Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 1029
Not Stupid
"Zemo is dead. We are not. It's time to live, Buck."
Bucky tried to take those words to heart, he really did, but he had a feeling Steve had a different idea of 'living' than Bucky himself did.
It wasn't that he was trying to be miserable. He just… he was used to things going to hell in a handbasket. Things got good, and then you suffered. It was just the way of the world.
It didn't help that they'd moved into the compound, and Bucky was faced with the reality of living with Tony Stark.
The guy was unbelievable—in the best way possible. He created magic with his hands with just a few gestures and a word to JARVIS. He made miracles happen with a quirked eyebrow and a conversation.
When he got told something he didn't like, he scoffed and twisted people around his fingers until he got what he wanted.
He was a marvel, and Bucky was in love.
Problematic, really, when he knew it couldn't go anywhere. Tony would never look at him twice; not in a romantic way.
…
"He's just so pretty," Tony pouted, sprawling back in his chair.
Rhodey snorted. "The most feared assassin in the world, and you think he's pretty. And you wonder why Pep and I keep threatening to leash you."
"But I want him," Tony whined. "How do you tell a murder kitten that you want to have his babies?"
"Aside from the biological problems," Rhodey replied, "You probably don't call him a murder kitten."
"But—"
"Nope. No murder kitten."
"You're no fun, Sour Patch."
…
Bucky blinked when his vision was suddenly obscured by red and gold, the sound of a bullet clinking harmlessly off the armour filling his ears.
"You should be more careful, Snowflake," Tony told him, aiming his repulsors at Bucky's attacker.
"It wouldn't have killed me," Bucky replied softly. "But thank you."
"Anytime, Snowflake. Someone has to protect that pretty ass of yours."
As Tony took off back into the sky, Bucky watched him go and then snorted. Pretty ass.
Bucky was glad for his mask, because it hid the smile on his face as he turned his attention back to the fight.
…
Tony stood in the gym, talking to Steve about a new upgrade to his suit, but his eyes kept wandering to look at Bucky, who was working in the ring with Natasha. He was so agile.
Tony had to keep checking that he wasn't drooling.
The grin on Steve's face told Tony that he wasn't being at all subtle in his appreciation.
"You should ask him out," Steve said, interrupting Tony's rambling.
"That… sounds like a terrible idea, Spangles. Aren't you supposed to be against things like that?"
Steve rolled his eyes. "You're both adults. Well… in age at least, mentally I'm not so sure."
"If he was interested—"
"He is, and he would never ask you out first," Steve said, his tone gentling. "He doesn't think he has any chance with you."
"That's ridiculous."
"He was a prisoner of war for decades. Is it really surprising that he has some self-esteem problems?"
"Because I'm the pinnacle of good mental health?" Tony asked rhetorically, shaking his head with a grin. "But I'll think about it, Spangles. Now, about your suit—"
…
Whatever the song was, it sounded full of regret. Bucky could relate. He followed the music to a room he'd never been in before, and then leant against the door to watch Tony play.
He hadn't known that the genius could play piano—or any instrument for that matter—but it didn't really surprise him. Tony was intelligent enough to do anything if he put his mind to it.
When Tony finally played to a stop, he looked up to meet Bucky's eyes.
"Hey, Snowflake."
"That was beautiful."
"It's been a while since I got the time to play," Tony admitted softly. "Thought I might be getting a bit rusty."
"It was beautiful," Bucky repeated.
…
It was windy on the roof, but after two days sequestered in the workshop, Tony had needed some air. He was stuck on his latest project, and the frustration had been steadily building until he'd just thrown his spanner across the shop and stalked out.
He knew he should probably eat, and then definitely get some sleep, but he just… didn't really want too.
A hand slipped into his, and he looked up to see Bucky looking down at him, understanding in his eyes.
"I made you lunch," Bucky said softly. "Come and eat with me."
"You didn't have to do that," Tony said automatically, though he leant into Bucky slightly, the heat radiating from him comforting.
"I know."
…
Bucky had always found Tony attractive, no matter what he was wearing, that was a given. But holy Jesus, that tuxedo was made for him. He looked like he'd been poured into it.
Steve laughed when he saw Bucky's face, and Bucky looked away, his cheeks heating slightly.
"Looking good, Snowflake," Tony greeted cheerfully as he joined them.
Bucky had thought he looked good too—Natasha had chosen an emerald waistcoat for him that really did nice things for his chest—until he'd seen Tony. Now the rest of them looked practically bland in comparison to their genius.
Still, Bucky held his arm out, which Tony took immediately, smiling gleefully.
"I have the best date," he said smugly, as Steve rolled his eyes and offered his arm to Natasha. The others followed the four of them out to the waiting limo.
"I think I'm the luckiest one," Bucky murmured, for Tony's ears only.
Tony blinked at him for a moment, his doe eyes wide and happy. "Maybe after this, we could go get burgers? Just… just the two of us, yeah?"
Bucky smiled. "We can do that, Doll."
He still didn't think he was good enough for Tony; that would never change. But… Bucky wasn't stupid. He'd seen the looks, and the way Tony always made a beeline for him in any situation.
He didn't think he was good enough, but he wasn't stupid enough to say no when Tony was offering him everything he wanted.
Written For:
Elizabeth's Empire: 27. Intelligent
Scamander's Case: 17. Regret
Film Festival: 27. "Name is dead. We are not."
Marvel Appreciation: 18. Mask
Lyric Alley: 10. Then you suffer
Forecast: 11. Playing an instrument
Monster Petting Zoo: Dusty 3: Protecting another character
Hot Air Balloons: 10. Windy
Trick Or Treating: House 5: 6. Fruit: Emerald
Apple Bobbing: Apple 14. Windy
Costume Party: 13. Ball: Mutual Pining
Leaf Picking: Brown 1: Intelligent
Spooky Playlist: 14. Pet Sematary: Windy
Pop Figures: Disney, 52. Jasmine: Mutual Pining
Stickers: Swedish Short-Snout: Agile