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veltana · 6 days ago

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The winter rebound

✦ Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Fem!Reader

✦ Word count: ~3,6k

✦ Rating: Explicit

✦ Warnings/tags: Avengers!Bucky, alcohol consumption, fluff, pwp, smut, oral (fem receiving), piv sex, safe sex, dirty talk.

✦ Summary: You go with your friend to Stark's holiday party

✦ Note: This was the first thing I wrote and published when I got back into the marvel fandom, so it's a super self-indulgent piece! But I hope you like it anyway! As always, please comment and/or reblog! Asks are always welcome!

Masterlist | AO3

It was Friday. You watched yourself in the mirror and told yourself that you would have fun tonight. Forget about your ex of five years who broke off your engagement a month before the holidays, whom you had spent the last three weeks crying over.

Tonight you were accompanying your best friend to the annual Stark holiday party, and you would not think about him once during the night, while you danced and drank yourself into a stupor.

Standing outside the huge compound made you anxious. Maybe it was too soon to meet the real world without him. No! Don’t think about that asshole! You cut yourself off before your thoughts started to spiral.

“Come on!” your friend Lily laughed. Her genuine smile was contagious and you returned it, squaring your shoulders and forcing every dumb thought down before you took her arm as the two of you made your way down the gold and red carpet. At the end, two large glass doors were opened by life-sized mechanical nutcrackers.

“I sure hope those don’t spring to life and ruin this party too,” you mumbled. Lily giggled, “Don’t worry, I helped with the software, unless Mr. Stark went a completely different direction there should be no worries.” “So there is a possibility,” you joked as the doors closed behind you.

If she answered you didn’t hear because you were too busy taking in the amazing winter-themed party. The waiters were also dressed as nutcrackers and there were dancers in amazing outfits performing all over the floor. Music played in the background and some were moving to the beat while others stood around and talked.

Honestly, you had expected more people, like at least two hundred but there were only about fifty in the huge hall. Not only the regular people, like your friend, who helped with software, hardware, management, and the day-to-day running's of the compound, but it was impossible not to notice the heroes also in attendance.

Not all of them were there, no sign of Thor or Loki, or the Guardians, but this was your first time so close to any hero ever, you would take what you could get.

“Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone,” Lily said and started to pull you along while you gazed at the shifting decorations adorning the walls, obvious to the blue eyes that followed you with interest from the bar.

Too many names spun through your brain, accompanied by the alcohol your friend had been plying you with.

Everyone you had met so far had been incredibly nice and friendly and hadn’t minded when you asked all the dumb questions about working at such a place.

Finally, it came down to the big event, meeting Mr. Stark and maybe the rest of the Avengers currently there.

Lily stepped up to her boss and greeted him and Pepper Potts like they were friends rather than her superiors and then introduced you. Not a lot of people got to shake hands with Iron Man and Pepper Potts but now you had, and it was totally normal.

“Interesting hair color,” Tony Stark pointed out. “Is it meant to look like that?” It was such an old man thing to say you could only laugh as Pepper elbowed him in the ribs. “I am sorry,” Pepper apologized but you waved it off.

“He is paying for everything I drink, so if he wants to make fun of my hair, it’s fine.” Pepper gave you a relieved look and was about to say something else when a voice interrupted.

“It looks like the Aurora Borealis.”

Bucky Barnes had appeared out of nowhere, like the skilled assassin he had been trained to be. It was like he had materialized out of thin air at your side and you jumped when he spoke.

Before you knew what you were doing, you reached out, slapping your palm against his hard chest, and said “For fuck’s sake,” while your other hand rested over the heart trying to work its way out of your chest.

Then you realized what you’d done and pulled back your hand quickly, covering your mouth. Bucky stared back at you, mouth slightly open, while Lily and Tony both cackled in amusement. “That’s what you get Barnes,” your friend pointed out.

With a crooked smile, Bucky just said, “How about I buy you a drink to make up for it?” and held out his arm. “As long as it’s crazy expensive since the old man made fun of my hair,” you shot over your shoulder at Tony as you took the offered arm.

Your friend winked at you before she returned to her conversation with Natasha Romanoff, whom you would just have to say hello to some other time.

Bucky led you the short way to the bar and you eased your way on to the chair, making sure not to get tangled in your long dress, as Bucky leaned over the bar and asked for the most expensive champagne they had.

“I’m Bucky,” he said. “I know,” you smiled at him before introducing yourself too.

In no time there were two flutes in front of you, he offered you one, saying cheers before you took the first sip. The unabashed moan that left you wasn’t meant to be sexual but Bucky stopped his glass halfway to his lips to just stare at you. It cracked you up, “Sorry,” you said, “I’ve never tasted champagne this good before.” He also took a sip, his eyes widening a little, and when he’d swallowed all he said was, “Wow.” “I could get used to this,” you took another mouth and closed your eyes.

When you opened them again you found him looking at you and it made a shiver go down your spine. For the first time in a long time, you felt desire pool in your lower belly. “Will this make up for Stark’s comment?” he asked. “It will absolutely!” you promised. “I think your hair looks great and I’m like twice his age so…” he trailed off.

“My friend, Lily, has told me about these crazy old super soldiers, but you look spry for your age,” you winked at him. “You can only imagine,” he flirted back, and your cheeks heated. You had forgotten about this, about the utter intoxication of flirting with a man and having it returned to you.

After several weeks of drought, your body suddenly knew what arousal was again and flooded you with it, making your heart beat twice as fast and your skin flush. “Oh, you want me to think of everything you can do?” you asked with a raised eyebrow. “Anything you want, doll,” he leaned forward, “But I’m sure your imagination won’t hold a candle to the real thing.” “Are you going to show me?” “If you want to,” he smirked and you felt yourself grow wetter by the second.

You leaned in too, unable to resist him and not wanting to either. You wanted to get lost in him for as long as he would have you. He finished off the rest of his champagne like it was a shot of liquor.

“Come on, I have just the place,” he smiled, holding out his hand. Not even second-guessing yourself for a moment you finished your glass and let him lead you away.

Bucky took you through a side door, into a corridor that led to the heart of the compound which was now deserted, and finally into a large room with a domed ceiling.

It looked like a cinema almost, except the screen was the whole ceiling, and in the middle of the floor was an enormous sofa-like thing that easily fit several people.

After Bucky pressed something on a side panel the room lit up with the Aurora Borealis.

You let go of his hand, staring with huge eyes at the display. Maybe you had misinterpreted his intentions and they were actually pure, not at all the filthy things you had thought this would end up being.

Never had you been happier to be wrong.

This time when he appeared out of nowhere he didn’t scare you, he gripped your waist with the vibranium arm and spun you into his chest, before using his other hand to pinch your chin between his fingers.

“I’m going to kiss you, tell me if I should stop,” he breathed. Instead of answering with words you surged up and crushed your lips against his, wrapping your arms around his neck, and pulling him impossibly closer.

It was almost like he expected you to be timid or something because, for a few seconds, he didn’t move, but then he rushed into action, moving his lips and kissing you like a man starved.

Desire flooded you, making every one of his touches feel like fire even through the fabric of your dress. He moved you backward until your knees hit the oversized sofa, and you laid down.

Bucky’s face was burning with desire as he looked down on you, before he could move or say anything you grabbed your skirt and pulled it up until it bunched around your waist so that you were able to spread your legs without restraint.

The growl erupting from his chest made you smile and you crooked your finger toward him. He knelt between your legs, grabbing your thighs to spread them even more before he leaned down over you to capture your lips again.

The action made the hard cock in his jeans brush against your heated core, making you moan into his mouth.

He pulled back, eyes wild, “Your sounds make me fucking crazy.” he groaned, moving his hands down your naked legs, caressing them and gripping them, like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be rough or gentle.

“Hope so,” you smiled and started to tug at his suit jacket, needing to see his body. He obliged by sitting back and ridding his upper body of clothing. As soon as you could your hands splayed out across the expanse of his naked torso, feeling the hard muscles under the soft skin.

Your eyes grazed over the scars on his left shoulder but didn’t pay it any mind. The man had trauma, that was no secret, but tonight you didn’t need to delve into that. Instead, you sat up, kissing the skin you could reach and licking at his nipple, making him moan most deliciously.

He reached around you to unzip your dress and you whined when you had to move away from him to let him pull it off you. Now you were almost completely naked with the super soldier, except for the thong you wore that did little to hide anything from him, and your heels.

Without another word, he stood up and unbuttoned his pants, peeling them off and kicking off his shoes in the process, before he was back over you. Now it was his turn to taste your skin and when he closed his mouth around a nipple, using his vibranium hand to pinch the other, you released a high-pitched mewl you never heard from yourself before.

That only spurred him on, alternating between sucking and licking at you, squeezing or pinching your sensitive buds. The pleasure was too much, like you would implode or maybe even come from just him playing with your tits. You fisted the fabric under you, pushing your chest even more into him as moans and words tumbled from your lips.

“Bucky, please!” you tried forming a coherent sentence but failed. “What do you need, doll?” he asked, lips shiny with his spit as he looked up at you. “Touch me, make me come, please Bucky,” you didn’t want to wait another second for the pleasure you had missed for a lot longer than the weeks since your break up. This temporary connection with a stranger was already better than what you had experienced over several years.

“Can I taste you?” his voice was husky, filled with restrained want. “Yes!” you smiled and raised yourself on your elbows.

You watched as he kissed his way down your form, pulling off your thong and throwing it away. He grabbed your thighs and spread them wide before letting the thumb of his vibranium hand slowly drag up, separating your folds, groaning, almost whispering “Fuck, your pussy is perfect,” and leaning in to carefully lick up your spread lips. You fell back, staring up at the beautiful display as Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, one of the Avengers, ate you out with perfection.

Every move he made sent sparks through your entire body and pulled cries from you. Your hands tangled in his hair, not pulling or pushing, just needing to anchor yourself on something. Nothing would hold a candle to this for the rest of your life you suspected, because even though you had just met, Bucky Barnes took his sweet time, caressing his hands up and down your sides, down your legs, and back up again, using his tongue and lips to make your body blaze.

Your crescendo built steadily, as did your voice, the closer you got the more you pleaded and begged, even though he was doing exactly what you wanted him to. When two fingers on his right hand breached you with no problem your back bowed, the pleasure rushing through you, and when he crooked them and moved them inside you, it was everything the dam needed to break and the coil inside you snapped.

You screamed his name as the orgasm hit you like a freight train. What was even better was that he worked you through it, coaxing every last drop of pleasure out of you before you had to instead beg him to stop.

"Too much," you whimpered when the uttermost tip of his tongue gently floated across your clit. "No, darling, not enough. A man could get addicted to hearing you scream his name."

You whimpered again, your body rocking with overstimulation at every pass of his tongue. It was wonderful to hear him say those things but you needed more.

"Please tell me you have a condom so you can fuck me," you groaned and that made him stop, staring at you from between your legs before kissing up the side of your thigh to sit back on his heels before he got up. He freed himself from his underwear before he bent down to grab his pants and pulled a condom from a pocket and that gave you a chance to admire him. His cock was hard, glistening, and a lot bigger than what you were previously used to, but that only sparked more excitement in your lower stomach.

"Hands and knees, baby," he smiled and made a twirling motion with his fingers. You wasted no time rolling over, and getting into position. His flesh hand slapped your ass playfully when he knelt behind you and when you moaned he chuckled. "You like that huh?" he asked as the tip of his cock started to press into you.

He was big, you whined and whimpered with every inch he pressed into you. Maybe why he took his time eating you, because he needed you to be as aroused as possible for it to fit. You clawed at the fabric, feeling like you were having an out-of-body experience with how he filled you.

"So good, taking it all," he praised when his hips were finally flush with your ass. Trying to answer him with words was out of the question, instead, you rocked your body, feeling his cock press against everything inside you, giving you the most delicious sensation you probably ever felt.

His hand landed on your ass again and that spurred you on, starting to move a bit faster. "Look at you, fucking yourself on my cock," he sounded a little breathless and you wished you could see him. "Do you like it, darling? Do you like my cock filling you to the brim?"

Fuck, Bucky Barnes had a mouth on him you had not expected. He grabbed your hips and helped you along, starting to fuck you deep and hard, pulling almost all the way out before shoving back in again.

With every move, you cried out in sheer ecstasy. Bucky kept on telling you how good you sounded, he didn't mind at all that you were loud.

The pace was hard but not hurried, he seemed to like taking his time, not rushing through the action just to get to the finish line. But it was driving you mad, it felt like you were at the precipice constantly, ready to tip over but needing something more to do it.

Then he grabbed you around the waist and pulled you up until you were flush against his chest, his pace never stopping. "Hi, sweet thing, enjoying yourself?" he wasn't even winded and you were a panting, whimpering mess, feeling like you were about to lose it.

"Yes, Bucky, please touch me, make me come again." He kissed your shoulder, "My pleasure," was his answer and his left hand descended on your aching clit.

A shudder and a scream passed through you when he started to rub small circles over it. Suddenly you were so close to the edge you could almost taste it, and Bucky knew it too.

"That's right, come on my cock, doll. Can you do that for me? Be good and come for me?" he said between kissing up your neck, moving the arm around your waist up to grab your jaw, and turning your head to the side. The kiss was sloppy but delicious, and with the aid of his fingers and so full of his cock the orgasm took you by full force, making you shake in his grip.

He released your mouth and let the sounds you made fill up the room, pressing his mouth to the side of your head and telling you over and over again how fucking good you felt coming around him.

If he hadn’t held you up, you would have collapsed no doubt, but Bucky had no problem keeping you up as he found his own release, pressing his forehead against your neck and mumbling obscenities, his hips stuttering against your ass.

Now he was breathing heavier, holding you tight against him with both arms, letting his fingers draw random patterns on your skin.

You were in a post-orgasmic haze, only existing in that moment with no past or future, only his warm body, and a sated need. "Gonna need to let you go now, darling," he said in a low voice "Lay down." His arms loosened around you and you braced yourself with your arms and eased yourself down on your side.

Bucky got up, probably to dispose of the condom, before laying down behind you. You hadn't expected him to want to cuddle, but he draped his arm across your side, pulling you flush against him.

"You okay?" he asked in a whisper. "Fan-fucking-tastic," you answered with a small laugh and felt a million times lighter all of a sudden.

After a few minutes of laying there, you felt like you'd been gone from the party long enough, but judging by Bucky’s heavy breathing, he had fallen asleep behind you.

He didn't wake as you gathered your things. When you found the thong, you looked at it, looked over at his gorgeous form laying there, and giggled as you found his pants and stuffed the thong down his pocket.

With the help of some items in your clutch, you patched up your make-up and fixed your hair before slipping out and closing the door behind you.

It was a small miracle that you could find your way back to the party but you did and immediately went to the bar for a drink.

Lily found you minutes later and she just raised an eyebrow, you shrugged and tilted your glass towards hers, clinking them together, and then you both burst out laughing.

Monday rolled around and it was hard to work because you kept getting lost in the memories of Friday night.

His eyes, his scent, his voice as he said those things to you. You squeezed your legs together and stifled a low moan.

Suddenly your phone chimed and pulled you back into the real world. A text from Lily.

[So, Bucky Barnes just came by and asked for your number. I gave it, of course, just so you know!] [Okay? Did he say why he needed it?] [Apparently, you left something(????) here on Friday and he wanted to return it.] [Hmm, okay, thanks!] [What did you leave?!?!?!?] [Don't be so nosey, go back to work!]

Your stomach did a flip when the next message was from an unknown number. It had a picture attached, your thong tangled in his fingers, and the text [You left these.] For a second you imagined him using them as he got himself off. You bit your lips as you responded. [Keep them or throw them away, I have more, don't worry.] even added a little wink-emoji.

[I want to return them, personally. Are you free this afternoon?] His response was quick and very to the point.

A wonderful shudder traveled through you at the thought of seeing him again. You had meant for this to be a one-time thing, something to get you back into the world and learn to exist without your ex but there wasn't any harm in seeing where this could go, and hopefully, you would have a lot more amazing sex on top of it.

[Sure, I get off at five.]

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes smut #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x female reader #bucky imagine #bucky fanfic #bucky fic #bucky smut #veltana writes

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scoonsalicious · 10 months ago

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Chapter 6, Unattached - Pt. 1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Fem!Reader

Summary: When your FWB relationship with your best friend Bucky Barnes turns into something more, you couldn’t be happier. That is, however, until a new Avenger sets her sights on your super soldier and he inadvertently breaks your heart. You take on a mission you might not be prepared for to put some distance between the two of you and open yourself up to past traumas. Too bad the only one who can help you heal is the one person you can no longer trust.

Warnings: (For this part only; see Story Masterlist for general Warnings) Language, angst (Bring on the Pain!), alcohol usage, dumbass Bucky, noncon kissing that becomes con kissing, so..., arguing, jealous!Pocket, posessive!Bucky.

Word Count: 5.4k

Previously On...: After Bucky left you alone in your room, not wanting people to get 'the wrong idea' about the two of you, you came to the horrible conclusion that you were in love with your best friend. What the hell are you going to do about that?

A/N: Wow, okay! So, first off, Chapter 6 is long, and it only has the one part, so don't worry if you go looking for more and the next thing you find is Chapter 7! Second, there's a lot of progress and updates on Unwanted I wanted to share! I am already well into writing Chapter 14, and have planned out the rest of the story. We'll have a total of 25 chapters, plus an epilogue (unless something strikes me creatively that throws the entire thing for a loop, then all bets are off). This beast, as it currently sits, is already 208 Google Docs pages long and just shy of 80k words, so final product is probably going to be novel-length, which just blows my mind. I want to give a special shout out to @mrsbuckybarnes1917 for being my beta and my sounding board; your help and support has been immeasurable!

Thank you to all those who have been reading; if you like what you've read, likes, comments, and reblogs give me life, and I truly appreciate them, and you!

Banner By: The absolutely amazing @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Taglist: (Please let me know if you’d like to be added!) @jmeelee @cazellen @blackhawkfanatic @les-sel @marcswife21 @buckybarnessimpp @mrsbuckybarnes1917 @erelierraceala @hayjat @capswife @itsteambarnes @jupiter-107 @marygoddessofmischief

You stood in front of the doors to the common room, the low thrum of conversation and music filtering out from inside. Taking a deep breath, you tried for the umpteenth time to calm your nerves following your unsettling realization.

You had no idea how to approach this, how to approach Bucky. Do you tell him how you felt, in the hope that he felt the same way? But what if he didn't? Could you risk losing him all together? Or do you just keep on like nothing's changed, happy with what you have together? Would that be enough for you? Could you even be happy in a real relationship?

Why couldn't your mother have just been a decent human being and let you go to school like a normal child so you could have worked through all your awkward issues at the appropriate time, instead of saddling you with years of trauma and isolation that left you an emotionally stunted adult? God, you needed a strong drink and to talk to Nat, preferably in that order. Pushing open the common room door, you stepped inside, surveying the room with one eye out for Bucky, the other out for your friend.

It should have been of no surprise, then, that instead of either, you first spotted Jade Carthage. She was situated on a couch in the center of the room, like a queen on her throne before her court, and nearly every Avenger and agent with a penis was surrounding her, jockeying for her attention, even Clint who, you knew for a fact, loved his wife Laura more than life itself.

Your stomach dropped when, after one of the agents in front of the couch shifted slightly, you saw Bucky sitting immediately to Jade's left. And while it seemed like everyone else was clamoring for Jade to pay attention to them, she only had eyes for him. Jealousy coursed through you as she leaned in close, whispering something into his ear that had him throwing his head back in laughter. It was an entirely unpleasant sensation that you would be happy to never feel again. Especially because you knew you had no real right to feel it in the first place. You may have just realized you were in love with him, but he had made no similar declaration to you.

"Careful, you glare any harder, you're liable to bore a hole straight through him," Natasha said, coming up alongside of you.

"What if I aim for her, instead?" you asked, reaching for the tumbler of alcohol she offered you and taking a sip to distract yourself. It was like she could read your mind.

Nat shrugged. "So long as I'm not the one cleaning up the mess, I say have fun. But what happened to no-strings-attached, friends who happen to fuck?" Nat asked with a smirk. "Don't tell me you've grown strings, Pocket."

You looked away from the scene in front of you. "There might be some growing of string, in theory," you mumbled to her. Nat was the only person you had confided in regarding your arrangement with Bucky. Of course, your friend had been thrilled that there had been something going on between the two of you, but she'd been more concerned about protecting your heart-- was this the safest thing for you to do? You assured her at the time you'd be fine, but now...?

Nat's eyes widened as a grin took over her face. "Honey, that's fantastic!" She leaned in to give you a hug. "I'm so happy for you!" Taking in your forlorn expression, she quickly lost her good humor. "Why do you look like you're about to throw up?"

You cast another glance over at the couch. Jade was tracing her fingers along the golden veins of Bucky's vibranium arm and you felt like snakes were crawling through your stomach. "Because I don't know what the fuck to do about it, Natty," you told her with a sigh. "I've never felt like this before in my entire life and it's fucking terrifying; what if he doesn't feel the same way? Or worse, what if he does and I mess everything up because I'm so fucking damaged inside?"

Natasha looped her arm through yours, leaning into you. "Honey, first of all, you are not damaged. You've been through hell and it left its mark on you, that's true, but you've been so strong. We're House Martell, remember?"

You sniggered, remembering how, when the entire Tower was obsessed with watching Game of Thrones together and picking what houses you'd each belong to, you and Nat had been drawn to the words of the ruling house of Dorne. And also, Pedro Pascal, obviously.

"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," you recited from memory, a reminder that despite the obstacles life had thrown at you, you remained standing, stronger for what you had endured.

"Atta girl," Nat nudged you with her elbow. "And second of all, you don't need to worry about Bucky's feelings. Boy's obviously mad for you. Everyone can see it."

You drew your bottom lip in between your teeth. "I don't know, Nat. He's been acting strange lately. I tried to give him head earlier and he flat out rejected it." Come to think of it, that was exceptionally weird since, in your text exchange, he'd explicitly told you he'd been waiting in your room specifically for the purpose of getting off.

"Huh. That's... not like him." Nat tilted her head and looked over at Bucky, expression curious. "Did he say why?"

"He was real eager to come up here and get in the middle of that, apparently." You waved a hand in the general direction of the couch where Jade's little reverse-harem was still going strong. "I was getting on my knees and everything."

Nat raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"And then he made a really big deal about us coming up here separately. Said he didn't want people getting 'the wrong idea' about us if we arrived together."

Letting go of your arm, Natasha spun to face you, her face a mask of anger. "He said what now?!" she practically shouted, temporarily drawing everyone's attention to you. You looked around sheepishly as you tried to dismiss their stares.

"Nat," you begged in a whisper, "keep it down."

"Okay, okay, sorry." Natasha lowered her voice to a level only you could hear. "I'm sorry, but that's just complete and utter bullshit. Look, I know you guys think you've been in super secret stealth mode about hiding it, but pretty much everyone on the team knows you've been sleeping together. Hell, most of us placed bets on it." You opened your mouth in order to protest but she cut you off.

"If anything, it's weirder if the two of you don't show up to something together, so I don't know what the hell he's thinking."

"I do," you said morosely. "He doesn't want her getting the wrong idea about us."

"Pocket, don't even let your mind go there," Nat said.

"Think about it, Nat; I've been standing here for what, fifteen minutes now? And he hasn't even looked at me. When's the last time that happened?"

Nat's brows creased, her expression clouding over into something immensely sad for you, and you knew she was realizing what you'd already seen. In the last year, you and Bucky had been attached at the hip, nearly physically joined to one another, and if you were apart, your eyes were always scanning the room in search of the other's presence, seeking them out. The fact that he hadn't even looked for you, let alone come to you since you walked in, was telling in its own heartbreaking way.

Nat let out a heavy sigh. "Oh Pocket. Honey, I'm so sorry."

You shook your head, trying to dispel the tears that were threatening to fall from your eyes if you kept down this path. "Don't Natty, please. I can't fall apart, not here."

"Yeah, okay-- you're right. Now is not the time. Come on." Linking her arm through yours once again, she directed you toward the bar where Tony was standing, whiskey in hand. "If anyone can talk you to distraction," she murmured as you approached him, "it's Stark."

You let out a startled laugh and let her guide you toward the man who had already saved you more times than you could count.

"Hey, kiddo; Romanoff." Tony saluted you with his glass and you did your best to smile back at him as you stuffed your emotions down as far as they would go. "What do you think of our new recruit?" he asked Nat.

"I think 'Weasel' would be a better fitting code name for her than 'Vixen,'" Nat replied with a sly smile as she took a sip of wine.

"Ah, saw the security feed, did you?" Tony asked her. Nat nodded.

"Watched it live as it happened. Wasn't going to leave my bestie without eyes on her six." She gave your arm an affectionate squeeze.

Tony hummed and glanced over to the couch. "Wish Cap had been as discerning as you. He refused to watch the feed; said it made him uncomfortable to spy on someone when they didn't know they were being recorded." Natasha rolled her eyes.

"Always the fucking Boy Scout," she murmured.

"So, how did the interview itself go?" you asked Tony, not really sure you wanted to know the answer, but feeling the need to punish yourself with the details, anyway.

Tony leaned back against the bar, resting his elbows on the polished wooden surface. "If it were up to me, we wouldn't even be playing this charade right now," he said, motioning with his chin to indicate the meet and greet. "Girl's a first-class bullshitter."

"Talent recognizing talent?" you asked with a wry smile that almost felt genuine.

He pointed a finger and winked at you. "Exactly. She talked a good talk, but it doesn't take much to see she's suffering from Big Fish, Small Pond Syndrome. She's in for a rude awakening if she thinks she's ready to swim in the ocean with the whales and the sharks."

"So, you're not going to offer her the probationary position?" you asked, hope rising pathetically in your chest. As if you could un-ring the bell.

"Oh, I didn't say that," Tony said as you deflated. "It's not all up to me. Though, given the fact that I personally fund this entire operation, you'd think it really should be, right?" At the look on your face he moved on. "Apologies, I digress. Anyway, Cap thinks it's only fair we offer it to her, seeing as how we don't have a ton of other options knocking on our door, and Fury's not going to get off my ass until we find someone." He sighed. "I think this entire exercise is a waste of time, and we should be kicking her out on her ass for how she treated you earlier, Pocket, but I'm outvoted."

"Thanks, Boss," you said softly, grateful at least that Tony could see through Jade's facade and took how she treated you seriously. Too bad your best friend couldn't offer you the same courtesy.

The timer on Tony's watch went off. "And that's the dinner bell," he said, putting down his glass. Clapping his hands, he called out to the rest of the room. "Attention Avengers, SHIELD Agents, and... whoever else managed to sneak in off the street! Dinner is served, so if we could all head to the dining room before the food gets cold and Raul quits on me, I'd appreciate it very much."

You held back as the crowd of people noisily moved to the dining room, hoping to catch Bucky's eye, but he remained steadfastly absorbed in his conversation with Jade.

"Come on, honey," Nat said as she took your elbow. "You can talk to him during dinner. You nodded and allowed her to lead you into the dining room. You and Bucky had sat next to one another, without fail, for every meal for the last year, the only exception being when one of you was away on a mission. You'd have plenty of opportunities to talk to him while you ate.

Normally, you all ate at one large table, but since this was a special occasion that required the attendance of a lot more than just the regular 13 members of your family (14, if Parker was around), Tony had the dining room arranged more like a restaurant, with a series of smaller tables spread out throughout the space.

You and Nat followed Bucky and Jade to a six-top where Steve and Sam were already getting ready to sit down, but you froze in your tracks when Bucky pulled back a chair for Jade, pushing it in behind her as she sat down before taking the seat next to her.

The air seemed to grow heavy, as though it weighed too much for you to draw it into your lungs and your chest began to hurt. How could such a simple action be causing you so much physical pain?

Steve, who had already been sitting at Bucky's other side at the head of the table, caught your eye and moved to get up to offer you his chair, instead, as though that could make up for Bucky's dismissal of you.

You subtly shook your head, not wanting to draw attention to the awkward situation you found yourself in. Instead, you made your way over to the only two remaining seats at the table: the one next to Sam that was directly across from Jade and Bucky or the one next to Jade at the opposite end of the table from Steve. Deciding it was better to be sitting across from Steve than either of the other two, you opted for the chair at the end, and Nat slid in next to Sam.

You cast a quick glance in Jade's direction and had to stifle a sick laugh-- she was physically coming between you and Bucky, quite literally.

Jade reached a hand out to Nat across the table. "Wow! Black Widow! It is so great to meet you! My name's Vixen; I'm a huge fan! I'm so excited for us to be working together!"

Bless Nat, she just stared at the girl with arms crossed across her chest, impassive and judging, until Jade slowly and awkwardly pulled her hand back.

"I take it, then, that you've deemed the Avengers good enough to be your backup team?" Nat asked without expression.

You did your best to cover the laughter that escaped from you with a fake cough, but you didn't try very hard to be convincing.

"What's this about, now?" Steve asked, leaning forward.

"Little Vixen over here," Nat began, leaning back in her chair until she was perched on the two rear legs, "was live-streaming this morning to her social media followers. Told them it wasn't so much that the Avengers were interviewing her to see if she'd be good for the team, but she was interviewing us to see if we'd be good back up for her."

Jade had the decency to look embarrassed for a moment before she turned to face you for the first time, anger taking over her features. "So, what? Didn't much take you for a tattler. You that intimidated by me?"

You opened your mouth to defend yourself but were interrupted by the sound of the legs of Nat's chair slamming back against the floor. "Pocket didn't tell me shit. I heard it straight from your mouth on the security feed. That and a lot of other interesting things."

"You're spying on her, Nat? Really?" Bucky spoke up. "She's our guest and she deserves a modicum of privacy, don't you think?" You stared at him, open mouthed, but he didn't spare you a glance.

"It was a part of her interview, Barnes," Nat spat. "Maybe if you---"

"Okay, Nat, Bucky," Steve said, using his official Captain America voice, "let's table this conversation for later and just enjoy our meal. Raul worked really hard on tonight's menu, so let's not spoil it for him, alright?"

Both Nat and Bucky grumbled their agreement as the catering staff brought out the first course and placed them on each of your plates. Normally, you loved when Raul, Tony's personal chef, cooked meals for the team; he always made sure to throw in something with lemon in it, knowing how much you loved the flavor; but tonight, your appetite was failing you and you ended up pushing more food around on your plate than you put in your mouth.

You couldn't help but steal glances over at Bucky, who continued to be wrapped in conversation with Jade. You tried to keep up with what the others were saying, occasionally nodding your head in agreement to something, but you weren't able to pay any real attention; your mind was elsewhere until you noticed Jade looking at you.

"You know, I have to say I'm surprised to see so many non-Avengers here. I got the impression that this group was... I dunno, elite? But it seems like you just let anyone in."

Steve laughed from the other end of the table. "Being an Avenger is a team effort, Vixen. Everyone plays their part. And besides, Pocket here's just as much an Avenger as I am." The comment took you by surprise, and you gave Steve a warm, appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Cap," you said, truly touched by his words.

"Well, she's more like Avenger-adjacent," Bucky amended, and all the warmth you'd felt at Steve's compliment vanished in an instant, leaving you feeling cold and hollow. The words shouldn't have stung-- it was how you had referred to yourself hundreds of times, but you tended to reserve it for your low moments, when you were feeling unequal to Earth's mightiest heroes. Hearing the words come out of Bucky's mouth, as if he, too, shared in your belief that you were inferior to the rest of them... well, that fucking hurt.

Steve let out a surprised laugh and clapped Bucky on the shoulder. "Pocket may not have enhanced physical abilities or powers or what have you, but she's got a brilliant mind. She's got a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Computation from MIT, three Master's degrees, she speaks seven languages, she's got a black belt in Krav Maga, and she was the youngest Chief Technology Officer in Stark Industries history; all without ever having formally graduating high school. It's no exaggeration for me to say that I'd be dead a couple of dozen times over if I hadn't had her at my six. If anything, I think it makes her even more important than the rest of us. We're here because of the physical things we can do– primarily because of things that happened to us by accident; Pocket's essential to the team because of how she thinks, and the strength and quality of the work she’s willing to put in. We're replaceable, Pocket's one-of-a-kind."

You looked at Steve as if seeing him for the very first time. You had no idea he thought so highly of you, and his praise warmed you. You offered him a soft smile, your throat tightening with emotion and leaving you unable to express your gratitude. You mouthed a silent thank you instead, hoping that conveyed how much his words meant to you. He winked back at you in acknowledgement.

Bucky glanced back and forth between the two of you, as if analyzing your silent exchange. He coughed awkwardly. "I just meant that we try to keep Pocket away from the really dangerous stuff," he backpedaled, poorly, in your opinion. "Can't risk her getting hurt." He smiled at you, but you just stared back, expression blank, until he looked away in embarrassment. Good. Let him feel an ounce of the discomfort you’d been feeling this entire time.

Small talk resumed around the table, with Sam telling Steve about some new modification he was making to Redwing, and Bucky and Jade back to being locked in their own bubble. You did your best to ignore the little glances and gestures that Jade directed to Bucky, but it felt like your eyes were drawn to them like a magnet every time she touched him. Which seemed to be happening more and more frequently. You couldn't help but notice the way he leaned toward her when she spoke. Did he ever do that when he was talking with you?

"So, Bucky," Jade said eventually, her voice low and flirty as the caterers took away the main course, "handsome super hero like you, you seeing anyone?" Your eyes snapped up to Bucky's face, watching him. Surely he was going to look to you, make eye contact, something to acknowledge what was between you, to make you feel like you were in the same room, hell, on the same fucking planet as him. But he didn't.

"Nope," he said, running his hand over the back of his neck like he always did when he was feeling self conscious or nervous. "Not seeing anyone, though I'm not opposed to the idea." You had been stabbed in the abdomen on a mission once, and that had hurt less than hearing the words that had just come out of Bucky's mouth. It took everything in you to resist getting up from the table and leaving the room at that moment.

"Really, man?" Sam asked from where he sat on the other side of Natasha, his voice hard in disbelief. The atmosphere at your table had shifted. Natasha, Steve, and Sam all stared at Bucky with looks ranging from incredulity to flat out disgust. Bucky either was oblivious to the stares or was doing a great job patently ignoring them.

You couldn't even bring yourself to look at him anymore. It felt like a betrayal, the way his eyes had met Jade's and not yours. How could he sit there and just completely deny you like that? Had you been deluding yourself? Had you just been some kind of fuck toy this entire time?

The caterers brought the next course, a cold raspberry soup. You sat there, staring into space as you mechanically spooned the soup into your mouth, trying your hardest to appreciate the taste, but everything seemed bitter in light of Bucky's attitude, actions, and words.

"Could you hand me the water carafe?" Bucky asked. You looked up to watch Jade hand him the bottle of water. "Thanks, doll," he said, smiling at her.

You dropped your spoon, letting it fall into your nearly empty bowl with a reverberating clang. Your companions at the table stared, eyes wide as their gazes traveled between you and Bucky. In his entire time at the tower, he had never once called another woman 'doll.' It was a moniker he'd specifically reserved for you.

Or, it used to be.

You could tell the exact moment when Bucky realized he'd fucked up. His eyes locked on yours, the color draining from his face. He opened his mouth as if he was going to speak to you, but you'd had enough. Without a word, you pushed back your chair with enough force that it practically tipped over and exited the dining room.

You made it all the way to the elevator before you heard him calling for you.

"Doll! Doll, where are you?" You stabbed repeatedly at the call button, as if it would bring the car to you faster. You could hear his footsteps drawing closer, and you really didn't want to talk to him right now.

Finally, the elevator doors opened and you slid inside, turning to press the 'Close Door' button just as you saw Bucky turn the corner to the elevator bay. You were ready to breathe a sigh of relief at evading him until Bucky's metal hand shot in the diminishing space between the closing doors. You were trapped.

"Doll, didn't you hear me callin' to you?" he asked as he slid into the car with you.

You looked around, as if searching for another person in the car. "I'm sorry, were you talking to me? Should probably be more specific with your pet names, then. A girl’s liable to get confused." You were impressed that the words came out as hard and bitter as you felt inside.

Bucky flinched. "I deserved that."

You leaned forward to press the button for your floor before crossing your arms and glaring at him. "You fucking think?"

"Look, it just slipped out, okay? I didn't mean anything by it. It's not a big thing you needed to storm out over." You rolled your eyes at him, disgusted that that was the only thing he seemed to realize he'd done to offend you all evening. "Pocket, can we just talk about this?"

"Oh, now you want to talk to me?" you asked, jutting out your hip in annoyance. "Seemed like earlier today, you couldn't wait to not be seen with me, or do you no longer care if people get the wrong idea?"

"Alright," Bucky said, slamming his fist against the elevator's emergency stop button. You stumbled as the car came to a grinding halt. Bucky tried to put his hands on you to steady you, but you pushed him away. "What is going on with you today, Pocket?"

"What's going on with me?" you asked him, incredulous. "What's going on with you? You've been an ass to me all night, that is when you weren't acting like I didn't exist."

"How am I being an ass?" he asked, voice rising. "You're the one who couldn't even hold a civil conversation with our guest! It was embarrassing!" You recoiled as if he'd slapped you, backing away from him until your back hit the elevator wall.

"Wow. Okay then." You blinked heavily, telling yourself not to cry. You'd be damned if you showed weakness in front of him now. Bury the emotions, encase them in ice. "Sorry I'm such a fucking embarrassment to you, Sergeant Barnes. Now that I know how you feel, I'll make sure to stay out of your way so you don't have to put up with me." You moved to press the button to restart the elevator, but Bucky grabbed your wrist.

"Don't do this," he growled at you. "Don't hide behind snappy quips so you can shut down and avoid having a real conversation with me." You stared between his eyes and where he held your wrist in his metal grip. It wasn't tight enough to hurt, but it was tight enough to keep you from breaking free.

His gaze softened as he watched you. "I never said I was embarrassed of you, Pocket. I just don't know why you had to be so rude to Jade at dinner tonight."

"Name one thing I did that was rude to her," you challenged.

"Okay," Bucky stuck out a finger as though he were about to count off all your grievous errors. "Let's see... You said... No, that was Nat... You were... okay, Steve said that... You said... No, that was Nat again." He looked up at you sheepishly. "So, maybe you actually didn't say anything during dinner, but not talking to her was still rude."

You scoffed. "You want to talk rude and embarrassing, Bucky? Do you know how embarrassing it was to have everyone staring at me when you pulled out my chair for Jade, or when my own best friend didn't defend me when she had the audacity to call me a fucking tattler? Like I’m some kind of fucking child?" Your voice was rising and you could feel yourself getting swept up in your anger. "How about the pity looks I got when everyone heard you lie about not seeing anyone, or when you called her 'doll'? Or when you told her I was 'Avengers-adjacent'? You think I'm the embarrassing one? You made me feel like an insignificant piece of shit tonight, Barnes. God, if it hadn't been for Steve saying what he said, you would have driven me to tears."

Bucky had been staring down at his boots as you'd been speaking, as though your accusations were too much for him to face head-on, but at the mention of Steve's name, his head snapped up, blue eyes like ice on your face. "Well, if Steve's such a hero, why aren't you fucking him, then?" he asked, voice clipped and bitter.

You yanked your wrist free from his grasp. "Maybe I should start!" you shouted. "At least he's not embarrassed of me and doesn't forget I exist when another pair of tits shows up!"

Bucky's gaze darkened and in an instant, he was on you, caging your body against the elevator wall, a hand on either side of your head. "Don't you even fucking joke about that," he snarled.

You jutted out your chin, refusing to show any sign of weakness, though his actions were beginning to frighten you. "Who says I'm joking? Sounds like a good idea to me; thanks for suggesting it." You moved to duck under his arm, but he grabbed you by the shoulders, pinning you in place.

His breaths were coming hard and fast now, as though he'd just run a marathon. His gaze darted between your eyes and your lips, as though trying to make up his mind about something. In the next instant, his mouth was crashing down on yours, his tongue demanding entry.

You gasped at the sudden intrusion and Bucky took that as his invitation, deepening the kiss with a primal fervor. His hands gripped your waist, pulling you into him. For a moment, you were stunned, unsure of what was happening. But then instincts took over – he was kissing you, really kissing you. Your stomach fluttered and your heart hammered in your chest.

One of your hands ran through his hair, while the other gripped his shoulder for support. His hands had somehow migrated beneath your shirt, thumbs rubbing soothing circles into the bare skin at your sides. You returned his kiss with as much intensity as he gave. But then suddenly, as if waking from a dream, you remembered why you were angry with him. You pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss.

You were both panting, and despite your attempt to put distance between your bodies, Bucky leaned down, resting his forehead against yours as he fought to catch his breath. "Don't," he whispered hoarsely, his voice heavy with an emotion you couldn't quite place. "Don't sleep with Steve."

"You realize how incredibly infuriating you're being right now, don't you?" you asked. "You can't just treat me like that, ignore me all night in favor of someone else, then kiss me and try to tell me who I can or can't sleep with."

"I know, Sweetheart," he said, nuzzling your nose with his, "I know and I'm sorry, but please, promise me: no matter how angry you are with me, don't sleep with Steve. You wanna fuck someone else to piss me off? Go fuck Sam, Thor, Rhodes, hell, even Parker. I'll hate it, but if it's Steve, it'll fucking kill me."

"Your signals are all over the place tonight, Buck," you sighed, letting out an involuntary moan as his lips found the sweet spot on your neck and sucked at your skin. You had to pull away before he turned you into a babbling mess. "If you think you can just kiss me into oblivion and I'll forgive you for everything you've said and done tonight, you better think again, because that's not happening."

Bucky ran both his hands through his hair, sending it pointing every which way. Then he pressed the emergency stop button again, letting the elevator resume its journey. "I know I owe you an explanation, Pocket," he said. "So, can we go to your room and talk? No interruptions, no one else, just you and me, okay?"

You studied him, considering. A part of you was still so angry at him that you didn't want to hear him out, but the part of you that loved him hated the idea of leaving things in a bad place. In your line of work, you never knew when your next goodbye might be your last goodbye.

"Fine," you said, dropping your shoulders with a sigh. "We can talk, I'll hear you out, but I'm not promising forgiveness."

He smiled, his eyes bright once again. "That's all I ask, Sweets. That's all I ask."

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#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x you #bucky x reader #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky x female reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fanfiction #james bucky buchanan barnes #james buchanan barnes #mcu bucky barnes #james barnes

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rogerswifesblog · 1 year ago

Note

If you still take requests for the drabbles:

„I think I want to marry you“ Steve Rogers and reader, fluff please

Hi! Thank you for this request (that was in my inbox for what feels like years😅) but I finally found some more motivation to check out all the requests:) from now on I’ll try to choose a request from my inbox at least once a week to write and post! There’s a lot but I don’t mind if you send new ones. I won’t write it chronological, I’ll just write whatever I’ll be in the mood for:)

My Masterlist

Proposal pie

Warnings: none?

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader

Summary: they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right?

You walked into the kitchen, in the hopes it’d be empty since you really wanted to cook something instead of ordering take out. Again.

Since you became an avenger you’ve noticed how little time you had to cook proper meals, especially when you had to go from one mission to another.

But finally you had three days off, unless there’d be a life and world threatening villain terrorizing the city.

After buying some groceries you came back to a mostly empty compound. From what FRIDAY had told you Tony was in the lab, Clint and Nat training and Steve was jogging with Bucky.

You’ve decided on a very simple dish, spaghetti with meatballs, knowing it was Steve’s favorite dish. Even though he hadn’t told you this you had noticed the ungodly amount of orders at the italian restaurant a couple blocks away, always ordering some kinds of pasta.

Maybe he’d like your dish, too, you hoped.

“FRIDAY, please turn on my playlist for good mood”, you said before getting busy with preparing the food, not even noticing when Steve and Bucky walked past the kitchen to their rooms to shower.

“God, it smells good”, Steve whispered to Bucky, peeking into the kitchen and noticing how you stirred the sauce, while still shaking your hips to the beat of the music a little bit. A smile crept onto the soldiers lips, which Bucky definitely noticed but didn’t mention. “It definitely smells good. You should go and ask her if you can have some before the rest of the team smells it”, Bucky said, patting him on the shoulder.

Steve felt himself blush before nodding and slowly walking to the kitchen, clearing his throat loudly to get your attention. But the music was too loud.

“Miss, Captain Rogers is trying to get your attention”, said FRIDAY, turning down the volume of the music, making you stop immediately, “oh god…”, you whispered while slowly turning around to face him.

That was embarrassing. Especially considering your crush on him.

“Hi Steve, how was the run?”, you asked, blushing furiously while also trying to look at least somewhat casual. “It was alright…what…what are you cooking? It smells really good”, he asked, looking past your shoulder to the pan.

A smile crept onto your lips when you saw the appetite growing in his eyes. “It’s spaghetti with meatballs…would you like some? You must be hungry after all the running?”, without waiting for his answer you turned around to give him some of the food on a plate.

When you turned back around he was already sitting at the counter with a big smile on his face. “It smells really tasty”, he chuckled, scratching his slightly damp hair from the sweat. “I hope it’ll taste as good…I have a surprise afterwards, too”, you said while placing the plate in front of him.

After he asked for you to join him too, you sat down in front of him. Then he finally tried the first bite, moaning quietly in pleasure. “Fuck, this is good. Wow”, “it sure has to be to make the captain swear”, you chuckled, eating too.

He ate quickly, without talking much, especially since he had been hungry from all the running. Homemade food definitely tasted better than ordered. It was really good. He hadn’t eaten such a good meal in a while.

When he finished eating (while you still had half of your own portion left), you got up and walked over to the already turned off oven, taking out a pie.

“Wait is that-“ “apple pie. Yeah, you’re all America, aren’t you? With the favorite pie being an apple pie?”, you chuckled while cutting two slices and then bringing them to Steve. A blush had crept onto his face at your comment. “What can i say…I could never refuse apple pie”, he laughed quietly while stabbing his fork into the slice, before wrapping his plump lips around the piece.

He inhaled loudly, closing his eyes. “This is…heaven…”, he mumbled, shaking his head slowly. “Oh my god, I had no idea you were such a good cook and baker…I want this forever.” A chuckle escaped your lips as you listened to his words, “I think I want to marry you”, at which you two blushed furiously and looked up at each other.

“Ask me to dinner first, and then a proposal”, you tried to lighten up the mood, not expecting the coming invite to dinner tonight.

Hi! Thank you for reading!!

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Flood my inbox with HC, Drabble/OS ideas or questions! Just whatever you want to leave there! Anons welcome 😋

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sjsmith56 · 17 days ago

Text

Worthy - A Private Man, Chapter 28

Summary: Ten years have passed and Bucky is leading an Avengers mission. An emergency message sends him home to face something he has always feared but accepted as inevitable.

Length: 7.2 K

Characters: Bucky, Tracey, Rebecca and the rest of the family, found and made.

Warnings: Grief of the deepest kind, deathbed scene.

Author’s notes: Final chapter. This was always a story about family and it ends with the understanding that love is what binds a family together, even in the saddest of times. Bibi: grandmother in Swahili, a common language in Sudan. Fields of Gold, words and music by Gordon Matthew Sumner, 1993. Divider by vecteezy.com

<<Chapter 27

June 2035

With hand signals to the squad behind him Bucky got his team in position in a dark shadowy area of the compound, held by rebel soldiers of the army of a Central American republic. The rebels, aligned with the former dictator who lost in a democratic election had taken hostages from the various embassies whose ambassadors had arrived to support the swearing in of the new government. Bucky pressed a button on his comms piece.

"Alpha team in place," he said in barely more than a whisper. "Other teams report."

"Bravo in place," said John Walker, code name U.S. Agent.

"Charlie in position," said Yelena Belova, code name Black Widow.

"Both eyes are in the sky," said Captain America for himself and Falcon. "Hostages are all in the central hall. Read a dozen guards with them. A dozen scattered throughout the main floor, more on the second floor. Secondary barracks one mile away, complement unknown."

"Roger that," replied Bucky. "Stealth mode for initial infiltration. Shang Chi and White Wolf for initial entry, followed by U.S. Agent, Ant Man, Black Widow and Red Guardian. Support teams to follow on my mark, with setup for possible second wave from those barracks. Spider-Man, Wasp, Hawkeye, and Black Panther take second floor, then join the fun on the first when all combatants are neutralized. Confirm." He received the confirmation from everyone. "On my mark, execute. Mark."

Bucky and Shaun approached the outside sentries near their location taking them down silently then entered the building, both of them so stealthy in their approach that the remaining guards near them didn't have a chance to react. The other four did the same, entering the building from their vantage points. Bucky gave the signal for the second-floor teams to enter, then their armed support teams followed, some of them setting up outside to counter any resistance approaching them while the others disarmed and bound the enemy, dragging the unconscious figures to a location out of their way. Finally, the Avengers were in position just outside the central hall, having disarmed everyone except the guards inside with the hostages.

"Someone must have tripped a silent alarm," reported Sam, from above in the night sky. "The barracks has suddenly gone active. You have five minutes, maximum."

"Roger," replied Bucky. "Support teams all to the outside for defence of our position. Extreme force authorized if necessary."

Receiving confirmation from the squad sergeants he returned his attention to the central hall, trying to work out the best way to disable the guards with minimal danger to the hostages. The way the hostages were scattered in various seating arrangements would make it difficult unless they could signal them to all drop to the floor at the same time.

"Hope, Scott?" he said. "Time to shrink. Go to each hostage and tell them to hit the floor when they see the red flare. Sam? You have enough red flares to make it visible inside the central hall?"

"Damn right we do," he replied. "Just give me the signal when everyone has been alerted. We'll set off the flares then provide covering fire from above at the incoming reinforcements."

"Already on it, Buck," said Scott. "Give us a minute. We'll stay on the floor with them, if that's okay with you. We can take out a guard or two when they're distracted by the flare."

"Everyone else, pick a target, disable them then get outside to take on the second wave," ordered Bucky, waiting on Scott's confirmation that the hostages were ready.

"We're ready," said Scott a few moments later.

"Sam, Joaquin, send up the flares."

As the inside of the central hall glowed red all the hostages hit the ground as the guards raised their firearms, looking up through the skylights of the tall atrium. As Scott and Hope resized to normal the rest of the Avengers swarmed the guards disabling them. There were the sounds of gunfire outside as the support teams began taking fire and returning it. Scott and Hope stayed to bind the guards and keep the hostages together, while everyone else took off out of the various exits to take on the incoming troops from the barracks. After a short firefight and some one-on-one battles, they finally subdued the final rebel reinforcements. They had no casualties although three members of the support squad had been hit by gunfire and were receiving treatment from a medic. Bucky walked through the support teams, talking quietly with them, thanking them for their help, staying a little longer with the injured ones, who all made light of their injuries. Only then did he get on his comms to the command base in New York.

"White Wolf to base," he said, his voice audible to all team members.

"Go ahead White Wolf," said Maria's voice.

"Objective achieved," he said. "All hostages safe. Request immediate evacuation. Advise local military they will need several trucks to transport captured rebels. They have some casualties, but I don't have that number yet. We have three injured, none serious."

There was a pause then Rhodes voice came on, just for Bucky's ears. "I'm sending a request for a portal," he said. "Buck, it's Rebecca."

"What's happened?" asked Bucky, switching to privacy mode on his end.

"She's had a stroke," replied Rhodes. "She's comfortable but the doctors said she won't survive. Come back to base, get cleaned up and we'll give you a portal to the hospital. The others can handle the debrief on your behalf. Tracey is with her, and Janice is already on her way there."

A numb feeling filled Bucky's body that must have shown on his face because Sam suddenly landed beside him, his face concerned as he faced his friend.

"It's Rebecca," said Bucky, running a hand through his hair. "I have to go. You do the debriefing."

"Of course," said Sam. "We'll be there as soon as we can. She'll hold on for you Buck. I know it."

Mindlessly Bucky nodded then walked into the portal that suddenly appeared, exiting into the armoury section of the Avengers compound where the weapons master took his weapons from him. Outside the armoury door Rhodes waited then fell into step beside Bucky, telling him that the nursing home had done their usual 11 pm check on Rebecca. When they did the next visual check at midnight she was on the floor beside the bed and transported to hospital immediately. An MRI confirmed it was a massive stroke. Bucky never said a word as Rhodes escorted him to his quarters, then waited outside the door as Bucky stripped down, showered and redressed in less than 5 minutes. When Bucky came out Rhodes stayed with him as they arrived at an open space where he signalled Wong to open a portal to the hospital. Just before Bucky walked into it, he turned to Rhodes.

"Thank you," he said, sincerely. "For everything."

His mouth set in a grim line Rhodes nodded and watched as the man he regarded as the best soldier in the world went through to face a grief they had known would come someday. Didn't make it any easier to handle. For a moment, Rhodes twisted the wedding band on his ring finger. When he asked Janice to marry him eight years before, Rebecca had decided it was time she move to a retirement home. Bucky tried to convince her to move into their home, but she demurred, saying he, Tracey and the kids needed to have their own space. Even though they visited her often and had her stay with them over the holidays it never seemed to be enough time with his sister for Bucky. With a sigh, Rhodes returned to the command centre where Maria gave him a questioning look. He just shook his head.

As Bucky stepped out of the portal in front of the hospital he stopped for a moment and looked up at the imposing building. He didn't trust most medical facilities, with the exception of the birthing centres that welcomed new life. To him, most hospitals were places of pain and death, a remnant of his HYDRA trauma. With a deep breath he stepped inside, registering with the night security station, steeling himself to spend whatever time Rebecca had left with her. He texted Tracey, receiving an answer immediately with Rebecca's room number and went up the elevator, ignoring the looks he was given as the few people around in the pre-dawn hours recognized him. No one spoke to the well-known super soldier, probably because his face was too grim, although one person in a wheelchair caught his eye and smiled, receiving a slight smile back from him. Then he reached the floor where Rebecca was and found Tracey waiting for him. Immediately, he enclosed her in his arms, pressing his face into her neck for some time before pulling away and searching her face.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Waiting for you," she said. "I think she knows. She calls out for Harvey every once in a while and your parents."

He nodded. "The kids?"

"My sister Lena came over. She said she would stay the night."

Looking up at the ceiling then taking a deep but ragged breath Bucky nodded, and they began the walk to Rebecca's room. It was quiet in there, except for the sound of an infusion pump, and the soft beeping of the pulse oximeter that measured Rebecca's heart rate, O2 levels, and respiration rate. She lay on her back with her eyes open but distant. Her skin looked so fragile and pale against the hospital bedding, that he wondered for a moment if her heart was actually pumping blood through her body. Then his sister said his name, in barely a whisper and Bucky stepped forward, taking her hand in his and hovering over her.

"Hey sweetheart," he said softly, before kissing Rebecca on the forehead. "I'm here."

"Sorry," she mumbled, one side of her mouth not working. "Mmm sick."

"I know, don't be sorry," said Bucky, feeling his emotions beginning to bubble up inside him. "You just take it easy. Let them get you better."

"No ... s'time," replied Rebecca. "Waiting ...."

She closed her eyes and for a moment Bucky thought she was gone then she opened her eyes again. "Luv you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," he said. Then he took a shaky breath and began to recite from Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. He knew it by heart after reading it to her, then to his own children. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Her eyes watched him as he said the words, with a single tear dropping from the corner of one of them, then she smiled, closed her eyes and took two more breaths before letting go. As her heart rate drastically slowed down Bucky began to cry and laid his head on her chest, desperate to hear her last heartbeats for himself. Tracey put her hand on his back and rubbed it, crying herself. Janice arrived at that moment, her face falling as she saw the heartbreaking scene in front of her. A nurse entered, saw what was happening and stepped past Janice, turning off the machines, looking up at the time, then stepping out and closing the door behind her.

Bucky's sobs were the loudest sound in the room as he gave in to his grief at losing the last person with a connection to his original life. After some time, his crying slowed down and he raised himself up, reaching out for Tracey and holding her desperately. He then noticed Janice was there and held out his arms for her, standing as she reached him, hugging her and Tracey together. Reaching into his pocket he found a handkerchief, offering it to the two women, who declined it in favour of tissues. He wiped his eyes, while trying to take some cleansing breaths, before speaking.

"She was waiting for me to let her go," he said. "What do we do now?"

"We can stay here as long as we need to," said Tracey. "When you're ready to leave we can call the funeral home and they'll pick her up. She already arranged everything."

"Yeah, she told me," he said. "She wants to be buried with Harvey." He took another shaky breath. "You'll both help me through this?"

Tracey put her hand on his cheek. "Yes, my love, you won't have to do this alone," she replied. "Mom and I will be here for you."

"So will Rhodey," said Janice, warmly. "He'll be coming as soon as the debrief is done, so will Sam and Maria. We'll all be here for you."

"Thank you," he said quietly, then his face crumpled again as he began to cry once more.

Tracey led him to the armchair and sat on his lap, enclosing him in her arms. Janice pulled her phone out and texted Rhodey that Rebecca passed away in Bucky's arms. When his reply asked how Bucky was taking it, she responded with one word. Heartbroken.

After spending the rest of the night at the hospital before finally allowing himself to leave Bucky and Tracey went to their house to break the news to their four children, Sam, Steve, Rebecca and Raina. Rhodes and Janice followed in her car. The oldest two children, Sam, almost 10 and Steve, 8 years old, understood right away that Rebecca died, and began to cry for their Nana. Rebecca, 6, and Raina, almost 4, had a harder time understanding what happened, so Bucky sat in an armchair with them on his lap, breathing deeply to explain death to his daughters.

"Do you remember Alley Cat?" he asked. "When he got sick, and we took him to an animal doctor, but we didn't bring him home?"

"Mommy said he was on the Rainbow Bridge," said Rebecca, "and would stay there waiting for us to be with him someday. Is that where Nana is?"

"Yeah, part of Nana is at the Rainbow Bridge, with Alley Cat," he said patiently. "Her spirit is there but her body was left behind, so we're going to bury Nana in the ground with her husband Harvey. His spirit has been waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for Nana for a long time, so have my parents. They'll all be there waiting for us, when it's our turn to go there."

"I want to go now!" exclaimed Raina. "I want to see Nana."

"No, sweetheart, it's not your turn yet," replied Bucky, kindly. "Until it's your turn you'll have to remember Nana in your dreams and your memories."

"When?" asked Raina.

"I don't know," he answered. "Everybody's time is different."

"Did you cry?" asked Rebecca.

"Yes, I cried very much," said Bucky. "I still feel like crying because I loved Nana very much."

"But she wasn't your mom," said Rebecca. "You never called her Mom."

Bucky looked at Tracey. It was something they had discussed about how to tell the kids about him being older than Nana. They decided to leave it until one of the kids brought it up. Tracey looked at him sympathetically as the timing of this wasn't the best.

"Nana was actually my baby sister," said Bucky. "I'm a lot older than I look because I was kept a prisoner by some bad people. They made me sleep a lot and it meant my body slowed down and didn't get old. Nana wasn't a prisoner, so she got older like everyone else."

Sam and Steve were in front of Bucky looking seriously at him. "Who were you a prisoner of?" asked Steve.

"Some very bad people," said Bucky. "I don't want to say who because I still feel bad about it. They did things to me and turned me into a bad person for a long time."

"One of the kids at school said you were the Winter Soldier," said Sam. "I looked it up on the internet. That was you?"

"That was me," said Bucky, feeling dread at having to explain what he used to be to his son. "I didn't want to be him. I was never given a choice. They changed me and made me obey their orders. Steve Rogers, who your brother is named after was my best friend then, and he helped me get away from them. He took me to Wakanda, and they gave me this arm, which is different than the one the Winter Soldier had. The Wakandans made it so that I would never be the Winter Soldier again and I became an Avenger instead, to do good things in the world instead of bad things."

"So, you're a hero now," said Sam. "Like Uncle Sam, and Uncle Joaquin, and the other Avengers."

"That's what they tell me," answered Bucky. "What do you think I am?"

"My dad," he replied immediately. "You're my dad. You're nice to us, nice to everyone. You're not a bad guy anymore and I told that kid that you weren't. I said you're a good guy and a hero." He started to cry. "You're my hero."

Bucky reached past his daughters and pulled Sam into his arms, trying to hold all three, then Steve as well, when he stuck his head into the mix. Lena, Tracey's sister was trying not to cry but gave up and Tracey had to comfort her.

"Sorry, it's a beautiful moment," said Lena, wiping her eyes.

The kids pulled away then Steve looked up at his dad, puzzled. "Why did we call her Nana?"

"She wanted that," said Bucky, smiling. "She never had any kids of her own and when Sam was born the first thing she told him was that she was Nana. It made her happy."

"She was a good nana," said Sam. "I loved her."

"She loved all of you so much," said Bucky, "as much as me, your mom and Grandma love you. Always remember that."

Once more he drew his children in close, kissing them all on the forehead and telling them each individually that he loved them. They went to Tracey, receiving the same affirmations from her. As Lena made breakfast for the couple, Sam and Maria arrived, with their two children. As much as Bucky and Sam jokingly pretended they didn't like each other it was obvious about the bond between them as Sam held his partner, crying himself for the elderly woman who became his friend.

"She was an incredible woman," he said to Bucky, once he wiped his tears away. "I loved her as much as I loved my own sister."

"She loved you too, Sam," replied Bucky, his stoic façade completely shattered. "I know she left something for you in her will, but you'll find out soon enough. We all will."

"She always was good at playing her cards close to her chest," grinned Sam.

"Bucky, how can we help?" asked Maria, kindly.

He looked to his wife, at her kind smile, feeling an upwelling of love for her, knowing he wouldn't have been able to get through the night without her soft presence.

"Tracey and I have to go to the funeral home," he said. "Even though Rebecca pre-arranged everything they want to go over it with us so we can see what she chose. If you two, Janice and Rhodey could hold the fort here, watch the kids, and deal with anyone who stops by we would appreciate it."

"Sure, it's the least we can do," smiled the dark-haired assistant director of their organization. "When you get back, if you two want to catch up with your sleep we'll still be here."

"We'll call the centre and a few others on our way to the funeral home," said Bucky. "They'll be devastated. If Amina, Samira, or Kalyna come over tell them to wait for us to return. I want to talk to them personally."

With that Tracey and Bucky headed to the funeral home, going over the detailed plans for Rebecca's funeral. Like they expected there were a few surprises in her plans, but the director said he would make the arrangements and make sure it was all set up and coordinated with the right people. A smile crossed Bucky's face when he saw the list of pallbearers that Rebecca chose. Some of those people were going to be so surprised when he asked them. They also stopped at Matt Murdock's office. As the lawyer for Rebecca's estate, they wanted to tell him in person of her passing. The big man hugged both of them for a long time, as Foggy waited his turn.

"Your sister will be very missed," said Matt. "She was one of a kind and one of the kindest people I ever met."

"We'll inform those people who have been named in her will to meet before the funeral," said Foggy.

"She asked that you both be pallbearers," said Bucky. "She trusted you both while she was alive. Now she wants your help to finish her journey."

"It would be our honour," said Matt, looking directly at Bucky's face.

On their return home Joaquin and his wife were there and Bucky informed him and Rhodes that Rebecca wanted them to be her pallbearers. Sam's head jerked up at that moment, wondering why he wasn't named.

"She wanted you to give the eulogy, Sam," replied Bucky. "You're the one to tell her story."

"Surprising me still," said his friend, grinning. "I'll do a good job."

"You always do," smiled the super soldier. "Rhodey, do you still have the former President's phone number?"

"Yeah, we play golf once in a while," replied the Avengers director, then he grinned as he put two and two together. "You're serious ... she wants him?"

"Yup," grinned Bucky back. "The funeral director said the Secret Service can coordinate with him on President Burton's participation. It's going to be a large venue as well, but I don't want to say anything until the final pallbearer gets here."

As they all relaxed in the family room with coffees to stave off the fatigue of the previous night, Bucky looked out the window at the Barnes and Wilson kids playing on the climbing set, a different one from the one bought when young Sam was a baby as it unfortunately didn't hold up to the rough play of two super soldier boys. He began thinking about how much his life had changed from when he first moved in with Rebecca. Originally it had been a familial obligation that he felt was his duty; the older brother obligated to look after his younger sister as amends for not returning from the war, not being there to help his parents transition into old age, or to stand up for his sister when she married.

Very soon after he moved in, they had words, and not very nice ones either. Both of them were angry at the years stolen from them, the birthdays, the anniversaries, any number of important family occasions that never happened because Bucky was kept a prisoner by HYDRA. That was the only time she asked him about being the Winter Soldier, how he mustn't have tried very hard to escape, considering all of his strength and abilities.

"We needed you," she cried. "I had to deal with Dad's dementia and Ma's failing health by myself. Harvey wasn't well and it was too much. I hated you, hated that you weren't there. You were dead and then when I found out you weren't it was like a slap in the face. Why didn't you try harder to get away from those people?"

He almost walked out then, almost turned his back on his sister, but as he got to the door he dropped his head and came back to her, kneeling on the floor in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"I tried many times to leave," he said earnestly. "Without even knowing who I really was, I knew I didn't belong to them. They constantly wiped my memories and told me everyone who had been friends or family had abandoned me, given up searching for me because I didn't matter. Then they told me I did matter to them. To someone with no tether to the past, just brief fragments of faces ...." He caressed her face then. "Your face, Ma's and Dad's, the memories were still there but they had nothing linking them together that said I belonged to them. Even when I did remember a name, or my own name, if they got a whiff of that they did unspeakable things to me. I was beaten, burned, cut open, injected with all sorts of toxins to study how the serum neutralized them. It was constant, Rebecca. They'd wipe me, bring out the soldier and order me to take my punishment for the smallest infraction. To disobey meant even worse punishment. There are still memories of water boarding, of being hung up by my arms bound behind me while they shocked me, of being ... raped."

He broke down crying then and Rebecca bent over him, gathering him as close as she could to herself.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she repeated over and over again, as they both cried in complete and utter despair.

After that it was better, as they each made an effort to be kinder to each other. Rebecca became his anchor to his humanity, reminding him of the times when he was a good son and brother, and when she had her first stroke his decision to become her primary caregiver wasn't done out of obligation, it was done out of love, of wanting to make sure that whatever time they had left would have meaning for both of them.

"You're crying," said Tracey's voice, softly, at that moment and Bucky turned his head to his wife's beautiful face. "You're remembering her, aren't you?"

He put his arm around her and kissed her temple. "Yeah," he murmured. "Just remembering when I first moved in with Rebecca. It was tough at first. We had been apart for so long and there was a lot of unresolved anger between us. I almost walked out the door, but I needed her, deep down my body and my brain knew I needed to be with her. We made up and it was better after that. Then you came into our lives, and it became amazing."

She slid onto his lap, and they held each other, thinking the same thing about how amazing her life became when she met Bucky and Rebecca. They were still sitting like that when Amina Nyok, her husband Irshad, son Kafeel, and daughters, Fiza and Hiba arrived, bearing containers of baking. Immediately the Sudanese woman, who had become good friends to all of them hugged Bucky, as did her husband and children, deciding to fully embrace the closeness of their families and dispense with old customs that forbade them from integrating more into the lives of their American friends.

"I'm so sorry, Bucky," said Amina, trying to keep from crying. "She was my first American friend and my best one at that. I learned so much about being an American from Rebecca and now she's gone."

"Thank you," said Bucky. "She loved you and your whole family so much. You and the others helped her get better and I'll always be in your debt for that." He motioned to Kafeel. "Rebecca has asked that you be a pallbearer for her. It means that you and five others will carry her coffin from the funeral venue to the hearse, then from the hearse to the burial plot. Are you up to it?"

The young man, now 21, and almost as tall and strong in appearance as Bucky nodded. "It would be my honour, Buck," he said. "She was my bibi in every way but blood. I will do her proud."

With all of the pallbearers informed, Bucky finally conceded that he needed to rest and with the encouragement of the others he went up to the bedroom he shared with Tracey, looking out the window for a moment, before he unzipped his pants, took them and his shirt off and got under the covers. Within moments he was asleep.

Five days later, on a warm and humid June day, the funeral for Rebecca Barnes Proctor took place in the large auditorium of the Brooklyn Newcomers Centre, a non-profit organization that helped all immigrants and refugees who entered their doors with English language instruction, job counselling and training, advocacy, and provided a safe place for them to meet and socialize as they acclimated to the different culture of the United States. Early on, those who used their services were encouraged to volunteer their own time, as a means to make friends, and learn firsthand about American life from the people they helped. From the moment the centre became involved with Bucky Barnes and his sister Rebecca, the centre experienced a growth and acceptance into the community unlike anything in its 40-year history. When they agreed to host the funeral for Rebecca it was seen as thanks in return for all that she gave them.

Attending the funeral was a who's who of community, civic, and federal leaders, including representatives from city council, the police department and former President of the United States, Warren S. Burton, who didn't hesitate to accept when he was asked to act as a pallbearer for Rebecca Barnes Proctor. Also in attendance was almost the full complement of Avengers, although some were on call, in case an emergency required their attention, with two of them, Director James Rhodes and Captain Joaquin Torres, code name Falcon, acting as pallbearers. Two other pallbearers, Rebecca's lawyers, Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson, sat proudly next to the other three waiting for their cue to perform their honourable task. The final pallbearer, a senior at NYU taking criminal justice, Kafeel Nyok, arrived and shook hands with the other pallbearers before taking his seat, impressing many with his demeanour at such a young age. Prominent citizens included Pepper Stark, local entrepreneurs Samira Hussain, Kalyna and Bohdan Lyashenko, and many attendees from the larger multicultural community who all had a connection with the elderly woman. The final surprise was the attendance of King M'Baku and Princess Shuri of Wakanda, complete with a guard complement of Dora Milaje.

Before the funeral a meeting with Murdock and Nelson revealed that Rebecca had left significant surprises for the people named in her will. To her nieces and nephews, the children of her brother James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, she left trust accounts for their education of $100,000 each. Bucky interrupted loudly, knowing for a fact that she didn't have that kind of money.

"What did she do, Matt?" he asked, incredulously.

"Remember when she bought back your interest in the house for $1?" asked Matt. "She sold it to another person. Turned out that property was worth a lot of money."

"I don't understand," replied Bucky. "She still lived there until Janice got married. Then she rented it to the Newcomer's Centre as a place for a refugee family to get on their feet. That's what she told me."

"She didn't tell you everything," said Matt. "After she sold the house, the new buyer donated it to the Centre for the same purpose. Rebecca invested the proceeds so that she could do some good with it. If you let me continue to read out the will, you'll find out what she wanted to do with the money."

With a little bit of a huff, Bucky sat back, still puzzled why Rebecca would do this without consulting with him. As Foggy read the rest of her will, he understood more. Foggy read out the list of scholarships that Bucky's sister provided seed money to, money that was matched by two other individuals, whose identity would be kept confidential. There were several; the first one to be named for her, the Rebecca Proctor Scholarship for the children of refugees or immigrants who had used the services of the Newcomer Centre and had, in turn, provided volunteer service as part of the requirements to qualify for funds towards their post-secondary education. Prior to creating that scholarship, she had personally paid for the education of Kafeel Nyok, and his two sisters. The two anonymous individuals paid for the education of Kalyna and Bohdan's children, and the children of Samira Hussain, respectively. Another scholarship, named the George and Winnifred Barnes Scholarship was announced for the children of military veterans, specifically those from the Brooklyn area. Volunteer service was a pre-requisite for the application. The recipients had to be studying in a field that provided support to the community at large. The third scholarship, named for Rebecca's brother, James Buchanan Barnes, was limited to military veterans who required additional funds to complete their education if it had been interrupted by their service, or by injuries suffered during their service. It was meant to supplement the living expenses of veterans who used their military benefits to continue their education. Foggy sat back and looked at everyone when he finished reading that part.

"The following are the final disbursements of the estate of Rebecca Barnes Proctor," he began. "She wanted the people and organization named to know how much she appreciated their help in the last 11 years of her life. To Sam Wilson, she leaves the amount of $250,000. The following are her words. Sam Wilson provided support to my brother and thus to me, at some difficult times in his life. Sam made me laugh when I needed it, provided comfort when I had none to give in return, and never treated me like the old woman I was." He looked at Janice Rhodes next. "To my dear friend, Janice Rhodes. I am so proud of how you reclaimed your life after the trauma of your first marriage. Not only that, but you also became my partner in crime, my best girlfriend, long after those I grew up with had passed away. With your friendship I felt young again. I have donated $100,000 in your name to a women's shelter network in the Brooklyn area that provides support for the transition of women leaving abusive situations. To you, I leave $150,000 as seed money to do with as you please. Live it up, girlfriend!"

Janice smiled. "She was my big sister. It was like we just clicked. I'll do some good with it, I promise."

Foggy nodded and continued. "Rebecca has left the balance of her estate to the Brooklyn Newcomers Centre for their own use in continuing the services they provide to so many. Without their volunteer services at a time that was needed by Rebecca and Bucky she doesn't believe that they would have had a good life."

Then Foggy got up and turned on a TV screen. With a tablet connected to the screen broadcast he began playback of a recording of Rebecca, taken at the nursing home where she lived. Her frail appearance couldn't hide the force of her words, her last words to Bucky and Tracey. She smiled at the person recording her and began talking.

"This recording is for my brother, Bucky and his wife, Tracey but I want everyone at the reading of the will to be present as witnesses. I have already set aside money for your children's education. With having your own settlement any monetary inheritance I could give to you would be redundant, so I decided to do something different. For several years I have worked with a documentary film maker, using photographs of our family, and photos and film footage of you during the war, news footage from before your escape from HYDRA, and since we reunited. The result, narrated by myself as well as various friends of yours is a film documentary about you, Bucky, my big brother. From the first moments I could remember I knew you were my protector. Even though we were separated by quite the gap in years you never made me feel like my presence was unwanted. My childhood memories of you are full of laughter, joy, and the certainty that with you I would have a friend for life. Our forced separation, first by war, then by a crime perpetrated on you by evil, was the stuff of tragedy.

Shakespeare said, "we are such stuff as dreams are made on" and my dream of someday seeing you again was realized when you returned to me. For that I will be eternally grateful to whatever force brought you back. The documentary is almost completed but won't be broadcast or shown in theatres without your permission. So, dear brother, I know you are a private man, but I am asking you to indulge your baby sister one final time and allow it to be shared with the world so that they see what I see and know. You are worthy, Bucky, of everything good that has happened to you. You are worthy of the love of Tracey, a wonderful woman who came into our lives when we needed her the most. You are worthy of the friendship of an organization of heroes, who follow your example on a regular basis. You are worthy of the admiration of people who recognize you for the good man you are, not what you were forced to be. You are worthy to be a father as you have shown such love and patience with your own children that it makes my heart burst with joy when I see you with them. You were always worthy as a son and brother and friend. Don't ever forget that Bucky. I love you with all my heart, and when my time comes know that same love also comes from everyone who is with you on this day."

She smiled and nodded at the person recording, and the screen went dark.

"That is the end of the will reading," announced Matt. "Personally, I felt privileged to know Rebecca Barnes Proctor. She was a force of nature, but one that was gentle, persuasive, and very determined. Thank you for being here today."

Bucky, who was already crying, and not the only one, took the expressions of sympathy and gentle hands on his arms and shoulders as genuine condolences. He sat there for some time after the others left until it was only he and Tracey left.

"What will I do without her?" he asked his wife. "Twelve years with her at the end of her life wasn't enough."

"It never is with the ones we love," she replied. "I knew the first day I showed up at the house how much love there was between you. It's part of what drew me to you. We go on, and we follow her example."

"The day you returned I was in a state," said Bucky. "I was cleaning everything, wanting the house to be perfect for you and in my total dedication to it I forgot it was her anniversary the day before. I remembered when I saw the wedding photograph of Rebecca and Harvey as I was dusting. She accepted my belated Happy Anniversary wish and cried a little. I asked what her and Harvey's secret was, as they were married for 49 years."

"What was it?" asked Tracey, her hands intertwined with her husband's.

"To always be truthful, without being hurtful. To tell each other "I love you" every day, many times. To have sex as often as they could."

"I would say you followed that very well," she murmured, kissing the side of his head. "She was very smart, and I loved her as my friend first, then as something more, something deeper. Are you going to be okay for the funeral?"

"No," he smirked, then he became serious. "I'm going to cry my eyes out, but I'm not going to hide how much she meant to me. She saved me, Tracey, as much as Steve and Sam did, as much as the Wakandans did. I learned how to live amongst people again because of her. Did you know about the documentary?"

Her smile was her answer but she did elaborate. "It was done by a man who does documentaries for PBS. She approached him about three years ago, through Matt, wondering if he was interested. It turned out he had been for some time. I've seen an unedited cut, with Rebecca, and it is a warts and all documentary. He doesn't skimp on the details when your Winter Soldier years are shown. But it is balanced by your life before and your life since. When you're ready he wants you to watch it and hopes that you can come to an agreement of how to proceed from there. Your story should be told, Bucky. I agree with Rebecca on that."

True to his promise, Bucky cried his eyes out during the funeral, at the music Rebecca chose, at the stories told about her by the people she had touched in the last years of her life, and especially by the funny and heartfelt eulogy given by Sam, that had everyone laughing then crying. When the six pallbearers took their place beside her coffin they raised it together, carried it out of the auditorium with dignity, and into the hearse then again from the hearse to the burial plot. It had clouded over a little bit by then but it was still beautiful out, with a slight breeze, and birdsong in the air. At the reception Bucky graciously accepted the condolences of everyone, staying seated with Tracey, Sam, Maria, Janice and Rhodes. Little was spoken by him but that was alright with those who were there.

That evening, after the kids were in bed, Bucky sat out in the back yard. It was dusk, the fairy lights had just come on and he was drinking a beer. He was already changed into jeans and a T-shirt, then Tracey came out with a beer for herself and climbed into his lap. Quietly they sat, enjoying the calm after the last week of funeral preparation, lawyers' visits and the like. Suddenly a song came on the outdoor speaker and Bucky looked at his phone with puzzlement as it wasn't set to any of his playlists. Then Tracey smiled at him, and they both got up and began to dance to the first song they ever danced to together, Sting's Fields of Gold. Rebecca had suggested it at the time, saying she liked the words. As those words echoed throughout their backyard Bucky and Tracey softly sang along themselves as they danced, picturing Rebecca and Harvey dancing in their own fields of gold, somewhere near the Rainbow Bridge.

Will you stay with me?

Will you be my love?

Upon the fields of barley

We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky

As we lie in fields of gold

The End

Series Masterlist

If you have liked this series please leave a comment and reblog it. It would be greatly appreciated.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #buckybarnes original female character #james buchanan barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes romance #sibling relationship #buckybarnes family #family man bucky

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gingiesworld · 1 year ago

Text

Drunken Confessions

Requested : I was thinking about yn, they are bucky's sibling, they are a super soldier too, and they were very serious, doesn't smile and that thing, so when there was a party, Thor decided to give them some of his famous licour wanting to have some emotions from them. When they drink some, they noticed they were feeling different, without problems and everything, so the avengers decided to watch them to see what will happen. Yn wanted to dance with (Nat or Wanda, don't care, you can choose) but they were dancing, yn didn't know they were dancing with their crush. And they told her about it. When they finished, they decided to sleep and when they woke up next morning, they didn't remember anything about last night so they were confused when their friends were laughing when they asked yn about what happened at night.

Wanda Maximoff x GN! Barnes Reader

Warnings : Alcohol use. Thor's famous spirit ;) Fluff

18+ MINORS DNI

Y/N Barnes, James Buchanan Barnes twin was also taken by Hydra on a mission during WW2. Of course Bucky only found out during his own battle alongside Steve. Neither of them were able to find them, not until years later. The sixth cryo chamber in Siberia, hidden beneath the death squad that Hydra had created and Zemo had killed.

"Come on Y/N, this will be fun." Bucky patted their back as they walked through the halls of the compound.

"I miss being a ruthless killer sometimes." They mumbled as Bucky laughed. "I hate these kinds of things. I always have. You know this." They pointed their finger at him as he just smirked.

"Besides, Wanda will be there." He teased them as they mumbled a quick shut up before they disappeared to the bar. Getting a glass on old Glennfiddich, their fathers favourite whiskey, one they used to steal on multiple occasions.

"Why are they over there?" Thor questioned as everyone gathered around to watch as Y/N ordered shot after shot.

"They have never been a party person, even before the war." Bucky admitted.

"I have an idea." Thor beamed as he waved his flask.

"This could be fun." Tony smirked as the others nodded as Thor headed over to Y/N, taking a seat beside them.

"How are you settling in Y/N?" He questioned as Y/N nodded.

"Good I guess, although it has been a few months since I have been here." They replied as Thor nodded

"Well I have been off world quite a lot." He told them. "I did bring back some 1000 year old ale with me. Much stronger than that of your mortals."

"Well, give me some." They held their empty glass out to him, watching him as he poured a small amount. "Come on now, more." Thor nodded as he almost filled the glass, smirking as Y/N downed it in one.

"How was it?" He asked them as they hissed.

"Good. Definitely has a bite to it." They told him as their eyes landed on Wanda talking with the girls.

"You like her." Thor stated as Y/N looked at him confused. "You look at her the way I look at Jane."

"Yeah, but she wouldn't ever go for me." Y/N shrugged, turning back and asking the bartender for a refill.

"You won't know unless you try." He nudged them as they finished their drink. Starting to feel the affects of the Asgardian Ale. "Ask her to dance."

"I don't know how to dance to this music." Y/N told him. "I am from the 40's after all."

"Just ask her." With that, Thor left to whisper something in Bucky's ear. As soon as The Mills Brothers came through the speakers, Y/N stood up smiling as they decided to approach Wanda. Dragging her away as the girls laughed.

"What are we doing?" Wanda laughed as Y/N started to dance with her.

"Dancing. I wanted to dance and you seem like a good dance partner." They told her as they moved to the beat.

"I can't dance Y/N." Wanda laughed as they dipped her.

"I just need to make her jealous." They whispered in her ear as Wanda smirked, smelling the ale on their breath.

"Who?" She questioned as Y/N looked at her.

"Wanda." They told her, Wanda held back a blush as they danced. "I think she got the message."

"What?" Wanda questioned as Y/N looked around.

"She's gone." They slurred as they turned to face her. Their eyes widening as they realised in their drunken stupor. "Did I tell you?" They questioned as Wanda nodded with a smirk.

"You wanted to make me jealous by dancing with me." She summed up as they stumbled back.

"I uh. I need to." They ran out of the room as everyone laughed. Bucky recording the whole thing.

The next morning rolled around with Y/N groaning as they entered the kitchen to a bunch of smirking Avengers.

"I am going to kill Thor." They mumbled when they approached the coffee. "There's no coffee. Why is the coffee always the first to go." They murmured as everyone watched them with amusing smirks. "What happened last night?" Y/N asked as they had finally made a fresh pot.

"You do realise that is a bowl?" Nat teased them.

"Yes Natasha. I do." They told her. "A single cup just isn't big enough for me right now. Be thankful it isn't the pan that Wanda cooks her favourite Paprikash in."

"You wanted to make me jealous by dancing with me." They heard Wanda's voice through a speaker.

"Please tell me that was a dream." They placed their head down on the cool surface of the counter. "I thought it was a dream."

"Nope. It was very entertaining." Bucky teased them as Wanda approached them, lifting their head up.

"It could have worked if their was another me." She kissed their cheek before she walked away. Leaving Y/N a blushing mess.

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff #marvel #elizabeth olsen #wanda x you #wanda x y/n #wanda x reader #elizabeth olsen x reader #wanda maximoff x you

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cyraspirit · 8 months ago

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Fanfic of our favourite dead boy detectives! Enjoy!

Dead Boy Lovers

“Nikko! What is the meaning of this?” Edwin spluttered.

Nikko’s eyes sparkled with hardly repressed glee. Remnants of the dandelion sprites still lingered (though it could’ve just been Nikko being an icon).

“I know the whole thing with Jenny and Maxine didn’t go to plan,” she winced at the memory and Edwin found himself going to comfort her, “but, we know that you-know-who isn’t a psychopath!” She looked to the ceiling as she said “you-know-who”.

Edwin followed Nikko’s eyes and found himself staring at the ceiling. He felt like he could see him, see his one earring caressing his ear. Oh how Edwin wished he could be that close to him all the time.

“You were thinking about him,” Nikko smiled, bringing Edwin out of his daydream.

“No, no I was not,” he replied, not looking at her, “I was not thinking about Charles.” He stopped, closing his eyes at his careless mistake.

“I never said Charles,” Nikko grinned, her eyes alight with the romance she read in her manga.

“Well,” Edwin fumbled, “who else, I mean, it’s not like there could be anyone else?”

“Except Monty and the Cat King?” Nikko asked genially.

“Well, yes, I suppose.”

“Edwin, mate!” came a familiar voice. Edwin found himself melting into the voice as though it was music, the music of his heart.

“Your manga romance is about to happen!” Nikko whispered, clapping her hands together.

“Edwin, I need you…” Charles stopped as he entered the front room of Jenny’s shop.

“I made the decorations!” Nikko smiled.

“No kidding,” Charles grinned.

“I think you have done a splendid job Nikko,” Edwin said.

“Thank you. I’ll leave you two alone now.” Nikko left.

The room was bright pink with fairy lights draped over every surface. They were shaped as hearts and stars. The lights were a mixture of golds, pinks, yellows, pale oranges, bright purple and violet. Rose petals littered the the floor while mistletoe covered every inch of the ceiling.

“Is Nikko setting Jenny up again? Or is Monty back in human form?” Charles asked with a hint of jealousy.

“Umm,” Edwin looked at him- a big mistake. The brown eyes were becoming pools of desire and they reflected the multi-coloured lights, making Charles’ eyes even more mystical than he already was. The curled hair was fluffy and effortlessly perfect. Edwin felt himself reaching to touch it.

“Edwin? Mate? You good?” Charles asked, grinning.

“Umm, yes. I, well, there’s something I,” he stopped. This was hard.

“You can tell me anything,” Charles said, placing a tender hand on Edwin’s shoulder. Edwin leaned into the hand, revelling in its softness.

He looked at Charles. He closed his eyes. He leaned in.

Charles was upstairs with Crystal. They were talking about Nikko getting them out of going to the afterlife and Charles was laughing at Crystal’s blind stubbornness to go to hell.

“But,” Charles said, suddenly serious, “you should’ve seen Edwin. He was terrified. I have never wanted to avenge someone more than I want to avenge my best friend. He was there but shouldn’t have been,” Charles’ hands were clenching into fists.

Crystal put her hand over them. She looked up at Charles.

“Just, don’t go beating the night nurse into the stomach of a sea monster again,” Crystal said.

“Nah, I won’t. That wasn’t my finest moment,” Charles replied, looking down.

He heard Edwin’s stuttering from downstairs but couldn’t quite make out what he was saying. Charles grinned in spite of himself.

Crystal saw.

“Have you talked to him since your conversation on the stairs of hell?” she asked.

Charles fell back onto his bed, hands covering his face.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Crystal smirked.

“Look, it’d be brills if it worked. I’m sure it’d be incredible but I don’t want to fuck it up. He’s my best mate and I love him but…” he groaned.

Crystal sighed exasperatedly, “Look, you’ll never know unless you try. And, at least, there’s no fear of rejection.”

Charles sat up at that last bit.

“You’re right.”

He stood up and headed downstairs.

“Edwin, mate,” he called, “I need you…”

Immediately his eyes were met with an explosion of colour and mistletoe. Nikko stood in the centre, beside a blushing Edwin. As usual, Charles’s eyes were drawn to the socks pulled over Edwin’s trousers, perfectly sculpting his calfs. Charles thought about peeling away every piece of clothing except those socks.

“I made the decorations!” Nikko smiled.

“No kidding,” Charles grinned, pulling his eyes away from the legs of the ghost he loved.

“I think you have done a splendid job Nikko,” Edwin said.

“Thank you. I’ll leave you two alone now.” Nikko left.

Edwin’s hair was so perfect, untouched, like freshly fallen snow. It glistened in the rainbow lights, perfectly catching the lights at the perfect point creating the perfect mixture of colours. That summed up Edwin, perfectly.

Charles realised Edwin was staring at him, mistaking desire for discomfort.

“Is Nikko setting Jenny up again? Or is Monty back in human form?” Charles asked with a hint of jealousy.

“Umm,” Edwin stuttered.

He was so cute. He was so clever but so clueless. Then again, Charles hadn’t clocked Edwin’s feelings so maybe he was the clueless one.

He looked up, catching Edwin’s eyes. They were so soulful, so pained. He wanted to free him of that pain, wanted to make him realise he didn’t need to face the pain alone.

Charles realised Edwin was looking at him.

“Edwin? Mate? You good?” Charles asked, grinning.

“Umm, yes. I, well, there’s something I,” he stopped. This was hard.

“You can tell me anything,” Charles said, placing a tender hand on Edwin’s shoulder.

The small start of muscle sent tingles through Charles’ fingers. He put a bit more pressure on Edwin’s arm than necessary but his love didn’t seem to care.

Edwin was leaning in. He was closing his eyes.

Charles’ mind went blank but the good kind of blank where nothing else mattered.

Their lips touched. They melted into each other, Charles bringing his hands to Edwin’s cheeks. They were rosy and warm and soft as flowers. Charles caressed his face, wondering why he hadn’t been doing that all along.

Edwin was running his fingers through Charles’ hair. It curled around his fingers as if they too wanted Edwin. The mutual love was profound and unmatched.

Charles moved in closer, running his hand down Edwin’s back. The warmth matched the passion of the kiss.

They pulled apart after what seemed like hours of the best moments of either of their lives or deaths.

Edwin gazed into Charles’ dreamy eyes, finding himself lost in the trauma of his past. The haunted quality was both beautiful and sad.

He ran his hand down Charles’ lips, experiencing a tingling of suppressed love.

They were both gazing at each other and, in the background, music from an anime film could be heard.

#dbd #dead boy detective agency #dead boy detectives #edwin payne #edwin x charles #charles rowland #dead boy detective netflix #fanfic #niko sasaki #crystal palace #niko dead boy detectives #crystal dead boy detectives

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mysticstarlightduck · 6 months ago

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OC Deep Dive Tag!

I'm going to do a writing sprint in a bit, but I want to make one more tag game before I do so, so here we go! I saw this tag rolling around on Tumblr and found it really cool!

Let's get to know our boys Kye Thalax, Quince Warren, Jack Tithus and Jordan Raith a bit more (:

What uncommon/common fear do they have?

Kye -

PHOBIAS: Athazagoraphobia (intense or irrational fear of being forgotten, or of forgetting someone or something) + mild Haphephobia (the fear of being touched)

OTHER FEARS: His (abusive) mother, being helpless, unable to control a situation, or becoming unremarkable. Forgetting his Dad is also one of his main worries/fears, or being unable to avenge him. Kye is also, as much as he'd like to pretend otherwise/would hate to admit it, afraid of his creepy former boss.

Quince -

PHOBIAS: Aviophobia (fear of planes, or flying in general)

OTHER FEARS: Being captured by the Spectre Academy and sent to their training facility (thus being forced to enter the government's superhero Agency). Letting down his loved ones. Quince is also afraid of his own powers, which he despises because of how gory they are.

Jack -

PHOBIAS: Insectophobia (fear of insects)

OTHER FEARS: Not being able to keep his sister and his crew out of harm's way or otherwise 'failing' them in any way. Being mutated or forcibly changed by the Director's experiments. Jack is also, deep down, terrified of dying

Jordan -

PHOBIAS: Unknown phobias

OTHER FEARS: He is terrified of his own past and does not trust his own mind, mostly due to the horrifying training trials he and his cousin endured while in the Spectre Academy. Due to his past Jordan is also generally afraid of medical facilities and treatment. He also fears being unable to find his cousin, who supposedly went MIA.

Do they have any pet peeves?

Kye - People who are abusive to their partners or children. He also despises people who think they're for some reason allowed to be pointlessly cruel to people who have nothing to do with them.

Quince - Manipulative media and governments who keep shady secrets from the populace under the guise that "it is for the greater good".

Jack - People who mistreat others who are less powerful than them. He also hates corruption and hates people trying to control or otherwise force him to obey arbitrary rules.

Jordan - Illegal experiments are being conducted on living beings by scientists who think they can do whatever they want to others just because they have the power to.

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom?

Kye - specialized poison kit, his father's bracelet, a holographic tablet for hacker purposes

Quince - a 'Magmatorch' superhero poster, crochet materials, a packet of (animal) blood of emergencies (fuels his powers)

Jack - bottle of hot chocolate, speaker for music, a fluffy pillow

Jordan - switchblade, a journal with the list of names of all the Agents who were responsible for his and his cousin's 'training', headphones

What do they notice first in a person?

Kye - How much of a threat that person is/things he can use to his advantage to manipulate them to his advantage. He also notices if those people work for his 'mother' (if they do, he kills them with poison)

Quince - Body language, can read people pretty well. Because of his powers, he can also sense people's heart rate and can tell pretty accurately whether a person is lying or otherwise hiding something.

Jack - If a person is friendly or not, or if that person has good or bad intentions towards him and his friends. He is also incredibly good at telling what someone wants, so he can know to proceed.

Jordan - How easy a person would be to knock out or if they would be an easy mark (in tense situations or combat contexts). He is also pretty good at noticing whether or not someone is following him and why.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance?

Kye -

Emotional Pain - 8/10 (Pretty good, unless something directly triggers him - by reminding him of his father's untimely death or his mother's abusive behavior. If that happens he usually lashes out pretty badly and isolates himself afterwards.)

Physical Pain - 10/10 (His species has a naturally high resistance to pain, and due to him embarking on a vengeful assassin way of life, he has become even more immune to pain. It takes a lot for him to be like "Oh shit, this really does hurt like hell", and if that happens it probably will be something life-threatening)

Quince -

Emotional Pain - 4/10 (He is pretty sensitive - like, he takes things very personally and notices even small details about what someone is truly thinking about him. He doesn't really let it show but small things can pretty much ruin his day. He also doesn't deal well with the bloody aftermath of using his powers on others.)

Physical Pain - 15/10 (Quince has some level of Regeneration, so he heals very rapidly and injuries are almost never really a nuisance to him unless caused by someone who can actively undermine his powers. He also generally feels little pain, though he acknowledges pain it doesn't affect him badly - he can break his arm in two places and carry on like nothing happened)

Jack -

Emotional Pain - 8?/10 (Jack has trained himself to be perfect at hiding how he truly feels and always maintaining a happy, optimistic, protective personality to his friends. This means that while he may outwardly act like all is fine and even seem his usual happy-go-lucky self while struggling with a brutal storm of torment underneath. This can cause him to be pretty self-destructive and not realize that he too deserves support and help)

Physical Pain - 6/10 (Typically he has an average to small pain tolerance and hates being in pain to the point of being terrified of it, but due to his natural need to be strong for his crew/team and pretend that everything is fine, Jack can actually endure quite a lot of actual pain while pretending that all is okay, though he usually then breaks down later when alone. When it comes to Jack, it's more a question of willpower than actual pain tolerance)

Jordan -

Emotional Pain - 10/10 (Has seen a lot of shit in his life and become pretty numb/unflappable because of it. It takes something world-ending to make him have anything close to a breakdown).

Physical Pain - 3/10 (Hates being in pain with a burning passion and will do anything to avoid it, to the point of panicking or doing things on impulse that actually make things worse later on.)

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure?

Kye - Fight. Becomes aggressive when provoked and will either lash out verbally, physically or get some kind of revenge at the person stressing him out later.

Quince - Flight/Freeze. Hates conflict and will try to calm things down before they get to a boiling point. If things become too chaotic he will either run away from the situation or shut down for an undetermined amount of time.

Jack - Fight or Fawn. Depending on the situation: In regular situations of stress, like normal, daily frustrations, Jack's main reaction is to meet the problem head-on or confront whoever is stressing him. If the situation is extreme or someone more powerful can hurt people he cares about (like when he and his crew were captured by the Junction), Jack instead immediately shifts to a Fawning reaction - he will do anything the person requires of him to avoid collateral damage and keep his loved ones safe.

Jordan - Fight or Freeze. If he is in a good state of mind, he'll try to fight through the situation. If he is stressed or panicked he likely will attempt to fight and end up freezing instead.

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person?

Kye -

Small family - his mother was a powerful and violent Khosmonian warlord who wanted to destroy the Junction and would do anything to amplify her status. She married his father for political reasons and proceeded to abuse both her husband and son (physically and verbally) before Kye's father ran away from her with him in tow (and ended up killed for it when they were found).

Deep down he is a family kind of guy but due to trauma, he doesn't actually know if he wants to build a family or not. He is very loyal to those he knows he can trust but that is a very rare thing.

Quince -

Small family - his parents were rich business owners who died in a private jet crash. Quince and his younger sister, Emily, were then raised by their uncle, Sean, who was better known as Magmatorch, the most powerful superhero on Team Nemesis and the nation's sweetheart. Their uncle was a doting guardian to Quince and his sister, despite being a bit cocky and drawn to fame. Sean was 'disposed of' by the Spectre Agency after threatening to expose their corruption schemes.

Quince is very family-oriented, especially when it comes to protecting his sister, and he also adored their uncle.

Jack -

Medium sized family - Jack and his sister Cassiopeia were born in the moon of Cethea III and raised by their parents - a pilot (their mother) and an aspiring engineer (their father) - when they were kids. Their parents ended up killed after getting involved with rebel efforts against the Junction, and Jack and his sister ended up on the streets. Later, Jack and Cassie met an alien boy named Deimos Soll who became their best friend and whom they adopted as their brother, though he has become estranged from them now as adults.

To Jack, family is everything. Not only his sister and their adoptive brother, but he also considers his team/crew as his extended family, and would do anything to keep them safe from harm, even if it means putting himself in harm's way.

Jordan -

Very small family - Jordan was basically abandoned by his parents, who were distant from him pretty much since day one, and left to the 'care' of the Spectre Academy - as his parents wanted him to become a superhero at all costs. (His parents are very much still alive). Jordan found out that his older cousin, Chase, was also in the Academy, and the boys became the only family each other really had in the hell that the Academy was to its apprentices.

Jordan is fiercely loyal to Chase, and vice-versa. After Chase mysteriously went MIA during a mission for the superhero Agency, Jordan fled with classified information to try and find him.

What animal represents them best?

Kye - Viper

Quince - Sparrows

Jack - Orange Cat & Golden Retriever (both lol)

Jordan - Black Cat

What is a smell that they dislike?

Kye - The smell of wild roses (his mother's perfume smelled just like that)

Quince - Blood (tragically ironic since his power is literally blood-related)

Jack - Antiseptic and that general "laboratory" smell

Jordan - Unwashed clothes/sweat

Have they broken any bones?

Kye - Yes, many times. Is unfazed by it.

Quince - So far once, fell from a swing as a kid and broke his arm.

Jack - Yes, a couple of times, either in fights, accidents, or while being experimented on by the Junction.

Jordan - Not sure/doesn't remember.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Kye - Shady/mysterious. The kind of person that looks like trouble or like they're involved with something deadly. Strangers would also consider him mysterious.

Quince - Dangerous. While people used to adore him while his uncle was the nation's sweetheart, after the family fell in the government's bad graces and was deemed Public Enemy Number 1, Quince was accused of being an unstable kid with a monstrous power.

Jack - Friendly and incredibly optimistic. Jack generally has an outgoing, happy-go-lucky vibe, both with his friends and with strangers, thus he is generally viewed as a fun, kind, happy and optimistic guy to be around - and people are right, because he is (though there's much more underneath)

Jordan - Aloof. Jordan is very quiet, reserved and usually has that "resting bitch face" when not talking to someone directly. People mostly assume he's just an extremely introverted or shy teen when he's actually just conditioned to be emotionless.

Are they a night owl or a morning bird?

Kye - Night owl

Quince - Morning Bird

Jack - Both (wakes up early, sleeps late)

Jordan - Night owl

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love?

Kye -

Flavor he loves: Dishes (well prepared) with fish, especially fried fish sticks and fish stews. He also loves bacon.

Flavor he hates: Candy

Quince -

Flavor he loves: Medium rare or simply rare meat. And beef jerky and PIZZA!!!

Flavor he hates: Salads of any kind, hates the taste, the texture, and the fact that it is cold.

Jack -

Flavor he loves: Chocolate, nuggets and tuna sandwiches

Flavor he hates: Tasteless food, especially oatmeal

Jordan -

Flavor he loves: Strawberry milkshakes and chocolate-chip cookies

Flavor he hates: Too much condiments in food

Do they have any hobbies?

Kye - embroidering, knife throwing, creating new poisons/studying space botany (toxic plants)

Quince - watching movies, listening to music, eating pizza

Jack - playing video games with his siblings, training his thievery skills, making DIY jewelry (occasionally)

Jordan - reading gothic books & watching late 90s/early 2000s teen horror movies, practicing his powers, riding around on his motorcycle

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises?

Kye - Probably would initially think someone is trying to kill him and react like "Who goes there?! I have poisons!!!!!" and then realize its something harmless and not know what to do next lol. He isn't used to parties and really hasn't had one in a long while, so, deep down, despite his grumpy self, he would actually appreciate it.

Quince - Would probably be initially shy but then shake it off and join the party. He is actually pretty used to parties and social events because when his uncle was a famous superhero they went to a lot of galas and other fancy parties. Quince probably prefers a smaller, more intimate event, like going to a good restaurant or watching a movie, because his social battery dies down really fast.

Jack - He would be like a golden retriever in a dog park filled with toys - like he would be the HAPPIEST dude. His self-esteem is shite and he usually does everything to make others happy, so he always gets super surprised that his loved ones do the same for him and always take the time to make things for him too (not that he doubts them, no, he's just the "oh, you didn't need to" kind of guy while inwardly crying of happiness).

Jordan - "This is nice! Now what am I supposed to do? Because I know nothing about how things like this work and I'm anxious."

Do they like to wear jewelry?

Kye - Not many, just his Dad's bracelet.

Quince - No, doesn't care about it and actually gets bored by it when he has to wear jewelry.

Jack - Some small, coal-black hoop earrings/ear piercings, a few plastic bracelets, and occasionally rings. He also always wears the DIY trinket necklace his sister made for him and she has the other half.

Jordan - Some goth/emo jewelry, occasionally. Is still getting the hang of how jewelry works but is very excited to try it out.

Do they have neat or messy handwriting?

Kye - Neat

Jack - Messy (because he is impatient) but perfectly readable

Quince - Something in between

Jordan - Painfully neat, feels like something out of a computer

What are the two emotions they feel the most?

Kye - Anger, Grief

Quince - Anxiety, Happiness

Jack - Love, Protectiveness

Jordan - Struggles with trying to no longer be numb, so he loves whenever he feels any emotion, even "negative" ones.

Do they have a favorite fabric?

Kye - Black linen or cotton, as well as kevlar.

Jack - Cotton, flannel, and leather.

Quince - Probably not.

Jordan - Anything that isn't scratchy.

What kind of accent do they have?

Kye - His accent is "perfectly" neutral, as in he trained himself so well in languages that he speaks their galactic Common with almost no accent whatsoever (I'm not sure how to even describe it lol). When he is angry or feeling strong emotions his original accent from Khylet slips into his words (a Khylet accent is smooth, but also as a slight... clicking to it in a way?).

Quince - The city he was born in is pretty inspired by IRL Detroit so I would say he has his setting's equivalent to a Detroit accent.

Jack - 'Junction' accent. Grew up speaking the Junction's galactic common as a kid and his accent sometimes tends to be the variation of common spoken in the moon he was born in, Cethea III.

Jordan - I don't think I know how to answer this question about him and honestly, I don't think he would know that either lol

Tagging (gently): @sleepy-night-child, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @smol-feralgremlin, @oh-no-another-idea, @littleladymab,

@winterandwords, @eccaiia, @sarahlizziewrites, @illarian-rambling

@agirlandherquill, @anoelleart, @ray-writes-n-shit

@the-golden-comet, @writernopal, @anyablackwood, @unstablewifiaccess, @forthesanityofstorytellers

@i-can-even-burn-salad, @cakeinthevoid

@lassiesandiego, @thepeculiarbird, @clairelsonao3, @memento-morri-writes, @starlit-hopes-and-dreams and OPEN TAG

#wip supernova initiative #wip scrapyard boys #writers on tumblr #oc deep dive #writing #writers #writeblr #my wips #writerblr #character writing #my characters #my writing

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bucknastysbabe · 2 years ago

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The Call Girl - H. Zemo

Kink Bingo - Spanking

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Call girl reader, Zemo is bb girl, Madripoor shenanigans, she wants that Bucky dick, possessive Zemo, spanking, shite bdsm etiquette, aftercare, pnv!sex, subtle audio voyeurism, That Club Scene

A/N: Sokovian is like Hungarian/Slovenian with Cyrillic lettering. So I made a Russian Slovenian nightmare.

сладкий - sweet

хорошая девочка - good girl

теплый - warm

You worked in Madripoor as a call girl. You didn’t provide ‘favors’ unless the client was handsome or particularly wealthy. The Baron, one of your favorites, had recently contacted you on accompanying him to Lowtown. You rolled your eyes, Lowtown had nothing good coming out of there.

He needed a date to fit in with the crowd at the Brass Monkey. The wire number was included in the message. You shrugged, Helmut was dearly missed since he’d been locked up. In the past he’d need you to scope out former Hydra members. Then have intense sex. Usually fun.

You idly wondered how he got out. Whatever, you accepted the request and informed Zemo that you would be there. Time to pick out a clubbing fit now. A client had recently bought you some jewelry that needed to be shown off.

You raised a brow at the two men accompanying the Baron. They seemed just as surprised. The famed Falcon barked, “Who the hell is this?” Meanwhile the stupidly handsome Winter Soldier glared you down, a mulish tilt to his jaw. Zemo swaggered forward wearing a lavish coat.

“Ah- dearest, you’re just as lovely as I last saw you. How are you сладкий?” He held his arms out, embracing you with a kiss on each cheek. He purred, “Business first, then much needed play Hm?”

You ran a manicured nail down his cheek, teasing, “I’ve been great. But we are very, very overdue.”

Clad under Zemo’s arm he turned to face the two men. They probably were here about the whole serum nonsense. Everyone knows something in Madripoor, knowledge is monetary. Helmut smoothly supplied, “Sam, James, My lovely friend here is to help us blend a bit more. She’s got connections everywhere.”

Sam frowned. “Whatever works man. Let’s get this over with.” Bucky nodded, looking at unease. Helmut palmed your ass, smirking like the cat that got the cream. You planted a kiss on his smooth cheek, inhaling the expensive cologne.

The two Avengers stuck out like sore thumbs. Your eyes flickered over to the Power Broker making deals while you danced with Zemo. You giggled at his little dance, pulling the Baron closer. You twisted to align your back to his front. The Sokovian tilted his head, a question in the air. You shouted over the music, “I know you did ballroom, but just move with me!” He nodded dutifully, hands encircling your hips.

To the thudding bass you rolled along to the music. Zemo learnt quickly, always did, serious face trained on yours. You grinded against his hips, asking, “Do you like my new sapphires? Montez bought them.” Zemo fingered at the jewels, not missing a beat. He hummed, “Good choice, meant to look ravishing with them only adorning you.”

Your lashes fluttered at his sultry tone. Helmut drove you fucking wild. You turned to capture his thin lips, lapping into his spicy taste. Zemo’s fingers clamped onto your waist, rutting roughly. The moment was interrupted by Sam and Buck, saying Sharon? was ready.

Well. Things have shifted dramatically. You just wanted to get boned. Not run from bounty hunters and practically blacklisted from Madripoor. Your very lucrative home. Also they didn’t realize their dear Sharon was the Power Broker, not your problem at the moment. You liked having a tongue.

The soldier snorted, “Bad luck huh?”

Sam added, “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. I’m sure- uh- someone can sort this out.”

You hissed, pointing at Zemo pacing, “I expect someone to find me a pardon. Hightown is where I work, live, and no one is watching my fucking cats!”

Zemo sighed, running a hand across his brow. He leveled you with a look, promising, “You will get sorted out my dear. Oeznik is already making arrangments. Why don’t you join me for a drink in the cabin, hm сладкий?”

Feeling slightly better you acquiesced by holding a prim hand out, the Baron taking it and leading you both to the back, closing a curtain and shutting the door. You could vaguely hear the two men complaining.

Once the door shut, Helmut was upon you, pushing you face first on the bed. You moaned softly, poking your ass up for him. Zemo hummed, “I would be quite upset to miss your company. Poor little James looked to be quite infatuated when you turned.”

To egg on the Baron you laughed, “He could join in, very easy on the eyes that one. Pliant.”

Helmut subtly growled, a gloved hand gripping at the meat of your ass. He ordered, “Don’t play the whore. You’re more than that. James is a pawn, a dog at our feet. Don’t even consider Wilson. сладкий, you’re all mine for the night, understand?”

You nodded, a strangled whimper of ‘yes’.

“хорошая девочка,” he said.

You heard his belt rustle, the clink of it in the air. Unable to help but squirm feeling his heavy gaze. Helmut stated flatly, “Since you dressed like a minx, brought up James, and teased me I think that earns you ten swats. Does that seem good?”

You babbled, “Yes Baron, I’ve been bad, I deserve those.”

He smirked again, flexing the belt with a crack. Zemo continued, “If you count them like my хорошая дев��чка then I’ll reward you. You remember the word?”

You gulped and replied, “теплый.”

Zemo closed in, and slid up your tight dress. He stopped, you turning to look. The Sokovian had his thoughtful head tilt on. He grunted, “Dress off.”

“Yes Baron.” The dress was shimmied off and you returned to your position. He made a sound of amusement, palming your smooth ass one more time. Helmut purred, “Remember to count my dear.”

Crack. One.

He struck the belt across both cheeks, zinging pain making you writhe and cry out a strained, “One sir!”

Your pussy was already achy and soaked from the build up. Zemo’s antics would have you squalling by the end. You’re a princess, not a pain slut.

Crack. Crack. Two, three.

This one was harder, definitely leaving a welt. You howled and gripped at the bedding, moaning in pleasure-pain. You gritted out, “Two and three sir.” You whimpered at the aftershocks of the intense heat.

“Doing so well.”

Crack! Across the backs of your thighs. You jolted up the bed, a leather clad hand easily yanking you back. He laughed lowly, “Easy girl.” You whimpered and stilled yourself, sulkily replying, “F-four.”

Crackcrack! Criss crossed across your ass. Your pussy convulsed around nothing, needy for his cock. You whined, “Five! Thank you Baron- fuck, six!” You clenched your sore thighs together, head foggy.

Seven and eight were a blur. Tears began to well in your eyes, ass stinging and bruising. Helmut cooed and praised you, thumb tenderly circling your ankle. You mewled, “S-s-seven, ah-eight.”

“So close.”

Crack. Crack. One final smack on each cheek. The floodgates opened, you babbling, “Fuckfuck- m’god! Baron! Shit nine ten! Fuck me Helmut, oh god fuck me!” You couldn’t hold back the sobs, presenting your sore ass.

Helmut had stripped behind you, laying over your wracked frame. He slid his palms up your waist, nipping your ear. The Baron groaned, “You bloom so gorgeous for me.” You sniveled and rutted back against his hard cock, begging brokenly for dick.

He laughed, “I have you. I have you.” The blunt tip of his cock rubbed around your swollen, wet folds before sliding in one rough stab. The pair of you gasped and shook, your ass reigniting with pain at the collision.

Zemo muttered rapid Sokovian nonsense, breathing down the nape of your neck. He urged, “Take it dear. For your Baron.” You nodded in drunken jerks, grasping the fine bedding. You were already so close from the spanking.

Helmut pounded his frustrations into your willing body, grunting and spouting Sokovian nothings. His balls slapped wetly against your cunt, filling the room with a lewd soundtrack. Meanwhile you scrabbled at the bed, sobbing his name and praising the Baron.

“So gah-goddamn good! Close- please don’t stop sir! Mmm!”

He licked and sucked at your shoulder and neck, cracking his palm down on your flank. The new sting made your eyes roll back and cunt aggressively pulse out slick. You shook under the brunt of your long awaited orgasm, howling in ecstasy. Zemo growled, “Hah- that’s it dear, let them hear, let them know what they can’t have.”

You yelled, “Youyouyou Helmut!”

His pulsing cock stretched your rolling pussy, driving deep to fill you up with a quiet grunt. He hoarsely panted, staying upright, amber eyes up at the roof. He gasped, “Divine dear.” You whispered, “Lay down, relax for a bit. I know my dear Baron is busy. Mind the ass.”

He chuckled, sliding out with a curse. Helmut got up on shaking legs, walking to a drawer. You looked up and asked, “What is it?” He didn’t turn, responding, “Crème. Helps with the ache for tomorrow.” You smiled at his sweetness.

Zemo returned to rub the cooling lotion into your worn buttocks, idly chatting about recent events. You simply listened, lulling off into a sleep. How you enjoyed your Baron so. But Oeznik better fly you back to the Power Broker to get your name restored. Insanity.

#helmut zemo x reader #zemo fanfic #zemo smut #zemo x reader #Sokovian head tilt #kink bingo

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jurassicsickfics · 5 months ago

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Random character rant on Chris Hargensen from Carrie. I'll start off by saying that Chris absolutely had problems. I mean, I feel like that's obvious, but I wanna go a little deeper with it. It's just not normal for a teenage girl to be so downright evil. Chris was just a kid and according to some mentions of her in the book, she'd been that way since she was young. Seems to me like Chris may very well have been abused at home, by her father specifically, as this was alluded to in the end of her song "The World According to Chris" in Carrie the Musical. Also, we see Chris being hit and talked down to by her boyfriend Billy Nolan several times and she didn't seem fazed. I feel that a normal person would be shocked to be slapped and spoken to like that, unless, of course, they were well used to being abused and it was nothing new for Chris. Chris's response to others failing to understand instructions or master a skill (example, Carrie playing volleyball) was insults and and rubbing it in, making her feel bad about herself. What if this is how Chris was used to being spoken to when she herself struggled? Seems likely. Where else would a child learn that behavior? In the book, we see Chris's father visiting the school's, angry because of Miss Desjardin's treatment of Chris. You'll notice that the threat of a lawsuit was mentioned much more heavily than mention of his daughter's distress. Seems like he cares more about a big fat check than defending Chris. Maybe, he wasn't angry that the teacher upset his DAUGHTER, but that she upset HIS daughter.

I'd also like to point out that Chris was never shown any kindness or consideration at all during the film. You may argue that she didn't deserve it, but think again. It seems to me that a teacher would realize that a child acting out, especially to that degree, means something deeper is going on. However, miss Collins instead belittled and threatened her, and even hit her. The first phrase that comes to mind is, "you can choke on it [her gum] for all I care, just get it out of your mouth."

Chris wasn't doing anything wrong when this was said. Nothing makes a child, especially a hormonal teenager with an already rough home life, go even more on the defense that that kind of treatment.

Throughout the movie, Chris's behavior became more and more reckless and she developed a type of "I've got nothing to lose" mentality. From teasing, to sneaking onto that farm to kill the pig, to actually dumping the blood on Carrie, to literally trying to run her over even after she'd seen what Carrie was capable of. (On a side note I feel that Chris's final attempt to end Carrie may have been provoked mostly by the death of her best friend, Norma Watson). In some small way I feel like Chris knew she was going to die but at that point, after the only person she truly loved and cared about and who actually returned that feeling, was dead, she didn't care. One last desperate attempt at avenging her best friend, before she, too, could end her own hurting.

Anyway, there's my rant. Let me know your thoughts, Carrie fans!

#carrie 1976 #carrie white #chris hargensen #rant post #character analysis #nancy allan #the world according to chris #carrie the musical #carrie stephen king #stephen king

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notwantedonthemoon · 1 year ago

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I gave Lucy and Ham a design update! Originally I only wanted to do Ham but Lucy barged into the room and no one can make her leave.

Design notes:

• I really was not satisfied with their original colour schemes. I know that Lucy was described as wearing a rose-coloured gown but she’s so purple in my head. • And Ham should be more red. He’s associated with red in the novel (and his brothers with yellow and blue- they’re the primary colour brothers) and that image of Misa Amane in the top left corner was my original reference for him, but he simply doesn’t look right to me unless he looks like a walking Valentine’s Day card. Misa Amane’s picture got to stay because a). I love her and b). I’m gonna talk about her later. • His hair also had to change- I’m probably going to redo Hannah at some point. I was thinking of saving Ham’s original reddish brown colour for Hannah instead, and I don’t want them to look too similar. So now his hair looks like a fox- which is fitting for his character and also very funny because his wife is terrified of foxes. • Don’t ask how the darker ends work without hair dye, we’re going off cartoon logic here. • I am now certain that Lucy’s height exists solely to torment me whenever I want to draw her next to someone else. I was in tears drawing this, wondering why Findley couldn’t have been happy with a six foot tall angel. • Lucy is seven foot five. I have no idea if I drew her tall enough or if I ever will.

The part where Misa Amane is relevant

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• Ham’s character felt like he was being set up for a much more important role than he actually got, and I was waiting for a twist or a character arc or something, but it never happened. This guy is determined to stay irrelevant forever. I saw a source somewhere describe Ham as less of a character and more of an excuse to introduce Lucy. It cracked me up so I had to include it in here. • Just to be clear: I do like Ham as is. He’s an entertaining and also very heartfelt character- one of his defining traits is just, ‘Loves Things A Lot’ (kinda reminds me of Pat of Silver Bush- everyone go read Pat of Silver Bush that book is fantastic). • But also: he could have been better. His character got 10 times more likeable to me when I realized that he kind of resembles Misa Amane from Death Note, so by that logic he’d be a better character if you just make him more like Misa Amane from Death Note. • Also: I only ever watched the Death Note musical and I know next to nothing about the anime. But I heard that Misa is pretty annoying in the anime? Shame. • The parallels are already there. Both characters have complicated relationships with death- Ham’s first action in the book is being forced to kill a lamb, Misa’s entire family got murdered- and then cheating death somehow; Ham spent his childhood nearly dying of like, plague or whatever, and a death god sacrificed his life to extend Misa’s time on Earth. They’re both characterized as being incredibly loving, with Ham defined by his “love of life so great that he could not bear to kill” and Misa being defined by her love for her family that drove her to pledge her loyalty and give away half her life to their unknowing avenger.

• If I were writing Ham I’d establish him as a character who is deeply loyal- to his family and to his values. He thought that that loyalty had to extend to his father be default- they’re family, despite their very very tense relationship. The sacrifice at the start of book one made him do an immediate 180 on that, and it was why he was so willing to throw his oar in completely with Lucy. • That 180 turn was motivated by an unbelievable amount of pent up rage and spite. In terms of general ideals I’d say Ham is pretty traditional and goes along with whatever’s popular because it causes less problems for him- the only principles he sticks firmly to are his scientific ones. He’s not like Lucy, who knows what she believes in and fights for it- him opposing Doctor Noyes is an emotional, reactionary decision, not based off of any deeper principles (other than the no-killing one) or self-reflection about his existing worldviews. • A lot of his development will be directly tied to Lucy, since she’s the more significant character out of the two. And being with Lucy would make him much more willing to make impulsive decisions; which actually isn’t very far from canon, Ham is pretty impulsive. When I first got to the two-day-engagement part of the book I was convinced that a love potion had to be involved somewhere, because I couldn’t wrap my head around the designated ‘logical scientist character’ making such a reckless decision. But then I got further into the book and Ham… runs into a burning building. Keeps on fumbling conversations by blurting out his opinion and immediately regretting it. So… he’s kind of just like that. That lines up. • For a scientist character he’s very emotional- which I like a lot! It’s a nice change of pace. Being a scientist doesn’t automatically make you more rational and reasonable than anyone else. Sometimes you can be a really good scientist and still have the emotional intelligence of a sea sponge. Ham strikes me as someone who doesn’t really ‘get’ emotions because he can’t logic his way through them like with most of the stuff he studies, so he ignores them until they explode ‘completely out of nowhere’. My conclusion here is that someone should hand him a book on mindfulness. • (The real question is why Lucy was down for the two-day-engagement; it’s not to survive the flood. She and Ham were engaged before Yaweh came up with the flood plan.)

• All this is setting Ham up as Lucy’s eventual closest ally and the most fiercely loyal friend she could ever ask for. He thinks the world of her and would do just about anything for her… but he wouldn’t kill for her. That’s a line he crossed once and wouldn’t ever again.

• And Lucy loves him. Of course she does. But sometimes she wonders if her friend’s loyalty is anything like her brother’s blind devotion to Yaweh. She doesn’t like that thought.

• In the novel their relationship is largely just. Very lacklustre, with no development or indication that they really care about each other. But since they’re such a blank slate I can do whatever I want with them, and what I want is Lucy the revolutionary and her aggressively supportive science bestie. • I like to think that Ham and Lucy’s relationship would be best described as a queerplatonic relationship- though they wouldn’t have the vocabulary to describe that exactly. I know that they’re married but… they really don’t have any romantic chemistry. I’m sorry to anyone who thinks that they make a good couple (if you exist. At all) but I simply do not see it.

• (If someone does have an interpretation of their relationship that is romantic I would absolutely love to see it. If someone has anything to say at all about this book I would love to see it.)

#not wanted on the voyage #timothy findley #this is an extremely long winded to say that I want Ham to be Misa Amane levels of unhinged. He and Lucy are way too tame.#Lucy should get to commit a few murders. Mrs Noyes describes Ham as 'intense' and I'm like.#Ma'am. No he's not. I think you're just describing him being autistic- but he SHOULD be intense. That would be so fun.#Misa Amane was so much fun. She's my favourite Death Note character and I can fill oceans with my love for her.#Go check out the Death Note musical guys it's really good I promise. Also go read Pat of Silver Bush that one is fantastic #Don’t want to ramble too long in the tags but. Lucy works as a parallel to Japeth and Ham works really well as a parallel to Michael.#death note #death note musical #misa amane #pat of silver bush #lm montgomery #character analysis #character design #art #small artist #digital art #my ramblings #textpost meme

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dribs-and-drabbles · 10 months ago

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Dead Friend Forever ep 9

Starting this ep over breakfast to try to get it, and my re-watch of eps 1-4, done before Saturday! Let's go! (@kayatoasted said she lost it after ep 9 so I'm SO INTRIGUED why!!)

I still love this opening music. I wonder if it was composed new for this show.

That took a little too long for White to do something...

I would not drink any water that's in that place, unless you want it coming out of both ends later (iykwim). And of course Phee doesn't drink it.

At least there's confirmation that they've been hallucinating. I wonder how much of the 'fight' in the house between Top/Tee and Fluke/Tan is them also hallucinating and fighting their hallucinations...

Wow is Phee genuinely telling Jin everything? Or is this part of the ploy/plan??

Phee's still in blue with the red bracelet on!

I wonder what that letter was about.

Oh ohhhhhhh I'm getting a 'Tan is Non's brother' vibe... OH MY GOD HE IS! I LOVE IT!!

Then I'm thinking more and more that White is also not some innocent extra...

Oh my god the brotherly love! To RE-DO a year of high school again just to figure out what happened to him. THAT'S LOVE.

I know this wouldn't actually be possible because of the paperwork needed to transfer/join a school but I'm going with it for the story... BUT IT'S SO DELICIOUS!

Tan and Phee need to be more subtle with their questions...and the group needs to control their reactions more 😂

Doesn't White's school uniform look suspiciously similar to Phee's old one? 👀 (Edit: I've already been told it's not the same) I'm not believing White doesn't know anything until I really, explicitly, see it.

Right, gotta get to work. I'll come back to this later...

I'M BACK! LET'S GOOOO!

🙈 OMG what have I come back to?! What was that slap?! And that shot of their hips?! I just 🙈 AHHHHH WAIT, WHAT?! THE SHOT OF PHEE'S ASS?!? This is the most explicit I've seen in a bl and it CAME OUT OF NOWHERE (I expected this for something like Playboyy, although I haven't seen it, but in THIS show?!?! 😂 My eyes! 🙈)

'Don't fall in love with him'...famous last words.

Non's parents are both in light blue and sat on blue chairs 💙

So Non's medication was for mental health issues, maybe depression...

Seriously, this show with the timing of product placements. This is the second time it's cut from a heavy emotional scene to a pp 🤦🏽‍♀️

Oh I am loving all the chemistry-ing. I wonder if that's the hallucinogens that they'll use later...

Oh no, Non and Tan/New's mom 😢 That poor family. (And my poor eyes for the continuity errors).

Now Tan/New's got more reason to fuck with the group - both his brother and his mum...OH MY GOD THIS IS HARROWING NOT HIS DAD TOO 😣

And now Tan is hallucinating whilst smoking...all that green is very ominous. Is this what's he's been creating and will use on the group at the house? (Loving Non in orange though.)

Maybe it's just Tan behind all the attacks/murder...or maybe it's just themselves reacting to their hallucinations... 'It won't kill them...' but they might kill each other, right?

Oh wow. What an ep. And that preview! KHUN KENG WASN'T KILLED?! THEY'RE BOTH STILL ALIVE?!? (What if Khun Keng is also at the house trying to avenge Non?! What if he's the one using the crutch because of the car accident?!). That whole backstory really was something...now I need time to process...and then to finish my re-watch of eps 1-4.

#dead friend forever #I'M CAUGHT UP!#and boy was that a ride #now you can all talk to me about your theories 🤓

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therecordconnection · 8 months ago

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Ranting and Raving: "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter

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Have you ever just been out in the world, minding your business, only to hear a song out in the wild for the first time and it just grabs you in a chokehold? For me, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter is one of those songs. It’s one of those pop songs that just makes you turn your ear towards a speaker and ask, “Oh. What is this?” I heard it for the first time in a store (rhymes with Schmarget) and then proceeded to listen to it about eighty more times after that. A great pop song will make you do that and this one is one of the best of the year so far. I mean it.

I knew who Sabrina Carpenter was before this song (I mostly live under a rock, but I still be knowing things from time to time) but I’m obviously not her target demographic and nothing she had done before really gripped me the way this has. Everything about “Espresso” is perfect and I’m ready to do what this series does best: annoy you with many MANY words about a song I love. If you want a silly review of this song in a TL;DR single sentence, I would say, “I don’t drink coffee... but this song must be what having a caffeine addiction feels like!”

The first thing that truly gripped me about this song is just how FUN it is! There’s so much magic packed into three and a half minutes and it serves as a perfect reminder of why I love and enjoy pop music when it gets it as right as a Starbucks barista who has my usual order down to a science. It’s upbeat, it’s catchy as hell, the lyrics are fun to sing along to. What more do you need? This isn’t a song that re-invents the wheel and that’s because it knows it doesn’t have to. Like her reference to Nintendo in the chorus (“Switch it up like Nintendo”) the primary concern is about whether the song is fun to listen to and if it’s something you’ll want to hear again and again and not get bored of. In a way, this song is like the Super Mario World of pop music; a song that provides comfort and fun and it doesn’t require a lot of knowledge and skill in order to enjoy. Anybody can pick it up, start playing, and have a good time with it.

Which means a lot these days.

At the time of this writing, everybody and their favorite wine aunt is currently dissecting Taylor Swift’s newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, searching for hidden meanings and clues and signs about her relationships between her and Matty Healy from The 1975 or British actor Joe Alwyn (take your pick). I didn’t hate TTPD, but the album also didn’t do much for me because it’s so deep within the Taylor Discographic Universe (the TDU) that unless you have a decade of lore explained to you, those songs lose a lot of appeal and power. It’s like watching Avengers: Infinity War when all I’ve ever watched is Iron Man. Taylor isn’t the only one that’s been suffering from this. Ariana Grande’s newest album Eternal Sunshine comes with the baggage of that whole thing that happened between her and that dude who played Spongebob on Broadway or something. The most I’ve ever heard about “The Boy Is Mine” in terms of discourse are all the jokes and memes about how she’s singing about a guy who weirdly looks exactly like her brother and spent years being an adult man playing Spongebob on stage. Even Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” the biggest song of last year, loses some of its impact if you’re like me and couldn’t give a shit about Liam Hemsworth or the emotional roller coaster story of her relationship with him.

Granted, you can still listen to all of these things with their real world inspirations and contexts removed and get just as much, if not more, out of that, but there’s just something really refreshing about being able to enjoy a song without needing an entire “____ iceberg explained” video in order to truly “get it.” I got “Espresso” immediately and the only real world context I can gather is that she probably wrote this song about one or many dudes that have been “down bad” for her. I shudder to think which niche micro-celebrities with the over-inflated attitude that comes with the phrase “I have a post that got over 10,000 notes on Tumblr” have said or done while attempting to shoot their poorly aimed shot with her.

That’s a good place to start talking about the lyrics to the song, which are all about her being playful with a guy and basking in how he is absolutely obsessed and crazy with her. More important than the words themselves is how Sabrina delivers them. There’s a really great balancing act where it’s just the right level of confidence and the belief that you’re hot shit, without going overboard into arrogance. She maintains a constant level of playfulness throughout the entire song and it’s great! It starts as soon as the second line of the chorus hits at the beginning of the song: “Is it that sweet? I guess so.”

There’s also the line that begins the second verse: “I'm working late 'cause I'm a singer.” I absolutely adore the way she says that line. Every. Single. Time. Again, it’s just the right amount of playful and sarcastic. I can picture the conversation that line would be featured in if anybody she’s dated within the last three years has foolishly asked her if she’s busy tonight.

“Wyd tonight, babe? 😜” “I’m working late.” “What?? Why? 🥺” “...‘cause I’m a singer.”

That line reads like she’s had to answer that question one too many times to one too many idiots. Whether it’s studio time or live performance, singers be working at night. Duh. It’s such a fun line and it gets stuck in your head. You wait for it each time you listen and I can’t imagine the feeling of being in a whole stadium full of people all singing that line together. It’s such a delicate tightrope being walked so damn well, especially since it can go sour so fast if you perform it the wrong way. The following line, “Oh, he looks so cute wrapped around my finger” keeps that playfulness while also making you feel a little bad for the guy. I say a little bad because it’s very obvious who has the power and control in this:

I can't relate to desperation My give-a-fucks are on vacation And I got this one boy and he won't stop calling When they act this way, I know I got 'em

We’ve all known someone who is casually seeing someone and they’re just way crazier about the person they’re seeing than the other is for them. That’s not to say she doesn’t sound invested in this guy during the song, but you get the feeling one of them knows it’s a fun little fling and the other is starting to get obsessed and isn’t seeing things that way.

It’s not hard to see why he’s getting addicted. I’m hooked on this song the same way dude is hooked on Sabrina. This song has this utterly hypnotic quality to it and at the 1:09 mark when you start hearing “Yes” after every line it reflects getting that hit, that thing you want once you’re addicted and craving more. “Soft skin and I perfumed it for ya” (Yes). “I know I Mountain Dew it for ya” (Yes). “That morning coffee, brewed it for ya” (Yes). It’s a small detail, but I always try to stress that the small details matter and always add up to something bigger. The more you listen, the more you get hooked on her the same way the guy in the song is getting hooked.

Now that I’ve mentioned it, can we talk about that Mountain Dew line? I’m sure some people think it’s a stupid and bad line, but those people are absolutely wrong. It's silly on the surface but works well as a clever double entendre ("I mount and do it for ya"). There’s four lines in this song that I could see somebody writing off as “bad lyrics.” The list includes:

“That’s that me espresso” (A little clunky, but does what it needs to do in order to set up a good metaphor for being the thing someone is addicted to)

“Move it up, down, left, right, oh / Switch it up like Nintendo” (Sounds like a joke bar your friend would spit in the car while making a joke about bad rappers who think they’re geniuses)

“My honeybee, come and get this pollen” (This wouldn’t sound out of place if it was said at the end of a James Bond film)

“I know I Mountain Dew it for ya” (This has definitely been said by a man who thinks he’s a sex god but only lasts the amount of time it takes to microwave a Hot Pocket)

The reason I put all of these lines in an organized list is to show one other thing this song does right: This is a silly song and it basks in the fact that it’s a silly and fun little song.

There’s a quick moment at 2:16, where Sabrina just says the word “stupid” before the song launches into the chorus again. I imagine that’s at the expense of the guy in the song, but I also treat it as her wink-and-nod to me that she’s aware this whole song is just silly, innocent fun and that I too should treat it as such. It doesn’t take anything away from the song, not one bit. If anything, it keeps it light and enhances everything it does right. If Taylor had said “I know I Mountain Dew it for ya” at ANY point during TTPD’s runtime, the masses would’ve erupted with laughter, scorn, and enough posts that you’d never hear the end of it. It works for Sabrina because a lot of her music is more upbeat than Taylor’s recent stuff has been and silly lines like that are quickly becoming her bread and butter. One of the biggest charms about her biggest hit from last year (“Nonsense”) is that it ends with literal nonsense bars that have nothing to do with the rest of the song: “This song catchier than chickenpox is / I bet your house is where my other sock is / Woke up this morning, thought I’d write a pop hit, ha-ha / How quickly can you take your clothes off? Pop quiz.” She’s taken that joke further by making up different stupid and silly outros every night she performs it just to get a laugh out of the audience. My personal favorite one: "This crowd is giving me all the endorphins / I wish someone would rearrange my organs / Philly is the city I was born in".

The last thing we need to talk about is the absolutely gorgeous and wonderful music video she made for this. It’s a rare Dave Meyers W in this day and age, as he’s responsible for two of the absolute worst videos I’ve seen this decade: Ed Sheeran's "Bad Habits" and the Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa collab "Sweetest Pie." That said, when he’s good, he’s GOOD and it makes you forget every bad video he’s ever made (which is more than just the two I mentioned...)

The cinematography is gorgeous, the choreography is great, Sabrina looks utterly stunning and living her summer beach movie fantasies. Those shots of her doing sixties dances on a surfboard are fantastic and look like they’re straight out of a beach movie from that decade. The whole video has a sixties beach movie look to it, from Sabrina’s outfits all the way to the overall look and glow of the setting. Everything you imagine about a perfect summer is captured beautifully in this video. It’s a fun video that reflects the song in all the best ways. If pop music is escapism and is something designed to take you to another world for a short time, this song and video do just that. We’re all better for it.

Pop songs can be totally serious works of art, but “Espresso” proves they don’t always have to be. Sometimes a song can just be light and fun. “Espresso” knows what it is and it’s excited to be that for you. If you want to start buying stock in songs that might get the illustrious and coveted “Song of the Summer” status, I’m telling you to invest and put all of your money in this song right now because we’re going to the moon and beyond with it. The video for the song ends with Sabrina getting arrested for stealing a guy’s credit card and throwing him overboard at the beginning, with the final shot being the cop car she’s in having a speaker on top playing a little snippet of what will supposedly be Sabrina’s next song. Whatever she ends up doing next, I’m here for it. “Espresso” made me a fan and I’m excited to see whatever else she’s got because this song is everything I love about pop music packed neatly into three and a half minutes. This image from Twitter (Formerly Twitter) user @___bodacious sums up my feelings on Miss. Carpenter really well:

#original post #ranting and raving #sabrina carpenter #music essay #Youtube

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missvelvetsstuff · 2 years ago

Text

Miss Velvet

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Y/N is a disabled equestrian and therapeutic riding instructor who helps Tony Stark with his PTSD after returning from Titan. When the Avengers bring everyone back he hires her to work with Avengers and SHIELD hires her as therapist and teaching basic riding skills because you never know when a horse will be the best mode of transportation.

Bucky Barnes is a manwhore who is enjoying his freedom for the first time in decades and pays no mind to y/n when she meets the team because he learned to ride from Hydra and too is busy pursuing his next conquest.

Post Endgame but everybody survived, because I said so. And Steve helped get Sharon Carter pardoned so they are together.

Chapter 11

Notes: I'm reposting this because the link is broken on the Masterlist for this story and I couldn't find the original post.

Velvets alarm went off and she groaned but when she tried to get up something was stopping her. Waking up a bit more she realized it was a metal arm holding her down.

"Bucky, honey, I have to get up and feed. So much to do today before Tony's Xmas Eve gathering tonite."

Bucky grumbled "No, no feed, no party things, sleep" and pulled her flush against him.

Velvet grimaced "But, Baby, it's Christmas Eve. We can sleep in a few days. I have to bake cookies and make fudge. It's tradition."

"How is it tradition when this is your first Christmas with the team?" Bucky mumbled.

Velvet whined "Because, it's what I do. My mom and I always baked goodies to take to work and school. She's gone but I must bake."

"Just five more minutes, Doll" Bucky tried to negotiate.

"Lazy damn supersoldier" Velvet smacked him on his right shoulder.

"Demanding woman" Bucky grunted

"And I'm all yours" Velvet grinned. "Come on! We have to get up. Unless you want to make me do all that work by myself" she pouted

"Fine! I'm up. Come take a shower with me."

"Sergeant Barnes! We don't have time for such activities. Get up!"

Once they finally got moving they found that Bobby had already taken care of the horses so headed back to the house for breakfast. Velvet started organizing the ingredients and dishes she needed to bake after turning on holiday music.

"Velvet, Doll. It's almost time to get going. Are you almost ready?" Bucky tapped on her bedroom door.

'What do you think Sarge? Do I look acceptable?'

Velvet walked out in a purple cocktail dress with black lace overlay, her hair down in the back and make-up simple. Bucky stared with his mouth open, his black suit with a pocket square that matched the color of her dress. His brain misfiring when he tried to speak so he ended up just grunting.

Velvet laughed "I'll take that as a yes. You look pretty drool worthy yourself."

Bucky shook his head "You just keep getting prettier every time I look at you."

"Such a charmer" Velvet blushed

"Shall we go?" Bucky offered his arm "Everything is in the car"

The compound was very festive with lights, trees, tinsel and red bows & ornaments everywhere. The whole team was in the ballroom, dressed to the nines and still sober enough to seem respectable but it was early. There were tables with finger foods and treats along one wall and a 20ft tree with presents under and around it. Holiday music was playing and everyone was excited for the evening.

After dinner, everyone was a little drunk and some were dancing for a little while until most were sitting on the huge sectional that was around the tree to make the gift exchange easier.

Everyone had their gift except Velvet until Tony handed her an envelope. Her brow crinkled.

"What's this Tony? The deed to my stable?" She joked.

"Not today. This is a Christmas slash birthday gift since your day is the 26th" he grinned

Velvet rolled her eyes "Wow, didn't expect a billionaire to need to combine gifts like my friends in high school did."

Tony scoffed "Just open it and take a look."

Velvet opened the envelope and read the paper inside, her eyes growing wider as she finished. "Are you for real, Tony?"

"Of course. I mean it was your boyfriends idea but yeah. Wanna tell the rest of the class?"

Velvet looks up at everyone "According to this, after brunch tomorrow we are all headed out on a chartered 747 to Disneyland until January 3rd. Staying in the special suites in the Disneyland hotel. There's the Fantasy Suite, Mickey's Penthouse, Pirates of the Carribean, Adventureland and Big Thunder. Plus my bday dinner at The Blue Bayou restaurant in the Pirates ride."

Everyone cheers and Sam's nephews & Clints kids start screaming "Disneyland! Disneyland! Disneyland!"

Velvet can barely contain herself "It's been years since I've been but my family used to go every year. Perk of growing up in So Cal. Y'all are gonna love it."

Tony claps "Alright kids, let's get some shut eye so Santa comes for the kids and we take off after brunch so get packed."

Velvet barely sleeps that nite, Disneyland holds so many special memories with friends and family, from her childhood.

After a hectic morning and brunch everyone heads to the airport, chatting excitedly about this trip.

Velvet wakes up on her 30th bday in one of the bedrooms of Mickeys Penthouse because Bucky is singing Happy Birthday with a huge cupcake with a candle lit. Velvet blows it out and kisses Bucky long and hard.

"Do we have to be anywhere this morning?" She asks Bucky.

"Yes, you and your lady friends are going to the spa at the Grand Californian for massages and other girly stuff today. We are all meeting at the castle at 7 for a group picture before dinner."

Velvet's phone rings "Oh, excuse my public needs me" and answers to hear a very off key rendition of Happy Birthday.

"Velvet!" Nat yells "Wake up, we have pampering to do"

The girls have a blast being pampered and drinking a whole lot of mimosas. Once they are done they head back to their rooms to get ready for dinner. Velvet has an off the shoulder, purple maxi dress and low heels.

"How do I look?"

"Like dessert" Bucky growls "Here, I have your bday present" and he puts an amethyst heart necklace on her.

"Oh, Buck, it's beautiful" She sighs

"Yeah, almost as beautiful as you. Now lets get going before we're late"

They meet the team at the castle and spend 10 minutes being posed by a photographer before he gets the shot he wants. Then all the families and couples take individual shots.

The theme from Beauty and the Beast Tale as Old as Time'(Angela Lansbury NOT Celine Dion) starts coming thru speakers all over Main Street, when Velvet and Bucky are the last couple to pose and when she looks over at him, he's on one knee. She looks around and everyone is watching them.

Bucky takes her hand "I know we've only been together for 5 months but I believe that when it's right, you know. Nothing in my life has ever felt so right.

Y/N, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Holding an amethyst engagement ring he looks at her with all the love he has.

Velvet starts crying and nodding her head "Yes. YES!" Is all she can get out. Bucky slides the ring onto her finger where it fits perfectly. She hugs and kisses him, speechless and so happy.

Applause breaks out, too much to be just the team and when Velvet and Bucky look around there are hundreds of spectators clapping and whooping for the happy couple.

The group heads to New Orleans Square but passes the entrance to Blue Bayou and Velvet speaks up "Tony, we passed the restaurant" but he shakes his head.

"Another little surprise, we are dining in Club 33 this evening"

"Oh my God Tony, I don't know what to say" Velvet tears up

"When you figure it out text me" Tony quips

After a wonderful meal the group gets ready to leave and Velvet groans "Buck, honey. Imma need you to carry me back to the hotel"

Bucky smiles, "Don't worry it's not far" and leads her up a set of stairs.

"Where are we going?" She asks, looking around

"You crazy kids are sleeping in Walt's Dream Suite tonite. Try not to scare the janitorial staff." Tony answers

The team comes up for drinks on the balcony so they can all watch Fantasmic!

Looking at her ring, Velvet sighs

"I can't imagine a better day. Can we get married here? Ooh, Tony do you know Steve Perry? Maybe he could sing at the wedding."

Bucky speaks up "You hear my girl, Stark? You're paying for the wedding too, right?"

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #james bucky barnes x reader #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes x you #angst with a happy ending #Miss Velvet #disabled equestrian reader #avengers au

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