Playing dress up to war (Marvel 616, PG, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers)
Title: Playing dress up to war
Fandom: Marvel 616 (main comic continuity) - Captain America
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers (Bucky might have a little crush, up to you)
Rating: PG
Word count: 500
Warnings: mild language, vagues mentions of war and past character death
When Bucky first tries on his uniform... or rather costume, because no one in their right mind would call this a uniform, he has to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the reflection in the dirty, old mirror.
The shirt is decent... even though it looks like it was torn off a Civil War veteran. The mask is ridiculous. It will hardly conceal his identity and who needs that at a war anyway? It's a war not a costume ball, goddamit. And is he supposed to carry a supply of spirit gum on himself from now on?
The mask is starting to feel itchy and he hopes it's not an allergy.
But this he can deal with.
Heck, he can even deal with the short pants. It's not like he hadn't worn a pair like this just a few years back. And he got the briefing all right. He was to be Cap's kid partner. A sixteen year old highly trained killing machine pretending to be twelve at most, and sweet, and innocent, and in this whole mess completely "by chance".
His small for a sixteen year old frame was part of why they picked him. He's supposed to appeal to the children. To make them think that war wasn't as scary if a kid like them could go to it. To make them believe that dad can come back after all.
And it's all good and fine, but the tights... Are they red to draw the fire to his legs? Are they going to chafe? Tear on bushes? Can "wearing the flag" get more literal?
He turns his head to look at Steve. Yes, it can.
Steve is standing next to him, all buff from the super soldier serum, his physique further accentuated by the stripes and stars covering him. The cowl conceals his youthful face and floppy hair. It all makes him look like he was twice Bucky's size and age, and more like a dad to him than a buddy.
Which is ridiculous, Steve being only four years older than him.
He looks in the mirror again and sees himself starting to get that sour face he's so bad at controlling. Months of excruciating training only to become the cartoon incarnation of "liberty and justice for all". He can already see himself being the laughing stock of anyone older than eight. Maybe ten if he's lucky.
But then he feels a warm and reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looks up at Steve again and there's that smile that would make anyone jump in the fire. But that's nothing unusual. What's unusual is that glint in Steve's eyes. Something like pride and faith that Bucky's going to be the best damn side kick one could wish for. It's not a look Bucky's used to. Not one he's seen since his dad died.
And that's what makes Bucky admit to himself that he'd do this job even in a frilly apron if they told him to.
Fandom: Marvel 616 (main comic continuity) - Captain America
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers (Bucky might have a little crush, up to you)
Rating: PG
Word count: 500
Warnings: mild language, vagues mentions of war and past character death
When Bucky first tries on his uniform... or rather costume, because no one in their right mind would call this a uniform, he has to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the reflection in the dirty, old mirror.
The shirt is decent... even though it looks like it was torn off a Civil War veteran. The mask is ridiculous. It will hardly conceal his identity and who needs that at a war anyway? It's a war not a costume ball, goddamit. And is he supposed to carry a supply of spirit gum on himself from now on?
The mask is starting to feel itchy and he hopes it's not an allergy.
But this he can deal with.
Heck, he can even deal with the short pants. It's not like he hadn't worn a pair like this just a few years back. And he got the briefing all right. He was to be Cap's kid partner. A sixteen year old highly trained killing machine pretending to be twelve at most, and sweet, and innocent, and in this whole mess completely "by chance".
His small for a sixteen year old frame was part of why they picked him. He's supposed to appeal to the children. To make them think that war wasn't as scary if a kid like them could go to it. To make them believe that dad can come back after all.
And it's all good and fine, but the tights... Are they red to draw the fire to his legs? Are they going to chafe? Tear on bushes? Can "wearing the flag" get more literal?
He turns his head to look at Steve. Yes, it can.
Steve is standing next to him, all buff from the super soldier serum, his physique further accentuated by the stripes and stars covering him. The cowl conceals his youthful face and floppy hair. It all makes him look like he was twice Bucky's size and age, and more like a dad to him than a buddy.
Which is ridiculous, Steve being only four years older than him.
He looks in the mirror again and sees himself starting to get that sour face he's so bad at controlling. Months of excruciating training only to become the cartoon incarnation of "liberty and justice for all". He can already see himself being the laughing stock of anyone older than eight. Maybe ten if he's lucky.
But then he feels a warm and reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looks up at Steve again and there's that smile that would make anyone jump in the fire. But that's nothing unusual. What's unusual is that glint in Steve's eyes. Something like pride and faith that Bucky's going to be the best damn side kick one could wish for. It's not a look Bucky's used to. Not one he's seen since his dad died.
And that's what makes Bucky admit to himself that he'd do this job even in a frilly apron if they told him to.