Work Text:
“So, Fans have noticed that of all of your success, not a single song is about a significant other.” The talk show host asked you. They always ask you about your relationship status on these things. But this one was different. Cassie Lang was one of your closest friends. She knew you would avoid the question.
“In the past you’ve been very tight lipped about your personal life.” The familiar teasing tone lifted through the air as the Studio audience laughed, all on the edge of their seats.
“Cassie, I love you dearly. I love my fans dearly. I’m so glad I get to share music with them.” You smiled, grabbing hold of Cassie's hand and looking out across the Audience. “But that is what we share, our music. It affects each of us in a magically different way. It’s one of my favorite things to hear that my songs have an impact that is different for every person it touches. And I want that to be my message.”
The audience cheered for you as the producer signaled the last two minutes.
“Beautifully said, as always, Y/n.” Cassie smiled, bringing the attention back. “And thank you for coming on the show today.”
“Always for you.” You blew her a kiss and smiled brightly.
“Y/n’s newest single is being released in two weeks! Can you tell us the title or any quick hints about it?”
“No hints, just wait and be ready to feel with me! I can’t wait to get closer with all of you.” The remix of your songs to close out the set began playing, Cassie standing and pulling you up with her.
“Y/n will be performing her new song Live from the Award show at 8pm! Tune in right here in two weeks!” Cassie spoke over the music with a smile. You both waved to the camera, you giving your signature hand heart, and let it fade out.
“And cut!” The producers called. “Thanks so much everyone!” You tuned him out as the studio came alive, instructions being given to the audience and camera crew working on their equipment.
“You really aren’t going to tell me what the song is about?” Cassie looked at you with pouting eyes. You laughed, tipping your head back.
“The biggest gossip on National Television? No. Absolutely not.” You gathered your things waving at the crowd as you were leaving the soundstage. “Besides, it’s not exactly done yet.” You said quietly.
“Y/n!” Cassie spun on you with a wide shock-smile.
“I have a whole month. It’ll be done by time the interview airs, so I’m not lying.” You shrugged, brushing the guilty look off your face.
“That's the only thing I hate about being a show host. The turn-around time.” Cassie sighed dramatically, resuming her walk towards the back rooms.
“Poor baby has to sit on gossip for a whole two weeks. How will she ever survive?” you dramatically swooned into her as you kept pace. “Where are you headed after this?”
“Dinner at Dads.” She smiled. “He and Hope just got back in town.”
“Tell them both I say hello.” You hugged your friend, already near the door for you to leave.
“You’re welcome to come.” She squeezed you back before holding you at arms length. You swore you could see the twinkle in her eyes of knowing.
“Not this time, I have plans.” You smiled, unable to hide the blush in your cheeks.
“You know, for the biggest gossip in town, I have kept your secret.” She whispered, letting go.
“Lock and key”. You made the gesture as you backed away towards the door, tossing the imaginary key to her. You watched as she did the gesture and threw the key back to you across the room now.
She was going to kill you for not sharing the song ideas sooner.
__________
*one week later*
“Hey, honey, I’m home!” You called, setting your keys on the counter. Moonlight streamed in through the windows of your Brooklyn loft as you clicked on the lamp by the door. You padded into the room, dropping your bag softly by the couch. You had run over in the studio, still playing around with song ideas but finally having a melody. “Honey?” you hummed, not seeing anyone.
You pulled the blinds shut, checking in the kitchen to no avail. Lights were off around the apartment. You walked back to the bedroom, cracking the door open quietly.
Just as I expected , you thought with a sigh. A dark form was curled up under the covers, a metal arm reaching across the bed to your side. You walked over, leaning down to kiss between the shoulderblades of the sleeping form, your lips leaving a soft trail up his back along his scar as your hands roamed softly. He stirred gently, letting out a soft sigh.
“What time is it?” Bucky's voice grumbled, turning and pulling you on top of him in a sleepy hug.
“Almost 2am.” You kissed his forehead before melting into him, your head on his shoulder.
“You work late.” He sassed.
“I’m a singer.” you sighed.
“I thought when you stopped touring with Taylor you’d be home more.” Bucky pouted.
“Says the man who is almost never home because of missions.” You pulled away, leaning over him with a smile. “I’ll be in bed in just a few minutes.”
“You better be,” Bucky let go of you and rolled back on his side. “Because I’m wide awake now and I need you to fix it.”
Your soft laugh filled the room as you stepped towards the bathroom. How was your life this perfect?
________
*One Week Later*
“Is that coffee I smell?” Bucky’s voice pulled you from your notebook. You had been finishing up the lyrics to your song. The interview with Cassie aired yesterday, and the studio was getting antsy with the short timeline. Bucky’s arms went around you sitting at the bar as his head rested on your shoulder.
“It is, brewed you a fresh pot.” You murmured, leaning back into him. “Good morning.”
Bucky nibbled on your neck before breathing in deeply. “You smell better than coffee. Intoxicating.”
“You’re a flirt.” You rolled your eyes, pushing him off. “And you’ll be late for the team meeting if you keep that up.”
Bucky sauntered over to the coffee pot, making a show of how slow he was moving. His pajama pants sat low on his hips as he flexed his muscles. He dramatically poured the coffee, turning and leaning on the other side of the counter from you taking a long sip, making eye contact the whole time.
“One of these days, all of me isn’t going to come back from a mission and you’ll be upset you were so mean to me.” He said quietly with a pouty grin, going in for another drink. You leaned in closer, taking his metal hand in yours and interlacing your fingers.
“All of you hasn’t made it home since I met you,” You held up his hand with a smirk. “And yet I still love you.” You kissed the back for emphasis. Coffee spewed from Bucky's mouth as his laugh boomed in the quiet kitchen.
“Tell me I’m wrong!” you laughed with him.
“You never are Doll. That smart mouth has never been wrong.” He chuckled.
“You love my smart mouth in the shower.” You popped your lips, teasing him. His eyes dropped down your face and grew dark, drinking you in. Before you knew it, Bucky had come around the island and scooped you over his shoulder.
“You’re a dream come true, Y/n.” He said, carrying your laughing body back to the bedroom. “But let's test your statement.”
___________
*Bucky’s POV- a couple weeks later*
“Is Y/n going to that award show tonight?” Nat asked, turning off the treadmill. Bucky looked at her before cutting down the speed on his.
“Yeah. She is performing her new song in the opening.” He said, grabbing a drink from his water bottle as he grabbed his things. “I know the broadcast is at 6, but not when she goes on.”
“Not planning to watch it?” Steve chimed in from where he was on the sparring mat.
“Are you kidding? I haven’t even heard the song.” Bucky chuckled. “It’s her job. I’m super proud of her, but I have work to do, too.”
Steve and Nat gave each other a look.
“See you at family dinner Buck.” Nat said with a shake of her head, a grin not leaving her face. Bucky saluted them both jokingly as he walked out the door.
________
“Where’s my nightly phone call?” Your voice pouted through the phone. Bucky smiled into the receiver.
“Is that Y/n?” Nat asked, nudging Bucky with her foot.
“I knew you were busy.” Bucky said softly, tuning out Nat and Steve beside him on the couch. Nat laughed softly before scrolling back through the channels on the television.
“We always talk at 7:45.” You said matter-of-factly. “You are very consistent.”
“Would you like me not to be?” Bucky asked.
“It’s my favorite thing about you.” Your grin could be heard. “Are you still picking me up tonight when this thing is over?” Nat excessively nudged Bucky, catching his attention.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Bucky said, Looking over at the redhead. She gestured to the TV, a camera swinging down on a stage with an award show logo fading out to reveal a close up on your face. There you sat, on National TV, on the phone. Looking into the camera with a knowing smirk.
“I love you.” You said, the sound echoing between the TV and the phone to Bucky's ear.
“You cheeky little-.” He said, eyes locked on the screen as you smirked and hung up the phone. Cheers erupted on the TV as the camera panned out, your new music starting.
Now he's thinkin' 'bout me every night, oh, Is it that sweet? I guess so. Say you can't sleep, baby, I know, That's that me espresso. Move it up, down, left, right, oh. Switch it up like Nintendo. Say you can't sleep, baby, I know, That's that me espresso.
Bucky watched as you danced on screen, little hints of your relationship perfectly falling from your lips, teasing him and making his heart melt all at once. It wasn’t until the song was ending that it hit him. You just went public about your personal life.
“Y/n did amazing, as always. That song was great.” Nat said as you finished singing. You were blowing a kiss to the camera and waving at the fans while the announcer's voice faded in.
“You should be very proud, man.” Steve said, nodding at Bucky.
“I am.” Bucky sighed softly. “I just hope she knows what she is doing.”
“What do you mean?” Nat asked softly.
“You know how adamant she is that her personal life stays personal. How much she likes her privacy.” Bucky smiled softly, concern still on his face as his phone buzzed in his hand. “I don’t want this to blow up in a way she wasn’t expecting. The media can be cruel.”
“It will be okay.” Steve smiled softly. “Y/n knows what she’s doing.”
______________________________
*Y/n POV*
You waited anxiously near the door at the end of the event. You hadn’t told Bucky about the song. You were ready to share your life with everyone. You loved Bucky, and while you didn’t want to let every detail out just yet, it was time to let everyone know you were so in love. The song flirted between your self-empowerment and feel-good image while also showing how deeply obsessed with each other you were.
You just hoped Bucky didn’t mind.
You saw a familiar flash of a bike pulling up by the door, the lingering Paparazzi paying no mind to it as they looked towards the main exit of the event. Most people were queuing up in the event space for the exits to after parties, but you wanted to leave early.
Stepping out, you smiled brightly at Bucky's shielded face, knowing he was watching your every move and the Paps shifting their attention towards you. Bucky's full leather covered his arm, making him look like a hunk of muscle as he swung off the bike. You smiled, rolling your eyes at him as the flashes began going off around you, slowly, then like you had gathered all the attention. Bucky put the helmet on your head, securing the strap on your chin before helping you climb on the bike.
“The Paparazzi are having a field day.” You said as Friday linked your helmets.
“After a song like that, did you really think I wouldn’t pick you up on the bike?” Bucky smirked, revving the bike once before taking off down the street.
“It is your favorite vehicle to see me on.” You laughed, holding on tighter as he weaved through traffic.
“And my second favorite thing to see you ride.” Bucky sassed, reaching back and rubbing your leg.
“I know we need to talk about what the song means, the media moving forward-” You began, leaning on him.
“Let’s just enjoy the night, Doll. I’ll scream your name from the rooftops as soon as I get you all to myself. Only after will I share you” Bucky soothed as he picked up speed crossing the bridge.
You hugged him tighter and let your hands wander. You weren’t quite ready to share all of him just yet either.
__________________
*A couple weeks later*
“Cassie, I think it is time.” You smile at your best friend on the TV screen. You and Bucky are curled up and watching your post-performance interview as it airs.
“Your last performance at the Award show did stir up some buzz.” Cassie smiled, looking to the audience for confirmation.
“You made a comment last time I was here about never talking about a love life. And while I have loved getting to know this person in private, it’s about time I shared that love with all of you.” You smiled, cheers erupting as your face tinted Pink. “As obsessed as he is with me, I am with him.”
“Do we get to have a name?” Cassie prodded. The you on screen blushed hard, and you heard Bucky catch his breath. You both discussed how being open would shift aspects of your life before the interview. It would be different, the possibility of always having paparazzi around, but you both deemed it necessary. Not like either of you were unfamiliar with the aspect. You being on tour and all your success, Bucky living with Tony Stark and all the Avengers press and Cameras.
“Not yet.” You said through the TV. Bucky let out his breath, head swiveling to look at you in his arms. You shrugged, nodding towards the TV.
“We aren’t hiding, I’m sure you will see photos of us out and about soon.” You said to Cassie. “But I want to enjoy him to myself just a little longer. Especially with going back on tour in a few months.”
The studio filled with cheers and whistles at your admission. You gave your signature hand heart and blew kisses to everyone. Bucky's attention left the screen and looked at you in his arms.
“Just a little longer.” You said, looking up at him with a smile. He smiled softly, kissing your forehead.
“I guess you can tell them my name when you tell them about your engagement.” He says, pulling you in closer.
“I don’t think they will wait that long,” you laughed softly.
“Who said I wanted to wait any longer?” Bucky murmured in your ear. You spun around, facing him.
“What did you just say?” You asked, studying his face.
“I said there is no way you are going on tour without telling me if you are going to marry me or not.” Bucky said softly, pulling a ring box out from behind the pillow he was leaning on. “But we don’t have to rush. I have two months to convince you.”
Tears welled in your eyes as you threw yourself on him.
“Of course I want to marry you.” You said with a laugh. “What kind of question is that?”