#metalbvcky

[buckybarnesevents]

Not the Face You’d Expect 

Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Rated: Teen

Tags: Shrunkyclunks | Modern Bucky Barnes/Captain America Steve Rogers, Post-Avengers (2012), Avengers Tower, Fluff and Humor, Locked In, First Meetings, First Kiss, Making Out, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Modern Bucky Barnes, Waiter Bucky Barnes, Beefy Bucky Barnes

Summary:

Steve's not the party type. Never has been. But as Captain America, he's expected to attend Tony's extravagant galas. Whether he likes it or not, bearing the mantle comes with obligations. So that's how he finds himself splashing water on his face after an hour of mingling with strangers. He's about to head back out there when the door knob twists, a string of frustrated curses reaching his ears. He vaults into the bathtub and pulls the shower curtain without thinking. Shortly, he'll learn why this bathroom was out of bounds. Because he and this stranger— a pretty brunette with long hair— are going to be here for a while.

Thank you, @metalbvcky for your gift to our anonymous prompter!

You can check out the rest of our prompts and fills at our AO3 Collection here!

#bbe masquerade 2023 #prompt fill #metalbvcky #bucky barnes fanfiction #stucky #stucky fanfiction #bucky barnes #steve rogers #stevebucky

[thedamageofherdays]

“Don’t you look nice,” Steve says when he steps back.  

Bucky’s face softens, cheeks pick. He murmurs his thanks before walking over to the backdrop, hands tucked in his pockets. The lights cast a faint glow against his face, stood directly in front of the camera. 

Chapter Two of Chardonnays By The Sea by @metalbvcky for the @silver-fox-steve-bang is out now.

#bucky barnes #stucky #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanart #marvel fanart #stevebucky #r makes things #r makes arts #r does art #metalbvcky

[buckybarnesbingo]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Tony Stark Additional Tags: Shrunkyclunks | Modern Bucky Barnes/Captain America Steve Rogers, Post-Avengers (2012), Avengers Tower, Fluff and Humor, Locked In, First Meetings, First Kiss, Making Out, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Modern Bucky Barnes, Waiter Bucky Barnes, Beefy Bucky Barnes, Clint Barton in the Ceiling Vents Summary:

Steve's not the party type. Never has been. But as Captain America, he's expected to attend Tony's extravagant galas. Whether he likes it or not, bearing the mantle comes with obligations.

So that's how he finds himself splashing water on his face after an hour of mingling with strangers.

He's about to head back out there when the door knob twists, a string of frustrated curses reaching his ears. He vaults into the bathtub and pulls the shower curtain without thinking.

Shortly, he'll learn why this bathroom was out of bounds.

Because he and this stranger— a pretty brunette with long hair— are going to be here for a while.

#buckybarnesbingo2023 #bbb2023 #bingo fill #metalbvcky #stucky

[stuckybingo]

Not the Face You’d Expect by Metalbvcky Square filled: B4 - AU: Shrunkyclunks Ao3 rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Shrunkyclunks, Fluff and Humor, First Meetings, Locked In, Waiter Bucky Summary: Steve escapes Tony's extravagant party to a quiet bathroom, only to be locked in with a stranger who happens to be apart of the waiting staff. Format: Medium oneshot (1000 - 5000 words)

#stucky bingo #stucky bingo round 5 #participant reblog #metalbvcky #fic #rated t

[late-to-the-party-81]

Answer the questions and tag five fanfiction authors you know!

Thank you @metalbvcky. NPT for @mrs-illyrian-baby @doasyoudesireandlive @km-ffluv @labella420

🍓 How did you get into writing fanfiction?

As a teen I was a voracious reader and tried to write my own stuff based on other books I'd read. I also loved ST:TNG and wanted dearly to be in an episode and had lots of the books. I wrote my own ST stories with OC's (gratuitous self inserts), but they never went anywhere. In my late teens I read some Xena fanfic on the internet. But that was it for a great number of years.

At the beginning of 2021 I sat and watched the entirety of the MCU films in chronological order (I'd seen most of them before and was mainly a Thor gal.) I fell down the Stucky rabbithole. Deep. I decided to look up fanfic. AO3 was now a thing! I wrote (a very poor) Stucky fic and here we are, almost 3 years later

🍇How many fandoms have you written in?

As my ST stuff never made it further than my parent's old PC in the days of dial-up, I won't count it.

I've written for MCU, various Chris Evans and Seb Stan Characters and one fic for RWRB. I've been toying with writing a one-off Criminal Minds fic as a gift for a friend.

🍈How many years have you been writing fanfiction?

Three in July since I first published anything on AO3.

🍎Do you read or write more fanfiction?

I try to balance it out. If I have a period of hyperfocus writing I try to then go through a period of reading. I read on both Tumblr and AO3, so try to keep that even as well.

🍌What is one way you've improved as a writer?

Getting betas to pick me up on tense changes, overuse of words and rogue commas. Reading more. Practising. Writing outlines for longer stories so I don't go off-piste.

🍑Do you have any bad habits as a writer?

Getting bored half-way through a long fic, especially if the first few parts haven't had a lot of interaction. Which is why I try to write the whole thing before I start posting.

🍍 What's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project?

Engineering courses at MIT and, for a separate fic, Violet wands, including the ways to use them and the differnt types of accessories you can use with them. I even watched a Youtube video.

🍉What's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work?

Any comment! Anything that gives me the validation I need!

🍐What's the most fringe trope/topic you write about?

I wrote a transformation into Tsum-tsum fic that was both cracky and smutty. That's pretty niche.

🥭What is the hardest type of story for you to write?

Action scenes. I loathe them. I'm constantly wondering if they are long enough, and make sense.

🍏What is the easiest type?

Short things that are either PWP or fluffy slices of life.

🍑Where do you do your writing? What platform? When?

Mainly on my elderly laptop on G-Docs, and in every moment I can - normally afterwork before dinner and on Mondays when I don't have work.

🍋What is something you've been too nervous/intimidated to write, but would love to write one day?

There are a few characters and ships I haven't written that I'd like to. And I suppose I'd like to write a proper long, over 100k fic at some point.

🍇 what made you choose your username?

When I made my AO3 account I felt as though that at 40, and only really starting in Fandom in this way, I was late to the party, so that is who I became.

#tag games #getting to know you #jen answers

[sparkagrace]

*creeps in* is it still technically close enough to December to post this? Three weeks in and I'm finally feeling like a normal human being again so I figured I would complete my 2023 fic recaps with the final instalment. I was completely burned out so I only read 11 fics so I'm putting them all here! I am going to be continuing this series for 2024 because I've enjoyed it, but hopefully with less burnout ✌️

december

58,549 words read over 11 fics (average of 5,323 words per fic, not including wips) 📉 72% from November.

2023 total: 2,829,189 words (389 fics)

ask my glass of wine for guidance by EiraLloyd shrunky | T | 5.8k

if the sun could talk by oklahoma (@malewifediaz) stucky | E | 4k

Foothold by missbeizy stucky | E | 7k

Not the Face You'd Expect by @metalbvcky shrunky | T | 2k

Leave the Gate as You Found It by KidDynamite090 stucky | E | 3k

Fan Brush by KidDynamite090 stucky | E | 3k

young hearts, out of our minds by junko stucky | T | 2k

Handling it professionally by MedeaV bucky x natasha | E | 6.6k

Light of a Clear Blue Morning by @bonky-bornes stucky | N/A | 9.7k

non-mcu

In the house of Roses by JZ11 snowbaird | E | 3.5k

strange canyon road (strange look in your eye) by @teenytabris din x cobb (star wars) | E | 10.5k

#monthly fic recap #steve x bucky #snowbaird #din x cobb #fanfic #fic list #fic rec #bucky x natasha

[catws-anniversary]

A little belated but we managed to collate the wonderful creations for Day 1 of the @catws-anniversary event! Thank you to all the creators. AO3 is currently down so some of those links may not work.

THEME: ON YOUR LEFT

For Reasons Wretched and Divine (Ch.1) by @mandyyvibes [fanfic, m, polyamory]

Love's Gonna Get You Killed by @mythicalmxyhem [fanfic, t]

Safe Place by @buckys-wintersoldier [fanfic, t, steve/reader]

untitled by @arctic-turtle-cassiopeia [fanart, sam wilson, steve rogers, bucky barnes]

Before The First Light by @cable-knit-sweater [fanfic, t, steve/bucky]

On Your Left by @skullfragments [fanart, sam wilson, steve rogers]

Prompt: The Smithsonian

Exhibition by @nekoannie-chan [fanfic, t, steve rogers]

A Late Start by @EiraLloyd [fanfic, t]

discretion in this matter @somesortofitalianroast [fanfic, g]

Inseparable on Schoolyard and Battlefield (Day 1) by @voylitscope [fanfic, steve/bucky]

untitled by @dcangstfiction [fanart, bucky barnes]

who the hell is Bucky? by @gyokujyn [fanart, steve/bucky]

when home is a person SkyMiles won't get you there by @gyokujyn [fanart, howling commandos]

Prompt: Favorite Quote

favourite (sassy) quotes by @meidui [gifset, steve rogers]

Three Days by @gfawkesphoenixchokingonashes [fic excerpt, e, steve/bucky]

Favorite quote by @countessravengrey [meta]

Favorite quote by @letskzuniversescreations [gifset, steve rogers]

Prompt: First Meetings

First Impressions by @polyavenger [fanfic, e, hydra trash party, non-con]

kiss me through the phone by @howliesbarnes [fanfic, t]

is this progress? by @gyokujyn [fanart, steve rogers, sam wilson, natasha romanoff]

Verses for Winter (Day 1) by @between-a-ship-and-a-hard-place [poetry]

Prompt: PTSD

close enough for government work by @gyokujyn [fanart, bucky barnes]

The Dole of a Death of Self by @vostok3-ka [poetry, bucky barnes]

PTSD by @ace-bucket [fanart, steve rogers, tw: blood]

Prompt: Endurance

the endurance of a super-soldier by @witchywithwhiskey [fanfic, e, steve/reader]

Endurance by @metalbvcky [gifset, sam wilson, steve rogers]

#catws10 #ca:tws anniversary #march 26 prompts #fandom events #participant reblog #ca:tws #catws10 masterlist

[controlofwhatido]

fic: you crashed into my life (and here's some sugar)

Title: you crashed into my life (and here's some sugar) Pairing: Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes Rating: Explicit Word Count: 11k Tags: Captain America Bucky Barnes, Pre-Serum Steve Rogers, Bakery Shop Owner Steve Rogers, Top Bucky, Bottom Steve, Steve hates the Avengers

Summary: Slices of life when a bakery shop owner hates Captain America

Notes: Written for the Shrinkyclinks Double Bang 2023 at @buckybarnesevents! Huge thank you to @metalbvcky for all the adorable cupcake art and all the help getting this fic plotted out! Thank you to HR and Kam for running a fantastic event!

Also written for: @buckybarnesbingo Y3: My Best Suit. @stuckyversebingo B3: Strangers To Lovers, @stuckybingo B3: The Shield, N2: Scott Lang, G3: Touching Foreheads. @cabottombingo B2: Cradling someone in their arms. @steverogersbingo C2: Jarvis, E1: Competence

Read on AO3!

#shrinkyclinksdoublebang2023 #buckybarnesbingo2023 #stucky verse bingo #stucky fic #stevebucky fic #control writes fic

[buckymilf]

commission made for @metalbvcky inspired by her ongoing fic series "I Never Bloomed 'till I Met You" which can be read here thank you bby 💕

my emergency commissions are still open and you can support me on ko-fi

#bucky barnes #bucky #stucky #steve rogers #captain america #stevebucky #marvel #wintershield #steve x bucky #winter soldier #stucky fic rec #stevebucky art #stucky fanart #my art

[lavenderbuckyy]

this christmas i am very thankful to my friends and mutuals on here... @sanguineterrain @cloudbells @heckalecki @moodymelanist @storywriter8 @plincess-cho, thankful for the people who always leave the sweetest comments on my fics @ace-in-reserve @smlmsworld @musette22 @zacharypay1 @andrea1717 @rillils, thankful for the creators i look up to @metalbvcky @inevitablemeow @turtle-steverogers @buckymilf @moontashpena @liloau @meidui @bulkyphrase, thankful for those who have organised the events i've had so much fun writing for @mxaether @buckyismybicycle @gotlostonmywayhome and probably many more, and thankful for the stucky fandom as a whole! you guys are so funny, creative and kind — thanks for being such a huge part of my writing journey for almost 2 years now!! merry christmas everyone :) ☃️🎅

#miss meidui miss bulkyphrase i know u are not stucky writers. but you are here in my special holiday list ❤️ #thank you #apologies if i have missed anyone out!

[metalbvcky]

Tied Furever | Shrinkyclinks Bang 2023

Fic by Metalbvcky Art by @alwaysabrighterdarkness Pairing: Steve/Bucky Word/Chapter Count: 6,659 (1) Rating: Teen General Tags: First Meetings, Getting Together, Misunderstandings, Strangers to Lovers

Summary:

Steve's life is simple. He owns an art supply store in downtown Brooklyn, takes commissions on the side, enjoys tending to his massive plant collection, and hangs out with his closest friends when his social battery isn't low. Most days are fairly uneventful but he likes the peace.

Or used to.

His life turns upside down after a month of befriending the Black Widow. Ever since Steve has faced nothing but turmoil. His spider plant has been tampered with, his upstairs neighbor doesn't know when to shut the hell up, and his asthma and allergies are rearing their ugly heads.

He also keeps running into a stranger— sharp gray-blue eyes— and he has no clue where they'd met. Then one day, Steve runs after the brown-haired man until there's nowhere to escape.

“Who are you?”

“A ghost story.”

--

Got to work with @alwaysabrighterdarkness to create this fluffy little oneshot for the Shrinkyclinks Bang 💖 The art is so precious, go check out the full versions on AO3!

Stucky Bingo G1: Misunderstandings @stuckybingo Bucky Barnes Bingo B2: Animal @buckybarnesbingo Bucky Barnes Events @buckybarnesevents

#stucky #stucky fanfic #stucky fic #stucky fanfiction #stevebucky #stevebucky fanfic #stevebucky fic #bucky barnes events #shrinkyclinksdoublebang2023

[buckybarnesevents]

Happy Valentine's Day, @metalbvcky

This is just a small snippet of what your admirer thought of "When All Else Has Changed"!

Title: When All Else Has Changed Pairing: Steve/Bucky Rating: Teen Tags/Warnings: Post-Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Barbershop Quartet, Humor, Fluff, Angst, Comedy, Misunderstandings, Police, Hand-Wavy Police Procedures, Holding Cell, Original Character(s), Steve Rogers and the 21st Century Summary: Steve didn't mean for them to get caught. He swears. He only wanted to scope out a peculiar-looking building. The one he and Bucky lived in together during the thirties. Instead, he and Sam were stuck in a holding cell. “So who should we call?” “I’d call Bucky, but I feel safer in here.” “Come on. Is Bucky that bad? Would he really—” “STEVEN. GRANT. ROGERS.” Or, the time Steve sucker punched a cop.

As part of our Valentine's Event, we encourage everyone to come check out this work and also drop some love! 💟

#bbe valentines event 2024 #bbe love letters 2024 #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes events #bucky barnes #James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers #metalbvcky

[thedamageofherdays]

Steve’s legs go into autopilot mode as he strides over to wrap a hand around Bucky’s waist. He pulls Bucky in for a long, overdue kiss, allowing himself to enjoy the handful of seconds with his lover. He could care less about the past, now that he had Bucky here with him, cuddled up in his arms.

The fifth and final chapter of Chardonnays By The Sea by @metalbvcky for the @silver-fox-steve-bang is out now. Please give Mandy some love for the incredible fic she wrote. It was amazing working with her ❤️❤️

#stucky #stevebucky #stucky art #stucky fic rec #stucky fanart #metalbvcky #r makes arts #r does art #r makes things

[buckybarnesbingo]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Captain America (Movies), The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Established Relationship, Age Difference, Wealth, Rich Steve Rogers, Kept Boy Bucky Barnes, Dom/sub, BDSM, Power Dynamics, Bratting, Subspace, Lingerie, Collars, Handcuffs, Spreader Bars, Face Slapping, Face-Fucking, Blow Jobs, Aftercare, Spoiled Brat Bucky, CEO Steve Rogers, Post-Serum Steve Rogers, Dom Steve Rogers, Mean Dom Steve, Sub Bucky Barnes Summary:

As a former escort, Bucky's life is nothing but luxury. He lives in one of the finest mansions, wears only the best designer clothes, and has plenty of free time to do whatever he likes. All thanks to a certain client he met two years ago.

The best part? Getting to play with his hot, CEO of a boyfriend after a hard day's work.

“What did I tell you?”

Bucky smirks, hands folded behind his head. “Make myself comfortable?”

“Try again, brat.”

“Hmm...” Bucky pretends to think, irises shifting, then looks Steve dead in the eye. “No.”

#buckybarnesbingo2023 #bbb2023 #bingo fill #stucky #lemon #metalbvcky

[stuckybingo]

My Heart Is Open (I'm Letting You In) by Metalbvcky Square filled: I5 - AU: Shrunkyclunks Ao3 rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply, Drunken Shenanigans Major tags: Post-Avengers (2012), Captain America Steve Rogers/Modern Bucky Barnes, Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés, Crack Treated Seriously, Drunk Steve Summary: Bucky come home from work only to struggle to with a jammed lock, and his very drunk neighbor, Captain America, breaks his door down to help him inside. Format: Medium oneshot (1000 - 5000 words)

#stucky bingo #stucky bingo round 4 #participant reblog #metalbvcky #fic #rated t

[late-to-the-party-81]

The best laid plans

AN: It’s so fluffy!!!! This is my first fill for this year’s ‘Into an alternate Juni-verse” and when I got Surgeon AU on my card I knew I had to revisit this pairing from last year's event…You don’t need to read it to understand this fic, but it will give you more context.

A big thanks to @metalbvcky for spitballing and cheerleading

Beta’d by the wonderful @drabbles-mc

Likes are loved, reblogs are golden

Mood board by me and dividers by @firefly-graphics

Bingo Fills - 

@stuckybingo G3: Migraines

@steverogersbingo D2: Monica Rambeau

Build a Bucky Bingo by @buckybarnesevents: Feb: Forehead kisses

Into an Alternate Juni-verse by @buckybarnesevents : AU: Surgeon

@caplanbuckybarnes Weekly Writing Challenge Week 1; “Holding you like this is where I’m happiest.”

Master list | Alternate Juni-verse Master list | Stucky Bingo Master List | SRB Master list | BaBB Master List

Summary: With Steve’s hectic work schedule, their relationship was never going to be plain-sailing, but they have an uninterrupted 48 hours coming up. Surely nothing will go wrong?

Relationship: Small Doctor Steve Rogers x Bookstore Owner Bucky Barnes

Word count: 3.8k

CW: Modern AU, Fluff, Insinuation of spicy time, Bucky and Nat friendship, Teasing, descriptions of migraine, caring Bucky, Hurt/Comfort, suggestive and happy ending, implied bottom Bucky.

Steve was well aware of how his life was currently a study in contrasts. On the one hand there was the hustle and bustle and bright lights of the hospital and on the other, the cosy warmth of the bookshop where Bucky worked and Steve spent a lot of his off hours. There was the inherent stress involved in working in the ER, with the requirement he always be ‘switched on’, but then there was the gentle pace that life with Bucky forced him into.

Bucky.

He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed since those two chance encounters nine months ago, one in a bar and the other right here in the ER.

Steve hadn’t been looking for anything, heart still raw from a break-up that had seen him upsticks and relocate from Los Angeles to New York, but something about Bucky had gotten under his guard. After their unexpected reunion in the hospital following a very memorable one-night stand, Steve had known there was no way he could go on without the young bookstore owner in his life.

They were taking it one step at a time though. Steve’s job was obviously full-on, especially so as he’d decided to continue working towards becoming a surgeon, something he’d done most of the work for out in California. Between his ER shifts, and the work for his qualification, both practical and theoretical, they sometimes went days without seeing each other and Steve didn’t want to force Bucky into something he wasn’t able to cope with - there was a reason why a large number of people in the medical field struggled to maintain relationships.

Therefore he maintained his apartment, and Bucky still had his own over his shop. Admittedly that warm, lived-in space, as small and covered in white cat fur as it was, felt more like home to Steve than his larger, pristine loft that still looked like something out of a brochure. Also, Bucky’s place was a lot closer to the hospital than his. It made sense, really, to spend most of his time there. He kept thinking about ‘taking the next step’, but something was stopping him.

Steve let out a sigh. He hadn’t seen Bucky in a full 48 hours now, and there was still another six to go until he could leave.

Today was an observation day, where Steve would be watching his mentor while she performed a heart by-pass and she would ask him questions as she did so. He was excited for it, but even that couldn’t dull the ache within him which he knew would only be soothed by a Bucky-hug ™.

He watched Doctor Rambeau - Monica - scrub up, dexterously turning off the tap with her elbow, and then waited for her to move out of the space so he could do the same. He might not be performing the operation, but he still had to follow all the protocols. He knew what an honour this was, having her as his mentor. She was one of the best in her field, and under her tutelage he knew he would be able to make a difference to so many people. With his own history of health issues, he knew what it was like to have his life saved and was ready to pay it forwards. 

“You ready, Doctor Rogers?” He turned to see one perfectly shaped eyebrow rise at him from behind an eye-shield.

“Absolutely. Lead on, Doctor Rambeau.” He knew his smile was hidden behind his mask, but hopefully she would hear it in his voice and see it in the crinkles around his eyes. He suspected not much got past her. The junior doctors were always making remarks about how Doctor Rambeau could see things that other mere mortals couldn’t.

“Soooo,” Nat drawled out and Bucky got ready for another round of being teased. “You’re seeing him tonight?”

“Yes,” replied Bucky. “He’s coming over after his observation shift and then he’s off for the next two days. Don’t expect to see much of me outside of work hours.” He waggled his eyebrows at his best friend and grinned as she rolled her eyes in return.

“Don’t I know it. If it wasn’t for his shifts I doubt I’d see you at all.” Despite her words, Bucky could hear the joking affection in her voice. However, what was the point in being best friends if you didn’t wind each other up at every available opportunity?

“You’re one to talk? How are you and Doctor Wilson going? I know he knows his way around….” Bucky’s dig at Sam’s field of specialisation was cut off by Nat placing her finger over his lips.

“Shush, you. We’re going just fine. Keeping it casual. He’s busy. I’m busy. Who wants to put labels on things?”

Bucky’s lips twitched. “Whatever you say, Natty-Nat-Nat. I believe you, thousands wouldn’t.”

She stuck her tongue out at him and then grabbed another armful of books to reshelve. “So apart from fucking, what have you got planned?”

Bucky shrugged. “Not a lot. Depends on how wiped out he is. Dinner tonight - I’m making lasagne - and a film. Probably far too much wine. Tomorrow? Maybe the Brooklyn Museum, and lunch. I know he wants me to test him on some theory, so I need to limber up my tongue so I can say complicated words I don’t understand.”

“Please don’t tell me how you’re going to limber it up,” Nat said with a snort, and Bucky squashed down the urge to throw a book at her. He knew from his own painful experience what it felt like to have a hardback, or several, bounce off his face. The only upside of that situation had been that he’d seen Steve again and gotten his number, even if it had been mortifying at the time.

“Things are still going well, then?” Nat questioned more softly.

“Absolutely.” Bucky let out a sigh as he thought about his diminutive blond boyfriend. Even before their eyes had met across the bar he’d been intrigued. There had been something in Steve’s movements, the way his fingers had held - near caressed - his beer bottle, that had filled Bucky with want.

That feeling hadn’t waned over the past months, and while he inevitably got frustrated when Steve’s shifts kept them apart, he also had an inkling that the periods of separation were also what had kept them in the ‘honeymoon’ phase so long. It heightened the anticipation, and when they did get to spend time together? Well it was a good thing that Bucky had no neighbours and Steve’s apartment had thick walls.

Bucky had always had voracious… appetites… but had been more than pleasantly surprised when Steve proved that he could, most of the time at least, keep up with him. He also hadn’t thought that such an outwardly respectable doctor could be so kinky, but….

“Earth to Barnes!” Nat snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Stop thinking about Steve’s dick on work time.” 

He pouted at her. “Spoilsport. And anyway, it wasn’t his dick I was thinking about, it was his fing–”

Nat threw her hands up over her ears. “LA-LA-LA,” she shouted before walking back towards the front desk and the customers who had just walked through the door. Bucky giggled and continued to restack books while indulging in his daydreams.

Steve slowly pushed the surgical gown down his arms with a sigh and winced at the bright lights in the scrub room. He hadn’t even been doing any of the heavy lifting during that op, but he still felt absolutely wrung out. However, it had been the most wonderful experience, getting to see Monica performing the by-pass so assuredly and asking her questions as she did so. He was also proud of the fact that he’d been able to answer her questions too, although those had been more inquisitorial than plain curious like his. But it was the end of his shift now - more or less on time too, for a change - and he couldn’t wait to get to Bucky’s apartment and relax in the arms of his boyfriend for two whole days.

He washed up and said good-bye to Monica and the rest of the surgical team and headed towards the staff room and the locker containing his street clothes, keys, and wallet - he hadn’t spent this much time in scrubs since medical school. As he made his way along the white walled corridors, the sounds of a hospital at work swirled around him - the beeping of machines, pained cries of the young and old, the urgent, hushed conversations of other medical professionals, the weeping of family members and loved ones. He liked to think that he was partially immune to these noises - they were the soundtrack to his daily life after all, but for some reason, they felt rawer than usual, scraping across his bones like nails down a chalkboard, and Steve couldn’t hold back an involuntary shudder. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling appeared to be taunting him too, their beams piercing his eyeballs and the almost inaudible humming making his teeth itch.

“Bucky,” he muttered to himself. “I just need to get home to Bucky, then I’ll feel better.”

When Steve finally made his way outside the sky was dark, but the streets were lit up with street lamps and car headlights. Each shaft of light felt like a needle sliding into his brain via his temples and he took a deep breath in through his nose to stave off a wave of dizziness. 

There was a light drizzle in the air, making it blessedly cool, and despite the damp Steve decided to walk to Bucky’s apartment instead of schlepping it on the much dryer, but ultimately more cramped and warm, subway. It took him longer than anticipated though, his shoes feeling like lead weights upon his feet, getting heavier and heavier with every step.

Finally, he reached the bookstore, the interior shrouded in darkness, but with lights shining from the windows above. Steve walked, half staggered, down the alley at the side and let himself in through the door that would lead him up the stairs and to Bucky. He was glad that Bucky had given him a key a few months back, otherwise he would have had to wait in the rain while Bucky came downstairs to let him in. That had happened enough times at the beginning that Steve was now very much over that part of their relationship. Having keys felt good. What didn’t feel good though were his sodden socks, or his throbbing eyeballs.

He trudged up the stairs, each step harder than the last, until he reached the top and all but fell through the interior door. Bucky must have heard him because Steve’s name was called out joyfully, a sound that normally made his heart leap in his chest, but in this moment, all he could do was let out a pained whimper as Bucky’s voice cut through his brain like a chainsaw.

He heard Bucky’s footsteps get closer and he squinted against the brightness of the room.

“Hey, Stevie!”

Bucky pulled him into a rough hug, squishing Steve’s face against the ubiquitous black t-shirt he always seemed to wear on days he was working. The smell of Bucky’s cologne, normally one of his favourite scents, assailed his nose, combining with the smell of garlic that permeated the apartment and Steve felt his stomach roll.

“Buck… please,” he slurred as he uncharacteristically pushed himself away from his boyfriend’s embrace. Everything around him just felt like too much and he felt himself tip backwards against the wall.

“Oh, Steve. You don’t look too hot.” Bucky’s voice was full of concern, and Steve was sure that if he could manage to focus properly, he’d be able to see Bucky’s dark brows pulled together in a frown. 

“Jeez, thanks,” he managed to push out with a small upturn to his lips. “Just what I wanted to hear after not seeing you for two days.” He closed his eyes, intending to do so for just a moment, and felt the ringing pain in his head lessen minutely.

Bucky’s body brushed against him as his holdall was taken from him by gentle hands and his coat was slipped from his shoulders.

“Is it a migraine?” Bucky had modulated his voice to a whisper and Steve decided that he hadn’t ever been so glad for anything in his life.

Eyes still closed, he nodded and let out a noise of confirmation from his lips. “Mmm-hmm.”

“Okay. Let’s get you to bed then. I’m prescribing Advil, earplugs, an eye-mask and an early night.”

Steve snorted and instantly regretted it. “I thought I was the doctor here?” he quipped, his voice low and gravelly.

“You are,” Bucky replied, his lips brushing Steve’s temple. “But I’m the boyfriend, so what I say, goes.”

“Is that so?” Steve queried, a note of amusement in his voice.

“Very much so,” Bucky confirmed. “Now you keep your eyes closed if you want, I’ll guide you.”

Steve rolled his eyes, but still kept his lids closed. He had a feeling it was the only reason he wasn’t throwing up right now.

“Such a mother hen,” he chastised without any real bite and allowed Bucky to steer him, arms looped together, through the small apartment. A soft bump against his ankle let him know that Alpine was now part of the proceedings.

“It’s why you love me. Right, you just sit down here…” Steve felt his shoulders clasped by Bucky’s hands and he sat down, completely trusting that he wouldn’t fall on his ass. “Can you manage to get undressed while I go find the pills?”

Steve cracked one eye open. “Sure. I love you, you know that?” Bucky shot him a soft smile, pressed another kiss to his forehead and then went through to the small bathroom, rattling around inside the cupboards.

Steve kicked off his shoes, glad he had on loafers that came off easily, and struggled out of his shirt. It felt like an octopus trying to envelope and suffocate him. He flopped down onto the mattress and squeezed his eyes shut again, feeling the bile begin to rise in his throat. Not only did this suck, big time, but he also felt so guilty, a feeling he vocalised when he felt the bed dip on Bucky’s return.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I know that this wasn’t what we had planned. What were you making for dinner?” He felt Bucky’s hands on the waistband of his slacks, deftly pulling them from his body in the most un-lust-filled, and therefore strangest, way possible.

“Lasagne, but it will keep until tomorrow. And you don’t need to apologise. These things happen and you have been working really hard. I’m actually surprised you didn’t have one of these sooner.”

Steve shuffled under the coverlet, letting out a sigh at the coolness of the sheets against his skin. Bucky pressed two tablets into his hand, and he propped himself upon his other elbow so he could pop them in his mouth, swallowing them down with a drink from the glass of water Bucky proffered him.

“I’ll make it up to you, Buck. I promise.”

“I know you will, you lug. But for now here’s the eye mask.” Soft satin was placed over his head, settling over his eyes and helping to black out the last of the light making it through his eyelids. “And here are the ear plugs.” Bucky dropped them into Steve’s palm and curled his fingers shut over them. “Now don’t worry about me,” he placated. “I have a whole garlic bread and a salad to make my way through, plus a date at Stars Hollow with Lorelai. I’ll be fine. We’ll pick this up tomorrow if you’re feeling better, and if you’re not I’ll just pump you full of drugs until you are.”

Steve smiled into the darkness. “You know that’s not how that works?”

Bucky placed his finger over Steve’s lips. “Ssh, sexy Doctor Boyfriend has spoken. Sleep now.” He moved his finger and replaced it with his lips, kissing Steve softly.

“Sir, yes Sir,” Steve replied, bringing his hand up in salute.

“Punk. Sleep well. I’ll come cuddle you later.”

“I will, jerk. And thank you.”

He heard Bucky mumble under his breath and then pad across the room before he pushed the earplugs into his ears, cocooning himself in silence to go along with the darkness, and snuggled down into the sheets to pass out.

Bucky closed the bedroom door with a soft ‘click’ and padded back through to the living room, trying to quell the disappointment. It wasn’t Steve’s fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. Migraines happened, and he hadn’t been lying when he’d said it was a surprise that Steve hadn’t had one already - he really had been pushing himself to the limit. But, Bucky supposed, that was one of the things that made him love Steve. His tenaciousness, bordering on stubbornness, was endearing, and was probably one of the main reasons they were still together. He wasn’t going to lie - those early days had been tough, but Steve had found every spare moment he could and made it available to Bucky, whether that was hanging out at the bookshop during the day in the middle of a split shift, or rolling into the apartment just to curl up beside him in bed for the eight hours between the end of a late shift and the start of an early one. There were the surprise DoorDash deliveries when a shift had run over and dinner plans had had to be cancelled and Steve knew Bucky wouldn’t have anything in. There were the long nights of loving and the frantic, heated quickies and everything in between. And he couldn’t be prouder of what Steve was achieving right now. Once he’d passed his surgeon’s qualification things should get better for them - less double shifts, although probably more that would run over. Swings and roundabouts he supposed.

Crossing to the small kitchenette, Bucky pulled out the lasagne, watching the cheese and white sauce bubble on the top as he placed it on a trivet to cool. He was glad he’d cooked something that wouldn’t spoil from not being eaten right now. He then picked up the bowl of salad, and the garlic bread that had been keeping warm in the toaster oven, and meandered over to the couch. As he ate and watched the residents of Star Hollow navigate complex family relationships, Bucky realised that even though he was in this room and Steve was asleep in the bedroom, he didn’t feel alone. He could feel Steve’s presence in his home and it just felt so right.

A couple of hours later he snuck quietly into the bedroom, the only sound the soft snores emanating from Steve’s mouth. He brushed his teeth in the bathroom, careful to only turn the light on after he’d entered and turn it off before he exited, and then tip-toed over to the bed with only the light from the street outside to illuminate his way.  He slipped in behind Steve and gently tugged him into a hug. Steve mumbled in his sleep, but didn’t wake.

Bucky reached up to lightly stroke over the top of Steve’s head and pressed a kiss to his bony shoulder blade.

“I love you, Stevie,” he whispered. “Holding you like this is where I’m happiest.”

Maybe tomorrow would be the day he took a leap of faith and asked Steve to move in with him?

When Steve woke he felt entirely disorientated. It took him a moment to remember what had happened the night before, and when he pulled out the earplugs and lifted the eye-mask he was happy to note that the stabbing pain in his head had reduced to a dull throb. He blinked a few times to get the sleep from his eyes and then focused on the clock next to the bed. 

12:37pm

He’d been asleep for almost eighteen hours!

The bed beside him was cold, indicating that even his slug-abed boyfriend had gotten bored with sleeping at some point and decided to get up. He had vague recollections of being pulled against Bucky’s front in the night, but that was it. He frowned to himself - he’d gone far too long without consciously touching him, something that he needed to rectify immediately.

He pushed himself upright, and took a long drink from the water glass next to the clock. He still remembered the first time he’d woken up in this bed, in the middle of the night and getting ready to make a hasty exit after an alcohol fueled hook-up. Now he didn’t think there was anywhere he’d rather be than right here. 

From the end of the bed, Alpine lifted her head and narrowly opened her eyes, obviously not happy to be disturbed from her slumber. Steve reached out and scratched her under her chin in apology.

When he stood, it was on slightly wobbly legs, and he took a moment to grab a pair of sweats from Bucky’s drawer, taking care to pull the drawstring tight and roll the waistband over. Steve then walked quietly through to the living room, stopping to lean on the back of the sofa as he watched an oblivious Bucky, also only in sweats, singing along to the radio, a spatula in hand acting like a microphone, as he made a grilled cheese sandwich. It was the cutest thing Steve thought he’d ever seen and it just made him want Bucky more.

Steve padded closer, and when he reached out to touch Bucky’s shoulder, Bucky jumped with a shriek.

“Jeez, Steve. You scared me.”

Steve grinned at him and looped his arms around Bucky’s waist, drawing him closer and nuzzling at his neck.

“I’m sorry, baby. Maybe I can make it up to you?”

Bucky let out an amused chuckle. “So you owe me twice, that’s what I’m hearing. You feeling better then?”

Steve fastened his mouth to Bucky’s throat and gave it a suck, creating a dark pink patch on Bucky’s already flushed skin. “Absolutely. Although I can think of something else that will make me feel even better.”

“I bet you can,” replied Bucky with another giggle. “Do I have enough time to eat my grilled cheese, or…” he trailed off as Steve pushed his hand under Bucky’s waistband. “Oh! L-let me just turn this off…” Steve smiled into Bucky’s skin as he leant across to turn the stove dial and move his pan onto a cold ring. “Okay - you were saying?”

God, how Steve loved this man. The hand he had down Bucky’s sweats and shorts moved - encompassed -  and Steve watched as Bucky’s eyelids fluttered, his dark lashes fanning his cheeks, and how his mouth dropped open into an “O” shape. First he was going to do what he hadn’t been able to last night and then he was definitely going to ask Bucky if they could move in together.

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