A Break In Routine
Bucky’s cell phone rang, something that never happened unless it was from Steve, who was sitting across from him in the kitchen. ‘Natasha Romanoff’ was what the caller ID said before Bucky accepted the call and put the phone to his ear.
“Barnes, I’m going to have to cancel our sparring session on Monday. I’m being shipped out tonight,” Natasha said over the call. It was a Saturday night in the middle of dinner while Steve looked at Bucky curiously while he carried on eating their dinner.
“Oh, okay,” he said into the cell phone dully, “No it’s fine, see you when you’re back in town,” he said before ending the phone call.
“What was that about? Everything alright?” Steve asked after swallowing a bite of his deep-dish pizza. Bucky shrugged then looked at his food.
“Romanoff is going on a mission tonight so she wont be able to spar on Monday with me at The Warehouse.”
Steve nodded and put his pizza down and sat up, “that could be a good thing, Buck. You’ve got the time to enjoy and not need to worry about what you’ll talk about once you get there. I’m not doing anything, maybe we could do something together?” he suggested, a bit of hope in his voice.
Since the last session with the female assassin, Bucky has been more himself than before, and Steve was beyond thankful. He even texted her telling her of how well Bucky was doing and Steve never texted. Given, Bucky still wasn’t sleeping without having nightmares, but there were very few blackouts now, he was eating two meals a day steadily, and he was talking more and more like himself. Steve was enjoying having his best friend back instead of The Winter Soldier.
Bucky took a bite of his pizza then looked at Steve, contemplating his offer.
“What would you suggest?” he asked after swallowing. A smile grew on the other mans’ face.
“We could go to a movie, or just walk around, maybe shop? We could take the train somewhere or my bike. The possibilities are endless, really,” Steve offered. He had scheduled meetings and strategizing all week except Monday, so he wanted to spend some time with his best friend.
“Okay,” Bucky nodded, offering a small smile in return once he saw that light in Steves’ baby blues spark. A genuine smile that went all the way to his eyes was something he hadn’t seen in years, especially when it involved himself. It was a nice change.
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“Come on, Buck, wake up, I have things planned for us today,” Steve called through my door after knocking on it loudly. It was only two hours ago that I had managed to doze off and now it was eight in the morning and I have to pull myself out of bed.
“Bucky?” He called out through the door. I sat up and stretched, groaning as everything was healed while kicking off my blankets.
“Yeah?” I said but the door opened at the same time.
Steve walked into my semi-lit room to see me in just my boxers before stopping all movement. His eyes locked with mine as he blushed, I watched those baby blues stare me down. Every inch of me got chills and I enjoyed it.
“Oh you’re awake,” he managed to say a bit sheepishly while still holding the doorknob. I nodded not knowing what else to say.
“What’s the matter, Rogers?” I said quickly without thinking. Something switching ‘ON’ in my brain it seemed like the right thing to say at that moment. Steve’s cheeks darkened as his name left my lips. I pushed myself off the bed and walked toward him.
His eyes dropped from mine and gave me another once over. I smirked, feeling much more like how I was before the war. Something I didn’t expect to feel like ever again.
“Nothing is wrong, Buck. Didn’t realize you still slept like how you used to…” Steve licked his lips. Not so subtle, Stevie. I gave him another nod before standing still right in front of him with only a few inches between us.
“So there isn’t a problem then?” I asked while invading his personal space, looking him right in the eyes. He had an inch on me now, now that we were standing still and not sitting or driving anywhere. My mind was very clear as to what I wanted to do, and it seemed to be a mutual feeling.
“Not that I know of…” he said.
“Well, if there isn’t anything to talk about, I’ll go shower so we can get on with whatever you have planned with for today,” I said closer than I should have, feeling my lips brush against his before walking away and heading to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I turned the taps on to get the water going and slid out of my boxers, silently hoping that the door would open and The Star Spangled Man would walk through.
Five minutes passed before I stepped into the hot water. Steam was filling up the bathroom as I began to lather up when the click of the door was heard faintly over the shower. I couldn't help but grin before I stepped under the hot water to rinse off when I felt the curtain move and close behind me.
“I don’t want you to stay in here too long,” Steve said behind me.
I turned around speechless, staring at the perfect man in the same shower as I stood in. It was so long ago that we were in the same situation as before, hot water hitting my back and steam filling up the bathroom, and he was still just as perfect as those dark and secretive nights back before the war was won.
“Then it’s a good thing you joined me,” I said thickly before swallowing, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.
“We’ll see about that,” he said before pulling me closer by the neck and slamming his lips against mine. It was the Fourth of July all over again. Fireworks erupting from the very pit of my stomach as I kissed back. My mind went silent, no thoughts of nightmares or HYDRA trying to get me ever again. My mind was lost in this moment. The wet, steamy body pressed against mine, the kiss getting deeper and deeper before hands began to roam and get more daring. Both parties much more sure of themselves too.
I don’t remember when the water was shut off. Or when we left the bathroom. But we never made it out of the apartment. Steve and I took the time to reminisce and enjoy one another in a way neither of us knew we wanted so damn bad. Recovery was possible as time passed, and I now know things that I didn’t back then, and the one thing I've known all along hasn’t changed either, that Steve will never give up on me. After all this time, I finally believe him, with every touch and kiss, that he was always telling the truth.