#army vet!bucky

[buckysbabygorl]

Punching Bag (Bucky Angst)

Summary: As much as Bucky can't stand Y/N, he's tired of her taking all the blows on the field. They have to come up with a plan.

Word Count: N/A

“Get your hands off me.”

She shoved him away, as best she could given her state.

“I can do it myself.”

She took the med kit from his hands, in her drunken stupor she stumbled to the dining table, fumbling with the latches on the case.

Bucky was tired. All he wanted to do was sleep after a long—god awful---day and put the mission behind him.

He dropped his mission bag at the doorway.

“All you’re going to do is make it worse. I don’t need you waking up tomorrow complaining about your drunken hack job.”

She glared at him, pulling out supplies.

“Sober or not, I can stitch myself up fine. Just because I’m not an army vet doesn’t mean I don’t know basic field medics.”

She mumbled something more under her breath; probably dick or asshole, some of her common artillery when insulting him.

He didn’t need this. He really didn’t need this right now. Today had been hard, and for Bucky that was saying something. Whether it was being back in Russia, during its coldest and iciest period of the season; or being stuck with the person he loathed the most, he wasn’t sure what had triggered him.

But he was on edge and exhausted, and he wanted this night to end.

Then she had to go and get stabbed of all things, and now this dark hour was dragging on and on and on...

It was then Bucky realized that this sad excuse of a safe house would not give him enough space from her. It was a bachelor style apartment, something small enough that would never catch the eye of enemies, tucked away in an complex that was filled with much more shady individuals that them. There was a kitchenette, a dining table with two chairs, and a couch that pulled out. There was also a rickety old rocking chair, which looked far from comfortable.

This night wouldn't get any shorter.

“Ow.”

She stabbed her self softly with the needle, swaying slightly as she tried to stablize herself.

“Jesus Christ," Bucky said, "did you even wash your hands?”

“Fuck you.” She retorted.

His jaw tensed as he stopped himself from raising his hands, he wanted to tear his hair out strand by strand.

Why was she always so fucking argumentative?

“Would you stop saying that?”

He strode across the room, kneeling in front of her chair and grabbed her arm.

She attempted to pull away from him, which was stupid to do with a needle in hand.

“Let go.” She demanded.

She pulled back, hard, and Bucky gripped her forearm.

“Will you just—enough.” His voice stern and commanding.

She halted, slightly hazey and swaying. But she stopped.

Bucky let out a frustrated sigh.

“For once, can you just shut up and listen? For five seconds, can you do that?”

She blinked slowly at him, pursing her lips.

He recognized that look in her eye; it was always followed by a sly grin, a tilt of her head that said “what are you gonna do about it, Sergeant?”

This time, she slumped back into her chair. She relaxed her arm and used the other to shove the kit towards him.

“Fine. Do your worst. I don’t give a shit if you leave a scar.”

He waited a moment, to see if she’d say something more or change her mind, maybe smack his hand away one more time.

But she didn’t.

So Bucky picked up the needle and went to work.

She didn’t look at him while he stitched her up, remaining in her dead stare as she looked straight at the wall.

She winced a few times but said nothing.

After a few minutes, the quiet made Bucky’s skin itch.

“Why did you jump at her, anyways? I had it covered.”

Y/N closed her eyes, inhaling through gritted teeth.

Responding wasn’t worth the effort, so she shrugged.

“Really? You’re not going to say anything?” He asked.

She groaned. “Does it matter? Not like I can do anything about it now.”

He shook his head, continuing as if he hadn’t heard her. “--And downing a bottle of tequila won’t make you feel better.”

She bit the palm of her hand as he worked his way along her side.

Her breaths stuttered as she inhaled.

“Hurts less.” She mumbled.

He paused a moment.

He remembered what that felt like. How much these kind of things could hurt you. He could imagine the pain she was going through, he could see it in her face. But he tried to ignore it. He was still mad at her.

“I don’t get you. You do this every time, you’re not invincible you know—”

She slammed her hand on the table.

“I know that! Jesus, you tell me every time—AH!”

She pulled away from him, hurting herself as he had tightened a stitch.

He looked up as his hands steadied her, and his voice softened.

“Y/N, sit still...”

Her head was turned away from him, but he could still see the corner of her eye and the downturn of her lip.

He hadn’t realized she’d been crying.

He tilted his head down, biting on the inside of his cheek. Best to just get this over with.

“Just… sit still. I’m almost done.”

They fell into silence again. The winter snow was building up on the safe house windows, the wind pounding against the panes.

He tried to shut it out. But it was either listen to the howling storm or rehash the scenario in his brain.

Her voice came over his ear piece, she told him to watch his six; that agents were entering through the south wing of the building. He ignored her, he had it covered.

She must’ve taken his silence the wrong way; she figured he was in danger. She was like that, she’d assume the worst and abandon her post to cover. Fuck, why did she have to do that…

“Did you get a hold of Sam?”

Surprised by her question, Bucky looked up from his hands. She still wouldn’t turn to face him.

“Called him while I was walking back. Said he can get a jet in a 4 am. With the storm it’s hard to get here—”

She winced again. He groaned.

“Stop moving.”

She awed at the ceiling and clenched her hand into a fist.

“My god, would it kill you to have some sympathy?”

He tied off the suture and snipped the thread.

“I don’t have sympathy for idiocy.”

She scoffed, “Fuck you.”

Which she had said for the umpteenth time today.

He decided to ignore it. But he was still fuming, still angry at her… why, why would she do that?

He should’ve watched his six, he knew he should’ve.

They came up behind him, 4 out of the 6 agents had decided to cover his wing.

He was holding his own, but the one was smart. Patient. Waiting while the others hammered Bucky with brute force to deliver a fatal blow. She had been aiming for his right side, probably trying to stab between his right ribs or his into his spine…

“You know, normal people say thank you.” He nodded to her left side, where 10 stitches sat neatly in line.

“I could say the same thing to you.” Her words were icy, she nearly spat them at him.

Bucky scoffed. “Why should I thank you? I had it covered, you jumped in and now I have to patch your drunk-ass up—”

“I did it because it’s instinct. I saw my partner outnumbered and I saved your ass. Sorry it’s an inconvenience to you because I’m not a goddamn super soldier.”

The slam of his hand on the table made her jump, and her eyes went wide at the thought that he might actually make her shut up for once.

"You can't throw yourself in a fight where you'll get more hurt than I will."

His eyes faltered when he looked at her, "We... we talked about this Y/N--"

Silence fell between them again.

She fumbled with the bottle cap on the table, and Bucky stood still at her side.

He didn't know what more to say, and she didn't know how to respond.

Because he was right, they had talked about this before many times.

There were never tender moments between the two, but the closest they'd ever gotten to something like that was usually Y/N's recovery. They were paired together more often than not; aside from them loathing one another, they were extremely compatible.

But each time they teamed up, something like this happened.

Y/N would get stabbed, she'd get shot, she'd break a bone or two, she'd pick a fight that was out of her depths.

He'd get mad and so would she, then a day or two would pass and he'd watch her struggle with something. Whether it was taking the stairs, or doing her physio, or getting back into training...

Somehow they'd end up alone and they fell back into this same conversation.

You can't always put yourself at risk for me, I know you're skilled but there's situations where you need to be more careful.

She'd sit with it, and usually come back with the same response.

I know you're capable of taking more than most people, but it doesn't mean you get to be a punching bag. If my partner is in trouble, I'm going to step in.

There was never a solution made, because he was the immovable object and she was the unstoppable force.

In short, they were both too stubborn and too proud.

Normally, she wouldn't bring it up. But feeling brave, or drunk enough to be brave, she did.

"We're going around in circles, Barnes."

She didn't look up from the table, but he continued to stare.

"We can't fight about this every single time we go on a mission. We've requested to be separated, and that's not happening. So tell me what the fuck you want me to do, because I'm not just gonna take a seat every time it gets ugly."

He sighed, "What I'd like you to do is not be an idiot out there--"

"Hm," She took another drink, "And I'd like you to stop being an asshole."

His jaw clenched again. Every time with this girl...

"Do you not see where I'm coming from?" He gestured to her ribs, "Look at you, Y/N. How many scars is that now? From our missions alone?"

She shook her head, fiddling with the cap.

"I don't know Barnes, that's not the point."

She did know, it was nine now.

"The point is I'm not going to change my mind and neither are you. So figure it out with me instead of fighting me every chance you get. Pick a different fucking solution."

It seemed Bucky couldn't stop sighing, he wanted to walk away from this night and be done with it. But he knew they'd be back in this position a month from now, and a month after that, and so on.

So, begrudgingly, Bucky sat down at the table.

"Fine. If you won't stop being reckless--"

"--And you won't stop being a dick--"

He pointed at her, "Okay first. Stop doing that. I get you're frustrated but you swear at me a lot. I hate it. It feels like you try to pick a fight."

She went to speak, but all she could think of were insults involving curse words. He'd proven his point.

Her lip curled in a scowl, "Fine."

He nodded. "Okay."

She shifted to sit with her arms crossed on the table, eyes flicking up to him.

"Stop telling me I'm an idiot. And stop saying I'm reckless. You think it's reckless 'cause I'm not Steve or Thor, or whoever else was enhnaced on the team... just because I'm not like you guys doesn't mean I'm being stupid when I'm out there."

God, he wanted to fight her on that.

Different capabilities meant different actions in certain situations, at least in his eyes.

But he kept it to himself, at least they were starting to work on something.

"Okay..." He drew out the word, subtly saying he wasn't okay with it, but Y/N didn't care.

He could think what he wanted, but he didn't get to throw it in her face every time he wanted.

"I can't control what you do on the field." Bucky started, "You make your own calls and you... you know what you're doing out there."

Y/N smirked at the look of pain on Bucky's face, she know he hated to admit it. But she was damn good at her job.

"--but if there's a situation that I think you need to stay out of, respect me when I ask."

"What if I think I can handle it?" She questioned.

He lifted his hand off the table slightly, halting her to let him finish.

"If I need you, I'll tell you."

She rolled her eyes, "So I'm supposed to wait until my coach puts me in?"

His fists balled in frustration. "No, I'm saying be there but..."

He leaned back in his chair, looking up to the ceiling.

"I don't know, maybe we have a call sign when we both need each other."

He said that to appease her, he didn't think there would ever be a time he'd need her, but maybe she would need him. And at least it would keep her from jumping in and getting sliced to bits.

She snorted, "What, like a safe word?"

He huffed slightly, "I guess so, yeah."

That seemed to be enough conversation for her, as she stumbled out of her chair and clambered over to the musty pull out couch in the corner. She was still nursing that damn bottle in the crook of her arm.

Bucky sat, somewhat surprised that that was the end of it.

"I'm tired." She mumbled as she slipped onto the mattress, kicking her go-bag onto the ground.

I guess I'll take the floor, Bucky thought.

He raised his hands in an exaggerated shrug, his words laced with contempt. "Any thoughts on the safe word?"

Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose, already feeling the early effects of a hang over.

"Yeah," she muttered, "Punching bag."

Bucky waited for more from her, but after a few moments of silence, her snoring began and he accepted that as the end of their conversation.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

He accepted his place in the awful rocking chair, but not before picking the bottle of tequila out from beneath her.

He took one final look at his patch up of her ribs, before settling into his seat, eagerly waiting for Sam's arrival.

~

They didn't speak more of their truce after that night, but there had been an unspoken agreement on both ends to keep their promise.

They'd be less hostile towards one another; and they'd work their roles independently during missions unless someone asked for help.

And, oddly enough, their "safe word" popped up more and more with each mission. It was easier than saying the words "I need your help", because both were so stuck in their pride to ever admit that. But "punching bag" worked just fine.

In fact, they had gotten so comfortable using it during their duo missions, that it became an oddity to the rest of the Avengers in team missions.

"Barnes, what's your location?"

"Intersection of Francis Street and Main."

"I'm west of Francis by one block. Alice Street. Punching bag."

Within less than a minute, he was there.

It was rare for Bucky to use it, but every so often he had.

One time, it had been used because Bucky's metal arm had adhered to the FOD magnetic sweepers of their combatant's tank.

Y/N had laughed when she arrived, but never brought it up afterwards.

That was another thing, an interesting development so to speak. In its month's of usage, "Punching bag" somehow became "come, no questions asked."

Sam, Joaquin and Sharon had all taken notice of this new addition to their lingo; but decided not to press it. Ever since it had been implemented, the two were actually getting along. Sam would argue they were somewhat friendly with one another.

It was a peaceful three months since their Russia mission, and the team was going to ride it out as long as they could.

~

Bucky felt numb. Which was bad, because usually that led to an anger spiral or a drawn out dissociation episode. Neither were good options for him.

It was a bad day. A really fucking bad day.

He had called his therapist, but at the fourth call with no answer, he had assumed she was asleep.

Of course she was, it was 2 in the morning.

Bucky tried to remember what she had taught him; their so-called "game plan" when things went south.

He didn't want to listen to music, he had tried going for a walk, he had tried using that dumb journal she recommened he'd buy but he couldn't write anything down.

Call someone, she had said, your line of work has a select few that understand what you're going through. And those select few happen to be your friends, you can lean on them . That's what they're there for.

He had hovered over Sam's contact for—about—15 minutes. But he didn't want to.

Some nagging feeling in the forefront of his mind pulled him back, to lean towards someone else.

He scrolled down, clicked the contact, and sent a quick message.

Punching bag.

And then he waited.

-

Bucky had left his location on in their group comms chat, and Y/N was surprised to see that he was in his own apartment.

Her mind jumped to an intruder holding Bucky hostage in his own home; or him being kidnapped, leaving his phone behind and it was the last message he had been able to send before being taken away.

She got paranoid like that. She was working it out in therapy, or whatever.

Bucky rarely used their safe word, which she resented him for, but when he did she knew it was serious.

She was there in 10 minutes.

Bucky heard shuffling outside his door; as stealthy as she was, he had the fortune of super-soldier hearing.

Then she gave their call sign, an additional one that was in early development. One knock, a pause, then four knocks.

You're, one syllable, an id-i-ot, four syllables

He'd respond back with two hard knocks to signal it was clear; two syllables for "fuck you".

Apparently their old habits died hard.

He had left the door unlocked, and she entered slowly.

With a quick scan of the room, she deemed the coast was clear. Even more surprising considering the text she had received less than 15 minutes ago.

She looked at him with question, "Our safe word is usually for emergencies, y'know."

He nodded, but said nothing.

She pursed her lips, more confused but coming in regardless.

"...Alright."

She slipped off her coat and kicked off her boots. She found it odd to see him on the floor, then noticing the pillow and blankets laid out on the hardwood, she realized that's how Bucky slept.

Late at night, she put two and two together; he'd tried to sleep and couldn't.

She folded her coat and sat down across from him.

She stayed silent, patiently waiting for him.

He continued to say nothing.

She waited for a few minutes longer, prompting him to give some sort of explanation for his text.

But again, nothing.

She clapped her hands once on her knees, and stood up. Bucky panicked, fearing she would leave---

"You got back at 10, right?" She asked.

Bucky was taken aback by her knowledge of his returning home, but nodded after his pause.

She hummed, "Okay. Have you eaten?"

"Uh--" Bucky thought for a moment, realizing he hadn't. "--No."

She nodded. It was a start.

"Okay. Then uh---I'm gonna get you some food."

After digging through the cabinets whilst Bucky sat on the floor, she mustered her supplies; butter, cheese, and bread.

Grilled cheese wasn't the fanciest of meals but considering the situation, it would have to do. Besides, she didn't know how to cook anything else.

5 minutes later, a plate plopped down in front of him, and she sat cross-legged as she started on her sandwich.

He watched her for a moment, before she looked up at him with a mouthful.

"Don't let good eatings go to waste Barnes," she wiped crumbs from her lips, "I put my blood, sweat and tears into this meal."

Shockingly, even to himself, Bucky laughed. And then he ate.

"I would've added onion," She said, "But you don't seem to have... many ingredients in your fridge, Buck."

He was surprised at her wanting to use onion, and even more surprised at her usage of his first name. But he let the latter slide.

"Onion?" He questioned.

She sent an odd look back at him, "What? You've never had onion in your grilled cheese?"

When he shook his head no, she went into a ramble.

"My god, you're missing out. I'll tell you this; one time, my Pops went into this diner, you see--"

Bucky felt himself smile as she went on, telling a story of her grandpa recommending the restaurant make it a special of the day, "grilled cheese with onion", and how it had been such a hit with the locals, that they gave her grandpa a free grilled cheese every day from that day on. Which was how she knew how to make it.

She told more stories about her grandpa, then about her family, and Bucky realized he'd never heard more about her in one sitting. In fact, he realized he had known nothing about her personal life the entire time they had been working alongside eachother.

He sat happily listening, grilled cheese in hand, and even took her up on seconds as she continued to talk.

Y/N figured that, sometimes, that's what someone needs. To fill the silence, to feel the normal, especially on days that were less than good.

And eventually, the other person would start talking too.

People need distraction. Sometimes they need to talk, they need advice, or they need help and action. But when someone needs you, and they can't find the words, talking of nothingness can be the best thing.

Y/N could be good at that, something Bucky never knew about her. And, something Bucky never knew he liked.

A silence fell over them, but not like before. Not the tense words-unsaid sort. But comfortable. She washed dishes and he sat on the floor.

She flicked her hands at the sink before drying them, Bucky wondered if she did that all the time.

"So," She said, "do you want to talk about it?"

The question might have been jarring to others, but to him it wasn't. Bucky just shrugged.

"I don't think so."

He didn't need to, he thought. This was enough.

She nodded. "Okay. Do you want me to go?"

He was shaking his head before he knew it, and she smirked.

Not the spiteful one she used to adorn with him, but more of a cheeky one. One a friend might give to another.

"Alright. Do you want me to stay?"

He picked at his ratty blanket he had tucked beside him.

"Kinda." He thought before adding, "If you don't mind."

She checked her watch, "I've got nowhere to be."

She said something about a deck of cards, and went to search his house, which for some reason he didn't mind.

She found a deck, Bucky hadn't known he owned one.

"So, I'm gonna teach you how to play King's Corners, kick your ass at King's corners, and then we're gonna talk about this bed situation which is unacceptable..." she trailed off in her teasing, and Bucky found himself laughing more.

She did teach him how to play, and he ended up kicking her ass, which she claimed was beginner’s luck.

She stayed all night.

More nights like that began to happen, sometimes Bucky spoke and sometimes he didn't.

Sometimes they fought, most times they didn't.

The fights happened less and less. The all-nighters happened more and more.

And Bucky noticed more things he liked. More than her grilled cheese, more than her comfortable ramblings, and soon he found there were more things he liked than not.

She trusted Bucky to hold his own on the field, and he tried not to be as protective of her, letting her choose her own actions. They found out that was what he was afterall, and she realized she had been too.

She had been staying longer and longer. The next thing they knew, she wasn't leaving at all.

~

@dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable

@dumb-ass-3

@cuddlycalcifer @babyblue-07 @babybluereads @lonewolf471 @agni-l @niiight-dreamerrrr @julipmoon @fandomsfallnomore @elliee1497 @godspeedlover @sexwithhiddlesbatch @annestine @shower-me-with-roses @yougottalovefandoms @rebekahdawkins @gentlybarnes @emmabarnes

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky fanfic #bucky headcanon #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes angst #bucky barns imagine

[pellucid-constellations]

Unexpected

Pairing: Army Vet!Bucky x Teacher!Reader

Summary: With all of his rough edges and impassive glances, Bucky Barnes looked to be the last person you’d find at an elementary school bake sale. Too bad Steve couldn’t make it, and dealing with a class hopped up on sugar wasn’t a feat you could manage alone. 

Word count: 2.4k

Warnings: none! Maybe a little sad Bucky

a/n: This was supposed to be a drabble but I loved it so much so it’s a oneshot!! I hope you enjoy :))

Masterlist

~~

Another box thudding against the makeshift countertop sent your third graders into a frenzy. You had given up on trying to tame their excitement after the first batch of cookies had sold out, doing your best to simply hold down the fort until another set of hands could come to help you. The bake sale had seemed like the easiest booth to sign your class up for, but that was before you learned that the PTA had only assigned one parent to come and help you. 

And that parent was already… fifteen minutes late? You couldn’t check your phone to find out, a tug at your sleeve tearing your eyes from the parking lot in the distance. 

“Miss y/l/n, can I put the cookies out this time?” 

You leaned down, smiling at the sweet little girl with blonde, lopsided pigtails. “Emma, you can put the cookies out as soon as you tell me where your daddy is.” 

She scrunched her face up in contemplation. “Daddy said he had work today. At the place with Uncle Sam.” 

You internally groaned, a smile in the place of a grimace as you held out the frosting-covered cookies. Emma took them with a tiny squeal and began placing them on the plates by the brownies.

Well that was just perfect. Leave it to Steve Rogers—one of the most dependable parents you had in this class—to ditch you on fundraising day. He had signed up for the spot just two days ago; how he didn’t already know he had work baffled you. But you would just have to smile through the pain and try to rangle the seven-year-olds attempting to eat all of the rice krispy treats. At least you had Emma to man the bake table. 

Until you didn’t. 

All it took was a glimpse of the six-foot something, angry looking man in the hoodie and she was booking it, cookies long forgotten on the cheap tablecloth. So now you had to rangle the seven-year-olds, and make sure Emma Rogers wasn’t running straight into danger. You figured the amount of giggles coming from her meant she wasn’t, but you weren’t about to take any chances. 

“Emma!” you called, hastily jogging to the outside of the table. “Emma, you can’t run off, honey! You know the rules.” 

She whipped her head around just moments before launching herself into the stranger’s arms, laughing out, “But this is my Uncle Bucky! Miss y/l/n, I know him.” 

You sighed, resigning yourself to watch as “Uncle Bucky” scooped her up and brought her back to the bake table. He listened contently as she babbled on in his ear, but his stoic demeanor never wavered. He simply patted her back as she went on and lowered her to the ground when they were stood in front of you, a gentle hand on her head letting her know he was still listening. 

After another minute of her retelling the events of the bake sale, she decided she was done talking and that her job needed to take precedence. The cookies were then back in her hands, and you were then alone with Bucky in a sea of over-hyper kids. 

“Um,” you hummed out, a slight laugh to break the tension. “It’s nice to meet you, Bucky. I’m assuming you’re Steve’s brother?” 

Bucky shook the hand you had extended with his own gloved grip, letting his eyes scan up your wrist and along the planes of your face. “Something like that.” 

Another awkward laugh escaped you. “Well, I’m y/n, Emma’s teacher. I was expecting Steve to show up today, but Emma hinted that maybe…” 

“Oh. Yeah. I’m here in place of Steve.” 

“You’re here to help me with the bake sale?” 

The smallest hint of playfulness graced his features. “Don’t think I can handle a bake sale?” 

That wasn’t exactly the verbiage you’d use. You were sure this man was more than capable of selling a few pastries, but whether or not he would do it out of intimidation or charm was still up for debate. Emma seemed to adore him, but in the few minutes he’d been here—surrounded by children and up-beat pop music and one too many bounce houses—the man hadn’t smiled once. 

Sure, he stopped looking downright angry after his niece had bounded up to him, but you had the sneaking suspicion that school fairs weren’t exactly his scene. If his bulky frame and tied back hair were any indication, he probably spent most of his freetime in the gym or holding people up by their shirt collars. 

“It’s not the bake sale I’m worried about,” you teased. “It’s all the kids.” 

Bucky leaned his shoulder against the beam of an awning, eyes flicking down to your feet, and then back up to your face, achingly slow. His features gave nothing away as he clenched his jaw imperceptibly, and you arched a brow in silent question. 

“You think the kids won’t like me just cause I’m not wearin’ a fancy skirt?” he posed, except this time, you could’ve sworn his mouth ticked up—just the smallest bit. 

But smile or not, you still scoffed, “I’m following the teacher dress code, Mr. Hoodie. And for the record, the kids love these things. They like to guess what color they’ll be and write it on the board for the next day. It’s fun.” 

Bucky shot his hands up. “You don’t gotta defend the skirt, gorgeous. Never said I didn’t like it.” 

Heat crawled up your neck and fizzled in your brain, leaving you lost for words as the endearment echoed there. Gorgeous—you almost wanted to scoff again, but Bucky had turned away from your embarrassment as Emma alerted him of a customer, and you were left to sort out your flustered mind before another student needed you. 

Which was quickly, you realized, as Peter—one of your shyest students—requested you help him speak to one of the parents about the ingredients in a cake pop. You leaned down and echoed the words back to him as he listed them off, trying your best to ignore the eyes on you. 

Bucky may have been stoic and hard to read, but he certainly didn’t bother with discreteness as he gazed at you below the bake table. He took in every move you made, from the hand you kept on Peter’s back to comfort him through his speech, to the other that you used to tuck your hair behind your ear as you glanced down. 

And it made you nervous, but it was the good kind of nervous—the kind you hadn’t felt in a while. Teaching kept you so busy that most of the time, the only other people you met your age were the parents of your students, and you had a strict rule not to date them. Dating apps were always an option, but after your fourth date ending in less than desirable circumstances, you had sworn those off as well. 

But Bucky wasn’t a parent at all. 

You wiped those sudden thoughts from your mind; the guy had said about three words to you, and it wasn’t as if they were overtly nice. You were probably just taken by his large stature and his calmness with the kids and your heart was speaking faster than your mind, a recipe always set for disaster. 

As you stood from your spot beside Peter, a gentle hand met the small of your back, guiding you up with a steadying touch. Your mind didn’t seem to care about logic anymore as the fluttering in your stomach went on a rampage. 

“Didn’t want you to trip over the curb,” Bucky apologized, hand still pressed to your spine. It felt… structured in a way, solid. “Skirt woulda been ruined.” 

You glanced up at him, meeting the scruff of his jaw before stepping away, slightly breathless, as much as you hated to admit it. “Wouldn’t want that.” 

“Would’ve been a disaster.” 

You held in a laugh and his eyes tracked the way your mouth moved.  

After a few more hours of the same—you, dancing around Bucky’s teasing while simultaneously trying to tame a gangle of kids—you found yourself grateful that you had someone there to help out. It might not have been Steve with his authoritative voice and kind smile, but something about Bucky commanded attention as well, and kids always seemed to love the gruff ones (so did you, but again, mind over heart). 

With one final, relieved breath, you started the clean-up process. The kids had all been picked up, so that just left you, a fold out table, and a ton of boxes. But you could handle tables and boxes; they didn’t scream and demand attention. 

You were about halfway into failing at closing the legs of the table, when that voice that seemed to betray your senses piped up. 

“Need some help?” Bucky called out, hands pocketed in his jeans, brows bunched together on his forehead. 

You huffed out a breath, displacing the hair that had fallen in your face. “Don’t think I can handle a table?” 

“After today, I’m pretty sure you can handle more than a table. Just looks like you’re strugglin’ a bit.” 

You set down the offending object, nodding your head in defeat. Bucky knocked the toe of his boot into the concrete before striding up and tapping your arm to make you step back. He pushed the leg in with two fingers, the sound of metal plucking against plastic making your face warm. You had been trying at that for over five minutes. 

“So I was right then,” you conceded. “You must work at a gym. Or you box? Something where you have insane strength and can explain why I have just been bested by a table.” 

Bucky laughed, the sound surprising you and making your lips turn up of their own accord. He sounded so sweet and carefree; he sounded like sunshine and summer nights and you weren’t sure why he kept that so hidden. Emma’s endearing giggles suddenly made so much sense. 

“You think I work at a gym?” he finally wheezed out, whispers of a laugh still fresh in his words. “Sweetheart, I haven’t stepped foot in a gym in months.” 

You opened and closed your mouth a few times, the only thing coming out a disbelieving, “But you’re huge.” 

You slapped your hand over your mouth, mortified, and Bucky didn’t laugh this time, but the smile he gave you almost made the embarrassment worth it. He took a step forward, forgetting the table that sat lamely on the concrete. 

“I haven’t met someone like you in a long time.” 

You took a beat—a breath to calm your raging heart. “A teacher with too many skirts?” you asked, watching as the crinkles by his eyes faded and the warmth within them didn’t. 

“Something like that.” His gaze didn’t leave yours as he spoke. Until he reached down and started back on the table. You tried your hardest not to be disappointed. “But to answer your question—no, I don’t work at a gym. And this table was only so easy because I have this.” 

He snapped the last leg closed and reached for the glove on his left hand, slipping each of the fingers off before he revealed gold and silver and black. You marveled at the colors and the shine, wanting to touch it as his knuckles flexed and straightened. Leather gloves in the spring suddenly made sense. 

“I think your kids woulda liked this a little more than your outfits. Didn’t wanna outdo you though, so I wore the gloves,” he gested, but there was a sadness there, an ache. 

“How?” 

It was the only thing you could think to say. 

Bucky didn’t seem to mind, pulling the metal through his hair before setting his features back into a firm line. “Afghanistan. Don’t wanna put you through all the gory details, but there’s a reason I know Steve, and it’s not ‘cause we’re brothers. After this though—” he tapped the metal “—might as well be.” 

You knew Steve had served, you had just never seen any effects of it on him. There was nothing physical left behind as a reminder, nothing he had to keep hidden behind gloves or jackets or impassive looks. He was always so bright, and after the laugh that had escaped this brooding man in front of you, you wondered if Bucky had been bright too. 

The thought made your chest hurt, because there was so much you had missed when you first saw him, like the hidden lightness in his eyes and the way he looked at Emma. There was so much you were sure he deserved; you longed to tell him so many things, but Bucky Barnes didn’t seem like one for sympathy, so instead, you fought the pain in your chest and thought of him.

“Yeah, I think the kids would have loved your arm… but does it change colors?” 

His gaze shot up to you, the last bit of a forlorn emotion leaving him. He appraised you for a moment, tilting his head to the side and taking another step forward until the space between you was shared. The thought that he might be angry had your lungs in a vice, until—

“Let me take you out to dinner.” 

You let your breath go, squeaking out, “What?” 

“Dinner. Might wanna meet there since I brought my bike and I’m not too sure how well your outfit would fare.” 

You blinked, and then blinked again, completely at a loss for words before him. You had no idea how this conversation had landed on dinner, or a date, with Bucky, but the prospect of it had you both excited and reeling. 

“I—” 

Bucky reached up and tucked your hair behind your ear, the metal cooling your cheek as he asked again, “Let me take you out to dinner.” 

You weren’t sure which part of you was answering as you replied, “Okay.”

From the parking lot, Steve couldn’t hear a thing, but Emma had filled him in on the events of the day. All it took was the whisper of a smile on his friend’s face, and the high-five between him and his daughter echoed in the car, Emma letting out a loud cheer as if she had any idea what was going on. 

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes fanfiction #modern!bucky #Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes fluff

[buckrecs]

𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙚𝙘 : 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝

masterlist | monthly fic rec masterlist

FLUFF

Unexpected by @pellucid-constellations (Army Vet!Bucky)

I’m here by @sweetdreamsbuck

Two Syllables by @coffee-with-bucky (dad!bucky)

i’ll fight for you, always by @insomniumstella

hot chocolate by @/insomniumstella

Muse by @navybrat817 (artist!bucky)

butterfly by @idy-ll-ique (alpha!bucky)

a misunderstanding by @traitorjoelite (40s!bucky)

the forever third wheels by @witchywithwhiskey

You and Him by @whitewinter-wolf

Heal Me With Your Love by @/whitewinter-wolf

The Lost Converse by @firefly-in-darkness

Make Yourself At Home by @/navybrat817

Soft Kisses by @eviesaurusrex

Short Stuff by @youlightmeupfinn

Pie by @themorningsunshine (mob!bucky x baker!reader)

thirst trap and the trapped by @lovelybarnes

viral by @/lovelybarnes

Sex-Ed by @dilemmaontwolegs

Water Bottle by @cloudybarnes

Drive-ins & Earthquakes by @venusstorm

Warrior/Worrier by @delaber (hurt/comfort)

Sharing is Caring by @theidiotwhowritesthings

With Love by @jobean12-blog (CEO!bucky)

Face it, this is Love! by @/jobean12-blog

Fall Leaves by @bucksangel

Good For You by @bucksangel (tattoo artist!reader)

Shrapnel by @real-jane (doctor!reader)

Date With Ducky by @pepperonijem (bartender!bucky)

Recluse by @mymoonagedaydream (vet!bucky)

Stalker by @you-are-my-sanctuary

Hopelessly Devoted by @espinosaurusrexex

Go Baby, Go by @rookthorne (mechanic!bucky)

ANGST

Counting by @/pellucid-constellations

he’s fine by @bethdutten

Someone’s there. by @d0wnb4df0rf1cm3n

Seven Seconds by @/dilemmaontwolegs

End Of The Line by @/dilemmaontwolegs (nurse!reader)

push his buttons by @mvtthewmurdvck

Barista Beau‘s by @jadedvibes (lawyer!bucky)

Protector by @buckybabesonly

Follow You Home by @navybrat817 (dark!bucky)

Send Me An Angel by @/navybrat817 (dark!bucky)

SMUT

car ride by @/insomniumstella

Everybody wants a taste by @/navybrat817 (Rockstar!Bucky)

Spring Chicken by @thenhewaswrongaboutme

Locked by @/thenhewaswrongaboutme

Party for Two by @geeky-politics-46

save me darling, for you are my salvation by @rxgerthatt

Lost To The Woods by @sidepartskinnyjeans (Fairytale AU)

Long Hair and Tattoos by @/sidepartskinnyjeans (brother’s best friend!bucky)

Double-Take by @little-golden-age (photographer!bucky)

Between the Shelves by @law-nerd (librarian!bucky)

we can make it till the end by @sinner-as-saint (older!reader)

Call Shot by @threeminutesoflife (dark!reader)

#bucky barnes fic rec #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes smut #winter soldier x reader #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes angst #dad!bucky #rockstar!bucky #alpha!bucky #40s!bucky #bucky barnes 40s au #boyfriend!bucky #bucky barnes x nurse!reader #lawyer!bucky #brothers best friend!bucky #photographer!bucky #ceo!bucky #librarian!bucky #bucky x tattoo artist!reader #bucky x doctor!reader #bartender!bucky #vet!bucky #veteran!bucky #dark!bucky #bucky x milf!reader #mechanic!bucky

[bcolfanfic]

Love your young vets au

I’d love your thoughts on how they settle into their daily routine as a new couple once they’re discharged and home; introducing each other to their families as husbands, finding a place together, Bucky wanting to take Buck on a first official date (when they realise they haven’t actually done that yet), figuring out how to live a life together outside of the routine of the army and adjusting to that 💜 basically the sweet coupley stuff they experience alongside managing poor Bucky’s PTSD

ahhh yes yes! first off bc i feel like everyone that writes post war stuff kinda spins the wheel on where they send the boys- my plopping them in sheridan came from that being where real buck cleven was living by the end of his life. in au land i’ve decided that’s where his sister lives too and some other people he knew before he enlisted.

i think they stop and see bucky's family is wisconsin before they go to wyoming. so they dont technically have their marriage on paper yet, but bucky tells his family they're planning on doing it when they're home and introduces gale as his husband anyways. still formulating all my thoughts on bucky's family- but i think at least his mom just adores gale. she knows bucky can be quite the loose canon and worries about him- so when bucky wrote about him it did her heart good to know he had someone watching out for him. and in person it just multiples because she sees the way gale looks at him, puts his hand on his back, checks in with him etc etc. knows her baby is in good hands <3

gale’s sister wants to beat his ass for the whole ‘we got a marriage license the literal second we got home, we’ll have a wedding eventually buttt’ thing LOL. loves her brother, thinks bucky is perfectly nice (and already knew about him from calls/letters etc) but she’s just a girl. her brother getting married without telling her even if just on paper is a mortal sin /j. his mama feels the same way a little- though with less baby sister theatrics. bucky is a sweet boy. they can’t stay mad that long. in my mind he's no contact with his dad...though it would be interesting to think about him finding out via word of mouth and there being some drama there.

in my head they maybe stay with his sister while they’re looking for a house? this is before bucky’s ptsd gets really bad so there’s no Incidents or anything and she’s happy to have them there. thinks bucky is cute- who wouldn’t!

this is the house they end up in my mind- at least the first one pre: josie. though i think they maybe do some renos and rip out the shower to put a tub in. it’s small- but it’s just very Them. cozy and homey.

they're such sweetie pie doofs on their first real date. bucky realllllyyy leans into the 'first date' thing because he likes that it makes gale get all red. makes him wait inside while he gets his car and drives in a circle around the block to come 'pick him up'...who is bucky really if he is not his theatrics y'know? but they're so sweet getting all dressed up and having a nice dinner together. (bucky ribs him later- later- about how he didn't seem like the type to put out on the first date)

before bucky's shit really hits the fan he truly is just so happy to be home with his gale. gale falls asleep first most nights and he loves just watching him sleep, stroking his face, lightly scratching his hair. and same vs verse with gale normally being the first one awake. watching bucky sleeping in the morning light of their bedroom makes his heart so content. that's his darling boy (,:

#young vets au

[avonne-writes]

vet au thoughts! what if bucky is returning from his last tour (whatever the 2024 equivalent of 25 missions is) and aimless. a man who joins up pre-pearl harbour is not a man who forward plans. some part of him probably assumed he'd never make it far enough forwards through the war to need those plans he's now gotta figure out? so he hangs out at benny's practice bc his ole army pal is a rare sure thing rn, & he becomes bewitched by the steady frame, voice, eyes of benny's friend w the sick cat

I love this! Brilliant. I would love to include this in the AU. We just can’t escape the angst, can we? 😄❤️ But it would still be a mostly fluffy-cute fic. I'm torn whether to make Buck a complete civilian or a policeman/veteran of a different unit.

And maybe Benny's dog, Meatball, used to be a military working dog too.

#mota #buck x bucky #gale cleven #john egan #benny demarco #vet au

[precious-little-scoundrel]

Sometimes Bucky grips Lana a bit too tight in her sleep but she doesn’t want to wake him because she knows its war memories haunting him and when he wakes up he notices finger grip bruises on her hips or waist but she never allows him to apologize and so many lazy morning kisses are exchanged instead lv

Oh gosh this is so tender.

He’s a complete cuddler for sure, and his sleep thrashing would take the form of griping and curling further IN…which happens to always be Lana spooned in the curve of him. She’d never mind it though, never, and she’s learned he responds best to his army nickname those times- used to being roused by a “Bucky” when he’s in the scenarios he thinks he’s in while dreaming.

Now I’m thinking about one of the vets I knew whose wife said he always fought the ceiling fan in his nightmares and she’d have to bandage his bloody knuckles and sometimes his forehead each day before he went off to his prestigious post war job. 😭 the things these men endured and were haunted by and Yet Still, what a life they made for themselves and others after it all.

#masters of the air #💌asks #john Egan

[blackwood4stucky]

to become a monster

a morbius stucky au

Just imagine a lil Stevie Rogers tryna make it in the world. A brilliant young boy with a keen mind for science, stuck in a facility to help him live.

Enter Brock Rumlow, just another kid with bad blood running through his veins. Dubbed Arnie by Stevie, after a string of boys that always end up leaving the facility in body bags, Brock and the little blond mastermind become good friends.

Fast Forward to the Future

Dr. Steven "Steve" Rogers and Arnie are still best friends. Arnie funds Steve's research for a cure to their disease and others like them.

Enter Dr. James "Bucky" Barnes, army vet turned scientist with a metal arm to show for his efforts.

Working with Dr. Rogers was something else, the guy was a firecracker with a mind for the ages. Bucky learned so much from Steve, he grew to admire the blond's inner strength that made him seem larger than life, his willingness to help people, to give his all in order to save lives.

Once Bucky realizes what Steve's research is actually about and what he plans to do... well, Bucky goes with him. He's not going to allow Steve to do this alone! Absolutely not, Steve would have to count his fuckin' days if he ever thought he would be attempting self-experimentation on his own! He's going to make sure nothing happens to him, even if he has to conduct the procedure with Steve. Save that little asshole from himself...

It breaks Bucky's heart to see Steve lyin' on that table like that but if helps him live, he'll wait by his side because that's what partners do. He doesn't know how he'll react if something goes wrong, he doesn't know how he'll go on without his Stevie.

Of course, things do end up doing wrong. Sleazy mercenaries that think they're above everyone get caught in the crosshairs and Bucky, well... he gets hurt.

Steve can't believe what he's done. Bucky's lying there on the ground, he's still alive - heartbeat strong in his chest, metal arm resting limp at his side. All he knows is that he can't leave Bucky like this... but he can't get caught in the crosshairs by the authorities either. So he makes a call... then he leaves...

Steve is a scientist at his core, he knows he'll have to see just how powerful he has become, to understand just what he can do. Of course that comes with consequences when Arnie comes back into the picture with his own desire to live. Steve knows that no one can get their hands on the serum he created, not even Arnie.

Bucky wakes in a daze to officers in his hospital room. So many questions about Steve's whereabouts, about dead mercenaries, about unsanctioned experiments, but he says nothing. He knows nothing, he hit his head and blacked out, there's nothing he can help the officers with. He would rather die than turn on Stevie.

Bucky knows the cops will be watching him after that interview though. He weaves through the city with his work bag on his shoulder, trying to lose his tail. He speaks Romanian with the bodega owner before dashing out the back of the store and onto the next bus that comes his way.

Hearing Steve's voice behind him sends tremors of relief and desire through his veins. Stevie's okay, is all Bucky can think. There is no way he will let the little bastard out of his sight again. Only, he's a big bastard now.

Stevie as always needs Bucky's help. Arnie has lost his marbles and stole a vial of the serum to become the monster Steve wanted to protect the world from. Bucky vows to do whatever it takes to help Steve, he always will, till the end of the line.

Getting back into the lab is easy for Bucky. No cops anywhere, retrieving everything Steve needs will be a breeze. Or it should have been. Arnie was waiting for him, or rather, for his Stevie. It's easy to keep his heartbeat calm but how long will he be able to keep this up?

Bucky returns to Stevie's side in the makeshift lab where they spend a little time getting reacquainted with each other. Where they can finally act on desires they've had for awhile.

The moment doesn't last but often times they never do. Being pulled away from Bucky never settles well in Steve's stomach but his old mentor needs his help.

It's obvious that all this was Arnie's doing to draw him away from his Bucky. That much is plain when he hears both of them calling on the wind. Stevie, Stevie, Stevie. Arnie's plan in drawing Steve out works, nothing will keep him from Bucky but it's too late. A kiss of death is all Steve can give Bucky. All Bucky wants is for it to mean something as his life slips away from him but not before taking a bit of Stevie's blood into himself.

A fight to the death between Stevie and Arnie, Brock, sees Steve as the winner while Bucky claws his way back to life.

If anyone wants to write this just tell me and send me a link to read!

#stucky au #loosely written #not writing a full fic #too many wips #morbius #I enjoyed the movie #a lil oneshot type thing #a headcanon maybe? #Youtube

[astxrwar]

i see the “army vet bucky” modern au alternatives for the winter soldier trauma and raise you “life-altering motorcycle accident survivor turned (recovered) painkiller addict bucky”. i think this might be too niche but there’s so many parallels psychologically wrt: the lack of choice inherent in the neurobiology of drug addiction particularly in ppl who started off just taking what was prescribed to them for their pain in like the 90s/early 2000s (when pharma execs Lied about the neurological impacts). the way you kind of lose all that time despite still living it and having the memories, how sometimes the memories feel like they belong to a different person once you get sober. how it separates you from everyone else in your life who Didn’t suffer like that. it’s Compelling. imo.

#bonus points if the motorcycle accident involved tony’s parents. who died. #in my head it’s not his fault like maybe he was being stubborn and not letting a car overtake him on a back road #and so they gunned it like 90mph and ended up clipping howard + maria’s car in the oncoming lane #and bucky would have his left arm damaged. because. narrative parallel reasons #and then tony hates him because he’s a manchild with misplaced anger (said with love. but it’s true) #anyway all this to say the central dynamic im thinking of is #this bucky x stark!(implied adopted)daughter!reader #for the ‘ oh my god your dad is going to KILL me’ factor. also age gap. because. well. #imagining if the ages are canon-adjacent tony is like 50-55. bucky is late 30s and RC is ~mid-early 20s #i have so many thoughts abt this i’ve been fiddling with it in my brain for a minute now #astxrwar.txt #i need an ideas tag #like not WIPs but just. Thoughts. #luke’s brainworms #2/29- i made one lol

[thesugarclubs-blog]

You Rescued Me - AU Bucky Barnes x OC

warnings: TFATWS Bucky Barnes, strangers to lovers, pure cat!dad Bucky fluff

word count: 9.5k

WP: https://www.wattpad.com/1319637159-you-rescued-me-lottie

Masterlist

Bucky felt the corner of his eye twitch as Sam droned on and on. Something about how he couldn’t keep living by himself with his plants forever. Like his life was any better. The man went on one date with his nephew's teacher and suddenly had all the advice in the world. His deep blue eyes bore into his friend, as his mind wandered to what he wanted to make for dinner, the metal of his arm whirring as his fingers flexed in the pocket of his tight leather jacket. 

The cool March air swirled around them as people bustled about the streets of New York. Murmurs of oh my god it’s Captain America echoed through the wind as the two men stood there on the busy sidewalk. 

“Man, are you even listening to me?” Sam’s hand impacted his shoulder and brought Bucky back to the present. 

His tongue pushed into his cheek and his eyes narrowed, “Something about my sad, lonely life, I don’t know” 

“You gotta do something here! Find some friends, take off to Vegas, go outside!” Sam continued. 

“I have friends,” Bucky retorted. 

“Your old neighbour doesn’t count,” Sam clicked his tongue and crossed his arms over his chest, “Look, okay? Start simple! There’s an animal shelter two blocks from here, just go in and see what happens”

Bucky narrowed his eyes and swiped his tongue along his bottom lip as he studied Sam. Having a pet was never something he had even thought of for himself. After the blip and getting his life back together, he still felt as though he was figuring himself out as a normal person. Well, as normal as a 106-year-old super soldier could be. 

“If I do this, will you shut up and leave me alone about my plants?” He questioned. 

Sam smirked and placed his hand over his heart, “cap’s honor”

With a dramatic groan, Bucky turned on his heel and practically stomped away from Sam, sucking in a deep breath of the fresh, cool air. This was a ridiculous venture and he had already decided that it was going to be a bust, but if it got Sam off his back, it would be worth it in the end. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, keeping his annoyance at the forefront of his emotions. 

A bright yellow sign that hung above the street came into his view. There were big swooping letters that read “Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue” with a big paw print in deep brown and small white flowers littering the negative space. Bucky ran his hand into his short dark hair, and sucked in a sharp breath as he reached for the fake-bone door handle. 

It was ridiculously kitsch inside, all cheerful colours and animal-themed decor.  He hadn’t really known what to expect but he definitely hadn’t anticipated such a warm and welcoming space. He double-checked; yep, it was definitely the animal shelter.  Steeling himself with a deep sigh, Bucky walked up to the wide yellow counter and looked around for a member of staff. Seeing none, he reached out and pressed on the buzzer, which let out an electronic *meow*.

A few moments later a door opened to the right of Bucky and a beautiful blonde with a wide and bright smile walked out and stepped behind the counter.

“Welcome to Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue. My name is Lottie. How can I help you today? Are you looking to volunteer or adopt?” She beamed at him.

Bucky's brows furrowed slightly, unsure of how to match her enthusiasm he cleared his throat and mustered up his best smile. 

"Hi, um I guess adopt." 

He watched on as she raised a brow in amusement, her smile growing wider. 

"You guess? Are you here against your will? Blink twice for yes." she teased.

“It’s, uh—“ Bucky paused, unsure of how much to reveal of himself, “my friend suggested it, thought maybe I could use a companion… army vet.” 

Vague enough, he thought, taking an awkward glance around to avoid the inevitable look of pity he’s usually met with. 

When his gaze landed back on the sunny girl behind the counter, he almost did a double take. Poking out of her sweater, and staring at him inquisitively, was a little white cat.

Lottie shifted a touch, and the cat meowed in annoyance from the jostling. "Snow White here has an attitude." Lottie laughed, "can't seem to get her in a kennel or to play with the other cats."

Little sky blue eyes watched him carefully, something in the blue making his nerves settle a touch. He had seen that look before in a particularly skinny alley cat named Steve. It seemed Bucky had a long standing habit of making friends with the underdogs. Bucky pulled out his right arm from his jacket pocket and offered it to the cat, unsure of how animals even operated but it seemed he wasn't the only one nervous and in need of a friend. Lottie's lips parted to say something but she shut them quickly, confusion kissing her brows as Snow slinked from the safe confines of her sweater.

Without any seeming hesitation Snow made a big jump into Bucky’s arms, caught off guard he chuckled nervously. Lottie didn’t move as she watched the feline get comfortable against the leather of his jacket. Looking on at the sight she seemed completely unsure of what to say and blurted out, "your eye’s match. You're meant to be."

From his arms the cat quickly looked around before she crawled into the safety of Bucky's leather jacket - like she was hiding in a cave. Bucky felt her spin around a little before her head poked out of the opening on his chest. A soft purr could be heard coming  from the white and fluffy head. Both ears straight in the air the fluffball looked around the shelter from the new perspective. 

Bucky carefully raised his right hands and placed his fingertips on top of the cat's head, but the animal flinched a little and tilted her head upwards to sniff on Bucky's finger tips.

"She... she’s never done that with anyone before. She’s usually a little shy and bonded to me. We have a bit of a backstory together." Lottie smiled at the man in front of her.

"Oh really? I can relate to that. I am not good with people, either." Bucky murmured the last part and thought she hadn't heard him, but a laugh could be heard from the other side of the counter while he started to scratch behind the cat's right ear.

"Maybe you guys are meant to be after all." He heard the soft murmur from across the counter, absent-mindedly nodding his head in agreement as the cat's tiny purrs increased while its little wide eyes turned to focus on his face. 

Staring down at the dainty white ball of fur, he felt his brain go a little fuzzy, but when his new friend nudged her tiny pink nose against his hand he melted into the floor.

“I…umm…I don’t think I can put her down anyway,” Bucky admitted, his cheeks turning a little rosy.

“Well you don’t need to,” Lottie smiled. “You can sign your name with one hand, right?

Bucky’s eyes looked back up at Lottie and he smiled nervously. 

“I … yeah. Really? Right now? I mean that’s fast… don’t you need to do some kind of background check or something. I don’t even have anything at my place for a cat…” he spoke nervously and quickly. 

Lottie giggled at his response as she began to pull out an assortment of papers and began placing them on the counter in front of her.She leaned against the counter, reaching her hand out to scratch Snow's chin and looked up to Bucky. The sparkle in her bright blue eyes and her soft, sweet smile stopped his rambling as his eyes locked with hers. 

"No background checks, no. If Snow here trusts you, so do I," she mused, "As for the things she needs, I'll help you pick everything out right now. Think you can walk around with that precious cargo on you?"

Bucky glanced down at the soft source of warmth in his jacket, curiously sniffing him out and purring contently. When she noticed him observing her, she stilled and stretched a paw out, resting it lightly on the dimple in his chin. 

He chuckled softly, feeling his guard lower, insides melting and all it took was the gentle touch of an animal — and a pretty girl looking at them like she’d never seen anything so adorable. 

“Yeah, I think I can manage.” Bucky stammered, clearing his throat as he gestured to the papers. “Let me sign these and then you can lead the way.”

Bucky shifted Snow in his arms, looking down at her as Lottie pointed to the important parts. "What's your refund policy?" He said, meaning it to be a joke but realizing from the shocked look on Lottie's face he had done that rude thing with his voice that Sam always picked on. "I mean..." He forced a quiet laugh.

"I think she'd sooner refund you after that joke," Lottie smiled, a dimple forming on her left cheek that he surprisingly had the urge to touch and Bucky could feel the heat flushing up his neck. "You'll have to work on his delivery," she whispered to the cat playfully. "He's a little stiff." 

Bucky laughed, "okay," he nodded, his tongue brushing over his bottom lip, "I deserved that."

His playful defeat tickled another smile out of her which he found was something he longed to bring out more often. Bucky didn't know what it was about this sweet looking woman that enticed him but he couldn't help but feel comfortable in her presence which to be completely honest scared him a little bit.

Scratch that, it scared him a lot.

After he had signed everything that Lottie showed him Bucky cleared his throat once again.

"So... uhm... can you show me what I need? Like a cat-owner-starter-pack?" he asked - his cheeks slightly blushed and his lips curled into a shy smile. 

"Sure! Wait, I'll come around and show you." Lottie responded and stepped around the yellow counter. She passed Bucky and headed towards a shelf on the other side of the shop where Bucky could see food and water bowls in different sizes. The moment Lottie passed him, her hand slightly touched his left one that was covered in a cold leather glove. Something in Bucky's lower stomach moved, but he couldn’t manage to put his finger on it.

His steps faltered a little in the beginning because of the brief contact, afraid she might question the coldness before slowly focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Her blonde hair swaying gently down her back caught Bucky's eyes as she kept moving and not paying attention to the man lost in his thoughts over how beautiful she was.

She stopped in front of one of the displays and he was so distracted by her hair that he almost ran into the back of her, only his enhanced reflexes saved him from knocking all three of them into the wall of bowls before them. He didn’t even need to look down to know his new companion was giving him a disdainful glare.

“Ok, here we have our selection of food and water bowls. Along with enrichment toys to hide treats in,” she said gesturing towards the display in front of them. 

“Enrichment toys?” Bucky asked in confusion.

“Oh.. they’re great. Basically they’re  a toy that you can hide treats in. Then your pet has to work on getting the food out. It helps a lot with fast eaters but also with pets that are quite smart and like a challenge. It keeps them entertained for ages and then they get rewarded with food.” She smiled. “You will also need a litter box, a kitty bed and a wide range of toys. Are you planning on letting her go outside like in a garden or will she be an indoor cat?” Lottie asked. 

Bucky blinked, he had not realised he had to think about so much when adopting the soft bundle of fur that was nestled in his chest purring contently.

“Uh. Indoor, I guess. Not sure I trust the chaos that is New York,” Bucky replied, “unless… I mean, if she wants to explore then…” 

“Snow here is a curious one, but I get that you don’t want to risk it. Maybe you could take her out every now and again like that,” she suggested with a soft smile and Bucky glanced down at the cat snuggled in his leather, “she looks pretty comfy in there, I’m almost jealous.” 

Bucky cranked his head up so fast, he winced at the strain of the muscle he definitely just pulled doing so. The gorgeous smile and coy sparkle in Lottie’s eyes were worth it though, and Bucky felt his skin warm, no doubt pink from cheek to chest. 

He was flirted with on the daily but it’d been a long time since he enjoyed it, or at least felt like he deserved that kind of attention.

Snow chittered loudly within his arms almost like she was laughing at him and stared up at him with a look that screamed, lovesick fool on it. 

"If you're going to go exploring, you'll need this." She turned toward him with a long, dark blue braided leash in her hand. Looking at his full arms she leaned onto her tiptoes and hung the leash over his shoulder. Her warm, vanilla and spice scent filling his nose as she made sure it wouldn't fall, "might take her a couple tries to get used to it."

"Got it." Bucky muttered as Lottie  smiled up at him cheekily almost buried in items for his new furry friend.

"Come on, I'll ring everything up and bag them for you." She said to him with excitement glittering in her eyes and a bright smile that Bucky found himself– albeit timidly, automatically returning.

Lottie urged him back to the counter, turning on her heel to head back while waving and cooing at the little animals in their little rooms along the wall. He followed, securing his hand under the small feline hidden in his jacket while his heart fluttered in his chest at the sight.

Bucky could feel his breath falter as he tried to come up with something else to say. This has been the most pleasant interaction he’d had with such a beautiful girl in a long time, and he found himself not wanting it to end. Even if it was about animals, a topic he hadn’t really been interested in until she started talking. 

“So, uh, how long have you been doing this?” He questioned awkwardly. 

Another soft chuckle left her pink plump lips, “about 6 years…” she answered quietly, “I was one of the lucky people who didn’t get blipped, and there were a lot of animals who’s owners did so I took them in. It started as just the animals in my building and then kind of grew into this place,” Lottie pressed her lips into a thin line and half smiled up at him.

“Beautiful and kind,” he muttered but then his eyes grew wide in panic at the tinkling sound of a giggle.

His gaze darted up long enough to see Lottie’s hand cover her mouth as she scrunched up her nose in amusement before he decided that the worn spot on the tiles near his feet demanded his utmost attention.

“I didn’t…I mean, I…” Bucky stammered.

“No, it’s ok. Now let’s get you all checked out so we can get you and little miss Snow home.” Lottie said as she blushed a little and began to scan all of the items that she helped him pick out and put them into some bags. 

“I’ll also put in our info packet for kitty care and how to help settle your new pet. Our phone number is there if you need to reach us.” She smiled as she placed the info packet into the bag before placing it on the counter.

It took Bucky a second to retrieve his wallet from his pocket, careful not to jostle his new friend too much. 

A swipe of his card (he’s still getting used to that) and one appreciative meow later, Bucky grabbed the bag of cat goodies as Lottie came back around the counter.

“Well, you’re all set. I hope you and Snow have a very happy life together…” 

“Bucky, my name’s Bucky.” 

“Bucky,” Lottie smiled, “I’m glad you found your match today.” 

“Thanks, sweetheart. For all your help.” 

With a nod of his head, Bucky turned to the door with a spring in his step. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Sam’s face.

The walk back to the apartment was full of soft mewls from Snow and concerned grunting from Bucky, "you okay in there?" He asked at a crosswalk, peering down at the cat hidden in his jacket. The old lady standing next to him gave him a strange look and shifted over on the sidewalk. 

"Oh no its..." he bit the inside of his cheek and looked up to the side laughing at himself. He probably looked ridiculous and now he was talking to himself.

"Haven't even had you for half an hour and you're embarrassing me." Bucky paused and smiled to himself. "You'll get along pretty well with Sam, I guess."

He headed up to his apartment and pushed the door open. Bucky usually kept his place tidy. He told himself it was a habit from being in the Army, but realistically, his cell at the Hydra facility was filthy. Bucky never wanted to live like that again. So, he spent days scrubbing at his kitchen and bathroom tiles with a toothbrush and making sure everything was as clean as it could possibly be.

But keeping himself occupied with all of that cleaning didn't take away the loneliness.

He hated when Sam was right.

Bucky looked down at Snow as he shut the door behind him and turned on the hall light for the first time in months. The place already felt a little brighter with her in it. He smiled as she peered up at him from his jacket, already purring.

"It ain't much, little one, but it's home."

He pulled down the zipper of his jacket to let Snow out of the confines of the garment. He lowered himself closer to the ground so that she could get out. 

"Let me make this your home too." Bucky murmured as he pulled out each item out of the bag Lottie packed for him. Lottie…That one is gonna be stuck in his mind.

Shaking his head, Bucky watched as Snow explored her new surroundings, jumping onto the small coffee table and then onto the back of the couch. She batted at a throw blanket Sam had gotten him, with some joke about being frosty all the time or something that Bucky had ignored. With a small meow, her claws came out and caught the edge, leaving her tangled in the soft fabric. 

"C'mon, kid," Bucky chuckled, pulling her paw free gently before tucking her into the crook of his elbow. "How about we stop tryin' to kill the blanket and get some food instead?" 

Snow let out something like a snarl before settling into his arm, purring loudly as her eyes fluttered closed.

They entered the kitchen where Bucky had already placed the food and water bowl on a rubber mat to prevent the tiles from getting dirty every time the fluff ball would eat something. 

He let her down on the floor again and Snow sneaked through his legs while forcefully rubbing her head against Bucky's muscular calves.

"Just because you're begging, doesn't mean you get your food faster, kiddo." he chuckled.

Lottie had given him two different sorts of canned cat food and Bucky grabbed a can of each and held it in front of Snow's tiny face.

"Chicken or Tuna?" he asked.

The little white fur ball butted her head against his dark metal fingers that held the tuna flavored can of food, overestimating her strength and falling backwards on her hind legs.

The little creature seemed startled by the position she found herself in with her wide eyes staring up at Bucky as a quiet chuckle left him at how silly she looked before helping her up. 

"Okay, tough guy, here's your tuna." 

He opened the can and carefully dropped its contents into her little pink, cat face-shaped plate while Snow looked at the can in what he felt was an offended look.

"What?" Bucky's eyebrows knit together as he stayed in a seemingly tough staring contest with the little cat until he figured out what might be wrong. He rolled his eyes as he picked up the dish and mashed it with a fork, before grabbing the bag of tuna treats Lottie had given him, and placing one on top. 

He cocked his eyebrow at the cat, setting the dish back down in front of her, "sorry your majesty, is that better?" 

Snow stretched her two front paws out in front of her giving him a giant yawn, as she flicked her tail at him and sauntered over to the dish, sniffing it quickly before deciding to eat. Bucky felt the corners of his lips turn up as he shook his head and turned to open his fridge and decide what he was going to feed himself.

“It’s alright for you Princess, your food comes in cans. I gotta actually think about what to make,” he grumbled, looking down at cat again, as if waiting for a response.

“Suppose I could throw together one of those stir fry things from that cooking show,” Bucky continued, musing on the contents of his fridge.

A sharp pattering against the window made them both turn, the brightness of afternoon giving way to grey, thunderous clouds as rain began to fall.

“Looks like we made it home just in time,” he hummed.

With all of the contents he’d need to get his dinner ready set up on the  countertop, he grabbed a knife and flipped it in his hand not realizing his small feline friend was following his every move. 

Bucky smiled down at her intrigued look, tilting his head slightly to the side as hers was, “cool trick huh sweet girl?” 

She meowed loudly in response, “well I don’t know about you flipping knives but we’ll work on other tricks for ya, yeah?” 

The kitten pawed at his socked foot as if she understood his every word, he leaned down to scratch her chin and whispered, “you’re gonna be trouble aren’t you…” 

He washed his hands and began his cutting process, ears finely tuned already to her every move, her calm breaths and the way her paws softly pounded on the floor as she ran. His mind drifted off to Lottie back at the shelter, he wondered how the rest of her day was and if she had started to miss the kitten. Maybe they’d go visit her once in a while so she could see she was safe with him and growing happily, maybe it’ll also give Bucky the courage to have longer conversations with her. 

A soft rhythmic knock on the door interrupted his musings and he furrowed his brows, wiping his hands on the towel beside him before he walked to the door. When he looked through the peep-hole he was surprised to find Lottie dripping from head to toe in rain as she stood on the other side. 

“Lottie?” 

She smiled big and bright just as she had this morning waving a small plush toy in front of Bucky as she imitated a meow, “meow owww,” Lottie stared back at Bucky cheeks turning red as she pinched the bridge of her nose. 

He heard her whisper, “nice Charlotte, embarrass yourself in front of the hot vet” and chuckled. A wave of confidence ran through him and he reached his hand to her forearm, calling her attention.

“I thought it was cute.” he voiced with a smile.

“Well, there’s more where that came from— no, shit, sorry. Uh, I was just dropping this off, you left it at the shelter, so… hope you don’t mind that I got your address from the forms,” she handed him the toy, all whilst Bucky watched, amused. “Anyway, that’s all— see ya around, Bucky.” 

She turned on her heel, seemingly attempting a quick getaway but Bucky called her name, striding forward as she spun back to face him and landed with a soft ‘oof’ into his chest.

She let out an awkward giggle and mumbled apology as Bucky steadied her with quick grasp on her dripping sweater sleeve. 

“Lottie, it’s raining cats and dogs out there, at least come in until it stops, dry off a little. I’m sure the little terror will be pleased to see you again.”

Lottie turned pink but Bucky couldn't tell if it was from his suggestion or the coldness of the rain seeping through her clothes and into her skin.

"Come on, I think I got something dryer that'll fit you." He said, pulling away from her and heading towards his closet looking for something warmer for her to put on.

He really wished he had the chance to do laundry, rummaging around looking for a henley but not finding a single one. He groaned at the only clean sweater in the whole apartment, grabbing it begrudgingly before turning around and handing it to her.

"Wow..." Was all Lottie had to say when she held it up. "Didn't know you were a fan of Captain America,” she giggled.

"The old one, not the new one. I think he's a bit of a jerk." Bucky said flatly, desperately wanting to punch Sam in the face for gifting him the ridiculous sweater. 

"Sam?" She laughed rubbing the sweater between her fingers. 

Bucky's suspicious expression gave away his thoughts, of course Sam knew Lottie. There's a shelter, two blocks from here, just go in and see what happens. "That smug asshole," he laughed under his breath. 

"He volunteers his time, walks the dogs..." Lottie still stood with her wet sweater hanging over her shoulders and her eyes on the sweater. "I can't," she handed it back.

"Lottie," Bucky forced a tight smile and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "Thank you for bringing the toy but I bought her lots... why did you run through the rain for this one?" 

Lottie sighed and Bucky's heart leapt into his throat as the kitten trotted out of the kitchen and did figure eights around Bucky and Lottie's ankles. Lottie looked at the toy that was clutched in his hand.

"That's her favorite toy. She's had it since she was rescued. I  just... I think she'd be a little anxious without it." Lottie chuckled. Bucky could see just how much she cared about these animals. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed thickly. "Or I'm overthinking and--"

"You're not," Bucky whispered. "This is really sweet. Thank you."

The two of them stood in awkward silence for a while, and Bucky stared too long. He always stared too long. But she was gorgeous, her nervous eyes flicking all around his apartment. Suddenly, he became self-conscious about the fact that he didn't wipe down the baseboards like he said he would last week. He ran a hand through his hair and she let out an awkward chuckle. Bucky cleared his throat as Snow trilled and used his leg as a scratching post. He grit his teeth through the pain of her little razor claws sinking into his jeans.

"Uh, listen, I was just about to make dinner--"

"Oh! I'll get--"

He held a hand out. This might be his only shot.

"No! Uh, I was wondering if you-- uh, if--" Barnes, you're cooler than this, he thought. He cleared his throat and tried again, his cheeks hot with embarrassment. She was so pretty he didn't want to screw this up. Or seem like a weirdo. "I was wondering if you wanted some food? I could put your sweater in the dryer. I have beer-- or soda! I-- if you-- don't like... uh, beer. That's--" 

He could almost hear Sam laughing at him all the way from his apartment. Lottie smiled.

"You got somewhere where I can get changed?"

Bucky felt himself blush even further as he cleared his throat and nodded. "Uh... Down the hall, first door on the left is my bedroom. You can change in there. Just give me your sweater when you're done, and I'll put it in the dryer." He watched as she smiled at him before turning and silently going down the hallway. 

I really don't want to mess this up.

A sharp meow came from Bucky's feet and he looked down at Snow with a sigh. 

"What?" He asked, blue eyes going as wide as his tiny counterpart. "She's really pretty, okay? Get off my back."

As Bucky walked back to the kitchen, all the dates he had ever picked up back in the day flashed through his mind. He wished for just a minute he could channel some of that carefree demeanor that poured from him before the war. This wasn't something Bucky made a habit of, but Lottie made it a little easier, with her warm smile and bright eyes. He felt a prickle of warmth in his chest and the corner of his mouth turned up as Lottie stepped out from the bedroom. 

"Okay, so this thing is freaking HUGE. Not all of us are giant super strong guys so it might look weird." 

She shuffled back into the kitchen, her leggings peeking out from under the oversized sweater. Bucky's brain misfired seeing this gorgeous girl in his clothes, standing in his kitchen. A cold nose bumping against his arm snapped him out of his own head as Snow jumped onto the counter. 

"Um, you look great," Bucky stammered. "I mean, it looks great! The sweater. It's...great."

To avoid things getting possibly more awkward, he quickly stepped into the kitchen to finish the stir fry for him and Lottie. 

She was leaning on the wall and he could feel her gaze on his back.

"You said it's her favorite toy." he pointed to the plush toy that was in her hands again before he continued: "Why's that? It looks like a regular plush toy for children."

"It's a special plush for kittens." she carefully started. Bucky turned around while stirring a spatula around the pan in front of him. 

"A special one?" he asked curiously. 

"Yeah. You know... Snow had a rough start. I found her almost frozen to death before I started a shift in early January. Her mother gave birth to four kittens right in front of the shelter but because it was freezing that night, only Snow and the mom survived. The others..." her voice broke at the end and she was incapable of finishing the sentence. Her eyes glistened with tears - a single one escaped and trailed down her cheek.

Bucky stepped away from the pan and placed his flesh hand on her forearm in an assuring gesture. He mumbled "I’m sorry to hear that."

"It was horrible. Snow was with her mom in the beginning, but we found someone to adopt her mom a week later. I tried to prevent it, because the kitten still needed her but I needed the space for other stray cats that were coming into the shelter the other day. The plush imitates the feel of the mother cat. I’d heat it up so that the tiny kitten could snuggle with it and feel safe. She also needed it for orientation as her eyes were still closed in the beginning. Snow got so used to the smell of the plush that she only slept peacefully while her head was resting on it. That's why I thought I should bring it here. So that she would be able to sleep."

“Oh wow,” Bucky whispered, gazing down at his tiny companion with glassy eyes. “She sure has been through a lot.”

“Yeah, she has,” Lottie nodded. “She survived the freezing cold, being pulled away from everything she knew. I hoped the plushie would help.” 

She smiled as she saw the way Bucky looked at the kitten. “But now she’s got you.”

Bucky looked over at the little kitten who was looking up at Lottie and eyeing the plush toy in her hands. He couldn’t help but feel an even deeper connection to her surviving the freezing cold all alone. His mind wandered back to the cold mountain when he fell off the train. 

“I think me and her have a lot in common. Is she attached to the name Snow? Because I have a different name in mind if that’s ok. It still sticks with the snow theme” He asked, looking back up to Lottie.

“I’m sure she won’t mind,” Lottie smiled softly, “what were you thinking?”

Bucky turned down the heat, the stir fry pretty much done, and rested his back against the counter. Lottie’s eyes tracked his movement, he could sense that without looking, her gaze warm and head tilted with intrigue. 

“Um… Alpine?” 

Lottie’s features softened more, if that was even possible and Bucky could swear her eyes were glistening. 

“I think that’s perfect, Bucky. She’s a lucky kitten.” 

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm, I think… despite Sam’s obvious influence that led you to my shelter today, Alpine would have waited for you even if you hadn’t followed his advice straight away.” 

Bucky smiled, hiding the lump in his throat. He would not get emotional in front of the pretty girl.

“It really fits her.” Lottie’s voice was barely above a whisper as they both continued to watch her bat at some crumbs on the counter. She was surprisingly graceful for such a young kitten. 

Bucky glanced at the beautiful woman in his kitchen and saw a few tears glistening on her rosy cheeks. 

“Thank you for introducing us,” Bucky offered. A warm smile pulled at his lips and he immediately felt warm. 

Lottie chuckled and wiped the tears away with the sleeve of his large sweater. “Are you talking to me, or Alpine?”

Bucky’s cheeks burned. If it was a joke, it was hilarious. If she was still flirting… he was in trouble. 

“Well, uh,” he cleared his throat and chuckled. “I guess both of you.” 

She smiled back at him, eyes warm and full of hope. Hope. Bucky could use some more of that in his life. 

The room was silent for a beat, both of them grinning like fools, before he opened the cabinet and grabbed two plates. “Let’s eat, yeah?”

Bucky carried the plates to the table, setting them both down in front of a chair and not realizing just how close Lottie was following him. When he turned, they bumped into each other and he felt himself flush red when she giggled at his nervousness.

"Sorry," He mumbled, putting some space between them and quickly grabbing one of the chairs, pulling it out for her to sit in.

It was a force of habit, an old habit, but chivalry had not been one of the things he lost in the fall, just his smoothness and ability to not turn into mush by a sweet smile and melodic laugh.

"M'lady." He teased, as she sat with a beaming grin splattered across her face and he pushed in the chair for her.

“Thank you kind sir,” Lottie giggled, and Bucky felt his insides warm at the sound, light and happy. He walked back to the kitchen, grabbing the pan with the food, setting it on the table with a warming pad beneath it. As he sat down, he gestured for Lottie to go first. There was a clicking noise from above them and all the lights went out, plunging them into darkness. 

“What the- Damn rain must’ve knocked the power out. Hang on, I’ve got a flashlight somewhere,” Bucky said, standing back up and feeling his way to the kitchen, searching through drawers. “Well, no flashlight but I got a few candles.”

"You need help?" Lottie asked.

"No, no." He found a few candles and a box of matches. "I wouldn't want you to burn yourself." He winced, realizing how patronizing that sounded. "I mean--"

"It's okay, Bucky," Lottie chuckled. "It's your apartment."

He smiled at her over his shoulder, the moonlight lighting up part of the room. Bucky fiddled with the matches for a moment, snapping it against the striker and trying to get the damn thing to light up.

"Son of a bitch," he muttered.

He heard Lottie's chair slide out and suddenly felt her right next to him. She reached out and placed her hand over his metal hand. He swore he could feel sparks through the Vibranium.

"Might need a more delicate touch," she offered, her voice gentle and sweet.

Bucky was thankful that she couldn't see him blushing furiously in the dark as he relented and gave her the box of matches. He watched as she struck one and it lit up instantly, illuminating her gorgeous face.

"You just need a little patience," she whispered softly as she looked back to him.

Bucky was trapped in her gaze as the flames from the candle reflected in their blue depths and danced around. He felt as if she could ask him to drown in them and he would. No questions asked.

It must've been seconds but they felt like lifetimes and just as he felt the pull between them grow stronger he saw her tongue sweep across her bottom lip before she turned away from him, hiding behind a curtain of hair dried hair to light the rest of the candles.

"All done," she told him as she lit all  four candles and set the one in her hand on the counter.

"Thank you."

He honestly didn't know what he was thanking her for. He doubted it was for lighting the candles when he couldn't. It was more because since he walked into the shelter this afternoon, Lottie had saved him in a whole new way.

They made their way back to the table carrying the candles and sat down to eat. He watched apprehensively as she took a bite. 

“Wow, this is delicious.” She said, looking at him. He let out a sigh of relief.

“Really, well I’m glad you like it.” He smiled as he took a bite of the food himself. They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate their food.

“So,” Lottie started, setting her fork down on her plate. She smiled at him through her lashes. Bucky gulped as the flames of the candles threw shadows against her face. She was somehow even more beautiful in this light. 

“He cooks, he’s good with animals, and he’s friends with Captain America. You are quite a catch, sir.”

Bucky was sure his cheeks were melting with how hard he blushed. Was this really happening? Maybe he got hit by a bus on his way home and he died and went to heaven. Or maybe Sam spiked his drink and he’s dreaming. 

He scoffed to himself since the serum would leave him virtually unscathed in both of those situations. He took a deep breath and exhaled, setting his fork down as well. 

“You’re not too bad yourself, Lottie.” He winced as he heard the words leave his mouth. He wanted to kick himself under the table for that one.

“Some would disagree,” Lottie replied, voice a little quiet and eyes cast down at her plate, “but I’ll take it from you,” she added lightly. 

Bucky frowned and set his fork down, hackles raised.

“Whoa, no. What do you mean ‘some would disagree’? Because from where I’m sitting, anyone would be lucky to have someone like you.” 

“Bucky, that’s sweet but—“ 

“Sweetheart,” Bucky wasn’t sure where the fight in him was coming from, but the thought of anyone thinking Lottie — sweet, gorgeous Lottie who ran through a downpour to deliver a beloved cat toy — wasn’t good enough, made him want to do something to make her believe different. 

“According to a few of my exes, I spend too much time at the shelter,” she revealed, before a smile bloomed across her lips. “But it’s my happy place so screw them, huh?”

"Animals are better than men anyway." Lottie laughed, her blue eyes shining and that wonderful grin remaining plastered across her face although her brows furrowed when she realized she had sort of just insulted him.

"Well, you just haven't met the right man yet." Bucky said much lower than he anticipated, much more breathy and like a whisper.

Lottie seemingly froze in her seat, like the air had been stolen from her as she turned bright red and bit her lip in the most adorable way.

"Does he have a cat?" Lottie asked, and Bucky chuckled.

"You know, astonishingly he does. You see, he wasn't really looking for companionship at first, just decided he would try to get a friend off his back about his houseplants. But then there was this little thing with glorious blue eyes and well..." Bucky sighed, talking both about Alpine and her.

“It’s always the ones that grump the most about getting a pet that end up loving them the hardest,” Lottie smiled, and Bucky felt himself melt just a little more even as he tried to look shocked. 

“I’ve never been grumpy a day in my life,” he said, grin breaking through as Lottie snorted a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her giggles.

"Oh, really?" Lottie teased. "I might have to ask around to back that up."

Bucky put his head in his hands and groaned through laughter. 

"God, please don't! Sam's gonna have a field day with it!"

He felt her gentle hand cover his and looked up. Lottie was smiling at him.

"Your secret's safe with me," she whispered. Bucky's smile mirrored hers and she gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. "And for the record, I don't actually think you're a grump. You've been pretty darn sweet to me today, and to Snow-- sorry, Alpine. Still getting used to it."

Bucky chuckled, feeling just how hot his cheeks and the back of his neck felt. Butterflies fluttered through his chest and every time he looked at Lottie, all he wanted to do was smile. 

"Thanks for that. Sam really wouldn't let me live it down if you told him." He looked down as Alpine rubbed against his leg. "You can't tell him either, missy."

They ate in contented silence for a few moments, enjoying the warmth of the candles and each other. 

"It's really cute how close you are already," Lottie smiled, pushing the rest of her food around on her plate. "But it makes sense."

"How?" Bucky asked through a mouthful of chicken, eyebrows furrowed mid bite and she let out a soft, tinkling giggle. 

"Well because you're really cute too," she remarked without looking up and Bucky was now positive that he was dead or someone was playing a joke on him.

He actually choked on the piece of food he was chewing, coughing a few times as he felt his face flood with heat that he was pretty sure wasn't from the candles.

"Oh my god! Are you oka– I'm so sorry!" 

Lottie’s panicked wide blue eyes focused on his face and Bucky heard the faint clatter of the fork she was eating with on the table while he tried to catch his breath. The sudden compliment had positively stunned him. 

Bucky– the old, pre-war Bucky, once knew that he had the looks and the ability to charm the socks off any dame back in his day but now, now he felt inadequate. He didn't have the patience to try to strike up a conversation with anyone, even women. 

His scars ran deeper than what his eyes saw reflected back in the mirror every morning. 

And now this beautiful, incredibly kind woman was not only talking to him and making it seem all too easy, she was also flirting with him.

"I'm okay." He assured her after catching his breath and taking a generous sip of the water next to him while Alpine meowed loudly at his feet in what he thought was concern.

“Are you sure?” Lottie asked, looking at him as if she didn’t quite believe him. 

“Yeah, my food just got stuck on the way down. No need to worry about me” he reached down and scratched Alpine between her ears.

The rain was still hammering against the windows outside, heavy drops illuminated by the candles on the table and the odd strike of lightning that had now decided to join in. 

“Doesn’t look like it’s gonna stop any time soon,” Bucky commented, changing the subject. 

“New York storms, huh?” 

“Sorry you’re kinda trapped here.” 

Lottie swallowed her last bite of food, pushing her plate to the side and reaching across the table for Bucky’s hand. 

“How many times do I have to hint that I’m happy to be here, Bucky? That I like you.” 

“Old man like me? Probably a few more before it sinks in.” He grinned, bashful but real as he watched Lottie’s face scrunch adorably into a giggle. 

“I’m starting to think you’re just fishing for compliments. You are definitely not old. Worldly, maybe, and your eyes are definitely hiding like a thousand stories I’m dying to hear. But definitely not old.”

"My stories are... They're not the happiest." He told her truthfully, feeling his grin fade as he began to chew on the inside of his lip.

Lottie reached across the table, stroking the top of his hand gently before her small fingers wrapped around his metal ones, holding his hand completely unbothered by the fact that it wasn't flesh. 

"We can write some happy stories together. It's what I do after all." She smiled joyfully and he couldn't help but chuckle.

"You write stories?" He questioned and she simply nodded.

"Well, I'm trying to, nothing published yet but I've got lots of ideas." She told him, her hand still in his.

"What kind of ideas?" Bucky asked, genuinely curious.

"Gentle romance, falling head over heels for a kind stranger." She said softly and he felt himself melting with every word she said.

"Does the love interest have a cat?" He wondered and the laugh she let out was beautiful, it filled his apartment and settled into the empty spaces.

“Just adopted one in fact,” she smiled and Bucky felt his heart stutter as she looked at him, blue eyes big and full of hope. “He picked out the best kitten, a real sweetheart, just like him.”

Bucky grinned back at her. "I think we're going to have some adventures." He looked down at Alpine just as she scratched at his jeans. "You've already had dinner. You cannot possibly be hungry."

"Sorry that I'm stealing all of your dad's attention, Alpine," Lottie said playfully, eyes shining as she watched Bucky scoop the little fur ball into his lap. 

He grabbed a piece of his chicken, tearing a bite off and holding it up to Alpine's baby pink nose for inspection.  After a few cautious sniffs, she took it from him eagerly, contented purrs and growls coming from her tiny body as she ate.

"So you said you write?" Bucky asked softly, smiling down at Alpine before looking back at Lottie as she nodded. "Well, I can read-" 

"Whoa! No way!" Lottie exclaimed jokingly, enjoying the way Bucky's face scrunched up as he laughed. 

"I mean," he replied with a giggle. "I can read anything you write...if you ever need another set of eyes." 

"Especially eyes like yours," Lottie drawled. 

Bucky felt lightheaded from all the blood rushing to his cheeks. 

"You're killin' me, sweetheart," he sighed, taking a drink from his glass. 

"Sorry," Lottie blushed. "You just get all pink and flustered...it's very cute."

"Yeah well, usually I'm the one doing the flusterin'." 

Laughing, Lottie grabbed a piece of chicken from her plate and held it across for Alpine, who had finished Bucky's piece and seemed eager for more. 

"Believe me, Sargeant," she whispered softly, looking up at him through thick lashes. "I am very flustered right now."

Bucky could have punched a hole through the wall with the burst of confidence that soared through him. 

How was it possible that he could make Lottie flustered? He chuckled and wiped his hands down the front of his shirt. “This ol’ thing? You’re bluffing.”

Lottie’s jaw dropped, and a look of playful shock came across her face. “You trying to call my bluff, huh?”

Bucky eyed her thoughtfully. His gaze, whether he meant it to or not (he definitely did), flitted to her lips. They looked soft, plush and pink, and inviting as hell. 

“You could always prove it,” Bucky smirked. He caught her eye, daring her to make a move. 

“Or… you could fluster me some more, see the real fruits of your labour.” 

Sometime during this conversation, Lottie’s chair had edged closer to Bucky’s. He could feel the warmth radiating from her as her fingertips danced up and down his arm. 

The anticipation was killing him.

Which one of them had actually made the first move was completely unclear to Bucky. There was just the look of trepidation on her face along with the thought that he should do it first just so he could throw her into the same kind of tizzy as she had put him in. 

Bucky leaned in slowly, eyeing the soft appearance of her lips but Lottie had done exactly the same after finding her courage.

He felt her stretch up to meet him, soft supple lips pressing gently against his, her vanilla spice scent filling his nose and making him a little dizzy. It was so tame, sweet and absolutely perfect that he couldn't help but bring his hands to her face, cradling her cheeks in his palms and pulling her back in when she went to move away.

There were a million butterflies in his stomach and he swore if they didn't keep their lips connected, they would all come bursting out of his mouth along with a flurry of thoughts about how he wanted her to stay with him, possibly forever.

Bucky couldn’t help smiling into the kiss, happiness bubbling over. He could feel Lottie doing the same and suddenly they were both grinning against each other’s lips, little laughs escaping them. 

Bucky pulled back, bringing his metal hand up to brush a piece of hair back from Lottie’s eyes. She caught it in her hand, leaning her face against the palm, fingers stroking delicately over the back. Bucky felt his heart clench and Lottie looked up at him.

"That was..." She exhaled and took a deep breath.

"I hope it was okay," he chuckled. "I'm a little out of practice."

She placed a hand on his chest and Bucky drew in deep breaths to keep his heart from racing so much. It was useless. Every time he looked at her, his chest felt tight. Her eyes shone in the low light, and that smile could actually bring him to his knees.

"Well, we could always practice again if you feel like you need it."

Food long forgotten, Bucky gave Lottie a half smile before he leaned in again to run his lips over hers, hearing her gasp at his intrusion. He slowly moved his hand to rest on the back of her neck, weaving his fingers through her hair.

"I bet you make a really good teacher, doll." 

Lottie smirked, biting her lip as she studied Bucky's face and leaned in once more.

"Let's find out."

He felt Lottie go soft as this second kiss grew deeper, his hands pulling her close as if she might float away without his help. When her tongue traced his bottom lip, Bucky groaned and let her in to explore, their kiss becoming hotter in the dim candle light. 

He could taste the spice from the chicken mixed with the sweetness of the sugar from her coffee and the chapstick she put on earlier today. He was drowning in Lottie and never wanted to come up.

She was the one who finally relented, breaking the kiss and leaving them both breathless and blushing. 

"Bucky, if that's you without practice..." Lottie breathed against his lips and he smiled, running a thumb along her bottom lip. "I might be the one who needs some lessons." 

"Say yes to another dinner," Bucky whispered, rubbing his nose against hers. "And I'll teach you whatever you want."

He could feel Lottie vibrating with excitement and it suddenly dawned on him that what he said came out in a way he hadn't meant.

"I could teach you how to make stir-fry." He blurted out nervously, causing her to laugh and she placed a small peck on his nose.

"I'd like that a lot." She smiled, and just as she did, Alpine jumped from Bucky's lap where she had been snuggled throughout dinner and into Lottie's lap.

"Of course, that's if this little lady doesn't mind me sharing your attention." She giggled.

Bucky smiled, knowing his face reflected how calm and happy he felt, but he couldn’t hold back. 

“I think that’s her way of asking you to come back too,” he said and Lottie laughed, scratching behind Alpine’s ears. 

“How could I ever say no to such a plea?” she said, eyes twinkling before she sighed. “But I should probably get back to the shelter now, the rains nearly done, it sounds like.”

Bucky nodded. He really wanted to see her again. As soon as he could, or as soon as she had time. Lottie looked around and tugged at his sweater. Bucky reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Keep it," he replied. "You don't need a reason to come back, but..."

She beamed at him. 

"I have three reasons. Sweater, cute cat, cute guy..."

Bucky blushed furiously and ran a hand through his hair.

"Listen, it would be ungentlemanly of me to let a lady walk alone at night. Can I walk you back to the shelter?"

He was never going to get used to the way her smile gave him butterflies. 

"I would love that."

Bucky smiled and stood before reaching out for her hand just as an audible click reached his ears and they both began to blink rapidly. The power had been restored. "Well... talk about timing," he chuckled. "Let's get you back to the shelter sweetheart."

The walk back seemed much too short for Bucky's liking, but he couldn't stop smiling regardless. Lottie's presence had permanently drawn it onto his face, unable to brush it off if he tried. They talked as they walked, little comments about the neighborhood or Alpine, who peeked out from inside Bucky's jacket. His fingers tangled with Lottie's for the final block and for the first time in a long time, all the pieces seemed to be falling into place. 

Lottie turned to him as they approached the shelter, the light above the sign reflecting off the water beneath their feet. 

"Don't suppose we have time for one more practice session..." She sighed exaggeratedly, a small smirk on her lips. 

Without a word, Bucky wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in for another kiss as she yelped. Her smile melted into his and so did the rest of the world until a tiny disgruntled mewl broke the spell. 

"Sorry, baby," Bucky whispers. 

"It's okay," Lottie smiles before he laughs. 

"I was talkin' to the fluffball, Lottie," he grinned, earning him a shocked laugh and a slap to the arm. 

She walked up the few steps to the door of the shelter, turning back and making Bucky's heart stop. Her glittering eyes, the wave of her blonde hair, the cute button nose, on top being kind and a little bit goofy? He'd truly hit the jackpot. 

"Next time, I'm cooking, Barnes." 

Bucky gave her a grin and shoved his hands in his pockets as she unlocked the door. 

"Okay, but I'm not giving away anymore of my clothes." 

"Damn it..." Lottie grumbled before smiling again. 

The door opened up and Bucky felt lighter than he had since before...well, everything. Over one hundred years of life and he had to wait this long to find someone like her. 

"What time you open?" Bucky gestured to the sign. "Might need someone to help out with all the other little guys." 

"We open at 8, but I'm not opposed to opening earlier for a pretty face." 

Bucky grinned brightly as he backed down the sidewalk, the comforting warmth of Alpine against his chest and Lottie still on his lips, for once looking forward to everything the morning would bring him.

"I'll be here at 7."

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes x oc #james bucky barnes #tfatws #bucky x alpine #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes fluff #strangers to lovers #fluff #animal shelter au #marvel #marvel oneshot #marvel one shot #marvel imagine #bucky barnes imagine #writers #collaboration #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #fanfic writers #tfatws bucky #marvelous

[annathesillyfriend]

I swear, everytime I am surprised with just how quick the month ended 🤯 Life's been really trying me lately and all these incredible writers and their amazing stories have been keeping me sane. I am so thankful for that! I hope you're gonna enjoy these fics just as much 😌

To all the writers - I love you and I appreciate you so much!

To all the readers - please, share the fics you read and love. The reblog really makes the change! It’s the least we can do to show our gratitude.

Also, please, mind the writers’ warnings!

🌊BUCKY BARNES🌊

my city, my partner by @real-jane

↳ one shot, this!!! i want this!!!

let go by @all1e23

↳ one shot, 18+, stunning work 🙌

incadescent glow (your touch brought forth) by @cupidsbarnes

↳ one shot, firefighter!bucky x single mum!reader, i have no words, it's just so wonderful 🥺

unexpected by @pellucid-constellations

↳ one shot, army vet!bucky x teacher!reader, AHHHHH loved this!

a touchable dream by @nexusnyx

↳ series, dad!bucky, my love for this story and Nyx is out of control. i feel so connected to these characters, it's almost like i know them in real life. this fic has brought so much joy to my life!!

hide and seek by @musingsinmoonlightnlight

↳ one-shot, 18+, bucky barnes can get it. and by it i mean gloating rights... among other things 👀

little punk by @/musingsinmoonlightlibrary

↳ one-shot, mob!bucky, Suz, you bloody legend you 😁

not even a little by @intrepidacious

↳ one-shot, roommate!au, what we like best - pining idiots in love

lost in the woods by @sweetdreamsbuck

↳ one-shot, beefy!lumberjack!bucky, you probably know that already bit bunny and lumby live in my heart rent free

common law by @/indyluckycharlie

↳ one-shot, agent!reader, when i make a mistake, i get yelled at and she ends up married to bucky barnes??? not fair

🌊STEVE ROGERS🌊

an olive branch by @real-jane

↳ one-shot, loving Kate's work comes to me as easy as breathing i swear

the best thing that's ever been mine by @velvetcloxds

↳ one-shot, stark!reader, 💙

let my heart bleed. by @xbuchananbarnes

↳ one-shot, 18+, steve rogers owns my body, mind and soul

in the name of the king by @anika-ann

↳ one-shot, knight!steve, get your tissues ready and jump in!

ice-cream by @anika-ann

↳ one-shot, 🍦🍦🍦👀

you by @bucky-murdock-moans

↳ one-shot, Vidra, you are literally gonna make me melt one day 🥺

'til the morning comes by @rodrikstark

↳ series, senator!steve, an "aranged" marriage, LOVED THIS!!

under my skin by @indyluckycharlie

↳ one-shot, steve grant rogers was born to be teased send tweet

🌊SAM WILSON🌊

where love blooms by @lovelyavengers

↳ one-shot, loved this one 🥰

breakfest in bed by @callingsergeantbarnes

↳ one-shot, this. this is what i want in life

🌊MATT MURDOCK🌊

silly & sweet by @/bucky-murdock-moans

↳ one-shot, this is so soft, reading this felt like hugging a fluffy cat 🥰

🌊PETER PARKER🌊

rainy day inn by @userholland

↳ one-shot, neighbour!reader, friends to lovers, this is just so nice 🥺

secrets over ice-cream by @spidernerdsblog

↳ one-shot, i love dad!peter so much 😫

pistolwhip by @silkscream

↳ series, 18+, university au, friends to lovers, friends with benefits, fake dating, unrequited love, delicious fic 👌

stolen moments by @waitimcomingtoo

↳ one-shot, start!reader, it's just great, loved this so much 💕

this fic by @darlingparker

↳ one-shot, very very cute shit!!

ground me by @thegirlintheswivelchair

↳ one-shot, if you need a little cry, Kena's got you 😅

the baby assignment by @vendettaparker

↳ one-shot, stark!reader, this is such a fun read 😁

be my girl by @peterbenjiparker

↳ one-shot, friends to lovers, M owns my heart, this is just so 🥰🥰🥰

hamatria by @peteprker

↳ series, dark!peter x stark!reader, now, this is what i like to call masterpiece. phenomenal work 👏👏

🌊JOAQUIN TORRES🌊

bloom by @fluffyprettykitty

↳ one-shot, joaquin and flowers are the best combo ever

🌊THOR ODINSON🌊

rumble. by @xbuchananbarnes

↳ one-shot, Dani back at it again with such a stunning piece 😌

🌊TOM HOLLAND🌊

prince you've been gone by @heyhihellowhatsup0

↳ series, prince!tom, miss Nicole back at it again with one banger of a story, loved this!

lovefool by @totheblood

↳ one-shot, best friend's brother!tom, loved this one!

back to back by @venomsilk and @justapurrcat

↳ one-shot, childhood friends to lovers, S and Lia did such a wonderful job here, what a great story!

to be real by @softholand

↳ series, social media au, singer!reader, loved this so much!

🌊HARRY HOLLAND🌊

the bet by @farfromharry

↳ one-shot, haven't read a harry fic in a hot minute and i missed him, this was great!

🌊ANDY BARBER🌊

wanna be yours(weetheart) by @shieldedreams

↳ one-shot, this is just so bloody adorable 🥰

🌊NATHAN DRAKE🌊

chocolate and cuddles by @justapurrcat

↳ one-shot, i need him to give me a hug. or five. or just one very very long hug. i'm not picky

this fic by @xoluvx

↳ one-shot, my birthday's in like 2 months so if anyone wants to get me a voucher for a make out sess with nathan, feel free to do so 😌

don't blame me by @lauras-collection

↳ one-shot, 18+, enemies to lovers, fun fact - when you look up 'talent' in the dictionary, you're gonna find a photo of Laura. like for real

#anna's fic recs #fic recs #may 2022 fic recs #marvel fic recs #peter parker x reader #tom holland x reader #bucky barnes x reader

[winterironevents]

Fanart by our amazing mod @massivespacewren!

Take a look to see what our amazing creators were up to this past week of the WinterIron Bingo!

Pre-made card sign ups are now open. We’d love for you to join us!

June 3 - 10, 2023

The Theory of Love, Electric: Chapter 12, 13, 15, by halfpennybuddha

Rating: M

Tags: No archive warnings apply, rating mostly for language, Princess Diaries AU, Royal AU, High School AU, main pairing is 18, Bullying, Mentions of (past) Self-Harm, Mentions of (past) drug use, mentions of cancer, mentions of serious illness, get together, no sex, but kissing and light frottage, Prince Bucky, Bucky Barnes has panic attacks, unplanned pregnancy, light angst, Happy ending, unconsentual kiss, paparazzi stalking, underage drinking (not Main characters), the tags make it sound way darker than it is, fluff

Summary: “Even after his tragic death, it should not have changed much regarding succession. I…well, I was still in good health, though in mourning. But now…your grandfather’s death last year, and my testicular cancer, you see. The treatment…well, I am sterile, Iacob.”

Bucky dropped his sandwich.

AKA The Winteriron Princess Diaries AU that nobody asked for.

Home Again (Chapter 28) by scottxlogan

@scottxlogan

Rating: M

Tags: Post-Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Canon Divergence - Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Supernatural Elements, Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, References to Depression, Bucky Barnes Has PTSD, Bucky Barnes & Sam Wilson Friendship, Pre-Relationship, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Tragedy, Angst and Romance, Blood Loss, Adult Content, Explicit Language, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Blood and Injury, Dreams and Nightmares, Slow Burn, Sexual Content

Summary: The aftermath of Bucky's sacrifice leads Bucky to a surprising discovery where his life and future with Tony are concerned.

Coffee For Two by Saraceaser

@saraceaser

Rating: G

Tags: Female Tony Stark, Modern AU, Coffee Shop, Bucky being a Flirt

Summary:

Bucky just wanted coffee.

Good thing Toni knows him so well.

WinterIron Bingo Round Robin - June 2023 by buckybarnesdeservestobehappy (hutchabelle), endlesstwanted, Politzania, purpleicedteas, Sivan325

@buckybarnesdeservestobehappy @endlesstwanted @polizwrites @purpleicedteas @sivan325

Rating: G

Tags: Round Robin, Established Relationship, Cabins. Domestic Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Happy Ending, Retirement, Marriage Proposal

Summary: Tony and Bucky are enjoying another beautiful sunrise in their quiet cabin, having left the superhero life behind. They're following their usual morning routine, until Tony asks Bucky a very important question.

The Tony Stark guide to human familiars (Chapter 1) by Ellster

Rating: G

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Mages, Witchcraft, Familiars

Summary: Tony Stark is a powerful mage, a fact not known to the wider public who only know about the billionaire, playboy, genius and philanthropist. He's also currently without a familiar, which is becoming a problem.

Bucky Barnes is an army vet who recently returned home after losing an arm in combat. With no family to speak of and unable to find a job, he's becoming increasingly frustrated and right about now also pretty bored. All of that changes when he is summoned as Tony's familiar.

Hello, My Old Heart (Where Have You Been?) halfpennybuddha

Rating: T

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern: No Powers, Tony Stark Still Has Arc Reactor, Love at First Sight, Actor Bucky Barnes, Birthday Party, mentions of past self-harm behaviour, Slow Dancing, First Meetings, First Kiss, Getting Together, Fluff, Romance, Senator Durazo is a Good Bro, Rebecca is not a Good Bro, shes pretty feisty, Not betad

Summary: It was like the world seemed to slow down around him as the man did the most amazing thing Tony had ever seen: he turned around.

I Know What This Looks Like by starksvinyls

@starksvinyls

Rating: M

Tags: Attempt at Humor, Cock Rings, Implied Relationships, Implied Sexual Content, Masturbation Gone Wrong

Summary: Tony walks in on Bucky and Steve in a compromising position.

#weekly round up: r1 #winteriron #ironwinter #starkbucks #tonyxbucky #tonybucky #buckyxtony #buckytony #tony stark #bucky barnes #iron man #winter soldier #halfpennybuddha #scottxlogan #saraceaser #buckybarnesdeservestobehappy #endlesstwanted #sivan325 #purpleicedteas #polizwrites #ellster #starksvinyls

[katie-delaney]

Writing notes - Stucky works in progress/ideas, trying to stop hopping about and get one done but 😂

He Ate My Heart - au abo that I wrote about before, one/maybe two more chapters to go, up on ao3. Very likely to end up with a second part where they go take down Hydra/the world together.

The Meat Grinder - au abo army vet Steve taking any job he can as sex worked Omega Bucky's handler and trying desperately not to fuck him and Bucky's a completely brat/tease/thirsty as hell for Steve. Hannibal (as in mads series) seems to have fallen into this fic and I don't know how or why. Like I'm well aware Mads plays a character in the marvel universe but I didn't want him I wanted Hannibal 😂 (16k words so far)

Unnamed fic set pre first avenger voyeurism fic with Steve and Bucky living together and Steve getting off on listening to him having sex with women, Bucky notices, it escalates, Bucky is awful in this. Like really awful. (4k words so far)

Unnamed au fic no powers with ex vet Bucky going to a sex therapy clinic because he can't come and sees Steve and kind of magic healing cock and where the fuck do I get these weird ideas? (4k words so far)

Unnamed time travel fic set during Falcon and Winter Soldier where Bucky's alone in his room jerking off and Steve appears time traveling from the 40s and Bucky just thinks he's having another episode...in a kind of end game fix it (2k words so far)

#stucky

[epicstuckyficrecs]

Weekly Recap | May 9th-15th 2022

That was a good week! :) 

Complete

💙 You Know I Live for the Hustle by Bittersweet_in_Boston (Modern AU, Flight Attendant Bucky, CEO Steve | 3,5K | Explicit): He’s coming back down the aisle a few minutes later, calling over his shoulder to Nat, when he turns his head just in time to avoid bumping into 3C, who’s standing there, looking at Bucky intensely but maybe also a little uncertainly. Bucky stops and looks up into 3C’s face. He has to physically restrain himself from swallowing hard, because 3C is a Specimen of the Highest Order. Tall, a few inches taller than Bucky’s six feet, dressed in head-to-toe Tom Ford business casual with dark blond hair sweeping across his forehead and curling at his very expensive shirt collar, piercing blue eyes, full lips, and a neatly trimmed, well-cared-for beard.Further investigation reveals glints of silver in both hair and beard, and now Bucky really needs to go lie down. Instead, he raises his eyebrows as if to say, Well? (Part 1 of Live for the Hustle)

💙 Get a Little More Close to Me by Bittersweet_in_Boston (Modern AU, Flight Attendant Bucky, CEO Steve | 13K | Explicit): “Bucky. I’m so glad you decided to join me.” Steve stands up at his primo table in the middle of the Water Library’s main dining room to greet Bucky. He looks even better than he did on the flight, in a lightweight silk-wool suit in royal blue and a crisp bright white button up with the top three buttons open. Bucky very purposely doesn’t peek to see if any chest hair is showing because he’s having enough trouble holding it together as it is. (Part 2 of Live for the Hustle)

💙 There’s a place I want to take you, where the unknown will surround you by Bittersweet_in_Boston (Regency AU | 8K | Explicit): …in which James Barnes of Winterbourn in Derbyshire meets Steven Rogers, a retired army commander and the new master of neighboring Topsfield Hall, and they develop an unlikely and all-consuming…friendship. (Part 1 of The RegencyVerse)

💙 And in between it’s never as it seems by Bittersweet_in_Boston (Regency AU | 12K | Explicit): …in which James Barnes of Winterbourn in Derbyshire and retired Army commander Steven Rogers take their friendship to the next level, but must contend with much more than societal disapproval to be together. (Part 2 of The RegencyVerse)

💙 September 1, 1969 by BeaArthurPendragon (1970′s AU, Vietnam Vets Bucky&Steve | 7K | Explicit): Last year, Buck Barnes came home from Vietnam with a bad back and a prosthetic arm named Roz--and with nothing left to lose, he let the GI Bill take him to college as far away from his closeted life in Indiana as possible: New York City. When a gorgeous blond square looking lost as a lamb walks into the gay bar where he works on the weekends, he’s only thinking about tonight. He never expected to find himself wishing for a tomorrow, too.Lots of feelings with some porn. (Part 1 of I'll Light Your Way Home)

💙 Sugar by BeaArthurPendragon/ @beaarthurpendragon​ (1970′s AU, Vietnam Vets Bucky&Steve | 2K | Explicit): It’s been two months since a couple of lost Vietnam vets found each other one night in a Hell’s Kitchen gay bar. One sleepy Sunday morning, they start to realize that what they have could become something more. (Part 2 of I'll Light Your Way Home)

💙 Polaris by Becassine/ @becassine​ (Canon | 9K | Teen): Sarah Rogers always said that they were written in the stars. Bucky thinks that perhaps she was right.

💙 Here and Where You Are by crinklefries/ @spacerenegades​ (Time Travel | 29K | Mature): In his first life, Bucky Barnes never gets his happy ending. This changes everything, so he has to try, and try again.

Bucky's Club by buckybarnesdeservestobehappy (hutchabelle) (Bucky & Alpine | < 1K | General): Bucky goes on a quest for the best sandwich in Brooklyn and shares it with Alpine.

#stucky #stucky fic #stucky fanfic #stucky fanfiction #stucky fic rec #Weekly Recap

[winterhawksamplers]

Pet Fic: Lucky, Alpine, and More

It's dogs. And cats. And the occasional ferret. Come on, of course we love them! This sampler offers a variety of animal-centric fics: in some, pets and animals are what bring Clint and Bucky together; in others, they serve as key components to helping Clint and Bucky figure things out; in one, we get some of Lucky's actual POV. Animals act as therapists, as cockblocks, as the absolute best pillows. This is a (literal) fluff, humor, and pizza dog filled theme, but don't be too surprised when some of these furry facades are actually vehicles for processing complex winterhawk themes like trauma, PTSD, and figuring out how to be human.

Space to Run, Space to Hide by: @ialwayscomewhenyoucall length: 1.1k | rating: T | tags: free verse poetry, barton farm, fluff, avoidance, podfic available, shifting POVs summary excerpt: Clint is spending some time at his farm. Not because he's running away. Nope. Not at all. He just missed the farm. Why this one? In this incredibly beautiful, sweet, and lyrical fic, the author utilizes Lucky's POV to help capture a classic example of Clint's emotional avoidance. bonus: podfic by @flowerparrish

Rescue Me by: NotEvenCloseToStraight length: 25k | rating: M | tags: PTSD, depression, service animals, misunderstandings, amputee!Bucky, Deaf!Clint, h/c, no powers au summary excerpt: Still struggling with PTSD and nightmares a year after leaving the Army, Bucky goes to a shelter to find a therapy dog. He finds companionship in Beef the Pitbull, a purpose in volunteering on weekends, and when the dog trainer starts smiling his way, Bucky finds something else that feels a little like love. Why this one? This heart-wrenching fic situates a post-military service Bucky struggling to find a new normal alongside a disaster human/pet-trainer Clint. C&B's journey to recovery in this fic is realistic, rife with struggles and mistakes, and filled with enough feels to make you want to rush to hug the nearest animal you can find.

Through the Streets of Long Gone Dreams by: Rivulet027 length: 11k | rating: T | tags: canon-adjacent, Bucky Barnes recovering, mutual pining, bed sharing, Lucky as the best bed buddy summary: Bucky’s having trouble sleeping until Lucky decides to adopt him. Now Bucky isn’t sure if he’s sleeping better because of a dog or the archer that comes with the dog. Why this one? This one feels like a more classic Bucky recovery story, in that the setting is the tower, and there are PTSD and nightmare themes throughout. Lucky here helps push Clint and Bucky together and helps Bucky ground and find himself. bonus: art by prompt_fills

A Christmas Miracle: Getting Lucky by: Lissadiane length: 11k | rating: T | tags: veterinarian!Bucky, performer!Clint, temporary animal injury, fluff, holidays, no powers au summary excerpt: Clint Barton’s absolute worst nightmare comes true on a snowy highway in the middle of Colorado on a cross country drive — he hits a dog. It’s just his luck that the only vet he can find hates people — especially those who hurt dogs — and happens to look amazing in a pair of kitten scrubs. Why this one? A sheepishly adorable Clint, an adorably grouchy Bucky, and the cutest Lucky in a pair of reindeer antlers to ever attend a holiday festival make for the most fluff-and-feels-filled fic, possibly ever. A dash of misunderstanding, a sprinkle of enemies-to-lovers, and you're in for a fic streaming from the hallmark channel straight to your ao3 account.

Lucky in Love by: @drgrlfriend length: 59k | rating: E | tags: no powers au, mutual recovery, PTSD, depression, veteran!Bucky, h/c, roommates, pining, touch-starved, canon disabilities summary excerpt: Clint is only a couple of sips into his cardboard cup of coffee, his brain barely out of neutral, which is probably why it takes him so long to realize that some damn psycho is trying to kidnap his dog. Why this one? This classic au blends a variety of canon and fandom favorite tropes in a beautiful story of mutual recovery. Lucky brings Clint and Bucky together in a disaster of a meet-cute, and is there to support them through every nightmare, every flashback, and every shaky and sweet step towards trust and healing. bonus: art by @drizzledrawings

The next nine fluff-filled fics are sorted in descending order by length.

Look What The Cat Dragged In by: @flawedamythyst length: 22k | rating: G | tags: Bucky Barnes Recovering, Lucky, Alpine, co-raising a cat with the Winter Soldier

Making Me a Habit by: @kangofu-cb length: 20k | rating: T | tags: war vet! Bucky, Clint owns an animal shelter, no powers au, PTSD, kittens, + 1 ferret, bonus: art by @soapyquartz and art by CountessofLovelace and art by noxnthea

Barking Mad by: @xria-rose length: 4k | rating: T | tags: magic, pre-relationship, established stony, Steve and Tony are turned into a dog and cat

Ready to Hear it by: @noxnthea length: 3.7k | rating: T | tags: feelings realization, love confessions, Clint treating Lucky like his therapist

How to Prevent Sugar Bloom by: @tawryn length: 3.7k | rating: E | tags: flipped A/B/O, humor, dog park meet cute/disaster, STEVE IS A LITERAL DOG

Winter Puppy by: @pherryt length: 3.5k | rating: G | tags: werewolves, towerfic, Clint wants a dog so bad he's willing to believe the random wolf in the tower is one

Modern Drift by: @claraxbarton length: 2k | rating: T | tags: alpine, no powers au, Nurse!Bucky, pre-relationship, covid, best cat dad Bucky

Five Facts You Need to Know About Clint and Bucky by: @skylarkevanson length: 1.8k | rating: G | tags: domestic fluff, one fact is=Clint is the type of man who stops in the street to pet every dog

it's got to be you(r cat) by: atheoryon length: 1k | rating: G | tags: no powers au, firefighter! Bucky, meet-cute, alpine is not stuck on a fire escape

What other animal or pet related fics would you include? reblog or add in the comments for your fellow readers!

Find other themed winterhawk samplers here. Suggest fics for us to include on future lists here!

#winterhawk samplers #winterhawk #clint/bucky #clint x bucky #clintucky #winterhawk fanfiction #fic list #pet fic #lucky the pizza dog #alpine barnes #bucky barnes #clint barton #fluff fic #avengers fanfiction #no powers au #it wasn't until we had this list ready that we realized all the featured fics featured lucky #unintentional dog over cat preferences oops

[bcolfanfic]

not to continue the angst train, but does anything in young vets au reflect Buck and Bucky being POW's? I could really see how that might add to Buckys post-war state as well.

*generation kill fans i put your tag on here since y’all might be able to help me out here, sorry to ‘intrude’!*

ive been thinking about that- but my short answer right now is: i need to do more research.

i will be very honest that i have next to 0 clue how POWs worked during the afghanistan war- outside of knowing it was very very rare in comparison to other wars the US has been involved in. and admittedly i did go to the bucky being an EOD route because that felt like an easier rabbit hole to go down research wise/“more simple”. (s/o to the former one that did an AMA on reddit). though i did mess with the timeline a little there she chose to ignore that the last air force EOD mission ended in 2014. (in this au save for curt they all left for the last time during the final US pull out in 2022)

and say i have some personal reservations on writing that type of thing/their interactions with the ‘locals’ there because of my own personal feelings about that war (curt coming home with very different feelings about it than he went with is heavily inspired by my brother who was in the army in iraq, that my very differing opinion dad says is ‘allowed to be wrong i guess since he was there’ 🫣). and i want to be very very cautious of how i characterize any characters of that variety. writing nazis as irredeemable villains is (obviously no shit) easy, whereas this is something i have more complicated feelings about doing, and doing right. i hope that makes sense bc i feel like this is very word salady 😅

if anyone knows more on this topic than i do *please* feel free to come chat on anon or send me a dm!!! i’d love to talk

#gonna throw a generation kill tag on this since fans of that might be who im looking for to talk to here? #young vets au #generation kill #hbo war

[marvelettesassemblenow]

Tati's Fic Rec's 3

As always thank you guys for sharing your beautiful stories with us! No special order and I'll continue filling the list (previous recs)

Stucky

Happy Ending by @teddybearbucky | OS - ABO |  when Steve’s mate joins the team you push down your feelings for the alpha, but you can still be his - well his and Bucky’s. Love triangles rarely have a happy ending, but this one does.

Bucky

It’s All In The Eyes by @writing-for-marvel | OS - Biker AU | When home becomes a person, not a place.

Sweeter Than Honey by @foreverindreamlandd | Series - completed | You're bestselling author Tony Stark's new PA on tour with him in Dublin, Ireland. When things start to go wrong and you end up with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, a handsome, blue-eyed Irishman named Bucky Barnes comes to your rescue.

unexpected by @pellucid-constellations | OS |  With all of his rough edges and impassive glances, Bucky Barnes looked to be the last person you’d find at an elementary school bake sale. Too bad Steve couldn’t make it, and dealing with a class hopped up on sugar wasn’t a feat you could manage alone.

incandescent glow (your touch brought forth) by @cupidsbarnes | OS - modern AU | bucky barnes has a knack for finding warmth. his job as a firefighter. steve and nat and their unwavering warmth and kindness. you, and your daughter, and the sunshine filled smiles and laughs. 

he’s just trying to figure out how to tell you he wants it all with you.

You Cut A Mean Rug, Doll Face by @wiypt-writes | OS - 40's Bucky | You help Bucky escape some unwanted attention by offering to be his fake date to a Gala. What could possibly go wrong?

my city, my partner by @real-jane | OS | you’ve been in love with scotland since you visited in high school, and in love with your partner for three years. when life becomes too much, bucky conspires to get you back to edinburgh.

Brooklyn Honey by @sanguineterrain | OS - 40's | Life in the city ain’t always so pretty, but you’ve got Bucky and he’s got you.  

The Knight and the Queen’s Lady & Worth This Love by @avecra | TwoShot | Being the Queen’s lady to your best friend had its advantages. For instance, she always made sure you were always accompanied by Captain James Barnes, the knight who had seemed to meddle his way into your life. Over time, the wall you seemed to have built around yourself starts to crumble, as you begin realize your true feelings for the knight.

YOURS LIPS, MY LIPS, APOCALYPSE by @nexusnyxyx | OS | Working at Ouroboros Ranch meant peace for you. The facility for recovery and Equine therapy never had a dull moment—its patients and work staff always ended the three-month healing period as friends, sometimes even family. It’s why you returned after college to this lonely city in the mountains—familiarity. It all changes when a certain Army vet shows up as part of the program. Barnes may not be one of your patients, but he seems to take a liking to you anyway.

DO YOU HEAR MY HEART? (DON’T FORGET IT) by @mellowsaturns | OS | A fight in the office happens because of a broody super soldier which leads to said soldier coming to your apartment to check up on you

TIME AFTER TIME by @intrepidacious | series - ongoing | After what starts out as a fairly normal mission, you find yourself stuck in a time loop. Which would already be bad enough in itself if it didn’t also mean having to watch Bucky die over and over again.

The Course of Love by @motsdouxdejanie | OS | Your clueless best friend has been oblivious to your feelings for two whole years, regardless of how many hints you drop. However, it seems that your situation may not be as hopeless as you think.

Pick Up & Delivery by @sweetascanbeebee | OS - Modern AU | You order pizza from your favorite shop, and a little surprise comes with it

Three Hundred by @adrinktostopyourthirst | OS | Bucky always makes sure his best friend is okay, because that is what you need. He's caring, but very passive and nonchalant, because you need it. Not him. He doesn't need that. He doesn't need you. Does he?

Forgotten Keys and Warm Tea by @fandoms-writings | OS - Modern AU | Your date was horrible, you’re locked out of your apartment, and the rain soaked through your dress. Luckily, the only other person awake at this hour is your neighbor, and he’s more than willing to help you. 

BLIND ROADS by @intrepidacious | OS | “I’m James Bucky Barnes. This is my charming fiancée. We rob banks.” (or, the Bonnie and Clyde AU literally no one asked for.)

The Quest for Love by @sgtjbuccky | series completed | (Modern-Day!AU) Work has always been a priority for Bucky, leaving things like love long forgotten, and for him it’s no problem, but for Sam and Steve it is the biggest problem to grace this earth. Fed up with Bucky and his constants protest and avoidance of love, they set him up on a series of dates to find the girl of his dreams with the help of the magical spirit of December. Only for Bucky to realize that love isn’t always found where one goes looking for it, but may be close by.  

Resolutions by @starry-eyed-queen-16 | OS | New Year’s resolution to date more this year, which is making your best friend bummed for some reason

Rain Therapy by @stardustdreams-andcaffeine | OS | The line between friends and lovers is impossibly thin, yet somehow the hardest line to cross. It’s a line that you and Bucky just can’t seem to break, but it’s nothing one of Tony’s infamous parties can’t fix.

Almost Believing by @intrepidacious | OS | You and Bucky aren’t exactly on speaking terms at the moment. That doesn’t mean you’re getting out of having to pretend to be married for a mission.

Warrior/Worrier by @delaber | OS |  After a mission gone awry, Bucky finds himself on your doorstep in the middle of the night.

Steve

Stepping on Toes by @writing-for-marvel | OS - 40's | Despite observing his feelings for Peggy, you couldn’t help but fall for Steve Rogers - then he asks you to teach him how to dance.

quiet is the life by @pellucid-constellations | OS | Steve didn’t mean to fall in love with you—not when his life had become a high-speed chase, him against the law. But he did, and you brought a comfort he never thought he’d know. In return, he brought danger. You didn’t seem to mind. 

Always you by @fangirlovestuff | OS - modern AU | You’ve met Steve and Bucky in middle school. Now, at Bucky’s wedding, some important information is revealed, and some important realizations are made in its wake. Steve was your first crush, Bucky was your first boyfriend. You three have stayed friends through it all, but now, when your best-friend-with-benefits Steve asks for your help, will the dynamic shift?

bug and bear by @real-jane | OS | you’re set to marry a man you’re not sure you even like, but the person going to all the appointments with you is your life-long best friend.

MOVING ON by @intrepidacious | OS | He gets caught up in the lines and the streak of sunshine on your skin, until you catch him staring and raise a questioning eyebrow, so he looks away, reluctantly, unable to hide the small grin that appears on his face.

The Garden by @wkemeup | OS | Months after you disappeared on a mission and are presumed dead, Steve is still struggling to hold himself together. But when he confronts a dangerous target on a mission in Lisbon, Steve’s world is turned upside down. 

i’m listening (between the lines) by @bucky-fricking-barnes | OS | Y/N is in charge of reviewing the Avengers’ mission reports, and when Steve brings her coffee to apologize for all the paperwork, something more comes of it.

BROOKLYN, THURSDAY NIGHT by @intrepidacious | OS | It’s the third Thanksgiving after the Blip, and you’ve become a habit Steve’s unable to shake.

#stucky x reader #fic recs #bucky x reader #steve x reader #steve rogers x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x you #steve x you #marvel fanfictions #recommendations