#buckyfic

B = Body part (Their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner's)

•His favorite body part of his is his arms, despite the hate he has for his metal arm, you have also helped him learn to love it (to an extent) as he knew how excited it made you when he fucked you on his metal fingers or wrapped them around your throat

•His favorite body part of yours is your ass, one of his absolute favorite ways to fuck you is to hoist you up with his hands squeezing your ass, an action that makes you even more horny when thinking about how strong your soldier is

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically... I'm a disgusting person)

•He had never really gotten blowjobs before meeting you however it has quickly become his favorite thing to do to you, fucking your throat before coming on your face or tits

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

•If he has to Masterbate he prefers to do it with his metal hand, it feels as if someone else is the one doing it which always feels better than his own hand

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they're doing?)

•Some

•Bucky wasn't a virgin by any means but he wasn't a man whore either. He had had a few girlfriends in his life that he had slept with but he was also a gentleman who wouldn't pressure girls into fucking him

•Once he became the Winter Soldier he didn't have sex for a very long time and after Wakanda he still wasn't all that great with women, until he met you and his awkwardness was almost charming

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying)

•You had showed Bucky many new things, him usually only having been with a girl in missionary however his favorite position now is having you ride him, whether it's his cock or his face he doesn't care

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

•He can be incredibly serious, especially after you once again risk your life on a mission and he's desperate to feel you

•However that's not all the time. Most of the time he loves to play with you, tease you

•Goofy may not be quite the right word but he is not always serious

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

•He doesn't allow it to get unruly, at least not in this time period, but he is a fairly hairy guy

•Before the war and Hydra however, grooming wasn't something he did down there, he kept it clean, not necessarily tidy

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect...)

•He used to be a huge romantic and it took him a while to get back into the groove of it

•Times change and so do, it seems, things women find romantic but you are an old soul. After talking to you about things you find romantic he figured it out again quickly

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

•Only when one of you is on a mission, when you're there he doesn't see the point now that your relationship has become as serious as it has, although when you were just dating he felt like he was jacking himself raw with how often he needed to get off

•Although you had helped him on a few missions over the phone, he doesn't think that really counts but you assure him it does

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

•He'd never really done it before the war but he'd found when researching this new world full of way more acceptance towards sex that he had a bit of a thing for Primal Play, he loved chasing you especially

•He didn't really see this as a kink but you weren't quite convinced when he bought you a dress, the kind of dress that hadn't been worn in like 80 years, but it turned him on and brought him back to a happier time so you were more than happy to wear it for him

L = Location (Favorite places to do the deed)

•James Barnes had always been a risk taker when it came to sex, he's happy to fuck you anywhere

•His favorite place being Tony's lab when no one was around and he convinced FRIDAY to turn off the cameras to put your mind at ease

•His favorite thing is when you sneak into the meeting room before everyone and hide under the table, he denies it and pretends to be angry but you know he loves the surprise blowjobs you give him

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

•He spent 70 years without so much as touching himself, watching you make a sandwich turns him on

N = NO (Something they wouldn't do, turn offs)

•Anything to do with piss play

•Blood play is a big no-no, he doesn't like the idea of causing you any kind of pain

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

•Like most men receiving will always be his favorite

•He'd never given oral before the war however when you brought up the subject he wasn't against it in any way, you knew he would try just about anything for you and once he tried it you could barely pull him off of you, he would eat you until you passed out

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

•He could do slow and romantic when it was a special occasion or when you were feeling needy but more often than not he would be fucking the shit out of you, he loved the noises you made when he went hard

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

•He's always down for a quickie, before a meeting, before a mission...on a mission...

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

•He is happy to fuck you just about anywhere and even more happy to eat you anywhere

•He would lay you over anything, anywhere just to bury his face in your cunt

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last...)

•Supersoldier

•Is there anything else that needs to be said?

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

•He was against them for quite a while until he came home from a mission to find you playing with a vibrator, the noises it caused you to make, some of them he had never heard from you before…he didn't like that, he made you teach him about every toy you had and even researched more on his own to buy for you

U = Unfair (How much they like to tease)

•Bucky has to be in a certain mood to tease you, when he is it'll go on for hours but more than anything he would rather make you cum as many times as possible

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

•When he fucks you he grunts and moans, sometimes even growls

•The only time he really gets loud is when you wrap those pretty lips he loves so much around his cock, then everyone would know exactly what you're doing

W = Wild Card (Get a random Headcanon for the character of your choice)

•One thing Bucky loves is seeing that peaceful look on your face while you're asleep, and you're such a deep sleeper how can he be expected to resist

•You had talked about it before when he realized he wanted to do it (as he would never do anything without your permission) and you had given him express permission, since then he's been fucking you in your sleep every chance he gets

•The relaxed and peaceful look on your face just did something to him, he would rock into you calmly, kiss your cheeks and lips, sometimes over your eyelids and nothing helped him fall asleep better than that

X = X-Ray (Let's see what's going on in those pants, picture or words)

•He admitted to you once the serum did something for his cock just as it had for his other muscles, he had grown from what he assumed was about 5 inches to 8 and gained quite a bit of thickness

•He stretched you out so good you couldn't imagine ever wanting anything other than his cock again, in fact you had insisted he make you a dildo shaped just like him

•(He was getting it for you for your birthday next month, as soon and he figured out exactly how it works, the instructions are misleading...maybe he'll ask Steve for help, at least he's get a laugh out of the look on his best friends face)

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

•He could go for hours if you wanted him to

•After about 6 rounds with him you usually had to tap out (or pass out) but he always knew he could go a bit more once you fell asleep

Z = ZZZ (... how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

•He stays up for quite some time after cleaning you up, sometimes fucking you again but usually just watching you sleep, it made him happy to see that peaceful look on your face without a stress or worry in the world

•When you didn't pass out however he enjoyed cleaning you up, getting you a drink and putting on a movie, rubbing your back until you did finally drift off

---

You stood in front of the mirror, squinting at the small, circular scar that sat a few inches left of your belly button. It had healed remarkably well in the few weeks you’d been home. You tilted your head slightly, musing that if it weren’t for the weird, lightning-esque burn marks that sprouted from it in every direction, you probably would’ve been able to pass it off as a birthmark. You just shrugged at your reflection, turned and hopped in the shower.

Readjusting to normal life had been difficult, the hardest part being figuring out exactly what ‘normal’ meant now. The city was still littered with various memorials and floral tributes, some fresh, some neglected; any noise louder than a car horn made every pedestrian in the street flinch and shake with terror; new charities for people who’d lost homes and businesses were canvassing on the streets constantly while tabloid journalists spent their days trying desperately to weed out and expose the numerous scammers amongst them. 

Thankfully, though, the biggest inconvenience you’d experienced so far was the messed up subway timetables due to various tunnels caving in. Despite your injury, you felt like you’d gotten away lightly- missing the immediate aftermath was a blessing that not many in the city were afforded.

Unfortunately, your good luck stopped there. You’d barely heard from Bucky at all and you hadn’t seen him in person since he dropped you off at your place all those weeks ago. It was understandable, the whole fucking world was now obsessed with “The Avengers” and he was caught up in the eye of that storm, but you couldn’t help feeling a bit like you’d been abandoned. After everything the two of you had been through, it was really hurtful that he’d stayed away for so long.

After making yourself presentable and pulling on your work uniform, you left your apartment, giving a wide berth to the bulldozer working on one of the many potholes in the sidewalk. You wandered onto the subway and managed to find a seat opposite two well-groomed guys in suits, both reading from the same newspaper. They definitely weren’t siblings, they looked nothing alike, but were they a couple? You stared for a few seconds. Their thighs were touching, but that was nothing remarkable on the cramped subway cars, especially now there were half as many services as usual. Both were wearing wedding bands, but they were different colours. This was a tough one.

You smiled to yourself, remembering how god-awful Bucky was at this game. Even after hours of playing it at the window he’d never guess right. One time you saw what was very clearly an elderly mother with her son, probably heading to some kind of special family function judging by their outfits, and he outright refused to accept that they weren’t a couple. None of your watertight evidence could sway him. You pulled a muscle in your stomach laughing, he just muttered something under his breath about how age wasn’t everything in a relationship.

You shook off the daydream and lazily wandered your gaze down to the front page of the newspaper. An audible gasp escaped your lips when you read the headline, drawing the attention of the few commuters in the car without headphones. It read:

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?

“Avengers” injured in botched overseas operation

Without thinking you leant forward and snatched the paper, rapidly flicking through the pages to find the full article. There was no real information in there, which you should have anticipated- they’d obviously just received a leak comprised of a single sentence and milked it for every dime it was worth. One word did catch your attention, however. Stark. If he had any information on Bucky then, so help you god, you’d get it out of him.

---

Standing in front of Stark Tower, the righteous confidence you’d felt so strongly on that subway car was starting to waver a little. The confrontation had gone remarkably well in your head but now you were starting to realise how stupidly fucking naive it was to think you’d even get an audience with the guy who owns this place. He probably wasn't even in.

You took a deep breath and pushed open the door, doing your very best to look nonchalant in front of the armed security guards while hurrying over to the front desk. The receptionist was staring at his monitor and typing furiously. You cleared your throat, but he didn’t look up. Looking around, you noticed an old-fashioned call bell sitting on the counter- probably an ironic gift from a colleague, maybe for secret Santa. You hit it. He winced and threw out his hand to silence it.

‘How can I help?’

‘I need to talk to Tony Stark.’

He laughed. 'Do you have an appointment?'

'No, but it's urgent.' An unconvinced eyebrow was raised in your direction. ‘It’s about James Barnes.’

‘What about him?’

‘I know him.’

‘So does the rest of the world, sweetie.’

You rubbed your forehead, trying to collect your thoughts. ‘Look, I was with him after the attack, I got hurt and he helped. I’m his friend. Can you tell Stark that, please? I need to know if he’s alright.’

You could feel tears welling in your eyes as you spoke. The receptionist conceded, picking up the phone and waving you over to the seating area, probably figuring it’d be easier to get rid of you with a firm no from up high. He waited in silence for a minute or so before speaking into the receiver in a tone too hushed for you to hear. He frowned, gave you a very confused glance, and whispered again. Then he hung up.

‘Well, looks like it’s your lucky day,’ he gestured towards the elevator, ‘top floor.’

You had no idea how the hell you pulled that off. You strolled over, hit the button and turned to watch the display beside the doors tick slowly upwards. It was only two floors from the top when you suddenly realised that your whole planned confrontation had completely melted out of your head.

There was a loud ding as the doors slid open and you shuffled forwards, finding yourself in an incredibly extravagant penthouse with a view of the whole city. A stern-looking man with an angular beard and dark glasses approached you, not lifting his gaze from the phone he was tapping at hurriedly. As he got closer you noticed a few small cuts and bruises littered across his face.

‘Tell me what you told the guy behind the desk.’

He still wasn’t looking up, his abrupt questioning catching you off guard. You scrambled for a second and he clicked his fingers impatiently.

‘I’m a friend of James, I want to know if he’s alright.’

‘Wrong. Tell me what you said.’

‘I dont-’ you could feel your face starting to heat up, ‘I just- I’m confused.’

‘It’s a simple question.’

‘I don’t remember.’

He was obviously irritated, sighing as he dropped his hands and met your gaze for the first time. ‘You’re the one who got shot, right?’

You nodded, too intimidated to do much else.

‘Show me.’ He gestured towards your stomach, noting your trepidation as he did so. ‘Look, I need proof that you are who you say you are if we're going to continue this conversation.’

You nodded again, grabbing a fistful of your shirt and hesitantly lifting it to reveal the eerie-looking scar.

‘Gross,’ he gestured for you to cover up, ‘alright.’

Turning on his heels, he stormed across the floor towards a circular seating area. You guessed that you were supposed to follow him. The shiny floor squeaked under your cheap shoes, your cheeks flushing when you caught a glimpse of yourself in the huge windows and remembered that you were still wearing your barista uniform. Stark waved you into a seat.

‘Alright, so your boyfriend is in Siberia, he-’

‘Siberia?’

‘Yes. He was doing some recon when we lost him, we thought-’

‘Lost him?’

‘Can you not talk unless you have something useful to add, please?’ You smiled apologetically. ‘Thank you. Basically, what we thought was a small, residual Hydra cell turned out to be a big operation and we were outnumbered. Some of us were injured, but there was a party we lost track of. Bucky’s party. He’s probably fine, we just don’t know-’

Stark clocked the confusion on your scrunched-up face. He sighed loudly, using one hand to brace himself against the table while the other moved to lift up his glasses and aggressively rub his eyes.

‘Go on.’

‘...Hydra?’

‘Jesus Christ.’ He collapsed into the seat behind him. ‘Y’know what, it doesn’t even matter. All you need to know is that he’s probably fine but, if he's been captured, it could be very bad. We think it would be a good idea for someone he’s close with to be nearby, just in case.’

‘In case what?’

He shot you a warning look but this time you didn’t back down. Your heart was in your throat, you were getting desperate for answers.

‘Look, I don’t have much time, I just came back here to scramble some more manpower and tech. I’m leaving in a few hours, are you coming or not?’

‘To Siberia?’

‘No, to Disney World. Are you sure you didn’t get shot in the brain?’

---

Part 3

The wind that blew around you was warm and sweet with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers. Perhaps it was an act of kindness from some God trying to distract you from the cold bitterness settling into your bones. Closing your eyes you conjure the very memory that left you so desolate.

The sun snuck it's way through the curtains to illuminate the room, effectively disturbing the sleep that you always seemed to be craving. Waking up is always hassle but whenever you remember that you get to spend your day with the only person who tolerates you and you him, getting out of bed is the easiest thing. Bucky is crazy and the damn boy is never in one spot for to long and he always has something to say, but you can't imagine how boring your days would be if you guys had never met. well technically if your parents had never met.

When you were a child you parents had to move to new york for business and they decided that Brooklyn was the place to be. You had been Bucky's neighbor and the first day you guys moved in his mom had dragged him over with the most delicious angel food cake that he so proudly claimed to have made mostly on his own. He just loved cooking and baking since forever, he would tell you that he just liked experimenting with foods but you knew the truth was that the boy liked to eat and didn't have the patience to wait for his mother to come home.

Only a few years after your family had moved to Brooklyn you and Bucky had already built an unbreakable bond. You guys had found a beautiful cherry tree one day when playing tag and had deemed it to be your's and Bucky's spot. Whenever you had a bad day or needed time away from the world you guys would go to the tree and just pick cherries, in the winter time you and Bucky would lay under the tree and kick the trunk so that the snow would fall from the leaves. It was the place where at only 15 years old bucky swore he would open his own Bakery and to quote him "I'm serving my ma's food my way doll, It's gonna be the next best thing to hit New York."

You were laying on the ground with your hands crossed behind your head looking up at Bucky swinging upside down from a branch when he told you all this. You felt something you had never felt before at that moment, looking up at the wild haired boy who loved to eat, loved his family, and had the most ambition you had ever heard from kids your age. Your heart felt full and your cheeks grew warm as you looked up at the same blue eyes you had know for years now, only this time you notice the way they twinkle in the sunlight and how rosy his lips are. Now 7 years laters you and Bucky were preparing to open the very bakery he promised you he'd open. Banners were beautifully strung along the walls and cute retro china was set out, ready to be filled for opening day. There was no hesitation from you when Bucky had asked you to run the bakery with him, you were excited to spend your days with the person you hoped you would spend the rest of your life with.

At around 6:30 in the morning you had arrived at the bakery but it seemed that Bucky had beat you to it. The smell of fresh angel food cake and cocoa danced up your nose as soon as you opened the door. Closing your eyes you smiled at the memories that it brought back. Moving to the back you grabbed your Disney themed apron and placed your bag and coat in its place before scurrying over to the kitchen while trying (and failing) to tie your apron. There in all his dorkiness was Bucky wiggling around to the chordettes. He knew that you loved the 50's aesthetic so he found a way to incorporate it without going overboard, by adding little trinkets, a jukebox, and even those cute little dining tables. In fact at the moment he was wearing a ruffly red polka dotted apron as he frosted some cupcakes.

Apron tied, you were finally ready to get to work. You walked up to Bucky bumping his hip as you reached for some cupcake pans, "Whatcha doin here so early Buck, we don't open until 12" he looks at you with squinted eyes, "The hell are you doing here so early." "Woah,woah,woah completely unprovoked. I'm just saying cuz' you were the one complaining about the opening time being set at 8. Like damn." Breathing out a huff of air he wipes his forehead with a towel "I'm sorry doll, I'm just super nervous and I couldn't sleep so I came to start baking things. I already frosted the ice cream cakes and I just finished the pies, but I was thinking that maybe we needed some cupcakes too, even though we already baked so many pastries and stuff last night I'm worried it won't be enough."

Setting down the trays you move to hug Bucky from behind holding him close to you. "Buck I know we'll do great your food is too good to pass up on especially when it's free." You place a soft kiss to his shoulder " I promise you'll do great, everything you do is amazing you try your hardest at everything Buck, You've worked your butt off and made mine considerably larger to get here, don't start losing your mind on me now." A cute little laugh from Bucky lets you know that he's hearing you and he isn't so stressed anymore. "I just want this to be perfect ya know?" with your head still against his back you nod, "I just want it to be a special day for my special girl."

You couldn't stop the slight blush that rose to your cheeks or the way that your heart suddenly started beating three times faster. You had also wanted to make him something special which is why you had got here so early. Finally releasing your hold on Bucky you straighten your apron out before gathering everything you need for some red velvet cupcakes. Bucky loved your red velvet cake so you loved making it for him. After hours of mixing, baking, and frosting had passed, you guys were rewarded with a bakery that looked as great as it smelled. "Alright doll, I'm heading out, I gotta go get ready. Meet you back here at 12 , Love ya." He didn't even give you a chance to answer as he ran right out the door. "Love you too."

You had stayed behind just a little while longer as you perfected your secret project. Carefully you added snowflakes to some of the cupcakes because you knew how much he loved snow even if he hated winter, some cats, flowers that reminded you of bucky, and one extra special cupcake. When you finish you decide to clean up a bit more and prepare some drinks for later before heading home to get ready. As soon as you got home you took a shower and did the simplest of make up with a light pink lip. You had decided to wear a dress to match the blossoming flowers that spring had brought. Pink with a yellow lace trim and flowers embroided all over the dress, matching it with some yellow flats.

You had decided that it was a perfect day for a walk so you grabbed a light scarf and slung it over your shoulders, grabbed Bucky's cupcakes, and headed over to the bakery. You felt as if a Hundred pounds had been lifted from your shoulders knowing that Bucky had felt the same way about you. You had decided that you would tell him today with your special cupcakes. As you rounded the corner you felt giddy and you couldn't wipe the smile from your face no matter how hard you tried. As you reached the bakery you saw that a majority of the people had already arrived and you knew that it would put Bucky at ease to see all the people enjoying his food. You stopped at the window, closing your eyes to take a deep breath to prepare yourself to join the celebration.

Opening your eyes you reached for the handle only to stop at the sight on the other side of the door. Bucky stood there arms wrapped around a woman eyes locked on hers as he leaned in for a kiss. It must have all happened in about 30 seconds but it felt as if time himself had slowed it down for you to watch the way he tilted her head and ran his tongue along her bottom lip before finally uniting their lips. Your heart dropped as quickly as your smile did and suddenly you felt so stupid for thinking this could be real. You willed yourself not to cry as you allowed your legs to carry you anywhere but there.

That's how you found yourself sitting underneath a blossoming cherry tree. A tree that held only happy memories because it wasn't a place you could be sad... back then. With your back against the tree and box of cupcakes full of unrequited love in your lap you realize how much you over romanticized Bucky. Opening the box you decide it would be a shame to let them go to waste. The first one you grab has a big red heart frosted in the middle, you let out a deep sigh before breaking the cupcake right down the middle. You shove half of the cupcake into your mouth and only then do you allow the tears to fall. You sat there for hours crying eating cupcakes, watching the sunset, and thinking about everything that Bucky did for you, as a friend. You realize you had no right to be angry at Bucky, after all you never told him how you felt you just assumed that he would feel the same way after so many years. With every broken memory another cupcake vanished.

He was always there for you, when no one wanted to come to your slumber party Bucky did and he even did all the girly things with you. Painting your nails, doing your hair, watching chick flicks, and pillow fights. once he even asserted that no one could protect you as well as he could, when you had decided to go camping with your friend from class so he insisted on taking you himself. Your friend was most noticeably gay so you had assumed he wanted to spend time alone with you. But now that you think back on those memories these are things that anyone would do for their bestfriend. And that's what you realized 8 hours and 11 cupcakes later.

The moon floated above you and as it's white rays settled upon the lake you decided it might be time to go home now. You get up and dust your dress off before leaning down to grab the mostly empty box. Turning around you are stopped again by what's in front of you. Bucky stands there brows furrowed as his eyes flash from you to the box in your hands. "Where the hell have you been, I've been calling you all day." swallowing the lump in your throat you go to answer but are interrupted. " everyone's been asking me about you all night and I had no damn idea what to tell them, but apparently you were just out here being inconsiderate. You go and tell me I can do great tonight, that you'd be there for me, but you weren't." You try to answer him but are again interrupted. "You could have told me something earlier instead of leaving me there like a dumb-" "SHUT UP!" this time it was your turn to interrupt him.

Taking a deep breath you look into his eyes before explaining. "Of course I was ready to be there today, you think I wore this dress to sit under a damn tree? Well I didn't. When I left my apartment I was ready and I was excited, so excited. I couldn't even stop smiling on my way over, but then I got to the shop and I saw-" Immediately you stopped as you realized what you were about to say. He cocked an eyebrow and shook his head slightly as if to say 'Hello?' "You saw what? What did you see that would make you abandon ship just like that?" Shame flushed through your being and you could no longer keep eye contact. "Nothing, you know what, it doesn't even matter. I'm sorry I was being dramatic I should have been an adult and dealt with it on my own time. And I'm sorry I abandoned you all, but the night was about you anyways."

"The night was supposed to be about the both of us so it does matter if you saw something that made you want to leave. Just tell me doll, what did you see?" his voice is soft as he pleads with you. "I saw... well I saw you kissing that lady and I just wanted get away and ended up here okay!?" You said it all in a jumble hoping that he wouldn't be able to understand what you had said. But luck wasn't your friend so of course he did. "So seeing me kiss another person was so gross to you that you had to run away, what the hell? are you 13 again?" You hadn't admitted it outloud yet and it seemed that the dumbass in front of you was going to force it out of you.

Stepping around Bucky you pull your scarf tight around your body as you focus on not crying anymore until you get home. You distract yourself by thinking of all the love you saw in all the little things Bucky did for you. Dancing around the newly furnished bakery body against body as frank sinatra brought you heart to heart, watching rom-coms and ugly crying together, but by the time you get home you force yourself to face the ugly truth. The Love was always in your head. It wasn't real.

A new wave of tears blurred your vision as teardrops fell perfectly to the ground. "It's because I have feelings for you Bucky, and I now know you don't feel the same way." Sniffling you don't bother looking up because your heart is to broken for that right now. "I'm Just gonna need a little bit of time and I'll be back good as new like nothing even happened." Still unable to lift your gaze from the ground you decide to focus on the last cupcake left in the box. 'I Love You' is written in tiny light blue frosting letters. "I uhm, uhh." That brought your attention to Bucky, as embarrassment pulsed as strong as ever through your veins. " You don't have to say anything Buck, It's fine, I'll see you next week, on monday" you hand him the box as you go to pass him "I think you would have a better use for this than me I ate 11 others already so."

Y/N wakes up and her eyes fall to the gorgeous man that she proudly calls her husband. He looks so peaceful as he sleeps and she’s thankful for it. Ever since Dennis the mailman asked how his nightmares were she keeps mulling it over. Did Bucky have nightmares but didn’t tell her? Why not? She brings her hand up to caress his face. It doesn’t look like he’s having a nightmare…

“You’re staring,” he suddenly says while his eyes are still closed.

She jumps, not expecting him to wake up. “You think it’s creepy, I think it’s romantic.”

“Everything you do is romantic,” he replies cheekily.

“That didn’t make sense,” she teases.

“Oh. Oh, really? Okay you know what doesn’t make sense?” He goads.

“What?” Y/N giggles.

“How you could be awake so early after the night we had,” he then rolls on top of her and kisses her neck with loads of tiny pecks, the last one lasting longer, feeling more passionate.

“We can’t do this now, we have to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins!”

“For what?” he groans.

“It’s Halloween, silly.” She gently pushes Bucky off who rolls back into his pillow.

“The things I do for you.”

She gets up from bed to have a shower.

“Can I join you?” he calls after her.

“No! Or else the good pumpkins will be gone!”

He huffs and gets up to make the bed. “Good pumpkins? Are there bad pumpkins? Evil pumpkins?” he mumbles.

Bucky decides to make himself a coffee and Y/N a cup of tea while still in his pyjamas. He takes a sip and stares out the window that looks into Y/N’s garden. She had always said she wished she could take care of a plant, between undercover missions and training new recruits at the SHIELD Academy of Operations back when SHIELD was a thing she never could keep one alive for very long. Bucky wonders what she did in her spare time in the five years he was… away. Was she happy? Did she move on? Did she hates him for leaving her?

“Hey,” Y/N pops out down in a… super spy costume.

“You look…” familiar. “Smokin,” he flirts.

She laughs and does a 360 spin. “Of course I do.” She puts up finger guns. “Pow pow,” she points at him.

“Agh, someone call an ambulance!” Bucky says playing along. “But not for me!” he picks her up spinning her around.

She laughs at him. “Your costume is upstairs on the bed!”

“My costume?”

“Yeah! What, you thought you were going out in cargo pants and a flannel with some graphic tee?” She puts her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so, soldier.”

“What?” he looks up suddenly from his cup of coffee.

“Dang it, I ruined the surprise! Go! Get dressed! And thank you for the tea.”

 She kisses him on the cheek and he slowly makes his way upstairs. He almost drops his mug as he sees a perfect replica of his World War Two uniform. Is this Wanda’s doing?

He gets dressed anyways to make Y/N happy. That’s all that matters to him.

“Well aren’t you quite the charmer.”

Bucky gives his own 360 turn with a goofy smile on his face to match the one on Y/N’s. “Alright, doll. Let’s get going. Don’t wanna get the evil pumpkins.”

“Bad pumpkins! As in spoiled ones!” she corrects as he guides her toward the door, picking up the keys on the way out.

  They arrive at the pumpkin patch and it’s only a little busy.

“Well heya there,” Phil greets upon seeing Y/N and Bucky.

“Morning’ Phil,” Bucky smiles.

“Hi Dottie,” Y/N says to Phil’s wife who just nods at her with a sickly sweet smile.

“Just getting’ some last-minute gourds for decoratin’! Gotta keep the kiddos busy,” Phil says waving away.

“See you again!” They say their goodbyes and Y/N turns to Bucky.

“I had no idea they had a kid,” she whispers.

Bucky shrugs. “Neither did I. Never saw one in all the time we we’ve been neighbours.” Not that that was very long, Bucky thinks to himself.

Y/N shrugs nonchalantly and reaches for his left hand. “Come on, let’s look around!” They pick up a basket and wander the patch.

Bucky smiles as he watches Y/N, the sun hits her just right and it looks like she’s glowing, her beauty amplified. She carefully considers each pumpkin, what designs would look best on them, which can be made into a pumpkin pie or should just be left alone. She was always good at profiling. That’s what made her one of the best SHIELD assets.

“I like this one but he needs a family. I was thinking these two…” she presents him with a medium sized pumpkin then points to a giant one and then a tiny one.

“A little pumpkin family,” Bucky laughs. He carries the giant one and drops it into the basket.

“Careful! My baby.”

“Yeah it’s the size of a baby, alright,” Bucky huffs then puts the medium pumpkin on top too.

“I’ll hold the tiny baby.”

He chuckles and reaches for her empty hand, squeezing affectionately.

After they’ve paid for their pumpkins they load them into the car and go into the café nearly.

“I’ll have a chai latte with a cheese toastie and snickerdoodles,” Y/N smiles at the waitress.

“And I’ll go for an Americano and almond croissant, please.”

“I’ll have those over soon,” she smiles then walks away rigidly. Strange.

Bucky looks over at the bar and sees the barista just standing… staring at the machine.

“I’m glad it’s not too busy, here,” he says to Y/N, breaking himself out of his thoughts. There’s no harm in this, he says to himself.

“Oh I know! We’re so lucky!” she reaches for his hand and he rubs small circles on her’s with his thumb. “We’re always so lucky. I’m happy you’re here, Bucky.”

He considers for a moment. Is this Y/N or Wanda speaking through Y/N? “So am I.”

They receive their orders and dig in, sharing food and drinks between each other. “You always order something then end up takin’ more of mine!”

“Well I can’t help it, you’ve got great taste,” he flirts, giving her a wink.

“Of course, I do. So do you. Sometimes…” she teases.

“Wh- sometimes?!” he gasps dramatically. “I am offended.”

“You heard me, soldier.”

He stops laughing for a split second, almost doing a double take as he is caught off guard from what she called him. But he recovers quickly. He has to.

“So do you think we’ve got enough candy for the trick or treaters?”

“Definitely, maybe too much. But then I’m not complaining, more for us.”

“You really are my soulmate,” he chuckles. They finish eating and Bucky drives them back home.

They go inside and Y/N sets up the tools for pumpkin carving.

“I wanna do a cat!” Bucky says excitedly.

“I have carving tools, pens and paint!”

Bucky carves on the small pumpkin and Y/N starts on the giant one. She hasn’t revealed what she would be carving on to it, yet. Must be a surprise, Bucky thinks.

“Done,” Bucky states. “I’m calling her… Alpine.”

Y/N walks around the table to see. “Awww so cute! I’m done too!”

She turns the pumpkin to face them both. Bucky gasps quietly as air involuntary enters his lungs. She carved Thanos.

“It’s some monster, I dunno I just thought him up in my head,” she shrugs.

“It’s uh… it’s great honey.” He turns to the last pumpkin to distract himself. “What should we do for this one?

“I was thinking headstones! And a ghost?”

“Yeah, yeah sounds great,” he nods.

They lay out the pumpkins on their porch and Bucky helps to decorate the lawn with statues and fake cobwebs.

“Wanda!” Y/N calls, waving her hand to the redhead who’s carrying the basket Y/N had Bucky take over yesterday.

“Hey! Ooh! I love your costumes and I see you went all out decorating!” Wanda exclaims as she sees her best friend’s lawn as Y/N lugs the giant pumpkin towards the stone wall.

“Doll, now you’re just showing off,” Bucky comments.

“Of course. I don’t need a big strong man like you to do things for me.”

“I… love it,” Wanda says, noting the villain carved on it. “I just wanted to return the basket, those cookies were delicious!” Wanda laughs, mood lifted again. “Do you wanna come over for a drink? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Sure thing, Wanda! We’ll come right over!” Wanda hands Y/N the basket and the two put it inside.

They knock on Wanda’s door and wait. A man with silver hair answers almost immediately.

“You must be the neighbours,” he says simply and speeds literally speeds to back to the couch.

“Aunt Y/N! Bucky!” Two excited voices call out and there is an avalanche of hugs coming from very hyper ten year olds.

“Hey!”

“Hey kiddos!” Bucky smiles messing up their hair affectionately.

“Cool costumes! Are you Cat-Woman?” Billy asks.

Y/N frowns, “no I’m an international… super spy!” She holds her fingers like guns and poses. “And Bucky’s a super…”

“Soldier!” The twins finished off.

“Somebody better be bleeding, broken or on fire!” Wanda comes down the stairs in a red leotard, cape and pink tights.

“You look awesome!”

“Whoa, Mom. Are you old Red Riding Hood?” Billy asks.

The grey haired man… grey haired? It’s Pietro, Y/N realises.

“I’m a Sokovian fortune teller,” Wanda says.

“Wow that is so…” Pietro starts.

“Cool!” Tommy exclaims.

“Lame!”

“Lame!”

Wanda rolls her eyes. “Y/N, Bucky this is Pietro my brother. Pietro, my best friend Y/N and her wonderful husband, Bucky.”

“Nice to meet you,” Y/N smiles.

“How ya doing,” Bucky greets.

Vision descends the stairs, sighing wearily in a very interesting getup.

“Sweet costume bro-ham-in-law,” Pietro says teasing him. “Let me guess…traffic light? Half-shucked corn? Oh! A booger!”

“Yes,” Vision replies fed up.

“I like it,” Y/N offers.

“Thank you for humouring and wearing this ridiculous outfit, honey,” Wanda says.

“Well there were no other clothes in my closet so…”

Y/N notes the underlying harshness in his tone and looks at Bucky but while normally reciprocates the look he only stares at the couple. She frowns.

“You are incorrigible, darling.” Vision’s tone switches up. “I know you have a secret thing for Mexican wrestlers!”

“Mi gusta mucho,” Wanda chuckles.

“Chilli con carne!”

“Come watch us play, Y/N!” Billy pulls her towards the couch and she pulls Bucky with her who laughs.

They sit down and start yelling at the avatars in the video game.

“Mom and dad have been, not fighting, just… like, different,” Billy tells Y/N quietly.

Pietro gets up to try and smooth things over and it seems to work.

“There you go. Problem solved. You have a spooky time tonight, kids.”

They say their goodbyes but there’s still some tension as Vision leaves.

“I’m sure they’re alright, Billy.”

“Yeah, sometimes… sometimes parents aren’t on the same page. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other. It’s gonna be okay,” Bucky assures.

“Do you two fight?” he asks innocently.

“Um,” they both look at each other but Y/N can’t recall a time that they did.”

“One time, it was really bad. I… wasn’t there but there was a decision that Aunt Y/N made and… well, if I was there I would have done everything and anything to stop her. It wasn’t a fight but it was a time where we wouldn’t have agreed. But we’re okay, now,” Bucky says squeezing her hand.

“See when two people really love each other, like your mom and dad do, they find a way to figure it out,” Y/N smiles. 

Billy nods, reassured. “You guys are the best.”

“So… who’s ready for some trick or treating?!” Pietro yells.

That distracts Billy as both twins whoop and run out the door.

“Wanna watch some horror movies after the boys are tuckered out from trick or treating?” Wanda offers the couple.

“Sure thing! We’ll catch up with you later, Wanda. We’ll hand out our candy to the kids and then meet you at the Town Square Scare.” They both get up and they all walk through the door.

“See ya later! And I have to say again, superspy looks good on you,” Wanda winks.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t let me save even just one bag!” Bucky exclaims as the two leave their home once all the sweets were taken.

“I’m sorry, I thought those were reserved for children,” Y/N replies, sarcastically.

“I’m young at heart.”

“You’re an old man.”

They walk hand in hand towards Town Square, only 15 minutes away. The neighbourhood is still bust with kids collecting as much candy as they can.

“So what do you think about Pietro?” Bucky asks.

Y/N shrugs. “I dunno… he looks kinda different to me. Maybe it’s the time that’s gone by. I just know that Wanda and he were super close growing up. Then he… went away.”

Bucky nods, taking it in. The man claiming to be Wanda’s brother seemed off in some way to him and the fact that even Y/N thought so meant something. Maybe… Wanda’s not the one to blame for the shifty things that happen here.

“Ya know, I don’t know how anyone wears these skin-tight leather suits. Imagine a Kevlar, fiberglass blend for actual bullet proofing.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure Kevlar is very comfortable,” he says attempting to sound sarcastic in a way that he doesn’t know the experience even though he very much does.

“Hey guys!” Wanda smiles.

“Hey you! How much candy did you guys get!” Bucky asks Tommy and Billy.

“I got more than Billy! And look!” Tommy zooms around the Town Square and stops in front of everyone proudly.

Bucky and Y/N’s eyes widen.

“Wow gee Tommy, you’ve got powers!” Y/N claps.

“So no one else noticed that?” Bucky asks, Y/N playfully slaps his shoulder.

“How exciting!”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to control them now!” Wanda laughs.

Y/N and the twins play around, exploring all the Halloween themed activities and Bucky stays back.

“You’ve done a good job here,” Bucky states to Wanda who sits on a hay bale as Pietro decided to run around with the kids.

“You think?”

“Yeah, the kids are having fun. Y/N… she’s having fun.”

“She always loved Halloween…” Wanda reminisces. “You don’t think it’s wrong anymore?”

“No, I… it’s wrong but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel right. It feels right to be with her again. To talk to her, wake up to her in the mornings again. I’m sorry I snapped at you for this. You were right. We’ve both lost everyone. Since Steve decided to… I don’t know I’ve just felt alone. I always thought I’d have him but I don’t… hate him for leaving. He deserves his own happiness.”

“So do you, Bucky. So do we. After everything we’ve been through and everything that’s been taken from us. We deserve this one good thing.”

Bucky nods. “But these people… Wanda, they’ve done nothing. And now they’re just puppets in our fantasies.”

“I’ve thought about that but,” she sighs, clearly exhausted. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“I understand.”

Y/N notices Billy stops laughing and having fun. Instead he just stares up. He stops Tommy speeding.

“What is it, Billy?” Y/N asks, frowning at the sudden change in his manner.

“Mom!” he shouts and run towards Wanda. “Mom!”

Y/N and Tommy run after him.

“What wrong, Billy?”

He pants, stressed. “I hear dad in my head. He’s in trouble.”

Bucky and Y/N share a worried look and Pietro speeds toward the family.

“I don’t understand. What’s happening to me?”

Wanda bends over to be at eye level with Billy as she holds his hands. “Where is he? Where’s your dad?”

“Hey,” Pietro interrupts. “Don’t sweat it, sis. It’s not like your dead husband can die twice.”

Wanda angrily throws Pietro into a stack of hay bales having enough of his jabs.

Dead? Y/N picks up. She looks at Bucky who gulps, not meeting her eyes.

Wanda turns back to Billy. “Billy, I need you to focus.”

Shuddering, he closes his eyes, concentrating. “I can’t tell. I see these… soldiers. They think he’s dying.”

Wanda stretches her hands and her red powers burst from them.

All Y/N remembers is Bucky reaching for her hand and everyone around them slowing to a stop as red energy envelopes them.

I know there are no pumpkin patches in Westview butttt it was a cute date idea 😂 while still incorporating the creepiness we saw in the episode when Vision went to the outskirts of town 👻

Chapter 6

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“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Y/N/N.” He was still being so protective. Steve remembered the day he lost his two best friends all those days ago. Yes, Bucky was gone for real, but you were never really present. He was really just worried that Bucky would lose all control and hurt you. You and Bucky would never be able to heal if something like that happened. 

“I can do it. You have to give me a chance, Rogers.” The stern use of his last name let Steve know that you meant business. 

He nodded to show his unwilling agreement. “Be careful in there. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” 

You timidly step into Bucky’s room. You’d been able see him be him in the group setting, so maybe you could just get him here too. The sight of him tearing at his restraints strained your heart. 

Walking directly up to him, you kneeled in front of him, subtly letting him know that you were there. 

“Buck? You in there?” you breathed out. Steve had warned you not to touch him ages ago, he was still adjusting, but something about tonight felt different. 

“Bucky, put your lips close to mine,” you ordered in a still quiet voice. This was okay as long as they don’t touch, right? 

His piercing blue eyes looked up. A flash of fury was in them. This caused your breath to hitch. Were you doing the right thing? Then the Bucky you knew and loved emerged. Everything in the room was out of focus as you were eye to eye until the gravity became too much. Bucky’s lips crashed onto yours as you felt all of the emotions that had come with your love story, losing him, finding him again, and up to that moment. 

You knew he was with you, so you undid his restraints, taking a leap of faith. His strong arms encased you as he lifted you to take you to the bed. You knew this was dangerous, but with him being there, you knew that you would do anything he said if he said it with his hands. Motioning for you to turn over or come closer. 

Steve’s warning flashing in the back of your mind. “I’d be smart to walk away,” you thought to yourself before he was kissing up your neck again, “but you’re quicksand.” 

As you spent the night with the love of your life, you remembered that he was still recovering, but you loved him. The slope you were on is treacherous and the path you are taking is reckless, but if being with Bucky meant healing him, then you like it. 

Waking up way before Bucky, you rolled over to watch his sleeping face. It was so relaxed and there was no sign of anguish on it. 

You can’t stop yourself from reaching over and moving his hair out of his eyes. “I can’t decide if it’s a choice that I’m getting swept away,” you sigh, thinking about all the backlash you could receive for making the impulsive but right decision to stay with him. 

Bucky begins to stir and when he opens his eyes, he realizes how near you are to him. Then the fear sets in that his Hydra brain could kick in at any moment. He jumps off the bed and rushes to put his clothes on. 

“I shouldn’t be here with you, Y/N. It’s dangerous. I could hurt you!” 

You watch in pain as he darts around the room. Before you know it, you hear the sound of your own voice and ask him, “Please. Stay.” Your wide E/C eyes plead with him, knowing he remembers your love story too. 

Bucky eventually gives in. All you are in skin and bone when you’re together, trained to get along. 

“Buck?” you pull his attention to focus on you. “I’ve set up a pretty good life for myself here. Forever going with the flow, but you’re friction. And I’m ready for it. I hope you know that.” 

Not having any words, Bucky can only pull your lips onto his. He conveys everything he feels for you in that one kiss. 

Bucky had been much better during the weeks following your night together. Steve didn’t understand it, but he trusted Bucky to be around you now. Everything was great...until the bombing. 

“Bucky! Y/N! You need to get up!” Steve stormed into the room you two had been sharing. It was the middle of the night. “They think Bucky is the one who set off the bomb at the UN.” 

“It couldn’t have been! He’s been right here,” you tried to explain. 

“I know that! We have to get him out of here. They’re coming for him.” 

Despite your heavy eyelids, you were moving at a quick pace. Packing the bare essentials, you led Bucky to the car you had been given by Tony to use. 

“I will catch up with you two later. Get him somewhere safe!” Steve ordered, turning to deal with anyone who may show up to take Bucky away. 

Two headlights shined through the sleepless night. They were only taking back roads. Y/N and Bucky were on the run. 

“I’m sorry, Y/N. You deserve better than this,” Bucky apologized over and over. Y/N was thinking about how she was going to get him alone. Cars were following them and would soon catch up. 

“I’m going to hold them off. Okay?” Y/N let Bucky know of her plan. 

“I can’t let you do that!” 

“I have too!” Y/N begged, “I have to keep you safe. I can’t lose you a second time.” Bucky was arguing back, but only his name was echoing in her mind. 

“No, Bucky! Listen to me. I’ve been putting myself in the way of danger for ages now. And I think you should know that nothing safe is worth the drive, but you need to keep going. I will follow you. I’ll follow you home, eventually. Okay?” 

You pull the car over to the side of the road, sliding out the window as Bucky slides to the driver’s seat. 

You stand to face the parade that followed you and Bucky, alone with the image of you and him somewhere beautiful together in the front of your mind. The hope that you will see him again soon raging through your body. This hope you feel is treacherous. The daydream getting you through is dangerous, but if you get to be with him again, the danger is worth it. 

Fighting your way through the agents, you didn’t see a potential end. Losing energy and beginning to feel outnumbered, the hope starts to dim. That is until Steve, Nat, Sam, and some extra help show up. 

“Y/N? Where’s Bucky?” Sam asked, swooping in to get some of the men out of your way.

“Safe for now!” You call back, nailing another agent with an uppercut. 

“We’ve got them!” Steve announces, rolling in beside you. “You catch up with him!” 

Nodding, you take off at a run towards one of the black cars. Knocking out the driver, you are able to take the wheel. You are feeling so tired now. Your eyes just want to close and sleep, but you know you can’t do that. You had told Bucky that you would get him alone. His name echoing through your mind was the only thing keeping you on the road right now. You were going to follow him home, somewhere safe. 

New city. New apartment. New job. New life. 

Maya was ready, though. After living in her parents house up until her mid 20s, she was beyond prepared to leave and get the change of scenery she’s been craving since middle school. And with everything she did, everybody could see how sure of this she was.

She did everything without hesitation. She said yes to the Midtown School of Science and Technology without even taking the time offered to think about it. She signed the lease to the first studio apartment she found in Manhattan and she started packing the moment she knew the job and the apartment were hers. 

By the beginning of June, Maya had moved everything to New York and was pushing her parents out of her apartment. But of course they insisted on staying. 

“Just one night! I can make you dinner and help you organize the kitchen. We’ll be out of your hair by the morning.” Her mom practically begged, as she was, quite frankly very anxious about the entire move. 

And of course Dad agreed, “I could install your shelves and build your bed frame so you don’t sleep on a mattress on the floor tonight.” 

But Maya needed this. She couldn’t wait another night to fully embrace the reality of her new life. 

“No, it is fine! Really!” Maya was already grabbing her mom’s purse, and fishing her dad’s keys out of the pile of junk on the kitchen counter. “I want you guys on the road before it gets too dark. Just make sure you call me when you get back to Philly!” 

And through bewildered arguments at the daughter’s new found independence, Maya continued to walk them towards the door. She managed to yell over them, and then physically pushed them out of the apartment, “I love you! Drive safe! Dad, make sure to use your turn signals!” 

And like a coming of age film, she closed the door, fixed all the locks, and pressed her back against the door of her studio, her eyes scanning the first thing that was completely and utterly hers. She took a breath and felt excitement like no other started to fill her veins. 

Maya spent the rest of the night fixing the bathroom and then the kitchen. By 3 in the morning she was freshly showered and sitting on the floor of her living room with her back pressed against the couch. She smiled at the cluttered space, a piece of pizza in her hand, and Shrek 2 spinning in the DVD player. 

For the next two weeks Maya spent her days unpacking, arranging, decorating, reading, online shopping, rearranging, and singing at the top of her lungs.

Most afternoons she’d go downstairs to the Corner Cafe that was renting the apartment to her. Maya would sit and work on transfer paperwork, brainstorm potential classroom setups, and draft book lists for the Fall semester. Every now and then she’d make conversation with the barista, a high school student named MJ. Maya would ask about local bookstores, where to get the best Thai food, and eventually about Midtown. They both laughed when they realized they’d probably be spending the school year together. Needless to say, Maya and MJ got along really well. 

-- 

The following Friday afternoon, the Cafe was a bit more crowded. But all the same, Maya sat at her corner table by the pick up counter. She had always gravitated towards this spot, but now it was mostly to chat with MJ when things got slow and to cheer her on during the rushes. And MJ definitely needed a lot of support this shift. 

And then to Maya’s disbelief Natasha Romanoff walked in. 

It was an interesting scenario considering everyone knew who the Avengers were now, but what was far more interesting to Maya was the way no one paid any mind to her presence. She figured it was true what they said about New York: everyone just minded their own business, really. In any case, Maya didn’t feel any strong emotions towards being in the presence of known vigilantes, but she couldn’t help but feel her muscles tense when Natasha stood at the side of her table. 

A few moments passed and before Maya could properly comprehend what she was doing, she opened her mouth. “Would you like to sit?” 

Natasha was taken aback but nodded appreciatively, smiled and pulled the chair opposite to Maya and sat down. “Thanks, stranger.” Natasha’s knees were facing the counter though, an elbow each on the back of her chair and another on the table they were now sharing. 

A handful of moments passed again and Maya let out an exasperated groan after realizing that she, yet again, sent the wrong attachment to her new boss. 

Natasha’s fingers were now rapping rhythmically, against the wooden table top and then she spoke up. “Rough day?” 

Maya was a bit razzled, despite the fact that she was the one that opened up the possibility of a conversation just moments ago. “Uh, yes and no? It's just a new job. It's a bit overwhelming, you know?” 

It was only after the words came out of her mouth that Maya realized she shouldn’t have said her job was overwhelming to a person who fought crime for a living. She bit her tongue and braced herself for a laugh but it didn’t come. 

“You’ll get a hang of it.” It was at this moment that MJ called Natasha’s name out. She stood and pushed in her chair before grabbing the little white baggy off the counter. “Try one of the pastries. I promise it’ll make you feel a bit better; they’re the best in the whole city.” 

Maya gave her a small smile and a nod, “I’ll do that! Have a good night.” 

“You too, Stranger.” Natasha proceeded to pinch the little bag between her teeth, rummaging through her pockets and walking towards the exit 

-- 

In the following weeks, the interactions only became more frequent. It was probably every other day that the two would see each other at Corners. 

At first it was Hellos and Goodbyes but eventually Natasha would sit at the same table with Maya while waiting for her order to be ready, not that it ever took all that long. Before the end of the month, the two exchanged names and Maya was happy to find that Natasha actually preferred to be called Nat. 

Shortly after the proper introductions Nat started to enjoy her pastry at the table with Maya before leaving. 

Very quickly, Maya grew tired of the same courteous conversations and started talking about her new teaching job and Nat helped in large part with all of Maya’s online shopping decisions. Sometimes Maya was afraid of coming off as self centered but she was pretty wary of asking Nat about her life outside of the coffee shop. But, fortunately Nat was much more interested in classroom decor and keeping updated with Maya’s personal challenge of trying every possible drink MJ was willing to make. 

By July, Nat started bringing the other Avengers by for coffee runs. 

Maya immediately hit it off with Steve. After finding out that Maya was a literature teacher, Steve would talk about how reading was his favorite pastime pre-serum and that he’d love to visit the classroom one day. He even geeked about the latte art that MJ would do in the wide mouth mugs for Maya. She and Nat did not miss the opportunity to laugh about this when Steve excused himself to use the bathroom. 

It was peculiar though. Nat would tease that Maya and Steve were a literal match made in heaven. She’d go on about their overlapping interests and how smoothly they got along from the beginning. Maya had to think about it, though. On one hand, Maya thought, who wouldn’t want to be of interest to Captain America himself? 

But alas, Maya was the kind of girl who believed in the kind of love that you felt in your gut. And despite the blush on her cheeks when Nat talked about the two of them, Maya didn’t feel it in her gut. 

Weeks had passed and Maya had grown accustomed to greeting Nat, Steve, Pepper, Sam & Wanda whenever they made their way into Corners. None of them really stopped to chat, except for Nat and Steve, but Maya thought it was still nice to share small smiles and waves with the rest of them. 

In the back of her mind, Maya thought a lot about the rest of the Avengers. She was well aware of Tony Stark and heard things about Vision in passing, but Nat eventually clarified that Tony doesn’t get his own coffee and Vision still doesn’t entirely comprehend the act of food consumption. 

Truly, Maya was most curious about Steve’s best friend, Bucky. Steve did talk about him in passing from time to time but Maya knew to not straightforwardly ask about him. She knew the bare minimum about The Winter Soldier from the Daily Bugle and the tabloids. And knowing that Steve was his best friend, Maya bit her tongue despite all the questions flooding her mind whenever his name came up. 

It was the last week of July when Nat finally brought Bucky to Corners. 

-- 

In Maya’s mind, aside from meeting Nat, Bucky’s introduction was the most memorable. When she thought long and hard about it, it was mostly because of the fact that Bucky’s first impression was distinctly different from the rest of them-- less chirpy, you could say. 

When the two of them walked in, Nat basically made a beeline for Maya’s little table and greeted her right away. 

“Hey, Nat! Pastry or coffee today?” Maya hummed, barely looking up from her laptop. She was intensely focused on finishing a thought about her lesson plan before properly opening herself up to conversation. 

Nat sat to the right of Maya, her back facing the counter. Then, Nat gestured for Bucky to sit in her usual spot, across from Maya. 

“Pastries! I caught ol’ Bucky here snagging some of my extras in the middle of the night, so I decided to let him in on the secret.” 

Maya nodded before properly looking up, “Sounds like quite the racoon to me,” a small smile forming on her face. Then she lifted her eyes from her computer screen and there he was. Maya’s stomach turned in the most peculiar way.  

Bucky had on a hoodie and his hair was tied up in a low ponytail. The hood wasn’t up on his head but instead fluffed up enough to come up around the bottom of his ears and his hands were in his pocket, resting in his lap underneath the table. He seemed hesitant to hold any eye contact with her, which Maya didn’t take offense to, but he did manage to look at her for a moment. 

He gave the smallest acknowledging grin before saying, “Hello, I’m James.” 

Nat was preoccupied during this small moment, busy trying to wave down MJ who was in the middle of pulling a shot of espresso. “MJ! Just the pastries today, but make it a double order, please!” 

Nat turned back to Maya before she could properly introduce herself to Bucky.

“Yeah, he caught me with a jam filled one last week and has been snatching them ever since.” 

Maya smiled at this. “So what? The jig is up? Everyone in the tower knows that tough Natasha Romanoff is obsessed with flakey pastries?” She loved to tease Nat, but some of her joy was being overcome by the tension she was creating in her own mind about even looking at Bucky. 

Hearing him chuckle at her remark did help her muscles ease up though. 

“Ha. Ha,” Nat dully retorted. “The only reason I decided to share my secret with him is because he won’t tell a soul. It’d be much easier for me to gain my dignity back if I got caught, but he would lose most of, if not all of his tough guy credentials.” 

Maya giggled in response before looking straight into Bucky’s eyes and reassuring him, “Don’t worry. Even if you get caught I think Corner’s pastries are well worth losing your street cred.” 

Bucky chuckled and brought his flesh hand up to rub his index finger underneath his nose. “I think you’re right, doll. I’d risk it all for another raspberry one.” 

Maya felt a wave of mixed emotions following Bucky’s response. She felt her skin grow hot after processing the outdated nickname and only hoped that her complexion wasn’t visibly compromised. All the while though, she was glad to have been able to have any kind of conversation with him. 

Fortunately for Maya, she didn’t have to withstand that burning feeling for much longer because MJ called out Nat’s name and she was quick as a cat to grab the little white bags off the counter. 

Nat patted her hand on Maya’s shoulder, not even bothering to sit back down. She looked at Bucky and nodded her head towards the door. “Alright, Maya! We’re out. I’ll see you next time.” 

“Yeah, get back safe,” Maya responded, her hand reached up and patted Nat’s knuckles as Bucky pushed in his chair. “It was nice to meet you, James.” 

“You too, Maya,” and with that, Bucky gave a small wave and pulled his hood up as he and Nat made their way out the door and down the street. 

Maya watched until they were out of sight. 

—

After pulling on workout clothes, you took the elevator down to the gym and upon entry JARVIS greeted you and asked if you would like your usual workout playlist. After Kevin Gates started blaring through the speakers, you took a shot of pre-workout and started your warm-up. You were already pouring sweat when the doors to the elevator opened and revealed a tired Bucky Barnes, you called for JARVIS to pause the music. When the music stopped, you sat on one of the benches and Bucky shuffled over to sit next to you. 

“Do you wanna talk about it?” He asked softly. 

“Just another nightmare,” you replied, wiping sweat from your brow and swigging out of a water bottle. 

“Can I workout with you?” Bucky asked. 

“You know you don’t have to ask me that, I told you when you got here that you could workout with me any time you want,” you replied, giving him a nudge with your elbow. 

“I’ve seen your workouts, you trying to torture yourself?” Bucky joked.

He wasn’t wrong necessarily, your workouts were designed to push your body so that your mind would stop. You stood up and laughed, you walked over to the free weights section and set up for an intense leg day now that Bucky was joining you. You both got to work on lifting and the silence didn’t bother you like you thought it would, the grunts and semi-laboured breathing. 

“I can’t go back to sleep, after they happen,” you said, softly. 

Bucky’s ocean eyes found mine, he sucked in a deep breath and pushed through the rest of his set before the bar hit the floor. 

“I can’t either, they just start all over again,” Bucky replied, he wiped sweat from his forehead with his forearm. 

You nodded, “Do you think we’ll ever not have them?” 

Bucky’s face softened at the sound of your words, you could see that he was just as tired of plaguing nightmares as you were. He strode the few feet over to stand in front of you and placed his hand on your shoulder, you leaned into the contact. 

“I gave up hope a long time ago, I hope that you don’t have them forever,” his words were low and they wrapped around you warmly. 

Tears welled in your eyes and he pulled you into his arms, his large hand softly stroking your hair as he shushed you. You wound your arms tightly around his waist and held on like he was your lifeline as you silently cried into his chest. He crooned your name in your ear, and swayed with you softly back and forth. Your tears slowly stopped and you just let him hold you like that, it was so intimate and it felt… right being that close to him. You forced yourself to pull away from his arms and wipe your face off.

“Wanna spar now?” You asked, avoiding his eyes. 

The two of you sparred for hours, until Steve eventually came down looking for you two, you were both a mess, gasping for air and disheveled. Bucky would spar with you until you couldn’t take anymore, that was why you two always worked well on missions together. Steve made you and Bucky hit the shower and then show up on time for breakfast, insisting that Tony was gonna have your heads if you weren’t on time. 

After breakfast you decided you needed some downtime and so you ended up in the media room binging Criminal Minds. You were a good six episodes in when JARVIS greeted Bucky as he walked in, your head popped up over the back of the couch and saw him leaning against the doorway. You immediately paused the episode and motioned for him to come sit with you. 

“You can come watch with me if you want, it’s a little dark but the character development is honestly worth getting through some of the freaky parts,” you said as Bucky plopped down next to you. Bucky motioned for you to hit play and he snorted as soon as he saw Reid, and glanced over at you with a small smirk on his face. 

“Yeah, now I see what you were talking about, Y/N, you’re really here for the character development,” He snarked.

“Hey, now, you may think Spence is a dork but that man has three PHDs, and he could throw me around any day,” you joked. 

Bucky snorted and shoved you, “Hey now! I don’t have three PHDs and I throw you around almost everyday.” 

You burst into laughter at that and Bucky couldn’t help but join in after you started wheezing and tears came leaking out. It was JARVIS announcing Sam and Steve behind you that had yours and Bucky’s laughter coming to a halt, they were both holding giant bowls and Steve had a hold of one of Tony’s fedoras. 

“Lady and gentlemen, it is now time for our next movie showing. Bucky you need to draw so we can get this show on the road,” Sam said jovially. 

Bucky rolled his eyes and stuck his hand behind him, Steve moved so his hand was in the hat and Bucky dramatically drew the piece of paper out. He opened it and announced that we would now be watching Beauty and the Beast, you grinned because you knew Bucky would like some parts of this film. Even you could admit that Beauty and the Beast was pretty good, it had funny moments and wholesome ones. 

“YES! Now, tin man, you just need to prepare to be wowed by the GREATEST princess movie of all time!” Sam crowed and plopped on the other couch.

“Yeah, yeah, bird brain, pipe down over there and let the movie speak for itself,” you reminded Sam.

Steve chuckled, “JARVIS, please start Beauty and the Beast.”

“Of course, Mr. Rogers,” JARVIS responded and the Disney music started. 

Bucky scooched closer to you and eventually his shoulder was touching your own, the contact sent the usual butterflies into a frenzy and goosebumps started down your back. You watched as the beautiful Belle sang her way through the village and tried to ignore the nagging voice in your head that was telling you to lay your head on Bucky’s broad shoulder. After continuing to watch absentmindedly, a large warm hand landed on your thigh just above your knee. Your eyes snapped to Bucky’s hand currently on your leg, thumb softly rubbing circles just above your knee sending electric pulses straight to your core. You peered over at him through your lashes, his eyes were locked on the screen but his lips were pulled into a soft smirk. 

God, his lips, they were so damn distracting, he was so damn distracting. All you could think about were his lips kissing their way down your neck, breasts, and stomach to the one place you needed them most. You wanted to tangle your fingers through his chestnut locks and ride his tongue like your life depended on it. You felt a rush of wetness between your thighs and you bit your lip as you prayed that he would never stop rubbing his thumb in those delicious circles on your skin. 

You snapped your attention back to reality when Bucky leaned over and whispered in your ear, “Okay, Sam might have you on this one, doll. I mean seriously, the teacup, c’mon?” 

“Oh chill out, you haven’t even started to witness greatness yet,” you whispered back.

Bucky chuckled softly and his warm breath lingered for just a second and you relished having his mouth so close to you, relished the feeling of Bucky Barnes whispering in your ear. You smiled softly at the man next to you and he returned it with a cheeky grin, his hand giving your thigh a tiny squeeze. You trained your eyes on the screen in front of you and forced yourself to watch the rest of the movie wtih wild thoughts about Bucky running through your mind. Before you knew it, Tale as Old as Time started pouring through the speaker and you took a deep breath. 

As soon as the credits started rolling, Bucky’s hand slid up your thigh before it left your leg and he looked over at you with a goofy grin on his face. The sight of his smile made your heart skip a beat or maybe stutter, you couldn’t decide which but your heart was going haywire. The lights flicked on overhead and you stretched your arms over your head before getting up, Sam was serenading the room with his rendition of Be Our Guest. You and Bucky shared a look before both snickering at your friend, Steve was by the door shaking his head. 

“So, tin man, what did you think of my pick? It was wonderful, wasn’t it?” Sam goaded, giving Bucky a small shove. 

“Birdman, there was a talking candlelabra,” Bucky snorted, and you grinnned. 

“Oh, don’t you talk about my man, Lumiere liike that!” Sam exclaimed. 

Steve laughed heartily as you mocked Sam behind his back, he spun around and you quickly dropped all expression from your face but it was too late he definitely saw you. Sam scooped you up around your knees and tackled you into the couch, you cried out in surprise and before you knew it Sam was ripped off of you and Bucky was standing worriedly close. 

“Y/N, are you okay?” He asked, concern written all over his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine, seriously it was more of a shocked sound than anything,” you reassured him and took the hand he offered to help you up. 

“But, I am starving so can we get food?” You asked with a playful smile.

Bucky grinned and motioned for you to lead the way so you did, heading up to the shared level. While everyone was in the elevator, you bickered about what to eat and none of you could agree so you decided to just do your own thing. 

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