Summary: You recently joined the Avengers and have started going on missions with them. A mission goes south and itâs your fault. Steve yells at you in front of the team. Bucky comforts you. Sweet, supportive fluffy Bucky. Maybe heâs got a chance at love after all.
Pairing: Bucky x Reader
Word Count: ~2k
Warnings: None. This is my first ever story. I am planning to continue it, but Iâm not quite sure where Iâm going to take it yet. I realize Stark Tower isnât necessarily the right setting for the current Avengers HQ per the MCU, but I wanted the story to take place in NYC and I made it so.
The engine of the quinjet hummed in the background as Steveâs voice echoed in the hangar. âYou could have gotten everyone killed! What were you thinking, Y/N?!â
You just sat there with your head hung low. You knew youâd been stupid. Trying to prove yourself as the newest member of the Avengers. You hadnât meant for it to go wrong and now the whole mission was a failure because of you. Steve and Bucky had to swoop in to save you and the opportunity to infiltrate one of HYDRAâs safehouses had been lost.
The quinjet touched down on top of Stark Tower and you were the first to exit, walking swiftly down the ramp and straight for the stairs instead of the elevator the team usually took. You couldnât stomach being in such close quarters with everyone youâd just let down on the ride to your shared living space. You got as far as the second landing before you sunk to the ground in tears.
What is wrong with me? The voice in your head lit into you. What ever make me think I could be on this team? Steve and Bucky were so close to getting killed to save my ass. God, Iâm a complete failure. I donât even deserve to be here after this.
Downstairs, the rest of the team was milling about, grabbing food from the kitchen, and discussing the mission.
âYou shouldnât be so hard on her, Steve. Sheâs new here,â said Bucky.
âIf Iâm not hard on her, how is she going to learn?â Steve replied. âNew or not, if sheâs going to come on these missions, she has everyoneâs lives to look out for. We canât afford for someone to be cavalier.â
âShe wasnât being cavalier. She couldnât have known that there were 4 more agents around the corner,â Bucky said, defending your decision to pursue the first 2 gunmen youâd encountered.
âShe has to think ahead,â Steve countered. âAnticipate all the possibilities and make the right decision in a split second. Thatâs what being an Avenger means.â
Bucky sighed. He wasnât going to win this argument. He felt terrible for you. Youâd looked utterly miserable in the back of the jet, obviously blaming yourself for your error in judgment â and for what it had cost the team. He went to your room to find you.
Knocking lightly on the door, he waited but there was no answer. He knocked louder, but when you didnât open, he assumed you were either still too upset to talk or had gone straight to bed. He decided he would check on you in the morning.
You woke with a start. You were still sitting in the stairwell of Stark Tower, leaned up against the wall. You must have fallen asleep after your pity party. The cool of the concrete walls soothed your aching head. Looking at your watch, you saw it was 1:13 a.m. Probably safe to head downstairs now. Everyone should be asleep, or at least have retreated to their rooms for the night.
As you entered the living room you tried to be quiet. Just as you started to creep towards the hallway a voice stopped you in your tracks. âArenât you a little old to be sneaking in? I was worried about you.â You sighed in relief. It was Bucky.
âI just needed some time alone to think about things. Had a lot to process.â You were grateful he couldnât see your red, puffy eyes in the dim light.
âWhat happened wasnât your fault,â he stated, standing up and walking over to you.
âI donât see how it could be anyone elseâs fault,â you came back, emotions starting to swirl again. âHow could I be so stupid? I messed things up for everyone and almost got you and Steve killed. I shouldnât be on this team. I obviously canât do this.â You closed your eyes in frustration.
âWeâre fine. And having each otherâs backs is what we do around here. Donât think Steve hasnât made a bad call a time or twoâŠ. or twenty,â Bucky said with a smirk. The corner of your mouth twitched up in a half smile. âHe can be tough, but weâve all been the new kid around here and it takes a while to find your feet,â he continued. âGive yourself some time. Youâre going to be great.â
You sigh and turn your eyes down the hallway. Exhaustion from the eveningâs events setting in, and all you want is a hot shower and the solace of your bed.
âSounds like you should get some rest. Things will look better in the morning.â Bucky placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, and you could feel the warmth radiating off him.
âI hope so. It certainly canât be worse than today.â you sighed. You offer a small smile and turn to make your way down to your room. You feel calmer after talking to Bucky. At least there was one member of the team who didnât hate you.
You climb into bed and do your best to not rehash the mission over and over in your mind, thinking about your every mistake and its consequence. Eventually your thoughts turn to Bucky and the conversation you had. He had always been reserved since you started on the team. In fact, you werenât sure youâd ever really talked to him aside from a quick âhelloâ when you were first introduced. He seemed quiet and even borderline grumpy most of the time. You were surprised by how supportive he had been when you were feeling at your worst. Maybe there was more to the man besides his gruff exterior. These thoughts gently swirled in your head as sleep finally overtook you.
The next morning you wandered out into the kitchen, silently dreading having to face the rest of the team. Everyone was settled and eating when you entered and made a beeline for the coffeepot. No one acted like anything was amiss and continued their morning conversations as you poured yourself a cup. You saw Bucky sitting on a stool at the counter, so you made your way over to him with a cheerful âgood morning.â
âGood morning to you,â he chirped back. You saw several team members whip their heads around to stare in disbelief. Bucky was not known for being a morning person, typically refusing to speak to anyone until heâd had at least three cups of strong coffee. âHow did you sleep?â
âBetter than I expected,â you admitted. He smiled at that and turned back to his plate.
âY/N,â Steve piped up from the table. âI was thinking we could work on some training today. Try to go over what went wrong and how to fix it.â
âYeah, that would be great,â you responded. âI obviously have a lot to learn and I want to improve so something like that never happens again.â Steve nodded, a look of respect coming across his face. You were willing to admit your mistakes and try to learn from them. He couldnât ask for more than that from a new team member.
You changed into your workout clothes and headed down to the gym. Steve reviewed the events of last night with you, so you understood where you went wrong. He then paired you with Natasha to learn how to handle multiple attackers at once so you would be better prepared for next time. She taught you several new moves that you practiced with her. Then, she called Bucky over to add a second opponent into the mix. At first Bucky took you down to the mat easily. He was a lot bigger and stronger than Natasha. She reviewed the moves with you again and showed you how to leverage your new skills to overpower a larger attacker. You try again and, after a few more attempts, manage to land Bucky flat on his back.
âHey! Nice job!â he smiled, not bothered at all that he was taken down by a much smaller rival.
âAre you sure you didnât just let me win?â you ask, grinning.
âNah, doll. I donât roll over. Even for a pretty lady, such as yourself,â he says with a wink. Youâre a bit taken aback at his flirtatious comment. Youâve never seen him like this. He continues smiling, looking relaxed as he gets up off the mat and offers you his hand to pull you up.
âLetâs go grab some water,â he says. You follow him over to the benches and grab your water bottle, taking a swig. âYou looked great out there.â
âThanks, I was feeling really good about the moves Nat was showing me. I have so much to learn!â you acknowledged.
âOne step at a time, doll. Youâll get there,â Bucky replied with another wink. You were beginning to enjoy this banter and decided to take it up a notch.
âWhat if I like to go fast?â you responded with a raised eyebrow. That caught Buckyâs attention.
âWell, if you like to go fast, I think I have something you might like.â He started walking off and tossed a look over his shoulder that told you to follow. You both walked out to the garage where he showed you his motorcycle.
âAwesome!â you exclaimed. You loved bikes but hadnât been on one in ages.
âWanna go for a spin?â he asked.
âDefinitely,â you replied. And with that, you were on the back of Buckyâs bike with your arms wrapped securely around his waist.
He drove you both to the cityâs waterfront and parked his bike so you could get off and walk around. It was nice to get out of the compound for a bit. With all the endless training it often felt like you never left. You strolled along the water for a while side by side, talking and just enjoying the sunshine. He finally slowed and turned to lean against the railing, facing you.
âYou know, Iâm really glad you came out with me today.â
You smiled up at him. âYeah, me too. Itâs a gorgeous day and the company is pretty great, too.â
âOh really?â he smirked.
âDonât get full of yourself, Barnes,â you mocked, rolling your eyes. âI was so desperate to get out of that place I probably would have come with Tony.â
He laughed at the thought. âWell, Iâm sure Tony would have shown you a great time, but Iâm glad you agreed to come out with me.â His eyes softened as he gazed down at you, his eyes flickering to your lips. Your breath caught in your throat as your eyes automatically darted to his mouth in response. He leaned in slowly, giving you a chance to back away. When you didnât, he closed the gap and softly pressed his lips to yours. You stopped breathing, your heart racing in your chest as you did your best to respond to his kiss and not pass out. As he started to pull away, you chased his lips and nearly lost your balance.
âShh,â he soothed softly. You nodded, eyes still closed, head swimming from the intensity of the kiss. He took a small step back and smiled down at you again. Your heart warmed and so did your cheeks, so you turned your head to look out over the water. He brushed a stray strand of hair behind your ear and let his fingers trail a path down your neck that had you shivering.
âLetâs go, doll.â He led you back to the motorcycle, handed you the extra helmet and you took off again headed back to Stark Tower.
When you entered the living room together, Sam was the first to see you. âAnd where did you two run off to?â
âJust thought my girl here could use a little time outside of the prison cell,â Bucky charmed.
âUh huh,â Sam nodded, eyeing you suspiciously. You shrugged with an innocent expression on your face and headed down the hallway to your room.
âSo,â Sam started in a low voice, looking at Bucky. âWhatâs up between you two? Donât think I havenât noticed youâve taken a shine to her.â
âSheâs a sweet girl. And she needs someone here to be nice to her. Sheâs had a rough start,â Bucky shrugged.
âAnd youâre sure thatâs itâŠ?â Sam countered.
âHow about you worry about yourself, Sam,â Bucky chuckled as he headed down the hallway leaving Sam to shake his head and laugh. After years of struggling to reclaim his life from HYDRAâs clutches, maybe his friend had finally met someone who could help him open his heart up again.
Series Summary: Back in town for your high school reunion, you get reacquainted with a former friend.
Series Rating: Explicit (18+)
Series Content Warning: Fluff and Smut, the least angsty angst ever, PIV Sex, Oral Sex, Frankie uses his words, brief mention of teenage alcohol consumption, possibly too many 90s references, one blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to infertility
Note: This is basically the opposite of age-gap fic - everyone here is definitely in their 40s. Also, to amuse myself and to really get into the spirit of things, every chapter title after the prologue is a song from the top 100 list of 1998. The title of the series references the Sister Hazel song.
Series Summary: A work trip takes you to New Mexico, where an unexpected encounter leads to more.
Rating: Explicit (18+ only)
Series Content / Warnings: Fluff and Smut, PIV Sex, Oral Sex, Sleepy Sex, Frankie uses his words, just a lil' bit of spanking, Frankie is such a good dad
Series Content / Warnings: Fluff and Smut, PIV Sex, Oral Sex, Frankie and reader are both parents so children will be present occasionally, Frankie is such a good dad, Sassy Pope, Frankie uses his words, a lil' bit of spanking, misappropriation of Triple Frontier dialogue
New chapter posted each Tuesday, barring some sort of life thing.
Summary: When Javier met you, he felt as though heâd been punched. He had no idea how hard he would fall for you. Your soft smile and sweet scent. How you always catch him off guard and how tempting you look in those sundresses youâre always wearing. He constantly has to stop his mind from drifting to thoughts of you. And every time youâre near, he has to fight his body from touching you. He wants you more than anything but he has to stop. It canât happen. Youâre nearly half his age. And youâre his best friendâs daughter.
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Read on Ao3
Summary: After eight years in Colombia, Javier Peña is finally back home and hoping to keep his head down. Although you were fourteen and harboring a schoolgirl infatuation when he went away, you and your crush are now all grown up and itâs proving hard for Javier to ignore.
Rating: Explicit 18+ (By proceeding to read beyond this warning, you are agreeing that you are 18 years or older)
Content: Age Gap (15 years), Smut, Hidden Relationship, Secrecy, Pining, Family Interference, Small Town Dynamics, PTSD
Set during the production of Elvis 2022. The saga of Austin Butler and a wardrobe technician. A costume malfunction leads to a lot more than either of you bargained for.
Stuck
Caught
Lost
Found
Reunited
Awarded
Warnings: Angst, Discussion of COVID-19 Protocols, Alcohol Consumption, Fluff, Language, Mature/Explicit Themes - 18+ only
letâs talk about the early stages of hyperfixation where you can literally feel your brain getting doses of serotonin because of a show or a movie or a person or a character and mentally youâre like âooooh noâ but itâs like a blackhole you canât run or escape from so you just gotta ride it out knowing full well the next few months are going to be spent mindlessly obsessing over this thing
[Elvis (Movie) x black!fem!oc] - The year is 1954. Honey has recently moved to Memphis with her mother to secretly pursue her passion for music, but is having a hard time getting her foot in the door due to her mixed race. However, upon getting employed at Beale Streetâs most inventive nightclub, she encounters an old friend that further complicates her issue.
Warning: This story contains consistent race related conversations/issues, sexual topics, and swearing, some chapters will be nsfw, more warnings will be on specific chapters
I am LOVING this story!! I've watched Elvis 3 times now & am so excited to find a great story like this to read. The way he is with Honey is just so loving & protective. Their shared history is such a sweet part of it. Can't wait to read the rest!
Summary: there's a rumour going around the compound about you and Sergeant Barnes, which is ridiculous because he's an avenger and you're a junior agent. How would a rumour like that even get started?
Genre: fluffy rom com nonsense. Slow burn.
Warnings: language, violence, characters get physically hurt, sexual content. 18+ see each chapter for specific warnings.
If you enjoy this fanfic please reblog to share with your followers đ
Pairing: Roommate!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader
Summary: Feelings come to light in the most fitting way.
Word Count: Over 2.6k
Warnings: Pining, fluff, insecurities, feels, idiots in love admitting how they feel (is that a warning?), roommate!Bucky Barnes (heâs a warning, okay?), Alpine still being the best cat ever
A/N: Hey, lovelies! We finally get to see how Stud and Smartie get together. And to me, it's just right. Beta read by the beautiful @maladaptivexxdaydreaming, but any and all mistakes are my own. Banners by the talented @vase-of-lilies. Moodboard by yours truly. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Please reblog or comment as it means the world!
The sound of the clock ticking in the quiet apartment taunted you as you sat on the couch. You matched the timing to the rhythm of âCanât Help Falling In Loveâ without realizing it until you heard yourself humming the tune. Ever since that night in the kitchen, you found yourself playing the song on repeat when you were alone. You wished you could dance with Bucky every night. It would be a dream come true.
You were also slightly on edge now when Bucky was close by, which wasnât lost on him. Of course he noticed right away that you kept tapping your fingers against your thigh, like you couldnât relax. Or how you shifted in your seat, unable to sit still. He finally asked you this morning if something was going on with a class or something else, to which you quickly said ânoâ.Â
âIt isnât me, is it?â he questioned, his blue eyes full of worry.
âOf course not,â you swore.
Then you bolted to your bedroom.
And didnât come out until he left for the day.
âWhat the hell is wrong with me?â you asked when Alpine joined you on the couch, smiling a little as she rubbed her head against your palm. Purring, she climbed on your lap and got comfortable. âWhy canât I just tell him how I feel?â
You were honest with him about everything else, but admitting your feelings made you nervous, as much as you wanted to admit how you felt. You replayed moments of the two of you together in your mind over and over, like how he treated your classmate when he came by. Buckyâs protective demeanor didnât scream brotherly at all. He looked out for you the way a lover would.
âHe likes me,â you said softly, absentmindedly petting Alpine. âRight?â
âMeow.â
"But what if he doesn't? What if I tell him and he asks me to move out?" your voice cracked as the cat tilted her head and gently tapped her paw against your leg with a slight rumble. "I know he wouldn't do that. He isn't that kind of guy. He's the best kind of guy. And I'm me."Â
Alpine got up and faced you before she bumped her head against yours, like she understood that your mind wasn't being kind to your heart.
"I just don't want to mess up what we have."
And I don't want to lose him.Â
Another bump to the head made you smile.Â
"Okay, okay. I'll tell him," you promised, if only to give you closure if he didn't feel the same.Â
"Meow."
You jumped when you heard the door open, the cat jumping down and going to greet Bucky. âHey, Al. Miss me?â he said from the doorway as he took off his shoes and left his keys on the small table. Your heart raced as he walked in, holding a small bag in his hand. You did your best not to stare at his Henley stretched across his broad frame. But you knew if your gaze drifted lower, youâd-
âHey, Smartie."
"Hey! How was your day?"
"Not bad. You feeling better?â
You blinked as you looked up at him, confused. âBetter? Was I feeling bad?â
âYou ran into your room so fast this morning I thought you were gonna be sick,â he said, walking over to the bookcase and selecting a book after a moment. âAlso thought I might've done something to upset you."
I made him feel bad. I'm such an idiot.Â
âYou didn't do anything. Iâm fine,â you answered sheepishly, nodding as he looked at you. His hair was down, framing his face, and you wanted to brush it behind his ear and apologize for worrying him.Â
âI'm not sick. Just a little out of it, but it's fine. I'm fine."
I really need to stop saying I'm fine.
âJust so we're clear, you're fine?" he smiled that crooked smile you knew so well. "I mean, you are fine. Especially since you're wearing my shirt."
You bit the inside of your cheek as you glanced down at yourself, the hoodie warm and comfortable. Bucky left shirts out for you since you wore them so often. He didn't seem to mind. And you liked that they smelled like him. "That's cheesy, Stud," you giggled.Â
And I love it. Please, say more nice things.
"It's the truth," he said as he went to his chair and took a seat. He hardly made a sound as he shifted to face you. You were still in awe that the 6â3 man moved so silently. In another life, he couldâve been a spy or assassin with that kind of stealth.
 âBut I'm glad you said something because you have seemed a bit off. Anything you want to talk about?âÂ
Your finger began to tap against your thigh, trying to think of how to answer. âWell, there is something."
Bucky took his phone out and made sure it was on silent. He did that whenever he didn't want anyone bothering the two of you, which happened often. "Shoot."
You swallowed as you tried to find the words, unable to get the truth out as he stared at you expectantly.Â
Just say the words!
 "Actually, can we talk after dinner?â is what came out instead.
Why am I being such a coward? Maybe I can have a drink for a bit of liquid courage? No, no. No alcohol. I need to do this right.
âYeah,â he nodded, his brow furrowing as he looked at the bag in his hand. âYou sure you don't want to talk now?â
âIâm sure,â you tried to keep your voice light as he raised an eyebrow. âIt isnât anything bad, really. Just something I need to say and I canât say it on an empty stomach. I didnât eat much today.â
The frown on his face made your heart skip a beat. âWhen was the last time you ate? Iâll make you-â
âNo, really. I can wait,â you stopped him as he began to stand.Â
I will tell him how I feel, even if I end up blurting out the words unceremoniously.
 âWhatâs in the bag?â you questioned to change the topic.
Bucky didnât look thrilled as he sat back down.Â
Heâs adorable when heâs concerned.
 âLike you said, youâve been out of sorts,â he told you, leaning over to hand you the bag. âThought this might help.â
âYou got me a present?â you smiled as you sat up, seeing the slightest blush in his cheeks.
 I could kiss him.
 âYou didnât have to get me anything.â
âI wanted to,â he said, watching intently as you took the box out.
âA puzzle?â you smiled wider, carefully turning the box over. You loved putting puzzles together. Some of your friends liked to tease you about it, but Bucky encouraged your hobby. He usually used the quiet time to read while you worked on them.Â
âA heart shaped puzzle?â you added, pointing at the photo on the lid.
He cleared his throat as you opened the box. âYeah. Thereâs writing on it, too, but you donât know what it says in advance. Itâs part of the challenge of putting it together.â
âItâs a secret message puzzle?!â you knew that you were grinning like an idiot as you sat up, clearing out a space on the coffee table. âIf it says âIâm sofa king coolâ, I may hit you with a pillow.â
Bucky began to laugh as he opened his book, but his eyes were on you as you began to sort the pieces. âBut I am so fucking cool.â
âKeep telling yourself that, Stud.â
He laughed again and you found yourself more at ease as you turned all the pieces right side up. There were also hearts in your eyes as you glanced at him out of the corner of your eye.Â
He got me a gift just because he wanted to. How is he even real?
You looked away when you realized he was looking back at you. He wasnât reading his book. He hadnât even turned a page. âWhatâs that book about?â you questioned since you couldnât see the title.
âItâs actually a romance novel,â he told you, making you swallow as you separated the border pieces from the rest.
"You usually don't read romance novels," you pointed out, giggling as Alpine joined you again, jumping on the table. She was careful not to sit on the pieces, but she looked between the two of you a couple of times. What does she know that I don't?
"I thought I'd give this a try," he said as you connected two of the puzzle pieces.Â
You hummed as you carefully put another piece in place. The wording was white against the red background and you couldnât wait to spell it out. âWhat kind of romance is it? Fantasy? Historical?â
âContemporary,â he told you, turning a page with one finger. âAbout a man living on his own in an apartment until his building manager had to raise the rent.â
Your hand paused in its movement as your gaze flickered to him. That was why he rented out his room. He looked back at you, but you couldnât get a full read on his expression. Was he daring you to say something? âIs that right?â you asked.
âMm-hmm. Ends up finding a roommate. Someone smart, beautiful and studious. Even gets along well with his cat.â
The piece in your hand almost fell as you looked at him again. You saw the twitch in his cheek, like he was trying not to smile.Â
What game are you playing, Stud? âThought you hadnât read it.â
He tapped the back of the book. âOh, itâs in the description,â he replied, covering it with his hand so you couldnât read the words.
âWhat else does that description tell you?â
âThat he falls pretty quickly, but doesnât say anything right away. Doesnât want to scare her off. Not when they get along so well.â
You nod a little. Thatâs exactly why Iâve kept my mouth shut. I care too much to lose him.Â
âDoes he know how she feels?â you asked, your eyes widening as you caught yourself. âI mean, assuming she feels the same way. Does that blurb say that?â
He tilted his head slightly as he gave you a smile. âHe has a suspicion that she does, but hasnât made a move.â
You wanted the couch to swallow you up, embarrassment flooding you for no reason. âDoes he think sheâs a coward?â you asked in a small voice, trying to concentrate on the puzzle. It was almost complete.Â
Buckyâs mouth set in a grim line as he set the book down, leaning forward to get your full attention. âNo, he doesnât. He thinks sheâs the best person he knows. Always willing to go out of her way to make sure heâs taken care of and happy. Will bail on going to a party if she thinks he needs her close by. Cooks for him. Makes time for pizza and movie nights, even when she has to study. Dances with him in the kitchen.â
âBucky,â you tried to say, but it came out a choked whisper.
âShe makes him smile. She makes him feel,â he continued, moving from his chair to sit beside you. His jean cladded leg brushed against yours as he placed a hand on your cheek. âShe makes him happy.â
You werenât sure whether you wanted to cry or jump in his arms, but your heart raced faster as you gazed at him. âShe does?â you smiled, unable to stop the tears from welling up in your eyes.Â
âMore than anything,â he whispered as he removed his hand from your cheek. You chased after his touch before he placed his hand over yours. âOne last piece.â
You looked at the puzzle, realizing he was right. He guided your hand toward it and helped you pick up the last piece. You were thankful he did because you began to tremble the moment he sat beside you. Placing the final piece in together, you smiled as you saw the message.
âSmartie,
 You are my missing piece.
Love,Â
Studâ
Warmth bloomed in your chest as you read it over and over, reaching out to run your hand along the finished product. You smiled wider as you felt your cheeks get damp.
He did this for me.Â
Bucky turned your face back toward him after a moment with such care, brushing the tears away with his thumbs as he stared at you with earnest eyes.Â
Has he always looked at me that way?
âIâm crazy about you, Smartie. And if you want me to be your friend and roommate only, thatâs what Iâll be. Iâll want you in my life no matter what, doll. But I have to know if thereâs a chance for us because itâs killing me having you so close and not actually having you.â
Your heart still raced in your chest as you wrapped your hands around his wrists. âYou do have me.â
âI do?â he whispered as he leaned in, his breath so close to your lips. "I have you?"
Your eyes slipped shut as his nose brushed against yours. "You had me from the start. I'm your Smartie and you're my Stud."
Your heart contracted as he brought his lips to yours, the delicate brushing making your breath hitch. It ended far too soon as he pulled back to gaze at you, something hungry flaring in his eyes before his mouth was on yours again. His tongue swept in easily, a mixture of tenderness and seduction as you savored the feel of him taking over. Boys had kissed you before, but it felt nothing like this. None of them ever robbed you of your ability to think.
Because none of them were Bucky Barnes.
He pulled away to let you breathe, but began to trail kisses along your face. And you didn't want him to stop. "So you like me?" you asked because you couldn't help yourself. You wanted to hear it again.
He chuckled, but didn't stop kissing you. "I don't think you realize how much I care about you."
You almost melted into a puddle then and there. âMore than I care about you?"
"Much more. Told you. I'm crazy about you."
"I think you're just crazy," you teased to hear him laugh again. I'm head over heels, Stud. "And you really had that made for me?"
âI did. You love puzzles,â he grinned, clearly proud of himself. You didnât blame him. It was a thoughtful, personal gift.Â
"I love it. I'll have to frame it."
âI wanted to find the right way to tell you. Shouldâve told you sooner.â
âThatâs what I was going to tell you at dinner. Itâs why Iâve been on edge,â you admitted as he briefly stopped his kisses, only a hint of surprise in his eyes. âFor a Smartie, I'm an idiot for not saying something sooner.â
He grunted as his lips moved across your face again, like he had to touch every part of it. âYouâre not an idiot. Donât say that.â
âSorry,â you smiled as his lips brushed between your eyes. You knew he wouldnât stand for you putting yourself down. âSo, how do you think that story ends?â
âWhy donât I show you?â he countered, your body hot as he kissed back to your lips.
âMeow.â
You pulled away with a soft laugh, turning your head to look at Alpine. âGuess weâre giving her a show.â
âSorry, Al,â Bucky said as he got to his feet, bending to lift you up in his arms. âThis next part is not for your viewing pleasure.â
You laughed as he carried you away. Alpine was still perched on the table as she watched the two of you go to Buckyâs room. If you had to guess, she was happy.
Iâm happy I found my missing piece, too.
*****
I had mentioned in an ask a bit back that Smartie likes to do puzzles, so Stud specifically chose that as his way to confess. Inspired by the images below.
We'll see them again soon. Love and thanks! â€ïž
đ Can't leave the party without party bag and you know who I want in tidd- MINE. Who I want in mine đ
you better have some big fucking bags đ„”đ€€đ
with the word... Unwrapping đ
I'll leave the future of my panties in your capable hands now đ
( it can be just fluff to ruin my heart instead, whatever you want, you know I'm weak for this man no matter what)
Christy, I couldn't help it - he wanted to be a fluffy boy.
Un-beta'd ramblings; approx 900 words
Divider by @firefly-graphics
You whirled around, laughing, your hand held tight in Ariâs. You could help but marvel at how big he was.
I bet heâll be big everywhereâŠ
You cajoled the horny part of your brain into silence. This was only your second date with the massive man, and whilst you were pretty sure you wanted to âtake him for a test driveâ, you wanted to wait a bit longer. Youâd been burnt in love before and you wanted to be more certain, know him better, before taking that next step.Â
When youâd accidentally fallen asleep against him on the subway, lulled into slumber by the movement of the train, the heat radiating off his massive frame, and the woodsy scent of his cologne, youâd never imagined heâd ask you out on a date.
Heat suffused your skin as you remembered how heâd gently shaken you awake, apologising for taking away your pillow, but it was his stop. Youâd been so mortified when youâd realised that the damp patch on the arm of his jacket was from your drool. Before youâd even had a chance to apologise he pressed a piece of paper into your hand and headed for the doors.
âSee you later, Sleeping Beauty.â
You sat in dumb silence as the train pulled out of the station, until the elderly lady opposite leant over and jabbed your knee.
âWell, open the paper. If thatâs not his number Iâm giving all my cats awayâŠâ
You unfolded the scrap and stared. Stuff like this didnât happen to you, but you were glad the old lady was going to keep her cats.
So, here you were, on your second date. The first had been a walk in the park and then stopping for coffee, your idea. He was in charge of this one, which is how you found yourself all bundled up at the local ice rink.
Youâd been worried about making a fool of yourself, but Ari had kept hold of at least one of your hands the whole time. Whenever youâd wobble, heâd quickly snaked a thick arm around your waist and pulled you into his side.
He smiled down at you, blue eyes twinkling and the blond highlights in his hair catching the light.
Heâs so fucking gorgeousâŠ
After a while youâd gone to sit at the side, not lying when you said you were getting tired.
âAnd anyway, how can you show me all your moves if youâre having to keep hold of me.â
Ari leant over the barricade separating the ice from the stalls.
âYou say that like me having you in my arms is a chore. Couldnât be further from the truth.â
Then heâd pushed away and showed you what he could do. For such a big man he was impressively graceful, but it was obvious his skills were from playing hockey as opposed to figure skating. After a few laps around the rink, dodging and weaving between other couples and families, including some backwards work, he stopped by you, in a shower of ice flakes.
âShall we go get a hot drink, Aurora, you look like you need one.â
You giggled at his silliness.
âYou know thatâs not my name, Ari.â
âAah, but remember, you are my Sleeping Beauty.â
You rolled your eyes and chuckled. How was he this cute?
You purchased your drinks and strolled out into the cool evening air. Ari took your free hand and you strolled down the sidewalk, heading slowly towards your apartment. You chatted somewhat, but for the most part you both enjoyed the silence together, blowing and sipping on your drinks.
When you reached your building, you came to an awkward stop, part way up the steps. You turned, and Ari, a step below, almost bumped into you. His eyes, as blue as the ocean, bore into yours and your breath hitched.
âYou're so perfectâŠâ His words came out as a quiet murmur, and was your only warning before his lips descended onto yours. You dropped your empty cup as your hands came up to grasp his lapels, holding on lest you either crumple to the floor or float off into the sky. Both were a possibility with how you were feeling at this moment in time.
At the end of your first date heâd pressed a chaste kiss to your cheek, your lips brushing over his shaggy facial hair. Youâd felt a tingle pass through your body at that, but this! This was an electric current that travelled from your lips to your core. You whimpered and Ari took the opportunity to invade your mouth with his tongue, as he cradled your head in his hands.
You were getting lost in him. It would be so easy to invite him inside, but you knew that would be a mistake. You reluctantly broke the kiss, pressing your forehead against his.
âI⊠I like you⊠I do⊠I justâŠâ
He shushed you with a finger to your lips.
âYou donât have to apologise. You should never apologise for having boundaries and waiting to be comfortable. I can easily wait for you, whether itâs for one more date or one more year. Or ten. Nothing happens unless you want it too. Besides, I like the anticipation.â
His hands travelled down to smooth out your scarf and then back up to resettle your woolly hat on your hat.
âWhilst Iâm looking forward to⊠unwrapping you, I want you to have absolutely no doubts or concerns. I can wait to peel away these layers. I can wait to have you bare in my bed. Or your bed. I can wait for you, for 100 years if needs be. My Aurora.â
Set after the events of TFATWS: In an effort to start over and make a home in Louisiana, Bucky meets a friend of Sam's who ends up being his landlord. With only a driveway to separate them, he finds that he's not the only one looking for a fresh start.
Series tags/warnings: Slow Burn, Eventual Bucky x Reader, Mentions of Domestic Abuse, Canon Level Violence
Read Part 2
---
After everything that happened with the Flag Smashers and the GRC, Bucky thought that laying low with Sam in Louisiana was a good idea. He had been looking for a fresh start anyway. Between losing Steve and making his last amends, New York as of late had only been full of sad memories and regrets. Louisiana was so different- slower paced and fresh, no negative feelings. No feelings at all, actually. Sam was more than understanding, letting him stay with them until he found a semi-permanent place here.
Currently, Bucky was staring out the window, watching the breeze make little waves in the grass as he ate his sandwich. Sarah and the kids had gone out to the boat, making the house feel virtually abandoned. There was too much space and not enough people. For just himself, it was only a reminder that he would continue to stay as he always had- alone.
Sam walked into the kitchen where Bucky was, effectively breaking his train of thought. He raised an eyebrow at Samâs mischievous smile- or maybe it was a regular one. He always looked like he was up to something, at least to Bucky.
âGreat news,â Sam started. âI just got off the phone with a friend of mine. Sheâs moving down here for some work and is looking for someone to live on the property with her.â
âShe?â Bucky questioned.
âListen, I know what youâre thinking but before you say anything else, let me explain. So she already bought the house, itâs less than 10 minutes from here so you can still see us whenever you want. The propertyâs a couple acres so itâs got tons of space. It comes with an apartment over the shed, so you donât have to share walls. She keeps to herself so she wonât bother you,â Sam said, counting the pros on his fingers as he talked.
âAnd the best part is: you donât need to pay rent. I explained the situation, with you being a hero to the world and all, and she said as long as you can help her out with the heavy-duty stuff like taking care of the property and the occasional repair, you donât have to worry about it.â
Bucky eyed the couch that had been his home for the past several weeks. Donât get him wrong- being here with the boys was fun. Unfortunately though, he was still in a place in his life where he needed time to think, heal and meditate. The nightmares, although less frequent, were still occurring. Sam was always supportive, but Bucky didnât want to keep putting him out. Sam noticed the hesitation and spoke.
âYou donât have to decide right now, but sheâs moving here in a few days and could at least use some help. She said we could go look at the property now- no pressure though. Youâre welcome to stay here as long as you want.â
Bucky paused a moment before nodding.
âOkay, letâs go.â
---
Sam turned into a dirt driveway lined with low hanging trees on one side and a field on the other. Bucky wouldnât have even noticed it if not for the mailbox on the street.
âSee, well this is perfect for you, itâs back in the cut.â Sam said.
Bucky could understand from context clues that that meant secluded. Probably.
It took a few seconds down the driveway before the trees on the left cleared and the water was visible. On the other side, there was a light green house with white trim. With the typical Southern architecture and porch, it was the picture perfect place to live. No neighbors- just trees and water.
Sam whistled as they pulled up at the end of the driveway by the house. Now that they were closer, Bucky could see the large garage on the opposite side of the driveway. It almost looked like another house but much smaller, and with a small dock in the water. The bottom floor of the garage had two large doors that opened upwards, and one regular doorway. The top floor had several windows with curtains in them, shrouding the inside. Getting out of the car, Bucky walked around the car to where Sam was opening the door to the garage.
Going in to inspect the garage, Bucky blinked to adjust to the dim light. He looked around to find several yard tools, some cans of paint on shelves, and a riding mower. On the back wall was a door. Hearing a rustle, he turned to find Sam feeling up on the highest shelf.
âFound it!â He said triumphantly, holding the key to the apartment up.
Walking over to the door on the back wall, Sam unlocked it and pulled it open. Bucky poked his head through the doorway and looked up to the staircase at his left. He turned to meet Samâs eye, who shrugged before gesturing to Bucky to take the lead. It led up to the top floor of the garage, which was fitted with an apartment that turned out to be nicer than he thought.
It was simple but in good condition. Dark hardwood floor, white trim, pale steel blue walls. Where they had walked up was the living room. Directly across from it was a kitchen area with a veranda to walk out on. The open space then shrunk to a hallway to the left. The bathroom being the first door and a bedroom at the end of the hall. Overall, plenty of space for one person.
âI donât know about you Buck, but this place seems perfect.â Sam said as he opened the glass sliding door to the veranda. It overlooked the undisturbed landscape, hidden from the nearby town.
âIt does.â Bucky responded simply.
He took a moment to walk out onto the veranda with Sam and view the birds wading through the water.
âWell good,â Sam said with a chuckle. âThis way, you can stop hitting on my sister.â
Bucky laughed and punched him in the arm. Sam feigned physical and emotional injury.
âHaha, Very funny.â
Sarah was a nice gal, but focused on her life at the moment. Sure, there had been a few sparks, but ultimately she had made it clear that her priority at the moment was her boys and her business. Bucky had been a good sport about it. It just felt good to be back in the game without it feeling forced.
Sam watched as Bucky stared out at the water before switching to a serious note.
âSo⊠You feel like youâre ready?â
Bucky slowly nodded.
âYeah. This is it.â
Sam smiled wide as he handed the key over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
âWelcome home.â
---
Bucky had very few belongings from New York that came with him. A small wooden table with chairs. A few books. A bed, a couch, a TV. There wasnât really a whole lot that couldnât be replaced if needed. He had been able to take the trip to and from in a few days, already moving his belongings into the apartment. The only big thing he had done was bring Steveâs old Harley out of storage. He probably should get a car at some point since it wasnât the city anymore but heâd figure it out.
After saying goodbye to Sarah and the kids, Bucky opened the door to Sam's truck.
âPromise youâll visit?â shouted one of the boys before clinging to him.
Bucky smiled and patted the kid on the back.
âOf course, I will.â He said, looking at the other boy before gesturing for him to join the hug.
âUncle Buckâs not going anywhere boys,â Sam promised across the center console from the driverâs side.
Both boys eventually peeled off of Buckyâs side. He got in the truck and rolled down the window.
âBe good for your mom okay?â He said to the boys as he waved and nodded at Sarah, who smiled back as the truck started.
âOkay, bye!â They shouted until Bucky could no longer see them in side view mirror.
He really would miss those kids.
They drove in comfortable silence until they pulled up to the house where a light blue sedan was parked next to a storage pod that had been delivered. After parking by it, they exited the truck as you were stepping out of your car.
âSam!â You exclaimed cheerfully, as you went in for a hug. He lifted you slightly off the ground and you laughed, smiling wide. Bucky stood to the side and observed the interaction, giving you a once-over. You were dressed appropriately for the work you were about to do- light-wash high-water jeans, a white t-shirt with a chest pocket, canvas shoes, and hair up in a slightly messy bun with a few gold bobby pins thrown in to hold back any loose wisps of hair.
After Sam set you down, he turned to Bucky and introduced you.
â⊠and we met during a charity event that Tony hosted. She offered her services free of charge to help us raise money for the VA.â
You held a hand out to Bucky.
âItâs very nice to meet you! Thanks so much for helping me move in, I really appreciate it.â
Bucky smiled lightly and nodded as he shook your hand.
âNice to meet you too.â
You smiled and took back your hand before looking at the house.
âShall we?â You inquired, gesturing towards the storage pod.
âOf course,â Sam replied, opening the door to the pod. As Bucky looked inside, he noted that it was mostly just boxes. The noticeable items were the same as his: the bare minimum- besides a fancy electric piano.
âHowâre you gonna fill up this house with a few pieces of furniture?â Sam joked.
âHey, itâs better than having too much stuff! Besides, donât guys always say that women have too much stuff?â You quip back as you reach for one of the larger boxes in the pod.
âAh-ah-ah, no you donât,â Sam said as he intercepted you and picked up the box.
âOh, câmon Sam. Iâll feel bad if I make you guys do all the heavy stuff.â
âYouâre not making us do anything. Besides, Iâll be fine, and the old man could use some exercise,â he said, nodding towards Bucky.
You smiled timidly at Bucky.
âI have a bad shoulder.â You explained while gripping the top of your right arm.
âI get what that feels like,â he sympathized, nodding to his metal arm.
âAh, yes, Iâm sorry, itâs not nearly as bad-â
Bucky cut you off.
âDonât be sorry. If itâs hurting you, donât worry about it. We can handle it.â He said gently, pausing for a moment before continuing.
âOr at least I can.â
Sam tilted his head back and feigned hurt feelings while you picked up a lamp base and shook it lightly at him.
âDoes this meet your approval, Mr. Wilson?â You asked teasingly.
âWhy yes, yes it does. Now come on.â
He walked into the house, you right on his heels. Bucky eyed the two of you together for a moment before picking up a few boxes himself.
---
A few hours later, he was sitting on the worn leather couch next to Sam while you went to get them some drinks in the kitchen. You appeared under the white trimmed archway into the living area holding three glasses.
âOne sweet tea for the guest, one lemonade for my new neighbor, and a half and half for the gracious host.â You said, holding up your glass after handing the others out.
You three clinked glasses and you sunk into a sage green armchair with dark wood.
âSo⊠how does this work?â Bucky asked, taking a sip of his drink.
âMmm, yes.â You said, swallowing the sip you had taken.
âUhm, basically whenever youâre not off saving the world with Captain America,â You started, smiling with pride at Sam. âIf you could just make sure the grass doesnât get too long and help me with some of the more physically demanding repairs and jobs around the house, thatâd be great. Of course, that only applies if youâre here, and even then, as long as itâs not urgent, you can take your time getting around to it. Other than that, youâre free to do as you please.â
âThatâs very generous of you.â He remarked.
âWell, donât say that yet,â you said while laughing. âThe property is huge so it might be more of a challenge than you think. But like I said, thereâs no need to rush to anything. Besides, I should be thanking you. Youâve done a lot for the world.â
Sam interjected before Bucky could respond, which was okay because he still wasnât used to accepting thanks instead of apologizing.
âWhereâs my thank you for saving the world?â
You rolled your eyes and sarcastically rattled off a thank you. Bucky cleared his throat after a moment.
âAnything you want me to start working on?â
âOh, please get settled in first. I have some furniture getting delivered that I might need help assembling in a few days but otherwise, thereâs nothing else. If you have any expenses like paint or tools, you can just use this card and let me know.â You said, handing over a credit card.
âWe should also exchange phone numbers too. Whatâs yours?â
Bucky stalled a moment before rattling off the numbers. It was a foreign feeling- giving out his phone number. He was most definitely having PTSD from his therapist chucking his phone at him. He watched as you typed away on your phone. Feeling his phone ping, Bucky looked at it and saw a message from an unregistered number.
âHi, Itâs me :)â
âThatâs my number. Obviously.â
Bucky nodded his head in thanks while registering your number. It had been a while since he had added anyoneâs number. You and Sam started talking about something else while Bucky exited back to the main list of contacts. There, your name was italicized and highlighted at the top. What a strange feeling.
âŠ
Later that night, Bucky was relaxing, enjoying the peace. It was warm for autumn, and the water was reflecting the moonlight. He couldnât sleep. Not that that was surprising. He walked out of the apartment down to the small dock to sip on a beer and celebrate his newfound independence. Sitting on the edge where his feet barely touched the water, he leaned back onto his hands and took a deep breath in.
Thatâs when he heard it.
Just barely, with his enhanced hearing, he could hear your crying. It was like you were wailing in pain. Not a sharp new pain, but an intense never ending one. The kind that you hear from an animal thatâs been maimed- the kind you put out of their misery. Whatever you were holding in, it had been building up for an impossibly long time and finally, exhausted, you found a chance to let it out. Being able to hear it felt like a dirty invasion of privacy.
Bucky swallowed and took another deep breath before trying to focus on the sound of the wildlife around him. But it was no use. Here you were. Here he was.
Hi cutie!! Iâm a big fan of your Boys in Bed with Books series. So I was wondering if you would like to write one on Frank Adler (from Gifted).
Thereâs just something about my cranky boat mechanic, I love him so much⊠and the fact that he was once a professor?? Yes Sir!!
Boys in Bed with Books (11)- Frank Adler
Pairing: Frank Adler x reader
Word Count: 719
Summary: You distract Frank while he's reading in bed.
Author's Note: Thank you my sweet friend for requesting this! So glad you did and that it gave me reason to watch Gifted which I very much enjoyed! Love and hugs and hope it's been a lovely day!đ I loved adding him to my little series! Bec @theycallmebecca this one is for you too! Thank you all so much for reading! Much love always! â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžDivider by my lovely @firefly-graphics thank you bunches sweetsđ„°
Warnings: fluffy fun, teasing, some light philosophic banter, light smut (18+ ONLY PLEASE!!!)
Mini-Series Masterlist
âFrank. Are you in our bed with your greasy boat shirt on?â
He cocks one eyebrow then flips to the next page of his book and sets it down on the bed. He tilts his head upward, throwing you a wry smile before he sits up and pulls his shirt off. He drops it hastily to the floor and leans back against the headboard, picking up his book.
âNot anymore sweetheart.â
You barely blink through the entire process and your eyes immediately drop to his bare skin and the way his muscles flex as he shifts to get comfortable. He peeks at you through his lashes, a lopsided smirk on his lips when he crosses his long legs.
You continue to remove your work clothes, only walking over to him once youâre in nothing but your button down and panties.
âAre you still reading Descartes?â you ask as you sit beside him.
He nods and keeps his eyes on the words.
âI think therefore I amâŠâ you quote, more to yourself than him. âWhat are you thinking now Frank?â you ask as you lean closer.
He doesnât answer right away and lets the book fall to his chest, holding your gaze. His eyes drop to the open buttons of your shirt and the sliver of soft skin thatâs exposed.
âIâm thinkingâŠâ he starts, lifting his fingers to toy with the next closed button. âThat youâre a distraction.â
âSo just because you think I am means that I am?â
The sass in your tone has both his eyebrows meeting his hairline and the look on his face screams, âyou know Iâm right.â You feign shock and promptly push yourself up and off the bed.
Before you can get far his fingers close around your wrist and he pulls you across his lap.
âAnd I also thinkâ he persists, sliding his fingertips across your collarbone, âthat you should sit and read with me.â
You smile softly and lean your head along his shoulder. You hear the words falling from his lips but you canât concentrate on their meaning as your fingers twirl and dance over the hair lining his chest. You continue moving them down and over his abs, lightly brushing through the trail of hair that disappears into his jeans.
âYou have grease on your jeans too,â you murmur.
He grunts but keeps reading and you slip your hand under the fabric and pop open the button. With slow and purposeful movement, you drag the zipper down and push apart his jeans, smoothing your palm over his hardening cock.
âFrank,â you whine and give him a squeeze. âDonât be grumpy.â
He hisses through his teeth and shuts the book with a slap. âGrumpy? Iâm trying to focus on my book.â
âIt doesnât look like thatâs whatâs really on your mind,â you argue as you stroke him.
 âAre you trying to start an argument with me?â he asks as he snakes his arm around your waist.
âDonât all philosophers love to argue?â you counter, teasing your fingers along the waistband of his boxers.
He sits up and pushes you back onto your heels, his thick fingers lifting to work open the rest of the buttons of your shirt. Once the material hangs open he runs his hand down between your breasts, his callouses scraping against your delicate skin and making you shiver.
âTo live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them."
âDid you just quote Descartes?â you scoff.
âHeâs not wrong,â he replies.
âNo, heâs not,â you concede, âbut you know what isâŠthe fact that youâre still wearing these greasy jeans.â
In one swift movement he has them off and on the floor atop his shirt.
âBetter?â he simpers as he crawls over you.
You nod before your head hits the pillow and his lips meet your skin. He spreads your legs apart and settles between them, trailing kisses down your stomach.
âWhatâs the matter baby? Nothing left to argue about?â he smirks.
âYou know what else philosophers love to do?â you say breathily as he moves lower.
âWhat?â he croons as he hooks his thumbs into your panties.
âTalk too much.â
His lips lift into a boyish grin. âGood thing Iâm about to keep my mouth busy with something else.â
