#steve tastes like strawberry short cake

[defectivexfragmented]

I imagine Steve tastes like strawberry short cake

What do you think my muse tastes like?

"Yeah, I'm not going to lie, you're probably right."

#taste meme #musings: steve #steve tastes like strawberry short cake #and freedom

[munsster]

girl’s night

A/N: blatantly contributing to the babygirl steve agenda with this one. i will die on this hill again and again even after the war is over

Pairing: Babygirl!Steve Harrington x GN!Reader

Summary: You and Steve have a platonic girl’s night. Just you and Steve. Platonically. 1.6k words

Warnings: fluff, mutual (unresolved) pining, best friends to……, head-butting (literal), cursing, pet names (beefcake), both you and steve are bimbos low key, mutual pining again because it’s so aggressive, idiots (secretly) in love, cuddling, domesticity

If you were seated outside the door, if you were eaves dropping by the window, if you were crammed in the small space between you and Steve, you'd think you two were completely insane. Smacking each other's knees and cackling into the silence of your bedroom, collapsing against each other and gasping for air. And doing it all wearing Steve's dad's white satin pajamas Steve dragged out of storage.

Because you had a pajama exchange when he arrived with a knock at your door. You figured he could squeeze into one of your silky blue sets. And as much as he repulsed the idea of the camisole-shorts combination, baby blue is definitely one of his colors. His hair's pushed back by a bubblegum pink headband, a teensy braid sprouting from his hairline, salmon-colored face mask caked on, and Dr Pepper flavored chapstick swiped thick against his baby pink lips.

"Tastes like Dr Pepper."

"It also doesn't really work if you keep licking it all off," you sass.

It's not even as if this is a rare occurrence. Steve comes over almost every Sunday to detox just like this. One of the many excuses he keeps in his back pocket to have you less than a foot away from him. Better yet, an excuse to let you hold his chin like he's something to be cradled just to massage cold strawberry cream over his cheeks and forehead then wipe it all off after ten minutes.

"Gimme your hand, Stevie, let's get this show on the road." You scoot closer so your knees are flush with his, and as he spreads one hand along your thigh, you grab the other and smile when his arm goes limp.

He thinks your hands are the softest thing he has ever held; even softer than lamb's-ear and cashmere and petting zoo bunnies. And he could spend the rest of his life letting you take his hand into yours. Letting you fold your fingers beneath his and curl his knuckles sweetly over yours and trace the lines with your fingertip. Jesus Christ, he's head over heels and hand over heart. He just hopes you never notice how clammy his palms get.

You brush a bead of pink polish against the side of the tiny bottle before dragging it down his thumbnail, covering half of the surface before peeking up at him through your lashes. He wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't already been staring at you, almost willing you to flash him a glance. Even in brief passing, those doe eyes would be a blessing. The eighth wonder and seventh heaven of your demure face.

Steve's pretty sure he's lost control of his motor reflexes, and it's all your fault. His hand is shaking or twitching or something and then you giggle because there's a stripe of nail polish on the fleshy tip of his finger and his hand shakes or twitches some more because you've got the most beautiful laugh he's ever heard. And each time you tug his hand closer to maximize precision, he catches a sweet waft of the perfume spritzed against your collarbone. You smell like a candy store or a bakery; he can't quite place it, but it makes him feel longingly small and cloying. Then to top it all off, he's focusing so hard, sweat beads at his brow. You have to pat his wrist and tell him to calm down. But you didn't have to call him Stevie like that.

"Need a break, beefcake?"

"I hate that that rhymed."

"C'mon, let's go make popcorn," you chirp, grabbing his untainted hand and dragging him to the kitchen. He shivers in the cold, goosebumps flaring up over his skin as you leave him behind to shut the window by the sink. "Plain or butter?"

"Who do you think I am?"

"Butter it is!" you say, eyes bright and blinking in the deep dark of the cold-tiled room. Steve leans back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest while you bang around to find the cabinet with the snacks like you've never been in this kitchen before.

The light of the microwave makes him wince, but the way it bathes your torso in a soft marigold light makes him seep back against the ceramic digging into his spine. You turn to face him, and his chest tightens though he's still only hinting at a smile. You must realize how silly he looks right now: spaghetti straps leaning over the curve of his shoulders, polka-dotted scrunchie hugging his wrist, boxers peeking out from beneath the blue silk shorts. Picturesque and chaotic all in one. He can't place that look you get when your eyes scan down from his neck to the length of his upper arms. How his hand curls over his smooth bicep.

He barks out a laugh when the wail of the microwave makes you jump.

"Shut up," you grumble, snatching the inflated bag from the hot glass tray inside.

"Careful, that stuff is molten," he coos. You don’t realize how close he gets when he rushes over close behind you, catching the bag out of your hands and opening it. Steam puffs out from the fissure, and you cough, sending your head crashing back against his cheek.

"Oh, fuck—are you okay?" he huffs, letting go of the bag and grabbing his jaw.

"I—Wha—? Are you okay? I just head-butted you!"

"Yeah, and I just suffocated you with popcorn smoke."

You both laugh, leaning into each other, his gloss-slathered hand subconsciously curling into your side. You shake the popcorn into a glass bowl and plant both hands on the rim, glancing at Steve with a 'ready?' only to find he's already looking at you. And for the second time, you shy away, shuffling to the living room and flicking off the lights. He plops onto a cushion, and accepts the bowl when you place it in his lap.

"Be right back, the tapes are… never mind. You know." And just like that, you flit back to your room, and he's sitting in the static of the TV, tossing pieces of popcorn into his mouth like its a game. He sinks back into the couch after tucking European Vacation into the slot, and only a minute later, you throw something at his head, swaddling him in a knit cloth.

"What's this?" Steve says, holding it out in front of himself. It's a sweater.

"It's a sweater. You looked cold." You shrug and collapse onto the couch next to him, hogging the bowl of popcorn in your own lap.

And he gets this glazed over, thousand-yard stare as his thumbs roll over the shoulder seam of the knitted, ivory sweater. It used to be his. And he was pretty sure he lost it. But you had it the whole time. You had it the whole time but you never told him and you never wore it around him. And at the same time, you remembered it was his like you were saving it for this exact moment. Like you noticed the ripple of a shiver up his spine and like you cared enough to fish his sweater back out again. To return it. Oh, but as he slips it over his head, he thinks he’d prefer leaving it with you for as long as you’ll cherish it.

You wipe your bent wrist at the corner of your mouth as the movie flickers on the screen, but you just miss the glistening butter smattered on your cheek. He looks over at you. God, he’s crazy for being sweet on you, but he also knows it’s never been easier than this. Not for him. Not lately.

“You missed… c’mere, lemme just—” His tongue pokes at his upper lip when he curls his hand into the cuff of the sweater. His other hand nudges under your chin, and you tilt your head up a little, just barely glancing down at him through your bottom lashes.

“There ya go.” His brows knit tight as he wipes the smudge away, then he pulls away at the realization of the innocent domesticity of it all and how he never wants to feel any different than he does right now.

You’re just sitting there with your hands sprawled out on your folded knees, and every time he reaches for a handful of popcorn, you glance down at his knuckles and he glances over at the slope of your nose.

Fifteen minutes in, the bowl is empty, so you set it on the floor.

Thirty minutes in, Steve’s head rolls heavily onto your shoulder. Neither of you realized how close he’d gotten. And neither of you were about to complain.

Forty-five minutes slip by, and your chin is propped in your hand, elbow hard on the arm rest of the couch. Steve’s temple is warm against your thigh, and each of his soft breaths puff out cool over your skin. Your free hand scratches slowly, steadily through his hair. He swallows hard, eyes wide at the urge to hum and buzz and purr like some chattering critter. Like it’s early spring and everything is thawing back to life. Like you’re the sun and the breeze and the darling buds all at once. And he’ll be the poet.

As the credits roll, his quiet snores filter through the silent ebb and flow of the living room, and your face is smushed taut on your forearm, lashes kissing the apples of your cheeks. The two of you lay there in the contented background noise. And in the morning, you’ll both laugh it off, pressed closer than just a few hours before, hair shaggy and nearly matted, and still as furtively lovesick over each other as always.

masterlist

#the babygirlification of steve harrington #his babygirlism is showing #steve harrington fic #steve harrington x you #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x gn!reader #best friends to lovers #mutual pining #fluff #stranger things fluff #stranger things #babygirl!steve harrington #x reader #x gn!reader

[incorrectbatfam]

Stepmom!Selina?

She sees what she's getting into from a mile away, but she welcomes it because Bruce's kids are a part of him, and she loves all of Bruce.

The kids all see it coming too, and while some (Damian) take longer to warm up to her, she's welcomed into the fold with open arms.

Selina's got a heart as big as her partner and while she's not always perfect, you can see how much she cares.

As a former foster child herself, Selina understands Duke's unique experiences and traumas from the foster care system, so whenever he needs to talk, she's the first one he goes to. Sometimes he doesn't want to (or need to) talk, so they'll watch boxing matches or she'll teach him little bits of Mandarin. If the kitchen isn't busy, they'll try their hand at new TikTok recipes, and film themselves either succeeding or debunking the original poster.

Being raised in isolation to be a human weapon meant Cass missed out on a lot of the things daughters typically learn as children/teens. The evening of Cass's first gala, she didn't know the first thing about doing her own hair and makeup. She's braved assassin armies, but her self-made disaster of bobby pins and eyeshadow nearly drives her to tears. Selina swoops in, wipes Cass's face with gentle reassurances, and walks her through step-by-step.

Selina considers it a privilege to have watched Dick grow from the spunky little Robin to the man he is today. Even though he's taller than her, she still ruffled his hair when he does a good job. She also keeps the first ever birthday card he gave her, which includes a pop-up bat signal and scented stickers, and remembers all of his favorite radio stations. Also, when Bruce does something, Dick goes tattling to Selina.

For a while, Carrie mooched off of her siblings' Netflix profiles, but everyone got tired of her messing up their algorithm and she was forced to make her own. She soon realized how much freedom she had because no one could see what she was watching. Selina caught on to the power trip and started researching and watching snippets whenever a new show comes out. That's how she stopped a bunch of preteen girls from watching Squid Game.

Tim often gets overlooked as not just the middle child, but the child who appears put-together and regularly takes on adult responsibilities. Selina, however, remembers that he's still a teenager. She regularly checks in and gradually teaches him that it's okay to let go and act his age. Selina encourages him to call his Young Justice friends outside of missions and take small acts of rebellion against Bruce. When Tim and his boyfriend snuck out to a famous lover's lookout, Selina gave them the car keys and covered for them.

She noticed that Jason really enjoys hanging out with Harley Quinn, bonding over not just Joker trauma but other shared interests like music taste. After Harley turns to the antihero side, Selina discusses with Bruce and they start inviting Aunt Harley and Aunt Ivy to dinner. The first time they do that, Harley is so excited that she baked a three-layer cake just for Jason. Literally, in strawberry frosting, it said, "THIS CAKE IS FOR JASON ONLY." Finding someone that Jason can relate to remains one of Selina's proudest accomplishments.

She's trying her best, but she makes mistakes too. For instance, although Wayne Manor has plenty of kitchen space, Selina does her cooking at Harley and Ivy's because Ivy can offer her fresh plant-based ingredients that suited Damian's needs. When Alfred's not available, she sends Damian to school with healthy, flavorful vegan lunches shaped into Cheese Viking characters. One time, she was tasked with bringing brownies to a PTA meeting. Incidentally, Harley was simultaneously baking a... different kind of brownie for a block party (you can see where this is heading). When an angry superintendent demanded to know who was responsible, Selina wisely kept her mouth shut and thankfully, so did Damian.

Cullen loves concerts, but he's a huge introvert who gets anxiety when he's left alone in a crowd. Selina becomes his concert buddy, and she'll go as all-out as he does. Sometimes that's showing up to a garage band dressed-down in hoodies and sunglasses. Other times it's painting their faces and looking like they just came out of a Hot Topic blowout sale. She even listens to the discography beforehand so she can blend in. Selina learns a lot about Cullen through this, because nothing says more about a person than the music they listen to.

Harper, though looking rough around the edges, turns into a giddy little kid at interactive science museums. During one of these trips, Harper got distracted by the giant Newton's Cradle so she didn't notice a fourth grade field trip sweeping up Selina. When they reunited at the gift shop, a chaperone had given Selina a school t-shirt and she was put in charge of grading ten kids' assignments. Harper laughed so hard that she spewed lemonade on the museum owner. Neither of them will let the other live that day down.

Selina and Barbara openly talk about guy stuff, and Selina is more than happy to offer advice in times of need. They're both pretty liberal talking about that stuff, and one time they did a tier ranking of all the Gotham Rogues based on how effective their gimmick is (Joker was the only S-tier). They then proceeded to get into a debate on whether or not Man-Bat and Killer Croc should qualify for the list, which led to them staring each other down at dinner while the other family members sat around them confused.

Steph's school offered a Mother's Day breakfast. Although Crystal Brown was doing her best and wanted to make it, she was scheduled a double-shift that the breakfast fell right in the middle of. Selina reached out to Crystal and with permission, went in her place. Afraid that Steph would publicly reject her, Selina sat in the parking lot for ten minutes as Bruce amped her up over the phone. Steph, thinking that no one would no up, was ecstatic and said that she couldn't have thought of anyone better. They enjoyed stacking up waffles and making the girls who bully Steph envious.

Long before she and Bruce got married, Selina made it clear that she would not be relegated to the gender-typical role of a homemaker, and Bruce happily concurred because it's 2021. They knew that to give Alfred a break, they'd have to take on some chores themselves. Instead of dividing up a boring old chore chart, they find ways to make cleaning fun and collaborative. They'll dance around the halls in mop slippers, play "guess the stain", and race their roombas. The kids see this and start modeling the behavior in their own ways—Dick swings from high places to dust them, Damian trains his pets to pick up garbage, and Cass and Duke compete to see who can clean the most bathtubs.

Some parts of the Manor are due for redecorating, so Selina and Alfred make a day trip out of interior design sketches, flipping through furniture catalogues, and looking at paint swatches. It sounds boring at first, but the menial tasks meant they had plenty of time for conversation, and she finally understood why everyone respects him. They also made room in the afternoon for a stroll through the park and afternoon tea, where he told her and her only the secret to a perfect scone.

The other Justice League partners welcome her into the group too. Whenever Selina's in Metropolis, she joins Lois and Ma and Pa for Sunday brunch where they share what their kids have been up to. Iris shows her life hacks to cooking large batches of food in a short time. Selina and Dinah discover an online store dedicated to selling vigilante gear and go on a Cyber Monday spree for their whole families. Steve Trevor, Diana's partner, teaches Selina how to fly with the invisible jet so she can surprise Bruce with the batplane.

After overcoming their initial conflicts, Selina and Talia hold a high amount of respect for each other. Talia sees Selina as not just a capable combatant, but a worthy partner to her former beloved and stepmother to her son. Selina, after spending all that time with the kids, understands the motherly love that Talia holds for Damian and makes it abundantly clear that she would never try to replace Talia in the boy's life. Regardless, looking after all those kids is hard, so they are very much open to the idea of co-parenting.

(Selina doesn't know it, but all this makes Bruce fall in love with her all over again.)

#ask #anonymous #selina kyle #catwoman #gotham city sirens #gotham rogues #batfamily #batfam #batkids #batsibings #batclan #batman family #dc comics #headcanon #tw food mention #tw mental health mention #tw drug mention

[samwilsonshandsandass]

Don't Go Into The Kitchen

Summary: Sam, who gladly lets people be in the kitchen with him when he cooks, learns you want no one in the kitchen when you bake. Pairing: Sam Wilson x reader and Bucky Barnes x Sarah Wilson Warnings: None Word count: 2.2K

Very early on in your relationship you had discovered Sam to be not only an avid cook but also a creative one whose dishes with their flavors, their textures, their colors, their everything, even the plating if it wasn’t soul food, made heaven come down to earth and on one simple plate.

However small Sam’s kitchen was, he not only kept you close, he wanted you close and almost always pulled you to him. You could just go from the door to the bedroom and he’d pull you to him to taste something new he cooked up. It wasn’t unusual for you to stand with your back pressed to his chest and you both pressed to the countertop, because the cable of the immersion blender was too short for you two to stand there comfortably but it was imperative for Sam to have you near when cooking.

The kitchen in your appartement wasn’t much bigger than Sam’s but it was closed off. That wasn’t much of a problem when you lived alone and it also wasn’t much of a problem when Sam spent the night and you had breakfast.

Some time later, you’d spent a lazy Sunday at your place and lived on your homemade waffles and muffins. Sam went into the kitchen to get you some more waffles and stayed there longer than you thought he would.

“Baby? You bake?”

“No Sam, I cooked the muffins yesterday” You deadpanned.

“Right, and I’ll bake mac’n’cheese. No, really. I didn’t know you also baked cakes. Like, those big ass, fancy cakes with decorations!”

You sat up. “Sam. Did you touch my baking utensils?”

“No baby, I’m just looking. Why? You turning green and big when someone does?”

“I’m not gonna rip my clothes but I’m very particular about my kitchen and especially all my baking things. Just so you know, should we ever move in together” The smile was audible in your voice.

Back on the sofa, Sam pulled you into him. “Already talking about moving in together?”

“Should we ever do that we’ll need a reaaally big kitchen.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

A few weeks later, you went over to Sam’s and practically the second you stepped through the door, there was Sam to pull you into the kitchen.

“Sorry to ambush you like this but I just finished this recipe and you gotta try this!”

He held up a wooden spoon. You could see different kinds of sea food in what seemed to be a broth on a tomato basis. It tasted exquisite. It was a perfect blend of the tomato broth with basil, thyme, cumin and garlic and complimented the salmon and prawns perfectly.

“And? What do you think?” Sam seemed like a giddy child.

You just took his face in your hands and kissed his nose, his forehead and then his lips. “You’re a master cook. But some garam masala would make this even better, what do you say?”

He didn’t say anything, just put the container with garam masala in your hand and let you do the rest. Now it was you who held the spoon and let Sam do the tasting each time the spice was blended with the rest.

“Now that’s good! You were right” Sam pecked your cheek.

“So, can we eat that now or do we have to wait for someone?”

“Naaa, it’s all ours.”

“Nice. Cause I don’t wanna share this.”

“You know I’m also here?”

“You’re the exception.”

“Well, I’m glad.”

Sam had invited himself over to spend the entire weekend at your flat. And since you wanted to try this new cake recipe and creating the fondant decorations would take some time, you baked on Thursday. Sam wanted to come Friday morning. That meant there would be no chance of him going into the kitchen while you did anything.

Except that train of thought got derailed when your doorbell rang. You looked at the batter. It wasn’t time sensitive so you opened the door to see your boyfriend standing there with a flower bouquet and what seemed like takeout.

“I thought I’d surprise my wonderful girlfriend with a lazy evening, movies and takeout. Wait, what’s with the spatula?”

“I didn’t expect you now. So, I’m baking.”

“But I’m still welcome?”

“You and the takeout. And what’s with the flowers?”

“I got my girl flowers because I can.”

You nodded. “That actually makes sense.”

“I have my moments” Sam smiled.

You put the flowers in a vase and went back to the kitchen.

“Gimme the food and I’ll put it in the fridge.”

He took two steps and the third would take him over doorstep to the kitchen.

“Do. Not. Go. Into. The. Kitchen.”

“Uh.”

“Remember how I told you I’m very peculiar about my kitchen?” You asked.

“Yeah.”

“Well, this is it. You don’t go into my kitchen when I’m in there and especially not when I’m baking” Your voice was sharp and your body blocked the doorway.

“Okay? I’ll just wait in the living room and we’ll talk loudly?”

You nodded and smiled. “I’ll be out when the batter’s in the oven.”

“And then?” Sam looked over your shoulder.

“Then we’ll spend a nice time until the cake is done and I’ll do the decorations and the coating. And after that, you’ll have me to yourself for the rest of the evening.”

“No assembling the decorations?” Sam grinned.

“You really are a cook, not a baker” You nudged his shoulder with yours. “The decorations will last longer after they spent some time in the fridge.”

“I see.” You spent the evening cuddling, talking, eating and watching dumb movies with the exception of you getting the cake out and Sam watching you form the decorations with different fondants.

“Is there an occasion you’re doing the cake for or just baking a cake for the sake of baking a cake?” Sam looked from your face to your hands that were currently forming a flower.

“Just for the sake of it. Didn’t bake for quite some time. Although some would say I bake really much” You mused. “But I got the urge to again and I thought I’d have today.” You smiled.

“Sorry” Sam bowed his head but you could see the slight grin he wore.

“You’re not sorry.”

“Not really” Now he wore a big grin.

When you were done and everything was in the fridge, you two went to enjoy the rest of the evening.

The next day after a lazy morning with cuddles, breakfast and breakfast cuddling, you poured the couverture on the cake and placed the decorations in the molten chocolate and let everything dry. Some hours later, every step was finally done and you put the cake on the coffee table in front of the couch.

“And now we can eat it.”

“We eat it? I’m supposed to eat this?”

“Love, I’m not baking a cake just to look at it.”

“But how can I eat something this beautiful?”

“I’m not gonna remind you of what else you eat that’s beautiful…”

Sam chuckled.

“But if we eat it… wait no! I got it! I’ll send a photo to the group chat to make them jealous!”

“Bucky looks at his phone?”

“He’s gotten better since he’s an honorary Wilson.”

“Maybe he won’t be just an honorary Wilson anymore some time from now” You grinned.

Sam looked at you dumbfounded. “Say that again.”

“They both told me separately they’re thinking of that step.”

“Both?! They’re both thinking of-“

You nodded. “Yeah. Hey, how about a bet about who takes that step first? I’ll say Bucky.”

“Alright, I’m in. 15 bucks on Sarah taking the first step. But back to the cake. Let’s make people jealous. Steve’s gotten better on his own about checking his phone.”

“Your phone, your picture…” You grinned.

The picture Sam sent to the group chat garnered all kinds of reactions. Steve, innocent Steve, complimented the cake and wanted to know if Sam made that. Bucky apparently had gotten some lessons from Cass and AJ about how to use emojis, because he sent an eyeball emoji and one with its tongue licking the lips. Sarah commented in true sibling fashion about how Sam must have either been switched out to start baking or just have an amazing girlfriend and how in earth did he get someone like her.

You chuckled.

“So now we can eat it?” Sam seemed torn between being giddy and mournful of eating such a beautiful cake.

You cut him a piece. You had to do that slowly and carefully to keep the decorations intact but no matter the reason, Sam looked pained. But all that changed when he took the first bite. He moaned. Sam straight up moaned.

“Good?”

“You’re a master baker.”

The second breakfast, lunch and the afternoon snack consisted of varying sizes of the cake.

One year later, you and Sam had moved in together and the key feature of the flat was the open-plan kitchen with a kitchen island facing the living room with a dining corner. The dining table was a beautiful piece made of stained wood.

Sam and you had invited the other Wilsons’ plus Steve and Bucky to a nice evening in your new flat with the promise of a tasty dinner and fancy dessert. They arrived separately, first Steve which didn’t surprise you but what did surprise you was Cass and AJ arriving after. Alone. It took fifteen minutes for Sarah and Bucky arriving together. No one said anything, only Sam raised his eyebrows at you. You smirked.

“Where should we?” Steve wanted to know.

“You can sit there” You said and pointed to the chairs between dining table and wall.

“She lets people into the kitchen now?” Bucky asked.

Sam looked at him. “See how big this kitchen is? And the table? And how she told you to sit at the side farthest from her?”

“Yeah?”

“See?”

“Yes, okay.”

“So, what kind of dinner are you serving us?” Steve wanted to know.

“Always the guy with the fast metabolism who asks that question first” Sarah grinned.

“And what am I then?” You chuckled. “Or Cass and AJ?”

“You just eat without that” Sarah hugged you sideways and went over to the table where Bucky pulled out a chair for her.

“To answer your question, Steve, I made a casserole with fish and seafood and Y/N here made a layered cake with chocolate, mint, strawberry, vanilla and lemon.”

“Is that way the fridge compartment trays aren’t in the, you know, fridge?” Bucky looked at were there were indeed the trays and apparently the fridge didn’t have any compartments now.

“Oh, oh, oh! Can we see it? Can we? Please?” AJ and Cass twisted their bodies in the chairs to look at you and the fridge.

“Not yet, okay?”

“Okay.”

Sam put the casserole down and started dishing out the food. All of you tucked in and only the clattering of forks and knives on plates could be heard. Until Steve swallowed and loudly exhaled.

“Steve? You okay?” Sarah looked at him with concern, while Sam looked at his casserole.

“Y- yes, I’m-“ He was caught off guard by a cough.

“Milk” You stated and put some in front of Steve. He drank the whole glass in almost one go.

“Thank you, Y/N.”

“Don’t mention it. I forgot not everyone is used to spicy food.”

After he recovered, he turned to Bucky: “Buck, how-?”

“You cannot be engaged to this beautiful woman here and not eat and love spicy food.”

“I told you!” You hit Sam’s upper arm.

“Who of you asked?” Sam wanted to know.

“I did. I’m old” Bucky smiled at Sarah.

“And old-fashioned, but only sometimes” Sarah pecked his cheek.

You chuckled, while AJ mumbled an “That’s disgusting.”

“You get used to it, buddy” Sam wrapped his arm around his nephew.

“And you owe me 15 bucks, Sam.”

The rest of dinner went by without other occurrences, only Steve eating slower than usual and occasionally sipping some milk. After Sam cleared the table, you put down the cake.

“Y/N this looks awesome!” Bucky exclaimed and AJ and Cass nodded vigorously.

“Now, who wants the first piece?”

“Me!” Cass and AJ called at the same time.

“Boys…” Sarah mumbled. You weren’t sure if she wanted to reprimand them or not.

You winked at Sarah and gave her the first piece. You got a second cake server that you only had because you thought Sam had misplaced your trusty one after clearing the dishwasher some time ago. Now you twirled one in your left hand, and one in the other. You looked at the two boys and served them each a slice at the same time.

“Whoa!”

“Yeah, what he said!”

You served the others and tucked in. The evening went on, talking and laughing poking fun at each other. Despite all the sugar of the cake, Cass and AJ slept like logs after some hours on the couch. It was a perfect evening.

This is what I imagined the cake to look like, only taller to fit the five layers.

#my things #my writing #sam wilson x reader #sam wilson x y/n #sam wilson x you #sarahbucky #buckysarah #bucky x sarah #bucky barnes x sarah wilson #fanfiction #marvel fanfiction

[love-takes-work]

I’ve recreated every food in Steven Universe

OKAY I THINK I FINALLY DID IT

I FINALLY RECREATED EVERY RECIPE FROM THE SHOW

Sooooo . . . what did I miss?

Now it’s your turn to help me be sure I got them all. Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Reblog this post suggesting a food from the show (with or without screencap; just enough so I can recognize it). The weirder the better.

I will respond to you with my photo of when I made that food.

If I can’t deliver, I will like send you $10 or draw you a SU fanart or something. (We’ll negotiate.)

I will accept asks instead of reblogs if you prefer.

It’s fine if you have a fairly common or easy suggestion and you just wanna see it. ;)

I’m offering this incentive because I really want some help combing the show for foods I might have forgotten! Your help is appreciated!

Edit: Adding responses. :D 

Dog-Nut (Pilot!)

Classic Hot Dog (Intro)

Fry Bits (2 - “Laser Light Cannon” & others)

Together Breakfast (4 - “Together Breakfast”)

Popcorn for Onion (7 - “Bubble Buddies”)

Giant Strawberry (8 - “Serious Steven” & others)

Large Pizza, Extra Fishy (10 - “Steven’s Lion”)

Cereal to stop the Foot (11 - “Arcade Mania”)

Aqua Mexican Burrito (13 - “So Many Birthdays”)

Movie Snacks (17 - “Lion 2: The Movie”)

Crystal Lizards (17 - “Lion 2: The Movie”)

Hot Dogs & Hamburgers (18 - “Beach Party”)

Lars’s Lunch (20 - “Coach Steven”)

Fire Salt & Fire Salt Donuts (21 - “Joking Victim”)

Big Fat Zucchini with Linguine (22 - “Steven and the Stevens”)

Chaaaaps (23 - “Monster Buddies”)

Mi Torta (23 - “Monster Buddies”)

Durian Juice (24 - “An Indirect Kiss”)

Fish Kebabs & Giant Fish (30 - “Island Adventure”)

Cheeseball Cake (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Breadsticks (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Shrimp Appetizer (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Onion Rings (33 - “Garnet’s Universe”)

Baby Melon (34 - “Watermelon Steven”)

Nice Spicey Pretzels (35 - “Lion 3: Straight to Video”)

Mama Sadie Lunch (35 - “Lion 3: Straight to Video”)

Garnet’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (37 - “Warp Tour”)

Mayo Sandwich (39 - “Future Vision”)

Bindle Lunches (40 - “On the Run”)

Marshmallows (42 - “Winter Forecast”)

Waffle Egg Sandwich (42 - “Winter Forecast”)

Caprese Salad (47 - “Shirt Club”)

Three-Way Sub (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Pizza Steve (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Tea and Cookies (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Pile of Food (57 - “Reformed”)

Snack Sushi (Season 2 Short - “Cooking With Lion”)

Biscuits & Jam (58 - “Sworn to the Sword”)

Smoothie & Orange Slices (58 - “Sworn to the Sword”)

Best Breakfast in the World (64 - “Keystone Motel”)

Noodles and Butter (65 - “Onion Friend”)

Potato Steven (65 - “Onion Friend”)

Lion Lickers (68 - “Nightmare Hospital”)

Amethyst’s Hoagie (79 - “Super Watermelon Island”)

Fresh Big Donut Donuts (84 - “Steven Floats”)

Guacola (85 - “Drop Beat Dad”)

Pepe’s Burgers (86 - “Mr. Greg”)

The Finest Steak and Brie (86 - “Mr. Greg”)

Corndogs (87 - “Too Short to Ride”)

Pizza Bagel & Fantastic Fries (90 - “Restaurant Wars”)

Fancy Orange Juice (93 - “Alone at Sea”)

PROTES Protein Bars (95 - “Gem Hunt”)

Pine Needle Tea (95 - ”Gem Hunt”)

Sugar Shock Shut Down (109 - “Last One Out of Beach City”)

Apple Sidra (109 - “Last One Out of Beach City”)

Gem Harvest & Wedding Cake (111-112 “Gem Harvest”)

Korean Lunch (114 - “Steven’s Dream”)

Zoo Fruit (117 - “The Zoo”)

Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Ube Roll (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Cool Kids Potluck (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Jungle Moon Alien Carcass (140 - “Jungle Moon”)

Meal for Stranded Humans (144 - “Lars’ Head”)

Everything Pizza (148 - “What’s Your Problem”)

Together Breakfast Wedding Cake (151-152- “Reunited”)

Bixbite’s Pizzas (SUF 2 - “Guidance”)

Snow Cones (SUF 2 - “Guidance”)

Crystal Drinks (SUF 3 - “Rose Buds”)

Carrot Bean Meal (SUF 3 - “Rose Buds”)

Tomato Soup on the Go (SUF 5 - “Bluebird”)

Clams, Peanut Butter, & a side of fresh-cut grass (SUF 5 - “Bluebird”)

Bluebird’s Cake (SUF 5 - ��Bluebird”)

Fried Eggs (on Amethyst’s face) (SUF 7 - “Snow Day”)

Protein Shake (SUF 7 - “Snow Day”)

Spicy Chili (SUF 11 - “In Dreams”)

Together Forever Cake (SUF 13 - “Together Forever”)

Cookie Cat Ice Cream (SUF 14 - “Growing Pains”)

Cocoa (SUF 14 - “Growing Pains”)

Ice Cream a La Pie (SUF 15 - “Mr. Universe”)

Caveats and Rules (read if participating):

It counts as a recipe for the show only if it is eaten or to be eaten by a character (onscreen or implied to have been) or otherwise prominently featured. (e.g., Together Breakfast would count even though it was not eaten, but random food sitting around incidentally in a fridge or bake case does not count as a recipe.)

Food items that are only mentioned but not pictured don’t count.

Food items that are part of the background art don’t count unless they are significant or interacted with at some point. This includes mentioned or pictured items on restaurant menus.

Note: I HAVE actually made some things that have only been mentioned or pictured on menus! So feel free to suggest them if you really want to see if I made them! But for purposes of qualifying for a reward, I can’t commit to making the entire bake case, pizza joint menu, Spacetries display, or commercial cooler full of food if they’re more scenery than snacks.

If I have made an item once and it recurs, it doesn’t count as a different recipe if it appears in a different configuration in a later episode. (e.g., if I made an ube roll for “The Good Lars,” I don’t have to make a new one for Steven Universe: The Movie.)

Non-food items eaten by animals, monsters, and Amethyst do not count as recipes. (e.g., I do not consider it a recipe when the Big Bird from “Giant Woman” ate a goat and Steven. I do not consider it a recipe when Amethyst eats wrappers or garbage. Weird food she eats is OK. As long as it is food.)

YES, I count all qualifying food in Steven Universe, Steven Universe: The Movie, Steven Universe Future, and any official shorts as fair game.

NO, I do not count food in the comics, the video games, the official or tie-in books, Ronaldo’s blog, or the Crewniverse’s celebratory food as recipes I have to make.

There is a lot of generic popcorn, chips, and soda in this show. I don’t count it as a new recipe every time someone munches one of these as an incidental snack.

Very minor variations on common snacks don’t count as new recipes. (e.g., I don’t have to make every donut or flavor of Chaaaaps anyone was ever seen eating. Including variation options in my recipe is enough.)

Random messes made with food do not have to be recreated as recipes. (e.g., Onion smearing condiments all over the kitchen is not a recipe; pizzas that get destroyed or thrown around are not new recipes; Greg and Steven scattering food leavings around their Empire City hotel is not a recipe; a seagull with a banana peel on its head carrying pizza does not count; Steven scattering the contents of his kitchen on the floor while making Together Breakfast is not a recipe, etc.)

Yes, the foods will be prepared/arranged by me. In most cases they are homemade creations but in some cases store-bought elements will be used and that is also OK. 

Food-shaped items that aren’t actually food are not recipes. (e.g., game controllers shaped like ham do not count. Crying Breakfast Friends are characters, not food.)

Things made out of food do not count unless they are eaten. (e.g., Fish Stew Pizza is required; Jenny made out out of pizza in Kiki’s dream is not.)

Vegetarian alternatives, facsimiles designed to look but not taste like certain foods, and ingredient substitutes are permissible. (e.g., vegetarian pepperoni on a pizza that was REAL pepperoni in the show is allowed; a non-fish substitute for a real dead fish is OK; dishes representing disgusting food that are secretly delicious are all right, etc.)

Thanks for your help. :)

#steven universe #steven universe food #su food #food #long post #myblog

[all1e23]

Astrophile [Epilogue]

Chapter:  Epilogue 

Summary: Happy ever after has a few surprises. 

Warnings:  Astrophile fluff & and so much romantic Bucky.

A/N: I can’t believe it’s over but here we are! Okay, it’s not totally over because we still have Astrophile Files. Thanks for hanging in there with me. 

***My fics are not to be saved or posted on any other sites without my written permission. Reblogs are welcomed! Thanks!**

July 2021 – One year later

“It’s right, Buck. She’s the one. We’ve all known it since she came to family dinner that first night. Everyone was just waiting for you to catch up.”

 Bucky holds his hand up to the bartender, silently asking for another beer and a glass of water for Y/n as Steve continues right on pestering him. Right here in the middle of their friend’s wedding reception. Maybe it’s attending a wedding that makes people lose their minds? This is the first proper wedding Bucky has been to, and it didn’t take long for him to realize it makes the wedding party and the guests a tiny bit nuts.

“Drop it, Steve.” Bucky drops a few bills into the glass tip jar resting on the bartop – anything to avoid having this conversation with Steve for the twentieth time this month. Steve looks down at him; mouth pressed in a thin line and disappointment pouring off of him.

“I thought you learned your lesson? What are you waiting for, Bucky?”

Bucky pauses at Steve’s question. He didn’t know honestly. They have been dating for a year now, and it’s been good. That’s a lie. It’s been amazing, fantastic, unbelievable – it’s been the most incredible year of Bucky and Ori’s life. Y/n fits right in like she’s always meant to be a part of their lives. She makes every day brighter. She makes him better, a better man and a better father. She helps Ori with homework and school projects like she’s thrilled to do it and the kicker is, she actually is. She hasn’t missed one of Ori’s practices (because Ori picked up the violin over the last year and Y/n didn’t even flinch when the at-home practices started). And the best part of it all, Y/n’s home for dinner every single night because as of six months ago she moved into Bucky’s brownstone.

The only nights Ori spends away from home now are when Bucky takes Y/n on a date which he endeavors to do once a week. Some weeks they don’t make it out the front door, but even if they end up eating pizza on the living room floor, he makes sure Y/n knows how lucky he is to have her. Bucky doesn’t know if there is such a thing as heaven but he’s got a feeling this is the closest he can get to it here on Earth. He’s determined to spend the rest of his life, making sure she never regrets choosing to spend all of her tomorrows loving him.

Bucky truly has no idea what he’s waiting for, he’s had the ring for months now, and Bucky even knows how he’s asking, but it’s not time. The moment has to be as perfect as she is.

“It’s gotta be the right moment, Stevie. I’m waiting for the right moment.”

The table a few feet away catches Bucky’s attention. Peter Parker, a teenager interning for Tony, is sitting on a tiny chair next to Ori with a perplexed look on his face. Peter leans forward on his elbows, watching Ori color on the table cloth at her designated spot at the kid’s table with fierce determination to make her picture better than the boy’s across the table. He is trying to find the best way to ask a six-year-old something that’s been confusing him since the ceremony. Peter only met Mr. Stark a year ago, so he is still trying to get to know everyone, but he thought it was just Ori and her dad. He picks up the crayon Ori abandoned on the table between them and decides he is merely going to spit it out.

“Hey, Ori? Who was sitting with your dad?” Peter asks quietly as he helps her fill in the castle printed onto the fabric in front of them. Tony thought it would be a good idea if the table cloth at the kid’s table were a giant coloring book; entertaining for the kids and parents get to relax. He was right. The kids love it – Peter included.

Ori doesn’t look up from what she’s coloring and tells him. “That’s my mom.”

The crayon in Peter’s hand freezes, and he looks at Ori, thoroughly and properly confused now. Yeah, he doesn’t know every member of each family yet, but he does know that Ori’s mom left right after she was born.

“Uh, your mom, Ori?”

Ori drops her dark blue crayon back into the pail sitting in the middle of the table and finally looks up at Peter long enough to roll her eyes – that’s all Uncle Sam. “Not the mom who left me when I was a baby. My real mom.”

Bucky knows he shouldn’t be eavesdropping on his daughter, but she looks so cute coloring and days like these are getting fewer and fewer the older she gets. So, yeah, he is spying, and he didn’t feel bad about it until that confession. Bucky doesn’t know whether he should faint right there at the bar or ask Y/n to marry him without a ring in the middle of Tony’s reception. He pushes the glasses in his hands into Steve’s chest, forcing him to take them and places a kiss to Ori’s forehead with a resounding smack. She giggles and ‘wipes’ the kiss from her forehead.

“Daaaaddddy!” Ori whines, half serious and half playful.

“Comet!” He says, matching her whine and grinning while he does.

Now, Bucky has someone very important to find.

He scans the crowd of people, close to five hundred showed up for the big day – not that Bucky had expected anything less from Tony, but it isn’t making finding his better half easy right now and he is itching to get his hand on her. He catches sight of her powder blue knee-length dress, covered in silver, shimmery stars and his heart starts to beat a little faster. He navigates his way through the crowd towards her; his one and only.

This morning she had panicked over her outfit for tonight. The dress was too much. The soft blue fabric revealed too much skin with the sweetheart neckline and the sheer fabric littered with silver stars covering her chest and arms made it overly fancy she had said. Bucky had stared at her for a long time when she came out of the bathroom. He was speechless. Yeah, he’s seen her dressed up before, but she wasn’t his then. This was different. He finally couldn’t take it anymore and pulled into her a kiss that nearly ended with the dress torn and crumbled in a pile in its new home on their bedroom floor.

When he pulled back, flushed and nearly breathless, he told her it didn’t matter what she wore. He assured her she was going to be the most beautiful woman in the room regardless of what she picked, so if she wanted to wear the dress, then she should wear it. He was right because, shit – she looks so damn beautiful right now.

Y/n is intently listening to Sam’s tales about Oliver and how bad teething is actually going – regardless of Steve’s sunny optimism on the subject. Bucky overhears the tail end of their conversation, “You’ll see soon enough. Wait till you and Buck have to deal with a screaming baby at four in the morning after he’s been on a forty-eight-hour shift.” If his brain wasn’t short-circuiting from the last conversation he spied on, he would probably examine this talk more, and by examine he means inquire exactly what Sam had meant by soon enough.’

Bucky grabs Y/n’s waist and spins her around capturing her lips in a fiery kiss ignoring the eye roll from Sam. His left hand splays out on her lower back, keeping her pressed firmly against him as his tongue sweeps along her lips only to pull back right as her lips part. She narrows her eyes, and he chuckles, giving in to one more kiss, softer and sweeter than the last.

“Dance with me.” He whispers into their kiss, gently tugging at her bottom lip as he pulls back and walks them back to the dance floor. She doesn’t have much of a choice it looks like – not that she would have said no. The night is coming to a close, and they are down to slow dances only, trying to wind the crowd down, and she would love nothing more than to end the night in Bucky’s arms swaying to I can’t help falling in love with you.

Bucky’s hand tightens around her waist, keeping her pressed securely against his chest as they move around the dance floor. He cradles the hand that should rest on his left shoulder in his own, resting them against his chest. She has no idea what came over him, but she’s not going to bother trying to find out when he’s holding her like this.

“Did you have a good time?” Y/n asks just above the music. Bucky meets her eyes and raises his brow as if that was the silliest question she’s ever asked him. Surely, she knows the answer to that, but he can play along if that’s what she wants.

“‘Course I had a good time. I’m here with you.”

Oh, boy. 

“Smooth talker.”

Bucky chuckles and kisses her lips chastely, squeezing her hand as he does. Y/n sighs happily as their lips part, and she adds, a bit of longing behind her words that Bucky did not miss,“It was a pretty wedding, though.”

Bucky nods in agreement and looks around at the bright red and gold glimmering everywhere. Pearls and diamonds in the flowers, hundreds of candles all over the place, a cake that is nearly taller than Steve and glittery table cloths. There’s even a freaking chandelier in the middle of the tent – they are in the grass for crying out, but Tony has a chandelier.

“A little flashy for my taste but it’s all right,” Bucky says truthfully, looking back at her. The wedding is gorgeous, but it’s nothing close to what he sees when he thinks about marrying the woman in his arms.

“Pepper looks beautiful,” Y/n says eyeing the strawberry blonde in her Justin Alexander ivory gown, clinging to Tony’s arm as they made their way around the cathedral tent, stopping to chat with their guests and thanking everyone for coming. Bucky never looks away from Y/n. He doesn’t need to. Pepper might look beautiful today, but she’s no Beck.

“She’s got nothing on you, sweetheart.”

Y/n grins and shakes her head, trying to hide how flustered she’s getting from such little work on his part. It’s not that she’s not used to it. Once they were official, she learned just how much Bucky had been truly holding back. He’s constantly touching her, always whispering in her ear and trying to make her knees weak. Bucky tries to get her squirming every chance he get, and it seems he can’t stop today. It might have something to do with the kiss he just gave her. Or maybe the one in the limo on the way over (Tony insisted they take a limo) or it could have been the heated makeout session in the shower before they got ready.

Something has him all worked up, and she wants to know what.

“What is with you today?”

Bucky grins, tightening his hold around her waist and dips her unexpectedly. Her giggles fill in the softer notes of the melody, and Bucky lowers his head towards her as if he’s going to kiss her, but instead he whispers, “I’m hopelessly, desperately in love with you. I can’t help it.”

Y/n smiles and lets out a soft, ‘I love you, too’ and Bucky knows she’s trying not to get teary-eyed in front of everyone. He pulls her back to standing, letting her arms settle around his neck this time, he asks, “you think you ever wanna have one of these with me?”

The question gives her back some of her equilibrium and her brow arches, fingers playing with the loose strands that have fallen from his bun as she finds her voice.  “I hope that’s not how you’re asking me.”

Bucky chuckles, and she leans her head on his shoulder to hide the emotions twinkling in her eyes – he’s too good at reading her, and she wasn’t ready for him to catch on just yet. He places a kiss on her head and wraps his arms around her, gently guiding her around the dance floor.

“No, that’s not how I’m asking you. I’ve got somethin’ else in mind for that day.” He whispers against the shell of her ear. He can feel her grinning against his neck, and her breath tickling his skin as she assures him, “Just so you know; however, you ask, I’ll say yes.”

Bucky tightens his arms around her but doesn’t respond. He didn’t think there would be another answer, but hearing it laid out made that ring in the top of the guest room closet a hell of a lot more real. Ori comes pushing through the couples on the dance floor, ditching her dance with Uncle Steve to share one with her parents. Bucky bends down to scoop her up and settles her between them. Y/n places a kiss to her cheek, and Ori lights up in response.

“Did I miss it??” She asks, looking back and forth between them.

Yn pulls back enough to see Bucky’s face and gives him the ‘are you kidding me’ look. Bucky barks out a laugh and shakes his head, “I don’t know what she’s talking about, babydoll. I swear.”

“No, Y/n, did you tell daddy yet?”

Y/n’s eyes go wide as they have a silent conversation – it’s clearly something that’s only between girlfriends, and that’s not always a good thing when it comes to these two. Bucky groans at the thought and settles them both with the best stern dad face he has in his arsenal. 

“Okay, what trouble did the two of you get in? What did you do and what do I have to fix?”

“Nothing!” They say in unison, and Y/n continues, much calmer and still very suspicious.  "We were thinking… maybe you could ask Steve to paint a mural in the guest bedroom? Something with the stars. Sparkly and pretty, maybe?”

Bucky frowns, and the frown continues to deepen thanks to the giddy expressions on his girl’s faces. It was just a painting. What’s the big deal? Something is up. 

“Yeah, I can ask him. It doesn’t have to be me who asks, you know? He would say yes if you asked him, sweetheart.”

“I know that,” Y/n’s fingers tighten around the fabric of his black dress shirt. “I thought you might want to be the one to tell him the news when you do.”

“News?” Bucky’s face twists into something she doesn’t recognize, and it takes everything in her not to fall apart from laughter.

“Actually, we have to redo the whole room. Don’t we, Ori?”

“Yep! With lots of stars and comets and constellations!”

“Get rid of the bed–”

“Yep, no bed.” Ori agrees and adds with a shout, “and rocking chair!”

“Of course, and that old dresser has to go. We need something smaller, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, and maybe a pink one!”

“Or, blue,” Y/n offers but Ori wrinkles her nose and Y/n settles her with a fond, yet scolding expression and Ori reluctantly nods her head.

Bucky shakes his head and comes to a halt, stopping their dance right there in the middle of the floor. He’s completely and utterly lost. “What are you two going on about? Painting and rocking chairs and a pink dresser but not a blue–” Bucky freezes, and his eyes snap up to meet Y/n’s who’s no longer holding her tears back.

Holy shit. He had not been expecting this.

“You mean?”

“Oh, yeah, I mean.”

Bucky smushes Ori between them and sets an attack of kisses on them both, ignoring the tears catching in his lashes. This is the moment. This right here and he’s not letting it slip away. He ends the attack with a kiss to Y/n’s lips and whispers, “Man, I’ve got a really important question to ask you when we get home.”

“Pinky promise, December?”

He grins and swears right back, “Pinky promise, Beck.”

Previous // Masterlist

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #single dad bucky #SINGLE DAD AU #fireman!Bucky #Firefighter AU #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #bucky x reader #alternate universe #james bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes

[catharrington]

Vanilla Cake and Strawberry Ice Cream.

My first fic requested by donation to Harringrove for BLM. Anon asked for a simple prompt. “Billy trying his best to do something nice for Max's birthday, thus surprising both her, himself and just about everyone else ...? Just, something nice and sweet, because I think we need nice things now.” Anon your iconic and I love your brain. Please enjoy!!!

***

What he’s struggling with was still two weeks off, but Billy was getting nervous. He doesn’t get nervous. Yet when he does, like right now as he flicks a magazine nervously glossy page by glossy page through his calloused fingers, he loathes it.

Nothing was catching him like he thought it would. The pictures, the pretty singers and models in their flashy jewelry and clothing, all ran together.

Propping himself up on one elbow, he stretched out one leg while keeping the other bent. Felt cranky and cramped as he started from the top of the magazine again. Then two sharp knocks jarred his focus. And there was only two seconds before his door opened to Max’s head of wild hair.

“Hey, idiot!” She paused as he watches him scramble to shove the magazine under his ass. Billy grumbles while trying to act casual, it doesn’t really work.

“Yeah, whatever,” Max starts again, “Mom says you have to give me a ride to the arcade! And I’m leaving like now- so...,”

Billy groans out, running his hand down his flushed face, “I’ll be out be in 5,” he points at her with a sharp look. “Now get out of my room, shit bird!”

She slammed the door with a huge swoosh of wind and a click. Billy rolled off his bed with an equally loud thump. He pulled the magazine now crumpled out from under his blanket and shoved it deep into his closet. Running his hands through his hair, then he toed in his boots. His shirt was unbuttoned down farther than he usually has it, Billy only smirked as he left it open.

He walked out to the living room and jingled his keys in Max’s sour face to get her to follow out to the Camaro.

The arcade was packed. Billy snarled his top lip as he parked and got out. He figured with the bright sunlight beating down they would be at a park, or the community swimming pool, not clambering to get inside a dimly lit arcade. But he only narrowed his eyes through his golden aviators as Max ran to join her group of friends inside.

Billy let his eyes travel farther up the strip mall. There were a few shops dotting the line up, a couple empty ones and a bustling Family Video, and the one that caught Billy’s eye. A quaint looking boutique labeled ‘In Style Girls’ across the top in curling cursive writing.

Billy had his hands shoved deep into his jeans back pockets, acting casual as he took the sidewalk to peer into the glass. But it was the same as the magazine. The cluttered racks of clothes and jumbled rows of clunky jewelry all ran together for him. A cashier was inside applying bright red lipstick, and he considered maybe that could be an idea for a gift, but he wasn’t ready for that.

He doesn’t notice as Max sneaks back out of the Palace Arcade to press herself along the brick walls and spy on him. The party follows, Lucas, Dustin, Mike, then slightly timid at the end follows Will.

They listen intently as Max rants. “He’s got some weird thing happening. Like he’s- shopping for a girlfriend. It’s gross.”

Mike scoffs. “Why is that gross?”

Lucas nods at her shoulder. “Yeah, getting gifts is pretty normal for a couple Max, I get you gifts all the time?”

“No, stalker,” Max huffs. She rolls her eyes at them and turns back to see Billy all but pressing his nose to the glass of the ladies’ boutique. “This is Billy. He doesn’t do gifts or romance. I would know. He’s never bought gifts for my birthday or like Christmas. And oh- he really doesn’t do long term girlfriends!”

“Who’s got a girlfriend?” The party jumps almost in sync as Steve speaks up. He’s fitted himself behind Will, who didn’t notice he was there, and was watching the party curiously over the top of a can of coke.

“Hey Steve,” Will greets meekly, knowing his job as the look out was a bust.

Max straightens up from the wall. Trying to act casual, and mostly failing just like Billy had. “No one, what’s it matter to you?” Max snaps at him as she starts back to the arcade.

Steve blinks. Mike and Lucas sigh as they try and fill him in. “Billy,” they say in sync then Lucas continues, “she’s obsessed with how he’s been acting weird lately.”

Steve furrows his brows. “How has he been acting weird?” he asks.

Dustin snorts laughter like a pig as he follows back into the arcade, doesn’t notice as Steve lingers in the doorway. “Doesn’t he always act weird? He’s a douchebag.”

The party shares a good laugh at that before trotting back into the blinking lights of the dark arcade. Steve stays behind to watch as Billy jumps down from the curb and stomps across the parking lot to get back into his Camaro. This time, he’s the one who jumps when Will speaks up at his shoulder.

“It’s not polite to stare, y’know? Not supposed to be caught looking too long.” Will speaks low and quiet, says it secretive. Makes Steve’s skin chill with goosebumps. He knows, maybe too well, he isn’t supposed to stare. He only shrugs in reply, taking a long swig of his cold coke, then walks away from the younger Byers.

Steve doesn’t ask about Billy again. Takes the looks Will flicks at him every now and again on the chin with no comment. Steve goes to work the next day casually, tries not to think to long about what Billy could be doing. When, just as he’s scolding himself for thinking about it to much, Billy walks right in.

Comes right up to the counter, a white Hawkins pool shirt cut just below his nipples and red swim shorts pulling tight around his thick thighs every time he takes a step. Steve adverts his eyes. Focuses them on the flavor of the day, Extra Strawberry Sunshine, instead of letting his eyes linger.

“Harrington,” Billy’s voice ripped his attention up. “Delivery,” he drawled.

Steve blinked at his baby blue eyes, took in his curly hair made even frizzier with the fluorescent lights. Drifted down to his sunglasses clipped on the front of his shirt. Bit his lip and forced himself to look farther down at Billy’s outstretched hand holding a folded piece of paper.

Steve tried to smile casually as he plucked the piece of paper. Tried to keep his breath from hitching as Billy’s red hot suntanned fingers brushed his own. Messed up both times, ended up snatching the paper and unraveling it furiously with wide blown black eyes.

The paper had handwritten blocky letters spelling out a date and time for Max’s upcoming birthday party. It read: Must wear something cute! Must bring presents! Steve blew out the side of his mouth in a huff, but smiled as he spotted his name at the top.

“You better show up. Max is pretty adamant about it being a big deal and all. Big 14.” He leaned forward on the counter and kept his voice low as he spoke. “When are we gonna let that rat pack in on the bad news that it’s all down hill from there, pretty boy?”

Steve held his breath. Didn’t reply. Didn’t want to taste too much of banana sunning lotion. Billy leaves with a wave over his shoulder, doesn’t ask for any ice cream. Not surprising with his cut abs, he does have to keep the figure for the ladies. For his girlfriend.

“Oh hey,” Billy spins, watches him over his shoulder, coy smile on his lips, “can you give me directions to the Radio Shack in this damn labyrinth?”

Steve props his head up on the counter with one hand, shoving his fingers into his rosy cheek. “Second level, just off the elevator. You can’t miss it.”

Billy salutes him, “thanks, sailor boy,” before leaving.

Steve groans deep and long thinking about how much he dreads meeting Billy’s girlfriend if he brings her to the party. But also dreads what the party will do to him if he doesn’t go.

So he does, pulls into the Wheeler house where the invite demanded him to be at this specific hour. Steve smiled at Mrs. Wheeler nicely as he pushed past to rush down the steps to their basement. He sighs in relief as he gets to their little set up of colored streamers and half inflated balloons. Letters cut by hand spelling out Happy Birthday taped above the couch. And a lopsided vanilla cake sitting on a table with goofy surfer themed paper plates and napkins next to it.

Steve sets his quart of strawberry ice cream, Extra Strawberry Sunshine, down right next to it. He brought a present, okay, even if it’s food and even if he might have stolen it.

“Steve, my man,” Dustin sighs from where he’s sitting at their card table fumbling with a miniature figurine. “Finally someone who isn’t with their girlfriend.”

That word sends a spike of ice into Steve’s good news. He runs a hand down the back of his neck, forgets its cold from carrying the ice cream and makes himself shiver.

“Yeah, buddy,” he swallows thickly.

Doesn’t know what to say. Turns his gaze to the ceiling as heavy boots fall on wood.

Upstairs the party is pulling a few things from Mike’s room, a couple dungeon manuals and a few extra chairs from the kitchen when the door rasps. Mrs. Wheeler is there to open it with a kitten’s grin as she steps aside for Billy and Max. He smiles right back, brilliant white teeth and wrinkles around his blue eyes melting Mike’s mom right to the ground as he walks past.

They both head to the stairs, Max leading with taking two steps at a time and Billy slower. Letting the rest of the children flow in as they wish Max happy birthday’s.

As the party descends on their card table and set up extra chairs, circling around a small mountain of gifts, chanting something like ‘open them quick so we can eat the cake’, Steve takes a few steps towards Billy.

“Hey,” he greets cooly.

“Hey,” Billy bids back. His hands buried in his denim jacket.

Steve shuffles around, glancing left and right like he’s looking for something. For someone.

“Harrington?” Billy leans closer, shoulder checks him, maybe in a way to bully but to Steve it made his heart flutter. “What’s up?”

“Your- uh, Thought this party was a big deal, and your girlfriend couldn’t make it?” Steve keeps his eyes focused on the kids.

From next to him he can hear Billy rolling his eyes. Stomping around in his big boots as he moves into Steve’s line of sight. “What would make you think-,”

“Hey, jerks,” Steve whips his head away from Billy’s serious eyes like he got caught. He sees Dustin motioning them over. “All the presents then we can eat cake!”

Steve moves past Billy, holding his breath from the onslaught of cologne, and points to the ice cream. “You nerds didn’t notice a whole tub of Max’s favorite flavor? It’s right there!”

Max picks up a piece of wrapping paper trash thrown across the table and smiles bright as she finds the quart. “Thanks, Steve,” she beams.

Billy is suddenly right at Steve’s side, breath close enough to ghost down his arm and over his tshirt sleeve to his naked skin. “Don’t get too excited until you unwrap mine, Maxine.” He finally takes his hands out of his pockets and shows a messy wrapped gift. Max looks confused, Billy is blushing and not making eye contact. But she reaches forward and takes the present.

Plucks the orange wrapping paper off one tape piece at a time. She pulls out a Sony Walkman glossy and new, with a gaudy neon design her eyes just light up for. And under it, as she picks the Walkman up gently, a cassette of Madonna falls into her hand. She smirks out one side of her mouth, rolls her eyes. Says, “thanks, idiot,” with a fond tone.

Billy doesn’t reply, just sucks his tongue over the top of his teeth and shrugs. The party pulls Max by her shoulder and reminds her it’s time to cut the cake.

Billy’s still standing shoulder to shoulder with Steve. Still breathing hard and heavy, smelling good. Not moving for any cake. Steve swallows the spit gathering in his mouth. Doesn’t want to get his hopes up too much, but he has to ask. Thinks briefly about Robin’s tally board as he flicks his hair over his forehead and steadies his voice.

“So the shopping, and directions to radio shack? That was all for Max? No...,” Steve tips his head, let’s his breath be the one ghosting over Billy’s turned up jacket collar, “no girlfriend?”

Billy rolled his head back on his shoulders, flexing under Steve’s attention. “No girlfriend,” he confirms quietly.

Then he turned to meet pretty brown eyes, sparkling with a promise like ocean water at sunrise. Gives Steve a vanilla cake sweet smile.

“Hum, Interesting, Hargrove,” Steve smiles back cool as strawberry ice cream melting down the side of a waffle cone in the afternoon sun.

#harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #harringrove fic #my fic #harringrove fanfic #steve/billy #harringrove for blm

[the-weeping-author]

Could’ve been.

A/N: I hope you guys liked my past fic, I had this idea for my first fic but I didn’t use it so I made it into a whole different fic I had help with this idea so thank you if you helped me with it. ~Destiny ❤️

A/A/N: @linkispink1995 helped me with the name calling in paragraph 7 I wanna say thank you so much for helping!! I really appreciated it❤️❤️

Warnings: Angst, cussing, bullying

Summary: Steve Harrington has always been your crush, but what happens if one day you overhear him making fun of your little brother?

Parings: Steve Harrington x Henderson/Reader

Word count: 1658

(Please don’t Copy my fics and say they are yours.)

Tag list~ @ahoy-stevieboy @thehair-ington @galactic-kitten-nonsense @linkispink1995 @hoaxsteve @themultifandomwhoresblog

Please enjoy 😌

It was Tuesday and school was great up until lunch, carol, tommy h. and Steve walked over to my table. I mentally rolled my eyes and prayed they would just keep walking but I was definitely wrong, They stopped right in front of me. “Well, well, well what do we have here?.” Tommy h. said and I rolled my eyes “it’s the cow of Hawkins high.” Carol said laughing I went to say something back but she interrupted me. “I don’t know what’s worse Steve, her freak brother or her lonely mother.” I bit the inside of my cheek I hear Steve let out some sort of snicker I bite the inside of my cheek then I soon tasted copper which I knew was blood.

I looked up from my tray and saw all both of them smirking, Steve had a forced smirk but he was still smirking and I felt my temper rising like a hot tea kettle. “You know I might be the cow of hawkins high and my family might be lame but at least I’m not the local slut.” I spat viscously all three of their smirks dropped and tommy was actually speechless for once. Carol look at me and smirked. “Time to wash the cows food down.” At first I was confused then she picked up my coke and poured it on me. I gasped and the everyone who noticed started laughing and I just rushed out of the cafeteria I wasn’t crying because she got to me or she hurt my feeling I was crying because Steve let her say those mean things about my family and pour that coke on me.

It was a good thing I had my clothes for gym with me or I’d be soaked in coke all day, I planned on washing my hair tonight anyways so the coke wasn’t that big of a deal my mom told me to pick and choose my battles and this was one of them I was going to avoid because as soon as I hit carol I knew tommy and Steve would pull me away. I went to the bathroom and changed clothes and wiped off where I knew it would be sticky at and I put my spandex work out pants on, then a tank top over my bra after that I grabbed my denim jacket out of my locker and threw it over the tank top. I walked to my next class as the bell rang. I them three exit the cafeteria and they all made eye contact with me and I just walked past them confidently.

The thing about them calling me a cow wasn’t because I was fat, it was because I wasn’t a stick, I had curves No one couldn’t see half the time because I always wore loose clothing. My usual work out clothes consist of loose shorts and a t-shirt but they were dirty so I had to wear my spandex leggings so I did, as I walked through the halls I could feel eyes glued on me so I just kept looking straight ahead and walking. At the end of the day I had put everything in my locker and kept my dirty clothes in in my hand, I walked out to my car Steve was near my car and I immediately felt my blood boil. “Emily can we please talk?” I look at him and let out a laugh. “Are you fucking kidding me Steve hell no we can’t talk.” He sighed and looked up at me. “Why?” My eyes widen and I knew my face was a little red.

“Are you fucking kiddding me look at my hair, look at the clothes I had on then you tell me why.” He went to say something but just as quick as his mouth opened it closed again. “It’s not that fact that you smirked Steve it really isn’t I liked you, I thought you changed.” He finally looked at my face. “I have changed Emily.” I let out a scoff. “Oh yeah you have changed back to the king Steve who was a dick to make up for the one you don’t have.” When I said that I saw hurt spread across his face and I almost apologized then I saw carol and tommy out the corner of my eye in his car and me wanting to apologize went out along with my love for Steve. Dustin walked up to us and put his bike in the trunk.

“Hey Steve hows it going man?” Dustin said smiling walking over to us after he put his bike up. When Steve didn’t say anything his smile went into a serious face. “Emily a-am I interrupting something.” I shook my head and looked at my little brother. “No Dustin you aren’t let’s go.” He noticed my clothes as soon as he walked over but he didn’t want to say anything. “I’m not saying you look great Emily but why are you wearing that?” I smiled at him and cocked my head to the side. “Yeah Steve why am I wearing these clothes.” He didn’t say anything and just looked at Dustin. “I’ll see you later buddy.” With that Steve turned and walked away. On the car ride home Dustin kept pushing about Steve and I, he knew I liked Steve but he didn’t tell me Steve liked me back Dustin was never one to talk about boys with me.

*One week later*

I told Dustin what happened and he told me he was going to kick Steve’s ass next time he saw him cause he upset his big sister. I immediately told Dustin that was necessary. The next week we didn’t have school sure to winter break and I had just dropped Dustin off at the arcade I was driving to bennys when I saw Steve, carol and tommy there I sighed and pulled into the parking lot when I got out they didn’t notice me and I over heard them talking about the party. “Oh my god they are such dorks, no wonder why they are single, I mean come on just look at Dustin he’s more a girl than his sister is.” I heard tommy h. say and I bite my cheek again and I hear carol laughing. “No wonder why he will never be a man poor boy ain’t got no father.” I heard all three of them laugh and what I heard next took the cake. “No wonder why everyone treats him like a baby I mean he basically is one because he has no teeth and you can barley understand what he says.” I heard Steve’s words fill my ears and I went inside and bought three milkshakes.

After they were done I went back outside and all three of them saw me and I saw carol smirk. “Awe look miss piggy decided-.” She didn’t even get to finish her sentence because I threw the chocolate shake in her face, Then I threw the vanilla one in Tommy’s face. Last but not least I threw the strawberry one in Steve’s face, tears streaming down my face as he looked at me. “What the fuck Emily.” I look at him and I smack him right across the face some of the milk from the milk shake flew as I slapped him, he held his face and looked at me. I looked at all three of them. “Say what you want about me all you want, you say shit about my brother or mother and I’ll personally kick your asses.” With that I walked to my car got in and drove away.

*Three weeks later*

Dustin had been hanging out with Steve and I tried to get him to stop, that didn’t work because then he just started doing it behind my back So I just gave up. I walked past my living room and saw Steve and Dustin hanging out and I stopped and backed up slowly not believing my eyes. “Dustin what the fuck is he doing here?” Steve and Dustins head snapped towards me Steve’s eyes widening, and Dustin stood up and walked towards me. “Emily Steve told me about what happened and he apologized for being a dick, I forgave him and I moved on and you should do the same.” I looked at him and I narrowed my eyes “I don’t give a damn if he’s sorry he made fun of you now he needs to leave before I shove my foot up his ass.”

Steve stood up and walked over “maybe I should go.” I nodded my head and I looked at him. “Yes, yes you should go.” Dustin shook his head and looked at Steve. “No steve don’t leave I’m sorry my sister is being a bitch.” Steve looked at Dustin and frowned. “Hey don’t talk about Emily like that she has every right to feel the way she does.” Dustin looked at Steve not believing his ears and he frowned even more. “Emily stop being a ass and just forgive him.” I looked at Dustin and rolled my eyes. “Dustin I will NEVER forgive him you understand me, now he needs to leave before I call mom.” Before Dustin can say anything Steve gave Dustin a side hug and made his way to the door. “For what it’s worth Emily I’m sorry.” I didn’t say anything, he opened the door then shut it behind him. Dustin looked at me and I tired to pat his back but he dodged my contact. “No emily you just ruined my friendship. I’m never going to talk to you again.” He stomped up the stairs and I sighed and mumbled under my breath. “great not only did I loose the guy I was in love with but I just lost my brother too.” Who knows what could’ve been if I would have just forgave him.

A/N: thanks for reading sorry if it doesn’t make sense I kinda got lost with this I had planned on it going one way and it didn’t so I just went with the flow. If you have any ideas just put it in my ask box please. Thanks ~ destiny❤️

#steve x henderson/reader #steve harrington fic #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x imagine #steve harrington #stranger things #steve harrington angst #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington x oc

[serpienten]

Black Forest (III/VI)

Chapter Title: The Cake Hindrance

Pairing: Baker!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Last Chapter: Thanks to Nat’s nephew, you meet the flour maniac again.

This Chapter: Bucky’s stuck on you. He waits for you to come back to the bakery. When you do, you meet Steve.

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: none

A/N: This is so, so, so, so, so long overdue. I’m really sorry about that. The updates will become more regular in the future, I promise that. This is chapter three for @chillingbucky and @revengingbarnes ‘s fic wars. My wonderful partner is @aryastarss , so keep your eyes peeled over on her blog for the next part! I had the prompt ‘Mutual Pining’. Both the series masterlist and my masterlist are linked below. I hope you enjoy reading this, and while you’re at it, leave some feedback :]

Black Forest Masterlist

Masterlist

Bucky had a problem.

It wasn’t necessarily a big problem, but still, something that affected his day to day life, his work. It was a problem that brought more problems with it and there was an itch in Bucky to solve it. Well, if only he could.

That problem; was you.

Even after two brief interactions, you lingered in his mind. He heard your laugh in his head, the little giggle, that heavenly sound, that had emerged from your throat. After gazing into your eyes once, the color was ingrained in his brain and he saw your breathtaking orbs every time he closed his eyes.

Without even slightly trying, you’d captured Bucky completely and refused to let go. And he didn’t want you to either.

All he wanted was to see you again, to see you march into his bakery and for you to just stay longer.

But the problem was, that it was two weeks since he’d seen you last and you had never come back. He knew little about you. Bucky knew your name and that you had a roommate that casually babysat her nephew and that was about it. The kid hadn’t been yours, but you could have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. He had no idea where you lived, no idea what you did for a living or what you did in your free time but, god, did he want to. He wanted to know everything about you and it was slowly killing him that he didn’t. And that he probably never would get a chance to.

“You know, the door can take care of itself. You don’t need to look at it all the time.”

Bucky huffed lightly when Steve leaned against the counter next to him. It was a slow day, only two people, a couple, were sitting in a corner, and Bucky had taken to leaning against the shop counter. “I bought the door. This door is my responsibility. If anything happens to it, I’m neer gonna forgive myself,” Bucky jokingly replied, a lopsided grin on his lips as he tilted his head to the side to look at the blond. Steve shook his head at his friend's response and sighed. Bucky’s grin slowly faded.

Steve was set on helping Bucky get his mind off of you, and rightfully so. He noticed how distracted his friend was ever since he’d seen you again, how lost in his thoughts Bucky was while working and when focus was required. There was also a shift in Bucky’s mood that put a frown on Steve’s face. Bucky was quieter, cracked fewer jokes, laughed less at embarrassing stuff Steve did and when he had free time, he was staring at the door, wistfully almost.

Not once had the brunet acted like this because of anyone. And it would be a totally different story if he’d seen you more than once and would actually know how to reach you. But alas, here he was, watching the door in case you came back.

Steve shifted from one leg onto the other, arms propped up on the counter behind him. He eyed Bucky for a moment, his lips drawn between his teeth. “We just got another order in. Since you got nothing to do right now... could you..?”

Bucky furrowed his brows. “You don’t have anything to do either.”

“Well,” Steve said, “this is a really, a really big order and it’s complicated and you’re the baker here.” Bucky opens his mouth to interject, brows furrowed, but Steve quickly continues. “I mean, yeah, I’m a baker too, but you just have the, the,” he snapped his fingers in search of the right word. “expertise! Expertise. There you go, you have the expertise that I don’t have, so, you’re gonna have to do this.” The blond shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, bud.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’re good, I’m bad, go bake,” Steve summarised, gesturing towards the door that led to the kitchen with a nod of his head. The look of confusion on Bucky’s face deepened. “Are you alright?” Bucky asked.

“Yeah, ‘course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just admitted to not being as good as me. Are you sure you didn’t fall on your head?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, okay? Now, go. Those cakes aren’t gonna bake themselves,” Steve ordered, nudging his friend and shooing the hopelessly confused man into the kitchen.

Bucky disappeared, shaking his head at his friend's behavior. Steve watched him, pushing out a small sigh and slumping back against the counter.

He had nothing against his friend having a crush, on the contrary, Steve’d welcome any girl with open arms that could make Bucky feel like this. But he didn’t want Bucky staring at the front door of the bakery in his spare time and retreating into himself while waiting for someone who wasn’t going to show up.

The sound of the door being opened and the faint jingling of the bells above the door pulled Steve out of his thoughts and made his posture straighten, a routine reaction to customers entering the shop.

You pushed open the door to the Red Star and let your eyes flit through the room. Golden specks of afternoon sunlight danced over the tables and the wooden floor, casting a warm glow through the room. The only other people in the shop aside from you was a young couple sitting in the corner and the man behind the counter. Bucky was nowhere in sight. Involuntarily, you released a small breath. Part of you was glad that you had a moment to collect yourself before seeing him again, but another part was afraid that you wouldn’t get to see him at all.

You tucked your hands into the pockets of your cardigan and stepped up to the counter. Various kinds of deserts were displayed behind glass. Intricate decorations adorned the different pieces and sorts of cakes, cupcakes and more, betraying the level of skill the person that had made them obviously possessed. Everything looked so deliciously mouth-watering that you wished you actually had more time, and money, to try and taste everything in your sight. Breathing in the smell of warm chocolate, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and so many more delectable things, you tore your eyes away from the display and met the eyes of the man behind the counter.

He wore a soft smile on his lips, a contagious one, that made the corners of your lips lift as well.

“Hello there.”

“Hi,” you responded, hand barely raised in a small wave.

“What can I get you?” he asked. He placed his hands on the counter, leaning against it.

“Um,” you muttered, eyes sneakily wandering through the room in search for Bucky. “I...”

He was still nowhere in sight. What if he wasn’t even here today? And you’d driven to the opposite end of the city during your lunch break only to have coffee and not to see the man you couldn’t stop thinking about for the past few weeks? Of course, he could be somewhere in the back, working, but you lacked the time to stay longer than ten minutes.

This was a bad idea, you thought. A stupid idea.

The blond cleared his throat to regain your attention. Your eyes darted back to him. “Oh, sorry,” you breathed, “I’ll uh, take one black coffee, no sugar, to-go. Please.”

He waved away your apology and turned away to make your order.

It gave you another chance to look for any sign of the brown-haired man you craved to see again. Disappointment made your stomach clench and your heart slowly sank lower and lower when you came up with nothing again.

You conjured a small, albeit a little forced smile on your face again when the man put down your coffee in front of you. “Anything else I can get you?”

You shook your head, letting out a little breath. “No, no thanks. Just the coffee.”

He nodded and told you the price. While you rummaged around in your bag for your purse, he took the chance to speak up again. “I wouldn’t have taken you for someone who drinks black coffee.”

You looked up from your bag, but kept on searching, and raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? And what did you think someone like me would drink...?”

“Steve,” he quickly said, sensing your moment of hesitance due to not knowing his name. “Well, I would’ve thought you’d prefer something sweeter,” he trailed off, looking at you, waiting for you to say your name.

A chuckle curled your lips and you finally pulled out your wallet. “Y/N.”

Steve’s smile froze. Your movements faltered at his reaction to your name.

“Y/N? You’re Y/N?”

“Uh, yeah?” Confusion caused you to furrow your brows.

Steve’s heart was in his throat when you said your name.

You were here. You were here.

“Can you hold on a second? Just a moment,” Steve pleaded. When you nodded, he gave you two hasty thumbs up and rushed to the door of the kitchen.

“Buck,” he called out under his breath. “Buck!”

“What, Steve?” Bucky responded, voice a bit miffed. Judging by the sounds that could be heard down the short hallway, Bucky was currently mixing together the dough, an eggbeater scraping against stainless steel.

“You need to come out here. Now,” Steve urged.

“I’m kind of elbow-deep in dough here, punk. I think you can handle whatever it is yourself.”

Steve pushed out a sigh. “Buck, it’s-”

“Steve, seriously. You wanted me to focus, I’m focusing. Let me focus.”

“Come on,” Steve sighed in irritation.

“Hey,” you called out behind him, “I really need to take off.”

The noises of commotion inside the kitchen ceased. There was a moment of silence, during which Steve looked over at you, mouth open to plead for you to stay before Bucky spoke, “Steve? Is that-”

“One moment,” Steve said to you, a beseeching tone to his voice. He hoped he could keep you here just a few more moments until Bucky could come and see you. God knows Bucky would become far less bearable if he spent the past few weeks patiently waiting for you to visit the bakery again only to miss you because Steve wanted to distract him.

“My break’s almost over, I really need to go. I’ll... I’m gonna put the money on the counter, okay?” Steve looked at you helplessly as you fished out the right amount and showed it to him, before putting it on the counter. “I’m sorry, I really need to leave. Thanks,” you lifted the paper cup, “for the coffee.”

And then you turned around and disappeared out onto the street.

Momentarily closing his eyes, Steve sighed for the approximately millionth time that day. He heard hurried footsteps behind him, a sign of Bucky stumbling through the kitchen in a hurry and heading through the hallway. Steve made a move to step to the side but his friend was faster, bumping into him in his haste.

“Goddammit,” Bucky swore under his breath as Steve helped him maintain his balance without crashing to the ground. “Where is she?”

“She just left,” Steve muttered. “Said her break was over.”

Bucky brushed the strands of hair that’d escaped his bun while working on the cakes out of his face. “I missed her,” he stated. He gently shook his head and lowered his gaze, closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh. “Fuck.”

“Language,” Steve mumbled next to him.

#james buchanan barnes #james barnes #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes #james #buchanan #bucky #barnes #ficwars™2019 #baker!bucky #baker!bucky barnes #baker!bucky x reader #baker!bucky barnes x reader #au: baker #baker!au #james buchanan barnes x reader #james barnes x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky barnes x you #james barnes x you #james buchanan barnes x you #winter soldier #mcu

[loveforpreserumsteve]

Begin Again (Mortician!Steve and Baker!Bucky Modern “Moving On” AU)

Four:

"Real sorry about this, Stevie," Great Aunt Ruth said, giving Steve a tight hug.

"You're a good man," Pop Pop reassured, "You'll find a fella good enough for you eventually."

"Never liked Brock," Second Cousin Ina stated as she finished off her Long Island Ice Tea. Probably not her first one of the night either.

Not being able to take any more, "support," for the time-being, Steve ducked into the kitchen. Leaning against the closed door, he let out a shaky breath and ran his hand through his golden hair. Steve thought it was bad when it was just Natasha trying to be helpful. He quickly realized that it was ten times worse when it was his entire side of the guest list doing so. The other half -- Brock's half -- not even showing up.

So much for the, "choose a seat, not a side," sign, Steve bitterly thought while running his hand over his typically clean-shaven face.

"Hey, man," a male voice cracked as it approached Steve. Nervously, he told Steve, "I don't think you're supposed to be back here. Like, I don't think it's allow--"

"Pete," Anthony called.

Removing his hand from his face, Steve watched as the younger guy -- a kid, really -- hurried over to the godsend wedding planner. Quietly, Anthony must have explained things to the waiter because soon enough, Pete was looking at him with the same remorse that everyone else had been giving him. Which was just fan-fucking-tastic.

Rubbing his hand over his face again, Steve tried to not cry. Again. He had been doing far too much crying today. And not the good kind. The rip-my-heart-out-it'll-hurt-less kind. Which was the kind that Steve tried to avoid as much as possible.

"Cake?" Someone asked.

Brows furrowing, Steve removed his hand and looked up at the man. Despite his heartbreak, he could see that the brunet standing in front of him was attractive. A casual observation that Steve probably would've noticed whether today had gone as planned or…

"What?" Steve questioned trying to piece this moment together as much as his fatigued and saddened mind could do.

The guy gave him a small smile and repeated, "Cake?" When Steve still just stood there staring at him, he continued talking, "It's really the only way I know how to comfort someone. To feed them. Usually sweets. Sometimes bread. I blame genes for it. Passed down from bubbe to bubbe until finally making its way to… me."

Not sure what to make of the ramblings, Steve just stood there. Still confused, brow still heavily furrowed as he just blinked at the man.

"I'm Bucky, by the way," he introduced, clearing his throat as he gestured over to the three tier wedding cake. Vanilla bean, blueberry, and lemon with light vanilla bean buttercream icing and the option to add fresh strawberries and blueberries. Just like Steve had ordered. "I made the cake."

Noting that the grooms cake topper was removed from the top, Steve nodded, introducing himself, "Steve."

Bucky winced at that, as though he knew what had happened. Which, he probably did. Anthony, after all, had made sure that nothing that featured Brock at all was used. Made sure to inform the staff so they wouldn't congratulate Steve on something that didn't happen.

Silently, Steve quirked a brow at Bucky, challenging him. Schooling his expression, Bucky asked, "So, cake…? Or any kind of food?"

As if on cue, Steve's stomach let out a vicious grumble. He had been waiting to eat for a bit. Too excited before. Too sad after. Now his stomach decided to speak up, earning him a pleased smile from the baker.

"So," Bucky started as he headed for the furthest counter where the cake sat, "Do you want to cut into the cake now, or wait until everyone is finished with their meal?"

Glancing down, Steve looked over the menu. The very menu that he had worked so tediously with Anthony and the caterer, Pepper Potts, until it was perfect.

Looking it over now, Steve wasn't sure what he would want to eat. He had mainly chosen items for Brock. To make Brock happy.

So, Steve decided, "What the fuck. Let's go for the cake."

"Atta boy," Bucky encouraged as he grabbed the engraved knife. Holding it out for Steve, he asked, "You wanna do it?"

Steve shook his head and declined, "You're the professional."

Bucky smiled again and nodded as he turned his attention to the cake. Over his broad shoulder, he questioned, "Got a preference?"

About to say, "Vanilla," Steve paused, hearing Brock's taunting, just like our sex life. Blushing at himself while thinking, no wonder Brock didn't want to marry you, Steve quietly answered, "Lemon."

"Excellent choice," Bucky reassured, cutting into the top layer of cake. Cutting a rather large piece, Bucky rambled, "All the flavors are good, but lemon is definitely my favorite. Especially when it's paired with a tart lemon buttercream. My sister -- my twin -- she teases me all the time. Goes old school with the teasing too. Saying that I should mar--"

Abruptly, Bucky stopped talking and tensed as he plated the piece. Handing it over to Steve, Steve finished the school-yard teasing, "If you love it so much, you should marry it."

"Yeah," Bucky nodded, blushing now. Looking up from beneath his lashes, Bucky apologized, "Sorry about…"

Not wanting to hear another apology for the rest of the year, Steve waved it off as he assured, "It's alright. Not your fault."

"Not yours either," Bucky softly confirmed.

For a moment, the pair just stood there. Bucky looking over Steve and Steve dropping his gaze to the floor. Face burning under the brunet's eyes as he evaluated Steve. Especially when Bucky casually crossed his arms along his chest and leaned against the counter.

Shifting uncomfortably, Steve leaned against the opposite counter from Bucky's, and tried to focus on the cake. It was lightly frosted per Steve's request. He wasn't even sure just how many Naked Cakes he had pinned on Pinterest in his pre-wedding planning days. Meanwhile, his hands started shaking from holding the small black square plate. They were the ones that Steve had chosen for Brock. They weren't, "overly-feminine," and weren't, "too artistic." That was why Steve had chosen them. Not because he liked them, but because he thought that --

"You're thinking too much," Bucky broke through Steve's thoughts.

Snapping his attention up, Steve noticed how Bucky was waiting for something. But his brain could only cycle through the past year like a load of white laundry with a red sock forgotten inside. Running over and over of what he could've done differently to make Brock stay.

"Can you just… try it?" Bucky asked, looking at the piece of cake. Fidgeting, Bucky tugged at the ill-fitting maroon chef jacket. It was obvious that it wasn't his. Steve was sure that even if he hadn't spotted the Hotel's logo on it, he would've known that it wasn't Bucky's. Looking as though he wanted to run his hand through his short hair -- but fighting it -- Bucky explained, "I never fully feel done with a cake until I know that the customer is satisfied with the end product."

So, Steve used the fork engraved with the date and cut a tiny portion off the slice. Mouth watering as he looked over the piece and popped it into his mouth. Through the sadness that was tainting the taste, Steve was positive, the sweet and tart tangoed into his taste buds. Closing his eyes at the pure bliss that the delightfully fluffy cake brought along with a nostalgia that Steve had never witnessed, Steve eagerly cut off another piece of the slice.

"So," Bucky started, causing Steve to open his eyes and direct his attention to the brunet. Bucky couldn't fight the grin that spread across his face like the sun breaking through clouds as he hoped, "Ya like it?"

"Yeah," Steve honestly answered. As a smile tugged at his own lips, Steve was pleasantly surprised to that he could, in fact, still smile despite his broken heart.

#begin again #stucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #steve rogers x bucky barnes #marvel #fanfic #wattpad #ao3 #modern au #moving on #left at the alter #stood up #oof #worst wedding ever #mortician steve #dying to be with steve #baker bucky #bakers gonna bake #bucky is a sweetie pie #what's the batter with you #barnes' bakery #rogers' funeral home #life is a mess #pining #brock sucks what else is new???

[writingismyhappytime]

Bucky Barnes (Part 3)

Bucky Barnes x Reader (eventually)

Warnings:  Language, chinese food, awkwardness, gossip

"I told you you could trust her."

Steve looks over at Bucky, frowning as he looks away from his window of contemplation; it helps him think to look out the window at the city, what's left of it anyway.

Bucky had seen you stop the spear, he'd seen you save Steve for once.

"Yeah, you did," Steve mutters, looking back out the glass. His arms are crossed, and he's troubled. Why had Hydra been there, had they gotten whatever was in that cave first? If so, what had it been? Had it just been a ruse to try to take them out?

If it hadn't been for you, they would have very nearly succeeded.

And yet... something didn't sit right.

You'd become separated from the group, fallen behind, and then captured in a net? You have an extremely helpful power, and you couldn't get out of a few bits of rope? Hydra had intercepted him and Bucky in the jungle, and Stark had been the only one able to get out of the scuffle to find you.

Something just... it didn't make sense.

Are you one of them? he wonders.

Had he walking into your bakery somehow been set up, is he being tricked? Is he letting you into the Avengers but are you really a Hydra agent?

Lord knows it happens.

You could be out to destroy everyone ---.

"Steve."

"Huh?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Steve mumbles, turning away from the window. He paces over to the kitchen area, grabbing himself a glass of water. Oddly, Bucky is very supportive of you, and Steve doesn't want to voice his concerns without evidence to back him up; he hopes he's wrong and being suspicious for no reason. "Just going over the mission in my head, about how much it doesn't make sense."

"What's not to make sense?" Bucky sighs. "We got dooped. They lured us out there to try to kill us."

"Did they?" Steve shakes his head, turning off the tap. "It just doesn't feel right."

"Nothing does with you. You overthink everything."

"How else can I keep everyone alive?"

"When they're so hellbent on getting themselves killed? Your guess is as good as mine."

Bucky tilts his head back as he hears a knock at his door, and his feet drop from their propped position on the coffee table. He gets up reluctantly, ambling over to the door and opening it.

He blinks.

He leans out into the hallway, but he doesn't see anyone.

Odd.

Why did someone knock on his door and then leave?

He glances down, hesitating as he sees a small package, Barnes scrawled across it in sharpie. He squats, glancing behind him at where Steve is still preoccupied with mulling over his tap water.

Bucky nudges the package, and when it doesn't spontaneously combust, he opens it.

Oh.

He blinks, staring down at the strawberry shortcake looking back up at him. He stares down at it for a moment, taken off guard.

You'd baked him a cake?

Why would you do that?

He stares at it for a few more moments, as if waiting for it to disappear or change into something else. When it stays the same, he quickly replaces the lid, gingerly lifting it up into the safety of his arms.

"Steve, I'm leaving."

Before his friend can respond, Bucky steps out of the apartment.

He can't eat this cake alone, and he knows exactly who he wants to share it with.

~~~~~

"I made that for you, not me."

"I know." Barnes stands at the door of your apartment, the box of cake held in his large hands. You stare up at him rather curiously, your hand still on the door.

That's... awful nice of him.

To want to share with you.

You're not one to turn down free cake, even if it is one you gifted to someone else. You're not sure why you gave it to him, why you even went through the trouble of baking it. You just... couldn't sleep last night, so of course you'd made your way down to the kitchen, somewhere you enjoy being.

And, somehow, you'd ended up making strawberry shortcake.

You take a step back, allowing Bucky to enter your apartment. He heads for the kitchen area, as all the apartments are built the same. He sits the cake on the table identical to his own, lifting the lid off. Admittedly, his mouth is watering, and he's incredibly excited to try the cake. It's been all he can do not to run his finger along the edge of it.

"I'll grab some plates," you step by him, heading for the cabinets. Bucky looks over at you, watching how your t shirt rises to reveal your lower back as you reach up, grabbing two small plates. He can't help but notice this is the first time he's ever seen your legs, that you're wearing those little pajama shorts women wear these days. You turn, grabbing some forks out of the dish drain before setting everything on the table.

You nab a knife from a drawer, and present it to Barnes. "You have the honor, it's your cake."

He nods his head, quickly turning. Of course, he knows he's going to make a mess out of your cake, that it won't be pretty by the time he's done cutting it. However, he supposes, cake is for eating, not decoration.

You sit down, watching as Bucky cuts the cake, looking as excited at a child. You prop your chin on your hand, absently tugging on a loose strand of your hair. You always keep it up and out of your way, you don't even know why you leave it so long, it's never down. You suppose it must just be a habit from cooking, you always try to keep it out of the way.

Barnes clumsily puts the cake on the plates, and then sits down, reaching quickly for his fork. You smile to yourself, trying not to be obvious. Your fork hovers above your plate, your eyes on him as he takes his first bite.

He actually groans.

You blink.

Is that good?

It certainly makes you want to squirm in your chair, that's for sure.

"Is that a good sign or are you dying?" you ask lightly, liking the flush on his cheeks.

"It's, uh, pretty good. I haven't had one of these since my birthday back in," he hesitates. "1941."

"What?" you stare at him, your fork halfway to your mouth.

"My mom made it for me just before I left for the war," Bucky shrugs his shoulders. "It was the last one I ever had."

"Remind me to make them pretty often for you then." you say, a little off guard. There he went, reminding you he was really an old guy in a hot guys body. "No one should be deprived of cake."

Bucky grins, his eyes flicking to your face before away. He can't help it, there's something about you that makes him relax. Maybe it's the look in your eye, so similar to his. You hide behind a prickly exterior, snarky and condescending all the time.

But, you're easy for him to read.

You're scared, your life has not been kind, and therefore you've built hardy walls around yourself. You might not have been through the same kind of abhorrence's as Bucky, but the sad look in your eyes mirrors his own.

Kindred spirits.

You've suffered your own way in your life.

So, Bucky is glad you didn't let Steve die. He'd been hoping some kind of opportunity would present itself, for the mission to show you both that you had nothing to fear from the other. Bucky's hopeful Steve would trust you now, that he wouldn't keep you at such a distance.

Bucky is obviously still waiting for the moment Steve wins you over as well.

It'll happen eventually.

"I'm not much of a cook, so I hope you're not expecting a grand meal from me any time soon," you say after a moment, halfway through with your cake. "I mean, baking is basically my only talent."

"I don't see why I would expect a meal from you," he shakes his head. "This is more then I expected."

"Well, you mentioned you liked it. So I figured I could make it for you."

"When did you even bake this? We just got here last night."

"I couldn't sleep, I made a midnight kitchen raid at the last minute. Eventually the chef is going to realize something's up."

"I doubt he cares. You left him cupcakes last time we were there."

"True, and he didn't die of poisoning, so either he didn't eat them or I didn't put enough arsenic in them."

Bucky chuckles, relaxing as he props his elbows on the table, finished before you are.

"Don't be shy. Eat as much as you like," you urge, pleased he enjoyed it so much. You've not made very many shortcakes, so you'd been the tiniest bit worried.

"No, I figure I'll save it, make it last."

"It's cake, it's impossible to make it last longer then a few days," you shake your head. "It'll disappear quicker the more you try to savor it. Besides, I can always make another one."

"Why are you so interested in baking me sweets?"

"I'm not. Technically this is the only thing I've ever made you."

"And why did you make it for me?" Bucky's curious, he can't help the question slipping from his lips. You're nicer to him then any of the rest of the team, and he wonders if it's because you just don't know his history. Everyone else did have to face him in battle, both under Hydra's control and when he was on the lam. They worry he'll turn on them one day, and honestly he worries the same thing.

You're the only person who treats him normal.

Even Steve treats him more like a wounded animal sometimes then his friend.

"Because you said you liked it." You say simply, poking at some crumbs on your plate. "And I didn't have anything else to do."

You like baking, and you like people being happy when they taste what you've created. It's one of your favorite things, seeing people enjoy your pastries and your cakes, for their faces to light up at the delicious taste.

It's what makes you happy.

And damned aliens aren't going to take that away from you!

Your shop might be ruined, but you'll find a way to bake!

"Fair enough." He'll take that answer.

He glances at your hands, seeing they were still bruised, but not nearly as bad. They almost look their normal coloring now, although you seem to be favoring your left one.

"How are you feeling, anyway?" he asks after a moment, looking at the table.

"I'm fine, why?"

"The mission the other day. You getting trapped."

"Oh, that." You frown. You've been trying not to think about it honestly. "It's not a big deal, I just messed up. Trust me, one of you is going to have to carry me the next time, I'm not lagging behind." you roll your eyes. "Stark's never going to let me live in down."

"Probably not, he's good for that."

"So I've noticed. Are you sure you're done?"

"Yes."

You stand, gathering the plates and utensils and taking them to your sink. You sit them down, running water over the plates to wash the crumbs away.

You appreciate Bucky coming by, actually.

Er, you mean Barnes.

You don't like thinking of anyone by their first name, it meant you were becoming friends with them, or thought more of them then you should. Speaking with just their last names made it less personable, and it's how you prefer it.

So, Barnes.

You just had to remind yourself of that.

"Wanda is having this thing in the lounge later, were you going to go?" you ask lightly, turning from the sink to look at Barnes where he sits at your table. "Some small get together or something, I don't know what it's about."

"No. I don't... usually go."

"Why not? Do they get too drunk and show their asses?"

He shakes his head. "I'm not usually invited."

"Well, do they say you're not invited, or do you just not show up? I doubt she'd care. If it makes you feel better, she didn't formally invite me either. Natasha told me about it."

"I heard Steve mention it, but no thanks."

Huh.

"So what are you going to do tonight then?" you question, pushing the button on the Keurig. After something sweet, you'd love some coffee. "Do you have a long night of brooding ahead of you or something?"

"Something like that. Lots of menacing scowls, some dramatic monologues."

Your lips twitch.

Someone is getting quippy.

"You've already got the scowl down pat, don't worry. Do you take sugar or cream?"

"Just black."

Figures.

You slip the coffee cup in front of him, then make your own. You add some sugar and cream to it before returning to your seat. It's nice, having someone normal to chat with, just drinking coffee and talking about every day things. You talk a little about the others, but not much, you're not really interested in them.

You don't question him about his past, or anything to do with being part of the Avengers now. Instead, you talk about baking, about pastimes. You ask him what he enjoys, but he can't really answer you. He doesn't know what makes him content anymore.

"How about you bake with me sometime then?" you ask lightly, smiling at him. "It could be fun, and you could learn to make your own cake. You might realize you like it."

"Uh, that's okay. I'm not --- no thanks." he shakes his head quickly. It might be ridiculous, but he sees baking as more of a female thing. He's never even cooked, his mother always took care of that. He can make coffee, and that's the extent of his knowledge.

Well, unlike Steve, he can also use a microwave.

"You say that now, but it's relaxing." you cup your hands around your cup, lifting it to your lips as you gaze at him, your eyes wide and calculating. "We might find a pastime for you yet."

He doesn't quite like the way you say that.

~~~~~~~

"Sounds ominous."

"You don't even know what that word means, Wanda."

"Uh, yeah, I do. It's like, potentially creepy."

"Well, that's close enough." Natasha sounds amused as she looks at the younger girl sitting beside her. It's late in the afternoon, but they're both sitting at the bar in the lounge, relaxing after the long day. They're waiting for the chef to bring out their food so they can retire to the movie lounge, marathon a few shows.

Just relax.

"So, have you noticed anything about the new girl since she's been staying here?" Wanda asks after a moment, twisting her straw in her drink.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw Bucky leaving her room earlier today."

"Bucky?"Natasha is surprised.

"Yes. And he never even leaves his own room. What was he doing in hers?"

"I have no idea --- it's also none of our business."

"Do you think they have a thing?" Wanda continues, pretending she didn't hear Natasha at all. "I mean, what else could it mean?"

"Perhaps they're just friends."

"Yeah, a guy isn't going to leave a girls room in the middle of the day with a package. Either he's carrying a severed head from a ex boyfriend of hers she took out, or he's smuggling something suspicious!" Wanda decides, leaning back on her stool. "Or, they're having her affair and that was her underwear."

"Wanda!"

"What? Maybe he's one of those weird guys who likes trophies."

"I seriously don't want to be having this discussion right now," Natasha says in exasperation, although she does file the information away from later. Why would Bucky be leaving your room with a package?

She doubts he dropped by to borrow sugar.

"Come on, let's go watch some movies," she says as the food arrives. "Melt our brains for a few hours."

"That sounds like an awesome idea."

~~~~~

"Wanda said she saw Bucky leaving (Y/N)'s room."

"What?" Steve looks at the red headed assassin in surprise. One moment he's enjoying his meal, the next she's sitting down in front of him.

"You heard me. Is there something going on the rest of us should know about?" Natasha casually asks, sipping from her own drink. Considering the movie was having a mild intercession, she figured she could ask old cap what was going on.

"I'm not aware of anything." Steve picks at his meal. "If they're becoming friends, what does it matter?"

"It doesn't. I'm just surprised."

"Why?"

"Because both of them are as approachable as a porcupine." She leans back in her chair. "He's barely said four words to anyone and yet he's leaving her room with packages? Something is up."

Steve stares at her.

A package?

"What kind of package?"

"I don't know, just a small box from what Wanda said. Why? What do you think is going on?" Natasha hesitates, seeing the look of worry on Steves face.

He glances around, and then tells her of his concerns. He replays the last mission with Hydra, how you disappeared, and now with Bucky suddenly advocating for you.

Natasha frowns, listening intently. It's not that they're gossiping, but as clever as Hydra is, Steve doesn't want to take any risks. He doesn't want to admit he's worried about Bucky --- but one word, and his friend could turn on them in battle.

He doesn't want to take any chances and risk losing Bucky again.

"You brought her onto this team, Steve." Natasha is frowning, leaning back, a serious look on her face. "You told Coulson, and you know how they research."

"Doesn't matter. They still had someone infiltrate his very team. No matter how much research they do, Hydra will always have someone on the inside. I want to trust everyone I fight with, but I can't her."

"Then don't fight with her, don't take her on any missions. Leave her here at Stark Tower, she can't do any damage. I'll keep an eye on her."

"That won't help." Steve sighs, running his hands down his face. "I just don't know what to do. I never should have went into that bakery."

"No, you should have never told anyone about who you found there." Natasha corrected, voice firm. "That was your mistake, Steve. She doesn't want this life, do why can't she just go? Let her become a civilian again, talk to Coulson, to S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I couldn't tell them of my suspicions without proof, they'd take her immediately. I'm not sure if she'd fight them or not, and that would make it worse."

Natasha agrees. The situation is delicate, she'll admit. However, as long as you're loyal to the team, like you have been, she's going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Honestly, it's naive of her. She knows she should immediately be suspicious and keep a thorough tab on you. Being in Stark Tower, you're under constant surveillance whether you know it or not. She's not worried as long as you're there.

But elsewhere?

That's the problem.

~~~~~

Bucky sits at his table, vacantly looking at the heated food in front of him. Leftovers, just warm enough to eat, but nothing grand.

He's assuming you went to Wandas gathering tonight, that you would be spending time with the other Avengers.

He doesn't like going to anything like that, it makes him feel like even more of an outcast. The way everyone looks at him --- the way he looks at himself --- they won't start trusting him until he's no longer a threat to them, and that's not going to happen.

He wants to make up for all the horrible things he's done in the past, even if he wasn't in control of himself. He rarely sleeps because now all the memories --- they just come rushing back to haunt him.

He can't talk about them, he won't. Speaking of them reminds him that they're real, and he finds no solace in that. He wants his nightmares to remain just that!

So he avoids the rest of the Avengers, he stays off to himself at all costs. He's thought many times of leaving, of going somewhere else again, but somehow someone always finds him ---- there's nowhere he can hide from his demons.

So he's not going to try again.

Fighting Hydra last week, battling them again, it had reminded him of what he could be. Hearing your shriek from somewhere in the jungle, knowing you were frightened --- his heart almost pumped out of his chest!

He doesn't like that feeling.

That's what getting attached does, it makes you think about others, it makes you feel pain when something bad happens to them.

Bucky knows, one day, he would inevitably betray them, whether by choice or not. When that does happen, he doesn't want to be so attached to any of them that he feels overwhelming pain or guilt --- Steve is enough.

Bucky doesn't want anymore friends.

He couldn't stand the thought of it.

~~~~~~~

Okay, game plan.

You hesitate as you stand outside Bucky's apartment, your hand poised to knock against his door. You have a tray in your other arm, some Chinese food you'd ordered beneath the lid. You'd thought you could do something nice for Barnes , you don't like the idea of him being by himself all the time while his friends are partying.

You figure even if he doesn't want you to hang out with him you could give him some food.

You don't know why you're so nervous.

You lean back on your heels, glancing around to make sure the hall is still empty. You feel ridiculous, standing out there with a tray in the crook of your arm. You kind of feel like you're pushing your company on Barnes , but you're not really fond of anyone else but Wanda , who is closer with the rest of the avengers and therefore not someone you can really trust.

So, you'll just drop some food off with Barnes and go on your merry way.

You finally just knock, nervously rapping your knuckles against his apartment door. You much prefer leaving them at his door and disappearing, but considering he'd tracked you down last time, you figure there isn't a point.

It takes a moment, but then the door is easing open.

"Hey," you say brightly, putting a smile on your lips.

"Uh, hey." He looks surprised to see you.

"I brought you some Chinese," you shuffle, offering him the small tray. "Figured you might like it, I guessed for you so I don't know if you'll... like it or not."

Are you rambling?

Oh jeez.

"Oh, thank you." Barnes takes the tray rather gratefully. "Do I ---?"

"Owe me? Nah."

He nods. "I'll pay you back sometime then. Are you going to Wanda s gathering tonight?"

"I didn't really plan on it." You lean back on your heels. "I don't like big crowds. Especially when Tin Man is there with his haughty attitude."

"Stark? Oh. I thought you'd intended on going." Barnes looks down at the hot tray in his hands. "You just going to spend the night by yourself then?"

"More then likely. Oh, tomorrow I'm going down to my bakery to do some cleaning, do you want to come with? I could use an extra set of muscles." You tease, liking his flush.

"I, uh --- I --- I mean," Barnes stammers a moment, starting to become embarrassed. For some great assassin, he's certainly at a loss for words. "Do you really...want me too? I kind of stick out in a crowd."

His metal hand moves pointedly.

"Wear a coat. Meet me downstairs at noon, how about that?" You nearly roll your eyes, starting to turn away. "You wouldn't want me to strain myself with hard work, would you? There's a cake in it for you!"

Bribery, eh?

"I doubt you'll strain yourself," he vaguely looks amused. "But I'll help, if I can."

"Great!" You smile at him, your soft eyes crinkling in the corners. You don't need his help, honestly you're not sure why you'd just invited him, it had just slipped out.

Maybe it's because you're not getting the amount of social interaction even you're used too. You run a bakery, you talk to people all day, but here... well, you mostly keep to yourself.

And it wouldn't hurt Barnes to get out a little either.

"Well, I'll let you eat before it gets cold." You say, taking a step back; again, you don't want to push your company, you've never been that kind of person. You'd invited him out tomorrow so that's going to be your limit.

Barnes waits a beat, then speaks. "You know we can eat together, don't you? I stopped worrying you'd poison me days ago, you're very bad at it."

You blink a moment at him, and grin when you realize he's joking. "You don't mind?"

You're so relieved.

"No." He takes a step back, metal hand holding the door open so you can walk inside.  "I don't like eating alone either."

~~~~~~~

"You haven't been back here, have you?" Bucky asks as you both walk I to the remains of your bakery.

Oh great, now the upstairs is falling through the ceiling!

"No," you sigh, purveying all the damage. "I haven't had time."

"How much is it going to cost you to rebuild?" He leans down, lifting the two halves of a table up. You'd swept a lot of the worst of the debris onto the street, but now there's even more to be dealt with.

You're not quite sure how structurally sound the building even is, or if it's safe to be inside now! The entire second floor could collapse any second!

Good thing you don't have to go up there.

You chew your lower lip.

"Around eighty thousand dollars."

"What?" Bucky stares at you in surprise, but you merely shrug.

"That's just my guesstimate. It would be cheaper for me to just move to a new location since the building is what's going to need all the work, but I'm partial to this one." You're a little sentimental. Plus, you own the building --- no one's going to want to buy it in this condition.

You're basically bankrupt at this point.

Honestly the cost is going to be more then that, but you don't know how bad the building is. You feel absolutely lost as you look around, wondering of there's even a point in cleaning up.

The building might as well be condemned, bulldozed down and then rebuilt. Considering half the city is in shambles, you know you're not going to be able to get a loan, either.

People are flooding homeless shelters, and a majority of community centers are full as well --- people have nowhere to go with their homes gone. Traffic is a mess on all the highways, getting in and out is nearly impossible --- you're just relieved that, admittedly thanks to the Avengers, there's enough food where people aren't starving.

Stark had planes flying in and out all hours of the day and night carrying in supplies from all over the world, forking out his own money to do so.

So you give him points for that.

"Why don't you move then?" Barnes asks, lifting some busted concrete pieces up and tossing them out onto the sidewalk like he's tossing apples.

"Because I like this building, it's mine. I bought it because the location, and it's pretty here." You say, stepping behind the counter. "So I'm going to fix it."

"It will be simpler to tear it down."

"Maybe. We'll see." You might be able to salvage it.

You hope so, anyway.

Bucky doesn't say another word, he just begins helping you clean. You start working in the kitchen area, which with the exception of a broken oven and busted lights, is mostly intact. Sure, the steel beam through the oven probably means the ceiling above will collapse at any moment, but that's totally fine.

Maybe you'll live.

Killed in your own bakery seems appropriate anyway.

You'll die in your favorite place!

You know none of the ingredients in the fridge will be salvageable, but you start gathering the rest of your tools and supplies before they ruin or get stolen.

You have at least four large boxes piled by the time you have the island done, taking all your pots and pans as well.

They're expensive, you're not leaving them behind!

"Hey, (Y/L/N), what do you want done with these tables?"

"Just toss the broken ones into the street," you call, dusting some of your pans off; you're glad Barnes had a car and you can pack this stuff in it! You couldn't imagine having to carry everything, and you know some people might freak out if they see boxes floating down the street. "There's no point in keeping them."

"Fine."

You sigh, straightening after another hour, your lower back aching. You're covered in dust and ash again, the knees of your jeans blackened. You have quite a few boxes packed up now, and you hope they fit in the car, you don't want to leave them behind.

"How's it going in there?" You call, stepping to the swinging doors. You push one open, and blink.

Oh nice!

Barnes has managed to move all the broken furniture out into the street, and he's picked up all the glass and anything else sharp and placed in the corner. Your display cases are empty, and he'd knocked what pieces of glass had been in them out.

So, although the front looks like it's been abandoned and Crack heads have lived in it for ten years, it doesn't look as bad as it had with all the destruction.

"Oh it looks so nice in here!" You gasp, pleased as you clasp your hands. You walk forward, the counter door swinging against your hips. "You got everything up!"

"Well, I did what I could." Barnes shrugs his shoulders, dusting off his hands.

"You did much more then I could, even with super powers." You say, almost earning a smile. "Thank you!"

"I said I would help. Besides, now it's easier to imagine what it looked like before." His eyes scan the chalkboard menu against the far wall, the billboard you have beside it with people's notes on it saying wonderful things and photos.

Your shop must have been popular.

"Well, it was definitely nicer then this." Your hands go to your hips, following his gaze. "There was never a dull day."

"You enjoyed it though?"

"Oh yes. Baking is my thing, it's what I'm good at. I loved opening the shop and people coming in, sampling my cakes --- I especially love decorating the holiday cakes." You smile at the memory. "People order the craziest things, like I had a severed head for a Halloween party once. It took me three ruined cakes and a lot of cussing, but I made it!"

"Sounds like you like a challenge." Barnes looks amused, but you shrug your shoulders.

"I just know what I love. I like making people happy with little treats." You admit, turning away. "It makes people smile."

It's the only way you make people smile.

Bucky doesn't say a word, just watches you return to the back. There it is again, that haunted look in your eye.

Whatever happened to you in the past, it still has a hold of you. Bucky understands that, his own demons still haunt him. He almost wants to ask, for you to tell him what makes you so sad, why you can't sleep at night, why you so adamantly cling to your baking.

It's your escape, you bake so you don't think, he recognizes it for what it is.

He just wishes he knew what he could do to help.

He'd told himself earlier that he wasn't going to be friends with you, that he wouldn't get close to you.

Yet here he is, doing that exactly. He just can't help himself, he's drawn to you for some reason.

What's he getting himself into?

Tags:  @riegan, @miss-evil-one, @theonlyprincessoftheworld, @1voice-behind-the-silnce, @lilmissmoony, @lizandbooks, @sophia-wyszkowski, @isaxhorror, @shayx5, @theonlyprincessoftheworld, @iamwarrenspeace      @bigdaddyfairywinkle @itstrashleydude.  @davros2004. @vidiasnow.  @scarlet-witch-baby.   @samijolles.   @soaringren.  @sophs-the-name.  @naturalistamisslyn

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes fan fiction #bucky barnes fic #marvel #avengers #steve rogers #captain america #wanda #james buchanan barnes #bucky barnes smut #bucky smut #bucky x reader #bucky imagine #natasha #falcon #tony stark #clint #sam #hydra

[elevenhoursinfront-blog]

20th September

I woke up around 0830. We did plan on waking up at sunrise and go down to the jetty but we completely forgot to set the alarms. Hopefully we can go at sunset. Steve got up and made me a cup of tea. I sat in bed with my cuppa opening my cards and two presents. Steve's Mum got me a bottle of wine which is chilling nicely in the fridge. Steve's Nan got me some smellies - hand creams, shower gel. They smell unreal, I'm dead excited to use them. I was overwhelmed with how many cards I had received. I had about 9 to open which was amazing. I didn't expect many being on the other side of the world. Mel had sent me a card too, which was so thoughtful. She and I have known each other short of a year and she manages to remember my birthday and send me a card. You know you've got a good friend when they remember the small details. We chilled out for a bit before I suggested scrambled egg on toast for breakfast. Only, we didn't have any bread left. We got dressed and jumped into the van so we could run to IGA. We obviously planned to go in for 1 item and came out with about 10. Who can go into a shop and not buy more than the necessary items? We got back and the girls Lexi and Louisa had blown up balloons and blew party things at me which was nice. Harriet and Lisa made their own decorations by blowing up plastic gloves and drawing faces on them. They used cotton to tie them all together so they could be a banner across my door. I loved it. Steve and I went to the kitchen to make breakfast because I was starving. We added spinach to the eggs because it tastes great. The majority of the hostel wasn't going to be around today and no vehicles were going to be left so Steve and I couldn't actually go out and do anything. Half were at work (95% of the hostel which is still only 5 people maybe). Lexi and Louisa were going to Innisvale to find jobs. That was it... The vehicles were taken up and nothing that we could do. We should've planned something in advance really so we could've booked a van or something. Hey ho. Fraser was leaving so we said our goodbyes to him. He has finished his 2 years in Australia and is finally going home... What a weird feeling that must be. Everyone left and Steve and I chilled in the room. I spoke to Mel on the phone for about half an hour - it was great to hear her voice. I decided that I wanted to go lay by the pool. The weather was unreal considering it was meant to be chucking it down. It did enough of that yesterday to last the rest of 2017 I reckon. We got ready and walked down. We sat in our sun loungers trying to plan more of our East Coast trip. We're starting to pick the tours we would love to do and tours that are budgeted but at least we get to experience it. We spent about an hour or so sunbathing when we decided to jump in the pool. The water was warmer than normal because of all the rain. It also filled the pool up right to the top. Steve and I were the only ones there. Around 1500, we left the pool for some lunch. I just reheated the pasta from last nights dinner and Steve made ham and mustard sandwiches. I was fairly red again so I decided against going back to the pool. I catch the sun so easily it's ridiculous so best to stay out of it for now before I end up sun burnt. We chilled in the room again which was nice. I enjoyed my lazy day. I remembered that I had the ingredients to bake a cake so I decided to go and do that - it was my birthday after all and calories definitely don't count on birthdays. Steve and I went up to the kitchen and started making our cake. We had no proper utensils - nothing to measure in, not a proper baking tray etc. Hopefully it was going to be alright. My Dad FaceTimed me whilst it was in the oven which was nice. We spoke for a little while before I had to get the cake out of the oven and Dad had to drop Craig off at the station. My cake looked great - I was so chuffed. It was a little high on one side and low on the other, but nothing out of the ordinary. A little bit of a cosmetic problem, not an issue. I left it to stand before putting chocolate frosting on. I spoke to my brother on the phone for 20 minutes or so whilst he was on the train to work. It wasn't long before my Mum finally woke up and rang me. We sat Facetiming for a while. It was around 2000 when I came off the phone to her. I had to ring work to find out what time I was going to be in tomorrow, eugh. I rang and they said I had a day off. Two days in a row? This is great but it also means I won't be getting another one any time soon. Zzz Harriet bought her own vegan tattoo ink and what not. She has started tattooing herself with sewing needles as she watch a DIY YouTube video. Of course, Steven was highly interested and was booking in with Harriet at around 2030/2100. Oh god. Here goes... As Harriet was coming to the room, I heard a massive "WE'RE BACK". Lexi and Louisa had turned up and brought the old lot with them! Nick, Donald, Hugo... They had all came back for one night (I'll pretend it was for my birthday). They ran to me and hugged me, shouted Happy Birthday and what not. They also won me a teddy in an arcade game which was cute. It's a medium sized Strawberry with a face. Harriet had started doing Steve's new homemade tattoo. He decided on a small wave by his ankle. It should be fine because the ink will most likely fade within a year. He reckons he'll get it done properly by a tattooist, just over the top. That's one for the mems (memories). As an injection freak, I left the room to shower. She had to do dot work with a sewing needle. She said she had to pop the skin and what not. At that point, I was like "Noooo. That's enough". I put some clothes on that wasn't pyjamas and went up to the entertainment room with everyone. Drinking games - let's go! Steve came up after about 20 minutes and to be fair, the tattoo looks very cute. It's only small otherwise Harriet would've been there for about 3 hours. She did it all properly with surgical spray, antiseptic sprays and all that jazz. All the other lads were jealous and asked to be tatted by her. Unfortunately, they were on a tight schedule. We played drinking game after drinking game. Leonie asked Steve, Harriet and I whether we wanted to work at the Watermelon farm tomorrow... We all said yes. I was off so I thought why not. Steve needed any work coming his way and Harriet needs money. We had to leave at 0610 tomorrow morning. We were playing music and laughing away for hours. Lucy and Margo baked cookies and pancakes. I went to my room and brought my cake out to share it around. Everyone sang me happy birthday which was nice. I had sparklers left in my room that I saved for my cake but I completely forgot about them. Boo! Is it sad to make your own cake and provide your own candles? Maybe it was a good job I forgot them.  As it was my birthday, everyone decided to give me the drinks. By that I mean, whenever someone had to hand out 5 sips or what not during a game, they all came to me. Steve and I got through a bottle of 1.24L of cider. We were up until 1230, singing at the top of our lungs, drinking and chatting. It was great. Steve and I would regret our 4 hour sleep in the morning. 23 years old. Where has the time gone?

[prettiestsupersoldier]

Ooh

Jon Bellion Ooh  

AN: This was supposed to be short. edit there was a mistake but i fixed it hella too late but.... its still trash as fuck though

I don't believe that you're from New York

You're from the sky, past our view of space

Don't bullshit me, tell me you're an angel

Steve had dragged them out for an early morning run and he was already pissed. It was way too cold and quiet for his liking and Sam was there he hated Sam. But Steve had promised him that he would buy them the biggest breakfast they could eat so he managed for the time being.

When they had finally stopped running for the morning he had the biggest plate of waffles and bacon in front of him and he couldn't have been happier. Sure it was nearly 8 in the morning and he had run 15 miles but he had food and was sitting in a warm cafe.

Then he heard the ding of the cafe’s door opening and in walked the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen and he openly stared as she found her seat and pulled out a book. Her voice was full of life and not at all like it was so early in the morning as she asked for a cup of hot tea and a muffin.

“Bucky!” He jumped effectively slamming his knee into the table at the voice that had drawn him from his thoughts.

“What.” He sneered in Sam's direction as he rubbed his knee.

“You were drooling man just checking to see if you were good.”

He looked at Steve for any sign of truth because he didn't trust Sam one fucking bit, he fucking hated Sam. Much to his chagrin Steve had only looked up and handed him a napkin to wipe the drool that had collected in the corners of his mouth. He grumbled as he snatched the napkin away to wipe his lips.

He tried to focus on the food in front of him but his attention kept going back to the girl a few tables away from theirs. She was gorgeous and sure it wasn't​ even 8 in the morning and she was wearing sweat pants and her hair was in a bun, but if she looked gorgeous like that then surely when she was actually dressed she looked like a goddess. His eyes kept wandering to her lips full and pouty and swollen from her lightly chewing on them.

He turned away whenever a waitress walked over to refill her tea. He didn't wanna be caught staring he looked atrocious. He was all sweaty his own hair sticking up in every direction and he was sure his eyes were dead to the world. Maybe he would come back another morning looking presentable and she would be there reading her book.

He tried to keep up with whatever conversation was going on between Sam and Steve but he would inevitably end up tuning them out instead focusing on the woman he was sure was an actual angel. The way the light from the window opposite her landed on her face and made her eyes sparkle. He was lost in her and she didn't even know it

He turned back to Sam and Steve only for them to both give him knowing looks.

“Shut up and eat.” He said as stabbed his fork into his waffles.

When he looked over at her for maybe the hundredth time since she had arrived, she looked up from the book she had in her hands and gave a small wave in his direction.

Fuck. He turned his head around faster than she could blink.

“I’m leaving.” He announced to his friend and Sam as he practically leapt from his seat.

“What? You haven't even eaten yet.” Steve said looking down at Bucky's overflowing plate confused because he was the one who wanted breakfast now he was ditching.

“I'm not hungry anymore.” He said and was gone before Steve could even reply.

The entire walk back to the tower he cursed his luck. There was a beautiful woman in front of him and he thought, that he had scared her off by staring. He was an idiot.

When he got back to the tower he was bright red with  embarrassment. She was so pretty and he had ruined anything that could possibly had happened by staring at her and he didn't even know her name! He sulked his way up to his room of the tower intent on burying himself in his bed for the next day and a half.

Then there was a knock at his door while his face was stuffed in his pillow.

“Go away!” He shouts back .

“I'm coming in.” Replies Sams smooth voice as he hears the door open and close.

“What do you want.” He grunts out.

“I've come bearing gifts.” He says as he steps further into the room.

“Don't want your gifts. Leave”

“Really? Because I think this one is really good man.” He says holding up a torn piece of paper.

Bucky looks up for the first time since he’d entered the room. He looks at the piece of paper and his curiosity gets the better of him.

“What's that?” he leans up a little in his bed.

“10 numbers arranged in a random order that connects you t-”

“Shut up. Who’s number is it?’

“One miss Y/N” he says with the smuggest grin on his face. Bucky just stares at him confusion written all over his features and sam realizes this might take months if he doesn't just outright tell him.

There's a loud sigh from him before he continues.

“The girl that caught you staring at her that had you running for the hills? Does any of this ring a bell frosty? I know you have a terrib-”

“Shut up. How the hell did you get that?” He's sitting up now ready to tackle Sam to get that piece of paper.

“Well after you went running out of the cafe like a crazy man. I asked Steve if he could get us take out boxes because my pancakes were delicious and I wa- ”

There's a low growl from Bucky that stops him in the middle of his story. he stands up ready to jump on Sam the minute the story gets out of hand again.

“Right, right not important.” He says holding his hands up in mock surrender.

“I went to her table and talked to her for literally 5 minutes dude. 5 minutes. She asked why my ‘cute friend’ “ He makes a gagging sound before he continues.“Had run off and I told her you had a bathroom emergency.”

Bucky tackles him right then and there.

“Give it to me.” No sooner than the words are out of his mouth Sam is in a headlock.

Your lips they taste like June

Your eyes are a rocket to the moon

Those legs gon' put me in a tomb

Praise God when you hit me with the Ooh

That had been nearly 5 years ago though. Now he stood in a room that costed way too much money for just a single day of use. In a tuxedo that hugged him in all the right places but made him stiff as a board. With Steve and Sam behind him as he waited for the longest 5 minutes of his life to tick by. Then the music starts to play and his eyes shot up towards the double door and his heart stops.

He knew you’d look gorgeous in a white dress but this was on an entirely different level. The way your hair was pinned up and the way the dress hugged your curves. Then your looking directly at him and he wants to run again just like the first time you had looked at him. He feels a hand on his shoulder and it keeps him grounded and he's so thankful for Steve and Sam in this moment.

Then you're standing in front of him and he can't breathe all over again. 

He thinks about your first kiss after a date at the fair and how you tasted like strawberries and whipped cream. He never had a sweet tooth but now he loves funnel cakes just for that memory of a too hot June night. He thinks about when he first said ‘I love you’ under the stars and how when you said it back he felt like he was soaring among the stars you were under.

Before he can get lost in anymore of his thoughts there is a sharp elbow being jammed in his back and the sounds of Sam clearing his throat. 

“What?” He says a little too loudly for this particular situation.

Tony clears his throat before continuing. “I said do you take Y/N to be your wife?”

“Of course, I mean yes.” another sharp elbow in the back has him correcting himself again.

“I do.” He feels his cheeks go from warm to flaming hot as you try to hide the giggles bubbling from your lips.

Then tony asks you the same question and a million things go through Buck’s head in the 10 seconds it takes for him to finish. She could still say no. Someone can object at any second. This could be a dream, HYDRA could still be controlling me. I could still be in Wakanda frozen. This could be a horrible prank. This could be a dream a beautiful, horrible, heartbreaking dream.

“I do.” You says as you squeeze his hands. You can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s over thinking something and you’ve learned over the years that touch grounded him in these types of situations where his brain tried to fight him over every possible thing it could.

He wants to kiss you right now, wants to hold you against him and finally be your husband, to love you for the rest of his life and yours too, but Tony is taking ages to finish his speech and he's getting antsy. Sure all this people are here for you, to celebrate with you because they love you too. But he just wants to be alone with his wife.

“... Kiss the bride.” Tony says with a smile on his face.

“Now?”

“What do you mea- Yes now.” And then Tony mumbles something under his breath that sounds something like ‘super soldier serum my ass’, but you can’t and don't care to hear what he says because Buck is grabbing you around your middle and he is finally kissing you. You can make out the faint sounds of clapping over the loud thumping of your and his racing hearts. It feels like it's been minutes since you started kissing but it's been maybe 20 seconds and when you pull away from Bucky too look up at him  there are tears rolling down his cheeks and he has the biggest smile on his face.

When the two of you walk into the reception hall there are thunderous claps and whistles as you take the center of the room to have your first dance as Mr. & Mrs. Barnes.

If anyone asked him why he picked Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are as the first dance song he would happily recount the day that he first saw you and he knew he was gone for you. You had come into his life by chance and it had been the very best thing that had ever happened to him.

His forehead was resting gently on yours as he looked into your eyes.

“Her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shining” he sang along with the song as he gently rocked with you.

“Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying” He moved away from you just enough to push a strand of hair behind your ears.

“She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday.”He smiled down at you.

“I can't believe I married a hopeless romantic.”You giggle out

“Only hopeless for you doll.”

#Leeah Writes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #marvel x reader

[coffeenfun]

Birthday Boy

Request: Bucky Barnes sub and dom reader one shot plz? That sounds rlly hot. What do you think? ;) - @rogue–rebel

Triggers: fluff, smut, unprotected sex, Dom!reader, spanking, oral sex (receiving)

Word Count: 4000+

A/N: Thank you for the request, I saw thing and thought birthday smut!! happy 100th to my favourite baby boy. I kinda got carried away with it.

*Send in a request to be added to my permanent taglist

100 years old is a big deal, most people don’t reach it. And the people who do are usually in hospital, unable to move. There are those few people who run marathons till they’re well over their prime age. But there was only one Bucky Barnes. And in a few days he turned 100 years old and was still in his prime years.

The two of you had been together for just under a year and this was the first birthday of his you would celebrate together. Since it was such a big deal - being both the first and the 100th - you needed to make it perfect.

-

You were laying in bed, legs tangled together and watching friends on your laptop. Bucky was on his back and you were on your side, only a part of you touching the bed. Most of your body was draped over your boyfriend.

He loved you touching him in some way. Unlike all your other boyfriends - who wanted nothing to do with you after sex - Bucky would hold onto you like you were going to be ripped from him. You loved his warmth so you didn’t mind it.

No matter how much you loved Rachel and Ross, watching their first kiss for the 15th time can be annoying. So you decided to change the subject. You put your chin on his chest, looking straight up at him. You stared at him for a while, moving up and down with his breaths, he didn’t notice you looking over at him and continued to enjoy the show. You tilted you head to give you better access to his neck and placed a light kiss on his jaw. This action grabbed his attention and he looked down to meet your eyes.

‘What are you hoping to do, doll?’ He said, narrowing his eyes at you and letting the show play on in the background.

‘What turned you on, baby?’ You ask, tilting your head sweetly and rubbing his chest with your palm.

‘You’ he flashed you that smile that you knew was going to start a night of pleasure that you couldn’t resist.

‘No, seriously. What turns you on? I know you like it when I pull your hair but that’s all I know. Like, is there any fantasy you’ve had?’ you were trying your best to resist those lips and so far it was working, only his hands had found your ass and he was kneading it slowly. His fingers got dangerously close to your now wet core.

‘I don’t want to tell you’ he  squinted his eyes shut and gritted his teeth

‘Why?’ You tried to keep your voice as sweet as possible and coax it out of him.

‘Because, it’s embarrassing’ he brought up the hand that wasn’t on your ass and separated strands of his hair with his fingers.

‘Baby, I’m not going to judge you’ you reassured him. Then you re- thought your words. ‘Unless it weird, like a foot fetish or something.’

‘No it’s not that’ he laughed

‘Then what is it?’ You moved your body so you were completely over him.

‘You know how I was in the army?’ You began kissing his neck lightly, knowing he would do anything for you.

‘Yeah….’

‘I liked it when female officers told me what to do’ his voice was so quiet. It was as if he didn’t want you to hear him. But you did. And you were glad you did. You stopped your movements and lent up so your lips hovered over his.

‘So, you want me to dom your ass’ you whispered against him.

‘Yeah’

‘well it’s good you’ve got such a good ass then’ you bent down so your lips finally touched.

-

‘Hey, Steve?’ you had spotted the blond on the couch, can of beer in his hand and a bowl of chips on the table. You knew he would be there after asking FRIDAY where he was

‘Hi, Y/N’  He turned to you as you sat next to him, leaning forward to take a few chips from the bowl.

‘How’s my favourite short stack?’ He asked you, completely ignoring the show that was on TV.

‘Good.’ you responding ‘You know how it’s Buck’s birthday next week?’ you asked him, exposing your real reason for finding him

‘Yeah’ his eyes narrowed, unsure of what you were about to ask him. He brought the beer up to his lips still looking at you suspiciously.

‘I wanna make it perfect for him. I kinda have the idea to bring him back to his childhood and since you’re the only person who was there I need you to help me’ you pitched to him. You knew he was probably going to say yes but you were still nervous. Not about asking him, about getting the day right.

‘You know I’d do anything for you and Buck. What do you need?’

-

The morning of his birthday you made sure you woke up before him. Only he was a very light sleeper and your movement woke him up.

You reassured him that everything was okay and told him to go back to sleep. In the half asleep state he was in it was barely a second before he was softly snoring again. You watched him for a moment, his hair falling over his face and behind his head. You moved a few strands off his eyes and cheek to kiss them. He was so deep in sleep that he didn’t react to your lips and continued snoring. After way too long watching him and wondering if giving up morning cuddles was really worth getting up to make breakfast for him you decided to move.

You had prepared the batter in the morning. He liked fluffy pancakes, Wanda would usually make them with the help of Vis and he would soak them in maple syrup. But his true breakfast love was crepes. They were so thin and looked like lace, he loved the way you made them. With fresh fruit and warm nutella drizzled on top.

So you put on your favourite morning track and began pulling fruit out of the fridge to slice. You had brought him strawberries, blueberries, bananas, a few fruits you couldn’t pronounce and watermelon. After being deprived of good food for so long it was one of his favourite things. He loved cooking, especially with you.

He loved to make chocolate cake with you so he could put the batter on your nose. It then went to your neck and he would lick it off. More times than less he would lick you even after the batter had disappered, nibble and suck at your skin.

You missed this feeling as you sliced your way through the fruit. Placing them on a plate in a beautiful arrangement - that took longer than actually cutting it - you ensured there was orange juice in the fridge and took out the batter.

You made sure the pan was hot enough and made as many crepes as you could. You knew he would eat as much as he could.

After you had finished preparing everything and it was all presented to your liking you picked up the trey and walked to your room.

‘F.R.I.D.A.Y? Could you open the door for me?’ You whispered to the AI. You were carrying so much it was impossible for you to open it without dropping everything.

‘Of course, miss Y/L/N. is that for mr Barnes’ birthday?’ She noticed your hushed voice and did the same. You were thankful to tony for putting this feature in.

‘It is’

‘Enjoy your breakfast’ she said after unlocking the door and opening it slightly so you could push it with your body.

‘Thank you F.R.I.D.A.Y’ when you were in the room you put your tray of goodies on the desk you had and moved back to close the door. Ensuring there was no sound made, you walked to the bed that still had your boyfriend in and got in.

He hadn’t moved since you left and was still softly snoring. So you moved to put your body over his and kiss every part of him. You had made it to his shoulder blade before you heard the deep grumble of his voice.

‘Having fun down there, Doll?’ you looked up to see that he had lifted his head up slightly too look at you through most of his hair.

‘Good morning, my love’ you stopped your actions and moved up his body to move his hair to kiss his lips. His lips were slightly dry from the night but he tasted like bucky and it was intoxicating.

‘Every morning is good when I wake up next to you’ he turned to face you and wrapped his arms around you to kiss you even more.

‘Especially when it’s your birthday morning’ you pushed him off you and got up to go to the desk and get breakfast.

He had obviously caught on and sat up in the bed. You laid the tray on his lap and he leant forward to kiss your cheek quickly. His action made you smile to yourself and you walked round to get in at your side. His arm found its way round you and you fed him a strawberry.

‘I love you so much it’s ridiculous’

-

You had found out that there was a ‘Blitz Party’ the night of Bucky’s birthday so you bought tickets as soon as they went on sale. The rules were to get dressed as it you were living during the war. Luckily Bucky has experience of that.

You, however, did not. So Steve was the only person who could help you. You two spent hours decided what you should wear to the party. It annoyed him that nothing was perfect enough for you and it took so long but he powered through. He agreed to take Bucky out for lunch while you prepared everything.

You also asked Steve to help you find an outfit that looked like a uniform during the war. When he asked why he quickly stopped you and told you he didn’t need to know.

You added your finishing touches to your look, an extra coat of mascara and a little clean up of your lipstick. You then heard the door open and close, his footsteps in the hallway before he got to the main room of your suite.

‘Doll?’ you responded to his words by walking out, picking up his uniforms hat and placing it on his head. Even in your heels you needed to lean up to kiss his cheek. There was a faint imprint of your lipstick on his cheek. His mouth was hung open and his eyes moved up and down your body.

‘Happy birthday, Sergeant Barnes’ you wore your hair in loose pin curls and a white dress with red polka dots covering them. The sleeve came down to just above your elbows and there was a large bow that pointed to a thick black strip around your waist. You wore red kitten heels so it would be easier for you to dance.

‘You look so good all dolled up for me’ he had his arms around your waist and you put yours around his neck. He leant down to kiss you. When he did you were swung around so the hem of your skirt flew up in the air.

‘Get in your uniform, sergeant. We have a party to get to’ you told him. He salute you and started getting ready.

-

‘Your uniform is so realistic! Where did you get it?’ one of the couples you met there

‘Yeah its vintage. I got it at a yard… sale…’ Bucky replied quickly, not knowing what to say. His quick thinking made you laugh so you hid it by taking a sip of your drink. He suddenly pulled you up and dragged you to dance floor.

The way he danced with you was terrifying. Every time he let go of your hand you were sure he wasn’t going to be on the other side to catch you. But, like magic, he was. He spun you around like you weighed nothing and after a few songs you needed to sit down.

The night went by fast and by the end of the party your feet ached like crazy. So, Bucky carried you to the car and all through to compound till you got to your floor.

He dropped you on the bed and climbed over you, kissing your neck and smearing your lipstick. You remembered what he told you a few days before and what you had just prepared for him.

You pushed him off you and got off the bed ‘Wait here’ walking to the next room you felt his eyes on your ass, making you blush.

Wanting to get on with the night, got redressed in record time. Quickly touching up your makeup you gave yourself one last before giving yourself the ok and walking back into the bedroom. You found Bucky laying on his back on the bed, his hat had been completely discarded but the rest of his cloths were on. His pants were round his thighs and he was softly stroking himself. Eyes shut.

‘Barnes!’ you tried to keep your voice assertive. His eyes opened to look at you. When he saw what you were wearing he sat up.

‘Doll-’ his voice was weak, unsure.

‘Thats Ma’am to you’ you stood in front of him and looked over him. His lips, which were wide open when he saw you, contorted into a wide smile.

‘Ma’am’ he corrected himself.

‘Were you touching yourself without my permission, sergeant?’ you asked him, trying hard to play the role he asked for.

‘Yes, ma’am’ he looked down at his lap, ashamed at what he had done. You didn’t like the fact that he wasn’t giving you all his attention so you bent over at the hips and, placing your finger under his chin, prompted him to lift his head and look at you.

‘Do you think you should have done that?’  you tilted your head to the side. His face was so close to yours you could feel his breath on your skin.

‘No, ma’am’

‘Do you think I should punish you for that?’ you moved your hand so it was now running over his scalp. Usually this action would make him close his eyes, and they did flutter slightly, but he knew that he should maintain eye contact with you.

‘No, ma’am. I promise, I’ll be good’

‘Ok. I’ll let it slide this time. I don’t want anymore bad behaviour from you, sergeant. Understood?’

‘Yes, ma’am’

‘Good boy’ you gave him a quick kiss to reward him. ‘Now strip for me’. He did so, getting up and folding his uniform up neatly. ‘Safeword?’

‘Brooklyn’ he stated

‘I love you’ you broke character for one moment to kiss him sweetly and reassure him. You then pushed his bare chest to get him on the bed. ‘Lie back’ he did what you told him to so you pulled out some handcuffs from the bedside draw that he usually used on you.

‘You’re going to be the death of me, doll’ he told you while you laced the cuffs between the bars of the headboard. You secured the cuffs around his wrists and tugged on them.

‘Ma’am!’ you corrected him. ‘I’m going to have to set some ground rules. First, I cum before you. Understood?’ he nodded at you eagerly. ‘Second, You can’t move unless i let you. Understood?’

‘Yes, ma’am’ You began undressing, revealing your lack of underwear. He watched you eagerly as you tossed the clothes away.

You swung your leg over him so you sat on his waist. You leant down to kiss his neck and chest. Avoiding his sweet spots on purpose. You finally moved up to his face to kiss his lips, only you didn’t let him touch your lips for too long by pulling up. His lips were still pouted and his eyes shut, when you leant down again to actually kiss him. Laughing as you did so.

While still on his lips you moved yourself down so your core touched his cock. Even the sight of him made you wet and he could feel it. He groaned at the feeling of your wetness soaking his dick, anticipating the feeling of filling you up. Only he didn’t get that feeling.

You sat up to see his swollen lips, red and beautiful. You rocked your hips against his, his cock sliding between your folds and rubbing your clit.

‘It’s a good thing you’re so big, sergeant. Feel so good like this’ you kept your voice as sweet and innocent as you could knowing it would make him go crazy.

‘Ma’am’ he moaned.

‘Yes, baby boy?’ he sighed at the nickname.

‘Wanna be inside you’ he moaned out, opening his eyes to look at you. You got up and tilted up his length. Rubbing the head against your opening he moaned out, smiling to himself. The smile left his face when you let go of him and it his his hard abs again.

‘I’m in charge here and I wanna feel your cock on my clit’ you continued your actions.

‘Please’

‘Now you’re never going to feel inside me, Barnes. Don’t forget your rank’ he was audibly frustrated.

You raked your nails over his chest, leaving thin red lines. He kept his eyes shut for most of the time you rubbed yourself against him. You got distracted by how perfect he looked under you, and by how amazing he felt. Every so often his hips would move up and you would stop rubbing him. He would beg you to continue and after a few minutes you would.

Suddenly you felt his cock twitch below you and looked down to see hot, white ribbons of cum coating his stomach and chest. There were sinful noises leaving his lips and when he realised what he just did he looked up at you.

‘I’m sorry, ma’am’ he breathed out, still panting from his orgasm. ‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop it’

‘You could have told me’ you sat on his waist again, his now softened cock just behind you. ‘You went against your orders, sergeant. I’m going to have to punish you. Turn over and put our ass up’

‘But ma’am, my hands’ he told you.

‘You’re a smart boy, figure it out. Otherwise, I’m gonna get myself off and you can’t touch me’ knowing he needed to touch you he turned over.

Now his wrists were crossed over and he was leant down. His perfect ass was on show for you and he had his head resting between his arm on a pillow, face down.

‘Good boy’ you said while rubbing his soft flesh with your palm. You moved so your lips touched his ear. ‘I think 10’s enough’ he nodded, face still buried in the soft material waiting for what was coming. ‘I don’t wanna hear a single noise, or I’ll add on another one’

‘Yes, ma’am’ his words were muffled by the pillow.

Deciding your palm was the best option for punishment you brought it up and quickly slapped it down. Just as you told him he didn’t make a noise, the muscle of his back tensed every time you slapped him. After you were done his ass was red and slightly sore so you massaged it softly.

‘You took that so well, baby’ you kissed his neck. He hummed in response, turning his head to you and giving you a small smile. ‘Get on your back again, baby’

He did so, his dick now half hard again. With a little more touching he would be so red and stiff but you didn’t allow that. He disobeyed you and the smeared streaks of cum covering his chest and stomach were proof of it.

‘Do you want to eat my cunt, sergeant?’ You made sure that he could smell your wetness, tempting him.

‘Yes, ma’am’ he said eagerly. Nodding his head so visiously that the bed shook slightly.

‘Beg’

‘Please, ma’am. I wanna taste you, wanna make you feel so good. I wanna show you I’m sorry for not following your orders. Let me make you happy’

His words were enough to make you feel a little more heat in your core that usual. So, once again, you swung your leg over his body and shuffled up so you were hovering just above his face.

You bent your knees and sat right on his face. The moment his tongue touched your opening his eyes closed in pleasure. You knew how much he loved kissing and licking and sucking at your pussy. He would do it and expect nothing in return. He would do it while you were watching tv or working out or anywhere where he wanted to, no matter how close you were to getting caught.

The fact that you were on top gave you a freedom that you rarely experienced. You rocked your hips so your thighs rubbed his stubble, making them burn slightly, and so his nose grazed against your clit. His tongue found its way in and out of your entrance, becoming impossibly long and reaching placed you didn’t expect it too.

He continued this for a while, building that feeling up in you stomach before sucking on your clit to release your orgasm. He sucked harder than you expected giving the orgasm a power you didn’t know could exist. It was so overwhelming that your body curved over and you gripped the headboard. Your moans were probably so loud that people on the other side of the compound could hear you. And when you were finished you could feel him smiling against your core.

‘You’re so good at that, baby. You look so beautiful down there, between my legs. Could have you there forever’ you mumbled. Post orgasmic haze taking over.

You moved down to kiss lips, tasting yourself on them. It was so deliciously sinful you needed him inside you.

‘You’ve been such a good boy after that mistake. Taking your punishment so well, then licking my pussy.’ You stroked his hair and he shut him eyes feeling your nails scape his scalp. ‘You wanna feel inside me?’

‘Please, ma’am. I’ll do anything’ his chin as still coated in your slick and he looked incredible.

‘You’ll have to do all the work, sergeant.’ You positioned yourself over his hips and guided the head to your opening. Not sliding down.

‘Yes, ma’am.’ As soon as the word was finished he had thrusters up his hips, heels digging into the bed, so his cock entered you in one quick movement.

The feeling of your walls squeezing him made him call out your name. You prompted him to start moving by slapping his thigh lightly and he complied.

The pace he set was slow at first, his face twisting into a beautiful image of pleasure. Then when he was more confident he began increasing his speed. He angled his hips diffently and the tip of his cock hit a place inside you that pushed you forward.

Your reaction made him hit it harder and he had you cumming in not time. The feeling of you pulsing and thriving around him pushed him over the edge, filling you with cum.

When you both came down from your highs your head was tucked in his neck. Your lipstick standing the skin. You moved to the bedside table to get the keys to the handcuffs and unlocked him.

‘How was that?’ You asked him. Picking up his now free hands and kissing the red rings around his wrists.

‘Perfect’ he only watched you sort everything out. Using a makeup wipe to take off the colour on your skin, though not to stain anything else. ‘I love you’

‘I love you too, James’ you had finished everything so allowed him to pull the thin sheet over your naked body.

You wrapped your arm spun his waist and rested your head on his chest. It was barely a few minutes till you were fast asleep. Bucky only watched you and thought how lucky he was to enter the next century of his life with the woman he loved by his side.

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[loveforpreserumsteve]

Begin Again (Mortician!Steve and Baker!Bucky Modern “Moving On” AU)

Twenty-Two:

Hands on his knees, Steve stared down at the ground as he panted. Finishing his run, Steve led Vinnie over to a nearby bench, so he could stretch his sore muscles. A good sore from using his muscles after a lazy prior day, but sore nonetheless.

Being the good boy that he was, Vinnie laid on the grass, panting as well. Tongue plopping out as he watched Steve. He deserved a treat, but Steve had been hesitant about going to What's the Batter With You. Too heartbroken -- was he heartbroken? It sure felt like it -- to see Bucky after finding out that he was engaged.

Although Steve had found out his crush was marrying another man a whole two weeks ago, it still felt fresh. As though every time he thought about it, it felt like he was picking at a scab, not letting it heal. Sure, Steve had been preoccupying himself with work, his old art hobby, and men from SHIELD -- admittedly, mostly Ian -- Bucky still drifted into his day-to-day thoughts every now and then.

Especially whenever he thought about treats for Vinnie, because damn Bucky Barnes for making such a healthy alternative that the Weimaraner actually enjoyed.

Sighing, Steve finished stretching his calves, he got an idea. Since he had ordered his own wedding cake from Barnes' Bakery, and since they still accepted orders from Bucky, maybe they would have some pupcakes. It was worth a shot, at least. Vinnie deserved it, after all.

So, Steve walked Vinnie towards the beloved bakery. Admittedly, Steve hadn't been there since he ordered his wedding cake. It had been too painful -- and too embarrassing -- for him for a long time. Stupidly, blaming himself for what happened that day, and afraid to show his face in public because he didn't want to hear the gossip.

Tying Vinnie's leash to the bench outside the bakery, Steve stalled by giving it a final tug. Knowing that he had to do this. Had to get over that unnecessary fear of what others were going to think. He had never cared about what other people thought of him until he met Brock, and he was annoyed that it had lasted even after Brock had moved on.

Inhaling, Steve pushed open the door and was overwhelmed with the mouthwatering aroma of fresh baked goods. Approaching the counter, Steve patiently waited for one of the employees. Not that he was in any hurry since he was studying the menu, trying to figure out what he wanted. There were so many appealing options, and after working up such an appetite, Steve could definitely get down on all of it.

"Hey!" That attractive familiar voice that was the soundtrack to his wet dreams greeted Steve, causing him to internally kick himself because nothing ever went the way Steve wanted it to.

Fixing a smile on his face, Steve turned to find Bucky. Nodding acknowledgement, glancing over the pastel pink t-shirt and the way it hugged tightly over Bucky's muscular pecs. Before Steve could help himself, he teased, "I'm sorry, sir, but you don't work here."

Out of breath in his haste, Bucky paused in tying the beige apron around him waist. Brows furrowed, Bucky glanced down at himself and then playfully rolled his eyes as he explained, "Yeah, I came to drop off some cakes. Dad hasn't been feelin' too well, so he's at the doctor's. And Teddy's runnin' some deliveries. Guess it's a good thing that the cake shop doesn't open until ten."

"Guess so," Steve agreed. Fiddling with his fingers as he said, "I hope everything's okay with your dad."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine," Bucky waved off, finally tying the apron around his waist. A soft grin stretched across his face, "Thank you, though."

"Of course," Steve shrugged, knowing how worried he always got when his own parents got sick, and how a small reassurance could go a long way.

As Bucky turned to wash his hands, Steve's eyes roamed over his backside. Lingering for a moment on that glorious --

Get it together, Steve, he chastised himself, he's practically a married man!

Redirecting his gaze to the menu hung on the wall, Steve tried to focus on the words. When Bucky dried his hands and started speaking though, he found himself struggling again. Especially when Bucky prompted, "I haven't seen you around in a minute."

"Oh, uh," Steve swallowed as he thought. After all, he couldn't tell Bucky why he hadn't been around. So, he went with the easier, half-truth, "Been busy with work."

Bucky mulled that over before admitting, "I never realized how truly terrifying that comment is until hearing it from a mortician."

Steve chuckled at that, running his hand through his slightly sweaty, shaggy hair and conceded, "Yeah, I guess that's probably not the best thing to hear."

"Ya got that right," Bucky smirked, leaning on the counter. Briefly biting his lip, Bucky asked, "So, what can I get for you today?"

"Well, everything smells so good…"

"Tastes good, too," Bucky assured with a shit-eating grin, and yup, that definitely could be an innuendo.

"You have to say that," Steve waved off, good-naturedly rolling his eyes.

"Hey," Bucky chuckled, feigning offense as he jokingly defended himself, "I'm a man of my word."

"That's good to hear," Steve smiled, before that broken shard of his heart started twisting and reminding Steve of his unrequited attraction. Glancing down at his hands to gather himself, Steve vowed to look up other bakeries. Returning his attention to Bucky, Steve widened his grin, "Your fiancé is a lucky man." Then, because he felt like crying, Steve joked instead, "I know a good wedding planner -- oh wait!"

Bucky chuckled at that and nodded, "Yeah, he's taking the reins on it. Which is a relief. Planning a wedding is… difficult."

"I remember," Steve confirmed, chewing on the inside of his cheek to stop himself from tearing up.

"Oof," Bucky exhaled, remembering who he was talking to. Again. Sympathetically apologizing, "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I brought it up," Steve swallowed around the lump that was forming in his throat. Trying to shift the mood to one more light-hearted, Steve complimented, "Hey, if you need any help, I know an amazing baker that makes a mean lemon cake."

Bucky's smile returned and he leaned across the counter to lower his voice conspiratorially, "If you think my lemon cake's good, you should try the strawberry rhubarb pie."

"Is that so?" Steve smirked.

"Mhmm," Bucky hummed his confirmation.

Realizing that he had been leaning across the counter, like a magnet drawn to Bucky, Steve wrenched himself backwards. What was he doing?! He should really have a better grasp on himself.

Running his hand through his hair for the sole purpose of having something to distract him from wondering how Bucky's lips would feel against --

NOPE! Not doing this!

Deciding that he needed to get out of there as fast as possible, Steve agreed, "Okay. I'll take one."

"One what?" Bucky's brows furrowed, causing the cutest expression to cross his face. An expression that, Steve knew, if Bucky was his fiancé, he'd affectionately kiss right off. A moment later, Bucky remembered and he exclaimed, "Oh! The pie!"

"Yeah, the pie," Steve chuckled, wondering how everything led up to this exact moment, and why couldn't he have met Bucky sooner?

"I must admit," Bucky started as he packed the strawberry rhubarb pie into a Barnes' Bakery box, "I didn't make this. But my mom is the best pie maker around. I'd wager my whole shop on it."

"Well, if she's really that good, maybe you should have pies at the wedding," Steve teased before he could even think about it. Instantly regretting it when he earned a full-belly laugh from Bucky.

"If I knew that Tony would be up for something a little less traditional, I definitely would," Bucky assured, ringing Steve up.

And then, as if possessed, Steve suggested, "If you ever need help with anything -- or just want to share possibly poor ideas -- you can call me."

Handing the pie and receipt over to Steve, Bucky bit his lower lip as he accepted, "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

"Okay, then. Uh, bye," Steve pressed his lips together and quickly left the shop without another word on the subject. Simply shoving the receipt into his basketball shorts pocket and carrying the pie out to Vinnie. Trying not to think about what just happened as he untied the leash and rushed back to his apartment.

#begin again #stucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #steve rogers x bucky barnes #marvel #fanfic #wattpad #ao3 #modern au #moving on #oof #mortician steve #dying to be with steve #baker bucky #bakers gonna bake #bucky is a cutie pie #what's the batter with you #barnes' bakery #rogers' funeral home #life is a mess #pining #really craving strawberry rhubarb pie