When the jet touched down at Avengers Headquarters, it was snowing. Not necessarily hard, but there were just enough snowflakes dancing in the air to make it difficult for Bucky and Alex to take that first step off the jet. Even inside the hangar where their jet rolled to a stop, they descended the airstairs and felt the cold breeze blowing in from beyond the hangar doors. Their sun kissed skin never felt chillier than it did then.
Steve was waiting there to greet them. He stood off to the side, hands in the pockets of his khaki pants and his friendly smile stretching from ear to ear, watching as the couple descended the airstairs. Bucky was the first to notice him. He gave Steve a wave, followed quickly by Alex who was all smiles as their fellow Avenger walked towards them.
"How was it?" Steve called over the sound of the dying jet engines. "Or do I even need to ask?"
Bucky broke into a laugh. "Pretty sure you know the answer already, punk."
He dropped his duffle bag and the pair embraced in a hug. They exchanged a few words while Alex stood watching with admiration. She used the time to quickly put on her leather gloves so she could also embrace Steve, which was exactly what happened when he and Bucky were finished.
"You look great, Markos" Steve said as they hugged.
"Aw, thank you, Steve." His arms practically swallowed her whole within his giant hug, but his presence was warm and friendly and made coming home a little easier to bear. "How are things here? What'd we miss?" she asked once they broke apart.
Steve facially shrugged. "Not much really. Just a bunch of speculating what you guys have been up to half a world away." He gave them a wink, knowing all too well what they had likely been up to.
Bucky draped an arm casually around Alex's shoulders. He looked at her, feigning confusion. "I don't know, doll. What'd we do all week? Anything worth mentioning?"
"I think we swam once or twice?"
"Right, yeah...swimming...lots of swimming..."
Steve shook his head. "So that's what you're calling it now?"
"Better than, uh...what'd you call it? Fonduing?" Bucky chirped back.
This got Steve to break. His cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink, even as Bucky clapped a hand on his back. Alex pressed her lips together and said absolutely nothing. This was all their inside joke and she was staying well out of it, despite a laugh trying its damnedest to make itself known. She'd have to ask Bucky later what "fonduing" meant because she had no clue, though she could read between the lines.
They continued their relaxed conversation as they grabbed the rest of their luggage and headed down the various hallways back to the main building. Steve got a quick rundown of some of the high points of their trip on the way, and was genuinely happy to hear that his best friend and his girlfriend had such a nice time. For Steve, seeing Bucky this happy and carefree was relatively new to him. Watching him and Alex recount their trip filled him with true joy; some of which he hadn't been prepared for. The way Bucky looked at Alex, the subtle glances they gave one another or the way their eyes seemed to shine a little brighter as they spoke, was incredibly nice to see.
One thing lingered in Steve's mind, however, was his and Tony's conversation from a few days back. Nothing between Bucky or Alex seemed amiss. If the death Tony referred to had happened, it certainly didn't appear that either one of them knew or had anything to do with it. Which of course didn't mean they didn't, but Steve was less inclined to ask about it than he had been before seeing them.
He still had to ask Bucky on Tony's behalf. When the three of them made it back to the apartment wing of Headquarters, Steve did his very best not to sound awkward as he mentioned Tony. "So, I know this may seem a little out of left field...but Tony wanted to see you as soon as you got back."
Alex and Bucky shared a look. A moment of silence passed between them before Bucky gave a nod. "Sure, that's fine."
"Annnnnd he wants to meet with just you, Buck." Steve's blue eyes centered on Alex as the corner of his mouth lifted. "Guess you're safe this time."
"Yeah, this time" Alex joked.
"Probably just wants the keys back, anyway." Bucky gave Alex a reassuring smile. "Settle back in as best you can in the meantime. I'll come find you after, okay?"
Steve looked away bashfully as the couple leaned into one another and kissed. Alex gave both of them a salute, then headed down the hall to her respective apartment. Bucky watched her go, feeling his heart tug a little as she disappeared around the corner. After spending an entire week living together and doing an impromptu mission together, it was difficult to watch her leave his side.
Picking up on this, Steve gave him a sympathetic smile. "Tough after all that time together, huh?"
Bucky mouth quirked bashfully. "Yeah."
"I'm happy for ya, pal." Steve patted his shoulders. "Really happy."
Even though he knew it already, hearing Steve say it made Bucky feel on top of the world. He could see in his friend's eyes just how happy he really was for him. He needed to find a way to tell Steve just how much it really meant to him. He wasn't great with expressing things yet, not even to Steve, but hopefully his friend had an idea. Steve was good like that. He always had been.
"I better let you go so you can get back into things." Steve shoved his hands back in his pockets and began to walk backwards down the hall. "And good luck with Stark."
Bucky nodded. "Catch up with you later?"
"I'll hold you to it" Steve answered, and then he was gone.
It was the first time in a week that Bucky was alone. Despite how normal being alone was, it felt odd at that moment. It was a testament to how his life was turning around after his recovery in Wakanda, which he should be proud of. Still, it was only slightly unsettling when he entered into his quiet apartment and flicked on the lights. He took a look around, feeling that familiar emptiness he was so used to, and feeling how equally strange it was.
He dropped off his luggage and changed into something more relaxed, then took the walk down to Stark's condo. A few things were running through his mind at that moment: either Stark really did want the keys and to know how everything went, or he knew about Boroshka. He was prepared to tell him the truth whether he brought it up or not. He didn't regret what happened, nor would he ever regret it. But when it came to Tony Stark, his reactions were always unpredictable.
Bucky knocked on the door and waited. He ran one hand through his hair while jingling the keys to the bungalow in his other. Just a few hours ago he'd used those keys to lock up the place that had been home for a while. Funny how just a few hours can bring someone from one side of the world to the other, and how a few days can change everything - for good or for worse.
"Barnes."
Bucky had been pacing and didn't even know it. He turned and faced Tony in the doorway. "You wanted to see me?"
"Oh I want to do more than see you" Tony alluded, opening the door wider for him. "Firstly - how was everything?"
"Everything was great. Really. Thanks again for letting us vacation there." He hadn't even gotten two strides inside the condo when Tony shut the door and folded his arms over his chest, facing him with that unrelenting steadiness.
"Great. Keys?"
Bucky handed them over, watching Tony quickly pocket them.
"So who killed my groundskeeper?"
Bucky didn't bother to sugarcoat it. "I did."
Tony nodded, not at all surprised. In fact, his face morphed into a twisted grin, his dark eyes flitting around the room. "You know, I should have bet Rogers on that one. At least a 5-spot, ya know? But he swore up and down you wouldn't have anything to do with it."
There was nothing Bucky could do but stand there. There wasn't anything he wanted to do. What was done was done. "What do you want me to say, Stark?"
Tony wheeled around and pointed a finger. "I want to know why people involved with me or my name end up dead when they encounter you."
Darkness settled over Bucky. He felt his throat tighten as memories of a lonesome road, a crashed car, and two innocent people flashed before his eyes. "Aren't you at least going to ask me why I killed him?"
"I thought I just gave the reason?" Tony took a step closer. "When it comes to Starks, you really don't need one, do you?"
His tone was flat and angry. His eyes were cold. Bucky understood that Tony was referring to his parents, and the thought alone made his stomach turn. That wasn't him anymore. That was another time and another place. Another person. Tony would always harbor resentment for what happened to his parents, but Bucky would always carry the weight of remorse over it. He felt through these emotions and never once broke his stare, not even when Tony got one more step closer.
"You just can't help yourself, can you, Barnes?"
Bucky felt his anger flare. "When it comes to Hydra agents? No. And that's exactly who your groundskeeper was." He watched as the tiniest seed of doubt appeared in Tony's eyes. "Did you know that, Stark? Did you know you were harboring an ex-Hydra agent on your island? One who worked in Siberia?"
This was the information Tony clearly wasn't prepared for. He blinked, though his expression never wavered. "What proof-"
"-Alexis got the proof." Bucky inclined his head. "Or do you doubt her, too?"
Tony took a step back. They both knew the way Alex could gain information. They both had experience with letting her enter their minds and were well aware of the way her powers worked. Tony didn't need to answer Bucky; they both knew what Alexis could do.
As a result, Tony's defensive posture relaxed. He turned and began to pace, one hand rubbing his goatee as he mulled things over. "What else did she learn?"
"She learned he was hired by S.H.I.E.L.D. back when you acquired the island and its employees."
Tony whipped back around. "S.H.I.E.L.D?"
"Looks like we have a mole."
"Which branch did he come from?"
"Poland."
Now that Stark was no longer aiming at him directly, Bucky could see the shift taking place on the outside. Tony's entire demeanor changed to one of curiosity, like a scientist looking at a new subject and studying it for the first time. Bucky gave him the time he needed to sort through it, but was prepared to tell him everything he needed to know if he wanted it.
"You know they're ruling it a suicide?" Tony inquired.
Bucky nodded. "We made it look that way."
"So Markos was there?"
"She was."
Tony eyed him sharply. "You working as a pair now? Is this what assassins do on vacation?"
"We had no idea—"
"How the hell did you even kill him if you didn't have any weapons?" Tony tipped his chin at Bucky's arm. "Then again, I guess you carry yours around with you everywhere you go."
Bucky stared; waiting for the moment he knew was coming. It took only a few seconds before Stark put all the pieces together inside his mind and his eyebrows lifted in response.
"You found my stash, didn't you?"
"Alexis did." Bucky's mouth formed a tight line edged with sarcasm. "She figured out how you had it hidden, so we decided it was fair game to use."
"Huh. How 'bout that."
Stark seemed mildly impressed, and Bucky felt he should. That had been all Alex. Though they hadn't needed to use the guns, it gave them the security they needed walking in to a situation where they had no real intel besides the little they discovered. Bucky was eternally impressed by Alex and everything she did, but...he supposed he was biased.
"Well, since Markos is the brains behind all this and gathered all the intel" Stark replied, turning to face Bucky once more. "She can be the one to tell Fury and the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Bucky thought he misheard. "Sorry?"
"Alexis Markos." Stark rocked on his heels. "Your girlfriend? The mind reader? I'll send her down to DC and have her speak with the Feds about this."
"Shouldn't you be the one handling this, since it's your employee?"
"Was" Stark pointed out. "Was my employee." He smiled. "You two took care of that part, so now it's up to you and Markos to see what all of it means."
He walked forward and patted Bucky on the chest, though it wasn't without a little bit of arrogance. "Come on, Barnes. Not even an argument? How about a request to go with her? You two are practically joined at the hip anymore."
Bucky's stare hardened. "She's capable of handling herself."
"Is she?" Tony's eyebrow lifted. "She's never been there before. Not as an Avenger, anyway. Sure you don't want to escort her?"
It took most of Bucky's energy not to respond the way he wanted. He was willing to let Stark's attitude slide because of their past, letting a lot of the snide comments and jabs go even though a part of him wanted to end it right there on the spot. But when it came to Alex, his patience ran very thin. "Is there anything else you wanted to know about last week? If not, I'll see myself out."
"You two didn't ruin our 1000 thread count bed sheets of ours, did you?" Tony grimaced. "Because that's just gross, if you did."
Bucky pushed past him and went for the door. Behind, Tony watched with growing pride. "Thanks again, Barnes. Always a great chat whenever we get together like this."
Bucky flung open the door and exited without another word to Tony about the island, the murder, or the 1000 thread count sheets he and Alex most definitely ruined.
Alex sat in her apartment with her suitcase opened and still not unpacked after several hours. She stared at it across the living room, with its yawning top and mess of clothes piled inside. It was like it exploded and the haphazard pile was taunting her. The last thing she wanted to do was unpack. But...given the news she received a half hour ago about a trip to Washington DC, she'd not only need to unpack, but would then need to repack for a totally different excursion.
And so she sat on her couch, dressed in her comfiest sweatpants and hoodie and holding a mug of hot chocolate, staring with irritation at the suitcase that awaited her attention across the room.
Next to her, Bucky patted her thigh lovingly. "What if I unpacked everything so all you have to do is repack?"
Alex smiled as she took a drink of her hot chocolate. "You're sweet to offer, babe. I think I really just need some time to decompress a little. Even just a half hour. It feels like I haven't had a chance to process being back and get out of vacation-mode before getting hit with a new trip."
"Well that's exactly why I'm here." Bucky settled deeper into the couch cushions, taking Alex with him as she snuggled against him. "Just put it all out of your mind for tonight. Tonight will be like all the other nights: just us. No distractions."
They looked at one another, and though the love present in Bucky's large eyes was evident, neither could escape the fact that the snow outside was becoming heavier as the evening drug on. It's why they were both sharing mugs of hot chocolate; to try and get back to normal and adjust to the cold and snow. It was anything but similar to where they just traveled from, aside from them being together.
"If nothing else" Bucky added, "Steve and I will be in DC a few days after you get there. That should help some, right?"
"You know it will" Alex said, appreciative of the way he was trying to find the silver lining. It was true: when Tony informed her she'd need to head down to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters and speak to them of everything she learned from Boroshka, her initial reaction was nothing but negative. Gradually, she began to see the positives. She'd never been there, so her initiation to S.H.I.E.L.D's office was long overdue. She owed Fury that much, if only to show respect for bringing her onto the team in the first place.
In addition to this, Alex was formulating a plan all her own; taking from an idea that had popped into her mind after learning she would be traveling down there. Something she would, for now, keep a secret from Bucky until he and Steve met up with her a few days later.
"I don't think I ever asked how you two finagled getting in on this?" Alex questioned. "Seems like Stark was only interested in me going down there?"
"He was set on having you talk to S.H.I.E.L.D," Bucky answered. "But he said nothing about the two of us joining the trip just for fun."
Alex watched as he lifted one eyebrow with sass. It brought a smile to her face, and subsequently, one to his as well. "Fun, huh?" she said with a smirk.
"When is it ever NOT fun with Steve and I?" He lifted his arms as he asked the question, which only made Alex laugh more. She pushed the arm closest to her back down and around her waist, feeling secure as Bucky cuddled her close. Because he was also dressed in a hoodie and sweats, the outline of his hard body was softened by the plush material. It made him feel more like a snuggly pillow than the sculpted warrior he was.
Alex palmed her warm mug and sighed. "Here's to whatever awaits us in DC, then."
Bucky kissed the top of her head. "Sure, it may be a little bit colder and a little less cheerful. But as long as we have each other, I don't see how it could be all that bad." He lifted her chin with a knuckle and smiled, his lips pressing against her own.
Alex felt the reassurance in his embrace, her powers tingling all over her body in response to his touch. His kiss was unhurried, consoling, and distinctly Bucky. She slid a hand up his chest to the collar of his hood and tugged on the strings, pulling him into her as their kiss deepened.
A question formed in Alex's mind at the moment and caused her to break the kiss. "That reminds me..."
Bucky searched her expression beneath heavy eyelids. "Hmm?" He kissed the corner of her lips, not totally ready to leave her mouth yet.
"Who's staying with who when we're all there?"
"Me and you, obviously." He kissed her jaw. "Steve in his own room."
Alex closed her eyes when she felt Bucky's lips caress just below her ear. "Poor dude is gonna feel left out."
Bucky's gaze lifted, his mouth forming a healthy grin. "If we do what we've done the past week, I think feeling 'left out' will be the last thing Steve worries about. He'll probably be very happy to be far away from some of the dirty stuff we do."
Alex chuckled at the thought. How far her gorgeous soldier had come in just a few months time. Going from a 40s boy with a penchant for politeness to a man who craved darker, rougher delights was certainly one of her favorite personal victories. He was naturally dominant, and it was never more obvious than when they were intimate. And yet, romance came so easily to him. There was always a time and place for the slow and steady kind of love Bucky was so, so good at. Alex counted herself extremely lucky to be able to enjoy both.
All things considered, when it came to imagining any of it with Steve Rogers, Alex had a tough time. Maybe he had a darker side to him like Bucky did, and maybe it would come out with the right partner, but for now she couldn't see it. Its why she felt bad leaving him as a potential third wheel on this trip to DC, but Steve could hold his own. That much was certain.
Plus, there were plenty of positives to focus on. New trip. New location. Meeting new coworkers (she supposed that's what she should call them, anyways?), and getting to hang out with two men who had over a century of history together. Granted, not all of it was good history, but she couldn't wait to see both of them in a more relaxed setting. In fact, just seeing Steve relax at all would be a sight to behold.
Bucky kissed the tip of her nose. "So...feeling better about things?"
Alex smiled. "I'm warming to the idea, yes."
"Good." His eyes shifted towards her suitcase. "How about my earlier offer?"
With a sigh, Alex stared at the mess waiting for her across the room. "Not so warm on that, but...a few more kisses might help."
Bucky leaned into the challenge with pride. "Then by all means, let me help warm you a little more."
Alex kept her eyes on her suitcase even as Bucky nuzzled her neck with delicate kisses. Maybe being home wasn't so bad. She remembered what he told her only a few nights ago: we have our whole lives to explore together. Thinking of that phrase brought the butterflies back all over again. Maybe he meant more by it, maybe he didn't...but it was nice to hear he thought of her in his future.
With those words lingering on her mind, Alex closed her eyes and gave in to the security she found in Bucky's embrace; forgetting the tasks of tomorrow for the comfort of the present. She reveled in the possessiveness of his touch, the way his large hands cradled her head as his lips found hers again. She opened her mouth to him; feeling the soft sweep of his tongue and the desire behind it fill her body with warmth.
Bucky was a coil of energy at all times; forever waffling between his gentle side and his hard side. Alex was in love with both, and would do anything to protect that love no matter where it took her. If dealing with Boroshka, Hydra, S.H.I.E.L.D, or whatever was the next chapter, then so be it. Not all adventures would be carefree and amazing. Not all would mimic a dream vacation. But as long as they had each other, they would never be without the other by their side for whatever life threw at them.
Alex knew this much, and she trusted it. It hadn't let her down before, and it wouldn't this time.
A form-fitted black power suit. Four inch patent leather heels. Hair pulled back into a sleek long ponytail.
This was the image Bucky was left with in the hangar with as he watched Alex walk towards the Quinjet.
He couldn't help himself. He lowered his gaze to her backside, eyeing the sway of her hips and the movement of trim muscle that made up her body. Her pants fit her like a glove, hugging her ass tightly and giving very little away to imagination. He licked his lips; his mind aware of how good it felt to have his face buried between those two perfectly curved mounds.
He kept his eyes on her until she ascended the hatch, heels clicking in a powerful cadence as she walked. She turned and gave a final wave, drawing his gaze away from her curves to her beautiful face. Bucky gave a wave in return, and then watched as she disappeared beyond the hatch. He stayed until she took off, remaining inside the hangar until he could no longer stand the chill of the wind stinging his face.
Doing his best to shake off the cold, Bucky headed over to Steve's where he promised to meet once Alexis had departed. Apparently, Steve was also trying to ward off the chill in the air. His apartment was delightfully warm as soon as he entered, so much so that he removed the hoodie he was wearing once he was inside.
Steve came down the hall to find Bucky settling onto his leather couch. "She make it out okay?"
"Yep. Knowing the speed of the Quinjet, she should be there in..." Bucky checked his watch. "...20 minutes?"
A smirk crossed Steve's face. He leaned against the kitchen counter, one elbow propping up the rest of him. "So now that it's just us..."
Bucky caught the slight uptick in his friend's voice. "You want all the details, don't you?"
"The privilege of being best friends, isn't it?" At the same time, Steve lifted a hand. "But only as much as you're willing to tell."
Bucky shifted his eyes towards the refrigerator. "Shouldn't we be doing this over beers or something?"
"At noon?"
He made a face and Steve succumbed to it. He watched him shuffle over to the fridge, pull out two bottles of beer and snap the caps off with his hands, and then come back into the living room. He offered a bottle to Bucky before taking a seat on a separate chair.
They clinked the glass necks and drank.
Exhaling, Bucky settled deeper into the cushions of the couch. He stretched his legs out in front of him and pushed off his sneakers. "So..." He lifted the bottle to his mouth. "Where would you like me to begin?" He took a drink while Steve crossed one ankle over his knee and adjusted his weight into the back of the chair. He was clearly too big for it, as he was most chairs, which made Bucky wonder where he'd gotten it. Another hand-me-down, no doubt. Steve never bought anything for himself, and he highly doubted this chair was any different.
"Was it as romantic as you hoped?" Steve asked, settling in further.
"Beyond all expectations."
"What was your favorite moment — if you had to choose just one?"
Bucky looked down at the bottle resting in his lap. He picked at the label as he thought back through the all the new memories he had from the past week. "Probably just hanging with her," he answered. "Being alone together. There were so many times we were either lying on the beach, or sitting by a waterfall, or relaxing on our deck...and all we were doing was just being together. We weren't really doing anything at all."
Steve gave an appreciative nod. "Sounds like the definition of romantic to me."
"I really think there's a deeper connection between us." When Bucky said this, he was half expecting Steve to laugh or joke with him about it, but Steve's admiration seemed to grow even more.
"That's really great, Buck."
He lowered his gaze again and smiled. He could feel how stupidly-big it was, too, but Steve was his safe place. If he could smile stupidly anywhere in the world without worry, it was in front of Steve. "It's not like I have a lot to go off of" he added, "you know...with my history and all. But I know what I feel." He raised his eyes again. "I really do love her."
Steve lifted an eyebrow playfully. "I honestly couldn't tell." He shared a chuckle with Bucky, whose eyes brightened at the joke.
"We even did our first transfer together before we took care of Boroshka."
Shock registered on Steve's face. "You did? How'd it go?"
"It was flawless, and...strangely familiar." Bucky searched for his words. "I never told Alex this at the time, mostly because I wasn't entirely sure what I was feeling. But the more I think about it, the more it has to be true: I think we connected more than just physical traits."
Steve leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
"I think we shared a part of our minds. Almost as if I could reach out to her through our connection somehow." Bucky waited, wondering if the laugh he didn't get earlier would come now. Yet again, Steve's reaction was anything but judgmental.
"It's entirely possible. You're both so close as it is, her powers probably just add to that closeness."
Bucky's memory flashed back to Boroshka taunting Alex, trying to get her to believe the lies about the breeding program. He felt heaviness in his stomach thinking of it. Yet through it all, he remembered feeling more connected to Alex in that moment than ever before. Even after she released his physical traits from her powers, he could still feel a link between them. He felt it again that night on the beach. He rolled with it and enjoyed the tremendous closeness he had with her, but chalked it up to just a hunch that went nowhere.
Steve cocked his head a little. "I'm curious why you didn't tell Alex about this?"
Bucky shook his head; his eyes lowering to his lap once more. "I should have. At the time, it didn't seem right. There was so much going on and then we got wrapped up in other stuff after..." He made a motion with his hand. "...after everything was taken care of, so...I just left it alone."
"It doesn't really change anything, does it?"
"Not one bit."
"Then you should tell her." With this, Steve leaned back in his chair and grinned. "Maybe it has nothing to do with super powers, Buck. Maybe its just love."
This lifted Bucky's entire expression, and a sense of irony arose within him. Steve had a point. It wasn't like he had very many figures in his life up to this point in time that showed him what true love was. The kind of love he and Alexis shared. Maybe he was just coming to learn what love felt like after decades of hurt and torture.
A soft chuckle arose from Bucky's chest. "You know, I always think back to that first day in the Practice Room. Compared to where we are now, it just doesn't seem real. Crazy how things worked out, huh?"
Steve's eyes crinkled happily. "What's meant to be will always find a way."
When their gazes met, Bucky thought he detected a hint of pain behind the blue of Steve's eyes. He wondered if maybe he shouldn't be talking about these kinds of deeper topics with him, especially when it came to relationships. He was aware of the past Steve wanted but could never have. They discussed it before, and each time Steve ensured him that he was fine. Peggy was in the past, and he was ready to move forward...if the chance should ever surface.
Feeling bad, Bucky tried to think of something to alleviate the heaviness in the room. "Plus, I mean...the sex is just..." He exhaled a long breath and shook his head in amazement. Across from him, Steve began to laugh. It was the reaction he was hoping for.
"I'm surprised you two managed to do anything else besides that."
Bucky regarded him with playful outrage. "What do you take me for?"
"I just meant-"
"-You think that's all I'm interested in?"
They stared at one another before blurting out laughing.
"You suck" Bucky mumbled as he took another swig.
Steve rolled his eyes.
Bucky pointed with one of the fingers wrapped around his bottle. "You remember when I told you about the restraints me and Alex were playing around with?" He watched Steve's eyebrows rise.
"Yes?"
"Brought 'em with me this trip."
"And?"
"I don't think she cums harder than when she's tied up."
"Jesus, Buck..."
"What?" Bucky leaned his head back proudly. "You wanted to know the details, didn't you?"
Steve rubbed his face, doing his best not to imagine anything about what he was being told. He still had to work with Alexis, whether she was Bucky's girlfriend or not. "Sure, yeah, but-"
"-You're gonna have to get a little thicker skin if you're ever gonna date again, bud." He watched Steve with growing amusement. A thought came to mind as he watched the struggle continuing across from him. "You know what? Why don't all three of us go out while we're in DC? It can't be all business while we're down there. Besides, when was the last time you and I actually had a night out on the town?"
Recovering swiftly, Steve took a much-needed drink of his beer. "Yeah, I'm down for that. In fact, I'm hoping for more of that than the business end of things."
"It's settled then." Bucky gave a shrug of his shoulder and lifted the bottle to his mouth. "Maybe even Captain America will bring someone back with him at the end of the night." He wiggled an eyebrow at his friend, who remained as in denial and uncomfortable as ever. He couldn't help but laugh, even as he swallowed more of his beer.
Steve only shook his head. "You've been a shit influence since day one, you know that?"
"What's meant to be will always find a way" Bucky retorted smartly. He drained the last of the liquid and set the bottle on the table. "Seconds?"
"Please."
Bucky made sure to pat Steve on the shoulder as he passed. Steve chuckled, quickly finished his beer, and wished Bucky would bring three more with him whenever he returned.
Bucky ended up bringing four.
Author's Note: I honestly can't wait for the upcoming chapters. I'm in the process of writing them, and they've been so. much. fun. to write! I really hope I can do it all justice and bring you all some good content as we shift from the Island, to New York, and now down to DC. Lot's will happen, so stay tuned. :)
