This Is Stella's Reality

February 7, 2015

Bucky's fingers played with the ends of my hair, flicking the locks against his palms and smoothing them down my back.

I hummed, pressing kisses to the bare skin of his chest. He shivered as my skin ghosted over him. "Stella," he muttered against my hairline. The way he said my name always made my heart skip a beat.

"Will you be my Valentine?" He asked.

A grin spread across my face. He's so cute and charming. Bucky reached into the nightstand on his side of the bed. He pulled out a cute stuffed bear that held a red heart.

I laughed, "You are so cute. Yes, of course I'll be your Valentine.

"Good," he whispered. "I've got big plans for us."

A tingle spread through me. "Oh, yeah?"

His thoughts were quiet. He didn't want me to ruin the surprises he had in store for me. I smiled, pulling my mind away and ignoring the thoughts that were spilling out from him.

"I've got everything taken care of, doll," he said smoothly. I loved when he acted so arrogant and in-charge. But anxiety rippled up my spine.

I looked up at him, "What about the paparazzi?" They would blow up any story about us on Valentine's Day.

He smiled, "Relax, doll. I said I've got everything taken care of." I breathed a little easier. If he wasn't stressed, why should I be?

I cuddled closer to his side, breathing in his scent and feeling sleep pull me in. But someone knocked on our door. Bucky groaned and threw a pillow at the door. It hit with a loud smack.

It was Steve; he banged on the door again, yelling at Bucky to let him in. I sighed and slipped to the floor. Bucky protested, wanting me to stay in bed with him. I pressed a kiss to his head, "Relax, ducky." He rolled his eyes and sat up in bed.

I opened the door. Steve looked annoyed by something. "Hey, Stel," he said with a frown. I let him in.

He sat on the floor by our coffee table. "The hell is wrong with you?" Bucky asked. The question only pulled Steve's frown down further.

I sat next to him on the ground. "Can I get you anything."

Steve stared at me, "I need your opinion."

"On what?" Steve rarely asked anyone for advice. He seemed to always have the answers. It was strange to be asked for my help.

He pouted for a moment longer before mumbling. "If you aren't dating someone, but you're," he paused. "You're talking to them, should you still get them something for Valentine's Day?"

Bucky laughed loudly. He clutched his stomach and threw his head against the pillows. Steve did not look amused. He glared at Bucky.

I touched Steve's arm. "Under normal circumstances, I would say to at least get that person a box of chocolates or something." I paused. Was this how Tony and Bruce felt that day I cried about Bucky? I laughed, "If you're talking about who I think you're talking about, I know she doesn't care about things like that."

He looked up at me, "It feels wrong to not get her anything."

"True," I said, "but don't get her something stupid that you could buy at CVS. Put some thought into it, but don't let your feelings get hurt if you see it in the garbage afterwards."

He laughed at that, "Thanks, Stel. You're so helpful." He looked pointedly back at Bucky who was still smiling from Steve's cute innocence.

I shook my head, "Don't overthink it, Steve. I think to her, the thought matters more than the gift itself."

"Do you need anything else?" Bucky asked. "I'm trying to sleep here."