Bucky
“So how should I dress for this place? Nice-nice or nice?”
“Nice-nice,” Steve’s voice came from the bathroom.
Bucky chuckled happily, adding the last touch to his outfit and waiting at the threshold for Steve to turn around.
He was presented with the sight of Steve struggling to fit into an old suit. Bucky put his hands over Steve’s and grinned at the two of them in the mirror. “As appealing as watching you break the button on those slacks would be, I think you’d better fit into something that has a bit more room for dinner.”
Steve grimaced. “I know, my other suit will be ready for pick up in fifteen minutes. I was just hoping…”
“Hoping to what? Fit in the suit you haven’t worn since late June? Too many barbecues since then.”
“There’s just so many options! And I can never decide between hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled chicken, spare ribs…”
Bucky gripped his love handles, or what he lovingly nicknamed the ‘spare tire’, where all those spare ribs were disappearing to. “And I love watching you not have to make a choice.”
Steve spun around and his eyes lit up with delight. “You’re wearing the cufflinks!”
Bucky had been all too happy to find an opportunity to show off the star-spangled accessories. “Just reminding Thor and Loki that I’m yours.”
“Down, boy,” Steve joked. “There’s nothing to worry about. No more accidental belly pics.”
Bucky pouted. “Speaking of, you never send me any.”
“Bucky, we live together. You don’t need pictures.”
“But I want them. Then we can compare how much you’ve grown.” He patted Steve’s gut, round and just beginning to teardrop in shape. “We haven’t weighed you since, what, early June? It’s been a month.” He eyed the scale in the corner.
Steve smirked. “Sure. Really make me think just about why this suit doesn’t fit.” He gave up, shrugging the jacket off and moving over to the scale.
“Well?” Bucky asked excitedly when he heard it beep.
“Uh…” Steve shifted uneasily for a moment.
“What?!” Bucky snapped, impatient.
“I… can’t see.”
Bucky giggled with glee, peering around his huge boyfriend. “Fuck, Daddy.”
Now it was Steve’s turn to wonder. “Well?”
“258.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope,” Bucky replied, popping the p. “Want me to take a picture on your phone so you can see?” he asked sweetly.
“Want me to spank you so hard you can’t sit easy for a week?”
“Yes. I can’t believe you gained 20 pounds in just over a month.”
“You’re rounding up. It’s 17.”
“Well, we were right about you being over 250 before your birthday.” He kissed Steve on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Daddy.”
“Not until tomorrow,” Steve whined. “Which tie, American flag or fireworks?”
“Fireworks. And turn on the LED. You can wear the American flag one when we go to that buffet with Thor and Logan.”
“Loki.”
“Yeah, him. Want me to pick up your suit for you now?”
Steve blew him a kiss as he wriggled out of his slacks. “Yes, thank you baby.”
“’Yes, thank you baby’,” Bucky mocked harmlessly.
He returned a few minutes later with the suit, and it fit Steve flawlessly, with some extra room around the waist for dinner.
“Ready?”
Bucky had never been to a nice place in his life. He waited for a moment in the foyer while Steve checked their reservation, and he took in the wainscoting, the four crystal chandeliers, the couple arriving in a limousine who looked like they could be actual royalty. “Steve, this is nice,” Bucky whispered when he returned to his side. “I feel kind of bad that you’re taking me out for your birthday, even if it is your—“
Steve hushed him before he could continue. “Nonsense. I’m your boss, anyway. All our money is the same money. We’re, on the balcony, baby,” Steve added as Bucky started to head toward the main hall.
Bucky’s eyes grew wide. “The balcony?” he repeated. The waiter opened the French doors for them and read Steve the wine list. The sun had set a few moments ago, and the sky was clear and Bucky could make out the summer constellations. They had the entire balcony to themselves, and a few fireworks could be seen in the distance. “Steve,” Bucky breathed, but the words he had in mind were stuck there.
Steve pulled out his chair for him. “I know.”
“You’re not going to propose, are you?” Bucky joked.
“Uh,” Steve froze.
“Shit, you were? I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was what you wanted—“ Bucky covered.
“N-no, I don’t. I mean, not that I don’t want it. I wasn’t going to. You just… made me think maybe I should.”
Bucky shrugged. “Well, I don’t really see a point to it. I don’t plan to leave you, and I don’t need a piece of paper that says it, or a big ceremony with cake. Although,” his eyes dropped to Steve’s lap “Cake might be nice. But not in public. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if that’s enough.”
Steve looked like he was about to melt. “Any moment with you would be more than enough. I love you too, and I couldn’t imagine any other place I’d rather be than where you are.”
“Christ, Steve, you’re gonna make me get my tie all wet.”
Steve chuckled and beckoned the waiter over, ordering their dinners.
When they were done with their main courses but had not yet ordered dessert, Steve pushed back his chair and stood, offering his hand to Bucky. “Care to dance?”
“There’s no music,” Bucky began, but before he had finished, a violinist emerged from the stairwell, playing La Vie en Rose. Bucky took his hands and Steve pulled him close, the fullness of his belly pressing into the brunet’s torso. “I can’t wait to get you out of that suit,” he whispered after a moment or two of dancing.
Steve immediately blushed and signalled the waiter. “We’ll take dessert in our room.”
“Room?” Bucky inquired.
Steve grinned. “That’s the second part of the surprise. We’re staying at the bed and breakfast here. Unless you’d rather go home.” They followed the waiter down the hall to suite #2.
“No, no, no, no, by all means,” Bucky disagreed quickly while they entered the room, taking in the king-sized bed, hot tub Jacuzzi, and private balcony. What is it with this hotel and balconies? He took a step out, and found that this side of the hotel overlooked a pool. “Steve, a pool!” he exclaimed. He hadn’t gone swimming for so long he couldn’t remember the last time.
“Do you want to go swimming before dessert?”
Bucky nearly decided to stay in their room, but he was stuck with the sudden image of Steve in swim trunks. “Absolutely. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Steve picked up the phone, ordering two swim suits (“Medium and 2XL, please”), since they’d left theirs at home. Room service was very quick, and soon, Bucky was admiring Steve squeeze his ass into the white, hotel-monogrammed trunks. His belly lapped the front, hiding the drawstring, and Bucky really wanted to bite it. “Ready?” Steve asked, despite the fact that Bucky was standing naked in the bathroom.
“Oh… um, almost.” Bucky shook himself out of his daydream and stepped into his own swim suit.
For once, Steve was staring at Bucky. The brunet felt uncomfortable for a moment, before Steve pulled him close for a passionate kiss. “You look fucking amazing. I don’t tell you enough, but I love how you look.”
Bucky beamed, and yeah, he was pretty proud of how he looked. He had stressed out about himself at the St. Patty’s Day party a little, but all the positivity he was putting into Steve was starting to rub off on him. Steve had always been the one who looked like he was carved from marble, but Bucky wasn’t a weakling, either. He was never as much a fan of exercise as Steve was, but he managed to maintain a slim figure, strong muscles and arms with just a small layer of pudge blurring his chin and abs that always lingered, and he was okay with that. “You too, Daddy.” He took Steve’s hand, and they left their room and took the elevator down to the pool.
It was heated, with mood lighting under the water that made it look like a dream, small wisps of steam rising in the cool summer night air lit up with different colours. All the other patrons of the hotel had gone to bed, and they had the whole pool to themselves. Bucky stepped slowly into the shallow end, all caution and precision. Steve went for the diving board, and his extra pounds did nothing to inhibit his diving abilities. He swam underwater to Bucky, and before the brunet could move, snuck between his legs and launched him into the water off his shoulders.
Bucky surfaced and splashed Steve in complaint. “No dunking!” he protested.
Steve chuckled and lifted him out of the water, and Bucky wrapped his legs around Steve’s waist under his belly, hanging on like morning dew on a blade of grass. They made out for a while in the warm water, steam curling slowly around them. When Bucky was too turned on to wait any longer, he informed Steve he was ready for dessert.
They raced to the end of the pool, Steve winning by a hand length, and then crawled out (Steve’s belly brushing against the edge of the pool as he lifted himself out on strong arms), towelling themselves off and padding back into the hotel, leaving wet footprints on the tiles of the lobby floor.
When they returned to their room, a small cart was waiting outside their door. Steve lifted the covers to the trays. “Chocolate mousse pie? Cherry cheesecake? Crème brulee?” With a flourish, he held the last tray before Bucky. “Red-white-and-blue macaroons?”
Bucky was already stripping off his clothes and filling the bathtub. “Why choose?”
Steve lifted an eyebrow. “More water?”
“A bath,” Bucky replied, feigning innocence. “You know, to wash off the chlorine.”
Steve handed him a glass of champagne with a smirk that said he saw right through him. “To our not-neymoon.”
“To our not-neymoon.” He glanced at the clock. “And happy birthday.”
Steve took off his clothes, joining Bucky in the hot tub. “Must you remind me?”
Bucky was instantly drawn to Steve’s belly, and he rested a plate of chocolate mousse on it, giving him a kiss. “You look better than ever.”
Steve grinned, accepting the forkful of pie Bucky gave him. “You too, baby.”
After a good portion of the dessert was gone, Steve’s stomach was packed full and larger than Bucky had ever seen it.
“Thanks for this, Daddy. This was really nice.”
“You deserve it, baby boy.”
“I wanna give you something in return,” Bucky hummed, his eyes fixed on Steve’s distended tummy.
Steve smirked and heaved himself to the edge of the tub. “A birthday blowjob would be nice.”
Bucky was all too happy to comply, and a half hour later, the two of them were curled up in the luxurious comforters of the king bed, Bucky’s hands all over Steve’s waist. “Best 30 year old I know.”
He thought Steve was asleep, but he heard a grumpy shush from the blond.
“I think they’re here,” Bucky alerted Steve. He was facing the door, and a large, Scandinavian blond and a pale, ominous man accompanied him. Steve turned and faced the couple.
“Thor!” Steve exclaimed, a smile spreading across his chubby face.
“Steve!” Thor returned, giving him an outrageous hug and even managing to lift him off the floor. He pulled back, grinning at his midsection. “I see Bucky took the news well!” He gave Bucky, who was standing just behind Steve, a knowing smile. “You’re taking good care of him.”
Bucky extended a hand, but Thor swept him up in a hug as well. “It’s nice to meet you, Thor, I’ve heard so many good things about you.”
“And you!” He returned, before angling himself toward his spouse. “And allow me to introduce Loki, my dear husband.”
Loki smiled in a way that made Bucky squirm, and his hand was cold. “Pleasure,” he purred.
Bucky nodded and quickly let go, glad to be rid of the man’s touch.
Steve shook his hand, and Loki’s smile was a little too predatory for comfort. “My,” he commented, patting Steve’s side with the hand that wasn’t busy. “You’ve caught up to Thor in no time. He says when he met you, you had just a starter belly.”
Bucky was unused to someone other than Steve and himself discussing his gain. “Yes, perhaps we’d better sit,” he interrupted. As he slid into the booth, Loki caught his eye, and his green eyes twinkled. Bucky was beginning to get a sour feeling in his stomach.
Steve and Thor were already deeply engaged in conversation, and Bucky was trying to listen, but Loki kept staring at him with narrowed eyes.
“I say, Steve,” Loki began as he took a sip of water. “You must be up to, what, 115 kilos now?” Bucky felt his face grow hot with anger, and he stared at his lap, trying to ignore the way Loki was trying to catch his eye again. “Oh, I forgot, standard measurements. That’s about 254 pounds.”
“Just around 260, actually,” Steve answered, and Bucky nudged him sharply under the table.
“Ah, how nice. My Thor just broke 300.” A competitive edge snuck into Loki’s voice.
“Congratulations,” Steve replied, a note of confusion in his voice.
“Loki,” Thor said quietly. “We’re all friends here, it’s—“
Loki put his hand up in a dominant gesture, instantly silencing Thor. “But I say, you certainly seem like you can put it away. I wonder who could eat more?”
Bucky didn’t know what he had to prove by pitting Thor and Steve against each other, but he began to feel his competitive, jealous side sneak up on him. “Thor might be larger, but I think Steve’s gained faster,” he began.
“Bucky, what are you do—“
“You think Steve could beat Thor at an eating competition?” Loki scoffed.
It was too late for Bucky to back down. “Yes. I do,” he shot back, and just then, he realised that was what Loki wanted to prove, for some twisted reason. He slid out of the booth. “I have to go to the bathroom,” he muttered to Steve before quickly turning. He felt stupid for letting the snake get to him, and he volunteered Steve for some child’s contest before asking his consent, against a friend, no less.
Moments after he shut himself in the stall, Steve knocked on the door. “You okay in there, Buck?”
“I’m fine,” Bucky snapped, then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
Steve chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind an eating contest with Thor, but it felt like there was some sinister undercurrent between you and Loki.”
Bucky sighed. “I know, I don’t know why I let him get under my skin. I acted like a child.”
“I know emotions are powerful and hard to explain sometimes. You’ve taught me not to berate myself just for feeling something I can’t prevent. Please let me return the favour.”
Bucky opened the stall, letting Steve inside. “I feel silly.”
“Nonsense. Loki was obviously trying to get me and Thor to compete. I don’t know what his deal is, but—“
Just then, Thor came into the bathroom with an exasperated look on his face. “I’m so sorry about Loki. He doesn’t do well with new people sometimes. We’re working on it. Perhaps we could try again? He’s promised to behave.”
Steve gave Bucky a questioning look. Bucky didn’t really want to, but he understood that first impressions weren’t always right, and he was willing to give the man a second chance. He nodded, and Steve gave Thor a bright smile. “Sure.” On their way back to the table, things were awkwardly silent for a moment, but then Steve spoke. “So… do you think you can eat more than me?”
Thor laughed. “I’m willing to find out!”
The waiter came by, and the four of them ordered the buffet. Steve and Thor went up for round one of their contest, and Bucky and Loki were left alone for a moment. Bucky was about to speak, but Loki broke the silence first.
“I’m sorry,” he said, so quietly Bucky could hardly hear him over the noise of the restaurant. “I’m a bit of a brute. When I meet new people, I just botch everything up… I’m so afraid of what they’ll think of me, you know? I go over the top, and I just wish I could shut up and not be so spiteful…” he paused, not meeting Bucky’s eyes. “Never mind. I’m probably not making any sense.” He flicked his gaze up, and gave a very sad smile. Bucky could grow to like this sincere side of him.
“I actually know just what you’re talking about. I might not react in the same way you do, but I have trouble meeting new people too. I suppose I overcompensate sometimes. But you don’t have to be harsh and provocative, you know? You don’t have to try. I’m sure who you are is lovely, without having to entertain or command.”
Loki seemed very relieved that Bucky could relate. “It is exhausting being in control. I’m never quite sure if I’m doing it right. Thor deserves so much, and sometimes I wonder if I’m not the right person to give that to him.”
“Well, you love him, right?” Bucky’s question was met with an adamant nod. “I wouldn’t worry too much about if you’re right for him or not. Just enjoy the time with him that you have now, and try to do the best you can. If you’re doing that, you’re giving him everything you have, and that’s commendable by any standards.”
Loki smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that’s had such an impact on my life as quickly as you have.”
Bucky blushed. “I’m glad to meet you too, Loki.”
Thor and Steve returned, laughing a little.
“You two decided to get along!” Thor commented.
Loki grinned. “We’re a stronger power together than apart.”
Bucky and him went up next to get their own meals, and when they returned, Thor and Steve were already halfway finished with their own first plates.
“Pace yourself, Daddy,” Bucky encouraged, flushing a little when he realised he called him daddy in public.
Thor and Loki didn’t flinch, though, too absorbed in their own battle. Thor finished first, immediately going up for a second plate. Steve shovelled the last few pieces of sweet and sour chicken into his mouth with his fork, and then vacated the booth with a laugh.
It was just a contest between friends, but Bucky could feel his adrenaline rising. After the third plate, Steve undid his pants button. Thor began to fall behind, fetching his fourth while Steve was already halfway through his. Loki muttered soft praises into his ear, and although he’d certainly slowed down, he was still going steadily. After Steve’s fifth plate, he started in on dessert, returning with fried doughnuts, jello, and green tea ice cream. By his second plate of dessert (seventh total) he looked absolutely undone, panting, eyes heavy lidded, shirt straining and legs spread to accommodate the dip of his gut. Thor looked up from his fifth plate and gave a tired smile.
“I concede,” he said, pushing his plate forward.
Loki smiled and kissed him. “You did so good, baby. I’m so proud.”
Even though he was triumphant, Steve looked rather sick. Bucky had never seen him eat so much food before, ever, and he was wondering if he’d overdone it. Thor, as the loser, insisted on picking up the cheque, and soon they were wishing each other a happy 4th of July and promising to meet again before they left town.
Bucky called an Uber back to their apartment, and Steve managed to pull himself together for the ride back home, but when he got into their building, it was clear he was in pain.
Bucky pressed a hand on Steve’s dome of a belly in the elevator, feeling how tight it was. “Are you okay?”
Steve smiled, but it was forced, and Bucky knew that he must be feeling really miserable. It reminded Bucky that this particular fetish was potentially harmful to his partner, and while 260 wasn’t unhealthily large for someone as muscular and strong as Steve, if he continued at this pace, his health might be in jeopardy soon, and Bucky felt responsible.
He took Steve to the couch and helped him take off his clothes, and fetched him some ginger ale and a Tums. He was mildly surprised that he wasn’t even turned on by how wrecked Steve looked, but the nervous sloshing in his stomach prevented anything of that nature, and he took a Tums himself despite having eaten only two plates of food.
A few hours later, Steve awoke from his nap, and the colour had returned to his face.
“Feeling better?”
Steve nodded. “Damn pride. Should have stopped at six.”
Of course he would blame himself first. Bucky frowned. “No, Steve, it was my fault entirely. I got you into that mess, and it was my pride that had to make sure you won. I always push you too far, make you eat another plate, or have another slice of cake…”
Steve sat up, cupping Bucky’s face. “How long have you been feeling this way?” He was answered with a shrug. “You should’ve told me, Baby. Don’t keep bad thoughts like this to yourself. Don’t feel bad, okay? You’re not forcing me to do anything. I like this just as much as you do, I promise. I’m happy. And I won, anyhow. It was my own silly fault I got a stomach ache, and a little nap and I’m just fine, really.”
Bucky felt foolish again. “I don’t want to watch you get hurt. I don’t always know how to take care of you, and I know you’re not great at being good to yourself.”
Steve gestured at the blanket on his lap and the bottle of Tums on the coffee table. “You take care of me just fine, Baby. Thank you. I love taking care of you when I can, and I know you’ll always take care of me when I need it. If this is stressing you out, we can stop, okay? I can lose some weight, just twenty pounds or so, or I can stay here. We don’t have to go full speed all the time.”
Bucky nodded.
“Yeah? You want that? Use your words, baby.”
“I mean, I don’t want to stop. I love this, of course. But we have to think of your health.”
Steve held back a laugh. “Are you worried about my health? I had a doctor’s appointment last week, you know.” Bucky didn’t know. He was shopping with Natasha at the time. “The doctor was a little shocked to see me seventy pounds heavier than when he last knew me, but I’m fine. My blood pressure, cholesterol, all that, is fine. I spent so much time worrying about being unfit before, but now that I am bigger, it hardly impacts my health. If it ever starts to, I promise you, I’ll stop.”
Bucky smiled. A huge weight had been lifted off his chest. Steve always managed to cheer him up and give him comfort. “That’s… really good to hear.”
“You should have told me if you were worrying.”
Bucky shrugged. “I’m always worrying.”
Steve pulled him into a hug, wrapping his strong arms around him, beard tickling his cheek. “Worry less. I’ve got you, just like I promised, okay?”
“Okay.” Bucky breathed in Steve’s scent, peaches and sandalwood. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Bucky’s stomach had apparently decided it was done being nervous, and Steve’s partially digested lunch was settling nicely in his stomach, making for the perfect combination of soft and firm. His obstinate libido was all too happy to not be supressed by guilt anymore, and he kissed Steve, losing himself in the pressure of their lips. He allowed his mind to empty, and whenever a negative thought tried to creep into his mind, he chanted over and over I deserve this. I deserve this.
Steve leaned back, letting Bucky lay on him, stretching out luxuriously on the sofa. His belly, unaffected by gravity, rose from his chest like a small hill that Bucky built his home on. He thought about all the turmoil of his youth, and how uncertain his future had felt when he was young. Looking on his life in reverse, he felt that every choice he’d ever made was pointing for this one moment of perfect unity. He was holding on to Steve with every part of himself, literally and figuratively, and he knew Steve would never let him down. Steve’s appearance had changed into an exact metaphor for how Bucky saw his soul, and waking up every morning and seeing Steve beside him was like seeing him for the person he was always meant to be. It was such a metaphysical emotion, to know someone precisely at the time you were meant to know them.
“I’m so glad you got drunk at that office party and told me you liked me,” Steve said, and it was funny how well his thoughts were lining up with everything Bucky was experiencing.
“I’m so glad you let yourself eat those goddamn macaroons at the office party.” He was more in love with Steve than he’d even felt ever before.
“Me too.”