Chapter Text
“What the hell were you thinking?!” Bucky screamed at Sam as soon as they were back in their apartment.
“I was doing my job. Ya know, Captain America.”
”Don’t pull that shit with me. You were reckless and you know it.”
“You’re in one piece. I’m in one piece. Mission successful.” Sam was being entirely too blasé about this for Bucky. It was making his blood boil.
“You know, when you inherited that shield from Steve, I didn’t realize you inherited his self-sacrifice streak.”
”Yeah? Well when I inherited *you* from Steve, I didn’t realize I inherited the constant nagging.”
Sam realizes his mistake as soon as the words leave his mouth. He feels an instant regret watching Bucky close himself off to him. He can no longer tell what Bucky’s thinking as he turns and walks to their bedroom.
“Fuck,” Sam whispers to himself, “Buck, I didn’t mean that.” Sam quickly follows Bucky into their room.
Bucky’s throwing clothes haphazardly into a duffel bag. Sam reaches out to grab his shoulder.
”You will lose that hand, Wilson.”
Bucky has never called him by his last name. Sam knows he’s truly messed up.
“Buck, I’m sorry,” Sam’s voice cracks.
Bucky doesn’t say anything. He just continues throwing things in his bag.
“Buck. Bucky. Baby, talk to me.”
Sam’s aware he’s begging. But he’s desperate to make this right. Bucky finishes packing his bag and brushes past Sam on his way through the apartment.
“Buck. Just stop and talk to me. You know I didn’t mean it like that.”
Bucky pauses with his hand on the door. He doesn’t turn to look at him. “I’ve gotta get out of here, Sam. Just...just give me some space, ok? Don’t call.”
And with that plea, Bucky walks out.