Sam Wilson looked less than pleased when he and Steve pulled up on Steve's motorcycle next to the reasonably sized boat on which he was standing. "Seriously, Steve? How are you always so late?" Were Sam's first words to them.
"Sorry, Sam! Had to pick up Bucky's wetsuit. He's not diving, but he wanted to come out with us." Steve sounded so excited by the prospect, even Sam couldn't stand up to it as his posture softened and he sighed.
"Fine, fine. Let's get going before we lose any more light." Sam insisted. Bucky quickly got off the motorcycle, followed closely by Steve. Steve got on the boat first and warmth spread through to Bucky's toes when Steve held out a hand to help him aboard. Not that Bucky really needed it, but he appreciated the gesture immensely. Especially when the glimpse of water between the deck and boat had his stomach sinking.
Of course Steve noticed and asked a quiet "You okay?"
Bucky quickly nodded and put on a smile. "Yep. Just been a while since I was on anything bigger than a rowboat. That's a bit of a way to fall."
"How long has your gear been in the shop?" Steve returned, cautiously playful, and Bucky could tell the captain was deliberately moving on from his hesitation. Abruptly Bucky remembered the lie he'd told Steve as to why he couldn't dive with them today.
He tried a nervous laugh that sounded fake but Steve seemed to believe him. "A while. I may have forgotten to pick it up." Bucky offered weakly and thankfully Steve just laughed as well, shaking his head with a fond smile that Bucky was growing to adore. Bucky didn't even notice as the boat started to move aside from Steve pulling him over to one of the bench seats on the side of the boat. Which was unfortunately wet.
"Seriously, Buck, make sure you pick it up so next time you can come with us." Steve was saying and Bucky used his distraction to quickly heat-dry the seat. Even with his wetsuit on, he wasn't willing to risk that. He sat down on the now thankfully dry seat and Steve sat down next to him, close enough Bucky could feel the warmth from his arm and Bucky would happily spend the rest of his life pressed this close to Steve. Even more so when Steve laced their fingers together again and Bucky all but melted against him.
"For sure." Bucky agreed with a happy sigh and it only hit him after he spoke what he'd just agreed to. But even the trouble he'd gotten himself into and now had to talk himself out (later) couldn't put a damper on his mood.
Steve continued to beam at him for a moment then his expression furrowed. Bucky waited while Steve seemed to debate saying something and it was only after Bucky gave his hand a gentle squeeze that Steve finally spoke. "So, this might be none of my business, but that guy you were with at the school…" Steve began and Bucky couldn't quite stop the singular laugh that came out of his mouth at what Steve was implying.
"Who, Tony? He's a friend and we share a metal shop class, but probably the last person I'd date even if he was gay. As it is, he's straight and very happily in a long-term relationship with another good friend of mine named Pepper." Bucky explained and Steve visibly relaxed, his smile returning to the brilliance it had been before.
"Sorry, I know that's not really my place and you aren't my boyfriend…" Steve started saying but Bucky shook his head.
"No, no. Don't apologize; I get it. I'd be jealous if I saw the guy I was dating with another guy's arm around him, even if he wasn't my boyfriend." Bucky assured and Steve's smile turned grateful. "So, I'll make you a promise. While we're dating, whether we're official or not, I won't be going on a date with anyone else. I really, really like you Steve."
Steve shifted and, to Bucky's surprise, wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "I like you too, Buck, and I make you the same promise." Steve assured and Bucky pressed against him.
"Thanks, Steve." Bucky answered. "Although, if we are already going to be monogamous maybe we should just jump right to boyfriends?" Bucky offered.
"Smooth, Buck. Smooth. But you know what?" Steve leaned in close and Bucky had to bite his lip to keep from making a noise when Steve whispered "I'd really like that." in a low murmur in his ear that sent a thrill down his spine. Bucky turned to face Steve, wanting to give him a quick kiss (or maybe a not so quick one) when they were interrupted.
"Hey! No PDA on my deck! I've already seen more than enough naked men for a lifetime. You two are not adding any more." Sam demanded from his place behind the wheel and Steve pulled back minutely, his whole face up to his ears turning a bright red and Bucky was almost shaking trying to hold in his laughter.
"Sorry Sam!" Steve called back and Bucky buried his face into Steve's shoulder, still fighting not to laugh. Steve squeezed his hand and Bucky took a few breaths before he finally raised his head from Steve's shoulder.
"Sorry Sam!" He echoed without looking at the man and he could not only hear but feel Steve chuckling next to him. Bucky was pretty sure he heard Sam mumbled something rude about them but decided to ignore it in favor of Steve. "So, is there anything we need to do now?" Bucky asked and Steve shook his head.
"Nah, Sam keeps all the equipment in good condition. We'll look it over again once we get to the site but for now we can just relax." Steve explained and Bucky nodded before he leaned harder than necessary against Steve. The blond chuckled and let go of his hand only to wrap his arm around Bucky's shoulders.
It was nice, warm and comfortable and Bucky sighed softly as he relaxed into Steve's touch. Out of nowhere Steve kissed his head and Bucky smiled to himself. He felt safe, properly safe and at peace in a way he probably never had, and certainly hadn't since the full moon. Sitting like this with Steve, Bucky wanted to sleep and even found himself nodding off.
Steve's hand ran through his hair gently and it was the icing on the cake. He was going to fall asleep right here and didn't really care. "You okay, Buck?" Steve asked softly and Bucky nodded limply, his eyes still closed.
"Bit tired. Haven't been sleeping well lately." Bucky admitted.
"Are you okay?" Steve asked and Bucky smiled to himself because of course the captain would be concerned about him.
To his own surprise Bucky admitted "Just nightmares." He pointedly didn't mention it was just the one nightmare in particular; never exactly the same but always him swimming in a vast ocean, the asteroid hitting the earth, and everything boiling. Himself included.
Steve huffed and it sounded sad. Bucky didn't like hearing Steve sound like that. "Nightmares I understand. Go ahead and rest, Bucky. I'll wake you when we get there." Steve shifted so he was resting more secure against the blond.
"You sure?" Bucky asked sleepily and Steve chuckled.
"This isn't quite how I expected us to spend our first night together, but yeah. If you need sleep and I make you feel safe then rest." Steve insisted. Bucky laughed.
"I promise to make it up to you in the future." He mumbled and Steve chuckled again. He was still stroking Bucky's hair and while Bucky didn't fall completely asleep, he was definitely close enough to it that he lost time. If asked, all he'd be able to recall about the trip was Steve's warmth under his cheek, his scent mixed with that of sea water, and Steve's strong but gentle touch around his shoulder and in his hair.
When Bucky came back to awareness it was to a lack of noise. He could hear the ocean, of course, but the boat engine was off. He was also laying on the seat now and someone was gently shaking his shoulder. When he opened his eyes it wasn't Steve waking him; it was Sam. Bucky sat up feeling slightly off kilter, but not in a bad way as he blinked dumbly at Sam. "Steve?" He asked, stifling a yawn, and Sam smiled.
"Getting suited up. I wanted to talk to you. Without him." Sam said and Bucky swallowed before he nodded.
"Shovel talk?" Bucky offered and Sam half shrugged.
"Do I need to?" Sam asked and Bucky shook his head. "Good. I think so too. I may not know you very well, but you seem like a good person and everyone else seems to like you. I just wanted to say this; Steve may seem like he has it all together and believe me, I'm proud of how far he's come. But every soldier has ghosts. Are you prepared for that?"
Bucky didn't want to do any of them a disservice by answering immediately. So he considered Sam seriously and took a breath, then let it out. "I know it won't always be easy. I'm not expecting that. But I care about him and I'm willing to try." Bucky finally stated.
Sam considered him for a few moments then nodded. "Okay. I believe you. Here. If you ever need advice you can contact me, and if you do want someone to talk to I know a lot of good therapists I can recommend. I'd offer to do it myself, but I'm personally involved so ethically it's not really allowed." Sam added as he held out a business card.
Bucky took it and quickly slipped it into his phone case. "Thanks, Sam." He said and the man nodded, a smile flickering on his lips.
"You'll be good for him, Barnes. I can already tell." Sam said and that made Bucky smile.
"You can call me Bucky." He offered and Sam's smile grew.
"Sam, are you trying to steal my boyfriend or scare him off?" Steve suddenly called, making Bucky jump. He didn't know how Sam didn't. "Because I happen to quite like him." Steve added.
Sam started snickering and Bucky quickly cut in. "Aw, Steve, I'm touched. I quite like you too." He spoke dramatically, even put his hands over his heart, and Sam's snickering turned into a full blown laugh. Bucky couldn't help smiling and Steve was smiling too.
"Weren't you the one complaining about losing daylight, Sam? Go get suited up." Steve reminded.
Sam walked off calling "Not my CO, Steve!" before he slipped below deck and out of sight. Steve watched him go with a fond expression and shake of his head while Bucky only had eyes for Steve.
He looked so good in a wetsuit and carried the weight of his gear like it was nothing. Bucky stood and Steve grew very still when Bucky started tracing his fingers over the vest. "You look good, Steve." Bucky finally offered and Steve's smile was radiant.
"I hope so. This stuff wasn't cheap or easy to find. But hey, how are you feeling? Any better?" Steve asked, concerned once again and Bucky just smiled to himself without looking up for a few moments.
"Much. I needed that." He admitted and Steve reached for him. Slowly enough Bucky could push him away if he wanted, which Bucky really didn't want, Steve enveloped him in a hug. Instantly Bucky relaxed into it and huffed him back; being here it was warmth and safety and home. "Thank you, Steve."
"Any time, Bucky. And I really do mean that. If you ever need me..." Steve answered softly and Bucky nodded because he believed it. If he needed Steve it wouldn't matter to the captain what time of day or what he needed; Steve would help.
Finally but far too soon, Steve pulled back and brushed a few stray hairs from Bucky's face. "I hope Sam wasn't bothering you, by the way. He can be a bit of a… well, a mother hen."
Bucky couldn't help it; he burst out laughing just as Sam came up and called out an indignant "Hey! Rude, and after all I do for you."
"It's true, Sam! It's not a bad thing." Steve answered defensively and Sam huffed as he moved over to the side of the boat.
"Oh, come on already. Let's just go. I know you're dying to impress your new beau with your sweet skillz." Sam answered, his accent altered slightly to emphasize the 'Z' and Steve balked.
"Sam Wilson, I would n-"
Simultaneously Bucky and Sam cut him off saying "yes, you would".
"I don't have to listen to this." Steve huffed, pulled on his mask over his frankly adorable pout, and with an indignant sulk dropped off the side of the boat. Bucky was still quietly laughing and Sam winked at him before he followed Steve.
Bucky quickly rushed over to the side. Both men were floating on the surface doing some last checks and he called "hey! Be safe down there."
"I'll bring you something for your next jewelry piece." Steve promised with a bright smile.
Thankfully the two quickly dove as Bucky barely held back saying "Oh, I can think of one thing that'd go excellent with a ring." He knew it was too soon, way too soon, to say aloud but still he couldn't help the way his mind wandered to what kind of ring would best suit Steve.