Chapter 5
Steve sat at the edge of the pool, staring at Bucky. Bucky was smiling up at him, elbows propped up on the ground and his head in his hands. His tail was moving fluidly through the water as he tried to stay above the surface. It created a beautiful illusion as the moonlight from above reflected off of its scales, enchanting colors of blue and silver.
“Like what you see Stevie?” Bucky asked cheekily, grinning widely.
Steve was at a loss for words, still having trouble trying to wrap his brain around the fact that his best friend was a magical under water sea creature. He was having a hard time sorting through his emotions, he stared blankly at Bucky.
“Steve? Are you okay” Bucky asked concern clear in voice.
“Um— I’m sorry, it’s just I’ve been such a dick to you recent, and if I would’ve known— Buck, why didn’t you tell me?” Steve asked, he was guilty for the way he treated Bucky on Saturday.
Bucky started at Steve adoringly, and sighed like a love sick puppy, “I don’t blame you for reacting the way you did, I probably deserved it. I’ve been really shady the past couple days. And as for why I didn’t tell you, in my kingdom, it is against the law to tell any humans about the existence of merpeople. My grandfather, however, is king and made an exception for you”.
Steve was intrigued by the whole idea of the kingdom of Atlantis and Bucky as a prince. “So this whole prince thing, are you gonna become king someday?”
“I’m next in line for the throne yes, but my grandfather has been king for almost fifteen-hundred years so I don’t think the baton will be passed anytime soon” Bucky replied. Steve’s mouth fell open with wonder, 1500 years, he shouldn’t be surprised but he is. Bucky read Steve’s expression and laughed, “merpeople have a long life span Steve, my mom was born in 1512”.
“How old are you?” Steve was baffled, he would’ve guessed Winnie Barnes was in her mid-30s not her 500s.
“Relax, Steve. I’m really 16, my dad is a human so he’s really 37” Steve felt a little bit of relief at that.
“This is crazy, I’m going crazy. This is a hallucination” Steve felt manic, the initial shock of it all was wearing off. There was no way Bucky was a merman.
Bucky watched Steve carefully, “Come in the water, and you’ll see just how real I am”.
Steve’s heart was racing, “I can’t, I can— my hearing aid will get wet” Steve finally got the words out.
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t get wet” Bucky promised grabbing Steve’s fore arm and slowly dragging him into the water, catching him by his waist.
The feeling of Bucky’s strong arms wrapped around his waist brought Steve back down to earth. He looked deeply into Bucky’s eyes and admired how they glowed in the darkness of the cave. “You’re beautiful” Steve spoke before the statement fully entered his brain.
Bucky smiled at him, a warm enchanting smile that made Steve’s insides feel like goop. Steve can now see why merpeople have a reputation for being impossible to resist. Steve wanted kiss Bucky, but he held himself back, he needed to get something off his chest first.
“Can I tell you something Buck?” Steve asked timidly, Buck looked at him warmly and nodded. Steve felt at a loss for words, he rested his hands on Bucky’s shoulders, Bucky’s grip still on his waist.
“What’s on your mind Steve?” Bucky asked encouragingly.
“Uhhh, I’ve wanted to share this with you for a while but I didn’t know how you’d react. I — oh my god” Steve took a deep breath and composed himself, “Bucky I think I’m bisexual and I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you”.
Bucky stares at Steve with a blank expression and Steve’s heart broke a little bit. Of course his feelings wouldn’t be reciprocated, Bucky probably had a line of hot merboyfriends waiting for him back in Atlantis. Steve felt himself pushing away from Bucky trying to escape the humiliation when Bucky grabs his face forcefully and pulls him in for a kiss. Steve freezes for a second not used to the sensation of someone’s warm lips on his his. Then he lets go, as they find a rhythm in the kiss that sends spark into the air. Steve let’s go of all the anxiety of coming out and all the self doubt that’s he bottled up since the discovery of his love for Bucky.
They pulled apart after about 30 seconds, Steve felt Bucky’s tail wrap around his legs pulling their bodies closer. “I never thought the would happen” Steve grinned.
“I did tell you I love you right before I jumped in the water, remember” Bucky pointed out, brushing damp pieces of hair from Steve’s face.
“I thought you meant platonic love, not love love” Steve giggled, all his wildest fantasies coming true and then some.
“Love, Love what are we Steve 12?” Bucky laughed.
“You know what I mean jerk”
“Punk”.
—-
Bucky answered every question Steve had on the way back to his house. Some of them were funny, others were embarrassing, and some were serious. Bucky was happy to answer, the overwhelming love he felt for Steve was at the forefront of his mind.
Steve fell quiet after the last question he had asked, Bucky were you born with a tale?, Steve had asked. He informed that he was not, but also told him the hilarious story of the first time he shifted as a baby and scared the shit out of his dad.
“I had a fifty/fifty chance of becoming a merman when I was born” Bucky mentioned.
Steve looked deep in thought, he was contemplating something. He looked at Bucky with what could only be described as love.
“Bucky what are we?” he said breaking his silence. Bucky looked at him confused, “are we boyfriends or what?” Steve clarified.
Bucky smiled, “boyfriends we are boyfriends”.
Steve’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, “okay” he breathed.
—-
It was late when Bucky arrived home, he was greeted by his dad sitting on the couch engrossed in a a documentary about sharks. Bucky was beaming, his dad picked up on that.
“So I guess telling Steve went well?” he asked smile on in his face. Bucky let out a dreamy sigh as he plopped down on the couch next to his dad.
“So much better than I expected” Bucky confessed smiling like a big idiot.
“What did he say?”
“Well he was shocked at first and thought he was hallucinating—“ Bucky laughed at the memory, “I told him to get in the water with me, and he kinda sorta professed his love for me and now we’re dating”
“Well it’s about damn time!” his dad exclaimed. “You two have been tip toeing around your feelings for each other since you were thirteen” Bucky looked at his dad like he grew a second head.
“No way you knew” Bucky challenged.
“You weren’t exactly subtle about it son”
“Oh my god” Bucky whined.
“Hey Winnie!” his dad called.
“What?!” his mom yelled back.
“Come here!” Bucky’s mom emerged from her bedroom dark locks wrapped in a towel in her pajamas.
“Oh Bucky” his mom greeted smiling, “I didn’t know you were home”.
“Tell her about Steve” Bucky’s dad piped up.
“Oh yes do tell me about Steve” his mom encouraged.
“He took it well and we’re dating now”
His mom actually squealed, “Jesus Christ finally!” she kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy for you”
“Mom” Bucky groaned, “this is the most embarrassing moment of my life” Bucky griped.
“We’re your parents it’s our job” his dad joked.
—-
Monday was torturous for Bucky, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of Steve. Their friends didn’t know yet and they were waiting to tell them at lunch when they were all together. They sat in World History in silence, Natasha was studying their behavior closely.
“You aren’t still mad at each other right?” she asked.
“Nope I’m not mad if Steve’s not mad” Bucky responded.
“I’m not mad” Steve said crossing his arms over chest.
“Somethings going on” Natasha continued.
“Nope nothing” Bucky said bluntly.
“Okay” she said slightly high pitched, she didn’t believe them.
Lunch came around and Bucky felt his nerves build up, he knew his friends would be happy for them. He was nervous about the rest of the school, Bucky received a fair amount of backlash when he came out last year, he didn’t want Steve going through the same thing.
Steve and Bucky walked together side by side, he wished they could hold hands. They sat down at their lunch table, Clint, Sam, and Nat all eyeing them closely.
“So, you two made up?” Clint asked breaking the awkward tension.
“Yeah,” Steve smiled looking at Bucky, “we have something to tell you guys” he continued.
Sam looked at them carefully, “what is it?”
Steve was the first to talk, “first things first, I want to let you guys know that I identify as bisexual”.
They all smiled brightly, “I’m so proud of you Steve!” Nat exclaimed while Clint gave him a high five.
“That’s not all” Bucky cut in, “Steve and I are together, um we’re boyfriends” Bucky said smiling brightly at Steve.
“Are you serious?!” Natasha exclaimed face showing her disbelief, “You two were on the verge of never talking to each other like two days ago”.
“I’m a hundred percent serious, I love him” Steve responded, “we talked to each other last night and it just sort of came out of nowhere, our friendship has never been stronger”
Sam let out a an excited yell and started stomping his feet like a toddler, “I’ve shipped you two since 8th grade!”
“Oh Jesus”
“Hey man, I just have to ask why were you running naked into the ocean” Clint addressing Bucky.
“Well that’s a long story, it’s kinda embarrassing, let’s just say it involves a lot of alcohol and a frat boy that was questioning his sexuality”.
Clint held his hand up, “say no more”
—-
Bucky drove Steve home like he did everyday, only this time it involved a lot more making out in Steve’s driveway. Steve pulled away from their embrace.
“Can you stay over?” Steve asked.
“I can’t I have to go to mermaid prince school later” Bucky laughed.
“Mermaid prince school?” Steve questioned smiling.
“Yep, I learn different spells and incantations” Bucky revealed.
“Wow, can I come?” Steve asked curiously.
“I don’t how much Wanda would appreciate you distracting me, but I tell you what I’ll bring you to Atlantis next weekend”.
“Really?” Steve eyes lit up.
“Yes, mark your calendar”.