Chapter Text
"I'm happy for you, Buck. I really am. You figured out how to have an actual life far better than than the rest of us, that's for sure." Steve cheers his coffee cup up in the air as Bucky lowers his paper to raise a brow.
The pair was having their standing bi-weekly breakfast at their usual spot. The occasion usually called for less sappy sentiment.
"I told you, Punk. Find a good woman and it all fits into place." Bucky gave a smug smile around his slice of toast.
"Falls into place, huh? You're full of shit. I've watched you and Darcy almost kill each other to get where you're at."
Bucky gives a laugh.
"Ahh yes, but what a beautiful way to go!" Bucky sighs dramatically and takes a sip of his own coffee. "And I didn't say it comes easy. I just said it happens. But you gotta start somewhere, like let's say Sharon. She seems right up your alley." Steve pins him with a "don't even" glare and Bucky pushes on. "Ah come on, you think I don't see it? I know she's Peggy's niece and that makes things. ... weird? But don't think for a second, it has gone unnoticed how look like 'poor little Stevie from Brooklyn' every time she doesn't notice you outside of official business. You thought I was bad with a month break from Darcy. I've been biting my tongue on this for MONTHS now. It's starting to get embarrassing." Steve tries his best to pretend he has no idea what his dinning partner is referring to. "Do us both a favor and call the girl, will ya?"
Steve sighs.
"Buck, Sharon and I-" Whatever Steve is going to say is cut of by the woman in question approaching the table.
"You and I, what?" She smiles at the men and they stand. She leans into Bucks greeting and he kisses her cheek. "Sorry I'm late." She says nodding to a slack-jawed Steve.
"Nonsense." Bucky says and he and Sharon sit with a still slacked-jaw Steven trailing after.
"Where's Darcy?" She notices the settings on the table then looks the direction of the restrooms.
"Darcy doesn't come to our breakf-" Steve begins and Bucky cuts him off by making a show of reaching for his phone.
"Oh, speak of the Devil. She just texted. I'm sorry guys. Darcy just got a realtor to show us that place in Brooklyn we've been eyeing. You guys don't mind if I?..." Bucky trails off while pointing a thumb over his shoulder to the door.
"No, of course not. That's really great, James." Sharon smiles warmly. Bucky stands and then bends to kiss her on her cheeks once more.
Bucky turns to Steve and boy, if looks could kill. Steve stands.
"You got this, Punk? Right?" Bucky motions to the plates but they both know he isn't referring to the check.
Bucky pulls Steve in for a bro hug and when he is close enough to Steve's ear he says : "Finally."
Bucky walks out chuckling as he hears Steve begin to fumble over his words.