Slow Dancing & Apple Pie

Nine

Nearly a month into the cohabitation with Bucky and you were still trying to get him to like you, or even just talk to you for longer than five seconds at a time without a tone of annoyance or disgust. It wasn't going very well.

"Where are you going?"

Sighing, you glanced towards where Bucky was standing in the doorway to your and Steve's bedroom. His arms were crossed over his chest, a familiar scowl on his face. "I'm going out."

"That's not what you usually wear to work."

"You're right," you answered calmly, bending over to put your shoes on.

"So where are you going?" He repeated, stepping back when you brushed past him.

Huffing, you rolled your eyes, hearing him following you down the hallway. "I'm going out with friends."

"What friends?"

You turned around to face him, studying the look on his face before you shrugged. "Why does it matter?"

"It doesn't."

"Okay then, I'll be back later."

The door shut with a snap behind you and Bucky growled in frustration. This was ridiculous. How was he supposed to take care of you like Steve wanted him too when you were so willy-nilly with your own safety. Rolling his eyes, he snatched up his leather coat and slammed out of the apartment after you.

~*~*~*~

"So, any news on Steve?" Jane asked, sipping at her drink while you didn't do anything but swirl your stir stick around in your drink.

"No," you answered with a heavy sigh.

Jane was under the impression that Steve was 'missing'. It wasn't like you could actually explain what really happened, even if you fully understood yourself what had happened. There were several different organizations and agencies that made it clear that the whole time travel aspect of what had happened to reverse the snap was something that should remain on a need-to-know basis.

The reversal had caused a whole host of new issues, so as a whole, the world was content at just accepting it had happened without pushing to much at how it had happened.

"And what about your," Jane seemed to search for the perfect word before finally saying, "New house guest."

"Bucky? The same."

Jane signaled for another drink, raising her eyebrows at you to ask if you wanted the same. You declined, you still had most of your first drink even if she was working on her third. Omegas tended to metabolize alcohol a bit differently than other designations, so, it was better for you not to consume to much. Especially when you were planning on walking home.

"I still don't understand why he's living with you in the first place."

"Bucky is Steve's best friend." And the person he loved for over seventy years. "He had disappeared in the snap, and when he came back Steve offered to let him stay with us until he could get back on his feet."

You nibbled on your stir stick, you were starting to get a headache. Trying to explain things when you couldn't really share all the details was exhausting. Looking at your watch, you pretended to yawn, downed the rest of your drink and said, "I really gotta get going. I haven't been sleeping well and all."

Jane's face was all sympathy as she reached out and rubbed her hand up and down your arm. "Of course, sweetie, I understand. I'll see you at work."

The moment you stood up, your head spun and you winced. Probably hadn't been a good idea to drink the rest of your drink so fast. But nothing you could do about that now. Pushing through the bar's door, you tucked your hands into your pockets and turned in the direction of home. A sense of loneliness was threatening to overwhelm you. While you had suspected there would be some difficulties to deal with if Bucky did return, you expected to be handling them with Steve's help.