Peter Parker one-shots

"Жаль, что я не могу сказать тебе, что ты тот, с кем я хочу быть всегда." [WS]

Hi I would just like to say I used Google translate for the Russian in this story and it is based on a prompt I saw on Tumblr
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It started out as a harmless joke, or at least that's what Bucky Barnes told himself. After all, if he were to actually try to flirt with Peter Parker in English, he'd be tongue-tied and stumbling over his words. Peter was different from anyone Bucky had ever known, and the thought of confessing his feelings was downright terrifying. So, he resorted to using his first language, Russian, to say all the things he didn't have the courage to say in English. The thrill of it was enough to distract him from the idea that he might never tell Peter the truth.

It had all started one winter afternoon. The team had just finished training, and Bucky was sitting at the kitchen counter with Natasha, Sam, and Clint, all laughing about some recent mission antics, when Peter walked in. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, his hair a mess, and he looked up with that bright smile that seemed to light up the entire room.

Without thinking, Bucky muttered in Russian, "Ты выглядишь слишком мило, Питер." ("You look way too cute, Peter.")

Peter blinked in surprise, his expression unreadable for a moment before he cocked his head. "What was that?"

Bucky shrugged, a sly smile on his lips. "Oh, nothing. Just saying you look cold," he lied, barely keeping a straight face. Natasha arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips, but she didn't say a word.

Peter sighed, pretending to be annoyed. "Well, maybe I wouldn't look cold if you'd say something I could actually understand."

Bucky chuckled, deciding right then and there that he could get used to the game. He kept it up day after day, never once explaining himself or giving Peter even a vague translation. He told himself it was harmless. Just some fun, and besides, Peter didn't know any Russian, so there was no harm done.

What Bucky didn't know was that Peter had grown up around his Aunt May's best friend, who happened to be Russian, and he'd picked up the language over time. He'd understood every single word. From the "cute" and "adorable" remarks to more daring ones like, "Ты идеальный парень, если бы ты только знал." ("You'd be the perfect boyfriend, if only you knew.")

Peter had figured he'd call Bucky out on it sooner, but as time went on, he found he enjoyed the game. Something about pretending not to understand, while secretly knowing everything Bucky was saying, gave him a thrill. The team, however, was growing suspicious. Bucky wasn't exactly subtle.

One evening, the entire team gathered in the common room, warming up after a long day of training. Snow was falling heavily outside, and the compound felt almost cozy with the fire crackling and blankets strewn across the couches. Peter was seated on one end of the couch, sandwiched between Clint and Wanda, when Bucky entered the room.

"Ты всегда выглядишь хорошо, но сегодня ты выглядишь особенно красиво," Bucky said in a low voice, just loud enough for Peter to hear. ("You always look good, but today you look especially beautiful.")

Peter glanced up, his expression as innocent as ever. "Huh? What was that?"

"Nothing," Bucky said, feigning innocence as he sat down across from Peter, his gaze lingering a little too long. "Just telling you to sit up straight. Posture, you know?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "Can we please stop with the secret agent banter? This whole Russian love language thing is getting old, Buck. If you've got something to say to the kid, just say it."

Bucky glared at Tony. "I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled, folding his arms defensively.

Natasha shot Peter a knowing look. She'd been itching for him to reveal the truth to Bucky for weeks. She knew how much Bucky liked him; she also knew he'd never confess his feelings outright, so she'd been waiting for Peter to do something about it. Peter grinned but gave her a subtle shake of his head, as if to say, Not yet.

Bucky, oblivious to the silent communication, continued, thinking he was still in the clear. As the night went on, he found more reasons to murmur sweet nothings to Peter in Russian. It was his way of letting out all the things he'd never dare to say otherwise.

When Peter yawned, Bucky leaned in, saying softly, "Ты такой милый, когда устаешь." ("You're so cute when you're tired.")

When Peter laughed at one of Sam's jokes, Bucky added, "Я бы мог смотреть на твою улыбку вечно." ("I could watch your smile forever.")

But the real confession came a bit later, when everyone was deep in conversation, laughing and teasing one another. Bucky was watching Peter, smiling to himself, and, feeling bold, he whispered under his breath, "Жаль, что я не могу сказать тебе, что ты тот, с кем я хочу быть всегда." ("It's a shame I can't tell you that you're the one I want to be with, always.")

Peter stilled, his heart racing. This time, he couldn't help it. He looked up, his gaze meeting Bucky's with an intensity that caught everyone's attention. "That sounds pretty amazing," he replied in flawless Russian, his voice steady.

The room went silent. Bucky's face went pale, then bright red. He blinked, clearly struggling to process what had just happened.

"You... You understood that?" he stammered, eyes wide.

Peter nodded, fighting a smile. "I understood everything, Bucky. Every single thing you've said to me in Russian since the first time."

Sam snorted. "Wait, you mean he's been laying it on thick in Russian this whole time, and you've just been pretending not to get it?"

Peter chuckled, shrugging. "Pretty much."

Clint slapped his knee, laughing. "Barnes, you really walked right into that one."

Bucky, still recovering, looked over at Natasha, who simply shrugged. "Don't look at me. I knew from the start."

"You knew?" Bucky sputtered, his mortification evident.

She smirked. "Of course I did. You're not as subtle as you think, Barnes."

Bucky buried his face in his hands, groaning, but Peter reached over and gently tugged his hands away. "Hey," he said softly, his expression warm. "For the record, I liked everything you said. You didn't have to hide it from me."

Bucky let out a shaky breath, his eyes searching Peter's. "So... you don't think I'm-"

"A complete idiot?" Peter grinned, leaning just a little closer. "Maybe a little. But I think it's sweet. And I think maybe I'd like to hear more of those things... in English this time."

Tony threw his hands up. "Alright, someone get a camera; I'm recording this momentous occasion. This is too good."

Ignoring the peanut gallery, Bucky focused entirely on Peter. "Well... if that's the case," he said, his voice low, "how about you and I go somewhere quieter, and I can tell you everything I've wanted to say-out loud, and in English this time?"

Peter's smile grew as he nodded, his heart pounding. "Sounds perfect."

As they left the room, hands brushing, the rest of the team erupted into laughter and cheers, knowing they'd just witnessed something special. And as they stepped out into the snow, Bucky finally let his guard down, holding Peter's hand and speaking from his heart, no language barriers in the way.