The Collection- Bucky Barnes

Just Friends ii: August

She had hopes, before succumbing to exhaustion, that sleep would be peaceful and result in her waking up well-rested and feeling a tad bit better about the whole situation. Sure, she finally dumped her piece of shit boyfriend and finally made up with her best friend after a seven-month long silent treatment on both ends. But, she's also pregnant and homeless. So. Balance.

At least, she thinks to herself, I've still got a job.

Which, when she wakes up, she decides to text Bianca to tell her she won't be in today. She needs to spend the day looking for an apartment. At some point, she'll have to go back for her clothes and stuff.

So, no, sleep was not at all peaceful. It was fitful and tiresome and left her more tired when she woke up than she had been upon falling asleep. The only solace she finds is that she's at Bucky's. They're once again in a good place and she's safe.

Last night could've gone so much worse.

When she does finally crawl out of the bed, she does text Bianca.

Hey, I won't be in today. Looking for an apartment. Update you tomorrow. 8:41am

Bianca's attempted reply is immediate. Jules sees the three dots pop, disappear, and reappear several times in the next minute. Finally, the actual message comes through.

Jules. What happened? Are you okay? 8:43am

Their relationship transcends beyond boss and employee. Having become quick friends after she got the job, Bianca was one of the closest and most constant people in her life.

I left him. Some stuff came up and I just need the day to figure it all out. Promise I'll tell you tomorrow. 8:44am.

Okay, as long as you're okay. Text or call if you need something. I'm proud of you. 8:45am.

She doesn't reply.

Leaving her phone on the nightstand, she ventures to the bathroom. What she hadn't noticed last night was the blue toothbrush in the holder right next to Bucky's green one. They'd always kept a toothbrush at the other's place. At first, it had been insurance, should they crash at the other's apartment. Then it became commonplace. And that blue toothbrush...it's hers.

He kept her toothbrush.

Tears threaten to well in her eyes and she squints them shut to force it away. She won't cry. Not over a damn toothbrush. And she can't just stand there all day and look at it. She needs to get on top of things. Resolved to not crying for the whole day, she plucks the toothbrush from the holder and starts the day. Brushes her teeth, wants to shower but realizes she has no clothes. Fuck. She'll have to go back for clothes.

Bucky knocks on the bathroom door. Her toothbrush still crocked in the side of her mouth, she looks at him through the mirror.

"Hey, found your toothbrush." He smiles. It's evident he's been up for a while already. She nods, spitting in the sink. "M'gonna make coffee. Decaf is probably best, right?"

For a moment, she forgets why he would ask that. He knows her strong aversion to un-caffeinated coffee: it's not real coffee. And then, she remembers. The baby. Decaf for the baby.

"Oh." She rinses her mouth and drops the toothbrush back next to his. "Yeah, decaf." Pulls the sleeves of his henley over her hands. "Thank you, again. For letting me stay and not slamming the door in my face."

Through the mirror, she watches his mouth pull down into a confused frown. He leans his shoulder against the frame of the door, eyes boring into hers through the reflective glass. "Why would I have slammed the door in your face?"