Bucky's Roommate

Chapter 5

The first time Adel met the Winter Soldier, it was three in the morning and he just wanted chocolate milk.

He wasn't entirely sure, thinking back on it, if Bucky was somehow triggered by something or if the Soldier just felt like making an appearance. Still, that didn't dissuade the college student from peering at the assassin sitting on his couch, who, in turn, stared silently back at him. After a moment, Adel made a noise of clear disgust, something that actually seemed to surprise the other man, before disappearing back down the hall.

When he came back, he threw a soft object at the assassin, hitting him in the face, "Put some damn socks on, you psychopath."

No one moved for a moment until the Soldier did, grabbing the item to reveal grey fuzzy socks that felt soothing to touch. "The Asset does not need socks."

"The Latino doesn't care," Adel put his hands on his hips, his hair falling over his eyes since he wasn't wearing his glasses to stop it. "Put them on." Without waiting to see if he did, he marched over to the kitchen, grabbing two cups before heading to the fridge. When he turned back around, he nearly jumped a foot in the air when he saw the Winter Soldier sitting on one of his bar stools quietly. "Are you trying to kill me?"

The assassin looked at how the college student vaguely held the milk in a threatening manner and slowly shook his head, "That was... Not my intention."

Adel sighed and set the jug on the counter, turning towards the pantry for his chocolate powder. "And what exactly was your intention?" He poured some milk before carefully adding the mix, stirring it gently.

"You are up late." The soldier tilted his head when a cup was placed in front of him but ignored it for now. "I could hear you from Barnes' room."

The Latino sipped quietly at his own glass before his eyebrows furrowed in thought, "Were you... Trying to keep me company?"

The man didn't say anything for a moment, gazing down at his prosthetic arm, before looking back up, "You seemed... Distressed. I thought, perhaps, I could guard you."

"Guard me from what?" Adel tilted his head in question, stirring his chocolate milk in his cup.

"Whatever was bothering you. I... Do not know much about dreams," The Soldier pulled a face as if that statement alone was painful to say. "But if there is someone you would like me to take care of, I can assist you."

Adel stared at the man for a moment before nodding slowly, "I'll keep that in mind. Unfortunately, it's not something you can help me with right now. I told Bucky about my aunt before, the one that inspired me to try and become a nurse. Did you happen to listen in on that?" After receiving a nod, he continued, "She has tuberculosis, caught it from one of her patients. My mom just called me, her fever hasn't dropped and... She doesn't think she's going to last the week..."

"Where is your aunt now?" The Soldier asked, lightly tapping his cup with his metal hand.

"West Virginia," Adel sat down on the barstool next to him, cushioning his head on his arms as he sighed heavily. "My mom's with her but... Dammit, I wish I was, too. With school and rent, I'm barely scraping by as it is."

The assassin didn't speak as he reached a hand over, lightly running it through the Latino's hair. He was expecting the man to flinch away from his touch like he did with Barnes but was pleasantly surprised when he didn't. Instead, the college student leaned into his touch, his shoulders sagging like a weight was taken off of him. "You should head back to bed now, Adel. It is nearing four in the morning."

Adel sighed once again before sitting up, rubbing his face with one hand, "Fine but don't let Barnes wake me up, okay? I think I might actually kill him."