#clintnat

Clint was playing video games when Nat texted him. Hey! When are you planning a date for us? She asked, as it had been a couple weeks since the whole birthday thing. They had slept together, but he hadn’t seemed to try for more since. 

He replied simply. A date?

A few minutes later, she had sent a not so happy text back. Yes, a date! I didn’t want a one night stand, Clint. If I wanted that I would haven’t picked you. She pointed out. 

Clint winced. He really, really liked Nat but dating? He wasn’t good at dating. And she deserved the best. It doesn’t have to be a one night thing. He tried. 

So, you just want sex? She sent back.

Just with you :( 

It took her a few minutes to reply. But nothing more? Thanks, Clint. I really like you, and was hoping you liked me, too. 

How did everyone get Clint’s attraction to her so wrong? Sighing, she flopped back on her bed. This really hurt. 

I do like you! He sent back but she just ignored it. Pushing her phone to the side a bit, she rolled to her side. “Damn it.” She had decided to try to be with him, and to him it was just sex. She definitely didn’t want just that. If she wanted just sex, she could have easily just picked someone up from a bar. She thought they would go on cute dates together. 

Clint sagged when Nat didn’t reply. “Crap.” He groaned, not wanting to ruin things with her. Knowing that she was likely going to ignore his texts, he got up to pull his shoes on. He’d get her some flowers and go see her. 

He passed Bucky as he went to get his keys. “I’ll be back later.” He muttered, not wanting Bucky asking questions. 

“Whatever.” Bucky mumbled, glancing at him. “You have two different…” The door shut behind Clint. “Shoes on.” He sighed. Shaking his head, he wondered what was on Clint’s mind for him to leave like that. 

A moment later Clint walked back in. “Looked down to go down the stairs and saw I grabbed two different sneakers.” 

“Glad you noticed.” Bucky nodded. “You don’t work today, at least.” He took his snack. “Where are you rushing off to?” 

Clint sighed. “Somewhere.” He told him, not wanting to jinx his apology to Nat. “Why don’t you text Y/N and try to hang out? Haven’t things been getting better?”

Bucky automatically brightened at the mention of you. “Yeah, I mean we haven’t talked a lot but I think we’re good now. I’ll text her to maybe have an early dinner.” He nodded, hoping that you’d agree to that. 

You were channel surfing when Bucky texted you. Hey, was wondering if you’d like to go get some dinner? 

You hummed, figuring it might be okay to just have a friendly dinner with him. Sure, why not? Anything in mind? You sent back. 

Pizza buffet? My treat :) He knew pizza was your favorite. I can come pick you up? 

You smiled softly. Okay. I’ll be ready in twenty. You shut the tv off and went to put on some jeans, as you’d been walking around in boxers all day. You wanted to look put together at least. You didn’t know the last time you hung out with just Bucky. You doubted this was a date, so that took some nerves away. You went to tell your sister you were heading out. “Sis?” You furrowed your brows when you saw her. 

“Ughhhh.” She mumbled into her pillow. 

“What happened?” You asked, moving to sit on the side of the bed. 

She pushed her phone to you. “Clint.” 

You opened up her phone and looked through the recent messages. “Dammit, Clint.” You groaned. “Men suck.” You set it down. “Bucky asked if I wanted to go get pizza. Want me to text and see if you can come?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to third wheel.” She moved to lay her head on your lap. “Have fun. Don’t sleep with him unless you’re positive he wants to date.” 

You ran your fingers through her hair gently. “I don’t think it’s a date.” You pointed out. “I doubt he’d be asking me to a pizza buffet as a first date.” You chuckled. “And he said that he’s working on finishing his certificate, so it sounds like dating isn’t on his to do list.” 

“If you gave him the option, you’d be the only thing on his to do list.” She mumbled. 

Your cheeks turned a pink color at that. “I doubt that.” You muttered as there was a knock at the door. “I don’t think that’s him. He said twenty minutes, it’s only been like 10.”  

The knocking increased until you got there to open it. You opened it to see Clint. “Hey, can I talk to Nat?” 

“You’re lucky I don’t deck you, Barton.” You glared. 

He nodded. “You can later. I promise. Nat!” He called out. 

She came out, and it was obvious that she was upset. “What?” She crossed her arms. 

“I’m sorry! I suck.” He whined. “I panicked! I’m not good enough for you.” He held out the flowers as you moved to the side. You slipped outside, shutting the door behind you. You felt this was something for only them. “I’m sorry.” He pouted. “I never date and I have no idea how to date and you deserve the best.” He rambled, looking down for a moment. “And I’m not the best.”

She pursed her lips. “So you do want to date me?” She asked. 

“I’ve dreamt about dating you since I met you.” He admitted. “I’m willing to learn!” He held out the flowers. “I got these for you as a start.”

She fought a smile, thinking he was adorable. “One chance. That’s it.” She tried to sound firm with him.

“Yes, yes, yes. I won’t ruin it.” He promised. “Are you hungry? I’ll take you to  your favorite restaurant.” 

“If you let me get ready.” She nodded. 

He smiled at that. “...I almost showed up with two different shoes.” He admitted. 

“I might’ve forgiven you faster.” She grinned. “Come wait in the living room.” She took the flowers and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” 

He smiled widely. “Thanks for the chance.” He moved to sit on the couch. “Although your sister wants to deck me.” 

“I should let her.” She chuckled and went to put something cute on. She put the flowers in a vase with some water while trying to decide what to wear. She hoped you and Bucky had just as much fun as she knew she’d have with Clint. 

Clint looked up when she finally came back out and grinned. “You’re so hot.” He jumped up. “Let’s party.” He held out his hand. 

Bucky smiled when he saw you waiting outside. You made your way down to his car and slid in. “Hey.” You greeted him. 

“Hi, doll. You look pretty.” He complimented. He smiled as you blushed. “To the pizza buffet.” He drove off. “How has work and stuff been?” He asked, glancing at you. 

You shrugged. “Work has been work.” You chuckled. “How about you?”

“Kinda hate the job but it’ll do until I finish my classes.” He explained. “A paycheck is a paycheck.”

“What’re your plans after?” You looked at him. “I don’t think I’ve heard you mention.”

“I haven’t around you.” He said softly. “I’ll get to intern at a program after.” He told you. “Nothing special.” 

You had never really heard his plans. “And then?” You were curious. 

He chuckled. “I have to make it through my internship before anything else. I’m assuming I’ll try to get an actual job.” He pulled into your favorite place. “I just wanted to be more prepared so I can have a higher level job.” He wanted to have a good life, and hopefully one day share that life with a family. 

This was way different than the image you had of Bucky in your mind. You thought he went out every night and couldn’t care less about what job he’d have. He could have any pick of women, after all. “Oh.” You said softly as you got out. 

“What about you? Plans for after college?” He asked, the two of you walking towards the door. He opened it for you and smiled. 

“Depends on what Nat wants to do, too.” You shrugged. “We’ve always done everything together. But, Clint was there apologizing for being a jerk when I left. So, maybe it’ll be them after college.”

He blinked. “That makes sense. He was a mess before he left.” He paid for both of you right away before you were handed your cups. “I’m surprised they haven’t gotten together before now, honestly.” 

You stared at him once you got to the buffet part. “We could’ve split it.” You told him. “You didn’t have to pay for me.”

“I invited.” He smiled and went to find you both a booth. “I’m glad you accepted.” He said as you both sat. “It was actually Clint’s idea. Suggested I ask if you wanted to do something.” 

“Can’t believe I owe him.” You smiled. “I threatened to deck him when I saw him.” You chuckled. 

“I think you’re the scarier sister. Don’t tell Nat.” He grinned at you. 

Laughing, you nodded. “Deal.” You sipped your soda, debating mentioning what she had said about ‘not sleeping with him unless he wants to date’ or whatever. You still felt this wasn’t a date, but were you wrong? Would he plan this as a date? You should’ve dressed nicer! 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked. “You look like you have something on your mind.”

“Is this a date?” You blurted. You felt your cheeks heat up as you looked down quickly. 

Bucky smiled. “I’d like it to be.” He told you. “But if you’d rather this just be two friends getting pizza, that’s okay with me.” He assured. “I also wasn’t sure if you were seeing that Arthur guy.” He admitted. 

You shook your head. “We went on a date last week, but we agreed that we’d make better friends.” You told him. “Once we hung out sober I got much more of a ‘older brother’ vibe.” 

“Can’t lie and say that doesn’t make me happy.” He half joked. “Was worried I finally got you to smile at me and he was gonna come in and sweep you off your feet.” 

You softened further. “Awe, Bucky.” You smiled at him. “Nope. No sweeping.” 

“That means I can have a chance?” He hoped. “Take you out again?” He watched your face. 

You thought about it for a moment. Could you put yourself out there? Could you let yourself fully trust him again. Chewing on your lip, you nodded.

“I’ll plan an amazing date.” He promised. “Just let me know a night that works for you?” 

“Friday?” You were excited now. “If that works for you?”

“Yes.” He grinned. “Can’t wait.” He said honestly, already planning in his head. This was everything he had been hoping for all these years. And it was finally happening! 

“Your smile is so big. You’re adorable.” You giggled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you grin like that.”

“You haven’t been looking.” He admitted. “Because I grin whenever I see you. Been trying to get your attention for a while.” He looked serious for a moment. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I never meant to.” He said gently. “I really didn’t know you liked me back then, I swear.”  

“I believe you.” You said quietly. “It was a long time ago.” You noted. “I was a silly 15 year old.” 

He nodded. “Not silly. I crushed on you a year later and missed my chance.” He explained. “And I’ve spent the last like 5 years trying to catch your attention.

You reached over for his hand. “You’ve got it now.” You smiled. 

Bucky smiled back, hoping he could keep your attention. When he pictured his future, you were always in it. It’s why he stayed in town. If it wasn’t for you, he would have gone for his certificate elsewhere. 

You winked at him before going to get more pizza. You grabbed a couple of your favorites before sitting back down. “Want to go for a walk after?” You asked him. “Maybe around the park?”

He nodded. “Sounds perfect.” He agreed easily. This was going so good. He hoped that he could keep you smiling. 

He also tells himself he doesn't deserve any of their loyalty because he's failed at being loyal to any of them in a traditional sense of the word. If he really was loyal he wouldn't need all of them in different ways. He'd only need one of them to fill all those roles for him if he really was loyal.

And sure, maybe they do know that he's failing miserably at being a good partner, so he isn't cheating, but he still feels like he is. Feels like he's betraying all of them. He'll go to Clint for blunt honesty and Steve for familiar comfort and Natasha for solace in silence- he won't just go to one of them.

Can he even be loyal to so many in this way?

Bucky doesn't know. He knows that he was "loyal" to everyone in HYDRA, but that was different, so, so different than this. This is tender touches, this is gentle words, this is care and adoration.

And he wants it from all of them at once and he doesn't know why he's not happy with just Steve or just Clint or just Natasha. He knows he should be. He knows that one partner should be enough. He knows that he is enough for all three of them, their busted up boyfriend that they like taking care of, he's probably too much of a hassle for just one person anyways.

-/-/-/-

Bucky sits beside Steve.

Natasha and Clint across from them.

He’s never asked them all to come with him at the same time. He’s pretty sure Clint and Steve and Natasha would all be at each others throats by now, even if he’s done his best in telling them what he’s doing. That he’s being a disloyal, greedy, whore that isn’t satisfied with just one partner.

They still didn’t care much.

Hell, even now, they don’t care. All sitting in a booth at a fast food joint aware that they have all been with Bucky. Aware that they currently all are with Bucky, they didn’t drop that status just for today.

They’re all sitting around this table and they’re all Bucky’s partner and they’re all not being weird about it.

“Buck, you in there?”

Clint’s snapping his fingers in front of Bucky’s face as he speaks, mild concern is present.

Natasha swats away his hand, “Have some class, Clint.”

“I’m good.”

There’s a slight elbow to his side, “You sure?”

Bucky nodded. “I’m good, Steve.”

“Good. Now, whaddaya want?” Clint asked. He slid a menu across the table, “I’d recommend the classic burg’ if you’re coming up short, you can have some of Nat’s salad.”

“No, you cannot,” Natasha said, “Probably not.”

“Aww, Nat’s got a soft spot for Bucky.” Clint singsongs the words in a teasing tone even at the risk of Natasha knocking his lights out.

“Bucky,” Natasha starts, pointedly glancing to him, “What do you want?”

Bucky pauses. “A burger...?”

“I’ll have a classic one too,” Steve tacked on.

“Nice. And we’re splitting the bill, right?”

“Yes, Clint, we’re covering for you.”

“Thanks.”

-/-/-/-

This is the part where Bucky is pretty sure they all split off and he finds himself in one of their beds late in the night.

Instead they just, keep walking and talking with him across the town. It’s weird. They should be letting him be right now. Maybe a little bit disgusted with him considering how bold a move it is to bring all three of his lovers to the same fast food joint. Or at least a little betrayed that he’s with all three.

He’s not upset though! He could never be upset about them wanting to stay with him, wanting to be with him. He’s just confused is all.

Could be the 1940’s mentality creeping through. Poisoning his conscious with the idea that he’s a horrible person for seeking out happiness in a dreary life in this specific way. He wouldn’t be shocked if it was that, but also, he wouldn’t be shocked if he really is the scum of the earth for this. No one else is like this.

They’re still with him as he coasts through far too many thoughts in his mind at once. He’s not drowning in them but he definitely isn’t swimming against the current very fiercely either. The word loyal bounces around his mind a lot. Is he loyal. Is this loyal. Is—

“Bucky, you’re killing me.”

Bucky jolts, scrambling away from Natasha. Those words cut just a bit too deep.

She’s rubbing at her collarbones, where Bucky’s arm rested. The not human arm. The heavy and cold and annoying one.

“If you’re gonna lay down on someone with your metal arm then lay down on Steve.” There’s a slight bite to her tone.

Clint gives a snort of laughter. “Go easy on him, Nat.”

“You’re not the one with a bruised collarbone.”

Bucky retreats to Steve, laid out on his torso comfortably. There’s no complaints from him. Doesn’t even stunt his breathing much and for a moment Bucky yearns for a simpler time when Steve could probably get knocked over by a gust of wind.

That moment passes fast when there’s a hand on his back rubbing lazy circles. It’s nice. So nice. So easy and plain and layman but it’s just, so pleasant. It lets him untense if nothing else, a sigh working through his body as he relaxes in the calm of the moment.

Someone’s playing with his hair.

He blinks open eyes he hadn’t realized he’d closed. That lazy amber sunset has faded into moonlight streaming in. Steve is asleep under him, hand still resting on his back.

“Nat?” Bucky’s voice is a groggy sound.

“You’re a light sleeper,” Natasha said, almost humoured.

“You knew that.”

“I know, try and go back to sleep.”

She spares a kiss to his cheek.

He gives a small okay and closes his eyes.

Natasha is still toying with his hair as he fades out.

-/-/-/-

Bucky wakes up in bed almost alone.

Clint is laid out beside him, cup of coffee in hand. He glances briefly to a very dishevelled looking Bucky, “So that’s why you never stay the night when we hook-up.”

Bucky groans out a mild, “Shut up, Clint.”

“Naw.”

“Where’s Steve?” Bucky drags himself up and sways his legs over the edge of the bed as he speaks. He’s still half asleep.

“Kitchen. Making breakfast.”

“Nat?”

“Talking to Steve.”

Bucky falters, then speaks, “No one left?”

There’s a pause, “No...? Did you want us too?”

Bucky doesn’t answer.

“We can go if you want, me and Nat can leave you with Steve if you’ll feel less weird about it.”

Bucky’s just confused. He shakes his head.

“Cool.” Clint sidles up next to him and offers him a hand on the shoulder, “You want anything on your pancakes?”

“Pancakes?”

“My idea.”

“Butter and maple syrup then, maybe some whip cream.”

-/-/-/-

Bucky comes to the conclusion that he can be loyal to all three of them after they spend more days all together.

It’s not a normal thing by any stretch, god no, they all have their own lives and their own homes and don’t revolve around each other.

But they do gravitate to Bucky in their own ways and Bucky easily sticks to them like glue whenever they drop by. They return the hospitality tenfold in their own way if Bucky is coming to them when he needs them.

Natasha usually likes to settle with a blanket and a movie and gentle things that betray her sharpened demeanour. Clint is always ready with crappy food that tastes almost nostalgiac even if he didn’t have it back then (except spam). Steve likes to simply sit with Bucky beside him, leaning on him, taking as much presence as he needs.

They’re crucial, all of them are, he needs all of them.

And that’s... Okay.

He’s not going behind their backs to see another. They all knew from day one. They’re all buddy buddy with each other whenever they meet and hang out. It’s almost odd, almost offputting, almost wrong.

But it’s also nice. Really nice. Even nicer that he won’t be hunted for sport for wanting this like he would’ve all those years ago.

He wears a ring on one finger for Steve, eternal and unbreakable bonds made physical (they match and Bucky can only hope Steve was lying about the cost). He wears purple for Clint’s sake, they’re casually dedicated so there’s no need to break the bank (Clint got a star tattoo on his shoulder after Bucky said it was fine). He wears necklace in the name of Natasha, it has her symbol as the charm and pleasant leather material (Natasha has his name engraved on the her belt for luck).

Bucky deems them symbols of good fortune, proof that this is real, that it isn’t all going to come crashing down on him. The nagging fear that it will still festers in the back of his mind, picks at edges that are frayed. That he really did fail, that his loyalty is false and not enough for them, that they’re waiting to ditch him.

Steve just holds his hand a little bit tighter whenever he voices those fears and says something sweet and saccharine that warms the chilling fear. Natasha makes sure he understands such a notion is nonsense as she holds one hand in each of her own. Clint takes the more upfront method of grabbing his face and kissing him followed by a quaint assurance of “shoot me if I ditch this.”

He’s quick to nod in response every time, letting the words wash over him and clean out the buzzing fear.

-/-/-/-

Bucky Barnes has one husband, one friend he knows inside out, and one girlfriend (whose boyfriend is the same friend he fucks).

He’s found a way to be loyal to all of them.

They’re all loyal to the promise of this never ending as well.

In the process, he’s eliminated most every worry of disloyalty.

Whenever it returns they let him be loved however he needs.