Chapter Text
Bucky thought the Avengers tower was strange. He wasn’t sure how much of it was living with a team of superheroes, how much was the fact that he’d spent the last seventy years in the hands of an organization that was brainwashing and wiping him, and how much was something else entirely. The Dom knew he didn’t exactly have a full understanding of how this new world he’d been thrust into, or any world really, worked but something just seemed…off. It nagged at him, pulled at his attention like a splinter in his finger that was too small to find.
He’d never been on a team with a sub before, for one thing. It was just something that never would have happened back in the 40’s and HYDRA, well, they had a certain opinion about where submissives belonged in the world. Yet now he was not only working with a sub, but living in that sub’s tower. Tony Stark, the only sub in the world with his own Fortune 500 company. It honestly impressed Bucky more than anything else he’d seen in the future, mostly because his exposure to subs was limited to the simpering messes that crawled after their master at HYDRA or the few he remembered from his own time who just wanted a big, strong Dom to take care of their every need. Tony didn’t need anyone which, Bucky thought, was part of what was so strange.
The billionaire provided for his superhero friends in just about every way imaginable. He gave them a place to live, put food on the table, built them new equipment whether or not it was asked of him, and bought them just about anything they could dream of if they showed even the slightest whim. It made Bucky want to do something to give back, not because he felt like he owed it to the genius or because it was expected of him, but simply so he could show his appreciation for everything being done for him. The others didn’t seem to feel that same compulsion.
It wasn’t that they were taking advantage or even that they weren’t grateful. Clint, in particular, was extremely vocal in his thanks whenever the genius brought him a new set of arrows. It was just that it seemed like they never did anything specifically for the man who gave them so much. Sure, Steve cooked and Natasha helped him with his hand-to-hand and Bruce got onto him about eating healthier, but those were things they did for the whole team.
Bucky guessed it just bothered him. It didn’t help that he kept noticing tiny little signs that the sub wasn’t as happy as he let on. The first time had been shortly after Bucky had first moved in to the tower. There was a team movie night that the genius hadn’t shown up for. After a few minutes of waiting and an inquiry to JARVIS, they were informed that the genius had fallen asleep on the couch in his lab mid-work binge. Steve had smiled and said, “Let him sleep. He needs it.” They’d started the movie and Bucky wouldn’t have thought anything of it except that about three-quarters of the way through the hairs on the back of his neck had stood on end and he twisted around to see Tony hovering in the doorway.
He’d been expecting the genius to waltz on in and flop down with a wise crack and a wide grin, but he’d turned away instead and disappeared into the darkness. At that point, Bucky barely knew the man, had only ever had a handful of conversations with him and those had all been about the soldier’s arm. He didn’t exactly know him well enough to go after him. He did start paying closer attention after that, though. Once he was looking for them the little moments like that seemed to crop up more and more. It wasn’t a trend he enjoyed seeing.
The therapist SHIELD has assigned Bucky taught him a new origami form every session so he had something to do with his hands while they talked. It made things easier, he thought, if he had something else to concentrate on while explaining all the things HYDRA had made him do. Bucky liked the Doc, too, and eventually told him about his concern for Tony, his confusion over what he’d seen. Doc Branson had smiled at him.
“It sounds to me like you’d like to make friends.”
Bucky’s brow furrowed.
“I don’t think we’ve got much in common.”
The Doc chuckled. He was a very dark-skinned man and every flash of his teeth was startlingly bright in contrast.
“More than you would probably think. I’m sure you can find something to bond over. Here,” he leaned forward to press down on the back end of one of the frogs they’d been making during this session and let it spring into Bucky’s lap, “why don’t you take him that and see where it leads you?”
Bucky had been dubious, but did as the Doc suggested anyway. He headed back to the tower with the frog tucked carefully into the pocket of his sweatpants and asked JARVIS where his creator was.
“Sir is currently in the labs. Shall I divert your elevator ride to his location?”
“Only if it won’t interrupt anything. I wouldn’t want to disturb him.”
The elevator deposited him at the lab, so he supposed that was a no. Glass walls framed a ten-foot cube that served as the lobby, a keypad and hand-scanner mounted by the door preventing anyone from getting further. Seeing as he didn’t have a code for entry, Bucky just knocked lightly on the glass to get the inventor’s attention. The man nearly jumped out of his chair where he’d been typing away at a keyboard and examining something on one of his many holographic screens. He looked surprised to see Bucky, but he supposed that was rather expected.
“Hey,” he greeted as soon as he opened the door, holding it and stepping aside so Bucky could enter. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
The Dom felt suddenly nervous. He reached into his pocket to pull out the frog.
“I brought this for you.”
Tony cocked his head to the side adorably and took the tiny origami creature from his outstretched hand. His face clearly showed his confusion.
“Um, thanks?”
Great, Bucky thought, now he was coming off as a total lunatic. As if Tony needed any more reasons to think of him like that.
“I just thought you might like it, is all. It can jump and everything.”
The confusion didn’t disappear but a small smile worked its way onto the sub’s face.
“Thanks, really,” he repeated, this time with more sincerity. “How’s your arm holding up?”
“Great.” Bucky grinned back and rotated the metal limb to illustrate his point. “You did an amazing job with it.”
“Yeah, well, tech is kinda my thing.”
“I can tell.”
Bucky gestured to the room at large where bits of various inventions were strewn across just about every surface. One of Tony’s bots lifted its metal arm to look at Bucky. The soldier wiggled his fingers in greeting and the bot whirred happily in response. When he turned back, Tony was giving him an odd look.
“Do you wanna see some stuff? Maybe? Steve once mentioned you did some mechanic work before the war. I don’t have a lot of my cars here, but I’ve got a few.”
Bucky grinned.
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
They ended up spending hours down in the garage, Tony actually hoisting the engine out of his Aston Martin so Bucky could get a better look at it. Mechanics had changed a lot since Bucky had last gotten his hands stained with motor oil, but the basics were still the same. His love for cars hadn’t changed, either.
“We’ll have to take a road trip sometime,” Tony said with a beaming grin. “We can go up the coast. The drive’s not as nice as California, but it’s got its perks. If we make a weekend of it, we could even drive up to Maine and get some lobster.” He kissed the tips of his fingers, his Italian roots showing. “Nothing in the world like lobster fresh off the boat.”
Bucky laughed.
“Only if I get to drive one of these lovely ladies.”
He ran a hand affectionately down the side of the Aston Martin and it was Tony’s turn to laugh.
“Well, you seem like the kinda guy who would treat her right. I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”
It was meant as a joke but they ended up planning the whole thing out and when Tony had mentioned it to Pepper when the woman stopped by with some paperwork she insisted they do it.
“You don’t take enough vacations, Tony, despite what the rest of the world thinks. A little trip would be good for you. I’m sure the tower will survive a couple days without you.”
They were set to leave just days after Bucky’s next session with Doc Branson. They were making little samurai hats in this session.
“It sounds like things went very well.”
“I like Tony,” Bucky admitted. “He just seems like a great guy. I’d like to get to know him better.”
“Well it sounds like you’re going to get the perfect opportunity. The word around SHIELD is Mr. Stark isn’t the easiest person to get along with. I’m glad you aren’t finding that to be the case.”
Bucky frowned.
“Those people don’t really know him.”
“I thought you didn’t really know him, either.”
“I know him better than they do.”
Steve still seemed pretty floored by the whole thing even as he sat on Bucky’s bed and watched him pack. He didn’t need to take much, just a couple changes of clothes and basic toiletries. The only bag he was taking was an over-the-shoulder duffle and it wasn’t even half-full. He didn’t expect there to be much room in whatever car they ended up taking anyway.
“I just-I didn’t think you and Tony had that kind of relationship. I mean, I know you’ve hung out in the lab with him a few times but that’s it.”
“Well that’s why we’re taking this trip, I guess.” Bucky shrugged. “To get to know each other. Plus the car is gonna be awesome.”
Steve didn’t seem quite convinced, but he smiled none the less.
“I hope you two have a good time, then. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.”
A smile tugged at the edges of Bucky’s lips.
“Over-protective as always, eh? I suppose I should be glad you’re not gonna be tailing us the entire way on the hog of yours.”
Steve laughed.
“Don’t tempt me. There’s still time to clear my schedule.”
Bucky was surprised to see that Tony only carried a small duffle bag of his own, a tablet sticking out of the side pocket. The genius beamed at him and patted the device.
“I know this is supposed to be my time off, but try telling that to my brain. If I don’t take something with me I’ll go insane.”
Bucky held up his hands as if in surrender.
“Hey, no arguments here.”
They were on the road in no time, Tony navigating them out of the city and then turning the wheel over to Bucky. They were in the Aston Martin convertible from the other week and it drove every bit as smoothly as Tony had promised. The samurai helmet Bucky had presented him with before leaving hung on a string from the rear view mirror.
“This is amazing!” Bucky yelled over the noise.
Tony laughed from the passenger seat, holding his arm out to feel the wind as it whipped by. His shades hid his eyes, but they also made him look rather dashing. Bucky, on the other hand, was pretty sure his hair was going to look like an absolute bird’s nest whenever they stopped.
“This car was built for the open road,” the inventor cried back. “If you see anywhere you want to stop, just pull on over. I don’t think I’ve taken the time to sight see since my last road trip with Rhodey back in college.”
Bucky wasn’t ready to relinquish the wheel until three hours later when they pulled into a little diner for lunch. A glance in the rearview mirror told him he’d been entirely right about his hair looking like a mess and felt a flash of jealousy at Tony’s achievement of ‘artfully windswept.’ The genius cracked up when he told him that.
“Mine used to be longer,” he admitted, “but I like it short.”
“Mine used to be shorter. I like it long.”
They slid into a booth as Bucky pulled out his pony tail holder and began combing his fingers through it in an attempt to tame the wild strands. Tony watched him with no small amount of amusement. The waitress, a woman in her early thirties who looked tired but still smiled, arrived promptly with two menus. Her nametag said ‘Kitty’ and she had a bracelet of miss-matched, strung-together glass beads around her wrist and a gold wedding band on her finger. She registered as a solid baseline, no Dom or sub-heavy inclinations.
“Have you tried a braid?” were the first words out of her mouth.
Bucky looked up, startled.
“Uh, no. Haven’t even done a braid in years. Not since my sisters were young. Don’t know if I remember how.”
“Turn around,” she motioned with her hand. “I’ll do it for you.”
Bucky shifted obediently and she wrestled his hair into submission with quick, sure movements. Across the booth, Tony was taking pictures with his cell phone.
“Now,” the woman said once she was finished, “what can I get you gents to drink?”
Tony got coffee. Bucky just ordered a glass of water. Kitty walked off.
“I hope you aren’t planning to use those pictures as blackmail. I can go ahead and tell you now it won’t work very well for you.”
Tony chuckled.
“Nah. But I thought Steve might enjoy seeing ‘em, and probably Sam, too.”
Bucky dipped his head in acknowledgement. Those two certainly did enjoy anything that so much as even hinted at him adjusting well to his return to society. They perused their menus more or less in silence until Kitty came back with their drinks.
“Do you know what you want to eat yet?”
“Burger and fries,” Tony said with a smile.
She jotted it down and looked at Bucky expectantly.
“French toast, the grilled cheese with bacon, and twenty-four wings. No sauce.”
She stared at him.
“You serious?”
“Oh, yeah. He’ll probably get dessert, too.”
She looked skeptical but wrote it all down anyway. She was half-turning away when Tony finally removed his sunglasses and she froze.
“Oh, my God,” she squeaked. “You’re Tony Stark.”
He grinned at her.
“The one and only.”
She took a moment to gather herself back together before giving him a quick nod.
“Well, I’m not going to trouble you by turning into some kind of crazy fan. I’m sure you get enough of that as it is. Just know you’re quite an inspiration. Not a lot of subs have had the courage to live life the way you have and go after what they really want.”
Tony leaned forward on one elbow, sipping his coffee with the other hand.
“So who’s the special sub in your life, then?” His gaze flickered to the wedding ring. “Husband?”
Her smile was tight-lipped, her eyes pinched at the edges.
“He was. My little girl is, too.”
Tony’s grin dropped.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
She shrugged.
“Me, too, but there’s nothing to be done about it. It was a car accident, just one of those things. Nobody’s fault. He slid on some ice and got wrapped around a tree.” She gave their table a little pat. “I’ll go put your order in.”
Tony stared down into his coffee as she left. The air around them wasn’t nearly as carefree as it had been just minutes before.
“I hate that,” Tony finally said. “People losing their loved ones for no damn reason.”
Bucky nodded in sympathy, not really sure what to say to that.
“It’s not something anyone deserves.”
Tony’s hands found their way onto the table.
“I hate it cause there’s not anything I can do about it. Nothing to fix, no one to blame. I mean, we can make promises of building better cars all day long but it’s always gonna keep happening.”
The ex-assassin stared at him for a long moment.
“You know, Tony…I don’t think I’ve seen someone blame themselves for so much shit that wasn’t their fault since Stevie before he got all juiced up on that super soldier serum of his.”
The genius looked up in surprise.
“I’m not blaming myself.”
“Sure sounds like it to me.” He held up both hands before Tony could protest. “But, hey, not my business. Just think you should give yourself some credit for all the good you do.”
It was Tony’s turn to stare as Bucky pointedly just looked out the window, examining an old Dodge pick-up truck that sat in the parking lot. Silence stretched between them for a long time before Tony finally decided to break it.
“So, you had sisters, huh?”
Bucky grinned, turning back.
“Oh, yeah. Three of ‘em. After our folks passed it was up to me to take care of ‘em. I was the oldest after all.”
Tony got a wistful look in his eye.
“I always wondered what it would be like having siblings growing up.”
Bucky snorted.
“It’s Hell, but I wouldn’t’ve traded it for the world.”
“I’m sure they were some lucky ducks to have you watchin’ out for them.”
“Probably not if you asked them,” Bucky leaned forward as if to share a secret, “but I never did. It got better after Stevie started comin’ around. I could throw him at them as a distraction.”
Tony burst out laughing. It was a good look on him.
“I’m just imagining pre-serum Steve surrounded by this gaggle of ladies and being completely over-run by them. Then I imagine the same thing with him looking like he does now and it just gets better.”
Bucky chuckled.
“Aw, man. My sisters loved Stevie back then, thought he was the cutest thing ever, like their own personal doll. They’d just eat ‘im up with a spoon now.”
“So what happened to them? I mean, I know you and Stevie went off to war, but…”
Bucky shrugged.
“My oldest sister was dating this guy named Freddy,” his eyes narrowed in thought, trying to dredge up the memories that were still fuzzy from HYDRA’s treatment, “Hallowitz, I think. I was supposed to meet him the next time I went on leave but,” he shrugged, “trains happen.”
“What about now?”
Bucky shrugged.
“Dunno. Maybe they got kids of their own out there. I don’t even know if any of them are still alive.”
Tony’s eyebrow rose in surprise.
“You never tried to look them up? Weren’t you curious?”
“Of course I was, but if they’re still alive then there’s no way I would be able to resist reaching out to them. And after what HYDRA turned me into?” He gave a bitter scoff. “Better they think I died on that train.”
Tony frowned, looking into the depths of his coffee.
“If it were me,” he finally said after a long silence, “I would want to know.”
Bucky was saved from having to answer as Kitty arrived back with their food, having to make two trips to get it all on the table. She seemed content to ignore the conversation they’d been having the last time she was with them.
“Anything else I can get you gents? Ketchup?”
Tony beamed at her, clearly recovering from the heavier topics pretty quickly himself.
“Got some, thanks.” He lifted the red bottle from where it sat at the end of their table. “You could maybe point us toward some good places to sightsee, though, if you can think of anything off the top of your head.”
Kitty hmm-ed and furrowed her brow.
“Well, I don’t know if it’s exactly your style, Mr. Stark, but there’s a little reservation only about twenty miles up the interstate from here. There are some hiking trails and a natural bridge. It’s a real pretty place, but there aren’t many signs telling you about it.” She winked at them. “Helps keep the place quiet.”
“Sounds great. We’ll have to check it out. And its just Tony, no need for all that Mr. Stark business.”
“I’ll write down the directions for you. Tony.”
It seemed to fluster her a bit to say his first name and she turned away quickly to do as she’d promised. The genius smiled after her.
“She seems nice.”
Bucky nodded in agreement, sprinkling powdered sugar over his French toast and digging in.
“I bet she’s a great mom.”
Tony turned back to his burger, something Bucky couldn’t quite identify in his expression.
“Yeah.”
When they finished eating, Bucky got dessert after all, Tony sent him ahead to get the car started while he paid the bill. The Dom started to protest, but Tony just waved him off. Knowing a losing battle when he saw one, Bucky did as he was told. He had the car already purring when Tony slammed out of the diner’s door, the shriek of the waitress following behind him. He vaulted over the side of the Aston Martin without bothering with the door and shouted at Bucky to, “Drive, drive, drive!”
Bucky hit the gas, tearing out of the parking lot and back toward the exit ramp. As soon as they were back on the highway, he turned to look at the genius with wide eyes. Tony was lounging back in his seat like a cat in a warm spot of sunlight.
“What the Hell was that?”
One honey-colored eye cracked itself open to look at him.
“Oh, that? That was Ms. Kitty back there finding out she’d just gotten a $25,000 tip.”
Bucky jerked so hard he swerved into the next lane. Tony raised an eyebrow at him.
“You just gave away $25,000?”
The genius shrugged and settled back into his seat more comfortably.
“I’m a billionaire, sweetheart. That’s practically pocket change to me. Hopefully Kitty’s smart enough to make something out of it.”
“Swells,” Bucky mumbled under his breath, then louder, “You know, you’re really something else.”
Tony opened both eyes to give him a look of confusion, a certain guardedness to his gaze.
“Why? Cause I’m wasting money?”
“Nah,” Bucky laughed. “The amount of money you have, I figure you can do whatever with it that you damn well please. You’re something else because you care.” He sent Tony a grin and a sideways glance. “Not enough people do that anymore.”
Stunned silence reigned on the passenger side of the car before Tony seemed to get ahold of himself again.
“Whatever. You just get us to that nature preserve bridge thing, alright?”
Bucky smiled and did as he was told. The park ranger at the bridge directed them to waterfalls further up the interstate when asked and they were off again, then to Salem, Massachusetts, where they would spend the night. Tony had insisted upon it.
“Forget witches! They have the Museum of Metal Creatures! And the New England Pirate Museum! C’mon, Buck! Pirates!”
The ex-assassin could hardly argue with that. They found a room at the Tuck Inn Bed and Breakfast, which Tony had laughed at for nearly a full five minutes. He’d laughed even more when they wound up in the Honeymoon suite. Apparently it was the only room still available with two beds, a queen and a day bed. Bucky, of course, let Tony take the queen. The next morning brought them a veritable array of baked goods and pastries for breakfast, what the bed and breakfast was truly known for.
“So,” Tony nearly bounced in his seat, “we hit the museums around here and then head out of town. If we floor it, we should be about to get to Maine by dinner. It’s only, what, a four hour drive at this point?”
Bucky smirked around his slice of cranberry-orange coffeecake.
“Bet you $50 I can make it in half that.”
“You know what? I’ll take that bet. But if you lose, you’ve gotta steal Cap’s suit and wear it in Times Square.”
Bucky balked.
“Stevie’s suit?”
Tony’s grin promised no mercy.
“Or you could sing karaoke in front of the whole team. I’ll accept either.”
“Karaoke. Definitely. No way am I touching that suit.”
Bucky didn’t win the bet, but he did get to spend three hours in a car with Tony wearing a pirate hat and an eyepatch. He supposed it was worth it. They arrived at the Holbrook House at just past five in the afternoon. Tony kept the hat and eyepatch on for the entire process of checking in. Bucky had to give the young woman behind the desk points for not mentioning it even once. They were headed to their room in less than ten minutes.
Dinner was at a tiny little restaurant Tony had apparently been to before. It was a family-run place attached to a small marina, every dish seafood and bought fresh daily from the incoming boats. Tony didn’t even let Bucky look at a menu, just started ordering them a veritable army of food.
“This is awesome,” he grinned. “I’ve never actually been able to finish everything before but I’m sure that won’t be a problem for you.”
Bucky chuckled and snagged another piece of lobster.
“So you really only brought me so I can be your trash compactor. I see how this is.”
Tony tutted at him.
“You caught me. I’m only using you for your mouth.”
Bucky tried extremely hard not to concentrate on the images that put in his mind. Tony was attractive, certainly, and one Hell of a fella but that didn’t mean he’d be receptive of Bucky thinking such thoughts. They were barely even friends and there was no indication that the attention would be reciprocated. Besides, he’d never seen Tony with the same Dom twice. He’d hate to be just another one-night stand and then have to go back to being teammates.
They slept in the next day, working their way through their food comas, and then headed back to New York. The only time they stopped was for gas. The second time Bucky was just finishing up when Tony came bursting out of the station, waving a book over his head with a huge grin on his face. He thrust the book at Bucky as though he were a miner who’d just struck gold.
“Guess what they had!”
Bucky looked at the book in his hands.
“Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes?”
Tony looked ridiculously proud of himself.
“Because you like origami so much.”
Understanding bloomed and Bucky couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his face. Tony was watching him with hopeful eyes and Bucky yanked him in for a one-armed hug.
“Thank you. I can’t wait to read it.”
Tony beamed at him.
“Good.” He pulled away and hopped over the side of the car and into the driver’s seat. “It’s your consolation prize for getting kicked out from behind the wheel.”
Bucky laughed and climbed into the passenger seat.
“How will I ever cope?”
Tony grinned behind his shades and revved that engine before peeling out. Bucky had to scramble for his seatbelt. The genius whooped over the rush of the wind and they were off. It had been a long time since Bucky had felt so carefree. Neither of them stopped smiling the entire trip back. Steve was waiting for them in the garage.
“Wow,” Tony drawled, “I feel like I’m bringing my prom date home after midnight. You gonna get your shotgun, pops?”
Steve frowned, but it was in confusion and not disapproval.
“I’m fine, Steve,” Bucky assured him before the question could be asked.
“I didn’t think you wouldn’t be.”
He sounded defensive and Bucky smiled at the thought of getting that same tone time and time again all through their childhood after finding him in countless alleys.
“But it’s still the longest I’ve been out of the tower since you brought me back. I get it, Stevie. It’s okay.”
His friend seemed to have trouble meeting his gaze and the soldier’s eyes darted over toward Tony. It was obvious that he was embarrassed.
“I just worry, is all.”
“No need.” Bucky reached out of the car to ruffle Steve’s hair like he had a million times when they were younger. “Tony took great care of me.”
The inventor looked nothing less than smug.
“Yeah, Cap. Stop hogging. Bucky can have more friends than just you.”
Apparently deciding that since he owned the building he could just leave the car sitting in front of the elevators Tony turned off the vehicle and exited. Bucky followed suit, grabbing each of their bags out of the trunk and shouldering Tony’s without a second thought. Steve looked like he was about to panic.
“I never said he couldn’t! I never said that!”
“Relax, Stevie.” Bucky clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s a joke.”
For someone with as much sass and wit as Steve had, he’d somehow always managed to miss the humor of others. It’d taken Bucky years to reach the level where his best friend understood his sarcasm. He could see the process was going to be just as grueling between Steve and Tony. Good thing he was there to translate. The three rode up the elevator is relative peace, Bucky handing Tony’s bag to him only when he and Steve were about to disembark on his own floor.
“Try to get some sleep tonight, will yah? You’re technically still on vacation until tomorrow morning.”
Tony’s grin was unapologetic.
“And it’ll be morning in less than an hour and a half. What are you complaining about anyway? It’s not like the light of me working is gonna be keeping you up anymore.”
“Maybe I just care. Night, Tony.”
He didn’t believe for a second that the genius was going to do anything other than stop off at the penthouse to drop his bag and then head straight down to the lab. If he even made it to the penthouse at all. Steve lingered for a while, fixing them both hot drinks and sketching on the couch while Bucky started reading the book Tony had given him. Despite the late hour, neither of them seemed overly tired. When Steve finally decided to leave, he sent Bucky a small smile from the doorway.
“I’m really glad things went well between you two, Buck. You deserve a friend like Tony and I think he needs one like you a lot more than he’d care to admit.”