apartment 26C : bucky barnes

one.

It's been three months since people all over the world were resurrected from the snap and returned back to earth. It has also been three months since my old roommate Olivia moved out, she was blipped away five years ago shortly after we first moved in. I was not thrilled that she would be moving out but I understood where she was coming from, I can't even imagine how she must be feeling after her return. Finding a new roommate has been quite the journey.

"Mom, I am not just going to move out. This is a great apartment, my job is within walking distance and I love it here. It's not my fault that only weirdos are applying." I said walking up my apartment stairs, trying to juggle my phone, bagel, coffee, and keys.

"Maybe you should think about settling down with Theo and move out too. You guys could get a house and move closer to me." My mom said in a cheerful tone while I dropped my stuff on the counter when I entered the apartment.

"I have told you mother, I don't want to get married. Maybe ever but definitely not now."

"But Theo is so good for you, honey. He cares about you and obviously wants to be with you long term."

"I know, mom." I said before shortly saying goodbye and hanging up.

Theo and I started dating three years ago. He is a rich, curly brown haired, six foot guy who just has his shit together. Honestly, I just felt like I needed some sort of pick me up so when he asked me out I agreed. I didn't think that we would last as long as we have. Theo is a business man and we met through a mutual friend. He is a great guy but I am just not sure that I see a future with him, we both have hard schedules. We even have plans for dinner tonight because it's been a week or so since we last saw each other.

I opened my laptop when I walked into my bedroom to check if anyone has emailed me about the apartment yet. Two notifications popped up in my email, one was from a girl who was moving to New York for college but doesn't want to pay as much as asked for the rent while the other was from a man who was willing to pay over the amount if he could use the bathroom while I shower. I rejected both offers and huffed in annoyance as I changed to get ready for my date with Theo later.

On my lunch break earlier I called him to remind him about tonight and we talked a bit about my apartment situation and he told me about his day. Now I am getting dressed in a light blue sundress with white heels before laying back on my red couch and putting on Twilight while I waited.

By seven forty-five I started calling Theo and asked if he wanted me to just drive and meet him there since he wouldn't be able to pick me up now for our date at eight, he didn't pick up any of the six times I called.

After waiting and waiting almost two whole Twilight movies for a response, I gave up and started heading to my room to change when there was a knock at my door.

"Hey babe, why didn't you-" I started to say as I opened the door to meet a six foot two, dark haired man with light blue eyes that matched my dress.

"Oh, Hello. I'm James, well, you can call me Bucky. I read an ad for this apartment that you are looking for a roommate?" This man was absolutely breathtaking and standing at my doorstep with the newspaper that I placed the ad in his leather gloved hands. I didn't actually think anyone was going to see it in the newspaper.

"Oh, yeah! Um, sorry about that. I'm Augustine." I said smiling at the man in front of me before extending my hand to him. He must have took in my appearance because he was quick to respond about the time.

"Is this a bad time? I know it's kind of late and you seem to have plans. I can just come back tomorrow if that's okay?"

"No, right now is okay. If you want to, of course."

I open the door wider and allowed him to enter. He stepped in and I offered him to sit at the counter chairs with me in the kitchen. I offered him something to drink while he sat down at the bar stool.

"So, tell me about yourself Bucky." I said sliding him the glass of water I poured for him then leaned on the counter to face him.

"Well um, I am one hundred and six, I was snapped and now I am hoping to find somewhere to stay know that I have been pardoned by the government." I didn't acknowledge his Winter Soldier background. It was probably for the best since New York already wasn't a very kind place.

"That's cool.Well, I'm twenty six, an editor for Vogue and owner of this apartment who is in need of a new roommate." He looked at me kind of surprised by the fact that I hadn't acknowledged his past but I had already known about him, obviously.

"So, you are okay with the whole Winter Soldier past?" He asked with his eyebrows knit together with confusion.

"Yeah, why not? My boyfriend is currently standing me up so what else do I have to lose." I said before reaching for my phone and dialing a number.

"Whatcha say Bucky, do you like pizza?" He nodded his head with a smile while I called the pizza shop down the corner. The man on the phone told me it would be about twenty minutes so I went to change leaving Bucky in the kitchen. When I returned I saw him staring at the magnets on my fridge.

"You were a dancer?" He asked referring to the picture of me as a kid in a tutu and ballet slippers that hung crooked on the fridge.

"Kinda, my mom wanted me to be one but I quit less than a year after she put me in. I guess it wasn't very me." I shrugged before sitting down and putting on my tennis shoes.

"It wasn't you?"

"Mhm."

"What is?"

I smiled at him while grabbing my jacket and he followed me out the door to go pick up the pizza. Bucky and I talked about my job since he is still adjusting to modern day life. He told me about how his life has changed since returning from the snap, he was even in Wakanda for a bit which caused me to ask like a million questions.

By the time we returned back to the apartment I invited him in to eat. We ate pizza while he watched Twilight with me and laughed about how ridiculous the movie was but he did admit he enjoyed it. I know it sounds crazy to hang out with a stranger on a Friday night but Bucky wasn't half bad. He cleaned up the plates while I took out the pizza boxes.

"I think you'll be a great roommate." I said putting away the wine I had.

"So, I got the room? Just like that?" He asked turning around from where he stood at the trash can with a small smile.

"Yeah, It's really only been you and a few weird people that have applied so I figured 'Why not him?'. So, stop by tomorrow after four and I'll show you the room. I would tonight but I'm tired and I need to call my boyfriend because I have been ignoring his text all night." I said realizing I was over sharing and needed to shut up.

"Boyfriend?" He asked.

"Yeah, his name is Theo." I said putting the wine glass in the sink. "Maybe you will see him tomorrow."

"Okay, sounds great. Do you mind if my friend Sam comes to help me bring my stuff over?"

"Sam Wilson? Like Captain America?!"

"Don't tell me that you are a super fan or something?"

"No but you can't just say your friend is Captain America and not expect someone to freak out a little."

"Augustine, Steve Rodgers was my best friend!" Bucky laughed at my tipsy state when I followed up with "Ohhh yeah!"

"Goodnight, Bucky. I'll see you tomorrow." I walked him to the door.

"Goodnight, Augustine." He said standing in the doorway before heading out.

Tonight was very unexpected. Bucky was a quiet guy but a genuine sweetheart and it was nice to make a friend, considering I don't have many right now. I felt relieved knowing the roommate search was over. I just hope I don't regret it.