pairing: bucky barnes x reader
summary: in past relationships, you've always been told you were too much when they called it quits. then you find the perfect man, and you don't want to mess that up too.
word count: 1.2k
warnings: relationship/personal insecurities, wee bit of angst if you would even call it that (talks of a breakup), swearing, suggestive language and i think that's it. pls notify me of any warnings i overlooked.
a/n: here’s a bit of a winter drabble. im in the cozy, cuddly mood & i wanted to get this out. i hope y’all enjoy! my inbox is always open for your sweet, perfect, and filthy ideas. also, the summary thing is new?? i just haven't updated my masterlist and am lazy lol. this is for all the peeps out there who have been told by their ridiculous and stupid exes that they're "too much." you're never too much. you are just the right about for someone who truly loves you.
minors dni.
masterlist
We should talk.
It was a simple text message from Bucky. Three words. Three fuckin' words that made goosebumps rise on your skin. You chewed at the green Starbucks stopper and uncrossed your legs from your comfortable position on the couch.
You've been all the right things -- you thought. Answering his text messages at an appropriate time (not within five minutes since it was received). You didn't babble on dates and made it know just a little bit of you at a time.
When you two slept together for the first time, you left in the early morning by just leaving a kiss on his lips. You didn't stay to make or enjoy breakfast. You put your own clothes back on. You didn't contact him until the next day.
You were sure you were doing everything right. Or at least doing the opposite of what your exes said was just too much.
okay.
should i come to your place?
Shit. Your nerves about his text message got to you and you didn't filter out how ridiculous it was to double-text. You also didn't filter out how inappropriate it was to invite yourself to his. You're killing a relationship that has just started.
No. I'll come to yours.
Shit, times two.
Still a bit anxious, you replied quickly, already breaking one of your rules:
when should i expect you?
Bucky had come into your life a couple of months ago. It's been good or what you thought was good. He was sweet, patient, attentive, and made sure you felt good (all around). You knew after the first date, he was the one. Then you got all in your head. It was too soon to think that. He would think you were desperate. You couldn't be more into this than he was. So you sat back a little and let the relationship be.
Yeah, you thought it was going good.
Then he sent you that text message on a Friday night, you wish you were spending in bed with him. Stop.
Just talked to Fred for bit. See you soon.
Fred. Your doorman.
Oh.
You jumped up, almost knocking over your tea. Double-checking that you didn't have any stains on your jumper, you smacked your lips at the tiny hole on your yoga pants.
But maybe changing your entire outfit would be a red flag, a little much to Bucky. The lazy and effortless wear was perfect for someone who didn't want to seem like they were trying too hard.
God, this suppression of your full self was getting hard.
You were combing the ends of your braids when there was a knock on your door. You let a little yelp escape you but swallow it down as your head to the door.
With a deep breath, you twist the doorknob and there he is.
Bucky was sporting a soft smile and a raincoat. You then took notice of the sound of rain hitting your windows and let Bucky in quickly. He shook off his boat and set them on the towel you kept folded by the door for that exact reason.
"Hi, sweetheart." He said. You got a whiff of his warm cologne and a slight citrus scent. The tip of his nose was a little red and you could tell he was a little cold. He must have walked most of the journey here because the subway stop was just across the street and there's just no way he would be this cold from that short walk.
You wanted to ask why he didn't take the train all the way to you? Why did he decide to walk? Why did he walk in the rain?
But you kept it all to yourself and just let him warm up on your couch. He made himself comfortable, grabbing the throw you kept in the living room, to toss over his legs. Meanwhile, you poured him a glass of water and offered him so hot chocolate.
He declined the latter and drink his full glass of water before speaking again.
"Maybe I should just get it out and say it, huh?" There was a small laugh on his breath.
Here it comes. The most perfect guy breaking up with you. Of course, you would mess that up. You always do.
"Are you-- do you want to break up with me?"
No, it wasn't you asking that. It was the perfect guy. Bucky Barnes. In a navy blue hoodie and sinful gray sweatpants, was asking you if you wanted to break up with him.
What?
So you said it aloud.
"What?"
"I mean," Bucky coughed," You just don't seem-- Fuck, I don't want to say the wrong thing... You just don't seem all that interested. I don't you to feel like you have to date me."
Your heartfelt like it was going to just beat out of your chest. If you could throw up in his lap, you would.
"What?" Is all you could say.
"I'm saying this wrong, aren't I?" Bucky's smile was uncomfortable and small," Are you into this? Us? Do you want to end it? Sometimes it feels like I bore you-"
"-No!" You almost screamed. Bucky's eyes widened and you were sure it wasn't from your volume but rather the fact that you didn't want to end this," I really like you, Bucky. I really, really like you." You cringed at yourself, hoping he wouldn't take that the wrong way.
He just smiled.
No, he actually grinned really big.
"Okay, okay. That's good," Bucky nibbled at his lip," But just answer this for me. Why are you so, I don't know, away from me all the time. If you want to slow things down, we can." Bucky's eyes were so innocent, so hopeful.
It's been clicking the entire conversation but to just hear Bucky say that, you knew you had to say something.
"I only know like your siblings' names and that you performed in a talent show when you were like 12," Bucky laughed," I want to get to know you. Why won't you let me get to know you?"
You were silent for a few moments before you felt a wave of tears manifest themselves. You scooted away from Bucky's outstretched hands and sniffled up.
"I've been told," You started. Deep breaths.
"I've been told I can be a lot. Crazy sometimes. I just," You shuttered, another rush of emotion coming on," I just didn't want to do that with you."
"Too much?" Bucky scooted closer to you," You could never be too much because sweetheart, I don't think I could ever get enough of you."
That made you sob. You couldn't stop Bucky's arms from wrapping around you and sinking you down into the couch. He left small kisses up and down your neck, then pressed his lips to your wet cheeks.
"Talk to me, beautiful. Talk to me."
"I can't," You don't even know how those words came out. You couldn't stop crying. Your throat burned. Your face was hot. You weren't sad. God, no.
You were relieved.
"Don't hold back on me," Bucky said," Don't hide away parts of you. I want them all. I want every single bit."
A/N: Taglist is closed, but requests are open! Updates every Saturday at 3:00 PM CDT!!
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Requested Episodes Masterlist
Stanza 1
Gáttir allar áðr gangi fram um skoðask skyli, um skyggnast skyli, því at óvíst er at vita hvar óvinir sitja á fleti fyrir
— Translations — Within the gates | ere a man shall go, (Full warily let him watch,) Full long let him look about him; For little he knows | where a foe may lurk, And sit in the seats within.
-Translated by Henry Adams Bellows
At every doorway, ere one enters, one should spy around, one should pry around, for uncertain is the witting, that there be no foeman sitting, within, before one on the floor.
-Translated by Olive Bray
At every doorway before you enter, you should look around, you should take a good look around — for you never know where your enemies might be seated within.
-Translated by Jackson Crawford
Regarding each opening, before proceeding, it pays to be cautiously hesitant; one can’t know for certain where possible assailants may be lurking in the rooms ahead.
-Translated by Douglas Dutton
Have thy eyes about thee When thou enterest Be wary alway Be watchful alway For one never knoweth When need will be To meet hidden foe in the hall
-Translated by Lee M. Hollander
All door-ways, before going further, should be looked to; for difficult it is to know where foes may sit within a dwelling
-Translated by Benjamin Thorpe
When you just want to read some fluff or angst but the only thing you can find is smut:
It’s also the fact that I would let a fictional man with dark hair, piercing eyes, a dark past, and morally grey morals ruin my life and I would say thank you
Note : No summary, just a short little drabble I had to write because I was listening to on the nature of daylight by Max Richter. Beware this gets real sad real quick.
The moment he saw her, she was dancing in the rain with no care of the world, her feet splashed through the muddy pool of rainwater, the sound of her giggling echoed in his surroundings. The petrichor filled his senses and he could only associate that smell with her from that moment onwards. That's when he found her, that's when she found him.
...
"Marry me?" He turned his head towards her as they stargazed on a random summer night.
"Did you just ask me to marry you dove?" She giggled and interlinked her fingers with his.
"Yess ..marry me please"
And He did, because there's nothing else he had ever desired more than to be with her for the rest of their lives. It rained on their wedding day too, he always thought of it as a sign that it was meant to be. That she was meant to be his for life. The petrichor, he was engulfed by her. She was there.
....
"I miss you dove" Staying apart while he was on a mission were the hardest days to bear. He missed her, he missed her around him. Every piece of him craved her.
"I know sugar, is it raining there?" He closed his eyes and sighed. It was raining indeed.
"Get out of your room, smell the earth, and feel me, as long as it's raining around you, I'm always there with you I promise" He stood on his balcony and took a deep breath. The petrichor, and he felt her, She was there.
...
"I'm pregnant" she giggled as she passed him the stick, two pink lines. A baby girl arrived a few months later, he was blessed with a family of his own. He finally had it all. And it rained that night too. The petrichor. She was there, and she gave him more than he could have asked for.
...
"I'll call Bruce, I'll get in touch with the best oncologist there is in the world..I'll.. " He felt her tight embrace and that managed to cut him off mid sentence, she didn't let him finish, she couldn't, it was pointless. Every second mattered, she was here on borrowed time now.
"Lokiii noo ..it's okay..it's okay I'm here..I'm here..look at me..I'm here..with you baby''
It didn't rain that night. It was a sign, And he knew that he was going to lose her. Forever.
...
He placed the flowers on her grave, a year after she left him, the silent tears escaped his eyes, he was angry, so upset, how could she leave him like this.
"Whyyyy dove? Whyy would you do this ..I'm alone, all alone..all over again..why?" He collapsed on his knees, why would they take her away from him? How dare he get blessed with such a beautiful life and then have it all taken away in the same lifetime?
He felt the tiny little fingers of their daughter grabbing his large big ones. He wasn't alone anymore. He had a part of her.
Then it rained, the petrichor. He looked up at the sky, the memory of her dancing in the rain haunted his vision and he knew that she was there, everytime it would rain she'd be there.
Me watching my comfort character go on a literal killing spree
AFRICAN DAISY
Divine Alignment, Energy Healing, Energetic Fine-Tuning, Magical Power, Mystique, Psychic Abilities, Protection
AGAPANTHUS
Authority, Confidence, Elegance, Excellence, Intelligence, Intuition and Inner Knowing, Knowledge of Our Own Divinity, Self-Mastery
ALYSSUM
Comfort, Gentleness, Grounding, Healing and Immunity, Keeping the Peace, Staying True to Oneself
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Creativity and Playfulness, Crown Chakra Opening, Joy, Self-Acceptance
ASTER
Astrological Wisdom, Beginnings, Cleansing and Detoxifying, Connection to the Divine or Cosmic Realm, Doorways and Transitions, Gentleness, Psychic Abilities, Protection, Romantic Love with Spiritual Overtones, Support for Teen Girls and Newly Menstruating Maidens
BABY BLUE EYES
Freedom from Past Hurts, Gentleness with Oneself, Healing the Inner Child, Letting Go, Natural Beauty and Wildness, Relationship Healing, Trust
BIRD OF PARADISE
Awareness of the Interconnectedness of Life, Awareness of Invisible Reality, Intuition and Insight, Mathematical Prowess, Protection, Sacred Geometry, Walking Between the Worlds
BLACK-EYED SUSAN
Cleansing and Releasing, Grounding, Integration, Mediumship, Connecting with Transitioned Loved Ones
BLEEDING HEART
Beauty in Pain, Emotional Availability, Healing Depression, Attracting Love
BOUGAINVILLEA
Beauty, Cleansing, Radiance, Passion
CALLA LILLY
Divine Connection, Opening the Crown Chakra, Peace, Peaceful Transitions, Saintliness, Sleep, Soothing Grief, True Innocence
CAMELLIA
Alignment with the Divine Feminine, Authenticity and Decision Making, Energy, Friendship, Humility and True Confidence, Receptivity, True Prosperity
CARNATION
Beauty, Heart Healing, Love, Perspective, Rebirth, Vigor and Longevity
CHAMOMILE
Animal Support, Breaking Curses and Spells, Healing and Protecting Children, Peace and Harmony, Positivity, Prosperity, Sleep, Soothing
CHERRY BLOSSOM
Divine Love, Forgiveness, Gentleness, Remembering One’s Primal Innocence, Romance
CHERRY PLUM
Agelessness, Timeless Beauty, Chakra Healing and Clearing, Circulation, Digestion, Physical Healing, Courage, Determination and Following Through, Inspiration, Passion, Joy, Removing Energetic Blocks, Strength, Success
CHRYSANTHEMUM
Longevity, Mental Clarity, Optimism, Protection, Solving Mysteries, Soothing Grief
CINQUEFOIL
Creativity and Playfulness, Freedom and Liberation, Healing, Luck, Magic, Prophetic Dreams, Wild Joy
CITRUS BLOSSOM (& NEROLI)
Heavenly Assistance, Beauty, Clarity, Comfort and Luxury, Emotional Balance and Stress Relief, Happy Children, Happy Home, Marital Bliss, Positive Thinking, Sensuality, Trust
CLOVER
Abundance, Beauty, Faery Communication, Gentle Strength, Health and Healing, Protection, Purification, Simplicity
CRABAPPLE
Healing from Abuse, Freshness and Purity, Self-Acceptance, Self-Love, Self-Worth
CREPE MYRTLE
Enduring Partnerships, Graceful Change, Inspiration, Stillness, Youthfulness
CROCUS
Banishing Nightmares, Cooling Violent Emotions, Happiness, Wealth
DAHLIA
Dreams, Mystique, Occult Wisdom, The Sweetness of Shadows, Transmutation of Emotions
DAISY
Health, Simplicity, Purification, Wealth
DANDELION
Animal Protection, Divination, Happiness, Healing, Wishes
DATURA
Astral Travel, Concealment and Invisibility, Discernment, Divination, Enchantment, Magical Power
ECHINACEA
Health and Healing, Fortification and Heartiness, Simplification, Support for Healers and Health Care Professionals, Success through Service and Joyful Work
FORGET-ME-NOT
Clarity and Focus, Health, Love, Memory, Organization and Efficiency, Perspective, Success
FOXGLOVE
Courage, Faery Connection, Heart Healing, Protection
FREESIA
Clarity, Courage to Make Necessary Changes, Healing Depression, Self-Love, Removing Blocks, Transmutation, Womb Healing
GERANIUM
Exorcism, Goddess Energy and Feminine Healing, Happy Home, Health and Healing, Heart Healing, Love, Positive Energy, Protection, Purification, Strength, Courage, Resilience, Support for Children, Truth
HEATHER
Connecting with Ancestors and Ancestral Wisdom, Healing Deep Issues, Luck, Memory, Physical Healing, Protection, Transmutation
HIBISCUS
Freedom, Harmony and Relaxation, Independence, Passion, Romance, Sexual Desire, Swift Assistance and Activation
HOLLY
Divine Connection, Protection, Purification, Sacred Space
HOLLYHOCK
Healing from the Past, Healing Land, Reclaiming and Realigning with Heritage, Reconnecting with Old Ways, Remembering Past Lives, Strengthening Confidence and Spiritual Energy, Strengthening Memory
HONEYSUCKLE
Activating Intuition, Awakening Sexuality and Releasing Sexual Blocks, Good Luck, Letting Go/Endings and Beginnings, Prosperity
HYACINTH
Abundance and Luxury, Attracting Gifts, Charm and Irresistibility, Glamour, Influence
HYDRANGEA
Boundaries, Deconstructing Challenging Karmic Patterns, Hex Breaking, Protection, Redirecting Curses and Psychic Attacks, Restructuring Energy Field
IMPATIENS
Aligning with Divine Timing, Being Present, Grounding
IRIS
Alignment with Inner Truth, Creativity, Energetic Balance and Calibration, Intuition and Divine Messages, Love-Drawing, Purification and Protection, Walking Between the Worlds
JASMINE
Abundance, Joy, Sensuality and Attractiveness, Sexual Healing, Relaxation
KALANCHOE
Grounding, Inner Fortification, Harmony, Protection, Resilience
LANTANA (SHRUB VERBENA)
Breaking Old Patterns, Exorcism, Getting Energy Moving, Healing Depression, Space Clearing, Speaking Your Truth, Coming Out of the Closet, Strengthening Boundaries, Strengthening Will
LAVENDER
Clarity, Cleansing, Divine Alignment, Harmony and Balance, Healing, Joy, Protection, Relaxation and Stress Relief, Relationship Healing, Releasing Guilt and Shame, Releasing Pain Associated with Unrequited Love
LILAC
Chakra Balancing, Magical Power, Passage Between the Worlds, Peace, Psychic Abilities, Romance, Sweet Spirit Summoning
LILY
Angel Invocation, Divine Assistance, Divine Love, Divine Beauty, Entity Clearing and Protection, Goddess Alignment, Harmony and Ease, Legal Success, Safe and Harmonious Travel
LUPINE
Dog Healing and Balancing, Faeries, Imagination, Otherworld Communication
MAGNOLIA
Awakening Ancient Wisdom, Fidelity, Goddess Energy, Independence and Personal Power, Wonderment and Awe
MANUKA (NEW ZEALAND TEA TREE)
Body Chemistry, Emerging from “Desert Periods,” Emotional Detoxification, Holistic Balance
MARIGOLD (CALENDULA)
Cleansing and Detoxification, Happiness, Health and Healing, Healing Depression, Skin Healing
MARIGOLD (TAGETES)
Death and Rebirth, Happiness, Heart Healing, Protection, Success, Vitality, Walking Between the Worlds
MORNING GLORY
Awakening to the Magic of Life, Clarity and Simplicity, Happiness and Harmony, Intuition and Divine Guidance, Receptivity, Relaxation
NARCISSUS (DAFFODIL)
Connection to the Otherworld, Freedom from the Past, Present-Moment Awareness, Reclaiming Personal Power, Self-Love, Spiritual Refreshment, Romantic Love
NASTURTIUM
Banishing Prejudice and Supporting Tolerance, Choosing to Create Your Own Reality, Creativity, Freedom, Independence and Creating Your Own Archetype, Protection, Releasing Fear of New Situations
OAK
Abundance, Creating Your Own Luck, Abundance, Focus and Long-Term Determination, Success in School or Work, Tapping Your Own Divine Energy Source
OLEANDER
Emotional Healing, Strength, Protection, Transmutation
ORCHID
Beauty and Elegance, Expressing Uniqueness, Goddess Energy and Queenliness, Ecstasy and Sexual Pleasure, Fertility, Harmony, Romantic Love, Spirituality and Intuition, Wealth and Luxury
PANSY
Calming Stress Relief, Clarity, Gentleness, Ideas, Love, Love Divination, Purity, Self-Exploration
PEONY
Cleansing, Healing, Prosperity and Luxury, Protection and Exorcism, Success and Confidence
PETUNIA
Beauty, Carefree Joy, Domestic Bliss and a Happy Home, Inspiration, Fresh Perspective
PITTOSPORUM
Abundance, Balance, Falling in Love, Sensuality, Sexual Healing, Body Positivity
PLUMERIA
Creativity, Freedom, Healing Adolescents and Inner Adolescents, Long-Distance Relationships, Love, Youthfulness
POPPY
Calm Energy, Communion with the Infinite, Invisibility, Overcoming Addiction, Making Peace with Death, Perspective, Relaxation and Sleep, Surrender and Release
PRIMROSE
Admitting Feelings, Healing Grief and Heartache, Home Amidst Despair, Relationship Healing, Transforming Karma
RHODODENDRON
Balance of Extroversion and Introversion, Balance of Gentleness and Greatness, Embracing Personal Power, Mystique
ROSE
Abundance, Beauty, Clearing and Blessings, Dreams, Emotional Healing, Friendship, Protection, Purification, Romantic Love, Secrecy, Self-Love, Spirituality
SAGE BLOSSOM
Clarity, Connecting with Inner Silence and Space Consciousness, Deep Cleansing, Emotional Detoxification, Emotional Disentanglement and Energetic Cord-Cutting, Exorcism, Meditation, Reclaiming Personal Space and Boundaries, Removing Blocks, Self-Respect
SNAPDRAGON
Hex Reversal, Owning Your Power, Protection, Truth
SUNFLOWER
Happiness, Health and Vitality, Potency, Power, Radiance, Sustenance, Strength, Truth
SWEET PEA
Comfort with Luxury, Irresistibility, Feminine Friendships, Femininity and Personal Power
TUBEROSE
Intuition, Funerals, Peace, Protection and Purification, Sensuality, Wealth
TULIP
Beauty, Desire, Gratitude, Grounding, Heart Strengthening, Love Goddess Alignment, Love, Relationship Healing, Simplicity
VALERIAN
Dream Magic, Healing Depression, Heart-Opening, Influence, Peace and Harmony, Relaxation and Stress Relief, Sleep, Soothing Grief, Wealth, Wisdom
VERVAIN (VERBENA)
Connection with the Faery Realm, Eternal Love, Good Luck, Healthy Balance of Work and Play, Heart Healing, Joy, Lightening Up, Magic, Physical Healing
VIOLA AND VIOLET
See “Pansy”
WATER LILY
Clarity of Desire and Direction, Cooling Passions, Creative Flow, Healing Depression, Heart Healing, Purification, Spiritual Nourishment, Transmutation
WISTERIA
Beauty That Increases with Age, Divine Blessings, Comfort, Love, Healing Grief, Softness, Soothing, Stress-Relief, Wisdom
YARROW
Banishing and Exorcism, Divination, Healing, Releasing Negative Emotions, Protection
YLANG YLANG
Joy, Healing, Love, Peace and Relaxation, Sex and Sexuality, Body Positivity
i saw that you asked for requests and i also saw that you wrote some nikolai stories based on taylor's songs (i loved). so you could write something based on wilders dreams or you are in love or call it what you want, you choose pls
MY BRAND yes of course i can.
and you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars...
“marry me.”
you shook your head. while any other girl would likely collapse onto the cobblestones had they the pleasure of hearing those words from the king, you would not. you could not. the possibility of accepting his proposal was a lie you no longer could afford.
“i have a certain inclination to your use of words, darling,” nikolai caught up to your strides easily, “without them, you answers are so very unclear.”
you stopped your pace, shutting your eyes. obviously, nikolai only meant to try and persuade you of his reasoning. he was unaware of how the repetition further shattered the pieces of your heart.
“stop asking,” you requested unevenly, “i cannot marry you because i cannot be a queen.”
“cannot or will not?” nikolai dropped his calm disposition. his words now swam through endless seas of exasperation.
eyes widening at his assumption, you glared, “your people will not accept a grisha on the throne. they will not make an exception for love because they cannot understand how such a thing between you and i could exist.”
albeit offended, nikokai softened, “and i wish i could do more to protect you but even i am unable to offer you reprieve from your own doubts.”
however bold or brash his words seemed, you took them because there was no other conceivable explanation. you refused to argue with him further, not when your remaining moments were already beginning to slip away.
“you have too much hope in the world.”
nikolai scoffed, knocking his shoulder into yours. you saw through his sly smirk and glowing grin, and he knew it. the fox could hide away from just about anybody but never you—not that he ever wanted to.
so, he would pretend for a minute or two, rile you up with his plethora of personalities. then, he would sober up, resounded to your ability to penetrate his defenses. your keen awareness of every notch in his armor, every foothold to climb his fortress, both aggravated and comforted him simultaneously.
“somebody has to,” he chided you, content to snake an arm around your waist and pull you flush against his side, “i don’t want to forget.”
“forget what?” you questioned, turning to face him more fully as a soft pout formed on your features.
“that i have this,” he motioned to your entwined limbs, “you,” he kissed your forehead, “to come back to. i only ever hoped my heart would find its home.”
you stilled. surely, an artist from above could have captured the moment perfectly because of it. they would have to gently shade your individual silhouettes into one, execute the softness of his gaze, and reproduce the muted lighting with watercolor.
you liked to organize your life into two categories; there was the before nikolai lantsov and the after him. before saltwater became the first thing to invade your senses in the mornings, you would have set fire to the bridge of any desperate man’s creation. after you learned to never assume anything impossible, you willingly gave up a piece of your heart to the most lovesick of them all. the one you simply could not have.
gingerly grabbing ahold of his fingers, you aimed to kiss the tip of each one. as always, he pulled away before allowing you to complete your objective. with a frown, you ran your thumb over his cheek.
“i only got to six. none of that,” you minded him with a calm look, “sobachka,” you began to warn him. 
“it’s more than five,” he commented with a reference to the day before. quickly, he kissed you to remove any possibility of a retort. you could not escape his lips even if you intended to try, which you did not.
the need for air ultimately pulled you away from nikolai. you frowned discontentedly his way, still frustrated by his actions. you understood his insecurities and accepted the validity of his feelings, but it did not ease the pain of watching him crumble before your eyes.
“my love,” you urged, “i have never understood many things and ended up running,” you held him off with a look, “but i want to stay and learn every part of you.”
bashful, he tucked his head into your neck.
“you have to spare some hope for yourself,” you said softly, leaning your head onto his.
he groaned, indicative of him sourly acknowledging your truth. you turned to kiss his temple, giving your lips the respite to linger just beneath his curls. you sucked in a breath when he responded with one of his own, planted upon the column of your throat. tender yet unexpected.
“but i want you to have it,” he responded, careful to inject the appropriate dose of his personality to make you smile without doubt of his sincerity being a means of withdrawal from the subject.
rolling your lips into your mouth, you melted under his gaze and into his arms, “okay.”
he smiled as radiantly as the sun, with a blush to match the artistry of it setting. you thought you could stay in that moment with him, that not even he could carry you to the next quite yet. you should have known better to predict his unpredictable behavior.
“so,” he drew out, “marry me, then.”
“nik-,” you breathed, fighting a losing battle with a smile of your own. his persistence did not force you to agree, rather charmed you to.
“no!” he cut off deliberately, “no,” the delivery of his words now intentionally softer.
“nikolai,” you enunciated, “if i’m a queen,” you caught the exact second light filtered back into his eyes, “i will never have you again in the same way—not how i do now, at least.”
“i don’t understand,” he frowned between his mumble of the phrase.
“we will be closer than ever before,” you voiced, “but i fear that could push us further apart than we have ever been,” you expressed with a sunken tone.
not letting you pull away either emotionally or physically, he took you into his arms. already feeling more grounded, you breathed in his scent of sea and pine. he was all around you, and it was enough.
“i could never not love you,” he countered.
“that’s not what i’m saying,” you refuted, “but what if you don’t like me anymore? after we are stressed and overwhelmed and stubbornly disagreeing?”
nikolai giggled, kissing every inch of your face, “i like every single piece of you,” his thumbs slipped down your cheeks and onto your throat, pushing your head back for further access, “i like you more than any travel i have been on, any adventure i have sought, and more than any squabble we might face.”
looking up at him under a thick set of eyelashes, you quirked a crooked smile, “really?”
“oh, yes,” he divulged, “i like you more than anyone else—even myself,” he began to taunt you, “and i happen to like myself quite a bit.”
“fine,” you relented with a light sigh, “let me show you just how much i like you and i’ll be your queen.”
a smirk stretched across his face but before he could dip his head to yours, you grabbed his hands away from your neck.
“i like you,” you began with a breath, leaning forward to kiss each of his fingertips, “one, two, three,” you continued as he watched you delicately, “eight, nine, ten.”
blinking rapidly, his gaze softened, “don’t be my queen,” nikolai mouthed, a single breath away from your lips, “continue to be my best friend, the woman i look for in every room, the reason time moves way too fast.”
“thank you for sharing your hope with me,” you spoke and drew your lips in a straight line, “thank you for letting me be in love with you.”
“i never let you do anything,” he began to sway, “could only hope you would keep coming back.”
“i’m in love with you,” you insisted, “and i happen to like that very much.”
This can be platonic or romantic
He loves cuddling you, that's not debatable
He is a big spoon, and watch out cause this mf has a death grip on you
He will treat you like his personal teddy bear
Sometimes when he feels insanely touch-starved he will pick you from wherever you are and drag you to his room to cuddle
Sometimes when he really doesn't want you to leave he will lay on top of you and he knows since he is too heavy you can't go anywhere.
(this might escalate to a hostage situation) its like having a cat on your lap once they're on your lap you legally aren't allowed to move
If you happen to pass out while cuddling, he will make sure no one disturbs you and then pass out with you
Even while he rests he will keep that toddler with a piece of your hair grip on you
Forehead kisses
He will wrap you in the warmest blankets
Be prepared to be in a blanket burrito during the winter