keepcruising | (no subject)

He's not surprised when Steve slips out behind him, probably about twenty steps behind him. Bucky has long since gotten used to the fact that even when he tries to leave without being noticed, that guard is going to be right behind him. He knows Steve better than anyone, maybe even himself. Once he's found himself in the corridor away from the hall and the noise. It'd be a lot easier if he didn't have to be the crown prince. If he could give up the title, he'd do it in a heartbeat. Maybe take Steve with him and run away, because then they wouldn't have to worry about court drama tearing the two of them apart.

He turns quietly, pushing his hair back into a ridiculous ponytail, just to keep it out of his eyes. "'bout time you catch up with me," he says, grinning. "I've always hated parties. Too much politics and beer." It's not like he's saying anything new, but it's the casual tone of his voice, the fact that away from too many strangers and distant relatives, he can actual be himself and not the perfect son his parents have tried to mold him into.

"You want to head to the courtyard? Plenty to do there, when everyone's going to be distracted for the evening." When he was younger, he'd broken his arm climbing the tree in the center multiple times on different occasions. He's gotten better at avoiding injury now, though the bandage on his ribs is a reminder that he's still a little too reckless for his own good. At least Steve will be there, if he has anything to do with it. "We can climb up the tree and watch the fireworks they're supposed to light up."

It'll be easier to concentrate on nothing in particular, instead of the whispering he heard tonight about a marriage. That's definitely not something he wants to talk about, or even think about tonight. Or any night.

Steve shakes his head, laughing gently. He doubts Bucky will ever stop taking risks, even if he's stronger now. It helps that Steve is stronger, too. He can catch Bucky if his foot slips or give him a leg up. When they were smaller, it was always Bucky helping him up, but it's nice that he's finally strong enough to look out for Bucky the way he's supposed to.

"We might be getting too big for that poor old tree." Not that he's trying to lead Bucky anywhere else. He likes the idea of sitting up there and watching the fireworks. If he were alone, he'd probably even do it by himself, but it sounds nicer with Bucky. Most things do.

He hooks his arm around Bucky's shoulders--something he'd never do if anyone else could see them--and tugs Bucky towards the courtyard. It's not the way a knight should touch a prince. Steve would be in trouble if the other guards saw, but when they're alone, it still feels right.

Bucky can't help the grin, laughing even as he's nodding along in agreement. "Yeah, yeah." The tree had an easier time when they were kids, but it's not going to stop him, now. Not when he's now sure more than ever that the world is conspiring to separate him and his best friend. Sure, it's not like he can really tell anyone just how close he and Steve are. His guard is supposed to be just that, after all. If anyone else knew...

Well. It's good that everyone else in the castle is preoccupied. "Betcha I could get the kitchens to bring us some food later. Whenever Father holds a banquet, the food is always too fancy for me." And then everyone gets drunk. Thank god for Steve. It's not like he can talk about these sort of things with anyone else. Being prince means having too many people who will tell him whatever it is they think he wants to hear, instead of actually telling him the truth.

With Steve, he hasn't needed to concern himself with that for a long time. "Clear skies tonight. We should have a great view!"

Steve makes a sound in his throat and he makes a mental note to make sure Bucky really does eat. The last thing he needs to be doing is skipping entire meals because he's being picky. Steve's not really all that enthusiastic for the fancy food, either, but he still ate something. It's all just part of protecting Bucky, though, even if it's protecting Bucky from himself. Steve's happy to do it, because Bucky is worth taking care of in every way he'll allow.

"We should as long as you make it up the tree in one piece, Your Highness."

It's easy to let go when it's just the two of them, even if Steve knows it's a little dangerous. The older the get, the less forgiving anyone will be if they're caught like this, but Steve can't help it. Bucky might be the crown prince, but he's also Steve's best friend. He has been since before they were old enough to understand what their stations in life entail and no new understanding of their titles could break it.

It's not like he completely skipped his meal or anything... but. Well. He didn't eat nearly as much as he should have. Though that's not important right now, leaning against Steve happily. "C'mon," Bucky says happily. "When was the last time I felt out of the tree climbing up it?" It's been a long time, hasn't it? He's an over-achiever; more reckless than clumsy.

He wants to pretend, just for a little while longer, than he can spend the rest of his life with his best friend. The last thing he wants is to be married, to end up engaged to someone he doesn't even know at all. He's not stupid, knows it's going to come up eventually. But right now, all he wants to spend the evening with Steve, so they can set their roles aside before they reach the point when that's not possible anymore.

It doesn't take them long at all to reach the courtyard. With the celebration going on, there aren't even any guards to usher people back to the party. Not that people would be so willing to shoo the crown prince away from wherever he wants to be, especially if he's technically not leaving the castle. The courtyard is dark, save for the torches lined here and there to help light the pathways just enough so the darkness isn't completely overwhelming.

"After you," Bucky says, trying not to grin and failing.

Steve loves this. He wishes there was some way it could never end, even as he know that that's impossible. As they get older, there will be fewer and fewer moments like this that they can steal, but he'll fight for them if he has to. Before long, it will be Steve alone in charge of Bucky's safety. He'll make moments for them. For the sake of Bucky's mental safety. It might also be a little selfish.

He disengages enough to remove his cloak and bumps Bucky's shoulder with a grin on the way to the tree. "If you fall and I'm not down here to catch you, I'm telling them you ordered me up."

Then he reaches up to the first bough and starts to hoist himself up, the muscles of his broad shoulders stretching his shirt as he kicks his foot up and swings his weight up.

"Come on." He reaches an arm down to give Bucky a hand up.

Steve will always be there, he'll just have to be more and more careful. Any person he ends up married to is going to be less than thrilled at the idea of their husband spending time alone with his bodyguard. They wouldn't understand. Nobody can, really. But that doesn't mean he wants to dwell on it, grinning back at Steve. "I'm not gonna deny it," he says cheerfully.

Bucky can't help checking Steve out openly, his smile lopsided and mischievous. "I bet you're strong enough to pull me up without me helping you out," he says, reaching up so Steve can take his hand. Even if they're not children anymore, climbing up trees with Steve won't be getting old anytime soon. The sheer amount of training he's done means Bucky's upper body strength is impressive. Maybe not as much as Steve's, but it feels almost effortless to climb up the tree, joining his friend on the sturdy branch they've sat on for years.

"It's a nice night, isn't it? I guess Father is pretty good at picking nights to celebrate, huh?" Even if these are the nights he tends to wander off. It's far nicer than having to pay attention to politics with the Duke of Wherever and the Countess of Who Cares.

That comment pulls a laugh out of Steve. He's not entirely sure he could just lift Bucky's weight like that, but he is strong and it doesn't take much effort to help him up. If he wraps his arm around Bucky a little once Bucky's up there, who's to judge? He's making sure the crown prince doesn't fall out of a tree and hit his head. Isn't that Steve's job, anyway?

"This really is the best view, too."

His arm lingers around Bucky's shoulders, steady and warm. One day, he probably won't be able to get away with this anymore. It will be a sad day for him, indeed, but he can't ask for anything else. It's not his place and he won't saddle Bucky with the burden of Steve's impossible desires.

Getting that laugh from Steve makes it all worth it, pausing for only a moment before he wraps his arm around Steve's shoulder. Just for the support, so neither of them fall out of the tree. It might be sturdy enough for the both of them, but who knows when the branch will decide it doesn't want to hold their weight anymore. This closeness, just the two of them.... he wants it to last as long as possible.

"Best view in the entire castle," Bucky agrees. They'll be able to see the entire show from here. And it'll probably take that long for people to realize the two of them have wandered off, too. Sure, one or more people are going to end up unhappy with him, telling Bucky if it weren't for Steve he could end up badly injured, but being able to watch the celebration here...

It's completely worth it.

"What kinda food do you want the kitchens to bring us?" It'll only be a few more years before he's taking over important duties from his Father, learning to run the country when he becomes the official successor. When that happens, he's not going to have time to mess with kitchen staff, he's definitely not going to have the time to shirk responsibilities to instead spend time with his best friend.

It strikes Steve how well they move together. It's so easy for them to dip into each other's space, to support or even allow a little control. Years of trust have built up between them and he can understand why they might raise a future king's guard alongside him the way they have with Steve. Maybe it could backfire on a less good man in Bucky's place, but Steve can't imagine anyone not wanting to protect him. He's not sure anyone could spend this much time around Bucky and not fall a little in love with the man he's grown into. Steve certainly has.

"I wonder what kind of meat they have. I'm sure you could eat half a chicken if they let you."

He smiles and leans into Bucky as an explosion echos across the sky. The first lights crackle above them and Steve can't help glancing at how they reflect off of Bucky's face.

If they were other people, Steve might think about kissing him, but they aren't and Steve would never even let himself think of it. Better they share this as friends while they still can.

If he knew Steve's thoughts, he couldn't help but agree. Creating that sort of trust between two people that could only happen from years of living and growing together, depending on each other. It's why he dreads the day he's going to be introduced to someone, when Steve is going to end up as "just" his guard. He rests his head on Steve's shoulder, happily.

"I think I could eat a whole chicken, if I wanted to. What about you? I'm pretty sure you're always eating less than you should." It's said gently enough, but he can't help the slight worry that comes from the statement. If Steve isn't eating enough because he wants to make sure Bucky has enough, that's something he wants to stop now, when they actually have the opportunity to talk to each other like this.

"We make a great team, don't you think?"

"I could probably eat two." It's a subtle, friendly one-up. Something he'd never imagine doing in front of anyone else, but here he feels just fine about it.

"And yeah, Buck. We're a good team." The best, he thinks, because he's take an arrow to the chest for Bucky. He'd walk through hot coals, on a bed of knives or any other tortures he could think of just to keep Bucky safe, but he also trusts Bucky more than he trusts any other man. He'd let Bucky hold a knife to his throat. If Bucky asked him to jump from a tower, he'd do it. He would die with a smile if the act kept Bucky safe. There's no one he'd even want to feel this way about.

"No one has a chance against us."

The one-up makes him laugh. "Want me to see if the kitchen's willing to give us that many?" It's actually a little frustrating how easy it is to get the kitchens to cook him extra food, but sometimes it has its advantages. Like being able to have a friendly competition with his best friend, because there's no way he isn't asking for about four chickens to see who can eat more.

He's not sure how much he should admit that Steve means to him. Steve is supposed to be his guard, he'd probably have firm conversations with a number of people, but the fact remains that he's gladly throw himself in from of Steve if it came to an actual battle the two of them needed to fight.

"Yeah. We're practical unstoppable, aren't we?"

It's tempting fate, he knows it is, but Bucky leans in close anyway, close enough they could kiss, but at an angle that could be interpreted as him leaning closer to his friend just to get a better look at him through the dark.

"Practically?"

His eyes meet Bucky's and all he can think is that they're so close. Bucky is so close and Steve only wants him closer. It would be so easy to close the space between them, to press his lips to Bucky's and show him everything he means to Steve. It's not about titles or duty. It's only them.

He swallows and ducks his head away. Those are dangerous thoughts. They could get Steve in trouble or worse, they could rip him away from Bucky. No one would protect Bucky the way he will. It's worth every sacrifice to be able to stay near him.

"I don't think anything could stop us."

The reaction makes Bucky laugh. As much as he wants to further this, to take that next, final step, what happens if they're caught? Even worse, what happens if they're caught after Bucky is married off to whatever next-in-line from a far-off kingdom is chosen for him? It's a bad idea, and he nearly decides to change the subject. Because another day could change everything. But Steve has always been there for him, for as long as Bucky can remember. Since before he could understand what it even meant.

"Yeah. We're good for each other. Imagine all the things we could do together," Bucky says happily. He hesitates, before deciding to throw caution to the wind and leaning against Steve happily. It could possibly be read as platonic-- it's not like either of them are particularly hands-off when it comes to affection, after all, but it's a very deliberate motion just the same.

"Sometimes I think maybe it would be better if we took off, tried to find our own way, you know? And not rely on having everything handed to us." It's a fantasy, nothing more. Bucky could never up and leave his home, even if he dreams of it sometimes.

Steve's never really sure what's good for him, but it's not something he worries about. He only worries about being good for Bucky--taking care of him and protecting him and serving him the way he should. Maybe he goes a little above and beyond sometimes, but that's okay, right?

His arm tightens around Bucky when he feels Bucky's weight against his and he's not sure what they look like, but it sure doesn't feel platonic.

"You'd never survive out there." Steve laughs and brings his other arm around Bucky. "People would get one look at you and they'd know you were royalty."

He turns his head and his nose brushed Bucky's temple. Bucky even smells like something special and regal.

It's definitely okay. This feels right, this feels like something he wants to continue. If only it didn't have to be in secret, if only it didn't feel like the two of them being completely alone wasn't the only time he could really feel like himself. He melts into the hug, laughing a little because isn't that the damn truth? They're a team, especially with Steve looking out for Bucky as much as Bucky looks out for Steve

"You're right," he says, but he's still amused, still wistful at the idea. "I'd have to grow a beard, maybe cut my hair." He can feel his heart thumping in his chest from the proximity, leaning in as close as he can while sitting on a tree branch watching fireworks. Steve so close to him, brushing against his temple. It makes him feel warm inside. "You've always been there for me, Stevie."

"Always gonna be there, Buck." It's a promise he truly intends to keep. Giving up isn't an option and Steve will never walk away. "I'd like to see someone try to stop me."

He tightens his hold and lets himself not worry about what it looks like or how it might be interpreted. He loves Bucky and Bucky deserves to feel at least a little of that. Bucky deserves to feel loved. Because Steve doesn't know what the future holds, but he does know that Bucky will probably have a political marriage and he'll always have people looking to kiss his boots because they want something from him. Steve loves him for who he is. Bucky deserves that, even if he doesn't know the extent of it.

"And there's no way I'd let you go somewhere where you had to cut your hair."

"Good," Bucky murmurs. "'Cause I'd fight anyone who tried to pull us apart." It's perhaps too intimate of a thing to admit, butt it's out now. He's not even the least bit tipsy, so it's not like he can blame being more open than he should on alcohol. But it's the truth, because all he can think about is the ceremonies that are going to start up soon, that might even tear him away from his Stevie.

Still, he can't help the laugh, leaning further into Steve. He feel so safe, in a way he's not sure he'd put to words, but it just feels nice. "Gonna protest my gorgeous locks, Rogers?" It's obviously teasing, because Bucky is pleased at the idea. This had to have been intentional on his parents' part, fostering such a close relationship with Steve.

"Fireworks are pretty," he says after a while, just to have something that isn't silence between the two of them.

It's comforting to know that the future king would fight to keep him close. He won't have to do anything but order it and it will be done. No one would be stupid enough to try to tear a King apart from his closest guard and confident. It would never work, because Steve can't be turned and Bucky must know as much.

"I would protest anyone wanting to do anything to your body against your will." It's a quiet murmur, but he means the words entirely. No one can touch Bucky in any harmful way and expect to not have Steve to contend with. Even a political betrothal would be naive to think that Steve wouldn't risk his own execution to keep Bucky from harm. No one has rights to Bucky's body any more than they can threaten his safety.

They're too dependent on each other now, plenty of people must be aware of that. Why else would they have been raised together since they were small? It makes Bucky melt into the the embrace, looking at Steve more than the show now. It's incredibly tempting to say something right now, anything. Maybe offer to shove their beds together in a casual tone, just a suggestion because he doesn't want to make it an order.

"You're so good to me, Stevie," he say instead, happy. "I don't think I could find someone better than you." He reaches for Steve's hand around his shoulder, hesitating for a moment before he laces their fingers together. It might be dangerous, but Bucky is fine with it. They can work out how, exactly, they're going to do this later. Whatever it is they want to call themselves.

"Think we should slip away now? We can have a little party of our own."

No, he should say, because even being here is a risk, but Bucky's hand fits in his own so easily and he can't help squeezing it gently. It feels so right to hold Bucky's hand like this.

He can read between the lines of those words an it pains him to agree. No one will take care of Bucky the way Steve does. He very much doubts anyone could love him like this, either, but what matters is that Bucky is safe. Steve can't risk his position as Bucky's guard, no matter how tempting it is.

And it is tempting.

"Where you go, I follow."

Against his better judgment, he leans in to kiss Bucky's temple. It feels so intimate, so dangerous, but he can't quite stop himself when Bucky is taking his own risks.

He squeezes back, happy and content. He knows it's a fleeting thought, that they'll have to hide this. He wishes he didn't have to, that they could be free to be with each other without worry about what people might think about the two of them, the fact that Bucky is pretty damn sure he's been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember.

"Til the end of the line, huh?"

Bucky leans into the kiss, just a little. That's all he needs, that little signal implying Steve feels the same way. He brings Steve's hand up to his lips, kissing it. "I'll ask the kitchen. It's not like it's the first time I've asked them to bring us food after a banquet." They can focus on what this means one step at a time. He can't trust anyone else with this, after all.

They'll have to be careful, he knows that. But everyone already knows how close they are.

This is far more dangerous for Steve than it is for Bucky an he's well aware of that, but for he also thinks it's worth the risk because of that. He can risk himself just fine knowing that Bucky won't take any blame. It's worth it to make Bucky happy and if that happens to line up with what Steve wants so desperately, it's a bonus.

Bucky's lips against his skin only serve to light a fire in his chest, spur him on to want more of this.

"We'll get you some food and we'll find a quiet place to eat."

Privacy. They'll find privacy that's a little better than this tree.

With a final squeeze, he disengages himself and jumps down, landing easily. Once he's straightened up, he hold up his arms to help Bucky down.

It's risky, it's definitely risky-- but Bucky would do anything to protect Steve. He's the prince, that has to count for something. Especially when Bucky wouldn't be able to get along with whoever was sent in as a "replacement." There must be a reason they were raised to be this close to each other, even if he doesn't dare hint at this to anyone. It's probably not a shock they've grown close enough to develop feelings for each other, but it still makes his stomach do a flip, smiling at Steve happily.

"Not like anyone really bugs us in our rooms." Calling them 'rooms' is an understatement more than anything, the interconnected rooms are more like a small house within the palace than anything else, with a generous sized sitting room with a fireplace between them.

He waits until Steve jumps down, a part of himself incredibly attracted at the idea of them curled up, eating by the fire. It's not an unwelcome thought at all, and he reaches out for Steve's hand, climbing down until he's close enough to leap into Steve's grip, confident he'll be caught.

Steve smiles up at Bucky as he climbs down, helping him the last few feet whether he needs the help or not. Maybe it's just an excuse to get his hands on Bucky, because once Bucky's on the ground, Steve pulls him close. It's a little closer than is strictly platonic. His hand is on Bucky's hip and he's leaning in a little too close. If they're seen now, they'll need to think fast to explain it.

"I guess they don't."

If he leans in, they could kiss. They're nearly the same height now. Bucky's lips are so close to his own. There's a moment of hesitation an then he leans in until they're only a hair's breath away from each other, breath mingling when he finally whispers.

"Buck, tell me not to."

He doesn't protest the hand on his hip, leaning into Steve's personal space, closing the gap between the two of them. They're close enough it wouldn't take much for him to rock into the other, to press his hips into Steve. Like this, he's not sure he wants to pull away. He's not sure he could because this feels so natural, so wonderful. Bucky's never felt this way about someone else, but with Steve it doesn't feel at all.

"What if I want you to?" he whispers back, low and needy.

Bucky glances around, barely breaking eye contact. Just long enough to confirm that they're still alone, that the people viewing the fireworks aren't near them. They might even have enough time for this before people come looking for them and tell them to get back inside before it gets too cold.

Steve exhales, slow and steady. It's so much, but it's Bucky and Steve loves him. Maybe he's always loved him. He squeezes Bucky's hip and tugs him just a little closer.

"I've never been very good at saying no to you, have I?"

His eyelids flutter and he leans in to close the distance between their lips. It's hardly a distance at all, but it feels like a mile until it's finally gone and he can feel Bucky's warm lips under his. It's soft and gentle and tentative because it has to be. Bucky is so precious to him and he won't do this wrong. Full effort and care is no less than what Bucky deserves from anyone.

Bucky lets himself be pulled close, laughing quietly, happy to have Steve so close to him, happy to be here, in this moment. The feeling of Steve wrapped around him makes him feel safe, safer than he'd feel even with a battalion of soldiers guarding him. "Guess that's a perk of having known you forever," Bucky murmurs quietly tipping his head. He feels giddy, excited, surprised and delighted at the kiss, at how soft Steve's lips feel.

It's not like he's ever kissed someone before, but he still has a vague idea of what to do, what feels right. He wraps an arm around the back of Steve's head, combing fingers through the other's hair.

Steve's never kissed anyone, either, and that's what keeps him so slow and tentative at first, but then Bucky's wrapping his arm around Steve and Steve feels so much more confident that this is right. How could it be wrong when they care so deeply for each other? The idea of denying Bucky anything seems insane to him, but the fact that they might want the same thing is like heaven. He'll take what he can get and he'll give Bucky everything he has to give.

He hums, lips moving against Bucky's as he presses Bucky back a few inches into the trunk of the tree. It's hard to resist the urge to press against him, but he knows if he lets himself do that that he'll never be able to step away so he settles for crowding close.

"To the kitchens?" Much as he wants to get Bucky alone, Steve needs to make sure he doesn't starve himself.

The fact that this is new to both of them, that Bucky is fairly certain he's felt this way about Steve for as long as Steve has felt it about him... this is right. And he wishes more than anything this wasn't dangerous territory, that they didn't have to hide it. When Steve crowds in close, he can almost not breathe, has to stop himself from holding his breath in equal parts anticipation and thrill.

When Steve asks him, he nods, trying to give himself a moment to calm down, to actually look respectable before they go bother the kitchens for more food. He nods again, to himself, before he looks up at Steve with a lopsided smile. "Lead the way. We've gotta have our little party."

As he steps back, Steve takes a moment to help straighten Bucky's clothes before he fixes his own. It won't do for a prince to look sloppy, but mostly Steve just enjoys fussing over him a little.

He leads Bucky towards the kitchen, resisting the urge to touch him as they walk, even as Steve's body is screaming to brush against him and feel that warmth against his side. They manage to get a few containers of food from the kitchen staff and Steve insists on carrying it all with a little smile.

As they approach their rooms, he bumps his shoulder against Bucky's.

He likes this, this attention from Steve. It's nothing new, but that's what makes it so special to him. The fact that they've always had this means that the now, the fact that the two of them are this inseparable pair. He resists wrapping an arm around Steve-- even if it might come across as the two of them being friends and nothing more, Bucky doesn't feel like he can consider their relationship that simple anymore.

It's only once they've left the kitchens that Bucky feels a little more in control of himself, a little more like his heart isn't going to leap out of his throat. He flashes a smile at Steve, leaning into the touch. Once they've actually reached their rooms, he yanks the door to the common room open with another boyish smile.

"This is going to be a lot of fun."

Steve rolls his eyes, but his smile gives away any attempt to pretend he's anything but filled with joy right now. He herds Bucky through the door and kicks it most of the way closed with his foot and then he places the food down on the nearest flat surface before he turns back to Bucky with a wolfish smile. This is their place and he feels a lot bolder now that he knows they're in a room that's really only for the two of them.

"Yeah, it is."

He crowds into Bucky's space, pushing him back into the door gently. Behind Bucky, the door closes its last few inches and Steve leans in to press his lips to Bucky's. How many times has he dreamt of doing this? The love and devotion he feels for Bucky is something well beyond compare.

It's not like Bucky is particularly good at hiding his enthusiasm. It's a good thing he's always been like this around Steve, because that means acting like he's still a boy isn't going to be seen as suspicious, that no one is going to question the two of them. It's not surprising to have Steve pushing him into the door, not at all.

He'd been expecting something like this, and that's why he responds by wrapping his arms around Steve's waist, grinning into the kiss before he kisses back with a hum. This? This makes him feel truly happy.

Why did it take them so long to do this? It feels entirely natural, like he and Steve were always destined to end up together. Bucky finally pulls away to brush a hand against the side of Steve's face. "I never noticed how pretty your eyes are," he says. It's unbelievably corny, but he can't help it.

The compliment has Steve's heart in his throat. It's silly how much a simple sentence can affect him just as much as those kisses had. He feels so drawn to Bucky, to everything he is at his core and everything Steve knows him to be capable of.

"Well I've always noticed just how beautiful you are." With a little smile, he leans into the touch and then turns his head to kiss Bucky's palm. "There's no one like you, Bucky. Not in the entire world."

Not that Steve's checked personally, but in their little world, Steve's never had eyes for anyone else. Not like this. Bucky makes his heart flutter and he makes Steve smile when he thinks there's very little else worth smiling about. Steve loves him and he's here for anything Bucky would allow him to have. Like a moth to a flame, he can't help moving closer.

"You're a charming guy, Steve Rogers," Bucky says, smiling at the kiss, at how natural this all feels. He wants to keep this moment going forever. He leans in closer, so he can really pull himself into Steve's space, even if he's already so close. If they get any closer, they'll be right up against each other, and Bucky has to admit he wants that right now.

The fact that they've always worked well together isn't lost on him, and he beckons Steve closer, to push him up against the wall and kiss him. "I want this, Stevie. I want you." Everything about this feels right, like they've been building up to this moment their entire lives. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest, full of want he didn't even know he had until tonight.

"Whatever you want to give me, I'll take it."

Bucky's so beautiful like this, wild and alive and it fills Steve's heart like a balloon that he's the one who made him look like that.

"There's nothing I wouldn't give you, Buck." His voice is soft and reverent as he presses closer, because he's sharp enough to take a hint and if Bucky wants him closer, he can't think of anywhere he'd rather be.

He presses Bucky into the door with his body. Feeling all of that body heat radiating off of Bucky, all of that solid muscle pressed up against his own.

"Nothing." It's a whisper against Bucky's lips and then he's kissing Bucky again. He thinks he could do this for the rest of his life. Kissing Bucky feels like coming home, so he closes his eyes and does just that, losing himself in the sensation of wet lips and a warm body he knows almost as well as his own.

Bucky groans, a pleased noise from deep in his throat, feeling alive and pleased in ways he didn't know were possible. "Give me," he begins, not even sure what he's going to say, arms wrapping around Steve's shoulders happily. He leans tips his head, lips close enough to Steve's he can feel the other's breath on his skin.

He doesn't know what else he could say, doesn't even know what he wants right now, because his head is swimming with ideas, things he wants to try. Bucky welcomes the kiss eagerly, moaning into it quietly. This is wonderful, what he wants. But standing here isn't the most comfortable thing in the world, so eventually he has to pull away. "Dinner first?" He's grinning a little as he says is, trying to catch his breath.

Bucky figures it's a fair question; they did go to all that trouble, and if it gets cold on them, it's not going to be as fun for them to compete over who can eat the most.

Staying close and keeping hold on Bucky seems beyond necessary right now, but he knows one of them skipped dinner entirely and he wouldn't mind eating a little more, either.

He hums in agreement, but hesitates to actually put space between them. "You do need to eat something."

There's a mischievous smile with that and then he pulls back so that he can drag Bucky bu the wrist with him towards the food. It won't do to have his prince wasting away when he's the one meant to protect him. In this case, Steve is protecting him from himself, but that's okay.

Of course, he still plans to stay close, to touch Bucky as much as Bucky will let him in every way. Even the casual touch of his hand on Bucky's wrist right now feels like a connection point for them.

Bucky grins at him, clearly not wanting to end up too far from his best friend. It makes him feel wanted, cared for, in a way that is so incredibly different from the servants he interacts with who like him because he's the son of the King. Sometimes, this is when he'd playfully refuse to be lead, not actually fighting Steve, but not tonight. He likes the touch on his wrist, it makes him feel closer to Steve than he has in a long time, even if they've known each other their entire lives.

The fact that Steve is leading him to the food should annoy him-- he's had people trying to tell him what to do for as long as he can remember, but it's nothing like this right now. When it's just Steve, well... it feels right.

They'll need to talk this over eventually, like how in the hell they're going to be able to hide this when they're bound to act like a couple of kids on a first date together. Which is entirely fair.

"You gonna watch me while I eat to make sure I've had enough?" The question is teasing, but it's also something he fully expects.

"If I don't, who will?" Steve's still smiling like a huge dope. He doubts he could stop it if he wanted to, because Bucky makes him so damn happy and this? Being allowed to touch him and kiss him? It's so much, almost too much in how perfect it is. Steve knows without a doubt that he would do anything to protect this man and keep him safe and happy and it has nothing to do with his duty and everything to do with the man Bucky's become.

And maybe he's a little hungry, too, even if he'd eaten more than Bucky at the feast. He sits on the little settee, close enough to the center that if Bucky sits, their legs will touch. Now that he's allowed that proximity, he feels hungry for it, like he needs to soak up as much of Bucky as he can before it's too late.

One day it will be too late, but Steve can't worry about that right now. All he can worry about is Bucky and the food they're about to share and where their evening will take them once they've eaten. He knows what he'd like to do and he hopes Bucky won't mind Steve laying him out and exploring his body.

He wants to touch and taste and tease until Bucky can't take another minute of it all, but for now he'll watch.

"Guess you've got a point," Bucky says with a grin. This? This is perfectly fine with him. They work so well together, even if they hadn't just walked themselves into this final step between the two of them, he knows that Steve would be there for him for reasons that have nothing to do with being his bodyguard, and have everything to do with being Bucky's best friend. He moves his wrist carefully, so he can go from being lead by the wrist to squeezing at Steve's hand.

When he sits down, he can't help but smile at the proximity to Steve. He's honestly not sure how the hell he's going to be settle down enough to eat, because being this close to Steve is a dream come true, no longer something relegated to a private fantasy. It's easy enough for him to settle into grabbing at heaps of food onto his plate with a grin at Steve, deliberately shifting so he can move closer to Steve.

He might not be able to tell what's on Steve's mind, exactly, but his expression is full of want even so. "Anything you want to do tonight?" he asks, leaning in so he's completely in Steve's space. He's so close, they could almost kiss. There's no doubt what he's implying, not now, not when he's already leaning into Steve's space like he is.

Steve's eyes trace Bucky's movements easily. It's an old habit he's had for a while, but now he doesn't have to pretend it's purely his job. Now, he can let Bucky see exactly what he sees here in Bucky and it isn't even limited to lust. There's naked adoration on his face. He can't quite help it now that the floodgates are open.

"I want to touch you." He leans in, eyes focused on Bucky's. "I want to learn your body the way I've learned my own."

And then he licks his lips and leans in, not to kiss Bucky but to whisper hotly in his ear. "I want to make you forget everything else."

He pulls back with a smile, because he's a little bit of a bastard. "You should really eat something first."

All of this attention on him, so different now compared to how it used to be, before they were both able to accept this-- Bucky smiles, feeling boyish and suddenly shy, even if he's known Steve his entire life. "You can touch me," he purrs, a little pink in the face, but excited. He's had fantasies, sure, a couple of lewd dreams here and there, but the idea of them finally being able to do this, to learn together.

He pulls closer, because Steve has that look in his eyes that makes Bucky eager to get started. He wants to get his hands on his best friend, to do the same Steve wants. To really learn the other. "Stevie," he whines, feeling off-balanced and needy. How had he gone his entire life without this? That whisper sends a shiver down his spine, and Bucky can't help but lean further into Steve's space.

...And then he has to go and do that. "You punk!" But he's laughing; that's a good sign. Bucky can't blame Steve, not entirely, not when that was the entire reason they'd brought food into the room to begin with.

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sorry rl got weird and I lost track of some rp stuff for a bit there

no worries at all, it happens to everyone!

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