Bucky walked out of the bathroom wearing black skinny jeans and a red and black flannel shirt.
Sam frowned. "Did you get the neighbors twelve year old to dress you?" he asked, his eyes setting on Bucky's combat boots.
Bucky shrugged. "I thought this was fashionable."
Sam shook his head. "I don't know if I have anything to say."
Bucky shrugged. "Wanna grab coffee with me?"
Sam knew that there had to be a catch. Since when did Bucky leave the house? (Unless it was for the weekly farmers markets, and to be honest, Sam almost didn't believe that Bucky even left the house for that.)
Bucky raised a brow. "Takin' that as a no-"
"I'll come along."
Bucky nodded. "Starbucks-"
"Yeah. That's closest. Maybe you should add a beanie to your look."
Bucky looked at him with his usual serious expression. "You think that would... look good?"
"Sure."
"Maybe I will get one. Not today. Steve didn't leave me much money this week. I want to work to help him out" he admitted.
"I uh... don't want to be rude, but... Steve doesn't expect you to get a job and support him."
Bucky frowned. "And Steve..." he stopped.
"Hey, you can talk to me" he said, slipping his shoes on.
"Steve tells you this?"
He nodded. "Of course he does."
Bucky looked at the ground.
"What's up? Talk to me."
Bucky shook his head. "Let's just get coffee."
Sam nodded. He was sure he would be able to get Bucky to spill the beans if he had coffee. Pun decidedly intended.
Sam felt unnerved by the fact Bucky was so quiet while walking down the road. Ridiculously quiet. And he had that serial killer look. "You feeling okay?"
Bucky nodded.
"You nervous about Steve?"
He looked at Sam with that same expressionless glare he had going. "I know he is doing fine."
Sam nodded. After all, all he was doing was having a meeting with Tony and the other Avengers. How bad could it be. "Um... looking forward to getting a new arm if it all goes well with Tony?"
Bucky shook his head. "I don't know if I want my arm back. I don't... like what it represented. And being... like this doesn't bother me."
Sam nodded. "Fair enough." He stepped inside the Starbucks, looking at the menu board. He would just order the usual cappuccino.
Bucky looked at the menu. "I'll just stick with a latte."
"So predictable."
"Whatever you say Mr. I'll just have a cappuccino."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Fine. Today, I am gonna get an iced white chocolate mocha."
Bucky blinked a few times. "A what iced mocha?"
"I dare you to get something different. Boring fucking latte-"
"I'm going to get a green tea latte."
"That still has latte in it."
He shrugged. "It also has green tea, not coffee."
"You have no idea what that is, do you?"
"Its green tea. With milk. It'll do."
Sam shook his head. He stepped up to the counter and ordered for both of them. Before he could pay Bucky thrust the money that Steve had given him in the general direction of the counter. Sam looked at him. "You sure?"
Bucky nodded. "I feel like Steve would approve."
Sam chuckled. "Okay."
The lady passed him back the change. Bucky pocketed it as he followed Sam to a booth. "I should have bought food. I am starving."
"Hey, I wonder what the percentage of organic the food is here?" Sam smirked.
Bucky rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"So, why do you feel you have to support Steve?"
Bucky sighed. "Doesn't matter."
"Is this about... before all this?" Sam prompted.
Bucky looked at the table, tracing the slight wooden pattern in the table. "When we were back in Brooklyn... I always took care of him. He means the world to me. I'd do anything for him."
Sam smiled.
"Sam?!"
"Hold that thought, I'll grab the drinks."
Bucky nodded, his hand moving up to his left shoulder, rubbing it lightly.
Sam walked back over with the drinks. "Causing you trouble?"
"No." He looked over at a child who was staring at his lack-of arm.
Sam looked at the kid. "They tend to be a little curious" he said, looking back at Bucky. "So, you just wanna take care of Steve like you used to?"
Bucky nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"No comment."
Bucky looked at his drink, not looking back up.
"Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."
Bucky nodded. "I guess I..." He picked up his drink and sipped it. He nodded.
Sam felt like slapping himself. He had almost gotten Bucky to open up a little but nope. Not this time. "How's it?" he asked, looking at Bucky's drink.
Bucky nodded. "Good." He slid the cup to Sam. "Try some."
"Yeah?"
Bucky nodded. "Yeah."
He picked the drink up. Well, it had to be better than that kale smoothie. He sipped it and nodded. Not his cup of tea, literally and figuratively, but if Bucky liked it, that was all that mattered. He passed it back. "Different."
Bucky nodded. "Its good. Thanks for daring me." He sipped the drink again.
Sam decided that it would actually be a great idea to drink his own drink. He sipped it, the overwhelming sweetness hit him like a bus. "Not bad" he murmured appreciatively.
Bucky raised a brow.
"You want some?"
He shook his head. "No thanks."
"Ah, you think I could ask you a question?"
"Sure" Bucky shrugged a little.
"Um... were you and Steve... back then-?"
Bucky choked on his drink.
Great work Sam. Just kill Bucky before Steve gets back. He sat there watching Bucky cough for what felt like five minutes (more like twenty seconds tops) before he composed himself.
Bucky looked at him. "Don't you dare think of making a move on him."
Sam was surprised. He probably would have choked on his drink if he had been drinking it at that moment. "This ain't about that kind of thing. I just wanted to understand you guys a little better."
Bucky shrugged noncommittally. He finished his drink. "I think we should go."
"You had enough?"
He nodded. "I feel so out of place."
Sam nodded. Although Bucky looked like a couple of the other twenty-somethings in similar outfits. "I think you should wear your hair in a man bun."
"Sounds stupid" Bucky said, dismissing the idea.
"People buy clip on ones, you have the real hair for one."
Bucky stopped walking. "You know, in that case, I might consider it."
He smirked. "Thought you might."