[this has been turned into a fic! "Birthday boss" on tumblr/ao3 @n3ptoonz/neptoonz]

It's been a long day. Ironically enough, more for you than him. You may not be his writer but you surely have to pick up some of the pieces after he fumbles when talking to the press about literally anything. Two soft knocks pressed against his door before you walked in, well aware he didn't care when it was you. Not many people were allowed to just roll up on him like that, if even anybody else.

You opened your binder and handed him a sheet of next week's schedule already. His cheeks puffed with the future exhaustion that was yet to come, but still he thanked you as he always does. He never lets you go until you've heard him say thank you, especially because he knows you didn't expect it. It's your job. It's what you get paid to do for whoever sits in that chair. That and you don't take any bullshit. A bit funny considering you've never had to remind him of that, not that you ever needed to--which was refreshing.

"Not a problem," you said with a small smile. "Doing anything tonight or are you waiting for the weekend?"

He looked up from the sheet with a puzzled look. "I don't follow."

"For your birthday?" you asked. You checked your phone to make sure you were right and nodded, "Yeah. It's March 10th."

Bucky looked genuinely shocked. He hadn't celebrated his birthday in how long? And you remembered?

"...How'd you know it was my birthday?"

"Uh, it's my job to know things about you, Barnes." you said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Wait, did you forget?"

"I, uh..." he sat back in his chair and ran his hands over his beard. He did forget. Not that he ever intended to remember. He stopped caring ages ago and never saw a point. "I don't really celebrate my birthday. Too busy," he added as he held up a few files in an attempt at humor.

He watched your unconvinced nod, knowing you weren't buying it. Man, he sure did love that about you. You never showed signs of backing down from him and you always made sure you were heard. The way you carried yourself was so sexy to him.

"Okay," you said and pulled out your phone again.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a soft look of admiration while leaning forward on the desk.

"Ordering in. I refuse to let you have a boring birthday." he raised his eyebrow at your declaration. Was it wrong that he was falling for his assistant? You're just a really nice and respectful person who probably treats everybody like this...

Damn it.

"You don't need to do that, really. And I gotta file some paperwork anyway-"