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"Hey, doll!" Steve heard someone yell at pretty lady. He assumed that she was dating the boy. However, when he looked at the dame, she rolled her eyes and was pointedly looking away from him, and heard the boy continue to yell names at her. After a couple more "dolls" and "sweethearts" it turned more into "bitch".
"Hey, leave her alone!" Steve yelled at the boy.
"What are ya gonna do about it, pal?" He got in Steves face, towering over his smaller frame, seemingly ready to fight. Despite how skinny Steve was, he was always ready to fight anyone, no matter how strong the other person is. He went to swing at the boy but he stopped his fist and shoves him to the ground and kicked his side. Steve winced and started gasping.
Before the other boy could hurt him anymore, a young man stepped in and shoved him. The boy raised his fist against the young man, who had to be at least 6' and was a head taller than the asshole. Steve didn't have any common sense, and even he knew that was stupid.
The boy swang at the taller boy. He caught his fist and returned the gesture, catching the boys jaw and sending him to his ass.
"Fuck off, Jack," and fuck off he did.
The taller boy then reached his hand out to Steve, "I'm Bucky," he stated with a smile that could rival the sun.
"'M [Redacted]" Steve took his much stronger hand and was pulled up like he weighed nothing. He didn't, but the way Bucky made it seem so effortless seemed unfair.
He had to look up to see Bucky's face, which he was used to having to do with everyone considering he was only 5'4. Bucky was about 6', which again, didn't seem very fair. His face was perfectly angled, he had a slight bit of stubble and a beautiful, pink mouth. His silver eyes stared down into Steve's. His medium brown hair was slicked back with gel.
"You're starin', [Redacted]," he didn't sound mad, instead used to it.
"Sorry," his gaze moved to the ground as he stepped back.
"It's fine, sweetheart, I'm used to it," he winks with a chuckle. Gods, that laugh was so sexy. Steve was totally fucked.
"Wanna be friends, doll?" Steve was even more fucked.
"Sure."
From then on, they were completely attached by the hip, even after Steve came out to Bucky as trans, even after he came out as queer. That was until January 1945, when Bucky fell off the train.
~~~~~~~~~~
Steve had learnt Bucky was alive, and that SHIELD was infiltrated and ran by the very people he was prepared to give his life to kill.
Steve had to go to a store to pick get some groceries, and this was where he ran into his undead friend.
Their chests collided and sent both of them back a few steps. Steve will thank Dr Erskine and Howard Stark, may they rest in peace, for the serum until the day he dies. To be honest, he isn't fully convinced he can die.
"Ah, shit, I'm sorry." Bucky's voice sounded wounded, weak, quiet. Fuck, it hurt seeing him, hearing him, knowing this is what his best guy had been reduced to.
"No, it's ok."
Bucky lifted his head and recognition flashed through his moody, grey eyes. And then fear. He dropped his head to the floor. What the fuck did HYDRA do to him?
"Do you think we could... meet up somewhere and catch up?" Steve's voice sounded hopeful, he wanted his childhood best friend back.
"Uh... Yeah- Yeah, sure..."
"Cool, awesome... When're you free?" Was that mean to ask? How would Bucky even have a job? He can't talk to anyone really, either.
The ex-assassin let out a pained chuckle, "When am I not free?"
"Hah... Yeah... Sorry for asking." The blond felt like a complete and utter dickhead. He was supposed to care about Bucky, not hurt or offend him. He was supposed to help him.
"No, it's fine, I get you were just try'na be polite. When are you free?" The soldier sounded very... hesitant, like he knew he recognised Steve but he didn't want to.
"Uh... I think I should be from 12 tomorrow."
Bucky let out another pained chuckle, "Good, gives me a reason to get up before 12 then..."
~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was dressed in a t-shirt, drawn tight over his chest, emphasising his biceps and abs, and a pair of blue jeans. He had taken an half an hour to brush his hair and teeth. He wanted to look his best for his first proper hang out with his old best friend since the train incident. Or if that doesn't count, then since the double date to Stark Expo.
He shakily brought his arm up to knock on Bucky's door. It took 3 knocks for him to open the door. He was in sweat pants and a sweater, his usually greasy hair was now washed and tied back into a pony tail. He had two strands framing his face. Even his eyes seemed to be brighter.
Steve noticed that Bucky didn't have much, only the necessities. A fridge-freezer, counter space with a sink, a stove, two cupboards and a couple shelves, a couch and a mattrass.
"Hey, Captain." His voice sounded playful, and honestly, it sent a warmth through Steve's chest. It made him so fucking happy knowing that Bucky recognised him.
"Sargent," The captain laughed, "I missed you so much." He looked down and noticed a white cat at Bucky's feet. "Oh my goodness, who's this adorable little thing?" He kneeled down and held his hand out to it.
"Oh, her name is Alpine. She's a rescue." He watched Alpine back away from Steve, and saw the hint of sadness on his face. "Sorry, she isn't much of a people person."
"Seems like you two were made for eachother," Steve joked. He even got a snort out of Bucky, which he is incredibly proud of.
"C'mon in," Bucky stepped out of the way for Steve to enter the apartment.
The both walked over to the couch and sat on it, putting as much distance between them as it would allow. They sat in an awkward silence, in which Alpine jumped onto the arm of the couch and demanded attention from Bucky. He used his right arm to stroke her, very deliberately as he was on the left side of the couch.
Steve coughed to break the silence, noting Bucky's flinch, "Isn't that uncomfortable?"
The ex-assassin turned his head to Steve curiously.
"Bending like that just to fuss Alpine."
"Oh... Yeah, a little."
"Why not... use your left arm then?"
Bucky just stared at him for a minute.
"No, Bucky, I mean it. Do you want to be able to cope with what you did?" Bucky gave a small, hesitant nod. "Well then, can you just try and fuss Alpine with your left arm, for me?"
"I- Uh... Y-Yeah..." He dropped his flesh arm and hesitantly brought his left arm up to stroke Alpine's fur gently. Alpine tried squirmed away for a second and then relaxed again. The soldier was still very tense, but slowly relaxed as it became more obvious that he wasn't hurting her.
"See? You can do good with your arm." The captain's voice was just above a whisper, and he was leaning closer to Bucky.
The soldier gave a small nod, seemingly mesmerised by how calm the cat was, dispite how much pain he had caused with his metal arm.
After about 2 minutes, Bucky turned back to Steve.
"I... I think I wanna be friends again. I won't lie, I'm gonna fuck up, I'm not gonna be very touchy and I'm barely ever awake before 12 pm. But I wanna be friends."
Steve took a second to process what he said, and then another to carefully consider how he'll answer, "I 100% wanna be friends too, I missed you for so long, you were my best friend for so long. No one is perfect, everyone messes up sometimes. I don't mind you not liking being touch, I don't know what you've been through. I don't claim to know what you've bee through. I will never understand what you've been through. But I will always, always, do what I can to help you, and if you want me to try and wake you up before 12, I'll do that, if you want me to let you sleep, I'll do that too, just say the word."