Day 6 purplecatgirl24 - Bucky Barnes

Merry Christmas everyone! To commemorate the holiday, here's a Bucky Barnes one-shot featuring my OC Ruth. She's from my Bucky Barnes fanfiction A Broken Picture Frame (which hasn't been edited yet so please be lenient if you drop by). Throwback to the good old days in Brooklyn before Bucky was the Winter Soldier, before Steve was trying to run into the war zone, and when life was simpler. To all of you, my Wattpad family, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ^_^
- purplecatgirl24

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I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know.

Ruth hummed her best to match Frank Sinatra's baritone voice as she traveled down the frozen sidewalk. Brooklyn was a sight to see in the winter months. Children ran about having snowball fights, snowmen seemed to pop up everywhere, and mistletoe was strategically hung for the couples. Snow shimmered under the light from the light posts. The streets and walkways had been shoveled leaving piles of fluffy white lining the walk. A cheerful grin spread along Ruth's red lips, lighting up her chestnut brown eyes. This would be a Christmas to remember.

She'd been waiting for a reason to fix up her old white Spectators, now they clicked on the sidewalk with every step she took. The hem of her red velvet dress graced the back of her calves. Her white gloves matched her heels wonderfully; they contrasted against the red. She'd been saving her pennies away for a long time to get dolled up for Christmas and buy Rebecca her own doll.

The neatly wrapped gift stayed tucked in the crook of Ruth's arm. When Mr. Barnes had lost his job about a month before Christmas, she knew that meant rationing food with little for presents this year. Sometimes, Ruth would leave two apples in a bag on their door handle to help out. Rebecca had been longing for a doll for the last couple of Christmases so Ruth decided that this year would be her year.

That's what Christmas is all about, she thought, sharing with other people.

Though the Great Depression was coming to an end, some folks were still hurting. Ruth could understand that just as much as anyone. Her freelance photography didn't provide stable income and forced her to rely on her other jobs. She knew Bucky did what he could to help his family, so when his father lost his job he took the weight on his shoulders. He'd picked up so many shifts that Ruth barely got to see him anymore.

She bought him work gloves which he discovered prematurely. Before next Christmas, she needed to learn how to better sew so she could make things, and also poke Bucky with a needle if he tried sneaking a peek again. She wouldn't actually do that... but she could.

Ruth inhaled the scent of snow when the apartment complex came into view. The stairs were slippery beneath her heels. First, she stopped by her apartment to pick up the apple pie she'd made for the Christmas party specifically with Steve in mind. She closed her door then walked to the apartment across from hers. Ruth knocked on the door.

Rebecca answered, dressed in one of her mother's gowns that had been cut and sewn to fit her. The young teenager smiled full of joy.

"We were hoping you'd come tonight."

"You bet! I wouldn't miss it for the world." Ruth handed her the gift. "Could you put this under the tree for me? Santa stopped me on the way over here and asked me to deliver this. He said it was a very special gift that he wanted to make sure got to your house safely."

Rebecca's mouth fell open when she found the inscription. "This is for me!"

Ruth shimmied off her coat and hung it on the rack. She eagerly played into the delight. "Mm hm! Now, don't you go peeking any lest Santa decides to take it back."

"I sure won't!"

Rebecca scurried off to obey Santa's orders. Ruth smiled at the young girl while slipping off her gloves. Mrs. Winifred came up to Ruth and put a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes were glassy and her smile tender.

"That was beautiful what you did for Rebecca. Thank you."

"Just doing what Santa asks of me." Ruth winked.

Mrs. Winifred shook her head. "You ought to be on the nice list for sure."

Ruth embraced her wishing for a moment that she could feel her own late mother's love through the hug. "You've done so much for me, Wini. I just want you to have a Merry Christmas."

Mrs. Winifred rubbed Ruth's back. "Merry Christmas, angel."

The women pulled away still holding each other's arms. Mr. Barnes approached and asked to borrow his wife. Ruth obliged with a graceful nod. Once she was left alone, her eyes searched the crowded room for the only Barnes she'd yet to see.

Bringing the pie to the kitchen, Steve was right behind her following the trail with his nose. She didn't get to laugh at him long before someone tapped her shoulder. Ruth turned to find none other than the man she'd been looking for. Clean-shaven, bright eyes, and a smile that made her stomach squeeze. Her heart fluttered at the sight of Mr. James Barnes himself dressed to the nines in his Christmas suit like any gentleman ought to be.

Bucky raised his eyebrows and bowed using a fake posh accent. "Excuse me, m'lady, but it would appear I have not yet introduced myself to such an extravagant creature as yourself."

The scrawny man behind Ruth rolled his eyes while munching on a bite of the apple pie. "You two sicken me. I'm gonna eat my pie in peace."

Ruth threw up her hand after the retreating figure. "Bucky Barnes, you ran away a perfectly good Steve."

Bucky offered her his arm with a wink. "Good, I was hoping I might get you alone."

Ruth's cheeks reddened as she took his arm. Bucky Barnes may be dashing but underneath it all, he was still a goofball. She loved that about him- never too serious for too long. It was always an adventure with him.

Bucky took her to the tree and handed her a tin of ornaments. "We have yet to decorate. Care to join me?"

Ruth reached on her tippy toes to hang an ornament handcrafted from his grandmother. Bucky held her waist to steady her. Ruth blushed upon meeting Bucky's soft grey eyes.

"I'd love to."

The two decorated the tree and laughed when Bucky whispered jokes about the holidays. She found herself staring more into his eyes reflecting the light of the Christmas tree candles more than anything. They were more grey like the snow than pale blue like the frosty waters of the river. She could get lost in their ironic warmth.

Bucky surprised Ruth as he threw tinsel at her. Ruth gasped. She tried to cover him with the shiny decoration but he was swift enough to evade her attempts while using her own ammo against her. He held his stomach, laughing so hard small wrinkles appeared near his eyes.

"You look like a Christmas tree threw up on you," Bucky chortled in between laughing fits.

He started hanging ornaments from her ears and fingers. His sly smirk brought a rosy color to his pale cheeks. "Now you really are a Christmas tree."

Ruth rolled her eyes and returned the ornaments while ignoring Bucky's cackles. She hit his arm hoping to knock some of the mischief out of him but who knew how long that might last.

Under the tree lay something white beneath tissue paper. It wasn't until Ruth took it in her hands did she find it was supposed to be wrapped in the paper. It was an ornament - no, two ornaments.

"These must have fallen by mistake." Ruth turned to Bucky with the ceramic birds in her hands.

Bucky turned sober upon seeing the ornaments. "It's no mistake." He took one in his own hand to admire it.

"Have you heard the story of the turtledoves?"

"Oh, that's what these are?"

"Yes. 'On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: two turtledoves.'" Bucky hung his bird on the tree. "Turtledoves are a symbol of hope, of friendship, and of love."

Ruth lifted her head. Even with his hard jaw, his features had softened. To distract herself, she busied herself with pulling some tinsel from her hair.

"That's a lovely thought."

"It is. And one of them is yours."

Judy Garland's vocals singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas floated between the two. Ruth was stunned, looking to the turtledove in her hand. She frowned at the delicate beauty.

"Bucky—"

"Come, let's take a walk outside before the kids beat us to it."

He offered her his arm, silently begging her to take it. Ruth hesitated, then took his arm until they put on their coats. She slipped on her gloves and they were out of the door. Bucky pulled down his woolen cap carefully over his ears. He would just have to check his hair later, snow safety was more important.

Bucky helped Ruth down the stairs, though he almost slipped as well. They walked past the automobiles into the open parking lot where there would later be a snowball fight. Bucky reached for Ruth's hand as if hesitating to ask permission. He finally closed his hand around hers and checked out the corner of his eye to see her reaction. Ruth bit her lip and held his hand back.

"Thank you for the ornament." Ruth struggled to break the silence but it had to be done.

"Do you like it?" Bucky glanced at her but moved his eyes to the sky. All he could see were snow flurries fluttering down all around them.

Ruth nervously nodded. "I do."

Ruth's heels slipped on the layer of ice on the pavement beneath the snow. Bucky caught her. He held her against him so she wouldn't fall again. She still struggled to get her footing.

"It's okay, it's okay. I've got you."

Bucky lifted her by her waist and placed her back on the pillow of snow. Ruth wheezed at the rush of it all. What slowed her down was the concern etched in Bucky's features. He was always looking out for her.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Bucky paused. Taking off his glove, Bucky moved his hand to the side of her face. Ruth's breath hitched wanting nothing more than to lean into his touch. He removed his hand revealing strands of tinsel and a goofy grin upon his lips.

"You're still a Christmas tree."

Ruth took the ornament from her pocket and hung it from her ear. "Now it's official."

Bucky snorted. "Funny how it wasn't official inside."

"Eh, I like to humor you." Ruth returned the turtledove to her pocket.

Bucky's chest swelled. "Ruth, you've got to know what I'm thinking."

Ruth's smile dimmed into a frown. "Yes, I have a pretty good idea."

"Then what can I say, what can I do to call you mine?"

Ruth stepped back shaking her head. She hugged herself. Bucky stepped forward using his hand to point at the apartment.

"Every time we're together my chest gets warm - my heart flutters, my eyes open, and I can't stop smiling. I try, Ruthie, to find that sort of happiness somewhere else because you don't feel the same but I can't."

"I do feel the same, Bucky." Her tone was steady and low. She waited a few beats before replying with a shaky voice. "I'm afraid."

Bucky softened at her declaration. He stuck his hands back in his pockets.

"What are you so afraid of? Just say it and I'll move the mountains—"

"I'm afraid of what happened."

Ruth avoided looking Bucky in the eye. It'd been almost a year since she'd been avoiding this confrontation but she didn't want to keep it to herself anymore. She blinked a few times to dismiss the gathering tears.

"It hurt, Bucky. I don't want to go through that again."

Bucky licked his chapped lips while searching her face over. Heartbreak was written in the tug of her frown and the glaze in her eyes. Bucky's entire chest squeezed as if someone had put a weight on it.

"I never wanted to hurt you. It was a terrible misunderstanding, one that I won't let happen again. I don't care if I had to fight every man, I'd do it for you."

He gently lifted her chin. A small tear escaped on her cheek.

"I know you would."

Ruth closed her eyes and moved his hand from her chin to her cheek. She held it there memorizing how icy his fingers were. He needed to put his gloves back on after this.

"I want nothing more than to believe love is more than a fairytale, that it's more than standing together in a winter wonderland. I want to believe that you would never leave me, never have another girl beside me, that I would be your last kiss."

Bucky rested his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes hearing her sigh a little. Taking her hand in his, he moved his other hand to her hip.

"Then be my best girl and I'll never leave you behind."

Bucky started swaying them until Ruth understood the rhythm. He moved them through the snow to disturb its cool surface with the energy of their dancing. Ruth laid her head against Bucky's chest letting him lead her in the Waltz. Her father used to call this box dancing because of the motions. How she missed him letting her stand on his shoes.

Even though she could barely feel her feet, Ruth felt like she was floating over the snow. Bucky surprised her by spinning her. Closing the gap between them, he spun her back into his arms. Ruth landed easily against his chest.

For a moment their breaths mingled in the air. Ruth tilted her head up while Bucky bent down. The kiss was as light as the sugar cookie aroma she smelled on him. It'd been far too long since she savored such a sweet moment with him. Nothing worried her with his arms wrapped around her. Her lips parted taking claim of his lips. She wanted to dive in. She wanted to be his girl.

Every week they could catch the matinee and hold onto his arm if it got too scary, or even go for milkshakes. On the nights they stayed in, she wanted to fall asleep on his chest while they listened to the radio. But more than wanting to do those things, she wanted them to be a couple.

Bucky's hands traveled from her hips and onto her arms before he broke the kiss. He softly sighed and caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry for smudging your lipstick."

"I'd rather you ruin my lipstick than my mascara."

Ruth flashed a pained smile as another tear escaped. Bucky used his thumb to wipe it away. In that moment she could feel the tugging within her chest. Bucky was her turtledove, it was always meant that way. She filled her lungs with air to give herself courage.

"Bucky, I—"

Snow exploded on Bucky's shoulder. Both heads turned to see the thin figure back by the light of the apartment complex.

"Buzz off, Steve!" Bucky shot back.

"The kids are coming, knock it off," Steve warned.

Ruth knew Steve's heart was in the right place but it was terrible timing.

"Scram!"

Steve swung another snowball that hit Ruth this time. Bucky swiftly scooped a pile of snow and lobbed it as soon as it was packed down. A herd of thundering feet escaped from the apartment, down the stairs, and into the snow. Bucky frowned apologetically at Ruth as he watched the kids invade the snowy parking lot. As the snow began to fly, the corners of Ruth's lips turned upward.

"Merry Christmas, Bucky."

He searched between her eyes before finally spreading a smile on his lips.

"Merry Christmas, Ruth."