Chapter Text
Chapter 1
I may be scattered
〰️
Some days are just meant to be spent outdoors. Today, for instance. It would have been a shame to spend the entire day cooped up inside mocking YouTube reaction videos and finding out which type of bread he would be on Buzzfeed (focaccia, naturally).
Today is one of those rare days, when the temperature is just right, not too cold, not too hot. Perfect for black skinny jeans and a sheer shirt with floral patterns. Today is just right for hair to be pulled back into a bun that looks flawless and artfully frames sharp cheekbones, and for light eyeliner and a touch of lip gloss.
The park is filled with people walking dogs and the sound of children laughing. Bucky adores both of those things.
It’s a good day to try and forget his Ma’s well meaning voice in his head. 'But what happened, Bucky? He had a good job and was so polite. It’s like you’re not even trying to find someone.’
Sure, Paul had a good job. And yeah, he was kind of a decent guy, but he turned out to be another name on the list of bad boyfriends Bucky seems to always find himself with. His and Paul’s relationship was...problematic. And that’s the best way Bucky can describe it without going into details that he doesn’t want to reveal to his Ma.
Today though, also happens to be the best day for watching an array of joggers winding their way through the pathways of his favorite lunchtime spot, to distract him from bad-boyfriend-thoughts.
Bucky has a deep appreciation for jogging. Or, at least for joggers. Their commitment (so dedicated), their stamina (incredibly useful), and most importantly for their tight, tight outfits (because holy shit). Aesthetically speaking, the park is a great place to hang out.
He doesn’t ogle(he’s not a creeper), but he certainly looks, waving occasionally to some of the regulars. Saying ‘hi’ to a few that stop to chat. He’s friendly like that.
This particular Saturday is special though, because today, today Bucky Barnes sees the man of his wet dreams for the very first time. This is the man Bucky plans to ride off into the sunset with, the man he’ll raise the world's cutest kittens with, the man that is going to positively wreck him; if he hadn’t completely sworn off dating after Paul.
The kittens really would be cute though.
Switching from his current Twitter argument with some third rate blogger, Bucky opens his text app and sends a message.
Bucky: I just saw the father of my fur babies
As expected, the reply is immediate
Darcy: Pics?
Bucky: 2 late he’s gone
Darcy: 🥺😭😔
Yeah, Bucky’s pretty sad too. It’s for the best really, after Jason and Kevin and Paul and… Bucky has sworn off boyfriends for the rest of his life. Doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate a nice view and entertain a fantasy or two about a future that will never happen, given his commitment to forever remaining single.
〰️
Bucky: HE’S BACK xjskskdkn!!!!!!!
Darcy: 👀❓
Bucky: 🔥🔥🏃♂️🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darcy: pics
Bucky: 😔
〰️
Bucky: DARCY
Darcy: WHAT
Bucky: 🔥🏃
Darcy: pics
The thing is, Bucky could take pictures, but he won't, not when the guy doesn't know. Maybe Darcy will settle for a mood board from the elaborate beach wedding he has planned in his head.
〰️
Bucky has been patiently waiting for Hot Jogger to show up. Sitting in his usual spot in the park, he's got his hair loose around his shoulders, his tight red skinny jeans, an old band t-shirt that's so thin it's almost see through, and a nice set of boots.
It's been a couple of weeks and the weather is starting to turn cooler, but Bucky has made no effort to talk to his future husband, which is really putting a kink into his wedding planning.
What kind of flowers does he want? What song should their first dance be to? What name should he put on the invitations?
Details.
So many details.
Weddings are complicated.
Even pretend ones that will never happen.
〰️
There's a gym about half a mile from Bucky's apartment where he has a monthly membership. He originally joined up because Darcy insisted the gym was a great place to meet guys.
And she wasn't wrong, there are certainly a lot of them.
Jocks aren't usually Bucky's type. They're nice to look at, all muscley (Darcy's word, not his), but not a lot of substance. Bucky only knows the name of so many pieces of gym equipment, thanks to an ill fated attempt to date one of the gym obsessed dude bros.
He had told himself he wasn't expecting riveting conversation, because who needs conversation with a body like that?
Right?
Ugh.
Turns out, Gym Bro being able to bench press Bucky's body weight didn’t necessarily translate to the kind of sex that makes going to the gym at 5am everyday worthwhile.
It did make for awkward morning after talk when all Bucky craved was an omelet and some bacon, but what was on offer was a protein shake that tasted like nothing and felt like dust in his mouth.
A shame really.
Over sympathy cocktails with Darcy, he learned where he made his error. There is apparently a very important difference between a gym bro and a himbo that he was unaware of. He knows better now though. A very buzzed up Bucky readily admits that a himbo would probably make a nice ex boyfriend.
〰️
He has managed to get Hot Jogger to look his way a few times. Even though he isn’t interested in a relationship, he still likes to know he can turn a guy’s head. Like when he accidentally dropped his water bottle when Hot Jogger bent over to tie his shoe (which was less of a ploy to get Hot Jogger's attention and more of a reaction to that ass). Or when his phone rang with an emergency with one of his clients and he had to race off just as Hot Jogger was approaching.
Bucky thinks helping the little girl whose dog got off its leash made him look good, if you ignored the way his hair was plastered to his head with sweat from running and the grass stains on his pants from diving after the little dog before it escaped into the bushes. Looking good for Hot Jogger was really just a perk though. Bucky would have helped the little girl anyway.
Impressing Hot Jogger wasn’t even on Bucky’s mind when he marched right up to some random guy who was loudly harassing one of the female joggers because that just isn’t cool, especially when she made it very clear she wasn’t interested in the attention. After ensuring the young lady was okay, Bucky had been surprised to see Hot Jogger directly behind him, having also come to the young lady’s rescue.
Playing it cool, Bucky says, "hi," with a jaunty wave of his hand. And then immediately wants to kick himself.
Hot Jogger smiles and Bucky cannot be faulted for the noises that escape his mouth.
“So, uh, hey,” Hot Jogger answers while a fetching shade of pink works its way across his cheeks.
Neither man says anything for a few moments and Bucky can feel it starting to get awkward real fast.
“I’ll let you get back to your run.” Bucky starts to walk away so he can try to figure out where all his smoothness went. He has to be careful though, or else he could easily fall into his old flirty ways, angling for a date that would lead to a second and then a third that would eventually end in another breakup.
This guy though, Bucky would almost be willing to make an exception for. Which is why he needs to move along.
Before Bucky can get too far away, Hot Jogger calls after him, “my name’s Steve, by the way.”
“I’m Bucky.”
Unfortunately, he can't stop himself from lifting his hand and giving another of those weird little waves. Bucky ponders if he can smack himself in the face and make it look natural.
Steve gives Bucky a once over, then says, “well, I better go.”
Bucky wonders if there’s the possibility * gasp * that Steve isn’t into guys. Which is probably for the best really. The shy smile, that incredible body, coming to that girl’s rescue? Could Steve be the elusive himbo ex boyfriend Bucky isn’t looking for?
He’s gone before Bucky can say anything. Which, okay, at least the view is nice as he watches Steve go.
〰️
The next time Bucky sees Steve, he’s sitting in his usual spot, talking to Darcy over video chat when the man jogs by and waves.
“Hey!.. Hellllllooooo… Buckster!”
Reluctantly, Bucky tears his eyes away from Steve and focuses back on Darcy.
“Sorry,” he says without an ounce of shame. “Steve waved at me.”
“Then why are you still talking to me! Go get some of that!”
“Listen, you know I’m not looking for another ex-boyfriend, just appreciating the view is all.”
“Yeah, let me know how that goes,” Darcy responds, and ends the call.
Rude.
〰️
Oh no. No, no, no, no. Hell no.
Why?
Of all days, why today?
Bucky looks around for a place to hide. He could make a run for the bushes, or maybe squeeze himself behind the water fountain. There’s always the public restrooms, but ICK.
He needs to figure something out and fast, because having a conversation with his extremely ill-advised multiple hook-up is not on Bucky’s wish list for today. Or ever really.
All he can do is keep his head down and hope.
But of course...
“James.” The tone is stern and slightly condescending. Why did he ever think this guy was hot? “You haven’t been at the club lately.”
It’s not a question, but Bucky knows exactly what Mark is asking.
“Been busy.” Bucky shrugs his shoulders, trying to convey a casualness he doesn’t feel.
The smirk on Mark’s face makes Bucky want to punch him. But there’s no cause for violence. Not at this point at least.
Mark steps closer, crowding into Bucky’s space. “I’ve got the afternoon off. Why don’t we go back to your place.”
Again, it’s not an actual question. Mark says it like it’s a foregone conclusion that Bucky will fall to his knees and open his mouth, just because Mark has a nice body and perfect features. He would be Bucky’s type if only he wasn’t such an asshole.
"Not interested," Bucky says as he starts to turn away.
Mark puts a hand on Bucky's shoulder to stop him and Bucky can't help the way he flinches away. He hates that it makes him look weak, but he remembers the feeling of Mark’s hands on his body. Too tight, too possessive, too much.
He hates the tone of Mark’s voice even more. "Where're you going James?"
Bucky's eyes flit around looking for a means of escape. Just as he's getting ready to panic, his eyes land on Steve jogging his normal route around the bend in the path.
Jerking his shoulder away, Bucky lifts a hand and calls out, "Steve!" He beckons the blond over, hoping his gamble doesn't blow up in his face.
Steve smiles and waves before heading in his direction.
"Who's that?" Mark asks, frowning.
Bucky opens his mouth, planning to tell Mark that Steve is his boyfriend, hoping he'll leave before Steve gets there.
But dammit Steve is fast.
"Hey Bucky!"
And cute.
Bucky really needs to focus.
"Mark, this is Steve."
Steve, being the nice guy that he is, reaches out to shake Mark’s hand.
The look Mark gives Bucky let's him know he isn't off the hook yet, so he decides to just go for it, relying on Steve's suspected inner himbo to play along.
"Steve is my boyfriend."
Bucky knows he didn't imagine the confused noise Steve makes in the back of his throat, but the blond recovers quickly and offers a pleased looking smile.
That smile makes Bucky want to drag Steve behind the bushes and see how many charges of public indecency they can wrack up.
"Your boyfriend?" Mark asks incredulously, looking Steve up and down. "Little out of your league don't you think?"
And that's just rude.
“That’s just rude,” Steve echos out loud. He has his arms crossed over his chest and is giving Mark a decidedly disappointed look.
Bucky probably shouldn’t find it so attractive, but his dick wholeheartedly disagrees. Steve’s so hot though, he probably stumbles out of bed looking amazing.
And now Bucky is thinking about waking up next to a very naked, sleep rumpled Steve after a night of what he is sure would be the best sex of his life. Steve is so nice, he’d probably make Bucky breakfast in bed to follow up the incredible morning blow job he’s sure Steve would give. Then he’d top it off with cuddles, listening to Bucky complain about his clients and the state of public transportation in the greater New York area.
Images of Steve in bed can wait for later, Bucky thinks, as he shifts his focus back to the task at hand, which is to get away from Mark.
“So Steve and I have to go. We’re going to lunch,” Bucky says. He looks at Steve and adds, “aren’t we Steve?”
Out of Mark's eyesight Bucky gives Steve his best kicked puppy look hoping the man will play along a little longer.
“I am pretty hungry,” Steve says, making Bucky wonder if a blow job is an appropriate thank you gift.
Who is he kidding? Of course it is.
Mark huffs a snotty, “whatever,” and walks away, much to Bucky’s relief.
Now all he has to do is express the proper level of gratitude for Steve’s save. “Hey thank-”
“So where did you want to have lunch?”
“Lunch?” Bucky asks. Steve doesn’t actually want to…?
Steve’s smile is a little more tentative this time. “Yeah, you said we were having lunch?”
Okay, this is an unexpected development, but certainly not unwanted. Bucky decides to just roll with it.
“There’s this diner about 2 blocks over. Best shakes in town.”
Bucky throws on a winning smile, grabs Steve by the hand (because why not, he justifies it by telling himself Mark may be lurking around) and leads him out of the park.
After Steve has insisted on paying for their meal he asks for Bucky’s number.
“Yeah, of course,” he responds as a lovely shade of pink creeps over Steve’s cheeks.
Himbo status: confirmed.
