Hello! This little work is a series of one shots that accompany my fic 'Into Yellow' and it's soon-to-be-published sequel 'Faded Red' — YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ EITHER FICS TO ENJOY THESE ONE SHOTS! The little parts which require backstory is very well explained, so new readers will not feel left out.

These one-shots offer a fluffier, funnier, alternative ending to 'Into Yellow', so it's not at all related to its sequel. Although my OC is named, I will likely be publishing a couple chapters in Reader POV as well.

Please enjoy, and I hope that these little chapters offer you some happiness in these crazy times!

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any of their characters.

I Love You, Baby

Bucky Barnes had grown up on the streets of Brooklyn. Despite the rough times of the 1930s, his family wasn't particularly poor, but they certainly weren't rich either.

Some days he noticed how his mother ate a little less than him and his sister. She would smile sweetly and say she just wasn't that hungry, but he always knew the truth. Winifred Barnes made sacrifices for him and Rebecca that he never even realized during those years.

She often worked at her seamstress job until late at night, and then continued even afterward at home until close to two am. She would sit basking in the dim yellow lighting of a side table lamp in the darkened room, quietly humming to herself as she sewed together a new dress or seamed a pair of pants. Dark circles would gather under the vibrant blue of her eyes the next morning, but she never complained. She did what she could to put food on the table, as did Bucky. His first job came when he was fifteen, after he realized how much his family was struggling after his father passed away.

Rebecca would often go to school wearing the same couple of dresses. He would have holes in the bottom of his shoes that he would fix with tape, and sometimes his mother would just patch up his old socks instead of just buying new ones. Finally having enough of just teetering on the edge of poverty, Bucky remembered the pride he felt when he received the first cheque of his new job. On top of it in the right corner, it said the company he worked for: Lee's Steel Mill.

Everyone knew the Lee's were richer than sin. They were high socialites, swinging with the upper classes of New York and making a name for themselves. They yachted with Rockefeller's, they partied with Carnegie's, they dined with Rockwell's, and were close personal friends with Howard Stark. It was high living, that's for sure.

Who on earth would have ever thought that James Buchanan Barnes — from Brooklyn, who barely had two pennies to rub together — would marry into such an eccentric family. If someone had told him that before the war, he would have laughed right in their face.

His sweet wife was almost nothing like her family, though. Like him, she didn't come from riches. Originally, at least.

The Lee's had adopted the three daughters of one of their housekeepers after they were orphaned. It looked good in the papers, and promoted a rag to riches story, and made the Lee's look like absolute saints to open up their homes to the girls following a series of unfortunate events. They never felt like they belonged, though. And Bucky couldn't blame them for that. Still, they handled the transition to high-class life much better than he had.

Bucky hated being dragged to events such as this one. He hated having to wear a stupid monkey suit of a tuxedo, his collar so tight it felt like it was snake coiling around his neck. He found he was adjusting his bow tie too often, feeling as though he couldn't breathe. The rooms were stuffy and filled with cigarette and cigar smoke. The champagne they had waiters carting around on trays were served in the finest crystal, the taste of it sticky sweet and bubbly on his tongue. He would have preferred a glass of whiskey instead, but he knew it wasn't appropriate for an event like this.

Although he hated every moment of the benefits and galas and kissing up to the rich folks, it was all worth it. She was worth it.

As Bucky looked around the gilded ballroom, filled with women who wore too pungent perfume who offered him sweet smiles, and men who bragged about their wealth as they held their younger mistresses on their arms, his eyes only searched for one person.

His steel-blue orbs would take in every little detail as they glided across the grand rooms decorated with gold trim, the stuffy music playing in the air. Until finally, they would land on the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Lucy Heinrich, the love of his life, was the only person he sought out in a crowded room. And as much as he hated these stupid events, he loved her far too much to let her attend these things alone. Especially since he knew she detested them just as much as he did. And with the way she looked, she always attracted the attention of men far more than what he was comfortable with. If Bucky had to watch another billionaire kiss her hand delicately in a greeting and whisper how radiant she looked, he might just vomit up the disgusting fancy-people food they had been serving as hors d'oeuvre earlier in the night.

It wasn't like he could blame the poor saps for lusting after her, though. She was a vision in her silk gowns and red lipstick, her long, dark, brown hair in those little finger curls he loved so much. Her skin was pale in the dim lighting of the grand room, and some type of powder she was wearing made her look as though she shimmered like starlight. Every eye was on her as she walked into a room, and each time he saw her his breath hitched a little.

Too often he found himself practically salivating at the sight of her. He would watch the way her dresses would frame her figure, the way her heels would showcase her long legs which he only wished to trail his lips up the length of. He'd practically fall to his knees and worship the ground she walked on if it meant she would give him the slightest amount of attention. Everything about the woman drove Bucky crazy, and despite she could get any fella she wanted, Lucy only had eyes for him.

Lucy rarely gave anyone else the time of day. She knew the whispers they spoke of her behind her back, and how everyone smiled to her face and gave her warm kisses to the cheek in greeting. They would criticize her as soon as she walked away for marrying some lower-class man from Brooklyn. She didn't care too much though, and very rarely did their cutting words bother her. The dame was made of a mix of steel, diamonds, and dynamite, and after all she had been through, their words did very little to wound her.

As Bucky's eyes drifted along the fancy people with fake smiles and phoney laughter, he finally caught sight of her. She looked up from the person she was conversing with, and immediately it was like fireworks went off in her hazel eyes. They had arrived in different vehicles and spent most of the night apart. It nearly made him want to tear all his hair out being apart from her at one of these stupid galas. All he wanted was to be at her side, but business had taken her away for most of the evening.

After a long enough time spent with his lonesome, Bucky found himself smiling at the ethereal woman he was so lucky to call his wife. His heart shuttered a little at the sight of her.

She was donned in one of those little silk dresses he loved so much, strictly for the sake of ripping it off to ravish her when they were in the sanctity of their home. Yet, despite Bucky loving her all dolled up, it still seemed a little foreign to him to see her in such fancy things.

When he had met her while they were both overseas during the war and there was no time for ball dresses and makeup. She had worn men's uniforms and rarely cared about her appearance, although to him she still looked like the sweetest of summer days.

The skirts and dresses and countless beauty products that flooded his small apartment after she moved in were an adjustment to him. His items of clothing that hung in the closet were downgraded to the dresser drawers and he didn't mind for a single second. Especially since she brought with her some other more fun items; such as the various lingeries and negligees that sometimes ended up on their floors when they were in too much of a rush to take their time undressing one another. As he thought about such devilish things, Bucky couldn't help as a smirk appeared on his face as he looked on at the pretty woman he said his vows to.

Lucy caught his eye and excused herself from her company, walking steadily on high heels over to him, the skirt of her dress in her delicate hand so she didn't trip on it. She glided across the marble floors, looking like a vision. His heart pounded so hard in his chest that Bucky was taken back to feeling like a nervous young man about to flirt with a pretty girl.

"You're looking like a fish out of water," She laughed softly as she made her way to him for the first time that evening. Bucky's stomach did a little flip as he saw Lucy's smile. The cold feeling he had since entering the building dissipated as warmth flooded his chest at the sight of her.

Bucky adjusted his bow tie again, trying to breathe a little better, "I feel like a doll all dressed up in this ridiculous thing."

"Well, you certainly look pretty like one," She took her red, pouty, bottom lip between her teeth as she flirted with him. Bucky's eyes were immediately drawn to the way it slotted in perfectly with her pearly whites, and he wanted nothing more than to take that bottom lip in his mouth and suck on it. He wanted her lipstick to paint his face red, not caring how messy it was or how long it would take to rub off the tacky substance later. "Thank you for coming with me, I know you hate these sorts of things." Lucy kissed his cheek gently, her breath warm across his skin.

Bucky gripped her waist tightly as he brought her closer to him. He breathed in the smell of her hair as lemongrass and lavender reaching his nostrils. "Anything for you, sweetheart." He told her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But I'm afraid you'll have to make it up to me later." He winked and a grin spread across her face.

She cocked an eyebrow up, the mischievous smirk still on her lips, "You can't do something nice for your wife without getting something in return?" Lucy pouted a little, causing Bucky's eyes to once again get drawn into her lips he so desperately wanted to kiss.

"No, because I'm selfish." He joked, "So you better come up with a creative way to thank me." Bucky raised his champagne glass to his lips, taking another sip. As soon as the sweet liquor hit his tongue he regretted it, never particularly having gotten used to the taste. He knew the bubbly liquid would coat his teeth later, and likely give him a headache in the morning. What he would have done for a glass of whiskey instead.

"Getting on my knees isn't creative enough for you anymore?" Lucy whispered under her breath lowly, causing Bucky to choke on his drink. He coughed a little, trying to compose himself as he turned red and made a scene after nearly spewing some of his champagne on other guests.

Lucy giggled, covering her mouth with her hand as she watched her husband get flustered at her crude comment. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, shaking his head in disapproval at his vixen of a wife. She was going to be the death of him eventually.

"You're gonna kill me one day, doll. You know that, right?" He demanded, trying to conceal his smile that peaked up on the corner of his lips.

She sighed wistfully, "I have to liven up this event some way or another! It's so dreadful and boring." Her hazel eyes rolled. Unfortunately, she had to attend due to her family connections. It so happened both her sisters were unavailable to make this particular gala, making her the only of the Lee's adopted children to be in attendance. As different as she was from her family, she still loved them and wanted to support them as best as she could.

"Oh! Before I forget, I have something for you!" Lucy's eyebrows wiggled up and down suggestively, making him confused as to what she could be talking about, "I thought you might need it." She winked and then lifted her skirt's leg slit up. Bucky's eyes widened slightly at the pale skin of her silky thighs. He suddenly wished he didn't get rid of his champagne, finding his mouth both dry and salivating at the same time at the sight of the long limbs he wished were wrapped around his waist.

"Luce!" He hissed at her display of skin. His hiss wasn't in anger or malice intended for scolding. It was more based on the fact he didn't want any sleazy billionaire eyeing up his wife's leg.

Looking as smug as could be, Lucy was like the cat who ate the cream as she produced a small flask out of thin air. His eyes widened a little as he saw it, a surge of affection suddenly jolting through him.

"You are quite literally my favourite person in the entire world. I am so in love with you." Bucky hastily said as he took the flask from her grasp, trying to conceal it as best as he could.

"Yeah, yeah, save it." She snickered, "You know how I feel about ass-kissing." Lucy teased again.

Bucky opened the flask up, "Is this my good stuff?" He asked her as he sniffed it. The smell burned his nostrils a little, but in a good way. He quickly took a swig, turning around from the crowd so he could drink without anyone watching.

"From the bottle I got you after you came back," Lucy assured him, looking up at his face with a devilish glimmer in her eyes. She was the slyest little minx he had ever come across and he wondered how he lucked out with such an incredible woman.

"My, my, are you trying to get me drunk, Mrs. Barnes?" Bucky flirted, causing Lucy to giggle softly again, "You gonna take advantage of me when we get home?"

"Honey, it's not taking advantage of you if you want me to do it." She winked, "Do you want me to?"

"Very much so. I very much want you to take advantage of me." Bucky whispered in her ear, his hand slinking down to pinch her bottom which made her both jump and squeal. Lucy hit his chest in protest and giggled more and he wondered for a moment if she had already gotten into the flask a little bit, "What else are you wearin' underneath that dress, doll?" He said with a little smirk as a naughty thought crossed his mind.

"A thigh holster for the flask," She said seductively, once again pulling her little lip in between her teeth and nearly making him groan, "And nothing else."

"Jesus Christ." Bucky rubbed his face, trying not to think more about the emboldened statement his wife just said. He tried to ignore the tightening feeling in the front of his trousers.

"Behave," Lucy warned lowly, scolding him like he was a small child. The corners of her lips were still upturned in amusement upon looking at his increasingly flustered state. That temptress knew exactly what she was doing to him.

"How can I when I know you're not wearin' any panties under that thing?"

"If you behave, when we get home I'll let you see for yourself." She promised, the deal was sweet enough that he allowed the compromise. It was difficult to distract himself, though. Especially since Bucky wanted nothing more than to drag her out of the stupid golden ballroom, take Lucy into an abandoned room and pin her up against a wall a kiss her until she couldn't remember her own name.

The woman drove him mad, and she knew just how much she affected him. Taking another drink from the flask for good measure, he passed it back to Lucy, who tucked it away safely in the thigh holster she wore. Bucky's throat tightened as he saw the little bit of dark lace mixed with the contrasting paleness of her upper leg.

"How much more schmoozing do we have to do?" He complained, wanting nothing more than to get out of there with his girl.

His stomach rumbled, and although there were tons of hors d'oeuvres being passed around, the portion size was small and they weren't very filling. Plus, caviar was disgusting. Despite they were both in fancy clothing, Bucky thought that afterward he would take Lucy to the greasiest diner they could find and finally sate their hunger. It would be a decent end to a horrible night if they were able to find one easily enough.

"Only a little more. You're lucky you can hide away in this corner. I actually have to go talk to people." She rolled her eyes as though it were the biggest chore of all time. The displeasure was obvious on her gorgeous face.

Bucky looked out and saw the way people glided across the dance floor. They were so uptight and proper that one could have mistaken that they had a stick up their ass. It was nothing like the parties he had attended in his youth prior to joining the army. If anyone Bucky had grown up with could see him now they likely wouldn't have even recognized him.

He was used to being rowdy in a pub, sweat slick against his forehead and slinging back pints of beers until he wasn't able to see straight. Thick cigarette smoke would have hung heavily in the air, and swing music would have been playing a fast-paced song, and the girls would have been jumping around in their dates' arms. Although that scene wasn't everyone's cup of tea, it was a hell of a lot more fun than a gala like the one he was currently at. And at least he wouldn't have had to wear a tux if they ended up in some dive bar in Brooklyn.

As if Lucy could read his thoughts, she nudged his arm as she stood at his side. When he looked back down at her with raised eyebrows she only smiled, "You look very handsome," She had noticed that he had earned his fair share of glances as well. Most of the women who were in attendance were unhappily married to their much older husbands. Bucky had attracted their gazes as honey drew in flies.

He chuckled lowly, shaking his head, "Just cause I'm in this thing?" He felt like a penguin, dressed in black and white with everything fitted and proper. Bucky had even shaved for the occasion and slicked his hair back. While he always kept his appearance composed, he knew how his wife felt about the little bit of scruff he usually let grow out. She always mewled when he kissed and sucked on the delicate skin in her neck, feeling the scratchiness of his facial hair scrape across her flesh, only adding to the pleasure he was giving her.

"I don't care about the stupid tux. You look just as good in it as you do in anything else. Even if it were just your pajamas."

"God, you really are trying to butter me up so I don't hold it against you for bringing me to this thing."

"Am I that transparent?" Lucy laughed.

Although Bucky knew he looked good, he wasn't comfortable in the suit. He felt like he was pretending to be someone else other than himself. The discomfort was only heightened by the fact he made sure to wear a glove on his left hand. Although Lucy said she didn't mind the scarred and mangled flesh from his train accident during the war, Bucky didn't want her to be embarrassed that her husband was slightly deformed.

When he told her his concerns Lucy only frowned, looking troubled by his statement. She insisted that it never bothered her, that he was a war hero, and if anyone had any problem with it they could come to talk to her. But still, he didn't want to humiliate her in front of anyone else. So he wore the stupid glove, despite the way it made his palms sweat, and how he would much rather feel Lucy's waist as they danced with the flesh of his hand rather than through some material.

As they were caught up in their own little world, they hardly noticed Mr. Lee walking up to them. He had aged quite a bit over the last few years, his hair pale white, and more wrinkles along his eyes. He still had a bright smile though, and a sense of humour which could make anyone laugh. Despite his vast wealth and associations with the higher-ups of New York, the man was always soft-spoken and kind and always made you feel welcomed, no matter who you were.

As he approached his adopted daughter and her husband, he only let out a small chuckle, "What are you two doing hiding over here?"

"Just trying time to catch a break," Lucy answered with a smile. "James gets exhausted at these types of things."

"I know what you mean. It takes real stamina to cozy up to these richie-rich's. They're all a bunch of fakes." He shook his head in disapproval, knowing what type of society he belonged to. Mr. Lee turned back to Bucky and saw the rigid way he was standing, "How's the arm?" He asked, his eyes flashing to Bucky's covered left hand.

"Still aches when it gets damp. I'll survive, though." Bucky assured him. There were other issues than just the dampness, but he didn't want to explain to Lucy's adoptive father how he struggled to even make a fist sometimes when the weather was too cold. He also didn't tell him about the countless doctor appointments Lucy had forced him to go to.

"Too bad. I'm sure they'll figure something out. Anyway, I just wanted to come over and say hello and tell you how ridiculous you look in that tuxedo." Mr. Lee said with a shit-eating grin as he smirked. He knew Bucky hated the thing and wanted to tease him. It was the nature of their relationship to give one another a ribbing.

"Dad!" Lucy hissed in disapproval, her arms crossing over her chest in frustration, "Stop embarrassing him!"

"What good is a son-in-law if you can't poke a little fun at 'em?" Mr. Lee laughed and then looked between the two of them, before turning serious, "I suppose they're good for helping contribute to more grandchildren." To Bucky's shock, Mr. Lee gave him a wink following his suggestive comment.

"You already have grandchildren!" Lucy protested. Every time they saw each other their conversations revolved around a similar topic. After Bucky and Lucy got married, the first question people always asked was when they were planning on having babies. They wanted to just enjoy being married for a little before starting to worry about kids.

"I want more! You can never have too many grandchildren!" Mr. Lee protested, "And your sister never brings the little ones around! I know you will because you love me more than she does."

"Don't hold your breath." Lucy let out a small snort.

"Just think about it." Mr. Lee requested gently, offering a small smile and then disappearing to go say hello to some other guests.

It left Bucky and Lucy on their own. As soon as Mr. Lee turned around, Lucy was reaching for her thigh flask. She quickly opened it and took several large swigs, clearly not amused by the conversation they just had. Bucky only chuckled and shook his head disapprovingly at her, "That man really wants grandchildren."

"Uh-huh. Don't get any smart ideas." She warned him, giving him a side-eye. Babies were an off-limits conversation for at least the next couple of years. She returned the flask back to its place, "Anyway," She sighed and then looked out at all the stiffs who were on the marble floor. He noticed how Lucy seemed to relax after having a little more to drink. It was funny how alcohol seemed to change the mood of people rather quickly, "Wanna go dance?" She asked with a glimmer in her eyes.

He didn't want to. But if it made Lucy happy he supposed it would be worth it. Plus, it allowed him to hold her close to him; so he didn't mind that much. With her hand in his and led her down past the various groups of people. They were dressed in the most eccentric of garbs, clearly having bought the finest of new items just for the occasion. Lucy had re-worn a dress from another gala, not caring for even a moment what people would think.

Bucky pulled her in tighter than what was appropriate, kissing the side of her face and feeling her sigh. "Not as fun as dancing in our living room in our underwear." She spoke into his shoulder, muffled through the fabric. He could feel her heart pounding away in her chest as they started swaying softly to the dull music.

Bucky wanted to point out nothing was fun if there was the option of doing it in their underwear instead. It automatically made everything better. Even something simple like eating breakfast could be more fun if done in undergarments.

What he hadn't expected after bringing Lucy home following the war was how much nudity took place as newlyweds. The first time she padded out in her full glory Bucky nearly spat out his coffee, his jaw on the floor as his wife shot him a little mischievous wink. It only took a couple seconds until he was following her back to the bedroom like he was some lost puppy, practically crashing into the wall from moving so quickly.

Yes, being married certainly was nice — and the honeymoon stage was the best of all.

Although by the time the war had finished they had already been married for a little over a year, they never had the chance to experience the newly wedded bliss. Her work kept her in one base in Italy, while his missions with the Howling Commandos took him all over Europe.

After the war, it had taken some time to get used to living with one another, but they found they settled in nicely. Bucky wouldn't have given up living with Lucy for the entire world. Each time he thought he missed his privacy, she would do something careless for him, like put a glass of water at his bedside table before going to sleep, in case he woke up thirsty in the night. Those small gestures alone made his life so much better. But he was always reminded again how great being married was when she would saunter into the kitchen as naked as the day she was born, making his jaw drop to the ground all over again.

To put it frankly — Bucky fucking loved being married. And even though he had to make sacrifices such as going to dumb galas, he didn't mind them so much as they danced. Although the music was boring, he held her tightly as they swayed softly and everything was alright for the moment.

"I can hear your thoughts." She whispered as she gazed up at him into his gun-metal grey eyes. They were dancing far closer than the other couples. Bucky's hand was low on the small of her back, hers wrapped around his neck. Their other hands were intertwined softly, held up and resting against his chest lazily as they moved back and forth with one another.

"I seriously doubt that," If she really could read his thoughts and knew he was fantasizing about her naked body, their conversation likely would be very different.

She only gave him a little look, cocking her head to the side to pressure an answer out of him. From that look, he knew Lucy could tell he wasn't having a good time.

Bucky sighed in protest after having been caught not enjoying himself, "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm trying to have a good time. But I just wanna get out of here and take you home." He would have much rather been in the comfort of their little one-bedroom apartment. He wanted to be in bed, curled up next to her, fast asleep, and looking forward to not having to wake up early to go to work tomorrow.

"Just a little longer and I promise I'm all yours." She swore to him quietly. They only had to stay for a bit longer, and then they could get some real food to eat and go back to their apartment. In agreement, they sealed it with a kiss. Their lips moulded as they continued to sway slightly to the music.

"Sing something for me? The music here is so awful." She wrinkled her nose, wondering why they would have chosen some stuffy old band instead of having the liveliness of jazz or something to get people wanting to dance. The benefit wasn't necessarily for that purpose, though. It was mostly just for people to open their cheque books and donate to other billionaires companies.

Bucky was a terrible singer, but Lucy seemed to love it as he belted out notes in their apartment. "Only if you're alright with me embarrassing you."

She pressed her soft lips to his cheek again. He wondered if she had a little too much to drink and that's why she was being so affectionate at such an event, "You could never embarrass me."

"Oh, I think if I tried hard enough I could. I know all your dirty secrets, after all." He teased, sending her a wink.

She pinched him, making him jump slightly and laugh. They were both smiling when he moved his mouth closed to her ear. She practically sighed, melting to a puddle, as she closed her eyes as he began to sing sweetly in her ear.

"You're just so good to be true." Bucky began to sing. His voice caught, a little hoarse as he began. He cleared his throat quickly, returning back to sing into her ear. "Can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like Heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much." Lucy laughed at how bad his voice was, but loved every single second.

She giggled a little more as his hands softly tickled her waist. She tried to push him away, but with a chuckle, Bucky pulled her back in. He continued swaying with her and whispering the song in her ear, "At long last, love has arrived, And I thank God I'm alive. You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you."

Lucy pulled back after he had sung the last couple of notes. With wide eyes gleaming in the light of the crystal chandeliers, she swallowed tightly as she looked up at him with every ounce of affection she could muster, "I love you, baby." She sang back, skipping to the course and making a smile stretch widely along his face, "And if it's quite alright, I need you, baby." Her voice was softer than his and much more angelic. The fact she was singing such a thing to him made his heart swell up larger than he thought was possible.

Just as he was about to cut her off with a smouldering kiss, attaching his lips to hers in heated passion, they were suddenly interrupted.

"As I live and breathe! If it isn't Lucy Heinrich!" A woman with a southern accent exclaimed happily with a little squeal. Bucky could feel Lucy tense as she turned in his arms, practically growling and her eyes glowing with malice for the woman after she ruined the moment, "It's been so long!" A gaggle of three older hens stood there gawking at her. They looked at Lucy with a snide expression, and a Bucky already could tell that this interaction wasn't going to end well.

"Not long enough," Lucy hissed, loud enough so Bucky could hear, but still quiet so she wouldn't appear rude. "Jenny, Gladice, Charlotte! How lovely to see all of you…" Lucy lied through her gritted teeth.

"You as well, darling! We've missed seeing you so much at all these galas. You were always such a peach!" One woman with a large composition exclaimed as she cooled herself away with a foldable fan.

Suddenly they were noticing Bucky standing beside Lucy. Their gazes were redirected to him and he felt like he was being thrown to the wolves, "Oh, and you must be Lucy's husband! What business are you in? Oil? Perhaps real estate?" The middle one, who stared at Bucky up and down asked with a sly smile.

From the corner of his eye, Bucky could see Lucy's jaw harden. She knew exactly what the woman was doing. She tensed at the woman's words, slowly putting her hand on Bucky's shoulder to prove her support, gripping him tightly so he knew she was there.

"I'm a boxer." He answered bluntly, knowing how he would be received after they found out his occupation. From their tone and how quickly they jumped the gun to ask him what he did for work, they had already heard through the grapevine what he did.

"I'm sorry? I think I misheard you. You said you were in what industry?" The one lady asked as though she hadn't heard. The reality was that they were attempting to use the opportunity to humiliate Lucy. Bucky almost smirked to himself as he thought about how poorly that would go down once his firecracker of a girl sank her teeth into them.

"Boxing. I fight people for money." Bucky again stated calmly. He understood that people like them looked down on people like him. It didn't bother him much, though. All that mattered to him was that he worried Lucy would be humiliated. The people that belonged in her social circle were often ruthless and cutthroat and didn't care about anyone's feelings. All that mattered to them was climbing higher on the social ladder and collecting more money for their wallet.

"Lucy, you truly know how to pick them! You were always so adventurous! May I ask how did you two even meet?" One of the old crows asked with amusement in her eyes, clearly mocking Lucy, "The last I heard you were engaged to someone else."

Bucky's jaw tightened as he heard the way the old hags spoke about Lucy's past engagement. He was still a little bitter about another man having nearly taken his place, but luckily other circumstances made it so that he was able to sweep her away. But when they first met she was still very hung up on her fiancé, and it nearly kept them from being together.

"No, you may not ask how we met." She replied without missing a beat. Lucy remained composed, not lashing out or even batting an eyelash at the clear insult behind the woman's tone.

Maybe if they were elsewhere Lucy would have lashed out and spat some insult back, but she had learned after years of playing the game that the only way these people responded was when you gave them no reaction.

The woman seemed shocked that she didn't want to divulge any information from her relationship. She knew it was clearly to gain information about her so they could gossip about it at a luncheon at a later date.

Lucy also knew the story of how she and Bucky got together was a special one, and she didn't want to waste it on someone who wouldn't appreciate it. As Bucky looked down at her, a small smile formed on his face as he thought about the first night he had seen her. It was like she had hung the stars in the sky, and all Bucky could say as he turned to Steve was how he was sure he was going to marry her one day.

"I knew she married someone else," One of the younger women said with a smile, "I never thought you and your last fiancé were a good match. You seem much happier now," Bold of her to say, considering the woman knew nothing about Lucy and Bucky, "Would you be able to settle a bet? I heard from Caroline Carmichael who got it from Maggie Holden that you got married in a pub." An evil twinkle flickered in the woman's eye as she tried further to humiliate Lucy, "Is that true?"

"I heard it was in a cellar!" One of the other women chimed in.

"And I heard it was in a forest!"

As Bucky was about to cut in and finally say something, Lucy beat him to the chase. She wasn't going to lie about their relationship, even if it tarnished her reputation.

"It was in the London Underground during an air raid," Lucy corrected with a firm, unamused, tone. "Because we were both serving in Europe while you and your husbands were sitting here on your asses and making a fortune off of war profiteering." Their faces dropped when Lucy smiled sweetly, shooting a wink at them, "That's right. I know about that," Bucky felt pride well in him at his girl sticking up for herself. "What's it feel like to betray your country after dealing to both sides?"

The women had scowls on their faces, and Bucky had to cover his mouth by pretending to cough into his fist to conceal his snicker. He didn't want to get involved, but at that moment he couldn't help but want to give her a big kiss for challenging the stuck up women on such an intense level.

One cocked her brow, unimpressed by Lucy's statement "Is your marriage even legitimate if there wasn't a priest there?" So, niceties had been dropped, completely disregard for open hostility after Lucy practically called them criminals."I always figured you were a Christian, Lucy. Clearly not if you're sharing a bed with a man before your unity was blessed is God." The woman cocked her eyebrow, practically calling Lucy a harlot.

Bucky could practically see his wife fuming. Her eye twitched a little in sheer anger, clearly having a nerve struck.

There was nothing that Bucky wanted more than to step in and interfere with the woman's implication. He stopped himself once he remembered Lucy could handle herself. In fact, it was the other woman he was worried about. He had witnessed first hand the wrath of his wife, and it was enough to earn her several notorious nicknames on base by the unfortunate men who were assigned her services. To Bucky's shame, he was the main perpetrator of them when he had first met her. But to be fair, she had been very intimidating.

"I don't know, Jenny. Is yours legitimate when Donny makes his weekly trips to the whore houses?" Lucy snapped finally and Bucky's eyes went wide from his wife's words.

The woman — Jenny, stood there in shock along with her companions. Their jaws were slightly ajar from Lucy's swift and offensive come back. It was clear she just made an enemy for life, and Bucky watched on back and forth like he was witnessing an intense sporting match.

"Well," Jenny only said with a fake smile and pursed lips, "You really are such a little spitfire, aren't you!" Her eyes narrowed as she put on a fake voice. She spoke like she was saying something nice, but her tone underneath suggested differently, "I hope you know that you're in my thoughts constantly. I often wonder about your life and if you're doing alright. I can see now how my suspicions were confirmed. I only wish you well, Lucy."

"I'm in your thoughts? That's so sweet, considering I don't think about you at all." Lucy replied dryly, almost like she was bored. Only again, Bucky had to feign a cough, trying not to chuckle at Lucy's witty and petty come back.

The women only sneered in fake smiles and stalked towards the bar, their noses upturned as their moods were soured for the rest of the evening.

Bucky blew a sigh of relief and ran a hand through his hair as they walked away, "That was incredible," He told Lucy in praise as the women walked away in defeat, "God, you are so terrifying." He loved it when she took control like that, commanding a room and standing her ground no matter what. If he was being perfectly honest with himself, it was quite arousing whenever she got all headstrong and dominating. He loved watching her take charge of a situation and come out on top even when people were trying to diminish her. It was just one of the reasons why he found her so awe-inspiring.

"Don't you forget it either," She said with a small, sad, smile. The sparkle her eyes held earlier was no longer there, and he noticed how her shoulders were slumped slightly in defeat after such a conversation where those women belittled them. Something had clearly bothered her, and Bucky looked on at her with sorriness in his eyes as he peered down at his wife.

"Y'know, I was thinkin' maybe we shouldn't go around telling people about my occupation. I don't wanna embarrass you or your family."

What Bucky had learned was that he and Lucy had come from different worlds. In Brooklyn, most people knew who he was due to his association with Captain America and the Howling Commandos. He was treated like a hero wherever he went and often had his drinks paid for and children came up to ask for his autograph. On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, no such respect existed. They didn't care about his sacrifices, about how he lost his best friend, and permanently deformed his left arm. They only cared about how big his wallet was.

"That's ridiculous! You could never embarrass me! I'm sorry you feel the need to hide it. I just feel bad when people look down on you. I can't stand when people think of you differently just because you don't come from money." She said sadly, shaking her head and taking in a shaky breath. She looked up at him after crossing her arms over her chest, clearly distraught and having slight tears well in her eyes, "You know I love you? And I don't care about all that stuff?"

"I know, sweetheart." He kissed her head gently, holding her close to him. It didn't bother him that people knew he didn't come from wealth. What did bother him was that people just naturally assumed that he wasn't good enough for Lucy and that she became something of a laughing stock.

She huffed in frustration, seeming like she was going to stomp her foot down like a small child, "It just makes me so upset for people to make assumptions of us when they don't even know anything about us! I bet we're a hundred times happier than them in their stupid shams of marriages." She rolled her eyes in annoyance. She couldn't imagine marrying some older man and having to bed him just for a chance at more money. Let alone having to look the other way when there were mistresses involved. How could anyone be happy with a marriage like that?

"A hundred?" Bucky balked in shock. He remembered how the other day he had forgotten to bring something to eat to work. Lucy had shown up without even being asked, with two of their favorite sandwiches from the deli around the corner from their apartment. They ate their paper bag lunches together in the stands of the boxing arena, happily chatting away and joking around the entire time. Bucky wondered how many of the wives in that ballroom would do the same for their husbands. "More like a thousand," He corrected her.

She smiled softly at him, and he could tell he had her wrapped around his finger after saying that. She gently nudged him with her shoulder, and pressed a kiss to his hand which she held tightly in her own, "Take me home?" She requested softly, a twinge of sadness in her voice. "I just wanna be alone."

With a pursed smile he nodded, "Course', doll. But not without one more dance to prove to people we don't need all that superficial stuff to be happy."

She huffed again, "Bucky, c'mon! I don't care about proving people wrong, I just want to leave."

"Trust me, you'll like this." He promised her, as he walked away with a smirk on his lips. She watched him with her arms crossed, curious what her trouble-marker husband was getting up to.

He moved across the ballroom, not really caring for the people with fake smiles and large jewels around their neck. He ignored the dignitaries with monocles and golden handled canes. They all had money and wealth and prestige, but there was something he had that they didn't.

He had a wife he would do anything for. And he didn't mind making a fool of himself, as long as it resulted in that little smile he craved so desperately to see grace her lips.

The band stopped playing after Bucky got their attention. He went up on stage, despite people's hushed whispers and their sudden eyes on the person who had interrupted the music.

Bucky went up to the band's conductor and whispered something in his ear. Lucy watched on in slight horror, wondering just what on earth he was up to. Her cheeks were red and her arms were still crossed over her chest.

As Bucky spoke to the conductor, the man nodded vigorously, a large smile on his face as his eyes lit up in excitement. Something in the room had changed, and immediately the spell that had befallen on it lifted. A lightness carried through the people as the band piqued up.

Lucy looked onwards in worry, the tips of her ears turning pink as well as the room was filled with whispers. Discomfort settled in her stomach, as she couldn't help but be worried about what was to come. She suddenly felt like everyone was looking at her, making her skin crawl.

Bucky and the composer shook hands, both of them having large smiles on their faces. As Bucky went up to the gleaming, silver, condenser microphone, he cleared his throat as the orchestrator whispered something to his band in excitement in a hushed whisper. Suddenly everyone who has been playing an instrument looked more lively. They began to place down their string instruments, replacing them for brass trumpets and horns.

As Lucy realized what was happening her eyes widened and her jaw fell open. Her hand went to her chest to calm her quickly beating heart as a grin formed on her lips. She tried to contain it, but couldn't help as her smile stretched wide.

"I would like to dedicate this next song and dance to a beautiful young lady," Bucky said into the microphone, "My extraordinary wife, Lucy. I love you, baby, and this one's for you!" He said with a large smile and she shook her head in horror as she realized he was going to make a scene.

The band began playing "Can't Take My Eyes of You", by Frankie Valli; the very song Bucky had been singing to her earlier.

Her eyes were wide and scared as Bucky jumped down from the stage in dramatic excitement as the band's trumpets started blaring and a singer began. She suddenly was smiling wide as he raced up to her, everyone making room for the young couple to dance their hooligan moves to the swing music the band was all too eager to start playing.

"James, you are such trouble!" She gasped in horror, but the smile stretching on her face was unmistakable as he outstretched his hand to her.

"You said you wanted to dance, so let's dance! Show these old bags of bones what fun they're missin' out on." He winked as the music began to build more and more as the course approached. The singer's smooth voice was echoing throughout the room and filled people's ears, causing them to smile ever so slightly at the change in atmosphere.

"Remember that I'm not wearing any undergarm— BUCKY!" Lucy squealed as he picked her up and swung her over her shoulders in a complex move, not giving her the opportunity to say no to his offer. He made sure to keep his hands placed so she wouldn't reveal any of her intimate parts. Usually, when they did that move, her skirt flipped up, but he made sure to keep her modesty preserved.

She was giggling hard as soon as she landed with two feet on the ground. They danced like there was no one else in the room until other people started to join in on the fun. The young couple's energy and happiness were contagious as other folks who weren't so uptight were eager to join in on the fun.

Lucy moved like water, and although he had never been particularly good at dancing, it was easy to do it when she was such a good partner after the years of dance and theatre the Lee's made her take. Bucky mostly just did the grunt work of swinging her around, letting the fancy footwork fall on her shoulders.

She laughed as Bucky spun her around, and the look of explicit joy on her face made her heart pound hard in his chest. He tilted her down in a dip, his hands low on her waist and the crook of his nose buried in her neck intimately. She was so close that he could dip his tongue out to taste her, their bodies moving against one another. Her legs kicked out expertly as soon as he placed her upright and swung her around him again.

Just like that, a chain of reactions started, and the once stuffy party became more lively. While some people looked on in horror, others happily joined. They found themselves caring very little about anyone else's business, though. Instead, Bucky and Lucy were intensely transfixed on one another.

As he pulled her body in tightly from a spin, he noted how her chest rose and fell heavily with every exaggerated breath. Lucy's cheeks were flushed, and her smile stretched her pretty pink lips. She was giggling, her spirits clearly lifted. He hadn't even noticed she had kicked her heels to the side at one point, now dancing in her bare feet to avoid injury.

"Wanna do that run and jump we practiced at home ?" Bucky asked her with a mischievous wiggle of his eyebrows. His heart was pounding in his chest and he was out of breath, but he was smiling, regardless.

"Here? Like hell I do!" She exclaimed.

"C'mon, doll! I thought you didn't care about what people thought of us!" He laughed as she twirled in his arms again, kicking high at the end as the music continued to build and build to a more energetic pace.

"I don't! But I'm not particularly fond of you dropping me and breaking my neck!"

"You trust me?" He asked her softly, just like he had done a thousand times over. His eyes held something sincere, urging her to say yes.

"Not even a little bit." She shook her head in protest, although her grin was still plastered on her face.

He cocked his head, giving her a pressing look that he knew she couldn't resist. She sighed in an exasperated fashion, "Fine! Of course I trust you." In an instant, Lucy's anxiety faded away into nothingness.

She backed away from him, although still looking a little unsure. Lucy gave herself enough space so she could make a couple quick strides into his arms. People watched on as the band picked up their pace even more as Lucy raced forward.

Bucky held her with no problem, his hands going to her waist to hold her above his head as she was extended forward. Lucy was laughing as she held her form perfectly. The look on her face was something of pure, unadulterated joy. It showed they didn't need anyone's approval to be happy. They were young, hot-blooded, bold, and in love. All they needed was each other.

Bucky finally caught her effortlessly in his arms bridal style; they ignored the crowd as they clapped. Instead, they were only focused on one another as she rested in his arms.

"I love you so much." She giggled madly, her hair out of place as he held her tightly, his one arm under her knees and the other around her center.

"Love you too, baby," Bucky pressed a harsh kiss to her lips, not even giving her time to respond before he placed her on her feet. People all around them were dancing, finally happy and letting go of their inhibitions.

Seeing how they had their dance and usher in a way for all those up-tight people to relax a little, Bucky was finally ready to take his beaming wife back home.

"That's how you make an exit out of a goddamn party!" He said while breathing hard, laughing at what the two of them started. Some people were in merriment, less intense, and now having fun. Bucky dragged Lucy behind him as he held her hand tightly as she giggled. They passed by the women who had ridiculed them earlier, and Lucy paid them no mind as they glared daggers at the two of them.

"Now," Bucky spoke breathlessly with a smile as they passed by the women. They continued to look on in a mix of disapproval and envy at the couple. He pulled Lucy past them as she giggled and he pressed another kiss to her forehead, before whispering naughtily in her ear, "Let's go home and fuck,"

Lucy only smiled widely, throwing her head back in laughter, and slowly shaking her head in disapproval, "James Barnes, you're such a devil!" She exclaimed, although he heard no other protests to his offer.

So, I'd like to point out that "Can't Take My Eyes of You", by Frankie Valli wasn't recorded until the 60s. But it was just too perfect, and I'm a sucker for 60s love songs. So I really did just say 'fuck it' to the timeline.

I hope you all enjoyed this little one shot. I will be posting more, semi-regularly until I work out all the kinks and problems of the sequel!

I will also consider taking requests for this story. So if you have any fluffy/smutty/other scenarios you wanna see, send 'em my way!

-Amelia

If you liked this first little chapter, please review/comment, follow/subscribe, and leave a favorite/kudos, depending on if you are reading on Fanfiction or Archive of Our Own!