Bucky was having a terrible day. He was still "on probation" -- Fury was still insisting on briefing him before he could become an actual Avenger, despite living along side them for three years. He had gotten no sleep the night before, and coffee hadn't done anything to fix it.

Along with the minor annoyances of life, Bucky's mood wasn't great.

Then he got home, and found Steve worse off than he was.

He was curled up on the couch, staring at nothing, dead to the world. Bucky sighs as he steps through the door. They had been through a lot over the years -- Steve had lost Bucky almost five times over his lifetime. Thought he'd died, seen him die, had him leave -- fought wars, lost close friends, came close to death himself -- sometimes the trauma still hit.

It was the same for Bucky. He understood. He tries a tactic that seemed to have worked in the past -- making Steve forget about it for the time being.

"Hey, doll," he hums, walking over and kneeling in front of him, taking one of his hands. Steve's eyes focus on him and he manages a small smile.

"Hey," he responds, sitting up and rubbing his face. Bucky watches him quietly. "How was your day?"

"It's good now that I'm back home," Bucky muses. Steve nods, studying his hands, still deep in thought. Bucky bites his lip, thinking, before pulling his phone into view and putting a song on. Steve looks up, slightly confused.

"What's..."

"I found this song, wanna listen?" Bucky offers him his hand and, begrudgingly, Steve allows himself to be pulled to his feet. He pulls closer to Bucky and wraps his arms around his waist, pressing his face against his chest to try to hide from the world.

Bucky hums along as the song kicks up, glancing at the blond.

"This is where I'll be, so heavenly, so come and dance with me Stevie," he sings, causing Steve to smile and pull back to look at him.

"That's how it goes, huh?"

"So convenient, right?" Bucky grins at him. He tried to lift his spirits however he could - even after a particularly crappy day.

"Stevie, you're the only one I ever want, only one I'd ever want, only one I'd ever want," he sings, spinning him out. Steve gives him a look but can't not smile at his boyfriend.

He always tried so hard for him, and Steve loved him with all his heart. He hums along, spinning himself back in. Bucky holds him close, wrapped around from behind, pausing to give him a quick kiss.

"Beautiful boy on a beautiful dance floor, Stevie, you're dancing like a beautiful dance... " He struggles to find a better word, before shrugging and going with the original. "Wh*re."

"Rude," Steve scolds, trying to hide his smile. He twists in Bucky's arms and, smiling, the brunet lifts him into the air. Steve yelps a word of protest, arms flailing for balance.

"I got you, doll," Bucky assures, looking up at him. Steve attempts to hide his laughter and Bucky smiles, setting him back down. Steve huffs a sigh, giving him a look. Bucky smiles innocently at him.

"Love you," he croons in a singsong voice.

"Love you too," Steve replies, turning pink. These years made him realise that he loved him -- with all his heart. But he'd lost him so many times...

Bucky notes the change in mood as the song fades out. He steps closer and tilts his chin up, giving him a sad smile. He knew.

"Hey," he says softly. "Look at this. We're here, dancing to some jazzy gay tune. Just like old times," he smiles, and Steve nods, taking a breath. "We don't need to worry about that s*** any more. Promise."

Steve leans forward and kisses him, holding him close. He pulls away after a bit and looks down, pressing his forehead against Bucky's.

"Promise," Bucky repeats in a softer tone. Steve nods, finally offering a small smile as he looks up again. "Now come on, none of that sad stuff, okay? You know d*** well that if you cry, I'll cry, and it'll be a mess."

"I love you," he utters as he kisses him again and Bucky smiles, holding him close.

////

Actually thoroughly imagining this stuff like a movie really helps for writing a scene. At least, it helped me. Anyway, this song was "Michael" by Franz Ferdinand; the song is quite upbeat and loud, but always makes me smile.