#t’challa fluff | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

royalsweetteaa · 1 year ago

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Title: Thinking about us all

Pairing: Steve Rogers x fem!reader x Bucky Barnes (Stucky)

18+ ONLY | MINORS DNI

WARNING - The following story contains: Explicit smut, MMF threesome, petnames (doll, sweetheart), dom/sub/switch roles, establishing polyamory, stucky, bisexual!Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes, oral sex (M/F receiving), cum eating, anal sex, rimjob (M receiving), unprotected sex, P in V/P in A sex, creampie, spitroast, love confessions, fluff, aftercare.

Sequel to: ‘Thinking about her’

Summary: Steve and Bucky finally confess their feelings to their female secretary, and luckily everything goes in their favor.

2nd person POV

It was another day at the Avengers Tower, and you were as per usual at your office handling the two super soldiers’ routine work such as letters and other paper work. Steve and Bucky had appointed a time in the afternoon to have a meeting with you.

While it was just a regular meeting of the week going over important future events they have to be prepared for, you always looked forward to those meetings.

You couldn’t help but thrive in the feelings the two men gave you as you sat alone all three, occasionally talking about personal things like the friends you had grown to be. It felt good, and you thought it was harmless to have a crush on them.

Okay, ‘crush’ could be an understatement, but it was still harmless if you kept it to yourself, right?

It wasn’t like you had expectations of them returning those feelings to you. You could tell what they had lied so deep, there was no way they would leave it for anyone else.

And you were completely fine with that. Seeing the two together made you believe soulmates for life was a real thing, and you looked forward to the day you would find your own.

But until then…

You kicked your feet giddily as you were waiting for the two men to arrive in the empty meeting room. A stack of files were in front of you and you kept a mantra in your head of all the topics you had to inform them about.

They finally came by the door minutes later, apologizing for their slight delay as they sat on each side, putting you in the middle.

You felt butterflies swirl in your stomach as they smiled at you ever so kindly, making small talk of asking how your day was and if you’ve eaten or drank enough water.

You respond saying you’re feeling just fine as you bring forward the folders, a copy for each to look at before you begin going through them.

It was much of the same schedule the super soldiers had followed for months, most importantly noted being that there was an international conference hosted by T’challa on Friday for them to attend to and a gathered Avengers meeting on the weekend.

As you rounded up the report of their upcoming schedule, you looked up at them, expecting that to be the end of the meeting as they thanked you for the report. But as you were about to stand up and conclude the meeting, they stopped you from rising up from your seat.

Bucky and Steve exchange each other confirming glances before they faced you again.

“Y/N, Bucky and I have something important we’d like to share with you…if you aren’t otherwise in a hurry to get home for the evening.” Steve begins.

You stared at him, your heart noticeably skipping a beat from the super soldiers’ ears as you say, “I’m not in a hurry…what’s up, boys?”

“We uh…”

“Well, you see…um…”

The men turn to each other again as if they are now realizing how difficult it is to lay out their confession of love to you compared to how they had imagined it in their heads. You all the meanwhile stared at them dumbfounded, not sure what was going on between them.

“…Is everything okay?” You ask with a hint of worry in your voice. “Has something happened that I should know about?”

“No, - I mean yes, everything is fine, it’s just…” Steve says. “We are a bit nervous to tell you, because…”

“…as it turns out…” Bucky slowly fills in.

“…we have feelings for you, Y/N. Both of us.”

“….Oh…wait, what?” You ask as you pull a double take when you let their words sink in. “How? - But -…aren’t you two together?” You ask the question with a confused frown. “I thought you had each other?”

“Well yes - of course we still love each other but, - we have kind of mutually developed feelings for you. And we aren’t just interested in you for ‘curious’ reasons - we genuinely like you, more like you’ve captivated us beyond just liking you, you know?”

Steve clears his throat as he speaks over Bucky, “What Bucky is trying to say is we both absolutely adore you, - how sweet and caring you are towards us in what feels like is something beyond just your job as a secretary and friend. It has come to us realizing we have more love to share, and we would like to share it with you. But we would also like to take you out on dates first as the three of us to explore our dynamic…with a romantic viewpoint.”

“That is…if you feel the same.” Bucky quickly adds. “Do you?”

You’re left in awe after everything they have told you, and you close your mouth as you try to gather your thoughts. “Wow, I…I’m in shock honestly. I didn’t expect this at all…” you say, causing Steve and Bucky to stiffen as fear starts to settle in on a possible rejection.

Had they read you wrong? Had they misunderstood your physical reactions for something else?

Steve shakes off the worries as he fills the paused silence with a thoughtful reminder, “You can think about it for as long as you’d like. We understand this might be all too overwhelming for you, so if you’d like for us to give you some space while you consider -!”

You shake your head as you dismiss Steve, “Wait, no…I…- truth is, I’ve had a huge crush on both of you for a while. But I never spoke or tried to make a move on any of you because I respect your relationship, and I would never, and I mean never try to ruin what you have. What you have is beautiful and I…” you sigh as your eyes get glossy. “I can’t believe you’re both interested in bringing someone like me into it. Like, do you truly mean that? Because I swear if you’re pulling a prank on me, I’m quitting today -!”

“We’re not!…we promise you that.” Bucky chuckles at your doubts, but also pulls a face of fondness. “And why would you think ‘someone like you’ wouldn’t be perfect for us? Sure, we are the super soldiers here but there’s only one of you in the entire world.”

“We have lived for a very long time and met all kinds of people. We know what we want.” Steve says. “We want you, as much as we want to be yours.”

“So what do you say?” Bucky asks as he gets closer to you, gently placing his hand on yours at the table. “Can you at least give it a chance?”

You bite the inside of your cheek as you know already the answer to that, but still you take a moment to give it to them. “I…yes. I absolutely want to give it a chance.” You answer with a bright smile, and you witness as they pull gleeful smiles of their own.

The two men pull you into an embrace, surrounding you with excitement. You chuckle as you welcome them, pulling them closer with your own arms.

“But, that doesn’t mean I’m jumping into bed with any of you on the first week.” You clarify in a playful manner. “I’m not that kind of girl, you know.”

Both men hum as Steve comments, “Of course, we don’t expect any less, doll. I don’t know about Buck but I can wait for as long as you want before doing any of that if it means you’ll be ours.”

Bucky bumps into Steve’s shoulder, huffing, “I can wait too just fine!”

Steve narrows an eyebrow and teasingly replies, “oh really? I seem to remember back on you being particularly needy one night and expressing how -!”

Bucky shoves his palm over Steve’s mouth, making him unable to finish his sentence. “Okay, that’s enough oversharing, Steve…”

Giggles erupt from you and the two men turn to you, smiling somewhat confused.

You shook your head, “Don’t you worry James, I’m not going to lead you on. Just work for it and you might get some of me soon enough. That includes you too, Steve.”

Both men nodded, saying in unison “Yes, ma’am” before they wrapped an arm around each of her side and left to the parking lot to drive off for some more spend together.

The next few weeks consisted of dates in romantic locations and dinners at each other’s places.

As true to the men’s word, they never pressured you into anything, - so much so that you had to engage in your first kisses with them. Kissing would develop into sweet long-drawn kisses, then eventually into full make out sessions.

While they were heated and breathless by the end of it, nothing went beyond of what you wanted and you continued your conversations like it was nothing, - except the noticeable big bulges between their legs said otherwise when they so easily dismissed it.

One night during the usual ‘at home’ dinner though, you felt you couldn’t hold yourself back any longer either from what you desired, and one thing led to another involving the new founded throuple relationship.

You were on your knees, bare as the two men had gloried over your body earlier, seeing you bare for the first time. You had to stop them from taking it further as you were eager to please them first and have them reveal their naked selves too.

Before you knew it, they had unbuckled their belts and zipped down their trousers, revealing their huge semi hard cocks, twitching out of their restraints.

You took notice of how Bucky’s cock is thicker while Steve’s is longer, and even then your small hands struggle to fully wrap around both. You swallow as you ogle their lengths, licking your lips at the sight of them leaking pre-cum already. The men chuckled lowly, gesturing you to touch them any way you wanted to.

“Get closer to each other. My hands are too small to pleasure you both properly at the same time…” you pointed out with an undertone of nervousness.

Steve and Bucky could tell you were a bit anxious with the pressure on you as you were giving them pleasure by your own, so they encouraged you with tender strokes on your shoulder.

“You’re doing such a good job honey, don’t worry your pretty head…” Steve reassured.

“But don’t mind if we do get a little close...” Bucky added smugly as he got closely to Steve, letting you guide his cock to rub against Steve’s as you stroked them both in the same pace. You licked and sucked their cocks, taking turns as you swirled your tongue to have a taste of their pre-cum.

They grunted and held a hand on each side of your shoulder, encouraging you to keep going.

“Fuck, look at her…she’s more amazing than I imagined her to be..”

“Mmm, she’s perfect. You’re perfect, doll.” Steve redirected to you.

You looked up at them with doe eyes as you sucked their tips together, and the men thought they were loosing it at that moment.

“Oh fuck….Bucky…” Steve called after his lovers’ name to catch his attention before leaning in to kiss him, moans and whimpers leaving their mouths as you kept pleasuring them where it mattered.

You hummed around their cocks as you were sending down vibrations to their shaft, making them receive a shockwave of pleasure.

“Fuck! M’gonna cum, Y/N…milk us…take our cum…shit!” Bucky cursed as he felt his balls tightening. Steve followed suit too, releasing himself into your mouth.

“Fucking hell…” Steve groaned at the sight of you trying to swallow their loads, but ultimately spilling some down your chin.

“Language…” Bucky joked through a murmur, making Steve roll his eyes with a smile.

With the use of his thumb, Steve gathered what had spilled up from your chin to between your lips, having you suck his fingers clean lewdly.

Steve purred in delight, “What a good girl you are…taking us both like a champ.”

“Now you’re about to receive twice the reward, sweetheart…you sure you’re ready for it?”

You nodded eagerly, “oh fuck yes, don’t hold back on my account…”

The men smirked, knowing she was in for it all.

“Holy shit!”

Bucky had a wicked grin as his tongue glided along your folds, not holding back with the way his tongue explored you as per your request.

Steve cooed, “Look at her cute little button…so puffy and sensitive, isn’t it?” He kept rubbing your clit with his thumb, making your whole body twitch in pleasure. Bucky hummed against you in response just then, not leaving his lips from your quivering heat.

He managed to mutter something in the lines of ‘tastes so good, doll’ while his tongue found the source of your wetness, lapping up every drop of pussy juice that threatened to leave for the mattress beneath you.

“I can’t - I don’t wanna cum before I have a dick inside of me..” you whined, and the men stopped as they grinned, looking at each other.

“Who’s dick do you want in you first, doll?” Steve then asked teasingly while stroking your cheek.

“…I don’t know…” you answered, suddenly pondering. “Do I really have to choose?…”

“Well you can’t have us both at the same time…you’re not ready for that.” Steve spoke, humored.

Bucky held his gaze at Steve, “I think…it’s best if you take her first, Stevie. You have better control than I do and I wouldn’t want to ruin the mood or hurt you, Y/N.” He then turns to look at you for a brief moment.

Your face falls at Bucky’s words and you’re about to open your mouth to speak but Steve beats you to it. “You couldn’t hurt her, Buck…but if you feel doubtful of yourself, I’ll take it into my own hands for now until you feel more sure. Does that sound good, doll?” Steve asks as he looks at you too.

You nod, agreeing to the solution as Bucky encourages it with a soft expression. “Sounds good.”

Steve sucks in his breath as he pushes his tip through your folds, holding your hips graciously with you on your back. “Gonna give it to you long and hard…you’ll never want for anything other than us, doll.”

A whimper escaped your lips as Steve impales you. “S-So big…you might split me in half..”

He chuckled at the underlying compliment and strokes your cheek gently. “I won’t move until you say so, love…take your time in getting used to my size, okay?” He says and strokes your clit gently.

You groan and nod in response, “mhm, just give me a minute…”

“We’ve got all the time in the world…” Bucky reassures as he gets behind Steve and caresses his body.

You groan at the sight, “Apart from the love between you two which I adore, - you look so hot together.”

“Yeah? You have always enjoyed watching us being intimate haven’t you?” Steve teased as he leans back a little more against Bucky. “Since the very beginning, we could smell it on you…”

Your face turned red as you realized, shit, of course they could tell when you were aroused. They are enhanced in everything to smell such things…

Bucky interrupted your overthinking with his chuckle, “don’t let it embarrass you, doll…your bodily reactions only ensured you felt the same…thanks to your honest body, we’re here together at all.”

“Now, while we wait for you to get ready, how about we give you a show?” Steve suggested with a seductive grin. You nodded feverishly as Steve turned his head behind to give Bucky a loving kiss, with Bucky’s hands wandering around Steve’s pecs and stomach. Steve then sneaked his hand below and stroke Bucky’s cock as Bucky stared down at you, mesmerized.

“Fuuck, seeing you buried inside Y/N makes me so fuckin’ horny…” at Bucky’s confession, you blush profusely.

“Yeah? Well, if you’re so needy and desperate, you know what you could do about it.”

Bucky’s eyes wandered down to Steve’s ass. “Oh, don’t I know it…” He reached for the lube on the nightstand and inserted some into Steve’s puckered hole with his metal finger, making Steve grunt with arousal. Bucky positioned himself, towering over Steve’s back.

“Just shove yourself in already…you know I can take-!” Steve’s sentence is cut out from a sharp hiss as Bucky slides home.

You witness before your very eyes as Steve closes his eyes tightly, a high pitched moan getting choked as he grits his teeth. His long drawn ‘fuuuuck~’ is the confirming evidence you gather that he’s feeling absolutely amazing.

You can’t help yourself and cover your mouth to hide how turned on you are by this very scenery. Your attempts are due to fail as you feel your core growing wetter and tighter. “…I’m…”

“Fuck, you’re hugging my cock even tighter than before…” Steve purred as he glanced at you through his lashes. “Mmh, does it turn you on to see me between you like this? - Shit…” Steve cursed as Bucky got himself fully seethed inside of him. Steve’s once self assured look was growing twitchy and fading into one of a bottom.

Steve’s cock pulsed inside of you, making you mewl, “Y-Yes! It��s so hot and - god, I need you to start moving, Steve. I’m so ready to be fucked…”

“You hear that? Our girl wants to have her sweet pussy fucked…let’s fulfill her needs, shall we?” Steve nodded and Bucky started to move, causing Steve’s hips to move with him, creating a thrust.

You bit back a loud moan, your breath growing shallow as Steve’s length drags through your tight channel.

Bucky smirked as he looked over Steve’s shoulder, his eyebrows knitted in pleasure, “damn, Stevie…look at what you’re doing to her…”

Steve moaned as he didn’t take his eyes off of you, seeing the way your face scrunches in pleasure for each thrust. “…don’t hold back any noises, love. We want to hear all of it…”

You nod and let a whimper escape you. Bucky starts to move faster just then, encouraging Steve to go along the rhythm as they stay connected. While Bucky leaves rough grunting noises, Steve and you left ones of whines and moans of various pitches.

The pleasure of being deep inside of you while having his prostate hit was overwhelming for Steve, “oh my…” is all he can mutter out as moans take over his speech.

“Steve…aahh!~” you moan as you feel Steve’s cock nudging against the deepest parts inside of you, and you become flushed from overwhelming amount of pleasure.

“Please, cum inside, Steve…I’m on the pill, it’s fine…mmmh~ need it…”

“A-Alright whatever you want, doll…- fuuuck!” Steve aches his back behind as he becomes overdriven, feeling his male lover’s cock continuously hitting his prostate which makes him all the more weak.

Bucky can only snicker from pride as he picks up the pace. “Found your sweet spot, huh? I always do…”

Steve could only groan in response as the sex gets more intense. He feels an overwhelming pleasure being between his two lovers, one piercing inside of him while he’s deep inside the other.

It feels absolutely ecstatic.

“Gonna dump my cum inside you any moment, Stevie…” Bucky suddenly announces while he grunts and pounds relentlessly into Steve’s ass until he reaches his climax through a loud gasp.

You gasp, “Oh shit, I’m going to…”

Steve whines just then, feeling you become close too as he shouts, “C-cumming!..” while biting his lip.

Steve spills deeply into you, coating your walls in hot sticky cum while Bucky does the same inside of him. It’s all too much for the three of you as you go through your highs, remaining still as you catch your breaths from your first round of mutual orgasms.

Bucky pulled out of Steve, making him whimper as his cock slips out of your oozing pussy, exposing what he had left behind. Bucky leaned in to kiss Steve’s shoulder, watching down on you at your post orgasmic expression. He chuckled when he caught your playful smirk, and he pulls up Steve with him to sit up before parting Steve’s legs a little.

“Look at that…” Bucky pointed out as he spread Steve’s ass cheeks, showing the sticky mess he had left behind. Bucky took notice of the way you licked your lips at the sight, and immediately suggested in his husky voice, “Would you like to clean him up? I’ll clean Stevie’s mess on you in the meantime…”

Steve turned around as he understood what Bucky was proposing and blushed, “You don’t need to do that, doll…it’s probably new to you and -!”

You shake your head, "No, I want to do it. Bring America’s ass over to me.” you interrupted, determination showing through your features as your lips form a smirk.

Steve blushes even more furiously at your confidence, not expecting to hear that at all. “Oh…well, since you’re offering and only if you want to…”

Bucky snorts as he nudges at Steve with his shoulder, “You’re catching Stevie off guard and it’s making him all flustered…been a while since I’ve seen him this red.” He comments, snickering as he pulls your lower body over to him and licks up Steve’s and yours mess between your legs, making you groan.

Steve simply huffs, and Bucky adds an order, “Get in front of her face, Steve. Our naughty girl said she wants a taste, so let her have it…” while he spread your thighs wide apart, his mouth eagerly meeting your pussy again and sucking out the cum dripping out of your cunt.

You moan from the pleasure Bucky provides you, but you stay composed to take care of the other big man beside you.

Steve helps you gain easy access as he spreads his ass cheeks apart, anticipation written all over his face as you inch closer to his hole, your nose nudging against his balls in the process while your tongue makes its way. He groans when he feels you licking around his rim where Bucky’s cum is dripping out, and he shivers when you hum against his sensitive skin from savoring the taste.

“Ahh…that’s it…” Steve speaks through a low rumble and he spreads his legs wider as you get closer to him. “Oohh, I’m so in love with you…”

You snicker as you tease him with your tongue techniques, but as you feel Bucky forcing his own wet muscle inside of you, you begin to crumble yourself. “J-James…”

Bucky coos at your whine, assuming you’re feeling overwhelmed. “It’s okay, sweetheart…m’just cleaning your insides, that’s all…won’t leave ya overstimulated…”

“N-No, that’s not it…” you whine once more while shaking your head, “I want you inside of me.”

Bucky’s eyes widen as he feels his cock harden by this very plead, but he still restrains himself, “Are you sure? Doll, you just had Steve and he’s no bigger than me…besides, I’m not sure I’d be able to hold back…”

“I don’t care.” You say, biting your lip at how needy you make yourself sound, but you’re desperate. “I need your cock…please, I need you to fuck me before we call it a night.”

Bucky glances at Steve who has a growing smirk on his face, “I think you should give our doll what she wants, Buck. You don’t want to deny her when she’s begging so nicely, do you?”

Bucky hums in thought before he shakes his head, “no…I don’t.” He rises up above you as he strokes his shaft, his cock pulsing with anticipation. “Turn around, sweetheart. I’m taking you doggy style.”

You grin seductively and do as he says, raising your ass up. A moan leaves your lips as you feel Bucky’s cool metal arm wrap around you while he uses his other hand to guide his cock to your heat.

“Fuck, I’ve been waiting for this for so long, doll…I’m going to savor every moment of taking this cunt…”

You mewl as Bucky takes a hold of your hips almost possessively while he guides for your bodies to meet. His tip intrudes against your entrance as he pushes forward, and before you know it, his whole length seeps in, making you cry out in pleasure.

Steve kneels in front of you as he takes in Bucky picking up a rhythm, his thrusts quickly going from gentle to desperate. He then turns his gaze at you and notices you’re looking up at him directly, as if you’re pleading for something. Steve caresses your chin with a smirk growing on his face, and he gives you what you want as he inches himself closer, his cock stiffening again when your lips meets it.

The room becomes filled with filthy moans, grunts and curses for the next moments as they engage in the spitroast.

“O-One thing for sure…I’m never gonna be needing that pussy pocket ever again.” Bucky breaks the silence from behind you as he stutters his hips desperately into you. You moan as it dawns over you what he was implying. They had fantasized about you before.

“Yeah, we won’t have to…you’re such a good girl for taking care of us…so, so proud of you…” Steve murmurs his praises as he takes in the sight of you sucking his balls before licking your way up to his tip again where you continue sucking him off.

Bucky clenches his teeth as he realizes he’s far too gone to hold it any longer, and he announces through a weakened whisper, “I’m about to bust…”

“Right behind you…want to be fed with my cum, doll?” Steve asks, his breath now shortening.

Your head bobs, giving an eager ‘yes’ as you swallow him inside your mouth some more. Steve guides you to take more of his cock down your throat, his hips bucking forward with neediness while he reaches his own climax.

Bucky fills you to the brim with a final thrust, emptying himself as he throws his head back. “Ah fuck!!” The senation Bucky provides makes your orgasm crash over you, having you quivering underneath him.

You roll your eyes to the back of your head as Steve’s cum spurts down your throat, what feels like buckets. You pull your mouth off of him and gasp for air as you swipe your tongue around your lips, gathering any drop that managed to escape. Steve leans down onto the bed to cool down, his cock finally softening after what felt like hours of sex.

Bucky brings you carefully with him to lie down too, his cock slipping out of your pussy as he softens, allowing his cum to escape and drip down between your legs.

As you catch your breath, you can’t help but laugh a little, making the super soldiers perk down at you curiously.

“You guys cum a lot…and it’s what, your third orgasm? How is that even possible? Never met guys who can do that.” You share as you chuckle, amused.

“We’re enhanced, sweetheart…we’re supposed to be above average in several aspects. That includes going for several rounds without tapping out.” Steve explains as he sends a wink your way.

You giggle at that while they bring you closer between them, nuzzling against you as you go into a session of aftercare.

“This has to be the best sex I’ve had in a long time…” you sigh with satisfaction, “I don’t think I could ever get enough of this…” the men simply hum, agreeing with your thought.

“Trust me, there’ll be more of where that came from….plenty of it, every day if it’s what you desire.” Bucky speaks in a teasing tone as he steals a kiss from you, holding his gaze at you ever so lovingly.

Steve hums in agreement as he adds, “or, even if you would only want it once in a while, we will to our best abilities make you crave more and more each time we do it…” he leans in to take a passionate kiss from you too, not being able to help himself from joining the soft intimacy.

You express fondness by your smile alone as you look in between them, and when Bucky and Steve reach for each other above you for a final sweet kiss, you’re settled in for a good night sleep, the three of you feeling so closely connected like never before.

N/A: This turned out incredibly filthy…so I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🤭

Hearts + Reblogs are incredibly appreciated! <3

#stucky x reader #stucky x you #stucky x y/n #steve rogers x bucky barnes #steve rogers x reader x bucky barnes #stucky #stucky smut #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x you #steve rogers x y/n #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #sebastian stan x reader #chris evans x reader

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joanoffuckingarc · 5 months ago

Text

Here, Kitty Kitty.

♰ PAIRING: T'Challa x gn!reader

♰ SUMMARY: reader has made a WONDERFUL discovery of T'Challa being able to purr.

♰ WORD COUNT: 451

♰ WARNINGS: none just fluff

♰ A/N: tried to proofread the best I can but its 1 am pls forgive me for terrible writing and stuff okay bye

A soft thud and a heavy weight catches your attention, causing your gaze to lift from your phone, and instead turn to the figure which drops all of his weight from himself, on to you.

”T’Challa…” You call out, but rather than being stern, you're happy. It had been too long since you've caught a glance at the King, too busy protecting Wakanda, too busy protecting you. Your hands come up to rake over his back, body still covered with his vibranium suit, although T’Challa won't lie to himself, your fingers scratching over the suit, the vibranium tingle against his skin, it's perfect. (or purrfect HA HA)

You slowly set your phone down, allowing T'Challa to drape over your form further, his arms and legs falling down your sides, and his head buried between your chest, which he calls his pillows.

As the silence between the two of you begins to grow louder, an unusual sound and feel catches you. You had set your phone off, no sounds emanating from it nor any notifications, and yet even with reassurance, that low vibrating sound filled your ears.

It wasn't before opening your eyes, had you realized that the sound was coming straight from T'Challa himself. You blink once, then twice, and you feel a surge of pride within you. Never of your 5 years together, had you heard T'Challa purr.

One of your hands slowly come up to tangle in his hair, and the purrs began to escape his throat the same way water would fall from a ledge to create a waterfall. You gently bring T'Challa up, so that his head was rather buried into the warmth of your neck, his purring growing even more extreme at the closeness.

You almost felt like hugging his body too tightly to the point air could no longer travel to his lungs, the cuteness-aggression that's overflowing through your veins setting an almost scary nerve off. You want to punch him, squeeze him, throw him around the room, but lovingly, of course!

Your hands wrap back around his back, fingers curling into his hair once more. The soft shuffle of his body wakes you back to reality, and he looks up at you with those loving eyes he gave you when you locked eyes with him for the first ever time.

“G’morning.. or afternoon preferably.” You hum, keeping your arms around his form before you smile down at him. “I didn't know you could actually purr, you should've told me sooner, then we could've had more sessions like what we're doing right now.”

You could tell he was embarrassed, but not out of shame, rather out of shyness instead. “I guess that truly makes you a panther after all, huh?”

#♰ BLACK PANTHER #♰ T'CHALLA #gender neutral reader #reader #x reader #black panther x reader #tchalla x reader #t'challa x reader #x gender neutral reader #fluff #sfw #marvel #marvel x reader

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cece693 · 3 months ago

Note

hii, are you ever planning on making a part 2 of the I Forgive You (reader x bucky), I adore it so much!!

Thanks so much for the comment! I was debating on how to end it, but I couldn't let Bucky suffer...So the second part is filled with angst, fluff and everything in between :) Because this was already getting long, there are soo many time skips, but I think this is a good ending for this fic. I hope you enjoy it!

I Forgive You Pt. 2

pairing: bucky barnes x gender neutral reader tags: you die, bucky is depressed, endgame occurs, changes in the timeline, I won't spoil it, but I think you can guess what's going to happen, hint hint bucky goes back in time :), kinda au since some things had to be changed to fit the narrative better

The day you passed away was the day Bucky Barnes’s world collapsed. They rushed you into Wakanda’s medical wing, Shuri and her teams working feverishly, but there was no stopping the internal damage. Despite vibranium-infused treatments, advanced technology, and the dogged determination of the Wakandans, you quietly slipped away in the early hours after the battle. No cosmic power or high-tech intervention could resurrect what Thanos had destroyed.

When the moment came, Bucky was by your bedside, holding your hand in his. Your final breaths were shaky, pain etched across your features. Bucky spoke in frantic whispers, clinging to hope that you would hear him.

“Don’t go,” he pleaded, tears clinging to his lashes. “I—I need you here. I’m…I’m not strong enough alone.” Your eyes fluttered open one last time, just enough to focus on him. You squeezed his hand—a gesture that felt heartbreakingly weak. And then you were gone. Your chest fell still; your fingertips slipped from his grasp.

Bucky’s anguished cry echoed through the pristine Wakandan lab as medical monitors went silent. Shuri’s shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping. She quietly dismissed her assistants, understanding there was nothing more they could do for you. In that instant, any progress Bucky had made in escaping the Winter Soldier’s shadow shattered. He wasn’t just lost—he was broken.

As if your passing wasn’t catastrophic enough, the unthinkable happened: Thanos succeeded. The battle outside ended in an instant of cosmic horror. Half the universe dissolved into floating specks of ash.

No one could forget the way Okoye fell to her knees, watching T’Challa fade from sight; or how Wanda’s breath caught as she vanished with tears still in her eyes. Even rocket ships grounded when Rocket lost some of the Guardians. For Bucky, still cradling your lifeless form, the destruction outside was just another layer of nightmare. But the cruelest twist? Bucky remained.

He had hoped, on some desperate level, that if there was some cosmic design, it would also take him. He’d have welcomed oblivion, a chance to follow you into whatever lay beyond. But the universe, in its cruel indifference, forced him to remain—tethered to life when the one person he’d dared to love was gone.

In the days that followed, Bucky was nearly catatonic. He barely ate or slept. He didn’t respond when Steve tried to reach him, only staring at the vacant spot on the med-lab floor where your blood had pooled. Gone was the peace he’d found in Wakanda, the fragile sense of self that Shuri’s deprogramming and your unwavering love had helped him reclaim.

All that remained was the echo of your final breath, the memory of his own hands betraying him—the Winter Soldier reawakened, by Thanos’s design, to deliver the fatal blow. No matter how many times anyone insisted it wasn’t your fault, he couldn’t accept it. Because he had held the knife. He had heard you gasp in pain.

That knowledge devoured him from within.

Upstate New York, The Avengers Compound (Two Years After the Snap)

Eventually, Bucky found himself at the Avengers Compound, a shell of what it once was. Natasha spent her days clinging to the last threads of her sense of duty, coordinating scattered reports from various corners of the globe. Steve tried to hold group therapy sessions in a local community center, urging people to find hope. Bruce and Tony—before Tony retreated to a private life in the woods—clashed over how to move forward. Thor was gone, wandering somewhere, presumably wracked with guilt.

Bucky offered no solutions. He spent most of his time quietly cleaning weapons or aimlessly flipping through old mission files. Sam had vanished in the snap, which meant there was no one left who could truly break through Bucky’s solitude—except Steve. Occasionally, Steve tried to coax him into conversation.

“What are you thinking?” he asked one day, watching Bucky methodically oil a handgun he barely used anymore.

Bucky glanced up. Shadows clung beneath his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights. “Nothing worth saying,” he murmured. His voice was cold, guarded, but Steve recognized the heartbreak beneath it.

Steve laid a hand gently on his friend’s shoulder. “He wouldn’t want you to give up.”

Bucky’s grip tightened on the gun. “He’s not here to tell me that, is he?”

Steve’s hand lingered on the metal shoulder a moment longer than usual, and Bucky felt the gentle weight of that gesture like a brand. He swallowed, refusing to meet Steve’s gaze. “Maybe not,” Steve answered quietly, “but I’m here. And I remember exactly how he looked at you—like you were worth saving every day.”

Bucky’s jaw clenched. The words burrowed under his skin, scraping nerves already raw. He set the handgun aside with slow, deliberate care, as though it might shatter if he moved too fast.

“Don’t,” he said, voice hoarse. “Don’t put his faith in me like it’s a shield. I dropped that shield the second I—” He cut himself off, throat tight. The second I stabbed him. Even two years later, the memory struck like a knife to the gut.

Steve pulled over a folding chair and sat across from him. The armory lights hummed overhead, dust motes drifting through the beams. Outside, spring rain pattered against the broken skylight. It sounded like a heartbeat that refused to stop. “You blame yourself because you still see the Winter Soldier when you look in the mirror,” Steve said. “I get that. But he saw James Buchanan Barnes. So do I.”

Bucky barked a laugh—sharp, joyless. “He saw who he wanted to see. Everyone does that with me. It’s easier than facing the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That there’s no redemption arc big enough to erase what I’ve done.” Bucky’s eyes were like storm clouds—dark, volatile. “Not just to him. To all of them. I can’t fix this.”

Steve folded his hands. “Maybe you can’t fix everything. But you can still do something. Every day we’re alive is another chance to try.”

Bucky shook his head, rising abruptly. “I’m done with pep talks.” He shoved the chair back and strode toward the exit.

Steve’s voice followed him, quiet but firm. “Running from the pain won’t make it fade, Buck. You taught me that, remember?”

Bucky hesitated at the doorway, fingers tightening on the frame. Rain drummed harder on the roof, like impatient fingers. He turned just enough for Steve to see the grief etched in his profile. “I’m not running,” he muttered. “I’m just…waiting for the part where it stops hurting.”

Steve’s expression softened. “Maybe it never stops. Maybe we carry it, like we carried each other through the war. But carrying it together makes it lighter.”

For a heartbeat Bucky said nothing. Then, almost inaudibly, he whispered, "Save the sermon, Steve. Some weights don’t get lighter—no matter how many hands you put on the bar.”

Five Years After the Snap

When Scott Lang—Ant-Man—reappeared from the Quantum Realm with a desperate, impossible plan to time-travel and reclaim the Infinity Stones, the Avengers reassembled for the first time in years. Tony was coaxed out of his lakeside retirement, Bruce had undergone a curious evolution into a “Professor Hulk,” and Thor stumbled into the compound carrying the weight of his failures.

Bucky kept to the back of the room as they discussed quantum physics and potential paradoxes. The idea of going back in time to retrieve the stones before Thanos could destroy them sounded insane. But there was an ember of something in Bucky’s chest—hope, maybe? If they could undo the snap, perhaps…he'd be here, Bucky thought, half-listening to the frantic conversation. He’d be the first to volunteer for this. He never hesitated to save the world. Bucky’s jaw clenched, eyes drifting over the faces of the other Avengers. Steve caught his gaze and nodded. There was a shared understanding: Bucky was in, no matter how impossible it seemed.

The plan was laid out with careful precision: split into teams, jump through the Quantum Realm, gather the Infinity Stones, and bring them safely back to their time. From Tony and Bruce’s intricate equations to Steve’s measured resolve, everyone moved with one desperate thought in mind: undo what Thanos had done.

For Bucky, however, that glimmer of hope took a wildly different shape. Deep down, he knew the Snap itself hadn’t taken your life, but part of him clung to the impossible dream that maybe, just maybe, if they could harness the Stones or alter the timeline, he could undo his greatest regret. Bucky shoved that hope down where it couldn’t distract him, but it remained a stubborn ember in his chest.

When the Avengers regrouped in the present with the Stones in hand, Bucky felt that ember burn a bit brighter. If these Stones can bring back half the universe, who’s to say they can’t—No. He cut off the thought, jaw clenched. Focus on the mission. Don’t be selfish.

Yet the longing was there, pulsing beneath every breath.

When retrieving the stones, they never expected for Thanos to follow. But the Mad Titan—this time, a past version even more relentless—arrived in a fury, bringing a warship and legions of vicious outriders. In an instant, the Avengers Compound turned to a smoking crater. Flame and twisted steel surrounded them, the air thick with dust and debris.

Bucky was among the first to spring into action, rifle in hand. His mind snapped into combat mode, adrenaline surging. Distantly, he noted Tony’s frantic calls for backup, Thor’s roar, and the clash of vibranium on alien weaponry. He had no illusions about the odds.

“He’s here!” Steve shouted, shield up, voice tight with urgency. “Everyone—scatter and engage!”

Bucky nodded sharply, storming through the rubble, eyes scanning for any sign of Thanos or the outriders. The sizzling hum of energy blasts whined past his ears. Chunks of concrete rained down from collapsed walls. It felt like war—just another battlefield, except the stakes were greater than ever. Bucky was ready to die; he owed you at least that much after what he'd done to you, but it was Tony who made the ultimate sacrifice. Wearing the gauntlet with all the stones, Bucky could only cover his eyes before a bright flash surrounded the battlefield. And then, silence—save for the faint crackle of dissipating cosmic energy.

Bucky’s ears rang. When he lowered his arm, the field was eerily still. The sky, once bruised with smoke and fire, now glowed soft pink in the newborn dawn. Thanos and his armies were gone—reduced to drifting motes of dust that shimmered for a heartbeat before the wind carried them away.

Victory. But it didn’t feel like triumph.

Across the rubble‑strewn expanse, Bucky spotted Stark slumped against a jagged slab of concrete, the makeshift Infinity Gauntlet fused to his scorched armor. Rhodey was already there, hands trembling as he tried to stabilize a reactor that would never beat again. Peter stumbled forward, sobbing apologies. Pepper knelt, voice breaking as she coaxed Tony’s fading gaze to hers.

Bucky stood rooted, rifle limp at his side. He should move—help, comfort, do something—yet his legs refused. The scene blurred through tears he hadn’t realized were falling. Another good man dying in front of me, and I can’t save him. Just like…

Your face flashed behind his eyes: smiling under Wakandan sunlight, then contorted in pain beneath the Winter Soldier’s blade. His stomach twisted. A hand landed on his shoulder. Steve—bloodied, exhausted—looked at him with the same hollow grief. “He saved us all,” Steve whispered, voice hoarse.

Bucky swallowed hard. “And I couldn’t even save one person.”

Days later, after the dust settled and the funeral for Tony concluded, the Avengers made preparations to return the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the timeline. Steve volunteered to be the one to do it—he insisted he should be the one to make it right.

On a quiet morning at the rebuilt Quantum Platform, Steve approached the pad, the case of stones clutched in one hand. Bucky hovered a few steps away, posture tense, arms crossed. Sam and Bruce were there as well, operating the controls. “We’ll see you back in five seconds,” Bruce said, giving Steve a shaky smile. Steve nodded, stepping onto the platform. He glanced at Bucky, eyes filled with a mixture of resolve and something else that Bucky couldn’t decipher. Then Steve was gone in a flash of quantum energy. Five seconds ticked by. Bruce fiddled with the controls, waiting for a signal.

Another second passed.

Then another.

Bucky’s heart sank. Fear twisted in his gut. Why wasn’t Steve coming back?

Suddenly, Sam pointed across the clearing. Near the shoreline by the compound, an older man sat on a bench, gazing out over the water. He and Sam exchanged confused looks before sprinting over. As they drew closer, they recognized him—Steve, aged and wearing a contented smile.

“I’m sorry,” the older Steve said softly, looking to both Sam and Bucky with fondness in his eyes. “I took a detour.”

“You went back to the 40s, didn’t you?” Sam breathed, understanding dawning. “Peggy?”

Steve’s lips curved gently, but he shook his head. “I saw Peggy, yes. But she…she’d moved on. She lived her life. She was happy.” He let out a breath that seemed to carry decades of contentment. “I couldn’t take that away from her, not after everything. Not just because I wanted one last dance.”

Bucky stood there, uncertain how to react. Part of him had always expected Steve to choose Peggy in the end. “So, you just stayed anyway? On your own?”

Steve carefully opened the case on his lap, revealing an Infinity Stone—one that hadn’t been there before. Bucky frowned, and Sam’s eyes widened, confusion etched on his features.

“This,” Steve explained, tapping the stone, “isn’t from the same stash we used. It’s a spare from a slightly different reality. I got advice from someone who owes us a big favor—someone who knows the Stones in ways we can’t imagine. They told me there was a special timeline where certain tragedies happened that could be undone.”

A look of dawning realization flickered across Bucky’s face. “You…you mean…?”

Steve nodded, placing a wrinkled hand on Bucky’s vibranium arm. “I can send you back. Not to the 1940s—” he smiled kindly, “—but to just before all this started. Before Thanos. Before they…” Steve’s voice faltered. “You, out of everyone, deserves that life, Buck. Both of you do.”

Bucky’s chest tightened, eyes burning with unshed tears. “Steve, I…I don’t understand.”

The older man smiled, sadness and pride mingling in his gaze. “I had my dance. It wasn’t with Peggy—she belonged to her own time. But I found something else worth living for.” He patted a small ring on his finger that Bucky hadn’t noticed before. “In a timeline out there, I found a second chance…not the one everyone expected, but the one I needed. We all deserve that, Buck.”

Sam cleared his throat, clearly reeling from the news. “So, you’re sending Bucky back in time to stop everything from happening?”

“Not everything,” Steve corrected. “The Infinity Stones need to remain hidden until Thanos makes his play. But Bucky can change his own path—and theirs.” He looked at Bucky meaningfully. “You can prevent their death, Buck, and maybe help ensure we’re more prepared for Thanos than we ever were.”

Emotions warred inside Bucky: disbelief, guilt, longing. Could he really go back to you, change things so you’d never meet that fate on the battlefield? Could he warn the Avengers without altering reality in catastrophic ways?

“It’s risky,” Steve admitted, reading the turmoil in his friend’s eyes. “Time travel always is. But something tells me you’ll find a way to make it right. You two always did have each other’s backs. And remember—this is your choice, Bucky. You don’t have to—”

But Bucky already knew his answer. He didn’t need a second invitation. He let out a shaky breath, turning to Sam. “You’ll be okay?”

Sam’s eyes held sadness at the idea of losing another close friend, but he forced a reassuring smile. “I’ll manage. You do what you need to do. And if you succeed, I’ll see you on the other side, right?”

Bucky gave a slight nod. Then he turned back to Steve—his oldest friend. Words failed him, so he placed a hand over Steve’s heart. “Thank you,” he whispered, voice rough. “For everything.”

Steve’s eyes glistened. “No, Buck. Thank you. Now go find them.”

Later that day, at the Quantum Platform

Professor Hulk adjusted the settings, hooking up the new Infinity Stone in a protective container that crackled with cosmic energy. “We’ll send you to a specific date,” he explained, tapping on the console. “Right before everything started going downhill. Remember, you can’t just reveal everything outright. That could break the timeline. But you can steer things—nudge them, warn them—to avoid the worst.”

Bucky gripped the handle of the small time-travel device. Part of him still couldn’t believe this was real. When he closed his eyes, he could almost see you, smiling with that bright, fearless grin, calling him to you. Telling him that he wasn’t alone. As the mechanism powered up, Sam and Steve stood nearby, offering silent support. With one final glance, Bucky nodded. Bruce activated the quantum jump. A surge of light enveloped Bucky. The world around him distorted, twisting into a kaleidoscope of color. A second later, he vanished.

Present-Day (Pre-Infinity War Timeline), Avengers Compound

Bucky materialized in an empty room in the compound—one reserved for weapons storage. He immediately recognized the layout, the hum of the building’s air conditioning. He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a familiar combat outfit, minus the dust and grime of the final battle. His heart pounded. This is real. This is real.

Cautiously, he slipped out of the storage room into the corridor. It was bustling with people—agents, recruits, staff—while monitors on the walls displayed mission briefs from around the globe. A part of Bucky wanted to weep at every sight that was normal. No looming threat from Thanos yet, no sign of half the world turned to dust. Bucky’s stomach churned with anticipation. He needed to find you. But how? He paused, remembering the timeline constraints. He couldn’t just announce he’d come from the future; it could unravel everything.

A sudden voice from behind him nearly made him jump. “Barnes? You back from Wakanda already?” The figure approached, wearing standard-issue tactical gear. It was just a random S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison, but it confirmed that you and the others believed him to have been in Wakanda. Perfect cover.

“Yeah,” Bucky managed, forcing a tight smile that felt alien on his face. “Something came up.”

He slipped past the agent, heading towards the living quarters. He remembered exactly where your room was. When he arrived at your door, his hand hovered over the handle. His heart hammered so hard he feared the entire compound could hear it.

Taking a breath, he knocked softly. From within, he heard shuffling, a muffled “Coming!” Then the door hissed open. And there you stood—every bit as vibrant as Bucky remembered. There was that spark in your eyes, that quick smile of curiosity. The same presence that had made him feel safe even in the darkest times.

Your brow furrowed slightly in surprise. “Bucky? I thought you were still in Wakanda."

The sight of you alive, breathing, unharmed, was overwhelming. Bucky’s breath hitched; tears pricked the corners of his eyes. You were about to say something else when he surged forward, wrapping you in a desperate embrace. His metal arm and flesh hand both pressed against your back, holding on as if you might vanish at any moment.

You froze in shock. “Hey…?” you managed softly, unsure what had shaken him so badly.

When Bucky finally pulled back, he didn’t give you a chance to question him further. He looked into your eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks, and before he could second-guess himself, he kissed you—fierce, trembling, full of pent-up grief and longing. The moment his lips found yours, time seemed to stop. A swirl of emotion poured out of him—sorrow, relief, love, desperation. The kiss was messy and unplanned, but he didn’t care. He needed you to feel how much you meant to him—how much he had lost and found again in that single instant.

At first, you tensed, wholly unprepared for such intensity. Then, sensing the genuine anguish behind it, you softened against him, letting your arms slide up to his shoulders. It was as though some fundamental piece of your bond, across timelines and tragedies, recognized his need.

When you finally broke apart, your breathing was unsteady. A thousand questions hovered in your eyes. “Bucky,” you murmured, voice shaky. “What…what happened? Why are you—”

He swallowed hard, thumb brushing your cheek, memorizing every line of your face. You’re alive. “It’s a long story,” he whispered, voice raw with unshed tears. “I-I can’t explain everything right now. But I—please, I just…need to hold you. Need to know this isn't some kind of dream.”

Your gaze searched his, seeing the pain etched into his features. Tenderly, you wiped away the moisture clinging to his lashes. “Well,” you said softly, “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” Bucky closed his eyes, silently thanking whatever higher power had granted him this second chance. I will save him, he vowed. I will save us.

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holylulusworld · 4 months ago

Text

A new home

Summary: He deserves love.

Pairing: Wakanda!Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader (Steve's adoptive sister)

Warnings: brother’s best friend trope, fluff, kind of secret relationship

Square filled for @avengers-assemble-bingo “Bucky Barnes Birthday bingo event": Square 4: Brother’s best friend

Square filled for @buckyboybingo: Square 16: Almost caught

Square filled for @fandom-free-bingo: Half-Baked Edition: Square 7: “You are so beautiful.”

Square filled for @buckybarnesbingo: C1: Wakanda!Bucky

Card: B004

Rating: Teen

A/N: In my story, the reader is Steve’s adoptive sister, which makes the story more inclusive.

Steven Grant Rogers. Captain America. A hero. The golden boy. A fugitive now. A man on the run.

Why? Because he saved his best friend. James Buchanan Barnes. Bucky to his friends.

Not only are Steve and his friends on the run. You, his adoptive sister, are on the run as well. You’re not adopted legally. Hell, his parents are long gone, and you never signed any papers.

Steve found you some years back in an abandoned Hydra base. The bastards were looking for people to experiment on, and you ended up in a cell. Steve came just in time, saving the day and you.

From that day on, he called you his little sister. Not related by blood, but a strong bond of trust, loyalty, and love.

You, along with Natasha, Sam, Wanda, Bucky, and Steve, found refuge in Wakanda. It’s not the worst place to live. The truth is, it’s so much more peaceful and advanced than the old world you were living in.

“What’s on your mind, Y/N?” Steve worriedly watches you stare in the distance. “Do you regret following me?”

“Never,” you reply without missing a beat. It’s the truth. Since the day Steve saved you, he has been nothing but good to you. He never lied or let you down. He’s, in any way, your big brother. Related by blood or not. “I just wonder what the others are doing.”

“Tony is… He gets around somehow.” He says, not convinced himself. “T’Challa checked on Rhodey’s condition for me. Clint and Lang made a deal to get out of prison. It’s not ideal, but…”

“They are free,” you end his line. “That’s good. They both have kids and all. I wouldn’t want them to end up being in prison. Our fight wasn’t their fight.”

“This fight should’ve never happened. Zemo did a good job splitting the Avengers,” Steve sighs deeply. He’s tired of saving people while hiding in the shadows.

“I understand that Tony was mad, but—” You nervously rub your face. “Bucky wasn’t himself back then. Tony should understand this. He’s a smart man.”

“One of the smartest people I ever met,” Steve says, sadness in his voice. “Maybe, one day, we can look back at that moment without anger.”

Steve walks away, leaving you alone with your thoughts. You look out of the window one last time before turning around and walking away.

He looks almost at peace when you watch him from afar. A few months ago, Shuri removed the programming controlling Bucky. No more Winter Soldier. No more being controlled by trigger words.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Bucky murmurs as you sneak inside his thatched-roof hut. He sighs because you won’t listen to him.

“I want to be here,” you reply as you sit down on the makeshift bed. “If you do not join us in the palace, I’ll stay here with you.”

“Y/N,” Bucky says as he enters the hut to sit next to you. “If Steve finds you here, he won’t like it.”

“Why?” You move a little closer to place your hand on his flesh hand. “You’re his best friend. He fought his friends to protect you.”

“You’re his sister,” Bucky softly whispers your name as he looks at you with soft eyes. “You’re so beautiful and too good for me.”

“Don’t say things like that,” you angrily reply. “Please don’t do this to yourself.”

You look at him, gently stroking his hair. It’s a little longer now; it falls past his shoulders and is slightly wavy. You press a soft kiss to his bearded cheek and giggle as his full beard tickles your skin.

Bucky softly smiles, letting you run your hands over his chest. He’s wearing a sleeveless reddish-burgundy top. The one you bought for him. Over this, he has a dark blue shawl draped loosely over his shoulders and knotted at his chest.

“I don’t deserve you.” You cup his face and lean closer to kiss him, soft and careful. Bucky is not ready yet for the next step.

“I love you,” you whisper against his lips. “I don’t care about your past. This wasn’t you, Bucky. I know the real Bucky, and Steve does too. Nothing else matters.”

Bucky sighs against your lips. He’d love to tell you that he feels the same, but this would only encourage you to stay with him. Deep down inside, Bucky believes that Steve would never accept your relationship and that you are too good for him.

“Stop thinking too much.” You press your forehead against Bucky’s. “Steve would be happy if he knew. He loves you like a brother.”

“Last time, we almost got caught. You shouldn’t stay here or be around me. Steve would turn his back on me, knowing you sleep here.”

“We are adults, Bucky,” you kiss his forehead. “And we didn’t do anything wrong. We slept together, nothing else. Even if we…” You giggle and hide your face in his neck. “You know… Steve couldn’t do anything against it.”

“He’d kill me if I did dirty things to you.”

“Dirty things,” you tease. “You want to do dirty things to me?” Lifting your head to meet his gaze, you smirk. “What kind of dirty things?”

His cheeks are shades of pink when you look at him. “I wouldn’t… I mean…”

“I was being a tease, Bucky.” You peck his lips, careful not to pressure Bucky. “Do you want me to stay? If not, I’ll go.”

“Stay.” He carefully touches your hand. “Please stay tonight.” He nuzzles your cheek. “I have a second pillow for you.”

You smile because he slowly opens up to you. Love is something Bucky hasn’t experienced in ages. But now that you all have found a new home in Wakanda, he has the chance to explore his feelings.

Both of you lie down. Bucky wraps his arms around you and allows you to rest your head on his chest. Your heart flutters as he holds you a little tighter and says, “I’ll ask Steve for an allowance to ask you out on a date.”

Tags in reblog.

#buckyboybingo2025 #4bbingo #buckybarnesbingo2024 #avengers-assemble bingo #fandom free bingo #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x female reader

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sonnycampbellsmith · 5 days ago

Text

Pairing: Bucky x Male Reader

Synopsis: You didn’t expect that capturing The Winter Soldier would cause a flurry of complicated emotions to run through you.

(Takes place during Captain America: Civil War)

Tag(s): action, comedy, slight angst, fluff, enemies-ish to lovers, sexual tension, flirty Bucky, jealous Bucky, first kiss

Reader is Songbird. Reader is Tony Stark’s adopted brother.

(It’s a SUPER long one)

Author’s note at the end :)

————————————————————————

“Hey, Rhodey. A man in a cat suit’s attacking the target.” You told Rhodey through your earpiece.

“A what?!” He yells, making you wince.

You watched, perched up from a nearby building, as the two tussle on a rooftop.

The mission was simple on paper.

Track down James Buchanan Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, arrest him for his crimes and bring him to Berlin. You definitely did not expect a giant cat man thrown into the mix.

You then see a familiar figure jump out of the apartment building and landing right behind the two fighting and you realised who it was.

“Steve?” You muttered to yourself in confusion.

A helicopter then appears and starts shooting at the three of them on the rooftop. You cursed under your breath, not expecting the local authorities to show up with such firepower.

The shooting didn’t last long as you watched The Falcon fly in and kick the helicopter by the tail, making it unstable and forcing it to manoeuvre away from the building.

“Goddamn it. Not you too, Sam.” You sighed, frustrated at the sudden intrusion of your two teammates.

Only you and Rhodey were assigned to help the local enforcement in Romania. Steve and Sam were now interfering with the mission and the country’s law by going against the enforcers.

You watched as everyone left the rooftops to pursue Barnes.

“Rhodey, we’ve got two new problems. Captain America and The Falcon are on site as well, they’re currently pursuing the target.” You told him over comms.

“What the hell is going on…” You hear Rhodey mutter. “Do you still have eyes on them?”

“Negative. They’ve disappeared into the highway tunnels, I’m gonna need you to come pick me up.” You informed him.

You hear Rhodey snicker at the other end. “Your codename’s Songbird and you didn’t think to ask your big brother for upgrades to your suit, you know, like wings?”

You groaned at his teasing. “Just come pick me up, I’m sending you my coordinates.”

After Rhodey picks you up, the both of you went off to intercept the targets.

“Apparently they’ve stopped running. We just need to bag em’ and get the target to Berlin.” Rhodey informs you as you were hanging on to his arms.

As the both of you got closer, you see an opening from above.

Steve, Barnes and the stranger were in the middle of standoff, surrounded by the local enforcement.

“Guess we gotta make an entrance.” You grumbled.

As the both of you got closer to the ground, Rhodey lets you go and you landed nicely in the middle of the three men.

Rhodey lands right behind you, his weapons ready incase anyone planned to run or start another fight.

“Stand down, now.” You commanded.

You see Steve put his arm out, as if to make sure The Winter Soldier didn’t attack. More of the local enforcement show up, guns out and ready to fight back against any type of resistance.

Steve was the first one to keep his shield and raise his arms in surrender. The other two following his lead.

“Congratulations, Cap. You’re a criminal.” Rhodey tells Steve with a disappointed tone.

More of the local enforcement then pile in, arresting Barnes first and then Steve. You see Sam a couple of feet away get arrested as well.

The stranger in the cat suit then does the same by retracting his claws and taking the helmet off to reveal that he was T’Challa, the newly appointed King of Wakanda.

You stared dumbfounded, your mouth agape.

Rhodey was just as shocked as you were at the reveal. “Your Highness.”

As Steve, Sam and T’Challa get into a car. Barnes was strapped into what seemed like a glass container at the back of an armoured truck.

“You get into that truck and keep a close eye on him. I gotta stay back here and supervise the cleanup.” Rhodey told you.

You blinked at him. “Me? Alone?”

“Hey, you got this. Tony and Natasha are already on their way to the JCTC Building. Besides, Steve and Sam are nearby, just in another vehicle. So technically, you won’t be alone.” Rhodey reassured you.

You nervously nodded before getting in the back of the truck, accompanying a couple of officers in the travel to their destination.

You fiddled with your gloves to calm your nerves as you stood in front of Barnes, who was eyeing you with curiosity through his glasshouse prison.

“I’m sorry.” You sighed. “I promise, the ride’s gonna go smoothly and you’ll be out of this ridiculous contraption soon.”

Barnes doesn’t respond and you sheepishly nodded to yourself before taking a seat.

It was nerve wracking sitting with the same man that shot you two years ago on the highway at Washington, D.C.

You risked a glance and noticed that Barnes’ eyes were on you, making you blush at the attention.

When you finally arrived at your destination, you let out a breath of relief that you didn’t realise you were holding.

You followed everyone to the East Wing of the building, descending to the sub-level five basement where they would be holding Barnes.

They connect a large plug to the container and you watched it power up with Barnes inside.

“Okay, I know I that I said you’d be out of this glass box but they think it’s better for your safety if you stayed inside.” You told Barnes, who raised an eyebrow at you.

“My safety or theirs?” Barnes asks you.

You kept quiet, not just by the question but also by how soft the other man’s voice was when it was directed at you.

You looked to the floor guiltily and huffed in frustration. “It wasn’t my choice, James.”

“It’s Bucky.” The other man corrects you, making you look up in surprise. “Just call me, Bucky.”

“Okay…Bucky.” You tested out the name, it felt a little foreign in your mouth but whatever makes him comfortable.

Everyone in the room starts to move out, leaving only you and Bucky.

“So what’s gonna happen now?” Bucky asks you.

You picked up a tablet and started to look through it. “Apparently some psychiatrist named Theo Broussard is gonna come down here and evaluate you. I’m guessing it’ll be a lot of back and forth, do you need water? I know you’re not much of a talker.”

“What gave me away?” Bucky asks sarcastically in a monotonic tone.

You chuckled. “It’s all the staring.”

That makes Bucky raise his eyebrows. “I stare too much for you?”

You bite your lip, trying to suppress the grin that was trying break free. “Intensely.”

The hint of a smirk appears on Bucky’s face before he schools his expression again. His eyes boring into yours. “Maybe I just like what I see.”

The both of you stared at each other for a few more seconds before the door opens and a spectacled man walks in.

You quickly turn to him with a polite smile, feeling slightly relieved that the moment between you and Bucky was interrupted because what the hell was that?

“Dr Broussard? It’s nice to meet you, sir.” You put your hand out for him to shake, the other man reciprocating firmly.

“Songbird, correct?” Dr Broussard said. “I didn’t know an Avenger would be joining us in this session.”

You shrugged with a small smile. “Call it a precaution.”

The psychiatrist gives you a tight smile before taking a seat at the desk that’s faced directly at Bucky.

You opted to stand at the side, with your arms crossed, silently observing the exchange.

Nothing was out of the ordinary and everything seemed to be going well. Bucky even corrected the psychiatrist when the man kept calling him James.

You smirked. Bucky glances at you for a second before bringing his focus back to the psychiatrist.

Of course that’s when the power goes off in the entire building.

“What the hell is this?” Bucky muttered in confusion.

You quickly sprung into action.

“Dr Broussard, let’s get you to safety.” You said to the psychiatrist as you made your way to him.

“Yes, of course! I just need to pack some of my things first.” The psychiatrist said in a panic, you turned towards the door as you let him pack.

“Behind you!” Bucky yells but it was too late.

You felt a sharp sting in your neck before you fell to the floor, your body completely paralysed as your consciousness started to fade.

The psychiatrist’s voice echoed over your body but you were unable to see him. “I must apologise Songbird. I simply just need some alone time with our guest, please enjoy your nap.”

“Bucky…” You whimpered before passing out.

When you came to, you realised that everything was dark; safe for the red emergency lights. Realising where you were, you quickly turned back in horror at the messy state of the room.

Bucky was nowhere to be found.

You get up from the floor, still feeling a little dizzy as you walked out of the room and passing by all the knocked out guards on the floor.

You hear creaking by the broken elevator and prepared yourself for whatever that was going to come out of it but heaved a sigh of relief when Steve popped out instead.

“Steve? Are you okay? What happened?” You anxiously rambled as you walked up to him.

“I’m alright.” Steve reassured you as he checks up on you and when he turns your head to the side, he sees a small mark in your neck. “Looks like he got you here. Are you feeling okay? Can you walk normally?”

You nodded, still confused as to what the hell was going on.

“Okay. Here’s what we’re gonna do.” Steve firmly says to you. “You’re gonna go find Tony and Nat, make sure everyone’s okay and you get yourself checked. I’m going to go get Bucky.”

You followed Steve to the stairs located at the emergency exit. The only way for the both of you to leave the floor since the elevators no longer worked.

As you two reached the stairs, you stopped Steve before he rushed off. “I don’t agree with the accords either, so please come and find me after all this. I want to help too.”

Steve looks at you. His eyes searching for something in the reflection of yours.

He sighed and nodded.

“I’ll ask Sam to reach out to you after.” Steve tells you before he leaves. His super soldier body making it look effortless as he practically jumps each step before disappearing from your sight.

You groaned, realising that now you have to do the same, just with no super serum pumping through your veins. You really should’ve gotten wings.

When you reached the main level of the building, you walk into the conference room to find Tony and Natasha recuperating.

“Oh my god, Tony.” You walked up to your big brother, seeing that he was sporting a large black eye.

Tony just shook his head, pulling you into a hug. He lets you go and his hands automatically went to your face, checking for any injuries. “I’ll be fine, what happened to you? You disappeared.”

“That therapist, or whoever he was, knocked me out. If I hadn’t let my guard down, then none of this would’ve happened.” You somberly told him.

Tony huffed out a laugh. “What matters here is that you’re safe. Anyways, both Rogers and Barnes have disappeared.”

You perked up at that. “What do you mean?”

“They found a helicopter in the nearby river but there no sign of either of them. We’re thinking Steve’s got them out and went into hiding, which means now we have to send out a search party for them.” Tony explained, as he fiddled with some documents on the table.

Upon closer inspection, you saw that they were the Sokovia Accords. You turn to Tony, his face fixed in a scowl.

“Tony, about the accords. Are you sure-“ You began speaking but Tony cut you off.

“Don’t worry about it, that’s my job.” Tony tells you with a reassuring smile. “How about you get out of that super suit of yours and get into something more comfortable? You’re kinda standing out.”

You chuckled. “I’m not the one sporting a shiner.”

You felt your phone buzz in your pocket and you took a look to see that it was a text from Sam and what seemed to be coordinates to their location.

You glanced at Tony, seeing the scowl had returned to his face.

Pocketing your phone, you gave him a side hug.

“I’ll get going now.” You whispered to him, feeling a little guilty as you walked out after your goodbyes.

A few hours pass when you finally reached the location where Steve and Sam were holding Bucky.

A slightly run down industrial warehouse in the middle of nowhere was pretty good but you knew they would eventually would have to start moving again.

You walked in to see Steve and Sam leave a room with concerned faces.

“Hey guys.” You greeted them.

“Whatcha got there, birdy?” Sam asked you as you walked up with a couple of white bags.

You lifted up the bags with a smirk. “Donuts.”

Sam laughs while Steve gives you a grateful smile as they took their respective donuts from you.

While they ate, Steve gave you a short rundown with the limited information he’s obtained from Bucky as you listened attentively.

He’s already recruited Clint to get Wanda and Sam’s apparently got his own guy to help especially when they’re gonna need to hijack a plane for their next plan.

“Someone to steal a plane?” You raised an eyebrow at him, a small smirk coming to your face. “You mean the small ant dude that kicked your ass?”

“Shut up.” Sam instantly retorted, accidentally spitting some of his chewed up pieces of donuts in your direction, causing you to jump backwards in disgust. The other man laughing.

You turned to Steve, who was smiling, and rolled your eyes before nodding towards the other room. “He’s in there?”

Steve nodded and you excused yourself to go check on Bucky.

Walking into the room, you felt your heart shatter at the visual of the man sitting by his lonesome in his dirty clothes and metal arm clamped in an industrial bench vice.

“That looks uncomfortable.” You noted, making Bucky look up in surprise.

You see his face go through many emotions in a matter of seconds before he let out a sigh of relief. “You’re okay.”

Something about that makes your heart skip a beat as you made your way to him.

“Mind if I sit?” You asked, nodding at the space on the floor next to him.

Bucky shrugged. “It’s a free country.”

You snorted before sitting next to him, handing the bag containing his food. Bucky raised an eyebrow while he checked out what was inside.

“It’s not like the donuts they have back in New York but it was either this or some dry muffins.” You rambled as he takes the donut out to inspect it, some of the sugar already falling off.

He looks at you, offering the donut to share but you shook your head. “I already ate.”

You both sat in silence as Bucky began eating. A mutual understanding between the both of you, realising that this was the only downtime you’ll have before shit hits the fan again.

“Steve mentioned that you can’t remember what happened back at the facility.” You said to Bucky, who was still chewing his food.

Bucky swallowed. “The last thing I remembered was your body hitting the floor before that man reactivated my Winter Soldier programming with a book he got from Hydra.”

You snorted humourlessly, looking away. “Yeah, you tanked your way through everyone. You even gave my brother a black eye. I don’t know why he thought he could just run in without his armour.”

Bucky’s body stiffens at the mention of the armour but you didn’t notice. “You’re a Stark?”

“Adopted.” You gave him a side smile. “Tony found me when the Avengers raided a Hydra facility in Sokovia. I had a metal mask over my face to contain my powers, I was practically muzzled like a dog. They freed me, Tony officially put me under his care and established himself as my big brother while I trained as an Avenger.”

Bucky nodded in understanding. “Your voice definitely had a strong kick to it when you used it on me on that highway two years ago.”

“You remembered that?” You turned to face him in surprise.

Bucky chuckled. “Hard to forget flying off in the middle of the street by someone yelling at me.”

You laughed out loud, not expecting this side of Bucky but happy that he was comfortable enough to joke with you.

You looked at him and snorted. Bucky raising an eyebrow at you. “What?”

“You’ve got some sugar on your face.” You told him, pointing at the side of his mouth.

Bucky proceeds to use his tongue to get the excess sugar but kept missing while you watched with an amused smile.

“You could help.” Bucky grunted at you.

You chuckled, pulling out some wet wipes from your pocket and getting on your knees to help him wipe the sugar off.

After wiping it off, you noticed how dirty his face was and pulled out more wipes. “You mind if I wipe your face down? You got some smudges on you.”

“Go ahead.” Bucky’s voice croaked out as you got closer to him.

You focused on getting rid of the dirt and grime from Bucky’s face, completely missing the way he was staring at you.

You unconsciously moved closer to his space, your body practically on his lap as you continued to clean. You hear his breath hitch but thought nothing of it.

You almost fell back but Bucky quickly steadied you with his fleshed hand on your waist.

“Smells like lavender.” Bucky commented, making you snort as you took out another wipe.

“Better than smelling like a wet dog.” You muttered, making him laugh.

“Well, I wasn’t found with a muzzler on my face.” Bucky replied, making you pull back with a gasp before throwing the wipe in your hand at his face as you tried to stand up.

Bucky laughed as he pulled you back in with his grip on your waist. “Wait, wait, I’m sorry. I was just kidding. Please? I can’t really move with the whole arm in a vice thing.”

You rolled your eyes and continued wiping him down, Bucky going into a comfortable lull as you helped him.

“Does it still hurt?” Bucky asked after a minute, his voice small as you stopped and stared at him in confusion.

He looked down at your body, his eyes focused on one spot by your side and it finally dawned on you by what he meant.

You slowly lifted up your shirt, revealing a scar from the bullet that went through your body.

You see his fingers reach out and trace the scar. His skin feeling callous against the smoothness of yours.

“It stopped hurting two years ago.” You tried to reassure him when you saw his face harden.

“I’m sorry.” Bucky looked up at you, his voice wavered with a face full of regret.

You feel his hand on your waist again, squeezing for a second as if he was trying to ground himself into reality.

You smiled down at him. “It’s not your fault.”

You hear someone clear their throat from behind you and you turned around to see Steve and Sam with amused faces at the state you and Bucky were in.

You quickly stood up, feeling your face heat up.

“The others got back to us, we’ll be moving soon.” Steve said, his amusement still on his face. “I’ll get Bucky out of that vice, you and Sam get prepared. The car’s out back.”

You nodded quickly before rushing out of the room, Sam right behind you.

“So Barnes does it for you, huh?” Sam teases as you kept walking.

“Shut up, Sam.” You muttered.

You then felt the phone in your pocket vibrate and you checked it to see that you received a text from Tony.

“Going on a little recruitment trip to Queens. Will be back in a few hours, I’ll see you soon?”

You stared blankly at your phone, feeling immense guilt rip through your entire nervous system.

Sam notices the change in your demeanour, he puts a hand on your shoulder and squeezed.

“Hey, you okay?”

You blinked away from your phone screen, trying to put on a smile. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to lie to me.” Sam tells you with a reassuring tone. “It’s about Tony isn’t it?”

Not trusting your voice, you nodded.

Sam gives you a small smile. “I know it’s hard. He’s your big brother and you don’t want to disappoint him after what he’s done for you but you have to remember that he loves you very much. After we’re done with all this, he’s still going to love you the same even when he’s pissed off.”

You felt your mouth twitch. “I’m guessing you’ve got experience with this sort of thing?”

Sam chuckled. “My younger sister, Sarah, and I would always get into a lot fights growing up but at the end of the day, we still loved each other so I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.”

“Thank you, Sam.” You gave him a hug, he squeezed you with a pat on the back before you felt him chuckle.

You let go of him with confusion. “What’s so funny?”

He nods his head behind you. “I think your boyfriend’s a little jealous that we hugged.”

You turned to see Steve and Bucky walking towards your direction. Bucky’s face set in a scowl, his eyes glaring at both you and Sam.

Mostly, Sam.

“Not my boyfriend.” You muttered at Sam as he walks away laughing.

Steve smiles warmly as he reaches you. “You doing alright? I know I’m asking for a lot. No one will blame you for wanting to step away.”

You mirror his smile, glancing at Bucky for a second before meeting Steve’s eyes. “I think it’s worth it.”

Steve nods before leaving you alone with Bucky to go start the car.

“I’m worth it?” Bucky asks you.

You feel your face flush, looking away from him. “Steve thinks so. I trust him.”

You missed the way Bucky smirked at your deflection to his question.

“Yeah, but I’m asking if you think I’m worth it.” His tone teasing, making you groan.

“Fine, yes you are. Happy?” You pouted at him.

“Peachy.” Bucky grinned.

You walked away, hearing him chuckle from behind you. As you reached the car, you realised in horror that both Steve and Sam were occupying the front and that meant you were gonna sit in the back with Bucky.

Judging by Steve and Sam’s grins, you knew they were finding this the most hilarious thing in the world right now.

“Oh come on, Sam. Switch with me.” You begged him.

The other man snorted. “If you can straddle the man’s lap, I think sitting next to him for a few hours wouldn’t hurt.”

“I didn’t-“ You cut yourself off before groaning in frustration and putting the bag with your uniform inside the trunk of the car.

You hear Bucky get in the back of the car before you closed the trunk. You walked to the other side but before you opened the door, you took your phone out and threw it away.

As you get in the car, everyone was watching you with concern. You rolled your eyes.

“Tony’s gonna track my phone down once he realises I’ve taken too long to reply.” You explained to them.

You guess that was enough of an answer as Steve starts the car to drive to their next destination.

Bucky scoots from his end of the seat to the middle, now closer to you.

You looked at him with a raised eyebrow and he shrugged, nodding his head towards Sam’s seat. It was pushed back and took up a lot of the backseat space.

Your eyes move to the rear view mirror to see the reflection of Sam’s eyes staring back at yours. He winks before looking forward, ignoring the glare you threw at him.

You sighed and settled comfortably in your seat, your shoulder brushing against Bucky’s. You tried not to focus on how nice the heat radiating from the other man felt to you.

You felt exhaustion hit you from the most hectic day you had experienced so far, knowing that the final confrontation was going to happen soon.

You slowly blinked a few times, your eyelids getting heavier before you eventually fell asleep.

The sound of doors slamming shut jolts you awake. You groaned, tired, rubbing your face against the soft material of what seemed to be cloth and quickly realised that you were not leaning on the door.

You froze, opened your eyes and looked up to see Bucky’s amused face staring down at you. It seemed that your head must’ve lolled onto his shoulder when you took your nap.

You lifted your head off his shoulder with a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Bucky smiled softly at you.

You cleared your throat, turning your attention to Steve and Sam standing next to Sharon Carter, who apparently helped them get their gear back from the government.

You see Sam, walk back while Steve continued talking to Sharon. Sam opens the trunk and puts his Falcon gear in before moving back to his original seat at the front.

“Could you move your seat up?” Bucky asked Sam, his voice gruffy.

Sam doesn’t even turn around before retorting in the same tone. “No.”

You snorted, Bucky turning to you with dismay. You rolled your eyes making more space for him, he smiles at you gratefully as he shuffles a little more to get comfortable.

Both of your hands touch for a second and you freeze but quickly relaxed when Bucky didn’t pull away. So, you left your hand next to his with a blush on your face.

The three of you then watched as Steve and Sharon shared a very intimate kiss. You muffled your surprised laugh behind your hand.

After they separated, Steve turns back to the three of you in the car and gave an exasperated look when he realised that all of you were staring at him with matching smirks.

The next location was the Leipzig-Halle Airport, where Clint, Wanda and a very enthusiastic Scott Lang were waiting.

You watched in amusement next to Bucky by the car while Scott fanboys over Steve in the most endearing way possible.

When the airport makes an announcement for everyone in the vicinity to evacuate, you knew it was now or never.

Steve tells everyone to suit up and everyone separates to change.

You chose an empty bathroom not that far from where everyone was at, relishing in the deafening silence so you could gather your thoughts.

As you suited up, you noticed how shaky your hands were as you put on your gloves.

You hear the door open and a familiar voice calls out to you.

“Hey.”

You turn to see Bucky in his tactical gear, the silver from the metal arm even more obvious when in contrast to his darker outfit.

You let out a laugh as you realised the fucked up situation all of you were in.

“This is so stupid. All of this.” You said, your voice becoming more agitated. “He should’ve known better than to entertain that goddamn document. He doesn’t even realise that he’s hurting people, people like us, by agreeing to the terms.”

In a blink of an eye, Bucky appeared next to you. His arm wrapped around your waist, like it belonged there, his hand squeezing in comfort.

“It’s okay.” His soft tone, making you calmer. “You don’t have to keep it in, just let it out. It’s just you and me here.”

You let out a shuddering breath, feeling anchored by Bucky’s presence next to you. A soft and patient smile on Bucky’s face, his hand now rubbing your back soothingly as you tried to get your wits together.

“Thank you.” Bucky whispered.

You looked at him, confused. “What for?”

“For choosing me.” Bucky replied, his voice soft yet vulnerable to your ears.

“Steve thinks you’re worth it.” You joked, making him roll his eyes at you before pinching your side and making you jump and giggle in surprise.

Bucky looks like he won a prize by your reaction. “You’re ticklish.”

Your face immediately fell and you tried to take a step back but realised you were held in place by Bucky’s tight grip on your waist.

You were saved however when the both of you separated after hearing the bathroom door open and seeing Scott peep in with his Ant-Man helmet and suit on.

“Hey guys, Cap’s ready to go. He wants us out soon.”

Scott then leaves the two of you as if the both of you were just caught doing something inappropriate by a teacher in school.

You laughed, wondering how you’ve ended up being caught in compromising positions twice today.

“Let’s go.” Bucky gives you a reassuring smile as you left the bathroom to join the team.

Steve paired everyone up into three groups to find the quinjet in the airport’s cockpit.

Clint with Wanda, Sam with Bucky and you were tagging with Steve and Scott as the three of you will be the first to handle Tony and his crew while buying some time for the others to find the plane.

As everyone began to move, you turned to Bucky and grabbed his arm to get his attention.

“Be careful.” You told him with a small smile.

A flurry of emotions go through his face for a second and you were about to ask him what was wrong before he pulled you in by the waist and kisses you.

You froze in shock for a second before kissing him back, your hands on his clinging onto his vest.

When you separated for air, the both of you turn to see everyone watching with smirks on their faces.

You laugh before turning to Bucky, who was already looking at you with a smile.

“Stay safe.” Bucky whispered to you before walking away with Sam.

You took a deep breath, looking at Steve who nods at you.

It’s showtime.

“I’m trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart.” You heard Tony say from your hiding spot where Steve asked you stay just incase things go south.

Your heart dropped at Tony’s words. Your worst fear was becoming a reality and you had no other choice but to face it head on.

With the inclusion of Black Panther and Spider-Man, you knew it was about to go down.

From your blindspot, you see Steve’s webbed up hands get free when an arrow flies through before Scott helps him get his shield back.

“I’m getting Maximoff.” You hear Tony said before he flew off, a small part of you happy that he did so you didn’t have to face him head on.

You run out as soon as you see Steve get attacked by both Black Panther and War Machine.

You send out a sonic scream at Rhodey as he was about to hit Steve, toppling him over to the ground.

“A big old sonic sucker punch after I let you fly with me? You know you’re on the wrong side of all this. What would Tony think?” Rhodey says to you.

You huff out a breath, glancing to the other side of the cockpit where Wanda just trapped Tony under a bunch of cars. “I think he’s a little too preoccupied right now to pick up the phone.”

You hear Rhodey chuckle. “Guess it’s time for your other big brother to discipline you.”

Rhodey then flies towards you but hits the ground again when Steve jumps in and kicks him down before turning his attention back to Black Panther.

He kicks the King away before Scott runs up to him and handing him what seemed to be a miniature truck.

“Throw it at this.” Scott throws a small device and Steve throws the truck at it, which enlarges at impact, hitting Rhodey straight on with a fiery explosion.

Black Widow and Black Panther narrowly escaping with their lives by the large flames.

“Lang, what the hell!” You exclaimed.

Scott stared in horror. “Oh man I thought it was a water truck.”

Steve only tilted his head at Scott as a response.

The three of you quickly make a run for the quinjet. You see the others slowly trickling in beside you, the whole squad now reunited.

Your path however was obstructed when a beam of energy shoots the ground, making all of you stop.

You see Vision arrive and you feel your stomach drop, you were so close to getting where you wanted to be.

“Captain Rogers.” Vision’s voice, booming. “I know you believe what you’re doing is right but for the collective good you must surrender now.”

You watched in dismay as the rest of “Team Iron Man” arrived, two of the teams now on opposite ends of each other.

You watch Tony’s helmet retract as he sees you for the first time with anguish written all over his face.

You turn your head away in guilt, meeting Bucky’s worried eyes instead. The realisation hitting you that this might be the end of what you once called a family.

“What do we do Cap?” Sam asked.

“We fight.” Steve’s bold voice coming through as he walked forward, everyone else following in his steps.

You see the other team do the same and everything picks up once everyone starts running.

Both teams clash, everyone splitting to face another head on.

You stick with Wanda and Clint as the three of you try to fend off against Vision and Spider-Man.

Your sonic scream blasted Vision back while Wanda threw crates at Spider-Man, who was expertly dodging everything thrown at him.

Clint then leaves to go fight Natasha.

You see Bucky and Black Panther fight in the background and you turn to Wanda, who nods at you before you ran off to help.

You watched as Panther kicks Bucky in the face, making the metal armed man fly and hit a nearby crate before falling to the ground.

Bucky struggles to get up as Panther extends his claws but you send a sonic scream that hits Panther, which sent him flying into an empty crate.

“Guess I owe you one, sweetheart.” Bucky gasps out, making you laugh.

“Sweetheart? That’s cute, I kinda like that.” You teased, Bucky grinning at you in response.

You run off to help the others, Bucky watching you go before running to help Steve.

You see Clint fighting off War Machine while Wanda faced off against Vision. Their powers clashing, causing Vision’s beam to hit anything nearby.

You were about to get to Clint when the inevitable happens and Tony lands in front of you.

“Fuck me.” You muttered as Tony’s helmet retracts, the disappointment in his face clear as day.

“So imagine me checking my phone after sending you a text and receiving no reply and then having to track that phone to a random warehouse in the middle of nowhere, only to find you with Rogers and his version of The Breakfast Club.” Tony went off on you.

You scoffed. “Did you honestly think I was going to roll over and sign the accords? Especially under a jackass like Ross?”

“No.” Tony replied. “But I was hoping you’d at least understand why I did it.”

You stared at him as if he grew another head. “That’s the thing, Tony. I don’t. You’ve never folded under the government like this before and suddenly now you’re their lapdog.”

Tony sighed. “Miriam Sharpe, a member of the State Department, Human Resources. I ran into her after my presentation at MIT. She blames me, blames us really, for the death of her son during our fight against Ultron in Sokovia.”

Your gaze softened. “How did he…”

“A building fell on him, crushed him. Honestly, I don’t know how many more bodies were unaccounted for during that fight.” Tony replied.

You hear the conversation of your team in your earpiece.

“The rest of us aren’t getting out of here.” Sam says as he dodges War Machine’s attacks.

“As much as I hate to admit it,” Clint’s voice comes through. “If we’re gonna win this one, some of us might have to lose.”

You feel your heart shatter at the revelation. You knew what you had to sacrifice next for the greater good in making sure the other winter soldiers, residing in Siberia, don’t escape.

“I’m sorry Tony.” You said, watching Tony’s face fall. “I know you can’t trust Steve’s judgement but please trust mine when I say that the man that caused the incident back at the JCTC Building is going to do so much worse if we don’t stop him in Siberia.”

Tony huffed out in frustration. “Give me a break, you can’t seriously-“

Tony’s words get cut off when a couple of Vision’s beams ricochets off Wanda’s shield and hits Tony in the back, making him fall to the ground in a daze.

“Tony!” You yelled for him. You took a step forward when a beam hits the ground in front of you, making you step back.

Another beam blasts off a pole next to you, causing one of the crates above you to topple and fall over.

Tony yells for you to move out of the way but you stood frozen.

You then felt your body get slammed by another, both narrowly missing getting squashed by the crate.

The both of you rolled on the ground before stopping, a heavy weight now lying on top of you.

You look up and see Bucky’s face smiling down at you. “I guess we’re even now sweetheart.”

You huff out a laugh before grabbing his face and pulling it down to kiss him deeply for saving your life.

As you separated for air, Bucky grins. “I think I should save your life more often if that’s the reward I’m getting.”

You grinned feeling the tense energy in your body dissipate for a second.

“This isn’t how I imagined being under you for the first time but I think it’s best if we both get up before another random beam hits us.” You said, making Bucky chuckle in response before getting up.

He pulls you up along with him to a standing position, your hands now resting on his shoulders while his arms were wrapped around your waist.

Steve ran up to the both of you, glad that you’re okay.

“Come with me and Steve. The others can handle the rest.” Bucky pleads.

You shook your head in response. “No, they need me here. You two need to go and stop the other soldiers before all hell breaks loose again.”

“We need a diversion something big.” Sam’s voice comes through the earpiece.

“I’ve got something big but I can’t hold it very long. On my signal, run like hell. And if I tear myself in half, don’t come back for me.” Scott adds on.

“He’s gonna tear himself in half?” Bucky muttered.

“He’s kinda dramatic.” You whispered to him.

“You sure about this Scott?” Steve replied.

You hear panting coming from the other end, assuming it was Scott running somewhere.

“I do it all the time! I mean once, in a lab and I passed out.”

The three of you glanced at each other, worried about what Scott had planned.

In the blink of an eye, Scott grew into a giant in the middle of the cockpit.

Rhodey now in his giant hand.

You stared in awe.

“I guess that’s the signal.” Steve said, looking up at a giant Scott waving War Machine around like a rag doll.

“Go, now.” You tell Steve and Bucky, the latter pulling you in for another kiss.

You returned it with so much hope and passion that you could muster, knowing that it would be a long amount time until you see each other again.

When you separated, Bucky leaned his forehead against yours. “We’ll come back for you.”

You gave him a soft smile and nodded before running off to help the others.

Little did you know, Tony had seen everything before flying off to help Rhodey.

You kept a distance, sending out random blasts of sonic screams at the other team while Scott swings and kicks random crates and buses to stop them from getting near Steve and Bucky.

It didn’t take long before the other team managed to overwhelm Scott, making him distracted enough for Vision to phase through his body to get to the other side.

Vision then shoots out a beam at one of the watchtowers, making it crumble to the ground to obstruct the path for Steve and Bucky but Wanda uses her telekinesis to stop the debris.

You then see her get incapacitated by War Machine and you opened your mouth to let out a sonic cream when Spider-man swings by and shoots out a couple webs that covers your mouth and then both your hands and legs.

You fell to the ground in surprise, watching as Steve and Bucky quickly disappear from sight as the rubble from the watchtower rained behind them.

Your job was done as you laid on the cold hard ground as Tony and his team took down Scott as well.

Spider-Man getting hit in the last second before hitting the ground hard.

Scott shrinks back to his normal size before passing out.

You watched as Tony checked up on Spider-Man and you see a bit of his mask off and you realised that he was just a teenager.

After making sure Spider-Man was fine, Tony made his way to you.

He rips off the web from your mouth, making you yelp in pain before glaring at him.

“That’s what you get for screaming all the time.” Tony tries to joke with you but you just continued to stare at him.

You watched him sigh before sitting next to you. Your hands and legs still webbed up so you couldn’t even move away if you tried.

“I saw you and Barnes.” Tony said, feeling your body stiffen next to him. “Is this what’s it all about? Some Romeo and Juliet thing you’ve got going on?”

You snorted. “Honestly with everything that’s happened today, I’d like to think Bucky kissing me was the last thing you’d bring up.”

“Can you blame me?” Tony asked. “My little brother full on kisses the man that had shot a bullet through his abdomen two years ago and I’m supposed to think it’s normal.”

You shook your head. “That wasn’t Bucky, that was Hydra. The same Hydra that experimented on humans and made them kill people.”

Tony turns to you, his expression softens at how vulnerable you looked.

“The same Hydra that tortured me, experimented on me, forced this stupid power on me, used me to kill before abandoning me in that cage once I was of no use to them.” You choked out, feeling everything rush back to you.

You turn to him with tears in your eyes. “So that’s why I can’t sign the accords. They’re not right. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Government or if it’s Hydra, we’re just gonna be used as pawns in their games until they don’t need us anymore. I don’t want to sacrifice my freedom just to survive in such a cruel world.”

Tony nodded, unsure of what to say next.

You then see Sam and Clint with Rhodey, they surrendered.

Now it was just up to Steve and Bucky.

After a couple of hours, you found yourself in a cell in the Raft.

Due to safety precautions by the security personnel, they crafted a mask that they strapped to your face as a way to contain your powers if you so choose to use it.

You wanted to say that you were surprised but you honestly weren’t. Only god knows what they did to Wanda.

You sat on the poor excuse of what they call a bed and kept silent throughout your day there.

It took Tony one day to check on everyone, you hear snide remarks from Scott and Clint from their own cells and you bowed your head down, not wanting to let Tony see you in this state.

You hear the cell door open and footsteps walking in. You didn’t move a muscle, the floor of your cell seemed more comforting than the conversation you were about to have.

“You won’t even lift your head up to look at your big brother?” Tony asked, his tone firm yet equally soft.

You hear his clothes rustle and in your peripheral vision, you see Tony’s body kneel next to your sitting figure.

His hand reaches out to your chin and lifts your face up so you can finally make eye contact with him.

When you look into his eyes, the usual warmth he always exudes to you had now been replaced with worry and regret.

“You shouldn’t see me like this, Tony.” You said, your voice muffled due to the mask.

He gives you a sad smile. “You shouldn’t be in here with this stupid mask. Reminds me of the first time we met and I got you out of that cell in that Hydra facility.”

“And now I’m back in a cell by the government.” You muttered.

“I know what happened to my parents.” Tony finally said after a few minutes of silence.

You looked at him, his face contorted with nothing but pain at the memory.

You slowly reached your hand out, grabbing his and he squeezes it in return before looking back at you with a determined look.

“They were killed in a car crash caused by The Winter Soldier.”

The information felt like a bucket of cold water was poured all over you but you weren’t prepared for what came next.

Tony looks into your eyes, his now forming with regret. “I lost control of my emotions and attacked Steve and Barnes. In that fight, I blasted his metal arm off before they beat me and left. I don’t have a clue as to where they’re currently at.”

You kept quiet. Unsure of how to process everything in you, your logical mind and emotional heart clashing.

Finally you took a deep breath and squeezed Tony’s hand. “It’s not your fault.”

Tony’s face turned hopeful at your words.

“But I know why you’re here Tony and I can’t leave unless everyone else gets to leave too.”

Tony looked at you in confusion, unsure of why you’re choosing this decision. “Why?”

“This is the result of the accords, I know you and Rhodey feel differently about it but I’m not going to abandon them. We need to be a united front even when we’re stuck back here.”

Tony rubs a hand on his forehead, feeling frustrated. “You sound like Rogers.”

You snorted, despite everything you still loved your brother just the same.

“Will you forgive me?” Your voice, timid.

Tony’s head instantly shoots up before bringing you into his arms for a crushing hug. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

You hugged him back. “I love you, Tony.”

“I love you too, little brother.”

After Tony left with the promise of visiting again soon after dealing with Ross and the accords, you went back to the quiet.

It was only day five when Steve infiltrated the Raft and freed the rest of the team.

You followed Steve to Wakanda right after, your heart beating quickly at the thought of being reunited with Bucky.

When the both of you walked into a room that seemed way too advanced even for Tony, you spotted Bucky sitting on a medical table and immediately ran up to him.

You see his face light up as you got closer before putting your arms around him in a hug. His only arm, wrapped around your waist to squeeze you back.

When you let him go, your hands automatically went to his face. Your eyes scanning every cut and bruise before settling on his eyes.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Bucky whispered to you with a smile.

“Hi.” You breathed out before the both of you went in for a kiss.

Both of your mouths clashing in a moment of passion, Bucky’s tongue prodding at your lips for permission to enter before deepening the kiss.

As you both parted for air, you hear a throat being cleared and you turned to Steve with your face red and your mouth a little swollen.

Bucky’s arm still wrapped around your waist while his face rested on a smirk at your embarrassment.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Steve.” You smiled gratefully at him.

Steve laughed. “If I didn’t, he would’ve just pouted the whole time and I don’t think I want to see a grown man act like that.”

“Shut it, punk.” Bucky growled out but his face was smiling.

Just then a woman walks in and introduces herself as Shuri, sister to T’Challa.

You sat quietly as she explained what they were planning to do with Bucky.

It turns out that he’ll be staying in Wakanda for rehabilitation with their medical team to figure out the best way to get Hydra’s mind control out of his brain.

Which meant going under for an unknown period of time.

Your heart broke a little bit but knew it was the best option for Bucky right now.

“You sure about this?” Steve asked.

Bucky gives him a small smile. “I can’t trust my own mind. So until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head, I think going back under is the best thing.”

You see Steve nod in response.

Bucky’s head turns to you, a soft smile resting on his face. “For everybody.”

Steve hugs Bucky, this being their goodbye before you did the same.

Bucky’s hand lingered on your waist as you smiled down softly at him before pulling him in for a final kiss. “I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise.”

Bucky smiles and nods at you before entering the cryogenic chamber.

You and Steve watched as Bucky closed his eyes before his whole body freezes.

Steve turns to you. “What are you gonna do now?”

You shrugged. “I guess I’ll be staying here until he wakes up, like I promised.”

Steve smiles at you, happy that his best friend won’t be waking up alone.

“What about you, Steve? What’s the next plan?” You asked him.

“Sam, Nat and I will be doing what we do best. Helping the world while staying in the shadows.” Steve replied.

You nodded in understanding. “Goodbye Captain America, Hello Nomad Steve Rogers.”

Steve raised his eyebrows at you. “Nomad. I like that.”

“Hello!” Shuri’s voice calls out from behind you.

Both you and Steve turn around as Shuri walks up to you with a smile.

“I heard that you’ll be staying here in Wakanda while we help Barnes with his rehabilitation?” She asked you, making you widen your eyes at the fact that she’s even talking to you in the first place.

“Oh! Yes, if you don’t mind of course! I don’t want to intrude.” You nervously chuckled, realising that you never even asked in the first place.

Shuri laughed. “Perfect because I’ve been thinking of toying around with a new experiment and would like you to join me.”

You blinked owlishly at her, exchanging a glance with a very amused Steve. “Me? How can I help?”

“Your sonar abilities. I was thinking that I could help give you an upgrade to your abilities outside of just a sonic scream.” Shuri explained.

You turned to Steve. “I guess this is what I’ll be doing here.”

Steve smirked at you. “I guess it’s time for our Songbird to fly.”

You rolled your eyes at him before giving him a hug. “Goodbye Steve. I’ll let you know when he wakes up. Give my love to the others, okay?”

Steve hugged you back. “I will.”

As you watched Steve walk away, heading towards T’Challa in another room, you feel Shuri loop her hand around your arm as she pulls you to wherever she’s taking you next.

“Let’s help you get settled in first before we start with the experiments, oh and you’ll definitely need a new suit!” Shuri rambled off as you listened.

The thought of Bucky in the back of your mind but at least now the both of you are in the same place.

Now, you’ll just have to wait until he’s back in your arms again.

****

Author’s note:

Uploading this was lowkey hell.

Wrote this for almost a week straight and I’m glad I can finally post it

Thank you for reading :)

#bucky barnes x male reader #bucky x male reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #james buchanan barnes #bucky x reader #male reader #male!reader #avengers x male reader #avengers x male!reader

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shortnspidey · 2 months ago

Text

CHAPTER SEVEN: ONE LAST STAND

Bucky Barnes X Fem!Stark!reader || WC: 6.6K

SUMMARY: Bucky Barnes, caught in a political storm and haunted by his past as the Winter Soldier, battles internal guilt and fragmented memories while finding solace in someone who sees beyond his trauma, intensifying his struggle between seeking connection and fearing the harm he might cause.

WARNINGS: Typical Marvel level violence, cursing, angst, slight fluff if you squint, lots of time skips, major character death(s) and a cliffhanger (sorry)!

A/N: This chapter hurt to write! 😭 But I just know the next one will hurt me even more! Stay tuned! Thank you for all the love on this series! <3

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As you fiddled with your dusty revolvers, your fingers trembled. Each click of the chamber echoed louder than it should have, reverberating through the small, dimly lit lab where the air was thick and suffocating with an unnamed tension. Your anxiety was through the roof, heartbeat pounding, breath shallow and uneven even as you busied yourself trying, and ultimately failing to push the horrid emotions down.

From the corner of your eye, Shuri leaned against the door, her sharp gaze sweeping over your stiff shoulders and clenched jaw. "What's got you all shaky?" She asked, her eyes narrowed with concern. You gave a half-hearted shrug, refusing to meet her gaze, hoping, praying, she’d just let it go. You focused harder on the revolver, wiping down an already clean barrel. Maybe if you looked busy enough, she'd take the hint.

You should have known better.

“Is it because you’re going to see your father again?” Her words landed like a gut punch, and your hands faltered. The revolver nearly slipped from your grasp, saved only by your iron grip, a grip that was now visibly white-knuckled. After a beat you finally spoke. "We haven't exactly talked since, you know—" You sighed, shoulders slumping as you finally allowed yourself to exhale. You gestured vaguely toward Bucky, who stood in the distance cleaning his own weapon.

Shuri followed your gaze, her expression softening in realization. “Ah, got it.” She murmured, almost to herself. No words were needed now, she understood. “He’s stubborn, I’m stubborn. It’s going to be quite the reunion.” You let out a dry scoff, the sound more bitter than amused. Reunion. That was one word for it. What would you even say to him? The thoughts swirled in your mind, a chaotic tumble of guilt, fear, sarcasm, and pure dread.

Hey Dad, sorry for betraying you back in Germany and Sokovia. Ever since you and Steve had a falling out, I’ve been helping him and the rest of the people who helped him slip through your fingers, defying international law, and hiding out in Wakanda like a coward.

Your fingers tightened around the revolver again, knuckles straining under the weight of memory.

Oh, and by the way, I fell in love. With Bucky Barnes. You know, the man you tried to kill more than once for supposedly murdering your parents and for believing he killed the king of Wakanda which started this whole civil war in the first place. Romantic, right? So... how have you been?

You could already picture the look on your father’s face, stern, unreadable, maybe even disappointed. That look always cut deeper than any shouted words ever could. What could possibly go wrong? Your inner turmoil was abruptly interrupted by a deep, resonant hum in the air. You watched as the Quinjet roared through, engines whining as it sliced through the barrier and descended toward the landing platform at the edge of the city.

“Backup has arrived.” Shuri called out. Without waiting, your feet moved on instinct. You broke into a brisk jog, cutting through the ranks of Wakandan soldiers who parted just enough to let you pass. You spotted King T’Challa and the Dora Milaje first. Their spears gleamed in the sunlight, armor pristine, eyes alert. Okoye gave you a small nod as you passed. T’Challa’s gaze followed the descending jet with the intensity of a king, a soldier, and a protector all at once.

Then you saw them, figures stepping down the Quinjet’s ramp. Your breath caught for just a second. Steve stood there, embracing Bucky in a silent reunion. A flicker of something warm curled in your chest, a small smile tugging at your lips despite everything. But it didn’t last. Steve’s eyes lifted mid-embrace, catching you in his line of sight. His entire demeanor shifted. A silent question passed between you, one you weren’t quite ready to answer.

You barely had time to brace for the words you knew were coming when Shuri swooped in from behind you. “Yell at her later,” She snapped at Steve, almost as if reading his mind. “I need her brain.” You barely had time to react before a flash of movement caught your eye and arms wrapped around you in a firm, grounding embrace. “It’s good to see you, дорогая.” Natasha’s familiar voice whispered in your ear as you subconsciously leaned into her, eyes fluttering shut for the briefest second, letting yourself feel safe.

You hugged her tighter, unwilling to let go for a moment longer than necessary. Her grip didn’t waver, didn’t rush you. It had been far too long. When you finally pulled back, she gave you a look, an unspoken scan, head tilting slightly as she studied your face for signs of exhaustion, fear, or secrets. She always had a way of seeing through you. “You okay?” She asked quietly. You gave a small, hesitant nod. “I will be.” She didn’t press. Just squeezed your shoulder once and stepped aside. As she moved, more faces came into view, familiar ones.

“Uncle Bruce? Uncle Rhodey?” You muttered, surprised. Your brows knit together, but you couldn’t help the tiny smile that tugged at your lips as you walked toward them, heart swelling at the sight. “Y/N…” He breathed, his voice tinged with genuine awe. “Wow, you’re all grown up.” Before you could reply, he pulled you into a careful, almost shy hug. Typical Bruce. Rhodey chuckled and reached out, giving your shoulder a firm squeeze. “It’s good to see you, kid.” You smiled, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes.

Bruce stepped back, still smiling. “Tony must be so proud of you.” The words hit like a punch to the gut. Your smile vanished. Yeah, right, you thought bitterly. That was when the silence struck you. You looked around, beyond Bruce, beyond Rhodey. You scanned the crowd again, eyes flicking from Steve to Wanda, to Sam, to Vision, but the one face you needed to see wasn’t there. He should’ve been there. “Wait— my dad, h-he’s not with you?” You asked, your voice low, shaky despite your best effort to keep it even.

Steve shook his head slowly. You took a step back, your thoughts spiraling. You pulled your phone out of your pocket, hands trembling slightly. A pit had opened in your stomach. You didn’t even know what you were hoping for. Before you could do anything else, your phone vibrated. The call connected before you even realized your finger had pressed the screen.“Mom?” You breathed out, voice shallow. “Oh thank God.” Her voice on the other end was breathless, panicked. “Y/N, honey—please tell me you’re not on that spaceship too.”

You froze. “What? What spaceship? Mom, what are you talking about?” There was a pause, and then she began to explain. Her voice cracked as she spoke. New York. The fight. Doctor Strange taken. The ship. Tony going after him. Into space. Into his hands. “Thanos.” That name carried an unnatural weight. Like saying it too loud might summon him. Your legs almost gave out. “He didn’t tell me,” Pepper continued. “I begged him not to go but you know how he is when he thinks it’s his responsibility to fix everything. He’s out there. I don’t even know if he’s still—”

“Stop,” You whispered, trying to focus. “Please. I… I’m okay. I’m here. In Wakanda. With everyone. With Nat and Steve.” You could hear her exhale, a shaky breath you knew she’d been holding for far too long. “I’ll be careful,” You promised her. “I swear. I’ll stay safe.” Another pause. “Just come home,” She pleaded. “You both have to come home.” With one final reassurance, the call ended. But the silence afterward felt louder than anything. You turned back to the group.

The looks on their faces told you they already knew. “So what now?” You asked, your voice low. Your eyes met Bucky’s, wanting nothing more than run over to his embrace but you held yourself back. For now. King T’Challa stepped forward, gaze firm as he looked toward the horizon, where, in the far distance, dark shapes were gathering behind the tree line. “Now, we prepare for what is coming.” You followed his gaze. The sky was darker now. The wind had shifted. The drums had started to beat.

And the war for everything was about to begin.

Back in the lab, the atmosphere was tense. Vision laid on the surgical table at the center of it all, still, pale, and eerily silent. Shuri stood at his side, focused and unfazed, her hands moving with swift precision as she guided her Kimoyo beads over the contours of the stone and surrounding neural tissue. Streams of information appeared in the air; brainwave charts and layers of synaptic networks. Her brows were furrowed in deep concentration, her brain clearly moving faster than she could keep up.

You stood nearby, but your attention kept shifting back to Wanda. Her hand was cold in yours, fingers trembling slightly despite her best efforts to hide it. You could feel the way her body tensed with every breath, her eyes locked on Vision, every part of her silently screaming to hold him close and run far away from it all. “He’s in good hands.” You whispered, giving her hand a squeeze. She didn’t look at you, but her grip tightened. Across the table, Shuri broke the silence.

“The structure is polymorphic,” She muttered, eyes scanning the readout. “Right,” Bruce chimed in, stepping up beside her. “We had to attach each neuron non-sequentially.” Shuri arched a brow, fingers flying across her interface. “Why didn’t you just reprogram the synaptic pathways to work collectively instead of one by one?” There was a beat of silence. Bruce blinked, looked down at the projection and then sighed. “Because we didn’t think of it.” He admitted, shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. You couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at your lips.

“I’m sure you did your best.” You offered, your tone gentle but teasing. Shuri didn’t look up, but she shrugged with that same casual superiority she always had, like she didn’t need to say obviously. “Can you do it?” Wanda’s voice broke the silence, trembling slightly as she looked between you and Shuri. Her fingers curled tighter around yours, a quiet desperation hidden just beneath the surface. “Yes,” Shuri replied without hesitation, though her expression remained serious. She didn’t look up from the rapidly shifting projections hovering in front of her.

“But there are more than two trillion neurons here. One misalignment could cause a cascade of circuit failures. It'll take time, brother,” She added, turning toward T’Challa, who stood watch at the edge of the lab. “How long?” Steve asked, his voice low and urgent from across the table. Shuri finally looked up. “As long as you can give me,” She stated plainly. “With Y/N’s help, it should be quicker, but we still have to be careful. No shortcuts.” You nodded, already moving to pull up a secondary diagnostic on your screen, heart racing but hands steady.

You could feel Bruce hovering behind you, checking readings of his own, lending quiet support. But the calm didn’t last. A sudden, sharp wail tore through the lab, an alarm, shrill and urgent. The lights overhead dimmed slightly as red warning indicators flashed in every direction, bathing the room in pulses of emergency light. The holographic projections flickered momentarily. Okoye, who had been standing watch near the entrance, checked the alert on her Kimoyo bead interface. Her expression tightened.

“Something’s entered the atmosphere.” She confirmed grimly. A heartbeat later, the building rumbled, faint at first, then again, stronger. You ran to the edge of the lab’s wide observation panel just in time to see it: fiery streaks tearing across the sky, breaking through the clouds like falling stars. Except these weren’t stars. They were pods, hundreds of them, slamming into the red earth beyond the dome, each impact sending up violent bursts of smoke and debris.

You could see the perimeter being surrounded in real time. Your breath caught in your throat. The war was here. “It’s too late, we need to destroy the stone.” Vision’s voice cracked through the tension, low but resolute. “Vision, get your ass back on that table.” Natasha scolded sharply, immediately rushing to the table and grabbing him by the arm before he could even try to rise. You moved with her, helping him sit back, placing your hand on his shoulder to steady him.

“We will hold them off.” T’Challa said firmly, stepping forward with royal authority, and when his eyes met Steve’s, something silent passed between them. Steve gave a subtle nod. “Wanda,” He called across the lab, tone serious but calm. “As soon as that stone’s out of his head, you blow it to hell.” Her eyes met Visions. “I will.” She whispered. T’Challa turned to his guard. “Evacuate the city. Engage all defenses,” He commanded. Then his gaze returned to Steve, and he gestured with one firm point. “And get this man a shield.”

Everything around you erupted into motion, soldiers running, systems activating, the ground vibrating with the thunder of the coming storm. You scrambled to gather your equipment and sliding your firearm into its holster. Your heart thundered with adrenaline, but your hands still didn’t shake. Not yet. “Y/N,” Steve’s voice reached you as you turned to leave. His hand caught your forearm for a brief second. “Stay here. We’ve got it handled.” You nodded, offering him a tight smile. “I know. There’s just something I have to do first.”

No one asked what it was. You moved fast, weaving through corridors now filled with armed soldiers and flashing emergency lights. The cool air of the lab gave way to the heavier, drier wind near the outer landing pads, where Wakandan ships were rising and forming attack formations overhead. You spotted them immediately, Sam adjusting his wings, Rhodey double-checking the War Machine cannon, and Bucky racking a fresh magazine into his rifle. The tension in the air was suffocating. The moment your boots hit the ground, all three men turned at the sound.

“Doll, what are you—” Bucky started, concern furrowing his brow. But he didn’t get the chance to finish. You were already there. You crossed the space between you in seconds, threw your arms around his neck, and kissed him, chaste, but meaningful. His metal hand froze mid-motion, and for a breathless second, time seemed to pause around you both. You pulled away, forehead against his. “Be careful out there,” You whispered. “You better come back to me. You understand?”

Bucky stared at you, stunned, a thousand words stuck in his throat. Finally, all he could manage was a dazed nod, his breath catching. You didn’t wait for a reply. There wasn’t time. You gave his hand one last squeeze, planted a second, shorter kiss on the corner of his mouth, and then turned to run, back to the lab. Bucky watched you go, his jaw tightening, knuckles white on the grip of his rifle. When he turned back to face Steve, Sam, and Natasha, he found himself met with three very amused expressions.

Steve's smirk was practically gleaming. “Looks like you’ve got some explaining to do, Buck.” He teased, a knowing look in his eyes. Now it made sense as to why you were in Wakanda. Bucky scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Shut up, punk.”Sam laughed. “Man, she really went for it. I mean damn.” Natasha just raised a brow, smirking. “Good for her.” The moment faded quickly, replaced once more by the weight of what was coming. But as Bucky locked and loaded his weapon, his stance just a little steadier than before, there was something different in his eyes.

He had someone to fight for now.

As soon as you re-entered the lab, the sound of distant explosions followed you like an unwelcome echo. The floor trembled faintly beneath your boots with each distant impact, deep, thunderous rumbles that seemed to reverberate through your bones. But you didn’t let yourself look. You couldn’t. You strode quickly back to the platform where Vision lay, eyes shut but brow faintly furrowed, the glow of the Mind Stone now pulsing faster, brighter.

Wanda remained by his side, her fingers brushing against his shoulder as if she could tether him to this world with touch alone. Shuri glanced up at your return, her brow slick with sweat, her fingers moving rapidly across a multi-layered projection of Vision’s neural network, thousands of points of light branching out like glowing roots. You pulled up the sequence you’d been working on earlier, syncing it with her feed, then slipped your glasses back on and dove back in. You focused every ounce of your concentration on the work.

The intricacies of Vision’s mind, organic and synthetic was like navigating a labyrinth made of fire and silk. Every strand you touched lit up with potential consequences. One misstep, one uncalibrated nudge, could trigger a chain reaction. You forced yourself to breathe slowly, methodically. This was your battlefield. And you had to win here. Outside, the tremors were getting stronger. Louder. The battle was no longer a distant hum. It was knocking at the walls.

“How much longer, Shuri?” T’Challa’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and urgent. Shuri didn’t pause in her work. “We’ve barely begun, brother.” She replied, frustration creeping into her tone. T’Challa’s silence lingered for a beat longer than you liked. “You might want to pick up the pace.” He suggested and for the first time, his voice didn’t carry its usual confidence. There was strain in it. Defeat, maybe. And that did nothing to help your anxiety.

You dared a glance toward the window, just for a moment. Flashes of blue and red lit up the horizon. You could see silhouettes, hundreds, no, thousands of Thanos’s monstrous Outriders clawing at the outer edges of the dome, their movements chaotic and frenzied like a swarm of insects. Every few seconds, a portion of the force field would flare, reacting violently to the contact. But it wouldn’t hold forever. You looked away, forcing your focus back to the neural map.

Just as your focus locked back in, fingers threading through data streams, your mind synchronizing with Vision’s neural matrix, you successfully shut down another volatile sequence, isolating it and watching it dissolve into harmless code. A surge of relief flushed through you, fleeting but energizing. Then, boom. A deep, primal rumble roared up from the battlefield. The entire lab shuddered violently. You looked up just in time to see Wanda slowly stepping toward the wide, reinforced window at the edge of the room.

You saw her freeze at the sight. Her jaw clenched, her breath catching in her throat. You didn’t need to read her mind, you could feel her emotions like an oncoming wave: conflict, guilt, desperation. Her power crackled faintly around her fingertips. Her eyes flicked back to Vision, then forward to the chaos just beyond the dome. “Wanda,” You called out softly, coaxing her back from her internal war. “Go.” Her eyes snapped to yours, wide and uncertain. You offered a faint, reassuring nod, and tilted your hip slightly, motioning to the dual pistols strapped at your thighs.

“You’re more use out there right now,” You added, gently but firmly. “He has me. We’ve got him.” For a second, she didn’t move. Then her lips parted with a shaky breath, and she gave a single nod. Determination overtook the fear. She leaned down, pressed a fleeting kiss to Vision’s forehead, and then turned, red light already building at her palms as she sprinted for the door. The second it slid shut behind her, you refocused on the interface, but your gut twisted. The air shifted.

The hairs on the back of your neck prickled. Something was wrong. You didn’t even have time to turn before the first guard by the lab doors was launched across the room like a ragdoll, crashing into the far wall with a sickening crunch. The other guard drew his vibranium spear, but he barely had time to react before he was locked in brutal hand-to-hand with one of Thanos’ warriors. Tall, gaunt, with gleaming black armor and cruel golden eyes, he moved like a shadow, striking with his curved glaive in deadly arcs.

“Shuri, keep going!” You barked, already tearing your pistols from your holsters. “I’ll hold him back.” Shuri didn’t argue. Her jaw was clenched in concentration, her hands a blur as she continued the extraction process. But her eyes flicked toward you briefly filled with unspoken fear. As he broke through the last line of defense and stepped fully into the lab, his gaze locked onto Vision like a predator marking its prey. But he hadn’t counted on you. The moment his foot crossed the lab’s inner threshold, you struck.

Your first shot hit his shoulder, the vibranium-tipped bullet slicing through armor with a spark. He snarled and lunged, glaive flashing with deadly light. You dodged left, dropped into a slide, came up behind him, and unloaded another round, this one grazing his side. He was faster than you anticipated. He spun, swinging the glaive in a wide arc, you ducked, the blade slicing through a console with a shower of sparks. You countered, slamming the butt of your pistol into his jaw before backflipping away, drawing him from the table.

“I don’t think so,” You spat, breath ragged. “You’re not getting anywhere near him.” He sneered, black ichor trickling down his lip. “You should’ve stayed hidden, little girl.” You scoffed leveling your gun. You darted to intercept him, grabbing a spear from the floor, its tip glowing with vibranium energy. He barely spared you a glance before you lunged, low and fast, aiming to catch him off-balance. The spear struck his thigh, and he hissed, reeling back just slightly. But he recovered too quickly. He swiped the glaive with precision, knocking your weapon away with a clang.

Before you could blink, he had you on the defensive, each strike designed to push you back, away from Vision. You ducked under one brutal swing, rolled toward the table, and launched yourself at him with a desperate right hook that landed across his jaw. He stumbled, but then his eyes narrowed. "You’re wasting my time," He snarled. He surged forward, slamming you against the wall with the flat of his glaive. The wind left your lungs, your back thudding against cold metal.

Before you could retaliate, he grabbed your wrist and spun you hard, forcing you off-balance. You hit the floor with a sharp thud, disarmed but conscious. Your vision wavered, but you were still aware, still fighting. You reached for the pistol holstered at your thigh, but his foot pinned your arm down before your fingers made contact. "You're fast," He leaned in, putting more pressure on your wrist you swore you heard a crack. Not again. "But not fast enough." And just like that, he stepped over you and made for the table. "Vision!" You called, trying to rise.

You watched as with terrifying strength, he grabbed Vision by the shoulder and ripped him from the slab. Vision cried out in protest, and tried to shove him back. The scuffle brought them too close to the edge. The already damaged glass wall behind the table creaked and groaned under their combined weight. Your eyes widened. And then it happened. Vision’s foot slipped on shattered glass. His grip faltered as Vision twisted in his grasp, trying to break free. They collided, off-balance and entangled in the struggle, and then the cracked glass behind them gave way.

The entire section shattered outward with a deafening crash. You scrambled to your feet despite the pain, and rushed to the edge, heart hammering in your chest. Wind roared through the broken wall, carrying the sounds of battle up from the field below. You spotted them, both of them tumbling down the embankment outside the lab, rolling violently through the remains of broken scaffolding before disappearing behind a grassy outcrop below. "No, no, no!" You breathed, palms bracing on the jagged edge of the opening.

Shuri rushed up beside you, breath catching in her throat. “I’m going after him.” You declared, already turning toward the exit. "You'll never make it in time," Shuri warned, glancing at her readouts. "The field's breaking. They're breaching the lower levels—" You shrugged her off, catching your breath, the pain was subsided by the adrenaline. Without looking back, you sprinted into the storm. You weaved through the chaos, dodging blaster bolts, ducking behind broken branches, feet skidding down the slope slick with blood and ash.

"We have a Vision situation!" Sam's voice crackled through the comms, tight with urgency, the sound of combat raging behind him. “I’m on it!” You panted, rounding the base of the hill. You weren't about to break your promise to Wanda. Your boots slammed into the dirt as you reached the base of the embankment. And there, through the swaying grass, you saw it. Vision lay sprawled across a fallen log, body limp. A few feet away, Steve was down, one knee pressed into the dirt, shield dropped, arm trembling under the crushing weight of Thanos' minion pressing down on him.

Steve gritted his teeth, every muscle straining, blood trickling from a cut above his brow. He leaned in, sneering. “This ends here, Captain.” Not if you could help it. Your eyes locked on the glaive, discarded just feet away, half-buried in rubble and grass. Your heart roared in your ears as you moved. You didn’t think. You ran. In one swift, practiced motion, you dove for the weapon, gripping the cold, obsidian shaft in both hands. You pivoted mid-sprint, feet digging into the ground as you launched yourself at him with every ounce of strength you had left.

With a cry of rage and fear and desperation, you drove the glaive forward, impaling him straight through the back. He froze, his body rigid. His hands loosened. His head turned just enough to see you behind him, eyes wide with shock. Then he dropped. Collapsed in a lifeless heap beside Steve. For a heartbeat, the field was silent around you. Your lungs stuttered, catching in your chest as you let go of the glaive and stumbled back, suddenly aware of your racing heart, the sweat pouring down your face.

You hadn’t even realized you were holding your breath until it came out in a shaky exhale. You stepped forward, uninjured hand extended. Steve looked up, grimy, bloodied, but alive. He accepted your help, gripping your forearm tightly as you pulled him to his feet. "I thought I told you to stay put.” He rasped, coughing slightly, leaning on you for balance. You gave a breathless laugh, eyes still scanning the field. “You should’ve known better.” He smiled, small and weary, but grateful. “You good?” You nodded once, then turned your focus to Vision dropping to your knees beside him.

He blinked up at you, barely there. “Y/N… is it done?” You reluctantly shook your head. “Not yet,” You whispered. “But at least you’re safe." Not even a second later, Wanda dropped to her knees beside you, her breath catching as she took in the sight of him. “Are you okay?” She asked softly, voice cracking at the edges. Vision groaned in pain, the flickering Mind Stone casting a dull, sickly yellow glow across his temple. The golden light pulsed erratically, sending tremors through his body. “What? What is it?” Wanda asked, her fingers cradling his face.

“He’s here.” Vision rasped, just barely audible over the wind that had suddenly gone still. Your entire body tensed. The air shifted. It was like the earth itself had taken a breath and held it. The battle noise, screams, gunfire, the thunder of feet dulled into something distant. You instinctively reached down, fingers curling around the spare gun in your boot holster. The cold metal grounded you, but only just. "Stay sharp," Steve warned, his voice low and grim. And then it happened.

You froze as Thanos stepped into view a few feet away. Emerging from space, purpose etched onto his face. The Mad Titan moved like a force of nature, massive, unstoppable, each step deliberate. The gauntlet on his left hand gleamed with cosmic light, several Infinity Stones pulsing like cursed stars across its surface. Steve charged first, shield raised high, battle cry hoarse in his throat. Natasha came from the left, batons crackling with electricity. Bruce, in the Hulkbuster, swung with the weight of a battering ram.

Sam dove from the sky, wings slicing through the air as he fired round after round. And Thanos, barely flinched. One flick of the gauntlet sent Bruce crashing into a cliffside, concrete cratering beneath the armor. Another wave of purple energy stopped Steve mid-strike, freezing him in place like a statue before slamming him backward into the ground with bone-shaking force. Sam’s wings shattered mid-air with a single gesture, sending him tumbling. Natasha was the last to reach him, and for a second, it looked like she might land a blow.

Yet Thanos caught her mid-swing and hurled her like a ragdoll into a heap of wreckage. Your vision swam. You had to do something. Your pulse thundered in your ears as you stepped forward, boots crunching over scorched rubble. He hadn’t seen you yet. You moved, ducking behind the brush, breath tight in your lungs. Every instinct screamed to run. But then you saw them, Steve’s shield lying in the dust, Sam’s shredded wing pinned beneath a chunk of debris, Natasha’s motionless body draped across the wreckage.

You swallowed the panic, steadied your hands, and stepped out. "Hey asshole!" You shouted, voice hoarse. Thanos turned toward you slowly, his eyes narrowed slightly, studying you. No armor. No super serum. No godlike strength. Just you. Still, you charged. Your feet pounded against the ground, every step feeling like it might be your last. You drew your weapon the last gun you had left and went for the gauntlet. Maybe, just maybe, if you could distract him long enough.

You ducked a backhand that would’ve turned your skull to powder and slid beneath his arm, striking at the glowing circuitry of the gauntlet. Sparks flew. Thanos grunted, more surprised than hurt and swatted you away. You hit the ground hard, ribs and injured wrist shrieking in protest, vision spotting with pain. But you got up. You stumbled forward again, this time reaching for a piece of broken debris, swinging it with everything you had. He caught it mid-arc and crushed it in his fist like a twig.

Then, with a lazy shove, he sent you skidding backward, scraping through dirt and stone until you hit a jagged slab that stole the breath from your lungs. You tried to rise again, but your limbs screamed in protest. As you tried and failed to catch your breath, your eyes found Wanda as she knelt beside Vision, hands glowing red, her face a portrait of grief and fury. Vision held her hand weakly, speaking words only she could hear. You knew what he was saying. He knew it was over. The only way to stop Thanos now was to destroy the stone. To destroy him.

Tears streamed down Wanda’s cheeks, but she nodded. Slowly. Unwillingly. And then she began. Her power pulsed outward in vibrant, scarlet waves, surrounding Vision in a cocoon of energy. He cried out, not in fear, but in pain and acceptance. You watched, heart breaking, as Wanda rose to her feet, still focusing her power. Her expression hardened, grief sharpened into purpose. All around you, reinforcements arrived, Okoye, slicing through remaining Outriders, T’Challa, leaping into the fight, and—

“Bucky.” You breathed. You hadn’t even seen him fall into the chaos, but there he was, fighting like hell. His eyes locked onto you, and the moment he saw you, he dropped his weapon and rushed forward, barely dodging a blast of kinetic force. He dropped to his knees at your side, his voice thick with panic. “Y/N! Fuck doll, talk to me,” He rambled urgently, brushing dirt and blood-streaked hair from your forehead. “Are you hit anywhere?” He asked checking for noticeable injuries with shaking hands.

“I’m okay,” You breathed out, pain laced in every syllable but true enough. “I’m okay… now that you’re here.” Bucky’s jaw clenched. He took your hand, his thumb brushing across your knuckles helping you sit upright against his chest. “I got you. I’ve got you.” But before either of you could speak again—it happened. A sound like shattering glass echoed through the air, followed by a concussive boom. Wanda screamed, the red energy erupting in a blinding flash. Vision’s body went still. The Mind Stone, cracked, fractured, and finally burst.

Golden light erupted across the battlefield, washing over the broken earth. And for a single breath… there was silence. But then, Thanos emerged, stepping over the remains of broken stone, hand outstretched, eyes locked on Wanda, who was now sobbing. The Mind Stone was gone. And yet, he was still moving. Wanda had done it. But Thanos wasn’t finished. Your breath caught in your throat as Thanos paused, tilting his head slightly, almost pityingly. Then, the Time Stone on his gauntlet flared to life, spinning backward through the very fabric of existence.

And before your eyes, reality twisted. The shattered stone reassembled. Vision’s broken form re-knitted itself, his lifeless eyes blinking open, confusion etched across his synthetic features. But he had no time to speak. Thanos reached out, and with a brutal, mechanical motion, tore the Mind Stone from Vision’s head. The android’s body spasmed, his cry choked and short-lived, before going limp in Thanos’s grasp. Now, with the sixth stone set into the crown of the Infinity Gauntlet, the universe seemed to shudder.

The air grew denser, humming with a terrible, unnatural resonance. Power radiated from Thanos in waves. He was complete now. All-powerful. Suddenly, the air crackled. A deafening rumble of thunder tore through the heavens with a blinding surge of lightning. Your eyes barely had a chance to register the shift before he arrived. Thor. He descended like a vengeful storm, cloaked in searing electricity, his eyes glowing with the fury of gods. In a single, fluid motion, he hurled his new axe through the smoke-choked air. It spun like a comet, trailing arcs of blue lightning behind it, and slammed into Thanos’s chest with a sound that seemed to split the sky.

The Mad Titan staggered backward, his eyes wide with shock and pain. The axe sank deep, driving through muscle and bone, burying itself up to the hilt in his chest. Lightning danced across his body, sparks flashing against the gleam of the Infinity Gauntlet. He cried out, a guttural, roaring sound that echoed across the ruined plains of Wakanda. Thor landed hard, the earth beneath him cracking from the force. He didn’t hesitate. With a shout that was equal parts rage and anguish, he surged forward, gripping the haft of the axe and shoving it deeper into Thanos’s flesh. The blade crackled with god-forged energy, and Thanos’s knees buckled under the force.

Thor’s face was a storm itself. This wasn’t justice. It was vengeance. For a moment, just one terrible, hopeful moment it looked like it was over. Thanos trembled, his grip on the gauntlet weakening. The titan’s massive frame swayed, impaled, faltering. You could feel your heartbeat in your throat. But then, Thanos lifted his head. His face twisted in pain, but his gaze was fixed on Thor. “You… should… have… gone for the head. Before anyone could move, Thanos raised his gauntlet, trembling but deliberate.

The six stones blazed in unison casting fractured rainbows across his bloodied face. Then came the snap. A quiet sound. So small. So simple. But the world exploded. A blinding white flash tore through your vision, consuming everything. The noise died. Wind stilled. The battlefield vanished in light. You felt weightless, disconnected from time, from space, from your own body. You and Bucky both squeezed your eyes shut, instinctively bracing against a force neither of you could comprehend. You felt his shoulder tense beside you, and you reached out, whether for comfort or to hold him back, you couldn’t say.

The light faded. But the horror had only just begun. You opened your eyes slowly, blinking against the afterglow of the blinding light. Everything was strangely still, too still. The battlefield, once alive with chaos and war, had gone eerily quiet. Your brows furrowed in confusion. Thor’s axe lay embedded in the dirt just feet away, but Thanos… was gone. Vanished into thin air. "Where'd he go?" Steve’s voice broke through the silence. He limped forward, battered and bloodied, clutching his side as he scanned the ruins.

His eyes flicked to Thor, who remained motionless, shoulders heaving, face slack with disbelief. The wind shifted, whispering across the scorched earth. It curled around you unnaturally, chilling your skin despite the lingering heat of battle. You felt a strange pressure in your chest, like something immense had just passed through you and left a hollow in its place. You couldn’t explain it. You didn’t want to. Beside you, Bucky stirred. He rose slowly, wincing, then extended a hand to help you up, gripping your uninjured shoulder gently, his other hand steady on the rifle slung across his chest.

His expression was grim, but steady, until it wasn’t. "Steve," He called out across the clearing, his voice calm but uncertain, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. His arm tightened around you. And then it happened. Dust. Fine, weightless particles lifted into the air around you, glittering like ash caught in sunlight. At first, you thought it was debris, but then Bucky’s fingers slipped from your shoulder. You turned, heart plunging, only to find the space behind you empty, where just a breath ago he had stood. “Doll—” He reached for you, the word barely formed, his eyes wide with fear.

Yet he was already unraveling, his body flaking into nothing, blown away like sand in a desert wind. And then he was gone. You stumbled forward, arms grasping at the air, at the space he had filled. A scream clawed its way up your throat, but your voice had abandoned you, lost somewhere in the vacuum of the moment. You were falling, knees buckling beneath you, but strong arms caught you. Natasha was there in an instant, her face streaked with sweat and ash, eyes wide with unspoken horror. She held you upright, grounding you while the world around you came apart. Her grip was firm, but trembling.

Then came the screams. They rang out across the field, raw, broken cries of confusion and despair. You turned your head and saw it happening everywhere. Wanda, knees tucked beneath her, face contorted with sorrow, disappeared in a rush of dust and wind. Sam, mid-step, calling out something you couldn’t hear, flickered and faded before he could even finish. They were vanishing. All of them. No final words. Just a soft, sickening disintegration. No chance to say any sort of goodbye.

You clutched at Natasha’s arm, your vision swimming, lungs refusing to fill properly. Around you, people dropped to their knees, screaming for loved ones who would never answer again. The air was thick with grief, with disbelief, with a silence that settled over everything. You watched as Steve sank to the ground, his shield forgotten at his side, his expression hollow, empty. After a pregnant pause he finally found the courage to speak. “What did we do?” But no one had an answer. It was blatantly obvious. The war was over, and you all had lost.

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yuta-nakamots · 2 months ago

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Snow Angel - B.Barnes

Pairing - Post-CW Bucky x Avenger!Reader

Genre - fluff, hurt/comfort, established relationship!AU

Warnings - negative self-talk, Bucky needs support

Summary - While Bucky heals in Wakanda, you stay by his side, offering him comfort and hope as he fights to believe he’s worthy of a future.

Word Count - 1k

Now Playing: Snow Angel - Renee Rapp

Following the events of Bucky becoming an international fugitive, you and Steve ran with him, keeping him company every step of the way until finding refuge in Wakanda, thanks to the grace of King T’Challa.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Buck?” Steve asked, his voice full of worry. His brows furrowed as he looked between Bucky and the cryostasis chamber.

Bucky gave him a sad smile. “It’s safer this way…” his eyes flitted around the room until they landed on you. “For everyone.”

Filled with hope from the promise of Bucky’s well-being from T’Challa and Shuri, Steve returned to his duties as an Avenger and as Captain America, leaving you to watch after Bucky during his recovery in Wakanda. Day after day, you visited him in Shuri’s lab and spoke to him as if he could hear you, giving him updates on the rest of the team. Steve had broken Sam, Clint, Wanda, and Scott out of the Raft, and they were all on the run.

Scott and Clint had plans to go back to their family, Sam and Wanda wanted to continue operating on their own volition, helping people off the grid. And Steve? He lived the vigilante life he always wanted, doing his own missions quietly. Helping refugees, stopping weapons deals or black-market tech threats. The burner phone he had given you was the only thing keeping you tied to the rest of the world, your main focus being Bucky.

As Shuri worked through his physical and mental inner-workings, occasionally, Bucky was allowed periods outside of cryostasis for consultation regarding his treatment, the first semblance of control he had at reclaiming himself. During those times, he stayed by your side, as if your presence was the only thing reminding him why he was enduring all of this.

On a particularly sunny day, T’Challa had granted you and Bucky a brief moment outside to get some fresh air. The two of you walked side by side until you came upon a small pond at the edge of a forest. You took a seat on a large rock, Bucky finding his spot in between your legs, his head falling against your stomach. Your hands gently carded through his long brown locks, and he leaned into you, his eyes fluttering shut while basking in the warmth, a stark contrast to the cryo chamber.

“Doll, feel the tip of my nose.”

You do as told, one hand sliding down the strong ridge of his nose to the tip. It’s both burning and ice cold. “Bucky, are you okay?” Your finger stayed on his nose until it warmed up a bit under your touch.

“It’s like winter…I’ll make it through.” You look down at him, his eyes still shut, eyelashes bristling gently in the breeze. For a while, the rustling of the foliage surrounding the two of you was the only sound that filled the silence. “Do you ever wish you had gone a different way?”

“What do you mean?” Your hands busied themselves in Bucky’s hair once more, tugging gently at the strands and weaving them together in delicate braids.

“You could be living your life right now, you know.” His voice was steady, but it did nothing to hide his emotional turmoil. “You don’t have to stay with me here, losing time you can’t get back.”

“Bucky,” you began, continuing your motions as you pulled strand after strand into two braids, framing his features. “My life is nothing without you. No time is lost as long as I’m with you. Even if I went back home, I would only be wishing I were here.”

Bucky breathed a heavy sigh, steadying himself before he responded. “You really are an angel, you know that?” You heard the way his tone wavered. “I’ve tried so hard to…to keep myself from hurting others, but it seems like no matter what I do, I end up half alive and twice as weak.”

“Buck…” Your heart broke at his words. He wasn’t one to talk about his emotions. “I wish you saw yourself the way I do. Brave, selfless, worthy-”

“But I’m not. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you.”

You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the crown of his head, running fingers down the thin braids you created. “You deserve all of this and more. You’ll make it through this. We will make it through this,” you tell him, emphasizing your last statement.

“And what’s there for us after everything is over?” Bucky finally opened his eyes, his ocean blue ones staring up into yours.

You hum in thought. “Well, seasons will change, that’s for sure.”

Bucky lightly chuckled, wincing slightly as a hand came up to his temple. “Still defrosting,” he told you, sensing your concern for him. “It’s hard to laugh when it’s hard enough to breathe.” Your hands moved from his hair down to his temples, massaging slow circles. “If I’m being honest, I still don’t really know what they’re doing to me up in there.” He brought his index finger to his forehead, tapping on it twice.

“Shuri’s been trying to decode the programming, trying to find where those words took root and if it’s possible to get them out,” you explain to him, remembering the mental maps she constantly had up on the giant screens.

“Better than nothing, I guess,” Bucky chuffs as your hands float back into his scalp, fingers flexing to apply light pressure while dragging through his hair. “Even if it kills me, at least it means I tried.”

“Hey,” you chide. “We’ll figure this out.” If there was ever a time when Bucky Barnes needed support, you would be the first to arrive and last to leave.

Autoplay: If you like this, you may also like [2:39pm] Bucket - B.Barnes

#bucky barnes #marvel #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fanfic #marvel fanfic

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fru1t4fr0gs · 9 days ago

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You and Me - Chapter 8

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky spend your next two years in Wakanda. Together, you find peace. And together, you begin to heal and love one another in ways you never could have imagined.

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI: Swearing, Trauma, Mention of nightmares, PTSD, Implied Sex, There's a sprinkle of angst at the end but the rest of this chapter is mostly fluff, Reader is Tony Stark's kid (but still a fully grown adult because we are in charge of the timelines), Please let me know if I forgot anything!

Author’s Note: This chapter is fluffier than a thousand pillows stuffed with puppies. Take this bit as a nice little breather of happiness before we get back into the action and angst. These two have been through a lot, they deserve it. The part of the timeline we're in about now is between CACW and Infinity War, and the next chapter is probably going to jump into the Infinity War timeline. As always, feeedback is greatly appreciated! Thank you guys so much for reaching out and letting me know how much you've been enjoying this fic!

Wakanda is peaceful. Beautiful. Perfect.

You live in a small house, comfortable and warm. He herds sheep. You work in the lab with Shuri. The beautiful, wonderful, spectacular lab with so much equipment and room and new technology that you might never leave it if you didn’t have Bucky to go home to each night.

It takes time, but you heal. Together. The nightmares don’t stop, but you work through them, night after night. You have new nightmares, now. Nightmares of Bucky falling from the top of a stories-high chamber to the concrete below. Nightmares about bleeding out in the snow, helpless and unable to move as he stares down the barrel of a gun. Nightmares about the rage on Tony’s face. The betrayal in his eyes.

Bucky works to find peace, and you do the same. Right by his side, every step of the way. You and him, always.

Over time, and with a lot of training, you begin to figure out how to live with the serum. How to understand your new senses and reflexes, discovering exactly what parts of you have changed and how to work with your new abilities. You work with the Dora Milaje, and even sometimes with T’Challa. They teach you how to not just move quickly, but with purpose. You learn how to throw a punch that hits in the right spot. How to dodge in a way that leaves you with an opening. After a while, you feel a little less helpless. A little more sure of yourself. A lot stronger in ways you never thought you would be.

One day, when Steve visits, Bucky walks in the door to find the two of you wearing party hats. Streamers and balloons fill the tiny living room of the cabin, and a banner hangs behind you that says “Happy Millionth Birthday, Grandpa!”

He laughs so hard that you see tears in his eyes.

You make him blow out the candles on a birthday cake that looks like a bonfire, and he makes a comment about how you’re going to burn the cabin down. You kiss his cheek, call him something along the lines of a grumpy old man, and there is so much laughter and joy in the house that night that you can’t help but think that this is what life is meant to be like. No fighting. No pain. Just happiness and jokes and love.

Steve and Bucky may not be affected by the champagne, but your serum doesn’t seem to hinder your ability to get drunk, and you fall into bed that night giggling helplessly about the story of Bucky getting Steve to throw up on Coney Island. Bucky tells you more stories until you fall asleep, like he’s as drunk on your laughter as you are on alcohol.

Another day, you get a little too distracted in the lab…for the fourth day in a row. You haven’t slept very much, too wrapped up in your current project, and he warned you the day before that if you tried to pull one more all-nighter he was going to pull you out of the lab himself.

You don’t think too much about it. You’re used to days without sleep when you get into the zone. You’re used to people threatening to do everything from lock you out of your workshop to knock you unconscious when you get to a certain point of exhaustion. They never follow through.

Bucky, apparently, does.

You miss dinner that very night, and when he shows up to the lab he walks right up to you.

“And here comes the White Wolf,” Shuri jokes, barely looking up from her table nearby. “Best run while you still can.”

You protest, already knowing what’s going to happen from the look on his face. You can hear Shuri’s laughter nearby, but you still try to plead, to keep working.

“Okay, I know what I said. Hear me out.” You say, standing up and moving around the table. He approaches you like a predator, but his eyes are alight with amusement.

You hold up a screwdriver like a weapon, backing up as he follows you around the table. “I just need like, four more hours. Just a couple more tests and then I’ll come home and sleep for a week I promise Bucky baby stop advancing I’m so serious right now knock it-wait!”

He takes the screwdriver out of your hand, sets it gently on the table, and in the same swift movement throws you over his shoulder.

Shuri bellows with laughter. You look up to glare at her.

“A little help?” You snap, even as Bucky starts walking to the door.

“I’m the one who buzzed him in.” She says, still grinning. “You’ve been mumbling to yourself. It’s distracting. And creepy.”

You groan in dramatic defeat, but by the time you make it to the door, you’re laughing too.

“You’re doing the staring thing.” You murmur one morning, eyes still closed as you try to hit him gently with a pillow.

He chuckles, catching it effortlessly and setting it back down. You crack one sleepy eye open to look at him. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, morning sunshine trickling in through the windows and making him look more beautiful than you think you’ve ever seen him.

He’s still staring, eyes full of fondness and love, and you yawn as you reach up to pull him back into bed.

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t give in immediately like he always does, wrapping you in his arm and climbing back under the covers. He just sits there, still, and if you were a little more alert you might think he seems nervous.

“Why the staring thing?” You ask, sleep still trying to pull you back under.

“I don’t have a staring thing.”

“Too early to argue with me.” You grouch. He smiles.

His fingers tap nervously on the bedspread. You frown, confused, and finally force your tired eyes open all the way. He looks sheepish. Anxious, even.

“Are you…fidgeting?” You ask, sitting up now. His fingers still, and his hand comes up to run through his hair instead as he looks away, then back at you.

“Buck, what’s going on?” Worry begins to prickle your nerves. There’s a feeling, somewhere deep in your core, but it isn’t one you’re used to. It’s not the serum telling you that something bad is coming, but rather a whisper of electricity beneath your skin. It isn’t unpleasant. Just…there. Awareness in a way that doesn’t mean danger. Like you felt the first time you shook his hand in Bucharest. Like the first time he kissed you, months later in that same apartment.

His hand moves to his pocket.

“I had a speech.” He says, almost to himself. “A good one, I think. I talked to Shuri and she said I should ‘just do it already’, but then I thought it might be better over dinner. And then…”

He pulls out a ring.

It’s simple. Nothing fancy, just a classic twist of metal with a diamond stamped the center. But it’s the loveliest thing you’ve ever seen.

“I never thought I would…” he starts, pausing again as he looks down at the ring, then back at you. “I never thought I would deserve anything like this. That I would deserve someone like you. And I know I’m still not what you deserve, but you make me want to be. And I want to be. More than anything. You’re-“

“Yes.” You say, breathless.

He looks up, hope and love and even surprise filling his blue eyes. “Yes?”

“Yes.” You say again, grinning from ear to ear. “Of course yes.” You feel the answer in your entire body. The definiteness of it all. The gut feeling that pushed you to make that truce with him so long ago. You and him, always.

His hand shakes as he places the ring on your finger, and you waste no time pulling him closer to kiss him.

“I had a speech.” He repeats, smiling against your mouth, like he can’t stop kissing you even long enough to speak.

“Tell me later.” You breathe, feeling like your heart is about to explode.

“You have to let me try again.” He murmurs, already rolling back into bed as his lips begin to trail down your cheek, your jaw, your throat. “Call me old fashioned all you want, but my Ma would kill me if I didn’t at least get down on one knee.”

You laugh, happier than you’ve ever been.

You don’t leave the bed that day.

It’s a small ceremony.

You get married outside, bathed in sunshine in the field by your little cabin. Steve walks you down the aisle, and gives Bucky a hug so touchingly manly that you can’t help but crack a joke about it.

When it’s time for him to kiss you, you kiss long and deep enough that you actually forget where you are for a moment before Shuri loudly and dramatically clears her throat. You sheepishly pull back from each other, both grinning from ear-to-ear like lovestruck teenagers. Bucky doesn’t seem the smallest bit embarrassed, and quickly leans back in to kiss you again.

“You and me.” He murmurs against your lips, and you can’t help but laugh, heart soaring so high you feel like you’ll never truly catch your breath again. You don’t think you’ve ever felt this good.

“You and me.” You whisper back.

Steve finds you after the ceremony. Bucky is somewhere in the crowd, talking with Sam and Natasha. Or just standing there silently staring. You wouldn’t be surprised. You can occasionally feel his eyes drifting to you, and it’s one of the few ways you’ve grown to like the serum. His gaze, whenever it falls on you, always feels like a caress. Like a gentle, comforting touch.

“You know,” Steve says, sitting beside you in the grass. You’ve been nursing the same glass of whiskey for about an hour now, and you knock the remainder of it back in preparation for what you know he’s about to say. “he would have come if you invited him.”

You’re silent for a moment, eyes on the treeline at the bottom of the hill.

“No, I don’t think he would have.” You say with a sigh. “Or he would have tried to put a laser through Bucky’s head before we cut the cake.”

He doesn’t respond, but you know he understands. He always does. As annoying as it can be sometimes, every part of Steve Rogers is good. Kind. You don’t think an ounce of judgement has ever clouded his thoughts.

“Look, Tony will be fine.” He says, sounding so sure you can’t help but believe him. “And so will you. So will Bucky.” He looks over towards his friend, then back at you, and you see nothing but pride and happiness in his eyes as he jokes, “but you should probably convince him to cut his hair.”

You laugh, glancing back at him over your shoulder. “It is getting really long. He’s starting to look like Jesus.” You look back at Steve, doing your best to hide your smile. “Do you get that reference? Or was Jesus before your time?”

He rolls his eyes in a very un-soldier-like way, bumping your shoulder with his own. “Careful. I might be a living fossil, but you just married the only other one on earth.”

You grin, unable to help yourself, and he grins back.

One week later, you enter the lab to find a package on your work table.

When you open it, you find a watch. It looks a whole lot like the one you usually wear - your little multitool gadget you created as a teenager and added onto over the years. It broke, that day in the bunker, and you haven’t even considered making yourself a new one.

You turn it on.

A hologram of Tony Stark appears before you. He looks tired. Stressed, even. Your heart aches at the sight, and you quickly realize that it’s the first time you’ve actually seen him since that day in the bunker.

“Hey, kid.” He says, and you force yourself to ignore the emotion in his voice. He seems to steady himself, morphing right back into that familiar air of nonchalance that you know so painfully well. You do it too, when you’re hurting. That knowledge, that connection, makes it all hurt even more.

“Look, this is the fifth time I’ve recorded this message. Pepper’s gonna kill me if I don’t get out of this lab soon.” Your eyes close of their own accord, and your inhale is shaky because…

Because sometimes, in your weakest moments, you like to imagine what could have happened. If the Winter Soldier hadn’t killed Tony’s parents, would you still be in New York with them? Would you and Tony still lock yourselves in the lab until the early hours of the morning, working on some project and losing time in comfortable camaraderie and sarcastic jokes?

Would Pepper still come in, after one too many hours, and tell you both to get to sleep in that tone that would make you cease your arguments faster than a bolt of lightning? And maybe, just maybe, would Bucky have joined her?

You think, in a different world, you all could have gotten along. You could have been a family, in all the strangest of ways. Pepper would have liked Bucky. She would have seen how he acts towards you, how kind and patient he is, and she would have approved of him. Hell, they could have been friends, bonding over how exhausting their spouses can be when machinery and projects are in the picture.

“I don’t know how to do this.” Tony says in the message. “Never really figured it out.”

Tears prickle in your eyes. You sink down to the floor, eyes glued to the image and heart cracking.

“This isn’t the same as the one you had. The tech is a little, well a lot better. I made it myself, so you’re not gonna have to tinker with it every other week.”

“Consider it your wedding present.” He pauses, like he’s rehearsed this part but doesn’t quite know how to get the words out correctly. “The button on the side will call me. If you ever need it. I’ll answer.”

The message ends, and the tears finally fall.

When you get home, explain everything and play him the message, Bucky just holds you. The tears continue to fall, like droplets of grief for the life you might have had if things had just gone a little differently.

“I never really had much of a family.” You say after a while, wiping your eyes with the heel of your palm. “Think it’s ever gonna get easier?”

He just holds you tighter, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “I wouldn’t know, doll. I wish I could tell you.”

You sigh, leaning more heavily into him, and allow yourself to relax in his embrace.

Despite everything, you wouldn’t change a single decision that led you to where you are. That led you to him.

In moments like this, you can’t help but let yourself believe that everything is going to be okay.

Author’s Note: They did it! They got married!! Just a quick note - I’ve been avoiding pronouns a little bit for the sake of inclusivity, but the reader in this story has, at least in my head, been female. Now that they’re married, there will undoubtedly be use of the word “wife” here and there. If that really bothers a lot of you, let me know and I can try to cut down the use of the word. Thanks for reading!

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Taglist:

@vicmc624, @saucysasha2035, @iyskgd, @intothesoul, @capswife

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mostly-marvel-musings · 25 days ago

Text

Chapter 6 - Terms and Conditions

A/N: Here we are, there’s some fluff here, babies 🫶🏻 Hope y’all like it.

Pairing: Tony Stark x Wife! Reader

Warning: slow burn.

Terms and Conditions

You don’t knock.

Mostly because you don’t want to wake him, not if, by some miracle, Tony Stark is actually asleep past sunrise. But also because you’re balancing a tray of food and a handwritten note, and knocking would require at least one more hand than you currently have.

So instead, you set the tray gently on the little table just outside his bedroom door, beside the glass wall that floods the hallway with Malibu sunlight.

Coffee, eggs and a croissant that could win awards. You know his usual, though he doesn’t know how you figured it out.

There’s a sticky note next to the coffee that reads:

Don’t forget Steve and Bucky’s brunch at 11. Wear something that says “I’m not emotionally unstable, I’m just rich.”

By the time he wakes all groggy but not hollowed out, the ache in his chest dulled for once he sees the tray and freezes for a moment, like it might disappear if he blinks. Then he spots the note and huffs a soft laugh.

“FRIDAY,” he mumbles, voice still raspy.

“Yes, boss?”

“Tell her I’m… grateful. Don’t make it weird.”

“You already did, sir.”

He finishes every last bite.

You arrive separately, something about not making a scene even though half the guest list already assumes you and Tony are either honeymooning or in the middle of a silent divorce. There’s no in-between with the press.

The brunch is surprisingly elegant. All white linens, tasteful jazz, and the occasional suspiciously strong mimosa.

You chat with Wanda about urban beekeeping. Sam catches you up on whatever hobby Steve is currently over-researching-today it’s homemade pasta. Bucky is trying not to murder the host’s houseplants by staring too hard.

Tony? He’s on the other side of the patio, talking animatedly with Bruce and T’Challa about arc reactor miniaturization but you can feel when he glances over. Like gravity shifts just slightly, pulling your eyes toward his.

It’s that look again.

The “I shouldn’t be staring” look.

And the “you definitely caught me staring” aftermath.

You sip your drink, slowly and smirk a little. He smirks back.

You catch up with him by the mimosa bar where else, fiddling with the tongs.

“You’re late,” you murmur, plucking a berry from a bowl before he can.

He doesn’t look up right away, just smirks to himself like you’ve said something deeply amusing. “I was getting beauty sleep. Someone sent me breakfast in bed, remember?”

“Ah, yes. The mysterious, kind-hearted wife. What a catch.”

“Mm,” he hums, finally looking at you, eyes warm, dangerously so. “She’s got good taste in coffee. And men.”

You tilt your head. “Debatable.”

And then he leans in, so casually, so perfectly timed just as Sam walks by and presses a kiss to your cheek. His hand ghosts along your back, thumb resting lightly at your waist. Public. Practiced. But his lips linger just a second longer than necessary.

You recover quickly, turning to smooth your expression as Steve and Bucky make their way over.

“Well, look at you two,” Steve says, grinning like a proud dad at prom. “Married life suits you.”

“Oh, we’re insufferable now,” you say sweetly, locking arms with Tony like you do it every day. “He’s been waking me up at two a.m with engineering metaphors.”

“And she keeps buying furniture that doesn’t match my aesthetic,” Tony deadpans. “It’s a nightmare.”

“Tragic,” Bucky mutters around his mimosa, one eyebrow raised. “And yet, somehow, the internet still thinks you’re couple goals.”

“Because we are,” Tony replies with exactly the confidence of a man who bought a Malibu mansion before telling his wife. “Did you see our wedding cake? That thing deserved its own museum wing.”

Steve chuckles. “Well, you two pulled it off. Everyone at brunch is talking about how happy you look.”

You glance at Tony just as he glances at you. His smile is easy, camera-ready. Yours matches it perfectly.

“We are,” you say, tone just earnest enough to sound real. “Happy.”

It’s a good lie. The best ones always are.

The front door clicks shut behind you with a satisfying finality.

Your heels are off before you even make it past the foyer, one in each hand like war trophies. Tony’s ditched his jacket and loosened his tie, already unbuttoning the top of his shirt like he’s shedding a persona. Maybe he is.

You both pause in the living room, eyeing the view. The ocean’s pulling the sun down slowly, the sky a pink-orange haze.

“God,” you groan, flopping dramatically onto the couch, “if one more person asked me about Monte Carlo, I was going to throw a breadstick at them.”

Tony laughs an honest, full one that surprises even him. He flops down next to you, socks sliding on the sleek floor, and slouches deep into the cushions.

“They asked me if I serenaded you under moonlight. I told them I sang AC/DC into a hairdryer. Close enough.”

You snort. “We really are couple goals.”

“Oh, absolutely. Especially the part where you drank three cocktails and made fun of Bucky’s beard.”

“In my defense, it looks like a small woodland creature took up residence on his chin.”

Tony grins sideways at you, soft and tired. “Well. We survived brunch. That deserves at least a nap or a Nobel Peace Prize.”

You nudge his knee with yours. “How about pizza and bad TV?”

He hums, pretends to think it over. “Deal. But only if we order those breadsticks you threatened brunch-goers with. I want to taste the violence.”

You both laugh again lighter this time, the kind that sinks into your ribs and stays there. The sun’s nearly gone now. Malibu’s wrapped in gold and hush.

And for once, there’s no press, no AI updates, no reactor failing in the dark.

Just this. You. Him. A room full of quiet truths neither of you are ready to say yet.

But maybe one day.

Somewhere between the second slice of pepperoni and a terrible rerun of Knight Rider, your eyes start to drift. Tony’s slouched low on the other end of the couch, socked feet on the coffee table, head tilted back as he listens to you half-rant, half-yawn about plot holes.

“…and why is the car sentient but still drives like it’s in a ‘70s chase scene? That’s just bad AI design.”

“Hey,” he murmurs, eyes closed, voice rumbling. “KITT walked so JARVIS could run.”

You hum in agreement. It’s comfortable. Dangerous, how easy it is. The kind of silence that stretches instead of smothers.

Then there’s the soft pat-pat of tiny paws.

Dum-E the cat trots in with a queen’s confidence and the judgmental stare of someone who’s lived nine lives and thinks you two are being ridiculous. She weaves herself between both your legs, tail flicking like a royal decree. Her approval is silent but clear:

My humans are finally figuring it out.

Tony blinks one eye open, watching her circle before hopping up to curl neatly on the cushion between you. “She’s been giving me side-eye since Monte Carlo. Guess this is her truce offering.”

“She tolerates you now,” you murmur, head tipping to the side. “That’s true love in cat terms.”

The words barely leave your mouth before the lull of the room pulls you under. Your head lolls sideways, brushing Tony’s shoulder. He stiffens for just a second, long enough to process the proximity, then softens.

He shifts just enough so your head rests more comfortably. Doesn’t say a word.

Not long after, his eyes drift shut too.

And that’s how Pepper finds you.

She walks in to drop off some papers, expecting chaos—maybe Tony on a call, maybe you arguing with a prototype toaster.

Instead, she sees this.

You, curled into Tony’s side like you’ve always belonged there. Dum-E the cat nestled between you. Tony breathing steady for the first time in what feels like months.

Her heels click on the hardwood. She pauses. Watches.

Her jaw tightens with something complicated flickering in her eyes. But she doesn’t interrupt. Doesn’t call his name.

Just leaves the folder on the counter, glances back once more… and walks out.

She doesn’t like it.

But even she can see it’s real.

Later That Night…

You wake up slowly.

Not to alarms or glowing arc reactors, but to warmth. That delicious, heavy-limbed kind of warmth you only get from an unplanned nap on the world’s most expensive couch.

Your cheek is resting on something firm. And breathing.

It takes a second to register: it’s Tony.

His arm is draped lazily around your shoulders. He’s fast asleep, head tilted slightly toward you, brow relaxed in a way you never get to see when he’s awake and overthinking twelve things at once. There’s a softness to him like this unguarded, unbothered.

And between you?

Dum-E, snuggled into your lap like a living croissant. She stretches once, opens one suspicious eye at your movement, then goes back to purring like she owns the place. (She kind of does.)

You’re just starting to move when your stomach betrays you, loud and unapologetic.

Tony shifts with a groggy murmur. “Was that a seismic event, or are you hungry?”

“I think I just growled louder than your suit.” You blink.

One of his eyes cracks open. “Good. Friday’s ordered you fries.”

You sit up a little, and that’s when the smell hits you: golden, glorious, perfectly salted fries. Your favorite kind, judging by the little paper bag perched carefully on the table, and wait. Is that…?

“Did we also get ice cream?” you ask, spotting the half-melted tub of pistachio and sea salt caramel on a nearby coaster.

He makes a lazy noise of agreement. “I’ve learned that feeding you is an investment in my continued survival.”

You laugh like, actually laugh and grab the fries. He watches with one arm still draped over the back of the couch, looking far too pleased with himself for a man who just woke up from a power nap next to his fake wife.

“Want some?” you ask, offering a fry.

He leans forward and nabs one from your hand without hesitation. “That’s extortion.”

“That’s gratitude.”

You sit like that for a while cross-legged, sleepy, sharing fries and alternating spoonfuls of ice cream straight from the tub. The Malibu night hums quietly around you, soft waves brushing the shore like a lullaby.

Then, because it’s one of those rare, settled silences that makes you want to say something real:

“Did your mom like ice cream?” you ask, voice low.

Tony’s quiet for a moment. Then: “Not really. She drank herbal tea. All the time. Like it was a coping mechanism.”

“Was it?”

“Probably.”

You glance at him. He’s still relaxed, still looking at the ocean through the wall of glass, but something’s shifted. Just a little.

“And your dad?”

He huffs softly. “Liked control. Disliked me.”

You don’t push. Just reach for the spoon, scoop another bite, and offer it wordlessly.

He takes it.

“Jarvis—our butler—he was the only one who gave a damn. Taught me how to tie a tie, drive stick, build my first circuit board.”

“Sounds like the real MVP.”

“He was.”

There’s a flicker of something vulnerable there, something raw than even the night he almost collapsed in front of you.

You lean back into the couch, nudging your shoulder against his. “My dad made the world’s worst pancakes. Like, genuinely offensive. But he made them every Sunday.”

Tony smiles. “Your mom burned toast. Your dad committed pancake crimes. You must’ve grown up so strong.”

“I’m a survivor.”

The ice cream is mostly soup now, but you don’t care. Neither of you moves. Dum-E (the cat) shifts again, her tail flicking between your knees like a little silent approval.

“This,” Tony says eventually, like he’s surprised to hear himself say it out loud, “isn’t the worst day I’ve had.”

And for once, you don’t joke it away. You just smile.

Because, well, the same.

The room feels quieter now less Malibu mansion, more liminal dreamspace.

You glance at him, take in the tousled hair, the soft expression, the way his shoulders have finally dropped from their usual perch up around his ears. Then you blink, leaning forward just slightly.

“Hold still,” you murmur.

Tony does, watching you with an expression that’s somewhere between suspicious and intrigued.

You reach out lightly and swipe a thumb across the corner of his mouth. A tiny smear of sea salt caramel disappears.

“There. You were hoarding dessert.”

He snorts, a low, genuine sound that makes something warm stir in your chest. “Next time I’ll charge rent for cheek real estate.”

You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling. And somehow, impossibly, neither of you is quite ready to break the spell. But the ice cream’s melted, the fries are gone, and Dum-E the cat has abandoned you both to chase imaginary ghosts across the hallway.

It’s time.

You both stand, too simultaneously. There’s an awkward beat where you should probably just say “goodnight” like a normal person, but of course, you don’t.

Instead, Tony Stark sticks out his hand for a handshake.

You stare at it.

Then, because you’re both certifiably out of your minds, you take it. Firm grip. Slightly lingering. Possibly the most emotionally intimate handshake in recorded human history.

“Well,” he says.

“Well,” you echo.

And then you part ways, like diplomats after a successful treaty. Like two very married strangers who are maybe, possibly starting to become something else entirely.

Later, alone in your room with the sea wind slipping through the crack in the window, you glance at the folded blanket he covered you with earlier. You think about the way he watched you sleep. The way he offered you fries and shared the kind of stories most people don’t get from him unless they’re dying. Which, technically, he was.

You think maybe you could get used to this.

You don’t say it out loud.

But you fall asleep wondering what it would be like—to stop pretending.

#tony stark x reader #tony stark fanfiction #tony stark x female reader #tony stark imagine #tony stark fluff #arranged marriage au #the stark squad #marvel fanfiction #tony stark #mostly marvel musings #iron man fanfiction #iron man x reader #iron man fic

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sergeantbarnessdoll · 5 months ago

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Ooo can I please request a Bucky x fem!Enhanced!reader where she is Tony Stark’s daughter (he didn’t know about her until she found him an adult and now they’re super close) and she has mind reading powers and telepathy She is also super close with the other Avengers (especially Steve and Sam). She meets and falls in love with Bucky when she does a study abroad program for a year is Romania, the same time Bucky is on the run and living in Romania. Imagine Steve’s surprise when he tracks down Bucky to his apartment and finds Y/n living there with him in a serious relationship. And imagine her Dad’s surprise when SHEILD agents not only drag in Steve, Sam, Bucky, T’Challa, but also his daughter (who is now crying in his arms wanting Bucky, her bf). And because she can read minds, she knows what Zemo’s intentions are but couldn’t stop him in time?🥺 Anyways, Tony, Steve, and Bucky all want her to stay far away from the civil war but she hides on the Steve/Bucky’s jet and follows them and stops the three of them from fighting but they accidentally really hurt her in the process? The Avengers get back together?

(Endgame never happens)

Can’t Break Up Love » Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Pairings: Boyfriend!Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend/Enhanced!Reader, Dad!Tony Stark x Daughter/Enhanced!Reader with Steve Rogers/Captain America, Sam Wilson/Falcon, and T’Challa/Black Panther

Summary: Summary is what the request says⤴️

Warnings: Fluff, Angst, language, mentions of HYDRA, accidental injuries, crying, kissing, pet names

A/N: Thank you for the request @kpopgirlbtssvt 🩵 it’s so amazingly described🥰

Written on my phone. My apologies for any mistakes.

Header made by @buck-star

GIF IS NOT MINE! GIF credit goes to the creator.

Finding out you’re the daughter of a billionaire, playboy, philanthropist is something you would’ve never expected. You expected your dad to be just a regular guy, which he is in a way… kinda. All though, he is a billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, he’s also Iron Man and an Avenger, which is the coolest thing ever. After your mom told you who he is, you contacted him and met him. Now, you and Tony have an amazing father daughter relationship.

“Are you sure you want to study abroad in Romania for a semester?” Tony asks.

“Yes, dad. You know I love to travel.” You say with a smile.

“You know I’m just looking after you, super girl.” He says.

You smiled and hugged him.

“Thank you for letting me use the jet.” You say.

“Anytime.” Tony replies. “Call me when you land.” He says, kissing your forehead.

“Will do, dad.” You smiled.

———

That was a few weeks ago. You’re still getting used to Romania. You were staring down at the map to the apartment building you’re staying in when you accidentally bumped into someone, causing you to drop your stuff.

“I am so sorry!” You apologized.

“It’s ok.” The man said.

You crouched down to pick up your things and so did the man.

“I’m James, but everyone calls me Bucky.” Bucky introduces himself.

“I’m Y/N.” You introduced.

“Are you visiting?” He asks curiously.

“Yes, but I’m also studying abroad for a semester.” You tell him.

“I’ve been here for a while so if you want, I can show you around.” He suggests.

“Yes please!” You say almost immediately.

Bucky chuckles.

“Where are you headed to?” He asks.

“My apartment.” You tell him, pointing to it on the map.

“You’re in luck. That’s where I live too.” He smiles.

“That’s great! I’ll see a friendly face.” You say with a smile.

Bucky walked you to the apartment building you two live in. As if it were fate, you and Bucky live on the same floor. There’s a few apartments in between you guys.

“I’d invite you in, but I have to study for a test tomorrow.” You say.

“No worries. Hopefully we’ll see each other tomorrow.” Bucky says with hopefulness in his voice.

“Hopefully.” You say with the same hopefulness in your voice.

You stood on your tippy toes and kissed his cheek before going into your apartment. Bucky had a smile on his face when he walked in his own apartment. He felt a newfound warmth in his heart and so did you.

The next day, you were so nervous about the test. Your mind was all over the place. That all washed away when you seen Bucky in the hallway of the apartment building.

“Good luck on your test.” Bucky smiles.

“Thank you!” You smiled back.

“Can I walk you to school?” He asks.

“Sure.” You replied.

The walk to school didn’t take long. You and Bucky talked the whole walk. It turns out that you and Bucky have a lot in common.

“Thank you for walking me to school, Bucky.” You smiled.

“Anytime, doll.” He smiles.

Bucky kissed your cheek, making you blush and smile.

“That kiss is for good luck.” He says.

“Thank you.” You smiled again.

“Now, go take that test.” He says, giving you a pat on the back.

You nodded and walked in the building with high hopes that you’d pass your test.

A few days have passed since you’ve taken your test. You were still positive that you did good on it. When you got your test back, you were over the moon with the grade you got that you went straight to Bucky’s apartment to show it to him. You repeatedly and rapidly knocked on his door till he opened it.

“Give a man a chance to open the door, doll.” Bucky jokes.

You held your test up, showing Bucky your grade. Bucky took it from your hand and looked at it, smiling when he saw your grade.

“You got an A! Good job, doll!” He says with a smile.

Out of nowhere, you kissed him, surprising the both of you. Your eyes widened when you realized what you were doing. You quickly pulled away.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that!” You apologized.

“Why are you apologizing?” Bucky asks.

Before you could answer, Bucky kissed you. This time, you didn’t pull away. Your hands grasped onto the fabric of his sweatshirt. Bucky wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you inside of his apartment and closed the door so no one walked by and seen you two kissing. That’s when you and Bucky started to fall in love with each other.

As you and Bucky got to know each other more, you two went on dates. Bucky asked you to be his girlfriend and he also asked you to be his girlfriend, which you happily said yes to both. Since Bucky is on the run, he wanted to have at home dates. You didn’t question it. You thought it was cute. Although, you don’t the reason why he’s on the run, you figured he’d tell you the reason when he’s ready to.

“Tell me something else I don’t know about you.” You say, maneuvering yourself so you were sitting sideways and criss crossed on the couch.

“You pretty much know everything about me, doll face.” Bucky says, laying his metal arm across the back of the couch.

Bucky found the confidence to tell you and show you that he has a metal arm. At first, he thought you’d be scared of him cause of it, but you’re not. You accept Bucky the way he is.

“I know, but I want to know more about you.” You pouted.

Bucky can’t resist it when you pout. He leaned towards you and kissed you before leaning back against the arm of the couch.

“Let’s see…” Bucky thought to himself for a moment. “Would you believe me if I told you that I’m actually almost 100 years old.” He says.

“There’s no way you’re almost 100 years old.” You said.

“I am.” He confirms.

“How?” You asked. “You look like you’re in your late 30s or early 40s.” You say.

“I’ll take that as a compliment. I was actually born in 1917.” He tells you.

“So my boyfriend is an old man?” You giggled.

Bucky playfully narrowed his eyes at you.

“I’ll let the old joke slide this time. Now it’s your turn to tell me something I don’t know about you.” Bucky says.

You hummed to yourself and bit your bottom lip as you thought of something. You finally thought of something. You never told Bucky that you have mind reading and telepathy powers. You were scared of what he’ll think when he finds out. Now is a better time than never to tell him.

“I have powers.” You tell him, fiddling with your fingers.

“What kind of powers?” He asks curiously.

“Mind reading and telepathy.” You tell him.

“How did you get them?” He asks.

“HYDRA.” You answered.

Bucky already knew your experience with HYDRA couldn’t have been any better than his without asking. Any experience with HYDRA is horrible.

“I’m sorry you had to endure the pain of HYDRA.” Bucky says softly and sympathetically.

“Thanks.” You say, giving him a soft smile.

Bucky kissed you to lighten the mood. You smiled against his lips and cupped his stubbly cheeks, rubbing your thumbs against the stubble of his beard.

“I love you, baby.” You whispered.

“I love you too, babydoll.” He whispers back.

The next day, you and Bucky went to the market down the street from where you two live. You two walked there hand in hand. You sensed something off about Bucky when you two left the apartment. You didn’t need to read his mind to know something was wrong. He was on high alert the whole time. You didn’t want to pester him about it though.

“Baby, look! They have those cookies I was telling you about you about the other day!” You exclaimed excitedly, showing him the package of cookies.

“That’s nice, doll. We should get them.” Bucky says.

“Yes!” You say, pumping your fist in the air out of excitement.

Bucky got a few plums from the fruit stand. As you two were paying for yours and his groceries, Bucky knew something didn’t feel right. It was like a gut feeling. He looked across the street, making eye contact with the vendor. The man looked at Bucky and then looked at the newspaper. It didn’t take him long to realize who Bucky is. Even in a disguise, he still recognized him. He ran out of his stand. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion as you watched him run.

“That was weird.” You say.

“I know right.” Bucky says.

You and Bucky walked hand in hand as you two crossed the street, walking to the stand the man ran away from. Bucky picked up the newspaper, seeing his picture on it.

This is not true. How could he have done something horrible in Vienna if he’s been with you all day? Unless if someone is trying to frame him for something he didn’t even do. That has to be it.

Bucky’s jaw clenched as he looked around.

“We have to go.” Bucky says, wrapping his arm around you protectively.

“Where?” You asked.

“Home.” He says.

Little did the both of you know that Steve was in yours and Bucky’s apartment while you guys were out. Steve looked around the apartment, finding your things there. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out why your things would be in Bucky’s apartment. As soon as you and Bucky walked in the apartment, your eyes went wide when you seen Steve dressed in his Captain America suit. Steve turned around, seeing you and Bucky standing a few feet away from him. He also noticed you two holding hands.

“Y/N?” Steve asks.

“Hi, Steve.” You say.

“What are you doing here?” He asks.

“I live with Bucky.” You tell him.

That was enough to tell Steve that you and Bucky are in a serious relationship.

“Do you know who I am?” Steve asks, adverting his attention to Bucky.

“You’re Steve. I read about you in the museum.” Bucky says.

You stood next to Bucky, listening to the two men talk. You had no clue what was going on. You were clueless about why Steve was there.

“I wasn’t in Vienna. I don’t do that anymore.” Bucky says.

That when it hit you. The reason why Steve is there is to protect Bucky and also you.

“Whatever you think he did, he didn’t do it.” You chimed in, defending Bucky.

“I’m on your side.” Steve assures.

“They’re coming your way.” Sam informs Steve in his ear piece.

“Why did you pull me out of the river?” Steve asks Bucky.

Bucky’s mind was all over the place. He knew the reason why he pulled Steve out of the river, but he didn’t know in that moment.

“I don’t know.” Bucky answers.

“Yes you do.” Steve says.

That’s when something was thrown through the window. You three looked down, eyes widening when you guys realized it was a bomb.

“What the f-” Bucky grabbed you and held you close to him, picking up the mattress to use it as a shield when the bomb exploded.

Then the door was busted open and cops entered the apartment. Bucky pushed you to Steve. Not in a rude way. In a way of protecting you. Your eyes were wide as you watched your boyfriend tried to fight off the cops.

“Buck, stop!” Steve put a hand on Bucky’s shoulder. “You’re gonna kill someone!” He says.

Bucky knocked Steve to the floor and used his metal fist to punch a hole in the floor next to Steve, pulling a backpack out from underneath the floorboards.

“I’m not gonna kill anyone.” Bucky says.

Bucky shoved the backpack in your hands and looked deep in your eyes.

“Do you trust me?” Bucky asks.

“With my life.” You answered.

“Take this backpack and jump onto the roof across the balcony and I’ll come find you, ok?” He says.

“Ok.” You said.

Bucky gave you a quick peck on the lips before going back to fighting off the cops with Steve’s help. You put the backpack on your back and looked at the roof across from yours and Bucky’s apartment. You took a couple deep breathes before running and jumping to the roof. Surprisingly, you didn’t hurt yourself. You were surprised that you could jump that far.

“That was so cool!” You say to yourself.

Sam seen you on the roof as he flew over it.

“Who’s the person who just jumped on the roof from the apartment?” Sam asks.

“Y/N. Keep an eye on her.” Steve informs him.

“Got it, Cap!” He replies.

Sam flew down toward you. You looked up and seen Sam.

“Oh shit.” You mumbled to yourself.

Sam’s here too? What the hell is going on?

Something in your mind was telling you to run and you did. Bucky jumped to the roof you’re on a moment later.

“Doll!” Bucky shouts.

You stopped running when you heard Bucky’s voice. You turned around and ran to him. You gave him the backpack. He was about to put it on his back when someone in an all black suit that looked like a cat jumped onto the roof, coming out of nowhere.

You were so confused at this point. You decided to read the person’s mind. Your eyes glowed blue as you read his mind, your eyes widening what you read from his mind. The person who attacked Bucky wants him dead or locked up for something he was framed for.

Bucky managed to get away from the guy and ran, grabbing your hand. You and Bucky got to the edge of the roof. Before you could ask how you two were going to get down, Bucky wrapped his right arm around you with a tight grip and used his metal arm to slide down the wall. The guy in the all black cat suit followed you guys. Steve also caught up with you guys, running after you guys. Sam followed you guys from above.

Cars swerved to avoid hitting you guys. That’s when Bucky grabbed a motorcycle, throwing the person off of it and you two got on it. Not too long after that, you, Bucky, Steve, Sam, and the guy in the cat looking costume got stopped by Rhodey and the cops. You guys held your hands up in surrender.

“Congratulations, Cap. You’re a criminal. So are you Y/N. Your dad isn’t going to be proud of you when he finds out.” Rhodey says.

Bucky got shoved to the ground and handcuffed.

“Bucky!” You screamed.

Steve wrapped his arms around your waist before and pulled you against him you could get to your boyfriend. Bucky looked at you with sadness in his eyes. He didn’t mean for you to get involved in any of this. He was just trying to protect you and tried his best to avoid all of this from happening.

You guys got put into a transport vehicle and the right was quiet. Your face was covered in tears and you fiddled with your fingers. You also found out the guy who was in the Black Panther costume is T’Challa.

“Do you like cats?” Sam’s asks T’Challa.

“Sam…” Steve warns.

“He showed up dressed as a cat and you don’t want to know more?” He says.

“I do.” You say with a small giggle.

“Y/N wants to know too.” He says.

Steve turned around, giving you and Sam a warning look. You two remained quiet after that.

“Are you ok?” Sam asks you.

“I would say yes, but I just witnessed my boyfriend getting arrested for something he didn’t even do so I’m pretty far from ok.” You answered.

“Hang in there, little Stark.” He says, patting your knee.

The vehicle pulled up to a big building. You weren’t sure what it was. You watched as Bucky was being hauled around in a pod type of thing. You took a couple steps in his direction, but Sam stopped you by grabbing your arm and gently pulled you towards him.

“I know you want to go to him, but you can’t right now.” Sam says softly.

Your eyes teared up again. You seen your dad a few feet away. You ran straight to him and hugged him, breaking down in tears. Tony was surprised to see you and wondered why you were in the transport vehicle with Steve, Sam, and T’Challa. He didn’t question it though. He’s just happy to see you.

“It’s ok, super girl.” Tony whispers, comforting you.

Tony took you to a room that looks like a conference room. Steve and Sam followed.

“He didn’t do it.” You say after a few minutes.

“You can’t be too sure about that, kid.” Sharon says.

“No one fucking asked for your damn opinion!” You practically hissed at her.

Sharon scoffed before walking of the room.

“Bucky wasn’t in Vienna or wherever this happened. He was with me the whole time.” You tell everyone truthfully.

Steve and Sam believed you, but not so much your dad.

“How can you be so sure?” Tony asks.

“Cause I would’ve known if he did something he shouldn’t have done.” You say.

The more Tony stared at you, he could tell that there’s something you’re not telling him.

“What are you not telling me, young lady?” Tony asks in his dad voice.

You slid down in your chair and fiddled with your fingers.

“Tell him, Y/N.” Steve says softly.

“Tell me what?” Tony asks, looking from you to Steve and back to you.

You really didn’t want to tell your dad that your boyfriend is the former Winter Soldier. You already knew that he wouldn’t stop asking if you don’t tell him so you might as well tell him before he finds out from someone else.

“Bucky is my boyfriend.” You tell him after a few seconds.

It was quiet after that. You looked up at your dad to see a look on his face that appears when he’s pissed off about something. You already knew this wasn’t going to be good.

“No, absolutely not.” Tony says.

“I love him, dad! He loves me too!” You exclaimed.

“You are not dating someone who’s a criminal.” He says.

“I said no! You are not dating him!” He says, raising his voice.

Your bottom lip quivered and you stood up from your chair, running out of the room.

“Are you going to go after her?” Sam asks.

“No.” Tony rubs his hands over his face. “She’s going to calm down and come to her senses and realize I’m right.” Tony says.

“She’s in love with him. I’ve seen it.” Steve says.

Tony looks at Steve, narrowing his eyes at him.

“Who’s side are you on, Rogers?” Tony asks.

“I’m on your daughter’s side.” Steve says.

All Tony did was scoff.

When you ran of the room, you decided to wander around the building to try to find Bucky. You found him in an almost empty room. There was nothing but the metal pod Bucky was in and a table and chair in front of it. There was a man in there with Bucky, who’s name is Helmut Zemo.

Before you could do anything the power went out and a red lit up the room. Zemo started reading words from a book in Russian. You didn’t understand what he was saying, but you knew it was good cause Bucky was starting to get mad.

“Stop it!” Bucky growls.

Zemo kept reading the words. Bucky broke free from the restrains and pounded his metal fist against the door of the metal pod like a caged animal trying to get out of its cage. When he finally broke free from the metal pod, he slowly stood up with a dark look in his eyes. The whole room was silent. It was like a calm before a storm.

You decided to take the opportunity to read Zemo’s mind to see what his intentions are. Your eyes glowed blue as you read his mind. The things he was thinking about at the moment was a mission report from December 16, 1991 and he wanted to see an empire fall. You were curious to know what those two things meant.

All hell broke loose before you could do anything. Your eyes went wide. You quickly hid alongside the wall. You closed your eyes and tried to process what you just saw.

“Y/N, where’s Bucky?” Steve asks.

You pointed to the room next to you. Steve went in there and so did you and Sam. Zemo was laying on the floor. Steve picked him by his shirt and slammed him against the wall.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Steve growls.

“To see an empire fall.” Zemo says.

Out of anger, you punched Zemo in the face, giving a bloody nose.

“What the hell did you do to my boyfriend?!” You asked.

“You’ll find out soon, Miss. Stark.” Zemo says, smirking facetiously.

What’s that supposed to mean and how does this man know your name?

That’s when Bucky came out of nowhere and started throwing punches at Steve and Sam. You backed up against the wall so you didn’t get caught up in the mix. Even as the Winter Soldier, Bucky would never hurt you. He wouldn’t forgive himself if he did hurt you.

“Get Y/N out of here!” Steve says to Sam.

Sam nodded and grabbed your arm. You two started running and exited the building. Sam saw Zemo’s jacket on the ground. He picked it up and then looked around. He dropped it back on the ground.

“Stay here.” Sam says.

You nodded. You assumed Sam went back inside to help Steve. You felt like you should do something to help so you came up with a plan. You figured that the quinjet was somewhere around there. You figured if you hid somewhere on the quinjet that you could stop something bad from happening. So you found it and got on it, hiding somewhere inside of it so no one could see you. You also found a mission suit that belongs to Natasha and put it on so you blended in more.

During the flight, you didn’t know where Bucky and Steve were going until you heard one of them say HYDRA. You didn’t know which base they were going to though. The conversation Bucky and Steve were having made you tear up. The things HYDRA did to Bucky and made him do broke your heart.

What it seemed like hours, you were still hiding in the quinjet. You wanted to go inside of the base before it was too late, but not too early. You managed to sneak inside of the base without Bucky and Steve seeing you. You hid along the walls and stayed quiet. You seen your dad there too.

What’s your dad doing here?

You watched as anger bubble in your dad as he watched a video on a small screen.

“Did you know?” Tony asks Steve.

“I didn’t it was him.” Steve says.

“Don’t bullshit me, Rogers!” He says. “Did you know?” He asks again.

Steve nodded his head yes. Tony blasted Steve with an energy blast, which he blocked with his shield. Bucky rose his gun to defend Steve, but Tony blasted it out of his hands. Your eyes went wide. You knew this was just going to get worst. You needed to stop it and now’s that time.

“Dad, stop!” You shouted, coming out of your hiding spot.

“Y/N, what are you doing here?” Tony asks.

“Stopping you from killing my boyfriend.” You say.

“Kid, if you knew why I’m doing this, you’d understand.” He says.

Tony rose his hand up, blasting an energy blast at Bucky. Steve threw his shield to Bucky and he caught it, holding it in front of himself. The energy blast hit the shield and then came flying towards you. It hit you before you could jump out of the way. Everyone’s hearts dropped to the pits of their stomachs and their eyes grew wide. Bucky was the first one to be by your side.

“Doll, wake up.” Bucky whispers, gently tapping your cheek.

Tony shoved Bucky aside to get to you. Steve got down by your side too. Tony placed his hand on your chest where heart is.

“Jarvis, check for a heartbeat.” Tony says.

“Heartbeat detected, but she’s in critical condition and needs medical attention.” Jarvis informs him.

“We need to get her to a hospital.” Steve says.

Bucky picked you up bridal style and carried you to the quinjet with Steve and Tony following behind him. As Steve flew the quinjet, Tony watched Bucky closely with you. Bucky whispered nothing but sweet words to you. Seeing how sweet and loving Bucky is with you, made Tony want to change his mind about how he thinks about him.

You woke up a few hours later in a hospital room. Your eyes squinted to adjust to the light. You heard a monitor beeping and the voices of your dad and your boyfriend.

“Guys, she’s awake.” Steve says.

You turned your head to the right to see Bucky, Steve, and your dad.

“Hi, doll.” Bucky smiles. “How do you feel?” He asks.

“Like I got hit by a truck.” You winced. “What happened?” You asked.

“You got hit with an energy blast that was meant for Bucky.” Steve says.

“The doctors want you to stay here for a few days for observation.” Tony says.

After a few days in the hospital, you were able to go home. Home meaning the Avengers compound. Your dad and Bucky talked it out and he’s living in the compound. Bucky is sharing your bedroom with you. Tony, Steve, Sam, and the rest of the Avengers talked everything out and got the team back together. They even asked Bucky to be part of the team, which he happily accepted.

“How do you feel?” Bucky asks softly.

“I don’t feel as sore as I did a few days ago. Your kisses made me feel better.” You says.

“I’ll happily give you more kisses, doll” He says.

“Then what are you waiting for, Sarge?” You murmured softly and playfully.

Bucky leaned down, kissing you sweetly and passionately. The kiss was short lived when Jarvis’s voice sounded through the intercom of the lounge room.

“Mr. Stark said to get back to work, Sergeant Barnes.” Jarvis says

Bucky groaned, making you giggle.

“I love you, doll.” Bucky says softly and kissed you once more.

“I love you too, baby.” You murmured softly.

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

-Bucky’s Doll

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angelremnants · 6 months ago

Text

Heat Waves l J. B. Barnes

PART TWO.⠀LATE JUNE NIGHTS

summary : After years of manipulation by Hydra, Bucky Barnes must find his place in a world that has long moved on without him. With you, an independent and unwavering agent by his side, he reluctantly embarks on a transformative journey of recovery in Wakanda. Amid the kingdom's vibrant culture, your connection to Bucky deepens as he confronts personal demons and embrace the healing process. Bucky learns to welcome the warmth of new beginnings, understanding that even after winter's cold grip, the sun can shine through. Inspired by Heat Waves by Glass Animals.

pairing : James ''Bucky'' Barnes x f!reader

warnings : Mature (16+), slow burn, eventual romance, pure fluff, mentions of past trauma, themes of healing, banter, teasing, mild language. Proceed with caution if you're sensitive to such material.

word count : 13.4k

author's notes : So, I lied. I said this next part was going to be the continuation AND ending of this fic.. Long story short, I went overboard (again) and wrote way much more than I had initially planned (I decided last minute to incorporate sexy time for the last part because I'm feral). Anyway, I highly recommend reading the first part beforehand, as it provides essential context for the following scenes.

Writing about Wakanda makes me miss my home country—listening to All the Stars (one of my fav' songs, btw) especially makes me miss all of the amazing summers I spent there, so I took a bit of inspo from them while writing some parts of the story.

I'd also like to adress an immense thank you to @stilleobjection for helping me get set on major components of the story. Live, laugh, love my moots<3

(ao3 version)

The sparring matches had ended on a high note, leaving everyone in good spirits. Shuri, still grinning after her mock victory over you, clapped her hands.

“Alright, white boy, Sparky, we’ve got plans for you today,” she announced, exchanging a glance with T’Challa. “Something is cooking back at the palace, so we need you two out of the way while it’s being perfected.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Out of the way? Should we be worried?”

The king chuckled as he clasped Bucky on the shoulder in camaraderie. “Not at all. My sister thought it would be good for you both to explore a bit of Wakanda’s countryside. It’s a chance to unwind after the training session.”

Shuri tilted her head toward a guide waiting nearby. “We’ve got quads—well, Wakandan versions of quads—prepped for you. Trust me, they’re fast, safe, and a lot of fun. And since I don’t trust you two to behave, I’ll be joining.”

“Wait,” Bucky said, narrowing his eyes. “Why do I feel like this is part of some elaborate scheme?”

Shuri gasped, feigning offense. “White boy, I’m shocked you’d accuse me of such treachery. This is purely for your benefit. You should be thanking me.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Alright, let’s do it. But if this is a setup, Shuri, you’re paying for the therapy.”

With that, the three of you followed the guide to an open clearing where two sleek quads—futuristic in design and gleaming in the sunlight—were parked. They looked like something out of a sci-fi film, with smooth, aerodynamic lines and holographic controls.

Shuri, clearly in her element, hopped onto one of the bikes with ease. “Aren’t they beauties? Vibranium-powered of course, eco-friendly, and ridiculously fast.” She patted the handlebars of hers. “You’ll thank me later.”

As she excitedly hopped onto one and began rattling off specs, you noticed Bucky standing back, arms crossed, staring at the vehicle like it was some alien artifact. He crouched down, inspecting the engine with a furrowed brow, his metal fingers tapping lightly on the side as if trying to figure out its secrets.

“It’s not going to break down, old man,” you teased, watching him lean closer.

“I’m just saying,” he replied, gesturing to the sleek design. “Engines like these don’t look like they belong to anything real. Where’s the exhaust system? The carburetor? This thing looks like it’s from outer space.”

Shuri, standing next to her quad, rolled her eyes. “It’s vibranium-powered. No carburetors, no exhaust. Welcome to the 21st century, Grandpa.”

Bucky gave her a flat look. “I like machines I can understand. Motorcycles, for instance. You know, things that don’t look like they’re about to fly off into orbit.”

Shuri smirked, leaning casually against her quad. “Don’t worry, white boy. It’s not as fragile as your Harley. And you might even like it if you give it a chance. Just try not to overthink it, alright?”

You couldn’t help but laugh as Bucky shook his head, muttering something about "vibranium death traps" under his breath.

Finally, he climbed onto his quad, still inspecting the handlebars as if they might suddenly sprout wings. “How’s it feel?” you asked, watching him warily test the controls.

“Like it’s about to insult my mother,” he muttered.

Shuri groaned. “Just start the thing! I promise you’ll survive.”

The ride began with a burst of speed as the quads hummed to life, their engines emitting a low, futuristic whirr that reverberated through the open air. The path wound through Wakanda’s breathtaking countryside, a kaleidoscope of vibrant greenery and golden sunlight that spilled across the landscape. Rolling hills stretched into the horizon, dotted with clusters of wildflowers in colors so vivid they looked almost unreal. Tall trees arched overhead, their bioluminescent leaves shimmering faintly in the soft light, as if breathing with life. Crystal-clear streams meandered alongside the trail, their waters catching the sunlight and scattering it like a thousand diamonds.

The air was crisp and cool, carrying the earthy scent of freshly turned soil mingled with the subtle sweetness of blooming flora. You breathed deeply, letting the scent wash over you as the wind whipped past.

“How’s it feel now?” Shuri called out, her voice cutting through the hum of the engines. She glanced back at Bucky, her tone half-challenging, half-playful.

Bucky, despite his earlier reservations, seemed more at ease now. His broad shoulders were less tense, and a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Not bad,” he admitted grudgingly, though his tone suggested he wasn’t about to heap praise on the machine just yet. The wind caught his hair, making him look a little less like the stoic soldier and more like someone who might actually be enjoying himself.

You couldn’t help but laugh, the rush of adrenaline making your heart race. “This is incredible! How fast can these go?”

“Fast enough to outrun your doubts, Sparky!” Shuri quipped, her grin evident even from a distance as she twisted the throttle and sped ahead.

The three of you carved your way through the trails, the quads kicking up soft plumes of dirt in their wake. Every so often, you paused to admire the scenery—expansive meadows that seemed to stretch forever, their grasses swaying lazily in the breeze, or ancient-looking rock formations jutting proudly from the earth like guardians of the past.

Shuri acted as a guide, pointing out landmarks with unrestrained enthusiasm. “That hill over there? It’s where some of the first Wakandan warriors trained with vibranium shields. And that tree? It’s older than most of the royal palace!” Her knowledge was infectious, her voice laced with pride and affection for her homeland.

Meanwhile, Bucky couldn’t seem to resist his inner mechanic. Every so often, he’d pull his quad to a halt and hop off, crouching down to inspect its parts like an overprotective grandparent. “These controls are too smooth. It’s like it’s driving itself,” he muttered at one point, tapping a finger against the engine casing.

“That’s because it is smart tech, white boy,” Shuri teased as she rolled up beside him. “Honestly, you’re acting like an old man trying to figure out a smartphone.”

Bucky shot her a withering look, but there was no heat behind it. “I’m just saying, machines like these don’t need to be this complicated. Give me a Harley, and I’ll be fine.”

It wasn’t long before the shenanigans began. Shuri, ever the troublemaker, led the charge.

“Think fast!” she shouted gleefully, swerving sharply to kick up a spray of dirt and grass that splattered across Bucky’s quad.

Bucky coughed, glaring at her as he wiped his face with the sleeve of his jacket. “Seriously?”

“Just keeping you on your toes, Grandpa!” she replied, her laughter ringing out like music.

You decided to join the fun, veering your quad closer to Bucky’s and revving the engine in a sharp burst. He startled slightly, giving you a side-eye glare that quickly softened into something resembling reluctant amusement.

“You too?” he asked, his voice tinged with exasperation. “What is this, ‘Pick on Bucky’ Day?”

“Every day is ‘Pick on Bucky’ Day,” you teasingly shot back with a grin. “You’re just an easy target, old man.”

Not one to back down, Bucky suddenly accelerated, cutting you and Shuri off in one swift motion. “Alright, if that’s how you wanna play,” he said over his shoulder, his voice carrying the smallest hint of a challenge.

What followed was a chaotic race through the trails. The three of you took turns speeding ahead, cutting each other off, and kicking up clouds of dirt. Shuri, ever the daredevil, led you both through a narrow trail with low-hanging branches that forced you to duck and weave to avoid getting smacked in the face.

“You could’ve warned us, Shuri!” you shouted, laughing despite yourself as you narrowly avoided a branch.

“Where’s the fun in that?” she called back, her voice dripping with mischief.

Even Bucky started to loosen up, his posture relaxing as he swerved around a sharp corner with surprising skill. At one point, you caught him grinning—an unguarded, genuine smile that made him look years younger.

Eventually, the path widened, revealing a breathtaking scene. A shimmering lake stretched out before you, its surface reflecting the pastel hues of the early evening sky. Steam rose lazily from parts of the water, hinting at natural hot springs, while rocky cliffs framed the area like an artist’s masterpiece. A few open-air huts dotted the shoreline, their thatched roofs blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings.

Shuri pulled to a stop and hopped off her quad, stretching her arms overhead with a content sigh. “Welcome to paradise!” she announced grandly. “The water here is the perfect remedy for sore muscles—and bruised egos.” She shot a pointed look at Bucky, her grin as wide as ever.

“This is amazing,” you said, your gaze sweeping over the tranquil scene. “Did you plan this, Shuri?”

“Of course I did,” she replied smugly. “You think I’d let you two wander around aimlessly? Now, go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”

The lake was even more breathtaking up close. Crystal-clear water stretched out in a shimmering expanse, its surface rippling gently as steam curled upward from the edges of the natural hot springs. The rocky cliffs surrounding the area glistened with dew, the rock faces streaked with veins of vibrant minerals that reflected the fading light like jewels. Overhead, the sky deepened into a tapestry of purples and gold, scattered with stars beginning to peek through. The air here was warm and heavy with the scent of mineral springs and blooming wildflowers, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

A few open-air huts lined the shore, their thatched roofs blending seamlessly with the landscape. Inside, simple benches and woven baskets hinted at their purpose: a place to change or rest before enjoying the rejuvenating waters.

Shuri was already peeling off her outerwear to reveal a sleek bodysuit underneath, the kind of practical yet stylish attire that only Wakandan design could pull off. “Don’t just stand there gawking. The water’s calling, and I’m answering.” She didn’t wait for a response, striding toward the lake and stepping in without hesitation. “Perfect temperature, as always,” she called over her shoulder.

You watched her for a moment, then shrugged. “Why not?” You weren’t exactly prepared for a swim, but that wasn’t going to stop you. Stripping down to your underwear, you stepped into the water, the warmth spreading over your skin like a comforting embrace.

Bucky, however, stayed firmly on the shore, his arms crossed as he eyed the water warily. “I think I’ll sit this one out,” he muttered.

Shuri, already chest-deep in the water, shot him a look of mock disbelief. “What’s the matter, white boy? Afraid your arm’s gonna rust?”

Bucky raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “It’s titanium. It doesn’t rust.”

“Then you have no excuse!” Shuri countered, splashing water in his direction for good measure. “Come on, don’t be boring. Even Grandpa needs to have fun sometimes.”

You laughed, wading deeper into the water until it lapped at your shoulders. “She’s got a point, you know. What’s the worst that could happen? You’ll have fun?”

Bucky groaned, running a hand through his hair. “You’re not gonna let this go, are you?”

“Nope,” you and Shuri said in unison.

Finally, with a muttered curse under his breath, Bucky relented. He pulled off his jacket and shirt, revealing the solid planes of his chest and the intricate design of his titanium arm, which gleamed even in the dim light. He hesitated for a moment before removing his boots and pants, leaving him in just a pair of black briefs.

You swallowed hard, your gaze flickering over him before quickly looking away, your cheeks heating. Shuri, of course, caught it immediately.

“See something you like, Sparky?” she teased, her grin devilish as she waded closer.

“Shut up,” you mumbled, your attempt at nonchalance failing miserably, though your face betrayed you with its growing warmth.

Shuri wasn’t done, though. She tilted her head, the playful gleam in her eyes making you dread whatever she was about to say next. “Don’t worry about it. I saw him watching you earlier when you were stripping down, too.”

Your head snapped up, your eyes widening. “Shuri!”

“What?” she said with a shrug, her grin widening as she gestured toward Bucky, who was already halfway into the water and thankfully out of earshot. “I’m just saying, you’re not the only one doing some ogling tonight.”

You groaned, covering your face with your hands. “Why do you always have to do this?”

“Because it’s fun,” she replied with a wink. “And you’re just so easy to fluster. Besides, I’m practically doing you a favor. Now you know he’s looking.”

You peeked between your fingers, your gaze instinctively darting to Bucky, who was settling into the water. His broad shoulders gleamed under the dim light, and you hated how quickly your eyes lingered.

“You’re the worst,” you muttered, sinking lower into the water to hide your embarrassment.

Shuri’s laughter rang out, light and carefree. “You’re welcome!”

Bucky stepped into the water, his movements cautious at first, but he seemed to relax as the warmth enveloped him. “You two are insufferable,” he muttered, though the faintest hint of a smirk betrayed him.

“It doesn’t stop you from following us,” you shot back, splashing water in his direction.

What started as playful banter quickly devolved into a full-blown splash war. Shuri was the obvious instigator, as always, her cunning grin practically a warning sign as she cupped her hands and sent the first wave of water crashing toward you.

“You’re going down, Sparky!” she declared, her laughter echoing over the surface of the lake.

You retaliated immediately, scooping up water and hurling it back at her, though your aim wasn’t nearly as precise. “Oh, you want a fight? Let’s go, Princess!”

Bucky, who had been trying to stay out of the line of fire, quickly found himself dragged into the chaos. A rogue splash hit him square in the face, and he sputtered, shaking his head like a drenched dog.

“Is this what you call diplomacy?” Bucky grumbled as he shielded himself with his arm.

“Wakandan diplomacy is very hands-on,” Shuri replied, her laughter echoing across the lake.

“Alright, that’s it,” he muttered, his voice low and mock-menacing.

The next second, he sent an impressive arc of water flying in Shuri’s direction, catching her mid-laugh and soaking her from head to toe.

“Hey!” she yelped, wiping water from her eyes. “You’re gonna regret that, white boy!”

From that moment on, all bets were off. Shuri was the obvious victor, her technique unmatched as she sent wave after wave of water at you and Bucky. Her speed and agility made her nearly impossible to hit, and her laughter only seemed to grow louder with each successful attack.

You tried teaming up with Bucky to overpower her, but it was like trying to outsmart a hurricane. “We need a strategy!” you shouted, ducking behind Bucky for cover as Shuri sent another splash your way.

“Strategy?” Bucky replied, his brow furrowing in mock disbelief. “We’re in a lake. The only strategy here is survival!”

Shuri, grinning wickedly, used your moment of distraction to launch her most devastating attack yet—a double-handed splash that drenched you both in a massive wave.

“You call that survival?” she teased, her hands on her hips as she waded back a few steps, looking far too smug.

The water glistened around her like liquid silver, the bioluminescent glow of the surrounding foliage casting soft light on her triumphant form. You and Bucky exchanged a quick glance, a silent agreement passing between you.

“Truce?” you whispered.

“Truce,” he agreed, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Together, you turned on Shuri, launching a coordinated attack that finally managed to take her by surprise. She shrieked as two simultaneous waves of water hit her, but her laughter was still loud and carefree.

“Alright, alright! I concede!” she said, holding her hands up in surrender, though the grin on her face made it clear she wasn’t entirely serious. “But don’t think I’ll forget this, you two.”

The three of you stood there, panting and laughing, the water rippling gently around you as the tension of the day melted away into the cool embrace of the lake. It was a quiet haven, the cool water lapping gently at your skin, but Shuri’s excitement quickly shattered the calm.

“Alright, I’m bored now. Let’s play Pirate Ship,” she declared, her eyes shining with mischief. She swam toward you both, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “It’s a team game—just like chicken, but with a twist. One person is the pirate ship, and the other two are the crew with one trying to take it down and one giving it directions.”

You raised an eyebrow, curious. “Pirate ship?”

“Yeah,” Shuri said, her voice full of energy. “It’s simple. Bucky, you’re the pirate ship. You’re the one we have to knock off balance.”

Bucky looked at her with a bemused smile. “I’m the pirate ship, huh? Alright, I’m game.”

Shuri turned to you. “And you’ll be the first crew member, perched on his arm like a lookout. I’m the second crew member, and my job is to throw you both off balance—knock you out of the game.”

Before Bucky could protest, Shuri swiftly lifted you from the water, her hands steady as she helped you onto Bucky’s broad, muscled arm. Your legs wrapped instinctively around his arm for balance, and you felt a rush of warmth at how strong and solid he felt beneath you. The water swirled around both of you, the gentle waves adding an extra challenge as you settled into place, hands gripping his shoulders for extra security.

“There we go,” Shuri smirked, positioning herself in front of the two of you. “Try not to fall off, pirate.”

Bucky chuckled, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and determination. “I’ll hold my ground. Ready?”

You nodded, gripping Bucky’s shoulder with a steady hand, trying to ignore the flutter of your heart as you realized just how close the two of you were—your body pressed to his in the stillness of the water, your chest lightly brushing against his, and his steady arm holding you firmly in place. You had to concentrate, but your mind kept wandering back to the warmth of his skin beneath your fingers.

Shuri lunged at you first, attempting to knock Bucky off balance. She was quick and agile in the water, and her first attempt sent a shiver of movement through Bucky’s body. But he held strong, his arm steady beneath you, his muscles tightening as he countered her push. You gasped slightly as you leaned into him for support, feeling the strength of his body underneath yours. His hand rested on your knee as he held you in place, his grip firm but gentle, like he was guiding you through a delicate dance.

“Easy there, Buck’,” you teased, your voice barely above a whisper, just for him. “You’re doing great.”

Bucky shot you a playful grin, but there was something deeper in his gaze—a quiet intensity that made your heart skip a beat. “I’ve got this,” he muttered, voice low, as he took a step forward, shifting his weight just enough to keep himself balanced.

Shuri’s second attempt was faster, a blur of motion as she surged forward, trying to get a grip on Bucky’s shoulder. You felt your balance teeter as the water surged around you, but Bucky’s hand shot out just in time, pulling you back into place. His fingers brushed against your skin as he steadied you, the contact sending a jolt of electricity through you.

“You’re not getting us that easily,” Bucky murmured, his voice surprisingly husky as his eyes flickered down to you, searching your face for any sign that he was doing okay. The warmth in his gaze was undeniable, and for a moment, you forgot where you were, lost in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath you, the closeness of your bodies, the way he was so careful with you.

But before you could respond, Shuri lunged at him one more time. This time, her strategy was sharper and more aggressive, and Bucky’s arm gave way under the pressure. You lost your balance as Shuri grabbed hold of his shoulder, throwing both of you off-kilter. The next thing you knew, you were slipping from his arm and tumbling backward into the water with a splash.

The cold water shocked your senses for a moment, but before you could even panic, strong arms encircled you, pulling you back to the surface. You found yourself face-to-face with Bucky, his hands steadying you as he kept you afloat. His blue eyes locked onto yours with a quiet intensity, his breath warm against your skin as you both clung to the moment.

“You good, dove?” he asked, his voice softer than usual, the hint of concern there, though you knew he wasn’t worried about anything other than making sure you were okay.

You nodded, a smile tugging at your lips as your heart raced. “Yeah, just… didn’t expect you to catch me like that,” you said, your voice quieter now, as if the game was suddenly secondary to the warmth of his presence.

Bucky’s hand remained on your waist, a steadying anchor as you floated together, the water around you both barely making a sound. He didn’t pull away, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded—the playful banter, the game, the world itself. It was just you and him, suspended in time, your chest brushing lightly against his as you shared a quiet moment in the lake.

Shuri's teasing voice sliced through the comfortable silence that had settled around you and Bucky, her tone playful and laced with mischief. “Aww, isn’t this romantic,” she called from where she bobbed lazily in the water, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she floated a little too close, clearly enjoying the moment a bit too much. “But we should probably head back. Sunrise isn’t going to wait for you lovebirds.”

The spell that had wrapped around you and Bucky shattered in an instant. You felt the weight of the moment break as Shuri’s words brought a flurry of laughter bubbling to the surface. Your cheeks flushed as you tried to gather your bearings, feeling the playful spark of the moment slip away, yet, in a way, you didn’t mind. It was impossible to stay serious when Shuri’s teasing grin was so infectious.

You groaned, letting out a dramatic sigh as you pushed yourself upright in the water. “Let’s go, white boy. Don’t want you rusting after all,” you teased, your voice light but still holding onto the warmth of the moment.

Bucky’s eyes rolled at the nickname, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He turned to you, his blue eyes glinting with a playful challenge. “Please don’t tell me you’re gonna call me that too.”

You grinned back, your heart still fluttering from the closeness you’d shared. “Impossible,” you replied with a wink. “I like the sound of it.”

Bucky gave you an exaggerated sigh, his hand reaching up to run through his damp hair as he shook his head. “I swear, I’m surrounded by trouble,” he muttered under his breath, but there was no malice behind his words—just a quiet affection that spoke volumes, even if it was wrapped in sarcasm.

Despite his mock grumbling, he followed your lead, swimming toward the shore. You matched his pace, your muscles still pleasantly sore from the game, but the gentle push of the water made it feel like the whole world was moving in slow motion. The distance between you and Bucky narrowed as you both swam side by side, the warmth of his presence a silent comfort, even with Shuri’s teasing commentary still echoing in the background.

Shuri, of course, didn’t let up. “You two make quite the pair,” she called, paddling along next to you. “I might need to start charging for this level of entertainment.” Her voice was full of laughter, but there was something else there too—an undercurrent of fondness for both of you, as if she was delighted by the connection she could clearly see growing between you and the soldier.

You shot her a playful glare. “Don’t make me make you regret learning how to swim.”

Her grin widened. “What’s the saying the white folks say again? Ah yes, ‘shiver me timbers’.”

Bucky let out a low chuckle beside you, the sound soothing and warm, as if he was finally letting the earlier teasing roll off his shoulders. The smirk he gave you was enough to make your heart skip again, the quiet moment of camaraderie between the three of you filling the air.

As the shoreline grew closer, Bucky’s smirk softened, and his expression turned a little more serious, though not in an uncomfortable way. He gave you a side glance, his voice quieter now, and tinged with something almost shy. “Thanks, by the way,” he said, his tone laced with sincerity. “For, you know, hanging in there with me.”

You blinked, surprised by the soft vulnerability in his words. “Of course, Bucky,” you said, your voice gentle. “You didn’t think I’d leave you hanging, did you?”

Bucky met your gaze, the softness in his eyes matching the quiet connection you felt. “I wouldn’t put it past you,” he teased lightly, but there was warmth behind it. “But I’m glad you didn’t.”

For a moment, you simply floated there, the water still and peaceful around you, the air filled with unspoken understanding. Bucky had always been a complicated puzzle, but right here, right now, it felt like you were finally starting to fit together.

Shuri, ever the interrupter, glanced over at the two of you with a knowing look. “Alright, alright,” she said, pushing herself up from the water as she began heading toward the shore. “You two are sickeningly cute, but seriously, we should get going before we turn into fish.”

Bucky took a look at you, and this time, the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips was genuine, not mocking, but something softer—something real. “Lead the way, little one,” he said with a grin, his voice warm and affectionate as he gestured for Shuri to go ahead.

⠀

The day’s warmth lingered as you and Shuri made your way to the huts nearby, your bodies tired but relaxed from the playful lake game. The sky was beginning to darken, hinting at the coming sunrise, and there was a subtle excitement in the air—soon you’d be heading straight to the palace.

As you reached the hut, you noticed the men’s and women’s changing areas were naturally sex-separate, allowing for a quiet moment of privacy before the more formal events began. You started to step inside your designated hut, but Shuri held you back with a mischievous grin on her face.

“Wait up, Sparky,” she said, her voice dripping with playful curiosity. “We need to talk.”

You raised an eyebrow but followed her inside the small, private space. “About what?”

“Oh, don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about,” Shuri replied, giving you a knowing look as she crossed her arms. “I saw the way you and Bucky were looking at each other out there. That moment—the way he held you steady. You two have something going on, don’t you?”

You felt a flush creep up your neck, but you couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips. “We’re just friends, Shuri. Nothing more.”

She tilted her head to the side, unconvinced. “Friends, huh?” she said, dragging out the word. “Then why do I sense a little more than that? Hmm? You didn’t look like ‘just friends’ when you were practically on top of him in the water.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

You let out a soft groan, trying to hide the warmth in your cheeks. “Shuri, we’re really just friends. We’ve known each other for a while now.”

Her eyes widened with exaggerated interest. “Oh? Tell me everything. How did this magical friendship start?”

You took a deep breath, trying to focus. “Well, it’s not all that exciting. I first met Bucky during a workout session at the compound—he was just sitting off to the side, hydrating or whatever. I’d been working out with some of the agents, and I was parched, so I grabbed a bottle of water. I didn’t notice him at first, but when I went to leave, I accidentally bumped into him, spilling some of the water on him.” You couldn’t help but laugh at the memory. “I was mortified, but he just laughed it off, saying, ‘You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.’ It was such a small, funny moment, but I remember it so clearly.”

Shuri leaned in, clearly intrigued. “That’s it? That’s how the great Sparky and the white boy became friends?”

You nodded. “Pretty much. But we ended up running into each other again a few months later when we were both assigned to the same mission. It wasn’t planned or anything. Our superiors noticed how naturally we clicked, so after that, they kept putting us together. We just kind of... became friends after that.”

Shuri raised her eyebrows, clearly amused. “Became friends, huh?” She shook her head with a smirk. “There’s something you’re not telling me. The way you two interact is way too comfortable for just a friendship.”

You sighed, crossing your arms. “There’s nothing else. Trust me, we’re just close friends who get along well. He’s been through a lot, and I get it. I’m just... here for him. That’s all.”

Shuri didn’t look convinced. She started pacing back and forth, tapping her chin. “Hmm, well, I’m still not buying it. You two have some serious chemistry, whether you admit it or not. You’re telling me that’s all just... friendship?” She exaggerated the word with air quotes.

You opened your mouth to respond, but Shuri quickly cut you off. “I won’t let you leave this hut until you spill the tea. You can’t hide behind your ‘just friends’ act forever, Sparky.” She grinned playfully, clearly enjoying herself.

You groaned again, feeling the heat rise to your face. “Fine. There was a... moment, but that’s it. He just... makes me feel comfortable. It’s hard to explain.”

Your cheeks burned at the remembrance of that embarrassing move you’d unconsciously pulled. The kiss to his cheek—it had been a simple, spontaneous act of gratitude, but now, in the quiet of your room, you felt your heart race at the memory.

The day had been long, and you found yourself in your quarters, trying to unwind after an exhausting debrief. As your gaze wandered, it landed on something familiar—an old mechanical wristwatch sitting on your desk. It was an heirloom, passed down through your family, and it had always been a symbol of resilience to you. But recently, it had been failing—stopping intermittently, refusing to tick when it should, and making it clear that it needed repair.

You had tried to fix it yourself, but no luck. You hadn’t wanted to take it to the techs; it was too personal. You’d quietly hoped it might somehow start working on its own, but it never did.

That evening, after dinner, you placed it down on the desk and ran your fingers over its familiar face, as if trying to find some connection to the past. But just as you set it aside, a knock at your door startled you.

Opening it, you were surprised to see Bucky standing there. A tool kit was slung over his shoulder, his usual quiet but determined expression on his face.

"Hey," he greeted you with a small, awkward smile. "I—I saw the watch earlier. Thought it might need a little... tune-up."

You blinked, taken aback for a moment. "Bucky? You... know about watches?"

He shrugged slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "More than a few, yeah. Before... well, before everything happened, I worked on mechanical things. Cars, watches, motorcycles—anything with gears."

You raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You're telling me you're not just a soldier, but a mechanic too?"

He chuckled softly, a slight warmth in his eyes. "Not just. I used to spend a lot of time fixing things. Figured I might be able to help."

You gestured toward the desk, where the watch lay, still as ever. You hadn't realized just how much you'd been staring at it, silently wishing it could work again.

"I didn’t expect you to notice it," you said quietly, moving to pick it up. "But I—I can’t seem to fix it myself."

Bucky stepped inside and set down his tool kit, his movements slow and deliberate as he began working on the watch. His fingers were steady, his focus intense. There was a calmness in the way he worked, similar to how he handled everything else—with precision and care. But this was different. He wasn’t handling a weapon; he was working on something delicate, something important to you.

The rhythmic sound of his hands moving as he adjusted the gears filled the room. You watched him, the quiet and his attention to detail stirring something deeper in you. The way his brow furrowed in concentration, how his fingers moved without hesitation—it wasn’t just about fixing the watch. It was something more.

“How’d you learn to do this?” you asked softly, your voice quieter now, full of curiosity.

“I had to,” he replied, his gaze still fixed on the watch. “In the army, you don’t always have what you need. I learned how to fix whatever I could get my hands on.”

You nodded slowly, absorbing his words. There was something different about the way he spoke—like every skill, every moment he’d lived, had shaped him into who he was now. This wasn’t the Bucky you were used to—the soldier with a shield or the man in battle. This was another side of him, a gentler one, one that didn’t require fighting to prove his worth.

After a few minutes, Bucky stopped working, his eyes meeting yours as he gave you a small smile. "All fixed."

You carefully took the watch from his hands and examined it. The hands were moving again, ticking steadily, as if it had never been broken. When you reached to take it, your fingers brushed against his for just a moment, and the world seemed to slow. For a heartbeat, everything seemed to freeze—his blue eyes locked with yours, and there was something in the air, unspoken but understood.

You broke the silence, your voice soft but sincere. "You really didn’t have to," you said, still holding the watch in your hands, its ticking now a steady comfort. "But thank you, James. This means a lot."

Bucky’s gaze softened, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It was nothing. I’m glad I could help."

You stood up, the watch still in your hand, and took a small step toward him. The space between you felt charged now, electric. Without really thinking, you leaned in, pressing a quick, soft kiss to his cheek—just a brush of gratitude, but it felt more than that. The gesture lingered longer than you intended.

The moment you pulled away, you realized your mistake. Bucky stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide, and you felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. For a split second, the room was thick with unspoken tension, and the heat of his gaze made your heart race. You couldn't look at him.

"I—uh—well," he stammered, clearing his throat. "I didn’t expect that."

You quickly regained your composure, your heart still pounding, but your voice steady. "You fixed something important to me. I wanted to show my thanks," you said, though you could feel the rush of warmth on your cheeks. "You’ve done more than I could’ve ever expected."

Bucky’s expression softened, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. He nodded, though he couldn’t quite meet your gaze. "You’re welcome, dove," he said, his voice low. "Anytime."

Your cheeks were still burning, and you quickly opened your arms, pulling him into a quick, grateful hug. It was over in an instant, but his warmth lingered in the space between you. When you pulled away, you couldn’t help but feel the heat of his presence.

"Thank you," you said again, quieter now, more to yourself than to him. "For everything."

Bucky nodded but didn’t speak. His soft smile returned, but there was something else in his eyes—something deeper, like words weren’t enough. He didn’t say anything more as he turned to leave, but as he stepped out, you opened the door and hastily shut it behind him, your heart still pounding in your chest. You leaned against it, eyes closed, feeling the rush of blood in your face and the thick, lingering tension that had settled in your room. You didn’t know what had just happened, but one thing was certain: that kiss had shifted something between you both. And now, you weren’t sure what to do about it.

You shook your head, as if to chase the thought away. Shuri nodded sagely, her eyes dancing with mischief. “I knew it! Something’s going on.” She gave you a dramatic wink. “Don’t worry, I won’t force you to admit anything else. But mark my words, Sparky—there’s more to this than you’re letting on.”

Before you could say anything else, Shuri clapped her hands together, grabbing your attention. “Now, enough of this. You look like you need something to wear for the palace. I’ve got just the thing.”

You blinked, confused. “The palace? Aren’t we heading there soon?”

Shuri grinned. “Yes, and no offense, but what you were wearing isn’t quite appropriate. You’re heading into Wakandan royal territory, and I’m not going to let you go in looking like a tourist.” She quickly rummaged through a nearby chest, pulling out an intricately designed outfit. “Here, you’ll look stunning in this. It’s cultural, beautiful, and fits with the royal occasion.”

You took a step back, eyeing the garment she handed you. It was a royal Wakandan-style dress, the fabric shimmering with patterns that reflected the country’s rich heritage. The deep blues and golds complemented your skin tone perfectly, and the intricate beadwork along the neckline made it clear that this wasn’t just a casual outfit—it was something special.

“This is beautiful,” you said, genuinely touched by her thoughtfulness. “But are you sure I can wear this?”

Shuri shrugged. “Of course. You’re as much a part of this country as anyone. Don’t even think about it. This will be perfect for the palace.”

As you changed into the dress, Shuri stood by, watching you with a playful grin. “You know, I bet Bucky’s going to lose his mind when he sees you in that.”

You shot her a warning look. “Shuri, stop.”

But she was already walking out the door, clearly satisfied with her teasing. “I’ll meet you outside, Sparky. We’ll make an entrance, trust me.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle as you finished getting ready, feeling a strange mix of nervous excitement as you adjusted the dress. Shuri’s antics aside, something about the night ahead felt different. The palace awaited, and you had a feeling that no matter what happened next, things between you and Bucky were going to shift, one way or another.

You stepped outside the hut, feeling the cool air of the evening settle around you as you made your way toward the gathering area. The sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the land, the fading light reflecting off the distant peaks of the mountains. The air was thick with the scent of earth and flowers, the transition from day to night making everything feel a little more magical.

As you reached the edge of the clearing, you spotted Bucky standing there, his back to you. He was dressed in a traditional Wakandan outfit as well—his dark attire highlighted with silver accents, the intricate patterns on his chest and sleeves shimmering under the dying light. The fabric seemed to move with him, like it was alive, giving him an almost regal presence.

Your breath caught in your throat. There was something about the way he looked tonight—so different from the soldier you knew. The colors of his outfit and the strong but gentle lines of his form made him appear like he belonged here, among royalty and tradition. The fading light of the sunset seemed to soften the sharp edges of his usual demeanor, and in that moment, he didn’t look like someone haunted by his past, but rather, someone who had found a place in this world.

He turned as he heard your footsteps, his eyes immediately locking with yours. For a moment, neither of you moved. The setting sun illuminated his features, casting a warm glow across his face, making the familiar blue of his eyes stand out even more.

“You look… great, dove,” he said, his voice low and sincere, his gaze never leaving you.

You felt your heart flutter, the intensity of his words making your cheeks flush. Before you could think of anything to say, Shuri appeared at your side, her grin wide as she observed the exchange. “Told you,” she whispered under her breath, clearly pleased with the effect your appearance had on him.

You swallowed, trying to steady your nerves as you turned toward the palace. The walk ahead felt like a new chapter—one you weren’t sure how it would unfold, but you couldn’t help but feel that whatever happened next, it would change everything. And just as you and Bucky walked together toward the palace, the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted with the soft colors of twilight, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

⠀

The grandeur of Wakanda’s capital was one of the many things that could never fail to take your breath away. Towering structures of gleaming stone and glass rose from the earth, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The skyline shimmered with a blend of advanced technology and rich tradition, a city that harmonized its ancestral heritage with cutting-edge innovation. The air was heavy with the scent of spices and incense, mingling with the hum of machinery that made everything in Wakanda run with such fluid precision.

You couldn’t help but notice the vibrant markings on the faces of the people you passed, intricate designs painted in vivid colors that told stories of their lineage, their roles, and their connection to the land. It was clear that no one here was simply a passerby. Every person had a story, a purpose. The colors marked their identity, their culture, and their pride.

As you entered the palace, the sheer scale of the hall left you speechless. Massive stone columns rose to the ceiling, adorned with vibrant carvings that depicted the history of Wakanda—their ancestors, their battles, and their triumphs. Statues of past rulers and revered warriors stood solemnly along the walls, some holding ceremonial spears, others adorned with colorful beads, each symbolizing a different tribe’s history and honor. In the center of the room, massive holographic displays flickered to life, depicting abstract representations of Wakanda’s values—its strength, its unity, and its future. The air was electric, a seamless blend of tradition and technology.

You could feel the weight of Wakanda's history in every corner of the room. The way the ancient stone floor felt cool beneath your feet, and the vibranium that coursed through the very walls of the palace, pulsing with life. A soft, melodic hum filled the room, as if the palace itself was alive, welcoming all who entered.

The large hall of the palace was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, which streamed through massive windows, casting intricate patterns of light on the stone floors. The air was thick with anticipation, as the people of Wakanda gathered to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the history of their nation. The room was a perfect fusion of old and new: towering statues of past kings and queens stood side by side with holographic displays that shimmered with information, adding a layer of modernity to the ancient stone.

Wakandan warriors, adorned in ceremonial attire, stood at the edges of the room, their bodies marked with vibrant paints and designs that spoke to their clans, their history, and their strength. The designs were no simple decoration—each stroke carried meaning, telling a story of survival, legacy, and honor. The air was thick with the weight of tradition and culture, yet there was an unmistakable hum of technology coursing through the space. It was as if the room itself was alive, blending the spiritual and the technological into a perfect harmony.

In the center of the hall, a large circular platform had been set up, its surface marked with more designs—symbols of unity, power, and transformation. It was here that the ceremony would take place, where the destinies of two outsiders would intertwine with that of Wakanda. The people of Wakanda stood with reverence, waiting in hushed silence, as their king, T'Challa, walked to the front.

T’Challa’s presence commanded the room. The black panther suit that adorned him, regal and imposing, made it clear that he was both a warrior and a king. As he took his place, his eyes scanned the room, filled with pride for his people. He held the wisdom of his ancestors, yet there was a modern sensibility in his leadership. Today, he was not just a monarch; he was a protector of those who had fought for his country, and he was about to welcome new members into that fold.

At his side stood Shuri, her vibrant energy a stark contrast to the quiet strength of her brother. Okoye, standing at attention beside them, watched the crowd with a protective gaze, while M'Baku’s massive form loomed at the far side of the hall, his powerful presence impossible to miss.

And then, seated on a throne of gold and ebony, was the Queen Mother—Ramonda. Her regal presence exuded wisdom and compassion, a mother’s strength tempered by years of experience. She was a queen not just by birth, but by the force of her will, her calm demeanor a guiding light for the nation. Her eyes, sharp yet filled with warmth, scanned the crowd, but when they landed on you and Bucky, there was a spark of something deeper—a recognition of the weight of their journey, and the transformation that lay ahead.

Flanking her were several elders and respected leaders of Wakanda, each dressed in ceremonial garb and bearing the weight of their wisdom and responsibility. Shuri stood at your side, her grin wide as she observed the ceremony. She had been teasing you and Bucky ever since you’d arrived, her excitement palpable, but now, even she seemed to hold a reverence for what was about to take place.

The Queen’s gaze shifted between you and Bucky, her expression unreadable, before she spoke, her voice resonating like a deep, soothing melody. “Welcome to the heart of Wakanda, White Wolf, and Silver Fox.”

The words hit you both like a wave.

The ceremony began slowly, with the sound of a drumbeat filling the air, its rhythmic thumping echoing through the hall. The drummers, positioned at the back of the room, beat in time with the energy building in the space. Their rhythm matched the heartbeat of Wakanda itself, steady and unwavering.

As the drumbeats echoed, the elder who had been tasked with guiding the ceremony stepped forward, holding a sacred artifact—an intricately carved bowl, filled with a shimmering powder that seemed to catch the light. The elder held the bowl high, and the people of Wakanda rose in unison, chanting softly in a language older than time itself. The chants reverberated throughout the hall, weaving a sense of unity among everyone present.

T'Challa's voice broke through the chants, strong and steady. "Today, we gather not just to honor two individuals, but to witness the transformation of the past into the future." His words were simple, but they carried the weight of history. "James Buchanan Barnes, you stand before us, not as a man shackled by your past, but as a hero who has chosen to fight for the future."

Bucky, standing tall beside you, felt the eyes of everyone in the room upon him. His expression was resolute, though his hands clenched slightly at his sides. He had come a long way from the man he had once been—the Winter Soldier, lost to Hydra’s control—but now, surrounded by the people of Wakanda, he stood as a new man, a free man.

An elder approached Bucky with a pendant in the shape of a wolf’s head, crafted from the finest Vibranium. The pendant shimmered in the light, catching the glow of the surrounding candles. It was a symbol of his rebirth, his transformation into the White Wolf, the protector of Wakanda, and a man who had reclaimed his humanity.

As the elder placed the pendant around Bucky’s neck, he spoke softly but powerfully. "We welcome you into our legacy, White Wolf. This pendant, forged from Vibranium, will be your guide. It will protect you, strengthen you, and remind you of the path you have chosen. With this symbol, you become not only a part of Wakanda’s legacy, but a part of its future."

The elder then applied ceremonial markings, bright red and gold, to Bucky’s metal arm. Each stroke was precise and deliberate, representing his journey, his struggle, and his victory. The markings were a blend of art and function, combining ancient tradition with the advanced technology of Wakanda. The Vibranium in his arm shimmered with new energy, reflecting the changes that had taken place within him. The pendant and the markings on his arm connected him not just to the country, but to the people, grounding him in his new identity as the White Wolf.

When the ceremony for Bucky concluded, the elder moved to you, and the room’s energy shifted. Your heart raced in your chest as you felt the weight of the moment. The people’s eyes were now on you, waiting, watching. T'Challa’s gaze, though warm and respectful, carried the strength of a king. There was no denying that your journey had been just as profound, if not more so.

The elder, holding a beautiful bracelet crafted from Vibranium, stepped forward. They called your full name in a solemn tone, "Your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering commitment to healing are a testament to the power of the human spirit. You have fought for your freedom, for your people, and for those you hold dear. Today, we honor you as one of ours, Silver Fox."

The elder gently placed the bracelet on your wrist, the Vibranium glowing faintly under the light, as if responding to your very presence. The designs on the bracelet mirrored the ones etched into Bucky’s pendant—symbols of strength, transformation, and unity.

"As this bracelet binds you to Wakanda," the elder continued, "so do your actions bind us all to a future of hope and healing. You are now a part of this land, and this land is now a part of you. You, too, have earned your place in Wakanda’s future."

You bowed your head in gratitude, humbled by the honor bestowed upon you. The people of Wakanda stood once again, this time not only recognizing Bucky’s bravery but acknowledging your strength and resilience.

T'Challa then stepped forward, his voice firm and resolute as he addressed the room. "Today, we honor those who have shown us what it means to fight for something greater than ourselves. Bucky Barnes, the White Wolf, and [Y/N] [L/N], the Silver Fox. You have proven yourselves worthy of our respect, and of our future." His eyes flicked to you both, and there was something in his gaze that spoke of the trials ahead, but also of the hope that lay within them.

The Queen Mother, Ramonda, rose from her throne, her presence commanding the room’s attention. She was dressed in an elegant yet powerful gown of deep green and gold, the fabric flowing like a river of life, and her crown glinted with the subtle beauty of Vibranium inlay. Her eyes, filled with the wisdom of ages, fell on you both, and you felt the weight of her gaze, a mix of authority and nurturing kindness.

"Your journeys are not your own," Queen Ramonda’s voice rang out, deep and steady. "You stand here today not only for yourselves, but for the generations that will come after you. The strength you’ve shown, the resilience you've demonstrated, is a gift to Wakanda. And so, we recognize you—not just as individuals, but as part of our family, part of the legacy of this great land."

With her words, you felt something deep within you stir—a connection not just to Wakanda, but to a greater purpose. She smiled gently at both you and Bucky before turning back to the assembly. "It is my honor to welcome you both, [Y/N] and Bucky, into the heart of Wakanda. You are family now, and we will stand together, as one."

As the ceremony came to a close, Shuri flashed you a wide grin. "Told you it would be unforgettable," she said, stepping forward with an impish smile. Okoye, ever the protector, nodded approvingly, and even M'Baku gave a brief but respectful nod in your direction.

The air hummed with pride, unity, and the undeniable sense that this was only the beginning of something much larger. The ceremony had concluded, but the festivities were only just beginning. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the grand hall was transformed into a vibrant celebration of life, culture, and unity. Candles flickered in every corner, casting a warm glow over the room, while musicians began to play a lively rhythm on drums, flutes, and other traditional instruments. The sound of the drums reverberated in your chest, a deep, powerful beat that seemed to carry the very spirit of Wakanda.

You stood near the edge of the hall, still processing the significance of the ceremony and the honor bestowed upon you. The weight of the Vibranium bracelet on your wrist was a constant reminder of the new chapter in your life. But for now, the room buzzed with the energy of celebration. Laughter and chatter filled the air as people from all walks of life came together to rejoice in the moment.

Bucky, standing beside you, was visibly more relaxed now, a small smile on his face as he looked around the room. His hands were still touching the pendant around his neck, the wolf’s head symbol of his new identity. You could see that the ceremony had meant a great deal to him—this was more than just a formality; it was a true rebirth for him.

“Do you know how to dance?” you asked, nudging him playfully.

Bucky chuckled softly, looking at the dancers in the center of the room. “I’d like to think so but it’s been a little over fifty years since I’ve done some, so don’t expect much,” he replied with a grin. “But I think I could manage, with a little help.”

Before you could respond, a burst of laughter rang out behind you. Shuri had bounded over, her excitement infectious. She had already shed her ceremonial attire and was now in a more casual outfit, her vibrant energy still radiating from her. “Come, Silver Fox, don’t just stand there!” she called. “Join us! It’s time to dance!”

You hesitated, but Shuri grabbed your hand, pulling you into the center of the room. The music grew louder, faster, and the rhythm was infectious. The Wakandan dancers, moving gracefully in perfect harmony, invited you to join in. You couldn’t help but smile at the warmth of the moment, the energy of the people around you making it hard to stay still.

Shuri spun around with ease, and for a moment, you lost yourself in the beat, the swirl of vibrant colors, and the ancient movements. The dance wasn’t just about rhythm—it was a celebration of culture, a connection to the land, and a testament to Wakanda’s resilience. Each step was a piece of history, passed down from generation to generation, and you could feel the weight of it all in every motion.

During the dance, you caught a glimpse of T'Challa and Queen Ramonda standing nearby, both watching the celebration with approving smiles. T'Challa, his posture regal and composed, caught your eye and gave you a small nod, his expression warm. Queen Ramonda stood beside him, her presence as commanding as ever, but her face was soft as she watched the joy unfolding around her. Okoye stood off to the side, watching over everyone with a watchful gaze, her arms crossed over her chest but a small smile tugging at her lips. Even M'Baku, usually so stoic and serious, was tapping his foot to the beat, a twinkle of enjoyment in his eyes.

Shuri, not one to be outdone, suddenly appeared in front of you, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “You’re doing well, Sparky,” she said, before twirling around and laughing. “But I bet I could teach you a thing or two.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge, Princess?”

Shuri grinned devilishly. “Oh, you bet it is.” She spun once more before turning to Bucky with a playful look. “Hey, White Wolf! You’ve got nothing on me.”

Bucky’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of his new title. “You know,” he said with a hint of amusement, “I think I preferred ‘White Boy.’”

Shuri paused, a mock gasp escaping her lips. “Mother, do you hear this? He’s insulting his own nickname!” she exclaimed dramatically, throwing her hands up. “White Wolf is majestic, regal, a perfect representation of his new identity. White Boy? What is this, a beach vacation?”

Queen Ramonda, who had been watching the exchange with a knowing smile, let out a soft chuckle. “Shuri, dear, you are always so dramatic,” she said, her tone affectionate but firm. “Perhaps White Wolf has more gravitas, but White Boy has its charm. There’s no harm in both.”

Shuri huffed, but there was no real anger in her tone. “I’ll have to get used to it, I suppose. But mark my words, Mother—White Boy had a much better ring to it. It's simple and to the point.”

T'Challa, who had been listening to the exchange, chuckled softly. "Let us leave the nicknames to Shuri, shall we? As long as it brings honor to the warrior, that is all that matters." His voice carried an amused but gentle authority.

The conversation shifted to lighter matters as Shuri and T'Challa continued to banter back and forth, with Queen Ramonda watching over them, her serene smile never faltering. The warmth between the family was palpable, a testament to their unity and shared history. Even Okoye, who typically kept her distance from casual conversations, seemed to relax a little, her lips quirking up at the sight of the playful exchanges.

The music swirled around you as the dancing continued, and for a moment, everything seemed to blur into a whirl of color and rhythm. You found yourself moving with the flow of the crowd, caught up in the energy of it all. But even amidst the revelry, your eyes kept drifting back to Bucky.

He was standing a little off to the side now, watching the dancers with a small, amused smile on his face. His usual guarded demeanor had melted away in the warmth of the celebration, and he seemed to be genuinely enjoying the moment, despite his earlier hesitations about dancing.

You caught his eye and, with a playful grin, motioned for him to join you. “Come on, White Wolf,” you teased, using his new title with a grin. “You’re just standing there. Time to show off those moves.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. “I told you, I’m rusty in my moves.”

“No excuses,” you countered, pulling him gently into the center of the room, where the dancers had formed a loose circle. You had no idea what you were doing, but that didn’t matter. The important part was being together, in the moment. “If I can do it, you can too.”

He laughed, but the sound was warm, genuine. “Alright, alright,” he said, his tone soft and amused. “You’ve got me.”

With a deep breath, he tried to mimic some of the movements you were making, his arms stiff at first, his steps slightly offbeat. But something was endearing about his attempts—he wasn’t exactly graceful, but his effort was enough to make you smile. You found yourself laughing along with him, not in mockery, but in genuine joy.

“Not bad, not bad,” you said, teasing him as you twirled away from him before pulling him back. “You just need a little more flair.”

Bucky raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Flair? I thought we were just supposed to move to the beat.”

“Moving to the beat with flair is a whole different level,” you said, laughing again. You grabbed his hand, leading him into a spin that ended with you both standing close together. His breath caught for a moment, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he looked down at you, his eyes soft.

Bucky’s smile softened, his blue eyes locking with yours. “Hey, I’m—uh, I’m glad I am here. With you.”

The sincerity in his voice made your heart swell, and you couldn’t help but feel a bit breathless. You reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, your fingers lingering just a moment longer. “I’m glad, too.”

As you moved together in the dance, a perfect balance of lightheartedness and closeness, everything else seemed to fade away. The music, the laughter, the people around you—none of it mattered. At that moment, there was only the two of you. No past, no struggles. Just the here and now.

Bucky chuckled softly, breaking the silence between you two with a playful glint in his eyes. “You know, I think I’m starting to remember this whole dancing thing. Might have to make it a regular occurrence.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Only if you promise to keep improving.”

He smirked. “Deal. But only if you promise to keep dragging me onto the dance floor every time.”

With a laugh, you leaned in just slightly, your face a little closer to his than it had been before. “I’ll hold you to that.”

The music swirled on, and it felt like the world had slowed down just for you two. As you both continued to dance, laughter and warmth filling the space between you, there was a simple, undeniable truth—you were exactly where you were meant to be. Together.

⠀

After a long and eventful evening, you found yourself in the quiet of your apartment, the warm evening air of June drifting in through the open balcony doors. The sounds of the city—distant chatter, the hum of cars, and the occasional burst of laughter—filled the background, soothing in its familiarity. You were curled up on one of the loveseats facing the starry night, a book in your lap and a plate of strawberry-covered chocolates within arm’s reach. The soft light from the moon illuminated the pages of your book, but you found your mind drifting more to the stars than to the words.

You heard the faint sound of a door creaking open, followed by the soft thud of footsteps. Looking up, you saw Bucky standing there in the doorway, his dark hair still slightly damp from his shower. He wore a simple pair of sweatpants and a loose T-shirt—his version of pajamas, just as casual and comfortable as yours. His gaze softened as he spotted you, and you felt a warmth spread through your chest.

“Hey, Silver Fox, you planning on eating all those by yourself?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in playful accusation as he crossed the room toward you.

You grinned, raising the plate slightly. “I might. They’re too good to share.”

Bucky chuckled, taking a seat next to you, his gaze flicking to the plate of chocolates. “Strawberries, huh? You know, if you keep eating those, you might turn into one.”

You let out a short laugh, shaking your head. “I could think of worse things.” You reached for one and popped it into your mouth, savoring the sweet, decadent taste. “Want one?”

He hesitated for a moment before shrugging. “Why not?” He reached for one of the chocolates, biting into it with a smile. “Guess I can’t resist.”

The two of you sat there for a moment, enjoying the peaceful quiet of the night, the only sound being the rustling of the pages of your book and the occasional crunch of chocolate. Bucky seemed to be content just being there with you, as if this simple moment of normalcy was something he hadn’t realized he needed.

“Do you ever think about what we’ve been through?” you asked after a while, your voice soft but steady. You didn’t look at him immediately, but you felt his attention shift as he processed the question.

Bucky let out a long breath, his gaze drifting to the stars. “All the time,” he said quietly. “Some days it feels like I can’t escape it… like I’m still trapped in that past. Like it’s following me.”

You nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. You’d been there, in that same mental prison. “It’s hard,” you said, your voice low. “I spent so many years running from my past, trying to forget what I was made to do. But you know what? You’re not defined by what happened to you. You’re defined by what you do now. Who you choose to be now.”

Bucky’s eyes flicked toward you, searching your face as if trying to read the sincerity in your words. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to keep moving forward some days,” he said, his voice tight with a rawness you hadn’t heard from him before.

“You are,” you said firmly, meeting his gaze. “You’ve already taken the hardest step—admitting that you need help, that you want to change. That’s the hardest part. The rest will come with time. You’re not that man anymore. You’re the White Wolf. You’re… you.”

His expression softened, and for a moment, it was like the weight on his shoulders lifted just slightly. He let out a breath, glancing down at his hands before meeting your eyes again. “I never thought I’d get a title like that,” he said with a small chuckle. “I mean, who would have thought Bucky Barnes, a guy who can’t even remember most of his own life, would end up with a ceremony and a nickname like that?”

You smiled, leaning back into the cushions. “I think it suits you,” you teased, nudging him lightly with your elbow. “I think White Boy was a little more fitting, though.”

Bucky laughed at that, a deep, throaty laugh that seemed to ease the tension between you both. “Maybe I should’ve kept that one,” he said, his voice still full of humor. “At least I wouldn’t have to deal with the whole... 'ceremonial' aspect of it. Steve would've been proud.”

“Yeah, well,” you shot him a sly grin, “Steve would have been proud, but you know, he never could resist calling you ‘Buck.’ Not that he ever had much room to talk with his Cap persona.”

Bucky rolled his eyes dramatically. “I swear, that man and his shield. Always had to remind everyone of his title. I never needed a title to know who I was. I remember him being all tiny and as thin as a twig.”

You burst into laughter, shaking your head. “You’re right. You were always the guy who saved his ass in a fight, and he gets all the credit.”

“That’s what I’m saying!” He let out a small laugh too, leaning back slightly and stretching. “But hey, it’s Steve. He’s got that whole ‘leader’ thing going on.”

Your smile faded a little as you watched the stars, your thoughts turning inward for a moment. “It’s not easy to forget, though,” you murmured. “The things they made us do.”

Bucky gave you a knowing look. “I know. But we’re not defined by what we were forced to do. We’re defined by what we’re doing now.”

You nodded, appreciating his words. “It’s funny, though. Everyone thinks they know you from what they’ve seen on the surface. But they don’t know everything. No one knows what it’s really like to survive what we did.”

He turned his gaze toward you. “Yeah? So, what was it like for you? I never really got the full story.”

You let out a breath, leaning back into the cushions, letting the weight of the question settle over you for a moment before answering. “I got trafficked to Southeast Asia when I was really young by an extremist group. They took kids like me and put us in a concentration camp, training us to fight. To become soldiers. It was like the Hunger Games. We weren’t seen as children. Just tools, you know?”

Bucky’s face softened, his eyes filled with sorrow and a silent understanding that only someone who had been through something similar could truly grasp. “Jesus. How did you… survive all that?”

Your voice dropped to a whisper, the memories still painful, even after all this time. “I was fifteen when S.H.I.E.L.D. rescued me. They raided the compound, took me in. But it wasn’t easy. For years, I had flashbacks, panic attacks. I could barely trust anyone, let alone let them help me.” You paused, letting the weight of your past hang in the air for a moment. "But S.H.I.E.L.D. didn’t treat me like a broken weapon. They saw me as someone who could heal. They got me therapy, helped me recover. I trained as an agent, but I wasn’t just a soldier anymore. I was... something more. I spent years figuring out who I was again. I’m still figuring it out."

Bucky’s eyes softened even more. “So you’ve also been through hell.”

You nodded, locking eyes with him. “I have. But I’m here now. And I’m not that soldier anymore. Just like you, James. We’ve both come a long way.”

Bucky sat back for a moment, his eyes staring off into the distance as he processed your words. You could see the wheels turning in his mind, as if he were comparing your journey to his own, seeing the parallels in your stories. The silence between you wasn’t uncomfortable; it was filled with mutual understanding, shared pain, and healing.

Finally, his voice came low and sincere, with a weight that carried more meaning than you expected. “I get it now,” he said, his gaze softening as he looked at you, like he was seeing you in a new light. “I always thought I was the only one who went through that. That no one could possibly understand the kind of hell I went through. But you... you went through something just as brutal. And you made it out. Not just made it out—healed. That’s… that’s something. It takes real strength to do what you did. To come back from all of that and still keep your humanity.”

You felt your heart tighten at his words, but there was no sadness in them. Instead, it was admiration. Respect. You hadn’t realized just how much of an impact your story had on him until that moment, until you saw the understanding in his eyes.

“James, you’re not broken. You’re not the man they tried to make you into,” you said softly, reaching out to rest a hand on his. “Neither of us are. What we went through, it doesn’t define us. It’s who we are now, who we choose to be going forward.”

Bucky stared at your hand for a moment, then met your gaze again, his eyes wide with something between awe and gratitude. “I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through it without you, dove,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're the one who showed me it was possible to heal, to still be something good after everything. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m… I’m starting to believe that I can too.”

A small smile tugged at your lips as you squeezed his hand gently. “You already are, Buck’. You’re already healing. You just need to believe it.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The quiet was comfortable, not awkward, as Bucky’s words seemed to settle into your chest, a warm weight that felt like something shifting inside both of you. He understood now. He saw the strength in you, the same strength that had once seemed impossible to find in himself.

Then, with a small, almost hesitant smile, Bucky spoke again. “And to think, I thought I’d be the experiment and teach you how to get through all of this.”

You smiled softly at that. “You’re a work in progress, Barnes. But you’re getting there.”

He chuckled quietly. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t let it go to your head, dove.”

You laughed, nudging him again. “You’re lucky I like you.”

Bucky laughed, but it was a lighter sound, the weight of the conversation lifting a little. He leaned back against the armrest, still holding your hand, but this time, it felt different. Less like a lifeline and more like an understanding, a bond between two people who had walked similar dark paths and were finally finding their way into the light.

The quiet between you grew, not awkward, but warm and heavy with unspoken emotions. The soft hum of the city below seemed distant, a background melody to the quiet connection you shared. Reaching for a chocolate-covered strawberry on the plate between you, you held it up, your smile turning playful.

“You know,” you began, studying the glossy chocolate coating, “this kind of reminds me of life. The strawberry is the tough stuff—the tangy, bitter parts you have to get through. And the chocolate?” You grinned. “That’s the healing. The sweetness that makes all the hard stuff worth it.”

Bucky raised a brow, leaning slightly closer. “So what you’re saying is, we’re both just strawberries trying to coat ourselves in chocolate?” His lips curved into a lopsided smirk, the teasing glint in his eyes unmistakable.

You laughed softly, rolling your eyes. “Not exactly what I meant, but sure. If that helps you sleep at night.”

Before you could take a bite, his metal hand reached out, swift but deliberate, and plucked the strawberry from your fingers. His smirk widened as he held it up to his lips, taking a slow, deliberate bite. His eyes never left yours as he chewed, and there was something almost maddening about the mischievous twinkle in his gaze.

“Hey!” you protested, feigning offense as you leaned forward. “That was mine.”

He shrugged, holding out the remaining half toward you with an innocent tilt of his head. “Sharing is caring, dove.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, but despite your mock irritation, a smile tugged at your lips. Leaning closer, you took a careful bite, the rich sweetness of the chocolate blending with the tartness of the strawberry on your tongue. You leaned back with a satisfied hum, but before you could savor it fully, Bucky’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing slightly.

“You’ve got some chocolate,” he murmured, his tone softer now, almost tender.

You blinked as he reached out, his metal thumb brushing the corner of your lip with a featherlight touch. The sensation was fleeting, yet it sent a small shiver down your spine. Then, before you could react, he brought his thumb to his lips, licking away the smudge of chocolate with a casual ease that left your heart pounding.

“Not bad,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching up into a small smirk, as though entirely unaware of the effect he was having on you.

You swallowed hard, your thoughts scrambling for something witty to say, but the words caught in your throat as Bucky’s gaze softened. He leaned in slightly, his movements slow and deliberate, his attention flicking between your eyes and your lips.

“Is this okay?” he asked quietly, his voice low and careful, as though he was afraid of breaking the moment.

Your heart skipped a beat, and you nodded, your voice barely a whisper. “Yeah, it’s okay.”

His lips brushed against yours with a hesitance that made your heart flutter, as though he were trying to pour every unspoken word, every unacknowledged feeling, into that single, delicate moment. There was a warmth to his touch, not just physical but something deeper—a quiet reverence that made you feel seen, understood in a way you hadn’t expected. His lips were soft, yet there was a firmness in the way he pressed them against yours, as if he were grounding himself at the moment, testing its reality.

It wasn’t hurried, not the kind of kiss borne out of passion or desperation, but one that carried weight, and sincerity. He kissed you with an almost fragile hope, like he was afraid that pushing too hard might shatter whatever fragile thread had brought you both here. His breath mingled with yours, faint and steady, a subtle reminder of how close you were.

Your hand drifted to his shoulder, your fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring yourself to him, to this moment. His shoulder felt solid beneath your touch, a quiet reassurance of his presence. You leaned in, tilting your head slightly to deepen the connection, mirroring his pace. The sweetness of the chocolate and the faint tang of the strawberry lingered between you, blending with the warmth of his kiss and creating a sensory memory you knew you wouldn’t forget.

His hand—flesh, not metal—came to rest lightly on your jaw, his thumb brushing against your cheek in a touch so gentle it sent a shiver down your spine. His fingers curled slightly, cradling your face as though you were something precious, something worth holding onto. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a conversation without words, an exchange of trust, of vulnerability.

When he pulled back, it wasn’t sudden. He lingered close, his lips barely grazing yours as his breath warmed your skin. His forehead dipped to rest lightly against yours, his eyes still closed as if he were savoring the moment, reluctant to let it end. You stayed there for a moment, the world around you fading into nothing but the soft sound of your breaths and the steady rhythm of your heartbeats, perfectly in sync.

When he finally opened his eyes, the blue of his gaze was deeper, softer, filled with an emotion you could barely put into words. He looked at you like you were something sacred, something that had started to piece together parts of himself he hadn’t realized were broken.

You smiled softly, your thumb brushing against his arm. “You okay?” you asked, your voice gentle, a little breathless.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his lips curving into a shy smile. “More than okay.”

His hand lingered on your jaw for a moment longer, his thumb tracing the faintest line along your cheek before he pulled it away, his gaze never leaving yours. You weren’t sure what would come next, but for now, this was enough. This was everything.

“You’ve got a weird way of sharing strawberries,” you teased softly, your voice barely above a whisper, though it carried a warmth that matched the steady thrum in your chest.

Bucky let out a chuckle, his lips quirking into a shy smile. “Yeah, well, you’ve got a weird way of making metaphors. I think we’re even.”

You laughed, the sound light and genuine, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the weight of the past seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the warmth of his presence and the quiet promise of what could come next.

PART ONE. l NEXT PART.

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⠀⠀

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