We'll Meet Again...I Know When || Bucky Barnes x Reader

30 || Call it a Truce

There shouldn't have been any compromise needed. No terms or conditions to be added. Bucky already made a good argument: somebody out there is making super soldier serum which has already fallen into the hands of a bunch of hoodlums calling themselves 'the Flag Smashers', and if they want to prevent this from happening again, they need to find the source fast - preferably before Captain Egotistic does himself. They may not have any leads of their own yet, but they know somebody who does, so it would only make sense to go have a friendly little chat with him as their first step. That should've been logical enough for Sam and he should just consider himself lucky Bucky's even tolerating working with him on this. Why the hell do you have to be thrown into it, too?

"(Y/n) is the closest Avenger -"

"- Since when have they been an Avenger?"

"They might as well be one. They've put in the work not to mention our other options are limited seeing as everyone else practically fell off the face of the Earth following Thanos," Sam has to almost jog to keep up with Bucky who makes zero effort of slowing down for him, in fact he's actually walking as fast as 'casually' possible in hopes that he might be able to walk right out of this conversation.

"Probably because they decided they've had their fair share of shit after that. Ever think (Y/n) might feel the same?"

Sam scoffs, "What? Like retire? Now when have you ever known them to keep their nose out of stuff like this because personally I can't think of a single example. Half the time the trick is getting them to stay on the sidelines!"

'Finally something we can agree on,' Bucky huffs, desperate for this argument to end in his favor because they've both arrived at your apartment building; the same place he's been avoiding like the plague for weeks.

Sam takes no issue in entering even when Bucky hisses his name, practically begging him not to go inside yet - that there's still more to be discussed before dragging you in with all this crap. Alas, Bucky's forced to take a deep breath and swallow his nerves before reluctantly meeting Sam at the elevator just as it opens.

It's a quiet ride soured by Bucky's burning disdain towards Sam who looks absolutely slappable when he asks which floor your apartment is on, daring to throw in a comment about how he 'doesn't come here as often' as Bucky. It's actions like that which truly test the former Winter Soldier's patience.

The reasonable side of him realizes he must be overreacting and can't truly blame Sam for this since he may not know what happened between the two of you...unless you told him, of course; that thought actually makes Bucky worried. Sam and you aren't particularly close, but you're still friends. What if you did tell him about your fight with Bucky and now he's going to try getting involved? It sounds like something he'd do, and it would make sense given how often he's already brought you up in conversation. God, if Sam makes things any worse up here, Bucky swears -...This is already going to be bad enough seeing you again...

As unfazed as Bucky tries to act, he sure isn't doing a very good job. Anyone would notice the way he hesitates to exit the elevator once it arrives at your floor or how he hangs back as Sam knocks on your door - the very door that Bucky's only seen recently in his nightmares.

He could run, it isn't too late. Realistically, neither Sam nor you could catch him. He could run right back to his own apartment, barricading all the doors and windows then sitting in the dark where he just says 'fuck it' to all this super soldier shit. If Sam's suddenly such good friends with you now, the two of you can solve the problem alone. Bucky swore off being involved in your life and he's done good avoiding any possible scenario that might land him in your proximity, even holding back the urge to check your social medias to see if you've moved on in anyway or have gotten a new lover yet -