reforgedzine

[reforgedzine]

Shipping Delays

As you may have noticed there have been some shipping delays for the leftover sales. Unfortunately we are a small team and only have one mod who is currently able to pack and ship packages. Due to unforeseen personal circumstances there have been some delays.

Please be assured we are doing our very best to get your packages to you as soon as we can. We are sorry for the delays. We understand people are eager to get their hands on their packages.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us!

[reforgedzine]

The leftover sale for the Reforged Winteriron Charity Fanzine is officially closed! Thank you so much for your orders, we managed to actually sell out of some merch and the main zines! Some packages have already been sent out, others will follow now that the shop is closed and the mods have time for shipping again. Please be patient, we’re all just human. Digital zines will go out once the physical packages are sent. A big thank you to all our buyers and the contributors! This whole project wouldn’t be possible without you. The Bucky/Tony fandom is truly amazing!

#winteriron #fanzine #reforged zine

[reforgedzine]

Leftover sale closes tomorrow! (March 10th)

Some items are already sold out but there are still some really cool items you can buy. So if you are looking for some nice winteriron things, head to our shop and treat yourself!

Find our shop here: https://www.reforgedzine.com/leftovers/

You have until it's no longer March 10th anywhere in the world!

#winteriron #buckytony #zine #tonybucky #fanzine #marvel fanzine #tony stark #bucky barnes #bucky x tony #ironwinter #marvel

[reforgedzine]

While some things are already sold out, the Leftover Sale is still open!

LEFTOVER SALES OPEN! The Reforged Winteriron Fanzine is now selling all the leftover stock – that means you can get pyhsical zines or merch, as long as stocks last! The digital zines will also be available, those of course without limit. Go to reforgedzine.com/leftovers to get what you want! Now you can get a few limited discounted bundles, or combine the items you want to your liking. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders! Go get your things before the shop closes on March 10 :D

#reblog

[reforgedzine]

Some items are almost sold out! Our leftover sale shop is still open until March 10, but since we’re not reprinting anything, everything that is sold out, will stay sold out. If you like Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes aka Winteriron, this is your chance! There are only 4 main fanzines left! The die cut stickers also have been in high demand, there are only 3 left of the “victory” design and only one of the chibis. If you have your heart set on the acrylic charms, you also should act now, there are only 5 left of the “Bucky” charm and only one of the “handholding” charm! The combined smaller merch bundle, which is a big discount compared to buying it as single items, has 2 copies left. Of the other items there are still a few more, so if you want an NSFW zine, or a print or pin, you still have some more time – until March 10 ends anywhere in the world. Find our shop here: https://www.reforgedzine.com/leftovers/

#signal boost

[reforgedzine]

Some items are almost sold out! Our leftover sale shop is still open until March 10, but since we’re not reprinting anything, everything that is sold out, will stay sold out. If you like Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes aka Winteriron, this is your chance! There are only 4 main fanzines left! The die cut stickers also have been in high demand, there are only 3 left of the “victory” design and only one of the chibis. If you have your heart set on the acrylic charms, you also should act now, there are only 5 left of the “Bucky” charm and only one of the “handholding” charm! The combined smaller merch bundle, which is a big discount compared to buying it as single items, has 2 copies left. Of the other items there are still a few more, so if you want an NSFW zine, or a print or pin, you still have some more time – until March 10 ends anywhere in the world. Find our shop here: https://www.reforgedzine.com/leftovers/

#winteriron #buckytony #bucky x tony #tony stark #bucky barnes #iron man #winter soldier #james buchanan barnes #starkbucks #ironwinter #tonybucky #fanzine #charity fanzine #zine

[reforgedzine]

The Innkeeper's Guide to Love and Werewolves

Written originally for the winteriron @reforgedzine - leftover sales are happening right now until Bucky's birthday (March 10th 2023). You can grab copies of the zine itself (physical and digital) as well as all the amazing merch. Don't wait! Once it's gone, it's gone.

Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: T Canon typical violence, alternate universe (urban fantasy), magic, innkeeper's chronicle au, supernatural elements

~

According to the Innkeeper’s Guidebook, there were many rules to being a good innkeeper.

Special requests should be carefully read and considered with care. Fae guests typically enjoyed having fresh milk and a warm slice of toast in the afternoon. To show extra hospitality, the guide recommends ensuring that a bit of milk spills out of the glass as it is poured. 

Werewolf guests preferred extra bloody steaks for dinner. Having extra bath salts and oils on hand for mermaid and siren guests goes the extra mile. 

Whether against supernatural forces or nosy human neighbors, the safety of the guests while staying in the inn was paramount. Regardless of any feuds or disputes guests had among themselves, fighting on inn grounds between guests was prohibited. The inn was to remain neutral at all times, following the laws of sanctuary.

Innkeepers only intervened to protect guests or if the inn was directly threatened. Guests were always the first and only priority.  Safety, neutrality, and hospitality were the key ingredients in running a successful inn.

Tony wasn’t the best innkeeper.

He was, however, a petty innkeeper.

With a flick of his hand, Tiberius Stone flew out the front door. Like a rock skipping the surface of a river, the vampire bounced down the front steps, landing in a heap on the driveway.

Tony leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed.  “Let me make it perfectly clear to you, Ty. I will never, ever date you again, I don’t need your money, I don’t need your help, and I would rather die than sell you this place.”

He felt Goose wind her way around his feet, moving to stand in front of him. Her back was raised as she hissed at the fallen vampire across from them.

Ty pushed himself to his feet with a scowl. His eyes flashed black. “You’re making a mistake, Anthony.”

“Definitely not.”

Ty stepped forward. “Do you really think this place will survive? You’ll come crawling back to me in no time—”

“Don’t take another step. I’m warning you.”

“—and when you do, I’ll make you beg and plead for me to save you—”

“FRIDAY, my dear, it’s time to take out the trash. Revoke his welcome.”

A barrier of blue energy shimmered, a brief warning before the inn evicted the unwelcome guest from her grounds. Tony winced in delight as Ty skidded down the road, his expensive suit covered in rocks and dirt. Ouch.

Ty snarled, his fangs drawn. “You’ll regret this.”

With a slam of his car door, the outlandish red Corvette screeched down the street as Ty drove off. 

Goose hissed once more for good measure, fluffy tail raised high behind her. Tony bent down to scoop her up into his arms. “What a fierce girl.”

Goose purred as she rubbed her face against his.

“He was always a dramatic one,” mused Natasha, appearing behind him. Thankfully, Tony had long gotten used to her sneaking up behind him, so he didn’t bat an eye when she sidled up next to him on the porch.

“I should’ve never agreed to go out with him in the first place,” muttered Tony with a scowl. “If I’d known that one awful single date would lead to him never leaving me alone—”

The drider duchess sipped her steaming cup of tea. “I wouldn’t worry too much. Vampires always love wallowing in their misery. It’ll be a good while before he’ll even think about retaliating.”

Tony grimaced. “We’ll see.”

Natasha’s fangs glinted in the sunlight. “If he does become a nuisance, I can always eat him for you.”

“I appreciate the offer,” chuckled Tony, “I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with Pepper. Doesn’t she hate the taste of blood?”

“More than anything,” conceded Natasha, “but for her favorite innkeeper, she’d understand. I’m sure Goose would also be thrilled to eat him, wouldn’t you?”

Goose meowed back, nudging her head against Natasha’s hand. 

Tony’s lips twitched. “I’ll let you know if it comes to that. You should go inside. I’m going to do a quick sweep before heading in.”

He had hoped that whatever had been attacking the local dogs and livestock was a coyote or bobcat. Something mundane. Unfortunately, after the latest attack, it was clear that whatever creature had been passing through was much more magical and here to stay.

Natasha pursed her lips. “You know you shouldn’t get involved. The humans can deal with their own messes.”

“You know I can’t sit back and do nothing. They’ll keep escalating and eventually burst through the front door. And by then, it’ll be too late.”

Natasha sighed. “Be careful.”

“I will. Have a good night.”

As Natasha made her way inside, Tony gently let Goose down onto the porch. She stared up at him, clearly unimpressed at no longer being carried. 

“Jarvis is probably lighting the fireplace soon. If you’re quick, you can beat DUM-E before he gets to the sitting room.”

She stared back at him unblinking as she yowled at him. Like many flerkins, Goose was protective of her people. Even if it meant giving up her favorite napping spot to the dog of the inn, she was ready to strike when necessary.

“I’ll be fine. It’ll only take a little while.”

With one last rub of her face against his hand, Goose followed the duchess indoors.

Grabbing his broom, Tony wandered down the porch past the driveway and onto the garden path. The moon was full and bright as it illuminated the clear night sky. With a hum, he meticulously patrolled the borders of the grounds, nudging the enchantments to see if they remained intact and secured.

As he approached the back garden, he noticed a figure standing by the pine trees. From a distance, it looked like they were admiring the flowerbeds, but Tony knew better. He clenched his jaw and stormed forward.

“Bucky Barnes, stop pissing on my petunias!”

The werewolf strolled into town only a few months ago, claiming the territory as his own. Establishing strong ties with the new alpha would be in the best interests of the inn.

Tony researched intently for the anticipated meeting. He’d spent hours reading up on werewolf customs and cohabitation rules with new clans, waiting for the new alpha leader to settle in before reaching out to introduce himself. As weeks went by without a word, it was clear that the new alpha had no intentions of reaching out to the innkeeper.

It was fine. If the werewolf wanted to pretend that the inn didn’t exist, Tony would gladly do the same.

However, as the attacks started getting progressively worse, Tony could no longer leave it in the hands of the werewolf.

After adjusting his pants, Bucky turned around with a crooked grin. 

“I only followed your advice,” said Bucky. His eyes were dark, darker than normal this close to the moon. He wore a black leather jacket, his favorite red henley and jeans. A pair of black leather motorcycle gloves stuck out of his jacket pocket.

Tony was furious that the werewolf’s hair still looked effortlessly perfect, even after a trek through the woods. 

He eyed Tony up and down with a grin, his fangs peeking through. “You told me to mark my territory.”

“I told you to take care of it. Not to destroy my flowers and smother your scent all over my inn.”

“This is my territory. I’m taking care of it.”

“That’s what you said a week ago.”

Bucky’s smile tightened. “I have some leads.”

“Sure you do.”

Bucky moved in closer, forcing Tony to look up at him as he felt his back hit the tree. Tony’s breath hitched as Bucky met his gaze head-on.

“Hang tight, sweetheart,” whispered Bucky. “You don’t have to worry about your precious inn. Just stay out of my way.”

“Oh, believe me,” breathed Tony, “that’d be the last place I want to be.”

Bucky’s grin remained unchanging. “You sure? We could have a lot of fun together.”

He leaned in even closer, his lips inches away from Tony’s ear. “I don’t know what you know, but this creature is much more dangerous than your run-of-the-mill human. I’m not sure what you expect to do with that broom.”

Tony huffed. “I can handle my broom just fine.” The puzzle pieces were slowly clicking into place. “What do you think an innkeeper does?”

“...Cook breakfast? Nap at the front desk? Pretend to clean. I don’t get what that has anything to do with this. Wait—”

Bucky stepped back, his head tilted. “Did you hear that?”

Tony scowled, freezing as he carefully listened. After a moment, he tensed.

He couldn’t hear anything. The forest was quiet, too quiet. 

Bucky turned towards the trees.

“Stay here. I’ll be back.”

Before Tony could even protest, Bucky had already sprinted off into the woods.

Tony cursed before he sprinted after him. He tried his best to keep up, but Bucky was even faster after transforming into his full werewolf form. It didn’t take long for Tony to fall behind. He listened intently, following Bucky’s trail of clothing he had shed through the trees.

“Why did he even bother with clothes?” muttered Tony. He picked up the discarded leather jacket and shirt, slinging them over his shoulder as he hurried forward.

A blood-curdling howl filled the air. Seconds later, a large dark blur streaked toward them.

“Move!”

Tony leapt back, skidding just out of the way of the figure barreling through where he once stood. Bucky was on its heels, jumping in between Tony and the creature. He snarled, claws drawn and fangs out as he charged to attack.

It was a large, black, canine creature made of shadows. Hollow sunken voids filled the space where eyes would have been. An oily, black ichor dripped from its teeth, emitting a strong waft of blood. It was unfamiliar, unlike any creature Tony had ever encountered. 

Circling around, the creature ignored Tony completely, their focus locked onto Bucky. Tony was slightly offended that he wasn’t even considered a threat, but he had to concede that Bucky in his hybrid werewolf form was a much more intimidating presence. 

A werewolf but also a former soldier, Bucky was efficient and lethal in his movements. He knew how to move and maximize his strikes for the most impact. He swiped and dodged, ducking in and out of the creature’s range as he waited for an opening. 

Tony sighed. Bucky was holding his own, but if they wanted to wrap this up before it drew too much attention, he needed to intervene. 

With a tap of his broom, he muttered an incantation under his breath. He scanned the trees above, focusing on the branches just above the creature’s head. Blue glowing tendrils of energy radiated from the broom hitting the branches. Like snakes slithering down, the branches reached down, constraining the snarling creature within their grasp.

With the creature restrained, Bucky darted forward, sinking his claws multiple times into the underbelly. With a guttural roar, the creature screamed, unable to move with the branches tethering them in place. After a shudder, it swayed and slumped over, motionless. Almost immediately, the body began to disintegrate into a dark ichor, seeping into the ground in an oily sludge.

The smell must have been potent as Bucky flinched back, covering his nose.

“Gross right? Probably explains why there wasn’t anything left to find before.”

Tony reached into his pocket, pulling out a small glass vial. He scooped a sample into the vial, careful to seal it properly before securely pocketing it. He felt Bucky inch closer to him, now transformed down into his smaller hybrid wolf form. 

Tony turned around, carefully setting down the metal prosthetic in front of the werewolf. “You really should consider getting an arm that transforms with you. Don’t give me that look. Yes, it’s possible. You just need some transmutation runes etched in them. But what do I know, I’m just an innkeeper.”

Bucky’s tail drooped, his ears flattening against his head in a whine. He was larger than a normal grey wolf in this form, but somehow managed to look like a sad puppy as he stared mournfully into the ground.

Tony sighed. “Well, at least you’re sorry.”

He draped the red henley over the wolf’s head, like a cloak. “Looks like we’re saved from clean up duty. I’m leaving before the rangers make their way over. I suggest you do the same, little red.”

Broom in hand, Tony started walking back towards the inn. He didn't turn around, but he could feel Bucky’s gaze on the back of his neck.

Read the rest on ao3

Get the zine

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool fic made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

And here are the other two illustrations I did for the @reforgedzine! I've been wanting to do matching art nouveau illustrations for these two for a long, long time and I'm very happy I finally got a reason to do it! I really like how these turned out! :D

Also, the leftover sale for the zine has now started! So go to the website if you're interested in buying one of the zines! And you can find the AO3 collection for all the amazing fics here :D

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool art made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

Hi! I was interested in the leftovers but there doesn’t seem to be anything there is it already sold out?

Oops, So sorry this happened! The link should work now This will teach us to test pages while NOT logged in.... Thank you so much for catching that! It was just a permission problem on the website. Thank you so much for your message!

#ask #leftover sale #leftover sales

[reforgedzine]

LEFTOVER SALES OPEN! The Reforged Winteriron Fanzine is now selling all the leftover stock – that means you can get pyhsical zines or merch, as long as stocks last! The digital zines will also be available, those of course without limit. Go to reforgedzine.com/leftovers to get what you want! Now you can get a few limited discounted bundles, or combine the items you want to your liking. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders! Go get your things before the shop closes on March 10 :D

#winteriron #ironwinter #buckytony #bucky x tony #marvel cinematic universe #marvel comics #tony x bucky #tonybucky #starkbucks #tony stark #bucky barnes #fanzine #leftover sale #charity #charity fanzine #zine #iron man #winter soldier #marvel zine

[reforgedzine]

Leftover Sales open in 24 hours!

Leftover Sales for our Winteriron fanzine start on Feb 10 at 8 pm CET / 2 pm EST!

Make sure to keep an eye out if you want to buy a zine or some of the awesome merch that was created for this zine.

Who doesn't want some cool winteriron things after all!

The shop will stay open until Mar 10 (Bucky’s birthday) or until we are out of our inventory.

#winteriron #zine #buckytony #fanzine #tonybucky #bucky x tony #bucky barnes #tony stark #marvel fanzine #ironwinter

[reforgedzine]

My art for @kandisheek's awesome fic A Sweet Escape, as part of the @reforgedzine.

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool art and fic made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

Did a little illustration for the Winteriron zine @reforgedzine

Check out the site for a leftovers sale on 10. 02. 2024 or visit the AO3 collection for all the nice things ♥

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool art made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

This is one of the illustrations I did for the @reforgedzine that I can finally show you all! And yes, it's my favourite — warm colours, soft lighting, and tooth-rotting fluff. Plus some really impressive metal texturing, if I do say so myself.

Also, there's a leftover sale that starts on the 10th of February, so head on over to the website if you're interested in buying one of the zines! And you can find the AO3 collection for all the amazing fics here :D

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool art made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

Fix Me Right Up

This was written for the @reforgedzine and is finally being released into the wild!

I think this story falls under the heading of "more cake" because it's me doing like 3 tropes I've already done but all together.

WinterIron pre-slash, G-rated, solarpunk, meet cute, you know the drill. Steve & Bucky friendship, Tony competence, all that good stuff.

After a century, Bucky's arm is wearing out to the point he can no longer fix it. He goes looking for an expert in pre-magic tech known as The Mechanic, and flirting ensues.

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool thing that was made for our zine

[reforgedzine]

Unrequited Dreams

WinterIron, M, 3.5k - Soulmate AU, Angst, hopeful ending

I can finally share my piece from the Reforged WinterIron Zine! I'm so excited, I'd had the idea for this fic for years and it was delightful to finally bring it to life. And now I get to share!

Thank you to all the mods over at @reforgedzine for making this happen!

~~~

The night before his thirteenth birthday Bucky is so excited he can barely fall asleep, because he’s going to have his first dream about his soulmate.

The anticipation has been building for weeks, for years; his family has taken to fondly rolling their eyes because Bucky can't talk about anything else. He can’t wait to find out something, anything about his soulmate, about how they'll meet for the first time. He can't wait to start trying to make sense of the hazy details the dream will leave him with.

In the morning, Bucky wakes up sobbing, because now he knows that his soulmate is gorgeous and graceful. That knowledge is crystal clear even if few other details are.

And now, Bucky knows that he's going to put a gun in his soulmate's face and pull the trigger.

~

Thirteen year old Tony wakes up feeling cold and hollow except for a sharp ache settling deep in his chest.

Apparently, it was stupid to be excited, just like Howard always said. Because now he knows that their first meeting involves his soulmate pushing him away.

Literally.

Tony knows that dreams are funny things. He read all about soulmate dreams and how easy it is to misinterpret them, how they tend to exaggerate, back when he was dumb enough to look forward to them. But he would swear that the shove felt hard enough to knock the air from his lungs, felt strong enough to throw him clear across the room.

The ache in his chest lingers the entire day, and every morning that he wakes up from the same dream, the pain is agonizingly fresh, digging a little deeper.

So Tony grows up and learns how to push people away first. He tells himself that when he meets his soulmate, he’ll be ready.

~

Bucky never tells anyone about the dream, even when his parents give him concerned looks. Eventually people stop asking.

Every time he has the dream, Bucky remembers a little more. His soulmate is dressed in mostly black, moving gracefully and carelessly through a room in chaos. His soulmate has gorgeous eyes and a wicked, beautiful smirk.

Every time, Bucky shoots his soulmate in the face and wakes up nauseous.

At least when he joins the army, no one else talks about their dreams either. Most nights, Bucky is too exhausted to dream at all, and it’s almost a relief when nightmares start to overtake the few times that he does.

~

Most nights, Tony drinks until he falls into a short, restless sleep, just to avoid the one dream he doesn't want to have.

He doesn’t want to see his soulmate’s cold, emotionless eyes. He doesn’t want the all-too-brief feeling of his soulmate's hand beneath his own before he's shoved away.

When Tony does dream, it’s of clenched fists, feeling frustrated, helpless. Feeling like his entire life is falling apart around him, and it’s all so stupid.

So he refuses to figure out any other details because he’s already going to have to live through it at some point. He doesn't want to know if that fleeting contact of hand against hand is a first meeting, doesn’t bother trying to remember anything about the large, bright room the dream takes place in or the people around them. He doesn’t care if it's a charity gala or something else. None of it matters.

Tony wakes up and drinks more.

He builds and smiles for the press. He does his best to not lose the few people he has, and tells himself that he won’t care when his soulmate doesn’t want him.

Sometimes he even believes it.

~

The Winter Soldier doesn’t dream at all.

Not during the short, fitful sleep he gets on missions. Certainly not while he’s frozen.

He forgets.

~

When the moment finally happens in real life, they don’t recognize it.

Bucky isn't in his right mind. He’s barely clinging to awareness past the hold of the conditioning in a room in chaos. He doesn't recognize the graceful motions of the gorgeous man who jumps into the fight, or the moment he points his gun in the man's face.

The bullet doesn't connect, and when Tony doesn't die, the Winter Soldier rips his hand away from Tony’s, shoves him across the room and knocks the air out of his lungs.

Tony isn’t thinking about the brief contact of his hand on Barnes’ over the barrel of a gun, of Barnes’ hand splayed across his chest. He’s thinking about the fact that his life is falling apart, and that he needs to stop a rampaging Winter Soldier. He doesn’t have time to think about the splinter itching at the back of his mind.

They don’t even notice when they stop having the dreams, after that moment.

~

Tony is alone in his workshop, in the too-empty compound, when it hits him that he doesn’t even remember the last time he dreamt of his soulmate.

It’s not just because he barely sleeps, not just because when he does dream it’s of his friends falling from the sky, of cities and worlds crashing to the ground. He’s spent so much time trying to ignore the dream, apparently he’s even been ignoring the fact that it’s gone.

It’s a stupid thing to be upset about.

Tony has always known how they would feel about him, known they wouldn’t want anything to do with him, but he still has to sit on the cold tile floor as his legs give out. He blinks back tears, wondering how far he must have fallen, if he doesn’t even deserve a soulmate who pushes him away anymore, doesn’t deserve anyone.

He wonders if his soulmate dreams about someone else now.

~

Bucky is in Wakanda, trying to find peace, when a doctor asks about the dream.

For a second Bucky doesn’t remember. And then he does. And he can’t breathe.

He doesn’t dream much anymore. When he does, it’s always nightmares. He hasn’t dreamt of his soulmate since before the war.

Before the Soldier.

And Bucky realizes he’s probably already killed his soulmate, and doesn’t even remember it. Everything goes fuzzy.

No one asks about the dreams again. Bucky has so many regrets to move past, he just shoves this one down with all the others. His soulmate is probably long gone. There’s no need to think about it.

So, he tries not to.

~

Having everyone back at the compound is exactly as awkward-as-hell as Tony thought it would be. It only makes him feel a little better that he’s clearly not the only one feeling it.

The reasoning is sound, the threat is coming, but that doesn’t mean Tony has to be happy about it.

But he smiles, shakes hands when he has to, and reminds himself this is for the best. He can bury his hurt feelings for the good of the world. He can be an adult, pretend everything is fine. He shows everyone to the residential wing, despite most of them already knowing their way around, and doesn’t meet anyone’s eyes as he says to make themselves at home.

Slowly, they start putting the team back together. There’s lots of talks about trust and honesty that feel hollow and stilted, but Tony supposes it’s progress.

They still work well together in the field, but that was never the Avengers’ problem.

Around the compound, though, the split remains obvious. Everyone seems torn between walking on eggshells and the urge to act like nothing’s changed even though it has, Tony among them.

The different sides of the war still give each other wide berths in the hallways, and Steve still stands protectively between Tony and his shadow of a best friend when they happen to run into each other in the gym.

Tony spins on his heel with a lazy wave, doesn’t even care if he’s too obvious. For just a moment, Tony’s gaze meets Barnes’ as he turns.

For just that moment, Tony finds himself caught in that deep blue stare before the doors slide closed behind him.

~

Bucky spends a lot of time wandering the compound.

He’s aware everyone thinks it’s a paranoid-perimeter-check thing, which it partially is. But it's also just him enjoying the novelty that he can spend his time wandering aimlessly. He can go where he wants when he wants, never has to sleep unless he chooses to.

He’s still getting used to it; remembering how to enjoy the freedom.

Which is how he runs into Stark in the kitchen at three AM, when he’s trying to outrun his nightmares. Tony is apparently making pancakes.

Bucky freezes in the doorway as they stare at each other. Just when he’s preparing to back away, Stark’s lips curl into a tiny smile. Stark tips his head towards the rest of the kitchen, obviously inviting him to stay instead. Bucky grabs an apple and sits at his usual spot at the far end of the table, trying to look comfortable, and it’s somehow easier than he’s expecting.

It’s only a couple minutes before Stark finishes making and neatly stacking his pancakes on a plate. Then he dumps everything in the dishwasher and shoots Bucky only the briefest look before leaving with his plate of food.

Bucky tells himself to avoid the kitchen around that time. He should give Stark some space, because he’s so clearly uncomfortable with everyone being back.

But two sleepless nights later, Bucky’s feet carry him on a familiar path without thought.

Stark is making waffles this time. He barely even looks up as Bucky takes up the same space at the table. Stark glances at him again as he’s preparing to leave, at the power bar Bucky’s been picking at, then transfers one waffle to a smaller plate. He sets the small plate on the table, just within Bucky’s reach. Then to Bucky’s surprise, Stark sits at the counter instead of leaving.

Bucky pulls the plate closer, and they eat in total silence. They’re not even facing each other and Bucky is actually a little relieved. He doesn’t know what to say to anyone these days, much less Stark.

It’s the first time they’ve done more than pass in the hallways, but it’s not as uncomfortable as it should be. When Tony stands to leave with a wave and a small, warm smile, Bucky finds himself disappointed.

~

As the weeks go by, Tony notices Barnes getting more comfortable around the compound, sometimes with Steve but most often alone.

Not that Tony lets himself wonder why he cares, why he scrolls through security feeds of the hallways like he needs to check on Barnes. It’s just morale has been slowly improving, and that’s the last bridge Tony has to mend. Or, the last bridge to build from scratch over a giant chasm, in this case.

He’s coming back late from a charity event, a little tipsy with plans to head to the lab, but gets sidetracked when he passes through the living room and realizes Barnes is on the couch watching Star Trek. Tony pauses for a second, filled with nostalgia, but he tells himself to leave Barnes to his marathon in peace.

To his surprise, Barnes looks at him with a tiny smile, unsure but devoid of suspicion or impatience. Tony sinks into an armchair, asking himself why. They proceed to watch four and a half episodes in silence.

Tony wakes up to Steve and Sam clomping through after their morning run, slumped down in the chair with a blanket carefully draped over him.

It becomes a habit, and Barnes becomes Bucky, even if they haven’t actually spoken yet.

So maybe Tony has FRIDAY alert him when Bucky is queuing up the next episode so he can head to the living room. After the first time, though, Bucky waits for him to arrive before hitting play and greets him with a smile that gets brighter every time.

Tony doesn’t let himself wonder about the why’s. Like why he spends so much time simply existing in the same room as Bucky, why that doesn’t feel awkward at all. Or why it seems to be the only thing that helps Tony ignore the empty pit in his chest.

One night, Tony realizes he hasn’t seen Bucky in a while. There’s been no marathon nights despite being due to start Next Generation. He tells himself it’s not creepy to flip through security feeds., He’s just curious how Bucky is spending his sleepless nights now.

Tony’s heart leaps into his throat when he finally locates Bucky on the roof of the hanger, standing on the ledge. He’s breathless by the time he makes it to the hangar, heart racing and legs shaking from the sprint. He doesn’t even know what he thinks is happening, except…

Bucky looks at him with wide, exhausted eyes when Tony bursts through the door, and he could swear Bucky’s shoulders drop in relief. Tony doesn’t have time to think. He just starts talking, because Bucky looks so haunted, and Tony knows a thing or two about distractions.

They’re still on the roof when the sun comes up., And Bucky has to stop pointing out all the constellations he can remember while Tony fills him in on the new star science he’s missed.

~

After the roof, something shifts.

Bucky can’t put his finger on exactly what it is, or even when it happens. But that one stilted conversation about the stars becomes less stilted conversations about whatever’s on TV becomes friendly debates about the merits of different toppings as they make pizza at midnight.

Before Bucky knows it, he feels like he’s home.

He finds a groove with his new life and starts branching out, starts connecting with the rest of the team. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be a person. To actually interact when he passes people in the hallway and eat with a group.

To be more than a ghost, to be part of something good.

Always though, he gravitates back to Tony. Because Tony actually makes him laugh and it fills a void in his chest Bucky has long gotten used to. Because Tony is always trying to do better and god Bucky wants to learn how.

Because when Tony’s been on an inventing binge, Bucky can trick him into taking a nap by putting on home improvement shows, and it makes Bucky feel like he’s doing something right. The team smirks when they walk in on Tony drooling on his shoulder, but it’s not like that.

He recognizes the look Steve and Natasha start to give him, smug and knowing. And fine, maybe Tony would have been exactly his type, before. But it’s not like that.

Because Bucky is the man who killed his soulmate. He doesn’t let himself think about that kind of thing.

~

When Bucky decides that he wants to officially join the Avengers, Tony leaps at the chance to make him new gear.

He does the same for the entire team, after all, making sure everyone’s safe. It doesn’t make Bucky special. No matter what the wide grins from Rhodey try to imply.

Tony just loves a challenge, loves the excuse to build something new. So maybe he gets more input from Bucky than anyone else, offers to help Bucky test all the gear on top of team training, but it’s not an excuse to spend more time together. He just sees what Bucky is trying to do, and he’s all too familiar with that struggle.

Despite the knowing looks from everyone, it doesn’t mean anything that he lets Bucky into the lab to see the prototypes, even if it is Tony’s only place of solitude in the compound. Even if eventually Bucky just hangs out there with him for hours.

Tony keeps telling himself it means nothing.

Watching Bucky try to teach DUM-E checkers is the final straw, though. Warmth fills Tony’s chest so fast and hard that he can’t breathe around it. And he finally admits that maybe it all means something.

But Tony is the man who doesn’t deserve a soulmate, who never even got to meet them. Who’s not sure he’d want to meet them anymore, as guilty as it makes him feel.

Maybe he can’t lie to himself anymore. Maybe he’s completely in love, but Tony knows better than to say anything.

~

Days spent in the lab with Tony run together in the best possible way. It’s a blur of playing with the bots, watching Tony create the future, and trying to convince him maybe the new reboots of Star Trek do have something to offer.

Bucky knows what a privilege it is to be here, to see Tony at his most relaxed and occasionally unhinged. He tries not to let it go to his head, give him ideas, even though every day he falls more in love. He’s even getting used to the pangs of guilt over the soulmate he should miss.

Until one day they’re watching a movie on the lumpy couch in Tony’s lab. When it’s revealed that Tony called the plot twist from the very beginning, he smirks at Bucky at just the right angle.

Bucky’s heart drops into the floor.

He knows that smirk. He’s seen it a thousand times in a thousand dreams, even if he hasn’t had it in years, he remembers.

And of course it’s Tony, who’s smart and gorgeous, graceful and just the right amount of wicked. Who Bucky already loves so much he can’t breathe sometimes.

Tony, who he still can’t possibly deserve.

So Bucky says nothing, as happy as he thinks he’ll ever be. Tony is here, alive. Bucky’s soulmate is too smart and too tough to die. Bucky gets to watch the way he laughs when their friends do something stupid, to watch Tony’s back in fights while they both try to do better.

He’ll never get to taste the edges of Tony’s smile, but he shoves that aside. Tony is alive. That’s more than enough.

~

Tony’s first thought when he wakes half-buried under rubble is that he’s officially over alien invasions. The second is that the power of the suit fading in and out, causing the concerned shouting over the comms to cut in and out, is really not helping with his throbbing head.

The aliens swarm into what’s left of the nightclub, stealing his attention before Tony can work up the breath to answer, and all the suit’s questionable power has to go to blasting the ones that get too close. The oversized bug-like soldiers just keep coming, and Tony starts to wonder if he’d be better off ditching the deadweight of the armor.

But he’s not sure he can make a run for it. His head is spinning and he’s dimly aware of blood filling the suit, and the aliens are still coming—

There’s a roar of approaching gunfire and then Bucky is bursting into the destroyed building, wielding a large knife and the only gun Tony has built in years.

And the thing is…Tony knows those movements.

He knows that brutal fighting style, the blank rage in those blue eyes. He recognizes the wrath of the Winter Soldier. He’d been dreaming of it most of his life.

Tony can’t believe he never put it together before, because of course it’s Bucky. Resilient and brave and so kind, Bucky who still deserves so much better than Tony. Of course.

Maybe it’s just easier to recognize him with unconsciousness trying to drag Tony under. Maybe Tony’s already dreaming.

He must be, because suddenly Bucky is leaning over him. His eyes are warm, and scared. Tony doesn’t know this part of the dream, doesn’t know what happens next.

Everything is going black. Tony struggles to find his words, to plead. To beg not to be shoved away again.

~

Bucky sits unmoving beside Tony’s hospital bed for three days, even though all he wants to do is run.

He saw the recognition in Tony’s eyes, he knows that Tony knows. He wants to leave before Tony asks him to, because what else could Tony want from a soulmate like him?

But that’s not what Tony had said. Tony asked him to stay while sounding so scared, so resigned. Like he knew Bucky wouldn’t and it was already breaking his heart.

So, Bucky stays.

He’s staring at his fists, trying to stop himself from wondering, when the heart monitor starts beeping triple time, giving away that Tony is awake. Bucky jerks his gaze up to meet Tony’s big brown eyes, watches the flashes of fear and hope that go through them.

Bucky knows he must look terrible, hasn’t slept or shaved in days. He’s barely eaten, and he can feel the lines of worry set into his face. But Tony’s still looking at him with something like awe, just because he’s here.

When Tony smiles nervously the wave of hope that crashes over Bucky nearly overwhelms him, could crush him beneath it.

Bucky smiles back.

#winteriron #zine contribution #look at the cool stuff that was made for the zine

[reforgedzine]

Leftover Sales for our Winteriron fanzine start on Feb 10 at 8 pm CET / 2 pm EST! If you missed the preorders, get ready to grab a copy of the zine or the merch. The shop will stay open until Mar 10 (Bucky’s birthday) or until we are out of our inventory. This time, you will also be able to buy different items on their own, not just in a bundle.

#winteriron #winteriron fanzine #buckytony #tonybucky #ironwinter #starkbucks #bucky x tony #fanzine #tony stark #bucky barnes #iron man #winter soldier #zine #leftover sales