(no subject)

[semi_stable]

The longest relationship that Bucky ever had was with a girl named Daisy. They dated for a few months when he was nineteen, and he feels a little guilty for being unable to remember just how long exactly, or the color of her hair, or why they even broke up. He’s willing to bet that it was his fault, because he didn’t like being tied down. He was young and wanted to play the field, sow his wild oats before finding a girl he could build a life with. He figured he would have a boring life, unremarkable like his father’s, or his father before him.

Oh, how wrong he was. Everything changed and now he’s nothing like that young, dumb outgoing idiot who would chase girls with a charming grin. No, all his plans changed and he knows that he’ll never settle down with a wife and kids, but that’s okay. He’s different now, and Daisy doesn’t hold the record for longest relationship any longer. No, that record is tied between two ancient gods, and has been for an entire year.

It hits Bucky all of a sudden while he’s putting something into the calendar on his phone. He stares at an adjacent date and realizes why it’s so important— it’s been a year since Sylvie kissed him on that beach and told him that they could try, that they could all try, together.

Bucky was so sure that it would go wrong, or that he wouldn’t be able to handle it, or they’d get sick of him. He didn’t think it would last because nothing good ever does, but it’s been a whole year and she still loves him. And he loves her.

He doesn’t know if celebrating an anniversary would be of interest to Sylvie, mostly because a year probably doesn’t seem like such a long time to her or Loki. No, she probably wouldn’t like something big or fancy but she might appreciate the thought because as much as she would deny it, she’s a bit sentimental.

He sends her a text and asks her to come over, wondering if she’ll know why or if he’ll have to tell her. In any case, it’s been a year and they’re all still here, still in love despite all odds, and that deserves to be celebrated.

Comments

[the_variant]

"He's more of an expert than I am," Sylvie says when the server looks at her as well, as if she's waiting for confirmation. Champagne is nice, it tastes good, even if Sylvie remains cautious when drinking, careful not to cloud her judgement or her reaction time too much.

She still remembers all too well that trip on the train where Loki had decided laying low meant getting drunk.

"But yes," she agrees, then smiles. "I think champagne sounds nice."

[semi_stable]

Bucky shoots Sylvie an amused look at that, because he's far from an expert on the topic of expensive drinks, and then looks at the menu again and reads off the name of one of the pricier options, since this a celebration and they both deserve something nice. The server leaves them with some more time to look over the menu, and Bucky looks over at Sylvie once they're alone again. She really does look so beautiful, and Bucky takes a long moment to simply stare at her.

"What are you going to get?" He asks eventually, glancing down at the menu again. "I'm going with the ribeye, surprising no one. What are you thinking for appetizers?"

It's also no surprise that he's a little fixated on food, stomach rumbling slightly. They both can put away a good amount of food. "Maybe we can get dessert to go. Take some home to Loki."

[the_variant]

"This is our anniversary," she answers as she views the menu. "He gets his own with us both."

It's an odd thing to think, but it's true. She and Loki have been this version of together for just about two years now, their inevitable admission of their feelings coming around early December, and if he wants to celebrate, they can do it then. This is for the two of them tonight.

"We'll go back to your place tonight," she tells Bucky, then selects an item off the menu and smiles as their waitress returns.

[semi_stable]

The answer surprises a soft laugh out of Bucky, but it pleases him, too. He knows that they both love him, but it still means something that Sylvie wants this to be just theirs. His cheeks flush and he smiles at her, nodding as the waitress approaches. "Sounds like a plan."

They each order their food, because Bucky wouldn't dream of ordering for her, and he thanks the waitress as she pours them each a glass of champagne and leaves the bottle on the table. Once they're alone again, Bucky bites his lip and looks at his glass for a moment before picking it up by the stem and holding it up a little. He's so happy in this moment, and he knows that it's written all over his face. If this were the forties, he'd want to put a ring in her glass and propose. But it isn't, and he knows that what they have, what they all have, is too big and important for something like a marriage certificate. They don't need anything like that, because they already feel so much more.

"I love you," Bucky says simply, smiling at her as he holds his glass out for a toast. "I love all of you, and I love us. Here's to hoping that this is only the beginning."

[the_variant]

There are times, more often than not, Sylvie doesn't know what to do with such emotions. Her own, Bucky's, Loki's. She sees them together and thinks she's the odd one out, a broken person who has spent so much time on the run that she can't understand love the way they do.

But then there are times like this, when she feels like she's perhaps found the only two people in this timeline who understand love exactly how she does.

"I love you," she agrees, then lifts her glass and touches the rim to Bucky's, a soft clink in the din of the restaurant. "And I love us."

[semi_stable]

Their meals come and they eat together, talking and laughing and sipping champagne. Bucky doesn't forget who they are, or where they came from, but for a little it feels like they're just normal people. He's out celebrating with his girlfriend, and tonight they'll go home together and probably celebrate some more. It feels calm and easy in a way that Bucky appreciates, and by the time their forks are scraping the last bites from their plates, Bucky feels lighter than air.

"Do you want some dessert?" Bucky asks after sucking the tines of his fork clean and setting it down on his plate. "Or maybe we could get some to go and have it at home. I still have that bottle of Asgardian ale."

Neither of them particularly enjoy lowering their inhibitions, both of them always on alert, but if any night called for a drink that might actually do something to them, it's this one.

[the_variant]

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" she asks as she sets her fork down. "Take advantage of me?"

They both know he doesn't need to get her drunk for that, but she enjoys teasing him. It used to be her teasing held more of an edge, she liked to make Bucky squirm, feel uncomfortable, and while she still does to a certain extent, it isn't the same as it once was. She doesn't torment him in order to keep him at a distance.

Somehow the same teasing has become the exact opposite. A drive to bring him closer.

[semi_stable]

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to do," Bucky volleys back, only because he knows that she'll understand that he's teasing her right back. Taking advantage of Sylvie in any way is the last thing that he'd want to do, and she knows that. She trusts Bucky, and he knows better than most anyone just how rare and precious that is. He'd never betray that. "I bet you're real cute when you're tipsy."

He winks at her, chin resting on his metal hand, and only looks away when the server brings the dessert menu without asking, probably having noticed them both clean their plates without issue. Bucky looks it over and then hands it to Sylvie for her input.

"What do you think pairs well with that paint thinner?" He asks, referring to the harsh burn of the ale waiting for them back at his place. "Chocolate cake is usually a safe bet."

[the_variant]

It's been a very long time since Sylvie has been anything even close to tipsy. She'll have a drink here and there, even in the middle of a few good apocalypses, she'd stopped to have a beer, but actually drunk? It's been eons.

Maybe it would be good for her. Maybe it would be fun. She's safe with Bucky, after all, a reality she's long since felt, even if it's something she still occasionally struggles to really accept it.

"Chocolate cake," she agrees without looking at the menu. "And how dare you insult my home's ale in such a way."

[semi_stable]

"I guess my delicate human throat just can't handle the pressure," he jokes, winking at her and then politely signalling for the waitress when she passes by. "One slice of the chocolate cake to go and the check, please."

She takes the menu and heads off, and Bucky leans back in his chair as he looks around the restaurant. Under the table, the toe of his boot touches the inside of Sylvie's foot and he taps there a few times, smiling at her while they wait. It's a peaceful moment, and Bucky doesn't usually find himself so relaxed in a room full of strangers. He assumes it's the company and the good food, and the promise of a continued celebration back home. It's a good day, he realizes, then takes a calm, deep breath as he taps Sylvie's foot again, smiling warmly at her.

He works his wallet out of his pocket under the table and has his card ready to go as soon as the waitress is back with their take out bag, sitting up a little straighter as he waits. As nice of a time he's having, he's antsy to get home where it'll be just the two of them. Thankfully, she comes back quickly and Bucky thanks her, signing the receipt and leaving a generous tip. He stands and takes the bag, holding out his metal hand to help Sylvie up from her seat. She doesn't need the antiquated gesture, but sometimes Bucky can't seem to help it. "Ready to go?"

[the_variant]

At the touch of Bucky's foot against hers, Sylvie smirks at him from across the table and then nudges the toe of her boot higher, against his ankle, then the back of his calf. If they weren't about to leave, she'd likely work her boot off and get her foot higher still, but instead she just takes Bucky's offered hand when he rises from the table.

"Such a gentleman," she teases. "I never know quite what to do with that, especially when you're so terribly filthy in private."

With another smirk, Sylvie releases Bucky's hand and orders a car on her phone while she walks toward the entrance of the restaurant, leaving him to follow.

[semi_stable]

Sylvie doesn't seem to bother with lowering her voice and Bucky chokes on a laugh, cheeks flushing as he glances around the restaurant. Sylvie looks very pleased with herself and Bucky smiles, rolling his eyes with fond exasperation as he follows her through the restaurant. She's tapping away at her phone, calling a car from the looks of it, and Bucky seamlessly moves ahead of her so he can open the door for her so that she doesn't even need to slow her stride.

Once they're out on the sidewalk without such an audience, Bucky scoops an arm around her narrow waist and reels her in, tickling playfully at her side as he presses a firm kiss to her cheek.

"You drive me crazy," Bucky says happily, nipping at her jaw and then kissing her forehead. "But you know that."

[the_variant]

“I do it on purpose,” she answers with a smirk, slipping one hand beneath the fabric of his shirt and scratching her nails along the skin of his abdomen. Her nails are short, kept relatively blunt, but they can still leave a mark when she means them to.

“It brings me joy, knowing I can cause a little chaos on the day to day,” she adds, then tips her head away him for mouth and instead leans in to sharply nip at his throat.

[semi_stable]

"Tell me something I don't know," Bucky replies in a playful tone, keeping his gaze on her as she moves around him. She scratches and bites him, teases him, and Bucky feels the strong urge to grab her by the hips, so he does. His hands clutch at her and he thinks about the time he dragged her into an alley, blushing a little even as he lifts one hand to grip hard at the back of her neck and meet her gaze with a heated look of his own.

"How long until the car is here? I want to get home," Bucky tells her almost casually, though the look on his face is decidedly not casual. He smiles in a way that shows all his teeth and then leans in to press a kiss to her cheek, and another to her jaw, before speaking quietly against her ear in a low, firm tone. "I want to eat this cake off your chest. How many licks do you think it'd take?"

[the_variant]

"Oh, far too many," she replies, voice just as low. She presses her thigh between his, rubbing against him with purpose. Before the car even gets here, she wants him hard. Wanting her.

"With what I'm planning to do to you, that thing will be crushed between us before you have half a chance to eat it," she continues, using her own grip on Bucky to pull him against her as she leans back against the restaurant wall. The car is only a few minutes away, so she slips her hand between them, finds his cock through his trousers, and squeezes. "You better stay ready for me in the car."

[semi_stable]

For fairly obvious reasons, Bucky doesn't really enjoy being told what to do. This, however, is a special case. Sylvie bosses him around and it doesn't feel like she's trying to control him. She just knows what she wants, and Bucky likes that a lot. It's not something he ever really experienced in bed, given that he was usually the one in charge, and it's kind of nice to know that he doesn't really need to think. On some nights, like this one, he can just let Sylvie take over and know that he'll enjoy himself. So far, so good on that front.

He swallows hard when her sure hand dips between his legs, breath catching as his gaze darts around briefly. No one is really paying them any mind, but he's not sure he would care if they were, not when Sylvie is looking at him like she is now. All he can do is nod at her, then let out a breath when the car slides up to the curb and Sylvie twists away from him. He follows her into the back of the car, settling in close to her as she confirms the address with the driver. Once they're moving, Bucky reaches over and puts his good hand on the inside of her thigh, sliding it slowly up and down and then shifting to press two fingers between her legs. If she were wearing a dress, he'd put them inside of her, right here in the back of the car. As it is, he just rubs firmly at the seam of her pants as he makes polite conversation with the driver. He asks if they're having a nice night and Bucky shifts his hand to grip at Sylvie's cunt through her pants almost possessively, a slight smirk on his lips.

"It's been fantastic," Bucky says easily, grinding his palm down against her clit through thin layers of clothing. "And it's still young."