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Bucky has been radio silent all day.
Well, not all day. He had sent a quick morning text saying that he would be running around for most of the day with a quick I love you at the end of it. Since then? Nothing.
You try not to worry too much. Sometimes he’d be held up with working alongside Sam on an upcoming mission, or playing Breath of the Wild after a particularly overwhelming therapy session. Still, he would usually make a point to reach out a couple of times throughout the day just because he missed talking to you.
Plus, it’s your birthday.
And even though you’re okay with people forgetting, and you hate unwanted attention so the idea of getting any special treatment makes you anxious, you still feel a sting reading the generic Good morning! text from Bucky without any acknowledgement of what day it is.
It’s fine, you think. Maybe he’s just planning something for when I get home.
You hold onto this idea the whole day as you internally panic at your desk, which is covered with flowers and balloons from the decorating Raina and Abby had done before you clocked in.
“Y/n, there is no way Bucky forgot your birthday,” Raina argues. “That man probably has the date tattooed behind his eyelids he’s so obsessed with you.”
“Do you want Raina to text Sam and have him remind Bucky?” Abby asks.
You shake your head. “Nah, I don’t want to be that person. And if he forgot, that’s okay!” You shrug, feigning indifference even though your stomach is in knots. “I forget birthdays all the time.”
“Yeah, not the person you’re engaged to,” Raina mutters.
You stare down at the ring on your finger, unable to stop the smile that forms every time your eye catches the diamond. The promise that Bucky would be yours forever and you would be his.
No, he definitely didn’t forget your birthday.
That comforting thought lasts until the end of the work day as you walk up to the entrance to the apartment, Bucky descending down the stairs toward you with a giant grin on his face.
He pulls you in for a tight hug, kissing the crown of your head, and you let out a relieved breath.
And then he pulls away, walking past you down the sidewalk, and that breath catches in your throat.
“Sorry, love, gotta run out for a bit. I’ll be back. Love you!” He gives you a quick wave before turning toward whatever super important destination he needs to get to right fucking now for some reason.
You blink back tears, trying to let the shock of the encounter pass as quickly and painlessly as possible. After a few seconds, you let out a disappointed sigh, then drag your way up to your apartment, mentally comforting yourself.
It’s okay, Y/n.
It happens. Bucky’s a busy guy. He just forgot.
You’re literally going to have the rest of your life to celebrate birthdays with him.
He loves you. It’s fine.
Still, the ache in your heart persists, and you no longer have the strength to prevent a couple tears from sliding down your face as you open the door to your place.
You step through the doorway, smiling at your beloved black blob, Willa, who runs up to greet you with a soft mew. As soon as you look up, though, you stop in your tracks.
A ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’ banner hangs up on the wall over your TV surrounded by numerous bundles of balloons. The ceiling has multi-colored streamers hanging throughout. Your cardboard cutout of Captain America rests against your bookshelf, a printed out party hat taped his helmet. Your gaze continues to sweep through the apartment, taking in the celebratory display and landing on the kitchen counter, where five vases of the most beautiful flower arrangements you have ever seen surround a pile of wrapped presents, and a platter of cupcakes from your favorite bakery.
A sudden movement from your bedroom pulls you out of your awestruck trance and you jump back, a scream rising from your chest until you finally see Bucky walking up to you, grinning from ear to ear. He must have climbed up the fire escape.
His arms extend out, gesturing at the display as he walks up to you. “Did you really think I would forget your birthday?”
Suddenly, your lips begin to quiver, a small whimper leaves your mouth, and then your face crumples completely. You cover your face with your hands in embarrassment, missing Bucky’s complete look of shock as he rushes toward you, wrapping his arms around your body.
“Wait, wait, what’s wrong? What happened? Do you not like it?” His questions keep coming, voice frantic.
“Nothing,” you mutter into his cotton t-shirt. “I love this. It’s perfect. I just thought you forgot and now I’m mad at myself for thinking you did while you were putting all of this together.”
Bucky groans, pulling away and gently removing your hands from your face so he can hold it between his own. His sad, radiant blue eyes gaze into yours.
“I fucked up. I wanted it to be a surprise and instead I ignored you all day.” His forehead leans against yours and he sighs. “I am so, so, so sorry, love.”
Your hands go to his wrists. “Don’t be sorry. I’m dramatic, and should never have doubted my amazing, hardworking, loving partner.”
Bucky groans again. “Baby, this is your birthday,” he chides. “I’m supposed to be showering you with compliments.”
You breathe out a small chuckle. “Alright then. Give me your worst, Buck.”
He smiles, pulling back to kiss your forehead, then speaks in between kissing both temples, both cheeks, and your nose as he says, “Happy Birthday to my beautiful...kind….funny...smart...absolutely amazing….” his lips hover over yours, “Favorite person in the whole entire universe.”
You smile as Bucky kisses you, but it drops quickly as you get lost in the feel of his lips, and when the taste of his tongue starts to make you feel dizzy, you lean your weight against him and he holds you flush to his body.
A whine drags out of you when he pulls away and he laughs. “Bucky, it’s my birthday, can’t I spend the entirety of it kissing you?” You pout at him.
In response to that, you get a heart melting nose-scrunch from Bucky before he tickles your sides and you squeal. You try to pull away but his super soldier strength has you locked in place.
“I’m happy to oblige, but I promise you, doll, you’re gonna want to open up your gifts.”
Your eyes flicker over to the counter, then narrow when they return to Bucky, suspicion painted across your features.
“Can I have a cupcake first?”
He laughs, giving you a quick, chaste kiss. “Anything for the birthday girl.”
Two cupcakes and a dozen kisses later, you relax on the couch as Bucky lays your gifts on the coffee table. Willa jumps up to sniff each present, hunting for treats.
The gifts are perfect (how could they not be, coming from the most perfect person?). Bucky had gotten you one of those oversized hoodie dresses you found on TikTok, a funko pop of Arwyn, handmade D&D dice from your favorite designer on Instagram, and the special edition of the first Wheel of Time book.
“There’s one more thing,” he says sheepishly, pulling a flat, rectangular wrapped gift from behind him. He extends it out to you and as you take it, you catch a blush forming in his cheeks.
You raise your brows at him as you open the gift, and laugh when you see what’s inside.
“Bucky, this is my iPad.”
He clears his throat. “Unlock it.”
The screen opens up to a google doc. It takes a few seconds while you read the first couple of sentences before a scream erupts through the apartment.
“OH MY GOD!” you exclaim. Bucky’s face turns to a dark crimson. “Did you...? Was this….? What….?” There are so many questions buzzing through your brain that you can’t seem to ask just one.
“Just don’t judge me too hard, okay? Obviously I can’t write as well as you can, and I definitely didn’t ask for help from our friends because I don’t ever want them to know about this.” He winces. “Which reminds me, please don’t ever tell anyone this exists.”
You shuffle excitedly, moving across the couch to kiss your favorite person. “Not a word.”
He gives you a small smile. “Thanks, love.”
“No no, thank you.” You curl into his side and he wraps an arm around you as you put your focus back on your iPad. “This is hands down the best gift I’ve ever received.”
A pained laugh leaves Bucky. “You can’t say that when you haven’t even read it, Y/n.”
You give him a wicked grin. “Then let’s read it, shall we?”
------------------
“The Tides of Love” ; A Bucky x Y/n fic.
Captain Buchanan stands at the bow of the ship, wind sweeping through his long chestnut hair as he stares out at the open sea.
He lifts his spyglass to inspect the small dot a few miles ahead, revealing a colorful ship with the royal flag whipping around, as if begging to be noticed.
“Wilson,” the Captain bellows across the deck to his second, “Think I would look in a crown?”
Wilson cackles. “Let’s go find out!”
The poor, sad excuse for a vessel tries to outrun the White Serpent, but Captain Buchanan’s beloved ship gains on them within the hour, cannons prepped to open-fire if they try to fight back.
Clearly the crew have never engaged in combat, because Captain Buchanan’s threats are met with eyes filled with fear rather than anger. His crew drops wooden planks and they cross over the blue waters to formally introduce themselves.
Two men walk up to meet him, one of them a sickly, scrawny lad dawned in golden rings and a garish red crown atop his head. Captain Buchanan feels the presence of his second walking up to his side.
“What business do you have boarding His Royal Highness’s ship?” One man – possibly the captain – asks as he stares at him wide-eyed, hands trembling by his side.
Captain Buchanan grins. “Just stopping by to say hello. Don’t see many ships of your kind sailing these parts. Can be quite dangerous. Lot of….theft happens to good people.”
“Aren’t we the people who do the thieven, Capt’n?” Captain Buchanan stifles a groan at the drunken slur coming from his youngest crewmen, Parker. Wilson takes a few steps back and the sound of a slap followed by a yelp comes from behind.
“Excuse the kid, he doesn’t hold his liquor well. But that’s besides the point. We don’t steal. It’s more of a small fee we charge to ensure safe passage.” His gaze turns to the golden rings on the supposed prince, then creeps up to the crown. “Nothing too steep, we aren’t the greedy type.”
A chorus of chuckles sound off behind him.
The men share a look and the prince gives a short nod, his lips pressed into a thin line.
They turn back to Captain Buchanan. “Fine. Take what you want and we’ll get on our way.
He stares at them, tilting his head in suspicion. “So easy to surrender. Tell me, good sirs,” he glances across the ship, “Is there something you carry more precious than coin?”
The prince is the one to make the mistake. His eyes flicker to the cabin on the right. Just for a fraction of a second. But it’s enough.
The Captain grins. “Wilson, why don’t you continue to chat with these men while I do some exploring?”
The two men take a step toward the Captain, but stop short as they are met with numerous pistols pointed directly at their heads. He slowly makes his way to the door of the cabin, gun drawn. Once he reaches the wooden door, he leans forward to try to listen for any movement. There’s no sound on the other side so he reaches for the handle.
Only for the door to swing open from the other side, and there you are.
Captain Buchanan feels every drop of air in his body escape him as he steps back, taking you in.
You’re the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on. Your gorgeous eyes, soft skin that radiates in the sunlight, and curves that make his head dizzy, held snugly within your wine-colored dress.
He doesn’t even know your name, has never felt his heart ache in such a way before, but he knows without a shred of doubt that he’s in love with you.
Then, you speak, and he feels like the angels above are singing through your vocal cords.
—
You set the iPad down, looking at him with narrow eyes. “Singing through my vocal cords?”
Bucky glares at you. “I’m sorry, are you going to ignore the super romantic part where I wrote about love at first sight?” He lifts the iPad up and mutters, “Just keep reading before I delete this.”
—
“Are you here to rescue me?”
Captain Buchanan’s eyes narrow in confusion. “I’m sorry, miss, what did you just say?”
You place your hands on your hips and raise your eyebrows. “Listen, I don’t want to be here. At all. Prince Stick-Up-His-Ass is shipping me across the sea so that he can make me his wife and spend the rest of my days bearing his children and knitting blankets. No thank you. So, can you get me off this godforsaken ship?”
Yes, he’s definitely in love.
His lips curve up into a mischievous grin. “I don’t even know your name. Can’t have a stranger aboard my ship.”
You roll your eyes, then extend out your hand as if to shake his. “My name is Y/n.”
Captain Buchanen glances down at your hand, then locks onto your eyes once more as he takes it, lowering his head to press a kiss to the back of your soft, beautiful hand. He hears a small gasp leave you at the contact and it puts his stomach in knots.
“I’m Captain James Buchanan, of the White Serpent.” He winks, straightening up and stepping close to you. Then, he lifts a hand to move a piece of hair out of your face and behind your ear. His fingers rest upon your neck where he feels your pulse racing. “You, my love, can call me Bucky.”
You swallow, taking a moment to collect yourself before smiling, and Bucky swears the sun has nothing on the light your smile brings to the world.
“Well, Bucky, would you mind rescuing me from a fate worse than death?”
Bucky’s smile widens, and he turns to offer his arm to you. You glady wrap yourself around it and walk alongside him to the White Serpent. The crew of the royal ship gawk at the two of you, both furious and terrified. Wilson gives you a single nod, and Parker gives you a shit-eating grin as he drunkenly waves.
As you’re walking, Bucky snags the crown off the prince’s head, smirking at the blubbering man as he rests it upon your gorgeous head. He leans down until his mouth grazes against your ear, eliciting another glorious gasp from your beautiful self as he whispers, “Anything for you, love.”