Chapter Text
Chapter One
Bucky Barnes steps out of his car and tugs at the black ponytail holder currently keeping his hair tethered and under control. Maybe I should just cut the mop off. It’s down past his chin now, probably the longest it’s ever been in his life, but he doesn’t really want to cut it. If he went short, he’d have to go really short, like military style short, because he just doesn’t want to have to do stuff to it. Right now, he can just shove it up in a bun, or pull it back into a pony. Boom. Done.
He glances at the sign over the door as he walks under it and pulls the door open. Barnes Construction. The proudest day of his life was the day that sign went up. The day he officially went into business for himself, doing exactly what he wanted to do. Build. The interior of the building seems dark after the blinding sun outside, and he pauses for a second. There’s something just so rewarding about making something with your own two hands, your own skill, something that will last. Something that will mean something special to the people you make it for. Sounds goofy, but it’s true. Every day he appreciates that fact.
“Hey, Darce!” he calls out as he enters his building, a small but nice space. His space.
The young woman behind the counter, currently standing with her back to him, gives him a backward wave. “Yo, Bucky bear,” she responds distractedly, but holds up a finger at him as she finishes counting something in the filing cabinet in front of her, signaling to him to stay put.
He waits, instead of passing her by and heading into his office. As ridiculous as it is, he’s been called Bucky bear for so long, it doesn’t even faze him. When her count is complete, she turns to him and smiles, teeth white against her burgundy lipstick. “So, all moved in?” she asks animatedly, pushing the file drawer shut with the bangles around her wrist jangling. He notices her skirt and silk blouse secondarily. Darcy is always overdressed for work, especially compared to him and his jeans and t-shirts. But her style is hers, and he wouldn’t have her any other way.
His answering smile is broad. “Yep. Finished moving stuff last night. The place is great. It feels so good to be out of… you know,” he finishes vaguely, shrugging.
Darcy nods. She knows what he means. “I’m really glad for you, honey. It’ll be good for you to leave that all behind. I wish it could have been sooner.”
Bucky shrugs again. “Well, a lease is a lease.”
She nods thoughtfully. “Now Becca is helping you, right?” She nods encouragingly. “I mean, to make it not look like a man cave?”
Bucky rolls his eyes and proceeds down the hall. “Yes, Darcy, she’s helping me.”
“Good!” Darcy yells after him. “Because you have terrible taste!” she teases.
--
Later that day, after driving home to his new apartment, he decides to try out the park that’s practically next door. For August, it was surprisingly cool that day, and close enough to dusk that he keeps his jeans on, hoping to discourage mosquitoes. His dog, a black and tan shorthair Dachshund named Zeus, starts dancing around as soon as he sees the leash in Bucky’s hand, so he snaps it on without delay and off they go.
The park in question turns out to be really nice. Lots of trails, wide and well maintained, no tree roots poking up to take you unawares and trip you, plus a paved walk that suits their purposes very well. He talks to Zeus as they are walking, and the little dog’s tail never stops wagging.
“You like this one, too, boy? I think it’s perfect,” Bucky croons to his dog.
They are coming around a bend in the trail when it happens. A runner coming from the other direction almost topples right into them, stopping just in time. He’s blond. Just a little taller than Bucky. Built like a Mack truck, with broad shoulders that taper down into a slinky set of hips, and strong, thick runner’s thighs. And he’s so fucking hot. Like, seriously hot. Male model hot.
Bucky blinks into cornflower blue eyes, strong brows pulled together and short hair that he bets stands up in the front when it’s not plastered down with sweat. God, how can anyone look that good sweaty? The man is glistening. As per usual, Zeus is going absolutely crazy, barking like his life depends on it. He gives the leash a good yank, but it doesn’t help at all. Neither does telling his dog to be quiet. He laughs and tries to weather the storm.
The man says something about Zeus being a good watch dog. His voice is divine; Bucky manages to make some sort of lame reply, but as soon as it comes out of his mouth he has no recollection of his words. He’s really just thinking about how this guy’s shirt is tight enough that he can see the outline of his pecs underneath it, hard muscles bulging out attractively.
Zeus calms down, thank goodness, and the man waves at them as he steps around and passes by. Bucky lets him go, fighting the urge to turn Zeus around and follow. He does turn his head around, craning like an owl to sneak a peek at the guy’s ass, which of course is flipping incredible. He sighs and looks down at his tiny dog.
“God damn, Zeus, did you see that? He was beautiful.”
Zeus flutters his tail in agreement and hangs his tongue out the side of his mouth.
“And you are embarrassing as hell, you know that?”
Zeus smiles up at him, teeth showing and tongue lolling, and his tail wags even faster.
--
Two days later, Zeus gets another opportunity to embarrass his owner. Bucky is taking him out to go back to the park when he sees a familiar face entering his building, one he did not expect to see.
“Thor!” he shouts over the din of his dog going nuts, and sticks out his hand.
His electrician friend takes it and gives him a hearty shake, then looks down and waits a second for Zeus to calm himself. “Bucky, when you said you were moving soon, I didn’t know you meant here!”
Bucky smiles. “And I had no idea this was your apartment building.” He motions with his head to the interior. “How long have you lived here?”
Thor shifts his weight and sticks one foot out. “Let’s see, it’s got to be several years now.”
“So you like it?” He's eager for input on the building.
“Love it!” Thor replies enthusiastically, and punches him lightly on the upper arm. “It’s great you’ll be here. I have some friends I want you to meet.” He looks down. “And I see you brought a friend yourself.”
Bucky chuckles. “Zeus, meet Thor.”
Zeus, who had been sitting at his side, now stands and gives Thor a tail wag.
“Hey there buddy,” Thor nods, then looks back to Bucky. “We play basketball in the courtyard every Saturday at nine, when the weather holds. You should come play.”
“Yeah?” Bucky tips his head, uncertain. He’s not the most outgoing person, but he did come here to make a fresh start. And he’s known Thor for quite some time. What better way to meet his new neighbors? “Sure, I’ll play,” he decides. “Can’t this weekend, but I will next week.”
“Fantastic,” Thor says, clapping his hands together. “Are you all moved in already?”
Bucky nods. “Yeah, all settled. It’s nice being so close to the office.”
Thor is on the move again. “I’ve gotta run,” he confesses. “But I’ll text you later!” he slaps Bucky on the shoulder as he passes.
“Great to see you!” He’s genuinely happy to see Thor there. He considers him a friend already, and Bucky’s life is sorely lacking in male companionship, friends or lovers alike. His own fault, of course. His thoughts turn dark as he and Zeus step out and head down the sidewalk for the park. He was so young when he got involved with his former boyfriend. Young and stupid, he thinks to himself. As the years passed and his boyfriend slowly, insidiously encouraged and nurtured Bucky’s dependence upon him for all his emotional support, he let his old friends slip away, hardly even realizing it. Look how that turned out.
But this is his new chance to start over. He’s not going to waste any more time than he already has. The period after the breakup was horrible, filled with nothing but despair and self-loathing, and he doesn’t want to revisit it. He looks down at his dog and smiles. Fresh start. What a blessing he just ran into Thor. He’s got a good feeling about this.
--
Another couple of days pass, and Bucky is on his way home from work when he remembers he needs to stop and get dog food—he’s out completely and meant to get some the last time he was at the grocery store. “Fuck!” he curses, swings his car around and goes for the store closest to his new place. It’s annoying to have to stop. The day was long, he hasn’t even had dinner yet and he had to deal with some particularly difficult and prickly house owners. All he wanted to do was get home and crash on the couch.
After grabbing a big bag and carrying it up to the checkout line, he’s waiting impatiently when he hears a voice from behind him. The voice. He knows it immediately. Turning to look behind him, he can’t help a big smile from crossing his face. It’s hotstuff from the park, only now he’s not sweaty. He’s got on shorts and a t-shirt, and his short hair does stand up in the front. He looks cute as fuck.
The man asked him about his dog so Bucky makes an offhand remark about his dog food emergency. Suddenly he doesn’t feel so grumpy about it. He checks out the conveyer belt, and all that sits on it is a bag of Idaho potatoes. Kind of a strange thing to run to the store for, but he figures this guy did the same thing he did—forgot to get them on his last trip. He brings his eyes back to those fascinating blue ones and tries not to stare into them too much.
Because number one, while looking is fine, he’s NOT going to get himself into any kind of dating situation. Absolutely not. That thought alone can make him break out into a cold sweat. Number two, there’s no way in hell this guy is gay and unattached anyway. No way.
Turns out the guy has a sense of humor and makes a joke about a potato emergency, bringing up a chuckle from Bucky. He jokes back with him and then has to pay for his purchase. The man stays silent and doesn’t try to pick him up, so Bucky assumes his first conclusion was correct. He’s straight. He does wish him a good night to be polite, then heaves the bag of food up onto his hip, goes on his merry way, and thinks that’s the end of it. Hottie probably lives somewhere close by. Maybe he’ll see him once in a while shopping, or at the park. He’ll be nice to ogle when he’s running. Nothing more. He’s almost disappointed. Almost.