Work Text:
Steve was sipping a cheap tasting beer when he sensed a presence behind him. Two hands covered his eyes and made him unable to see. "Buck?", he asked, it seemed like he wasn't sure while he in fact could completely tell by the older man's cologne floating through the air wherever he went. That included now, when he was practically pressing his chest to Steve's back. If the metal hand hadn't been a dead giveaway. "Yes, Steve?", oddly enough, it sounded almost teasing. The slightly older man glanced around the room, he liked being cautious, before removing his hands from Steve's eyes and standing beside the man instead.
"I thought it was you", he commented with a soft hum, took another sip of the beer. Each sip made it a little less bearable. James was grateful the music had been turned down earlier after some people left the party, as he could now hear Steve's voice more clearly.
Parties were never really Steve's thing, he usually kept to himself as he wasn't a fan of people or too much social interaction. He was pretty convinced that the only reason he usually got invited was because he was James' best friend and he refused to go anywhere without Steve. It was like they were inseparable, and honestly they were... resulting in some light attachment issues on both sides. They've been like this for a long time, best friends. Since before Steve went underneath the ice in '45 and before James became the Winter Soldier.
Most of that's in the past though, James has made amends wherever he could and he's back to his old self now. On top of that, they're now both part of the Avengers.
"Of course you did", James replied, his lips parted again as if he wanted to say something else but Wanda's voice draws their attention. She's asking the remaining people to sit in the living room in a circle. There's not a lot of people left. Just Wanda, Tony, Bruce, Wade, Natasha, Peter, Gamora, Yelena and them, the two old men, James and Steve.
Steve quickly learns the game they're going to play is 7 minutes in heaven. He doesn't mind much, he's over Peggy and he's dated women after her already. Well, just one... and it only lasted a few weeks. But it definitely still counts. He uncomfortably shifts a bit in his spot and secretly hopes he gets Natasha, he's kissed her before so it seems the least awkward. If they even kiss, nothing says anything about specifically having to kiss. They could simply just talk or do nothing. He'll do that if he gets one of the other men, for sure.
Natasha and Bruce have been in the closet for approximately 5 minutes when Peter suddenly announces he feels like throwing up and rushes to the toilet. Tony is the first one to speak up, caring for the kid as if it were his own son. "Who even agreed on letting the kid drink? He just turned 18 for God's sake", the man complained, getting up and following after him.
Tony had spun the bottle as first earlier, he had entered the closet with Natasha as well but it seemed like they had just talked though. Everybody knew Natasha and Bruce had a thing going on, and if they didn't already they especially would right now. Besides, Tony definitely has his eyes set on someone else as well.
Bruce's hair looks completely messed up when he stumbles out of the closet, Natasha following after him with lips equally as kiss-swollen as his own and eyes that have looks of pure bliss in them. The only one that dares to comment on Natasha's state is Yelena, obviously not caring about teasing her own sister.
James was the next person to spin the bottle, a game that he had mastered over the many years he's lived. He decided to play it fair this time though and clumsily gave the bottle a shove so it started spinning around, it didn't take a genius to conclude that it certainly lacked technique. All eyes followed the direction that the bottle was pointed at and the gazes of the group seemed to burn holes into their leader when the bottle almost seemed to stop at Wanda but ended up clearly pointing at Steve.
Steve frowned for a split moment, then looked up and turned slightly red when noticing all the eyes were on him. He looked over at his best friend, hoping to see some reassurance on his face. Instead, his expression was nearly unreadable, the soft smile on his face barely visible, unless you looked very carefully. He seemed… amused.
He half expected James to protest, ask to spin the bottle again. The other half of him expected his friend to just get up and get in the closet without much complaining, so it took him by surprise when James got up and held out his hand for Steve instead. "C'mon, Rogers", that teasing tone back. ”Not backing out now, are you?”
Steve glanced around and saw most of the people avoiding his gaze when he looked over, feeling the tension just as much as himself. He hesitated for a split moment before he decided to grab onto his hand and let himself be pulled up. "Thanks, Bucky", he murmured, not sure what to think or expect when he followed inside of the closet.
They're in the compound so the closet is quite modern, it's neat. It's not like the closets back in the day, that's for sure. He only gets a glimpse of what's inside, a broom, a few cabinets and a couple clothing items hanging up on a rack.
"So...", Steve spoke up after the light was turned off. It was surprisingly dark in there. He squinted his eyes but it was no use, he just had to wait for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"So?", James repeated, Steve heard him move. Judging by the noise, he's sitting down on one of the cabinets.
"Well... I don't know. I don't do... this", he gestures around him but assumes James doesn't see much of it, "very often." There's a pause. "What should we talk about?"
"Talk, Steve?", said man hears more rustling and he concludes that James has hopped off the cabinet and taken a step towards him. He sounds closer-by when he talks again. "I’m not sure if you know how this game works", it's barely a whisper but Steve hears it loud and clear.
"I do know how this works-", Steve protests, eyebrows furrowed, "but we're friends and obviously you're not a wom-", he cuts himself off when warm fingertips graze his forearm. "Woman", he finishes, the word coming out quite airy.
"So?", James asks, the fingers curl around his wrist and gently tug him closer. "Are you homophobic or just straight then?", he adds as an effort to ease the tension, a chuckle follows his question. Steve blinks a few times and finally sees a vague figure of what is supposed to be his best friend. How is James joking when they’re standing together in a closet in the dark playing a game for teenagers? "I'm not homophobic... I just like women", he shrugs but once again doubts James sees it.
"Have you ever kissed a man then?", James asks curiously. He knows the answer, Steve has definitely never kissed a man before. He probably would've been the first to know. The younger man feels it when James' hand moves from his wrist to his own hand and he plays with a few of his fingers before slotting them together and giving a reassuring squeeze.
Goosebumps decorate Steve's skin at the touches, though he’s not sure why. James and he have held hands before… just never in this way. He’d never admit he secretly likes it.. "James", he sounds unsure, the fact that he used his first name indicates he's being serious. "Are you...?"
"Hm?", James asks absentmindedly, he's focusing, but on what is a mystery to Steve. He can sense his friend inching closer, catches the faint reflection in his eyes. He’s looking right at him, not a lot of people look at him this way, like he’s actually a person. But James does, and he’s standing right in front of him. Maybe a little too close for his liking. Steve can feel his presence, feel his loving gaze and even feel the slight hint of breath fanning over his cheek. He feels all of it. All he smells is beer though, with a hint of mint and then the scent of the familiar cologne clouding his senses. It doesn’t ruin the mood like he expects it to do. He's going to kiss him, he's sure of it. This would’ve probably been his worst nightmare, up until a few moments ago. Now, he’s anticipating it, waiting to feel James lean in and kiss him.
James waits just a split moment, allowing Steve to back up or push him away if he didn't want it. Steve just closes his eyes and tries to let his guard down. In the background, he hears the party music change to a slow jazz number. He’s sure that it’s one from when he and Bucky were barely legal and it makes this moment all the more perfect. James hears it too, Steve can tell by the small puff of breath that leaves his mouth after he smiles. And then, James shuts his eyes to close the last few centimeters between them by leaning forward and pressing their lips together.
It all happens so fast, James' metal hand resting at the dip of his waist - which is mind-blowingly small for someone with his build - and rubbing soothing circles over the skin as he holds him, the slight stubble that scratches his chin just right when James leans his head just slightly towards the right, resulting in their noses pressing together for a split moment. And then it's all gone, just as quickly as it started. Steve isn’t sure if he’s feeling lightheaded from the lack of air in the closet or because his best friend of nearly a century just kissed him.
"Good?", James asks, his thumb's rubbing over Steve's knuckles and he sounds just as breathless. "Bucky", Steve replies with a frown, both hands move up to his friend's shoulders, holding onto them with quite a tight grip. He doesn’t know what to say, it felt as good as it felt bad. But that doesn’t stop him from wanting more. "I... Do it again", he breathes out, swallowing and closing his eyes.
James doesn't need to be asked twice. He swiftly leans back in and pulls Steve closer by his hip this time. The song changes but all Steve can focus on is their chests pressing together and feeling James’ heartbeat go at least as fast as his. Steve melts into it and lets James take the lead, smiling into the kiss when he recognizes the song. ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time’. It's clumsy when Steve moves his head slightly also, teeth clashing together and making James let out a groan. They don’t care though, they have each other and that’s all that matters.
James teases his tongue over Steve's bottom lip after contemplating for a small moment but presses them past his lips not long after when the younger man let out a small gasp and had those lips parted.
The kiss lasts longer this time and Steve can't resist moving one of his hands and letting it rest against James' chest. He never really has eye for it, but he was certainly close to being as muscled as him. It didn't affect him until now, liking the feeling of his strong chest against his hand.
Steve pulls back from the kiss, in desperate need of catching his breath. "Buck... Holy hell", he comments, still refusing to properly curse of course.
"So. Now that you've kissed a man, would you still say you're straight?", he asks and Steve can't help but laugh when James bursts out laughing after a couple seconds of awkward silence.
"You think you can turn me gay?", Steve asked, smile on his face. "I don't know though... but it was good, Bucky, really. It was very good", he decides to test something out and blindly moves a hand to rub over James' stubble. It'd probably look weird if anyone saw him rubbing someone's chin. In all honesty, it was weird. "I never imagined liking the feeling of... another man's beard while kissing. Like... I don't know-", slightly embarrassed saying it out loud. "It felt comforting? Is that weird?"
For someone having a full blown sexuality crisis, Steve seemed pretty okay at the moment. "It's not weird, Steve. I get it", James' metal hand lets go of his waist and tucks a few strands of loose blonde hair behind Steve's ear. He misses at first and nearly pokes Steve's eye out, but that's perfectly fine of course. It's still quite dark there, after all.
Several moments pass before James speaks up. "Can you kiss me?", he asks curiously, since he had been the one to make the final decision previously. He wanted to make sure Steve wanted it too and wasn't just going along with it because he felt like he had to, though everything pointed at him willingly doing all of it, which he was.
"Uh... yeah?", Steve replies, hesitant with the way his fingers gently grasp the hair at James' neck and guide his head closer. Their lips are slotting together once again and he finds it less awkward this time, getting used to kissing James. He could definitely get used to it.
Steve not only still smells alcohol, James tastes like it too and surprisingly enough, it doesn't ruin the kiss. It only makes him want James so much more.
He's about to cup one of the older man's cheeks while kissing him when one of said man's hands move and slide into the back of his pocket, shamelessly feeling him up. "Fuck-", Steve eventually groans into the kiss, so fucking desperate and honestly deprived of touch that he can't help but try to press against the hand and want more. He doesn't even realize he just swore until he hears James chuckle into their kiss and squeeze his ass.
James lets go and pulls back. He's getting a bit overwhelmed as well. "I've gotta tell you something, Stevie", he starts and does a few quick, nervous nods, just awkwardly doing whatever. "In all honesty, that was my first kiss in years. Interpret that however you want", meaning he hadn't kissed anyone since before the whole Winter Soldier thing. He doesn't need to see much to sense Steve's expression. "And certainly my first with a man too"
"Wait- What?", Steve sounds absolutely in shock. "I know", James replies and covers his face, chuckles leaving him. "The only way I'd go through with it was by acting all confident. And look! It worked. But now confident me is definitely gone-", he pulls Steve into a hug. "Just hold me please", he laughs softly.
Steve holds him and rubs his back. "Well, I admire your courage", he pulls back and is mid-reaching out to cup James' cheeks when the door opens, startling him and making him retract his arms at the speed of light.
It's quiet in the room and nothing can be heard except the faint, old music in the background. Until Wade breaks the silence. "Holy spunks, dude", he nearly yells out. "You made out? You! Captain America made out with the Winter Soldier? Thank God, that I live to see this day"
Steve wants to hide. His cheeks feel like they're on fire and when he glances to the side to see James, he's almost sure that he's looking in the mirror because his face is just as much looking like a lobster, or a tomato. Whatever your imagination prefers. He takes a step back and actually hides behind the older man, forehead resting against his back.
"Damn, Stevie. Who knew you had it in you?", Tony asked, using the exact same pet name for him as James did earlier. He was back from the toilet, as well as Peter and he was glad to see the kid looked better. "Welcome to the best of both worlds", Tony grinned. The others seemed too surprised to say anything, rightfully so.
Steve pressed a kiss to James' back before standing next to him again, trying to control the furious blushing. "I think that I might like men", he was probably going to regret saying that.
"Holy fu-"