Three Soldiers and a Baby

Chapter One

Late mornings were not typical for Steve Rogers, but that didn't keep him from enjoying them. By now he should have been halfway through his early run before heading back home for a shower and a large breakfast. Still, a break from his normal routine was not unwelcome. After rubbing the sleep from his eyes he turned to look at the empty space beside him. This was another part of his normal routine that he wouldn't mind changing; waking up alone. There was nothing he could do about that if he stayed in bed, though, so Steve tossed aside the bed sheet and got up from the hard mattress. After finding a pair of sweatpants to pull over his boxers and a zip-up hoodie to cover his bare chest, he made his way to the kitchen.

The Brooklyn apartment was by no means as large or luxurious as the Compound, but it was everything Steve wanted in a place. The area was great and central to a lot of local business. The bedrooms were a decent size and the living room and kitchen area was a large open space with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the city. It wasn't the typical penthouse, but this entire level of the building was dedicated to just this apartment and the only way you could access the floor was by key. There were a few other security protocols set-up as well, of course. You could never be too careful. The last thing anyone wanted was an unwelcome visitor showing up at Captain America's front door. Not just his door since he also shared this space with two of his best friends and teammates. Having Sam and Bucky as roommates was just another great bonus. Well, most of the time.

Sam Wilson was seated on one of the stools by the kitchen island sipping from a glass of orange juice. His attention was seemingly fully focused on his tablet, but the second Steve entered the room all bets were off.

"Why did I move in with you people? What could have possibly possessed me to do such a thing? Desperation? Pity?" He tilted his chin upwards and pursed his lips as though really thinking about it. "Maybe I've just lost my damn mind."

Steve rolled his eyes as he poured himself a glass of orange juice and took a long sip. "What is it now, Sam?"

"Not what...who."

"Alright." Steve conceded with a sigh. "What did Bucky do now?" Sensing that this wouldn't be short, or pretty, he took a seat at the counter beside him.

Last night the three roommates had gone out to a nearby bar. Not for any particular reason other than maybe seeing Bucky off before his solo mission. A few years had passed since his stint in Wakanda and after taking some much deserved time to himself Bucky agreed, however reluctantly, to return to active duty. There were of course some concerns, but it didn't take long for Bucky to prove himself and become a powerful addition to the team. His friendship with Sam was a little turbulent at times, but it was mostly due to the fact that they enjoyed pissing each other off. A night out at a bar was usually a recipe for competition.

"You wanna know what he did?" Sam said. "I'll tell you what he did. Picture it, a beautiful Saturday morning after a night out with no hangover in sight. No missions. No plans. No responsibilities. Just me and half a pizza in the fridge calling out her siren's song to me."

Steve chuckled, but once he saw the lack of humor in Sam's eyes he cleared his throat, motioning for his friend to continue.

"So there I was, humming some Earth, Wind, and Fire as I made my way to this very kitchen when none other than the edgelord himself comes barreling into me. No shirt, no shoes, stinking of his nasty ass cologne from the night before, but wait," Sam paused, pretending to sniff the air suspiciously. "There's another scent desperately clinging to life despite the overwhelming odds."

Steve grimaced knowing what that meant. How out of it was he that he managed to sleep through the confrontation? "Okay so Bucky ate the pizza. It's not a big deal. Besides I don't remember anyone actually laying claim to the leftovers. You know the rules."

Clearly, that wasn't the end of it though as Sam raised his hand in declaration. "Oh but it didn't end there! Barnes' reign of bullshit managed to completely ravage my entire morning in the span of twenty minutes. The guy is going for a record at this point."

Apparently after eating the pizza Bucky then went on to finishing the last of the toothpaste, using Sam's towel to dry himself off after his shower, and topping it off by drinking the freshly-brewed coffee that Sam made for himself before Bucky was finally out of the door and heading for his mission briefing.

"He's back on his bullshit, Steve." Sam folded his arms in front of his chest and stared at the other man. "Tell me this isn't about that girl still." When Steve didn't answer right away Sam threw his hands in the air. "It's been two years! He can't still be hung up one girl."

It was actually closer to a year and a half, but yes Steve did think it was about that girl. They never really knew who she was, only that for awhile there Bucky was the happiest Steve had ever seen him. He spent more nights away from home and would come back in the morning with a love-struck look that not even Sam could wipe away. When asked if they could meet her Bucky would dodge the subject or say it's complicated. Turns out it was a lot more complicated than they thought when he came home one day telling them that it was over. It was Steve's hope that during one of their nights out he would find someone new and move on.

"The guy just needs to go on a couple dates and get laid." Sam suggested.

As much as Steve doubted it would be that simple he remained hopeful. "Did you see anyone leave his room this morning?" The other man snorted and shook his head, which was condescending enough to earn a unappreciative growl from Steve. "What I meant to respectively say was no. Barnes was solo this morning." A sneer exposed Sam's white teeth. "Just like you."

The blonde groaned and leaned back on his chair. He wasn't exactly doing any better when it came to finding love. There were girls he would see for a little while, but nothing that turned out to be more than just a fling. "What the hell is wrong with us?" Steve mumbled.

"What the hell do you mean by 'us'?" Sam scoffed indignantly. "Don't group me in with you two hopeless fools. I just so happen to be seeing someone."

That got Steve's attention. "Bullshit. You do? Since when? Who is it?" The barrage of questions and disbelief in his tone did little to improve Sam's already sour mood. "What the hell, Steve? Do you know who you're talking to? Look at this." Sam stood up, holding his hands out as he showcased himself with a slow twirl. Only Sam Wilson could pull off a silk robe and boxers set. "I'm a masterpiece. It was only a matter of time before I was swept off my feet and taken off the market by a beautiful woman."

If there was one thing that could be said about Sam Wilson it was that he never lacked in confidence. Steve smiled at his friend. Sure, he was still a little shocked, but genuinely happy for the guy. "That's one lucky lady. What's her name?"

"Ah-ah. Nice try, Rogers, but these lips are sealed. " He mimed zipping his lips shut and throwing away a key. "All you need to know is that she's a lady agent and she has good taste. Otherwise, I'm a man of mystery and I do not kiss and tell."

Steve frowned. "But you're always prying into mine and Bucky's love lives."

"Do as I say, not as I do, Cap."

"Yeah fine, whatever." Steve got up from his seat and made his way back to his bedroom to change. "I'm going for a run. And don't worry. I'll talk to Buck when he gets back."

"Yeah, you better." Sam called out. "Cause it he does just one more thing to piss me off, I will not be held accountable for smothering him with a pillow the next time he passes out on the couch."

**********

After three hours of running, Steve was on his way home and yet no closer to figuring out a way to help his friend. He scoffed and shook his head as he passed through the elevator doors. How could he help Bucky out of his funk when he didn't have a clue for himself? He was deep in thought as he rode up the multiple floors wishing that the answer to Bucky's happiness would appear before him. Though, when the doors finally opened to his floor, he was greeted by something that wasn't there when he left. There on the floor right outside of their door was what looked like a basket. A very particular kind of basket. One that shouldn't be sitting out front of anyone's door let alone the home of three bachelors. Before he could take a step closer, the basket started to cry.