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#kid!becca barnes
antiquarianfics · 5 months
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I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa
Becca Barnes is generally not a serious child. She is, on the contrary, quite the opposite. She’s a silly, carefree, easy-going kid, so whenever her demeanor changes to the opposite, it is an immediate red flag that something is wrong.
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a/n: silly little rewrite of something i wrote in high school, but better than when i wrote it then. enjoy!
warnings: none!! well, it’s not proofed.
You’re standing in the kitchen on Christmas morning; it had become a small tradition to make Christmas themed pancakes on Christmas morning. Bucky is sitting at the island behind you, nursing a cup of coffee. You flip a santa hat pancake right as the small putter patter of your daughter makes its way closer to you.
“G’mornin’, bug,” Bucky greets his daughter.
“Morning, sweetheart,” you say at the same time. Smiling, you turn to face your daughter. “Do you want some pancakes, Becs?”
To your surprise, Becca shakes her head no. This development allows for you to truly take in her demeanor. The young girl is looking at you with contempt; her lip is pouted.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” You ask, your eyebrows pushing together in concern. You glance at Bucky who shrugs, but he looks equally as concerned.
Becca ignores you, walking up to her daddy and tugging on the leg of his pajama pants.
“What is it?” He asks.
“I have’ta tell you something, Daddy,” she says. “It’s a secret, though.” Becca finally speaks.
Bucky glances at you and back at his daughter. He slides off the bar stool and lets his daughter drag him into the other room.
You wait in the kitchen, confused, but continuing to make your pancakes as you wait for Bucky and Becca to return.
After a few minutes, Bucky returns with a shit eating grin on his face. You raise an eyebrow at him. He merely shakes his head with a laugh. Becca is following him, and she looks perplexed at her father’s laughter and carefree demeanor.
Bucky picks up his daughter, setting the 6 year old down at the island. He walks around, turning off the stove before you can protest, and moving you to sit across from Becca at the island. Then, he moves back to the other side, taking a seat next to his daughter.
“What’s going on?” You ask.
“Well, Doll, Becca saw something last night, and she’s worried about us.”
Your eyebrows raise in surprise, and you feel your heart rate rise in fear and whatever could have scared your baby.
Before you speak, Bucky continues, “Becca, do you want to tell Mama what you told me?”
Becca shakes her head, not looking at you. Bucky chuckles.
“Well, Mama, Becca thought she heard Santa Clause in the living room last night, so she snuck out of bed to see if she could catch him,” Bucky explains.
Your eyes widen as you slowly begin to put two and two together.
“She did, in fact, catch Santa, but he wasn’t putting presents under the tree.”
“Oh,” you say, involuntarily.
Becca’s eyes snap towards you as if you’ve admitted to the crime she has accused you of.
“Yeah,” Bucky nods gravely. “Becca saw you kissing Santa Clause last night.”
You stare at Bucky, perplexed. How were you going to get out of this without telling your 6 year old Santa wasn’t real? You and Bucky have a silent conversation before he turns back to Becca, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.
“Becca, Mommy and I are going to tell you a secret.”
Becca looks up at her father, nodding, taking in every word he has to tell her. She needs to know what she saw.
“That wasn’t Santa Clause you saw.”
“Then who was it?”
“That was me dressed up like Santa.”
“Why were you dressed up like Santa?”
“Because sometimes Santa has a hard time getting to the house of every. single. kid. in the world, so he calls parents to help him out. Because Mommy and I are superheroes, he thought we could help him bring some presents to you.” Bucky’s lie slides off his tongue, and you can’t help but let out the breath you were holding.
“So Santa sent me a costume to wear just in case you woke up.” Bucky shrugs.
Becca looks between her parents, sizing your lie up. Finally she nods and points to the pile of pancakes near the stove.
“Can I have a pancake now?”
“Sure thing, kiddo,” you say before serving her one.
Bucky gets up, slides behind you, and whispers in your ear.
“Becca saw her mommy kissing Santa Clause,” he teases.
“Not my fault Santa wanted to get her a baby brother for Christmas,” you sigh, plating another pancake to hand to him.
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buckyalpine · 5 months
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OKAY!!! Hear me out...
Lemonade AU but holiday drabbles!!
Like the thought of y/n spending Christmas at the Barnes household makes me 😭
Or like y/n forcing Bucky to dress up for Halloween or vice versa 💘💘💘💘 and Winnie can’t help but laugh at their ridiculous costumes
OMG this au is underrated, yessss and we're just in time for Christmas. We love our sweet College Bucky with his pretty older reader (for reference, Bucky is in his early to mid 20's and reader is later 20's to mid 30's or just pick your own ages)
Lemonade Lemonade AU drabble Sour
Bucky spent the whole day with his mama putting up the tree and getting the lights set up outside. His nose and cheeks are red from the cold and he runs straight to you to warm up. You coo at how cute he looks, letting him nuzzle his face into your neck for warmth, sighing contently. He smirks, slipping his icy cold hands up your sweater making you squeal but he doesn't relent, hugging you tighter, stealing all your body heat. Imagine how excited Bucky gets when you come over later in the evening, dressed in the comfiest of clothes; his college sweats and hoodie which you love so much. You giggle at the way he trails behind you as you make your way to the kitchen, letting down the bottle of wine you bought for you and Winnie to share later.
Christmas is in a few days and you've already spoiled him by filling his stocking to the top and he's acts like a little kid, poking and prodding at the little gifts you've wrapped up, blushing whenever you catch him.
"Bucky, put that down, you'll get to see what I got you soon" You shake your head while he pouts, still clutching onto a red box.
"Just one, c'mon" He whines, only setting it down when you tempt him with some hot chocolate. He doesn't want you to lift a finger though so he scoops you up in his arms, plopping you down on the kitchen island before getting started on making some. He knows you love his ma's recipe and he's perfected it, seeing her make it every year, chopping a few slabs of dark and milk chocolate.
"Wan exta marmallows?" His voice is muffled after stuffing about 3 in his mouth and you snort in response, while he blinks at you with his cheeks full.
"Yes please, baby" You kiss his sugary sweet lips while he adds them to your mug, before pouring some for himself as well.
It would not be Christmas without cookies and it's a Barnes holiday tradition. Winnie and Becca join to measure ingredients and roll out dough while George gets started on a roast for dinner. It's absolutely chaotic and you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, surrounded by love in the kitchen, your cheeks heating up every time Bucky tries to sneak in a kiss when no one is looking.
-
As usual, this wasn't meant to be part of the story BUT imagine on Christmas day, everyone is unwrapping presents and its a house full of wrapping, sparkles, bows, hot chocolate and cookies. Winnie got everyone matching Pj's like she does every year. Steve and his family had joined as well, adding to the madness while Bucky cozies up with you on the couch, the fire place keeping you toasty along with how warm your boyfriend is.
Winnie gives George a knowing smile, the both of them proud of the son they raised, their little boy head over heels in love with you and ready to treat you right. They also know the gift you'd just opened from him isn't what he actually got you.
He brings you your actual gift later that evening when it's just the two of you in his room. A tiny box, wrapped perfectly with a gold bow on top. Everyone knew exactly what Bucky is up to because he'd been planning this for months. Working extra shifts, saving money on the side, anything and everything he could do just for this.
For you.
"Open it" he whispers, nervous while you pull at the bow, the both of you sitting in his bed.
"Jamie-baby, what did you do" You gasp, lifting the box, tears already welling along your lash line. The little diamonds on the tennis bracelet sparkle under the low light with a small note on the inside, reading from your Jamie.
"I-I couldn't get you anything for stocking because I wanted to get you this" He says with a small smile, feeling bad he couldn't spoil you more the way you deserved. "Do you like it?"
You wordlessly nod, biting down on your lip to keep from crying while he takes the box from you because you want him to put it on you. He takes the dainty bracelet, carefully clasping it around your hand, admiring how pretty it looks on you.
"You didn't have to baby" You whisper, sniffling while he pulls you onto his lap, "Bubba, it's too much-
He shuts you up with a kiss, shaking his head.
"It's not too much for you. I wanna spoil you" His puppy eyes are so sincere; you're it for him and he's it for you.
Let's not act like the night doesn't end with you wearing just the tennis bracelet with your hands covering each others mouths to keep your voices down while he-
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sergeantbarnessdoll · 7 months
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Mini Winter Soldier » Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier
October 12th
Pairings: Husband/Dad!Bucky Barnes x Wife/Mom!Reader with daughter Rebecca and Apline
Summary: Bucky’s and the reader’s 7 year old daughter dresses up as the Winter Soldier for Halloween.
Warnings: Fluff, language, nothing but cuteness and sweetness, kissing, nicknames for daughter (princess, sweetie), pet names for reader (doll), pet names for Bucky (babe)
Written on my phone so sorry if there’s any mistakes or typos.
GIF IS NOT MINE! Credit goes to the creators.
🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡
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“Come on, doll! Please tell me what she’s going to be for Halloween!” Bucky whines.
“No can do, babe. It’s a girl thing.” You say, kissing his cheek.
Bucky has been asking you all day what yours and his daughter is going to be for Halloween, but you refuse to tell him.
“Fine. If you won’t tell me, I’ll just…” He cups your cheeks and kisses you like he did on your wedding day.
Bucky pulls away, leaving you speechless.
“Nice try, babe. Still not telling you, but thank you for the kiss.” You say, kissing his cheek and walked away.
“Damn it!” Bucky curses making you giggle.
You went upstairs to your daughter’s bedroom. You knocked on the door before opening it.
“Rebecca, are you ready? Your dad is getting anxious.” You say.
“Yes, mommy.” Rebecca smiles widely.
“Let’s go show him your Halloween costume.” You smiled.
Rebecca walked out of her bedroom with you following behind her.
“Are you ready to see my Halloween costume, daddy?” Rebecca asks from the top of the stairs.
“Yes I am, princess!” Bucky says with excitement.
“Close your eyes!” She giggles. “Make sure his eyes are closed, mommy.” She says.
You walked down the stairs to see Bucky with his eyes closed.
“His eyes are closed, Becca!” You say.
Rebecca carefully walks down the stairs and stops in front of Bucky.
“Can I open my eyes?” Bucky asks.
“Yes!” Rebecca says.
Bucky opens his eyes. His eyes widened in surprise when he seen Rebecca’s Halloween costume. She’s dressed up as the Winter Soldier.
“I’m you, daddy!” She smiles.
“I see that.” He smiles.
Bucky crouched down to her height and gave her a hug.
“What made you want to be me for Halloween?” Bucky asks curiously.
“You’re my hero, daddy!” Rebecca smiles. “I love you!” She hugs him.
“I love you too, princess.” He says softly.
“I’m not a princess! I’m a soldier!” She pouts, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You’re right. My apologies, soldier.” Bucky kissed her forehead. “You ready to go trick or treating, my little soldier?” He asks.
“Yes!” She says excitedly.
She grabbed her pumpkin bucket from the table and almost bolted out of the door.
“Woah! At ease, soldier!” Bucky stops her. “Give mommy kisses before you run out of the house.” He says.
Rebecca runs back to you to give you hugs and kisses.
“Be careful and stay safe, sweetie.” You kissed her cheek. “That applies to you too, Sergeant.” You say, looking up at your husband.
“We’ll be careful and safe, doll.” Bucky says, kissing your lips.
“Bye, mommy!” Rebecca says.
“See you guys in a couple hours.” You say.
You sighed as the door closed. You looked down when you felt Alpine rub against your legs.
“Looks like it’s just me and you for a couple of hours, sweet girl.” You say, gently scratching her head.
You passed out candy to trick or treaters with Alpine by your side. Surprisingly, there was a lot of kids coming by your house this year. As time went by, everyone started to go home so you decided to call it a night and go inside to watch Halloween movies. Bucky and Rebecca came home two hours later. You got up to greet them and smiled when you seen Bucky carrying Rebecca. You kissed their cheeks.
“Did our little soldier fall asleep?” You asked, moving her hair from her face.
“Yes, about 5 minutes ago.” Bucky kisses your cheek. “I’m going to put her to bed and we can watch movies.” He says.
“Ok.” You smiled.
Bucky went upstairs while you went back to the living room to get comfortable on the couch. He came back down a few minutes later in comfortable clothes and sat down next to you.
“What are we watching?” Bucky asks.
“Hocus Pocus.” You grinned.
Bucky smiled at your cuteness and gave you a kiss on your forehead. You played the movie and snuggled into his side. Bucky wrapped his arm around you protectively.
“Happy Halloween, Buck.” You say, looking up at him.
“Happy Halloween, doll.” Bucky says, kissing your lips.
🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡
-Bucky’s Doll
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buckrecs · 1 year
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Hi Sera! I’ve been wanting to ask for recs for a while but every time I think of something you’ve already posted it, but I am a bit obsessed with this right now so I thought I’d ask anyways(you are a gem and do so much for the bucky girls on this hellsite and I love you for it!)
Have you got any Brother’s Bestfriend/Best Friend’s Brother Bucky recs?
Brother’s BFF / BFF’s Brother Bucky
masterlist | req masterlist
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i follow you (pretend you want me to) by @buckys-black-dress
your best friend’s older brother who has never once given you a second glance finally does one day when he seems to be fond of your new tattoo. it throws you for quite the loop, to say the least.
The Number One Rule by @justkending
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?
Untouched by @buckyalpine
A series of discovering all your firsts with your brothers hot best friend.
Save Me From Myself by @fatecantstopme
You and your boyfriend get into a fight and he beats you. You go to your brother’s house for support only to find his best friend and roommate, Bucky Barnes, instead. Bucky is furious when you tell him what happened and he takes care of you.
This Must Be A Dream by @lunarbuck
You've been best friends with Becca Barnes since third grade and have been pining over her older Bucky just as long.
super rich kids by @traitorjoelite
kids with too much money, parties every night, and an incident with your best friend's brother is just the norm on the upper east side.
The First Birthday by @eviesaurusrex
It’s not his first birthday after Hydra, but the first birthday he thinks he actually wants to celebrate—only because of YN.
it’s really you (that’s on my mind) by @heavysoldat
inseparable since middle school, it was no surprise that you ended up falling for your long-time best friend. what was surprising, was who you actually ended up with at the end of the day.
Miss America and the Heartbreak Prince by @fangirlovestuff
Your brother’s best friend, Bucky Barnes was a serious pain in your ass. Shame, since he used to be so nice when you were younger. Too bad he’s changed now in high school. Or has he? All it takes is some detective work, milkshakes and pranks for you to finally figure it out. 
Bucky Barnes x Rogers!Reader by @itsapeterthing
You’ve known your brother’s best friend Bucky Barnes since before you can even remember. As the two of you get older, your relationship grows from one of teasing friendship to an everlasting love. Despite all odds and decades apart, you never fail to find each other every time.
Not as Subtle as You Thought by @marvelousmarvelimagines
You and Bucky have been hiding a relationship from your brother successfully for several months now. Bucky’s getting tired of it though and wants to tell Steve. Are you willing to risk that? 
About Time by @vanillanaps
Coming clean about being in a relationship with your brothers best friend is never easy—or is it?
A Secret by @tweedlydumbtweedlydoo
You’re Steve’s younger sister and secretly dating Bucky and Steve finds out.
Brother vs Boyfriend by @marvelous-imagining
I Will Always Pick You Up by @eviesaurusrex
Usually, Bucky would pick her up wherever she is, but today, with a night out with some of her fellow Avengers (and her brother), it wasn’t possible that her secret boyfriend could come and pick her up, would it?
Hands Off by @buckysgoldenheart
You’re Steve’s cousin and he has some rules when it comes to you that Bucky isn’t a fan of. Mainly, that he can’t have you.
i wanna be yours by @noctumbra
you’d support him no matter what. he was yours at the very end. and you were his. 
On My Mind by @targaryenvampireslayer
You haven't seen your Brothers Best Friend in far too long. Neither of you can wait. Sexy challenges ensue.
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magnetothemagnificent · 2 months
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In honour of Bucky Barnes's birthday, here are *some* my Jewish Bucky headcanons....
Comics (616) Bucky:
-His mother was Jewish and when she died, his father, Jim, tried his best to keep him and Becca connected to his heritage, but it was hard given they were always traveling with the army and there was no stable Jewish community for them to be involved in. Bucky would get bullied for being Jewish on the army bases and got involved in a lot of fights because of this.
-Bucky was severely affected mentally by encountering the Holocaust firsthand and held resentment against the rest of the Allies for not doing more to help. He would often go off on unauthorized missions alone or with Toro to infiltrate Nazi bases and camps.
-When the Cosmic Cube returned his memories, the first place Bucky went after Camp Lehigh was his mother's grave.
-His Hebrew name is Yaakov Baruch
-He didn't get a Bar Mitzvah as a kid because his father died before he could make sure he'd have one, and the army didn't care about keeping Bucky connected to his Jewish identity. During the New Avengers era when Bucky had taken up the Captain America mantle, Peter Parker and Billy Kaplan arranged for Bucky to finally have his Bar Mitzvah.
-(This one isn't a headcanon it's just fact) His Hebrew birthday is Purim 5685.
MCU Bucky:
-His parents both immigrated to the United States from Romania and happened to meet each other after they immigrated. He grew up in a moderately observant family and spoke Yiddish at home. He has three younger sisters. He learned how to box after he'd get beaten up for being Jewish, so he could defend himself.
-He was specifically targeted for experimentation and torture at the Kreichsberg Munitions Factory because he was Jewish. Even though he marked "P" on his dog tags for safety, they could still see that he was circumcised. Before he was taken away for experimentation, he helped the other prisoners by translating the German the guards used, by using his Yiddish background.
-His Hebrew name is Yaakov Shimshon. After he was supposedly killed in 1945, his sisters started a tradition of naming their firstborn child after him, either with the name "Yaakov" specifically or a name starting with "J" in English and Yud in Hebrew.
-He is naturally left handed but learned to use his right hand proficiently. Because of this, he didn't have to adjust which arm he put Tefillin on after he lost his left arm.
-When he gets really flustered, anxious, or excited, he starts speaking Yiddish and forgets how to speak English.
-(not a headcanon just fact) His Hebrew birthday is Adar 16, 5677
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viperbarnes · 2 years
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The Family -- [Mafia AU, Oneshot]
40's Mob Boss!Bucky Barnes x Reader
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Summary: Bucky returns home from the war and finds himself with a lifetime's worth of mistakes to make up for. You aren't going to make it easy for him, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Warnings: smut! gun violence, ptsd, dad bucky (prepare ur ovaries) language, bucky having been a dick in the past, mentions of crime and such. The reader has a name, but it only comes up every so often so.... i think thats it?
Notes: This is one of my fave oneshots that I wrote for my patreon, so unless ya'll used to follow me there, this is an entirely new piece <3 This was basically an excuse to write Mob Power Couple Bucky x Reader, and also Dad!Bucky <3
Words: 17k!!!!!!!!!!!
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1944
Bucky stares up at the familiar building, old and faded, but homely. Well, not on the outside, but on the inside certainly, he knows that much. Knows the war wouldn’t have stopped his Ma from keeping her home in any way she could.
Tentatively, he hikes his duffle bag higher on his shoulder and crosses the street.
Climbing up four flights of stairs, where he can hear the familiar sounds of the neighbours through their doors on each landing, when he finally arrives on his floor he pauses, smiling for a moment as he breathes in the sweet smell of home cooked food wafting in from under the door. Of all the amenities and freedoms he’d missed during his time overseas, the food had been the worst.
Lifting a hand, he knocks lightly and steps back, waits quietly even as he hears muffled speaking and shuffling on the other side. For a moment when the door swings open, his heart jumps, worried maybe he’d over expected his welcome.
“Bucky?! James?! Oh, my baby! My baby, my baby!”
His doubt is washed away by his mother’s tight embrace, her arms wrapped around his neck in a vice grip that almost throws him off balance. He chuckles and wraps his own arm around her middle, breathes in the familiar scent of home, and closes his eyes a moment.
“It’s so good to see you…” He says, Winnifred Barnes pulling back for a moment, her hands cupping his face tenderly.
“Is it really you? You’re home?!” Bucky smiles softly, and takes her hand in his own, squeezing them.
“Yeah, Mama, I’m home, I’m here. I promise.”
Once Becca had arrived home from her shift, and her own subsequent bout of crying and hugging, the Barnes’ had sat down for dinner as a family for the first time in five years. Becca had talked his ear off about what she’d been up to, and unlike when they’d been kids and he’d get annoyed, he simply listened and enjoyed the sound of a voice he hadn’t heard in too long. During long nights dug down in trenches, the only sound a blaring machine gun some ways away, Bucky had wished for his sister’s long rants.
Winnie kept heaping more servings onto his plate, asking if he were hungry, pouring him more water until Bucky finally just asked her to sit with him, and held her hand for a long while. Every so often she would squeeze it, as if checking to make sure that he were really there.
“So… how’d you lose it?” Becca asks after dinner, when they stand side by side clearing up the dishes while Winnie made sure his room was fit for sleeping once more. Bucky smirks and sideyes her.
“You know you lasted longer than I had you pegged for. Now I’m just glad I didn’t make bets.” He says, earning an elbow in the side. Becca scoffs and rolls her eyes.
“I’m not a kid anymore you know, I’ve got… tact and shit.” She tells him, and Bucky chortles.
“Oh yeah? Tact and shit, huh? Mama teach you that?” He earns another elbow, but it's soft, not as sharp, and the two laugh for a moment as Bucky continues to dry off each dish as Becca hands them to him.
“Landmine, in Italy. Heard the click before the guy who’d stepped on it, shoved him out of the way… thought I was a goner, but woke up a coupla days later in a hospital. Said they were sending me home.” He eventually breaks the silence, but doesn’t look up from the plate he’s drying, even when he feels his sister’s gaze on him.
“Did it hurt?”
“After, hell yeah, but they gave me some pretty good meds. Don’t even remember the trip home.” He jokes, and Becca chuckles.
“From what I’ve heard, that's a good thing.”
Bucky hums.
“You been to see Vivi yet?” She asks, a little bit of stiffness in her voice, and Bucky sighs.
“No.”
“She know you’re home?”
“No.”
“You gonna tell her?”
“I don’t know, Becca!” Bucky says, exasperated now, and rubs his hand over his face. He sighs again, giving her an apologetic look.
“Yes, probably. You know it’s complicated.”
Becca purses her lips and drains the sink.
“You’re my brother, and I love you endlessly… but she was right. And you are stupid.” She says, stepping forward to catch him on the cheek with a kiss.
“The sooner you tell her, the better it will be.”
Bucky watches Becca leave the room and leans against the counter, chewing on his lip.
‘Better’ is all he can hope for, and yet he still thinks that's far from what he’ll get.
The walk isn’t far, he knows the way by heart even after all these years, and in the cold Brooklyn air, he keeps his head down and his hand in his pocket as he moves. Street lamps light his way, and when he finally turns down a small alley, he takes a deep breath before he climbs up the rickety metal staircase and enters the building.
Inside is when he feels his chest start thumping, and with each flight climbed and each door number passed, he feels like it may just jump from his chest completely.
He knocks, and steps back, waits as he hears someone approach the door. He doesn’t hear the chain slide, instead it simply cracks open enough for a pair of eyes to peek around the edges. They’re the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen, just as much now as when he’d first seen you all those years ago.
From your chocolate coloured eyes framed with long, thick eyelashes, your dark curly hair that refused to be tamed, and your tawny olive complexion that just seemed to glow in any lighting… Bucky Barnes knows an angel when he sees one. You’d gotten older, obviously, as had he, but it suited you.
You don’t look surprised or shocked to see him at all, if anything you look annoyed, and honestly, he thanks his lucky stars it’s just annoyance.
“The fuck are you doing here?”
God, he’d missed you so much.
“Just got home. Came to see you.”
“Well, I don’t wanna see you.” You counter, and Bucky rolls his eyes, huffing, but suppressing the smile he knows will only set you off more.
“You don’t mean that, Vivi.”
“The fuck I don’t?”
“Lemme see Ale, then.” He tries, and you narrow your eyes. He knew you too well, knew your bluster was your armour. That didn’t mean you weren’t tough as nails though.
“He’s already in bed.” You lift your chin slightly, defensively
Bucky sighs this time and looks away.
“Come on, Viv, let me see the kid. It’s been five years.”
Your expression doesn’t change, but it doesn’t harden either, and when the door shuts in his face a second later, he waits patiently, listening as the chain-lock jingles against the wood.
The door opens again, revealing you in a gown, and despite his excitement at seeing you so undressed he ignores it, and moves inside. He really did miss you, if the thought of you covered wrist to ankle in a thick robe turned him on. 
“I’ll kill you if you wake him.” The threat is half-hearted, and Bucky waves a hand, stepping past you and further into the familiar apartment he’d once called home. He didn’t need you to direct him through it, and you don’t seem to want to either, instead perching yourself by the kitchen window, lighting up a cigarette.
Bucky pulls his hat off his head as he reaches the hallway, swallowing thickly before he pushes open the last door. A soft glow emanates from a lamp on a tall cupboard, giving him enough light to make out the bundled shape on the small bed in the corner. Bucky finds himself carried closer, and soon he’s staring down at the sleeping boy, his heart in his throat.
He’d grown so much… Last time Bucky had seen him, Alessandro had been one, still a baby really. Gone was the cot, in its place now, a small single bed. He sniffs, seeing he was right all those years ago when he’d said the boy would take after you, but he’s more than a little surprised to see how much of a resemblance he carries to himself.
Entirely ignoring your warning about waking him up, Bucky sits himself down on the edge of the bed, and lets his hand reach out to trace the edge of his son’s face, the soft skin warm from the many blankets you had him piled under. He recognises the duvet from your own old shared bed and sighs.
Ale’s curly hair is coarse, but soft at the same time, and Bucky smiles to himself as he smooths it down. He can’t believe he’d missed so much of his boy’s life. Not just during the war, but before it too.
He’d been an immature, stupid kid, never home, always out, always looking for some kind of trouble to get himself into.
And he’d found it too.
Bucky had met you as a teenager, both of you coming from immigrant families from Italy, and you’d fallen in love hard and fast. You’d always been tough, a little prickly, but he’d side-stepped your defences and you’d been wrapped around each other’s fingers. When he’d gotten you pregnant, he’d done the decent thing, and the thing he’d wanted to do anyway, and married you.
But that’s when things started going downhill.
Work was hard to come by, every able-bodied boy in Brooklyn was already hanging around by the docks hoping to get something, anything to help support their families. Bucky had managed a job here and there, but it was never permanent, never stable. He’d turned to less ordinary means of making money, pickpocketing, small-time theft, gambling.
You’d started to fight. You had expectations of him, to provide for his son at the very least, and yet he was too fat-headed, too stupid to listen to you. You’d always told him he was going to get in trouble, and when he did, it would leave you and Ale on your own. You’d been right, like you always were.
Bucky sighs, and moves to stand, but soft stirring makes him pause, and soon he’s looking into blinking hazel eyes, the boy rubbing them tiredly for a moment as he sits up.
“Daddy?” He asks quietly, and the excitement doesn’t seem to be there, making Bucky worry for a moment, until Ale seems to wake up more and he scoots closer.
“Daddy!?”
“Yeah, pal, it’s me, I’m home…” He relishes in the feel of his son scrambling into his lap, his little arms wrapped tightly around his neck, and Bucky feels his eyes sting, vision blurring just slightly.
“Daddy! I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too, Ale, more than anything.”
“Are you stayin’?!”
Bucky hesitates, but shakes his head, stroking the side of Ale’s face as he sits himself more comfortably on his lap.
“No baby, not here, but I’ll be at Grandma’s… but you can come see me whenever you want, okay?” Ale seems to dull a little, but his fingers catch around the dogtags under Bucky’s shirt and he pulls them free, playing with them for a moment, his big eyes travelling over the etched words.
“Okay!” He says then, and Bucky chuckles, ruffling his hair a little.
“Alright buddy, you gotta go back to bed okay? Or your Mama will kill me.” He pauses, thinking for moment before talking again.
“You in school now?”
“Uh-huh!”
“How ‘bout I pick you up tomorrow afternoon?”
“Okay!” He helps the boy climb back into bed, under all the covers and tucks him in, pressing a lingering kiss to his forehead.
“Goodnight, Al, I love you.”
“Love you too, daddy… See you tomorrow!”
When Bucky steps out from the bedroom, closing the door behind him, he doesn’t expect to find you in the hallway, leaning against the wall.
For a moment you only stare at one another, until Bucky sighs.
“I missed you as well, Vivi.”
You don’t reply at first, adjusting your arms to cross in front of you, but he does notice the quick once over you give him.
“You back for good or they sending you off again?”
“Unless I magically grow another arm, I’m home for good.” Bucky mimics you, leaning against the opposite wall.
You nod and shift, eyes lingering on his missing limb for just a moment.
“Are you staying with your mother?”
“Yep.”
“Good.”
He isn’t quite expecting that, or the harshness behind it and he blinks, swallowing.
“We’re fine. We’ve been fine for five years. You don’t get to come back and just appear in our lives all of a sudden. I won’t let you toy him around with the same broken promises and bullshit you did me, got it?”
Bucky feels a pang of hurt, but he knows you have every right to say this to him, knows that before he went to war he hadn’t been the best father or husband. He knows doesn’t deserve your forgiveness. He knows it’s very likely he’ll never get it.
“Alright.” He says, taking a deep breath and nodding. Your eyes narrow.
“‘Alright’? That’s it?”
Bucky nods again.
“Alright, no more bullshit.” He confirms, and means it.
“You’ll find a job— a real one?”
“I will.” He knows earning your trust will be hard. Not just because of who you are naturally, but because he’d already had it once, and shattered it into pieces. But it's something he has to do.
You may never love him again, but he’ll prove to you he’s changed, even if it's the last thing he does.
Bucky pushes away from the wall and places his hat back on his head.
“I told Ale I’d pick him up from school tomorrow.”
You scoff in disbelief but he ignores it.
“Which one is it, what time?” He asks instead. You seem to suck on your teeth for a few seconds before you give up the information.
“Queen Street. Three PM.” Bucky nods, and not wishing to out stay his welcome, he steps past you and makes his way back to the front door.
As he pulls it open, you move to hold it as he steps through, leaning against the wood for a moment as he turns back. He’d opened his mouth to bid you goodnight but he finds himself unable to speak at the momentary softness drawn across your features, your eyes turned-down.
“Thank you for coming to see him.” The depth in your voice makes his throat run dry for a few seconds.
“And… I am glad you came home. Safe.” You add a moment later, eyes darting around the hall.
“O-of course. ‘Course.” He isn’t sure what else there is to say, or what else he should say, so he steps back and tips his hat at you.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
You don’t reply, just watching him for a few seconds before you quietly close your door.
Bucky Barnes had come home from the war, but nothing in the past five years compares to the task ahead of him.
—-
“Buck! How ya been?!”
Bucky grins widely as he’s pulled into the arms of one Steve Rogers. Once upon a time, Bucky would’ve needed to bend down, but in the five years since he’d seen the blond last, the previously scrawny kid had somehow transformed into a tall, muscular man.
Not quite unrecognisable, Bucky had had to hide his slight shock upon entering Valentino’s and seeing his old friend. On the phone that morning Bucky had known the voice before Steve even had a chance to tell him. Steve had apparently heard through the grapevine that Bucky had returned, and invited him down to the local Italian bar. Bucky had needed to check twice that he’d heard the name of the place correctly when Steve told him.
Valentino’s was a mob place, everyone knew that.
“Come on, sit down…” Steve ushers Bucky into a booth, but turns toward the barman. He doesn’t speak, he simply raises his finger as if to get his attention before turning back around and taking a seat across from Bucky.
“S’good to see you, Buck.” Steve starts and Bucky smiles.
“Yeah, you too, pal. Been busy I see…” He trails off as the barman approaches, bottle of whiskey and two glasses in his hands. He sets them down between the two men and Bucky eyes the way Steve hardly acknowledges the other man, simply reaches forward and pours a healthy amount of amber liquid into each cup.
“Bit early for drinking, don’t ya think?” Bucky lifts a brow, even as he takes the glass Steve knocks toward him, clinking the rim against the blond’s before taking a sip. He scrunches up his nose.
“Like hell it is! My best pal returns from the war and that’s not celebration enough to drink?” Steve shakes his head, and then points at him.
“You’re lucky I didn’t come to your Mama’s door last night and drag you out.”
“I think you mean you’re lucky. She would’ve throttled you first.” Bucky scoffs, and the two men share a laugh.
But Bucky can’t stop his eyes from wandering around the bar, curiosity and skepticism filling him. Steve notices and follows his gaze for a moment.
“After you left, I got busy ingratiating myself.” Steve grins wickedly, his face still seemingly filled with boyish innocence as he does. Steve’s family had come from Ireland, but he’d grown up thoroughly in an Italian neighbourhood.
“I can see that.” Bucky says with a nod. Steve doesn’t make to say more on the matter, but he does place his drink back on the table and lean forward slightly, face turning more serious.
“Listen, now you’re back, I’m gonna set you up. I know you’re staying with your Ma, but I’m gonna sort you a place of your own.”
Bucky blinks and immediately begins shaking his head, frowning.
“Steve, you don’t—”
“—I do. You took the fall for me, you got arrested and sent off to europe… I owe you, pal, plain and simple.” Steve nods matter-of-factly and leans back again in his seat.
“Especially since you went and got your arm blown off.”
Bucky knows there’s no arguing with Steve, not when he’d made up his mind already. He can only roll his eyes and shake his head.
“We’ll even get you some work, I know there’s some spots coming up on a—”
“—Legitimate work only, Steve.” Bucky says sharply, sternly, and Steve eyes him for a moment.
“I can’t go getting arrested again. There’s no war to save me from prison this time. I got a family I need to provide for.” Bucky sighs. Steve throws back half his drink.
“I thought Vivi left you.” He asks bluntly and Bucky rolls his eyes once more.
“That doesn’t mean I just stop being Ale’s father. I gotta do what I can now that I can. That means staying out of trouble.”
Steve watches him for a moment longer, considering his words before he nods.
“Alright. Well, I can still help you out with that. You busy this afternoon? We’ll take your stuff to your new place, and I’ll bring you to meet one of my bosses.”
Bucky feels a slight thrill of excitement, not at the prospect of meeting one of Steve’s bosses but at having seemingly gotten himself some form of work already. But he frowns, processing all of Steve’s words fully.
“I— I can’t this afternoon, I’m picking Ale up from school at three…”
Steve waves his hand.
“Fine, after that. Just meet me back here when you’re finished.”
-
At three o’clock on the dot Bucky picks Ale up from his school and walks with him home. He’d seen your figure at the kitchen window as they’d approached the apartment building, your face showing a flash of relief when you’d registered their forms on the sidewalk.
“I’m about to meet with a, uh, friend, about a job and a place to live…” He tells you when you meet them at the front door, a smile and kiss for Ale, a guarded gaze for himself.
“A job?” You ask, taking a drag of your cigarette before blowing it off to the side.
“Where?”
Bucky isn’t even sure himself, and for a moment he considers making something up, but he knows lying to you is not the best way to start his return.
“Dunno just yet. I’ll find out when I meet with him.”
Your eyebrow lifts subtly, but you nod anyway, getting ready to move back inside when Bucky places a hand on the door, to stop it from closing fully. You turn to look back at him, somewhat annoyed.
“I’ll… I’ll let you know where I move… so that Ale can come see me whenever he likes…” Bucky informs you, and for a moment he sees the steel in your gaze soften, before you’re rolling your eyes.
“Mm-hmn.”
Bucky places his hat back on his head and takes off walking.
At least you hadn’t told him to go fuck himself.
—-
Steve makes good on his word, and gets Bucky a mostly legitimate job.
‘Legitimate’ because he was working as a driver and chauffeur, and ‘mostly’ because his boss was one Don Carlo Marinelli.
At first, Bucky had balked. He had thought perhaps he’d be given a job on the docks, or in a storehouse, not driving around one of the most dangerous and powerful men in Brooklyn… Still, it paid well, he wasn’t technically involved with anything unsavory, and it meant he got to drive one of the nicest vehicles he’d ever seen.
Over the next months, Bucky settles back into civilian life. He rented his own apartment, on weekends he wasn’t working he’d take Ale out, and even your coldness seemed to be slowly thawing. It was the first time in a long time Bucky hadn’t found himself drowning under expectation, trying to get atop of it only to pour more water in… it felt good. A small part of him missed the adrenaline and unpredictability of his time at war, but a bigger part of him knew those days were gone.
Or so he had thought.
Everything changes that night.
Bucky is sat back in the driver's seat of the car, a cup of coffee in his hand. He mindlessly whistles softly, his foot tapping out of time. Don Marinelli had entered the small church an hour or so ago, some meeting with some folk Bucky hadn’t dared to eavesdrop about on the drive over. The less he knew, the better.
The night was still and cold and aside from Bucky’s own clouded breath, there was not a single movement up or down the road.
That made it all the more unusual when there was movement.
Bucky frowns to himself when he sees the man walking toward him on the opposite side of the street, his head down, hat low, a dark coat wrapped around him and his hands stuffed in his pockets. There was just something not right about it, which is why as the man draws nearer, Bucky slumps down in his seat, sliding so his form wouldn’t be so easily spotted under the street lamps.
He needn’t have worried about being caught however, as the man simply turns, and walks right into the building Bucky had seen Marinelli enter an hour ago. He pulls a hand from his pocket as he moves, but before he disappears completely, Bucky sees a glint of light bounce off something in his hand.
Bucky certainly was no expert in mob dealings, but he knows that’s not a good sign.
With his heart pounding in his ears, Bucky scrambles, seatbelt flung off his waist, he leans over to the passengers side glovebox and all but yanks the compartment open. He knew there were guns in the car, he’d seen them before, though had never dared touch them. Now though, he grabs the hefty pistol and kicks the door open, not bothering to lock or secure the vehicle behind him as he races across the street.
His mind and body work completely on instinct as he edges inside the doorway, gun raised expectantly and eyes flicking about for signs of the man in the dark coat, but he’s only met with an empty church foyer.
Keeping his pace even and his steps quiet, Bucky moves toward where he can hear muffled voices, and finds himself in the center aisle of the main hall. At the far end, a group of men stand nearby the altar, smoking cigars, with glasses of something Bucky assumes is not holy communion in their hands.
For a moment, he falters, whips his head around searching for the other man, wondering if perhaps he’d been too worked up, too ready to jump into some action.
At the same time he notices Steve amongst the men, the blond calls out to him in confusion, but another sound catches in Bucky’s ears and it's as if time moves slowly for several seconds.
Steve’s calling of his name makes several of the men, including Don Marinelli turn toward Bucky, but a metallic clinking sound over his head makes him spin on his heels. Above Bucky, on the balcony of the upper pews, he spies the man he’d followed inside, knelt down and with a gun poised in his hands, ready to open fire.
Adrenaline and training dictate Bucky’s next moves, and with two shots, he doesn’t even hear, the man on the balcony stumbles back. Commotion erupts behind him, but it isn’t until the would-be-attacker tumbles over the edge, his body falling at Bucky’s feet with a sickening ‘thud’, that time returns to normal for him.
“What the fuck!?”
“Who the hell is this guy?!” Various shouts and words force Bucky back to reality, and he lowers the gun, tearing his eyes away from the bloodied body on the floor.
“Buck? What the hell—” Steve has jogged over to him, his eyes wide as he looks between Bucky and the man on the ground for a moment, before he places his hands on Bucky's shoulders, shaking him slightly.
“You okay, pal? What the hell was that?”
Bucky shakes his head, frowning as he tries to answer that question for himself.
“I— I was waitin’ for Don Marinelli, like I was supposed to, and I just saw this guy come out of nowhere up the street… it didn’t look right, he didn’t… look right…” Bucky trails off, his eyes fixating on his boss as the older Italian man nears.
“Boss, it's an Irish…” Another guy yells, and Bucky casts his eyes back to where a few of the younger men seem to be inspecting the body on the ground.
“You saw him coming in here with a gun and decided to follow?” Marinelli asks, seemingly baffled, but there's a hint of awe in his voice too. Bucky ducks his head a little, nodding.
“Yes, sir.”
Without warning, another hand comes down on Bucky’s shoulder, clasping firmly and pulling him forward slightly.
“You hear that boys? Where the fuck was your drivers, huh?!” Marinelli jokes, and a round of awkward chuckles echo through the church. When Bucky looks back up, Marinelli is tipping his chin up at Steve.
“You two know each other, Rogers?” He asks, and Steve nods.
“Grew up together, Buck just got back from the war.”
“So that’s where you learned to shoot like that, huh?”
Bucky nods awkwardly and swallows as the Don pats him on the back once more, before giving him a steady once over.
“Tell you what, figlio, you come see me tomorrow, we’ll see what we can do about some sort of promotion.” He gives Bucky another firm pat.
“Uh, yes sir. Thank you, sir…” He watches blinking as the Don moves back to the others, all of which look more than ready to wrap this meeting up, or atleast find a new location. 
Behind him, some of the lackeys appear to be talking quietly over the body.
Bucky looks at Steve.
“What… what just happened…?”
Steve sideeyes him, a shit eating grin pulling across his lips.
“You, pal, just saved the lives of the most powerful men in Brooklyn.”
Bucky swallows and sucks in a sharp breath.
He doesn’t seem to let it out until the next morning.
—-
You sigh exasperatedly as you peek out your kitchen window, and put your cigarette out on the sill.
“Ale, are you ready il mio amore?” You hear an excited shout back from the hallway and slip on your shoes and coat. Your son bounds from his bedroom and makes straight for the front door.
“Aye! Get your coat and hat or you’ll get cold!” You scold lightly, and watch as Ale quickly pulls his jacket from the hook by the door and tugs it over his arms, he takes his hat in his hands but as you near him, you bend down to place it neatly on his head, pushing back some of his curls.
“You look very handsome tesoro.”
“Thank you Mama!” He leans in and presses a kiss to your cheek, making you chortle in surprise. You take his hand and walk with him out of the apartment, and down to the sidewalk.
Waiting for you, as you’d seen from your window, is Bucky.
Dressed impeccably in a brown suit and hat, his hand in his pocket as he leans against the side of a black car, he waits patiently for the two of you. You eye the vehicle with some disdain, but focus on the man before you as Ale releases your hand to run and jump into his arm. Bucky catches him skillfully, his smile turning brighter as he holds your son near, pressing his lips to his cheek before he puts him back on the ground.
You can’t help but take in the quality of his clothes now that you’re closer, the shine of his shoes, new and unscuffed, his face recently shaved (though you see he was keeping a light stubble that suited him), and his hair cut. You see as much when he removes his hat to tip at you.
“Daddy, can I sit in the front seat?!”
“You can sit on the passenger's side, make sure you buckle yourself in!” Bucky turns from you to tell Ale, and you both watch for a moment as he hops inside the car, situating himself inside. When the door closes, Bucky turns back to you and you cross your arms over your chest.
“Must be some job.” You say, and Bucky shrugs noncommittally.
“Has its perks.”
“I bet.” You stare at each other for several seconds, you glaring, and Bucky with his relaxed and easy smile. It was infuriating.
“You know, something funny happened the other day when I went to see my landlord.” You begin and Bucky shifts his weight, frowning almost convincingly.
“Oh?”
“Hmn. I went to pay my rent and he told me ‘it’s already been taken care of’, which I think you may understand is very confusing for me…” You attempt to keep your voice even, after all, you were out on the street.
“It’s been taken care of for the next year, so if he tries to weasel anything more outta you, just let me—”
“—I don’t need you to pay my rent!” Your previous attempts at calm go right out the window, and you step forward, hissing at him with your finger pointed toward his chest. Bucky’s dumb act falls away and he purses his lips.
“I have managed just fine, I can pay my own bills.” The argument is futile. You’d already decided if he were going to be dumb enough to waste his money on your rent, you’d let him. Rubbing your temples, you take a few deep breaths.
“I don’t doubt you’ve managed just fine,” Bucky begins, and you straighten as he steps away from you and draws the car door open.
“But a man’s gotta provide.” And with that, he’s sliding into the driver's seat and closing the door behind him.
You watch, somewhere between infuriated and bewildered as the car rumbles to life. Absently you wave goodbye to Ale who peeks at you through the window, and when the vehicle has disappeared down the end of your street, you seeth. Your mind whirls and you draw blood from your lip with how hard you chew on it.
What the hell kind of game was he playing? Where had he suddenly gotten all this money from?
You turn on your heel and march the opposite way, your destination clear in your mind.
Even when the man at the bar puts his hands up and tells you they’re closed, you roll your eyes and keep moving through Valentino’s.
“Hey! Lady, I said you couldn’t be in here!” The barmen suddenly steps in your way, a tall, burly man with a moustache and a mean glare.
“Get the fuck out of my way, I’m looking for Steve Rogers.” You move to push past him, but he steps in your way again, hands lifting to grab you when a sound from behind stops the both of you.
“Vivi?”
“Steve.” You let out in some relief, and gesture to the man blocking your way. Steve stands behind the barman, clearly having just stepped out of the back office, and he eyes the two of you evenly.
“Go on, Frank, leave her alone… I don’t wanna be the one to patch you up if you don’t.” You smirk as the burly man reluctantly steps aside, and you straighten yourself as you begin moving toward the blond.
“To what do I owe the pleasure…?” He shoves both hands in his pockets and smiles down at you as you approach, but you can only let your face fall back into a glare as you remember why you came.
“I want to talk with you.”
Less than five minutes later, you’re sat across from Steve at his desk, two glasses of whiskey between you, and you throw yours back quickly. Steve follows the movement and with a slight smirk, he leans forward and refills your glass.
“What’s he up to?” You demand, and Steve’s eyebrows lift.
“What are yo—”
“—You know exactly what I’m talking about Rogers, don’t you dare bullshit me.” You warn, and the blond closes his mouth and sits back in his chair. For a moment he just looks you over, and you wonder what exactly he’s thinking.
“Where has the money come from? What the fuck kind of job has he taken on? Because I will not let him build up Ale’s hope that he’s gonna stick around, if in a year or so he’s got his ass thrown in prison!”
Steve lifts his hands in a calming motion then, and he sits forward again, relenting.
“Look, Viv, Buck has changed. Even I’ve noticed. Other people have noticed too…”
You frown at that and squint.
“This isn’t some petty thievery ring, alright?”
“What has he done?” You bite out each word and Steve lets out a sigh.
“Carlo Marinelli hired him. Bucky was his driver, nothing more. Then, six months ago, he busts into a meeting between some of the Dons, shoots dead an assassin and suddenly he’s Marinelli’s golden boy. Aside from me, that is…”
You feel your blood boil, a vein in your forehead ticking with each passing word.
“He’s… he’s involved with the Mafia?!”
Steve nods, and tips back his whiskey, quickly pours another, and tips that back too.
“Marinelli made him a caporegime. He’s uh… kind of important now…” Steve leans over and even though you hadn’t finished the last drink he poured for you, he fills up your glass more.
“That’s where the money has come from? The clothes, the car?” Steve nods. You’d known Steve through Bucky for years, the pair had been together when you’d first met Bucky, and after your estranged husband had gone off to fight, you’d heard rumours about Steve and the Mafia. You knew they had to be true, because why else would he be running a known mob joint? The guy who’d ran Valentino’s before Steve had disappeared years ago.
“Is he in trouble?” You ask suddenly, and Steve blinks, looks as though that wasn’t the question he’d been expecting.
“Trouble?”
“Is he going to get arrested? Or is he… will somebody take the fall…?” You don’t know how any of it works, not really. The truth was, you’d grown up around mafiosos and the like. Your father had moved your family from Sicily when you were eight, to help his boss get established in New York, but your mother had left him shortly after.
You knew enough, but the intricacies and relationships of the members still eluded you. Steve cracks a knowing smile then, and shakes his head.
“Not unless he’s really, really stupid. Marinelli likes him. Trust me, he’s basically untouchable.”
Steve insists on calling you a cab home, and you sit in the backseat staring out the window. The rain had just started when you’d left Valentino’s and you find yourself tracing each droplet’s path down your window until you’ve pulled up along your curb and you’re forced to get out.
Climbing the stairs slowly, your mind feels blank and distant and when you’ve finally shut your apartment door behind you, the clicking of the locks seem to snap you free of your daze.
Fine. If Bucky wanted to be a part of the mob, he could be.
You didn’t care.
—-
“You’re kidding?!” Sam pouts, looking up at Steve who stands in the doorway with a hand on his hip and another running through his hair.
“She’s barely able to get out of bed…” Steve confirms, and Bucky eyes him at the worry behind his voice.
“Steve, if you wanna bail, I’ll call—”
“—No. Sharon will be fine. Besides, she would kick my ass if I went to look after her instead of doing this.”
Bucky stares at him for a moment longer but nods.
“Alright, well, we need to figure something else out then. Sharon was an important part of this job… ideas?”
“We could put Steve in a dress.” Sam shrugs and Bucky snorts.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’ll work… any other ideas?” The three men fall silent for a moment, and they look around the room at each other. On the table between Sam and Bucky were pages of blueprints, time sheets and schedules, bullets, guns.
Tonight’s job was supposed to be a breeze, once Sharon got the manager into his office, they’d pounce and squeeze the safe combination out of him… the only hitch was that without her, they had little opportunity to get in the door.
“I do have an idea… but you probably won’t like it…” Steve says quietly a few minutes later. Bucky looks over at him, frowning.
He’s still frowning ten minutes later, with the phone to his ear and his two companions waiting eagerly. The ringing tone falters for a moment, and then your voice greets him.
“Hello, Vissenta Salvati.”
“Since when did you stop using my last name?!” Bucky demands, unable to stop himself, and he hears a pause on the other end before you scoff.
“When you pawned our wedding rings and never bought them back, stronzo. What the fuck do you want?”
Bucky flounders for a moment, and glares.
He’d forgotten about that particular mark on his pre-war personality. He’d needed the money for gambling, he’d been so sure he was gonna win big…
“I have a favour to ask…”
“The answer is no.”
“Hear me out! I… I’m running a job tonight, the safe in the manager's office at the Bluebell Club… but our gal’s sick. She was supposed to get the manager into the backroom for us…” You stay silent for a long time. Bucky knew you knew what he did now, Steve had confessed that he’d told you everything, but he’d never spoken to you directly about it, nor had you ever brought it up.
“No. I have a baby to look after and far better things to be doing.” You reply shortly. Bucky opens his mouth to plead back when Steve signals for him to hand the phone over.
“Vi? It’s Steve.”
“The answer is still no.”
“I know you’re working tonight, Winnie’s already watching Ale. Trust me, do this for us and I’ll make sure to cut you in decent.”
Bucky frowns in confusion at Steve and purses his lips. How did Steve know what your schedule was, when you were working? And why had he not known his Ma was watching Ale?
He listens as Steve seems to hum and answer a few yes or no questions, before he throws Sam and Bucky a thumbs up.
“Alright. Bucky’ll be by around seven to pick you up.” He hangs up and Bucky cocks his head.
“How do you know what she’s up to?” The flare of jealousy doesn’t go missed, but Steve only rolls his eyes and waves him off.
“I’ve been helping Marinelli run half the businesses this side of town for years, I know who works where and when, that’s my job.”
Bucky calms some.
That made sense…
“I’m going to drop off Sharon’s things with Vi. You make sure you’re on time.” Steve points at him and it’s Bucky who rolls his eyes. When Steve has left the room, he settles back over his planning, double checking everything one last time and trying to distract himself from the fact that you had accepted a cut in on a job.
—-
You check your reflection once more, a little unsure of yourself. It had been stressed to you by Steve when he’d dropped off a box for you, that it was important you wore this dress and these jewels. You’re almost certain you don’t want to know why, but you’re sure it has something to do with whatever man you were going to have to pretend to flirt with tonight.
The deep blue silk fits you like a glove and falls all the way to the floor. Your waist was cinched and your back mostly on display, the scoop neck of the top mirrored even lower at the back.
You don’t let yourself wonder if the diamond necklace and matching earrings were real, it made you worry too much, so you’d continued doing your hair and makeup without another passing thought.
You twist in the mirror of your vanity, and purse your lips at the amount of skin on display from the back. It wasn’t as if it weren’t fashionable, you just weren’t sure you could get away with wearing it…
Your thoughts are muted however, by a swift knocking at the door, and you quickly grab your purse from the bed before making toward it. When it’s opened you have to pause for a moment, your breath hitching in your throat involuntarily at the sight before you.
Bucky looks rather magnificent in his tuxedo, pressed to perfection and pitch black. The lapels of his coat looked like silk, matching the sheen of his bowtie. He’d been looking away from the door when you’d opened it, and so when he does turn, lips pulled in a smile, you have to snap yourself out of your reverie.
“Well, look at you…” He preens, and you try not to let yourself feel like a teenage girl again. You knew better.
“I did my best.” You brush him off, but he doesn’t give in, stepping in toward you slightly.
“I’d say your best is pretty damn good, sweetheart…” You swallow, and tear your eyes from his to where he’s lifted a hand for you.
Gingerly, you place your own atop his and let your door lock behind you as you’re led from the apartment building.
Bucky opens the door of the car for you, and helps you inside, and you have to force yourself to focus. This wasn’t anything but a job. That was all. Anything else was just for show.
On the drive over, a man you’re introduced to as Sam shows you pictures and goes over your brief role in the escapade. You would lure the manager, one Sheldon Mays, into bringing you into his office, at which point Bucky and Steve would take over, they’d get the safe code from Mays and you would meet them back at the car, with Sam playing driver. It was simple enough, straightforward enough, you didn’t see how anything could go wrong.
You were mistaken, clearly.
Everything had gone perfect to start with, you’d caught the attention of Mays, and had easily endeared yourself to him. After that, it had only taken a few suggestive touches and words and you were clinging to his arm, giggling girlishly as he led you up some stairs and into a large, lavish office.
“This is where the magic happens, darling…” He says, spreading his arms and you turn to look at him, coy smile on your face as you flutter your eyelashes.
“It is.” You confirm. It wasn’t that hard for you to fake this level of flirtatiousness. Once upon a time, this had been the exact woman you were… Alluring and quick-witted. Now you were just annoyed.
Your eyes skip towards the door briefly as you situate yourself on the edge of the desk in the room, and Mays begins sauntering toward you.
Where were the boys? You had thought they were supposed to be waiting for you, hidden…?
“You’re just the prettiest dame I’ve ever seen… wrapped up all in silk, hmm?” You focus back on Mays as he nears, his hands gravitating toward your hips and you have to calm yourself. You place your hands on his chest, running them up and down for a moment.
“The prettiest?” You contend, and he hums, leaning his face closer to yours. You barely suppress the urge to dart back.
Where the hell were they?!
“The prettiest. I swear… Now, why don’t you let me unwrap my present, hmn?” His hands climb higher, skimming over your back and to the thin straps on your shoulders, hooking his fingers around them. You feel your heartbeat stutter, and suddenly, you realise something about the job has gone very, very wrong.
But you were still in the office. The only thing between you and the safe under the desk was this man and his code. You could salvage this, right?
It was that, or actually have sex with this man.
Steeling yourself, you take one last look at the door over his shoulder before you let your hands curl up around his neck. His fingers have drawn the straps of your dress over the curve of your shoulders now, and without warning, you quickly bring your knee up between your bodies, yanking his head down into it with a ‘crunch’ sound.
Mays gasps and splutters, stumbling back from you as you quickly hop down off the desk.
“What the fuck?!” His voice is stifled by the hand he holds over his nose and mouth, a thick smattering of blood clearly dripping from his nose. You watch him for a moment, to see how delayed he is, and when he seems to stay put, groaning and whining, you quickly circle the desk, pulling open whatever draws you can see, until you find it.
You lift the gun easily, despite the foreign feeling of it in your hand, and step back around.
“The combination to your safe?!” You demand, and finally, Mays straightens some, confusion still clouding his bloodied features as he blinks at you.
“What the fuck?!” He repeats again, looking around as if there were others in the room, but as you were already painfully aware of, there wasn’t.
“The combination to your fucking safe, or I’ll shoot you in the cock!” You growl, moving near again, and Mays flinches.
“Lady, if it’s money you want, I’ll give you money, but that safe only has—” You flick the safety off and aim at his crotch. He yelps a little and attempts to shield it.
“Okay! Fine! Fine! It’s eight-four-one-nine!”
Adrenaline fuels you and you get an idea.
“You do it.”
“What?”
“Open the fucking safe idiota!”You wave the gun at him and he relents, keeping his hands out where you can see them as you follow him behind the desk, watch as he rolls up an area of carpet.
“Hurry up.” You snap, nervous energy filling you now. What would happen if you were caught? What were you going to do with Mays? You couldn’t just let him go…
You jump a mile, almost yelping when the office door barges open, and you raise the gun to whoever it is, your eyes wide and panicked. You’re met with the sight of Steve and Bucky, both a little worse for wear, and you wonder if the bruises and cut lips are why they’re late. You’re willing to bet it is.
“What the— Vivi…?” Bucky lowers his weapon when he spies you behind the desk, Mays on his knees before you. Despite your anxiety and your worry, you give him an annoyed look and shrug.
“You took too long… Did you really think I was gonna fuck this sap?” You tap Mays with the barrell of the gun, and he jumps, but continues hurriedly inputting the safe code.
Steve and Bucky quickly step inside, shutting the door behind them and moving over to you.
“There was an incident in the—”
“—Later, Buck.” Steve cuts him off, and grabs Mays by the collar as the door to the safe finally pops open. You watch him shove the man roughly toward a lounge in the corner, but let your eyes turn back to the contents of the safe, narrowing them when you see.
“What the fuck is this?” You demand, not a single dollar note in sight, but Bucky doesn’t seem fazed, he simply leans in and grabs the stack of papers, flicking through them.
“They’re bills of sale, for horses, houses, establishments.”
You splutter.
“Horses?! Horses?!”
Bucky looks up at you then, understanding on his face as he grabs another stack, handing them to you.
“We get these to our guys, this turns into gold. Trust me.”
You frown, but say no more as you watch Bucky grab the last pile of pages.
“Steve?” He says, and the blond gives him a curt nod.
“I’ll follow you out.”
Slight confusion colours you, but Bucky has gently taken you by the arm, and led you from the office before you can ask. He doesn’t take you down the way you’d come in, instead you end up exiting into an alleyway, making quickly for the car.
Steve joins you shortly after, climbing into the backseat, squishing you into the middle, between Bucky and him. You watch as Steve casually hands his gun to Bucky, who in turn, tosses it out the window once you’ve made it several blocks away.
Nobody really says much until you’re back at what you assumed to be Bucky’s new apartment, and you stand by the kitchen window, cigarette burning away in your fingers as you peek into the next room. There had been a group of men waiting when you’d returned, older looking men, and Sam had ushered you off to the kitchen to wait.
But through the open doorway, you can see the men counting through the slips of paper, clips of money being placed and moved over different piles, and you wonder what it all means.
You see Bucky pointing at people and papers, his voice low and commanding and despite yourself, it sends a shiver down your spine. You’d never really seen him so assertive or serious, and even if he was involved with organised crime, the clear ambition and talent he has for it makes your belly flop.
You see him lean forward to point at something on the table, explaining something you can’t hear, but in that moment he happens to look up and catch your eye.
Swallowing harshly, you move from your place to the other end of the kitchen, and wait, skin feeling too warm.
Bucky drives you back, the whole car ride tense and hot. When he turns onto your street, you direct him to a side alley by your building, where no one would see you arriving home so late with a man. He doesn't argue that he’s still technically your husband, and you’re glad for it.
“You were incredible, Vi, you saved this job…” Bucky begins once the car is off, darkness engulfing the interior of the vehicle. You look over at him.
“Somebody had to.” You snark, but it's half hearted. You know it. He knows it.
“Never thought I’d see you holding a gun.” He continues, and you have to laugh.
“If you’re lucky, it’ll be the last time.”
Bucky stares at you in the dark of the car, his eyes big and soft and you feel your chest thump. He leans over to brush a stray strand of hair behind your ear, and you let him, eyes lingering for a moment on his hand.
How you end up on the backseat, you have no idea.
Your dress has been pulled up around your waist, probably like Mays had wanted to do to you earlier, your thighs spread wide over Bucky’s lap. You have your hands set on the seat behind his shoulders, helping you move, his hand grasping roughly at your hip as you bounce desperately on his cock.
“Holy fuck, jesus christ, you feel so good darlin’.” Bucky mutters, strained, lips pressed to your breast, but he adjusts himself and takes your nipple into his mouth, once more making you moan, one of your hands flying to clutch at the back of his head.
You hadn’t had sex in so long, and despite all his shortcomings, Bucky always knew exactly how to love you, always knew your body better than anyone else ever could. You cuss sharply when he slides down in his seat more, feet now flat to the ground, and rolls his hips up to meet yours. Your hand in his hair tightens, pulling on the short strands and you feel his chuckle dance across your skin.
“Like that, baby? Right there?” He punctuates himself with a deep thrust that sends you scrambling for a hold, and you end up with a hand pressed to the ceiling, the other held to the car seat behind you, for better leverage to ride him.
“Uh-huh! Per favore non fermarti, continua, non smettere di scoparmi! (Please don't stop, keep going, don't stop fucking me)” You ramble, eyes squeezing shut, tongue reverting back to what you know best. You feel your orgasm coming, right under the surface of your skin you can feel the prickling sensation.
Bucky makes a sound halfway between a groan and a growl, and without warning, your chin is grabbed roughly, yanked down to his face and he kisses you open mouthed, wet and warm, his tongue sliding all over yours, making your stomach turn to mush.
“Fuck, I love hearing you speak like that,” He tells you, cussing under his breath.
“Dimmi quanto lo vuoi tesoro, hmn? Tell me how good it feels honey…”
You gasp sharply at the sound of Bucky’s voice rolling over your shared language, the words sending you tumbling over the edge into bliss.
You shake in his hold, clutching onto his shoulders as you ride it out. Bucky groans beneath you, panting and huffing to himself as he thrusts deep once, twice, three times more before you feel the warmth bloom inside you.
Maybe you should have been angry or annoyed he’d not pulled out, but absently you roll your hips against his, and you’re quickly too distracted by the pleasant sensation of dripping with his cum to care.
When you’ve tidied yourself up, Bucky wraps his jacket around your shoulders and draws you near with his fingers under your chin once more. He presses his lips to yours firmly, and you can’t stop yourself from giving in.
Right when you think he may push you back and fuck you again, he pulls away and presses a kiss to your forehead.
“I love you, Vivi.” A lump rises in your throat, wanting to force its way out of you, but you swallow it back.
You watch from your kitchen window as his car pulls out of the alley, and disappears down the street.
—-
The Bluebell Club job is the first, but not the last time you get involved with Bucky’s business. As he works his way up within The Family, he brings you with him.
You put your foot down about the dangerous things, but every so often Steve or Sam call you up, needing information on a location. It usually just required you making an outing to whatever store or business they were planning on hustling, taking note of if they had any security, or what the layout was, where certain offices might be. It was good money, better than the waitressing or maid work you’d been doing for five years. 
As for Bucky…
You don’t welcome him back, not entirely. He still comes every weekend to see your boy, occasionally invites you along too. Despite the fact he seems to be physically around less, busy with work, he was reliable in ways you’d never known him to be. If you called, he was there, and if he was busy, he’d send somebody around.
The first time a scrappy young kid showed up at your door, an apology ready on his lips about how ‘Mr Barnes was in a meeting taking longer than usual but he sent me to throw the ball with Ale’, you’d not be pleased. But Peter, as you’d found out his name was, was a good kid. Bucky had shown up halfway through the evening anyway, still in his fancy suit, but you’d watched from the window as he’d played ball anyway.
Today though, the visit is entirely unplanned and you purse your lips at the man who leans against his car, smiling pleasantly at you as you cautiously approach. You’d been readying yourself and Ale for a grocery trip, seeing Bucky outside your apartment was not expected in the slightest. Ale tugs on your hand when he notices his father, and you only resist for a minute before you let him fly toward him, arms out.
“Daddy!” He exclaims. You watch Bucky catch him one armed, a greeting you don’t exactly hear passing between the two before your estranged husband’s eyes are back on you.
“What are you doing here?” You barely refrain from crossing your arms over your chest, and Bucky adjusts Ale on his hip, cocks his head at you charmingly.
“I wanted your opinion on something.” He says, and you wave a hand.
“What?”
“You have to come with me to see it.” He’s being cryptic, and it strikes a cord of annoyance in you. You scoff.
“As if I have fuck all to do today that I can just drop everything to come with you somewhere?!” You usually tried to behave more civil when Ale was around, you didn’t want your attitude with Bucky to sour his opinion of his father.
Bucky rolls his eyes at your bluster, and steps around to open the back door of the car for Ale, letting him climb in.
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important…” You purse your lips again and shake your head at the fact you move forwards anyway, ignoring the helping hand Bucky offers as you too slide into the backseat. You’re forced to keep moving along the plush leather seating however, as you realise a second later that Bucky also follows you inside, and it's then you realise his car was being driven by someone else.
You help Ale with his belt, before doing your own, and stay quiet on the short drive, listening absently as Ale and Bucky discuss sports and his schooling. When the car slows to a stop eventually, you can’t help but peer up in concealed awe at the magnificent townhouses and homes that surround you.
You certainly weren’t in your neighbourhood of Brooklyn anymore, the streets here clean and tidy, with trees lining the road. You keep your awe to yourself even as Bucky helps you out of the car, and you pull your son closer, holding tight to him in the unfamiliar environment.
Bucky leads you up to the open front door of an ornate brownstone house, it's windows shiny and clean, the stoop free of debris of any kind. It looked like the set of a film, you think.
When you’re standing in the foyer, Ale’s big eyes looking around curiously, Bucky makes a wide gesture and grins at you.
“What do you think?”
“What do I think?” You repeat, completely unsure of what you think. Bucky nods.
“You want my opinion on a house you want to buy?” You lift a brow.
Bucky nods again, and extends his hand to lead you into the living space, already furnished rather simply and you take initiative in moving from room to room, inspecting the home.
Secretly, you are rather impressed. The size of the dining room must fit your entire apartment inside, and when you chase Ale up to the second floor you discover more rooms and bedrooms and offices than you can think of things to fill them with. The third floor holds it's own master bedroom and bathroom, and for a very small second, you get rather jealous at Bucky’s good fortune to be able to afford a whole house such as this.
“What do you think?” He asks again, a little quieter, and you watch Ale run from the main room one more, lost in his own game as he dives under the table. You swallow and eye him evenly.
“It’s alright. A little too big, though I suppose if you’re going to have all your goons stay with you that’s alright.” You tip your nose up just a little, and Bucky chuckles, rubbing his neck.
“Well, I’m glad you like it. I already bought it.” The words hang in the air for a moment, before you catch on them properly and you lower your chin, narrowing your eyes at him.
“Then what the hell am I even here for?!” Annoyance bubbles in you once more and doubles when you see Bucky clearly unphased by it.
“I bought it for you.” He says simply and your face falls blank.
You blink at him, opening your mouth and closing it again.
“Fuck off.” You scoff at last, turning away from him and folding your arms over your chest, but quickly unfold them when he doesn’t laugh or give up on the joke.
“Like hell you bought me a house!”
Bucky stays silent still and you feel your body begin to thrum with nervous energy.
He wouldn’t do that, would he? Why would he buy you a house?
When you look back at him he’s standing quietly in the center of the room, watching you patiently.
“You didn't!” You insist, taking a step toward him, and he only nods his head once.
“I did.”
“Why?!”
He laughs then, a soft pleasant sound that makes your tummy flop around like a fish in a bucket.
“Because I love you? Because I want you and Ale to live somewhere nicer than a piss stained apartment? Because I can? Do I need to list more reasons?”
You shut your mouth, and attempt to ignore his casual proclamation of love, looking around once more, seeing the place in a whole new light.
It was lovely, truly, and seeing as it hadn’t cost you a penny, you could hardly complain. Your mind starts to rush with all the ways you could make this a home; a new rug, a different colour scheme of course… perhaps you’d invite Winnie and Becca to live here, to fill out some of the space, if Bucky hadn’t already bought them a bloody house too.
But you harden a little, narrowing your eyes once more as you focus in on your estranged husband.
“Where will you live, because you can’t just buy me a house and expect to—”
“— I have a house.” He cuts you off and you stop, staring.
“So this is… what? All for me?” You half-scoff again, expecting him to spring the joke on you once more, but he doesn’t. He only nods.
“Do you like it? I-if not, we can find something else. I—”
Your heart quickens at his anxiety and you realise you really haven’t been very grateful. Swallowing your pride, you cross the room and stiffly place a kiss to his cheek.
“I do like it. Very much. Thank you.” You step away again as Ale enters the room, and before you scoop him up, you spy Bucky standing still on the spot, looking rather bashful.
“Guess what, bambino? Qui è dove vivremo!”
“Qui!? It’s so nice Mama!”
“It is. Now go thank daddy.”
—-
The move in is rather easy, seeing as most of your furniture was crappy enough to be replaced anyway, and with Bucky’s small army of suited-mobsters, the task is over and dealt with quickly.
To your chagrin, Bucky insists on at least one (but usually two or three) of his men staying at the house at all times, and the argument you have about it, it's the only time you haven’t seen him back down.
Usually Bucky gave in to you, whether that be because he was going to anyway, or because of your anger, but this time, he puts his foot down. He doesn’t quite yell, but he raises his voice enough over yours to make you fall silent, and while you know you should have been pissed off, all you can think about is how wet it makes you.
You let him fuck you on the desk in the office you’d set up, and you find you don’t mind submitting to him when he’s so assertive like this.
You sleep together more often, usually at his own home, occasionally at yours, but he never stays the night, nor would you be comfortable for him to. He’d made a lot of amends but there’s still something in your chest that aches whenever you look at him, a hurt not yet undone.
The trust he shows in you however, makes your chest ache in different ways. The higher he and Steve move in the mob, he brings you with him, asking you to scout places, bringing you onboard for planning. He listens to you, trusts you. That's more than he ever had before the war.
You bring your mind back to the present when a glass clinks in front of you, and you give Steve a thankful nod, before turning back into the situation at hand.
“We go in by the end of the week, the six of us, hit the safe and the lockbox and—”
“—The end of this week? That’s suicide, They have extra family in town, the place is packed out full of guards!” You cut off the mobster sitting across from you at Bucky’s kitchen table, a tall but stock man named Rollins, his hair slicked back in an almost greasy manner.
For the most part, Bucky’s men were alright, but some of them you had to wonder about…
You were currently gathered to go over the information for a hit on Irish turf. You’d finished giving your assessment of the building some time ago, and it was time for the others to propose their takes. Rollins looks at you, annoyance barely contained on his face, he doesn’t reply to you directly however, turning back toward Bucky who sits at the head of the table.
“If we miss this week, the lockbox changes hands and it’s a whole new mess of scouting out.”
“And if we go this week half of us are going to die!” You repeat once again. Bucky’s eyes swivel to you, and you can see he’s a little bored, mostly tired. Rollins scoffs this time and does address you, waving a hand toward you.
“‘Us’? Lady, you just write down security placements, you ain’t involved in this.”
Your anger flares up and you open your mouth.
“She contributes more than you do, shit-for-brains.” Sam speaks before you get a word out, and you shoot him a grateful look. Rollins waves him off like he did you and looks back to Bucky.
“Boss, you ain’t actually gonna listen to a fuckin’ housewife over me are you?”
You freeze for a moment, realising aside from Steve and Sam, all these guys thought very little little of you, and Bucky could well risk his reputation in backing you up. If he didn’t however, the embarrassment and humiliation would burn.
You aren’t sure you’d ever want to see him again.
Bucky shifts in his seat, and looks between you and Rollins for a moment, before he sighs.
“Vivi, are you sure?”
You feel yourself perk up, your whole body lighting with anticipation and glee and you nod.
“I am. Better to wait it out and have things go smoothly.” There’s another pause, Bucky strokes his chin thoughtfully before he nods.
“We’ll wait.” He says, only a tiny wave of stifled grumbles echoing around the table as the plans and maps are folded and packed up once again. Bucky leans forward though, slapping his hand down over a page Rollins is attempting to take, forcing the other man to look up at him.
“And that’s my fuckin’ housewife, so watch your fuckin’ mouth, huh?” He smacks the other man upside the head and you lean back in your chair, taking the glass of whiskey Steve had pushed toward you earlier, watching as the room slowly clears of people.
Bucky stays in his seat, looking over a few pages in front of him. He all but ignores you, which is fine, as you down the whiskey in one, and listen out for the door to shut with some finality.
You know much like your own home, there were people guarding Bucky’s at all times, so gently pushing back your chair, your move to the kitchen door, shutting it with a click. Bucky looks up then, as if he really hadn’t realised you were still in the room, and you feel the warmth from the whiskey and his words fill your bones as you slink toward him.
“Want me to call Peter to drive you back?” He asks, looking back to his pages. You shake your head, even though he isn’t looking at you, and when you near him, you sink down to your knees. He looks up again, surprise clear on his face as he blinks down at you, your hands travelling over the tops of his thighs and he clears his throat.
“Vivi, I—”
“Pull your chair out.” Whatever he was going to say is forgotten, and he scoots his chair out fully from the table, giving you proper access as you settle between his thighs. Arousal is clear on his face, in the way he watches you keenly, and in his pants, in the way they bulge slightly in the front. He places down the pages in his hands on the table, shifting to lean back ever so slightly in his seat.
“Viv…?” He starts to ask again, but it ends in a sharp, strangled breath as you lean over him, pressing your mouth to the hardness bulging in the front of his trousers. Saliva wets a patch into the material, and he twitches beneath your lips.
“J-jesus, fuck,” Bucky scrambles for his belt, and you help him, smiling to yourself, keeping his eye contact even as he blinks and looks away, a blush high on his cheeks.
You pull his pants down just enough, and quickly sink your mouth over his cock. Bucky releases a deep groan, and you watch as his head tips back, his mouth hanging open. You keep watching him as you begin to bob quickly, letting your hand wrap around the base of him. You care little for aesthetics or how loud either of you are, you let the spittle and pre-cum mix together in sloppy wet sounds as you hungrily all but devour him.
“Shit sweetheart, shit,” He finally gets a hold of himself enough to watch you, groaning as he focuses on the sight of your lips wrapped around his cock, moving quickly, your eyes keeping sight of him, and it's obvious to him you’re working to please. Your hands press against his thighs, spread wide and open and Bucky doesn’t think he knows a better sight than you in front of him, his cock stretching your lips wide, your eyes stuck on him as you swallow him deep.
His hand falls into your hair, caressing and gentle at first, but he pushes it back, holds it away from your face and gets a grip closer to your scalp. He guides your face, grunting softly as you let him move you how he wants, and he meets your lips with little thrusts.
“La tua bocca è così bella, tesoro, così fottutamente buona…” He feels you moan around him and he hisses, releasing your face.
“Keep going baby, s’all yours, keep going.” He leans over your slightly, enough to get his hand to the front of your dress, careful to pull each button apart and not break any, thankful when you helpfully pull your arms from the fabric, and undo your own bra.
His hand finds a breast easily, squeezing the flesh as he relaxes again, letting you work him over how you please as he fondles your chest. God, he loved your tits, wishes he had two arms still for the sole purpose of squeezing both at once. He lets his thumb and forefinger find your nipple, pinches harshly, enough to make you jolt, enough to make you elicit another moan around his cock, and Bucky gasps, loves that sensation.
Your eyes find each other again and Bucky licks his lips slightly, lets his head fall back comfortably as you start sucking harder on him. He’s close, knows you can tell. He keeps your nipple in his fingers, plays with the pebbled flesh, pinches and pulls at it, softly, punishingly, he knows you like it all…
His orgasm rises quickly, and falls over him suddenly, and he gives your chest a last final tug as he rides his pleasure out, spills against your tongue. He feels you swallow around him repeatedly, dragging out the sensitivity until he’s shaking.
His hands clutch at the chair arms, and as you pull away, you swipe around your mouth with your thumb, cleaning any obvious signs of what you’d just done. Bucky blinks lazily down at you, his chest still heaving with effort, though he still wears an expression of stunned surprise. You lean over him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear.
“Lavaggio. Ale ti aspetta a cena.” You tell him, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.
You leave him there, in his kitchen, pants around his ankles, cock softening in his lap, his eyes following you out.
—-
You look over the top of your sunglasses, up at the buttercream coloured walls and terracotta tiled roof of the villa before you and try to hold back your awe. Nestled in the Sicilian countryside, against the rolling hills of the vineyards surrounding you, you don’t think you’d ever seen anything quite as beautiful, not since you were a child.
The car boot slamming shut reminds you of your company, and you turn just as Bucky sets Ale on the pebbled driveway, and he skitters his way across the stones to grab your hand, hanging off of you, but you don’t mind.
“Mama, Daddy said you grew up here!” He gushes excitedly, his gaze switching between you and the large villa in front of you. Sparing a glance back to Bucky who has now moved to help one of the guards with the bags, you hitch your purse a little higher on your shoulder before leaning down to pick your boy up, shifting him to one hip as you take the first few tentative steps toward the open front door.
“Not here exactly, mi amore. But near here.” You step through into the main foyer of the home and are immediately greeted with the gathered housekeepers who greet you kindly. You’d been informed that only the maid and the chef were permanent residents. You introduce yourself and your son to them in turn, encouraging Ale to speak his best Italian, though his shyness gets the better of him, even though you can see he is intrigued by the new people.
The maid directs you upstairs to the bedrooms, upon asking if Ale would like to see the toybox, and you follow gratefully, peeking behind you when Bucky begins following with your son's bags.
“Can we go to your house?!” Ale asks a small amount of time later, when you’re sitting on the bed watching him play with some wooden toys, and the maid places his clothes from his bags into the cupboards.
“My house?” You question, before remembering his query from when you’d arrived, and you clear your throat, Bucky appearing at the doorway. He leans against it casually with his one arm, the prosthetic he’d been gifted by Don Marinelli looking like he simply had his hand tucked into his pocket. You shift your eyes back to your boy as he crawls closer to you, rolling the wooden car over the tops of your knees on it’s journey.
“My home isn’t there anymore, Ale. It was destroyed.” You say, trying to remain objective about it. It wasn’t as though you spent very long in Italy. Brooklyn was more home for you than Sicily, and yet you still feel some sadness creep into your voice at the thought of your childhood town, bombed out and raided by soldiers of both sides. The damage had been so bad they’d decided to rebuild the town a few miles over instead, the local Don helping to fund most of that, of course.
Don Regio was the brother-in-law to Marinelli, and ran operations out here in Sicily. When Marinelli had decided to vacation to his homeland for the Christmas period, he’d invited Bucky along with him, and in turn, Bucky had insisted you all go. You think perhaps he’d wanted to let you come home, and introduce your son to his roots, but aside from that, you don’t know why he’d insisted so hard you come along.
Still, it was more or less a free trip, and you hadn’t had a holiday in your life, so you’d given in with little thought.
“Ale, why don’t you play with Miss Gianna for a while and let Mama unpack her things?” Bucky speaks up then, nodding toward the maid, who happily kneels down to pluck one of the other toys from the pile on the floor, and soon you’re quickly forgotten. You watch for a moment longer before leaving the room.
It takes you a moment to orient yourself on the top floor of the manor. While the halls were open and let you see down to the lower level, you inspect the various rooms before finding one with your bag. Bucky pauses from where he had been trailing quietly behind you, sensing your discomfort, and immediately steps forward, eyes scanning. Your chest flutters slightly at how attuned he was to you, and how he’d moved to take care of the issue right away, only he too freezes when he sees it.
Your eyes swing to him and from side on you can see the bob in his Adam's apple when he swallows, quickly turning to face you.
“I didn’t— I didn’t put our bags together… one of Regio’s men must have…” He trails off, gesturing back to the stairs, where no doubt your own guard and Don Regio’s loned man must have been taking a check of the house.
You look away from him and back to the bags on the bed, yours on one side, and Bucky’s on the other. Even if you worked together and still remained in close contact, all your guys in New York knew the vague animosity between you and Bucky. They wouldn’t have ever assumed you’d share a room.
Lifting your chin slightly, you shrug as casually as you can muster and move forward.
“It’s a mistake. That’s all.” You take your bags, trying not to let the weight visibly trouble you, and quickly abscond from the room as quick as you can. Bucky is moving behind you, quickly following you as you return to one of the guest rooms you’d spied earlier, a little too late to help you with your bags, even though he holds out his hand as if to do so. You deposit them on your new bed.
“You can have the master room, if you’d like, I will—”
“It’s fine, Bucky. This way I am closer to Ale if he needs anything.” You stare at each other for a moment, and even though a warm breeze blows through the open windows and arches of the villa, you feel a slight shiver down your spine.
In his smart summer suit, skin lightly tanned and his beard a little thicker than usual thanks to the days of travel you’d endured, Bucky looks fine, broad and tall and handsome and you have to push the idea of sharing a bed with him aside. You hadn’t done that since before the war.
His eyes seem to flick over your sundress-clad figure the same way you’d been inspecting him, and after another beatm he simply lowers his head in confirmation, though his eyes don’t leave your face.
“If you prefer.” He says, shuffling and turning to step back out of the room, once again certain if the borders he was and was not allowed to cross. He turns though, and glances back inside at you, and then with an unreadable expression, cocks his head. But he doesn’t say anything, simply gives you a nod before he walks away. You purse your lips, but quickly go about unpacking your things, pushing all thoughts of him aside.
The next few days are filled with many visits to Don Regio and Marinelli’s house, for dinner and lunches and whatever else. There was little talk or discussion of business, which you were glad for, and you were even introduced to the various women of the family and their own children. It was so oddly normal that you begin to forget about the new work you’d endeared yourself to, and begin feeling like you really were just a normal family on holiday together.
Your good mood extends to Bucky too, even though you were far calmer around him now anyways, you don’t bristle or make corrections when one of the women refers to him as your husband in passing.
Christmas itself is an odd affair, with all three families gathering at Don Regio’s for lunch and dinner, presents and gifts and alcohol are passed around freely. Bucky had spoiled Ale all morning with his gifts. A new baseball glove and bat, a fishing rod so the two could fish together, various toys and baubles. You’d already agreed that you wouldn’t buy gifts for one another, but seeing your child so happy and blessed was a gift enough.
It isn’t until well into the night that you finally return home. Bucky carries Ale’s sleeping form back into the villa, and you take the moment to kick your shoes off in your bedroom, before going to tuck him in too.
Your footsteps are quiet on the stone floors, and as you near Ale’s open door you hear soft talking. Creeping closer, you pause by the doorway, just out of sight, but peek your head in enough to see Bucky sitting on the edge of the bed, Ale all snuggled up but his hands holding onto his father’s.
“Did you want to go away?” Ale asks, and you realise you’ve walked in on a conversation in progress. Bucky shakes his head.
“No, sweetheart. But I had to. I got into trouble and to make it right, I had to go be a soldier for a while.”
“That’s why Mama is always mad at you? Cause you had to go be a soldier?”
Your heart skips a beat at the question and you duck back out of sight, listening carefully to Bucky’s reply.
“No, tesoro. Your Mama is mad at me because I wasn’t very nice for a long time.”
“But I think you’re nice, Daddy!” Ale protests, and you hear Bucky chuckle.
“Maybe now. But before you were born, I was mean. I didn’t take care of her very well. Your Mama was always trying to help me stay out of trouble and I didn’t listen to her.”
You swallow and hear some shuffling of sheets before he continues.
“And when you were born, I should have been around more, but I wasn’t. And then I was gone for a very long time.” The pure sorrow you hear in Bucky’s voice makes your chest and head hurt, and you almost walk away, but your body seems frozen in place.
“I haven’t been a very good father to you, Ale, but I want you to know that there wasn’t a day when I was away that I didn’t think about you or your mama. I love you so much, sei tutto il mio mondo.”
“Ti voglio bene anche io, papà. Non voglio che te ne vada di nuovo…!” Ale’s reply makes Bucky chuckle, but you can see the sad smile on his face in your mind’s eye. You hear the sound of a kiss.
“I won’t. But I have to ask buddy, will you forgive me? For everything?”
“Of course, daddy!”
You have to quietly suck back a breath, and you start away from the door, needing to compose yourself before you see Ale or Bucky.
By the time you make it back to your son’s room, Bucky is gone, and Ale has drifted off, so you simply kiss his head, and adjust his blankets.
You’ve just finished changing into your nightgown when a soft knocking at your door disturbs you, and you look toward the open doorway, half expecting your boy, but instead you find Bucky.
He wears only his trousers and dress shirt, suspenders hanging around his waist and a few of the buttons undone, as if he’d come to see you halfway through getting undressed.
“Yes?”
“I…. I know we said we weren’t going to buy each other gifts…” He begins, and you straighten, feeling your brow fall into a light frown. You’d feel bad if he’d gone and got you something anyway, when you really hadn’t bought him a thing. Bucky holds out his hand toward you, and in it, a small box. It isn’t wrapped, but you don’t blame him seeing as you know he struggled with tasks like that.
Eyeing him cautiously, you step toward him, plucking the box from his fingers gingerly.
“I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s alright. Go on, open it.” He nods to the box and you feel a strange rush of excitement. It was clearly a jewellery box, and as you pull the lid up, your heart stops beating entirely in your chest.
You stare down at the two golden rings, unable to process or think for several moments as you stare at them.
“I… They’re not the rings… I couldn’t find them but… I should never have pawned them in the first place… and I just wanted you to have them back in some way.” Bucky speaks softly, and you finally tear your eyes away from the bands to stare at him instead, your mouth still unable to form coherent words.
“I—” You swallow thickly, blinking back tears that you refuse to let him see.
“Thank you.” You manage, clearing your throat, and shutting the lid of the box again. Bucky watches you carefully, and then with a few short steps, leans close to press a gentle kiss to your cheek.
“I’m sorry, Vivi.” He says, but all you can bring yourself to do is nod.
He doesn’t linger, bidding you goodnight quickly, and you’re left alone, standing with the ring box clutched tightly in your hands.
You decide then, that you never want to hear him apologise again.
—-
You return to New York in the new year, and things once again settle back into their normal place. You take on a new project for Marinelli, helping set up a new casino to funnel money through and by the time opening night rolls around, you’re rather excited about the whole thing.
Downstairs, patrons are only just beginning to enter, but up in the office, you watch Don Marinelli pop open a bottle of champagne, pouring four glasses. He offers the first to you, and you take it gratefully, watching Steve and Bucky take their own as you all toast.
“Well, I’d say you’ve done a fine job, Miss Salvati. The floor looks classy, and the furnishings are only that what a woman could pick. Well done.” You duck your head gracefully and sip your drink.
“Thank you, Don. It has been a pleasure.” And it had. Dealing in work that was mostly legitimate had been nice for once.
“I hope so. Otherwise you’ll hate me.”
You frown at that and shoot Bucky a questioning glance.
“I’m putting you in charge.” Marinelli says, and you freeze.
You? In charge of the casino?! You’d been under the impression you were simply organising it’s decor and opening party, not that you would be managing the establishment!
“I—”
“—Of course Steve will help you settle in for the next little while, until you learn the ropes. But I don’t doubt you’ll make me lots of money.”
You look between all the men in the room, and you see the momentary surprise on Bucky’s face for a second before he schools it.
“Thank you sir! I won’t let you down!” You let the older man pull you in, kissing both of each other’s cheeks, before he downs the rest of his glass.
“Come Steve, let’s join the rabble, shall we?” Marinelli beckons Steve out of the office, and after a quick congratulatory kiss on the cheek from the blond, he follows his boss out the door, closing it behind him.
You look around the manager's office, realising now that all this was yours, and you too down the rest of your glass.
“I… I can’t believe it…” You mutter, turning to face where Bucky stands, a small smile pulled across his cheeks. He shrugs.
“Marinelli has always liked you.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No clue.” You turn back around to inspect the furnishings you’d put there, and in a moment of girlish excitement, you round the desk and take a seat.
Bucky watches you, amusement clear on his features, and he places his champagne down, stepping around the large, ornate desk.
“Congratulations, sweetheart.” He says softly, and you can’t even help yourself from shooting him a grin as you stand once more, now rearranging a few things to how you’d like them. Bucky steps beside you, and you pause when he covers your hand on a paperweight with his own, stopping you to turn you around.
Nervousness overcomes you then, as he steps even closer, backing you against the desk.
“We should… join the party…” You begin, but his hand is already trailing down to the front of your dress, and you follow the movement with your eyes as he begins to gather the fabric up, your breath hitching when he drops to his knees.
You don’t need encouragement to wiggle back onto the desk slightly, widening your thighs as he slips between them, one finger pulling your panties to the side as he leans in.
“Party’s right here as far as I’m concerned…”
You bury your hand in his hair as the first flicks of his tongue over your folds make you gasp, tightening your grip when he nestles in closer, lips working you over quickly.
You shake in his hold as he licks over you like a man starved, covering your mouth with your free hand as you begin to twitch under him.
“Buck! Don’t stop!” You warn pointlessly, feeling how he focuses his mouth around your clit sucking and running his tongue over it in motions until you’re crying out, gripping his hair harshly as your hips tremble against his face.
When he pulls back, he looks proud, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe over his mouth and chin with. You attempt to get your breathing under control, but only a second later, he’s leaning in, kissing you open mouthed, your taste still on his tongue. You’re prepared to climb further back on your desk, and let him fuck you when a knock at your offcie door startles you apart.
“What is it?” Bucky calls out, annoyed, and there’s a pause before the answer comes.
“There’s a situation at the door!” The reply comes through and you and Bucky both share a look.
You fix yourselves quickly, and seeing as this was your club now, you follow Bucky out through the throngs of happy customers, to the main entrance. You can see Steve already out front, his shoulders squared, and you’re only stepping around him, about to ask what the issue is when a deafening bang echoes out. The first is followed by several more, but you don’t have a mind to keep count, somebody’s arm around your middle dragging you to the pavement, a heavy body almost crushing you as people gasp and scream.
The gunshots stop and as you orient yourself, you see a man run down the street, before he ducks inside a dark car, Steve and some others chasing after him. You shift under the weight of the body on top of you and find Sam pulling himself up. You blink up at him in slight shock, even as Bucky makes his presence known.
“Baby? Baby are you alright?!” He’s got his hand on your face, his eyes running over your body and you nod, dazed.
“I’m— I’m fine— What—” He looks away, up at Sam, and you stop speaking.
“He was shooting at her!” He stresses, and the dark-skinned man nods, his eyes scanning the crowds as several other men begin to placate the people outside, promising free drinks as an apology. Bucky’s eyes swing back to you.
“I’ll find them, I swear to god.” He promises, and all you can do is nod as you’re gently helped to your feet.
After a short meeting with Marinelli and some others up in your office, Bucky holding his arm around you the whole time, you have Sam drive you home. All you wanted to do now was see your baby and forget all about your soured night.
Before you leave, Bucky kisses your forehead and once more promises to find the person responsible.
You go home and cry, and then when you’ve calmed down enough, you crawl into Ale’s bed, and hold him until you fall asleep.
You don’t see or hear from Bucky for several days, in which time you begin to worry. It isn’t until almost a week later you receive news that the gunman was found, and the boys were ‘seeing to him’ now. Relief fills your body at that, and even though you somewhat pity the man for what you know he’s likely to endure, you push all thoughts from your mind and go about your day as normally as you can.
You send word to Bucky’s home that he should come for dinner, but you get no reply, and tea time comes and goes without his appearance.
He doesn’t show up for another day, and when he does it’s almost three in the morning.
The loud knocking on your door is annoying enough, let alone when you pull it open to find a bleary-eyed, drunk Bucky, whiskey bottle still in hand. Your whole body tenses up and for a moment you think you’ve travelled back seven years, when he’d come home at all hours of the morning, drunk, sometimes beat up.
But something strikes you as different this time and you realise, when he chokes back a breath, that he’s crying.
“Bucky?”
“M’sorry.” He says, falling forwards, his arm thrown around your neck, and you barely have time to catch him, steadying him against you awkwardly.
“Bucky?!” Your voice is more panicked this time, but he only sobs into your shoulder.
“You could have died.” He rasps, and you feel some understanding settle over you.
You manage to pull back enough to look at his face, and take it in both your hands.
“I didn’t, I’m alright, see?” He half nods, but scrunches his eyes shut again as his breathing gets shallower and shallower, and you aren’t entirely sure if he’s actually taking in air anymore.
“Bucky? James, breathe! You need to breathe!” His knees seem to give out under him as the panic attack takes over, and you aren’t strong enough to hold him up, so you simply move with him to your foyer floor, taking a moment to shut your door behind him.
“Buck, come here, look at me, okay? I need you to breathe baby, it’s okay, you’re gonna be okay.” You hold his face again, and coo clamingly as he holds onto the front of your nightgown with one hand. When his eyes do open, he looks around wildly, and he seems distant.
“Viv?” He gasps, and you nod.
“Viv, I can’t— I can’t feel my arm!” He chokes out, panic and confusion in his voice and you realise that he’s not with you right now. He’s in Europe somewhere, bleeding and scared. He continues to ramble about his arm, calling for a medic, for any kind of help, and all you can do is hold him until he calms some, breathing heavily against your chest. You don’t realise you’ve been crying until you get him to follow you into your bathroom, and see yourself in the mirror briefly before you start the water.
Bucky doesn’t let you go, but you don’t plan on going far as he sits in the bath, his eyes empty and red, like he wasn’t there at all anymore. You wash him with hot water, dress him again, and put him to bed, lying close, stroking his hair gently as his breathing softens out.
You don’t sleep.
You let Bucky sleep in the next morning while you ready Ale for school, trying not to let visions of the night before haunt you, but you find yourself thinking back to Bucky’s harrowed calls for a medic, how his eyes seemed vacant except for when they seemed scared.
You’re relieved to find them back to normal by the time you return home, discovering Bucky in your kitchen. He straightens and lowers the coffee from his lips as you pause in the kitchen doorway, and for a moment you just blink at each other.
He’d redressed himself in last night’s clothes, and you can see now in the light of day, a few specks of blood on the sleeves.
“I— sorry, I… I just woke up.” You stare at him carefully, but he must mistake your expression for disdain because he sets down his coffee cup and clears his throat, avoiding your gaze.
“I’ll just go. I’m sorry—”
“—Bucky.” You cut him off sharply, and he snaps his eyes toward you.
You’d been thinking long and hard, all night, and you’d really only come to one conclusion after last night’s events.
“I don’t think you should be living alone.” You say, and you watch his face filter through confusion, into a frown.
“What?”
“I don’t think you should be living alone. If last night is anything to go by.” You turn your nose up a little at the end, but only because recognition and understanding flash over his face, and his frown disappears.
“Is that so?” It’s not challenging, in fact you can’t really read his tone at all and you cross your arms over your chest.
“You aren’t well, clearly.”
“Clearly.” He nods, carefully picking up his coffee cup again and you nod, lifting your nose again.
“Good. Now that’s decided, you should organise to move your things.” And with your heart beating quicker than you’d like to admit, you turn on your heel and leave him in the kitchen.
Within the week, Bucky’s moving his things into your house.
Ale had been ecstatic when you’d told him, and hadn’t stopped bouncing for days.
Bucky hasn’t stopped bouncing either, though a little more subtly. He helps his guys carry any furniture he’d wanted, inside your place, and after a long day of back and forth, he’s ready for a long shower and a meal with his family.
“Bucky?” Your voice startled him from stretching his back, and he turns to find you poking your head through the doorway.
“Dinner soon. Clean up.” You tell him, only half rolling your eyes when he straightens and salutes you.
He finds himself climbing slowly up the stairs to the second floor, gratefully taking in the details of your home. He’d had nice furniture and such in his house too, but there was something about a space that had been filled with love, not just things.
On the second floor landing he passes Ale’s room, and smiles to himself at how close he’ll be now. Right there, just two or three doors down…
Bucky keeps moving, exhaustion setting into his bones now as he pushes open the door of the guest room and steps inside, ready to find his towel and get to washing up. Only, the second he lifts his eyes to scab the space, he pauses.
Where were his things?
He knows his clothing and such had arrived earlier, because you’d told him yourself that you’d put it away in the room upstairs. One check inside the cupboard tells him this room is empty. Confusion colouring his gaze, Bucky steps back out and looks toward the stairs.
“Vivi?” He calls out when he’s close enough.
“Where did you put my things?” There's a slight pause before your answer comes.
“Upstairs!” Bucky frowns and looks back toward the guest room, and then, almost hesitantly, to the steps that lead to the third floor.
“Upstairs?” He confirms, and you hum a confirmation back.
Stepping quietly toward the second flight, Bucky knows he’s probably reaching, but as it is, he really wants that shower, and it wouldn’t hurt to check off the only other upstairs bedroom, your room.
Climbing the stairs with soft footsteps, a nervousness sets upon him when he stands outside the only door on the floor.
Swallowing thickly, he turns the handle and lets the wood fall open of its own accord, as he waits in the doorway, watching.
Your room is warm and cozy looking, a vanity to one side, an en-suite bathroom to the left. Your bed is a four poster, with rich coloured fabrics that look soft to the touch, and—
Bucky sucks in air, and his feet carry him forward of his own accord. There’s things laid on the bed, obscure from the doorway, but as he nears he takes it all in. Clothes, his clothes, laying ready for him to change, a folded towel and washcloth sitting atop them. In minor disbelief, he looks around the room, waiting for someone to jump out and tell him he’s been duped, but all he can hear is the faint sounds of movement from the lower floors.
He can’t help it, Bucky’s lips twitch and pull up in the corners, and with a brand new kind of relief settling in his chest, he reaches out and takes the towels.
He’s already kicking his shoes off when something else catches his eyes. Frowning down at the small box that had been under the towel, but atop his clothes, Bucky shifts his things under his arm, and then reaches out to gingerly collect up the box. Blinking at it, and with no real clue what it was, he snaps the lid open, and stares.
—-
You’ve just finished setting the table when Bucky enters the dining room, fresh and clean and dressed in the clothes you’d set out for him.
“Ale, come sit down!” You call, transferring a dish from the oven to the table, just as your son skitters out from underneath the table.
“Daddy! Can you sit next to me!?” Ale begs, tugging on Bucky’s hand.
“Of course! Where else would I sit, pal?”
You pitter about with some other things as Ale takes his seat, waiting for everyone to be settled before you turn back around, along to find that when you do, Bucky is still stood waiting, your chair pulled out.
“Thank you.” You say softly, placing the butter down, before letting him guide your seat under your. Bucky takes the place you’d set for him at the top of the table, between yourself and Ale, and smiles.
“Smells amazing.” He nods, and you open your mouth to reply, but are cut off.
“Let’s say grace!” Ale announces, holding his hands out for you and Bucky to take.
“Good idea, pal.” Carefully, you reach across the space between you to take your son's hand in your own, and lift your other to find Bucky already holding out his other, waiting for you once again.
The light glints of the gold on his finger, and when you place your hand in his, your rings clink against one another in the sweetest sound you’ve ever heard.
Bucky smiles.
“Bless this meal, this house, and this family.”
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Text
Hello Neighbour
Pairing: DILF!Neighbour!Bucky Barnes x Reader
Next Chapter: Part 2
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warnings: fluff, Dilf!Bucky (yes he is definitely a warning)
a/n: hey so this is just a concept which came to my mind and if you would like to see more of them, maybe there will be more 👀 for now, meet Bucky Barnes, your neighbour.
"Becca wait!" the three year old Barnes was chasing Alpine across the corridor. The two finally came to a stop in front of an apartment and Bucky followed quickly. Before the three could go back and before Becca could explain her random urge to run after their cat, you opened the door.
"Oh- um- hi there." The three outside your door momentarily closed their eyes as they took in the delicious smell coming from your apartment. You smiled to yourself.
"S-sorry miss, my cat, then my daughter were running while I was trying to catch up and they stopped here, I guess Alpine could smell the delicious fish you're cooking. Sorry for disturbing you." Bucky cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head, standing up properly.
"That's alright" you chuckled. "Glad to know Alpine approves my cooking." the kitty cat purred softly, and the curious young girl looked at you with her bright blue eyes.
"Becca come on lets-"
"Did you all move in recently?" you asked the man.
"Yeah, this is more of a temporary adjustment before we find a better place." Bucky closed his eyes trying to realize why he would say that. "Not that I'm saying this isn't a good place, it's great, well maybe not great, but-"
"Daddy stop, you embawassing me" the kid announced and you couldn't help but laugh.
"It's alright, I get what you mean. Hope this place treats you nicely. Even if it's temporary."
Maybe the place wasn't so bad, had some good neigh- as in good qualities, Bucky thought.
"Would you all like to come in for lunch or dinner sometime?"
"Oh we don't wanna bother-"
"Yes pwease." Becca beat her father to it, and already made plans.
"Becs!!" she looked innocently at her father. "Gosh, you're such a smarty pants."
They were all so cute. The dad- okay control your emotions, and don't stare- you told yourself. You could see a small smirk on the man's face as he caught you staring.
"I'm Bucky, by the way. And this is Becca, and that's Alpine." You gave them your name with a smile.
"Lovely to meet you all." Becca waved at you as Alpine and her hurried back to their place. Bucky stood there a little longer. Not exchanging words, just looking at you with a charming smile. Becca got her eyes from her dad, you noticed.
"Well I guess I'll see you soon then, neighbour."
"You too, neighbour." With that Bucky made his way back as well. You couldn't help but look at him while he walked towards his apartment. He turned back and your cheeks heated up, being caught again. With another gorgeous smirk, and a barely there wink, the man went inside his flat, and so did you.
"You were right Becs, this is a nice place."
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fandomnerd9602 · 6 months
Text
Reuniting after Infinity War/Endgame
A-Force Headcanon
Toni Stark
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You were the first person she saw after being stranded out in space for 21 days. Skinnier and a little emaciated, she couldn’t stop hugging and kissing you. Toni was crying her eyes out over losing her protege Petra.
Stephanie Rogers
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You don’t remember much, just waking up on an empty battlefield. You saw a portal open and you were called into aiding your girlfriend on another battlefield. Stephanie didn’t want to miss another moment with you, she proposed a week after.
Thora
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You reunited after Thanos’ snap. Thora was overjoyed to see that she still had the love of her life alive. You and he worked to establish New Asgard. She even began discussing the idea of having kids with you.
Bree Banner
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You found Bree trying to pull herself out of a damaged Hulkbuster armor. Amidst the dust and debris of the battle, you pulled Bree out of her armor. She collapsed into your arms, first crying and then pulling you into a fiery kiss.
Clara Barton
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You looked around your homestead and couldn’t find Clara anywhere. Last you remembered was a family cookout. You called your wife and she answered back with the sound of sobbing. You and your daughter Lila had been gone five years.
Petra Parker
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You weren’t dusted. Petra was. You held her tight in your arms when you found each other again. Petra wanted to pull you into a kiss too but she stopped herself upon realizing that you were now in your early twenties. “I turn 18 in a couple months, can you wait?” She asks you with a little shy giggle. You’d wait for her forever if you had to.
Becca Barnes
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You and Becca found your ways back to each other after the Snap was undone. Luckily it felt like the blink of an eye due to you both being snapped.
Penni Quill
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You, Nebula, and Rocket had held together the Guardians in Penni’s absence. Not a day went by where you weren’t listening to her zune. When you found her again, she practically forced you into yours and hers bedroom, making up for some lost time.
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waywardcrow · 5 months
Text
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Timeless.
Chapter II.
Summary: 1943. 1975. 2024. Three different decades, three different lives, three different times your life and Bucky's interwined; he lost you twice, will he do it again?
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader.
TW: It can change each chapter but themes of Bucky as soldier and as the Winter Soldier in general, flashbacks and letters between Bucky and reader which are in italics like this, a not so good writing style by me, lots of feels, one awful boss, themes about inmigration but just mentioned, past reader is mentioned to be named Beth but that changes for 2024 version of her so I nicknamed her little bird for Bucky, Ace for everybody else, this will be a +18 story so minors dni.
Disclaimer: Please remember english is not my first language so if I make a mistake or forget something let me know.
Pictures from pinterest and graphic and dividers by the amazing @ firefly-graphics so all credits to the creators.
Previous chapter <<<
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Bucky took you home that night and your lives were never the same again.
Your home wasn’t very far from his but even if Bucky didn’t wanted more time with you he would have done the right thing anyway, you in the other hand didn’t seemed too thrilled about it.
Always too shy to talk to boys, more comfortable with your job as a nurse, your friendships, your time, you were sure to end up a spinster but the thought didn’t bothered you, life had changed too much and it was better to keep it the way it was before you loosed something else.
“How was your date tonight?” was the first question you could think of, which was stupid because it could be misinterpreted, Becca was so sure you were perfect for his brother that tried to convince you more than once to go eat dinner at her house and meet him. You always refused, too embarrassed to follow your friend schemes when Bucky was clearly not interested for what you understood.
Why would he? He was so handsome, he probably laughed when Becca suggest it, saying he wanted to date women, not… well, you, so young and not really interested in dating too.
Bucky bit his lip, nervous, what did Rebeca had told you?
“It was fun, just a night in a science expo” he said, regretting that immediately, will you think he was a loser for that? Or for going back home that early? Did you knew about what people said about him?
“Oh, sounds… fun” you were an idiot, it was so obvious.
You guided him to your street and he panicked, you knew about his reputation, that’s why you couldn’t look at him, you didn’t even wanted him to walk you home, perhaps you avoided him all the time you were friends with Rebecca because of that and he didn’t understand why but it bothered him.
He couldn’t leave knowing you thought so little of him.
“This is my house” you announced stopping in your doorsteps, it was not as pretty as the Barnes’ but you and your mom did everything you could.
“It’s very nice” oh this was so painful, when he got that bad at talking to women?
“Thank you for bringing me here, you didn’t have to” he gave you a nod and the butterflies in your stomach didn’t stop you for saying what you wanted “I know you are going overseas tomorrow, I might be… is not my place but I hope you come back home safe” ignoring your impossible fast heartbeats you went to open your door but his hand stopped you.
“What was that? What you were whistling with Becca?” that was the best he could think of and he couldn’t regret it because it earned him the first smile you ever gave him.
“It’s something my dad teach us when my brother and I were kids” you recreated the two notes melody and his heart went very fast in his chest, you looked so pretty under the moonlight, sounding like a little bird.
“Beautiful” he said and your skin heated at the sight of him watching you “could you teach me?”
He still could whistle that two notes melody; even as the Winter Soldier they couldn’t erase you away from him.
But Bucky didn’t suspect that not even death could erase him away from you too.
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You had that dream again, it was so confusing every time and only left you with more headache but still you found some comfort in it, like going back home. Sometimes you wished to stay there.
There was this man with a boyish smile, the prettiest smile you have ever seen; he was next to you in the doorsteps of an old house that made you feel nostalgic, you couldn’t see him properly but the way he spoke to you it was so sweet and left your heart aching.
You always woke up feeling less lonely, there were just dreams made up for a hopeless romantic but they were a relief in days like these.
The magazine finally got a chance for a serious interview since Mia got the editor job, the truth was they were getting more close to become a cheap gossip magazine than something like it had been in the past. Harper was so mad about that, Mia was an idiot and she will be more mad if she knew that her sister made you do mostly all her work.
You couldn’t go to visit your parents in the retirement home in months and you hated it.
They are one of the reasons you couldn’t leave your job, after working so hard all their lives, having more than one job to raise their daughters in a country that despised immigrants to this day, giving them a chance to really live comfortable was the less you could do.
And for keep doing that this interview with Pepper Potts needed to be a total success.
That was easier to say than do, not because you thought she will be one of those difficult persons, you admired that woman. One of the best CEO’s in her field, if not the best, working so hard to keep her company and her family stability after losing her husband; if it were for you, you will give her the best coverage possible with the best journalist but Mia insisted in doing the interview herself.
All you could do is hope for the best and to don’t lose your shit in front of Pepper Potts the next day.
“I want my outfit ready at five and the car should be picking me up on time, I don’t want mistakes” Mia said dropping her unfinished work in front of you “you have to get this ready by midnight and don’t forget you are going to work tomorrow in the charity gala so keep you slutty outfits for your nights out with Harper” her poisonous smile confused you, when had her see you out with Harper? You didn’t have time for going out anymore “wear something proper.”
Something boring and plain that made you invisible, she meant. You gave her a nod, contrary to her you didn’t needed to be noticed to compensate lack of personality.
That was everything she had to say before going in her way, leaving you taking a breath to don’t go and push her through a window, they were very resistant and didn’t break that easily anyway.
Taking a sip to your coffee you decided to start.
It was better to be left alone in the office, you could take your stupid shoes off and put some music, even relax a little or think about maybe being more than what you were, you didn’t have a fancy education but that was always compensated with your hard work, maybe one day things will be better.
But not tonight, you had only a couple of hours and a lot of things to do.
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Dear little bird,
I told you I will write, you probably didn’t expected my letter to arrive so soon but I couldn’t help myself. Rebecca told me you are going almost every day to have dinner with your mom at my ma’s and I wanted to thank you for that, they are everything to me and I’m more at ease knowing they have you close.
Also I wanted to ask you how you are holding up, Becca told me your brother was shipped off too, hope you don’t mind she told me that but she likes you a lot and thought maybe you could use one more friend, if you want it.
I’m so bad at this.
The truth is I miss you but before you roll your pretty eyes at my letter I know you said you weren’t interested in meeting anyone right now and I respect that, I just don’t want to keep going with my life like I didn’t meet you because I did and even if I’m an ocean away, I think of you.
If you don’t answer, I’ll understand.
JBB.
You read Bucky’s letter more than once after telling your mom you were going to sleep. The candle light was running out but your fingers kept tracing the pattern of his handwriting, your cheeks burning every time his pet name resonated in your mind.
Was it true? That he thought about you? Still, could mean nothing.
You were just one memory from his last night in New York, it will be naive of you to believe he felt the same than you, the sensation of being seen for the first time, like you were made for his eyes only.
It was so stupid and dangerous, he could be writing to other girls too and for what people said about him there was a high chance that was happening but something about his words made you feel like you should write back, at least to don’t be rude. He thanked you for taking care of his mom and sisters and asked for Alex so the polite thing to will be respond to his letter even if you don’t wanted him to know how much it meant to you.
Sargent Barnes,
You did said you will write and I’m pleased to know you made it safe to your destination, your mother and sisters miss you dearly, Becca makes sure Liz and Elisa do their chores and help your mother, also Becca is taking some time to visit one of your friends, Steve I think, he went to eat dinner the other day at your house and seems like a nice man.
Thank you for asking for my brother, Alex is currently in Italy and writes as much as he can, I know is not likely but if you run into each other keep  an eye on him please, he’s a good boy but impulsive and with a temper that can challenge a storm.
There was no reason for me to don’t answer to your letter; I left my position very clear the night we met when you expressed your interest, I’m sure you have some pretty ladies to write to instead of your little sister’s friend, if you want to be friends we could but something else will be very close to a deception, I beg you to don’t encourage something that will change when the war is over and you return home to your life.
With my best wishes.
You signed your letter and went to sleep.
When your letter arrived Bucky had a breather after an incursion in enemy territory and his mood got ten thousand times more blue, why couldn´t you take him seriously? It couldn’t be only for his reputation and Bucky wouldn’t push anymore if it wasn’t for that night in her porch.
You felt it too, that certainty of being in the right place with the right person.
Was it for someone else? You mentioned that Steve was a nice man which probably put him in a higher position above Bucky himself, he was aware his best friend will find the right lady who could see beyond all the reasons that made others not even noticed him but didn’t expect her to be his lady.
Just that you weren't his lady and didn’t seem like you wanted to but the last part of your letter bothered him, how could he go back to his normal life like he never shared that night with you? When every time he closed his eyes he saw you smiling at him under the moonlight?
It was so confusing, why was he so hell-bent in convincing a girl he barely met to give him a chance? He could never go home or you could meet someone else, those thoughts droved a knife through his chest.
Bucky took a sheet of paper and began writing.
Dear little bird,
I promise I will keep an eye out for your brother if I cross paths with him just like you are doing with my family, 103th unit right?
But despite of how happy makes me know everything is going well back home there’s something that doesn’t let me be, why do you think I’m writing to another ladies? I could swear on my life the only ones I write besides you are my ma and my sisters, I also write to Steve who is a punk and doesn’t write back as often but that’s all. I told you that night I wanted get to know you. If is only friendship what you want, I’ll be the happiest man being your friend but I’m a hopeless romantic who falls fast and hard and I have no intentions in denying it.
I’ll respect your wishes about being friends or if you don’t write back anymore, that will not change anything I said before but if you are hesitant in giving me a chance because what others said about me  then I’ll have no other choice to prove you wrong.
I don’t want to go back home knowing I didn’t do enough, this war is taking enough from all of us, don’t you think?
I’m so sorry if this was too forward but I don’t know how to fight from here besides with my honesty.
Yours,
JBB.
He finished his letter before sending it, hoping you could feel he meant every word.
Next chapter >>>
Tag list: @cjand10 @bunnyforhim
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Hey! This one took too long but I wasn't so sure about this chapter anymore, I hope is not too chaotic with the different timelines and letters and flashbacks, what do you think? Please remember I can't tag ageless blogs.
Love, Lily.
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Text
ATTENTION CARTER KIDS
@littlemsbumblebee , @flightlaw , @becca-barnes-official , @luna-barton13 , @nighttimewitchgirl , and @karmaisabitchandsoami2
If Angie and Peggy refuse to go to dinner at some restaurant we make them an in home restaurant!!
We make them a cute date dinner
Im talkin roses, candles, wine!
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bbgem329 · 11 months
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Where’s My Love?—Epilogue
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Pairings—Bucky Barnes x F!Reader
Summary
Two years ago, you and your husband built a life for your growing family at a safe camp during a world wide apocalypse. Everything is good until Bucky catches wind that a rival group is out to dominate the rest for their own gain.
What happens when, one day, the most capable men and your husband are out on a hunt when the camp is attacked? Will you be able to get your children and your heavily pregnant self to safety? Will Bucky find you before it’s too late?
Warnings
MINORS DNI!! 18+++. Language. Angst. Fluff. Soft!Bucky. Zombie Apocalypse.
NOTES
Sorry it’s such a short epilogue I just wanted to keep it short and sweet!!! Thanks sooo much for sticking with me and finishing this out. Your support and time mean soo much to me ❤️❤️❤️
Series Masterlist
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Bucky was sure he wouldn’t sleep a wink that night. The adrenaline pumping through his veins would never allow him to rest, at least not completely. He was too wound, too riled up—both body and mind.
Never had he felt fear like he did that night.
Never had he come so close to losing you. To losing his babies.
Becca.
His sweet baby girl.
He didn’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if you hadn’t reacted as quick as you did. He couldn’t handle the thought.
If that thing had managed to sink his teeth into his sweet girl…
Bucky shook his head, pulling Becca tighter into his side before dipping down to pressing a kiss to top of her head. She didn’t stir, tucked perfectly in the crook of his arm with her head resting on his chest, completely out.
He took a minute to admire her—the pout in her lips, her long lashes fluttering just slightly across her chubby, rosy cheeks. She was practically on top of him, sweating and drooling, but he didn’t mind.
Not even a little.
She could stay there, in his arms, for the rest of his life if she wanted to.
After last night, he’d actually prefer that.
The sweetest little sigh had his eyes trailing to the other little girl snoozing on the left side of his chest and his heart nearly beat right out of his chest.
Natalie Rose Barnes.
The newest member of the Barnes family.
Despite her dramatic entrance into the world, she was the calmest baby he’d ever seen. The tiniest too.
He swore, Becca and Jamie weren’t this small.
She’d cried upon arrival—thank God, and she hadn’t cried since. A little whimper here and there, sure, but not a cry, cry. Not like the other two had that first night.
It was still early though.
She was only a few hours old.
The moment Natalie slipped into the world, and momma had passed the after birth, with Sam’s help, he finally brought his family home safely.
His best friend did what he could to entertain the kids, wash them up and change them into a pair of the pjs he’d had stored neatly in their new rooms, while Bucky took care of you and the babe.
Once you were cleaned, changed, and tucked into bed with the baby snoozing in the bassinet on his side of the new bed, he’d tracked down the rest of the clan and whisked Jamie and Becca off to bed with a promise to talk more tomorrow and the okay to use Jamie’s bed over his shoulder at Sam.
They’d figure it all out tomorrow. Make Sam his own room—his own space. Because there was absolutely no way he was letting his best friend go. Not when he’d finally got him back.
No. He didn’t have a choice.
Sam was stuck with them for life.
He just needed to be with his family tonight.
Needed to hold them in his arms and keep them close.
Thankfully, Sam understood that.
Bucky carefully leaned forward, nose brushing the soft, dark tuff atop Natalie’s little round head, inhaling her sweet baby scent. His large flesh hand rubbed gently over her blanket covered back.
She wasn’t his first, nor would she probably be his last but she was his and she was special all the same.
Another piece of his heart that would be walking around outside of his chest.
He could handle it though.
With you, he definitely could.
He turned his head in your direction, heart clenching as he took in the sight of you and Jamie wrapped up together. Your faces were squished together, cheek to cheek with his little arm wrapped tightly around your neck and his leg flung over your still swollen abdomen.
The boy had been beside himself with worry and there was no way he was going to leave your side anytime soon.
Not that he could judge, he wouldn’t be leaving it either.
Bucky couldn’t even begin to imagine what he went through, how scared he was. You were his absolute best friend and to see you in pain like that…
It devastated the little man.
But he’d handled it better than they could’ve imagined.
His sweet baby boy—always protecting his momma and his sisters. Putting on a brave face and staying strong.
Bucky stretched his metal arm out, cool fingers just barely brushing against his sons warm cheek. He couldn’t feel how soft the skin was because he could feel the heat–feel something and it was enough.
Jamie would be alright.
They all would.
He let his hand travel a little further, fingers combing gently through your hair. His bright eyes traveled over your face, the dim light of the lantern making your features look so soft and serene.
And all he could think was You’re so goddamn lucky.
You were dead to the world, completely oblivious to the world around you as you slept. But who wouldn’t be in your situation? You’d just walked literal miles in labor and then gave birth in the middle of the forest.
He always knew you would do anything to protect your kids. That you were an inherently strong mama bear but to see it–to actually witness it, firsthand, last night…
Bucky didn’t think it was possible, that there was no way he could fall more and more in love with you. But there you go, proving him wrong once again.
And he was so fucking lucky.
There was no one else, not a single fucking soul in this world, that he wanted by his side for the rest of his life.
Bucky Barnes never thought he would get his happy ending.
Not after what he went through during the war and everything with Hydra that followed.
Not after he and half the population disappeared from the face of this Earth and returned five years later during the Blip.
Not after Steve left him behind to return to the past for Peggy.
But then he met you.
And no matter what, as long as he had you and this family, and Sam, he would live his happy ever after.
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AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER WELL AS HAPPY AS SOMEONE CAN BE IN ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE…
TagList
@ginger-swag-rapunzel @buckystevelove @snugglingbucky @slamminmine
@here4thespice @ameerakane20
@netflixxgodess @animegirlgeeky @futur3corps3 @toldyouitwasamelodrama @tanyaherondale @feelinglikeineedlotsofnaps
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antiquarianfics · 10 months
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Timeless
Reader wonders how their life might have looked different in 1944, but they know they still would have loved Bucky Barnes.
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Author's Note: I have not written fanfiction in years, merely lurking and reading. However, "Timeless" (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault) just screams Bucky x Reader to me. I had to come back. So, enjoy. :) Genre: Fluff Pairing: Bucky Barnes x G!N Reader WC: 725 words
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"What was it like?" You spoke hesitantly, choosing your words carefully as you break the comfortable silence where you and Bucky had been quietly looking at the antiques and knickknacks around the small store.
"What was what like?" Bucky looks down at you, eyebrow raised.
You nudge him with your shoulder.
"Hush, I was getting there," you laugh. "What was it like in the '40s?"
Bucky had told you plenty about his life both pre and post Winter Soldier; however, you still felt like asking again.
Bucky smiled softly, looking up and around the room. "It was hectic. We had just entered the war and everyone was panicking. I remember Ma and Becca were practically begging me not to enlist." He pauses, gathering his thoughts. His mother and sister were hard for him to talk about sometimes, so you grab his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.
"It was funny, though. After enlisting, I felt like I was on top of the world. I was proud to join, y'know? Think Ma and Becca were proud of me, too. Just scared."
"Understandable," you agree. You bite your lip, thinking. "Did enlisting get you a girlfriend?"
Bucky blows out air in a stifled laugh. "No, but it didn't hurt my game," he teases.
You roll your eyes before settling on an old photograph in a catch-all sort of box labeled "Photographs: 25¢ each." The photo was lying neatly on top of the others, practically calling you toward it like a siren to a sailor. You begin moving towards it, letting Bucky's hand fall out of your grasp as you go to pick it up.
"Why do you ask?" Bucky questions, coming up to stand behind you at the photo box. He gently slides his arms around your body, hugging you from behind, gazing at the photograph over your shoulder.
You hum. "I don't know; I guess all this old stuff just got me thinking."
Bucky stays silent, letting you pull your thoughts together.
"You think this would've been us?" You ask.
The photo you were drawn to was of a '30s couple smiling and laughing on the porch of their first home. You didn't know who these people were, obviously, but you recognized them as you and Bucky. It was a strange feeling, and you hoped Bucky would understand it, too.
"Oh, for sure. I woulda been crazy about you back then," Bucky smiles, imagining you in his time. "You in victory rolls, the long skirts, out dancing? God, you know I would've been talking you up."
You giggle, feeling flustered. "I would've married you, bought you a house, given you kids, whatever you wanted," he continues. "I would've had the prettiest person in all of space and time sending me off to war."
You frown slightly. "You know, for people who fight bad guys and aliens on a regular basis, I really don't like the idea of sending you off to war. It's too dangerous. You might fall off a train, or something."
Bucky laughs, poking you in the side. "Come on, now."
"No, seriously. I hate it. I pray every night that you'll come back unscathed when you go on missions with Sam, and... I just can't imagine having to rely on letters or not being able to just go with you," you take a breath, grounding yourself. You realize you're working yourself up.
"I would have, though."
"Would've what?"
"Relied on the letters. I would've read them every night, and write you just as much. Telling you not to be stupid and not die. I would've sat by the mailbox everyday just to get your letters and know you're alright."
Bucky grins. "I would've come back. For you."
"If you could've just gone back, don't you think you would have?"
"Nah," Bucky dismisses the thought. "If I hadn't fallen off that train, I'd be ancient or dead right now and I wouldn't have gotten to love you."
You set the photo back down in the box before turning around in Bucky's arms. You slide your arms around his neck and he lets his fall to your waist.
"I'm serious," he says when the two of you make eye contact. "What we got, Doll? It's timeless. I was gonna end up in your arms one way or another."
You lean up and kiss him.
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hail-americas-ass · 11 months
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🔆JUNE REC LIST
AU-MODERN SETTING:  🌺 Coming Home by Charlesdk (@transcowboy on tumblr)  (Winter Soldier!Bucky x Farmer!Steve) 42K Words  (very fluffy, perfect fic) 
“Steve, you don't know a damn thing about that guy. The fact that you're even considering keeping him in your house is crazy.”
“I don't care.” Steve glanced over at the stranger, his face softening when he saw him sinking back into the couch cushions and gripping his backpack so tightly.
“Sam, the guy looks like no one's been nice to him for years. How am I supposed to be okay with just sending him off somewhere?” Sam sighed heavily and looked heavenward. “I swear to God, if I come by tomorrow and find you dead in your bed, I'm gonna find a way to bring you back to life just to kill you again.”
OR – in which former army captain, current farmer Steve Rogers finds a bruised and battered and dirty stranger who remembers nothing and doesn't speak in his barn. He takes him in, despite his friends' advice not to, and helps him recover. It's not easy. Especially not when, along the way, feelings get involved.
❄ Winter’s Children by Neery (Post-WS Kid Fic)  66.8K Words (words fail to describe how amazing this fic is READ IT)
When their attempts to recreate the super soldier serum failed, Hydra started trying to breed Captain America clones from his genetic samples.
Unfortunately, the serum's effects aren't passed down genetically, so instead of an army of tiny Captain Americas, they get a bunch of tow-headed, asthmatic, allergic, immuno-compromised little Steves. And then the Winter Soldier stumbles across Hydra's failed experiment...
🏰 Your Heart is a Castle by teenytabris  (Modern!Bucky x Cap!Ghost!Steve) 68.8K Words (THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING)
Becca and Bucky have spent the last few years living in England as they finish up degrees in Anthropology/Archaeology and Historical Engineering respectively. Neither were able to find paying jobs in their chosen fields, and the end of their lease is looming close. London is expensive, and they begin to worry about where they could possibly live.
Then, an unknown Great Uncle dies suddenly, and names Bucky (by way of legal loophole) heir to the castle he lived in. In Germany. And sure, it’s run down, they have barely any furniture, and it’s tucked away remotely in the mountains between Germany and the Czech Republic, but hey? Free house?
Bucky supposes the brush with death that made him able to see the ghosts of Captain America, Agent Carter and the Howling Commandos is just the price he has to pay for it.
🔥 knew we’d be alright by burning_brighter (@burning-brighter on tumblr) (Firefighter!Bucky x Cap!Steve) 82.8K Words (sooo much angst but happy ending)
In 2012, Steve is a man out of time, trying to battle his demons and build a life in a new century when he meets Bucky, an FDNY Lieutenant helping with cleanup and rescue after the Battle of New York.
In 2014, Bucky is a fire Captain, trying to get his life back on track after a rough break up with his super soldier boyfriend.
Going back and forth between past and present, see how they fall in love, how their relationship falls apart and how it inevitably falls back into place.
🌊 lane lines by sparkagrace ( @sparkagrace on tumblr)  (Olympic Swimmer!Steve x Olympic Swimmer!Bucky) 132.5K Words (MUST READ! THIS IS NOT A QUESTION! YOU MUST READ THIS ONE)
Steve Rogers has spent his entire life swimming and now is poised to take the Wakanda 2024 Olympics by storm. The only thing he’s missing is a friendly rival to help get him there. Enter Bucky Barnes, who doesn’t seem to take the sport quite as seriously despite his raw and enviable talent.
Steve hates him. Bucky doesn’t care. That makes Steve hate him more.
💌 And they all lead back to you by pandafish ( @myexplosion​ on tumblr) 1.8K Words (so fluffy, perfect read, and the poem hit me in the heart strings)
Bucky was dancing with Alpine.
It was a slow dance, because she was a sleepy kitten by now, but the radio was playing an old song that reminded Bucky of times past and he didn’t have Steve here to dance with him. He'd be home from his mission tomorrow, but it felt like forever.
Bucky had just tucked the kitten into bed and was preparing for a night without Steve, when he noticed a letter on their doormat.
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buckysimp101 · 2 years
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Love at First Grade (18+) - 1
Single Dad!Bucky Barnes x Single Mom!Reader
chapter warnings: none
a/n: I am so excited to work on this fic. I am a sucker for a good singledad!Bucky fic and to add the teacher!Bucky to it as well? A dream! let me know what you think of this first chapter in the comments! I hope y'all enjoy!
Series Masterlist
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“Becca, come on you have to get up,” Bucky whispered as he lightly shook his sleeping, six year old daughter. Becca’s face twisted up in discontent as she attempted to pull her blanket up to prevent having to go to school.
“Sweetheart, don’t make me turn on the lights,” Bucky threatened lightly, not wanting to turn on the lights himself but he needed her to get up. They had to be leaving for school in thirty minutes, he’d already been up for an hour and a half preparing for the day.
Becca groaned at that threat, knowing he’d do just that if it meant she’d finally wake up. She threw her hands over her face and peaked through them, her blue eyes catching his.
Becca was Bucky’s twin with her brown hair and blue eyes, she got way more of his genes that she did her mother’s. A fact that made Dot angry every time any of Bucky’s family brought it up. When Dot walked out on them Becca was two. She hadn’t known her mother long enough to miss her, but Bucky knew that there was a mom shaped hole that he would never be able to fill completely, but he’d be damned if he didn’t try.
“But daddy I don’t wanna go to school,” Becca whispered from behind the safety of her hands, trying not to make eye contact with her dad.
“Why not, Bex? You were all excited about going to first grade last week, what changed your mind?” Bucky asked quietly, trying to find out where his daughters sudden fear of the first grade had come from.
“Because you’re not my teacher,” she whispered, looking down at her hands and avoiding Bucky’s face. His heart dropped. He knew that Becca had been hoping he would be her teacher, but since he was her father that wasn’t going to happen. Their school liked to avoid the “my parent is my teacher” stereotype and placed the kids with other teachers instead.
“I know, sweetheart. But you know who is your teacher?” He responded, smoothing her brown curls as she looked at him with those big blue eyes, shaking her head no. So Bucky whispered, “Uncle Stevie.”
Becca’s eyes grew three sizes and next thing Bucky knew she was throwing off her blanket and running to the closet, “UNCLE STEVIE IS MY TEACHER!?”
Bucky chuckled as he watched Becca’s curls fly around her head wildly as she tried to find “the best outfit for the best teacher EVER!”, though that last statement hurt Bucky just a little bit.
“Alright Bex, calm down. Now. Let me see what you plan on wearing,” he said, his hands on his hips. He didn’t care what Becca wore to school but sometimes she liked to play dress up just a little too much. Becca showed him her outfit and he nodded his head in approval.
“Alright kiddo, I’ve got breakfast ready. Let's go eat real fast then you can get changed, brush your teeth and we’ll be off to see Mr. Rogers.” At that, Becca zoomed past Bucky to the kitchen and he swore he’d never seen a kid eat faster, and he’d had plenty of lunch duties in his day.
As Bucky finished packing their lunches and fixing his togo coffee, he listened to Becca chatter on about how excited she was to be in Uncle Steve's class and how she was scared that she'd forget to call him Mr. Rogers and how many friends she was going to make, the last statement making Bucky chuckle as he shook his head. Becca didn't know a stranger. She made friends everywhere she went. Suffice to say, she got that skill from her mother. The difference? Dot made friends at the drop of a hat, but she was terrible at maintaining those friendships. Bucky was physically pulled out of his thoughts by his six year old tugging at his slacks, "okay daddy! I'm all ready!"
Focusing on Becca, Bucky had to hold back a laugh. While his daughter had managed to put on her clothes correctly, right side out and everything, her hair was a different story. The chestnut curls looked like they hadn't seen a brush in days, and knowing how busy he'd been setting up his classroom and getting ready for the school year, it probably had been that long. "Okay, Becca Bug. We need to fix this hair, now run and grab your brush so we can head out. Daddy can't be late for the first day of school," he said with his hands on his hips trying to put on as serious a face as possible, the action nearly impossible with a giggling six year old running from him. He couldn't help but think, "this is gonna be a long year."
By the time the pair made their way to the school Becca was practically buzzing with excitement. Gone was the shy and somewhat scared six year old he found laying in her bed this morning, Rebecca Dolores Barnes "but you can call me Becca please" had taken her place. The pair didn't make it as early as they normally would today but Bucky had the opportunity to walk Becca to her classroom before returning to his own to greet his students. 
Steve Rogers opened his classroom door as he heard the excited tone of Rebecca Barnes approaching. "UNCLE STEVE!! I'm in your class this year!" Becca shouted, practically flinging herself into his arms making Steve and Bucky laugh at her enthusiasm. The two offering a one-armed hug around Becca's small body. 
"Remember what I said this morning, Becca- bug," Bucky said somewhat sternly, making sure to look her in the eye. Where her sudden sass came from, Bucky had no clue, because next thing he knew his daughter was rolling her eyes and sighing, "I know daddy, he's Mr. Rogers when I'm in his class and at school."
Steve tried his best to suppress his laugh with a cough. Steve knew where she got her attitude from. It was a perfect (read: deadly) combination of Bucky, Dot and Becca's namesake her Auntie Bex, Bucky's sister. Not him though....she definitely wasn't influenced by her Uncle Steve...not one bit.
 Bucky cut his eyes at Steve, trying to get him to realize that he was serious about teaching Becca what she needed to know at school, when he recognized the slow flow of students entering the halls. The first day of first grade had started. Bucky turned to Becca and wrapped his daughter in a hug, "Alright, Becca. Be on your best behavior for Mr. Rogers, learn lots of things, make new friends, I'll see you at lunch. I love you to infinity and beyond, Becca-Bug."
"I love you to the moon and back a kajillion times, daddy!" Becca responded, squeezing her dad tight before kicking her feet to try and get down and enter her classroom. That was Bucky's cue. He gave Steve a final hug before heading to his classroom. As the kids approached, Bucky greeted them and the people dropping them off. Most of the kids were excited to see some of their friends from Kindergarten again, others were already in the process of making new friends. Bucky continued through the line of students and guardians, avoiding the occasional flirting by some of the moms thrown his way, when he reached the final student in line.
She was looking at her feet, suddenly preoccupied by the pink converse on her feet and trying to avoid his eye, her fingers finding interest in picking at the sequins on her pink unicorn shirt. A throat cleared from behind the young girl. Bucky saw black heels first, followed by a black pantsuit, a white blouse and finally a  slightly concerned face looking down at the young girl. You bent down to get to her level and whispered something in her ear, the girl looking up at Bucky quickly but promptly turning her face into your shirt. You looked up at him with an apologetic look on your face. Luckily, Bucky knew what to do.
He bent down slowly, and stretched out his hand, "Hi, I'm Mr. Barnes and welcome to the first grade. We've got a lot of fun things we're going to do this year." The little girl poked her head out under your arm, looking at Bucky's outstretched hand as if it might attack her any second. You took that moment to nudge her, nodding your head when she looked at you like she wanted to say something. 
The little girl took a deep breath, poking her chest out and thrusting her palm out to meet Bucky's, "My name is Avery Claire L/N, and I am six years old. It is very nice to meet you, thank you," she stated, stumbling over her words a little but when she was done she looked at you, almost for approval. You shook your head at your daughter's silliness. What Bucky didn't know is that Avery had been practicing for days how she wanted to introduce herself, she'd seen her mother do it a million times and she wanted to get it just right.
"Well, Avery, it is very nice to meet you, are you ready to go make some new friends and have a great year," Bucky asked, gesturing to the classroom door behind him where the other students were already talking and playing with each other. Avery poked her head around his legs to get a better look, obviously something sparked her interest cause the next thing you knew she was giving your legs a squeeze and yelling, "bye mommy! Love you!" as she ran into Bucky's classroom.
Bucky laughed at her enthusiasm, she reminded him of Becca. He turned to face you, extended his hand and said, "I look forward to teaching Avery this year, as I said I'm Mr. Barnes. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. L/N."
 The corner of your lip twitched upwards, almost like you wanted to smirk at his assumption that you were married, and you reached your hand out to give his a firm shake before stating, "It's Ms. L/N. Y/N L/N. And I look forward to hearing all about the joys of first grade, Mr. Barnes."Bucky swore his face lost all color. The blood drained out of his face so fast the second he heard her full name. He'd heard of Y/N L/N. Who the hell hadn't. She ran L/N Enterprises and was known as one of the most ruthless executives in New York. Your smirk turned into a smile full of teeth, a smile Bucky was sure you'd perfected in all sorts of business deals and meetings over the years. 
Or maybe it was one you reserved just for people when they found out who you were, your reputation obviously preceding you, Bucky couldn't help but think to himself. He opened his mouth to respond but you cut him off as your phone started to ring, "thank you for the introduction, Mr. Barnes. And thank you for your work this morning with Avery, she's a little shy and I'm not entirely certain where she got that from. I'm sure we'll see each other soon." You turned down the hall, heels tapping the linoleum flooring as you answered the phone with a harsh, "What?"
As Bucky watched you walk away he let out a sigh he didn't know he'd been holding in since you introduced yourself. "This really is gonna be a long year." 
~~~~~~~
I don’t have a taglist for this fic yet, but if you’d like to be added just let me know!
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buckrecs · 1 year
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Single Mom!Reader
masterlist | req masterlist 
bucky with kids🥺
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ONESHOT
Feel Like Baking Love by @wehaveabucky-archive
you forget the most important part of your kids birthday party; the cake. but thankfully, a local patissier is more than willing to help you in your hour of need
Marley by @leascorner
Eventually, Bucky gave his deepest secrets away and you let him know yours. Her name was Marley.
Can I call you dad? by @winvterstan
You and Bucky have been dating for eight months. One day your four years old daughter has an interesting request for Bucky.
Who’s That? by @imagineaworlds
A Bucky x single mom reader and the reader brings him to dinner.
good morning by @buckybarnesdiaries
after a mission in Europe, you come back to the Avengers Compound, being received by a lovely surprise.
Playdate by @becca-e-barnes
You’re a single parent to an outgoing little boy called Oliver. On the first day of school he makes a new friend, Thomas Barnes. Both Thomas and his dad Bucky come over for dinner.
incandescent glow by @allyouneedisbuck
bucky barnes has a knack for finding warmth. his job as a firefighter. steve and nat and their unwavering warmth and kindness. you, and your daughter, and the sunshine filled smiles and laughs. he’s just trying to figure out how to tell you he wants it all with you.
Operation Get Mr Bucky and Momma Together by @golden-barnes
Bucky doesn't play favorites but Amaya is definitely his favorite, especially because her mom is hot.. Cue a 6-year-old trying to get Bucky to be her dad. (Teacher!Bucky)
goodnight kiss by @alisonsfics
bucky stays over at your place because he’s having work done on his apartment. he gets to hang out with you and your son.
What’s on your back? by @itsbuckysworld
“Show me what’s behind your back.”
Catch Me If You Can by @buckyalpine
Maybe he isn’t so bad.
Disney Princesses and Dog Tags by @buckyalpine
My Mom Thinks You’re Hot by @bluehourbucky
your son tries to set you up with an avenger in a grocery store
apartment 4d by @sunmoonandeddie
There’s nothing Bucky loves more than the widow down the hall and her son.
family additions by @ezm-imagines
reader's daughter calls bucky dad for the first time.
SERIES
The Slip Up by @justkending
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.
Yours, Mine, Ours by @coffeecatsandcandles
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.
Redcove Harvest by @iwillbeinmynest
Farmhand!AU and SingleMom!Reader
The Lucky One by @avengerofyourheart
As a single mom with a jerk of an ex-husband, you’re doing your best to run the family business all on your own when your mother hires a mysterious man with a troubled past to help out. He just might be what you need in your life, but will his secrets bring you together or tear you apart?
Grant | 2| 3 by @coffeecatsandcandles
Bucky finds out you have a son from a previous relationship.
Love At First Grade by @buckysimp101
When father and first grade teacher Bucky Barnes ends up with Avery L/N in his class, the daughter of the “ruthless” CEO of L/N Enterprises, he's in for a surprise that's sure to change his life.
Part of a Family | 2 by @onceuponastory
After Y/N is abandoned by her boyfriend, the father of her 8 month old son, her best friend Bucky comes to the rescue. The same Bucky who’s been in love with Y/N ever since he met her.
Blue is for Ben by @writerlyhabits
Bucky has a meet-cute with you as you're waiting for the elevator in his building, and he's instantly captivated by you.. and your son. What lies in store for the super soldier as he falls head over heels for the single mom who lives just down the hall? Or finds himself wanting to hear about four-year-old Ben's day at school…
My Little Hero by @bucky-bear-barnes
Bucky stumbled upon a sweet young girl defending his honor. And finding out that her mom is the lovely single mom he always kind of liked.
From Left Field | 2 | 3 by @ofstarsandvibranium
chubby Bucky falling for a mother.
The Road Goes Ever On and On by @rocketrhap3000
Life as a single mother of a three year old certainly has its struggles. But when a sweet stranger makes his way into you and your little boy’s life, a one of a kind connection sparks.
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Don’t mind me, just feel like sharing the Barnes family that lives in my head
James “Bucky” Buchanan Barnes: The oldest sibling, hella protective of his siblings (only they are allowed to make each other miserable, anyone else will suffer). Huge nerd, loves sci-fi, good at most of telle things that he tries, he loves his family more than anything, it’s that simple
Steve(n) Grant Rogers: is one of the Barnes as far as anyone is concerned, most people actually believe that because of how much time he spends with them and how close he is with all of them. He and Bucky are the closest and know each other by heart, but he’s also really good friends with the girls and sometimes jokingly calls Winnie and George “Ma”, “mother”, “pa” and “father” usually when he’s being a kiss ass to piss of the siblings. Honestly he pretty much lives at their house at this point. He’s a Barnes sibling, not up for debate for any of them.
Mary-Anne “Annie” Charity (Sheldon-)Barnes: She’s aboit a year younger than Steve and two and a half years younger than Bucky, but honestly, she’s probably the most mature out of the bunch. She’s the mom of the friend group (yes the siblings are also pretty much a friend group, they love each other. Unrealistic from my experience but leave me alone) and she’s also the most helpful around the household. She’s the only Blonde in the biological Barnes family, which often helps Steve to blend in with them. She and Steve are besties, she had a huge crush on him when they were kids but got over it eventually, she likes to joke that Steve is her favorite brother when she’s messing with Bucky. She’s usually the one reasoning and lecturing the others but often ends up being the one to cover for them when the others are doing something stupid. Bucky used to call her “MAC” because of her initials to piss her off, and got her to tear up on her wedding day when he called her “MACS”. She got married to William Sheldon as soon as she was old enough to get married and had a son called Charles (everyone called him Charlie), Steve was his godfather.
Rebecca “Becca” Marjorie (Proctor-)Barnes: she’s three and a half years younger than Bucky and is the sibling that annoys him the most. Bucky and Becca are always finding ways to mess with each other and make the other miserable (figuratively speaking, they would never try to actually hurt each other). Annie is usually the one to split them up when they’re arguing. She looks a lot like Bucky and has a ton in common with him, and they both hate it and use it to annoy the heck out of each other. Later on she gets engaged to Arthur Proctor who asked for George, Bucky and Steve’s blessing to marry her. They got married after the war. She became an activist for civil rights and peace after the war. She and her husband Arthur died in a car crash in 1960. They were the Winter Soldier’s first mission.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Madeline Barnes: depending on my mood, she’s between 16 and 10 years younger than Bucky. Either way, she’s the baby of the family. She’s the sweetest kid alive, and looks a lot like her siblings. She was one of the many people who believed that Steve was a Barnes, and broke down crying when she accidentally discovered the truth at the age of ten, running to Steve and begging him not to leave her even though he never had any intentions to do so. She’s a very smart kid who hangs on her older siblings’ every word. She trusts them never to lie to her, even when the truth is ugly, they do their best to explain things to her in a way she can understand (and not get traumatized by in the case of the war).
George Barnes: is their father, he lost his middle and ring finger of his right hand during the Great War, and the idea of war terrifies him though the first years of Bucky’s life were hard on him, he usually managed to ground himself with the presence of his children. His family is Jewish, and his uncle Randolph is a total dickhead that is not allowed near his children ever since that one time.
Winnifred “Winnie” Barnes: she’s the mother, she and George love Steve like one of their own, she’s an amazing cook and loves when Steve and Sarah stay over for meals, she’s very generous and especially during the depression when everyone was in need, she never hesitated to give up things to others who needed it more. She’s catholic like Steve and Sarah and raised her kids to know her religion, though they picked more up from their father
Sarah Rogers: is Steve’s mom, she doesn’t get to spend as much time with the children due to her need to work for a living, she loves how close Steve got to that amazing family and is always reassured that he has someone behind his back when he does something stupid and has another family to rely on when she’s at work. She and Winnie pretty much share custody of the kids, they love seeing her whenever she has the time
Anyway, just some personal headcanons that no one asked for!
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