Battle of the Besties - Stucky

Battle of the Besties

Never in his life did Sam Wilson ever expect to be competing for the title of "Captain America's Best Friend" with a greasy, former assassin from the 1930s. Living in the Avengers Tower was hassle enough between morning runs, daily mission briefings, and putting up with random shenanigans in general, so when he saw Bucky trying to move in on Steve for the role of "best friend," he knew he had to secure his place.

It was Thursday evening, so he knew that Steve would be working out in the gym down on the fifth floor. As he headed down on the elevator, he thought back to how Steve and Bucky started spending a lot of time together. A lot of time he could have been spending with Steve picking up chicks at a bar somewhere, or just being bros.

Damn, being bros with Captain America.

He pushed those thoughts aside; with Thor as his witness, he was not about to let his bro be taken away by some greasy-haired assassin. Even if he nearly shat his pants every time he made eye contact with him.

Sam walked into the gym to see Steve sweating buckets while punching a bag like it owed him three months of rent. Bucky was nowhere in sight. "Steve! What's up, man?"

Steve looked up and smiled, "Wilson, how are you?"

They exchanged a sweaty hug that made Sam thank his lucky stars that he was wearing an old shirt that he passed out in last night. "Can't complain." He looked down at the bag and smiled cheekily, "That bag though, might have a word or two." The two of them laughed before he continued. "I was actually wondering if, after you demolish me on our morning run tomorrow, you wanted to grab some coffee?"

Steve went to pick up the bag and turned to answer him, "Sounds good to me! Anywhere in particular?"

"I'm thinkin' somewhere in Brooklyn. Isn't that where you grew up?" Sam mentally high-fived himself for remembering that detail. He might not have been a history buff as a kid, but he sure as hell knew a bit about Captain America's origins.

"Sounds good to me. Usual time?"

"Yup," Sam replied, "on me." He looked at the clock and realized that it was starting to get late, "Hey, I'm gonna head to bed. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Sounds good! I'm gonna wrap up one last set." Steve bounced off to another part of the facility that included a personalized weight room for super soldiers such as himself.

He was alone, so when Sam turned around to see Bucky leaned against a pillar right by the elevator with his signature scowl on his face, he immediately knew that he was in trouble.

"Oh hey!" Sam put on a slightly forced smile; it wasn't like he hated Bucky, but he wasn't necessarily the nicest to him in the first place. Especially when they were around Steve. "How are you, man? Did you get the memo on our latest briefing?"

He stood there silently with an unwavering expression that could tear down a lesser man. Sam wasn't having this crap. He could have Natasha for a best friend, why wouldn't he let Sam have Steve?

"So, uh," he stuttered, not really knowing what to say, "I'm gonna just pass you by if you don't mind." Making his way to the elevator, he kept his eyes on Bucky who kept his eyes on Sam and didn't move whatsoever.

Right before the elevator doors closed, however, Bucky invaded Sam's space in the elevator, effectively leaving the doors open just long enough for him to whisper, "Back off, he's mine."

Bucky stepped out, and the doors closed.

Oh, it is ON Barnes.

The chilling morning air of Midtown Manhattan forced Wilson to wear his sweater which may or may not have had the Captain's star logo on it which he may or may not have worn for bonus points. He couldn't help but hear Bucky's words play in his head on repeat. There was not a chance in hell that he was about to let Barnes take over his status as Steve's best friend.