5 + 1 - Five times when John & Bucky were almost caught being romantic together & One time they didn't care who saw them
Fandom: MCU, Thunderbolts
Pairing: John Walker x Bucky Barnes
Tags: Fluff, Secret relationship
Summary: It is what it says on the can. Fluffy romantic Winter Agent
A/N: This chapter is sponsored by "I-had-to-do-something-with-my-hands-to-not-scratch-at-my-healing-tattoo". Please enjoy :)
Can be also read on AO3, Part 1, Part 2
Part 3: Cooking/Dinner together - Alexei
John is glad that the trio (Ava, Bob and Yelena) decided to go to the movies this evening. He wanted to do something special for his boyfriend after the gift he received from him and this free time was like a godsend for his plans. He hoped to surprise Bucky with romantic dinner, just the two of them.
John did a little research into 1940's cuisine and thought he could handle himself with what he picked from the different cookbooks he flipped through. He made the trip to the grocery store for fresh ingredients and went to work on prepping and cooking after he sent the trio to the cinema.
John likes to cook. Maybe that's why he was appointed group's meal provider. Or because the rest was helpless in the kitchen. Whatever the reason, John enjoyed this role. He felt quite useful to the team and he appreciated the complements he received, even though some of them were provided quite reluctantly.
And now, when he has whole kitchen to himself, he can focus on the task without any interruptions.
He chops the vegetables with practiced moves, the sound of knife working against the cutting board soothing to John. He places a pot filed with water on the stove, dropping ingredients inside for the soup to boil. In the meantime, he will prepare meat for the second course, so it will be ready when they're finished with the first one.
Heat rose in the kitchen, leaving John no choice, but to strip his first layer, leaving him in his t-shirt and simple jeans, his long-sleeve dropped on the stool under the island counter.
While everything cooks, John runs to his room to grab the tablecloth and small jar with one of the flowers from his bouquet. He wants to take opportunity to make it a really special dinner for them when they're alone at the tower. Who knows when they'll have another occasion like this one?
John places the items on the breakfast-nook table and checks how his soup is doing. He adds more salt, sugar and red paprika for the better taste, the smell of cooking meat slowly wafting through the kitchen. He checks on it and is quite proud with himself how good everything is going so far. He just needs to strain and mash potatoes before can serve the first meal.
He texts Bucky "come to the kitchen" and all most instantly receives "on my way". Two minutes later Bucky appears in the threshold in his usual black getup, hair disheveled. Different kind of heat sparks in John's gut as he looks at his partner.
"Hey, handsome." John really likes when Bucky calls him that. "What's this all about?" he asks as he makes his way to John's side and places hand in the dip of his waist.
"Tower's empty, so I thought we could use it to have dinner together." They decided at the beginning of their relationship that they will take things slow, at their own pace and not tell anyone that they're together. Which in result restricted them to spending time together in the the tower only. No place outside of these walls was safe, not with them being public-facing figures and with too many curious eyes with the access to cameras and internet.
"Completely alone? Where are the others?" John could hear shock and note of hope in Bucky's voice.
"Yeah, Yelena, Bob and Ava went to the cinema. Some new movie came out that they had to see" John gestures for Bucky to sit in one of the set place in the breakfast-nook.
"And Alexei?"
"Out, taking care of his limo business" John ladles soup into bowls and puts garnish in before placing them on the table and taking his seat opposite from his date.
"So, we are really all alone?" Bucky reaches with his hand and tangles it with John's.
"Yes. Enjoy it while it lasts."
"I will." Bucky smiled at him, squeezing his hand before letting go. "What do we have here?"
"Tomato soup with croutons. Hope it's not too simple for you." John swallows hard as Bucky takes his first bite. The moan he hears dispel any of his worries.
"That good, huh?"
"Mediocre at best." cheeky smile spreading on Bucky's face tells John that he's only teasing him.
"Dick." John laughs. They banter through out the meal, exchanging small touches when their hands are free. The atmosphere is easy and comfortable, both of them relaxed.
"Ready for the second course?" John asks as he gathers dishes to place them in the sink.
"Serve it. I won't say no to your cooking."
"Famous last words" He laughs, before plating the dish.
"Is that, what I think it is?" Bucky's eyes are full of disbelieve at what he sees on the plate.
"Depends what your thinking"
"Brown sugar meatloaf?" John nods his head, confirming Bucky's suspicion.
"It was the last good meal I had before I went to war." Bucky confesses and John's heart squeezes inside his chest at the admission. He looks deep into Bucky's eyes, sees how they shine with the unshed tears. John reaches and squeezes his hand, hoping to provide some relief while he inadvertently caused this reaction.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." he says softly.
"No need to apologize." Bucky rubs his other hand, the one that holds the napkin, over his face to get rid off unwanted moisture. "But, why did you pick this?"
"I looked through 1940's recipes and this one sounded the best from the bunch. Wanted to bring something good from that time to you."
"Thank you. That's very considerate of you." Bucky's eyes are intensely looking into John's, full of gratitude. "But please don't try any more of those recipes. I don't know if I can stomach another weird jell-o" they both laugh, that bit of the tension disappearing.
"You got it." John raises from his seat to place quick kiss on Bucky's lips before they dig in into their meal. Bucky tells him more about the cuisine of that time and sharing the opinion that today's cooking is much better.
"I should make you a plum pie. I can bake a mean plum pie." Bucky brags, piquing John's interest.
But before he can ask about that, their meal is interrupted by Alexei making his way into the kitchen.
"Ah! Look at that! My two favorite super soldiers!" he almost shouts when he sees them. "What is that exquisite smell?"
"Walker made some food." Bucky gestures to the leftover food on the kitchen island.
"Good job, comrade!" Alexei claps John hard on the shoulder, his eyes already escaping to the food. "Can I have some?"
"Please be my guest." John reluctantly agrees. He hoped to save some for later, but it was easier to allow the russian man to take what he wanted. He would probably still eat them, even if John would hide them.
"Thanks! Is that meatloaf? Oh, wonderful! I love meatloaf! You know, my wife made the best one. I mean my fake wife, the one I had on the assignment, when we raised Natasha and Yelena? Most boring mission in my life, but that woman... What do you always say?" he turned to them, his face stuffed with food. "Ah, yes! Firecracker!"
"Want to get out of here?" Bucky whispers to John, while Alexei goes on the tangent. Without word, they sneak past Alexei, when he's turned away from them.
"Was there dessert in the cards tonight?" Bucky asks as they make way to the bedrooms.
"There was, but kitchen is compromised right now. You will have to be satisfied with only me on the menu." John winks to him.
"I won't say no to that." They walk faster, too excited for that promised dessert.
