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Steve and Bucky just stumbled upon it really. What are a pair of retired centennial soldiers to do on a Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn except wander the park. The jazz drew them to the corner of the park where a group were dancing to swing music - Lindy Hop to be exact, the heyday dance of their youth. A rare glint of excitement gleamed in Bucky’s eyes as he them dragged to towards the dancers. They watched a dance or two before someone asked if they wanted to join. Steve stood on the sidelines watching as some long lost part of Bucky was unearthed with every turn and phrase.
A thousand memories rushed back of dance halls, and slow dancing in their cramped tenement. It’s not that Steve didn’t like to dance, it was just that he couldn’t keep up — especially in a style that demanded so much physically. But now, watching Bucky flourish a break in the music with a roguish smile, Steve wants to try again.
They end up at the park every Sunday and Steve joins in, learning to move to delight rather than to decimate. The reminders from their old life have been unsettling in some way, but this is a piece of home he can hold without the edges cutting him.
When Bucky dances with him now, it’s not just in the confines of their home but on the social floor too. That delights Steve to no end. That ugly, jealous beast that reared its head when Bucky danced some hopeful dame finds some satisfaction. Steve didn’t realized that he even needed that.
Bucky has always enjoyed the faster dances, sprinkling a little Charleston and impressive twists. And Steve would never deny him that but Bucky always saved his slower dances for him later when they were away from prying eyes.
Even now, Bucky dances the slower tempos with him. In fact, those are the only ones they dance to. Once Steve the realization hits Steve, he’s determined to correct it.
Steve pulls Bucky towards the social floor as the drums set a quick tempo. Bucky grins as Steve takes the lead. Steve moves them with the tune with fast spins and kicks. It’s a thrill to keep time with the fast pace with grace and articulation. Bucky’s smile grows wider as he flows with Steve.
Then on one turn, Bucky over-rotates and slips his arm around Steve’s waist, taking the lead. For a moment, Steve is taken aback but he laughs as he follows now. They play the rest of the dance, wresting the lead from each other and giggling like children when one of them sabotages the switch.
Steve thinks this is the most fun he’s had in his life and the fact that Bucky is looking at him like he’s given him the thrill of his life only makes it sweeter.
When the song ends, they amble off the dance floor, breath coming out in short puffs and wide grins on their faces. Steve’s ribs are aching. He might have actually gotten a stitch in his side, not from chasing down rouge robots or an existential threat. No, from dancing fast with the love of his life and that signifies something even if he isn’t sure what.
“Do you love me now that I can dance?” Steve grins at Bucky.
Between his short breaths, he lets loose a laugh and puts his arm around Steve’s shoulders, pulling him to his side.
“You’re an idiot, Stevie,” Bucky says, with no real bite and followed by a kiss on his cheek.