keepcruising | OPEN POST FOR STEVE!

[There’s always been an understanding between them, something that went all the way back to their youth. It’s how they can have entire conversations with nothing more than a look, nothing more than reading the space between them. Maybe that’s why Steve doesn’t react with too much surprise to the kiss; maybe that’s why he’s moving to meet Bucky in it. Whatever the case it sends a small curl of satisfaction through Bucky, makes the hand at Steve’s waist tighten its grip just a little, thumb moving in a soft stroking motion.

And see now, Bucky can dance and kiss at the same time, but clearly he’s going to have to work Steve up to that kind of coordination. Still he’s not complaining at all, leaning into that hand at his jaw and lingering close to turn one kiss into two, into three. He can feel Steve’s smile curling into it, knows that Steve can likely feel his own, and it’s perfect.

Eventually he’ll pull back a little, just enough to talk. There’s mischief dancing in his eyes and a tease threaded through his voice.] Still interested in dancing?

[ At first, Steve had felt nervous about this, like he could disappoint Bucky somehow, but the kissing sets his mind at ease surprisingly quickly. It reminds him that there's no big milestone to live up to here. They can just be themselves and figure this out together and he wants that desperately. He wants to figure out the few things about Bucky that he doesn't already know until all the mystery is gone. He really can't help all of those romantic notions he'd never grown out of, the feeling that everyone is made for someone and maybe Bucky was made for him all along. They just needed to go through some changes to find how they fit together.

When Bucky pulls back, Steve finally opens his eyes. ] Only with you, pal.

[ He knows it's corny, but it's not like Bucky isn't used to him by now. The smell of coffee and the sounds of jazz fill the kitchen and all Steve can think is that he wants to make Bucky smile like this as much as he can. There's been too much pain on his face, enough to last a few lifetimes. Steve wants to see him happy like this, wants to do whatever it takes, because Bucky is worth everything to him. So far, he's found that there's nothing he won't do for Bucky. Maybe he'll spend the rest of his life testing that. ]

[It’s probably a good thing that they can’t actually read each other’s thoughts because Bucky would honestly wonder where he’d failed in things if he knew that Steve had ever thought he could be in any way disappointing. No, this is honestly perfect, soft music filling the kitchen, coffee on the horizon and a night to spend figuring this out. He can’t possibly ask for more.

Well, except maybe another attempt at dancing, and that’s less about dancing and more about feeling Steve moving with him.]

I like the sound of that. I’ll even let you keep your eyes open this time if you relax a little.

[The hand on Steve’s waist nudges him into motion again before slipping to the small of his back to bring them a little closer. Steve should be able to pick up rhythm and motion both by the movements of Bucky’s hips — whether or not he can follow remains to be seen.]

[ Steve's trying and maybe the kissing helped a little, because he lets Bucky pull him closer, starts to move with him a little less self-consciously. It's not the most graceful or impressive thing, but it's less stiff by a fair amount.

Back when they'd been younger, he'd always thought Bucky had just wanted to teach him to dance so he could be less useless on all those double dates he was getting dragged on. He wonders what else he must have missed in all those looks and touches and offers he'd never let himself think too much about.

Of course, he also has no idea how he might have reacted if he'd noticed. The idea of rejecting Bucky is entirely foreign, but he wonders if he would have been brave enough to let anything happen, either, or if they would have just been trapped in a sort of stalemate. It's not as if he'd never noticed Bucky, either, because it's impossible not to notice him when he turns on the charm. Steve used to melt into crowds, at least to anyone other than Bucky, but Bucky always stood out like a beacon that Steve couldn't help but follow and couldn't help but want just a little.

He leans his forehead against Bucky's, nothing but warm affection on his face now. ]

[Steve's efforts really are noticed, the way he's a little less stiff in Bucky's arms, how he moves a little more naturally. It's enough for Bucky to get a little fancier than just swaying together, leading Steve into a quick little two-step here, a little bit of a turn there. Just to see what Steve will do, just to see if he'll trust Bucky enough to just let himself have a little fun.

Speaking of fun, the way Steve leans close? It's very nice, warm in a way that makes Bucky's smile grow wider. He's not thinking about the past, about what opportunities may have been missed. He's thinking about now, about the possibilities of what they could be. Already they fit together so well; Bucky is betting that this isn't the only way they'll do so.

And, well, eventually he'll get Steve to do a strip tease. It's now a goal.

As the song winds to an end, he leans in for another kiss.] You're getting better.

[ Steve does his best to not overthink the movements, following Bucky and only occasionally stepping on him with a socked foot. Letting Bucky lead is easier the longer he does it, like his body just needs to remember that it's Bucky of all people and trusting him is like trusting his lungs to breath. ]

I guess I have an alright teacher.

[ He bumps their noses together affectionately and lets his hand settle on the back of Bucky's neck. Dancing with Bucky is nice, but it's more about the fact that it's Bucky than anything else. The right partner really does make all the difference. It's something he's always known in theory, but dancing like this with Bucky, free of pretense and everything out in the open, really proves the point. ]

Just alright?

[It's said with a fond smile at the way Steve stays close, at the warm touch on the back of his neck. It's nice enough that when the next song comes on Bucky doesn't even bother with dancing anymore, just pulls Steve closer with both arms wrapped around him.]

I think there's hope for your left feet yet. [A beat.] Slim hope, but hope nonetheless.

[Hey, it's not like he's going to forego the teasing entirely! Thumbs stroke down either side of Steve's spine though, simply happy in keeping Steve close.]

Well I've only had one lesson so far.

[ His newly freed hand brushes some of Bucky's hair back behind his ear.

Having Bucky's arms around him feels safe in a way Steve rarely bothers to look for anymore, but he likes it. He feels secure, tethered to the ground. After years of surprises throwing him for a loop, having something as dependable as Bucky is huge.

He leans in to kiss Bucky's cheek and then his jaw. ]

And my teacher thinks he's funnier than he is.

We'll keep working on it.

[Not that it's really about dancing anymore, though he does have the stray thought that it would be fun to dance more regularly with Steve. A lot of that is born simply of the desire to hold him close, to stay tucked right against him and enjoy the space they've found together. All teasing aside it's grounding in a way, more comfortable than he would have anticipated.

He can't help but laugh with the way Steve's lips trail along his cheek and jaw, sheer happiness in the sound.]

Your teacher is hilarious. And good looking.

[ Steve doesn't mind the dancing. He knows he's not that good at it, but just like Bucky he likes the closeness of it. Bucky is warm and solid in his arms and he sounds so relaxed right now. There's not much Steve wouldn't agree to if it would keep Bucky here smiling with him. ]

He's a little too aware of it.

[ With the tease, he leaves a final kiss under Bucky's ear and squeezes the hand on Bucky' neck affectionately, pulling back just enough to look at Bucky's face again. ]

Yeah, okay, he's pretty good looking.

[The dancing isn't the main event, even though it's really what started this conversation. The dancing isn't even really that important in the grand scheme of things. What is important is the closeness, holding Steve and being held in return, the quiet motion of their bodies moving together.

Of course, it brings to mind other ways their bodies might move together, but that's for later, after they've figured out a few things first.

Bucky's smiling when Steve pulls back, relaxed and happy and it's probably clear that he is in no way opposed to those little exploratory kisses. In fact, he'd like a lot more of them, and that's something he's definitely going to want to explore with Steve.]

I'm glad you agree.

[A glance to the side reveals that the coffee maker has finished its job and Bucky's smile twists into a lopsided, amused thing.]

Still want that coffee?

[ Steve doesn't really want to let go of Bucky, but he expects that to be a regular feeling now. He's already been admittedly a little overly touchy since he got Bucky back in his life, but this is different. All that time he spent wanting to touch Bucky like this hasn't made it feel light or casual now that they're here. ]

Sort of.

[ But he's not quite ready to let go and he leans in for one last kiss before he starts to pull back. He could get lost in this. Part of him wants to just lose himself in Bucky and not worry about when he'll come up for air.

The thought has one kiss turning into another before he can stop himself. ]

Only sort of?

[It's actually something to which Bucky agrees quite heartily; why would they possibly want to break apart, even for something as tempting as coffee? But he also thinks they could work this more to their advantage because as nice as it is to linger like this, he has another idea.

One he's not quite given the chance to voice before Steve's lips are on his again and he can't help the soft sigh that slips into it, a quiet little noise that passes right from his mouth into Steve's and broadcasts exactly how much Bucky enjoys kissing Steve.

Still, they eventually do have to part for air, and Bucky can't quite help the way his tongue flicks out over his lips as if chasing the last of Steve's taste.]

Honestly, I'm thinking coffee and curling up on the couch together. [His grin is a little crooked.] Not that I think we're going to drink much of the coffee.

[ It's impossible to miss that sigh and it mirror exactly how Steve feels right now. He can't remember ever feeling this content. His life hasn't exactly been full of calm, slow moments like this. It's something he really wants to hold onto as much as he can.

For the first time in longer than he wants to think about, he and Bucky are being pulled together by something that isn't tragic or violent. All he wants to do is let that happen, because he's not naive enough to truly believe that he'll ever be done fighting, but he wants this so much it hurts. ]

You have no idea how good that sounds.

[ His voice is a little hushed, even though he knows it's just the two of them here. He doesn't want to break the moment, even as he starts to slowly disentangle himself from Bucky, fingers brushing over skin as he pulls them back. ]

I might have a little idea.

[Disentangling happens only with lingering touches and eyes that don't want to leave Steve's face, but eventually Bucky steps away to pull two mugs out of a cabinet. Coffee follows, the rich scent filling the space as he carefully pours and offers a mug to Steve. It's quick and efficient, the entire thing, because Bucky's more interested in leading Steve to the living room where they can sprawl on the worn but comfortable couch.

Which he'll do, sprawling against the corner of the cushions and trying to look inviting. The coffee table is more than close enough for the mugs and Bucky just wants Steve to be as close as they were in the kitchen.

They'll figure it out from here.]

[ Steve stays close as Bucky takes care of the coffee, leaning against the counter and watching him until he offers the mug. From there, it's easy to follow him, take a cautious sip of the almost-too-hot coffee and rest his mug with Bucky's on the table.

Bucky really does look inviting, like something Steve isn't even sure he'd know how to resist, not that he wants to.

With a shy smile, he crawls on the couch next to Bucky and settles against his left side. This would have felt different when he'd been smaller, but Steve likes this a lot more, he thinks, like they're on equal footing now. ]

[It's uneventful, the relocation from kitchen to couch. And that's okay. Bucky rather enjoys how Steve lingers close, how all it takes is the slightest shift for their hands or arms to brush. It's a novelty of a sensation, but in the best way possible.

Steve settling into the couch next to him is even better.

His left arm immediately curls around Steve's shoulders, without the hesitation he usually has in touching people with that limb. It's heavy, dangerous, deadly — but this is Steve, and he trusts Steve more than anyone else in his life. Trusts in his strength, his acceptance, his friendship, his willingness to explore even more of this.

Their poor coffee is going to be so neglected.]

I'm glad you came over tonight. [Understatement of the night that, but whatever. It doesn't matter how silly it sounds because he is happy to spend this time with Steve.]

Me, too, Buck.

[ Craning his neck, Steve kisses Bucky's jaw quickly and then relaxes to rest his head on Bucky's shoulder. He can feel the joint between flesh and metal through Bucky's shirt and he knows that it's not exactly normal, even if he doesn't have a lot of experience to compare this to, but he doesn't really care. Nothing about either of them is entirely normal anymore.

Bucky's metal arm feels different than a flesh one might, but it's not something Steve overly concerns himself with. He knows Bucky's done violent things with that arm, but he's also seen Bucky feel pain through it. It's really no different from any other arm in most ways and it's a part of Bucky.

He reaches over to lace his fingers with Bucky's right ones. ]

Just wish you would've--[ No, that's not fair of him. ]--I should have said something sooner.

[That little affection, the kiss to his jaw makes Bucky inordinately happier than he thought it would or could. He’s smiling and he probably looks like a fool for how wide it is, but he’s happy. He’s so damn happy to be curled up on the couch with Steve pressed close.

And when Steve reaches for his fingers? Bucky happily lets the digits intertwine with Steve’s, raising their joined hands to his lips to brush a kiss across the backs of Steve’s fingers.]

Stop. [Gently, because he’s learned to be careful with it, his left hand squeezes Steve’s shoulder. There’s nothing of fault or blame, not for either of them.] It wasn’t the right time, for either of us. But we have time now.

[ The thing is that Steve is sort of a champion for waiting too long and running out of time. He's lost so many opportunities, so many people, and he just wants to carve out a space for this before something else happens. He wants to make Bucky smile like that for as long as he can.

In any case, Bucky kissing his hand has his attention. He's pretty familiar with Bucky's moves. It's not like he hasn't seen a lot of them used on women, but this is different. It's so different when it's him. It almost makes him fall for Bucky all over again. ]

You're right.

[ He squeezes Bucky's hand. ]

Now what?

[Bucky's honestly not thinking about things like missed opportunities or waiting too long. Maybe it's stupid, but he's not ignorant to the reality of their lives. Nothing is certain; the world could turn upside down tomorrow. But if it does, that's tomorrow's concern. Today, tonight he has Steve leaning close and smiling and all he wants to do is kids him over and over again.

They have time. A little of it at least.]

Anything you want. [He returns that squeeze with a smile.] As long as it involves a hell of a lot more kissing.

[ Steve can't help the way he lets regrets swim in his head. He's had too much time to dwell on things by himself and it's become a real habit, even if he usually keeps them to himself. Losing Bucky had been a big one, though, and having him here is a reminder to be thankful for what he can have.

Selfishly, he's a little thankful that Bucky's here at all, even though he knows that Bucky faced some horrible things to get here, but he would never tell Bucky that. It isn't even something he should think.

He shifts around, leaning up to kiss Bucky again. He could probably spend the whole night just doing this and he'd be happy. They don't need to get to know each other. They already know each other about as well as two people can. They just need to figure out this new component of what they are and he thinks they're doing an alright job of it already. ]

I wasn't planning to stop. Don't worry.

Good.

[He’s perfectly happy to accommodate Steve’s shifting, to welcome him in close and snug and to sigh quietly against his mouth. Kissing is fun, he’s always thought so, but kissing Steve is more than that. It comes with a lightness and a sense of contentment. Maybe it’s at odds with the realities of their lives, and it’s a grim thought indeed that maybe Bucky had to suffer as he did in order for them to be together. But the fact is that they are together now, and all he wants to do is explore that dynamic.

He sinks his fingers into Steve’s hair, welcoming him to stay close as lips part under his kiss. It’s an invitation for Steve to explore, to learn every nuance of how their mouths fit together.]

If you were we’d have a real problem here.

[ As Steve's fingers slip out of Bucky's, he moves his hand to Bucky's side, thumb stroking over the soft fabric of his shirt. He doesn't know what he's doing and with anyone else, that might have made him nervous, but the idea of being that kind of nervous with Bucky is laughable. Bucky's seen him do much more embarrassing things than a little bumbling. He really does just need to relax, just like with the dancing. Just like with anything where Bucky's concerned.

He follows Bucky's invitation, parting his own lips and deepening the kiss with a sigh. Bucky's fingers feel good in his hair, the warm, solid weight of Bucky's side against him, and he turns his body into Bucky more, like he isn't aware of how big he really is now. ]

[There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Steve’s bumbling; if anything it’s a little endearing. Like that hand on his side that makes him smile, he’s honestly just thrilled to be with Steve, to have the opportunity of finding it how much more they can be.

And Steve’s responding to the kiss; that little sigh actually makes a shiver run down Bucky’s spine. He chases the vibration with his tongue, chasing Steve’s taste into every corner of his mouth and damn but he thinks he could very easily get addicted to kissing this man. Though when Steve shifts against him it’s his turn to sound into the press of their mouths, a little wanting thing that’s a hair shy of a whine and is accompanied by a tug at Steve’s shoulder because Bucky wants him even closer.]

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sorry for my slow! busy work week.

no worries!

♥!

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