser, a job that would fit me better. Ever since I was a young kid, I was busy styling not only my hair, but also the hairs of my friends and especially my mom’s hair, since she had loads of it and didn’t mind me trying out different hairstyles.
Maybe it helped that I was their only child. Maybe it helped I tended to think I could achieve anything I wanted, even without the help of my parents. Maybe it helped my parents were quite the free spirited people and just wanted me to be happy.
I let my thumb run over the wooden frame dad made for me. Being on the other coast is difficult sometimes, but thankfully I seem to manage fine around 95 percent of the time.
Besides, I’m thirty years old, I don’t need mommy and daddy accompanying me all the time.
It’s only when the ramen is done, when I realize how hungry I actually was and start eating it in the kitchen. Eating ramen in the amounts I’m doing, is a habit I picked up as soon as I set foot in Brooklyn. My parents were all about the dehydrated food and chickpeas when I was younger and still are. While they let me try all the foods I wanted growing up and let me develop my own taste in what I liked and disliked (thus preparing other food for me, than for themselves), I’m sure they would hate to see how I’ve been devouring instant ramen like it’s the last thing I’ll ever eat. Thankfully, I am a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions and if my mom finds out and doesn’t like it, I’m not afraid for a little confrontation with my mom.
Okay, that is not true, but she isn’t around, she’ll never find out.
After I finished my healthy dinner, I quickly change into my flannel pajama pants with matching long sleeved shirt and I put on my pink thick bathrobe so I won’t freeze my ass off. It’s February and it’s colder than I think I have ever experienced Brooklyn and I’ve lived here for quite a few years. I remove my make-up and put on a mask, before I clean up my bedroom. While I love my job, being at home is my all time favorite thing to do.
When my skincare is done and my bed is ready for me whenever I want to go to bed, I fetch myself a nice glass of red wine and plop on the couch. I turn on the television and end up in the rabbit hole of really bad programs on TLC, that you simply have to watch once you start.
Tomorrow is another long day at the salon, but after that, I have not one day off, but two entire days of not working. I could really use them, if I’m being honest.
I envision on how I’m going to spend these days and first and foremost, I’m going to sleep in. I’m the worst morning person I have ever met and sleeping in would be an absolute relief. After I slept in, I could make bake something, long strolls through some parks, enjoy the February breeze, seeing the starts of spring blossoming every so often and during that stroll, I’ll definitely buy some flowers. I love flowers, especially if they are mainly pink and—
A loud noise interrupts my thoughts. What on earth was that?
I sit up a bit straighter, stretching out my neck, as if that enhances my hearing. I try to detect what that noise was. Is someone dying? It sounded a bit strained. Should I call the emergency servi—
Okay, no, never mind. No one is dying.
A loud female moan fills my apartment and I let out a deep sigh. I thought I had a single man living next door. Did he bring back a date or is he listening to porn at an inappropriate volume?
I hear the squeaking of a bed frame, followed by the banging of the headboard against the wall. Oh my, he is having legit sex and it’s almost like I’m there in the room as well. I never knew those walls were this thin.
Good thing I’m not the type of woman who turns on songs like ‘I’m Walking On Sunshine’ on full blast as she cleans up her living room and singing along, whilst sounding like a dying cat.
How long is this gonna last? I stare at my television and yank up the volume, hoping it will dissolve the terrible noise.
However, once you hear it, there is no possibility you can simply mute it, though that would be so lovely now.
Okay, yes, I cannot take this anymore. I don’t know how long he is gonna last or how many rounds they have in store, but I cannot listen to these high pitched female moans and male grunts.
Who even makes these sounds? Are they making porn or something?
I get up from my couch and while I’m closing my bathrobe, I slip on some fuzzy pink slippers, a pair that matches perfectly with my pajama and robe.
Normally the man in 214 is not bothering me. I’m lucky I have two neighbors who are very low key and make living in 213 not a living hell. But mister 214 decides to spice things up and I’m not having it.
How dare they even? It’s ten in the fucking evening, there are people who would like to have a good night sleep in.
Or watch an entire season of the Nanny, like I was planning as soon as this episode of ’90 day fiancé’ was done.
Whatever you want to do, it doesn’t need to be accompanied by moans and other bedroom related sounds.
I march over to door 214, only to see someone walk out of apartment 215. His brows are furrowed and a deep brown between them indicates he is not too happy about the noise either. We both stop in front of door 214.
I didn’t know this piece of eye candy was living in 215.
I feel like I should say something, since we’re both about to knock on the door of our loud neighbor. ‘Not enjoying the free porn show either?’ I ask him.
Okay, yeah, you shouldn’t say that, I think to myself. There are tons of ways to address this current and slightly unfortunate situation and this was not it.
The man, whose brown hair is around shoulder length, but in desperate need of a trim, simply stares at me, his gorgeous light blue eyes indicating he is trying to figure out if I really just asked him that.
Understandably so, because I’m doing the exact same thing.
Instead, he knocks on the door with his right hand. The moans and bed shaking come to an abrupt stop. The man beside me lets out a deep sigh, as if he is wondering what he should do next.
While I feel he has this entire situation under control, I can’t seem to tear myself back to my own room.
‘What?’ the annoyed voice of our shared neighbor sounds from behind the door.
‘Could you knock it off, please?’ I ask. ‘I don’t want to hear your sexual escapades.’
It’s very silent from apartment 214 and I think for tonight, we might’ve made our point and won our case.
I open my mouth to say something to the man who lives in 215, but he simply walks off and closes his door.
❀ ❀ ❀
‘No way,’ Julia, one of my friends and colleagues at Nobel Elegance exclaims when we’re on our break. While I only have one minute left, Julia just started her break and has around fifteen minutes of no haircuts. Since I barely had time to brief her about last night events before work, this one minute will do. ‘That disgusting human being of a neighbor of yours had sex? Why him and not us? What are we doing wrong, Winnie?’
‘If only I knew his secret,’ I say. ‘I don’t even remember the last time I had sex, or even kissed a guy.’
‘Your last bedroom activity was seven years ago,’ Julia answers. ‘And I think it was three years ago since you had your last kiss.’
I stare at her blankly. ‘Julia, that was a rhetorical question,’ I hiss. ‘Great, now I feel even more miserable, thanks for that.’
I mean, it’s obviously not my choice to be thirty and single. I’d like to say I have high standards, but the truth is: everyone who might be slightly interesting to me, is either taken or just wants a one night stand. I don’t want that anymore. I want to get to know someone, to bond and connect on a deeper level.
It’s just that I can’t seem to find someone in Brooklyn who wants to do that with me.
‘But,’ I say, ‘I met another neighbor last night. He lives in apartment 215.’
‘Oh,’ Julia says, wiggling her eyebrows. ‘Was he hot?’
A knock on the door interrupts our very important conversation. Our grumpy boss who tells us to call him ‘Mister Asher’ stands in the door opening. ‘Miss Winter Monroe, your break is over, just like your chitter chat. There is someone for you to cut.’
Ugh, I hate him.
‘Thanks for the reminder,’ I deadpan.
Julia scrunches up her nose. ‘Not fair,’ she mutters, ‘you were gonna tell me about your neighbor.’
‘Sorry,’ I say, ‘but enjoy your break.’ I slip passed mister Asher back into the salon. While Nobel Elegance is an amazing work place with lovely co-workers, the owner mister Asher is a nightmare to work with. He took over the salon from his grandmother a few years ago and thankfully he is usually in the back, not bothering us.
Today however, he decides to wander around the salon the entire time. He does that around two times every month and those days are the absolute worse, having him breathing down our necks the entire time and giving us “useful tips” right in front of our clients, making us look incapable.
I walk over to my chair, as I roll a cart along with me. Someone is already sitting on the chair and the closer I get to my work station, the more familiar the customer seems. ‘Hello neighbor,’ I say to him, as I stand behind him, folding out a clean cloak.
The same man from yesterday, neighbor 215, looks into the mirror and blinks his eyes a few times. ‘Neighbor,’ he says in a low voice.
I cover him with the cloak and as I’m securing the buttons, I say: ‘I’m Winnie.’
I usually introduce myself with the nickname my grandpa gave me, instead of my full name ‘Winter’. My mom thought of that name and it feels a bit try hard if I’m being honest, But it doesn’t really surprise me she chose that name.
I mean, her name is Raine, enough said.
He averts his eyes from the mirror and removes an imaginary thread from his jeans. ‘Bucky.’
‘That’s a lovely name,’ I say. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. What can I do for you today, Bucky?’
Please say that I can at least trim the ends.
‘Just a little trim.’
I think thanking the universe is a bit too much, but I’m considering it. ‘Can be arranged. That’s all?’
He nods.
I grab the spray bottle and moisten his hair. I comb through is long brown locks with a thin comb. Despite the ends being a bit dead and dry, I do have to admit he has very luscious locks.
‘You have beautiful hair,’ I admit.
Neighbor Bucky doesn’t gracefully take the compliment, but I think he is not the type of man who would turn giddy and whisper a soft ‘thank you’ while blushing.
‘How much do you want off the ends?’ I ask.
‘How much necessary.’
Okay, a man of few words, I think to myself. I mean, yesterday made that pretty clear, but now I can’t ignore the obvious. I start dividing his hair into sections, so I can easily cut it.
‘So, you had a good sleep after 214 stopped his adventures last night?’ I ask him.
He shrugs.
‘Well,’ I continue, ‘I know I slept terribly. It was almost like I was waiting to be woken up again, you know what I mean?’ I cut off the dead ends of one strand of hair and it amazes me how that strand already looks better than the rest.
And yes, I’ve been a hairdresser for ten years and that still amazes me.
‘Mhm.’
‘So, how long have you lived in the apartment? I don’t think I have ever seen you before, besides yesterday?’
‘Three weeks ago.’ He looks up into the mirror, meeting my eyes, before looking away again.
Is there a way to maintain a conversation with this man? Probably not. Sometimes clients don’t want to talk and I figure this is one of those clients. I add some layers to his hair, so it has a little bit more volume. This is such an easy trim to do, but it’s nice to have easy trims every now and then. I mean, I spot a tricky balayage job sitting on the couch, waiting for me to do wonders with her hair.
I blow dry Bucky’s hair and once I’m done, I pull out a round mirror to hold behind him. ‘How does it look?’ I ask.
‘Good.’
Wow Winnie, my hair looks so much better than it did before. You honestly perform miracles once you have that scissor in your hand. How can I thank you? Some flowers? A nice dinner?
No? None of that?
I help him out of the cloak and we walk to the register. While I log into the system, I see him pull out his card from his back pocket. Before I can even think about it, I say: ‘You know what, this is on me.’
He seems surprised. ‘What?’ he asks. ‘I don’t have to pay?’
I shake my head. ‘Nope, see it as a ‘welcome to your new apartment’-gift from me.’
Bucky frowns and blinks his eyes, before one corner of his mouth curls up for a bit. It barely lasts a whole second, but I know what I saw and to be fair, I don’t think that tiny smirk will leave my daydreams today. ‘Thank you, Winnie.’
Hearing my name leave his lips, makes me smile. He nods briefly, before leaving the salon.
‘Who was hottie with the long hair?’ Julie asks, who comes to stand next to me.
I chuckle. ‘That is my other neighbor. Hot guy from 215.’
Her mouth drops and I feel she wants to ask more questions, only I simply send her a wink and walk off. ‘Miss Gina?’ I ask. ‘Are you ready for your balayage?’
‘Are you actually, one hundred percent, sure you want this?’ I ask Bucky one last time, as I place my hands on his shoulders, looking at him through the mirror.
I’m met with a loving smile as he nods. ‘I am one hundred percent sure about this.’
‘But I really like your long hair,’ I whine, running my fingers through his locks. ‘Please, baby, just keep it like this. Your long hair looks so good on you and is very convenient during certain bedroom activities.’ I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing multiple kisses on his cheek. ‘Please, for me,’ I whisper.
‘While that does sound very tempting,’ he says, ‘I want it short and I want you to cut it. I only trust you with my hair.’
Okay, he knows his way to flatter this idea into my heart. ‘Fine, fine, fine,’ I say, walking towards the bathroom sink to lay out my equipment. ‘I’m just gonna miss your long hair,’ I say one more time. ‘Can you promise me that one day you’re gonna grow it out again?’
‘I promise,’ he smiles, ‘for you, darling. I just need to cut it now, you know?’
I know that and I know that very well He thought about it for so long and I do think it’s good for him.
Before we left Oregon to go back to Brooklyn, I taught my grandfather how to use FaceTime. Ever since we got back, the two of them FaceTime every other day and it’s quite endearing to see, especially because Papa still having some issues (for example placing the giant iPad near his ear, because for a few moments he thought he was calling Bucky).
For the remaining part of our trip, the kids would sleep in the treehouse with us, as we watched a lot of movies. Bucky and papa grew a lot closer and while the family thought they were talking about Bucky’s great uncle, in reality they were reminiscing. I drove back to grandpa’s home, this time with Bucky, and we restored the box, minus the pictures, since papa wanted Bucky to have them.
Everything Bucky ever owned from before and during the war, was gone and this was the last piece of past he had left.
Everyone fell even more in love with Bucky during the trip and I do have to admit: being actually boyfriend and girlfriend together felt so much better and even Brie had to admit that we were meant to be.
Leaving Oregon was just as hard as usual, but unlike other times, I am now looking for hair salons in Oregon for me to work at and florists for Bucky. While I know I am not going to live in Eugene (too many bad memories there, I don’t want to run into people I’ve known my entire life on a daily basis), Portland however seems to have many opportunities for the both of us. It only takes an hour and a half by car to visit my family, which is better than the dreading plane ride, including me selling my vital organs to to pay for it.
When we got back, Bucky sold his apartment and moved into mine and honestly, it was the easiest move I’ve ever experienced. While at first glance, people wouldn’t recommend moving in this early, not having him around my apartment just felt weird. I actually would miss him being useless in my kitchen and eat my pies hot from the oven.
The picture of him and my grandfather in the Second World War is placed in the living room and after he stared at it longer and longer, the more certain he was to leave his found image behind: for a while, he didn’t want to look into the mirror and see his long locks, reminding him of the Winter Soldier days. He wanted to look back on the days where he was truly himself.
And that means a haircut. While I might not like it, I should not come in between him and his path to recovery and acceptance.
It’s just that I really liked his long hair.
But I’m actually very glad he only trusts me with cutting his hair. Imagine the betrayal I would feel if he chose someone else.
After I cut off large pieces of his beautiful locks, I grab a clipper and try to recreate his older look. I circle around him and with a pair of scissors I try to get some pieces right in the front. Normally I would break my back in an uncomfortable stance, but now I plop on Bucky’s lap.
‘I sure hope this is a special treatment only for me,’ he says, as he places his hands on my hips.
I pretend to think about that. ‘No, I have a few other clients. Very handsome men around their forties, who could totally get it.’
‘Not funny,’ Bucky mumbles, before pressing a kiss on my nose.
I can’t help but get a little giggly. We might be dating for two months, sometimes it’s still strange to comprehend that he is my boyfriend. My actual boyfriend.
After I grab some gel, to put certain locks in place, I actually am very satisfied with the result. ‘All done.’ I step off of his lap and brush some hairs from his shirt. ‘You look so handsome.’
‘You like it?’ Bucky asks, standing up and leaning over the bathroom sink, to closely examine himself in the mirror.
‘I love it,’ I say. ‘What do you think? I mean, it’s your hair and it’s on your head.’
‘I adore it,’ he admits, grabbing my hand with his metal one. When we’re out and about, he still wears his glove, no matter how hot it is, but as soon as we’re in the safe space of our place, he quickly takes it off. I like how he slowly but surely is growing more and more comfortable around me. The first two weeks, he was hesitant about showing me his arm, but nowadays he simply walks around the place shirtless and doesn’t mind me tracing my finger over the sport where his arm and skin meet.
‘Thank you, darling,’ he says with a kind smile, one that I adored already, but now can barely live without. ‘How do I thank you?’
‘Usually I would charge around thirty dollars for a haircut like this, but I think you and I can arrange a special deal.’
‘Yeah?’ Bucky says, pulling me closer by my hips. ‘What’s does this special deal entail?’
‘Maybe… Something in the bedroom?’ While I see a very cocky smile appear on his face, I add: ‘Maybe you could help me clean out my closet. I desperately need to get rid of some stuff.’
‘I have a better idea,’ Bucky chuckles, lifting me up with one arm before throwing me over his shoulder.
‘Buck, put me down.’
‘Nope.’
He drops me on my bed and I let out a slight squeal. ‘What’s your better plan, Bucky Barnes?’ I ask him with a smile.
‘That I’m gonna show you that those certain bedroom activities you mentioned, can still be done with shorter hair.’ He quickly takes off his shirt and crawls on the bed, caging me underneath his strong frame. Right before his lips touch mine, we’re interrupted.
By a high pitched female moan.
‘Really?’ Bucky groans.
‘214 has a date again?’ I ask him, referring to our neighbor who apparently brought someone back to his apartment. ‘I haven’t heard him in forever.’
‘That’s supposed to be a good thing,’ he deadpans.
‘I think it’s someone different this time,’ I mention. I chuckle, as I wrap my arms around his neck. ‘It’s how we met, remember?’
He chuckles. ‘Yeah, I remember.’
‘How about,’ I suggest, ‘we give him a little taste of his own medicine? I mean, what they can do, we can do better, right?’
‘What is it with you and that desperate need to make other people jealous with what we have?’
‘Call it a defect,’ I say. ‘Besides, don’t give me that attitude. You love it too.’
He smiles. ‘Yeah, you’re absolutely right.’ Bucky presses a long kiss on my lips, but when we hear the headboard against the wall, mixed with moans and grunts, he gets off of me. ‘I can’t handle this,’ he grumbles, grabbing his shirt from the floor and pulling it over his head.
I smile, seeing the annoyed glance in his eyes.
He grabs a hoodie and a glove and puts in on. ‘I’ll be back, darling,’ he says.
‘I’ll be right here.’
Bucky can’t help but let out a chuckle. He walks over to the side of the bed and gives me a long kiss. ‘I love you, Winnie.’
Maybe this is still our honeymoon phase, maybe it’s how we really are gonna be. Forever. I waited thirty years to find the man of my dreams. I am not letting this man go.
Also, breaking up with him, would also severely hurt my grandpa and I don’t think I am ready for that.
Summary: Since Winnie continues to provide Bucky with some meals over the last two weeks, they have become quite good friends. Only, there is one thing Winnie needs from him: just a tiny little favor.
Bucky Barnes x Winnie Monroe (ofc)
Warnings: None
Wordcount: 4k
A/N: Tumblr has been really weird with tags, so I hope everyone sees this 🥰
Masterlist // Serendipity Masterlist // Previous chapter // Next chapter
These last two weeks, I might’ve made four plum pies, despite still not liking them at all. I might’ve also spend a lot of time with Bucky at my apartment after work. Usually I would eat my dinner by myself, spend the nights alone mindlessly watching television, but Bucky comes over a lot and I don’t think I have watched any TLC program.
And to be fair, they are a waste of time anyways.
I mostly show him how to make a pie and how to cook in general. I saw the man attempting to make a pancake the other night and it might’ve been the most horrendous thing I have ever seen. It tasted okay, but that was mainly because I made the batter.
At this point, I might even consider him more than a neighbor or an acquaintance. I might even consider him a friend, though we haven’t specifically spoken about that.
‘What is up with you?’ Julia asks. ‘You have this sickening smile on your face.’
I help clean up a bit in the salon, but that’s more because I’m waiting to be picked up. My bus doesn’t drive today and especially since I stayed here way passed my usual work hours, it’s pretty dark outside. It was really stressful today here in the salon. Since Chrissy is the only one here in the salon who knows how to do a silk press, I had to take over some of her appointments, since she had to fix a botched at home silk press. On top of that, I had to do some highlights, fix do-it-at-home-bangs for some girl who was really out of it and had three ombré hairstyles to do.
‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘Can’t a girl smile anymore?’
‘I bet this has to do with her handsome neighbor Bucky,’ Chrissy says, who has been thoroughly briefed by Julia. They even watched back the security footage, so they could see what he looked like again.
‘Oh, does it now?’ Julia chuckles. Me not saying anything, is enough for them to burst into high pitched squeals. ‘You two are so into each other, it’s endearing,’ Julia adds.
‘No, stop it,’ I say. ‘We are not into each other. We’re just friends.’
‘We’re just friends,’ Julia mocks. ‘I can’t believe you believe that.’
While I obviously think he is ridiculously handsome, with those long locks and really blue eyes, I highly doubt he sees me the same way. I think he just likes to hang out with me, so he isn’t by himself and because I cook and bake stuff for him. Besides, why would he be attracted to me, when it’s crystal clear he can have anyone he wants?
‘You even cook for the man,’ Chrissy laughs.
While I want to add that I only occasionally cook for him, Julia’s loud laugh filled the entire hair salon as she doubles over. ‘Oh my, girl, you know what they say right? Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven.’
‘It worked for my parents and they are still together,’ Chrissy says. ‘Didn’t he buy you three bouquets of flowers?’
Yes. ‘No,’ I say, but even I’m not convinced. I’ll just keep to myself that the three bouquets he bought me, were the most beautiful bouquets I had ever gotten.
Julia and Chrissy try not to laugh right in my face at me, but they simply cannot contain themselves. I mean, I don’t blame them and if we’re really honest here, I kinda deserved it. I pestered Chrissy for days on end when she was talking to this guy on Tinder and when he picked her up for their first date, I was even worse than they are right now. ‘You’re terrible,’ I tell them and I mean every syllable of it.
The door of the salon opens and we all look up as if we’re one person. Bucky enters the salon and he looks illegally handsome today. Despite the nasty cold outside, his leather jacket is unzipped, revealing his favorite red Henley. His lips form into a smile when his eyes land on me. ‘Hi Winnie,’ he says. ‘Hi ladies.’
They simply hold up their hand as they almost reached a catatonic state.
‘Are you ready to go?’ he asks me, after he looks away from them and frowns at me for just a second.
‘I sure am,’ I say, as I hand the broom to Julia, whose jaw is nearly dislocated as its almost touching the floor. ‘What’s wrong with you?’ I whisper.
‘I forgot how handsome he was in real life,’ she whispers back.
Chrissy blinks her eyes, as she visibly gawks at Bucky.
I grab my coat from the counter and as I put it on, I say to my friends: ‘See you girls tomorrow.’
They remain awfully quiet as I grab my bag. Bucky and I walk out of the salon and I’m met with an ice cold wind. It’s almost like the air is biting my face. It’s officially March now and while this morning it was okay weather, the second the night fell, you could almost see it getting insanely cold.
And my weird neighbor has his jacket open… What the hell is wrong with him?
‘Thank you for picking me up,’ I say. ‘When I read about the busses not driving today, I panicked, to be honest.’
‘Why is that?’
‘Well, I’m afraid of getting into cabs, because I fear I might step into a phony one and without a doubt would die, because that is something that would happen to me. And while I can easily walk home, I mean, I did it this morning, I just… It’s scary and I don’t do well in the dark.’
‘Well, it’s no problem,’ he says. ‘I can pick you up as long as the busses don’t drive. Just let me know.’
‘Oh, would you? You sure that’s not a problem?’
‘If it were a problem, I wouldn’t have suggested. Besides, I would hate it if something happens to my favorite cook.’
‘Shut up,’ I chuckle, causing him to snicker as well.
During these weeks we’ve hung out, I really enjoyed it. We watched tons of series and movies and he hadn’t seen any of them, which I thought was slightly weird. However, since everyone I know has seen all those movies, they know the plot twists. Seeing Bucky react to them for the first time, makes it even funnier.
While he can be pretty private from time to time, he slowly lets me in. It can differ from something as basic as the weather, plans for the summer to just our thoughts in general about actualities or whatever.
‘You ready for you first hot pot experience?’ I ask him.
‘As ready as I can ever be. I bought some radish and Enoki mushrooms before I picked you up.’ He holds up the plastic bag. ‘Like you told me to.’
‘Well, if you really listened to me, you should’ve brought a reusable bag.’
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ he chuckles, a small smirk appearing on his lips, ‘but I forgot one. I won’t every do it again. Promise.’
❀ ❀ ❀
After we prepared the soup base in my pink hot pot, we stalled everything out on my dinner table and I excitedly clap my hands. ‘Ready?’ I ask, as I sit down on the chair.
‘It looks really good, so I’m ready.’ Bucky seems more relaxed now in my place, then let’s say a week ago.
While I told him countless times he should make himself at home, it took him a while to get there. Now he just walks over to my fridge, to provide himself with something to drink.
Last Saturday we went to do some groceries together and it almost felt like we were at least roommates, trying to figure out what we should buy. He is really clueless when it comes to food, but he does know his way around with beer, an area I have zero knowledge in. When we got to my place again (after he insisted on paying for it and it’s probably a battle I will continue to lose in the future), he stored his beer in my fridge.
Not even a few bottles in his own.
He grabs a bottle of beer and a bottle of wine. As he places his beer bottle on his side of the table, he opens the wine bottle and pours some in my glass. ‘There you go, Winnie,’ he says with a smile.
My eyes get lost in his friendly gaze for a second, but then I realize it’s impolite to stare. ‘Thank you.’ When he sits across from me, I grab two pairs of chopsticks, holding them up. It’s the same ones he has next to his plate. ‘Okay, first rule: the dark ones you use to cook your food and the light ones are to eat your food. Make sure you do not mix this up, because otherwise you eat from your raw meat chopsticks and we don’t want that. Okay?’
‘Okay, got it.’
‘Also, don’t add too much food in it at the same time. My dad did that once and it got severely overcooked and that was really disgusting.’
Bucky nods as he listens intently.
It’s almost making me uncomfortable. ‘Why are you staring?’ I ask him. ‘You never stare.’
‘You talk about certain things with so much passion, it’s lovely.’ He tries to hold his chopstick, but is still figuring it out a bit. ‘About your job, food, flowers, movies, cats on the street.’
‘Oh,’ I say with a nervous chuckle. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Why are you apologizing, when I’m not accusing you of anything? I think it’s sweet.’
I clear my throat, as I try to pull myself together. ‘Anyways, you first put in the fishballs, and meatballs, so they can boil a little. Once they float on top, you know it’s cooked and ready for you to eat it. You then put in the meat and lastly the vegetables and noodles, copy that?’
‘Copy that,’ he confirms.
I help him with a method to hold his chopsticks, but decide to help him out by putting it all in the hot pot, even for him.
I watch him trying to dip some of his pork in the sauce and he puts it in his mouth. ‘And?’ I ask him. ‘What do you think?’
‘This is delicious,’ he says. ‘Can we do this every week?’
I chuckle, when I see the excited look in his eyes. For a second the underlying hurt and pain is gone. No matter how happy he seems, there is always that fragment of pain. ‘Of course we can.’
He takes a sip of his beer and becomes more and more swift. He eats like he hasn’t eaten for days, which is weird, because I have been consistently feeding him for most of the time. I lean back as I drink some of my wine, while taking in Bucky. He continues to push his hair back and I hold up my hairband I have permanently on my wrist. ‘You want?’
‘Would be nice,’ he says.
‘Stay put,’ I say as I stand up and walk around the table. ‘You are lucky I don’t mind touching other people’s hair.’ I gather the top layer of his hair, since that is really distracting him. Besides, without some gel and other products, I don’t think I could perfect a man bun for him. I wrap the elastic around the strands and I can’t help but admire his hair. Ever since the hair cut I gave him two weeks ago, it looks really good. Especially since he listens intently to all the advice I give him when it comes to hair care.
My phone helps me to snap out of my slight trance. I snatch it from my kitchen counter and discover it’s my mom. She never calls without sending me at least five texts. ‘You mind? It’s my mom.’
‘No of course not,’ he quickly says. ‘I think I’ll manage here. Can I put in some noodles?’
‘Go ahead.’ I quickly flash him a smile and pick up the phone as I walk out of the kitchen. ‘Hi mom.’
‘Hi Winter honey, how are you?’
‘I’m good, mom. Please don’t take this the wrong way, because I really don’t mind you calling me, but you usually text first. Is everything okay?’
The last time she called me without texting first, was when my uncle Jacob was in the hospital. We already knew he had cancer, that it was already stage four and there was nothing we could do about it. However, I had to go back to work, so I told mom she had to call me the second his health started to decline even further. When she did call me without texting me, I dropped everything and rushed to Oregon. With the entire family, we stood around his bed, as he fell asleep and didn’t wake up anymore.
‘Everything is just fine, honey,’ she reassures me and I let out a relieved sigh.
Wait, isn’t the memorial week we always have to honor uncle Jacob nearing?
‘Just a quick reminder that next week is the memorial week for Uncle Jacob.’
Oh crap, so it is week. I already arranged time off of work, but it might’ve slipped my mind. I have been busy feeding my neighbor. I just need to get the tickets and buy something for my grandparents, but maybe I can do that in Eugene.
It’s five years since uncle Jacob passed away. With every year that goes by, I see it’s becoming more and more difficult for my grandparents. They buried a son and I think that might be the worse thing to ever do as a parent.
‘Right,’ I quickly say. ‘No, I remembered. Of course I remembered, mom.’
She probably knows I totally forgot, but thankfully she simply lets it slide. She can’t help it either I can be the biggest scatterbrain from time to time and accepts this from me, even when I forget her birthday four years in a row. ‘Good news, little Robbie got engaged to Eloise. You know, the girl you met last summer.’
What? No, no, no, I think to myself. This can’t be really happening. Robbie cannot possibly be engaged. This is the most horrendous news I have heard in quite awhile.
Because if Robbie is engaged, that means I’m officially the only Monroe who is single and childless.
Since all three of my uncles will be there, including my aunts, cousins and cousins once removed, it means…
Oh no, this week is gonna be terrible. Everyone is gonna ask me whether or not I’m seeing someone and when I say no, it’s almost like there is no way for more conversation. I am still a hairdresser, I haven’t met any celebrities in the salon and I don’t have any interesting hobbies, besides keeping up with all sorts of reality shows on TLC.
This is gonna be a week filled with me being the babysitter.
‘Oh, isn’t that great,’ I mumble. Stupid Robbie, I’ll kill him once I see him.
When I met Eloise, sure, she was a lovely girl, but I didn’t think it was gonna last. I highly doubt no one thought so. Robbie goes through different girls at the same pace as I go through ramen.
It was bound to fail.
Or so I thought, because now the idiot is engaged and I’m not.
‘Are you taking anyone with you?’
Mom sounds so hopeful and I know it would make her very happy if I brought someone with me. I mean, I would be very happy to take someone with me. Especially because one of my cousins Brie loves to rub in that we’re the same age and she already got a university degree, a husband and a lovely daughter and I’m able to do a very lovely balayage, a bob and curtain bangs on curly hair.
My parents always said to me that a relationship shouldn’t be the number one goal in life and while I try to live by that, I still kinda wish I could show someone off. To rub in everyone’s face that I too can have a relationship, especially with someone beautiful. Both Brie and her sister Tess have husbands that I might crushed on for a while. Wouldn’t it be wonderful the same thing happened, just the other way around?
‘You have been awfully quiet, dear,’ mom notes and I remember I was on the phone with her. ‘Does that mean you have something to tell me?’
‘Well,’ I start and my conscious is a little slower than my impulsive behavior, because I add: ‘I do have a boyfriend.’
Fuck no, crap, no, what I have I done? I don’t even have one. I nervously pace around my living room, hoping that will speed up the process of me thinking of an excuse.
‘You do?’ mom exclaims. ‘Oh Winter, I am so happy for you. You have to bring him with you next week if that is possible. I really hope that would be possible. I cannot wait to tell your dad. What’s his name?’
Make something up, Winnie, please don’t be impulsive and don’t do the thing that you are thinking of. ‘His name is Bucky,’ I say.
Okay, I did it.
‘What a lovely name,’ mom says. ‘Well, you should send me a picture of the two of you. Oh, wait, no, don’t do that. I’d like to see him for the first time in real life. If he can’t make it, then I want a picture.’
My mom is weird, but thankfully this gives me some more time to think about this.
‘Oh dear, I need to hang up, but I can’t wait until I get to see you and meet Bucky. Love you, sweetheart.’ She hangs up and I stare mindlessly at my phone.
Okay, we can conclude I have royally fucked up. Now what? How do I solve this?
I could, of course, not say anything to Bucky and just go to Oregon by myself and tell everyone he couldn’t make it.
Downside to that is that I have to have multiple pictures of the two of us and a few of him I could show to my family. I could photoshop a handsome man into pictures with me, but I highly doubt I am that talented.
And if I do the photoshop thing, Brie is never gonna believe me, that’s one thing I know for sure.
I could, of course, just ask him if he wants to go with me. Maybe he wants to spend time with me and my family and grant me the fulfillment of seeing the jealousy drip off Brie’s perfect face.
I walk into the kitchen and see Bucky enjoying the rest of the hotpot. I mean, he is show off material with his handsome face and after I got to know him, I really think he would be a great boyfriend, fake or not.
‘How is it?’ I ask him.
Bucky looks up, a beautiful smile on his face. ‘This is amazing, Winnie,’ he admits. ‘Everything that comes out of your kitchen is amazing. Thank you for providing me with something better than a boiled egg, some cucumber and regular plums.’
I can’t help but smile. Maybe Julia was right: maybe nothing says lovin’ like something in the oven.
‘How’s your mom?’ he asks me.
‘Good, good,’ I say, as I sit across from him. ‘I have this family memorial thing next week, for my uncle. He passed away of cancer five years ago.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘Does that mean you are going back to Oregon?’
‘Yep,’ I say. ‘I just heard my youngest cousin got engaged,’ I continue. ‘Meaning all my cousins are either engaged, married and or have children.'
‘Leaving you the only one who is single,’ he fills in.
‘Truthfully, yes.’
That causes him to cock an eyebrow, as he looks at me funny.
‘My mom might be under the impression I have a boyfriend.’
‘How come?’ he asks.
I grab a meatball out of the hotpot and dip it in the sauce. ‘I might’ve told her that,’ I say, putting the meatball in my mouth.
Bucky places down the chopsticks and leans back in the seat. ‘What’s his name?’ he asks me, as he crosses his arms in front of his broad chest. My eyes fall on his gloved hand, still because he is not at ease enough to show me his scars, but I understand. I mean, I have a nasty scar on my side and I’m not showing that to him.
Do I want to drag him into this?
‘Bucky,’ I whisper, but loud enough for him to hear me.
‘What?’
‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I just couldn’t help it, okay? I heard my youngest cousin got engaged. Engaged! He is only twenty one and on and off the only ally I had during those family weeks. I want to fit in for once and not be the babysitter, who can take care of the kids, so the others can have conversations. I want to show someone off and not be the laughing stock for being single again. Please, Bucky… I would really appreciate it if you went with me.’
‘To be your fake boyfriend?’ he asks me.
‘Exactly, you’re already getting it. That’s a good sign, a sign you should totally say yes,’ I say. ‘I bet my entire family would absolutely adore you. Please, it’s only for a week. You can literally be anyone you want to be. Honestly, if you tell them you work with the fire department or you’re a surgeon, you could totally go for it. After this week, I’ll eventually tell my mom we didn’t work out and that’s it. The end. Finito.’
Bucky cocks an eyebrow and lets out a deep sigh. ‘I don’t know, Winnie. I’m gonna lie to your family.’
‘Oh come on,’ I practically beg. ‘I lied to my parents growing up and they never suspected a thing. They are literally so gullible, you can tell them anything.’
‘Just because you lied to your parents, doesn’t mean I should do that,’ he says.
That’s true. ‘Right,’ I say. ‘You’re totally right.’
‘Is it really that bad to be single?’ Bucky asks.
‘In general? No. At a Monroe family get to together? Yes.’
Bucky frowns. ‘If I would say yes, what is there in it for me?’
That is not a no, I think to myself. ‘Well, I was thinking that you can literally eat here whenever you want. Mi casa es tu casa. You can even have a key to my place. Bucky, I’m really desperate, okay? Just one week.’
Bucky sighs.
‘If you really hate it,’ I continue to try, ‘just fake you have to go back for work. I’ll pay for both of your tickets.’
He bites his bottom lip and when I examine the look in his eyes, he is carefully thinking about the pros and cons of this impulsive and ill thought out plan. ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’
I let out a squeal, as I clap in my hands. ‘Thank you so much, Bucky. You have no idea how much this means to me.’
Bucky lets out another sigh, but burst into laughter not long after that. ‘I can’t believe this. You’re quite something, Winnie.’
‘If you think I’m something, you haven’t met my parents and the rest of my family, so brace yourself.’
‘Well, I think it’s nothing I can’t deal with.’
I am absolutely delighted he agreed to this. ‘Oh, that reminds me, we need to take some pictures of us.’
Bucky frowns. ‘Why?’
‘Because as of right now, we’ve been dating for around four months and since you are so happy and obsessed with me, we make pictures all the time.’
‘Am I that type of boyfriend?’ he chuckles.
‘Yeah, you are that type of boyfriend. And we are that disgusting couple that has pictures of one another as our backgrounds, so we should do that as well.’ I grab my wineglass and Bucky holds up his beer bottle. ‘To us,’ I say.
Summary: Winnie has to confront Bucky about it, but how will she do that?
Bucky Barnes x Winnie Monroe (ofc)
Warnings: None
Wordcount: 1.5k
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Last night was filled with racing thoughts and lots of tossing and turning on my side. However, even after the night I had, I still wake up at the crack of dawn. I’m on my back, which is pretty unusual, because I usually wake up on my stomach. But then I realize the position Bucky and I are in. He’s on his side, his head resting on my chest. His metal arm is securely wrapped around my waist, as he pulled me flush against his broad and strong body.
I think this might be the first time I have seen Bucky this deep asleep. I run my fingers through his long locks, as he lets out a soft breath, totally relaxed. I close my eyes again and try to wander back into sleep, but I can’t.
Not when there is so much to think about.
I just wish I could talk to Bucky about this. But there are only two outcomes once I mention it. One, I’m right about this and he has to explain it, which he maybe will do. Two, I’m not right about this and he leaves Oregon to go back to Brooklyn and moves apartments, because he thinks I’ve totally lost it.
Bucky stirs in his sleep and it takes him about a minute before he actually wakes up. He lifts his head and smiles when we lock eyes. ‘Good morning, Winnie,’ he says, turning on his stomach, as he places his head on my shoulder. ‘How did you sleep?’
‘Okay, not as good as you though,’ I say, my fingers running through his hair. ‘You were totally out.’
‘Yeah, I might’ve been, yes,’ he says. ‘The kids might’ve tired me out. I may look strong, but carrying them the entire time, it’s pretty tiring.’
‘I bet.’ I bite my bottom lip, as he places his hand in the dip of my waist. Please, Winnie, don’t do anything stupid now.
‘Bucky,’ I say, ‘yesterday I went back to my grandpa’s apartment, to get this box, where he kept things from the war.’
He clenches his jaw and his grip on my waist tightens. ‘Oh.’
‘And I saw this picture of him and this sergeant Barnes he mentioned…’ I grab my phone and go through the pictures, before turning the screen to him, so he can see the picture. ‘He kept saying that the resemblance was uncanny and he told what happened to the sergeant. That he fell off a train and fell that deep, there was no way he could’ve survived that. It reminded me of what you told me and the rest of the family.’
Bucky scans the picture. He blinks his eyes a few times, before he sits up straight and runs his fingers through his hair.
‘Is he really losing it, Buck, or… Is he right?’
Without saying a word, he gets out of bed. He starts putting on a sweater on top of his white shirt and because he slept in his sweats, he skips that part and puts on socks and shoes.
‘Bucky, what are you doing?’ I ask, pushing off the blankets. I walk over to him, but he simply shrugs off my hand as I touch his arm.
You stupid cow, I really shouldn’t have brought it up this way…
‘I need to be alone.’
He does not say I’m crazy nor does he deny it. That must mean some of it is true, right? ‘Okay,’ I say. I watch him march to the door and before he can open it, I add: ‘Just be careful.’
Bucky freezes and with his hand on the doorknob, I notice him taking a deep breath. ‘What?’
‘Be careful,’ I say again. ‘I get that you want to be alone, but if you’re lost or whatever, please call me, okay? Know that you can call me.’
He turns around and his eyes look so broken. He seems smaller, fragile even. ‘Okay,’ he says, his voice hoarse. ‘I have to think about this.’
‘I know,’ I say. ‘Remember, I am here for you.’
He walks back over to me, grabbing one of his hoodies and helps me in it. His own, slightly awkward, way of telling me he cares. And I know that he still cares.
He takes my hand in his. ‘I know that.’
‘Promise me you’ll come back,’ I whisper.
‘I will.’ He brings my hand to his lips, to press a gentle kiss on my fingers. ‘I promise, Winnie.’
And with that, he walks out of the treehouse. I quickly put on some socks, shoes and sweats, before walking out of the treehouse as well. I can’t see him anymore, but I think he wandered into the woods. That seems like something he would do, when he needs to think about something.
With my phone in hand, I go over to the main house. My grandma is already sipping tea with my aunts, mom and Tess. ‘Good morning,’ I say, ‘is grandpa still sleeping?’
‘I think he is, but you can wake him up, dear,’ grandma says, holding my hand as I pass her.
‘Where’s Bucky?’ mom asks.
‘He went out for a walk,’ I say, ‘clearing his mind.’ I flash them a smile, before walking to my grandparents’ room.
He is already up, reading something in a book. He looks up and smiles. ‘Winnie Bear,’ he says, ‘what a surprise.’
It all catches up with me. I know that Bucky will come back, but I also know that he knows I know. Seeing Papa sitting here, almost a hundred years old… Makes me realize that I shouldn’t have met Bucky. He should be in a retirement home right now, married to someone and have a family like my grandparents. Or, if he died, he should’ve been in a happier place now.
But he is here.
Tears drip over my cheeks and I walk over to papa, wrapping my arms tightly around him. ‘I told him,’ I whisper.
‘Oh, Winnie Bear,’ he says, ‘are you okay?’
‘No,’ I mumble. ‘He went out for a walk and he promised he would come back and I know he will… But… I think it’s true, papa.’
He strokes through my hair, pressing a kiss on my temple. ‘He’ll come back,’ he says, ‘I am positive.’
❀ ❀ ❀
I don’t think I’m worth anything during breakfast. I’m not even in the slightest entertaining. I keep checking my phone, hoping that Bucky would text me or even reply to me, but he doesn’t. I mindlessly scroll through all the pictures. The pictures of Sergeant Barnes, pictures of the two of us my mom made of us at Joe’s Lunchroom, our impromptu photoshoot we had the day we discussed our fake relationship.
It would be a gross understatement when I say that I might be missing him. I miss him dearly.
After breakfast, I get myself ready for the day, as hours slowly seem to pass. I’m back in the treehouse and it’s not easing my mind at all. I try to watch a movie with the awesome projector, but I actually just keep pacing.
I brought it all wrong. No wonder Bucky left. I should’ve brought it up another way. I hear the door creak and I let out a high pitched scream.
‘It’s just me,’ Bucky says, holding up a paper bag. He went to Joe’s Lunchroom? ‘I brought some food, maybe you want something.’
This is such a sweet gesture and with the way I’m making myself absolutely mad, I nearly burst into tears. ‘That’s nice,’ I choke out, blinking my eyes a few times.
‘I hope I didn’t worry you too much,’ he says, placing the bag on the bedside table and walking up to me.
‘Damn it, Bucky,’ I exclaim, ‘I was fucking worried about you.’
He nods. ‘But I promised you I would be back, right?’
I purse my lips together, before I let out a groan of pure frustration. ‘You did. Just feared you wouldn’t.’
He holds out his hand and when I take it, he drags me to the bed and we both sit down. He grabs a packed sandwich and says: ‘Joe told me this was your favorite sandwich.’
‘Thank you,’ I mumble. I wipe away some escaped tears. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t yell at you.’
‘No, don’t you worry about it.’ He kicks off his shoes and takes a bite of his own sandwich. He looks tired and his eyes seem swollen.
Did he cry? I wouldn’t blame him if he did. This is quite something.
‘You want to talk about it?’ Bucky asks me.
‘I do,’ I whisper.
He nods. ‘Well, before we do that, I have to apologize for walking off.’
I shake my head. ‘No, no, don’t do that. You needed to think and you should be able to think about it, especially after what I dumped on you. It was totally unfair to just blurt it out like that.’
‘But you were right,’ Bucky says. ‘Both you and your grandpa.’
I kinda knew that already, but it’s nice to hear some confirmation. ‘Do you want to tell me about it?’
‘I do, Winnie, it’s just that… I never told anyone any of this before. I don’t know where to start.’
I shimmy closer to him and plop myself in between his legs. While this is a lot closer and more intimate than we usually sit, it feels right. ‘How about you start from the beginning? The very beginning.’
Bucky nods and clears his throat. ‘I was born on March tenth, 1917.’
