Y/N woke up that morning, more than a little excited, but a little sad too. Today was her birthday, a day that she usually cherished, a day planned to the brim, and enough treats to fill a bakery. But this was the first year that she was spending it with the Avengers, and the first year she'd actually told no one it was her birthday. This year, her birthday fell on a holiday, and not a fun one like Halloween or the Fourth of July like Steve. This holiday was a lot more somber, though there were parades and parties, it was a day to remember those that couldn't be at those events. Today was Memorial Day, and she knew being in a house with soldiers, this day was about the friends and comrades they'd lost more than it was sharing cake with her.

She hadn't always felt this way, already dreaming of her birthday a few weeks back, wondering if she could convince Tony to scale back his usually overboard parties. Y/N was on her phone in the common room, adding things to her Pintrest board when she overheard Sam talking to Nat about the time he spent at the VA. She knew he'd lost a very close friend not all that long ago, little pangs of guilt started creeping into her brain. At first, she thought she was being silly, but when she heard Sam had made plans to meet with some other veterans, and take Steve and Bucky with him, Y/N squashed her ideas of a party altogether, deciding it was best to let the day pass.

Heading into the kitchen, she decided on making herself some cereal for breakfast, huffing slightly at the sight of all the bowls on the higher shelves. It did not pay to be short in Stark Tower. Reaching on her tip toes, her fingers grazed the edges, and she prepared herself to catch a bowl if it fell, before a metal arm slipped around her waist, the other grabbing a bowl down with ease for her.

"Sorry Shortcake. I put up the dishes last night, forgot to leave some down where you can reach." Bucky teased, kissing the top of her head lightly. Bucky and Steve had been in a relationship for about a year before she took residence in the tower, coming to terms with feelings they never really expressed before the war. Wanda was the first one to pick up on the affection the soldiers began to show her over the past couple of months, but they hadn't put an official label on it. Turning in his arms, she smiled, seeing him in a dark gray dress shirt and slacks, gloves sticking out of his pocket if he decided he needed to hide his arm.

"You look really nice today, Buck."

"Yeah? Think so? This collar's kinda choking. Haven't had to wear one quite like this since my Sergeant days." He hummed in appreciation as her hands busied themselves around his neck, fixing his collar so it looked good without being so stiff.

"What plans do you have today, little miss?" Y/N bit her lip, a little unsure. She'd originally planned on brunch with him and Steve, but that obviously wasn't going to happen.

"Oh nothing. May head into the city for a while, do some shopping, get lost." Maybe she'd stop in her favorite diner for lunch and buy herself something nice, a gift to herself. Bucky took hold of her hands, swinging them lightly.

"Well, don't go getting too lost, maybe me you and Stevie can get dinner later, huh? I know you've been wanting to try that little Vietnamese place we saw the other day."

"Sounds like a plan, Barnes. Now you better finish getting ready, you know Sam likes to be prompt."

When Bucky left, Y/N finished her cereal, heading back upstairs to get ready. The day seemed ready for a celebration, sunny and warm with just the slightest of breezes. Changing into one of her favorite outfits, her spirits were higher than they'd been in days, and she was prepared to celebrate her day alone.

Y/N was still out when the soldiers returned from the VA and the cemetery, Steve and Sam finding Tony in the lab, chewing his thumb out of nerves.

"What's got you so worked up?" Steve asked, grabbing a chair, Sam doing the same.

"I can't believe she didn't tell us. How could she not? How did I not look it up?"

"Tony, you gotta breathe a minute and tell us what the issue is." Sam leaned over, Y/N's picture and information pulled up on the screen in front of Tony.

"I was doing some updates on FRIDAY, and part of that was adding Y/N's information into the database. Which is when I noticed it."

"Noticed what?" Steve was concerned, wondering if he should call for Bucky. Was something wrong?

"Today's her birthday. Why didn't she tell us?" All three of them shared a look, wondering why Y/N would hide that from them? Steve pulled out his phone, and began sending messages.

"What are you up to?" Sam asked him, watching as a small smile appeared on the Captain's face.

"Oh nothing."

Y/N was putting her things away in the car, getting ready to head back to the compound when she received a text from Steve.

[Steve] you coming home any time soon, pretty girl?

[Y/N] on my way home now, Stevie. Need something?

His response made her smile.

[Steve] You.

Once she reached the compound, Y/N started overthinking, a usual bad habit of hers. She'd bought herself a few things she'd been holding off for a while on, what had changed? As the elevator doors opened, she was met with another concern. Everyone was in the common room, even down to Pepper and Morgan.

"I guess the gang's all here?"

"Y/N!" Morgan squealed, racing from her mother's lap, "I made you a picture!" Almost shoving it in her face, Morgan had done her best to draw most of them, but it was the scrawly letters at the top that took her off guard. It was misspelled and hard to read, but there was no doubt it said Happy Birthday.

"Shortcake." Bucky called, grabbing her hands very similarly to the way he held them earlier that morning.

"Why didn't you tell us today was your birthday?" Y/N hung her head, not even wanting to know how they found out.

"Because, its Memorial Day. It's a day to remember, not a day for parties." It was Sam's turn to hang his head, knowing she'd heard him that day.

"It was good for you, Steve, and Sam to go spend time with the other soldiers today, for them and for you guys. That's more important than cake and ice cream." Sam stepped beside her, silently pulling her into a hug, his lips to her ear before he began to speak.

"Today may be a day marked on a calendar to remember those that fought and died, but they fought so we can do things like celebrate you. Losing Riley hurt like hell, but I can tell you what helps. Watching the way you help Peter and Morgan with their homework. Or bake cakes with Wanda. Or how you always sit on the balcony to read on a sunny day. I'm sorry I helped make you feel like you weren't as important. I don't need a certain day on a calendar to remember my friends. This is your day. And we'll be damned if we don't celebrate you on it." Y/N was a teary mess by the time he was done, sniffling as he pulled back. Steve had appeared by then, brushing away her tears with his thumbs.

"Now. There may or may not be some cheesecake, ice cream, and caramel sauce in the fridge for a certain birthday girl..."

"And me too?" Morgan asked, big eyes full of hope. Y/N picked her up, placing her on her hip.

"Of course, you too." Bucky laughed, kissing Y/N on her cheek.