Chapter Text
(We don't own any characters etc etc)
“Cap, what is on your face?” Tony asked as the quinjet took off that night.
“What?” Steve asked, rubbing a hand over his face. He didn’t feel anything, and as he pulled his hand away and looked at it, he didn’t see anything either.
“Just here,” Tony said, gesturing to his own mouth as he stood near where Clint was flying the plane.
Steve furrowed his brow again but still couldn’t find anything on his face.
“What is it?” he asked, and Tony peered at him.
“It’s…is that…I think that’s a dopey smile!” the billionaire crowed, and Clint cackled.
“How big?” Clint asked, and Steve sighed.
“Big enough to be suspicious,” Natasha purred from where she was sitting across from Steve. “What gives?”
“Nothing,” he snapped, knowing it was the wrong move. “I just…I had a good day earlier.”
“That, my friend, is the smile of a very good day,” Tony persisted. “Who is it?”
“Who’s what?” Steve asked.
“You met someone, I can spot it a mile away,” Tony told him. “I’m surprised. A little mortified, but surprised.”
Steve rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “There’s no one. I went to a park and had some good hotdogs. It was like olden times.”
“Ah, the quintessential ‘back in my day’ event,” Tony said, shaking his head. “And a boring solo date, of course. I mean, I’d be the first to know about a romantic development in your life.”
“And why is that?” Steve asked, surprised. Surely Pepper hadn’t told him, had she?
“Cap, you’re good enough with the shield, and in folding your grandpa clothes just so. But to meet someone? Nah, you’re going to need all the help I can give you,” Tony said, walking away. “Just say the word!”
“I’m good,” Steve called out. “Not interested. Work’s got me a little too busy these days, you know?”
Tony nodded before talking to Clint about something, and Steve glanced at Natasha, who was watching him with a shrewd look on her eyes before he glanced away, pulling out mission details to re-read instead.
____
Steve sent Bucky a quick text Monday overnight Bucky’s time to let him know work was keeping him away and he’d definitely have to reschedule Wednesday. Both fortunately, and unfortunately, the mission kept him occupied enough that he didn’t have much time to worry about the other man’s reaction. Sure, Bucky had said he understood, but Steve knew that it was one thing to say you were supportive, and another to actually wait at home while the others went to war…
Still, he fought the urge to take out his phone as soon as he thought they had good enough signal on their return journey, not wanting to raise more suspicion.
As soon as the briefing was over he headed to his apartment in the tower and opened his phone, smiling at the few messages from Bucky.
Tuesday morning - “No worries, like I said! Take care of yourself!”
Wednesday morning - “I’m not trying to bother you but I’m at the bakery working, and I haven’t had one of their cannolis in ages! They’re too good! Okay, when we do this, we start our bike date with coffee AND cannoli!”
It was Friday afternoon, and Steve figured that Bucky had gone silent for not wanting to bother him, so he quickly sent off a text informing him he was back in the city but likely passing out soon (in a healthy way).
Bucky replied an hour later, sharing that he was glad to hear from Steve and to have a good rest.
Smiling, Steve fell asleep dreaming about hotdogs and cannoli, and Bucky riding the bike behind him in a stars and stripes patriotic helmet….
___
The city was hit with rainstorm after rainstorm, but the two were eager to see each other so they met for a movie Sunday night. Bucky had, of all things, shared that a small independent theater was showing old films this fall, and off they went to see one that Steve had not watched in many, many years, not that he shared this with the other man.
He smiled widely throughout it, amazed by how good the film still looked and sounded, as well as what his life had become - the first time he watched this film he was a scrawny, sickly guy with a big mouth and a black eye. Now he was Captain America but, more importantly, he was on a proper date with a guy he was becoming crazy about!
Fortunately, Bucky hadn’t been able to meet before the film, and after they found a small pizzeria to get dinner at, allowing Steve to once again not have to worry about crowds or fans. They split a pizza before calling it a night, with Steve hailing Bucky a cab to get home.
Their third date was able to happen shortly after during the week, and Steve grinned as he rode his motorcycle all the way to the bakery, smiling wider when he saw that Bucky was inside talking to Isabella and Frankie.
He entered the bakery, glad that they had decided to get a semi-early start as there was no one else around then. For once, he didn’t have to worry about sunglasses or a hat. In fact, he thought he looked pretty dang good today - he had splurged on a new pair of jeans, and paired it with a casual white t-shirt and his favorite leather jacket.
“Moto chic” the internet declared it, not that he had spent an hour or more putting together the perfect look with Jarvis’ help…
Bucky looked dashing as always, Steve thought. The brunette was standing as he talked with the others, wearing a brown hoodie underneath a dark blue jacket, with fitted dark blue jeans that made Steve’s pulse jump.
The older friends waved at Steve as he approached, helping him to move his eyes from Bucky’s…figure…to them, smiling as Bucky turned with his own smile.
The men sat to have coffee and cannoli with the others, talking about this and that.
“Don’t kill me, but I told them what we were doing,” Bucky told him when they were finishing up, and Steve playfully rolled his eyes.
“I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?” he asked, and the others shook their heads.
“It’s so nice!” Isabella sighed. “Reminds me of one of my first dates with Marco. Where are you off to?”
The younger men looked at each other and shrugged.
“We’re not sure, just somewhere nice to ride,” Steve told them.
“Well, don’t let us keep you,” Frankie said, standing and shooing them out. “Get going.”
They all laughed and Bucky followed Steve out, whistling as he took in the bike.
“It’s even nicer in person,” he sighed.
“I’m glad you like it, wait til you ride her,” Steve told him. He handed over his spare helmet, wincing slightly. “Hope you don’t mind that, a friend got it for me as a gag gift, though it’s a perfectly good helmet.”
Bucky looked down at the helmet in his hands, a dark blue one with white stripes on the side that mimicked Steve’s own Captain America headgear, and a star in a circle on the back.
Tony, Steve groaned silently, for the other man had laughed at his gift to Steve earlier this year…
“It’s great!” Bucky said, smiling widely. He put it on, visor up. “How do I look?”
“Hot,” Steve said, winking as he put his own on, a more classic black helmet. “Ready?”
Bucky nodded and Steve showed him how to get on, as well passing on a few tips for what to do or know for their ride.
They got on, and Steve smiled as he kicked the bike into gear and flipped his visor down, feeling Bucky’s arms encircling him for safety.
“Best date ever,” Steve sighed to himself, as they set off for the day.
___
Steve repeated the words to himself as he drove home that night, his mind replaying the day. The perfect weather for a perfect drive, they had driven north along the Hudson River, taking in the sights and sunshine before stopping to go on a walk, where Steve tried to not swoon too hard over Bucky’s delightfully tousled hair when he took off the helmet.
They walked hand in hand, sharing stories from their pasts, hopes for the future, and comparing general interests. Lunch followed later overlooking the river at a farther point, and they took a picture after, their first couple's picture - a selfie with a gorgeous view behind them.
“This is a nice one,” Bucky said, smiling as he showed Steve his phone.
It was, Steve had to admit, but nervousness rose in him.
“Um, you won’t post that anywhere, will you?” he asked. Bucky frowned slightly, and Steve caught himself. “Just, my work,” he explained. “It’s kind of hush-hush sometimes, so…”
Bucky’s frown turned into a look of shock and his eyes widened as he nodded several times. “Of course! Don’t worry about that! But I’ll send it to you so you have a copy too,” he offered, and Steve eagerly nodded.
Bucky showed him some more pictures he had taken, and as they stood in the picturesque area, just the two of them, Steve fidgeted.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, too nervous to make a move otherwise.
Bucky looked up at him with wide eyes again, as he was a few inches shorter, and nodded, eyes traveling down to Steve’s lips as he put his phone away.
Steve reached up to gently cradle his face as their lips met, Bucky’s arms wrapping around him.
It was repeated when Steve dropped him off that night, another kiss just inside his building’s doorway, Steve too enamored to care if anyone saw them.
“Best date ever,” he sighed again as he drove, eager to text Bucky when he returned home.
___
They continued to have pleasant dates, and Steve was able to keep them in Brooklyn or another borough that wasn’t anywhere near Manhattan, as he figured that he had the highest chance of being exposed there.
Bucky, it turned out, really had no clue who he was. Well, his bigger identity, as he had and would always be Steven Grant…he was just also Steven Grant Rogers, the Steven Grant Rogers.
“I feel like I’m lying to him,” Steve sighed to his older friends at the bakery one morning. “Should I tell him?”
“Wait,” Frankie suggested. “What does he need to know for? He’s not going to ask you for anything because of it, right? And you’re not going to suddenly start to whisk him away to ritzy places.”
Steve nodded. “That’s true. But I’m just not sure…and what do I tell him about where I live? It’s, uh, getting near to that, you know?” he said, nervously fidgeting in his seat., and the others laughed.
“Just blame it on work, that you live at work,” Isabella posed. “That’s not a lie,” she added, and the table, including Steve, nodded.
“He really has no clue? I’m shocked,” Marco said, shaking his head as he reached for one of the cookies on a tray on the table. “Mia noticed part of it right away, she just didn’t figure it all out until we said something.”
“I’m not sure that counts,” Isabella pointed out. “But that’s good, then we know for sure he likes you as you and not for the famous part of you.”
Steve nodded and ate another cookie. “It’s refreshing, believe me. Aside from my team and all of you, I feel like it’s the first real connection I’ve made since I came back. He’s not trying to get famous, or freebies, or for me to be a spokesperson. He’s just genuine,” he said with a smile.
“I knew it!” Frankie cheered. “I told you, a nice Brooklyn boy, that’s him!”
“And Steve,” Mia pointed out as she refilled their coffees. “You guys look good together,” she said to Steve, winking.
“He’s very attractive,” Isabella agreed.
“Hey!” Marco playfully countered, and she put a hand on his face and laughed.
“But he’s no Marco,” she said, pinching his cheek as the others laughed, Steve joining them and wondering if that was something he could have himself one day…
____
It took a few more weeks to line up schedules, but Bucky had invited Steve over to his apartment one Friday night for dinner and a movie.
Steve was feeling pretty good about his appearance, wearing a dark green plaid shirt he liked that seemed like a mix of his general style with modern flair, or so Jarvis had said…
He nodded at Pepper and Tony as he passed them on his way to the tower's garage, Pepper giving him a small smile.
Tony stopped in his tracks. “What is that?” he suddenly asked. “Captain, my captain, are you wearing cologne?” He looked at Pepper. “He’s wearing cologne, I’m sure of it. And on a Friday night. You’re wearing cologne and going out on a Friday night?”
The other two rolled their eyes.
“You told me to get a life,” Steve reminded him as he continued to walk away. “So I am.”
“What does that mean? Where? Who? How?” Tony called back.
“Let him be,” Pepper shushed him, linking arms and pulling him away.
“Jarvis,” Tony said, “where is he going?”
“An unknown destination,” the AI replied. “He did not program it into the GPS.”
“Track it.”
Pepper glared at him. “Tony, don’t.”
“Captain Rogers has disabled tracking on that vehicle,” Jarvis said.
“And if the car gets stolen? Then what?” Tony countered.
“Captain Rogers can then approve it to be tracked, otherwise that is not possible.”
Tony turned to look at the direction Steve had gone. “He’s got a secret, and I need to find out what it is…”
Pepper sighed. “We have a date tonight, think about being nosy tomorrow, okay?”
“Fine,” Tony relented. “Jarvis, set an alarm for me for midnight…”
____
“Hi,” Bucky greeted Steve at the building’s front door. “Come on in.”
“Thanks,” Steve replied, following him into the small apartment building. They climbed one set of stairs before going down the hallway, soft music playing from an apartment at one end.
As they walked down the short hallway that had about four units, Steve looked at the framed items on the wall, before pausing in shock when he realized they were all featuring Natasha. Her, of all people!
Pictures of her, newspaper clippings, and a front page story about the “Battle for New York!” last year, though that one did have more of a team picture…
His mouth dropped and his hand started to sweat around the bottle of wine he had brought, fingers threatening to drop it.
“You, uh, a fan or something?” Steve barely got the question out.
“Me? No,” Bucky laughed. “There’s an older Russian couple down the hall,” he said, nodding towards the apartment playing music. “They love her, so they put this up whenever they find something new,” he added, looking at the ten or so pictures in front of them.
“What do you think about her?” Steve asked, unsure he wanted to hear the answer. “Or them,” he posed, nodding at the group picture. At least it wasn’t posed, he sighed.
Bucky shrugged. “I mean, she’s cool, they’re cool, right? They save the world and everything, so we definitely owe them one. I don’t know much though, I’m usually focused on work and whatever else and only catch bits on the news. Becca says I’m a total loser for that,” he laughed as he led them to his apartment. “That it’s one of many pop culture things I don’t know. She loves to tell me that one day I’ll get onto a quiz show and lose big because I can’t answer anything about the Avengers.”
“That so?” Steve asked, and Bucky nodded.
“Don’t hold it against me though,” the brunette said, letting them in. “What about you?”
“I like them,” Steve replied, feeling the worry seep away. “Like you said, they do a lot. I, uh, keep tabs on them for work, you know?”
“Ooh, interesting,” Bucky agreed. “I won’t ask more, but I’ll always want to hear anything you can share. In the meantime, it’s a Friday night, so no work talk tonight! This is my place, it’s nothing special but I like it,” he said, gesturing around.
It was a comfortable one-bedroom apartment, and Steve loved it right away. Presentable but inviting, tastefully decorated but not overwhelming. And with a large cat tower near the window, he noted.
“It’s great!” Steve told him. “You must love naps on the tower,” he teased, nodding at the window.
“You know it,” Bucky replied. “I’m just finishing dinner, we can hang out in the kitchen for now,” he suggested, leading Steve to the moderately sized kitchen that had a small dining table and chairs in it. As Steve went to sit, he heard a rustling sound and looked down at the chair he had just pulled out, finding a white cat looking up at him. “And this is Alpine, the resident princess.”
“Hello, Alpine,” Steve said, reaching down and holding out his hand. She sniffed it before headbutting him, and he smiled as he pulled another chair out from the table to sit on as he scratched her.
“I apologize in advance for you getting covered in cat hair, I’ve cleaned the place but if she sits on you, you could be in trouble,” Bucky called out over his shoulder as he stirred something in a pot.
“I won’t mind, for a beautiful girl like you,” Steve cooed at her and she purred loudly.
“I’m going to feel jealous of my own cat in a minute,” Bucky sighed, and Steve laughed.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” he assured him, melting at the grin Bucky sent his way.
They ate dinner and drank the wine, Alpine crunching on dry food in her own bowl on the floor. Dishes were left to soak and they moved the wine to the living room to put a movie on, Alpine stretched across their laps.
Comments on the movie led to discussions of other movies they wanted to share with each other. Maybe it was the easy talk of future dates, maybe that he was actually in Bucky’s apartment, maybe it was the domesticity of it all, but Steve let his worry about pursuing his first real relationship in how long, maybe ever, fall away, and he leaned in for a kiss. Alpine graciously made her way to the cat tower to look out over the city as their night turned more intimate, Bucky eventually leading Steve to his bedroom.
____
They were dating. Officially dating, not that Steve had told anyone outside of the bakery and Pepper. But he was smitten, that was for sure, and appreciated modern technology for the ease of staying in touch with Bucky (his boyfriend!), especially when returning from a mission. However, as their time together increased, he felt more and more unsure of how, not if, to confess of who exactly he was. After all, it was only a matter of time until they went somewhere more public, like a bigger restaurant or a museum, and people called him by his title. Or, what if Bucky suggested they spend a night at his place instead of Bucky’s?
It was after a debriefing from a mission one day about three weeks after their first night together that Tony pulled Natasha aside.
“Have you noticed anything strange about Rogers?” Tony asked.
Natasha crossed her arms. “He’s a super soldier from the 1940’s, care to be more specific?”
“I think he’s seeing someone,” he announced, and she raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. “I don’t know who, and Jarvis is on his side, the traitor.”
“What makes you think he’s seeing someone?” she asked.
“Haven’t you noticed the way he smiles at his phone sometimes, and that he’s on it more these days? I even saw him taking a selfie!” Tony hissed, throwing his arms up. “I didn’t think he knew what that was!”
“And your point is?”
“My point is, we need to figure out who it is.”
She frowned at him. “Why, to satisfy your strange urge to know everyone’s business?”
“Yes, and because I want to make sure they’re up to snuff,” Tony told her. “It’s not someone I’ve wanted to set him up with, which were all approved people. What if this person is seeking glory from dating him? Our Stevie-weevie is too innocent and could be taken advantage of.” She frowned again, and Tony rolled his eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong. He’s Captain America, good looking, famous, and rich, right?” Natasha nodded. “So he could be prime prey for the wrong person. And who else has he got to look out for him other than us? Clint isn’t good for this, and Pepper is…well, I think she’s on his side too. And I don’t trust anyone else to help.”
“So what are you asking me to do, Tony? Stalk my teammate and invade his personal life? Just ask him,” Natasha scoffed, putting her hands on her hips.
“I’ve tried, but he won’t talk. And I doubt he’d tell you either. Look, I can’t do this, I’m too famous,” he sighed dramatically. “But this is what you do, get inside information, find out the details no one wants people to know. We just need to verify this person is appropriate, that’s it. I’m not saying we have to like them, we just have to like them being with Steve for the right intentions.”
“Careful Tony, or we might think you have a heart,” she posed, and he rolled his eyes. “But sure, I’ll look into it. Whether I like it or not, you have a point - I don’t want him to be taken advantage of.”
“Good, great!” Tony cheered. “Use whatever resources you need, keep me updated.”
She nodded and walked away, admitting to herself that Tony’s observations were correct - Steve was on his phone a lot more these days, and did leave the tower more than he used to…
“There goes my free time for the next week or so,” she sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Hopefully I can figure this out sooner than later.”
___
Natasha really didn’t want to break into Steve’s phone, though that certainly would have been the quickest way to get her information. No, she drew a line somewhere as he was her friend, and Tony didn’t seem to think the man was in danger per se.
So she went with the old fashioned route of tailing him when he left the tower, which wasn’t hard as they had generally the same time off, and Jarvis did agree to let her know when Steve was heading to the ground floor. Clearly the AI had a weak spot for her over Tony, she thought smugly.
One day it was just to go shopping, with Steve buying some new sweaters now that the seasons were changing as winter was approaching soon enough. The clothing was a bit nicer than she thought he might go for, and Natasha had to admit that Tony may actually be right about Steve seeing someone, as he hadn’t cared about his appearance much last winter. Though, Steve wasn’t exactly buying designer items, just ones with a more modern look that definitely suited him nicely.
She narrowed his eyes as he bought one that was different from the rest - a possible gift for someone? She didn’t know Steve’s preferences, so either he was seeing a woman with a range of taste, or it was a man. Good to know, either way.
The next trip out was to a bakery in Brooklyn that smelled delicious, and as she sipped coffee at a hipster cafe across the street from it, she made a note to come back another time. She considered that this was likely the same bakery Steve had brought items from before, for several months now.
“Interesting,” she thought to herself. “He’s been going to this for a while, but Tony thinks it’s a new relationship.”
She noted Steve appeared friendly with older people in the bakery, joining them for a cup of coffee, but didn’t believe any of them were who he was texting at all hours of the day.
Part of her appreciated that the man had some people outside of the team or government he was spending time with, and she hoped that whoever he was seeing was also as good for him…
The third time, a Wednesday morning, Steve left the tower early, very early. It was fortunate for Natasha that she had been up early herself that day, planning on getting in some extra training when Jarvis informed her of Steve’s actions.
She quickly followed him to Brooklyn, again noting he was in a t-shirt and shorts despite the cold weather.
Parking her car in a parking lot by a park, she pulled a beanie hat over her hair and put sunglasses on, watching as Steve smiled and hugged a man who wore an equally wide smile.
Stretching, the two set off on a run, and Natasha silently thanked Steve for at least doing something that still let her get her own exercise in.
She kept a careful distance behind, blending in easily with other early morning park-goers, many of whom were walking, biking, or running themselves. To her surprise, after their decently long run, the two men headed to the same bakery she had followed Steve to, where they sat with breakfast and coffee until the brunette left, planting a kiss on Steve’s cheek.
Natasha smiled at Steve’s blush as she left the same hipster cafe she had previously been stationed at, following the other man to what appeared to be his apartment building.
Satisfied with her intel, she headed back to the tower - now the real work began.
____
She decided to get a full report before giving any findings to Tony. This included a small chat with Pepper, who acknowledged knowing Steve had met someone but that she didn’t know anything specific, nor wanted or needed to until the good captain revealed it himself.
At least she also agreed to not let Steve know anything was up, either, and Natasha continued on. Getting the man’s identity was easy for her - hello, James Buchanan Barnes.
No criminal record, so that was good. Nothing major in his background check, actually. From Brooklyn, moved away for college, came back a year or two after. From a decent enough family. Parents now lived in another state near extended family, sister was out of state for graduate school. Moderate social media presence but nothing about Steve or the Avengers, not even a relationship status. Some student loan debt he had nearly paid off, and overall good credit. Satisfactory hobbies and media streaming selections, though clearly some had changed around the time he got more serious with Steve, judging by his recent watching of older movies as well as classics from the last twenty years or so. She’d have to slip that into conversation, see how Steve reacted when she asked him about Die Hard or Harry Potter…No health concerns. Stable back account and residential history. Good employment history, interesting enough line of work currently. The nickname "Bucky" wasn't exactly her thing, and she decided she preferred him as James.
In short, he was the good kind of boring and stable Steve needed. James clearly had his own life sorted out, and didn’t outright need Steve or anyone else. So, he was actually with Steve because they liked each other? That was good, she thought; she could let Tony know that he didn’t need to worry.
Still, background checks and personal history only got one so far. What was his personality like, she wondered? And there was only one way to find out - she’d have to go in the field for it.
Natasha pulled out her favorite wigs and outfits and began to follow her target, observing how he was out and about. Kind to servers and assistants in stores and eateries? Check. Friendly with the pet shop staff? Yes. Got along with his own coworkers? Double affirmative.
She made an appointment at James’ company to ask for numbers for a potential job she was looking for consulting support with, a general contract for a business project she made up. James and another coworker met with her, and after it he walked her to the elevator.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help but feel you look familiar,” he commented, scratching his forehead between his eyebrows. “Have we met?”
She smiled. “I don’t think so. Do I look like anyone you know?”
He laughed. “Not personally, no. But my neighbors, they love Natasha Romanov. You know, Black Widow?” he clarified as she wrinkled her nose in confusion. “The Avengers?”
“Ah, really?” she laughed. “I haven’t heard that one before. I should look into her. Is she pretty?”
“Um, I guess,” James stumbled, and was saved by the door opening. “She has red hair though, and not glasses. Anyway, don’t mind me, sorry if that was weird.”
“No worries. It was nice meeting you, I’ll be in touch,” Natasha said, smiling as she entered the elevator, waving as the doors closed. “Neighbors, hmm?” she wondered. “How interesting.”
____
A week later, and Bucky’s neighbors, the Popovs, were excitedly cornering him at the building’s front door as he was leaving one morning.
“We met her!” they cheered.
“Who?” he asked.
“Ms Romanov!” Mrs Popov said, fluttering her hands. “She’s a delight, such a sweet girl!”
“Isn’t she, like, a trained assassin?” Bucky asked.
Mr Popov nodded. “She can be both, James,” he said in his strong accent. “And she is!”
“Oh, she was so nice to talk to!” his wife continued. “Letting us talk her ear off!”
“How did you meet her?” Bucky asked, surprised.
“She was in the market, you know, Petrov’s?” Mr Popov said. “And we couldn’t not say hello! What are the odds of seeing her there?!”
“We invited her over for dinner, tomorrow night. You should come,” his wife invited Bucky.
“I don’t want to crash it,” he told them. “I mean, thanks, but this is such a big deal for you!”
“Nonsense!” Mr Popov said. “At least have a drink, yeah?”
“Maybe,” Bucky agreed. “When you’re done dinner, maybe.”
Bucky continued on his way out the door to grab a quick coffee from Iocco’s and something to take to work for his team that day, but did a double take when he was leaving, hands full with his purchases.
Unfortunately, the bakery was busy that morning as usual for the time of day, and he was swept out the door with other customers, but frowned as he peered in through the window.
“Was that…that’s not the Black Widow in there talking to Isabella and Frankie, is it?” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. “It must be some other redhead, why would she show up here all of a sudden?”
But he couldn’t stop thinking about it all day, here and there when he was free. Sure, he wasn’t at the bakery every morning, and he only caught a glimpse of the woman’s face. There must be plenty of redheads that even remotely look kind of like her, he told himself, and the bakery gets how many customers each day?
“I probably just have it in my head because of my neighbors,” he laughed. “What’s the term? Subliminal thought or something?”
Though, the potential client he met last week, who also shared a similar appearance to her, came to mind, but he soon shook it off.
“I see her face every day in the hall,” he reminded himself, referencing the Popov’s collection of pictures. “I must be getting worn out from work more than I thought, if I think I’m seeing her everywhere…”
___
He had put it all behind him when Mr Popov came knocking on his door at about eight the next night, scurrying him down the hall to meet their special guest.
Bucky’s eyes widened as he was greeted by the intimidating and surreal sight of Natasha casually sitting in the Popov’s dining room, a place that was typically very inviting and familiar to himself.
Now, it was anything but, as the powerful woman smiled at him.
“You must be James,” Natasha greeted him with a handshake.
“Hello, Ms Romanov,” he replied, shaking her offered hand.
“Please, call me Natasha,” she said, and the older couple scurried around to grab the glasses and vodka.
“Like olden times, back home!” Mr Popov cheered in English as he passed everyone a glass. “To your health!” he said in Russian, holding his glass up.
The women returned the toast in the same language.
“Cheers!” Bucky replied in English, and the group clinked glasses together.
“Mr and Mrs Popov speak highly of you,” Natasha said to him. “You seem like a good neighbor to them.”
“I try,” Bucky said, feeling nervous underneath her studious watch.
“He is,” Mrs Popov said. “You need to come over for dinner more. Work less, have fun more.”
“Stop nagging him!” Mr Popov told her. “He’s been busy with his new relationship!” He turned to Bucky. “Bring him by sometime, we’ll all have dinner, okay?”
Bucky smiled at the thought of Steve, and nodded. “Sure.”
“It’s still new,” Mrs Popov told Natasha. “Shame he met someone, or you two could…” she said, waggling her eyebrows.
“I’m not…she’s not…” Bucky began, before giving Natasha a small smile. “I’m sorry,” he apologized.
“Don’t, it’s fine,” Natasha said, topping up their glasses. “How long have you been dating your boyfriend?”
“It’s still pretty early, not too long now but he’s a great guy!” Bucky gushed.
“Is he handsome?” Mrs Popov questioned. “I bet he is, look at you, of course he is!”
Bucky laughed and blushed, and Natasha studied him. “He’s the most handsomest guy I ever saw!”
“And personality?” Natasha asked.
“A great guy, really sweet,” Bucky sighed.
“And for work? You never told us,” Mr Popov said.
“Oh, something in security, or something like that,” Bucky said.
“You don’t know?” Mr Popov asked, surprised. “Not good.”
“I don’t think he can talk about it a lot,” Bucky told them. “But it’s not like I can go around talking about my own work all the time either, and it’s not like I have a big job or anything. That’s just how it is a lot of the time today,” he said, shrugging. “People don’t blend work and personal life a lot anymore if they can help it.”
“Well, if he does anything suspicious, you tell the Popov’s and they’ll tell me,” Natasha offered, and Bucky’s eyes widened.
“He wouldn’t! It’s not like that,” he quickly assured her. “Anyway, thank you but enough about me,” he said, changing the topic to something more neutral.
And Natasha allowed him, but continued to study him throughout the rest of the night.
____
“You’ll never guess who was at my neighbor’s place last night,” Bucky told Steve by phone the next day on his lunch break, having been too busy to text earlier.
“Who?”
“The Black Widow!” Bucky exclaimed. “They had me over to join them for a drink!”
“What?” Steve asked, feeling blood drain from his face and ice run through his veins.
“Yeah, they met her at this local Russian market they always go to, I guess it’s no surprise she was there, it’s like the best one in the city,” Bucky continued. “I was there for like an hour, she was really nice. It was intimidating, I mean, meeting a real Avenger!” He paused. “I wonder if I should tell Becca? I should probably tell her…”
Steve tuned out the rest of the discussion, adding general comments here and there without knowing what he was saying or responding to.
As soon as they ended the call, he took a deep breath to calm himself.
“Jarvis, where is Natasha?”
“Ms Romanov is out of the building,” the voice told him. “And off communication protocol at this time.”
“Of course,” Steve groaned. What was she playing at, he wondered?
“Think, Steve, think,” he told himself. Had he done anything to show anyone here about Bucky? That he had a boyfriend in general? He didn’t think so. Never took a call anywhere in the tower but his apartment, never showed pictures of them, hadn’t even changed the background or lock screen on his phone.
Sure, he actually spent a few nights away from the tower when he wasn’t on a mission, but no one had needed him or tried to reach out then, so surely no one noticed, right?
“I need to find Bucky,” he groaned again. “I need to find him, and tell him who I am. I don’t know how, not yet, but I need to…”
He quickly texted the other man to see if they could meet that night, feeling apprehension grow when Bucky shared that he had to work late, and could they get together at the bakery the next day? For that was Wednesday, and when they were able to they still met there while Bucky worked and Steve read or drew, making small talk until they could go somewhere for lunch and whatever else, pending Bucky’s schedule for the day.
“Okay, I have about today to figure out what to say and explain I’ve been hiding it for…a long time,” Steve sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. “I can do this, and Bucky is a good guy, he’ll understand everything…won’t he?”
____
While Steve was up all night rehearsing his speech and preparing for every outcome he could think of, Bucky slept like a rock, eagerly looking forward to seeing his boyfriend the next day.
They wouldn’t be meeting until nine, but Bucky decided to leave his building earlier than usual and take a walk in the crisp fall morning air since rain was possible that night.
When he stepped out of his building, he paused in surprise.
“Hello again,” he said, swallowing nervously.
“Good morning, James,” Natasha said, from where she was leaning against the stair rail, dressed in black from head to toe, one of her more imposing civilian looks. “Where are you off to?”
“J-just taking a walk,” he said anxiously, clutching the cross-body strap of his laptop bag.
“May I join you?” she asked. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, you and I.”
“Do we?”
She grinned at him, enjoying the way fear entered his eyes. “Yes, we do.”
He silently nodded, and off they went, Natasha leading the way.
“What do you know about who I work with?” she began, and off they went, talking as they walked, though she did far more of the talking.
Bucky’s mind swam in nervous circles at their conversation, and before he knew it she had steered him to Iocco’s, where she guided him to a table in the corner.
He stared blankly at the tabletop, looking up and blinking at her as she returned, placing two drinks on the surface and sitting across from him.
“Is it true?” he whispered, and she nodded.
“Would I lie to you?”
“This is a lot to take in,” Bucky admitted, and she nodded again.
“I’m sure it is,” she reassured him. “What time is he meeting you?”
“Usually around nine,” Bucky told her, and she glanced at the clock.
“We made good timing then,” Natasha commented. “He’s more than punctual, so I’m guessing he’ll be here early…”
Just then the door opened, the bell on top jangling at the harsh push of the door, and she looked at it.
“Right on time,” Natasha purred.
“What are you doing here?” Steve snapped as he walked to them, fury filling his body.
“Just having a coffee with my new friend,” she said, demurely sipping her drink.
“Steve?” Buck asked, turning to look up at him. “Steve?”
“Bucky!” Steve replied, feeling relief and fear replacing his anger, for now at least. He sat down and reached for one of Bucky’s hands, glad the man didn’t pull it away. “Your hand is cold, you feel like you’re freezing!”
“I don’t know how I feel,” Bucky said, blankly.
“We went on a walk, it’s a little chilly out there,” Natasha casually told her teammate.
“Why are you here?” Steve hissed at her again. “What did you do?”
“What did I do? What did you do?” she challenged. “Or, what haven’t you done?”
“Steve, is it true?” Bucky asked, and Steve turned his gaze back to him. “Are you really…him?”
“Him, who?” Steve asked, but Natasha scoffed.
“He knows, Steve,” she sighed.
Steve kept his eyes on Bucky and nodded. “Yeah, Buck,” he said, exhaling as he took off his trusty baseball cap. “I’m Captain America.”
“Not Steven Grant?”
“Steven Grant Rogers,” the blond. “I was going to tell you, soon. Really, I was. But this is me, you know me, the real me,” he continued. “Nothing was a lie, Buck, nothing.”
“You just withheld some things,” Bucky challenged, frowning as the dazed look left him. “Some pretty important things.”
Steve opened his mouth but paused when Isabella came over, sitting in the fourth seat at their table.
“Well, judging from who’s here I think I have a feeling of what’s going on,” she said, eyes darting between the three in front of her. “Let me guess. James, you didn’t know Steve’s other…identity?” she asked, and Bucky shook his head. “And Steve, you hadn’t told him yet, though we all knew you wanted to meet someone as Steve and not as this you,” she continued, and the blond nodded. And you,” she said, turning to Natasha, “decided Steve had taken too long to confess?”
Natasha shrugged. “Guilty.”
“I can’t say I disagree with you,” Isabella told her, earning looks of surprise from both men. “What? I know we told you to wait til the moment was right, but we’ve also suggested that it’s been right for some time. Steve, we were all just telling you the other day that James really likes you and would like any version of you. And how many times have you told us that you were nervous about what to tell him for why you couldn’t go to this or that place?”
Steve sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s true, Buck. I wanted to tell you myself and not get exposed in public and have you find out that way. I guess that happened anyway,” he said, frowning at Natasha.
“I did it because I care,” she told him. “For what it’s worth, he gets my approval. Everything came back clear for him, so I just did what you’ve been too scared to do!”
“I was working on it!” Steve protested. “Geez, Nat, tell me you didn’t run a background check on him!” She shrugged and remained silent, and he groaned.
“Did you tell them about me?” Bucky asked Steve, dark eyebrows raised in confusion. “The Avengers, do they all know?”
Steve shook his head. “I wanted to wait to make sure you knew first, I don’t know how she figured out, Buck, I swear.”
“Oh please, she’s her, why are you surprised she figured it out?” Isabella said, shaking her head. “Boys,” she grumbled to Natasha, rolling her eyes, and the assassin smiled conspiratorially. “Why don’t we leave them to it?” Isabella suggested, and for once, Natasha agreed.
“Nice meeting you again, James,” Natasha offered. “I hope to see you for dinner at the tower soon.”
“What?” Bucky asked, surprised. “Really?”
She nodded. “Whenever you’re free, let us know. I’m sure Tony will pull out all the stops for it.”
Steve groaned at the mention of the billionaire, and the men sat in silence as the others left, before looking at each other.
“So,” Bucky began, unsure of what else to say. “You’re Captain America.”
“I am, and I really was going to tell you,” Steve repeated. “I just…it was nice, you know? To be me, just Steve. I was sick of meeting people who only wanted to talk to me for my title. I didn’t mean to hide it, it just…happened. But I was going to tell you soon, I promise!”
Bucky sighed and finally sipped his drink. “I’m tired,” he said. “This is a lot to take in.” He paused. “What’s Captain America even doing in a place like this? Why not stay in Manhattan at all those fancy places?”
“I’m a Brooklyn boy through and through,” Steve replied. “I grew up around here, and when I had some time at the start of the summer, I came back. Iocco’s was around when I was younger, back then. Isabella, Marco, Frankie, we all grew up around here together. It was nice to have a place to come back to, like coming home.” He wearily laughed. “They wanted me to date someone, knowing my hesitation at dating like this, being me. They, uh, actually suggested I make a move on you,” Steve said, scratching the back of his head.
“What?”
Steve nodded, feeling his face heat up. “They saw me staring at you one day, and I guess since they already knew you as a regular, and knew me, they…got involved. Helped us meet…”
Bucky looked at him in surprise before laughing and shaking his head. “It’s like they don’t have a family business to run. Or like the Black Widow has nothing better to do than stalk me.”
“What?” Steve asked, surprised.
“Nothing, forget I said anything,” Bucky told him. “Look, I’m going to need some time to, I don’t know, let this all settle in.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Steve said slowly. Great, he thought to himself, he gets in his first relationship in how long, if ever, and this is how it ends?
“Hey,” Bucky interrupted his thoughts. “It’s not an ending, okay? This is just a lot. I’m dating a guy I grew up reading about, saw in museums, and who saves the world!” He paused and hid his face in his hands. “Oh god, and I even told you I didn’t know the Avengers well, and you’re an Avenger! I’m so embarrassed!”
Steve laughed, finally it felt like. “I thought it was cute. I was worried then, actually, but it was…nice, that you really didn’t know. You like me as me, and I appreciate that so much. And aside from my work, everything I ever told you is true. Though, now you also know the real reason why I haven’t seen a lot of the movies and shows you talk about…”
Bucky took a deep breath as he nodded. “Yeah, that makes a lot of sense now.” He was about to say more when his phone rang. “I’m on the clock at work,” he sighed. “I think I’m going to head back home to work today, take some breathing room. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
Steve nodded, and Bucky gave him a small smile as he answered his phone to talk to a coworker as he left the bakery.
“So?” Isabella asked, immediately swooping in to return to the table.
“So he needs time to understand it,” Steve sighed. “Izzy, what did I do? I should have just told him from the start!”
“Steve, you yourself said you didn’t want someone who only wanted you for your title,” she reminded him. “James is a nice boy, I’m sure he’ll come around to it before you know it.”
“And if not?”
“Then it’s for the best,” she said, reaching to take his hand in her smaller one and squeezed it. “Do something for yourself today to get your mind off it, don’t fret. You’re strong, you know that. After all, you’re –” she began, but Steve cut her off.
“Captain America, I know,” he said sarcastically, nodding his head.
“No, I was going to say, you’re from Brooklyn,” she replied, winking at him. “A resilient Brooklyn boy first, above anything else.”
She left without waiting for a response, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“It wasn’t a ‘no’ from Bucky,” he reminded himself, looking at the clock. “But when can I reach out to him…”
____
Bucky texted later that day just to say hello, and the two men maintained some communication for the next few days though not at the same level they had previously done.
“He’s moping,” Tony sighed to Pepper and Natasha. “Why is he moping? I thought you said things were going well with him and Jimbo?”
“His boyfriend now knows his identity and was…caught off guard,” Natasha reminded him as she sharpened a knife.
Pepper sighed. “I told you two not to get involved. Let him live his life as he wants.”
“His life is my life, Pep, he’s my teammate!” Tony challenged. “I should have been the one to make sure the guy knew he’s our country’s Captain…maybe a nice presentation, or I could have brought in the Rockettes, or –”
“You just love drama,” she reminded him, and he shrugged. “If any of this is your mess, either of yours, you’d better clean it up,” Pepper said, standing and walking out of the room.
Tony looked at Natasha. “She meant you.”
“She meant you.”
The room sat in silence for a minute.
“I’ll go distract him from his feelings, you go talk to Jimmy James,” Tony finally suggested. “Deal?”
Natasha looked up and sighed. “Fine,” she muttered. “This is why I don’t get involved in things like this…”
____
As life happened, the team was sent out on a short mission, something Tony and Natasha had hoped would help Steve feel more like himself. He fought like himself, perhaps with a little extra oomph than was needed, but kept his small talk with them to a minimum, shutting down when it wasn’t related to work and going to sleep as soon as they were back in the quinjet. After pulling out his phone and sending a quick text, nothing like all the time he had formerly spent on his phone.
As soon as the debrief was done, Natasha showered and headed to Bucky’s place. It was early evening on Tuesday, about one week since the last time anyone had seen each other at the bakery.
She slipped into the apartment building and headed straight to his door, knocking on it firmly.
A second later she sighed and rolled her eyes. “I can hear you in there. James, open the door before I let myself in.”
Bucky grumbled as he did so, opening it just enough to stand with his arms crossed, blocking her entry. “What do you want?”
“Ooh, snapping at an Avenger, you’ve gone up in my book,” she laughed. “Let’s talk.”
He shook his head. “No. The last time we did that you ended up turning things upside down and we’re still figuring it out. I can’t take anything more right now, and I know Steve got back okay, so I’m good.”
“You’re still in contact like that, that’s good,” Natasha said, pushing past him and strutting into his apartment uninvited.
He sighed and closed the door, going to get her a glass of water. “I’m only doing this because my mother raised me to be nice to guests,” he said, returning and setting it down on his coffee table as she had settled on his sofa. Joining her, he crossed his arms. “And you’re taking a picture with me to send to my sister.”
“Is she a fan?”
“More or less,” he said.
Alpine jumped onto Natasha’s lap, getting comfortable and purring loudly as Natasha scratched her.
“Alps, she’s up to no good, don’t be a traitor,” Bucky sighed.
“She’s cute,” Natasha said, ignoring him. “Look, I’ll get straight to it. Don’t throw away what you have with Steve. Yes, he didn’t tell you yet who he is, and yes, some of us took it on ourselves to jump in. But you two have something good, and it shouldn’t stop just because of who he is.”
“It’s a big deal, you know that,” Bucky argued. “He’s a celebrity, a famous soldier, an icon! I don’t know what to think about it, it’s too big to even think about sometimes,” he sighed, uncrossing his arms to run a hand through his hair.
“He’s also old fashioned and a bit of a nerd, not to mention kind of shy sometimes,” Natasha told him. “Remember, he’s not perfect, he’s just a guy. And nothing about him is fake, he was also just overwhelmed. Don’t forget, he’s in our time period, not his own. This is still all new for him. And not everyone can see past the shield. The fact that you have is big.”
“You still can’t ignore he’s Captain America,” Bucky reminded her. “Now I’m the guy dating him, I didn’t sign up for something like that. The paparazzi love him and all of you, but my life, my work, my family, it would all be on the internet. And if we fought and I’m the guy who broke the Captain’s heart? I’d be dead!”
“Whoa, don’t get ahead of yourself,” Natasha said, shaking her head as she continued to run her hand over Alpine. “First off, we have a good PR team, so relax. Second, life happens. I’m not telling you to marry him right now, just to not end what’s going on. Any relationship is a risk, but I know neither of you want to give this up because of that chance. Look, Steve’s not been himself since last week, he’s just moping around.”
“So, you’re here to get him off your back?”
“No, I’m here to right what people perceive as my wrong,” she sighed. “Tony’s too. And to make sure neither you nor Steve are too idiotic to do something you’ll regret.”
“Are you always this nice?” Bucky asked, and she grinned.
“You don’t want to get on my bad side,” she assured him. “You like him, right?”
“Yes.”
“You miss him?”
“I do.”
“So move on from this, just take it day by day. Steve is Steve, no matter what. Anyone who knows him will tell you that.” She gave Alpine a hug before moving to stand, the cat stretching as she got off the woman’s lap.
“You’re a smart guy, James,” Natasha said as she walked towards the door. “Don’t be an idiot about this,” she said again.
“Good pep talk,” Bucky said, frowning. “You’re a great motivational speaker,” he sarcastically added.
“I try,” she said, shrugging as she let herself out. “See you around.”
She walked down the hallway before calling out. “Go on, you big baby. He won’t bite your head off.”
Steve stepped out from the stairs. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Because you’re you,” she said, shrugging. “Just like I told him. Now I’m going to visit his neighbors, go on.”
Steve nodded and walked to Bucky’s door just as Natasha disappeared into another apartment to excited cheers from the older couple.
He swallowed nervously and took a deep breath as he knocked on the other man’s door.
“What is it now?” Bucky called out. “Did you leave a knife here or something?” he asked as he opened the door, the frown on his face disappearing as he saw who it was. “Steve?”
“Hi Bucky,” Steve said nervously, scratching the back of his own neck. “I, uh, was restless after the mission. How…how have you been?”
Bucky gave a small smile. “I’ve been okay.” He stepped back and opened the door wider. “You want to come in?”
Steve quickly nodded and entered his apartment, Alpine eagerly approaching for more attention.
“Hi,” Steve cooed, reaching down to pick her up.
Bucky smiled at the sight as he turned from locking the door behind them and reached up to scratch the top of the cat’s head as she nestled in Steve's arms.
The men looked at each other.
“Hi,” Bucky said in a soft tone. “How are you?”
“Worried,” Steve admitted. “Bucky, I –”
“I know,” Bucky interrupted. “It’s a lot for both of us, I think. I don’t think you intended to keep it a secret for bad reasons, like to trick me or anything. And I’m not sure I would have done anything differently if I were you. But you can probably understand how it can be a lot for me to take in, right?”
Steve nodded. “I completely get it! Everything is different these days, but regardless, I know it’s a lot for you, to ask of you. I just, I wanted to meet someone who liked me for me and not the name and title. I might be this now, but I’m still just a scrawny guy from Brooklyn getting into fights I won’t win and trying to do what’s right, and hoping that one day I find a guy who likes that about me.”
Bucky laughed. “Well, now you win all your fights...”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t need someone to fight for,” Steve said in a soft tone.
“Even if they’re just a regular guy?”
“Especially for that,” Steve assured him. “I don’t want anyone else, I just want to be with you, and to be honest about everything from now on. Everything I can talk about, at least. But I haven’t been lying, everything I have told you is true, I just had to leave a few things out, but not anymore.”
They looked at each other for a moment until Bucky gave him a small smile.
“Well, Steven Grant is a pretty awesome guy, so Steven Rogers has a lot to live up to,” he finally posed, laughing. “In the meantime, since you’re already here, do you want to stay for dinner? We can order something in and watch a movie from your time,” he laughed.
“I’d love that,” Steve said, putting Alpine down and pulling Bucky into his arms, kissing the top of his head.
“I don’t know if there’s any pizza places with Captain America specials though,” Bucky teased, trying to wriggle out of his arms. “Maybe we can get Americana toppings, or a pizza that looks like your shield?”
“Punk!” Steve laughed, moving to chase him. “But I’m glad you’re finding humor in it all.”
_____
A knock rang out in Steve’s apartment and he smiled as he raced to open the door.
“Hi,” he greeted Bucky, pulling him into a big hug.
“Steve!” Bucky laughed. “We just saw each other yesterday.”
“But I missed you,” Steve said, shrugging. “And that was just for coffee, this is you staying the weekend.”
“I still freak out a little every time I think about it,” Bucky said, looking in awe at Steve’s apartment. “That I can be in Avengers Tower.”
“It’s been a while now, I’m surprised you’re still shocked by it,” Steve laughed. “Do you need to do anything before dinner? Tony’s making a big deal about it, he’s insisting on celebrating our nine months anniversary ‘in big style’ though he won’t give me any clues.”
“I will never figure that man out,” Bucky laughed, shaking his head. “Nine-month anniversary? Is he building towards something big?”
“You never know,” Steve sighed. “Remember when he flew your family out for your birthday to surprise you?”
“My mother practically adopted him for that,” Bucky laughed. “Good thing you had already met them at Christmas before that!”
“Speaking of, I did get you a little something for our nine months,” Steve said, moving towards his bedroom.
“I did too,” Bucky said. “But let’s exchange gifts tomorrow, we need to get changed or Tony might search for us himself if we’re late.”
Steve sighed. “That’s a fair point,” he said as Bucky came into the bedroom, looking curiously at a garment bag hanging up. “Uh, a gift from Tony, a new suit for you for tonight.”
“That man, he’s too much,” Bucky said, shaking his head. “Still, I appreciate him, and you,” he said, moving towards Steve and putting his arms around him, face to face.
“I appreciate you,” Steve said, smiling. “Happy nine months, Buck, I love you.”
“Love you too,” Bucky said, kissing him. “Happy nine months, Steve. But you know, maybe we could sneak away for our one-year anniversary? Go off the grid?”
“I like the way you think,” Steve laughed. “And I think Pepper and Nat would help us with that…”