#I'm not even sure if sam and aj know what was going on

[youling-the-ghost]

two screenshots that give off the same vibes

[mrsbuckybarnes1917]

13: NEW BEGINNINGS

Previous chapter < MASTERLIST > Next chapter

You and Bucky are finally able to admit your feelings to each other.

Word count 3.4k

Warnings: confessions of love, Sam being the best wingman (pun intended)

It had been a long and difficult week, filled with painful rehab sessions and slow progress. But finally, you were starting to feel more like yourself again. Your voice was still weak from disuse, but you were delighted to hear that the doctors were ready to remove your tracheostomy tube. It was a small victory, but it meant that you were one step closer to recovery.

Despite the progress, you found yourself getting tired easily and napping often. It was frustrating, but you knew that it was all part of the healing process. The physiotherapists had refused to let you wear the speaking valve after they discovered that you had some trouble the previous night, rendering you speechless for the day.

What worried you more was the fact that Bucky, who had been by your side throughout your ordeal, seemed to be spending less and less time with you. You couldn't help but wonder where he went when he wasn't with you. Old insecurities started to resurface, and you found yourself questioning whether Bucky's feelings for you had changed now that you were getting better. The tenderness and care that he had shown you in the beginning seemed to be fading, and it left you feeling lost and confused.

As time ticked on, you couldn't shake the feeling that Bucky was pulling away from you. You suspected that he was going to see Priya, after all, she had made it abundantly clear she wouldn't give him up. The thoughts had you rebuilding the barriers that had come tumbling down after your injury. 

Sam was by your bedside this afternoon. Listening to him chatter about Cass and AJ's most recent antics. He chuckled at the reason that Cass had received detention, but you had zoned out and looked surprised when Sam started laughing. 

He looked at you with concern filling his beautiful brown eyes. “What's up with you? Not feeling good?”

“Sorry,” you mouthed at him. 

“What's wrong, little bug?”

You pulled out your phone and sent him a text. It took a moment for Sam to understand that you had sent the message to him.

“Oh right. Thought you were ignoring me for a second there,” he chuckled, reading the words on his screen.

>>>> I'm okay, just tired.

“Tired, huh? And here I thought you might be lamenting over a certain broody super soldier.”

You gave him a solid deadpan stare, before your eyes involuntarily flicked towards the door, as though the mere mention of him might summon his presence.

>>>> I thought things were better but…

What you wanted to say was ‘I can't shake this feeling that Bucky’s pulling away from me.’

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

>>>> He's been spending less and less time with me.

You stopped yourself from adding ‘and I can't help but think he's going to see Priya.’ To your surprise, Sam texted you in return.

Sam << Have you talked to him about it?

>>>> No. How do I even bring it up? He’s with her, right?

Your mind said ‘he's choosing her over me.’

Sam dropped his phone with exasperation. “Cricket, that's not true! Bucky loves you more than anything else in the world.”

You rolled your eyes.

>>>> How do you know?

“Because he told me. Isn’t that good enough?”

>>>> I don't know if I can believe that unless it comes from him.

“You need to talk to him. Communication is key in any relationship.”

>>>>  You sound like an online therapy programme.

Sam guffawed.

“Honestly, I'm kinda surprised by how quickly you forgave him for all the shit he gave you. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm glad you two are friends again but...”

You were surprised by Sam's openness. Natasha and May felt the same way, you were sure, but it was shocking to hear it from Sam who was usually more of a diplomat. It wasn't as though you hadn't thought about all the things that had happened between you, but you couldn't seem to let him go.

>>>> I was scared, Sam

>>>> And he was there and I…

You pressed send, even though you didn't know how to express the sentiment. Despite everything that had happened between you, you still craved his presence in your life. Sam put a comforting hand on your leg.

>>>> I thought I was going to die

>>>> I know, I know. Being an Avenger and being scared of death. Dumb, huh?

>>>> Even after everything, the thing that scared me more was that I might never see him again

>>>> I just don't want to push him away again

“I'm all for team Bucket but I think he has some groveling to do. But trust me, he won't go anywhere.”

You scrunched your face in confusion and mouthed ‘team Bucket’ at Sam. 

“You know, Bucky and Cricket, it's a ship name. Look, that was all Tony!” Sam shrugged as you giggled silently. “Just talk to him, okay?”

>>>> Okay, I'll try. Thank you, Sam

“Anytime. Just remember, Bucky cares about you more than you know.”

>>>> I hope you're right. Thank you for being here for me

“Always. Now tell me you’ll talk to Bucky. Everything will work out, I promise.”

>>>> I will. Promise

Sam looked up from his phone to see you holding out your pinky finger for Sam to wrap his around. As you sealed your pinky promise, Sam kissed you on the forehead. “Now get some sleep, you look like you need it.”

*

As you opened your eyes the following morning, you saw Bucky was back at your bedside. He looked tired and worried, and there was a hint of relief in his eyes as he saw you wake up. Clearly he had come back the previous day, but you had fallen asleep before his arrival. He handed you the speaking valve for you to clip onto your tracheostomy tube.

"Why’re you still here, Bucky? Everything’s fine, you should go home and get some rest," you said, voice filled with concern. 

"Trying to get rid of me?" he teased, a cheeky grin gracing his lips and lighting up his tired features.

You rolled your eyes, suppressing a smile. "Mostly because you look homeless right now," you replied.

Bucky chuckled. "Peachy. I give your voice back and it’s straight to the insults."

"Hey, you know you love me!" Your eyes shone with affection.

Bucky blushed and smiled. "Can’t deny that," he admitted.

“Really Buck, you don't have to stay. It's not your responsibility. I'm a big girl, I have to learn to take care of myself,” you said softly, your voice tinged with sadness.

Bucky shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding yours. “You know, you and Steve are exactly the same. He used to say that to me a lot after his mom died,” he observed, finally meeting your gaze.

You nodded, understanding dawning in your eyes. “Yeah, he has a hard time accepting help,” you agreed, a small smile playing on your lips.

“But I'm here for you, Cricket. I want to help you through this,” Bucky said earnestly, taking a step closer to you.

You looked at him, your heart torn between wanting to believe him and the fear of being hurt again. Bucky had let you down before, and you couldn't bear the thought of going through that pain once more.

"What, when you feel like it?" you asked, your tone bitter with the hurt and disappointment you had been feeling.

Bucky's expression fell, and he looked down, shame coloring his cheeks. You could see the regret in his eyes, and a part of you softened at the sight.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," you said sadly, feeling the weight of your emotions pressing down on you.

But then, Bucky looked up, determination shining in his eyes. "Cricket, I promise you, I will always be here for you. Always," he vowed, reaching out to take your hand in his.

You hesitated, unsure if you could trust his words. "Except when you're mad," you pointed out, your voice tinged with skepticism.

Bucky sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Do you even know why I was angry?" he asked, his tone pleading for understanding.

"Because I didn't get you a dumb birthday gift?" you replied, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion.

Bucky shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Cricket, why’re you like this?" he asked, his eyes searching yours for an answer.

"Like what?" you countered, feeling a surge of defensiveness rising within you.

"You've been lying to me for months," Bucky stated, his voice gentle but firm.

You felt a lump form in your throat, the weight of your secrets pressing down on you. "I don't know what you want me to say," you admitted, feeling vulnerable and exposed.

"What's going on in that head of yours? Just help me understand what you're feeling," Bucky urged, his gaze filled with concern and a hint of frustration.

Bucky's heart sank as he watched you avoid his gaze, preferring to fiddle with the strings on your hospital gown. He had never seen you like this before, so vulnerable and distant. He knew he had to get to the bottom of what was troubling you, no matter how difficult it may be.

Bucky reached out and gently lifted your chin, forcing you to look at him. "Cricket, please talk to me. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong," he pleaded.

Taking a deep breath, you let go of your defenses and allowed yourself to be vulnerable with Bucky. "I’m sad," you whispered, tears welling up in your eyes.

Bucky took your hands in his. “That’s good… that you’re telling me this, not that you’re sad. Can you tell me what’s making you sad?”

“That things aren’t like they used to be… with us.

“And this is because of Priya?” he asked, cautiously. 

You nod, taking a deep shuddering breath, knowing that if he asked you a direct question, the truth would come out and it terrified you. But you’d been hiding it for too long and it was eating you alive.

“You don’t like her?” 

“I didn’t have any specific problem with her… up until your birthday.”

“Yeah, I can understand that.”

You looked up at him curiously.

“I found the gift you got me.” Bucky moved closer to you, so he was sitting beside you on the bed, still holding your hand. “And I read the note.”

“Yeah?” Your heart was pounding with fear and anticipation.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “What you wrote… I… I don't think anyone has ever done anything so special for me before?”

“What, not even Steve coming to Azzano to break you out of a Nazi prison?” you joked, trying to divert attention from yourself.

Bucky chuckled. “Stop deflecting.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Pop Psychology. Who suddenly gave you a masters degree in psychotherapy?”

“What you said… did you mean it?”

You frowned, not a hundred percent sure of what he meant.

“In the message on the birthday card,” he clarified seeing your confusion.

“Every word,” you answered earnestly.

“I’m sorry for what happened… with Priya.” 

“That wasn’t your fault,” you shrugged.

“But I was the one so ready to believe that you didn’t care about me. After everything we’ve been through together, I should’ve given you the benefit of the doubt.”

But another question was plaguing your mind. “How long have you known?”

“Known what?”

“About what Priya did.”

“The same day that you were hurt. I was coming to find you when Steve got your message. I just got back from that mission with Sharon.” His voice tailed off, knowing what your next words would be about.

“Why were you on a mission with Sharon?”

“Because I asked Steve to assign me a different partner,” he mumbled.

You nodded, as he confirmed your suspicions. “Of all the things that’ve happened, I think that’s the most hurtful thing you’ve done.”

“So you just decided to leave? Without saying a word?” He couldn't keep the sourness from his words.

“Who was I supposed to say it to? You were acting like I didn’t exist. You didn’t even say goodbye when you walked away from me. What if something happened out there?” Your eyes filled with tears again. “What if you didn’t come back? What was I supposed to do then, Bucky? Huh? You left me!” Your voice cracked as your tears fell.

“I know, I'm sorry.” He put his arms around you, holding you tightly. He whispered his apologies into your hair as he held you to his chest. “I'm sorry.”

As you composed yourself, you pulled out of his embrace, wincing as the stitches in the side of your abdomen are put under strain. “Please don't,” you pushed away his hand as he tried to help you. “How does your girlfriend even feel about you being here 24-7? She made it pretty clear to me that she wasn’t giving you up.”

“She did what?” Bucky’s voice rose an octave and his eyebrows flew up into his hairline. “When?”

“Didn’t she tell you why we were in the park together?”

“I haven’t seen her since we brought you to the hospital. We’re not…”

“What happened?” you asked, surprised to hear this development.

“We broke up.”

“Why?” 

Bucky took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before speaking. "Because she's not you," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your eyes widened in surprise, your expression a mix of confusion and realization.

"What do you mean she's not me?" you asked, your voice tinged with disbelief.

Bucky looked down at his hands, fidgeting nervously. "I mean... she's not you. She's not the one I want to be with. She's not the one who makes me feel safe and loved. She's not the one who understands me like you do."

"I was so scared of losing you, that I ended up acting totally crazy and almost lost you anyway. Bucky, I…” you sighed. “I don't know why this is so hard for me to say… I care about you. You're everything to me… I… I love you."

Bucky's eyes softened as he reached out to gently lift your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, Cricket. I didn't realize... I didn't know how you felt."

You sighed, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders as you finally spoke your truth. "I've been hiding it for so long, Bucky. I've been pretending that everything was fine, but it wasn't. I missed you. I missed us."

Bucky's thumb brushed against your cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "I missed you too, Cricket. I missed us too."

You leaned into his touch, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over you. “I don't want to hide it anymore, Bucky.”

Bucky's eyes sparkled with emotion as he pulled you into a tight embrace, holding you close as if he never wanted to let go. "I’m so glad to hear you say that, Cricket. I love you too."

In that moment, you felt that your world was complete. Bucky was everything you needed and he felt the same way about you as you did for him. You craned your neck back to look at his face, and as he caught your eye, Bucky cupped your cheek tenderly. Your hearts beat in unison as he leaned in closer. The tension between you palpable, the air thick with desire. And then, in a moment that seemed to last an eternity, his lips met yours in a soft, tender kiss, his heart soaring as you kissed him back. It was like nothing either of you had ever experienced before. The world around you faded away as you lost yourself in Bucky, your bodies pressed together in a sweet embrace. The kiss was gentle and sensual, filled with a depth of emotion that words could never express.

Eventually Bucky pulled back, gasping a little to fill his lungs with the air he had been deprived of. Even as a super soldier , Bucky still needed oxygen. He blinked in confusion, bewildered by the mischievous twinkle in your eye.

"I win that round, huh?" you said, a playful grin on your face.

"What do you mean? How are you not out of breath?" he asked, his heart still racing from the kiss.

You pointed to the tracheostomy tube in your throat, a small smile playing on your lips, a hint of laughter in your voice. "I can breathe through this, remember? So I win this time, Sergeant Barnes. Whoever breaks the kiss is the loser."

Bucky couldn’t help but laugh with you while shaking his head, feeling a sense of relief washing over him. He had always loved your sense of humor, even in a moment as intimate as this.

*

You sat on the edge of the bed, overjoyed that you had been deemed fit to leave the hospital. As you stared out of the window at the bountiful greenery that surrounded the urban hospital building, Bucky approached you quietly, his footsteps barely making a sound on the sterile floor.

"Hey, Cricket," he said softly, taking a seat beside you. "I heard it's time for you to come home."

You turned to look at him, your eyes filled with happiness. "Hey! That was my news!" you joked.

"Do you want me to get the rest of the team to help move you back home?"

You took a deep breath and looked out the window again, contemplating your response. You had been thinking about this moment for a while now, and you knew you had to be honest with Bucky.

"I appreciate the offer, Bucky, but I don't think I want to go home just yet," you said, your voice steady.

"What?" Bucky's face fell dramatically, panic on his handsome features. But you were ready for this reaction. 

"Look, Buck, I'm not saying I don't want to be with you." You put your hand on his thigh. "I just... it's been a lot, you know? I..."

Bucky looked surprised, but he nodded understandingly. "I get it, Cricket. You've been through a lot and maybe you need more time to heal."

You smiled gratefully at Bucky. "Exactly. And I've been thinking... I want to stay in my apartment and teach at the Academy. I've never lived on my own, been self-sufficient. I went from living with my family, to working for S.H.I.E.L.D., to being an Avenger. I just think it's time for me to be me. I want you to have the best of me."

Bucky sighed, pouting and running a hand through his hair. "But we could use your powers on the team. You're a valuable asset, Cricket." 

"I know," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. “But I need a fresh start. I need to figure out who I am outside of being a superhero or an agent. I want to continue working at the Academy and make a difference in my own way."

Bucky nodded, understanding your need for independence. "I respect that, Cricket. But promise me that if we ever need your help on a mission, you'll be there."

Cricket smiled softly. "Of course, Bucky. I'll always be there when you need me."

Bucky reached out and took your hand, his touch warm and comforting. "I'm going to miss having you around all the time."

You squeezed his hand back, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving your teammates behind. "I'll miss you too, Bucky. But this isn't goodbye forever. We'll still see each other all the time, I promise."

As you sat in silence, the weight of your impending separation hung heavy in the air. But you knew that this was a necessary step for you to find yourself and for your relationship with Bucky to grow stronger.

"What will this mean for us?" he asked, tentatively.

"Well, I hope, a fresh start. One where we can both communicate better with each other."

Bucky grinned at you sheepishly. "I promise, from this point on, I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Even if I'm mad, or sad, or..."

"Horny?"

Both of you burst out laughing, plenty embarrassed and slightly aroused.

"That one is guaranteed." Bucky grazed his finger over your arm, leaving a trail for goosebumps in its wake.

 "I love you, Bucky."

"I love you too, Cricket," Bucky whispered, pressing a kiss to your forehead before reluctantly letting go.

As you prepared to leave the hospital and start your new journey, you felt a mix of emotions - excitement for the future, sadness at leaving your old life behind, but above all, a sense of hope for what was to come. And as you looked out at the greenery outside the window, you knew that you were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. Everything felt different now and with Bucky by your side, you were confident that the two of you could face anything together.

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[abarbaricyalp]

A Precious Few, These Precious Days I'll Spend With You 🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂

"Hey, Uncle Sam? Why are people on the internet mad that you and Bucky broke up?" Cass asked as he sat beside Sam on the front porch and dug out pumpkin seeds from the giant bowl of pumpkin mush.

"'Cause people think they're entitled to an opinion about our lives just because we're in the news a lot," Sam answered and deposited more pumpkin insides directly where Cass had just been almost done with the seeds.

Cass scowled at the bowl but got over it quickly. "Yeah, no, I know that one. You've said that one before," he agreed. "Mostly I meant, why do people on the internet think you and Bucky broke up?"

"What do you mean?" Sam asked in his sneaky-not-sneaky way. The way he always tried to prod for gift ideas while thinking he was being cool about it. He was never cool about it. "You know Bucky is working with a new boss and we decided that was an irreconcilable difference."

Cass rolled his eyes so hard he thought he'd prove his mama right and get them stuck like that. "You're really gonna try'n lie to me, Uncle Sam? He's stealing my Fig Newtons. I saw him the other night. No one else eats those except me and him."

"How is Bucky stealing your cookies from my kitchen?" Sam asked, not cool at all. His not-sneaky side eye had disappeared and now he was staring into the pumpkin like there was anything in it. "He lives in DC now."

"Oh, yeah," Cass added. He wiped his hand on his jeans and ignored Sam's half hollered objection to that. He pulled out his phone and then pulled up a screenshot from a video call. "That's the kitchen you designed, right?" he asked, showing Sam the pretty kitchen Bucky had been walking through on their call.

"Why are you face timing my ex?" Sam asked, reaching to snatch the phone away.

"I'm trying to convince him to cut his hair." Cass kept his phone out of Sam's reach. "And! And-- and that's your head, isn't it?" he added, sliding to another picture and zooming in on a blurry spot over the back of Bucky's couch. He scooted a step away before showing his phone this time.

"Since when do you talk to Bucky on the phone?"

Cass scoffed as he locked his phone back. "I've been talking to Bucky on the phone since the first night he stayed here," he said. "He used to sneak AJ and me snacks after bedtime."

"Of course he did. I don't know what you think you know but you don't know it."

Cass pretended to count out the logic in that sentence and gave up. "What I know is: You and Bucky never broke up. He's still coming down to see you and you see him up in DC. You two made this house together and you made one up there together too. Which is so unfair. That's two of everything! Did you make sure there's a good climbing tree up there? When can I go see it? The house, not the tree. But, yeah, the tree too."

"You can't go see it. It's Bucky's house, not mine. I've never been there." Sam stood, setting aside the pumpkin hastily and retreating inside. "I was stealing your cookies and Bucky obviously just has a type," he said as the screen door shut between them.

Cass scrambled to his feet too, bringing both bowls of pumpkin insides with him before the squirrels could eat all of the seeds like they did last year. He struggled with the door and Sam was no help, but he did get inside. He set the bowls into the sink-- the same kind of farm sink Bucky had in his videos-- with a clatter and followed his uncle into the sun room.

"You're allergic to figs; you're not stealing my cookies. And I think Bucky's type begins and ends with you."

Sam sputtered out an indignation that wasn't actually words. He kept fiddling with his record player and Cass thought about telling him not to turn up the volume to drown out the conversation. He thought about telling him that was the same silly thing AJ did and AJ wasn't even a preteen yet and did he really want to be acting like a kid? Except, yeah, probably. Mama and Sam fought like kids all the time, even though they were always fussing at Cass and AJ to act their ages and behave.

"How come you're pretending to be broken up?" Cass insisted before Sam could get the record set. "It's not like it's gonna fool anyone. Not saying y'all were dating in the first place never fooled anyone."

Sam sighed and set the record down on the cradle but didn't lower the needle. "It's safer this way."

Cass made a face and crossed his arms. He'd turned fifteen two months ago (and there'd been a mysterious package left for him in the kitchen with a note in Bucky's old timey scrawl, imagine that) and everyone kept saying he had become a fine young man. But the old ladies from church still giggled and cooed when he stood like this and tried to tell AJ anything. 'Playing at being grown' they always said. He was really going for more of the fine young man right now.

"Safer like how it was safer for you to move back to DC after you became Captain America?" he asked. "And then you had to come back to save the day anyway?"

Sam shot him a sharp look but he didn't argue. Cass had never met his grandfather and he couldn't remember his daddy much at all, but he was pretty certain that look was down deep in the Wilson Family bones, genetic and otherwise. Still, he prodded closer.

"Do you really think neither of you are gonna go running as soon as the other is in trouble? Or that your bosses and all the other heroes don't know?"

"Cassius Adam," Sam warned.

Cass let out a huff. "I'm not gonna tell anyone. I didn't even tell AJ or mama. AJ would sit up looking for him all night of he thought he might be around."

Sam kind of flinched and Cass wasn't sure why. He hadn't meant it in a mean way. He wasn't even really being mean to AJ. It was just true. AJ was obsessed with Bucky and would search for him in every shadow if he might be there.

"Good, you shouldn't tell anyone," Sam said instead of addressing anything else more important that Cass had been talking about. "Remember how he used to play spies with you? Play spies again. You can't talk to anyone about anything he's doing. Even if it's just hanging out in the kitchen or whatever."

Cass already knew all of that. That's why he hadn't said anything. He'd been living with Captain America and the Winter Soldier for more than three years now. He knew how to handle it. It was kind of insulting that Uncle Sam didn't think he had this down pat.

"I'm not gonna spill," he said. "But you shouldn't lie either. What if something happens and mama doesn't know what to do, huh?"

"Happens with what?" Sam asked. He leaned back against the record stand and crossed his arms, a mirror of Cass, just a little to the left. "With Bucky? That has nothing to do with you, your brother, or your mama, alright?"

"No, but it has to do with you. What if you go running off to save him and something happens and you didn't tell anyone anything 'cause you're pretending like you don't like each other? Then what?"

"And you think that rescuing me is gonna be your responsibility?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cass felt his cheeks heat a little. Yes, yes he did, actually. He was getting old enough for it. Elijah wasn't that much older than him when Sam first met him. "It's gotta be somebody's responsibility," he answered levelly, instead of saying any of that, cause that would just lead to a new lecture and possibly getting grounded for the rest of his life.

"It's not your responsibility," Sam corrected. "I've got grown ups helping me. Your responsibility is geometry." He pushed himself off of the record stand. The record was still on it, which Cass knew would drive Sam nuts once he remembered it in a few hours.

"If you're saving Bucky, who has your back?" Cass countered as Sam tugged on one of his curls and walked by.

"Torres," Sam answered easily.

"Nuh-uh," Cass argued. "Torres isn't an adult. You said he can't even babysit 'cause he'll let us try the wings." Cass followed after Sam back into the house and into his bedroom. He pointedly tossed one of Bucky's hoodies from the floor into the hamper.

Sam ignored him. "Just 'cause I don't trust Torres to keep you two on the ground doesn't mean I don't trust him for other things."

"That doesn't even make sense. Uncle Sam!" he whined and threw himself across the bed dramatically. He clutched the edges of the old Wilson quilt (which Sam had totally stolen from the house when he moved out) and rolled twice to wrap himself in it. "You're supposed to have backup. Bucky is your backup."

Sam pulled down the top edge of the quilt so he could see Cass's face. He sat beside him and rubbed at the approximate location of Cass's shoulder. "You're really worried about me, huh?"

"No," Cass lied. "I just don't like you and Bucky lying to us. I don't like you two being separate either. It's easier knowing you have each other's backs."

"Well, sometimes things happen and we can't have the security blanket we want," Sam started to explain, choosing his words carefully. "Bucky and I are both going to be okay, even if we aren't together. And sometimes a little bit of a lie can help. Superheroes. A little bit of a lie can help superheroes, not fifteen year olds. Bucky is running his own mission and having Captain America on his tail constantly isn't going to help him. And the same thing for me. Captain America needs a little bit of distance from what Bucky's doing."

Cass glowered and flipped the blanket over his face again. "That's lying," he insisted. "Nothing good comes from lying."

"I can't believe your mama is keeping that old phrase going," Sam sighed. "Look, can you be bribed?"

Cass lowered the blanket down again. "With what?"

"I'll let you know when he's around and it's safe, alright? You can come hang out with us if you want. You can see that we're alright."

Cass watched his uncle's face for any sign of a lie and he parsed out the offer for any possible ways out of it. Sure, Sam could say every visit was too dangerous, but Cass was pretty certain he wouldn't.

"Like spies?" he asked cautiously. "Just us?"

"Just us until your brother puts it together too," Sam agreed. "Just like spies."

After a moment of more consideration, Cass nodded. "Fine. I'll stop complaining and I won't tell anyone about it unless something goes wrong."

Sam grimaced a little (Cass knew he wanted to argue with that part about things going wrong) but he nodded too. "It's a deal."

Cass flipped the blanket over his face again and did another half roll so he wasn't facing Sam. "Can we put cinnamon sugar on some of the seeds?" he asked. "I don't like it when they're all hot."

Sam laughed a little and he sounded kind of relieved at the change in conversation. "Sweet pumpkin seeds?" he asked. "I've never tried that before. I bet we can make it work."

Yeah, Cass thought to himself, they could make this work.

[aurorawest]

Reading update

The Restless Dark by Erica Waters - 4.25/5 stars

Genuinely good YA thriller.

The Stagsblood Prince by Gideon E Wood - 4.25/5 stars

This one ripped my heart out and I am going to be PISSED if there isn't a happy ending in the third book in the trilogy.

You First by JC Lillis - 4.25/5 stars

You'd think a book that is essentially an Incredibles AU would be lighthearted, right? You wouldn't think you'd practically be sobbing by the end? Haha! You thought wrong!

Wranglestone by Darren Charlton - 4.25/5 stars

I initially rated this 4.25 stars but honestly I might bump it up to 4.5. It's a zombie story but it was really well done, and I ordered the second book in the series the minute I finished this one.

The Falcon and the Foe by AJ Truman - 3.75/5 stars

Felix Silver, Teaspoons, & Witches by Harry Cook - DNF

This one was too Middle Grade for me.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers - 3.5/5 stars

So I won my local indie bookstore's trivia in March and the first place prize was a bunch of books that I never would have picked up on my own, including this one. I bumped it to the front of my TBR pile because I thought it would make a good comp for the manuscript I'm editing - it's about a woman who meets and drunkenly marries a stranger in Vegas, then falls in love with her afterwards. The book is really not a romance though, and is actually about burnout. I might have rated it higher if it didn't sell itself as a romance.

All the Better Part of Me by Molly Ringle - 4.25/5 stars

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley - 5/5 stars

"What if France won the Napoleonic Wars because of time travelers" shouldn't have shattered me the way this book did, but of course it's a Natasha Pulley novel so it absolutely did. There isn't a single one of her books that don't live in my mind rent free for apparently the rest of time after I read them, but man. I'm not sure if this one hurt as much as The Lost Future of Pepperharrow, but it's pretty close. Missouri Kite is the most Gay Little Man™. And Joe, poor Joe. The PINING. The YEARNING. When the reveal happens, I had to go back and read prior sections of the book and good god do they hit different. Different and SADDER. AKDJF;AKDJFKDAFJ;D JUST PLEASE READ IT PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

A Destiny of Dragons by TJ Klune - DNF

Not only did I DNF this, I removed the rest of the series from my TBR pile and will be offloading them at my local indie bookstore's next book buy-back. I think the worst part of this one was that he dedicated it to his eighth grade English teacher, who apparently told him his stories would never amount to anything. And like. What an awful thing for a teacher to tell a kid (sidebar, my eighth grade English teacher is one of the reasons I started to really take writing seriously, she was amazingly supportive - thank you, Mrs. Brzezinski!). But reading this series is like...you know, she might have had a point. I KID I KID WE ALL KNOW KLUNE ACTUALLY CAN WRITE but holy shit again, this series is so bad. The writing was a little better than The Lightning-Struck Heart but the characters are so fucking annoying. The term Mary Sue gets thrown around a lot and I'm generally not a fan of its application (since usually it's used to tear down teenage girls) but Sam of Wilds is such a fucking Mary Sue (or Gary Stu, I guess, but down with the gender binary, let's just have one word). Everyone wants to have sex with him and while it may have been sort of funny at first (it wasn't), by book 2, the joke has worn extremely thin. Also there's a prophecy about him, because of course there is. And he's the most powerful wizard ever. And yeah, I've read a lot of books where there's a prophecy about the MC and they're the Most Powerful Magic Person Ever, but they're usually not this annoying.

Chainbreaker by Tara Sim - 5/5 stars

This is book 2 of a really interesting and original fantasy/steampunk series. I really enjoyed the first one but this one was even better. It takes place in a world where time running correctly is controlled by clock towers. The main character is a clock mechanic (obviously an important job) who falls in love with the clock spirit of the town of Enfield (delightful, since my wife is from Enfield and it's not a place you often see mentioned in fiction). This book raises the stakes of the first one and takes place largely in India. Highly recommend.

Stormhaven by Jordan L Hawk - 4.25/5 stars

Game Changer by Rachel Reid - 4/5 stars

Is this the OG m/m hockey book? There was something very quaint about it haha.

The Best Man's Problem by Sera Taíno - DNF

I'm beginning to realize that I don't really like books where the family is given equal importance to the romance.

Arctic Wild by Annabeth Albert - 4/5 stars

Hummingbird Heartbreak by Max Walker - 2.75/5 stars

I found Dusty's reaction to the reveal of Brandon's past to be over-the-top and unreasonable (like, unreasonable within the context of the story - obviously characters can react unreasonably to things, but it still needs to make sense for them!). I probably would have rated this 3 stars if not for that, because it's a sweet enough love story.

The World We Make by NJ Jemisin - 2.5/5 stars

NK Jemisin, please do not read this. Jemisin has been open about how difficult this book was to write, and about the fact that she couldn't handle the trilogy she'd planned and took it down to a duology, and…unfortunately, it shows. I loved the first book but this one was a disappointing finale. The pacing was uneven and the character development stalled. Plot threads were introduced and either vanished (Bronca's new girlfriend) or were resolved in a way that felt unearned (the mayoral race, Manny's true identity, honestly the whole big conflict). Aislyn was an interesting character who ultimately felt underutilized. I actually, physically cringed at a couple points during this book—the coda was really just one long cringe, and the other moment was when Brooklyn calls...Beyonce. Who is an old friend. But then Beyonce is never brought up again and I couldn't tell you what the purpose of her inclusion in the book was. I'm sure some people love that kind of stuff but I can't stand it.

I did really love the other cities though! If Jemisin ever returned to this universe, I'd read a book about Faiyum in a heartbeat. His snark and his gay little crocodile earring were chef's kiss.

Jemisin is a fabulous writer and all my issues with this book feel like the result of an author forcing herself to write something she wasn't feeling and just wanted to be done with. Disappointing all the same since I had really been looking forward to this one.

The Sugared Game by KJ Charles - 5/5 stars

It is not possible to go wrong with an AJ Charles book and this one is no exception. I love Kim and Will so much, and I really really hope the third book builds on the trust they established in this one.

Sixteen Souls by Rose Talbot - 3.75/5 stars

I liked this book but I did find myself, at the climax, wondering why on earth living people would sacrifice themselves to save ghosts from...being more dead? Like. They're...already dead.

[fatbiatchforever]

Out of Time (Pt. 5)

This is super long but I had to. Everything felt like an absolute necessity. Sorry guys.

Were you embarrassed by the kind of role model you were becoming for your son? YES! But, honestly, you needed the alcohol to keep your mind from spiraling out of control. That's why Riley's birthday was a blur at the end.

You were cleaning the kitchen when the phone rang, "Yo."

"Hey Y/N."

"Oh, hey Cass! What's up?"

"Can we come over? We got this new game and it's soooo cool. Xander needs to play it."

You laughed, "Come over. Why are you even asking?"

"She said yes! Can we go now?" Cass shouted.

You heard the phone being passed around till Sam was on the line, "Heyyyyyy."

"Hey, what's happening?"

"They want to come over."

"Okay, come over then."

Sam lowered his voice, "There's a tiny detail that I'm not sure about."

"What?"

"So I have some work to care of-"

"Ok, I can look after Riley and the boys."

"I got them a baby sitter."

"Cool."

"Right, but I need to leave right now. So, the baby sitter would have to drop them off."

You were getting a tiny bit agitated at this point, "Sam, I'm failing to see the problem over here."

"You know the baby sitter."

"Great, I have company while the kids have fun. What's the issue?"

"The company. I don't think you'll be a fan."

"Nooooooo-"

"Yessssssss."

"Sam! Really?!"

"Y/N, I tried. The boys wouldn't stop bothering me. You should have known something was wrong when Cass asked if he could come over!" Sam whisper yelled, "We're not civilized like that!"

"I can't believe you! How the," you lowered your voice, "fuck did you get Bucky to babysit?"

"It's an emergency. He offered and I said yes! I didn't know the boys would start this. If you think about it, it's their fault."

"You. Are. Unbelievable. He's there right now, isn't he?"

"Mhmmm."

"I'm going to kill myself."

"I'll give the phone back to Cass. Just say something came up and you can't do today."

"But he would know."

"Nah, Cass believes everything."

"No, Bucky!"

"What about him?"

"Cass announced I said yes. Since you're speaking in a lower voice, he knows we're talking about him and probably listening to our conversation because of that damn serum. He would know I'm saying no because of him."

"And it matters?"

"Yeah! I don't want him to think I can't face him."

"But you cannot?"

"Excuse me! I can!"

"Then it's settled. Bucky will be there with the kids in few."

You were dead serious, "Sam,"

"Yeah?"

"If I get to know that all of you are planning something behind my back, I swear on my kid, that shield will split your head in two. Am I clear?"

"Sweet Jesus! We're not planning anything."

"Fine."

You wanted to smash the phone on the counter. You knew you would have to face him again. Especially, since he's back now. But the thought of him coming to your home felt like a lot.

"Xander," you walked inside his room, "Cass, AJ and Riley are coming over. Could you please clean up a bit?"

He stood up and jumped, "Yes! I can show them my new toys ma!"

You sat on the ground and looked at his drawing book, "Uhuh. What are you drawing?"

He picked it up and weaseled his way into your lap. You laughed and moved your hands so he could sit comfortably, "You're lucky you're cute."

He pointed to the drawing, "That's me. And that's you." 

"Wowwww!"

"I'm a super hero and I'm strong enough to pick you up and save you from the monsters."

"You look handsome." You kiss his hair and hug him tighter. 

Xander whined, "Ma, you're messing the drawing!"

"Oops. I love this. You're my favorite superhero for sure."

"Really?" He turned his cute, small face towards yours.

"Hell yeah! And it's only fair my favorite superhero's artwork is displayed right. Xander, could I please display this marvelous piece of art on our fridge?"

With that he zoomed off to the kitchen. You followed him into the kitchen, where you found him standing infront of the refrigerator.

"Any idea where?"

"In the middle." He pointed. You took the paper from him and placed the drawing in the middle, "Perfection."

"Perfection." He repeated.

"Xander, your room. Please?"

The bell rang. 

You felt it in your stomach. You frowned internally as Xander happily ran to the door. You dragged your feet to the door and looked down at him,

"Saved by the bell."

You opened the door and that feeling intensified by million. But this time it was different. It was like you had butterflies. Similar the ones you had the first time you met him. Maybe because he looked the way you met him the first time. The short hair, the stubble, the dark blue shirt with his leather jacket, the faded black skinny jeans and that small smile on his face. Riley and the baby bag were additions that made him look soft and some might say even hotter. Not to mention, he was looking at you too. That made your stomach form infinite knots. 

You cleared your throat and looked down at Xander leaping on the boys to give hugs. 

"Hey guys!"

"Hey Y/N!" Both of them replied. Riley cooed in his arms.

"Oh my god!" Xander screamed.

You looked at him, "What?"

"Ma THAT'S BUCKY!"

Yep, you're four year old son had finally recognized his favorite superhero. Was it a big fuck you when Xander deemed Bucky his favorite out of every avenger? Yes, Sam took it the hardest though. Now that Bucky looked similar to every toy he has out there, it would be a miracle if he didn't get tackled by kids.

Bucky looked shocked but you knew he would enjoy it. It annoyed you a bit. Why was he put on a pedestal when you were there since day one? You didn't leave. 

You knew that wasn't fair, but you weren't in the mood to be rational.

Xander moved really close to Bucky and looked up, "Can I fight aliens with you?"

"Xander, let them breathe, huh?"

Bucky smiled, "We can talk about it."

Xander shrieked again and turned to you, "YES! I'm going to smash everyone."

"Okay hulk. Boys, come in."

All three ran to Xander's room.

"Heyyyy Riley." You took her and bounced on your hips, "You're literally cutest kid ever."

She giggled as you continued to bounce her on your hips. You looked at him again. He was smiling till he noticed you looking at him and cooled it down.

"Hey."

"Hey, sorry for bothering you."

"They're welcome anytime."

Bucky nodded and handed you the bag, "Call me when they're done and I'll pick them up."

"I don't have your number."

"Oh,"

You internally groaned again, "Do you want to come in and wait?"

He wasn't expecting that, "uhm," you could see the struggle on his face, "I, Uhm- okay."

You walked in with Riley. You turned back to watch Bucky awkwardly step in and close the door.

You whispered, "Do you like him? It's okay if you don't Riri."

You handed Xander's figurine to her and placed her on the counter.

"Do you want anything to drink? Coffee?"

Bucky stopped ogling every corner of your living room and looked at you, "You drink coffee?" 

"Nooo." You laughed, "Do you really think I can take that?"

"With a cup of sugar and a drop of coffee, I still see you complaining." He stood behind the counter. Exactly behind Riley, you noticed.

"Mhm, so is that a yes?"

"Yeah." Bucky pulled Riley closer to him, so you could move.

"You don't drink coffee but you have a coffee machine?"

You grabbed a mug, "Adrian. He "gifted" it to me. A lousy excuse for him to have coffee when he's here."

"Oh."

You looked back at that Oh. As if he was annoyed by what you said.

Riley's cries grabbed both of yours attention. The panic on Bucky's face stifled a laugh in you. You picked Riley up and smelled the problem.

"Damn. Let's get you out of that."

You looked at confused Bucky, "Could you get me the bag?"

He shook his head and grabbed the bag instantly.

"There should be this flower mat kinda thing. Could you lay that out?"

You laid Riley on the mat, "On the side, there's a blue troll. Hand me that please?"

He looked at you for confirmation before passing it to you.

"Here you go Riri." 

"Get me the wipes and the powder."  

Bucky handed you everything as you asked him to. You did steal few glances at him. He looked at everything you were doing so intently. Doing everything you asked of him. You knew where this was going and you stopped yourself from feeling all of that.

"And voila. Riri is a happy baby again."

Bucky stepped in to hold Riley as you threw the diaper away.

"Thanks do- Y/N."

FUCK NO! He wasn't.

"F-For?"

"For being there. To change her diaper."

"Oh, I had the fortune to change a lot of diapers on my own. So, I know the drill."

Bucky looked away, "Right."

"You were great. I'm sure you'll get it soon."

"Yeah, if I have you right beside me every time."

Your eyes spoke panic and his spoke panic. But, comfort. What he said radiated comfort. Fuck, this radiated comfort. Four years ago Y/N would have swooned at how domestic this was. But that was four years ago Y/N. Right?

"Bucky?"

Both of you looked away and looked at the source.

"Yeah?"

"Can I show you my kick move?" Xander asked.

"Xander, let-"

"Of course."

"Let's go."

Bucky turned to you. You took Riley from him, "Thanks. He loves you and he's just excited."

"Anytime."

———

After Xander tried to convince Bucky to let him come to his next fight, everyone hurdled in front of the TV to play the new game. Riley was crawling around as the boys taught Bucky how to play.

You knew all of this wasn't right. But, it felt like old times- watching AJ and Cass teach Bucky to play their new games. This was even better because, UGH you didn't want to admit, but seeing Bucky interact with Xander was... cute. And not to mention Riley occasionally trying to steal Bucky's attention was extra cute.

You were having an internal fight. Whether you should allow yourself to feel or not?

"Y/N?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Here's your coffee."

Bucky sat down and took a sip. That smile again.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Come on."

"It's different."

"I added a spoon of sugar. Do you need more?"

"No. I mean, it's different when you make it. In a good way."

Your cheeks heated up, so you turned back to look at anything else.

"So, how's life back?"

"I found a place."

"The while is getting longer then."

"Mhm."

You took the plate out and the rolls from the fridge.

"When you moving in?"

"I moved in."

"Damn." You placed two on the plate, "You've got everything, right?"

You clicked on 30 seconds and turned back.

"Yeah."

"More than a mattress and a tv?"

He huffed, "Yes Y/N." 

"Good good."

You took the plate out and dumped heaves of cream cheese. He liked it like that. You kept the plate in front of him, "Cinnamon rolls anyone?"

The boys didn't even bother replying to you.

"That's a no."

"They're missing out. You made this?" He ate as if someone would take it away from him in next ten seconds.

You smiled, "Yeah."

"I missed your baking."

You laughed, "Thanks." 

Then, it settled. What he just said.

"Can I ask you something?"

You nodded.

"How old is Xander?"

"Four."

You could see the gears turning in his head. You laughed, "I popped him out the minute you dipped."

Bucky immediately tensed up, "Y/N."

"Oh, NO. Nope. No, I adopted Xander."

"Oh," 

"Yeah."

"Why? I mean,"

You shrugged, "I was where I wanted to be work wise and I felt like I was ready for my family. So, I looked into the process. A year later, I had my kid. When I started it, I never thought something would happen. But having him in my arms was the most realest thing I've ever felt."

Bucky smiled, openly at that, "He's amazing."

"Yeah. My best impulsive decision ever."

"Are you, Uhm, you know." 

You raised your eyebrows, "I don't."

"Y/N,"

"What? Tell me."

"Are you with someone?"

"Nope. Are you?"

"Nope."

"Cool cool cool cool cool. Why?"

He shrugged and looked back to check on Riley, "No reason."

"Are we ever going to talk about what happened?"

[terry-perry]

Revenna the cat with dad!steve and aj on a rainy day

A.J. was a smart boy, he knew right away that something was up. His dad had been home for over a month now, but things were still pretty off. This was especially true when it came to how he interacted with his mom. They didn't hug and kiss as much as they used to, and when they did, it was always his dad that initiated things while his mom just stood there and took the affection. She was doing her best to smile everything away, but A.J. knew better.

"Why did you leave?"

Steve turned his attention away from the window and put it on his son. This was the first time one of the kids brought up what happened. He and Y/N tried to do what they could to keep things civil for the kids' sake. No doubt there was still tension between them, and Y/N meant it when she said it would take time for them to go back to what they once were with how they've been sleeping in separate rooms and most focus goes on the kids. At this point, they're more co-parents than a married couple.

"I just thought it was the best thing to do, at the time," Steve sighed. He looked down at the little furball on his lap. Revna peered up at him as though also wanting an explanation. No doubt she has been better company for his wife than him. "There was a bad guy I knew who got out of prison, and I was afraid he would come after you guys. I wanted to make sure that didn't happen."

"But if you left, he could still come and get us,"

Steve hummed in response. He knew that was true. It was a very reckless and stupid move to leave them when Sam told him about Zemo. He could've just as easily come after them if he was gone. Thinking about it now, his children could've been even more vulnerable without his presence. Y/N was just as strong, if not, more with her magic. He kept using that as reasoning for leaving to hunt the man down himself.

"We needed you here dad," A.J. said, now looking at him. "Mom needed you."

He knew that. He should've known that when he left. Maybe a part of him was missing his time as Captain America more than he realized. Maybe he just isn't used to hearing life-altering news as a mere bystander. He does the occasional recruiting the way Fury would, but not as intensely due to his kids. It's mostly reporting and offering words of wisdom. The shady things Fury would do to make colleagues get in line like twisting the truth or hiding evidence wasn't something Steve could do. But leaving his family was apparently okay.

"I know, and I'm sorry I left,"

"Are you gonna leave again?"

Steve didn't realize how much of an impact his leaving would make. He should've, especially with how much it broke his own heart to leave them. His kids were smarter than he gave him credit for, definitely something they got from their mother.

"No, son," he mumbled, pulling A.J. to him so they could share a small snuggle with the family cat Revna. "I'm not going anywhere."

He would do better. He's no longer Captain America, after all.

[starryevermore]

✍🏼 can you do a headcanon of bringing alpine home and bucky is not happy about it but he ends up loving that cat with everything in him?

here kitty kitty

pairing: bucky barnes x fem!reader

word count: 530

warnings: fluff, bucky pretends he doesn't like alpine, pet name (doll)

note: whoops i missed this was supposed to be a head canon, but a blurb's just as good 😅

Bucky had a strict "no pet" policy. He just wasn't an animal guy, he said. But you thought that was complete and utter bullshit. The man melted when Sarah got AJ and Cass a dog. He loved playing with the kitties at the local florist whenever he'd pick you up a bouquet. Hell, he even loved talking to birds (but he'd insist to Sam that birds are objectively the worst animal). Bucky Barnes was an animal person, even if he refused to admit it.

Besides, he'd definitely like this kitty.

Alpine, as the shelter had named her, was the absolute sweetest kitty. You had gone in with no intent on adopting, just wanting to play with some of the animals they had. It was a good stress relief for you, and it was a lot of fun for the sweet fur babies. But when the little white fluff ball kept crawling into your lap, purring contently as you pet her, you knew she'd already won over your heart.

Now, she just had to win over Bucky's.

And you had perfect plan on how to do it.

"What's that?" he grumbled, his eyes narrowing at the kitty.

"This is Alpine, and she's gonna be your best friend," you said, holding her up to Bucky. She let out a quiet meow as she tried to wriggle out of your hands and into Bucky's arms. "She already likes you. Which means she's got good taste."

"I said no pets, doll," he said.

"And Alpine isn't a pet. She's a friend. If anything, she's more like a daughter."

"Doll..."

You pouted. "Just give it a shot, please?"

"...fine."

"Oh, and don't forget, I'm gonna be outta town for Nat's bachelorette party this weekend, so you and Alpine will have plenty of time to bond!"

When you got back Sunday evening, you were fully expecting to see Bucky still pouting about your new baby. You never expected to see what you walked into.

The entire apartment was decked out in cat toys and cat trees, and everything cat themed. You almost wondered if Bucky had become a crazy cat lady while you were gone. He must've bought every single thing Alpine could've ever wanted from the pet store. The kitty was being treated like a goddamn princess.

And Bucky himself? He'd gotten a custom sweatshirt that read "Ask Me About My Cat" with a little white kitty in the likeness of Alpine embroidered just below the words.

"Well, well, well," you said, crossing your arms and staring down at him as he cradled Alpine in his arms. "What do we have here?"

"I'm just cuddling my baby, doll," he said.

"And here I thought you didn't like cats."

"Now where'd you get an idea like that from?" he teased. "I've always liked cats. You know that, doll."

"Sure, I'll pretend I believe that," you said. "Now tell Alpine to move over. She's been spoiled enough with your lovin'. It's my turn now."

"No need to fight doll, there's plenty of Bucky lovin' to go around!" he laughed, opening his arms and letting you curl into his side. "I love you."

"And I love you too."

[londonalozzy]

Stop Pretending (TFATWS)

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Genre: Romance, Angst

Summary: The reader thinks she's doing a stellar job of keeping her feelings for a certain soldier buried deep inside. Turns out, all it takes is an observant new friend to begin the unraveling of her most precious secret (Spoilers for TFATWS)

Masterlist

Word: Pretence

Definition: A way of acting that is intended to deceive people.

Example: Saying that he's just a friend when he's really the love of your life.

Your POV

Being caught in the midst of war is something that I, (Y/N) (Y/L/N)  know all too well. As a war vet, former shield agent, and now Avenger I'm used to being centered amongst conflict. When the fight begins within me though, a battle between what I want and what I think is right, how will I react? Will I listen to my heart, my head, or will the winner be chosen for me?

Delacroix, Louisiana.....

I love my sleep, always have, always will. It's not necessarily the comfort of the bed, the quiet or even the rest. It's the fact that I'm at peace when I sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, so anything that will put that off for as long as possible I savor.

I wish it were the same for a certain super soldier in my life. I look forward to going to bed, everything calms down then, and for most people it's the same. For Bucky however, it's when everything starts, the nightmares, the terrors, the seemingly unending darkness. If only I could take his pain away like he has with mine.

For the last few weeks, my life had, for want of a better word, been hectic. Hectic to say the least.

After the eventual defeat of Thanos and the loses we endured as a result, I thought naively that life might calm down a bit, that I'd have time to breathe, to live. How wrong I was.

It all began with John Walker being announced to the world as the new Captain America.

I was baking cookies with Morgan in the Stark family kitchen when it came over the radio. As that latest turn of events sunk in, my first thoughts were of Bucky, what that would do to him. Not even an hour later I had said my goodbyes and was on my way to help him get the shield back.

Since then even more had happened. We'd regrouped with Sam, busted Zemo out of prison which in turn ruffled the feathers of Ayo and the Dora Milaje. We came face to face with Morgenthou and the Flag Smashers, and finally witnessed the man who thought he could even compete with Steve, make himself judge, jury and most significantly executioner.

After that went around the world we knew we had to end it sooner rather than later. It couldn't get much worse than Captain America becoming a murderer. We got the shield back, which was a fight all in itself. Handed Zemo over to Ayo, to try and recompense for the distrust we'd instilled in the people who'd helped us so much. Then we travelled to stay with Sam and his family in Louisiana whilst we waited for Karli's next move.

This is where we found ourselves now, in the eye of it, the calm before the storm.

Waking up in the Wilson households guest room, I was greeted to the golden hue of the rising sun penetrating through the single glaze windows, and the melodic sounds of gulls on the hunt for their morning meal down by the docks.

Actually, no that's not right. What I could hear was most certainly not birds, and it was definitely not melodic. What were those boys doing?

Quickly and quietly I threw on the first clothes I could get my hands on and made my way downstairs towards the noise. What caught my attention when I discovered the source, was not the two youngest Wilson boys playing with our newly reacquired shield in the living room, but the super solider who was blissfully ignorant to it all, sleeping peacefully on the couch in front of them. I don't think I'd ever been so happy.

"Right you two, if you're determined to play Avengers all morning then I suggest you re-assemble in the back yard. You're gonna wake Bucky up," I whispered out in one breath, stepping between the boys, then placing my hands on their backs and tip toeing them towards the door.

"So what if we wake him up? It's gone 10am," Cass questioned in protest, pulling on his sneakers and jacket.

"Exactly! Which is why if you do as I say, I will make you the biggest plate of waffles for breakfast that you've ever seen."

The boys eyes lit up. "Can we have ice cream with it? Mum never lets us have ice cream for breakfast, and I'm sure there's a tub of Stark raving hazelnuts in the freezer," AJ clapped in muted excitement. "Oh, for God's sake.....Yes. You can have whatever you want if you get out of this house now and keep the noise down."

Once the boys were outside, I made my way over to the kitchen, stopping on the way to lean over my favourite senior citizen and make sure that he was still peaceful in his slumber. He'd never looked so relaxed, so at ease. It was a brand new Bucky I'd never seen before, a Bucky that had my heart pounding for him even more than it normally did. Not that he knew any of that.

Half an hour later and up to my elbows in waffle mix, I failed to notice my new friend and host Sarah making her way to my side at the counter, the huge smile on my face not going unnoticed. "What's got you grinning like the Cheshire cat, like I need to ask?"

"Bucky's sleeping. Isn't it amazing?" I spoke softly, bouncing up and down on my feet as I did so.

"And why is that?" She couldn't looked more confused if she tried.

"In all the years I've known him, I don't think I've ever woken up before he has. If his nightmares don't keep him awake all night, they normally have him up before the crack of dawn. I don't think I've ever seen him so still."

"Good answer," Sarah nodded in a hush, understanding why this meant so much to me, but not done yet with her morning interrogations, "Now on to my next question......"

"I'm already not liking the sound of this."

"Sleeping Beauty over there follows you around like a little puppy dog. He hangs on your every word, looks at you like you hung the stars or something. It's pretty obvious how crazy he is about you, so when are you gonna stop pretending that you're not head over heels in love with him?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Wilson," I smiled forcefully, making out like the waffle maker deserved my attention way more than the conversation I was being made to have.

This was all Sam's doing, without a shadow of a doubt. He'd tried to have this conversation with me on multiple occasions and I shut him down every time. He obviously hadn't given up like I thought he did, and decided to draft in his sister. He is seriously gonna regret it when I find him.

"Sure you know what I'm talking about. Sam sees it, I don't even know you that well and I see it. The only reason Bucky doesn't, is because he doesn't believe he could ever be that lucky. You're a smitten kitten." These Wilson's are all as annoying as each other.

Knowing I wasn't getting out of this one, I grabbed Sarah by the arm and pulled her right into the corner of the room, trying my best to keep this convo as private as possible. "Look, I'm not pretending.....I'm ignoring. There's a difference."

"Care to explain what that difference is?" Sarah spoke softly, but with a sarcastic air.

Turning to look over my shoulder at the subject of our conversation, making sure he was still safely in the land of nod, I decided to just be honest. Sarah was much like her brother. Once she wanted to get to the bottom of something she wasn't about to give up.

"I love Bucky, more than I've ever loved anyone...and that terrifies me," the rawness of finally being honest making my voice shake, and tears come to my eyes. "Nat was like my sister, and she's dead. Tony was the closest I've ever gotten to having a Dad...and he's dead too. Then there's Steve, Vision, God knows where Wanda is....Everyone I love, either leaves or dies. If I admit my feelings for Buck then I face the risk of losing him too."

"Do you have any idea how crazy you sound right now? He's not going to die because you love him (Y/N)."

Silent tears were falling now. I was revealing my deepest fears to a woman I'd only known a few days, and I'm not underplaying it when I say it was like a colossal weight off my chest, a release I didn't know I needed. "Believe me...I know, but I can't take that risk. I can't lose anyone else, especially not him."

"Let's just say for a second that you're right, that there is some higher power somewhere, set on destroying everyone you love. Do you really think ignoring your feelings is going to make them disappear?" I didn't know what to say to that. "Natasha and Stark died so that everyone could continue living, and (Y/N) you're not living as long as you keep this to yourself. They wouldn't want that for you."

"But what if I lose him?" I whispered with a choked sigh.

"Then at least he'll die knowing how you felt about him. After everything he's been through don't you think he deserves to know there's someone out there who loves him like you do?"

"Of course..."

Sarah's lips pulled upwards in a satisfied smirk, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze, "then you owe it to yourself, and to him, to tell him the truth."

"Why do all you Wilson's have to be so clever?" I voiced in mock irritation, pushing her away from me and acting like I was annoyed she had gotten one up on me.

"I don't know," she thought aloud and with a cheeky grin, grabbing a plate to start piling on the long forgotten waffles, "I think it might be the sea air or something."

"Nah, it's in the genes," I chuckled quietly, grabbing my jacket and deciding it was time to get this conversation wrapped up. "I'll go find Sam and the boys for breakfast. Clear my head a little bit."

"You promise you're gonna tell him?" Sarah stopped me as I went to push the door open.

"I'll think about it."

3rd person POV

Once (Y/N) was out of ear shot, Sarah couldn't help but start jumping up and down in excitement, clapping her hands loudly as she did so. That went even better than she thought it would, and she was so proud of herself. Sarah Wilson could now add matchmaker to her resume.

"Coast is clear Barnes. You can open your eyes now."

(Y/N) had no idea what she had metaphorically walked into just minutes earlier, entering that very revealing conversation with her overly inquisitive host.

What drew Sarah to come down that morning was the sounds of both the front porch door opening and the smell of homemade waffles wafting up the stairs. As she entered the kitchen she was met with two sights. One being (Y/N), facing the counter and looking very smiley, the other being a wide awake super soldier who was just laying on the couch and staring at her, the sole object of his affection. Sarah could work with this.

Every time (Y/N) turned back in his direction, Bucky would close his eyes and pretend to be asleep again. He had never slept so soundly, so peacefully, thoughts of (Y/N) and his new friends filling his nightmare free dreams.

He'd initially woken to (Y/N) ushering the boys outside because she was afraid they would wake him up. He didn't want to disappoint her by proving her right. Besides, he liked just watching her move around the kitchen, completely unaware he was observing her the whole time. He had no idea about the conversation that was just about to happen.

After (Y/N) had left and Sarah had confirmed so, Bucky sat himself up, his body shaking with adrenaline and a look of complete shock fixed on his face. Had he definitely woken up, or had the whole thing been a part of his dream? Did (Y/N) seriously just admit that she was in love with him?

Bucky didn't know how to react, didn't know what to say as he looked up at a smug Sarah from his spot. All he'd ever wanted was for (Y/N) to feel the same way about him as he did about her. Now he knew that she did.

"You're welcome by the way."

[smilexcaptainx]

Nights Like These

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Request: Hello! Could you do an imagine with Bucky Barnes where Bucky and Y/N are asked to watch over Sam's nephews AJ and Cass? The two absolutely despise each other, but they both love the kids. Late at night, Y/N decides to take the boys out without telling Bucky. She dodges all his calls and ignores all his texts. The three end up getting in trouble later on. You can decide how it ends. Thank you!

Warning(s): None

A/N: Thanks for requesting! I hope you enjoy!

Word Count: 1.9K

masterlist

"Boys! What in the world are you two doing?!" Sam shouted, entering the house to his two nephews fooling around with each other. "You two need to be careful with that shield."

"We know," The two boys answered in unison, both sounding equally as guilty. "Where's Y/N?"

"Y/N?" Bucky echoed, sitting up on the couch. Sam shrugged nonchalantly. Bucky's face immediately fell into an irked expression. "Sam, don't tell me you—"

The words of Bucky were cut off by your loud entrance into the home, holding two full bags of groceries in brown paper bags. You were going to ask Sam where to put the food, but instead you met the unamused brown eyes of the man you hated, Bucky Barnes.

"You've got to be kidding me," You and Bucky complained simultaneously. Sam chuckled. You both snapped your irritated glares at Sam. "Sam, I'm going to kill you."

"You both are even speaking the same sentences," Sam teased, laughing at the fact you and Bucky spoke the same exact same thing at the same exact time. "Anyways, I obviously had to tell you both separately because I know if you both knew, you wouldn't have agreed to do it."

"Sam, you truly suck," You called out, placing the groceries down on the little table across the couch. You sensed the malicious scowl that Bucky was offering you. "As much as I love AJ and Cassie, I don't want to watch them with this idiot."

"Please Y/N!" AJ screamed, running up to you. He fell onto his knees, causing his brother to do the exact thing. "Please please please."

You blew out a long breath of air, soon to smile down at the two little boys begging you to stay. You had to admit, the love you had for the kids made you want to look past the fact that Bucky was even in the same room as you. You sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

"WOOHOO!!!"

The two boys launched themselves at you, wrapping their arms around you tightly. Sam chuckled, but Bucky just scoffed in annoyance. The two boys pulled themselves off of you and raced to their bedroom, exclaiming that they wanted to show you something.

"Well, now that I see you guys have it under control, I'm going to go meet Sarah for dinner," Sam said, saluting his farewell to you and Bucky. "Thanks for being great friends!"

Sam made his escape before you and Bucky had the opportunity to attack him. Bucky stood up from the couch and approached you with his arms folded across his chest.

"Here's the plan Y/N," Bucky considered, placing himself right in front of you. He made sure to stand in a position that made him look intimidating. "I'll take care of AJ and Cassie, while you go and start dinner with the ingredients that you bought from the store."

"Who put you in charge?" You asked, titling your head. "This isn't a mission Buck. Therefore, I do what I want and I don't have to follow any orders you give me."

"You know Y/N, if you cook as good as you listen, have fun burning down the kitchen," Bucky acknowledged, glancing down at your ankle that was currently wrapped in a bandage. "If you want to be in charge, go ahead and be in charge."

"Sure, I'll be in charge, which is going to start with you making the dinner," You instructed, poking him in the chest. Bucky smirked. You quirked an eyebrow, you weren't expecting that reaction. "The ingredients are in the bag. Good luck partner."

Bucky was always up for a challenge, especially if it meant rubbing something in your face as the ending result. AJ and Cassie soon came racing back into the room, shouting your name. You looked over at them, noticing they were waving some sort of object in the air.

"Come outside with us and watch what it does!"

The two boys didn't even give you a choice and ran up to you, one gripping your left wrist while the other one gripped your right wrist. You looked back at Bucky who was picking up the groceries and bringing them into the kitchen. A small chuckle left your lips at the thought of Bucky cooking, you knew he couldn't do it.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶

After about three hours outside with the boys, the sun began to set. The entire time, they were showing you their new invention. There was about one full hour of them explaining what it was and what it did. It normally wouldn't have taken an hour, but they kept laughing at one another whenever it was their turn to talk.

You had to admit, it went on for a while, but the love you had for AJ and Cassie went to the amount of sitting and listening to them talk about something their passionate about for an entire day. You loved Sam's nephew's so much. They were precious.

"Now that we're done with our presentation, what's for dinner?"

"I don't know," You replied with a shrug. "Let's go instead and see what Buck made for us."

The two little kids bolted into the house with growling stomachs. You followed behind them, excited to see the absolute mess to walk in on. As you entered the house, a delicious aroma was immediately inhaled by you. You gasped lightly as you closed the door behind you. The food was Macaroni and Cheese. AJ and Cassie's favorite.

"Bucky this looks delicious!" You hear AJ shout from the kitchen. You entered the kitchen, only to see that everything looked perfectly clean. In a sense, even cleaner than before. "Mac and cheese is our favorite!"

"Well prepare to eat up some mouthwatering food," Bucky hyped up, bringing the last dish of food into the dining area. "I'm excited for you guys to try it!"

You followed everyone into the dining room. You gaped at the beautiful setup that was on the table. You couldn't believe it. Bucky actually did pretty good. Bucky pulled out the chairs for AJ and Cassie to sit, but when you showed up, Bucky just grinned at you. He sat down across from where your dish was. You still couldn't process the fact that everything looked good.

"I make no promises that I didn't spit in your food Y/N," Bucky jested, making AJ and Cassie laugh. You rolled your eyes, walking up to your seat and sitting down. "But you'll definitely taste flavor, I can promise you that."

You picked up your fork and took a bite out of the Macaroni and Cheese. You moaned in pleasure as the flavorsome nourishment exploded with taste in your mouth. You had never tasted such a creamy, scrumptious dish before.

"Do my eyes deceive me?" Bucky asked, perceiving your reaction. "You like something that I made Y/N?"

"Shut up," You responded with a mouthful of more Macaroni and Cheese. You swallowed and narrowed your eyes at Bucky. "It's okay."

Bucky winked at you, which unexpectedly made your heart skip a beat. You shook your head, removing those thoughts of your head. You only liked what Bucky cooked. Not Bucky.

"Well, anyways, all that cooking got me exhausted," Bucky yawned, overdramatically stretching out his arms. "Anybody want my plate—"

AJ and Cassie eagerly sprung at Bucky, fighting with each other on who got his plate. Bucky just laughed, patting the two boy's on their backs. It was odd. The way that Bucky was smiling at AJ and Cassie made you think that maybe Bucky wasn't that bad. At least not at the moment.

Bucky excused himself from the table and went into the living room to take a nap on the couch. You knew that Bucky fell asleep as soon as his head hits a soft cushion. Surprisingly, AJ and Cassie was able to share the plate of Macaroni and Cheese.

"You guys want to go on an adventure?" You questioned randomly. The two boys swung their eyes up to meet with yours. "I've got a place in mind."

"Let's do it!"

"Alright, but we're going to have to be extra quiet when leaving," You explained, gently scooting out from under the table. "We don't want Bucky to know that we're leaving."

"Are we going to throw a prank on Bucky?"

"Yes, yes we are."

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶

Bucky fluttered his eyes open, stretching out his entire body as he woke up. He swung his legs off the couch and stood up, taking one last long stretch before heading into the dining room area. He expected to see AJ, Cassie and you, but when he arrived, the room was empty. He raised an eyebrow.

"Y/N?" Bucky called out. "AJ? Cassie? Hello?" Bucky uttered in confusion. He turned around and walked back into the living room. "Where did everyone go?"

Bucky sighed to himself and walked up to his phone. He picked it up and dialed in your number. He held it up to his ear, but he was sent to voicemail. He grumbled and dialed again. Nothing. He started to text you, still receiving no response. Now he was getting worried.

Not only were you missing, but so were the kids. Bucky soon had a random thought of where you might be. He knew it was a long shot, but it wouldn't hurt him to go and check.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶

"Nigel, you need to leave."

"Oh, like you left me?" Nigel interrogating, his breath reeking with alcohol. You kept AJ and Cassie behind you. "I knew that you'd get what you deserved."

Nigel instantly gripped onto your neck, setting of AJ and Cassie. They thrusted at Nigel and started kicking him, making him let go of you. Your head spun as you tried gasping for air. You weren't expecting that.

"Get off me you little brats!"

Nigel shoved both the boys onto the ground, making them both yelp in pain as they hit the ground.

"You really shouldn't have done that," A familiar voice sounded off from behind Nigel. He turned around, seeing an unfamiliar face, but when you saw him, a small smile appeared on your face. It was Bucky. "You're gonna regret ever touching those two boys."

"And who are you?"

"Doesn't matter."

Bucky pounced at Nigel, tackling him straight to the ground. You quickly ran up to AJ and Cassie and helped them up. You instructed them to leave the place before things got worse. They both nodded and ran out of the building. You turned around saw the two men fighting on the ground.

You didn't hesitate and jumped in onto the fight, going against Nigel. After finding out that Nigel was practically beaten, he surrendered and ran out of the fight in fear. Bucky climbed up to his feet and brushed himself off. He looked down and saw that you were still on the ground, but avoiding his gaze.

"You gonna get up Y/N?" Bucky asked. He put out his hand. "Here, I'll even help you up."

"Don't bother," You mumbled, shaking your head. "None of that would have happened if I never left with AJ and Cassie," You admitted, swinging your eyes up to meet with Bucky's. "How did you even find us?"

"I have my ways."

"Well...Thanks for saving us Bucky," You thanked, finally taking his hand. Bucky hauled you up off your feet. "I guess that—"

Your words were cut off as Bucky went in for a kiss at the end of him pulling you up from off the ground. The moment your lips met his, it was as if you wanted to remain in the kiss instead of rip apart from it. It was as sparks flew as Bucky ended the kiss. You smirked.

"And you said you hated me, huh?"

"What? You kissed me back," Bucky pointed out. You chuckled. He wasn't wrong. "But overall, we can't let Sam know about what happened."

"Which one? The whole sneaking out with AJ and Cassie or the kiss?"

Bucky laughed. "Both."

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Feedback is always welcome!

I do not own this gif.

Credit goes to the owner!

my wattpad

[thatmexisaurusrex]

I'm not sure if one person can suggest more than one prompt but if you have any space left could you please do #5?? Already dying thinking of all the mess that could result out of these two playing board games together haha, great fun

Thank you so much for the prompt, @allcolorsoftherainbow (by the way, you're allowed to send in prompts as many times as you'd like whenever I do any of these events, I don't have a limit, so don't worry about it!)! I hope you enjoy this fun board game night! 😆

Date 24 of 28: Board Game Night

| - 23 - | - Prompt - | - 25 - |

"Oh, I don't have to pay that," said Bucky, Sam quirking an eyebrow.

"Oh really?" said Sam, amused, "Okay. Tell me. Why don't you have to pay me a hotel amount for Park Avenue?"

"I'm squatting," said Bucky, shrugging, "Squatter's rights."

Sam's head fell to the table, giggling.

"That's - That's not how the game works," said Sam, between wheezes, "You keep making up rules."

"I don't know. I'm really liking this squatter's rights policy," said Sarah, "I should have invoked it when I landed on Park Avenue."

Sam didn't know why AJ chose Monopoly for the game they would play on game night. It always devolved into this particular brand of madness and, in the end, they rarely finished a game. Maybe that's why. For the chaos of it all.

"Monopoly was also made to show how the system of renting is messed up," said Bucky, "So, I choose to fight against the corruption of a system in which our main goal is to crush our opponents and force them into bankruptcy."

Sam laughed.

"You're doing this because you're losing," said Sam.

"I'm doing this because I'm losing," said Bucky, AJ and Cass cackling, "But also because I'm a rebel who doesn't play by the rules."

"I don't," said Sam, still fighting through fits of giggles, "I don't know why we let you play. You're always like this."

Bucky stood up on the table, tilting it a bit, but getting his balance, speaking to the room as if it were a crowd, and now even Sarah was laughing.

"Join me. Join me in my rejection of systems which do not let Bucky Barnes win easily just because I keep forgetting what the good places are or forgetting how much money I have. Join me in my revolution!" said Bucky.

No one joined him.

"Just declare bankruptcy and sit next to me, sweetie," said Sam, gesturing for Bucky to get off the table.

"Ugh, I always get out first, though," said Bucky, handing Sam the last remainder of his money as he sighed, relaxing next to Sam's sighed, "Loan me money so I can get back in?"

"I'm not doing that," said Sam, giving Bucky a kiss on the cheek, "Maybe you'll do better next time."

Sam highly doubted it, but who knows?

Bucky cuddled close to Sam, huffing, but he didn't seem too displeased with his current situation. He seemed a little relieved to just watch; happy next to Sam, watching him try to make moves when everyone knew Bucky just started the decline of people trying to get away with making their own rules.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Want to choose a date for Sam and Bucky to go on during this special February Daily SamBucky Fluff Diary event? Check out the prompts here and send me an ask! I’ll write you a drabble as one of my Daily SamBucky Fluff Diaries!

[youling-the-ghost]

sfth incorrect quotes pt.8 because I have to compensate for not posting these for almost a week even though I just posted one yesterday

AJ: Adulting is hard. AJ: How do I quit? Tom: Time travel. Sam: Die. (yes the time travel was a reference to Tom's lesbian scifi comic) Luke: I'm gonna need a human skull but you can't ask why. Sam: Only if you also don't ask why. Sam: *pulls four pristine human skulls out of his bag* Luke: ... Luke, grabbing a skull: This one will do. Tom: Damn, the power went out. AJ: Don’t worry, I got this. AJ: *shakes rapidly and starts to light up* Tom: What-? AJ: I swallowed a glow stick! Tom, on the verge of tears: WHY WOULD YOU-

Luke: But who gets which pencil? Sam: Since they're my things, I get the good one, Tom and AJ get the broken ones and you don't get one because fuck you. Sam: Why do you not believe that ghosts are real? Tom: Never seen one. Sam: Okay, I mean, there’s a lot of things that you can’t see that are real. Tom: What can’t I see? Sam: You can’t see gravity. That’s real. Tom: Yeah, I can drop an apple. Sam: Fuck. AJ: *is hugging Luke* Tom: Hey! It's my turn to hug Luke! Tom: *grabs Luke* Sam: *kicks down the door* What do you mean, "yOuR tUrN"? We agreed now is my time slot! AJ: No, It's still my turn! Luke, suffocating: Guys, I love you, but just because I'm the smallest doesn't mean you can be hugging me constantly! AJ: But we need the moral support! Tom: And you're small! Which is cute! Sam: If I don't hug you right now I think the depression will kick in and my body will stop functioning. Luke, close to tears: Well- I, I guess. Luke: I hate you with every inch of my body! Sam: That’s not a lot of inches. AJ, texting: Don't worry, I have your phone! Text me when you're gonna come get it! Tom: I have no respect for Santa. Don’t sneak in through the chimney and undermine my authority by bringing my family presents. Walk in through the front door and fight me like a man. Tom: There are three ways to handle a difficult situation. The right way, the wrong way, and the Sam way. AJ: Isn't that the wrong way? Tom: Yes, but it's faster. Hairdresser: How would you like your hair cut? Sam: Preferably with scissors, but a sword could be badass. Luke: What do you call a dictionary on drugs? Tom: If you say "addict-ionary" I swear I will slap you. Luke: I was actually going to say "high definition", but your answer's much better. Tom: *sees someone doing something stupid* Tom: What an idiot. Tom: *realizes it's AJ* Tom: Wait, that's MY idiot! Sam: Can you pass the salt? Luke: Can you pass away? Sam: Too much salt. Luke: I mean, sure, I have my bad days, but then I remember what a cute smile I have. Tom: Say no to drugs. Luke: Say yes to drugs. Sam: It doesn't matter if you say yes or no to drugs. If you're talking to drugs.. then you're on drugs. Sam: Yum, thanks! Kidnapper: *puts more tape over his mouth* I said stop eating it. Luke, to the Squad: If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! *silence* Luke: Damn, y’all depressed as fuck! AJ: You didn’t clap either- Luke: SHUT UP! AJ: English is CRAZY. Oregano is both a spaghetti leaf topping and a form of paper art! Tom: What is this "paper art" you speak of? AJ: That shit where you make cranes and stuff out of folded paper! Tom: ...AJ. AJ: I honestly feel like some of our conversations here are almost word-for-word accurate to the generator. Tom: Yup. Sam: Maybe the generator is watching us. AJ: Wouldn't that imply this conversation will be added? AJ: ... AJ: Wait— (I just included this because breaking the 4th wall is funny) AJ: This was almost a great idea. Sam: You just described 90% of our stuff. Tom: I’ve never smoked marijuana. I ate a brownie once at a party. It was intense. It was kind of indescribable. I felt like I was floating. Turns out there was no pot in the brownie. It was just an insanely good brownie. AJ: Hey do you wanna hang out this weekend? Luke: Generic excuse. AJ: I can’t believe you said that out loud, to my face. Luke: I can. AJ: Wasn't icarly that guy that girlbossed too close to the sun because he was down for Apollo? Sam: ICARUS? Tom: Is something burning? Luke: My burning love for you of course! Tom: ... Luke: ... Luke: And the kitchen is on fire... AJ: Hey, did you know as a kid I accidentally ate paper? Luke: I feel like we've all done that at least once. Sam: I ate it too- Luke: See? Sam: -On purpose... AJ & Luke: ...What? Tom, texting Sam: Roses are red, Tony Hawk is a skater... Sam′s phone, auto-replying: I’m driving right now–I’ll get back to you later. *Later* Sam, texting back: Fuck you.

[sammiesonyourleft]

shot in the dark - s.w.

A/N: Hii!! I've been writing this for months and I feel kinda nervous, but very excited. This is the first fic I've wrote in a few years, so suggestions will be super helpful if y'all want more!! (I feel like I have to barf as I'm posting this, but we're going with it!!)

Few notes:

- This is based on the third option in a prompt by @creativepromptsforwriting

- falcon divider by @firefly-graphics

Word count: 1.3k

Warnings: angst, mention of the blip, pregnancy, slight TFATWS spoilers [beware if you haven't seen it]

You’ve been trying to talk to Sam about having kids for months. Going through the baby aisle at Target, leaving your Amazon cart full of baby clothes for him to see it, constantly babysitting AJ and Cass, but alas, nothing was working. It was like he was oblivious to everything when it came to children. Until one night, you finally took a shot at it.

“Honey, can we talk?” You sigh, ignoring the nervous pit in your belly.

“Of course sugar, what’s on your mind?” He says from your closet, hearing the smile in his voice.

“I wanna have a baby.” He steps out of your shared closet, looking very confused

“What?”

“I said I wanna hav-" He climbs in your bed next to you, “I heard what you said. Where is this coming from?” “Well I — I mean, I’m not getting any younger and we’ve been married for some time now, seeing how you act with the boys... I just.. It makes me think about what you’d be like with our kids, ya know?”

“As great as that sounds sugar, I just became Captain America.. I would really want to focus on that.”

“But Sam, you were-"

“I know I was gone for so long, but now’s my chance to really prove to everyone that I am worthy of the title..”

“You didn’t even want the title! You gave it away, remember?”

Apologetically, he tries to grab your hands, knowing it helps ground you when you're upset at something, "I know and you know I regret doing that, and now I have it back! You’re the one that convinced me to get it back in the first place!!”

“Because I saw what happened to you when they gave it to John!! So what because you’re Captain America, you can’t be a father now?”

Rolling his eyes, “I didn’t say that! Why are you putting words in my mouth?”

“Sammy, I spent years waiting for you to come back home. You had so much time to play hero. Look at Tony and Clint. They have families! I would like you to consider it!”

He laughs, “Play hero? You think I wanted to leave?? I would have rather been here with you, you know that!" He quiets for a moment, mulling over his next choice of words, "You know what? I’ve considered it. I don’t want kids.”

“Ever?” The tremble in your voice is evident, and he regains eye contact with you.

“As long as I’m Captain America.”

“Fine.” You leave your bed, searching for your purse, and sifting through drawers in your room for some clothes. He sees you packing and it puts him on high alert. Gently pulling you back, “Hey hey where you going?”

Snatching your arm back. “I’m going to stay with my sister. I can't be here.. in the same space as you right now.” You start moving around your room, making sure you have all of your belongings.

He stands in front of you, as you try to leave the bedroom, “So you just gonna walk out? We can't talk about this?”

“Samuel, at this point, there's nothing to talk about.”

Staring at you like you have five heads, “Stop saying my name like that. What'd you mean 'there’s nothing to talk about'? We’re in the middle of a very important conversation and you’re tryna leaving.”

“No, Sam. You said you didn't wanna have kids, so the conversation's over."

“I never said that! Stop saying that. Honey, can you please just trust me on this?”

With your back to him, “Do you remember what you told me the night we got married?”

“I said a lot that night. How am I -“

Tearfully, turning to face him, “‘I can’t wait to start a family with you. We’re gonna have so many little us’ around here.” Those were your words, Sam. And then you met Steve. And you left to go chase Bucky. You became a fugitive, Sam! And then you were dead for 5 years. We've been married for 11 years and out of that 11 years, we've only been together for less than two."

“I know. I know. And I'm so sorry for that. But can you not leave though? Please? We don't just pick up and leave in the middle of an argument. It’s one of our rules.

You get remember your last argument. He finally came back home after being on the run and the first thing he told you was that he was leaving again. You told him you didn't want him to go to Wakanda in the first place because you had a really bad feeling about it. He ignored you and say that he was going to protect his home. He left, and turns out that bad feeling was right. That was the last time you saw your husband for five years. The last thing you said to him before he walked out: "You're gonna get yourself killed and I'm not gonna sit around and watch!" That conversation replays in your nightmares constantly, thinking about all the different ways that conversation could have gone and maybe been a bit better if you didn't react that way. When he finally came home, you had a very long tear filled conversation about leaving when things get hard.

“You're right..” you sigh softly, “I'm sorry. I’m not going anywhere.”

He grabs your hand, leading you back to your bed. You sit there in silence for what feels like forever, until Sam finally speaks.

“When I was in away, Sarah and the boys got threatened. It was an empty threat.. they’re fine. But the thought of that happening to our children, to you, scares the hell out of me. Empty threat or not, I can't let that happen. There’s a lot on the line for me right now, honey. I want to start a family with you, I do, so much. But risking your safety is the last the thing I want. Being Captain America already puts this target, this level of scrutiny on my back. And being a black man... well you know. It adds another level of fear that Clint and Tony don’t get the luxury of having. Even if I get you and our babies into some kind of witness protection or something, people are ruthless. I can't - I don’t want that to happen. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.”

You see the tears in his eyes and pull him in for a hug, "Sammy, I -"

"You're sorry... I know.. But I have some wrong in this too.. It's not all just on you.."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't want to make a big deal out of it.. I'm shocked Sarah didn't tell you herself."

"I'm sorry for saying that you're playing hero. You're not and what you do is so amazing and I'm so proud of you. I just... I just..."

Tears start welling in your eyes, and you just break in his arms. He holds you asking, "You just what? What's the matter?"

Grabbing your purse, you find the thing you've been dreading bringing up.

"I didn't know how to tell you... I probably should have said something... I didn't know what to say... or when to say it? There was never really a good time..."

Eyes wide, he asks, "How long have you known?"

"About a month.."

"So that... wow.. okay.. well.. what do you want to do?"

"That's why I brought it up. I didn't want to make the decision without you."

"Is that why you've been trying to get me to look at all this baby stuff? And having Sarah come here with the boys?"

You nod, "Yea.."

"Baby, why didn't you say anything??"

"I don't know, Sammy... You normally just know everything without me telling you.."

He sighs, "It's okay. We're gonna figure out. Together. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

"Yea together."

[dreamwritesimagines]

Now I'm just sad picturing Bucky in college, still as hurt as ever about her not coming with him, but also missing the baby, like- he probably Insta stalked her, for sure

This is a perfect set up for a HC where Bucky and Sam are brand new friends through Bucky, so the first time he's introduced to Sarah's kids, who are still babies and much rowdier than Emma, he instantly knows what to do, like muscle memory or something. Something about that man just screams dad material, so he prepares formula for the youngest kid and keeps the eldest entertained while Sam just gawks and looks at Steve like 'what the fuck' but Steve just elbows him 'don't ask about it'

Awwww he Insta stalked her and saw her pictures with Emma, I- 😭😭

Omg I have this HC-

I actually HC that Sarah's kids were like very calm and sweet even when they were babies BUT probably when AJ was teething, Sarah maybe had something to do so AJ was with Sam and Steve and Bucky❤So Sam didn't know why AJ was crying because he normally was such a happy baby and Bucky legit turned to Sam and went like,

"Sarah left you a teething ring, right?"

"Yeah but it's not working."

"Go put it in the freezer."

"Why?"

"Because it needs to be cold, Sam."

"....And how do you know that?"

[philtstone]

Listen LISTEN u already KNOW I am nothing if not a HO for the way u write casual intimate touches,,,,,,,,so how about,,,,,,,“don’t want to let go hugs” for,,,,,,drum roll pls,,,,,,,sarah/bucky 👀👀👀

part of this verse and specifically relevant to a plot point in "clover". shoutout to @firstelevens for gently coaxing me through the unreasonable volume of nerves i experienced posting this. there be angst ahead. im a little sorry in advance

you can also read this on ao3 :)

Sarah's been thinking of her mother all afternoon.

She's not sure why. Maybe because her back and feet ache, that dull tiredness that comes from a long week of work. Or maybe because the house is so full. People are moving in and out through the porch and the living room and the kitchen and the backyard. Her mother always ran a full house. If there was a person needing something, they were let in through the front door. Sarah's long come to realize that the most prevalent need was for a friend, even if it was wrapped up in an ask to borrow plastic tablecloths or extra sugar or get a recipe they just couldn't crack.

So she's got her mom on her mind. There's a tenderness to her remembering. Also a fragility. Her mother, who had given up college not because of some oppressive social tragedy but because she had wanted to. Her mother, halfway pregnant without meaning to be and jumping feet first into a new business she didn't know much about running, her husband’s hand held firmly in her own. There's a reason there used to be about four years difference between she and Sam. More or less nullified now, but anyway. Sarah wonders what her mother had felt, in that moment, filled with love for the life she had but faced with the unchangeable reality of what she never was given to mourn the loss of in the first place.

Sarah is thinking of all this when she enters the house, laughing at some nonsense Sheira's spouting. Sheira always spouts nonsense when tipsy on coolers, and she's outside on the porch now, perched in her husband's lap and hooting her head off at Mr. Liu's whacky stories. Annette's in the backyard, mediating an age-old debate between her mother and Ms. Gloria regarding some brand of seasoning, and Annette’s boyfriend's talking knitting patterns with Carlos by the landing floor bathroom.

Sheira protests Sarah's leaving, but it’s loose, distracted, the way comfortable friendship can be at this hour and with the knowledge you're all home.

"No, I'm just gettin' some water –” Sarah’s saying. “I'll be right back, you keep on making a fool of yourself, girl."

"Now Sarah, you know my wife's always foolin'."

"Mr. Langston you better keep your thoughts to yourself, or I'm leavin' this lap. Go on, Sam honey, deal the next hand. Look at this. I’m bettin’ on him, ‘cause Captain America won’t cheat."

“Yeah, but old Sammy will.”

“Aw you know my poker face ain’t worth a damn, Lou, c’mon –”

Sam's losing at cards to some of the dock guys. He's got a full smile on, one that he's shot over at her every so often since about four thirty when she passed him by in the kitchen. It's closer to eight now. They've got half the street over -- Sarah's not sure how it happened, but one thing led to another. Maybe it's 'cause Sam's home. It's close to the end of the summer, wind turning, kids feeling some kind of way about going back to school. Cass has been babbling all week about how he's gonna have to start thinking of college next year -- a whole three hundred and sixty-five days from now. AJ is already scandalized on his behalf.

Just now, the kids are running up and down through the house. She heard something, an hour or so ago, about a game of cops and robbers tangled up in a Tik Tok challenge Sarah's had just enough Mom Bandwidth to declare acceptable for consumption – vaguely, she's aware that Bucky's been corralling 'em, and that is enough for her. It's nice and cool indoors when she slips through the screen door and pads her way toward the kitchen. Laughter filters in through the windows from all corners of the place. There's music playing. There's a kind of loving in the air. Sometimes, Sarah thinks she tricks herself into not savoring it as much as she should.

You're so practical, Mama, Cass told her a few months ago, grave in the kitchen while he helped her with the overfull garbage bags. I think you run our house a sorta way and it makes everyone forget that's not just how things are, like, everywhere.

Sarah has to stop her pilgrimage because Elling Clancy's string bean self has just raced patter-footed past her, holding an old nerf gun with her hair in its customary tangled nest and hollering something about Sugar shorin' up their defenses.

"Elling! Don't be slipping on my hardwood and bustin' your head open now!"

"No Ms. W!"

She is about to move on when she hears the much quieter murmur of voices coming in through the living room. Sarah pauses, leaning back, and looks in through the door. She feels her whole self soften, one hand coming up to flutter against the slipping strap of her sundress.

Bucky is with little Nina Calleigh by the foot of the couch. Sarah's sure Nina must have tired out from the older kids' game, needed a rest or a break or a distraction; there's a bent copy of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe open but abandoned on the floor by their legs, and one of AJ's old dinosaur figurines discarded by what must be Bucky's half-finished glass of sweet tea. They're engrossed in something, he and Nina, heads bent low together over it, a secret little conversation all of their own. At four, Nina's started loving those. She's determined to communicate everything either as a yell or a lispy whisper in your ear, both done with equal force and conviction. Doesn't help that her older sister is Sugar, and Sugar sees it her God-given duty to full body slam the whole world at any given opportunity.

Bucky moves his arms, lifting Nina up from her place on the floor to prop her against his chest. For the first time Sarah spots Alpine as a raggedy little ball of white in his lap, one of her tiny white feet poking out over the strong bend of his knee. Nina wants to cuddle with the cat, Sarah realizes, but keeps grabbing at her with abrupt movements and getting scared when Alpine startles.

"Gentle, we gotta be gentle," Sarah hears, feeling her lips twitch up into a small smile when it's followed by Nina's protesting,

"But I am been' gentle."

"'Kay, give me your hand. See? Like this." Together, they pet the cat once, Nina's chubby brown hand held delicately under the smooth metal plates of Bucky's fingers. "She doesn't get scared like that."

"Oooh," says Nina, pretty and wide-eyed, small bubbly voice filled with wonder. "She's so sof'."

"You wanna pet her again?"

"Yah! Can I pet her the whole night?"

Sarah can’t tell what it is. The way he is holding her, maybe, bracketed carefully upright but with enough space that she can be her own little person as she overbalances in the generous movements that four-year-olds so favour. Or the look in his eye, an open, selfless thing with no one around but Nina to see it, not quite adoring because he would never allow himself that with a child that wasn’t Sarah’s. This is something she has come to learn about him, has had to work to understand. But God, she feels it, that look, right in the center of her own chest. She watches him continue the conversation, listening intently to Nina’s small declarations, one hand reflexively coming up to cup the back of her head and tuck back the loose, flyaway curls haloing around her dimpled cheeks. Something sweet, aching, and long-forgotten wells up from a deep place in Sarah’s heart.

She makes it the rest of the way to the kitchen, slides down against the cabinets beneath the sink. By the time she has wrapped her arms around herself her cheeks are already wet.

She doesn't really know why she is crying. She tucks her hands around her mouth, tries to keep it quiet. It's not too hard at first; it's a quiet emotion that she's feeling. She pulls her knees up, and closes her eyes as tightly as she can, like maybe it will stop that way.

Footsteps creak on the kitchen landing and then she feels a warm body beside her. Her brother’s wide familiar hands cup her shoulders like he used to do when they were kids.

"Hey now," Sam says, somewhere above her.

"How'd you know I was gonna be here?" Sarah mumbles, face still covered, not without a touch of frustration.

"I'd like to think I know my sister."

"Shit," Sarah says, sounding far more watery than she means.

"You've had this look on your face all afternoon," Sam says, more gently than Sarah expects. "Been keepin' my eye out. You need a minute?"

Cass is nearing the end of high school, AJ about to start it, both turning into beautiful young men. She's so much older -- different body, different heart, different mind. Last week she heard on the news about another Black child in Baltimore, hurt by the people meant to protect her, and felt some measure of relief at her own decisions.

"I'm bein' so silly," Sarah whispers. She can feel Sam waiting on her, listening. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Sam. I don't know --"

She knows – he’s always been good with them. Even at his lowest points, those early days he’d visited, she had noticed. With her own boys, and their friends, and their cousin Lola’s brood last Thanksgiving – and there has been a quiet acceptance to it on both their parts, that this is it. They’re happy. Sarah is so overwhelmingly, achingly happy sometimes, at the fullness of the life she’s fought tooth and nail to build.

"I don't -- can you be grateful, like so grateful, I don't even know -- but there is a part of your heart that breaks anyways, I, Sam --"

"Oh," Sam says. "Oh, Sarah, yeah, of course. What happened?"

"Nothing," Sarah says, which is not a lie, and begins to cry in earnest. Sam wraps her up in a hug. She can still hear the sounds of the party, too-close, like it’s just outside the kitchen door waiting to jump in.

Sam shifts against her and Sarah realizes there is another presence pausing at the doorway. A child’s small voice asks a question. She stills, trembling, unable to calm herself. There is a rustle of movement, then toddler feet against Sarah's cracked laminate tiles.

"Hey bubba. You know where Cass is?"

"Yah. He’s playin’ in the backyard."

"Can you go hang out with him a minute?"

"'Kay."

"Okay. Thank you."

Three swift footsteps, and then he is there beside her.

"What --"

"Hey, hey, it's okay.” Sam, firm and reassuring. “She's fine."

"Sarah." There's quiet urgency to it. "Are you hurt anywhere? What happened?"

"She's just feelin' a little fragile right now," she hears Sam say, quiet above her.

“What …”

Sarah looks up, chest gasping, feeling a bit cracked open at the edges. Now that she has started crying, she does not know how to stop. It's always been like this. She hates crying, she remembers, ‘cause it’s always been like this.

Bucky is looking at her intently, brows drawn together in a soft shape, mouth parted slightly in the middle.

"Hey," he says softly, when she meets his eye. She is suddenly desperate to explain herself. She lets go of Sam, grabs onto him, brings her hands to his face. She presses one to either side and pushes her thumbs uncoordinated over the warm shell of one ear and the high curve of a cheekbone, feeling as though if she does not touch him she will fall apart.

"I love you," Sarah says, breath stuttering with the force of it. She is still crying, but she's moved beyond caring now. "I love you. I love you so much, I don't say it enough, but I --"

"Okay," Bucky says quietly, like he understands. "Okay." Then he folds her into a hug, letting her face press against his heart, beneath his chin. It’s not tight, not like the kind that squeezes, but there’s an unquestionable firmness to it. She can feel him press his mouth against the top of her head over the uneven crown of her braids. He is steady and present. She's pulled into his lap. She doesn't want to let go. She doesn't know what to do with all the grief that's so abruptly welled up inside of her, tangled into something beyond words. She can feel the murmur of some exchange above her head, and then the creak of Sam's feet leaving. They sit there for another minute, and Bucky is warm and solid and thrumming around her, and Sarah cries.

When he eventually shifts beneath her, Sarah operates on instinct and tightens her hold, nails digging into the hard curve of his shoulder blade. There is a beat, like he is making a decision, then Sarah feels a slight tensing of muscle, and the small swoop in her belly as she is lifted easily into the air.

She keeps her face pressed against the soft t-shirt covering his shoulder as Bucky walks them quietly from the kitchen into the living room, then beyond, to the den. The quiet click of the door shuts behind them, and Sarah is placed gently down on the rusty orange cover of the daybed, before he climbs up behind her on sock-clad feet and pulls her to his chest. He wraps himself around her from behind -- arms solid around her torso, knees bracketing her wide hips where her skirt has crumpled up around her thighs. He leans back against the wall, takes Sarah with him, and keeps them there, pressed together, only breathing steadily in the mundane fresh-laundry smell of the room.

The change in location helps her recalibrate. It's been so long since he’s stayed in here, Sarah thinks. Bucky’s a tidy creature by nature and habit, so he hasn’t really left much clutter behind. His books are on the shelf though, now, by her filing cabinet of tax stuff and the laptop Sam keeps at the house. Beside that is the small stack of college brochures she knows he’s collected in case Cass’s anxieties flair up again. Meticulous, like she said; over-prepared. Sarah has dealt with the hard press of survival by becoming a crisis-to-crisis kinda person. She’s always joked that there’s someone in her corner, throwing her in with Bucky and his compulsive twelve-step contingency plans.

She can hear a quiet echo of kids' laughter through the window, out into the backyard.

"Sarah," he says quietly, after a while. "I love you too."

"I know that," Sarah says. Her voice is stronger now, but raw. She looks down, rubs her thumb over the strap of his watch.

"You tell me you love me all the time." She stays quiet. “What’s going on?”

It is hard to explain. For many reasons, but foremost, because she doesn’t know if she can do it in a way that leaves him forgiving of himself.

“I think I had to grieve a little,” Sarah says.

He shifts around her, then runs his hands down her arm. Again, it is a movement light but unquestionably firm, and present. She can feel him press a kiss to her neck.

“Okay,” he says, and does not ask further.

They will go back out in a bit, she thinks, and be full of love for the life they have again. But in a minute, in a minute.

[pansexual-chocolate]

Sarah Wilson based headcanons

I always wanted to put my headcanons somewhere. Okay, these are a mixture of Comic book lore and MCU stuff. More Sarah-based with some Sarah bucky sprinkled in. But I love everyone else's headcanons

1) Although Bucky has stated that he is ready to marry Sarah and take on the Wilson name. Sam tells him that Sarah and the kid's last name is not Wilson. Bucky is shocked cause he's been calling them the Wilson's. But one day he's in the attic and finds a wedding dress along with some wedding memorabilia where he finds out their last name is Casper's

2) Sarah is the one that keeps up with people even though it can be exhausting. She keeps up with Leila Taylor, Once a month she and Gideon's wife secretly go to Jim Wilson's Grave. They clean it and place new flowers on it. She goes to Gideon's church services and sits in the back. No one knows she does all this but Sam can see sometimes when she comes back from going out. That she has a look on her face that shows she's been thinking about what they don't talk about.

3) Sarah and Sam are just getting to know each other. The "I never knew you were sensitive" line and the argument about the bank time. This shows that their closeness is recent and they probably were closer to Gideon than to each other. Sarah does remember the years Sam was a pimp. She can laugh about it now because those days are over. But during those times she was the most scared for him. She often teases by having the kids call him uncle snap and makes a snide remark that she met someone who was in his stable at the market. The kids don't know why they call him uncle snap they just think it's a cool nickname. She was surprised that Sam dated Misty knight because she was a cop. But she wasn't too surprised when she heard they broke up.

4) Sarah has 4 kids and two of them are away at college one boy and one girl. Because I don't see why they erased Jody and I want Jody and her daughter to Damn it.

5) Elijah Bradley, Rayshaun Lucas, and other younger superheroes who work with sam and bucky call her Auntie in different languages and slang terms and her kids Cousins. Elijah teases her about the Lousiana slang and accent. She teases him about his Boston slang and accent.

6) Paul Wilson is not human and has been hiding it since he fell in love with Darlene. Darlene knew but hid it from the kids to give her family a more normal life. Paul's genes are where Sam Wilson gets his Psychic avian powers from. Sarah, Gideon, as well as their kids, have abilities as well but it hasn't been activated like Sam's has. Sometimes it does seep out and something happens. But Sarah just considers it good luck.

7) Sarah loves her kid's friend groups. When Bucky offers to take Cass and Aj to school. She explains that they like to talk with their friends a bit before heading to class. Aj's friends are pretty laid back and chill but Cass's friends are pretty intense. If you can get them to relax around you they are pretty cool. Bucky tries it when he sees one of Cass's friends wearing a Gabe Jones backpack. He tries to tell them he knew Gabe. But the kid doesn't like how Bucky just approaches them and the question "Ayo who's man is this?" is thrown out. AJ and Cass immediately deny that they know Bucky and don't know where he came from. leading to bucky getting brutally joked on by kids until he leaves feelings hurt. AJ and Cass send him an I'm sorry text but they filmed the whole thing and show it to Sarah.

8) When it's the family plays anything. Sarah and Sam will make sure to be on Bucky's team and lose the game on purpose. Bucky's upset and doesn't understand why they do this. But Sarah and Sam do it cause they want the kids to have a better sibling relationship than they had. To choose each other first and rely on each other.

9) When Sarah and Sam get into a deep conversation their accents get thicker and the slang gets thrown around so much. They are basically speaking their own language. Bucky wants in because he wants to know what they are laughing about. He tries to get one of the kids to explain some words. But they just tell him "If you can't understand it then it wasn't for you"

10) She and the kids never witnessed a superhero event at their door. Not someone coming bleeding from a fight or an alien dropping in. There was that time when AJ and Cass got taken by a villain who wanted to talk to Sam. But the kids weren't in any danger. They were basically getting catered to and getting everything they wanted. Zemo and other villains from Sam's roster often buy her kids gifts under pseudonyms. She's more confused by the gesture than anything as nothing seems to explode. Plus the kids seem to enjoy it.

[gemstone-roses]

Little moments

Bucky x Sarah, Sam x Reader.

partly inspired by @luciilferss bucky pretends to be a sea monster idea, thanks for encouraging me to write this😙x. Dividers by@whimsicalrogers 💕

Summary: bucky pretents to be a sea monster, Sam teaches you how to swim. Fluff, mentions of drowning (brief).

Tags: @whoreforsamwilson @samwilsons-pillowpecs

The sun pierces through the curtains, it's early, and it's too bright and it's the kind of sunshine you know will bring a gorgeous day.

Sarah wakes slowly, rolling over to cuddle, but finds an empty side instead. She can hear muffled voices from downstairs, the smell of something cooking wafts through the air.

She finds bucky plating up pancakes and bacon, nothing but a pair of shorts on and he looks divine.

"I made you breakfast" he smiles and it's a goofy smile, putting the plate down he Wraps his arms around her.

"Mm thankyou baby" she smiles, their foreheads touching, it's a little moment, Sarah likes the little moments with bucky, the little kisses, when he comes up behind her and snakes his arms around her waist,the moments where they lay in bed, reading, separate books, but together.

"were finished", the boys spoke at the same time "can we go now?" they say exitidly.

Bucky grins at the two boys, aj and cass were so excited, their swimming stuff already packed.

"Okay then, boys, you have everything?"

"yeah we do!"

Bucky swings a bag pack over his shoulder.

"You boys, have fun, and behave!" Sarah kisses them on the forehead

"Okay mum we will" they smile cheekily

"that goes for you too James" she leans in to kiss him

"of course" he winks, shouting I love you as he heads out the door.

"last one in the water smells" aj shouts as him and his brother race to get in first.

Bucky chuckles at the boys, leaving the bags on the boat.

The boys are splashing each other, each splash getting bigger and bigger, they don't notice bucky sneak up behind them.

"do you know what the great famed buckmonster does to people who splash?" he growls, grabbing hold of cass, chuckling as the boy kicks his legs lightly to get away.

"what about you aj? What do you think the buckmonster does? Does he.. Tickle..?" Cass giggles as bucky tickles him,

"or does he....

Bucky lifts up cass over his head, before throwing him lightly into the water.

"my turn my turn!!" aj shouts swimming over to him

"again again!!" Cass pleads, both boys surrounding bucky in the water.

Bucky chuckles before doing the same to aj.

"are you boys having fun down there?"

"UNCLE SAM!!!" the boys cheer

"get in with us and bucky!! "

"yeah Sam, I need an extra sea monster to help me out!" bucky shouts up.

"Okay, I'm coming" Sam strips off his shirt

"You too auntie y/n" Cass shouts.

"You know what, I'm gonna stay up here with your mum, she needs some help with the boat" you smile.

"No I don't, you heard the boys, go on y/n" Sarah chuckles

"No really, I'm okay up here"

"Come on honey, I promise not to splash you" Sam winks

Sam notices your look of apprehension, he swims over to the side of the boat.

"what's wrong honey?" he questions softly.

"I can't swim" you whisper, avoiding his gaze.

"Okay, that's okay, I'll help you" Sam smiles up at you.

"um I don't think-

"You trust him y/n? Sarah interrupts

"with my life"

"then go on" she smiles, squeezing your shoulder in encouragement

Sam meets you at the edge of the water, he looks glorious, water dripping down his toned body.

He Wraps his arms around your waist.

"Come on, we're just gonna walk into the water okay, don't worry it's not deep, you can touch the floor" he smiles.

You wince as the cold water hits your toes.

You make it up to waist height before you stop.

Sam shows you some techniques on how to swim and stay afloat, he makes it seem easy.

"Sam I can't"

His arm is still around your waist

He spins you round to face him

"It's okay, I'm not gonna let you drown honey, I'm here"

You glance over to aj, cass and bucky, smiling as they continue to splash each other and shriek with laughter. The boys have floats and bucky is up to his chest in water.

"It's, it's not that far out" you say shakily

"You wanna go join them?"

"yeah, just-just don't let go okay?"

"I would never" he kisses you.

Sam guides you over to them, keeping a tight grip, telling you how good you were doing.

The water levels rising now, you can still touch the floor and it's not that deep, but your still slightly terrified.

"your doing so well honey" Sam whisperes in your ear.

Your almost there, you see cass swim over to bucky, wrapping his arms around buckys neck and whispering something.

They turn to you, cass clinging tightly to buckys neck, bucky has his float in one hand, the other holding the boy.

"auntie y/n, you can use my float for a bit if you like!! I don't mind, bucky can be my float for a bit" he giggles cheekily.

"Oh is that right" bucky laughs

"Thankyou cass" you say, clutching the float for dear life.

"Sam, you can, I think I'm good now" you smile at him

"are you sure?"

"yeah"

"Okay well I'll stay close honey, don't worry" he comforts

Your beginning to get the hang of it, even splashing Sam a couple of times, you turn round to give Sarah a wave, she waves back before suddenly stopping. You furrow your brows, confused.

"ARRGHH" someone yells behind you, jumping on your back

You scream as the boy giggles, you let go of the float, scrambling to keep yourself afloat, Sarah's doubled over laughing on the boat, buckys trying to hide his giggle and Sam's shocked face turns to amusement

"aj!" you whine

You grab the float to give to the boy so he can let go of you

"You did it!" he says proudly

"I did what?"

"your not holding onto anything!!" he says gleefully

"I-oh!"

"SAM!! SAM I DID IT!!" you yell

Sam cheers, raising his arms in the air, you hear Sarah whooping from the boat, shouting good job at her son.

"but, you know what aj?, now that I can swim?"

"what?"

"you've got, hmm, one, two, and THREE, seamonsters now" you smile, before he tries to swim away, yelling gleefully.

The sun is setting, the boys are leaning against the side of the boat fast asleep, their leaning against each other, your sat in a circle, on crates, Sarah leans her head on buckys chest, humming in delight as the evening breeze blows over.

Sam's got his arm around your shoulder, beer hanging between his fingers.

You lean your head on his shoulder, sighing in content.

"I love this" Sarah says

"These little moments, sitting here, watching the sun, its like the world is still, these little moments, with my family, is everything". She continues.

Sarah raises her beer, prompting bucky and you and Sam to do the same.

"To family" she says

"to family" you all chorus. Clinking your beers together.