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Sam put down two more bowls onto the counter, letting Sarah take them over to the breakfast table.
The boys were already sitting ready, waiting their mom and uncle to sit down and join them.
"Anyone seen Bucky up yet?", Sam asked, watching the empty seat in irritation.
"Nope," Sarah said, "He's probably still sleeping, leave him alone until after breakfast.
Sam nodded, throwing a worried glance towards the corridor. Bucky wasn't one to oversleep. He was usually already sitting in the living room when the others got up.
Although, Sam mused, finally Bucky had finally gotten some good sleep after years and years of insomnia.
Maybe Sarah was right. He'd leave Bucky alone for another hour.
...
Sam cleared the last of the breakfast items from the table and gave both boys a light ruffle over the head before they headed out the door and Sam headed towards Bucky's room.
It was almost eight o'clock. Bucky was normally up at five or something.
"Buck?", Sam asked as he knocked at the door.
There was no answer.
Weird.
"Bucky, are you alright in there? Can I come in?"
Still no answer.
Sam bit down on his lip. Either he went in there without consent, risking a number of bad reactions from Bucky, or he didn't go in there, risking that Bucky was in trouble and not being able to answer him.
Ultimately, Sam decided for the former option, gently pushing down the handle and opening the door.
"Bucky?", he said, "Are you in here? I'm coming in now, okay? It's fine, I just want to make sure you're alright."
There was still no answer. Sam sighed and opened the door fully.
The light was out but there was already sunlight filtering in through the curtains.
"Bucky?", Sam asked another time.
He took a few steps inside, eyes still adjusting to the semi-darkness.
Something cracked under his shoe.
Sam bent down and picked up a small orange bottle.
Medication?
Lemborexant
Sam recognised that name. It was some kind of sleep-medication.
The bottle was dated to a few days ago. It was empty.
Bucky wasn't up.
Fuck.
Sam threw the bottle to the side, jumping towards where the bed was.
Bucky was there. Lying completely still. Sam couldn't see if he was breathing.
"Sarah! Call an ambulance!", he yelled through the house.
"Sam?!", he heard her shout back, followed by hurried footsteps.
"S'm?"
He turned back, almost giving himself whiplash in the process.
Bucky was awake. Staring at him groggily but awake.
"Why're you screamin'?", he asked, pushing himself up on his elbows.
"You almost scared me to death, Bucky!", Sam yelled just as Sarah appeared in the doorway, phone already pressed to her ear.
"Sam what is going on?", she asked, looking worriedly between Bucky and Sam.
"'m fine," Bucky grumbled, "Jus' took some pills to sleep."
"Some?! Bucky you emptied an entire bottle!", Sam yelled.
"'m fine," Bucky just said again, looking up and behind Sam to Sarah.
"It's fine. I'm sorry for scaring you, Sarah," Sam said over his shoulder. She shook his head and turned to leave.
"Bucky you overdosed!", Sam insisted, "How are you fine?"
"Supersoldier metabolism I guess," Bucky answered, his eyes finally clearing somewhat from the haze of sleep.
"Never do that to me again, okay?!", Sam asked, the adrenaline somewhat subsiding now that he knew Bucky was fine.
"I'll try," Bucky agreed, "I just wanted to sleep Sam."
"I know. I know, Bucky, but you can't do this."
Bucky gave a tired nod, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Still up for breakfast?", Bucky asked with a lopsided grin.