Chapter 3
A common myth about the city of Atlantis is that it is underwater. Bucky can tell you as Crown Prince of Atlantis this is not true, the bustling kingdom is spread over 20 square miles of open ocean only accessible by strategically placed portals all over the human world. A slight majority of kingdom is above water with busy city streets and eclectic shops, merpeople are half human after all they can thrive on land as well as the water, the other half is a unique underwater culture with beautiful creatures and nature’s most magnificent creations.
For Bucky seeing the golden palace in the distance brings warmth to his heart, it’s his second home. At the moment it feels like his only home. He swims harder and faster the closer he gets to the palace, only minutes away from the comfort of his mother. He’s crying, if you can even he cry underwater. He feels a rush of relief as he steps onto the sandy beaches of Atlantis, his fins shifting into legs. He grabbed a pair of shorts from a clothesline and began the journey to the castle.
It was early morning in Atlantis, the sun was beginning to rise over the ocean. People were just waking up, so the streets were relatively empty. Bucky walked along the pavement holding back tears, waving at few loose stragglers that had woken up before the sun. He admired the architecture of the city, it looked like it was taken right out of ancient Greece, which coincidentally enough is when it was built. The sandy stonework was a sight for sore eyes, the human world just didn’t compare.
He reached the gates of his family’s castle right before the city became too crowded. The guards spotted him in the distance and began raising the gates.
“Your Highness” the one guard acknowledged Bucky and bowed.
“Prince James, we were not expecting you this weekend” the other one mentioned.
“It wasn’t planned, I just really need to see my parents” Bucky said voice cracking with emotion.
“Is everything okay sir?” the second guard questioned concern clear in his eyes.
“It’s personal, don’t worry about it.” Bucky reassured him.
“Very well, have a good day Prince James” he said, and Bucky walked through the gate into the palace.
“Thanks, I’ll try!” Bucky turned around and called over his shoulders.
---
Bucky found his mom, dad, and grandfather in the garden. His mom and grandpa drinking their usual kelp blend tea and his dad sticking to coffee. His grandfather was the first to spot him.
“Oh, my grandson! James, what a pleasant surprise” he greeted, with teeth shining through his long white beard, his crown perched on his head. His mom turned around shock clouding her features, Bucky wasn’t supposed to be here. His father met his grey-blue eyes met his with a look of concern.
“Bucky what’s wrong?” his mom asked, she always knew hen Bucky was hurting. Bucky could contain his emotions anymore and just let out a muffled sob. His mom was on her feet, and soon had her arm wrapped around Bucky pulling him into her arms. Bucky sobbed letting out his anger and fear about losing Steve. He buried his face in his mom’s long wavy chocolate hair, not unlike his own. She rubbed his back and kept repeating that whatever it was “he would be okay” and “they would figure it out”.
After a couple minutes Bucky began to calm down and his mom put him in the chair next to his father. Bucky sat down and put his head in his hands, his dad placed a comforting hand on his shoulders.
“What has got you troubled James?” his grandfather asked perplexed. Both his mother and father looked at him with worry.
“Steve and I got into a fight” he sniffled.
“What?” his father inquired.
“We got into a fight at a party because I wouldn’t get into the hot tub” he explained. His father ran his hand through his scruffy salt and pepper hair and gave a pointed look at his mom.
“George, we talked about this the answer is no” his mom said to his dad, if looks could kill.
“Talked about what?” Bucky asked, assessing the tension between his parents and oddly enough his grandfather. His grandfather looked deep in thought.
“Don’t worry about it right now” his dad replied. Bucky trusted his parents, if they didn’t want him to know now he didn’t need to know, but if it was mentioned again he would ask.
“What exactly did Steve say?” his mom asked.
“He told me he thought I used my ‘phobia of water’ to get attention. He almost caught me in the bath yesterday afternoon. He told me if I can take baths I can get in the hot tub because its basically the same thing” Bucky explained, “I think he’s been skeptical a long time and yesterday it all came out”.
“Is this Steve your lover?” his grandfather asked.
“No” Bucky gave him a sad smile.
“But you want him to be?” his grandfather inferred. Bucky nodded.
“I have a lot to think over, if you will excuse me” his grandfather stood up suddenly. Sauntering out of the garden. His parents gave each other a look, it had something to do with what his mom had mentioned earlier.
---
Bucky still talked to ex-boyfriend Alexander and anytime Bucky was in Atlantis they would meet up. Alexander was a handsome merman with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, he was older than Bucky, but age was relative in Atlantis. His grandfather was 2500 years old and he knew his mom was reaching 500. Bucky had a long life span ahead of him.
Bucky met Alexander in his room at the castle. His room was big and spacious, it was underwater, almost like a submarine. It had windows that showed him the water, he had couches and shelves of hundreds of books. Alexander was sprawled out on his bed when Bucky entered the room.
“Hey gorgeous” Alex greeted looking at Bucky eyes lust-filled. Bucky grinned back, biting his lip. Don’t be mistaken, Bucky is not a virgin, that ship sailed the summer before his freshman year. Alex was his first time. Though they couldn’t work out as a romantic couple. They had a relationship that was almost completely sexual in nature. Some would call it “friends with benefits”.
“Hi Alex” Bucky responded, his voice laced with emotion. He sat down next to Alex, snuggling into his side.
“What’s wrong baby?” Alex asked caressing his cheek.
“Steve and I are fighting” Bucky answered knowing Alex didn’t really care for Steve. Alex sighed and began rubbing his hand up and down Bucky’s inner thigh.
“I’m gonna make you forget about that twink,” he leaned in and whispered. The distraction was welcome.
---
Steve had always been understanding of Bucky’s phobia of water and even though he thought it was irrational he kept that to himself. But now standing here after Bucky ran off, he felt like a bottomless pit of guilt. They all had their secrets, Bucky had every right to keep his as much as Steve, and Steve had a big secret. Steve was bisexual, the first time he felt in type of attraction to men was when he saw Bucky shirtless in 8th grade. Over the years Steve found himself falling in love with the boy he called his best friend. And now? Steve might’ve ruined any chance of having even a friendly relationship with Bucky.
Steve plopped down on the deck chair and put his head in his hands. “What did I do?” he muttered to himself.
“Hey man are you okay?” Sam asked crouching down to meet Steve’s eyes.
“I don’t know” he said wiping away a singular tear. “We’ve never fought before”. Steve moved over so Nat could sit next to him.
“I’m not gonna lie Steve, what you said was pretty harsh” Nat revealed, looking at him was some a sort of angry yet sympathetic look. “You have to remember I was Bucky’s friend first, and I don’t know if he’s gonna be able to forgive you. You know as well as I do that his phobia is something he doesn’t take lightly, and you marginalizing that traumatic experience was not cool. I really think you need to apologize”
“I know” Steve agreed, “Will you guys help me find him?” They all nodded in agreement.
---
Steve collapsed in the sand dramatically, he’d been looking for Bucky with Sam for ages. Bucky’s car was still here, where could he be? Steve felt himself start to become emotional, what if Steve upset Bucky so bad that he did something rash and was in danger? It would be Steve’s fault. His phone began to ring it was Natasha.
“Please tell me you found him” he said picking up the phone.
“No, but I found something you might want to see” she sounded worried. Steve’s heart began to race.
“Where are you guys?” Steve asked frantically, Sam looked at him with confusion.
“The dunes at the end of North Street” she replied. They were close. Steve started running.
“Steve, did they find him?” Sam panted struggling to keep up with Steve.
“No, but Nat sounded worried.” Steve called over his shoulder.
“Oh, for the love of god” Sam replied falling a little farther back behind Steve.
Steve reached Natasha in a little under a minute.
“That was fast” she commented. Steve glared at her, it was not the time for jokes.
“What did you find?” Steve asked seriously. Nat held up a crumpled T-shirt and pair of jeans, they were Bucky’s.
“Those are Bucky’s” Steve replied almost robotically he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, an intense feeling of dread washed over him. Was Bucky in trouble? Natasha wore the same look as Steve, Clint and Sam looked at each other worry present in their eyes.
“We already talked to my brother, he’s asking around to see if anyone saw Bucky” Clint mentioned.
“Have you tried calling him?” Nat asked.
“Of course. I’ve called him like 50 times, Sam has too” Steve responded.
“Ok” Nat said trying to calm herself down, “let me try, maybe he’ll wanna talk to me” she picked up her phone in her trembling hands. She brought up his contact and pressed call. The faint sound of buzzing was heard, and everyone jumped, Steve had a false sense of hope until Clint picked up Bucky’s jeans. He had left his phone in the pocket.
“Oh god” Steve cried hand flying over his mouth, he was having a panic attack. His palms were sweating, and he was hyperventilating. Sam placed his hands on Steve’s shoulders in an attempt to calm him down.
“Ok Steve, calm down man, breathe with me, in and out, in and out” Sam modeled for Steve. Steve’s breaths became deeper as he calmed down. “Why don’t you give you give me your phone and I’ll call Bucky’s mom” Sam said calmly, his eyes telling a different story. Steve handed over his phone, Sam dialed Winnie Barnes number and it rang and rang and rang. She picked up.
“Hello Steve?” she answered.
“Hi Mrs. Barnes, this is Steve’s friend Sam” Sam introduced himself, Steve felt a smidge of reassurance.
“Hi Sam, not to sound rude or anything but what is this reason for your call?” Winnie asked skeptically.
“Bucky and Steve got into a fight tonight, Bucky ran off and we’re worried about him” Sam stated, Steve held his breath in anticipation for her reaction.
“Oh, well he’s with us right now, he came to the convention downtown. He was very upset” Steve breathed out a sigh of relief, yet things still didn’t add up. Steve could tell Sam felt the same.
“Mrs. Barnes, Bucky left his phone and his clothes on the beach and his car is still by the house” Sam told her. Winnie sighed.
“I know he showed up in a cab” she responded, though Steve felt that wasn’t likely. “As for the clothes thing, James will just have to explain that to you himself he showed up here fully clothed.”
“Okay thanks, Mrs. Barnes, please let Bucky know Steve wants to talk to him” Sam told her, and he hung up the phone. Steve felt better, but things still weren’t adding up.
“Yo Clint!” all four of them heard in the distance. It was Clint’s brother Barney. He was approaching the four of them with a friend in tow.
“Barney what is it?” Natasha asked.
“Todd here says he saw your friend” all eyes travelled to Todd.
“Yeah about an hour ago I saw a naked dude run across the beach and jump into the water” Steve couldn’t believe his ears.
“That can’t be him what did he look like?” Steve asked distraught.
“Ear-length wavy brown hair, tan skin, and nice bod” Todd replied. “He was the one who turned down Elizabeth earlier because he was gay”
“That’s gotta be him” Clint said. Steve ears were ringing in anger not only did Bucky lie to him but Winnie too. He would get to the bottom of this.
---
Alexander pulled himself off Bucky, they were a sweaty mess of limbs. Bucky snuggled up to Alexander’s side as they lazily kissed. There was a soft knock on the door.
“Just a minute!” Bucky called out as he pulled his underwear over his naked legs. Alexander pulled the blankets up to cover his body, Bucky opened the door.
It was an aid to his grandfather, a lovely young woman and one of Bucky’s childhood friends Teresa.
“Sorry” Teresa blushed at Bucky’s nearly naked form, “your grandfather has requested your presence in his quarters” she informed him with a smile.
“Ok, tell him I’ll be right there” Bucky replied. Teresa left to deliver the message. Bucky got dressed, kissed Alex goodbye, and made his way to his grandfather.
“James!” his grandfather, King Atlas exclaimed. If Santa Claus was an ancient fish king that would be his grandfather.
“Hey Gramps” he smiled, his grandfather was sat on his throne. Bucky took a place on the steps next to it.
“You seem to be in better spirits” his grandfather observed looking down at him.
“Yeah, I was hanging out with Alexander” Bucky admitted blushing.
“Hanging out” his grandfather did the air quotes with his fingers. “mhmmmm”
“Granpa!” Bucky acted shocked. “You did not just mhmmm me!”
“But I did young prince, don’t make me tell Alexander Pierce Sr. about your relationship with his son. That man is positively evil” his grandfather commented.
“Tell me about” Bucky’s heard many stories about how much of a raging prick Alexander Pierce was. His grandfather laughed, and then his expression turned serious.
“Though I could talk about how much I hate that man for hours, I asked you here today to grant you my permission” his grandfather said not further elaborating.
“Permission for what?” Bucky asked.
“George had brought to my attention how much your secret can sometimes strain your relationship with Steve, and by all measures this Steve is the best relationship you have outside your parents of course. I don’t dare jeopardize it, so I give you my permission to tell Steve everything, about merpeople and Atlantis and that you are royalty” His grandfather revealed. Bucky’s never smiled brighter.