#coffee shop au and a baker buck au | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

metalbvcky · 2 years ago

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Wow, has this year flown by! I participated in my first-ever big bang, a minibang, a zine, wrote and posted several fics, and had the pleasure of immersing myself in all of these lovely words!

This is just a small sampling from my bookmarks because there's SO MUCH MORE that I have yet to read. Sometimes I wish I could teleport back to 2020 when I had the time and energy to read 100k+ a day xD I'll get to 'em eventually, though :)

But for now, here's a dozen that I really enjoyed. I thought I'd add a little snippet below the fic info for funzies!

impossible things before breakfast by snarkymuch (@snarky-drabbles)

Rating: Teen+ Tags: Shrinkyclinks, Soulmate AU, Pre-Serum Steve, Sickfic, Chronic Illness, Enemies to Lovers, Meet-Ugly Word Count: 22,381 (1/1)

Lip curling, Steve met his pale eyes, hating that he’d ever found them attractive. “You don’t know shit about me, dick head. So why don’t you go fuck yourself with that enormous shitbag personality of yours?”

The asshole just huffed, flexing his arm, clearly trying to intimidate. “Your work ethic says plenty, but hey, I’m not the one paying you, though don’t think I won’t be sharing what a fucking great fella you are—sleeping on the job and backtalking to the people you’re supposed to be working for.”

As Cold As Ice by Kalee60 (@kalee60)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Office AU, Silver Fox Steve Rogers, Snowed In, Enemies to Lovers, Falling In Love, Feelings Realization,Top Steve, Bottom Bucky Word Count: 27,267 (5/5)

“You can’t go anywhere.”

“The fuck I can’t,” Bucky growled over his shoulder as Steve stood behind him, resting against the wall like he owned the place. The look on his face, though, was too hard to decipher through the anger and annoyance that Bucky held onto.

“I mean it,” Steve stated. “It’s about to storm properly and the roads will be impassable.”

“I’ll stay in the car, then.” Bucky knew he sounded sulky, but damn it - he’d been thrown for a loop.

What are friends for? by musette22 (@musette22)

Rating: Gen Tags: Canon Divergence - Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Established Relationship, Rivalry, Fluff, Crack, Humor Word Count: 2,630 (1/1)

“Buck, look,” Steve snorted, bumping Bucky’s shoulder and pointing at the menu board. “So, if I’m a Cappuccino, I think that makes you a Babyccino.”

Bucky huffed out a breath that Steve knew meant an amused laugh. “What the hell is a Babyccino.”

“No fuckin’ clue,” Steve grinned fondly, “but it sounds real cute, so it fits.”

Brooklyn Bakes words by Oh_i_swear (@oh-i-swear-writes) art by britbrit99

Rating: Explicit Tags: Shrinkyclinks, Bakery/Coffee Shop AU, Baker Steve, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, Idiots In Love, Bottom Steve Word Count: 54,362 (7/7)

“Okay, so what would you recommend for someone with a sweet tooth?” He asks, and Steve smiles, glad he hasn’t just talked the guy into submission.

“Well, you can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie, and I’m pretty sure Yelena has a batch due to come out of the oven so you can have it still warm - which is absolutely the best way to enjoy a cookie. We have pecan pie, we have Yelena’s smetannik, which is basically a layer cake,” he replies, nudging his glasses back up his nose again. “And good, strong coffee to wash it all down.”

A Lecture on Sexting by rohruh (@rohruh)

Rating: Explicit Tags: College AU, Top Steve, Bottom Bucky, Daddy Kink, Phone Sex, Dirty Talk Word Count: 2,771 (1/1)

Bucky is not going to open it. He can’t. He’s in class. It’s one thing to exchange a few flirty texts, but a video? He stares down at the phone, wide-eyed, and shoves it back into his lap.

He’ll wait until the break to open it. He’ll excuse himself to the bathroom and once he’s in the privacy of a stall, he’ll watch it. That’s what he tells himself.

Breaking the Hippocratic Oath by buckybarnesdeservestobehappy (hutchabelle) (@buckybarnesdeservestobehappy)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Modern AU, Medical AU, Doctor/Patient Relationship, Doctor Steve, Patient Bucky, Age Difference, Inappropriate Behavior, Non-Con Elements Word Count: 9,271 (1/1)

Loosening his tie, Steve toes off his shoes and unbuttons the top of his shirt. When Bucky freezes and his eyes darken, Steve steps toward him and pulls Bucky to him with a hand on his hip.

“Do you want me to be nice?” he asks huskily. “Or do you want me to drag things out? Prolong it all? Make you wait until you can’t anymore? Or what about this? I could be mean to you. Make you beg and squeal. Put you on your knees and keep you there until I decide you deserve more. What do you want, honey? Because I want to give it to you.”

Blinking at him, Bucky reaches up and wraps his arms around Steve’s neck. Stretching onto his tiptoes, he presses his lithe body against Steve’s much bigger frame. “I want it all.”

Smooth Talker by HaniTrash (@hanitrash)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Shrunkyclunks. Canon Divergence - Post-Avengers (2012), Waxing, Semi-Public Sex, Bottom Steve Rogers Word Count: 7,767 (1/1)

“Listen, you may have a very generous ass, but it’s certainly not big enough to warrant use of soft wax. And believe me, you do not want to use soft wax on your junk.”

Steve stops dead, one leg still half in his pants, and nearly falls over as he rushes out from behind the screen. “I’m sorry, my what? That’s—that is not what I booked.”

“B&C combo, right? That’s what my schedule says.”

“Yeah, back and chest!” he cries, indignant.

last train home by sparkagrace (@sparkagrace) [also apart of the last train home series]

Rating: Gen Tags: Modern AU, Established Relationship, Drunkeness, Fluff, Drunk Bucky Word Count: 995 (1/1)

“Hello?”

“‘s me. Your pal, your buddy,” he hiccups, “your Buuuuuucky.” He drawls his name out, the word feeling like cotton in his mouth. “I can’t feel my teeth.”

Swimming in Desire words by sebbys_mama (@sebbys-mama) art by elkleggs (@elkleggs)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Silver Fox Steve Rogers, Retired Navy SEAL Steve Rogers, Age Difference, Swim lessons, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Bottom Bucky, Top Steve Word Count: 7,026 (1/1)

“So, um, what are your plans for today?” Bucky asked, attempting to sound casual, instead of insanely aroused.

“Like I said, I’m going to get you wet.” Steve slid into the shallow end of the pool, but kept his eyes locked on Bucky’s. “How does that sound?”

Bucky bit his bottom lip, desperately trying to keep any inappropriate noises from escaping his throat. Finally, he rasped out, “That sounds really good.”

the trials and tribulations of the (almost) cat thief by steviesunrises (riverdraft) (@steviesunrises)

Rating: Teen+ Tags: Shrunkyclunks, Canon Divergence - Post-Avengers (2012), Fluff, Meet-Cute, Veterinarian Bucky Barnes, Getting Together, Alpine the Cat Word Count: 7,182 (3/3)

“When are you free?” Bucky says, interrupting Steve’s thoughts. “Let me buy you a coffee.” He leans on his elbows on the reception desk and flashes a smile again. It makes Steve’s knees want to buckle. “Y’know, for rescuing my cat.”

Steve nods dumbly. He opens his mouth to agree, because when the pretty vet asks you to coffee you say yes.

“Yeah. Let’s get coffee, so you can thank me for the rescue,” Steve agrees. “Besides, my services don’t come free, Buck,” he adds, choosing to tease and push his boundaries. “Give me your number and I’ll consider all debts fully repaid.”

Sweet Sugar by this_wayward_life (@wayward-lives)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Modern AU, Lawyer Bucky, Student Steve, Age Difference, Bottom Bucky, Top Steve, Meet-Cute, Getting Together, Daddy Kink Word Count: 8,015 (1/1)

"Steve," Bucky gasps out. He's clutching at that stupid white shirt, half on Steve's lap with Steve's thumb in his mouth and Steve's hand on his ass, and God, he thought he'd passed this stage in his life years ago.

"You gonna take me home, Buck?" Steve murmurs, leaning forward just enough to let his breath fan across Bucky's cheek. "You gonna get me in your bed, make me work for your money?" Bucky whines, high and pathetic, and Steve curses, hooks his thumb further in Bucky's mouth, hauls him up so he can properly straddle Steve's lap. "Fuck, sugar. Gimme your phone, lemme call a car."

pretty baby you have me (so weak) by inevitablemeow (@theycallmeinevitable)

Rating: Explicit Tags: Canon 'Verse, Kink Discovery, Daddy Kink, Dom Steve, Sub Bucky, Top Steve, Bottom Bucky, Word Count: 10,605 (1/1)

“Daddy,” he breathes.

Steve’s heart stops. The smile slides off his face as his eyes go wide. What?

“Da—”

“Bucky,” Steve says, more loudly than he really means to. “Baby, wake up.”

#stucky #stevebucky #stucky fanfic #stucky fanfic rec #stucky rec #stucky fic rec #stucky fanfiction #marvel rec #fanfic rec #steve rogers x bucky barnes #my ficrec

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aringofsalt · 5 months ago

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wait also kinard's coffee au and btw AU first meeting for the wip game 💜💜💜

first meeting au is here!

kinard's coffee is like barely an idea hahaha i have like 3 paragraphs and a dream. but tommy owns a coffee shop, hires a new baker who is of course buck, and develops a crush over a few months but because buck is always talking about chris, and chris and eddie come in on their way home from school or whatever pretty often, he assumes chris is their kid. but buck is always really flirty, sometimes tommy forgets himself and flirts back but usually tries to be really stoic cause he has no interest in being a homewrecker. eventually buck is like look, i'll quit if it means you'll actually decide if you wanna flirt or not and tommy bluescreens a little

#asked and answered #starryeyedjanai

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aashiqeddiediaz · 2 years ago

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Hi there ~

Would love to hear about #4 (a thousand words (and then some)), #15, and #16 for the fic asks :))

Hi bestie ily <3

What detail in [insert fic] are you really proud of?

For a thousand words (and then some), I am...super proud of the way I wrote the poses, because that was so difficult. I could picture them in my mind's eye, could picture Buck and Eddie moving around each other, could picture the awkwardness that comes with being in such intimate positions for the first time - that too in front of a camera - but they turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself xD

I also like the way I wrote Buck realizing that Eddie was in love with him, rather than just loves him, and that his comment(s) during the shoot had hurt Eddie deeply. I feel like I see too much of Eddie being oblivious, and not much of Buck doing it, so...yeah.

What’s your favorite AU that you’ve written?

I am awfully fond of the merman AU I wrote, where Eddie is a merman, and the dragon AU where Buck is a dragon and Eddie is a fallen angel, but those are still set pretty much in canon.

For the actual AU where they're different people, I love the small-town coffee shop AU where Eddie is a barista and Buck is a writer. It's been a long time since then, and I'm sure if I re-read it, I'd change stuff, but it was still good.

What’s an AU you would love to read (or have read and loved)?

Your doctor-detective one! I love that one hehe, and the red strings of fate one xD

I don't really know what AU I'd love to read, but I think it would be funny to have baker!Eddie and chef!Buck - and they both suck at doing the other thing (ya know how people say some bakers are horrible cooks and vice versa? like that.)

Thanks for the ask!

fic writer asks

#zee answers #zee's writing process #sky: the best cowriter #ask games #writer asks #i just have a lot of thoughts about red strings of fate rn

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y0itsbri · 3 years ago

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Milk(ovich) & Cookies

Summary: A Gallagher family vacation AU with baker!Mickey

Prompt: a canon divergent first meeting of Ian and Mickey, where Mickey is the one pursuing Ian (basically gimme ALL the flirty Mickey you can muster)

For @abundanceofnots for the Gallavich Gift Exchange 2021 (@gallavichthings) 🎁

A thousand 'thank you's to my love @grumpymickmilk for the wonderful banner and all the support 💗

Words: 3.3k

"Gallaghers, line up! Everyone have their hats, coats, gloves, scarves, boots?"

The Gallagher kids stood in line in front of Fiona, frantically fumbling with each of their outfits to make sure they were appropriately bundled for the snow. Debbie held Liam's small hand while Fiona secured his hat's velcro strap under his chin. Carl kept trying to take off running towards the lodge, but Ian held a firm grip on his shoulder.

Fiona stepped back a couple paces, hands on her waist. "Alright, kids. Meet back at the room for dinner. You better come back in one piece or I will break you myself." She knelt down in front of Carl, taking his face in her hands, "And no creating weapons of mass destruction this winter vacation, got it?"

"No promises." Lip mumbled.

"Sounds good, Fi." Ian smiled, squeezing a half-promising smile out of Carl too.

"Great. Call me or Jimmy-Steve if you need anyone, but try not to need anything." She lifted Liam off the floor and settled him on her hip.

Debbie and Carl fucked off to god knows where to terrorize the locals. Lip was already well on his way to being plastered in the all-expenses-included lodge bar, whining to some chick about being in the off stage of his on-again-off-again relationship with Karen Jackson.

Ian, sober as ever, decided to make the most of his trip and take a stroll down Main Street. Rainbow Christmas lights were wrapped around the trunks of each tree, wreaths and metal snowflakes hung from streetlights, and each store took on their own festive identity.

He made note of an antique shop and a gift shop he wanted to visit before they left, but his heart (and stomach) was drawn to a bakery. 'Sweet Cheeks' was lit up in some retro font, an image of a chipmunk with full cheeks seemingly the mascot of the small business. Ian smiled.

Scents of cinnamon and ginger and other spices that Ian's nose wasn't able to distinguish swirled together in a delicious coziness. The warm lights from the store flooded out onto the pavement, daring him to escape the cold. He caved.

Inside the bakery, some indie music played over the speakers, a comfortable volume amongst the chatter and laughter coming from nearby tables.

"Can I help you?" A voice called from behind the counter, more amused than annoyed, as the seemingly permanent grumpy face would otherwise indicate. The guy raised an eyebrow at Ian, who was standing in the entrance like an oaf. Fuck, he was being embarrassing.

"Uh, yeah. Something smelled good when I was walking by. I want whatever that was."

As soon as it left his mouth, Ian knew that it wasn't the right thing to say.

"I mean, uh," he skimmed the menu as quickly as he could but it may have well been in a different language for all he knew. French maybe? Debbie had an 'all-things-Paris' phase a few years back, but he didn't know enough to get by.

"Cookies are on the house, man." The guy sniffed, cheeks pink from the warm lighting of the café.

Ian sighed in relief. "Yeah, that sounds great."

Ian threw a couple dollars in the tip jar and then headed out. It wasn't until he was a few stores down that he actually took a bite into the gingerbread cookie.

And fuck.

He was pretty sure it was the best damn cookie he's ever had.

Ian was no glutton, but he couldn't get that cookie out of his head all night. Before he went to bed, he googled 'Sweet Cheeks - Chicago' and hoped they posted their menu online.

They didn't.

"One iced coffee please." Ian leaned against the counter, already throwing a couple bucks into the tip jar as the same guy as before rang up his order. He was wearing a name tag upside. He tilted his head a bit to read it.

Mickey.

"You're back soon." Mickey smiled. It was a beautiful smile if Ian had ever seen one. Slightly crooked and his eyes crinkling with it, as if he was genuinely happy to see Ian.

"Couldn't stop thinking about that gingerbread cookie if we're being honest. Do you guys put crack in it or something?"

A couple patrons turned their head in shock, but Mickey laughed outright. Ian didn't think it was that funny, but he smiled anyways.

"Nah, man. Not this time."

This had Ian wondering -- Did they put crack in cookies? Was it like the same ballfield as pot in brownies? He bet Mickey would know more about it.

"What's your name, Red?"

"Uh, Ian."

"Sick, thanks, man. Coffee will be out soon."

A few moments later, Mickey had Ian's coffee out, complete with a cookie in a paper bag.

"It ain't a gingerbread, but I figured you'd still think this is cute as fuck."

Ian couldn't imagine calling a cookie cute, but when he saw what Mickey was referring to, yeah, it was cute as fuck. A sugar cookie with a penguin drawn onto it with that fancy icing.

"Thanks, Mickey." Ian shoved the cookie into his mouth in one bite as he nodded and headed towards the door.

"See ya, Red."

Ian couldn't help but wonder if Mickey's customer service was as amicable to everyone else or if he was just special. He didn't dare bring it up to Lip when he was in proper 'will-embarrass-little-brother-in-public' mode. Ian didn't need some baker thinking he was an arrogant piece of shit, even if he could be. But he still didn't need Mickey to know that. Or worse, get offended at the idea.

Yeah, it was better to stay quiet and enjoy his sweet treats.

Ian walked into Sweet Cheeks the next morning expecting Mickey behind the counter again, but was greeted with a dark-haired woman instead. Ian smiled when they locked eyes, but she immediately ducked into the back.

Weird.

By the time Ian made it to the counter, Mickey seemed to be arguing with the girl, but when he caught sight of Ian, his grumpy eyebrows softened and the tips of his ears almost seemed to flush.

"Uh, hey Mickey."

"Hi Ian."

The shop was pretty much empty this early in the morning. Ian had made sure to sneak out of the lodge before any of his siblings woke up. There was some drama going down and he did not want any part of that to ruin his good vibe streak.

"I'm starving. What's good to eat?"

"What? You not liking my cookies anymore?" Mickey teased. He knew damn well Ian was whipped to those sweet, sweet mounds of sugar.

Ian rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. I don't think a cookie shaped like a penguin is gonna sustain me throughout the day."

"What about a polar bear?"

Ian raised an eyebrow and Mickey cocked his head to the latest cookie display. Sure enough, bears with earmuffs lined the glass.

"Cute." Ian said, and he meant it.

"I'll get you some real food too, man, don't worry."

This had to be the least professional transaction that has ever occurred, but Ian trusted Mickey's judgement at this point, the man clearly a confectionary god. He turned to start up the little stove.

"How long're ya here for?"

"Chicago? I've lived here forever. But like we're just visiting this part because my sister's boyfriend's family is apparently rich as fuck and she has some dirt on him so we're here for free for winter break."

Mickey continued staring, the corner of his lips quipping up. Ian was rambling. The classic Gallagher-overshare.

"We're here until the end of December."

"Good to know."

"Why's that?" Ian played along.

"Like seeing your face around here." Mickey shrugged as if it wasn't the nicest thing anyone has said to Ian in... awhile. God, that's sad.

"Ditto." Ian smiled.

Family dinners were always chaotic, but somehow, the Gallaghers managed to up the ante when they were anywhere but home. Voices overlapped until Fiona had enough. One at a time, they were to share one thing they were thankful for. A special Gallagher rendition of a late Thanksgiving, since they don't really celebrate the real thing anymore.

"I'm thankful for you guys and my new laptop." Debbie grinned.

"I'm thankful for Debbie's laptop so I can look up-- ouch! What the fuck?!"

"Carl!"

When it came to Ian's turn, he only had one thought, which admittedly had been swarming his head ever since he stepped foot into the place to begin with.

"I'm thankful for the free cookies at Sweet Cheeks down on Main."

He expected everyone to nod and move on, so he was very much not prepared for the looks of confusion from about half his party.

"Uhhhh, am I missing something?" He finally wondered aloud.

Fiona spoke up. "That the Milkovich's bakery?"

Ian shrugged. Mickey seemed vaguely eastern European so he didn't deny the possibility.

"They never have free samples. Never have, never will. Not even Liam's cute pouty face did the trick."

Weird. Oh. Oh.

Ian's head was buzzing a million miles a minute. He didn't hear Lip's speech about how all women were manipulative monsters or the following argument that ensued.

Ian had a plan. He stormed into Sweet Cheeks, cash in hand.

"How much do I owe you?"

Mickey was startled out of a conversation with that same girl Ian had seen before. "Huh?"

"For the cookies?"

"Really, Red? Thought we went over this. On the house?"

"Yeah, but then why just me?"

Mickey's eyes softened a bit. "Wanted you to have 'em. I like the way your face lights up. Like giving a dog a bone or some shit."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. Did you want to order something or did you just come here to shove money down my pants?"

Ian wasn't thinking about shoving his money there, but now that Mickey mentioned it, he couldn't imagine anything else.

"'Ey, eyes up here." Mickey smirked. Ian gulped.

"Coffee."

"Okay, great. What's your favorite candy, Ian?"

"Reece's?"

"Sweet."

Ian pondered that a bit. He settled on, "Yeah."

Carl was involved in some scam gone wrong. The Gallaghers got that shit under control, they always do, but it did result in Ian being late to the bakery. Like... a lot late. The front door was locked.

"Shit."

Ian slid against the glass door until his ass hit the pavement. He liked the feeling of being a regular somewhere. Especially somewhere where he felt like he actually had a friend.

Despite the cool lodge they got to stay in, Ian felt gross about the whole situation that led them here with Jimmy-Steve's dad. And staying in the man's lodge felt even ickier. Seeing Mickey at least reminded him that there was sweetness under all of this.

But tonight he let himself get a little tipsy, and in Ian Gallagher world, tipsy meant plastered. It was a thin line to balance that he still hadn't perfected. Probably never would.

"You freezin' your ass off?"

Mickey.

Ian felt his ass. Yeah, pretty cold.

"C'mon, let's get you inside."

Ian tried to lift himself up, but somehow ended up sliding even further down the door.

Ian heard a "fuck" coming from Mickey's direction and then small but sturdy hands lifting him to his feet and leaning him against Mickey's shorter frame to keep him upright.

He hadn't remembered getting this drunk.

Mickey unlocked the front door and ordered Ian to sit in one of the corner chairs while he flicked on a couple lamps and hooked up his phone to the surround speakers, a chill song playing, making Ian feel like he was floating.

Mickey sat across from Ian. "Wanna talk about it?"

Ian was coherent enough to be embarrassed about his current state, but he didn't know what else to do.

"Not tonight."

Mickey placed a palm on Ian's thigh, and gave it a comforting squeeze once, twice. He sighed.

"Wanna help me with this new recipe? Some chump I know likes Reece's peanut butter cups and I gotta make some cookies for tomorrow."

It took a moment to process.

"I'm the chump?"

Mickey looked at him with too much fondness in his eyes. "Yeah, man. Sure are. Legs up."

"Huh?" Ian mumbled, but complied.

Mickey pushed his rolling chair to the back of the bakery and through the doors to the main kitchen.

"Woah."

Mickey smirked. "What's the matter, chump? Never seen a kitchen before?"

Ian had seen a kitchen before. But something about this being The Kitchen that created the delicious cookies he consumed everyday, The Kitchen where Mickey apparently was in charge and in his element, thinking about what Ian of all people would enjoy. It was enough to make his heart beat out of his chest.

Mickey shoved a glass of water in his hand. "Drink this and look pretty."

Ian nodded lazily.

They chatted about mindless drama, high school horror stories, their favorite types of mac and cheese, the dog that Carl once brought home, the chronicles of Lip Gallagher and Karen Jackson.

Somewhere in the night, Ian's eyes began to linger on the way that Mickey's long-sleeve shirt clung to his waist and arms, the smudge of flour along the side of Mickey's nose and eyebrow where he had mindlessly scratched them. He was kinda really pretty.

"Staring pretty hard over there, bud. Don't wanna pull a muscle."

Ian shrugged. He was way past being embarrassed now. "Like what I see."

Mickey's cheeks grew pinker at that. "Is that so?"

"Mhm. Have for a while." Ian couldn't even blame the alcohol even if he wanted to at this point. He'd been sobering up nicely, his feelings only intensifying under the kitchen lights.

"Here," Mickey walked over, footsteps heavy against the floor. "Try this." Ian lost track of the batch number, but he couldn't wait to try. He opened his mouth for Mickey to feed him.

"Gross." Mickey grumbled.

But sure enough, Mickey placed a piece of cookie on his tongue, his thumb accidentally brushing Ian's bottom lip.

Ian chewed slowly, not breaking eye contact with Mickey the whole time.

Ian laid in bed that night... morning? whatever, thinking about Mickey. Mickey's kind eyes, Mickey's wit, Mickey's hands.

Ian smiled the whole way to the bakery, a grin playing on his face the whole time Mickey got his order ready.

Ian pulled out a cookie from the paper bag and shoved it whole in his mouth.

Huh. The ones they made last night didn't have icing. Shit, maybe he should have looked at it. Judging by the horrified expression on Mickey's face, yeah, he definitely should have looked at it.

"Was there icing on that one?" Ian asked dumbly.

Mickey paused, steadying his breath, "... Yeah."

Ian pawed around the rest of his bag. No more icing.

"Why don't the others have icing?"

Fuck.

"I was trying to be cute, but I forgot that you eat like a fucking stray dog."

Ian pouted.

"Stray dogs can be cute, man, I'm not denying that. But you just scarfed down my beautiful creation without a second thought. Nah, you don't deserve to know what it said."

"Oh c'mon Mickey," Ian whined. He had the puppy face down. He knew he did. It would only take Mickey a few seconds to cave.

He didn't.

"Lip, there's something seriously wrong with this guy!"

Lip took a drag on the cigarette they were sharing outside of the lodge. "Remind me again why you like him?"

Ian kicked Lip's shin. "It's serious, dude. The puppy eyes didn't work!"

Lip gasped in mock-horror. "Oh no! Someone alert the authorities! Maybe Ian Gallagher isn't as cute as he thought he was!"

"Oh, fuck you too, asshole." Ian made grabby fingers for the cigarette and Lip complied.

Ian leaned his head against the wall.

"Down bad, huh?"

"You could say that again."

"Have you like, I dunno, made a move yet?"

Ian considered. "What if he doesn't feel that way about me?"

Lip took the cigarette back and brought it to his lips. "Then we drink, brother."

Ian had gotten closer with the other baker at Sweet Cheeks over the last few weeks. He'd learned that her name was Mandy and that she was Mickey's little sister. If he couldn't guess it from the way that they looked nearly identical, then he could by the banter between them that could only be acceptable between siblings.

One afternoon, Ian was on babysitting duty, so he brought Liam and Debbie into Sweet Cheeks, planning to order them both a slice of pie. Mickey wasn't working, so Ian knew not to expect free cookies. Instead, Mandy greeted them at the counter, a beaming smile across her face.

"Hi Ian and friends!"

Debbie's eyes widened in awe. Unbeknownst to Ian, his little sister was having her queer awakening all thanks to the magnificent Mandy Milkovich.

"Hey Mandy! I have a favor."

Ian ushered his siblings to his favorite booth in the corner while he conspired with Mandy.

It was almost closing time at the bakery, which meant that Mickey would be in soon to prep the next day's batch of special cookies.

But Ian had a surprise of his own.

"'ey Gallagher, what're you doing here?" Mickey smirked, pleased with the way that he apparently had Ian wrapped around his fingers.

"Got something for ya."

Mickey frowned. "It ain't Christmas yet, right? Because I don't do that shit."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Nope, something better." Ian immediately regretted his choice in words, hoping he wasn't about to make a giant fool out of himself. He didn't know what he would do if he could never show his face in Sweet Cheeks again for the rest of his vacation. The cookies had a goddamn grip on him. And Mickey, too, of course. He was a close second.

Ian dragged Mickey through the bakery back to the kitchen, ignoring Mandy's knowing gaze and the blood that rushed to his cheeks and neck in response. Focus, Gallagher.

"I, uh, made you something."

Mickey's eyebrow did the cute quirk thing that Ian had grown to love and appreciate over the last few weeks.

"You did, huh?" Mickey sneakily peeked around behind Ian's shoulder, trying to see what all the fuss was about.

"Mhm." Ian's nerves were building. "Here." He handed Mickey a piece of paper and stepped aside to reveal two basic chocolate chip cookies with icing messily scribbling out 'yes' on one and 'no' on the other.

Mickey unfolded the paper, a smile growing on his face. He stood in front of the cookies, staring back at Ian like the goddamn tease he knew he was before picking up the cookie that said 'yes' and taking a bite.

His face scrunched up adorably but he managed to swallow.

Ian snuck up into his space. "For real?"

"Yes, Ian, of course I fuckin' like you."

"Oh."

"Oh." Mickey teased back. He placed a hand on Ian's hip. "Ya know, if anyone else was messing around in my kitchen behind my back, they'd be a smear on the pavement by now."

Ian could admire Mickey's ability to really paint a picture with words.

"Why do I get a pass?"

Mickey took a step closer, breath warm against Ian's neck before he felt soft lips pressing into his skin along with a stuttered breath coming from his throat.

"Does that answer your question, chump?"

Ian smiled, "Message a little unclear. Might wanna try again?"

"Mmm, dork." Mickey smiled into the kiss.

Bonus headcanon!

Once they're dating, Ian will post pictures of Mickey's sweet treats on his Instagram stories with dumbass captions like "Mmm the cookies aren't the only things I'm tasting tonight," and then Mickey makes him delete that shit and repost with a more acceptable comment. He's a businessman, Ian, put some respect on the name 😤🙄

Note: The name 'Sweet Cheeks' was an ode to how Mickey looks like a chipmunk when he drinks mixed with Fiona's nickname for Ian (sweet face) <3

Oh! Also important to note! The cookie that Ian ate without reading had Mickey's phone number on it written in icing </3 Poor boy was trying to make a move himself and it just did. not. land. sdhfkdsfsfsj Mandy gave him a hard time over that one.

#shameless #gallavich #gallavich gift exchange #gallavich gift exchange 2021 #GGE2021 #ian x mickey #my posts #shameless fanfiction #gallavich fanfic #ian gallagher #mickey milkovich #mandy milkovich #lip gallagher #carl gallagher #fiona gallagher #liam gallagher #debbie gallagher #holidays #food

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diazbuckleyeddie · 3 years ago

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Characters: Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley Additional Tags: AU, Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés, Coffee Shop, Eddie Diaz Can't Cook (9-1-1 TV), Buck saves the day, by baking, Pre-Relationship, Asking on first date Series: Part 4 of 118 Weekly Summary:

Written for the 118 Discord server weekly event - coffee shop AU

Eddie Diaz owns a coffee shop in LA that is doing pretty well. There’s one problem, he can’t bake and his baker is off sick. It’s a good job he has a hot, beautiful regular who just happens to be the best baker on the 118 fire crew....

#118 weekly #buddie #911 #eddie diaz #evan buckley #buck #my fics #au coffee shop

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hallospaceboyy · 5 years ago

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Zelda Spellman x Female mortal reader. Coffee shop AU. Pleaseeee & thank you!!

Lol, I'm sorry if smut was not what you were looking for with this prompt, but apparently u say Zelda and coffee shop AU and I immediately imagine Zelda waltzing in like the force she is and taking reader in a supply closet. So there ya go. I hope you enjoy!

You couldn’t help but notice the redhead that had become a regular at the quaint coffee shop you worked at. She had an air of confidence about her, the mere way she held herself a command for attention, and you noticed many people stare, but it only seemed to be you that she paid the same attention to. A week or so of serving her coffee, and she introduced herself. Another week went by, and you found yourself holding pleasant conversation with her, found her a little less intimidating, and a little more fascinating, and a lot more distracting.

Zelda had been on your mind since you started your shift, and just a little after 10am, the bell above the door jingled and in she struts, her green eyes darting directly to you, and smirking as you immediately grow flustered, and drop the stack of paper cups you had been holding. She leaned against the counter casually, watching you pick them up and dust off the knees of your jeans.

“Hi, Zelda. The usual?” You ask, flashing her a bright grin.

“Yes Y/N dear, thank you. I think I’ll sit in here and drink it today, actually,” You set about making her usual plain black coffee, in an antique looking floral cup and saucer that your place of work had become quite famous for in Greendale, and you try not to tremble as you felt Zelda's gaze on your back, suddenly all too aware of the lack of other customers, leaving you and Zelda alone.

“Take a seat if you like, I’ll bring it over,” Turning to look at her, you saw that her gaze had wandered quite low, and you flushed at the thought of Zelda Spellman checking out your ass. You expected the woman to be embarrassed that you had so obviously caught her brazenly ogling you, but she didn’t seem at all fazed, just met your eye with her usual devilish smirk and winked, making your blush deepen. She strolled away from the counter, taking a seat at the table closest, and resumes watching you. “Just you in today, Y/N?”

“Oh, yeah. Jenny's off sick, and there’s a carnival on the other side of town, so I’m not expecting to be busy. I just said I'd work the whole day and lock up. I have no plans, as usual,” You shrug, realising how pathetic you must sound, fairly new in town and basically friendless, a recluse for someone so young. But Zelda's eyes are warm when you turn, and she’s still regarding you with an interest no one had really shown you before. Her eyes rake down your body again as you bring her drink over, and wipe your hands on your apron.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” She looks as if about to say more, but shuts her mouth abruptly as a group of people set the bell ringing as they enter, frowning in their direction as if they were causing her a nuisance. You smiled apologetically at her, and she winked again, turning her attentions to her coffee and leaving you to serve the waiting customers, and trying your best not to let Zelda distract you as she sat with pursed lips, blowing on her coffee, you took their orders You glance up and nod in Zelda's direction some time later, when she had finished her coffee. You notice her glancing at the opening hours on the door as she left.

The mind-numbingly boring day was now over, and you gave a sigh of relief as you changed the sign from open to closed that hung on the door, and start overturning chairs to place on tables, ready to sweep and mop the floor. You always liked the end of the day. Not only because it meant nearly home time, but because this part of Greendale was always quiet come early evening, and being 6pm now, the street outside was almost deserted. The carnival across town probably helped. You revelled in the solitude, getting on with the general cleaning and tidying uninterrupted.

But just as you had finished sweeping, you were interrupted. The bell jingled, and you realise that although you had flipped the sign, and put your keys in the door, you had forgotten to actually lock it. You heard the lock click now, from your current place in the supply closet, and your heart was immediately in your throat, your breath becoming erratic as you started to panic. You peered out, and gave a sigh of relief when you saw Zelda standing there, a hand pressed over your heart.

“Fuck I thought you were gonna rob me!” Your voice was shaky, and you giggled nervously, stepping fully out of the closet, your hand still in place over your heart as you waited for its beating to regulate.

“Such foul language from a pretty mouth,” That devilish smirk was back again, and she took a few steps closer to you now, a cloud of perfume filling your lungs. “Sorry, sweet. I didn’t mean to startle you,”

“Is there something I can do for you, Zelda?” Your face was bright red now at her remark, realising your slip of the tongue and she chuckled. Her hand came out and brushed a stray curl behind your ear, and she licked her red painted lips when your breath hitched in your throat.

“Do forgive me if I’m being presumptuous,” Confused, you open your mouth to ask what on earth she's talking about, and then her lips are on yours, and her hands grip your hips hard enough to bruise, crushing your body against hers. She instantly takes advantage of your parted lips, and slips her tongue into your mouth, and you whine into her. She tastes divine – of cigarettes, and coffee, and... cake, which you assume must be due to the sister she had told you about that’s an avid baker. Your hands slide into her auburn curls, and you tug unintentionally when she nips your lower lip, a heat pooling in your lower abdomen as she groans. You eventually come up for air, flushed and breathless, and you bite your lip, wondering if now is the moment that you’re supposed to let her go, but you don’t want to, and she isn’t showing any signs of doing so either. Instead, her hands roam lower, moving to grip your ass and she gives it a firm squeeze. You close your eyes and gasp, and she chuckles, low and sexy and begins to back you towards the still open supply closet behind you. “I'll take your enjoyment as confirmation that I was right in thinking you find me irresistible,”

You laugh, and kiss her again, hoping that will be answer enough, as you’re not entirely sure that your words won’t fail you right now, in this position, with this woman that you have been crushing on since you first set eyes on her a few weeks ago. You're now both standing in the closet, and Zelda shuts the door firmly behind her, and when she turns back to you, her eyes are dark with lust, and she tugs the strings of the apron and lifts it off. She pushes you against the shelving forcefully, immediately bringing her thigh up to press between your legs, and you throw your head back and moan. Your hand clutches her hair again when her mouth meets your neck, and she begins to lick and suck there, all teeth and tongue, and you know there’ll be more than a few pretty marks left there when she’s done with you. Her hand squeezes your breast, letting out a groan of delight as she finds you bra-less beneath your t-shirt, quickly removing her hand to snake it beneath your shirt before replacing it on your bare breast. Her nails scrape over your nipple, and you keen under her touch, feeling almost overwhelmingly hot in the confines of the closet, but not daring ask her to stop. You don't want her to - would happily burn up in this tiny space with her.

Before you know it, deft hands are unbuttoning your jeans and tugging them down your legs, and you have to grip the shelving behind you to keep yourself up as she lifted your feet one by one to remove them. You’re not sure if the sudden inability to balance is due to the standing on one leg, or the sight of the redhead crouched below you, her face so close to your cunt. She smirks as if reading your thoughts, green eyes meeting yours as she rakes her nails down your thighs, and then presses her firm kiss to your core over your thin lace underwear. You let out a strangled moan, trying desperately to keep your eyes open, needing to see her, to watch her make you come apart. Zelda pulls your underwear down your legs slowly, teasingly, and you find yourself rubbing your thighs together, the desperation for some friction becoming too much. A firm smack lands on your thigh and you whine as she pushes your thighs apart again.

“Patience, little girl,” She whispers, and then her mouth is on you, licking the length of your slit, and then wiggling it between, teasing your clit with the tip of her tongue. You pant and moan, your hips bucking against her, and her slender fingers grip you, keeping you still, holding you up. She hitches your leg up onto her shoulder for better access, digging her nails into your ass as she continues her ministrations on your sensitive nub, and you try so hard not to wriggle beneath her, but you can’t help it, and her fingers have a bruising hold on you now. Your stomach flips at the anticipation of seeing all the marks blooming tomorrow, marks of Zelda, and how she made you come. You can feel your orgasm building now, her tongue licking and sucking at your cunt eagerly, and her groans of pleasure vibrate against your clit. You open your eyes and look down at Zelda, feel her smirk against you, meet her green gaze with pupils blown, and teeter over the edge. “Fuck, Zelda! Yes, yes!” Wave after wave of pleasure courses through you, and she chuckles against you as you ride out your orgasm, enjoying her name mixed with obscenities flowing from your lips.

Zelda rises from her knees, pressing herself against your body, still twitching in the aftermath of your orgasm, and she presses a hungry kiss to your parted, panting lips, and you taste yourself on her tongue as you suck on it. Her smudged red lips leave yours, and you bite back a whine. She holds up your underwear, hanging from a single delicate finger, and winks at you as you take them with a trembling hand.

“I’ll see you tomorrow for my coffee,” She turns to leave, and then looks back at you, flicking a perfect curl over her shoulder. “Although I must say, you taste infinitely better than the coffee,” You flush bright red and she grins, leaving you spent and panting, still clutching your underwear in your hand.

#zelda spellman x reader #zelda spellman #zelda phiona spellman #caos #caos fanfiction #reader insert #coffee shop AU #smut

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starkbucksbingo · 4 years ago

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SBB Week 7! ♥

Title: His Girl, FRIDAY Collaborator Name: iam93percentstardust Link: HERE♥ Square Filled: I3 - FRIDAY Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: General Major Tags & Triggers: No Archive Warnings Summary: Maybe Tony didn't have to leave the team but he sure felt like it. In the days after Ultron, he drifts, alone and a little lost, until Bucky decides that it's his job to look after Tony's happiness. And who better to help him than Tony's own AI? Word Count: 6299 ——————————————

Title: Lucky Buck’s Magical Coffee Collaborator Name: monobuu Link: HERE♥ Square Filled: O2 - AU: Coffee Shop Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: Teen Major Tags & Triggers: None Summary: N/A Word Count: N/A ——————————————

Title: Not Again Collaborator Name: J_Gun_i Link: HERE♥ Square Filled: G4 - “Kiss me” Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: Mature Major Tags & Triggers: Kink Negotiations, Dom/Sub undertones. Summary: Sometimes Bucky wished for the simple things. For example, spending a date uninterrupted would be lovely. When he and Tony are back in the tower, they have some heated discussion, in the best possible way. Word Count: 2430 ——————————————

Title: Secret Side in Plain Sight Collaborator Name: iam93percentstardust Link: HERE♥ Square Filled: B1 - First Date Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: Teen Major Tags & Triggers: Identity Porn, Villain Iron Man, First Dates Summary: In an attempt to get over his crush on Iron Man, the Avengers' nemesis, Bucky asks out the cute baker who lives down the street. For his part, Tony would be delighted that Bucky's finally asked him out - if only someone hadn't stolen his suit. Word Count: 1811 ——————————————

#Starkbucksbingo2020 #sbb2020 #weekly roundup #week 7 #starkbucks #art fill

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moonbeambucky · 6 years ago

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Tara’s 5k Writing Challenge

Oh my gosh I hit 5k! I’m so grateful for everyone who has followed me over the years. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. I wanted to celebrate by hosting my very first writing challenge! ✨

RULES

Must be following me

Reblog to signal boost (please don’t let this flop!)

Send me an ask with the chosen prompt (one per person) and the character you’ll be writing for!

You can write for any Marvel character or pairing, or any Sebastian Stan character. No RPFs please.

No underage smut! Don’t age up characters to make it work.

Minimum 500 words, no max and you must use the Keep Reading insert.

Remember to bold your chosen prompt in the fic

Tag your fic with #taras5kwritingchallenge and tag me in the author’s note too

The deadline is September 30

If you’re writing a series I ask that the first part be posted by the deadline.

If I don’t like/reblog your fic within 24 hours please message me a link. Tumblr tagging is unreliable so please don’t hesitate to reach out

If you need an extension or have to drop out for any reason just let me know! :)

Prompts under the cut but first a big thanks to Sam @buckyofthemyscira for helping me with the prompts. Happy Writing!

Dialogue Prompts

“Agh I’ve been hit!” “Calm down Meryl Streep, it’s just a paintball.” @shreddedparchment with Tony Stark

“You’re the love of my life, you know that right?” (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) @bucky-smiles with Bucky Barnes

“I hate the truth. I want to lie for just a little longer.” @beckzorz with Bucky Barnes

“Think before you walk out of the door.” @hufflebucky with Bucky Barnes

“I don’t even have time to tell you how wrong you are.” (Parks and Rec) @ramblerumble with Tony Stark

“Your safety means everything to me.” @ruckystarnes with Steve Rogers

“It’s just sex.” “It’s never just sex.” @all1e23 with Bucky Barnes

“Take it easy Romeo.” @isthiswhattheycallwriting with Bucky Barnes

“I never thought you’d break my heart.” @ourdreamsrealized with Steve Rogers

“You found me.” “I never lost you, not in here.” @suz-123 with Bucky Barnes

“Can someone explain why my suit is covered in barbecue sauce?” @kentuckybarnes with Bucky Barnes

“Don’t cry, not over me. I’m not worth your tears.” @revengingbarnes with Bucky Barnes

“We’re stuck here until Monday, might as well make the best of it.” @buchonians

“I’m so tired of your mouth!” @buckthegrump

“I like your laugh.” “I like you making me laugh.” (50 First Dates) @holy-captain with Bucky Barnes

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” @221bshrlocked with Chris Beck

“You can look all you want but I bet you’re dying to touch me.” @lailannajacobs with Bucky Barnes

“Do you think it’s easy for me to see you with somebody else?” (Friends) @tropicalcap with Bucky Barnes/Stucky

“S-stop the tickling! I surrender!” @stevieang with Bucky Barnes

“What’s the point? He’ll/She’ll never see me as anything more.” @docharleythegeekqueen

“I love you. I always have and I always will.” @marvel-buck

“After everything I’ve done for you!” “That I didn’t ask for!” (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) @scarlettswxtch with Bucky Barnes

“You were made for me.” @petals-sunwards with Bucky Barnes

“Oh, you’ve been flirting?” “Have been for the last year.” @interestedbystanderwrites

“Go tell him he’s cute. What’s the worst that could happen?” “He could hear me.” (Friends) @jupiterbucky with Bucky Barnes

AUs, Tropes & Misc

26. Coffee Shop AU @its--fandom--darling with Stucky 27. Royal AU @mostfandomfanatic 28. Reality Show AU @dracris33 with Bucky Barnes 29. Neighbor AU @lokissoul with Bucky Barnes 30. Fairy tale AU @as-write-as-rain with Bucky Barnes 31. Baker/Chef AU @sgtjbuccky with Bucky Barnes 32. Florist AU @the-canary with Bucky Barnes 33. Veterinarian AU @buckyofthemyscira with Bucky Barnes 34. Bookshop AU @caitfairwrites with Bucky Barnes 35. Blind Date AU @moonstruckhargrove with Bucky Barnes 36. Fake Relationship @breakmebucky 37. Friends to Lovers @barnestruck with Bucky Barnes 38. Enemies to Lovers @prettyyoungtragedy with Steve Rogers 39. Sharing an umbrella @softhairbarnes with Stephen Strange 40. Single Parent @teamcap4bucky

NEW PROMPTS

41. Doctor AU @jaamesbbarnes with Bucky Barnes 42. Biker AU @ginatoldmeso 43. Soulmate AU @ciarawriitesmarvel with Steve Rogers 44. “You’re seriously going to leave me tied up like this?” @ultra-asgaridanwarrior with Loki 45. “Ruin me.” @eyesfixedonthesun22 with Steve Rogeres 46. “What did I steal?” “My heart.” @littledarlinwrites with Matt Murdock 47. “We’re lost, aren’t we?” @aunty-peggy with Peter Parker 48. “I can’t do this anymore!” @mybearyarmy with Bucky Barnes 49. “Shut up and get over here, you’re freezing!” @chuuulip 50. “You said you would come back for me.” @authoressskr with Bucky Barnes

tagging a few people who might be interested or would be kind enough to signal boost: @jaamesbbarnes @kentuckybarnes @interestedbystanderwrites @all1e23 @sgtjbuccky @youngmoneymilla @prettyyoungtragedy @beckzorz @suz-123 @notimetoblog @bucky-smiles @lokissoul @captain-ariel-barnes @bitsandbobsandstuff @teamcap4bucky

#taras5kwritingchallenge #writing challenge #signal boost

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the-canary · 6 years ago

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Kitchen Royalty - B.B (8/15)

Summary: Falling in love wasn’t on the menu, but neither was finding prince charming looking like a trash raccoon and living in your industrial freezer. (Pastry AU! Reader/Bucky Barnes)

Prompt: Sleeping Beauty

Masterlist

A/N: This is for @ciarawritesmarvel ‘s 1k challenge. *glares at chapter, only for chapter to glare back*

Please enjoy and feedback is always appreciated.

The “talk” between you and Bucky doesn’t happen right away as it should, what with your building supervisor calling you and saying he has to have you come back to look at your apartment -- the rattling of pipes just being an infestation in disguise. You weren’t going back there anytime soon, as you prepared moving some stuff into storage and bringing some more clothing back with you. Between the two of you and Maria, the shop and the orders keep going but it isn’t the same as it was before. Smiles replaced with concerned looks and shying away from the biggest secrets at hand, as Bucky sees you look at the letter from time to time, because he is fully aware of what Marjorie's is -- it had been his mother’s major competition once across the bridge once, before it got too grand scale and now only had stores in the more “upper class” side of New York. However, the cold side of business never seemed important to you, as you smile caked in flour and other ingredients to your customers.

However, here you were -kind, selfless you- claiming that you were the daughter of someone who ran such a company. He couldn’t believe it, but frankly Bucky couldn’t remember much from a certain time either. Besides, he has his own fish to fry, as you knock on the door to his little room one Saturday evening, a week after you have received the letter, with bag at hand and wearing a wistful smile.

“If you’re okay with talking to tonight, I brought cake and we could make some coffee,” you declare as blue eyes watch you shuffle nervously for a moment.

“Yeah,” he gets up with a defeated sigh, as if he is getting ready to face the firing squad.

While, you were a good baker, you weren’t a miracle worker or patient enough to bake some things, or just weren’t good enough, at least in your head. The dreaded lava cake was one of them, but you loved to indulge on them when you could, especially from Pietro’s main workplace. The head chef and owner of Barton’s --an older, grumpy man that liked to tease Pietro-- Clint was an expert at making it. It was your comfort food and you were going to need after looking back at how exactly you started SB Pastry . After eating dinner, you feel blue eyes watching your every move from the other side of the counter as you take the cake out of the container and plate it with a side of vanilla ice cream.

“My dad’s store wasn’t always so big, ya know?” you start off, as you take a spoon and cut the cake in half, watching the dark chocolate spill out, “He had one or two stores that he kept watch over, named them after his ma, entered competitions and just liked making people happy. Married, had my brothers and I. Worked everyday until he got sick, but never complained. Not once in his life.”

Bucky watches you take a bite out before digging in with his own spoon. You rub your eye with your sleeve, promising that you won’t cry thinking about your old man, you know he would have always wanted you smiling.

“Worked himself to death. Ma couldn’t pay the bills or keep the shops open on her own, so some financial consultants took it over on her behalf, made it what it is today,” you look away for a moment and huff out a breathe as Bucky’s hand softly grabs yours, “It survived, but at a cost and I couldn’t live with that. I’ve always been the firecracker in the family compared to my brothers. Fought tooth and nail with my mom, with the investors until I came of age. I took my share of what dad left and ran to Queens. This store is the only thing I have left of him.”

“You’re trying to keep his memory alive,” Bucky asks softly, as you nod though you vaguely remember the man that taught you how to bake and to be kind to everyone you met.

“It’s a struggle keeping this place open half the time,” you admit, remembering the last time you had looked into the accounting books, “And neither Rumlow or Rollins are gonna back down from destroying any potential competition.”

“You don’t have to enter,” Bucky tries to deflate your subtle anger, as you dig into the innocent ice cream before taking another bite and shaking your head. The bitterness of the dark chocolate matching your words.

“I’m not gonna coward and run away, Buck,” you explain, “I gotta do this.”

“Stubborn,” he says with a laugh, as you shrug. The room is quite for a long moment, as Bucky gains the courage to talk, slowly taking off the glove on his left hand to show the metal you had only seen once before. Your eyes meet, as he gives you a sad smile.

“Signed up for the army straight out of high school. Did a couple of tours, killed people,” Bucky stops and take a quick bite of the cake, “Lost my arm in an attackand got sent back home. It’s been a struggle since I came back, doll.”

You’re silent as he hangs his head, waiting for you to say something, kick him out or tell him that he was an idiot for getting caught up in a hopeless war, he’s heard it all before but he knows it would kill him hearing it from your pretty lips. Instead he hears you whisper: Can I touch it?

He nods and gasps silently at the change in density of his metal hand. He feels you lift it and press it to your face, cradling it like its fine china and not some type of monstersity. Something soft presses against the center, as he lets out a choked sob at the immediate acceptance you have of him, of the endless kindness you have shown him, and in the stillness of your kitchen -- something bittersweet, like the ice cream covered in chocolate, begins to bloom in his chest.

Over the next couple of days, Bucky watches you apply and prepare your proposal with Maria, who had at least two degrees in business, from what he understood. To enter the competition, you needed a corporate sponsor and the two of you had thought it would be best to ask the one man that had brought the spotlight to your little store -- Tony Stark. It was a long shot, but there was an excited grin on your face that Bucky couldn’t help but admire. He had promised himself that he would stay as long as you would need him, then he would consider going back home -- going back to Brooklyn and his own life. Even if you hadn’t rejected who he was and his past, he couldn't keep taking advantage of your kindness forever, he needed to move on and find his own way.

“Buck,” you drag him out of his thoughts after the morning rush, as he notices you holding a plastic folder, “Do you wanna see our finished proposal?”

Blue eyes soften at the sight of you excited over your concept and gives you a look over as you are dressed in a black dress and heels,. Happy having gotten you a meeting with Mr. Stark for later in the day, after you had pleaded with him relentlessly. Excitement and a mixed of emotions bubbled in his chest as he nodded, you handing him the folder with a huge smile. He looks over it once, twice -- eyes widening at the signature of your proposal... pudding .

“Isn’t that a little conventional for a bakery?” he questions, as you look away a little embarrassed.

“It’s fulfilling a promise from a long time ago, okay?” you explain, a bit shier than before. Bucky nods, though a little unconvinced, thus he decides to say the first thing that pops up into his head.

“What? From a boy?”

“Yeah, my pudding prince,” you admit, as Bucky sees how the look in your face softens as if almost lost in a sweet memory, “I know it’s silly and I doubt he would even care, much less remember, but I promised if I entered this competition...I would use pudding.”

Bucky stands frozen for awhile, as you turn to look at him a little worried. His grip tightens on the folder, but before you can ask if anything is wrong, Maria comes barreling into the kitchen.

“Mr. Stark is here!” she declares, as you jump out of your business dress for a moment, thinking that you were going to go over there and not that the billionaire would drive to your dingy shop in Queens.

“Oh shit,” you grab the folder, grasping Bucky’s hand for a moment and dragging him out of his stupor, “Wish me luck!”

“You don’t need it, but good luck,” he gives you a boyish grin, the more carefree you have seen him in all the time you had known him, as he squeezes your hand tightly before letting go. Mr. Stark’s voice declaring that he is here and the excited crowd in the front of the shop dragging you away. Bucky is left alone in the back, as a faint memory bubbles to the surface.

“Pudding, huh?” is all he manages to say to himself.

Part 9

#ciarasdisney1kchallenge #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fan fic #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes pastry au #series: kitchen royalty #fabiola trying to write

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hcwlingccmmandcs · 6 years ago

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Sweet - Chapter Three

Small Business!AU

<< Chapter One

< Chapter Two

Pairing: Florist!Bucky Barnes x Baker!Fem Reader

Word Count: 1,550

Warnings: I don’t think there’s any. I just think it’s filled with cuteness. If there is, let me know and I’ll update this.

A/N: I’m so happy y’all like this series. It’s my baby. There’s a lot of symbolism in this chapter and it makes me so emotional. If you can catch it, I’ll forever be in love with you.

Tags: @captainrogerss @bucky-plums-barnes @bionic-buckyb @buckyforbreakfast @cravingmarvel @captain-ariel-barnes @joannie95 @super-fan-of-all-things @abitofeverythinggg @i-review-what-i-read @merrmaid-queen @impalatobakerstreet @svbastianstan @sassyactorsandmanyfandoms @olukewarmo @femalemarvelfanatic @ren-ni @sawdustandsugar @the-nargles-made-me-do-it (If you want to (or don’t want to) be tagged, let me know!)

Rosemary and sandalwood.

That’s what Bucky smelled like on that Tuesday you met him at The Nest. It was a miracle you could smell anything other than coffee and old leather, but you could smell him. And it was heavenly.

But he didn’t only smell divine. He looked divine too.

His long chocolate hair was brushed and brushed against his shoulders, not up in a bun like he had it when you first met. His bright, pale blue eyes were clear and awake, and the shadow along his sharp jaw was trimmed nicely. But it was his deep maroon henley shirt that nearly sucked the breath from your lungs. It was worn, you could tell by the small stretch of the bottom hem. But it still looked small on his large chest, even with the buttons undone. You could see a small red star pendant hanging from a silver chain around his neck, and you wondered if he wore it all the time and you never noticed.

“Good morning,” he said first, his voice gravelly like it had been the past few times you actually spoke with him. His pink lips were curled into a friendly smile that you couldn’t help but return.

“Morning,” you answered, nodding a little in greeting. You thought it would’ve been awkward to shake his hand or hug him, so you settled for that small gesture.

“So, what’s your poison here?” he asks, motioning the chalkboard menu above the counter as he turns to look at it. “Clint has a really good blonde roast, but Wanda has some killer tea,” he adds.

“So I’ve heard,” you say with a small giggle that makes him glance at you again. “But I think I’ll try that blonde roast.” At that, he nods and orders for the two of you. The silver-haired cashier with a name tag that says ‘Pietro’ looks at you a little too long for your liking, but Bucky must have noticed it and stepped a little closer to you. You were too intoxicated by his smell and the warmth that radiated off of him to notice Pietro quickly turning away.

Bucky just barely brushes his hand over the small of your back as he leads you to the other end of the counter to wait for your drinks. It’s silent between the two of you, but not uncomfortable. The older man with blond hair smiles at Bucky when he places the order on the counter in front of the two of you.

“Enjoy, guys,” says the man, whose name tag reads ‘Clint’. You smile back at him as you grab your cup. Bucky takes you up into the loft of the shop, where two empty leather bean bag chairs were waiting for you.

Bucky slowly sat in the one on the left, angling his scarred arm away from you out of what you thought was instinct. You slid into the bag on the right, smiling a little.

“Do you own your bakery?” he asks, trying to ease into conversation.

“Yep,” you answer, popping the ‘p’ slightly. “Big City Sweets is all mine.” He nods appreciatively.

“Stevie and I own our shop, too. Abraham and his wife passed to us so we could keep it running while they went into care.”

“He must’ve been a good man. I keep hearing so much about him.”

Bucky nodded, “Yes, he is. I never knew him as well as Stevie, but yeah. Stevie looked up to him.” You smiled a bit.

“What about you? Do you look up to anyone?” Normally, if you weren’t so distracted by the sound of his voice or the smell clinging to him, you would’ve thought that question was too intrusive. But it seemed he either didn’t mind or simply didn’t see the depth of the question right away, because he answered without a hitch.

“My mom,” he replied, making your heart melt. “She kept me and my sister in line, for the most part anyways. And when Mrs. Rogers got sick, she took in Stevie too. We grew up together, probably a block from each other until he came to live with us.”

“She sounds like an amazing woman,” you say with a heartfelt smile.

“She was,” he agrees, looking at you for a moment before looking away and taking a sip of his coffee. “Anyways, next topic. That one got a little… deep,” he adds with a grin, huffing a small chuckle.

You nod. “What’s our next topic?”

“What’s your favorite flower?” His question makes you snort.

“Why didn’t I see that coming? You’re a florist,” you giggle. “It’s Lily of the Valley, though. What about you?”

A low chuckle rumbles through his broad chest, and it sends a tingle up your spine. “You’ll laugh at me.”

“I won’t.”

“I don’t know if I should believe you…”

“You should! I won’t laugh, I swear!”

“Fine.”

“Fine. Tell me.”

Bucky releases a sigh, feigning defeat. “White poppies.”

“Aww,” you coo sweetly. “That’s cute.”

“You swore it!”

“And I’m not laughing, am I? I mean it, Buck.”

He smiles at you. “No, you aren’t,” he says before he starts chuckling. His little laugh is so contagious, you start giggling.Then the two of you are laughing together, for no reason other than each other’s laugh.

The two of you don’t stop until a minute or so later, your cheeks aching from smiling and your eyes watering a little from your giggling.

Then it becomes quiet. Comfortable, but quiet. Like the two of you were meant to be near each other, no matter if you just sat there in silence or if you were laughing like hyenas.

“Hey, Barnes,” chirps in a familiar voice. You look up and see Sam and Bucky shaking hands.

“Wilson. What brings you here?” Bucky greets in return, sending a small glance your way.

“Coffee, what do you think?” he chuckles a little. “Nat sent me on a mission for their tea, though.”

“Told ya,” you butt in, giggling a little. Sam looks confused as Bucky just rolls his eyes. “You and Nat are dating. Bucky didn't believe me."

“Oh, right, you're Nat’s friend. Nice to see you again. What are you doing out with this beefcake?” At that, you blush a little at Sam's words.

“We’re having some morning coffee before we head to work,” you answer, hoping that was okay to say. When you glanced at the brunet next to you, his smile told you it was fine.

“You sure leaving those two kids alone in your bakery is a good idea?” Sam asks, a little teasingly.

“Probably not,” you admit with a little bit wider smile. “But Liz is a good kid. She knows how to run the place.” Bucky nodded a little.

“Anyways, I should let you two go. Nat’s waiting on her tea,” Sam says, a small smirk on his lips as he walks away from the raised platform inside the café. Bucky sighs a little bit before looking at you.

“I’m sorry,” both of you blurt at the same time, casing a blush to rise on both of your faces. He huffs out a small chuckle, shaking his head a little just before he downs the rest of his coffee.

“Should we start heading to work?” he asks, looking at you again with those blue eyes that look so soft.

“We should…” you sigh, but don’t make a move to get up from the comfortable bean bag chair. You’re pretty sure that your apprehension to end the coffee date and go to work is noticeable, because Bucky chuckles a little bit and mumbles “me too”.

A few minutes of peaceful silence, just enjoying each other’s presence, Bucky finally stands up. He turns to you and offers his right hand to you, holding his empty cup in his left. You smile at him as you place your hand in his and let him haul you up out of your seat gently.

His skin against yours feels like your hand was wrapped in the warmest blanket you owned. You could only imagine your whole body would feel that way if he were to ever hug you.

And he kept your hand in his when he walked you to the trash can so the two of you could get rid of your empty cups. And still when he led you out of the shop and towards your bakery.

“This was nice,” you told him, smiling at him. “You were right, their coffee is good. The company was good too…” you added, heat rising to your face.

“Yes, it was,” he grinned in return.

Almost too soon, the two of you arrived at the front doors to your bakery. Through the clean windows, you could see Liz was busy with the few customers in your shop.

“I should probably go help her,” you say quietly. When you start to pull your hand away, Bucky gently tightens his grip on you. Ever so slowly, he lifts your hand up to his mouth and kisses the back of your palm with the softest lips you’d ever felt.

The two of you shared a wide smile as a silent goodbye, and you made your way into your store. Your hand wouldn’t stop tingling from his kiss the entire day.

Chapter Four >

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky imagine #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes #bucky barnes florist #florist au #florist bucky barnes #sweet series #b writes

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fictionjay · 6 years ago

Text

Beau and the Beast [1]

Summary: Bucky Barnes x Reader gender bent Beauty and Beast AU

Word Count: 2,170

Warnings: None

Author’s Note: I don’t own Marvel or the story of Beauty and the Beast only my original ideas :) Also GIF not mine, found via Google

Prologue [x]

A soft light peeked through the curtains as Bucky stretched out on his bed hearing a few bones pop throughout his body. Groaning he pushed himself upright and looked to the window to see the sun beginning to come up over the hills. He huffed again before gathering the strength to leave the warmth of his bed and shuffle across the wooden floors to his desk. He picked up the small oil canister and gave it a few pumps between the joints of his mechanical arm. It creaked softly as he moved it letting the oil work around the metallic limb. He quickly pulled on some warmer clothing feeling the chill of the morning before slinking through the cottage. Bucky hadn’t smelled coffee, which meant Steve was still sleeping.

The smell of bread wafted through the morning air since his morning started a little later than usual due to the restless night’s sleep he experienced. Looking down on the village from their hilled farmland he could see smoke billowing from chimneys as the sun crept higher with each minute that passed. Setting off to work he began spreading feed for the chickens while Finn, the noisy Palomino, stamped and whinnied. “Good morning.” Bucky called out to the horse after patting him on the nose a few times before releasing him. Shooting off happily Finn went straight to work grazing on the dew laden grass.

Time flew quickly by as Bucky continued working eventually stripping himself of the long sleeved shirt he had put on as the day grew warmer. He was bent over in the garden pulling carrots and potatoes as he heard the door squeak open. “Buck?”

“Over here Steve!”

“Good, you’re still here.” His voice growing louder as he came closer. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep so long. You should have gotten me up.”

“It’s alright, you know I like to keep busy. Besides you’re grumpy in the morning and that wouldn’t have made the work go any faster.”

“I am not grumpy.” Steve argued.

“Yeah, yeah whatever you say punk.” Bucky placed the last bunch of carrots into the basket and hauled them up as he stood. “Where do you want these?”

“You can leave them by the door I’ll take care of it.”

“Need anything else from town? I’ll leave in a few minutes.”

“I hope you’re going to shower first because you smell atrocious.” Steve plugged his nose to make his point clear as the two men walked back to the cottage passing Finn who was galloping around the hillside.

“If I don’t shower maybe everyone will leave me alone.” Bucky chuckled before leaving the basket on the porch.

“Unlikely but it’s worth a shot. You’re like shit to flies.”

“Shit huh,” he shook his head, “you go to town yourself then.”

“Can’t, I have to pack.” Steve smirked as his friend ruffled his hair before entering the cottage.

***

The town of Bolag was small. Everyone here knew each other, nothing was secret for long in the village as the people spread gossip like wildfire. Steve and Bucky were no exception to this even though they lived the furthest from the town right on the outskirts before it turned to forest. Their trips to town led them to hear whispers as they passed disguised with smiles. Neither of the men bothered with what they heard for they kept to themselves wanted to keep things civil. Towns were always more bigoted than the larger cities in which Steve and Bucky were more accustomed to but in their hardships they were seeking the simple farm life for a change.

The women of the town loved Bucky. He always felt eyes on him as he strolled through the streets. Steve on the other hand was less fortunate with his numerous medical conditions which left him scrawny and looking like a perpetual teenager despite being in his mid-twenties. Bucky was his exact opposite, the true definition of a man. Built strong and muscular, everything about him oozed masculinity, right down to his powerful thighs that looked as though they could crush a watermelon. He never paid any mind to the favor he was given as he wanted more than a simple housewife, which was the only quality possessed in the women of the village. Wanting something more he was certain no one would ever catch his eye.

Half an hour later Bucky was on the winding path through the hillside that led into the center of the village where people were bustling and children ran around their weary mothers while they tried to socialize with their friends. Waving and offering a smile he passed people inhaling deeply smelling the baked goods and fresh cut flowers perfuming the air. He continued further into town but soon heard footsteps clicking along the stone streets in a hurry, “Good morning Mr. Barnes!” Resisting the urge to groan he turned.

“Same to you Hela.” She stood wearing a dress darker than the deepest onyx, which had matched her hair that was neatly pinned around her pale, thin face.

“What luck brings you to town?”

“Just here to do some shopping.” He offered her a thin lipped smile.

“Great, I’ll join you!”

“Wel-,” Bucky let out a low hum, “I don’t. Sure, why not.” He hadn’t thought of an excuse quick enough and the last thing he wanted to do was come off as rude.

“How are things?” She goaded him into conversation after having walked for a moment in silence. “With the farm, and Steve?”

“Things are well, thank you. Steve is fine.” He looked down to her at the odd tone in her voice and saw her gazing at him through her thick black lashes.

“Good to hear. I’ve been working on this needlepoint that I am positive you’d love it. Would you care to see it?”

“Maybe another day Hela, I’ve got loads to do around the farm today. Steve’s going to Novi Grad and he needs some supplies before he can leave.” Bucky tensed feeling her arm slip into the gap his metal arm had left as they continued their stroll. He could sense the eyes on him as he looked to see a small group of men glaring in his direction from across the way before yanking his arm from her grasp.

“I do wish someday you will finally tell me the story of how you lost your arm.” She tried reaching out for him again but failed when Bucky subtly tucked his arm flush to his side.

“It’s not something I care to talk about.”

“Well my father loves recalling the wars he’s fought in. He was a great general in his day, you should really spend some time with him. I bet he would just love you. I know I do.”

“Yes, you’ve said so before.” His tone was clipped as they pushed forward finally reaching the center where vendors had carts full of goods to sell.

“Perhaps this evening you could join us for dinner.”

“No thank you.”

“You’ve already said you’ve nothing else to do as Steve won’t be home.” Hela pranced in front of Bucky causing him to stop before crashing into her. Luckily he was spared from answering for the moment as another woman called out Hela’s name grabbing her attention. Ducking away from her he made it to the baker’s cart seeing loaves of bread, rolls, pastries and even a few small cakes. His stomach growled lowly and it was then he realized he had not yet eaten today. Caving he bought a delicious looking strawberry Danish along with the two loaves of bread he had originally intended on. By the time he reached the butcher’s shop the pastry was devoured.

After making small talk with the butcher Bucky grabbed his parcels of meat and placed them in his bag. He also managed to get a good deal on barley and more feed for the chickens before he wandered around the market. Deciding there was nothing further he needed he made his way through the small crowds for the path back home. “There you are!” Hela was back once more. “I was looking for you.”

“Here I am.” His voice held no enthusiasm, “Marta was just telling me the most unusual thing happened between the old Mr. and Mrs. Vladislav last night. She was saying they were shouting and it sounded as though something was thrown and shattered but this morning she saw them hand-in-hand like nothing happened. Is that not wild?” Bucky continued walking his pace quickening. “You’re not much of a talker are you Mr. Barnes? Or maybe being in the presence of a beautiful woman makes you nervous.”

“I wouldn’t know Hela, good day.” His patience had run thin as she stood in his way once more. He skirted around her while the words he had spoken sunk in.

“Mr. Barnes! How dare you.” Her voice reached an unfathomable decibel causing everyone in the town to stop in their tracks. Bucky hadn’t until he felt a firm hold on his bicep pulling him to a halt. “I demand an apology.”

“I’m sorry you took offense to my statement.” He tried to pull away but she was clutching on to him tightly.

“I will accept only if you agree to dinner this evening.” A smile curled on her lips as she spoke.

“No, thank you.” Plucking away her fingers he freed himself, “if you’ll excuse me again.”

“I would advise you rethink your position in this village Mr. Barnes. As a friendly warning.”

“And with what do you mean to threaten me with?”

“Threaten you?” She chuckled deeply, “I’m merely suggesting that people talk and that much is rumored about the two men who live outside the village alone with no desire to courting the women in town.”

“Maybe none of the women in this town are worth courting.”

“Or maybe,” he flinched as she touched his chest, “you haven’t met the right woman.”

“It’s a small village Hela, I’m pretty sure I’ve met them all.”

“Maybe you should take another look.” Her hand trailed down his chest lightly. “Some of us can change.”

“No one can change that much.” He backed away her hand dropping gracelessly.

“I guess it would be a shame if the village were to boycott your homosexual produced goods that you sell. Do you know where that would leave you Mr. Barnes?” Her voice dripped with malice as her eyes narrowed on him. “You and your boyfriend would be homeless, penniless begging for scraps and no one here would show you sinners a smidge of mercy. Or you could marry me and live a wonderful life with children and have someone to worship you.”

“I will never marry you.” Bucky annunciated each word pointedly before finally turning away. His face was enflamed with rage and he needed to leave before he said some ungentlemanly things. He was still stomping when Steve saw him come into view as he loaded the last bit of items onto the wagon.

“What’s happened?”

“Nothing,” he barked, “sorry Stevie. It was nothing to concern yourself with.”

“I haven’t seen you this mad in a while, maybe I should I go on my trip another day.”

“Absolutely not you need your medicine. I had a run in with Hela and it was eventful to say the least.”

“She has it bad for you.” Steve grabbed the loaf of bread Bucky held out to him. “Not that I’ll ever know why.”

“She wants me to marry her.”

“Yikes.” He sucked in air through his teeth. “That’s unlucky.”

“This is serious she basically threatened me saying we’d starve if I didn’t.”

“Wow, well how about you lay low until I get back and then we’ll figure out a plan on what to do. I wouldn’t mind a change of scenery.”

“I just thought we had a good thing going here.”

“Hey don’t worry about it for now. Everything will be fine.” Steve patted Bucky’s back a few times before walking away to retrieve Finn.

***

“Have everything you need?” Bucky asked for the third time as Steve took his seat on the wagon.

“Yes Dad, it’s only a day’s travel. I’ll be fine, you worry too much.”

“I worry just the right amount actually, you don’t worry enough.”

“Worry means you only suffer twice Buck.” Steve smirked grabbing Finn’s reigns. “I’ll see you in two days.”

“It had better be only two days this time.”

“Yeah, yeah or you’ll ground me, I know.” They both laughed while Bucky shook his head.

“You’re damn right.” He smiled, “just be safe.”

“Always am.” Steve smiled back before giving the reigns a snap causing Finn to head towards the path for Novi Grad. Bucky watched his friend until he disappeared into the cover of the woods. Rubbing his face wishing he could have a nice pint of ale from the bar he went to the cottage and began working on his next project.

Keep reading... [2]

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky x you #dragon's3k3c

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tahlreth · 7 years ago

Note

Winteriron Bakery AU where Tony is the owner of Stark Bakeries and falls for Bucky. Steve and Sam tease Bucky a lot because Bucky always goes out of his way to visit the cake shop. Granted the cakes are delicious but it's way out of Bucky's workplace. Rhodey and Pepper tease Tony a lot whenever Bucky comes. Bucky is always blushing when he talks to Tony. One day Bucky shouts that he loves Tony. Tony immediately agrees to date him. Fluffy, cute story. Happy ending.

AN: Woooow this got totally out of hand. XD Also, it’s barely edited because I’m awful. But yeah. Probably angstier than the asker intended. Sorry! But it’s still pretty fluffy sometimes? idk Hope you enjoy it! Because it is super long, there is a ‘Read More’

Bucky hadn’t been home before 10:30 at night in almost a month and a half.

It wasn’t that he was pulling overtime, though he’d managed to fool his roommates for just over a week with that cover story. Evading their questions had gotten trickier after that, but Bucky persevered for two more blessed weeks. It wasn’t that he was ashamed or embarrassed about where he was spending his time… it was just that he didn’t need Stevie or Sam ruining everything. He’d been certain that as soon as they knew where he spent his time, they’d show up and figure out why he was going there. Once they figured out, their ‘I’m a little shit’ switches would be flipped and the teasing would begin. And yeah, they wouldn’t really mean any harm, and once they both settled they’d be supportive about it, but… It was just that he didn’t need them destroying his new happy place.

He’d discovered the little cafe completely by accident. One day, one horrible awful shitty day, he’d just started to drive. It was something that had always helped him calm down, and he hadn’t had any specific destination in mind. He just… drove, taking turns when the urge hit him, getting further and further away from both his work and his apartment. Bucky hadn’t even thought about stopping until his stomach started to complain, which was when he started looking for diners or maybe a donut place.

What he’d found instead was a shop named 'We Sell Fucking Cakes’, except the 'u’ on the sign had been replaced with an adorable looking cupcake capped with what looked like a wrench. Intrigued, he’d found a place to park and found his curiosity further peaked by a poster in the window that announced they’d defeated 146 attempts to force them to change their name. It had seemed like Bucky’s kind of place despite the cutesy looking decor - when he’d opened the door, it had been to the sound of hammers hitting an anvil instead of a bell. He’d thought it was the weirdest and cooling fucking thing ever.

And then… then he’d fallen in love.

Not with the food or the coffee, though both were pretty amazing. Their menu of 'real’ food was pretty limited - some sandwiches, one kind of soup every day, the occasional taco or casserole special. Where they really shone was in their desert selection. It was as varied as the baked goods were delicious, and Bucky often wondered why they hadn’t opened up a bakery that was only a bakery.

“Because I need coffee like I need air,” the resident genius baker had told him with a shrug and a twinkle in his eye. He’d also had flour streaked across his nose and on his cheek, and Bucky had ached to brush it away with a few tender swipes of his thumb. “If we sell it, I get to drink it for free. Duh.” It wasn’t fair that the wink he’d given before disappearing into the kitchen made Bucky a little weak in the knees.

It was for him that Bucky made the hour-long drive everyday after work. He’d been purposefully vague whenever he was asked about his job and where he lived. From the way Pepper’s eyes danced, he wasn’t fooling the woman who handled both the register and all of 'We Sell Fucking Cakes’ ��marketing. She and Rhodes (who the guy Bucky desperately wanted to impress called Rhodey) were very clearly aware of his gigantic crush, and they were always making sly comments whenever the man who’d stolen Bucky’s heart came out from the back to mingle. At first, Bucky had fucking panicked, sure that they were going to ruin this as surely as Stevie and Sam would.

Thank fucking Christ that Tony seemed oblivious as to why they were teasing him the way they were.

Tony (whose last name he didn’t know, but it was fine, Tony could just take his) sometimes blushed or darted quick looks Bucky’s way, but he seemed oblivious to Bucky’s feelings. That was both a blessing and a curse. Because sure it meant Bucky was too chicken-shit to ask him on a date, but it also meant that they could talk without things getting awkward. Tony not knowing about Bucky’s infatuation meant he could sit in the warm, welcoming cafe for a couple hours a day. It meant they weren’t avoiding each other’s eyes or pretending things didn’t get weird when one person was crushing and the other person wasn’t.

And Tony definitely wasn’t. He came out and talked to Bucky all the time, but he tended to talk to most of the patrons. Everyone loved meeting the man behind the baked goods, and Tony seemed to thrive on the attention. He preened and boasted, and it was so well-deserved that Bucky found it endearing instead of ignoring. The fact that he lingered or even sat at Bucky’s table was easily explained away; Tony was a nerd. A total, complete, unapologetic geek. In Bucky he’d found a kindred spirit, and their discussions usually revolved around things like Star Wars, Star Trek, Dune, and various books and video games. They even had a book club of sorts, where they traded beat up paperbacks and then argued over what the author was trying to say. It was friendly, it was Tony wanting someone to talk nerdy to, and not anything more.

Bucky was the one who wanted a romantic relationship, and he was the one who was too scared of losing what they had to ask for it.

It was fine though. He liked being Tony’s friend. Eventually his crush would (probably) fade, and he’d get to keep Tony’s friendship for a lot longer than dating would likely last. So it was fine. He had a great little spot to hang out, eat dinner, and spend all his money at. He had Tony stopping by his table for chats, and he had Pepper and Rhodey shooting him knowing glances without giving up his crush to the object of his affections. Bucky had it good, really, and he was thankful for it.

Then Sam and Stevie got curious and way too nosy, and he knew that his good thing was living on borrowed time.

~.~.~

“Hey! This is the street that goes to our apartment! Where the hell are you going, Buck?”

“To drop you punks off,” Bucky said, trying his hardest not to gnash his teeth. “Your fucking car’s not even having any problems, I’d bet my goddamn life on it. You and Stevie are just trying to be nosy.” He growled when Sam leaned forward and peeked around his headrest, hands gripping Bucky’s shoulders. “Get the fuck off of me while I’m driving.”

“Awww, someone’s being a grumpy bear,” Sam teased, grinning at Bucky when their eyes met in the rearview mirror. “C'mon Bucky. Take us to your secret hideout!”

“Someone’s going to murder you in your sleep tonight,” he muttered as he tried to shrug Sam’s hands off. “I ain’t taking you anywhere but home.”

“If you drop us off, we’ll only tail you in Sam’s car,” Stevie pointed out calmly from the passenger’s seat. He looked highly unimpressed when Bucky whirled to face him and bared his teeth in a snarl. He even threw a fake yawn in for effect, and Bucky was officially Not Amused.

“I knew it! I fucking knew you were lying, you assholes. Gonna murder you both now.”

Despite the threat, he took a turn that would eventually lead him to 'We Sell Fucking Cakes’. Steve meant the threat, and the pair of them would be impossible if he forced them to sneak after him. Even if he just stayed home for a day, they’d just tail him the next, or maybe the one after that. He was totally unwilling to give up his favorite cafe or his crush for as long as it would take the two idiots to lose interest. So he just drove, putting up with their teasing and their rambunctious behaviors - he wished they would just fuck already to work out some of that tension sizzling between them.

When they realized just how far away the cafe was, he sank down in his seat, shoulders nearly touching his ears in a show of defensiveness. They wisely didn’t comment, but he could feel their judgement. If they thought he didn’t see the knowing looks they were exchanging then they were as stupid as he was annoyed by this turn of events. They’d know that he wasn’t going to this place just for the food and the atmosphere. Bucky didn’t think it would take them longer than a few minutes to realize that he was going there for Tony, and he really, really didn’t want to deal with that. 'We Sell Fucking Cakes’ was his - he didn’t want to share, not even with his best friend and their slightly more shitty roommate. He wanted to keep it and his massive crush for himself, and he lowkey hated Sam and Stevie for putting him in this position.

He flirted with the idea of just taking them somewhere else, but they’d know.

Observant assholes.

They got to the cafe far too soon for Bucky’s taste - once he’d killed the engine, he locked the doors before the other men could leave. “If either of you do anything to ruin this for me,” he growled, looking as menacing as he possibly could. He had it on good authority that that was pretty damn menacing, and Steve and Sam looked suitably concerned. “I won’t just murder you - you will beg me for death before I’m done with you. I’m not kidding, Stevie, so you can stop rolling your fucking eyes. Keep all your fucking commentary to yourselves - I don’t need any help or teasing from the peanut gallery. I like this place, and if you embarrass me to the point that I can’t come back, you will be on my shit list for the rest of your shortened lives.”

Before they could reply, he unlocked the doors and exited the car, slamming the door shut behind him. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stalked toward the cafe - his mood lightened a little when he saw that the number of attempts to get Tony to change the name had gone up to almost two hundred. Maybe when they hit that total he’d throw the staff a little party…

The sound of Steve and Sam walking behind him caused his mood to tank again. Bucky knew that he looked grumpy at the very least. He might even have his 'murder face’ on, but he couldn’t help it, not when he was sure this was going to go terribly. Steve snorted when he heard the sound of a forge that announced their arrival, and he wanted to throttle the idiot. Tony had inserted lots of little quirks like that - his second love was engineering, and he wasn’t ashamed to make that obvious. His shoulders were close to his ears again, and he stormed over to his usual table and flung himself into his seat. And it was his, at least at his usual time of day; it was always empty and waiting for him, which he appreciated. When he was sitting there he could sort of see into the kitchen, so he got little peeks at Tony happily baking and puttering around.

Steve and Sam paused, both looking over at him in confusion. Despite the way he was glowering, arms now crossed over his chest, he jerked his chin towards the front counter. Even if he was pissed that they’d forced him to bring them here, he wouldn’t let them leave until they’d tried and praised the food and coffee the cafe served. Once he’d calmed down a little from his snit, Bucky would be placing an order of his own. He could feel two more pairs of eyes on him, judging and concerned in equal measure - he hoped like hell Pepper and Rhodes wouldn’t take his bad mood personally. Not even catching a glimpse of Tony was enough to make him smile; he just slouched down in his chair, wishing the floor would open up and swallow him.

Because even if his shitty roommates were being normal and not terrible just then, he was pretty sure that would go out the window as soon as they met Tony. It had been… a while, a long while, since Bucky’d shown interest in anyone. The pair of them would know he was into Tony right away (so sue him, he had a type) and they’d be so fucking delighted that their manners and common sense would fly right out the window. God, Pepper and Rhodey might even join in, and they’d all be making fun of him and his crush, and Tony couldn’t stay oblivious forever.

He’d worked himself into a state that was just shy of a full-blown panic by the time Steve and Sam joined him at his table. His table that now he had to share, and Sam’s stupid head was blocking his view of the kitchen. He briefly thought about forcing them to change seats - Stevie was short enough that he wouldn’t be an obstruction - but realized that would only give them more ammunition. If he went up to the counter he could maybe take a peek in and give Tony a greeting that could also be a warning… When he looked over that way, he met Pepper’s eyes - she mouthed an 'are you okay?’ and he could only shrug in response.

“So this is where you’ve been coming every day?” Sam asked, sounding both confused and deriding. “It’s a cafe, man. Can’t be anything that special - we drove an hour for this?”

“Hey,” Steve said, knocking his shoulder into Sam’s arm. “Don’t knock it 'til you’ve tried the food. It smells great in here - if it all tastes even half as good, I’m gonna have Buck start bringing stuff home for me.” Bucky shot a grateful smile his way, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. Maybe… maybe this could be okay. Maybe he could get through this relatively unscathed. Tony didn’t always come out right away, and Bucky hoped that this was one of those days. If he could hurry his nosy friends out of here, he could pass this place off as a quirk - somewhere quiet that he’d stumbled on and used to unwind.

Unfortunately, just as he’d started to relax the universe proved that it hated him.

“Bucky!” Tony sounded so happy to see him, just like he always did. For the first time it made Bucky want to run, and he thought seriously about returning the greeting gruffly just to throw Steve and Sam off the scent. But it was Tony, and it wasn’t his fault that Bucky was in a crappy mood.

“Hey Tony,” he answered, looking up with a smile that he knew was too soft. Sure enough, he saw his roommates go stiff from the corner of his eye, and he just knew that soon they’d have matching, shit-eating grins on their faces. His crush was standing by his table, absolutely beaming at him; despite everything, Bucky felt himself start to cheer up a little bit. “Saw you’re getting close to two hundred.” Tony’s expression changed to one of pride, and his attention was still completely focused on Bucky - he hadn’t glanced at Steve or Sam even once. “Maybe when you get there you should change the sign.”

“Noooo! Not you too Buck. I thought you liked the name,” he said, pouting even as his eyes danced with laughter.

“Not the name, Tones,” he soothed, straightening in his chair. “But you should put a sheet over the words, get people’s hopes up. Then, while they’re still smug in their victory… you can very dramatically pull the covering away to reveal that you’ve replaced the cupcake with a cookie.”

Tony practically cackled when the full genius of Bucky’s plan hit him, and he couldn’t help but duck his head to hide his pleased smile and the way he was blushing just a little bit. Beneath the sound of Tony’s delight, however, he heard Sam give a low wolf whistle. Nobody would ever be able to prove that he was the one to deliver a vicious kick to the idiot’s shin.

“You have the best fucking ideas, Bucky-babe! We are definitely doing that - maybe we’ll reset the counter to zero too… oh! Sorry, I’m being rude. You’ve got friends. Hello, friends of Bucky. I’m Tony - owner and resident baker extraordinaire.” Bucky half expected Tony to bow, and when the man side-eyed him with a grin tugging at his lips, Bucky knew that he’d been sorely tempted to do just that. “Buck’s never brought anyone with him before. I was starting to think that maybe he didn’t think this place was good enough to tell anyone about. Which reminds me!” He turned back to Bucky with a scowl, putting his hands on his hips. “What the hell was that book you had me read? That was such bullshit, and I’m pissed you made me read that with my own two eyeballs.”

“Why should I be the only one to suffer?”

“Ass. Anyway! So yeah, I’m Tony. I see you already ordered - tell me how you like the cake, friend one,” he said to Sam, cocking his head to the left. “I used a new recipe for the ganache, and I’m not quite sure about it. Reviews have been good so far, but I’m always open to more opinions. And friend two - why would you get such a sweet drink when you’re eating something sweet enough to give some people a toothache? I’ll go get you something more bitter - you can try both and then tell me how right I am. Do you want usual A or usual B, Bucky-babe?”

Steve and Sam were staring at the whirlwind that was Tony, and Bucky was probably taking too much pleasure in their gobsmacked expressions. “I think maybe I’ll switch things up and take not-usual C. And this is Sam - friend one - and Stevie, er, Steve - friend two. They suspected me of nefarious plots and decided to tag along to foil any evil plans.”

“They’re too late for that - already read the damned book. Nice to meet you, Sam and Steve! I’m Tony - wait, told you that already - and that’s Pepper at the counter. Rhodey went to run an errand, but he’ll be back soon. And now I’m off to get Bucky’s order and a not-so-sweet drink for Steve. Be right back!”

Tony left as quickly as he’d come, and Bucky watched him go with way more interest than was appropriate for someone who was just a friend.

“Wow. Just… wow. Guess we know why… Bucky-babe,” Sam’s voice was a drawl, and he got another kick to the shin for his trouble. Bucky was also wearing his fiercest glare, because Tony was the only person allowed to call him that ever. “Is driving an hour to come here.”

“It is all becoming clear,” Steve agreed, wearing a wicked little smirk that could only mean bad things. “Have ya asked him out yet, or are ya pining?”

“I’m not pining,” he said, flinching at the pout even he could hear in his voice.

“He’s pining,” Sam remarked in an aside to Steve. “Probably has been since he started coming, poor guy. I think we need to help put him out of his misery, Steve.”

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

“I dunno if even our words of wisdom’d be enough,” Steve mourned, knocking Sam’s arm again. “Maybe we oughta watch. And laugh.”

“This Tony might have untoward thoughts about Bucky, man. I think we need to find out what exactly his intentions are.”

“’S a good idea. You wanna be good cop or bad cop?”

“Good cop. You’re scarier than me, even if you are a shrimp.”

“Will both of you just stop? Please?” Bucky hissed, feeling a blush start to creep over his cheeks. “I told you - don’t ruin this for me! I like coming here–”

“Doesn’t seem like there’s been much 'coming’, not with you so tense.”

“Shut up Stevie.”

“New plan - let’s help the man get laid. Tony seems like he might be into it.”

“That’s a much better plan. Operation: Let Bucky Come Here has now begun.”

“… what the fuck is that name, Steve?”

“Shaddup. I’ll come up with something better later.”

“I’m kicking the both of you out and I’m gonna get roommates who aren’t such fucking trolls.”

“Oh, you guys live together?” Tony’s cheery voice made him jump in surprise - he hadn’t realized the man had come back. Bucky felt his cheeks heat as he prayed that Tony hadn’t heard the rest of their conversation. “Then maybe you can help me solve a little mystery that me and Rhodey have been working on. Pep’s not super interested, but I think that’s 'cause she already has it figured out.” As he spoke, he set a plate with two huge chocolate chip cookies in front of Bucky, along with a tall glass of ice cold milk. Steve got a cup of coffee that probably only had a little bit of sugar and cream in it - he knew from experience that it actually paired really well with the pie that Steve had chosen to get. “Where the hell do you guys live?” Tony plopped down in the only free chair, the one that just happened to be next to Bucky. It was a struggle not to sling a casual arm over the back of it.

“He hasn’t told ya?” Steve asked slyly, shooting a look in his direction. “I’d have thought he’d be giving you directions so ya could drop by sometime.” Unlike Sam, his best friend was a lot better at evading Bucky’s kicks even when he couldn’t see them coming. Tony just looked a little confused before shrugging.

“He’s a private guy,” he said, looking over to meet Bucky’s eye with a smile. “I didn’t want to push.”

“Oh, but you have no idea pumping my friends for information?” Steve’s smirk made him realize that he’d chosen his words poorly.

“If you’re going to be… pumping anyone, it really oughta be Buck.” Before he could yell at his friend, Steve quickly bounced to the actual subject of the conversation. “We live about an hour away, actually. It’s a nice drive though. Might hafta stop in for myself sometime.” Bucky gave him a 'you do and you’re dead’ look, but Stevie happily ignored it.

“An hour away? Huh! Never seeing you around ever suddenly makes a lot more sense. Mystery solved.” Tony blinked, then looked over at Bucky with wide brown eyes that he could stare into forever. “Wait. So do you work nearby, or like… halfway between here and your house?”

He promptly occupied himself with eating his cookies. There was no fucking way he was answering that - he’d much rather stare at his snack and eat. Besides… he was sure Sam and Stevie would be jumping right in.

Sam quickly proved him right.

“Nah. Bucky actually works in the opposite direction,” he told Tony with a grin, leaning back in his chair. With a casual ease that Bucky envied, he draped his arm over the back of Steve’s chair, completely missing the way Steve’s cheeks turned a little pink. “We were wondering where he kept disappearing to. Now that I’m here, I can definitely see the appeal.” That drove Steve’s blush away, and the small blond went so far as to elbow Sam in the stomach. Bucky approved, because the only one he wanted to notice Tony’s appeal was himself. Sam could fuck off and find his own crush, or he could finally admit that he wanted Steve and put them all out of their misery.

Bucky flicked his eyes up at Tony, who was slack-jawed as he stared at Bucky. He felt himself start to blush again, and this time the heat rose all the way to the tips of his ears. After a second of the scrutiny, his shoulders started to inch upward and he started to slouch over, wishing that he’d murdered his two friends before this day could happen. “So you… you drive…” Tony sounded a little faint, and Bucky wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. “You’ve been here every day except weekends. Bucky-babe, that’s two hours in a car every day. I know you like my baking, but holy shit. You don’t have to go that far! Fuck, I could send you home with a box of deserts to tide you over for a few days or something.”

“… I like it here,” Bucky told him gruffly. “’S nice and quiet, and I like to drive anyway. Don’t mind that part. Plus I get to see you. And Pepper and Rhodes,” he added in a hurry. “I’d miss our book club.”

“That doesn’t happen every day!” Tony told him, flailing in his seat. “We could schedule days, you dope, so you don’t have to drive so far all the freaking time. That has to waste so much gas!”

Bucky wanted to tell him that it wasn’t a waste, that he didn’t mind using the gas or buying enough snacks and coffee each visit to justify his several hour stays. The words to let Tony know that he liked when they just talked, or when Tony was dealing with some irate patron and made faces at Bucky as soon as they turned away. It was nice, when they caught each other’s eye while Tony was working in the kitchen - Tony didn’t wink every time, but whenever it did happen his stomach started to flip and his heart would beat just a little faster. Seeing Pepper and Rhodes was nice too, and their teasing was a hell of a lot more subtle than Sam and Stevie’s.

That wasn’t completely fair, because his roommates would settle after a few days of being merciless, but still. Rhodes and Pepper were almost as big a draw as Tony was.

He’d sort of thought Tony might enjoy having him around too. Maybe not the same way Bucky did, since he was so far out of Bucky’s league it wasn’t funny, but he’d thought they had made a connection. They were friendly, if maybe not exactly friends - they’d probably have to exchange numbers and see each other outside of the cafe to claim that much. Tony always stopped to talk to him and had started using Bucky as a test subject for new recipes. They had inside jokes and running arguments about a multitude of subjects, and he had really thought that Tony was glad to see him whenever he walked through the door.

Judging by Tony’s efforts to convince him to stop in less frequently, he’d been wrong.

“I like coming here,” he reiterated, jaw clenching once he’d bitten the words out. “Thought I was welcome to stop by any time. Sorry for bothering you so much.”

Tony didn’t immediately rush to say that Bucky wasn’t bothering him. He didn’t say anything at all, just sat there and looked uncomfortable, and the atmosphere had turned awkward. Steve and Sam were both squirming, which fucking served them right. This was their fault - if they’d just kept their noses out of Bucky’s business, he’d still think Tony liked him, if only as a friend. Maybe some people would appreciate knowing the truth, but he’d been happy with his ignorance, thanks. They’d ruined it, just like he’d thought they would. After a few seconds of silence, Bucky shrugged and dug around in his pocket so he could set a few bills on the table.

“Thanks for the cookies,” he managed as he stood and walked away. The sound of a hammer and anvil irritated him when he yanked the door open - what the fuck kind of noise was that for a cafe? Rhodes was coming in as he was going out - he ignored the man’s smile and his greeting, walking past him with nothing more than a shrug. On reaching the safety of his car (doors locked and windows rolled up all the way just in case), he took just a few seconds to breathe, resting his forehead against the steering wheel.

Once he’d gotten himself under control, he started the car and headed for the apartment, not waiting for Sam or Stevie.

They could find their own damned way home.

~.~.~

Bucky didn’t go to the cafe on Wednesday or Thursday; when Stevie had ordered him to go back on Friday, he’d flipped his friend off and hidden in his room for the rest of the night. Both of his roommates had been apologetic, but that didn’t fix anything. He’d lost one of the few places outside the apartment where he’d felt comfortable and happy, and he’d lost what probably could have been a really great friendship once he’d gotten over his crush. There was no way he was going back there just to be embarrassed and hurt when Tony avoided him while Pep and Rhodes looked on with pitying eyes. That was the only way another visit played out, and he wasn’t interested.

By the time Sunday rolled around, he was snapping and snarling at Sam and Steve whenever they spoke to him. He felt uncomfortable in his own skin, angry and twitchy and just all around miserable. His friends tried to be understanding, but the way they were hovering and being so damned nice only irritated the shit out of him. Bucky finally told them to leave him the hell alone and just fuck already; when he slammed his door it was too loud in the deafening silence he’d left behind him.

Monday passed by in tentative, awkward silences and long glances and Tuesday was more of the same. None of them seemed able to stand being in the same room as each other, which meant Bucky was back to being sequestered in his own space. He lose himself in his work and mindless internet use, back to having bad days and no longer comfortable with trying to drive away his feelings. Not after how it had worked out the last time.

Before he knew it, three weeks had passed in a listless haze and he realized that something had to give. He couldn’t keep being an asshole to his two best friends. Bucky knew that he owed them a hell of an apology, and that he needed to find a way to get over this before he lost Stevie and Sam’s friendship completely. He hadn’t really meant to go back to 'We Sell Fucking Cakes’, but he passed by the turn that would take him home, and he was halfway there before he started to question the unconscious decision. At that point, he figured he might as well keep going.

Wasn’t like he had anything at the cafe left to lose.

~.~.~

The count had reached 195, and Bucky hated knowing that he wouldn’t be around to see it hit 200. He didn’t find the anvil and hammer sound as annoying as he’d tried to tell himself it had always been. In a weird way, it was kind of like coming home. An old one, anyway, one that you’d left behind and couldn’t ever really get back. The place was busy, which was a blessing. Or it was, until he saw a young couple sitting at what had been his table; that hit him like a punch right to the gut. At least Pepper didn’t seem to notice him right away, and he pulled his ball cap down over his eyes and kept his head down too, trying to figure out what he might say when he was finally at the counter and had to make an order.

Bucky was halfway through planning a garbled speech when it happened. He heard Tony before he saw him, and he hunched in on himself further. There was something wrong with Tony, he could tell that almost immediately. His voice, usually so animated and full of life, was much duller than Bucky could ever remember hearing it. When he peeked up at him, Tony looked… well, he looked sad. There were bags under his eyes and he drooped instead of carrying himself with effortless grace.

Shit, had something terrible happened while he was gone? Someone could be sick - Tony could be sick - or maybe there was finally enough pressure to change the name. Maybe the business was going under despite how busy they seemed, or maybe Tony had been dealing with the shitty family he’d dropped vague hints about. Maybe he’d been reading another shitty book.

Maybe… maybe he missed Bucky as much as Bucky missed him.

The thought gave him a burst of courage, and even if he was wrong that was okay. If he just… if he tried, no matter what happened, he could move on. It would give him some closure, and he could work on not being such a prick to his friends. So yeah. It was time to take a chance.

As a bonus, Tony had always been kind of dramatic. He’d probably eat this shit up, which could increase his chances of success. Challenge accepted.

Stepping out of the line, he whipped his hat off - he was pretty sure he didn’t imagine the gasp that left Pepper and Tony’s lips. Keeping his movements exaggerated and theatrical he tossed it to the floor and (just for effect) shrugged off his unbuttoned plaid shirt as well. It had been a busy day in the shop, which meant he’d gotten sweaty enough for his tank top to cling to his upper body, and he knew damn well that he was displaying his muscles to their best advantage. He didn’t even mind the oil and dirt streaked over his skin, because Tony’s eyes had gone wide and his pupils had dilated; if he was happy with what he saw, Bucky was happy to let him see it.

The other patrons were muttering now, and he was sure more than a couple of them thought he was insane, but he didn’t give two shits. He only cared what Tony and (maybe) Pepper and Rhodey thought. Refusing to feel as silly as he might look, he pointed at Tony, who obligingly put one hand over his heart.

“I came here every day to see you!” Bucky declared loudly, putting all the confidence he didn’t really feel into his voice to keep it steady. “The first time I came in here was an accident - I just needed to drive. Then I came in, and you had chocolate all over your cheek and it was fucking adorable. After I ordered you came out and talked to me for half an hour about Stargate Atlantis, because you’d had a marathon the day before. It was awesome, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a piece of cake as good as that one. It was orgasmic, Tony. You bake the best shit ever, but that wasn’t why I made the hour drive every day!”

Tony was still staring, shock warring with a tiny smile, cheeks slowly turning pink. He could hear a couple women cooing at him, and Pepper looked pleased as punch even with one hand covering her mouth.

“I came because…” he dropped his arm and shrugged, scuffing the toe of one boot over the floor. “I came because I wanted to see you, and I wanted to talk to you. I couldn’t get up the courage to ask you out, but–”

“Yes!” Bucky blinked at Tony’s interruption, and for a few seconds they just stared at each other. Tony’s face was turning a very appealing shade of pink, and God Bucky wanted to kiss him.

“What?”

“I mean… what? You… you weren’t… nothing! It’s nothing.”

“Jesus Christ.” Now Bucky was staring at Pepper, because he’d never heard her use anything even remotely like foul language before. “You are the two most frustrating men I’ve ever met. Bucky!” He snapped to attention without even thinking about it, eyes on her. “Did you really think Tony was coming out to talk to you for the hell of it? Do you honestly believe that he comes out and spends that much time talking to just anyone? Why are you such a moron? And Tony!” It was such a relief when Pepper shifted her attention, because she was a lot scarier than he’d have thought. Tony shrank beneath the weight of her gaze, his eyes darting from her to Bucky and back. “The man was driving an hour each way to come and see you! He picked his table so he could see you working in the kitchen! He brought you books and movies and weird geeky things that I didn’t understand at all but that you loved. He was not coming for your cupcakes, you idiot. You are driving me insane, and I’m tired of trying to gently nudge you into realizing that you both have giant, embarrassing crushes on each other.” When she pointed to the kitchen, her finger was shaking with what was probably rage. “Get your asses into that kitchen and sort this out, or so help me.”

She didn’t need to tell them twice, and they both booked it to the kitchen to the sound of their 'audience’ clapping with a few wolf whistles thrown into the mix.

People were such assholes.

Once they were in the kitchen, Bucky took hold of Tony’s hand and tugged him into a corner he knew for a fact wasn’t visible to anyone else. He probably should have let go when they were tucked away, but instead he focused on tangling their fingers together. One of them should probably talk too, but they were busy avoiding eye contact. He tried a couple times, even opened his mouth, but the words didn’t want to come. Pepper was going to end up murdering them both at the rate they were going.

Talking was maybe not the way to go here, so Bucky gave up on them for a while. Using his hold on Tony’s hand, he carefully pulled the shorter man into his chest and settled his chin on the top of his head. Tony melted against him almost immediately and wrapped his free arm around Bucky’s waist. They both took a deep breath at almost the same time, and he couldn’t help but start to chuckle. Tony started laughing a few seconds later, and Bucky let go of his hand to wrap both arms around him instead. Moving carefully, he backed them up until he could lean back against the wall, fingers rubbing gentle circles into Tony’s back.

“Pepper’s my new favorite,” he murmured at last. “I’m going to bring her presents so I’m in her good graces when she eventually takes over the world.” Tony snorted, then pressed his nose against Bucky’s neck.

“Why can’t I be your favorite?”

“… you’re my favorite when it comes to things of a relation-date-ship-romantic stuff,” Bucky said after a moment of thought. “Don’t wanna kiss Pepper the way I wanna kiss you, that’s for sure. She’s more my favorite potential future dictator.”

“She would be a just and fair ruler,” Tony allowed, shifting his hands to rest them on Bucky’s hips. “So… you do wanna kiss me?”

“Wanna kiss the fuck out of you.”

“Why didn’t you, you know… do anything about that?”

“I didn’t think you wanted to kiss me.”

“Dude. Really? Pep and Rhodey have been teasing me about you for weeks. I thought you were, you know, politely ignoring it.”

“No… I thought you didn’t realize that they were teasing me.” Tony pulled back just enough that they could stare at each other in disbelief. Pepper was right - they were both idiots. Bucky huffed out a quiet laugh, then shrugged one shoulder. “Okay, so your friends were too subtle, and my friends were like a wrecking ball to the face.”

“Oh my God, I wanted to die.”

“Me too. … I wanted you to come after me when I left,” he admitted quietly, tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. “Or at least say I wasn’t bothering you, or that me coming here wasn’t a waste.”

“… I didn’t know how to do it without shoving the crush I thought was hopeless in your face. And then you were just gone, and I had no idea how to find you.”

“Well we can’t have that. We’re swapping numbers before I head out. And, uh. Do you wanna make a da–”

“Yes! Yes to that. That’s what I tried to say yes to earlier, only then you acted like maybe you weren’t trying to ask me out so I got really embarrassed and there were a whole bunch of people watching which, you know, was kind of great. Especially when you took that other shirt off,” he emphasized the words by skimming his hands up and then down Bucky’s arms. “Like, they’re all super jealous of me now, and it was kind of romantic, declaring your all-consuming love for me in front of so many people–”

“Woah, hold on. I wanna date you, kiss the fuck outta you and maybe get to know you well enough to fall in love and all that junk. 'All-consuming love’ at first sight is for like… Romeo and Juliet. I want something real.” Tony was gaping at him, and Bucky shrugged self-consciously. “Or. Uh. Something like that.”

“That is so much better, and yes please. So before you leave we’ll set up a date and get each other’s numbers, right?

"Yup.”

“You like me and I like you, and we’re gonna date - exclusively - with the aim of maybe making it a long term thing. Right?”

“Mm. That’s the idea. You cool with that?”

“So cool. Like, ice age cool. Details are sorted, kiss the fuck out of me now please.” Grinning, Bucky cupped the nape of Tony’s neck, toying with the ends of Tony’s hair. When he didn’t immediately go in for the kiss, Tony began to pout at him, then lifted up onto his toes to steal one of his own. Bucky evaded the attempts several times, then swooped in to catch Tony’s mouth in a kiss that turned heated in a matter of moments. After all the dancing around they’d done, Bucky was very okay with diving into the deep end when it came to physical displays of affection.

When Pepper came to check on them twenty minutes later, Tony was sitting on one counter, shirt rucked up so Bucky could run his hands over bare skin. Bucky himself was locked between Tony’s legs, tank top on the floor and Tony’s heels digging into the back of his thighs. They were both breathless with new bruises on their necks that showed they were taken, kiss-bruised lips never leaving each other for long.

She wasn’t too impressed with their lack of concern when it came to keeping food surfaces sanitary, but Bucky didn’t mind the lecture they got. He wasn’t even fazed when she ordered him to help Tony wipe the kitchen down; the way he whistled while he worked seemed to actively irritate her.

Why would he give a shit when he had an all-day date with Tony set up for Saturday and a box full of treats to apologize to his roommates with?

Life was good, and he was really glad Tony had decided to sell fucking cakes.

#anonymous prompt #my writing #my fic #winteriron #Tony Stark #Bucky Barnes #Tony Stark x Bucky Barnes #non-powered au #Tony has a bakery #they're both oblivious #boys in love #boys kissing

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