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To be fair to them, the snowstorm came out of nowhere. Bucky and Tony had been three hours into their first holiday break in months and it wasn’t like Bucky had known that telling Tony it had to be a technology free holiday was going to bite them in the bum so quickly. Suffice to say, they were categorically unprepared for such a sudden change in the weather.
Even though they’d been a couple for a number of years now, it didn’t always seem like it when you saw them interact. The phrase ‘still in the honeymoon stage’ could be regularly applied to the loved up pair, but you would be forgiven for wondering why if you’d been inside the car as the snowstorm appeared. The bickering that filled the vehicle as they carefully tried to keep moving could only really be achieved after you’d lived together for a fair number of years. The car crawled along as the pair endeavoured to follow the barely visible signs to a motel some way ahead.
"I told you that not having a connection to JARVIS was going to cause issues. How you thought we could go away without any tech I don't know." It was clear from Tony's voice that he was feeling distinctly cheesed off at the situation "and it was cruel to get me to agree when you were doing that thing with your tongue!" The sharp look he gave Bucky showed that he still hadn't 100% forgiven his partner for the trickery.
"Well, I jus' thought it'd be nice to get away and jus' be the two of us for a while. If you'd've had JARVIS you'd've found a way to do work and I wouldn't have seen you. That wasn't the point of this break!" Bucky was getting tired of repeating himself, he didn't want to have to keep justifying his one stipulation for this trip. It had been months since they'd managed any real time alone and this holiday was supposed to be a time to reconnect. And ok, maybe he shouldn't have got Tony to agree to things whilst he was doing that thing with his tongue but he did make sure to double check Tony was happy the next morning, and he hadn't taken it back or changed his mind.
It looked like Tony was gearing up to reply and continue the argument they'd been having for the last 30 minutes, when fortunately the motel turning came into sight. "Look, there's the motel we've been looking for, let's stop there tonight and see how things are in the morning." Not waiting for agreement from his partner, Bucky took the turning slowly and sent up a silent prayer that it wouldn't be too much longer. If he could get the two of them in a room together, he'd be able to salvage something from the situation. If there was one thing his partner loved, it was a chance to snuggle!
Tony huffed slightly but settled back into his seat. He knew he was being a bit grumpier than he usually would be in such a situation but he was cold and tired and all he really wanted was a chance to snuggle with his boyfriend for a while. Hopefully this motel would have a room for them.
Finally the road led them to a partially cleared car park and Bucky pulled up in front of the entrance. "Out you get and see if there's a room available, I'll park and grab our bags ok?" He gestured for Tony to jump out where there was a clear pavement, trying to save him slogging through the snow.
Tony smiled, "ok, I'll sort the room, just give me a call when you're in and I'll tell you the room number."
With that Tony scurried into the motel entrance and Bucky pulled the car away and went to find a space.
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Ten minutes later, Tony was finally at the reception desk. He'd been the last in a queue of about 5 people, all obviously here for the same reason and hoping for a room. He crossed his fingers and smiled at the understandably frazzled receptionist.
"Hi, I'm sure that you've been asked this more times than you'd have liked, but do you have a room for two available please?" It always made a difference to be nice to people, especially when they might be the only thing between you and a bed for the night.
The poor woman smiled faintly, "you're in luck, I've got one room left. It's not our best, it's been out of commission for repairs recently but enough of it's done that, as long as you don't mind not having all the bells and whistles, then we can give it to you."
Tony's smile got bigger, "that's wonderful. We absolutely don't mind what state it's in as long as there's a bed and hot running water, we will be extremely grateful. Thank you!"
It took the receptionist a couple of minutes to sort everything out and she handed over one of the keys. "The cleaners have got the second key but I'll make sure it gets to you as soon as it's returned, they're desperately trying to finish cleaning the rooms, we just weren't expecting this influx of people!"
Tony reassured her it was fine and that his partner would find his way to the room. Then off he went to scope out the place they'd call home for a night or so.
He let himself in, and whilst the receptionist had been right about it not having the bells and whistles, it had a bed and a working shower and that would absolutely be enough. Now if Bucky could get up here, they could start having the break they talked about. His musings were interrupted by his phone ringing, it wasn't a Stark phone (Bucky had said no tech!) but it was enough for emergencies.
Answering it, there was a lot of static but he just about heard Bucky asking what room they were in. "111, end of the corridor" he said, trying to make himself heard over the static and not sure if the message had got through before the phone cut out.
Hopefully he heard, otherwise the receptionist ought to send him in the right direction, thought Tony as he waited for a knock on the door.
Not long after, Tony heard what sounded like a key being used in the lock, oh, maybe the receptionist got the key back from the cleaners and gave it to Bucky. So he stood up from the bed and went to go and help Bucky with the bags when the door opened and in walked someone who was definitely not his boyfriend…
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Steve couldn't believe his luck when he'd walked into that motel with his bags and been handed a key by the receptionist. He'd had a horrible day, the snowstorm only adding to his problems, so the idea of not having to fight for a room was sheer bliss. Endeavouring to give his name or something, the receptionist just waved him off and said "room 111, have a good night sir."
He made his way to the room, following the signs, and just hoping for enough hot water for a shower. Unlocking the door, he heard a noise but dismissed it - the motel was obviously full, there would be a lot of noise compared to his normal flat. But he was extremely confused when he opened the door and there was a man already in the room.
"You're not Bucky!" The man stated with confusion.
"No he isn't" came a voice from behind him.
Steve dropped his bags and turned round to see a lightly snow covered man carrying enough bags for a couple. Shit, I don't really have a room do I? That’s just the icing on the cake.
"I'm so sorry. The receptionist just gave me the key as I came in and sent me here, I don't really know what's happened." Steve tried to explain.
"Oh, I think I know," the man in front of him said, "look, come in for the moment, let's see what we can work out", he motioned Steve and the other man, Bucky, into the room and shut the door behind them. Steve shuffled awkwardly into the corner of the room by the chair whilst Bucky and the other man moved around each other like they'd been doing it for years. They were obviously a couple and he'd somehow turned up to accidentally cause issues.
"I'm Tony, and this is my partner Bucky, what's your name?" Tony said whilst waving at Steve to sit down in the chair behind him.
"I'm Steve, sorry to have just appeared unannounced, but you think you might know what happened?"
Tony gave him a bright smile "I told the receptionist my partner was coming in with the bags having parked the car and that I didn't think he'd be long, if he appeared looking exhausted and confused could she send him this way. She obviously thought you were my partner rather than Bucky, that's all."
"Oh," relief ran through Steve, pleased it wasn't something he'd done, quickly followed by a small bit of sadness and envy. Tony was a good looking man as was Bucky, he wouldn't mind being either of their partners but that wasn't what he was here for. He shook his head slightly to clear it and looked back at Tony and Bucky to see them watching him with open and thoughtful faces.
"Well, that's OK then, just a bit of misunderstanding. I'll get out of your hair" Steve stood and began to gather his bags.
On the bed, Tony and Bucky shared a silent conversation consisting of only their facial expressions. Something a number of their friends were equally freaked out by and jealous of. An agreement obviously reached, Bucky stood up.
"It's OK Steve, you don't have to rush off", he reached out to take one of Steve's bags. Steve was so surprised he just let him.
Tony walked up to his other side, "this was the last room they had available, there won't be anywhere else free for you to sleep if you go" he looked up at Steve and smiled. "There's a shower with plenty of hot water, and the bed is big enough for three of us… why don't you stay with us?"
Steve had to pinch himself slightly, his face must have shown disbelief because Tony nodded and then when he turned to Bucky for confirmation that what Tony had said was true, Bucky smirked and took a moment to sweep his eyes up and down Steve's frame.
Feeling a blush spread from his cheeks down his neck, Steve ducked his head. A startled laugh from Tony made him pull his head up but before he could worry what it meant, Tony took his free hand. "You look very pretty when you blush Steve." This caused Steve to blush even harder. " And if it wasn't clear, let me speak plainly. We'd," Tony gestured to himself and Bucky who was still standing on Steve's other side boxing him between them slightly but leaving the exit open, "like it if you stayed with us. It can be purely platonic, just three men doing what needs to be done under extreme circumstances. Or, it can be more than that because both Bucky and I think you're gorgeous, and if I'm not mistaken...you quite like the look of us too?"
As Tony had been speaking, Steve had been trying not to end up in a puddle on the floor. What an offer! Realising he had been silent for a little while, Steve hastily grabbed for Tony's hand as he started to pull away.
"Yes!" His exclamation made everyone jump. "Sorry… yes, please. If the offer is still there? I'd like the… I'd like the second option. I do think you are both gorgeous and even a night just sleeping in the same bed as two men who are interested would be more than worth this stupid snowstorm." He smiled sheepishly as he finished his little speech but was pleased when all that happened was Tony squeezing his hand and Bucky grinning at him.
From there the three found a rhythm with each other, moving about the room, chatting, working around and with each other until everyone was ready for bed.
The three men stood at the end of the bed looking down towards the headboard. "OK, in you get Steve, you can be middle spoon!" Tony clapped his hands and announced, breaking the tension and startling a laugh out of the other two. "Your shoulders are broad enough for both of us to rest our heads on." Tony's follow up caused another blush to rise over Steve's face and neck but he dutifully did as Tony suggested and soon all three men were snuggled up in the bed, Tony and Bucky each resting a head on one of Steve's shoulders and joining their hands across his chest.
Bucky's whispered voice came out of the darkness, "I know we've only known you for a couple of hours, but this feels like the beginning of something really special".
Steve felt Tony nod his head in agreement "Yeah, we were going away to get some time for ourselves but I don't feel like you've changed that. I feel like you were meant to be with us." Steve smiled in the darkness and lightly squeezed the waists his hands rested on. "I'm really pleased I met you both too. I'd like to talk more about things in the morning if that's ok?"
With agreements to talk more, the trio fell asleep, safe and warm in the comfort of each other.
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Morning found all three men tangled up together, somehow Tony had ended up with his arms wrapped around Steve's chest and his legs intertwined with Bucky’s. As the three slowly woke up Steve spoke quietly but seriously "I think I'd like to wake up like this, with you two, for as long as you'll let me".
The only answer Steve received was a kiss from Bucky and a kiss from Tony. They may not have worked it all out, but they knew what they wanted. To go to sleep and wake up together for as long as they possibly could - everything else they could work out but this was enough for now.
The End