Thank you so much for the prompt! It was so much fun getting back into the swing of writing. If anyone else is interested in sending me 3 words and a ship, I'd love to write more!

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Autumn Leaves Paring: Stucky / Rating: T

The chill of early autumn floated in the air but in his layers of thick, scratchy wool, Bucky barely felt any of it. The leaves crinkled under his boots as he walked to the spot he’d discovered shortly after their regiment made camp for the night. The sun still hovered on the horizon, casting a glow through the tree’s golden leaves. 

Bucky had always loved autumn, and here, an ocean away from everything he’d ever known, the war prevailing over everything, autumn still painted the landscape with such a familiarity that he had to take a moment to soak in.

And then “home” continued to follow him when footsteps behind him rustled the leaves; a stride he’d recognize anywhere, even with all the changes the dumbass intentionally injected into his veins. Before Bucky even turned around, he felt Steve’s thick coat land on his shoulders. The heavy weight from a wider chest might be new but the scent of Steve was long ingrained. Bucky almost shook it off, a lecture ready on his lips that Steve might be bigger, heartier now, but he still needed to keep warm. 

But then Steve slid under the coat next to him, wrapping both of them in the woolly warmth.

“You always loved this season,” Steve said as he brushed their shoulders together. “Your ma would bring out hot milk with bits of marshmallow in it--”

“--and we’d sit on the fire escape and take bets on what leaves would fall to the floor the fastest--”

“--from that one maple tree in the middle of the sidewalk.”

“It’s a good tree,” Steve finished their joint memory, plucking the ending right from Bucky’s mind like he always seemed to do. Bucky wondered if that New York maple would still be there, after the war. If they’d both survive to see it again, or if these leaves falling on a foreign tree would be the last they ever experienced together.

The thought didn’t sullen Bucky’s mood. Like many things in wartime, he just took a deep breath and appreciated the moment.

Little did he know that the next month, he’d fall from a train and everything would change.

The decades fell like leaves, colored blood red then deathly brown. Winter overtook autumn, and somehow, a century later, Bucky stood in front of that same New York maple tree. 

He watched from the sidewalk, ignoring the bustle of those walking by, and took in the golden hues of the leaves forever changing. It didn’t take long before a familiar stride broke through the rest, and Bucky’s breath caught until he felt the heavy weight of a coat wrapped around his shoulders.

“Hot chocolate with marshmallows?” Steve asked, handing over the warm to-go cup, a matching one in his own hands.

“I don’t even want to know what superpowers you used, to get these cups here and to put a coat over my shoulders.”

Steve smiled and looked towards the tree, he bumped their shoulders together before he replied, “The timeless kind.”

Thanks for the love @meidui - this is such a fun post!

I'm currently in a newborn baby haze so its very hard to think of five fics I've ever written, let alone my five favorite. BUT I was recently thinking of a fic I wrote earlier this year that I loved so much so I'll highlight that one!

Stars, Stripes, and Unconfirmed Sources

Relationship: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark

Tags: United States President Steve Rogers, CEO Tony Stark, Getting Together, Secret Relationship, Paparazzi, Social Media, Press and Tabloids, Sleep Sex, Oval Office, Texting, Red White and Royal Blue Inspired, The American President Inspired

Summary:

It was inspired by amazing art by @avengersnewb and I just had so much fun with it!!

I'm going to tag: @avengersnewb @festiveferret @betheflame @russilton and @sadieb798

This one...got away from me. It's definitely turning into a stand alone, one shot fic. I wanted to share where it stands though, since the prompt inspired me so much! Thank you!

22. I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you

Ship: Stony

Steve’s thighs pressed into the saddle, securing his takeoff as Valorwing pushed off from the cliff’s edge. The wind immediately picked up as they rapidly gained height, pushing Steve’s hair back from his forehead and whipping his face into a wide grin. The only thing that kept his eyes from watering were the goggles affixed to his cowl. 

Valorwing banked left, then right, playing in the air currents as if they provided her with as much joy as they did Steve. Steve knew his dragon loved the open air, but seeing her dance among the clouds made him so glad he brought her out this afternoon. 

Even if Steve had an ulterior motive for this journey all along. 

Below him the landscape shifted, the snow capped mountains giving way to an endless valley of green grass and wildflowers. Somewhere along that valley denoted the border between Brooklandia and Man Hatton. Even as Valorwing’s flight path remained sure and steady, Steve’s stomach swooped as he crossed over the valley. It was only a matter of time before--

On the horizon Steve caught sight of him: Ironfang, no more than a dot along a late afternoon sky. Steve pulled his reins to the left, towards the direction of the one man he’d been hoping to see. Then it was just a matter of minutes passing--five, eight, ten--before Steve could make out the shape of the rider, lithe and confident astride his dragon. His leathers came into view before his face, red and gold, wrapped around a chest Steve remembered the touch of, arms he felt around his waist. Just a few more minutes and Steve pulled the reins tight, slowing Valorwing’s flight into a hover. Across the sky, Tony did the same.

“You know you need a visa to fly these skies,” Tony greeted, his wide grin clear even below the goggles and helmet he wore. His laugh warmed Steve’s chest and he shifted forward so Valorwing could move just a bit closer to the other magnificent dragon. 

“Maybe I like getting intercepted by the head of Man Hatton’s guard.”

“Maybe? Now there’s an understatement.” Tony laughed, then pulled his dragon’s reins to the left and dropped low in the air. Steve followed, Valorwing taking to the air next to Ironfang like she belonged there. In the sky, they danced as they flew, flight paths intertwining and laughter echoing across the open air. Hovering over the lush valley, the ache in Steve’s cheeks brought on by joy and laughter, Steve wondered if the afternoon could get any better. He wanted Tony in his arms again; he never wanted to stop flying in tandem with him. They whipped off their helmets, taking in the sight of one other as they chatted the afternoon away on dragonback.

It was because they were so caught up in one another, because Steve was paying more attention to the crinkled corners of Tony’s eyes, that he didn’t see it. Valorwing and Ironfang reacted first, coming to a stop over the grass, scales shifting into a defensive arch along their backs. It was only then that Steve pulled his focus away from Tony towards the horizon where  the jet black dragon rapidly approached from the South. 

Hydraxus. 

Steve caught Tony’s gaze one last time before reinforcing his armor and helmet and taking to the air, pulling up higher, higher, higher. He needed to get to an advantageous height before the fiercest dragon the Kingdom of Hydra had ever seen made its way over the border and into the valley.

Behind him, Tony did the same, and they rode side-by-side into what was sure to be an oncoming fight.

To be continued...

Taylor Swift Prompt List

WinterIron Reverse Bingo Fic:

Summary:

Even under the dim lights, Bucky knew from the moment he entered the skyscraper lounge that Tony Stark sat at a stool by the bar, nursing a cocktail, and wearing a scowl on his face. 

Tony existed like a beacon even in the most mundane settings. Bucky could attribute the draw to his enhanced senses, but a part of him knew that he’d always been attracted to gorgeous people with excessive attitudes and too much gumption to know what to do with - and that was Tony Stark to a tee.

The scowl that was currently painted across Tony’s face existed because of Bucky. 

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This fic was written for the fabulous artwork by @scottxlogan

19. You are the best thing that's ever been mine Ship: Stony

Growing up, Steve didn’t have a lot of things. He lived in a small, uncluttered apartment. Everything inside of it had a purpose, and once it wore or tore he’d go to the donation bins to see what he could find to replace it. 

It was the people in his life that made him feel rich, but even their presence was spotty and unpredictable, with his mother working odd hours and his best friend off supporting his family. 

In the corner of the coffee shop, Steve watched as Tony rocked on his heels in line, waiting for his turn to order for them both. A whirlwind of energy bundled in lithe strength, directed by his genius brain. As if sensing Steve’s attention, Tony looked over his shoulder and sent Steve a wink. Steve’s heart fluttered, just like it always did whenever Tony sought him out, shared a silent message through their connection. 

Decades had passed, it was a new millennia, but one consistency remained the same: it was the people in Steve’s life that made him feel rich.

Tony returned to their table by the window with his mocha, double, extra whipped-cream extravaganza and Steve’s own whole milk latte, head shaking. “She wouldn’t let me pay. Again. I guess her neighbor's mother’s friend’s sister was saved by us last week and--” Tony sighed, dropping into the chair. “We don’t superhero for free perks or whatever.”

Steve let him go on, continuing the rant that was spoken through a smile, a blush tinting Tony’s cheeks as Steve nodded along, rolling his eyes and reaching across the table to grasp his hand.

He didn’t say the words to make Tony stop mid-rant, jaw dropping. He didn’t say them to make the man’s eyes widen or blush deepen. He merely said them because it was true, and the feelings had swelled like a balloon ready to burst in his chest so all that was left was the need he couldn’t ignore: 

“I haven’t had a lot in this life. But you, Tony, you are the best thing that’s ever been mine.”

Taylor Swift Prompt List

18. The worst thing that I ever did / Was what I did to you Ship: Stony

Tony knew he shouldn't just show up at Steve's apartment. He knew he wouldn't be welcome, not after they'd spent that evening on the rooftop, hands inching together until palms clasped, and then the very next night was photographed on a date with Christine Everhart.

"It's been hard to open up to people," Steve had said on the rooftop, the moonlight casting over his face, highlighting the way his lips had turned down in a frown. "But with you," Steve went on to admit. "It's easy."

Tony's heart had skipped from one beat to the next, his hand clenching around Steve's and he'd taken a leap: "I want to be that person you share things with, that person you come to when it all gets too hard. Or when you're having the best day. Or when you're bored or excited or...all of it. I'm here for you Steve. I want to be yours."

"I want that, too." And maybe Steve's eyes had flicked down to Tony's lips, and maybe Tony's tongue had come out to briefly lick the chapped corner of his own lips in response.

But then the rooftop door had slammed open and the rest of the gang rolled through the doorway in a boisterous rumble of laughter and chatter, and their hands had fallen from one another.

Now, across the television screen behind Steve, Christine Everhart hung from Tony's side.

Tony swallowed. "How was your day?" He willed the TV to turn off, to make that image go away.

"My day?" Steve scoffed. "Who cares."

"I--"

"I'm sure Everhart talked your ear off enough."

"Steve, that was for appearances. Trust me, if I turned her down tonight it would be headline news tomorrow."

Steve sighed. "Whatever, Tony, I don't care, I--"

Tony stepped forward, pulling Steve's hand into his own, clenching it tight. "Trust me, please, I'd rather have been on that rooftop with you, than on a date with Everhart--with anyone else."

Steve's eyes narrowed, but he didn't pull his hand away. "Then...no one else? From now on?"

"There's been no one else since the rooftop. Everhart was damage control."

The betrayal began to slip from Steve's gaze and the clenching around Tony's heart eased.

Steve stepped closer, ran his free hand across Tony's cheek. "Promise me."

"I promise. I'll do my damndest to make that--" he gestured over Steve's shoulder "--the worst thing I ever do to you."

Steve caught Tony's gaze and held it before bringing their lips together in a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he whispered against Tony's lips, "Good."

Taylor Swift Prompt List

May the Fourth Be With You! Here’s the smutty conclusion of this fic as my tribute to the day. Obikin says, “Happy Star Wars Day!”