Bucky woke to the smell of smoke and the screeching sound of sirens.
"Wilson?" He pulled the blanket over his face.
No response. Bucky sat upright on the couch, blinking to clear his vision.
"Hey Sam," he shouted."I think there's a fire."
"I know!" An irritated shout travelled from the kitchen.
Bucky rolled his eyes and got off the couch. "You could have just called for breakfast."
"Just shut up and come help me!" Sam's voice carried a hint of panic.
Bucky tossed on a shirt and ran into the kitchen. Smoke was billowing from the toaster. The fire alarm blared while glowing flames masqueraded burnt bacon. Fire licked against the walls, climbing towards the roof.
"What happened?" Bucky grabbed a lid and threw it on top of the frying pan.
"Fight fire now, talk later," Sam grabbed a fire extinguisher and started dousing the flames. The fire danced but continued to fester.
"It's not working," Bucky yanked the water hose from the sink and started spraying it at the wall.
"Yeah, I can see that!"
Hazy smoke filled the room. Bucky started coughing furiously as they continued to tame the reckless fire.
"Man, come on!" Sam's voice was raspy from the smoke.
"We have to get out," Bucky started for the exit.
"Dude, this is my home," Sam turned back towards the fire.
Bucky grabbed his arm. "Seriously?"
Sam glared at him.
"Move. Now." Bucky said calmly.
They fumbled through the smoke until the cool morning breeze relieved their lungs.
Sam's home was now visibly smoking from the outside. The fire trucks rolled up, their sirens alerting the neighbourhood to the commotion.
A half hour passed. The fire did not seem to weaken. Bucky sat on the curbside while Sam paced anxiously.
An hour later, the chief came to talk to Sam. Sam rubbed his neck as the chief delivered the outcome. Moments later, he walked over and planted himself on the curb next to Bucky.
"So?" Bucky starred at the charred home.
"Severe damage. It will take months to repair - and a lot of money. Insurance might cover some, but, it doesn't look good."
"I'm sorry man."
Sam laughed. "You think that homeless shelter of yours has an extra bed?"
Bucky smiled softly. "Only if you tell me what happened."
Sam shrugged. "Accidents happen."
"What kind of accident?"
"You don't get to know that."
"No bed then."
"Alright. Alright. I got.. scared."
"Scared?"
"I saw something. It was scary. I panicked."
Bucky stifled a laugh. "What was so scary?"
Sam noticed that the chief was returning and stood up. "Oh no, end of conversation, I'm not telling you that."
In his hands, the chief held a few items. A small duffel bag that appeared to have a few items in it, and on his arm, the shield.
"Not sure that this belongs to you," the chief said, raising the shield.
"It was given to me by a friend," Sam said evenly.
The chief seemed to chew on the words. "You are friends with Captain America?"
"He's telling the truth," Bucky inserted.
Sam shot a look at Bucky.
The chief watched Sam with suspicion. "I have half a mind to turn this into a museum."
"That would be a bad idea."
Bucky coughed into his fist. "Give him the shield."
Begrudgingly the chief handed over the shield. "If you really do know Captain America, you may want to keep a better watch over his shield."
"Yeah, I got that."
He tightened his jaw as if to say some other comments, but decidedly chose not to and walked away.
Sam kicked the duffel bag to the side of the road and leaned the shield up against it.
"That went well," he laughed. "My house is gone, and now I might be a suspected thief. It's not even nine in the morning."
"I have an idea," Bucky ventured.
"And I'll stop you right there." Sam stepped towards him. "Your last idea involved breaking into my home to avoid being suspicious. That doesn't sit well with me."
"Okay. But I think this one is better."
"Thirty seconds Barnes."
Bucky glanced back at the smoking ruins. "We get an apartment together. In New York."
Sam blinked. "Together? As roommates?"
Bucky shrugged. "You need a place. So do I."
"Do you think we'd last a week without killing each other?"
Bucky stuck out his good hand. "Last to walk out gets the apartment to himself."
"Oh, it's on!" Sam seized his hand and shook it.
Bucky released his firm grip and looked at his new roommate's old house. "Guess we better start house hunting."
"Yeah, and since my car was destroyed in the fire, we are taking your bike."
"Your car wasn't destroyed," Bucky protested.
Sam grabbed the shield and his bag and bolted across the road. "You owe me this."
Bucky rolled his eyes. "Then I get the bigger room."
"Nice try."
The purr of the motorcycle filled the empty street as the two of then rode further into the city. The scent of gasoline and burnt rubber filled Bucky's nose as the screeching wheels navigated the ever crowding roads. Trucks rumbled past with oversized loads, while minivans beeped madly at reckless taxis. Bucky gripped the handles and accelerated, weaving through the traffic. He pulled into a small space next to a cafe which advertised 'free wifi'.
He dismounted, unbuckled his helmet and chucked it on the handles. Sam followed, pushing his sunglasses on to the top of his head. "This is the place?"
"This is a place," Bucky pushed opened the door. Chimes jingled as the aroma of freshly ground coffee lured them into the room. It was naturally lit, sunlight warming the brick walls and ferns soaking up the daylight. Televisions mounted on the wall showcased the latest traumas of New York City. A few baristas lazily prepared drinks for clients, while businessmen chatted with customers and women gossiped in the corner.
"Looks like a generic cafe," Sam noted.
"Exactly," Bucky pulled out a chair and sat down. "Hard to stand out when you look the same as everyone else."
Sam sat down across from him, pulling out his phone. "Okay, let's see what's affordable."
A girl with heavy eyeliner and a thin black ponytail approached them. "A coffee with sugar?"
"Thanks, Hannah," Bucky nodded. "Make it two."
"No sugar in mine," Sam cut in, momentarily looking up from his phone.
After she had left, the boys continued to search for a place.
"Found something. Two bedrooms, one bath, one parking spot. 4000 a month," Sam listed.
"What area?"
"Tribeca."
"Uhh," Bucky scrolled on his phone.
"You can't expect to find a place in Brooklyn for less than that," Sam argued.
"I know. Doesn't mean that I can't try."
"Have anything better?"
"Not yet."
Two cups appeared next to them as they were perusing the listings. The sunlight in the cafe faded to a soft evening glow as the day met the early hours of the evening. Bucky's eyes watered from the constant staring at the screen. Sam shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"Hey," Sam passed his phone to Bucky. "This one may be worth checking out."
Bucky grabbed the phone and read the description. 'Two beds, one bath, two parking spaces, utilities included. 1500 a month, Queens.' He put down the phone and rubbed his eyes.
Sam leaned back in his chair. "It's not Brooklyn."
Bucky nodded. "It's something. Something is better than nothing."
Sam snatched the phone and clicked away at the screen. "Just emailed the realtor. Hopefully, we hear back soon."
Bucky looked into his empty coffee cup. "We should probably get going."
"Where to?"
Bucky tugged on his jacket and started moving towards the door. "You may have joked about the homeless shelter, but I am not."
"Man, really?"
"It could be worse, you could be actually homeless."
"I am homeless." Sam corrected, stepping out into the cold.
Bucky attached his helmet and mounted his bike.
"Not for long."
They hopped onto the bike and rode off in the direction of the shelter. They rolled the bike into a storage shed.
"How long have you had this for?"
Bucky kicked out the stand and dismounted. "A couple of months. I keep most of my stuff here."
Sam surveyed the room. There was a beaten up couch, a few pots and pans and a roughly folded pile of clothes. "You are living a life of luxury."
Bucky grinned and stretched out his arms. "Welcome to the land of the free. Probably best if you leave the shield here."
Sam nodded and placed the shield partially underneath Bucky's leaning tower of clothes. They locked up the storage shed and walked towards the shelter entrance.
"One night," Bucky assured Sam as they signed into the shelter. "Most people here are good people. Lighten up, make a friend or two."
"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about," Sam crossed his arms.
An older guy with a missing front tooth and scraggly grey beard approached Bucky. "Eh, you're back then?"
Bucky adorned a crooked smile and patted the man on the shoulder. "You know me, just can't stay away."
The man eyed Sam and Bucky tightened his fist slightly.
"Who's he?" The man's voice deepened. He tightened his shoulders and stared intensely at Sam.
"Frank, this is Sam, Sam," Bucky released his fist. "This is my pal, Frank. Met here about a month ago."
The man let out a wheezy laugh. "Met? Is that how ya call it?"
Bucky forced out a laugh. "Can't say I've met many of my friends how I met you Frank."
"Better to keep it that way eh?" Frank said cooly. His shoulders tensed as if he were a cougar about to attack his prey.
Bucky shot a warning glance to Sam who inched his way backwards.
"Frank," Bucky leaned over to whisper in the man's ear. "He's no trouble."
Frank scoffed. "I've seen the likes of him. He'll either cause trouble or be killed by it."
"Still, that's not for you to decide." Bucky stepped away from Frank and stood next to Sam, who was watching Frank with an even gaze.
"It was nice to meet you, Frank," Sam said crisply.
Frank scowled and walked towards the door, muttering to himself.
Bucky sighed and pointed down the hall. "This way."
They found their beds and arranged the linens before sitting down on them. Bucky untied his shoes whilst Sam kicked his off.
"Frank's a great guy huh," Sam noted.
"Yeah."
"Who the heck is he?"
Bucky let his head relax on the pillow. People milled about while the squeaking sounds of showers echoed in the room.
"Not quite sure. I 'met' him while he was making some sort of deal in an alley a few blocks from here. Threatened me with a knife. I threatened him with my arm. We agreed to respect each other's differences."
"Thought you were doing away with the whole Soviet soldier thing."
"I was. I am. Sometimes it's easiest to stick with what you know. Especially when your life is on the line."
"Kept you out of his bad books though."
Bucky rolled over. "Not so sure if that will stay the same after today."
Sam sat upright on his bed. "I guess I should thank you."
Bucky shifted. "I'm used to looking out for the little guy."
Sam remained quiet for a moment. "You talking about me or Rogers?"
Bucky inhaled softly. "Steve could never walk away from a fight. You were almost dragged into one for no reason."
"I can handle myself," Sam argued.
"Against Frank? Easily. Against everyone that owes Frank a favour? Not so sure."
Sam rolled his eyes. "I'm going to go grab a pizza. Want anything?"
"A new car. Some new tech. Half a million dollars..."
"Ha ha, smart." Sam shoved on his shoes and offered a slight smile. "Pizza it is."