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“Steve!” Bucky yelled from the back of the car where he was loading their suitcases. “Let’s go or we’re gonna be late.”
“I’m coming! I’m coming!” Steve yelled as he ran out the front door, pulling it shut behind him and making sure it was locked. “I couldn’t find the business cards.”
“You packed them in the bag you’re taking for the expo.” Bucky slammed the trunk shut.
Steve slapped his forehead. “Oh that’s right. Where would I be without you?” Steve punched Bucky’s arm all bro like and went to the passenger side.
Bucky stood there watching the shorter man climb into the car. The feelings he’s had for his best friend since they started their vineyard together were stronger than ever. CelticStar, a combination of Steve’s Irish heritage and Bucky’s love for astronomy, was started by the two men after they graduated college. Steve with a Bachelors in Science in Viticulture and Bucky with a Bachelor in Business Administration, so Steve took care of the winemaking side while Bucky took care of the business and marketing side. Two halves coming together perfectly.
“Okay. So according to Google Maps it should take about eight hours to get to Sacramento.” Steve said as Bucky climbed in the driver’s seat. “Are you ready to spend eight hours in the car with me?” Steve teased.
No. “Absolutely, Punk.”
“Jerk.”
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Steve fell asleep two hours into the car ride, leaving Bucky along with his thoughts. Thoughts that started going through what he needed to do for the expo and ended up about his feelings for his best friend. When they first met in elementary school, Bucky was the new kid at school and kept to himself but Steve, however, didn’t like that and dragged young Bucky into a game of knights saving the princess. Bucky didn’t understand why this blond skinny kid wanted to be friends with the weird new kid but their friendship flowed easily throughout the elementary years.
Middle school came and with that both boys learned new things about themselves. Steve got more health issues than he did in elementary school and Bucky realized he didn’t like girls like his male peers did. After talking with his parents, Bucky knew he was gay. He first thought he could be bisexual but dating girls didn’t appeal to him. When Bucky told Steve, the blond said okay and that was that. Steve would tease Bucky by pointing out guys he thought might be Bucky’s type which caused his best friend to blush and playfully shove him.
In high school, Bucky had his first relationship. Sam was the best first boyfriend Bucky could ever have. He didn’t push Bucky to do anything he didn’t want to do and was respectful of Bucky’s boundaries. Unfortunately, the two drifted and realized they were better as friends than dating. They’re still friends, along with Sam’s wife, Natasha, and they’ll help Steve and Bucky around the vineyard when they come to visit.
It wasn’t until college when Bucky realized he had feelings for his best friend. Steve went away for school and Bucky stayed local. With Steve being gone, Bucky felt like a piece of him left. It took a drunken night with Sam and Nat for Bucky to admit a part of him did leave, the part connected to Steve. Since then, Bucky’s kept his feelings for Steve to himself for two reasons. First, he’s not sure if Steve likes guys and second he doesn’t want to risk their friendship.
A snort brought Bucky’s attention to his passenger. The blond angel in the passenger seat of his car. The one who blesses Bucky’s dreams. Maybe after this weekend, after this expo, Bucky will tell Steve how he feels. But for right now Bucky will just turn the radio on at a quiet volume and continue on the road to the expo.
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“Hi, Welcome to the Hilton. How can I help you?” The front desk receptionist greeted Bucky as he walked up. Steve stayed in the car while Bucky got checked in so they could just take their bags straight to their room.
“Hi, check in for Barnes.”
The receptionist typed Bucky’s information into the computer and found his reservation. “How many key cards would you like, sir?”
“Two, please.”
They handed Bucky the envelope that held the two key cards along with the wifi password. Bucky was given more information about the complimentary breakfast and other amenities. Bucky thanked them and turned to leave the lobby and head back to the car where Steve still was.
Bucky approached from the passenger side and before he got to the car, he noticed Steve was on the phone with someone. The smile on Steve’s face, and the way Bucky could tell he was laughing, pulled at his heart. Bucky’s not sure how much longer he could keep his feelings to himself. He just might risk their friendship and tell Steve how he feels.
Bucky walked up to the passenger side and tapped on the window. Steve jumped and was ready to fight whoever was there. Once he realized it was Bucky he calmed down and visibly relaxed. Bucky smiled sheepishly as he opened the door for the blond.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Bucky blushed as Steve crossed his arms over his chest with a playful glare at the taller man.
“My heart is already fragile!”
“I know! I’m sorry!”
Steve giggled as he punched Bucky’s shoulder. Just like he did before they left their shared house. “I’m just messin’ with ya, Buck. I know you didn’t mean it. So,” Steve walked to the trunk while Bucky went to the driver’s side and turned the car off and popped the trunk. “Did you get us checked in?”
Bucky nodded as he came to the back. “Yep, room 1718. First floor.”
“Sweet,” Steve grinned as he pulled his suitcase out of the trunk. “I can’t wait for this weekend.”
Bucky swallowed around the lump that formed in his throat, “Y-yeah. Me too.”
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“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Bucky groaned as they walked into their room and saw there was only one bed. It looked like a king size bed but he’s not an expert in bed sizes. “I swear I requested two beds when I made the reservation.” Bucky set his bags down and turned to walk out the room to the front desk.
“Bucky,” Steve said calmly, grabbing Bucky’s forearm to stop him from leaving. The shorter man looked up at the taller man through his eyelashes. “It’s alright. I’m not that big so I don’t take up much space. And if needed, I can curl up in the chair that’s by the window.”
“You are not sleeping in a chair. Especially with your back.” Bucky looked at Steve. Steve had a defiance in his eyes that challenged Bucky to try and argue with him. Bucky sighed and turned to face Steve, “Only if you’re sure.”
Steve smiled, “I am. Now let’s get settled and get something to eat. I’m starving.” Steve playfully whined as he hung off Bucky’s arm. Bucky smiled at him and shook his head at Steve’s antics.
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It’s the last night of the wine expo weekend and both men are ready to go home. They’ve made some great connections with some great businesses and hope to work with them in the future. They were also able to have people sample their most popular wine, Sauvignon Blanc, which a few smaller wine and spirits stores wanted to sell.
Now, Bucky’s laying on his back staring at the ceiling, trying not to wrap himself around the skinny man next to him. Having Steve sleeping next to Bucky has been torture. The last three nights Bucky’s slept but it hasn't been a deep sleep since he’s fighting himself about telling Steve. Bucky sighed quietly and turned his head to look at his bedmate. No better time than the present , Bucky thought.
“Steve?” Bucky whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Um…” Bucky fidgeted with the blanket. “I…uh…I have something to tell you.”
Steve turned to lay on his other side, facing Bucky, “What’s up?”
Bucky looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. He could do this. This is Steve. His best friend. “Um…”
Steve laid a hand on Bucky’s shoulder. “Hey, breathe. Whatever it is, I promise it won’t affect our friendship.
Bucky grimaced. “That’s the thing. It might.”
Steve sat up and turned on the lamp. “Okay. What’s going on Buck?”
Bucky sat up and moved so he was sitting against the headboard. “Okay. You know how I told you I’m gay right?” Steve nodded. “Well, uh, there’s someone I like.”
Steve smiled. “Ooo! Is he cute?”
Bucky smiled with a blush on his cheeks. “Yeah, he is. And, um, he’s…the guy I like…is…”
“Who, Bucky?”
Bucky looked Steve in his eyes and kept his gaze while he said, “You. I like you, Steve.”
Steve stared at Bucky with wide eyes, “Oh.”
Silence fell over both men. Bucky knew he should have waited until they were home because in the morning they’ll have to spend eight hours in the car back home. Bucky started to get out of bed before Steve stopped him.
“Bucky,”
“It’s okay, Steve. I understand. I’ll, um,”
“Bucky, sit down.”
Bucky didn’t realize he stood up. He sat on the edge of the bed with his back facing his friend. He fidgeted with his fingers as he waited for Steve to reject him.
“Bucky, I’m processing because I didn’t think this day would happen.” Bucky looked over his shoulder and Steve who had moved closer to him. “I mean, I’ve liked you since you came out to me.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? And I didn’t know you liked guys.”
Steve smiled sheepishly, “I was actually going to tell you the same day you came out to me.”
“Is that what you wanted to tell me when you said you had something to say?”
“Yeah.”
Bucky laughed as he turned his whole body to face Steve. “Well, aren’t we just a couple of silly ducks.”
“Silly ducks?”
“I don’t know, okay?”
Steve chuckled before he leaned closer. The air between both men was charged. Bucky flitted his eyes down to Steve’s lips. Steve cupped Bucky’s cheek and rubbed his thumb against Bucky’s cheekbone. Both men leaned in until their lips connected. Bucky grabbed Steve by his waist and pulled him closer. Steve wrapped his arms around the other man’s neck as his tongue ran across Bucky’s bottom lip. Bucky granted him access and pulled Steve closer. When the need for air became too much they pulled back and rested their foreheads against each other. Both men giggled and Bucky kissed Steve one more time.
“Does this mean I can cuddle you now?” Bucky asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
“God I hope so. Do you know how hard it’s been to keep myself from jumping you?”
Bucky laughed as he and Steve got settled back in bed now cuddled in each other’s arms. They pulled the blanket over themselves and breathed in the scent of each other. Out of all the scenarios Bucky had gone through in his head when he thought about telling Steve, this one was not once considered. He thought Steve would hate him but this moment, with Steve in his arms, was a better outcome than he would ever consider. Bucky closed his eyes and knew tonight would be the best sleep since they’ve arrived at the expo. Until Steve broke the silence with him asking,
“What if we made a banana flavored wine?
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