Chapter Text
Steve sat at his drafting table working on a sketch of the entire Avengers team. It was something he normally wouldn’t have drawn, at least not like this with everyone in full combat gear, but the finished product was going to be auctioned off for charity.
“Steve, I gotta talk to you about something.,” Bucky said walking into the room. Steve turned to his friend, concerned by the worried tone in Bucky’s voice. It had been two years since Steve had found Bucky and convinced him to accept help. Between Steve, Sam, and Natasha, Bucky had a pretty good base to start recovering himself from. Tony had been a surprisingly staunch ally, moving them both into one of his remote houses and later into Stark Tower to join the rest of the team where they had gravitated back together after SHIELD fell.
“What’s wrong?” Steve asked turning to face his friend.
“You know how Darcy’s gone away this weekend?” Bucky began. Steve suppressed a sigh. Bucky had latched onto Darcy from the moment he met her, the two got on like gang busters and had bonded right from the start. Steve took a little longer to befriend the mouthy young woman, but once he got to know her, Steve found a true friend in her. He’d also really like to take her to bed and date her, but Bucky would likely kill him for starting something with their friend. Clint liked to joke that Bucky had imprinted on her like a baby duck, he always got nervous when she went out somewhere without at least one Avenger and the thought of her spending three days out of state with friends Bucky hadn’t met…well he’d tried to convince her not to go.
“Yes Buck, what about it?” Steve asked with forced patience.
“Look, I know I’ve been a bit fanatical about this but I found something…” Bucky trailed off pulling a folded piece of paper out of his pocket thrusting it toward Steve.
Steve took the paper and unfolded it resisting the urge to sigh. Looking down at the page, his eyes widened in shock. It was an advertisement for something called The Valentines Masquerade. The ad showed two naked women, blind folded and kneeling, both bound with rope. It read:
An evening of music, temptation & erotic creativity. Enjoy incredible performances by captivating rope artists, bdsm showcases, performers, & beyond.
“What the hell?” Steve asked bewildered.
“Darcy said she was going with these college friends of hers to Providence to go to a Masked Valentines Ball, right?” Bucky asked.
“Right,” Steve agreed frowning.
“So according to Jarvis this is the only Valentines Ball happening in all of Rhode Island that is open to the public. Darcy said they bought tickets, it’s clearly a public event she’s going to.” Bucky told him distressed.
“Darcy wouldn’t go to something like this.,” Steve said looking back down at the advertisement.
“My point exactly, there’s no way she goes to this if she knows what it’s about. She told us she didn’t have all the details, but that from what her friends told her it sounded like fun. We can’t let her get blindsided like that.,” Bucky insisted.
“Jarvis?” Steve asked looking up at the ceiling reflexively.
“Captain Rogers, how may I be of service?” Jarvis replied.
“Is there any way to confirm if this…event, is the same one Darcy’s attending?” Steve asked.
“It would be possible to hack into the event’s registration, however I must inform you that I would be required to inform Master Stark as hacking is technically a crime.” Jarvis answered. Steve exchanged a glance with Bucky before glancing down at the paper still in his hands.
“Do it,” Steve said. There was a long pause before Jarvis spoke to them again.
“Miss Lewis is not listed as having a reservation for a ticket, however the name of one of her friends does appear with a reservation for three. As the last name Jones is a common one, I’ve taken the liberty of confirming that the Felicity Jones listed as having pre-registered is one of the people that Miss Lewis is spending the weekend with.” Jarvis reported. Bucky swore and clenched his fists.
“We gotta stop her,” Bucky bit out.
“How? She’s already in Rhode Island, we’d never get there in time.” Steve pointed out.
“Captain, Sir is requesting the two of you join him in his penthouse to and I quote ‘explain to me why you have my AI breaking laws for your weird Darcy obsession.’” Jarvis interrupted. The pair exchange a grimace and headed for the door, the sooner they dealt with Tony the sooner they could help Darcy.
Tony sat in his living room listening to Steve and Bucky justify their snooping into, and planned interference in Darcy’s weekend away.
“Okay, so here’s the thing. Kinks aren’t something people usually chat about in casual conversation. You can’t be sure that Darcy isn’t perfectly aware and eager to go to this ball.” Tony pointed out.
“She blushes watching the Tudors with us.” Bucky told him.
“Ever think that’s because she’s getting turned on and doesn’t want to make things awkward?” Tony asked.
“Darcy’s a sweet girl, there’s an innocence about her. I just can’t imagine she’d be comfortable going to a thing like this.” Steve said.
“What if you’re wrong? What if she is into the BDSM lifestyle? What if you go busting in there expecting to rescue her and she’s enthusiastically grinding with someone on the dance floor? What if she’s paddling a submissive? What if she’s consented to being tied to a cross and whipped? What are you going to do if you see far more of Darcy than you ever have before and she doesn’t fit with the fantasy girl in your heads. Because I gotta tell you, Darcy is a lot of things and innocent isn’t one of them.” Tony challenged.
“That’s not the kind of innocence I meant.” Steve snapped crossing his arms.
“Darcy’s a good girl.” Bucky bit out at the same time.
“That’s what you want huh Barnes? You want her to be your good girl? Maybe it’s not that you think she’s got a problem with this stuff, maybe it’s that she didn’t chose to include you?” Tony sneered. Before Bucky could respond Tony barreled on. “Liking sex, having kinks, being proud of your body and expressing it doesn’t make Darcy or anyone else ‘bad’. It’s not like it was fellas, sex before marriage is the norm now, and while the kink community is still in the shadows it’s getting more and more common for people to go to events like this to explore and embrace that part of themselves in a safe place. There’s nothing wrong with it and you two judging Darcy is just going to fuck up your friendship with her.” Tony insisted.
“We’re not judging her.” Steve told him. Tony simply raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. “We’re not. Look, if Darcy’s into this then fine I’ve got no problem with it. But if she is being brought to a kink thing without her knowledge or consent then that’s a problem.” Steve continued calmly.
“So rather than calling her and just asking, you had Jarvis hack the registration and now you’re what, gonna run off to Rhode Island and see for yourself?” Tony asked sarcastically.
“There’s nothing wrong with looking out for a friend.” Bucky defended.
“No, but there is something wrong with violating their trust by digging around in their private life where you aren’t invited.” Tony shot back. “Also fuck you both for making me the voice of reason.,” he snapped.
“Are you done? Because we need to decide what we’re going to do.” Steve said with his Captain voice.
“Fine, go be stupid, but don’t blame me when you destroy your relationship with her.” Tony said breezily, waving them away.
Steve frowned thoughtfully as he led the way onto the elevator, selecting their floor. Once they were back in their living room Bucky looked to him for a plan.
“So are we taking a quinjet or what?” Bucky asked.
“No, we’re gonna do this the right way.” Steve said pulling out his phone.
“A commercial flight? That’s gonna take too long.” Bucky complained starting to pace. Steve ignored him as he selected a contact and hit dial. After two rings Darcy’s voice greeted him.
“Steve, what’s up buttercup?” she asked sounding happy to hear from him.
“Hey, Buck and I were just missing you.,” he said putting the phone on speaker and motioning for Bucky to keep quiet.
“Awe, I miss you guys too. I’ll be back in a couple days though. I bought some salt water taffy, a box for each of you.” Darcy told him settling down on the bed in her hotel room.
“You didn’t have to do that doll, but we appreciate it.” Steve told her smiling.
“Hey can’t have my best guys thinking I didn’t miss them.” Darcy teased.
“We’d never think that. You going to that ball tonight?” Steve tried.
“Yup, I actually just finished slathering on lotion after my bath. I got my dress all laid out and pretty soon my girls are coming over to my room so we can get dressed together.” Darcy related.
“Can I ask you an awkward question?” Steve asked.
“Sure, I can’t promise to give an answer you’re gonna like though.” Darcy said after a long moment.
“Buck, well he was worried about you and looked into where you might be going. Seems the only public ball in the whole state is…” Steve trailed off not sure how to continue.
Darcy was quiet for a long moment before she sighed. “So are you gonna ask me?” she wondered.
“Ask what doll?” Steve replied.
“If I’m going to the fetish ball.” Darcy said quietly.
“That’s pretty much my answer isn’t it.” Steve told her.
“Look Steve, I’m not going to defend myself, because I’m not doing anything wrong. Not by attending and not by keeping it to myself. So if you guys are gonna judge, or try and guilt me or something, just…just don’t.” Darcy sighed.
“Darce, honey you really think neither of us has played those games? Hell honey, everything we’ve done in our lives there’s no way we’re gonna judge you on anything.” Steve assured her.
“That’s right Darce, hell you wanted to play sweetheart you shoulda told us,” Bucky added with heat in his tone.
Darcy chuckled. “That right Buck? You gonna spank me for not inviting you?” Darcy teased.
“Nah, I’m gonna hold you down so Stevie can. Seem to recall he likes pinking up a girls backside sometimes. What do you think doll, can you handle both of us?” Bucky asked heat threading through his tone. They both heard Darcy inhale sharply at his words. Then before she could answer they heard a sound in the background.
“Fuck, that’s Lis and Maggie. I gotta go, we’ll…we’ll talk about what the three of us can handle when I get back. See you soon.” Darcy said before hanging up.
“Sooner than you think.” Bucky muttered grabbing his own phone out of his pocket.
“Buck, wait. You didn’t tell me you remember those girls we shared in France,” Steve said his hand on the other man’s arm.
“I told you I remember pretty much everything Stevie. I remember Colette and Marie. I remember being 14 and fumbling around in the dark jerkin’ each other off, I remember giving you your first kiss on your 16th birthday. I remember getting drunk and beggin’ you to fuck me in that tent in Italy. I remember you doin’ it in Germany.” Bucky told him heatedly.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Steve asked.
“Didn’t think you’d still want me like that. We ain’t kids or stuck in a war zone anymore. Fuck Stevie, for a while there I was barely human.” Bucky explained helplessly. Steve grabbed Bucky by the back of the neck and hauled him close, kissing him deep.
“There is never gonna be a time where Steve Rogers doesn’t want Bucky Barnes every way he can get him. Got it?” Steve insisted.
“You, me, and Darcy makes three?” Bucky asked with a grin.
“Yeah Buck, if she’ll have us.” Steve breathed giddily.
“So, let’s get on a fuckin plane then Stevie.” Bucky said before kissing him quick and dirty.
“Jarvis, any way we can get two tickets to this thing under aliases of ours?” Steve asked taking a reluctant step back.
“There are now two tickets on reserve for Mr. Grant Barnes and Mr. James Stevens. If I may, I took the liberty of informing Mr. Stark of your conversation with Miss Lewis and your plan to join her in Rhode Island. He is offering use of the Stark Industries jet, and is willing to arrange for proper clothing for this venue.” Jarvis reported.
“Go pack then we’ll head upstairs.” Steve said shoving Bucky toward his bedroom door getting a heated smirk in response as he disappeared. “Thanks Jarvis, we’ll thank Tony in person.” Steve added heading for his own bedroom.
Ten minutes later they were standing in the living room watching Pepper eye them critically as she flipped through two racks of clothing. Tony lounged on the couch nursing a drink while laughing at them.
“Do I want to know why you have a huge rack of clothes for each of us?” Bucky asked uncomfortably.
“Because I have every intention of updating your wardrobes. You both need more clothes than the absolute basics you’ve limited yourselves to.” Pepper answered as she looked Bucky over with a critical eye.
“And she loves to shop almost as much as I do.” Tony chuckled fondly.
“There is that, don’t worry fellas I did the same thing for Clint and Bruce. Natasha helped.” Pepper informed them.
“With them or us?” Steve wondered with a bemused smile.
“Yes,” Pepper answered absent mindedly as she pulled a pair of jeans off the Steve rack. “Here, go try these on while I figure out a shirt.,” she said tossing them to Steve.
Steve huffed but dutifully caught the pants and headed for the restroom. “Now James, I think a suit.” Pepper was saying as he walked away.
Steve stepped into the bathroom and flicked on the light, shutting the door behind him. Toeing off his boots, Steve put the jeans on the counter before slipping out of his sweatpants. Pulling on the jeans was a bit of a challenge to be honest. They were soft, clingy and pre-worn for a look the tag he’d torn off told him was supposed to be “distressed.”
“Yeah, my balls are gonna be distressed if I wear these for too long.” Steve said as he tugged at them trying to get it to sit at his waist with a grimace.
“If I may sir, that particular style of jeans are meant to be worn lower on the waist.” Jarvis let him know.
Steve frowned but adjusted the pants so they were sitting on his hips, the v of his lower abdomen slightly visible below his grey t-shirt. “Like this?” Steve asked.
“Yes Captain,” Jarvis confirmed sounding amused.
With a shrug Steve gathered his sweat pants and boots, not bothering to put his foot wear back on since he had no idea if he’d be changing again. As he walked back to the living room he passed Bucky carrying a couple of hangers that appeared to hold a black suit.
“You get a suit and I get ball crushing jeans, great.” Steve muttered to him getting an unsympathetic snicker from his friend as they passed each other.
Walking out into the living room he saw Tony was now holding a black leather belt with a bunch of metal rings attached to it. Steve put his boots on the floor and folded sweatpants on a chair. “Do I pass inspection?” Steve teased holding his arms out to the sides.
Pepper looked him over critically before grinning. “Yes, now take that shirt off and put on the belt Tony has for you.,” she ordered before turning back to the rack of clothes.
Steve tugged his shirt off and dropped it on top of his sweatpants before walking over to claim the belt from Tony who was staring at him in surprise.
“What?” he asked frowning down at himself.
“You have chest hair.” Tony said sounding bemused.
“And?” Steve prompted confused.
“I didn’t think you did. The pictures from right before and after you emerged from the easy bake oven showed no hair. Did they shave you?” Tony wondered tilting his head as he looked over Steve’s chest, his eyes following the trail of hair down to his waist band curiously.
Steve rolled his eyes and took the belt from Tony’s lax hand, starting to thread it through the loops on his jeans. “No, I didn’t have any before the serum, it grew in later. I’m just used to it now.” Steve explained with a shrug. Personally he didn’t see why it was important.
“Huh, weird.” Tony commented, seeming to shake himself out of his daze.
Pepper turned and looked at Steve, her breath catching in the back of her throat at the sight of him. His tousled hair was a bit longer than usual, as if he’d put off getting a haircut and the full beard he’d started growing out just before Christmas gave him a rugged look he’d never had before. His bare upper body with the darker chest hair and treasure trail was enticing enough, but with the snug jeans molding to his small waist and thick thighs, paired with the bondage belt, fuck he looked good. To top it off, with his dog tags hanging down, all she could think of was using them as a leash to pull him into a kiss.
“No shirt, definitely no shirt.” Pepper decreed staring at him.
“You sure about that? Don’t want Stevie to cause a riot.” Bucky snarked walking back over to them.
Pepper and Tony both swallowed heavily as they took in the sight of James Barnes in an all-black suit and tie perfectly tailored to his body. The sleek fabric followed the broad line of his shoulders, narrowing to fit his waist, then down to the pants that lovingly hugged the muscular thighs. Fuck, he was hitting every authority kink Pepper didn’t know she had.
“Helloooo nurse,” Tony complimented with a whistle.
“I got that reference.” Steve said with a smirk.
“Shoes,” Pepper blurted out, tearing her eyes away from Bucky. “I have shoes for you that go with the suit.,” she clarified opening a bag that was hanging on a hanger and withdrawing a pair of shiny black dress shoes. She walked them over to Bucky, handing them to him before hurrying back to Tony lest she lose control and touch one of the other men.
“Wear this Spangles, and you’ll be all set.” Tony said tossing him a leather jacket similar to his own brown bomber jacket, but in black..
“James needs one more thing.” Pepper said darting for the stairs that led to the second floor of the penthouse.
“What’s she getting?” Bucky asked confused.
“Not, sure. But if it’s what I think it might be you’ll be very Fifty Shades.” Tony told him grinning.
Steve took her being gone as an opportunity to put his boots back on. After a couple of minutes Pepper came back and stood in front of Bucky holding a small thing that looked like a mini, black and red leather, cat o-nine tails.
“The leather is very soft, but it will still hurt if you swing it hard enough, so be careful.” Pepper instructed handing it to him. There was a loop attached to the handle so rather than carry it, Bucky decided to thread it onto his belt. Once he was done, you could just see it with the jacket unbuttoned.
“Hot damn, if Darcy turns you two down she’s insane.” Pepper said looking them over with a proud twist of her lips.
“I’d be jealous if I didn’t agree.” Tony told her looking just as affected by their appearance.
“On that note, we’ll put our stuff away and then head for the jet.” Steve said shifting uncomfortably.
“Don’t worry, Dum E will bring your clothes back, just head for the jet. The pilot is waiting for you.” Tony offered. Not wanting to waste any more time, Bucky headed for the flight deck of the tower where two quinjets and the SI jet were housed, Steve following behind.
“Have fun storming Lewis’s castle!” Tony called after them, getting the middle finger over Steve’s shoulder.
“We will!” Bucky called back just before the elevator doors closed.
“Bedroom?” Pepper asked curling into Tony.
“Right here,” Tony countered tugging her into his arms.
Steve and Bucky strode onto the jet, the door closing behind them. Tucking their duffle bags out of the way, they took their seats and snapped on their seatbelts. Soon a familiar voice was telling them they were taking off.
“Any chance Nat’s not up there with Barton right now?” Bucky asked rolling his eyes.
“None,” Steve agreed with a groan. Once they’d reached cruising altitude the door to the cockpit opened and Nat came out looking them over.
“Pepper outdid herself. There’s a small private air strip about half an hour from the hotel where the ball is being held. There’s a car waiting for you equipped with GPS to get you where you’re going. I recommend stopping for condoms and lube if you don’t already have some with you.” Nat told them bluntly as she looked them over.
“We’re all set on that front thanks.” Steve told her dryly.
“I’m just saying, more lube is always better than not enough.” Nat persisted.
“We got this Tash, but thanks.” Bucky let her know with a chuckle.
“So is there anyone who doesn’t know what’s happening tonight?” Steve sighed.
“Thor, Jane, maybe Bruce.” Nat shrugged.
“Sam’s in DC, so he doesn’t know yet.” Clint called out.
“Fly the plane Barton.” Bucky called back.
“I’ve got something for you, Tony had me grab it from his lab, should help you blend in.” Nat said handing a dark grey leather cuff to Bucky.
“I don’t get it.,” he said turning it over in his hands.
“Put it on your left wrist and close the snaps.” Nat instructed with a small grin.
Bucky did as instructed and a shimmering light flickered before suddenly his hand looked normal. Like he had a flesh and blood arm.
“How?” Bucky asked in awe.
“Holographic imaging, similar to the masks we’ve used on missions. Tony and Bruce tweaked the tech so it makes your arm look biological, now if you want to go incognito, you can.” Natasha explained.
“I don’t know what to say.” Bucky said softly staring at his hand.
“Then just tell them thank you.” Nat said giving his shoulder a pat before heading back to the cockpit and Clint.