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Steve walked into the kitchen to get his after-run protein shake and almost jumped out of his skin. Bucky was rooting around in the fridge. His best friend didn’t get up before noon, but from the look of it, Bucky hadn’t been to sleep yet.
Steve pulled off his sunglasses and Air Pods. “You slept over. This must be getting serious.”
Bucky turned and looked at his housemate. “Don’t start picking out best man suits just yet, but yeah. I like her.”
“Like.” Steve pushed him out of the way to grab his shake.
“I’m sorry, Father Rogers. I don’t need true love and a promise ring to make a move.”
“I don’t either, but I try to take my time to see if I am making the right move.”
“Whatever.” Bucky glanced at his watch. “You’re back early, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I only did three laps. Sam had a meeting this morning. We are going to hit the gym after work.”
“You’re serious about this marathon? This guy.”
“It’s for charity, and Sam is cool. I told you about all the work he does with the VA.” Bucky walked out of the kitchen with a pack of trail mix. He flopped on the couch. Steve followed him. “I’ve been trying to get you to meet. You should come to the gym with us. You should be up by then. We’re meeting at 5:15 p.m.”
“I get plenty of cardio, and my weight bench is all the exercise I need.”
Steve watched his friend kick off his shoes and flip through channels. He would be asleep in five minutes. “Suit yourself.”
-o0o-
Bucky woke with the fading summer sun in his eyes. It was almost seven. He had a date in an hour and needed to get a shower. He sat up with a groan. His back was killing him. He was getting too old for this all-night stuff. He stretched and jumped when he heard Steve put his key in the door. Bucky was about to say something when he heard an extra voice. The pleasant sound tickled Bucky’s ears and made him fuzzy inside. He peeked into the foyer. Steve was walking in with a Black guy.
The world spun. Bucky may have floated off the couch. He dropped back down when he smelled himself. He was ripe. He looked down at the state he was in and bolted for his bedroom. He could not meet this man looking like an extra in a zombie movie or smelling like the undead.
“Buck? Was that you?” Steve yelled.
“Yeah.”
“I wanted to introduce you to Sam. We're about to get drinks with Morita and Gabe. You should come hang out.”
He should, but Bucky wasn’t dressed, and by the time he was and got to where they were- “I have a date. I’m running late. Another time.”
“Okay. I’ll be back late. Wait. You won’t be back at all tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
You sure will, Bucky thought, pulling out his phone. He texted Nancy and then went to take a shower.
-o0o-
The next morning Steve walked into the living room. Bucky was up and waiting with workout clothes on. “Are you just getting home?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said about the marathon and charity. I was thinking I could tag along for training today.”
“You want to go jogging?”
“Yeah.”
“At 6:00 a.m.”
Bucky shrugged. “You're right. I should take my health more seriously.”
“Well, which is it, the charity, or your health?”
“Both.”
“Yeah right, asshole. Sam’s a good guy.”
“I’m a good guy.”
“The best, but Sam just got out of a long-term relationship, and if this is about making moves-”
“Why can’t it be about making the right move? And I don’t like your insinuation.”
“Oh yeah? What happened to Nancy?”
“Sam happened to Nancy.”
Steve shook his head, but there was nothing he could do. Sam was a grown man, and Bucky really was the best. He was a great friend and loyal to the important people in his life. Sam was too. They would make a great couple if Bucky were serious. Steve’s best friend had slowed down a lot. He was only seeing Nancy from what Steve could tell these last couple of weeks. Bucky was getting older. He seemed like he was searching for the right person. Now that Steve thought about it. Bucky and Sam had several things in common: stubbornness, jazz, and a love for science fiction. It made sense. That’s why they were his best friends.
-o0o-
Bucky and Steve made it to the park. They followed the path that led to one of the most difficult trails. This was going to be hell on his legs, but Bucky didn’t care. He spotted Sam the second he was in view. Bucky was dizzy again watching the man warm up. Sam’s foot was up on a park bench. His muscles tensed as he stretched. Bucky imagined himself biting into that thigh. The view of Sam’s ass was great from this position. Bucky was so hot and bothered it felt like the air was evaporating in Bucky’s lungs. Steve slapped him in the chest. “Stop being a creep.”
“I was admiring the beautiful scenery.”
“You have drool on your chin.” Bucky wiped at his face. Steve smiled walking up to his friend. “Sam, this is Bucky. Bucky, this is Sam. Bucky wanted to train with us this morning.”
“I heard so much about you, man. Nice to meet you.” Sam stuck out his fist.
Bucky bumped it. Their skin touched and fireworks went off in the distance. Was someone playing the violin? Sam looked down at his hand. His eyes narrowed, and his mouth pulled into a grin. Bucky knew then that he felt it too. He was breathtaking. “Nice to meet you, Sam.” He wondered if Sam liked the name Jaime for their first born.