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As Steve opens the front door of his cabin, he smiles when he sees Bucky curled up on the porch swing with a book in his hands. He’s twirling a lock of hair around his finger, and it’s about the cutest thing Steve’s seen in ages. He crosses the porch in a few long strides and sinks onto the swing next to his husband.
“Good book?” he asks and leans over to press a kiss to Bucky’s cheeks.
“Mmmm” is the only answer, but that’s enough for Steve to know that Bucky’s happy and content, which is exactly what Steve wants.
After years in the superhero business, he’s happily retired. He’d spent too many empty days wandering around the Triskelion in between missions bickering with Tony, bantering with Natasha, and training Sam to take over his mantle. He doesn’t miss it, not now that he’s married to Bucky. Of course, his time as Captain America is the only reason Bucky gave him a second glance when they first met.
It's not that Bucky’s shallow. A male model on the top of his game in New York City, Bucky didn’t spend a lot of time around anybody outside the industry. Steve’s celebrity status got him invited to a charity event where Bucky was in attendance, and a bolt of lightning sparked between them when they met. Within two months, Steve happily gave up his role as Captain America and became Bucky’s trophy husband, despite Natasha claiming it’s the other way around. It doesn’t really matter to Steve. As long as they’re together, he’ll be the eye candy or let Bucky take that role. His husband is smoking hot, and he’s only getting better with age.
Their remote cabin is Steve’s idea of heaven on earth, and Bucky’s the perfect partner to share it with him. He’s funny and smart as well as kind and compassionate. He’s traveled all over the world and likes a zillion things that fascinate Steve. After so long practically starving himself as a model, Bucky loves eating, so he taught himself how to make the most scrumptious, healthy foods that Steve samples happily. Occasionally, he’ll splurge and make dessert, and that’s when Steve knows he’s living right because Bucky’s sweets are delectable.
Bucky shuts his book and stretches. A lazy smile spreads over his face, and he leans into Steve for a hug. “Hey, Stevie. Sorry. I was finishing my chapter.”
Shifting his arm to draw Bucky against his chest, Steve presses his lips to Bucky’s temple and breathes in the spice of Bucky’s cologne. His head settles on Steve’s shoulder, and they sit together in companionable silence as birds chatter and swoop over the blue lake that marks the boundary of their land.
“Got any plans for the rest of the day?”
Shaking his head, Bucky presses into him. “Not unless you count having incredible sex with my husband a plan.”
“Is that a plan? I thought that was just part of our daily routine,” Steve says with a chuckle. “I count on that happening at least once a day. Twice if I’m lucky. Three times if we’re both feeling extra horny.”
“God, I love the way you think.”
“And I love you.”
Looking up at him, Bucky makes a face. “We’re so sappy. I used to be a supermodel with a guy in every city and fame and fortune at my fingertips. Now, look at me.”
“Can’t take my eyes off you.”
“I’m an old, washed-up has-been with a retired superhero at my fingertips.”
“I like what you do to me with your fingertips.”
Brushing his hand over the inside of Steve’s wrist, Bucky hums before whispering, “You like it enough to stay with me forever?”
“Of course, I do. I could never leave you. You know what.”
Eyes averted, Bucky seems to be studying the trees on the far side of the lake. The leaves are the deep green of late summer, and they wave gently in the breeze while the sun beats down in golden rays of light. Burnished streaks gild the calm surface of the water as Bucky sits tense next to him.
“Buck?”
Shaking his head, he gives an embarrassed laugh before admitting, “Sometimes, I just wonder if all this is too perfect. If I’ve somehow fallen into a dream, and none of this is actually real. I’ve never been so damn happy in my entire life. It’s…too good to be true.”
“Being married to Captain America is too much for you, huh?” he teases gently. He knows what Bucky means, though. Despite the idyllic setting in the Adirondacks, Steve still checks the sky every morning to make sure there’s no random, incoming attack. Obviously, it’s a holdover from his superhero days.
“Not Captain America anymore, are ya? Maybe that’s the problem. I thought I was marrying a celebrity and got a househusband instead.”
Tugging Bucky onto his lap, Steve cups Bucky’s jaw and brushes his lips over stubbled jawline. “Listen to you. Acting like I’m not enough for you.”
Bucky wraps his arms around Steve’s neck and kisses him soundly. “You know that’s not true, Stevie. I adore you.”
“And I adore you,” Steve assures him. “Now, stop worrying. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere. You couldn’t pay me to get off this porch swing.”
“Not even if I—”
“Nope!”
“For—”
“Not for all the money in the world, Buck. Now, hush. I’m trying to enjoy the atmosphere.”
Bucky snorts and giggles adorably, but he settles again. Curling into Steve’s arms, Bucky rests against his chest as the sun sinks low in the sky. It sets early in the mountains, but that doesn’t bother him. Not when that means he can draw Bucky back into the cabin and work his hands under Bucky’s clothing and a moan from his lips.
“What if I braided your hair? Would you like that?”
Steve can feel Bucky’s grin without having to see it. Since they’ve been together, Bucky’s been growing out his hair, and it’s one of his kinks to have Steve’s big hands working through the long tresses and twisting it into intricate designs. For his part, Steve loves combing through the silky locks and tugging it a little as he braids it. It’s a way to keep his hands busy while making Bucky practically shake with longing. When he hit puberty, he never thought his dick would get hard from playing hairdresser, but here he is. Just the thought of burying his hands in Bucky’s long hair is enough to get him excited.
When Bucky’s seated in front of him, Steve tugs out the elastic band that’s holding Bucky’s hair in a messy bun and combs through it. There’s so much of it that it feels like burying his hands in a pile of silk. Separating the thick waves into three separate sections, Steve tugs on it gently until Bucky moans. He gives Bucky’s scalp a quick massage and then layers the sections over each other until Bucky’s hair hangs in a thick braid down his back. Before Bucky can move, Steve rubs his shoulders, massaging every speck of tension from his husband’s back until he sighs happily.
“Feels okay?” he asks quietly, unwilling to break the spell of the late summer evening.
Leaning his head back, Bucky gives him a crooked grin. “Feels incredible. I’m limp like…”
“Like?”
“I was going to say that I’m limp like my dick, but that’s no longer true.”
Shifting to his feet, Steve holds his hand down for Bucky to grab. Tugging him upright, Steve pulls him into a hug and presses butterfly kisses to his neck.
“Guess I better get you inside then. Wouldn’t want that to go to waste.”
“Definitely not.”
As the door to the cabin shuts behind them, the sun falls behind the mountain and gives off a brilliant glow. It still pales in comparison to the beauty of their life together.