Marvel Oneshots

Family Recipe (Bucky Barnes)

The warm glow of candlelight flickered against the walls of the kitchen, casting soft shadows as Y/N pulled out her grandmother's well-worn cookbook. The aroma of fresh herbs and spices danced through the air, filling the space with a comforting familiarity. Cooking was one of her favorite ways to unwind, and tonight, she was excited to share that experience with Bucky.

"Alright, what's the first step?" Bucky asked, leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, a playful smirk on his lips. His dark hair fell in soft waves, framing his face, and Y/N couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

"First, we need to marinate the chicken," she replied, flipping through the pages until she found the familiar handwritten recipe. "It's my grandma's special lemon herb marinade. You're going to love it."

Bucky raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "You say that about all your family recipes."

"Well, this one's different! I promise," she insisted, her voice a mix of excitement and teasing. "Just grab the chicken from the fridge."

As Bucky went to retrieve the chicken, Y/N gathered the necessary ingredients—lemons, olive oil, garlic, and a blend of herbs. The playful banter began as soon as he returned.

"Why do you need so much garlic? I thought vampires were a myth," he teased, shooting her a wink.

Y/N rolled her eyes, her laughter bubbling up. "It's a flavor enhancer, Bucky. And besides, I thought you liked the taste of garlic."

"Only when it doesn't overwhelm everything else," he shot back, a mock serious expression on his face.

She could feel her cheeks flush with joy at their playful argument. It reminded her of the times she had spent cooking with her family, and the warmth of those memories wrapped around her like a cozy blanket.

"Alright, chef, let's get started," she said, trying to suppress her giggles. "Help me squeeze these lemons."

Bucky grabbed the lemons, rolling them in his palms to make them easier to juice. "You know, I never thought I'd be cooking in the kitchen. You're turning me into quite the domestic man," he said, chuckling.

"Domestic Bucky is the best Bucky," she replied, nudging him playfully as she reached for a cutting board. "Now, chop those herbs while I juice these lemons. And no, you can't just throw them in whole."

Bucky feigned shock. "Who do you think I am? A barbarian?" He grabbed a knife, holding it dramatically. "I can be delicate."

"Prove it," she challenged, leaning against the counter, arms crossed and a playful grin on her face.

As Bucky set to work, Y/N couldn't help but admire the way he moved with a blend of confidence and grace. Despite the years he spent battling the darkness of his past, he was here, sharing moments like this with her—cooking, laughing, and connecting over something as simple as a family recipe.

After a few moments of concentrated chopping, Bucky looked up, his expression thoughtful. "So, what's the story behind this recipe?"

Y/N paused, memories flooding her mind. "My grandma used to make this every Sunday for family dinner. She'd say it brought everyone together. I remember all of us crowded around the table, sharing stories and laughter. It was our time to connect."

Bucky nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "That sounds nice. Family dinners were a bit different for me. I don't have many memories of that. But I like the idea of it."

Y/N's heart ached for him. "We can create our own memories, you know? This is just the beginning."

His eyes sparkled with gratitude. "I'd like that."