Archive of Our Own ^beta

It’s been a damn long week, and Bucky’s tired. In fact, he’s so tired, he almost skips his usual Friday evening grocery store trip to head home and lie face down on the couch while his cat Alpine nudges at his hand. If he could manage to get sweatpants and a t-shirt on before he falls down, that would be even better. A quick shower to wash the day off wouldn’t hurt either. After the week he’s had, any of that sounds a little bit like heaven.

Sadly, he has no food, and he doesn’t feel like grabbing a pizza or any of the fast food options between work and his home. If he had money to burn, he’d have something delivered that appeals to him, but he just can’t stand the thought of paying almost twice the price of the food just to get it at his door. For the money he pays in fees and tip, he can buy groceries for three days. Or a thick, juicy steak.

Moaning at the thought of a steak, Bucky drops his head back against the headrest and tries not to drool. He attempts to work up enough energy to get out of the car, go into the store, and do what he needs to do. He can do this. He will do this. He’s so fucking tired.

When he finally makes it inside, he walks through the produce section first and picks up fruits and vegetables for the week. Once he’s done there, he’s about to drop, so he decides to forgo some of the shelf stable items and head to the meat department. One of the guys who works there has become somewhat of a friend of his over the past several months. When Bucky orders meat from the cases, Sam always strikes up a conversation. Every so often, he slips in something free just so Bucky will provide feedback.

“Buckaroo! How’s it going, man?” Sam greets him with a booming voice. A wide grin splits his face, and he rubs his hands together in preparation for Bucky’s order.

“Hey, Sam. How’s it going?”

“Wasn’t sure you were going to make it in today. You look a little worse for the wear. You dragging or something?”

“Or something.”

“Hey, I’m no bartender or a therapist, but I’ve got a pretty good ear. Feel free to vent while I package up your order.”

Nodding his thanks, Bucky points at a particularly delectable looking steak and a few pieces of pork, chicken, and seafood. He could probably pick up some of the items from the freezer section, but the difference in cost is minimal, and he appreciates fresh ingredients. If he can brag on himself, he’d say he’s not a terrible chef, even though he’s always cooking for one.

A sudden overwhelming feeling of loneliness leads him to joke, “Well, if you know any hot single dads, let me know, all right?”

Barking a laugh, Sam slides butcher paper wrapped packages across the top of the meat cases to him. “I’ll get right on that, man.”

“Hey, mister!”

Glancing down, Bucky realizes a young boy, maybe around five or six, is staring at him. He grins because the mop of wavy blonde hair and deep blue eyes framed by adorable dimples is about the cutest thing he’s ever seen. When Bucky doesn’t speak, the kid reaches up and tugs on his sleeve.

“Are you lost?” he asks because he can’t imagine any other reason this child would be hanging onto him.

“Nope. Not lost. I have a hot, single dad. He’s right over there!”

Bucky follows the kid’s finger and catches a glimpse of a tall, broad, blonde man pushing a shopping cart with a little girl sitting in the seat. She’s cute as a button, with light brown curls in pigtails tied with pink ribbons and huge blue eyes. It’s very obviously the little boy’s sister, which means…

“That’s your dad?”

“Yuh huh.”

“And he’s single?”

“Yup.”

Sam interrupts then. “Gonna go out on a limb and guess he’s maybe not into dudes. Two kids. Not impossible, but it doesn’t bode well.”

The boy frowns at Sam’s observation. “He likes boys and girls. He told me!”

Crouching down, Bucky assures him, “I’m sure your daddy loves you and your sister just the same. He looks like a nice daddy.”

Cringing a little when he hears himself use the term daddy twice, he wonders if he’s going straight to hell for thinking about other versions of that term that what he means while talking to this man’s child. He’s—that’s not— With a groan, he squeezes his eyes shut.

“Joey, there you are! What did Daddy say to you about wandering off?”

When Bucky hears the deep voice, his gut clenches. It’s so fucking sexy to hear the word “daddy” in it. Gritting his teeth, he pops his eyes open and stares into the deepest, most beautiful blue eyes he’s ever seen. He sees where the kids get it. This man is stunningly gorgeous.

“Daddy, this man is lookin’ for a hot single dad, and you’re single and you get all sweaty when you work out, so…”

Blushing furiously, the stranger holds out his hand. In a daze, Bucky takes his hand, shakes it, and tries not to melt. He stands suddenly and almost launches himself into this “daddy’s” arms. He stumbles sideways to stop himself and offers a rueful grin.

“Sorry my kid’s bothering you.”

“Oh, don’t worry. He’s no bother.” Bucky would like to elaborate, but he’s kind of speechless. Instead of making a fool out of himself, he nods and tries to remember to breathe.

“Steve. Steve Rogers.”

“Bucky,” he blurts and bites his tongue to keep from saying anything stupid.

Steve looks apologetic when he explains, “I don’t—Joey doesn’t always understand adult things.”

Stamping his foot, Joey snaps, “I do, Daddy. He said—”

“I know what he said, kiddo. That’s not what he meant.”

“But Daddy, I told him you like both boys and girls, and he didn’t believe me. You do, don’t you? You loved Mommy, and then you loved Uncle Clint.”

“I, uh…” Glancing at Bucky, Steve shrugs. “Yeah, buddy. I loved your mommy, and Uncle Clint…”

Something clicks in his head, and Bucky realizes that Uncle Clint was more than an “uncle” to Steve. Absolutely gobsmacked that he’s stumbled upon the holy grail of dating in his world—gorgeous, kind, and queer—in a grocery store of all places, Bucky tries to figure out how to say something intelligible. It’s not working particularly well, but Sam steps in to help him. He’s not sure whether to thank him or hit him.

“Steve, my man,” Sam crows. “Nice to meet you. I recognize you now. You come in every Friday evening. You’re a little early today. This here is Bucky. He’s one of my Friday afternoon regulars. He’s a great guy, single, and can cook a mean steak, if what he says is true. Bucky, Steve’s a single dad, and he’s about as nice as they come. You should ask each other out. I can personally vouch for each of you. And my daughter babysits, so there’s no excuse.”

The two of them stand there, carts and kids between them, and it’s as if the rest of the world simply melts away around them. Steve gives him a flustered, pleased look, and Bucky feels like his world is spinning off its axis. He’s never been so attracted to another human being, and it’s not just his looks. There’s something endearing, sweet even, about Steve, and Bucky wants to see if he tastes as good as it seems he will.

Because he can’t help himself, Bucky asks, “Uncle Clint is…?”

“Gone. Moved out of state. It didn’t last.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. And their mom?”

“Divorced. She’s not in the picture much. Her job is very demanding.”

Sighing in relief, Bucky shoves his hands in his pockets and grins when he sees Steve glance into his cart and seemingly approve of the contents there. Although he still can’t believe his good fortune, he’s not about to ignore the universe putting Mr. Perfect right in his path. Leaning over his cart, he turns on his most charming smile and tilts his head.

“Steve, would you like to go out with me sometime? Like Sam said, I can cook a mean steak; I’m single; and I’m a fairly decent human being.” When Steve doesn’t immediately answer, Bucky wonders if he’s misread everything. Backtracking quickly, he sputters, “Unless…you’re not interested. That’s cool. It’s fine. I—”

“I’d love to go out with you,” Steve confirms. Before Bucky can say anything else, Steve asks, “How about right now? I’ve got a cooler in my car. There’s a park down the street. The kids and I were heading there to have a picnic before we head home tonight. Would you care to join us?”

For a second, he’s too excited to answer. Glancing over at Sam, he almost laughs out loud as Sam animatedly gestures and mouths, “Go!” at him. For a terrible Friday at the end of an even worse week, the universe is doing him a solid. Squaring his shoulders, he looks into Steve’s gorgeous face with the shockingly beautiful eyes and smiles.

“I’d love to.”

Steve’s face breaks into a beatific grin. “Excellent! I have a few more things to grab, but I’ll meet you at the checkouts in say…five minutes?”

“Perfect. I’ll be there.”

Holding his hand out, Steve says, “Come on, Joey. Let’s go get the rest of the picnic stuff so we can go to the park. Mr. Bucky’s going to go with us. How’s that sound?”

“Yaaaaaaay!” Joey yells as the trio heads to the dairy section.

Laughing loudly, Sam hoots, “Man, you can pick up a hot dude at a supermarket. You are next level.”

Heart rate spiking, Bucky breathes, “Holy shit. Sam, I, uh…”

“Go! Get out of here, but I expect a report next Friday afternoon. Earlier, if it’s good news!”

Waving over his shoulder, Bucky grabs a few more things and heads to the front of the store. When he spies Steve waiting there for him, it feels like the best day in the world.