Chapter Text
Bucky looked out the window of his apartment and saw his best friend (and crush) of three years approaching. Reluctantly, he raised his vibranium arm to wave, only to find out he didn’t attach it properly in his grief, and it started swinging too fast. Once he had it properly attached, he opened the door to greet Sam.
“Please, come in,” said the Hen butler. Bucky hated that thing with a passion; it sounded way too much like Jarvis. Sam gulped and pulled some of his luggage into Bucky’s space. He turned to the Winter Soldier (although he didn’t go by that anymore) and pulled him into a nice hug.
“I’ve just been so lonely since Alpine somehow got out,” Bucky said, stepping out of the hug.
“She just got brave and went on an adventure,” Sam said, trying to comfort his friend with a little humor. “That cat loved you, man. She’ll find her way home.” Bucky just stared at him for a few minutes. Finally, he moved to get Sam settled.
“Let’s finish moving you in. It’s a one-bedroom place, I never thought I would need a roommate, especially not under these circumstances. You’ll have to share with me, but if she comes back soon like you said, it shouldn’t be an issue.” Bucky moved through his humble abode, back to Sam, so he couldn’t see the hint of a smile on his face. What could he say? Sharing a bed with your crush was a huge thing!
“This’ll be the best sleepover ever, Buck,” Sam said, using the nickname he had been recently granted.
“Totally.” There was a knock on Bucky’s door, which was a rare occurrence. Sam followed him, seeing a very patriotic man on the other side.
“Can I help you?” Bucky said, face as straight as ever.
“Hi!” the patriot said. “I’m your neighbor, Steve! It’s nice to see someone moving in, this place has been empty for a while…” he trailed off, fidgeting with the badass studded belt looped around his American-esque blue jeans.
“I’ve lived here for ten years,” Bucky responded. Sam quickly took over, making sure Bucky didn’t scare the neighbor off.
“I just moved in. Bucky here works a lot, so it makes sense you may not have seen him. Thank you for the welcome,” he stuck his hand out for Steve to shake, bumping Bucky with his hip to have him do the same.
“Sorry about that, I guess I haven’t been that observant,” Steve said while shaking both their hands at the same time. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come over and knock!” Steve walked away, and Bucky closed the door.
“He was pretty nice, Buck,” Sam said, trying to ease the tension in the room.
“Yeah, not too bad looking either,” Bucky responded, walking to his kitchen to get a drink, leaving Sam stunned in place, feeling a pain in his heart. Bucky Barnes had never been the type to make a comment like that, especially not after having just met the person! Is Bucky even into me? Sam thought. He always felt like something we there because of how they would subtly flirt on Skype. He didn’t know if he would tell him he’s in love with him, and while pondering the situation, Bucky returned, having poured Sam his own glass.