While other people are out here dropping Kinktober prompt lists with 9000 stipulations, I bring you this.
It's not a real October event, but it could be if you believe. The prompts are here for anyone to enjoy anyway.
Why "schlock"?
It means trash/junk, and that's the quality of content I'm striving for with these prompts. It's also fun to say.
But, y'know, if you want to take a prompt and turn it into a masterpiece of a whumpy longfic, go for it.
What fandom is this for?
Whatever fandom you want.
What ships can I write/draw?
Any of them.
Even [my fandom's most despised ship]?
Especially [your fandom's most despised ship].
What if I want to combine prompts? What if I want to write or draw things out of order? What if...
Go for it.
Are crossovers okay?
Do. Whatever. You. Want.
What if I want to create something problematic?
Send me the fucking link.
What does [prompt] mean?
You tell me. It's all open to interpretation.
Are there any rules at all?
Sure.
No AI use. If you need an LLM to write your schlock for you, consider a long walk off a short pier. If you need it to do your editing for you, use a beta reader instead. A stick figure drawn on the back of a napkin is better than soulless AI art.
Tag appropriately. 'Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings' means anything goes. 'No Archive Warnings Apply' means your work is guaranteed not to contain any of the major archive warnings (non-con, major character death, graphic violence, or underage sex).
No irl bigotry. Your characters can be problematic as all get out, but if you try to post a weird pro-JK Rowling essay or something you're not going in the collection, bud. Don't kill the vibes.
What are the vibes?
Just have fun.
But other people are having fun wrong!
Shut the fuck up.
Are you going to be doing this?
Probably not.
How do I participate?
There's an ao3 collection right here:
Schlocktober on ao3
Otherwise, just hashtag #schlocktober or something, idk. I don't expect anyone to actually do this.
I'm almost at two years on tumblr as of july 20th 🥹🥹 So I am doing a little event to celebrate and I'd love anyone to join who wants to!
Imagine if a hottie sorcerer AND a fine ass Demon were fighting over you??? Or if Fratboy Eren crossed over with Nerd Gojo at a party you attended? If Nanami and Zayne caught you playing them both and decide to brat tame you???
Cross over any character of your choice! It could be JJK with the LADS men, AOT boys, Witch Hat, Apothecary Diaries, Black Butler, MHA - anything you really enjoy!! let's see where they go 🤭
theme - Can be literally anything - them fighting over us, getting cucked or sharing hehe - but we love trips to Paris. Could be smut/angst/crack/fluff or a mix
characters - Any of the JJK men/women with anyone of your choice from another fandom! For example - gojo x reader x eren / Sukuna x Sylus x reader and so on
rules - just have fun with it! Can be any length, and done any time AT ALL. You can msg me the character ideas and I'll list them below, just tag me when you have it done so I can update and share!
I am going to do a few this time hehe - I had so much fun with object Gojo, I'm excited!!
art by @vai2430_on IG!
♡ ｡˚ ✧ line up ✧˚｡♡
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Sebastian x Cult leader! Geto x cultist! reader - by @madamechrissy (black butler)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Magic Lessons - yandere! Gojo x sorcerer! Qifrey x apprentice! reader - by @/madamechrissy (witch hat)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ werewolf! Choso x Valko x reader - by @/madamechrissy LADS)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Messy eaters - incubus! gojo x pro hero! hawks- by @satorusdreamer (MHA)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Sukuna x Grimmjow x reader- by @jazzthatonewriterchick (bleach)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Dance For Your Prince(s) - Geto x Zuko x reader- by @/jazzthatonewriterchick (ATLA)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Geto x Koga x reader - by @/jazzthatonewriterchick (Inuyasha)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ gojo x enjin x reader - by @/jazzthatonewriterchick (Gachiakuta)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Daddy's Home!? - clients Gojo and Kakashi x Onlyfans! reader by @omgitzmami (Naruto)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Sylus x reader x true form! Sukuna by @lynncade (LADS)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ TBA - by @indiewritesxoxo
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Satoru x reader x Enjin- by @aurievalley (Gachiakuta)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Aizawa x Reader x Gojo - by @aizawhore (MHA)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Geto x reader x Jinshi - by @satolune (Apothecary)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Class is in session - qifrey x geto x reader - by @spicebombb (witch hat)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Jinshi x Zuko x Suguru x reader - by @jiyuspassion (ATLA/Apothecary)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ bf! fratjo x gf! reader x nerd! qifrey- by @mimimochis (witch hat)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Stalkers! - Sol x Choso x reader by - @fallen-angelxoxo (tkatb)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ stolen goods - gojo x reader x Kisuke - by @devileyeswriting (bleach)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Toji x reader x Kenpachi by @/devileyeswriting (bleach)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Gojo x Kisuke x reader - by @/devileyeswriting (bleach)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Zayne x reader x Choso - by @mimuju (lads)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ TREASURE - pirate! Gojo x reader x Pirate! ace -by @xchosos-wifex (One Piece)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ HAVE YOU EVER TRIED THIS ONE? - Gojo x reader x Tartaglia - by @wiserion (Genshin)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Beauty In the Quiet - Dragon! Sylus x Mate! Reader × FaeKing! Gojo - by @utterlyobsessedprincess (LADS/ACOTAR)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ Nanami x Kuniharu saiki x reader - by @thegoodthebadneverugly (Saiki k)
♡ ｡˚ ✧ empress's restless nights - Minister! Geto x Empress! Reader x Commander! Itachi - by @liahcharms (naruto)
Synopsis: Nanami couldn't resist the cute nerdy girl in his accounting class, but will she be everything he hoped for on a date on February 14th?
Tags: Fluff, very basic knowledge of fish, my source is wikipedia
Word Count: 1.5k
You were not what Nanami Kento expected. At all.
When he had first seen you, he’d expected a shy, quiet girl. One of those who blushes at the smallest compliments and stumbles over her words. Your comfy cardigans and the Sanrio pins on your bag were a clear give away that you were a sweet person, and he adored the little shark keychain hanging from the zip. He was gone the second he saw you, tapping your pen against the desk in your shared finance lecture.
Now, Nanami Kento was a confident man. He was smart and well put together – and boy did he know it. But being a smart, academics focused man in college shockingly did not make him popular. It was a baffling concept, a man being in college... to learn. Cue the gaggle of disgusted women who will inevitably fall for the same roster of frat men. Because all healthy relationships start in a fraternity.
All things considered, it was safe to say that Nanami Kento kept very much to himself. Which is why it was weird when he sat beside you in a lecture one day. He didn’t say anything, didn’t ask for a pen, or notes; didn’t makes jokes or try to get your attention; didn’t bother you at all. He just... sat there. It became a little tradition that neither of you would acknowledge. You’d sit together and yet still somehow separately, and then completely ignore each other if you saw each other on campus.
Nanami loved it.
Truly. Loved it. He didn’t have to carry conversations, he didn’t have to explain the work to you, and he didn’t have to put on an act. And yet... he just couldn’t seem to get you out of his mind. It’d gone unnoticed at first – his little crush on you – in fact, he’d had no clue until you didn’t show up to class one day. Normally, the blonde man wouldn’t have noticed the absence of his classmate, but the empty seat where you should be was the biggest distraction he’d ever faced.
It was annoying. He was supposed to be focused. He prided himself on being focused. Yet he missed the entire lecture worth of context, information about empirical finance and corporate valuation completely passed him by. All his poor mind could focus on was your absence. The desk was emptier than usual, no aquatic shaped post-it notes, no notepads covered in shiny fish stickers, no pens with stingray toppers. Just an empty desk, completely devoid of marine life and whimsy.
He needed to tell someone about this odd development. I mean, it was an obvious cause for concern. Maybe he had some sort of brain injury. That was the only plausible explanation for his sudden lack of focus. So, he turned to his friend.
Well, friend was a loose word for his relationship with Gojo Satoru. The white-haired man was less a friend and more a general nuisance. They’d been flatmates briefly in their first year of university, and Gojo had been stuck to him since. Like an itch on your hand that won’t go away regardless of how hard you scrape your teeth over your skin. But, he did have experience when it came to women.
Nanami had naively thought that Gojo would help without judgement. What a fool.
“Oh God, Nanamin! This is just precious! You. Have. A. Cruuuuuuuush!”
“Great so I have to avoid her forever so that I can focus on my degree.”
“What?! No! God for someone so smart, you are dense, Nanami.” Gojo didn’t give him time to defend himself before adding “You need to ask her out, bro! It’s perfect! Take her on Valentine’s Day! Take her somewhere nice, dinner and a movie- wait no! Do an activity! Like an art gallery, or a museum, or-”
“The aquarium,” Nanami interrupts, speaking more to himself than Gojo. It was perfect. You always had that cute little fish-themed stationary with you, the aquarium would be a great date. Maybe he could even show off a little if he researched some of the fish. It was perfect. Now he just had to figure out how to ask you out...
When you walked into your next lecture, ready to learn about stocks and bitcoin, you find a note on your desk, because of course Nanami couldn’t ask you himself. The man wore a suit to college and glasses that constantly fell down his nose, if he asked you with words, he’d make a fool of himself.
The note was simple, direct but not intimidating. Carefully worded, clear intentioned, no margin for error.
I noticed the fish stationary you have and was wondering if you’d want to go with the aquarium with me? I’ve got two tickets for February 14th.
It’s a date btw (if that wasn’t clear).
- Nanami Kento
At the bottom are two little boxes. One labelled yes and the other no. Both had been scribbled out like he’d gotten embarrassed at the last minute. That part was a little shocking given Nanami’s normally calm demeanour, but it was endearing. He’d sat away from you in that lecture, only a seat or two away but still far enough to give you space to not pressure you into saying yes. Despite the immaturity of the check boxes, you find yourself smiling. It’s a little endearing even if unexpected. So, you redraw them and check the little ‘yes’ box in your glittery pen before sliding the note across the desk back to him.
After you had agreed to the date Nanami Kento became much more confident. He’d acquired you phone number and made all of the arrangements for the day. Your transport to and from the date (an uber there and he would walk you home), a reservation in the little aquarium restaurant for lunch, a session feeding the penguins with the aquarium staff. Nanami had it all figured out.
His one lapse in judgement came when he excitedly (or excitedly by Nanami’s standards) told Gojo that the plan had worked. At the time it had been an off handed comment, a small ‘she said yes’ before going back to whatever they had been talking about. Gojo hadn’t said much then, a few words of support, but nothing dramatic. That should have been the first warning sign to Nanami that the frat boy was up to something. Yet he remained blissfully unaware. Maybe it was the buzz of securing a date with you, maybe he had naively trusted Gojo to be normal about it.
He would soon realise that Gojo was, in fact, not normal about this. How could he be? Mr Stoicism himself had got himself a date with a girl who uses aquatic stationary. It was adorable and Gojo simple had to meddle.
Which is why when you showed up at the aquarium it was empty. No families, no couples, no children, no one. Just you and Nanami. You weren’t going to question it, maybe everyone just had plans for that day. And besides, it ensured that you would get to see all of your favourite fish up close without fighting through crowds of sticky, hyper, little children. Nanami however, did make a comment that caught your attention. A quiet one, under his breath not meaning for you to hear it.
“God, that nosey idiot-”
You know that he isn’t intending for you to pick up on his grumbling, but you can’t help but interject.
“Who? Did someone do something?”
Nanami went a little quiet at your question, a little amused by the adorable tilt of your head and your curious pout. He held his hand out for you to take as he started guiding you through the entrance of the aquarium.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Just something my flatmate did. Let’s go see the fish, yeah? I can deal with him later.”
Now, Nanami knew that you liked fish. Anyone who had ever seen your stationary, or your bag, or your whale claw clips, and shark socks knew that you had an affinity for marine life. He knew that. That’s why he had picked the aquarium.
What he couldn’t have ever predicted was the way that you pointed at each individual fish saying their names and how you can tell the difference between the male and female fish. He thought that you were excited before, but your face practically lit up when you saw a pufferfish. It was, quite possible, the cutest thing that Nanami had ever seen.
“Did you see it Nanami? It’s a white-spotted pufferfish! They’re normally like only seen in the indo-pacific region, but a few years ago a young one was seen in the Mediterranean. And they’re nocturnal and solitary in the wild so they’re just out there living, and-”
You cut off your own rambling, realising that it isn’t polite to completely dominate the conversation. Not that Nanami seems to mind. It’s refreshing, not having to lead conversations, not being the smartest one. You’re intelligent, and he loves an intelligent woman. So, instead of laughing at you, or rolling his eyes like he would if Gojo were rambling, he points at another fish.
“You know much about that one?”
“That one? It’s a blue tang, like Finding Dory. I mean, the proper name is ‘Paracanthurus hepatus’ and—”
A/N: I wanted to write about so many more fish but I could feel myself becoming absorbed and I don't have time for another special interest right now.
Also I wanted to say a huge thank you for 100 followers, it's insane to me, i love you all so so so much
Big big thanks to @sixxels for reading this, helping me out, and giving me the opportunity to do this. Eternally grateful xxx
Thanks to @kixxtie , @carienations , @rainlina , and @dollhousesinner for indulging me and telling me about your favourite fish
Thanks to @fricks for having such raw sex appeal xoxo
Thanks to all of you for reading, liking, reblogging, and commenting. I love you all so so so much.
If you've read this far feel free to send me asks, I love to yap.
Attention, my good writers! You are humbly invited to a very special writing collaboration taking part April 2026 for the writer Jazz successfully reaching 6k followers! Please find more details about this prestigious and magical event below! Don’t be late! — Love, Jazz
Credits: Dividers made by @angeliicide and @cursed-carmine!
Theme: Fairytale/Storybook Retellings AU (Beauty & The Beast, Goldilocks & The Three Bears, Sleeping Beauty, etc.)
How To Join: Just shoot me a DM/comment with your idea and I’ll add it below! There’s no due date lol just let me know when you finish and post it with "No Fairytale Collab" in the tags/link this post in your fic!
Rules: 18+ (MDNI). JJK Characters ONLY (*A character that is a minor in the show/manga MUST BE AGED UP!*)
—You may do multi characters x reader fics too!
—NSFW and SFW fics allowed.
—Dark themes are allowed but please run them by me first!
—Repeat characters & fairytales are allowed. Multi fics are allowed (you can submit more than one).
Hard Limits: NO SCAT, AGE PLAY, RELIGION PLAY, RACE PLAY OR SNUFF!
AU Type: Role Swap; Gender Swap; Princess x Knight; Hybrid x Human; Crackships lol, etc.
Word Count: 1k—Beyond
Took a Wrong Turn 🐺🧺 (by jazzthatonewriterchick) - Big Bad Wolf!Toji x Red Riding Hood!Reader
The moment you’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. The official prompt list for 2026 is HERE!
Grab your favorite notebook, settle in with a warm drink, and take a look at what we have lined up for this year.
Which prompt are you most excited to tackle first? Let me know below. ✨
📖 2026 Event Prompt List
"I told you, I'm fine." / Loss of Balance
"When was the last time you actually slept?" / Sensory Overload
"Stop talking for a second." / Pharmacy Run
"I can handle it." / Lab Results
"You look pale." / Chronic Illness/Injury
"You feel warm." "I know." / Sharing a Bed
"I made coffee/tea." / Tired Caretaker
"Don't look at me like that." / Too Busy To Stop Working/Moving
"Let me help you." / Anxiety/Panic Attack
"Just sit down before you fall down." / Overworked
"You don't have to carry this by yourself." / Fever Induced Confession
"Just give me five minutes." / Hiding An Illness
"Everything is vibrating. Please stop talking." / Shaking Hands
"I'm just tired." / Burning the Candle at Both Ends
"I am completely capable of doing my job." / Brain Fog
“I was just trying to help.” / Exhausted Silence
"Everything is too loud." / Sleep Deprivation
"How long was I out?" / Waking up disoriented
"It's just a headache, drop it." / A cold compress.
"I didn't realize how bad it was until I sat down." / Uncontrollable shivering.
"Can you turn the lights down?" / Fluffy Blanket
"I don't think I can get up from here." / Warm drink
"I've handled worse than this." / New Medication
"I didn't think it would hit this fast." / Contlagion
"Hold onto me for a second, the floor is moving." / Stomach Virus
"My brain won't shut up." / Relapse
"Don't treat me like I'm fragile." / Loss of Fine Motor Skills
"I can't remember the word for it..." / Failed Masking
"I think I'm awake, but I'm not sure." / Wired but Tired
"Is it just me?" / Hot Flashes
"Just rest." / Tunnel Vision
🔄 Alternate Prompts
"Did I already say that out loud?"
"It's fine, it's just a seasonal thing."
"I don't need a doctor, I need an hour of silence."
"Everything is just... too much right now."
"I didn't mean to snap at you."
Ringing Ears
Nausea
Fight or Flight
Fever Dreams
Abandoned Tasks
Hey everyone, a quick note from me.
You might have noticed things have been a bit quiet around here lately, and the prompt list didn’t quite make the midnight debut like it was supposed to. Life got a little crazy behind the scenes, and the scheduled posts simply didn't happen. I’m really sorry for keeping you all waiting!
Thank you so much for your patience and for sticking around. The prompts are officially up now, and I’m incredibly excited to see what everyone creates this year.
Let's ease into it and make this event a great one! ✨
Hello and welcome to the first year of Fluffuary! This is a prompt based event open to all fandoms! Created by two authors who couldn't find a fluff event for January so decided to make their own.
To reiterate, this is our first year running this event and first time either of us has ever run an event like this so please bear with us as we work out the kinks! Below the cut you'll find our rules, posting information, written prompts, and 10 alternative prompts! Thank you so much for checking us out and we hope to have a great fluffuary with you!
Click here for our 2026 Ao3 Collection
How This Works (Rules/Posting Info):
This is a multifandom event for January because we couldn’t find any others for this month! You’re free to post for any fandom, ship, platonic pairing, or whatever else! No minimum or maximum word counts. The only restriction is the fic must be fluffy, and absolutely no generative A.I. usage.
Hurt/comfort is allowed, but with a focus on the comfort please. N/SFW both allowed, but be sure to tag properly. Minors please do not submit or interact with NSFW submissions.
Sexually explicit RPF involving real minors is not allowed.
Though this was made with the intention of being a writing challenge, all art forms are welcome! Writing, art, edits, whatever else!
We follow the classic fandom rule: Don’t Like, Don’t Read/Interact. We will not police what you choose to write about, as long as it’s fluffy and properly tagged. Harassment of any kind is not allowed, and if you are found harassing others you will be blocked and works removed from the Ao3 collection.
Our tag is #fluffuary2026 Please make sure you do NOT put a space between fluffuary and 2026 or we may not see your post. Use our hashtag and tag us for the best chance of us seeing your works and reblogging them.
Yes, we will be reblogging posts we see but please keep in mind we are only two people and may miss some. If a day or two has gone by without us reblogging your post, send an ask to our inbox with a link to the post please!
Last submissions are welcome but unfortunately, for the sake of organization, we will not be reblogging those works! Early submissions are welcome too!
You do not have to write for every single day! Write for one day, write for five days, or write for them all if you wish. Furthermore, you can bend and twist the prompts however you need — don’t worry about if you’re getting too far off base. This event is for fun at the end of the day, participate however you want to.
Have questions or concerns? First check #fluffuaryquestions to see if we've already answered. If not, please feel free to send a message to our inbox or privately if you'd prefer!
pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader
wc: +9.4k
summary: Your friends arranged a blind date for you. The problem? It's been so long since the last date you had that you're spiraling. Enter, the owner's son of the bookstore you work at, Bucky Barnes, a reformed playboy who offers to help you with his dating advice.
What can go wrong? It's not as if you had been crushing on him for longer than you would want to admit.
warnings/tags: +18 MDNI. bookstore au, no use of y/n, fluff, smut, friends to lovers, blind date, bucky is a nepobaby, the pitt crossover? Mel King and Cassie McKay are your friends... yes, from The Pitt, oh, and the date is with Frank Langdon, sue me. Dating inexperience, requited unrequited love, secret crush, falling in love, reader overthinks, reader has hair, jealous bucky barnes, Alpine, p in v, oral sex (f), missionary position, praise kink, dirty talk, edging, creampie, unprotected sex, petnames
a/n: I know I'm late, but school was kicking my ass, but here it is! Enjoy! beta read by @w1nter-fairy and @buckysdecaflove
part of elixirs arcade writing event - @elixirfromthestars
elixirs hold 'em: high card
Bookstore AU + Person A arranges for random Person B to call them during a date as an escape call - they fall in love. One of them is very romantically experienced, while the other one is not.
THIS WORK IS +18 MDNI. If you're a minor or an ageless blog and you interact with this work, you will be blocked !!
Read on AO3 | Masterlist and wips
The distinct smell of books flooded your senses as you stepped into the bookstore that Monday morning, holding a take-out cup of coffee from the nearby coffee shop. It was comforting, as it had been since the first time you walked in, and as it had been this past year working there. Barnes' Book Corner was an old establishment, owned by the same family for generations.
As always, the weight on your shoulders lifted, relaxing your posture as you took a deep breath. It was strange how your workplace was also a place that could be the source of your comfort, a place where you could find solace.
It had been a miracle that you had seen the job offer poster just as the owner's son was putting it up against the front window. The moment you entered the bookstore, you were convinced that the universe worked in mysterious ways, because there was no other place you would rather work in.
Bucky Barnes, the owner’s son, was the one in charge of interviewing you, since he was the one who was currently managing while his parents prepared for their retirement. To your surprise, after you answered a few questions, he hired you on the spot, confirming the serendipity of the whole situation.
From there, one shift after another, your friendship with him bloomed. Bucky was a very fascinating individual, especially once you went past his reputation and his usual brooding exterior. He was a few years older than you, but your school days overlapped enough for you to learn that Bucky was a playboy, always on dates, with a girl under his arm during the frat parties.
Your shifts went by between pleasant conversations and attending to customers, Bucky being a constant across your days. However, said friendship had rarely left the confines of the bookstore. Being in charge wasn't something he took lightly, so he poured his soul into his job, which translated into extra hours and zero social life outside the job.
It also helped that Bucky was a sight for sore eyes. Sharp jaw, devastating smile, piercing blue eyes that could fight the sea from their beauty. More than once, you had found yourself ogling at him as he worked around, carrying boxes that made him flex his biceps and reach the top shelves, making his shirts ride up and flashing his skin. And his brain? God, he was smart and funny, always with a copy of a book near him, and ready to drop the most nerdiest comment possible.
Yeah, you may have had a crush on him years ago, and sometimes it came back from time to time, but who could blame you? He was magnetic. Handsome and charming. Dangerous combination.
“Morning, boss.” You said after stepping behind the counter, leaving your stuff in its usual spot.
“You’re early,” Bucky said over his shoulder without looking at you since he was putting up some books on the highest shelf.
“Wow, you said that as if that's a shocker.”
“It is.”
You made an exaggerated gasp, making him huff a laugh. “Excuse me? You're talking to the employee of the month, a title I'm holding since I started working here, mind you!” You pointed at the board were said title was over your smiling photo. “If I’m always late, I wouldn't have it!”
“Sweetheart,” he said, the nickname he always used with you. “Besides me, you're the only employee, and I can't have it since I’m — how did you call me the other day?” His smug smile made your heart flutter, but you decided to ignore it.
“A nepobaby.” You completed. “You’re so rude, I don't think I will give you the coffee I bought for you, I’ll have to drink it.” You said with a mournful tone, pulling the coffee closer to you.
That made him turn.
He narrowed his eyes at you, leaving the book in his hand back into the box. “Did you say coffee?”
You nodded.
“I bought it for the best boss in the world, but I don't see any of your parents here.” You shrugged as your eyes scanned the back of the store, as if waiting for his parents to materialize on the hall that led to the break room and back office.
“Is that from the coffee shop around the corner?” He said, nearly drooling, noticing the cup sleeve.
Another nod as you logged in to the computer at the front desk. He almost dropped the book in his hand as he placed it back into the book cart and rushed to the counter.
"You're an amazing person, have I told you that?" Bucky said, forearms resting over the counter as he leaned forward.
"Mmm, maybe." You said.
"You're the best employee of the year as well." He added, his eyes tracking the coffee cup as you moved it slightly in his direction.
You hovered your hand around the cup, "Enough for a raise?" You asked, raising a brow.
He hung his head forward, defeated. "You know I can't clear that yet," he lifted his head slightly and leaned even more, lowering his voice as if he was sharing a secret. "But I can put in a good word with my father."
You shrugged, "I know, I had to try. Drink it before it gets cold, it's your order." He raised a fist in victory when you placed his cup near his hand.
"What about you?" He said, closing his eyes as he got a whiff of the coffee scent. "You didn't buy a cup for yourself? We can always share."
"No need, I already drank mine there. I had an early breakfast with a couple of friends."
He scrunched his nose, "The good group you actually enjoy going out with or the one you haven't got the strength to drop and keep going with them even if they make you feel bad?"
You slowly turned to him with your jaw dropped, "That's it, give me that cup back!" You said, reaching your hand.
"No! It's mine!" He leaned back, raising his cup high so you couldn't grab it. You rolled your eyes and returned your attention to the monitor, "I didn't lie, though." He mumbled against the cup once he brought it down.
You sighed, "The good group."
"Thank God. Last time you went out with them was what, after the wedding of one of them last year, right?" You stopped typing.
"Yeah? How do you even remember that?"
He shrugged, "You were stressing out the week prior about your dress, something about not being the right color in the preview, and you also asked for a day off, remember?"
"It was not my fault that they took the photo with bad lighting! The burgundy looked way darker than it should have."
"Believe me, even if it wasn't the right color, you still looked beautiful." He winked and turned around to return to his spot next to the cart, missing the way your skin flushed.
Maybe you do need to get laid.
Which reminded you of the conversation you had with your friends that morning. The reunion went as it always does: each one of you did a recap of the highlights of the last few months, quick jokes between anecdotes over a cup of coffee, and your breakfast election.
Looking back, the topic of your love life was going to be on the table by default. Both of your friends were happily married; one had two kids, while the other was newlywed and expecting. Kids and marriage shanninigangs were the main theme during their turns, so when both turned to you, the "single" sign was already hovering over your head in neon lights with bright arrows pointing at you.
"So what about you? Any cute guy coming to the bookstore?" Mel asked with a playful glint in her eyes, her eyebrows waggling as she rubbed a hand over her growing belly.
You narrowed your eyes over your cup, "Not really."
"Anyone that catched your eye? Any… coworkers perhaps?" Cassie asked, taking a bite of her pastry.
"I don't have any coworkers — well, Bucky… he's my boss, uhm, quasi-boss, more like my manager, if I'm being honest." You rambled as you took a piece out of your pastry with your fingers. "But no one special."
Cassie and Mel exchanged a look, while you obliviously continued eating as you stared out of the window.
"When was the last time you went out on a date?" Mel wondered. "Was it that date with Scott?"
You rolled your eyes, "Don't remind me of him. But yeah, I think so."
Cassie looked at you with her jaw dropped, "Girl, that was before my second pregnancy, and Harrison has 3!"
You winced.
"Wait, but that was the last date. Seriously, your last relationship was with Dylan?" Mel said with a frown, as if reciting the timeline of your lovelife would change the facts.
You rolled your eyes. "Yes, why are you acting as if you didn't know this?"
"I mean, I suspected it, but we rarely talk about your love life! Let alone your sex life!"
"Wow, we are not discussing my sex life." You side-eyed the crowded coffee shop, proper of the hour. "At least not in public and definitely not sober."
"Come on, girl, you are not the type that likes hookups, you're telling me you had slept with someone after Dylan?" You scrunched your nose. "You see my point?"
"I'm fine, I promise. I prefer it this way. I'm happy enjoying my single life and my toys."
Mel shook her head; her face reminded you of how she looked every time there was a debate in class. "Seriously? Haven't you wondered what it would be like? Having someone to share your life, someone who loves you and makes you laugh just as hard as they make you come."
Even Cassie choked on her drink at her words.
"Jesus Christ, I won't believe anything that comes out of your mouth. Hormones and your honeymoon phase glow are talking for you." You said with a fond smile.
Mel blushed, "Yeah, maybe you're right." She chuckled. "However, my point stands."
You rolled your eyes and focused again on your food. After a few moments in silence, Cassie reached her hand, placing it at the side of your plate, forcing you to look up at her.
"What would you say about us arranging a blind date for you?" Cassie said, using the same tone she used when she tried to convince her children to eat some veggies.
"A blind date, really?" You narrowed your eyes at her.
"Yeah, who better to arrange it than your two best friends? We are both in happy marriages, so that's enough to make us more than qualified. We know what you like and what not. We can totally find you a great prospect."
"In what moment did my life become a season of Bridgerton?"
Mel cleared her throat and, holding her cup of tea high, she said with her best British impression: "Dearest gentle reader, you shall be the diamond of this season."
"Easy there, Lady Whistledown." You said, with tears in your eyes from laughter.
"So, what do you say?" Cassie said, laughter still bubbling in her voice.
You considered it for a second. You didn't lie about being happy, but you wouldn't lie that you haven't been wondering what it would be like to have someone. Getting back to your lonely apartment was getting bitterly sad.
"One date. And if it doesn't work out, you two will drop the cupid's work."
Mel squealed, clapping rapidly. "We promise. Oh my God, I can't wait!"
"We won't disappoint you," Cassie said with a bright smile, placing her hand over yours on the table and giving it a few taps. "Better start planning the wedding."
You rolled your eyes, taking a last bite of your pastry and getting up to order Bucky's coffee, knowing that he would kill you if he found out you had gone there and didn't get him something, leaving your friends scheming on the table.
・・・・・
Two days had passed when you got the message. Your shift had just started a few minutes ago, and surprisingly, Bucky hadn't arrived yet, so you were still waiting for him to bring the new arrivals boxes to the front of the store. Without much to do, you took your phone out, and the moment it unlocked, as if it was part of a prank from the universe, the notification popped up.
Mel
You have a date!
Next Saturday. 7 pm.
I'll text you the location.
You
???????
Cassie
He's great, you're gonna love him.
You
Okay??
Mel
He's so nice!
Just make sure to wear something pretty.
Show that curves, babe ;)
You let out a grunt of frustration. This was insane. You had thought they were going to forget, truly. Or struggle to the point that they themselves would tell you that they would give up, since the dating pool looked more and more pathetic nowadays. But two days? In two days, they found someone willing to have a blind date with you. You brought your hand to your mouth and started biting your nail — an old habit that you had thought you had left behind back in college.
A date.
A fucking date.
You hadn't dated in years. The last one had been a nightmare. And before that, you had been in a long-term relationship, where a 'date' consisted of watching a movie or having take-out in his dorm.
What if you fumble this date?
What if, because of your inexperience, you scare a perfect guy away?
"Why the fuck did I agree on this?" You mumbled, burying your head in your hands.
In that instant, the bell over the door chimed, announcing a customer, or so you thought.
"Who's ready for a blind date!" Bucky exclaimed, holding a bag with rolls of gift paper sticking out of it.
Your eyes widened, and your elbows that had been resting on the counter slipped, making you almost lose balance and almost hit yourself on the face. "What?"
Bucky raised the bag, brows knitting together at your reaction. “The dynamic that my mom insists on us doing? The blind date with a book? Did you forget?”
“Oh, yes, that, sorry — yeah, I remember.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes! I — What do you need me to do?”
“We need to wrap the books that are in that box on that table and write the clues on the front. Are you sure you're okay? You can take the day off if you need.” He sounded worried as he scanned your face.
“No!” You exclaimed, horrified, the last thing you needed was going back to your lonely apartment and spiraling alone. “I’m fine.”
He hummed, “I will act as if I believe you.” He approached the counter and leaned in. “But, just remember, you can trust me with whatever you need, okay? I’m your friend.”
You smiled at him and nodded, “Thank you, Bucky.”
He reciprocated your smile and, after tapping the counter, he strutted towards the table he had organized after hours the day before. “Come on, these books won't wrap themselves.”
You took the list of books with the preselected clues from the printer and joined him.
For the next hour, you fell into a system, while Bucky wrapped the books and placed a sticky note in the front so you could know what title it was, while you were in charge of writing the clues and drawing doodles as decoration on the front of each book.
It was probably the tenth time in less than an hour that you had written “Enemies to lovers” and "Fantasy romance," when Bucky called your name.
“Are you sure you're okay? You keep bouncing your leg, and I think you’re gonna rip the top of that pen if you keep biting it.”
Your leg froze mid-bounce.
Your mouth opened and then closed again.
After a sigh, you closed your eyes. “I’m gonna tell you, but please promise me you won't laugh.”
He left the book he was working on on the table, “Hit me.”
“My friends… they just texted me that they arranged a date for me.”
He blinked.
“A date?” He said slowly.
“Well, a blind date.” You pointed at the pile of books next to you. “Kinda ironic if you ask me.”
His eyes fell to the book in front of him and frowned.
“What?” You asked.
“Nothing, nothing.” He shook his head. “I just… I’m trying to remember the last time you mentioned something about dating.”
“Well, you can keep digging, but to be honest, I think this is the first time we've touched this topic — at least on my end, I’ve heard many things about your dating life.” You chuckled, hoping that he would take the bait and forget your situation.
“You shouldn't believe rumours.” He squinted his nose.
“You forget we went to the same school,” you said, “Still, since I’ve been working here, I’ve seen you leave early for dates or like that time that girl came looking for you to give you back your wallet that you left in her house.”
He frowned. “That was before. I haven't gone on dates in 8 months.” He made an emphasis on the time passed.
“Oh, really? I haven't noticed.” You said and went back to scribbling on the book in your hands. You felt his eyes still on you, and sure enough, when you lifted your head, he was staring at you with his brows raised. “Shit, that sounded wrong. I mean that I truly hadn't noticed, that was not sarcasm. I do pay attention, it's not like I'm distracted while working, I’m just focused.” You rambled until he started laughing.
“God, you do overthink.”
“That's what my therapist said.” You shrugged while you felt your cheeks burning.
“Is that what is happening here? You overthinking the date?”
You exhaled, exhausted, “I'm overthinking everything. What should I wear? What should I even say? How much is too much? What's expected? I haven't been on a date in years, and before that, dates weren't something that I paid any mind to, and they definitely were far from decent, if I even could call them dates. None of my past boyfriends cared enough to take me on a real date.”
You squirmed, trying to push back the memories of the many times you cried yourself to sleep, thinking that you weren't enough for any of them.
“My friends care, and they say this guy is a great catch, so what if I fuck up? I don't have a problem being single, but… i just don't want to lose something that is good only because of a stupid, bad date.”You ranted.
“That’s… so much pressure.” He softened his voice, empathy written in his features.
“Yeah, imagine having to deal with it.”
A beat.
“You don't have to do it alone, you know that, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you're worrying about going on a date, and here I am, someone who has gone to several dates. You can rant to me about what you're overthinking, and I can help you. Think of me like Yoda but for dating.”
“And I'll be your Jedi?”
His eyes glinted with enthusiasm.
“Yes! You're getting it!”
You snorted, “I don't know if you're insane for suggesting it or I’m even more insane for actually considering it.”
“Is that a yes?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
You sighed, “Fuck it, let’s do it. I don't have anything to lose.”
Bucky punched the air, “Yes!”
“Why are you so happy?” You chuckled, watching as he did a weird celebration dance.
“Can’t I be happy for helping a friend? Think of this as a payoff for the many times you have helped me out.”
“A raise would be nicer, though.” You muttered under your breath.
He stopped dancing and pointed at you. “I’m working on it!”
You rolled your eyes and pointed at the pile next to him. “Go back to work, those books won't wrap themselves.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He said, raising a hand to his head in the form of a salute.
Yeah… this might be a bad idea.
Later that day, you were eating your lunch when Bucky burst into the break room. He sat across from you and, with a smile that promised trouble. He leaned back in the chair, crossing his ankles as he stretched, and his hands remained threaded together over his stomach.
“Tell me more about you.” He said.
“I’m on my break.” You buried your fork in your plate and brought it to your mouth. "I don't function unless my break is done."
“And you need help. Part of being on a date is being comfortable talking about yourself and listening, so let's practice." He explained.
“Okay…” You looked down at your plate with a frown.
He raised his eyebrows expectantly, “I’m listening.”
You let out a deep breath. “I don't know. I suck at this.”
“Come on, tell me anything. For example, why did you decide to work here? We have never talked about that.”
“It’s stupid.” You mumbled.
“It's not, I promise.”
You locked eyes with him, debating yourself if you should tell him the truth or go with a simpler, less uncomfortable reason. But the more you looked into his blue eyes, the more you remembered who was in front of you — yes, your almost boss slash former crush, but also your friend.
So you went for the truth.
“When I was younger, my parents had a rough patch; there were always fights at home and… I don't know, I was old enough to get out of the house without their supervision, so I went out and walked around until one day I found this place, it was… quiet, peaceful. A safe place.” You said, looking down at your food. “I used to come here every day until they decided to divorce and my dad moved out.”
Your eyes burned, tears threatened to spill as you remembered exactly how you felt those years ago.
“So last year, I was on my way to an interview at a corporation. A boring desk job. Can you believe? And then as I was passing by, I saw you placing that sign.”
“That's why you had a job application with you,” Bucky mumbled. You raised your head to look at him, and when he realized he had said it out loud, he blushed. “Sorry.”
You let out a wet laugh. “Yeah, that's why. The moment I crossed that door… I felt exactly like I did back then. I felt safe, like I was coming back home. It was a no-brainer after that.”
His eyes softened, he reached towards you and placed his hand over your wrist. “I’m glad you found this place.”
You felt your throat tightening; the way he was looking at you was doing things for you that you didn't want to entertain with, so you looked away, removing your hand to pick up your bowl and lean back into your chair.
"Anyways, don't you think that's a topic for a second date, at least? A lot to unpack for a first date." You attempted to joke.
"It's your decision. If you feel comfortable about it, at the end of the day, it's a part of your life."
"I'll have it mind." You glanced at him, and for a second, you thought he was leaning in, but you heard the bell that announced a new customer, interrupting whatever he was thinking of doing.
He closed his eyes for a second, cursing under his breath, and then got up. "I'll go, you finish your lunch."
You nodded, and then he was gone.
The day passed by with more stolen moments whenever the flow of customers died down. He would approach you at the front desk whenever the customers left the shop or in case some were just looking around, and he didn't need to be placing more books or taking some out from the storage. In case you had switched places, he would find you wherever you were in the store and trail behind you as he asked questions.
Some were rapid-fired, especially when he saw someone approaching from the corner of his eye:
Cats or dogs?
Sunrise or sunset?
Sweet or savory?
Early bird or night owl?
If there was time, he made more open questions:
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Favorite song and album, and why?
“Okay, so let me see if I’m understanding, so he is going to marry another girl —” He said while you counted the till after he placed the closed sign.
“He wants to propose.” You corrected.
“Tomato, tomahto. He wants to propose, gifting her a star.” You nodded. “And the star is a girl.”
“Yup.”
“And he falls in love with her.”
“Eventually — it's a really good movie.”
“What do you like about it?”
“I don't know, there's something appealing to watch their journey together and how even if they annoy each other from the start, you see them fall in love without them realizing, or at least trying not to think about it.”
“So you're a romantic.” You expected to see a mocking expression, but instead, there was a look in his eyes that you could only think of as genuine curiosity.
“I guess you can say so.”
He hummed, and after he nodded to himself, he took his phone from the table and pocketed it.
“Bucky?” You narrowed your eyes at him. He was moving in silence, something he rarely did, let alone in the middle of a conversation.
"Do you mind closing tonight?" He said, reaching for his jacket behind the counter.
"Where are you going?"
"Unimportant." He put on his jacket. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Unbelievable." You muttered. "And I fucking lost count." You groaned and started over.
・・・・・
It was early, you had just flipped the sign to OPEN just a few minutes ago, and now you were busy accommodating some books when you heard the door open.
“One second!” You called out, taking the last book of the cart and putting it in its place.
“Good morning.” Bucky was waiting for you next to the front desk, leaning against the wood.
“I thought you were a customer.” You said, rolling the book cart with you.
“It’s still early. Here, let's switch.” He turned back, took something from behind him, and walked towards you.
He took the cart and handed you a takeout cup, same one you had bought him the day before.
You inhaled the scent of fresh coffee and mentally scolded yourself for not taking a detour to buy your own cup.
“It's for you, by the way,” Bucky said as he rolled the cart away.
“What?”
“It's your order. Drink it.” He chuckled when he saw the confusion on your face. “What? Sweetheart, don't look at me as if I never do good things for you.”
Maybe it was because you had your guard down, but you flushed.
You didn't answer him; you hid your face and drank from the cup. Only one sip was enough for you to widen your eyes and look at him with surprise.
“It is my order!”
“Of course it is.” He said with a smile, placing the cart in its place and moving to continue the morning routine.
“How?” You took another sip and closed your eyes, feeling the warmth of the beverage travel inside you.
“Remember that time, when my parents were here, and I volunteered to bring all of you coffee? Well, I didn't forget your order.”
“That was months ago. I had less than a month here.” You said with surprise.
He shrugged. "I pay attention."
Bucky walked towards the computer and began checking the emails, taking your place at the front desk.
"I see that."
"Oh, by the way, I saw the movie," Bucky said casually over his shoulder. “The one you mentioned was your favorite?”
“Really?”
He nodded, focused on the screen, “Good movie, I see why you like it. And you were right about them.” He turned to face you, “Their journey truly was appealing, but damn, the number of times I just wanted to shake some sense into them so they could see they had what they needed in front of them.” He made a gesture of strangling the air.
You chuckled. “Exactly!”
You kept talking about the movie and other hobbies while working; it felt natural talking with him. Even if during your first month you had tried to keep it professional, Bucky’s charm had been disarming.
You hadn't even received your first check when he was making you laugh and talking about everything and nothing at the same time.
Now, with this whole date situation, Bucky realized that there were many things he didn't know about you, and maybe it was selfish, but he was determined to know you — not his co-worker who could talk about him about the frequent customers, who could keep up with his humor and make him lose his composure while doing inventory and restocking — the real you, the one that lived outside the bookstore when you were out of the clock.
・・・・・
Three days before your date, while both of you were taking boxes out of the storage room, Bucky became bolder.
“Are you planning to have sex with him?” He said casually, holding the door open of the room with one hand and carrying a box with his metal arm so you could go through.
You almost dropped the box in your arms if it hadn't been because he was close enough to keep the box steady with his hand.
“Careful, you don't want to get injured so close to your date.” He said with a teasing smile.
“James Buchanan Barnes!” You scolded him.
He winced. “Full government name? Damn.”
“Why are you even making that question?”
“I swear I’m not a perv.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He snorted. “You mentioned when you were rambling about the date, remember?”
Your eyebrows jumped.
“Well, not explicitly.” He added after seeing your expression. “But you said you were worried about expectations, where the limits are. I thought you referred to that.”
You opened your mouth, but words got stuck in your throat.
“You really have a good memory.” You said instead, placing the box you were carrying on the counter to open it. You tried to use the box cutter, but you struggled to make it glide over the cardboard.
“And you're deflecting, I thought we agreed to be honest.” He approached, towering behind you. “Let me do it.” He said, hovering his hand over yours that was holding the box cutter.
Your breath hitched. He was too close; you could feel his breath fanning on the exposed skin at the side of your neck, and if you took half a step back, you would have his chest against your back.
Instead of taking the blade from your hand, he wrapped his hand over yours, applying enough pressure so the blade could cut through the material.
“We need to change the blade,” He mumbled, removing his hand and with it the box cutter. He put the blade next to the box but didn't move; instead, he placed that hand on the counter, half cagging you.
You gulped, suddenly feeling your mouth dry.
“I’m not deflecting.” You tried to make your voice steady, keeping your eyes trained on the box before you, trying your best not to move back.
He chuckled.
“Then answer.” His voice dropped, low and gravely.
You wetted your lips with a glide of your tongue. And in an attempt to appear nonchalant, you turned around, a decision that quickly made itself noted that it was a bad idea.
You had to tilt your head up to look at him. Suddenly, it felt as if the space between you had shrunk. It didn't help that his metal hand landed on the counter too, fully caging you.
“I — I think it will depend.” You choked.
“Of what?” His eyes scanned your face.
“If there's chemistry. And if he wants to.”
The muscle of his jaw jerked.
“What about you? Do you want to?”
“I don't know yet.” You whispered.
“Would you kiss him?” His eyes dropped for a second to your lips, and then went back to your eyes.
“If things led us there." It was the turn of your eyes to focus on his lips, "Sure.”
“If he had you in this position as I do, would you go for it? A kiss?” He asked when you looked back at his eyes.
“Probably.” There was that again, that glance at his lips.
He hummed, his eyes going back to your lips.
If it hadn't been because the counter was supporting you, you were sure that your knees would have given out.
And then he moved, turning around and going back to taking out boxes.
What the fuck was that?
Before your mind could spiral, he talked again, this time from a much safer distance.
“Whatever you let him do, remember that you're also in control. You can say no. Don't take any step if you don't feel comfortable. Don't give a fuck about his expectations.” Bucky said sternly.
“And if you feel that he's pressing you to do anything that you don't want to, or if you just don't want to be there anymore — you can always reach out to have an escape call.”
“My what?”
He said your name, stopping by the doorframe of the storage room. “Please tell me you have talked with your friends. They are arranging a blind date and not even offering to be your escape call?” He sounded offended.
“I’m confused.”
“You know, when you're on a date, and you want to leave because it's boring, uncomfortable, or you just don't want to be there anymore — a friend can call you.”
You shook your head.
“You should tell them.”
You fidgeted with your fingers.
“I can hear the gears inside your head turning. What's the issue?”
“They know this guy. I don't think I’d need an escape call. Besides, it's on a weekend, they're busy with their family plans.”
“Sweetheart, it doesn't matter if you're going on a date with the best bachelor around; you need to have a safety plan.” He said before getting inside the room.
You sighed. He was right.
"Would you do it?" You said.
"Can you repeat that? I didn't hear you." Bucky said, emerging from the room with two boxes in his arms.
"Would you be my escape call if I need it?"
His eyes softened, and he approached you, stopping right in front of you. "Of course, whatever you need."
You mirrored his smile, and, without thinking about it, you wrapped your arms around him and hugged him.
"Thank you, Bucky." You mumbled against his chest.
He reciprocated the hug, resting his head over yours.
"Not a problem. That's what friends are for."
・・・・・
Days with you, Bucky realized, passed by quickly. This arrangement had pulled you both much closer, so much that Bucky dreaded that it was going to be over soon — sure, you would still be friends like you had been since you started working with him, but he really hoped that the easiness and openness with which you had been interacting these past days would remain.
The day had finally arrived; tonight, you would have your date, and he would see if all the advice and practice had paid off. While Bucky did his morning run around the neighborhood, he realized something, a feeling that he had been having these past days, and had grown more frequent, appeared again, a pang in his chest whenever he thought about you being on a date with another man.
The feeling had come previously, building up softly, creeping until it became painful. Each time he noticed the glint in your eyes when you rambled about something that was on your mind, when you would laugh so hard that your whole body swayed and rested on his side, your smile… soon another man would be on the receiving end of it.
His mind went back again to that day that he had you caged against the counter; he had been so close to kissing you, and after your confession… thinking about this unknown man that would be close enough to do what he had stopped himself from doing, to think that he would be able of feel your lips against his, to touch you, and if he got lucky, he would be able to hear his name out of your lips as you came undone.
Jealousy.
Bucky Barnes was jealous.
He wished that you had a good time, purely because he knew you deserved nothing less than that. But a good time meant that you would like whoever was going to be sitting across from you during your date.
Bucky got to his apartment, his mind still building scenarios, and he got to his shower after checking that Alpine had her bowls of food and water full. Hours passed by with him trying to keep his mind occupied, until his phone rang.
"I need your help." You said the moment the facecall connected.
He could only see your face partly as you moved across your apartment. Bucky noticed that your hair was done; you had opted to let your hair down, making it flow with each movement you did — he wanted nothing more than to bury his head in the crook of your neck.
"Hello to you too, what do you need?" He said quickly. Internally cringing to himself at his earnestness.
He saw how you bit your lip, second-guessing your decision to call him in the first place.
Bucky called your name.
"I told you whatever you need, I'm here. Tell me what it is."
You sighed, placing the phone right in front of you so you could see him properly, still only showing your face.
"I just hung up a two-hour call with my friends, I did my hair, and went through my whole closet." You grunted. "I don't have any idea what to wear. Their only advice is cleavage and a miniskirt, but I'm not sure."
"You want me to drive you to the mall?" Bucky glanced at the clock on his wall, "If we hurry up, maybe you can find an outfit."
You chuckled, "I appreciated, but I do think I can make out something out of my clothes, but —" you wetted your lips with the tip of your tongue. "I called you because I want your opinion on my options… you're also a man, I could use your feedback."
"Of course, sweetheart, show me." He said, interrupting your rambling, especially since you were already flushing.
You smiled at him, and then the image became a blur as you placed the phone against something so he could see you from head to toe. He wondered if this was the same angle that you were using with your friends from the quickness with which you set it up.
"Okay, I think you'll be able to see the look." You mumbled as you stepped away from the phone and then spun around. "What do you think?"
You were wearing a white blouse, paired with a pencil skirt that hugged your curves.
He hummed, "Where is said date?"
"It's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, not too fancy and not too casual." You said.
"Next outfit then, you look like you're on your way to a job interview."
You gasped, offended. "Is the skirt, right?"
He nodded. "Yep. Next, sweetheart."
You exhaled and then disappeared from the frame.
"Ready? This is the next option." You said, stepping in front of the phone.
Bucky had to stop himself from dropping his jaw and making his eyes go full-on cartoon heart eyes. This outfit was simple, but it was so… you. A black top, with a jacket over it, paired with a long skirt — a long skirt with a slit that went up to your thigh.
"Are you there?" You called out when you stopped spinning.
Bucky blinked and cleared his throat. "Yeah, still here, my connection buffered for a second." He lied. "I think that looks perfect. It's very you."
"You think so?" You leaned towards the phone and smiled; that, and the glint in your eyes, was disarming.
He nodded, "Excuse me for a second." He got up from his couch and went to the kitchen. As he served himself a glass of water, Alpine jumped to the counter and meowed at the phone.
"Is that you, Queen Alpine?" You said. "Long time no see, beautiful."
Bucky frowned, "Do you know my cat?"
"Your mom asked me to go feed her when you went out during your vacations." You explained.
"I thought she had done it." He said as he picked up the phone again and returned to his living room.
"She tried, but Alpine kept acting weird. She asked me to go with her, and it turns out your girl loves me. She let me pet her and ate while I was there."
“She’s smart.”
“That she is.” You agreed. “So, this option?”
“I like that one. But it's your choice.”
“Great, it's my pick too. I have to go, now that I know what I'm wearing, I can do my makeup.”
“Remember, if you need to get out of there, call me, no matter what time it is. I’ll be waiting. Text me when you arrive and get home too, please.”
“Will do. Thank you, Bucky.” You said and then sent him a kiss, “Talk to you later, bye!”
And then you were gone.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the couch.
Did it make him a bad person that he wished you had a bad date only so you could call him and hear your voice again?
At 6:55, his phone buzzed.
You
I’m here, apparently he's parking his car.
omg he's here
Bucky
Good luck
You left a heart on his message a beat later.
And so his torture began.
Bucky paced around the apartment without much direction. He went to his room and undid and did his bed again, he did his laundry, did the dishes, and started cleaning the apartment — all that with Alpine meowing at him from her spot on the window. Every few minutes, he put his phone out and stared at your text thread.
At 8 pm, he took the keys to his car out of the bowl near the door and put them in his pocket.
“If she needs me, I need to be able to get out quickly.” He said out loud, earning another meow from Alpine, even she could see through his bullshit.
That train of thought made him take a quick shower, change clothes, and put on his shoes.
He wondered if that guy made you laugh.
If he was letting you talk or interrupting you.
If he noticed whenever you wanted to keep talking about something or when you wanted to change topics.
If his eyes dropped to your lips, and if you did the same with his.
Bucky closed his eyes and groaned.
Why the fuck didn't he ask the name of the restaurant? Why didn't he offer to pick you up? Ah, yes, he didn't want to make you think he was a weirdo. Well, now Bucky was suffering the consequences of second-guessing.
By 9:30 pm, he wanted to cry because you hadn't called him yet, and that meant one thing: you were enjoying your date.
And if that was true, that meant that Bucky had lost his chance.
The truth was that Bucky had been harboring feelings for you for what felt like an eternity — even though it had only been less than a year since he had truly interacted with you; he had seen you before, of course, living near and having overlapping time at the same schools. But he was a coward. He liked what you two had, the easy-as-breathing type of friendship, a type of trust and reciprocated respect.
He tried to date other people, only to fully stop a few months ago, once he realized he felt like shit during and after each date. As if each attempt were a direct act of betrayal to you and to his feelings. He had convinced himself that having you as a friend was enough to make his heart stop aching, enough closeness to alleviate his yearning.
And it had been.
Until now.
He buried his face in his hands. He just hoped that this guy, whoever he was, would take care of you, love you the way you deserved.
It was close to ten pm when he gave up and decided to take his pity party to his bedroom. He would stay up until you texted him that you were safe and sound back in your home, but that didn't stop him from throwing himself on his bed and drowning himself in his misery.
He had already said good night to Alpine when he heard someone knocking on his door. Alpine perked her ears and let out a meow.
"Easy, Al, it's probably the neighbor," Bucky said, and then padded to the door.
He opened the door and froze the moment his eyes landed on the person outside.
You.
"Hi, do you mind if I come in?" You said, burying your hands inside the pockets of your jacket.
"Y-yeah, sure, of course, come in." He stuttered and moved aside.
He closed the door behind you.
You whistled, "This place looks and smells good." You said, looking around, then your eyes landed on Alpine. "Hi, Queen!"
Alpine meowed, jumping from her spot at the window and padding to you. You knelt on the floor and brushed your hand over her fur. "Such a pretty girl!"
Bucky was at lost of words, he blinked repeatedly.
Had he gone to sleep, and was this a dream?
"Totally real." You said, standing up and turning around with a smile on your face.
"Did I say it out loud?" Bucky asked.
You nodded, biting your lip and trying to muffle your laugh.
"How was your date?" Bucky wondered, after clearing his throat.
"The date was great, actually." You assured. "His name is Frank, he's a doctor, well, a pediatrician." You added.
"That's good." He croaked, rooted in his spot near the door.
"It is. He's a great guy." You sighed, and then you started pacing around the living room, your eyes scanning the room as you moved around. Bucky could only keep his eyes on you, still confused about what you were doing in his apartment. "The food was amazing. He was a good company too. Your advice helped a lot." You said the last part over your shoulder. "I really felt that the conversation flowed, I felt more confident too."
You turned to see him, and then slowly approached him. "But every single moment I kept thinking about something, and it didn't leave my mind since the moment I hung up our video call."
You stopped a few steps in front of him. "The whole time I kept thinking about another person. I kept comparing his questions to the way he would respond. The way he looked at me." You took a step forward until you had to lift your face to meet his eyes. "The way he made me feel."
"Who did you compare him to?" He whispered.
You tilted your head, a smile pulling the corners of your mouth. "I think you know."
"I — It will really help me if you say it out loud." He said, and you chuckled.
You took another step forward.
"I kept wishing that I was on a date with you." You said softly.
His breath hitched.
"I was wishing the same." He mumbled.
"Thank God, because if you didn't, this whole thing would have been so humiliating."
It was his time to chuckle. His eyes dropped to your lips and back to your eyes. "Can I kiss you?"
"Please."
Bucky lifted his hands and grabbed your face. The moment your lips touched, it was as if fireworks went off inside the room. He leaned into you, making you step back until the back of your thighs brushed the couch.
"Bucky," you whimpered against his mouth.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against yours, closing his eyes in an effort to calm himself down. Your breathing was ragged, as well as his.
"We shouldn't…" He choked out, with a pained look on his face, his control hanging by a thread.
"I want to." You said, reaching your hand to cup his cheek. He turned his face slightly, leaving a kiss in your palm and leaning into your touch. "I want you, and I need you, Bucky, only you."
He opened his eyes, his pupils were dilated, black pools of desire stared at you, and you were sure your eyes mirrored his need.
"Please." You begged with a whisper.
"Fuck." He cursed, the thread of control snapping like a twig.
And then he was on you. He kissed you, a possessive hand held you by your waist, pulling you to him as his tongue brushed your lip, asking for permission to deepen the kiss. Your hand traveled over his broad chest and slid under his shirt.
"I want to feel you." You whimpered. "Please."
"Not here. Come on." You thought he was going to move away to guide you, but instead, he braced an arm around your waist and the other under your knees and lifted you, carrying you towards his room.
With your hand, you guided his face back to you, joining your lips into another kiss as he walked blindly with you in his arms. You were lucky that he didn't bump into the wall or stumble during his path to his room. You assisted him, opening the door without breaking the kiss, and once you were inside and he had kicked the door closed, he let you go to lower you.
He removed his shirt, and you took off your jacket, and between kisses and giggles, the clothes pooled on the floor quickly until you were left in only your underwear, lying in the middle of the bed. He stared at you from the foot of the bed, and when he didn't join you in bed, you propped yourself on your elbows.
You felt heat flushing your skin as you realized he was staring at your uncoordinated underwear. The look on his face was pure hunger as he slowly approached. His hands found your ankles and slowly, oh, so slowly, crept up, leaving goosebumps in their way.
"You weren't planning this. Him having you like this." It wasn't a question. His voice was low and husky.
You shook your head.
"Good girl." He grinned and then, in a quick motion, grabbed you and pulled you down the bed. He held your legs open wide as he positioned himself between your legs and knelt on the floor.
You whined as he began kissing your thigh, getting closer and closer to your core, only to retreat and repeat the motion with your other thigh. "You look so beautiful like this. I've been wanting to do this the moment I saw that skirt on you." He said against your skin. "I thought of kissing every single inch of your skin, higher and higher," he left a kiss over your clothed cunt, "until I got here."
He looked up at you and rested his cheek against your thigh. "Would you let me taste you?"
You were panting as his hands traveled up and stopped at your underwear. You nodded, desperate.
"Use your words, baby." He said, and then let a playful bite in exposed skin.
You gasped. "Y-yes, yes, please."
He smiled and left a kiss on your thigh. "Good girl."
The moment his mouth latched onto your core, you moaned his name. His tongue drew circles around your clit, but his eyes remained on you, watching in awe every gasp and reaction his actions caused.
"Such a sweet pussy, and all mine." Your thighs closed around his head, your back arching as he pushed you closer and closer to your climax.
And then he stopped.
He moved away from you. When you lifted your head and looked at him, offended, you found him standing up and stroking his cock, a devil grin on his face.
"I wanna feel you coming around my cock, baby." He purred, dragging the tip of his cock between your folds, your slick mixed with his saliva, making him glide with ease.
"Please." You begged, mewling each time his tip brushed your clit.
"Please, what, sweetheart?"
"Put it inside, mmh."
"Do you want me to fuck you?" He cooed, "Make you mine inside out?"
"Yes, Bucky, yes."
He dragged his cock downwards and then pushed inside you, slowly, letting you accommodate him. "Fuck" He cursed, hanging his head low as he fought the urge to thrust inside you. "Relax, baby." With his thumb, he made tight circles around your clit.
"It's been so long," You said, struggling to take deep breaths as he pushed inside inch by inch.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'm gonna take really good care of you."
Once he was buried to the hilt, he leaned to kiss you. You latched onto him, one hand on his back and the other on his nape. Slowly, he started grinding his hips; each stroke brought more and more pleasure, until you were clawing his back. His shallow thrusts grew more desperate until he was pistoning into you with force.
His lips traveled down, leaving open-mouthed kisses on your jaw and neck.
"Bucky," you moaned.
"That's it, baby, you're taking me so well." He groaned against your neck.
Your back arched, and you digged your nails into his back.
"I'm…mmph."
"Let go, baby, I got you."
You came with his name on your mouth, locking your legs around him.
"So beautiful, my beautiful, perfect girl." He praised you as he fucked you through your orgasm. "Shit, sweetheart, I need to pull out."
You shook your head. "Cum inside me, please." You pleaded.
"Sweetheart." He furrowed his eyebrows, pushing away his own orgasm by pure will.
"I'm on the pill. I need you, Bucky."
"Fuck." His control snapped like a twig, his rhythm became erratic as he came, and the overwhelming sensation pulled another orgasm out of you, your walls spasming around him. "That's it, baby, take it all. Good girl."
He stayed inside you until your heart stopped hammering in your chest. He collapsed over your body, leaving kisses all over your face that made you giggle.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Bucky asked, bracing his forearm next to your head so he could look you in the eyes.
"Tell me."
"We need to plan a date."
"A date?"
"Yes, baby, it's time that you have the proper date that you deserve." He said, and with his hand, brushed your hair away from your face. "What do you say?"
"I'll love that." You nodded and smiled at him.
"Perfect, you won't regret it."
He left another kiss on your cheek and then buried his face in the crook of your neck, half draped over your body.
"Bucky," you called.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I have a question." He pulled away again.
"Tell me."
"Since you'll be my date… that means that you can't be my escape call, right?"
He huffed a laugh, leaning his head and leaving a playful bite on your shoulder.
"Hey, careful! No wonder Alpine bites everything that crosses her way. She got it from her daddy." He nibbled at your skin again and then, in a quick motion, turned until he was on his back and you were on top of him.
"To answer your question, yes, I can't be your escape call."
"Buu, bummer. You'd better behave on our date then." You mumbled before kissing him.
"I don't know, sometimes misbehaving leads you to wonderful places." He said against your lips as his hand traveled down and grabbed your ass, making your hips jerk and grind over his thigh.
You squealed, "You're trouble, Bucky Barnes."
"So I had been told, but you'll get to love it."
"I think I already do." You whispered.
"Good," He cupped your cheek. "Because I already love you, too."
taglist: @nikkitabarnes @houseofhyde @biaswreckedbybuckybarnes @justwantsomeplums @thearchivistshaven @swimmingnightcolor @w1nter-fairy @sassandscribbles @opheliabbarnes @54nboo @buckyfmd @slutforsr @umbreoni @devililithh @colettebarnes @barnesandashes @metal-armed-muse @heldbybarnes @sheriff-bodecker @bckyslover @demiebarnes @amoremarveloustime @kqtholins @spidermanluvr444 @mathcat345 @singulartoast @erina00 @goldiegirl0312 (+ comment on this post to be added to the taglist)
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This August, join me for the 30 Days Writing Challenge, #Augustrope✨
In which we have a list of various tropes as the writing prompts. While these tropes are commonly used as recurring plot devices in fanfiction, you can also write your original story with them.
For 30 days (August 1st—August 30th, the 31st is the rest day), you can write anything with a different prompt for each day.
Any ship, fandom, characters, genres are welcome. Be it fanfiction or original fiction, just write it!
★★ 2026 Augustrope's Prompt List ★★
Day 1 — First Meeting
Day 2 — They Were Roommates
Day 3 — Beach Episode
Day 4 — Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics
Day 5 — Domestic Fluff
Day 6 — Two People Love Triangle
Day 7 — 5 Times This + 1 Time That
Day 8 — Mistaken Identity
Day 9 — Coffeshop AU
Day 10 — Age Regression
Day 11 — Near Death Experience
Day 12 — Enemies-to-Lovers
Day 13 — POV Outsider
Day 14 — There's Only One Bed
Day 15 — Coda/Episode Tag
Day 16 — Relationship Reveal
Day 17 — Hallmark AU
Day 18 — Amnesia
Day 19 — Body Swap
Day 20 — Potion/Spell Goes Wrong
Day 21 — Everyone Knows But Them
Day 22 — Road Trips
Day 23 — Your-Fave-Movie AU
Day 24 — In Vino Veritas
Day 25 — Elevator Fic
Day 26 — Fake/Pretend Relationship
Day 27 — Mutual Pining
Day 28 — Meet The Family
Day 29 — Non-Human Character
Day 30 — Soulmate AU
🖇️ More info about Augustrope
Feel free to tag your work with #Augustrope (and/or #Augustrope2026) so that I can find them.
If you're on AO3, you can also add your work into the Augustrope Collection (Augustrope2026).
If you have any questions regarding the prompt, you can directly interact with this post 🫶🏻
