Chapter six
“Mornin’” Steve greeted Walker as he walked into the kitchen, setting two cups down for a brew.
“Morning boss.” Walker picked up his newspaper, trying to avoid his gaze.
Steve couldn’t help but notice his busted lip. “What happened to your face?” Get in a bar brawl without me or something?”
“I wish! No boss, I uh fell.. Down the stairs?” He said as though he was trying to convince himself as well as Steve.
“Unlike you?” Steve raised a brow.
“Yeah, well I’ve been doing some pretty stupid things lately.” Walker shrugged.
“Such as?”
“This and that” Walker looked away from him. He still felt Steve’s burning eyes watching him.
“So,” Steve popped a pod into the one cup, leaning against the counter. “How long ya been up?”
“Odd question boss? Since six roughly.” Walker briefly looked up, then back down.
Steve looked at the clock, it was now nine thirty. He and Bucky had only woken up about an hour ago.
“Is that right?” Steve pushed himself off the counter and walked towards him. “Been in here reading the paper the whole time have you?”
“Yes boss, why?” Walker gulped.
“No reason.” Steve suddenly smacked his hand down on the table with a smirk, making Walker jump.
“Sorry Walker,” He chuckled. “You’re very jumpy this morning, something the matter?”
“No, uh just tired is all” He plastered a fake smile on his face.
“We missed ya at poker last night. What did you get up ta?” Steve took a seat opposite him and leant in, tapping his ringed fingers on the marble surface.
“Didn’t feel it, boss, I just went to bed.”
“I’m sure you did.” Steve got up to get the coffee. His usual black mug and the other Bucky’s pink mug that said ‘Daddy’s princess’.
Steve looked over his shoulder to see Walker’s hands trembling slightly, something was definitely going on.
“Seen Bucks the mornin?” He asked casually, keeping an eye on Walker’s body language.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“You don’t think so? Have you seen him this morning or not?” Steve snapped
“Yes- I mean, no I haven’t. Not this morning.” Walker buried his head further into the paper.
“Is that so? Well that’s very interesting.” Steve picked up the two cups and walked towards the door, but not before leaning into Walker’s ear and whispered. “Your newspapers upside down.” With that statement he left.
As soon as the door shut, Walker sunk his head into his hands “Oh shit.”
Bucky sped down the stairs at top speed, once he reached the bottom, he slid on his feet in the direction of the kitchen. But his feet were unsteady and he slid right into Steve, who was standing in front of him.
“Shit, sorry Daddy” Bucky stood straight and brushed his hair out of his face. “What’s the hurry Baby? Anyone would think you don’t trust me to make a cupp’a coffee.”
“I just didn’t want to miss the sight of you actually doing something in the kitchen.” He joked. Nice save Bucks.
“Funny.” Steve handed him the cup and walked into the lounge, he followed closely behind.
They took a seat on the couch and just as Bucky was about to turn on the T.V, Steve interrupted him.
“I haven’t seen any of the boys this morning, Have you seen Walker? I wanted a word with him.”
There was no point in lying to him, he would definitely know if something was up if he denied it. “Yes now you mention it, I did see him this morning. He was sulking in the kitchen.”
“Oh he was, was he? Did you speak to him?” He asked, taking a cautionary sip of hot coffee.
“Yeah we exchanged a few words, just out of courtesy y’know? Anyway, what's with the twenty one questions?” Bucky questioned
“Nothing. Just trying to put two and two together.” He shrugged, not taking his eyes off his princess. Bucky was clearly lying but he was a much better liar than Walker by a long shot.
Bucky set his cup down, rubbing his now sweaty palm on his tight blue jeans. “So, What’s the plan for today? You got work?”
“I have a few meetings to deal with, but this evening I’m completely free for our date night.” Steve smiled.
“Aw Stevie!” Bucky beamed, “You know technically, this will be our first date.”
Steve rubbed his beard in thought. “Yeah, Yeah I suppose you’re right.” He chuckled
Steve chugged the rest of his drink down and set his feet on the coffee table, much to Bucky’s disapproval. Steve was staring at the wall, something was going on for sure but he just couldn’t figure out what. Walker was involved somehow but they barely spoke, or at least that’s what he thought. Steve knew he hadn’t been around much lately and the rules he set Walker regarding Bucky may have slipped due to his absence. But Walker respected him and Bucky would never betray him, would he? Nah, He trusted him completely, He was a one man loon after all.
“Steve?” Bucky waved a hand in front of his face. “Steven you there? Earth to Steve?”
“What!” He snapped out of his thoughts and grabbed his wrist. “I was wondering if you wanted some breakfast?”
“No thanks, Princess. No time.” He released him. “How ‘bout you go out while Daddy’s working huh? Pick out that new dress you wanted?”
“Okay? Are you sure you don't want me to make you something? I don’t mind. I know how grouchy you get on an empty stomach.” he giggled, grabbing his hand.
“I’m fine, thanks doll. Besides, I really need to get cracking.” Literally. “Don’t worry Princess, I won’t be long, with Walker helping me, I’m sure I can get to the bottom of it.” He patted his hand. “Go on, off you go. Get something to eat while you’re out. Take the R8, It’s basically yours anyway.”
“Steve, what's wrong? You never give me the R8 willingly? And you’re always hungry.” Bucky raised from his seat and grabbed his backpack from the table.
“I’m fine, anyway I trust you Bucky.” He dragged out those words, waiting for him to flinch, and he did. “Besides, you might as well have it, after all you drive it more than me and pretty damn well I might add.” He tossed the keys at him, along with a huge wad of cash.
Steve ushered him out of the room and walked him to the garage. “Have fun baby, take as long as you want.” He gave him a quick kiss and opened the driver seat door for him to climb in. Once he did, Bucky switched on the engine and revved it a few times before speeding out of the two wide open doors.
Steve’s watched Bucky do this a thousand times but it never failed to make his pants tighten. He was a menace in that car.
Steve looked down at himself noticing the growing bulge, he felt half tempted to get in the lambo and chase him down, only to have his way with him. He had to focus, something was going between his new henchman and his boyfriend, and with Bucky out of the way this was the perfect time to find out exactly what.
He walked out of the garage and towards the kitchen, cracking his knuckles. It was time for a good old fashioned man to man.
Bucky parked the car at the mall, he didn’t really like shopping, especially by himself, he always wished he had a friend to shop with but, that was near enough impossible with his kinda lifestyle. But new clothes were in order. Maybe we should get a dress.
Bucky smiled at the idea. Fuck it.
He trailed around the stores all morning, no luck on dresses but he did find some cute crop tops and skirts. And maybe a few lacey panties that he blushed at the thought of Steve seeing him in. Truth was he was distracted, Steve was in the house hunting down Walker, to speak to him. This could only end in homicide. But Steve wasn’t subtle, If he did kill Walker, he’d hunt Bucky down and kill him too, so no news is good news at the moment.
Bucky was walking around the mall and stopped for lunch, while sitting on a bench eating taco bell, he scanned his surroundings. Bucky loved to people watch, being trained in psychiatry he found it fascinating to watch people go about their daily lives.
Bucky was currently watching an elderly couple walking together, holding hands and smiling sweetly at each other. The lady seemed to be complaining about how cold she was to her husband. They stopped in the middle of the mall and the gentleman removed his jacket and draped it over his wife’s shoulders, planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
Bucky continued to watch, wiping the tears which sprung into his vision. Such a simple act really tugged at his heart. As a kid he’d alway imagined growing old with the love of his life, surrounded by his kids and grandkids. Sitting on a porch with his Husband, reminiscing about their life together. Looking at each other with the same love and devotion as they did when they first met. The way this couple in front of him looked at each other. But that was never going to be possible being with Steve, they were never going to live an ordinary life.
But that was okay, their life together was exciting and adventurous, sure they had their ups and downs but they always figured it out in the end. They were made for each other which meant they were meant to be together. He just wished he looked at him like that, like he was his world.
Bucky sipped on his drink and threw it in the trash, he slowly walked past the couple and caught the wife mouthing the words ‘I love you’ At her husband. Bucky couldn’t do it anymore, he needed to get home and tell Steve what happened. To beg for his forgiveness and tell him how he was his world.
He ran over towards the couple and spontaneously embraced them in a hug, they were both too stunned to react. Bucky withdrew and smiled at them.
“Thank you” he said, and quickly ran off, over towards the exit. The couple stood shocked by this random act of kindness from a stranger. They looked at each other and then back down the mall watching the Brooklyn brunette with crazy hair disappear.
Bucky sprinted across the parking lot and fumbled for the keys in his bag.
“Fuck.” He cursed. Finally he found them lurking in the bottom of his bag. Once he was in the car, he sat down and composed himself, scripting through his head what he’d say to Steve.
“Steven- Nope to formal. Okay, Stevie I love you more than- Uhg. Steve, I’m sorry, it meant nothing, Walker means nothing. I love you and only you.” Bucky groaned at the cheesiness, he could do way better than this. He sat upright looking at himself in the mirror. “Steve, what happened between me and Walker was a mistake. I’m sorry beyond belief. I love you, so so much. Please , please forgive me-”
“Forgive me” He whispered, watching tears roll down his face. Bucky completely broke down in the car, he burst out sobbing and collapsed his head on the steering wheel.
Bucky was snapped out of his sobbing when he heard a light tapping on his car window. He looked up to see a red haired woman, pressing her hand against the glass.