Chapter Text
“You two...are a couple?” A muscular, long-haired brunette stood before Steve and Tony, his arms crossed before them as they attempted to register for the gym they stood in.
Steve remained staring at the man, Bucky, his name tag read, as he felt Tony’s fingers slip between his own. He gave a weak smile, refusing to speak for fear of blowing this all apart. He and Tony were most certainly not a couple, and he was sure this Bucky would see right through them.
Bucky uncrossed his arms, placing them instead on his hips, eyebrows furrowed even further. Steve’s eyes flitted down to the metal prosthetic hand peeking out of Bucky’s tight red workout shirt. He gulped and nodded, grasping tighter to Tony’s hand, as if that’d convince the man more.
“Why are you questioning us, man? It’s 2016, is this so unbelievable?” Tony’s eyes were narrowed at Bucky, offended at the implication his words held.
Bucky huffed, “Hmph, no, nothing of the sort. But we’ve had misadventures here before.” A smirk crossed his face, “Usually..people kiss to convince us. I mean, assuming that’s not a problem for you two.”
Steve swallowed hard again, thinking back to how he’d even gotten in such a situation.
--
Days earlier, Tony’d entered their small apartment irritated, shutting the door harder than necessary and plopping himself down on the couch.
Steve peeked his head around the corner from the kitchen, “What the hell is wrong now?” This was a regular occurrence, Tony coming home with a tick in his jaw and anger in his eyes. He just shook his head, pushing himself up off the couch and walking to the kitchen to grab a soda from the fridge.
He cracked it open, taking a large gulp before finally speaking, “You know that gym around the corner? Shield Fitness or some shit? You wouldn’t believe their prices.” He swallowed down more of the soda before setting it down on the counter.
Steve just scoffed at him, “That’s what you’re so pissed about? It’s just a gym, Tony. Go running or something, that doesn’t cost shit.” He let out a laugh, looking back down to the dishes he’d been scrubbing before being interrupted.
“Yeah but Steve, there’s a spa, I can’t get that in Central Park. Unless-” He paused, shaking his head, “Nah, never mind.”
This raised Steve’s head from the sink, he could never stand open ends, “What?”
Tony still shook his head, taking up his soda again and finishing it off, “Nah, you’d never go for it. You’re too..wholesome.” The words lingered on his tongue, and irritated Steve.
“The fuck I am, tell me.” He let the plate he was holding fall back into the soapy water, wiping his hands on the dishrag beside him and turning to face Tony, leaning against the counter with arms crossed.
Tony let out a laugh, “Alright,” he pointed at Steve, “but you’ve gotta promise not to fall in love with me.” Steve rolled his eyes, bringing more laughter forth from Tony’s lips.
“Well, the girl mentioned something about registering as a couple, there’s a discount and we’d split the cost. We’d both get a membership for only $60!” He threw his hands in the air, knocking over the empty soda can without care.
“How much is it alone?” Steve mulled over the thought, still far from sure.
“$125 a fucking month.” Tony jumped up to sit on the counter, interlocking his fingers and waiting for reply.
Steve shook his head, “I don’t know, Tony. Pretending to be a couple just for a gym membership..I’m just not that good an actor. And if we got caught...”
Tony’s head fell in defeat, knowing that most of the time Steve wouldn’t budge. But Steve watched his head slowly rise back up, a smile on his face and some unthinkable look in his eyes.
“There may be something that could benefit you...but only if you say yes. You just gotta trust me, Rogers.” Tony kicked his feet against the cabinet door, that same smile on his face, a deeper look in his eyes.
“Son of a bitch, you knew I wouldn’t be able to say no to that.” Steve gave him a light punch on the arm, and turned away to resume doing the dishes, “Fine, I’ll go along with your plan. But it better be worth it.”
Tony hopped off the counter, patting atop Steve’s head before strolling to his room, “Oh, it will be.” His voice grew faint as he called back, shutting the door behind him. Steve could just barely make out the laughter from behind his door.
He really was in for it, wasn’t he?
--
Steve sure was, he cursed his decisions as he stood there, hand in hand with Tony and about to kiss the man for God’s sake. He turned his head to look at Tony, watching that stupid smirk cross his face yet again.
“No problem.” Tony turned away from Bucky, reaching a hand up to the back of Steve’s neck. Steve shivered under the touch, his hand was awfully cold, but his lips looked alright. The beard around them wasn’t exactly his taste, but he could suck it up for a few seconds.
He leaned forward, lips parting slightly as he met Tony’s. He closed his eyes, a natural movement as their lips overlapped and underlapped for a few brief seconds. Tony pulled away, and Steve’s cheeks were a bright red as he looked back to Bucky.
“That’s my guy.” Tony pulled Steve closer, eyes narrowing even further as he and Bucky stared each other down.
They stared for what felt like an eternity for Steve, until Bucky’s stone face broke out into a bout of laughter.
“Ha! Alright, let’s get you fellas registered.” His arms fell to his sides and he walked around the service desk to hand them a form. Steve let go of Tony’s hand once they were out of Bucky’s view, letting Tony fill out the form as he tapped his feet and fiddled with the loose change in his pockets, anything to keep his mind off of the redness he could still feel burning against his cheeks.
When Steve could finally look up from the granite desktop, he met Bucky’s eyes immediately, a stormy blue-grey fixed in place.
“Sorry about all that, but, I gotta admit even I might try faking a relationship for a discount. You two are cute together.” A brief smile flashed across his face, before it disappeared, and Steve just shrugged.
“I understand, and thanks.” His eyebrows raised in worry, corner of his mouth turning up in an uncertain smile.
“He’s chiseled like a statue, but a big ol’ softie once you get to know him. I sure got lucky.” Tony interjected, bumping an elbow into Steve with a smile.
“How long have you guys been together?” The words seemed to force themselves out of Bucky’s mouth, and Steve watched as he lifted his prosthetic hand to run through his hair. Steve’s lips fell apart, words caught in his throat.
“Year and a half.” Tony spoke without looking up, and Bucky swallowed at the sound.
“Ahh, long time.” He ran his fingers through his hair again, and Steve continued staring at him, nodding slightly before averting his gaze elsewhere.
Tony looked up, placing the pen down and sliding it with the form towards Bucky. “There we go, all set.”
Bucky flipped through the pages, “Okay, are you two doing card or cash?” He tapped his metal fingers on the desk, waiting patiently as both Tony and Steve pulled out their wallets and handed him their cards.
“Hmph..” Bucky secured the cards between his fingers, staring at them individually and typing the information into his computer.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Steve’s voice sprang up, “no joint bank account, right? Well, we aren’t married yet. But, who knows. Maybe soon! I mean-” His eye flitted over to Tony, who shot him a look, as if telling him to shut up.
Steve gulped, “...you never know.” He finished the thought, and Bucky raised his eyebrows as he looked at Steve.
“Yeah, you never do.” He looked back to his computer, clicking the keys and hitting enter before handing them back their cards.
“Alright, well, it’s an automatic payment system, and we offer three day extensions for late payments. Though that does require coming in to pay the bill, but, do what you gotta do, right?”
He offered a smile to the both of them, eyes lingering on Steve’s before shooting over to Tony.
“Most definitely, so that’s it?” Tony smiled back, tapping his card against the counter before securing it back in his wallet.
Bucky nodded, “Hope to see you two in here soon. Have a nice day!” His voice turned up, offering a wide smile as the both of them turned around.
Steve turned back to look at him once more, seeing that Bucky’s smile had fallen until they met Steve’s eyes again. He turned his lips up in a smaller one, and Steve wanted to smile back.
But he just laced his fingers with Tony’s, watching as Bucky’s smile faded away before facing forward and following Tony out the door.
--
The walk back to their apartment was speechless, give for noise of their surroundings and Tony trying to engage Steve in conversation.
“Boy, Steve, I didn’t know you were such a good kisser. You gave even me shivers.” Tony elbowed him, frowning when Steve refused to look at him. He shoved his hands in his pockets, continuing to stare at the solid profile.
“What’s got you all sullen now?” He turned with Steve onto their street, trying to keep pace and failing. Steve hopped up the apartment steps, shoving the key in its hole, continuing to ignore Tony until they were both in the apartment and he was flopped onto the old couch.
“You totally screwed me, Tony.” He kicked his shoes off, and crossed his feet atop the arm rest.
“I don’t remember that.” Tony pushed his feet off the arm, sitting atop the worn fabric and shifting around every few seconds.
Steve glared at him, arms crossed and chest huffing. Tony couldn’t do anything but shrug, eyebrows raised in confusion and partially formed words on his lips.
“‘C’mon Steve, let’s pretend to be a couple it’ll be worth your while!’ Whatever.”
Tony threw his hands up, “I’m sorry, what part about the swollen brunette did you miss? ‘Cause I was there, he was there, did I imagine you?”
Steve continued to glare, an eyebrow raised and lips parted, “Oh, I was there. I had to kiss you right in front of him.”
“You’ve been out for three years, Steve, now is not the time to be having a gay panic about kissing me.” Tony crossed his arms to match Steve, staring him down.
He was met seconds later with Steve right before him, hurt and anger in his eyes, and a finger pointing in his face.
“I am not having a gay panic. But now I can’t do anything about the so-called benefit of the brunette, his name is Bucky, by the way, without giving us up.” Steve spoke quickly, inching closer and closer to Tony, forcing him to move off of the arm rest.
“...Ohh..I see.” Tony propped up his chin with a hand, narrowing his eyes and suddenly much more aware of what exactly was happening, “I knew you would have a thing for him.”
“It’s not a thing! Or at least it won’t be, not as long as I’m ‘dating’ you. And for the sake of saving money, I am.” Steve let himself fall back onto the couch, raising his hands to his forehead, exhaling all his breath.
“You’re right, it was poorly conceived.” Tony walked closer to Steve, lifting his outstretched legs and plopping down into the couch, letting Steve’s legs rest atop his own.
“Look, when I went last week, he wasn’t working the desk. I just noticed him training someone in the gym, knew you’d be interested. And, well, I’m sorry.” He rested his hands over Steve’s legs, messing with the fabric of his jeans and tugging at a loose thread near the hem.
Steve sighed, “It’s fine, just a lost venture.”
“No, no, you know what. If you’re that into him, after only one meeting, then you can tell him. I can always find another gym.” Tony looked down at Steve, who uncovered his face and smiled at him. He lifted his legs off of Tony, sitting up next to him.
“Thanks, Tony.” He patted him on the arm, watching as Tony’s head fell, a smile on his face.
“But I won’t do it, this was the deal and I gotta stick to it. There are other boys.” He pushed himself against Tony, standing up right after to grab the TV remote.
“And girls! Steve, let’s not forget about them.” He’d perked up, and Steve rolled his eyes, already prepared to hear about whom Tony had fallen in love with too soon.
“There was this blonde, the day I first went to Shield, buddy you should’ve seen her.” Tony fell back against the couch with a sigh, “She was something, I almost didn’t care how much it cost to join.”
Steve grabbed the remote, plopping back down on the couch and shaking his head, “Sorry, Tony. If I have to give up Bucky, you gotta give up your blonde. It’s only fair. No boys or girls for either of us from that place.”
“But-” Tony started, before abandoning thought, “Yeah, fine, guess I’m stuck with you.”
“Stuck with? This was your idea!” Steve laughed, clicking a button to turn on the TV and watching out of the corner of his eye as Tony rose slowly from where he was slumped into the couch cushion.
“Well I mean…” He started, leaving Steve to chase the thought.
“What.” Steve clicked the remote, running through the guide to settle on whatever cooking show was playing.
“Not saying we have to do anything about our attraction, necessarily. But, if we were to ask for personal trainers, would that be the worst thing?” Tony sat forward, hands clasped together, waiting for approval.
Steve set the remote down, chewing on the thought for a moment before a smile spread across his face.
“I mean...it certainly couldn’t hurt. We’re going tomorrow, right?”
They met each other’s eyes, smiles on their faces as they sunk back into the couch, their eyes averting to the TV, their minds far from it.
--
The next day, Steve was up and ready before noon, tight grey workout shirt stretching across his torso, barely fitting over his navy blue shorts. He strolled over to the coffee table, lifting his foot up onto it to tie his shoe.
He didn’t see nor hear Tony walk up behind him, but he certainly felt the pat on his butt as he hunched over, trying to tie the laces with his big hands.
“There’s my guy!”
Steve shot up, “Hey! Come on now.” He pushed past Tony towards the door, workout bag slung over his shoulder and keys in hand.
“I’m getting into character.” Tony defended, shrugging his shoulders as he followed Steve outside the apartment.
They both laughed, hopping down the steps and strolling down the street with smiles on their faces.
“You’re certainly chipper today.” Tony moved around behind Steve, unzipping a pocket in the bag and pulling out a granola bar.
“I could say the same for you.” He turned his head, just in time to see Tony nodding while tearing off half of the snack.
They walked down the street, people shuffling past them and staring, Tony waving his fingers back at them, Steve just looking to the ground with a smile. He readjusted the bag on his shoulder, reaching a hand into the smallest pocket and feeling around for headphones. Tony continued biting into the small granola bar, finishing it off before they rounded the corner onto their gym’s street.
Steve adjusted the bag once again when the gym was in sight, finding himself both anxious and eager to see Bucky again. He was sure Tony felt the same about whatever blonde mystery he’d been dreaming about yesterday. As they got closer to the gym, he felt Tony’s hand slip into his own, it still gave him a shock.
Tony pulled open the door with his free hand, allowing Steve to walk in first and following close behind.
The gym still smelled fresh, it being so early in the morning, with only a handful of people in sight.
A pretty blonde stood at the front desk, eyes lighting with recognition when she noticed Tony, “So you did decide to join after all?” Her lips were turned up in a smile, freckles scattered along her cheeks and the light reflecting off her soft-looking hair.
“Pepper! Yeah, I came by a few days after we talked.” She walked around the desk, and Steve was captivated by her height, long arms making way to long legs, patterned leggings accentuating her curves. She walked up to them, matching their gaze and glancing over to Steve.
“Ah, well then the couple’s deal worked out.” Her eyes fell to their hands, still interlocked.
“It did indeed, though both of us are in need of trainers, if you’d like to help with that?” He let go of Steve’s hand, “Just as well, is there a locker room where we can stick this monstrosity?” Tony gestured to the bag Steve was carrying, and Pepper smiled at them, nodding.
“It’s around the corner to the right, that hallway there.” She pointed to an opening just past the front desk, “And yes, I can help with your trainer situation.”
Steve switched shoulders, slinging the bag onto his other one while watching Tony absolutely fall over this woman.
“Steve here is really looking to work on his upper body, though. I heard that Bucky character might be a help?” Tony looked back to Steve, winking.
“Doesn’t look like his arms can get any bigger, but Bucky does seem like a good fit. If you’d like to set that bag down in the locker room, I’ll bet that’s where he’s avoiding work.” She let out a laugh, turning and walking into the hallway, positive that the two men would follow her.
“Told you she’s something.” Tony spoke hushed to Steve, with a smirk on his face.
“She really is. Now hurry up.” He smiled back, pushing Tony playfully towards the doorway, and following right after.
They strolled into the locker room, and Steve caught the sight of Bucky, his back turned to them, throwing on a red, fitted shirt. His back muscles were flexed, and Steve’s eyes shied away when they fell upon the scars that met the beginning of his prosthetic arm. He’d honestly believed maybe it was just the hand he’d lost, surprised when he saw the marred skin, raised scars just barely beginning to fade.
“Steve?” Tony’s voice called from behind him, and Steve whipped his head around.
“Pepper says we should get started, so, we’ll be out there. Alright, babe?” Steve flinched at the word, but nodded and offered the two of them a small smile.
“I’ll bring our water bottles out in a bit.” He lifted a hand, giving Tony and Pepper a quick wave as they disappeared out the door.
When he’d turned back around, Bucky was facing him, eyebrows raised.
“You two sure are eager to get in shape.” He reached down, pulling a hand towel off of the bench and running it roughly through his hair, slick with sweat. “Most people aren’t, hell, I sure wasn’t.”
Steve stepped forward, setting the bag down on a bench and rifling through it, pulling out two water bottles. “Keeps me happy, or distracted.” He shrugged, “Sometimes both.”
Bucky let out a small laugh, “I get ya, I stay late on bad days, makes ‘em a little better.” He inhaled deeply, clapping his hands together and walking towards Steve, “You ready to get workin’?” His eyes sparkled as he waited for a response, but Steve was stalled, eyes glued to his lips, pink and shiny. They looked soft to touch.
“Hm?” Bucky took another step forward, and Steve’s eyes shot back up to make eye contact.
“Oh, yeah, you bet. Let’s do it.” His mind short circuited at his word choice, he closed his eyes and shook his head. And Bucky either didn’t get the mistake, or chose to move past it, because when Steve looked back to him, there stood that closed lip smile, and he simply gestured for Steve to come with as he walked out of the locker room.
They emerged in the gym moments later, Steve’s eyes scanning the room, fixing to the spot where Tony and Pepper were stretching. He strolled towards them, placing the water bottle down on the mat beside Tony, “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Steve.” Tony turned best he could to face Steve, arm stretched around the back of his head and reaching for the other.
“Welcome, don’t exert yourself too much.” He watched as Pepper studied Tony, an arm reaching behind her to grasp her foot, somehow retaining a sense of grace in her stretching.
“Aw, look at you worrying for me. You be careful too, those muscles can only get so big.” Tony had moved to match Pepper’s post, and Steve leaned forward to push him, his whole body tipping before he regained balance.
“Hey!” There was laughter in his voice, and Steve laughed along, ears drawn to the sound of new voices, Pepper’s before him and Bucky’s coming up beside him. He turned his head to look at Bucky, their eyes meeting with great smiles on their lips.
“Alright, alright. We’re going over there.” Steve pointed to a corner of the gym where nobody was, three mats lying on the floor waiting for use.
Tony waved him off, and Steve turned, walking to the purple mat and setting his water down.
Bucky sat down on the yellow mat beside Steve, outstretching his legs and reaching his arms forward to grip his toes. His thighs were muscular, tight against the black athletic pants.
Steve’s eyes were occupied, moving back and forth between his own movements and that of Bucky’s. He sat down on his mat, stretching both legs in a v-shape, leaning forward till his torso almost met the floor.
The both of them stretched out their muscles, Bucky springing up from the floor and reaching a hand down for Steve to take as he finished.
Steve watched him shove his prosthetic hand in the pocket of his bottoms as he reached to take his hand, the skin warm and damp against his own. It sent a bolt of waves through him, and his eyes flitted over to where Pepper had Tony on the elliptical machine, she was running on the treadmill next to him, giving him an encouraging thumbs up when they looked to each other.
“Pepper’s a good one,” Bucky’s voice drew Steve to look at him, “Encouraging, but she’ll push you till you feel like dying. I sure felt like dyin’.” He pulled Steve up, clapping him on the back and ushering him over to the weights.
“You trained with Pepper?” Steve sat himself down on one of the seats, reaching for the hundred pound weight as Bucky sat on the seat in front of him.
“Yeah, couple months after my accident,” He raised his prosthetic hand, “I was down, she helped pick me back up. And, not to brag, but I managed to gain some incredible muscle over the four months I worked with her.”
Steve looked at him, eyebrows furrowing, “Four months? Wow, that’s-” He exhaled, “that’s impressive.”
Bucky let out a breathy laugh, “If you say so, I think it was just surviving. I remember one of the first things she told me,” He smiled, “that I should be glad I only gotta work out one arm. And that was one of the first times I was proud of this thing.” He spoke freely, openly, as he lifted a fifty pound weight with his right hand, the other holding his thigh as he leaned forward towards Steve.
“Well, you- you should be. I like it.” Steve switched between hands, lifting his heavy weight with little difficulty and looking into Bucky’s eyes, glistening with something indescribable.
They switched around for the next hour, Bucky encouraging Steve when he got tired of lifting the weights, or stopped doing pull-ups, teasing that he, “didn’t have such big arms for nothing!”
Tony and Pepper had almost completely slipped Steve’s mind, the fact that they were supposed to be together slipped his mind, until Tony came up to the duo, Pepper wiping her face off with a rag behind him.
“Phew, I’m beat.” He stood with his hands on his hips, sweat along his brow and the faintest wheeze in his breath.
Steve let himself drop off the pull-up bar, reaching down for his water and taking a swig while nodding, he swallowed the water before offering some to Tony, his bottle having been emptied who knows how long ago.
“Yeah, me too.” Steve’s eyes moved between the three people standing around him.
Tony took the water bottle, unscrewing the cap and raising it to his lips, “You wanna grab lunch?” He took a swig of the water, swallowing what was left of the bottle in a few large gulps, watching as Steve shook his head.
“I really just wanna take a nap.” He chuckled, nodding his head towards the locker room before strolling out, the three others following behind him.
They walked into the locker room, Pepper refusing to pass through the doorway, instead leaning against it and calling out a farewell.
“Glad to see you guys are so exhausted, means Buck and I did our jobs. Tony, next time we’re going even faster so you be ready.” She narrowed her eyes at Tony before waving and disappearing into the hall.
Tony sighed and reached into their bag, pulling out t-shirts for him and Steve. He threw the shirt to Steve, who’d seated himself on the bench, his back resting against the cold lockers, a content, “ahh” falling out between his lips. He met Tony’s eyes, and Tony gestured them towards the sinks, where Bucky stood with the sink running, wetting a towel and placing it over his face.
“Shh!” Steve waved his shirt towards Tony, trying to hit him with it. But Tony dodged it, pulling his shirt down over his head. He walked closer to Steve, who’d just barely pulled off his own shirt, and leaned down, “I’ll be waiting in the lobby.” He grabbed the bag, slinging it over his shoulder as Steve threw his dirty shirt at Tony, scowling at him and watching regretfully as he walked out.
Bucky turned from the sink, pulling down the towel off his face and seeing Steve sitting there, shirtless. He laughed.
“I don’t know why you think you need a gym, man.” He stepped towards Steve, wiping down his right arm with the towel before tossing it aside to what Steve could only assume was his own bag.
“Tony wouldn’t shut up about it, honestly.”
And he really was being honest, when it came down to it. A few details here and there spared.
“But, regardless,” Steve stood up, gripping his shirt and moving closer to Bucky. “You seemed happy to help...and I appreciate it.”
He was nervous out of his mind, but continued stepping towards Bucky, just praying that the beat of his heart wasn’t too audible. The space between them grew smaller, as Bucky was fixed in place, looking from Steve’s eyes to anywhere else in the room that could pull him. Eventually he just stepped a foot back, stopping Steve in his tracks.
“I’m just, doing my job.” He took another small step back, “Honestly.”
Steve’s heart sank, he really couldn’t tell if it was the truth or not, but regardless Bucky had moved away from him, and he watched as Bucky nodded his head in farewell before sidestepping out of Steve’s way and back into the hallway.
He stood there a moment longer, shirt still in hand, until he yanked it over his head in anger, storming out of the locker room, albeit not to the notice of any other employees.
Tony stood there in front of the door with a smile on his face, which fell as soon as Steve walked past him, pushing the door open and making his way down the street.
“Steve!” Tony turned quickly and followed him out, jogging to catch up to him, and still not maintaining pace when he finally did. “What the hell?”
Steve shoved his hands in his pockets, cursing the consequences of his bad decision making, and the rate of which he’d fallen, before he turned to Tony.
“I never should’ve agreed to this.”
He walked faster down the street, Tony stopping in place and looking back to Shield.
Maybe Steve was right.