#background steve x peggy

[astxrwar]

hm. thought too hard about 50+ y.o. gray-haired senator bucky. have to lie down

[imtryingbuck]

Weightless

~ gif not mine credit to owner ~

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x plus-size fem!Reader

Summary: Bucky and yn date and his dad’s nasty to her because of her weight (as always, I’m amazing at summaries.)

Word count: 4,707

Warnings: angst. Bucky’s parents being the worst. Bucky being the best. swearing. insecure reader. modern au. being mocked for having a poor background. mentions of cheating (not bucky or reader) ends in fluff

A/N: remember every body is perfect!

Masterlist

Waking up in the warm embrace of Bucky’s arms, he’s warm breath fanning lightly over her neck tickling her ever so slightly. Trying to shift out of his hold causing him to tighten his muscly arms around her.

“Buck I need to go toilet” she whispered.

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“You’re warm” is all he says as he pulls her body even closer to his.

“But Buck I really need to wee, I’ll be right back” promising in hopes that he’d let go of her.

“Okay, promise you’d be right back?”

“Promise”

“Gimme a kiss first”

Turning in the arms of her boyfriends she give him a kiss he released her, getting out of the bed she couldn’t stop the small smile from forming watching as he pouted and made grabby hands at her.

Finishing off in the bathroom Y/n raised an eyebrow at the man-child in the bed who was still pouting at her.

“Hurry, I’ve already forgotten what you feel like”

“Dramatic much?”

“Nope” he smirked.

Climbing back into the bed Bucky wasted no time in wrapping his arms around her bringing her closer to his chest than before.

“You definitely coming tonight, right?”

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea Buck”

“Why isn’t it? Me and you all dressed up, free food and booze, dancing, we even have to sneak off to find a bathroom-“

“Have to?”

“Oh it’s a must baby, I’d probably die if we don’t” he says grinning.

“Idiot”

“Plus I know you already have a dress, Nat told me so…”

It’s true Y/n did have a dress already, Nat and Wanda had dragged her shopping with them both in search of a new dress for Bucky’s parents anniversary party. Wanda had actually picked it out for her and at first she was a bit apprehensive until Wanda squeezed her hand with hers and telling her that the dress was in her size.

The girls all but forced her into the changing room with encouraging words and smiles. Y/n had to admit Wanda did pick out a stunning dress for her to try on and when she stood there finally finding the courage to look at herself in the mirror a small smile made its way on to her lips. The dress was beautiful and fit perfectly; not too baggy, not too tight, even her arms looked alright in the dress.

When she stepped outside to where the girls were waiting their jaws practically fell off. Both telling her that the dress was made for her, making her roll her eyes at the pair. A woman had walked by and complimented Y/n which made her blush and smile shyly at her.

However there was a problem with attending the anniversary party with Bucky. Problem being that she hadn’t been given an invite.

Everyone received a formal invitation with no mention of a plus one, Bucky and his sister had even received a card. Nat and her boyfriend Bruce received individual cards, Wanda and her boyfriend had individual cards, same with Steve and his wife Peggy.

But not her.

And at first she thought it was okay as her and Bucky had only been dating for two years but when Wanda told her that Vis had been invited after them only dating for a few months, it hurt. Y/n wasn’t stupid to the knowledge that her boyfriend’s parents didn’t like her, they made that very clear from the moment she had met them, with the questions and judgemental stares, the remarks about the difference between herself and Bucky’s ex Dot was enough to tell her that they did not like or approve of her or her relationship with their only son.

Winifred tolerated Y/n purely for her sons sake, she made the mistake once of calling her Winnie just as everyone else did and she looked at her in absolute disgust and told her not to call her that, that only family and friends can call her by that name. 

George made comments about her weight from the beginning. His favourite pass time was to repeatedly remind her of how Dot was perfect for Bucky, he once told her that all she was to Bucky was something to pass the time with until Dot came back, and sadly she agreed with his statement.

Bucky bless his heart didn’t know any of this and genuinely believed that his parents liked his girlfriend.

Since she hadn’t been invited the plan was to make out to Bucky that she was ill right at the last minute, so all she had to do was play along for a few more hours.

“The dress is beautiful I have to admit”

“Just like you. Do you want to get dressed here so we can leave together?”

“Oh um my dress is at my apartment, so you can pick me up for there”

“Or I can come to yours and get dressed?”

Shit.

“My apartments a complete mess” she lied.

“And? Baby we’ll go to yours in a few hours have a shower, get dressed ooh can I braid your hair? I love doing it! And we can leave together, that way I don’t have to be away from you for long and I’ll save money for petrol”

Double shit.

There was no way of being able to back out of this now, she knew that she’d have to go to a party that she wasn’t invited too and hope to a higher power that neither one of his parents say anything.

“Okay”

Bucky happily braided her hair after carefully brushing the knots out. He started to learn how to do it after a couple of months into their relationship and now he was a pro.

“All done baby” he says pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

“Thank you Buck”

“Okay, okay go put on your dress, I’m dying to see it”

The smile was no longer present as she looked in the mirror, the dress was no longer perfect, it was tight around her stomach and her arms looked like tree trunks. She looked ridiculous and felt like it.

Tonight was going to be humiliating, she was going to embarrass Bucky in front of his family, his friends and strangers.

“Baby? You nearly done?”

“I-“

“Babe? Is everything alright?”

“I need you to close your eyes for me Bucky”

“Ooh I like this, okay my eyes are closed my love”

Slowly opening the door her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Bucky standing there in his black suit, hair done perfectly and his eyes closed with a soft smile on his lips.

“Baby, can I open my eyes now?”

“N-no. No please don’t”

“Y/n? Sweet girl what’s wrong?“

“N-nothing Bucky. I-um-I just remembered-“

“Fuck. Baby you… you’re stunning!”

“What?”

He moved closer to his girlfriend, eyes full of adoration and a hint of lust. “You’re so beautiful, and this dress is so gorgeous on you. I’m so lucky to have you by my side”

Bucky always knew how to make her feel beautiful and confident even in her darkest of moments when the voices in the back of her head get to loud for her to ignore, in the two years of their relationship there’s only ever been two occasions where she didn’t believe him. The first being when the two had sex for the first time and he kept the light on, she had told him he could turn the light off so he was more comfortable, his face contorted in confusion and he reassured her that he wanted to see her as he made love to her, the whole time he spoke words of love and affection. She honestly believed he was lying so he could get what he wanted from her. 

And the second time was right now. Standing here in front of him as his eyes moved up and down slowly over her body, eyes filled with nothing but love and adoration, speaking the words that he spoke daily to her, she just couldn’t help but think that he was lying again.

“Buck, I-I look ridiculous. I think you should just leave an-and tell Nat and Wanda that I fell ill, okay?”

“What are you talking about baby? You look perf-“

“It’s too tight, and look at my arms James. It fit perfectly in the store… I-I don’t know what happened. I don’t want to embarrass you okay? So you go and have fun and I’ll see you tomorrow I promise”

“It’s not tight. Your arms are perfect. Nothings happened baby okay. You could never ever embarrass me, hell even if you wore a bin bag I’d still be so proud to call you mine. Sweet girl if you don’t want to go, that’s fine we can stay here and watch films but I’m not going anywhere without you”

“Its your parents anniversary party Buck you have to go, I’ll be fine I promise”

“So? I’m not going without you doll”

That went on for nearly 30 minutes.

“Okay. I’ll go with you but I’m chang-“

“Nope, you’re staying in that dress beautiful girl. Now get your shoes on so we can leave”

At the venue where the party was being held she couldn’t stop fiddling with her fingers and when her eyes saw a man at the door taking names her stomach dropped.

“Names”

“James Barnes and Y/n L/n”

The man looked up at Bucky and smiled letting him through, Bucky held her hand to lead her in when the man’s rough voice stopped the both.

“Excuse me Miss but you’re not on the list.”

“What do you mean she’s not on the list?”

“There’s no Y/n L/n on here sir”

“There’s got to be a mistake.” Bucky frowned, eyes shifting from her to the man.

“No mistake, I’m afraid sir”

“But she’s my girlfr-“

“Buck, it’s okay I’ll just head home. Enjoy your night” Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek she pulled her hand away, trying desperately to ignore the stares and mumbles from people around.

“Baby, Y/n hold on a second”

“Bucky it’s fine honestly”

“I’ll ring my dad and see-“

“No babe it’s okay really-“

“Y/n-“

“James, about time you showed up” George’s loud voice interrupted Bucky.

“Dad Y/n’s not on the list for some reason?”

“Oh? That’s strange, anyway come on son your mother wants to see you”

“But dad my girlfriend…”

“Oh fine, she can come in too. Now come”

Bucky’s eyes found hers and she tried so hard to get him to see that she didn’t want to do this but all he did was grab a hold of her hand and followed his father.

Despite how large the room was the air was stuffy, it felt like there was hardly any room for people to move around. Overcrowded and her very own personal hell is the best way to describe the hall.

The lingering looks from those around made Y/n self-consciously pull on the dress, she even tried to breathe in as long as she could.

“Son your mother wants to see you, on your own if you don’t mind” George says the last part to Y/n, nodding and sliding her hand out of Bucky’s she smiled at him - well at least she thought it was a smile it was more like a grimace.

“I’ll be right back okay, Nat and Wanda are over there” pointing over to where the two redheads were her eyes followed.

“I’ll see you soon”

Bucky takes his leave and so does she before George’s hand stops her.

“I want to talk to you” not giving Y/n a chance to reply he all but drags her off and away from the sea of bodies.

“What are you doing here? You wasn’t invited”

“B-Bucky made me come” George raises a thick eyebrow and she quickly notice she mistake “Sir”.

“You look horrendous. There was a reason for why my wife and I didn’t invite a disgusting, fat nobody like yourself, want to know why?”

“W-why sir?”

“Our soon to be daughter in law is here and to be truthful my wife and I can’t be doing with your dramatics, again.”

Again. Y/n knew he was talking about the time Bucky had made her jump causing the glass to fall from her hand and shatter on the floor of the kitchen floor. The apologies that slipped out of her mouth none stop as Bucky assured her that it was okay and he’d clean it up, Winifred hissed “your useless”, she tried to pry the dust pan and brush away from Bucky’s hands so she could clean up the glass but all he did was move her away with a smile on his face.

The glares that were given to her by his parents, aunt and uncle made the tears well up and annoyingly slip out. Y/n felt so bad for breaking a glass that didn’t belong to her and even worse as Bucky was the one cleaning it up.

She didn’t dare tell him that she had a shard of glass stuck in her foot.

“I-I-“

“What does he see in you huh? Must be a decent fuck, that’s the only reason we can see him being with you” he taunted, never in the nearly two years she have been unfortunate enough to know him has he ever spoken to her like this.

“It’s embarrassing that you came to a party that you was not invited too. Did you come to see how the rich live? Your parents too poor to keep a roof over the heads for the gaggle of children your mother shot out of her cunt.” Her nose flared at the way he spoke about her mum, normally she would have defended her but George had managed to render her speechless.

“Listen child this so called relationship between yourself and my son doesn’t make sense, he needs a real woman by his side not someone who is clearly trying to be something it clearly isn’t.” His hand reached out to grab her stomach and pulled, flinching as it happened she tried to pull away. “Dolores and James will get back together, they will get married. Matter of fact he’ll be proposing tonight and my beautiful Winnie and I will be happy to have her as our daughter in law. How about you run along back to the hole you crawled out of”

The small patch of her stomach was still in his hand, she knew that a bruise was already forming, he shoved her backwards.

“Go or I’ll call security.”

Stumbling backwards she turned the corner just to see Bucky standing with Nat, Wanda, Steve and Sam. And Dot. Her arm wrapped around Bucky’s as she clings on to him.

Was the pain there because of the realisation that she never stood a chance of being good enough for someone who proclaimed their love for her at every opportunity they had?

Or was it because of how happy he looked?

Or maybe it was because Dot looked up and locked eyes with hers and smirked.

Either way her heart ached painfully in her chest.

Sticking close to the walls Y/n kept her head down so she wasn’t seen by her now ex-boyfriend and his friends and so that the other party guests wouldn’t see the stream of tears flow down her reddened cheeks.

The exit was just in reach when her name was called.

“Y/n-sweetheart what is wrong?” Peggy asked worriedly.

“I-I-…I don’t feel so good. Bye Peggy”

“Y/n where’s Bucky? He shou-“

“Don’t, don’t tell him I’ve gone okay. It won’t matter anyway, thank you Peggy for being my friend for the pa-past two years”

Y/n sees how her eyebrows flick in confusion but before the British brunette can respond she rushes out through the doors she had come through not that long ago.

The slow drum of her heart feeling heavier with each step she took, the laughter and cheers mocking her pain fading in the background as the tears rolled down and off her cheeks.

“Hey ma” greeting her with a kiss to her cheek Winnie’s face lit up seeing her son.

“Oh Bucky you’ve arrived. Guess who’s here too!”

“A lot of people” Bucky chuckled.

“Dottie’s here” she beamed up at him.

“What? Why is she here?”

“She’s family Buck, stop being rude”

“Did you know that Y/n wasn’t on the guest list?”

“Who?”

The frown Bucky wore deepened, she’s met his girlfriend on numerous occasions. “My girlfriend ma-“

“Oh her, I thought she was your friend”

“Are you joking me right now? She my girlf-“

He’s cut off by a high pitched voice that he hadn’t heard in four years, the voice he had no idea how he put up with for a year. The same whinny voice belonging to the woman he was in love with until she broke up with him out of the blue and then a few days later she was dating the guy who spent year’s tormenting him. Brock.

“Bucky! It’s been so long”

“Hi” he mumbles making sure Winnie notices his death stare.

“How have you been?” Dot goes in to give Bucky a hug, frowning as he takes a step back.

“Fine thanks, ma I’m going to find Y/n I’ll see you in a bit”

“Who’s that?” Dot asks.

“His friend Dottie”

“She’s my girlfriend. Has been for the past two years-“

“Oh…that’s around the time I broke up with Brock, he wasn’t worth my time”

That’s not exactly what happened. Yes she broke up with him but it wasn’t because he wasn’t worth her time but because she walked in on him having sex with her best friend.

He remembers the day he received multiple missed calls, he sat in his car staring at the text message from Dot telling him what had happened and how she had messed up and that she wanted him back. Bucky sat and read the message over and over again he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Laugh at the fact she had gotten karma, he had a nagging feeling that she had cheated on him with Brock so he thought it was fitting that she had to go through that.

Cry because she had messaged him about her life problems on the day he had his first date with Y/n. It had been two years since Dot had ruined him, two years on and he was still affected by what she had done. Then he met Y/n, he finally gained the courage to ask her out when she said yes he played cool but internally he was screaming.

The day his ex was having the worst day of her life as she put it, he was having the best day of his.

“I need to find Y/n”

“I’ll come with you, I want to meet the girl who’s been holding my place”

Before Bucky had time to respond Dot had wrapped her arm around his and dragged him off.

“Oh guys it’s been so long since I last saw you” Dot squealed as she got closer to Bucky’s friends who were huddled around together.

“What is she doing here Buck?” Nat asked with her arms crossed, Bucky felt like she was staring into his soul with how intense Nat was looking at him.

“I’m his date silly!” The friendship group all snapped their heads towards Bucky whilst his went to Dot.

“Let go of me. I’m not playing Dolores”

“Nope, it’s meant to be me and you James just like we always talked about”

“You’re insane aren’t you? He has a girlfriend who’s a thousand times better than you” Wanda spoke before Bucky could. Wanda never did shy away from making her hatred known for Dot.

“I heard she’s fat.” Dot sneered.

Now it was Natasha’s turn to jump in before Bucky or Wanda could defend Y/n “she isn’t and even if she was it doesn’t matter. Like Wanda said she’s a thousand times better than you-“

Bucky didn’t stop the smile from forming as his friends defended the girl he was in love with, the one who he knew was his everything. The one he brought a ring for with Peggy by his side, the ring sat in his sock draw waiting for their third year anniversary so he could get down on one knee. At first he thought it was a bit too soon but like Peggy reminded him, Steve proposed after only six months and they’d been happily married for nearly five years now.

Bucky is lost in his own little world drowning out his friends who each take it in turns to berate Dot, he’s oblivious to his surroundings and is completely unaware that Y/n sees him with Dot still on his arm, nor does he notice the smirk on Dot’s lips as she makes eye contact with Y/n.

The bubble pops as his father takes the microphone, the hall goes quiet as his father moves closer to his mother. His blue eyes bounced all around the grand hall in search for Y/n, as he does so he tries to shake off Dot.

“-my wife and Is 25th anniversary, truly has and always will be the love of my life-“

George’s voice filters in and out as Bucky starts to worry even more about where Y/n was, he sees Peggy pushing by people in a haste.

“Bucky, it’s Y/n… she’s left and she was crying. I tried to stop her, she thanked me for being her friend for the past two years. What’s going on?” Her eyebrows furrow when she sees Dot and how close she is to Bucky.

“W-when?”

“A few minutes ago.”

Bucky pushes Dot away and makes his way through the crowd, not apologising when he bumps into those in his way.

He gets to the double doors that lead to the hallway, he’s so close he could feel the cold air, when George’s voice that’s amplified by the microphone stops him.

“I want to welcome my son James and his darling fiancée Dolores up on the stage”

Stopping dead in his tracks he slowly turned to face his father with a puzzled look, George’s lips turn into a smirk.

The crowd cheers and claps unaware or unfazed by Bucky’s reaction. He sees Dot moving towards George with a beaming smile, he also sees the glares and confused looks from his friends.

“Come on son, don’t keep you beautiful fiancée waiting” George says through gritted teeth.

Bucky’s feet lead him before his brain can catch up.

He’s halfway through the crowd, ignoring his friends shouting at him in the background Bucky holds his head up even if heart is beating violently. He has to do this, he can’t fail himself or Y/n.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about father. I’m not going to marry Dot, Y/n is my-“

“Say girlfriend I dare you” George growls.

“She is my girlfriend Father”

“She’s a fat nobody who’s only using you for your money, stop playing around and get up here”

Bucky flinches at George’s words, he knows it isn’t true Y/n never lets him spend his money on her. The only time he gets to spoil her is on her birthday or on Christmas. Not once has he ever thought of Y/n being fat, if he’s being honest he’s never noticed her weight to him she’s the definition of perfect.

He knows one day in the future he will regret the heartache he’s about to put his mother through but right now he doesn’t care. Turning his head in his mothers’ direction he sees the smirk she wearing, maybe he won’t regret this. He takes a deep breath in and slowly exhales.

“Did you know his secretary he sacked two years ago is his mistress? She’s pregnant, and oh she’s standing just over there”

Though he feels slightly guilty at his mothers’ fallen face and at the tears already gathering in her eyes, he doesn’t stop himself from smiling when his father stands there on the stage in front of everyone he knows spluttering out incoherent words, George’s eyes bounce from Winnie to his mistress who’s trying to blend into the wall, trying hard to get away from the judgemental stares from those there.

“Oh and no I won’t be marrying Dot, congratulations on your 25th anniversary father.” And with that he leaves to find Y/n, laughing at his friends who all cheer at the scene he just caused.

“Baby I know you’re in there, please open up” He knocks for the umpteenth time.

Hearing the familiar clicking of the locks he’s greeted by a red eyes, tear stained cheeks of his love.

And a box.

“T-these are you’re things”

“No baby please let me in, I need to talk to you”

“There’s nothing to talk about Bucky, congratulations on your engagement I-I hope you have a wonderful life”

“I haven’t proposed yet-“

“Oh, okay break up with me then”

“I haven’t proposed yet... to you” he breathes out.

“W-what?”

“Can I come in and explain? Please”

Nodding Y/n opens the door wider for him to enter, Bucky removes the box from her hands replacing his in them instead he leads her to the couch. Wiping the freshly falling tears he tells her what had happened from Peggy telling him that she had left, to his father, right to him outing his father’s affair.

“Bucky!” she scolded; she was there with Bucky when he caught his father having sex with his 22 year old sectary. She tried to convince him that he should tell his mum, held him as he cried after he got himself worked up with all the emotions.

“What? They both had it coming, I also told her that the mistress is pregnant and pointed over to where she stood” he smiles “baby I had no idea what they was doing I swear-wait how did you know about the engagement?”

“Oh… your father told me-“ It was then Y/n’s turn to tell him everything that has happened over the nearly two years of her knowing his parents.

“Ba-baby I-I didn’t know, I’m so sorry” he chokes out, his throat swells up due to him trying not to cry. The guilt hitting him like a ton of bricks when he remembers all the times he dragged her with him to his parents house, or how it took her to tell him everything for things to make sense like how she always shut down for a few days after they spent time with his parents or how she would never eat in front of them, so many things made sense and the guilt was swallowing him whole.

“It’s oka-“

“No its not Y/n, I should of realised and baby I’m so fucking sorry”

“Ma-maybe if you go back and apologise to them they won’t be to mad, maybe they’ll understand and-and you and Dot can still get engaged” she hesitantly says even though it broke her heart.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your fathers right Buck, I’m not good enough for yo-“

“Shut up. Y/n I swear to god don’t say that ever again! Please don’t ever think that you’re not good or enough for me because I can promise you right here, right now that you are and always will be baby”

Before Y/n can respond a knock sounding from the door makes both jump, Bucky goes to open it instantly smiling as their friends all stand there, Sam and Wanda hold up pizza boxes with wide grins on their faces, letting everyone in Steve waits behind.

“Buck, here” the blonde whispers, holding the small box out that he instantly recognises.

“H-how?”

“I’ve got a spare key remember, I really don’t think you should wait Buck.”

“Thanks punk”

“You’re welcome jerk”

Watching from the doorway as his friends make themselves at home and seeing a genuine smile grace Y/n’s beautiful face as she stared back at him.

“I love you” he mouths.

Every time he says them words, he means them with his whole heart his entire begin.

He closes the door behind as his walks towards his future.

Tags: @imcinnamoons | @pigeonmama | @capsbestgirl77

[deliciousangelfestival]

Past Connections || B.Barnes

Summary: Just a simple story where CEO Bucky meets his ex-girlfriend.

Character: CEO Bucky x ex-girlfriend!Reader

Main Masterlist

A/N: I'm sorry if it's not good. I have writer's block again. Or perhaps it's because I'm too tired after coming back from my hometown.

Please leave a comment or reblog to motivate me again. 🥺🙏🏻

As Bucky sat inside the office room, his attention was laser-focused on the document in front of him. No one dared to disturb Bucky's concentration until the intrusive ringing of his phone shattered the silence of the room.

Bucky's phone rang, and he glanced at the caller ID, recognizing it as Steve's number. "Hey, Steve," he answered, his tone already conveying his readiness to help.

"Hey, Bucky, sorry to bother you, but I need a huge favor," Steve's voice sounded strained over the line.

"No problem, what's up?" Bucky replied, concern creeping into his voice.

"It's Peggy. She went into labor earlier than expected, and I'm stuck at the hospital with her. Can you pick up Mark from school for me?" Steve explained quickly, his words punctuated by background hospital noises.

Bucky's instinct to help his friend kicked in immediately. "Of course, Steve, don't worry about it. I'll head over to the school right now," he reassured him, already mentally rearranging his schedule.

But just as he was about to end the call, Steve's voice hurriedly added, "Oh, and one more thing, Bucky. Mark got into a bit of trouble at school. His homeroom teacher wants to meet with his guardian or parents."

Bucky's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the additional information. "Trouble? What happened?" he inquired, concern lacing his tone.

Steve sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "It's nothing serious, just a small incident in class. But the teacher insists on speaking with someone responsible," he explained, his words slightly muffled by the background hospital noises.

Bucky nodded, already mentally preparing himself for the unexpected turn of events. "Got it. I'll take care of Mark and meet with his teacher," he assured Steve, determination firm in his voice.

He ended the call and gathered his things to head out, Bucky couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble his nephew had gotten himself into this time.

As Bucky found himself navigating the chaotic world of elementary school pickups, he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.

Elementary school was the last place he ever thought he'd find himself, especially after pulling consecutive all-nighters at the office. With dark circles under his eyes and a caffeine-induced jitteriness that threatened to rival a squirrel on espresso, Bucky wondered if he'd accidentally stumbled into a parallel universe.

##########

As Bucky stepped into Mark's classroom, he heard a gentle female voice emanating from the front of the room. The sound was oddly familiar, tugging at his memories.

His heart skipped a beat when he realized the source of the voice – it was you, Mark's teacher, and his former girlfriend.

You looked up from your desk, your eyes widening in surprise as you recognized Bucky standing in the doorway. "Bucky?" you exclaimed, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected appearance.

Bucky's expression softened as he met your gaze. "Hey," he greeted, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. "It's been a while."

You nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of your lips. "Yeah, it has," you agreed, motioning for him to come closer. "Come on in. Take a seat."

As Bucky made his way to an empty desk, you couldn't help but feel a rush of nostalgia at the sight of him. "So, um, what brings you here?" you asked, trying to break the awkward tension that hung in the air.

Bucky shifted in his seat, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "Steve asked me to pick up Mark," he explained, glancing over at the young boy who was engrossed in his coloring book.

You nodded understandingly. "Ah, I see. Well, it's good to see you," you said sincerely, reaching out to shake his hand. "I'm glad you stopped by."

Bucky returned the handshake, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, me too," he admitted, feeling a sense of warmth wash over him in your presence.

Bucky cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So, uh, Mark is in trouble?" he asked. Not forgettingthe reason why he came here.

"You know," you began, correcting Bucky gently, "there was an incident, but it wasn't caused by Mark. It was the other kid." Your gaze shifted to Mark, who seemed to shrink under your scrutiny, a tinge of guilt evident in his expression. "Mark helped his classmates, but in a unique way."

Bucky felt a flutter in his chest as he caught sight of your smile, a familiar warmth washing over him at the sight of you. "What happened, Mark?" he prompted, turning his attention to the young boy.

Mark let out a huff, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "These kids who are taller than my classmate Candy, they were bullying her. Making fun of her missing tooth. It wasn't nice," he explained, his voice tinged with indignation. "So, I..." he trailed off, a hint of hesitation in his tone.

"Go on," Bucky encouraged gently, sensing the weight of the situation.

Mark squared his shoulders, his gaze meeting Bucky's. "I pushed down the bookshelf to the ground," he admitted, his words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. "It made everyone shocked. I didn't want to fight them because it would make things worse. If I fought them, they might lose their front teeth like Candy too." Mark's voice wavered slightly as he recounted the events.

Bucky nodded, a sense of pride swelling within him. "Good job, Mark," he praised, offering the boy a reassuring smile.

You watched the exchange between Bucky and Mark, a mixture of curiosity and admiration flickering in your eyes.

Bucky gently ruffled Mark's hair, a fond smile gracing his lips. "You're not wrong, kiddo," he replied warmly. "I'll make sure to tell your dad the whole story."

Mark's expression softened with relief. "Thank you, Uncle Bucky," he said gratefully, his eyes shining with genuine appreciation.

Bucky nodded, giving Mark's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before turning to you. "Wait in my car, Mark. I want to have a private chat with your teacher," he instructed, his tone firm yet gentle.

As Mark obediently made his way out of the classroom, Bucky turned back to you, a serious expression replacing his previous warmth. "I need to talk to you about Mark," he began, his voice low and earnest. "It seems like he's been through some changes since I last saw him, and I want to make sure he's on the right path."

You nodded, your own concern mirrored in your eyes. "Of course, Bucky. Let's talk," you agreed, gesturing for him to take a seat at one of the desks.

Bucky leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowed with concern. "Mark's father admitted to me that he hasn't been giving enough attention to Mark since his mother got pregnant with their second child," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "I'm worried about how it's been affecting him."

You shook your head sympathetically, a frown creasing your forehead. "That's tough," you sighed, your heart going out to the young boy. "But from what I've seen, Mark is a good kid. In fact, he's been telling everyone how excited he is to meet his baby sister."

A sense of relief washed over Bucky at your words, a weight lifting off his shoulders. "Really?" he asked, a hint of surprise coloring his voice.

You nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of your lips. "Yeah, he's been talking about her non-stop. It's clear that he cares about his family," you assured him, your tone softening with empathy.

Bucky's expression softened as he absorbed your reassurance, a sense of gratitude filling him. "Thanks for letting me know," he said sincerely, feeling a renewed sense of hope for Mark's well-being.

###########

Bucky leaned back in his seat, his gaze lingering on you with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "By the way, how have you been doing?" he asked, his voice softening as he searched your eyes for a glimpse of the life you'd been leading since their breakup.

You met his gaze, a hint of nostalgia flickering in your eyes. "I've been keeping busy," you replied, a wistful smile touching your lips. "After we went our separate ways, I decided to travel the world and teach wherever I could."

Bucky nodded, a sense of admiration mingling with the lingering affection he felt for you. "That sounds amazing," he remarked, genuine interest coloring his tone. "Meanwhile, I've been knee-deep in the world of IT, trying to keep up with the latest tech trends."

You nodded sympathetically, understanding the demands of his career. "Sounds like a handful," you commented, a note of empathy in your tone. "But knowing you, I'm sure you're killing it."

Your gaze couldn't help but linger on the pronounced bags under his eyes, a stark reminder of his relentless dedication to work. You remembered all too well how his workaholic tendencies had driven a wedge between the two of you, one of the reasons for your breakup.

Unable to ignore the concern gnawing at your heart, you gently reached out to Bucky, your voice soft with worry. "Bucky, you really need to get some sleep," you urged, your eyes reflecting genuine concern for his well-being.

Bucky let out a tired chuckle, his exhaustion evident in the lines etched on his face. "You're one of the closest people who could give me an order," he admitted with a weary smile, acknowledging the bond that still lingered between them despite the passage of time.

You watched him with a mixture of fondness and concern, you couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the man sitting before you.

As Bucky lingered in the classroom, enjoying the easy banter with you, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he should probably head back to the car where Mark was waiting.

With a reluctant sigh, he finally stood up from his seat, a small smile lingering on his lips. "Well, it's been great catching up with you," he said, his tone tinged with regret as he prepared to say goodbye.

You returned his smile, a hint of mischief glinting in your eyes. "Likewise. Don't be a stranger," you replied, a playful glimmer in your voice.

As Bucky made his way out of the classroom and back to the car, he found Mark waiting with his arms crossed, a knowing look on his face. "You like my teacher?" the young boy quipped, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Mark shrugged, his expression innocent. "Dad said whenever a woman gets near you, you'll walk away. But you stayed a while with my teacher," he pointed out, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Bucky couldn't help but chuckle at Mark's observation, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. "Just call me whenever you get into trouble, okay?" he said, trying to steer the conversation away from his own embarrassment.

Mark narrowed his eyes, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "Uncle Bucky, you're using me to meet my teacher," he teased, enjoying the upper hand in the situation.

Bucky chuckled, unable to deny Mark's astute observation. "Hmm, maybe just a little," he conceded, shooting Mark a knowing look.

"I won't be a troublemaker anymore. I'm a good kid. I want to be the best big brother to my sister," Mark declared proudly, his determination shining through.

Bucky nodded, a sense of pride swelling within him at Mark's sincerity. "I know you are, kiddo," he replied, feeling a surge of affection for the young boy.

Since that day, Bucky offered himself to pick up Mark after school as an excuse to meet you again.

[the-winter-spider]

The View Between Villages: Part Six

Word Count: 4.1k

Pairings: Bucky x reader, TASM!Peter x reader

Warnings: Mentions of su!cide

Masterlist

—

“Y/N, I know you’re in there. Open up, doll, please.” Bucky’s voice was soft, laced with desperation as he rested his forehead against the door. It had been almost a month since he last saw you. He’d walked by your apartment countless times, even though it was nowhere near his place or his therapist’s office. It was the only way he could feel close to you anymore.

Especially when you wouldn’t answer his calls or respond to his texts. The only reason he figured out how to use his phone remotely was to reach out to you, but he’d settled for listening to your voicemail. The familiar message played over and over in his mind: “Hi, you’ve reached Y/N. If you have this number, odds are you’re probably in the compound with me and are too lazy to come find me.” A pause, and then Natasha’s voice in the background, “It was one time… okay, maybe more than 10.” Steve and your laughter followed before you continued, “But if not, I guess leave a message.” Tony’s voice cut in at the end, “She won’t get back to you, bye!” before the beep sounded.

But four weeks was far too long. He had to know you were alright. Sam had told him that he stopped by two weeks ago, heard the TV on, and saw your shadow under the door, but you weren’t answering him either. Bucky was hoping this wasn’t about him telling you he needed time. He felt so stupid doing that. He’d talked about it with Steve after you left, the night Steve told the two of you he was going to stay.

Steve had told him he was being stupid, that it wasn’t by chance all three of you were alive—just like it wasn’t by chance when he went to collect the Infinity Stones with Tony, he just so happened to hide in Peggy’s office. It was fate. Bucky knew he was being stupid, knew everything Steve and you had done for him, to get him back, to save him. All the sacrifices you made. But it was just so easy for Steve to toss him—and you—aside. He was scared that once you realised he wasn’t the same Bucky anymore, you’d do the same. But you also weren’t the same Y/N he fell in love with anymore, and nothing scared him more than falling out of love with you.

What was a little more time, he thought?

You stood there, staring at the door, your heart pounding in your chest. You could see his shadow from under the doorframe. You felt like you were on fire—quite literally possible for you to set yourself on fire too—and you would if it meant Bucky was here to beg for you back with a ring in hand.

“Please, it’s about the shield, about Steve. We need to get it back, back to where it belongs.”

Burning.

“I’m done, Buck.” Your voice was hoarse, your throat scratchy. You were positive he wouldn’t have even heard it if it wasn’t for the serum.

“What do you mean you’re done?” His voice grew louder as he banged on the door a little harder. “Open the door, let’s talk, please.”

“Go away, James. I don’t want you here.”

Wincing at his name coming out of your mouth, made something in him churn, he scoffed, the sound cutting through the silence like a knife. “You’re really going to do this? After everything Steve did for you?”

You winced, the glass cup in your hand shattering to the ground, water pooling around your feet. The fire within you momentarily extinguished, replaced by a cold, empty feeling that seeped into your bones.

Silence stretched between you, the only sound was the drip of water from the broken cup. You stood there, unmoving, surrounded by shards of glass.

“Y/N, I didn’t—I’m sorry.” His voice was softer now, filled with regret. He lingered for a moment longer, and you heard the floor creak as he slowly walked away.

The echo of his footsteps faded, leaving you alone in the quiet, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. You looked down at the shattered glass, the water still seeping into the cracks of the floorboards. The fire was gone, replaced by an overwhelming numbness that you weren’t sure would ever leave.

You sank to the floor, your back against the door, knees drawn to your chest. The water soaked through your clothes, but you didn’t care. The silence was suffocating, pressing down on you, making it hard to breathe. You rested your head on your knees, closing your eyes as a single tear slipped down your cheek.

You didn’t know how long you sat there, the weight of your grief pressing you further into the ground. But as the hours passed, the numbness began to fade, replaced by a dull ache deep in your chest. You weren’t sure what hurt more—Bucky’s words or the fact that he was right.

Steve was gone. Tony was gone. Natasha was gone. And now, it felt like Bucky was gone too.

But what did it matter? You were done. Done fighting, done caring, done with everything. You were so tired—tired of being strong, of holding on to something that had slipped through your fingers long ago.

But as much as you wanted to give up, you couldn’t shake the feeling that Bucky was still out there, still hoping you’d open that door. And a part of you wanted to—wanted to reach out, to hold onto the one person who understood what you were going through.

But that part of you was buried deep, smothered by the pain and the grief and the endless darkness that surrounded you. So you stayed there, on the cold, wet floor, alone with your thoughts and the broken pieces of your heart.

—-

Louisiana 2024

Sam stood on his front porch, his phone clutched tightly in his hand as he stared at the call log. The screen dimmed, reflecting his own frustrated expression back at him. He exhaled sharply, his thumb hovering over your name before he pressed it and brought the phone to his ear. When it went straight to voicemail, he let out a groan, squeezing the phone so hard that, if he had the serum running through his veins, it would have shattered.

A whirlwind of emotions churned inside him—frustration at how vague you’d been, anger at Bucky for keeping him in the dark, and an overwhelming sense of dread. He’d seen the headlines, the video footage of you walking away from Bucky with lightning cracking the sky behind you. At first, he thought it was just another argument, a clash of wills. He knew how stubborn Bucky could be, but you—you were supposed to be the glue that held everything together. Steve had always said that about you. Sam had hoped it would hold true, that you and Bucky could find common ground, that the three of you could weather this storm together.

But everything had changed. Six months was a long time, too long. Sam had given you space, knowing you needed time to process everything, but the silence was unbearable. Every day he checked his phone for any sign that you were okay, scoured the news for anything that might hint at your whereabouts. When he heard about the lightning strike that split a 100-year-old tree in half, part of him was relieved—at least it was a sign that you were still out there. But it was clearly intentional, and that worried him more. He tried talking to Bucky, but all he got was the same dismissive response: “None of your business.”

But now, as he replayed your last conversation over and over in his mind, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a “see you later.” It felt like a real goodbye, the kind you don’t come back from. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about one of the last conversations he’d ever had with Steve, the one where they’d talked about you. Steve had been so sure that you’d be okay, that you’d find your way. But now… Sam wasn’t so sure.

He paced the porch, the old wood creaking under his boots, trying to figure out what to do next. Should he try to find you? Track you down? Or was that just pushing you further away? The more he thought about it, the more his mind raced, caught between his loyalty to you and the promise he made to Steve—to keep the team, the family, together.

Sam ran a hand over his face, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on him. He was Captain America now, but he felt more lost than ever. “Damn it, Y/N,” he muttered under his breath, glancing out at the horizon, where the last light of the day was fading into darkness. “I can’t lose you too.”

—

2023 - A Little Before Steve Rogers’ Passing

“Hey Sam?”

“Yeah, Cap?”

A small smile tugged at Steve’s lips. “You know you can stop calling me that. The shield’s yours now.”

Sam rolled his eyes, but there was a warmth in his voice. “You’re always gonna be my Captain.”

Nostalgia washed over Steve’s face before his expression grew serious. “Y/N hasn’t come by, I haven't seen her since the stones. I haven’t heard from her. I’m worried, Sam.”

“I’ve stopped by multiple times, called, texted… She’s just not answering. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Bucky won’t tell me anything,” Steve paused, sensing a lie in his own words before continuing, “They must be fighting again.” A small, bittersweet smile played on his lips as he thought of the countless, trivial arguments between you and Bucky.

Sam snorted. “Makes two of us. I think she’s just not handling all this…” He gestured toward Steve, who was lying in the hospital bed. “Well.”

Steve nodded, his expression conflicted. He opened his mouth, then closed it, weighing whether to say what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke, his voice tinged with hesitation. “I know this is asking a lot of you, Sam, but you need to look after her.”

“You know I will, Cap. Always. She’s family to me too.”

Steve’s face softened, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes. “I’m gonna tell you something that only Y/N, Tony, Fury, and I knew. You can’t tell Bucky. It’ll just make things worse.”

Sam’s demeanour shifted as he leaned in, sensing the gravity of what Steve was about to reveal. “Yeah, of course. My lips are sealed.”

Steve took a deep breath. “Y/N… she didn’t just go for a walk, fall asleep, and wake up here,” he said. “She died, Sam.”

Sam’s mouth dropped open in shock. “What? That wasn’t in any file…”

“I know. We decided it was best kept a secret. But a little bit after she woke up, she couldn’t remember much. When it all came back to her, she was hysterical. We had to sedate her. It was like everything she felt before hit her all at once. But we got her to talk. It wasn’t uncommon after the war for people to…” Steve hesitated, the weight of the truth heavy on his shoulders.

Sam’s eyes widened, his discomfort evident as he anticipated where Steve was headed.

“She lost us, Sam. She didn’t have anyone left. She attended not one, but two funerals where there was no body. I couldn’t imagine what she felt,” Steve continued, his voice growing softer. He looked directly at Sam, his expression grave. “She did it, Sam. She went to… and she did.”

“Steve, that’s… a lot,” Sam stammered, standing up to pace near the foot of the bed. “That changes everything. I gotta—”

Steve cut him off gently. “I know it’s a lot. But as long as you know she’s still in there, alive… that’s all that matters, Sam.”

“Why didn’t you tell Bucky? That’s his girl,” Sam pressed, clearly struggling to process the information.

“He was going through a lot. He was healing. She was healing. She promised me everything was fine,” Steve replied, though his voice was tinged with doubt.

“He’d kick down that door if he knew,” Sam muttered, almost to himself.

Steve managed a small smile. “Yeah, I know he would. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight. She’s his everything.”

“Any idea why they’d be fighting?” Sam asked, his tone tinged with frustration.

Steve shrugged, though the gesture seemed forced. “Can’t say I do, Sam.”

But of course, Steve knew. Bucky had come to him two weeks ago, asking for advice about you. He’d admitted he didn’t know who he was anymore, and by extension, he didn’t know who you were either. He was afraid of dragging you through the dark tunnel of his self-discovery. Steve had told him that was a stupid notion—that you’d be more hurt by him saying he needed space, that he needed time. After all, the two of you were already on borrowed time.

Steve had promised Bucky he wouldn’t say anything, no matter how badly he wanted to, because he’d hoped that the two of you would sort things out before it was too late. But by the looks of it, that wasn’t the case. It was a secret that Steve would take to the grave, trusting that Bucky would confide in Sam when he was ready, when the trust between them was strong enough. He just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

As Sam paced the room, his mind raced with the implications of what Steve had just revealed. He couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out, not just for Steve, but for all of them. He stopped and turned to face his old friend, his expression hardening with resolve.

“I won’t let her slip away, Steve,” Sam said, his voice steady. “I promise you that.”

Steve nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “I know you won’t, Sam. I trust you.”

The two men shared a moment of silence, the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future hanging heavily between them. Sam could see that Steve was tired, but there was a peace in his eyes, a quiet acceptance of what was to come.

“Steve… I need to know. Do you think she’ll be okay? Really okay?” Sam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Steve’s gaze softened as he looked up at Sam. “She’s strong, Sam. Stronger than she knows. But she’s been through so much… too much. She’ll need you. She’ll need both of you.”

Sam nodded, feeling the enormity of the responsibility settle on his shoulders. He knew that he couldn’t let Steve down—not now, not ever.

As he turned to leave, Steve’s voice stopped him at the door. “Sam… thank you.”

Sam looked back, his hand resting on the doorframe. “For what?”

“For being the man you are, for taking the shield. For everything, for looking after my family” Steve said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Sam nodded, unable to find the right words to respond. He simply gave Steve a small, respectful salute before walking out of the room, his mind already racing with what he needed to do next.

Outside, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light over the compound. Sam took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew what he had to do. He had to find you, had to make sure you were okay, and most importantly, he had to keep Steve’s promise.

—

The front door swung open.

“What the hell, Sam? Was that Y/N?! Don’t even lie to me—I heard you say her name,” Bucky’s brows were creased in frustration, his finger pointing accusingly at Sam.

Sam hesitated, knowing that Bucky was already on edge. He had promised Steve, but he also knew that Bucky needed to know the truth. There was no way around it anymore. “We should go inside,” Sam finally said, his voice calm but firm.

As Sam turned to walk inside, Bucky grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. The two men locked eyes, and Sam could see the worry, panic, and heartache in Bucky’s gaze. He could also see the deep love Bucky had for you, and it only made what he had to say harder. Sam nodded toward the table inside, motioning for Bucky to follow. He could hear Bucky’s heavy footsteps behind him, each step filled with a mix of dread and anticipation.

Sam pulled out a chair and sat down, while Bucky remained standing with his arms crossed, a stubborn look on his face. “Sit down, Buck.”

“No,” Bucky replied, his voice flat.

“Bucky, sit down,” Sam insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Bucky lingered for a moment longer, his jaw clenched, before finally giving in and pulling out the chair across from Sam. “You better start talking, Sam,” he demanded, his voice low and tense.

Sam took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “I will, under one condition: you don’t interrupt me. And know that the only reason I didn’t tell you earlier is because Steve made me promise.”

Bucky’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “Fine. Just talk.”

“One of the last times I went to visit Steve, he told me something that only he, Fury, Stark, and Y/N knew. It wasn’t in any of her files for good reason—it was need-to-know information, and Steve didn’t want to burden you with it while you were recovering. He believed Y/N would tell you when she was ready.” Sam paused, watching Bucky’s reaction carefully. “What do you know about the night she disappeared?”

Bucky’s scowl deepened. “Peggy told her about Steve…” he cleared his throat “And me, after the funerals, she just disappeared. Steve told me she fell asleep by our spot and woke up in 2012. The ground absorbed her or something, right?”

Sam shook his head, his expression somber. “She didn’t fall asleep, Buck.”

Bucky’s eyes flashed with confusion and anger. “What do you mean she didn’t fall asleep? So Steve lied to me?”

“Bucky… she died.”

Bucky shot out of his chair, the force sending it flying back. “What do you mean, she died? So she’s a ghost?! That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” He started pacing, his mind racing as he tried to process Sam’s words. “Why’d they lie to me?” He slammed his fist down on the table, making Sarah jump in the kitchen.

“She committed suicide,” Sam said quietly, the words heavy in the air. He wanted to break eye contact with Bucky, but he couldn’t. Now, he understood what you meant when you said Bucky’s ocean eyes could suck you in like a whirlpool. Sam felt like he was drowning as he saw them fill with water.

Bucky shook his head in disbelief. “No, no, no… Why would she do that, Sam? Did he say why she would do that? My girl wouldn’t do that. She—she—”

“She lost both of you, Buck. She lost you, then she lost Steve. You two were all she had. There were no bodies to bury—no closure. I can’t imagine what she was feeling.”

Bucky slumped onto the couch, the weight of Sam’s words pressing down on him. He had millions of questions, but he was scared to ask them. The answer to this one was already too heavy, and he wasn’t sure he could carry any more.

“Steve said they ran tests and they were never able to find out how she was resurrected, but they assumed it had to do with her powers. There was no other logical explanation,” Sam continued, his voice softening.

Bucky nodded slowly, the silence in the room thick and suffocating. It hung between them until Bucky suddenly jumped up from the couch. “She lost Steve.”

“We all lost Steve,” Sam replied, confused by Bucky’s sudden outburst.

“No, you don’t get it,” Bucky said, running his hands down his face in frustration. “She lost Steve, and I—fuck, I’m so stupid. I wasn’t thinking. I gotta call her Sam. This is bad. Do you think she—do you think she would do it again?”

“Whoa, Buck, slow down,” Sam said, standing up. “What are you talking about?”

“I told her I needed time, Sam. She gave me the ring back. We broke up. She lost me, then she lost Steve.”

“Did Steve know?”

“Of course he knew. He told me I was stupid. I am stupid.”

Sam’s eyes widened as he connected the dots. “That was her on the phone… She told me she was proud of me. She was saying goodbye, Buck.”

“Well, call her back!” Bucky shouted, panic rising in his voice.

“I tried. It goes straight to voicemail,” Sam replied, frustration evident in his tone.

“She called me,” Bucky whispered, his voice breaking. “A day ago. She didn’t say anything, but I could hear her. Then she just hung up.” He paused, the realisation hitting him like a punch to the gut. “What if she already…”

“Don’t say it, Buck. She’s not… She can’t be,” Sam said, trying to keep his own fear in check.

“We gotta go now. We gotta go to her place and kick her door down!” Bucky was already heading toward the door, determined in every step.

“Wait, Buck,” Sam blurted out, stopping Bucky in his tracks. “48 hours ago, a single lightning strike hit a 100-year-old tree in the park.”

Bucky froze, understanding immediately. He knew what you were doing. “She let me go,” he whispered, his voice trembling as he wiped away a tear. “She was letting me—us go.”

Sam looked at Bucky, his heart sinking. “Do you know where else she could have gone?”

Before Bucky could answer, Sarah’s voice called out from the kitchen. “Hey, guys? I hate to interrupt, but you might wanna see this.”

Both men rushed into the kitchen, their eyes locking onto the TV screen. Spider-Man was on a video call with a news reporter, but this time, his mask was off.

“Just the truth,” Spider-Man spoke.

“Oh, sure,” Jameson replied, rolling his eyes.

“I thought he wore a mask for a reason?” Bucky questioned, confused by what he was seeing.

Sarah’s eyes widened. “You two missed a lot while you were fixing that damn boat. They revealed his identity—just some kid named Peter Parker from Queens,” she shrugged, still watching the screen.

“The truth is, that this is all my fault. I accidentally brought those dangerous people here,” Peter admitted.

“Well, he admits it!” Jameson exclaimed.

“And if those people are watching, just know that I really did try to help you. I mean, I could have killed you at any given moment. But I didn’t, because my Aunt May taught me that everyone deserves a second chance. And that’s why I’m here.”

“And where is ‘here’ exactly?” Jameson pressed.

Peter turned the camera slightly, revealing his location. “A place that represents second chances.”

As the camera panned, both Bucky and Sam caught a glimpse of you standing on the Statue of Liberty before the camera turned back to Peter.

“Did you see that?” Bucky asked, his heart racing.

Sam nodded, his mind racing as well. “She did promise Stark she’d watch out for Spider-Man, and if Peter is Spider-Man, she’s gonna watch out for him too.”

“The Statue of Liberty?! Good God, folks, he’s about to destroy another national landmark!” Jameson continued to rant.

“But world, if you’re watching—”

“Believe me, the world is watching—” Jameson cut in.

“Wish me luck. Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man could really use some,” Peter’s video ended, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Bucky turned to Sam, urgency in his voice. “Do you have his phone number?”

“When I became Captain America, they auto-synced phone numbers in my phone, but I’m not sure,” Sam said, reaching into his pocket.

“Well, check!” Bucky urged, his anxiety rising.

“What the hell do you think I’m doing?!” Sam shot back, scrolling through his contacts. “At least we know she’s alive.”

“Yeah, but not safe. What ‘bad guys’—plural, might I add—is he talking about?”

“I got it! I found it,” Sam said, turning his phone around to show Bucky the contact labelled ‘Spider-Man.’

Without hesitation, Bucky ripped the phone out of Sam’s hand and hit the call button, pressing it to his ear.

“What the hell, man? That’s my—”

Bucky put a finger to his lips, signalling Sam to be quiet as he waited for the call to connect. “Put Y/N on the phone,” Bucky demanded as soon as someone picked up on the other end.

[mymelodymia]

Not the end Dad!Tony stark x daughter!reader

Summary: after the end game, you and your father have some bonding time <3

Warnings: slight endgame spoilers but thats really it 🙂

A/N: in this particular fic, tony did not die cause my heart 😭 steve didn't go back in time for Peggy that was dumb. And Carol did successfully take the stones from thanos and snapped 👏

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•++•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

After the long battle between Thanos and the avengers, you and your father went home. You never thought that the tony stark would settle down and live the quiet life. But he did.

when you arrived at this new home, you walked inside and morgan immediately ran toward you. Wrapping you in a tight hug, you were aware that morgan was your new little sister given that tony had told you while on the battlefield.

You had always dreamed of having a younger sister, you could teach her how to be all sassy like you.

As a kid, you used to make tony pretend to be pregnant and in the delivery room. And when the "baby" which was just one of your baby dolls, was born you would name it something like daisy or kitty.

A few moments later, tony walked into the kitchen and made you and him a cup of hot cocoa.

You were sitting on the couch waiting for him, you had turned on a movie that you and him loved to watch when you were little.

He sat down next to you, handing you the drink he had just prepared for you. You leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around you, kissing the top of your head, he had missed stark movie nights, he had missed you.

You rested your head on his shoulder.

"Alright fill me in."

"Mmm" tony hummed looking down at you.

"Tell me about the last five years" you said looking up at him, he turned his head back in the direction of the tv and began to tell you all about the years he spent without you

He told you he always threw you a birthday party, he kept your room the same as it was, every piece of furniture in the same spot. and he said that all the presents were in your closet. and that he had photographs of you all around the house, and that he would show them to morgan and tell her all about you. He also said that she would ask him when she would be able to meet you, and he always responded with "soon". Morgan loved to hear about you, she thought you were the coolest person in the galaxy, even cooler then tony, she always asked for tony to tell her a story about you at bedtime. He kept going on and on, till Morgan walked into the room, immediately running toward you once again.

You picked her up and held her to you. You leaned to lay on your side, your back to the tv, and tony did as well.

You held morgan to your chest just like tony used to hold you when you were little, tony wrapped his arms around both of you. Tony was facing the tv and rested his head on yours. Your movie playing softly In the background.

You all soon fell asleep together ❤️

+•°+*°•+

EXTRA: when you woke up, you carefully took morgan off of your chest, placing her in tonys arms. You quietly creeped into your bedroom, which looked the same, you slowly walked toward your closet and opened it. You saw dozens of wrapped gifts with notes on top. When you read the notes, each one of them ended with "i miss you kiddo, i really wish you were here" you definitely cried a little bit that day.

Tags

@animealways // @white-wolf-buckaroo // @tonystark-au // @yummyangy // @zebralover //

[waywardxrhea]

Tuna-Tober Day 4 - Bucky Barnes

pairing: Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier x fem!Reader

prompt: "This isn't you."

word count: 1,127

content: dead dove, angst, gun use, main character death. There is no happy ending. Hurt, no comfort. Read at your own risk. You are responsible for your own media consumption.  

You stood in front of the lab hood that held a new piece of espionage tech that you had started working on a few months ago. It was in the final stages and just needed a few more adjustments before it was ready to be tested by Peggy. She was the only one you would trust to test the quality of your invention. Since you were recruited to work at SHIELD at its inception, you had worked on many projects alongside Howard Stark, but this one was one of the first that you worked on completely by yourself, and it was arguably your finest invention. 

Heading to grab your notebook off of your desk to jot down some more notes for Peggy to use once she was testing it, you heard a ruckus down the hall and what sounded like gunshots. Furrowing your eyebrows together, you started creeping toward the wall, but just as you did, a hand reached out and pulled your heel out from under you! 

You tumbled to the ground and grabbed for the small weapon hidden in your skirt’s pocket before realizing that the person who had pulled you down was Howard. “What did you do that for?!” you whisper-shouted at him as he held a finger to his mouth to hush you. 

“Whoever that is, is after you!” Howard told you in a hushed tone with wide eyes. 

“What do you mean after me? For what?” you asked, feeling your heart begin to pound in your chest. 

“I don’t know! Someone called my desk and all I could hear was the background of the call. Whoever it is was asking about where to find you!” he told you. Scrambling up onto unsteady feet, Howard started ushering you toward the back of the lab, saying, “We need to get you out of here! If we go out here and into the-”

Before he could finish his sentence, the main door to the lab burst open and revealed a man with overgrown hair and a black mask covering the lower half of his face. He wore what looked like old military tactical gear that had one sleeve ripped off to reveal a silver metal arm with a red star on it. And held in the hand of that silver arm was a gun that was pointed right at you. “Get outta the way!” Howard shouted while roughly pulling you out of the bullet’s path as the man pulled the trigger. “What do you want with her?” he asked sharply as he stood with an arm in front of you protectively. 

The man didn’t say anything, only made his way directly to your desk and grabbed your notebook off of the wooden surface. While he surveyed the desk’s contents though, a framed picture caught his eye and he hesitated as he brought the book closer to himself. You noticed this slight hesitation and furrowed your eyebrows, thinking to yourself, That was odd…

As the man in the mask looked up and made eye contact with you though, you realized why he hesitated. You knew those blue eyes anywhere. “Bucky?” you whispered, a tremor in your voice as you were forced to come to the realization that the man in front of you who shot at you only moments before was the man you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with. The man who you were told was dead. The man who was featured in that framed picture on your desk. It was taken at the Stark Expo before he was shipped off to fight in the war. You were both beaming at the camera and had your whole lives ahead of you. But everything changed when he went to fight for the country. 

“My name’s not Bucky,” the man responded instantly, a coldness in his tone that you only ever heard him speak about Steve’s father in. 

“That…that’s the Winter Soldier…” Howard whispered as he pulled on the fabric of your blazer to try and get you to move away from the threat in front of you. You had heard of the assassin before, of course. He was credited with the killings of some of the best minds in the intelligence community. And now he was after you… Your blazer was tugged at harder as Howard said in a firmer tone, “We gotta go! Now!” 

You stood frozen to the ground though as you held eye contact with the assassin in front of you. “Howard… It’s him. It’s Bucky…” you said breathlessly. 

There was another sharp tug as Howard snapped, “That is not Bucky! He is here to kill you!” 

Ignoring your friend’s pleas, you slowly put your hands in the air before taking a cautious step toward the masked man. “This isn’t you,” you told him. Nodding your head toward the picture, you said, “That is you. James Buchanan Barnes.” A sad smile made its way onto your face and a tear escaped your eye as you continued. “The real you is the man who was gonna marry me, remember? We had a venue picked out and everything. You were gonna get Steve to officiate. We were gonna move to the suburbs and have a white picket fence once the war was over. Three kids and a couple of pets. We were gonna have a long and happy life together, Sugar.” 

A quiet sob left your mouth as you grappled once more with the fact that your life turned out nothing like you expected. Howard whispered your name in warning, but you ignored him again and held your gaze with the man in front of you as you finished with, “That man is still in that handsome head of yours. I saw your hesitation when you looked at that photo. Now please, put down the gun. We can try to help you. Please. You’re the love of my life, Bucky. I can’t lose you again.”

As you finished your plea, something was spoken into a piece of technology he had in his ear and his eyes shifted from the comforting blue that felt like home to something as cold as ice before he said, “You’re my mission.”

A single gunshot rang out and you dropped to the floor in a lifeless heap, blood pooling under your body in an instant. Howard let out a scream in horror as he rushed to your side. Without an ounce of remorse in his body language, the Winter Soldier sauntered over to your lab hood and grabbed what he came for. To the soldier, you were simply another target he was assigned by HYDRA. But deep in his mind, to Bucky, you were his world. And you were dead because of him.

[stellar-solar-flare]

A Fairytale Of A Disaster| Chapter 3/4 | Steve Rogers x doctor!Reader

Explicit - 18+ only - Minors DNI.

Your friend set you up with a perfect guy. Unfortunately, when it's time for you to meet 'Grant' for the first time, he has stood you up. On Valentine's Day of all days.

Was it too good to be true? Or does he instead have a very, very good reason why he's late, and a desire to make it all up to you?

Fluff, hurt/comfort, meet-cute, misunderstandings, eventual smut, healthy communication. | Background Sam Wilson/OFC.

FIC MASTERLIST | AUTHOR MASTERLIST | AO3

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Story Content Warnings: Discussion of Steve's canonical trauma; mentions of Steve/Peggy.

Reader Specifics: She/her, late twenties (a few years younger than Steve in this fic). Training to be a trauma surgeon (has completed med school, in residency stage). Likes books and houseplants. No description of appearance (other than clothes and such), no use of Y/N.

Alternate Universe: The Avengers Initiative continued SHIELD's work after its collapse to corruption. The Avengers are living together in the Compound - Bucky has healed, and Civil War never happened because Tony and Steve worked through their differences like adults.

Story Notes: I wanted to write a Valentine's Day oneshot, and then it turned out it has parts. Oh no. Well, here we are. I hope you enjoy this fluffy little trope collection! As always, thank you for reading, and hearing what you think means a lot to me.

I do not own anything Marvel related. This is an unofficial fan work. No copyright infringement intended. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.

Chapter 3: The Royal Castle

Chapter Notes: Thank you for your patience, and enjoy the new chapter! As always, thank you for reading, and I'm happy to hear from you!

2,395 words.

Even as you’d already caught glimpses of the beautiful marble counter tops and professional grade kitchen equipment from the pictures that Steve had shared with you, it still felt a little surreal to step into his space in the Avengers Compound.

“You have a beautiful home,” you said, pausing to take  all of it in.

It was a two-bedroom apartment at the very end of the Compound, with a patio that looked out onto the river. It was too dark to make out the scenery through the windows that covered the back wall from floor to ceiling, but it could be assumed that they bathed the space  in natural light. The great room opened in front of you as a tasteful combination of dark hardwood floors and cream-colored upholstery, complete with navy blue accents and a few selected pieces of artwork hung on the walls. On your right, the whole wall was covered by a built-in bookshelf made of mahogany , save for two doors that led into what you assumed were the bedrooms; the bathroom door was next to the entrance on your left. There was a wood fireplace at the back of the room acting as a centerpiece for the sitting area, and you could see that the furniture and the large kitchen island were placed in a way that made it easy for someone working in the kitchen to talk to those who were sitting down.

The idea of curling up on the couch next to Steve, with a lovely fire going in the fireplace, made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as if you had already been sitting there and not just imagining it.

You hadn’t met even Samuel, let alone Bucky Barnes or Natasha Romanoff, but you were familiar enough with the Avengers Initiative to know that the four of them formed some sort of rapid task force that worked together. Despite their fearsome professional reputations, it was surprisingly easy to see all of them hanging out here, lounging and laughing with drinks in their hands, and enjoying the time out of the spotlight.

Everything about this felt like a sanctuary, a place he’d built for himself when the limelight got too harsh for his eyes.

“Thank you,” Steve said earnestly. “I’ve tried to make it into a safe haven of sorts. Can I take your coat?”

You’d stopped halfway through shedding the piece of clothing, having untied the belt and unbuttoned it, but it was still hanging on your shoulders.

“Thank you,” you said, but before you could move to give it to him, Steve was already on it.

The fabric of your dress was thin enough that you could feel how warm his hands were when he wrapped his fingers around the coat at the shoulders. But he didn’t linger; as soon as you moved your arms back, he gently pulled the coat off and turned to hang it in the hallway closet. Through its mirror doors, you caught a glimpse of how endearingly focused he had appeared for such a simple task — it must’ve been one of those things that were actually important to him and not for show, a part of the old-fashioned nature he had been very direct about in his messages.

Old-fashioned indeed. You hadn’t quite guessed just how old-fashioned.

You bit your lip, grateful for the fact that your lipstick could handle it and not smudge. Steve’s presence was sending your head spinning, and after sharing the fish and chips with him on the way for a quick snack, you had a whole different kind of appetite. The tang of vinegar still lingered on your tongue, sweetened with the taste of all the memories you’d ended up sharing with him — during the drive, there had been plenty of time to exchange personal stories, even as you’d done a lot of that over the endless stream of messages that had been going back and forth between you.

“I don’t know if I said it already, but you look truly beautiful,” he said, stealing a glance at you via the mirror as he slid the door closed.

His low, earnest voice shot down your spine, all the way to your toes that curled at the compliment, and you were grateful that your red pumps were close-toed. The effect he was having on you was almost embarrassing, but with the way he lingered near you, the way he had looked for excuses to touch even as he hadn’t been one bit slimy about it, had you hoping that the feeling was shared.

“Thank you,” you said. “I’m glad you like it. I thought maybe…”

You cut yourself off and lowered your gaze, swallowing as if doing that would summon the words back. Of course, it didn’t, and you could hear the worry in Steve’s voice, could imagine his forehead creasing as you kept your eyes on the hardwood floor.

“Thought what?”

“Never mind,” you said, giving him a dismissive shake of your head. “It’s not a big deal.”

You hadn’t meant to mention it to him, as it had simply been one of the woe-is-me thoughts that had run through your head while you had been waiting, thinking you’d gone to all this trouble for nothing. But as you cursed your slippery tongue, it was obvious that Steve wasn’t just going to simply let it go, not unless you explicitly told him that you didn’t want to talk about it.

“Hey,” he said softly.

He reached over, caressing your jaw with two fingers to tip your face back up, and when you gave in, his hand just stayed there, the warmth of his palm cupping the left side of your face. The creased brow you had imagined was there, above eyes that were soft and slightly worried.

“Tell me?” he murmured.

Well, it was not like this night hadn’t had its fair share of awkward confessions already. You were out of practice when it came to the dating game, but you hadn’t quite imagined something like this when you had been preparing for the date.

“It’s a little silly,” you sighed, and it still wasn’t the no that would’ve gotten him to back off — one you weren’t so certain you wanted to give him.

Not when he looked at you like that, as if he had all the time in the world, as if his broad shoulders could carry whatever worries you had been dragging with you. As if he wanted to take those off you just like he’d taken your coat.

“I’d still like to hear?” he said. “Only if you want to share, of course.”

You sighed. Perhaps that lack of pressure made you want to tell him. He’d already spilled out some of his insecurities ; that made you feel like you could be a human in his presence.

“Well, the last message I sent you before you went radio silent was that mirror selfie,” you sighed. “So while I waited, and didn’t know what happened, I thought… That maybe that was why you didn’t show up. Because you didn’t like the dress, or… how I looked .”

You might as well have struck him across the face, based on the reaction. The worry in his expression gave way to horror, and his other hand came up to your face, too. He stepped closer, fully cradling your face and tilting it slightly up, and it was so fast that you could only open your mouth in surprise. His eyes flew down to your now parted lips before he snapped his gaze back up.

“Oh, no, doll,” he breathed out. “Trust me, the last thing I wanted to do after receiving that picture was to stand you up. It was…”

It was his turn to swallow, but just like in your case, that didn’t magically summon the words back. Doll. You liked the sound of that — from the lips of someone else, it might’ve sounded all sorts of icky and objectifying, but the way he said it was so gentle, like a caress. He was still grimy, and he wouldn’t get really close because of that. Or, as you reminded yourself, this was a man who had grown up during a very different era of dating and he had emphasized how he hadn’t asked you to come here to get under your skirt.

But that didn’t mean that he didn’t want anything physical. Not wanting you to feel pressured and not wanting you were definitely not the same thing, and you allowed yourself to even venture as far as thinking that his consideration might be something more than just good manners. After all, if he was so worried about coming across as too forward, then he must’ve thought there was a reason to watch his act around you; that if he didn’t, he might slip, and follow his more primal and less gentlemanly instincts.

It felt logical. You were smart. You were good at logic. Even as keeping a train of thought together when Steve’s large hands were cradling your face was proving to be rather challenging.

“It was what?” you whispered, barely able to get the sound out.

“It was something that made me ask if I’m dreaming, with having a lady that smart and gorgeous give dating me a chance. I’ve hardly been able to get that image of you out of my mind the entire night. And yet it still didn’t do justice to how beautiful you look when you’re standing here right in front of me.”

You licked your lips, breathing out to give your jammed brain a second to process the sentences — and move on from the words get, you, and off falling from Steve’s mouth in the context of something to do with your physical body. It wasn’t anything like a secret to you anymore that he was a man of honesty, and apparently that also applied in the way he talked; you didn’t doubt for a moment that he really felt all that about you, and your cheeks burned with excitement at the thought of him being struck by your beauty.

“Well, I’m actually a little surprised there wasn’t a line at the door,” you said. “When we were texting, I was like half-convinced that you have to be a serial killer or something, because no one like you can actually be single.”

“Is this a bad time to ask you to tour the walk-in freezers of the compound?” Steve grinned, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

The shared moment of laughter over his stupid joke lifted the atmosphere, and you managed to smile despite still feeling dumbfounded by his comment. He straightened up a little, seemingly realizing the position that you were in and that he was lingering, and let his hands slowly slip away from your face. Ever a gentleman. You kept looking at him with a smile on your face, letting him know you hadn’t minded any of that.

“But I’m glad you found me beautiful. And smart.”

“How could I not, when you are both?” he replied, and the slightly flirtatious smile that sparkled in his eyes was going to be the death of you.

There were worse ways to go. Steve was watching your reaction, calibrating his strategy according to the things he saw on your face, and whatever he did see, it was obvious he was quite liking it. The heat still lingered where he had touched, and it was spreading all over your body, making you crave  more.

“I was thinking, we could watch a movie after I make us some food? The Compound network has every streaming service imaginable, and — I don’t know how, and I don’t want to know how — Tony has managed to get access to some of the stuff that’s still in cinemas. Of course, if you’d rather I take you to the movies another evening to see something, I would be happy to.”

“I think it might be nicer if it was just us two,” you said. “Easier to talk or take a break or something. So yes. Movie sounds great.”

Your cheeks burned as the choppy sentences left your mouth — this awkwardness was rather new to you, something you weren’t usually struggling with to this level. You were blaming the disrupted verbal processes on the way Steve’s eyes were gleaming in the bright light of the hallway, and the gentle hint of a musky scent that floated around him, something that made your mouth water. It had been a long day and no doubt emotional-roller-coaster-like day for him, and yet his full attention was now on you, as if the entire world outside the door of his apartment could wait, as if nothing could be more important than this.

You found yourself agreeing with the thought.

“Alright, then,” he said. “How are you feeling about barbecue chicken baguettes? Had I known you’d be over, I would’ve prepared, made a marinade for the chicken but there’s some pretty decent sauce in the fridge that I made the other day, and chicken breasts, and the freezer has pre-baked bread?”

“That sounds great,” you replied. “Especially for impromptu food.”

“I like to keep the place well-stocked. Obviously, there are 24/7 restaurants and stores right here on the AI Campus, but I like knowing that I have food at home when the days are long.”

“Not having to decide that after you’re out of brainpower?” you asked, and he nodded. “Yeah, I get that.”

He smiled, tugging at some sort of hidden mechanism in his suit, so that the collar got looser — as if he had unbuttoned the top button of a jacket. You glanced at the now-exposed crook of his neck, wondering how his scent would be right there, what kind of sound he’d make for you if you caressed it with your lips, or tongue, or teeth.

If Steve realized where your attention had gone, he didn’t show it. You needed to get a grip — he had backed off from cradling your face, it was likely he wasn’t comfortable with taking this anywhere beyond those kind of simple touches, not tonight. He was obviously interested in you and found you attractive, so you’d wait for the right moment.

“Alright, back after a shower and a change of clothes,” he smiled. “Make yourself at home, doll.”

Next Chapter >>

[late-to-the-party-81]

Sunshine and Gunsmoke

Epilogue - Over the rainbow

AN: Here we go folks - a short(ish) and sweet epilogue for these boys who are finally starting to heal. Big up to @kahey2804 for cheering me on and to @zenaidamacrouras1 for wrangling all my grammar.

Thanks for reading and commenting on this fic. Find the previous part here.

Likes are loved, reblogs are golden

Mood board by me and dividers by @firefly-graphics

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Summary: A few months after their reconciliation and it’s a big night for the pair of them, especially Steve. It’s time to get their mojo back and start to put the past behind them.

Relationships: Omega Steve x Alpha Bucky

Chapter WC: 3k

Chapter CW: Omegaverse, Shrinkyclinks, Strip club AU, inferred Mafia elements, Alternating POV, Mentions of therapy, Communication, mentions of Non-sexual intimacy, teasing, tickling (mentioned), explicit sexual content (oral sex, fingering, penetrative sex), soft sex.

Bucky leant forward in his office chair, arms resting on the desk, his fingers steepled together.

“Do those terms work for you?” He kept his voice low, but somehow it still filled the entire space. The woman opposite him wasn’t phased by it though. He doubted there was much that could push her out of her comfort zone.

Peggy Carter, the representative for a somewhat shady government group known as SHIELD, smiled at him. “They do, indeed, Mr Barnes.” She was an attractive woman with long chestnut hair and bright red lips, and if this had been a year ago Bucky would have been tempted to experiment in some ‘Alpha on Alpha’ action just to take a tumble with her. However, he was well and truly under the allure of someone much sweeter. Someone who was due to make their return debut tonight. 

Bucky checked his watch, surprised to note that Steve was due on stage in only five minutes. This meeting had almost overrun - time to wrap it up. He pushed his chair back and stood. Miss Carter did the same, her eyes roving over his form. Bucky was unsure if it was sexual or adversarial. This deal would be good for business, but he had a feeling that his guest wasn’t being entirely candid, and that he’d have to keep a close eye on her and her group to make sure his family didn’t end up burned.

He thrust his hand out in front of him and Peggy took it with her own delicate, but also surprisingly firm grip. “We have a deal then, Miss Carter. My representatives will contact yours next week to work out timings for the first shipment, but if you’d excuse me, I have a previous engagement out front that I can’t possibly miss. You and your colleagues,” he glanced sideways over at two, tall Beta women who’d accompanied her, “are free to stay and enjoy the entertainment if you so desire.”

“Thank you,” Peggy purred. “I believe staying for at least one drink would be delightful.”

Bucky crossed the room, opening the door and gesturing for the women to precede him. One of his own bodyguards was standing outside and the broad man grinned at the pair of Beta bodyguards, immediately drawing them into conversation. Thor was a massive flirt, with eyes for anything and anyone on two legs, but Bucky had a feeling the god-like Norse man was more than likely going to strike out with these two. Hill and Carter - a relative - Peggy had introduced them as.

He led Peggy over to his private booth, Kate immediately scurrying over from the bar, taking his order of an Old Fashioned after asking their guest what she would like to drink.

The background music died and the lights focused upon the centre of the stage as Clint’s voice rang out over the tannoy.

“Here we go folks - the moment we’ve all been waiting for. You’ve missed him, I’ve missed him, the club bank balance has missed him. Here he is, the star-spangled Omega - Steeeeeeve!”

Bucky was on the edge of his seat, his heart beating hard in his chest. Steve had kept this routine a secret from him, practising either in his own apartment when Bucky was working or here at the club. It was a big deal for him, and Bucky just hoped that he’d be able to pull off whatever it was and be happy with it.

Then Steve sashayed out and all decent thoughts dropped from Bucky’s head. Somehow his Omega had managed to find starry blue fabric to make a cropped shirt and booty shorts. Over the sound system Beyonce’s voice asked everyone if they could handle this. Bucky agreed that the audience probably couldn’t. Beside him, he was aware of Peggy shifting in her seat, leaning forward to lean on the table.

The crowd went wild as Steve strutted across the stage, lip-syncing to the track and showing off ‘the jelly’ that was too much for everyone. When he ripped away his top it was to show off little patriotic stars covering his nipples. Then the sinful shorts were removed to reveal an even smaller thong that looked almost painted onto his Omega cock at the front, and practically disappeared between his plump buttocks at the back.

“Wow!” Bucky just made out Peggy’s voice beside him above the noise of the music and the crowd, but he didn’t take his eyes off Steve. “That is some Omega.”

“He really is,” Bucky agreed distractedly. “And he’s all mine.” He pushed up from the table and made his way through the crowd to the edge of the stage, watching as Steve dipped into his signature splits as the song ended. The patrons were on their feet, dollar bills raining down onto the stage, however, Steve wasn’t looking at the cash at all - he was looking straight at Bucky, a massive grin on his face.  Bucky smiled back, his heart swelling with joy as Steve stood up and walked across to the edge of the stage. 

As though there was no-one else in the room, Steve jumped down and straight into Bucky’s arms, legs wrapped around Bucky’s waist. Bucky pressed their lips together, mumbling “You were amazing, Sunshine.” He felt the joy thrumming through Steve’s body as the Omega replied “Take me home, Alpha.”

[Image description: Moodboard, the background is a bunch of out of focus lights in shades of blue, red and purple. There are four image frames, one in each corner and a text frame in the centre. Clockwise from top left the images are a darkened empty strip club stage with a spotlight shining on the pole, an picture of the back of a man from his lower back to the top of his thighs wearing a thong made of blue material with white stars, next, a pair of American Flag, star shaped nipple pasties on a white background, and finally blue fabric covered in white stars. The text box is a purple colour and in white text states “Because, and you listen close, Steven, you always stand up.”]

Steve was aware of the door of Bucky’s apartment bouncing on its hinges, but it was of no consequence - his concentration was solely on getting his Alpha into bed. Luckily Bucky had had a driver on stand-by tonight, because Steve hadn’t unwrapped himself from his Alpha’s body since he’d jumped off the stage. It would have been very difficult for Bucky to have gotten them home safely on his own given the way Steve had ground down on him the entire journey, drinking up every moan with his kisses. While his apartment was closer to the club, Bucky’s was far more luxurious and also didn’t have any neighbours who might complain about the noise. 

Coming to Bucky’s apartment for the first time had been just one of the steps they’d taken together towards healing themselves and their relationships. Bucky was letting him into his real life and everything that contained. No more lies between them. Currently they split their time together between the two living spaces. Yes, Bucky’s might be bigger and more modern, Steve’s apartment was cosier and homely, something that Bucky said he appreciated when he’d had a rough day.

Since that morning in the diner, the pair of them had been working towards rebuilding their relationship. They’d both continued with their individual therapy, but Dr Banner had put them in touch with a couples therapist, who had been amazing at helping them work towards regaining physical intimacy.

Weeks of small steps, starting with just kissing, which had evolved into fooling around, that had then morphed into mutual masturbation had culminated two weeks ago into them taking that last step to have full sex. Part of Steve’s journey was to not spend too much time over analysing what he was or wasn’t in the mood for – just allowing himself to want what he wanted. This was the first time since then that he’d wanted Bucky this way. 

He felt high on the feeling of dancing again, not really believing that he managed it - had gotten through the whole routine without stalling or tripping over. He’d been practising for weeks at home, not allowing Bucky a single peek, before contacting Clint and persuading him to give up a day off so he could practise on the stage at the club.

It had been strange to walk back into the Alpha Barne after so long away, but coming in when it was empty was the best strategy. He’d been overwhelmed to find that Clint had managed to get some of the girls to come down as well, to welcome him back and affectionately holler at him as if they were patrons. Now he felt alive in a way he hadn’t in a long time – not since before Stephen.

He knows his mother would have been so proud of how far he’d come - she might not be here anymore, but Steve carried a part of her with him everyday. He’d inherited his tenacity - or stubbornness as Bucky put it - from her, and during the last few months he could have sworn he’d heard her whispering in his ear during his darkest moments, encouraging him to keep fighting and moving forward.

“Because, and you listen close, Steven, you always stand up.”

He wasn’t sure that when she’d said that she’d been talking about the war he was going to have with Bucky’s buttons though. Fuck, did his Alpha look good in a suit, but at this moment in time, him not wearing it would be better.

Bucky growled in frustration in his ear and then suddenly Steve found himself tossed down onto the King-sized bed. He let out a joyful laugh and shrugged out of the silk wrap that Bucky had wrestled him into to leave the club. According to Bucky, people could only look at everything he had inside the club. Outside of it, his possessive Alpha said it was for his eyes only. Luckily, Steve had been in the mood to indulge him.

With a wince, Steve peeled off his nipple tassels, reaching around in the bedside drawer for the baby oil and a cotton pad to remove the remaining adhesive - Bucky getting his stubble stuck to his chest would be a real mood killer. However, when he reached down to remove his thong, Bucky - tie unknotted and his shirt partially unbuttoned - halted him. 

“Stop!”

Steve cocked his head, looking up in puzzlement.

Bucky’s expression softened, and in the low light of the room, Steve could see pink making its way up Bucky’s neck. “It’s just that I wanna do that. I wanna be the one to unwrap you.”

“Softy,” Steve smirked, but he let go of the scrap of fabric to lay back on his elbows and watch Bucky reveal himself instead. He didn’t know where to look, because what he really wanted was to see everything, all at once. He marvelled at his Alpha’s thick body with its dusting of hair and corded muscles. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. When Bucky pulled down his underpants and discarded them, Steve couldn’t help but lick his lips.

“See something you like, Sunshine,” Bucky teased as he crawled onto the bed, looming over Steve.

“Maybe,” Steve countered. “Might have to see what you can do, before I make a final decision. Need to find out if you’re more than just a pretty cock…”

“Oh, it’s on, Stevie.” Calloused hands began to skim over his body and when Bucky’s fingers rolled his nipples, Steve felt darts of pleasure-pain travel through him, making him cry out. Bucky followed that up by laving each peak in turn with his tongue.

It was amazing to Steve how Bucky’s touch could make him feel so dizzy. So needy. His hips rolled up so he could rub his cock against Bucky’s momentarily forgetting about the small slip of fabric separating them. He let out a frustrated noise and felt Bucky smile against his skin. His Alpha didn’t leave him wanting though, kissing his way down Steve’s slim body, peeling off his thong as promised and then taking his cock into his mouth.

Getting a blowjob from Bucky was like nothing else, the larger man able to manage the entirety of him in one go, sucking and flattening his tongue against him, driving him delirious. And then Bucky started to open him up, covering his fingers with Steve’s own slick and working first one then two into the warm clutch of his body. It didn’t take long for Steve to feel on the brink of orgasm, and while it would have been blissful to come like this, it wasn’t what either of them wanted today. That knowledge didn’t stop Steve from whining in frustration when Bucky pulled himself away, though. 

“Patience, Sunshine,” Bucky chastened as he crawled back up Steve’s body.

Steve pouted playfully, wrapping his arms and legs around Bucky and drawing him closer. “Don’t wanna be patient. I want my dicking-down.”

Bucky chuckled and dropped a kiss on the end of his nose. “Such a needy Omega.”

Steve was about to make another retort, but his breath was stolen from him as Bucky kissed his lips and sank into his waiting body.

Although Bucky would have liked to say that he was nowhere near as needy as Steve, it would have been a total lie. He’d missed this aspect of their relationship - the animalistic want of it all. 

However, despite the numerous occurrences of blue-balls, he knew that they were better off for having spent time not focussing on just the sexual side of their relationship. They were able to build on different aspects of intimacy and really get to know each other as people, not just what their designations made them.

Dating Steve had been like opening his eyes to another world, because they had actually gone on dates. They’d visited museums together and the theatre. They’d gone on walks to the park and meandered around the local zoo, finding out the other’s interests. They’d spent days, and nights, in together – cooking, watching movies and just hanging out in each other’s company.  

One of his favourite recent memories had been of them spending an afternoon on the couch, music playing on the stereo in the background as they’d read their own books together. Steve’s had been something heavy – some history of art tome, while Bucky had decided to revisit his younger years re-reading The Hobbit. They’d started off sitting next to each other, but over the hours had both shifted and moved into a variety of positions. Leaning against opposite arms of the sofa, their feet encased in fluffy socks entwining. Steve laying down with his head on Bucky’s lap, holding his book above his face until he’d almost dropped it on his nose. Bucky sitting on the floor between Steve’s legs, his head resting on Steve’s thigh.

They’d discussed the merits of different genres. Or rather, Steve had ribbed Bucky about his love of sci-fi and fantasy books. “We all need a way to unwind, Steve. This is mine,”  he’d huffed.

“If you say so, Buck. But if you’re still holding onto childish things, I may have to reconsider who’s the Alpha in this relationship.”

That’s when things had devolved into a tickle war, which had then turned into an amazing, but frustrating, make out session. They’d had a lot of those - feeling like teenagers as they’d fooled around, taking things only as far as they were both comfortable. Most of the time it had understandably been Steve who’d brought things to a stop, but Bucky had had his share of those moments too – flashes of Steve distressed and held down flashing though his head and acting like a bucket of cold water. However, each of them made sure to talk through their issues though when they were both ready, reassuring the other that nothing was wrong with them and that neither was upset about boundaries being set. This new-found ability to openly communicate had meant that when two weeks ago they had both been in the right mind set, they’d had an amazing time together, even if Bucky was somewhat embarrassed by how quickly his knot had popped.

It did mean though that their compatibility was still there and this time Bucky was determined to draw it out. Determined to worship his Sunshine the way he deserved.  That’s why he’d concentrated solely on him to start with. Having Steve writhe and mewl beneath him had been the biggest aphrodisiac, but nothing compared to this - the snug, pulsing warmth of Steve wrapped around his cock.

Sunk into the hilt, Bucky looked down at his sweet Omega, brushing a lock of his hair back from his brow. 

“You good, Stevie? Is this okay?”

Steve reached up, tangling his fingers in Bucky’s hair and drew him back in for a bruising kiss. “I’m still waiting for that dicking down, Barnes.”

Bucky couldn’t hold back his snort of amusement. “Your wish is my command, Omega.” He began to slowly roll his hips, addicted to the feel of Steve’s cock wedged between them, weeping, and the sounds that Steve made as Bucky filled him completely. Being face to face like this was Bucky’s favourite because he could see every expression on Steve’s face – see the way Steve’s eyes screwed shut and how he pulled his lower lip between his teeth as Bucky brushed over that sweet spot.

He made love to Steve slow and sweet, just the way he deserved. There’d be time enough for rough and sweaty fucking. His rut would be upon them soon, and they were still waiting for Steve’s first heat since weaning off the suppressants. If all went well they might even sync up and they wouldn’t leave the apartment for almost a week.

However, for now, all was as it should be. Perfect and right. The man he could call his in his arms.

He felt Steve’s body edge towards the precipice and his knot started to swell in anticipation of his own end. 

“I love you, Stevie,” he whispered roughly into his lover’s mouth.

“Love you too, Buck,” Steve whined and they found their bliss together. 

Tag list: @christywrites, @alexakeyloveloki, @doasyoudesireandlive, @galactusdevourerofworlds, @crayongirl-linz, @mightstill, @nicoline1998enilocin, @starrkermarvel, @km-ffluv, @wheezy-stucky, @kmc1989, @kombatfather1796

Bingo Fills and Challenges

For the whole fic: June-iverse - Strip Club | April Babb - Pet names @buckybarnesevents

For the Chapter: @stuckybingo - Reading together | @steverogersbingo  - “Because, and you listen close, Steven, you always stand up.” (Sarah Rogers) | @stuckygeekevents  - Peggy Carter

[saphiccarma]

Title: i will never be satisfied (High School AU)

Ship: Natasha R x Peggy C (Background/Past Natasha x Bruce)

Warnings: Implied SA, but it doesn't actually happen. Alcohol

Steve and Natasha were going on 4 years of friendship, having known each other since the start of freshman year. Ever since Steve and Natasha had first started talking, she could read his face and see he had a crush on Peggy Carter - one of the most wanted women in the school. Carter was perhaps one of the most well known women in the school aside from a few. It was easy to see why, with her long, brown curls and chocolate colored eyes that sparkled when she laughed and deepened to a black when she threatened the boys.

When rumors spread Carter had hooked up with another girl in the school during junior year, Steve had sulked over to Natasha with puppy dog eyes and bright red ears. The redhead laughed at him, patting his shoulder gently before returning to her homework.

Peggy Carter seemed to have no interest in Steve Rogers. The woman avoided him in the halls, didn't react to his approaches, and always had a scowl on her face when she was around. Carter did seem to hate anyone on the football team, which Steve was on, but Rogers had redeeming qualities. His baby blue eyes, soft blonde hair, and charming attitude - if Natasha wasn't lesbian she would be into him.

In contrast, Steve was infatuated with Carter. He had attempted to ask her out at least 5 times from the start of sophomore year - them now being seniors. Every time she said no with an upturned nose, but Natasha caught her lips twitching upwards from where the redhead watched in the background. Every damn time they 'accidentally' crossed paths Steve would blush and smile like a puppy.

What the football team captain was oblivious too was the fact that Peggy Carter was not straight. She probably wasn't even bi. It was a bold assumption to make, even for Natasha after all the years she spent training herself how to read other people's expressions. Peggy Carter curled her lip with a crinkled, upturned at every attempt of flirting if it came from a male - no matter how kind or how much of a gentleman he was. When a girl did it however, the softest, barely noticeable, blush would dust Carter's cheeks and she would quip a flirty comment in return.

Steve didn't seem to get that, and Natasha didn't have it in her to tell him.

"Hey Nat?" Steve looked up from where he doodled in his notebook - a monkey on a bicycle, "Do you think if I ask Peggy out she'll say yes this time?"

Natasha inwardly rolled her eyes as she twirled the pencil between her fingers and thought over her answer, ignoring the bubbling pit of envy in her stomach. The answer she wanted to say was 'no', but Steve unintentionally gave her those big eyes again and with slight downturn of his lips.

She raised one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug before scribbling down the answer to her math problem, "Maybe."

The blonde across from her sighed and sagged his broad shoulders with his head tilted towards the ground. His head jerked up when pounding footsteps sounded behind them. Natasha didn't have to look up to know who it was. Two arms were thrown around her neck, jerking Natasha forward. She rolled, shoving her offender off with a grunt.

"Ow.." Clint groaned from where he lay on the grass, "That was rude."

Natasha huffed and raised her left brow at Clint who gave a sheepish smile.

Clint Barton had been her best friend ever since Natasha moved to the small little town. Her stuck with her through thin and thick. When she had to change foster homes and move to a different school, Clint risked his father's anger and moved schools with her. When her foster parents beat her black and blue, Clint trudged through the rain to find her sniffling under a tree after a frantic text. After she got herself emancipated and lived on the streets for a while, Clint cleared out his action figures from his closet and bought a spare mattress for her to sleep until she got on her feet.

In return, whenever Clint's father drank one too many beers - Natasha would sooth him. Soft smiles and gentle touches of the daughter he always wanted rather than two rouwy boys. The man would take to telling her soft stories with a far away look in his eyes while Clint snuck off into the night. When Clint struggled with him homework, Natasha stayed up late into the night to finish it for him - pretending he did it himself in the morning. When Clint met a pretty girl named Laura with brunette hair and kind eyes who spoke in the softest voice with a western accent, Natasha played matchmaker.

It was a dynamic that worked well, but unfortunately it meant Clint knew nearly all of her tells - the ones that Steve didn't. Which lead to him raising a skeptical eyebrow in return with a silent question in his eyes when he noticed the bleak forlorn look in her eyes.

"Clint," Steve propped himself clumsily on his elbow, "Do you think Peggy will go out with me if I ask her once more?"

The captain fiddled with his pencil and separate eraser, missing the knowing glance Clint tossed Natasha. The redhead silently cursed Steve for giving away the reason she was upset.

"No." Clint answered bluntly, always the loyal friend.

It was no secret to Clint that Natasha had a crush on Peggy. He knew before she knew herself - the way she accidentally stared at Peggy with hearts in her eyes, her smile turning dopey for a moment where only Clint was watching.

Steve sagged at Clint's response and harshly, but still ever so gentle with the paper, scrawled on the paper. Clint winked at her with his signature smile that meant trouble. Natasha gave him a glare and slight shake of the head, a silent response telling him not to cause trouble. But Clint being Clint just smiled wider and plucked her math textbook out of her lap.

"Clinton." Natasha warned, her voice a low tone.

The dirty blonde waved the textbook teasingly before taking off, his legs carrying him far and fast. Natasha spared Steve a speedy but apologetic glance before chasing after Steve. He may have longer legs, making him faster, but Natasha could run further for longer.

She rounded a corner, barely seeing the tail of his purple blouse sticking out like a duck tail. Her feet skidded against the halls a hand outstretched as Clint came in to view. She stretched her hand further into her command. Her legs braced as she prepared to tackle Clint, the muscles locking up and knees bending.

Then a door smacked her in the face, leaving a searing red mark.

Her back hit the ground with a thump and she dully registered Clint stopping and another voice crying out in concern. Natasha took a moment to groan in pain before hauling herself up, whoever opened that door was hella strong. Placing a hand to her head she attempted to steady her vision, Clint's calloused hands steading her body.

"I am so sorry," a voice said with a distinct British accent.

Of course if was fucking Peggy Carter.

Natasha waved Clint before plastering a semi-sweet smile onto her own face.

"Don't sweat it, I'll live."

Carter bit her lip with worry, brown curls bouncing as she scanned Natasha up and down, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course," Natasha ignored the fact that her heart was rapidly thumping in her chest and not because of the fall.

She also ignored the fact that her nose was probably broken and her face felt like it was on fire, but Carter didn't need to know that. The brunette woman gave her once over once more, her eyes shinning with concern.

"You sure?" she asked once more, it sounded like she wanted to reassure herself more than Natasha.

Flapping her hand in a dismissive manner, Natasha gave a one shouldered shrug, "I've had worse."

That didn't seem to settle Carter any more, but it did satisfy her and the brunette spun on her heel heading down the hall.

A sharp exhale left her the minute Carter rounded a corner, her boots echoing through the hall. Natasha groaned at the pounding in her head and pain in her nose. Beside her, Clint looked torn between letting the goofiest grin cross his face and frowning at her in concern and regret. Smartly, he chose the later.

Snagging her elbow Clint dragged her down the hall and back outside, school bells ringing dismissing the last class of the day that Natasha had ditched (ultimately convincing Steve too). Students flooded the halls, some accidentally bumping into her despite Clint's vicious glare that told them all to back off.

He brought her outside where Steve was still waiting, but now the same brunette woman that Natasha could not shake stood next to him - her stance tall and imposing with her crossed arms and chin tilted upwards. The blonde captain had a rosy pink blush dusting his cheeks with his eartips red as he undoubtably asked Peggy Carter out once more. Natasha rolled her eyes, hearing Clint give an exaggerated exhale beside her.

Steve was just finishing saying something when they got into hearing distance, but they managed to catch Carter's response.

"Fine. Tomorrow, cafe on third at 11." her tone left no room for argument, making it clear if Steve wanted this date he would have to comply.

The football team captain looked as surprised as Natasha felt at the fact that Carter was going out with him. Despite her repeated refusals and blatant fact that she was not straight, Natasha never expected her to fall in love with Steve. Maybe she was getting rusty.

Steve did a little bounce on his heels before nodding eagerly like an over excited puppy. His eyes lit up further when he saw them, waving both Natasha and Clint over as Carter walked away.

Natasha was totally looking at Steve rambling as Carter sauntered away.

<_______________>

One date morphed into two dates, two dates morphed into three dates, three dates morphed into four dates, and well you get the point. Everyone in the school expected Steve and Peggy to stop after the first date, but no. The two went on more and more dates, thus integrating Peggy into their small friend group and getting Natasha a new girl friend - emphasis on the space between the two words.

Their small little group, minus Clint because he had his own work to do, sat inside the small underrated diner that was settled down the street from Natasha's apartment. It was meant to a be a friend celebration for finishing the school year, but it felt more like Natasha was third-wheeling a date.

Both of her companions made heart eyes at each other with dopey grins - Carter's slightly less dopey and more serious. Meanwhile she sat in the background twirling her past around her fork with sagged shoulders. While this scene wasn't uncommon - Carter and Steve turning their friend outings into personal dates - Clint was usually here to endure it with her. A forkful of pasta was angrily shoved her mouth, Natasha yelping a little when she stabbed her cheek with her fork.

Flushing red with embarrassment, Natasha shook off both of the other's concern. She mumbled out an excuse around her mouthful of food and swallowed thickly. It seemed to pacify Steve and Peggy because the two went back to chatting with each other.

She lost track of what they were talking about, vaguely catching the word 'crush' but stupidly delegating to ignore the conversation and get lost in her head. A finger poked her arm, shaking her a tiny bit, and she looked up from her plate to see Steve staring her expectantly.

"Hm?" she raised an eyebrow in question.

"We asked if you have a crush," Carter intercepted Steve with her british accent.

A light blush dusted the british woman's cheeks, presumably because of something Steve said, as her head tilted adorably at Natasha with brown eyes filled with curiosity. Natasha trailed her eyes down Peggy's face, all the way down to where she held Steve's hand on top of the table, fingers interlocked and twisting together like the ugly feeling in Natasha's chest. Clearing her throat, Natasha forced a laugh out of her throat.

"No," she shook her head, "I don't do those sort of things."

The blatant lie flew right over Carter's head, the woman offering her a charming laugh that made her eyes shine in the lighting and her curls bounce as her head tilted back slightly. Natasha could hear that sound all day. Steve gave her a suspicious look, one with underlying concern but let the topic drop.

<___________>

Natasha started to pull away once Carter integrated more into the little rag-tag friend group the redhead was apart of. At least she intended to. Previously it only consisted of her and Clint before Steve shoved his way in there and adopted the two introverts in a very extroverted style. With Steve, Carter eventually came, which was fine. It was fine, Natasha liked Peggy. She liked her. But with the newest addition came so many others. Tony Stark, the "rich kid" came with Carter - despite the woman's apparent annoyance with him. Carol Danvers, a person Natasha rarely saw because the woman skipped classes so often. Bruce Banner, who actually Tony Stark seemed to drag along, but they all came with Carter.

Now her small safe little bubble was filled with people she didn't know and it didn't feel safe anymore. There were four new people, four unknown variables that she didn't know well beside the fact that most of them were popular.

On top of that, Bruce Banner seemed to take a liking for her and wouldn't leave her alone. Natasha had taken to using some diversion tactics she learned when she wanted to lose an angry foster parent or from the various times she ran from CPS. It didn't work very well, the shy man oddly persistent, so Natasha gave in. She wasn't going to get the person she liked anyway.

The next time Banner stumbled over a pickup line, Natasha crossed her arms under her chest - pushing her breasts up, and gave a flirty comment in return. The man clearly wasn't expecting it, based on his flushed cheeks and wide eyes, but he returned it in kind. Her plans to pull away from the friend group were temporarily put on hold.

Natasha ignored Clint's piercing gaze that bore into the back of her skull with disagreement every time she flirted with Banner. It tore at her heart the way he looked at her, he was her partner. Despite having his doubts, though never voicing them, Clint stuck with her - as always. Opting to ignore Bruce or address him with a brash attitude, Clint didn't not outright support her.

Steve was a whole different story. He clapped her on the back with a laugh and told her he was glad that she found someone - she deserved it. A few comments were tossed her way about how she once claimed, "she didn't do that stuff," but Natasha ignored them.

The last person she expected to be suspicious of her relationship with Banner was suspicious. Carter gave her a smile when she informed everyone she was with Banner, but the woman didn't seem keen on it. Mumbling something indecipherable, Carter shook her head at Natasha, which only served to tighten the knot in her chest.

To top add a cherry on the top, she got fired from one of her three jobs and now wasn't making enough money to pay the rent. If she didn't scramble some together or get another job then Natasha would be kicked out of her apartment and living on the streets once more. That was a stress she didn't need to deal with. She just had to make it through high school then she could focus on making money - collage wasn't really in the question.

Bruce Banner - 4:30

Can I come over tonight? Watch a movie?

Natasha glanced at her manager who was flipping a burger in the back as she glanced at her phone sneakily. Breathing out heavily she debated the answer, fingers hovering over the keys. Tonight was her only night off from the night job - working in a bar which technically wasn't allowed, but a forged ID went a good distance if you got it done right. Banner, however, had some issues with rejection. His face turned a little red the first time she told him 'no' and he stormed off in a rage.

So reluctantly she typed out a response.

Natasha Romanoff - 4:31

Sure. I get off work at 5, so be there around 6.

He reacted to her message with a thumbs up before Natasha shoved her phone in her pocket to focus on work.

<___________>

Bruce showed up at her door at 5:30 while she was still in the shower. He shot her a text, a few actually when she didn't reply to the first one, and Natasha hastily threw some clothes on - workout pants and a tanktop along with under garments, before drying her hair and opening the door for Bruce.

He stood dressed in a simple cardigan and casual pants holding a bag of italian takeout. His smile was unapologetic as he stepped through the door and placed the food on the coffee table with a crinkle. Grabbing the remote like it was his home, the man now comfortable after their 5 months of dating, he turned on a show - one that Natasha didn't bother to take note of. With heavy feet she dragged herself over to the couch and plopped down next to Bruce.

Partway through the second movie he slung his arm around her shoulders, ignoring the way they tensed, and scooched closer. Natasha froze, her body locking in place as she was reminded of a previous foster parent. Bruce gradually moved closer, oblivious to the way Natasha was locked in place, until their bodies were pressed together. Eventually she felt his hot breath on her neck and curls itching her chin. That was the only warning she got before Bruce pressed his lips to her neck.

Every single part of her wanted to run, run far away from the situation, but she forced herself to stay still. Bruce kissed up her neck and to her chin. Sensing he wanted more, the redhead turned her head to reincorporate (Despite all her senses screaming at her to not) and met his lips with hers halfway. He pushed her downward, straddling her lap - both of them blocking out the movie in the background.

Cracked, dry, lips trailed down her neck. Her body wanted to shiver in disgust but Natasha forced herself to stay compliant as she had done before. Banner's hands trailed down and down until they started reaching up under the hem of her shirt. Natasha was only willing to tolerate so much and slapped his hands away with a warning. Banner complied, continuing their sloppy, one-sided makeout session, before his hands started inching up her shirt again. Natasha slapped them away once more and shoved Banner off.

The screaming match started then. Banner getting angry and not understanding why, and Natasha upset he didn't listen (not that she wanted the kiss in the first place). In the end Natasha fled from her own apartment, her bare feet carrying her down the street and ignoring Bruce's rushed pleas for her to stay.

She pawed around for her phone, digging it out of her pocket and her cold fingers fumbled to dial Clint. The phone rang and rang as she walked down the the cold New York street, the sidewalk biting into her skin and wind wiping around her face. It rang and rang, but no one picked up. The realization struck Clint was out of town, visiting his brother for the weekend. She cursed herself and plopped down next to a tree.

Her head shoved between her hands she debated who to call. Realistically she could return to apartment, but Bruce knew where to find her there and she didn't want to talk right now. Against her rational thinking she dialed Peggy Carter. It rang a couple times before a groggy voice answered the phone.

"Natasha?"

"I-" the russian's voice came out strangled for the first time in a long while, "Uhm-"

Carter sounded a lot more alert when she answered, "Are you ok?"

It took a moment for Natasha to formulate a response before she reluctantly responded, "No."

"Ok," there was some shuffling on the other end of the phone and a small jingling, "Can you share your location, I'll come get you."

"You- it's alright I just-"

"No," Carter said, her voice insistent, "I'm coming to get you. Share your location."

There was the sound of a door opening the sounded as Natasha shared her location on her phone.

"Do you want me to stay on the phone?" Another door slamming and the reving of an engine.

"Yeah," Natasha croaked, her voice sore from screaming.

"Ok."

Breathing echoed through the phone, presumably on both ends, as Carter drove towards her location. Eventually humming reached Natasha's ears as she heard Carter turn on the radio. The woman hummed a song the redhead hadn't heard before, but it was oddly soothing.

It wasn't long before a car pulled up in front of her and Carter stepped out, still dressed in night clothes. Nearly in an instant the woman spotted her and rushed over.

"Are you okay?" Carter gave her a once over, checking her over for injuries.

Natasha nodded, not fully registering the words, but let Carter guide her toward the car. She thinks the british woman asked a question, but the moment Natasha was in the car - a mostly safe space - she allowed herself to zone out.

Once they arrived to the house Carter helped her out, gently guiding her towards the house. The brunette toed off her own shoes before leading Natasha up stairs and into a bedroom. She was placed her on a bed, her brain elsewhere, before Carter disappeared and returned with a change of clothes.

"Put these on, I'll go get you a warm drink. Tea or hot cocoa?"

Natasha dully registered she was being talked to, but her mouth wouldn't open.

"Natasha," Carter bent over so they were eye level, "Hey, Natasha, c'mon, why don't you change and the wash up. The bathrooms just next door and I'll make you a hot drink."

Natasha nodded but didn't make a move to change into the pair of sweatpants and oversized shirt. A heavy sigh came from Carter and the woman dug her hands into Natasha's biceps, hoisting her up.

"Can I help you get changed then?"

Her head nodded of it's own accord, red curls falling into her eyes. Carefully, Peggy lifted her shirt over her head - eyes lingering on the small dotted scar that looked like a small star-burst on her torso. Next cam her pants, the brunette woman removing them with a small blush as Natasha stood dead to the world.

"Lift your feet."

Carter tapped her feet and Natasha lifted them so that the brunette could slip the new pair of pants on.

"Alright," Peggy clapped her hands, the sound startling Natasha, "Sorry, do you want a warm drink or just to sleep?"

"Sleep," she croaked.

"K, you take the bed, I'll my parents room."

Natasha momentarily snapped out of her dazed state with a shake of her head, "It's your house, I'll take the couch. You're nice enough to even let me stay."

"Nope," Peggy sounded firm as she shook her head, "take the bed."

The woman didn't give her a choice to argue because she strided out of the room leaving Natasha alone in the vast room. She took stock of Peggy's room. Soft white sheets laid underneath her with the slightest tint of gray and matching pillows. Polaroid photos were pinned to the wall, mostly of Steve and Peggy together, but a few with two people who Natasha assumed were her parents. A couple featured Stark and Danvers, plus a few with her and Clint. A dark colored night stand housed an alarm clock and a red candle. Everything about the room gave off a vintage feel, comforting in some way.

Delicately, afraid to ruin anything, Natasha laid back on the bed - still above the covers. She thought about what had just happened. Bruce had- she wasn't sure what he had tried to do. He would never rape her, she knew that, but he took it a step too far and she wasn't ready. It wasn't knew, that forceful nature was something she had grown up with during various times in her life. She wasn't a scared eight year old anymore, she was a grown eighteen year old who lived by herself and could make her own decisions.

Automatically, as if she was still in that one home, her hand raised towards the headboard, highlighting the thin white scars encircling her wrist. She closed her eyes slowly, always on edge at a new place before sleep carried her away.

<________>

Neither of them spoke of that night again. Natasha had left early in the morning, before Peggy had awoken, and crept back to her apartment - embarrassingly still barefoot and wearing Peggy's clothes, which she returned the following school week.

Now, Natasha really retreated from the friend group and returned to just hanging out with Clint once more. When the young man saw her after visiting his brother, she told him the whole story while fiddling with her shirt. Clint sighed, pulled her into a hug, and muttered in her ear, "I told you so." She slapped his shoulder with a laugh and Clint glared at Banner in the hallways from that point onward.

School was almost over, and now Clint dragged her to a pizza night at Carter's house - her parents out of town - where he assured Banner would not be there.

Dressed in simple jeans and a hoodie, Natasha munched on a piece of pizza and stood in the corner. Various people milled around, most of which she did not know. Glancing at her watch, the time indicating she had been here for an hour, it was deemed a reasonable time and she decided to slip out. Her body weaved through groups of people as they chatted with each other. As she was about to leave, a voice called out to her.

"Hey Natasha!" Steve was waving her over, a bright smile on his face. Despite his cheery expression from where he stood, Natasha could see the hurt in his eyes at the fact she had been avoiding him in an attempt to avoid his girlfriend.

Steve was standing with an unusual gaggle of people. One man, shaggy brown hair and a jean jacket stood next to Steve - arm slung over the blonde's shoulder. Another woman stood, her brunette hair pulled into a tight bun as she wore jeans and a plaid shirt. Finally one more, a woman with brown hair typing on her phone stood there.

"Guys," Steve turned to face the others as Natasha reluctantly walked over, "This is Natasha. Nat, these are Bucky, Maria, and Daisy."

Bucky and Maria gave a small greeting, both of their voices quiet and short, meanwhile Daisy remained on her phone - typing away. Maria kicked her shin with a cough and the girl looked up from her phone.

"Oh, 'sup," she greeted Natasha before returning towards her phone.

"Ignore her," Maria said, "She's always doing something on there."

"So you're the Natasha I've heard so much about," Bucky commented, his eyes scanning her up and down - not in a bad way, just a "I want to know more."

"Only good things I hope," she replied smoothly.

Conversation mingled in that group for a while. Turns out the trio were a group of Steve's friend from another state, they all had military parents - thus moving around a lot, but had come to visit. Maria spoke the least about her parents, seemingly clamming up at the mention of it. Despite seeming the have a rough past, Daisy threw out that she had been in foster homes casually - the fact seeming to have no consequence to her.

Bucky seemed especially chummy with Steve, and it the blonde wasn't dating Peggy then she would think Bucky and Steve were dating. Deep down she thinks that she was offended she had never heard of these friends before, but Natasha waved that feeling away.

Clint eventually joined them, a drink in hand. He stumbled just the tiniest bit and if you looked close enough his pupils were slightly dilated. Most people wouldn't notice but Natasha assumed his drink, which looked like kool-aid, was spiked.

"Heya," Clint said, his southern accent coming out just the slightest bit - another sign he was drinking, "You guys want some?"

He gestured his cup up, some of it sloshing over the sides.

"Are you drunk?" Steve asked, ever the nobleman.

"Alcohol?" Daisy raised her head, eyes wide with excitement, "Where?"

Clint smiled at her, "No idea who you are, but it's over in the back," he vaguely gestured behind him before snatching Natasha's wrist and dragging her back there, Daisy bolting ahead of them ignoring Steve's protests.

Her best friend filled her a cup of spike punch and pushed it into her hands. She took it without protest, sipping on it carefully. There was a strong amount of alcohol in there, she wasn't sure which kind, but there was a lot.

The party flew by after that, Natasha wasn't sure how many cups of punch she drank, but the world spun as all the highschoolers gathered in a circle on the carpet, lazily sprawled over each other. Steve and Maria were probably the only ones sober.

"Natasha," Stark slurred, he had the most alcohol out of all of them, "truth or dare?"

The game had been going around for a while and Natasha was secretly hoping she would be ignored from her spot on the armchair.

"Truth," Stark had already come up with some crazy dares, resulting in Bucky being shirtless to reveal his prosthetic arm.

"Are you gay?" He smiled dopily at her, the smile morphing into a smirk.

Her cheeks heated as everyone eyed her, particularly the girls and she could feel Carter's gaze piercing her skull.

"Yes," normally she would lie, but her tongue disobeyed her brain and answered of its own accord.

A round of 'ooohs' echoed around, Stark opening his mouth to further question her, but Natasha cut him off - asking Daisy a question. It went a few more rounds before it landed on Stark again and he called on Natasha.

"Dare," she replied reluctantly after the past several people having chosen truth.

Stark pumped his fists in the air, "I dare you to kiss the hottest person in the room - other than me of course." His chin tilted up arrogantly.

Natasha rolled her eyes, but stayed in place.

"C'mon," Clint urged, his southern accent clear now, "Choose someone, 's not that hard."

Her feet carried her over to where Carter laid draped across Steve, her head resting on his shoulder. Slowly, Natasha bent down and gave Carter a soft smooch on the kiss. Steve lightly slapped her, but laughed as she sauntered back to her seat with faux confidence.

Carter herself blinked owlishly, not totally present.

The game continued on, Natasha's mind still on that. She had just kissed Peggy. She kissed Peggy Carter. On the cheek, sure, but she kissed her - totally exposing herself. Oh gosh. Natasha wanted to sink into the couch and continued on with the game until it died out. Some people drove home, those sober enough, and others had already fallen asleep.

Natasha was sober enough to drive home, snatching her keys out of her pocket and heading towards the door. She cast her gaze back towards where Carter was passed out, drool slowly seeping out of her open mouth, but she still looked perfect . But she was also Steve's, the fact accented by Steve's arm draped over her shoulders.

Heavy hands turned the doorknob and Natasha drove towards her house. She decided one thing that night, she would graduate high school then leave Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter behind.

[lavellenchanted]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to five other writers! 💗

Oooh this is hard, especially when so many of my fics are WIPs and a lot of my favourites are in my Google docs/my head, but OKAY let's go with ....

Before Your Eyes - MCU/Steve x Peggy - I wrote this for Steggy Week a few years ago for the theme "Tropes and Cliches", with the premise of Steve and Peggy's relationship through the perspectives of everyone around them, and it's still one of my favourite things I've written.

When Hurts Run Deep - Critical Role/Fjord x Jester - The immediate aftermath of Fjord getting out of the Happy Fun Ball in C2 and realising Jester's still inside. Some angst and hurt/comfort.

I Want Your Complications - Bridgerton/Colin x Penelope - Essentially 10,000 words of shameless friends-with-benefits/idiots-to-lovers smut written for a tumblr prompt. To this day I still don't know what possessed me by I had a lot fun writing it and that's what counts!

I'll Crawl Home - MCU/Thor x Sif - The one WIP I will rec because I'm really proud of it and I think it's got some of my best writing. Basically an AU where Sif survives the snap and is there for the events of Endgame while helping Thor work through his guilt and grief.

Guide Me Safely to Shore - Dragon Age/Cullen x Lavellan - One of my most self-indulgent fics since it is 10K words of fluff and smut for Cullen and my Inquisitor and every now and then it gets kudos and I re-read it and remember how much I love them.

Thank you very much both for tagging me, Bobbie, and for giving me something fun to do in the background while sitting through two back-to-back Teams meetings 💖

[mthofferings2023]

AnonymousMink

See AnonymousMink’s existing works here.

Preferred contact methods: Tumblr: Anonymousmink

Preferred organizations: - Center for Reproductive Rights - Global Fund for Women - National Network of Abortion Funds - RIP Medical Debt - Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) (See the list of approved organizations here)

Will create works that contain: Ships and platonic art of your faves, otps, ot3s, fluff, angst, romance, general silliness, fic art, aus including: tattoo!au, fashion!au, historical!aus, and many more. Soft or implied nudity is okay so long as it has a general PG-13 rating.

Will not create works that contain: Hard NSFW (no genitals here kids), mpreg, incest or psuedo-incest, of age/under age ships, gore, mecha, depictions of terminal illness, romantic Thorki.

  -- Art --

Auction ID: 1053

Will create works for the following relationships: Bucky Barnes-centric - MCU Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers - MCU Steve Rogers/Tony Stark - MCU Bucky Barnes/Natasha Romanov - Any Universe Bucky Barnes/Sam Wilson - MCU Loki fandom any gen and ship - MCU Bucky Barnes/Darcy Lewis - MCU Darcy Lewis/Loki - MCU Bucky Barnes/Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers - MCU Darcy Lewis-centric - MCU

Work Description: The picture will be half-body, full colour with a simple background. Bids from $1-$19 will feature one character, $20+ two characters, $30+ three characters, and $40+ four characters - with a four character limit. This auction is for a single image so all characters must be in the same picture. If you have any questions please feel free to message me on tumblr! I’m happy to draw most all Bucky, Loki and Darcy ships (with the exception of ones that fit my DNWs, sorry my friends) and I’m also happy to draw poly ships including WinterShieldShock, WinterShieldIron, SamSteveBucky etc!

Ratings: Gen, Teen, Mature

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

-- Art --

Auction ID: 2032

Will create works for the following relationships: Darcy Lewis/Loki - Any Universe Bucky Barnes/Darcy Lewis - Any Universe Bucky Barnes/Natasha Romanov - Any Universe Carol Danvers/Yon-Rogg - MCU Namor/Shuri - Any Universe Wanda Maximoff/Vision - Any Universe Remy LeBeau/Rogue - Any Universe Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers - Any Universe Carol Danvers-centric - Any Universe Darcy Lewis-centric - Any Universe

Work Description: The picture will be half-body, full colour with a simple background. Bids from $1-$19 will feature one character, $20+ two characters, $30+ three characters, and $40+ four characters - with a four character limit. This auction is for a single image so all characters must be in the same picture. If you have any questions please feel free to message me on tumblr! I welcome any gen/platonic Carol set ups as well as most Darcy ships. I favour X-men Evo Romy but can draw for most universes!

Ratings: Gen, Teen, Mature

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

The auction runs from October 22 (12 AM ET) to October 28 (11:59:59 PM ET). Visit marveltrumpshate.com during Auction Week to view all of our auctions and to place your bids!

[shieldofapollo]

Camp NaNoWriMo Prep

Camp Nanowrimo is coming up, and I want to get more into writing, so I have a few ideas I could think about. Although, I should because I have been struggling to focus. Still, I have some ideas that would be interesting short stories that I would like to work with.

Hazbin Hotel X Night Vale OC

Violet is a stranger in hell, very much a background character. But it is strange to see a deep around with Alister around. Then she shows up at the hotel with a group of doomed sinners who are more interested in things that many living people don't take seriously, like walking in the rain or riding bikes. Also, what the heck is the Blood Space war?

Night Vale OC X Marvel

During a press conference, it was mentioned that there is another super-soldier and that Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Peggy Carter all have children.

Tails of Asgard X Marvel

After the event of Tails of Asgard, Loki decides to become an ambassador of Asgard. After a mission, he finds out his true nature and decides to run away before he hurts Thor.

Original Story

Romance is fading away. To revive the love gods, wizards have started helping people find partners. This is an unusual situation for Alexander, as although he is interested in romance, he is struggling with his social skills due to being hospitalized. As a result, he welcomes any help he can get.

[imaginetonyandbucky]

A/B/O Au. Bucky is an army sniper who has a whirlwind romance with Tony. While on leave he introduces Tony to his Army buds, who do not take kindly to Tony because they think he's using Bucky for good PR. So before Bucky goes back on tour they break up. Fast Forward 3years Bucky wandering aimlessly through towns (without an arm) bumps into Tony whose got a young boy that oddly resembles Bucky when he was younger. ANGST please.

The Long Way Round - Part I of IV

[Part II] | [Part III] | [Part IV]

2013

When Bucky’s finally fought his way back through the crowded pub and slides into their booth, he immediately notices how the mood has turned sour. It’s subtle, but Bucky’s known these guys for years, and something’s definitely up.

Jacques and Gabe have their heads bent together, and are talking in quiet, hissed French, turned away from the rest of the group. Morita’s resting bitch face has reached an entirely new level, Monty is typing away on his phone, and even Dum Dum, although still trying to keep up the conversation, is much less buoyant and blustering than usual. And then there’s Tony, shoulders hunched and shrunk in on himself, eyes fixed on a spot on the table as he worries his bottom lip.

“Hey,” Bucky whispers, and bumps their knees together, frowning when Tony startles, and pulls his leg away. “Everythin’ all right? Did somethin’ happen while I was gone?”

Tony shakes his head, the movement a little jerky. “It’s nothing,” he says, flat. It’s clearly a lie, but before Bucky can call him out on it, he adds, “Just not feeling it tonight. I might turn in early, actually, if that’s okay?”

“‘Course, yeah,” Bucky says, reaching for his jacket. “Walk you home?”

For a moment, it looks like Tony’s going to say no. But then he swallows, hard, and nods, even smiles a little in thanks when Bucky helps him into his coat, and leans into Bucky’s side, albeit somewhat stiffly, when Bucky curls an arm around him.

“Breakfast tomorrow before we gotta catch our plane?” Bucky asks the rest of the table, getting nods and a few murmured confirmations in return. None of them tease or rib him for leaving after just one beer, and Bucky squints at them for a moment, suspicious, before he shrugs, and leads Tony out onto the street.

(Watch out for the break, mobile readers!)

They walk in not entirely comfortable silence after Tony keeps blocking Bucky’s attempts at talking with short, one-word answers, clearly distracted by something. It’s not until they get to Tony’s apartment complex that Tony finally looks at Bucky again, his mouth downturned as he places a firm hand on Bucky’s chest when Bucky goes to follow him into the lobby.

“What? Not gonna invite me up for coffee?” Bucky asks, trying for joking in hopes of cheering Tony up. The flirty smile begins to slide off his face, though, when Tony shakes his head, opens his mouth as if to say something, then closes it again, and takes a deep, shuddering breath. “Hey, no. C’mon, sweetheart, talk to me? What’s wrong?”

He goes to touch Tony’s cheek, eyes widening and hand hovering awkwardly in the air between them when Tony takes a step back. “Tony?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” Tony blurts out in a rush. “It’s—I think it’s for the best. If we stop.”

It takes a moment for the meaning of the words to register, but when it does, Bucky turns cold, stomach sinking. “Are—are you breakin’ up with me? Tony—”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Tony hurries to reassure, reading Bucky’s mind. “You were perfect, Bucky, I swear you were. Are. This. It’s not. It’s really not you,” he says with a small, humourless chuckle, “it’s me.”

Bucky looks at the tense line of Tony’s shoulders, at the sad set of his mouth, the defeat in his eyes, and he knows it’s the truth. Or, at least, what Tony believes to be true. “Tony, sweetheart, I don’t understand—”

“Don’t make this any harder than it already is,” Tony says quietly as he backs away towards the door. Then, voice breaking on what sounds suspiciously like a sob, “Bucky, please.”

There’s nothing Bucky wants more than to reach out, wrap his arms around Tony, draw him in and hold him tight, kiss away the tears he can see glistening at the corners of Tony’s eyes. But Bucky’s never been able to refuse Tony, to deny him a single thing, especially not when he’s upset, and not even, it turns out, if it breaks his own heart. So Bucky nods, throat tight, and shoves his hands into his pockets instead.

“If—if you want to talk,” Bucky croaks, and has to clear his throat before he can continue, “about this, us, about something else. Or if you need me, if you need anything at all. You call me, a’right?” He waits until Tony hesitantly meets his eyes, needing Tony to see how serious he is about this, then promises, “I will find time for you. Doesn’t matter where I am, what I’m doing. I’ll make time for you, Tony. Always. I’ll—I’ll bribe Colonel Phillips to give me phone privileges, whatever it takes. I’ll do it.”

Tony’s crying fully now, and Bucky’s helpless to watch him wipe at his cheeks, doesn’t know what to do, how to fix it when Tony hiccups, wet and pained, “I’m sorry,” before turning around, and fleeing inside.

“Hey,” Steve calls as Bucky closes the door to their apartment behind himself. “There’s some leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry. Peggy cooked, don’t worry. Oh! She wanted me to ask you—”

He cuts off abruptly when Bucky rounds the corner into the living room, throws himself down on the couch face first, and pulls the comforter folded over its back down and over himself. “Buck? You okay?”

“No,” Bucky says, muffled. “Tony broke up with me.” When several seconds pass without Steve saying anything, Bucky shoves the comforter down enough to glance over at him, hackles raising at Steve’s almost relieved expression. “What?”

“Well. You know,” Steve says, shrugging. “It’s not exactly a surprise, is it?”

Bucky blinks at him. “The fuck are you talkin’ about? We were fine.”

The way Steve grimaces, he apparently doesn’t agree. “Buck, c’mon. He’s nineteen, smart, absurdly rich—

“So, what?” Bucky cuts in snappishly. “You’re sayin’ I’m not good enough for him? Tony doesn’t care about shit like that. An’ I thought you didn’t, either.”

Steve glares at him. “You know damn well that’s not what I’m saying. You’re a catch, anyone’d be lucky to have you.”

“Anyone but Tony?” Bucky sits up properly, pointing an accusing finger at Steve. “You never liked him, anyway. You never even gave him a chance to—”

“Because I knew this would happen!” Steve yells back, throwing his hands up in the air. “Bucky, be serious for a moment. Tony is young, with the world at his feet, and people lining up to get a piece of him. He’s—flighty, he’s never had a stable relationship before you came along. I want you to be happy, you know I do, but him getting bored of you was exactly what I was afraid of when—”

“That’s not what happened,” Bucky insists, standing.

Steve shrugs, but his pitying expression belies his nonchalance. “Maybe, maybe not.”

“I’m going to bed,” Bucky sighs, shaking his head. “Don’t wanna fight with you on my last day home.”

Bucky doesn’t fall asleep until hours later, though, curled up on top of his blankets, clutching a pillow that still smells faintly of Tony, his heart heavy and a lump in his throat.

- Potrix

[cyberwears]

He found his Peggy

Before Steve passed away he told (y/n) to “Find your Peggy.” Only after Steve’s funeral did he finally understand what he meant by: “Find your Peggy”.

Relationship: Bucky “James” Barnes X male!reader, Sam Wilson X male!reader (platonic)

Request: NO

Warnings: Mentions of grief, loss, broken hearts, mentions of wounds. Main character Death, surgery, mentions of ED, using sex as a form of coping (unsafely), mentions of homophobia

This one has a bit of a set up. I will not apologize for there the background though mainly angst with very little fluff. I am not/ was not in the military, so I apologize if anything is incorrect or inaccurate

(y/n) grew up alone. Never looking back or relying on people. Not once in his life did he think things were ever going to go his way. Lost his mother and father at a young age, lost his grandparents shortly after, being disowned by what was left of his family for being queer after they promised they would always stick together. (y/n) knew disappointment and resentment like that back of his hand, so he enlisted into the US Air Force to hopefully find something to do with his life. He hid who he was behind tattoos and a bulky front act for his “Military Family” as he liked to say. 

During his time he met Sam wilson. Sam broke his walls down and helped him heal. (y/n) told him about his issue and Sam responded in kind. This was the first time he could be real with someone and he felt like a person. Sam never got upset with him or condemned him for his emotions. It was quite the opposite and a lot of “Hey man, it's ok to have emotions. I’m here for you man. Whenever you need me, you know where to find me”. 

When (y/n) heard about Sam leaving due to personal reasons he cried, Hard. (y/n) felt like he was losing another brother. This shut down (y/n) again. He became a hard and solid soldier (not that he wasn't already.), quickly rising to the top of his class (for a lack of a better word). He sharpened his senses and stopped putting his trust in the people around the base and once again fell back into the cycle that was cynicism. 

The moment (y/n) got the notice he was being discharged he packed up his stuff very carefully. He was injured in the air and was forced to crash land the jet he was in. He was told by the Doctor that did the surgery that his heart stopped twice and he was very lucky to have made it though. After he made it back out into the work he moved to Washington DC to look for work. He found a pretty cheap apartment and settled in. He never really unpacked much, just some basic necessities. It looked like he never lived there, but if you looked closer you could see the small remnants of a military man. The bed was made a specific way, apartment always clean, bag stuffed under the bed, the shades always drawn closed to block the outside world out and keep him inside. He almost never slept on the bed, it was either the floor or the couch on an easy night. 

(y/n) suffered from his wounds. Physical and mental. It didn’t matter, it started to take a toll on him as he suffered from night terrors and paranoia. Once he was cleared by his physical therapist he started going on runs in the morning to clear his mind from the terrors that plagued his mind in his sleep. One morning he came across an Ad on a cork board outside of a shelter he frequently passed on his routine. It was an ad for group counseling for Veterans. Pushing aside the distrust for therapist and counseling he pulled a slip off the weathered and slightly crisp yellow paper and slipped it in his jacket pocket then went about his routine for the day. 

A few days later he stood in front of a builder that held the address that matched up with the one on the slip of paper he pocketed a few days before. A shiver ran down his spine as he took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, making his way inside. He slowly sat down towards the back and kept his head low before the session started. He was startled out of his daze when he heard a man speak up, a man he hadn’t heard from in 6 years. Sam Wilson. His head shot up in alarm as Sam started speaking to the group of veterans in the room. 

The session consisted of basic introductions and some people talking about how their experience in the service was. (y/n) kept to himself for most of it, only talking about how he had to force a land and ended up being discharged due to injury. After the session was over, (y/n) shakily rose to his feet and turned to leave. He heard Sam call out to him and jog over. 

“Hey man, nice to see you, it's been a while. How have you been?” The question caused (y/n) to freeze. Shit had gotten hard, not just hard but almost unbearable. “Honestly Sam, I just missed my best friend.” (y/n) retorted and pulled Sam into a bone crushing hug, silently wincing at the faint pain in his shoulder. (y/n) and Sam spent the day making up for the 6 years of absence and reconnecting over beer and greasy bar food. 

Over the next few months (y/n) and Sam fell into a routine. Morning jogs, lunch, afternoon counseling then went about their days. One morning went a bit differently. As Sam and (y/n) were out on their morning run they heard quick footsteps approaching them and a quick “To your left” as a man sped past them. This continued their whole run and (y/n) found it extremely annoying but he kept it at bay. When they finished the run Sam walked over to the stranger, (y/n) following closely behind. He stayed silent during the conversation (other than introducing himself). 

A few days later he was kicking it with Sam to pass the time after his shift at the music store by his apartment. He heard a knock on the door and hollered for Sam to get the door. He bristled when the door opened and he saw Steve Rogers and the redhead woman that picked him up standing in the doorway, looking rather banged up and exhausted. Sam let them in and told (y/n) to close the blinds. (y/n) did as Sam asked and grabbed towels for Steve and the Woman, Natasha so they could clean up. After they cleaned up and talked for a while they were filled in and told about Shield and Hydra (Which (y/n) had some knowledge about due to his military background). When they asked if they could help Sam immediately said yes but (y/n) was more apprehensive but eventually said yes. 

(y/n) had gotten severely injured during the battle in the helicarriers and was admitted to the hospital. Sam and Natasha regularly checked in with him, keeping him up to date about Steve’s condition and the news. After (y/n) was discharged from the hospital he packed up what little things were around his apartment and went over to Sam’s to let him know he was leaving for Brooklyn. (y/n) said it was for a change of pace but Sam knew better. They shared a hug and Sam promised to keep in touch. (y/n) over the next 2 years led a steady and quiet life, staying in the shadows and off government radars the best he could. That changed the day 50% of the Earth's population disappeared into thin air. After that he roped into helping hold meetings with Steve to help form a community and a safe place in the new and scary world that was so suddenly thrust upon them. (y/n) helped out around Avengers HQ where he could. During this time Steve and (y/n) got close while mourning Sam and Steve Mourning Bucky and Sam. They became as close as brothers. 

There was a day that (y/n) was getting a drink in the compound kitchen area and he heard a loud rumbling noise, Looking over at Steve he sent him a nod then booked it for the lawn area to see a ship (in rough shape) landing and a skinny, malnourished Tony Stark come fumbling out the ship. (y/n) heard Pepper gasp and ran to Tony to help him up and get him inside to receive medical attention. After Tony’s outburst at the table (y/n) excused himself and went to his apartment. (y/n) spent the night drinking and sobbing about all the people who had disappeared. 

Over the next 7 years (y/n) was in and out of the compound to keep Steve company or work. One day when he was at the compound he Heard Tony storm in saying that he figured out time travel and that they could reverse what had happened. That caused (y/n) to perk up with interest and he helped Bruce the best he could to get something set up so they could do it properly and retrieve the stones. (y/n) stayed behind and monitored the area and kept an eye on the screens. Everyone came back, except Natasha. He watched in horror as Clint broke down in silent sobs. (y/n) felt his stomach drop, Natasha wasn’t quite a sister but they were close in the last 9 years since the mission in Washington. Bruce took charge and snapped, reversing the Blip.

The next thing (y/n) knows he is standing side by side with Steve on the battlefield, across from Thanos and his army. A handful of monsters and a power hungry alien that was trying to get the stones. (y/n) sent a silent plea for strength and help before looking towards Steve, who sent him a stoic look. 

“To your left” said an all too familiar voice into (y/n) and Steve’s earpiece as thousands of orange portals opened, thousands of people came out of the portals. The only one that mattered to (y/n) was Sam who came flying next to him before landing. “Are you really here?” (y/n) asked, his voice quiet and choked. “I am here brother. I’m here.” Sam said before hugging (y/n), something the two didn’t do regularly before turning back to Steve to await the call to rush into action. Steve made the call and the battle commenced. 

They ended up winning, but at the cost of Tony. Everyone on the field took a knee and a violent hush fell over the chaos that surrounded him, cut by sniffles and the cries from loved ones. They held a funeral at Tony’s lakehouse and Steve volunteered to take back the stones. (y/n) had a bad gut feeling about it but waited with Bucky and Sam by the lake side. As Bruce looked in confusion when Steve didn’t return, (y/n) saw Bucky’s shoulders fall slightly. (y/n) then realized that Steve never planned on returning to the present day. (y/n) turned towards Bucky and placed a hand on Bucky’s shoulder in sympathy, Bucky glanced at (y/n) as he pointed to the lake side. There was an old man resting on the bench and Bucky looked down with a soft smile but a pained look in his eyes, something (y/n) was all too familiar with. (y/n) and Bucky looked over at Sam who was walking over to Steve who was sitting on the bench. The two were in deep conversation. (y/n) watches with Bucky as Sam picks up the shield and finishes his conversion with Steve. (y/n) looked over at Bucky, who sighs and looks down in contemplation. “Don’t force yourself to do anything you don’t want to.” (y/n) whispered then nodded to Steve, who sent him a small wave. 

Over the next few years (y/n) kept in touch with Steve who consistently asked if (y/n) had found anyone who only got back a snarky “now that you're old, you are so nosy” and a laugh. Steve always told (y/n) to look out for Bucky and Sam, which he did. He and Bucky became closer. Not as close as Sam or Steve but they became friends. In this time (y/n) slowly took notice of things he never did before. The way Bucky’s eyes lit up when talking to Steve, the nostalgia that overtook Bucky’s features when Steve told him about The Howling Commandos, the way Bucky's eyebrows furrow when he was in deep thought, how Bucky bites his cuticles when he thinks no one is looking, it was little stuff but it meant something to (y/n). During one visit with Steve, (y/n) was talking about something and Steve looked at him as (y/n) told him about some story that happened last week with Bucky. 

Steve chuckled and (y/n) stopped mid sentence. “What was that about?” (y/n) asked as he returned focus to Steve. “You’re in love with him.” Steve said with a soft smile. (y/n) choked on air. “I am sorry? Me? In love with Bucky?” He said. “I know that look and the way you talk about him is how I talk about Peggy. You have to find your Peggy.” Steve said, leaving (y/n) dumbfounded. This soon became sort of a catchphrase for Steve. It was always “find your Peggy. Life is short, make the most of it.” and (y/n) took it to heart. 

When Bucky got the phone call that Steve had passed he rushed over to (y/n)’s apartment to tell him. (y/n) had heard the news already and was asked to be a paul bearer. He said yes and looked to Bucky for emotional support. The two of them grieved together and helped plan the funeral. (y/n) openly cried at the burial while Bucky was more put together, but (y/n) knew Bucky was just as torn up as he was. 

(y/n) was asked to speak at the funeral. He told the story of how he met Steve and he was a good man and an even better guy. “When I would visit Steve he would always, without fail, pry into my love life, or lack thereof. He noticed the small things y’know. I would sit differently and he would notice. He also always told me to ‘Find your Peggy, and to always cherish them because life is short. Make the most of it’.” (y/n) said as he started to break down again. After the crowd had dispersed, (y/n) stayed and talked to the casket that held Steve’s body. He cried and told him that he would miss him, then he talked about how he finally understood what he said about finding his peggy. (y/n) told the Casket that he loved Bucky and he would always keep him in his heart even if he didn’t love him back. He laid a small white Chrysanthemum on the casket and turned to leave, only to see Bucky back by a tree, talking to a younger girl who was consoling him. 

(y/n) felt his heart rip in two when he saw Bucky slip an arm around her waist and walk away from the grave side. His head was fuzzy and he felt like the wind was knocked from his lungs as he took cautious steps towards his car. When (y/n) got his head together he drove away in silence from Bucky and the grave sight. (y/n) choked down tears the whole way home, only allowing himself to cry after he got the door locked and laying on the floor, not even making it to his own room. The next morning he felt sore from laying on the floor, his mouth dry and head pounding from crying. He slowly got up and made his way to the kitchen to get some water and pain killers to alleviate his headache. He checked his phone to see a few texts from Bucky and a missed call from him. The texts were asking where he had disappeared off to and one saying goodnight.

(y/n) checked the voice mail from the missed call. “Hey (y/n), it’s Bucky. I was just wanting to check in and see how you were doing. You seemed pretty shaken when you left. Call me back when you can. Remember we have lunch tomorrow. See you then, Take care” Bucky’s voice played back through the phone. (y/n) sighed and deleted the message. He went and hopped in the shower, washing off the grime from yesterday and to recenter himself. He slipped on a pair of jeans with boots and a plain cotton T-shirt. Grabbing his keys and phone. He locked his apartment door and left. 

(y/n) went to the diner they planned on meeting at for lunch. When he walked up to the door he saw Bucky and the girl from yesterday sitting at a table, talking about something. She said something that caused Bucky to laugh, (y/n) took notice of how Bucky threw his head back and the way his lips stretched into a smile as he laughed. (y/n)’s body shook a little as his feet practically glued himself to the pavement outside the diner. Taking a deep breath (y/n) made his way inside and over to them. When Bucky saw him, he stood up and gave him a one armed side hug and motioned for him to sit. (y/n) sits down and Bucky falls into a natural conversation with the Woman across from him. Bucky looks over at (y/n) and furrows his eyebrows. “I forgot to introduce you, this is Ellie. My girlfriend. Ellie, this is one of my close friends, (y/n).” Bucky said as he took a drink from his cup. 

“It's nice to meet you, (y/n).” Ellie said, shifting in her seat. “Likewise” (y/n) responded before ordering water. (y/n) felt his heart crack a bit more as he saw the way Bucky was interacting with Ellie. (y/n) ordered his food and ate, making the occasional comment then going quiet and eating. (y/n) felt out of place, he felt like a third wheel. When lunch ended he quickly left. Only when he got home did he start breaking down again as he felt his soul being crushed. 

Now he understood why Steve said to “find your peggy.”. He waited too long and now He was gone. 

(y/n) spent the next few months in agony. At night he went out and partied or went to whatever bar was close to his current location. He took  whatever girl or guy that showed any interest in him back to their place and hooked up with them, only to leave in the morning before the other person woke up. (y/n) ate less and ended up losing some weight. He wasn’t rail thin but he didn’t exactly look physically healthy. He always went and got checked to make sure he didn’t catch anything. This became his new routine. He was trying to force his feelings for Bucky away. 

One night as he grabbed his keys to go out for the 4th time this week he heard a knock on the door. (y/n) huffed quietly then made his way to the door. When he answered it he was not expecting to see Bucky, tear stained face and eyes rimmed red that made the blue in them more prominent. 

“Ellie left me” was all he said before breaking down, leaning on (y/n)’s shoulder. (y/n) felt his heart crack again for the first time since he started going out. (y/n) sighed out and let bucky in, guiding to the stools in his kitchen and making him sit down. (y/n) moved fluidly through the kitchen and grabbed a couple beers from his mostly empty fridge and opened one before passing it to Bucky then turning away to the sink. With shaky hands (y/n) opened his own beer and took a drink from it for courage, then he turned to face Bucky only to meet his eyes. Bucky was studying (y/n)’s body language. 

“Stop that.” (y/n) snapped as he leaned against the counter. “Stop what?” Bucky said as he looked back to the counter. “You’re analyzing me, my movements, and probably how I breathe.”  (y/n) said as he pulled himself up on the counter, not looking away from the man in front of him. “You haven’t contacted me or Sam in months. I was worried about you.” He said and sagged his shoulders. 

“Yea well a phone works both ways. Sam has been busy and you had Ellie. I didn’t want to interrupt them. She didn’t like me very much when you introduced us so I backed up and stayed out of it.��� (y/n) said and ran a hand through his hair then picked at the hem of his own shirt. (y/n) leaned back, resting his back against the cabinet  behind him and looked over towards Bucky. “Why did you come here? Other than Ellie?” (y/n) whispered. “I missed you man. Isn’t that enough. Not everyone has ulterior motives. I just wanted to see my friends. Is that an issue?” Bucky said, his voice breaking and looking down. 

“Of course not. I just had plans tonight.” (y/n) said and Bucky’s head snapped up in anger. “Yeah like what? Going out and fucking the closet person avalible? You know you aren’t as careful as you think you are. I have seen you leaving clubs and bars with people, I have seen the hickeys and the marks left by people who don’t even know your name.” Bucky snapped and Stood up suddenly. 

“Oh, you’re my mother now? Look. James, not that it’s any of your fucking business but its how I cope. Don't like it? Leave.” (y/n) said, anger building in his chest. Bucky made his way around the counter and stood between (y/n)’s legs, caging him in his spot on the counter. 

“What are you so scared of? What are you running from? Why didn’t you think to talk to me or Sam? We could help you, but you have to let us help you.” Bucky said and locked eyes with (y/n). “This issue isn’t yours to fix” (y/n) growled out. “Try me (y/n). I’ve been through more shit than you can imagine.” Bucky said as he grabbed (y/n)'s wrist. “Not this one. isn't your problem, Believe me.” “Then tell me. Please, I can’t lose you.” Bucky said, his blue eyes softened as he moved closer to (y/n), his face inches away from (y/n)’s. 

‘Fuck, this is bad. If I don't say something Bucky won’t give up. Make something up for fucks sake.’ (y/n) thought as he reached out, gripping Bucky’s shirt. “I am in love with you.” (y/n) whispered, barely audible. ‘You fucking idiot. Out of all the things you could have said you chose that one?’ (y/n) thought bitterly as he looked away from Bucky, mentally preparing for rejection. 

Bucky felt his face heat up and stumbled over his thoughts for a second, his head and tongue not agreeing on what to say. “I’m sorry? Repeat that?” Bucky stammered out and turned (y/n)'s face to look at him. “Fuck! What else is there to say James? I am in love with you. These past few months I have been trying to get over my feelings for you and got lost.” (y/n) repeated, on the verge of tears. 

(y/n) went to push Bucky away from him until he felt Bucky’s lips touch his in a fury. Their teeth clashing, Bucky’s stubble digging into (y/n)’s face. (y/n) kissed him back, gripping Bucky’s shirt and wrapping his legs around his waist to root Bucky to his spot in front of him. After they break for air (y/n) looks at Bucky. “Bucky, stop. You are upset and going through a break up. You don’t understand what you’re doing” (y/n) says goes to move, Bucky grips (y/n)'s arm harder and prevents him from moving. “You will not be the person who tells me I don’t know what I am doing. I am not the one who is drowning in loveless hookups. You are. You can’t even come out of your haze long enough to see that people are worried and care. That I care.” Bucky said before he let go of (y/n) and stepped away. At that moment (y/n) started crying and looked away from Bucky in shame. 

Just as he was able to maybe bury his feelings for Bucky, he had shattered that possibility. “Then prove it, Buck.” (y/n) said as he pushed himself off the counter and leaned onto Bucky’s chest. Bucky sighed and looked down at (y/n), wrapping his arms around him and holding him tight. “I will. I promise” He said, pressing a kiss to (y/n)'s head.

[smalls-words]

Chapter One: Have We Had Sex?

Summary: Your job leads to one hell of a woman.

Pairings: Detective!Fem!Reader x Detective!Steve Rogers (separating co-parents), Mama!Reader x Margaret "Peggy" Rogers, Reader x Natasha Romanoff (friends atm), Natasha x Wanda (platonic), Natasha x Delilah (friends), Natasha x Yelena (sisters).

Warnings: Demons and Angels, murder, blood, sexual suggestion (no smut), Natasha is a rich smug woman, lots of biblical references.

A/N: I'm really excited to be writing this. Lucifer is one of my favourite TV shows.

Series Masterlist

*not my gif*

The wind in her hair as she cruised down the highway was just one part of her thrilling night ahead. She idly sent the car around the corner, following the massive line outside of the bar before the engine shut off and she threw the keys to the valet at the front door.

"Hey, boss." He greeted her as he caught the keys.

She stepped in to hear Fame by David Bowie playing in the background, briefly admiring the dancers on their platforms whilst a waitress handed her a drink. Her hand curved around the condensating glass effortlessly, as if it was a skill practised for centuries.The dark navy suit curved around her body, a shimmering silver dress shirt matching her multiple piercings whilst a few tattoos covered her wrist and peaked up at the back of her neck, slightly hidden by her bob of fiery red locks.

A few moments were taken at the top of the stairs, looking down onto the main floor of the club before making her way down the set of stairs. Many glances were both given and received by passersby, many of them being women in skin-tight dresses with shoulder straps so thin she could tear them with her teeth.

She was also sure many of them would enjoy it.

As she spotted her target, she approached the turned-away brunette but could still see her face in her mirror's reflection whilst she cleaned a glass in hand. "Where have you been?" Her Romani body was held beautifully and scandalously in the top that exposed quite a bit of cleavage, her jeans hidden by the bar.

The boss smirked at her reflection. "Oh, holed up in a château, copulating with a young woman named Faith. It's ironic, isn't it?"

The brunette looked down. "Thank you, Patrick. You can go."

A gleeful young man stood up and licked his lips clean before leaving the two to chat.

"You little devil." Her boss smirked knowingly.

The sexy Romani grinned mischievously. "What? I dropped something."

"Well, I'm sure you did."

"Now, Natasha, I am a big fan of sex."

"Obviously." She nodded.

"But I didn't leave Hell to be a bartender. Shouldn't you be spending your valuable time doing something more... significant? You're the queen of Hell, for crying out loud."

"I am retired, Wanda. I've got nothing but time. Thank you." Natasha gestured to her empty glass before Wanda began to refill it.

But then, the pour of the bottle began to slow. The music slowed, the people slowed. Natasha and Wanda looked at each other, an annoyed look in the redhead's eyes whilst the brunette seemed a mixture of worry and alert.

Natasha took the two drinks Wanda had poured before heading over, smirking at the blonde as she emerged from the smoke and shadows.

"Yelena, how's it hanging, little sis? Huh?" She asked, holding one drink in either hand.

"Your return to the Underworld has been requested." Yelena stated rather formally.

Natasha put down both drinks and began her theatrics, knowing they'd piss her off. "Oh, right, okay. Let me just, uh, check my calendar. Yeah, here it is. Uh, the 7th of never through to the 15th of ain't-gonna-happen. How does that work for you guys?"

The stare Natasha received would have killed her within a blink of an eye if Yelena's special ability was a death stare. "Look, remind Dad that I quit Hell because I was sick and tired of playing a part in his play."

"I'm gonna warn you against disrespecting our father, Natasha." Yelena grumbled.

Natasha took a sip of her drink before she scoffed. "Yeah, well, our father's been disrespecting me since the beginning of time, so pot-kettle, don't you think?"

Yelena sighed loudly. "You are a mockery of everything divine."

Natasha's expression sank into one of gratefulness, her hand falling over her heart. "Thank you. Thank you, but lately I've been doing a fair amount of thinking. Now, do you think I'm the Devil because I'm inherently evil, just because dear old Dad decided I was?"

Yelena took a step towards Natasha. "What exactly do you think happens when the Devil leaves Hell?"

Just as Natasha scoffed, Yelena placed her hands firmly on her sister's shoulders. "All of those demons, all of those tormented and tortured souls, where do you think they go?"

Natasha knocked Yelena's hands off of her, meeting her face just inches away. "Don't know, don't care. Not my problem, sister. So consider the position officially open. And you, my feathered friend, can go to Hell."

In a blink, Yelena's dark grey wing-tip was held underneath Natasha's throat, ancient steel fused at its tips. But Natasha didn't flinch, no - instead, she chuckled. "Yeah, try it. You think Father's upset now."

Yelena stepped back, her wings neutral as they rested behind her, a small chuckle coming from her too. "You know, he will not be merciful for much longer."

And with that, Yelena left just as quickly as she came. The world began to return to normal speed, bustling patrons and staff whilst Natasha decided to get some air. There were few things in the world that could rattle her, and as much as she loved her, Yelena was one of them.

So Natasha stood outside, spinning a coin in her hand, still thinking about her conversation with Yelena, when a taxi slowed to a stop in front of Lux. The rear window rolled down and a beautiful hot mess appeared.

"Hey, you. Remember me?" She asked.

Of course Natasha knew who she was - she prided herself on knowing everyone in LA - but she also prided herself on being the flirtiest and most teasing. "You're famous, aren't you? Delilah, isn't it? Can I have your autograph?"

Shouts of "I love you, Delilah!" came from the line behind Natasha as well as other people walking past, many already taking flash photos.

Delilah chuckled at Natasha's quip. "If I can have a drink."

So, Natasha led her inside and got her a drink, clearing out a booth with a single stare so the two could sit.

"So are you gonna tell me why you really came back?" Natasha smirked.

Delilah sighed. "There's something I need to know."

"And what's that?"

"Did I... sell my soul to the Devil with you?"

"Well, that would imply the Devil's actually interested in your soul." Natasha quipped before she recognised Delilah's worry. "Look, all I did was introduce you to a few key people who owed me favours, that's all."

"I mean, with all the good came a hell of a lot of bad." Delilah commented.

"Oh, right, so the Devil made you do it, did he? The alcohol and the drugs, the topless selfies. The choices are on you, my dear. I mean, Jimmy Barnes?" Natasha scoffed. "I can't believe you almost married that sweaty little imp."

Delilah rolled her eyes as she tried to gain back some dignity. "He produced my album. You introduced me to him."

"I suggested you work with him, not sleep with him. Besides, I bet he's a shit lay."

"Well, I... got confused."

"And then you left him at the altar."

Delilah sighed. "Yeah, that was rude of me."

"No, actually, I quite enjoyed that bit." Natasha chuckled, to which Delilah joined her.

"You know, he trapped me in the bathroom at the Grammys, said he wanted to get back together. Then I hear he's marrying a supermodel - this weekend. And I'm jealous. Oh, God, I'm a mess." The blonde's head fell into her hands before Natasha took it out of them by a gentle grip on her neck.

"God has nothing to do with your mess. Look... You didn't sell your soul, Delilah. You do owe me a favour though."

"I'm scared." The shy pop star admitted.

Natasha nodded with understanding eyes. "You should be. Because what I'm about to ask you is gonna be quite difficult for you." She paused to watch Delilah's fearful reaction. "Pull yourself together. That's it, that's all I'm asking. 'Cause you're wasting your talent, your life. Hmm? What do you say?"

Natasha led a tired and drunk Delilah out of her club, keeping her steady as they walked into the brisk evening chill. Delilah slowly brought them to a stop, Natasha's eyes falling onto her.

"I'm gonna do as you asked. I'm gonna get it together. Promise, Natasha." Delilah nodded.

Natasha sighed regrettably. "Look, it's not about me. What happens now, that's up to you. Okay? Now come here, you." She hugged her.

Tires squealed to a stop before two bullets hit Natasha and three hit Delilah, the glass shattering from the other three. Natasha fell to the ground and Delilah collapsed next to her, the redhead's eyes shutting slowly.

But when they opened to a car crash in front of her, she checked over Delilah and her heart sank to find no pulse at her neck. She stood, anger fueling her, and stormed over to the wrecked car.

"Oh, no, no, no, not yet." She growled, shaking the guy awake before bringing his head towards hers. "What did you do?"

"I'm sorry." The guy whimpered.

"'Sorry?' Why did you end her life?"

"Why else? Money."

"'Money.'" Natasha scoffed. "Oh, it's times like this I wish I was still in Hell. All the fun activities I'd have planned for you."

"Hey, girl, I just pulled the trigger."

Natasha watched as the light of his soul faded from his eyes, drifting off into what she hoped was her old domain. She silently prayed for some of her best demons to torture him before she pulled out her phone and called the police, staying by Delilah's side even as her blood stained the glass shards around her corpse.

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А full-blown crime scene formed within half an hour. Helicopters spun as police swarmed the crime scene. Delilah's body was put in a bag and slotted gently into the back of the coroner's van as an unmarked cop car pulled up. Out hopped LAPD homicide detective, Y/N Valeria - a beautiful woman, but one that downplays it on purpose. She's smart, cold and direct, as shown when she immediately moves towards the dead drug dealer.

Another plain-clothed detective walked up from the other direction, the badge on his hip reading Detective Steve Rogers. "Want to hear what I've got so far?" He asked cockily.

You huffed as Steve's grainy voice annoyed your brain. "Lieutenant said this is my case."

"Yeah, Y/N, it is your case, but try not to take too much time. It's an easy one. That's our bad guy, Eddie Deacon, he's a low-level drug dealer. I found these in his pocket, and I found this in Delilah's purse, so obviously drug-related. She probably owed him a bunch of cash or something - she's not exactly selling out stadiums these days."

"How do you know he's low-level?" You questioned.

"Look at his car." Steve chuckled.

"Did you look at his watch? That thing ain't cheap." You replied.

"It's probably fake. Look... there's gonna be a lot of attention on this one, Y/N. I wouldn't pick at it too hard. Not after Palmetto Street."

Steve watched your eyes darken as you folded your arms. "I asked for this case because of Palmetto Street, Steve. So, are there any witnesses?"

The tension between you both was enough to almost see, just like heat rising from the tar of a hot road. Steve eventually pointed you inside and you walked into the club, noticing other cops questioning possible suspects whilst a medical officer was checking up on the club owner.

You decided to talk to her.

You really shouldn't have.

"Natasha Romanoff." She greeted you.

"'Natasha Romanoff'? Is that, uh, a stage name or something?" You questioned.

She simply chuckled. "God-given, I'm afraid. You know, you look familiar. Have we met before?"

You paused for a few seconds, processing the odd question. "Yeah, five minutes ago. And I'm asking the questions here. Talk to me about your relationship with the victim."

Natasha sighed as she stopped playing the piano to have a drink. Her mind instantly drifted towards what she would do with you given half a chance, and with her special ability, she knew she had more than that. "Well, she used to work here a few years back. I would occasionally accompany her while she sang. Then she became a big star and someone decided to end her life." She ended bitterly.

"Do you know the shooter?" You asked quickly, writing down brief dot points in your notepad.

Natasha shook her head. "No, but we did have an interesting little chat just before he kicked off. I asked him why he did it." She clarified when your brows furrowed cutely.

"Huh, like to play cop, do you?" You snickered, causing Natasha to laugh at the comment.

"No, I just like to play in general, Detective. What about you?"

*Christ, Y/N, get control of this questioning.* You thought to yourself before you spoke again. "I see. Did he tell you why he did it?"

"Why, money, of course. You humans, you love your money, don't you?" Natasha smirked as she took another sip of something you thought could only be whiskey, tequila or bourbon.

"Yes. Yes, we do. And, uh, what planet are you from... Russia?" You quipped, but you didn't expect a chuckle from it.

"Yes. He also said, 'I just pulled the trigger.' Now, don't you think that's interesting?" Natasha added.

You hesitated, but then decided to continue the questioning with this strange woman. "Delilah was shot to death by a drug dealer. And looks like Delilah herself kept the guy pretty busy. You know, it's sad, it's ugly, but it's not rocket science. Something probably went south between them. She gets riddled with bullets, and a nice little act of God takes him out."

The redhead shook her head in dismay. "You know, it doesn't work like that, Detective. It's quite a neatly wrapped little present for the LAPD, don't you think?"

You led the conversation down another path, hoping to get answers for the questions asked by the other cops to you. "Why don't you tell me something? How does she end up dying in a hailstorm of bullets and you get away without a scratch? I think that's interesting, don't you?"

Natasha simply smiled at you. "The benefits of immortality."

*This girl has to be crazy.* Your thoughts grumbled as you continued talking. "'Immortality.' Mm, of course, uh, you spell that with one or two M's? I always forget."

"What will your corrupt little organisation do about this?"

At the bold question, your notepad slapped down to shut. "Excuse me?"

Natasha sighed before clarifying. "Will you find the person responsible? Will they be punished? Will this be a priority for you? Because it is for me. She was my friend."

You scoffed as you tucked away your notepad and pen, folding your arms. "You got some balls on you, woman."

"Oh, thank you very much, but they're really quite average." Natasha grinned.

"I bet." You grumbled.

"Now, are you sure that we haven't met? I could swear I've seen you naked- have we had sex?" Natasha asked, pushing you over the line.

"We're done here."

You walked around the piano before Natasha took your wrist, her voice faltered by the slight flinch and the tinge of fear hiding beneath your storming anger. "Uh, Detective, wait. Someone out there needs to be punished. We're not done!"

You ripped your wrist out of her grip. "Yeah. Yeah, we are." You growled.

*I hope I never see her face again.* Your mind mumbled as you got into your car and headed back to the station.

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"You have got to be kidding me." You muttered under your breath, the sight of Natasha standing with 2Vile enough to make you regret waking up.

"LAPD, guns down. On the floor, down." You ordered, the butler beside you as an idea popped into your head.

"Detective, welcome to the party." Natasha grinned at you but you ignored her gazing eyes.

"Grab the bucket, collect the guns. Now." You looked once at the butler.

"You sly fox, you did listen to me." Natasha continued.

You shook your head, lowering your gun once the bucket of guns was by your feet. "I ran the dead guy's cell phone. 2Vile was the last person he called. What I find highly interesting is how you made the connection on your own."

"Well, I've been busy, my dear." The redhead smirked.

You looked at 2Vile. "Why did you call the shooter two days before she was murdered?"

He huffed before confessing. "Fine. Yeah, I called Eddie 'cause he hooks me up sometimes. He met Delilah through me. Whatever. Don't make me a killer, do it?"

"No, but it does make you a suspect." You gave him a fake smile.

"Wait, aren't you that chick from that film?" The man standing beside the rapper pointed at you.

"Hmm, what's this? What film?" Natasha faced you, intrigued.

"You used to be an actress or something, right?" The man asked again.

"Yeah." You sighed.

"That teen movie... I forget what it's called."

You watched as Natasha had an epiphany. "Of course. Hot Tub High School. That's where I know you from."

You felt the conversation spiral out of your control quickly. "Let's just stick to my questions, shall we? So-"

"The one with the famous nude scene, coming out of the hot tub! It was, like, a complete Fast Times rip-off. She was, like, the new Phoebe Cates!"

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"That was quite a nude scene." Natasha grinned widely at you, her tongue briefly coming out to wet her lips before her teeth dragged over her bottom lip.

Your short fuse burst at her. "I have far too many bullets in this thing for you to still be talking. You, we need to have a conversation right now." You pointed at 2Vile.

Natasha rolled her eyes. "That's a waste of time, Detective. I've just threatened his life, he's not our guy. He would've said, trust me."

Your eyes widened. "You did what?"

"Yeah, isn't that illegal?" 2Vile looked at you hopefully.

"Uh, little bit, yeah. You stay put. You, you're coming with me." You grabbed your cuffs and Natasha's arms, locking them into place as you led her outside to your car.

"I'm not quite sure why I'm being arrested." She asked.

"Because you're interfering with a police investigation, you've broken I can't even count how many laws, and you pissed me off." You ranted, opening the car door and gesturing for her to get in.

"Right. I can get out of these, you know?"

"Funny." You chuckled, which was shortly cut off by the sight of the open cuffs in Natasha's hands. "How'd you do that?"

She sighed at you. "Come on, we're wasting time. We should be out there solving a homicide and punishing those responsible."

"'We'? You're insane. I'm taking you in. Get in the car."

"No, that's boring. Not to mention pointless." Natasha whined. "Come on, I'll help you. It'll be fun."

"How could you possibly help me?" You leaned on the open car door, tempted to zone out and ignore everything she says.

"I have a certain skill set. I can be very persuasive with people and tend to see things that others cannot."

You tried to register her cryptic words. "So, you're psychic or something?"

Natasha chuckled. "No, I can't read people's minds, I'm not a Jedi. People just like to tell me things."

"Hmm, just-just tell you things? Just confess their sins, just like that?"

Now Natasha was annoyed at your semantics. "No, not their sins. I have no power over people's sins- I actually get a bad rap for that. I have the ability to draw out people's forbidden desires. The more simple the human, the easier it is. The more complex, the more challenging and exciting, really. But no, the actual sins, the sins are on you people."

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, the look making Natasha's body react accordingly. "'You people'?" You scoffed - you weren't a freaking alien, or a robot as far as you knew.

She sighed. "Okay, look. Tell me, Detective, what do you desire more than anything else in this life?" Her eyes fell onto yours, her green eyes almost sparkling in the sunlight.

"This is it? This is your big trick?" You asked, to which she nodded.

You analysed the green irises, taking note of the way that some brighter and darker lines slashed towards the pupil in a daring and almost charming way. "I guess, when I was a little girl, I... always wanted to help people and... and be taken seriously... when I say to shut up and get in the damn car."

Your grin spread as Natasha's fell. "You're not a Jedi or something, are you?" She asked.

"Get in the car." You grumbled.

"No, no, no, no, no. Look. I know something you don't know."

Your eyebrow rose and Natasha almost wanted to get rid of it right then and there. "Really? What's that?"

"Won't say unless you take me with you on this." She smirked, but it faded as your posture didn't change. "Please, come on. I got to 2Vile, didn't I?"

"Why do you care about this so much? About Delilah?"

"Look, I just... I just do. If I hadn't meddled with her career, maybe she wouldn't have died."

"Okay. Okay, fine. But if this little clue thing of yours doesn't pan out, these are going back on, and they're gonna stay on." You held up the pair of cuffs in your hand.

"Is that a promise?" Natasha grinned, to which you nodded wryly and pushed her towards the door.

As you drove to Beverly Hills, you could feel Natasha's gaze on you. It felt both familiar and different - the familiarity of a man's horny stare whilst the difference of admiration instead of lust.

You answered the call on your earpiece, waiting for the office on the other side. "Yeah, therapist in Beverly Hills with the first name Katherine. See if Delilah was a client."

"Ah-ah, actually, she had a pseudonym, which I also happen to know. I'm quite good at this, aren't I? Uh, Penny Lane." Natasha gave you the information.

"Okay. Delilah may have gone by Penny Lane. Thanks." You ended the call, looking into your rear-view mirror to see Natasha looking back at you. "Don't look so smug. Nothing's panned out yet."

"No, no, no, it's not that. It's just that I knew that I recognised you."

"Right, you've seen my boobies. It's exciting. What are you, 12?" You grumbled.

"So is the movie why you've got such a chip on your shoulder?" She asked suddenly.

"Uh, it's low on the list of things I have to live down, I guess."

"Right. Attractive female cop struggling to be taken seriously in a man's world, is that it?"

"Yeah, something like that." You shrugged.

Natasha scoffed, but for some reason, you felt it wasn't towards you. "Well, they're threatened. You're clearly smart and have notable instincts. Ignore them. Trust yourself."

You looked back up at the woman when you felt her eyes fall away from you, almost willing to thank her for the compliment - although, you weren't quite sure if anything out of her mouth was truthful.

Your phone rang and you pressed the earpiece to answer. "Detective Valeria. All right, text it to me. Thanks."

"What's that?" Natasha asked when you finished.

"What you were saying stands up. There's a Penny Lane who sees a Dr. Katherine Bishop in Beverly Hills."

Now you could add one truthful statement to her name.

"Excellent. I'll clear my schedule." Your phone rang again, surprising Natasha. "Ooh, someone's popular."

You huffed. "Please stop talking. Hello. What? You're kidding me. Is she okay? Oh, of course he's not there. Thanks." You ended the call, feeling almost itchy as Natasha looked at you again.

"We have to make a pit stop."

"What? No, absolutely not." She argued.

"My kid got into a fight. I got to pick her up." You shot back.

"What, can't she get herself home?" Natasha grumbled, the sound odd coming from her lips.

"She's seven." You scoffed.

You then shut her up by taking the corner sharply, as well as the added harsh braking when you stopped outside of the primary school. "All right. Wait here."

"With pleasure. I despise children." She mumbled as you left the car.

However, she soon left it at the sight of a pretty MILF-y thing walking past in a pencil skirt and white blouse. She followed her inside, hoping to take it further than third base, but after losing sight of her, Natasha sat down on the bench and pulled out a cigarette.

"I don't think you're allowed to smoke in here." A childish voice came to her right, and surprise surprise, it was a child.

Her blonde wavy locks and blue eyes stared at her whilst her two front teeth were missing. A pair of blue leggings matched with her blue and red shoes whilst a grey zip-up hoodie covered her red shirt underneath. Her small pink backpack sat just behind her, the straps still over her shoulders.

"Oh dear, what will become of me?" She asked sarcastically, going to light the end.

"My mother is a police officer. She could arrest you."

At the child's words, Natasha snapped the lid of her lighter shut. "I think I might know your mother."

"What's your name?" The child asked.

"Natasha. What's yours?"

"My name's Margaret, but everybody calls me Peggy." She replied, her missing teeth causing a slight lisp.

"That's a hooker's name." Natasha blurted.

"What's a hooker?" Peggy asked curiously.

She froze slightly. "Ask your mother. So... why are you in trouble?"

"See that girl over there?" Peggy pointed to a girl sitting across the hall, most likely a pre-teen. "She was bullying me. She created a fake Snapchat account and used it to make fun of me. So... I kicked her in the no-no-touch-touch square."

For clarification, Peggy pointed at Natasha's private parts. "Oh. Oh, I see. Well played. Well played, indeed."

As the school bell rang, Natasha watched as you came out of the office and took Peggy's small hand in yours. But then, at the front of the school, you came to a stop. Natasha analysed the blonde man in the beige-on-beige suit, designating him a douchebag.

"Hi, Daddy." Peggy smiled at him.

"Hi, munchkin." He smiled back.

"Wow, shocker, you're late." You bickered.

"Come on, give me a break. I'm putting a case to bed." He replied, and Natasha watched as Peggy blocked her ears with her tiny fingers.

"Right, like I'm not working a case, too. Oh, yeah, the one you tried to steal from me." You shot back, your hand coming to soothingly brush your fingers through Peggy's hair.

"You mean the open and shut one. You did open and shut it, right?" He questioned arrogantly.

"I'm being diligent, Steve. It's a high-profile case."

"Exactly, which is why you need to be smart about it."

"She is smart. You're the dimwit." Natasha commented, watching Steve look between herself and you, almost like you should be defending him. "Perhaps you should refrain from arguing in front of the child. It's unbecoming."

"I don't know whether to laugh or to shoot you." Steve scoffed, stepping up to Natasha intimidatingly.

"Surprise me." She smirked.

"Isn't she funny, Daddy?" Peggy beamed.

You looked at Steve as he stepped back from Natasha. "Hey, can you drop Pegs at my mom's? We have to go. Thank you."

You knelt down to Peggy's level. "Peggy baby, give Mama a kiss. I love you so much. Good job standing up to the mean girl."

"Thanks, Mama. What's a hooker?" She asked.

You looked up at Natasha, who was looking anywhere but your eyes, and then a grin came to your lips. "Daddy will tell you."

You watched Peggy take Steve's hand. "Bye, Natasha! It was nice meeting you!"

Your hands rested on your belt. "Hmm. I think she likes you."

"Of course she does. What's not to like?" Natasha quipped.

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You sat patiently outside of the therapist's office, the name Dr. Katherine Bishop slid into place on the door's label whilst a bunch of certifications were abbreviated underneath in small writing.

"Was your offspring planned or a mistake?"

Natasha's question shocked you as she sat down on your left. "Planned. Sort of."

"Really? 'Cause I've never understood the human desire to procreate."

"That's probably a good thing." You mumbled.

"I mean, children are hideous little creatures, terrible, taxing burdens." She sipped on the coffee in her hand, as black as possible. "Oh, yours is fine. I mean, nothing to crow about, but nothing to be too embarrassed about either, so that's quite good, isn't it?" She corrected herself.

"Are you at all aware of how dickish you sound?" You asked annoyedly.

"No. Speaking of dicks... Why was that ex-husband of yours pressuring you to close the case?" Natasha leaned in close to you, the distance letting you see those narrow lines of bright and dark.

"No reason." You replied cautiously.

"Strange." The redhead murmured.

"Yes, you are." You grumbled.

"Did my father send you?" She asked.

As you were about to answer, the door opened and the noirette therapist smiled at you both. "Okay, Detectives, I'll see you now."

"Thank you." You slid your phone into your pocket and readjusted your badge and gun.

"Oh. 'Detectives.' Exciting."

You ignored Natasha's comment.

"Dr. Bishop, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Delilah." You began, but watched as her eyes drifted to Natasha, almost hungrily.

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" The redhead asked.

"What?"

"Yes, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm like walking heroin. Very habit-forming. It never ends well." She sank into the back of the couch.

"I'm sorry, do... Do you two know each other?" You questioned, watching how Katherine struggled to look at you whilst Natasha was in the room.

"No, no, but I know that look."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Katherine tried to deny it.

"That is interesting because... you don't look at me that way." Natasha turned to you.

"What way?" You asked, now extremely annoyed.

"With carnal fascination." She clarified.

"That's 'cause it doesn't exist." You scoffed.

Natasha sighed. "No, you see, that's just it. With most women, it does. I tend to appeal to the dark, mischievous hearts in all of you, but you, Detective, you seem oddly immune to my charms."

"Referring to them as 'charms' is a bit of a stretch. Truth be told, I find you repulsive. Like, on a chemical level." You commented.

"That's fascinating. Now, tell me, Katherine-"

"You say it's fascinating, and yet I can see that it disturbs you, doesn't it?" The therapist asked with a soft tone.

"Dr. Bishop-"

"Kate is just fine." She corrected you.

"Okay. Kate, we know that Delilah was having a clandestine affair with a wealthy married man, so if you just tell us his name, we will be on our way." You smiled shortly, your patience running out with every second Natasha was sitting with her thigh against yours.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that." She replied calmly.

"Oh, she's one of the complex ones." Natasha whispered in your ear, her breath tickling you. "Katie, darling, why don't you tell me? Hmm?"

You watched the incredibly disturbing interaction of a mess of giggles coming from Kate whilst Natasha tried to coax the answer out of her. "What did you do to her? Did you roofie her?" You asked angrily.

"Oh, no, it's not her fault. She's just reacting to me. Just watch and learn, okay?" Natasha told you, patting your thigh twice before turning back to Kate. "Right, the answer is yes, we can take a trip to Pound Town if we must, but first, you're gonna have to tell us, Katie, okay?"

You almost gagged at Kate's moans. "Okay... It's Grey Cooper."

"Grey Cooper? Seriously? That is juicy." You agreed.

"Grey Cooper, the actor? The one who's married to Amanda what's-her-chops?" Natasha asked for clarification, to which you gave a nod. "Oh, no, he's horrible. So square-jawed, so handsome, so vanilla. Oh, I'm really quite disappointed in Delilah. That's truly terrible taste in the opposite sex."

"Thank you very much, Dr. Bishop. We'll be in touch. All right, we got to go." You stood up.

Natasha took your wrist gently. "Yes, of course, but I... I made a deal, so I'm gonna have to hold up my end of the bargain. You wouldn't mind waiting outside?"

Your eyes widened slightly. "Are you seriously talking about having sex with her right now?"

"Well, it won't take long." Natasha shrugged.

"I do yoga. Hot... yoga. I'm freakishly flexible. Want to see?" Kate suggested sultrily to Natasha.

You walked towards the door, looking at Natasha impatiently whilst your back was turned to Kate.

The redhead sighed. "Uh, look, I'm really sorry, but I'm gonna have to take a rain check. I will be back, okay?"

"I certainly hope so." Kate mumbled.

"My word is my bond." Natasha gave her a flashing smirk before she left with you.

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After interviewing Grey Cooper, the most boring man on earth according to Natasha, you were stumped. Natasha had given you directions to Lux and the two of you sat, a drink in her hand whilst you stirred your straw in a club soda.

"Thanks." You muttered to the officer on the other end of the call, hanging up after.

Natasha's eyes on you had an expecting hold, but she never rushed you. Her suit jacket sat on the back of her chair whilst her white dress shirt covered her arms and torso. She was nursing a plain vodka drink and you kept your eyes away from her as long as possible.

"So, Grey and Amanda have zero connection to the shooter. But the shooter had the same watch as Grey. That can't be a coincidence. Maybe Delilah gave him one, too, like kind of a go-to gift? I..."

Natasha didn't like seeing you distressed like this. If you were distressed, you would get annoyed and angry with her charms. "Well, that would imply she was actually sleeping with that maggot."

You chuckled. "Really? Jimmy, 2Vile, Grey Cooper. That's three other maggots she's sleeping with. I don't think there's a lot of discretion going on with her."

"Yeah. I suppose you got a point." She sighed, watching you down the whole soda.

"God, what am I doing here?" You mumbled.

"Wrong deity, but, yes, that is the eternal question." Natasha smirked, making you chuckle.

"No. I mean here, in a bar, with you."

"Well, I don't know. You tell me, Detective. I mean, despite your proclaimed revulsion, you can't deny that there's a connection between us. Tell me, what do you actually want?"

"You mean, 'what do I desire more than anything else in this life'?" You teased, mocking her slightly.

"Yes. But no tricks. Not that they work on you, you freak." Natasha snickered, observing the small smile she'd brought to your glum expression. "But seriously, I'm curious."

You sighed. "I don't know. What I told you is true. I really do want to help people. My father was a cop. He was a great cop. My mother was an actress. Really cheesy one. I tried the acting thing, I took off my top. Wasn't really contributing to the betterment of society."

"I disagree. I love that movie." Natasha grinned.

You smirked slightly. "So I quit. Decided to become a cop like my dad and, uh, dealt with the whole Hot Tub High School thing, until I became a detective and found a whole new way to ostracise myself."

"Ah, the... reason your ex-maggot was pressuring you to close this case?" Natasha queried.

You nodded. "Yeah. Exactly. There was a case, a shooting on Palmetto Street where a cop was shot, and I saw it differently than pretty much everyone in my department, including my ex. I stuck my neck out, and it backfired. And, uh, now... no one wants to work with me." Your head tilted back in annoyance, but mostly guilt and shame on yourself - something Natasha could easily see.

"Well, I'm available." She shrugged.

"Too bad your little protégé isn't around to collect the check." Wanda commented as the TV ran above the bar, your eyes drifting to it before they shot to Natasha, her eyes coming to yours too.

"Of course. Delilah didn't give that watch to the drug dealer."

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Natasha sat in the passenger seat of your car as the sirens wailed above her, your control over the vehicle incredibly enticing for her. As you slammed your car door shut, Natasha watched you check over your gun and its magazine in particular.

"What's that for?" She asked you as you pocketed it in the back of your jeans.

"In case Jimmy goes Neutron." You answered sarcastically.

You opened the door and followed Natasha into the recording room, keeping your face neutral as Natasha stood in front of you, her jacket doing a good job of hiding most of you.

"Hello, Jimmy. How's the album sales doing?" She stared at him.

"What album?" He asked.

"Soundtrack to Time Will Tell, which you produced." You clarified, walking around Natasha. "Whitney Houston hit the top ten for album sales after her death. Michael Jackson hit the stratosphere. Not sure you'll achieve such heights having Delilah killed, but that sure is a boatload of royalty checks headed your way. Guess you really needed the cash, huh? Which is why you had to pay the shooter with your watch."

Natasha watched Jimmy's smug grin fall into one of fear - the fear of being found guilty. "The watch Delilah gave you. Now, that's just sick. But then you are, so... seems fitting to me."

Jimmy pulled out a gun from his back pocket and Natasha realised what you meant earlier as your own aimed right at his chest. "Hey, Jimmy? Calm down, you don't have to hurt him too."

"I made her, and she ruined me. She humiliated me, she owes me!" He snapped, holding the young singer's temple to his gun.

"You're not God, Jimmy. You didn't make her. But you did destroy her. So I'm gonna punish you." Natasha promised, walking towards him ever so slowly.

"You back off, you freak. I mean it. I am not going to jail for that bitch. No chance."

"Listen to him, Natasha. Back off." You ordered, but the woman didn't.

"I told you, it's fine. I'm immortal." She rolled her eyes - how had you not understood that yet?

But she couldn't get close enough, because when Jimmy's gun trained onto her temple you shot him straight in the chest.

"Why did you do that?!" Natasha growled at you in complaint as the singer ran off.

"He was going to kill you." You scoffed.

"No, no, no, no, no, no. You just... you just let him off too easy. He needs to pay! He needs to suffer! He needs to feel the pain, not escape it!" Natasha snapped, watching fear creep into your irises from around your steeled expression.

"Don't worry. I'm sure where he's going, the pain's coming."

"No, it's not, actually. And you know why? Because I'm here and he's-"

Two harsh thuds reverberated to your inner ears as you fell back from the concussive force of two bullets. You looked down at your shoulder and gasped at the immense pain that came with moving your arm. Any movement at all hurt like a bitch, so you simply let your arm go limp onto the carpet.

"Y/N..." Natasha murmured, your eyes focusing onto her instead of the ceiling, your body focusing on her warm hand holding your cheek instead of the searing pain in your shoulder.

"I... I don't want to die." You whimpered weakly.

"I won't let you, malyshka. Your father will just have to wait for you." She quipped softly.

Your blurred vision watched Natasha stand over Jimmy and snatch the gun out of his grip, but you weren't sure where all of the bullets in Jimmy's gun went. He'd aimed them at Natasha, but she made no move to buckle in pain, not even a flinch.

Natasha ripped him off of the floor and smashed the back of his head against the glass. "Please don't kill me. Please, please, please..." He begged, but this was not like your pain-filled one - this was the one of a weak man too scared to face his punishment.

"Oh, Jimmy." She turned him around, holding him still within her constricting grip.

"You're going to wish that's all I did to you."

Jimmy screamed as he saw her reflection, dark orange eyes staring back whilst freshly burned skin covered her head. Natasha knocked him out and cuffed him with your pair of cuffs, looking up to see some paramedics rushing towards your unconscious body.

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*This world is too damn bright.* Your first thought floated around in your mind as you slowly opened your eyes. Two bunches of flowers, one some lovely purple lilies and the other lively sunflowers, rested in the sun on your bedside table.

"Well, look who's back." Natasha smirked as your eyes fell onto her.

She was wearing a beautiful red jacket with a set of dark blue jeans, one of two black boots resting on her other knee.

"How long have I been out?" You asked weakly.

She leaned forward onto your bed's railing. "Five years." She sighed regretfully.

Your eyes widened. Had it been five years? Where was Peggy? Was Steve looking after her? What about your mom?

Natasha's chuckle eventually stopped your thoughts as her hand took yours. "I'm joking, malyshka. It's 2pm."

"You're such an ass." You grumbled.

"Why thank you." She grinned.

You looked her up and down. Her hair hung beautifully down her face whilst her chest seemed alright, no damage to her arms and legs as far as you could see. "Oh, God. He was firing at you. How are you not... more dead?"

"You're having a very hard time with this immortal thing, aren't you?" She shook her head lightly.

You sighed at her antics, pausing for a moment. "What, uh... What happened with Jimmy?"

"Jimmy... Jimmy got what he deserved." She commented, watching you shuffle over on the bed.

"Well, I'm pretty sure I would be dead if you didn't help me, so thank you."

"I'm sorry, what was that last bit? I didn't quite catch it." She teased.

You shook your head as a small smile grew, your hand gently pressing on her shoulder. "Thank you, Natasha."

"You're welcome. And besides, you're far too interesting to let die." She grinned as she leaned back in her chair.

"You saved my life because I'm interesting?" You scoffed.

"Wildly irritating as well, but yes." She teased.

You chuckled through your nose a few times before your head came to rest back on the pillow. "So what now?"

"Well, I mean, I've obviously proven myself to be an invaluable crime-fighting tool. You're a pariah in the department. I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship, don't you?" She stood and grabbed her things.

"Who the hell are you?" You questioned wondrously.

She sighed. "I told you, I'm-"

"Natasha!"

You smiled at the little blonde as she tackled Natasha's leg into a hug, smirking as the redhead's arms raised. "Ah, yes, hello child. Um, just... Why don't you save some of this unpleasantness for your mother, yeah?"

Natasha easily picked up Peggy and roughly laid her on top of you, your painful chest letting out an 'oof' at the impact. "Oh, did that hurt?"

You glared at her playfully before Peggy snatched your attention. "Are you hurt, Mama?"

"I'm okay." You assured her, holding her close and running your fingers through her hair.

"Right. Well, I'd stay for the family reunion, but it's giving me terrible IBS. So, look forward to seeing you soon, Y/N." Natasha smiled as she held the door frame.

"I don't." You waved goodbye.

"Bye, now. Glad you're not dead."

You rolled your eyes as Natasha left, kissing Peggy on the forehead before you both fell asleep.

[bbgem329]

Where’s My Love?—Chapter Two

Pairings—Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Summary

Two years ago, you and your husband built a life for your growing family at a safe camp during a world wide apocalypse. Everything is good until Bucky catches wind that a rival group is out to dominate the rest for their own gain.

What happens when, one day, the most capable men and your husband are out on a hunt when the camp is attacked? Will you be able to get your children and your heavily pregnant self to safety? Will Bucky find you before it’s too late?

Warnings

MINORS DNI! 18++. Language. Mentions of pregnancy. Mentions of nightmares. Mentions of violence and injury. SMUT. P IN V sex. Protective!Bucky. DILF!Bucky. Apocalyptic world. Did I miss anything?

Notes!!

Sorry for the wait!! This chapter we dip into Bucky and readers background, the stem their relationship, and how it progressed. It’s a long one, so bare with me!!

Series Masterlist

—————

Bucky Barnes never thought he would get his happy ending.

Not after what he went through during the war and everything with Hydra that followed.

Not after he and half the population disappeared from the face of this Earth and returned five years later during the Blip.

Not after Steve left him behind to return to the past for Peggy.

But then he met you.

The moment he laid eyes on you, downed in your navy blue scrubs, a brightly colored scrub cap and a pretty smile, he knew right away that you were going to completely change his world.

Bucky would never forget that day. He had taken a bullet to his right shoulder and his left thigh, on what was supposed to be a simple mission with Sam, and although he’d wouldn't admit it at the time, he’d most definitely required professional medical attention. That didn’t stop him from complaining and grumbling the entire ride to the ER, once they’d returned to the states and Sam had forced him into his truck though.

“I’m fine, Sam.” Bucky’s groan turned into a hiss as Sam practically shoved him out of the truck, sending him stumbling across the pavement. “Just needa sleep it off.”

“You’re not fine.” Sam sighed, rolling his dark hues before sidling up next to him, pulling his vibramiam arm over his shoulder and leading his stubborn, limping friend towards the hospital entrance. “Just humor me, Buck. For once.”

Bucky made a disgruntled noise, teeth grit and jaw clenched as he hobbled, albeit reluctantly, through the sliding doors. He didn’t bother trying to pay attention to the exchange between Sam and the older lady at the front desk, the throbbing pain in his shoulder and thigh and the blood loss making it impossible to focus.

“Y/N.” The lady called out, “Hey, Y/N. Do you mind helping this gentleman to an open bed?”

“Of course.”

Bucky lifted his gaze at the sound of a soft, sweet voice, just in time to see you step up beside him, sporting the most gorgeous smile he’d ever seen. His breathing hitched and he felt his heart physically stutter in his chest at the mere sight of you.

Never in his hundred plus years, had he ever seen someone as effortlessly beautiful as you. And from the way you carried yourself, Bucky didn’t think you even realized just how gorgeous you really were and that just made it all that much better—or worse, he wasn’t quite sure yet.

“Hi, my name is Y/N.” You greeted, your bright expression turning grim with concern as you took in his slumped form, eyes zeroing in on the bloodied clothes tied haphazardly around his thigh and across his shoulder. “Would you mind coming with me to get cleaned up and checked out?”

Bucky could only nod. He was almost positive that if he wasn’t so pale from the blood loss, he would be sporting a bright blush over your soft smile and the genuine concern worn across your features.

It had been a long, long time since someone looked at him like that, he’d almost forgotten what it felt like.

You led both men down a bustling, busy hallway, stealing glances back at them every few steps to make sure they were still following you and that Bucky was remaining upright. You eventually paused in front of a room, gesturing them in with another warm smile.

“I apologize, I didn’t catch your name.” You spoke up, closing the door behind you as Sam helped him into the fresh, sterile bed.

“Bucky.” Bucky managed out, grimacing slightly when Sam shifted his legs over on the bed, straightening him out. “Bucky Barnes.”

“I’ll be back.” Sam announced, giving Bucky’s shin a gentle tap on his way to the door. “Gonna grab a coffee and use the restroom.”

“Interesting name.” You chuckled, slipping on a pair of gloves. “I like it.” You bit your lip, gaze wandering the length of his beaten body and Bucky swore he’d never felt more vulnerable in his entire life than under your bright, assessing eyes. “Now, do you think you can take your jacket and pants off or do I need to get the scissors?”

No one had been as gentle and kind to him as you were. You didn’t cower at the sight of his metal arm or the nasty scars painted across his left shoulder. He knew you knew who he was—what he had done, yet when you returned with his discharge paperwork, you thanked him for his service in the war and for his efforts with the Avengers, and bid him a good, fulfilling life.

Bucky wasn’t quite sure how it happened or even when.

He hadn't managed to work up the courage to ask you out or get your number by the time he’d checked out the following afternoon. It just didn’t feel appropriate in your work setting and he definitely didn’t want to come off as creepy. He was sure a woman as beautiful and sweet as yourself, dealt with more than a few patients and their unwanted pursuits.

In fact, hopping into Sam’s truck the following day, completely healed and good as new, he’d felt utterly defeated and down over the idea of never seeing you again.

The months following, he’d continued to mope around, beating himself up over missing what he felt was the opportunity of a lifetime.

That is, until he bumped into you again.

The sun was warm, unbearably so, as it beat down on Bucky, yet he couldn’t bring himself to remove his signature leather jacket and matching gloves. He wasn’t ready for that, even more so after last night's round of nightmares. Showing off his metal arm would only bring unwarranted stares and hushed whispers, something he was absolutely in no mood to deal with.

He thought a walk might clear his head and distract him from the violent memories swarming through his head. He’d even stopped for a quick bagel and a cup of coffee at the bakery up the street from his apartment before heading to the nearby park.

“Mr. Barnes.”

That voice. He’d recognize it anywhere. His heart must’ve too, from the way it skipped more than a few beats in his chest.

“I thought that was you.”

You stepped up around the bench he’d been lounging upon, looking as bright as the sun in your pale yellow sundress and big sunglasses. Bucky was so distracted by the sight of you, he didn’t even notice the big, brindle boxer accompanying you until it nudged its snout excitedly into his thigh.

“Oh my God.” You laughed, tugging the big dog back by its leech. “I’m so sorry. He’s very friendly.”

“That’s okay.” Bucky cleared his throat, shaking himself from whatever daze your sudden presence had put him in. “I…” He combed a nervous hand through his air, straightening up in his seat before reaching out to pet the dog, “It’s good to see you…How are you?”

“I’m good.” You smiled, taking a hesitant step forward, “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

Bucky slid over, patting the bench beside him, “Not at all.” He offered you a closed lip smile, a subtle blush rising to the apples of his cheeks and the tip of his ears, “In fact, I would very much like that.” And for a split second, he wondered where the hell that bout of smooth confidence and charm came from. It had been a great deal of time since he’d chatted up a pretty dame, at least eighty years, if he were being technical.

Perhaps his old self wasn’t lost after all.

Or maybe it was just you that brought it out of him.

You squeaked out a little giggle, the sound like music to his ears, before plopping down beside him with a content sigh. “This is Boscoe, by the way.” You shot him a bashful smile, reaching out to scratch behind the boxer's ears, who had made himself comfortable between Bucky’s legs, his head resting on his thigh.

“Boscoe?”

“Yeah.” You nodded, “Like Boscoe cheese sticks. Have you ever heard of those before?”

“Can’t say I have.” He admitted with a little shrug. “Interesting name though.”

“They’re delicious.” You declared with a wiggle of your brows, “When you’re not choking on the cheese, of course.” You added quickly, wrinkling your nose, “You should try them sometime.”

“Choking on the cheese?” Bucky voiced, brows furrowing and eyes squinting skeptically as he looked at you, “That doesn’t really sound appealing.”

And as they say… The rest was history.

One date turned into two, then three and so on. And before either of you knew it, it had been a year and you were moving in together.

The pair of you were practically inseparable after that day at the park. And as much as Bucky hated to admit it, it was all because of you.

At the period in his life, there was absolutely no way he would have ever gained the courage to take the initiative. Through the first couple months of your budding relationship, Bucky had to talk himself out of ending things because he was certain that you deserved better. That someone as good and pretty as yourself would be better off without all his baggage.

But the more he got to know you—the more time he spent with you, he couldn’t bring himself to walk away.

Not that you ever would’ve allowed him too, Bucky understood that now. You were just as enamored and in love with him as he was with you. He can’t even begin to explain how thankful he is that all those years ago, he hadn’t succeeded in pushing you away.

Things with you were all too easy.

There was never any doubt, you were it for him and he was going to spend the rest of his extra long life with you by his side.

It didn’t take long for him to put a ring on your finger and make you his wife. Despite everything else in his life, marrying you didn’t require any thought or consideration. A few years after your simple but intimate wedding ceremony, he accidentally knocked you up.

Jamie wasn’t planned.

You had talked about wanting kids of course, and Bucky would give you just about anything you asked, but you hadn’t officially decided to try for a baby yet nor had you brought it up.

At the time, you were studying to get your doctorate and working forty plus hours a week in the ER, starting a family was the last thing on your mind. You ignored your odd symptoms—the nausea and vomiting, the mood swings, and the fatigue, until you couldn’t anymore. It wasn’t until you passed out at work one morning, that you finally accepted what you knew all along.

“Where is she?”

You couldn’t wipe the smile curling at the corner of your lips, even if you tried, at the sound of his thunderous voice and even louder footsteps stomping down the hall.

“She’s in here, Barnes.” Your coworker, Lila, called out, “Calm down. She’s fine.”

“She’s not fine, Lila.” Bucky hissed, heavy steps approaching closer now, “She fucking fainted. Clearly something is wrong.”

“Oh my god.” She groaned and you could practically hear the eye roll in her tone, “Just go see for yourself, lover boy. If anyone’s gonna calm you down and get through to you, it’s gonna be her.”

Moments later, the door swung open, smacking loudly against the wall and there stood your husband in all his raging, concerned glory.

“Hi, baby.” You breathed out, lazily lifting your head from the pillow to flash him a soft smile.

“Don’t you ‘Hi, baby’ me.” He gritted out, pointing an accusatory finger at you as he swiftly approached the side of the bed, “I’ve been telling you for weeks to go get checked out since you started getting sick. And look at you now!!”

“I’m fine, Buck.” You giggled, making grabby hands as soon as he was within reach, “I was just dehydrated… Couldn’t seem to keep anything down but I’m better now. Just tired.”

“Baby! That’s not normal.” He huffed out, an expression of pure exasperation spread across his sharp features as he took you in, eyes pausing at the IV settled in your forearm. “No one has the flu for this long. They need to run some tests—figure out what’s wrong, okay?” He sunk down on the edge of the bed, both hands, one warm and one cool, finding home on either side of your cheeks as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to your pouty lips. “We aren’t leaving here until you’re all better. Just about gave me a damn heart attack when Lila called to tell me what happened. Don’t you dare scare me like that again.”

“Well, we’re gonna be here for a long time if you won’t let me leave until I’m all better.” You chuckled, biting your lip to suppress a grin as his eyebrows furrowed further and his lips tugged down in a deep frown, “About… I don’t know. Seven months, give or take.”

“What?” He shook his head, nose wrinkling and mouth opening and closing like a fish, “Baby, that’s very specific. Why would it take that long to figure out what’s going on?” His eyes widened, “Oh god, do you have can-”

“I’m pregnant, Buck.” You interjected, hands snapping up to grasp his face, brushing your thumbs tenderly across his cheeks to calm him down and stop his spiraling worries. “We’re having a baby.”

Bucky inhaled a sharp breath, entire body deflating under your soft touch and warm gaze, “What?” He managed out, jaw falling slack and his cerulean eyes growing even wider, “You’re….you-”

“Yeah.” You nodded, rolling your bottom lip between your teeth, watching with a baited breath as he processed your admission. “Yeah. I’m about eleven weeks along.”

He exhaled a long breath, large hands sliding up to wrap around either of your wrists, “You’re pregnant.” He whispered, an unmistakable glimmer in those stormy eyes as they gazed intently into your own, “I’m gonna be a dad?”

“Yeah, baby.” You responded, voice light and airy, “You’re gonna be a daddy.”

Bucky Barnes had never been so scared in his life.

Obviously he was happy, excited even. Becoming a father was something he always looked forward to and hoped for. Back in the forties' he wanted to settle down with a pretty, sweet wife and have as many babies as she was willing to give him.

But that was before.

Before he was drafted. Before he fell from the train. Before he was taken by Hydra and treated as a weapon more so than an actual person.

Those hopes and dreams for one day, slowly trickled away with every year that passed while he remained in Hydra’s clutches and every innocent kill he made under their control. By the time Steve had saved him and he’d found refuge and recovery in Wakanda, Bucky had accepted that marriage, children, normalcy, just wasn’t in the cards for him.

But of course, you just had to go and prove him wrong. Again.

Bucky wasn’t at all prepared for the pride he would feel from just watching your belly swell and grow with his baby as your pregnancy progressed or how protective and territorial he would become as the both of you prepared to bring this innocent, new life–one that he had a hand in creating, into this world.

Baby proofing the apartment, weird cravings and even crazier mood swings, obscene amounts of shopping, painting and furnishing the nursery, and discussions about baby names and how to change a diaper, Bucky was there for it all and eager to help in any way that he could. Even more so as your due date got closer and your belly grew bigger. It wasn’t long before he began to feel useless and the reality that this was happening–he was going to be responsible for a whole other life, settled in.

And with it, came the daunting fear of becoming a father.

Would he be good enough? Would they still love him when they found out who he was and what he did? Even if it was long before they were around—when the idea of a baby was just a pigment in his imagination and dreams. Would they be ashamed of him? Could he protect them? What if Hydra popped up again and they were targeted because of who he was? He couldn’t stand the idea of his past affecting the future of his children, or you for that matter.

No amount of reassuring words or gentle discussion on your part could sooth his concerns or worries. It wasn’t until after seven brutal hours of labor and his son was finally placed in his arms for the very first time, that his mind settled and the fear disapperated.

Bucky stood frozen in his spot beside your bed, jaw hung slack as the doctor lifted his arms to present the pink, screaming baby, wiggling angrily in his gloved hands. His heart was thumping rapidly in his chest and his mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Oh God.” You croaked out, eager hands reaching towards your wailing baby as the doctor wrapped him haphazardly in a little blanket before depositing him on your chest. You cried harder the moment his slick skin was pressed to your bare chest, cradling his little body protectively against you. “Hi, I’m your momma. Hi… Oh, you’re so sweet. Welcome to the world, baby.”

He tried to say something—anything at all, but he couldn’t seem to find the words, mouth open and closing like a fish as he stared in complete astonishment over the baby—his baby resting on your chest.

“And this is your daddy…” You beamed, one hand sliding softly down his right arm to intertwine your fingers with his before pulling it to lay over the baby’s back. Bucky inhaled sharply when the pads of his fingers met the soft, warm skin of his son’s tiny shoulder. “And he’s been so excited to meet you.”

It wasn’t until later, as the nurses finished cleaned you up after coaching you through the afterbirth, that your son was returned from his first bath and the necessary testing.

“Would you like to hold him?” The kind nurse asked, lifting the swaddled, sleeping baby from the plastic crib he was resting in.

“I… uh…” Bucky sputtered, wide eyes flickering between you snuggled and dozing in the hospital bed and his son squirming in the nurses hands. “Um… is that okay?”

The older nurse laughed softly, “Of course. He’s your son.” She stepped a little closer, holding the baby tighter to her chest as she worked to unravel the blankets around the newborn baby. “In fact, I’m sure he could do with some skin to skin time after all that poking and prodding we did for those tests.” She offered him an encouraging smile, nodding her head. “It’s going for bonding too.”

Bucky exhaled a shaky breath, cerulean hues trained on his wriggling baby. He couldn’t say no, not with his sweet, little face scrunched in displeasure and the faintest whines spilling from his parted pouty lips.

“What do I do?” He asked quietly, wiping his sweaty palms across his covered thighs.

“Go ahead and take your t-shirt off.” His brows shot into his hair line but he did as she asked and pulled his Henley over his head. “If you want, you can take a seat and I can help get him situated across your chest.”

With one last peek over at your sleeping form, he hesitantly plopped down in the chair next to your bed. The nurse helped position his arms, whispering soft words of encouragement as she carefully laid the baby across his bare chest. Bucky shuddered as soon as his skin made contact with his sons, his right hand lifting to cradle the back of his head as his left supported his diaper-covered bum.

“Wow.” He breathed out, eyes trained down on the baby’s content face as the nurse laid a fuzzy blue blanket over the babe’s back.

“See.” She smiled, giving his shoulder a gentle pat. “That’s not so bad, right?”

Before he could respond, his son’s eyes fluttered open to meet his own gaze and his heart seized in his chest.

Blue.

The same shade as his.

He didn’t even realize he was crying until a big tear dripped down his chest, landing centimeters from the baby’s cheek.

“Oh god.” He choked out, lips turned up in a wobbling, watery smile. He leaned further back, cradling the babe closer to his chest as he lifted his right hand from the back of his son’s head to caress a gentle finger over his cheek. “Hi… Hi I’m your dad.”

From that moment forward, life seemed perfect.

Bucky fell into his role as a father seamlessly. He was quick to understand that as long as he gave it his best—loved and protected Jamie with everything in him, and he had you by his side, everything would be okay.

And he was right.

Because two years later, when the outbreak first occurred and the world had turned dark before his very eyes, he did everything in his power to get you, Jamie, and your unborn daughter somewhere safe.

From the moment he met you and then his son, he swore he would protect you and now, more than ever, was the time to prove it. It was all of your lives over his because in Bucky’s mind, he couldn’t live without you—he wouldn’t.

Even when the world fell apart and he lost everything, including his very few friends, he still had you.

Beautiful, bright, loving you and the family you had given him.

And Bucky would be damned if anything or anyone tried take it from him.

Not after everything.

Not after he’d finally found where he belonged.

Even if he didn’t deserve it, he wouldn’t let that go.

—————

“You’re staring.” You grumbled sleepily, scooting further back into his chest before pressing your face against his vibranium arm beneath your head.

“Admiring, actually.” He chuckled, lifting his hand to brush your hair away from your face before leaning down to press a lingering kiss to the curve of your jaw. “How did you even know? You were dead asleep two seconds ago… Snoring and everything.”

Your head snapped up, shooting him a cold glare over your shoulder as your hand jolted back to smack his thigh. “I was not, asshole.” Though he didn’t miss the smile threatening to curve up at the corner of your lips. “I do not snore.”

“You definitely do.” He laughed, dodging another smack by curling his large body tighter around your smaller frame, arms looped around your waist and his legs locked over your own. “But it’s cute. No need to be embarrassed about it.”

“Oh shut up.” You giggled, tilting your head back before puckering your lips, a silent request for a good morning kiss. He obliged, one hand creeping up to cup your jaw as he leaned down to connect his lips to yours in a soft, heart clenching kiss.

“Mmm.” You hummed against his mouth, “If anyone snores here. It’s you… You sound like a grizzly bear, I swear.”

“Whatever.” He mumbled before pressing his lips to yours once again and you tilted your head to one side, parting your lips when his tongue brushed along the seam of your lips, begging for entrance.

You pulled away, gasping for air, when his hands started trailing down your body, tracing the curve of your belly and then your hips as his tongue swirled with yours in familiar dance, “Don’t start something you don’t have time to finish, Mister.”

Bucky hummed noncommittally as he trailed soft kisses across your cheek and jaw, pausing to suck gently on the sensitive skin just below your ear lobe, his hand brushing along your inner thighs.

“I’m serious, Buck.” You moaned softly, hips rocking back when his fingers swiped across your panty covered slit. “You’re working me up. You know I’m sensitive right now, I’ll be really pissed off if you don’t see it through.”

“I got time, baby” He whispered against your skin, lips skimming down your neck and to your exposed collarbone as his cold hand groped your swollen breast, pinching and tugging at your perked buds, as his right drew your panties to the side, running his warm fingers through your slit. “The suns not even up yet.”

“Fuck.” You breathed out, bottom lip trapped between your teeth, in an attempt to suppress the moans bubbling up in your throat as his fingers slid up to circle your sensitive clit.

“Shh, baby.” He cooed, tone teasing and light as he softly rutted his growing bulge against your ass, “Don’t want to wake the babies up just yet, not if you want me to get you off. Know you’re sensitive right now and it feels real good but ya gotta keep quiet.”

“Oh—okay.” You choked out, one hand flying down to circle his wrist as the other flew back to cup his covered ass cheek, forcing his hips further against your ass. “Feel so good.”

“I know, baby.” He whispered, voice low and husky, as he kicked the blankets off, allowing him a better view of your bare body and his hand working between your legs. His thick fingers dipped down to gather more slick before sliding up to rub, tight quick circles over your hardened bud. “You’re so wet, honey. Already so ready… could just slip right in.”

“Please.” You gasped out, hips rolling back to meet the desperate grind of his hips, moving in time with his hand rubbing your clit. “Need you inside me. Need you to fuck me. Please.”

Bucky let out a low hiss, large hand snapping up to grasp your hip as you flicked your ass just right over his clothed cock. “God, baby,” He groaned, burying his face in the crook of your neck, nipping playfully at your pulse point, “You’re really desperate for it aren’t you?”

“Yes. Yes.” You choked out, hand sliding down and back to tug at the band of his briefs, desperate to feel him bare. “Please.”

He shushed you softly, pushing your hand away so he could yank them down himself. It didn’t take long, slipping them down his thick thighs and kicking them somewhere off the edge of the cot.

“Is this how you want it, honey?” He asked, voice low and husky as he grabbed the base of his thick member, running the leaking tip through your sopping folds. “Hm?”

You gasped as the fat head of his cock bumped your clit, back arching and ass pressing harder against his pelvis. “Yes.” You cried out, hand slipping back to grasp his bare ass, nails digging into the smooth skin of his plump cheek. “Need it. Fuck me, please.”

Bucky smirked, circling the tip teasingly around your swollen, hard nub a few times just to get you wiggling and whining before trailing it down to prod at your wet, aching hole.

He had every intention of teasing you more, in attempts to make you beg for it but before he had time to process you lifted your leg over his thigh and pressed back, impaling yourself fully on his thick, aching cock causing you both to gasp.

“Fuck.” He moaned, eyes rolling back in his head as you shifted back, his twitching length sinking deeper, inch by inch. “What the fuck?”

His head swam, balls pulled up tight and sparks bursting at the base of his spine. You felt far too good, wrapped around him like a warm, wet fist and if he wasn’t careful, this would be over before it even started.

“Fuck, hold on, baby.” He panted, fingers digging into the flesh of your hip in attempts to hold you still, keep you from moving as his vibranium wrapped around your ribs, securing you against his slickened chest . “Give me a minute. Feel way too fucking good.”

You only whined in response, hips rocking back and your hand on his ass struggling to pull him forward in a struggle to get him to move.

Finally, he pulled back, slipping out until only the tip remained before pushing back in until his hips were pressed flush with your ass.

“God.” Bucky moaned, cerulean eyes trained on where your bodies connected, watching the way your swollen cunt swallowed him whole, only to come out absolutely drenched in your slick. “You’re fuckin’ perfect, baby. This pussy belongs to me. Look at you—taking all of me so well.” He babbled, tongue darting out to wet his lips, “Such a good fucking girl. My perfect little wife.”

He set a steady pace—thrusting deep and hard as his hands wandered your body, tracing each and every area of skin within his reach, pinching and tugging at your perked, sensative nippes with his cool, expert fingers.

“More, Buck.” You whimpered out, nails biting harshly into the skin of his plump cheeks as the other lifted to tangle in his tousled, dark hair. “Faster.”

“Can’t, baby, gotta be careful.” His lips skimmed up your throat, stopping to suck a bruise on the smooth skin just beneath your jaw as his hips snapped steadily against your own. “You feel so fucking good—so good. I’ll make it feel good for you too. I always do, don’t I?”

He lifted your hips up higher and you gasped as the fat head of cock brushed repeatedly against the spongy spot within you with each thrust.

A few moments later, your eyes were rolling back in your head and you buried your face in the pillow beneath your head to muffle a moan when his flesh hand slipped down to where your bodies connected, warm fingers flicking and pinching your hardened bud.

“That feel good, pretty girl?” He cooed, breath hot against your shoulder. He pressed a soft kiss to the skin there as he continued to roll his hip into your own. “This what you needed? To be stuffed full of my cock, hmm?”

“Yes.” You choked out, hips stuttering in attempt to fuck yourself on his thick cock and rub against his fingers. “Fuck. Feel so good. Don’t stop. Please.”

“I won’t, baby. I won’t stop.” He picked up the pace, cock pushing deeper and harder with each thrust into your warm, velvety walls. “God, could stay just like this forever. Keep you stuffed and full for the rest of our lives.” His fingers brushed faster against your little nub, groaning against your skin when you began to tighten around him. “Pussy fuckin milking my cock. You gonna come again? God damn, sweetheart, you’re always so goddamn sensitive when you’re pregnant. I’m just gonna keep you nice and full—keep give you as many babies as you’ll let me.”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” You bit back a cry, rocking your hips harder against his own, the coil tightening rapidly within your naval and heart racing in your chest. “Need it.”

“Fucking. Take. It.” He growled out, each word accentuated with a deep, hard thrust. “Cum on my cock, baby. Give it to me. Need to feel you fucking gush all over me, baby. Come on.”

Bucky could feel his control waning, the way you were grinding yourself back on his cock, bottom lip trapped between your teeth to suppress your little moans and whimpers, and a far away, glazed over look in your eyes. Your slick was absolutely dripping down his length and the way your walls were tightening and clenching around his twitching cock had his eyes rolling to the back of his head and he bit down on your shoulder to muffle the groans rumbling through his chest.

“Come on, Y/N.” He encouraged softly, tongue darting out the lick over the mark he’d left. “I need you to make a mess on my cock, baby. Do it.”

A loud mewl slipped from your parted lips and his left hand shot up to cover your mouth as your entire body tightened and shook around him, to the point he could barely pull out before your greedy cunt was sucking him back in.

“Shh, baby. Shh.” Bucky’s fingers moved faster over your blushing nub, his hips rocking frantically into your own as he willed himself not to fall over the edge with you, “Let go, Y/N. Know you wanna come. Know you need to. Come on, pretty girl. Make a mess. Soak my cock.”

And you did.

A choked out cry of his name and you were positively gushing all over this cock, clawing at any and every part of his body that you could reach.

“Fuck. Fuck.” He grit out, jaw clenched tight, chest heaving as he pistoned his twitching cock within your pulsing walls. “I’m gonna fuckin’ cum. Can’t hold back, feel too good.”

“Fill me up.” You gasped out, “Please, James. Need it.”

He buried his face in the crook of your neck, nipping and sucking at the reddened skin there as he grasped your hip, pulling you back fast and hard on his length.

One last punishing thrust and the pressure building as the base of his spine burst, a tidal wave of pleasure washing through him. He flexed his hips as deep as they could possibly go before painting your walls white with his spend.

“I love you.” He groaned, thrusting languidly in and out of your pulsing hole, working himself through it. “I fucking love you so much. Oh my god.”

He released your hip, wrapping his arms around your waist and drawing you tighter into his sweaty, heaving chest as he littered sweet kisses all over your flushed face.

“I love you too.” You whimpered, his cock slipping from inside you as you shifted to roll on your back, reaching up to comb the hair from his face. “I don’t want you to go.” You admitted, a cute pout tugging at your lips. “Every time you leave, I’m scared you won’t come back.”

Bucky’s heart clenched painfully in his chest and he swallowed back the lump in his throat as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to your damp forehead.

He understood what you meant, he couldn’t stand being away from you. He wasn’t worried about himself, he was terrified that one day he’d return to find you missing—or worse, dead.

“I’ll be back.” He declared, tone final and strong as he cupped your cheek, thumb brushing tenderly over the flushed skin there. “I always come back—I’ll always come for you.”

“Promise?” You whispered, wrapping your arms over his shoulders before tugging him down.

Bucky nuzzled his nose against yours, holding himself above you with his left arm as his right hand traveled down your bare body to caress your growing belly. “I promise, baby. As long as I’m alive, I won’t leave you alone.”

“You better not.” You smiled before you yanked him down for one last soft, lingering kiss. “I’ll hunt you down myself, if you don’t turn up tonight before sunset.”

Bucky laughed, dipping down to steal one last quick kiss before dragging himself off of you and to the edge of the bed, “I have no doubt you would, doll.”

He stole a glance over his shoulder at you, shooting you a small smirk and subtle wink before he rose to feet and shuffled across the room to the clothes you laid out for him the night before.

“Cute ass, Barnes.” You giggled, rolling over on your side as you drew the sheet back over your bare body and snuggled into your pillow.

Bucky gave his ass a little slap, wiggling his hips a bit as he shot you a boyish grin over his shoulder, “It’s all yours, baby.”

“Damn straight.” You giggled, wrinkling your nose at him.

—————

Bucky knelt down between Jamie and Becca’s cots, expression soft and heart light as he gazed over their sleeping forms.

He didn’t know what it was—why this felt different than the previous times before, but he was hesitant to leave. Something in the back of his mind was screaming at him to stay.

Fuck the run, he could get what they needed once they were settled into their new home—safe and sound.

Fuck keeping the camp stocked, his family mattered more and Bucky had prepared some of these men enough to be able to handle it themselves by now.

He wanted nothing more than to snatch his babies up, run for the hills, and disappear for the rest of their lives.

The day after tomorrow.

He reminded himself. He would wait one full day upon his return before whisking his family off into the night, just as they’d planned.

Bucky leaned down brushing a few wayward curls from his daughter's face before pressing a soft kiss to each of her chubby cheeks and then her forehead. She didn’t stir, instead she leaned into his touch with an ineligible mumble—subconsciously seeking him out. Just as she had since she was a baby.

“I love you.” He whispered, caressing his thumb across her little cheek, smiling to himself when her nose wrinkled and she exhaled a content sigh.

He turned to Jamie next, combing his own hair out of his eyes and wiping away the little bit of drool dribbling down the side of his chin before pressing a kiss to each of his cheeks and then his forehead.

“Daddy?”

“Hey, bubs.” Bucky cooed softly, running his fingers through his hair, scratching at his scalp a little.

“Are you leavin?” Jamie mumbled sleepily, eyelashes fluttering against his rosy cheeks as he fought to keep them open.

“Yeah.” Bucky croaked out, a smile splitting across his lips as Jamie rolled over and burrowed his face in his chest. He lifted a hand to cradle the back of his head, carding his fingers through his tangled locks, “But I’ll be back tonight, okay? Look out for your ma and sister for me, will ya?”

“Course.” He mumbled, little lips curving up at the corners as he rolled back over and snuggled down as Bucky tugged the covers up to his chin and tucked it in around the edges. “Love you.”

“I love you more, bubs.” Bucky smiled, leaning down to lay one last kiss on his forehead. “See you tonight.”

His heart felt heavy in his chest as he rose to his feet, stealing one last look at his babies before he pulled the curtain shut with a long sigh.

“You okay?”

Bucky spun around to find you waiting at the entrance of the tent, your stained cotton robe pulled over your bare body and your arms crossed over your chest.

You looked so soft and pretty in the morning light. Your tousled hair was tossed up in a floppy bun on top of your head and the rising sun slipping in through the cracks of the tent flap cast a warm glow across your skin and made those gorgeous eyes shine.

“I’m good.” He assured you with a smile, closing the distance between you in a few short strides. “I just hate leaving.” He breathed out, wrapping you up in his arms and pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head.

“I hate it too.” You mumbled before burying your face in his clothed chest with a little whimper.

“I love you.” He sighed, nose brushing through your hair, inhaling your comforting scent one last time before he had to go, “So much.”

“I love you more.” You pulled back, mustering as much of a smile as you could before rising up on your toes to peck his lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“You will.” He nodded, stealing one last kiss before stepping back and bending down to snatch his bag off the ground, slinging over his shoulder. “See ya later, pretty girl. I’ll be thinking bout you all day.”

“As will I.” You giggled, crossing your arms over your chest, hugging yourself, “See you soon, handsome.”

Bucky turned on his heels, walking away from the love of his life and his sleeping babies with a heavy heart. He threw one last convincing smile and a little wave over his shoulder to you standing longingly in the entrance of the tent before stoning his features and headed in the direction of the front gate.

—————

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