Chapter Text
What was Bucky supposed to give to his boyfriends for their anniversary? They had been together for a year at this point, and Bucky was clueless on what to get them. To tell the truth, he had forgotten until Steve brought it up last night in bed.
“I’ve got something big planned for our anniversary,” he teased Tony. “You better take off work.”
Tony had rolled his eyes, “It won’t top off my surprise, I assure you.”
Bucky had felt so guilty. They were out planning grand gestures, and he had forgotten. He now had less than a week to prepare something as spectacular and as lavish as Steve and Tony’s.
He was absolutely screwed.
Bucky could buy them something fancy? But, how could he outshine Tony’s gift, it was sure to be fancy. It would also lack the soul of the gift, something Steve’s would surely be full of.
There was nothing Bucky could do that would ever compare to their gifts. He wasn’t even sure why they kept him around at all. Steve and Tony were great on their own, they hardly needed the broken super soldier who couldn’t even remember their anniversary.
“I’m telling you Steve,” Tony’s voice broke through the silence as he entered the room, “Mine will be the best. Your gift can’t compete.”
Steve only smiled as he slipped behind Bucky to grab the milk, “We’ll see Tony. Maybe Bucky’s is the best.”
Bucky froze. Steve frowned, “Bucky? You ok?”
Bucky grumbled some lame excuse before trying to escape. Unfortunately, Tony caught him around the waist. “Woke up on the wrong side of bed, Buckaroo? You know we could remedy that.” He wagged his eyebrows.
“I don’t think you have enough stamina to keep up with two super soldiers, Doll.” Bucky let the nickname roll off his tongue to distract from the turbulence inside. Tony was too busy blushing to look deep into Bucky’s eyes, to see that nervousness.
“Anyway, I better head off,” Bucky said, squirming out of Tony’s grip. “I got something to do.”
“I’m telling Tony,” Steve sighed, “He’s cooking up a plan, he’s sure to outshine us.”
“Sureeee, we’ll see. Though you do have a point, when Bucky puts his mind to things … I expect a big surprise.”
Oh great. Now both of them expected a wonderful surprise. Just great.
Bucky walked to the only person that would know what to do. Natasha.
~~~
“Let me get this straight. You forgot your anniversary and now you have no idea what to get them.” Nat sighed and rubbed her temples.
“Please Nat, you’ve got to help me. I don’t want to disappoint them.” Bucky pleaded.
Nat poured herself another cup of tea. “Bucky, as much as I want to help you, I can’t.”
Bucky started to stutter but Nat cut him off. “It wouldn’t be special if you didn’t make it. Besides, you’ve met Tony and Steve. They’ll adore whatever you make.”
“You don’t understand. They think I’m planning something elaborate, but they have no idea I forgot! What kind of boyfriend am I?! And even if they say it’s good to my face, who knows how they really feel.” Bucky didn’t even realize he had stood up until he crashed back into his chair. “I’m just a disappointment who doesn’t deserve them.”
Nat sighed again, “Bucky, they don’t hate you. Or talk about you behind your back. Trust me, I’ve dealt with my fair share of distrust.” She put a hand on his shoulder.
Bucky just looked down and shook his head. He wouldn’t deserve those two in a million years.
“Just try making something just for them,” Nat said.
“I can’t make anything, Nat. I’m terrible at stuff.”
“Then make some macaroni art or something.”
“I can’t make macaroni art for my first anniversary with Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers! A billionaire and Captain America.” Bucky grumbled.
Nat slid over a plate of biscuits. “Bucky, you are missing the point. If you make it, it will be special to them.”
Bucky took one of the biscuits and looked outside at the skyline of New York City. His home. The place welcomed him back into the arms of the most beautiful people in the world a year ago.
“Why do you have so many biscuits?” He finally asked quietly.
“Stress baking.” Nat responded flatly.
Bucky raised an eyebrow. “You just gave me an idea.”