AUGUST || Bucky Barnes x OC

40

Valerie was chewing on her lip, and picking at her cuticles. All bad habits had seemed to team up to torture her through this particular day.

"You alright, doll?" Bucky glanced over at her as he was pouring up the iced tea in a large glass pitcher.

"Hmm? yeah I'm fine" She mumbled softly as she inched up the plates on the table again, making sure they looked straight.

Bucky placed the pitcher on the table, watching her manically align everything. He walked over and grabbed her hands, pressing them to his chest.

"Vee, you gotta relax okay? My mother loves you, I don't understand why you're so nervous." He smiled at her, bending down slightly to catch her lowered gaze.

"I just..I haven't seen her in such a long time" She put on her best smile.

"I know what will help" Bucky smiled, letting go of her hands and grabbing hold of her face, kissing her softly. His lips brushed across her with such gentleness that she almost forgot why she was nervous to begin with, she could only feel herself melting against him. He was right, it did help.

"I can come back later" A familiar voice sounded from the front door to the cabin.

Valerie's eyes flew open, her lips still pressed against Bucky's. She moved away slowly, looking at him like they had just been caught trying to hide a body.

Bucky turned around casually, "Ma, come in" He walked towards her.

"I love what you've done here, James" She looked around in awe. "It looks so different from just a few months ago!" She kept looking around until her eyes fell on Valerie. Who, for the matter, had tried extremely hard to look like her most presentable self. She was wearing a light green romper that fell in different layers in a breezy chiffon material. Bucky said it made her look "like Tinkerbell, but in the best way."

"Valerie, honey! You look amazing!" She walked towards her with her arms out.

"So do you, Mrs. Barnes" She met her halfway, wrapping her in a hug.

"Oh, please how many times must I tell you to call me Winnie!" She brushed Valerie's arm lightly, taking her in. Valerie smiled back at her, "I'm sorry, Winnie".

They all took their seat at the table. Bucky and his mother conversed with such ease, it was almost fascinating to Valerie. It was nothing like the relationship she had with her own mother, which was all built on subtle formalities and taking a stab at each other whenever the opportunity presented itself.

"So, how is your photography going, Val? James tells me you've been working really hard" She smiled at her as she took a sip of her iced tea.

Valerie shot a quick look at Bucky, who gave her hand an encouraging squeeze as he moved it over into his lap.

"He's sweet to say so. Yes, I will be showcasing some of my work at the Bryermans Gallery in Manhattan starting...well, in a few days actually."

She spoke softly, not quite used to how she should present the news out loud to people just yet, she was still practicing.

"Bryermans? That's amazing, Valerie. I would love to stop by and take a look at it. I'm happy you're still pursuing your passion" She smiled widely at her, reaching over and stroking her arm again.

"Thank you, Mrs- Winnie. Really, it wouldn't have been possible without Buc-James. He really helped pull it all together." She looked over at him lovingly.

"Is that so?" Winnie asked curiously.

"He's in the photos, so yes, definitely," Valerie giggled.

"She's just being modest, Ma. I look good cause she makes me look good. The photos are amazing though, we'll go see them when they're up" He smiled back at her, stroking her hand with his thumb.

The hours passed and Valerie started to loosen up a bit. Winnie made it easy to talk, and she always had such interesting answers to every question. She was a well-traveled woman who wasn't afraid to take up space when required.

"James, do you have anything to drink?" Winnie smiled at her son.

"Drink...like?" Bucky raised an eyebrow from where he was sitting on the back patio of his cabin.

"Like...scotch?" Winnie raised an eyebrow back.

"Ma!" He pretended to be shocked at her request "...yes. yes I do." Bucky got to his feet and headed inside, leaving a quick kiss at the top of Valerie's head.

"Don't Ma me, James. Don't you forget I gave you your first taste of good quality scotch" She yelled after him as he laughed.

"You did?" Valerie joined in on the laughter.

"Oh yes. He was 16, I believe. I caught him in the middle of the night trying to top off a flask with some cheap whiskey from our liquor cabinet. I slapped the lights on, caught him red handed. Sat him down and told him "If you're gonna steal, at least steal the good stuff", got him to drink half the bottle right then and there. His father was furious with me!" She slapped her thigh and laughed loudly.

Valerie joined her, "Half the bottle?!" She held her hand up to her mouth.

"Oh, he was hammered out of his mind. Had a scandalous hangover the next morning. Didn't try to steal any alcohol for the next two months, though. And most importantly, learned what a horrendous hangover you get from cheap whiskey." Winnie turned around to make sure Bucky wasn't walking back outside yet.

"I'm happy to see you here, Valerie." She reached over and grabbed her hand lovingly.

"Well, I'm happy to be here" She stated matter-of-factly.

"You know, I hope I'm not speaking out of turn when I say this, but I always hoped you two would find your way back to each other. I was always so impressed by his choice in you. You're everything he needs. Smart, kind, ambitious, someone to really push him. He's more free with you. Dare I say, he's glowing even more than you are right now." She looked back again.

"He makes me really happy" Was all Valerie could muster, feeling her heart twisting in her chest.

"I'm glad to hear that, truly. I hope you'll think about spending some more time here, with us" She smiled warmly, right before Bucky walked back outside. A scotch in his hand and a glass of wine in the other.

He handed the glass of wine to Valerie, and the other one to his mother. "Whatever she says, Vee; Don't believe her!" He shot a narrow eyed look at his mother, followed by a smirk.

"Oh, I was just trying to talk you up" Winnie took a sip of her scotch.

The rest of the afternoon floated by quickly, and evening soon hit the doorstep. The birds started chirping a little louder as they were fluttering between the trees.

"Well, I best be heading back now! Don't wanna keep you kids here all night, I'm sure you have plans!" She started to head for the front door.

"I'll walk you" Bucky got up to follow her.

Winnie just waved him away, "No need, darling. I'll be fine. Your sister will be back a couple days before the wedding. I'll make sure to send her your way Valerie, she's very excited to see you!" She winked at Valerie as she opened the door.

"Please do!" Valerie walked with Bucky to the door and they both waved her off as she headed up the trail to the main house.

Valerie let out a huge exhale.

"so...how did I do?" She smiled nervously at Bucky, her hands tucked behind her back as she slightly swayed side to side.

Bucky's hand was still resting on the door, and so his quick and sudden movement towards her made her jump. He bent down and wrapped his arms around her legs, throwing her over his shoulder as he walked her upstairs. Leaving her laughing and playfully punching his back as she swayed upside down. She guessed it was safe to assume he thought it went well.