Marvel One Shots

Car rides // Stucky

Bucky didn't understand why Steve was upset at him. It had been almost a year since everything slowed down enough for them to finally get a life together. Steve stared out the car window, arms crossed and frankly more uptight than usual. Bucky retraced his words, his actions, and even his body language, to try to figure out why Steve could be mad at him.

Was it the joke about them having an 80-year relationship? Had Steve not wanted to count the years he was frozen or the time between their reunion?

Or was it how he left for the bathroom, at which time the food was delivered and he left Steve to deal with a fangirl waitress? Bucky was starting to realize the signs from before their interaction that had seemed to make Steve uncomfortable.

Had Bucky read all the wrong signs about it being Steve's favorite restaurant? It was supposed to be his birthday date, maybe he truly hated this restaurant. It was completely wrong to have Clint pick some cash from Tony's pocket to afford this.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Steve, for whatever I did," Bucky said, merging onto the freeway. Steve didn't respond, so Bucky glanced quickly at him. He was still staring out of the window. Fireworks popped in the distance. None were visible to the couple. It was especially odd people had the audacity to shoot them off on a cloudy night. It was technically a major holiday, though.

In an attempt to relieve the silence, Bucky turned on the radio. Steve and Bucky had made a mixtape, as Tony called it, of music from the 30s and 40s. They both chose songs that were rather nostalgic, compared to what mush of words and instruments that were playing on the radio. Steve relaxed a little but still didn't look toward Bucky. Bucky kept driving, it was still a 30-minute drive to the tower. Occasionally, Bucky would steal glances at Steve to see if he was willing to talk. After 15 minutes, Steve was asleep. Bucky smiled and kept driving. He parked along the rest of the Avenger's cars, his being far less lavish than some of the others. Bucky tapped Steve on the shoulder, hoping he slept off the anger.

"We're at the tower, Steve," Bucky said. Steve glanced around the car for a moment, lingering on Bucky before he remembered why he was upset. The tired smile turned into a scowl. Bucky was at a loss for what to do. Steve climbed out of the car, followed quickly by Bucky. The elevator ride was uncomfortable and silent. When they arrived on the main floor, Steve continued to storm off.

"The hell did you do, Barnes?" Tony asked. Natasha and Clint were already gossiping about the possibilities.

"That's the thing, I have no clue. Get the cake out, I'm going to talk to him," Bucky said. He headed towards Steve's room, careful to not mess up more.

"Steve, is something wrong?" Bucky asked. He was hesitant, reaching toward Steve's shoulder.

"Yes, there is. There are other bedrooms if you want to sleep tonight," Steve said. Bucky froze, staring at the back of Steve's head. He truly messed up, the entire date was terrible. Thankfully, Tony hadn't asked about the money.

"What do I need to do?" he asked carefully. Steve relaxed a little.

"What's today?" Steve asked.

"Tuesday? Why?"

"No, I mean the date."

"July 4th."

"And what's important about today?"

"It's your birthday, Steve, I didn't forget your birthday, if that's what you're implying."

"You never said happy birthday to me," Steve claimed. His position was more open than before.

"Steven Grant Rogers-"

"James Buchanan Barnes, I also know your full name."

"I've known you since we were kids, how the hell would I forget your birthday?" Bucky asked.

"I don't know, maybe because you were brainwashed by HYDRA for 70 years?" Steve tried. Bucky was not taking it.

"Riddle me this, your boyfriend of technically 80 years took you out on an expensive date when he is typically broker than he was, well, 80 years ago, on a Tuesday no less, what is his reason?" Bucky said. Steve was at a loss, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Wait, where did you get that money from? I swear, we spent almost $100 on dinner," he said.

"That is... not important, what is important is that you thought I forgot your birthday." The subject change wasn't as graceful, but Steve accepted it.

"Maybe next year, you should just give me a kiss and just say 'happy birthday, Steve', and I won't be mad," Steve said. He punctuated the statement with a kiss, which alarmed Bucky initially, but he fell into the soft rhythm. They broke apart, both forgetting the day's tosses and turns, they just wanted to fall asleep together. After almost 20 minutes, Bucky shot up, scaring Steve.

"The cake, oh Lord, Tony is going to kill me if it's melted," he said. Steve grew worried, then a happier look. Bucky had planned out something with all of the other Avengers – especially with Tony of all people.

"Happy birthday to you!" the group sang. Peter added appropriately timed "cha-cha-cha"s between the verses. Natasha served the cake while everyone sat at the table. It was an incredible ending to a frustrating birthday for Steve, and he would give everything to see the sarcastic look Bucky had in their argument turn into the rare, yet beautiful smile he had.

-- before the birthday; a Peter Parker adventure --

The wind rushed against Peter's ears as he rolled through the hallway. That was hyperbole, it was air-conditioning and he was rolling through on Heelies, being chased by a frankly angry Tony.

"It is past your bedtime, your Aunt May will kill me if she hears about this!" Tony called out. He was catching up dangerously fast, Peter had assumed his age would slow him down, not accounting for the past 10 years of hero training Tony had gone through.

"You have cake! I want cake! This is not fair!" Peter called back. He started to slow, so he took another running start before gliding on the wheels again.

"No!" Tony called out. Peter kept running, making a quick turn down a new hall.

"I'm 15, let me have cake!" Peter argued. Not his best debate, but it was rather hard to argue while rolling around linoleum flooring that was waxed recently. It was a shocker he hadn't face-planted yet.

"Exactly! 10 year older than the marketed age group for roller skate shoes," Tony said. He was closer than ever, so Peter opted to run instead of roll.

"LIAR-" Peter was cut off by running face first into the wall. Tony had finally caught up, albeit, out of breath.

"You alright there kid? You definitely gave me a run for my money. Off to bed now," Tony said, waving Peter off.

"Mr. Stark! I will be good, just let me sing happy birthday? Please? I don't want to miss that!" Peter said. Tony sighed and helped Peter to his feet.

"Fine. But only singing, no cake," he said. Peter beamed and rolled off towards the kitchen. 5 minutes later, Bucky and Steve arrived.

After the song, Peter waited in line, between Clint and Bucky to get a slice of cake while Tony was too busy talking to Bruce about old people's science. By the time Tony realized Peter shouldn't be there, he was already halfway done with his cake.