#buckybarnes original female character

[sjsmith56]

Customer Service - Part 2

Summary: Bucky makes it right with his former girlfriend. Second part of two part story.

Length: 3.8 K

Warnings: Angst, acknowledgement of emotional distancing.

<<Part 1

🔹 🔹 🔹

It had been several weeks since Bucky bought his suit at the store where I worked. He picked up the trousers that had been hemmed, waiting until I went on my lunch break to take them, so that we didn’t meet. Even though it was what I wanted, a part of me was hurt that he didn’t even try to see me. The suit looked good when I saw the TV coverage of the White House visit showing the Avengers receiving their commendation for a difficult mission that was successfully completed without the loss of life. Fashion blogs singled him out for the black monochromatic look he wore, saying it was obvious he had a professional stylist help him look so handsome and debonair. It was flattering and devastating to me at the same time. I knew I was good at my job, but I also knew that by remaining coldly professional with him I likely destroyed any chance of ever reconciling with him. C’est la vie.

We did notice an uptick in sales after the fashion blogs took note, as someone connected to the Avengers PR team mentioned our store, and the excellent customer service Bucky encountered in his search for a suit. The store manager was pleased, commending me for taking advantage of the lucky opportunity to sell a suit to an Avenger as well-known as Bucky Barnes. If he only knew the truth, that I only did it so I could see my former boyfriend once more. Then I noticed a couple of the other Avengers showing up, some of them like Joaquin Torres and Peter Parker browsing in the men’s wear selection, shyly waving at me when I became aware of their presence. Others, like Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop trying things on in the women’s wear or makeup departments. If I had been a suspicious person, I would have thought they were spying on me. But I wasn’t and they weren’t, at least not in the way I was expecting.

It wasn’t until I became aware of the celebrity gossip shows promoting the appearance of Bucky at several premieres and fashion events with some starlet on his arm that I understood why they had been at the store. As long as I was unaware of what was going on everything was alright. But as soon as Bucky moved on, I wasn’t alright; I wasn’t happy at all. When Sam showed up just before my lunch hour one day (with suspiciously accurate timing) I knew he was there for me.

“I’m fine,” I said to him, when he presented himself near the staff room door to intercept me.

“You’re not,” he said bluntly. “You’re allowed to leave the store for an hour, right? Come with me and we’ll talk. I’ll buy you lunch.”

Five minutes later we were in a small café, our hands around a couple of cups of coffee and an order placed for a Cobb salad for me, and burger with fries for him.

“Ever since he showed up at the White House wearing the suit you chose for him, the PR team has been pushing him to be more visible,” he said. “Apparently, he’s got the hottest look going for men right now and they want to take advantage of him being the first one to show up in public like that. He’s not dating any of them. In fact, he doesn’t even like doing it.”

“Could have fooled me,” I said. “Not that it matters since we broke up months ago. He’s free to see anyone he wants.”

“He doesn’t want anyone else,” declared Sam. “He only stayed away because that’s what you wanted; what you indicated the last time he saw you.”

“I know that,” I answered. “I created a monster. Now I have to live with my creation.”

He breathed out my name, but I just glared at him. Even though seeing Bucky out with those other women hurt, I knew objectively that he had no obligations to me, just as I had none to him. We were both free agents, free to do what we wanted or see whoever we chose to see. The fact I hadn’t even gone out on a single date since we broke up was beside the point. I could go with whoever I wanted, once I was ready. Sam gamely tried to make me feel better and even tried again to convince me to speak with Bucky, but I was pretty adamant. We were done. Taking some cash out of my purse for my part of the bill I left it on the table.

“Hey, no, this is my treat,” said Sam, putting it back in my hand. “Please, just think about things, will you?”

“You know, Sam, I would,” I said. “It’s just that when we were together, he never wanted to go out in public with me. Said he didn’t like the attention. I only wanted to go out maybe once a week to dinner or a movie and he wouldn’t do that for me. Yet, he manages to go out for the PR people several times a week with different beautiful women, meeting celebrities, rubbing shoulders with the famous people, people who don’t even matter to him. What does that say to me, the woman he supposedly loved. He needs to get his priorities straight, don’t you think?”

Sam’s face fell as he didn’t have a comeback for that because it was true. When I stepped outside it was raining which was just great, as it totally added to the crying I was trying not to do. By the time I got back to the store I had to excuse myself to the ladies' room and fix my makeup before I was presentable again. I threw myself into my job and tried to put any thought of James Buchanan Barnes out of my head.

That lasted another week until I was on the late shift, helping to close down the store at 9 pm. As a manager, it was my responsibility to go through the various departments, confirming that every till was closed off, the empty cash drawer left open to indicate the employer had bagged the money, minus the float, and taken both upstairs, where another manager confirmed they turned both amounts in. Security had already shooed the customers out, although there was always one or two who showed up with a minute or two left until the store closed, insistent they could get what they wanted quickly and at no inconvenience to the staff. Fortunately, the security staff were under strict orders to refuse entry to anyone arriving up to 5 minutes before closing, citing store security policy. A few years before someone had showed up, then hid in a storeroom and waited until they were certain they were alone, in an attempt to rob the safe. They weren’t alone, as the security system picked them up as soon as they exited the storeroom. By the time they made it up to the office the police were waiting with drawn guns.

It was 9:30 by the time I finished my duties and grabbed my purse and jacket, ready to take the train to my apartment, almost an hour’s ride away. I was tired, both emotionally and physically. After saying goodnight to the security guard on duty while he let me out, I headed towards the subway station when I heard my name being called. Turning around I saw Bucky, leaning against a car that was parked on the street. With a sigh, I approached him.

“What do you want?” I asked, knowing I was sounding abrupt, but I was too tired to care.

“Just to talk,” he said. “Get in, I’ll drive you home.” I looked around, trying to think of something, anything to say to him, as to why that wouldn’t be a good idea. “Please.”

He held the door open for me, waiting to make sure I was buckled in before he closed the door then he got behind the wheel and started up the car. Smoothly, he pulled into traffic and headed towards Queens. The sound system was on, connected to one of his jazz playlists. Turning it down so that it didn’t overwhelm us he drove quietly for a few moments.

“How are you?” he asked, finally.

“Fine.”

“Sweetheart, I know that fine means a lot of things, but it usually isn’t something good. Please, talk to me.”

“Alright, if you want to know the truth. I’m not fine. I work, I go home, force myself to eat something, then I watch TV until I fall asleep in front of it. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and drag myself to bed and other times I don’t, waking up in my clothes the next morning. Then I shower, force myself to eat breakfast and go to work. That’s my life. Satisfied?”

He breathed heavily, almost angrily, although his face seemed more upset than angry.

“Sam told me he talked to you.”

“And? What more do you want me to add, Bucky?”

“It wasn’t my idea to go out to these events,” he said. “It’s an obligation I would rather not have.”

“Right, yet you still do it. I only asked for us to go out on occasion like a real couple and you didn’t feel any obligation to do it for me, but you’ll do it for PR people. Did you not want people to know we were a couple?”

“Did you?” he countered. “I noticed that you didn’t say anything to the people you work with that we were a couple once upon a time. Were you ashamed of me?”

“No, I wasn’t,” I snapped. “I didn’t say anything to them because they’re a bunch of gossips who would have bugged me constantly for any juicy tidbits about the Avengers.” I looked out the window, shaking my head, while I trembled inside. “I didn’t need that in my life.”

Bucky looked away for a moment before looking at me. “What did you need? Because I feel there were a whole lot of things that I obviously didn’t know you wanted or needed. What did I miss?”

I knew if I started listing things that I would start crying so I said the only thing I could think of. “Everything.”

He looked stunned before he pulled over to an open spot, parking the car. Then he turned to me.

“Darlin’, look at me.” His voice was so silky and soft. When I turned towards him, I could feel the tears streaming down my cheeks, unchecked. “I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I honestly thought I was holding you back.”

“You see, this is why … I couldn’t do it anymore,” I cried. “You were so unavailable to me, even when we were in the same room. You didn’t tell me things; didn’t say anything about your thoughts or fears. I thought I wasn’t that important to you. I thought that what we had was physical more than anything. So, I withdrew as well, trying to protect myself from how much it hurt.” I looked at him, feeling the pain on his face in my gut. “Aren’t we a pair?”

“Is there any chance to make it right? I don’t want anyone else; I never did.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I want to believe that I matter to you, I really do.”

I undid my seatbelt and opened the door, unable to take any more of it. Before I had even gone ten feet, Bucky was in front of me, blocking me from going any further. Every move I made to get past him; he countered it. It was too much, and I broke down completely, wailing like a baby. He enclosed me in his arms at that moment and held me, stroking my hair and rubbing my back, just letting me cry it out until I was spent. When I stopped crying, I didn’t know what time it was, or where we were. All I was aware of was the warmth of his body and the sound of his heart pounding as I laid my head against his chest. Then Bucky murmured something, and I wasn’t sure I heard him right, so I looked up at him.

“What did you say?”

“I said, let’s go home,” he repeated, looking into my eyes.

“Which home?”

My place was still quite a drive away in Queens. When we broke up, he had been living in a small flat in Brooklyn. It wasn’t the nicest place, but it was what his Army pension and a government stipend could afford. With a smile he kissed me.

“I have something to show you,” he said quietly, gazing at me with those blue eyes. I started to ask for details, but he placed his fingertips on my lips. “Let me show you, then you can ask me anything.”

Just the way he was looking at me, so softly and sweetly, I knew it was something important. We got back in the car and were soon on our way to Brooklyn. On a street in Prospect Heights, Bucky slowed up, then parked in front of a brownstone that had scaffolding set up in front of it. He turned the car off and pointed to it.

“With what I make with the Avengers and my lawsuit settlement finally coming through I decided to invest in a home. It needed some work as it was used as a rooming house for a long time. New plumbing, flooring, HVAC, windows, and then when it’s finished, painting and furnishings. Would you like to see it?”

I could see that it meant a lot to him, so I nodded, and he came around to open the car door for me, offering his hand to help me out, still very much a 1940s gentleman. He followed me up the steps then entered a number in the keypad which unlocked the door. Turning on the entryway light he stepped back to allow me to enter first. The floors were covered in a layer of protective paper. The walls had been refinished but still needed a final coat of plaster, then paint, and the windows needed trimming, but the lighting fixtures were up and as he turned them on, I could see that it would be a lovely home. He showed me the kitchen and unlocked the door to a terrace that led down to a small patio area with a shade tree. Returning back to the house we went upstairs to the second floor which had two bedrooms, one of them a large master with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet. The stairs led to a third floor with two more bedrooms. All of them had hardwood floors and had been painted in a soft grey colour. As we headed back down to the living room area, he told me more.

“The basement has an office and a workout room. I’ll need somewhere to stay fit.”

I looked at the back of his head, as he descended ahead of me on the stairs, puzzled by the last comment because I knew that Stark Tower had the best in terms of fitness facilities.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “Why are you showing me this now?”

He stepped out into the living room area, took a breath, then placed his hand on mine, playing with my fingers.

“When I agreed to be part of the Avengers, I never envisioned being in a relationship with anyone,” he began. “I thought it would be enough to pay back society for what I did as the Winter Soldier, maybe date a bit, and then someday, buy a bar somewhere on a tropical island and finish out my days there. Then I met you, and it threw me for a loop. I didn’t handle it well, convincing myself that you would realize I wasn’t a good bet. So, I held myself apart from you. I guess I was deliberately sabotaging our relationship, trying to see how far I could push you away before you left. Well, I found out and I hurt you in the process. I hurt us both because I rationalized that it was all for the better. Then I saw you again, at the store.”

“Sam told me you were there deliberately, to see me. You bought those boots on an impulse so you would have an excuse to come back.”

He didn’t deny it. “All those times you offered to help me buy a nice suit and I turned you down because I thought you were just being polite. Then I needed help for real and you were so detached and professional, that I figured it really was over between us. When the PR people said they wanted me to be out and about, showing how I had evolved from this jeans and T-shirt guy to someone who could represent the organization I said yes, thinking I should be a better team player. The others kept telling me you were hurting after the first PR pictures and videos came out. They could see it every time one of them came into the store then you admitted how much you were struggling to Sam. It just all came to a head how unfair I had been to you.”

“Tell me,” I demanded. “Tell me how you’ve been unfair. I want to know if you realize what you really did.”

He had the decency to look embarrassed. “I know that I wasn’t good at telling you how much you meant to me. When we were on missions, I know I should have called you or texted you more, just to say I was thinking of you and couldn’t wait for when I got back. It wasn’t fair asking you to look after me when I was hurt. I tried to rationalize it by convincing myself that because I would be healed the next day that it wouldn’t bother you, but it did, didn’t it?” I sobbed out loud then, and his face broke. “I guess the worst thing is that I was being selfish when I didn’t want to go out. Part of me tried to say it was time devoted to you, but the truth was that I was afraid to be out with you; not just because I was afraid of people judging me, wondering why I should have someone like you in my life when I’ve taken so many lives. There was hate mail, threatening to hurt my loved ones.” I stopped crying, as this was the first that I had heard of it. “So, I rationalized staying home so I could protect you, not thinking that it made you feel trapped.” He touched my face with a worried expression on his. “How am I doing?”

“What does this have to do with buying a house?” I asked. He took another deep breath.

“I’m retiring from active duty,” he said. “They’re recruiting a bunch of new people, some of them kids but with powers that make me look like a stick in the mud. In many ways I am a stick in the mud. I like my 40s music, I don’t get reality TV, and I haven’t had a break since 1943. I think I’ve earned the right to have a private life. I’ll still help train these new kids, and if there’s a big mission, I’ll consider going on it, but I want a home, and a family, with a wife and kids, and a dog, and a cat … all of it.”

“What else will you do?”

“Get my GED, go to college,” he replied. “Maybe be a house husband, cook the meals, clean the house, and look after my kids while my wife continues on her career, if that’s what she wants to do. I’m in a new century and there are parts of it I want to embrace as long as I have the right person with me.” He was touching my face again, with his fingertips just brushing against my jaw. “I asked you earlier what I could do to make it right. I already knew the answer. I make you the focus of my life. It’s all about you and should have been from the start. Let me make you happy, let me show you every day how much you matter.”

I wanted to believe him and by the look on his face he wanted me to believe him as well. He bought a house, a big one, to fill with love and laughter, children and pets, and he bought it for me. Not only that, but he was also willing to retire, and start doing something else with his life; embracing the life he wanted in the 1940s but wasn’t allowed to have until now, if only I was willing to embrace it with him.

“You know, I was thinking of getting out of retail,” I said. “The hours aren’t great for relationships, from Thanksgiving on through the New Year the crowds are ridiculous, and customer service isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to try something different.”

“Like what?” he asked, a soft smile on his face.

“Like marriage and a family, and a husband who adores me.”

“I can provide that,” he murmured, his arms moving around my waist. “If you’re sure that’s what you want, then I’m more than willing to help you get it.”

“Is that a proposal?” It became very still at that moment.

“No, but I can do that, too,” he said, not missing a beat. “That’s a promise.”

Our lips met then, and he poured every bit of his love for me into that kiss. We stood in that unfinished living room, the smell of plaster still in the air from the first coat put on the walls. There were no window coverings so anyone passing by would have seen Bucky Barnes and some woman kissing like there was nothing else in the world pressing upon them. When I got into his car after work, I was certain that this was it, the end was coming, and whatever was keeping us apart was too big to overcome. Instead, I found someone who wanted what I wanted, and was willing to change his life to make me happy. If he was willing to do that, then so was I. I never wanted him to quit the Avengers for me, but it was always going to be an option now, a choice that we could make together, when the time was right. The timing was perfect.

Short Fiction Masterlist

Please reblog if you liked this.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #buckybarnes original female character #sam wilson #reconciliation #kiss and make up #james buchanan barnes fanfiction #james buchanan barnes #buckybarnesshortfic #bucky barnes short fiction

[buckybarnesb-tch]

Random Thoughts: Bucky Barnes

The Metal Arm

Contrary to what most people think Bucky actually loves it when his girl touches his metal arm.

It’s one of his biggest insecurities to be sure, he has a bad relationship with it (as one would imagine) but he enjoys it when his girl enjoys it, and that’s the only time he likes it.

On hot nights when no matter how much he turns up the AC for you, you’re still hot, your period giving you hot flashes that you believe are going to be the death of you, you wrap your entire upper body around the cool metal that never seems to change temperature and you finally drift off to sleep. After a night drinking with the girls, Natasha and Pepper dropping you back off at your shared apartment clearly able to hold much more liquor than you (though Bucky notices how Pepper often ends up leaning against the assassin as well before going home) your entire body is hot and you will always strip completely bare to fix the problem. It often leaves Bucky with his own problem that he needs to take care of as he refuses to touch you when you’ve had more than 3 drinks, but once he does and he crawls into bed your body finds its way around the chilled metal and you pass out clinging to him like a baby gorilla attached to its mother.

It makes Bucky feel useful

Like the metal arm can actually do something good for once

Bucky however, hates touching you with it.

If you don’t instigate the contact then he will never let the vibranium touch your perfect skin. He knows that you insist it’s okay, and that you love it but he doesn’t love it. He knows how much you enjoy the metal fingers wrapped around your throat on those nights that you want him to be particularly rough with you and while he will always give you what you want, it scares him to see something that’s brought so much pain to people wrapped around your delicate, perfect throat.

Slowly but surely you are helping him learn to enjoy the prosthetic in some way, even if it takes a while to get there. You are nothing if not patient and that’s one of the things Bucky loves the most about you, he needs patience from people more than anything as he acclimates to living life in this century as a normal person and you know and respect that completely.

He has learned to like you holding his metal hand as well. That one took the longest, he was always afraid of breaking your fingers if he so much as twitched but you let him know he was over reacting just a bit and took your time helping him get used to it. The feeling that he has in the fake limb (which isn’t as much as a real arm but was at least some kind of sensation) was enough that he enjoyed holding your smaller hand in his own, often bringing it to his lips to kiss your skin and sneakily checking to ensure he had not bruised your soft flesh.

The arm has always been an issue for the super soldier and probably always would be in some form, but he can say you’ve helped him enjoy it at least a little bit. He is now seeing some small perks of it which is helping him live with it just a bit more comfortably and that’s all you could ever ask for. And you’re all Bucky could ever ask for.

Bucky Barnes Masterlist

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #marvel #the winter soldier #bucky barnes smut #buckybarnes fic #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x female oc #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x oc #bucky x oc #bucky x y/n #bucky fic #bucky barnes fluff #captain america #the avengers #bucky barnes x original female character #metal arm

[ladysif8]

Bucky Barnes/Curvy Original Female Character

Summary:

Feeling a little neglected by her boyfriend Bucky, who seemed intent on spending his entire week-long vacation glued to the couch with his friends, Aria decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew she had to find a way to distract him and grab his attention away from the game.

Whether it was by wearing his favorite lingerie, cooking his favorite meal, or surprising him with a playful gesture, Aria was determined to remind Bucky that there was more to life than just video games. She longed for his attention and affection, and she was willing to do whatever it took to get it.

Word Count: 3,702

WARNINGS: explicit language, blow jobs.

Author Notes: I was scrolling through TikTok when I should have been sleeping, as one naturally does. When I came across this video, let me tell you, the inspiration hit so hard, lol

I would recommend reading the first two one-shots that go with this one before you read, but it can be read stand-alone.

Sweet Heat

A Slow Burn

"No! Fuck!"

Aria jolted awake, disentangling herself from the sheets and narrowly avoiding launching Doom Kitty off the bed in the process.

The black cat, now visibly disgruntled, side-eyed Aria as she jumped onto the armchair in the corner of the room, curling up on Bucky's hoodie.

"Damn it!" Bucky's frustrated exclamation echoed from the living room below. "Oh no, I think I might have woken Ari up."

Aria grumbled to herself, "No kidding," as she collapsed back onto the mattress, rubbing her hands over her face. Glancing at the alarm clock, the red numbers blinked 8:30 a.m. She sighed, tossing the covers aside and getting out of bed.

Stretching her limbs, Aria began to make the bed with practiced ease, fluffing the pillows adorned with dark purple pillowcases. She smoothed out the black bamboo sheets, a luxury she had treated herself to and cherished. After tucking in the sheet and shaking out the duvet, she fluffed each throw pillow before padding to the ensuite bathroom.

Aria turned on the shower, relishing the steam that quickly filled the bathroom. She peeled off her boyfriend's shirt, longing for his presence beside her this morning. It wasn't often that Bucky had time off like this, apart from the four weeks he had for his recovery, which they spent cuddling on the couch and indulging in slow make-out sessions.

With a reflective thought of Bucky, Aria let the warm water cascade over her body, washing away the remnants of sleep. She reached for her favorite shampoo, the scent of lavender soothing her senses as she worked it into her dark brown and purple hair.

Despite missing Bucky's company, Aria found solace in the tranquility of the shower. With practiced movements, she lathered up her tattooed skin with fragrant soap, savoring the peaceful moment. As the water rinsed away the suds, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be enveloped by the serenity of the morning.

After her shower, Aria stepped out and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, patting her skin dry gently. She then reached for her favorite lotion, smoothing it over her body with care, relishing the sensation as she pampered her skin.

As she looked at her voluptuous figure in the mirror, Aria couldn't help but admire herself for a moment. However, her thoughts soon drifted to Bucky downstairs, engrossed in his game. She wiggled her nose at the sound, feeling a pang of longing for his attention. It seemed like he had been spending more time gaming lately, leaving her feeling a bit neglected.

Brushing her hair, she listened to the faint sounds of Bucky's game drifting up from downstairs. Determined to draw his attention away from the screen, Aria padded naked into the bedroom. She selected a lacy black pair of panties and a matching black crop top, hoping to catch Bucky's eye and entice him away from his gaming session.

She selected a lacy black pair of panties and a matching black crop top, hoping to catch Bucky's eye and entice him away from his gaming session.

Bucky lounged on the couch, his feet kicked up as he wore his headset, fully immersed in the virtual world of the game.

"Watch out for that sniper on the left!" he shouted into the mic, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Yeah, I see him," Steve responded, his voice crackling through the headset. "Cover me while I flank."

"Got your back, Cap," Sam chimed in, his voice steady and determined.

Clint added with a chuckle, "Just make sure you don't end up like last time, Steve. Remember what happened in Sector 7?"

Bucky joined in the laughter, his voice warm and playful. "Yeah, we don't need a repeat of that disaster. Let's stick to the plan, guys."

Together, they coordinated their movements, strategizing and battling through the virtual challenges with skill and teamwork. The intensity of the game consumed them, each moment filled with adrenaline and excitement.

Bucky was on day three of his week-long vacation, and he was loving it. Sure, he absolutely loved being a firefighter, but the hours were long, and he missed being at home with his wonderful girlfriend. He couldn't wait for a week of home-cooked meals, late-night snuggles, morning sex, and steamy showers with Aria.

Who had ordered the newest Assassin's Creed game for Bucky, and it had taken years for it to come in the mail. Alright, maybe he was being dramatic, but four days had felt like forever, alright. When he had the time, he hardly played online with Steve, Sam, and Clint.

So he had woken up extra early to get his morning run in, then sat down in front of the TV with a cup of coffee and a box of cherry pop tarts. They had been at this campaign for about an hour when Aria woke up; she kissed his cheek, murmuring good morning on her way to the kitchen.

As Bucky remained engrossed in the game, a delightful aroma of sizzling bacon began to waft from the kitchen, teasing his senses and drawing his attention away from the screen.

"Man, you guys should smell this right now," Bucky exclaimed, his thumbs moving rapidly over his controller.

He paused for a moment, inhaling the mouth-watering scent.

"Aria making breakfast?" Clint asked with a chuckle.

Steve groaned, "I am so jealous."

"As you should be, smells like bacon," Bucky added.

It was Sam's turn to groan now, "Do you guys remember that one morning she brought the station breakfast?" he asked.

"Oh, how could I forget that candied bacon was the absolute best!" Clint replied, his voice filled with nostalgia.

A short while later, Aria padded into the living room, carrying a tray with a mouthwatering bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on homemade bread, accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee. The sight and smell of the delicious breakfast instantly captured Bucky's attention, causing him to remove his headset and flash Aria a grateful smile.

"Wow, that looks amazing," he exclaimed, his stomach rumbling in anticipation as he eagerly reached for the sandwich. "Thanks, baby."

Aria returned his smile, pleased to see him enjoying the meal she had prepared. "You're welcome, babe. I thought you could use something other than pop tarts," she said playfully, setting the tray down on the coffee table before joining him on the couch.

"You're the best," Bucky said, taking a bite from his sandwich as he slid his headset back on.

Aria pursed her lips, watching her boyfriend return back to his video game. With a sigh, she hauled herself off the couch and went back to the kitchen.

Once she'd finished cleaning up after breakfast and reorganizing the refrigerator, courtesy of TikTok inspiration, Aria made her way to the living room and began picking up around where Bucky was still seated. Dressed only in her lacy panties and crop top, she moved about the room, tidying up.

As she bent over to grab a stray game controller, she couldn't help but notice that Bucky barely seemed to register her presence, lost in the world of his game. Despite the fact that she was wearing his favorite pair of lacy panties that barely covered her butt, Bucky remained focused on the game, oblivious to her efforts to catch his attention.

Aria couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Damn it, all she wanted was a little attention from her boyfriend. She straightened up, letting out a sigh as she continued her cleaning, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would notice her soon.

Bucky was so deeply engrossed in his game that he didn't even register Aria's presence as she moved about the room, tidying up. His attention was entirely consumed by the virtual world on the screen in front of him, his fingers moving deftly over the controller as he navigated through the game's challenges.

Despite the sound of her movements and the occasional glimpse of her in his peripheral vision, Bucky's focus remained steadfastly fixed on the game. He was completely unaware of Aria's efforts to clean up around him, lost in the intensity of the virtual battle unfolding before him.

Minutes turned into hours as Bucky continued to play, his concentration unbroken by the activity happening around him. It wasn't until Aria finally spoke up, breaking through his gaming trance, that he realized she had been cleaning the room all along.

It wasn't until Aria finally spoke up, breaking through his gaming trance, that he realized she had been cleaning the room all along

As Aria watched Bucky remain utterly absorbed in his game, an idea began to form in her mind. She walked over to where he was seated on the couch and, with deliberate movements, slid down to her knees between his spread legs. Bucky barely registered her presence, assuming she was reaching for something hidden beneath the couch.

But then, to his surprise, Aria reached up and pulled her dark brown and purple hair up into a messy bun, exposing the nape of her neck and the delicate curve of her jawline. Bucky's fingers faltered on the controller as he stuttered slightly, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected shift in her actions.

"Bucky! Cover man! Cover!" Clint's urgent shout snapped Bucky back to the game, realizing he had left his friends hanging.

"Uh, y-yeah," Bucky stuttered, his voice cracking slightly over the headset, "Sorry."

As Bucky refocused on the game, Aria's heart raced with anticipation. She glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief, knowing she had his attention now.

But before she could make another move, Bucky felt Aria's hands slowly creeping up his legs again. This time, he couldn't help but let out a laugh, swatting her hands away gently.

"Baby, stop it," Bucky murmured into the headset, trying to hide his amusement. "I'm trying to play a game."

Steve's voice came through the headset, concern evident. "What's going on, Buck? You sound distracted."

"Get your head in the game, Barnes," Sam chimed in.

Bucky tried to brush off the distraction with a casual excuse. "Uh, nothing, just Doom messing with my laces," he replied, hoping his friends would buy his explanation.

"That cat's a menace," Clint chuckled.

Bucky laughed softly as he looked down at his mischievous girlfriend. "Yeah, she is," he mumbled.

Aria raised a mischievous brow at him, her playful smirk growing as she leaned in closer. With a daring glint in her eyes, she ran her hands further up his thighs, her fingers sliding beneath the material of his shorts. Bucky's breath caught in his throat as he felt her touch, a rush of desire coursing through him. He glanced nervously at the screen, hoping his friends wouldn't notice his breathing. Still unable to resist the tantalizing sensation of Aria's touch, his cock started to stiffen within the confines of his boxer briefs.

"Jesus," Bucky cursed breathy; his brows furrowed as he desperately tried to concentrate.

Sam chuckled, "You okay, Buck?" he asked.

"Yeah...yeah," he cleared his throat, eyes fluttering as Aria moved her hand firmly over his semi-chubbed dick.

Having had enough, Aria gripped Bucky's shorts and underwear. She tugged on them, jerking his hips, freeing his now very interested cock. Aria took only a few seconds to appreciate her boyfriend's thickening length and slight curb toward his abdomen.

"What the—" Bucky started, but then abruptly stopped, sucking in a sharp breath as Aria's mouth engulfed his cock. "Oh...oh fuck," he breathed roughly.

Bucky's erection filled so fast he nearly went light-headed; his breath became ragged as Aria swallowed around him. Pulling off his swollen cock with a lewd pop, she over the slit as she looked up at him through her lashes.

Clint groaned, and the sound of his controller hitting the floor, "The fuck Bucky?"

"Where the hell are, Buck?" Steve asked.

Aria lazily pumped his cock as she sucked on the flushed head; slowly, she swallowed down his shaft inch by inch until her nose was buried against the trimmed hairs of his groin.

Bucky started panting, his eyes fluttering as she played with his throbbing balls while her throat massaged his cock.

"Oh yeah," he rasped, head falling back against the couch.

Aria's hand continued to stroke his balls, her mouth swallowing him deeper and deeper as she moaned around him. If there was one thing Aria loved the most to do to her boyfriend, it was sucking his dick; she could feel lace panties starting to stick to her.

Bucky moaned softly, becoming lost in the sensation of his girlfriend's warm, wet mouth around his straining cock. He gripped the controller tightly, his eyes rolling back in pleasure as he tried to hold on to some semblance of control.

"Oh fuck, baby..." Bucky gasped, his voice strained.

She pulled off him with a wet pop, her lips glistening with his pre-cum.

Sam choked out, "You've lost your mind, Buck. What the hell is going on?"

Bucky's voice was strained as he spoke into the headset, "Just... just playing, man."

"You better be playing this game. Cause if you're doing anything else, we're going to have to have words," Clint warned.

Aria nuzzled Bucky's inner thigh before lightly biting down, sending his hips bucking off the couch. He winced at the sharp edge of her teeth, the sensation definitely not from a game controller.

Bucky's friends over the headset had no idea that his heart was racing for a completely different reason. They didn't know that Aria had just taken his breath away with that sinful mouth of hers.

As Aria continued to tease him, her eyes locked onto his, Bucky felt a newfound appreciation for her. He knew that she had been waiting for his attention, and now she had it, with a vengeance.

Aria continued to work her magic on him, her mouth sliding up and down his erect cock with ease. Bucky moaned quietly, the sensation of her warm mouth and skilled tongue feeling like an electric current coursing through his body.

Meanwhile, oblivious to the unfolding scene in Bucky's living room, Steve, Sam, and Clint continued their conversation and banter, completely engrossed in the game and their camaraderie. They joked and strategized, sharing stories and laughter as they navigated through the virtual challenges together.

With no inkling of the distraction that Aria was causing Bucky, they remained focused on the game, their voices filling the headset with lively chatter.

His body was now fully at Aria's mercy, his cock thick and hard in her mouth. He could feel the pulse of his own arousal throbbing against the roof of her mouth, a primal signal of his desire to release.

Bucky started losing himself in the pleasure of the moment, forgetting about the game and his friends in the process. He knew that if he didn't regain control soon, he would cum hard and fast, unable to hold back any longer.

Aria was still expertly sucking him off, her tongue swirling around the head of his cock, making him groan in pleasure. Suddenly, he felt her hand wrap around the base of his shaft, slowly squeezing as she continued to milk him.

Bucky's breath hitched in his throat as he leaned back against the couch; he could feel his orgasm building, the tension in his body coiling tighter with every stroke of Aria's mouth.

"Oh God, baby..." he moaned, his voice shaky and pleading.

With a final deep throat, Aria pulled back, her lips glistening with his precum. Bucky's cock throbbed in anticipation as he watched her slowly lick and swallow the last drops of precum from her lips.

"You're so close, baby," Aria whispered, her eyes never leaving his.

Bucky nodded, his breathing ragged and erratic. He couldn't take much more of this exquisite torture. He needed release, and he needed it soon.

Aria smirked, sensing his desperation. She knew exactly what to do to push him over the edge. With a soft smile, she leaned forward and took him back into her mouth, slowly working her way down his shaft.

Bucky's eyes rolled back in pleasure as Aria's warm, wet mouth enveloped him once again. He could feel her throat muscles rhythmically pulsing around his cock, milking him with expert precision.

"Fuck, Aria..." he groaned, his hips bucking involuntarily. His hips bucked slightly, trying to thrust deeper into her mouth.

"That's it, baby..." Aria cooed, her voice low and sultry. "Let it go. Give it to me."

Bucky's body trembled as he felt the orgasm building inside him, the tension mounting with each passing second. He tried to hold back, but Aria's expert mouth was too much.

"I'm close..." he warned, his voice a hoarse whisper.

Aria slowly increased her speed, her mouth moving up and down his dick in a steady rhythm. Bucky's breathing became shallower, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He knew that if he didn't do something soon, he would lose control completely.

"Bucky, are you still there?" Sam's voice suddenly cut through the silence.

Bucky's eyes flicked up to meet Aria's, who was still sucking him off with an intensity that left him breathless. He tried to focus on the conversation, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Yeah, just... just going through something," he managed to rasp out, his voice strained.

"Weird place to go through it, man," Clint grumbled, "but whatever, just don't die on us in the game, alright?"

Bucky couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's concern, even as Aria sucked him deeper, her throat muscles massaging his sensitive cock.

"Got it, guys," he replied, his voice still strained. "I'll be back in a minute."

"Take your time, Buck," Steve said, sounding understanding.

Bucky glanced back at Aria, who was still sucking him off with a fierce intensity. Bucky took a deep breath, trying to regain some control over his body. He looked down at Aria, her eyes locked onto his, and knew that he couldn't disappoint her.

"Don't stop," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Aria's eyes widened with excitement as she continued to suck him off, her pace increasing. Bucky's hips bucked wildly, his balls tightening as he felt the orgasm building.

"The fuck has gotten into you," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Aria's eyes never left him; she slowly increased her speed, her mouth moving up and down his dick in a steady rhythm. Bucky's breathing became shallower, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He tried to hold back, but Aria's expert mouth was too much.

"I'm close..." he warned, his voice a hoarse whisper.

Aria sensed his urgency and increased her sucking, her lips gliding up and down his throbbing dick. Her beautiful dark hair started falling out of the bun as she bobbed her head faster, her eyes never leaving his. Bucky's breath hitched, his body tense and ready to explode.

"Fuck baby, I'm gonna cum..." he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aria didn't slow down, her mouth continuing to move up and down his shaft, her throat muscles massaging him aggressively. Bucky's hips bucked wildly, his balls tightening as he felt the orgasm building.

"Oh fuck, Aria..." he moaned, his voice strained. "I'm gonna cum."

Aria smiled around his cock, knowing that this was the moment they had both been waiting for. She increased her pace, her mouth moving faster and faster along his cock. Bucky's body trembled uncontrollably, the pleasure overwhelming him as he felt the orgasm building to its peak.

Aria slowed her pace for just a moment; her eyes locked onto him, a devilish grin spreading across her face. She knew exactly what she was doing to him, and she loved it.

Aria felt his cock stiffen even more, the pulsing signals of his impending orgasm clear to her. She knew she had to do everything in her power to make this moment last as long as possible, to savor every drop of his cum.

Gagging herself on his cock, her pulled-back panting, lips dark and swollen slick with spit and pre cum. She lazily pumped him as she slowly licked her lips, not breaking eye contact as she slid her other hand down her body.

"Fuck, Aria..." he groaned, his voice hoarse and strained. "I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna cum!"

In her hand, Bucky's cock twitched violently.

Aria smirked, knowing that her plan had worked. With a soft smile and a sigh of satisfaction, she leaned forward and took him back into her mouth, slowly working her way down his shaft once more.

Bucky's eyes rolled back in pleasure as Aria's warm, wet mouth enveloped him again. He could feel her throat muscles rhythmically pulsing around his cock, milking him with expert precision.

"Fuck, baby..." he groaned, his hips bucking involuntarily. His hips bucked slightly, trying to thrust deeper into her mouth."Jesus fuck, baby, here it comes..." he groaned, his voice strained.

Bucky's balls tensed up; his breath hitched with a gut-punching groan as his cock started to pulse in her mouth, shooting thick ropes of milky white bittersweet cum down her throat.

Aria hummed at the taste as her throat worked around him, milking his cock. She worked him through his orgasm, taking care to lick his sensitive, spent cock head clean. Aria gently tucked him back in his shorts; with an innocent expression, she looked up at him, blinking as she took her middle finger and wiped around her lips.

Sucking off the last few drops of cum, a knowing smirk played on her lips. With a casual air, she got up from her kneeling position, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred, and made her way toward the kitchen.

"Hey, Buck," she called over her shoulder, her voice light and nonchalant, "I'm gonna get started on lunch. Anything special you're in the mood for?"

Bucky's head was still spinning, chest heaving from the unexpected mind-blowing blow job, his heart racing and his thoughts scattered. He blinked, trying to regain his composure as he watched Aria disappear into the kitchen. The playful smirk on her lips lingered in his mind, leaving him both bewildered and intrigued by the sudden turn of events. That was when he finally registered that she was barely wearing anything, prancing around the house in a lace thong and a crop top.

"What the fuck," he breathed, his voice barely audible as he tried to process the whirlwind of sensations and emotions coursing through him.

Ladies and gentleman!

I give you the TikTok that inspired this little one-shot!

#marvel #bucky barnes #james bucky barnes #mcu alternate universe #buckybarnes/original female character #fanfiction #bucky barns fanfiction #firefighterbuckybarnes #firemanbuckybarnes #curvy girls #bucky barnes smut #curvy character

[aikaterini-drag]

Dropping this eye candy to get your attention

#james bucky buchanan barnes #buckybarnes #bucky #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes #alpha bucky barnes #beefy bucky #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x reader #bucky fluff #bucky x reader #the winter soldier #james barnes #james barnes #james barnes x reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes x original female character #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x oc #bucky barnes x ofc

[serendipityshire]

Cast Your OC Pairing → Everlasting Love from Brooklyn

Jessica De Gouw as Victoria “Vicky” Rogers

Sebastian Stan as James “Bucky” Barnes

#cast your oc pairing #ocappreciation #original female character #Movie: MCU #Character: Victoria Vicky Rogers #Character: James BuckyBarnes #Otp: Everlasting Love from Brooklyn #god this story is close to my heart too because it was my passion project and the last time I've ever wrote something with such joy in a whi

[jess-unkommentiert]

"I didn't have a choice!" - Masterlist

Lynn Summers found herself as the new doctor at the Avengers Compound. Soon she starts to become friends with Wanda, Steve, Sam and the others. Only a grumpy metal-armed man does not seem to trust and like her.

One eventful night changes everything between them. Will it drift them apart even more or get them close?

⍟ Alternate Universe (see Introductions) ⍟ After "Avengers: Endgame" - Before "Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

→ Bucky Barnes x OC ←

⊱┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⊰

→ The Story on WattPad

⊱┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⊰

Introduction & Cast

Prologue

I. Welcome to the Avengers Compound

II. Meeting the Avengers

III. Training accidents

⊱┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⊰

#james bucky barnes #buckybarnes #bucky barnes #winter soldier #wintersoldier #marvel fanfic writer #bucky x oc #mcu #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel #alternate universe #the avengers #avengers endgame #female oc #oc #original character #doctor #smut #angst #injuries #accidents #love #friends to lovers #nightmare #trauma

[bumblebeeskies]

𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧!

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦

𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: in which a boy who has a metal arm and a girl with bad lungs fall in love, even though they shouldn’t.

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: patient! bucky barnes x patient! fem oc

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: mentions of blood. 

𝙖/𝙣: this took me so long to write and i’m very happy with the results so pls give ya girl some support :) i’m actually super excited to write this one, so buckle up partners, this is going to be a roller coaster. this will be like the movie “five feet apart” but with my own little twist! hope you enjoy and feedback is always welcomed! also thank you @go-romanoff, @eh-applejuice, @marvelmorvel for supporting me, y’all are the best.

𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 1,240

___

The iodoform smell of the hospital room is strong, burning her nose as she sits on the rather uncomfortable mattress they had provided for her. It’s distinctive, overpowering as its chemical aroma hovers about. She should be used to it, really. The familiar phenolic and sterile scent is something she’s used to.

Ellie fiddles with a small photograph; over and over she flips it, staring at the faces upon it. Her fingertips graze against the photo softly, tracing the outlines. A sudden wave of homesickness rushes over her.

It was taken a long, long time ago - pre-diagnosis. There she stood, ten-year-old Ellie next to her older brother, Jamie, who had just turned twelve that day. He had begged their mother to take them to the beach - how could she refuse when it was his birthday? Oh, what a happy day that was. If Ellie thought hard enough, she could hear the humming of the ocean’s waves, or the smell the salty breeze that fanned against her cheek. Feel the golden hues of sand between her toes every time she walked. Those memories brought a sad smile upon her lips.

Ellie ponders, often way too much, what it would be like to have healthy functioning lungs. Because if she had such a lovely thing, she wouldn’t be stuck in a patients room all alone on a Friday night. She could be with friends or family, or just enjoying life, not from such an insensate room that felt suffocating.

There is a knock on the door and Ellie abruptly shoves the photograph under her pillow for it not to be seen. Claire - one of the few nurses that take care of her - burst in, a beaming expression setting on her face. Ellie wishes, oh so desperately, that she could be as ecstatic as the middle-aged woman.

“Hey dear, got a couple things for you.” She holds a pudding cup in one hand and two pills in the other. She gestures for Ellie to take them, and she does. Ellie puts the blue pills into the pudding, mixing them around; it was easier this way.

Claire eyes her solely, crossing her arms. “Where is your nose cannula and why isn’t it on?” Ellie takes a mouthful of the pudding, shrugging. Claire sighs. “how many times do I have to tell you to put that on? It’s serious!”

“Look, I’ll put it in right now.” Grabbing the all too familiar oxygen tube, Ellie adjusts it comfortably behind her ears, setting the tubes in. Claire hums in approvable.

“Keep that in for the rest of the night, young lady. I’ll be back to check on that iv drip later.” With a stern look, Claire is about to leave the room, but she stops without warning, glancing back.

“Oh, and one more thing, Remy told me to tell you to text him back. He’s having a crisis, again.” With that, she leaves. Ellie laughs to herself and takes one more bite of pudding.

Remy - a best friend ever since Ellie was a child - knew what it was like to feel imprisoned inside a hospital room all day. And if Ellie could, she would burst into his room and sit besides him, but she knew she couldn’t. Because if she did, both Remy and she would be exposed and that wouldn’t be good.

Cf was a thief and it took everything.

As if on cue, Ellie’s phone dings, and it doesn’t take her a moment to guess who it is.

remy:)🌸: hey you didn’t text me back! guess who has bronchitis again? this bitch!

Ellie giggles at that and instantly responds;

ellie🧚‍♀️: im sorry :( want me to stop by and bring snacks? i need to get out anyways

another ding, signaling that he has replied;

remy:)🌸: nah b im good, imma crash. you should still get out though, being stuck inside the hospital room isn’t good for your health bby!! nighty night!

He was right, though. If Ellie stayed cooped up in the dull patient's room any further, she would lose her mind.

Truth be told, she was nervous about staying here for a month. Yes, she had known about her lungs not working normally as others but when she found out that her lung function decreased, well, that scared the shit out of her. Waiting years for a new set of lungs was tiring, and unless some miracle happens where her cf magically disappeared, then she wouldn’t have to worry about whether she was going to wake up the next day.

But with Remy alongside her, and on the same boat, she gets through it, somehow.

Ellie decides to get out, and it’s not long before she’s up and moving. Picking up the portable oxygen tank at her bedside, she pulls the strap over her shoulder comfortably. Next, she grabs her medical mask, it is light pink, and she pulls it over her nose. One last thing; a pair of light blue gloves to cover her hands. A precaution.

Walking out into the large hallway, she grins as she noticed a teeny drawing of a rose taped to the outside of a half-opened door, an overturned hydro flask keeping it open slightly. She draws a heart on the dry erase board Remy has hung outside the door, to let him know she had stopped by, before taking off down the hall toward the doors that’ll lead to the main part of the hospital.

She’ll have to take the elevator, down to the b wing, across the bridge into building 1, and straight down to the nicu.

Ellie knew the hospital as well as the house she grew up in. After spending days, months, and years staying in emergency rooms, she was ought to discover her new home from home. every winding corridor, hidden staircase, or secret shortcut, explored over and over again.

Before Ellie can open another set of double doors, it opens by itself - a group of nurses and doctors wheeling in a man who is covered in large amounts of blood. Immediately, she pushes herself against the wall to avoid bumping into them. She can’t help but watch as they all scramble to get him inside a room - most likely the operation room - yelling inaudible sentences to each other.

Ellie’s breath hitches at the sight of the blood.

Not much she can catch, but the one thing she spots the most is the where his left arm should be intact, but there is simply nothing but thick, gushing blood seeping out the wound. A nurse did his best to put pressure, but it didn’t stop the red substance from oozing out.

Ellie races back to her room, shutting the door with haste. She pulls her mask down, doing her best to slow down her rapid breathing. She had to control it because if she didn’t, her lungs wouldn’t know how to cope.

Taking one last deep breath, she peels her gloves off, setting them onto her metal tray, then the mask next. She crawls into bed, pulling her covers over her body, trying her best to get comfortable.

She wants to sleep. She wants to be able to close her eyes without seeing the previous events that just had occurred only five minutes ago. Every time her eyelids shut, the same scene of flowing blood appears and she shifts on the bed in discomfort.

That night, Ellie didn’t sleep, a one-armed stranger stuck on her mind.

#bucky barnes #marvel #the avengers #bucky barnes fic #the winter solider fanfiction #patient!buckybarnes #bucky x oc #bucky x original female character #james buchanan barnes

[ao3feed-stucky]

by outofcontextbucky

(AU) Kelsey Cruz is happy with her life fighting alongside the Avengers, but when they get a call claiming Bucky's back in business, Cap sends her to watch over him far away from New York. She knows sex wasn't part of the job description, but whatever.

(currently ongoing) (captain america: tws non-compliant) (i try my best, but ca:cw non-compliant, too, probably)

Words: 19977, Chapters: 10/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M

Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Original Characters, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Erik Killmonger, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, T'Challa (Marvel), Shuri (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James Rhodes, Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel), Peter Parker, Scott Lang

Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Original Female Character(s), James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, Pepper Potts/Tony Stark

Additional Tags: originalcharacters - Freeform, Bucky - Freeform, BuckyBarnes - Freeform, Sex, Lots of Sex, buckysmut, theresomuchsexinthis, PornWithPlot, Not Captain America: The Winter Soldier Compliant, Not Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Post-Avengers: Age of Ultron (Movie)

#Bucky #AO3 works tagged 'James Barnes/Steve Rogers' #ao3feed #stucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #c

[sjsmith56]

Customer Service

Summary: Bucky’s former girlfriend helps him buy a new suit, but he’s there for other reasons. First part of a two part series.

Length: 3.6 K

Characters: Unnamed OFC, named minor OFC, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson.

Warnings: Bucky showing up unannounced at her workplace, OFC remembering the not so good times, anxiety.

Author notes: Once upon a time I worked retail. An ex-spouse or lover showing up unannounced was always problematic. I’m not terribly knowledgeable about what men’s suits go with an athletic build, although my research did lean to a preference for the Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein labels.

🥾 👔 💔

“There’s a customer here that wants to speak to a manager,” said Lynette, the clerk at the customer service desk, sticking her head in the door of the office. She had a big smirk on her face. “I’m just warning you to be careful.”

I pulled my glasses off to glare at her as I really didn’t have time to deal with a grumpy customer. She shrugged.

“That’s why you get paid the big bucks.”

I followed her out and turned the corner where the most beautiful man I had ever seen leaned on the counter, someone I knew well and hadn’t expected to ever see again. Tall, broad-shouldered, with soft dark brown hair, rugged good looks, and a pair of blue eyes that pierced me as sharp as a knife. He had a smirk on his face as if he knew exactly the effect he had on me.

“Good afternoon, sir,” I said, trying to modulate my voice so that I didn’t give away that I knew him. “How can I be of assistance?”

He looked at me in surprise. I was going to be like that was I? Well, two could play that game.

“I would like to return these work boots,” he said, in a manner that indicated he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “They fell apart the first time I used them at work.”

There was a black garbage bag on the counter that I assumed held the boots in question. Before I looked in it, I looked at him, trying to gauge if he was going to be one of those customers to me, in front of a witness. You know the type, someone who buys something to replace the worn-out ones he already has, then tries to pass the worn-out ones off as the newer model in order to get his money back. It’s a scam, and I could always pick out the type of person who would do that, which he wasn’t but it would be just like him to push the boundaries, trying to make me react to his being there. Internally I really hoped he wouldn’t go this far to punish me for ending it with him but his manner, although brusque, had none of the tells of someone who was trying to make life hard for me.

“Do you have your original receipt, sir?” I asked politely.

He nodded, pulled his wallet out of his jeans and opened it, revealing a carefully folded receipt that he handed to me, from his gloved hand. Lynette noticed the glove but stifled her reaction to it, except I could tell he noticed, as his eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was a little bothered. Briefly, his eyes flickered to mine. Had I not told anyone about us?

Swallowing, I opened the bag and looked inside at a pair of boots that had definitely seen better days. Although the top portion of them and the tread looked fairly new it was obvious that whatever mission he used them for was too much for the boots to handle. In several places the top part of the boot had pulled away from the sole. The stitching had also split in several of the stress points. I could only imagine what he went through that had caused this much damage to the boots. It was one of the reasons we broke up; nights of imagining the mission, wondering if he was alright but not hearing from him, not until he walked through the door all bruised and battered, sometimes still bleeding because he didn’t want to bother the medical staff. Meaning that I had to patch him up and deal with the stoic suffering he inflicted on himself by not believing he was worth being looked after.

“May I ask what line of work you’re in?” I asked politely. “These were new but seem to have been subjected to a lot of ….” I didn’t want to say the abuse word. “Um … stress.”

“I have a stressful job,” he answered, still playing the part of the customer who was a stranger to me. As if he hadn’t ever touched me in ways that no other man had; had never told me he loved me, who hadn’t argued with me sometimes just for the sake of arguing and liked seeing me all fired up because it meant the makeup sex after would be incredible. “It sometimes involves a lot of … running, jumping, kicking, and often moving through uneven terrain of all types.”

“Okay,” I replied, taking in a breath and deciding I couldn’t do this anymore. “I’ll authorize the refund, since your receipt shows you’ve only had them a week but obviously this brand won’t stand up to the pressures of your job. I would suggest you try a specialty footwear store that can provide something sturdier for you.”

His face changed when he realized I wasn’t going to prolong this moment anymore. Mentioning he should buy elsewhere could also be taken that I didn’t want to see him come back here, to where I worked. I entered the refund in the cash register, asking him to insert his bank card to finish the procedure, then had him sign our copy of the new receipt. I looked at the signature, J.B. Barnes, then at him.

“Is there a problem?” He looked at me with his eyebrows raised; as if he was willing me to say something, anything that he could respond to.

“No, no problem.” I made the mistake of getting caught by those eyes, becoming a little lost in them. It wouldn’t have been the first time those eyes made me change my mind, but not this time. “You have nice handwriting.”

“Thank you,” he smiled sadly, making my heart flutter a little. “I appreciate the good customer service.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied, then smiled my customer service smile as he turned around and walked away.

That should have been the end of it, except he turned around and looked at me one more time when he met up with Sam Wilson. He almost waved at me, but Bucky shook his head at him, and instead he just put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, in support. I heard Lynette gasp.

“That was Captain America,” she exclaimed. She grabbed the receipt that he signed. “That meant he was Bucky Barnes. He looked at you.”

“Of course, he looked at me. I was processing his refund.”

She wouldn’t stop talking about it, so I went out on the floor, wanting to get away from her incessant blathering about how I should go out with Bucky as it was obvious to her that he was sweet on me. Although I normally worked as a manager in the clothing department, I sometimes acted as customer service manager when that person had a day off. I still had a duty to walk around the store, making sure everything was working the way it should. That’s when I saw him again, Bucky, that is. He and Sam were in men’s wear, looking at shirts. By the sounds of it they were having a disagreement.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked.

They both turned to look at me then shared a look that can only be described as polar opposites. Sam grinned at Bucky, who scowled at him.

“He needs a dress shirt,” said Sam, playing along for the benefit of the male clerk on duty in men’s wear. “There’s a little problem in that he thinks a button cuff will be too tight. But he hasn’t worn a French cuff since the 1940s and thinks they’re old fashioned.”

“On the contrary,” I replied. “A French cuff is very fashionable. Personally, I think it offers a classy look to a man. Are you wearing a suit or a blazer?”

“Suit,” said Bucky, who seemed taller now that he wasn’t blocked by the customer service counter, taller than the last time he held me; broader than the last time I placed my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat, sexier than the last time we made love.

“What colour of suit and what colour of shirt do you want?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I don’t even have a suit yet.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“A formal event that he doesn’t want to go to because he doesn’t have a date,” smirked Sam. Trust him to be blunt.

“Sam,” glared Bucky. He turned to me, looking a little flustered. “Sorry, I really don’t know what I want. He’s right. I haven’t bought a suit since the 1940s and the one suit I had then was what I could afford.”

He looked a little lost, not that I could blame him. Outside of his missions, his wardrobe consisted of black jeans, blue jeans, long and short sleeve T-shirts, and Henley shirts, and those plain black combat boots that he wore constantly. He never wanted to go out anywhere that required a suit; always saying that he just wanted to stay in, as I was all the entertainment he needed. It was nice until it became stifling. The male clerk was helping another customer, and I suddenly didn’t want Bucky to leave. When we were together, I offered to help him buy a suit, but he always turned me down, saying he didn’t want to be my customer. But if this was the only way I could show him that he would be more than that then I was going to take my shot.

“Would you like me to dress you?” I blurted out.

“Excuse me?” His eyes opened wide. “What do you mean?”

“Sorry,” I smiled. “What I mean is, would you like me to help you find the right suit and shirt for this event?”

“I don’t want to take you away from your manager duties,” he answered, still looking unsure.

“Our store prides itself on its customer service,” I stated. “It would be my pleasure to help you find the right clothing for this event, Mr. Barnes.”

“She knows what she’s doing, Bucky,” said Sam, in a low voice. “I think you should listen to the lady.”

“Alright.” Bucky’s acceptance of my offer was said softly but loud enough for both me and Sam to hear.

I called up to the office to advise them I was helping a customer in men’s wear, taking measurements for a new suit so I wouldn’t be available for the next half hour. Then I pulled a card out of a drawer and wrote James Buchanan Barnes in the Customer Name portion.

“I’ll mark all of your measurements here,” I said. “That way, you won’t have to be measured again if you ever decide to buy another suit with us. It will also mark your preferences in suit style, shirt style, colours, and shoe size.”

“Shoe size?” he asked.

“You will need a pair of dress shoes,” I replied, looking down at his combat boots, all worn and scuffed. “Those won’t exactly complete the look you’re going for.”

“No, I guess not,” he agreed. “What do you need me to do?”

“Well, we can start with taking your height and weight measurement,” I began. “We have a scale here, unless you’re pretty sure of what you weigh.”

His eyes went soft. “6 feet even, 220 lbs., it doesn’t change.”

I wrote it down. “We need to take your body measurements; in one of the dressing rooms if you want privacy as you’ll have to take your jacket off and your Henley. We can choose a shirt first then wear that while I take the suit measurements, so the jacket fits properly.”

“Let’s do that,” he agreed, and waited for me to lead him to one of the larger dressing rooms.

He took his jacket off, then his Henley. Sam took them while he sat in a chair. I got the measuring tape and stood in front of Bucky, before wrapping it around his neck, taking the neck measurement.

“How are you?” he asked, in a low voice meant just for me.

“Managing,” I answered, getting a slight grin from him at my pun. “You?”

“Existing,” he replied, making me look up at him, and noticing how tired he seemed.

I took his arm measurement and wrote both measurements down on the card. “So, what type of shirt would you like? Classic fit, with room for your shoulders? Close fitting to display your physique? Button cuffs, French cuffs?”

“Why don’t you pick out some suitable choices, so I can see them on me?” he suggested.

Nodding, I left him and Sam there and went out to our selection, looking for some candidates. I picked white ones, thinking that if he wanted a coloured shirt, he could grab one with the same size and features. Taking them into the dressing room I was surprised to see he had his T-shirt off.

His physique never failed to impress me. His vibranium arm and shoulder had been made to match his right arm and shoulder, and the Wakandans had done a superb job of duplicating the musculature of that limb. As I removed the updated classic look shirt from its package, then removed the pins holding it together, he watched me, standing close enough so that I was aware of his scent. That mixture of citrus and sandalwood, from a cologne I gave to him on his birthday, brought back memories of burying my face into his neck during our more intimate moments, breathing in his unique essence. Fumbling with one of the pins, I stopped and took a breath, recenterring myself before handing the shirt to him. Without a word, he took it and put it on then buttoned it up. I handed him some cufflinks to go with the French cuffs. Taking the glove off of his left hand he attached that cufflink first, then the next one before standing in front of the mirror and taking in the fit.

“That’s almost perfect,” I said. “The length is enough to tuck in, without the threat of it coming out. The shoulders are snug enough to show your form but roomy enough for your muscles to move. The French cuffs give you a tailored look with enough room not to bind your wrists.”

Sam coughed and we both looked at him, at his timing. “I didn’t say anything.”

With the shirt on I began measuring Bucky for the suit jacket, starting with the chest, over arm, neck, and sleeve length. Then I continued with the shoulders, waistcoat length, jacket length, bicep, wrist and stomach. The next set of measurements were for the pants, waist, hips, thigh, knee, then the rise, running the tape from the front of waist down over the crotch and up to his back. We both glared at Sam who pointedly looked elsewhere for that measurement as well as the inseam measurement, before finishing off with the out seam.

“We can go look at the suit styles,” I said. “I think with your broad shoulders and slim waist that you should stick with Hugo Boss or a Calvin Klein suit. They’ll need minimal tailoring to be fitted properly. You can leave the dress shirt on, while you try the jacket on the sales floor.”

Both men came out and I showed them the suits, not surprised when Bucky gravitated towards the black ones. Colour was hard for him, as he always thought it made him too visible. The arm already did that, in his opinion. He tried on several jackets in his size before he found one that he liked, nodding his head as he looked at himself in the mirror on the floor. I found his waist size in the matching slacks and draped them over my arm.

“Ties?” I asked, walking towards our display. “You have your choice of plain, patterned, paisley, stripes.”

“Plain, black,” stated Bucky. “Could I try a black shirt as well?”

As much as I wanted him to experiment a little, I also knew he would look stunning in a monochrome suit ensemble of black. I found a black shirt to match the white one he wore then took them back to the dressing room. While he put them on, Sam came with me to the shoe department to find a pair of shoes. As soon as we were some distance away, he stopped and hugged me.

“How are you?” His eyes were full of concern. “This must be hard for you.”

I shrugged. “I miss him, even with all of his quirks. He can’t just show up here unannounced. Why is he really here? He wouldn’t even step foot into the store before even though I offered to help him find clothes many times.”

“I know.” He looked back towards the men’s wear department. “This formal event is mandatory for him. We’re going to the White House to receive a commendation and attend a banquet. It’s made his anxiety level go up through the roof. You always had a way to keep him level. It was my idea to come here and hopefully get your help. The work boots still had to be returned. He just bought them on impulse when he came here by himself the first time to ask for your help but couldn’t find you.”

I began walking to the shoe department; suddenly angered that Bucky was only here so I could make him feel better. Sam hurried after me.

“Seriously? You thought I could give him an emergency psychological bandage to get him through an anxiety episode? You’re better than that, Sam.”

“He needs you. He’s pretty lost without you.”

I could feel the need to cry bubbling up from my stomach and stopped at a display of men’s shoes, plain black Oxfords. Picking up a pair I held them up to Sam.

“What do you think? He’s going to look great in the suit and these will be just the thing to finish it off.”

“Yeah, he’ll like them,” replied Sam. “Size 12.”

I went in back to find the shoe, taking the moment to compose myself before coming out with the box. We began walking back to men’s wear when Sam stopped me again. With a sigh I looked at him, feeling almost at the end of my tether.

“Tell me the truth, are you happier without him?”

What an unfair question to ask. I wasn’t happy. I was miserable but I just didn’t know if I had it in me to put up with everything else. The moodiness, the lack of communication, the emotional withdrawal that happened around every anniversary of his fall, the possessiveness … the good things we had never seemed to outweigh the negative. Without even answering Sam knew what I would say, and he touched my arm, then nodded his head sadly. As we stepped into the dressing room Bucky stood there in the suit, wearing the black shirt, with the black tie, and the black pocket square poking out of the chest pocket. I took the shoes out of the box, doing up the laces, then kneeled in front of Bucky, helping him on with the shoes, before pinning the length of the trousers to fit the shoes and stepping back to look at the almost finished product.

“There you go,” I said. “You look great.”

“I feel good,” he replied. “Thank you.” His eyes flickered to Sam.

“You do look good,” said his friend. “The all-black look suits you.”

“I’ll take it,” said Bucky. “All of it, and the white shirt as well, with a tie of your choice. Just so I have two looks.”

“I’ll pick something out while you get changed,” I said. “Then I’ll meet you at the desk. The slacks can be left here for our tailor to shorten. They’ll be ready in two days.”

I found a tie, a paisley design, black with silver and gold accents, that matched the colours of his vibranium arm. There was even a pocket square to match, and I tossed that on the pile. I entered the information of the suit on the card. It would be entered into our database so that anyone could help him find what he needed in the future.

Sam came out with the suit, shirts and shoes, placing them on the desk. Bucky came out a few moments later, seeming a little more withdrawn. After entering the work order for the slacks, I handed him a claim ticket. It seemed odd that in this digital age we still used paper claim tickets, but it was what our customers liked, as part of the service. I tallied up the total, presenting the amount to Bucky, and he didn’t bat an eye as he pulled a black credit card out of his wallet. It seemed the superhero business had finally started paying off. As he entered the code on the terminal, I placed the suit jacket and shirts into a suit bag, the shoes and ties in a paper shopping bag. Then the receipt was handed over, and I looked at him, wanting to say something other than my usual customer service ramble.

“You should launder the shirts before you wear them, just so they’re softer on your skin,” I suggested. “In the shoe department are some protective sprays that will help keep them looking good in wet weather. You can also polish them with regular shoe polish.” Those blue eyes met mine, boring into me, maybe for the last time. “I hope your event goes well. You’ll look great and you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you for your help,” he smiled softly, seemingly accepting that it was over.

He gathered up his bags and stood awkwardly for a moment before turning away. This time he didn’t look back.

Part 2>>

Short Fiction Masterlist

Tumblr Masterlist

Please reblog if you liked this.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #buckybarnes original female character #sam wilson #bucky barnes oneshot #sad bucky #bucky trying to make up #bucky barnes short fiction #buckybarnesshortfic

[buckybarnesb-tch]

Bucky Barnes Masterlist

Smut -🔥 Fluff -🧸 Series -⚜️ Headcanon -🧨 Dark -🥀 Dd/Lg -✨

Series

Y/n is Pregnant w/ Someone Else’s Baby 🧨⚜️

Pregnant w/ Someone Else’s Baby Part 2🧨⚜️

Oneshots

What if You Knew All of Me 🧸✨

All of Me Loves All of You 🧸✨

The Curator -CEOAlpha!Bucky🧸

A-Z NSFW Alphabet 🧨

Bucky Barnes Girl on her Period🧨🧸

Yandere

Yandere!NSFW Alphabet🧨🥀

Yandere Therapist!Bucky🥀🔥

Random Thoughts

Bucky Barnes Playlist Playlist 2

#buckybarnes #bucky barnes x female reader #buckybarnes fic #bucky barnes x reader #marvel #the winter soldier #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x female oc #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x y/n #bucky x oc #bucky barnes x oc #bucky fic #captain america #the avengers #bucky barnes x original female character

[ladysif8]

Hey guys!

Below is a complete list of all my fics and where you can read them. If you have any one-shot requests message me!

I will separate Bucky, Steve, and One-shot requests.

Read my fics on Ao3 or Wattpad!

You can also follow me for updates on Instagram!

BUCKY BARNES

Whiskey

New Age Red

Țuică

Gummy Worms {One-Shot}

Never Be the Same

A Single Saturday Night

Bless the Broken Road

Sweet Heat {part one}

A Slow Burn {part two}

Steve Rogers

Under a Montana Sky

A Hicky Situation

A Sunday Kind Of Love

Trouble Man

The Lucky One

Edge of Seventeen

Gift Fics

Between Books and Shields: A Librarian's Encounter with Captain America

This is a gift fic for @cptscarlett

In Between the Sheets

This is a gift fic for @talia-rumlow

#marvel #mcu alternate universe #bucky barnes #buckybarnes/original female character #james bucky barnes #steve rogers #fanfiction #plus size character #bucky barns fanfiction #bucky barnes smut #rancher steve rogers #sugar baby steve rogers #retired steve rogers #dad steve rogers #steve rogers captain america #smutty fanfiction

[aikaterini-drag]

Chapter 15 Wronged

Kofi 🧡 AO3

Warnings (whole series): Violence, Non-Con Abduction, Explicit Sexual Content, Fluff, Enemies to Lovers, Sexual Tension, First Time, Emotional Sex, Protective Bucky, Angst with a Happy Ending, Soft Bucky Barnes, Bucky Barnes Recovering, Barnes Gets all the Love he deserves.

Find more chapters of the "Fading Scars" Series here ♡

Almost a month had passed ever since the team of three began to infiltrate Hydra compounds. Using his experience as the Winter Soldier, Bucky guided Steve and Sam through a series of potential locations. At first, their attempts yielded no results. Five bases had been checked out, each revealing nothing but desolate remains.

But when they arrived at the HYDRA Herefordshire Facility in England, chaos erupted. Armed agents swarmed the vicinity, engaging in fierce combat on all fronts. Steve and James counterattacked from carefully chosen positions on the ground, while Sam fought from the distance, using his wings to fly above his targets. Silas was giving orders to his men from his hiding spot and engineered the perfect distraction: Rumlow.

The Hydra operative came running through a fortified wall, creating an opening with the sheer force of his body.

"Watch out! On your left!"

Sam's voice cut through the battle as Bucky turned to face Rumlow, who was charging straight at him. Bucky changed direction and ran fast down a corridor, but even with his superhuman speed, Rumlow caught up with him. Bucky found himself tackled to the ground, the impact jarring his body. His weapon was flung aside, and when he attempted to retrieve a concealed gun, Rumlow's fist collided with his nose. Strong palms clamped around his throat, Bucky's eyes narrowed, his efforts concentrated on breaking free.

But the Rumlow he was looking at was different, evil and had near-godly strength.

That meant only one thing; he had been injected with the new super soldier serum.

The serum had affected Rumlow. Though the scars on his face had disappeared, his flesh had turned unnaturally brown, too many veins protruding from his skin. With a grunt, Bucky kicked the vulnerable spot beneath his ribs, then propelled him away. Dragging himself up, he rose to his feet, retrieved his firearm, and began to fire.

"Pathetic," Rumlow sneered, skillfully evading Bucky's shots. "I'm beyond your reach now! I'm superior!"

Bucky didn't reply and rained punches, kicks and slaps against Rumlow.

"Where's your pretty girl, Soldier?" Rumlow taunted, evading a sweeping attack with a grin. "Where's your precious Grace? I've missed her."

Well aware that Rumlow was playing with his sentiments, Bucky clenched his teeth and gripped his neck with his metal hand. He forcefully slammed him to the floor and delivered a forceful kick to his abdomen. But he was careless. Rumlow thrust a knife out of his holder. James sensed the weapon a little too late and watched it in slow motion as it headed straight for his head.

"Oh no, you won't!"

Steve's scream resounded as his shield blocked the lethal attack, successfully saving Barnes. Bucky let out a sigh of relief as Cap launched himself at Rumlow with a dive-kick. The enemy lost consciousness, out of strength. Panting, James and Steve drew back and searched around for Sam.

"Sam, where are you?" Steve's voice resonated through the communication device. Most of the Hydra agents had vanished, and a sudden quiet took over.

"I'm holding up," came Sam's voice. "I've got visual on Silas. He's heading northeast, escaping. I need backup!"

Bucky and Steve pumped their legs and followed Sam's instructions, making it closer and closer to Silas. They saw his chopper and what was left of his men when an unexpected opponent lunged at them, coming out of nowhere. The sudden assailant headed straight for Bucky, tackling him backward. James grimaced, disbelief in his eyes. The man attacking him was clad in a black suit, his face hidden beneath a panther-like mask. Lethal claws extended, they pierced through Bucky's vest and scored his flesh, igniting searing pain. 

Poison...

Bucky's vision went fuzzy in the corners, the venomous claws of his opponent sending him into the darkness.

▪️▪️▪️

Bucky blinked as his consciousness grappled with the onslaught of pain. He tried to move, only to realize that his limbs were restrained, secured by unyielding metal clamps. He was sitting in a chair– a cold, metallic contraption. Heavy clamps encircled his chest, hands, and ankles with an iron grip, rendering any movement futile. Blood trickled down his cheeks, from a gash Rumlow had carved into the flesh just inches from his left eye.

Steve and Sam were five feet away, defensive but safe. Two women were keeping them at arm's length. They were fierce-looking and intimidating. Adorned in red tabards embellished with beads, charms, and rugged leather studs, these fierce figures wielded long spears with an air of unwavering confidence.

The enigmatic warrior who had donned the panther suit had discarded his mask, his intense gaze fixed firmly upon James. The dark costume seemed out of place in this confrontation, leaving Bucky pondering the nature of these people. Why the strange suit? What sort of people were they? Were they even human?

"You're awake..." the man in black declared, his thick accent resonating with authority. "I am T'Challa, King of Wakanda and the son of the man you killed in the bombing attack."

"I didn't kill your father," Bucky said feebly, his voice glazed from the sedative.

"Your words are hollow," T'Challa responded, his tone unyielding. "You killed my father. And you shall pay for it."

"I assure you, I did not—"

"Do not deceive yourself or me," T'Challa interjected, his conviction unshakeable. "My father's blood stains your hands, and you shall answer for it!"

"You can't condemn him like that!" Sam said with a surge of frustration. "You've got it all wrong, he's not the one!"

"Then you must prove your innocence," T'Challa said to the accused with a bitter smile.

"Your accusations are misplaced," Bucky breathed out, closing his eyes then reopening them. "I wasn't even in Washington!"

"He possesses spirit, my King," Ayo, one of the women, commented with disapproval. "I like that and I shall enjoy it all the more if you give me the command to break him."

"We can solve this without being so hostile toward each other," Steve said and glared at the spear threatening his best friend. In any other situation, he would have taken his chances and attacked, but with Bucky there, he had to be cautious. "Trust us. Isn't my word enough?"

"I know you, Captain Rogers. But that is not enough."

"I swear on my shield's honor," Steve said. "Can't you at least discuss it peacefully with us?"

"The Black Panther has been a protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle passed from warrior to warrior. Now because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of King. So I ask you, as both warrior and king, how can I remain indifferent to my father's death?"

"Let's reason together," Steve said. "We can find a way to uncover the truth without further conflict."

"Barnes orchestrated the explosion that claimed my father's life," T'Challa said, raw pain written in his features.

"Hydra is manipulating you, using your grief—" Steve attempted to interject.

"I don't care," T'Challa said, his voice a reflection of his turmoil.

Bucky lifted his gaze and addressed T'Challa. "Check the camera footage then."

T'Challa frowned. "What?"

"I'll prove my innocence," Bucky said. "The day your father died, I was in Vienna. Check the footage of the town of Hollabrunn. That's where I was at the time of the bombing."

For once, T'Challa looked at the man he was condemning with a look other than hate. Repressing his pain and agony, the King of Wakanda tapped the button on his watch and activated a holographic screen. Using Wakanda's unparalleled technology, the advanced algorithm scrutinized every face captured by the CCTV systems.

The display painted an unexpected truth—James Barnes had indeed been present in Vienna at the time of the bombing, confirmed by the footage from the town of Hollabrunn. And he was not alone. T'Challa witnessed him smiling and walking along the roads, a young woman embracing him fondly. Quite fondly.

A wave of confusion washed over T'Challa. "How can this be..."

Could it be that on his path to revenge, he almost convicted an innocent man?

"I'm sorry for your loss, but I didn't kill your father," Bucky said with determination.

"How do I know that you're not an imposter?" T'Challa said, but this time, he was less hostile toward him.

James let out a harsh sigh. "Seriously?"

"Someone is impersonating him!" Sam supported him. "A simple comparison is enough to prove that the man from Washington is wearing prosthetics and a wig!"

T'Challa's gaze shifted towards his female guards, who appeared to have been convinced by the evidence and said, "Where is the woman from the footage?"

"That's none of your business!" Bucky said, breathing rapidly through his nostrils. He was going through all this hell for Grace to not get hurt. He didn't bring so much pain upon himself only to ruin it.

"The woman's location must remain secret, for her safety," Steve said calmly. "Silas is actively pursuing her, and we can't risk her falling into his hands. Please listen to reason, King T'Challa. Trust us."

With a measured nod, T'Challa instructed his guards to release Barnes, willing to consider their perspective. "Who's Silas?"

Bucky sent him a nod of appreciation and answered, "Silas is the current leader of Hydra, an organization created to rule the world. Both the girl you saw in the footage and I are his targets. He's the one who set off the explosion and framed me."

"But why? What motive drove him to such an act?" T'Challa asked, his previous rage completely bleeding away.

"Because I refused to surrender and escaped with the girl."

"I... I... almost killed an innocent person..." T'Challa was struggling to come to terms with his incompetence and how he had been deceived. He wanted to apologize, but the man he had accused spoke up.

"It's alright," Bucky said. "You were misled. Work with us and I'll forget what happened today."

T'Challa nodded with a readiness to forge an alliance. "Your compassion is appreciated. I will help you in any way I can to redeem myself. Let's bring Silas down."

#james barnes #james bucky barnes #james barnes #james bucky buchanan barnes #james buchanan barnes #alpha bucky barnes #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x reader #james barnes x reader #beefy bucky #steve x bucky #buckybarnes #bucky fluff #the winter soldier #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes x original female character #bucky barnes x ofc #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x oc #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes fic #fanfic by aikaterini #fading scars by aikaterini

[ao3feed-stevebucky]

war, sex, and a metal arm

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2NUE6AA

by outofcontextbucky

(AU) Kelsey Cruz is happy with her life fighting alongside the Avengers, but when they get a call claiming Bucky's back in business, Cap sends her to watch over him far away from New York. She knows sex wasn't part of the job description, but whatever.

(currently ongoing) (captain america: tws non-compliant) (i try my best, but ca:cw non-compliant, too, probably)

Words: 1927, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M

Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Original Characters, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Erik Killmonger, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, T'Challa (Marvel), Shuri (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Pepper Potts, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James Rhodes, Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel), Peter Parker, Scott Lang

Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Original Female Character(s), James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, Pepper Potts/Tony Stark

Additional Tags: originalcharacters - Freeform, Bucky - Freeform, BuckyBarnes - Freeform, Sex, Lots of Sex, buckysmut, theresomuchsexinthis, PornWithPlot, Not Captain America: The Winter Soldier Compliant, Not Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Compliant, Post-Avengers: Age of Ultron (Movie)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2NUE6AA

#ao3feed #steve rogers #bucky barnes #stevebucky #stucky #steve/bucky #stevexbucky #fanfic

[sjsmith56]

Summary - 2 part story. Four years after leaving Bucky, his former girlfriend arrives at the compound with two surprises.

Length - 2.75K

Characters - Bucky Barnes, named female character, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Sharon Carter, Helen Cho, Wanda Maximoff.

Warnings - angst, accusations of cheating, cancer, rejection, Bucky not handling the situation well, swearing.

Author notes - was supposed to be a one shot but it kept getting longer. Part 1 is going to be full of drama. If you like what you’re reading please let me know by commenting or reblogging.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Part 1

It was there in black and white. All the tests, all of the imaging that had been done; everything pointed to the same conclusion. Lane sighed, pursed her lips together in a grim smile then looked at the doctors.

“I would like a second opinion,” she said. “Could you send my file to Dr. Bruce Banner and Dr. Helen Cho of the Avengers?”

“You’re a patient of them?” asked Dr. Roberts.

“No, I was an agent at one time,” she replied. “They’ll look at it as a courtesy to me.”

“If they concur? Anything that can be done would only be palliative.”

“I understand,” said Lane. “I’ll be in touch.”

There was a ringing sound in her ears as she left the office and went down the elevator to the main floor. Before the door opened she took a deep breath and calmed herself. The nanny had Danny on her lap on one of the lobby chairs, reading a story to him. He turned his head when he heard Lane’s footsteps coming out of the elevator. Already, at 3 ½ years of age, he was displaying his abilities and he wriggled off Carol’s lap, running to his mother.

“Momma, are you done?” he asked. “Can we go for lunch? I’m hungry.”

“Sure, baby,” she smiled, kneeling down to his level. “We’ll get something to eat, then we’ll go to the playground, okay?”

She stood up, taking him by the hand, smiling at Carol, the nanny, who knew her well enough to know the news wasn’t good. Taking Danny by the other hand she looked at Lane as they walked towards the exit.

“What’s next?”

“Banner and Cho are going to look at my file,” replied Lane. “But I don’t think they’ll be able to do anything.” She glanced sideways at the woman who became her good friend this past year. “I know, I’ll have to tell him. I just … I just wanted Danny to have as normal a life as possible.”

As they stepped outside the building she looked up at the blue sky, feeling the sun on her face, and hearing the sound of birdsong in the trees. For a moment, she felt her throat constrict, at the thought of not being there for her son, but she swallowed it down. If Bruce and Helen couldn’t help her then she would tell Bucky, tell him what she had kept from him when she left the Avengers over four years before.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Bucky landed the quinjet on the platform of Stark Tower, then went through his checklist before shutting the aircraft down. Behind him he could hear people standing up, groaning and stretching after the long flight from Australia, where they had undertaken a humanitarian rescue in a gold mine, after it collapsed. Feeling a hand on his shoulder he looked behind him at Steve’s face.

“Beers?” he asked.

“Yeah, but shower first,” replied Bucky. “I swear I’m still caked with the dirt from the rescue.”

Grabbing his go bag he followed the others out and they made their way to the residential level, all of them crammed together into the elevator. With being pretty ripe from the long flight they all held their breath as best they could before streaming out of the opening doors. After entering the door code of his quarters Bucky dropped his bag off inside the door, toed off his boots and stripped down as he walked, coveting the warm shower that beckoned to him.

Fifteen minutes later, with clean clothes on he stepped out of his quarters and headed to the lounge area. Steve already had several beers on the counter, handing one to Bucky and Sam who was right behind him. As others followed he gave them a beer and they all fell onto the big sectional couch, taking long pulls of the refreshing beverage. Just as Bucky took a second long drink of his bottle Friday interrupted the quiet of the gathering.

“Sergeant Barnes, would you please report to the medical lab?” the voice asked. “Dr. Banner wishes to see you.”

“Why?” asked the super soldier. “I just sat down and want to relax.”

“Yes sir,” replied Friday. “I’m not a liberty to state the reason except it is important that you report there.”

Draining his beer Bucky stood up and placed the bottle on the counter, scowling as he headed to the elevator. When it opened on the floor of the medical lab he was surprised to see Bruce, Dr. Cho, and Tony Stark all together in the lab. There was a fourth person in there but they were seated and he couldn’t make out who it was from outside the sliding doors.

“What’s so important that I had to come up here?” he asked as he entered.

Then the fourth person stood up and faced him, leaving him almost speechless.

“Hello, Bucky,” said Lane, her voice tentative. “I asked for you to be here.”

“What the hell? You walk out of my life over 4 years ago, without a word and suddenly you’re demanding to see me? What’s going on?”

“Sit down, Barnes,” said Tony, tersely. “Lane thinks you should have a say in this. I don’t agree, but I’ve been overruled.”

“A say in what?” asked Bucky, feeling the anger bubble up inside him.

“I’m dying,” said Lane, deciding to rip the bandage all the way off. She took her wig off so he could see her lack of hair from the radiation treatment she endured. “It means that our son should be with his father.” Bucky said nothing but he was shocked at her almost bald head and his face turned a brilliant shade of red. “You’re a father. His name is Daniel James, and he’s 3 ½ years old. If you don’t take him I’ll have to put him up for adoption.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his heavy breathing indicating how precarious his control was at that moment. Then he looked at the other three. “Did you all know?”

“It was my decision to keep it from you,” said Lane. “They only found out after he was born, and I asked them not to tell you. I wanted him to have a chance at a normal childhood. That wasn’t going to happen with how you were then.”

“How I was then? I was in love with you!” Bucky was shouting now. “You were it for me. Then I come back from a mission and you’re gone. Everything belonging to you, gone. Why?”

Lane closed her mouth in a grim line and shook her head. She knew it would be like this. Taking a deep breath she straightened her posture to appear as tall as she could and looked him in the eye.

“You were so in love with me that you slept with Sharon when I went to see my mom before she died,” she stated calmly. “You didn’t even take her panties out of the bed, Bucky. I found them there when I changed the sheets when I got back. Our sheets reeked of her perfume. You cheated on me.” She turned away, angry at herself for thinking this was a good idea. “Forget it. I’ll find someone to adopt Danny, someone who won’t lie or sneak around with another woman.”

“I didn’t sleep with her,” he said, his voice breaking. “She was in the bed waiting for me and I walked out. I slept on Steve’s couch until we went out on a mission. You can ask him. Please, Lane, I didn’t cheat. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

She kept her back turned to him, trying not to break down. The others watched him, not sure what to believe then Bucky turned around and went to the elevator, returning to the lounge area. Practically storming to where the others were he glared at Sharon Carter, his lip curled in fury.

“It was your fault,” he sneered. “Your little stunt made Lane leave me. I loved her and wanted to marry her but you didn’t respect that. Because of you I wasn’t there for her when she gave birth to my son. Did any of you know?” He looked at Steve as the others tried not to make eye contact with Bucky. “Did you know I was a father and you didn’t tell me? Did you all think I slept with Sharon?”

“Buck, I didn’t know that Lane had a baby,” said Steve. “I’ll tell her you slept on my couch after finding Sharon in your bed, but I didn’t know that’s why she left. Lane left all of us without a word.”

“Not all of us,” interjected Wanda. “It wasn’t for us to tell you. It was Lane’s decision to leave and her decision not to tell you she was pregnant. I’m sorry.”

Shaking his head in disbelief, Bucky’s face went dark with betrayal and anger.

“Fuck you all.”

Turning around he went to his room and repacked his go bag, converting it to a backpack, then put his leathers and motorcycle boots on. Taking the stairs he went down to the garage, mounted his motorcycle and started it up. Steve came out of the elevator, stopping in front of him.

“Don’t do this,” he said. “Don’t fly off the handle. You have a chance to make it better but if you leave ….”

“If I leave, what?” demanded Bucky. “She was everything to me. Now I find out that she thought I was cheating on her. I have a son that she’s giving up for adoption because she’s dying and she’d rather a stranger have him than his own father. How do you think that makes me feel, Steve, huh? I have nothing now, nothing to keep me here.”

He glared at Steve until the blond stepped aside then roared out of the garage on his motorcycle, barely waiting for the automatic door to open. Closing his eyes and shaking his head Steve turned back to the elevator and went up to the medical level, hoping to catch Lane before she left. She was still in the medical lab, crying as Tony hugged her. Right away Steve noticed she had no hair on her head and his heart dropped. When Steve entered Tony looked angrily at him.

“I told you something like this would happen when you first vouched for him to be an Avenger,” he said. “We couldn’t trust him.”

“He didn’t sleep with Sharon,” stated Steve. “We were working out and came back to the rooms to shower. He found her already in their bed, told her to get the hell out, and left. Until we went on a mission he slept on my couch. I’m guessing she left her underwear in there to cause the rift. Not that it matters now. He’s gone.”

Lane stopped crying and turned to Steve. “What do you mean, gone?”

“He packed a bag, put his leathers on and rode out on his motorbike. According to him he now has nothing to keep him here, since you would rather have a stranger adopt your son than have Bucky take him.”

Lane buried her face in her hands, certain that she had destroyed any possibility of making amends with the man she still loved.

“Friday, call Sharon Carter here,” said Tony. “Might as well confirm it from one of the guilty parties.”

“Tony ….”

Steve shook his head, angry at the way Tony automatically assumed that Bucky was in the wrong. Then he remembered what his friend had said about Lane.

“Is it true? Are you dying?”

She nodded her head. “The same breast cancer that killed my mother. Even though I had a double mastectomy and radiation treatment it metastasized. It’s everywhere. I have months left. I was hoping … I don’t know what I was hoping for.”

The sliding glass doors opened and Sharon Carter walked in, then almost walked out when she saw Lane.

“No, you get in here,” said Tony. “I want the truth and remember Friday can tell when someone is lying. Did you sleep with Bucky while Lane was visiting her dying mother?”

All sorts of emotions played over Sharon’s face as she looked from person to person, then she finally shook her head.

“No, I was waiting for him but as soon as he saw me he told me to get the hell out,” she admitted. “I left my panties there and sprayed the sheets with my perfume, hoping Lane would leave him so I could be with him instead. After she left he wouldn’t even look at me. I’m sorry.”

Tony was furious, at himself as much as at Sharon. “Pack your stuff and get out,” he said. “I don’t care where you go but we can’t trust you to have our backs.”

“Please, it was a mistake,” she protested. “I haven’t tried anything like that since. Being in the Avengers is all I have.”

“No, I don’t want you here,” he said. “Because of you a good man has left the Avengers, and a small boy is without his father.” He looked sarcastically at Steve. “I know, I’m not much better as I didn’t believe him but I’m willing to try to fix this. Getting rid of her is the first step.”

“Steve, please, don’t let Tony do this,” cried Sharon. “You’re a team leader. Tell him I’m not like that anymore.”

“I wish I could,” said Steve. “Sorry, but I’m with Tony on this. Bucky wasn’t the only one you did this sort of thing to.”

Sharon turned red. “I don’t know what you mean,” she declared, breathing audibly.

“Peter and MJ,” replied Steve. “He told me. The kid was practically shaking with anger that you would do that. You should go, Sharon. Otherwise, we’ll have to put it to a vote and you don’t want to know what the others think of you.”

“Fine, I’m going.” She turned around then looked back, her face full of disgust. “You’ll regret this. I know a lot of your secrets.”

“Be careful who you threaten,” warned Tony. “Friday, remove all access to the facilities, including computer access and anything else that has been granted to Sharon Carter. She can get into her room to get packed but once she leaves the building remove that as well. You signed an NDA when you became an Avenger, Sharon. You say anything, I have every right to sue you for everything you own, and make it impossible for you to work anywhere ever again.”

Tony called security to escort Sharon to her quarters to pack and escort her out. Then he faced Lane, placing both his hands on her upper arms.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “If you had told me this four years ago I would have dealt with it then.” He glanced at Bruce. “Are you sure there’s nothing that can be done?”

Bruce and Helen looked at each other uneasily. “A long shot,” he replied. “I can try to recreate the serum using Steve’s blood as he has type O blood, universal donor. But we don’t know if we have the time to do it before ….”

“How much blood do you need?” asked Steve immediately, his attention focused on Bruce.

“A unit, from both of you,” he said. “We’ll test it on your blood first, Lane, but I can’t promise anything. I mean I worked years on the serum and look what it did to me. My track record isn’t that good.”

Lane’s lips trembled. “The only other treatment for me is palliative,” she stated. “Even if you just buy me time that’s more than I have now.”

While Bruce and Helen took their blood Tony used Friday to track Bucky by his vibranium arm. He was on one of the expressways.

“Take one of my cars,” said Tony to Steve. “I’d go but I don’t think he would take my apology.”

“I’m coming with you,” added Lane. “The first to apologize to him should be me.”

As soon as the two of them gave their blood they went down to the garage, taking one of Tony’s vehicles. While they drove out of the parking garage, Sharon Carter was put into a taxi, never to return to Stark Tower again. With Friday tracking Bucky they followed his route until the AI informed them that he arrived at a destination, hoping he didn’t do something stupid before they got there.

Part 2>>

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[sjsmith56]

A Better Choice

Summary: AU one shot. The Avengers are matched with charities to help increase donations over the Christmas season but no one seems to want to be associated with Bucky, until the PR person finds an organization willing to work with him.

Length: 3.6 K

Characters: Bucky, Amanda (PR person, not described), cameos by Sam, Steve, Natasha, Tony, Wanda and Alpine.

Warnings: Tony is flippant, Amanda thoughtlessly offends Bucky, references to Bucky’s past as Winter Soldier and assassin, Bucky feeling isolated and unliked.

Author notes: In this alternate universe Thanos was defeated in Wakanda. Bucky was brought into the Avengers after being part of that battle. Tony forgave him for killing his parents after being shown proof of the torture that turned Bucky into the Winter Soldier and they are civil with each other, although still not quite comfortable together. Steve still handed the shield to Sam, wanting to step back as he and Natasha became a couple. Vision wasn’t killed, as the Mind Stone was successfully removed and destroyed. This all takes place within a couple of months, ending on December 22, 2018. Slightly Christmas themed.

🍂 🐈 🎄

It had been a warm fall, one that the older folks often called Indian summer. Usually only a week or so in length this month-long session of warm hazy days and crisp nights made the October foliage glow in the sun’s rays, lulling people into believing that it would be a mild winter. In New York’s Union Square Park many people took advantage of the weather by flocking to the grassy areas exercising, visiting, napping, and even enjoying some romantic times with their loved ones. As Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes strolled through the crowded park the current Captain America grinned at the number of people using the beautiful day to be physically affectionate in public.

“To be young again and not care if people see you making out,” he grinned as they passed another couple with their lips locked together. “Those were the days.”

Bucky glanced at the latest people to catch Sam’s attention and grunted in response. “They would have been arrested for public indecency in my day,” he noted. Sam’s reaction to that statement prompted him to make a disclaimer. “I’m not saying it’s unacceptable in this day and age but seriously, some of them take it too far. Like they need to get a room or something.”

“Sure, Grandpa,” joked Sam, then he stopped and pointed towards the object of their search. “You want to tell them?”

Not even 20 feet away from the sidewalk a blond man and red-headed woman were pushing the boundaries of what Bucky referred to as public indecency. Approaching the pair, the two men waited, not saying anything until the woman smiled mid-kiss.

“I think we’ve been found,” she mumbled, then opened her eyes and looked up at the two men whose shadow crossed over them. “Yup, Steve, we’re busted.”

The former Captain America pulled away from Natasha Romanoff and looked up at a smiling Sam and scowling Bucky. Grinning at them both he leaned back, seemingly not bothered at being found in this position.

“Guys.” He greeted them with a small salute. “What’s up?”

“Seriously?” asked Bucky. “We’ve been calling both of you for almost an hour. You couldn’t take the call or text us back?”

“We were busy,” replied Steve. “You’re only young once. Why do you look like the assistant principal did when he caught you and Moira McGuire in the sports equipment room?”

“Okay, first of all he didn’t catch us in the room, he caught us coming out of it,” replied Bucky, exasperated. “Secondly, it was the janitor’s closet, not the sports equipment room and he only heard us because I knocked the mop down. He asked who was in there and we came out.”

Steve began to chuckle then leaned towards Natasha. “He knocked the mop down because Moira touched him in a special place.”

“Steve!”

Bucky glared at him, making the other three laugh. In a huff he turned around and walked away, leaving Sam to deal with them. Offering his hands to help them up Sam waited until they were standing.

“We have a meeting,” he said. “Something the PR people want us to do as the Christmas season descends upon us. Sunshine over there doesn’t want any part of it.”

“What is it exactly?” asked Natasha, holding hands with Steve.

“Don’t know but he already doesn’t want to do it.”

“Oh my god, it’s both Captain Americas and Black Widow!” exclaimed someone.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by fans, clamouring for autographs and selfies. Bucky watched with an impassive face from a distance. Despite him being pardoned and accepted as an Avenger he rarely received public acknowledgement. Natasha always said his resting bitch face kept him isolated from the public. He never disagreed with that assessment. While he waited his cell phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his jacket.

Tony: Cap2 isn’t answering his phone. Have you found Stasha?

Bucky: Yes, in Union Square Park. Right now, they’re dealing with fans. 🙄

Tony: Meeting is in half an hour. Can you hurry them up?

Bucky: 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ll try.

With a sigh he advanced towards the small crowd around the other three.

“Tony wants you guys to move it,” he announced. “Meeting is in half an hour.”

Steve looked at him as if that wasn’t going to be possible. With a shake of his head Bucky began walking back to the Avengers Tower, leaving them to make their own way. Striding back the short distance he entered the tower, nodding at the security guards on the main floor.

“Mr. Stark is looking for Captain Rogers and Miss Romanoff,” said one of them.

“Found them, told them to get here,” he replied, as he walked past the desk to the elevator.

While he waited for the elevator, he heard laughter behind him and watched as Steve, Natasha and Sam entered the building. Steve looked towards him as the doors opened.

“Hold the elevator,” he asked, as they came past the security desk. He waited for Natasha to enter before him. “Made it. You could have waited at the park. It didn’t take that long.”

“No point to me being there,” replied Bucky. “No one wants my autograph.”

He looked up at the display while the elevator sped up to the common room at the penthouse level. As they walked into the space it was obvious everyone was waiting for them as everyone was already there.

“At last,” announced Tony. “Thank you for coming as quickly as you could.”

He looked directly at Bucky as he spoke, as if it was his fault the others were late. Biting his tongue Bucky sat on the couch beside Wanda, resting his hands between his long legs. Fixing his gaze on the coffee table he didn’t make eye contact with anyone. Wanda gently touched his arm, and he heard her voice in his head. Having been part of HYDRA herself she could empathize with his feelings.

“We know you’re not responsible for them,” she thought. “Tony isn’t sure what the meeting is about, and he doesn’t like being out of the loop.”

Turning towards her Bucky raised his eyebrows, but Wanda just smiled kindly at him, then nodded towards where a strange woman was standing.

“Who is she?” asked Bucky, still connected telepathically.

“Avengers PR, I think,” replied Wanda. “She’s pretty closed off due to fear. I can’t read her.”

“Everybody I want to introduce Amanda Weston,” announced Tony. “Amanda is with the PR department for the Avengers, and it appears they have arranged something for us to take part in.”

With a flourish he turned the floor over to her and she stood in front of the group trying to appear confident.

“As you know the reputation of the Avengers took a hit after Agent Romanoff released the HYDRA files as it also showed SHIELD’s dirty laundry to the public,” she began. “You regained some of that reputation after defeating Thanos. However, there is still a way to go before the public is back to the levels of support seen before the capture and rehabilitation of Sergeant Barnes.”

Bucky felt his cheeks burn at her referencing him, as if he was the reason behind the drop in support for the organization.

“I thought we weren’t going to be referring to the inclusion of Bucky into the Avengers in that way,” stated Steve, his eyes focused on the woman. “He is officially the longest serving PoW in history and that was confirmed at his hearing where he was provided compensation for the criminal way in which he was kept prisoner due to the collusion of high-ranking government and military officials as well as receiving a complete pardon. You make it sound like he didn’t deserve to have the life that was denied him.”

Amanda looked a little flustered, glancing at Tony for support but he let her dig herself a deeper hole.

“Of course, you’re correct,” she stammered, then looked at Bucky. “My apologies, Sergeant Barnes, for not being more supportive about your rescue. By all accounts you are a valued member of the Avengers who has shown his bravery several times since you were welcomed into the organization.” He said nothing, still feeling exposed to the judgement of others. “It’s been suggested that it would help the Avengers if the team members became involved with some charitable organizations, especially with the holiday season approaching.”

“We already have charities we’re involved with,” stated Tony, looking defensive as he stood with his arms crossed. “What exactly are you proposing?”

“Most of the current involvement has involved either monetary donations, or low-key support at charity galas and the like,” said Amanda. “We would like to see something more active and visible.” She had a stack of folders in her arms, with people’s names on them, and distributed them. “I’ve taken the liberty of matching you up with charities that have already expressed an interest in pairing up with certain individuals. You would spend time with the organization, doing actual work, as outlined in the folders. We would send a photographer or a film crew to document your time with them, then they would use that in their holiday season publicity to help solicit donations.”

“How long are we doing this for?” asked Steve.

“Just until the new year,” she replied. “Although if you enjoyed it and wanted to maintain the relationship that would be entirely up to you.”

Bucky looked at her, as there was no folder given to him. “What about me?”

“Ah, yes,” she stammered again. “Unfortunately, we were unable to match a charity with you. I’m still working on finding you one.”

With a scowl he stood up. “Let me know when you finally bribe a charity to allow me to be associated with it.”

As he stormed out of the meeting, she tried to call to him and apologize, but he was already gone.

“I’m sorry, I really did try,” she said to everyone else. “Christmas season is when a lot of these charities get a majority of their fundraising done and they really want someone who seems… more in tune with the holidays.”

“You know that he feels isolated by people’s prejudices about him, right?” noted Natasha, her tone a little hard. “Doing this without making him feel included just feeds that isolation.”

The woman spread her hands in resignation, not sure what else she could have done. She had only been with the Avengers PR team for a few weeks and was disappointed with herself that she had already managed to offend not just Barnes but other members of the organization. It hadn’t been her intention at all, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it.

Over the next few weeks, Amanda scoured the internet for more charities, trying to find one that would be willing to have Bucky Barnes as their Christmas helper. It seemed like they were keen on having an Avenger, until they heard it was him. Then they backed away, unwilling to be associated with him. Just as she was about to give up any hope of finding the right fit, she received an email, asking if the offer still stood. The charity in question had another celebrity lined up but their first session with them didn’t go so well and the person decided to cancel the agreement.

At first, Amanda was going to forward the email then second guessed that approach and printed out the email from the organization. Stepping out of her office she took the elevator up to the residential floors of the Avengers Tower to look for Barnes. When she didn’t find him in his apartment or in the common area, she asked Friday for help in locating him, learning he was working out in the gym. Heading to that floor she entered the gym, finding him alone, running on the treadmill in just a pair of shorts and runners; music blaring so loud that he didn’t hear her enter. Words didn’t do justice to the sight of Sergeant Bucky Barnes, shirtless, and for a moment she forgot why she was there, as she stared at the man. Then he noticed her and stopped running, glaring at her as he grabbed a towel and draped it over his shoulders, covering up the sight of his broad and muscular build.

“Friday, lower volume,” he barked, then looked at her. “What?”

Hesitantly, she approached him. “I found a charity for you,” she said, holding out the printout. “The celebrity they lined up cancelled and they want you to help them out.”

He smirked, before taking the sheet from her. “So, they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel, huh?”

“Please, don’t say that,” pleaded Amanda. “I feel terrible about not having something lined up for you at the meeting. I’m so sorry I offended you with how I worded everything. I’m not the most confident person and this is my first PR job. To be honest, I really admire you. After everything you went through to still want to help people is pretty cool.”

He read the printout then looked at her. “There’s no one else? I’ve never done this sort of thing before.”

“I think you could do a lot of good with it,” said Amanda. “I mean, you’re all badass and everything. This could really show your softer side and they don’t mind who helps them, right? They don’t know who you are. You’ll just be the human that takes care of them.”

He read the sheet again, then breathed out audibly. “Alright, I’ll do it,” he said. He shrugged. “Thank you for the apology and for not giving up. I know I can seem rude or distant a lot of the time but it’s hard not to be when people think I’m still him.”

She gave him a shy smile. “I’ll check in with you in a couple of weeks to set up the shoot. We’ll make you look good; I promise.”

He smiled back then she turned around and left the gym as he watched her walk away, thinking she was kind of cute. He read the email again and smiled. This might not be so bad.

📺

News segment on local news broadcast, December 22, 2018.

Spotlight on Local Charities

Tonight, we’re visiting the Alley Cat Initiative, a local charity that not only takes care of stray or feral cats and kittens but also helps prepare them for adoption with loving families. The organization, which has been active in the Brooklyn area for the past ten years, found itself the recipient of some extra help this holiday season with the attention of one of the Avengers, known more for his previous occupation. Cassie Evans has the story.

“He’s infamous, and often comes across as menacing and unfriendly. But nothing could be further from the truth when you witness this Avenger with the cats and kittens he helps look after.”

[Scenes are shown of Bucky Barnes, identified by a banner at the bottom of the screen, arriving by motorcycle at the Alley Cat Initiative, a cat shelter in Flatbush.]

“I started with the organization about a month ago,” said Bucky, as several kittens were perched on his shoulders, while he cradled another in his arms. “We were encouraged to work with a charity that needed our help, but no one wanted to be partnered with me. It hurt, you know, because I’m just a guy with a past that I’m trying to make amends for. Then ACI offered me a chance and I’ve been here just about every day since then, minus the days I’ve been on a mission.”

“That’s right, Bucky Barnes, a man who was once one of the world’s most feared assassins, is now happily helping this organization by cleaning litter boxes, hand feeding orphan kittens, and even giving feral cats the first baths of their lives.”

[Scenes are shown of Bucky replacing cat litter, gently feeding a newborn kitten with a milk-filled syringe while cooing to it, patiently brushing out the long hair of another cat, and filling up a sink with warm water before lowering a hissing, spitting cat into it.]

“My metal arm is kind of an advantage when I’m handling feral cats because their teeth and claws don’t hurt me,” smirked Bucky, as he was shown giving a yowling cat their first bath, a necessity to remove fleas from their fur. “Even my right hand, when it gets clawed up, is healed by the next day and I can take the pain, easily. I modulate my voice to be softer and lower, and that helps calm them down. Within a few days they’re accepting my touch better and learning that people can be kind. I’ve even adopted one of them for myself.”

“This pretty kitten, Alpine, named for her snowy fur, and blue eyes, is deaf. Found under a dumpster, she bonded quickly with Barnes at ACI, and he is teaching her to respond to sign language, which surprisingly he is adept in. Adoption fees are assessed on a cost recovery basis, as the organization is non-profit. Any shortfalls have always been covered by donations. Since Barnes became involved with the organization, they have posted images of him working at their shelter in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn on their social media accounts. Those images have become a big hit, generating many likes and increasing interest in adoptions, and donations to the organization.”

[Scenes are shown of Bucky signing to Alpine to stay off a counter, using a cat toy while playing with her, then other images that have been on the organization’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. He is also shown being approached by children, as he shows them how to stroke a cat.]

“They do a lot of good here.” Barnes stroked Alpine, while another cat on the back of the chair he was sitting in bumped its forehead against him. “All of the cats they take in are spayed or neutered, receive all their shots, and get fully assessed before being put for adoption. There are some that are too wild to go into a home so they have set up a sanctuary for them where they can live safely. The sanctuary is one of my favourite places to sit and think about things. The cats trust me and allow me to be there with them. I feel welcome at the Alley Cat Initiative and plan to stay on as a volunteer for as long as they’ll put up with me.”

“The staff at the Alley Cat Initiative are thrilled with Barnes’ dedication to his volunteer role. In fact, he has become one of their more dedicated volunteers and has already garnered Volunteer of the Month status for December. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the organization, please contact them by the means shown at the end of this segment. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be working alongside one of the more well-known Avengers. This is Cassie Evans, for WSNY News.”

[The contact email and phone number of the Alley Cat Initiative was shown for about ten seconds.]

🎄

Amanda looked at Bucky, seated next to her with Alpine in his lap, as they sat with the others in the Avengers common room. He looked back at her, then squeezed her hand.

“It was good,” he said. “I’m happy with it.”

“You did good, Buck,” said Steve.

“Never thought you would be a cat lady,” smirked Sam, who ducked when Bucky threw a cat toy at him.

“Well, the whole program did really well,” said Amanda. “Avengers participation seems to have had a positive effect on donations to all the charities. They all tagged us, which generated more hits on our social media accounts, with many positive comments. Thank you for making me look like I knew what I was doing when I proposed it.”

“Alright, enough patting each other on the back,” said Tony, somewhat impatiently. “The staff Christmas party starts in ten minutes. Manchurian Candidate has cat hair all over his suit and needs to take care of that. Amanda Hug and Kiss did a great job and we’re glad to have her working for the Avengers.” Nobody moved and he rolled his eyes. “Come on, we have a party to get to.”

The others stood up and drifted over to the elevator. Amanda stood up but Bucky touched her hand, making her stop. He watched as the others entered the elevator car then he stood up and faced her.

“Thank you,” he said, sincerely. “They ended up being the best fit for me and even though I wasn’t their first choice I think I was their better choice.”

“Well, I think you’re my better choice,” she replied, still holding his hand as she looked up at him. “Are we making our relationship known tonight?”

“It’s only been a few weeks,” he smiled. “But I’m willing if you are. Alpine likes you and she has good taste.”

Leaning over, Bucky brushed his lips over hers then took Alpine back to his apartment, coming back with the hair removal roll. Handing it to Amanda he waited while she ran it over his jacket and pants, then took it from her hands and gave her a better kiss, wrapping his arms around her. They went over to the elevator and waited for the doors to open, then stepped inside. Holding hands when the doors opened on the party floor they stepped out to the sights and sounds of a Christmas party already in full swing. When people noticed they were holding hands they received several acknowledgements via a raised glass. Looking up, Bucky noticed a large sprig of mistletoe above them and chose to honour it by kissing Amanda in a way that would leave no doubt that they were a couple. It was Christmas, he had a girlfriend, and for the first time in a long time, felt like he belonged to something bigger and better than himself.

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