Chapter Text
Earlier today, Bucky had gone out to drink his heart out because his girlfriend Sinthea broke up with him. Steve had a bit of booze himself but that was because it‘s never fun to sit and watch your best friend have a mental breakdown while downing shots.
Steve never liked Sinthea much anyways, she was too sassy, too sly, too ignorant — just overall too much. He doesn’t even know what Bucky saw in her because she is not Steve’s type and he doesn’t think Bucky actually likes girls like her.
Bucky and Sinthea breaking up was probably the highlight of his week. Though drinking till midnight was not a good idea, Steve already had a throbbing headache ever since they left the bar and a drunk Bucky was probably the last thing he needed.
“C’mon Buck, don’t be a pain in the ass.” Steve dragged his drunk friend through the hallway of his apartment building. The bar they went to was right across the street from Steve’s apartment so he was willing to let Bucky stay for the night because there was no way in hell that he’s gonna let his barely-able-to-walk friend drive home, that’s just a hazard.
“Me? Pain in the ass? Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not gay.” Bucky giggled as he leaned against the wall, trying to hold his weight. Steve stared at him, obviously hurt from the remark but decided to ignore how one phrase managed to hurt him.
“I’m not gay.”
If Steve wasn’t drunk he’d probably already carried Bucky inside, ignoring his antics. “Oh yeah because this is all about you and Sinthea.” Steve jabbed a mean finger at Bucky’s chest.
Bucky seemed to be offended, his smile turning into a scowl. “It always had been! I don't even know why you came.”
“Is that how you thank me?” Steve raised his voice, his neighbors were the last thing on his mind right now.
“Thank you?! You’re that full of yourself to think that you did some good deed just cause you accompanied me? Jeez, Rogers..”
That was it.
“Y’know what Barnes? I came with you, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR OWN SAFETY.”
The brunette let out a scoff but didn’t say anything. Steve grabbed him by the collar, bringing Bucky up to his height, “If you think that you’re so much better without me, then be my fucking guest.”
Bucky stared at him before grinning maniacally, “You know damn well that I am.” He said, his tone piercing Steve’s heart.
Steve’s breath hitched, he dropped Bucky on the ground. He clenched his jaw and bit his lip,
You don’t mean that. You can’t.
Bucky sloppily got up and stumbled down the hallway, leaving Steve in a state of shock and heartbreak.
.
Bucky stormed out of the apartment lobby, uncaringly stepping onto the road— I mean who could be around to witness his drunk shenanigans at this hour? “Fuckin’ Steve..” he grumbled as he wandered around, his vision itself was blurry and his legs were just taking him to places he could care less about.
But he should’ve at least cared about his surroundings.
ScREeCh!
He heard an ear piercing screech and a long honk, when he turned to look at where the noise came from.. it was too late.
Suddenly he was on the ground, his vision more grainier than blurry and there was a constant ringing at his ears. Bucky felt like his body was heavier than it ever was, he couldn’t move. He wanted to scream for help but nothing came out. He then hears a diluted scream, a figure of a man is running towards him, the figure is talking (not to him, he doesn’t think) but he can’t make out what they're saying— it felt like he was drowning.
He couldn’t even hear an ambulance before black spots took over his vision.
—
Next Day
Steve had trouble sleeping, he only slept for 4 hours. The entire night, he felt tired but Bucky’s words kept playing back in his mind. They’ve never fought like this, this was new. Even when they fought they never threatened each other about leaving— hell they’ve been friends for so long, it hurt to be apart.
So when morning came, Steve took his phone that was sitting on his bedside table, he didn’t bother turning on the light, he planned on going back to ‘sleeping’. His fingers brought him to his contacts page, he didn’t need to scroll to click on the call button.
He shakily brought the phone to his ear, the ever so soft ringing only made his heart beat faster. “Please pick up, please.” He whispered desperately.
“Hey, this is James Barnes, for whatever reason I’m unable to pick up the phone right now. Please leave a message.”
Steve didn’t even realize that he had tears in his eyes until they started flowing down his cheeks.
He threw his phone on the bedside table. He sat up on his bed, staring into nothingness, he tried to come up with ways to apologize.
One of which was to directly visit Bucky’s house.
-
When Steve stepped out of his apartment lobby, he noticed that Bucky’s car was still parked in front of the bar they went to last night, that left him puzzled, though he quickly considered that Bucky would’ve called a taxi or so.
.
Steve parked his motorbike in front of Bucky’s house. Immediately, he doesn’t see Bucky sleeping on his welcome mat— so that’s odd. His stomach knotted up, he’s getting anxious and desperate to find his best friend for some closure.
He walked up to the front door and gave it three dreadful knocks,
Silence.
He knocked again, louder. Still no response. ‘Where’s Bucky?’ He asked himself as grim scenarios made its way to his mind. He clenched his fists tightly, until his nails dug into the palm of his hand, but he barely noticed. The only thing he’s really aware of, is the sound of his heart throbbing against the cage of his chest.
Where’d he go?
-
Steve leaned his forehead against the front door, silently hoping Bucky would turn up soon. He hadn’t realized how long he’d just been standing there until someone’s fingers made its way onto his shoulder. Out of shock Steve threw a punch to whoever was behind him, “Jesus Christ, Rogers!” the figure ducked then sprang back up.
“T-Tony?” Steve breathed out, glancing down to see a familiar boy with an ‘oh so iconic’ goatee, Tony Stark— One of Bucky’s best friends, well it makes him his too but- “What’re you here?” Steve hoped that it was like ‘Bucky sent me to get you’ or something.
Tony looked at the other houses before back at Steve’s eyes, “Uh, Bucky said that we’d meet up for our history project.” Tony explained, he and Bucky were classmates for history class, “But from what I’m seeing, he's not home.” Tony tiptoed and leaned to the side, his hand reaching for the doorbell. After moments of silence, Tony looked at the ground and sighed, “I stand correctly.”
Now the two of them, awkwardly stood by the front door.
“Have you ever had Shawarma?”
“Sorry?” Steve gave him a confused look, the shorter man simply shrugged and raised his eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
Steve didn’t know why he agreed to go out with Tony but for some reason, it felt wholesome.