Faces of Bucky Barnes - More One Shots

10. We Danced (Some sexual content)

Yes, this is long for a one shot. It's also about Bucky seizing a moment, then another, and another while rediscovering the romantic man he once was. I can truly say the story almost wrote itself. 

Content warning:  Contains sexual content which may be inappropriate for readers under the age of 18.

Washington, D.C., August, 2024

The two Avengers stood there, drinks in hand, as the dance floor was set up.  Various people stopped to make small talk with them, although only Sam Wilson actually conversed.  His partner, Bucky Barnes, looked uncomfortable every time they were approached and would make sure he was sipping his drink whenever they were asked a question.  When he did speak, it would be to say, "I don't know," or "No comment."  Before the music started Sam looked at his friend like he was deliberately being uncooperative.

"What?" asked Bucky.  "You know I don't like these things.  I feel like I'm on display."

"It's part of the job," replied Sam.  "These are the people who decide on funding.  We need their goodwill to keep the Avengers going."

"You should get Torres or Pepper, or Scott and Hope to do these then," retorted Bucky.  "They're much better at this."

"I suppose you're not going to stay for the dancing," noted his partner.  "There're some nice-looking women here.  You could get lucky."

The dark-haired man smirked.  "I don't dance, not to what they call music now.  I'm going to the lounge, have a couple of drinks and call it a night.  Meet you for breakfast?"

"Yeah, unless I get lucky," smiled Sam.  "I'll text you if I do."

Downing the rest of his drink, Bucky gave his friend a nod of acknowledgement and left the banquet area of the hotel.  Stepping down the wide stairs to the main floor he headed towards the lounge and sat at the bar, ordering a scotch, neat.  There was a jazz trio in the corner, a woman on piano, a drummer, and a guitarist.  They were playing some soft instrumental jazz that made him feel a bit mellow and he watched them, as the lounge slowly filled up with others, almost all couples or groups.  Two seats away from him a woman in a short but elegant dress sat, placing her clutch on the edge of the bar.  It fell off and Bucky reached down to pick it up, almost at the same time she did.  Extending her foot down from the rung of the high stool as she reached for her purse, Bucky had a good view of her leg before he straightened up to hand it to her.

"Thank you," she smiled, her dark eyes meeting his.  "A nice gesture like that deserves a reward.  What are you drinking?"

"Scotch," he replied.  "You don't have to.  I just got this one."

"Please, allow me."  Bucky nodded and she ordered him another scotch plus a martini for herself.  When it came, she raised her drink to his.  "Here's to good manners and the men who still have them."

They both sipped their drinks and neither said anything at first until Bucky turned to her.  "Okay, you've got me wondering what idiot didn't have good manners."

She looked at the mirrored wall in front of them where the liquor bottles were.  They could see everything behind them.  "The man out in the lobby in the grey suit with the red tie."  Bucky looked for the man as she shook her head.  "I'm here for a conference and we had a few sessions together.  He asked me out for dinner, seemed nice, so I said yes.  He began coming on to me in a very blatant way before the salads were even served.  Tried to sell me on going to a swinger's club with him.  I wasn't buying it, so I left.  Shit, he just saw me."

Bucky looked at the mirror, picked up his drink and sat on the empty seat next to her.  "Follow my lead," he said, as he leaned close to her ear and gently kissed the edge of it.  "Giggle."