Chapter Text
Sometime before the lunch hour Bossman called Bucky into his office. Bossman was on the phone but waved Bucky in. He motioned to the armchairs in front of his desk. Bucky chose to stand. He leaned against the wall next to the door, dug his hands into his armpits and waited, trying not to look like a kid who got sent to the principals office.
Bossman’s office could only be described as organized chaos. Stacks of books, binders with papers sticking out of them, looseleaf papers stained with coffee mug rings, instant coffee packets scattered in the corner. His working area was cleaner. Under his long curved monitor were framed photos of his family. Two for each girl, one of his wife and the last with the four of them on the beach in Hawaiian shirts.
The phone clattered back onto the receiver.
“Sorry about that.” Bossman said.
“Why did you want to see me?” Bucky asked.
“This isn’t a performance review. We don’t do those for interns until the last week, but I have to say you’ve been doing pretty well so far—better than expected actually. You’re quick to pick up the material and you think well on your feet. This isn’t what I expected when I got your resume…” He leaned back in is chair and sized Bucky up. There was pride there, at least that’s what Bucky chose to read it as.
Bossman twirled the pen in his hand.
“I guess I’ll just cut to the chase.” He said. “Are you happy here?”
“What?”
“What I mean to say is, is this what you want?” Bossman said. Bucky ducked his head. “You don’t have to answer now, but if it is, you have to really step it up. You clean up well.” He waved his hand in Bucky’s general direction. “But it’s not enough to look the part. You’ve got to act the part too.
“The company takes in twenty interns a year. Of those less than half are ever considered for a full time position and even then about a third of those are actually hired. The hiring committee’s looking for well rounded applicants—which means people like them. I’ll be real with you. It’s hard out here for people like us.”
“People like us?” Bucky asked.
“How long do you think I’ve known Chick?” Bossman raised an eyebrow. “Relax. All he told me was that you were a hard worker and to give you a shot. He didn’t tell me the details, and honestly he didn’t have to. One look at you and I have all I need to know.
“I didn’t come from the best of households either. I got my first job at fifteen and by the time I was legally an adult was breaking my back doing 4AM shifts down at the docks. Now I’m in this cushy office and make six figures annually. Last year I got a $10,000 bonus and this year I’m on track to double that. I’m not saying all this to brag—okay maybe a little, but you gotta know, you can have all this too, but man you gotta play nice. At least act like you want to be here. You understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, sir.” Bucky said.
“I like you kid. Your senior year’s coming up and it’s time to get serious about this. I think you can make it far—here or somewhere else, it doesn’t matter—but you gotta meet me halfway. Think about it. Alright get out of here.” Bossman said and dismissed him.
Bucky went back to his cube but he didn’t get any work done. His mind was reeling, not sure what to focus on, how Chick and Bossman knew each other, the possibility of getting hired after his twelve weeks was up or the ten thousand dollars. He went fifteen minutes before jumping out of his chair.
The smoking area was a few feet away from the back entrance. There weren’t many smokers, but there was always a group of them at the end of every hour. Bucky stuck to his little corner, listening to the chatter.
“John! There you are.” Intern A called. He was with a group of others Bucky only vaguely recognized. Intern A broke away from the group and came up to Bucky, stopping short a few feet. He glanced at Bucky’s cigarette like he’d never seen one before. Bucky took a long hard drag and blew the smoke to the side, wondered if this too was one of the things that marked him as other.
“A few of us were gonna try that new Indian place that opened up for lunch. Do you wanna come?”
The no was on Bucky’s tongue before Intern A closed his mouth, but he stopped himself before it came out. Bossman’s words ran. Intern A was well liked. He was good at the job. Bucky didn’t know his background, but he looked like he fit in, his shirts and slacks neatly pressed. If he didn’t look so young, Bucky might’ve mistaken him for an employee.
Bossman wanted him to be more social. Six figures and ten thousand dollars said he could try. Bucky took another drag from his cigarette, and squashed the embers on the ashtray.
“Sure, why not?” He said. He threw the butt of his cigarette in the trash with the rest of them. Intern A now was looking at Bucky like he’d grown a second head. “I’ll meet you out front.” Bucky said and went back inside.
Intern A, Bootlicker B and another girl Bucky half remembered from orientation were waiting in the lobby. When they didn’t leave immediately Bucky asked what the hold up was.
“Charlie.” Intern A said. “I don’t know what’s taking him so long. I’ll text him.” It turned out he was already outside so they finally left. Bootlicker B spotted Charlie in the distance. Buck was the last person Bucky expected to see.
He looked good on his bike. Recently, Buck had taken to wearing more and more of Bucky’s old gear, his gloves, riding pants, jacket things he found in the back of Bucky’s closet and claimed as his own. He looked more and more like a Bomber each day. On the road, you’d be hard pressed to signal Buck out from the lot of them. All he needed was his own Bomber jacket. The image of it made Bucky think about the Bet. If summer’s end came and they weren’t together, he wondered how long Buck would stick around.
“What’re you doing here?” Bucky asked, walking up to Buck. He was on edge and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know why. Bucky wanted to reach out and hold him, ease the tension in his jaw, but Buck wasn’t exactly into PDA and Bucky didn’t want to put him into a worse mood.
“I was in the neighborhood.” He said, dragging his eyes away from Charlie. “I thought I might catch you for lunch, but I guess you already have plans.”
“Come with us, Gale. It’ll be fun.” Charlie said. “We don’t mind. Right guys?”
The rest of them shook their heads and agreed. They sized Buck up and down like he was an exhibit at the zoo, a little too interested for Bucky’s tastes.
“Or, I could ditch these guys and we can have fun on our own.” Bucky said.
“No, I don’t mind.” Buck said.
“You sure?” Bucky asked, taken aback. He didn’t particularly want to spend an hour in some awkward hostage situation and he hadn’t thought Buck wanted to either.
“Awesome.” Charlie said.
Bucky couldn’t get any alone time with Buck before they left. The rest of the guys were impatient to get to the restaurant. Buck followed them there and Bucky kept a close eye on him through the windows. He was getting better at riding, able to turn quicker and weave through the cars smoother without stopping too abruptly too frequently.
“So that’s your boyfriend? I totally get it now.” Intern A said, making Bucky regret ever agreeing to this. Thankfully the ride wasn’t long.
“You guys head in first.” Bucky said once they were parked and headed to Buck’s bike. He waited for Buck to take off his helmet, ruffle his hair and went in for a kiss. He was allowed a quick peck on the lips, but otherwise Buck was cold.
“I should’ve told you sooner. I know. I’m sorry, but you were already under a lot of stress. I didn’t want to add to it.” Bucky said.
“So this is my fault?”
“What? No, that’s not what I said.”
“Yes it is. And I don’t care. You should’ve told me anyway.” Buck crossed his arms. Bucky ran a hand through his hair. He wasn’t looking for a fight.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t think it mattered.” He put his hand around Buck’s neck, gently, swiped his thumbs over Buck’s cheeks. “I didn’t know he was going to be working here too. We’re not even in the same department.”
“You know I don’t like him and now you’re friends?”
“We’re not. I don’t like the guy either.”
“Then what is this?”
“I only knew he was coming with us like five seconds before we got to the parking lot. With you. I usually have lunch at my desk or in the cafeteria. Alone. And then I go home To you.” That seemed to mollify Buck a bit and quell some of his anger.
“Why him?” Buck hissed. In his voice was a vulnerability Bucky wasn’t used to hearing so clearly.
“Look at me. To me he’s just another one of those guys that I stop thinking about the moment I step out of that building. He’s nothing. Not now, not ever.” Bucky said.
Buck sighed and rubbed his cheek on Bucky’s palm.
“We don’t have to do this. We can go somewhere else. It’s not too late.” Bucky said.
“I can handle a simple lunch,” Buck said.
“I’m not saying you can’t. You don’t have to prove anything to me.” Bucky said, knowing it was futile. Buck had already made up his mind.
The others had ordered without them when they finally made it inside. When they were seated, Buck scooted up right next to Bucky, pressed up against him. Without thinking, Bucky put an arm over the back of his chair to get more comfortable.
The small talk was painful to get through.
“It’s been so long. I’m glad we’re finally able to catch up.” Charlie said to Buck.
“It has,” Buck said, looking over the menu. “I’m not really that hungry, do you wanna get the Tandoori chicken to share?”
Bucky didn’t know why Buck wanted to share, but he went with it. Buck put down as much of any of the boys. How he stayed slim was a mystery. Bucky had always suspected the alcohol.
“Whatever you want.” Bucky said, closing his own menu and handing it off to the waitress. He still had lunch waiting for him at his desk if he needed it.
“So…the bike’s new. I didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff.” Charlie said.
“I wasn’t.” Buck said.
“Well it looks like fun. Maybe I should try it out too.” Charlie said. “Every morning John comes in on his bike. The girls in marketing never shut up about how hot he looks. Not that I can blame them.” Buck went still beside him and it didn’t get any better with what Charlie said next, “You can teach me, can’t you John? You taught Gale right?”
“I’m not much of a teacher. You can probably find someone online.” Bucky said.
“Oh c’mon. Can’t I just try on your bike and see if I really want to?” Charlie said.
“No one rides my bike but me.” Bucky said.
“He doesn’t even let me ride it.” Buck said.
“I can think of something else you can ride,” Bucky started then stopped. This wasn’t the place and he was already in the dog house. Instead of the scandalized rebuke he expected he got a hand on his chest and a half lidded look.
“Oh yeah?” Buck said, voice low. He leaned in so close, Bucky was sure he was going to go for a kiss but he didn’t, letting the words hang between them and Bucky’s imagination run wild.
He cleared his throat. What was going on?
“Maybe I should get a bike too.” Intern A said. “We can ride to work together and start up a secret club. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“More like the opposite. Hard pass.” Bucky didn’t need another kid to look after.
“You should give it a shot if you want. I will say it’s more fun as a group.” Buck said.
“Okay, I’m dying to know. How did you end up with this guy? John doesn’t tell us anything about anything.” Intern A said.
“For good reason.” Bucky said.
“I bet you guys met in a bar or something. John got into a fight and you had to bail his ass out.”
Buck smiled, amused.
“Not quite.” He looked at Bucky fondly, the way he did sometimes but he was more obvious about it, like he had let got of his rigid control and for once he didn’t care about who saw.
“The truth is a lot more boring than that. We met at school.” Buck said. Bucky raised an eyebrow but listened to Buck’s version of things. “John, here, mistook me for someone else and then to ask me out.”
“That’s it?” The girl asked.
“He shot me down pretty hard.” Bucky said.
“Are you still sore about that?” Buck asked.
“Maybe.” Bucky said. He wasn’t, but if Buck was gonna change history, why not have a little fun?
“How’s the rest of it go?” Intern A asked.
“I was having car problems and Bu—I mean John—helped me out.” Buck said. Bucky pinched Buck’s side. Buck bit his lip and grabbed Bucky’s hand, and set their joined hands on the table.
“I thought you met at some club. The Pen or whatever it was.” Charlie asked.
“No.” Buck said simply and then turned back to Intern A. “Anything else you’re dying to know?” Buck asked.
“Do you have any tattoos?” Intern A asked.
“No,” Buck said without blinking.
Bucky thought it was just talk but Buck didn’t seem too hungry when their food came. He pushed the food all over the plate instead of eating or passed it to Bucky who passed it back and eyed him until he took a few bites. In the middle of it, Buck wiped sauce off the corner of Bucky’s lip with his thumb and licked it off. Buck surreptitiously glanced at Charlie and it was then that Bucky got the confirmation he needed. If this was how Buck wanted to play things, he would sit back and let him.
The rest of the meal went on like that. Buck’s hands would inevitably find their way on some part of Bucky—his hair, his arms, down his front. By the end of it, Bucky was confused and had a growing hard-on he couldn’t take back to work with him.
He was worked up when he noticed Bootlicker B, who had been quiet all lunch, hadn’t stopped staring at Buck. It rubbed him the wrong way.
“What’re you looking at?” Bucky asked, harsher than he meant for it to come out. Buck rubbed his arm in what was supposed to be a soothing gesture, though it didn’t feel like that to Bucky.
“I feel like I know you from somewhere.” Bootlicker B said, squinting at Buck.
“I get that a lot.” Buck said.
“Gale has that kind of face.” Charlie said.
“No, I know you from somewhere. I just don’t know where.” Bootlicker B said.
“Well let me know when you find out.” Buck honest to god winked and then got up. “I’ll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom.”
“Want me to come with?” Bucky leaned over and whispered in his ear. Buck rolled his eyes, and pushed Bucky’s arm off.
Charlie was out of his chair before Buck was halfway there.
“I have to use the boys room as well.” He said and followed Buck.
Bucky jiggled his leg up and down, unable to shake the bad feeling.
“Bro chill.” Bootlicker B said, “They’re just going to the bathroom.”
“I never pegged you for the overbearing type.” Intern A said.
Maybe they were right and he was overthinking this, but it didn’t sit right with him, not with the way Buck had been acting so he got up as well. He never made it inside. He stopped short when he heard Charlie’s voice. It was low and muffled by the door but the words were clear.
“…was really low. He was really upset about it.” Charlie said.
“That makes two of us.” Buck said.
“It was a sh*tty thing to do and it should’ve never happened, but that was months ago. I don’t know why you have to keep dragging things out. I’m sorry okay? I’m sorry things happened the way it did, but I don’t know what you want from me. You have to let this go, Gale. Take it back and we can go back to being friends again.”
“Were we ever even friends to begin with?” Buck said.
The door opened. Buck stormed out, almost walked right into Bucky. Surprise and something else flashed on his face, and he walked passed Bucky. Bucky let him go. Charlie came out soon after.
“What did you say to him?” Bucky asked.
“Nothing.” Charlie said. “It’s none of your business John.”
“Pretty sure it’s my business when it involves the guy I’m seeing.”
“Then shouldn’t he have told you?” Charlie tilted his head to the side. “I guess he doesn’t trust you. Sorry, that was rude. You shouldn’t take it too personally. That’s just how he is. He’s easy to read but hard to understand.”
When they got back to the table, Buck grabbed his hand and held it under the table. Bucky gripped Buck’s hand just as tight, his mind a whirlwind of questions he didn’t know would ever get answered.
They left soon after. Bucky walked Buck to his bike. When they were far enough away, Buck pulled Bucky into a searing kiss. Bucky wanted to fall into it, enjoy it for what it was, but even this was another performance. If he turned around, no doubt he would see Charlie standing there.
He thought he knew what was up between Buck and Charlie. The two of them were friends for so long, Bucky couldn’t understand how deep the hurt went. Charlie was right in that Buck wasn’t one to trust easily. He gave you pieces of himself, but never the whole thing. Trying to understand Buck was like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces missing. He had an entire life that Bucky had no clue about, a past he only spoke of if he deemed necessary. Bucky wanted to be okay with that.
“I don’t know what that was back there, but you don’t have to worry about him. At least not from me. I should’ve told you about him before and I’m sorry. Whatever that was, you can tell me.”
Buck sighed and said, “Forget it. It happened. Let’s just move on. Don’t you have to get back to work?”
The mention of work reminded Bucky of his growing problem. Did he really have to suffer through three more hours?
“About that…I don’t know how I’m gonna concentrate on anything in this state.” Bucky said. They both looked down. Buck tilted his head to the side and slipped his hands down, fingers tangled in Bucky’s belt loops.
“…and? I don’t see what that has to do with me.” Buck said.
Bucky groaned and laid his head on Buck’s shoulder and breathed in.
“And they say I’m a menace. What do you say to helping a guy out?” Bucky nodded to the side of the plaza, the back, behind the dumpsters.
Buck wrinkled his nose.
“That sounds…” He wracked his brain for something nice to say, “really gross so I’m going to have to decline. I’m pretty busy right now.” He said and they both knew that was bullsh*t.
“Are you.”
“Afraid so. My schedule’s full up. Besides, they’re waiting for you.”
Bucky looked over his shoulder at the watchful gazes of his coworkers. Intern A waved.
“I’ll see you at home?”
“Yeah,” Buck said.
Bucky stood back as Buck put on his helmet, waved, watched him ride off, all while trying to suppress the vague feeling in his gut that told him he shouldn’t leave Buck alone.
The day lasted for an eternity longer than usual. He was out of there when four o’clock came and went home. It felt like he caught every red light on the way.
Buck wasn’t there when he got home. Bucky did a circuit around the house and then took a shower. He was digging through his dresser, trying to find something to wear when the door opened.
“Hey,” Buck said.
“Hey,” Bucky said.
They met in the middle.
Later, in bed, Bucky, with his head on Buck’s lap, told him about every interaction he had with Charlie until that point. Buck sat up against the headboard, his hands carding through Bucky’s hair. Buck’s hands stilled when he got to the part about the cards.
“I was wondering how you knew.” Buck said.
“He just told me you liked them. He didn’t tell me where to look or how to find them. Don’t let him stop you from something you enjoy.” Bucky said.
“What do you think of him?” Buck asked.
“He’s an asshole.”
“You don’t have to lie. Everybody likes him eventually.”
“Not lying. He’s okay I guess. He has good ideas on occasion but there’s no way he compares to what’s in front of me right now.”
Buck’s ears went red.
“I shouldn’t have acted like that. I feel so stupid about it now.” He said.
“I don’t know. I thought it was cute. I’m not the jealous one for a change.”
“You’re not still bothered by Ron are you?”
“It’s not Ron.” It wasn’t just Ron. “It’s literally everyone who looks at you.”
“You’re so dumb,” Buck said and leaned down to kiss him.
The next day when Charlie came to his desk, Bucky said, “I’m not allowed to talk to you anymore.”
Charlie’s eyes flashed, there and gone before Bucky could get a good read on it. It reminded Bucky so much of Buck. It made sense seeing how the two of them, Charlie and Buck, were together for half their lives. At the beginning, he and Curt couldn’t go a week without fighting but as they got closer, had adopted some of each other’s habits and mannerisms.
“That’s fair.” Charlie said. “I won’t bother you any longer, but I am sorry. About the lunch. It was uncalled for. Here.” Charlie thrust two tickets in his hands. “As an apology, I’ve decided to give you these. It’s two tickets to the Symphony Orchestra.”
Bucky looked the tickets over.
“I was going to go, but something came up and I can no longer make it. You should take Buck. It’ll be romantic. He doesn’t show it, but he liked that kind of stuff.”
He didn’t know if he could trust Charlie on this.
“For what it’s worth, I am glad he has someone to look after him.” Charlie said and left.
It was hard having Charlie back in his life even tangentially more so because that tangent was through Bucky. Thoughts of the two of them in an office together filled his mind. He wondered if they saw each other, if they talked, what they talked about, where they went and if they went out more than that once. Bucky reassured him that he they weren’t friends, they weren’t even in the same department but what did that matter if they were close enough to have lunch together? He hated that they knew each other’s names at all.
“He’s nothing.” Bucky had said and sometimes that was enough.
Charlie had a way with people Gale didn’t have, had a way with getting under your skin whether you liked him or not to start with. Gale had seen it many times over. He’d stolen Jacob from right under Gale’s nose and the two of them hated each other too at first, and look how that turned out. Bucky wasn’t Charlie’s type, but then again, Bucky wasn’t Gale’s usual type either but here they were. Gale didn’t actually know what Bucky’s type was. Anything with legs and a heartbeat if the rumors were anything to go by. Blondes, maybe, and if that was true then at least Gale had one thing up on Charlie.
The worst, though, was knowing that Bucky wouldn’t be in any of this if Gale hadn’t pushed him on the internship.
“What do you want him to do? Quit his job?” Ron asked.
They were at the stables. Gale was brushing the hair of one of the horses. Ron was supposed to be helping but after carting in some of the grooming materials into the stables, he turned a bucket over, took a seat and didn’t move for an hour. His phone kept going off. Whatever was happening, it didn’t look like it was good.
Ron looked up from his phone when Gale didn’t answer.
“You can’t force the guy to quit his job because you don’t like his coworkers.” Ron said.
“I didn’t say he should quit.” Gale said. “It’s mandatory anyway.”
“He’s got what? Eight more weeks or so? That’s nothing.” Ron started. His phone chimed. He stared at the screen and frowned. “It’s gonna be over before you know it.” He said, distracted, tapping away.
“What’s going on?” Gale asked, unable to take it any longer.
“What?” Ron asked.
“Is someone dying or something?” He motioned to Ron’s phone.
“When I get a hold of them maybe.” Ron said.
“Right, good luck with that.” Gale said.
“Sorry. It’s the club. Nothing major.” Ron said.
“Any word on the races?” Gale asked. He didn’t know what Ron’s position was in EasyC, but he’d seen him a few times with Winters and Nix. He figured it was a good shot.
Ron shook his head.
“The boys aren’t gonna like that.” Gale said.
“Tell me about it. I’ve got my hands full just trying to keep these f*ckers out of trouble. We caught a few boys racing by the docks the other night with the Sharks. They were right in the open too. The cops got a few of them and now Lip’s trying to get them out. If they’re gonna do this the least they could do is do it two towns over. Better yet, hop the border to the next state.”
“That’s one way to beat the law.”
“Sometimes I just wanna strangle that old man. Have you spoken to your dad about it?”
Gale hadn’t spoken to his father in weeks.
“It could be worth a shot. To try to get him to call this whole thing off.” Ron said.
“You’ve met him. Do you really think that’s gonna do anything?”
“It’s worth a shot.” Ron shrugged. “I’m running out of ideas.”
Gale didn’t have anything to say, no solutions and nothing but cheesy do nothing lines like we’ll find a way or we’ll make it through, so he kept on his work grooming the horses.
A day later his mother called.
“What do you want?” Gale asked after answering.
“We’re so close Gale. I can feel it. Your father needs you. The Stewarts are finally taking us seriously now that they can’t hide behind the Mathews. They’re losing donors left and right. I hear they’re on the rocks with P&G from all the negative publicity. Turns out it’s hard to find support when people know your son’s a monster.” She laughed. From the way his mother told it, the press was having a field day. It explained why Charlie had been so adamant about seeing him. It almost made Gale want to turn on the news and see for himself.
“Is that all you called me for?” Gale asked. She sighed.
“Fine. Okay. You win. No more articles. All you have to do is show up, show your face and smile.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“Gale, I know you. This is your chance to really stick it to them and get them out of our hair. I’m just asking you to do this one thing. That’s it.”
It was never just one thing with his parents.
“That’s it?” He asked.
“Yes, that’s it.” His mother said.
“Okay, but after the summer, I’m done. Tell Jessica to write me out of all the press stuff. No more rallies, no more articles—just no more. ” Gale said. He would be the first to admit that it was a poor decision on his part. He didn’t want to go back there but this was killing two birds with one stone. He didn’t know what went on between Charlie and Bucky but he had leverage now in case Charlie tried anything.
Then there were his parents. Gale wasn’t going to make it to November if he didn’t lay down boundaries. After the election things would calm down at home. His parents wouldn’t be so stressed and Gale didn’t have to live at home.
“The constituents love you. They’ll think someone’s wrong if you just up and disappeared.” His mother said. “Be reasonable.”
“Tell them I died. I don’t care.” He said. She sighed.
“We’ll tell them you’re focusing on school. That should be good enough.”
“Whatever.” He said and hung up.
One June morning, Winters and Nix finally sent a notice. It wasn’t for a race, but for a party that weekend. Once word got out it was all the boys could talk about. Even Bucky was in a better mood. The morning of, Gale caught him humming as he moved around the kitchen, fixing breakfast.
Gale had woken up before Bucky and put on some coffee. He was on the deck when Bucky came down. Gale smiled into his cup, watching Bucky dance around the kitchen. He grabbed some eggs, twirled and shut the fridge then shimmied to the cabinets to get the frying pan.
It had been a while since he’d seen Bucky dance like that, carefree without the weight of the past few weeks baring him down. Gale hadn’t realized how much things had changed in such a short amount of time.
“Buck, get your ass over here.” Bucky said.
“I think I’m fine here.” Gale said.
He danced over to Gale.
“Oh no.” Gale said, standing up. Bucky moved closer, opened his arms wide.
“Come on, you know you want to.” Bucky said, advancing at a rhythmic pace. Gale stood up, careful not to spill his coffee and maneuvered around Bucky who turned and chased him, still dancing.
“I don’t dance remember?” Gale said going around the island.
“So you’re gonna leave me alone on the dance floor? What am I supposed to do?”
“You’ll think of something.”
Bucky cornered Gale. Gale slipped out from underneath Bucky’s arms. Bucky chased him down in earnest around the counter. They were on opposite sides of the island. It was a stand off. No matter which direction Gale went Bucky was poised to pounce.
Gale feigned right, then turned left. He skidded to a stop before he tripped over Meatball. She barked at him, wagging her tail. Bucky came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. He struggled to break free, but not very hard.
“Good girl,” Bucky said.
“Whose side are you on Meatball?” Gale asked.
Meatball barked again.
“Now about that dance…” Bucky turned Gale around.
“I don’t dance, John.” Gale tried.
“Shh,” Bucky put Gale’s hands on his shoulders. He set his own at Gale’s waist and shuffled them around the kitchen to a beat only he heard. “Now isn’t this nice?” Bucky asked. His hand creeped down lower on Gale’s back and down the curve of his ass.
“Your omelet’s burning.” Gale said.
“sh*t.” Bucky let go of Gale and went to the stove. Gale followed, smirking.
He sat up on the counter, watching Bucky cook. Now that the kitchen was done, it was slowly becoming a thing. Gale hadn’t thought Bucky could cook, considering they had take out nearly every day, but he supposed those were extenuating circ*mstances.
“Where did you learn to cook anyway?” Gale asked.
Bucky shrugged. “Here and there. Just picked it up along the way I guess.” He hummed as he flipped his omelet.
Gale didn’t know how to cook. He hadn’t ever needed to learn before.
“You’re in a good mood.” Gale said.
“Nix’s parties are always a good time.” Bucky said.
“Not too good of a time, I hope.” Gale said. Bucky glanced at him, confused and then it was like a light bulb went off.
“Jealous?” Bucky smirked.
“Depends on who I have to be jealous of? The Vipers or the White Riders?” Gale said.
“I don’t know where you get your intel from but those rumors are wildly exaggerated.” Bucky said.
“So you didn’t f*ck Bill’s girl in his bedroom?”
“Wasn’t Bill’s girl at the time now was she? Besides that was a—” Bucky said.
“—A long time ago. I know.”
“Then stop bringing her up.”
“Maybe I just like to see you sweat.” Gale said. Bucky turned off the stove.
“You know, I still remember most of that night.” Bucky’s hand crept under Gale’s shirt, his cool fingers running over Gale’s bare skin. “I could give you a demonstration, if you want.”
Gale scrunched his face up. Bucky pushed his shirt up and licked a long strip from his belly button to his chest.
“Now you sound like a depraved old man, trying to live out his glory days.” Gale twisted this way and that, not trying to wiggle out of Bucky’s hold but trying to make it as hard for him as possible.
Bucky’s fingers dug into his skin, trying to keep him steady.
“I’m not sure you know what depraved means. Not yet anyway.” Bucky said and bit down hard on the meat of his pec. Gale bit his lips to keep from yelping and then out of nowhere Bucky started tickling him.
“Stop—” Gale gasped and squirmed under Bucky’s hands but he didn’t let up until Gale lay gasping on the counter, his chest heaving. Gale kicked at Bucky whenever he tried to get close and Bucky kissed him everywhere but on the mouth.
“Are we interrupting something?” Hambone asked.
“Should we come back later?” Douglass said.
“You get used to it.” Brady said and sat down on the dining table.
Gale put an end to things after that. He straightened his clothes and moved to the dining table to join the other three. When they were eating, he caught Bucky watching him.
“What?” Gale asked. Was his face still red? He still felt warm.
Bucky shook his head and turned back to his plate.
“What?” Gale asked again, kicking Bucky under the table.
Bucky shook his head again.
“I just like looking at you is all.”
“Ugh. I’m gonna hurl.” Brady said.
“I thought you said you get used to it.” Douglass said.
“I lied.” Brady said.
Winters and Nix lived in a sprawling two story mansion on the outskirts of the city, near the base of the mountains. The property was surrounded by shrubs and tall trees that hid it from view of the neighbors. A side road shot off the main road, through a short gate, and led up a long stone driveway to the front of the house. Cars and bikes were parked around the circular drive and along the grass, wherever there was room.
Music blared through the open door. Familiar faces milled around, lounging on the grass or on their bikes or with drinks in their hands shooting the sh*t.
Parties were never Gale’s thing and he could tell this wasn’t going to be any different. The music was deafening, the alcohol was flowing and within five feet of the front door, he’d seen three couples lip locked and in dire need of a private room. He felt like he needed a gas mask walking in there. The place was a haze of multi-colored lights and smelled like a musty pungent mix of pot, sweat, perfumes among other things.
Gale scooted closer to Bucky to avoid bumping into other people in the crowded room. There were people everywhere, standing, talking, dancing, drinking. The patio door was wide open. It was one of those accordion glass doors that took up the entire back wall. Opened there was no distinction of inside and outside. On the patio was a pool and Jacuzzi.
Douglass and Hambone made a beeline for the bar. They came back with two drinks in each hand and passed them around. They took two drinks each. Gale got a co*ke.
The vibe was different from the Tracks. There they were rivals at best, with each group trying to one up the other, but here it was more relaxed. He spied a group of Sharks and Dogs huddled together. It was a fierce combination but when he made eye contact with one of them and didn’t feel like they would bite his head off if given the chance.
“I think she’s looking at me.” Brady said, peeking at a Viper on the patio.
“You wish.” Douglas said.
“I’m gonna try my luck. I’ll see you boys later.” Brady said. He squared his shoulders and disappeared through the crowd. Hambone and Douglass made a beeline for the pool.
With nothing better to do Gale and Bucky took a seat on one of the couches. Gale struck up a conversation with a Red Tail named Alex. He was doing his bachelors in mathematics and a minor in art at the university a few towns over. Alex being pure math and Gale in physics, it felt like they were speaking two different languages but they found enough common ground.
Occasionally he saw another Bomber. He thought he spotted Harry and Bubbles but there was so many people it was easy to get lost in the crowd.
Beside him, Bucky, bored and on his second drink, tapped his foot on the floor.
“Just go.” Gale said when he couldn’t take it anymore.
“You sure you don’t wanna dance?” Bucky asked.
“Have fun.” Gale said. Bucky kissed his cheek.
“Alex.” Bucky said in a way of a goodbye.
“It was nice seeing you Bucky.” Alex said. Gale waited for Alex to make some type of comment on how and why he and Bucky were together but it never came. Neither did he feel the need to inform Gale about all of Bucky’s past partners, confirmed and rumored like some people did when they thought Gale just had to know.He just returned to their conversation about differential equations as if they hadn’t been any interruption. Gale was more than grateful for that.
Half an hour later the music died down. Winters and Nix were standing at the DJ booth. Gale was so used to seeing them in their usual riding gear with their militaryesque aura that it was weird to see them in casual clothing. He hadn’t thought Winters owned a t-shirt.
“Okay all of you degenerates, quiet down and listen up.” Nix said into the microphone. “All I ask for is two minutes. Then you can go back to violating my grandparent’s antiques.”
He got a mix of boos and cheers but they quickly settled down. Nix passed the microphone to Winters.
“What a great turn out we’ve got tonight. I’m glad to see some old faces as well as some new. I’m sorry to say I haven’t been able to get to know all of you, but that’s why it’s good to have these small get togethers from time to time. I won’t keep you long. I’m sure you’ve noticed the uptick in police presence recently.”
A murmur rose up in the crowd. Winters put a hand up and waited for it to quiet down.
“Be assured, we are working on it, but it’s been…tricky, shall we say, getting law enforcement to come around and see our side of things. I’m sorry to say that we’re going to have to go without for the rest of the month” This time it took longer for the crowd to settle down. “We will settle things as best we can so we can all go back to what we do best. I wanna thank you in advance for being patient.”
Nix took the mic from Winters.
“That means don’t do anything stupid. We don’t need anymore heat on us than there already is.” Nix said and handed the mic back to Winters.
“Thank you Lew. I’m sure I don’t have to tell all of you how sensitive a time this is for us. Now, I won’t hold you any longer.” He said and dismissed everyone. The crowd’s noises was replaced by the music as it was cranked up.
Winters and Nix mixed with the crowd. Gale tracked them with his eyes, recognized a few Easy club members around them. The other Buck. Bill/Gonno, Lip and Ron.
“I guess that’s it for the month.” Alex said.
“Not necessarily.” A woman, Helen, one of the White Riders said. She looked around and leaned in, like she was sharing a secret. “Things might get interesting next Tuesday. The Vipers might be hosting.”
“The man said not to cause trouble.” Alex said.
“Spare me. I know what you bird boys get up to behind that old church.”
“That’s different. That’s closed practice.” Alex said. Helen shrugged.
“We can call it whatever makes you feel better.” Helen said and took a sip of her drink. “I’m not letting the cops ruin my fun because of some asshole. I’m not the one who put that girl in a coma.”
Sometime later Gale was coming back from the bathroom when someone bumped into him. Gale apologized but the guy just squinted at him and frowned. Gale recognized him as an Easy rider, but he’d never spoked to the guy before. He was obviously drunk.
“Hey it’s you.” He slurred his words. “It is you isn’t it? What the f*ck are your doing here?”
“Let’s go, Muck.” His friend tried to pull him away but he pushed back and stalked closer to Gale.
“You have the wrong person.” Gale said, putting his hands up.
“Party’s invite only.” Muck said.
“C’mon.” His friend said.
“No, look. It’s the guy. It’s him. I saw him on the news. He’s the guy Speirs’ been shacking up with.” Muck said. The other guys with him sized Gale up, looking at him differently than before. As Muck got louder, the people around them started paying attention.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gale said. Muck cackled.
“You’re off your rocker.” His friend said to Muck.
“I saw it with my own eyes. He’s one of them. Him and Speirs are the f*cking same. f*cking tourists. It’s their fault we’ve got the police sniffing at our heels. His daddy’s heading up the whole thing.”
A murmur went through those around them.
“I don’t know what you think you know, but you got the wrong guy—” Before Gale could finish, Muck shoved him. Gale stumbled back. Alex was there to keep him up right.
“What’s your problem man.” Alex said, standing up beside Gale. “He’s got nothing to do with the cops. He’s a Bomber.”
“Oh that’s rich.” Muck laughed.
“What’s going on here?” Brady asked, suddenly there. Behind him were Benny and Ev and a few other Bombers. With the addition of the other Bombers, the Easy guys got on edge. Before they looked like they were ready to leave but when the Bombers got between Muck and Gale, they squared their shoulders and looked ready to fight.
“Y’all got duped just like us.” Muck said through his laughter. “So which one are you? Just another spoiled rich kid looking for a little excitement? Well I got your excitement right here.” Muck grabbed his dick. Around him, people laughed. Not just Easy. Gale balled his fists, tried to hold back.
Brady threw the first punch. He got Muck right in the jaw. Two Easy guys jumped onto Brady. Gale grabbed one and shoved him off, and ducked in time to dodge an oncoming punch. He tried to keep the guy away but the guy wouldn’t let up. He got Gale on the cheek. It wasn’t a hard hit but it made him bite his lip and break skin. Gale returned the punch and then all too soon was dragged back.
“Break it up!” Winters said.
Suddenly Ron, Lip and the other Buck wedged themselves in-between Easy and the Bombers, holding both groups back. Ron gave Gale a questioning look. Gale took a deep breath and shook off whoever was holding him. Still looking straight on, he took a step back and wiped at his lip.
“All of you cool down or get out of here. This is neutral zone. No place for fighting.” Winters said.
Muck was still running his mouth. Ron shoved him up against the wall. Gale couldn’t hear what he said. Lip was at Ron’s side, trying to pull him off of Muck.
“You okay?” Bucky asked. He tilted Gale’s head to take a better look at the cut. There was barely any blood but it did sting. Gale licked at it and shook Bucky’s hands off him too, not wanting to be touched.
“It’s nothing.” Gale said. He mumbled something about needing some fresh air and headed towards the door. As he walked he felt eyes on him. When he turned he saw a group of guys who had been watching him turn away, trying to make it seem like they hadn’t been staring. It was better than those that didn’t turn away and had no shame. Gale was the first to look away.
He felt like he could finally breathe when he stepped through the front doors and made a beeline for his bike. There was no hood on his bike, no backseat or trunk, virtually no protection but somehow Gale felt safer when he was touching it in some way.
He didn’t know how long he was out there before Bucky, Brady and the other guys came out too. Brady had cooled off but he still looked like he wanted to punch something.
Bucky ran a hand down Gale’s back and Gale leaned into it. Instead of getting on his own bike, he got on Gale’s, got behind him and wrapped his arms around him. Gale leaned into that too.
“I think it’s time we got out of here.” Bucky said.
“I don’t want to ruin your fun with my bullsh*t.” Gale said.
“We can have fun anywhere.” Bucky said, but didn’t move.
Douglass and Hambone came out of the house with a bottle.
“We got something guaranteed to make you feel better. Chocolate cake vodka.” Douglass said. “Scored it from the Winter’s cabinet. They won’t miss it much. For you, Buck.”
“Does it count if it’s stolen?” Brady asked, looking to Benny who in turn looked up, unsure.
“I didn’t steal it. I re-appropriated it.” Douglass said. “And it’s chocolate. So it counts.”
“Buck doesn’t even drink so.” Brady said.
Gale took the bottle.
“Just this once.” Gale said and gulped it down. He drank as much as he could stand and then coughed as it burned down his throat. Under the alcohol, it did taste like chocolate, but it also had a weird aftertaste that was most definitely not chocolate.
He handed it to Bucky who rubbed his back. The alcohol only made him marginally feel better. The guys all stared at him. He looked back, embarrassed. Bucky handed him the bottle back but Gale shook his head.
“I think I’m done.” Gale said. Bucky sniffed at the bottle and took a gulp and then passed it around.
“See? It doesn’t count.” Brady said.
“He accepted it. It should count for something.” Douglass said.
“Half point?” Benny asked.
“It counts.” Gale said. He didn’t know what it counted for but it felt like it should.
“Aww Buck, you really mean it?” Douglass said. “you’re giving me the warm fuzzies.” He went to hug Gale but Bucky kept him back. “You can’t keep hogging him like that.” Douglass said.
“You wanna come here and do something about it?” Bucky said.
The fight fizzled out of Douglass fast after that. They stayed out there for a while and then started to scatter again.
“You wanna take a walk?” Bucky asked. Gale wasn’t tipsy, wasn’t anywhere close but he was still too upset to drive just yet so he agreed to a walk around the mansion. They stayed on the perimeter, far enough for the sounds of the party to become background noise.
The walk did ease things. Gale couldn’t help go over what happened in there in his mind but when Bucky took his hand it didn’t seem to matter all that much in that moment. He squeezed back.
“You realize that now they’re gonna try to ply you with alcohol?” Bucky said.
“The vodka was a special case.” Gale said. “Besides, it’s chocolate. I was curious. It was pretty gross coming back up.”
“I’ll cross the chocolate liquor off my list then.” Bucky said.
“You’re going to give me chocolate?” Gale asked.
“Why would I have to bribe you when I already have you?”
Is that was all this was? A bribe? A bribe for what? None of them had taken any interest in Gale’s life outside of their little bubble.
“That’s a bold assumption.”
“It’s a true assumption. Or am I mistaken?”
Gale could’ve said any number of things, but he chose the truth and tried to ignore the way his cheeks heated, though he couldn’t directly look at Bucky.
“You’re not.”
Bucky chuckled and they walked in silence for a bit. He could tell Bucky had something on his mind. He kept glancing at Gale out of the corner of his eye. Gale had had enough furtive glances for the night.
“Out with it.” Gale said.
“What’re you doing Friday?” Bucky asked.
“I’ve got a thing for my parents.”
“I don’t understand why you keep going back there.”
“They’re my parents. What am I supposed to do?” Gale said. Bucky looked like he had a list of options but he held his tongue. “What’s happening Friday?”
“I was thinking of leaving a little early from work is all.” Bucky said.“Don’t worry about Muck. He’s always talking sh*t when he has no right to.”
He’s right though, Gale thought. It was his dad that was behind this. His dad’s actions that had canceled the races for the foreseeable future. He was right about Gale too.
“What your dad does doesn’t have anything to do within you.” Bucky said, as if he could ready Gale’s mind.
It wasn’t just that. He didn’t know how many people thought he was just looking for a little fun. They were right. He was. In the beginning he had wanted to run away to a place his problems didn’t exist but now everything had changed. He couldn’t remember ever having as much as he was now. The Bombers kept things interesting and Bucky had given him more than he could ever ask for. He wouldn’t dream of leaving them and dreaded the day he might have to.
Gale yawned.
“I think I wanna go home now.”
The day of the concert, Bucky had planned on going about his day like normal. He was waiting for the day to end and then lunch came around. He opened his wallet, checking how much cash he had to burn and thinking for the millionth time that he should start bringing lunch to work. Behind his cash were the tickets.
He thought about throwing them away. What was he going to do with them? Go by himself? As soon as he thought it, he started to consider it and then thought why not? He had never been to an orchestra concert before, had never wanted to and still didn’t, it didn’t sound appealing to him, but Buck liked this stuff and he thought it was a good opportunity to better get to know Buck. A small step into his world.
That morning Bucky had woken up to Buck half on top of him as usual. He made a small noise when Bucky got out of bed, slowly so as not to wake Buck up. When he came back from the bathroom, dressed and ready for work, Buck was hugging Bucky’s pillow. Bucky fought the urge to get back into bed and thought this was it. This was love or something like it.
When he thought of Buck, it was like a hole opened up inside of him and he was falling through. One that went on for miles and miles and miles, seemingly bottomless. When Bucky thought that was the end of it, it just kept going. It wasn’t the feeling that scared him. It was the depth of it.
He thought that it should’ve been bigger than this, more epic and grand. He didn’t know in what way, but something that wasn’t him waking up and thinking “f*ck I love this guy” and being okay with it because this feeling wasn’t new and hadn’t been new for a while now.
He’d never wanted to be this close to someone before in a context outside of sex, had never wanted to know them all that much even during sex. When people talked about love, Bucky smiled and nodded and thought it was all bullsh*t but here he was in the thick of it and not caring how he got there. Less than four months ago, he hadn’t known Buck existed and wasn’t that a crazy thought? Now he couldn’t dream of a world where Buck didn’t exist.
Bucky watched the clock more than usual. He got the directions to the arena online and spent more time than he would like to admit going over different routes and the times it would take to get there. As a result, he got there with hours to kill.
He milled around downtown for a while, got dinner at an overpriced restaurant and then went to the arena minutes after the doors opened. They were good seats. On the floor, in the fifth row.
He thought he was seeing things at first and had to do a double take when he saw Buck a few rows in front. He looked amazing as always in soft baby blues, loose and casual but still presentable. His hair was styled back with a few unruly strands over his face. Bucky could watch him smile like that for days.
An older man took his elbow, a man that Bucky vaguely recognized but knew wasn’t his father. Ron came into view, dressed much the same, casual yet formal. It was one thing to see them in photos and another to see it in person. Too intent on Buck and Ron, Bucky hadn’t heard a note the orchestra played every time they leaned in to each other, every time one of them laughed or smiled or canted their head. They was nothing out of the ordinary.
Because they’re just friends, Bucky’s mind supplied. They kept their hands to themselves. They didn’t spontaneously make out or start f*cking in their chairs. Bucky almost would’ve preferred if they had because then he would have a valid reason to feel the way he did.
He got up halfway through the show, before the intermission and left.
Buck didn’t come back to the house that night. Bucky knew he wouldn’t. Buck had told him so when he said he was going out, but it stung more knowing where he was and who he was with. Bucky laid in bed for a long time, wondering what Ron had that he didn’t.
He didn’t have to really wonder. He knew.
Money, for one.
Social standing—something Bucky would never have and had never wanted for himself.
Two parents of dubious quality if they were willing to align themselves with Buck’s parents but they existed. He’d been born with a future.
Living to see his eighteenth birthday had probably never crossed his mind.
A love for the orchestra. Bucky just didn’t get it. Where were the lyrics?
If given enough time, Bucky could fill a notebook but the current list was depressing enough and he just wanted to sleep and put the awful night out of his mind.
The next morning, with Buck not there, Meatball pawed at Bucky’s bedroom door, impatient for her walk. The rest of the house was still sleeping. Bucky pulled himself out of bed, threw on some sweats and was out the door in minutes. He took her down a different path, around the block instead of through the park. She was confused at first but didn’t seem to mind.
He hadn’t expected anyone to be up early on a Saturday morning but at the end of the block, at the squat split level house a mom was shuffling her kids into the car. Both kids, a boy and a girl, were in their soccer kits and backpacks with cartoons on them. They were young enough to still be on a coed team.
“Meatball!” The little boy called. The little girl echoed him when she saw Meatball too.
Meatball barked at the mention of her name. She pulled the leash, wanting to cross the street, but Bucky didn’t let her. The kids waved. Bucky waved back. He nodded at their mother, a women he’d seen at the park many times, and walked a little faster.
Before they took the corner, he looked back at the house. It looked the same as when he first saw it almost half a year ago, weeks before he made the decision to buy his house. It was an ordinary house for an ordinary family. A husband, a wife, two kids. No pets.
Was that the type of life he wanted? He wasn’t going to be in the club forever. Chick was proof of that. After school he was going to have to get a big boy Capital-C Career job and quit working at the shop. He wasn’t Winters and Nix or Ron or Buck, who had enough money to buy more time before they had to enter the real world. It wasn’t a life he was looking forward to.
He couldn’t even guess what Buck wanted. They didn’t talk about stuff like that. The only time they got close was talk of internships. The thought consumed him for the rest of the weekend. At the start of the next week Bucky walked into Bossman’s office and told him he was serious. He wanted this. He wouldn’t stay in this job forever, and god help him if he stayed in the company, but with there was growth and opportunity and money to be made.
Once it all started it everything else became a blur. Bucky was busier at work. He was given more and more tasks, more responsibilities. At the end of the first day, his boss asked him to stick around for Happy Hour and Bucky did. He got back late in the evening. Sometimes Buck was there, sometimes he wasn’t.
“Where have you been?” Buck asked one evening.
“Company thing.” Bucky would say, and then after that, “With the boys.” He was used to holding his alcohol and the emotions that came with it. Bucky wasn’t sure what he was doing. He knew they should talk about it, he should’ve told Buck that he’d seen at the arena, but he kept that to himself. It was like a badge, a reminder to be careful. They both needed space or was that just him?
This went on for two weeks.
He was out the night he got the call. It was Jack. Bucky excused himself from the table.
“Bucky,” Jack said. “It’s Curt. He went down.”
