Chapter Text
It’s been a few months after the launch of Bucky’s cookbook, it had been a huge success, managing to break sales records since Harry Potter. Bucky still couldn’t believe how successful his book had become and was even more in shock over how much money he had made from it. Sure he made really good money for working with SHIELD but to make that type of money from selling a cookbook, he just couldn’t imagine. If he and Steve had that type of money during the war, there wouldn’t have been a need for him to join but then again he wouldn’t have Peter in his life and he was never going to trade that for all the money in the world. And thanks to Tony’s help, Bucky was able to learn how to safely grow his new fortune so that he would always be financially set for his life. He couldn’t be more grateful for Tony’s help.
While his new wealth grew he continued to hone his recipes. He was currently in the kitchen with Peter, making lemon drop blackberry cookies. It was a new recipe that he was still developing and so far this batch seemed to be the one. Bucky was always happy when he was able to get the recipe perfect and loved having Peter be his taste tester, even if he was biased.
After taking a bite of the cookie, Peter’s eyes lit up as he savored the bite in his mouth. “Oh my fucking god,” pausing so he could swallow and not choke again, “this is amazing. You need to add this to your next book.”
“You sure about that?” Bucky teased, leaning in to steal a kiss, the taste of cookies lingering on Peter’s lips. “You are kinda biased.”
“It’s not biased if it’s the truth.” Peter grinned, already reaching for another cookie.
“Save some for the others, so that I can be sure of that.” Bucky smirked, as he slid another tray into the oven.
“Do we have to?” Peter rolled his eyes playfully.
“Yes, you do!” Sam called out, strolling into the kitchen with the rest of the team close behind. “Just because you’re dating him doesn’t mean you get to hog all the cookies.”
“Besides, he promised me some to take home for the kids,” Clint added, grabbing a cookie for himself. His eyes widened as he took a bite. “Holy shit, these are incredible.”
“He’s right,” Natasha agreed, examining her cookie with an almost scientific precision. “The lemon’s brightness pairs perfectly with the tartness of the blackberries.”
“You sound like a cookie connoisseur,” Tony teased as he and Steve entered, drawn by the smell of fresh-baked cookies.
“That’s because I am.” Natasha stated as though it was a fact.
As Peter grabbed another cookie, he had an idea. “You should start a YouTube channel!” he suggested, eyes lighting up like he’d just discovered a new superpower.
Bucky raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a smile. “A YouTube channel? Seriously?”
Peter nodded eagerly, his energy almost radiating off of him. “Yeah! You bake and cook, I’ll film, and Miles can handle the music. It’ll be perfect!”
Bucky wasn’t entirely convinced. He’d faced down HYDRA, survived wars, and even managed to bake a cake for Tony’s birthday, but YouTube? That was a whole different thing. “I don’t know.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Why not?” Tony chimed in. “Your book is a bestseller! Number one on the New York Times list.”
“True, but how do we know that success would carry over to a YouTube channel? Plus, I’m not exactly comfortable in front of a camera.”
“You don’t have to talk while you bake,” Peter suggested. “I can film you doing your thing, and we can add a voice-over later during editing.”
“Maybe…I’ll think about it.”
“It’s up to you,” Peter said, wrapping his arms around Bucky’s waist. “I just want you to be happy.”
“Thanks. And who knows? Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s the project that I need.”
“If you decide to do it, I can convert one of the guest rooms into a studio,” Tony offered.
“I appreciate it,” Bucky replied, smiling as he considered the idea. “In the meantime, how about we enjoy these cookies?”
But as Bucky turned back to the counter, his smile faded, the cookies were gone. He and the others immediately turned to Peter.
“What? Just because I have a sweet tooth doesn’t mean I ate them all!” Peter protested as he tried to defend his honor.
The group then heard a suspicious crunch behind them. Turning around, they were met with the sight of Steve caught red-handed with a cookie in one hand and a box of cookies in the other that he managed to box up while they were all talking.
“I, uh, I can explain…” Steve stammered, looking like a deer in headlights before making a break for it.
“Get him!” Clint shouted as everyone chased after him.
Bucky couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head at the scene. “He and I used to do that whenever my mom baked cookies…some things never change.”
“And you guys say I have a sweet tooth,” Peter laughed, watching his dad sprint away with the cookies.
“Steve, get back here with those cookies!” Tony yelled as he and the others tried to catch him.
“Never!”
Later that week, Bucky decided he’d give the YouTube channel a shot. After all, it would be a nice project to keep him busy during retirement. He and Peter were in the kitchen with Miles, filming the first video for the channel. Bucky decided he would start with his mom’s plum cake recipe first as he thought it was appropriate since it was also the first recipe in his book. Both Peter and Miles couldn’t help but smile as they watched Bucky arrange everything with military precision, like he was still in the army.
“Is he always this intense?” Miles whispered to Peter, glancing at the perfectly aligned ingredients on the counter.
Peter grinned. “Only when it comes to baking. And maybe hair care.”
As Peter adjusted the camera, Bucky took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves. Even though Peter had suggested he just bake as usual and add the voice-over later, Bucky couldn’t help but narrate every step.
“First, you sift the flour,” Bucky muttered, his tone more suited to a mission briefing than a baking tutorial. “Then add the sugar…not too much. You don’t want it too sweet.”
Peter bit back a laugh, zooming in on Bucky’s focused expression. “Remember, you don’t have to talk to the camera if it’s stressing you out. We can always—”
“I’m fine,” Bucky interrupted, paying close attention as he cracked an egg with surgical precision. “Just…need to get the hang of it.”
Miles, who was coming up with a playlist on his laptop, chimed in, “You’re doing great. It’s like a cooking show with a side of espionage.”
“Yeah, you’ll have your own fan club in no time,” Peter grinned at Bucky.
Bucky shot them both a look but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips. “I’m not trying to be a celebrity. Just sharing some recipes.”
“And making everyone fall in love with your old-fashioned charm,” Peter teased.
Bucky rolled his eyes but felt his tension eased a little. “The only person I need falling in love with my old-fashioned charm is you.”
“I already have.” Peter smiled, blowing a kiss to him.
Bucky’s nerves began to settle, but he still felt a little awkward talking to the camera. Peter noticed his hesitation and, after adjusting the focus, offered a suggestion. “You know, why don’t you tell everyone why this cake is so special to you? It might help you relax.”
Bucky paused, considering the idea. “You think so?”
Peter nodded. “Yeah. Just talk like you’re telling me a story. Forget the camera’s even here.”
Bucky took a deep breath before he shared his story of his mom. “This cake…it’s a recipe my mom used to make when I was a kid. She’d bake it for special occasions, birthdays, holidays, that kind of thing. It was always a big deal. She’d let me and my sister, Rebecca, help out in the kitchen. Steve too, when he came to live with us.”
As Bucky started measuring out the flour and sugar, his voice grew steadier. “I remember how she’d have us arrange the plums on top of the batter. We thought we were such big helpers, but really, she did most of the work. Still, she’d make us feel like we were the ones making the cake special.”
Peter smiled softly behind the camera, watching as Bucky seemed to lose himself in the memory. “She sounds like she was an amazing mom.”
“She was,” Bucky replied with a warm tone to his voice as he relived the memory. “No matter how hard things were, she always made sure we felt loved. This cake…it’s more than just dessert. It’s a piece of her.”
As Bucky sifted the dry ingredients together, he continued to talk about his mom. “She had this way of making everything feel like it was going to be okay. Even when times were tough, she’d bake this cake, and for a little while, everything was perfect. The three of us would practically fight over the last slice.”
Peter smiled, zooming in as Bucky cracked an egg with practiced ease. “I bet she loved that.”
“Oh, she did,” Bucky smiled at the memory. “She’d laugh and tell us to knock it off, but you could tell she was happy we loved everything that she made.”
As Bucky mixed the batter, he began to speak more freely, the words flowing naturally. “Rebecca was always better at arranging the plums than I was. She’d get them just right, overlapping them perfectly. I was more about getting it done quick so I could eat sooner.”
He carefully poured the batter into the pan, then began arranging the sliced plums on top. “Mom used to say that the secret to a good plum cake is patience. You’ve got to take your time, get everything just right. It’s something I didn’t appreciate until I was older.”
Peter could see how much more relaxed Bucky had become. “You’re doing great. This is exactly what people are going to love about your channel.”
Bucky smiled, his hands moving smoothly as he finished arranging the plums. “Thanks. It’s nice to share this, you know? To keep her memory alive in a way.”
Miles, who had been silently listening, suddenly sniffed, his voice cracking. “Damn, you guys got any tissues? Or are we just pretending it’s not dusty in here?”
Peter and Bucky exchanged amused glances, their laughing blending together. Peter grabbed a napkin from the counter and handed it to Miles with a grin. “Here, tough guy. Don’t let the cake see you cry.”
Miles accepted the offer, dabbing his eyes. “Too late. I’m blaming the onions, wait, there aren’t any onions in this, are there?”
Bucky smirked, shaking his head. “No onions. Just a lot of old-fashioned charm.”
“Great,” Miles muttered, trying to regain his composure. “Next time, I’m bringing shades.”
Once the cake was ready, Bucky placed it in the oven and turned back to the camera. “Now, we wait. But trust me, it’s worth it.”
As the kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of baking plums and vanilla, Bucky leaned back against the counter, feeling at ease for the first time. “I think I get it now,” he grinned.
“Get what?” Peter asked.
“Why you wanted me to do this,” Bucky replied, meeting Peter’s eyes. “It’s not just about the baking. It’s about sharing a piece of my life, my history, with people. And that…that feels pretty good.”
Peter’s heart swelled with pride. “Exactly. And now, everyone else will get to see the Bucky I love.”
When the timer dinged, Bucky pulled the cake out of the oven, revealing a beautifully golden masterpiece, the plums perfectly caramelized on top. He set it on the counter, admiring the result with a satisfied smile.
“Looks perfect,” Peter grinned, capturing the perfect shot.
Bucky nodded, a quiet pride in his voice. “It is. Just like Mom used to make.”
After enjoying the cake, Peter and Miles helped Bucky dive into the world of video editing. Peter showed him the basics, walking him through the software while Miles tinkered with the music. Bucky picked up the process fast, surprising even himself with how naturally it came to him.
“See, it’s not so bad,” Peter said as Bucky adjusted the timing on one of the cuts. “Now you can add your touch to every video.”
Bucky nodded, focused as he fine-tuned the transitions. “Yeah, I like that I can make sure it’s done just the way I want. And Miles, the music you made for this, it’s perfect.”
Miles beamed, leaning back in his chair. “Hey, nothing but the best for you. I figured something mellow, with a bit of nostalgia, would suit you.”
Bucky smiled at that. “You nailed it.”
After several hours of editing, complete with some well-deserved cake breaks, they finally had the video ready to go. Bucky hovered over the “upload” button for a moment, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
“Ready?” Peter asked, giving Bucky an encouraging smile.
“As I’ll ever be,” Bucky whispered as he clicked the button. They all watched as the progress bar filled up, signaling the video’s upload.
What they didn’t expect was what happened next. Within minutes, Bucky’s phone started buzzing with notifications, comments, likes, and subscribers. It was overwhelming. Peter checked the analytics and his eyes widened. “Uh, Bucky…I think we might’ve broken YouTube.”
Bucky blinked. “What do you mean?”
Miles burst out laughing. “Dude, your video has so many people trying to watch it that the site and app are crashing!”
Bucky’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
Peter shook his head, still staring at the screen. “Nope. We’ve officially crashed YouTube.”
Before Bucky could process that, Peter hit him with another surprise. “By the way, I monetized the video for you. With all this traffic, you’re probably going to make a pretty decent amount of money.”
Bucky looked at him, confused. “Monetized? What does that even mean?”
Peter grinned, enjoying the moment. “It means you’re going to get paid for all those views. Like, a lot.”
Bucky stared at him in disbelief. “Wait, how much are we talking?”
Peter showed him a rough estimate of what the video could earn, and Bucky’s eyes went wide. “That much?! For one video?!” He was so stunned that he lost his balance and fell out of his chair. “I could retire twice!”
Peter helped him back up with a laugh. “Guess this YouTube thing is more than just a side project, huh?”
Miles grinned. “Looks like you’re not just sharing recipes, you’re about to be the next Martha Stewart.”
Bucky shook his head in disbelief but couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “All I wanted was to share some memories and recipes. I never thought I’d be crashing websites and raking in money for it.”
Peter leaned in, giving him a quick kiss. “That’s because you’re amazing. And the world’s finally getting to see it.”
Bucky chuckled, feeling both overwhelmed and grateful. “Well, guess we’d better start planning the next video, huh?”
Peter and Miles exchanged a look before grinning at Bucky. “Absolutely.”
After the success of his first video, Bucky decided to take Tony up on his offer to convert one of the guest rooms into a dedicated studio. He didn’t want to take over the kitchen for his filming, and having a space of his own felt like the right move. Tony, in true Stark fashion, went all out with the renovation. He transformed the guest room into a state of the art filming studio, but not without making sure it was exactly what Bucky wanted.
Bucky had a clear vision for the space. He wanted it to feel like home, like a place where he could connect with the past while creating something new. He added personal touches throughout the space, especially in the kitchen area. The design had a warm, welcoming feel with subtle hints of the early 1900s, a nod to the era in which he grew up.
One of the most important additions was an apron that looked just like the one his mom used to wear. Hanging it on a hook near the stove, Bucky felt like a piece of her was there with him. He also carefully arranged dishes that May had given him, heirlooms passed down through generations that reminded him of the ones his mom used for special occasions. Each piece in the studio had meaning, grounding Bucky in his memories while allowing him to create new ones with Peter and the rest of the family.
The studio quickly became Bucky’s sanctuary, a place where he could focus on his passion for cooking and share it with the world. Peter and the others would often drop by to taste test his latest creations. It was more than just a studio, it was a little slice of home, where Bucky could be himself, surrounded by the things and people he loved.