Various x reader oneshots

(Bucky Barnes) Autumn Birthday Bliss

Word count: 1194
Written for a friend's birthday! Happy birthday, Ria!

The pickup truck rolled steadily down the road; a shiny red Chevy Silverado the two of you picked out around the time you got engaged. He liked pickup trucks and you liked red, making this the perfect compromise.

"Bucky," you whined, "where are we going? I'm curious."

He only chuckled, eyes not once leaving the road. "I told you, doll, it's a surprise."

The curiosity was eating you alive, so you tried pouting at him. But of course, Bucky, being the responsible driver he was, either didn't look or pretended not to see.

You let him keep his little secret, instead admiring the scenery outside. He noticed, purposely slowing down.

Driving through the countryside was already an incredibly peaceful experience, but the autumn only made it more beautiful.

Ah, you loved autumn. The leaves flaunted their brilliant colors, you could see migrating birds fly by every other day, and the temperature had fallen to what Goldilocks would describe as 'just right.' The crisp, cool air... you loved it, all of it.

"Ooh!" Bucky exclaimed, turning up the volume of the 40s dance song now playing on the radio. You recognized it; it was the same one you danced to together the first time you met at one of Tony's parties. That was the beginning of your relationship, and since then it had become your song. You were definitely going to play it at your wedding, no doubt about it.

You watched as Bucky drove into the third town you'd passed since leaving your hotel. Actually...

"Bucky, baby, I don't mean to burst your happy little bubble, but I'm quite sure this is the third time we're passing through this town." You tried, but failed to stifle your giggles at his expression.

Bucky only gave a dramatically deep sigh, slumping back in his seat. Well, only until the car behind you honked; at that he shot up, sticking his head out of the window to yell, "Be patient, would ya!" at the driver before stepping on the gas again.

You burst into giggles again when you heard the somewhat muffled, "Sorry, Mr. Winter- Barnes, sir," from behind you. Bucky joined in, his deep, warm, joyous laughter almost making you forget that he was, in fact, lost. Almost.

"Okay, baby, are we lost or is this all part of a plan to confuse me?"

"Don't worry, doll, I used to come here all the time. I am definitely not lost." He winked at you while skillfully maneuvering the vehicle through a couple of tight turns.

"Okay, maybe I am a bit lost," Bucky admitted a few minutes later with a sheepish grin. "Please help."

"Ooh, does that mean I'm allowed to know where we're going?" You teased, already searching for the map.

To be perfectly honest, you expected this. The two of you came up with the idea to go on a road trip some time ago, and while you took turns driving, you had yet to make it to even familiar places without using the map or the GPS. You both preferred the map; that was why you bought enough to cover every little bit of your trip.

"Unfortunately, yes, unless, you'd rather figure out how to get there without knowing."

"No, I'm just a bit surprised, that's all. Didn't you say you 'came here all the time?'"

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Give a man a break, doll, I haven't been here in 80 years."

"Fair enough," you shrugged, scanning the map.

With you navigating, it didn't take long before you arrived.

It was a beautiful little town, quaint and idyllic like an autumn wonderland. It looked like it came directly from a movie; the perfect scene before everything would come crashing down. Except it wouldn't; real life was nothing like the movies.

"My parents used to bring us here every year." Bucky's voice was no more than a low hum. "We'd come here for a week or two, an' spend the nights at my aunt's. My ma would insist on bringing Steve along. Said he wouldn't get apple pie if he refused, an' he never did."

His blue eyes seemed to shine brighter at the recollection of all these beloved memories as he gazed out the window. You watched with him as the picturesque town came to life.

The clock struck eight and the church bell tolled, proclaiming the hour. Kids appeared on the doorsteps, parents shoving lunches and any forgotten necessities into their arms. The previously empty street soon bustled with activity; the children's lively chatter replacing the silence.

"Come on, doll, let's go!" he urged, stepping out of the pickup truck. "I've got something to show you."

He clearly still knew his way around, judging from the confidence with which he turned from one back road into another. You trailed a bit behind him, taking in everything around you.

He stopped suddenly. You didn't notice until you almost walked into him. Curse his silent tread. Why couldn't he walk like Tony did in his suits?

But those thoughts soon dissipated when you saw where he had brought you.

A large apple orchard stretched itself out before you, leaves every possible shade of red, orange and yellow. The sun still hung low in the sky, and the leaves seemed to glow in the warm light.

Bucky chuckled softly at your expression as you marveled at the beauty of it all. Never in your wildest dreams could you have imagined that a place as beautiful as this existed on this earth.

"My ma always said I should get married here. Back then I didn't think much of it; never thought I'd meet the right girl."

He hummed thoughtfully, and then his eyes fell on you and you knew he was going to say something big.

"But now, I'm starting to think she was right all along." He moved to stand beside you, pulling you into him with one strong arm and planting a soft kiss on your temple. "What do you think, doll?"

"Your mom was a smart woman." You twisted in his hold so you were facing him. "Do I want to get married here? Hell yeah."

Bucky grinned widely, warm and soft like the sun on a lovely spring morning, with a perfect temperature outside and when the first flowers are reborn after their long period as ashes under the ground.

He leaned forward to kiss you, warm lips sending a jolt of happiness and adrenaline through you, just like it did the first time he kissed you, and every time since then. It was perfectly timed too; a couple of birds chose precisely this moment to burst into a glorious song, one that almost seemed to be dedicated to the love between you and James Barnes, instead of the bond of the avian couple.

He pulled away slightly to breathe, unable to hold back his grin when he saw the dazzling smile you were looking at him with.

"Happy birthday, doll."

If it were his birthday, his wish would be for nothing to come between the two of you, ever.

Unbeknownst to him, that was exactly what you wished for.