AUGUST || Bucky Barnes x OC

31

"It's here!" Valerie shrieked, waving the paper in her hand as she danced around the apartment. Jumping anxiously and flailing her arms.

"Open it! Open it!" Bucky matched her excitement.

Valerie's hands shook as she tried to grab at the corner of the envelope.

"Oh my god..I can't do it. You look!" She covered her eyes and held out the paper to Bucky.

He grabbed it immediately, ripping it to shreds to get to the letter inside.

His eyes scanned through the first few lines as he mumbled the less important introduction under his breath.

"...we are pleased to inform you, after careful review of your submission, that your series of photographs titled "August", have secured a spot at Bryerman's Gallery of Fine Photographed Arts in Manhattan.." Bucky's eyes jumped up from the page to meet Valerie, who met him with wide eyes and mouth hanging open.
"Vee..you got it.." He sounded almost out of breath.

"I got it.." she repeated, just as breathless.

"You got it.." he nodded, his smile growing wider as he walked towards her.

"I got it!" She yelled out, jumping into his arms.

Bucky spun her around as they both cheered. He put her down and kissed her, her face locked tightly in his hands.

"You fucking got it! I fucking knew you would get it!" He shook her excitedly as she laughed.

"I can't believe I fucking got it" She sounded like she was actually in disbelief.

Their shared moment was cut short by the sudden blaring of the smoke alarm.

"Oh shit!" Bucky turned back to the pan on the stove that held what had been some sort of sustenance, long forgotten about in their moment of celebration. Valerie started to laugh as she ran for the balcony, opening the door wide and using a pillow to wave the smoke out.

Bucky took off his apron and helped her wave, both of them frantically laughing at the situation as the smoke alarm finally died down.

"Fuck that, you just got your first gallery spot. We're going out to dinner!" Bucky put the pan in the sink before he ran at Valerie, picking her up and spinning her around again.

"No!" Valerie blushed at the remark but tried to laugh it off.

"Yes! We have to celebrate!" He insisted, rolling up the apron and smacking her behind playfully with it as he rushed to the bathroom. "Get ready!" He peeked back out to ensure she was doing as she was told, and couldn't help but melt a little at her girlish twirl and wide smile. He loved seeing her this happy.

After the long and eventful night they decided to walk the last few blocks back to Valerie's place. Her arm was tightly wrapped into his as her other hand was swaying with the bag of leftover desserts. As soon as they made it back into the apartment, Bucky grabbed the bag from her and placed it neatly on the kitchen counter before placing her face in his hands.

"What?" Valerie looked up at him, her large eyes gleaming in the mixture of bright lights coming from outside the large windows.

"You are fucking incredible, you know that? I look at you, here, with everything you've accomplished, and I'm in fucking awe of you, Vee" His tone of voice was so serious. His face looked so stern. "I'm honored you want me to be a part of it. I really am. Thank you for letting me." He whispered before kissing her. His words melted into her skin just like she was melting into his arms. Her hands slowly wrapped around his broad shoulders as she jumped up into his arms. He walked her over to the bed, laying her down as he slowly stroked her face, just taking her in.