Stucky One-shots

Chasing Cars

"Big man in a suit of armor. Take that away, what are you?" Steve questioned, the words rolling off his tongue. His blue eyes bore into Tony's hazel-brown ones. Tony opened his eyes slightly wider in evident surprise while his posture suggested a carefree attitude. He shot back, "Genius. Billionaire. Playboy. Philanthropist."

Nat shrugged her shoulders in subtle agreement as Steve's eyes shot daggers. Memories flooded Steve in that instant, as he thought of the one person he knew that had ever been this cocky to him, and felt sentiment flood him.

James Buchanan Barnes.

"Thanks, Buck, but I can get by on my own."

"The thing is, you don't have to. I'm with you 'till the end of the line, pal."

At that moment, the only person Steve could see was his best friend; his brother. He furrowed his brows slightly. He glared at Tony as Bucky Barnes filled his mind. Bucky, who had none of what Tony boasted but was everything to him. "I know guys with none of that worth ten of you," he whispered spitefully.

*****

Outside, a cascade of colors showered the sky as the sun bade adieu to the day. The horizon was set on fire by the departing sun. Like a golden disc, it slipped beneath the ocean's edge. A display of different hues danced across the celestial stage. As daylight's last sigh set the sky aflame with the glow of a day meeting its violet end, fiery streaks of red and orange blazed across the horizon in a wild, untamed beauty.

Bucky sat quietly in his bed in the Avengers Compound, glaring distrustfully at everyone who was outside having fun. He looked at the Maximoff twins and wondered if his sister, Becca, had ever had that much fun with him. Running a hand through his long brown hair, his steel blue eyes fixated on one point of the wall, he wondered where Steve was. He picked up his guitar and started strumming it. Knowing it was out of tune and not knowing how to fix it, he put it on the side of his bed.

Sighing, he picked up the photo frame by his bed. It was dated 3rd July 1937... one day before Steve's birthday. He smiled at his laughing self in the photo in disbelief. Was that really James Buchanan Barnes? Bucky stroked the grinning Steve in the photo, before placing it back and admiring it.

As if on cue, Tony's voice reverberated around the room. "Hey. Manchurian Candidate, you're killing me. Go do something fun. James." He added in Bucky's first name. Bucky could almost see Tony's smirk as he bore his eyes at the security camera. "Bye," Stark signed off cheerfully, and Bucky sighed quietly in relief.

"Hey, F.R.I.D.A.Y, turn off the camera and audio recorder in my room," Bucky commanded, lying on his bed as he stared up at the ceiling. "Alright, Mr. Barnes," an automated voice, light and cheery, echoed, and Bucky smiled in satisfaction. That was the one thing about the tower. F.R.I.D.A.Y was always at his service.

As he saw Steve approaching, Bucky's eyes widened. He bit his lip and glanced self-consciously at his vibranium left arm. He wrung his hands nervously as Steve entered Bucky's room, smiling at his best friend and secret crush. "Hey, Buck," Steve grinned goofily. He stared, fixated on Bucky's guitar. Bucky hesitated, looking up at Steve nervously. He wanted to say something, but he was so sure that he'd regret it. "Uh, Stevie?" Bucky whispered. "Mhm?" Steve replied absent-mindedly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Uh... you're taller." Looking up, Steve laughed and hugged Bucky, burying his head in the crook of Bucky's neck. "Since when? Since the '40s? Because if so, that would be a yes." The guitar was now in Steve's hands, as he tuned it while leaning against Bucky's shoulder.

Bucky sighed and leaned into Steve. "I... don't quite know how to say... how I feel."

"Bucky..."

Taking a deep breath, Bucky looked into Steve's bright blue eyes. He loved those eyes. Those blue eyes were ocean-strong, swimming with warm sun-lit currents. They were the blue of each and every dancing sky; a infinite hues illuminated by a single bright light. One glance of those eyes told of a lifetime of struggle that had never been put into words. His smile was warmer than the gentle sun.

"I love you, Stevie. I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime. And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine."

Steve sat absolutely still as he glanced at Bucky. Bucky swore inwardly, "я знал, что мне не следовало этого делать. Я такой глупый, Дерьмо!" (I knew I shouldn't have done that. I'm so stupid, damn it!)

Steve continued to stare at Bucky, almost in disbelief. Bucky glanced at Steve oddly, trying and failing to read his face.

"Do you hate me?"

Steve shook his head.

"All that I am. All that I ever was. They're in your perfect eyes, and they're all I can see." Steve smiled and Bucky's eyes shone bright. The world that had placed itself upon his shoulders had finally relented.

Steve took the guitar and started strumming it to a familiar beat. Bucky grinned happily, deliriously happy to be in Steve's arms at last. Steve smiled as he continued playing the guitar.

If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Bucky's eyes smiled as he side-hugged Steve tightly, never wanting to let go. "I love you, Stevie," he whispered. Stroking Bucky's hair comfortingly, Steve took a leap of faith and lowered his body to the mattress. He shifted to the right and patted the space next to him, looking into Bucky's beautiful eyes.

Bucky chuckled internally, a smile manifesting on his face as Steve reached forward to tuck his brown hair behind his ear. He realized that they barely touched because they weren't just best friends. They couldn't hold hands without wishing for more. They couldn't hug without struggling to let go. They couldn't be just friends, not when they couldn't stop being in love with each other.

And that moment, in bed and in each other's arms with smiles and laughs? It was more than enough. Bucky sighed in contentment.

"Would you lie with me... and just forget the world?"