#ofc both endings at once means y'all have to wait for me to write both

[hyunin]

hiiii everyone, this blog hit 1k followers the other day 🥹 tysm to anyone that has followed me here over the years! i'm sure at least a third of my followers are dead blogs from my suju (🤮) era in 2013 before i returned to gifmaking tumblr in 2020, but so many of you joined me once i returned and i'm so thankful for everyone that has reblogged my content and chatted with me and followed me up until this point! 🫶 i wanted to write some fun lil messages for my mutuals and pals below the cut, as well as shout out some people i don't necessarily speak to but like having on my dash also 💗 if u aren't mentioned on here and we're mutuals that doesn't mean i dislike u it just means i'm stupid and missed you 😭 before i get into the messages i also want to ask anyone who can to consider commissioning me for a gifset or writing by donating at least €10 to this fundraiser and sending me a screenshot of your donation! more info on that via this post. thank u so much again everyone!!! 🥳 (edit: i don't think half the mentions in this post are working so please check to see if you were mentioned even if you weren't notified!)

@redvelvetcult hi ele 🫶 i know we don't speak as often anymore but i'm always so happy to see u around and i love you <3 thank u for running yangjeongin with me even if it has been in spirit for 99% of its run LKJSDLFKJSJLKFD still wouldn't be the same without u @bataranqs hi kid! this is going to sound so lame but it's been rly fun watching u grow up over the years through awoo9, every time u use our weird ass humor it's so much funnier coming from u. thank u for hyping up everything we all do, especially my writing!! i really appreciate it and u @anyujins iwin...whew....LLKSJDKLFJLSKF i'm rly happy that we're a lot closer now than when we were last time i made one of these posts. i think we are anyway?? i forgor...but either way ilysm, thank u for your support when i've been going insane over the years and it would appear both of the stories of our love lives that we've been following for so long will have a tragic ending. LJKSDFJLKSLK but i hope we can be friends for many more moments of insanity to come and that we have more good news than bad news to share w each other soon. in the meantime it's always rly fun to talk to u and i am glad i have u in my life @miyawaki ver. i appreciate u v much if only bc u are a major provider of quality shitposts on my dash, u also being into kpop and giffing is a bonus. u are also so funny even if u are also MEAN!!!! it's funny most of the time. and u have also supported me a lot in ur own ver way over the years, and i can always count on u to give me feedback on giffing and such. i'm so happy for u that u are going to uni again and i hope u have so much fun but also don't forget about us 🔫 🫶 @seulggi gfx queen minya! u deserve a shoutout if ONLY bc u are carrying the gfx side of kpop tumblr on ur back fr. and i love seeing what u make on my dash. but u are also an awoo9er so i will give u a long AWOOOOOOOOO of appreciation ❣️ @meongppangz RI omg idk what account is best to tag u on so i tag u here. i rmr the last one of these i made i was like 'hope to talk more under better circumstances' and now we talk nearly every day LJSDFLKSDF i love that for us. thank u crazy person gc for bringing us together fr....love that we can bond over loving ggs and also hating collecting pcs and any other random shit of the day skz is doing. and giffing ofc. talking to u always makes me happy so i hope we continue talking and being friends for a long time to come 🫶 ily. also i'm going through my follow list for this in order of oldest blogs first and i just discovered y'all were one of the first skz blogs i followed. how cute @curiosityjams hi drea, we haven't spoken ages but i wanted to shout u out individually as well because i still enjoy seeing u on my dash and i still consider us friends 🫶 fellow eunbi stan...i will never forget waiting for the 2020 election results w you LMAO abt to do it all again soon...but i hope you're well and hope good things continue coming to u 🙇‍♀️ @hyunjinz agnes, backbone of stayblr that u are, i love u!! i know we don't Personally speak much at all i still feel like u are a dear friend of mine. you were one of the first ppl to support my skz content and i think you're that for a lot of people on stayblr and i think that is so sweet of u and also important for the community. u are so brave for going through the tags all the time and reblogging everything i do not have that kind of energy but i'm so glad u do!! i miss ur gifs but i'm happy that you're still around even when you don't gif. we're some of the last remaining pre-kingdom era skz ccs left 😱 so i will always appreciate ur company here <3 @innielove hi vi, i just want to say i love that u are giffing skz again. i've probably missed a lot of ur sets bc i'm bad at checking tags and dash but when i DO see them i'm like omg vi's gifs r really looking better than ever. thank u for returning to us 🫶 u have also actually been on stayblr for a long time so i'm always happy to see some of the oldies (can u believe we are oldies now...) back on the dash 😌

@kazuhas MS KALE it always makes me happy to see u on my dash here. ur gifs are so lovely and so are u!! i know we mainly know each other from off cc tumblr 🫣 but i wanted to give u a shoutout among all of my other tumblr beloveds bc ily. it's what u deserve @seo-changbinnies marie...another fellow stayblr hag at this point...u are still one of the funniest people on this site i swear. and i'm so glad u are still here and making gifs and blessing us w your funny tags. i hope u always stay just as insane, i love u for that <3 @seungs HI MIAAA we don't talk that much anymore but i wanted u to know that i still always love seeing u and your gifs on my dash 🫶 @felixies luna, legend of stayblr that u are 🙇‍♀️ i think ur work largely goes unappreciated by the fandom but u are an icon for keeping createskz running for all these years despite everything going on in ur life. tysm for your service 🫡 @huiracha marie huiracha...this is how i refer to u in my head btw. like 'huiracha' is ur last name. LKJSDFKLSKLD we have barely spoken but i want to give u your own shoutout just for surviving and continuing to gif on stayblr as long as u have. veterans' discount fr @hyunsung hi mona 🫶 we haven't spoken in a while either omg but i am still always excited to see u on my dash when u gif something or reblog something from me i'm like omg that's my friend mona :D SDKJFSJKLDF so thank u and i hope you're doing well 🙏 @hyunpic VILMA HYUNPIC...u know i am so glad we are better pals now. u are so funny and fun to talk to but also the sweetest ever!! thank u for always listening to me and being kind to me and also making me laugh. every time i feel like an rper named their hyunjin character something dumb i am glad i get to report it to u. some things only u will understand and appreciate. LKJSDKLJFSKLJFKLFD @sungtaro eri <3 we don't talk much anymore and maybe we NEVER HAVE??? but i have always felt like u are a dear friend and beloved mutual. i love seeing u on dash even if we don't have too many groups in common anymore. ur content is always lovely and so are u so we will always be pals as far as i am concerned 🫶 @exocean hi mo!! i must admit i don't have much to say but i wanted to mention you individually because you are so sweet and i love seeing u around and u deserve to know it <3 @hyumjim i don't even know what to say (positive) u know i am so glad ur squirmy wormy tag on one of my hyunjin sets brought us together. idr if we have ever properly spoken like via dm but bc u follow me on all my accounts i feel Seen by u....nd u haven't unfollowed me yet so god bless u. i always enjoy seeing ur thoughts and the posts u put on my dash whether they be a funny text post or someone's hot take getting dismantled or something Thought Provoking. my dash is definitely a better place because of u so thank uu 🫶

@wolfchans lau the Actual backbone of stayblr tysm for ur service fr. without u providing files for us i genuinely believe most of stayblr would be lost. not only do u do that but u are also genuinely very kind and make great content so i appreciate u so much!! thank u for making stayblr (and my dash) a better place @hyunebear hi adri i gotta admit i didn't even realize u were back on tumblr until i was going through my following and saw that u posted recently akljsdflkjdsf goes to show how much i'm on my dash...but i wanted to mention you individually even though it's been so long because you have genuinely touched my heart a lot and i will never forget ur compliments 🙏 ok maybe i did forget some of them word for word. but i will never forget how sweet u were to me. how about that. so thank you and i hope to see u around more!! i probably have to be on my dash more for that tho huh... @romanceuntold hi jen 🫶 i miss u on stayblr i'm ngl but i'm also still glad to see u on my dash through all your phases. you are such a warm and kind person and another person who i will never forget being so sweet to me. thank you and i hope you're doing well ❣️ @wearehappiness sidrah <3 the fact that we were both on stayblr but met properly on pc ig first is still so silly to me. me intending to wait on ur mail to get to me then being like 'stayblr perk i'll send ur mail rn' after i found out u were here LKJSDLKFLJKSF but you are suuuuch a sweet person who makes lovely gifs too. i miss ur gifs also!! and just you in general. wishing u the best in life always 💗 @mybodyfails hi oli 🫶 another person who has been soooo sweet to me, i'm so glad i got to help w leeknoween and i still have all the freebies u sent me from it preserved safely in my freebie photocard binder 😌 you are always lovely to talk to whenever we do, and thank u for reading my fic too despite zombies not being ur thing i appreciate u!! @strayklds / @facethesuns em i just think it's so funny that we like didn't speak before i invited u to the gif streaming server and i just did that on a whim bc u passed the vibe check and now i feel like we are good friends. despite still rarely speaking KSLDFLSDLKF but i love that for us and love ur gifs and seeing u around always 💞 @neohyune hi fae <3 i know us speaking is like a very recent development but i also wanted to mention u individually to thank u for your help 🙏 i need to write more of my fic tbh...but i Will be checking our conversation again for Notes. you also seem like a very sweet person so i would love to talk to u more in the future also 💕 @linoyes another very recent friendship (yes i am calling it that already) in my life, but thank u for your generosity, let's meet that fundraising goal together 💪 i hope we're also able to talk more outside of this context too. i just have a feeling i will have a lot more to say about u once i make another one of these!!

i'm ngl i don't know how many of you actually follow me here and i don't have time to check everyone's username individually so i'm just going to list a bunch of blogs i follow who may or may not follow me JKLSDFLKSDF but y'all make my dash a better place, thank u for all u do! 🫶 feel free to talk to me anytime too

@dazzlingkai @theseulgis @joytual @anyujin @cchuu @cherry-heartss @boynextdoors @hyunchans @ambivartence @minzbins @everglowz @chogiwow @ttathinker @minhosblr @minho-knows @yang-innie @leegahyun @bu99erfly

[loveroftoomanyfandoms]

Cooking Up Love, Chapter 13

Pairing: Chef!Matt Murdock x F!Journalist!Reader

Rating: T

Story Summary: Here

Warnings/Tags: Hallmark levels of fluffy, cheesy goodness (and speed that their relationship develops, lol), no use of Y/N, Matt is not a vigilante, idiots in love, misunderstandings, minor Foggy/OFC

Word Count: ~3200

A/N: We're almost to the end! Thank you to everyone who has read, liked, and commented on my little self-indulgent Chef AU -- y'all keep me writing!

As always, thanks to @theradioactivespidergwen for the line break -- it's being put to good use!

Tag List: @yarrystyleeza @hailey-murdock @mattkinsella @bellaxgiornata @danzer8705 @chezagnes @shouldbestudying41 @thepunisherfrankcastle @mattmurdocks6thscaleapartment @roseslovedreams

"Wait, Matt actually accused you of screwing him over and using him just to make a name for yourself?" Skyler asked as you sat in your kitchen together after work later that evening. "I don't remember anything in your article worth him getting upset over when I read it yesterday."

You shook your head. "That's because there wasn't anything! I absolutely raved about both his culinary skills and his food, I talked about how much care and consideration he puts into perfecting his recipes, and I even mentioned his volunteer activities at Clinton Church."

Skyler shook her head. "Walk me through the conversation again."

"I emailed him my article then decided to call him a little later to let him know that I had sent it over. He seemed a bit put off but I wasn't sure if he was still upset with me over running out on him the other night or if something else was bothering him, so I asked him if he had read it. Suddenly he just went off on me, saying how all journalists were exactly alike and how we're always looking for the next big scoop no matter who we screw over in the process, then he said that he thought I actually cared about him and that I was no longer welcome at Daredevil." 

Your voice broke, the hurt and anger in Matt's voice upsetting you all over again. "The worst part of it is that I do care about him, Sky, I -- I think I might have been falling for him."

Skyler reached out and gave your hand a gentle squeeze. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."

You shook your head with a sniffle. "I hate to admit it, but maybe Kelsie was right and Matt was just stringing me along but got tired of waiting until my article was actually published to stop speaking to me, so he just made an excuse."

Skyler made a face. "Ugh. First off, don't ever use the phrase 'Kelsie was right' in my presence ever again. Secondly, didn't you say that he opened up to you about some personal stuff but asked you to keep it off the record?"

You nodded. "Yeah, and I did. I didn't mention anything to do with that in the article."

You pulled up your work email on your phone, opening the attachment you had sent Matt so you could read over it once again. "I didn't even -- wait, what is this?"

You scrolled through the document, your blood turning to ice in your veins. "Oh shit. Oh no, no , no, no, no, no. "

A look of alarm crossed Skyler's face. "What's wrong?"

"This isn't my article."

"What? What do you mean, that isn't your article?"

I mean , the article I sent Matt is not the article I wrote, Sky." You handed your phone to Skyler. "It's got my name on the byline, but I didn't write this. It's no wonder Matt was so pissed at me though -- this article is a smear campaign."

Skyler's eyebrows raised as she read through it. "Someone had to have switched the documents. Did you leave your computer unlocked and unattended at any point today?"

You shook your head. "No, of course not, I--"

You sighed. "Wait, yes. I was getting ready to send my article to Matt when Kelsie told me I had a package downstairs that I had to go personally sign for."

Skyler raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess, there was no package."

You nodded. "Exactly."

Skyler tapped at your phone screen. "Um, did you also send it to Max and Carrie and tell them Ellison approved your article and said to go ahead and send it to them?"

You shook your head. "No, why?"

"Because it looks like you did."

"What?" You grabbed your phone, scowling as you saw that the same attachment had been sent to the people who handled the layout for the physical paper as well as the digital edition. "Oh, but hell no. It's a good thing you caught that."

Skyler shook her head in disbelief. "That absolute bitch. I'm going to destroy her."

You sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to prove Kelsie is the one who wrote it and planted it on my PC though."

Skyler grinned. "Oh, I do. You didn't know that you can see who the original author of a document is and look at a document's editing history, did you?"

You shook your head.

"I bet Kelsie didn't either. I need your laptop."

You retrieved your laptop and pulled the document up on it before letting Skyler take over. 

After a few clicks, Skyler nodded. "Sure enough. Not only is she listed as the original author of the document, but her digital signature is all over it."

You shook your head. "We need to go talk to Ellison."

You sent him a text message. Are you still at the office? I need to talk to you about something important.

A few seconds later, he replied. Yeah, still here trying to get this editorial column done. What's up?

I'll be there in 10 minutes. Don't go anywhere.

You saved the file to a flash drive, grabbed your keys, then you and Skyler practically ran to the Bulletin.

As soon as you got there, you booted up your computer and printed a copy of Kelsie's fake article. "Okay, let's go talk to Ellison."

You picked up the printout of Kelsie's fake article from the printer before you and Skyler headed to Ellison's office.

He looked up at the two of you tiredly. "Whatcha got for me?"

"Sabotage," Skyler replied. "As well as sneaky, underhanded, unethical so-called journalism."

Ellison's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I have reason to believe that Kelsie swapped my Restaurant Week article out with a fake one in an attempt to discredit me," you explained. 

You set the copy of the fake article down on Ellison's desk. "I wound up sending this to Chef Murdock, who was understandably upset by it and is how I caught it. And not only that, but Kelsie sent it to Max and Carrie while I was away from my computer."

Ellison's eyebrows raised as he read the fake article. "What makes you so sure it was Kelsie?"

Skyler scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? She's an evil, backstabbing bitch."

You shook your head. "Kelsie's had a personal vendetta against me ever since I got promoted to Features and has been going around all week accusing me of 'stealing' the Restaurant Week feature out from underneath her."

"And she's been saying all sorts of horrible things about Chef Murdock," Skyler added before pointedly looking at you. "Things that probably aren't even true."

Ellison sighed. "I knew she wasn't very happy with me for passing the Restaurant Week feature to you, but I wouldn't have suspected that she'd actually resort to sabotage."

He set the article down. "However, you both know that simply providing me with a copy of an allegedly-written article isn't enough. I need solid proof."

Skyler set the flash drive down on Ellison's desk. "Here's your proof. You'll notice that Kelsie is the original owner of the document and has edited it multiple times, and I bet if you look on her computer you'd find it there as well." 

"Plus if you review the security footage from around 1:30 today you'll probably see her poking around at my desk." You set copies of the time-stamped emails sent to Max and Carrie. "She sent me on a wild goose chase trying to find some package I needed to personally sign for while she sent the fake article to Max and Carrie for publication."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she was behind the email server conveniently going down on Wednesday afternoon so you couldn't email your article to Mitch then," Skyler added. "It's a good thing you decided to print it and turn it in anyway."

Ellison sighed. "Do you still have your original file?"

You nodded. "She deleted it off of my computer here at work but I keep a copy of all of my articles on an external hard drive at home."

"Good. As soon as you get home, resend it to Max and Carrie marked urgent and CC me so I'll also have it digitally. In the meantime, I'll get Phil to pull the security footage from today."

"Okay." You bit your lip. "Um, is it okay if I take Monday off? After the week I've had I need a mental health day."

Ellison looked at you sympathetically and nodded. "Yeah, sure. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry for all this."

You shrugged. "Not your fault. What I don't get though is why Kelsie also chose to go after Chef Murdock so hard."

"I think I can answer that," Skyler said, handing you her phone. "Take a look at Kelsie's Facebook."

You looked at her latest post, which was a picture of her cozying up to a handsome, dark-haired, blue-eyed man. Romantic weekend away with my love, the photo was captioned. "So?"

Skyler shook her head and pulled up Kelsie's boyfriend's profile. "See who she's dating?"

Your eyebrows raised as you read his bio. "Huh, yeah, I guess that makes sense now." 

Skyler showed it to Ellison. "Did you know this?"

Ellison shook his head. "No, I had no idea. It does explain why she was pushing so hard about getting the feature switched back though."

You nodded. "That way she could control the narrative."

Ellison sighed. "Let me go ahead and call Phil. Don't forget to CC me on that correction to Max and Carrie so it's documented."

You nodded. "Okay."

"I'll send out a staff-wide memo on Monday after everything is said and done, but in the meantime, don't say anything to anyone else on staff about this. I don't want it getting back to Kelsie so she can try to cover her tracks."

You and Skyler both nodded. "Yes, sir."

As you left the office and were headed back down the elevator, Skyler asked, "So what are you going to do about Matt? Still want me to kick his ass for you?"

You let out a light laugh. "No, that's okay. I'll just… move on, I guess? I mean, I'm going to send my actual article to him but he made it pretty clear that he didn't want anything else to do with me so I doubt he'll even open my email."

"Then it's his loss."

You stepped out of the elevator as the doors opened. "Thanks, Sky."

Skyler bit her lip. "What about Foggy? You think I should cancel my date with him tomorrow?"

You shook your head. "No way. Just because it didn't work out with me and Matt doesn't mean you shouldn't at least give Foggy a chance."

You gave her a wink. "Besides, just because I'm not welcome at Daredevil doesn't mean that you can't bring me some takeout from there, especially if you're dating the other owner."

Skyler laughed and gave you a hug. "Thanks, bestie."

"Let me know how it goes, ok?"

Skyler nodded. "I will."

You headed home and grabbed your laptop so you could send the correct article to Max and Carrie, CCing Ellison on the email with the explanation "Sorry, wrong attachment sent. Please use this attached copy in the print and online editions on Monday." .

You opened a new email and attached the correct file.

To: mmurdock@daredevilnyc.com

Subject: Explanation About Bulletin Article

Attachment: Restaurant Week Feature V1.doc

You took a deep breath.

Dear Matt,

You probably won't even open this email, but I wanted to let you know that the article I sent you earlier today was not the article I had written about you, nor is it the article that will be appearing in Monday's edition of the Bulletin. Long story short, someone else on staff replaced the file for my article (which I had given a hardcopy of to my editor for approval on Wednesday) with the one I erroneously sent you earlier today.

I promise I never meant to hurt you and I swear I would never use you (or anyone else, for that matter) just to get a lead on a story or try to pad my portfolio. This past week was one of the best of my life and it was genuinely a pleasure spending time with you and getting to know you… both inside the kitchen and out. 

You bit your lip, trying to decide if you should tell Matt exactly how much he had begun to mean to you. Ultimately you decided against it, instead closing with ' Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors'.

You added your work signature, then sent the email. 

You sat back and sighed. While it hurt knowing that you would never get to find out if the spark you had felt with Matt could've ignited into something real, you also knew that you would treasure the time you had spent with him forever.

"Matt, there's a gentleman on the phone asking for you," Karen said as Matt and Foggy prepped for brunch service on Sunday. "Says he's from the Bulletin."

Matt nodded and wiped his hands. He had called the editor on Friday evening and had left a voicemail disputing the information contained in your article and asking for a resolution. "I'll take it in the office. Thanks, Karen."

He could feel both her and Foggy watching him as he exited the kitchen and headed to the office.

He picked up the phone and transferred the call. "Matthew Murdock speaking."

"Chef Murdock," the man replied. "This is Mitchell Ellison. I'm the editor over at the New York Bulletin. "

Matt was hit with a pang. You had emailed him again on Friday afternoon but with his hurt over your article being so fresh and so raw Matt had been letting your email sit unopened in his inbox until he was ready to hear what kind of (undoubtedly poor) excuse you'd had for using him. 

He cleared his throat. "Mmhmm."

"I just wanted to call and personally apologize for the feature article you received in your email on Friday. That was not the article I had approved for publication and I wanted to let you know that after a brief internal investigation, the person responsible for it is being terminated first thing tomorrow morning. I assure you, we do not stand for such unethical behavior at the Bulletin ."

Matt winced. While he was extremely hurt and angry with you, he hadn't actually set out to get you fired. "Thank you for letting me know."

"I'm sending over the feature that I actually had approved for tomorrow's edition of the paper and I must say, it's some of the best, most honest writing I've ever read. I think you'll be much more pleased with it."

Matt heard his inbox chime with a new email. "I think it just came in."

"Great. Apologies again for the mistake."

"Mmhmm. Thanks for returning my call."

"Of course. Have a good day, Chef."

"You too. Goodbye."

Matt hung up and sighed, then popped in his earbuds and pulled up Ellison's email.

From: editor@nybulletin.com

Subject: NYC RESTAURANT WEEK FEATURE

Attachments: Restaurant Week Feature V1.doc

Chef Murdock, 

Attached is the article that has been approved for this year's New York Restaurant Week feature. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Mitchell Ellison

Editor-in-Chief, New York Bulletin

Matt opened the attachment and tapped the keyboard command to begin his text-to-speech program, surprised to hear your name on the byline. He would have thought that whoever had been reassigned the article would get credited, especially since the editor-in-chief had said that your employment at the Bulletin was to be terminated.

Either way, Mr. Ellison had been right -- the rewritten article was immensely more positive than the previous one had been and actually included information that Matt had revealed to you during your recorded interviews… as well as information that hadn't been recorded and therefore only you would be able to include.

Matt's brow furrowed. Something's not adding up.

He closed out of the article, then navigated to your email.

He took a deep breath and opened it.

"Dear Matt," his text-to-speech program dictated,

"You probably won't even open this email, but I wanted to let you know that the article I sent you earlier today was not the article I had written about you, nor is it the article that will be appearing in Monday's edition of the Bulletin. Long story short, someone else on staff replaced the file for my article (which I had given a hardcopy of to my editor for approval on Wednesday) with the one I erroneously sent you earlier today. "

Matt tapped the spacebar on his keyboard to pause his program, filled with an odd mix of confusion and relief. So if you hadn't actually written the first article you had sent him… who had and why?

He tapped the spacebar again to continue.

"I promise I never meant to hurt you," your email continued, "and I swear I would never use you (or anyone else, for that matter) just to get a lead on a story or try to pad my portfolio. This past week was one of the best of my life and it was genuinely a pleasure spending time with you and getting to know you… both inside the kitchen and out. 

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, sincerely yours…"

Matt navigated to the attachment, sucking in a breath as he realized that the article that the Bulletin 's editor-in-chief had sent him a few minutes before had been your article -- your real article, apparently.

Matt groaned and covered his face with his hands. He had been so caught up in his worry about getting hurt again that he had never even considered the possibility that you hadn't written the other article.

"Everything okay?"

Matt shook his head as Foggy entered the office. "I messed up."

"What do you mean?"

Matt sighed and said your name. "I was wrong about her, Fog, I was completely wrong. She didn't write that article."

"She didn't? How did she wind up sending it to you then?"

"Apparently one of her coworkers had replaced the file for her real article with the one she sent me -- I'm assuming as some form of sabotage or something. The editor at the Bulletin told me that the person responsible is being terminated first thing tomorrow morning."

"So did you get to read the real article?"

Matt nodded. "Yeah, it's right here."

Foggy moved to his side and leaned over his shoulder so he could read it.

After a few minutes, he straightened. "Damn, Matt, that was beautiful."

Matt nodded. "I know."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Apologize profusely and hope like hell that she'll forgive me."

Matt sighed. If you didn't forgive him, at least he had the memories he had made with you over the past week.

But if you did … Well, he wouldn't screw up a third time.

[chuuya0bsession]

Hi! I just discovered your blog and I love it! You're really good at writing, and I'm nut sure if you accept requests but if you do could I ask a chuuya x secretary fem reader?

Thank you!

Omg thank you, you don't know how much that means to me!^^ I'm not sure if you wanted a oneshot or headcanons so I did both! I hope it's good enough :3 𓈒 ﹒ ⟡ 𓂂 ˚ ⟡ ꙳ * ࣭ ࣭𓈒 ﹒ ⟡ 𓂂 ˚ ⟡ ꙳ * ࣭ ࣭𓈒 ﹒ ⟡ 𓂂 ˚ ⟡ ꙳ * ࣭ ࣭𓈒 ﹒ ⟡ 𓂂 ˚ ⟡ ꙳ * ࣭ ࣭𓈒 ﹒ ⟡ 𓂂 ˚

HEADCANONS FOR CHUUYA X SECRETARY!FEM!READER

━━━━━

Before y'all were a thing...

You were his personal secretary—an innocent, non-ability user with no actual connection to the Port Mafia

Your job mostly involved managing his schedule and taking care of some basic paperwork

Every morning, he’d walk in and pass you, and you’d flash him a polite smile and say good morning

At first, he didn’t think much of it; he just assumed you were being friendly since you were new and didn't even acknowledge you

But your smile was completely genuine, and once he figured that out, he couldn’t stop thinking about you it

He actually started looking forward to seeing you, whether it was later that day or the next morning

On your side, you thought he was pretty attractive (duh, he's Chuuya fucking Nakahara)

You even developed a bit of a crush on him. But, deep down, you knew there was no way your relationship could go beyond what it was...

After a few months, your small greetings were acknowledged and returned

And whenever you saw him throughout the day to give him some paperwork or tea or whatever (I headcanon that he drinks tea for his hangovers or headaches) he'd make small talk with you

the sudden change surprised you, really

soon enough he couldn't stop wanting to know more about you, what you were like, what you liked, disliked, etc...

and a small friendship between the two of you blossomed :3

But of course, there was drama...

You thought being one of the port mafia's EXECUTIVES secretary was easy?

When you know just about everything about him- including the fact that there are multiple people after his head? I don't think so.

So the only way for his enemies to get to him without being dropped on the spot was through you :3

So instead of his enemies going after him, they were after you!

And it really concerned Chuuya

Like really badly

To where he'd walk you home every night when you were done with work for the day (Like a gentleman 🤭) One time, you had tried to go by yourself because you felt bad for distracting him from his work, and just because you felt bad. You ended up getting attacked by some guy who had been on you for a while now because he was an enemy of Chuuya. Luckily, Chuuya was smart enough to figure out that you probably tried to walk home alone without him and went looking for you. Just when he had finally found you and was about to call out to you, a man, coming out of nowhere, grabbed you quite harshly and pressed a knife to your neck before you could even scream. Ofc Chuuya beat the guy to a pulp before he could hurt you :3 He immediately checks if you're hurt and if you're okay. When you say you're fine, he slightly relaxes. "The hell were you thinkin' going home by yourself when you know people are after you?" He would say while putting his coat over your shoulders and putting his hand on the small of your back, gently guiding you home...

He's super protective of you now, to say the least.

After he asked you out...

Okay, for starters, the PM (obviously) strictly does not allow dating.

So yours and Chuuya's relationship is a secret

Nothing changed at work and you both agreed that the lovey-dovey couple stuff stays outside of work to avoid suspicion

Staying over at his penthouse was common for you

You'd wait for him to come back home from there since (again) you get off of work a few hours before him

I feel like Chuuya would be really sensual with you whenever had the chance to

Like taking a warm bath together. Having a quiet dinner somewhere fancy or just simply secluded. Or just long meaningful conversations while he holds you securely in his arm and the few occasional kisses on the forehead or temple. Yk, small yet sweet things like that.

When he kisses you, it's either on the forehead or your temple, but when he really has time to relax with you, his kisses are always slow and sensual (Ik, I'm over-using the word, Mb) and full of love

Biting kisses, French kissing, neck and body kisses, and hand kisses (idc, y'all can't convince me that this man doesn't do any of these)

Overall, he's the best bf (ofc) you could ever ask for.

sorry guys, gonna keep this one sfw it was a bit rushed bc I was eternally struggling with it + I had to write a long ass essay for school (they got me so fucked up bro)

Hope you enjoyed tho^^

[writefasttalkevenfaster]

question about take my hand - options for releasing the endings: 

do you sonny’s ending or rafael’s ending first? 

do we want both endings at once? 

edit: i.e. there is will be two separate endings for both but they will be released at the same time (as opposed to different days) 

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

SEASON 2 CONCLUSION POST

Season 2 is such a wild wild WILD season and !!!!!!!

When you watch the last 5 episodes it's almost unbelievable the first 5 episodes happened. It was so long ago.

So much happens it's almost like you watched 2 seasons in one.

Can't wait for Jim and Yam to start dating but they're getting there <3 I think Jim has finally realized she's not into boys

My Lumon analyses will never end <3 I am viewing it from so many perspectives and I will stand that they make SO MUCH more sense than Lutteo. SO MUCH more.

But it doesn't mean Simbar doesn't make sense - I am just saying, if I didn't know at all what would have happened in season 3 I'd probably assume Lumon was endgame and Simbar was a "short cute thing but Ámbar needed to work on herself before having a relationship". Of course I would have loved them as endgame regardless (and their scenes in s3 are one fire) and I do also think that if Lumon was endgame people would complain that Simbar wasn't... it's always a discussion how it could have been.

Something I gotta say. The first time I watched the show I was afraid I wouldn't like Simbar, simply because I had fell so hard for Lumon. But then when I got to them, I absolutely 100% fell. I got it immediately. And I am happy I did, cause I'd probably have a harder time in the fandom if I didn't lmao.

But conclusion to this: Simbar and Lumon both makes sense, Lutteo does not. That is my personal opinion and not what others think.

Now, this really was the season of finding your identity, for Ámbar and Luna especially.

It's so FUN to see Ámbar's part of it, how she thinks, how she feels. I also find her relationship with Sharon much more interesting than in season 1. Because there's so many layers. Sometimes she wants to break free, away from her. Then she relapses and once again wants to be her godmother's perfect little girl. She wants affection and she wants approval, but she also wants to be herself, but if she is herself then she gets to face consequences for it.

My sexuality headcanons have really changed since last year, especially for Nina.

When I watched SL for the first time, it really felt like people were trying to convince me what I was supposed to like and what I was supposed to dislike. And people REALLY wanted me to care for the three biggest ships. I think I disliked Lutteo even more out of spite simply because people wanted me to like them. Simbar I really DID like, I could not deny them. And Gastina? I... like them, but I care less about them than people want me to.

Like, yes, they should have been endgame in s3 and yes, they were very cute in season 2, but now when I am doing my rewatch and I have ~asserted myself~ in the SL fandom, I need to say that I don't feel much of anything watching them in season 2. I am happy for them but I just shrug.

It's also that, in many scenes there in, something funny happens and I'd rather want to focus on the funny thing and people want me to focus on them, like no I want to focus on this funny thing I don't care right now that they had some "important" conversation HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT A FUNNY FACE THIS CHARACTER MADE, HAVE YOU SEEN THE BACKGROUND, HAVE YOU HEARD THE MUSIC CHOICE HAHA WHAT A WEIRD MUSIC CHOICE FOR A DRAMATIC SCENE-

Honestly this is why I sometimes have to put a disclaimer like "hey I know y'all like to discuss whatever gastina was doing but right now in this post I want to focus on the fact that the character in the background was dancing". It sounds like I find it super annoying - I don't, but sometimes I wanna keep the focus on what the post is about - and if it is about the background dance, then the topic will be about it. If I wanna talk about what they did in the scene, I would make a post talking about them. It's not just gastina ofc, this applies to all of them, I just used them as an example cause I know I did write this about them in a post.

This is when I can compare the SL fandom and the Violetta fandom - cause in the Violetta fandom we focus even more on the background stuff than anything. And so for example, if a ship is having a scene, we may have one post talking about the ship and then another post about the funny background thing. But in SL, it's like if you talk about the background thing people STILL wanna talk about the ship talking in the scene.

Sorry - I always sound passive aggressive. Happens every time I make a conclusion post with SL. I mean no harm <3 I am just comparing how I experienced things, how things used to be and how it is now. I feel like, now, the SL fandom has chilled down a little. But it doesn't mean I can't reflect on stuff that I feel has happened in my experience in my time in the fandom.

Amanda was robbed. I despise what they did to her character.

Honestly this show has a terrible treatment of characters with a disability. I don't like it.

Sharon going into madness <3 Love to see the development of her losing it more and more

Unpopular opinion but I LIKE Eva and Ada. Yes, they weren't good with roller band, but also ?? they remind me of Cami and I LOVE Cami and Cami would def come up with something like this and I think she's related to them

The songs in s2 were real bangers <3 At least 70% of them

To think, last year I bought a VPN so I could watch s3. Now s3 is out in my country and I can just go watch it <3

Now my friends, I have reblogged some underrated S2 liveblog posts that I have put in queue, as well as some S1 liveblogs, and they'll come up when you least expect it. In a moment, I'll start on S3! Which is funnily enough the THIRD time I am liveblogging that, one more than the other two.

[bella-donna418]

Livestreaming on YouTube w/ Mikasa

A/N: An HC I need to write rn bcs I might forget it later.

More modern AU vlogs bcs why not.

AND this is somewhat livestreaming 👀👀

~~~

So the house has like this recording studio/room for Mikasa because a few people (Sasha, Connie, Zeke (surprise he knows), Armin and Annie) know she's VERY good at singing)

And since they couldn't think of what to do with an extra room in the house because like, the house is huge asf and you'll need to fill EVERYTHING up.

So let's get to the point.

Sasha usually forces Mikasa to try at least livestreaming on YouTube because she BARELY has any videos.

Mikasa's like, "Sasha, no."

And Sasha would do all desperate pleading sh!t which annoys Mikasa to the point she sighs and says, "Fine. Just once. But DON'T tell anyone."

And Sasha was so happy.

Then ends up doing the opposite (the irony ik)

She's like, "She'll livestream later. Y'all gotta watch it."

And they're like, "Why?"

And Sasha looks at her fellow comrades from the "we know she can sing so good" club and they're like "oHHH—"

And the others who don't know are like '???' and just shrugged.

So here it is.

Sasha is with Mikasa in the recording studio/room and everyone is like somewhere else but they're watching ON someone’s phones and waiting for the countdown to end.

Sasha is there for like reading some stuff/song requests for Mikasa while she's singing so they don't miss anything—also for operating things.

So the livestreaming countdown ended and finally!!

(I'm the one writing this but why do I feel excited LMFAOO)

Ok, so Mikasa went to the regular greetings of like, "Hello, everyone." (Sasha still busy setting things up)

And then... the others were like watching and they're freaking hyped.

Sasha then read the first request (from Twitter) "So, first song is Dangerous Woman."

Mikasa's like, "Seriously?"

Sahsa looking at her while eating some doughnuts be like, "Request is request."

Mikasa rolls her eyes and the music starts.

Ok let's go to the "watching in secret" crew because they're like "Holy sh!t, holy sh!t!" (Ymir the one saying that, gets smacked by Historia)

Y'all let's skip to the high notes, shall we? 👀👀

So when she LITERALLY hit that note Jean almost dropped the phone and everyone bonked him on the head (I mean who in the right mind would drop such expensive iPhone 12 pro?! They rich and all, but thrift is key and it’s something Erwin and Levi implemented)

Everyone went full blown kung fu beating up and screaming of admiration

The vets somehow hearing this then Levi and Erwin went inside the room where the noise was coming from to see the commotion.

Levi's like, "What the f%!k is this?"

Everyone snapping out and looking at him—fear now lingering.

Then Hanji passed by and decided to stop there (she’s like that parent who walks by and sees you then ends up saving your a$*)

And she's like, "YOU'RE WATCHING TOO?!"

And the people who are scared shitless nodded slowly.

Hanji was like, *le gasp* "OMG SAME!!!! SHE'S SO GOOD AT SINGING, RIGHT?! SHE DIDN'T EVEN TELL!!"

Levi and Erwin giving her weird looks—gets ignored though.

Hanji be running to them to join the fun making Levi groan and Erwin sigh as they went back to what work they were doing earlier.

Mikasa seems to be having fun, so she just continues while Sasha is recording on her own and literally laughing to herself because she's looking at her phone and their comments were being buried.

Until she saw the snowman request which was Armin's.

And she was now glaring at Sasha while she laughs it off.

Ignores it and sings it anyway (it's f!#$ing ✨i m m a c u l a t e✨)

So let's list down the songs Mikasa sang

- Dangerous Woman - Take me home (the Bebe Rexha one) - Lover (Taylor Swift duhh) - Willow (I can't help but think of T.S songs lol) - Play Date (Melanie!!!!) - Kings and Queens - Hallucinate - God is a woman - Positions - Driver's License - Snowman (Armin requested this!) - 34 + 35 - Imagine - Love story - Me! - Stuck with u - Blank Space - Can we kiss forever? - In the name of love - Ready for it - Break up with your girlfriend - 7 rings - Dancing with a stranger (sam smith omfg) - Without me - Wildest dreams (Most of the songs are literally Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande lmaooo)

Moment of truth: Everyone was staring at Eren like: 👀  who seem to be let's say... impressed (or something more than that but you get the point)

So when the livestream was over everyone (who didn’t know) was like 😳😳 "She could sing—I didn't know that...

When Mikasa ended her live, they both got out of the recording studio and went inside the room where everyone was, she was now getting lots of shocked looks which made her go like 😳 "Y-you guys—"

And Hanji (no I didn't forget she was with them) beamed at her and was like, "Mhm! You didn't tell us you could sing!"

Mikasa was then blushing like mad and looked at Sasha who smiled sheepishly and went on her way to the kitchen.

Jean was trying to keep his inner peace and not go all like, "AKNCJDSNJNABSJ" (ofc he fails and he left the place)

The people who knew, are just stiffling their laughters right now because (manisfesting EreMika) Eren is literally looking at her with a 'how come I do not know about this?' look and glanced at Armin.

Armin just grinned and shrugged.

Mikasa then left the room to go to the kitchen—maybe to scold Sasha or something—because SHE clearly didn't expect this.

She only has an idea that Armin, Connie, Zeke, Annie and Sasha knew about her ✨talent✨ in singing.

She went to the kitchen for some iced tea and glared at Sasha who grinned while eating her favorite chips, PRINGLESSSS (can I have some too?)

She just sighed and continued.

To be honest she had fun with it and decided she should do more of these when she's free of work (because everyone now knows so there's no turning back now)

In the future, she'll probably do more of those live singing or cover song vids. (She clearly loves singing and it relieves herself when stressed— and so she won't get bored and stop all her videos about how she's so bored asf lmaoo)

~~~

A/N: And that's the headcanon!

Another disappoint one I believe.

I was like, why not make her do a livestream on YT where she sings for like an hour or smth

*adds a subtle EreMika bcs it's my OTP*

She now has an addition to her channel which is cover songs lol (assistant/manager is Sasha duh)

[soupncrackwrs]

Okay so I had an idea for an AFTG fic but again I’m horrible at anything that isn’t hc’s so here we are (feel free to make this into a fic if you want just credit me) *Also all pairing in this are platonic besides andreil and mattdan soo, don’t like get out*

This spawned from that fact that one of my 3 PTP’s (platonic trust pairing) in AFTG is Kev and Neil

This is probably my PTP that has the most popularity in the fandom I’d say (my other 2 are Renee/Andrew/Neil and Neil/Dan which are both *really* hard to find ((at least on ao3)) so that sucks) but you’d be surprised how little it gets like actually focused on

Most times, platonic wise, Neil gets shown bonding with The MonstersTM, Allison, or Matt

wHICH IS FINE IM TOTALLY OKAY W/ THAT

I just happen to enjoy neil/dan, kev/neil,and renee/andrew/neil more

So I wanted a fic that really showcased kev and neils relationship

BUT IM ALSO IN LOVE WITH OUSIDER POV SO THIS HAPPENED

Now onto the actual headcanon

So neil and kevin are like best friends

They've been like that for a while

but they also like fucking despise each other

like they love and care deeply for each other and would probably die for the other if the situation called for it

but will that stop them from almost killing each other 24/7?

HELL NO

so they go to college together

along with all the upperclassmen (so matt+dan+allison+renee+seth) but not the monsters

andrew and neil have been together for a bit

they met around the same time kev and neil did so they've been together for a while (also while we're talking abt relationships, i don't ship renison ((am i the only one who believes that renee is a strong aro gal who don't need no man/lady/person)) but if you wanna make this renison, go ahead)

andrew goes to a different college tho ( for some reason i dunno)

and neil doesn't really like sharing stuff abt his personal life

we all know this

but a lot of the stuff he's done in his life involves andrew

so drew is brought up a fair amount

but when the upperclassmen ask who he is neil kinda just smiles and then moves on so they ask kevin and he's like

oh andrew is like one of my bffls he's a ride or die

(obviously not phrased like that)

and the upperclassmen r like 'ok he can be trusted he's a friend'

(little do they know hehhehhe-)

sO ONE DAY

kev is tryna forget all his issues

so he decides to get hella pissed

wasted like he's never been b4

probably cause thea broke up w/ him last week but we don't talk abt that okay shhhhhhh

so he goes to the next party alli throws and

let's say it together kids

gets wasted like he's never been b4

to the point where the upperclassmen don't really know wht to do with him????

so they call up neil like yo pick up kev he's drunk off his ass like always but we think he's doing it cause he's sad this time'

so neil, being the good and sweet angel (not) that he is

goes to pick up kevin

and like he finds him on a coach almost catatonic just rambling to himself

so neil picks him up and drags him away to his car

and ofc all the upperclassmen r trying to help

so while neil is putting kevin into his car kev randomly just stops talking

(which is weird cause he's kept rambling this entire time)

and he looks neil in the eyes and goes

'i love you neil'

and neil just like takes a second

pAuSeS

because he's not used to people showing him love even tho so many ppl rlly do love him (this boy is2g-)

and then quietly says

'love you too kev'

and finishes buckling him up

all the upperclassmen have been watching this going on the entire time and they read into in the exact wrong way

(they're trying their best, my baby dumbasses, but they're just wrong)

and think this is a romantic love confession between frenimies *instead* of the declaration of mutual respect and affection between 2 bro's that it is

matt is the first one to voice this after kev and neil leave and he is

PUMPED

he is super excited that his bro has found someone to love just like he found dan and is super excited to like talk abt love and go on double dates n stuff

and every one else agrees

which is why they're all super disappointed that by the time a week goes by, nothing has changed between them

so dan matt and allison decide to do something about it (renee+seth ducking out because'it's rude to meddle' and 'why tf would i care abt jostens love bullshit')

they try to set up kevin and neil a bunch of different time s

once with the offer of a study session that they all say they can't make it to, leaving neil and kevin alone

another time with the offer of kevin and neil going to the movies w/ matt and dan

(neil ends up busy w/ a skype date with andrew that he can't pass up cause they're always so busy and he has to see his boyf so kevin just ends up 3rd wheeling matt and dan)

and once with allison straight up just telling neil that he and kevin should get coffee some time

which neil respond to with

'we already get coffee together?'

so dan matt and alli are stumped

they don't know what to do with these 'lovesick' idiots

they're problem gets solved tho don't you worry

so the next weekend, andrew is gonna come over to psu and stay for like a week

neil is oVER THE MOON

HE IS SOO HAPPYYYYY

And kevin is really happy too

so the upperclassmen take this to mean that these boys have finally gotten the hint and asked each other out

so imagine they're suprise when the next time the group goes to get lunch (which they do with each other every wednesday )

a super short blond emo joins them

and no one really acknowledges it?!?!?!?!?!?

until renee is just like 'hello andrew, how are you?' knowing smile on her face

and the upperclassmen are just like 'oh it's the famous andrew, that makes sense' but then they're like 'wait how does renee know andrew?!?!'

they ask and renee is just like 'neil gave me his discord. he thought we'd get along well'

-and then they're just like okayyy renee totally has a crush but well let it slideee

uNTIL

at the end of lunch neil is just like 'oh wait i never properly introduced him-' -cause you're a mess, junkie' -fuck off andrew' then just turns to the upperclassmen and says

'guys this is my boyfriend andrew'

and the foxes just silently freak out

because neil is in love with kevin? it's so clear? why did neil go and get a boyf when he has his love right in front of him??????

so after lunch, matt dan and alli ask to talk to neil privately

(andrew, kev,and renee all talk together while seth like, looks at his phone)

and they're like 'neil why'd you get a boyf??'

and neils like 'wdym?'

and alli says 'why'd you get a boyf if your so obviously in love w/ kevin?!'

and neil just LAUGHS at them

straight up cackles

and then the upperclassmen are like whaaaaattttt????

we saw your declaration of love at the party??

and you're both really close and seem to genuinely like and be interested in each other??

what gives????

and neils like

'me n kev are besties

that was a platonic declaration of love

also

i'm demi and me and drew have been together for like 3 years now'

and the upperclassmen are just like 'ooooooooooooooooohhhhhh sorryyyyyyyyy'

it's the first time alli has ever lost a bet (it was w/ seth abt neils feelings for kevin)

neil tells andrew abt it and the shortie just snorts and is like 'kevin would fuck a racket quicker than he'd fuck you'

neil is like 'i'm basically exy personified tho, soooooo'

drew tells him to shut up

(he does when andrew asks yes or no, just nods his head and smiles)

renee knew all along and is happy for her friends

kevin just wants to play exy he's been deprived the entire post

So yeah that's the entire headcanon. If you want some music to listen to while you write or just in general i recommend "I lost a Friend" by FINNEAS and "Corduroy Dreams" by Rex Orange County. they don't really have anything to do with the story, they're just real good :) Thanks for reading. see y'all later



[tsfrbss]

Paper Moon Part 12

MB - @thecountessakasha - back again. I hope you’re ready for Part 12! Yay!

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 3800+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Panic attack. Oh, and cussing. Like always.

STEVE’S POV

My eyes open slowly, adjusting to the ambient light trickling around the curtains of the bedroom. The bed is incredibly warm and comfortable. I feel the soft weight of a body next to mine curled up facing me, head buried into the crook of my arm, hers slung over my chest.

I breathe a relieved sigh, realizing that last night wasn’t a dream. It was real. Brushing my fingertips over Melissa’s flushed cheek, I watch her smile sleepily. Behind her, snoring softly as he spoons her, is Bucky’s form. I reach out and run those same fingertips through the strands of his hair.

I cannot believe how lucky I am. The two most precious things to me in the world are right here. They ARE my world.

I reach for my phone on the nightstand and see there’s a few missed messages, mostly from Nat.

Widow: Steve, everything alright?

Sambo: Hey, man. Looked for you and the Asshole this morning for our workout. Y'all good?

Barton: Tell me you got laid.

Tony: Yo, Capsicle. You and Tinman didn’t get lost in Brooklyn, didja?

Widow: Just checking in. Giving you a heads up, people are asking where you are.

Looking over the two sleeping treasures next to me again, I click away, answering her.

Please don’t worry about us. Bucky and I are fine. We’re at Melissa’s. Together. I’ll explain everything when I can.

I lock the phone setting it back down, knowing that’s probably enough of an explanation for her. But certainly won’t work for everyone else on the team.

This will be an interesting conversation. Melissa will have to meet everyone, of course. But, I don’t want to rush her either. I know she’s still unsure about all of this.

With another deep sigh of contentment, I slide out of the bed slipping on my jeans and t-shirt. I kiss each of them on their forehead before heading out to begin making breakfast for us.

Rummaging around in Melissa’s little kitchen, I find a few things to eat. But not much. Well, she WAS a single woman. I shouldn’t have expected much, I suppose.

I head back into the bedroom to grab my phone and as I do, I admire them one more time. Shaking my head in disbelief, a smile creeps onto my lips. I close the door quietly and call the grocery store down the street to get some things delivered.

While I wait, I flop down on the sofa and turn on the TV. My ears prick up, hearing someone join me. I turn and see Bucky, clad only in his sweat pants, slung low on his hips. He yawns and stretches before joining me on the sofa.

“Melissa still asleep?”

He’s nodding as he leans back rubbing his eyes, “Yeah, man. She’s out cold. I somehow doubt she’s an early riser, seeing as how she works mostly at night. She did mention to me the other day that she’s not much of a morning person.” he adds, chuckling a little.

I grin widely, “Well, she wasn’t much into buying food either ‘cause there’s hardly any here. I ordered some stuff from down the street for delivery. I was gonna make breakfast for us.”

“Good. I could eat the whole grocery store right now.” He rubs his belly.

I give him a smirk, “You’re always hungry. That’s nothing new.”

An easy silence falls between us as we both gaze at the news. After a while, I feel his eyes on me and I can tell he wants to say something. “What is it?”

“Do you…” He pauses here, brows knit in hesitancy, clearly unsure of how to proceed.

“Think this is going to work?”

He nods, “Yeah. That.” His eyes meet mine. “Do you? I really want it to. Last night I felt right. I felt whole. I felt like the man I am supposed to be. But…”

“But what, Buck? We can do this. I believe we can do this. It’s clearly what we all want. If we want it badly enough, we can make anything work, right?” I reach out, cupping the back of his neck, my thumb rubbing little circles on his jaw.

He closes his eyes and sighs, resting a hand on my wrist. “You’re right. I just worry about Melissa. I honestly think it’ll be most difficult for her.”

“Yeah, I agree.” My eyes flicker to the hallway then back to him. “I just want her happy. She makes me happy. I know she makes you happy. She’s had a rough go of things in her life. I think it’s only fair that you and I try to make sure she’s as happy as we are. Does that make sense?”

He leans his head into my palm, “It makes perfect sense to me. And it probably will to her, too. But she’s stubborn, and she’s very unsure that she even deserves happiness….” He trails off a bit, then adds, “I know that feeling all too well.”

“I’m not saying this won’t take work. It will. From all three of us. And yeah, we’re gonna be judged and talked about. But that’s just how it’s gonna be.” I give him a one shoulder shrug, “You’re both worth it to me. You’re both worth everything. Anything.”

I’m watching his cheeks color brightly at my words when there’s a knock on the door. We both jump up to get it. Bucky gets there first, and murmurs, “Winner.” under his breath, smirking.

I roll my eyes and start taking the bags from the delivery boy as Bucky pays him. The kid at the door looks him over then me as I take the last bag, recognition taking hold. “Hey! You’re Captain-”

“Yeah, yeah, here ya go, kid.” chuckling as I hand him an extra twenty for his troubles before closing the door in his bewildered face.

Bucky’s already unpacking the bags and filling the fridge and cabinets when I pad back into the kitchen. Rubbing the back of my neck I raise an eyebrow, “That was a little awkward.”

He stops what he’s doing, shutting the fridge but not turning around. After a small silence, I hear his voice. “It won’t be the last time. And he’s probably already tweeted he saw Captain America and the Winter Soldier in some little apartment together this morning.”

He turns finally, meeting my eyes. “We need to be prepared for this, Steve. She needs to be prepared.” He nods down the hallway, “She’s right about this being a big deal. It’s going to be a big deal about you and I. When you add her to the mix, it’ll be even bigger. We need to talk to the team as soon as we can. They need to know before they read it in the news.”

As I start the pancake batter, I hear a soft yawn from the hallway. “You’re right. We need to do this today. I was hoping we could give her more time, but…” I trail off when she emerges into the living room.

Shuffling into view, I take her in, my heart fluttering. She’s pulled her hair up into a loose bun on the top of her head, her face freshly scrubbed. A tight tank top covers her top half and I can still see those delightful little barbells poking through while baggy pajama pants hang loosely from her hips.

She wrinkles her nose a little as she spies us in the kitchen, “Whatery’alldoin’?”

Bucky chuckles softly at her groggy morning voice, and I’m grinning like an idiot, “Well, I was going to make breakfast for us, but you didn’t have much of anything here. So I ordered a bunch of groceries for delivery and I’m starting the pancakes now.” I gesture to Bucky, “He’s in charge of coffee.”

He moves over to her kissing her softly on the forehead before guiding her to the couch. “Just sit and relax. We’ll take care of everything.”

Her eyes narrow at him as she sits on the sofa. “Okay….” There’s a clear tone of skepticism in her voice. “Well, can I at least get in there and take my pills?”

I look over at Bucky, and he’s already pouring her a glass of orange juice, no pulp, I note, and looking through her cabinets to find the pills.

“Upper one next to the fridge.” She calls out without turning to look, apparently aware of what he was doing. He pulls out like six various bottles, vitamins included. With his eyes wide, he looks at me. I mirror his own expression back to him and shrug, finishing up the pancakes before getting started on the eggs and bacon.

“One of each, Bucky.” He doles them out and brings them to her with the glass of juice. “Super soldiers don’t have to worry about genetic deficiencies or getting old like the rest of us.” She pops them all in at once, chugging the whole glass. “Merci, Sergeant.” She adds with a wink.

He leans over the back of the sofa, kissing her temple, “Anything for you, Angel.”

BUCKY’S POV

That’s quite a few pills. Reminds me of when Steve was younger. I mean, I realize she doesn’t have super soldier serum or anything, but I don’t want her suffering needlessly. I can’t stomach the thought of her being sick or losing her before her time. I wonder if Banner could help her out any.

I glance back at her sitting on the sofa as she quietly watches the news and Steve finishes up the cooking. I lean over to him speaking lowly enough that I know she won’t hear me, but he will, “I want her to see Banner and Dr. Cho. That’s a lot of meds, man.”

He’s plating the eggs and bacon and pancakes and he nods. “Well, she’s going to have to meet everyone today anyway. So, I’ll suggest it to her?” I give him a nod back in agreement.

“Angel, I hope you’re hungry. Steve’s made a ton of food.” As she joins us at the kitchen island her eyes widen. “Mon Dieu! How many people are eating?”

Steve and I look at each other then burst out laughing, “Just us, Maîtresse.”

Her eyes are the size of dinner plates as she looks over the spread. I slide her a cup of coffee, smirking, “I guess you haven’t seen super soldiers eat.”

Pouring sugar and creamer into her steaming cup, she stirs the coffee before taking a long drink. She moans appreciatively and shakes her head, “Can’t say as I have, since y'all two are the only ones I know.”

“Well, Angel. We eat a lot.” I load up on the eggs and bacon before using a separate plate for my huge stack of pancakes. Steve does the same.

She pushes the eggs away from her side of the island, making a face before grabbing three pancakes and a couple slices of bacon.

“Wait. Don’t tell me you don’t eat eggs, either?” Steve is holding back his laughter as I look at her with brows raised.

Her tongue slides out as she makes a disgusted face, nose squished up, looking all kinds of cute. “No fucking way. So. Gross.”

With that Steve loses it. He’s laughing so hard he has tears. As he wipes at his eyes, I’m just agog at her. “Woman, you are the pickiest eater I’ve ever met in my life.”

“Hey! I’ll have you know I’ve made it nearly forty two years on this planet being a picky eater. I think I’m doin’ jus’ fine.” She sticks her tongue out at me and flips Steve the bird, before slathering butter all over her pancakes but using very little syrup.

Steve is still laughing, and I’m grinning like a kid with a new toy.

Holy shit. The team is going to LOVE her. I can’t wait for them to meet her. Speaking of….

“So we thought it might be a good idea if we took you to the tower today. You know, see our place. Meet the team.” I toss this out, popping a piece of bacon in my mouth, leaning back to gauge her reaction.

She has a fork full of pancake and she pauses just before she eats it, mouth open. After a moment, she closes her mouth and puts the fork down on her plate, not having taken the bite. “T… today?”

Steve and I exchange looks, and I press on. “Yeah. Is that OK? I know it probably seems like we’re moving kinda fast on this, but I don’t want to lose you. I know he doesn’t either.” I nod toward Steve. “You’re going to have to eventually, so why not now?”

Her eyes narrow, watching me. “Did something happen?” She doesn’t trust a single person she meets. Not one. Can’t say as I blame her, knowing her history.

“Well, to be honest, the deliver boy saw Bucky and I here.” Steve reaches over and takes her hand. “Obviously, he doesn’t know whose place this is, but he DID see Captain America and the Winter Soldier looking very comfortable and at home in a small apartment away from the tower.”

I run my hand through my hair. “It’s very probable that it’s all over social media this morning that we’re spending time away from the team. Together. If you catch my drift.”

She’s chewing on the inside of her mouth, her eyes sliding back and forth between the pair of us. Pushing the half eaten breakfast away from her, she slides her hand out of Steve’s darting down the hallway toward the bathroom.

We hear the door slam and she’s clearly losing what little she ate, and probably anything else that was in her stomach.

“Fuck.” I’m out of my chair in a flash and at the bathroom door. “Melissa, sweetheart…? Are you alright?”

Steve looks petrified as he moves to join me. “Oh god, doll, I’m so sorry…” He meets my stoney gaze with one of abject fear. I shake my head at him, my lips pressed into a thin line.

“No. No.” Her voice is strained and I can hear her damn near panting she’s breathing so rapidly. “Panic attack.” I mouth at Steve.

After a long, protracted silence we finally hear her voice again. “It’s ok. I'm… I’m alright,” comes the shaky answer from the other side of the door. The toilet flushes and I hear the water running in the sink. She opens the door and stands in the frame staring at the pair of us.

I reach out tentatively, then draw my hand back. If there’s one thing I know about, it’s panic attacks. Tread lightly.

I hold my arms open, an invitation to hold her if she so wishes. After a moment, she falls into my embrace and starts to cry. I wrap my arms around her and press my face to the top of her head. “I’m sorry we’re rushing you.”

Steve doesn’t move closer, knowing it might be too much. “It was selfish of us, Melissa, and I’m sorry. It can wait until you’re ready.”

I know he remembers how I was before T’challa helped me. He knows to take it slow after an attack.

Keeping her wrapped in my arms, I walk her toward the bedroom. “Do you want to lay down, sweetheart?” She hasn’t said anything but she’s still crying. I feel her nod against my chest.

“Ok, ok, Angel. Come on.” I guide her to the bed, laying down with her, my arms still encircling her tightly. She keeps her face buried in my chest, the sobs still wracking her body. Steve paces near the doorway, wringing his hands. “Do you want Steve to lay with us?” I feel her nod again so I wave him over.

He climbs onto the bed behind her, wrapping his form around her. I can feel her relax a little, “Is that better?” Another subtle nod and I pull the hair tie from her tresses. I start to run my fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. Steve is gently rubbing wide circles on her back.

Her sobbing is slowing and I can feel her breathing returning to normal after a little while. Finally I hear her soft, husky voice, “Alright. I’ll meet them today.”

MELISSA’S POV

I feel like a complete asshole for freaking out like that. They have much more important things than worrying about than my little personal, bullshit insecurities.

I’m still clinging to Bucky, my face pressed against his chest, “I’m sorry I reacted like that. I guess… I just wasn’t expecting everything to go so fast and I got scared.” Not to mention your teammates as well as the public are going to hate me.

Steve hugs me from behind and I feel his breath tickle the shell of my ear, “Never apologize for how you feel. We were wrong to push you so fast.” He nuzzles into the back of my neck and I can feel my body relax even more.

“Melissa, please understand we never meant to force your hand.” Bucky curls a finger under my chin, pulling my gaze to his. My breath catches as I look into those ocean eyes. “I know what you’re feeling, Angel. I know the insecurity. The self hatred. I know it’s overwhelming.”

My eyes slide away from his, face blooming bright pink, embarrassed to be called out. To be so easily read. He starts planting little kisses on my heated cheeks.

“I know because I have those thoughts, too.” His voice makes his chest rumble against me as he talks. “It’s going to be ok. Hey…” I drag my gaze back to his. “I promise. I’m yours. Steve is yours. No matter what.”

Steve nods against my back at Bucky’s words. “More importantly, you’re ours.” There’s a pause, “If you want to be. That choice is always, always up to you.” He plants small kisses at the base of my neck, just under the tattoo I have there.

Giving a soft sigh I move one hand up Bucky’s chest and the other behind me to hug Steve closer. “That’s not even in doubt. I’m yours. Both of yours. For as long as you want me.” I shake my head, eyes closing, “That’s the real question. Whether I’m worth all of this.”

They both begin to scoff at my words, but I press on. “Because I’m not. You’ll see. You’ll eventually see. It’s like I said before. It’ll be better for you when it’s just the two of you. I’ll never be accepted. Either by your teammates or by the public.”

I let the matter drop, my eyes filling with tears once more. They silently slip down my face, as I close my eyes. I don’t see the look that the boys share over my head, but I can feel Bucky shaking his head. Steve’s hands move from my back to my sides, trying to sooth me, comfort me.

“That doesn’t matter, Melissa. Those things, they don’t matter to us. You just watch. We’ll make you believe it.” Bucky’s shifting closer, pressing against me, wrapping his arms around both Steve and I. “This is what matters. This. Right here. In my arms.”

He rests his cheek on the crown of my head, sighing contentedly. They feel so good surrounding me like this, so warm, so perfectly like the home I’ve craved for as long as I can remember. How does this feel so right?

“I probably overreacted this morning about the delivery boy. I’m so, so sorry. But, we do really want you to meet the team. Because, honestly, we want to show you off. We want to show them how special you are to us.” Steve is still rubbing my side gently. His lips move against the skin between my shoulder blades as he speaks.

“It’s ok, I understand your reaction. Y'all are public people. You have to be careful. I was just… really unprepared.” I breathe in deeply, nestling into Bucky’s chest, pulling Steve’s arms tighter around me. “New York has certainly been a very interesting experience for this old southern gal.”

“Maîtresse, do you want to take a shower now? Will you allow Bucky and I to take care of you this morning?” Steve nips at the soft spot between my shoulder and my neck and Bucky starts to kiss along my collar bone.

Oh, they make it so hard to concentrate.

I let out an appreciative moan before answering, “Y'all are too good to me.” They quickly divest me of what little clothing I have on and Steve picks me up off the bed, bridal style, carrying me to the bathroom.

Bucky is right behind us reaching into the large shower, turning it on to warm up. Steve lets me stand, and they both strip before we all get in the shower together.

I stand there staring up at them and shake my head in disbelief. “Good thing this shower is so big.” I snort a little as I laugh and Bucky plants a little kiss on my nose. He’s already grabbing the shampoo and massaging it into my hair.

Steve leans down and whispers in my ear. “Now I know why you smell so good.” He’s lathering up a washcloth with my soap and starts scrubbing my shoulders.

They take their time, cleaning me thoroughly, slowly, lovingly. It’s difficult for me to allow this and they can sense it. But I do allow it.

“Thank you for this.” My voice is low and I’m not sure if they even hear me. But I should know they can. They make sure to wash themselves as well.

I feel Bucky kneel behind me, placing little kisses along my hips where my back meets the curve of ass. None of this is meant to be seductive. I can feel it. It’s meant to be loving. Caring. Close to a sort of worship.

Steve is standing before me, his fingers trailing through my wet, freshly cleaned tresses as the hot water bathes the three of us.

It’s quiet. No talking. Just small noises of comfort and delight and adoration. All of us merely enjoying the contact. Hands caressing, learning. Relaxing in the presence of each other.

Once we’re all washed and rinsed one of them shuts the water off and Steve steps out first, gathering towels. He tosses one to Bucky and keeps one himself, the both of them working to dry my skin. They then dry themselves before Bucky gathers me in his arms, moving me back to the bed.

“Rest, Angel. Rest while we clean up the kitchen.” My brows knit as I watch him slide his sweats back on, Steve pulling on his jeans.

I sit on the bed, using one of the towels on my wet hair, watching the pair of them. I don’t know if they see my expression, but I’m sure my face is painted with confusion and skepticism.

Steve turns, grinning.

“Trust us, Maîtresse.”

[evanstandefensesquad-blog]

Paper Moon Part 15

MB - @thecountessakasha - back again. I hope you’re ready for Part 15! There’s no smut, it’s literally all fluff, so apologies in advance.

I’m going to tag a couple people who I’ve told about this and my really special love who keeps betaing this for me @evansscruff - thank you, darling.

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 3300+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: FLUFF to the Goddamn max. Gonna rot your teeth. Oh, and cussing. Like always.

STEVE’S POV

To say that the past few months were rough would be an understatement. Word got out about Bucky and me; and that, of course, led to word getting out about Melissa, Bucky, and me. It was strange; there was almost no animosity aimed at him and me, but just as she predicted, there was plenty aimed at her. People had taken to the Internet and the airwaves to voice their opinion of the “old” woman whom they decided was “ruining Steve and Bucky’s happiness” by “insinuating herself” between us.

Hate mail piled up at the club for her. She quit checking it altogether. Bucky would always gather the multitude of envelopes and go through them to sort out what was important and what was trash. Let me tell ya, her recycling bin has been packed full.

People would pop up at her shows to heckle and ridicule her. Finally, the owner raised the ticket prices and added extra bouncers which helped. Though on the plus side, more people came to actually see her perform. She wowed every single one of them. There were rumors of other places looking to steal her away, but she had vowed to never abandon Club Onyx. Or the owner. He’d been far too good to her and she appreciated it more than he would ever know.

The fact that she’s stuck with us is astonishing to me. And every day I fall deeper because of it. She’s so much stronger than she thinks. Not to say there haven’t been some rough patches. Her depression took over, and at times we couldn’t even get her to speak. There were days upon days when she just refused to get out of bed. Pretty sure she’s upped her rum intake. Even now she’s rarely, if ever, seen outside of the club without Bucky unless it’s to come to the tower. But for the most part we’ve really weathered the storm.

I think the biggest change has been with Bucky. He’s no longer chomping at the bit to take every mission he can get his hands on, trying to keep his mind on anything other than his life. He’s actually been turning down those offered to stay with Melissa during this tumultuous beginning.

For the first time since coming back from Wakanda, the light has truly returned to his eyes. And it’s her. Well, I mean it’s probably me, too. Us. But I really think it’s Melissa more than anything. She’s changed him. Made him more comfortable in his skin. Shown him that there’s more to “Bucky” than just “The Winter Soldier”.

He’s taken to staying at her place more and more. So have I, just not quite as often. It’s not like I get as many opportunities to turn down missions as he does. Part of the mantle of being Captain America, as Natasha is fond of reminding me.

I spend every moment I can with the both of them. Usually at her place. Not because we’re unwelcome at the tower. Far from it. Everyone would like it if we came around more often. They all really like Melissa. Especially Nat, Wanda, Clint, and Sam.

She finally got to meet Thor and was practically gushing about it. She couldn’t stop asking him questions about Asgard, what it’s really like there. She knew all the myths, of course. And how often do you get to meet a god? He in turn, is quite taken with her. Much to Bucky’s dismay.

It’s amazing the effect she has on people. She puts it off as the “southern thing”. Like she’s a novelty. As if that’s the only reason everyone here just adores her. That’s a piece of it, sure, but not all. She’s simply … captivating.

The night after Melissa first came to the tower, we had everyone out to the club to see her perform. Her nerves were on edge all day long.Because of that Bucky and I tried everything we could to keep her calm. She ended up going for a walk, alone, to clear her head. She puts so much pressure on herself.

A good bit of time had passed but Melissa still hadn’t made it back. I was starting to get really worried. Bucky suggested that I head back to the tower to make sure everyone was ready for the evening and that he’d go look for her.

He found her instantly, of course. She’d gone to a little park she discovered one of her first days in New York. It’s a place she and Bucky like to go when they need quiet and anonymity. They’ll put on hoodies and sunglasses and do their best to hide from the world and just sit in the middle of the park, right on the grass. Most times, they don’t even speak. They just exist there in that moment.

Bucky had gathered her up and walked her back to the apartment. The night went off without a hitch and the club received a boost of publicity due to our attendance.

I’ve noticed a change in myself as well. I’m sure Bucky and the others have seen it. I’m not as reckless. That’s the main thing. The idea of not coming back to the two people I love more than anything in this world is a very sobering thought indeed. The mere notion that I would irrevocably hurt them by not returning from a mission is too much to bare.

There are selfish reasons, too. To never be able to look into her dazzling green eyes again, or his shimmering blue ones cuts me to the core. That I wouldn’t be able to touch them, to see them smile, hear their laughter, or the noises they make in the heat of passion is like a stab in the gut.

My world revolves around them. Melissa and Bucky. My twin dark muses. Mes deux muses sombre, as she would say. They hold my heart in their hands. I am nothing without them and I strive every day to show them what they mean to me.

It’s to that end that I’ve decided to surprise them with some gifts. The first one is a simple thing; a sketchbook full of little drawings of the two of them doing mundane activities. Some are individual. Snippets of our everyday lives. Melissa lying in the middle of the living room floor, sheet music strewn around her, forgotten as she buries her nose in some book about Irish peat farmers. Bucky draped across the sofa, headphones on, feet kicking away to the beat of a “new to him” song that she’d turned him on to.

Some are of them together. Bucky is sitting crossed legged on the floor with his back against the overstuffed recliner while Melissa’s legs and arms are wrapped around him as she’s perched in the chair. His head tilted and resting against her thigh as they binge watch House of Cards, discussing what they’d like to do with Claire and Francis. The pair of them in the little kitchen, dancing and singing while they cook dinner for the three of us.

Once I snuck up on them in their little park and sketched them there, laying back on the grass, hoodies and sunglasses on. I watched their chests rise and fall with their breathing, wondering what they’d talked about, what they had been thinking about. Melissa was unaware of my presence, but I’m sure Bucky knew. You can’t fool the super soldier senses, after all.

The other gift is much, much bigger. It’s really a gift for the three of us. I’ve purchased an old brownstone in Brooklyn and am having it renovated into a single dwelling. This dual residence life is wearing on us. We need our own place, private, away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and the tower. Melissa needs to be able to detach herself from the club. She’s finally gotten the hang of the subway, so I feel confident she’ll be fine with the move. As for Bucky, he’ll be over the moon. He’s been wanting to move back home. And now I can give that to him.

Tony has decided to throw me a big birthday bash this weekend, so I’m going make the announcement then. Probably doesn’t make much sense for me to be giving gifts on my own birthday, but like I said, this is for all of us.

I can’t wait to see their faces.

BUCKY’S POV

I feel like the luckiest man alive. How I ever was good enough to deserve the pair of them, I’ll never understand. Steve, all the hell he went through to bring me back. He fought the world for me. Not many people can say that about their lover. I am his forever.

And Melissa. My beloved Angel. Her love has forged me into the man I am. The one I was meant to be. The longer I’m with her the harder I fall. She believes in me. I cannot explain what that means, how that affects every action I take.

I’ve been spending more and more time with her, staying at her place. I should really just move in with her. She’s suggested it several times and each time I brush it off; I feel like I’m imposing. But I feel far more comfortable at her apartment than I do at the tower. There I feel like a visitor. Not a true part of the team. At her place, it feels like home. Especially when Steve’s able to stay with us.

Melissa and I like to take care of Steve when he’s around. The missions wear him down so we do our best to help him relax when he’s home with us. It feels good to care for him again, like I used to when we were young.

One of my favorite parts about spending so much time with her is having someone to just be with. We go for walks, we do the shopping, we take in movies, we cook meals, we explore the city. She does try to keep herself incognito, because of everything. I dare someone to try something while I’m around. It’s mundane and domestic and I fucking love every second of it.

No missions, no emergencies. Because of her I feel like a normal person. I’ve even been more comfortable about showing my arm in public. Melissa’s not afraid of it and she always, always makes sure that’s the hand she holds.

She sees herself as undeserving of both Steve and me. Especially after all the shit we’ve been through recently; she feels like it’s all her fault. Oh, but she’s wrong. So very wrong. She deserves the goddamn world on a silver platter. And I aim to give it to her.

I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to show her what she means to me. How she’s helped me, how deeply I’ve fallen for her.

Pieces of my life from before have been coming back periodically, and something I’ve discovered recently is that I can play piano. Not only can I play, I’m actually quite good. I’ve been sneaking downstairs to the club while it’s closed with handfuls of her sheet music to practice. Steve has caught me a few times. He must forget that he can’t sneak up on me. He’s never interrupted or bothered me, merely observes, more than likely sketching.

There’s a point to all this. I have quite the surprise for her. I want to play for her, with her. I can’t sing for shit, but I don’t need to. It’s her voice everyone wants. She’s the real star. I just want to be a part of it, to back her up, support her. And it calms me, I really enjoy it.

I’ve been working on one song in particular. I’m going to spring it on her at Steve’s party. By chance I heard her singing it in the shower one morning. She likes to practice there; the acoustics are phenomenal. The piece makes use of her smokey, lower vocals. Mmmm, her voice is like Tupelo honey. I am awestruck every time I’m blessed to hear it. The lyrics themselves, well let’s just say I can picture her saying these things to me and Steve.

I’ve got something for Steve too, of course. It’s hard to think of things to give him, the man who sacrificed everything he had, everything he was, to save me. But I know what makes him happy, what centers him. Anything art related. Anything.

So, with the help of Tony and Natalia, I was able to get a private tour of the Museum of Modern Art for Steve, Melissa, and myself. The card with all the arrangements will be hidden in a whole shitload of art supplies Melissa and I bought for his upcoming birthday.

And well, since we can’t resist, Steve and I have also conspired to give her a gift from the both of us. One we know she’ll appreciate more than anyone else probably ever would. We’re going to give her each one of our dog tags to wear. The originals. We … acquired them from the Smithsonian. Like they would refuse Captain America anything.

If it seems overly sentimental and nostalgic, well, tough shit. I think Steve and I have earned that right. Melissa will understand the significance. She’s a military brat coming from a long line of veterans stretching all the way back to the Revolutionary War. She gets it and I honestly don’t care if anyone else does. Just thinking of her wearing them makes me heart soar.

I love discovering little things about her. I love how she leads me to rediscover things about myself. I love watching her and Steve together, even if it’s just them doing something as simple as lounging together on the floor, books on history surrounding them as they pour over the words. Their heated discussions will go on for hours; I learn more from listening to them than I ever would reading on my own.

The way she looks at him when she doesn’t think anyone is watching her. Him doing the same. The way she’ll sit still, posing for hours on end for him while he draws or paints her. Most times it ends up with her teasing him mercilessly until he drops his tools and quiets her with passionate kisses.

And oh the way we all seamlessly flow into one another in the bedroom. Sometimes with heated, fiery, gnawing need. Sometimes with giggles and laughter until we can’t take it anymore. It has never felt so natural, so right.

I love these idiots more than I could ever express. I would be lost without them.

MELISSA’S POV

My boys, my beloved boys.

I can’t believe they’re mine. I can’t believe they’re still with me after six months of insanity. Six months of all the hate and worry and stress. I can’t believe Bucky has given up missions to stay by my side. I can’t believe Steve continually professes his love for me. I can’t believe they put up with all my baggage. My anxiety, my depression, my health issues.

Without even realizing it, I have fallen head over heels in love with them. Happiness, something that has always been elusive in my life, is now a constant. Which of course leads to the occasional panic attack, since my brain can’t wrap itself around the notion that I deserve this happiness and likes to construct various scenarios where I lose one or the both of them. Either on a mission or from them simply growing tired of me and leaving.

Nightmares haunt me every now and then, my fears manifesting themselves in my subconscious. I’ll thrash and sweat and full on cry until Bucky finally wakes me. He’ll hold me tightly to him as he waits for me to calm down, all the while whispering to me how he’s here, he’s real, he’s not going anywhere, how much he loves me.

One such incident happened when both Steve and Bucky were home. It must have been a particularly powerful one as it nearly sent Steve into a panic before Bucky explained what was happening and showed him how to deal with it. It took the both of them to bring me back around that night.

Bucky puts up with my shit every time we leave the apartment. Hiding myself under hoodies and sunglasses and baggy clothes. He understands. He was at that point himself not long ago. God, he takes such good care of me; he always makes sure I’m comfortable with it all, that I feel safe, loved.

And the way Steve dotes on me, I’ve never had someone so attentive to my each and every desire. Sometimes before I even know what they are. He has a knack for knowing exact what I need when I need it.

Things like that. Dealing with me on days where I couldn’t even function inside my depression. Nights when my anxiety was so high I would just drink myself into a stupor and couldn’t even perform.

And through it all they’re still committed to me. Because of that I’ve taken on my own mission. To keep them happy any way I can. To give in to every whim or wish they might ever have. If it’s in my capacity to do, then it’s done. Period. No questions asked.

These two, I know they have something up their sleeves. They may be super soldiers but they’re shit at keeping secrets. Something fishy’s going on. And Nat! Oh my god, she’s been teasing me to no end about something she knows that I don’t.

She and I have become quite close. Oh, she is fiercely protective of me, too. I adore her. And Wanda and Sam and Clint. They’ve been so, so great to me. The other members of the team have as well, but these guys. Well, let’s just say they’re by far my closest friends here in the city.

I’ve got news for my two big boys. They’re not the only ones who can be sneaky. I’ve got something up MY sleeve. With Steve’s birthday party coming up, I’ll make some time before we leave to give them their presents. I want it to be special, something just between the three of us.

Of course Bucky and I went overboard on our joint gift. We have a tendency to indulge Steve quite often. I’m not sure all the art supplies we bought are even going to fit into the area we’ve cleared out in the living room for his makeshift studio. Oh well. I’m sure he’ll deal just fine. I can’t wait till he sees what we’ve done.

As for my gifts to the pair of them, I hope they’re comfortable wearing jewelry. I didn’t get anything fancy, or gaudy. That’s just not our style. With that thought in mind, I’ve I found a pair of matching stainless steel cuffs. They’re small, like a little bracelet, but you attach them with screws. And I hold the screwdriver.

On the inside of Steve’s I’ve had engraved Mon Soleil. Bucky’s sports Ma Lune. My Sun and My Moon. My two very large, powerful, all consuming forces.

The light and the dark.

Watching them together is one of my major addictions. I love catching each of them looking at the other. It’s like they have a silent language. They’re always in sync. Whether it’s cleaning the apartment, binge watching a show, or when we’re in the bedroom. It’s like they have one mind.

They speak often of having claimed me. Getting me before anyone else could. Snatching me off the market. As if I was even on the damn market to begin with. It always makes me laugh and shake my head. But, if they’ve claimed me then I’ve done the same to them. They’re mine and I will defend that claim all the rest of my days.

I’m with them to the end of the line.

Tagging:

@alievans007 @buckysbackpackbuckle @justareader @anice-1 @hardcollectiontrashworld @always-an-evans-addict @mewsiex

Thanks everyone!

[tsfrbss]

Paper Moon Part 10

MB - @thecountessakasha - here! Finally, I can give you part 10! If you’ve been reading this series, I am so, so, so super sorry this has taken soooo long. Since I have a new job and come home everyday exhausted beyond measure, it’s taken me much longer to get this part together. Good news is, it’s finally here!

I’m going to tag a couple people who I’ve told about this and my really special love who keeps betaing this for me @evansscruff - thank you, darling.

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 5000+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: A little angst. DETAILED SUPER SMUT. (F/M, M/M, F/M/M) Possible fluff, depending on your view of things.

STEVE’S POV

Oh shit. I did not mean to make her cry. Especially after the ecstasy we both just brought to each other. After the way she made me feel. MAKES me feel.

Wiping her tears away, I caress and kiss any part of her I can reach, “Hey, hey, doll. I’m sorry. It’s too much, too early, I know.” I give her a soft sigh, moving in beside her to wrap her in my arms. “You just…I can’t explain it. You make me feel centered. You make me feel like I can be myself, like I can actually live my life the way I want to, the way I feel I need to. The way that feels right to me.”

Her big green eyes, still brimming with tears widen at my words as she stares at me, “This is fucking deja vu, I swear to God.” She’s trying to slip out of my hold, but I pull her in tighter.

“What are you talking about?” Then I realize that can only mean one thing. She’s had this same conversation with Bucky.

I roll to my back, flinging my arm over my eyes. I can feel her trembling under the sheet next to me and I move my arm to peer at her. She’s sitting up, arms wrapping around her shins as she’s resting her chin on her knees.

She hasn’t answered me.

Don’t scare her off, dummy. Don’t do it. Be gentle. Tread lightly. This is something you want, you just haven’t spoken your piece yet to Bucky.

“Doll.” I reach out, touching the back of her hand, “Doll, look at me. Please, Melissa. Just let me explain, alright?” I sit up and start running my fingers through her silken waves.

I hear a deep sigh from her. Turning to look at me, her eyes are still pooling with tears. She presses her cheek on her knee as she waits for me to continue.

“I’ve come to some realizations over the past few days. One of which is that I’m tired of waiting for my life to begin. I feel as if I never really got to have one. I’m sure you can understand why.” I brush the back of my fingers against her cheek softly as she’s nodding.

Moving closer, I orient my body to where I’m sitting up knees to knees with her, “I also know that due to the nature of my life as it is now, I’m not meant for a life filled with settling down and having a family. The guy who wanted all of that disappeared a long time ago. And he didn’t come out of the ice.”

She’s watching me evenly, and for the first time since we met, I’m unable to read her expression. “Melissa, you’ve shown me I cannot be afraid of what I want anymore. Of who I really am.”

“And who is that, Steve? And am I just a bridge to get you to that point?” She’s frowning, something I hope to never see mar her beautiful features again. “I mean, that’s great you’re done being afraid of what you want, but when you really start living as you wish, will you be strong enough to take the barbs? The inevitable judgement?” Her eyes close, feathery dark lashes brushing against flushed cheeks.

“Am I a stepping stone?” she continues. “Or are you wanting me to be a part of this new life? You saw how they looked at us that night in the club. And that was just me.” Lifting her head now, she says pointedly, “What happens when you add Bucky to the mix?” Her big green eyes focus on my blues.

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. “I… I don't… I don’t know what to say.” My hands reach out to cup her face, my breathing so rapid I can barely contain myself. How does she know? How could she? I’m shaking as I’m watching the tears fall down her face.

“You don’t have to say anything to me. You need to talk to him,” pressing her face to my hand, she’s nuzzling into my palm. My thumb brushes away the tears that paint her soft skin, “You said you didn’t have any right to make me choose. I don’t have that right either. All I can tell you right now is that I want you. Both of you. But I also realize that you two have far more history together.”

“You’re right. We do. But what are the odds that we have both said the same thing to you, about you, about each other, in the span of three days?” I lean forward, ghosting her lips with my own, “That can’t be coincidence, can it? Melissa, don’t you see that the common thread here is you?”

Her gaze is puzzling. I can’t tell if she’s scared or incredulous. She seems as if she’s about to say something before turning her gaze away from me. Shaking her head, I hear a soft murmur, “Why me? I have nothing to offer. I am no one. No one special at all. You both… “ and she’s trailing off.

Reaching for her, I take her chin gently in my palm, moving her gaze to mine. “We both what, Maîtresse?” My brows knit together as I’m waiting for her answer, but I see her relax slightly when I call her that.

“You both deserve someone better. Someone younger. Someone thinner. Someone who is better suited to your public life. Who am I but an old, fat, divorcee with a checkered past and…?” Shaking her head, she finishes, “I am not good enough for either of you.”

It’s killing me to hear her speak of herself this way. Tearing herself down. I hate it. I hate what her life has done to her.

She doesn’t see what she does to me, and apparently what she does to Bucky. She doesn’t understand. How can we show her? How can we break through this wall of self hatred she’s created for herself?

“Melissa, don’t you remember what I told you on our first date? You’re more than good enough. I told you I wasn’t giving up, because you’re too special. That I didn’t give a damn what people thought. Let them judge me! I welcome it! For you, for him, I would endure anything…”

“Steve, please! You’ve endured so much already. Frankly so has Bucky. Do you really want this burden, too?”

Grabbing her by the shoulders, I shake her slightly, focusing her attention fully on me. “You are NOT a burden. To me. To Bucky. To anyone.” I pull her in kissing her hard, and she returns it as I slide her onto my lap. She moans softly as my hardening cock brushes against her folds. I’m shuddering at the feel of her already.

“You are a blessing. Everything about you draws me in. Everything.” I murmur against the skin of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair. She’s melting at my touch, my words. I slide my hardness along her damp slit, bucking my hips upward. “What you do to me, no one has ever made me feel this way. I feel free, fully comfortable in my skin. I feel happier than ever, I feel whole…” I snap my hips up again, teasing her.

Her hands press into my chest, fingernails digging in as her hips start to move. She’s rubbing her soaking wet core on my throbbing cock. My hands grab her full, soft hips, pulling her tighter. I lift her up easily letting her sink down onto me, her head falling forward as I slide inside her once again.

We gasp in unison once she’s fully seated, eyes locking. “Steven…” She whispers, her arms linking around my neck to hold on. I’m gripping her hips fiercely, moving her forward then back, forward then back, making her rock on me.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she buries her face in my neck. I continue with the push pull, fingers bruising her flesh. Her breath tickles me and her teeth are pressing into my skin where my neck meets my shoulder, leaving marks. She’s groaning, shuddering, her slick smearing on me as I move inside of her, feeling it on my belly. She’s so tight and wet.

I keep her close as I work her on my cock, whispering praises of her. How beautiful she is, how good she feels, how much I want nothing more than to please her, how I hope I’m making her happy. How deserving she is of all of this and more.

Small whimpers and grunts issue forth against me where her mouth is locked to my neck. I can feel her nails digging deeper into my shoulders, walls beginning to close in. “Maîtresse, touch yourself for me, let me watch you, let me feel you. God Melissa, please… you feel so incredibly good, I want to see you come undone…”

She obliges, hand slipping between us, gripping the base of my shaft as I push her back. She gathers some of her wetness, the lewd sound of our union filling the room.

Her fingers move quickly around her pink, swollen bundle of nerves and almost instantly she tightens around me. A long low hiss comes from her lips as she sits up, still letting me move her as she gets closer and closer. Working her clit fast, I feel her squeezing even more, and she starts to cum for me.

“Oh God, Steve… fuck, you feel so… yes, keep going, just like that-” and she’s there, words frozen behind the perfect O her mouth makes in silence as she collapses atop me. Her walls flutter and tighten, making me buck up even more. She’s so tight I’m almost unable to move.

I’m thrusting up into her harder and harder, her vise like grip sending me over as I coat her walls once again. My fingertips leaving imprints behind on the tender flesh of her hips, growling out her name again and again before stilling under her.

I wrap my arms around her, unwilling to let her go. She rests there against my chest and I whisper praises, fingers carding through her hair. “It’s you, Melissa. You are the one. The one I’ve been looking for. The one he’s been looking for. And we didn’t even know we were looking.”

“We need to talk to him, Steve.” She’s nuzzling into my chest even as she reaches for my phone on the nightstand. “Get him here. Now.” Placing the phone in my hand, she pushes off me, leaving me staring after her as she heads to the shower.

BUCKY’S POV

Pacing, pacing, pacing back and forth on the roof of the tower as the minutes tick by waiting for Steve to come back. I feel like I’ve been up here for hours. I chew on the inside of my mouth, looking out over the city, peering toward the building where the club and Melissa’s place is.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my sweats when suddenly my phone vibrates. Pulling it out I see a notification from Steve.

Jerk: Hey man, you busy?

Nope. Was just hoping to talk to you tonight about some things.

Jerk: Yeah, I wanna talk to you too….. And so does Melissa. Can you come over to her place?

I stare at the phone, and I can feel my stomach drop to my feet. Fuck. Did she chose him? Did he choose her? Am I to be left in the cold?

My hands are shaking so badly as I try to type my response.

Of course I can. Anything for her. For you.

Jerk: Alright. See you shortly then. Door’s open.

I lock the phone, sliding it back into my pocket. I make a pass by my room to grab my wallet, moving as quickly as I can.

I don’t bother with the elevator, and as I rush to the stairwell I brush by Clint and Sam. They both call out to me. I’m practically a blur running down the stairs ignoring them, so Sam yells, “I see Mr. Personality has returned!” He doesn’t see me roll my eyes. Not now. Bird Boy will pay in the gym tomorrow.

Out the door in seconds flat, I’m already at the club when I discover I’m wearing only sweat pants, a thin t-shirt, and flip-flops.

Oh well. Neither of them will care.

It’s then I realize I didn’t bother to cover my arm either.

Jesus Christ, James. She really does have you fucked up. You didn’t think twice about concealing yourself.

It’s close to 7pm and I creep into the club, which is in full swing. Ducking the owner I slip backstage and up the steps to Melissa’s place. Two rapid knocks to signal my entrance before I open the door, being greeted by Steve. His skin, milky and freckled all flushed brightly as if he was just working out.

And there goes my heart again. Fuck.

He’s only wearing jeans, slung low on his hips, first couple of buttons undone. His hair is all disheveled, lips curling into a smile. He looks relaxed and at home here.

At home. In her place. Home. Like I feel when I’m here. When I’m with her. When I’m with him.

“Hey, jerk”

“Hey, punk.” he counters, smiling brightly, but looking nervous.

“So, where is Melissa?” I can smell her on him. I can smell their mingled scents and oh it’s a heady mix. So, so good.

He gestures toward the bedroom with his thumb, cheeks turning bright red, “Shower. She should be done shortly.” He moves toward the kitchen, grabbing three glasses. Dropping ice into each, he fills one with her favorite rum, one with Johnnie Walker, and one with Jack Daniel’s. Handing over the scotch, he tilts his Jack toward me in a toast which I match in silence.

We both take long pulls as we hear Melissa pad softly into the room. Our heads turn in unison, and we sigh contentedly together.

Wrapped in a silken robe of red, she’s standing with her hand on her hip, her lips painted into a half smile at the pair of us. Her hair is still wet, making her waves stand out. Fresh faced, no make-up, no anything except those adorable black framed glasses. She’s so beautiful. My angel. My curvy, soft, ethereal angel.

Steve walks her rum over and she takes it from him, wrapping her delicate fingers around the glass. Before drinking any, she runs her fingers through his hair, petting him, “Merci, Etienne.”

I feel my stomach tighten with jealousy as he preens under her touch. Her eyes move to mine and she can see it. She knows. With Steve still at her side, she runs her tongue along her lips, watching me. I’m trembling while she’s studying my reaction to this situation. “Come here, James.” she says softly, but with that authoritative tone I love so much.

As I make my way to her, she takes a deep drink, before setting the glass on the coffee table. When I reach her side, she pets my hair as well, fingers sliding through easily. She tugs with both hands, Steve and I groaning together at the feel of it, the sense of her being in charge.

“Now. We’re going to have us a little come to Jesus meeting. Y'all catch my drift?”

She looks back and forth between us and sees that we are clearly confused by her obvious Southern saying. Her head tilts, lips curling into a broad smile, “That means we’re gonna have us a serious talk. And we’re gonna resolve some shit. And it probably ain’t gonna be fun.”

With that, she moves away from us standing in front of the TV. Snapping her fingers and pointing to the sofa with both hands, she indicates for us to sit. We both immediately take our spots. “Such good boys.”

Picking up her rum, she crosses her arms. “Now. First things first. I am not choosing between the two of you. This may be selfish, it may be greedy. But I believe that by my age, and with the bullshit my life has been to this point, I’ve earned it.” Her sparkling, big green eyes slide between the two of us.

“I want you.” She’s looking directly at me. “And you.” She says to Steve. “And if that’s a problem, speak up now.”

Silence fills the air between all of us. It’s not awkward, it’s not tense. A quiet calm of sorts. I peer at Steve beside me, and he’s looking back. I give him a shake of my head, and he does the same. We both turn back to her, “I don’t think that’s a problem, my Angel.” My lips turn into a smirk, “I have a feeling Steve doesn’t either.”

“Good. That’s one issue out of the way. The least painful one.” Sipping her rum, she pauses here, taking a deep breath. “Now, the hard part. Which I suspect has something to do with me, but not in the way you’d imagine.”

She looks directly at me again. “Tell him. Because if you don’t it’s going to fester and cause issues within this dynamic and that’s something I refuse to tolerate. I want open and honest dialogue between the three of us all the time, constant communication. This simply will not work without it.”

I give her a heavy sigh, rubbing the side of my face then draining the glass of scotch in one go. I turn my body to focus on Steve, setting my empty glass on the table. “You know that I love you,” I say to him.

He nods, opening his mouth to answer and I hold up my hand, “Just let me finish. I love you. And not just in a friend way. A brotherly way.” I close my eyes, “I’m in love with you, Steve. And I think you’re in love with me, too. And I think we’ve been dancing around this issue for as long as we can remember. Since from way back, Brooklyn days.”

Opening my eyes I see his cheeks color brightly, and I can tell Melissa is watching closely. Studying. I love it when she does that.

Steve doesn’t answer. His mouth hangs open for a moment then closes. After what seems like an excruciating long time, he reaches for my hand. My metal hand. He holds it delicately in his own. Palm up. He traces his fingers along the plates, giving a soft sigh.

After several torturous minutes, he looks up into my eyes. “I’m in love with you, too, Buck. I have been for as long as I can recall. I just never knew how to tell you. Or if I could. Or should.”

We slide closer to each other on the sofa, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that.”

Reaching out to cup my cheek, his lips turn into a soft smile. “I think I do, Buck. I think I do.” He’s blushing all sorts of colors and it is knocking me breathless.

I take this moment in, just for a couple more seconds before I lunge forward pressing my lips to his. Both of us sigh in relief and adoration of the other as we kiss softly, slowly. The fluttering of my heart is matched by his own which I can easily hear, and I deepen the kiss.

I take my time, feeling each and every part of his lips, loving the soft pressure, the plumpness. “So long I’ve wanted this, too long I’ve waited,” I murmur against his mouth. He gives a small whine as I pull back, still holding him but breaking the kiss.

My eyes slide to Melissa and she’s on the verge of tears, I can see them gathering. But she’s wearing the biggest smile I’ve seen from her yet. Steve finally looks to her as well, giving a little gasp at the sight.

She looks so proud, so happy to see us this way. I want her to look at us like this forever. And to be honest, if it weren’t for her this may have never happened. “Melissa, my Angel. Thank you for this.”

“Ma Belle Maîtresse, merci.” and he gestures for her to join us on the sofa. Setting her glass back on the table, she walks over but doesn’t sit. She stands before us, taking each of our chins in her hands, smiling down upon us like the goddess she is.

“You are both very, very welcome.” She frowns a moment then replaces that with a more contemplative expression, “Please know that I expect nothing from either of you in return. If you decide that you’d be better off without me, with just each other, I will totally understand. I’ll back off and slip out of the picture to allow you to pursue your life as you see-”

She’s unable to finish that train of thought as Steve and I both grab at the lose ends of the tie holding her robe closed, undoing it, and letting the silk slide open. I look at Steve, and we’re both grinning.

“If you think we’re ever letting you go, you’re out of your mind, Angel.” and with that I press my lips to her left hip in an act of reverence.

“That’s right, Maîtresse, for as much as we belong to each other, and to you, you belong to us, with us.” Steve now pressing his lips to her right hip, mimicking my action.

Neither of us remove our lips from her soft flesh as we look up at her. The tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks begin doing just that, and she brings her hands up into our hair, petting the both of us.

“Thank you, boys. My boys. For this. For…” she trails off sighing contentedly at the sight of us.

MELISSA’S POV

My fingers card through their hair as they look up at me. I would never, could never believe that I am deserving of what’s happening. Of these two. I still don’t believe I am and yet here they are, saying so.

I take a deep breath trying to calm my galloping heart and quell the flow of tears. Bucky sees me struggling and pulls me into his lap. He starts to wipe the tears away and Steve slides in right next to him, helping to dry my face.

I look from one to the other, feeling like I have just taken a willing step off the tallest building in New York City. That feeling of falling, floating, half sickness you get when you’ve done something huge that will change the course of your life forever.

I’m scared out of my fucking skin.

I’m having trouble with this. Already. There is no way I deserve this. To be a part of their lives like this.

“Melissa, doll. Please tell us what you’re thinking right now. Please.” Steve looks terrified, as if they’ve broken me, or scared me, or something else entirely. They’re both petting my hair, and Bucky is planting small kisses along my temple.

I can’t seem to stop shaking. I feel Bucky’s lips move against my skin as he speaks lowly, “I know you’re scared. I know you don’t believe you’re worth this. Worth us. I know.” He takes my chin in his metal hand and pulls my gaze to his, “You are worth more than this. You are worth everything and anything he or I could ever give or do. We will make you see that.”

Steve takes my hand, placing his lips against my palm, murmuring softly, “I was not lying when I said I would endure anything for you, for him. For us. This is what we want. What we need. What makes us feel whole. You are the missing piece.” he finishes with small butterfly kisses along the inside of my wrist.

This simply cannot be happening. This simply cannot be true. But, oh, oh how I want it to be.

I close my eyes, silently counting to three before reopening them, expecting to wake from this as if it’s a dream.

But it’s not. It’s real and tangible and oh god they are so warm surrounding me, holding me.

“James. Steven. Are you both sure, absolutely sure? Because this is huge. This is a big, scary step and you know how harshly we will be judged. Hell, wait until your teammates find out, oh god…” I trail off, shaking my head.

“Melissa.” I hear lowly, sternly from Bucky. “This is our choice. These are our lives. Not theirs. Not anyone else’s. That’s the end of the discussion.” He reaches up and runs his fingers through Steve’s hair at the back of his neck as he places more little kisses on my temple.

“He’s right, Melissa. And we need you. And we want you. Just as much as we need and want each other. The common thread is you, did I not just say that to you that earlier?” His fingers slide through my damp waves as he kisses Bucky’s forehead.

But I’m not. I’m not worth this. Them. Either of them. Much less them together. They’ll see. Eventually they’ll see.

We wrap our arms around each other, holding tightly to one another as I sit still perched on Bucky’s lap. My breathing has calmed, the tears have stopped. We’re all smiling at one another, and I start to laugh.

It’s a quiet laugh at first, then they join me and finally we’re all rolling with it. “This is completely insane.” I finally sigh.

“It is.” Steve pipes up, “But to be fair, our lives have really all been insane to this point. Why stop now?”

Bucky punches his shoulder, “Christ, you’re a fucking nerd sometimes.” and I collapse into giggles against his chest.

“So, we should celebrate, yeah? What should we do to commemorate this ridiculous journey we’ve just begun, y'all?” I look between them, grinning.

“I vote dinner. I’m fucking starvin’!” Bucky grabs at his belly, groaning.

It’s then I realize what he’s wearing. “Wait. What the fuck, Bucky? You…what do you have on?”

“Um. Yeah. I sort of just ran out of the tower as I was dressed.” His cheeks color brightly, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Steve is so surprised, “You didn’t even cover your arm?”

Bucky shakes his head, “I… I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t think. I didn’t care about anything except getting to the two of you.” he looks so embarrassed, Steve reaches up and cups his cheek.

“You precious thing.” I lean in and whisper against his lips before kissing him softly.

Steve looks at the two of us, eyes full of adoration. He gives a soft chuckle after a moment, “I guess that means we’re ordering in.”

Bucky and I start giggling, “Alright, I leave it to y'all, my local boys. I only have one request.” Wrinkling my nose I murmur, “No seafood.”

They mock gasp at me, eyes wide.

“I know, I know. The Gulf Rat hates seafood.” I cover my blushing face. Steve pulls my hands away and kisses my brightly colored cheeks, “You know we’re never going to let that drop.” He nods toward Bucky, who’s smirking.

I groan, “Fuck, I know.” My eyes roll as I try to stand, but they don’t let me, pulling me closer to them.

“You’re full of surprises, my Angel.” and I feel Bucky’s lips against my neck.

Steve’s hands are back in my hair as his lips claim my jaw, “She certainly is.”

I’m squirming under their kisses, “Now, now, boys. Let’s eat first, oui? We have plenty of time to all get acquainted with each other.”

They groan and let me stand finally. I move away from the sofa reclosing my robe and start clearing up the glasses while they’re arguing over what to order.

These two will be the death of me.

Tagging:

@alievans007 @buckysbackpackbuckle @justareader @anice-1 @ya-girl-evanstrash for genuinely being kick ass people who were interested in my work from day one. One more addition who asked specifically to be tagged: @hardcollectiontrashworld Thanks everyone!

[evanstandefensesquad-blog]

Paper Moon Part 14

MB - @thecountessakasha - back again. Part 14 is here! There’s no smut, so apologies in advance.

Once again my deepest gratitude goes out to my really special love who keeps betaing this for me @evansscruff - thank you, darling.

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 3000+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: Moderate angst. And as always, a lil fluff.

STEVE’S POV

Seven heads turn at the sound of my voice. Seven sets of eyes focus on the three of us as we stand together; Bucky and I on either side of Melissa, both of us holding her hands. I can feel her starting to tremble. It’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Natasha is the first one to respond. “Hey to you.” She immediately hops up from Clint’s lap and comes over to us, holding out her hand to Melissa.

“I’m Natasha, but you can call me Nat. You must be Melissa. I’ve heard an awful lot about you.”

Melissa hesitates but finally takes Natasha’s outstretched hand, clasping it gently. “Oh! All good things I hope.” Her face brightens with one of her stunning smiles, relaxing a little as Natasha releases her hand.

“Are you kidding? These boys have nothing but good things to say when it comes to you.” She slides her arm around Melissa’s shoulders, leading her further into the room to introduce her to the others.

Bucky and I exchange relieved looks. Thank God for Nat. One by one, Melissa meets those gathered here. Natasha guides her expertly, seeming protective of her already, and making sure the others take note of that.

Melissa is her charming self, of course. Already making Sam and Bruce laugh. Already making Tony chuckle, matching his wit. Vision seems fascinated by her gregarious nature and her accent.

Wanda and Clint are grilling her about how she’s settling into the city. Leaving her momentarily in their capable hands, Natasha makes her way back to me and Buck. “She’s absolutely lovely, guys. I adore her already. It’s obvious the others do, too.”

She pauses, then looks at the both of us. “Now. Are you going to tell everyone about you two, or are you waiting to see how they react to you sharing her?”

I give a soft sigh and Bucky pinches the bridge of his nose. “Jesus, Natalia. Don’t you think this is hard enough? Can’t we just get through this part first?”

“Normally I’d agree with you, Barnes. However…” She pulls out her phone and brings up Twitter. Sure enough, there’s already gossip about Bucky and I being seen together. Alone. Away from the tower. Just like we predicted. “And everyone here has seen this.” Looking from Bucky to me she adds pointedly, “Everyone.”

I nudge Bucky’s shoulder before moving toward the collection of sofas where everyone is surrounding Melissa. “Well, I guess we need to have a ‘come to Jesus meeting’, right?”

Natasha quirks an eyebrow up at my phrase as Bucky chuckles lowly, “Yeah, I guess we do.” He follows me over with Natasha right behind him.

“Alright, alright everyone. Can we have our best girl back now?” I’m grinning at Melissa, shooing Clint and Wanda away so Bucky and I can sit on either side of her. When we’re all seated again, I look at Bucky, then at Melissa. I link her fingers through mine and Bucky does the same with her other hand.

“Now that everyone had gotten acquainted, there’s something Bucky and I need to tell you guys.” I can feel Melissa squeezing my hand reassuringly while Bucky reaches around her shoulders to rub my upper arm with his free hand.

I shoot Natasha a worried look and she nods, letting me know that it’s alright. After taking a deep breath, my voice comes out low and shaky. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the social media buzz about me and Buck. So, in order to stave off confusion, we’re here to tell you that, yes. Bucky and I are together.”

We get a few brows raises, mainly from Bruce, and Vision. Natasha, Clint, Sam, Wanda, and Tony don’t seem surprised at all. Melissa leans in and places a soft kiss on my cheek. I press on. “There’s something else. We’re together. But we’re together with Melissa as well.”

Now, Sam, Bruce and Tony all look a little baffled. Wanda, Clint, and Natasha are grinning widely. Vision is still lost.

Bucky laughs a little, clearly amused by everyone’s various rollercoaster reactions. He slides an arm around Melissa’s waist and I can feel her starting to shrink back against us since no one has really responded. My arm joins his around her.

Bucky leans over and whispers something to Melissa. She blushes brightly and squeezes my hand.

Sam’s voice echoes. “Are you happy?”

“Yes. We are.” All three of us answer at the same time, prompting a chuckle from the girls and Clint.

Sam shrugs, “Then that’s all I care about.” He claps his hands together. “So when are we going to get to hear her sing?” His eyes land on Melissa, a big open smile on his face.

She clears her throat nervously. “O-oh. Well, I have a show tomorrow night. I’d love if y'all came out. I can arrange some reserved tables with the owner.”

Tony comes around the sofa and extends a hand to her. When she takes it, he covers it with his other hand, “We’d all love to be there.” He gives her a quick wink, “As long as they have a good single malt on hand, of course.”

Melissa gives him a small smirk, her mouth opening to answer him with some smart ass comment I’m sure, but another voice is heard.

“They have a lovely sixteen year old Lagavulin, as a matter of fact.” Bucky’s tone is low and he tightens his grip on Melissa as he speaks. I can feel his irritation.

Tony’s eyes slide to Bucky and he releases Melissa’s hand. “Calm down there, Tin Man. I’m not going to try to steal her.” He gives a low huff, sounding like a small laugh, “Unless she wants to be stolen.”

Melissa snorts, “Listen here, coullion, you couldn’t handle me anyhow.” She hooks her thumbs over her shoulders, indicating Bucky and me. “Why you think I got two super soldiers?”

Silence. Most everyone looks stunned for a moment, except for Natasha and Clint who are actively trying not to bust their seams. Tony starts laughing, hard. Melissa does, too and then everyone else joins in. “Oh my god, she’s fucking great. You two have your hands full.”

“Just how we like it.” I’m still laughing a bit as I give Bucky a punch on his arm, and a “come on, man” look. He just shrugs it off.

BUCKY’S POV

Alright. I need to calm down. Tony didn’t mean anything by that. I’m going to have to get used to people flirting with my dame. That’s all.

“Do you guys mind if we show her around the tower now? I’m sure she’s dying to see the rest of it.” I brush Melissa’s hair back from her shoulder, looking to Steve. I can sense she’s still a little uncomfortable with the attention she’s receiving right now. And so am I.

Natasha pops up, “Only if you promise Wanda and I can take her out with us soon.” She sends a wink to Melissa, “Girl stuff.”

“I’d love that.” Melissa stands from the sofa, flashing an eager smile to Nat and Wanda. Looking down to Steve and me, she clears her throat. “Well, boys. Let’s get this show on the road, yeah?”

I’m on my feet quickly, grasping her hand in mine. We both look to Steve as he stands, grinning. “Yes ma'am.” He grabs her free hand and we all move toward the elevators.

A loud chorus of goodbyes follows as the doors close leaving the three of us in the quiet for the moment. I reach out and pull Melissa to me tightly, burying my face in her hair. Why do I feel so possessive of her? Why do I feel like she could disappear any second?

Steve watches us as I wrap her up in my arms. She links one arm around my waist resting her head on my chest, her other arm extending out toward Steve, pulling him closer.

I feel a deep sigh emanate from her and after a few moments I hear her voice, soft and small. “I think that went rather well, don’t y'all?”

“Sure seemed like it to me, Maîtresse.” Steve has a little smile gracing his lips as he leans down to kiss her forehead.

She closes her eyes and keens into his gesture. Moving her hand to my chest she slides it down over and over, effectively petting me. “Bucky, honey. Are you alright?”

My left arm tightens around her a little, keeping her close as I card the fingers of my right hand through her hair. “Of course, Angel. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Her expression shows she doesn’t buy that. Neither does Steve. They share a quick glance. “I don’t know, baby boy. You just seem on edge is all.” The elevator stops at that moment, opening to the hallway where our bedrooms are.

Steve tugs her hand insistently. “C’mon, dollface. Time to see our bunks.” A quiet giggle bubbles up from her before she follows him out. I’m trailing a little behind, admiring the two of them. He quickly opens his door for her and allows her to enter first. He’s right on her heels as I follow him inside.

Closing the door behind us, I rest against it and cross my arms. A small smirk plays at my lips watching her explore the room. She’s peppering Steve with questions, and he’s trying to answer her as quick as she’s asking. They are so goddamn cute together.

She finds a drawing he has framed sitting on his desk. “What’s this?” Her fingers gingerly hold it, examining it closely.

“Something I drew during the war shortly after I was sent to the European theater before I saw action.” Steve nods in my direction. “Before I found Buck. I felt like a dancing monkey, performing for others with no control over my own life.”

Melissa’s brows furrow together as she listens. She sets the picture back down reaching out for him, wrapping her smaller frame around his much larger one. Resting her head against his chest, she rubs small circles against his back. “And how do you feel now? About your place in this world?”

With a heavy sigh, he sits on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his lap. “It’s hard, honestly. I still feel like part of me is a performance artist. Yes, I’m obviously able to do good things and make change in the world and protect what I love. But most people can’t separate Steve Rogers and Captain America.”

I push off the door and stride over to them, sitting next to Steve on the bed. “It’s hard to separate the two because so much of you is in the persona. There would never be a Captain America if you weren’t who you are. No one else could be Captain America quite like you, Stevie boy.”

He’s embarrassed. His cheeks flush pink and he shakes his head, looking down. “I’m just a normal guy.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s true at all, darlin’.” Melissa brushes her thumb across his lower lip. “You’re nothing short of spectacular.” His eyes meet hers and they hold each other’s gaze. He breaks the moment by nipping at the pad of her thumb then sucking it into his mouth. She squeaks in surprise then lets out a giggle that ends in a soft moan.

“I could be happy the rest of my life just hearing you make those sounds for me.” Now it’s her turn to blush, and she does that so beautifully.

Shaking her head, her voice barely above a whisper, “Steven, you don’t know me well enough to talk in such terms.”

I reach out capturing her chin in my hand to turn her face to mine, “Don’t think he says that lightly. I was just thinking the same thing.”

“C’mon, you two. It’s barely been a week. Y'all can’t say that. Y'all shouldn’t feel like that about me. I’m in no way worthy of those kinds of declarations.”

Leaning in, I press my lips to hers, softly at first then with more pressure, more passion. Her fingers slide up into the hair at the back of my neck, tugging gently. As the kiss deepens, Steve leans in, murmuring against the skin of her neck. “Melissa, do you understand where Bucky and I are coming from? We’ve waited so long. So long to really start our lives. It’s as if everything clicked into place when we met you.”

She sighs against my mouth, seemingly content in this moment. Her fingers tug at my strands again, and her other hand seeks out Steve’s as he continues. “We want you. We want each other. We want this. But more than that, we need this. To make us complete. Don’t you feel that? Don’t you feel whole now, here, with us?”

After a minute or two she pulls away from me and stands from Steve’s lap. She starts to pace, wringing her hands. Finally she stops and looks at the two of us. “Yes. I do. I feel whole. I feel centered. Like I’ve found my place in this world.”

“Then what’s the problem, angelface?” I stand up and she steps back putting her hands on her hips.

“Jesus Christ, Bucky! What’s the problem? The problem is that you, you two are Avengers! You two are super soldiers! Everyone knows you! Everyone wants a piece of you!”

Steve and I are both taken aback at her outburst. She doesn’t stop. “I am a regular, every day nobody. Lower than that, even. I’m an old, fat, divorced Southern woman, who sings in a fucking nightclub. THAT is not likely something to go unnoticed by the general population. Not to mention the fact that we haven’t even known each other for a week yet!”

I grab her wrists, stilling her wildly gesturing hands and pulling her against my chest, growling lowly. “Goddammit, woman. You are so hard-headed.”

She’s frowning at me now, but there’s no way I’m stopping. “You are beautiful, gregarious, generous, kind, funny, talented, whip smart, and no nonsense. You have this amazing ability to make anyone feel comfortable no matter the situation. You are at times shy then on a dime you’re one of the most confident people I’ve ever met. You’re this bright ray of sunshine then I’ll see the storm clouds roll in and I can feel the darkness you hide. You are an enigma I want to spend the rest of my life figuring out.”

She gasps, her eyes widening as she stares at me, frozen in my hold.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for someone just like you? How long he’s waited? Do you even fathom what this means for Steve and me? Surely you must have some idea. You’ve waited a long time for us, too.” I pause, finding her dazzling green eyes shimmering with tears. “Haven’t you, Melissa?”

Her mouth drops open at my words as Steve makes a small sound of agreement. Her eyes shift between the two of us. Finally, after a long, drawn out, deafening silence comes a soft sigh. “Mes amours.”

MELISSA’S POV

They want me. They truly want me. I can’t believe…

… this can’t be real.

My eyes move back and forth between them. They’re watching me closely, perhaps afraid I’ll have another outburst. Bucky pulls me into him, crashing our chests together as I stand between his legs.

I stare into those fathomless blue pools - they weaken me like nothing in this world ever has. “I know that you both have your own issues. I have them, too. The last thing I’d ever want to do is compound yours by adding mine to the mix.” I stroke my fingers through the hair at Bucky’s temple and he closes his eyes with a small sigh that I savor.

“It’s something we probably need to talk about, I don’t want you caught off guard when I have another panic attack, or a serious depressive episode, or maybe something involving my physical ailments. I ain’t like your other girls. I’m older. I have health problems. I can’t have children… I.. I’m sorry.” I shake my head sadly. “I’ve had some fucked up shit happen in my life that colors how I see myself and this world.”

My eyes land on Steve and he’s watching me with a look of unadulterated adoration. With my fingers still in Bucky’s hair, reach out with my other hand, brushing Steve’s cheek with my thumb.

“What I’m saying is I don’t wanna be a burden.” I close my eyes willing the tears away. “I’m tryin’ real hard not to bleed on y'all, you know?”

Bucky falls back and pulls me with him down onto the bed, bouncing as I land on top of him. He’s so warm beneath me, so comfortable. He slides his hands down my sides tracing my curves appreciatively, releasing a low growl that gives me goosebumps. I nuzzle my cheek against his chest and look over at Steve who smiles down at the two of us.

“Get over here you precious little shit.” I reach out to him grabbing the front of his shirt and yanking him down with us. I snake my arm around him as he falls down beside our bodies, cuddling into Bucky’s side.

He raises a large hand to cup my cheek and then flashes me one of those blindingly bright Steve smiles. “Whatever happens, Melissa, we’ll deal with it. You are too important to us, this is too important to us. We can’t lose you. Not now, not ever.” His voice is calm, soft, and reassuring.

I feel like my heart is in my throat and when Bucky presses his forehead against my shoulder, his breath tickling my neck, I instantly relax. Soft, plump lips brush my skin, voice so low the timbre barely above a whisper. “Bleed on me. I can take it. I want it.” I feel his teeth against my neck, nipping sharply. “Bleed on me, Angel.”

The departure in how they each respond to what I’ve said is startling. The intent is clearly the same. The approach, however, is vastly different.

The light and the dark.

It’s barely been a week. A whirlwind of a week, mind you. The most insane week thus far in my entire existence.

I am comfortable with them. I am home with them. I feel happy and protected and desired and … loved. It’s then I realize that I can never spend another day in this life without them. I simply cannot.

Mon Soleil et Ma Lune.

Tagging:

@alievans007 @buckysbackpackbuckle @justareader @anice-1 @ya-girl-evanstrash for genuinely being kick ass people who were interested in my work from day one. One more addition who asked specifically to be tagged: @hardcollectiontrashworld Thanks everyone!

[evanstandefensesquad-blog]

Paper Moon Part 12

MB - @thecountessakasha - back again. Part 12 is finally here for your reading amusement. I apologize in advance for the amount of angst in it. It’s sort of where my own mind is right now so it’s being reflected in the story. It’s probably gonna get worse before it gets better.

I’m going to tag a couple people who I’ve told about this and my really special love who keeps betaing this for me @evansscruff - thank you, darling.

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 3800+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: A LOT OF angst. Mega self hatred. Panic attack. A lil fluff, depending on your view of things.

STEVE’S POV

My eyes open slowly, adjusting to the ambient light trickling around the curtains of the bedroom. The bed is incredibly warm and comfortable. I feel the soft weight of a body next to mine curled up facing me, head buried into the crook of my arm, hers slung over my chest.

I breathe a relieved sigh, realizing that last night wasn’t a dream. It was real. Brushing my fingertips over Melissa’s flushed cheek, I watch her smile sleepily. Behind her, snoring softly as he spoons her, is Bucky’s form. I reach out and run those same fingertips through the strands of his hair.

I cannot believe how lucky I am. The two most precious things to me in the world are right here. They ARE my world.

I reach for my phone on the nightstand and see there’s a few missed messages, mostly from Nat.

Widow: Steve, everything alright?

Sambo: Hey, man. Looked for you and the Asshole this morning for our workout. Y'all good?

Barton: Tell me you got laid.

Tony: Yo, Capsicle. You and Tinman didn’t get lost in Brooklyn, didja?

Widow: Just checking in. Giving you a heads up, people are asking where you are.

Looking over the two sleeping treasures next to me again, I click away, answering her.

Please don’t worry about us. Bucky and I are fine. We’re at Melissa’s. Together. I’ll explain everything when I can.

I lock the phone setting it back down, knowing that’s probably enough of an explanation for her. But certainly won’t work for everyone else on the team.

This will be an interesting conversation. Melissa will have to meet everyone, of course. But, I don’t want to rush her either. I know she’s still unsure about all of this.

With another deep sigh of contentment, I slide out of the bed slipping on my jeans and t-shirt. I kiss each of them on their forehead before heading out to begin making breakfast for us.

Rummaging around in Melissa’s little kitchen, I find a few things to eat. But not much. Well, she WAS a single woman. I shouldn’t have expected much, I suppose.

I head back into the bedroom to grab my phone and as I do, I admire them one more time. Shaking my head in disbelief, a smile creeps onto my lips. I close the door quietly and call the grocery store down the street to get some things delivered.

While I wait, I flop down on the sofa and turn on the TV. My ears prick up, hearing someone join me. I turn and see Bucky, clad only in his sweat pants, slung low on his hips. He yawns and stretches before joining me on the sofa.

“Melissa still asleep?”

He’s nodding as he leans back rubbing his eyes, “Yeah, man. She’s out cold. I somehow doubt she’s an early riser, seeing as how she works mostly at night. She did mention to me the other day that she’s not much of a morning person.” he adds, chuckling a little.

I grin widely, “Well, she wasn’t much into buying food either ‘cause there’s hardly any here. I ordered some stuff from down the street for delivery. I was gonna make breakfast for us.”

“Good. I could eat the whole grocery store right now.” He rubs his belly.

I give him a smirk, “You’re always hungry. That’s nothing new.”

An easy silence falls between us as we both gaze at the news. After a while, I feel his eyes on me and I can tell he wants to say something. “What is it?”

“Do you…” He pauses here, brows knit in hesitancy, clearly unsure of how to proceed.

“Think this is going to work?”

He nods, “Yeah. That.” His eyes meet mine. “Do you? I really want it to. Last night I felt right. I felt whole. I felt like the man I am supposed to be. But…”

“But what, Buck? We can do this. I believe we can do this. It’s clearly what we all want. If we want it badly enough, we can make anything work, right?” I reach out, cupping the back of his neck, my thumb rubbing little circles on his jaw.

He closes his eyes and sighs, resting a hand on my wrist. “You’re right. I just worry about Melissa. I honestly think it’ll be most difficult for her.”

“Yeah, I agree.” My eyes flicker to the hallway then back to him. “I just want her happy. She makes me happy. I know she makes you happy. She’s had a rough go of things in her life. I think it’s only fair that you and I try to make sure she’s as happy as we are. Does that make sense?”

He leans his head into my palm, “It makes perfect sense to me. And it probably will to her, too. But she’s stubborn, and she’s very unsure that she even deserves happiness….” He trails off a bit, then adds, “I know that feeling all too well.”

“I’m not saying this won’t take work. It will. From all three of us. And yeah, we’re gonna be judged and talked about. But that’s just how it’s gonna be.” I give him a one shoulder shrug, “You’re both worth it to me. You’re both worth everything. Anything.”

I’m watching his cheeks color brightly at my words when there’s a knock on the door. We both jump up to get it. Bucky gets there first, and murmurs, “Winner.” under his breath, smirking.

I roll my eyes and start taking the bags from the delivery boy as Bucky pays him. The kid at the door looks him over then me as I take the last bag, recognition taking hold. “Hey! You’re Captain-”

“Yeah, yeah, here ya go, kid.” chuckling as I hand him an extra twenty for his troubles before closing the door in his bewildered face.

Bucky’s already unpacking the bags and filling the fridge and cabinets when I pad back into the kitchen. Rubbing the back of my neck I raise an eyebrow, “That was a little awkward.”

He stops what he’s doing, shutting the fridge but not turning around. After a small silence, I hear his voice. “It won’t be the last time. And he’s probably already tweeted he saw Captain America and the Winter Soldier in some little apartment together this morning.”

He turns finally, meeting my eyes. “We need to be prepared for this, Steve. She needs to be prepared.” He nods down the hallway, “She’s right about this being a big deal. It’s going to be a big deal about you and I. When you add her to the mix, it’ll be even bigger. We need to talk to the team as soon as we can. They need to know before they read it in the news.”

As I start the pancake batter, I hear a soft yawn from the hallway. “You’re right. We need to do this today. I was hoping we could give her more time, but…” I trail off when she emerges into the living room.

Shuffling into view, I take her in, my heart fluttering. She’s pulled her hair up into a loose bun on the top of her head, her face freshly scrubbed. A tight tank top covers her top half and I can still see those delightful little barbells poking through while baggy pajama pants hang loosely from her hips.

She wrinkles her nose a little as she spies us in the kitchen, “Whatery’alldoin’?”

Bucky chuckles softly at her groggy morning voice, and I’m grinning like an idiot, “Well, I was going to make breakfast for us, but you didn’t have much of anything here. So I ordered a bunch of groceries for delivery and I’m starting the pancakes now.” I gesture to Bucky, “He’s in charge of coffee.”

He moves over to her kissing her softly on the forehead before guiding her to the couch. “Just sit and relax. We’ll take care of everything.”

Her eyes narrow at him as she sits on the sofa. “Okay….” There’s a clear tone of skepticism in her voice. “Well, can I at least get in there and take my pills?”

I look over at Bucky, and he’s already pouring her a glass of orange juice, no pulp, I note, and looking through her cabinets to find the pills.

“Upper one next to the fridge.” She calls out without turning to look, apparently aware of what he was doing. He pulls out like six various bottles, vitamins included. With his eyes wide, he looks at me. I mirror his own expression back to him and shrug, finishing up the pancakes before getting started on the eggs and bacon.

“One of each, Bucky.” He doles them out and brings them to her with the glass of juice. “Super soldiers don’t have to worry about genetic deficiencies or getting old like the rest of us.” She pops them all in at once, chugging the whole glass. “Merci, Sergeant.” She adds with a wink.

He leans over the back of the sofa, kissing her temple, “Anything for you, Angel.”

BUCKY’S POV

That’s quite a few pills. Reminds me of when Steve was younger. I mean, I realize she doesn’t have super soldier serum or anything, but I don’t want her suffering needlessly. I can’t stomach the thought of her being sick or losing her before her time. I wonder if Banner could help her out any.

I glance back at her sitting on the sofa as she quietly watches the news and Steve finishes up the cooking. I lean over to him speaking lowly enough that I know she won’t hear me, but he will, “I want her to see Banner and Dr. Cho. That’s a lot of meds, man.”

He’s plating the eggs and bacon and pancakes and he nods. “Well, she’s going to have to meet everyone today anyway. So, I’ll suggest it to her?” I give him a nod back in agreement.

“Angel, I hope you’re hungry. Steve’s made a ton of food.” As she joins us at the kitchen island her eyes widen. “Mon Dieu! How many people are eating?”

Steve and I look at each other then burst out laughing, “Just us, Maîtresse.”

Her eyes are the size of dinner plates as she looks over the spread. I slide her a cup of coffee, smirking, “I guess you haven’t seen super soldiers eat.”

Pouring sugar and creamer into her steaming cup, she stirs the coffee before taking a long drink. She moans appreciatively and shakes her head, “Can’t say as I have, since y'all two are the only ones I know.”

“Well, Angel. We eat a lot.” I load up on the eggs and bacon before using a separate plate for my huge stack of pancakes. Steve does the same.

She pushes the eggs away from her side of the island, making a face before grabbing three pancakes and a couple slices of bacon.

“Wait. Don’t tell me you don’t eat eggs, either?” Steve is holding back his laughter as I look at her with brows raised.

Her tongue slides out as she makes a disgusted face, nose squished up, looking all kinds of cute. “No fucking way. So. Gross.”

With that Steve loses it. He’s laughing so hard he has tears. As he wipes at his eyes, I’m just agog at her. “Woman, you are the pickiest eater I’ve ever met in my life.”

“Hey! I’ll have you know I’ve made it nearly forty two years on this planet being a picky eater. I think I’m doin’ jus’ fine.” She sticks her tongue out at me and flips Steve the bird, before slathering butter all over her pancakes but using very little syrup.

Steve is still laughing, and I’m grinning like a kid with a new toy.

Holy shit. The team is going to LOVE her. I can’t wait for them to meet her. Speaking of….

“So we thought it might be a good idea if we took you to the tower today. You know, see our place. Meet the team.” I toss this out, popping a piece of bacon in my mouth, leaning back to gauge her reaction.

She has a fork full of pancake and she pauses just before she eats it, mouth open. After a moment, she closes her mouth and puts the fork down on her plate, not having taken the bite. “T… today?”

Steve and I exchange looks, and I press on. “Yeah. Is that OK? I know it probably seems like we’re moving kinda fast on this, but I don’t want to lose you. I know he doesn’t either.” I nod toward Steve. “You’re going to have to eventually, so why not now?”

Her eyes narrow, watching me. “Did something happen?” She doesn’t trust a single person she meets. Not one. Can’t say as I blame her, knowing her history.

“Well, to be honest, the deliver boy saw Bucky and I here.” Steve reaches over and takes her hand. “Obviously, he doesn’t know whose place this is, but he DID see Captain America and the Winter Soldier looking very comfortable and at home in a small apartment away from the tower.”

I run my hand through my hair. “It’s very probable that it’s all over social media this morning that we’re spending time away from the team. Together. If you catch my drift.”

She’s chewing on the inside of her mouth, her eyes sliding back and forth between the pair of us. Pushing the half eaten breakfast away from her, she slides her hand out of Steve’s darting down the hallway toward the bathroom.

We hear the door slam and she’s clearly losing what little she ate, and probably anything else that was in her stomach.

“Fuck.” I’m out of my chair in a flash and at the bathroom door. “Melissa, sweetheart…? Are you alright?”

Steve looks petrified as he moves to join me. “Oh god, doll, I’m so sorry…” He meets my stoney gaze with one of abject fear. I shake my head at him, my lips pressed into a thin line.

“No. No.” Her voice is strained and I can hear her damn near panting she’s breathing so rapidly. “Panic attack.” I mouth at Steve.

After a long, protracted silence we finally hear her voice again. “It’s ok. I'm… I’m alright,” comes the shaky answer from the other side of the door. The toilet flushes and I hear the water running in the sink. She opens the door and stands in the frame staring at the pair of us.

I reach out tentatively, then draw my hand back. If there’s one thing I know about, it’s panic attacks. Tread lightly.

I hold my arms open, an invitation to hold her if she so wishes. After a moment, she falls into my embrace and starts to cry. I wrap my arms around her and press my face to the top of her head. “I’m sorry we’re rushing you.”

Steve doesn’t move closer, knowing it might be too much. “It was selfish of us, Melissa, and I’m sorry. It can wait until you’re ready.”

I know he remembers how I was before T’challa helped me. He knows to take it slow after an attack.

Keeping her wrapped in my arms, I walk her toward the bedroom. “Do you want to lay down, sweetheart?” She hasn’t said anything but she’s still crying. I feel her nod against my chest.

“Ok, ok, Angel. Come on.” I guide her to the bed, laying down with her, my arms still encircling her tightly. She keeps her face buried in my chest, the sobs still wracking her body. Steve paces near the doorway, wringing his hands. “Do you want Steve to lay with us?” I feel her nod again so I wave him over.

He climbs onto the bed behind her, wrapping his form around her. I can feel her relax a little, “Is that better?” Another subtle nod and I pull the hair tie from her tresses. I start to run my fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. Steve is gently rubbing wide circles on her back.

Her sobbing is slowing and I can feel her breathing returning to normal after a little while. Finally I hear her soft, husky voice, “Alright. I’ll meet them today.”

MELISSA’S POV

I feel like a complete asshole for freaking out like that. They have much more important things to worry about than my little personal, bullshit insecurities.

I’m still clinging to Bucky, my face pressed against his chest, “I’m sorry I reacted like that. I guess… I just wasn’t expecting everything to go so fast and I got scared.” Not to mention your teammates as well as the public are going to hate me.

Steve hugs me from behind and I feel his breath tickle the shell of my ear, “Never apologize for how you feel. We were wrong to push you so fast.” He nuzzles into the back of my neck and I can feel my body relax even more.

“Melissa, please understand we never meant to force your hand.” Bucky curls a finger under my chin, pulling my gaze to his. My breath catches as I look into those ocean eyes. “I know what you’re feeling, Angel. I know the insecurity. The self hatred. I know it’s overwhelming.”

My eyes slide away from his, face blooming bright pink, embarrassed to be called out. To be so easily read. He starts planting little kisses on my heated cheeks.

“I know because I have those thoughts, too.” His voice makes his chest rumble against me as he talks. “It’s going to be ok. Hey…” I drag my gaze back to his. “I promise. I’m yours. Steve is yours. No matter what.”

Steve nods against my back at Bucky’s words. “More importantly, you’re ours.” There’s a pause, “If you want to be. That choice is always, always up to you.” He plants small kisses at the base of my neck, just under the tattoo I have there.

Giving a soft sigh I move one hand up Bucky’s chest and the other behind me to hug Steve closer. “That’s not even in doubt. I’m yours. Both of yours. For as long as you want me.” I shake my head, eyes closing, “That’s the real question. Whether I’m worth all of this.”

They both begin to scoff at my words, but I press on. “Because I’m not. You’ll see. You’ll eventually see. It’s like I said before. It’ll be better for you when it’s just the two of you. I’ll never be accepted. Either by your teammates or by the public.”

I let the matter drop, my eyes filling with tears once more. They silently slip down my face, as I close my eyes. I don’t see the look that the boys share over my head, but I can feel Bucky shaking his head. Steve’s hands move from my back to my sides, trying to sooth me, comfort me.

“That doesn’t matter, Melissa. Those things, they don’t matter to us. You just watch. We’ll make you believe it.” Bucky’s shifting closer, pressing against me, wrapping his arms around both Steve and I. “This is what matters. This. Right here. In my arms.”

He rests his cheek on the crown of my head, sighing contentedly. They feel so good surrounding me like this, so warm, so perfectly like the home I’ve craved for as long as I can remember. How does this feel so right?

“I probably overreacted this morning about the delivery boy. I’m so, so sorry. But, we do really want you to meet the team. Because, honestly, we want to show you off. We want to show them how special you are to us.” Steve is still rubbing my side gently. His lips move against the skin between my shoulder blades as he speaks.

“It’s ok, I understand your reaction. Y'all are public people. You have to be careful. I was just… really unprepared.” I breathe in deeply, nestling into Bucky’s chest, pulling Steve’s arms tighter around me. “New York has certainly been a very interesting experience for this old southern gal.”

“Maîtresse, do you want to take a shower now? Will you allow Bucky and I to take care of you this morning?” Steve nips at the soft spot between my shoulder and my neck and Bucky starts to kiss along my collar bone.

Oh, they make it so hard to concentrate.

I let out an appreciative moan before answering, “Y'all are too good to me.” They quickly divest me of what little clothing I have on and Steve picks me up off the bed, bridal style, carrying me to the bathroom.

Bucky is right behind us reaching into the large shower, turning it on to warm up. Steve lets me stand, and they both strip before we all get in the shower together.

I stand there staring up at them and shake my head in disbelief. “Good thing this shower is so big.” I snort a little as I laugh and Bucky plants a little kiss on my nose. He’s already grabbing the shampoo and massaging it into my hair.

Steve leans down and whispers in my ear. “Now I know why you smell so good.” He’s lathering up a washcloth with my soap and starts scrubbing my shoulders.

They take their time, cleaning me thoroughly, slowly, lovingly. It’s difficult for me to allow this and they can sense it. But I do allow it.

“Thank you for this.” My voice is low and I’m not sure if they even hear me. But I should know they can. They make sure to wash themselves as well.

I feel Bucky kneel behind me, placing little kisses along my hips where my back meets the curve of ass. None of this is meant to be seductive. I can feel it. It’s meant to be loving. Caring. Close to a sort of worship.

Steve is standing before me, his fingers trailing through my wet, freshly cleaned tresses as the hot water bathes the three of us.

It’s quiet. No talking. Just small noises of comfort and delight and adoration. All of us merely enjoying the contact. Hands caressing, learning. Relaxing in the presence of each other.

Once we’re all washed and rinsed one of them shuts the water off and Steve steps out first, gathering towels. He tosses one to Bucky and keeps one himself, the both of them working to dry my skin. They then dry themselves before Bucky gathers me in his arms, moving me back to the bed.

“Rest, Angel. Rest while we clean up the kitchen.” My brows knit as I watch him slide his sweats back on, Steve pulling on his jeans.

I sit on the bed, using one of the towels on my wet hair, watching the pair of them. I don’t know if they see my expression, but I’m sure my face is painted with confusion and skepticism.

Steve turns, grinning.

“Trust us, Maîtresse.”

Tagging:

@alievans007 @buckysbackpackbuckle @justareader @anice-1 @ya-girl-evanstrash for genuinely being kick ass people who were interested in my work from day one. One more addition who asked specifically to be tagged: @hardcollectiontrashworld Thanks everyone!

[tsfrbss]

Paper Moon Part 15

MB - @thecountessakasha - back again. I hope you’re ready for Part 15! There’s no smut, it’s literally all fluff, so apologies in advance. And don’t worry, their saga will continue.

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 3300+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: FLUFF to the Goddamn max. Gonna rot your teeth. Oh, and cussing. Like always.

STEVE’S POV

To say that the past few months were rough would be an understatement. Word got out about Bucky and me; and that, of course, led to word getting out about Melissa, Bucky, and me. It was strange; there was almost no animosity aimed at him and me, but just as she predicted, there was plenty aimed at her. People had taken to the Internet and the airwaves to voice their opinion of the “old” woman whom they decided was “ruining Steve and Bucky’s happiness” by “insinuating herself” between us.

Hate mail piled up at the club for her. She quit checking it altogether. Bucky would always gather the multitude of envelopes and go through them to sort out what was important and what was trash. Let me tell ya, her recycling bin has been packed full.

People would pop up at her shows to heckle and ridicule her. Finally, the owner raised the ticket prices and added extra bouncers which helped. Though on the plus side, more people came to actually see her perform. She wowed every single one of them. There were rumors of other places looking to steal her away, but she had vowed to never abandon Club Onyx. Or the owner. He’d been far too good to her and she appreciated it more than he would ever know.

The fact that she’s stuck with us is astonishing to me. And every day I fall deeper because of it. She’s so much stronger than she thinks. Not to say there haven’t been some rough patches. Her depression took over, and at times we couldn’t even get her to speak. There were days upon days when she just refused to get out of bed. Pretty sure she’s upped her rum intake. Even now she’s rarely, if ever, seen outside of the club without Bucky unless it’s to come to the tower. But for the most part we’ve really weathered the storm.

I think the biggest change has been with Bucky. He’s no longer chomping at the bit to take every mission he can get his hands on, trying to keep his mind on anything other than his life. He’s actually been turning down those offered to stay with Melissa during this tumultuous beginning.

For the first time since coming back from Wakanda, the light has truly returned to his eyes. And it’s her. Well, I mean it’s probably me, too. Us. But I really think it’s Melissa more than anything. She’s changed him. Made him more comfortable in his skin. Shown him that there’s more to “Bucky” than just “The Winter Soldier”.

He’s taken to staying at her place more and more. So have I, just not quite as often. It’s not like I get as many opportunities to turn down missions as he does. Part of the mantle of being Captain America, as Natasha is fond of reminding me.

I spend every moment I can with the both of them. Usually at her place. Not because we’re unwelcome at the tower. Far from it. Everyone would like it if we came around more often. They all really like Melissa. Especially Nat, Wanda, Clint, and Sam.

She finally got to meet Thor and was practically gushing about it. She couldn’t stop asking him questions about Asgard, what it’s really like there. She knew all the myths, of course. And how often do you get to meet a god? He in turn, is quite taken with her. Much to Bucky’s dismay.

It’s amazing the effect she has on people. She puts it off as the “southern thing”. Like she’s a novelty. As if that’s the only reason everyone here just adores her. That’s a piece of it, sure, but not all. She’s simply … captivating.

The night after Melissa first came to the tower, we had everyone out to the club to see her perform. Her nerves were on edge all day long.Because of that Bucky and I tried everything we could to keep her calm. She ended up going for a walk, alone, to clear her head. She puts so much pressure on herself.

A good bit of time had passed but Melissa still hadn’t made it back. I was starting to get really worried. Bucky suggested that I head back to the tower to make sure everyone was ready for the evening and that he’d go look for her.

He found her instantly, of course. She’d gone to a little park she discovered one of her first days in New York. It’s a place she and Bucky like to go when they need quiet and anonymity. They’ll put on hoodies and sunglasses and do their best to hide from the world and just sit in the middle of the park, right on the grass. Most times, they don’t even speak. They just exist there in that moment.

Bucky had gathered her up and walked her back to the apartment. The night went off without a hitch and the club received a boost of publicity due to our attendance.

I’ve noticed a change in myself as well. I’m sure Bucky and the others have seen it. I’m not as reckless. That’s the main thing. The idea of not coming back to the two people I love more than anything in this world is a very sobering thought indeed. The mere notion that I would irrevocably hurt them by not returning from a mission is too much to bare.

There are selfish reasons, too. To never be able to look into her dazzling green eyes again, or his shimmering blue ones cuts me to the core. That I wouldn’t be able to touch them, to see them smile, hear their laughter, or the noises they make in the heat of passion is like a stab in the gut.

My world revolves around them. Melissa and Bucky. My twin dark muses. Mes deux muses sombre, as she would say. They hold my heart in their hands. I am nothing without them and I strive every day to show them what they mean to me.

It’s to that end that I’ve decided to surprise them with some gifts. The first one is a simple thing; a sketchbook full of little drawings of the two of them doing mundane activities. Some are individual. Snippets of our everyday lives. Melissa lying in the middle of the living room floor, sheet music strewn around her, forgotten as she buries her nose in some book about Irish peat farmers. Bucky draped across the sofa, headphones on, feet kicking away to the beat of a “new to him” song that she’d turned him on to.

Some are of them together. Bucky is sitting crossed legged on the floor with his back against the overstuffed recliner while Melissa’s legs and arms are wrapped around him as she’s perched in the chair. His head tilted and resting against her thigh as they binge watch House of Cards, discussing what they’d like to do with Claire and Francis. The pair of them in the little kitchen, dancing and singing while they cook dinner for the three of us.

Once I snuck up on them in their little park and sketched them there, laying back on the grass, hoodies and sunglasses on. I watched their chests rise and fall with their breathing, wondering what they’d talked about, what they had been thinking about. Melissa was unaware of my presence, but I’m sure Bucky knew. You can’t fool the super soldier senses, after all.

The other gift is much, much bigger. It’s really a gift for the three of us. I’ve purchased an old brownstone in Brooklyn and am having it renovated into a single dwelling. This dual residence life is wearing on us. We need our own place, private, away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and the tower. Melissa needs to be able to detach herself from the club. She’s finally gotten the hang of the subway, so I feel confident she’ll be fine with the move. As for Bucky, he’ll be over the moon. He’s been wanting to move back home. And now I can give that to him.

Tony has decided to throw me a big birthday bash this weekend, so I’m going make the announcement then. Probably doesn’t make much sense for me to be giving gifts on my own birthday, but like I said, this is for all of us.

I can’t wait to see their faces.

BUCKY’S POV

I feel like the luckiest man alive. How I ever was good enough to deserve the pair of them, I’ll never understand. Steve, all the hell he went through to bring me back. He fought the world for me. Not many people can say that about their lover. I am his forever.

And Melissa. My beloved Angel. Her love has forged me into the man I am. The one I was meant to be. The longer I’m with her the harder I fall. She believes in me. I cannot explain what that means, how that affects every action I take.

I’ve been spending more and more time with her, staying at her place. I should really just move in with her. She’s suggested it several times and each time I brush it off; I feel like I’m imposing. But I feel far more comfortable at her apartment than I do at the tower. There I feel like a visitor. Not a true part of the team. At her place, it feels like home. Especially when Steve’s able to stay with us.

Melissa and I like to take care of Steve when he’s around. The missions wear him down so we do our best to help him relax when he’s home with us. It feels good to care for him again, like I used to when we were young.

One of my favorite parts about spending so much time with her is having someone to just be with. We go for walks, we do the shopping, we take in movies, we cook meals, we explore the city. She does try to keep herself incognito, because of everything. I dare someone to try something while I’m around. It’s mundane and domestic and I fucking love every second of it.

No missions, no emergencies. Because of her I feel like a normal person. I’ve even been more comfortable about showing my arm in public. Melissa’s not afraid of it and she always, always makes sure that’s the hand she holds.

She sees herself as undeserving of both Steve and me. Especially after all the shit we’ve been through recently; she feels like it’s all her fault. Oh, but she’s wrong. So very wrong. She deserves the goddamn world on a silver platter. And I aim to give it to her.

I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to show her what she means to me. How she’s helped me, how deeply I’ve fallen for her.

Pieces of my life from before have been coming back periodically, and something I’ve discovered recently is that I can play piano. Not only can I play, I’m actually quite good. I’ve been sneaking downstairs to the club while it’s closed with handfuls of her sheet music to practice. Steve has caught me a few times. He must forget that he can’t sneak up on me. He’s never interrupted or bothered me, merely observes, more than likely sketching.

There’s a point to all this. I have quite the surprise for her. I want to play for her, with her. I can’t sing for shit, but I don’t need to. It’s her voice everyone wants. She’s the real star. I just want to be a part of it, to back her up, support her. And it calms me, I really enjoy it.

I’ve been working on one song in particular. I’m going to spring it on her at Steve’s party. By chance I heard her singing it in the shower one morning. She likes to practice there; the acoustics are phenomenal. The piece makes use of her smokey, lower vocals. Mmmm, her voice is like Tupelo honey. I am awestruck every time I’m blessed to hear it. The lyrics themselves, well let’s just say I can picture her saying these things to me and Steve.

I’ve got something for Steve too, of course. It’s hard to think of things to give him, the man who sacrificed everything he had, everything he was, to save me. But I know what makes him happy, what centers him. Anything art related. Anything.

So, with the help of Tony and Natalia, I was able to get a private tour of the Museum of Modern Art for Steve, Melissa, and myself. The card with all the arrangements will be hidden in a whole shitload of art supplies Melissa and I bought for his upcoming birthday.

And well, since we can’t resist, Steve and I have also conspired to give her a gift from the both of us. One we know she’ll appreciate more than anyone else probably ever would. We’re going to give her each one of our dog tags to wear. The originals. We … acquired them from the Smithsonian. Like they would refuse Captain America anything.

If it seems overly sentimental and nostalgic, well, tough shit. I think Steve and I have earned that right. Melissa will understand the significance. She’s a military brat coming from a long line of veterans stretching all the way back to the Revolutionary War. She gets it and I honestly don’t care if anyone else does. Just thinking of her wearing them makes me heart soar.

I love discovering little things about her. I love how she leads me to rediscover things about myself. I love watching her and Steve together, even if it’s just them doing something as simple as lounging together on the floor, books on history surrounding them as they pour over the words. Their heated discussions will go on for hours; I learn more from listening to them than I ever would reading on my own.

The way she looks at him when she doesn’t think anyone is watching her. Him doing the same. The way she’ll sit still, posing for hours on end for him while he draws or paints her. Most times it ends up with her teasing him mercilessly until he drops his tools and quiets her with passionate kisses.

And oh the way we all seamlessly flow into one another in the bedroom. Sometimes with heated, fiery, gnawing need. Sometimes with giggles and laughter until we can’t take it anymore. It has never felt so natural, so right.

I love these idiots more than I could ever express. I would be lost without them.

MELISSA’S POV

My boys, my beloved boys.

I can’t believe they’re mine. I can’t believe they’re still with me after six months of insanity. Six months of all the hate and worry and stress. I can’t believe Bucky has given up missions to stay by my side. I can’t believe Steve continually professes his love for me. I can’t believe they put up with all my baggage. My anxiety, my depression, my health issues.

Without even realizing it, I have fallen head over heels in love with them. Happiness, something that has always been elusive in my life, is now a constant. Which of course leads to the occasional panic attack, since my brain can’t wrap itself around the notion that I deserve this happiness and likes to construct various scenarios where I lose one or the both of them. Either on a mission or from them simply growing tired of me and leaving.

Nightmares haunt me every now and then, my fears manifesting themselves in my subconscious. I’ll thrash and sweat and full on cry until Bucky finally wakes me. He’ll hold me tightly to him as he waits for me to calm down, all the while whispering to me how he’s here, he’s real, he’s not going anywhere, how much he loves me.

One such incident happened when both Steve and Bucky were home. It must have been a particularly powerful one as it nearly sent Steve into a panic before Bucky explained what was happening and showed him how to deal with it. It took the both of them to bring me back around that night.

Bucky puts up with my shit every time we leave the apartment. Hiding myself under hoodies and sunglasses and baggy clothes. He understands. He was at that point himself not long ago. God, he takes such good care of me; he always makes sure I’m comfortable with it all, that I feel safe, loved.

And the way Steve dotes on me, I’ve never had someone so attentive to my each and every desire. Sometimes before I even know what they are. He has a knack for knowing exact what I need when I need it.

Things like that. Dealing with me on days where I couldn’t even function inside my depression. Nights when my anxiety was so high I would just drink myself into a stupor and couldn’t even perform.

And through it all they’re still committed to me. Because of that I’ve taken on my own mission. To keep them happy any way I can. To give in to every whim or wish they might ever have. If it’s in my capacity to do, then it’s done. Period. No questions asked.

These two, I know they have something up their sleeves. They may be super soldiers but they’re shit at keeping secrets. Something fishy’s going on. And Nat! Oh my god, she’s been teasing me to no end about something she knows that I don’t.

She and I have become quite close. Oh, she is fiercely protective of me, too. I adore her. And Wanda and Sam and Clint. They’ve been so, so great to me. The other members of the team have as well, but these guys. Well, let’s just say they’re by far my closest friends here in the city.

I’ve got news for my two big boys. They’re not the only ones who can be sneaky. I’ve got something up MY sleeve. With Steve’s birthday party coming up, I’ll make some time before we leave to give them their presents. I want it to be special, something just between the three of us.

Of course Bucky and I went overboard on our joint gift. We have a tendency to indulge Steve quite often. I’m not sure all the art supplies we bought are even going to fit into the area we’ve cleared out in the living room for his makeshift studio. Oh well. I’m sure he’ll deal just fine. I can’t wait till he sees what we’ve done.

As for my gifts to the pair of them, I hope they’re comfortable wearing jewelry. I didn’t get anything fancy, or gaudy. That’s just not our style. With that thought in mind, I’ve I found a pair of matching stainless steel cuffs. They’re small, like a little bracelet, but you attach them with screws. And I hold the screwdriver.

On the inside of Steve’s I’ve had engraved Mon Soleil. Bucky’s sports Ma Lune. My Sun and My Moon. My two very large, powerful, all consuming forces.

The light and the dark.

Watching them together is one of my major addictions. I love catching each of them looking at the other. It’s like they have a silent language. They’re always in sync. Whether it’s cleaning the apartment, binge watching a show, or when we’re in the bedroom. It’s like they have one mind.

They speak often of having claimed me. Getting me before anyone else could. Snatching me off the market. As if I was even on the damn market to begin with. It always makes me laugh and shake my head. But, if they’ve claimed me then I’ve done the same to them. They’re mine and I will defend that claim all the rest of my days.

I’m with them to the end of the line.

[tsfrbss]

Paper Moon Part 10

A/N: Bucky and Steve end up at a venue that has a 40s night and meet an OFC, Melissa Rose, a singer in a local club. They both are smitten by her, and start to vie for her affections. They end up finding out more about themselves in the process.

This honestly started out as maybe a one shot but as I got going, I decided it’ll be chapters. How many? No frigging idea. This is my absolute first time writing a fic of any sort and yes I did base the OFC on myself. I hope y'all enjoy.

Word count: 4600+ because I am a wordy bitch.

Warnings: Unprotected super smut. Slight angst. Fluff. Oh, and cussing. Like always.

STEVE’S POV

Oh shit. I did not mean to make her cry. Especially after the ecstasy we both just brought to each other. After the way she made me feel. MAKES me feel.

Wiping her tears away, I caress and kiss any part of her I can reach, “Hey, hey, doll. I’m sorry. It’s too much, too early, I know.” I give her a soft sigh, moving in beside her to wrap her in my arms. “You just…I can’t explain it. You make me feel centered. You make me feel like I can be myself, like I can actually live my life the way I want to, the way I feel I need to. The way that feels right to me.”

Her big green eyes, still brimming with tears widen at my words as she stares at me, “This is fucking deja vu, I swear to God.” She’s trying to slip out of my hold, but I pull her in tighter.

“What are you talking about?” Then I realize that can only mean one thing. She’s had this same conversation with Bucky.

I roll to my back, flinging my arm over my eyes. I can feel her trembling under the sheet next to me and I move my arm to peer at her. She’s sitting up, arms wrapping around her shins as she’s resting her chin on her knees.

She hasn’t answered me.

Don’t scare her off, dummy. Don’t do it. Be gentle. Tread lightly. This is something you want, you just haven’t spoken your piece yet to Bucky.

“Doll.” I reach out, touching the back of her hand, “Doll, look at me. Please, Melissa. Just let me explain, alright?” I sit up and start running my fingers through her silken waves.

I hear a deep sigh from her. Turning to look at me, her eyes are still pooling with tears. She presses her cheek on her knee as she waits for me to continue.

“I’ve come to some realizations over the past few days. One of which is that I’m tired of waiting for my life to begin. I feel as if I never really got to have one. I’m sure you can understand why.” I brush the back of my fingers against her cheek softly as she’s nodding.

Moving closer, I orient my body to where I’m sitting up knees to knees with her, “I also know that due to the nature of my life as it is now, I’m not meant for a life filled with settling down and having a family. The guy who wanted all of that disappeared a long time ago. And he didn’t come out of the ice.”

She’s watching me evenly, and for the first time since we met, I’m unable to read her expression. “Melissa, you’ve shown me I cannot be afraid of what I want anymore. Of who I really am.”

“And who is that, Steve? And am I just a bridge to get you to that point?” She’s frowning, something I hope to never see mar her beautiful features again. “I mean, that’s great you’re done being afraid of what you want, but when you really start living as you wish, will you be strong enough to take the barbs? The inevitable judgement?” Her eyes close, feathery dark lashes brushing against flushed cheeks.

“Am I a stepping stone?” she continues. “Or are you wanting me to be a part of this new life? You saw how they looked at us that night in the club. And that was just me.” Lifting her head now, she says pointedly, “What happens when you add Bucky to the mix?” Her big green eyes focus on my blues.

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. “I… I don't… I don’t know what to say.” My hands reach out to cup her face, my breathing so rapid I can barely contain myself. How does she know? How could she? I’m shaking as I’m watching the tears fall down her face.

“You don’t have to say anything to me. You need to talk to him,” pressing her face to my hand, she’s nuzzling into my palm. My thumb brushes away the tears that paint her soft skin, “You said you didn’t have any right to make me choose. I don’t have that right either. All I can tell you right now is that I want you. Both of you. But I also realize that you two have far more history together.”

“You’re right. We do. But what are the odds that we have both said the same thing to you, about you, about each other, in the span of three days?” I lean forward, ghosting her lips with my own, “That can’t be coincidence, can it? Melissa, don’t you see that the common thread here is you?”

Her gaze is puzzling. I can’t tell if she’s scared or incredulous. She seems as if she’s about to say something before turning her gaze away from me. Shaking her head, I hear a soft murmur, “Why me? I have nothing to offer. I am no one. No one special at all. You both… “ and she’s trailing off.

Reaching for her, I take her chin gently in my palm, moving her gaze to mine. “We both what, Maîtresse?” My brows knit together as I’m waiting for her answer, but I see her relax slightly when I call her that.

“You both deserve someone better. Someone younger. Someone thinner. Someone who is better suited to your public life. Who am I but an old, fat, divorcee with a checkered past and…?” Shaking her head, she finishes, “I am not good enough for either of you.”

It’s killing me to hear her speak of herself this way. Tearing herself down. I hate it. I hate what her life has done to her.

She doesn’t see what she does to me, and apparently what she does to Bucky. She doesn’t understand. How can we show her? How can we break through this wall of self hatred she’s created for herself?

“Melissa, don’t you remember what I told you on our first date? You’re more than good enough. I told you I wasn’t giving up, because you’re too special. That I didn’t give a damn what people thought. Let them judge me! I welcome it! For you, for him, I would endure anything…”

“Steve, please! You’ve endured so much already. Frankly so has Bucky. Do you really want this burden, too?”

Grabbing her by the shoulders, I shake her slightly, focusing her attention fully on me. “You are NOT a burden. To me. To Bucky. To anyone.” I pull her in kissing her hard, and she returns it as I slide her onto my lap. She moans softly as my hardening cock brushes against her folds. I’m shuddering at the feel of her already.

“You are a blessing. Everything about you draws me in. Everything.” I murmur against the skin of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair. She’s melting at my touch, my words. I slide my hardness along her damp slit, bucking my hips upward. “What you do to me, no one has ever made me feel this way. I feel free, fully comfortable in my skin. I feel happier than ever, I feel whole…” I snap my hips up again, teasing her.

Her hands press into my chest, fingernails digging in as her hips start to move. She’s rubbing her soaking wet core on my throbbing cock. My hands grab her full, soft hips, pulling her tighter. I lift her up easily letting her sink down onto me, her head falling forward as I slide inside her once again.

We gasp in unison once she’s fully seated, eyes locking. “Steven…” She whispers, her arms linking around my neck to hold on. I’m gripping her hips fiercely, moving her forward then back, forward then back, making her rock on me.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she buries her face in my neck. I continue with the push pull, fingers bruising her flesh. Her breath tickles me and her teeth are pressing into my skin where my neck meets my shoulder, leaving marks. She’s groaning, shuddering, her slick smearing on me as I move inside of her, feeling it on my belly. She’s so tight and wet.

I keep her close as I work her on my cock, whispering praises of her. How beautiful she is, how good she feels, how much I want nothing more than to please her, how I hope I’m making her happy. How deserving she is of all of this and more.

Small whimpers and grunts issue forth against me where her mouth is locked to my neck. I can feel her nails digging deeper into my shoulders, walls beginning to close in. “Maîtresse, touch yourself for me, let me watch you, let me feel you. God Melissa, please… you feel so incredibly good, I want to see you come undone…”

She obliges, hand slipping between us, gripping the base of my shaft as I push her back. She gathers some of her wetness, the lewd sound of our union filling the room.

Her fingers move quickly around her pink, swollen bundle of nerves and almost instantly she tightens around me. A long low hiss comes from her lips as she sits up, still letting me move her as she gets closer and closer. Working her clit fast, I feel her squeezing even more, and she starts to cum for me.

“Oh God, Steve… fuck, you feel so… yes, keep going, just like that-” and she’s there, words frozen behind the perfect O her mouth makes in silence as she collapses atop me. Her walls flutter and tighten, making me buck up even more. She’s so tight I’m almost unable to move.

I’m thrusting up into her harder and harder, her vise like grip sending me over as I coat her walls once again. My fingertips leaving imprints behind on the tender flesh of her hips, growling out her name again and again before stilling under her.

I wrap my arms around her, unwilling to let her go. She rests there against my chest and I whisper praises, fingers carding through her hair. “It’s you, Melissa. You are the one. The one I’ve been looking for. The one he’s been looking for. And we didn’t even know we were looking.”

“We need to talk to him, Steve.” She’s nuzzling into my chest even as she reaches for my phone on the nightstand. “Get him here. Now.” Placing the phone in my hand, she pushes off me, leaving me staring after her as she heads to the shower.

BUCKY’S POV

Pacing, pacing, pacing back and forth on the roof of the tower as the minutes tick by waiting for Steve to come back. I feel like I’ve been up here for hours. I chew on the inside of my mouth, looking out over the city, peering toward the building where the club and Melissa’s place is.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my sweats when suddenly my phone vibrates. Pulling it out I see a notification from Steve.

Jerk: Hey man, you busy?

Nope. Was just hoping to talk to you tonight about some things.

Jerk: Yeah, I wanna talk to you too….. And so does Melissa. Can you come over to her place?

I stare at the phone, and I can feel my stomach drop to my feet. Fuck. Did she chose him? Did he choose her? Am I to be left in the cold?

My hands are shaking so badly as I try to type my response.

Of course I can. Anything for her. For you.

Jerk: Alright. See you shortly then. Door’s open.

I lock the phone, sliding it back into my pocket. I make a pass by my room to grab my wallet, moving as quickly as I can.

I don’t bother with the elevator, and as I rush to the stairwell I brush by Clint and Sam. They both call out to me. I’m practically a blur running down the stairs ignoring them, so Sam yells, “I see Mr. Personality has returned!” He doesn’t see me roll my eyes. Not now. Bird Boy will pay in the gym tomorrow.

Out the door in seconds flat, I’m already at the club when I discover I’m wearing only sweat pants, a thin t-shirt, and flip-flops.

Oh well. Neither of them will care.

It’s then I realize I didn’t bother to cover my arm either.

Jesus Christ, James. She really does have you fucked up. You didn’t think twice about concealing yourself.

It’s close to 7pm and I creep into the club, which is in full swing. Ducking the owner I slip backstage and up the steps to Melissa’s place. Two rapid knocks to signal my entrance before I open the door, being greeted by Steve. His skin, milky and freckled all flushed brightly as if he was just working out.

And there goes my heart again. Fuck.

He’s only wearing jeans, slung low on his hips, first couple of buttons undone. His hair is all disheveled, lips curling into a smile. He looks relaxed and at home here.

At home. In her place. Home. Like I feel when I’m here. When I’m with her. When I’m with him.

“Hey, jerk”

“Hey, punk.” he counters, smiling brightly, but looking nervous.

“So, where is Melissa?” I can smell her on him. I can smell their mingled scents and oh it’s a heady mix. So, so good.

He gestures toward the bedroom with his thumb, cheeks turning bright red, “Shower. She should be done shortly.” He moves toward the kitchen, grabbing three glasses. Dropping ice into each, he fills one with her favorite rum, one with Johnnie Walker, and one with Jack Daniel’s. Handing over the scotch, he tilts his Jack toward me in a toast which I match in silence.

We both take long pulls as we hear Melissa pad softly into the room. Our heads turn in unison, and we sigh contentedly together.

Wrapped in a silken robe of red, she’s standing with her hand on her hip, her lips painted into a half smile at the pair of us. Her hair is still wet, making her waves stand out. Fresh faced, no make-up, no anything except those adorable black framed glasses. She’s so beautiful. My angel. My curvy, soft, ethereal angel.

Steve walks her rum over and she takes it from him, wrapping her delicate fingers around the glass. Before drinking any, she runs her fingers through his hair, petting him, “Merci, Etienne.”

I feel my stomach tighten with jealousy as he preens under her touch. Her eyes move to mine and she can see it. She knows. With Steve still at her side, she runs her tongue along her lips, watching me. I’m trembling while she’s studying my reaction to this situation. “Come here, James.” she says softly, but with that authoritative tone I love so much.

As I make my way to her, she takes a deep drink, before setting the glass on the coffee table. When I reach her side, she pets my hair as well, fingers sliding through easily. She tugs with both hands, Steve and I groaning together at the feel of it, the sense of her being in charge.

“Now. We’re going to have us a little come to Jesus meeting. Y'all catch my drift?”

She looks back and forth between us and sees that we are clearly confused by her obvious Southern saying. Her head tilts, lips curling into a broad smile, “That means we’re gonna have us a serious talk. And we’re gonna resolve some shit. And it probably ain’t gonna be fun.”

With that, she moves away from us standing in front of the TV. Snapping her fingers and pointing to the sofa with both hands, she indicates for us to sit. We both immediately take our spots. “Such good boys.”

Picking up her rum, she crosses her arms. “Now. First things first. I am not choosing between the two of you. This may be selfish, it may be greedy. But I believe that by my age, and with the bullshit my life has been to this point, I’ve earned it.” Her sparkling, big green eyes slide between the two of us.

“I want you.” She’s looking directly at me. “And you.” She says to Steve. “And if that’s a problem, speak up now.”

Silence fills the air between all of us. It’s not awkward, it’s not tense. A quiet calm of sorts. I peer at Steve beside me, and he’s looking back. I give him a shake of my head, and he does the same. We both turn back to her, “I don’t think that’s a problem, my Angel.” My lips turn into a smirk, “I have a feeling Steve doesn’t either.”

“Good. That’s one issue out of the way. The least painful one.” Sipping her rum, she pauses here, taking a deep breath. “Now, the hard part. Which I suspect has something to do with me, but not in the way you’d imagine.”

She looks directly at me again. “Tell him. Because if you don’t it’s going to fester and cause issues within this dynamic and that’s something I refuse to tolerate. I want open and honest dialogue between the three of us all the time, constant communication. This simply will not work without it.”

I give her a heavy sigh, rubbing the side of my face then draining the glass of scotch in one go. I turn my body to focus on Steve, setting my empty glass on the table. “You know that I love you,” I say to him.

He nods, opening his mouth to answer and I hold up my hand, “Just let me finish. I love you. And not just in a friend way. A brotherly way.” I close my eyes, “I’m in love with you, Steve. And I think you’re in love with me, too. And I think we’ve been dancing around this issue for as long as we can remember. Since from way back, Brooklyn days.”

Opening my eyes I see his cheeks color brightly, and I can tell Melissa is watching closely. Studying. I love it when she does that.

Steve doesn’t answer. His mouth hangs open for a moment then closes. After what seems like an excruciating long time, he reaches for my hand. My metal hand. He holds it delicately in his own. Palm up. He traces his fingers along the plates, giving a soft sigh.

After several torturous minutes, he looks up into my eyes. “I’m in love with you, too, Buck. I have been for as long as I can recall. I just never knew how to tell you. Or if I could. Or should.”

We slide closer to each other on the sofa, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that.”

Reaching out to cup my cheek, his lips turn into a soft smile. “I think I do, Buck. I think I do.” He’s blushing all sorts of colors and it is knocking me breathless.

I take this moment in, just for a couple more seconds before I lunge forward pressing my lips to his. Both of us sigh in relief and adoration of the other as we kiss softly, slowly. The fluttering of my heart is matched by his own which I can easily hear, and I deepen the kiss.

I take my time, feeling each and every part of his lips, loving the soft pressure, the plumpness. “So long I’ve wanted this, too long I’ve waited,” I murmur against his mouth. He gives a small whine as I pull back, still holding him but breaking the kiss.

My eyes slide to Melissa and she’s on the verge of tears, I can see them gathering. But she’s wearing the biggest smile I’ve seen from her yet. Steve finally looks to her as well, giving a little gasp at the sight.

She looks so proud, so happy to see us this way. I want her to look at us like this forever. And to be honest, if it weren’t for her this may have never happened. “Melissa, my Angel. Thank you for this.”

“Ma Belle Maîtresse, merci.” and he gestures for her to join us on the sofa. Setting her glass back on the table, she walks over but doesn’t sit. She stands before us, taking each of our chins in her hands, smiling down upon us like the goddess she is.

“You are both very, very welcome.” She frowns a moment then replaces that with a more contemplative expression, “Please know that I expect nothing from either of you in return. If you decide that you’d be better off without me, with just each other, I will totally understand. I’ll back off and slip out of the picture to allow you to pursue your life as you see-”

She’s unable to finish that train of thought as Steve and I both grab at the lose ends of the tie holding her robe closed, undoing it, and letting the silk slide open. I look at Steve, and we’re both grinning.

“If you think we’re ever letting you go, you’re out of your mind, Angel.” and with that I press my lips to her left hip in an act of reverence.

“That’s right, Maîtresse, for as much as we belong to each other, and to you, you belong to us, with us.” Steve now pressing his lips to her right hip, mimicking my action.

Neither of us remove our lips from her soft flesh as we look up at her. The tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks begin doing just that, and she brings her hands up into our hair, petting the both of us.

“Thank you, boys. My boys. For this. For…” she trails off sighing contentedly at the sight of us.

MELISSA’S POV

My fingers card through their hair as they look up at me. I would never, could never believe that I am deserving of what’s happening. Of these two. I still don’t believe I am and yet here they are, saying so.

I take a deep breath trying to calm my galloping heart and quell the flow of tears. Bucky sees me struggling and pulls me into his lap. He starts to wipe the tears away and Steve slides in right next to him, helping to dry my face.

I look from one to the other, feeling like I have just taken a willing step off the tallest building in New York City. That feeling of falling, floating, half sickness you get when you’ve done something huge that will change the course of your life forever.

I’m scared out of my fucking skin.

I’m having trouble with this. Already. There is no way I deserve this. To be a part of their lives like this.

“Melissa, doll. Please tell us what you’re thinking right now. Please.” Steve looks terrified, as if they’ve broken me, or scared me, or something else entirely. They’re both petting my hair, and Bucky is planting small kisses along my temple.

I can’t seem to stop shaking. I feel Bucky’s lips move against my skin as he speaks lowly, “I know you’re scared. I know you don’t believe you’re worth this. Worth us. I know.” He takes my chin in his metal hand and pulls my gaze to his, “You are worth more than this. You are worth everything and anything he or I could ever give or do. We will make you see that.”

Steve takes my hand, placing his lips against my palm, murmuring softly, “I was not lying when I said I would endure anything for you, for him. For us. This is what we want. What we need. What makes us feel whole. You are the missing piece.” he finishes with small butterfly kisses along the inside of my wrist.

This simply cannot be happening. This simply cannot be true. But, oh, oh how I want it to be.

I close my eyes, silently counting to three before reopening them, expecting to wake from this as if it’s a dream.

But it’s not. It’s real and tangible and oh god they are so warm surrounding me, holding me.

“James. Steven. Are you both sure, absolutely sure? Because this is huge. This is a big, scary step and you know how harshly we will be judged. Hell, wait until your teammates find out, oh god…” I trail off, shaking my head.

“Melissa.” I hear lowly, sternly from Bucky. “This is our choice. These are our lives. Not theirs. Not anyone else’s. That’s the end of the discussion.” He reaches up and runs his fingers through Steve’s hair at the back of his neck as he places more little kisses on my temple.

“He’s right, Melissa. And we need you. And we want you. Just as much as we need and want each other. The common thread is you, did I not just say that to you that earlier?” His fingers slide through my damp waves as he kisses Bucky’s forehead.

But I’m not. I’m not worth this. Them. Either of them. Much less them together. They’ll see. Eventually they’ll see.

We wrap our arms around each other, holding tightly to one another as I sit still perched on Bucky’s lap. My breathing has calmed, the tears have stopped. We’re all smiling at one another, and I start to laugh.

It’s a quiet laugh at first, then they join me and finally we’re all rolling with it. “This is completely insane.” I finally sigh.

“It is.” Steve pipes up, “But to be fair, our lives have really all been insane to this point. Why stop now?”

Bucky punches his shoulder, “Christ, you’re a fucking nerd sometimes.” and I collapse into giggles against his chest.

“So, we should celebrate, yeah? What should we do to commemorate this ridiculous journey we’ve just begun, y'all?” I look between them, grinning.

“I vote dinner. I’m fucking starvin’!” Bucky grabs at his belly, groaning.

It’s then I realize what he’s wearing. “Wait. What the fuck, Bucky? You…what do you have on?”

“Um. Yeah. I sort of just ran out of the tower as I was dressed.” His cheeks color brightly, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Steve is so surprised, “You didn’t even cover your arm?”

Bucky shakes his head, “I… I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t think. I didn’t care about anything except getting to the two of you.” he looks so embarrassed, Steve reaches up and cups his cheek.

“You precious thing.” I lean in and whisper against his lips before kissing him softly.

Steve looks at the two of us, eyes full of adoration. He gives a soft chuckle after a moment, “I guess that means we’re ordering in.”

Bucky and I start giggling, “Alright, I leave it to y'all, my local boys. I only have one request.” Wrinkling my nose I murmur, “No seafood.”

They mock gasp at me, eyes wide.

“I know, I know. The Gulf Rat hates seafood.” I cover my blushing face. Steve pulls my hands away and kisses my brightly colored cheeks, “You know we’re never going to let that drop.” He nods toward Bucky, who’s smirking.

I groan, “Fuck, I know.” My eyes roll as I try to stand, but they don’t let me, pulling me closer to them.

“You’re full of surprises, my Angel.” and I feel Bucky’s lips against my neck.

Steve’s hands are back in my hair as his lips claim my jaw, “She certainly is.”

I’m squirming under their kisses, “Now, now, boys. Let’s eat first, oui? We have plenty of time to all get acquainted with each other.”

They groan and let me stand finally. I move away from the sofa reclosing my robe and start clearing up the glasses while they’re arguing over what to order.

These two will be the death of me.