#like there’s something about kennedy going ‘i’m fine on my own’ and bucky is the ‘i know u are so i’ll be by your side!’

[wexhappyxfew]

there’s a oneshot somewhere where bucky and kennedy are in the camp, standing by the barbed wire fences, talking quietly and bucky just randomly brings up how one day he envisions them in a house, on a big porch, coffee mugs and little pastries in hands, talking just. like. this. and kennedy tries not to break down on the inside

[dontcallmecarrie]

Hey, I vicariously live in my imagination to escape from the reality.

So, I have been wondering about the Rogues reaction to Tony defeating thanos, the IronSmaug, taking over the world etc...

Have a go at it, if you are interested.

It's also fine if you dont.

thanks, I really, really needed the distraction. it's been. an interesting week. not in a good way.

.

tbh, the whole 'what does Team Cap think about this mess?' thing in TWiFFON is...something I had originally been torn about, and everything that's been happening ever since means I keep finding myself going "do I have the energy to tackle this? lol no".

For some context, because you probably know my stance on this sort of thing but I prefer redundancy just to make sure we're on the same page: once upon a time, I honestly, genuinely did like the Avengers. All of them, and yes, that included Wanda [...for less than an hour, but still].

Back when I still had faith in the writers, I was constantly going "...okay, so when are these guys going to stop acting so OOC? Where tf are they planning on taking these character arcs?" and just being disappointed at each turn— but I stuck around because I liked the potential. Steve "what do you mean punching fascists isn't cool anymore?" Rogers, Natasha "my past is a tire fire and I'll just leave it at that" Romanov, Clint "where's Loki? Let me at him!" Barton and the rest of the group had their good points, and I gave myself a headache trying to figure out wtf was their thought process when the time came for them to do their thing in TWiFFON.

It wasn't fun, I only did it because it was absolutely necessary... and I still ended up receiving complaints.

Look: for me, character bashing is exhausting. I have enough going down in my life that I don't have any interest in writing it, and over the past few years I've seen more than one of the fandoms I follow/lurk in become salt mines that have me going "...okay, if you hate it so much, why are you even here?"

When I write, I try my best to emphasize the 'actions have consequences' thing I learned long before I hit puberty; but that doesn't mean I'm up for anything beyond that. Again, I used to like these characters, so seeing the levels of suffering canon— and some writers— put them through just has me stepping back for a moment.

But TWiFFON attracted a lot of people who were pretty far out there in terms of what they wanted, some of whom got very very pissy when it wasn't the story I wanted to write, which is...probably like 99% of the reason I'm still burned out on that AU. Apart from the recent personal life bs that means I am Not Up To Dealing With any hypothetical rando that shows up in my inbox, because normally I could not care less about what people think but my energy levels are. Um. Not great atm. Not sure I wouldn't bite anyone's head off if they wanted to start something right now, tbh, or just ragequit writing for a while because I have way better things to do with my time than deal with random internet assholes.

...apologies for the tangent, but now you know why that situation is one I'm normally kinda reluctant on tackling.

As for what I'd originally headcanoned:

Back before things hit the fan, I'd originally planned to have some little interlude snippets of what Team Cap's been dealing with. Mostly, it would've forced them to acknowledge that for all none of them liked or trusted Tony, he was basically just the personification of what the rest of the world thought of them.

Nobody respects them, anymore, or trusts them; Clint'd be in very hot water and sleeping on the couch for a while, and Hank Pym would never let Scott hear the end of his involvement in this whole thing because Hank hates the Stark name and the English language cannot concisely articulate just how pissed off he was that he had to publicly thank Tony.

Team Cap overall would also start to fall apart at the seams as more and more stuff came out and ey, turns out the leader they'd trusted and broken international laws for had lied to them.

By omission, sure, but honestly— do you think that'd go down well? The "oh yeah, I've known my brainwashed friend killed his parents since DC but I am not going to tell him unless I'm forced to" thing?

I don't know about you, but I for one highly doubt Sam Wilson would be okay with that. Or Clint, for that matter, and the list goes on because the more time passes, the more stuff keeps coming out of the woodwork and for the first time in years, they're forced to deal with it.

One of the things I planned to include in the sidefic can basically be summed up as "the curious case of Bucky Barnes": that is to say, what'd happen after he's taken into custody, and poke lightly at the clusterfuck we're unpacking here. Tony, feeling bad for losing control in the bunker, would basically go "shit I fucked up but I also never want to see him again but he's an even bigger mess than I am, that's a whole lot to unpack so you know what? I'm just throwing out the suitcase entirely here, have all the resources for support and help and if I ever see you again, it'll be too soon".

...to sum up, it's messy af. SI Legal would feature heavily because his particular case means he needs a team of lawyers, what with the 'former POW who's trying to recover from All The Trauma' thing, and the 'so I literally was just trying to buy some damn groceries when you guys dragged me into this', and Tony basically went "hey, so if anyone wants to help him, uh, I kinda have some interest in this one. Fair warning, dude probably killed Kennedy while mind-controlled, with our luck".

And along the way, there'd also be some of that one subplot I'd cut due to pacing issues: specifically, the one dealing with prosthetics.

Remember how Miriam Sharpe said her son would never walk again? Yeah, we'd be revisiting that: her family'd get a letter or something inviting them for clinical trials, and meet Rhodey in passing as he's using his own leg braces to get around because he's still healing. Bucky would get a few design offers for a free replacement for his arm, and it'd probably end up being a collab with Wakanda because T'Challa feels bad for his role in that mess as well.

So Team Cap would be seeing this, seeing how everyone's acting and reacting, and the way one of their own is getting all the help and support Stark Industries has to offer and realizing that yeah, they messed up. Big time.

...depending on my salt levels and how close we're sticking to canon, I was thinking this'd go one of two ways.

Either they'd double down and just go "ugh, Tony is a supervillain and we can't do anything about it!" while TWiFFON marches on and then later go "...you mean he did it by accident?!", or...

Well, canon's proven character development and continuity isn't really in their writers' vocabulary. So my original idea of 'they're forced to deal with the reality of the situation, acknowledge they messed up and slowly move on with their lives' would've been very unrealistic.

Again, most of this is intentionally vague, I had not been keen to tackle that mess in TWiFFON in the first place and the way things exploded on me means I really, really don't have the energy to do so now. Not when there's far better things I could do with my time, like mess around with AUs where people actually get along, or knit, or— well, the list goes on.

[fyrapartnersearch]

BBC Hustle (Ash/Sean), White Collar (Neal/Peter) and TUA M/M Variety

Hey there. I am a 21+ student residing in the United Kingdom. Currently still in Phase 2 of Lockdown and without anything to do until September, I’ve been binging The Umbrella Academy again to prepare me for season two. How good was that trailer? I’m also looking for a few other ships, a couple rare ones. Indulge me?

For a partner, I’m looking for you:

- To be 18+, writing 18+ characters. I’d like someone who is semi-regular in replies as, due to being stuck in, I’m not really up for waiting a week for a reply even if that never bothered me before. Real life always comes first, I just want something specific to fill my time right now and so that’s why I’m being clear on this!

- I’d like someone who believes in Quality and Quantity. From the get go, I like to take an email intro as a writing sample. If you send me something like ‘hey, I’m interested!’ I probably won’t reply. We are looking to write together after all!

- Side characters are important to me so I’m looking for someone who isn’t shy about taking on other roles and writing as other characters every so often.

- Angst friendly. Fluff friendly. Smut is fine but not a requirement if you aren’t comfortable. Tell me your limits and I’ll respect them, but I’d like a partner who is willing to write the harder hitting topics.

PAIRINGS! I’ve emboldened my preferred character.

The Umbrella Academy:

Diego/Klaus

- Absolutely up for anything with these two. I would be happy to explore canon, which includes us waiting to start a rp until after S2 or writing up parts of S1 to include more of their bond. I’m also up for any kind of AU. I’m talking anything from a coffee shop AU with terrible barista Klaus to a cop/criminal story. Diego as a detective, Klaus as the addict who is bought in and winds up helping him solve his case by communicating with the victim. Give me them meeting in the apocalypse. Give me ANYTHING.

Ben/Klaus

- Pretty much the same as above in that I’m open to anything. I love these two in any form.

Male crossover character/Klaus

- Marvel or DC character. Give me Klaus travelling back to WW2 instead and meeting Bucky who ‘dies’. Let’s do flashbacks, their reunion in the future, see how they deal with everything.

- Sam Wilson. Maybe he’s in the vet bar when Klaus comes stumbling in. Believes his story and tells him to come to therapy some time.

- Literally anyone. Doesn’t have to be Marvel. Give me your faves who you think would vibe with him.

Nathan/Klaus

- Kind of a crossover deal but more specific.

Simon/Klaus

- I mean. Simon would be great for Klaus, wouldn’t he? And that crush he was definitely nursing on Nathan might be helped a little when he bumps into a lookalike.

OC/Klaus

- Your Own Male Character! Who are they? Another kid with powers? A Doctor who has treated Klaus before? A temporal assassin who winds up falling for him?

OTHER SHIPS.

Hustle (BBC TV Show)

Ash Morgan/Sean Kennedy

- I would LOVE to write these two. Maybe including past Ash/Danny with poor Ash getting his heart broken. A slow burn relationship that starts purely physical but ends up more as Ash falls for Sean more and more (and vice versa). We can feature cons, angst, lots of fluff and other characters - I’m very fond of Emma and Sean’s closeness and Ash’s relationship with Mickey.

White Collar

Neal Caffrey/Peter Burke

There we go. Contact me at artandapollo@yahoo.com and we can plot/chat. If ever we have rp’d in the past, feel free to email again.

Thank you and stay safe everyone! X

[creideamhgradochas]

Thanks to the lovely @aubzylynn for taking the time to answer these! Get to know more about lovely Aubrey, go give her a follow and then show her some love!

These questions are from this list. You should check it out, there’s 50 questions all together and they’d be great to ask your favorite fic writer!

1) How old were you when you first starting writing fan-fiction?

I think I was 12. My best friend at the time and I wrote Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fanfic. We also put ourselves into the stories as OCs. I also wrote for Full Metal Alchemist, InuYasha, I also had my own HP fics, and I think I even had an Eregon oneshot at some point when I started lol. I’m confident there’s more, but it’s been such a long time.

2) Do you prefer writing OC’s or reader inserts? Explain your answer.

I actually really enjoy both. Like, with reader inserts, I can inject a lot of my (or my friends) quirks and fears and insecurities into the reader and get messages back from readers saying that they really connected with the story or the reader. And OC’s are always fun because they have their own personality and it’s fun for me to figure out who they are.

3) What is your favorite genre to write for?

Fluffffffff. Yall know I can’t write a story without a happy ending.

4) If you had to delete one of your stories and never speak of it again, which would it be and why?

Surprisingly, I don’t think I have one. They’re all fine. I wish I had time to go through and kind of update a few of them, but there’s not really any that I’m super embarrassed by.

5) When is your preferred time to write?

First thing in the morning. Right after I wake up. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s easiest then. I’m not bogged down by my jobs or my brain. It’s easiest to get into a good headspace.

6) Where do you take your inspiration from?

Usually from Sarah or other friends–the stories they tell, the things I read or see.

7) What’s your favorite scene that you’ve written?

Hmm..there’s a scene in my 40’s series that I’m pretty proud of. The reader, Bucky, and Steve are all reunited at long last and it’s really sweet and I dunno I really just love it.

But, if we’re going off of fics that I’ve posted…this is probably going to sound so bad, but the Kennedy assassination in Control was interesting to write. I actually watched old news footage of it. The chaos, the panic, the craziness, and then having her reunite with the Soldier and there’s a little spark is just ugh. It’s one of my favorites.

8) Have you ever amended a story due to criticisms you’ve received after posting it?

Not yet. Luckily, my followers and readers have been incredibly kind. I’ve never really had any hate or criticism for my stories.

9) Who is your favorite character to write for? Why?

This should be easy to tell, but it’s Bucky. Lol He’s got such an interesting depth and so many layers and I know I always write him so soft and loving but I also love to read fics where he’s the Soldier and the ones that explore the different sides of him. Someday I want to write those different shades of Bucky.

10) Who is your least favorite character to write for? Why?

I don’t have a whole lot of experience writing a lot of the characters, so I can’t really pick one. It feels unfair. I would like to write more for other characters to be a stronger author and to have some variety.

11) How do you come up with the titles for your stories?

I’m so unoriginal when it comes to titles, tbh. Like, my most creative one was Nomonakalo and that’s literally because I was looking for “apocalypse” in Xhosa. But I didn’t like any of the translations for “apocalypse” so I looked up synonyms until I landed on “devastation,” and here we are. The others, are song titles, like Control. And some are a word or two about the story, like Midnight Snack, or Partner.

12) What do you think is the best idea you’ve had for a story so far?

Nomonakalo is the best idea I’ve ever had. I hope to continue it someday even though it didn’t get a lot of love. I also have a Princess Bride au on ice in the back of my brain that I’m pretty sure is gonna be fantastic.

13) Do you have any abandoned WIP’s? What made you abandon them?

Oh god so many. My poor babies. I’m not inspired by the request or they’ve gotten to be too big for me to handle.

14) Are there any stories that you’ve written that you’d really love to do a sequel to?

Maybe Partner or Blind Date. Or even a sequel to Cuddle Drabbles, but the focus would be on Steve instead. I’ve been playing with the ideas of a Steve Cuddle Drabbles for a really long time.

15) Are there any stories that you wished you’d ended differently?

Road to Schkeuditz. I hated that it ended so angsty. I wanted to do more, but I didn’t know the timeline and when Bucky would wake up. But I think I might write a little something someday about the reader visiting him in Wakanda after he’s healed.

16) Tell me about another writer(s) who you admire? What is it about them that you admire?

I have so, so many, but I’m gonna do the first three that came to mind.

I admire @sarahwroteathing. I know she’s my best friend, but guys. G u y s. Sarah’s so talented. I admire her work ethic and how hard she works on her stories. Soundtrack has been giving her grief for over a year, and she’s still working on it. It’s still one of the best stories I’ve ever read and it amazes me how much care she puts into her writing.

@soldatbarnes is also another great friend and amazing author. I also love how she perseveres through her tough times. She amazes me. I’ll see her posts about not being inspired to write, or wishing she had more time to do so, and then she’ll come out with an amazing story that’s beautifully written. She’s incredible.

@bitsandbobsandstuff is fucking phenomenal. I love her writing. It’s so in depth and wonderfully crafted. I aspire to be as amazing as she is.

17) Do you have a story that you look back on and cringe when you reread it?

I’m probably gonna get hate for this, but i can’t reread the Cuddle Drabbles. It’s my first time writing and posting for the MCU and I can tell. It’s cringey to me. But I get such sweet messages about it every now and again, and I can’t bring myself to change it.

18) Do you prefer listening to music when you’re writing or do you need silence?

I do it both ways. Sometimes a focus playlist is needed and other times my brain can’t think if there’s any noise. Just depends on what it is.

19) Have you ever cried whilst writing a story?

Yep. Chin Up, Princess made me cry. It was what I needed someone to say to me, and having it come from Tony just made me more emotional than I had anticipated.

20) Which part of your fics have been the hardest to write?

I overthink action scenes. I struggle with thinking it sounds forced or unorganic, sometimes.

21) Do you make a general outline for your stories or do you just go with the flow?

Umm both. I make an outline just to know where I’m going, but sometimes it diverges because it’ll flow a different way while I’m writing it.

22) What is something you wished you’d known before you started posting fan-fiction?

How addicting the praise can be, and sometimes it doesn’t seem like enough. I love getting sweet messages more than I could ever attempt to tell you.

23) Do you have a story that you feel doesn’t get as much love as you’d like?

Yes. Nomonakalooooooooo. My poor baby. I worked the hardest on it and it has the least amount of notes of any of my fics.

24) In contrast to 23 is there a story which gets lots of love which you kinda eye roll at?

No, not really. Sometimes, I’ll see someone start the Cuddle Drabbles or Road to Schkeuditz and I’ll think “oh here we go, they’re gonna flood my notifications with likes” but I mean that’s the most that happens lol

25) Are any of your characters based on real people?

Um, a few. But, it’s pretty minor. The reader in A December Deception has some of Sarah’s mannerisms, and Morgan in Handsome Stranger is basically my friend Morgan. I have an OC in my 40’s series based on my friend Cassidy, and the reader’s best friend in a wedding fic is essentially Sarah. (I mean, she’s marrying Steve. How could I not make her the bride? Lol)

26) What’s the biggest compliment you’ve gotten?

Sarah called Nomonakalo “emotionally excellent” and I still haven’t recovered from it. She sent me an email responding to everything. It was practically an essay. I still reread it when I feel like quitting.

27) What’s the harshest criticism you’ve gotten?

“The reader says ‘dude’ too much,” and “focus more on Bucky’s feelings.” I don’t really get a whole lot of negative feedback.

28) Do you share your story ideas with anyone else or do you keep them close to your chest?

Sarah and Cassidy are pretty much the people I’ll run to. But, I will keep them close to my chest if I’m not sure I want to proceed with the story or not.

29) Do people know you write fan-fiction?

Some do, yeah. My friend Ashlee actually found some of my writing and actually read it. I wasn’t prepared for that. It’s unclear if my family knows that I still do, but they definitely knew that I did when I was a kid.

30) What’s your favorite minor character you’ve written?

Probably Sam in Road to Schkeuditz. I had a lot of fun with him!

31) What spurs you on during the writing process?

Feedback. It really does keep me going. Seeing others enjoying what I’m writing about keeps me motivated to finish a story.

32) What’s your favorite trope to write?

So, after deliberation with Sarah, I’ve realized that I don’t have a favorite to write. I haven’t written enough to really have a favorite!

33) Can you remember the first fic you read? What was it about?

The first fic ever? No. God no. I can’t remember. It was probably my friend’s HP fanfic. I can remember the first fic I read for supernatural was from Mimi, and the first from the MCU was from Tesla. But I don’t remember what the stories were.

34) If you could write only angst, fluff or smut for the rest of your writing life, which would it be and why?

Fluff. Always fluff. I can’t have a story end on a sad or bad note. It always has to have a happy ending.

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

A Canadian Girl Christmas*

Master List  |  Steve Rogers Master List

Summary: A return to the world of Canadian Girl at Christmas, when Steve and Kennedy are expecting their first child.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Kennedy Jones  |  Word Count: 13003 Warnings: NSFW, childbirth, swearing, I’m a big sappy dork who loved them too much not to go back and do an update.

“What the hell are you doing on that horse!?” Bucky barked, striding across the frozen, snow-covered ground toward the paddock.

From the back of Kyle, Doctor Kennedy Jones now Rogers, frowned at the glowering man. “What’s it look like I’m doing?”

“You are eight months pregnant! Get off that horse!” Bucky stomped toward both her and Kyle.

The big buckskin’s ears pricked forward, his attention focused, having more than once played a round of tag with both super soldiers.

Kennedy stroked his neck to keep him calm. “I’m perfectly fine, Bucky. Mom rode right to the end when she was pregnant with all of us.”

“Yeah, but she wasn’t carrying the son or daughter of Captain America. You know Steve will pitch a fit if he finds you out here.”

“Are you saying my brothers and I weren’t as precious?” she teased.

“The only precious one of that bunch is you. Now are you getting down, or do I have to get you down?”

“One last walk around the arena? I was almost finished cooling him off when you barked at me. You can walk with us and hover like a mother hen to make sure I don’t fall off.” Kennedy bit her lip, looking at him with pleading eyes, effectively cutting off his protests.

“Fine,” he sighed, placing a hand on her knee.

He was a big sap, and she knew it. Knew exactly how to get around both him and Steven. She didn’t do it often enough to make them suspicious, but riding wasn’t something she was willing to give up even eight months pregnant with their first child.

The last year had been a whirlwind of happy accidents and changes, the most significant one her marriage to Steven Grant Rogers, Captain America, and leader of the Avengers. It had been… amusing to say the least when, on Father’s day weekend, they had returned to the ranch to announce not only were they getting married, but they were having a baby.

Her mother had laughed and hugged them both while her dad had teared up something fierce. Her brothers had been full of it when they’d gone the whole you hurt our sister, we’ll hunt you down route. While Steven had looked suitably chastised, Kennedy had smacked them all around the ears.

The wedding had been planned with a speed which had made her head spin. Between Tony and her mother, Kennedy had been bombarded with texts, calls, and emails at all hours of the day. They’d decided to marry quickly, but still, Kennedy’s growing belly had appeared in the pictures taken in the high grass of the ranch’s sprawling fields beneath the August sky. Having few friends outside the team, Kennedy had asked if they could keep things small and have the outdoor wedding she’d imagined as a little girl.

More than willing to cater to her every whim, Steve had swiftly agreed, inviting only their immediate friends and family. It was all done so quickly, with such stealth, by the time the paparazzi found out, it was already over.

Still, the public clamoured for pictures, for information, for proof, and Tony gave it to them. A full magazine spread of the Captain and the Canadian came out in glossy publication, reminding Mary - her mother - of the one which had been produced when Princess Diana had married Prince Charles.

The proceeds from the sales, which had been many, all went to an assortment of charities. Everything from MS research, to scholarships, to shelters for abused women. The wealth was spread around, and the public was happy. Especially the Canadian public who insisted Steve be made an honorary Canadian, ending with the Prime Minister issuing Steve a Canadian passport.

Not that he needed one.

Everyone said Kennedy had looked radiant in her lacy white gown, flowing from an empire waist to help mask a little the life growing between Steve and herself, but the speculation ran rampant, and by the time she’d really started to show, the word was out.

It made it impossible for Kennedy to go anywhere without needing a full detail, or at least two super soldiers, one on each arm, to keep people away. Some were happy, calling out well wishes, while others were jealous, cruel, and called her a gold digger, trapping the Captain by getting pregnant. With those people, she usually had to hold Steve and Bucky back. One time she’d forgotten about Natasha standing behind her until the blood exploded from the man’s nose.

Luckily, the majority were happy and anxiously awaiting the new arrival, almost with more enthusiasm than her and Steve. Almost.

When they’d chosen not to find out the sex, preferring to keep it a surprise, the betting had begun in earnest. She didn’t tell Steven about the fifty she’d slipped Sam, placing her own bet on sex and delivery date.

Sam had looked at her suspiciously, stating if she won he was going to cry foul, but Kennedy had only smiled sweetly and made him a bowl of poutine. It was an effective distraction.

It wasn’t that she knew what would happen with their little super soldier bundle, but she had a hunch, a feeling, and had bet accordingly. Call it mother’s intuition, or just plain luck, she was pretty sure she knew just when the newest Avenger would make their appearance.

Returning her attention to Bucky as they made their way around the arena, Kennedy sighed and rubbed the heel of one hand over her low back.

“See! You need to get down!” Bucky’s hand was around Kyle’s reins, drawing the horse to a stop before Kennedy could protest.

“Buck, the riding is helping. My back hurts. It’s hurt for three months. It will hurt until this baby decides to make its appearance.”

He hummed in disbelief, eyes narrowed. “You got a whole month, doll. That baby doesn’t need to be making an appearance anytime soon.”

Kennedy gave Kyle a nudge with her heels. “The baby will arrive when the baby wants to.”

“Stop saying that!” Bucky huffed, his eyes very wide. “I’m not ready!”

She laughed and gave his shaggy hair a tug. “You don’t get a vote!”

“Steve’s not ready either!”

“Steven’s been ready since my Thanksgiving, and you know it.” Steven had, somewhere, found a shirt that said “Baby” with an arrow pointing straight down he loved when she wore. But every time she did, he would rush off and come back with the matching one which said simply “I helped.”

It was corny and just so adorable, Kennedy couldn’t help but laugh and hug him tight.

He was so excited. He’d read books and watched films. He’d taken to kneeling down so he could caress her belly and talk to the baby. She’d even woke up once in the night to find him singing softly to his overactive child.

That, more than anything, informed her she had a most special child. The baby kicked like a team of mules, and the only one who could get them to stop was Steven. His touch, his voice, sometimes just his presence in the room was enough to make the baby settle down.

As if thinking of him summoned him, a quintet flew overhead and landed on the far side of the house.

“You’re in shit now, doll face,” Bucky quipped.

“Am not." She pouted as Kyle made the final few steps to the gate.

Steve, appearing at a dead run through the snow around the corner of the house with the biggest scowl ever, said otherwise.

“What are you doing on that horse?”

She flinched beneath the sharpness of his words and bit her lower lip to keep it from quivering.

“Oh shit,” Bucky muttered. “No, no, no! No waterworks!”

She snuffled, but it was too late as the first hormone laced tear trickled down her cheek. “I was… only trying… to feel better,” she blubbered, hating herself for letting the emotions rule her. Tears were not something Kennedy enjoyed. They were like cheating when it came to these two, and she didn’t like that feeling. But, lately, especially when Steve was away for a while, she’d found it harder and harder to control them.

She heard Steve mumble, “Ah, shit,” but she was too busy trying to breathe back any more tears to pay attention.

“C’mere, doll face,” he said, reaching up to help her down. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“I… know,” she gasped, appreciating the assistance when Bucky helped her swing her leg over the saddle horn so she could slide down into Steve’s waiting arms.

“But you scared me being up there on Kyle like that, big as you are.” His hand slipped beneath her coat to rub over her belly.

“Riding helps the backache.” She didn’t notice the glare he sent Bucky, nor the helpless shrug Bucky gave back when he led Kyle away.

“Yeah?” he sighed, holding her close. “Anything else maybe a little less dangerous help the backache?”

“Baths,” she said before her chin wobbled again. “But I can’t get out of the tub!”

He tilted her chin up, a small smile playing with his lips. “Well, I’ll have to make sure and be around whenever you need to get out. Guess it’s a good thing I don’t have to go anywhere for the next few months.”

“Really?” she whispered, shock stealing her voice. “You’re staying?”

“Sweetheart, I’m yours till that little bundle of ours decides to make an appearance, and for as much time as I can swing after. Not even a Chitauri invasion could drag me away.”

“Steven, I love you, but if aliens fall from the sky, I’ll kick your ass for jinxing us.” Kennedy motioned him closer so she could kiss him, no longer able to meet him halfway. “Your child has been overly demanding while you’ve been gone.”

“Causing a ruckus, are they?” He dropped to his knees, lifted her coat and kissed her swollen belly. “Hey in there. You being a brat for your mama?”

“Not much sleep these past few days.”

He glanced up at her and tugged her jacket back down. “I’m sorry, doll face. If it hadn’t been that thing with the UN, I’d a declined.”

“Steven,” she cupped his face, “I get it. It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re home in time for Christmas. Dad swears there’s a blizzard coming.”

“Yeah? He got a feeling?”

She snorted out a laugh. “Nope. He’s watched the weather channel for three days straight but claims he has a feeling!”

“Well, then, it’s a good thing I’m here to keep you warm if the snow does set in.”

Kennedy settled into his side when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the house. “Thank you for letting me come home for Christmas.” She and Bucky had made the trip a few days earlier while Steve had been away.

“You get whatever you want, Kennedy. That’s the deal.” He kissed the top of her head. “Except the riding,” he reiterated when she opened her mouth. “I will do whatever else it takes to help with the backache, so long as you stay off Kyle.”

“You and Bucky are both such worrisome old ladies,” she huffed, stomping snow from her boots as they walked into the kitchen. “Mom! Tell him I’m perfectly capable of riding while pregnant.”

“Steven, she’s perfectly capable of riding while pregnant,” Mary muttered, not bothering to turn around from where she was checking her roast.

“See?” Kennedy stuck her tongue out at him.

“But I really wish she wouldn’t,” Mary continued once she’d closed the oven door.

“MOM!” Kennedy gasped, feeling betrayed.

“What? I’m not allowed to worry about my grandbaby?” Mary quipped.

Kennedy huffed out a breath as she toed off her boots and shrugged out of the jacket Steve had unzipped. “Betrayal! I have been betrayed! How could you? My own mother!”

Mary pulled the dome off a cake platter. “I made coffee cake.”

Kennedy squealed. “You’re forgiven!” They’d forced her to cut back on coffee. Sugar. Poutine. Chips. Chocolate. They’d pretty much made her give up all the fun things, though Natasha was always up for sneaking her a sucker or an extra half cup of coffee when Kennedy was feeling particularly crabby. So, to be offered coffee cake, two of her favourite things combined, Kennedy was over the moon. “Do I have to share?”

“Kennedy!” Steve barked. “Yes, you have to share.”

She sat at the kitchen island and picked up a fork. “Don’t make me stab you with this, Rogers. My back aches. My feet hurt. Your child kicks like a mule. You took away ninety-five percent of my coffee, and I haven’t been sleeping well when the baby lets me sleep at all! I will do serious and permanent damage if you take this from me!”

He looked helplessly toward her mother who was trying her darnedest not to laugh in his face.

Mary cut a wide wedge out of the cake and set it on a plate which she slid in front of Kennedy. “Stop being so dramatic, Kenny. Eat your cake.” She motioned toward an adjacent stool. “Sit, Steven. I’ll cut you a slice and one for Bucky.”

Kennedy eyed her mother with disapproval but was ignored.

“You gonna stab me if I eat this?” Steven asked Kennedy, a smirk on his lips.

“Maybe…” she mumbled around a mouthful of coffee cake goodness.

Steve leaned closer, tucked his face in the crook of her neck, and kissed her softly before scraping his teeth and fuzzy beard, a fairly new addition to his face, over her pulse point. “What about now?”

“Eat the cake, Steven. Then I need a nap.” She looked at him pointedly, ignoring the snort and giggle from her mother.

The tips of Steve’s ears turned pink, but he dove into his own dessert without comment.

Minutes later Bucky came through the door, and the two of them started in on what he’d spoken on at the UN. Finished with her snack, Kennedy listened for a few minutes, but the exercise and just being pregnant in general had tuckered her out.

She slipped from the stool and away up the stairs, only making it as far as the first landing before Steve caught up.

“You could have stayed. I really do need that nap.” Her small innuendo might need to be put on hold until after.

“Let’s see. Sit and talk with Buck, or go upstairs and snuggle my wife. Hm… whatever should I do?”

“Har har, Rogers. Still not funny.”

He chortled, there was no other word for the sound which came from his mouth.

By the time Kennedy reached the second-floor landing, she was panting. “This… used to be… easier,” she gasped, standing at the top of the stairs and holding onto the railing.

“You used to be smaller,” Steve said, earning him a glare.

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

He rolled his eyes and swept her off her feet with just as much ease as always. “Then I won’t ask if you want a ride, I’ll just give you one.”

“Steven! I’m too big!” She smacked his shoulder. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

A snort of derision escaped him. “I once exploded out of a second story window and landed on a car after fighting off a horde of aliens. I’m not going to hurt myself by packing my beautiful, sexy, amazing wife and mother-to-be of my child fifty feet to our bed.”

“Beautiful and sexy? What are you up to, Steven?” She eyed him warily.

***

“Not a damn thing,” he said, kicking the door shut behind him and taking her to bed. It had been exchanged for a king some time ago, and the room redecorated in neutral colours. If it was a little woodsy for his tastes, Steve didn’t say anything. At least the posters of movie stars and boy bands were gone.

He laid her down gently before working her jeans off her legs. The light sweater she had on wouldn’t bother her, but the stiffer cotton would get uncomfortable even with its elastic waistband. Then she would fidget until she finally got up and took them off, after fifteen minutes of fighting with herself.

He shucked his too, liking the feeling of her bare skin against his, even if they were just napping together, and crawled onto the bed with her. The thick duvet folded at the foot would keep off the chill, and he tugged it over them both before he wrapped his arms around her.

“Mm,” she hummed, snuggling back into him. “I missed how warm you are.”

“I think you keep me around because I run hot.”

“That’s a definite plus,” she snickered, “but not the main reason.”

“What’s the main reason?” he asked, cradling her belly and soothing his child with his touch.

“You’re a prime piece of man candy, and Bucky took away all my sugar. Got to get my sweets in somehow.”

He snorted out a laugh. “Good to know.”

“And you’re a good kisser.”

“Am I?”

“Mm, the best,” she sighed, slipping into sleep.

Steve shook his head, kissed her hair, and dozed off grinning.

***

When she woke hours later, Steve had the bath running. He’d felt her stirring, the baby again growing restless and kicking even with his hand on her belly, and knew it wouldn’t be long before Kennedy was up.

He crawled in behind her a second time, brushing the hair from her neck to press gentle kisses to her nape.

She hummed softly, the sound one full of pleasure. “Mmm, Bucky. What will Steven say if he catches you?”

“I’d say the jerk better not be sleeping with my wife,” Steve chuckled, knowing she was only joking. “I’d hate to have to kick his ass days before Christmas. Santa might not bring me anything.”

Kennedy chuckled softly, her eyes opening to show him sparkling green emeralds. “Captain America on the Naughty list? The scandal! Not even Maria could spin that.”

“Cheeky dame,” Steve muttered, kissing smiling lips when she rolled over. “And here I went to all the trouble to run you a bath.”

“Really?” she gasped, eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Thought maybe I’d join you, but with all this lip? I don’t know, Doc. Maybe I’ll just go let the water out.”

“Steven!” She fisted her hands in his shirt. “Don’t you dare!”

He laughed but helped her up and off the bed when the girth of her belly made things difficult. Once on her feet, he peeled her sweater up over her head and admired his heavily pregnant wife.

“Don’t stare, Steven,” she sighed, blushing as she looked away.

“I have to stare, doll. You’re so damn beautiful.”

“And big as a hippo. My stretch marks now have stretch marks.”

Her hands went to her sides to cover said marks, but Steve caught her fingers and pulled them away. “Kennedy, sweetheart, they ain’t nothing to be upset about. You’re growing our child. Mine and yours. They ain’t marks of shame, they’re badges of honour. You’re a mama tiger earning her stripes.”  Steve released her fingers to smooth his hands over her belly and dropped to his knees. He turned her gently back and forth so he could place tender kisses on the skin she disliked so much.

“Oh, Steven,” she whispered hoarsely, tears gathering on her lashes.

“Your body’s changing, baby, has been for months, but with every new stretch mark, with every new inch of belly, I find you more attractive than ever. You’re gorgeous, Kennedy, and nobody, not even you, is ever gonna make me think otherwise.”

She bent to rest her hands on his shoulders and kissed him softly. “You’re too good, Steven.”

“Just telling the truth, love.”

He placed a final kiss to her belly and got back to his feet to continue the removal of her clothing. The clasp of her bra came free with the flick of a single finger, something which made her giggle. She always found it amusing how quickly he could strip her when he wished and had teased him more than once that he need only look at her to pop the hooks on her bra.

Her breasts had been a handful before her pregnancy, but now they had swollen further, preparing to feed his child, and grown far more sensitive. When he cupped them, the weight always surprised him. Was it any wonder her back and neck grew tired?

She remained passive, standing for their combined pleasure as he removed her final garment. They’d learned so much of each other in the last year. She was everything he could have ever wanted in a wife, in a partner to share his life. The quiet, soft, relaxed nature of her fit him in ways he’d never imagined.

Coming home to her after a hard mission, or coming to the ranch when they needed to get away, had become his entire life. It was the calm he’d never known he needed. The normalcy he’d always wanted. And, though he’d learned more of ranch stock and rodeo than he’d ever wanted to, it was kind of nice to shed Captain America and become Steven, ranch hand and son-in-law to Jonas Jones.

Sure there were a host of Agents around, all still addressed him as Captain, but in this house, in this home, he was just Steven.

Kennedy had given him that.

Where once he’d been worried about giving her a home and a life like the one she’d had growing up, he’d never expected for her to turn around and provide that life for him instead. The ranch tucked away on acres of land in the middle of western Canada, had become a haven of peace to the entire team, and it was guarded like the treasure it was.

Had Kennedy’s family needed to adjust to being under guard whenever they left the ranch? Certainly, but it was one they’d all gotten used to. Doctor Kennedy Rogers was one of the greatest minds Stark Enterprises had ever know. Her research with the serum was advancing medicine in leaps and bounds, to the point where she’d been given her own team to help with development. The serum itself was a heavily guarded secret, but she’d made such strides in such a short amount of time, they were already beginning lab testing on her MS work.

He was unbelievably proud of her.

When her panties hit the floor, he paused long enough to sear the image of his wife in his mind.

Creamy skin dotted with freckles. Strawberry blonde hair hanging long down her back. She hadn’t bothered to cut it in a while and it had grown thick and shiny with her hormones. The roots had darkened, the new growth coming in a deep, rich red laced with gold. She’d muttered something about skunk stripe when it had first grown out, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Dying one’s hair while pregnant was, apparently, a no-no.

Her areolas had darkened and nipples grown larger, and her appetite for sex had increased exponentially. Not that they’d ever been stingy in that department, but she’d been insatiable for a few months, and he’d wound up on the end of teasing jabs from his teammates when he’d show up for training with less sleep than usual.

Steve didn’t care. It was all in good fun, and he was happy. Stupidly so. If someone had told him five years ago this was where his life was heading, he doubted he would have believed them.

“You’re staring again, Captain,” Kennedy murmured, her cheeks rosy with her blush.

“Can’t help it, Kennedy. I love you so damn much.”

“Steven,” she sighed, catching the hem of his shirt and shoving the tight fabric up his torso. “You know, if you wore the ranch shirts with the snaps, this would be so much easier,” she grumbled when the t-shirt stalled over his pecs.

He chuckled as he took over and ripped the shirt over his head, chucked it to a chair in the corner, and stood before her in only dark blue boxer briefs. “But those show off my muscles. I know you like that.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, sliding her hands over his chest and down his abdomen. “You’d be right about that. I had a weird dream the other night when you weren’t here.”

“Tell me?” he asked, taking her hand and leading her into the bathroom where the tub was full enough to turn off. A big corner tub with jets and a ledge she used for candles, vanilla scented ones he’d already lit, sat beneath a window which looked out at the mountains. All the windows in the house had been replaced with one way bulletproof glass after the HYDRA incident, so he had no qualms about standing before it with his naked wife.

He watched Kennedy’s brow arch when he shucked his shorts, her eyes drifting down to his half hard state as she twisted her hair up into a bun on the top of her head. Interest bloomed, but Steve only smirked and stepped into the tub where he held out his hands to assist her into the warm water.

She hissed softly, the heat stronger for her than him, but he wasn’t concerned. He knew very well how she liked her bath, and he would make sure she wasn’t in it long enough to spike her blood pressure.

“I’m not sure if I was hungry or horny,” she said, eyes on Steve as he sat down and got comfortable against the edge of the tub before joining him. She wiggled herself into the space he created between his thighs, knowing damn well it would rub her ass against his growing cock, and rested against his chest with a sigh.

Steve bit back a groan and grabbed the sponge sitting on the ledge. “And what were you doing in this dream, Doc?” he asked, beginning to drip water over her exposed cleavage.

“Trying to discover what tasted better when licked off your abs.”

His hand paused, and the water ran out of the sponge. “Huh?”

Kennedy snickered and caressed his bent knees, her nails dragging slightly on his thighs. “You heard me.”

He swallowed, hard. The visual had him going from half-mast to full-mast in seconds. “That’s, uh, interesting. What were you testing out?”

“The usual. Whip cream, chocolate, maple syrup.”

He growled at maple syrup. “I vote for that one. I know it tastes real damn good coming off your skin, Kennedy,” Steve crooned, nibbling on her earlobe.

“Then there was the weird. Ketchup, onion dip, pickle juice, and cheese whiz.”

Steve snorted out a laugh. “And? What was the verdict?”

“Pickles and chocolate. I woke up turned on and starving. Went downstairs and ate pickles dipped in chocolate pudding, which tastes better than it sounds,” she said when he made a grossed out noise, “and went back to bed, wishing my husband was around to handle my other issue.”

“No self-satisfaction for my Kennedy?” he teased, the sponge forgotten as he brought his hands up to cup her floating breasts. “You should have texted me.”

“It was three in the morning, Steven,” she sighed, melting into his touch.

“So? Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gotten dirty on the phone, baby.” The memory of the first time she’d sexted him something naughty made him smile. He’d been away on a mission about the time her sex drive had kicked into high gear. He would never forget how she’d asked if he was busy, and when he’d said no, that he was back at the safe house and would be on his way home the next day, she’d sent him the most sinful, most enticing picture he’d ever gotten. The call had been going through within seconds, and he’d learned the joy of phone sex first hand.

She tilted her head back to look at him. “If I struggle to get my underwear on in the morning, Steven, just how do you think I’m supposed to get to that?”

“So, you’re saying I need to help you out with that, doll face?” He gently rolled her nipples, knowing how sensitive they were now.

“Your arms are longer,” she quipped, digging her nails into his thighs with a little more pressure.

“Turn the jets on, Kennedy,” he murmured against her ear.

When they rumbled into life, the water beating against his back, Steve let his hands drift down to her hips and lifted her higher against his chest, allowing him to free his straining cock from its confinement between them. He skimmed his fingers over her thigh and down to find her clit already swollen and hard, and circled it firmly.

She moaned and thrust against his fingers.

“Hook your legs over my knees, baby doll,” Steve commanded, his free hand returning to her sensitive breasts. He stretched his legs out as far as he could, the tub, though large, not quite long enough for him to fully fit, and continued to pet her gently as she did what he asked.

Her hands floated on the water now that they’d lost their grip on his thighs.

“Bring your hands up behind my neck,” he ordered, assisting on the one side, so she was stretched out over his body. “Gonna take care of you, baby. Gonna make you feel so damn good. Need to get you nice and turned on for me. Make you nice and slick.”

“God, Steven!” she gasped, when he delved deeper to make sure she was good and wet so as not to hurt her, the water doing more harm than good in this case.

He went back to stroking her, circling the jewel with quick, practiced fingers. “Need you close, sweetheart. Tell me when you’re close.” He didn’t technically need the verbal announcement, her face speaking out for her.

Her eyelids fluttered shut, lips parted, and cheeks flushed. She panted softly, moaned his name and rocked a little into his fingers.

“Tonight, love, if the mood strikes, I’ll happily let you lick whatever you want off my abs.”

“Fuck! Steven!” she barked.

His cock jumped, banging against his knuckles, and he took it in hand to notch it against her opening. Even with the water washing away some of her sweet slick, she would be fine. Her scorching wet sheath welcomed him, tight and throbbing with her building orgasm, and once he was seated as far as he could get in this position, Steve put part two of his plan into action.

A twist of his hips, and he lifted their combined leg over the edge of the tub, tipping Kennedy firmly into his chest and bringing their joined centers into the full stream of the pounding jet.

“Steven!” she shrieked.

He groaned in disbelief. “Fuck that’s intense!” he gasped, as the water rushed over his cock and tickled his balls while throbbing directly against Kennedy’s clit.

She thrashed against him, but he spread his legs wide, keeping her caught with his grip on her thigh and the arm he’d wrapped beneath her breasts. “Breathe, baby.”

“Can’t!” she gasped, tugging at his hair. “Oh, god! That’s so… oh, fuck,” she moaned.

He didn’t even need to move. There was no need to thrust, not when the pulsing water throbbed through his dick, and her rapidly tightening walls informed him how close she was to coming. “That’s so good, baby, so damn good. You gonna come for me?”

“Steven, please!”

He returned his fingers to her breast and plucked at her nipple, gave it a twist and set his lips beneath her ear to suck a mark under her tattoo. “Come on, Doc. You’re so close. You feel so fucking good, baby. Between you and the water, I ain’t gonna last. Need you to come, doll face so I can too. Missed you, sweetheart. Missed my sexy wife. Come for me, Kennedy, right now!” he growled, nipping the sensitive spot on her throat.

“Fuck!” she squealed, her body clamping down around his.

Steve swore a foul streak as the combination saw pleasure screaming from his balls to empty himself out in her clenching core. “Damn, doll… just… damn,” he sighed, turning them away from the jet, perfectly happy with his homecoming and still mostly hard inside her.

“Wow…” she breathed out, a shudder wracking her body. She pulsed around him, her walls contracting in short burst of renewed pleasure when she hit the button for the jets. “When did you come up with that, Rogers? Did you find a dirty magazine in your hotel while you were gone?” Kennedy teased.

“Har har, Kennedy. It’s just you, baby. You’ve got me thinking thoughts.”

She flexed her walls and chuckled when he moaned in her ear. “And what thoughts are you thinking right now, Captain?”

He gripped her hips and lifted her up just enough so he could rock up into her, finally dragging his cock through her tight walls. “That I ain’t done with you yet, woman.”

***

Relaxed, sated, and a complete prune, Kennedy smiled at Steve. He was knelt down, helping her with her socks. “You know, I will kind of miss this after the baby comes.”

“What?” he asked, rubbing the sole of her foot.

Her eyes shuttered in bliss. “Having you pamper me a little. I’m not much for the fussing, but I won’t ever say no to a foot rub and a bath.”

He chuckled softly and dug his thumbs in a little deeper. “Yeah? Feel good, baby?”

“Rogers… you could do that for four or five days, and I wouldn’t complain.”

“How’s the backache?” he asked, blue eyes assessing.

“Better, but your child is kicking me in the spleen.”

His attention immediately dropped to the left side of her body, his hands soon followed, slipping up beneath her sweater to run his warm palm over the shivering flesh their son or daughter was kicking. “Hey, baby,” he murmured, pushing her clothing up to press a tender kiss to her skin, his beard tickling a little. “Give mama a break will you?”

Almost instantly, the kicking stopped, and Kennedy sighed. “They seem to be getting stronger all the time.”

“Guess it’s a good thing you’ve only got a few weeks to go.” He placed another kiss on her belly and murmured softly to their baby, words she couldn’t quite make out.

“We should head downstairs. The kids have been anxious to decorate the big tree, but we’ve held them off so you could be here.”

“You didn’t have to do that, doll face,” Steve said, but his eyes glistened, and she tenderly cupped his face.

“Of course we did. You’re family, Steven. I wasn’t about to decorate the tree without you. Besides, Dad and Bucky have done a great job keeping the kids entertained. You’ll have to ask Bucky about land tobogganing.” She snickered softly and heaved herself off the edge of the bed.

“Land tobogganing?”

“Just ask. It will be worth it.” She grinned wide, continuing to chuckle as she made her way out of the room and down the stairs. Down was always easier than up, and she was only a little out of breath when they made the first floor.

The smells of Christmas baking were heavenly, and Kennedy’s mouth watered. “Cookies,” she sighed, making Steve laugh.

“C’mon. Let’s see if we can’t find the cookies, but just one, Kennedy.”

“Spoilsport.” She pouted. “Christmas is when you get to eat yourself sick on goodies. You’re all taking the fun right out of it.”

“We just want you healthy, love,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her back into his chest. His hands dropped to cradle her belly. “Both of you, but… maybe we can agree on two cookies.”

“Sold!” Kennedy laughed.

“Did you just play me, woman?” he asked, smirking down at her.

Kennedy smirked over her shoulder. “Got to get my kicks in somehow, Cap.”

“Tricky, doll. Very tricky.”

She pulled away to head down the hall toward the sounds of merriment coming from the living room. “Got you to agree to two cookies. Totally worth it.”

“There you two are!” Mary called out as Kennedy and Steve walked into the living room. “I was just going to send Jonas to find you.”

Eyeing all the boxes full of ornaments, Kennedy smiled. “It’s all good. I just really needed a rest.”

“And Steve just really needed a cuddle,” Bucky quipped, causing everyone to laugh and Steve’s ears to reddened.

“Why don’t you tell me about land tobogganing, pal?” Steve asked, causing everyone to laugh even harder.

“Oi! How was I to know you were supposed to lean into the turns?” Bucky barked.

Kennedy lowered herself to the armchair by the fire, her preferred seat, and eyed the tray of cookies hopefully.

“Winter Soldier took on a whole new meaning after we dug him out of the snowbank,” Matt teased.

“Wait, wait!” Steve said, holding up his hand. “What is it?”

Jonas snickered as he picked up the tray of goodies and brought it over to Kennedy. “You take about forty feet of rope, tie one end to a toboggan, the other to the bumper on the pickup, and head out across country. The kids get a thrill, no one has to climb the hill, and we all have fun. Let’s just say… Bucky miscalculated how hard the corner was going to be.”

“If you don’t lean,” Matt chuckled, smirking at Bucky who glowered at him, “you can come off the toboggan at a pretty good clip, and end up rolling through the pasture. Bucky just happened to roll off and end up head first in a snowdrift!”

“He was a grumpy white snowman when we finally dug him out!” Kennedy snickered, biting the head off a gingerbread man.

“Don’t tell me you were on that thing?” Steve looked at her shocked.

“She drove the damn truck,” Bucky grumbled, cheeks red with embarrassment.

“I have pictures.” Kennedy winked at Steve.

“You do not!” Bucky bellowed.

She snickered and took off the cookies arm. “Oh, you bet your ass I do. I should post them on Instagram.”

“Doll… don’t you dare,” Bucky threatened.

“The new definition of winter soldier. A snow-covered Bucky Barnes, looking like a deranged Yeti as he’s pulled, feet first, from a five-foot snow drift.”

“Kenny, don’t make me hurt you,” he warned, but it was a hollow threat.

She gave him a wink and a shrug. “Just remember what a sweet, kind, wonderful person I am next time you growl at me when I reach for the coffee pot.”

“Steeeve!” Bucky whined. “Your wife is being mean!”

The room burst out laughing again.

“Knowing you, jerk? You probably deserve it!” Steve snickered.

“Punk! Throw you on the toboggan and drag you around the pasture and see if you fare any better!”

“Alright, alright, children,” Mary stepped in. “Tonight is for carolling and tree trimming, not bickering.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said the two super soldiers in unison.

The stereo came on, the boxes were opened, and Kennedy sat back to watch as everyone got in on the action, hanging ornaments, tinsel, lights and garlands on the enormous blue spruce her dad had brought home a few days ago. Big and thick and lush, it was the nicest one she could remember seeing in years, and watching Steve and Bucky compete to see who could reach the highest branches while lifting her nieces and nephews up to help place ornaments, just turned her heart over.

She ate the second cookie and, when no one was looking, snuck a Nanaimo Bar off the tray.

“I saw that,” Jonas whispered, kissing the top of her head before sitting on the stool beside her. “How you doing, baby girl?”

“Good,” she sighed, her smile happy. “Real good now that Steven’s home.”

“That’s good, Kenny.” He took and squeezed her hand. “What a year, huh?”

“A whirlwind of a year.” She’d never been more content in her life. “How’s Aunt Joan and Uncle Daniel?”

“Got an email the other day. They’re having a great time, and Joan is really enjoying the heat in the Bahamas. I’ll miss her for Christmas, but… this trip was important to them.”

“I’m glad they got to go. After Danny and all… they needed to get away.”

It had been just over a year since that awful day when Hydra had come to the house, and Danny’s death had been made clear, but for Joan and Daniel, their son’s death had happened three weeks later when police officers had arrived to inform them of his passing. A tragic case of their son’s misdeeds finally catching up with him. It had put a damper on the season for her Aunt and Uncle, and this year, they had decided to get away, go somewhere warm, and do something different. Plus, with her Aunt’s progressive MS, they weren’t sure how many more years of motor function she would have which would allow her to take such a trip.

If Kennedy had anything to say about it, there would be many years to come, but her research and testing were still in the early stages. She wasn’t getting anyone’s hopes up, not just yet.

Leaning closer to her father, Kennedy whispered, “If I have one more, will you cover for me?”

He gave her a wink, surreptitiously plucked another square off the tray, a lemon bar with coconut topping, and handed it to her. “Always, Kenny.”

She popped it between her lips and darted a glance toward the tree. A flush instantly crawled across her cheeks as two sets of blue eyes stared at her. “Oops.”

“Whatever are we going to do with you?” Steve smirked and shook his head.

Bucky rolled his eyes, but if she wasn’t mistaken, they both looked relatively indulgent, though she doubted they’d let her get away with sneaking one more.

Still, she leaned over and kissed her father’s weathered cheek. “Thanks, dad,” she whispered.

“Anytime, little girl.” He grinned, getting up and taking the tray with him. “Anytime.”

Two days later, Kennedy sat before the fire in the living room, watching as Steve and Bucky and Sam argued about which hockey team would be making the run for the cup and why. It made her smile into her mug, the cup of hot chocolate brought to her courtesy of Natasha who’d arrived that morning from New York. The rest of the team looked on or interjected their own opinion, everyone gathering for the holiday, and Kennedy had never been happier.

This was family. All of them. From the Avengers to her own, the house was full of laughter and noise, just the way she liked it. Even Clint and his family had joined them, the children laughing and giggling with her nieces and nephews, though the baby was more inclined to simply laugh at everything, didn’t matter what.

Everyone was here, and her stupid hormones were about three seconds away from making her tear up, but it was the dull ache in her low back which finally had her shoving the colourful Christmas throw from her legs and pushing to her feet without finishing her drink.

“Kenny?” Natasha asked quietly, getting up with her. “You alright?”

All conversation in the room ended as she became the immediate focus of everyone’s attention. “I’m fine.” She waved them off and waddled away muttering, “Girl can’t even get up to pee without people fussing at her.”

Natasha snickered but dropped back down to the couch beside Sam, returning to the game of chess she was playing with Jesse.

Kennedy escaped to the kitchen where she paused to rest her hands on the island and take a deep breath. The dull ache in her back was a lot more persistent than it had been. When it passed a few breaths later, she pressed the heels of both hands into her back and continued toward the powder room a few steps away.

Through the small window in the bathroom, she watched the snow fall in a flurry of fat flakes, covering everything in a thick blanket of white. The blizzard the Weatherman and her father had been harping on about had finally arrived, closing in shortly after the quinjets had landed, and she could barely see the lights on the barn through the curtain of white.

When she returned to the kitchen, she glanced at the clock above the stove and smiled when Matt and Henry wandered in with Vision, and began getting on their winter gear. “Feeding time?”

“You know it!” Henry grinned.

“I will assist,” Vision said, his clothing rippling, turning into a thick winter coat while a toque appeared on his bald head. “The horses seem to like me.”

She kind of thought it was the other way around, but… wasn’t going to mention it. “That’s great, Vis. Have fun.”

They waved to her as they left, letting a blast of cold air and swirl of snow in as they exited. All the men had stopped allowing her to do things like feeding and mucking stalls, or get anywhere near the bulls the minute they’d found out she was pregnant. And, while it had been kind of nice to escape the chores, it was a little annoying to be treated like glass. Women had been having babies for thousands of years before her and had still packed water, hand washed laundry, and fed the livestock without reprieve. Why should she be any different?

Bucky had only glared at her and stated firmly, none of those women had been having the first ever super soldier baby. They had no idea how such a pregnancy would go, and none of them were taking any chances with her or the baby. She was told to plant her ass and deal.

She hated it when he was right. Smug, metal-armed menace.

When a ripple of pressure ran across her abdomen, Kennedy grunted in surprise. “Settle down, baby,” she murmured, rubbing a soothing circle over the spot.

The ripple came a second time, producing a tightening feel and a hardening of the muscles beneath her fingers. Kennedy’s eyes widened, but the feeling faded quickly, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Kennedy?” The quiet voice called out to her, and she smiled over her shoulder at Wanda.

“Just Braxton Hicks contractions, nothing to worry about.”

Wanda’s smile was as lovely as she was when she walked up and placed her hands lightly on Kennedy’s swollen belly. “The baby is restless.”

“He or she is better now that Steven’s back. I’m getting a few more hours of sleep at night before they are up jumping on my bladder.”

She giggled, Wanda’s entire being seeming to light up when she did so. “The babe is anxious to be born.”

“You can feel that?” Kennedy asked excitedly.

“Mm, da. Is good I put my name in early for the pool,” Wanda whispered, her smile sly. “But I do not know if I picked soon enough.”

“Guess we’ll find out,” Kennedy whispered, giving Wanda a wink. “I picked an early date, too.”

“Early date for what?”

Kennedy jolted at Steve’s voice and blushed at getting caught. “Nothing! Damn cat, where’s your bell?”

Wanda burst out laughing.

“Well, now I really want to know why you look so guilty,” Steve chuckled, striding across the room.

“Christmas is tomorrow, Steven. You’re not allowed to ask questions like that. Maybe Wanda and I were discussing your gift.”

“Were you?” he asked, eyes twinkling.

“No,” Kennedy muttered, “but we might have been, so keep your super soldier nose out of things.”

“Is not his nose which is problem!” Wanda laughed, giving Steve’s ear a tug.

Mary wandered in about that point and smiled. “Are you getting yourself in trouble for eavesdropping again, Steven?”

“It’s not my fault my hearing is enhanced!” he grumbled and pouted a little.

Kennedy reached up to cup his cheeks and pulled him down for a kiss. “It’s okay, Steven. I still love you, even if you’re as nosy as an old woman.”

“What is this? Pick on Steve day?” His pout grew, but his eyes twinkled.

“Poor baby.” Kennedy kissed him again.

“Kenny, stop teasing your husband and come help me with dinner. You too, Wanda if you’re willing.”

“Sure thing, mom.” Kennedy patted Steve’s cheeks and gave him a sly smile.

“What we making?” Tony asked, wandering into the kitchen. “I’ll help.”

“I was hoping you would, Anthony dear,” Mary smiled and tossed him an apron. “Steven, go occupy Natasha. I love her, but the girl could burn water, and you know she’ll want to help.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Steve chuckled, kissing the top of Kennedy’s head. “Plant your butt, doll face. I want you off your feet.”

She rolled her eyes, but Kennedy settled onto the stool Tony pulled out for her. “Fussy old women, the lot of you,” she grumbled, but there was no heat to the words, and she took the potatoes handed her to begin peeling.

***

“What’s wrong, doll?” Bucky asked Kennedy later that night.

She had a death grip on the fireplace mantel and was staring at the tree in the corner of the living room. “Huh? Oh, nothing,” she said, shaking her head.

“You don’t look like it’s nothing,” Bucky said, frowning as he moved closer.

This time, when the ripple washed across her abdomen, bring tightness and a dull ache with it Kennedy was unable to contain the gasp it forced from her lips.

“That ain’t nothing!” Bucky barked, leaping forward to take her by the arm when her legs shook. “Steve! Bruce!” he bellowed, causing Kennedy to flinch at the volume.

“What? What is it?” Steve shouted, running into the room. “Kennedy!”

“It’s okay. I’m okay,” she tried to wave them off, but the contraction hadn’t ended yet, and she didn’t dare let go of Bucky’s arm.

“What’s all the yell-” Bruce didn’t even finish the question, rushing across the room to place his hands on Kennedy’s stomach. “How long, Kennedy?”

“I don’t… know,” she gasped.

“Don’t give me that bull! You’re a doctor! How long have you been having contractions?” he snapped.

Kennedy flinched, withdrawing a little when his eyes flared green. “Since… before dinner. But I thought they were Braxton Hicks!” she said, cutting off the protests of the men. “Then I just thought it was indigestion until this last couple. It’s not like I’ve done this before!”

Steve moved up behind her, drawing her back into his embrace when her chin quivered. “It’s okay, doll. No one’s upset with you.”

“It’s too early,” Bucky murmured, his eyes a little wild. “This can’t happen yet.”

“I’m afraid you don’t get a say, Barnes,” Bruce quipped. “And from all the test and measurements we’ve taken, this baby is more than big enough to be born. Looks like super soldiers gestate faster than regular babies. Kennedy,” he looked up and gently held her hands. “What do you want to do? Have the baby here, or go to the hospital?”

“Can you even fly in this?” she asked, referring to the blizzard still blowing outside.

“I could,” Clint answered from the doorway. “But it would be rough as hell.”

“And here?” she asked Bruce.

“From everything I’ve seen, you’ll be fine for a home birth. The baby is in the proper position, your vitals are all good. Helen and I have talked about it. It wouldn’t be any different than what we were going to do with you at the Tower. I have everything I need in the jet.”

“Really?” she asked, gazing at Bruce in surprise.

“Yeah,” he smiled softly. “I had a feeling and figured we should be prepared.”

“How dangerous is this, Bruce?” Steve asked, and Kennedy could feel the tightness of his body.

“It’s as dangerous as any childbirth, Steve, but I will take all the precautions I can. Kennedy is healthy, so is the baby, and I don’t foresee any problems doing this here. Plus, it’s private, and if we need it, the base has a med center I can use.”

The last thing she wanted was news of this getting out, and going to the hospital would make that a guarantee. People clamouring for there attention shortly after the baby was born... the idea of it was off-putting, to say the least.

When the next contraction rolled across Kennedy’s stomach, she made her decision without hesitation. “Here! We’re doing this here!”

The commotion had drawn the rest of their friends and family to the living room, but it was Mary who became all business and went instantly to work. “Bruce, we’ll set up the recovery room as a birthing suite. Nat, Wanda, and May with me. Laura and Susan, help Kennedy upstairs and get her changed.”

“What about us?” Bucky and Sam asked, though all the men looked anxious.

“Help Bruce if he needs it and get the room ready. Then keep the children occupied and out from under foot,” Mary ordered like a drill sergeant.

If she hadn’t been trying to breathe through a contraction, it would have made Kennedy laugh to see them all jump to her mother’s beat.

Steve picked her up and held her tightly to him. “This is it, doll. We’re gonna meet our baby.”

She smiled as the pain subsided and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Let’s do this, Cap.”

***

“I can’t do this!” Kennedy wailed hours later.

“Yes you can, love,” Steve encouraged, holding her up as another contraction nearly took her legs out from under her. She’d been in labour for five hours, and they’d changed positions a few times.

The recovery suite was a spacious room Shield had rehabbed for agents who’d been injured and needed extra care. The bed was adjustable. The bathroom had both a big, walk-in shower. There were outlets to plug in all Bruce’s equipment as well as extra linens and medical supplies should they be needed. It wasn’t a medical bay by any means, but it fit the bill for a birthing suite now that Mary had worked her magic.

Rugs had been rolled back, leaving the floors bare for easy cleaning. The bed had been stripped and padded with extra sheets and towels for the same reason. Space had been made so Kennedy could walk when she wanted. Towels and extra nightclothes left in the bathroom should she wish to stand in the shower.

Steve had long ago stripped down to a pair of shorts, determined to go through every step of her ordeal with her. When she wanted to stand in the water and let it beat on the small of her back, he went with her. If she needed to stand and rock, he made sure to sway along. If she needed to sit, he held her close and rubbed her back.

When her water had broken about an hour ago, and the pain had gone from her breathing through it to her trying to break off his hand as she lost all ability to speak, he’d had an intense moment of guilt and discovered all new respect for his own mother. When he’d been born, it was still in the age when the father sat outside in the waiting room and passed out cigars, smugly proud of their prowess.

Kennedy had told him in no uncertain terms he would be in the delivery room. He would be present for their child’s birth. If for some reason he wasn’t, the world had better damn well be ending or she was going to take a strip out of his hide.

But he’d had no idea this was what women went through. Okay, he’d had some idea. He wasn’t an idiot, but while he’d known it would hurt he hadn’t known it would hurt like this!

“No, I really can’t, Steven!” She shook all over, her braid dampening the back of her nightshirt. The girls had tied her hair back, helped her out of her clothes and into a big cotton t-shirt. She had a few, liking them to sleep in when it was cold out, or he was away. This one had Eeyore on the front wearing a Santa hat. It was ridiculous and adorable and just so Kennedy.

“Yeah, baby. I know you can. You’re my sweet Kennedy, my amazing Canadian girl. We can do this, love.”

“Rogers, what’s with this we shit?” she snarled.

He didn’t take offence, knowing she wasn’t wrong. “You know I’d take the pain if I could, Kennedy.”

Anger turned to tears, and she sobbed into his chest. “It hurts, Steven,” she whispered, clutching at him.

He looked to Bruce as he came through the door. “I know, baby, but we tried the drugs, and they didn’t work. Our little super soldier is doing some unexpected things, sweetheart.”

“Want them out,” she pouted. “I’m so tired.”

“Hey, Kennedy. Let’s have a look, okay? Maybe we can grant that wish,” Bruce offered, motioning Steve to bring her back to the bed.

He helped her across the floor and up on the bed. She’d long ago stopped blushing every time Bruce got his hands on her. They’d planned for Helen to do the delivery, but Bruce had been with them every step as well, and though Kennedy had wanted a woman down there, it didn’t seem to matter anymore that Bruce was, as she’d put it, all up in her lady bits.

“Looks like you get your wish, Kenny. Time to push this baby out.” Bruce glanced to Steve.

He helped Kennedy sit up and braced behind her, holding her hands, so she had something to bear down against. “C’mon, sweetheart. You’ve got this.”

“Steven…” she moaned her head on his shoulder. Sweat coated her face and curled her hair, but he still thought she was so damn beautiful. “I can’t.”

Before he could encourage her, Bruce spoke up.

“Kennedy, I know you’re tired, but nobody else can do this for you. The baby’s got to come out. Drugs aren’t working so we can’t give you a cesarean even if you wanted one. You have to birth this baby. So push, goddammit!”

That seemed to be all the fire she needed.

The next twenty minutes went by in a haze of blood, sweat and tears, unlike anything Steve had ever witnessed. It was a struggle for life. A battle waged between a woman and her body, and no matter how he held her, encouraged her, fought with her, it was all Kennedy’s doing when the slick, bloody head of their baby finally emerged.

“Good!” Bruce shouted. “One more, Kennedy! You’ve got this!”

She screamed the most primal sound Steve had ever heard and sent their baby sliding into the hands of Bruce.

“Look. Oh wow, look, Kennedy,” Steve breathed in awe as Bruce laid the baby on the towel in his lap and added clips to the umbilical cord. “Look what you did. That’s our baby.”

“A healthy baby boy. Ten fingers, ten toes, and utterly perfect,” Bruce said, grinning up at them. “Hardest secret I’ve ever kept.” He lifted the bundle up and placed their son in Kennedy’s lap. “Here, Cap.” Bruce held up a pair of scissors. “Cut the cord, right here.”

His hand shook as he took the scissors from Bruce and worked his way through the cord, severing his child from his mother. No sooner was it done, then the boy sucked in a lung full of air and gave a hearty wail.

Kennedy inhaled just as hard but sobbed out a laugh. “Look at him. Oh, god, Steven… he’s perfect.”

Time seemed to stand still, and though he was aware of Bruce doing things, Steve was utterly enraptured by the baby. His little mouth opened and closed, sucking but no longer crying, taking comfort in the arms of his mother. Small fists waved. Little feet kicked.

“Okay, mom and dad.” Bruce smiled. “Everything looks good. Let me have him back, and I’ll go clean him up.”

“Oh, but…” Kennedy clutched him closer.

“He needs a bath and a once over, Kenny, and I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a rinse yourself.” He looked pointedly to Steve.

“It will be okay, Kennedy. Let’s get you cleaned up, and then Bruce will be right back.” Steve kissed her cheek and nodded to Bruce to take the baby, even though his heart also clenched at the loss.

Once Bruce headed for the tub of water he’d already filled and had waiting, Steve scooped Kennedy up and took her to the bathroom.

It wasn’t until he was standing in the shower with her, watching the water run red down the drain that he started to shake.

“Steven?” She frowned up at him, her eyes exhausted.

“That was… the single greatest thing I have ever seen,” he whispered, resting his forehead on hers. “You’re amazing, Kennedy. Astounding. You gave me a son. You did that.”

“You did kind of help, just a little,” she teased.

A smile twitched his lips. “I love you, Kennedy Marie Rogers. God, how I love you.” He pressed the lightest of kiss to her parted lips.

“Steven,” she sighed, leaning into him. “I love you, too, but I’m tired, and I want my baby.”

“Okay, doll.”

He helped her dry and dress and carried her back into the bedroom. Bruce was waiting, holding their son, his eyes bright. “Looks just like you, Cap.”

Sure enough, with the birth washed off his son’s cap of bright blond hair shone beneath the overhead lights.

“Here, Kennedy.” Bruce transferred the baby back to her arms. “You should go upstairs, be comfortable in your own bed. I’ll come check on you in a bit.”

She grabbed his hand before he could turn away and with teary eyes whispered hoarsely, “Thank you, Bruce. Thank you.”

His smile was soft, and his eyes were also wet when Bruce nodded. “Congratulations to the both of you. He’s beautiful.”

***

Steve fussed as he settled her into their bed, placing pillows and propping her up until Kennedy finally grabbed his hand and tugged him down beside her. “Just stop, Steven. Everything is fine.”

Swaddled, their son was resting on her lap, a hat and blanket in blue keeping him warm. Bruce really had come prepared.

“He’s beautiful, Kennedy.” The awe lacing Steve’s voice made her smile.

“With you for a father? How could he not be?” she asked.

“I think it’s with you for a mother,” he quipped, kissing her cheek and snuggling close.

The baby fussed a little, grunting and rooting, and Kennedy smiled, thankful she’d changed out of her nightshirt into one of Steve’s plaid button ups. The tingling in her breasts wasn’t painful, but it was a new sensation. When he fussed a second time, she reached for the buttons, seeming to just know what to do.

His little mouth latched on, and she gasped at the sensation when he began to suckle.

“Baby?” Steve asked, bringing his hand up to cover hers on the back of their son’s head.

“Feels… different, but good different.”

Steve relaxed, a smile playing on his lips as he watched their son enjoy his first meal. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

She turned her head to look at him and smiled. “Me either.”

“God I love you, Kennedy.”

“You’ve said that a few times today, Rogers,” she teased.

“I mean it every time.” His hand came up to cup her chin.

“I know you do.” She kissed him then, gentle and soft.

A quiet knock on the door broke them apart.

“Yeah?” Steve called.

“It’s Bruce and Mary.”

“Come in,” Kennedy called out, fresh tears gathering when her mother burst through the door to hurry toward the bed.

“Oh, oh, Kenny!” Mary cried, sitting next to her. “He’s beautiful!”

“And greedy,” Kennedy chuckled.

“What’s his name?” Mary asked, darting a glance toward Steve.

When Kennedy glanced his direction, she noted the sharp way Steve watched everyone in the room and should have known he’d turn all papa bear as soon as the baby was born. “We’re going to wait and tell everyone together.”

“I sent everyone else off to bed, but I just had to stay up to see him. You realize you’ve had a Christmas baby,” Mary said, wiping at her tears. “It’s three in the morning, December twenty-fifth.”

“Huh…” Kennedy smiled, finding it kind of fitting. A Christmas baby for the man whose birthday was the Fourth of July. Then she snickered. “I win.”

“Win what?” Steve asked.

“The baby pool,” Bruce grumbled, lifting his hands from where he’d been checking Kennedy’s stomach. “Dammit! I knew I should have picked an earlier date.”

“What you have?” asked Mary. “I had January second.”

“Mom!” Kennedy laughed.

“Well, you had Christmas!” Mary huffed.

“The twenty-ninth,” Bruce sighed. “Was why I brought all the equipment with me.”

“You were all betting on when the baby would be born?” Steve gasped, staring at Kennedy in horror.

“Hey! I won… I don’t even know how much. What was the pot up to?” Kennedy asked Bruce.

“I’d have to check with Tony. Last I heard it was six-hundred.”

“Jeez! Dollface!” Steve dragged his hand down his face.

“Oh, lighten up!” Kennedy teased. “I made six-hundred bucks!”

Steve shook his head, but his eyes shone with amusement.

“Alright, well, we’ll leave you three to get some rest, and everyone can meet the newest member of the family tomorrow,” Mary said, leaning in to kiss Kennedy’s forehead, then rising to lean over and kiss Steve’s cheek. “Congratulations you two.”

“Thanks, mom,” Kennedy whispered, voice choked.

“Mary. Bruce.” Steve nodded.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Mary darted into the hall and came back with a bassinet. “May made Jesse go get it!” she snickered.

Kennedy giggled. “How badly did he grouch?”

“Only a little. How could he say no?” Mary laughed and left the room, Bruce shutting the door behind them.

A grunt and fuss had her switching her son to the other breast. “You are greedy,” she snickered, brushing his cheek.

“Going to be a big boy,” Steve murmured.

“Like his daddy.” She was fairly certain she’d heard Bruce say he’d been pushing nine pounds and was a good twenty-one inches long, but she’d have to ask tomorrow to be sure.

A tired yawn had her eyes drooping as Steve slipped from the bed to gather the bassinet and strip down to his underwear.

“Hey,” she called softly, causing him to look at her. “Dig in the bottom of my bag.”

“What am I looking for?” Steve asked, crouching down beside it.

“You’ll know when you find it.”

He arched a brow her way but continued to rifle until his hand came to a sudden stop. “Baby,” he sighed, a smile breaking out as he pulled the blue onesie Bucky had gotten for the baby back at Father’s day from her bag.

“I had a feeling.”

“And you didn’t share?” he half scolded.

“I didn’t want you to worry. Grab a hand towel.”

He set the little outfit down on the dresser and reached into the bathroom for the one hanging over the sink. “I’d never have gone to the UN thing if I’d known. What if I’d missed it?”

“Steven,” she looked at him pointedly, “I get it. You can’t always put us first. You have a very important job, but don’t go borrowing trouble! You were here, everything is good, and in a few hours, we can do Christmas with our very best gift ever. Nothing’s topping this!” she chuckled, taking the towel and draping it over her shoulder as she lifted the baby to it and began to pat his back.

The belch which came from his small body made her snicker. She scooted over gingerly, patting the bed for the bassinet and laying their baby down in it. Steve crawled back into bed, spooning up close behind her and scattering pillows out of the way. His arm draped over her, the heat of his body soothing against her back, and lightly rested his hand on their son. “Thank you, Kennedy,” he whispered against her shoulder.

“You’re welcome, Steven, but we did this together. He’s our son. Now, go to sleep.”

He was almost asleep when she giggled softly. “What?” Steve asked.

“You do realize, Captain America’s son… is Canadian.”

“So? So am I,” he chuckled. “Go to sleep, woman.”

She snickered softly and was asleep within seconds.

***

The baby woke them a few hours later, hungry and wet. Thankfully, Bruce’s preparedness included such things as diapers and other items, such as clothes and blankets, were available to borrow from Susan and May. In fact, a care basket had been left outside the door at some point in the night and caused Kennedy to tear up at her family’s thoughtfulness.

Still, his first outfit was the onesie Bucky had purchased, and the blanket Kennedy wrapped him in had once been her own.

Steve had forgone any arguments once she was dressed, simply handing her the baby and sweeping her off her feet to take his family down the stairs and sit them in the chair by the fire. It was early enough only a few people were stirring. Mary and Jonas were up, along with Matt, Jesse, Vision and Henry, the boys already outside caring for the livestock.

Jonas instantly commandeered the baby, sneakily offering Kennedy a cinnamon bun in trade. She ate it, watching her father like a hawk as he cooed and cuddled the baby.

Steve slipped into the kitchen and mixed her a mocha, his wife’s exhaustion still evident, and returned with a cup of coffee for himself. She’d looked at him in surprise, but he’d only given her a wink. It was Christmas morning after all. He wasn’t going to begrudge her a cup of coffee after all she’d gone through the night before.

When Bucky arrived at a quick march a few minutes later, Steve had only just gotten the baby away from Jonas, but when the look of utter longing had descended, he walked straight to Bucky and held out his son.

“Steve… I…” Bucky shook his head.

“How are you ever going to be my son’s godfather if you won’t even hold him?”

“What?” Bucky gasped, looking toward Kennedy.

She patted the arm of the sofa next to her. “Come sit, Bucky. Then, hold your godchild.”

His mouth hung open, but Bucky came and sat, and looked at Steve with eyes full of wonder when he placed their son in the cradle of his flesh arm.

“Oh… wow…” Bucky whispered. “He’s so small.”

“That’s not what I thought when he was being born,” Kennedy grumbled into her mug, but her eyes twinkled like stars.

“How you doing, doll face?” Bucky asked, looking at her with concern.

“I’m fine, Bucky. Everything went as planned.”

He reached out and took her hand. “That’s good, Kenny. Real good.” He let her go and grinned sappily at Steve. “Looks like you, punk.”

“I would hope so,” Steve chuckled, sitting on the coffee table in front of Bucky. He had to reach out and touch his son, stroke his finger over the boy’s cheek, so completely enamoured he couldn’t help himself and lightly caressed his fuzzy little head. The touch made him squeak, grunt, and squirm, and Bucky jumped.

“Stop that!” He glared at Steve.

Steve snickered. “Babies wiggle, pal. Get used to it.”

“Give me the baby, and no one dies!” Natasha squealed, darting in the door and causing Kennedy to laugh when she dropped down beside Bucky. “Hand him over, Barnes!”

“No! He’s my godchild!”

“What!” Nat gasped, turning on Kennedy. “How could you?”

“He can have two, Natasha,” Steve laughed, batting Bucky’s hand away when he reached out and took his son back to hand him to Natasha.

“And besides, you’re a godmother three times over!” Clint huffed, wandering in with Laura who immediately went to snuggle up beside Nat and coo over the baby. “What are my kids, chopped liver?”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Clint,” Laura huffed. “Look at this pretty baby.”

“We are not having another,” Clint grumbled, but Steve watched his face smooth into lines of want when he perched on the arm of the sofa beside his wife.

After that, the influx went from a trickle to a river until the noise escalated and the kids were about ready to tear down the tree if they couldn’t get into the presents, all chattering on about Santa and stockings, and please! Just one gift before breakfast? Until Mary came in and cleared her throat.

“As we are now all gathered, might we please know the name of our newest grandbaby?”

Steve smiled as he took his son back from Wanda and Vision, both Sam and Tony grumbling about missing their turn, and went to deliver him back to Kennedy. “We’ve thought about this a lot. Talked about it even more, and hope you all like what we’ve chosen as much as we do.”

“We wanted to use names that were important to both sides of the family,” Kennedy said, smiling up at Steve.

“So, in honour of Mary’s dad and two of our best friends,” Steve felt himself choke up and fought it back, “meet James Edward Rogers.”

“Oh… oh, Kennedy!” Mary gasped, tears pouring down her cheeks.   

“Steve…” Bucky whispered, his eyes watering as well.

“Dammit, Kenny!” Tony huffed, wiping at his face. He stalked forward to slouch down on the stool beside her. “You had to go and do something like that, didn’t ya?”

She reached out and grasped his hand. “Who’d a thought it, huh?”

“Least you can do is let me hold my namesake,” he grumbled, and she handed him the baby.

Steve settled onto the arm of her chair as he watched the man who Kennedy had once feared more than nearly anyone else in the world cradled his son to his chest while tears tracked Tony’s cheeks.

Over the last months, Tony had become a huge part of their world, as he was to the entire team, but he and Kennedy had developed a unique kind of bond. It had been stunted and awkward at first, but Tony was hard to resist when he wanted to be charming, and Kennedy was brilliant enough to keep up with him when he yammered on about things Steve had little understanding of. 

They’d bonded over biology, and when the three of them - Kennedy, Bruce, and Tony - ended up in a room together, the rest of them had a tendency to vanish as conversations delved into molecular biology and chemical engineering.

When Kennedy had brought up the idea of Edward as a middle name, Steve had jumped on board. What better way to show Tony how much they cared?

“So Barnes gets a name and godparent status!” Nat huffed, but she couldn’t quite hide her smile. “How rude.”

“Guess that means you don’t want to be godmother?”

“Bite your tongue, Rogers!” Natasha barked.

“When do I get to be godfather?” Tony muttered, eyeing Kennedy who shook her finger at him.

“Don’t even start! He was born all of six hours ago.”

“Hey, Steve,” Jonas called as he glanced out the window. “Your surprise is here.”

“Crap!” Steve hopped up and darted toward the window. “I damn near forgot.” In all the excitement, he’d almost forgotten about Kennedy’s Christmas present. “Be right back, doll!”

“Steven?” she called out, but he was dashing toward the door and shoving his feet into boots which looked like they’d fit before running into the snow.

“Cliff,” he grinned at the old farmer when the man rolled down the window of his truck. “Thanks for doing this on Christmas.”

“Not a problem, Cap. Not a problem. That Kennedy’s a good girl,” the grizzled old man smiled a gap-toothed grin. “You let us know how she gets on. My Martha wants to see the baby when she has it.”

Steve’s smile nearly split his face, but he wasn’t going to spoil the surprise. “Why don’t you and her come around this afternoon for a visit? You can see how Kennedy liked her present.”

“Yeah? Maybe we will at that.” He patted Steve’s shoulder out the window of his truck. “You wish the Jones’s a very merry for me, and we’ll see you all later.”

Steve waved as he drove off. Old man Cliff owned the farm down the road, and back in the summer when they’d been up for the wedding, Steve had ended up helping Matt and Jesse with the man’s cattle when the old guy had broken his foot. It had been then he’d gotten the idea for the perfect gift for Kennedy, and the old man had become a willing participant in his scheme. They’d struck up a friendship, chatting over war stories, and Steve had grown exceedingly fond of him and his wife.

He headed back into the house and tucked Kennedy’s gift behind his back as he toed off his borrowed boots. At the doorway he paused, his eyes taking in the family, all of them, who he cherished more than anything in the world, until finally coming to rest on Kennedy whose emerald green eyes were bright with excitement. “Now…” he began, causing the room to fall silent. “I know this might not be the best time for this but I did think we’d have another month before James was born.”

Bringing his hand from behind his back, he held the golden retriever puppy in his big palms. “Merry Christmas, Kennedy.”

“A puppy…” she gasped, eyes watering. “You got me a puppy.”

“Even cleared it with Tony first,” he said, striding toward her to crouch down with the red ribbon-bedecked pup.

“I can’t believe… a puppy,” she sighed, taking the little female in her hands and giggling when the puppy licked her chin.

“Well, I seem to recall someone mentioning how one day she’d really like to have a family, and a dog, and a husband who thought the world of her,” he said softly, cupping Kennedy’s cheek. “You already had the last, and you were on your way to the first, I figured why not give you everything you want when you’ve already given it to me?”

“Oh, Steven,” she whispered as tears spilled down her face. “I love you.”

Joy unending bloomed in his heart as he looked from her to his son, back in the arms of his godfather. Bucky’s smirk was a touch wet from the tears on his cheeks.

Steve lifted up on his knees to kiss his wife, scratched the puppy’s ear, and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Kennedy. My beautiful Canadian girl.”

-The End-

[let-it-go-and-let-it-live]

METATHESIOPHOBIA

THE FEAR OF CHANGE

Previously

ATHAZAGORAPHOBIA: THE FEAR OF FORGETTING/BEING FORGOTTEN

Next

SEDATEPHOBIA: THE FEAR OF SILENCE

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: ~1900

Summary: Bucky’s POV; It’s been nearly thirty years since you were separated from the man you called Зима, Zima, Winter. He was made to forget you, and he never knew why. What had the two of you done wrong? Now that he’s found you again… well…

Warnings: Angst

A/N: So... this is gonna be a thing now. I was not planning a series, but I have definitely fallen in love with one. I don’t know how long it’ll be though. There is a tag list so let me know if you want to be on it.

We lay there long after the sun has risen. She’s still asleep. I woke up about an hour ago, but I just can’t bring myself to leave her side. A thick lock of her hair falls over cheek, the ends being blown gently every time she exhales. Her lips are parted slightly. Her eyelids flutter as she dreams. She’s on her stomach, hugging her pillow beneath her head. The sheets cover her from the waist down, her bare skin practically glowing in the sunlight that falls over her.

These are the moments I’ll always hold onto, the moments I’m terrified of forgetting.

I reach out, my fingertips brushing against her cheek as I move her hair back in place. I sit up a bit, leaning over her and placing a kiss on her cheek. She sighs in her sleep, the sound content as she shifts a bit.

I climb out of bed as gently as can. She deserves her rest, and I want to give it to her. The floor is cold against my bare feet as I leave the room. I collect my gym bag from the hallway closet before going to the elevator and heading down to the gym.

Steve’s already there, going in on a punching bag. He catches it in his hands, greeting me with his usual smile.

“She still asleep?” he asks, adjusting the tape around his hands.

“Yeah, she seemed to be okay so I thought I’d get in a quick workout.”

He nods, watching me as I cross the room to the weight bench. He comes over to spot me as I lay back and the take the metal bar in my hands.

“How’s she doing?” he asks, his eyes on me rather than on the bar.

“It’s been a rough six months, but she’s getting better every day.”

“She still seeing her therapist?”

“She’s down to just once a week.”

“The nightmares?”

“They still keep her up more often than I’d like.” I return the bar to the stand and sit up, “This is the first time she’s slept through the night in over a week.”

He sits beside me but says nothing as he waits for me to say more.

“She won’t talk to me on her own, and I’m afraid to ask her.”

“Have you considered talking to her doctor?”

I shake my head, “I’m not sure she’d be okay with that.”

“Consider it part of her care.”

I scoff, nodding as I tuck my hair behind my ear, “You might have a point.”

Before he can reply, FRIDAY’s voice cuts him off.

“Mr. Barnes, you have a phone call. Would you like me to take a message?”

“No. I’ll take it.”

I stand, crossing the room to pick up the phone from its receiver on the wall.

“Barnes.”

“Hello, Mr. Barnes. This is Dr. Kennedy, (Y/N)’s psychiatrist.”

I glance at Steve; he arches his eyebrow in curiosity.

“I was hoping to speak with you in reference to her care. Would you mind coming by my office today around 1?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Also,” he pauses, sighing, “I have to ask that you don’t tell her we’re meeting. I would hate to cause any unnecessary anxiety or stress.”

“Understood. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

I hang up the phone and go back to stand beside Steve.

“Who was that?”

“(Y/N)’s therapist. I’m meeting with him at 1, but he doesn’t want her to know.”

Maybe the worry’s radiating from my body or he can simply see it in my eyes, but Steve puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles.

“I’m sure everything’s fine, Buck.”

“Yeah.” I nod, “You’re probably right.”

I know he’s probably wrong. I mean, why else would the guy call me in?

…

We finish our workout around 11, having spent nearly two hours in the gym.

Back at our apartment, we walk in to find (Y/N) in the kitchen cooking. The room is filled with the soft sound of classical music. Steve heads to his room to change while I go to stand beside her at the stove. She glances up at me and smiles. I have to stifle the laughter that dares to rise up out of me.

“You’ve got… a little… something.” I try to direct her toward it, but she keeps missing, “I’ll get it.”

I grab a paper towel in one hand while holding her chin in the other. She closes her eyes, scrunching her nose up as I wipe the pancake batter from her cheek. She giggles softly as I turn her head from side to side, making sure I got it all.

“Hi.” She says, wrapping her hand around my wrist.

“Hey.” I whisper, leaning down to place a kiss on her lips.

When I lean away again, she licks her lips and pulls out of my grasp as she turns back to the stove.

“Breakfast should be done by the time you change clothes.”

I do my best to ignore the unusual distance between us as I go to our bedroom to change out of my sweaty clothes.

…

Dr. Michael Kennedy reminds me a lot of Bruce in his demeanor. He’s a small man, standing about as tall as (Y/N) with dark, blond hair and green eyes. He’s a young guy, maybe in his early thirties. I’ve only met him once before. It was the same (Y/N) was finally discharged from the hospital; therapy was a condition of her release. At first it was three times a week, then two and now one. I’ve never been sure it was helping her.

The office door opens.

“Mr. Barnes, sorry to keep you waiting.” He offers his hand as he approaches, “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

I shake his hand, “I assume it’s something important.”

He nods, releasing my hand and sitting across from me. “I would say so.”

“Then what is it?”

He pulls a notebook from the bag at his feet, “How much has she told you about her nightmares?”

“Not much. Nothing recently.”

“As I suspected.” He flips through the pages of the notebook before slipping on his glasses and glancing up at me, “I have to ask, though. Do you want to know?”

That’s a good question. I don’t know anything about the most recent nightmare, but she’s seen him since it started. What if it’s about me? What if there’s something I can do? I guess I won’t know unless…

“Tell me.”

“Actually,” he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small recorder, setting on the table between us, “I’m going to let her tell you.”

My eyes focus on the tape recorder as he presses play. There’s nothing but a soft hissing sound at first before his voice interrupts it.

“How are you, (Y/N)?”

“I’m okay. Tired.”

“How have you been sleeping?”

“Not very well.”

“Why is that?”

There’s a long pause before she says, “Nightmares.”

“The same ones or_”

“No. This one was different.”

“Do you remember it?”

“Yes.”

“We’re going to talk about it.”

“I know.”

“Were you in the dream?”

“Yes. It was like watching a movie.”

“Was anyone else there?”

“Bucky was there.”

“Was it Bucky? Or was it Winter?”

“No. It was Bucky, and at first everything was fine.”

“Where were you in this dream?”

“I’m not sure. We were in a room. There were no windows or doors and barely any light.” I can hear the scribbling of pen against paper. She continues. “I was on my knees in front of him. He passed his hand over my hair and smiled down at me. I smiled back, and then something changed. His gaze turned so cold and his hand fisted in my hair and he pulled. I cried out. I begged him to let go. There was this laugh from behind me, a voice in my ear.”

“Who was it?”

“Vasily Karpov.”

“What did he say?”

“He called me a fool, said that the Soldier didn’t have the capacity to love. He said that Winter only cared for me because he was ordered to. Then he was standing behind Bucky_”

“So he’s still Bucky?”

“Yes.”

“What happened after he stood behind him?”

“Karpov whispered something in his ear. Bucky let my hair go; he kind of tossed me away. When I looked back at him, there was a pistol in his hand, and it was pointed right at me.”

“Did he pull the trigger?”

“I don’t know.” She probably just shrugged her shoulders. “I woke up.”

“(Y/N), are you afraid of Bucky?”

“No.” She sounds so sure.

“Are you afraid of Winter?”

“No.” Maybe a little less sure…

“Are you afraid of the Soldier?”

Silence. Then… “I don’t know.”

“In previous sessions, we’ve gone over the differences between Bucky, Winter and the Soldier. You don’t fear the first two so why fear the Soldier?”

“Because… somewhere inside of Bucky is Winter and inside of Winter…”

“Is the Soldier.”

“Yes.”

“You say you’re not afraid of him, but are you afraid that Bucky is capable of becoming that man again?”

I can hear her take a deep breath. “I shouldn’t be afraid of him.”

“But you are.”

“I just don’t understand why.”

“Did you ever see the Soldier in action?”

“Only during training.”

“Did he train you?”

“No. Winter was responsible for my training. Vasily made me watch as the Soldier trained the other recruits though. He said it was his way of showing me what Winter was truly capable of. In the beginning, I think it was his way of making me think that he alone could protect me because he held the control.”

“But was it only Winter he controlled?”

“He controlled us both.”

Movement. Were you sitting where I am? Leaning toward him as you spoke? Were your hands shaking as you told your story? Or were they balled into tight fights, resting on your knees as you tried to stifle your anxiety?

“I was a prisoner, but I thought I was home. I was safe. I was protected. I was taken care of. In the end, I was loved. Vasily Karpov helped to destroy the person I was. Now I can’t even look the man I love in the eye because I’m waiting for him to kill me.”

I reach out to the recorder, pressing down on the stop button. I close my eyes and sigh.

“This the first time you’ve ever been the one holding the gun.”

I open my eyes, my vision blurred by unshed tears.

“I asked her if she understood that she was in no danger. She said she understood, but I don’t know that I believe her.”

“You know, one of her favorite things is when she’s laying on my lap and I run my fingers through her hair, but this… this explains why she’s been pushing me away.” I wipe at a tear that falls down my cheek, “Isn’t there something you can do?”

“Any medications I give her may not work properly because of the serum in her system. Talking can only get her so far. Bucky, this is up to you now.”

“What do I do?”

“Find a way to take away her fear. Show her that she has nothing left to be afraid of.”

Somehow… that seems easier said than done.

TAGS:  @melconnor2007 @curlyxtomato @skeletonwoman @chipilerendi @allyp1023

[marvelousworldgeek-blog]

“All of Me” -John Legend

“All of Me” -John Legend

Author: Kennedy

Characters: Fem!Reader and Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier with mention of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Steve Rogers/Captain America, and other Avengers

Story: Bucky and reader’s wedding day

“Give your all to me. I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose I'm winning”

It had been a long time since Bucky was this nervous.

He had charged into countless battles, survived several rounds of combat training, undergone painful adjustments to his mechanical arm, and faced an array of enemies. He had nearly died and been back from the brink, he had been brainwashed, lost his best friend, nearly killed his best friend, and had to restore his own humanity. Yet even after all the years, this day would go down as the most terrifying in his life.

Bucky adjusted the sleeve of his dress shirt and tucked it under the black tux jacket again, taking in his reflection. He was clean shaven and had his hair trimmed back from its previous wild tangle. But it felt so strange, standing there, seeing himself looking so normal. What if he forgot who he was and went super soldier half way through the ceremony? What if they were interrupted by an emergency for work? What if (Y/N) changed her mind and never showed up?

“No,” he said out loud, his voice filling the tiny dressing room. “She would never leave.”

And it was true. (Y/N) had stood by him through all of this without question. She was patient and kind and strong and loved him more than anyone ever had. Now she was going to be his wife; that thought brought him back to the moment, even inspiring a grateful smile.

While he was finishing up his pre ceremony to-do list, there was a quick knock and not a half second later, Natasha walked in from the main hallway.

“Alright,” she stated, thoughtfully adjusting her dress. “We are t-minus thirty minutes. How are you doing?”

“Good.”

“Good,” she looked him over. “You went with black; perfect.”

“How’s (Y/N)?”

“I sent Steve to check on her. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Okay…”

The slight lilt in Bucky’s voice brought Natasha’s gaze back to his concerned frown.

“Bucky.”

“Hm?” he looked up to meet her eyes.

“She’s fine. You’re fine. Today is going to go off without a hitch.”

He nodded; “Thank you.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, even when you're crying you're beautiful too”

Steve was hesitant to knock on the door to the bridal suite. He didn’t understand why Natasha had sent him to check on (Y/N). It would have made more sense for her to go herself, or at the very least to send someone like Sam or Clint. Even Wanda was there now and available. But now he was here, awkwardly standing with a hand raised to knock. He jumped back as the door opened just a crack and (Y/N) poked her nose out.

“Steve?”

“Yeah?”

“Is that you?”

He rolled his eyes; “Yes. I just said- oop!”

(Y/N) grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. Instinctively, Steve covered his eyes to avoid seeing anything he shouldn’t, but (Y/N) swatted his arm.

“I’m decent! I need you tell me how I look.”

Steve lowered his arm and glanced up. His jaw went slack when he saw her.

The two of them had been fast friends since (Y/N) first joined the team. They had quickly become the new power duo of the Avengers, on and off the field. It was Steve who had introduced (Y/N) and Bucky the first time, who had gone with them to look at apartments together, and who had helped Bucky plan his proposal. He loved (Y/N) just as much as Bucky did, even if it was purely in a platonic sense. And now he was the best man at the wedding of his two best friends.

“Wow,” he admired earnestly.

“Wow, wow? Or wow no, wow?”

Steve chuckled; “Good. Good wow.”

(Y/N) fiddled with the edge of lace; “Have you seen Buck yet?”

“Nope, not since breakfast. But I am positive he is just great.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Steve?”

“Yeah?”

“Is it okay that I’m nervous?”

Steve smiled kindly; “Of course.”

She nodded. Then she reached forward and pulled Steve into a tight hug.

“Thank you,” she mumbled into his chest as he squeezed her back.

“For what?”

“For everything,” she leaned back and smiled up at him. “We’re here because of you.”

Steve wasn’t sure how to respond; he could feel a swell of emotion already building in his chest. So he leaned forward and placed a brotherly kiss on her forehead.

“I’ll see you out there, okay?”

(Y/N) nodded and watched as he exited back into the hallway.

“My head's underwater, but I'm breathing fine. You're crazy and I'm out of my mind”

Bucky met Steve in the hallways behind the front of the church. When they saw each other both men smiled happily.

“You ready for this?” Steve teased, clapping Bucky on the shoulder.

Bucky chuckled; “I’m sure we’ve been through worse.”

“Mm.”

“You talked to (Y/N)?”

“Yeah. She looks amazing.”

Bucky tucked his hands into his pockets and smiled at his feet.

It was quiet until Sam appeared to let them know everything was set up. It felt like a dream, walking out to stand next to the pew, all the groomsmen lined up with Bucky at the front. When the music started and the first bridesmaid appeared, he could feel his heartbeat pick up. It felt like years until the entire wedding party made it to their spots and the band picked up ‘Here Comes the Bride.’ Then all he could see was her.

“'Cause all of me loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections”

(Y/N) had been freaking out until the exact moment she made eye contact with her fiance at the end of the isle. He looked so handsome, so relaxed, so incredibly in love with her that she forgot why they were all there in the first place. There was a part of her that wanted just to cross the distance between them and kiss him right there, and for a brief moment she considered this. But somewhere in the edge of her vision she saw Wanda and Natasha waving at her subtly to start walking and she shook off the notion. Bucky watched her every step of the way, even as her cheeks flushed pink under all the attention. Even Natasha was smiling at the sight of the young couple gazing at each other. And in no time (Y/N) was standing across from Bucky as the music stopped and the ceremony began.

While the officiant was speaking, (Y/N) leaned in just close enough to whisper, “You look really handsome.”

Bucky smiled, eyes still ahead.

When it came time to exchange vows, (Y/N) had the crowd smiling through their tears before she had even finished. Even Steve had to avert his gaze to avoid the waterworks. Bucky’s heart was back in his throat as he took the small slip of paper out of his pocket.

“Writing is not my strong suit,” he started, earning a chuckle from the crowd. “I’m not great with words. So I ended up with this…”

He looked up at (Y/N), her eyes already full of anticipation and adoration.

“(Y/N),” a quick breath to ease his nerves. “You make me whole. Whatever I lost, whatever was broken, whatever was missing, I found again when I met you. You are everything that is good in my life, and you make me a better man than I ever was.”

He was still looking into (Y/N)’s eyes and all he managed after that was, “I love you.”

The officiant pronounced them man and wife, and Bucky wasted no time in pulling (Y/N) into his chest and tipping her back to kiss her as all their friends cheered loudly.

Amidst the standing ovation, (Y/N) whispered, “I love you so much.”

Bucky kissed her twice more before they walked back down the aisle to rounds of applause and cheers of congratulations.

“Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts. Risking it all though it's hard”

It was a long night of partying and celebration for everyone after that. Hours passed, day turned to night then night into morning, and soon it was Bucky and (Y/N) alone on the balcony of their hotel suite.

Leaning her head against his shoulder, (Y/N) asked, “How does it feel to be a married man?”

“It’s perfect,” he smiled.

“Today was perfect, wasn’t it?” she sighed, closing her eyes.

“(Y/N),”

“Mm-hm?”

“You… saved my life.”

Her eyes fluttered back open and she leaned back to look at him curiously.

“That came out a little rough,” he cleared his throat. “I mean, you are my life. There wasn’t any purpose before we met, y’know?”

(Y/N) was just looking at him then, listening intently.

“I didn’t realize I was missing so much in my life. Something was definitely… definitely broken,”

“Buck, it’s not- I mean, you’re not…”

“I know,” he smiled. “I am trying to say that you mean everything to me. And to say thank you. You make me normal; better than normal, actually.”

She smiled at him; “I love you, James Buchanan Barnes.”

Bucky grabbed her and swung her legs up so that he was carrying her bridal style, then said, “How about we get some sleep, Mrs. Barnes?”

“Or not,” she winked, leaning in to kiss him.

“I give you all of me. And you give me all, of you, oh oh oh.”

[zimniysoldat-fiction]

You’re My Mission (pt 2) [BuckyxReader]

Summary: The Winter Soldier has been implanted into your life. Why?

Pairings: Bucky x reader

Warnings: drinking in dive-bars, smoking, implications of a medical condition, threat of murder.

Word Count: 1,141

A/N: Apparently I got a bit carried away? Hopefully you guys like it. I live off of feedback, so please, validate me? I’ll even graciously accept abuse.

Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8; Part 9; Part 10; Part 11

«We’re running out of time. Status?» «We found her, sir.»

Over the past two weeks your productivity at work had plummeted, so much so that even a named partner stopped by your office to make sure everything was alright. You smiled, nodded, and made up some lame excuse to satisfy his concern. You couldn’t tell him that you’d been obsessing over the mystery of a stranger you talked to for ten minutes two weeks ago, you’d be the laughing stock of your blatantly chauvinist office. So you lied. Anyone who enquired would be given the same excuse, just feeling a bit under the weather, possibly another flare up. They’d give you a sympathetic smile and nod, leaving you in peace to get on the best you could. Usually, this would annoy you, the sympathy, the kid gloves, being treated like a fragile porcelain doll whenever someone found out about your ‘condition.’ This time around, though, you were kind of thankful for it, for the peace that came with it. That peace gave you time to get caught up with your other job, another facet of your life suffering while you puzzled over your metal-armed mystery.

«You’re certain it’s her? We don’t need another incident like last time.» «Yessir, we have confirmed it, everything lines up. There is no doubt, it’s her.» «Well done.»

You hadn’t realized how dire your living accommodations were until you reached for the last bottle of vodka, dismayed to find it bone-dry. Looking around, you realized that you hadn’t bothered to move in, not really. Your clothes, your computer, and your liquor collection were all that you could lay claim to, and now you didn’t even have the liquor. It had been two years already without any incident, so you figured you should finally make this place your home. Or at least the next best thing. That would have to be tomorrow, though. Tonight, you could feel the warm burn deep in your gut beginning to heat up and you needed to drown it out. Grabbing a jacket to throw on over your white tank top, you made your way to your bar, grimacing as you sidled up to the bar, taking up residence on your usual stool.

“Everything okay?” Jim was one of the few people consistently in your life that had no idea about your condition, and you were keen on keeping it that way.

“Yeah, I think I overdid it at that new cardio kickboxing class your sister told me about.” You smiled, trying to look clueless instead of pathetic.

“You have to stop letting her rope you into these things, Jack.”

You simply smiled in return, tapping the bar to indicate that you wanted your usual. While waiting, your eyes scanned the room, surveying your surroundings. Nothing was out of place, save for a hinge on the bathroom door being loose, and the light over the pool table being out. Everything looked normal as you focused back on your bartender friend pouring your scotch.

“Leave the bottle this time, yeah?”

«She’s an estates attorney in Oakland, California this time—Kennedy Baker.» «Good work. Call in the asset.»

“Geez, you must have had one hell of a week!”

The first thing you noticed were the metal fingers resting on the mahogany bar and you smirked, looking up to meet his cold sky-blue eyes. His lips were set in a soft, teasing smile, but his eyes were heavy with concern.

“Something like that.” You laughed it off, finishing what was in your glass.

“Waiting for your friend again?”

“Nope, just needed a drink, and my place is dry.” You were trying to be casual, nonchalant, but you felt like you were coming off bitchy, and judging by his face, your stranger would probably agree.

“Guess you really did have a bad week, talk to ya later.” You could hear a tinge of hurt and heavy disappointment in his soft mumble, and you cringed internally.

“No! Sorry, I mean stay,” you smiled softly, “please?”

He didn’t say anything, just smiled and motioned for a glass of his own, pouring himself a scotch from your bottle. You didn’t know what it was about this guy, but you actually enjoyed his presence. You didn’t want to go another two weeks before seeing him again.

«This woman is your target. She’s a former S.H.I.E.L.D. operative and the creator of their communications code. We need you to bring her in. She is living as Kennedy Baker, an estates attorney in Oakland. She’s had many identities before this one, so it’s important that you don’t spook her. Befriend her, gain her trust. If she gets suspicious and flees, I fear that not even you will be able to find her. Understood?» «Understood.»

The two of you sat in silence, drinking the scotch, exchanging the occasional smile, until the bottle was empty. You were fidgeting with your glass when you noticed a slight tremble in your right hand that couldn’t be shrugged off as nerves. You quickly excused yourself for a minute, rushing outside to the designated smoking area where you pulled out the small silver case that held your clove cigarettes. Your tremble was getting worse, making it nearly impossible to light the thin black stick. After the third try, you were ready to scream, rolling your eyes in exasperation. Before you could try for a fourth time, you were surprised with a steady flame in front of you. Quickly, you lit up, inhaling your first drag like an addict chasing their fix.

“I never would have taken you as a smoker.” In the cold air his voice managed to sound even softer, like a lullaby drifting through the air.

“Would you believe me if I told you they’re a medical thing?” You asked nervously, despite being perfectly honest. It took a lot of trial and error, but Dr. Banner found that these cigarettes were the most effective delivery system to treat your condition.

You watched his face for any kind of reaction, but couldn’t find one. His expression hadn’t changed since he lit your cigarette for you. His eyes still floated in a deep worry, his lips remained set in a playful smile. You couldn’t tell if he was teasing you, or if he was genuinely concerned, and it bothered you. Normally, you could read a person, even a stranger, in seconds, but not him. With him, you had to rely on your instincts, and right now they were telling you that you could trust him.

“With that kind of tremble? Absolutely.” His smile was unfaltering, but his eyes were studying you. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s…complicated. But yeah, I’m fine.”

“Good. Then there’s no reason not to go to dinner with me.”

«One last thing, Sergeant. If at any time you suspect that she’ll fall into enemy hands, kill her.»

Tags: @oneshot-shit; @marvel-ash; @bovaria; @hymnofthevalkyries; @bionic-buckyb; @archangel-trauma; @barnesandnoble13

[fyrapartnersearch]

The Umbrella Academy, Hustle, La Casa de Papel

Hey there. I am a 21+ student residing in the United Kingdom. Currently still in Phase 2 of Lockdown and without anything to do until September, I’ve been binging The Umbrella Academy again to prepare me for season two. How good was that trailer? I’m also looking for a few other ships, a couple rare ones. Indulge me?

For a partner, I’m looking for you:

- To be 18+, writing 18+ characters. I’d like someone who is semi-regular in replies as, due to being stuck in, I’m not really up for waiting a week for a reply even if that never bothered me before. Real life always comes first, I just want something specific to fill my time right now and so that’s why I’m being clear on this!

- I’d like someone who believes in Quality and Quantity. From the get go, I like to take an email intro as a writing sample. If you send me something like ‘hey, I’m interested!’ I probably won’t reply. We are looking to write together after all!

- Side characters are important to me so I’m looking for someone who isn’t shy about taking on other roles and writing as other characters every so often.

- Angst friendly. Fluff friendly. Smut is fine but not a requirement if you aren’t comfortable. Tell me your limits and I’ll respect them, but I’d like a partner who is willing to write the harder hitting topics.

PAIRINGS! I’ve emboldened my preferred character.

The Umbrella Academy:

Diego/Klaus

- Absolutely up for anything with these two. I would be happy to explore canon, which includes us waiting to start a rp until after S2 or writing up parts of S1 to include more of their bond. I’m also up for any kind of AU. I’m talking anything from a coffee shop AU with terrible barista Klaus to a cop/criminal story. Diego as a detective, Klaus as the addict who is bought in and winds up helping him solve his case by communicating with the victim. Give me them meeting in the apocalypse. Give me ANYTHING.

Ben/Klaus

- Pretty much the same as above in that I’m open to anything. I love these two in any form.

Male crossover character/Klaus

- Marvel or DC character. Give me Klaus travelling back to WW2 instead and meeting Bucky who ‘dies’. Let’s do flashbacks, their reunion in the future, see how they deal with everything.

- Sam Wilson. Maybe he’s in the vet bar when Klaus comes stumbling in. Believes his story and tells him to come to therapy some time.

- Literally anyone. Doesn’t have to be Marvel. Give me your faves who you think would vibe with him.

Nathan/Klaus

- Kind of a crossover deal but more specific.

Simon/Klaus

- I mean. Simon would be great for Klaus, wouldn’t he? And that crush he was definitely nursing on Nathan might be helped a little when he bumps into a lookalike.

Dave/Klaus

OC/Klaus

- Your Own Male Character! Who are they? Another kid with powers? A Doctor who has treated Klaus before? A temporal assassin who winds up falling for him?

OTHER SHIPS.

Hustle (TV Show)

Ash Morgan/Sean Kennedy

- I would LOVE to write these two. Maybe including past Ash/Danny with poor Ash getting his heart broken. A slow burn relationship that starts purely physical but ends up more as Ash falls for Sean more and more (and vice versa). We can feature cons, angst, lots of fluff and other characters - I’m very fond of Emma and Sean’s closeness and Ash’s relationship with Mickey.

La Casa de Papel

Berlin/Palermo

There we go. Contact me at artandapollo@yahoo.com and we can plot/chat. If ever we have rp’d in the past, feel free to email again.

Thank you and stay safe everyone! X

[fyrapartnersearch]

BBC Hustle, TUA, White Collar

Hey there. I am a 21+ student residing in the United Kingdom. Currently still in Phase 2 of Lockdown and without anything to do until September, I’ve been binging The Umbrella Academy again to prepare me for season two. How good was that trailer? I’m also looking for a few other ships, a couple rare ones from dead fandoms. Indulge me?

For a partner, I’m looking for you:

- To be 18+, writing 18+ characters. I’d like someone who is semi-regular in replies as, due to being stuck in, I’m not really up for waiting a week for a reply even if that never bothered me before. Real life always comes first, I just want something specific to fill my time right now and so that’s why I’m being clear on this!

- I’d like someone who believes in Quality and Quantity. From the get go, I like to take an email intro as a writing sample. If you send me something like ‘hey, I’m interested!’ I probably won’t reply. We are looking to write together after all!

- Side characters are important to me so I’m looking for someone who isn’t shy about taking on other roles and writing as other characters every so often.

- Angst friendly. Fluff friendly. Smut is fine but not a requirement if you aren’t comfortable. Tell me your limits and I’ll respect them, but I’d like a partner who is willing to write the harder hitting topics.

PAIRINGS! I’ve emboldened my preferred character.

The Umbrella Academy:

Diego/Klaus

- Absolutely up for anything with these two. I would be happy to explore canon, which includes us waiting to start a rp until after S2 or writing up parts of S1 to include more of their bond. I’m also up for any kind of AU. I’m talking anything from a coffee shop AU with terrible barista Klaus to a cop/criminal story. Diego as a detective, Klaus as the addict who is bought in and winds up helping him solve his case by communicating with the victim. Give me them meeting in the apocalypse. Give me ANYTHING.

Ben/Klaus

- Pretty much the same as above in that I’m open to anything. I love these two in any form.

Male crossover character/Klaus

- Marvel or DC character. Give me Klaus travelling back to WW2 instead and meeting Bucky who ‘dies’. Let’s do flashbacks, their reunion in the future, see how they deal with everything.

- Sam Wilson. Maybe he’s in the vet bar when Klaus comes stumbling in. Believes his story and tells him to come to therapy some time.

- Literally anyone. Doesn’t have to be Marvel. Give me your faves who you think would vibe with him.

Nathan/Klaus

- Kind of a crossover deal but more specific.

Simon/Klaus

- I mean. Simon would be great for Klaus, wouldn’t he? And that crush he was definitely nursing on Nathan might be helped a little when he bumps into a lookalike.

OC/Klaus

- Your Own Male Character! Who are they? Another kid with powers? A Doctor who has treated Klaus before? A temporal assassin who winds up falling for him?

OTHER SHIPS.

Hustle (TV Show)

Ash Morgan/Sean Kennedy

- I would LOVE to write these two. Maybe including past Ash/Danny with poor Ash getting his heart broken. A slow burn relationship that starts purely physical but ends up more as Ash falls for Sean more and more (and vice versa). We can feature cons, angst, lots of fluff and other characters - I’m very fond of Emma and Sean’s closeness and Ash’s relationship with Mickey.

White Collar

Neal Caffrey/Peter Burke

There we go. Contact me at artandapollo@yahoo.com and we can plot/chat. If ever we have rp’d in the past, feel free to email again.

Thank you and stay safe everyone! X

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Canadian Girl*

Chapter Thirteen

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC  |  Word Count: 4841 Warnings: Angst, mention of a past abusive relationship, Smut, NSFW (18+), stereotyping of Canadians (I'm allowed, I am one)

Kennedy pressed her hands to her face and rocked ever so slightly back and forth. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt as if it was going to burst right from her chest. All her old fears, her faults, and her failings had just been thrown right back in her face.

He hadn’t said more than a handful of words, but it all came back like a wave of loathing and pain with the first glimpse of his smug face.

She’d done a good job with her false bravado, but the adrenalin had worn off, and now she couldn’t stop shaking.

“Kennedy?” Natasha called quietly in the empty room.

Heeling away the tears which had escaped down her face, Kennedy cleared her throat. “Ye-yeah, Nat?”

“You did really well,” she said, placing her hand on the outside of the stall door.

Gasping a rather wet chuckle, Kennedy leaned her head against the wall, knocking her hat askew. Finishing up, she left the stall and headed for the sink, not bothering to look in the mirror as she washed her hands. “He made me feel so…” She shook her head.

Nat waited for her to be done before handing her a damp towel. “Your makeup’s running.” She watched carefully as Kennedy lifted the towel to drag it beneath her eyes, never once turning to check the mirror. “He’s wrong you know.”

Clearing her throat again, Kennedy muttered, “I know…”

Nat leaned against the counter. “Don’t let him drag you back to where you were six years ago, Kennedy.”

Sighing, Kennedy laid the papers down on the counter, looking at the streaks of makeup which marred the towels. “I’m not you, Natasha. I’m not strong and confident, not in this. I let him break me down, could see it happening, and still, I let him take all of me apart. Piece by piece. Chipping away at who I’d been. How weak am I that I let him do that to me?”

“You’re not asking the right question, Kennedy,” Nat said, taking her hands. “You should be asking what kind of twisted person does that to another person. Sweetie that man would find faults and flaws in whatever woman he was with.”

She knew that, truly, because Carl was an asshole who got off on controlling women, but it didn’t make her feel any less dumb. “He makes me feel… just so… stupid.”

***

More tears filled Kennedy’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks, but it was the words which had Natasha’s eyes widening in sudden understanding. “Oh man. Oh wow.” She had a flashback to the fight Kennedy and Steve had at the Tower before she’d run home. “No wonder you were so upset.”

Nodding slowly, Kennedy sighed. “It was like... I’d fallen for Carl all over again. Deception, half-truths, avoidance, and then to find out he’d lied, even a lie of omission… It was like it was happening all over again.”

“Kennedy, I’m so sorry. You know Steve never meant to hurt you. We just don’t get this anymore. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere without being recognized. To have you look at him as a man first before you found out, he was Cap… was really big for him. So many people see the shield and never beyond it. For you, it was the other way around.”

“I know that, and I understand, Nat. I love him, I do, god, so much it hurts sometimes! I just feel… less than he deserves.” Removing her hands from Natasha’s, she pressed them to her face. “I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.” Sighing, she picked the damp towels back up and wiped her face.

Patting the woman’s shoulder, Nat had her heart clench.

Kennedy had suffered through her own battles, fought her own demons, and Natasha found her inspiring. She’d trained herself to control her powers mostly alone, fought off depression after the incident with her cousin – a misfire caused by an overexcited Kennedy which had nearly killed Danny - finished high school at sixteen to jump swiftly into University, taken multiple degrees and doctorates at the same time, fallen in with Carl and had him drag her down as far as he could before Kennedy had finally fought her way free. Then, she’d gone to work for a man she feared to do as much good for the world as possible and had fallen in with them.

Kennedy wasn’t a soldier, she wasn’t a super-secret spy, she wasn’t battle-tested in the traditional sense, but damn if she wasn’t rapidly becoming a woman Natasha respected all the more for the way she just kept getting back up. Every time the world knocked her down, Kennedy stood up, dusted herself off, and smiled as she just kept going. Some of that had to do with the amazing family she came from, but most of it was just who Kennedy was on the inside. There was a will of vibranium in the core of this women.

“I really admire you, Kennedy.”

“What?” Kennedy whispered, head snapping up to look at her. “Why?”

Smiling softly, Nat took the towels and helped fix the mess of Kenny’s makeup. Clearly, she wasn’t ready to look in the mirror. “You’re so damn strong, Kennedy. No matter how far life kicks you down, you just get back up. The strength you have here,” she gently tapped Kenny’s heart, “Rivals that of Captain America himself. You’re an inspiration.”

“Nat…” Kennedy shook her head.

“You’re stronger than you think. You stood before your abuser and told him he was nothing. Don’t make him into something because he got under your skin with a few ridiculous comments.” She snorted softly in derision. “After all, he called Steve fat. How wrong can one person be?”

A surprised giggle burst from Kennedy’s lips. “His eyes were so big!”

“I thought he was going to wet himself when Bucky jerked him up by the shirt.” Nat snickered.

“I kind of wish I’d kicked him…” Kennedy whispered.

Natasha looked at her with a smile which made men quake in their boots. “I can teach you if you want when we go home.”

Kennedy ran her hands down her hips and thighs self-consciously. “I don’t… I won’t be any good at… that.”

Shaking her head, Natasha smacked Kennedy’s hands. “Do not even start! Do you know what I’d give to have that bubble ass and those tits? Girl, don’t even go there. You’ve got the whole hourglass, Kim Kardashian, pin-up girl vibe going on. Add some red lips, and a pair of short shorts and Steve would need to pack his shield permanently just to hide the evidence.”

“Oh my god, Natasha!” Kennedy barked out in laughter.

“Honey, you are hot with a sizzling H. Just cause pencil dick couldn’t get it up without bringing you down has nothing to do with you.” Pulling lip gloss from her pocket, Nat applied a swath to her lips before offering it to Kennedy.

She snorted out another laugh, turning to face the mirror. A little red around the eyes, Kennedy had managed to avoid the ugly crying and wasn’t too splotchy. Her makeup was pretty much gone, but the bruising around her eye was faint thanks to Natasha’s homemade bruise cream. It would hardly be noticeable once they were back in the dimly lit bar area. Slicking the gloss over her lips, Kennedy handed it back.

Smirking wickedly, Natasha said coyly, “After all, I doubt Carl could have kept it up for three minutes, let alone three hours.”

“Natasha!” Kennedy squeaked, blushing red right to the roots of her hair. “How… when… who told you about that?” she finally hissed.

“Sweetie, I’m a spy. No one needs to tell me anything.” Grinning, Nat sauntered towards the door.

Once through it, Kennedy was immediately seized by the firm grip of Bucky who tugged her towards him. “Bucky?”

“Come dance with me, doll. Then you can buy me a beer with some more of your weird, colourful money.” He smirked, teasing just to rile her up.

“Weird! Our money is not weird!” she huffed indignantly, following along as he dragged her away.

Natasha made to follow only to have her elbow captured. Frowning at Steve, she was unprepared when he dragged her into a tight hug. “Steve?”

“Thanks, Nat,” he murmured near her ear.

“Rogers!” she gasped in mock surprise. “Were you eavesdropping? How very un-Captain America of you.” She’d known damn well both the super soldiers in the hall would hear every word and be perfectly fine with it. She wasn't about to let Carl ruin the night after Kenny had been having so much fun.

"You're right though. Kennedy is an inspiration,” Steve said, hugging her tight.

“She really is, Steve.” She hugged him back, kissed his cheek, and pulled away.

***

Later that night, Kennedy lay with her head over Steven’s heart. Naked and a little drunk, her whole body hummed contentedly after his loving. Every time he touched her it was stars and fireworks and passionate words. “Do you think it will ever not be this way?”

Stroking his fingers through her hair, Steve hummed happily. “No, doll face. You’re always going light me up.”

“Did you have a thing with Natasha?” Mentally, she kicked herself for asking something she hadn’t really wanted to know the answer to. Loose lips were always a problem for her when she’d had too much to drink, but she'd caught the little exchange they'd had in the hallway outside the washroom.

Frowning, Steve rolled so the light coming through the hotel window shone on her face. “What brought this on?”

She shrugged, unable to meet his eyes.

Cupping her cheek, he stroked it gently with his thumb. “We kissed once. Middle of a mall to escape detection by the Hydra agents which were chasing us, just before SHIELD fell. Afterward, she asked if it had been my first kiss since nineteen-forty-five.” He rolled his eyes.

Kennedy snickered at the look of exasperation on his face. “That bad, huh?”

“The wrong partner,” he said, taking her lips in a gentle, soft kiss.

Her breath quickened, body warmed, and he drew his hand down her torso to her waist.

Lifting his head slowly, he watched her eyelids flutter open. “In total, I’ve kissed five women.”

“What?” she was kind of stunned.

“Peggy, whom everyone knows about. She was my first love and…” he shrugged, eyes sad. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

“Steven,” she murmured, cupping his face. “I’m sorry.”

He smiled and kissed her again. “It’s alright. She was happy. Got married and had a family. It’s what she wanted.”

But she could see the twinge of pain it brought to his heart to remember.

“Before that, there was this secretary who kind of just grabbed me by the tie and kissed me after I’d rescued Bucky and the 107th from behind enemy lines. There was this whole, saved all those women’s husbands speech over it that I...”

She smirked at him, and he cleared his throat.

“Moving on. Nat was number three, and you know how that turned out.”

She snickered and made him grin.

“But Sharon was the only other woman I dated before you.”

She stared up at him in shock. “Two? You’ve had two girlfriends?”

He flushed a little and looked away. “Been kinda busy saving the world and all that. Haven’t exactly had time to be a social butterfly.” He looked down at her and the smile on her lips. “And I don’t take sex lightly, doll face. It means something to me when I bed a woman. Like a promise.”

“How on god’s green earth did you become Captain Sex on Legs after only one girlfriend?” What the hell kind of lover was this Sharon?

Chuckling softly, he brushed his nose over hers. “I ain’t going to lie, baby. I enjoyed what I had with Sharon, but this? Shit, Kennedy. You’re like Aphrodite, goddess of love in my bed. I’ve never felt the things I feel when I’m with you.” Dropping his lips to her cheek, he shifted over top of her and smiled when her legs wrapped his waist. Rubbing his renewed erection through wet folds, he groaned softly as he sank into her. “It’s like coming home, baby. There’s just nowhere else I’d rather be. No one else I’d rather be with than you, Kennedy.”

She arched up as he slowly made love to her. Long glides of thick cock through sensitive folds left her breathless and moaning. Her hands drifted down his back, and she pulled him flush to her, loving the way his chest brushed her sensitive nipples. “Steven…” she whispered near his ear. “I love you.”

“Kennedy… you’re mine.” He crooned back, dropping his head to her shoulder as he pumped into her tight body. Turning his face to her throat, he found the spot with her tattoo and brought his mouth to just beneath it, sucking in time with his thrusts as he increased his speed. Once he’d left a nice mark on her, he drew his lips back to her ear. “I love you so much, baby. You going to come for me, my best girl? Come for me like the good girl you are?”

A particularly strong thrust of hips set her moaning. “Again…”

He complied, and she felt the pleasure slam up her spine.

“Oh god, Steven…”

“That’s it, baby. I love it when you moan like that. Claw me up, sweetheart. Scream my name!”

“Steven!” she shrieked as he fucked her deep into the mattress. “Fuck! Yes!” She clamped like a vice around him, raking her nails down his back.

Groaning, Steve slammed his hips into hers and held tight as she squeezed hot ropes of seed from him. “Fuck, Kennedy,” he moaned, collapsing down on top of her. “Baby…so good. Every time with you just gets better and better.”

Releasing the grip of her thighs, Kennedy drew her hands down his back. A soothing gesture as she could feel the welts her nails had left behind.

He was heavy, but she kind of liked it, especially as he was still mostly hard and twitched at the aftershocks her body was experiencing. “My big strong soldier brought down in his prime by a woman.” Turning her head, she lightly licked his ear.

Humming, Steve turned his, closing his teeth on the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder with a growl. “Keep it up, woman, and I’ll make you work for it.”

“Oh? How so?” She tightened her inner walls, making him shiver.

***

Sliding his arms beneath her, Steve sat up and back, the bedding falling from them as he held her hips tight to his so they stayed connected when he stepped from the bed. Striding slowly across the hotel room, he made his way over to where the floor to ceiling tinted glass window looked out on the city skyline.

They'd ended up with one seriously elegant suite thanks to their last minute booking, one he’d charged to Tony, but now he was glad they had the luxury for he sat on the bench placed before the window and leaned back against the glass. It was cold, but at the moment he didn’t care.

“Steven?” she whispered arms tight around his neck. “The view kind of gives me vertigo.”

“Then look at me, love.” Making sure her knees were comfortably placed on the bench, Steve drew his hands up her back, along her ribs, eventually coming around to cup her breasts and lift them to his mouth. “You were so beautiful tonight on the dance floor. All swaying hips and sexy eyes. Dance for me now, Kennedy.”

Moaning when her nipple was engulfed by his mouth, Kennedy reached for the remote on the far end of the bench and gave it a click. “Ha! Perfect.”

Sultry music spilled out of the speakers. She tossed the remote to a chair behind her.

“How’d you know?” Steve asked, plucking at her nipple with his lips.

She smirked down at him. “High-end hotel, luxury suite, the music is always mood music.”

“And have you often needed mood music, Kennedy?”

She’d asked first so he figured the information was fair game. Peering down at him, she cupped his face in her palms. “Three boyfriends. Jake when I was in my first year of high school. Sweet and kind but no chemistry so we parted.  Tommy, when I was sixteen, was my first lover. He was gentle and giving and taught me to enjoy what we did, but I left for UNI early so it was a bittersweet ending. Carl was the last.”

“We don’t need to talk about him, not right now. But I do want to know, Kennedy, when you’re ready. I want you to feel free to tell me anything and know I’ll never judge you for it,” Steve said. A shadow flickered in her eyes that had him closing his hands on her ass to distract her. “Dance for me, baby.”

As the music changed into a heavy, thudding base, Kennedy’s eyes darkened, her hands fell to his shoulders, and she gently began to move to the rhythm.

“Merciful God…” he whispered, unable to take his eyes off the siren she became when she moved over him.

A smile graced her lips, and she sat up straight, keeping her movements slow, sensual, a gentle undulation of her hips over his. Just the slightest press and retreat, glide of moist lips over hard shaft. Drawing her hands to her hips, she followed the curves and planes of her body, up to cup her breasts, skimming them up her chest to dive into her loose, wavy locks. The music quickened and so did she, riding over him in gentle arcs and dips. She arched her head back and groaned out, “Captain...” Lights and shadows played over the glistening skin of her body.

Steve gripped her ass just a bit tighter, rocked her just that much harder down on him. “Fuck, baby.”

Emeralds, hard as stones, peered down at him and Kennedy smiled a grin which nearly stopped his heart. When the hell had she learn to smile like Natasha? She looked like she was going to eat him alive. Slowly, Kennedy released the hold she had on her hair, letting her hands fall to find his wrists. Pulling his hands from her ass, she lifted his arms and pressed his wrists to the glass.

He moved for her, knowing it made her happy when he was a willing participant in her games.

She would never have moved him otherwise. “You said you’d make me work for it, remember?” she smirked. Her lips were inches from his, her breasts rubbing teasingly against his chest, and her tight walls kept sliding and squeezing over his cock.

“Kennedy...”

“Do you want me to work for it, Cap?” she whispered against his lips.

“Yeah. Yeah baby,” he murmured back.

“Hands behind your back, soldier. Link your fingers together.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was pretty damn sure his cock had just grown even harder if that was at all possible.

When Kennedy moaned on her next downward stroke, he knew it was.

He was quick to move his hands behind his back when she let him go.

Another smile crossed her lips before she placed them softly on his. “You ready for this, Cap?” Her lips whispered over his, a counterpoint to the heat and wet of her tight body.

“Give it your best shot, doll.”

Sitting back, Kennedy drew her nails lightly over his pectorals, traced the edge, and ran her thumbs over small, hard nipples. She watched his muscles flex in his arms when he clenched his hands together. A laugh spilled from her lips, low and husky and just a bit wicked. “Struggle all you like, Captain. Your mine for the foreseeable future.”

His brow arched, a smirk twitching his lips before he sobered.

She’d taken his dance and turned it into a little role play.

“Do your worst, Doc. I ain’t giving you nothing.”

Rocking up, she rested her hands on his ribs, held herself above him, just barely connected, a smile flirting with her lips. “You think you can resist me? Resist this?” Slowly, inch by inch, she lowered back down until he pressed against her core. Rolling her hips, she mimicked a smooth canter, making his mouth fall open. “What information are you protecting?” She was killing him with her open-minded, adventurous spirit.

“Rogers, Steven. Captain, 54985870. Date of birth, July 4th, 1920.”  His heart was pounding, his chest heaving. Cock throbbing in a way he’d never known before. “You’ll… get nothing… from me!”

Tsking softly, Kennedy clenched her fingers into his ribs, made him flinch. Then, she tightened her inner muscles and smirked when his mouth dropped open again. “I think, Captain, you want to give me the information.”  Rising up, she slammed her hips down in three hard plunges and moved a hand to her clit. “I think you would happily give it to me if only I would let you touch me, no?” Rubbing small circles, she groaned deeply. Her other hand went behind her to his knee as she arched back, giving him a show. She rocked and danced and undulated over his lap to the heavy pulsing beat.

He could see himself disappearing inside her body, his cock glistening with her essence. His hands ached with how hard he was gripping them together. “Fuck, Doc.”

Her hair swung behind her in a curtain of silk, and her body glowed in the light from the window. Sweat was beading on her skin, trickling down between her breasts.

His palms itched to grab her close so he could lick at the long line of her exposed throat.

“Give me what I want, Captain, and you can take what you want.”

His biceps bulged, chest heaved, and a heavy flush invaded his face.

Her sultry eyes had darkened into a deep green, showing her pleasure in their shining depths behind her lashes. A pink tongue darted out to moisten her parted, panting lips, leaving them glossed as her teeth caught the bottom one in a sexy little bite.

“No…” He managed to groan out. “Rogers, Steve... Captain, 54985870. Date… date of birth, July…..4th, 1920.”

She leaned forward to labour over him, her smile knowing with his faltering, sliding her hand over his shoulder and into his hair. She gave it a gentle pull, rocking her hips down hard before pressing her chest to his and her lips to his jawline. “But you want to. I can see it on your face, soldier. Just give in, Captain, and this can all end.”

He was pretty sure he’d cut off the circulation to his fingers by this point. “Doc…” Turning his head, his mouth sought hers, but she turned hers away and made him growl.

“Tell me what I want to hear, Captain,” she whispered, lips only an inch from his, holding him back by his hair.

“Kennedy.”

Her mouth was so close but so far. “Give in… give in and take what you want,” she whispered.

He could feel the flutter in her sheath and swore. “Damn it, woman!” His hands unlocked and sank into her hair. “I love you! Is that what you want to hear?”

She smiled that man-eating grin.

His abdomen was cramping from holding himself back, but she looked like the cat who’d eaten the canary.

“Thank you, Captain,” she crooned. “You’ve been ever so… helpful.”

Snarling softly, Steve slammed his mouth down on hers in a hard kiss, forcing his tongue past her lips. Hands smacking to her ass, he shoved to his feet, kicking the stool out of the way, sending it crashing across the room, and pressed Kennedy firmly into the glass.

She yelped at the cold.

He smirked against her throat. “You so deserve that,” he grumbled, driving his hips up into hers, forcing his cock deep.

Crying out, Kennedy wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning when he squeezed her ass with each hard thrust. “Why?” she whined, tilting her head when he bit at her shoulder.

“Made me break, baby. Me. Captain America gave in to the demands of my interrogator. How the hell am I supposed to live that down?”

“I also stole your gun,” she quipped.

He thrust hard.

“Steven!” she hollered.

Dropping her feet the floor, Steve pulled out of her rapidly tightening walls and spun her to face the window. “Hands on the glass, baby.”

The command, for it was hard and demanding in his voice which lashed authority, made her quiver in excitement as she placed her palms against the window.

“Good girl,” Steve said, stroking his hands down her spine. Gripping her hips, he drew her back slightly, forcing her back to sway. “Spread your legs, Doc.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Kennedy shifted her feet. Her body was arched, breasts swaying. Her lips parted on a breathy moan when he lined himself up and plunged back in.

Growling softly, Steve curved his body over hers, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her enough to press her chest to the window.

Another breathy moan escaped her lips when the cold hit her sensitive nipples.

With his body tight to her spine, he slowly, methodically, started to fuck her. Hard jerks of his hips, full glides in and out of tight walls until he was pulling nearly fully out before diving back in. Grunting, groaning, straining, with how she’d undone him, he took her on one hell of a ride. “You’re never allowed to interrogate anyone else. Not ever.”

Plastered to the window, Kennedy gasped, “Why?”

“Too fucking good, baby. Too good. Broke me down so fast.” Removing one hand from her body, he sought out her hand and clasped their fingers together.

Her face was turned towards him, cheek resting against the window, breath fogging it slightly, and Steve nipped at her earlobe, sucking it between his lips as he nibbled on it.

“Open your eyes, doll. It’s like we're loving in the open. Anyone could look out and see you pressed to the window. You’re on display for the world to see.”

Only she wasn’t. The glass worked one way, and the room was dark behind him. But a fresh rush of wetness soaked his cock, and he moaned. “You like that don’t you? Little voyeur. Do you like the idea of getting caught, Doc?”

“No…”

“Liar,” he whispered in her ear. Again he could feel the flutter of her tightening sheath. “That’s it, baby. You going to come for me?” He kissed her cheek and jaw, down her throat to her shoulder, and sucked on her skin, leaving little marks all along the length.

“Steven…” she moaned, staring out at the city lights. “Oh god!”

“Fuck, doll face!” He increased his pace, arching and thrusting, curving just enough to catch her sweet spot with every plunge until she drew a deep breath. He drove up in a rapid pace, causing her head to tilt back as a keening wail of release became of a scream of, holy god, Steven, when she came with the force of a train.

“Fuck!” he bellowed as he followed her over into nerve searing release. His hips pulsed with each jet of seed her clenching walls drew from him. She milked him dry, and he found himself leaning heavily against her against the window. “Damn, baby…” he whispered in awe.

Sighing happily, Kennedy’s legs shook a little when he pulled away, but his arms surrounded her and lifted her off her feet. “Mmm, was fun.”

His hands shifted her around. The music cut out when he pressed the button on the remote, plunging them into silence. “You nearly killed me, woman, with your teasing,” he grumbled, sliding them both back into bed. Kissing her lips, he drew the sheets up and wrapped his arms around her.

She’d been having nightmares off and on since… Hydra.

He found holding her like this the most effective way of keeping them at bay. After a week of sleeping in her bed, he knew tomorrow he would likely wake to find he’d moved down the mattress to wrap his arms around her hips and his head would be pillowed on her soft belly. It was a fantastic way to wake up.

A smug grin flashed on her tired mouth. “You liked it.”

“Yeah, I did. Still, let’s keep the fact that you broke me and made me give up my Intel, between us.” He chuckled softly.

“I have made you a double agent now. You have been trapped by my sexual prowess. You’ll do anything to stay in my good graces,” she teased.

“Darn right,” Steve murmured. “Go to sleep, baby.”

“Yes, sir,” she quipped softly and did just that.

Chuckling, Steve kissed her temple, curled around her, and followed her into dreams.

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