#basic story

Season 5 Episode 12: Basic Story

*tap tap* is this thing on?

Hi! It is i, returning to finish Season 5. I made an update post recently about why I haven’t been keeping up with this, but also as I said, it isn’t dead either. 

I also have the urge to do a rewatch bc I feel so distanced from the show that it would feel like... returning to it? I think it would be interesting. Lmk if you’d want to read my stream-of-conscious rewatch posts bc i might do that if/when i rewatch (much lower effort than making these lolol)

anyway

Outfit 1: Coral and Gray Striped Hoodie appearance #2: reviewed here

Outfit 2: Pale Green and Pink Flannel appearance #2: reviewed here

EDIT: Originally listed as a new flannel but it is not!

Outfit 3: Gray Diamond Cardigan

Classification: Cardigan

Rating: 4.5/5

The war dragged on. Bucky hated that he didn’t get to see you anymore, but it was nice working with Steve and the Howlies. He’s pretty sure that the only reason he survived this war was because of your letters. Something that Steve and the other boys had teased him about but Bucky didn’t care. As the war drew to a close all he cared about was finally seeing you again.

Once they’d successfully blown up the last Hydra base The Howlies got word that they were headed home. At last. Bucky was so excited that his hand shook when he wrote to you that he was coming home. You’d promised to be there, at the dock in New York to meet him.

Bucky and Steve are crammed on the side of the ship, shore is so close that he swears that he can see faces.

“She’ll be here Buck.” Steve offers, he knows exactly where Peggy is so he’s feeling much more relaxed than Bucky is feeling.

“I can’t wait for you to meet her Steve.” Bucky says scanning the crowd pointlessly. “She’s amazing.”

“She must be to put up with you.” Peggy teases as she makes her way through the crowd of men to Steve’s other side.

“Yea yea.” Bucky grumbles as Steve laughs softly.

It takes almost two hours to get everyone off of the ship and through processing. Bucky isn’t the only anxious man in the bunch and the officers seem to be going at warp speed to get everyone processed. Bucky steps out into the New York sunshine behind Steve and Peggy and immediately starts scanning the area for you. He sees some of the Howlies greeting their families, he’d asked his to stay home so he could bring you along to meet them. There are other men that he recognizes from the 107th as well as some from the few basic trainings he’s done. Unfortunately Dodge is one of those men, he hadn’t said anything about you anywhere near Bucky since the first incident but that doesn’t mean Bucky likes the man.

It’s not until he hears the crack of skin hitting skin that he realizes that Dodge’s larger body is blocking a smaller one.

“Touch me again Dodge and see what happens.” Your furious voice comes from behind Dodge and Bucky sees red. He stalks over but before he can even lay a hand on Dodge Peggy beats him to it.

“You’re disgusting Dodge.” She sneers after punching him too. Dodge is bleeding from his nose and has a black eye and before he can move to take revenge on either of you Steve shoves him away then stands there glaring down at him with his righteous Captain America scowl on his face.

“Peggy Carter always charging into trouble.” You say with a wide smile.

“Only to cover your ass darling.” Peggy teases back before giving you a tight hug. “I brought you someone.” Peggy says softly as she releases you and turns you toward Bucky.

“Hi Doll.” He breathes, now that you’re in front of him it’s like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

“James Barnes you get over here this instant and kiss me or I’m going to find me a soldier who will.”

“Yes ma’am.” Bucky smiles before pulling you into his arms and pressing a kiss to your lips. Your fingers find his scalp and when you drag your nails softly across his scalp he groans lowly. His hands tightening slightly on your waist, god it’s so wonderful to be able to kiss you. You pull away from him and grin up at him.

“Much better.” You tell him and he chuckles.

“So, you’re friends with Peggy huh?”

“Yea, we did our first training together. God we were so green.” You say giving Peggy a fond smile.

“I’d like to introduce you to Steve.”

“Miss Poppy.” Steve says reaching out and taking one of your hands in his. He gives it a gentle squeeze and you squeeze his hand back with a smile.

“Please, just Poppy is fine.”

“Buck hasn’t shut up about you since I found him in the Hydra base.” Bucky sees your eyes cloud over at the memory. “I’ve been looking forward to returning the favor of all the embarrassing stories he’s been telling Peg.” Bucky groans dramatically and you laugh.

“Oh I can’t wait.” You tease Bucky but he can’t find it in himself to care much. Bucky takes one of your hands in his then leads you, Peggy and Steve through the crowd of returning servicemen and their families.

“I’d like to bring you to meet my ma.” Bucky says softly, so there’s no pressure from Steve or Peg for you to come.

“I’d like that.” You agree.

“It’ll be nice because she’ll be meetin’ Peg too so they won’t just ask you a million questions. You know Steve’s parents aren’t around anymore so he’ll want to bring Peg to meet my family.”

“That’s real sweet. And that’ll be nice, sharing the attention.” You admit quietly as the four of you make your way down the street away from the dock. “Why weren’t they there to meet you?”

“At the docks?” You nod, “well Doll, I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable with my ma and sister.”

“Oh.” You seem surprised, “Thanks Buck.”

“Anything for you Doll.” He says quietly and you give his hand a squeeze before he presses a quick kiss to the top of your head.

He knows that you’re going to win over his ma and Becca. You’re just the kind of woman they’d want him to be with. One with a big heart but won’t take crap from anyone. A girl who will be his partner in his life, not some passive bystander.

As soon as he can get one Bucky’s gonna get his hands on a ring. He’s gonna buy a house just outside the city, and he’s going to ask you to marry him.

He really should’ve thanked Dodge for being such a jerk.

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“Yes Sir.” You say placing the tray on the small table just to the side of the door.

“Not you,” General Phillips tells you, “Sargent Barnes.” General Phillips says looking at the incredibly handsome soldier in front of you.

“Sir?”

“Didn’t McMillen send you?”

“No sir.” Sargent Barnes says and god his voice is so pretty.

“Oh well, you’re here. You’ll do.” General Phillips says with a shrug.

“I’m not following along Sir.” Sargent Barnes says his dark eyebrows furrowing. Good lord he’s handsome.

“You’re going to be the ladies chaperone while they’re here.”

“Excuse me?” You ask, “General I don’t need to bother Sargent Barnes. I can keep an eye on all the girls myself, I usually do at other bases.”

“I heard you already went toe to toe with Dodge. I don’t need your girls distracting my men.”

“Isn’t that exactly what they’ll be doing to Sargent Barnes?”

“I don’t think he’ll be distracted by your girls. Do you Sargent?”

“No sir.” Sargent Barnes agrees with the slightest of smirks and you narrow your eyes at him.

“I’m not going to be able to talk you out of this one am I General?” You ask, giving him your most innocent look. “I just wouldn’t want to interfere with Sargent Barnes’ training.”

“He’ll get in his training. He’s just escorting you and your girls to and from your barracks, to the mess hall and to your trainings. You’ll need to give him a full schedule.”

“I don’t even have a full schedule General. I have nine girls, three that are training for nursing, two are mechanics, three are clerical staff and one is a driver. How do you expect me to have a schedule for that?”

“Get one and get it to Barnes.” General Phillips growls, “you’ve got a night guard coming too.”

“Why all the security General?” You challenge, this is unusual.

“Because, these men have been without women for a long time and I’m not taking any chances.” You stare at him in horror as realization dawns.

“I’d like a gun then.”

“You have a gun. Your guard will all be carrying them.”

“That’s not good enough. I don’t know any of them.”

“Fine. You know how to use it?” General Phillips grouches and you nod, you hope your lie isn’t obvious. “I’ll have it to you tomorrow morning. Barnes you’re on duty until midnight. Be back at 0700.”

“Yes sir.” Sargent Barnes says then General Phillips turns and heads back toward his own barracks.

“You don’t know how to use a gun do ya?” Sargent Barnes asks with a small smile.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Sargent Barnes.” You huff folding your arms over your chest as you glare up at him. Sargent Barnes laughs softly, shaking his head at you. He pulls his own gun from his waist and hands it to you.

“Show me then ma’am.” He says and you take the handgun from his hands like it’s a bomb. You had no idea it was going to be this heavy, you can feel Sargent Barnes’ eyes on you, you can bet that there’s a smirk on his face. You don’t look up at him. “Ma’am?”

“Okay fine.” You snap shoving the gun back into his hands. “I don’t know how to use it. But I can learn.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell ma’am.”

“Stop calling me ma’am.” You grumble as he tucks his gun back into its holder.

“What would you like me to call you then? Miss?”

“No, you can call me Poppy.”

“Is that your name?”

“No, they were my mom’s favorite flower. She called me that and it just kind of stuck.”

“All right, Poppy it is.” He says, small puffs of his breath visible in the late evening air. “I have a deal to make you.” He says softly.

“What’s that?”

“I’ll teach you how to use the gun if you let me be your guard, without fight.” You scowl up at him for a second weighing your options.

“Fine.” You grumble through your teeth and a bright grin lights his face. “But I’m warning you Sargent Barnes-“

“Bucky.” He interrupts and you look up at him in confusion.

“Pardon?”

“Please, call me Bucky.”

“Okay?” You shake your head to get back on track, “you don’t get to get any closer to my girls than any of the other men.”

“Don’t worry Poppy, I’m not interested in any of those girls.”

“You have a girl back home?”

“You jealous?” He teases and you purse your lips at him.

“Of what?” You ask raising a brow at him and he chuckles.

“You should eat before your food gets cold.” He says softly and you nod once.

“Thanks again for that Bucky.” You say over your shoulder before heading back into your small cabin and closing the door.

He completely disarms you. He’s so incredibly handsome with those piercing blue eyes and that dark brown hair. His jaw is square and you long to slide your fingers along it. His quick retorts and his offer to teach you to handle a gun is, sweet. You’re not sure of his motives but you know that you’ve got to be on your guard with him.

Your meal is lukewarm at best but for military food it’s not horrible. You get ready for bed quickly, then tuck the chair under your door handle to keep anyone out. You’d told the girls to do the same thing, just as an extra measure of security, then climb into the small cot that you’ve been given to sleep on. It’s not comfortable to be sure but it’s better than what the troops are getting overseas so you won’t complain.

You’re not quite sure how you’re supposed to come up with a schedule for the girls to give to Bucky but you’ll figure that out in the morning. You settle into the pillow and sigh softly. Morning is going to come fast, your waralarm is set for 0500 and it’s been a long day but you can’t seem to get your brain to shut off.

And you can’t help but blame a certain soldier for that.

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Basic training was the worst. And Bucky Barnes was not the only one who thought this. At least, he thought that basic training was the worst, now he’s sure that winter training is the worst.

It’s always cold. He can’t shake the cold. In Wisconsin, it seems like all there is is cold, snow, wind and trees. Although, he did hear something about a new crew of nurses or secretaries coming in for some winter training of their own. The rest of the 108th has been talking about it all week but here was Friday, they had their only day off tomorrow and not a new secretary or nurse was in sight.

He and Gabe are trudging toward the mess hall, they can hear it long before they can see it, when an army bus comes into view. Bucky freezes, Gabe nearly crashing into him.

“What the hell Barnes.” Gabe hisses as he stops short too.

“Girls.” Is all Bucky manages before the door opens and the first of the girls come trooping out and scurrying to the mess hall. You’re the last one out, a clipboard in your mitten covered hand. You look exasperated as you watch all the girls scurry toward the mess hall. You flip your hood up, tug your scarf up over your nose then follow more slowly. Your bright eyes meet his and they narrow when a smile lights his face, he freezes and Gabe laughs over his shoulder. Bucky watches as you move into the mess hall after the other girls then punches Gabe in the shoulder before starting after you.

By the time Bucky gets into the room you’ve corralled the rest of the girls into a corner and are counting them to make sure you have them all. You look sternly at two of the girls who are making eyes at two soldiers. The group of nine girls head for the food and then sit together, you follow them. Bucky hurries into line behind you and when you feel the presence of another body behind you you turn and scowl up at him again.

“Can I help you soldier?” You ask folding your arms across your chest.

“No ma’am, just thought you should know you’ve got the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.”

“Yea?” You ask but it rings false, your gaze narrows again, “You stay away from my girls blue. They’ve got enough to learn without you all distracting them.”

“Bucky.” He says softly, just barely biting back the smile on his face.

“What?”

“My name is Bucky Barnes ma’am.”

“Barnes!” A voice rings out and Bucky bites back a groan. It’s Dodge, big, blonde and every commander’s favorite, it’s the other guys who hate him. “You bugging the pretty lady?” He asks with what Bucky assumes is supposed to be a charming smile and he can’t wait for you to knock Dodge on his ass.

“Why thank you.” You say sweetly, a wide smile on your face, and Bucky is confused. Are you honestly fooled by this jackass? “Girls, pay attention.” You call and the nine girls all give you their attention. “This is what desperation looks like.” You say gesturing to Dodge. “This soldier,” you practically spit the word, “hasn’t seen a woman in weeks and will try to charm and flatter you into his bed. Should I find out any of you has been there you will be dismissed immediately. This is war, not a husband store. If that is why you’re here, tell me now so I don’t waste my time training you.” You look at the women in front of you who stare back, some with fear on their faces, others determination. “What’s your name soldier?” You ask Dodge but he just glares down at you.

“His name is Joseph Dodge ma’am.”

“Thank you private Barnes.”

“Sargent ma’am.” Bucky corrects and you nod.

“Dodge, if I see you anywhere near any of my girls, I’ll kick your ass myself do you understand me?”

“Yes.” Dodge mutters and Bucky elbows him, “ma’am.” Dodge spits out before turning and stalking away.

“Ma’am, could I have a word?” Bucky asks softly and when you give him a curt nod he steps slightly closer so he can speak quietly. “Dodge isn’t someone to mess around with. He’s a mean son of a - I mean he’s not safe to go at like that.”

“I will not be afraid of him Sargent Barnes.”

“I understand that ma’am, I just wanted to let you know to be careful.”

“Thank you.” You say the stern look leaving your face for a moment before quickly returning. “Alright ladies we’ve got more to do tonight, let’s go.” You tell them and the nine girls gather up their food and get rid of what’s left. Bucky notices you didn’t eat as you follow the girls out of the mess hall once more. The rest of the room watches too before the teasing begins which only leads to the mess hall going back to normal.

Bucky eats his own meal quickly, a plan slowly forming in his head. He was going to win you over, he had to.

“Cookie.” He says after dumping his tray. “Gimme a plate for the leader of the girls would ya?”

“What?”

“She asked me to bring her some food.” He lies, “she didn’t get a chance to eat.” Cookie stares at him dumbly for a moment before shrugging one shoulder and passing Bucky a plate full of food.

It’s almost scary how easy it is to find out where the girls are staying, he really just follows the trail of gawking men to the two sets of small buildings. Before he quite knows what he’s going to say he knocks on the door and when it swings open to reveal a red headed woman he knows he’s got the wrong barracks.

“I’m lookin’ for your commanding officer.”

“Miss is in the other barrack.” The red head informs him and Bucky nods.

“Thank you.” He turns and makes his way to the other smaller building and knocks twice. When the door swings open and you register who he is that irritated look is back on your face.

“Yes Sargent Barnes?”

“Noticed you didn’t eat and thought you might want some dinner is all.” You eye him warily,

“How did you convince them to let you bring this to me?”

“May have lied a little ma’am. Said you asked me to bring it to you so you could get the girls out of the mess hall.” He says giving you his best attempt at a bashful smile. Bucky Barnes has never been bashful a day in his life but it must work because you take the tray of food from him with a nod.

“Oh good,” General Phillips says striding forward. “You’re already here.”

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