Chapter Text
“Steve?”
Bucky looked across the room to find a disheveled Steve Rogers trying to catch his breath. Bucky looked around expecting to notice something out of place maybe a weird shaped lamp. Steve…his childhood best friend…Captain America…the first avenger…his Steve…was no longer with him. It had been 3 years since Steve decided to live his life with Peggy. Bucky and Sam even met old Steve and even went to his funeral so why and how was Steve in front of him.
“Bucky!” Bucky was startled at first when Steve lunged towards him and embraced him in a hug but when finally processing that Steve was in front of him Bucky melted into the hug. “I’ve missed you Steve” Steve chuckled as he tightened the hug and allowed Bucky to bury his face into his neck. After a moment the two pulled away. “How are you back?”
“It took a lot of time but I time traveled back…”
“Why?”
“For you…It’s always been for you”
Bucky started to shift uncomfortably as he listened to Steve talk about the years it took him to travel back in time and his life with Peggy. How Steve at first enjoyed it and was really happy with her but the knowledge of the future and everything was always on his mind. It started to worry Peggy when Steve became more distant and stressed. He couldn’t eat, sleep, or do anything really. There were also the nights were Steve laid awake thinking about him. About Bucky…his best friend…his Bucky. It made him go crazy thinking about Bucky suffering alone while he was living his “perfect” life with Peggy.
Steve could not enjoy life so he confessed to Peggy his feelings and Peggy understood. They spent years together finding a way for Steve to return to Bucky till they did. That day Peggy and Steve had one last dance and with the help of friends both in that time and in others Steve was sent back to the present. The moment Steve returned he searched for Bucky till he found him.
“Hey Buck! I’m back! I bet you haven’t moved an inch from the cou-Steve?”
Steve’s mouth twitched a little because when Steve started to look for Bucky he ended up finding out he started to live with Sam. Sam dropped the bag he had in his hand as he did not expect Bucky to have any company over especially their dead friend.
“Hey Sam, I have company over. Steve’s back”
Sam laughed as he went up to Steve and Steve smiled as he hugged Sam back.
“Took you long. Did you and the misses get into a fight? Should I expect her to show up later looking for you?” joked Sam as he pulled away from Steve.
“I missed you too Sam”
“You sure you’re fine sleeping on the couch? Like I told you I can kick Buck out of my guest room and have him sleep on the floor”
“Shut up Sam but are your sure Steve? You can sleep in the guest room and I’ll take the couch”
“Yes, I am sure. I did show up unannounced after all”
“Okay, well sleep well”
“Good night Steve”
Steve laid awake as he tried sleeping. It had been a long time since Steve laid to sleep for a good night’s rest so within minutes his eye lids started to droop. For the first moment in a long time he felt relaxed. As Steve slowly fell asleep, a sudden crash sound woke him up.
Steve sat up looking around when he heard a door open. He heard footsteps and then another door open. Steve quietly got up and followed. As he walked closer to the room he heard whispering. Steve stood outside the room as he listened.
“What happened Buck?”
“…”
“Did you need fresh air Buck? Is that why you broke my window?”
“…I’m sorry Sam”
“It’s okay, I’ll have you replace it in the morning”
“…”
“Is there possibly something else bothering you though?”
“…I felt him. I felt that feeling. I got scared and woke up from whatever it was and accidentally smashed my hand through the window”
“It’s been a long time since that has happened”
“I know…”
“Do you think it’s because Steve returned?”
Steve quickly moved away. He did not want to hear anymore. He went back to the couch and laid there staring at the ceiling for hours. He was expecting to hear something but he did not. It was around 4am when Steve decided to get up and look into the room. When he did he found Bucky laying on the ground next to Sam. They were laying on a blanket and covered under another. Bucky was laying on his side resting his head on Sam’s shoulder as Sam laid on his back.
Steve remembers as kids the him and Bucky used to sleep together all the time but because of child innocence it was different. This was different. One thing Steve is grateful for in the future was acceptance that everyone is able to love without being discriminated. Steve sighed as his heart hurt as he watched Bucky sleep.
Bucky opened his eyes as sunlight shone into the room. He was trying to get adjusted to the light when he noticed Sam was no longer next to him yet Steve was behind him. Bucky also noticed the arm around his waist holding him in place so his back was pressed against Steve. Steve was still sleeping.
“When I woke up he was already there” Bucky looked towards the door to see Sam standing leaning against the frame. “Seems that it was mutual despite what you thought”.