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fandoms-writings · 1 year

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Sore Muscles

A Something Domestic Drabble

Pairing: ex-military amputee!Bucky x fem!Reader

Summary: Bucky’s prosthetic has been causing some issues, but it’s a good thing he has you to help him out with that

Word Count: 1.1K

Warnings: muscle soreness and a massage?? So just fluff

A/N: thanks to @sweetdreamsbuck for planting this seed in my head, I hope you enjoy <3

Series Masterlist || Bucky Masterlist

Ever since he got the new arm, even though he was doing physical therapy to try and help get used to it, Bucky's muscles had started to ache. He'd tried to ignore it, pushing through the work he did with you every day on top of his physical therapy that he did three times a week.

Today, his body was not having it.

He felt the bed dip and shift as you turned, moving to get up for the morning and he'd peeled his eyes open to watch you. He loved watching you in the morning - the way the barely rising sun would dance on your skin as you made your way to the closet, only leaving a small gap open in the doorway for Alpine who liked to be your shadow. The way you tried so hard to be quiet to not wake him even though he couldn't sleep past you getting out of bed in the first place.

He'd watch through the crack in the closet door as you searched through your clothes, searching for a specific pair of pants or a certain shirt. You'd eventually merge from the closet, clothed and ready to go down stairs to make your coffee. Lifting his arm to get your attention before you walked out, he smiled once you linked your fingers together, sitting on the edge of the bed next to him.

"Good morning, Jamie," You whispered against his lips as you leaned over to plant yours there.

Humming into the kiss, he couldn't stop from trying to nip at your lips before you pulled away, "Good morning, darlin'." He went to turn over, to lay on his back so he could really look at you in the morning light, but the second he got his elbow lifted enough to pull on the muscle, his back all but seized.

Letting out a long groan as he struggled to finish turning around, he could feel your hands hesitating on his skin, not knowing how to help but wanting to. Once he was finally on his back and could relax again, he let out the breath he'd held after his muscles started their tantrum.

"Oh god, that sucks," He muttered, opening his eyes to see you still sat beside him, your face coated in worry.

"Are you okay?" You asked, not sure where to rest your hands on him, not wanting to cause him any more pain than what you just witnessed.

He sighed before doing his best to shrug, "I don't know, it was just like my back was on fire for a second." He felt your hand rest against his chest and he reached up to grab it, lacing your fingers together.

"You stay here, I'll let the horses out and get them fed," You started, rubbing your thumb along his knuckles, "and when I come back, we're taking that arm off of you and working on your back."

He tried to argue with you, to say that he could still get up and help and that you shouldn't be doing all this work on your own but you shut him up. He got an earful about how you can do it, you've been doing it for years before he showed up on your porch and how if he tried to follow you out there, you'd personally drag him back in by the collar of his shirt.

So he waited for you.

He laid there, trying to will his muscles to relax but to no avail. In fact, it felt like they were just getting worse, mocking him as they held him captive to the bed while he could hear you outside doing morning chores thanks to the open window.

It didn't take long though for you to finish up and come back inside, ditching your shoes and grabbing lotion before making your way to the bedroom where you helped Bucky sit up. He leaned against you, clutching at your side with his flesh hand as you worked to get his prosthetic off, sighing when the weight of it dislodged from him and fell to the bed. You moved it to the floor, where it wouldn't get stepped on or kicked, and helped him lay on his stomach before you placed yourself over him. Straddling his hips and sitting on the backs of his thighs, you got to work, moving the lotion into his back and feeling the riddled mess of knots in his muscles.

Bucky swore your hands were magic, there was no way they weren't. Whether you admitted it or not, there was something supernatural about the way your hands worked the knots out of his back.

He couldn't help the groans that crawled their way out of his throat and slipped past his lips every time you got one of the knots to at least shrink, the feeling of his muscles finally relaxing made him feel like he was literally melting into the blankets under him.

He got lost in how good it felt, going into somewhat of a trance as your hands forced the knots away. It wasn't long until you had him on the verge of sleep, in the midst of limbo under your touch. Slightly humming as you lightly dragged your fingertips across his skin after you were done working his muscles. You could see the sleepy smiles gracing his lips when you switched to your nails, gently scratching his back in long strokes - one of his favorites.

When you leaned over and placed a line of kisses across the expanse of his shoulders, paying special attention to the scars on the left side, that was what pulled him back to the waking world. You rested your weight against his back, laying on top of him as gently as you could while wrapping your hands around his shoulders.

"Thank you, darlin'," he muttered into the sheets, relishing in the way you felt pressed against him, and noticing how his back hardly ached anymore. He brought his hand up to grab at your hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze as you leaned up to kiss just under his ear.

"Of course, you know I like taking care of you," You whispered, this moment seeming too gentle to speak any louder.

"I know you do," He hummed, pulling your hand forward so he could lay a kiss on your knuckles before sinking into the mattress again, comfortably pressed down by your weight, like his own personal security blanket.

He didn't know what he'd do without you, but he did know that he was going to repay you for this. Later. For now, he was going to allow himself this moment of reprieve for as long as you'd lay on him.

As always, thank you for reading! Reblogs, likes, and comments are always appreciated <3

If you want to be updated when i post a new story, please follow my library blog and turn on notifications <3 @remis-library

#bucky barnes x you #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky fluff #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky x you #bucky x f!reader #bucky barnes fanficiton #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x reader #something domestic #veteran!bucky #modern au #amputee!bucky

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amarriageoftrueminds · 7 months

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I often think about Bucky using ballet as part of his recovery process / art therapy but this week I have specifically been thinking about Bucky and music.

Bucky recovering his voice through singing, and especially through playing musical instruments (for days when his voice won't come), because it would also be a great way for him to get used to seeing his prosthetic as creative and beautiful rather than destructive

#bucky and music #bucky barnes #ficbunny #stuckbunny #question is... if bucky could play any musical instruments before serum and if so which ones?#and does serum mean he's even better at playing it now?? 🤔#idk sth about bucky being in an amateur band and that's part of his therapy #like imagine bucky singing and learning guitar #also I feel like hawkguy is one of nature's natural drummers so them being disabled-band-bros #bucky and dance #bucky and song #amateur sexyrockband frontman veteran bucky is the vibe #yet each man queues the thing he loves #bucky recovering

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captain-ariel-rogers · 1 year

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Skin

Summary: Bucky finds a way to keep you with him, always.

A/N: This was originally posted under my old user captain-ariel-barnes and was my most popular Bucky one-shot! This is a modern biker AU. Gender Neutral Reader, no use of (Y/N), and no pet names. I did have to edit it to be that way though, so if I missed something let me know and I will fix it asap!

Morning peeks through the windows of your third-story apartment. The only sounds are coming from the cars below and the faint whir of the fan. You stretch out your limbs and roll over on the bed, expecting to see your boyfriend snoring softly beside you. But he’s not there.

You look to the bathroom and see that the door is open, but the light is off, so he’s not there. You listen for sounds throughout the apartment and hear some light clinks coming from outside the bedroom door. A smile makes its way to your face and you slides out of bed, taking the fuzzy blanket you sleep with and wrap it around yourself before making your way to the kitchen.

Bucky’s making breakfast, his hair haphazardly tied back and sweatpants so low on his hips it doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

You pad your way through the small apartment and wrap your blanket paws around his large torso, pressing your cheek into his warm, bare back.

“Good morning.” He says to you, and you can hear the faint hint of a smile plastered across his face from the tone of his voice. “Sleep well?”

“No. Because you weren’t there.” You tell him, placing a small kiss to his left shoulder, where angry scars are lifted from the skin there. Your heart aches as you think back to how he got those scars.

It was early on in your relationship. Bucky loved motorcycles, and riding with his friends. He also liked to go fast--too fast. He always said the feeling of adrenaline pumping through his veins when he hit top speeds was too good to pass up. It scared the life out of you, even back then. The one thing Bucky did do (which gave you at least some peace of mind), was wear a helmet. His other biker friends made fun of him for it, but he still wore it, for you.

“I always gotta come back to you.”

That’s what he always said.

One summer night, he was riding with his friends Steve and Sam, when a car illegally crossed over a double-white line in front of him. He was going way too fast and barely had any time to react. The accident was devastating. It was a miracle he survived at all.

He had to have ten surgeries on his arm to repair the damage, but it was so severe they made the decision to amputate. He also had a traumatic brain injury. If he hadn’t have been wearing his helmet, he wouldn’t be standing in front of you right now.

The long-term consequences of the accident came in the form of memory loss. Sometimes Bucky would forget things, forget people. Forget you were waiting for him to come home. Forget who you were in the mornings, lying in his bed next to him. He would always remember, eventually, but the toll it took on you was the worst part of it. He hated the way your face fell when he would forget.

Sometimes, you’d roll over for a morning kiss and he’d lean away, assuming you were a one night stand. Other times you’d be waiting for him all night for a date he legitimately forgot about.

Yet you stood by him. Not many people would go through that, especially so early on in the relationship. It was long before the first “I love you” was spoken, and he cherishes you deeply for sticking by his side through it all.

His arm, what was left of it, was a different story. He hated the constant reminder of the huge mistakes he had made, and he hated that he was just that much less perfect for the love of his life. For you.

You snake your hands up his bare chest, tracing little patterns when your blanket-covered fingers come across a bandage straight over his heart.

“Did you get in another bar fight with the boys last night?” you ask, half-sarcastic, half-worried. His intimidating nature and ego got him into lots of trouble sometimes.

“Nope.”

“Don’t lie to me, James Barnes! C’mon, turn around. Let me see the damage.”

He sets down the spatula he was using to cook breakfast and turns to face you with a goofy grin on his face. You examine him, narrowing your eyes suspiciously at his unconcerned gaze. He doesn’t seem to be injured other than his chest.

Of course though, you always assume the worst, and the panic begins to rise in your chest.

“Did you get stabbed in the heart? Oh, god! You did, didn’t you? Someone stabbed you and I fell asleep before you got home safe and I had no idea—”

He pulls you into his chest and squeezes you tight enough to cut your sentence off.

“No. I promise I didn’t get stabbed. At least, not in the way you’re thinking.”

You look up at him with even more confusion and worry on your face. Your hand gently grazes over the bandage and then you wait for Bucky’s nod of approval to remove it. When you do, a breath of relief escapes you when there’s no stitches. No stab wound to be found.

Instead, you find a tattoo of tiny heart with your initials inside of it.

“Do you like it?” he asks, unable to read the emotions on your face.

You pull his face into yours and lock lips in a searing kiss. “James,” kiss, “Buchanan,” kiss, “Barnes.” Kiss, “You are,” kiss, “without a doubt,” kiss, “the stupidest man I’ve ever met!”

“Why am I stupid?” He asks, slightly offended.

“Don’t you know it’s bad luck to get your significant other’s name tattooed on you?” you scold, less playfully. That scowl means he’s in trouble.

“I thought I could use something to help me remember you when I forget.” He admits.

You face softens quickly, and you wrap your arms around him again.

He elaborates. “I hate it when I forget you. My mind ain’t always there, but this…” he nods to his chest, “…will be.” He finishes, kissing the top of your head. “And besides, I thought it might make you a little extra turned on when you see it.”

You roll your eyes and wriggle out of his arms in a teasing disgust. “You sure know how to ruin a mood, James.” You tell him, shuffling to the bedroom. When Bucky doesn’t move, you worry that he thinks you really don’t like it. “Well? Are you coming to go test that theory or are you gonna stand there all morning?” You wink at him and then disappear behind the wall. Bucky’s feet have never carried him to the bedroom so fast, and he’s behind you in an instant.

You’re both halfway done taking each other’s clothes off when he suddenly makes a full stop, with your shirt stuck over her head.

“What’s wrong Bucky?” you ask, voice muffled by the shirt. You pull it back on to see that Bucky’s not in the room anymore. “Bucky?”

He sprints back into the room in the full nude and pulls you onto the bed with him. “Left the stove on.” He says with a mischievous grin, right before pressing a kiss to every last inch of your skin for the rest of the morning.

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x gender neutral reader #bucky fluff #if you were around when i originally posted this you qualify for a veterans discount

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widowlurker · 6 months

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if I had a nickel for everytime I took 80 points of psychic damage bc of a blonde x brunette ship in which one was made into an icon of propaganda and the other was taken by the enemy and brainwashed into a weapon against the other (and lost a limb, technically bc of the other) I’d have 2 nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice

#Stucky #stevebucky #everlark #steve rogers #bucky barnes #peeta mellark #katniss Everdeen #the hunger games #hunger games #the way thg came out around the same time as early mcu #who were the veterans from back in The Day getting destroyed by both in real time

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bittersweet-in-boston · 17 days

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Modern no powers mystery fic featuring our favorite two ding dongs - here’s the prologue, chapters will post every day or two over the next week

#stucky #bucky barnes #steve rogers #captain america #marvel #stevebucky #modern au #pre serum steve #lawyer steve rogers #war veteran bucky barnes #shrinkyclinks #kind of?#murder mystery #omg it’s done runs and hides

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sailorkamino · 6 months

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love the idea of taking soldiers to an arcade/carnival. they confidently roll up to every shooting game like "you want the big prize babe?" bonus points if they get a low score and start raving it's inaccurate.

#clone wars #the mandalorian #call of duty #task force 141 #bucky barnes #steve rogers #sam wilson #marvel #avengers #inspired by my veteran dad <3

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mustang-sal · 6 months

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I need Sean Finnerty and Bucky Barnes to meet.

I don't care how.

#Sad Soldiers #They just wanna protecc #Sean Finnerty #Bucky Barnes #Candela Obscura #Circle of Needle and Thread #Critical Role #Captain America #MCU #PTSD #Veterans #Maybe they can commiserate over a drink #Maybe they can toss a baseball around #idk #Working Class Manufactured Monsters #The Winter Soldier

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lovedeathalice · 7 months

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Anyone know any good pwp fics where Steve and Sam gangbang the living daylights out of Bucky? Please I need it

#yes I'm being weird now GIVE IT TO ME #sambucky #stucky #bottom bucky plz🙏🏼#sam x bucky #steve x bucky #stevebucky #stucky fics #sambucky fic #it's 2am and i REALLY wanna read about 3 war veterans sucking and fucking the shit out of each other

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buckrecs · 1 year

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2022 Bucky Barnes Fic Rec 1

masterlist | req masterlist

All of them are COMPLETE Series.

✨ - fav fics

Status - Completed

✨sunrise from @wkemeup

Veteran!Bucky x Librarian!Reader

After an explosion takes his arm and his only sense of belonging, Bucky is discharged from active duty and sent back to civilian life. Left with a storm of unchecked guilt, Bucky is content to live out the rest of his days in the hollow comfort of the dark. This is, until Sam drags him down to the local VA and he meets you. (Modern AU)

parent-teacher conference by @coffeecatsandcandles

Single Dad!Bucky x Teacher!Reader

James Barnes, a widowed single dad, had forgotten what love felt like and let it crush him, taking his daughter, Rebecca, with him. He was cold, rude, and arrogant, being one of the few teachers at Westview High School the students seemed to absolutely despise. But when you show up, a hopeful math teacher who’d previously taught Rebecca’s kindergarten class, and are adored by your students and colleagues- James’s attitude starts to change.

whatever it takes by @wienerbarnes

Bucky x Doctor!Reader Doctor AU

The Avengers recruit you, a medical genius of sorts, to help solve the case of an agent who is dying from an unknown illness. You seem to catch Bucky Barnes’ attention.

seven thirty by @nacho-bucky

Single Dad!Bucky x Reader

You were planning on a productive — if lonely — weekend, but the little girl across the hall has different ideas about how you and Bucky Barnes should be spending your time.

call me when you want by @bonky-n-steeb

Bucky x Reader

When you call a sex hotline with a need to be dominated you don’t expect to meet (or hear) someone as wonderful as James. but your life becomes a complicated mess as you already love your coworker, Bucky Barnes. however, you are unaware that they are actually the same person.

steel blue by @youlightmeupfinn

Professor!Bucky Barnes x Reader

When you experience the most intense night of the summer alongside Bucky, who you nickname Steel Blue, you weren't expecting to fall pregnant. When a positive pregnancy test meets your eyes a few days before school starts, you know it belongs to the man who you'd never see again. Until you walk into your Romanian Linguistics class and he's your professor.

✨heart and soul by @all1e23

Alpha!Bucky x Omega!Reader

Alphas only brought trouble. The only thing they are good for is bringing their Omega’s pain and forced submission. They were dangerous, reckless and cruel. There wasn’t an ounce of kindness in any of them. She didn’t need an Alpha, and she certainly didn’t believe in that True Mates fairytale. That was just some fabricated fable Alphas made up to trick innocent doe-eyed Omegas. She wasn’t going to fall for that. Not again.No Alpha would ever get her to believe that love truly exists. And then, James Buchanan Barnes walked into her life.

✨astrophile by @all1e23

Firefighter!Bucky x Reader Single Dad AU

Orion Rebecca Barnes's favorite thing in the whole world (besides her daddy of course) is spending hours after school in the bookstore by her house and the owner GIVES her any book she wants; she’s the coolest girl Orion has ever met.

✨swallow by @all1e23

Biker!Bucky x Reader

Since he was fifteen years old, Bucky Barnes has only been sure of two things; the club should be the most essential thing in his life, and he’d burn it all down for you.

between the star by @all1e23

Bucky x Reader Past Steve x Reader Military AU

Struggling with the death of your husband, you find comfort in someone unexpected

the slip up by @justkending

Bucky x Single Mom!Reader

After a last hurrah to graduating college with a future to be a family practitioner, a little slip up happens… Seven years down the road, just when things just now seem to be going smoothly, Y/N approaches that slip up from all those years ago. She’s not looking for anything right now. She is just where she wants to be in life. It seems the universe has a different idea though. One called James Barnes.

✨the love club by @slyyywriting

Bucky x Mob!Reader

Bucky gets initiated into the mob life by accident. He wants out but only the owner can revoke his club membership.

the number one rule by @justkending

Bucky x Rogers!Reader

Y/N has always been seen as “Steve’s rambunctious sister.” However, she grew up, graduated, and moved to London to study abroad for 4 years and get her bachelor's degree. The girl that returns looks nothing like the teenager that left. But don’t worry, the attitude is still there and stronger than ever. What’s to come of the two grown adults that used to push each other's buttons, but now have a lot more in common than they’ve ever realized?

✨delicate edges by @wkemeup

Biker!Bucky x Florist!Reader

Your family’s beloved flower shop was not the only thing you inherited when your parents passed. Trapped under a mountain of debt to the Hydra club, you bear the cost of your father’s desperate bargain. It’s only in moments when the charming Bucky Barnes walks into your shop that you can forget the cruelty of the biker clubs of this town. But a war is brewing. The border is crumbling. You're trapped in the middle. And Bucky will stop at nothing to keep you safe.

not me by @simsadventures

CEO!Bucky x Wife!Reader

Billionaire/entrepreneur Bucky is married to seemingly timid and meek wife, the reader. While he hates her with all he has, she tried to act her part as the wife of the big CEO. And while their relationship falls apart more and more, they both realised there might be more to the story than they previously believed. Will they be able to repair the damage that’s been done, or will they find happiness in somebody else’s arms?

✨the perfect fit by @mypoisonedvine

Bucky x Tailor!Reader

bucky needs a new suit (or two) and gets a recommendation from his best frenemy, tony stark. of course it would turn out that you were his tailor, and further, that bucky would be an awkward stumbling mess as soon as he’s anywhere near you.

seeing red by @mypoisonedvine

Bodyguard!Bucky x Celebrity!Reader

bucky used to brag that he didn’t have a celebrity crush, or really care about famous people at all, which is what made him the perfect person to start working for a celebrity like yourself. except, of course, it’s just his luck that he’d fall for you.

the new recruit by @angstysebfan

Bucky x Reader

You and Bucky have a best friends with benefits relationship, since he is not the “relationship” type. Things go crazy when the new recruit shows up.

✨one last job by @sunriserose1023

Bodyguard!Bucky x Celebrity!Reader

Bucky Barnes is retired. He did a stint in the Army, did a stint as a Secret Service agent, even dabbled in the private sector, but that’s over. Now, he just wants to rest in the solitude he’s found in a cabin in the Adirondacks, with only his memories to get him through the sleepless nights.

✨pride and privacy by @adrinktostopyourthirst

Roommate!Bucky x Reader

Bucky works on himself as he gets used to a roommate. Turns out, she has a much better room than him and he crossed the line.

the right for you by @real-jane

Bucky x Reader Past Steve x Reader

steve leaves you to pursue a life with peggy. bucky is there to pick up the pieces, and build a life you never could've imagined in order to dream of it.

✨for the love of the game by @pellucid-constellations

College Athlete!Bucky x Reader

Bucky Barnes was a menace. NYU’s top baseball player, he was used to girls falling at his feet and could smooth talk his way out of just about anything. You hated him. He couldn’t figure out why. So when the novelty of weekend parties and quick hookups finally wore off—and his feelings for you began to grow—he made it his mission to fix it.

✨undisclosed by @pellucid-constellations

Lumberjack!Bucky x Reader

Desperate to outrun a secret that could cost you your life, you seek refuge in a small mountain town. Its deep forests and small cabins make it the perfect place to hide, but the travel website hadn’t mentioned anything about the quiet, burly lumberjack that wouldn’t leave your thoughts. No one had warned Bucky about you either.

fragments by @subwaysurf45

Bucky x Reader

You always had a soft spot for innocent people who were viewed as monsters, must have been something in your blood. Nothing changed when you were assigned as the new handler for the Winter Soldier, he had just killed his previous one and you happened to be there at the right time to fill in. But what happens when you meet him years later?

wrong choice right places by @mvtthewmurdvck

Mob!Bodyguard!Bucky x Reader

never wanting to work for him or protect his fiancé, falling for you was the last thing he should do—especially when his boss was zemo, who now ran most of the city.

✨mess is mine by @scrumptious-delusion

Boxer!Bucky x Reader

as a date night surprise, your boyfriend takes you to a boxing match. little does he know, one of the competitors is responsible for breaking your heart five years ago and an accidental encounter is about to send your whole world spinning.

no day but today by @buckysfaveplum

Bucky x Reader

He’s more than content to lock himself away from everyone in the cold emptiness of his apartment. However, the girl in the apartment above him seems to have other plans. The girl who paints on the fire escape and climbs down through his window. The girl who he can’t seem to get enough of.

✨southpaw by @gogolucky13

Boxer!Bucky x Reader

Tied up in the criminal world your godfather has built, you have no reason to leave, until you find one in the man they call Southpaw.

✨ghost of you by @gogolucky13

Bucky x Reader

Bucky has worked hard to come to terms with his past and enjoy the new life he’s been given. But his mind is still plagued by nightmares of what he’s done and by the face of an unknown woman. What happens when the team is tasked with recovering another Winter Solider, causing Bucky’s past and present to collide in the form of the woman from his dreams?

nostalgia for the new by @real-jane

Bucky x Agent!Reader

bucky meets you because of your exquisite taste in music, and he finds in you a solace he didn't realize was possible. you create for bucky something he's never found before: nostalgia for a time that hasn't happened yet, and hope for a future where he might be loved.

✨to have & to hold by @slyyywriting

Single Dad!Bucky x Mob!Reader

Bucky is trying his best to provide and care for his daughter who just entered first grade. Everything was alright until she asks why everyone else seems to have a mom except for her. You’re just a plain mob boss who wants to turn a new leaf. Challenges arise when the world refuses to let you take a softer, non-violent route. A little girl helps you navigate a compromise.(Single Dad!Bucky)

safe with me by @bitsandbobsandstuff

Bodyguard!Bucky x Reader

When an unknown threat enters your life, protection is offered at the highest level. As Bucky Barnes comes into your life, the game changes, and you realise falling for the man tasked with keeping you safe is the last thing you expected.

teacher’s favorite by @suitk0via

Single Dad!Bucky x Teacher!Reader

You are first grade teacher and Bucky is a single dad who wants to be involved with everything his little girl - Elaine - does. He’s the dad all the parent’s and faculty drool over. You quickly become Elaine's favorite teacher and Bucky's just gotta meet you.

✨stuck wit u by @slyyywriting

Bucky x Avenger!Reader

You and Bucky don’t get along. Your fights have become too destructive so Tony and Steve decide that enough is enough.

touch of ink by @deamstellarus

Tattoo Artist!Bucky x Reader

After a breakup with your ex, you decided to move to the small town where your long-time friend Sam lives, hoping for a change of pace and starting a new chapter in your life. You were prepared for a slower paced lifestyle, quaint diners, and a change of scenery. However, you didn't expect to be swept off your feet by two stunning pairs of blue-grey eyes.

✨paper walls by @writingcroissant

Neighbor!Bucky x Reader

Your apartment happens to be right next to Bucky's, heads only separated by a paper-thin wall, leading to you witnessing every second of his nightmares. Although, bonding over your late night conversations, you seem to forget that you never even saw him before.

✨leave this town by @avengerofyourheart

Mechanic!Bucky x Reader

Your dreams of kissing your small town life goodbye are about to come true when an unexpected detour leaves you stranded. Meeting the handsome local mechanic has you rethinking your plans. Perhaps happiness is less about where you’re headed and more about the people you meet along the way.

✨the world of our own by @shreddedparchment

Bucky x Reader Castaway AU

You and a man named Bucky crash land on a deserted island. Can the two of you come together and make it until rescue comes? After you begin to fall for the mysterious Bucky Barnes, will you even want to be rescued?

yours, mine, ours by @coffeecatsandcandles

Single Dad!Bucky x Single Mom!Reader

Bucky Barnes has been raising his girls, Rebecca and Winnie, for the last two years. He'd lost all hope of falling in love again until he met you, a pediatrician with two children of your own- Elliot and Willow. He falls in love and he falls hard, but the challenges of being single parents still weigh on you both at times. Luckily, you'll always have each other.

we’ll meet again by @coffeecatsandcandles

Bucky x Reader

You fell in love with Bucky Barnes in 1940. He was your everything, until he was taken from you. You’ll meet him again, just not in the way either of you expected…

✨run to me by @sgtjbuccky

Mob!Bucky x Reader

In where you’ve always had a habit of ending up in situations you shouldn��t, and when you caught the eye of the man who ran New York, Bucky Barnes, your life changed. They warned you about him, but the one thing they never warned you about was how you’d always want to run to him.

trick question by @nacho-bucky

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

It’s a weekly battle of wills for Bucky and the Reader, as they navigate the stunning pressure that is pub trivia. Can these obdurate opponents find any middle-ground?

the diner by @bolontiku

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

Working at a diner as a waitress, struggling to make bills and take care of the kid your sister left you, one night you meet James.

relax by @kinanabinks

Bucky x Reader

Things with Bucky are easy, and he's the sweetest guy you've been with. But when you throw in a bitter roommate and untold secrets, things get real hard, real fast.

old souls @thedevilwearsvibranium

Bucky x Reader

Your aunt runs an antique shop in the lower parts of Manhattan, and asks you to work in her shop once a week. You happily take the job, but then on your first day you have a strange encounter with an unusual customer - Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Things ensue as the two of you end up becoming friends - and maybe even more - as you reminisce about the old things that you love as well as your mysterious pasts.

breaking the rules by @redgillan

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

You hate James Barnes with a burning passion and the feeling is entirely mutual. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, you are tricked into attending his sister’s wedding as his girlfriend. Stuck with a bunch of strangers, you come up with a set of rules that are not going to last long.

time after time by @justsomebucky

Neighbor!Bucky x Reader

AU. When the reader’s parents divorce, her mother moves her to a new town, right next door to Bucky Barnes. This is their love story.

just a touch by @buckychrist

Bucky x Enhanced!Reader

Your powers? Controlling any feeling a human can have, from emotions to pain, with a simple brush of your fingertips. Your mission? The traumatized soldier with sad stricken eyes and scream filled nightmares.

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oh-i-swear-writes · 2 years

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More Than The Sum of Our Faults

Hi guys! Time for another fic for me - it’s a three-parter which will all be posted this week for the @shrunkyclunksbang. As you can see from the gorgeous banner I was (once again) partnered with a fabulous artist, the lovely @lemonadeswift who went above and beyond. The master post to their art is HERE.

Anyway, without further ado...

When Steve Rogers adopts a dog he rescued from a collapsed building he realizes that due to the nature of his job he needs a dog sitter. Enter Becca Barnes, owner and sole proprietor of Happy Hounds, a dog walking and sitting service that comes Sam-Wilson-approved.

What Steve didn’t bank on was the gorgeous owner of his dog’s best puppy pal who happens to also be Becca’s older veteran brother, and he certainly didn’t bank on running into the man - quite literally, let alone falling completely in love with him.

Chapter One

#shrunkyclunks #shrunkyclunks bang #Steve Rogers #captain america steve rogers #Steve Rogers x Bucky barnes #Bucky barnes #Veteran Bucky barnes #stucky fic #stucky fic rec #fic rec #my writing #oh I swear #lemonadeswift #dog dad Steve rogers #dog dad Bucky barnes #idiots in love #meet cute

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fandoms-writings · 2 years

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Steel Toe Boots & Matching Pjs

A Something Domestic Drabble

Pairing: ex-military amputee!Bucky x fem!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky spend the holidays with his sisters and their kids.

Word Count: 1.1K

Warnings: a LOT of fluff

A/N: this is not beta’d, all mistakes are my own

Series Masterlist || Bucky Masterlist

Bucky remembered Christmas being his favorite holiday when he was a little boy. The presents, the snow, the decorations. The happiness that filled the house. He remembered being wired on the insane amount of sugar from the Christmas cookies that his mom let him eat all day long and running around with his sisters and their new toys. The sugar crash that came after, all of them laying on the floor, holding their presents close as they napped away the afternoon.

He hadn't had a Christmas like that in a long time. He'd spent several of them overseas. He and the guys would use what they could for a makeshift tree and they'd open the little packages sent over from their families. They would make each other little gifts, carving what were supposed to be animals out of different pieces of wood. The key words being "supposed to" - they usually ended up looking pretty mangled, but that didn't mean the act meant any less.

Then there was the accident in the Alps, where he lost his arm and gained all of his trauma. Nothing was quite the same after that. He'd found it harder to smile, to laugh, to let that joy back in when so much darkness had taken its place.

But then he met you. You pulled him from the darkness of his mind and shined a light on all that he'd been missing.

He looked over to where you were sitting by the tree with his nieces and nephews as they opened up presents with larger than life smiles. You were all in matching pajamas, an idea you had before you'd made the drive to just days before.

You were packing your bags when you froze, sending him a look before telling him you'd be back. He watched as you raced by, ran out the front door, and left in your truck, leaving him confused and slightly worried. You were back only an hour later with bags hanging from your arms and a giant grin on your face.

But you didn't let him see them until you arrived at his sister's house, pulling out little gift bags. Each bag had a different name on it and you handed them out to their respective person, urging the children to open them.

You'd managed to find the exact same Christmas pattern in every necessary size and the kids were elated to be able to match with the adults. You then told the kids how it was something you used to do with your father - you'd wear matching pjs on Christmas Eve, watch a Christmas movie before bed, and then wake up to open presents before getting ready for the day.

You all donned your new night attire before building gingerbread houses - you and Bucky shared one, making the farm house - and then settling in the living room for a movie. When the kids had fallen asleep, you helped to carry the young ones to bed while Bucky and his sisters and their husbands set up the presents under the tree. Bucky even went as far as leaving white boot tracks leading from the fireplace to the pile of gifts.

All of you then ate the pile of cookies the children left for Santa before heading to bed yourselves, needing all the rest you could get before the kids woke you in the morning.

And wake you they did.

Gleeful shouts and fits of laughter had filtered under the door into the room you and Bucky were staying in. He woke first, being able to watch you blink your eyes open and smile at him, making his heart stutter like you did every morning.

"Uncle Bucky, look!" Sarah's little voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked over to see her pushing a box his way.

"What is it?" He played coy, getting a smile out of her.

"Is a pwesent fo you!" She giggled as she pushed it to his feet.

"Oh, is it?" He peaked at the handwriting and instantly recognized it as yours. His eyes met yours. You were still sitting on the floor, but Emma had moved into your lap where she sat happily playing with a new my little pony - you were playing with her with the little stuffed Nita Bucky had picked up and hadn't had the chance to give to you until now - and Jackson had run off to show his mom the new toy truck Santa left him. You smiled and nodded, telling him it was alright to open in front of the kids and his eyes went back to Sarah.

"Will you help me open it?" He gestured to the box with his one hand, "I don't have two hands."

She giggled and nodded, climbing up to sit on the couch right next to him after he pulled it up onto his legs. Once she deemed herself in the perfect spot, she tore into the paper while Bucky held the box still. He peeked through the paper to see a particular brand staring back at him.

He looked up at you and asked, "Did you really?"

You nodded at him with a sparkle in your eye. Looking back to the box, he pulled the lid off to reveal the steel toe boots he'd shown you just weeks before. He'd wanted to pick up a pair to protect his feet when helping you out in the barn but was going to wait until after the holidays - he'd wanted to spoil the kids, which he did.

Emma moved from your lap to go show her mom the braid she'd put into her pony's hair and you stood from the floor. Walking up to his side, you leaned into his ear, "Don't worry, that's not the only present you got."

He smirked as you pulled back, "And where is this other present, hm?"

"Yeah! Where hims otter pwesent?" Sarah asked, oblivious to the reason why he didn't have it right now.

"Oh, I left it at home," You knelt down to be at her eye level, "I was so worried about all of your presents that it slipped my mind. But don't you worry, the second we get back home, he'll open it." She grinned and giggled at you.

"Otay!" She took off to go back to her own gifts and Bucky leaned over the box to you.

"Thank you, darlin'," He muttered before placing a quick kiss on your cheek.

"Of course, love," You stood fully and smirked, "But you'll like your other one much more."

With that, you winked before sauntering off to the kitchen to help with cooking dinner. He peered over the couch to watch you chatting with his sisters, making Becca sit down because she was getting close to her due date. He sighed at the warmth in his chest, knowing it was from you.

He loved his sisters and their kids, but with the promise of another present waiting for him at home, he couldn't wait to get back to the farmhouse with you.

And if the coming Christmases were like this one, it just might be his favorite holiday again.

As always, thank you for reading! Reblogs, comments, and likes are all appreciated!

If you enjoyed the story, please consider supporting me on my Ko-fi <3

If you want to be updated when i post a new story, please follow my library blog and turn on notifications <3 @remis-library

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky x reader #bucky fanfiction #something domestic drabble #something domestic #fandoms-writings #modern!bucky x reader #veteran!bucky #veteran!bucky x reader #amputee!bucky #amputee!bucky x reader

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buckyseternal · 1 year

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happy veterans day

#frank castle #sam wilson #steve rogers #bucky barnes #james rhodes #carol danvers #mcu veterans

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builder051 · 1 year

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Adverse Effects (ch.4 Who's calling what now? No one signed up for this.)

A chasing Ghosts story. Last chapter. I promise. It will come to an ending.

Warnings: The usual: college drinking, drug use, alcohol, flashbacks to war/bad childhood/etc., seizures, emeto, migraines, photosensitivity, threats (mild, like calling the cops on a party), mentions of hospitals/ambulances, petty crime, bad choices... That should cover the basics. This one is tamer than the previous chapter.

___________________

Steve puts his arm around James's shoulders and approaches the bouncer from the head of the VIP line.

"You paid ahead?" He looks uncomfortable in his fitted black jacket. The bouncer sticks his finger between his collar and his neck. His tie's definitely a clip on.

"Um, no," Steve says. "But we're just here to look for our little sister. She might've come in with a football player?"

The bouncer narrows his eyes. "You trying to say I don't check IDs? That I'm not so good at my job?"

"No, sir." Steve answers, putting his free hand up, with his palm open and his elbow locked at 90 degrees. "Not at all."

James wonders if Steve wants him to pipe up, but he doesn't have a lot of confidence in his ability to speak. Plus, he's interested in what Steve will say next.

"She has a fake." Steve feigns shame, sucking in his lip. "I've been trying to get it off her, get her to lay off the partying. It's not like her 21st is that far away."

Laughter makes easy punctuation. Steve knows good and well that Tasha's barely tipped 19, but his... attractiveness, James guesses? Steve's straight nose and perma-cheery personality, and everyone just assumes he's telling the truth. James has never had that power, and he's still in the dark as to how it works.

"Your little sister?" The bouncer looks pointedly at Steve, then moves his gaze to James, who probably resembles a shaggy-haired scarecrow with the fold of Steve's jacket behind his neck. They probably look more buddy-buddy than pair mated.

"So, you guys, like, brothers?"

Steve shifts and pulls out his wallet. "It's not that important. Here, I have my ID. We're both over 21."

"What's with him?" The bouncer gives James a severe look. He probably thinks he's already wasted, which, honestly, isn't a bad guess. "Why's he not talking?"

James lifts his chin an inch or so. He's going for neutral. Battle casual. The way you're meant to watch the slide show and the commanding officer giving the brief at the same time. Interested. Respectful. But not oogling. Not creepy. He hopes his clenched jaw isn't too obvious. That would be a good baseline, at least.

"Disabled vet, man." Steve uses his powers again. Informing. Reminding. Putting people in their place. But not in a pushy, rude, ego-trampling way.

Steve doesn't pull that card a lot. A little strategic, maybe, but he and James don't play the system as much as they probably could. Steve care is much better than public accessibility and the VA. But, bus seating, the movie theater exit row, idling the car in the fire lane... They are benefits, and, as much as James hates admitting it, they are beneficial to him. There is a fine line between getting what he needs and losing his identity to the system, though. And crossing over is one of James's greatest fears.

Right this moment, though, he'll take what he can get. An explanation is definitely called for, because otherwise, his presence tonight makes no sense.

If Steve passes for the worried brother, James is sure he looks like that one embarrassing friend, the big-guy-lightweight, the shower-not-grower who gets wasted early and winds up at the literal mercy of his friends, lest he wake up naked in somebody's front yard, clueless, apologetic, and unaware that this is a serial habit.

It's almost amusing-- James has no alcohol in his system. And no drugs. Well, except caffeine. The prescription medications in his bloodstream, fading rapidly to levels far lower than therapeutic, probably aren't providing much protection from the migraine about to crack over his head, or a seizure grabbing onto autopilot at any moment.

Being out at would-be-bedtime is not a smart idea. But recharging with his next doses of meds brings on immediate hibernation. He's stuck between hell and, well, hell. Fuck Tasha and this goddamn mission. Whether James is the ride-along or the brother, the football player or the treadmill fixer, America's bravest on honorable discharge, or just a guy losing his shit, it isn't important. Steve's already said so.

The bouncer is forcing a stalemate, though. That's the thing about Steve. He protects his own, but he doesn't fight back. He builds walls. Agrees to disagree

It's James that has a crusty edge, bringing them together as a balanced team. Couple. Whatever you want to call it. James can't always stop the sharpness in his tone, but it comes in quite useful when the server needs to really, leave the spilled coffee, don't ask if he's ok, and don't dial 911. James will have his panic attack in the bathroom, then throw some napkins on the spill, and slink out the back door. There's a reason he doesn't like eye contact.

He has to, sparingly, look into the bouncer's face, though. James sighs, willing all parts of his body and bodily fluids into their respective places, if only for the moment.

"Look," James says. "We're trying to help you do your job."

The bouncer seems around James's age. Maybe a little younger. A little heavier. Not so much life experienced etched in lines around his eyes. Or perhaps he's always had oily skin and resided in a humid climate. James would take him on, one to nothing, in just about any contest of strength. Darts. Dash-n-grab. Probably not Greco-Roman wrestling, though. Then the dude would probably just sit on him.

"Tasha's a turd. It's just, like, what she does." James makes the mistake of shrugging his flesh-set in silicone-set in metal shoulder. It only sets off a mild tingling, and he didn't really mean to do it; it was just that his other arm was busy keeping him upright by wedging between two of Steve's upper ribs. If he doesn't think about it, it shouldn't set off all the bells and whistles. And phantom limb pain, really? That's left him alone for, what, a year? Now is definitely not the time.

James bites down on his lip and his tongue a few times. He tries speaking again. "You know, like the big brother and the guy friend, or the dad friend, or whatever? Checking out the new boyfriend? To see if he's cool? Like, clean?" Perhaps he'll catch the bouncer on a more personal level?

But that just makes the guy look torn. He glances to his counterpart, who is turned away as he deals with the sluggish non-VIP line. Then he looks back to James and Steve, brows lowered.

James, despite the chaos in his head, knows perfectly what the bouncer is thinking. It's fair, and it's probably what he'd do in the reverse of the situation. It's most definitely what Steve would do.

"Well," the bouncer jerks his thumb over the velvet rope. "Go to that line and show your IDs--"

They don't have time for that. More specifically, James doesn't have the patience for that. And the quicker Steve vacates his stupid parking spot, the better.

James nabes his lip with his front teeth and splits it. He tastes blood, anyway, which is marginally better than bile, though it will look worse when it all inevitably comes up.

James knows what they have to do. It's not among the 27 thousand slapstick solutions he and Steve talked through earlier, during the mission planning session, but this is better. And it's going to work.

A snort of wry laughter escapes through James's nose as he carefully chooses his words. Or, as it be, silent stand-ins.

James nudges Steve in the armpit, then points his gaze to the iPhone protruding a centimeter or so from Steve's pocket. On the way of raising his head up, James twitches in the bouncer's direction. Then, using as little energy as possible, he locks eyes with Steve. Just long enough to ensure he catches and returns the smile, nod, and flash of a wink.

"What?" The bouncer asks loudly, flatly, and with a spit spray of matching intensity. "You--?"

"Well," Steve clears his throat. "We could do that. Wait in the other line." He pauses. "Or we could make a call and have you raided for having and serving underage customers."

The bouncer goes a bit pale. He adjusts the back of his hat. Tilts his clipboard just enough so they can see the pages upon it are completely blank.

Steve makes a fine line with his lips. "It's the truth, mam. We gotta, you know, do the right thing."

The bouncer swallows heavily. Taps his blank pages. Maybe inciting a tremor.

Now it's James's turn. "Or, you could let us in, grab the fucking rascal, and get out of here. Maybe we won't call the cops." James stops to take a breath. "Or your boss. Main number's on the website, right? Google Maps pin?"

"Uh--" The bouncer stutters. He's nodding, whether he's aware of it or not. People tend to agree with agressers when they pose plausible threats. It's... just something humans do. They have to be trained out of it. Plus one for the Army. And Steve's and Tasha's behaviors? Only to be expected.

"Um. Yeah?" The bouncer's voice comes out higher than it did previously. Maybe he's truly frightened. It doesn't matter. They've already closed the deal.

"Just go. Be fast. And don't go back out through this door!"

"Cool." Steve claps the bouncer on the shoulder. "Thanks. You're saving our lives."

The bouncer waves furiously at them, as if to blow them into the building and far away from him and his responsibilities. Like cops on patrol still puff up and yell "Get out of here!" at young bicyclists, even when they can recite the bylaws back, word-for-word, and explain that non-motor vehicle tickets cannot go on one's permanent record.

But nobody's exceeding the speed limit by coasting down concrete hills in the hood. That weird, neglected, unsupervised place that used to be the burbs until it got trashy and someone built new burbs, but nobody could afford to move there. It's not like anyone can afford to live here, either, in the flat neighborhoods that swallow the college a good three miles in every direction. No one bikes because it's too dangerous with the traffic, and permanent records actually are at stake, seeing as foster care and all claims of juvenile status are up and vanished. Those days of kiddie freedom are gone for good. And it sucks.

Something, though has James's attention. The thud of the bass from the dance floor? Nah, it's crappy drywall vibrating with crowd and speaker systems. Their apartment does the same thing. But it's rhythmic, synchronizing with something deep inside him. Not his auto-adjusting hearing aids. Something in his center, like his heartbeat. Except that's stupid, because vintage punk does not sustain one's most basic body systems.

It's like the air outside. It's weird. Distinctly noticeable. Almost...nostalgic? James feels as if he's been here. Like he's allowed to belong here. Maybe it's something to do with one of his past lives, rising to the surface just long enough to provide him with a whiff of familiarity before he's lost again in the overwhelming mess of tonight's activities. But... this place exists. And he could come back. With Steve. Maybe Tasha. As long as she drinks Diet Sprite and cherries.

"Ok, she's wearing purple, right?" Steve cups his hand around his mouth and leans in close to James's ear, but he still has to shout over the music and general noise.

"Yeah, like a lace thing..." James decides to spare the diatribe about trendy womens' wear and sheer tops and whether or not Tasha understands the idea of undergarments-- at all, let alone pieces appropriate to the occasion.

"Oh! I see her!" Steve points to a blurry conglomeration of people who eep dancing in and out of James's blind spot. The aura goes swimmingly with the disco ball, providing both eyes with an assault of silvery stars.

"Is Maria tall, or can she just walk better in tall shoes?" Steve stands on his toes and squints.

"No clue. Tash is great en pointe, but sucks at drag."

Steve laughs uproariously. "There has got to be a story behind that."

"Mm." James has to let go of Steve's shoulder. There's a massive increase in the pressure behind the bridge of his nose, and, somehow, logic tells him to rub hard with finger and thumb jammed into the corners of his eye sockets. James's hand is clammy. So is his face. The urge to throw up is coming on again. Pressure builds in his body. Then... he has no body. He just feels his head, with excruciating pain in his ears. His jaw. An ax cleaving his forehead--

James's foot is stuck atop the manhole cover. His toe strikes concrete. Again. Again. Why can't he lift his knee?

But then the joint breaks, and he can't support anything on that leg. There goes the hip, and with it, the other knee. James's hips are rocking. He can't control the direction of the momentum, though. That's all he needs, and then he can stand up.

Where the fuck is Steve? Why hasn't he put James back on his feet? There's a wisp of frustration, passing like a shooting star, before it all goes to hell.

James can't hear; his head buzzes with white noise so loud it's surely making blood ooze from his eardrums. He can't see. It's too bright and dark and painful all at the same time, and he can't tell if his eyes are open or closed. James struggles to recall if he has more senses, and bats out with his hand. He hits something. Hard but soft? Pants? If that's what they're called?

James must've grabbed and pulled, because the shadow of Steve bends and squats. "No, you can't have that." Steve removes James's grip from his ankle and offers his wrist instead. "Lie down. Come on. On your side."

Movement happens. James neither initiates it nor approves of it. He cares less about the weightlessness than he does about the spasms of his pylorus, but it's all lost a second later when James seems to have forgotten how to breathe.

But-- oh. Clicky sounds. Steve's watch against his teeth. At least James isn't choking anymore. But all it's good for is making a passage for expulsive vomit, which comes out all over James's face, and his shirt, and the floor.

He can do nothing to hold it down. Just as he can do nothing to stop his arms and legs and spine from twitching and spasming and sending shooting pains through his body every time a bone or joint makes contact with the solid ground.

"Buck?" Steve's hand is cool against James's cheek. Spiking a fever, giving everyone a good spare. James is an expert, even though he never does so on purpose.

Steve tries again. "You with me?"

James blinks. Makes the effort to part his lips. Pulls his fingers into his fist and tries to sign. James catches a glimpse of steve's forehead, a dash of his fine blonde hair, but, like a streak of sun between rain clouds, he can't hold on. One of James's eyes begins rolling again, and that just makes him sick.

James has tried telling Steve how the seizures feel; how they combine the symptoms of severe nausea, the pain of lying on a bed of nails, and a night of restless leg syndrome. But even that doesn't quite get to it. The episodes of uncontrollable and barely senseable body movements and misfires undo him, tear him apart, and not on the seams that are visible and easily mended. He'll recover. He'll be fine. It just...happens sometimes. Personally, James suspects the strobe. He reacts to that rare trigger, and sometimes mechanical devices detonate and events unfold beyond his control... Fuck DBT and the whole radical acceptance thing, but. Well. James doesn't care to flip another coin.

Steve's watch makes mechanical sounds. Not in James's mouth. On the floor. Steve's taken the band off his wrist, and now he glances at the time, all whilst guarding James's limp body in elbow plank. James hopes he's on his knees, even though Steve can probably do semi and full indefinitely, keeping them safely side by side.

"That's time," Steve says, a worried note in his voice. "Three minutes are up. I've got to, you know, med you and call a squad? That's the guidelines and stuff..."

James fights to get the cogs turning. Comprehension has landed. Response... he's working on it.

"God," James croaks. "No. Fuck, no." He coughs and tries to move his head. All that accomplishes is bringing on a retch and a series of tremors down his arm, which have almost certainly distracted anyone and everyone from hearing his answer.

"Hey, breathe," Steve reminds him.

James reluctantly takes the advice. He's barely come around to realizing he has a body, and that there is a world containing not only him, but also Steve. The crowd of curious bystanders remain in the ether.

"I don't think you're quite back yet." Steve speaks slowly and gently. He gives James a pat down, which only brings to light the fact that he's soaked.

"Did you even bring a wallet?" Steve pulls his hand out of James's back pocket. "Where are your meds?"

It takes a hiccup and a spasm, but James has an answer for that, too. "Car."

"Bucky, hey, I'm really sorry." Steve's practically the one shaking now. James can sense his anxiety. "The ER is down the street, but going to get the car is going to take way longer than--"

"No!" James isn't sure if he's meaning to be loud or forceful or just heard. He's not so bad off now. He can open his eyes without feeling like they're being burned with a laser now. It's not proof he can walk, or that his brain isn't still playing the old Nintendo Tanks game with itself, but it's an improvement.

James actually feels like, once somebody pulls him off the floor, he could puke a couple more times, maybe off somebody's back porch, then hustle a glass of water and a clean shirt from a buddy and take up the offer to sleep it off on the couch and devour a frozen waffle in the morning.

He's not in base housing with the other kids, though, enjoying their last few days before shipping out. James has not, nor will he ever be, a college kid riding the freedom of a dark lawn and a few hours yet till sunrise to wildly waste his time. Like...friends dunking each other in the fountain. He would totally dunk Steve in a fountain, Mr. Swimmer and all that stuff. But James isn't sure their university even has one...

What is he even doing? Why is his brain even considering this shit? Steve is the one talking sense here. James might think he knows himself, but what the hell, he's had a migraine and suspicious flashbacks all evening, so shutting up and going along with Steve is probably the better move.

"What the- Jamie? What? And you?" The last part comes with far too much accusation, but Tasha's late arrival is nothing but comically adorable.

"Sorry?" Steve says with hesitation. "We're kind of late with your...ride?"

"Huh?" Tasha understands subtlety, at least James thinks she does. She's just not good at applying it when it's not her idea to begin with. "But what happened? Tasha makes a move as if to kneel down, but with her unsteady shoes and all the puke on the floor, she winds up staying upright.

"Aw, the usual," James says hoarsely.

Steve starts talking at the same time. "We were going to pick you up. And go to... the..."

James coughs loudly again. Mostly on purpose.

"Right." Steve picks back up. "Now we have to go to the hospital, so you should go in the ambulance, and I'll go get the car." A frightened look passes his face. "If I still have a car..."

"A what about your car?" Tasha looks blankly at him.

"I might've... parked in a bad spot," Steve admits, without completely spilling the details of his mistake. "But, anyway," he moves on quickly, "You'll have to sign the consent for them to administer Versed, put him in the MRI, and put him under observation until, oh," Steve checks his watch, then bobs his head as he counts silently. "9:30 tomorrow morning?"

"I gotta stay up all night?" Tasha asks, tone verging on complainey.

"Well, were you planning to go to bed early tonight?" Steve's beaming, but his joke doesn't land.

"Fuck you." Tasha crosses her arms. The tiny triangles of her bra are, in fact, neon pink.

"Hospital pancakes are not that bad," Steve insists. He digs the car keys from his pocket. "And you are legally the next of kin."

Tasha has to pull out her claws a little, just to prove she can fight, despite her usual needy cute kitten act. She hates looking like she's capable of caretaking. Regarding herself, and everyone else.

Thing is, though, that's an act, too. She's seen James in and out of the hospital before, and she knows it turns out fine. She can be in charge of James. Take his prosthetic on and off. Shoot disgusting medicated gel into his gumline. It's nothing. And nothing like it was an hour earlier when there was imminent danger for a different member of the party.

"I know this isn't exactly like we planned for it to end," Steve says. "But I'm pretty sure we're clear of danger, uh, mostly, and all that's left is the phone call." He looks amongst them, probably to ascertain understanding, but Tasha's clearly lost, and James isn't ready to let laughter out of his throat, lest more bile come with it.

"I gotta scram before we call the cops on ourselves and I get a ticket for self-sabotage." Steve points toward the back door and it's glowing exit sign. Then he raises his brows to Tasha. "You want to do the honors? You do know the phone number, right?"

It's clearly another tease, but Steve deserves the finger Tasha shoots him after she starts scrolling through her phone and answers him with a terse ASL "yes."

"Cool. See you guys soon?" Steve gives a last look or assurance before starting at a clip to the back door. James wonders if his paranoia will end up as beneficiary or overkill.

Once Steve's out of sight, Tasha rolls her eyes and gives James a sideways smile. "What do you want? The ambulance and the gurney? The non-emergency police help desk? Or CrimeStoppers?"

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