December 24, 2027, Stark Tower
Christmas Eve

You were awakened by the warm light of the sun streaming into the room through the uncovered window. You stretched, yawning slightly in the process, turned to the other side and a smile immediately formed on your face. Bucky was still sleeping next to you sprawled out like a small child. For a long moment, you looked at him like under a spell, unable to take your eyes off him. When the time finally came when you had no choice but to wake him up, you leaned over and began to place gentle quick kisses from mid-arm to the neck, finally hearing the man's sleepy but contented giggle. You had no idea how it happened that overnight the T-shirt had dematerialized from his body but somehow, surprisingly, it didn't bother you.

"Good morning, sunshine."

"Good morning, doll." He yawned embracing you at the waist and pulling you onto his chest. The cool metal gently stroked your left side causing shivers. "I could get used to these." He muttered with a charming sleepy smile pushing back a strand of hair from your face.

"Believe me, me too."

Your hand gently glided across his cheek stopping at his chin. The soft hair, in places already dusted with gray, made you feel yourself twisting internally. You could already imagine the feeling when his beard would tease your skin in...

"What are you thinking about?"

"Hmm?" You muttered snapping out of your fantasies.

"I asked what you were thinking about Y/N."

"About your beard." You answered truthfully... almost.

"I need to shave it, I know." He sighed also running his hands over his bearded jaw. He liked to wear it that way but had the impression that others had a different opinion about his beard so he didn't allow himself to grow it longer than a few days stubbles which he always shaved off in the end anyway.

"NO!" You protested loudly, a little too quickly. "I mean... it suits you. I like you in a beard." You added trying to get out of the situation. You just made an idiot of yourself, a good start to the day.

"Hmm... I didn't expect such a panic attack but since you say so I guess I'll leave it. How about I grow it a little longer?" He asked playfully poking you with his nose. He guessed what was on your mind when you began to resemble a ripe tomato in color, but decided to keep it under wraps.

"Do you want to kill me? How am I supposed to function normally afterward if you'll walk around looking like the king and master of the world?" You asked with a laugh finally kissing him. His right hand immediately found its way to your neck pulling you closer. "Yes, please..." You purred into his mouth causing him to laugh briefly before your lips met again.

~**~

Sam had been preparing for the upcoming tragedy since early morning. He knew that if Bucky found out that he and the kids had turned his arm into a work of art he would strangle him before he could even speak. All that was left for him to do was to count on a miracle in the form of Y/N Y/L/N and your undoubted ability to persuade the White Wolfs mind. Sometimes he wondered how it was possible that after all you had been through together and after what Steve had told him, you continued to stubbornly stick to your friends version.

Wilson, along with Wanda and Pepper, directed their first steps to Barnes room, located on another floor, to wake him up, but to their surprise, the door wasn't locked and the room was empty.

"Bucky not in his room? - Pepper asked slightly puzzled.

"There is only one place where he can be." Wanda announced immediately heading to your room. How surprised she was when the door remained closed and no sound, not even the slightest, came from inside.

"Are they gone?" She asked herself.

"Maybe they went for training? You know, after all, they are super soldiers, and together they have strange ideas."

"From what I remember Bucky right after returning from the mission rather not do training, but you may be right."

When they stood in the doorway of the kitchen an unprecedented sight appeared to their eyes. You and Barnes, in pajamas dirty from flour, were dancing around in the middle of the kitchen like little children left unsupervised, while "I Was Made For Lovin' You" by KISS was playing from the speakers.

"Why isn't anyone recording this?" Sam asked with a laugh.

"I don't know about you, but I don't want two HYDRA puppets to come back from vacation. We couldn't handle them individually, and together?"

"True."

"I don't know about you guys but I propose to get out of here before they-"

Wanda wasn't allowed to finish when suddenly an egg with a loud crack smashed on Sam's forehead.

"They'll see us."

"It's revenge for my arm!" Bucky yelled threatening him with his finger and turning around to get you a new egg from the fridge. "I give it back."

"Thank you." You laughed taking the egg from him and breaking it into a bowl right away. "I would have offered you breakfast, but since you've had your show, and you had such a good time last night, make your own." You added turning toward them. Sam still stood shocked in the doorway, with egg yolk running down his temple. "Not to say anything Sam, but if you mess around with this egg, you clean up."

"But it's B-!"

"No discussion! The egg is dripping from YOU so YOU clean up. Besides, I'll need Barnes here." You answered not quite truthfully. The fact was that Bucky was only there to keep you company. After no more than two hours earlier he almost set the kitchen on fire when you left him in it alone for a while with a pan on the stove, you agreed that it would be better if cooking became your domain. Sam muttered something under his breath and turned back to the room feeling the egg running down his back, not wanting to risk a further argument with you.

"Can you add plums to it?" Bucky asked out of nowhere while holding the purple fruit in his hands. You looked at him in surprise, not believing what you had just heard. You knew that he wasn't a master chef but to that level?

"For scrambled eggs?!" You asked, taking the plums from him to put them away. Bucky only shrugged his shoulders. "Remind me, to never let you cook on your own cause if you don't blow it all up you'll poison us." You added, returning to preparing breakfast.

"Will you make plum pie?" He whined suddenly like a puppy resting his chin on your shoulder. Everyone was well aware of Barnes love for plums but sometimes he could pop out with them when least expected.

"James it's Christmas Eve. We have enough food, and still, probably May, Steven, and Clint will bring something, I'm not going to bake you a pie right now." You explained while pouring eggs into a pan and taking a sip of the already slightly cold coffee.

"But I would love to eat plum pie." He groaned making big puppy eyes. Like with a child. Sometimes you had doubts whether the brunet just standing behind your back was a 100+ year old trained assassin. "Please, doll."

You looked at him and sighed heavily, you both knew you had lost.

"Ehh... fine. But first breakfast!" You pointed out while threatening him with a wooden spoon.

"Y/N Y/L/N did you just threaten me with a spoon?"

"Just so you know, I did. Take out those plums and flour, when we eat I'll make you that pie." You laughed turning off the eggs when you suddenly found yourself flying through the air. Strong arms held you tightly pressed against the brunette's chest as he began to spin around with you, laughing like a child. Almost instinctively you wrapped your arms around his shoulders drowning in those beautiful steel blue eyes, now shined brighter than the stars in the sky. Allowing yourself to be fully carried away by the moment most simply, you leaned in and brought your lips together. The kiss was gentle and unhurried full of love and adoration.

"I love you, princess." He whispered when he finally put you down.

"I love you too. As much as I'd love to stay like this you have to let me go cause we're not going to eat this breakfast today, and there's still a lot of work ahead of us... well, maybe more ahead of me and the girls."

Wanda and Pepper, still standing at the aisle out of your sight, couldn't believe what they had just seen. Smiles dawned on their faces from the first seconds, and the longer they watched you, the bigger they became. It was wonderful to see two people who had gone through a true hell on earth, behaving like a couple of teenagers in love and having fun at their best. The girls saw how you experienced every Barnes departure. It was always associated with that uncomfortable feeling of whether everything was all right, but over the past few months when Bucky, along with Sam, was assigned to a case involving HYDRA, and on the other side of the world no force could calm you down. Wanda entered your mind several times when she witnessed your suspensions. For hours you could sit and stare at some non-existent point completely cut off from the world around you, and then your thoughts always revolved around Barnes and the memories of HYDRA. You knew when Wanda was "watching." After countless times when she entered your head without your permission, you learned to sense this strange presence. When it happened occasionally you didn't make a problem out of it, but over time Wanda started doing it notoriously and wouldn't listen to your pleas to stop, certain you didn't even know when she was doing it. A month earlier you decided to punish her. When she entered your mind you recalled one of the worse memories you had. Maximoff passed out and you spent the next three weeks trying to forget again when the nightmares returned keeping you awake at night.

~**~

When, a few hours later, you finally finished with the pie beating Barnes hands with a wooden spoon when he wanted to get his hands on the still-hot pie, you thought was the end of surprises for today. Unfortunately, you were wrong. Even before you had time to leave the kitchen Morgan burst in with the young Wilsons holding two boxes in their hands, which they wordlessly thrust into your hands and disappeared as quickly as they appeared shouting only "You have to put these on!". Astonished, you and James looked at each other and opened the boxes.

"Are you kidding me?" Bucky muttered taking out of the box a sweater with the Grinch's likeness on the front. You snorted with laughter until you saw your sweater. A shaggy one in light green with white fur under the shawl. This time Bucky burst out laughing and couldn't calm down for a long time. He will have a Grinch sweater but you will be the one to become the Grinch.

"WANDA!!!" You yelled out so loudly that the glasses shook. When Wanda asked a month earlier what size T-shirt for Barnes you assumed he would pop out with a sweater but you didn't think she'd get you too.

"Put it on. It will fit you." James groaned trying to control himself after an unexpected fit of stupidity.

"No way, but I have a kind of cool idea. How about making a few kids smile?"

"Explain."

"We could go on some shopping trips and then visit children in hospitals, centers, or orphanages."

"Do you think it's a good idea for me to go there?"

"Sure it is! The kids will be excited! Come on Buck..." You groaned making big eyes and hanging around his neck. "I'll be there with you all the time, nothing will happen."

"Fine." He finally said smiling slightly at you. "Let's go make some kids happy."

Delighted, you jumped up in a place like a small child and tugged on his hand almost running to leave the kitchen and dragging the brunette behind you to which he responded with loud laughter.

~**~

"These kids will be delighted." He said kissing the inner side of your wrist. His warm gaze made you feel like you were in another dimension. You didn't expect him to take so well a suggestion of a small charity action especially since he still considered himself as an anti-hero of the whole story. These children, however, didn't think so, and you found that out the last time you visited their center. To them, James was Bucky, the Winter Soldier and a friend of Captain America who was kidnapped by the bad guys, and then the Captain rescued him and had his friend by his side again. They were too small and innocent to understand and suspect him of all that he has done while under HYDRA's control as a Winter Soldier.

"Are you sure it's a good idea for me to go in there? You know-"

"Yes!" You interrupted him. "These children wanted to meet you, they will be delighted."

You were already about to close the car when you were suddenly reminded of something.

"Wait! I almost forgot!" You called out, and before Bucky had time to realize what was happening you pulled a Santa Claus hat onto his head and threw a soft red scarf around his neck.

"Well, that was something we haven't seen before." He laughed. "Do you have anything else? Maybe red pants and an inflatable belly?"

"No, but be careful cause in the trunk there are still Christmas stickers that we can always stick on your shoulder... or maybe on your forehead. I wanted to buy magnets but they wouldn't stick on Vibranium."

"So that means I got a little lucky after all."

"Yeah, now get those bags and come on. The kids are waiting, and we still have to have time to get back." You ordered taking some of the packages. You didn't have to say it twice. Bucky took the bags and set off after you and as soon as you crossed the threshold of the main hall of the center you were greeted by loud squeals and after a while dozens of little hands and their owners. The children clumped at your feet stretching their hands upward and laughing loudly. You looked at James who was standing in the middle of this bunch holding the packages up with sheer terror painted on his face. Before you decided to give him the hand he was waiting for, you took out your cell phone from your pocket and took a picture of him.

"Bucky!"

"Y/N!"

The children's joyful shouts filled the room and you were somehow not particularly surprised when you noticed that most of the children had cornered James. They had wanted to see him for a long time, besides, you knew that some of the girls from the center 'secretly' sigh for the owner of the sapphire eyes. You set your bags down by the Christmas tree and tore into Barnes putting your hand on his shoulder when you were gifted with a panicked, confused look.

"It's alright, calm down." You said softly, gently pushing him forward. When Bucky put the presents under the Christmas tree and you greeted all the children it finally started to get calmer. Before either of you had time to come up with any initiative, one of the center's caretakers burst into the room with a camera in hand. Before you knew it Bucky was lying on his side on the floor supporting his head on his right hand arranged like a French model. Unable to stand it any longer, you burst out laughing, praying in your spirit that someone would record it.

"And what are you laughing at? Come pose for a photo." Bucky ordered patting a spot on the floor right next to him. Still snapping with laughter, you lay down next to him on the floor, and the children lined up above you almost in two rows. After the picture was taken, the woman made you aware that you had three hours to spare and left the room.

"Okay kids what do you want to do?" You asked, you were sure that the children would choose the gifts but to your surprise, they all moved like one man in front of the couch taking seats on the soft carpet.

"Let Bucky tell the story!"

"Okay, and what do you want me to tell you." He asked when you took your seats on the couch in front of the children.

"How you met Captain America!" The children exclaimed. You looked at Bucky wanting to make sure it wasn't too much for him but the man only smiled faintly nodding his head then began to tell the story.

Bucky told the story and the children listened to him like spellbound. All the while you gently ran your hand along his back giving him as much comfort and space as possible. You could feel his muscles working depending on what part of the story he was on. Bucky made his way through the entire story even hooked on his beginnings in HYDRA leaving out some facts of course. After the story was over, the kids chuckled at the gifts and you had a moment to yourselves.

"You're amazing, you know?" You said. Bucky put his arm around you and leaned in placing a gentle kiss on your lips.

"Just because I have such a wonderful woman by my side." He replied with that charming smile and you posed as a blush bloomed on your face. - Since when are you so shy? Don't cover yourself up, you look beautiful when you blush. - He said in a deep, low voice making you blush even more.

"I love you."

"I love you too, doll." he said with a smile pulling you closer. You rested your head on his chest and together you sat in silence with delight watching the children playing with the toys you brought.

~**~

The rest of the afternoon passed without any fireworks for both of you. All the guests arrived while you were gone so upon your return you greeted the others, went to change, and returned downstairs all sitting down to dinner together. Quickly flicking your eyes across the table you were sure there was at least half too much food but you didn't want to comment on it anymore. Strangely enough, you and Barnes took seats at the end of the table as far away from Peter and his friends as possible.

"This kid is a problem."

"I know, but Pepper wasn't persuaded. Parker has Stark immunity. He stays and that's it."

~**~

After finishing dinner, it was time for presents. Everyone took their seats in the living room and watched the children hand out the gifts. You purposely sat on the opposite side from Barnes. You wanted to see his reaction. To make sure the brunet didn't suspect anything you got up and stood behind the back of his chair picking yourself up and waiting for Bucky to finally get his gift so you could go back to your seat and watch the show.

"Sir White Wolf this is something more for you." Peter said handing Bucky a medium-sized box wrapped in gray paper and tied with string with a few Christmas tree branches.

"Thanks..." he said with a crooked smile taking the box from him and leaning toward you. "Why does this kid call me Sir?" He asked glancing at Peter. He wasn't used to this kind of behavior towards his person. People either treated him as a monster or as a co-worker, a few as a friend but only Parker called him Sir.

"I don't know. Maybe cause he and Tony tried to kill you?"

"That would make sense." He replied with a glance at the box and shook it slightly, something banged against the lid but whatever was inside was rather light. When the Spider-kid finished handing out the gifts you, once again, sat in the chair looking at the others. The gifts were rather typical. Books, candy, Christmas sweaters, and warm socks. It was pleasant to look at, but what you were most looking forward to was Barnes opening the mysterious box. Of course, the brunette must have decided to be the last one therefore you had to wait out all the guests and show off the received socks, cookbook, new flannel shirt, and teddy bear yourself.

Finally, the moment came. Barnes was opening presents. In the box was a new knife with an engraving on the blade at the sight of which the brunet's eyes lit up, a package of chocolate-covered plums, and a fluffy black robe with white cats. When the other guests saw this, they burst out laughing loudly and Wanda, along with Pepper and May, greeted it with a long "Awww...". You, on the other hand, sat in your chair resting your head on your hand trying to hide your smile. When you saw the bathrobe in the store right after you picked up the knife you couldn't help yourself, and the ladies in the store were kind enough to inform you of a discount if you bought the pajamas as well. That's how Barnes was now richer with a fluffy robe with white kittens and the pajamas in which he had paraded around the kitchen just a few hours earlier. To the delight of those gathered, they managed to get Bucky to try on his new purchase.

"You." He said suddenly pointing his finger at you. "It's your idea, isn't it?"

"It will match your pajama. Unfortunately, they didn't have kitten slippers." You said assuming an innocent expression all the time fighting with a wide smile crossing your lips. Seeing James in gingerbread shorts was hilarious but seeing him in a fluffy kitten robe was a whole other level. Before you had time to realize, your ass had lost its support on the chair, Bucky flipped you over his shoulder and walked out onto the terrace intending to throw you into a pile of snow. To his misfortune, at the last moment, you managed to react and, grabbing him firmly by the arm, pulled him with you.

"You want to fight with me? I thought you were smarter than that." You snorted trying to get up. Your legs were numb from sitting on the chair for a long time, and standing in the kitchen for hours, working on preparations for the last few days didn't improve the situation. For the first time in ages, you felt like you were 108 years old.

"Need a hand?" James asked with a laugh, sticking out his hand.

"Get out of my way, I'm not that old." You gagged, almost standing up, but your leg slipped and you would have flown back into the snow if not for Bucky who managed to grab your arm and hold you. Immediately you felt him grab you under the arms and put you on your feet.

"Are you okay granny?" He asked, to which you answered him only with a sinister look. Who did the hell see that he had to be the one to lift you? After all, he was the one with 110 on his neck! "Be careful, doll. It's slippery here." He added letting you go first. Before you could respond to anything your leg slipped, but this time you managed to keep your balance. You just straightened up and with your head up you went inside, ignoring all the laughter.

"Wait, I'll get you blankets." Wanda said getting up but was stopped by Bucky's voice.

"It's not necessary." He announced putting on a bathrobe and then pulling you close, wrapping you in it as well. In theory, you should have protested. In practice, you didn't mind when he picked you up and sat you on his lap, sitting down in his previous place.

That's when you felt it. Wanda. Almost immediately you recalled the most painful memory you had, which had kept you awake the entire time you were separated from James. Wiping his memories. You heard it every time but only once Pierce was perfunctory enough to let you enter the room. Immobilized and surrounded by armed soldiers, you saw them turn that damn thing on. You couldn't free yourself, you couldn't help him. You begged Pierce to take mercy on him, to let you take his place. Nothing. His scream that night will sound in your ears for the rest of your life.

Wanda suddenly covered her ears and clenched her eyelids, bending in half, tears ran down her cheeks.

"Wanda? Wanda, what's going on?" Pepper asked worriedly grabbing her arm. When everyone's attention was focused on the redhead howling with pain you panting cuddled more into James needing his presence above all else at the time.

"Y/N I-" Wanda began when she managed to pull herself together enough to say something.

"Don't ever do that again." You growled barely heard in a voice washed out with emotion without letting her finish. You must have looked pathetic. Super Soldier, HYDRA's test subject, a trained assassin now in front of the eyes of them all sat curled up on Bucky's lap without even daring to look at them. Bucky immediately guessed what had just happened, sent Wanda an evil look, and pulled you even closer gently stroking your hair as you hid your face in the crook of his neck.

"Hey, calm down. I'm with you, you're safe." He whispered in your ear in his calm low voice trying to reassure you. "Can you tell me what she saw?"

"You." You said quietly unsure of your voice. Almost sensing his confusion with this long answer, you took a deep breath and decided to continue. "She saw Pierce and his men torturing you, and I couldn't do anything." Your voice was breaking, and you were close to crying. "God, James I'm sorry..."

"Shhh... it's all right, don't apologize. You know you have nothing to apologize for. Do you want to go to room for a while?" He asked calmly to which you only nodded slightly. "Okay." He whispered kissing you on the temple after which he stood up and with you in his arms, headed for the room. When you passed the couch Wanda wanted to say something more but one look from Barnes was enough for her to fall silent.

After a few moments you felt the soft fabric under your hands, and immediately after that, you were crushed by the weight of James who lay on top of you locking you in a tight hug. It was a pleasant weight and you didn't want to ask him to change position for any reason. Bucky leaned back slightly so he could look into your eyes, your noses touching. It stabbed him in the heart when he saw in your eyes the sheer terror he hadn't seen since you managed to break free from HYDRA. He also remembered that night. He remembered perfectly your scream, how you begged Pierce to let you take his place, and how the whole structure to which they had pinned you trembled when you tried to break free, blood ran down your hands. His gaze wandered to the scar on your temple, a reminder of that night. When one of the chains finally snapped Rumlow and his people had to intervene, terrified at the thought that you might break free soon and if you did, there was no doubt that you would raise hell for them. You were hit in the head. Blood dripped from your right ear, nose , mouth and your eye was all scarlet. Stunned like this, they immobilized you back but you partially lost hearing in your right ear. It wasn't until Stark's technology and his experiments with Banner created something permanently inserted into your ear canal restored it to full function.

His lips gently made contact with the scar, staying there for a long time. Only after about half an hour of silence spent in Bucky's arms, you felt comfortable enough to return downstairs to the others.

"Are you sure you're all right?" James asked for the hundredth time before you left your room.

"Yes, don't worry. I just needed some time to pull myself together."

"I love you and I'll always be there for you, doll. Don't you ever forget that." He said calmly taking your face in his hands.

"I love you too, James. I don't know what I would do without you." You replied before your lips met in a slow and loving kiss. "Let's get back to them. After all, today is Christmas Eve!" You added much more vigorously and pulled the brunette behind you into the living room, but before you got there James grabbed you firmly around the waist and pulled you to his side.

"James, they will figure it out. I know that Spider-boy and Sam may not sin with intelligence but the rest will enlighten them."

"So let them know. I have no intention of hiding the fact that we're finally together. I hid the fact that I love you from you long enough." He said kissing you on the temple. You assumed that Sam, after what he's about to find out, wouldn't give you peace for the next few years, but you decided not to worry about it and simply ignore him... possibly leaving it up to James. You knew that one word from you would be enough for him to let you go and for you two to continue pretending to be just friends, but you didn't want that. If he was ready to tell them, then so were you.

When you walked back into the living room all eyes were on you. Wanda rose from the couch and moved toward you wanting to say something but one look from you was enough to make her stand still, and after a moment she went to the kitchen. You didn't want to go back to it again, you had just calmed down enough to function normally and didn't need to hear her explain why she did it and how sorry she was about what had happened. No one commented on your entrance but there were smiles on the faces of the women, Steven and Clint, clearly indicating that they had guessed. The youngsters continued to live in blissful unconsciousness as did Sam.

Without bothering with unnecessary explanations you moved towards the chair when suddenly you were pulled back by the wrist bumping right into Bucky's chest. Before you had time to ask what the hell he was doing he grabbed your right hand with the other grabbing you tightly around the waist and began to spin around... almost, to the beat of the music.

"Are you feeling well?" You asked with a laugh surprised by his behavior. Bucky didn't dance, and certainly not on his own in front of so many people.

"I'm perfectly fine, doll."

You didn't pursue the subject further, you didn't have a clue what got into him but as long as he laughed and it made him happy you didn't need to know. After a short thought, you were also joined on the "dance floor" by Clint with Laura, May with Sam, Sara with Thor, and to everyone's delight Stephen Strange with his cape. You had to admit, the cape had moves. Nate tried to be brave enough to try to steal you from the White Wolf but MJ made him realize in time that it was a bad idea if he wanted to make it to the New Year's Eve.

While you were dancing, Bucky's gaze stopped on Morgan, sitting alone on the edge of the couch, who was watching everyone with a slight smile. Bucky didn't think twice, he knew perfectly well that this little girl missed her father so, before anyone had time to pay attention, he took Morgan in his arms and came back to you again grabbing you around the waist with his free hand. Morgan was shocked to such an extent that she spoke up only after a few minutes when you started moving to the rhythm of the music again.

"I'm not too heavy?"

"Too heavy? Kid, you're as light as a feather." James replied with a smile. The girl laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you, uncle."

Barnes was shocked. He didn't expect this little girl to ever accept him after all the horrors he had done to her family, and yet after all these years, Stark's daughter was sitting in his arms calling him uncle. He felt tears come to his eyes as the unsuspecting little girl lay leaning against his shoulder. Your heart softened at that sight, and a single tear ran down your cheek. You knew how much Stark and his family's acceptance meant to Bucky, and that evening he officially received it. You put your arms around his waist and clung to his right side reassuringly stroking his back while placing your free hand on little Stark's back.

Neither of you was aware that the others were watching you smiling from ear to ear and also wiping away tears of emotion.

For nearly half an hour the three of you danced without being distracted by anyone. After just a few minutes Morgan took the initiative, seeing your movements typical for the 30s, almost dying of laughter. When the girl exclaimed "God, you guys are really old!" again seeing your attempts to master the new choreography, you and Bucky looked at each other and burst out laughing. There was no denying that at 108 and 110 years old you could already qualify as 'old'.

"Where are you going?" James asked when slightly tired, you moved towards the kitchen.

"I've got something to do but don't worry, I think Morgan will be happy to keep you company during this time. Right kid?"

"Sure! Come on uncle!" Morgan shouted pulling Bucky by his left hand back to the center of the room. James took one last look at you with a smile and followed the girl obediently as you moved to the kitchen leaning against the wall with your hands crossed.

"If you keep looking at that plate like that, the gingerbread won't materialize there, you know?" You asked perversely looking at the redhead leaning at one of the countertops over the empty plate. The girl hearing your voice jumped up with surprise and on her face immediately appeared horror and remorse.

"Y/N... I didn't hear when you came." She said barely above a whisper confused staring at the floor which became very interesting. You sighed and walked closer standing on the other side of the countertop.

"I know, one of the very few advantages of HYDRA training." You said calmly, and a grimace flashed across the redhead's face.

"Y/N listen I'm very sorry that..."

"Unnecessarily." You interrupted her.

"What?"

"You're unnecessarily sorry. It doesn't matter if you mean what I showed you or the fact that you REFUSED to mess with my head. It already happened and your 'I'm sorry' won't change anything."

"Why did you show me this?" She asked finally finding the courage to look at you.

"I wanted to give you a lesson, and the only way I can do that when you are in my head is to show you the worst memory I have." You explained clenching your fists to control your trembling hands. "I took you to my nightmares."

"That's why you're always so worried when Bucky departs."

"Yes." You admitted looking at the winter landscape outside the window with blinding eyes. "That night will stay in my memory for the rest of my life and Pierce took excellent care of that." You added in a cold voice without any emotion after which you directed your gaze at Wanda again. "Why didn't you listen when I asked you to stop messing with my head?"

"I-I don't know Y/N, really. It was stronger than me." She said quietly, close to tears. "I'm sorry."

"Ehh... last time." You sighed after a moment's thought. There was no point in making a conflict about it again. You didn't have much in your life and erasing another person from it wasn't necessary. Wanda smiled and looked at you when you suddenly became serious again and your icy gaze pierced her, causing her unimaginable discomfort. "I warn you. If you don't want to see for yourself what kind of monster HYDRA has made of me, don't you dare even TRY to touch James. Is that clear?"

"Y-yes, clear." She groaned almost immediately for which you nodded and your countenance softened.

"That's good. Go back to them, the kids are waiting for you and you have to rescue Strange cause he's dancing with his cape." You said with a laugh too which Wanda echoed and you both left the kitchen. The scene you found in the living room warmed your heart.

Bucky knelt, setting Morgan on the ground, then carefully adjusted her dress, which had managed to curl and twist as the girl sat in his arms. Before she ran off to Peter, who with Pepper was waiting for her on the other side of the room, she threw her arms around James, hugging him tightly. Bucky carefully returned the hug being careful not to squeeze her too tightly after which he kissed her on the cheek.

"Uncle!" She cried out with laughter, all red.

"What? Can't I?" He asked amused at which Morgan twisted even redder in front of him like an embarrassed princess and laughingly ran towards Parker and his friends.

"How do you feel?" You asked softly putting a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"Free." He replied after a moment's thought with a clear relief in his voice and a slight smile wandering across his face.

"It seems that this time it was Steve and Peggy who won the bet."

"Yes, this time they did. Although I would have made some adjustments in Steve's version. Alone together forever, Y/N." Bucky said with tears in his eyes still kneeling on the hard floor. You looked at him with adoration. You had known each other all your lives, exactly 100 years. Like today you remembered that little boy running around the yard with a stick as a sword in the summer of '27. As a curious child, you unwisely came closer and were hit with the "sword" when James, not realizing that someone was behind him, took a swing hitting you right in the head. From that moment everything began. It seemed that you owed it all to a stick.

~**~

The party was still going on when you decided to go back to your room. You didn't mind such gatherings but your inner introvert cried out enough. The upstairs was quiet and pleasant, your room provided the perfect asylum. Standing in front of the large panoramic window and admiring the city skyline from afar, you felt strong arms embrace you at the waist and warm breath wrap around your neck. Bucky placed a long kiss on your temple and rested his chin on your shoulder also peering out the window at the slowly falling snowflakes.

"What are you thinking about, babygirl?"

"I'm wondering what would have happened to me if you hadn't been here today... If you hadn't come back." You admitted with a lump in your throat without even daring to look at him. This time the doubts that had been haunting you for years caught you.

Bucky gently turned you in his arms to face him and lifted your chin forcing you to look into those beautiful steel-blue eyes.

"Doll don't think about it. I'm here, I'm back and I'm not going anywhere."

"I love you so much." You replied by resting your forehead against his and closing your eyes. You wanted to enjoy the moment of his closeness for as long as possible when the rest of the world no longer mattered. He was the only thing that remained. The growl of the engines fell silent, the hum of the heater fell silent, and the murmurs from other floors fell silent. All that was left was him, his calm deep voice, and those amazing blue eyes.

"I love you, too. I always have and always will." He said with a slight smile placing a loving kiss on your lips. The kiss was long and full of love, but with each passing second as your hands explored each other's bodies something else began to appear. Desire. Soon your legs wrapped around Bucky's hips when the kiss became deep and greedy. As Bucky's tongue slid into your mouth, thousands of fireworks exploded in your body while stimulating every single nerve in you. Your tongues fought for domination as a moan of delight escaped your lips.

"James..." You moaned into his mouth while gently pulling his hair. You could feel the fire burning you from the inside and you were sure that this time, you wouldn't be able to control it. For too long you denied it, for too long you lived the dream that this moment would one day happen.

"I know."

Without taking his mouth off of you for a moment, Bucky stepped back and sat on the edge of the bed with you on his lap. His large hands slid under your sweater roaming your back sending shivers down your spine as the cool metal made contact with your burning skin. When your hands met resistance in the form of the buttons of his shirt, which you couldn't unbutton by any chance through your slightly trembling hands, you decided to get rid of it differently. You grabbed the pitch-black collar and yanked hard, the sound of small metal objects hitting the floor echoed throughout the room. However, Bucky seemed completely unconcerned by this, while a deep desperate growl, primal and beastly, escaped from his chest as your cool hands, after getting rid of his shirt, slid under his t-shirt carefully scanning his abdomen and chest memorizing every muscle, every scar. You tilted your head back and could have sworn you saw stars as his lips traced a trail on your body known only to himself.

"Make love to me." You asked, and in your voice, you could hear pleading, but also certainty. Certainty in the words you just said and that you really wanted it. You wanted to make love with him and no one else, and every cell in your body was screaming just for him.

"Are you sure? I don't want to force you to do anything." He said carefully studying your face. He would be lying if he said he didn't want that too. He had thought many times about what it would be like to make you his, even before the war started, but he never got the courage to ask you for something more than friendship, certain that you deserved someone better. A better life than the one he was able to offer you.

"Do I look like you're forcing me? Make love to me James." You repeated pressing your lips to the skin just behind his ear gently biting his earlobe, which caused a low gasp to leave his lungs. "Today, now, please."

"If something feels wrong, if I become too rough promise you'll tell me. I don't want to hurt you." He declared in response to which you only muttered and nodded your head worked up over his gorgeous body. "I want to hear it, doll." He added grabbing your chin and gently lifting your head forcing you to look at him. Your hands landed on his jaw and your thumbs rolled in small circles on his cheeks as you sat there, so lost in his gaze.

"I promise." You replied with confidence knowing full well that this was another promise given to him that would never be broken.

At your words, Bucky smiled slightly and once again pressed your lips together in a kiss that could last until the end of the world, or even longer. You carefully grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up, after a moment throwing the fabric in an unknown direction. A pleasant warmth beat off his large bare chest as your hands, once again, wandered over it, memorizing every detail, even the smallest. As your fingers gently ran over the spot where his skin turned to Vibranium a deep wild whimper came from his chest.

Your sweater didn't stay on you for long, because just a moment later, along with the t-shirt you wore underneath, it left your body. Barnes once again stood up with you in his arms and gently placed you on the floor right next to the bed, without once letting you out of his embrace. Both of you had lost hope long ago that anything more would ever happen between you two. You were stuck in a friendship still in the 40s and have remained that way.

Bucky knelt in front of you and, without breaking eye contact even for a second, pulled down your pants before pressing his lips to yours again.

"Lie down, babygirl." He commanded at the same time moving backward. You did as he ordered, and without a word, climbed onto the bed laying comfortably on your back watching him carefully. The sight that appeared to your eyes should have been illegal. Bucky was standing in front of you in full glory, dressed only in boxers on which there was a visible bulge, with slightly messed up hair, his dog tags on his chest, and the warm light of the lamp gently dancing on his naked body highlighting every muscle.

Bucky hovered over you, millimeters from your body, his dog tags glided gently along your chest. His massive figure made it clear who was in charge, but he went no further, looking deep into your eyes.

"I need your permission, doll." He said with his thumb rolling small circles around your hips. "I need your permission to touch you in places where no one has ever done it before."

His voice was low and deep filled with desire and love, completely lost in the feelings you were arousing in him. He knew he wouldn't be the first after what Rumlow had done to you at HYDRA many years earlier. But he firmly believed that he would be the last.

"You have my permission Bucky, to do whatever you want." You said with conviction taking his face in your hands and kissing the tip of his nose. "I trust you with my life."

With these words, he slid his hand under your back undoing the clasp of your bra slowly removing it from your body carefully watching your every reaction. After a moment your bra joined the rest of your clothes rolling on the floor as Bucky's eyes lit up at the sight of your naked breasts.

"So beautiful..." He murmured leaning over and taking your nipple in his mouth the other nipple rolling between his thumb and forefinger. His hot breath combined with the coolness of the metal on your other breast didn't allow you to think rationally. The wave of pleasure that swept through your body as he played with your tits like this was almost unbearable. When, after a while, his lips and hands began to slide down your body you knew what he was going up to. You felt his warm breath on your lower belly and his gentle touch. You expected him to rip off your panties right away, but instead, you felt his nose brush your clit, the tip dragging across your clothed cunt. A soft moan escaped from your throat. You felt the warmth of his right hand contrasting with the cool metal, while his large hands caressed the outside of your thighs. He was so soft, in every way.

"Is this okay?" He looked up at you.

"Yes... Yes, it's okay." You breathe. He was so sweet and secure needing to know if you were comfortable with what he was doing.

Bucky grabbed the hem of your underwear and slowly began to slide it down until it also fell to the floor.

"Open wide for Daddy, baby. I want to see everything." He growled softly, placing gentle kisses starting at your ankle to glide up your leg as his large hands carefully caressed the skin on the inside of your thighs. "Jesus Christ, you're soaked."

All you could do was whine as you felt him running his nose along your naked, swollen clit before he began sucking it. The sight of him between your legs licking your already dripping juices drove you crazy. He licked and sucked your pussy with no hurry, while his soft beard teased your sensitive skin.

"God, doll you taste so fucking good." He groaned loudly from between your legs. The whole time you clung to the sheet beneath you, your free hand sinking into his hair doing your best not to come on the spot with a loud moan of pleasure. James leaned back to look at you, your juice running down his beard and glistening in the soft light as his jaw dropped. "I could eat you for hours." He groaned before licking his lips. When you felt two metal fingers entering you slowly, you thought you were going to lose your mind. After a moment, when you knew you couldn't take it any longer, you grabbed him by the hair and pulled him up, immediately clashing your lips with his. Bucky crawled onto the bed laying on top of you, one hand resting on your cheek and the other sinking into your long hair. You were already a living mess, and he looked stoically calm and composed, at least on the outside, inside he was buzzing with a wildfire that all the water of the world couldn't fight.

"Tell me what you want, doll."

"I want to feel you, James. I want to feel you inside me." You mumbled against his lips.

"Are you sure?" He asked, breaking the kiss and looking at you closely.

"Yes." You said pulling down his boxers. You wanted to look, you wanted to see him, but Bucky's eyes were too hypnotizing. You were unable to take your eyes off of him even for a second. Once his shorts fell on the floor, you ran your hands over his torso, moving down to his lower abdomen, where you finally took him in your hands. There was no doubt that Bucky wanted you as much as you wanted him. "I want you to come inside me. I want you to fill me up."

"Jesus fucking Christ doll." He sighed surprised, once again pressing hard against your lips, moaning quietly as you massaged his length. "I'll be gentle, but tell me if anything feels wrong." He said, placing a gentle, loving kiss on your lips. After these words, you felt him slowly enter you.

"Oh fuck, Bucky..." You gasped through the intensity of that feeling.

"You are so tight, doll." He growled leaning in to kiss you again. Feeling you wet and ready for him drove him crazy. He waited for this moment for far too long. "You're okay?" He asked, wanting to make sure he wasn't hurting you.

"Yes, you? You know having sex at this age can be dangerous for your heart." You laughed lightly unable to hold back that comment.

"At least I'll die happy. Besides, don't forget that you're only two years younger, my love." He said with the most charming smile you've ever seen.

"Bucky, s-so good..." You moaned as he entered you fully, moving at a steady pace. His thrusts were deep and slow, needing to feel you in every way possible. Your hands clung to Bucky's shoulders, feeling the pleasure wash over you. Bucky's name left your lips like a sweet prayer as he continued rocking his body into yours. You drew him closer by connecting your lips. When Bucky began to move faster after a while, you wrapped your legs around him, allowing him to penetrate you even deeper. The intensity of this sensation made you both moan with pleasure. James slowly and gently ran his hand from your shoulder to your right arm pinning your arm above your head. You felt his fingers slide between yours as you both squeezed each other's hands.

James moaned and you echoed him, your voices filling the room. Your body was on fire, your throat was dry and your eyes filled with tears. He felt so damn good.

Bucky chuckled as you begin to move your hips under him, trying to speed up.

"Someone is impatient."

"Harder James, please." You moaned pleadingly.

"Easy doll, not so fast, we just started. I want it too, but I don't want to hurt you." He said kissing your forehead. He was right, you barely started, and then out of nowhere, you started acting like an unruly animal.

"Sorry, you're right." You said shyly embarrassed by your behavior. He was so secure and gentle even if he also wanted to do it fast and hard and meanwhile you acted like an idiot.

"Hey, don't apologize for that honey. It will be harder, I promise. Just give us some time and then in the next round, we can think about something more unholy. What would you say?" He said, his voice low and barely audible.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too, princess. Now relax and enjoy." He said rubbing against your nose and placing a quick, light kiss on your lips.

You felt yourself gradually approaching the much-wanted orgasm. As Bucky's length massaged your insides in ways impossible to describe, you could have sworn you saw stars in front of your eyes. James face was right next to yours as you both made love lost in each other's gazes. Barnes could do anything he wanted to you, after all, you lay exposed beneath him, ready for his every whim.... but not this time. He wanted to see you, every reaction and emotion as you gave yourself completely to him. It wasn't because you had to. It was because you wanted to.

"Oh... J-James I'm close."

" I know doll, so am I, but not yet." He said with his forehead resting against yours as you both panted hard approaching the desired peak.

James stared at you with a sweet soft face and eyes filled with warmth. Your free hand reached up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck, while his large warm hand stroked your cheek. You both lost yourselves in each other's gazes.

"B-Bucky!" You moaned after a few more minutes, not caring how loud you were, it was too intense for you to hold back. The truth was, you didn't even want to hold back. "Oh my! S-So good..."

"Yes, doll..." Bucky replied nibbling on your neck. "You're so wet... So perfect."

"I-I don't... I can't..."

"Let go, beautiful." Bucky said kissing your jawline. "Let go for me."

After a few more thrusts, a wave of pleasure hit your body like a tsunami. Your back arched and, clasping your hands, you shouted the name of the man who had brought you to this state. This was the last push Bucky needed. Seeing you writhing beneath him and screaming his name, he felt you tighten around him. Seconds later, Bucky thrust into you one last time, releasing himself inside you greedily pressing his lips against yours. Stars filled your vision as he came undone, holding onto Bucky for dear life as you both screamed each other's names. He collapsed on top of you still trembling through the intensity of the orgasm, but you didn't mind. You wrapped your arms around him and pulled him even closer, if that was even possible, while you both tried to normalize your breathing.

After a few minutes, James released his embrace and slowly slid out of you laying down on the pillows beside you pulling you to his chest, and covering your naked bodies with a blanket. You snuggled into him burying your face in the crack of his neck inhaling his scent.

"Did I hurt you?" James asked after a long moment of silence as you both caught your breath. "Please tell me I didn't hurt you. I was too rough for our first time after.... after what happened, I..."

"James, everything is fine. I'm fine..." You said kissing his cheek. "Shower?"

"Yeah." He said tiredly as you led him to the bathroom.

You turned on the shower, waiting for the water to warm up. As you stood there, you felt Bucky admiring your body from behind, which made you blush.

"You don't have to stare all the time." You giggled.

"I know, but I can't help myself." James purred as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you close. "You're so beautiful." He whispered, placing a gentle kiss on your temple.

"So are you." You smiled as Bucky kissed you again.

Once inside the shower, James let out a sigh of relief. Water in the shower was just the way he liked it, nice and warm.

Bucky's eyes quickly met yours. Before you knew it James was kissing you with hunger and desperation. His fingers tangled in your wet hair as he pressed you against the shower wall. Your hands found their way to Bucky's neck, kissing him back just as hard.

Loud moans of pleasure filled the bathroom as Bucky's hands roamed your body, needing to feel you again. Your hand soon dropped down to his length, just feeling how much he needed you. Bucky was so hard it almost hurt.

"Don't tease." He groaned against your lips. "Not now."

"My turn." You said dropping to your knees in front of him. Before James had time to realize what was happening, you took him into your mouth causing him to moan loudly while licking his precum.

"Jesus fucking Christ, doll... "

You sucked and licked him bringing Bucky to the edge of his strength. Kneeling there pleasing him you discovered a new drug, but you weren't going to confess it before the next round. James had to prop himself up against the faucet when he felt his already trembling legs about to lose their grip on the wet floor.

Slipping it out of your mouth, you carefully ran your fangs along his length hooking the tip, which drove James into pure insanity. He leaned over, jerked your head up, and clung greedily to your lips taking you in his arms and pinning you against the glass wall of the shower.

"We're far from over, baby girl."

~**~

Outside the windows, impenetrable darkness had long prevailed when you lay together in bed cuddled into each other, deep in thought. The silence that reigned between you wasn't awkward, quite the opposite. You felt comfortable being in silence together like this.

"Do you remember when we lived in Romania?" He asked, breaking the silence that prevailed in the room. The memory of the moment of freedom when you lived together came back to him suddenly summoned by the peace he felt lying with you in his arms and forgetting the whole world.

"Of course, I did. The first substitute for a normal life since 1945." You replied with a slight smile, leaning on your elbow to look at him with your hand still carefully running over the scars on his arm. How beautiful he was.

"Yes... I still can't believe what you did. You could have just forgotten and had a normal life."

"Do you think I would have been able to just forget you and live as if nothing had happened?"

"You could have died looking for me. Besides, letting yourself get caught by HYDRA wasn't smart either, they could have killed you on the spot. You weren't even sure if I was alive. After all, in the report, they wrote that I died."

"I know, you have no idea how many times I read the report but every time I got to the moment of your death something didn't fit, I don't know what... I just felt it was a fabrication. Steve and Peggy thought I was crazy. Only the war saved me from being locked up in an insane asylum after Steve disappeared. After all, Rogers saw you fall into the abyss, there was no way you could have survived it, and I insisted otherwise. It was hard to convince Stark and Philips to help me based on my hunches when all signs in heaven and earth pointed unequivocally to your death."

"But yet you succeeded." He said with a slight smile poking you in the nose.

"I think they did it with 'mercy'. When Steve crashed, Peggy with Stark almost immediately went looking for him." You explained, remembering exactly that day and the look on Philips face when he agreed to help you look for Barnes. It may not have been very active help, but he provided you with a free hand in moving between branches of their troops which was already a big help to you even if you had to search for James alone.

"And you let yourself be kidnapped by HYDRA after two years of searching for the ghost." He added looking at you meaningfully.

"It was the last place you could be if you survived, I had to know that." You admitted with a sigh. You remembered those two years like it was yesterday.

"Even if they had taken me away they could have killed me already or not told you I was there at all." He rightly pointed out.

"They could, but what more did I have to lose? I lost you, I lost Rogers, and forgive me but Peggy and Conny I tolerated only for you." You muttered, recalling beloved of Captain America and the perpetually attached Barnes hottie with an IQ on the level of a dead chicken. "But in the end, I made it, I found you alive. I would have liked them all to see you then, to bring you home. And so the truth was found out only by Peggy. All the rest for the rest of their lives believed that you died in the line of duty, Steve crashed together with the ship through guilt, and I ended up going crazy and dyed looking for a ghost."

"More than 80 years ago." He sighed.

"Yes... I've been dealing with you for a long time." You said with a laugh while glancing at him.

"And you will for a long time to come if you want to."

"I can't think of a better life." You admitted stroking his hair.

"I do."

"Yes?" You asked surprised while raising your eyebrows investigative. If Barnes could dream of something even better then, either that didn't include you anymore or he had some idea worthy of a madman.

"I was thinking of quitting my job for SHIELD. I've been just running around with guns and following orders going from place to place for almost a hundred years. I miss normal life." He admitted. "There is a house to buy in Răzvad. Close to Târgoviște, we could also visit Bucharest. It may not be big but it has a garden, two floors, a bedroom, and two spare rooms. I could break down a wall and make a big office for you there, if, of course, you wanted to leave there with me. Would you want to?" He asked, glancing at you uncertainly. You didn't have to agree, you might as well have laughed at him, after all, you were officially together for only the second day but he felt he just had to ask you.

"I have a better idea to use those rooms someday if you want." You said recalling James playing with the young Wilsons. A truly happy man. When you looked at him again you saw tears in those beautiful blue eyes filled with love and adoration. You smiled and took his face in your hands carefully wiping away the tears then leaned over and joined your lips in a gentle kiss.

"I love you so much, doll."

"I love you more."

"Not possible." He laughed kissing you softly. "I have something for you. I wanted to give it to you a long time ago, but somehow I couldn't get it together, and after 1945 there was no opportunity." When he placed the item in his hand and pulled away the old, long yellowed fabric, your eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"James, that's..." You whispered with disbelief while covering your mouth with your hand. What you just saw couldn't be real. Not after everything that has happened since then.

"My mother's wedding ring." He said calmly as if nothing had ever happened, confirming your assumptions.

"But... how?" You asked not understanding anything. How is it possible that after more than a hundred years and everything that has happened in the meantime, this ring was now in his hand?

"I don't quite know. I had it with me at the time when I fell off the train. A few years ago, I was contacted by one of the members of SHIELD and said they had found something that probably belonged to me. I don't know how they did it. Before the war I wanted to give it to you." He said, taking the ring in his fingers. "But I was too stupid to understand, and when the war started I was too fearless and eager to follow my father's example, to let go. My parents loved you so much. I know my mother didn't have much opportunity or time to get to know you, we were still children then, but I know she liked you a lot. I was shocked when you managed to win your father's affection." He laughed while glancing at you.

"Your father was a good man." You replied, recalling the figure of George Barnes when you saw him for the first time.

"Yes, that's true but he was a peculiar and rather distrusted stranger. But I remember the last time I saw him he stood upright in front of me, wearing his uniform and with a bag over his shoulder, and said 'She's nice, don't screw it up.'" He quoted imitating his father's voice at which you both laughed through tears. "I wouldn't say I succeeded, but in the end, after a hundred years, I guess it didn't work out so badly after all since I still have you with me. You know how much this ring means to me." He said, glancing at his mother's gold, a slightly tattered ring with the Barnes name still on it. "I would like you to wear it. As a symbol of the fact that I love you all my life and a promise that I'll always love you, I'll always be there for you, I'll never hurt you and I'll never let anyone else do it. I'm ready to give my life for you Y/N, you are everything to me."

"I love you so much you stubborn, crazy, amazing super soldier." You declared stroking his cheek as he slipped the ring on your finger. "Forever James."

"Forever doll." He replied lifting your hand to his lips kissing it together with the ring then leaning in so that your lips could meet again in a tender and loving endless kiss.

THE END