Chapter Text
Tony sipped what he considered to be vigorously bland coffee from a flimsy paper cup in the waiting area of the DMV as he caught up on some SI memos. He figured Bucky should be done his test soon and let his gaze wander out the windows to the parking lot, looking for the dark blue sedan.
Bucky hadn’t needed any time to get used to the car before his driving test. He’d just looked it over from the passenger seat on the drive to the testing centre and had seemed satisfied. Tony had been tempted to bring something fun like one of the Lambos or the Zenvo with its 1000+ horsepower but he realized that would be more about himself than about Bucky who just wanted a driver’s license and not a spectacle.
He spotted the sedan a few minutes later coming into the lot and shortly after that, Bucky was striding into the building with the paperwork in hand and joining the line. Tony finished up an email he’d been noodling for a while, aiming for just the right tone; somewhere between cajoling and bullying. It was for a good cause so the method was forgivable if it yielded results. He mused that Bucky had the same approach when he chivied Tony into doing things that were good for him. It seemed to get results because Tony was a sad, pathetic man who’d apparently do many things to see that self-satisfied little smirk Bucky bestowed on him when he complied. He then wondered if Bucky had been like that towards Steve. Steve was bullheaded so maybe Bucky came by his technique out of necessity. Tony then wondered if he was bullheaded. He wanted to share no character traits with Rogers but he had to allow that he might have an oppositional nature…
“Thanks again Tony,” Bucky said from behind him, startling Tony into nearly dropping his coffee and Starkpad. Bucky was tucking a shiny new license into his wallet. “You’re still ok for time?”
“Yup. All good.” Tony said as he collected his things and got up before making his way to the exit, Bucky falling in beside him. “You’ve got me ‘til about five but I could push it if needed.”
In the parking lot, Tony made for the passenger side and saw Bucky pause for a moment in his peripheral before he unlocked the car and walked around to the driver’s side. “So, where are we going?”
“It’s near Brant Lake so just under an hour,” Bucky said as he buckled up and started the car. They drove out of the lot and headed west about a hundred feet before pulling into a Dunkin’ Donuts drive through. “Probably need a refill?”
Tony grinned. “Wouldn’t say no to a Boston cream either.” It seemed every day he was with Bucky was a cheat day but it wasn’t all that often. He probably was giving Bucky the impression that he ate this way all the time though. Next time he’d get a salad. Maybe.
Soon they were on the road, enjoying their snacks and coffees as the early autumn landscape whipped by.
“So, I was thinking I could start my own business doing handy work, odd jobs, property maintenance. That kind of thing. Start nice and slow, see where it goes,” Bucky said, not taking his eyes off the road.
Tony realized Bucky was asking him for his opinion when he didn’t continue. “I think that’s a great idea. Low investment cost upfront and you can scale as needed,” he said as he thought of what might be required to get that off the ground. “You probably just need the vehicle and some tools to start. You can use anything of mine to get a feel for what you might need most before buying. You’ll also want liability insurance and maybe some certifications down the road.” Bucky was already very handy and super strong – it seemed like a great fit and a definite departure from his previous skill set. Tony guessed that’s what this was really about. “How are you going to get started?”
“Maybe put up some flyers? Do it old school. Was thinking about a website down the road.”
“A website would be helpful – it’s good to have an online presence,” Tony agreed. “That’s easy though and you won’t have to manage anything if you just use it like a business card. I can help you get set up with that. Won’t take any time. Once you’ve finished some jobs you can post photos of your work and reviews. You have a business name in mind?”
“Um, I was thinking of just using my name. Is that dumb?”
Tony made a show of glaring at Bucky. “Are you really asking me that? Pretty sure your phone and the hoodie you’re wearing have my name on it.”
“But you’re famous, not infamous. It makes sense,” Bucky argued. “I feel like I might be shooting myself in the foot.”
“I think you’ll find there are many who disagree about me but I do it anyway because I want to and it works. Mostly because I insist. People are going to know who you are anyway. They’ll get to know how great you are and will tell all their friends, regardless of what you pick.”
Bucky didn’t say anything further but Tony caught him smiling into his coffee.
Bucky eventually turned their car into a residential driveway that led to a small and tidy looking clapboard house. Tony nodded at the other vehicle in the drive. “That it?”
“Yeah.”
It was a black late model half ton truck that appeared to be in great shape, cosmetically anyway.
“Looks sharp,” Tony said, eyeing the aggressive styling of the front end and grill appraisingly. He hadn’t known what Bucky would be looking at and a truck didn’t surprise him but he’d figured Bucky would go for a no-frills vehicle. This one appeared to be pretty tricked out.
The owner, a slightly grizzled older fellow with kind eyes and white hair sticking out from under a ball cap, came out to greet them and gave them a rundown of the truck’s maintenance history and offered up the keys after popping the hood.
There was no question this vehicle looked like it should belong to the former winter soldier. It was a tank of a truck. Everything was black. Even the badging, bezels and rims were black. It had an upgraded cab with what looked like a pretty decent media console and premium black leather seats. It was just a surprise that Bucky would splash out like this. It’s not that Tony necessarily thought he’d be buying a fifteen year old Ford Fiesta, he didn’t know what he’d expected actually, but it wasn’t this. He’d seen the coupons for orange juice and five grain bread that Bucky had clipped and left on the table. Maybe he had selective sticker shock and it only involved things that had existed back in the day. That made sense the more Tony considered it. He’d also seen Bucky’s laptop and gear and it was all high end stuff so it didn’t look like he had an issue spending a chunk of change, on tech at least.
Tony took a look at the engine – he had a passing familiarity with the design. It was a v8 but the technology used here saved fuel when cruising by deactivating cylinders. When needed though, it had 390 HP and 400 lb torque which was nothing to sneeze at. It looked to be well maintained so he went to the cab for a look there. He found Bucky sitting in the driver’s seat running his hand along various surfaces with a reverent expression.
“You ok there?” Tony chuckled.
“I knew what I was coming to look at but this is so much nicer than I thought,” Bucky said. “I can’t believe I can have this.”
Tony’s eyes darted to the owner standing off to the side some distance. “Ok, you’ve got to keep the heart eyes under wraps or you won’t be able to negotiate to your advantage.”
“I can’t help it,” Bucky muttered as he flicked through media screen configurations via the steering wheel mounted control.
“You want me to deal with that?” Tony said after some time and meaning it ironically.
“Would you?” Bucky asked distractedly. “Look at that - there’s even heated seats. In a truck.”
Tony couldn’t help but smile. He was powerless against this version of Bucky. Who was he kidding. He was weak for every version of Bucky. He sighed. “Let’s take it for a spin at least before you propose.”
Bucky stopped his ogling and turned to Tony, looking offended. “What do you take me for? I’m sensible. There’s got to be at least one date before any talk of marriage.”
The truck drove great. It was an incredibly smooth ride and there weren’t any flaws Tony could find beyond worn treads and the expected mileage and wear and tear for a six year old vehicle.
He talked the owner down a few hundred just because the asking price was always a suggestion but it was very reasonable based on the current market value that FRIDAY helpfully supplied.
Bucky took out an envelope of cash and started counting out the bills.
“Are you for real?” Tony hissed. “You’ve been walking around with 20 Gs in your back pocket? Haven’t you heard of electronic transfers?”
“What?” Bucky said defensively. “I like dealing with cash.”
“Ok grampa, but this is exactly where you do want a paper trail,” Tony said as he wondered how much cash Bucky kept in his pants on the regular.
Tony watched as the owner took the stack and started counting the bills for himself with obvious relish. “Old timers,” he said under his breath which prompted Bucky to move closer and give him a bump on the arm.
“Hey now, respect your elders, sonny.”
They grabbed a quick lunch and then drove to a closer DMV to get plates before Tony dropped Bucky off back at the truck and headed to the city for the Manhattan Applied Science Society dinner he’d agreed to attend. He got a text from Bucky while he’d zoned out during a speech, thinking about Bucky of course.
(20:34) You helped me so much today. Thank you, Tony.
(20:35) Anytime. Friends, right?
(20:37) Yeah, but it seems it’s always me benefitting from that. Doesn’t seem fair.
(20:39) Bucky, you make it easy. Always happy to help.
(20:40) Besides, you help me too. Pergola? Concussion? That amazing meatloaf last week? You helped me gain 5 pounds!
(20:40) Ok, so maybe no thanks to you there.
(20:41) But I’m contradictory so if you make it again, we can call it even.
(20:41) Square deal.