Maybe We're Just Meant to Be

Company

Sam wasn't used to living with others. I mean sure, he had to deal with living with Steve for a few months while they were looking for Bucky and at the compound the others were constantly around but this was different. He hasn't really lived with anyone since before the air force and he kind of regretted telling Steve that he could come live with him if he needed- or wanted. He hadn't actually expected Steve to say yes and he never would have thought that he'd be taking in two super soldiers.

But there they were three months later, with Steve and Bucky having their owns rooms and routines. By now, Sam had just gotten used to them always being around.

Things were different today though. It was later than usual when Sam rolled out of bed and into the kitchen. It was empty and Sam would've thought that Bucky and Steve were still sleeping except that the coffee in the pot was still warm. He called for them and even looked in their bedrooms when he got no answer. He checked his phone to see that there were no new messages and decided to just wait until they returned. It was Saturday so Sam didn't have work and he had nothing planned for the rest of day.

When Steve and Bucky finally came through the door, it was about 11:00. Sam was sitting on the couch drinking his second cup of coffee while the pair waved to him before quickly taking off their shoes. Sam had a thing about cleanliness and since he was the only one who would clean up around the house, he insisted that they not track mud in.

So maybe they got on his nerves sometimes and he'd never admit it but he missed not having them around all morning.

"Hey, what's up?" Sam asked.

"Just went for a quick run and then grabbed breakfast," Steve answered while taking a seat on the couch.

Sam raised an eyebrow at Steve. He and Steve had been running together for a while now and it was a little upsetting that he wasn't invited. "Oh cool," he replied. "Makes sense to go with someone who can actually keep up with you," he tried to joke but what came out sounded much more bitter.

Steve frowned. "You know it's not like that Sam. I love running with you and honestly the only reason we went without you is because you were still asleep when we got up. You've been working so hard lately and I didn't want to wake you," he explained.

Sam smiled just a bit at that. It's not that he's jealous of Bucky but sometimes he needs to know that he's just as important to Steve. "I know you like running with me but it must be easier with Bucky, seeing as how the two of you are both super soldiers," Sam stated and took another sip of coffee.

Bucky walked into the kitchen and grabbed some water. He glanced at the two of them. "I'm gonna go take a shower. I'll be back in a bit," he told them before he walked to the bathroom that he and Steve share. It was strange for Bucky coming back and realizing that he wasn't Steve's only friend. That the Avenegers were Steve's family. That Sam had been there for him when he couldn't be and that the two of them were just as close as he and Steve used to be.

Things were different now- for all of them- and they each had to deal with that in their own way.

"Sam-," Steve began before Sam cut him off by simply putting a hand up. Steve just rolled his eyes and continued, "Anyways, I have to leave for New York later today. Could you um...?" Steve looked away sheepishly.

Sam smiled. "Of course, Steve. Don't worry about it. I'll feed him and make sure he doesn't burn down the house or take off while you do your 'thing' in New York," Sam assured him and winked when he said thing. "But I really don't think you need to worry about him anymore. He's a lot better."