(oh cool ur in the midwest? ?I think? I'm on the west coast~~)
Steve shook his head, just hoping Bucky's view of the Avengers wasn't too spoiled now that he'd seen them fawning over Steve and him. "Mhhmm." He shot Sam a glance, to which he responded with a shrug. Steve shook his head, deciding to change the subject, "Anythin' new going on with you guys?" He asked the group.
(ye lol. Oh nice!)
Bucky was silent still, picking at his food quietly.
Tony smirked a little. "Don't change the subject, Steve." He wagged a finger. "Have you had any luck in the romance department?"
“Hm? Uh, no.” Steve shook his head, not thinking about his answer and glancing at Bucky, his mind running circles of thought on what Tony was suggesting, “Luck? No, I think I’ve used up all my luck.”
Bucky sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. He didn't quite know what to say or do. He looked over at Steve for a moment, his gaze flicking around the table.
Tony nodded a little. He glanced at Bucky again, then Steve. "Uh huh. Sure."
“What do you mean?” Steve asked Tony quietly, following his gaze to Bucky, quirking an eyebrow and hoping he didn’t mean what he thought.
Tony smirked. "Well…straight guys don't usually fall asleep all snuggled up with another guy." He replied.
“Well—“ Steve said, flustered and trying to come up with an explanation, “Maybe I’m…” Not straight? His mind answered, “..The exception, and it’s not a big deal.”
Tony snorted softly. "Live in denial, then. See how far it gets you. We're still putting that picture on the fridge." He replied with a laugh.
“Denial?” Steve questioned, though knew exactly what he meant, “Denial of what exactly?”
"I think you know what, Steve." Tony reked, taking a sip of his drink. He smirked over at Steve.
Steve shook his head, clenching his jaw as he turned back to his meal. Tony doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm not like that. "I'm not in denial." He stated, trying not to snap at him so early in the evening.
"I don't believe you." Tony replied in a singsong voice. He looked around the group. "Come on, somebody back me up on this."
"Aye." Sam responded, covering it up with a cough and shrugging when Steve shot him a look. Nat raised her eyebrows slightly in a look that said He's right, you know. Steve looked around the table, taking in everyone's knowing or avoiding gaze, "Unbelievable." He smiled, though was slightly agitated; like they knew something he didn't.
Bucky's eyes flickered around the room, examining them carefully.
Tony grinned. "See, Steve?" He said with a smile.
"You. Are unbelievable." He chuckled, the tiniest blush falling on his face as he turned back to the gnocchi,
"Sam, this is really good– what is it, like, blue cheese inside? Hm." Steve nodded, trying yet again to change the subject.
Tony laughed, but didn't comment again, eating some of his own food.
Bucky glanced at Steve.
"Sorry," Steve murmured to Bucky, shaking his head and really wishing Thor would bust out that special stuff.
"They're obsessed with betting and that damn fridge–" He smiled to himself, remembering every time they'd put a new one up of them and the laughter that surrounded those moments. "It's a collective hobby."
"–Mood board." Natasha added, nodding as she glanced over at it.
Bucky nodded a little bit. "It's alright." He replied slowly, studying Steve for a moment. He understood what had been said, but hadn't really been listening all that closely.
Steve sighed in relief, Bucky wasn't totally getting the wrong impression from him or the others.
"They're just playin'." He chuckled, glancing at Tony, "It's just for laughs."
Tony smirked a little bit. "Or are we?"
Bucky shrugged. "alright." He replied, eating a bit more food. He didn't know how else Steve wanted him to respond.
"Why would-" Steve shook his head, this wasn't the way he'd imagined confronting whatever it was he felt, "..No."
"Maybe?" Sam suggested.
"Why not?" Nat added quietly.
It's for the bet. He reminded himself, They're just wanting to prove a point.
Bucky raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What…" He trailed off, not sure what to ask. He really had no idea. There was some undercurrent that he didn't understand.
Natasha almost giggled at Bucky's confusion, knowing well enough that he would be betting with them in due time.
"Just– no." Steve persisted, sighing at everyone's speculation, "Sorry, they're all–" He turned to Bucky, apologizing for them before facing them again, "It's not going to happen. It is not like that."
Sam shot him a look, Is it though?
Bucky cocked his head a little bit. "I… alright." He replied slowly. What if I wanted it to happen? He wondered, frowning just a little bit.
"Hm." Steve sounded in a tired nod, turning to the rest of the group, "So, what's up with you guys?" He asked, hoping they would finally drop it, even though he couldn't get the idea off his mind.
Tony grinned. "I've got a new project I'm working on." He replied. "You know, now that I exploded all my suits into metal fireworks." He grimaced.
"Right." Steve nodded, knowing better than to ask about his work– all this new technology was hard to keep up with and he was better off just being supportive, "Well, good luck on with that. And…thanks for letting us stay here, too." He added, glancing at Bucky with a hopeful smile, raising his glass to Tony in a small toast.
Bucky smiled a little bit in return. He ran a hand through his dark hair, fidgeting for a moment. He mimicked Steve, trying to smile, though it was more of a grimace.
Steve smiled at Bucky's hand running through his hair, realizing that he never really did that before. It was something new and almost…quirky of him. Cute. He let his gaze linger for maybe a moment too long, and he turned away, hoping Tony hadn't caught that. Because 'just friends' don't look at each other like that, He reminded himself.
Bucky dropped his hands to the table, studying Tony and Steve for a moment. He took a deep breath, not sure what to do or say.
Tony did indeed notice, but didn't comment.
(Ooh! They should all get drunk and end up playing like…truth or dare or something, and Steve and Bucky get dared to like… kiss lmao)
