#the longer the movie takes to come out the longer sam and bucky have just been on their honeymoon

[staying-elive]

Shout out to the Sam Wilson fans and Sambuckies out there. You guys have been putting out amazing stories and art for years and have been sustaining me in this contentless void since 2021, and I'll be no doubt relying on your talents in the extra whole year we now have before Cap 4 comes out. 😭

For real, you all are the best. Love youuuu 😘

[simplyholl]

The Newlywed Game

Summary: You’re forced to play The Newlywed Game with your ex situationship.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x F. Reader

Warnings: Angst. Smuttish, but not my usual descriptive smut. 18+ Only. Minors DNI.

See my Masterlist here

“I can’t.” That’s all the explanation you got when Bucky ended your situationship. You were friends with benefits for almost a year. The only rule he had was don’t fall in love. He had too much baggage and he never wanted a family. He didn’t want anyone to depend on him.

You couldn’t blame him, he was traumatized by Hydra. Trapped inside his own body for decades, he was afraid it could happen again. You jumped in head first with him anyways. You were in his bed after every mission, every meeting, every day. You basically lived in his room, not that he would ever admit that. Then one rainy afternoon, you knocked on his door like always. Except this time, he didn’t pull you into his warm embrace.

He moved out of the way so you could come in, and immediately you knew something was wrong. You reached for him, ready to console him, desperate for his touch. He had just finished a mission with Sam and he’d been gone for two weeks. You missed him, and he was usually so excited to see you.

When you placed your hand on his cheek, rubbing the scruff that had grown while he was gone, he wrapped his fingers around your wrist removing it. “I can’t do this anymore.” His voice was so low you could barely understand. Your eyes narrowed at his words. “Have I done something wrong?”

“This has gone on for longer than it should have. I can’t let it anymore.” Your throat tightens, but you refuse to cry in front of him. You walked out and your relationship with him was never the same. You didn’t hang out anymore.

When you were alone, he would leave. He didn’t sit beside you during the Friday night movie. He didn’t choose you for his partner on game night. The other Avengers didn’t know for sure that you were hooking up. You hid it pretty well. They had their suspicions, but neither of you ever confirmed it.

Tony called everyone to the back yard. “What’s all this?” Steve asks, pointing to the stage he had set up. “It’s my anniversary tomorrow and Pepper said she always wanted to play the Newlywed Game. So I had this built so we could play.”

“That’s great, Tony. But who are you all going to play with? There’s four set up’s and only two couples.” Steve gestures to Wanda and Vision. “Thought about that and Cap, you and Natasha are going to play and….” He looks at the whole team, everyone looking in different directions trying not to make eye contact. Except for Sharon, who hung around a lot lately. She was getting closer to Bucky, obviously wanting Tony to choose them. You roll your eyes. “Barnes and Y/N. There now we have all our couples. I’m going to go get Pep, you guys take your spots.”

You look at Bucky,but he’s busy talking to Steve about how ridiculous it is. You hear Sharon agree that he should have chosen someone else. When Pepper comes in, she excitedly claps her hands together. She points to the other teams, “You’re going down!” She laughs, but you can’t help but protest, “This is rigged! You guys and Wanda and Vision are the only real couples!! How is anyone else supposed to win?”

Tony shoots you a death glare but answers, “Cap and Natasha have definitely bumped uglies before. And you and Barnes are close friends. I thought that would make it more fair. But, I do expect to win.” You cross your arms, but accept his answer. Bucky finally looks at you, but it’s not friendly.

Sam comes out, wearing a suit Tony made him wear to host. “I’ll explain the rules. You all have a whiteboard, marker, and eraser. I will ask a question and you will write your answer on your boards. If your answer matches your partner’s you get a point. I’ll eliminate one couple each round until the final tie breaker.”

You take a deep breath. This is hell. But you do know Bucky better than anyone, so as long as he didn’t ask any crazy questions, you would be fine. “First question. Where is the craziest place you and your partner have had sex?” You freeze. Of course Stark had these wild questions. If you both answered the same, everyone would know that you had hooked up.

You think about lying, but decide the ball should be in Bucky’s court. You’ll answer correctly, and if he doesn’t you’ll know he doesn’t want anyone to know. You quickly scribble your answer, waiting on Sam to call on you. Tony’s answer is Steve’s room and Pepper’s matched. Everyone laughed while Steve said Tony has to pay for his room to be deep cleaned.

Wanda and Vision both answer “in the air.” Natasha and Steve said a table in the meeting room. You turn your board to reveal your answer and Bucky shows his. You look and see that he has answered correctly. “The quinjet?! Damn y’all are nasty!” Sam laughs.

You’re taken back to that moment. You, Bucky, and Bruce were on your way back from a mission. Bruce was driving the quinjet, but activated the mode Tony installed for breaks. As soon as he started snoring, Bucky led you to the bathroom. He took you against the wall, metal hand across your mouth to stifle your moans. It was one of the hottest things you’d ever done. Your suit clung to you in the worst ways after that. His cum dripping down your legs, it was nearly impossible to take off.

The others look at each other in surprise. Scott yells “I told you they were hooking up. No one believed me!” Sharon looks at Bucky so harshly that if looks could kill, he’d be dead. He just shrugs his shoulders. Of course, he would be hooking up with her. Why wouldn’t he? She was pretty and it had been three months since he ended things with you.

The next question was “Who hogs the covers more?” Everyone got it right except for Steve and Natasha. She said that wasn’t a fair question because they never actually slept when they were together. The round continued with four more questions. At the end, Steve and Natasha were eliminated because they had the least amount of points. The rest of you were tied.

“What is your partner’s pet name for you?” Sam asks. That’s easy, “doll”, you write. When you reveal your answers, Sharon looks furious. That must be what he calls her too. It stings, thinking of them together. You don’t have time to dwell on it before Sam asks the next question. “What is the highest number of orgasms your partner has given you in one night?” Your eyes widen, you know the answer, but you don’t know if he will remember.

Tony and Pepper answer three, Tony grins like the cocky asshole he is. Vision and Wanda answer two. Bucky raises his board, “Six?!” Sam shouts, “How were you guys fucking this much and nobody knew?” He laughs. The round surprisingly ends with Wanda and Vision getting eliminated.

But you’re busy thinking about that night. Bucky’s head between your thighs for hours. He barely came up for breath. You were sure he would smother, but he insisted. He didn’t stop until the sheets were soaked, your legs were shaking so hard, you’d immediately fall if you tried to stand up.

He had you screaming his name all night. When he finally started fucking you, he took his time, pulling another orgasm out of you before going back down for another taste. He finally came with you on top. He had to lift your limp body on him, using you like a sex doll. You couldn’t move if you needed too. It was the best sex you’d ever had.

“It’s time for the tie breaker question. Answers don’t have to match, the crowd will vote on the most romantic answers.” Sam states. “When did you know you were in love?” Tony and Pepper immediately begin writing. You’re certain you’re going to lose this one. Bucky was never in love with you. You write your answer, deciding to answer truthfully.

Tony and Pepper’s answers make you tear up, they are so in love. You can only hope you’ll find that one day. You and Bucky reveal your boards at the same time. You glance at his, his answer knocks the breath out of your lungs because it matches yours. The Avenger’s Barbecue. You lock eyes, his gaze softens as he reads your answer.

You’ll never forget such a pivotal moment in your life. All of the Avengers and Shield agents’ friends and family were invited to play games, eat, and have a good time. Emily, who helped coordinate your missions brought her husband and three young children. A baby girl, a two year old boy, and a five year old girl. The children were drawn to Bucky. The two older children swung from his metal arm while he held the baby with his other one.

The image made your ovaries explode. You couldn’t help imagining how he would be if you had kids. He laughed as they asked him a thousand questions, playing on him like a jungle gym. You knew without a doubt, you were in love.

Bucky took a deep breath when he read your answer. Why was it the same as his? Did you know? Was it a prank you were playing on him? Emily’s children were entranced with you from the moment they met you. He couldn’t blame them, he felt the same. They had played with him for an hour before the food was ready. When Tony told everyone to make a plate, you offered to watch the kids while she and her husband got their food.

Bucky watched as you comforted the crying infant. The two older children sat beside you while you read from a book the girl got from their bag. Bucky knew he was screwed. He could see a life like this so clearly. Your belly round with his baby, while you tended to your other children. He didn’t want to admit how badly he wanted that. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He was in love with you.

That night he made love to you, it was softer, slower than the other times he touched you. He knew you could tell the difference too. He placed one last kiss to your lips, willing himself to let you go. The next morning, he left for his two week mission with Sam. He convinced himself that it was for the best if he ended things. He didn’t want to hurt you. You might be okay with it now, but years later you would regret it.

You’d realize having the Winter Soldier for a husband wasn’t worth everything you would have to go through. Then Sharon started flirting with him after Steve rejected her. He hadn’t so much as hugged her, but she acted like she was entitled to him.

Everyone voted for Tony and Pepper to win. They were the real couple and it was their anniversary tomorrow. Tony was going to treat everyone to dinner for being such good sports. You got out of there as soon as it was over. You needed a nap before going to dinner. It was all too much for you. How the hell did you and Bucky make it so far in the game? Why did he have the same answer for the last question? You convince yourself that he knew how you felt.

That night changed everything. The sex was different. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear he was making love to you. He had to be messing with your head. Somehow you manage to fall asleep even with your thoughts racing.

You wake up two hours later, just enough time to get ready for dinner. You put on the little black dress Bucky loved. If he wants to play games, bring it on. You apply your perfume when a light knock sounds on your door. You would recognize the knock anywhere. “Come in” you call. Bucky walks in, his tight black t-shirt hugging him in the best ways.

“Hey doll, we need to talk.” You put your earrings in, anger surging through you. “Talk about what? How you were trying to humiliate me up there? How you’re banging Sharon now? There’s nothing to talk about. You should just go.”

“Humiliate you? What about me? How did you know the answer to the last question?” He demands, charging toward you. “I answered it truthfully, James. How did you know my answer?” You ask, hands on your hips. “I answered honestly too.” He confesses, his blue eyes sweeping over the swell of your breasts.

“Stop lying! I don’t see what the point is. We have been over for three months. Why are you doing this?” He shakes his head, “I was telling the truth. I realized I was in love with you when all those kids were sitting in your lap. I could see our life together. And I wanted it, the kids, the white picket fence, the big house, you.”

“Bucky, I wanted all that with you too. Seeing you playing with those kids made me realize it too.” You sigh, feeling relieved to finally get it off your chest. His lips crash into yours, hands moving at lightning speed to remove all of your clothing. You’re under him in seconds, panting against his lips as he rubs himself against you.

Bucky moans as he sinks into you. He’s always known deep down you were made for him, now he has no choice but to accept it. “I’m so in love with you.” He tells you between thrusts. You claw at his back, his confession almost sends you over the edge. “I am so in love with you, Buck.” You kiss him gently. “Say it again.” He smiles, as you get lost in each other.

Tags

@cindylynn @wheredafandomat @multifandom-worlds @loz-3 @megharat-barnes-reid @kats72 @crimson25 @mochie85 @cakesandtom @lokidokieokie @theallknown213 @alexakeyloveloki @tmilover1993 @yeaiamme2 @pigeonmama @yeehawbrothers @lokischambermaid @fictive-sl0th @nomajdetective @goblingirlsarah @foxherder @weirdothatwritess @silver-tongue-taken-to-bed @freegardenbanananeck @lamentis-10 @jainaeatsstars @queenshu

[eat-limes-bitches]

Be Brave

PAIRING: Female Reader x  Bucky Barnes

SUMMARY: On a cold lonely night, Bucky finds something he never expected to.

SONG Be Brave by Owl City

WARNINGS: Angst, (Bucky's self loathing, anxiety, mention of nightmares, hinting to PTSD) Hints of fluff (Alpine is the best)

Word Count: 942

A/N: Hi! I wrote this with a second and third part in mind but I wanted your opinions first! Should I leave it like this or do you want to see where this relationship goes?

Enjoy! <3

Divider by Rookthorne

Bucky woke up from sleeping on the floor like a vagrant with a start, frantically looking around the room. Taking a few deep breaths he went through the mantra his therapist told him to use when he was discombobulated. 

I am James Bucky Barnes, I’m in my apartment, the year is 2024, and I have a white cat named Alpine

Repeating his little phrase under his breath, he found himself starting to calm down a little bit. Looking at the clock, he was a little disappointed to see that it was only midnight, meaning he only slept for three-ish hours. He sat on the floor for just a little while longer before pulling himself up, throwing on some clothes, grabbing his keys, and leaving his warm apartment out into the chilly New York night. He wandered down the street, feeling a little lonely. Steve was gone, Sam was visiting his family in Louisiana, and, well, he didn’t have anyone else. He kept walking until he found himself at the movie theater. Deciding he didn’t have anything better to do, he bought a ticket for the only show playing and found his seat.  

Out of habit, he glanced around noticing a few people and the glowing exit sign but what caught his attention was a woman, sitting in the same row as him. The light of the silver screen lit up her features causing his heart to flutter in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Knowing she was there, he found it hard to focus on the movie, sneaking glances at her every few seconds until he was eventually caught. Their eyes locked and Bucky blushed as his eyes widened. He was worried she was gonna call him a creep, or leave but instead she just smiled at him and offered a small wave.  Getting over his initial shock, Bucky returned the wave and watched as the woman returned to the film.

 Bucky stayed in his seat as the credits began to roll, glancing over to see the woman grabbing her coat and bag indicating that she was getting ready to leave, much to Bucky’s dismay. He sat there bitterly, wishing that he had the courage to go and ask her name, but that Bucky was long gone. He was so stuck in his head that he didn’t notice her walk by his seat. He did, however, notice the brush of her fingers against his gloved hands. He snapped his head up to look at her but she was already exiting the theater so he looked down at his hands and a little gasp left his mouth at what he saw, a little paper crane sat perfectly in his hands with a phone number and two words BE BRAVE. 

With a gentleness he didn’t know he possessed, he placed the paper bird in his pocket, walked out of the theater, and began his trek home. His thumb and finger brushed over the paper in his pocket as he thought about the girl. Do I text her? Do I call her? How do people do this nowadays? Maybe I should text Sam? No, He’d just laugh at me. By the time he reached his apartment, he decided that he would text her. He entered the apartment and pulled out his phone along with the little bird. After he pulled up the messaging app, he punched in the number and sent a simple message that honestly took him too long to come up with.

B: Hi, I got your note. Would you maybe want to get some coffee? I know a little place near the theater we could go to. My name is Bucky by the way.

He pressed send and when the little delivered message popped up he immediately descended into a panic. He put his phone on the kitchen counter and began frantically pacing around. Alpine, hearing the rapid footsteps, appeared in the kitchen and observed Bucky for a moment. Eventually, she hopped down from the counter and stood in the middle of his walking path, letting out a little meow to further capture his attention. Bucky paused and with a sigh, scooped up Alpine into his arms.

“Alpine, what am I doin’?” I know I didn’t do this right.”

He huffed, running his fingers through her snowy white fur. Alpine just blinked and tilted her head, as if she was asking him to continue. Bucky sank to the floor, pressing his back up against the cabinets, continuing to absent mindedly rub Alpines chin. 

“She probably thinks I’m a creep, o-or she knows who I am and just wanted to tell me what a monster I am. Maybe it’s not too late to delete that message..” 

Placing Alpine on the ground, Bucky stood to retrieve his phone and his heart stopped when he saw there was a message.

Y: Hi Bucky! My name is Y/n! I would love to get a coffee! Would tomorrow at 9 be ok? What’s the name of the shop?

Bucky started at the phone unblinking. He looked to Alpine, back to his phone, then Alpine again. He remembered the words on the little paper bird before taking a breath and responding.

B: Yeah, 9 is great! The shop is called Joe’s. 

Bucky watched as the sent message changed to read and then the three little dots dancing in the bottom left corner before her response appeared on his screen.

Y: Awesome! I will See you at 9 at Joe’s!

Bucky placed his phone down on the counter and looked down at Alpine who was watching him Curiously. 

“I have a date tomorrow Apl.”

[angstysebfan]

Just Friends - Part 1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader Summary: This is a 2-parter. You've been just friends with Bucky since you first joined the Avengers, but is there more? You both deny it. What happens with Bucky gets a girlfriend, who may not like your relationship? Warnings: Angst, jealousy, asshole girlfriends, cursing

A/N: I hope I made this even better than it was before. It’s a 2-parter. Part 2 will hopefully be out tomorrow. None of my stories are edited or beta’d. If you want to be a part of my taglist, please request. My old taglist no longer is active.

When you first joined the Avengers, you instantaneously felt comfortable with everyone, but there was one person that you clicked with more than the others. Bucky Barnes. He was shy for maybe a day before realizing how much you both have in common. He became your person and you became his, platonically of course. Sometimes you wonder if there is more, but you don't dwell on it much. You're happy being exactly what you are to each other. Like right now, you're sitting on the couch watching TV, your feet on Bucky’s lap, with him massaging your calves. You both sit and watch Ace Ventura, because you both love comedy and Jim Carey is king. When the movie was finally over, you look over at Bucky and give him a smile.

“So what do you want to do now?” you ask, nudging your foot into his hard abdomen.

He squeezes your foot and tickles the bottom of it, making you giggle and pull your foot toward you. He chuckles and grabs you foot back to put in on his lap, continuing his massage.

“We could take a nap,” he said with raised eyebrows.

You smile and nod at him excitedly. “Your room or mine?” you ask.

He stands up, letting your feet drop, he turns and reaches for your hands. He pulls you off the couch and leads you toward his room, stilling holding onto your one hand.

You close the door behind you and climb into the bed with Bucky, and snuggle into his open arms. You feel a kiss on the top of your head and nuzzle your nose into his chest. It didn’t take you long to fall asleep with the sound of his steady heartbeat and the warmth of his arms. This is probably your favorite place.

When you wake up, a few hours later, you realize you're alone in his room. You decide to look for him and head back toward the common room and hear Sam, Steve and Bucky talking.

“It’s not a big deal guys. Y/N is my best friend… besides you,” you guess Bucky points at Steve when he says this last part.

“I don’t know man, you guys act like you’re dating,” Sam says.

“Are you sure you don’t have feelings for her?” you hear Steve ask.

Your heart starts pounding in your chest. Now you've been asked the same question by Nat and Wanda, and you always stated you were both just friends, but again you wonder if it's really true. And while you assume you know his answer, you kinda hope he says that he does have feelings, then you won't feel stupid for your "feelings".

“We're just friends,” he says with confidence.

You can’t help the slight disappointment, but shake it off because of course your just friends. You were perfectly okay with just being friends with Bucky, and you didn’t care that the rest of the team didn’t get it.

“Guys, trust me. I will NEVER see Y/N like that. She's far from my type. Plus, I already started talking to a girl, who's so amazing,” Bucky says.

You can’t help but gasp at that statement, and have tears coming down your cheeks. While you understand he may only like you as a friend, to hear that you'll never be his type hurts you more than you care to admit. Then to hear that he has been talking to someone else send another stab into your heart. Maybe you do have stronger feelings for Bucky than you realized, and maybe you need to deal with those feelings and quickly since they will never be reciprocated.

–

The next day you were in the the gym lifting weights, when Bucky came strolling in. He was on the phone, and you couldn’t help but notice the wide smile he had on. When he hung up the phone, he made a B-line to you. You take a deep breath and get into the correct head space.

“Hello my Bella. Haven’t seen you since our nap yesterday. Everything okay?” He asks. You continue with your exercise and give him a small smile. “Yup.” He looks at you, waiting for more of an answer. When you don’t elaborate, he can’t help but feel nervous, but quickly shakes it away.

“Hey, you busy later? I kinda have someone I want you to meet.” He asks. You look into his eyes, prepared to blow him off, but you see the hope in them. “Um… yea sure.” you say quietly. He smiles and walks toward the punching bag to begin his own workout.

After you both finish your workouts, and shower, he knocks on your door. “Hey Belle, you ready?” he asks when you open the door. “Uh, yeah. Let’s go.” You walk out of the room, and Bucky immediately wraps his flesh arm around your shoulders, as he leads you to the elevator.

Once you left the compound, you both walk to the pizza place about a 20 minute walk since the compound property is so big. Bucky has his arm around you the entire time, and eventually you wrap yours around his waist and relax. So what you're going to meet a girl he is talking to. Talking to someone is nothing, and maybe it won't even work out.  You both enter the pizza place, and Bucky leads you toward a red head sitting in the booth in the back. Bucky had immediately released you when you entered, but grabbed your hand as he lead you walked to the booth.

The red head smiles at Bucky, but her smile slips slightly as her eyes asses you and your joined hands. You can’t help the blush of anxiety in your cheeks. Bucky releases your hand, when the red head gets out of the booth and tightly embraces her.

“Hey, Dot. You been waiting long?” he asks.

She shakes her head ‘no’ into his chest as her hands caress the hairs on the back of his neck. When they pull apart, she holds his head and pulls him into a kiss. Your breath hitches and you try to look somewhere else, wanting nothing more than to cry and possibly vomit. Bucky pulls away from Dot and turns to look at you with an embarrassed smile. You see the blush in his cheeks, but you try to act nonchalant, and you hope you succeed. Bucky takes your hand and pulls you next to him.

“Dot, this is Y/N. She's my best friend. Y/N, this is Dot. My girlfriend,” he says looking between the two of you with a proud smile.

Your eyes snap up to Bucky’s in surprise. Girlfriend?! You thought he was just talking but they are actually dating? What. The. Fuck! You put your spy talents to use and pretend to be somewhat happy.

“Dot, it's nice to meet you,” you say as you extend your hand to shake hers.

Dot looks at you with a fake smile. “I’m sure,” she says as she grabs your hand.

You are taken aback by this, but squeeze her hand as hard as you can. You see her wince, and just grin at her. Bucky looks happy and motions for the three of you to sit in the booth. He sits next to Dot, and they hold hands and Bucky caressing hers with his thumb. Throughout the whole lunch Dot kept leaning into Bucky and constantly touched him. You get more aggravated each time she touches him, knowing she was staking her claim on him in front of you. She obviously found you and your relationship with Bucky threatening. She also talks to him in a squeaky babylike voice, that runs right through you. You try your best to act the part of the best friend, but your heart is completely broken. No wonder he'll never look at you like that. This is obviously the type of girl he is interested in, and you will never be this type of girl. Thank god.

When you're done, you walk outside of the restaurant, turn and look at Dot.

“It was nice to meet you,” you say with a fake but polite smile.

She gives you a knowing smirk, “You too, uh… I’m sorry what was your name again?” she says.

Your polite smile falls and scowl forms. “Y/N,” you say flatly.

“Right, Y/N.”

You look at Bucky, “You ready to go?” you say.

Bucky looks weird and is avoiding you eyes, “Um, actually I’m going to go to Dot’s for the night,” he says quietly.

You're fucking pissed because you walked here, which means you now have to walk back, alone. It’s now basically dark, and you are in nowhere upstate New York. You stare at Bucky in disbelief and then at Dot, who has a smug grin on her face as she wraps her arms around Bucky, pulling him in the direction of her car.

“Oh, great. Well… uh.. have fun,” you say quickly but making sure he knew you were pissed.

You turn around and start walking back toward the compound feeling utterly defeated and pissed. You hear Bucky call your name asking you to wait a moment, but you just keep walking, tears running down your face. You feel your phone vibrating, knowing he was calling you, but again you ignore it. You walk up to the border of the compound property and stop and take a breath. You wanted to calm down before you went in. You look at your phone and see Bucky texted you.

I’m so sorry, Bells. I know should've told you.

Don't hate me.

Please let me know when you get back.

You decide to ignore him, he didn’t deserve to know you were back. You take another deep breath and walk up the walkway toward the building. You take the elevator to your floor and go straight to your room. You decide to shower and get ready for bed.

You lay there, wondering what will happen tomorrow when Bucky comes back. Suddenly your phone vibrates again. Its Bucky:

We really need to talk, tomorrow.

–

You wake up the next day and look at your phone. It was already 11:30. You quickly get up and change before heading down to the gym. You're half way through your run on the treadmill when Bucky walks in not looking like his normal happy self around you. He looks over at you, coldly and walks over. He then starts to look uncomfortable when he stops in front of you, and won’t meet your eyes.

“Hey,” you say.

He just nods. “Y/N, can you stop for a second, I need to talk to you,” he says, still avoiding your eyes.

You bring the treadmill to a stop and step down feeling confused by his demeanor.

“What’s going on?” you ask cautiously.

Bucky now looks at you, but his stare is hard and cold. You feel the air leave your lungs as you feel the anger starting to radiate off of him.

“Our friendship is over, Y/N,” he says, like it is nothing.

You feel the tears start to build. “What? Why? Buck… is this because I wouldn’t answer you last night? I.. I was upset because you didn’t give me the heads up about anything. I mean you didn't warn me I would be meeting your girlfriend, and then when introduce me to Dot, she made it pretty damn obvious she didn’t like me. Then to top it all off you made me walk home alone. I had a right to be pissed, but now you're ending the friendship?”

Bucky glares at you. “You made Dot feel very uncomfortable yesterday. She told me that you squeezed her hand too tight and would constantly make her feel like you were looking down on her. You were supposed to be my friend, and support me in my first relationship. Dot doesn’t like how close I am with you, and I want this relationship with her to work, because I think she could be the one for me. So I’m sorry, we need to end our friendship and keep our distance from each other.”

Tears are falling from your eyes, but you can’t help but get angry. “Are you fucking kidding me, James? I made her uncomfortable? She was assessing me from the moment we walked in the damn restaurant! I mean did you hear what she said when you introduced us? Or how about when I was leaving, she didn't even remember my name. But of course you don't give a shit about that, huh? So obviously our friendship has meant absolutely nothing to you this whole time! So fine, consider our friendship over, and stay the hell away from me. Goodbye Bucky.”

You push him out of the way and run out of the gym. Bucky’s heart is in his throat. He honestly doesn’t know what to do because when he spoke to Dot last night, she made it seem like you made her uncomfortable. He does want to try with Dot, because he knows he could never be with... you. Now he's lost you for good, which he thought would help him get over his feelings for you, but seeing your face broken by his words killed him in a way he never felt before.

He feels like he just made the worst mistake in his whole life.

--

Part 2

Oh Bucky you done fucked up man. Dot can go all the way to hell, and Bucky you might be joining her dude. Feedback is appreciated.

Permanent Taglist: @rebekahdawkins @marajade1974 @missvelvetsstuff @phillygirl77 @pattiemac1 @winterslove1917 @vampire7595

[lostgirlmuseum]

howdy howdy cadence, I saw you’re taking requests and I wanted to send in some love and ideas 💕💕💕💕

If you feel comfortable, could you write a story about the reader and Bucky navigating intimacy (non sexual or sexual kind, up to you) after his years with hydra? It doesn’t have to be smut, it’s all up to you! I really love how you wrote Give Me a Sign, and I think you’d write that scenario really well.

enjoy your break!!! 💕

AHHH You are so sweet River Ilysmmm💕💕💕💕 I absolutely loved this request, and I hope I did it justice

I Like You (A Lot)

Pairing: Bucky x GN!Reader

Summary: You can't help but notice the way Bucky becomes uncomfortable around you, and you help him find peace in your touch.

Words: 1.3k

Warnings: No use of Y/N, reader is briefly described as having hair that is long enough to be tucked, fluff, teeniest bit of angst(?), pls kindly let me know if I'm missing anything

A/N: I hope you like it my loves!

(@saradika for dividers)

“This is me,” you said, stopping in front of your building door. 

“It’s cute.” Bucky nodded, and stuck his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

You and Bucky had been friends for a couple years now, and worked together at the compound for even longer. But it wasn’t until last week that Bucky finally found the guts to ask you on a first date. He took you to a cute retro styled diner, then to explore some cute bookshops, and ended the night with a walk around town. Not to mention he even brought you flowers when he came to pick you up, and those were currently soaking in a vase in your kitchen.

“I had a really great time tonight.” You smiled.

“Me too.” He avoided your eyes and kept his gaze on the sidewalk. He gently swayed back and forth.

“Really?” 

“Really.” Bucky assured you, giving you a quick shy smile before bringing his gaze back to the ground.

“Good.” 

You were waiting for him to make a move, ask to come in, do something at all, but he just stood there, subtly rocking from foot to foot. After another couple awkward moments of you waiting for him to hug or kiss you, you gave up and filled the silence. 

“Um, did you want to come in? I was thinking we could maybe watch a movie.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I mean, only if you want. No pressure.” 

You fidgeted with the gloves on your hands, carefully tugging each finger off before sliding it back on. 

“Okay,” he eventually answered, voice somewhat quiet.

“Yeah?” 

“Sure.” 

You suppressed your giddy smile and led him to your apartment. After toeing off your boots, stuffing your gloves in your coat pockets, and placing your coat on the hanger, you began to walk to the kitchen.

“Take a seat on the couch, I’m going to make some popcorn. You can cue up a movie.” 

“What did you want to watch?” Bucky’s voice flowed through the doorway separating the kitchen from the living room.

“Anything, up to you,” you called, grabbing a popcorn bag from the pantry.

“Sam has been saying I need to watch ‘Inception’, have you heard of it?”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at his question.

“I’ve seen it, it’s a pretty popular movie. Total mindfuck, but I’d love to see it again. Is that what you want to watch?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

“Absolutely. Find out where it's streaming and pull it up.”

A couple minutes and a freshly popped bag of popcorn later, you placed the bowl on the coffee table and sat next to Bucky on the couch.

At first you were a couple of inches away from him, but after he pressed play on the movie, you slowly started to migrate closer to him. You started by putting your leg up on the ottoman, and oops! It brushed against his leg! But you started to feel self-conscious when he moved his leg a little to the left to not touch yours. As the couch cushions began to sink slightly at the weight, you found yourself sitting closer to Bucky’s side.

You were debating whether to pull the classic “yawn, stretch your arm, and rest it behind their head” move, but your heart stopped when you noticed Bucky tense beside you. And you knew it wasn’t the movie that was bothering him.

You silently grabbed the TV remote and paused the movie. You sat up a bit straighter, and scooched a bit away from Bucky to give him some distance, as well as face him.

“Bucky?”

He hummed in question, and met your gaze.

 “I’m going to ask you a question, and please be honest with me.” You didn’t give him a chance to respond. You took a deep breath and asked, “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“No,” his answer came quickly, and seemed honest enough, but you were skeptical. 

“Are you sure? Because everytime I get close to you, you get really tense. And it’s completely okay if you want me to give you some space, I just need you to tell me that.”

Bucky sighed.

“It’s not that I don’t like you close to me, it’s just…I don’t know, it’s uncomfortable, but not in the way that it feels bad. It’s just really unfamiliar to me. I don’t have a lot of experience with stuff like this, and my body can’t help but respond to it with fear. I know, I know it’s stupid.” He rested his head back on the pillow and looked at the ceiling. 

“It’s not stupid.”

“I feel stupid. I wish I could be the perfect guy for you, I really do. I’m sorry I’m so awkward,” he cringed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I wanted tonight to be perfect, but clearly I’m fucking it all up.”

“Bucky, you haven’t fucked anything up.” You urged him to look at you and reminded yourself not to place a hand on his knee. “I know your past has been cruel to you. I need you to know that you are safe here with me, and I’m happy as long as you’re happy. I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for. I’m in no rush.”

“I want to be close to you. I just don’t know how. But I want to try.”

At those last words, he carefully placed his right hand over yours.

“Oh Bucky,” you giggled, finding his effort endearing. You clasped his right hand with both of yours and soothingly rubbed your thumb over the ridges of his hand. You slowly brought his knuckles to your lips. “Is this too much?”

He swallowed and shook his head ‘no’.

“Can I see your other hand?”

“Why?”

“What do you mean ‘why?’” You asked, and let go of his hand.

“It’s not flesh, remember?”

“Of course I know that, Bucky. It’s still a part of you.”

Hesitantly, he showed you his left hand. You saw the scrunch in his brows as you placed your hand in his, and interlocked your fingers. After giving his metal hand a quick kiss, you unlocked your fingers, and carefully brought his palm to your cheek.

“Is this okay?”

“It doesn’t scare you?” He shook his head in disbelief. 

“No. It’s a piece of you. And I trust you. I always have, I always will. I like you a lot, Bucky Barnes.”

You slowly removed your hand from his, and you smiled at the way he kept his hand cupping your cheek. 

“I like you a lot, too. Have for a while.” He huskily whispered, carefully gliding his hand to tuck a strand of hair that had fallen behind your ear. 

“Oh yeah? How long?” You asked, leaning further into his palm.

His cold hand left your warm skin and he looked up and smiled as if remembering.

“Remember that mission in Munich two years ago? The one where we found all the stolen weapons and then got gelato after? Since then.”

You beamed. 

“Can I try something?”

He softly nodded and let you guide him to lay down on the couch to where his head was resting in your lap. You warned him that you were going to put your hands in his hair, and he gave a soft hum of understanding. He tensed at first, but quickly relaxed as you drew your fingers through his hair, drawing soothing patterns into his scalp.

“This is okay? Not too much?” 

“S’ good.” He slurred, and allowed himself to close his eyes.

You noticed the crease in his brows had smoothed. 

“I like your touch,” he whispered. “I like you.”

“That’s a relief,” you joked, and continued your motions. 

A lazy smile made its way onto his face as you brought a thumb to the bridge of his nose, and started to stroke the spot between his eyebrows. 

“Please don’t stop.” He hummed.

“For you? Never.”

Thank you for reading/liking/reblogging/commenting/following!!!

If you liked it, please let me know!

[rillils]

STEVE & BUCKY'S LOVE STORY, UNABRIDGED SOMEWHAT ABRIDGED, part 3/4 (here are part 1 and part 2)

i just want to preface this by saying: as much as they tried to make this movie all about tony, and as much as they tried to no-homo the steve/bucky situation, they still somehow ended up making CACW the gayest movie in the whole cap trilogy, and that's saying something *throws confetti*

now, picking up where we left off:

aided by his friends sam and natasha, steve spends the following two years or so chasing after bucky, looking for clues as to where he could be hiding, until he eventually finds him.

their reunion scene is like. i honestly don't know if i can convey the sheer, ridiculous, absolute beauty that is this scene.

the thing is, steve isn't the only one who discovered bucky's location: the bad guys did too, and they're coming. like they're coming RIGHT NOW, as sam keeps trying to warn steve. which means that he and bucky have about 20 seconds to do this, and that might sound like too short of a time, right? but honey, the amount of repressed emotions and homoerotic subtext these two manage to stuff into those 20 seconds, my god--

no because like, there's a whole-ass SWAT team outside, waiting to crash through their door and blow up the place, yeah? and instead of getting the fuck out of there PRONTO, steve, mr romeo fucking rogers, decides to spend those precious few seconds trying to get bucky to admit that he loves him, making this much yearned-for, long-awaited reunion the most high-stakes game of gay chicken in the whole of history. you might think i'm kidding, but i'm not!!!!

INTRODUCING:

in the red corner, we've got steve basically telling bucky: "i know that you remember me, i know that you saved me because you still love me, please will you just say it out loud babe"

and in the blue corner there's bucky, extremely conflicted because YES, of course he loves steve, but he also knows he's putting steve in danger just by standing in the same room as him, and steve shouldn't even be here in the first place, and anyways STEVE NOW'S NOT THE TIME PLS FUCK

so he's just (unsuccessfully) trying to deny everything, you know?? "fuck no i don't know you, just know your name from a museum, what do you mEAN i saved your ass because i love you more than life itself and that's literally the first thing i remembered when i got my memory back"

(a quick reenactment:)

but really, you'll see the love in bucky's eyes if you just look hard enough.

n- no, look harder

a bit harder?

see, i told you

so here they are, just about to slam each other into the nearest wall and make out like it's brokeback mountain and they're just two guys coming from a time where their love had to be kept a secret and they miss what little privacy they used to have in their own little bubble when they were younger and living together and then life tore them apart and they haven't seen each other in ages and they've been yearning all the while and now that they're finally standing before each other again the air feels electric between them and they just can't help but- wait. uh. that, uh. that sounds familiar. uh.

OKAY so they're totally about to snog the living daylights out of each other, but time is running out. the bad guys are here!! and- and also a bunch of other people! because apparently everybody wants bucky either dead or locked up for one reason or another!! MY BOY CAN'T CATCH A FUCKING BREAK!!

so bucky is apprehended. but before anyone can do much about it, this other guy - this movie's Official Antagonist™ - gets bucky alone and triggers bucky's brainwashed assassin persona into taking over.

no longer conscious of his own actions, bucky wreaks havoc in the building, knocking people down in his wake like a sexy buff steamroller, and tries to escape; but steve, desperate not to lose him again, goes after him and stops him.

by grabbing onto a fucking helicopter, as one does

one extremely romantic, freaking insane stunt later, steve manages to get bucky to safety. next thing you know, bucky's waking up and back to himself, and they finally have a bit longer than 20 seconds to talk. you think they're gonna be normal about this? you think they're gonna share a standard heart to heart conversation? oh hell no, babes. WHIP OUT THE BEDROOM EYES, TURN THAT SOFTNESS UP TO ELEVEN, WE'RE UNLOCKING A BRAND NEW LEVEL OF EMOTIONS HERE

seriously. you don't know what true tenderness is, until you've heard james buchanan barnes softly say, in his sweet, gruff, velvety drawl, barely holding back a smile, "your mom's name was sarah. you used to wear newspapers in your shoes."

also the two of them just. spend half the scene making INTENSE heart eyes at each other, gazing deeply and intimately in each other's eyes, just bypassing the flirting zone to move straight to eye-lovemaking lane, while sam is in the room, because they've got no chill whatsoever.

unfortunately, sam cockblocks reminds them that they don't have time for this shit (dammit, sam) as they kinda have more pressing matters at hand, being on the run from like every government in the world (and then some). also they must neutralize The Antagonist™ before he can act on his Evil Plan™, so, you know. put the eyesex on hold, guys!

(to be continued in part 4)

[steelbluehome]

Warning!

Extremely negative take on The Thunderbolts* footage below.

Dead Dove. Do not eat!

Hi sweeties! Just in case you thought you would just peek down here and maybe bring some optimism to the gremlins in cellar, thank you, sweet summer child, but you really should go back up to the rest of the internet where you have lots of beautiful people to play with. Thanks anyway! Bye!

Okay.

First things first, this had to happen on Sebastian's fucking birthday?!?!?!?

I have seen the Thunderbolts* footage. 5 times. Pausing at specific moments.

And, Bucky is not the in the scene where they "all" get trapped in the room, nor in the scene where they are "all" in a vehicle and Red Guardian is driving.

I don't blame the people who described the footage previously. They cannot be expected to look for Bucky like a dying person searches for a drop of water in the vast desert. That is my job.

Nevertheless, this is our first glimpse of Thunderbolts (sick of the fucking asterisk) and there is barely any Bucky in it. So what the fuck am I even waiting for?

I'm sorry if I inferred incorrectly that Thunderbolts would be Bucky's movie, since he is the character that has been in the MCU the longest and most consistently of all the characters in the movie, but what the fuck was I supposed to think?

I'm sorry if I incorrectly assumed from reports that Bucky would be the "leader" of the Thunderbolts, that this would be his time to shine.

And ex-fucking-cuse me if I extrapolated incorrectly that the reason Marvel split up the amazing team of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes was to give them each their own movie, therefore since Sam is absolutely the lead character in Cap4, Bucky would be the lead character in Thunderbolts!

But fuck me, Marvel, what the fuck are you doing?

Yes, looking back, I see that most MCU movies have the superhero name of the lead in the title. Again, I thought they did not do that because Bucky is no longer the Winter Soldier, as emphasized in TFATWS, and has no other code name, and that Bucky Barnes and the Thunderbolts would sounds like a bad name for a band. I thought it would at least be like the Avengers where he would have an equal part.

As far as Sebastian Stan, I think this is fucking disrespectful! He had to clear his schedule for this movie anyway, they could at least give him something to do!

Now, yes, maybe there is more of Bucky in the movie. Maybe these scenes are mostly from the beginning, and Bucky comes into it more in the middle and the end. Well he'd fucking better!

I will watch the next teasers and trailers, and if I see more of Bucky, I will be thrilled and very pleased.

But what is obvious to me is that they have actually made a movie about Yelena Belova, and for some reason stuck Bucky in there as a supporting character. (Or less?)

If I turn out to be wrong I will happily stand corrected.

But whenever this footage is officially released I intend to flood the internet with #Where'sBucky? And I hope anyone who feels the same, will do the same.

Thanks for listening to me rant. If you have a rant that agrees with mine, please add it. If you have read this far and disagree with me as far as how large a part Bucky will have in the movie, please put that in the tags.

Thunderbolts footage more centered

Bit bigger, maybe?

[martianbugsbunny]

ngl I think Sam should've been more involved in Civil War

abject utter rambling under the cut, this is not one of my clean posts this is brain spaghetti on the wall

mostly because it's hard for me to separate Steve and Bucky from Sam, they're hopelessly tangled up in each other thank you very much and I needed more of that from canon

I mean yes I think the final fight between Steve, Bucky, and Tony is beyond my skill to rewrite with Sam in it bc there's something powerful about Steve choosing Bucky over Tony as completely and irrevocably as he did, but on the other hand while it used to be Steve and Bucky against the world now it's Steve, Bucky, and Sam against the world, Sam literally shows up for Steve days after meeting him for the first time, lets him in his house when he's being chased by the government and does some illegal stuff to help him on his mission, but then he also dedicates himself to finding Bucky (assuming I'm remembering that right ??? I hope I am and that's not just fandom brain lmao)

and as moving as it is to see again that Steve still trusts Bucky with himself, I could've done with more of Sam learning to trust Bucky, more of a journey from he's not the kind you save, he's the kind you stop to really understanding what Bucky's been through, how it messes with his mind when the code words are used on him, and maybe Sam doesn't rest at quite the level of trust Steve does but this is the guy that pulled Steve out of a river, this is a guy whose autonomy is fragile, who's trying to rebuild some kind of life for himself, and they keep bickering but we get to see a deeper emotional bond forming between them

maybe Sam wonders where his place is with them, they've known each other longer than most people have been alive and literally nothing can come between them, but he's not between them he's with them, maybe Bucky shields him from an attack with his metal arm, puts his body between Sam and danger like he would with Steve, and Sam starts to realize that he's not a third wheel at all, he already knows Steve trusts and respects him and will turn to him for help before anyone else but he also catches a glimpse of Bucky's feelings for him, what are those feelings? even Bucky's not sure, is it just wanting to protect this person because Steve cares about him, is it just gratitude for being a facilitator in him and Steve starting to knit back together, is it abject wonder at the knowledge that this man has put himself on the line for Bucky (is that just wanting to protect this person because Steve cares about him? is it just repaying the favor from when Bucky pulled Steve out of the river when Sam couldn't get to him?) because nobody but Steve has ever really risked themself for him

just imagine how much sicker the shot would be of them sharing the shield if it was the three of them

imagine instead of Bucky trying to parkour his way out of the facility, Sam tried to fly him out, holding his hands or clutching his waist and maybe griping about how heavy he is a little bit a la Michiru and Haruka but trying so hard to get him out of there before he's killed, and it's not just the roof Tony breaks it's also Sam's wings, he and Bucky spiral back to the ground and Bucky twists them in the air to take the brunt of the landing because he knows he's better able to handle that kind of an impact

when they walk away, they're supporting Bucky between them, Steve has chosen him over the rest of his life except Sam and Sam has fully decided that wherever it goes, he's cashing his chips in with the two of them, he's choosing to stand by Steve in his love of Bucky and he's choosing to stand by Bucky for his own sake

because this movie was never just about the Avengers tearing themselves apart, it was always about Steve and Bucky coming back together, trying to find a way their lives still fit, choosing each other over pain and self-doubt and the government and the Avengers, and it could be about Steve and Bucky and Sam figuring out their places in each other's lives, where do I belong when they've been together since childhood, where do I belong when he's made a new connection without me, where do I belong except with the love I've had all my life and the love I've found lately, where does any one of them belong if not with the other two

it's Steve's undying love for Bucky and his wonder if Bucky still loves him, he knows Bucky remembers him but does he still feel anything? balanced with his new relationship with Sam, a little less hard-won but strong and so precious to him, he trusts this man with his life and the life of the other person he loves most

it's Sam's wholehearted love for Steve and his gradual understanding that loving Bucky has made Steve who he is, that Bucky and Steve are too entwined to separate them into different boxes, it's his realization that you can't love one and not the other, not these two, because they're already holding parts of each other inside of them, and his willingness to defend Bucky because there's a bit of Steve in him that leads to the genesis of loving Bucky for his own merits

it's Bucky's journey back to himself, anchored by the one person he loved when he was himself last, dragged and helped by the person Steve loves now, not knowing if he still belongs but wanting so badly to try, ready to put his life on the line for either of them because they've done the same for him when he doesn't feel he deserves it and yet desperate to live because he has them to do it with

that's the Civil War I've got in my brain, idk

[magicalqueennightmare]

I Meant You

Sometimes Tony's meddling ends up being a good thing

Drinking games gone right

Warnings: Cursing, mention of kissing and steam (ish) themes

You glanced up from where you'd been laid back across Wanda's legs when Tony walked in whistling. "Uh oh" the downside of the compound when there were no missions or no big event to attend? Tony tended to get bored and a lot of times you all were dragged into it.

"Tony" you warned cautiously but he just smiled "C'mon now sparky we need some fun and I've got just the idea" you groaned under your breath glancing around the room and realizing just why Tony had summoned all of you to the media room "What's the idea?" Nat asked coming to sit next to you and Wanda, curling her legs under her gracefully. "Well I have a few bottles out of my personal collection for us mere mortals and Thor brought some mead from home for the super soldiers and demi gods amongst us"

"You called us all here to drink?" Sam spoke up but Tony shook his head "Not just drink. We're gonna do some team building exercises" you narrowed your eyes "Drinking games" he pointed to you with a smirk "first point goes to sparky for figuring it out!"

You rolled your eyes but honestly? It sounded kind of fun. Hell it wasn't like most of you ever got the chance to have downtime and a lot of you had never had a normal upbringing so why not cut loose a little? Or maybe the appearance of a certain brunette super soldier wandering into the room with Steve and Thor perked your attention.

Bucky had moved into the compound a while back, after Steve and Sam's prompting. Your quarters were on the opposite ends of the same floor. Of course you'd known stories about him, both as the winter soldier from the S.H.I.E.L.D. files and as Bucky from Steve.

You didn't judge him for the winter soldier stories, you knew those codes were far gone out of his head and he was no longer a threat in that way. He'd shied away a lot, only talking if you prompted first and honestly you hadn't thought he liked you at all until one night he'd been plagued with back to back nightmares.

You hadn't been able to sleep so you'd headed for the kitchen that was the middle mark of your floor. Tony had them all strategically lined up, something about ventilation systems or something. You knew that he had the best espresso machines in every kitchen and that the fridge and pantry would be stocked.

You walked into the empty room and asked F.R.I.D.A.Y. if she could access your Playlists. She started playing one and you smiled, humming along with it before moving around the kitchen. You started a cup of espresso then headed for the pantry to see if any of the croissants Tony had brought still remained.

You'd walked out the pantry and nearly dropped the box of croissants because Bucky had spooked you. He moved so quietly and was so damn broad you hadn't been expecting him to be standing in the doorway. "Sorry doll. Didn't mean to scare you"

The small smile that was pulling at his lips made your stomach flip. Damn he was gorgeous, those damn blue eyes made you forget your train of thought for a moment before you recovered "Oh, it's fine Bucky. Did I wake you?"

He looked confused so you motioned to the lights and speakers "I couldn't sleep" he nodded "Yeah me neither" a silence fell so you held up the box in your hand "Ever had chocolate croissants?" He shook his head so you smiled "Ever had espresso?"

He shook his head again so you grinned "So I'll set the machine to make another cup and we'll head to the media room. Tony has like every movie known to man at our fingertips so we might as well take advantage right?" He looked unsure for a second "You sure you want the company?" "Of course! Bucky you're my team mate and I'd consider us friends. Friends hang out so let's hang out" he smiled "sounds good"

Since that night you and Bucky had started getting closer. He let you in on things only Steve knew and a few things Steve didn't. When you had a nightmare he was there to comfort you and vice versa. On missions you always ended up teamed together and any outing the avengers had to attend he'd be close to your side especially after the incident where you'd threatened a reporter for making statements towards him and Natasha about the redroom and hydra.

You'd started to develop feelings for him but damn who could blame you? He was gorgeous and sweet, strong but gentle. When you'd fall asleep against him and wake up in his arms it made your mind wonder to how it would be to truly be in his arms. How did he kiss? How would it feel when he touched you? When he pulled you close?

You knew that was a line that couldn't be crossed, no matter how you felt when he smiled and asked if he could sit with you even as Tony and Sam argued over what game all of you would play. "So what's Stark up to?" You shrugged "He wants to play never have I while Sam wants to play a twisted version of two truths and a lie"

You turned towards him and saw the confusion in his eyes "Bucky, you don't know either of those games do you?" He shook his head so you quickly explained the basics of both games, not only to him but to Steve and Thor as well.

By that time Tony and Sam were through arguing and turned to adress the room "We're playing never have I first if there's no interesting incidents we'll move onto two truths and a lie" "Set up" Sam motioned to the table so everyone grabbed a glass.

You were seated cross legged between Bucky and Nat. So far you'd taken two shots, Bucky had taken one of the mead while Nat was three shots in. Everyone around the table had taken at least one shot.

"Ok here's one" Nat spoke up and when you cut your eyes at her she gave you a wink "Never have I...had feelings for someone younger than me"

Tony took a shot considering he was married to Pepper who was two year younger than him. Wanda took a shot since technically Vision was younger than her. Steve and Thor both took a shot. What surprised you and made your thoughts run rampant was when Bucky gave you a small smile before tipping back a shot himself.

Who did he have feelings for? It couldn't be you no matter if the thought had been fleeting through your head. Could it be Nat? Or maybe Maria or even Sharon.

Of course he'd have feelings for someone, hell he was allowed to date same as the rest of you. No matter Iif the thought of him with someone else made your heart clench.

Bucky noticed how you went quiet at his side. You'd been laughing and joking over the various questions up until that point. Christ, had you figured out he meant you?

Maybe that's what was wrong. You knew he meant you when he took a shot for having feelings for someone younger than him and didn't feel the same.

He didn't want to make you uncomfortable, hell you were one of his closest friends now. When he'd moved into the compound he hadn't been sure anyone would trust him, not that he blamed them. You on the other hand had been one of the first to greet him with a smile.

You were beautiful and smart. You were able to think on your feet during missions and always did the headcount once everyone was back on the jets to ensure no one was left behind. You'd defended him and Natasha alike to the press.

More than one night when neither of you could sleep you'd end up in the media room watching some movie you'd clicked on. He hadn't cared about the movie as much as the company. You always slowed his mind down and help chase the demons out.

The first time you'd curled up into his side he'd been sitting with his arm across the back of the couch. You were sitting hip to hip with him citing that the movie had freaked you out a bit but you refused to not finish it. He hadn't minded you getting closer. The movie was almost finished when he realized your head was leaned over on his shoulder where the metal of his arm met with flesh.

He hadn't been sure if he should wake you or not. As he sat there you snuggled closer to him and despite himself he found a smile working its way onto his face. He'd let his mind wonder what it would be like for you to be in his arms in earnest, to feel your lips against his.

He'd never meant to fall for you, it just sort of happened and now had he inadvertently pushed you away by half admitting his feelings?

You shook yourself from the shock of Bucky admitting he had feelings for someone to clear your throat "Ok here's one, never have I had merchandise of me" you laughed when damn near everyone in the room aside from yourself, Bucky, Wanda and Maria took a shot. "Ok Sparky you got me on that one. My turn. Never have I threw a punch on reporters" you, Nat, Sam and Maria all took shots.

You leaned a little closer to Bucky, trying to get your mind off the question of who he had feelings for. You missed the look Nat shot Sam who spoke up "Never have I had feelings for someone older than me" you leaned up to glare at him before taking a shot. Luckily you weren't the only one, Nat and Maria both took a shot which opened a whole new line of questions.

You avoided Bucky's eyes when he bumped your arm with his. He leaned down next to your ear "Is it Steve?:" you shook your head slightly "Nope" "C'mon now didn't think we had too many secrets any more" you turned to face him, thoughts escaping you at those blue eyes staring back "Yes I have feelings for someone older than me, way older but no it's not Steve"

You felt everyone's eyes on you which made heat rush up your neck. Normally you could handle it but given the amount you'd drank mixed with the fact that Bucky clearly had meant someone else was too much. You downed the shot in front of you before standing up "Excuse me. I've got to use the bathroom" you turned and walked quickly out the room with intentions to hide in your quarters long enough to let the embarrassment pass.

Maybe you could convince Bucky you meant Loki or Sif?

The moment you left the room every set of eyes landed firmly on Bucky "Tin man are you really that dense?" Tony was the first to speak up. Bucky was trying to comprehend what had just happened "What the hell did I do Stark?"

"She means you man!" Sam shoved him when he spoke. "What? No she doesn't" Bucky argued which made Nat stand up and walk over to him "Dammit I know her better than anyone. She's had feelings for you for a while and you've had feelings for her. Man up, go chase her" "and if you're wrong?" He asked so Nat pointed towards Tony "I will let him take out a billboard that says Natasha was wrong for once"

----------

Bucky headed in the direction you'd went knowing you were more than likely in your quarters. The closer he got the clearer he could make out the faint music slipping under the door. It was that band you loved.

He paused for a second before finally knocking. The moment the door opened he saw your eyes widen "Damn I was hoping for Natasha" he shrugged "I can go get her?" He started to walk off but you grabbed his arm, your fingers curling around the cool vibranium of his palm. "Wait, Bucky what did you need?"

He looked down where you were holding his hand and a smile slipped onto his face. "I meant you" the words escaped without any thought behind them but the moment they were out in the air he didn't want to take them back.

----------

You froze, fingers digging into Bucky's hand slightly. He meant you? "Are you saying that to save my feelings because Nat told you I meant you?" He smirked slightly "Actually Nat, Tony and Sam told me you'd meant me but no I'm not saving feelings. I meant you"

You stood there for a second before Bucky moved, his right hand cupping the side of your face "Can I kiss you?" You nodded and he smiled before leaning down to capture your lips with his.

He tasted sweet, the honey of the mead prominent in flavor and on his tongue. You sighed slightly and felt him relax into you as he deepened the kiss. His left hand went to your waist pulling you flush against him even as you were forced to pull away in need of air "Well damn" you breathed out and he smiled "That a good reaction?" You laughed breathlessly "The best. Now please kiss me again"

[natrogersfics]

The Anthology - Chapter 5: imgonnagetyouback

Artwork by @faith2nyc Read on AO3

“Think you’ll make it up to Ontario anytime soon?”

“Hopefully,” Steve says, catching the way his words cause a glimmer of hope to flash across Sharon’s face. “I know who my first call will be if I do.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Sharon says, rising from the bar stool and leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Take care, Steve.”

“You too, Sharon.”

As Sharon disappears into the crowd, his eyes scan the room where the wrap party is still in full swing. Today marked the last of their double-digit hour workdays, and if the lively scene unfolding before him is any indication, it’s evident that he’s not alone in his relief to have those behind him. Over on the corner, the Russos and the stunt crew are huddled over a table playing what he can only guess is their nth round of Uno. Not too far away, Kevin stands in conversation with the wardrobe team, no doubt thanking and praising them for a job well done. And at the center of the dance floor, commandeering most of the attention in the room, Sam and Bucky trade dance moves to the delight of the crowd that’s gathered around them.

He shakes his head in amusement, feeling the warmth of gratitude permeate through him as he brings his beer bottle up to his lips to take a swig. He had spent more time with these people than he had with his own family over the last few months, witnessed them pour their blood, sweat, and tears to ensure their movie could be as successful as it could be. To now see everyone euphoric with joy and deservedly celebrating the fruits of their labor feels like nothing short of a gift.

Well, everyone except one, he realizes.

His gaze goes from one end of the room to the other in search of that ever familiar figure, and despite how trying their situation has been, he finds himself disappointed when he doesn’t find her. Maybe she didn’t come. In the last few weeks, she’s never spent a minute longer on set than she’s absolutely had to. It only made sense that she’d take the first opportunity to get away from all of this.

From you.

It’s with a sigh that he pushes off the bar, batting away the intrusive thought and making his way towards the door in search of some quiet. The air is humid against his skin as he walks out into the late summer’s night, the studio lot that’s never not buzzing with activity during the day proving to be a somber sight as it sits empty and lit only by the moon and the sparsely spaced streetlights.

He’s barely taken a breath when he sees it – the silhouette of someone perched on the steps leading to the sound stage, smoke billowing from the cigarette between their fingers. And whether it’s intuition or simply unbridled curiosity that has him walking towards it, he’s unsure.

“You said you’d quit that,” he says when he approaches to find Natasha seated by the bottom of the stairs, staring at nothing in particular.

“I said a lot of things,” Natasha says, the end of her cigarette glowing a bright orange as she brings it up to her lips.

“You did,” he says, watching the smoke waft into the air as she exhales. She finally looks up at him, and for the first time, he sees the way her cheeks are flushed with red and the glazed, faraway look in her eyes. He nods towards her feet. “How many of those have you had?”

Natasha looks down between her boots, to the empty crystal tumbler resting on the concrete, before lifting one shoulder in a shrug. “How’s Sharon?” she asks instead. Surprise must have flashed in his expression, prompting her to chuckle. “No need to be embarrassed.”

“Natasha-”

“She’s the better choice anyway.”

She’s in no condition to hash this out. Logically, he knows this. Nevertheless, something about the tone in her voice, particularly the bitterness that seeps into it, causes all the hurt and resentment he’s been trying desperately to hold in all these weeks to come rushing to the surface.

“You know what? No, you don’t get to do this! You can’t just cast me aside out of nowhere, and then throw yourself a pity party!” He stares at her, imploring her to show him something, anything to explain why she felt the need to plunge them both into this mutual hell they can’t seem to escape. Only she doesn’t respond, and defeatedly, he finds himself plopping down next to her on the stairs and taking the cigarette from between her fingers. “Goddamn it, Nat.”

The silence lingers between them, and it’s only when he takes a drag from the cigarette that he hears her giggle. He turns to her, raising a brow up in disbelief.

“Steve Rogers smoking,” she says, trying – and failing miserably – to contain her laughter. “What will the moral police say?”

He wants to shoot her a withering look, to chastise her because there’s nothing, absolutely nothing funny about this predicament they find themselves in. But as he takes in the amusement thick in her expression, for reasons beyond his comprehension, he feels his lips begin to twitch in a little smile, too. And before he knows it, they’re both breaking out in laughter.

None of it made sense. Her actions have brought him nothing but torment these last few weeks, and yet, as their laughter tapers later on, all he wants in this moment is to take her in his arms. He sighs. “Why’d you walk away?”

For a moment, she only holds his gaze, and for the first time since he woke up to an empty bed that fateful morning, it’s as though her mask comes off and he sees her – his Natasha – not the stranger he’s been watching from a distance all these weeks. And if he easily recognizes the internal battle raging in her eyes, it’s only because he, too, has been contending with it.

“Because it doesn’t matter if I’m your costar, friend, or the one you want to come home to,” she whispers eventually. “You’re you, and I’m me. And so long as I’m in the equation…” She shakes her head, her lips curling into a smile that’s painfully rueful. “Pick your poison, babe, I’m poison either way.”

Chapter 4 | Chapter 6

[randomfandombud]

So, I had a few thoughts, mainly about the Endgame ending, cause it SUCKED.

What if Steve made a mistake?

What if the ring wasn't for Peggy? (Because we know, in the movie, it was)

Endgame has a shitty ending.

(More bad thoughts about the ending, how dare)

So, I wrote a thing.

I could've done better. I mean, I had made something similar quite a bit ago, but I accidentally deleted it.

But it was also pretty late when I wrote this.

*DING*

Bucky checks his phone, noticing it's Sam who texted me. He shifts to sit more comfortably on my couch as he checks.

Sam|So, don't get mad|7:59 PM

Bucky|What did you do?|7:59 PM

Sam|You'll see|8:00 PM

He should be at your door any moment now|8:00 PM

Bucky|What do you mean by 'he'?|8:00 PM

Who's 'he'?|8:00 PM

Sam|You'll find out soon|8:00 PM

Bucky hears footsteps, realizing they sound vaguely familiar. The footsteps are followed by a knock at my door.

Bucky gets up and walks over to the door to open it. A man is at the door.

". . . Bucky?"

Bucky freezes, staring at the man in shock. The man takes a step forward but stops when Bucky steps back. A couple of minutes pass before he speaks, still trying to process.

"You look. . . younger. . . Steve."

"Yeah. I know. Listen, Bucky-"

Once Bucky's over the shock, he slams the door shut.

"Bucky, please," Steve begs.

"Go away," Bucky tells him.

Bucky hears Steve sigh and then hears his footsteps departing. He relaxes a little, but then hear a door open and shut.

He groans and slides to the floor, tears brimming his eyes.

Then he takes a deep breath and wipes the tears away. He pulls his phone out and texts Sam.

Bucky|Really?|8:04 PM

Sam|I had to|8:04 PM

Bucky|Fuck you. And don't talk to me. For now, at least|8:04 PM

Sam|Alright. I understand|8:04 PM

Bucky drops his phone and curls up into a ball, quietly sobbing. All those feelings he had bottled up before coming back in full force.

He can hear Steve's footsteps. He's pacing. He's nervous and worried. It's easy to tell.

Bucky sighs and leans his head back, wondering how Steve got back in the first place. With a small yawn, Bucky gets up, grabs his phone, and gets dressed for bed.

At this time, it would be considered early for most. But it usually takes a couple of hours, if not more, for Bucky to fall asleep.

He turns on the TV, nothing too interesting on there. Bucky changes the channel by accident and end up on the news. Video footage of someone.

Video footage of Steve. He's panicked, a nervous wreck. Nothing like the way he looked when he appeared at my door.

"A few days ago, Captain America reappe-"

Bucky listens for a little longer, just watching. Steve looks so. . .

Lost.

Nothing like he'd usually look. He's always so confident and sure of himself.

The footage, however, suggests he's not in his right mind. Everyone keeps asking him questions. "Where did you go? Why give your shield away? Are you aware of the rumors?"

And he's ignoring them, just repeating a question of his own.

"Where's my Bucky?"

Bucky watches for a moment longer, taking in the panic in Steve's eyes. But despite obviously having his emotions all over the place, he takes care to be gentle and polite when trying to move through the crowd that had gathered around him.

Then Bucky switches to another channel, not wanting to see or hear another second of it. He can't.

"Hey, Bucky. Where's my Bucky? Bucky, please!"

He just can't.

.

.

.

The next morning, Bucky wakes up, hearing the TV. Thankfully, no nightmares.

He gets up, gets dressed, and walks out of his apartment.

"Bucky!"

Bucky inhales deeply before turning to look at Steve.

"Yes? Do not touch me," Bucky tell him when he tries to step closer.

Steve looks a little hurt but nods and steps away.

"I'm sorry, talking to you would've been the first thing I did if I knew where to find you. But I just need you to know I-i made a mistake."

"A mistake?"

"Yes. I never meant to stay in the past and abandon everyone. I'd never do that on purpose. Not to you."

Steve's words confuse him. Bucky thought he was still in love with Peggy.

"So, you didn't go to Peggy?"

". . . I did. I had a date. It went well. But that didn't mean I wanted to stay with her."

Bucky tilts his head slightly, giving Steve a curious glare.

"Why couldn't you come back?"

"I. . . dammit, Bucky. You really have to ask me that? I don't know what happened. When it didn't bring me back, I realized I was stuck. I tried so hard to come back. Please, you gotta believe me," Steve tries to explain, noticing Bucky's doubtful look.

"How am I supposed to? I saw you Steve! When you were old and skinny and weak and had a ring on your finger! Who the hell did you marry, cause I know it wasn't me?!"

Steve looks so sad with the way he stares at Bucky. So sad and pathetic and-

Oh.

Steve looks heartbroken by his accusations.

"I didn't marry anyone in the past. I never planned on it."

"Then why have the ring?"

"It was for you."

What a mess.

.

.

.

857 word count

[twoheartedfool]

While You Were Away

Bucky Barnes x female reader Masterlist

Timeline of Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame (so spoilers? If those still exist with these movies)

He heard you before he saw you. His usual solitude snuck up on and interrupted by the crunch of an apple. Your feet swung playfully as you sat on the back of the truck, and you smiled smugly as you chewed. Where did you even come from? He let a bale of hay thump to the ground.

“Nice goats,” you called out, lifting your sun glasses to get a better look at him despite the blaring Wakadan sun. Bucky couldn’t help the heavy sigh as he trudged forward.

Seeing you brought on a rush on mixed emotions the same way it did the first time he saw you. You had leaned against the wall behind Steve, staring at him with a steady hand over the gun on your hip, and his arm crushed between heavy machinery. It had felt like Bucky’s first gasp of air before the wave of darkness pulled him under again.

“You here to babysit?” He called back, which caused to roll your eyes and hop off the truck.

“I never babysit, only check in.”

It was true but Bucky still felt the creeping insecurities. He would see you every few weeks, sometimes more frequently, ever since Steve had gotten word that Bucky was awake again. What he didn’t know was that you had shown up even when he was still under with the guise of needing consulting from the Dora Milaje and only sometimes true. Then it was your very subtle volunteering for Steve bringing you back. Your name might be right under Steve’s on the list of fugitives, but you still managed to be less conspicuous than the Captain America.

“I hope Steve’s paying you well.”

“Nah, you know how much of a cheapskate he is.”

The two of you stopped in the dirt road mere feet from each other. The gravitational pull had not gone away since he last saw you, but his hand flexed as he held back. Your connection, though quiet, was strong from the beginning. Accepting nods over bottles of water being passed back and forth, mumbles to Sam to ‘lay off’ while squished in tiny European cars. Even when it was way too early to be making tactical plans in airports without coffee, your grumbling self found it walking beside Bucky if only subconsciously. Bucky didn’t know how it navigate it.

You gazed up at him now an unamused look. His stare matched it for a few moments before the corner of your lips twitched upward.

“C’mere, idiot,” your hand found purchase on the back of his neck, pulling him close, and wrapping your arms around his shoulders. He responded by squeezing your hip.

“You look good, Bucky,” you mumbled into him before leaning back, placing a hand on either shoulder.

You bit your lip to suppress any emotions welling up. His eyes were clearer, brighter. A playful glint floated in them stronger than you had ever seen. His lips lifted up with more ease. He was lighter, and not just because he was literally missing a limb. You couldn’t help but beam up at him.

“Where’s your stuff? How long are you here?” he asked.

Your sunglasses fell back to their place on your nose but not before Bucky noticed your eyes tighten.

“Actually, I’m not here to stay. I wanted to tell you it might be a while before I see you again.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, you worrywart,” you teased. “Got a call. Just have to go away for a little while is all.”

He nodded, peering over the top of your head to hide whatever feeling it was that was crawling up his throat. He knew your life, knew that one day bouncing from place to place would inevitably take you away for longer than he would like. He hated to admit it, but it wasn’t just the help of the Wakandans that made him feel more and more like Bucky. But he wasn’t your job, and definitely wasn’t your responsibility.

“Have time for lunch?”

“As long as it’s not goat,” you said, glancing over at the bleating creatures in the field. A dramatic hand fell to his chest as he gasped. With a burst of laughter and a shove to the shoulder, you followed behind him, an easy smile on both of your faces for once.

When you pecked his cheek goodbye, he squeezed your hand and thought of the last time you did so.

Bucky sat in the lab terrified that he was making a horrible decision but terrified more that he would lose his mind again. But as Steve gave him an encouraging nod while he waited to say his goodbyes, he ultimately knew this was the best choice. You stepped forward and placed two gentle hands on Bucky’s cheeks. His eyes fluttered eyes close as you pressed your lips to his skin. He sank into his wistful fantasy of what it would be like to meet you in a different life, in one where he deserved you.

Your words echoed around him.

“See you soon, Buck.”

~~~

Steve pinched his brows when he realized you weren’t waiting behind Bucky for your turn at a hug.

“She’s not here?”

“Thought she would be with you,” Bucky replied. When Bucky learned about the impending fight, he assumed you would be arriving on the same ship as Steve.

In the throws of battle, he was almost grateful you weren’t there. It wasn’t an underestimation of your skills. You had fought side by side before. In much less intense circumstances, but he still knew what you were capable of. But in order to fully focus, he had to switch off the part of his brain that imagined you going against Thanos.

When it was all over, you were the first person Steve called. He tried every variation of phone numbers you had given him over the years. Each one responded with the same empty, endless ringing.

~~~

Both years later and years ago, Steve stood in front of an elevator, readjusting the case in his hand before pressing a finger to his ear. “Got it. Head to the lobby.”

Nervously, he glanced back over at the so called S.H.I.E.L.D agents and gave them a curt nod before they disappeared around the corner. So far, the plan was going swimmingly. Tony’s response turned to mush as the elevator doors peeled apart and there, leaning against the far glass, was you.

“Captain Rogers,” you straightened.

“Y/N?”

Your hair was messy, eyes wild. If you looked startled before, it was nothing compared to when you registered what he said.

“Excuse me?”

“What are you doing here?” He asked, slowly joining you in the elevator. He almost forgot where he was, what he was doing here. Because it was you. Younger and different, but you. And the image was more shocking to him than seeing his own self standing before him.

After enough unanswered phone calls, Steve had come to the conclusion that you had been amongst those that disappeared that day. That was the best case scenario in his mind because maybe wherever you were, you and Bucky were at least together.

Steve’s memory flickered to the moment he met you in his timeline. It was still in the tower but not for another few months, not until after he agreed to join Fury, join S.H.I.E.L.D. You had offered him a drink as a fellow newbie to the squad as he skulked in the corner of a party then clung to him as an anchor for your own social awkwardness. Then that was it. You wiggled your way into his found family.

“I was supposed to be in a meeting. Those plans kinda got interrupted, though ,” you huffed and pushed fallen hair out of your face. Your eyes turned out the window and towards the aftermath spreading across New York.

“Are you hurt?” Steve quickly scanned you with eyes. You were flustered but standing tall, no visible physical traumas.

“‘M fine. I’m sorry, how do you know my name, again?”

“Fury’s mentioned you.”

Judging by the way your eyes glinted, that didn’t ease your mind but you simply hummed in response. The elevator hummed as you descended. Steve almost chuckled at how much your thoughts were written all over your face. After years of missions and late nights talking over cereal, Steve learned that what you excelled in as an agent, you seriously lacked in a poker face. It was something he got used to and grew fond of. Then something Bucky grumbled about at the beginning.

“Your friend always this loud?”

“Sorry. Sam’s still getting used to the idea of you.”

“Not him.” He flicked his chin towards where you walked ahead. Steve tilted his head in response.

“I can hear the gears in her head turning from here,” Bucky explained, making his friend chuckle. Steve’s next words fell short, though. He watched, Bucky’s eyes still on you, as his friend’s stone expression turned to a softness only Steve was able to notice. So he continued along in silence, a small smirk on his lips.

“Are you okay, Captain?”

Your eyes came into focus as Steve realized he was staring.

“Steve.”

“What?”

“Steve. If we’re going to be working together, we should use first names.”

“Didn’t realize we were?” You raised a brow and Steve shrugged, smiling at inside joke to himself.

“Call it a gut feeling.”

The elevator finally reached its destination. You went to step out but Steve grabbed onto your wrist with probably too much force judging by your startled yelp. You looked up at him expectantly and it took everything within him not to fold you into a bear hug. But Tony’s incessant tones over the comms reminded him why he was here. His grip on your wrist relaxed as he silently reassured himself this wasn’t the last time he would ever see you. Because the plan was going to work. God, he hoped it worked.

“Stay safe, Y/n.”

“You too, Steve.”

~~~

It hurt. Your leg as you limped amongst the rubble. Your lungs as they expanded in ragged spurts against your ribs. Everything hurt. It was only a few hours ago you woke up on the other side of the world until a man was calling out to you through a golden circle.

The sky was filled with angry grays and reds. Dust scattered along the wind and those who remained helped each other up. It had taken you a few minutes to roll onto your side and stumble onto your feet, a member of the Dora Milaje had grasped your elbow for balance.

You desperately held onto her forearms as you caught your breath. After you nodded in thanks, she leaned down to grab her spear. Your brain slowly clicked things into place. If they were here, then-

Bucky.

Your feet stumbled forward.

“Agent, your wounds-“ she reached out to you, but gave up as you grunted and pushed her hands aside.

You were walking blindly, focusing only on one foot in front of the other without any clear direction. Eventually, the pain in your side became too distracting and you had to pause against a large slab of concrete. It gave you a chance to look down at the hand you hadn’t realized had been pressed against your side to see it completely covered in red. One of the bastards clawed you.

You winced as you replaced the pressure. A few more deep breaths and a voice in the back of your head tempted you to lay down here. You could rest your eyes for a just a brief moment.

Snapping them open, you groaned and pushed yourself up straight once more. As you did, your gaze focused on a figure approaching the top of a mound in the distance. They were dressed head to toe in black, a large gun falling to their side. Their body rotated, eyes scanning the calming chaos until another figure joined and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Buck,” you croaked. Your throat was dry, raw. He was too far away to hear you. He wouldn’t have heard you if he was twenty feet away. Your eyes burned into the side of his head, silently begging him to turn the right way.

Your feet moved forward but you swore your brain was playing tricks on you as the two figures felt like they were moving further away. They were talking now. Steve had removed his helmet and was gesturing towards something on the other side of them. He was taking a step away from you.

“Wait,” you mumbled.

A loud groan escaped as you lost your footing and your knee collided with the ground. Your lips felt heavy as you tried to speak again. More deep breaths. More steps forward.

You could hear their voices now. The loud pumping in your ears made it difficult to fully make out words, however. You heard your name. You heard their stubborn back and forth’s. You realized that your feet were finally starting to make an incline until your knees gave out once again. Hot tears rolled down your cheeks as you came to terms that you weren’t going to make it to the top.

Rest, the voice in the back of your head said again. This time you listened. Your body melted into the earth below you. You blinked up at the sky, wetness seeping into your hairline. The dark smoke in the sky was dissipating now, leaving behind gorgeous pinks and oranges as the sun set.

With a deep frown, your hands came up to push against whatever was now blocking your view. But you found that your strength was failing in comparison to the obstacle now leaning over you. An obstacle of black leather, metal arm, and blue eyes. A new wave tears flooded as relief overtook you.

“Hey,” your words came out more like a whimper. “You’re here.”

“I’m here.”

“What the hell did you and Steve get involved in while I was away?”

He replied with a humorless laugh as he smoothed away the hair in your face, his hand staying to gently caress your skin with his thumb. You didn’t seem to notice his other hand pressing against your side, now numb from the pain.

“Hey, Buck?”

“Yea, doll. Keep those eyes open for me.” Your eyelids grew heavy as you slowly blinked up at him. His eyes quickly flicked up to where Steve had run off to.

“Can you do me a favor,” you mumbled which made his eyes go wide. You were not allowed to be making final requests right now. Not ever. His jaw clicked, trying to remain composed, trying to shove down the urge to scream for Steve to hurry up.

“Don’t-“

“Will you take me back to that waffle stand in Germany?”

Bucky involuntarily slumped forward, sighing in amusement. His lips brushed your forehead as he nodded. He knew exactly what you were referring to, the tiny stand that had most of your attention while they waited for Sharon that one morning. You even tried sneaking away when Steve was being distracted by the blonde, but stopped when there was a resounding ‘no’ by the other two men. Bucky’s quiet, long stare down at you kept you glued to your seat, heat rising to your cheeks.

“Yea. Yea, I can do that,” he spoke quietly.

He leaned back, noticing Steve finally arriving with Strange. Bucky readjusted beside you, eager to take you to medical help. Wakanda, New York, he didn’t care. Strange’s hands began to circle and Bucky felt a tug on his jacket. A desperate plea grew in your eyes, a fear in you he had never seen before.

“Don’t leave.”

His head shook vehemently. Hooking an arm behind your shoulders and thighs, he gently as he could lifted you into his arms. The shuddering groan that you made did not go unnoticed.

“I just got you back, doll. I’m not going anywhere.”

With a slow nod, you finally relaxed against him. Your head found purchase in the crook of his neck as Bucky stepped through the glowing portal.

[iam93percentstardust]

Stevetony kissing for a dare!!! Hehe :3

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!

This is the second part to the fic from yesterday (I’m doing all this on unfamiliar technology so I’m a little afraid to exit out of this screen to find the link)

~

Little Mix is playing through the speakers in Natasha’s dorm room. Steve wouldn’t have pinned Natasha, who normally likes big band jazz and old spy movies, to like that kind of pop music, but she seems to delight in surprising people, so who knows? Certainly not Steve. Bucky would be the person to ask, but he delights in his girlfriend surprising people just as much as she does, so that conversation is a nonstarter.

There’s a knock on the door, and Natasha darts over to get it. Tony slips inside, followed by his best friend, Rhodey, both of them sliding rainslick hoods off their heads.

”Sorry we’re late,” Tony pants, sounding like he just ran all the way across the city. “Warden was making extra rounds earlier.”

”You know, one day Mrs. Hill is gonna hear you calling her the warden and have you taken out back and shot,” Rhodey comments, passing his hoodie to Sam with a grateful nod.

Tony, on the other hand, seems too distracted by insulting the middle-aged chaperone of their dorm to notice that he’s still wearing his coat, so Steve gets up to help him take it off. And, no, Bucky, it isn’t just an excuse to get to touch the pretty omega. He’s being helpful. Bucky should try it some time. Tony smiles at him, sweet and lovely, as Steve slides his jacket off his shoulders, and Steve feels his heart skip a beat. After hearing Tony’s four hour rant on the inherent unfairness in how omegas are treated in this town, he no longer has any concern about associating with Tony—after all, nothing will change if they all just keep going along with the status quo—but he still hasn’t made a move to act on what he’s pretty sure is a mutual attraction. It just hasn’t felt like the right moment.

”My knight in shining armor,” Tony teases while Steve takes the jacket into the attached bathroom where Natasha has a space heater going. Rhodey clears his throat loudly, and Tony rolls his eyes. “Fine. I mean, thank you.”

No idea what that’s about.

“What are we playing tonight, boss lady?” Rhodey asks, dropping onto the floor next to Sam. Tony takes the empty seat on the free bed—left unclaimed when Natasha’s roommate decided college wasn’t for her after all—next to Steve. He curls up as close to Steve as he can get, feeling like a wall of fire against his side. Steve shifts, lifting his arm up for Tony to get even closer if he wants—which he does since he takes the invitation—and puts his arm back around his shoulders.

”Truth or dare,” Natasha declares.

Sam groans. “We’re not in middle school, Tasha.”

She scoffs, “We go home for the summer in the morning. This is my last opportunity to get blackmail material on you so I can make you come visit me. If I have to be left alone with Yelena all summer, I’m going to kill someone. Possibly Yelena.”

Considering how much Natasha talks about missing her sister, Steve doubts that that’s a real threat, but in the interest of peacekeeping, he says, “I like truth or dare.”

”That’s because you have bad taste,” Bucky says. Natasha glares at him, and he hastily revises his answer. “I mean—uh—you have great taste! Obviously.”

”Nice save,” Natasha says dryly.

Tony leans over and murmurs, “Someone’s sleeping in the spare bed tonight,” into Steve’s ear. Steve snickers, drawing Natasha’s glare on both of them. Tony holds up his hands in conciliation. “I would just like to point out that I like truth or dare.”

”Yeah, that’s because you have no shame,” Rhodey points out.

Tony shrugs. “Guilty.”

“You’re going to pick dare every time.”

“Still guilty.”

“And if you don’t get one that lets you run naked through the quad, you’re going to light something on fire. Don’t think I don’t remember that game last year.”

Tony considers it and then shrugs again. “Guilty of that too.”

“You lit something on fire?” Steve asks incredulously.

”I light lots of things on fire. I’m an engineer. Keep up, Steven.”

“Ooh first named,” Bucky taunts. Steve takes one of the pillows from the bed and throws it at him.

Somehow, in all of the hullabaloo, they forget to set down rules for the game, which is good because just like Tony enjoys doing all dares, Steve only wants to answer truth. And for reasons that he’s never figured out, it’s acceptable to pick dare every time but not truth. For the most part, no one really notices—except for Natasha, but she doesn’t miss a trick. Ever. And when Tony and Rhodey start commenting about heading home so they don’t get locked out of their dorm, she talks them into one more round and then turns to Steve with an evil look in her eyes.

”Truth or dare, Steve?” she asks.

“Truth,” he says, certain she’s going to call him out on it. But betrayal comes from somewhere else entirely.

“Hey, you can’t keep picking truth!” Bucky protests. “You’ve done that all night!”

”That wasn’t in the rules,” Steve argues.

”You have to do it at least once,” Natasha wheedles. “You’re the most boring person alive—”

”Hey!”

”I don’t have any blackmail material at all.”

”Okay, let’s not insult Steve’s character,” Tony cuts in, and Steve is about to thank him but then Tony turns to him with that sparkle in his eyes that spells trouble for everyone around. “Just one dare? Please? To tide us over until we get back from summer?”

He sighs. He can’t say no to those big eyes. “Alright. One dare.”

Natasha pumps her fist triumphantly and then, so quickly that she had to have been planning this one for a while, she says, “I dare you to kiss Tony.”

“What?” he squawks.

”You heard me,” she repeats. Definitely evil. “I dare you to kiss Tony.”

Tony chuckles nervously. “Alright, we don’t need to make Steve do something he doesn’t want to do.”

And that’s just—no. Something he doesn’t want to do? Where would Tony even get that idea from? Kissing him is pretty much the only thing he ever wants to do.

Without thinking about it, without letting himself worry about ruining their friendship or if Tony’s protest was really him saying he doesn’t want to kiss Steve or the consequences if they get caught, Steve kisses him. Hand cupping Tony’s cheek, beard soft against his palm, swallowing the soft gasp Tony makes. It’s a good kiss. Fuck, it’s a great kiss. Easily the best one Steve has ever had (not that he’s had that many).

He pulls back only because he has to breathe, not out of any real desire to stop. He’s dimly aware that their friends are applauding them in the background, but he’s too busy drowning in Tony’s dark eyes to care what they’re doing.

”Oh,” Tony breathes, and Steve feels the exact same way.

[novelmonger]

I don't think I know what you're talking about. What is the true ending of Endgame? 😃😃😃

Okay, the short version is: Go read my fic Let This One Remain and @rainintheevening's fic To the End...of Infinity

Or maybe that's the long version, because it'll take you a while to read all of that. Anyway, here is my non-story explanation:

Everything in Endgame stays exactly the same, we just didn't get to see what happens in the next five minutes after the end.

See, when Steve takes the Infinity Stones back in time to put them back, he can't deny that he's tempted to go back to some earlier, "easier" time in his life and just...stay there. He's tired, and he deserves a break. But that would mean leaving behind so many loved ones he has in the 21st century. Bucky. Sam. Sharon. All of the Avengers who are left, all of the friends he's made. And he's not the same man who went into the ice. The years have changed him, and he no longer fits in 1945. He no longer fits with Peggy.

But there's still someone who would fit into that old life. So he goes back to talk to himself in the bombed-out bar in London, right after Bucky fell from the train. He tells his former self that Bucky is still alive, that he can't give up, that he's going to crash a plane but will survive, so he needs to give someone his coordinates so they can find him. So he can find Bucky.

Then Steve goes back to the 21st century. The same Steve we know from the movies, going back to where he belongs. Meanwhile, in the other timeline, the other Steve follows his suggestion, is found alive in the Arctic much sooner, and is able to go rescue Bucky before he can be fully turned into the Winter Soldier. They all go home, Steve marries Peggy, and that's who we see dancing at the end of the movie.

Then, towards the end of his life, the alternate Steve gets another visit from his time-traveling self, who gives him a copy of the time-travel watch and asks him to come briefly to the 21st century to give the shield to Sam. So he does, and that's the old Steve we see in the movie.

The scene happens just as we see in the movie, with Bucky and Sam thinking this is their Steve who's come back to them at the end of his life. But right after the movie cuts out, the original Steve, the one we've come to know over the past ten years, steps out from the trees and is like, "Fooled ya, didn't we?" Then they thank the old Steve and send him back to his family in his own time. And the original Steve stays in the 21st century with his friends. He retires as Captain America, letting Sam take up the shield, and marries Sharon and finds other ways to help the world heal - as well as himself.

The End ^_^

This fix-it is something @sergeanttomycaptain and I came up with literally within an hour of seeing Endgame for the first time, proving that we're better writers than whoever thought that was the right way to end Steve's storyline ;)

[exbex]

🥃 (date night/drinks) for the sambucky prompt game if you feel like it ☺️

I cheated and poached from a probably abandoned WIP, but it fits the prompt. There is smut and a very brief, vague mention of past trauma after the toast, so feel free to stop after that point if you’d like; the story can end at their toast.

They decide against a fancy date for Valentine’s Day. Too much attention on them, potentially, for this early in their relationship, and also, Sam points out, some businesses use it as an excuse to raise prices. It turns out to be the right call-they have an exhausting mission for three days, and by the time they return, Sam just wants to get into his sweats, eat pizza and “those cookies from the bakery, you know the one.” Bucky grabs a shower while Sam sets up a picnic in front of the sofa. Bucky raises an eyebrow when he re-enters the living room to find Sam choosing a Cabernet Sauvignon. “I didn’t know wine went with pizza and cookies.”

“That’s because you’re a philistine,” Sam jokes. “I put the orders in, can you listen for the door.”

“Absolutely.”

Bucky tips the delivery driver and pours the wine before choosing the movie. Sam comes out in sweats and a long-sleeved t-shirt. He kisses Bucky’s cheek and sits down, serving himself some pizza before picking up his glass. “A toast,” he says.

Bucky picks up his own glass and looks at Sam.

“To coming home.”

“To coming home.”

They make quick work of the pizza and cookies, and finish the bottle of wine. Bucky feels sleepy and content with Sam curled up next to him. He’s close to nodding off when he feels Sam shift away from. Bucky opens his eyes. “I can clean up Sam.”

Sam stops and straightens from picking up the wine glasses. “There’s not much. I was going to clean up and then go blow off some steam.”

“You’re going to work out? Now?”

“No, I have a new toy. Well, I’ve had it for while, but I’ve only used it a couple of times.”

“Oh.”

“Unless you want to make out. Or watch. Or…something else.”

“All of the above? Maybe?”

“Sure. Let’s just clean up and then…see what happens.”

Sam’s kisses and touches are hungry, not the slow, content making out is his usual. It piques Bucky’s interest, and his curiosity even more. Sam pulls away slowly. “Sit down, enjoy the show.”

Bucky sits on the end of the bed, eyes locked on Sam, who pulls his shirt over his head and puts it aside, then hooks his thumb into the waistband of his sweats, pulling them down so he can step out of them.

“I think this is my favorite show ever.”

“I’m just getting started.” Sam gets some lube off of the bedside table. He squeezes some into his left hand and sets the tube down, then starts to work himself open.

Bucky is no longer sleepy as he watches Sam eventually add a second, then a third finger. He picks up a toy that was sitting on the bedside table. It’s narrow, as far as butt plugs go, and has a tube that connects to a bulb. Bucky watches, curious, as Sam inserts the plug, then takes the bulb in his left hand and begins to stroke his cock with his right.

“Is that…is that going to inflate inside you?”

Sam looks at him, then freezes. “Yeah. I didn’t consider…”

“It’s fine. I want to watch. I don’t have any, you know, trauma related to inflatable things.” It’s possibly the strangest sentence he’s ever said, Bucky figures, but Sam just nods and starts to stroke himself again.

Bucky can feel his cock getting hard. He’s not sure if he wants an inflatable butt plug of his own or if he wants to be inside of Sam. Probably both, he figures. He starts to push his sweats down to get some relief.

Sam looks at him and bites his lower lip. They make eye contact and Bucky rubs a hand across his face, chuckling. “Uhh…”

“Do you want to?”

“I…I might be bad at it.” Good job Barnes, Bucky thinks. Real smooth.

“It doesn’t have to be great.” Sam shrugs. “I’ll tell you if it feels good. And we’ll stop, if we need to.”

“Okay.” Bucky kicks off his sweats and pulls off his t-shirt, tossing them aside as he walks to the bedside table to grab a condom. His erection flags but he’s soon at attention again as he hears Sam moan.

Sam carefully removes the plug as Bucky puts on the condom and applies some lube.

“Put some more on your fingers, open me up real slow,” Sam says. “Get a, well, get a feel for the process.”

Sam’s ass is a sight to behold. Bucky wonders how long he’ll last as he puts some lube on his fingers.

Sam moans as Bucky inserts a finger, then another.

Bucky has one hand on his cock, and the little whine that Sam lets out as he removes the fingers of his other hand is almost enough to end things. Bucky guides his cock inside, going as slowly as he can. He means to look up, see if he can get a sense of Sam’s expression, but he can’t tear his eyes away from the sight of his cock pumping in and out of Sam.

“Oh Sammy…” he’d be embarrassed about the whine that escapes him but the pleasure comes over him so quickly that it’s all he can do to keep his pace steady, trying to make it good for Sam.

Sam is thrusting into his own hand, his face going slack in pleasure. “Buck,” he moans, his back arching.

Bucky isn’t sure if it’s the way it feels, fucking Sam, or if it’s the way Sam looks, beautiful and free from anything resembling hurt or way, but he’s soon following.

**

“I like it here,” Bucky murmurs as he rests his head on Sam’s chest.

“In bed? Or on my pecs?” Sam’s voice is low and slow, like honey on warm bread.

“Yes,” Bucky replies. “And you know, in this century.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The food is really good.”

“Asshole,” but Sam laughs, and Bucky adds it to his list of things he loves about the 21st century.

[captainwidowspring]

Zemo's plan seemed to hinge upon a few things happening:

Captain America recruits allies and tells them about the HYDRA base

Something happening where said allies, but not Steve or Bucky, get captured and are in a position for Tony to coax it out of them later, and Tony comes alone because everyone else on his side is either injured or has to leave for one reason or another. In other words, he depended on the airport battle to go down exactly as it unfolds in the movie.

Which makes one wonder, what would he have done differently if something went different in the airport battle? Say, a situation like:

A) Everyone on Team Cap gets away, and thus when Tony finds out that Bucky was set up, he has no way of knowing where to go. Meanwhile, Steve's arriving at the HYDRA base with a full Avengers team. (Perhaps in these circumstances, Zemo would just unleash the Winter Soldiers instead of killing them before Team Cap arrives; it's also possible that in these circumstances, T'Challa would give Tony a ride / Tony would just track Team Cap down through trackers on the Quinjet or maybe Falcon's drone Redwing)

B) Everyone on Team Cap gets away, and no one on Team Iron Man is injured or left disillusioned, resulting in Cap storming the base with a full Avengers team, with Tony bringing another Avengers team shortly behind them because of them following the Quinjet in T'Challa's plane.

C) Everything in the airport battle is the same, but Vision shoots down Tony instead of Rhodey at the end. This would definitely screw Zemo's plans over since Rhodey's not going to lash out in response to the video. (I imagine that Rhodey would blame himself for Tony's injuries since he was the one who ordered Vision to fire on Sam, and would also show disgust and disapproval for the conditions Team Cap's captured members are being held in that he, Natasha and Vision would tell Ross, "You can't treat them like this. It's illegal, [especially the way you're treating Wanda]" and when Ross refuses to listen to them, the three of them break Team Cap out and they all go to Siberia.) Maybe in these circumstances Zemo doesn't play the video, or maybe he just emails the video to Tony?

I think these alternate scenarios provide a clear demonstration of how dependent Zemo's plan was on events playing out exactly as they did, and how easily it could fail.

A) I don't think Civil War ever actually establishes how T'Challa knew to go to Siberia. Official sources didn't know where Steve and Bucky went, after all, and while it's pretty unbelievable that Sam would tell Tony where Steve and Bucky were going, especially after he shot him out of anger, he definitely wouldn't give their whereabouts to a complete stranger, one who tried to kill Bucky multiple times, no less. Honestly, the only somewhat reasonable explanation I can think of is that Tony told him where to go, so if Tony didn't know where to go, T'Challa certainly wouldn't either.

But while Age of Ultron established that the Quinjet is very hard to track, so he probably wouldn't find them that way, I do think it's believable that Tony could track them down through Redwing. John Walker was able to do it, after all. And this would actually be quite beneficial for Sam, for it would alert him that such a thing was possible, and inspire him to do something about the trackers. Considering that Peter and Ned were able to overcome the trackers in Peter's suit in Homecoming, Sam would doubtlessly be able to do the same with Redwing.

But regarding Zemo, his plan would be quite ruined in that case. For one thing, the supersoldiers probably wouldn't do much for him. Even if he held off on killing them so that he was able to unleash them on Team Cap when they arrived, Steve, Bucky, and Wanda alone would probably be able to take them, so with Clint and Scott and Sam (and Redwing) also there, the team would likely be able to defeat the supersoldiers without much trouble.

And for another, Zemo no longer has the necessary setup for his plan to be successful. His plan required only Tony, Steve, and Bucky to be present: and indeed, the movie even helped Zemo with this by having him randomly leave the bunker instead of admiring the success of his plan, so that when T'Challa came after him he would not interfere with or distract from Tony's fight. But all of Team Cap being there would rob Tony of the opportunity to attack Bucky. If Zemo simply showed everyone the video, assuming Tony even saw it in the first place (Zemo had it pulled up on a small screen, and it would be hard to fit seven people around that screen), Tony certainly wouldn't be able to do anything to Bucky with so many other people there to restrain him. And even if it came to pass that Zemo showed the video and then unleashed the supersoldiers and Tony still sought to kill Bucky, Wanda or Clint could damage his suit (and then Wanda could throw him somewhere where he wouldn't be in immediate danger from the supersoldiers), and then they could focus their attention on the supersoldiers, and again without too much trouble dispatch them. And even if for some reason T'Challa never found out that Bucky was framed and attacked along with Tony and the supersoldiers, Wanda could probably restrain him and tell him the truth about the situation after dealing with Tony, while everyone else dealt with the supersoldiers. So Zemo's plan could be pretty easily overcome in any case.

B) Everyone from both teams showing up would be even worse for Zemo. The originally intended ending for Civil War is actually very similar to this; the Avengers were meant to reunite and fight against the supersoldiers. But even if the best-case scenario for Zemo came to pass under these circumstances (Tony, T'Challa, and the supersoldiers attacking at the same time), since such a thing could be fairly well dealt with by Team Cap alone, it definitely would not succeed with the addition of Rhodey, Natasha, and Vision. Either way, however, everyone showing up would cause Zemo's plan to backfire spectacularly. Ostensibly his goal was to break up the Avengers, even though his plan, successfully executed though it was, did next to nothing to accomplish that. But while Zemo was lucky enough that the execution of his plan happened to catch the Avengers at a time when Tony had caused a rift in the team, unleashing the supersoldiers with everyone present would cause them to reassemble to deal with the threat (plus Tony and/or T'Challa if they needed to), as well as emphasizing just how harmful the Accords were, and then Zemo's plan would have accomplished the exact opposite of its intended effect and brought them back together.

C) Zemo would definitely be quite screwed if it had been Tony who was shot down. And I do think that that is how events would play out in such a scenario.

And it was actually stated in the audio commentary that Zemo would probably e-mail Tony the video if things didn't work out for him. But here's the thing about that. A large part of the movie’s defense of Tony’s homicidal outburst rested on the assumption that asking him to not attempt murder while standing next to the person who was forced to kill his parents, after he had to watch a video of their death (limited and suspicious as it was), was too much, even though there are many other, better ways he could have dealt with such a revelation. And presumably Zemo went through all the efforts of his ridiculous plan so that he could create such favorable circumstances for an attack; because Tony was already armed and Bucky was right there, and Steve was the only other person present, Tony didn’t really have to stop and think before beginning his assault. However, Zemo e-mailing Tony the video would introduce three main complications:

Zemo’s plan should not have succeeded as it was, but Zemo just randomly e-mailing the video to Tony would introduce a lot more opportunities for failure. First of all, since Tony would most likely not be wearing his suit while checking his e-mail, deciding to try to kill Bucky might not be his first resort. Or if it was, and Bucky was present or in close proximity when Tony saw the e-mail, Tony might just immediately start attacking him even though Bucky could easily fend him off, if we are to assume that the video will inevitably inspire Tony to fly into a blind murderous rage so intense he cannot control it. Or he might try to summon his suit to him, but this would give Bucky the opportunity to break the pieces before they reached him if Bucky was in the room, or hear the pieces being summoned and be warned if he was not. If, meanwhile, Bucky was not in the same location as Tony when he saw the e-mail, Tony might have time to calm down before he ever got the chance to launch an attack on Bucky. And even if he immediately resolved to don the Iron Man suit and he knew where Bucky was and went there, there would be a pretty good chance that someone would notice his sudden intention to attack, and then find out what he intended, and talk him down. And even if the attempts to talk him down failed and he still went after Bucky, whoever tried to talk him down would be able to send out a warning, so that Bucky could move if Tony knew his current location. FRIDAY might also be able to do these things if Tony managed to put on his suit and slip away undetected. And even if Tony was able to find Bucky and attack, Zemo could not guarantee that Bucky would be alone, and not in company that could easily put Tony's attack down. So it is exceedingly likely that Zemo would not get what he wanted in that case.

If Tony did end up attacking Bucky because of the e-mail, this would be a much darker stain on his character. I mean, even in the canon scene it's pretty clear from how Tony ignores Steve's attempts to reason with and stop him that he was pointedly trying to kill Bucky and not just having an emotional overreaction moment. But first of all, it would make the fact that Tony’s first thought on seeing the video was to try to kill Bucky more shameful. Part of the movie’s defense of Tony’s homicidal outburst was that Tony was already in a stressful situation, so he didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with more stress (although if that was true, he should not have been wearing the suit to begin with). However, it is very unlikely that Tony would be checking his e-mail in the middle of a stressful situation: so in that case, there would be no reason why he should not have the time and the headspace to think about the situation and/or talk about it with someone (and reflect on the fact that Bucky had no choice in the matter), making his explosion into violence much less defensible. Also, it's rather unlikely that Tony would be wearing the Iron Man suit while checking his e-mail: so having him put on the Iron Man suit with the direct intention of assaulting Bucky would both make him look even more thoughtless than the canon attack does, and it would further emphasize the fact that the attack was a conscious choice. Then the heinousness of what he was doing would be harder to overlook.

If Zemo was nonetheless confident that sending Tony an e-mail would cause him to attack Bucky, this introduces the question of why Zemo didn't just send the e-mail to begin with instead of constructing a whole elaborate plan that could have gone awry at any moment.

So yeah. Imagining such alternate scenarios makes it very clear just how dependent upon perfect conditions Zemo's nonsensical plan is, and how easily altering events even slightly can cause it to fail.