Author's note: The music described in this chapter is absolutely the Kingdom Music from Tangled, I've seen it become a trend on TikTok recently and I couldn't resist. Also, some dialogue is inspired by Every Little Step from the Disney musical ;)


Chapter 7 - Dancing


"So…" Cap began "You ever danced before?" he asked. Of course Bucky hadn't. He'd been imprisoned in an underground HYDRA base for an indiscernible number of years. But then he thought back to his life before HYDRA. His memories were blurry, but he remembered something about an outdoor gazebo, jazz music playing and a sign saying "Sock-Hop Dance-Off." So technically, yes, he had, and scrawled

'Kind of'

On his notepad.

"Well, that's great. Maybe you could give me some pointers." Bucky just rolled his eyes playfully. The hours flew by and Steve and Bucky spent the whole time in each other's presence, asking questions through words or paper without a care in the world. Time seemed to fly so quickly that Natasha had came back, finished with her work day and the festival began. The trio stayed to the side-lines, watching pairs of lovers and friends waltz in each others arms, and children danced in circles holding hands. Anyone who wasn't from the village wouldn't believe it was the 21st century. Even though everyone's clothes were normal, the customs were adorably old fashioned, something right out of a fairytale.

A tall, slightly muscular man came over and asked Nat if she wanted to dance, to which of course she accepted and impressed everyone with her ballet skills, leaving Steve and Bucky to stand alone, hands in their pockets and a wall of awkwardness between them. The two surveyed the music and merriment happening before them, until Steve finally broke the tension.

"You know…" he began "I think that dancing is a kind of language that doesn't need words." he said. "One single step says so much. My old friend Peggy once said to me that every little step you make is one step closer to saying what you feel. Kinda cheesy I know, but..." Bucky's heart began to flutter. Was Steve asking him to dance? "If you want… would you like to dance?" he offered, and held out his hand. Bucky's heart beat faster and faster, and an enormous smile appeared on his face as he took Steve's hand.

The two walked out onto the stone courtyard where the band picked up the tempo, and a quicker song began to play. The music had been a slow, pleasant tune with oboes, tambourines, violins and flutes, however the drums started to form a beat, as well as the violins and mandolins. The tune was haunting but also energetic, starting relatively slow at first before picking up ferocity as people started clapping their hands along to the beat, and Steve put one arm around Bucky's waist and the other on his shoulder and the two waltzed to the music along with the others. Natasha shot Steve a teasing smirk as she passed him with her partner, and he shot her one back. The music began to grow quicker and the dancing became more energetic and festive, and people were smiling and laughing the whole time, including Steve and Bucky. Was this… living? The two thought at the same time. The music broke into a short spurt of staccato before bursting into a beautiful violin solo with the drums and flute in the background, signalling for the dancing style to change. Everyone began joining hands with different partners one after the other, weaving in and out of a spiral pattern as the music's trumpets blared, finally ending as Steve and Bucky ended up right back in each others arms as the final beat of the song played.

The music ended and everyone turned to face the band and shower them with applause. The sun was nearly set behind them, and cast the entire town in beautiful shades of yellow and orange. Steve and Bucky stood back from each other, their cheeks blushing redder than the reddest rose.

"Well..." Steve said after a while. "I guess I'll be bidding you farewell. You all good for tonight?" he asked, and Bucky nodded. "See you tomorrow, Buck." he said, and walked back into the inn with Natasha. Bucky couldn't stop staring and failed to slow his racing heart. The excitement of dancing itself had been enough to make his pulse race, but doing so in the arms of the man he loved felt like an a dream come true. Eventually, the square cleared and Bucky was left standing alone, until he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around to face Zemo.

"James?" he asked. "How are you?" he said. Bucky wrote

'I'm fine'

On his notepad. Zemo sighed. "What did that Witch do to you?" he said. Bucky's face fell, the pain of not being able to tell Steve the truth eating away at his mind. "Listen. I've come to help." said Zemo. "Tomorrow, there will be an evening event, we have public boat rides every Sunday night. I suggest you and Steve join. The sooner you make a connection with him, the better." Bucky nodded.

'Thank you'

He wrote, before quickly adding,

'For not giving up on me'

Zemo smiled. "What are friends for?" he said, and the two hugged. "I will make sure that Witch comes no where near you, James." he said as the two pulled away. Bucky gave Zemo a smile full of gratitude. "Now go on, it's getting late, young man." Zemo said jokingly, and Bucky rolled his eyes and turned to leave.