#while i enjoy law enforcement steve au’s

[were-wolverine]

steve: yeah i’m a government employee

eddie: i fucking hate cops

steve: good thing i’m an EMT then

eddie: …

eddie: *starts twirling his hair* so… are you free tonight?

[hansensgirl]

☠️ — 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

summary. | Steve Rogers and his wife have a precarious arrangement in which she can have as many affairs as she likes, as long as she doesn’t ask for a divorce. But a man like him only has so much patience. And there you are, his child’s babysitter, too sweet to resist.

pairings. | Dark!Steve Rogers x baby-sitter!fem!reader, Steve Rogers x Peggy Carter (brief), Peggy Carter x numerous OMCs (implied/mentioned).

warnings. | NON/DUB-CON (leaning more towards dubious consent), smut, age gap, Halloween celebrations, deceit, manipulation, Steve is mean to his wife, obsession, possessiveness, implied murder (not the reader), mentions of masturbation (m), fingering (f), kissing, nipple play, Sir kink, mild Daddy kink, creampie, dirty talk, power dynamics/imbalance, praise, mild degradation, pet names (sweetheart, sweetie, honey, baby, love), missionary, rough sex, mentions of exhibitionism, mentions of riding, and more. 18+ MINORS DNI!

word count. | ~4.8k

author’s note. | hello! happy belated halloween! i know i’m a bit late—i’m sorry. here’s the dark!steve fic i was talking about. it’s a Deep Water!AU. please enjoy and heed the warnings! thank you @cuttlefjsh for beta-ing and putting up with me! let me know what you think. thank you for reading! taglist: @hansensfics. MINORS DNI! 18+ ONLY

The leaves fall apart underneath the pace of his feet. The hill slopes downwards, and the branches snap and hit the ground. Steve keeps pushing—keeps running even though he’s long devolved from a jog. The burn in his lungs is beautiful. He’s breathless.

For once, he doesn’t have to think about little Sarah and her mother. He doesn’t have to worry like a housewife, even though he was once the man of the house.

Millions in revenue. Two vacation homes. Endless income. But it’s never enough for her.

When Steve reaches the creek, he stops. The Apple watch on his wrist clocks in an unhealthy amount of steps. Unhealthy for everyone else, at least. He’s always been above average, and now he’s just like the rest.

Another greying head in the sea of a crowd. Another typical client his shrink has with the same old problems—a cheating wife, a midlife crisis.

His phone buzzes, and Steve half-expects a reminder he doesn’t need. But it’s better—so much better than he could ever predict.

It’s you—your name with a heart. His spouse doesn’t even have that—she’s just got her entire government name with “wife” in parentheses.

Hi, Mr. Rogers. Hope you enjoyed your weekend! I wanted to confirm that I’m coming tonight. I texted Mrs. Rogers yesterday, but I haven’t received a reply yet. Sorry to be pushy. I just need to know in time. Thanks, and Happy Halloween! 🎃

He sighs. He’s never understood why you always go to Peggy first, even though you’ve seen her incompetency more than you do your own family. He’ll have a talk with you tonight—while Peggy is out on a date with her latest suitor.

Hey, honey. I hope your weekend is as wonderful as you are. Yes, we’re still on for tonight. Don’t worry about my wife. From now on, just come to me, okay? Be here by 7:00, please. Thanks. Happy Halloween! 👻

Steve replies a few minutes later, but you read his message immediately. The timestamp makes him smile. Soon, the ‘typing’ icon pops up and following it is your message.

Great, thank you so much! See you then :)

You even leave a ‘heart’ on his text message; he does the same to yours. A sigh escapes the older man’s chest. His heart has returned to its regular rate, and the sweat on his back has cooled.

The scene before him is gorgeous—but doesn’t even hold a candle to your beauty. The thought of you is more addictive than any illicit substance. It calms him down when he needs to and riles him up at the worst times.

Steve says it’s not fair. Peggy shouldn't have all the fun with her boyfriends—even when her husband gets rid of them quicker than need be. It’s exhausting to deviate from law enforcement for a woman who doesn’t care about her own family.

She gets to devise grand schemes and say mean words to him. She doesn’t bother with her own daughter. She doesn’t lift a finger or pay for a thing with money she earned. Steve has to live in the shadows—and he’s tired of it.

The almost 50-year-old man follows his usual trail back home. Sirens pass behind him, heading toward some emergency that he undoubtedly has nothing to do with. Not this time, at least.

He feels like a dog in the manger. Everyone can have Peggy (to a certain extent), but he can’t have anyone himself.

Fake cobwebs and pumpkins sit outside houses on each side of the road. It’s the spookiest night of the year, yet you have no plans. No parties to attend with some stupid little boyfriend who wouldn’t know how to fuck you the way he would.

When Steve unlocks the front door, he finds his wife’s heels strewn on the floor and his daughter watching cartoons in the living room. He kisses Sarah’s head and ensures she’s eaten the entirety of her breakfast. He tried his best with ghost-shaped pancakes, though they turned out more like blobs than anything. She doesn’t mind at all.

Sarah’s a brainiac, her new hobby being those kits that teach you how to hook wires into potatoes and other vegetables. Steve applauds her creations every time she shows them off, noting the little technological genius in her that he must’ve contributed to.

That is, if he’s her biological father.

The television screen plays her choice of cartoons, with a Halloween theme for the special day. He smiles when she laughs before heading upstairs.

Peggy has the largest room with the nicest furniture. She spends little time there unless she’s getting ready to go out or recovering from a hangover.

Steve knocks on her door. Despite there being no answer, he unlocks it and lets himself in. His wife is wide awake, eye makeup smudged a bit, but she’s wearing her signature jeans with a tank top.

She turns around and smiles at the sight of him. “What do you think?” she asks, gesturing to the costume she has laid out.

It’s a vampire—that’s as much as he gathers. The little voice in his head tells him how fitting it is—Peggy has sucked the life out of him for the last seven years.

“Perfect,” Steve tells her, giving her his most forced smile, and they both know she sees right through it.

“Good. And what are you going as?” she questions, turning her back to him. He genuinely contemplates this for a second.

For the last few years, he’s always worn a cheap cape and said he’s a superhero. But he’s tired of the same thing all the time.

“I’m not sure. I’ll come up with something, though. What time are you leaving?” Steve asks. “Oh, probably around six. Don’t wait up for me. You’ll take Sarah trick-or-treating, right?” Peggy smiles, unwilling to take ‘no” for an answer.

Steve says nothing and simply leaves. He takes his phone out of his pocket—sleek screen and a photo of you and Sarah as one of his wallpapers—and pulls up his conversation with you.

Hey, hon. Do you mind coming a bit earlier? 6:30 will do.

He doesn’t even have to wait for your reply.

Sure! Do you want me to stay the night, too? I don’t mind.

Always diligent. Always a sweetheart.

Please do. The door will be unlocked.

You give his message a thumbs-up, and he sighs.

Tonight will be the night. Tonight, he’ll finally get what he wants, and no one can stop him. Not even you.

You give the door a knock three times, even though you’re more than welcome to simply enter. It feels wrong, though. Too familiar, too casual.

Halloween is one of your favourite holidays. It’s a day full of excitement and creativity, and the month leading up to it is terrific. The turning leaves and the cold weather that lets you wear your coziest sweaters. The candy is the cherry on top of the entire delicacy.

You’ve never been on for extravagant costumes due to your procrastination. Tonight, you’re an angel. You don an all-white get-up; a lace dress, sheer tights, and matching shoes. You have a borrowed halo on your head and floppy wings on your back. It’s the best you can do for now.

Steve opens the door a few moments later, and he’s wearing a black suit. His hair is gelled, and he has a toothy grin—a change from his usual scowl. You smile at the sight of him.

“Happy Halloween!” you cheer, and he laughs. “Happy Halloween, sweetheart. What are you supposed to be? The devil?” he jokes. “Hardy-har-har. I’m an angel. But what are you? A CEO?” you ask, raking your eyes up and down his body.

The older man basks in your attention, his ears burning red.

“Actually, I’m a groom. Something different from the superhero thing, you know? It was the only thing I could come up with,” he sheepishly admits, and you wave his shyness away. “I love that! I never see anyone do something simple yet unique. But no decorations?”

You glance back at his front lawn and see nothing but withered flowers and yellow leaves from the neighbour’s over-arching tree. His porch simply has a bowl of candy with a threatening “TAKE ONE (1)” sign, assumingly written by Sarah.

“Nope. But there’s always next year!” he reassures. You giggle and nod your head. Your cheeks burn from smiling so much. Do you find him amusing? Or is it forced? Steve has numerous questions running through his mind, some exciting the butterflies in the attic that is his stomach, and some boiling his blood.

“C’mon in. No jacket? You must be freezing. You’re better than that, honey,” he chides like the father he is. He locks the door behind you—chain and all. “I didn’t think it’d be this cold,” you admit, removing your shoes. Steve takes them from you and places them on the rack where Peggy’s usual ankle boots would be.

You note the absence of her items and the lack of noise from the television. You don’t pay them much mind.

“Ah, rookie mistake. If you want, you can borrow a jacket from me,” he offers, picking up a stray black feather from the floor. You set your small backpack on the bottom step and follow his lead.

“So… What’s Sarah’s costume? She kept talking about being a minion, and then a cow, so I’m not too sure,” you laugh, and Steve does the same. “Peggy wanted her to be one of those Mario characters, but you know Sarah. Tonight, she’s Albert Einstein. Including the wig, of course.”

When you enter the clean living room, you expect to see her adorable face dressed as the notorious physicist. But she’s not there—and neither are the family photos.

“Um, sir, where is she?” you question, and he gestures to one of the sofas. You take a seat and wait for his return. He comes back with two drinks and hands you one of them. “Sarah is at her grandma’s. Peggy is at one of those parties she always goes to,” Steve coolly explains.

“Oh, are we going there? Or do you want me to stay back and give candy out?” You take a sip of your drink—a cherry limeade you once raved about to him. The sparkling water fizzles on your tongue. “No, she’ll be going trick-or-treating with her cousins.”

There’s a beat. A moment. And it lasts for a while.

“Uh, so what am I doing here?” you query. “Sweetheart. I’m a bit disappointed. You probably think that’s all I want you here for, don’t you? C’mon, you’re more than a babysitter to me.”

Steve places emphasis on his last word. “I’m sorry, Mr. Rogers, but I really don’t understand what you’re implying,” you profess, downing more of your drink out of sheer nervousness. Are you being fired? Are they moving? Did you do something wrong?

“Oh, honey, c’mere,” he says, even though he comes to you. He moves from his position across from you—standing tall in his full, towering height. Steve sits down next to you and places his large, warm hand on your cold left thigh. “Don’t be scared. M’not gonna hurt you. You’re not in trouble,” he says in a low tone.

When he’s this close to you, you can see the details of his face entirely. Whenever you’ve tried to admire him from afar, it’s like he knows when you’re looking.

“You’re so sweet… So pretty. I bet you’re nice and soft, too, hm? And you’ll be a good girl for me?” he asks, and you furrow your brows. You open your mouth to say something to him, but you’re quickly shut up with a searing kiss.

Steve presses his lips against yours, and it’s better than anything he could have ever imagined. The fantasies he’s had during those late nights or showers with his fist wrapped around his cock don’t even compare.

He takes charge, pushing his tongue inside your mouth and exploring within. His strong hands scoop you into his lap, one of them holding the back of your head. You lean back as Steve’s forwardness dominates you. You’re not sure what to do, so you place your palms on his shoulders and use a bit of force to try to push him away.

The married man doesn’t budge. It’s getting hard to breathe, and you feel like he’s sucked the air out of your lungs. You sink your teeth down lightly on what you think is his tongue, and he hisses as he pulls away.

“Sir– We can’t do this. It isn’t right. I– I mean, you’re my boss, and you have a wife—and poor Sarah, she doesn’t deserve this–”

“Fuck Peggy. Do you really think she cares? I don’t love her, never have. I only love you, darling. Now, what you just di–”

“Love me? Mr. Rogers, I think you’re mistaken. Maybe it’s just because we’re alone, or you and Peggy have been distant, but you don’t love me, Sir. I won’t mention this to anyone, I swear. And I’ll find another job if you’d like,” you breathlessly explain, shaking your head.

Steve shushes you with a snarl. “You’re not leaving me.” His voice is stern, and his tone says it all—there’s no arguing. “Please,” you try to get off the older man’s lap, but he holds onto you tightly. “We’re perfect for each other, honey. Don’t you see? Sarah loves you, and you love her. And look! I’m your groom, and you’re my angelic wife,” he exclaims, pulling the halo and ripping the wings off.

You gasp at his strength and audacity. You’d try to fight him, but you know you’d end up more hurt than anything. “Please don’t make this difficult,” he demands, adding your name. The mention makes you flinch, as he rarely says it.

“Look at those eyes… All blown out. I bet you’re soaking, aren't you?” Steve asks, but you don’t reply. His blue irises seem much darker in the dim lighting. His pupils are wide, and it’s like looking at a man who’s been possessed. “You’re probably making a mess of your panties, and we’ve barely even started. Does that always happen when you’re around me? Gosh, I bet you smell so sweet.”

His words make you whimper, and he smiles. “Oh, and look at those perfect tits,” he hums, groping them. Your nipples are stiff as peaks, and the rough touch from Steve has you shuddering. “Pl– Please,” you beg as he pulls at the nubs. The pain teeters on pleasure, and you squeeze your thighs to put an end to the thrumming at your core.

“‘Please,’ what, sweetie? Hm?”

“Please, Sir,” you whisper.

The title makes him groan. “Fuck, you don’t know how long I’ve been wanting you,” Steve expresses. You don’t want to know. “Ever since we met… D’you remember that floral dress you wore? That you kept pulling up? God, I wanted to take you right there…”

You remember that day all too well. Seeing Mr. Rogers in all his glory was riveting, and the slight crush you developed lives on. Now—you’re not sure. Your brain is a mess, and you can’t think straight.

Your boss lifts you up bridal style, and he doesn’t let this go unnoticed. “See? We were meant for each other, honey. And we don’t even need a wedding.”

He sets you down on the bed in the room on the main floor. You’ve stayed here from time to time when Peggy likes to come out at two in the morning, and Steve is beyond worried for her.

Was it all a farce? You remember those times and how he never called her or insisted on picking her up.

Steve’s hands pull at your cheap dress, and he rips it down the middle. You regret your choice of not wearing a bra, but either way, it would’ve done nothing.

He cups your breasts, and you moan at the touch. He latches his mouth onto one nipple as he plays with the other. His mouth is skilled—his tongue flicking and teeth slightly grazing the sensitive skin.

Mr. Rogers’ fingers are just as talented. They pinch, pull, and twist at your other peak simultaneously. He switches eventually, and you’re a puddle beneath the imposing man.

Your back is arched slightly, and you’re practically pushing your chest into his face, and he chuckles. “So desperate. You need me so badly, don’t you?” he says, nodding his head and smiling when you mimic him for a split second. “Atta girl—so good for me.”

Steve pulls back, and you whine. He soothes you and pulls his jacket off. You can see the ripples of muscle beneath the white collared shirt. He unbuckles his belt with swiftness. You gnaw on your bottom lip despite its swollenness.

Soon, he’s back on you. Your boss hooks his fingers into the waistband of your panties, and he pulls them down your legs, admiring the strings of slick that break from the distance. He pushes the cloth into his pocket, and you clench when you think of the things he’ll do with it later on.

In your mind is a tiny voice that chides your every wrongdoing—how you haven’t fought back as much as you should. But there’s a louder one that was once lovesick over the married man before you, and it’s far more convincing.

Steve spreads your legs and curses at the sight of your sopping cunt. You involuntarily clench from the exposure. “You’ve got such a pretty pussy, baby,” he murmurs, leaning over you. One arm keeps him up, and the other bends your knees, giving him better access.

His fingers slide against your folds, collecting wetness as he caresses your lips. You let out a pleasured sigh, secretly wishing he would stop tormenting you and just get it over with. “So sensitive, too. I bet you’ll make such a mess on my cock.”

You never knew Steve could have such a filthy mouth—and God, do his words have your head spinning.

He quickly finds your swollen, throbbing clit and lightly touches it. The sensations on your little pearl are mild, but they’re enough to have you writhing beneath Steve. He draws light circles with the tips of his fingers. Your mouths brush against each other, and he teases you until you’re whispering pleas against his lips.

“Shh… It’s okay, love,” he reassures. Once he knows he has you worked up enough, Steve pushes the first digit into your pussy. The intrusion has you gasping, which turns into a whimper when he shoves another in. “Lookatcha, honey. You’re takin’ my fingers like a champ. This cunt is so tight, though. I’m really gonna have to stretch ya to fit my cock in there.”

The idea of his large cock barely fitting inside you makes your muscles involuntarily constrict against Steve’s fingers.

It takes a moment for you to adjust to the intrusion, though your walls welcome him like a familiar friend. His fingers are longer and thicker than yours, and with ease, he reaches that sweet spot most boys your age miss.

Eventually, Steve begins to fuck you on his hand. His digits slide in and out of you with ease as he picks up the pace. The skin glistens from your slick, and it’s a sight to behold. He creates a scissor motion with his two fingers every now and then, stretching you out while having you at his mercy.

It doesn’t take long for your moans to get louder while your face forms a frown of pleasure. The squelching sound of your cunt and that build-up just above your core are tell-tale signs that you’re about to come. “Oh, sir…!” you wail, and Steve picks up the pace.

“I can feel that cunt clenching on me, honey. God, you’re so beautiful this way. C’mon, make a mess on my hand. Come for me,” he rasps, rubbing his cheek against yours.

Your eyes squeeze shut when you come undone on Mr. Rogers’ hand. Your aching hole squeezes his fingers, and he makes you ride your orgasm out. Your back arches, and you let out a loud moan as pleasure shocks every nerve in your body. The lewd sounds of your cunt are noisy.

You find yourself immediately wanting more, even though you shouldn’t.

“Good girl—such a good girl for me,” Steve coos before slowly sliding his fingers out your channel. Your inner walls already miss the presence of his digits. You struggle to catch your breath, but in the midst of it all, you hear your boss pull the zipper to his pants down.

“I can’t wait to get inside of you, sweetie. I need you so badly it hurts,” he says while pressing kisses against the side of your neck. Steve climbs on top of you as he frees his aching cock from the confines of his boxers.

He grips himself by the base, his entire hand wrapped around his hardness. He gives himself a few strokes as pre-cum leaks from his slit, sliding down his bulbous head. His size is marvellous, a raging purplish-red with a thick base. Steve slaps the tip of his cock against your clit, and you flinch from the unexpected jolt of pleasure. “Fuck…” he curses.

“Are you looking, sweetie? This is such a special moment for us—I hope you remember it well,” he hums in your ear, and out of your natural obedient instinct, you lift your head to where you two are about to be connected. The sight of Steve’s cock makes you whimper. “Shit, what a good little slut.”

He drags the head of his dick through your dripping folds, and then he pushes in. The sudden stretch causes your skull to fall back against the bed. You try to close your legs, but Steve’s presence makes that impossible. He refuses to let you hide what’s his.

The older man completely sheathes himself inside your pussy. The squelching sound has you cringing in shame, but that quickly disappears when the feeling of fullness takes over. Steve’s balls touch your ass when he bottoms out, and your breathing is rapid from the sensuality of it all.

A hand wraps around your throat—though gentle, it scares you at first. Your eyes meet with Mr. Rogers’, and he looks at you with what appears to be adoration.

“You feel just like heaven,” he simply tells you. “I’m never letting you go after this—never was plannin’ on it, anyway.”

Before you can even process his words, Steve starts to fuck you. His pace is slow at first, and he hits your sweet spot with ease—a feat most boys your age are incapable of. Your moans are wanton and loud, teetering on the verge of pathetic for someone who was fighting against him at first.

“Oh, fuck,” you whimper, and your reaction makes Steve smile. “You love this, don’t you? Yeah, always knew you needed a real man to fuck this cunt.”

His thrusts are a bit quicker now, and he pulls in and out of your wet pussy roughly. The sound of skin on skin is thunderous, nearly covering up the wet noises from your stickiness. His thick cock shines from your juices. Steve ruts into you like a starved man—because he is one.

His pelvic bone hits your clit every now and then, and his swollen, heavy balls are against the curve of your ass. He’s relentless in claiming you as his, sucking, biting, and licking at the skin on your neck.

“Oh my God—Steve–” you mewl, the pleasure blooming inside you almost too much to handle.

“What’s wrong, honey? Are you gonna come again?” Steve questions with faux pity. He punctuates each word with a thrust, fat cock pushing into your tightness. “What a pathetic little slut, making such a big mess on her boss’ cock. And I’m married too. You just can’t help it, can you?” he teases, and his filthy words have you squeezing his length from the filthiness. He lets a groan out from the feeling, and he keeps the fervour going.

That elastic band inside your stomach begins to tighten, and you can feel another orgasm build up quickly. “Go ahead. Make a mess on Daddy’s dick, baby,” he urges, and as if on command, you cream around his thickness.

Your back arches off the bed, but you don’t go anywhere far with Steve’s chest keeping you pressed down. Your hardened nipples rub against the cloth of his shirt, and the added friction makes your climax all the more breathtaking. The older man pounds into your cunt vigorously.

Stars appear in your vision until you come back down. Mr. Rogers doesn’t stop fucking you, forcing you to endure the overstimulation. Even with your legs shaking, he refuses to give up. “Good girl—such a good whore for Daddy,” he praises. The tip of his cock pummels against your G-spot continuously.

Your tits bounce with each push of Steve’s cock. Sometimes, he grazes your cervix, but the mild pain dulls away when he presses chaste kisses to your face and brutalizes your g-spot. “‘S too much,” you mumble, legs involuntarily trying to close. “Nu-uh—It’s enough when I say it’s enough. Don’t worry, Daddy’s gonna fill up that pretty pussy real soon,” he says, and as if on cue, there’s a change in the way he pounds into your cunt.

His thrusts become more sloppy, but they keep the same passion and desperation that he started everything with. There’s an intensity you can’t describe because it just feels so fucking good. The hand on your neck moves and begins to caress the rest of your body. Your pulsating walls hug him, practically refusing to let go. Your skin is hot and sticky, just like his—if not more.

Wandering hands grope your body, going pliant underneath Steve. Guttural groans leave Steve’s mouth while you’re gasping endlessly. “Shit—you were made for taking this dick, sweetie. I’m gonna fill you up until you’re leaking down your thighs,” he promises, and the threat of it sounds terrific to your fucked-out mind.

“Be a good girl and soak Daddy’s cock one more time,” he orders. The blur between your previous climax and the one that takes you over now has your head spinning. You grasp the bedsheets from the overwhelming pleasure. A silent scream leaves your mouth, which Steve accompanies with a grunt followed by a string of curse words. “Fuck.”

You squeeze Steve’s length tightly, soaking him in your wetness. Electric shocks run down your spine and unto every nerve in your body. You feel like you’re floating for a split second. You’ve never come that hard—ever. It’s difficult to breathe, and Mr. Rogers is mean enough to make you take the euphoria he’s doling out.

Wetness stains the skin that surrounds where you two are filthily connected. Your ass is sticky, and some of your cream stains the trimmed hair at the base of Steve’s shaft. It’s a mess—one he intends on adding to with his semen.

His cock twitches inside your pussy, and with a final shove, he stills with his pelvis pressed against your clit. Steve’s balls clench, and he shudders as he reaches his own high. Ropes of cum spurt from the fat tip of the older man’s cock, painting your insides. The feeling makes you whimper as you’re filled to the brim with his seed.

For a few moments, Steve stays in that position, catching his breath while he recovers from his orgasm. Your eyes dance along his face, taking in the pinched yet relaxed look he dons.

Eventually, your boss resurfaces from the depths of his climax. You’re more than exhausted and have half a mind to fall asleep right then and there.

But the sound of the front door opening and closing shocks you from your stupor. Worry is written all over your features when Steve looks at you. “Aw, don’t worry, honey,” he hums, and though it may seem impossible, you can feel him get harder inside your pussy,

Whether it’s your evident fright or the thrill of getting caught, you’re not sure. Both make you dizzy.

Peggy’s notable accent slurs a call for Steve. “Think we should put on a show for her?” he jokes, grinding his cock further into your pussy.

You’re sure that no matter what you say, he won’t listen. And what will follow will be a nightmare you can’t escape.

But those thoughts ebb away when you hear your other boss curse a storm and abruptly leave, even though she hasn’t walked in on the pornographic scene that’s taking place in the guest room.

“Well, there’s always next time—if she’ll even make it,” Steve grumbles under his breath, but the words are too vague for you to dwell on them. “Think you’re up for round two, love? I wanna play with those tits while you ride my cock.”

For the nth time, your body betrays you and tells him your true desires. Either way, he still would’ve gotten what he wanted. Steve Rogers always gets what he wants.

[dothwrites]

13 and 20

13. and 20.--Detective AU and Teacher AU

---

Castiel represses a sigh as he stands up straight. His spine pops as he subtly stretches out the kinks in his aching body.

He'd thought that he was a reasonably fit man, but bending over and scrubbing at filthy floors and tables every day is playing hell with his lower back.

The bell rings, and Castiel curses under his breath as he moves back against the wall. Less than thirty seconds later, all of the doors near him burst open and a flood of teenagers courses into the hallway.

Castiel's had a lot of unpleasant assignments in his life, but going undercover at Carver Edlund High School is among the worst. He thought that he'd seen some of the worst that humanity had to offer: murderers who cared nothing for the pain of their victims, kidnappers who plunged families into turmoil for years, robbers who were willing to kill just in order to get a few quick bucks. But upon seeing the horror show of the cafeteria after a group of freshmen finished lunch, Castiel has to start reevaluating his list of atrocities.

The tardy bell rings, and Castiel sighs as he steps out in the hall. He rolls his eyes at the debris that the students have left behind and grabs his push broom to start clearing it away.

Going undercover at Carver Edlund wasn't Castiel's first choice of assignments, but with several students ending up in the hospital due to drug overdoses, something drastic had to be done. Castiel's job is simple: gather as much intelligence as he can about where the drugs are coming from. If possible, he's to find the dealer and shut the whole production down.

In theory, it's a good assignment. Success here would mean a potential commendation, maybe a promotion if the operation is big enough. But the reality of the situation is much different. Castiel's been masquerading as a member of the maintenance team for a little over a week, and he's no closer to finding the source of the drugs than he was when he started.

His captain had ultimately decided to send him in as a member of the janitorial staff for access reasons: as a janitor, he has keys to every door. Not even lockers are safe from him. There's no place in the school off-limits to him. Unfortunately, it also means that his opportunities for questioning potential suspects are limited: no high school student wants to have long conversations with the janitor. He's reduced to sweeping around gaggles of kids, hoping that they'll just so happen to let something slip.

His plan hasn't worked. So far, he's learned about the latest TikTok challenge, who's rumored to have slept with who, and who on the football team is getting suspended, but drugs? Either these kids are savvier than he gives them credit for, or they don't know anything.

"Oh, sorry, 'scue me... Oh. Hi, Steve."

It takes Castiel just a second too long to respond to the name. Part of that is because he's still not used to answering to his cover name, and part of that is because he's still not sure how to act around Dean Smith.

He braces himself before he turns around, but that still doesn't prepare him for the sight of Dean Smith leaning against the wall. Looking at him is like looking into the sun, if the sun was in a dingy hallway with flickering florescent lights and questionable stains on the floor. Even with those inauspicious surroundings, however, Dean Smith, with his sandy hair, vibrant eyes, freckles, and bright, crooked grin, stands out.

"Hello, Dean." Castiel allows the hint of a smile to cross his face. He'd called Dean 'Mr. Smith' exactly once before Dean had put a stop to it.

"Oh, no," he said, grimacing in distaste, "I get enough of that from the kids. Just Dean, man." Castiel hadn't argued, and the slightly stuffy Mr. Smith became Dean.

"Another beautiful day cleaning up the debris of the world?" Dean gestures towards the small pile of dirt and dust that Castiel has managed to collect.

"It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it," Castiel answers.

No doubt his superiors would be screaming if they could see him right now. Zachariah, his Captain, would sneer, You're there to catch drug dealers, Novak, not to play nice with pretty boy teachers, but Zachariah isn't here right now. Plus, it's not like Castiel's making any headway on the drug dealers, so he might as well indulge his crush with a guy who's miles out of his league.

Dean is the kind of good-looking that gets noticed by modeling companies in the line at the cafe. Castiel has found himself wondering, more than once, what a guy like him is doing substitute teaching. It's obvious that Dean is smart, and he doesn't doubt that he could have a job doing whatever he wanted. Still, Dean's being a substitute teacher works out well for him, so he doesn't complain. Not if it means that he can be just a little closer to him.

Maybe if Castiel wasn't undercover and wearing an unflattering jumpsuit with the name 'Steve' stitched across the front pocket. Maybe if he were dressed in his customary suit and had a badge and gun to flash around. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

"Don't talk to me about dirty jobs," Dean says, his voice entirely too low and insinuating for the circumstances. Heat blooms underneath Castiel's collar.

"Well, I'm not sure what else to talk to you about," he confesses. He resents the broom handle in his hands.

Dean shrugs. His smile is still carefree, but there's something else in his eyes when he says, "What about any books that you've read lately? TV shows that you've watched?" His eyes flash to Castiel's, and his tongue flirts with his lower lip as he asks, "Restaurants that you'd like to go to?"

Castiel's heart stutters. For a second, it sounded like... But that can't be right. Dean can't be inviting him out. Guys like Castiel don't go out with guys like Dean. That's just the way the world works. Maybe if he was Detective Castiel Novak, but now when he's Janitor Steve.

He takes a second too long to answer. By the time that he's managed to figure out that Dean is serious, Dean's expression has shuttered. He flashes a painfully fake smile at Castiel. "Hey, man, don't worry about it. I'll catch you later, okay?"

He's turning to go, and fear grabs at Castiel. He knows that if he lets Dean walk away, then everything will change between them. No more jokes, no more stolen conversations in the hallways. They'll become nothing more than vague, uneasy colleagues, at least until Castiel's assignment ends and he disappears forever from Dean's life.

The indignity of his assignment and the frustration of his ineptitude rises in Castiel, and bursts out of him in a quick call. "Dean!"

Dean turns around. Hope flickers in his eyes before he hides it. "Yeah?" he asks. The carefully blank tone in his voice is like a knife twisting in Castiel's chest.

"I like Italian food," Castiel answers. He offers a hesitant smile towards Dean, hoping against hope that Dean will accept his overture.

After a second, Dean's smile spreads slowly across his face, as bright as the sunrise. "Yeah," he says, nodding slowly, "yeah, I think we could do that."

---

Dean's heart dances in his chest as he walks away from Steve.

He did it. After weeks of ogling and tentatively flirting, he finally asked out the hot janitor.

Steve is a lot more than a pair of pretty blue eyes and a five o'clock shadow that makes Dean's lip yearn for stubble burn, though. (Though Steve does fill out a jumpsuit better than anyone Dean's ever seen. One day, he was lifting a desk onto the dolly so that it could be moved, and Dean thought his eyes were about to pop out of his skull. Between the thick thighs attempting to pop the seams on his pants, and the biceps rippling, Dean hadn't known where to look.) Steve has a wicked sense of humor, an innate sense of kindness, and he's caught every single one of Dean's literary references (the pop culture ones, not so much. Seriously, who's never seen Indiana Jones?). There's more to Steve than meets the eye, and Dean's itching to peel back the dozens of layers.

He ignores the tiny voice in the back of his head (which sounds like an alarming mix of Sam and Bobby) saying Don't get too involved. This is a temporary thing. Dean frowns and tries to tell the voice to shut the fuck up.

He's only here for as long as it takes him to figure out who's bringing drugs into the school. At the first viable lead, he'll be yanked out, and Dean Smith, substitute teacher, will die, to be replaced by Agent Dean Winchester of the DEA.

Because of the environment, there are multiple law enforcement agencies working on this case. There's state police, the DEA, and maybe even a few FBI agents sniffing around. It's naive to believe that there aren't other agents working in the school, but he hasn't come across any yet that he knows of. He's not entirely sure; he lets Bobby deal with all of the inter-agency bullshit. He has his mission and his cover, and Bobby, as his handler, can navigate every other pitfall.

Beyond small talk and leading conversations, Dean hasn't tried to get close with anyone. Every smiling face could conceal an undercover agent or a dealer. With suspicion everywhere, it's best not to succumb to temptation.

Which makes his attraction to Steve all the more intriguing.

Just thinking of the other man sets off a series of fireworks in the pit of Dean's belly.

This is probably a terrible idea, doomed to failure, but Dean is going to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Whistling, he goes back to the classroom and prepares for his next class.

[the--sad--hatter]

Sparks Fly - Chapter 13 (Bucky x Reader)

Fandom: Marvel Soulmate!AU/Detective!AU

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Gratuitous Violence, Criminal Activity, Life or Death Situations, Graphic Gore, Crime Scene Descriptions, Dark Humour, Slapstick Humour, Kara Humour, Catastrophic Amounts of Fluff, More Angst Than You Can Shake A Stick At

Summary: (Imagine Brooklyn 99 and Criminal Minds had a baby)

If you want to know if you’ve found your soulmate, it’s simple… All you have to do is kiss them. If they’re your soulmate then there will be sparks, literal sparks. You’ve seen it happen to other people and it is a sight to behold; at least you think it is. Detective Bucky Barnes is a little less enchanted with the idea.

Despite your glaring differences, you and Bucky work well together. You’re good at charming witnesses, he’s good at intimidating suspects. You can run a perp down, he can knock them down. But there’s one criminal who’s eluded you both for a long time, and when Brock Rumlow rolls back into town, you and Bucky find yourselves far outside your comfort zones.

Masterlist

Spotify Playlist

Chapter Thirteen - The Braidy Bunch 

You were afflicted with a severe case of cop-brain. It happened occasionally, you’d get so caught up in a case that you didn’t have room in your head for anything else. It usually happened on cases that were difficult to solve, enigma’s wrapped in mysteries, wrapped in a lack of evidence and a hard to decipher motive.

 This case had plenty of evidence. Two faceless corpses, a warning from a dead assassin, a murdered colleague, and a sinister bouquet of flowers.

 Motive was also clear. Rumlow was a psychopath and he was fixated on you.

 But where Rumlow was, what he would do next, and why he wanted you so afraid? Those were question you desperately needed answers to, and you had no way of knowing where to look.

 Your apartment held no clues. If it weren’t for the corpse and the roses left behind, you’d never even have known someone had been there. That thought had sent chills through you, and your grip on Bucky’s hand had tightened for a moment, but then you pulled yourself back from the edge and thrown yourself in crime-solving mode. It was the only way to get through this, to survive this. You had pulled your hand from Bucky’s and put on a profession air that kept the darkness at bay.

You weren’t the lead detective on the case, but assigning tasks authoritatively, you sure as hell acted like you were. Nobody fought you on it, they just nodded and took their marching orders seriously.

 Natasha was working her own case, with the new knowledge from you and Bucky. She was pressing on every contact she had in various other law enforcement agencies and scrolling through endless Interpol lists to identify the two faceless victims who had kickstarted the nightmare.

 Wanda and Pietro were combing through weeks of backdated security footage from the Chinese restaurant next door, to see if there had been any suspicious activity around your apartment before last night.

 Clint and Sam downtown at a well known bar for gang members, grilling his informants for information about Hydra resurfacing.

 Steve was fending off Major Crimes, and The FBI. Hydra were a known terrorist organization, which made this case a free for all, and he was working his ass of to keep it getting taken from you.

 And Bucky was glued to your side, just like he said he would be. He was taking his vow seriously, and you hadn’t left his sight for more than a few minutes, and that had been when you went to the bathroom. Even when you got back to the Precinct, he had taken up residence in an empty briefing room with you, helping you set up the whiteboards with all the evidence and passing you coloured pins as you asked for them.

 Everyone was doing everything the could, but to no avail. By the time darkness had fallen over the streets of New York, you were no closer to solving the case than you had been when the day began. You just couldn’t accept that though, you were convinced there had to be something you missed, and when Bucky had dragged you out of the station to take you home, you had managed to snag a file and smuggle it back to his apartment by hiding it under your shirt.

 “I fucking knew you were still working.” He sighed.

 You looked up from your cross-legged position on the bed, not even mildly guilty at having been caught. He was glaring at the file in your lap like he could set it ablaze if concentrated hard enough.

 “M’not tired. Listen, I was thinking about the flowers. They’re in the lab so we should know more tomorrow, we should go to the florist and see if they remember anything about who ordered them.” You said.

 There had been no card with them, because Rumlow hadn’t needed one. The flowers themselves were the message. He was telling you it was him, letting you know he was still alive, making sure you knew he was coming for you. He was lurking somewhere in the shadows, trying to get inside your head, under your skin.

 But everyone had thought he was dead. He’d been free and clear, and he’s blown it because he needed to hurt you. He might have thought he was winning, but he’d given you the upper hand, because he’d proven that you were the one who was under his skin. He’d fucked up, and that was how you were going to catch him, you were going to use his obsession against him.

 You just weren’t sure how, but you knew you could figure it out.

 You were startled out of your reverie by a pillow landing in your lap, and it surprised you enough for Bucky to pluck the evidence file out of your hand.

 “What?”

 He tossed it onto the corner of the room, and switched the light off so the only sliver of light came from the hallway. Oh, so he was sending you to bed.

 “I’m not sleepy yet, what the hell?” You snarled, attempting to get up and retrieve the file.

 “You’re not sleepy because you’re not calm.” He said, shoving you back down onto the bed. “You need to stop thinking.”

 That was rich, because by the expression on his face, he was thinking very deeply about something. While you were flattened against the headboard and glaring up at him, he re-adjusted the pillow on your lap and with a long, deep breath, climbed onto the bed and lay his head down on it.

 “What the fuuuuck is happening?” You whispered quietly, too afraid to speak loudly or move.

 It was like some sort of wild animal had climbed onto your lap in a sudden and unforeseen show of domesticity.

 “Mindless tasks keep your mind from wandering, and the happier you are, the easier you’ll sleep.” He grunted.

 That explained absolutely nothing, until… He swept his hair out from under his neck until it was all fanned out across the pillow.

 “Oh my God. Oh. My. God! Ohhhh myyyyy God.” You exclaimed in a hushed and awed whisper. “Are you? Is this? Can I?”

 “You know what it is.” He snapped.

 “I need to hear you say it, Bucket.”

 He scowled angrily at you, which didn’t quite have the effect he was hoping for since he was doing it upside-down from your lap. It was adorable.

 “You can braid my hair.” He eventually grumbled, not at all happy about it.

 You were thrilled though. The words were music to your ears and you clapped your hands together excitedly before you wiggled your fingers in anticipation. You hadn’t actually thought he would ever, in a million years, actually let you loose on his luscious locks. The first brush of your fingers against the brunette strands felt like victory, and you knew it was a memory you would treasure forever.

 You gently pulled your fingers through his hair, working out all the little kinks and knots, careful not to tug too hard. You didn’t want to spook him. He just lay there though, and after a few moments his eyes fluttered closed and all the little line on his face smoothed out as his expression melted into one of relaxation. He was enjoying this!

 You painstakingly parted his hair into even sections, and pretended you couldn’t hear the way his breathing evened out, but when you gently raked your nails across his scalp to section a parting, you couldn’t pretend you hadn’t heard that. It was quiet, but unmistakable, the soft grunt of pleasure that rumbled from his slightly parted lips. As soon as it happened, he froze, unnaturally still.

 So you did it again.

 As your nails softly dragged across his scalp, his eyelashes fluttered against his cheek and his hands balled into fists at his sides. The back of your neck suddenly felt too warm and your heart did a strange sort of pitter-pat in your chest. All those confusing feelings that were swirling around inside your chest were not any easier to deal with when the object of your affections was in your lap, and all those less confusing feelings south of your chest were not helped by the noises he was making.

 You still did it again though.

 The involuntary reactions it brought forth, the fact he hadn’t asked or hinted at you to stop, and the endearing blush that tinged his cheeks were all too hard to resist.

 It worked though, his plan. Your mind was purged of all Rumlow and case related thoughts, and even the confusing emotional bullshit slipped further away with every lock of hair you twisted. You just lost yourself in the intricate braiding, letting the repetitive actions take up your headspace. By the time you were finished, you were finally calm, blissfully thought free, and relaxed. So was he, if the peaceful expression on his face was anything to go by.

 “Bucket?” You hummed softly, tapping him on the shoulder.

 Nothing.

 “Bucky?”

 Oh damn. He was fast asleep.

 “Well, fuck.” You whispered to yourself.

A/N -  This chapter is shit, i know it's shit, but it was a shitty chapter or no chapter at all 😫

Bucky Taglist (Closed)

@drdorkus​ @mad4oak​ @anamcg317​ @whoisbxcky​ @pinkisokay​ @saiyanprincessswanie​ @dlcita @bonkybaaarnes​ @marvelsangels​ @lordofthenerds97​ @crushedbyhyperbole​ @prettyboydevito​ @cleoisme​ @supraveng​ @lbuck121​ @daughterofthenight117​ @pinknerdpanda​ @courtneychicken​ @jocundasykes @iluvsumbucky​ @pychedelic-rainbow @ahappylilybug2019​ @silentcoyotesong​ @slytherinyodmslike​ @geeksareunique​ @aikeia​ @nighttwingg​ @ladysergeantbarnes​ @couldabeenamermaid​ @exotic-moondvst​ @buckyreaderrecs​

Everything Taglist (Closed)

@helloimanavenger​ @justahumblesinner @littleredstarfish​ @dark-angel-be-thirsty-af @dilaila95​ @buckysknifecollection​ @justellu​ @spnrvt​ @deathofmissjackson​ @sexyvixen7​ @fairislesheets​ @rvgrsbrns​ @dahkness​ @sleepycayley @isabelcrichards​ @riverdaleserpent04​ @jazztherebel​ @tell-me-a-poem​ @hiddles-rose​ @severepienerdturkey​ @life-wanderer​ @unlikelygalaxygiver​ @fangirlwithatrowel​ @abo4280ooof​ @destiel-artemis​ @dilaila95​ @tarastudiesalot​ @toxic-pineapple​ @ohnosiren​ @for-the-love-of-the-fandom​ @breezy1415​ @misswatson99 @chaoticfiretaconerd​ @marvelfansworld​ @stareyedplanet​ @themusingsofmany​ @zeannastardust​ @littleredstarfish​ @sammyissassy​ @alexakeyloveloki​ @kaz22992​ @randomidiot4444​ @musingpredilection​ @inquisitor-selvala​ @lianadelphius​ @happybookmuffin​ @tony-stank3​ @amoonagedaydreamer​ @dropthepizza346​ @my-drowning-in-time​ @lianadelphius​ @musingpredilection​ @belles-garden​ @lieswithoutfairytales​ @unfriendlyrightfighter​ @rororo06​ @lookalivefrosty​ @official-and-unstable-satan​  

Sparks Fly Taglist (Closed)

@stareyedplanet @freeyourwings @marvelgirl7 @sarcastic-britt @intense-sneezing @eesha266 @buckyyyybear @jordan1509 @draqcnheartstrinq @jennmurawski13​ @whatcouldgowrong-ohthat​ @literalmcuhoe​ @siggy85​ @lordofthenerds97​ @noplacelikehome77​ @lokisironthrone​ @bwady-owo​ @humbledarkness​ @crookedslimecreatorpasta​ @1am9root6​ @thatweirdwalangpake​ @tanelle83​ @thefifthmaraud3r​ @quixotic-romantic @vvienersoldier​ @scarletnerd05​ @emzd34​ @fandomsfallnomore​ @iamthe-shadow-on-the-wall​ @cateyes315​

[the-canary]

Good Intentions - B.B (7)

Summary: What if everyone knew except the two of you? Accepting it might be the hardest thing of all though. (Reader/Biker!Bucky Barnes) 

Prompt: Biker AU! + @polaroid-idiocity ‘s biker!bucky and mechanic!reader request.

A/N: this is for @quantumarvel ‘s writing challenge. mentions of kidnapping and abuse, please proceed with caution.

“If you have a never ending thirst, you might not ever find the nutrition for it."

James remembers Dot laughing at the fortune cookie’s advice a long time ago, when he was still a rookie and semi in love with her. Red lips has cracked open with a laugh before she threw the paper away and ate half of the cookies she had taken from him.

It wasn’t a good fortune at all and not even a good memory of his former love, but the quote always stuck with him. He thought about it from time to time as the years went on, because at the center of it he was a starving man.

He hungered for his place in the world, for a sense that he was doing the right thing. The hole grew larger each year that he passed in hiding, as he thought about Steve, old friends, high school, about his motorcycle--

He was sure that she was somewhere running, always somewhere in his head but like a ghost Bucky could never really catch. And while, he had grown to realize that there is a lot missing in his life, Bucky was has also realized that there were always a way to get it back -- or at least get closer as best as he could.

———–

“Watch it!” Bucky raises his tone in worry, as he watches you pick up your crutches and hop around the room. The nurse is giving him a strained smile as you frown before moving to where she is. It was time for your rehab and he wasn’t allowed to follow.

“I’ll bring her back in one piece, Mr. Barnes,” the elderly nurse chuckles as he lets out a worried, lovesick sigh. You just wave at her and tell her to pay him no mind, like you had been doing for the past three months.

I don’t want you near me if it’s for some sick sense of pity or guilt, James.

It had been one of the first things you had told him after you had woken up. You hadn’t asked the reasons behind your kidnapping and attack back then or in the months since, though he was sure Steve or Sam had let you in the details that they could. You had never bothered him asking, but as he sat there --like he had for sometime now-- Bucky knew that everything had come out if he wanted to move forward with his life.

———–

Bucky doesn’t expect to have two nights after. It is closer to nine and though he should have left hours ago, he has certain traction with the nurses and it helps that your boss’s name is on the front of the building. The room is dimly lit as, blue eyes watch you work over the latest project -- one that had been pushed back constantly due to recent circumstances, but you still wanted to complete it ahead of the Stark Expo.

There is a glow to your face, not just from the machine but in how you are generally enjoying your work that he can’t help but keep his eyes on. Back when you were teenagers, you had both work here and there on fixing engines and little things -- it came with your fathers both working in the local mechanic shop, but as time moved forward Bucky had gotten caught up with football, decathlon, and a million other things that made him the star of the school.  

None of those things have worked out in the end and he had chosen law enforcement as a career path. It hadn’t turned out like he had wanted it either, but you -- from what he understood, you had never given up on the thing you loved, went from high school science team to majoring in engineering in college, to working for Stark Industries.

Where had he gone wrong where you hadn’t?

“I think,” you pause from your work. Bucky slowly realizing that he has said the last part out loud, “You shouldn’t be comparing your life to other people’s, Bucky. It isn’t going to help you in the long run.”

“So, you’ve never done it?” Bucky answers back, a bit miffed. He could hear that from Steve and Captain Fury, but not from you of all people. Bucky regretted a lot of things in life and there was no turning back, but was still stuck between accepting and rejecting the whole notion that he could really have life go his way.

You pause for a moment before putting your laptop away. You move to the side of your bed, as Bucky watches you confused. You pat the open side, staring straight into his side.

“Then, tell me your story,” you remark, “What do you regret and wish you could change.”

Bucky stay stills for a moment before adding on: “And will you tell me yours?”

You give him a soft smile, one that he remembers from when you had finally gotten something right back in the days, and you promise that you will.

He settles in for the night and tells you about his schooling, the hiding, and how he fell in love with Dot. He almost starts talking about how he met Rumlow when you place your hand over his to stop him.

It’s closer to dawn when you start your story -- about school and all the little in-between from meeting Sam to how you meet Mr. Stark and to all the things. Bucky laughs more than he did when he was retelling his own and you couldn’t help but think it was a good look on him.

As the sun starts to come up, the two of you end up falling asleep on the tiny, white bed once more. Surely more at ease than either of you had been in quite some time.

[wordywarriorwrites]

Chapter 3: Sleight

Masterlist: The Boss of Brooklyn A03 Link Author: @wordywarriorwrites Summary: When it comes to being The Boss, James Buchanan “JB” Barnes rules with an iron fist. For him, there’s no room for sentiment, and certainly no time for distraction, even if it is in the form of an old flame. Steve Rogers had bowed out of the life a long time ago, but a twist of fate brings him right back into the fold, and face-to-face with a man he once loved. When a game of cat and mouse turns into a matter of life and death, both will be forced to decide whether they’ll be loyal to the business, or faithful to each other. A/N: Bucky Barnes Mob Boss AU. Stucky. For: Star’s Multi-Fandom Follower Celebration & Sherry’s Fall Into You Challenge. Warnings: Language, violence, drug use, alcohol, smoking, explicit sexual content, illegal activities.

After surgery, Natasha was wheeled into a private room at NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and once it had been made clear she would make a full recovery, Bucky called a meeting.

Five plastic chairs situated around the bed; every pair of eyes narrowed; each mind determined. Out of all the potential outcomes, none of them could have anticipated this, and it wasn’t just because Steve had chosen to defend himself.  

Natasha was dutiful, cautious, and extremely versatile. She’d carried more than her fair share of the water and had never shirked or shied away from any of the endless lists of tasks and responsibilities they’d given her. Over the years, she’d become the Queen in their metaphorical game of chess, was welcomed and respected in every territory, and was often the envoy, enforcer, and enticer. She was integral to the Families and invaluable to Bucky.

She’d also never been injured this badly before and that put them all on edge.  

“How did this happen?” Wanda inquired quietly.

Thor grunted, “We know how it happened.”

“We need to focus more on the why instead of the how,” Tony remarked.

Clint nodded in agreement, “If I’m being honest, I was glad to hear he’d returned, but now…”

As comptroller, Maximoff was most concerned with finances. Odinson, in his capacity as recruiter, was having trouble getting the fresh meat to settle down. Stark made sure law enforcement on their payroll turned a blind eye to Steve’s return, but this had drawn a lot of attention, and as a result, Barton had been forced to place a temporary hold on all incoming and outgoing product.

One thing they could all agree on was that the matter needed to be approached with even more caution. They still didn’t know the whereabouts of the deceased senator’s wife, nor the motivation behind Steve’s aiding in her escape. Bucky had assumed he’d returned for the funeral, but whether or not that was his primary reason for staying in town was unknown. Nevertheless, Bucky admitted he’d made the mess, and told them he would clean it up.

Clint was tactful when he pointed out they’d tried it his way and it hadn’t gone well. When Bucky asked for suggestions, Thor threw out the obvious option of having someone else finish the job. Wanda alternatively asserted that if he intended to let Steve live, he needed to be placated. Tony decreed it was best to keep enemies close and that Bucky should simply seduce him. Clint recommended backing off and giving Steve a wide berth for the time being.

Bucky sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. While everyone continued to discuss how best to resolve the brewing conflict, he averted his attention to Natasha, who had woken up mid-way through the conversation. If anyone had the right to an opinion, it was her, and when he held up his hand for silence, everyone quieted down.

“Natasha?” Bucky prompted.

“Use him,” she rasped. “Make him an ally again.”

He’d never considered bringing Steve back into the fold, but it was the most practical way to resolve things. As the Families had never formally voted him out, he technically still had a seat at the table, and could return to it at any time. If Steve did return, things would change, but adjusting parameters and expectations wasn’t the issue.

Steve was a natural leader and would’ve been Boss had he not left. Loyalty and tribute were given and paid to the Families as a whole, but Steve inspired a level of fanaticism and devotion that Bucky just could not replicate. Though the title alone commanded respect, Bucky knew some considered him a placeholder; there were big players who’d been waiting for Steve to return, and if he was welcomed back, there would be a power shift. Even though Steve had never expressed a desire to run things, it was a mantle Bucky, if pressured, would be forced to let him have.  

War and peace, love and hate, progress and tradition – they were often two sides of the same coin, one that had been flipped many times over many generations. As head of the Families, it was left to Bucky whether or not to toss it in the air again, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. It was a gamble, a fifty-fifty chance, and he wasn’t the type of man who enjoyed playing the odds. He tried to look for a clear outcome, but the tide kept shifting, the waters were murky, and he couldn’t yet see in which direction the wind would blow.

“We tried the stick,” Wanda gently reminded him. “Let’s see if the carrot fares better. I’ll reach out.”  

Bucky inclined his head, “Very well.”

With the decision made, the others departed, but Bucky remained. He scooted his chair closer to the bed and when Natasha held out her hand, he took it. She’d been hooked up to an intravenous analgesia pump, but had yet to use the medicine, and that meant both her grip and her words were fierce.

“Whatever you do, don’t fuck with him,” she warned. “I don’t know what Steve’s up to, but I can tell he’s changed, and he’s dangerous. You watch your six, you hear me?”  

“I’ll be as careful as I can be.”

“Have you said anything to the press?”

Bucky hummed noncommittally, “They believe it was an attempted robbery gone wrong.”

Natasha nodded, let go of his hand, and depressed the button to release the morphine, “Good. Now, go away – you got shit to do and I need rest.”

If anyone else had dismissed and dictated to him like that, Bucky would have broken their jaw, but since it came from Natasha, he just smiled. Even with a foot dangling over the grave, she still busted his balls, and because she was the only real and true friend he had, he didn’t fight her.

The drive back to the penthouse was a slow one because of traffic and when he finally pulled into the private parking garage, he was exhausted, irritated, and starved. The guard at the desk greeted him politely and Bucky waved back. It was a quick, smooth ascent to the top floor, and when the elevator doors parted, he stepped into the foyer, and was greeted by an unexpected albeit not entirely unwelcome visitor.

“In the span of twenty-four hours, you’ve botched a takedown and you let me get the drop on you,” Bruce stated blithely. “Didn’t I tell you to change the security code after I installed the system?”

Bucky rolled his eyes and gestured toward the kitchen, “What do you have for me?”

Bruce tossed a folder onto the island’s marble countertop and gave him a rundown on Steve’s activities. The man was good at keeping a low profile, but he was able to piece together some of what Steve had been up to while he was away, and squeeze a bit of information out the people who’d been helping him stay under the radar since his return.

“Steve is independently wealthy now, but where the money came from is a mystery,” Bruce informed him. “If the olive branch Wanda plans to extend involves cash, it’ll be useless. He’s got holdings and properties both in this country and abroad. I can’t find any red flags and it all appears to be legit.”

Bucky furrowed his brow and opened the fridge, “And the plot thickens.”

“Sam admitted he stopped in, but wouldn’t give details on what was purchased,” Bruce explained as he accepted a beer with a nod of thanks. “But knowing what Wilson keeps in that back room, Rogers is probably armed to the teeth.”  

He flipped through the photos and the intel, “I want to know who else he’s visited and where he’s holed up. And find out where he’s hiding that fucking widow.”  

“He knows how to avoid being seen, so, it’s not an easy task. It’s going to take time and cash.”

“Money you can have,” Bucky told him as he headed for the living room.

Bruce followed and sipped his beer while Bucky keyed in the combination to the wall safe. Once it was opened, he collected a few stacks, and handed them over.

“Grease palms and keep digging,” Bucky insisted.

“Will do.”

If anyone could find a needle in a haystack, it was Bruce, and Bucky knew he could rely on him to get it done. The man was a genius with a mind that absorbed and retained information like a sponge. Publicly, he put his Ph.D. to good use via publications and giving lectures at various universities; privately, he helped the Families by being a shadow in the world of data collection. Skeletons in closets, economic shifts, voter mindsets, new product on the street, backroom deals, who was getting up to what behind closed doors – Bruce knew it all, and on the off chance he didn’t, he always managed to find out.  

Bruce tucked the money away, tossed the bottle into the recycle bin, and as Bucky escorted him out, he strongly urged him to reset the alarm code. As soon as the door was shut, he did just that, and went back to the living room.

Exhausted down to his bones, he plopped down on the couch, loosened his tie, and kicked off his shoes. Cellphone in hand, he mulled over what to order for dinner, and after he decided on Italian, he closed his eyes, and settled back into the cushions. He must’ve nodded off for a moment, because when the doorbell rang, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Alright, alright,” he muttered as he rushed for the door.

Bleary-eyed and absentminded, Bucky didn’t check to see if it was actually his food delivery, and within seconds, he was made to regret it.

He saw the fist that barreled toward his face, but wasn’t fast enough to block it or duck out of the way. Bucky was hit with such force that his head snapped back and he fell right down onto his ass.

Blood gushed from his mouth and nose and the copper-flavored taste rolled over his tongue and slid down his throat.  There was only one person in the world who could ring his bell like that, and when he looked up from his prone position on the floor, he cursed.

“Hello, JB,” Steve deadpanned. “Mind if I come in?” Chapter 4: Erstwhile  

Everything: @jennmurawski13​​ @nerdy-bookworm-1998​​

Steve Rogers: @patzammit @hearttoearth​​ The Boss of Brooklyn: @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan​​ @jamesbarnesappreciationsociety​ @captain-rogers-beard​​ @lilliannaansalla

[fyrapartnersearch]

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read this! I've tried to be as to the point as possible.

I got a good response last time I posted, and I would love to collect some more partners since some cravings have been filled and others have popped up in their stead.

Right now, Star Wars and Marvel are where my head's at, but please note I play original settings and characters and love those just as much!

Email: jordrps@gmail.com Discord: HOWFF#0069

PERSONAL PREFERENCES

I’m over eighteen, and would prefer my partners are, too. This doesn’t mean I’m interested in smut-centric or NSFW-heavy plots. It just means I’m more comfortable writing and interacting with other adults.

I consider myself to be lit-adv. I tend to enjoy partners in the lit+ category, but as long as you’re an enthusiastic and engaging partner, I don’t care about perfect grammar. I would rather write with someone just as involved and excited as I am, than I would with someone who isn't very original but knows exactly what to do with obscure punctuation.

I’m not interested in playing only one type of character, like only men (against only women). I don’t have any issue with playing these kinds of characters, and I really enjoy them! I just don’t enjoy writing with people who are only interested in playing one type of relationship dynamic. Basically, I’m not looking for only straight women or only subs or only omegas or only prisoners, etc. Let me play more than the counterpart to that!

 OOC chatter is really important to me. I’m fine with threading in Discord, or over email, or in a GDoc, but I can’t write with someone that I don’t feel like I can get to know, and Discord is the best place concerning that for me. I’m looking for friends, not a faceless reply robot.

If you're looking for a partner that writes a reply a day without fail, that's not me. I prefer that we don't have "posting schedules” or set posting times, because I find that it turns writing into a chore. It's great if you reply immediately, and it's totally okay if you need a week to figure something out!

  PLOT PREFERENCES

I’m interested in both fandom and original settings, and I’m down for playing both canon characters and OCs. I don’t necessarily prefer one or the other. 

While I don't require canon doubling from my partners in fandom plots, I mesh better with people who do a little give-and-take when it comes to that. If you only play one canon character or only play OCs against canons, I don’t think we’ll work.

I can play as many characters as needed, whether it's just one or it's six. Whatever our story calls for, I can manage that. However, I don’t enjoy doubling for the sake of it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sticking to a main pairing and then using rotating side characters in and out.

Multiple threads and plots at the same time are no issue for me. In fact, I love the idea that we click so well that we just can't stop coming up with good ideas! So definitely don't be afraid to pitch something new to me, whether it's because you want to switch gears (and drop a thread for another) or want to do everything at once.

Romance is a must for me! I prefer slow and agonizing journeys to get there, but my attention is best held by romantic chemistry between characters.

I can provide writing samples upon request, though I never require them from my partner. Additionally, I have some plots written out if you're interested in that sort of thing. Otherwise, we can brainstorm together!

  FANDOMS

I’m very much a fandom player. I’m always down for AUs, or inserting our own characters into the plots of fandoms! This is in no way a complete list; never be afraid to ask if I’m into something! I’ve probably forgotten a hundred things I love. 

Most of my fandoms will have favorite canon characters listed with them, both who I like playing and playing against; you’re always welcome to ask about others not listed.* There’s a good chance I’m pretty good with them!

*I will play OCs in every fandom, but I might not play canons in every fandom.

  ALWAYS

The Bartimaeus Trilogy (Nathaniel, Kitty Jones, and Bartimaeus), DC (Garfield Logan, Victor Stone, Jinx, Arthur Curry, Steve Trevor, Circe, and Diana Prince), Dragon Age (Fenris, Cullen Rutherford, Iron Bull, and Dorian Pavus), Elder Scrolls (player canons and/or OCs preferred, but feel free to ask about canons), Fallout: New Vegas and 4 (Arcade Gannon, Paladin Danse, R.J. MacCready, Arthur Maxon, Veronica Santangelo, Cait, Rose of Sharon Cassidy, and player canons), Game of Thrones (Sansa Stark, Robb Stark, Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Ramsay Bolton, and Willas Tyrell), His Dark Materials (OCs preferred), Inception (Arthur, and Eames), Marvel (Peter Parker, Scott Lang, Bucky Barnes, Kitty Pryde, and Megan Gwynn), Miraculous Ladybug (Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste), The Mortal Instruments (Simon Lewis, Raphael Santiago, Magnus Bane, and Alec Lightwood), Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Annabeth Chase, Will Solace, Piper McLean, and Leo Valdez), Star Trek (Jim Kirk, Leonard McCoy, S'chn T'gai Spock, and Pavel Chekov), Star Wars (Obi Wan Kenobi, Jacen Solo, Jaina Solo, Jagged Fel, Mara Jade Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, Sintas Vel, and Ahsoka Tano), The Walking Dead (Glenn Rhee and Negan), Warriors (Firestar, Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, and Hawkfrost)

  SOMETIMES

Boku no Hero Academia (Bakugo Katsuki, Midoriya Izuku, Shinsou Hitoshi, Kaminari Denki, Ojiro Mashirao, Kirishima Eijiro, Todoroki Shoto, and Uraraka Ochaco), Bungou Stray Dogs (OCs preferred, but feel free to ask about canons), Digimon (OCs preferred), Final Fantasy VII (Cloud Strife, Zack Fair, Reno, and Sephiroth), Harry Potter (Narcissa Malfoy, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, Regulus Black, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, and Luna Lovegood; play my favorite ship with me, and I'll do whatever you want, literally.), Mystic Messenger (Choi Saeyoung, Han Jumin, Kang Jaehee, and Choi Saeran), Naruto (Hatake Kakashi, Umino Iruka, Gaara, Hyuuga Hinata, and Uchiha Sasuke), Ouran High School Host Club (Ootori Kyouya, Hitachiin Hikaru, and Hitachiin Kaoru), Pokémon (Red, Blue, N, Guzma, and player canons)

  NOT SURE, BUT WILLING TO EXPLORE

Avatar: the Last Airbender (particularly Zutara), Court of the Dead, Eragon, Hazbin Hotel, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiznaiver, The Legend of Zelda, Mass Effect, Soul Eater, Steven Universe, Tokyo Ghoul, Twilight, Yuri!!! on Ice

  GENRES

For the most part, I’ll genuinely play most any genre! Of course, everyone says that, but then they shoot down all your suggestions because everyone has stuff they don’t like doing. I’ll try to make this as brief as I can, and know that if something isn’t listed, but you’re pretty sure (based on everything else) that I’m into it, then definitely let me know what you’re thinking!

SETTINGS

A/B/O (I will not play only alphas for only omegas, nor will I play overly trope-y, boys love plots.), Age of Sail, celebrity, fairytales and mythology (including retellings), fantasy (including medieval, urban, and high fantasy), alt-history and modern royalty, mutants/gifted, organized crime, science fiction (especially including aliens), some historical (excluding medieval, colonial, and the Roaring Twenties/Great Depression), soulmates (excluding healthy, established relationships from the outset), supernatural, Victorian (especially the London ton), post-apocalyptic

PAIRING DYNAMICS

arranged marriage (I’m always down for slinging our characters together, whether or not they want to. It’s always a bonus if their families hate each other.), enemies to lovers (I love conflict of any sort, especially romantic!), human x not-human (The not-human must be sentient.), criminal x law enforcer, celebrity x bodyguard (I’m okay with the celebrity being the son/daughter/offspring of someone famous!), rivals of any sort, unwilling traveling companions

  If any of this interests you, please feel free to reach out to me however! I'm really looking forward to hearing from you!

[capreversebb]

Week 1 round up!  // May 19 - May 25, 2018

The Centaurs’ Tale  (Steve/Bucky) - By: @thelittleblackfox (artist)  // @leveragehunters (author) // "You know how I sometimes call you a horse's ass?" "Yeah?" "It's a hell of a lot more accurate now."

A Sifting Sand and An Electric Hand  (Steve/Bucky) - By: @forestoffire (artist)  // @velvetjinx (author) // Punk Steve and geeky Bucky are always getting into fights against assholes. But can love win the day?

The Jeopardy and Jazz Affair (Steve/Bucky/Natasha) - By: @ellebeesknees (artist) // @trappingsofzed (author) // Romanoff, Bukonin and Rogers are the best field agents in Alexander Waverly’s United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. But even the best can make mistakes. So, when Bukonin is snatched by Hydra, it’s up to Romanoff and Rogers to rescue him. And for both of them, the stakes are so much more than professional.

Just Keep Swimming (Gen, Steve/Bucky) - By: @thelittleblackfox (artist) // @nursedarry (author) // High seas shenanigans with pirates, nuclear bombs, recurring villains, and SCIENCE. Then things take a decidedly fishy turn. 

A Lesson In Love (Steve/Bucky) - By: @longhairedbucky (artist) // @velvetjinx (author) // Steve really likes Bucky, and finally musters the courage to ask him on a date.

Nothing I Just Did is Anything I Would Do (Steve/Bucky) - By: @whatthefoucault (artist) // @lepineault (author) // Soft!Bucky’s journey from his first day at Avengers Academy to open mic night at Club A.

What the Water Gave Me (Steve/Bucky/Eldritch Entity) - By: @this-simple-mind (artist) // hobbitdragon (author) // Lovecraft Tentacle AU! 

Dream a Little Dream (Steve/Bucky-) - By: @drowningbydegrees-fanworks (artist) // @buckities (author) // A lovely Shrunkyclunks fic!

After The Storm (I Look Up) (Steve/Bucky) - By: @longhairedbucky (artist) // @sweethoneysempai (author) // A fluffy Wakandan wedding for all to enjoy! <3

lucida, obscura (Steve/Bucky) - By: @chiyume-arts (artist) // @teatotally (author) // Strange and terrifying things are happening to Bucky since Steve pulled him out of that laboratory.

Coffee with Almond Milk (Steve/Bucky) - By: @ellebeesknees (artist) // @archofimagine (author) // Who wouldn’t want to be courted by Bucky!Cap? <3

Caught My Attention (Steve/Bucky) - By: @brooklyn-bisexual (artist) // @billie-vivienne (author) // Young dom Bucky is ready for a new challenge, and Captain America has caught his attention. BDSM + explicit happenings occur!

Invisible Ink (Steve/Bucky) - By: @inflomora-art (artist) // @lucidnancyboy (author) // Could the power of one little tattoo help Steve and Bucky figure out domestic bliss? God, Bucky hoped so…

They Say That Dreaming is Free (But I Wouldn’t Care What it Cost Me) (Steve/Bucky) - By: @nejineee (artist) // @Deepspaceprincess // A dream sharing soulmate AU? Yes Please!

Hypnagogia (Gen, Steve/Bucky, Jack Rollins/Brock Rumlow) - By: @potofsoup (artist) // @rivertam-art (author) // Emily Dixon wasn’t ready for a random injured white guy to crash into her apartment, but she’s gonna make it work.

All The Scattered Light (Gen) - By: @sgt-graves (artist) // @thefictionfairy (author) // We hope you enjoy this action-packed character study, set post CAtWS.

little hope (sing a song of fire) (Steve/Bucky) - By: @curry-ketchup (artist) // @noncorporealform (author) // Bucky is a poet with visions of a Great Dragon that propels him on a journey of discovery.

Let’s Take a Thousand Pictures (Like a Hype Beast Now) (Steve/Bucky) - By: @cryo-bucky (artist) // @meils121 (author) // If there’s a more appropriate use of social media, we haven’t heard about it. Bring on this porn with feelings, we’re ready!

Anything but Conventional (Steve/Bucky) - By: @araniaart (artist) // @tolkhien (author) // Steve and Bucky find themselves at a comic con! 

Gift (Steve/Bucky-) - By: @msaether (artist) // @musingofaqueergeek (author) // BDSM AU filled with porn, feelings, Dom!Bucky and Sub!Steve. 

however much you feed a wolf, it always looks to the forest (Steve/Bucky) - By: @sunrow (artist) // @bloodbuzzedohio (author) // The Asset learns who he is and takes Hydra apart by simultaneously putting himself together. It takes a while.

To The End Of The Fjord (Steve/Bucky) - By: @ffdom (artist) // @stuckyforbreakfast (author) // What are those secrets?! Going to have to read this fantastic Viking!AU to find out!

Love, Rings, and Other Wedding Things (Steve/Bucky/Tony) - By: @TatianaZee (artist) // @it-is-the-hannah (author) // A well deserved Happily Ever After for this heroic trio!

It’s Only Forever  (Steve/Bucky) - By: @buckmebxrnes-art (artist) // @pancake-angst (author) // Bucky runs, Steve follows. The same old story, but with fancier outfits.

Time after Time (Steve/Bucky) - By: @ffdom (artist) // @ravenclawwitch18 (author) // A time-traveling hero, a fabulously moustachioed rebel leader, all wrapped up in an historical Outlander AU!

watch the world chasing to find us (Steve/Bucky) - By: @comedicdrama (artist) // @spikedluv (author) // There’s only one thing better than Shrunkyclunks, and it’s Shrunkyclunks with kittens!

Blessings (Steve/Bucky) - By: @lucidnancyboy (artist) // @whatthefoucault (author) // A soft slice of Bucky and Steve’s life, with a visit from Wakandan royalty.

Behind the Mask (Steve/Bucky) - By: @cindyfxx (artist) // @withinmeloveresides1 (author) // The Asset kidnaps Steve Rogers but as the Asset starts to become more human, Steve starts suffering from depression.

Brooklyn in Summer (Steve/Bucky) - By: @sunrow (artist) // @caniwritemywayout (author) // This Shrunkyclunks with witch!Bucky has us intrigued!

And that’s just Week 1, folks! Much more to come, with new works being added all the way up to Steve’s Birthday, July 4th.

A sortable spreadsheet of all of the CAP RBB collaborations is here                

Our AO3 collection is here      

[juuls]

Got any stuckony recs?

YES! Absolutely yes!

My apologies this took until today. I had a busy weekend and had to rest a lot, but I’m here now. :) Also, I don’t have my old bookmarks list (long story) so I’m having to go through and look for my favorites, old and new. Long process! (This took me over four hours, though I was doing a few other things as well. Still, I’m a bit of a slowpoke.)

See below the cut for some of my favorites, and don’t forget to leave kudos and comments (even just an “I liked this!”) for the authors, to let them know their hard work is appreciated!

(If someone knows an author’s Tumblr handle, let me know or tag them so that I can edit this rec list and tag them appropriately!)

Equilateral by FestiveFerret @festiveferret

It was the way Steve had said, “I found him,” the desperate, agonized hope, that had Tony replying with, “Bring him home,” without any hesitation.

But now, now he was hesitating like fuck.

Penny Candy and Sparklers by StrivingArtist @striving-artist

James Buchanan Barnes: formerly the Winter Soldier, formerly Captain America’s right hand man, formerly a sergeant, formerly a dock worker, formerly Stevie’s best friend…. currently a glorified prisoner of Prince T’Challa…. had trouble wrapping his head around all those former selves. He spent too much time thinking about all the bits of him that he kept gluing back together to pretend he was a person anyone would want to keep. He spent even more time picking at the cracks, pointing the flaws out to himself. Only thing he did more than that was make sure no one else noticed how far he was from human.

So, James Buchanan Barnes, who didn’t know what to call himself, who didn’t know how to go forwards, agreed, and moved back into the tower where his best friend lived with a husband orphaned by the Winter Soldier.

Hide A Heart of War by RayShippouUchiha @rayshippouuchiha

“You’ve got war in your heart boy,” Howard sneers, “don’t ever try and pretend to be anything but what you are.”

Tony feels the familiar burn of a flower mark being etched into his skin but he doesn’t look, doesn’t try and check to see what it is. Instead he keeps his eyes on Howard and his hands cupped around his bleeding mouth and nose.

Of Spiders and Super-Soldiers by AuddieAussie (Juulna’s note: I come back and read this all the time when I need some family feels and a smile. :))

After the hell that was Ultron and the Sokovia Accords, Tony doesn’t blame the team for wanting nothing to do with him. To make up for past mistakes, Tony disappears into his lab and focuses on using his money and brains to provide the Avengers with more fancy tech than they’ll ever need. By doing this, he also doesn’t have to worry about Steve’s grim frown, Bucky’s hateful gaze, or everyone else’s cold annoyance.

For six long months, this formula worked, but then fate decided to be a Loki-like dick and Tony wasn’t sure how it happened, but in the span of one week, he’d somehow acquired a kid.

and you needed someone to show you the way by SailorChibi @tsuki-chibi

Tony knows what the team really thinks of him. It’s a delicate balance: they tolerate him because of his money and his toys, and he gets to stay on the team and fight with them. He’s okay with that. So long as he hides the fact that Steve’s and Bucky’s names are written on his skin in the most embarrassing act of one-sided love affection ever, everything will be fine.

It just figures that a fantastically stupid villain, a kidnapping plot and a video camera will bring Tony’s well-kept secret out into the open.

The Mechanic, The Soldier, and The Captain by AvocadoLove (Juulna’s note: this is sad)

HYDRA need a replacement for Zola’s genius, and they have years worth of experience breaking and brainwashing a good man into something they can control.

Beware of Super Soldiers And Their Enticing Laps by Confused_Emo

Tony’s eyes shifted back toward the remaining occupants of the room only to realise there was literally no space in the sitting area for him.

This apparently was the best time for Bucky to make suggestive gestures, as the soldier patted his thigh lasciviously, “Why don’t you come sit on my lap, plenty of space right here.”

Just Far Enough by TheSopherFly (Juulna’s note: please read the tags. This is triggering and sad and angsty but fucking phenomenally well done and one of my all-time favorites… And I don’t like angst at all.) 

Tony couldn’t honestly remember how long it had been like this. Probably since the day he’d called T’Challa and offered his help. At first it had just been compulsive self-denial: you can’t eat until you’ve drafted your opening remarks, until you’ve finished your research, until you’ve rewritten every last colon and comma and apostrophe in those Accords so that everyone can come home.

Those goals had been realistic. Lately, they’d become impossible. Until everyone forgives you. Until you forgive yourself. Until you make up for every bad thing you’ve ever caused.

He was fine. He was coasting in a dangerous place, but he was fine. He wasn’t taking it too far - just far enough.

Trinity by cinaea (immediately followed by pt. 2: Volition)

He’s become the kind of monster he all but died trying to stop.

A D/s, soul-bond AU set in modern day. More than two years ago, Bucky Barnes was lost during a Howling Commandos mission and captured by HYDRA. He and fellow prisoners Clint and Natasha—all submissives—are treated as slaves and forced to carry out terrorist attacks for their masters. An attack by the Avengers enables their escape but leaves Bucky with an incomplete soul bond to two superheroes.

Vowing to never be imprisoned again, Bucky and his friends go on the run from HYDRA, from law enforcement, and from the two dominants who will do anything to find him.

Don’t Tell Pepper by Crematosis

Tony convinces Steve that it is totally okay to include Bucky in their relationship because nobody will ever know. They’ll keep it a secret from the team and they’ll absolutely keep it a secret from Pepper because she’ll only yell at them.

Like most of Tony’s good ideas, it comes back to blow up in his face.

Underneath the Mistletoe by DreamcatchersDaughter @dreamcatchersdaughter

5 times Tony gets caught underneath the mistletoe and one time he doesn’t (and thank fuck for that).

and another like it by the same author:

Christmas Kisses (aka Sam is So Done With Your Shit)

Their mutual pining is driving him crazy, but its okay cause Natasha’s got a plan.

The Colors That Bind Us by yasminakohl @stuckonstoney

When Steve Rogers was six a boy saved him from a bully, then sky went from white-gray to brilliant blue.

When Bucky fell, the world stayed colorful and everyone told him it was because of the serum, he believed them.

When he woke from the ice and he finds the black and white he’d expected years ago, sixty-six years ago it seems, he’s crushed.

Now there’s color again, this time it comes with amazing reds and golds.

Until he wakes up and his sky is brilliant and his color mate is trying to kill him, his first color mate.

Will Steve ever be able to have his blue, red and gold?

The Melting, the Spark, and the Suffocation by btBatt @batterology

“So, Bucky,” he said, clapping his hands. “You ready to change the lives of asthmatic little punks everywhere?” Bucky sent a skeptical look Steve’s way.

“It seems to be my calling in life,” he said. Steve just smiled. He looked a little like he was having a moment, one of his oh-my-God-I-have-Bucky-back moments, so Tony smiled too.

“There are worse things,” Tony mused.

“Hear, hear,” Natasha said.

The Limitations of Wax by RayShippouUchiha @rayshippouuchiha (Juulna’s note: This has been untouched for quite a while but there are separate WiPs being written and branched off of this – and completed – that are fantastic, and the core character study in this fic is fantastic so I still recommend it.)

Toni Stark grows up with the tale of Icarus swirling in the back of her mind. Instead of taking it as a precautionary tale about hubris and overreaching she decides it’s more about the limitations of wax.

Years later when she builds herself wings of her own she makes sure to build them out of better material.

Difficult Conversations by yumekuimono @yumekuimono

HYDRA had brainwashed their Asset into silence, and then muzzled him to boot. It’s not that surprising that Bucky no longer considers talking to be one of his strong suits. So why does he keep having to have difficult conversations?

Or, the road to loving Tony Stark is never an easy one. (Juulna’s note: Eventual/Pre-OT3)

Strip it Down by Batfink

“Think about who you’re talking to Bucky. I am the technology king. What you’re asking me to do goes against everything I hold dear.” Tony looked positively distraught.

Bucky slid his hand onto Tony’s cheek, tilting his head until their eyes met. “Crying, Tony. Over the fucking washing machine.”

Giving a Friend a Hand by neunundneunzig (seasidesunset)

Bucky gets Tony’s help dealing with… anatomy malfunctions, and it turns into much more.

Operation: Knuckleheads by FestiveFerret @festiveferret

Bucky is enjoying his new, post-Winter Soldier life at Avengers Tower, until he discovers that the constant tension between Steve and Tony was caused by a recent (and mysterious) breakup. Determined to make his friends happy, Bucky gives himself a new mission: figure out what went wrong, and get these two idiots in love back together again.

Compass Heading by antigrav_vector @disco-pinecone

So… It’s complicated. Steve went and got himself killed on a mission, and, somehow, in the aftermath, Tony ended up getting together with Barnes. He’s still not entirely sure how that happened, really, but he’s not about to question it too hard. He’s enjoying it too much.

Then, because the universe loves turning his life upside down, they find Steve. It’s been two years, and things have changed, but Tony still cares about the asshole, and that, right there, is a problem.

Too Damn Short by MrShyRockstar

“I’m too short for this shit.”

This literally sums up this little ficlet. Tony’s too short, Steve is clearly (to anyone with eyes *coughnottonycough*) pining, and Bucky is just watching everything with exasperated amusement. That is all.

Put Your Arms Around Me, Hold Me Tight by StarSpangledBucky

Tony and Bucky desperately need to sort out the kink in their relationship, before they both lose Steve, or one of them does. It isn’t until the second week Steve is away on a mission that Tony goes through a nightmare, and Bucky decides to comfort him. From there, it gives them a chance to talk. And by the time Steve comes back, he’s more than satisfied by the results.

Minefields by arianapeterson19 (Juulna’s note: Please heed the tags! Content is triggering for abusive relationships.)

Being in an abusive relationship was a bit like needing glasses. He didn’t realize it until the damage was done.

Funny how people assume only men can be abusive.

And a new fic by a new author I would like to recommend to people to read:

Lonely Boy by thereddame @the-red-dame

Tony gets a visit from a Tony from a different universe and she needs him to help keep her children safe until Girl-Tony can kick some HYDRA ass. She’s being pretty tight-lipped about the father but he’s got a sneaking suspicion it’s Steve. Hey, maybe he can get ‘best babysitter in the universe’ award after this? 

I’m sure since you are sending me an ask you know about my fics (though maybe not my oneshot), but I’ll list them anyway. ;)

Necrosis by Juulna

Necrosis (from the Greek νέκρωσις “death, the stage of dying, the act of killing” from νεκρός “dead”)

Tony always thought he’d die first, of the three of them. He’d accepted it, even. Hell, he wasn’t even sure that Steve or Bucky coulddie. Shows how much he knew.

Hanging From a Cross of Iron by Juulna

Toni Stark never - not even once - had a soulmark appear. Not one she can remember, at any rate. But when one finally appears, and the date of her rendezvous seems impossible to meet, does she decide to move on with her life, and forget the words written upon her skin?

Of course not. She’s Toni fucking Stark. Making the impossible possible is practically her family motto.

Well… there we go! I hope that that suffices for recommendations? If you want some more, I’m happy to provide them! Happy reading, and don’t forget:

Leave the authors your love in the form of a kudos and/or comment!

MUAH! xoxo

[lashtons-dirtbag]

Sixth - Part 2 (Harry Potter Avengers AU)

THIS IS A REPOST FROM MY SIDE BLOG @imagine-the-fandom. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING ALL OF MY WORK TO THIS BLOG.

A/N: Here is part 2! I’m absolutely loving writing this story so far!

Based on  this post.

Summary: Reader attends Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry alongside her friends - Peter, Michelle, and Ned - all entering their sixth year. All the while, Lord Thanos becomes a stronger threat to the wizarding world as the days go on. The four friends are desperate to do whatever they can to help.

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader (eventually)

Words: 1.2k

Warnings: A few curse words possibly?

Check out the Sixth Playlist!

Part 1

The woman breathes deeply as she darts through the alleyways. Not because she was tired – no she was highly specialized in her trade – rather because she knew that she had to breathe deeply to maintain the speed she was going. She had to appear normal to anyone who may happen to see her. They couldn’t know who she was. It would compromise the mission, and that was not something that they could risk. She sees the flash of blonde hair as a man catches up to her, matching her stride – wand drawn and at the ready. He was meant to be covering her so that she could focus on the criminal she was pursuing.

“Nat.”

“I’m fine Steve. I’ve almost got him.” She glances briefly in his direction, catching his quick nod in response. They had been after Adrian Toomes, better known by his alias - the Vulture - for weeks now. He was one of the prime members of the Black Order, and if they caught him, it could do wonders for their cause. They would be so much closer to discovering a way to stop the Black Order, maybe even the Dark Lord himself. Not that anyone at the Auror Office knew anything about their missions. No this was a rogue mission from SHIELD. If anyone at the ministry were to find out about the rogue missions they had been running, there would be no telling what could happen. Not even Nick Fury, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement himself would be able to help them out of this one. Which was exactly why Natasha and Steve had agreed that they would not use magic on these missions unless absolutely necessary. It would only incriminate them further should they be found out.

She could see the Vulture a few meters ahead of them. “Cover me.”

“Got it.” Steve darts behind her, aiming his wand in front of him, should he need it. Natasha picks up her pace. He’s just within reach. She can almost taste victory when suddenly he makes a sharp left that she hadn’t seen coming. He darts out into the busy streets of Diagon Alley, easily blending in amongst the young witches and wizards milling about the shops in preparation for the school year ahead, but not before glancing back and smirking wildly at her. She couldn’t risk continuing their pursuit with so many civilians around. Especially not in broad daylight. She slows her run, coming to a stop as she reaches the cobblestone pathways on the other side of the alley. Steve eases to a stop beside her.

“Damnit.”

The students are gathered at the long tables in the Great Hall, chattering animatedly amongst themselves. Peter, Michelle, Ned, and yourself are all seated towards the middle of the Gryffindor table. Ned is busy telling Peter about the new LEGO Death Star that he had been building over the summer. You had no idea what a Death Star was, but seeing Peter relax and enjoy himself brought a smile to your face. You were the only one out of your group of friends that had magical parents, so muggle entertainment was completely foreign to you. Peter’s parents had both been magical, but Peter could remember nothing of life in the magical world before he came to Hogwarts. Of course, his Aunt May had done her best to keep him educated about the world he came from, but being a non-magical person herself, there was only so much she could do. You could sense her relief once Peter’s godfather came into the picture and he was able to properly show Peter around the magical world.

As you had suspected, Odin hadn’t mentioned anything about Thanos or the Black Order when he welcomed the students back to the castle for the year. He just went about his usual introductions, the Sorting Ceremony, and introduced the professors. Thor had been promoted to overseeing the care of magical creatures on campus. You and Peter both let out a loud whoop when Professor Odin made that announcement. You were now enjoying the huge feast that was always held to kick off the start of the school year.

As you’re eating, you feel a stare burning into the back of your neck. You turn behind you and glimpse Liz Allan watching you from her place at the Ravenclaw table. As soon as you turn you see her send you a small wave, which you return. The two of you had been friends up until last year, when it had become public knowledge that her father was one of the most wanted members of the Black Order. She had become more private, drawing back from those around her, aside from Flash Thompson, whom she seemed suspiciously closer to as soon as her father’s identity had been revealed. You assumed that she found comfort in Flash in some way, for his parents were also members of the Black Order. Maybe she found solace in that. Knowing that she wasn’t the only one at the school with a wanted man for a father.

Soon the feast was ending, and you were told to retire to your houses for the night. The first day of classes was tomorrow, and Professor Odin insisted that the students get a good night’s rest. Your arm brushes against Peter’s as you make your way to the entrance of the Gryffindor common room. Peter turns towards you, a small smile stretching across his face. You feel him weave his fingers between yours. He swings you arms back and forth loosely, and you grin at the feeling of his hand in your own. You had been in love with him since year four, and the feeling had only grown since. Of course, you would never tell him that.

“I missed you.” He whispers lowly, leaning in to you.

“I missed you more.”

His grin slowly widens. “Not possible.”

You just shrug, smirking. You knew this was an argument that you wouldn’t win.

You shuffle through the entryway of Gryffindor tower. You glance at the clock above the fireplace, noting that it was ten o’clock.

“I’ll see you in the morning?” Peter asks hopefully.

“Of course, silly,” you giggle. “Meet me down here before breakfast?”

“Yes ma’am.”

He begins to walk towards the boys’ dorms. Ned is waiting for him halfway up the staircase.

“Peter?”

He turns, only for you to practically tackle him to the ground in a hug. “I really did miss you.”

“I know.” He says, burying his face in your hair and breathing you in.

You pull away reluctantly, and grin at him again before heading in the opposite direction, towards the girls’ dorms. As you tuck yourself in, you don’t notice that Michelle isn’t in her bed next to yours.

“Is it done?” a harsh and intimidating voice booms at the woman in front of him.

“Yes, my Dark Lord.” Hela bows before the man in front of her. He practically towers over her, almost twice her size. “The power stone is in safe keeping.”

“If anything happens to that stone, the responsibility will fall on your shoulders. You have assured me that it is in good hands with the Collector.”

“And that it is.” She reassures him, not daring to meet his eyes.

A sickening grin twists across Thanos’ face. His plan was almost in motion.

Really hope you guys enjoyed this part! The next part should be up on Tuesday (although who knows I may post it sooner, we’ll see).

Feedback is always loved and appreciated.

Part 3

Masterlist

[imagine-the-fandom]

Sixth - Part 2 (Harry Potter Avengers AU)

A/N: Here is part 2! I’m absolutely loving writing this story so far!

Based on  this post.

Summary: Reader attends Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry alongside her friends - Peter, Michelle, and Ned - all entering their sixth year. All the while, Lord Thanos becomes a stronger threat to the wizarding world as the days go on. The four friends are desperate to do whatever they can to help.

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader (eventually)

Words: 1.2k

Warnings: A few curse words possibly?

The woman breathes deeply as she darts through the alleyways. Not because she was tired – no she was highly specialized in her trade – rather because she knew that she had to breathe deeply to maintain the speed she was going. She had to appear normal to anyone who may happen to see her. They couldn’t know who she was. It would compromise the mission, and that was not something that they could risk. She sees the flash of blonde hair as a man catches up to her, matching her stride – wand drawn and at the ready. He was meant to be covering her so that she could focus on the criminal she was pursuing.

“Nat.”

“I’m fine Steve. I’ve almost got him.” She glances briefly in his direction, catching his quick nod in response. They had been after Adrian Toomes, better known by his alias - the Vulture - for weeks now. He was one of the prime members of the Black Order, and if they caught him, it could do wonders for their cause. They would be so much closer to discovering a way to stop the Black Order, maybe even the Dark Lord himself. Not that anyone at the Auror Office knew anything about their missions. No this was a rogue mission from SHIELD. If anyone at the ministry were to find out about the rogue missions they had been running, there would be no telling what could happen. Not even Nick Fury, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement himself would be able to help them out of this one. Which was exactly why Natasha and Steve had agreed that they would not use magic on these missions unless absolutely necessary. It would only incriminate them further should they be found out.

She could see the Vulture a few meters ahead of them. “Cover me.”

“Got it.” Steve darts behind her, aiming his wand in front of him, should he need it. Natasha picks up her pace. He’s just within reach. She can almost taste victory when suddenly he makes a sharp left that she hadn’t seen coming. He darts out into the busy streets of Diagon Alley, easily blending in amongst the young witches and wizards milling about the shops in preparation for the school year ahead, but not before glancing back and smirking wildly at her. She couldn’t risk continuing their pursuit with so many civilians around. Especially not in broad daylight. She slows her run, coming to a stop as she reaches the cobblestone pathways on the other side of the alley. Steve eases to a stop beside her.

“Damnit.”

The students are gathered at the long tables in the Great Hall, chattering animatedly amongst themselves. Peter, Michelle, Ned, and yourself are all seated towards the middle of the Gryffindor table. Ned is busy telling Peter about the new LEGO Death Star that he had been building over the summer. You had no idea what a Death Star was, but seeing Peter relax and enjoy himself brought a smile to your face. You were the only one out of your group of friends that had magical parents, so muggle entertainment was completely foreign to you. Peter’s parents had both been magical, but Peter could remember nothing of life in the magical world before he came to Hogwarts. Of course, his Aunt May had done her best to keep him educated about the world he came from, but being a non-magical person herself, there was only so much she could do. You could sense her relief once Peter’s godfather came into the picture and he was able to properly show Peter around the magical world.

As you had suspected, Odin hadn’t mentioned anything about Thanos or the Black Order when he welcomed the students back to the castle for the year. He just went about his usual introductions, the Sorting Ceremony, and introduced the professors. Thor had been promoted to overseeing the care of magical creatures on campus. You and Peter both let out a loud whoop when Professor Odin made that announcement. You were now enjoying the huge feast that was always held to kick off the start of the school year.

As your eating, you feel a stare burning into the back of your neck. You turn behind you and glimpse Liz Allan watching you from her place at the Ravenclaw table. As soon as you turn you see her send you a small wave, which you return. The two of you had been friends up until last year, when it had become public knowledge that her father was one of the most wanted members of the Black Order. She had become more private, drawing back from those around her, aside from Flash Thompson, whom she seemed suspiciously closer to as soon as her father’s identity had been revealed. You assumed that she found comfort in Flash in some way, for his parents were also members of the Black Order. Maybe she found solace in that. Knowing that she wasn’t the only one at the school with a wanted man for a father.

Soon the feast was ending, and you were told to retire to your houses for the night. The first day of classes was tomorrow, and Professor Odin insisted that the students get a good night’s rest. Your arm brushes against Peter’s as you make your way to the entrance of the Gryffindor common room. Peter turns towards you, a small smile stretching across his face. You feel him weave his fingers between yours. He swings you arms back and forth loosely, and you grin at the feeling of his hand in your own. You had been in love with him since year four, and the feeling had only grown since. Of course, you would never tell him that.

“I missed you.” He whispers lowly, leaning in to you.

“I missed you more.”

His grin slowly widens. “Not possible.”

You just shrug, smirking. You knew this was an argument that you wouldn’t win.

You shuffle through the entryway of Gryffindor tower. You glance at the clock above the fireplace, noting that it was ten o’clock.

“I’ll see you in the morning?” Peter asks hopefully.

“Of course, silly,” you giggle. “Meet me down here before breakfast?”

“Yes ma’am.”

He begins to walk towards the boys’ dorms. Ned is waiting for him halfway up the staircase.

“Peter?”

He turns, only for you to practically tackle him to the ground in a hug. “I really did miss you.”

“I know.” He says, burying his face in your hair and breathing you in.

You pull away reluctantly, and grin at him again before heading in the opposite direction, towards the girls’ dorms. As you tuck yourself in, you don’t notice that Michelle isn’t in her bed next to yours.

“Is it done?” a harsh and intimidating voice booms at the woman in front of him.

“Yes, my Dark Lord.” Hela bows before the man in front of her. He practically towers over her, almost twice her size. “The power stone is in safe keeping.”

“If anything happens to that stone, the responsibility will fall on your shoulders. You have assured me that it is in good hands with the Collector.”

“And that it is.” She reassures him, not daring to meet his eyes.

A sickening grin twists across Thanos’ face. His plan was almost in motion.

Really hope you guys enjoyed this part! The next part should be up on Tuesday (although who knows I may post it sooner, we’ll see).

Feedback is always loved and appreciated.

[debwalsh]

Help Me Pick the Next Stucky Fic I Work On!

So, I withdrew my story from the Stucky Big Bang 2017.  More on that in a later post.  Anyway, the SBB2017’s loss is my readers’ gain. I’m working two pieces for the Cap Reverse Big Bang 2017 (The New Cold War, posting now, and a second piece as a pinch-hitter that I’m really excited about but will keep secret until it’s ready to start posting). By 4Jul17, I’m done with my writing commitments for bangs, although I will be doing art for one SBB2017 story – so excited!

This means I can get back to my works in progress and other ideas two months sooner than I would have been able to do had I written for the SBB2017.  So I’ve assembled a list of my WIPs and my ideas for readers to vote on what I write next.

That’s right, you’ll get to choose.  I’ll be setting up a Google form or poll next week (w/e 22Jun17) to collect votes, and you’ll have until 4Jul17 – Steve Rogers’s birthday – to get your votes in.  After that, I’ll focus on the two stories selected until they are complete – two stories selected by you, my readers (or potential readers!).  One WIP and one new idea.  And you can rank the remaining ideas by interest as well.  And yes, my SBB2017 idea is in the list – I’m curious to see where my readers would rank it.

In the meantime, here’s the two lists, WIPs and ideas.

WIPs

On the Air - Steve “the first bisexual Bachelor” Rogers.

By Royal Decree - Medieval ABO fake boyfriends.

 It Takes a Village - Modern-day ABO tale where Steve and Bucky adopt, and face a threat from their own pasts.

Ohana - Modern-day fake boyfriend crossover with Lilo and Stitch.

Threads - My CACW fixit.

Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me (series):  This is my post CATWS series.  It started out as an idea for a novella, and then grew from there.  I’ve posted individual stories from different points on the timeline.  The next story in queue would be 21 Guns – Natasha and Clint track down the Winter Soldier to pull him out of DC before more than his programming fails. And Tony and Bruce find themselves face to face with what’s left of Hydra’s tech and torture program.

Note that I’m not including The New Cold War or Christmas on Stark Mountain in that list, because both of those will be done by the 4th.  Christmas on Stark Mountain only needs another chapter and it’s done, and I should be able to slide it in there by the 4th, or later that week.

Now, for my ideas.  A couple were inspired by art from the Cap Reverse Big Bang that I was not able to claim.  Kind of glad in the long run that I didn’t claim them, since I couldn’t do them justice during the posting period, but I’d still like to write them.

New Stuff

(Kisses) Sweeter Than Wine – During his tour with the USO, Steve becomes friendly with members of the cast. Who feel that Cap’s education is sadly lacking, and take it upon themselves to show him a thing or three. (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.)

A Sigh is Still a Sigh (As Time Goes By) – When Captain Steve Rogers rescues James Buchanan Barnes from the Hydra facility, Bucky’s grateful and confused and not sure of himself at all.  And Steve’s a swell guy, a perfect gentleman, and that might be the problem.  (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.)

Clinical Detachment – Modern-day AU where Bucky is the physician running the clinical trial designed by Tony Stark and Abraham Erskine, a study that Steve hopes will fix everything that’s wrong with him, but something goes horribly wrong.

Coffee –Steve Rogers moves into a high-tech apartment in NYC, complete with built-in AI.  While going through a closet, he finds an old tablet tossed in a corner and forgotten. On the tablet he finds holographic recordings of a beautiful man with a cyborg arm, going about his day.  Steve falls in love with the holographic man, becoming addicted to his daily “encounters” with the mysterious and beautiful man, but the AI will not answer his questions about the owner of the mysterious tablet.

Djinn – Historical AU where Steve and Peggy are married archaeologists who uncover the tomb of an ancient magician who has ties to Steve’s past lives.  A magician who seems to want more from Steve than Steve knows how to give.

Do I Know You – Two years after the untimely death of Steve Rogers, his friends get a little too drunk and perform a ritual at his graveside.  The following morning, they have more than hangovers to deal with – they’ve brought Steve back to life!  Is Steve ready to learn that the spell worked because Bucky’s got a secret – Steve is Bucky’s one, true love.  But time is running out for Steve – and maybe Bucky – to find a happily ever after, after all.  

Floriography –Post canon story based on a piece of art from Cap RBB. In which Steve and Bucky move out to a cottage outside a small town. Bucky’s therapist recommends flower arranging as a low-impact way to acclimate to his new arm, to learn not only dexterity, but degrees of pressure, gentleness, etc.  So Bucky embarks on a journey to learn how to work with flowers, using them to write a love letter to Steve along the way, with the help of the local florist.

Like a Prayer – From the Winter Soldier’s programming and injuries to what to do regarding the criminalization of SHIELD, there’s a lot of work to be done.  (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.

Magic 22 - Sequel to I, Barnes.  The morning (afternoon? Evening? Week?) after.

Nothing Left to Lose – Post-canon story in which Bucky and Steve have drifted apart, and Bucky has a successful career as an architect in Boston, complete with a long-term boyfriend and a great life as a Red Sox fan.  But when Tony Stark invites him to New York to take on a design project in his old neighborhood in Brooklyn, Bucky realizes that he no longer recognizes himself, and his days have become far too Steve-less, and he doesn’t know how to fix it – or if Steve will even let him.  

Possibilities – Prequel to Considerations.  How Steve and Bucky got together.

Sam and Steve’s Infinite Playlist – Sam and Steve take the long way round en route to New York and Sam gets an opportunity to school Captain America in music of the past century.  (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.

Speechless – The unread letters of Sergeant Bucky Barnes to Steve Rogers finally resurface after nearly 70 years.  An unspoken promise reopens an old wound.  (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.)

Stars – Canon-adjacent soulmate AU in which Bucky has always been convinced that he and Steve could not be soulmates because their marks don’t match.  Fast forward 70 years, and the picture has changed.  Steve just needs to convince Bucky to look again.

The Food of Love – Weaning Bucky off the feeding tube installed by Hydra proves to be a challenge, until Steve learns to get creative in the kitchen, and Bucky learns to operate the remote control. (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.)

Therapy Session:  James Buchanan Barnes – Bucky attends his therapy session with Dr. Jorgenson, and from her perspective, chatters away in a language unknown to man.  (Part of Take Up Your Shield and Follow Me.)

Tomorrow Begins Today - Sequel to Architecture.  Steve and Bucky move forward.

Whisper – Post-canon story in which Steve and Bucky are happily married, but Bucky still suffers from horrible nightmares and memories of his time with Hydra.  A generous gift from Wanda turns into a nightmare all its own when Bucky wakes up with no memory of Hydra – and no memory of Steve Rogers.

WitSec – Modern-day AU where Steve and Bucky are best friends on the cusp of becoming more.  Before Bucky can tell Steve how he feels, Steve disappears into Witness Protection, and Bucky spends his life trying to find him, working his way up in law enforcement until he’s finally able to ask the questions of the right people. Because he’s never stopped loving Steve, and he won’t stop until he’s able to tell him that.

Yeah, so that’s a lot.  I really don’t lack for ideas, and I always enjoy taking a trope I enjoy and finding some new way to look at it.  The thing I lack the most is time.  But I’m hoping to be more disciplined in the months to come to work on my stories more methodically.

Let me know what you think, and please reblog! The polls will be set up after this weekend, since I’m going to AwesomeCon for the Stucky panel!