#bucky barnes x super!oc

[askstevella]

Hercules AU - The Super Spouses

Steven Grant Rogers as Hercules (Herc)

Estella Romano-Strange as Megara (Meg)

Summary: Steve Rogers had been an outcast his whole life, he was always alone aside from a couple of friends here and there, until one day he's given the chance to show the world what he's got. But the question is, he is a zero or a hero in the eyes of a certain fair lady? 

Once Upon A Time/Fantasy AU

~~~~~

In the lower ends of the forests and the mountains stood the forsaken sandy beaches that led to a town filled with men and women of all different ages and sizes. 

In the town held way too many, players and rookies trying to seek like everyone else. Be heroes, lovers, challengers and the list goes on. Some of them just acted to the play the role of bullies.

Where stood Steven Grant Rogers on the other end of it all—no seriously! He was on the other hand of some dude’s fist for the 3rd week in a row for trying to help the baker but instead, he ended up making a mess due to not pulling his weight as he told some jerk to knock it off. Last week, he was trying to fight some larger guy for almost harming some women but his efforts ended with him having to nurse a sore arm that day.

Today, yet again he had his ass handed to him as he tried to fight back holding a makeshift shield. Which was actually a lid from some can, taking a few good licks towards the guy who was picking the fight. 

The guy backed off once his friends yelled for him, rubbing his face and glared at Rogers. 

Steve leaned against a wall, coughing and huffing wiping his nose checking for any blood stains on his face or clothes. He might in relief at being clean, deciding to head home soon.

Steve didn’t like bullies, he rather get beaten up trying to do something such a helping out than watching a person struggle in result of being helpless during a time of need. Only problem was that he was seen a outcast, some scrawny kid, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he thinks is right.

It also helps that he would find himself looking at status of literal heroes at the fairs and museums wishing he could be seen as more than just what people saw physique.

When he was younger his mother was would get her own little troubles and end up feeling hurt in the end. 

He would ask, ��Why don’t you just stand down, ma?”

Her response, “…you always stand up.”

His mother always knew he had a good heart and he would keep fighting until his last breath, as long as he always stands. 

~~~

That’s how he found himself at Phil’s stations. Plenty of men were ringing up to become knights and such for the wars, to fight monsters and possibly be heroes. Phil and his bosses was skeptical, especially when Steve showed up for the try outs, to train and become a hero.

His bosses didn’t believe this short skinny kid had something to prove. Hell, Phil stopped having tryouts once he saw how poor of a turnout there was. But was surprise Phil the most weeks later was the same short skinny kid showed up at his doorstep with such determination, heart and willingness to give it his all. 

He even brought a friend, James Barnes, with him as his support and fellow fighter. 

After a long hard stare, Phil deeply sighed and decided to give it a shot, but warned Steve that if he messed up or made a fool out him, there would be problems. He already had plenty of men do the same to him before, where they’re egos and pride got the best of them.

~~~~~

Weeks of training, grit and determination, along with hope of the gods themselves. It was as if he was given a transformation that seemed otherworldly on how he started out.

Steven Grant Rogers was taller, stronger, could run faster than he could before, quicker on his feet and had muscles to back him up. His friend wasn’t looking too bad either.

It was a grand improvement, and his skills showed it better than Phil expected. His pal, Howard came to help out every now, grinning at the show in front of his eyes. 

~~~~~~~~~

One afternoon, it was just Phil and Steve training in the forest, until the tall blonde got it right. Despite Phil’s best efforts, there was his spark of impact in the young man’s eyes wanting to help people and put his skills to the test.

See what else can he do. He was training, fighting beast within waters and trying to outsmart them. However he had his misfortune moments there too, where he would fall and misstep somewhere.

There were moments where Phil was too hard on him too.

Phil said, “With time, you will do so. Have patience, rookie.”

Steve just nodded. 

Until he heard it, the sounds of grunting and yelling. A few trees away at the same forest, stood a women trying to run away from some monster, a centaur named Nessus. 

“I swear, put me down! If my brothers hear about this—” Yelled the women, trying to be released from his grip.

“You’ll what? Call them to use their magic on me? I ain’t scared, call them, sweetheart.” Repiled Nessus with a smirk.

“Ugh! You’re breath stinks.”

“Heh I like ‘em fiery too, baby.”

“Ew! Let go of me, dimwit!”

Steve stood behind a few pills of tall grass and bushes, watching this all go down as his facial expressions were ones of disgust and distant for the blue centaur holding the women in his grasp. He didn’t like it one bit, hell he didn’t even hear Phil or Bucky’s soft shouts to talk him through on how to fight the dude, he just went for it.

He flipped his sword and grunted, stomping along the water grabbing the centaur’s attention, “Halt!

“Step aside, two legs.” The centaur snarled, still holding the women.”

“Pardon me my good…sir. I’ll have to ask you to release that young maiden at once.”

That was when the women finally face him. She whipped her head around, taking a deep breath pushing her long bangs, pushing herself from the centaur’s grip.

“Keep moving’, jolly steam.” She remarked, grunting.

He raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you a damsel in distress?”

“I’m a damsel, I’m in distress…I can handle this. Bye!”

“Ma’am, I think you may be too close to the situation.” 

The two started to bicker, but soon enough the big blue eye backed Steve onto the water. Phil rolled his eyes and Bucky whined wanting to help, Phil shook his head. Steve got up and snarled, overhearing Phil and Bucky’s shouts of encouragement that sounded like tough love to his ears. 

Steve thought for a moment flipping his sword and thought to use his head, as he swung and kicked the big blue guy  so hard he was went flying backwards. Hell, the women was left from his grasp and falling into the water, coughing and crawling to sit on a rock. 

Steve helped her off and onto the rock but before he can get more than two sentences out Nessus went up for round 2, as the blonde excuse himself to fight him.

The women ring her wet curls out and let out a light chuckle, “Is wonder boy for real?” “Yeah he’s real..a real punk.” Bucky muttered with a scoff then shouted, “Get his legs dummy!” 

“Friend of yours?”

“Yup.”

Eventually Steve got the upper hand, as Nessus went flying and Bucky took a final swing at the blue jerk. Both friends nodded and grinned.

“How was that Phil?” Steve asked, fully soaked.

“Not how I hoped it was good. You made mistakes, but people will catch onto it in the big leagues.” Phil repiled. 

“I beat him, didn’t I?” Steve said, 

Bucky remarked, “I helped!”

Phil groaned and yelled, “Next time, don’t let your guard down cause a of pair of big goo-goo eyes! Both of ya!” 

“Hey, he’s the one who didn’t listen! And I don’t crack under the pressure..” Bucky defended himself poorly.

“I know but you guys gotta stay focus! Especially Rogers.”

“I’ll talk to him, I promise—wait where did he go?”

Steve has walked off to check on the women he tried to save earlier, he wanted to make sure she was alright after all of that. This time he got a better look at her, as he found her to be rather pretty. She was standing up, wearing a long blush red dress, ringing out her curls into the stream of water beside them. She looked over to face him, catching a look at the wonder-boy’s soft blue eyes and brown clothes. 

He was handsome.

He half chuckled with a slight awkwardness and he carefully asked, “Are you alright, miss…?”

“Um, Estella..but mainly people call me Stella. I didn’t need you to save me back there, you know?” She asked in a hush yet sassy tone.

“I know, but you looked like you needed the help. You were stuck in his giant hand.”

“And?”

“And I couldn’t live with myself knowing I could’ve at least done something to get him away from you.”

“Wow..”

“Heh, ‘wow’ what?”

“You sounded very genuine with that line. Also you let me fall to the ground.”

“Again, I was trying to help. And I apologize  for the incident, it wasn’t my intention for that part to happen.”

Estella watched him for a moment, seeing how he was actually being genuine and doing his best here. It was pretty clear he was new to this, all of this for that matter.

The least she can do is cut him some slack.

“Alright. They give you a name with that whole look?” She asked, looking over her shoulder smiling.

He hummed returning the smile, “Heh, I uh—I’m um, uh..”

“Are you always this articulate?”

“Uh, no. And to answer your previous question, my name is Steve Rogers.”

“Steve Rogers? Hmm. It’s cute. But I think I prefer wonder-boy.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at her comment about to make a remark at her words but decided against it. Instead he asked, “So, if you mind me asking, how did you get mixed up with the big blue guy?”

“Pinhead with hooves?” She responded, “Things happened, I fell into the wrong crowd.”

“Really?”

“Well yeah, you know how some men are. They think no means yes and get lost means take me I’m yours.”

Bucky could be heard snorting in the background, trying to cover up his laughter. Phil scoffed not knowing to like this women or not at the moment. Steve half smiled as he watched Estella thank him for his efforts, walking away saving she had to head home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rogers spend the time couple of days training and trying to protect his craft, perfect his skills with Phil and Bucky. They traveled to different places within the cities and town looking for anyone who might need help.

They fought an ogres, a beast or two and taken out some jerk who infested a town by being greedy to the folks. It was nice, they were small fest of fights to keep of his strength and protect others from harm.

It’s what he wanted to always do. And he was more than glad to do so. 

And so did the women—Estella, who watched from afar nodding and smiling at his accomplishments along the way. She had to hand it to him, fighting off those beast and making sure some town folk were given the some peace. A piece of her melted seeing his smile and kindness towards the people, even if many didn’t really have an appetite or cared to give him the time of day. He kept doing what he could with his friends. 

She knew from stories, people needed to see the big moments to consider someone a hero, not a zero. At the moment, he was seen as zero to Estella despite all the things he’s done. She didn’t know his true motivations yet and wondered if he did for the power, the fame and glory. 

The girl was at odds.

Yeah sure he was strong, tall, blonde and nice, but most men can be like that one the surface.

She needed to see the real fight here. See if he was would run away and show his true self or stay to fight.

Not the small ones that prove nothing, but someone who was trying to hard.

It also didn’t help that her big boss was thinking of sending a challenger his way…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of weeks later, that answer comes as clear as day. 

In a quiet city within a kingdom, Steve was resting after a simple day of swimming and enjoying his afternoon at the market place. Him and Bucky had spent the day trying to familiar themselves with that side of the city, get to the people if possible, as the idea was suggested they moved there.

It was pretty much close to home and still far to travel around too.

Currently, Steve was taking in the light clouds that blew past the sunlight as it shinned upon his body. His week was rather odd to say the least, the basic training, traveling, talks with friends, and trying his best to make sure people were doing alright. 

But a small of him yearned for a fight. A true battle, like the one he can prove who he was and take a stand for others. He wasn’t asking for a war, just to look out for the little guy and show others that they can be helpers to anyone who need it.

He sighed wondering if maybe he was trying to hard, if he should just pack it up and go home for a while. It’s not like was looking for trouble to appear on his doorstep and neither did he want to see anything destroyed or hurt. 

Maybe he could see that fair lady again and—

He was suddenly taken out of his thoughts at the sound of screams and shouts, as he rushed onto his feet looking around for who that was. He followed the noise rushing to see was happened. Then he saw it, two kids stuck under wood and dry stonewall, hearing women crying and men shouting. 

He raced in to do his part, appearing underneath the collapsed temple yelling for the kids to hear their voice and make sure they were still alive. He heard some coughing and wheezing coming from their voices, as he rushed to lift up the wood and stone that collapsed over them. He held his breath lifting the items, urging both kids to try and move as he throw the stone to side, helping them out of there. 

Before the temple can take full force and collapsed any further, he got everyone out holding both children, who seemed to be around 7 years old, in his arms making sure they were okay. The kids nodded and thanked him, as they rushed off to their parents. 

Steve finding let out his breath at the sigh of both children safe and sound, that he didn’t even realized people were watching. He was more concerned with their health, looking over his shoulder to see the temple in pieces as dust and rumble surrounded behind him. He half smiled and waved at ‘your welcome’ to the parents who thanked him in grateful for their held, watching the kids who kept their gaze on him before looking back at their mothers.

Then he heard it, some clapping and shouting in the air for his act of bravery as he nodded and gave the few who noticed him a smile. Bucky rushed in just in time to see the motion and scoffed at his friend getting some recognition for his work, after all the weeks.

But it wasn’t over yet.

“Steve, look out!” Shouted Bucky who pointed at the what crawled out a crave near the temple.

A beast appeared more like a dragon with a long neck, sharp teeth and killer eyes snarling at Steve. The blonde’s eyes widen gulping as he realized he left his sword behind but thankfully Bucky found it and tossed it over to him.

The warring fight had began, as the dragon snarled and wicked his head around as Steve circled him with his sword throwing everything at the beast. This wasn’t something he ever fought before. Steve, along with Bucky’s help, trying to distract the dragon and knock it off balance to not eat them. 

At one point, the dragon wrapped his tongue around Steve’s ankle and threw him midway into the air, opening his mouth and swallowed him whole. Bucky looked away and groaned, battling the dragon in revenge for his friends but was knock into a wall. 

People watched, gasping and screaming at the sight. Estella was standing afar gasping, thinking Rogers was a goner. 

But to the dragon’s surpassing surprise and everyone else include, their breaths were held back. As inside the dragon’s throat was a rumbling noise and crawling tickle that confused the beast, as a sudden slice cut off his airway and his head went flying off. On the other side appeared Steve Rogers, holding his sword and grunting ever so loudly as his body slammed onto the ground alongside the dragon’s head.

People clapped and smiled, some sighed in relief. Bucky helped his friend up as Estella whined at the gross smell surrounded them. Steve got up on his feet, looking around and ordering Bucky to get other’s to safely as he figures out what to do with the dragon’s head.

Speaking of heads…one cut off, 3 other grew just like it. Once he turned around his eyes widen once again, grabbing his sword and giving Bucky a signal to join him.

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were fighting The Hydra. 

It was brutal sight to see, as The Hydra snarled, growled and screamed in their direction as both men fought him. The crowd was running and yelling as rain showed over the land at the same time. Bucky fell to the ground, as Stella rolled her eyes dragging him up the bench before he could get killed muttering something under her breath, meanwhile it was left to Steve to finish him off.

The rain was pouring, the screams were engulfing everyone around, people gasped and ran for the heavens. But Steve Rogers maintain his breath, sword were on the other end of the ground as the HYDRA picked him up and threaten death in his eyes. In a last effort to think quick on his feet, Steve balled his fists and steady his shield slammed the wall of thick rock until it came crashing down.

The Hydra came crashing down and he went down with it.

Silence fell on the ground above, you could hear a pin drop as everyone fell their breaths. Stella gasped and looked over her shoulder watching her boss, Hades, sitting in the dark corners watching with a grin. 

Hades’s grin was clear as day watching Steve collapse with his challenger, betting all his coins he has fallen, snickering at Stella’s face toward horror and bitterness. A part of Estella reminded him of his only daughter, Luna, who started out kind and all so sweet then somehow she escape The Underworld, then he never saw her again. 

But with Stella, it was different, she was a slave to his deeds after some stupid deal to have her big brothers live while she went to find Hades whatever he needed in return that day, but she never reading the fine print. That she would stay under his thumb for as long as he liked…

However his grin slowly fell, as he leaned forward in his chair and saw movement from below, furrowing his eyebrows and grunted, “..no. He should be crippled or dead..”

Underneath the dust and stone, grunts and growls were heard, suddenly a large piece of stone was thrown to the side as below stood the blonde man, Steve Rogers, with a couple of cuts and bruises yet he was standing tall holding his shield taking a breath.

Hades screamed in his corner surprised, on how only a mere mortal could have so much strength and courage to stand after that battle, he should have fallen. 

He wasn’t even a god yet he had the looks, kindness and determination of one.

The people scream and shouted, clapping at the Rogers huge save and fight among the folks there. They loudly cheered and went to tell anyone who was standing next to them the news.

An old lady, named Frigga, who was watching the huge fight and seeing how Rogers came out on top despite the tough challenge, nicknamed him Hercules. 

Stella was leaning against the wall, in pure shock and scoffed as a soft grin took over her face and nodded at the sight.

Maybe there was still hope for Steve Rogers yet? Especially after a couple of voices called him a hero. 

She smirked looking over her shoulder watching Hades’s annoyed and practically about to blow a fuse with such a short temper. 

She was more than impressed by all of this.

~~~~~

That's all folks! Might do 'I Won't Say I'm In Love', ‘Zero to Hero’ or something next, who knows? Let me know what y'all think!

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel l @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @cherrysft @parisparker269 @thechoooooosenone @luna-d-marsh

[corawithfanfiction]

X-Men Next Step Is Evolution & White Wolf and Polaris

 I will stay and well throw it all away (episode 3)

episode 2 - episode 4

Lorna learns to use her powers and the team plans for a new mission.

warnings: heartbreak, language, crying, anger issues, suicide planing

Just tonight I will stay and well throw it all away When the light hits your eyes Its telling me I'm right And if I, I am through Then its all because of you Just tonight

✗

Lorna had begun to train, although she could not get over the weight of the events that had taken place. Her only hope was that if she devoted all her anger to her powers, she might be freed from her thoughts.

She was thankful that she had suffered twenty-six years of her life for the mother she did not know. She slept peacefully every night because she did not carry the slightest part of the man she hated.

However, now all this was far away.

As if she had never tasted that peace before, she left her thoughts aside with hatred and anger and focused on the metal drums in front of her.

One by one, he lifted them up into the air and put them back down one by one. With Raven's instructions, this time he lifted them all at the same time and started to rotate them in the air.

She was distracted by the sound of the engine coming from outside and dropped all the drums to the ground.

"Focus Lorna!"

"Sorry, I got distracted for a moment. I'll try again."

"That's enough for today, L. It might be good to rest a little. We'd better listen to what Logan has to say." Legion, who was walking towards them in the garden, spoke while hugging his brother.

Raven raised one eyebrow sceptically and said, "I'm guessing Logan just rode the bike into the garage, Legion, and since you're here, I'm honestly wondering when you were talking!"

"Well, it was a little too noisy, mind. I had no intention of reading it. It was just getting on my nerves."

"I thought you and Charles agreed on mind reading, Legion."

"Don't worry, Raven, I don't give a damn fucking shit what you or anyone else here thinks when they get inside your mind, I don't give a damn what you think about the assassinations you made years ago or the nights Lorna had sex with Remy or Logan or anyone else whose name I can't remember. I don't give a damn about the past that the metal-transformed senile can't remember. It's only when you can't control your thoughts that it's an ordeal! For God's sake, would it kill you to calm down? I haven't slept a goddamn night since the humans came back! Because you know why, Raven, I don't give a damn about the mistakes you've made in your bloody past and how catastrophic they've been in your five-year absence. So please. Just please! Stop thinking about it and let me have some peace!"

Before Raven could say anything after this absolutely unexpected exit, Legion had already left his brother and Raven there and left the garden with quick steps.

"Damn it." Lorna muttered to herself as she quickened her pace to catch up with her brother, shouting after him "Legion! Come on! Hey can you wait for me please! Legion!"

Lorna stopped when she saw Logan as she quickly stepped into the living room after her brother. It had been five days since that day. The day she had deliberately hurt Logan. They hadn't spoken again after that. She didn't know what had happened anyway. She didn't know who had taken Logan's lifeless body from there or who had carried the unconscious Lorna to her room. All he knew was that Logan had gone on a mission when he woke up. And since he returned five days later, he had fulfilled the reason he went and succeeded in the mission. Otherwise, she hadn't expected him to return so soon. The reasons for returning early from missions were obvious. Either when they failed or when there was a risk of their identities being revealed, the mission was cancelled and they returned to the academy early. But Logan had been sent on the mission in question, and that meant that he had not returned early because it had ended in failure. These five days seemed like a lifetime to Lorna.

In the evening of the day after he came to his senses, he texted Logan. At first he had thought of calling, but he couldn't find the courage to talk.

18.27

'I apologise.

05.31

'Don't apologise'

That was it. When there was no answer even though she knew she had read it, Lorna accepted that something was really over.

I lost him, she said.

I lost Logan.

It's all my fault.

It's all my father's fault.

You promised yourself I wouldn't call that man Dad, Lorna!

And you promised you wouldn't hurt anyone. But what else do you do but hurt the ones you love?

You said you wouldn't be a murderer. You said you wouldn't be that man's daughter, and within minutes of saying that, you killed the man you loved!

You're pathetic!

What if you didn't have the power to heal!

What if at some point that ability ended?

What if Logan was gone forever? Because of you!

You're the murderer of the man you love!

The sun began to rise slowly as he watched the pencil work on the ceiling at night when he couldn't sleep. When he thought that it must be past five o'clock, he got up from where he was lying with the sound of the phone and reached for his phone from the commode next to him.

One word,

Six letters

'Wishing'.

That's where she died, Lorna.

He was now sure that he had killed the man he loved not only physically but also spiritually. Once again he cursed his whole life, self and the universe.

As soon as he woke up the next morning, he started training with Raven to control his strength and devoted all his hatred and anger to controlling himself.

Now the last person he could stand to see hating him for five days was standing right in front of him.

"We need to talk, I'm going to call Charles and you call Raven. I have something to tell you!"

When he left her without waiting for her to answer, Lorna let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding.

After taking a few deep breaths, she went to Raven.

After everyone had gathered, she listened intently to Logan. He had gone on a five day mission to find the rest of the team and Lorna was only finding out after he returned.

Of course, she didn't expect the man she had killed to come and tell her the details of the mission, but Legion or Raven might.

"Ororo was among the missing. However, upon her return, she was unable to engage the people of Wakanda in battle with the Avengers, was badly wounded while she was in the dust, and was admitted for emergency treatment when she returned."

"How is she now?" Logan asked without looking at Lorna.

"With Wakandan technology, he regained his health very quickly. But before he could return to New York, he had some business to take care of in Sokovia."

"Sokavia? Isn't that the country Ultron blew up in 2015 and then the Avengers destroyed?" Legion asked. Raven answered his question.

"Yes, that's exactly where it is. Exactly one year after the destruction of the country, a treaty of the same name was drawn up by the government, which the 'superheroes' were required to sign. Those who didn't sign were declared outlaws and sent to the Raft. God, I wouldn't wish my enemy to go to that shithole in the middle of nowhere."

"How did you escape the Raft if you're not a good swimmer, Raven?" Legion Raven could only roll his eyes when Raven asked a new question. Then she gestured for Logan to continue.

"Emma and Charles have already made contact. They're coming here in a week with Summer. Where are they right now, Charles?"

"Emma went missing during the blip. She was in Japan at the time. Whatever her reason for going there, I know she won't come back until it's been five years. She said she and Alex would be at the academy next week." "And that's enough information for you, come on dad, we need to know the details!" Logan's voice silenced Legion's reproach.

"Raven, you'll take care of Kitty Pryde. I've transferred her location and details to your car, go and get our little Kitty back." After Raven indicated that she understood, Logan continued.

"I'm going to Bevery Hills too. I spoke to Betsy and she's ready to come back. But Jubilation Lee's in trouble. After Betsy and I sort that out, Jubilee and I will come back here."

"Is that all?" asked Lorna.

"We've got one more contact. Legion will take care of it." Logan spoke again without bothering to look at Lorna.

"Who did you reach?" he asked, his eyes still on the man who refused to look at him. "And what field assignment has Legion ever been on that you're assigning him to now?" When he turned to his brother and said, "No offence," Legion shrugged his shoulders as if to say he knew.

"Anna Marie is very unstable right now and we don't have any other members of Legion to send into the field yet!"

"I'm still here!"

"Your powers are more unstable than Legion's!" this time he looked her in the eye. Then he turned to Legion and said "No offence" and Legion responded with the same expression.

Raven, who was watching the argument between the two, was bored with the situation and wanted to take a hand in the situation, but Logan continued.

"Anna Marie is currently in an underground swamp and is in trouble with a woman called Bella Donna. That's why-"

"Wait, wait, wait a minute," Lorna stood up from her seat, "Did you say Bella Donna? Oh honey, I'm sorry, but Legion is definitely not going on this mission." Charles joined the conversation with scepticism when she started laughing sarcastically.

"Lorna, what's on your mind?"

"If he's in trouble with Bella, it's Remy." The smile on her face grew. "And that underground dump you mentioned is none other than the All-In Casino, am I right?" it wasn't a question because Lorna knew the All-In Casino so well. Oh sweet Remy, she couldn't help thinking.

"Y-yes, but you, how?" Logan was surprised. This time it was Lorna who didn't look at him when he spoke. He turned to his uncle and said, "I'm taking this mission from the Legion, Uncle. If anyone is going to go there, it's me. Anyway, even if someone other than me goes in this room, he can't get in. I guess you won't object, will you?" He already knew the answer when he raised one eyebrow and smiled sweetly at his uncle.

"If you're sure you want to go back there again, fine." When Lorna nodded, Charles continued. "On one condition." When Lorna raised one eyebrow in scepticism this time, Charles turned to face Logan behind the woman he was talking to.

"Logan, call Anna and find out if the situation is urgent. Plan Bevery Hills accordingly." This time he turned his face back to Lorna, "You can go there, you have the mission, but you still don't have full control of your powers. Logan will go with you." Lorna was about to protest when he said, "And that's non-negotiable, young lady!"

Seeing Legion amused by the situation, Lorna rolled her eyes and called out to her uncle who was on his way out the door, "If anyone's coming, let it be Raven. Besides, I've been working with her for days, and I won't hurt Logan if I lose control, again," the young woman's voice had turned to a whisper by the end of her sentence. She bit her lip as her eyes began to fill with the memories that came to mind and she lowered her head in regret.

"Good, then you won't lose control, my beautiful girl. Get a good rest, tomorrow we will make preparations and then you will start to set off. Sleep well all of you." As Charles left the room, Raven called out to the man in the wheelchair and they left the room talking. Legion shouted to Lorna and Logan as he said he was going to go to his room with a chronic headache that came in the evening. "GOD! Keep your thoughts to yourself! Agh!" he had already reached the stairs.

Logan broke the silence of the two alone in the living room.

"It's been a tiring week, I'm going to take a shower and rest. You must have been training all day, sleep, gather your strength." Under normal circumstances, this sentence would be like, "I'm going to take a shower, will you join me? But Lorna was not under normal conditions since she regained her powers. "Sure," she whispered quietly. She couldn't even hear her voice herself. But the man who had already reached the corridor heard the whispers of the young woman he left behind like a scream.

"Do you understand who I am? Do you want to know? Do you want to see the real me now? I'm about to leave

But I can't just leave tonight I lie and you believe me. I'll only see it tonight This is all my fault! I'll just stay the night And we'll throw it all away. When the light shines in your eyes Tell me I'm right. And if, thanks to me. This is all your fault! Just tonight, darling."

TAG LIST:

[cherrys-writings]

Captive

A lot of improbable things here for the time, but let’s pretend they’re not.

TW: physical abuse

                               ABDUCTED FROM HOME

   Iowa language and science prodigy,(14) was taken from her home in the early morning hours. Her father and older brother were found by neighbors badly beaten, claiming that “uniformed men” took her. Their neighbor arrived at the normal time to take the girl to the medical college where he is a maintenance worker and she attends on scholarship. 

   Her family was the only witness to this tragic event that occurred on the eighth anniversary of her mother’s mysterious death. The brother (17) says, “It’s like they watched us for a long time before doing this. We didn’t know they were in the house until the screaming started; she put up a fight.” The girl genius was published in a medical journal for her ideas of using the same kind of electric wiring in our own homes to create prostheses that, “function exactly like a normal limb.” 

   Her physical description is given below along with her photograph. Distinct features include: glasses for bilateral astigmatism, left-handedness, and a habit of “finger fluttering”. Investigators are offering a reward to anyone with information that leads to her safe return.

                                               ***

   “We’re going to be late again,” Steve scolded, “what held you up?”

   Bucky reached into his bag and unfolded the newspaper, “A genius went missing. They published some of her writing, it’s interesting.”

   Steve skimmed the article, “next thing you know there’ll be flying cars.”

                                              ****

   When the guard showed her the article, Felicity knew she would never make it home. If these people could get a New York newspaper to wherever they were keeping her, they could find her anywhere. She didn’t ask questions when they gave her papers with equations to solve or chemical formulas to correct. Felicity hadn’t spoken since the night she was taken. Then one day they decided to let her out of her cell. A guard on either side of her, briskly walking through the wet tunnels.

   “Where are you taking me?”

   “Shut up,” says the guard on the left.

   “Are you letting me out?” Felicity let the littlest spark of hope into her voice.

   “I said shut up,” the guard hit the side of her head with his baton. 

   She let out a shriek, tears clouding her view, as they walked further into the labyrinth. Seeming to go in circles before finally arriving in a room Felicity vaguely recognized, an operating theatre. She sniffled, gently rubbing the knot forming where she had been hit. 

   “WHAT did I say about keeping her undamaged?” A tall brown-haired man yelled from one of the chairs. 

   The guard that hit her answered quickly, “she was giving us some trouble. Wouldn’t follow directions to be silent.”

   “Oh?” The man blinks, “she has problems following directions.” He stalks towards them, then kicks the knees out from the guard. He punches the guard repeatedly holding him by the collar with one hand, “SHE has problems following directions.” 

   Blood gushes from the guard’s nose, Felicity can’t look away. The situation was too horrifying to believe. Finally, the brown-haired man drops the guard’s limp form and kicks him, “perhaps you should worry about following your own orders. The soul-touched is not to be harmed in any way.”

   Soul-touched? What kind of crazy is this man?

   The brown-haired man stands over her now, blood speckling his face, “I’m sorry for all that, child.” He takes Felicity’s hand and leads her further into the room. “I am Commander Johann Schmidtt. The man sitting in the chair is Dr. Abraham Erskine and you are going to tell me what killed the man laying on the operating table.”

   “What?” she stopped walking and stared up at the Commander. 

   He glared at her, nostrils flaring as he attempted to control his temper. She couldn’t stop the whimper as she shrank away from him, having already glimpsed what he’s capable of. Felicity flinched, whirling around to see she had backed into Dr. Erskine.

   When did he get up?

   He offered a small smile, holding his hands as if in surrender, “I hear you are a bright one. You were in medical school in the states, yes?” She nodded. “So you are familiar with a post-mortem. Will you work with me to find out why this man died?” 

   A choice? Do I even have a choice?  

   Felicity walked towards the operating table. The Commander smiled when she said in perfect German, “I will assist with the post-mortem.”

                                             ***

   “Dr. Erskine, is there a way we can figure out why these men all have enlarged adrenal glands?” 

   “I’ve told you a thousand times, child, all me Abe or Abraham,” Erskine sighed, “To answer your question, no. I would prefer to spare you from seeing the whole picture.”

   Felicity dropped the organs into a bowl and washed her hands, hoping Erskine would leave rather than continue adding frustration. Sitting at the desk, she began recording her findings to later report to Schmidtt. 

   At least here no one ties my hand down or hits it every time I try to write.

   When a door slams, Felicity doesn’t react, having lost count of the endless days walking from her cell to the operating theatre, examining the latest unfortunate man, prepare her report, and walk back to the cell. There had been few changes since she’s been here, the pipes have stopped freezing and the walls aren’t as wet. Then her chair is ripped from under her. Landing hard on her knees, Felicity blinks up at the Commander. 

   “You have been here seven months and I have no results,” he spits, “Is Erskine deliberately sabotaging your work?”

   She keeps her eyes on the ground as she stands, “my work has been examining the deceased volunteers. Dr. Erskine does not keep me from doing that.”

   Schmidtt grabs her jaw, forcing her to stand taller and meet his eyes, “Has he told you what they volunteer for?”

   Felicity tries to shake her head, but Schmidtt holds firm, wanting explanation. “He said they are soldiers in training who want to do better.” The Commander accepts the lie quickly seeming satisfied, he lets go.

   “Follow.” 

   He briskly walked towards the door, no indication of where they were going. The tunnels, although wet, are well lit as they traverse the route Felicity walks daily. Until they turned left, walked up a stairway, and onto a metal catwalk. Felicity looked down, nothing but hard concrete and a few men below them. Several turns later, they are standing in an office lit by afternoon sun. Having forgotten who she was with, she ran to the window. Pressing her hands on the cold, smooth panes. 

   Seven months. 

   Has the sky always had so many shades of blue? 

   She wipes at the tears streaming down her face and turns around. 

   “You have done decently given your lack of knowledge of the overall goal. Your findings and analysis reports have aided in marginal improvement on Erskine’s end,” Schmidtt said,  “As of now, you are my most valuable asset. Enjoy your birthday gift.”

[a3s1rxx]

𝙳𝙾𝙶

𝚃𝚆: 𝙼𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚂𝙰/𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚂𝙰, 𝙷𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 [𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢], 𝙴𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝙼𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚎

It had been a few years in Madripoor now. Andrei barely spoke anymore. He sat in a cell until Nagel had use of him. This usually came in bouts of genetic testing and small missions. He felt like he had no reason to live.

Nagel had installed a small conductor on the side of his head. It looked like a small silver button on his temple. It was an easier way to keep Andrei calm. With a press of a remote, a shock could be conducted right to his brain.

Andrei sat in a chair, just resting as Nagel started to draw blood from his body.

“You know there was a revolt back in Siberia.” Nagel said, turning away to put the blood in a vile.

“Is the Winter Solider okay?” The only thought running through Andrei’s brain.

“I can’t give you that information.”

“Is he okay?” Andrei repeated, a more aggressive tone coming from him. He was worried. Panicked. What if his friend was dead?

“I told you-”

“I don’t give a fuck.” Andrei slammed his fist on the table, rattling everything on it. Nagel froze.

“Why do you care? What, do you love him? You sound like a worried housewife.” Nagel chuckled, his voiced laced with fear. Andrei grabbed Nagel, pulling him close to his face. His clouded eyes held a vindictive stare. His nostrils flared slightly with every exhale. It was clear he was angry.

“I won’t ask again.” His voice was low, but threatening. A jolt to the brain caused him to let go of Nagel, and return back to a docile state.

“The winter soldier is alive and in stable condition.” Nagel finally answered, voice still wavering from the encounter. Andrei felt some semblance of joy. At least his friend was safe.

A long silence passed. Nagel just worked and hummed an off key tune. Andrei zoned out on the chair, retreating to his thoughts.

A couple more years passed. The civil war situation had just happened. Andrei had caught wind of how Bucky was free from hydra now, and of how he was the last super soldier left under Hydra’s command. He wondered, when will he be free? His thought process was broken, when the sound of his cell being opened was heard. Nagel walked over to him.

“You have a visitor.” Nagel said and sat him up. Andrei rubbed his eyes and looked approximately at the entrance of his cell. An older woman walked in. Short white hair styled up in what looked like a white Mohawk. Andrei had never seen this woman before. He jerked back when she approached him, getting close. Too close.

“He’s blind.” The woman spoke. She had a British accent.

“But functional.” Nagel responded.

Andrei flinched when the woman touched him. Her hands wandered all over, feeling his face, his body, they even grazed his crotch. His breath hitched and he just moved aside. Nagel probably sensed his discomfort, as a shock was produced. Andrei calmed down, but his eyes still held a fear in them.

“How much?” The woman asked Nagel, pulling away from Andrei.

“20,000.” Nagel responded. The woman scoffed.

“Even with the defect?” She retorted.

“20,000, take it or leave it.”

“Fine.” She said. She pulled out what looked to be a phone, and with a few taps the transaction was done.

“You’re selling me?” Andrei spoke up, voice wavering. This felt dehumanizing. It felt like a betrayal.

“I have no use for you anymore.” Nagel spoke, his attention turned to the blind man who was staring back at him.

Andrei swallowed and stood up.

“Selby is your new owner.”

“I’m not an animal. You can’t just trade me and sell me like I am one.” Andrei cried out. Sadness, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I can and I am.” Nagel said, administering a shock.

Andrei winced, but his emotions flatlined again.

“This is all his data, along with the code words to him.” Nagel turned his attention to Selby, handing her a notebook.

“It’s always a pleasure doing business with you.” Selby responded with a smile, taking the notebook.

Andrei was transferred to a car after that. From what he could tell, it was a stretch limo. He crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat. He stared dead ahead, his face holding a look of anger.

“So your name is Andrei.” Selby spoke. Her voice already causing Andrei irritation. He didn’t answer, which caused a shock to his brain. “I was talking to you.” She spoke again.

“I suppose that is my name, yes.” He finally responded, his tone harsh. He made it clear he had a distaste for this woman.

“And you’re from Georgia. How exotic.” She cooed. He rolled his eyes. “Please tell me you’ll just behave, I quite hate causing you pain.” She spoke again. Andrei just nodded. It wasn’t like he had a choice.

His new housing was a room. It was a lavish room. He was wandering around, getting used to where everything was in it, so he could walk about without bumping into things. The bedside tables were sturdy. As he grazed his hands over it, he could feel the ornate decorations carved in the wood. His bed was quite large. He had fur and cashmere blankets on it. The pillows were goose feather pillows. His sheets were made of soft silks. It was certainly an upgrade from the cold hard mattress and thin sheets of his cell. He felt happier now. Maybe he was free now. Maybe he would be treated as human for once.

The floor of the room was made of soft carpet. There was a large closet already filled with different outfits. Mainly suits with tactical gear.

The lighting in the room was dim and comforting. It was easy on his eyes.

Another door lead to a bathroom. The floor was now made of tile. The bath rugs inside were sturdy and comforting. The faucets seemed to be made of gold. A wax warmer made the room smell of vanilla. The bathtub was large, with jets aligning the sides of it. The shower was also quite large, with a lot of switches and buttons. Andrei would figure it all out later.

He was then called to the dining room. He ate the first proper meal he’s ever had in months. Roast chicken, buttered bread, white rice, and beans. He sat down at the table, staring at the meal in front of him.

“Go ahead and eat.” Selby said to him. Andrei bowed his head slightly in gratitude, and proceeded to devour the meal in front of him. The woman couldn’t help but laugh. “Was Hydra not feeding you well?”

No response. Only the sound of chewing and swallowing, followed by large gulps of water. He felt happy, for once.

Happiness didn’t last for too long though. He learnt his true purpose a few weeks in. Yes it was to guard the bar and stand in while Selby made transactions, but he was also there for her pleasure. He was conflicted. On one side, he hated having to serve her. He had grown to hate everything about her. The cadence of her voice. The feeling of her skin. The feeling of her nails clawing at his shoulders. The sore feeling he had when they were done.

It’s not like he had a choice when it came to that. He was a trained dog, commanded by words.

After every “mission” he would retreat to his room, not able to cry out of fear of getting shocked, but he would’ve. Thoughts would be buzzing through his mind. He felt disgusted. He hated being alive again. He would go and bathe, scrubbing his skin raw, trying to forget every touch.

At the same time he felt ungrateful. It’s not like his acts went unrewarded. He’d get grand feasts, maybe a chance to have some fine wine. Sometimes he’d even be allowed to roam around the city, free of anyone.

In that time he met a woman who introduced him to cigarettes. This seemed to take the edge off, usually. It would keep him calm. Not that it solved his situation but it was one thing that made it bearable.

He spent years like this. Living like a dog. A system of tasks and rewards. He could only hope that he’d be sold off again soon, or maybe he’d be free, eventually.

Soon his hopes were answered. The blip. Selby disappeared. Andrei was free to escape. And so he did. He left. But he had no place to stay, and no one he could call. He hunkered down in the bar until he met another woman. She was blonde, from what he could tell. Medium length hair.

She would recognize him, from stolen files she had seen. Andrei came to know this woman as Sharon. He worked for her.

She removed the shock control from his head, in return he would guard her. He wouldn’t talk much to her, but he didn’t resent her. To him, this was freedom.

In his spare time, now, he would sit by a radio and listen to the music it played. 70s and 80s classics, sad piano tunes, those were his favorite. Usually he’d prop the radio up by an open window and smoke. He’d look at the neon lights illuminating the city, and think about Bucky. He wondered where he was. Maybe he was one of the people that disappeared. He hoped not.

If he wasn’t at the window, Andrei would reside in his room.

This room wasn’t as lavish as the one Selby had him in. It had cooler lighting, probably from the blue neons and LEDs. From what he could tell, everything was off white in color. This made it hard to differentiate things in stark brightness but in dimmer lights, it was easier to see shadows.

His closet consisted of tactical gear, suits, but also some casual clothing.

His missions consisted of guarding and protecting. He also worked as a servant in some cases. He’d bring Sharon drinks or do things around the building as she worked.

For about five years it remained this way. Peaceful. Simple. Then, things got rattled. Everyone started coming back. Sharon kept Andrei, but Selby came by frequently, demanding him back. Every time, Sharon refused.

Although slightly more chaotic, Andrei still lead a relatively peaceful life.

He was by the window, smoking, when Sharon tapped his shoulder.

“I have a mission for you.” She said. He nodded, getting up.“Two friends recently came into Madripoor, I think you’d know one of them. We’re gonna go pick them up.” Sharon pat his shoulder.

Andrei quirked an eyebrow at that, but obliged. He geared up and set off with Sharon. On the rooftop they camped out on, he quickly learned that Sharon was going to execute Selby. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t happy about it. A small smile came to his face.

A singular shot. Andrei knew she was dead. The one death he didn’t feel guilty about.

“Alright cmon. We gotta go get them.” Sharon said, packing her things up and running off the roof, Andrei at her heels.

With enough running, they went down an alleyway.

“Hey boys.” Sharon said. Through blurred vision, Andrei could see three men. He couldn’t quite make out their features, besides skin color.

“Sharon?” A voice spoke. Andrei froze in his place. The exchange had to be short, as the men had a bounty on them already.

Back at Sharon’s safe house, there was an opportunity to talk. Majority of the talk was about finding Nagel. That was a name Andrei never expected to hear again.

Bucky sat silently on the couch. Andrei quietly took a seat next to him.

“I never thought I’d see you again.” Andrei spoke in a low voice to him.

“Me neither. They told me you were dead.” Bucky responded, his voice also hushed, as to not disturb the main conversation going on between the other people of the group.

“Well they clearly lied.” Andrei slightly chuckled.

Bucky nodded, a very slight smile on his face.

“So what’s your real name?” Bucky asked, looking at the blind man next to him, who was staring back at him.

“Andrei.” He responded. Be remembered that now. He over time he had come to remember who he was. Where he was from. “What about you?”

“Bucky.”

“Your parents named you Bucky.”

“No they named me James. My middle name is Buchanan”

“Hm.” Andrei held Bucky’s hand and gently squeezed it, as if unsure if he could even hug him or not. “I missed you a lot.” He murmured.

Sharon walked over.

“Get ready, we’re having a party.” She said. Andrei sighed and got up, leaving to get ready.

The party went by smoothly. Sharon had gotten the information the team needed, which is how they ended up back in the shipment landing. Back to Nagel.

After Nagel was shot, and the shootout happened, everyone was agreeing to part ways.

“You know what, you wouldn’t mind taking Andrei, right? I think he could help you. He’d also make sure you keep up your end of the bargain.” Sharon said. Sam looked unsure, but nodded.

“Sure. We can do that.” He said hesitantly.

“I promise not to get in your way.” Andrei crossed his hand over his heart, in a playful gesture. Then they were off to find Zemo and head to Latvia.

[scoonsalicious]

Unwanted Masterlist

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Fem!Reader

Summary: When your FWB relationship with your best friend Bucky Barnes turns into something more, you couldn't be happier. That is, however, until a new Avenger sets her sights on your super soldier and he inadvertently breaks your heart. You take on a mission you might not be prepared for to put some distance between the two of you and open yourself up to past traumas. Too bad the only one who can help you heal is the one person you can no longer trust. Completed.

If you ever feel so inclined to support my work, hop on over to buy me a coffee; it's much appreciated! <3

Warnings: 18+ Minors: GTFO; I don’t serve your kind here.

"*" indicates explicit sexual content (each chapter will feature its own warnings as needed), language, alcohol/drug use, drunk!Bucky, drunk!/high!Reader, pick-me!oc, angst, mentions of CSA, angst, emotional affair, angst, physical infidelity (dependent on your pov), canon-level violence, emotional trauma, did I mention angst?, some fluffy moments, destructive behavior, injury, medical conditions, poorly translated Russian, unprotected anonymous sex, murder, minor oc character death, mentions of SA and torture, underage drug use, mentions of sex trafficking, mention of child injury.

More will be added as the story progresses, and some chapters will have specific warnings that I will keep under wraps to avoid spoilers. When we get to those sections, I will let you know, so if there is a specific trigger that you absolutely cannot handle, let me know and I will tell you if the section is safe. As always, please let me know if I miss any warnings.

Word Count: 155.2k

A/N: And here I present unto you, my beloved, the fruit of my labors these many past moons. Seven months in the making. My magnum opus.

Tumblr says this post has too many links, so for Chapters 27, 28, 29, and 30 (the epilogue), please use the navigation links in the first part of each chapter.

Banner By: The absolutely amazing @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Part 1 (Posted 3/6/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/6/24) Part 3 (Posted 3/6/24) Part 4 (Posted 3/6/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/8/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/8/24) Part 3 (Posted 3/9/24) Part 4 (Posted 3/9/24) Part 5 (Posted 3/9/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/10/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/10/24) Part 3* (Posted 3/10/24)

Part 1* (Posted 3/11/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/12/24) Part 3* (Posted 3/13/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/15/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/15/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/16/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/17/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/17/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/18/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/19/24) Part 3* (Posted 3/19/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/21/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/22/24) Part 3 (Posted 3/23/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/24/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/26/24) Part 3 (Posted 3/26/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/27/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/28/24)

Part 1 (Posted 3/29/24) Part 2 (Posted 3/30/24) Part 3 (Posted 3/31/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/01/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/02/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/03/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/04/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/04/24) Part 5 (Posted 4/05/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/6/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/7/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/7/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/8/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/8/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/9/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/9/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/10/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/10/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/11/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/11/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/11/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/12/24) Part 5 (Posted 4/12/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/12/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/13/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/13/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/13/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/13/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/14/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/14/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/14/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/15/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/15/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/15/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/15/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/16/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/17/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/17/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/18/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/19/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/19/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/19/24) Part 5* (Posted 4/20/24) Part 6 (Posted 4/20/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/20/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/21/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/21/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/21/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/22/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/22/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/22/24)

Part 1 (Posted 2/23/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/23/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/23/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/23/24) Part 5 (Posted 4/23/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 5 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 6 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 7 (Posted 4/24/24) Part 8 (Posted 4/24/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/25/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/25/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/25/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/26/24) Part 2 (Posted 4/26/24) Part 3 (Posted 4/26/24) Part 4 (Posted 4/26/24)

Part 1 (Posted 4/27/24) Part 2* (Posted 4/27/24)

[mrsbuckybarnes1917]

Request from @imagine-all-the-fandoms: You have a crush on each other but of course don't talk about it. Then one night you enter the living room all dressed up for a date and buck is totally flashed by you, until you ask for his opinion on it. When he realizes this is for another guy he gets all moody and leaves. Then instead of your date, you head to Bucky's room and decide to finally make a move and kiss him and admit your feelings, which leads to sleeping with him and afterwards lots of cuddles and cute Bucky?

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x female!reader

Word Count: 4.8k

Warnings: 18+ angsty feelings, some fluff at the end, reader's relationship with an OC, smut, p in v sex without barrier protection, jealous and possessive behavior from Bucky, very minor injury

Bucky Barnes was your best friend. Maybe you might not be his. But how exactly does one compete with Steve Rogers? 

Anyway, that was how you felt. Bucky didn't open up to many people, and you felt honored to be included amongst his few trusted individuals. It had been a year ago that you became part of the Avengers initiative. It hadn't taken you long to be accepted as part of the team, become everyone's favorite confidante, in fact.

There was something about you that people trusted, they would open up to you in a way that they didn't to anyone else. Your charms had even managed to weave their magic over one grumpy super soldier. And he was by far your favorite follower.

It had taken a few weeks before he had given in to your spell, finally admitting his love of pancakes to you during one of your midnight snack quests. It was the first piece of personal information he had shared with you and you always remembered it. In fact you'd joined him for a midnight pancake treat on many occasions since that day.

The way you smiled at him lit up his world. Bucky was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. He wasn’t the only one. Objectively, people wouldn’t have described you as the most beautiful person or the hottest, but there was something about you that shone, the expressiveness of your eyes, the kindness in your heart and the unknown bounds of your acceptance of others that drew people to you. Your personality was all anyone saw once they spoke to you and it was stunning.

There were times though, when it all became too much for you, listening to people's problems got a little overwhelming. It was these times that you sought out the company of people you trusted, the people who really saw you for who you were, a slightly nerdy introvert. The list was small; it included Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers and your favorite, James Barnes.

There was something about the solitary supersoldier that intrigued you. He didn't spill his problems to you like others did, you'd had to work very hard at gaining his trust but once you had, you felt like you'd discovered a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Bucky had an unexpected depth and his interests were surprisingly in tune with yours. Steve always seemed to be lost in documentaries when you sat down for down time with him and Nat found joy from horror movies which were far from your taste in cinematography. But Bucky was happy to watch a fantasy or science fiction film with you any time, dawn or dusk.

Bucky enjoyed your interests, but it was your company he enjoyed more. You made him feel comfortable, you didn't ask him intrusive questions, you forgave his selective mutism if he was having a bad day, making no irritating attempts to make him feel happier or better as the other members of the team were so apt to do. No, you let him be himself, in fact, you almost seemed to like his sullen silences.

What he liked the most was that you seemed to be a different person when he was around. You seemed more relaxed, the radiant sunshine demeanor that you exuded became muted, as though you knew that he needed a dimmer switch to help him cope. His scowls were far less ferocious when you were around but woe befell anyone who interrupted or invaded his time with you, his face would become dark and his mood would often turn sour. The only person who he would gracefully accept as an outsider to your pair was Steve. In short, Bucky Barnes was in love with you. Not that he would ever let it show.

The only person who could see Bucky’s feelings for you was Steve. He would smile in a knowing way when he walked in on the two of you laughing together, sharing a plate of nachos. He knew from the way you curled up at Bucky’s side that you harbored similar feelings. The only difference for you is that you had convinced yourself that Bucky couldn’t possibly feel the same way. Friendship was one thing, but you couldn’t imagine that he would want anything more than that. One day, when you had seen a female agent flirting with Bucky and he had smiled back, turned on the 1940’s charm that he apparently was famous for, that was the day you’d decided to put your feelings aside and move on with your life.

It was that decision that led to your current situation. A new dress and fancy heels later, you trotted to the common living area to get your bestie’s opinion. Your makeup was perfect, highlighting your prominent features and Bucky thought you looked radiant as you paraded your dress in front of him, seeking his approval. Naturally, you had it, you always had his approval, it didn’t matter what you were wearing.

“Where are you going all dolled up like that?” Bucky looked you up and down, admiring the view.

“Sidney and I are going out.”

“Oh, that sounds fun. You’ve been hanging out with her a lot. It’s nice that you’re getting along with the other agents too,” he smiled. Bucky was always encouraging of you, even if he would have preferred to keep you all to himself.

You laughed. Bucky usually reveled in the sound, but today he would be wishing he hadn’t heard it at all.

“Bucky!” you swatted his arm playfully. “Sidney is a guy. The guy I’m dating. I’ve told you about this.”

“Yeah, Buck, I did.” You pouted, “were you just pretending to listen?”

“What? No you didn’t.”

“Of course not, you said you were going to minigolf. You were so happy because you won.” Bucky smiled slightly at the memory. How you’d come home with red cheeks from the cold and the joy of winning at minigolf.

“That was our fourth date.”

Bucky was quiet for a moment. “Are you dating a woman?” he asked quietly.

“No, Buck. I mean I have, but Sidney isn’t one.”

“Oh,” Bucky mumbled, processing the information you'd given him.

Your sexual history didn't bother him, it was your present that did. Suddenly Bucky didn't want to look at you. Knowing you'd be spending your time with another man looking the way you did. He hated the thought. He wanted you to dress up for him that way, he wanted to be the one who ripped that pretty little dress off your body, he wanted to be the one who got to kiss you, to touch you, to claim every single part of you. But instead he got to watch another man sweep you off your feet. 

“Well I better finish getting ready.”

You gasped as Bucky stood up suddenly.

“You're unbelievable,” he muttered, a darkness descending across his handsome features.

“What's that supposed to mean?” you asked, angrily.

“Nothing. Go have fun on your date.” Bucky stormed out without a backward glance.

He left you in the living room feeling lost and alone. Tears sprung into your eyes and your enthusiasm for your night out fizzled out completely. You couldn't understand his behavior, the sergeant had always treated you so well. Had you done something to upset him?

The sadness you felt was suddenly overcome with anger. Whatever it was that had upset him, you didn't deserve the attitude he was displaying towards you. In fact, you were going to tell him just that. But first, you picked your phone to make a call.

“Hey Sidney? … Yeah about that. I'm sorry Sidney. I know you went to a lot of trouble organizing tonight. I was really looking forward to it. But something’s come up here. I can't get out of it.”

You sighed, hanging up the phone. Sidney had been understanding, waving off your apology with such grace. On paper, he was the perfect partner for you, he was handsome, he shared so many of your interests and he accepted you for who you were. But you didn't feel butterflies when you thought of him, your face didn't light up when you spoke about him, he didn't fill you with warmth the way Bucky did.

Outrage still bubbled under the surface as you put your phone back on the dressing table in your room, so you decided to address the person who had caused the issue. You marched down the corridor, your stiletto heels clacking angrily as you made your way to Bucky’s room. As you pounded on the door, it flew open just in time for you to fling your hands up protectively as an object hit the wall beside your head.

Bucky’s eyes went wide as he saw the shock on your face. He had been pacing up and down his room and caught sight of a photo of the two of you smiling at each other. He couldn’t bear to see it anymore, to look at you when you didn’t look back at him that way. He had grabbed the photograph, letting it fly away from him in an attempt to extinguish the anguish he felt.

“Wow, do you hate me that much?” you asked. Your anger evaporated as quickly as it had arrived.

Bucky stood, speechless, as you bent down and picked up the smashed photo frame.

“Be careful,” Bucky warned you, as your shoe crushed a piece of broken glass.

“I know how to take care of myself.”

“And going out with some random man who knows nothing about you is what? … safe?”

“Why do you even care, Bucky?”

“You're my friend, you think I want you to get hurt?”

“What makes you think that I need that from you? I mean, if this is what you think of our friendship.” You held up the broken picture frame as a reference to your comment. A single tear slipped down your cheek.

Bucky had the decency to look ashamed of himself, at least that is how you interpreted the look on his face. What you didn't see was the guilt that bubbled under the surface, the devastation at the thought of losing you to someone else.

“He isn't good enough for you.”

You scoffed. “You don't even know him.”

“I don't need to.”

He approached you slowly and stopped right in front of you. If you hadn't spent months getting to know him, you'd be afraid of him, the way his vibranium fist clenched and unclenched repeatedly. But you knew it was a nervous tic of his, not a threatening one.

Bucky bent down and started picking up the shards of glass, then with a low voice, he mumbled something. 

“You deserve to be with someone who knows how special you are.”

Had you heard him correctly? 

You crouched down to help him with the cleaning.

“Leave that, I'll do it.”

“Bucky…” You picked up a small piece of glass between your fingers. “What do you mean?”

“You'll hurt yourself.” He took the glass from you.

You wrapped your hand around his wrist. “Bucky,” you whispered.

But Bucky couldn't look at you, that voice inside his brain that blamed himself for the actions of the Winter Soldier was the same one that often told him that he wasn't good enough for you. How could anyone as bright as you care for someone who held such darkness inside of him? He stood up, hiding his expression from you. 

You sighed, reaching down to pick up one last piece. But you were hurt and careless and the sharp edge sliced your finger, drawing blood, making you hiss with pain.

“I told you to leave it alone!” He grabbed your wrist this time, trying to examine your wound. “This is exactly why I told you not to touch it. It won't hurt me.”

“I don't understand why you're upset.”

“This isn't deep.” He let go of your arm, walking away from you. 

“What do you want from me, Bucky?”

“I don't want you to date him.”

You were surprised but you didn’t let it show on your face. “Okay.”

“Okay? Just like that?” Bucky frowned in confusion.

“Yeah.”

“No explanation needed?”

“I want you to be happy. And if this upsets you, I won't date Sidney.” You sighed, you hated that he had this power over you, that you were willing to give up a chance for your own happiness because Bucky said so. But you knew you would do anything for him, even if you ended up being single for the rest of your life. And it was all very overrated anyway, happy relationships, you didn’t know anyone who didn’t have problems with the people they had attached themselves to. Who needed a family, it was all nothing but trouble, you said to yourself.

“I don't want to lose you,” Bucky muttered.

“Bucky, you'll never lose me.” It felt like you were telling him you loved him without using the actual words. Rising up onto your toes, you pressed a soft kiss on his cheek. “I care about you, Bucky.”

Bucky brought his hand to your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb, wiping away the streak of fluid your tears had left. He leaned in towards you until you could feel his breath against your lips. You opened and closed your mouth, feeling like a goldfish because no sound would come out. The way Bucky was looking into your eyes had rendered you speechless. It almost felt like the love you felt for him was being reflected back at you. You wanted to kiss him but you couldn’t move. His nose brushed lightly against yours and then his lips were pressed against yours. It started out gentle, his mouth against yours, lips moving in tandem, until his tongue sought out yours. The taste of you seemed to ignite a deeper desire inside him because suddenly his arms were wrapped around you, pulling you closer, closer than you’d ever been to him, enveloped in his embrace as his hands roamed over your back, fingers pushing into you through the fabric of your little black dress.

You wrapped your arms tightly around Bucky's neck and as he straightened his back, you were lifted off the floor. The only way for you to support yourself was to wrap your legs around his waist, and Bucky's hands on your ass gave you the encouragement you needed to take this next step. Soon your core was rubbing against his crotch and Bucky stumbled across to the bed, laying you down with surprising tenderness. He knelt down between your splayed legs and smiled at you with an adoring gaze.

“I've wanted this for so long,” he whispered, as though a loud noise might wake him for this dream.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why didn't you?”

You laughed to yourself, both of you had been so afraid of losing the other that you'd missed out on the happiness you'd sought from each other.

“Do we have to talk about this right now? I want to go back to the kissing,” you pouted.

This earned you one of those rare joyous laughs from him, ones that he often saved for you. You treasured each and every one of these, they were so rare and precious. Bucky captured your protruding lower lip between his teeth, giving it a playful tug before going back to the heated lip lock you'd been engaged in earlier.

Only when he was grinding his hips into yours and moaning that a horrifying thought entered your mind.

“Bucky,” you called his name quietly.

“Mmm?” he hummed, not taking his lips off the spot on your neck that he was sucking enthusiastically.

“Buck… stop.”

There was a pop as the seal of his lips on your neck broke. “Are you okay?”

“I can't…”

“I'm sorry,” Bucky backed away, like he'd been burned. 

“Buck, wait,” you reached for his hand. “I mean, I need to talk to Sidney.”

“Oh, yeah, right. Of course, you have a date.” 

“Bucky, I need to break it off with him before we… I don't want to be that person. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” Bucky sighed, sitting down beside you as you pulled the straps of your dress back over your shoulder. 

“Can you give me some time to go talk to him?”

Bucky nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak lest his voice betrayed his disappointment. But you knew him well enough to read his face.

“Hey, I'll be back. I promise.” You held out your pinky for him to take.

He smiled and linked his little finger with yours. One of the things he admired most about you was your integrity. You stood up, leaning back for one more quick kiss before you walked away, only letting go of his hand once you both couldn't extend your arms any further. You stole one last look at him before closing the door.

On your way back to your room, you called Sidney, asking him to meet you, before you changed out of your dress and into more comfortable clothes. A heavy guilt settled on your chest, you knew you'd be hurting him but you knew you couldn't offer him your whole heart, not when you knew Bucky was at home waiting for you. The next hour was a difficult one for you, you did your best to be gentle and considerate of Sidney’s feelings as you let him down.

“Look Sidney, I’m really sorry about this, I didn’t mean to string you along.”

“But you’re in love with someone else.” Sidney looked at you with a sad smile.

Your eyes widened in surprise. “How do- what makes you say that?”

“It’s the way you talk about Sergeant Barnes,” he said knowingly.

“I’m sorry.” You turned your head to hide the tears threatening to escape.

“He’s a lucky man.” Sidney leant down and gave you a peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you around.”

You sighed as you made your way back home, still feeling a little deflated about what you’d just done. But a promise was a promise and you didn’t want to keep Bucky waiting. It was the thought of Bucky that stopped you dragging your feet but you made a pitstop in your room to freshen up your makeup.

Before you knew it, you were back outside Bucky’s door and you were pretty certain your heart skipped a beat as you knocked nervously. What if he had changed his mind?

There clearly wasn’t cause for concern because Bucky opened the door so fast, you wondered if he had just been standing on the other side waiting for you. He wrapped his arm around your waist and scooped you into his chest, shutting the door with the edge of his foot. 

Bucky kissed you as though he hadn’t seen you in years and you melted into him with a sigh.

“You were gone too long,” he pouted. “I missed you.”

“You okay?” he asked, a tinge of concern in his voice as he ran his thumb along your jaw. “I know that wasn’t easy for you.”

He was right, it hadn’t been easy for you to break off your relationship with Sidney. You never enjoyed hurting other people. You made time for people’s problems, even when you were exhausted, always ready to lend that extra helping hand. Your generosity of spirit was another reason that Bucky admired you. It made you smile, the way he understood your feelings without you having to explain them to him.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” 

Being with Bucky seemed to make your problems disappear and your feelings for him surged to the surface. 

“Are you sure?” he asked, nuzzling your ear and peppering the side of your neck with tiny kisses.

“Yeah, glad to be here with you,” you hummed, enjoying the way his skin felt against yours.

“You sure you haven't got any more men stashed away that I need to know about?” he mumbled.

You pulled away slightly, just to look him directly in the eye so he knew the sincerity of your next words. “No secret stash. Only you.”

“Just me?” Bucky put his hands on cheeks, putting his fingers under your jaw to tilt your face up to look at him.

“I'm all yours, Bucky.”

You leaned up, puckering your lips for a kiss and he obliged. Locked at the mouth, he led you backwards until your heels hit the edge of the bed. 

“Tell me again,” he growled, pushing his chest against you til you were falling backwards onto the mattress.

Only your fall wasn't uncontrolled, Bucky's strong hands had settled on you back and he guided your descent. You grabbed the front of his Henley in your hands and pulled him down on top of you. 

“Yours,” you claimed his lips hungrily.

“That's right, mine,” his voice rasped, making you tingle with anticipation.

He pushed his hips against yours, grinning proudly as you moaned in approval.

“You like that, huh?”

You swallowed the lump in your throat as you heard his belt unbuckling, hearing a clang as it fell onto the floor. He pushed his hand under the seam of your leggings and slid it between your legs. A wanton moan left your mouth as you felt his fingers rubbing on your clothed core.

"Look at you, Doll. You're so fucking wet...and I haven't even touched you yet." Bucky’s voice was low and rumbled through you like thunder.

He wiggled his fingers under your panties and between your folds, smirking into your neck and a gasp escaped your lips. Before you knew it, your eyes were rolling back as his fingers stroked your pussy.

“Bucky,” you whined as his fingers delved deeper. 

It barely registered as his vibranium fingers pulled down your leggings and joined its flesh twin on your clit. Your breathing quickened to match the pace that he was pushing his fingers into you. Every push had you uttering a quiet sigh as he caressed your walls.

“So wet,” he hummed. “I’m the only one who can touch you like this. The only one who can make you feel like this, right?” 

“Only you, Bucky.”

Before you could enjoy Bucky’s fingers more, they left your body. You whimpered at the loss. His hands went to the fabric around your waist, tugging it down until it was off completely and he used his hands to open your legs further. You tried not to gawk at him as he removed his clothes, layer by layer. It wasn’t as though you hadn’t seen Bucky shirtless before, but watching him strip between your spread legs was making you melt. He knelt down at your core, hands ripping apart your bra before kneading your breasts and rolling your nipples in between his fingers. You moaned out when Bucky pinched your nipples harshly.

“Nothing but you,” you repeated, biting your lip with anticipation.

“Doll, I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’ll completely forget who Sidney ever was. I’ll give you my love until you’re satisfied. You’ll think of nothing but me.”

“Good. Now let’s make sure that you will never be able to look at that man again without thinking of this moment," Bucky groaned as he began to nibble on your neck.

His lips sucked and nibbled at your skin, marking his territory. He tugged his underwear down his thighs, using his other hand to line his cock up with your entrance. Slowly and sensually, he rubbed his tip against you, getting lost in his own pleasure for a moment, forgetting to remind you who you belonged to. Loud moans escaped your mouth as he slammed into you with hardly any warning. 

"Fuck, you're so tight, Doll,” Bucky groaned into your ear. “Feel so good.”

Bucky lifted your legs up onto his chest so your calves rested on his shoulders. He pulled your hips into his and started pushing into you repeatedly, almost mercilessly.

“Sidney only wishes that he could fuck you like this,” he leaned over so his face was up close to yours. “But no one will ever fill you up like I can. No one can make you feel good the way I can. You’re mine, Doll, only for me to have.”

“Buc-” you breathed, barely able to speak.

“What are you?”

“Yours Sergeant, I’m all yours. Promise. Yours. Only yours!” you repeated over and over.

Desperate for your release, you reached down to your clit.

“Don’t even think about it,” Bucky growled. “You come on my cock screaming my name or you don’t come at all.”

Bucky leaned forwards til his face was inches from yours, bending your legs right up to your chest.

"You feel that, Doll? You feel how I fill you up?" Bucky demanded.

You nodded, unable to speak at first. Eventually you gasped out the words, "I feel you, Bucky.”

"And could he ever make you feel as good as I make you feel?" Bucky asked before going back to fucking you hard and fast.

"No Bucky, never,” you moaned.

You could feel your orgasm approaching far more rapidly than normal and Bucky had gone back to marking his territory with his lips on your skin. It almost burned where he was sucking against your clavicle.

“Bu- Buck-”

“Yeah?” He slowed to respond to your attempts at his name. 

His lips were only inches away from yours. All you wanted was to meet them, but instead, Bucky bit your lip harshly, making you throw back your head in pleasure as he kept sucking on you.

"That's what I want to hear," Bucky cooed as he finally kissed you.

He buried his face into your breasts as his thrusts became more frantic. His hands snaked around your waist, a surprisingly soft action for all the roughness he’d displayed up until this point. The moans he released into your ear alone would make you come. The feeling of his balls slapping against your ass, cock diving deep inside of you, sent you spiraling.

“Bucky!” You muttered his name, unable to focus on anything but the way his cock and hands worked your body, filling you to the brim. Pleasure completely overwhelming your mind and body.

“That’s right, Doll. You were made for me.”

“Please, Bucky, I want to come!” There was nothing that could stop the cry that leaves your lips, you needed it so badly, you wanted him so badly. 

“Do it already,” Bucky goaded. “Come for me. Come because I want you to.”

“Yes Bucky, yes!” You as his words finally pushed you over the edge, his name leaving your lips as you finally reached your peak.

The only thing you could think of was his cock thrusting inside you. Your pussy clenched and tightened around his cock making him release with a grunt and a moan as he coated you in his seed. He stayed inside you, catching his breath, playing with your hair, looking into your eyes with such complete adoration that it almost took your breath away. At least until he pulled out of you slowly, making his cum spill out of you and drip across your abdomen.

“You did such a good job, Doll,” Bucky whispered to you as he softly kissed your forehead. “My pretty girl. You rest now, let me clean you up.”

You pushed yourself up the bed, trying to avoid spilling his seed all over the clean bed sheets. Bucky reappeared quickly with a washcloth and started wiping himself off your skin, parting your legs gently and cleaning over your folds.

“Bucky, I-” you reached out to stop him, suddenly feeling incredibly self conscious about this new level of intimacy. “You don't have to.”

Bucky sat down beside you, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear. “Let me take care of you,” he murmured, voice filled with tenderness.

He finished up and lay down beside you, giving you one of his looser fitting t-shirts which you slipped over your head gratefully. You tucked yourself into his side and rested your head on his shoulder, sighing as his fingers fluttered over your thighs and over the curve of your ass.

“Was that okay?” he whispered into your hair, his warm breath blowing against the bare skin on your neck.

“It was amazi-.” You started answering but your voice was interrupted by a loud growl from your stomach.

“Still hungry, huh?”

You blushed, hiding your face in his warm sturdy chest.

“Want to grab some dinner. Can't have my best girl starving.”

A warmth spread through you at his words. “Maybe in a bit? I don't want to move yet. Is that okay?” You looked up at him. 

He smiled down at you, placing a small kiss at the tip of your nose. “Perfect.”

[coquitokisses]

Trusting Again | Bucky Barnes - Masterlist

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x female!oc

Summary: Catalina starts having some newfound feelings towards a certain super soldier and Bucky finally finds that person who brings him peace. Both of them learning to leave their pasts behind, learning to trust again..

Warnings/Tags: 18+, strong language, sexual scenes, topics about mental and/or psychological health and PTSD.

A/N: Each chapter, depending on its content, will have their own warnings

introduction (a brief summary and some clarifications)

playlist • moodboards • files

prologue (must read first!)

chapter 001 • chapter 002 • chapter 003 • chapter 004 • chapter 005 • chapter 006 • chapter 007 • chapter 008 • chapter 009 • chapter 010 • chapter 011 • chapter 012 • chapter 013 • chapter 014 • chapter 015 •

main masterlist

[iamleesi]

THE HUNTERS & THE SOLDIER

Pairing: Avenger!Bucky Barnes x OC! Avenger Reader

Summary: You were rescued from Hydra and then joined the Avengers. Bucky seems to hate you and you’re sent on a mission together for indefinite time.

Warnings: Mention of experiments, torture and d3ad bodies and things like that. Don’t read if you’re not comfortable with that. Bucky being a bit of an asshole towards you. Also the reader has a name and a last name if that counts as a warning?

Other: This will be some sort of MCU x Supernatural fic. English isn’t my fist language so I apologize in advance for any mistake I made. -> 18+ !!

-> Masterlist

-> Part two

-> Hydra is home (01)

You were born in hell. That’s what Hydra was for you and for everyone who had witnessed the horrors of what happened inside the walls of that place - and there was more than one facility. The worst part is that you didn’t even know, you thought it was normality.

You thought it was normal being used and trained to be a lethal assassin at a young age; you were the youngest and they made you feel special for that. Hydra’s perfect child, that’s how they called you. The only toy you’ve ever had was a knife, and you never questioned it or thought it was horrifying up until you were an adult.

From the earliest age, you were taught that your suffering served a greater purpose, that your pain was going to save that fucked up world you lived in. Not that you had any idea of which color the sky was up until you were six, let alone knowing the rest of the world and it’s shit. You knew no other life besides the walk between your room and the laboratory - the place where you were tied up to those cold metal tables under the gaze of Hydra’s scientists.

But to you, that was normality. That was home, the place you were the safest in - they said. Hydra fed you lies all your life, making you think their atrocities were for the greater good and that you were needed. What they were doing was needed.

Worst thing? You never complained. Always complied.

You learned later on in years that you were being used to recreate a better Super Soldier serum, like the one they used on Captain America and The Winter Soldier. A better, more effective serum that was gonna give them their disciplined weapon, with a few more characteristics. It was a mystery how you survived, to you and to everyone who took a look in your DNA.

They made you a freak.

When you were fifteen, things changed and your whole world turned upside down. It was in the middle of the night that you heard the facility’s alarm, the loud and scary sound meant one thing: bad people had broke in. So you did as you practiced: you moved the rug on floor and used that safety trapdoor to hide, hoping that they wouldn’t find you.

Meanwhile, SHIELD agents were storming in every room of the base, looking for either survivors or Hydra members.

Your heart stopped when the little door above you swung open and you saw a masked man pointing a rifle at you. Hydra was right, you decided then, those were bad people. You don’t exactly remember what happened after, you don’t remember if you tried to fight them or if you passed out. Everything is a blur memory.

What you do remember next, though, is being taken to yet another facility. In the beginning all you could see were monsters who wanted to feed you lies; they said Hydra was bad, that they were a terroristic organization who aimed to rule the world. Crazy, wasn’t it?

Hydra was home.

You didn’t collaborate with them for years, not even when Maria Hill offered you visive proof of how fucked up Hydra was. It was impossible that all you knew, all that you’ve been taught was a lie.

But there was another part: the pain stopped. No more experiments or missions to catch the bad guys with the little help all those samples gave you. No more blood or guns or atrocities - nothing.

Many people amongst SHIELD agents only saw you as just another freak, but weaker than Captain America and with a twisted brain. They saw you as no more than just another Hydra experiment, one that could not be good. You had no name, no family, no friends - you were just existing… and for what? You yourself didn’t know.

Nick Fury was the one who was interested in you. You had heard his name being mentioned a few times before actually meeting him. Perhaps it was just because you had some sort of Super Soldier serum in you and he was only caring for that, but he stepped in and helped you whether you wanted or not.

And he succeeded.

He saw beyond those scars, visible and invisible, recognizing the potential you could have as an actual human being. Fury insisted in your rehabilitation, and with time he saw the first results.

It took you a lot of time and effort to feel like a human being for the first time in 23 years, it wasn’t an easy process by any means and you still weren’t a hundred percent okay with everything. Being told that for fifteen years of you life you were nothing more than a sack of meat with a functioning brain for people to use to their advance wasn’t exactly ideal, especially after learning that it wasn’t normal as you thought.

At first you didn’t even realize how fucked up it was, perhaps you didn’t want to.

But under SHIELD’s care, you started to heal both physically and mentally as best as you could. You were given a name as soon as you were rescued, but you didn’t accept it up until you were 20.

Emma Dayne, that was your new legal name as a free woman. One that had a say in her own life.

That was the name Fury used when you were brought into the Avengers Compound as the newest addition to the team. You, a superhero? Sometimes you felt like you didn’t deserve it. Those people fought against the very same people you called family, those same people who raised you. Thankfully, they never held you accountable for that.

Except him.

James Buchanan Barnes. When he looked at you, all he saw was the enemy: someone who, unlike him, had willingly served Hydra for more than half of her life. He made it clear from the start that he didn’t trust you, he was always cold (which wasn’t rare, but even colder with you) and guarded whenever you were around.

Whenever his eyes found your figure, he couldn’t shake off the memories of his past as the Winter Soldier. The feeling of loss for the years that were stolen from him and that life he could never go back to came back as soon as he saw you, and he started to loathe the sight of you - he felt even worse when he saw how much the other teammates liked you.

But you could not blame him. Not even a bit. You took his silence as a reminder of what you had done - maybe if you had opened your eyes sooner you could have done something, anything, to help him.

After all, you two weren’t completely strangers. You both had worked for the same organization, and you saw him from time to time - you felt guilty. As soon as you saw the hatred in his eyes, when you joined the team, you were consumed by guilt.

But then again, the last time you saw him you were eleven. Super Soldier or not, you were a kid. Your therapist - saint woman - was helping you with that, at least. You knew that earning his trust was gonna take time, and maybe a lifetime wasn’t enough - you knew that in his position you would have been the same. Perhaps his trust wasn’t even your goal, you didn’t know what you wanted from him. You just knew that every time his eyes fell on you, you felt small. Smaller than a bug, and you wanted to change that.

You wanted him to know that you weren’t the enemy he thought you were.

It was a Saturday afternoon when Tony Stark’s voice broke you out of your thoughts, contemporarily snapping his fingers to get your attention. “Dayne, stop thinking about princesses and unicorns. I need your attention, sweetie.”

“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.” You replied, crossing your legs under the big, round wooden table. You were in the meeting room with the other Avengers - most of them, anyways, and their eyes were all on you. Not judging, some had smiles on their faces.

Except one who wasn’t even looking at you.

“Happens to the best of us too.” He shrugged it off, pointing at himself with a grin. Usual. “But seriously, now I need everyone’s attention or I fear Fury might kill me.” He continued.

“What’s the situation, Tony?” Steve Rogers inquired, his usual serious expression on.

Tony leaned forward on the table, after he sat down as well, clasping his hands together. “We’ve been getting reports of Hydra activity in various parts of the States.” He explained. “Specifically, they’ve been targeting civilians. They’re kidnapping them for, what we suspect, making experiments. They’re targeting people with no family, no friends or someone who wouldn’t look for them. They found the first body near the Donner Lake, in California. The first we were able to identify, at least.”

A picture of a woman appeared on a screen behind Tony, and he continued. “Taylor Harris. She was their first slip- up, as the woman had an ex husband and a kid. He divorced her because apparently she had an addiction to drugs and was physically abusive towards the kid. Ever since then, he got a restraining order against her and the full custody of the kid. Should have gone to jail but she went missing. She actually got missing three weeks ago, and she’s been presumably dead for at least a week.”

“What makes us think this is Hydra?” Clint said, his voice stern. The man had tried to retire about six times and yet there he was. “America is full of psychopaths.”

“True.” Tony nodded. “But they made some tests and traces of the Super Soldier serum was found. If it’s not Hydra, then I don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

“I thought they had the Super Soldier serum already.” Thor frowned, his mighty Mjolnir always by his side. “Why are they kidnapping people?”

“They had something else. They weren’t able to recreate it after they used it on Bucky.” You said, looking at the God. “They tried everything to come close to it, but pretty much all the subjects they experimented on died. Some turned into… things. And eventually got killed when they didn’t comply. I was the only result they had.”

“So… they want another you.” Thor looked at you.

You shrugged. “They want a lot of things. Probably they’re looking forward to make something that can’t break out of their control.”

“If you were ever out of their control.” You heard him mumble those words under his breath, but no one else seemed to hear. You were used to it by now, so you stayed silent as the conversation between the Avengers went on.

“So what do we do?” Natasha sighed, crossing her arms under her chest. Both her feet on the table as it was a habit of her it seemed.

“We send undercover agents.” Tony answered. “The agents being you.” He gestured to the whole room. “Or half of you, the ones suited for the job.” He added.

“Great.” Clint grunted.

“Natasha and Clint, you’re assigned to Las Vegas, Nevada - don’t look at me like that. Fury’s orders.” Tony pointed at the annoyed may sat next to Natasha. All he wanted was some time to play golf, and he was always called in for a new mission. He couldn’t even hear properly anymore.

“Steve and Sharon, you lovebirds are going to Denver, Colorado.” He went on, reading the pair of agents from his phone. “Yelena and Kate, have fun in Lawrence, Kansas.“

“And then… oh. Emma and James, you’re going to Lincoln, Nebraska.” Tony put his phone down. “Sam is momentarily busy in California where they found the body, so for now this is everything. You guys will find other agents there, you’ll meet them once you arrive.”

“Why these cities?” Bucky asked, clenching his jaw. This was the first mission where he was paired up with you, and he didn’t like it one bit. But knowing Fury, there was nothing he could do to change it.

“Because that’s where SHIELD suspects Hydra’s activity. There are some bodies that have been found specifically in these places, they’re unrecognizable and have been there for longer than poor Taylor. They believe they have undercover agents there, so that’s who you have to find.” Tony answered, chewing some cashews he kept in his pockets. For some reason.

“When do we have to leave?” Yelena asked, snatching some cashews from Tony’s hands.

He glared at her before answering. “You’re needed there Monday morning already, I fear. You have today and tomorrow to pack your things and get out of my sight.” He got up from his chair. “Have fun, fellas.”

“Wait a second, what about me?” Wanda asked as Tony was about to leave the room.

“You’re the backup plan, Granger.” Tony chuckled at his own nickname for Wanda. “So are we. They find them, we step in to take them down. Plus I need someone to punch Loki in the face in case he tries something, you’re the only one strong enough to do it.”

“Hey!” Thor sounded offended. “Not the only one!”

“This place is awful.” Loki mumbled.

“Then leave.” Clint scoffed.

“You’re dismissed, children.” Tony walked out. “Try not to stab each other.”

“And boring too.” Loki added.

* * * *

“You’re supposed to fold your clothes before putting them into the bag.” Bucky’s voice remarked dryly, taking your attention away from your bag.

He was leaning against the doorframe of your room, looking at you sternly. As always.

“Thanks for the tip, Barnes.” You retorted, messily throwing a pair of pants inside the bag. You weren’t really having it, ever since you learned that Hydra was kidnapping people to do to them what they did to you. Except that those people had a life before. “What do you want?”

He walked into your room without even asking for permission and tossed a stack of paper on your bed. “The details of this mission and our fake identities, wifey.” He sounded quite calm but you could see he was pissed about it, he always was when it came to you. “Thought you may want to take a look.”

“Uh?” You frowned at the unusual nickname, picking up the papers and reading as fast as you could, until your eyes landed on the role you had to play.

His wife.

What a joke.

“Thanks.” You mumbled, as you felt his burning eyes on you. It’s nothing you haven’t done before with Sam or even Pietro, but pretending to love him and be all affectionate with him in public when this was the longest conversation you’ve ever had? That was gonna be interesting, to say the least.

He nodded and turn around to walk out, but before he actually left he couldn’t bite his tongue any longer. “One wrong move is all I need, Dayne.” He said, and that sounded like a threat.

Your eyes narrowed, a mixture of frustration and anger bubbling within you. “If I wanted to screw you guys over I would have done it already. It’s been a year, Sergeant, I believe you could trust me by now. Or at least start to.”

“Trust is earned, not given.” He replied, his tone leaving no room for arguments. “And you haven’t earned mine.”

“I’ll fucking live with it.”

“Have a good night.” He said without meaning it in the slightest, before leaving you to yourself once again.

“Go fuck yourself.”

Bucky Barnes was your personal headache.

[lowklaughingson]

HELLO HELLO!!! i am looking for roleplay partners!!! im 19 so 18+ please!! im looking for oc x canon double ups (you play my crush i play yours!). i don’t mind if we have the same crush/scenario. if you want to make our stories crossover thats fine too! idc about mary or gary sues, your character is yours! just pls put equal effort into both sides of the roleplay. i am willing to do any pairing (m/m, w/w, m/w, nb/m, etc…). my side of the rp will likely be romantic but i dont mind if yours is platonic! im fine with smut as long as it isn’t the whole plot. your oc doesn’t have to be super developed i dont judge

i would prefer to rp over discord (lowklaughinson) but here on tumblr is fine as well! so pls reach out if interested!

here are my fandoms (and crushes for each fandom! bold are main crushes)

COD - john price, soap mactavish, könig

MARVEL (MCU OR COMICS) - loki laufeyson, bucky barnes, tony stark, wade wilson, logan howlett

STAR WARS - poe dameron, luke skywalker, qui-gon jinn, obi-wan kenobi, kylo ren, rey

DC (SNYDERVERSE EXCLUDING SUICIDE SQUAD SRRY OR COMICS) - clark kent, bruce wayne, dick grayson, lois lane

ONE PIECE - roronoa zoro, red hair shanks, buggy the clown

ONE DIRECTION - louis tomlinson, niall horan, zayn malik

5SOS - calum hood, ashton irwin

CELEBRITY - hugh jackman, henry cavill, pedro pascal, oscar isaac, tom hiddleston

!!! I RP SO MANY MORE FANDOMS IM TOO LAZY TO LIST DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK ABOUT ONE !!!!

[askstevella]

Things my husband says 🐾

—Husband!Steve Rogers x Wife!OC

~ god help Stella 😅

Stella: Please tell me you didn’t drag Sam and Bucky into this.

Steve: I didn’t drag Sam and Bucky into this.

*the doorbell rings*

Stella: *cross her arms* Who’s at the door?

Steve: *smirks* I think you know.

———

Steve: What’s does IDK, WDYM and ILY mean?

Stella: I don’t know, what do you mean, I love you.

Steve: I love you too but you’re not gonna be any help, I’ll just ask Sam.

Stella: I-

———

Kendall: *tapping on the table*

Steve: *tapping back*

Stella: Stop that please.

——-

Steve: What would you do if I died today?

Stella: I’d die tomorrow.

Steve: Marry me.

Stella: Already did.

———

Stella: I hate you with every inch of my body right now.

Steve: That’s not a lot of inches.

Stella: I-

———

Sam: *at Stark party* Uhh I think we lost him.

Bucky: No we haven’t. Watch this.

Sam: Huh?

Bucky: *shouts* Your wife is useless piece of sh-!

Steve: *pops out of nowhere* SAY THAT AGAIN MOTHER—

———

Stella: So Steve got drunk last night.

Thor: Oh no.

Stella: And tried to set our marriage certificate on fire.

Steve: Good luck trying to return me without the receipt!

———

Steve: Did it hurt?

Stella: *rolls eyes* Let me guess, when I fell from heaven

Steve: No.

Stella: What?

Steve: *smiling* Did it hurt when you fell for me?

—————

Liane: Hey what are you getting Steve for his birthday?

Stella: I am married to Steve and gave him 2 kids, that’s enough presents to last him for a lifetime.

Steve: Hey, you married Captain America, you didn’t do so bad yourself.

————-

Stella and Bucky: *kidnapped by Hydra and HIVE*

Strucker: Soon the Captain and his team will arrive, then will see what true power tastes like

Bucky: Let us go asshole.

Strucker: Not a chance—

HIVE Agent: *hears guns blazing through the halls, grunts and screams of stuff being blown up* Uh sir, who was that?

Bucky: Your fucked.

Stella: *grins*

Steve: *bust the door open as he snarls* Say your last prayers, Strucker!

————

Stella: *looks at him while he’s drawing and mutters* I’d date you.

Steve: *smirks, definitely heard her* What?

Stella: *blinks and half scoffs* I said, I hate you.

Steve: *smiles to himself* I hate you more.

————

Bucky: *drunk on Asgardian liquor* Sam is the hottest person I ever met.

Steve: He is your fiancé.

Bucky: Bullshit. I can’t stand the guy.

Steve: So why did you just say find him hot then?

Bucky: Cause I got eyes, Steve.

————

Steve: *under his breath* I don’t wike it.

Natasha: *gasps*

Steve: Nat don’t—

—————

Stella: *at 3am reading* Wow, some few hours earlier some couple just tried to kill each other in their own home. Can you imagine someone ever snapping like that?

Steve: *trying to fall asleep glaring at her* I can.

—————

Steve: If I dislocated John Walker’s arm, would they arrest me despite being the original Captain America?

Stella: Yes. Yes they could.

———

Steve: I’m dying!

Stella: WHAT?

Steve: -of hunger!

Stella: Oh thank heavens.

~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~

We might need a Steve one soon 🤔 what do we think? Which couple is next? Liane & Ethan? Rose & Finn? Peter & Rei?

Please like, comment and share 🫶🏼

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @cherrysft @thechoooooosenone @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @sherloquestea and etc

[waywardxrhea]

Brooke's Tuna-Tober 2024 Masterlist

Hey everyone! I was recently brough into the ranks of the ever wonderful Murdock's Tuna Team discord server and the legend @pastafossa came up with a list of prompts for us to write for the month of October! Instead of it just being angst or fluff or kinky, we have all three options per day and can choose one or combine to our heart's desire! I have a wide range of characters that I came up with ideas for a lot of the days and I can't wait to share them!

My little disclaimer as usual is that I am working part time and going to school part time, so I may not be super on time with posting day by day, but dangit, I'm gonna get everything posted that I have ideas for! It may end in November, but it'll be fine! I have also taken some of the days off because the muses weren't feeling them or any of the backup prompts, whoopsie!

Anyways! without further ado, my tentative list of writings for Tuna-Tober!

All pieces are written as character x fem!reader unless specified otherwise!

Day 1: Falling asleep in a hospital room (angst) - Spencer Reid

Day 2: “Why? Why do you love me?” (angst) - Qrow Branwen x fem!OC

Day 3: Role reversal (smut) - Matt Murdock (self reblog)

Day 4: “This isn’t you” (angst) - Bucky Barnes

Day 6: “Shh, I’ve got you now. I’m here.” (angst) - George Weasley

Day 7: Nothing underneath (smut) - Matt Murdock

Day 8: Overstimulation (smut) - Matt Murdock

Day 10: A hug that lasts a little too long (fluff) - college!Matt Murdock x gn!reader

Day 12: “I did it for you” (angst) - Sabine Wren

Day 16: Against a window (smut) - Din Djarin

Day 17: Tickling (fluff) - George Weasley x gn!reader

Day 19: Touch starved (angst) AND “I’ll always be there for you” (fluff) - Matt Murdock

Day 20: There was only one bed (fluff) AND “You were made for me, weren’t you?” (smut) - TBD [may or may not get to this one]

Day 21: Fainting/collapsing (angst) - Spencer Reid (self reblog)

Day 23: Father (angst) - Sam Winchester

Day 24: Drunken confession (fluff) AND “Shh, do you want them to hear us?” (smut) - Dean Winchester

Day 26: Under the desk (smut) - Matt Murdock

Day 27: Near death experience (angst) - Sam Winchester (self reblog)

Day 28: [prompt switch out] “I'm in love with you, and that scares me” - Bucky Barnes

Day 29: Forehead kiss (fluff) - TBD headcanons for multiple characters [may or may not get to this one]

Day 30: Road trip (fluff) - platonic Winchester Brothers

Day 31: Blanket hog (fluff) - Matt Murdock

[shiftingwithmars]

Actress DR rant

okay so I made a new oc which I’m gonna play in my actress dr so now I have to rant about her

Her name is Lila Barnes and she’s basically the daughter of Bucky Barnes. She’s not actually his daughter but she kinda is? It’s basically an X-23 and Logan situation.

Okay so during The Blip Hydra starts operating again, since half the superheroes are gone and the other half are pretty much retired for the time being. So anyways, Hydra starts up the Winter Soldier program again. They use some of Bucky’s DNA to engineer this teenage girl to create basically the perfect super soldier. She can speak every language to exist, is trained in over 20 forms of Martial Arts, and knows how to use almost any weapon just by touching it. Basically the ultimate badass, right? But the best part is the fact that along with the normal two sets of DNA, she also has a third set of DNA. Bucky’s DNA. She has two fingerprints. She can change her fingerprint at will to be an exact copy of Bucky’s fingerprint. (Picture mystique’s shapeshifting abilities).

Another thing is she’s also only partially under Hydra’s control. Hydra basically controls her with a remote, flipping a switch to make her do things and then switching it back to return her to normal. So basically she can remember everything she does but she can’t control it when it happens. Anyways, she ends up teaming up with Bucky to take down Hydra for good.

I actually had so much fun coming up with her character and I cannot wait to play her in my dr!!

[thesugarclubs-blog]

Ace of Hearts - Bucky Barnes x OC

warnings: enemies to lovers, secret feelings, late night confessions, new Avengers

word count: 7.8k

WP: https://www.wattpad.com/1438059900-ace-of-hearts-alicia

vibe: "I'm testing something." Alicia whispered. 

His brows furrowed in confusion as her hand crawled slowly up his arm until it stopped just below his elbow. "When was the last time you kissed someone?" She asked softly.

Masterlist

“Why are you like this?” Bucky asked following behind Sam as they headed towards the hangar. The last thing he needed on this mission was to be partnered with her. 

“It’s one mission, Buck.” Sam laughed, “Besides, if we’re all going to be a team and play nice with each other, you have to learn how to communicate with Alicia.” 

Bucky huffed as he glanced to the side as they walked. The building is much quieter nowadays. Well, as quiet as it could be. Both Parker and Bishop moved in a month ago and within a week Bucky had moved to the quietest hall in the building. The only probably now? His quarters were two doors down from hers…and that red hair… and those blue eyes that rival his own. 

“I’m not the one with the communication issue.” He muttered quickly, earning himself a look from Sam. Bucky frowned. “I’m not! I’m her superior,” he started but the word felt foreign on his tongue and distasteful, “Ace hardly listens to any orders that I give her and when she does it’s her way.” 

Sam sighed and stopped as they reached the Quinjet. “You know she hates it when you call her that.” His eyes darted around behind them checking for any of the other team members before speaking. “Listen, Alicia is a good addition to this team, a great one even. She’s got the skills you just refuse to see through whatever machismo front your putting up to hide the fact that somewhere deep down in that robo-brain of yours you actually like her.” 

His heart started to race and it was one of the many times that Bucky was thankful Sam didn’t have super hearing. “I don’t like her.” 

“You do.” 

“No, I don’t.” 

Sam rolled his eyes and shook his head, “okay argue with me all you want, but she’s still your partner on this mission so learn to actually listen to what she has to say.” 

“I wouldn’t need to if she would just listen–” 

“Reporting for Duty sir.” The sound of her voice carried through the hangar. Soft yet commanded the space around her. Chills ran down his spine the moment her footsteps stopped behind him. 

“Agent,” Sam nodded, “you’ll be with Barnes today.” 

Bucky turned just in time to see the slight fall of her features before she caught herself and pinned her shoulders back with a nod. “Great.” 

Sam let out a chuckle and patted Bucky on the shoulder before climbing into the quinjet without them. 

"Where do you need me, Barnes?" Alicia asked.

"Everywhere," Bucky thought, but managed to hold his composure in front of her. She looked at him with a raised brow, blue eyes boring into his with an intensity that he had to admire.

Alicia knew how to stand tall in front of him, shoulders rolled back so every vibe coming from her screamed confidence.

"You can go over the weapons once more, while I get the baby in the air. Make sure everything is as I taught you," he eventually answered. Alicia nodded, spun on her heels and stepped into the Quinjet.

"One mission," Bucky mumbled to himself while driving his fingers through his hair. His heart was galloping and he couldn't understand why. Maybe it was because her red hair and the confidence, that could easily be misjudged as arrogance, reminded him so much of Natasha.

Bucky had thought long and hard about the similarities the two redheads shared, but Natasha had inspired his confidence in his colleagues, encouraged him to embrace the team and fit in, Alicia's presence unsettled him. What was that phrase the kid used? Oh yeah, she set his spider sense tingling. He'd never really got over losing Natasha, both her and then Steve, and even Iron Dick at a push, had left him adrift. 

As the Quinjet took to the air, Bucky could hear Alicia, talking herself through the weapons check routine he'd taught the new recruits. She might make him feel like there were ants under her skin, but he had to give her some credit, she was a quick learner when she put her mind to it. It was her damn fucking mouth, which she put into gear before fully engaging her brain, that made her so damn infuriating. And then that damn look, like the outcome had actually been planned and wasn't down to sheer pissing good luck. And for her then to have the cheek of accusing him of neither being an effective communicator or listener.

Bucky could feel the hairs on the back of his neck raise and realized he's got goosebumps on his arms, as he turned to look over his shoulder he realized his nemesis was standing inches away.

“What?” He asked, moving to reach for his locket to check on his own weapons, not meeting her heavy gaze. 

Alicia smacked her lips loudly, “You need to cut the Winter Soldier out of your hair again.”

Bucky stilled, stunned into silence for a few heartbeats. 

“I mean—“ Alicia blurted out. “Your hair— it’s getting longer!”

And there she was.

How could he become a better listener if she was always spitting nonsense at the most random times? 

“You need to focus on our mission,” Bucky sighed, his already low patience level dropping drastically in a matter of seconds. “And my hair is completely fine.” ‎

“Alright,” she mumbled, resuming her task and clicking in place the barrel of her most trusted handgun. Then, in a venomous whisper to herself: “Not my fault you’re starting to look like Elvis.”

“Do you always just blurt out every thought that pops into your head?” Bucky asked, “or do you do it purely just to piss me off?” 

He knew his mistake the second the corner of her pouty lips turned upwards into a shit eating grin. His heart thumped against his chest reminding him that maybe Sam wasn’t completely wrong. 

“I’m not responsible for your feelings Sergeant Barnes.” She quipped, going back to checking her weapons. “I was just simply informing you that your hair makes you look like you’re about to break out in song while you gyrate across the ship's platform and while I would pay good money, really good money to watch you impersonate Elvis, we don’t have time for that.” Alicia’s bright blue eyes found his with that smirk he so badly wanted to wipe off her face. 

“You’re pushing it Ace.” He said slamming his locker shut. Heat flickered in her eyes at the nickname, the jab a perfect hit. His own smirk crawled over his features as he sat down at the head of the quinjet. “Quit daydreaming and make yourself familiar with the layout of the warehouse.” 

“I’m already familiar—“ 

“Do it again.” Bucky barked, keeping his eyes forward on the clouds. A huff sounded from behind him with a muttered “yes sir,” before her footsteps disappeared away from him. He swallowed hard, guilt and frustration making an angry mess in his chest but this wasn’t a game to him. It never had been and taking precautions was important. If she didn’t understand that then he would make her.

"Twenty minutes 'till arrival," the Quinjet informed Bucky, so he took a deep breath and went once more over his own equipment, securing multiple guns and knives on his tactical suit. 

Alicia returned with a large blueprint in her hands, slamming it on the table in the middle of the lockers with a loud thud. 

Bucky turned, seeing her studying the paper in front of her with concentration.

"Let's go over the mission one more time."

"But I'm just coming out of the briefing..."

"I know, but as you've probably realized, I was busy getting the jet ready for our departure, so I wasn't at the briefing."

"Right. I'd never miss the grumpy vibes radiating from you," Alicia mumbled under her breath. A normal man wouldn't have heard it, but Bucky's super soldier senses allowed him to hear more than he'd liked to. He clenched his teeth in disapproval, but decided to ignore her.

"The documents are secured in an old wood factory, located in the middle of the forest underneath us. The factory has been abandoned for a few years now, but it's not our target anyway. Scans showed that there is an extended tunnel system under the area, reaching from the factory all the way to another house that was supposed to be the forester's home," Bucky started.

"We're entering the tunnels through one of the ventilation shafts that end right next to the main building of the factory. Redwing's scans this morning showed that there are only a few men guarding the factory, so we should be easily able to reach and enter the shaft without distraction." Alicia pointed her finger on the X on the map that signaled the entrance point through the shaft, showing off her burgundy painted fingernails. 

"Never call a mission easy. You'll jinx it," Bucky growled. 

"Wouldn't have seen you as the superstitious guy, Sergeant Barnes," she commented with a smirk.

"I'm not superstitious, just very fond of my life."

"Suuuuure," Alicia mumbled under her breath.

Bucky patted himself down, one last check that his favorite knife was in his most accessible holster, and eyed Alicia’s tactical suit too. 

“Move your glock, Ace—” 

“That’s what she said.” 

Bucky blinked slowly, flicking his tongue up to his top lip as a beat of silence passed between them before he continued, nonplussed.

“That gun is your strength and you’ll never reach it quick enough if it’s holstered on your less dominant side.” 

Surprisingly, Alicia did as she was told and Bucky thanked the high heavens for at least one win today. His gaze flicking to her slicked back ponytail — not a hair out of place — and her suddenly serious expression as he gave her a nod. 

“Lead the way, Sarge.” Then she beamed, big and bright, and Bucky groaned, swiping his metal hand over his face.

The forest wasn’t very thick, with large gaps between the trees. Bucky wasn’t sure if it would help or hinder them but the broad branches of the canopy were enough to disguise the quinjet in the clearing they touched down in.

They stood side by side at the ramp, eyes alert for any threat but there were none and the two Avengers made their way out of the clearing and into the forest in the direction of their factory target.

Quietly, the Quinjet closed back up behind them. He took a deep breath, listening, watching, trying to gauge just how close the guards were. "Should be through this area of forest," he said quietly, pointing straight in front of him.

The two Avengers tracked silently through the forest, only stopping to check their bearings and to listen for signs of life. Redwing had shown that there were few patrols in this area, which is why they'd chosen that particular landing site. 

Bucky had to admit that, when her mouth was shut and she was focussed on the mission, the girl could potentially make a half decent agent. She was light on her feet and her eyes were constantly monitoring the terrain whilst still.being watchful for danger and able to clock his position. He spotted movement ahead and was impressed that when he turned to signal their stop, she was already signaling the alert back, nodding her agreement.

Alicia’s dominant hand reached for her holster, hovering over it as she made a first step sideways to cover Bucky’s side. She clenched her jaw, her focus unwavering.

His gaze lingered there, following the motion of her throat as she swallowed. 

Funny how a single, innocent action could derail the train of thought of even the best soldier on the field.

In a matter of seconds, a sliver of light passed right by him. The air thickened as his senses fired up with danger signals.

In front of him a guard fell on the soft layer of leaves with a deaf thud, an all too familiar blade handle standing straight from his chest.

“Did you just throw my knife at him?” Bucky asked, almost giving himself whiplash from turning in Alicia’s direction.

“You just dropped something, Sarge,” She blinked up at him. “Your jaw.” 

"Don't touch my knife." He grumbled pressing his foot to the guard's chest and pulling it out in one swift motion. He wiped the blood on his pant leg before putting it back into his holster. "Did you bring any of your own?" Bucky glanced up at her watching as her eyes scanned the treeline around them. 

"Your's was closer." She muttered her blue gaze flicking down to his before she readjusted her grip on her gun and pushed forward. Bucky stood there, staring at her with a thousand thoughts running through his mind. It was impressive, her speed and aim. He had seen her in the training room, plenty of times throwing daggers at foam forms but never quite like that. "You coming?" She asked, cutting through his thoughts. 

He narrowed his eyes at her and nodded.

It wasn’t long before they made it to the factory. The building looked decrepit, surrounded by rubble and rotting wood. 

“This looks safe,” Alicia muttered, shuddering as a large bird landed on the roof and more brick and stone fell to the ground by the rusted iron doors. 

“We’ll be fine. Stay alert, watch my six. We make it to the vent, that’s half the job done.” 

“See, how can I not say it’s an easy op when you make it sound like a piece of cake?” 

Bucky glanced at her over his shoulder, two seconds away from an eye roll as he brought his fingers to his lips and mimed zipping them shut. 

“Shut up, Alicia. Got it, Sarge.” 

Bucky couldn’t contain the eye roll that time, choosing to ignore anything that came out of Alicia’s mouth that wasn’t mission imperative. He raised a hand, pointing two sharp fingers towards the entrance and made a mental note to knock Sam upside the head.

On the lightest of steps, both Bucky and Alicia crept silently to it and swiftly pulled it open, careful not to make a sound to alert any guards. With a confirming nod, Bucky went it first and then felt as Alicia went in after him.

He sent a silent prayer nothing would give out from underneath their weights as a low creak sounded.

Thankfully it was a short distance and they reached the end of it without trouble, checked their surroundings and headed for the hidden lab. 

“This is it,” Alicia muttered, approaching an unmarked and nondescript door.

She stood to the side, her hand on the door handle and then nodded to Bucky, awaiting his confirmation that he was ready. One brusque nod in return and they were entering and sweeping the room with a syncopation that belied the short amount of time they’d actually worked together.

Bucky stared at her, rifling through paperwork, her bottom lip pinched between her teeth in concentration. Maybe he’d been too hard on her, maybe she deserved…

“You ok there, Sarge?” She asked, shaking him from his reverie. “You look a little dazed. You didn’t touch any of the bottles did you? Didn’t breathe in any powder or gas? ‘Cause I’ve read things and as much as we’re teammates there ain’t no way I’d assist you in-”

“Can it, Ace, just keep looking,” he grumbled, his brows drawn into a frown.

Bucky watched as she rolled her eyes and continued her search. He turned and looked out of the door, looking side to side, making sure they weren't followed. He could hear every step, every shuffle of paper, every drawer and folder she opened. "Any luck?"

"Nothing," she shook her head, turning towards him. "And the intel was definite that the formula was still here?" She asked.

"You know as much as I do," he retorted, "you being in the briefing and all." He blew out a frustrated breath, turning away from her his eyes focussed on the bench at the far corner of the room. The drawers were all closed, with individual keyholes in each.

"Over here," Bucky suggested, covering the distance in a few strides.

Her footsteps behind him were careful, calculated and he counted each one until he knelt in front of the bench. Warm vanilla and lavender flooded his senses as she squatted next to him, running her fingers over each key hole. "Think you can get this open?" He asked, his voice strained as he tried to not let her sweet smell overwhelm him. 

"Maybe," She said with furrowed brows as she glanced closer. "You think they're in here?" 

"It's the only one locked." He said plainly. 

"It could also be a decoy." Alicia frowned, pulling out a small tool kit. "Use those ears of yours and listen for more guards while I do this." 

Bucky scowled, "you ain't the boss here Ace." 

"And you don't have the lock picking skill I do." She quipped back scooting closer to the drawers. "Have my back for once."

Bucky grumbled but took watch, glancing back at Alicia every few seconds. She hummed under her breath as she worked and he tried to drown it out, focusing his ears on the faint sounds beyond the door, picking out noise in the wind and footsteps too far away to worry about yet.

“How’s it looking?” 

“My pick keeps jamming, but I can feel it loosening. Just give me a moment,” Alicia replied, “I’ve got this, Sarge.”

“I know you do, Ace,” Bucky mumbled, pacing towards the door on light feet. 

“So you do trust me to do my job?” 

“Never said I didn’t. I just—” he was cut off when something clicked loudly and the sound of metal sliding on metal had him spinning on his heel. 

“Ah-ha! I’m in!”

"Careful!" The order came out quickly from Bucky, startling her as he rushed to her before she could touch anything. 

Alicia's hands were raised away from the drawer, apprehensive as he approached her and braced himself to open it.

"It could be booby trapped," Bucky felt the need to explain. Even if he knew that she understood without saying the dangers possibly lurking everywhere.

"Step back, let me handle it." He ordered firmly.

With a raised brow, Alicia stood back on her feet and gestured to the drawer in a sweeping motion.

"I don't think it's fair that you'd take a possible hit but.. all yours Sarge."

“Nice,” he nodded, a small smile gracing his features. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

Bucky watched as Alicia rolled the paperwork and stowed it inside the zip of her combat gear. 

"What?" She asked, feeling a scorning judgment brewing behind his hooded gaze. "This way I've got both hands free in case we need to fight our way out." 

"Well we may well need to do that. Come on, shift gears," cocking his head towards the door back to the tunnels. Checking the coast was clear before stepping out, Bucky took the lead, heading back in the direction they had entered the facility. Alicia followed close behind, watching to ensure there were no surprises from the rear.

"Oi!" Two men rounded the back corner of the building, stopping both Bucky and Alicia in their tracks. 

Alicia spun around, flashing a smile he had never seen before but sent a burst of butterflies through his stomach. "Hey boys!" She grinned, "Interesting place you've got here. Any renovations planned?" 

The two men shared a confused look before looking back at her. "Why don't you unzip that suit and show us what you have underneath it." 

A low snarl from his left almost made him turn to look at her but before he could even stop it, she took a step forward. 

"I tried being nice." She said before going straight for the one who made the comment. Bucky let out a sigh as the other man made eye contact with him and grinned before charging at him. 

"Son of a bitch." He whispered as fists started flying.

The fight was quick but messy. Bucky ended up with more blood on him than he would have liked, caught off guard just once when his eyes were on Alicia, holding her own but visibly tiring as she took on the other man. 

It ended with two unconscious goons dumped in the woods and the two Avengers making a run for the quinjet, a little bruised and battered but with the papers still secure in Alicia's pocket. 

"You did good back there, Ace," Bucky murmured as he fired up the jet. He set the nav system to autopilot before joining her in the rear, plopping down beside her with a heaving sigh. "Any injuries that can't wait?" 

With a shake of her head, Alicia pulled the documents out and handed them over. 

"All good, Sarge. You'll need these for your report later, right?" 

"Oh, uh. Yeah. Thanks, agent." 

"I'm gonna take the bunk, wake me when we're back?" Alicia murmured and all Bucky could do was nod before leaving her to it, making his way back up front and knocking one of the books he kept hidden for long journeys down from the locker above the control panel.

A four-note whistle dragged Bucky abruptly from his book and he cursed under his breath at Alicia, who stretched languidly after her nap and joined him in the co-pilot seat.

“What the hell was that?” He grumbled, more in embarrassment at being so distracted as to not hear her moving around in the back.

She repeated the whistled tune and Bucky’s gaze homed in on her pursed lips and the teasing glint in her eye.

“You keep doin’ that but I still don’t know what-“

“It’s from the movie, dumbass. Sorry, I mean Sarge” she chuckled, crossing her legs up on the control panel and gesturing to his copy of The Hunger Games.

“They made a movie of it?” He asked, his eyebrows raising in pleasant surprise before he caught himself and scowled once more. “I like books better.”

“Course you do,” Alicia sighed. “Old man.”

Bucky shot her another ornery glare and grunted as the autopilot signaled their approach and began to facilitate landing. He barely managed to ignore the way she ran through the co-pilot checks in synchronicity with him, as if they’d always worked so closely. 

As soon as they docked Bucky was up, out of his seat, and stalking down the ramp as if the hounds of hell were after him.

“Thanks, Sarge, good mission, great company,” Alicia called after him, with a barely audible “asshole” added at the end but, thanks to the damned serum, he heard it anyway.

Bucky sighed as he made his way to the locker room nearby before he stripped down, wanting to take a shower. He ran his hands over his face as he stood beneath the hot spray. Why couldn’t I fucking focus today?

It didn’t take him long to shower and get dressed but by the time he did the halls were dark and the tower was quiet aside from the sounds of Parker and Bishop arguing over some video game. They tried to teach it to him and it lasted about ten minutes before he almost threw the controller into the wall and stalked off. He made his way down to his quarters tossing his clothes into his room before heading into the small kitchen shared with the other rooms on this wing. 

Flickers of red hair and blue eyes filled his mind, sending feelings swarming in his chest that he wasn't familiar with. Ones he didn't know how to deal with. She was a pain in his ass, tenfold but she could also fight and held her own against his unruly attitude. 

Bucky reached for the bottle of whiskey on the top shelf of one of the cabinets and poured himself a glass.

Parking himself at the marble-top kitchen island with his drink and a bag of chips, Bucky laid the papers they recovered out in front of him. He wasn't going to sleep any time soon, never has done after a mission, even one so simple. His mind often reeled, flashbacks and what ifs and all the fears that he still harbored. They were training  young people to fight, to put themselves in danger and he couldn't help but feel responsible for them. 

Settling in for the night, he looked over the documents, making notes for his report and draining one then two glasses of whiskey. It wasn't until he heard footsteps, soft and sleepy, padding into the kitchen that he realized he'd let himself zone out, get lost in his work. 

Alicia rounded the island and made a beeline for a clean glass on the draining board. Bucky glanced up, noting her rumpled pajamas and ponytail, now loose and slept in, and silently pushed the bottle of whiskey towards her.

“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice rough from lack of sleep.

He huffed an acknowledgement and went back to staring at the paperwork, mindlessly swirling the amber liquid in his own glass.

A stool scraped across the floor and Alicia pulled herself up next to him, her head tilted as she perused the documents. He could smell her shampoo. The scent was…familiar, comforting, although he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. He found himself leaning closer to her and managed to pull back before he ended up with his nose buried in her scarlet ponytail.

“You should be asleep.” He muttered, glancing back down at the paperwork in front of him. The irony of that statement was he should be too. But lately the nights were long and a sick game of roulette on whether or not he’d get a peaceful sleep or be haunted by the nightmares of his past. 

Alicia tufts softly and leans back against the stool. “And let you have all the fun?” She said with the corner of her mouth turned upward as she reached for another small stack of paperwork. “Don’t think so, Sarge.” 

His eyes trailed to her profile. Button nose, pouty lips and eyes that even in the dark still seemed to shine a bright blue. “Can’t sleep, Ace?” 

It was small and quick but he caught how her body tensed for a brief moment at his question. It was the first inclination he’s had outside of her smart mouth. “Still wired from the mission I guess.” She said softly trying to recover that brief moment of silence after a question like that and not knowing how to answer. 

He was all too familiar with that.

"Wish I could tell you that feeling goes away," Bucky replied, taking a sip of his drink, "but you're lookin' at a man who'd rather bore himself with a mission report than close his eyes so I guess that tells you everythin' you need to know."

With her chin planted in the palm of her hand as she leant forward on the island, Alicia leveled him with a heavy stare before she bumped him softly on the shoulder. 

"You want to play a game?" She asked quietly, not what Bucky was expecting. "Twenty questions or something?" 

"Can't say I do, Ace." 

"Ah, come on. It'll be more interesting than reading those for what, the twentieth time?" 

"Fifteenth," Bucky murmured and Alicia cocked her head, pretty eyes knowing and convincing as hell.

He tried to ignore her stare and his jaw ticked as his face heated. A second passed, and another.

“Fine,” he huffed, shuffling around on his stool and taking a fortifying swig of liquor. “But I’m going first.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, Sarge. Fire away.”

Bucky hummed and took the opportunity to appraise her without having to pretend he wasn’t. 

“Cute pyjamas,” he grunted. “They your favorite color?”

“No, it’s blue. Why do you drink if it doesn’t affect you?” She retorted, firing straight back with a question of her own.

Bucky grinned at the quickness of her question. "Reminds me of the old days and I like the taste." 

"No one likes the taste." She quipped. 

He chuckled, "you've had shit whiskey then. Favorite drink?" 

"Tequila." 

"Tequila? Like mixed with some--" His brows raised when she shook her head cutting off his question. 

"Good old fashioned salt and lime." She smiled widely. "Does that surprise you?" 

Bucky thought about it for a moment and shook his head. "No. You're quite the spitfire, it's actually...quite the match." He chuckled.

"Thank you," Alicia grinned, "when did you lose your virginity?" 

Bucky blinked but rolled with it, "not pulling any punches, huh? 1933, Lucy Hargreaves. She was two years older and her Ma hated me." 

"Ooh, why?" Alicia shifted in her seat, big eyes earnest and her lips curved in interest. 

"Nice try, Ace, it's my turn," Bucky chuckled, reaching for a handful of chips and pushing the bag in her direction. He munched happily as he thought of another question, surprised by the way the load of tension in his shoulders was lightening and his whole body was turned towards Alicia now, open and comfortable.

“Tick tock, Sarge,” she teased, popping a chip into her mouth and firing a wink in his direction.

“Alright, alright. Why don’t you date?” He asked.

“I date,” Alicia protested, stiffening in her seat, her smile growing tight.

“Nah, you don’t. Or if you do it was before you moved in here. I ain’t seen you go out and there sure as hell ain’t been no-one havin’ a sleepover with you.”

“You keeping tabs on me, Barnes?” She grated awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you cared enough to notice.”

“I don’t, I mean, I do…I mean, not like that, I-“ Bucky blustered himself into a corner.

"Easy there," She said, grabbing his bicep. "Don't force yourself into a reboot." 

Bucky took a deep breath and glanced over at her his own body tense under the weight of her touch. "I'm not a robot." He frowned which only made the soft smile on her features grow. 

"Tell that to Wilson." she laughed and pulled her hand away and his heart fell with the loss of contact. "Who's turn is it?"

"Yours, and I feel like I'm gonna need more whiskey for this," Bucky muttered, topping up both of their glasses. 

"Why don't you date?" Alicia asked and it sounded as sincere as it did in retaliation to his own question. He should have expected that really. Bucky screwed his face up and gulped back his drink, wishing it would affect him for once. 

"I just don't," he replied, "next question." 

"Woah, no. I'm not letting you get away with that one, Sarge," Alicia said quickly. "Give me one honest reason why you don't, just one?" 

"You've met me," Bucky shrugged, a poor excuse for an answer and clearly not the one Alicia was expecting as her face fell. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" He saw her face contort into a mixture between contained anger and utter despair as she voiced her question, her voice going an octave louder in the silence.

She didn't wait for him to form a response to her question, not that he had much to say. He knew how people looked at him.

"Sarge! You may be a pain in my ass and also excel in riding my ass in training but," there was quiet determination in her eyes that had the chuckle that threatened to slip from him die down. 

"You're kind, and smart, and you care about us. Your team.. your family." 

Bucky tried to swallow down but it felt like his throat closed up. He didn't dare look her in the eyes even as her icy pools swept over his face.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you," she shrugged. Alicia's voice was much softer now as a tinge of red spread across her face and she turned away from him, picking up her drink.

"Anyone who makes you think otherwise is a fool." She ended quietly while avoiding his eyes and took a large gulp of the amber liquid.

“You been keepin’ tabs on me, Ace?” He managed to croak, ending on a chuckle that sounded forced even to him.

Alicia huffed a little and picked at the rim of her glass with one finger.

“I used to hate that nickname you know,” she muttered. “Always felt like you were putting me down, belittling me, like I wasn’t good enough for the famous Avengers.” Bucky opened his mouth to apologize but she waved her hand to cut him off. “I said I used to. Don’t mind it so much anymore.”

“Why?” Bucky asked, conscious of the tension that was building; like the air before a thunderstorm.

“‘Cause you’re the only one that uses it,” she admitted, looking across at him, a flush creeping across her cheeks.

"Everyone needs a nickname." He muttered feeling those butterflies swarm in his belly again. Her eyes flickered up to his and it was like a bolt of lightning struck him. 

"You don't have nicknames for the others." She said quietly with a hint of hopefulness that sent his heart into a frenzy. He did, but they weren't nice and mainly consisted of picking on Parker. "You also don't ride the others as hard as you do me in training." 

"What are you gettin' at Ace?" He asked softly, picking at the label on the whiskey bottle trying to avoid looking at her because if he did again, if he found those ice blue eyes he was going to be a goner and she was one thing he wasn't going to allow himself to ruin. 

Alicia let out a breath. "I just think maybe you don't dislike me as much as you put off."

Bucky huffed out a soft chuckle, half hating that she’d put the words out there and half pleased he didn’t have to say them himself. 

“You’re—” he paused and dared to glance up, forcing himself to look ahead at the kitchen cabinets but even seeing her blurred in his peripherals was almost too much. 

“I’m what, Sarge?” 

“You’re somethin’ else, Ace.”

The laugh that left her lips was surprised, melodic and a hint of delight danced across her features as Bucky felt that sound hit somewhere deep in his chest. A cascade of feelings he didn't want to put a name to yet filled him.

His hand twitched to rub at his chest where his heart was but he forced himself to only grip the glass in his hand, if a little tighter than before.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Sarge." She said after her laugh had gently faded. A quick wink following.

“You should,” he said, tossing back the last gulp of whiskey and pouring himself another helping.

“I’ll take another, too.”

“Compliment, or whiskey?” He asked, making the mistake of actually looking directly at her.

“Both?” She grinned, sliding her glass towards him. “Although if you carry on with the compliments I’m gonna start to think you actually like me.”

Bucky froze. It was only for a split second but he knew Alicia had noticed. Cursing himself he tried to downplay his reaction but it was no use.

“Sarge?” She asked quietly, warily, almost…hopefully? 

He didn’t respond and when she reached to retrieve her whiskey she stilled him by wrapping her fingers around his on the glass.

“Bucky?”

Bucky's entire body tensed at the feeling of her warm soft skin. 

"Bucky." She said again and this time he cleared his throat with a nod but his gaze remained on their hands. Her fingers loosened their grip on his hand but lingered there for a moment before they trailed up his wrist. 

"What are you doing?" He asked, his voice low and raspy as he tried to calm his racing heart. 

"Is that one of your questions?" She asked just as softly. 

Bucky's gaze finally found hers and he nodded. 

"I'm testing something." Alicia whispered. 

His brows furrowed in confusion as her hand crawled slowly up his arm until it stopped just below his elbow. "When was the last time you kissed someone?" She asked softly.

“Couldn’t tell you,” Bucky murmured, unsure if he liked the new way his heart was thrumming hard and fast against his rib cage. It wasn’t the scared thundering he was used to, no overwhelming roar in his ears this time. 

His breath hitched as Alicia’s hand traveled further, up to his bicep where her fingertips pressed lightly into the muscle. Bucky glanced down and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from how she was holding onto him, warm and gentle and foreign to him now. 

“What would you do if I were to kiss you now?” 

“Alicia.” If he meant it to be a warning, it didn’t come out that way. Her name sounded soft on his lips, a breath of syllables rolling off his tongue in a way he rather liked.

"Tell me," her voice was breathy, soft even though her breathing was starting to turn a little shallow in front of him.

He couldn't help it, couldn't control the way his hand let go of the glass it held and inched its way closer to her while the other clenched and whirred under the strain of his nerves. Both their eyes tracked the movement before locking on each other's faces. 

Alicia's face was flushed under his gaze, inching slightly closer to him with every breath she took.

"I think..." he hesitated. "I would kiss you back." 

The confession hung heavy in the air they shared, Bucky's eyes tracing her face as he dared to touch her back and placed his hand on the curve of her hip and felt her breath hitch.

 Alicia was so delicate underneath his careful touch.

"Can I kiss you, Bucky?"

His tongue darted out to dampen his bottom lip and he drew in a shaky breath. “Y-yeah.”

Her hand on his bicep moved again sliding gently upward to curl around the back of his neck, her thumb stroking tenderly along the curve of his jaw. His pulse thrummed beneath her fingers, which tightened with the smallest amount of pressure to draw him forwards.

“You’re gonna have to meet me halfway, big guy,” she whispered, her mouth curving into a smile as she leaned towards him.

He wouldn’t have been able to stop himself even if he’d wanted to, bending his head down to her, and then her lips were pressed against his so delicately that he almost didn’t believe it was happening. He felt the slight tremble in her kiss, as if her heart were beating as fast as his. If he concentrated he could actually hear it, pounding out a desperate rhythm.

Knowing that she was just as nervous or anxious as he was made him feel less like a hundred year old who couldn’t remember the last time he kissed someone and more like a man desperate for touch. 

He slid his arm around her waist turning fully into her and took her top lip between his deepening the kiss until by sheer instinct he pulled her closer. 

Alicia whimpered slightly as his arm wrapped around her and it forced him to break the kiss, wide eyes and terrified that he had done something to hurt her. “Why did you stop?” She breathed, her breath warm against his. 

“Did I hurt you?” He said the words tight and strained. 

The warmest smile spread over her face as she shook her head. “No, but I can take it.” She whispered. 

This made him chuckle and nod softly as he dipped his head once more. “Okay tough guy.” He rasped before slotting his lips over hers once again.

As they kissed, Alicia toyed with the soft tufts of hair at the nape of his neck, longer than usual just like she'd pointed out earlier, but the fizz of warmth it sent through him as she twirled the strands around her fingers made him reluctant to even think about cutting it now. 

Alicia sighed, her lips parting further and presenting Bucky with the chance to lick into her mouth, taste the whiskey and chips on her tongue. He groaned into it, his fingers dancing over her sides until he had a tight but gentle grasp on her waist. 

"Hold on, Ace," he murmured into her mouth, giving her the barest warning before he hauled her out of her stool and onto his lap. The gleeful yelp that escaped her pulled out a laugh, loud and full as his nose scrunched in delight. And then he dove straight back in, too deep now to stop kissing her for even a second.

Little moans escaped her mouth and right into his as Bucky's hunger grew with each swipe of tongue against one another. His skin felt on fire as heated blood rushed through his veins. 

It was too much and not enough all at once, his hands roved over every inch he could reach and reveled in the way her back arched into him. Her arms wound around his neck to pull herself closer to him.

Bucky pulled back from her mouth only to trail his lips and tongue down her jaw, letting her breathe while he nipped and kissed his way to a spot below her ear that had her gasping the air right back out.

"Oh god.." 

Both his hands tightened on Alicia's hips at the sultry sound. It echoed in his ears again as he repeated the motion.

“Mmm…” Bucky nipped and licked down her neck before sucking gently on her pulse. When he pulled back he grinned, seeing her eyes blown wide with lust and arousal. “Wow…”

He let his gaze drop, taking in her little pyjamas properly now she was so close. His eyes fell to her vest top first, so thin he could see the way her nipples pebbled beneath the fabric, and then the little slither of her belly, pale and soft in the dim light of the kitchen. 

Bucky swallowed thickly, shivered as Alicia trailed her own hands down his chest until they settled between them, where her legs straddled him, all tiny plaid shorts and bare flesh against the rough denim of his jeans. When he finally dragged his eyes back up to meet hers, still dark, still full of wanting, Alicia fluttered her long eyelashes and flashed him a cheeky little smirk. 

"Mind if I move, Sarge?" She whispered and Bucky groaned. His grip on her tightening as he gave her a short nod of affirmation, sucking in a breath at the sudden and torturously slow grind of her hips.

“God,” Bucky gritted out, his hand sliding up to palm her breast through her top, his thumb stroking over her pebbled nipple.

A low moan slipped past her lips and he caught it with his own, teasing into her mouth with his tongue. It was Alicia who tugged down the front of her own top and suddenly there was the tender heat of her bare flesh beneath his palm, a counterpoint to the friction of her core grinding against the straining tent in his jeans.

He shifted on the stool, barely managing to contain the urge to rut against her and desperately trying to control the strength of his grip on her waist as he held her close.

Heat licked at his belly as he nipped at her bottom lip, earning himself another moan dripping from her plump kiss bitten lips. Bucky slid his free hand up her back, tangling it in her hair as she rolled her hips again. It was driving him crazy. She was driving him crazy. Every tiny movement, every sigh, every whimper it all sent a thrill straight to his cock. 

His palm squeezed gently around her breast, molding it to his hand as her head fell back, a soft moan escaping her before she lifted her head with a soft grin. Her lips formed into a smirk before she rocked harder once and dipped her head to nip along his jawline.

"Fuck, Alicia-- sweetheart," Bucky choked out, his own head lolling to the side to give her better access to his skin. He could feel her mouthing hotly at his neck, forming a bruise that wouldn't be there come morning; a real shame if you asked him. 

His hands skimmed her body, trying to touch every inch of her, feel her strength and her softness under his fingertips. Every gorgeous bit of her that had him writhing in his seat, trying so hard to keep it together. 

"You can let go, you know. If it feels good," she whispered and Bucky stuttered out a groan and a series of soft grunts as he helped her hips keep up a steady pace that drove them both someplace higher, teetering on the edge of pleasure.

Her teeth nipped at his ear with hot breath and whispered, "keep going." 

All of it was enough to push him over the edge, soaking the inside of his boxers and jeans. He desperately needed her to come too and it wasn't far behind him that her body softly shuddered in his arms. A series of soft praises flew from her mouth as she pressed her lips into his neck sending a chill down his spine. There were a few moments of silence that settled between them. The sounds of their breathing filled the kitchen area. 

"One more question?" He said softly wrapping his arms around her as she melted into his chest. 

"What's that?" She said softly. 

"Will you...I mean would you like to maybe go out sometime?" He said softly as she lifted her head. 

Alicia smiled warmly and nodded. "I'd like that." 

A throat cleared behind them. Bucky's eyes darted to the door seeing Sam standing in the doorway with a shit eating grin. Embarrassment flooded him and his cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as Alicia fixed her top and slowly slid off of his lap. "I'll leave you two to it." She grinned and disappeared down the hallway. 

Bucky leaned forward against the counter, adjusting his jeans underneath it. 

"Pain in your ass huh?" Sam smirked, reaching for the whiskey. 

"Shut up Sam." Bucky groaned and slid out from the counter and shoved past him down towards his quarters leaving Sam chuckling in the kitchen. The moment he was alone, he slipped out of his pants and boxers, finding new ones and crawled into bed. Red hair, blue eyes and perfectly pouty lips flooding his thoughts as his eyes grew heavy and he dreamed of the girl two doors down.

[dispatchvampire]

Accidentally in Love (Chapter 3)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Bucky Barnes x FemaleOC

Warnings: Potentially lethal levels of fluffiness right now, potential for smut later. A little blood, canon levels of violence potentially. Plus size female OC, body descriptions.

Rating: PG-13 (right now for language, but look for this to change)

WC: 1800-ish.

Summary: 

Echo's living a normal life in NYC, a 911 dispatcher, the most excitement she gets is from the calls she takes. And then love comes crashing in one day when she's riding her bike through Central Park.

Steve and Bucky weren't looking for anything on their daily run around the park besides fresh air and exercise. The streak of purple eye candy on a bike that lapped them pretty regularly was a nice addition but not mandatory, at least until some impromptu roughhousing results in some civilian casualties in the form of the most beautiful woman either of them had seen in a long, long time.

A/N: AU, Post CACW, Bucky’s Chill and we have always lived in the Tower. Just call this a throwback to the found family, everyone lives in Stark Tower fics.

This is supposed to be a super-fluffy love story. Still undecided if I'm gonna keep this one going but posting now for giggles and grins. It's got some CSI:NY characters crossing over because why not.

I'm just messing about and playing in my WIPs folder. Not Beta'd: we die like men! (honestly, I tried but if you catch something I missed, let me know)

Chapter 3

One Week Later

“Is he hot in person?”

“Who?” Echo slipped her lunch into the breakroom fridge and pulled out the two cold bottles of caffeinated water she’d left in there the previous night. Late afternoon as it slipped into evening was always a busy time and she needed the fortification. 

“Spongebob Squarepants,” Kalenda, her work bestie, scoffed as she crossed her arms with an impatient frown. The curvy brunette was Echo’s age, about two inches shorter but making up for it with feistiness. “Who do you think? Bucky freaking Barnes! Christ, it’s like you don’t even know me at all.”

 “Lord…” she rolled her eyes as she held the door to the break room open for her friend to pass in front of her on their way into the main center. “Yes. Yes, he is just as beautiful in person, and he and Captain Rogers together are, in fact, as kind and stupidly hot as advertised.” After the visit at the hospital where they’d returned her replaced or repaired belongings—including her bike—Echo had traded numbers with Steve and Bucky, and the guys had texted her a few times in the intervening days to check on her and chatting a little, but it felt weird reaching out to contact them just because. It wasn’t like they were friends or anything. 

Not that she wouldn’t have minded being their friend, or… well, or. They were gorgeous, sweet, funny so far as she could tell, and of course heroic and selfless as hell. The way they smiled at her made her knees weak and her pussy may never recover. What’s not to like? But who was she kidding, really. They were the objects of desire for over half the planet, she guessed, and she was a dispatcher for the NYPD. In no way were those worlds truly related, outside of the most superficial ways, much less were compatible. 

“The hair and those eyes, I’d get so fucking lost in them you’d never find me again. And all those muscles,” she sighed lustily. “Fuck me, that’s before we even talk about that metal arm,” Kalenda carried on, now in full swoon as they made their way out to their stations. “Gods, the things I would let him do to me…” 

Echo snorted at her friend’s obvious heart-eyes in regards to the Winter Soldier. She didn’t blame her at all, but still, their coworkers didn’t need to be privy to their depraved bestie conversations. That’s what the chat was for. “Annnnnnd that is how we end up back at the supervisor’s office for inappropriate work conversations.”

Kalenda scoffed, waving off her concern with a dismissive hand-wave. “Oh, like you’ve never said anything filthy.” Her wicked grin should have been the warning. “Something something ‘star-spangled cock could split you open any time he wanted’? Something something ‘break him down to the frame’... any of that sound familiar?” 

Her leering green gaze as she slipped on her headset made Echo giggle even as heat rushed to her cheeks. “You could shut up any time now.”  

The laughter was shortlived, though, as they settled into their workday. Having a headset on meant that it was time to serve the citizens of NYC and the officers of NYPD to the best of their abilities. They were one of, if not the, largest comm center in the country and Echo was proud of the work she did, contributing to the safety of her town. 

It was easy to get lost in the work, one call at a time, one radio run at a time. Her focus, scattered as it could be at any other time, easily fell into the rhythm of call and response, action and reaction, hours slipping by unnoticed. 

Voices behind her and down at the end of her row drew her attention, their familiarity abruptly yanking her out of the zone. 

One pair of eyes zeroed in on her immediately. “Well, if it isn’t the crash test dummy.” 

Boisterously loud for the locale, Tony Stark was the walking definition of ‘all eyes on me’. He may have been in a crazy expensive suit and tie, looking all prim and proper and what have you, but the curve of his lips promised the most interesting kinds of mischief. 

Echo swallowed hard as she made herself unavailable for calls, her eyes quickly darting left and right to the unabashed gawking of her coworkers. Oh, they were still busy as hell, but the nosy bastards were never above a good spectacle. “Mr. Stark.” 

“Did the phone meet your standards?” he demanded with a smirk that seemed a little too knowing. He stopped behind her chair, spinning her around to face him. 

She nodded hesitantly. “It did, thank you. I mailed you a thank you note. Did you not get it?” 

Yes, it had been an old school touch, but sending him an email seemed a little impersonal, especially since he’d gone to the trouble of transferring all her stuff over in addition to giving her a top of the line bit of tech. And it wasn’t like she could just show up on his doorstep with a casserole.

He snorted, his billion dollar smile on full display as his eyes crinkled at the edges. “I did, but then, I expected nothing less considering you hang out with the geriatric set.” 

She was about to ask what he meant when another voice cut her off. “Tony, Jesus, man. Quiet down, people are working here—oh, hey Echo.” 

She sincerely hoped the whimpering squeak as she spun quickly to face him she heard was just in her head, though Kalenda’s snort behind her indicated no such luck. “Hi. James. I-I mean Bucky. Um…” her eyes met her bestie’s just behind him for some help, but only found the kind of mocking encouragement born from years of friendship. “Nice to see you. Here. At my job.” 

“Um yeah, about that…” The brunet smoothed his long bangs back out of his face behind his ears and grinned bashfully as he rubbed the back of his neck. Under other circumstances, she and Kalenda would be ogling him for the way the seams of his deep blue henley were barely clinging to life across his shoulders and around his massive arms and the skinny jeans that were all but wrecking her concentration. “Cap and Tony had a meeting at 1PP and Stevie wanted me to tag along.” 

“I’m glad he did.” The way her compliment made his cheeks flush felt like winning an award, even if the normal filter she kept up at work slipped a bit. 

“Me too.” The tiny shy grin that danced at the corners of his lips was killing her slowly, even as the somewhat awkward silence stretched out between them. 

Kalenda’s obvious throat-clearing seemed to startle her back into herself, reminding her acutely of both their location and their audience. 

“Well, it’s always good to see you.” The platitude was automatic, off her tongue and into the space between them before she even thought about it, her nerves robbing her mind of anything but decent manners. Good gods, she was never gonna live this down. 

“You look good.” His eyes widened a moment later as he flushed bright red, clearly that hadn’t been what he’d meant to come out of his mouth. “I mean, that is… you look better than when I saw you last time.” 

“Hard not to,” she conceded, her mind bordering on hysterical the longer this conversation went on. It felt like the whole world was watching this junior-high level farce and she was stumbling through it, quite badly. 

“Well, on the upside, you’re wearing more clothes this time,” Tony interjected oh-so-helpfully, looking like he was avidly watching the best telenovela ever and doing nothing to quell the likely overheating rumor mill that had just kicked into gear around them. “And there’s less blood.” 

“Alright, thank you, Mr. Stark,” Shelly, the floor supervisor’s breathlessly cheerful voice sounded like she’d rather eat broken glass than let that conversation continue as she rushed across the room to join them. “Echo, Mr. Stark, Sergeant Barnes, and Captain Rogers—”

“Hello, Echo.” 

She was almost afraid to look, though Kalenda’s dreamy sigh left her no other choice. Sure enough, the gods of horniness were testing her and pretty much every woman in the five boroughs with these three Avengers out together. In a black t-shirt under a green button-down and jeans that gave her the most impure thoughts possible about his thighs, the blond Avenger with the pink cheeks grinned at her warmly from his spot behind Tony. The fact her panties didn’t burst into flames right there was a miracle of modern physics. 

“Hey Steve.” 

“As I was saying,” her supervisor huffed, bringing all of the attention back to her, “they’re here to tour the center, so we should really be on our way.” 

Sounded reasonable to her, so long as they were there, Echo doubted there’d be much work done anyway. “Alright then.” Echo turned back to her console to take stock of her district. “It was good to see you. Be safe out there.”

“Before we go though…” Buck’s half-grin as he met her eye over her shoulder warmed her to her toes. “You out of here soon?” 

“A few hours. Why?” 

“Wanna meet up for a late dinner?” 

His hopeful expression tugged at her heart. It was the kind of thing that made her want to give him the world, even if she didn’t know him like that. “It’ll be after ten,” she hedged, perched on the fence between really wanting to spend time with them because who wouldn’t, really, and knowing that she’s no one special and didn’t have any business tagging along with them. 

“Then we’ll leave a light on for ya,” Steve replied cheerfully as he and Bucky were led further into the center and away from her desk. “See you tonight.”

“Always a pleasure, Crash,” Tony called, following behind him. 

Echo sat blinking at her console as she watched the group retreat, only spurred to action when she caught Steve’s eye as he winked at her before leaving the room. 

“What just happened?” she asked the Universe at large as she typed in the login code for her phone from muscle memory.

“Looks to me,” Kalenda replied lightly dropping off a new bottle of caffeinated water, “like you have a date after work.” 

“Huh.” The very idea was mindblowing. Quickly, her mind was shaken from its haze by a bank robbery that required both her and Kalenda’s attention for quite a while. 

“And had the nerve not to introduce me.”

[beefromanoff]

Project Mockingbird Ch. 8

summary: Charlotte deep dives into her backstory and all the dark, twisty parts. Bucky has flashbacks. It's getting angsty.

pairing: Bucky Barnes x OC

author's note: another long one, I'm so sorry it took me so long! the next one is ALMOST done too so it'll come out super soon! thank you so much for reading!

tag list: @bangtanxberm (let me know if you want to be added <3)

chapter list

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chapter aesthetic

In the quiet hum of the infirmary, the Avengers gathered outside Charlotte's room, concern etched on each face, She’d barely vacated the room for a week before landing back in the same place. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with unspoken worry. Benchmark testing had abruptly ended six hours earlier with Bucky emerging from the woods, Charlotte’s body draped across his arms. She hadn’t woken up yet. 

Tony paced back and forth in the laboratory, one room over from the infirmary. "This is absolutely unacceptable. We knew this could happen. Bruce, we let this happen."

"Tony,” Bruce sighed heavily. “We weighed the risks, she deserved freedom of choice, she insisted on competing. I’m sure she’d stand by her choice. We can’t sideline her based on a discovery we didn’t even give her the courtesy of telling her about."

“I’m sorry,” Natasha crossed the threshold into the lab, arms crossed. “Care to let the rest of us in on your little secret?” Steve and Bucky strode into the room behind her, looking equal parts concerned and angry. 

Sighing, Tony rubbed his jaw. “We…took a second look at her brain scan after she was released. Then a third. We found an…alteration.” He chanced a look at Bucky. “Courtesy of our friends at HYDRA.” 

“They tampered with her ability to self-regulate…” Bruce added sheepishly. “Her mind has been rewired, it’s like they took away her ability to govern her own physiological limits. Most people have mental limits, lines they can’t cross when their body needs to quit to save itself. They took that away from her. She, quite literally, doesn’t know when to quit.”

Nat leveled a pointed gaze at the two scientists. "And you just…let her compete with all of us today. What did you expect? You said yourself he doesn't know her limits, and now she's paying the price." She glanced back through the doorway, leading to the room where Charlotte still lie unconscious.

“We didn’t think it was our place to take away her autonomy.” Tony’s voice was uncharacteristically soft. “Until we had enough information to give her and let her decide for herself what she wants to do, we decided to keep it to ourselves. Clearly we didn’t work fast enough.” 

“Clearly.” Bucky spoke for the first time, his gruff voice cutting through the room.

Steve’s brow furrowed in concern. "Whatever happened before, that’s in the past. We convinced her to come here and told her she’d be safe with us. We need to figure out a solution or our word means nothing."

Tony ran a hand through his hair. "Look, we have some information. We pulled every single file we’ve extracted from HYDRA over the past decade and cross referenced it with the limited intel we have on Charlotte." He winced. “It’s not great.” 

Bruce interjected, "We're working on something, a way to regulate abilities without sidelining her completely. But it's complicated…and it’s far from ready."

Natasha's piercing gaze shifted from Tony to Bruce. "Complicated or not, we can't have her collapsing every time she pushes herself. We need a fix, and we need it now."

Steve stepped forward, taking charge. "Tony, Bruce, we appreciate the effort and the discretion, but we owe her all the information we have. Even if it’s incomplete. Ready or not, let her make her own choice. It’s what we all would want if we were in her position."

Bucky pushed off the wall, his face twisted in an expression between frustration and pain. He said nothing.

Tony nodded solemnly. "Fine. We'll expedite the process. But this is risky. It's experimental, and we can't guarantee—"

"We don't have time for guarantees anyways," Natasha interrupted. "We just need to try. Charlotte deserves that much. I didn’t bring her here so we could put her at risk and make decisions for her. I brought her here so she could be around people like her and be safe."

The hushed tones of concern were abruptly disrupted as Bucky, still standing at the periphery of the conversation, tensed. His keen senses caught a sound, soft but unmistakable—a groan emanating from Charlotte's room. Without a word, he swiftly turned and made his way to her room.

The group followed, their collective worry etched on their faces. They filed into the room only to find Charlotte blinking back into consciousness. The relief was palpable. Bucky couldn't help but mutter, "Welcome back to the land of the living."

Charlotte, still groggy, managed a weak smile. "You guys always know how to throw a party."

Steve quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah, and you sure know how to make an exit."

She chuckled, a raspy sound, and shifted on the bed. "Well, sorry to ruin the mood. Next time I'll make sure to schedule my collapses better."

Tony smirked, relief evident in his voice. "You do that. Maybe put it on the Avengers calendar."

The others couldn't suppress a few chuckles at the banter. Natasha leaned in, her tone dry, "You know, collapsing is very last season. We're aiming for superhero landings now."

Charlotte groaned as she shifted to sit up in the bed. "Noted."

Bucky, satisfied that Charlotte was -- at least for the moment -- all right, turned abruptly to leave the room. His departure didn't go unnoticed.

"Where are you going?" Steve called after him.

Bucky shot a glance back, his expression guarded. "She's awake. You guys got this." He disappeared into the hallway, leaving the others to surround Charlotte. 

Natasha, a wry smile on her face, remarked, "Buck’s gonna give you a run for your money in the dramatic exit department."

"Dramatic? An angel like me?” Charlotte croaked. 

Tony added, "An angel with a penchant for collapsing. Very celestial."

In the hallway just outside the room, Bucky leaned against the wall. He heard the exchange from the room but couldn’t stomach the jokes so soon after the scare. Rolling his eyes, he pushed off the wall and strode for the doors.nSteve caught up with Bucky in the hallway, jogging to match his friend's brisk steps.

"Hey, Buck," Steve began, concern etched across his features. "Why the rush?"

Bucky didn't meet Steve's gaze, his jaw set in a tight line. "They say she doesn't know her limits, but she knew. She knew and she kept going. You didn’t see her in the woods, Steve. She was laughing. She's playing with fire and doesn't even realize it."

Steve placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "She's been through a lot. You know that. We don’t even know the extent of it all yet, and maybe we never will. You know as well as anyone that it’s not easy to acknowledge your weaknesses. It's not easy for her, either."

Bucky's frustration spilled out in a sigh. "I get that. I do. But seeing her collapse like that, it... it brings back things I'd rather forget."

Steve's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. He guided Bucky to a nearby bench, encouraging him to sit. "Buck, I know this is hard for you. Seeing someone go through what you went through with HYDRA—it's like reliving your own nightmare."

Bucky clenched his jaw, his metal fingers tapping an agitated rhythm on his thigh. "It’s not just that - I mean, it is, but…I don’t know. I’ve been getting…glimpses. Maybe flashbacks." He ran his hand along his jawline. “I can’t tell if they’re memories or nightmares or just my mind messing with me.”

“What do you see? When you have them?” 

“It’s…blurry. I get bits and pieces at a time. When I saw her for the first time, that’s when it started. I got a flash of us running, in the woods. I couldn’t tell who was chasing who. Then when she…blacked out in the gym, I had another one. We’ve fought before. I don’t remember when or where, but it was familiar. In a God awful way.” He stared down at his hands in his lap. “Then, in the woods, seeing her bleed and collapse…I saw a glimpse of what they did to her.” 

The pained look on Bucky’s face made it clear he was done talking. Steve let out a sigh, leaning back on the bench. “Well, this isn’t really an easy thing to give advice on, but you have to remember you’re still in recovery too. Just because you’ve been here longer, you’ve broken the brainwashing…it doesn’t mean nothing ever happened. You’re gonna deal with a lot of trauma for a long time. It’s okay to take a step back if you need to.”

“I shouldn’t be the one who needs to take a step back right now. She needs more help than I do.”

"You are helping her, just by being here. But you're not her keeper, Bucky. You can't control everything. She has to make her own choices, even if some of them worry you. We’re all figuring out the best way to help someone we just met.” Steve gave a half smile, nudging his friend. “If you recall, you didn’t exactly give us clear instructions on how to help you, either.” 

Bucky forced a smile. "Guess not. Should’ve taken it a little easier on you guys.” He leaned back on the bench. “It just... it feels like I'm back in that damn lab, watching people suffer because of me. At the end of the day, she’s in this position because of me.”

“That’s not fair, Buck. You know it. You didn’t ask for this any more than she did.” He raised a hand and waved off Bucky’s protest. “I know that Project Mockingbird was a response to the Winter Soldier Project. But last time I checked, you didn’t sign up to be the Winter Soldier. You’re both victims of the same sadistic scientists. We’re all here for you both, but at the end of the day, no one else went through what you two did. Don’t let them win by keeping a divide between you.” Steve's voice was gentle, a steady reassurance. 

“Damn.” Bucky gave a half smile. “I guess some of that therapy finally stuck.” 

__________________________________

The morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow across the medical wing. The aroma of fresh coffee lingered in the air. Agent Hill sat in a chair beside the bed, Natasha perched on the edge near Charlotte’s feet. 

Maria, her expression businesslike, clicked through her notes on the tablet in front of her. "Let's go over this one more time. There are still some gaps here.”

Charlotte sipped her coffee, her gaze fixed on the swirling steam escaping from the cup. "I told you everything I remember."

Natasha shot Maria a warning look as she opened her mouth to protest. Her face softened. “I know this is difficult, Charlotte. I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through. But, if you’re able to give us anything else, it will get us that much closer to bringing HYDRA down for good.”

Nodding, Charlotte steeled herself. “What else do you need to know?”

“They’re known for their incredible discretion and secrecy. No one gets in or out. Hell, it took Bucky seventy years to escape and that was through a freak accident at the Triskelion. You escaped from the facility, from the headquarters. How?”

Charlotte's eyes glazed with the distant recollection. "I was kept in a different part of the facility than the Win - than James was. Bucky." She shook her head. “I don’t remember much, but I was able to pick it up over time. Piece things together. Things people said, glimpses I got at files here and there…it wasn’t the full picture, but it was something.” 

The two women stayed quiet, letting her continue. 

“To my understanding, I was one of around a dozen people in Project Mockingbird. All of us were brought in just before 1950. The Winter Soldier project had gone well, too well. I remember hearing screams, hearing him take down agent after agent. They said he was too strong. That he couldn’t be controlled. That was before they perfected the memory wipe. He knew who he was, and that was why they couldn’t stop him. I always wondered what he was fighting so hard to get back to.” Charlotte gave a soft, sad smile. “The rest of us didn’t have much of a life before being captured. I think that’s why they went after orphans. When Captain America, er, when Steve came in and raided the base to free Bucky and the rest of the soldiers…they learned. They stopped taking prisoners that someone would miss. I didn’t really get to know anyone else in my group, or if I did…I don’t remember. I know we were all around the same age, sixteen to eighteen. About to age out of most orphanages, if we hadn’t run away already.” 

She took a slow sip of her coffee, seeming lost in her memories. 

“I don’t remember much about the experiments. I remember pain, needles, being restrained. Some didn’t survive the first dose. They tried to alter the serum they gave Bucky…it killed two immediately. A few didn’t survive the brainwashing, it made them go insane.”

“What happened to them?” Maria’s voice was unusually gentle.

“They got shot.” The nonchalance in Charlotte’s voice was chilling. 

“I believe, well, I was told…they tried different methods on all of us. Some got a serum, some got brainwashing, some were…enhanced in other ways.” She winced. “Prosthetics. But they ran out of vibranium, and their version ended up poisoning the whole group they used it on. So, you know.” She mimed a gunshot to the head. “I was in the lucky last group. They took everything they got right with the others, the ones they deemed most likely to survive anyways. Their best chance. I know there was a version of the serum, very diluted. It enhances the senses and makes us…me, stronger and faster. Not as strong as him though. They believed they made him too strong. We had to be enhanced enough to contend with him, but not so strong that we posed a threat to HYDRA.”

Nat reached a hand out, squeezing Charlotte’s knee. 

“Things got a little blurry for a while. I didn’t know how much time had passed, how long I had been there. I think I was kept in cryo for long stretches while they figured out what to do with me. I know they used to make us run hunting exercises.” 

“What were the hunting exercises?”

Charlotte took a slow, shuddering breath as she raised her eyes to look at Maria.

“They would release us into the woods. The group of Mockingbirds…and the Winter Soldier. No weapons. Miles and miles of cold, Siberian wilderness. No food. They made us hunt him. To see if we could actually survive, track him, and to see what we’d do if we caught up to him.”

“Did anyone ever…catch up to him?” Neither Maria nor Natasha knew if they were prepared for her answer.

“Yes. I don’t remember, but I remember hearing them talk about it after I was wiped. How one of the best Mockingbirds caught him and was about to snap his neck when they shot him. They had HYDRA snipers in the trees the whole time. We were never meant to kill him. They just wanted to see if we’d be able to give ourselves the chance.” 

Natasha’s stomach turned as she wondered if Bucky knew. 

“I don’t know how many or how long those…exercises went on. Eventually they got better at brainwashing, so control became less of an issue. Bucky spent more time in the chair…we spent more time in cryo. They’d wake us up every so often, every decade or so? I don’t remember what they told me. Just to make sure we were still alive. Eventually, I was the only one who woke up. I felt like I should be sad, but it had been so long since the last time that I didn’t even remember their names.” 

Charlotte looked like she wanted to cry, but no tears came. 

“We can stop, Char.” Nat spoke softly. 

“No, it’s okay. I want to help.” She swallowed. “I’m almost done anyways.” She sat up straighter in bed, pulling her legs towards her chest. 

“The only real memories I have started about five years ago. Right after -” 

“The Triskelion.” Maria and Natasha both muttered. 

“Right. When the agents returned without the Winter Soldier, everyone lost their shit. Or at least, I’m assuming. They were still losing their shit when they woke me up. I couldn’t even get my bearings before they were outfitting me in tactical gear, yelling at me to track him and kill on sight. I was in a helicopter within the hour.” She grimaced. “They dropped me all over the United States, sending me to track him down anywhere they thought there was a sighting. Every time, I came up empty. That didn’t go over well.” 

As if feeling phantom pain, Charlotte absently rubbed the side of her face. “It just went downhill from there. The longer we couldn’t find him, the more leads that went cold, the angrier they got. With me. They tried to punish me, thinking it would make me work harder or find him faster, but it just made me weaker. We finally went back to the base…and I remember thinking how I must really be in Hell if I was relieved to go back there.” She chuckled to herself. “I was hoping they’d put me back in cryo and never wake me up.”

“But when we got back to base…we didn’t go back to the cryo chamber. We went back to the lab.” Color drained from Charlotte’s face. “They had the scientists all working on something…anything that would make me better. It was awful. They were under duress too, not that I could ever feel bad for the bastards. But it wasn’t exactly the environment for a breakthrough. Once, an agent shot one of the scientists for making excuses. They didn’t move his body for two weeks as a reminder to the others.” 

She sighed. 

“But, just like with me, the punishment did the opposite of what they wanted. It made them sloppy. One day, they forgot to secure my restraints.” 

Charlotte raised her eyes, looking straight at Agent Hill. “So I killed them all.” 

A stunned silence hung over the room. Not once had Charlotte’s voice cracked. Although Natasha had a feeling her hands would be shaking if it weren’t for the vice grip she had on the bedding. 

“I know this sounds redundant…but can you tell me the rest?” Maria’s eyes were almost apologetic for dragging this on further. “You overpowered the scientists, but what about guards? The rest of the base?” 

“There were two guards outside the lab. I jabbed them in the neck with whatever bullshit serum the scientists had been prepping for me, grabbed their weapons, and didn’t look back. Although, judging by the way they screamed, that serum wouldn’t have done me any favors.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “They had been in such a hurry to get me into the lab once we returned that no one thought to wipe me. I knew exactly the way out. I wanted, so badly, to find my file and have answers. But I was tired. So tired. I only had one chance. I took it.” 

“From there, you escaped through…?” 

“The woods.” Charlotte grinned. “The same goddamn woods they used for the hunting exercises.” 

“And then you hitch-hiked across Europe,” Nat joined in. 

“Which is exactly where the story I already told you picks up.” Charlotte’s face showed relief, whether it was over the end of the grueling discussion or in finally sharing her burdens with someone. 

“Did anyone ever come after you? Try to find you?” Maria frowned. 

“Not once.” Charlotte shrugged. “I was careful, at first. I changed my hair every few weeks. Kept moving. Didn’t have a phone or a footprint of any kind. As time went on and no one came, I stopped hiding. But I never stopped looking over my shoulder.” 

“I just find it strange that HYDRA would give up with not one, but two of their most lethal assassins just…out in the world.” 

“With what I left behind, there wasn’t much of a team to rally.” 

Maria raised an eyebrow, skeptical, but Natasha waved her off before she could continue. Pressing the button to stop the session recording, Nat grasped Charlotte’s hand. “I think that’s enough reliving trauma for one day. What do you say to wine and pizza, and Peter bringing the big TV in here for the night?”

Charlotte squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’d say…I hope you like pineapple on pizza.” 

As Natasha breezed out of the room, promising to be back bearing gifts within the hour, Bruce caught up to her in the hallway. Jogging to keep pace, he stammered a protest. “You know, with the damage to her kidneys, from uh - the run…she really shouldn’t be having wine. If I could just do another urine sample to make sure she’s okay, then -” 

“Bruce.” Natasha whirled to face him, stopping in her tracks. “Go back and listen to the session recording and then try and tell me that girl doesn’t deserve a glass of wine. Because if I had to take one guess, you’ll be bringing her something much stronger before you even get through it.” 

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Unlikely Partners - Everett Ross X Female (Avenger) Reader

Title: Unlikely Partners

Everett Ross X Female (Avenger) Reader

Additional Characters: Fury, Tony (Mentioned), Peter (Mentioned), Natasha (Mentioned), Steve (Mentioned), Sam (Mentioned), Bucky (Mentioned), Clint (Mentioned), Wanda (Mentioned), Vision (Mentioned), Bruce (Mentioned), and Dr. Luther Shank (OC)

Requested by Anon!

WC: 4,377

Warnings: The Reader wears a dress (briefly), Reader is mentioned wearing heels (briefly), sort of haters to lovers, scientific terms, guns mentioned briefly, super soldier serum mentioned, teasing, taunting, banter, flirting, some movie references, nervousness, anxiety, embarrassment, alcohol mentioned (champagne), slight angst, and fluff

"You're partnering me with Ross?" You asked Fury, confused and a bit frustrated as Everett Ross himself stood beside you in Fury's office.

Everett crossed his arms, scoffing as he gave you a quick glance, "Yeah, I'm not too fond of working with you either."

"Why am I partnered with Ross? He's CIA. He's not even an Avenger. What about Steve?" You asked, placing your hands on your hips as Fury continued to stare at you with a stern frown.

He sighed, clasping his hands together on his desk, "He's on a mission with Barnes and Wilson in Peru." 

You pursed your lips as you glanced at the ceiling briefly, "Clint?"

"He's on a break," Fury replied, as you remembered he went to see his family.

"Nat?" You then tried, as you prayed that she was free to go with you instead but Fury shook his head.

"She's on a mission with Banner, Maximoff, and Vision."

Your mind racing, you began to tap your foot, cringing slightly before reluctantly asking, "Tony?" 

Fury stared at you before giving you a 'really' look, "Do you really want to go on this mission with Stark?"

You glanced around the room, avoiding both Fury and Ross's gaze, fidgeting awkwardly in your spot as you realized that you had to go with the CIA Agent, "No."

"You're going with Ross," Fury muttered, before sliding a file across his desk, Ross picking it up. "Inside this file includes your hotel information, everything has already been paid for, as well as the location of the gala you both will be attending as a couple, undercover." Your mind was flashing red warning lights as your eyes widened. Fury continued, "You are looking for Dr. Luther Shank. We don't know much about the man, but what we do know is that he may be involved with the Super Soldier Serum. We need you both to get as much information as you can. And after, S.H.I.E.L.D. will handle the rest."

You crossed your arms, glancing over at the file that Everett was flipping through, before looking up at Fury, "Undercover, as a couple? Why couldn't I do this mission alone?"

Fury frowned, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair as he explained, "Because you're an Avenger and you don't have any field experience with undercover work."

"And Ross does?" You asked, tilting your head to the side.

Fury nodded his head once, "Yes."

You were shaking your head as you said, "There must be someone else who could-"

"That would be a waste of time," Fury interrupted you, "We don't have anyone else available. Now, the gala starts tonight, seven sharp. I'd head to that hotel and get ready if I were you. You're dismissed."

"Yes, sir." You muttered grumpily, following Ross out of Fury's office and heading down the hall with the man. 

It was awkward and the tension was thick between you two as you walked quickly along the hallway towards the elevators. Ross was the one who broke the silence once in the elevator, "Do you think you are skilled enough to do this mission?" And to that question, you gave him a look, raising an eyebrow as you pivoted your hip to the side, tilting your head to the side.

You then scoffed, looking away, "I get it, Ross, I don’t want to be a part of this partnership either."

You were lying, you did want to be a part of this. And you did want to be his partner in this undercover mission. 

Contrary to belief, you really liked Ross, you really did. You found him funny, sarcastic, intelligent... Handsome. Really handsome. You actually had a few encounters with the man, but sadly, they didn't go too well. It seemed that Everett Ross was pretty stubborn, especially when working with you, or in your presence in general. He rarely worked with Fury on Avenger-like missions, but when he did, and with you, he would be pretty rude. You didn't know why exactly, but he always seemed disinterested or displeased with you around. You really thought that he hated you. 

Now, when you first met Everett, he was actually really nice, charming really. He greeted you and shook your hand, smiling. From that moment, you were hooked. You couldn't help but feel attracted to him. But, after the next few times, he seemed to change. You didn't know why he changed, or why he hated you, but it upset you, and it still does. So, you pushed back your feelings for the man and tried to avoid him as much as possible. But, that didn't really seem to work much since you partnered with him most of the time.

You wished that he wasn't so stubborn all the time, because it made life difficult when you needed him to cooperate more. You were also a bit nervous about posing as a couple with him for the mission. You just hoped that everything would go swimmingly.

~~~

"Do you know anything about this Dr. Shank?" Ross asked as you both sat on the bed of one of the hotel rooms, the file open and papers scattered before the two of you. 

"Only that he's a doctor of chemistry, top of his class of 1986, Harvard. He's a bit famous in the scientific community due to the advancements he has made in his science and engineering career. Rumour has it that he works with a team of scientists called the STING, and they have plans to release an enhanced super serum in order to increase the strength of enhanced individuals." You answered, flipping through pages of paper and scribbling notes down.

"Is all that information correct and legit?" Ross asked, as you looked up from the file and raised your eyebrows at him.

You stared at Ross before letting out a laugh, "'Legit'? What are you? My teacher? Citing my sources? Yes, they are fact-checked and everything. Got my information from Peter."

It was Everett's turn to pause and stop reading the file as he looked up at you, "Peter Parker? Isn't he, what? Sixteen?"

"Yeah." You answered, getting back to writing some more notes, "He's into all that science stuff. He's very reliable. No matter how many times he talks about Alien and Star Wars." You joked lightly, making Everett roll his eyes.

Ross shrugged his shoulders in defeat, putting the file down as he turned to face you, "Well, the gala is in two hours. We should get ready. I'll pick you up in an hour." He spoke, getting off the bed and heading to the door.

"Can't wait, hubby!" You teased, watching as Everett's hand paused on the doorknob, rolling his eyes before leaving the room.

You smiled, pushing yourself off the bed and heading to the closet. Opening it, you stared at the dress hanging there. You hadn't worn a dress in a while, sticking to your bodysuit when on missions or fighting aliens from space. And other than bodysuits, you wore whatever was comfortable for you. Tonight though, you were wearing a dress, and you were sort of excited, maybe. You didn't know how you felt. 

Getting ready, you looked at yourself in the mirror, admiring the way the dress looked on you. It was elegant. That was a word for it. It was your favorite color too, that was the one thing that you had to make sure it was. But you felt beautiful, you were glad that you got this chance to wear it, even if only for an evening. As you looked at yourself, fidgeting with the dress, your mind began to wander... Wondering if Everett would like the dress. 

You snapped out of your thoughts when you finally heard Ross knocking on your door, you put on your heels and clipped your emergency gun to your thigh just as you opened the door to find Everett standing there, dressed to kill.

He took your breath away.

"Wow." You let out as you examined his outfit and hair; a nice black suit, pressed perfectly, with his hair combed neatly, "Real-life James Bond-ing up in here." You blurted out, feeling a bit anxious as Everett just looked at you. You thought you saw his eyes widen ever-so-slightly, and him giving you a once-over, but you must have been seeing things. A trick of the light. And nerves. And hope.

"Are you ready?" He asked, and you nodded, feeling your mouth dry up a bit as you swallowed. You then watched as he opened his pocket, handing you a silver band. "Here's your ring. I already have mine on. We should head out. Don't want to be late." He finished, seemingly rushed as you quickly slid the ring on your ring finger, feeling your face flush. This was going to be harder than you thought.

~~~

The car ride to the gala was very uncomfortable, and silent. You were trying not to glance at Everett, not wanting to show how affected you were by the situation, by him. You were being forced to go to a dance. With Everett. Dancing. For God knows how long. All night. But, it was for a good reason, you repeat to yourself in your mind, you were stopping a nutty scientist from creating more Super Soldiers.

You stared out the passenger side window, watching the lights of buildings turn into blurry trees. You wanted to say something, anything to break the deafening silence between the two of you. Anything to make the atmosphere less tense. But you didn't. You were afraid of what you would say, or what might happen. Or worse, you would say the wrong thing and annoy the man. He already disliked you, why make it worse?

"We're here." Everett suddenly said, parking the car on the large front lawn of the large mansion with the other fancy cars. He turned off the car, turning to you as you looked over at him, meeting his gaze, "Do you remember our cover names?"

"Frank and Lisa McKinnon. You are a professor of Biology, and I am a Physics professor at Stanford. We met at the 2017 Science Conference in Huston, Texas. We instantly clicked and started dating, married two years later, and are working on our careers together." You responded as you turned your head towards the mansion and started to unbuckle your seatbelt, "We're good, right?" You asked as Everett leaned back into his seat, running a hand across his chin as he sighed heavily, nodding.

"Fine. Let's get out of here." He replied, opening his car door and walking over to your side, opening the door for you. "My lady." He offered his hand to you.

You gave him a look, taking his hand as you stepped out of the car, "You do know that we have to act like we like each other, right?" You asked, looping your arms with his as the two of you walked to the entrance of the mansion.

He nodded, "I do know. But, don't worry, I've done undercover missions before." He tried to reassure you, but it only seemed to make you more nervous. You felt uncomfortable butterflies begin to flutter in your stomach, swirling and swirling as you let out a shaky breath, one that Everett noticed. He paused, stopping right outside the main ballroom, turning to look at you. "We'll be fine. Just breathe, okay?"

You nodded slowly, trying to calm yourself down. You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath before opening your eyes and giving a smile. "This believable?" You asked as Everett gave you a small smile in return, his mind faltering slightly at the sight, finding you amusing. 

"Yeah, it's believable." 

Heading into the room, you felt a bit anxious, looking at all the people in the room. There were definitely a hundred or more people in the large ballroom. Maybe more. Some were dancing, some talking in small groups, while others were drinking. You noticed that almost everyone was holding a drink in their hands; a glass of bubbling champagne. You tightened your hold on Everett's arm, placing your free hand on top of your hand on Everett's arm since you had no idea what to do with it. Your mind was worrying and racing, wondering if you were doing everything right, or everything wrong.

Moving around the room, Everett grabbed two glasses of champagne, handing you a glass. "Since I have to drive, you can drink."

You took a small sip of the drink, eyeing the people around the room, your mind slowly but surely getting into the Avenger rhythm. "Why get a glass then?" You muttered as Everett leaned over to answer you.

"Blending in. Have you found Shank?" He asked and you hummed, shaking your head slightly, "No, nothing yet."

"Excuse me?" You heard a voice, turning around, you tried to hide your shock and surprise as you found yourself standing in front of Dr. Shank himself. He gave you and Everett an odd smile, creepy, you thought as he offered his hand to Everett. "My name is Dr. Luther Shank, professor of chemistry at MIT." The man spoke, smiling politely, as Everett took the doctor's hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Dr. Frank McKinnon, professor of Biology." He introduced himself before gesturing to you, "And this is my wife, Dr. Lisa, professor of Physics."

Dr. Shank hummed, turning his gaze to you, and offering his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Lisa. I must say, Physics is one of my favorite hobbies. Very interesting subject." He complimented, giving you a smile. "Tell me, what is your view on Quantum mechanics and the scale of atoms and subatomic particles?"

"I find the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles to be fascinating! I am especially fond of Einstein's paper where he envisioned light traveling not in waves, but as some manner of energy quanta; completely spinning everything we had known about atoms and light on its axis. I also find Schrödinger's cat experiment to be quite interesting as well..." You rambled, Everett looking at you as if you had grown an extra head as Dr. Shank gave you a large grin.

"Fascinating! Do you believe that loop quantum gravity is a possibility in the near future for the physics community?"

You let out a small giggle, placing a hand on your chest, "Did Issac Newton discover gravity?" You asked playfully.

Dr. Shank let out a laugh, turning to nudge Everett on the shoulder, "My, my, Frank. You better be careful and keep an eye on this one. Someone might steal her away. Or I might." He laughed, as Everett and you forced yourselves to laugh, before he spoke again, "In fact, could I steal her for the next dance?" He asked, and you let go of Everett's arm. 

"By all means, just bring her back," Everett spoke jokingly, feigning his friendliness as you gave him a smile. 

"I'll be back. Hold my glass, will you?" You asked, handing Everett the champagne glass before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Everett watched as you walked arm in arm to the dance floor with Dr. Shank, watching as you smiled and began to waltz with the man, laughing at whatever he was saying to you. Everett felt uneasy as he watched you dance with him, dropping the two glasses on a passing tray before pressing his hand on his cheek where you kissed him. It was hard to admit, but Everett had grown a bit fond of you.

He had come to realize that he was starting to care for you, way before this mission, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He had no choice but to watch as you danced with Dr. Shank. Feeling jealousy bubbles inside him as you talk with the scientist, feeling foolish for getting jealous over you dancing and spending time with a man who could be your grandfather. It was stupid. But, Everett pushed those feelings back down, ignoring the feelings, ignoring your laughter over the live band, ignoring how incredibly smart you are, and ignoring the way you looked in that dress.

You swayed and danced along to the music, conversing with the man who was the leader of STING, the one that had the information you needed to put him and many other corrupt scientists away. You didn't know what to say to help you, and you were about to speak when Dr. Shank spoke up instead. 

"I must say, Dr. Lisa, I am rather impressed." He began, "You have quite the mind for science."

You smiled, "Well, you must when you are working in the field, learning about the most complex subject in the world."

Dr. Shank nodded eagerly, agreeing, "Of course, I know what you mean. When I first came to the field, I was fascinated by the study of the brain and human beings in general. But recently, I found something incredible." He ranted, his eyes glinting dangerously as he continued, and you weren't going to stop him. "You must have heard of the Super Soldier Serum, being a part of the Scientific Community. I have recently found that there is a gene that can be enhanced and magnify the effects of the Serum. Yes, they will have the same results as Captain America, but more so. They would have ten times the amount of powers that the serum has. And, I'm not the only one working on it. All sorts of scientists are working on ways to enhance it." He spoke in a hushed tone.

You raised your eyebrows, this guy, for being a doctor, was very dumb for telling a practical stranger all this information. The exact information that you were looking for. "Really?" You asked, feigning surprise, "Is that all really possible?"

"Wouldn't it be?" He asked, "From the tests I ran on a few samples from the serum to see if it could be enhanced further, yes. It seems possible." He said, sounding very confident.

You gave a nod, smiling, "Yes. I think that would be a big breakthrough. What exactly do you plan to do with it once it's ready?" You pressed.

"Well... Theoretically. My team and I are going to try and..." He leaned a bit closer to whisper, "And sell it to HYDRA."

You tried to hide your shock, "Interesting. Do you think they'll accept your offer? If you're selling it to them, theoretically, I mean." You let out a small chuckle.

"If we can sell it to them... I wouldn't be surprised if they did." He replied, nodding toward a group of people, "With my help, we can create a world of superhumans. We’ll be unstoppable, able to fight off other countries with ease." He boasted, making you smirk.

You didn't say anything, having all the information you needed. All you needed now was to leave with Everett and report to Fury. As the song came to an end, the dancers turned to the band to applaud, before Dr. Shank turned to you. 

"It was lovely meeting you, Dr. Lisa. I hope we run into each other in the future. Maybe we can meet up for coffee and have a discussion on Schrödinger's cat." He spoke, taking your hand and pressing a kiss to your knuckles. 

"I would love that."

And at that, Dr. Shank left, finding a friend of his to speak to. You were about to leave the dance floor yourself before you felt a tap on your shoulder. Turning around, Everett stood there, offering his hand out to you. "Would you care for a dance?" He asked, and you paused, pleasantly surprised as you took his hand. 

"I'd love to." You softly told him, letting Everett lead you into a soft waltz. You fidgeted with the collar of Everett's suit, feeling a bit nervous as the two of you danced. 

It was quiet between the two of you for a moment more before Everett spoke, "So, what did you find out?" He asks softly, his voice no higher than a whisper as his hand on your lower back sends heat waves through you, making you shiver.

"Dr. Shank knows the secret to creating enhanced Super Soldiers." You answered softly, biting your lip lightly as you looked at Everett, trying to ignore how close you were together. How easy it would be to lean forward and press your lips against his, the thought making your stomach flip. You pushed the thought away.

"He just told you? That easily?" Everett asked, surprised, and you nodded.

"Yeah, basically. It wasn't that hard. For a doctor, he's really dumb." You muttered, making Everett smirk slightly at your words. 

You both continued to dance, the two of you enjoying the silence for a little longer before Everett spoke up, "I didn't know you were so interested in physics."

Your eyes lit up, as you let out a small chuckle, "Oh, no. Uh, I'm not."

Everett furrowed his eyebrows, tilting his head to the side slightly, confused, "What? Then how did you know so much about the subject?"

"I asked Peter. He's into that stuff, remember?" You let out a small laugh, "I'm only guilty of being able to remember all that information."

"Ah," Everett exclaimed, before glancing to the side briefly, albeit awkwardly. "Uh, I forgot to tell you but... You look beautiful tonight." You felt warmth fill your cheeks as Everett looked at you, slightly nervous himself. "I, uh, really like your dress."

"Thank you." You muttered quietly, proud of thinking that he would like the dress, "That's really sweet of you."

The two of you continued to stare at each other for a few moments, a silent tension falling between the two of you, before Everett spoke up, "I'm sorry about being hard on you sometimes too. I, uh, it's very unprofessional of me and I apologize if I've ever made you feel uncomfortable or upset."

You were almost speechless, "Thank you, Everett. That... That means a lot to me." You muttered, feeling your heart race as Everett looked at you with an unknown look in his eyes; he let out a shaky breath before continuing.

"I... I wanted to also tell you that I actually really admire you." He confessed, your mind slowly drowning out the music and the people around you.

You let out a breath, "Really? I thought you hated me." You raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly.

Everett's eyebrows scrunched back up, as he lightly frowned, "Hated you? No, no, I don't hate you. It's quite the opposite." He simply spoke, before freezing. 

You stared at him, his words sinking in slowly as you processed his words, "Oh." You breathed out.

"I... I mean..." Everett began, starting to freak out slightly, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm sorry."

You chuckled slightly, feeling your heart racing and pounding in your chest, "No, it's fine. Really." You reassured him, smiling, "I understand, honestly. I also admire you. I actually like you a lot. More than like really."

"Really?" Everett asked, and you nodded, shrugging a shoulder.

"Really."

Everett gave you a smile, a real, genuine one, before he cleared his throat lightly, "Well, I'll admit that I was a bit jealous when you were dancing with Dr. Shank."

You let out a small laugh, taking your hand off Everett's shoulder to cover your mouth, "Jealous? Of that old man? Everett." You teased playfully, making Everett's cheeks flush, the pink reaching the tips of his ears; moving his eyes to the ground.

"Well, I really wanted to dance with you, and he just left with you and all that..." He glanced at you, before shaking his head, "Forget I said anything, I'm not saying anything else."

You let out a small huff, "No, Evie," You softly spoke, your fingers brushing through the hair on the nape of his neck, goosebumps rising, "I think it's cute."

"Cute?" He looked up at you, his green eyes filled with amusement.

You nodded, "Yeah, cute." You said, giving him another soft smile, causing him to smile, shaking his head. You were something, that's for sure.

"Well, Dr. Lisa. Would you like to go on a date with Dr. Frank sometime after this?" Everett asked, leaning a bit closer to you as you smirked, looping both our arms around his neck as his hands placed themselves on your waist.

"Dr. Lisa would love to go on a date with Dr. Frank." Making you bite your bottom lip, feeling a wave of giddiness flow over you.

"Alright, that settles it then. A date with Dr. Frank it is." Everett declared, and you couldn't stop the large grin that broke out across your face as you pulled Everett closer.

This was perfect. This was everything you hoped it would be. Minus being on a mission, you loved being at a gala, in fancy clothing, dancing with Everett. The atmosphere around you both was romantic, and you enjoyed every moment of it. Every touch, every glance, and every laugh made you feel butterflies inside of you; you couldn't help but smile. You didn't want this night to end. But, like all things do, the night and the gala ended. Hand in hand, you let out a little giggle, swinging the two of your hands, your fingers intertwined as you headed to the car. He opened your door for you, before getting in himself and starting that long drive back to the hotel. 

Everett looked over at you, watching you for a moment, completely enamored by you. "What are you looking at?" You asked with a grin, chuckling a little as you glanced over at him.

"Nothing. What makes you think I'm looking at something?" Everett responded, turning his attention back to driving.

"Because, it looked like you were looking at me," You pointed out cheekily, causing Everett to turn towards you.

"I was." He stated simply, his gaze unwavering from yours, making you flush. You let out a quiet giggle before resting your head against the headrest, closing your eyes. 

"Just drive, Everett." You sighed, opening your eyes once again.

Everett just chuckled, turning back to the road, "Yes, ma'am."