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It’s understandable to say that Bucky Barnes didn’t have the easiest of times trying to acclimatize to his new life as an Avenger. Not only because after decades under Hydra’s control he spent about two years in hiding before being forced back into the public eye by being framed for a terrorist attack he had nothing to do with, but because he had to also acclimatize to living with others. That was one of the biggest adjustments he had to overcome.
Still, little by little, he was able to rebuild some semblance of normalcy. Or he got as close to that as it was possible. Of course, his best pal Steve played a big role in helping Bucky settle down and readjust to living as a human being and not a weaponized assassin-puppet. Not only because he wanted to but because a part of him felt like he owed it to the other man since the Captain still feels somewhat responsible for what happened to the Sergeant.
After all, Bucky had always been there for him when he needed help, back when he was a scrawny kid from Brooklyn who dreamed of fighting for something bigger than himself. Because before he became the Captain America that transcended history, he was a sickly and physically fragile young man, although he already had an unbreakable spirit.
Even so, the more playful and mischievous part of Rogers likes to take advantage of some of his health issues and use them to mess with his dearest friend, like the poor circulation that he suffered, which left him with near-constant ice-cold hands and feet. That lead to little Steve Rogers often seeking to warm up his extremities by sticking them up Buck’s shirt whenever he wasn’t paying attention, making him jump and screech in the process.
And as much as Barnes tried not to get too angry at Steve since his friend already had it bad enough as it was, a part of him always hated that he did that. Thus, why he sought vengeance as soon as he had the chance, in the form of one of the first pranks that he dared to pull on Steve once he finally got away from Hydra and felt comfortable enough as his own person as well as around his best friend…
“It’s really cold tonight. Guess summer is finally over,” Steve mused out loud with a sigh.
He and Bucky had decided to take a walk around the compound grounds to breathe some fresh air as well as look at the cloudless night sky. The two men couldn’t help but stare in wonderment at the deep blue sky sprinkled with thousands of stars. Luckily for them, Upstate New York offered a great night sky view.
“Yeah, guess you’re right,” Bucky replied while he looked up, taking in the view before going through with his plan.
“Hey, Steve!”
“Wha‒”
Upon the call to attention, Rogers barely got out half a question as he turned midway before a flesh hand pulled up his sweater while a cold metal hand shoved its way underneath his clothes, landing smack dab on the middle of his warm back. As soon as he felt that abrupt change in temperature, he couldn’t help the loud yelp that left his mouth nor the startled jump that was a consequence of the unexpected action.
“What was that for?!” The Captain asked half in shock and half in irritation.
“For all the times you did the same to me back when we were kids,” replied the Sarge with a satisfied smirk plastered on his face.
“Jerk,” Steve muttered under his breath, yet he was heard by the other.
“Shut up, punk, you deserve it.”
“Whatever.”
As Rogers scoffed his reply, Barnes lightly punched him in the arm in retaliation, which prompted both men to start laughing at the absurdity of it all. At the very least, they were a little more even then.