Set immediately after the final chapter of 'Coda'. Bucky takes Alex home after their talk at the Washington Complex. Short. The title says it all. Thoughts appreciated.
Kiss.
The loud purr of the motorbike is the only sound that fills the air this late at night. Bucky smiles softly to himself as he navigates the roads, feeling the cool silky air brush against his skin, how the breeze tugs his hair back from his face. Traffic is light, easy to navigate. He's aware of Alex behind him, of her arms wrapped tightly around his upper body and holding on. She seems comfortable on the bike, leaning in with each corner he has to negotiate, careful not to distract him whilst he drives though if he's to be honest, he's distracted plenty just by the feel of her pressed up against his back.
They turn onto the street where her bar is located, pulling up smoothly outside of it. Bucky kills the engine and the silence is sudden. He looks over his shoulder as Alex lets go of him and climbs off the bike. He kicks the stand into place and does likewise, turning to look at her again, seeing her remove the helmet, pulling her braid from the back of her jacket. She looks at him and she smiles.
"You okay?" he asks and she just nods.
"First time on a bike can be weird if you're not used to it," he tells her, noticing how her knees can't quite hold her weight and he sees her smile some more, briefly glancing down at her feet.
"It was fine, fun. I'm sure I'll get used to it quickly enough."
Bucky lifts both eyebrows in surprise. "You wanna ride again?" he asks, slightly incredulous and sees her smile widen, a grin appear.
"With you? Absolutely. I might even get you to teach me how to ride one of these things one day," she answers and he looks at the gleaming black and chrome machine and somehow can't really imagine her in control of such a beast but stranger things have happened and he has no doubt she'll be able to do anything she puts her mind to. He looks back at her.
"Maybe I will," he murmurs.
For a moment they just stare at each other before Alex blinks. Bucky watches as she puts the helmet on the back of the bike, fastening it securely and once she's done, she approaches him, looking into his eyes.
"You gonna walk me to my door Sergeant?" she enquires in a soft voice and Bucky blinks at the use of his old army rank.
"Does it bring back bad memories?" she continues as if realising that it possibly could and after a second he just shakes his head.
"Uh…no. It's just been a while," he quietly confesses.
"I won't use it again if it makes you uncomfortable."
"Didn't say it made me uncomfortable, just that it's been a while and its fine." He seems to give pause. "I like how you say it."
Her eyes light up a little. "Yeah?"
His eyes drop to her mouth. "Yeah," he whispers, his voice roughening a little. He reaches for her hand, sliding the fingers of his right hand through hers. "And I'll walk you to your door," he continues.
He watches her as she unzips her jacket pocket and takes out a key ring, sees her slot the key into the right hole and twist it. Pushes open the door and as she does she looks at him. She can feel him pressed up against her, warm and vital, their fingers still entwined. She then tugs him inside, the suddenness of her movement giving her momentum as he stumbles slightly across the threshold and into the empty bar.
"I need to switch off the alarm before it wakes up the whole neighbourhood," she tells him, letting go of his hand and he watches her disappear into the shadows. Can hear a quiet bleep that seems to become more rapid as time progresses and he braces himself for the loud blare that's surely to follow. It doesn't happen and he turns his head and sees Alex reappear, her skin pale in the shadows, easy to see, easy to find. She smiles at him, takes his hand once more.
"Want some coffee?" she asks, drawing him further into the cavernous room. He's not used to seeing it so empty and silent, in shadow with no music playing in the background or sounds of life going on. Something prickles down the back of his neck and instinct makes him frowns slightly against the unease it creates. Light from the kitchen slithers into the bar and his gaze flicks to it and then back to her once more
"It's late…I should be…" He uses a thumb to indicate the closed door behind him and sees the brief flash of disappointment that crosses her face.
"And if I drink coffee at this hour then I won't sleep tonight," he tells her, not that he really sleeps well to begin with but he tries to avoid caffeine this late. Feels her let go of his hand and she takes a half step back.
"Oh. Of course."
He feels her disconnect keenly and quietly sighs as he goes to physically breach the gap between them.
"I thought… I tried to explain, I thought you understood…" Words fade away as he looks into her eyes.
"I do. I'm sorry, I'm the one who overstepped this time. You need to get used to the idea of there being an us and here I am rushing you. I'm sorry. It's just that…I want to see you, spend time with you," she confesses, keeping her voice low. Sees the faint frown that comes and goes.
"This isn't your fault Alex, I just need time that's all…I want everything that you want, believe me but the way I'm wired, the way that I am… I just need…time." And her understanding. He desperately wants her to understand.
She hears the frustration in his voice and she lifts a hand and gently touches his cheek, feeling the scrape of stubble against the palm of her hand.
"It's fine Bucky, it really is. Take all the time that you need." Her voice lowers to a whisper and he just stares at her as if gauging whether to believe her or not. Then he lowers his head and he gently kisses her. His lips brush softly against hers at first and her eyes slide shut at the contact, feeling her heart begin to thump in her chest. She feels an arm slide around her waist and anchor her up against him and at the same time he deepens the embrace and the hand that cradles his cheek slides down to his shoulder and then slips around his neck as her lips part beneath his. For a moment there's silence, apart from the sound of their kiss. She feels her heartbeat rev up, her stomach dip and her centre begin to pulse and throb as she presses herself up against the long length of his body. She hears him quietly groan, his right hand touching her cheek, fingertips stroking the soft skin there. Finally he pulls back and he's breathing heavier, that slight frown back between his eyes but he doesn't let go of her.
She's breathing just as heavily, her body throbbing still. With every part of her being she wants to invite him upstairs, to take this further but he's not ready. Already she can see a slice of the wildness he's previously hinted at in his slate blue eyes. Instead she slides both of her arms around his neck and hugs him to her and his other arm slides around her waist to lock her in further and she can hear his ragged breathing against her ear, she can feel his reaction to her, he's rock hard and she can imagine that he's struggling to process that more than anything else. He holds her close nonetheless, his face turning into the side of her neck and they stay like that for a moment or two and gradually their breathing calms, their pulses settle. She braces her hands on his shoulders and draws back a little to look at him. His eyes are somewhat calmer now.
"Everything okay?" she enquires, keeping her voice low. He slowly nods and then let's go of her.
"I'd better get going." Once more he indicates the door behind him and she nods, stepping out of his embrace.
"Can I come by tomorrow?" he asks.
Alex nods.
"Maybe we can do something? Go out for coffee?" he suggests, the tone of his voice a little on the hesitant side and she realises how much courage it takes him to ask her this. She dimples a soft smile his way.
"I'd like that," she answers softly and sees his gentle smile in response.
"I'll see you tomorrow then…what time would be good for you?" he asks.
Alex shrugs, feeling her pulse flutter a little at the thought of spending time with him, even just over a cup of coffee.
"Any time," she replies, sounding a little breathless.
"Say, two o'clock then, once the lunch crowd has died down a little?" he suggests and she nods.
"Two is fine," she confirms and once again he smiles, one of faint satisfaction.
"I'll see you then," he promises and turns.
Alex takes a slow deep breath and quietly exhales as she watches him walk away from her, out of the bar and to his bike.
Baby steps, she reminds herself.