Here is entry #3 of the Stucky flash bingo, 'Modern Days'. I chose to write a Modern AU, no powers for this one.
Steve was in the back of the shop, sorting out bills when a potential client entered. He quickly shot a glance, to see if someone was available. Nat was there in a couple of seconds, so he went back to the bills. Too bad. That would've been a nice distraction? Or a good excuse to have Sam sort them out.
Whoever that was only stayed briefly, probably having entered the shop for info or to take an appointment for the shelter. Around six, clients rushed, probably popping by after work, and Steve was dragged out if his paperwork. After they all left, he finally took a look at the name in the register.
Barnes. He knew a Barnes once. His best friend in primary school. And first crush. First love, whatever you could call it at that age. Bucky had been his best friend, and Steve had been in love with him. Bucky, who would stand up for him and protect him from bullies while he himself got bullied on occasion. Bucky, who would stay with him no matter what. People didn't get it. Bucky's own parents didn't get why he would stay with Steve. Why he loved him. Cause yeah, and wasn't it a shame that he learned that fact years later, apparently Bucky had been in love with him too. Frail, ugly, sickly Stevie. Steve could vaguely recall a time around 10 years old where Bucky had asked Steve if he was in love with him. Steve had said no, then asked back and got a no. Or maybe it had been the reverse? Point is, one of them had asked first, the other had returned the question, they had both lied. Awkward as hell, and had made them both sad at the time. They had stayed best friends of course, they were kids, but then a couple of years later the Barnes moved out because of Mr Barnes work, and they never saw each other again. Even when he heard the Barnes came back six years after that...
Steve shook his head. That couldn't be the same Barnes. Chances were too slim in a big city like New York.
Steve didn't think about it for the entire week that preceded the client's appointment. Which was why he wasn't at all prepared for what happened. That day had been slow, so Steve had sent Nat on an errand earlier so that they could all go back home earlier, and Sam was taking care of the shelter with the twins. Steve was alone in the shop, rearranging the dog treats when the door opened and the bell jingled, announcing someone.
"Hello! Welcome to the COmmandos' shelter!" Steve threw over his shoulders.
"Hello", the voices, because there were two people, answered.
"I'll be with you in just a minute. Are you simply shopping or did you have an appointment?" Steve asked, finishing to put the treats in order. There all good. Let's go.
"We've got an appointment under Barnes.", the woman said.
"Good." That meant either a discussion, a discussion and a first visit to the shelter, or maybe directly a first visit to the shelter. So many fluff balls waiting to be adopted. He rounded the corner of the aisle. "Do you already have an idea of - Bucky ?"
"Stevie ?"
Steve was gaping like a fish. He knew that. He also knew that his mouth was uncooperative and in cahoots with his cheeks, already rosing, to embarass him.
Because in front of him stood Bucky Barnes, his childhood best friend. His chestnut hair was falling down just above his shoulders, making his blue eyes pop out. And wow, Bucky and always been bigger than him, which wasn't a hard thing when Steve was still a small as he has been as a kid, but now he was buff.
"This is Stevie?" The woman next to him, probably one of his sisters, exclaimed. Then she quickly looked him up and down, and mumbled "Well he certainly looks way better than as a kid."
"Becca", hissed Bucky, cheeks flaming. Yup, she hadn't changed.
This wasn't a reunion though, but a professional setting. They would all have time to freak out later.
"Hi", Steve said. Right. Very eloquent. Great speech Rogers, he could hear his inner Sam say.
He wasn't the only one though, because Bucky said the same thing and Rebecca rolled her eyes. Right.
"You had an appointment then." Obviously, Rogers, come on. "For which one of you?"
"For him", Becca said. Beside her, her brother shuffled on his feet and that's when Steve saw that his left sleeve was tucked in his pants. From the look of it, it was empty at least up the elbow. Steve had seen enough amputees to know not to ask however his curiosity wanted him to, and not to stare. So he quickly averted his gaze and looked at Bucky in the eyes. Damn. He had forgotten how pretty that blue was.
Back on track. "Do you have a preference ?"
"Bo -" he started, then went wide eyed and shook his head. "Dog, I think. Although I'm an open guy."
"What my big brother here is trying to babble, is that he loves both. Cats and dogs I mean."
"Yes Becca thank you for your input." Bucky was getting redder by the second now. "My… my therapist told me to consider adopting an animal that it could be good for me. And a dog would make me move more."
Something about the siblings' behaviour was escaping him, but that he could work with. "Dogs may be better if you feel like you need additional motivation."
The siblings nodded in unisson.
"Yeah, additional motivation" insisted Rebecca with a pointed stare.
"Becca stop", her brother asked. She just smirked.
"If you'll follow me, I'll leave you in the good care of Sam. He's better than I am when it comes to therapeutic adoptions."
Bucky and Becca followed him through the shop, speaking in hushed tones the entire time, and when they arrived in the adjacent shelter, Bucky was red again, his sister looking smug.
Steve didn't try to understand just now, instead calling Sam over and introducing the siblings.
Upon hearing who it was, Sam directed wide eyes at Steve, but otherwise didn't react. He stayed professional and lead the two to his desk.
As they were now in good care, Steve went back to the shop.
Nat returned half an hour later and saw him troubled, but didn't ask. She knew he would tell her if necessary. A few clients came and went to buy pet food, but otherwise everything stayed calm so he sent her home early. No need for two people to be bored in the shop that close to the closing hour.
Sam apparently did the same with the twins, because they passed by the shop to say goodbye. Today Clint was the one would would cover the late shift, then would stay the night in one of the bedroom upstairs.
Steve was playing with his tags, scrolling down his phone at the same time, when the Barnes exited the shelter with Sam in tow.
"How did it go ?"
"Good" Bucky answered, "we'll be back in a week for a second appointment."
"I already signed them up" said Sam. "We may already have a solid match with Peanut."
Steve beamed at that. "I'm glad!" He told the siblings. They seemed more relaxed than when they entered, too, especially Bucky.
Sam said goodbye, then went back to the shelter. The siblings started leaving too, but Steve called Bucky on a spur of the moment.
"I'll wait for you in the car" Rebecca said, then left.
Bucky came back towards Steve who had left his desk chair.
"I know it's maybe strange since we've literally seen each other for like five minutes but huh… Would you be up for a coffee or something, to catch up?
Bucky smiled, his eyes shining. "Yeah, I'd like that. When are you free?"
"All week end, and everyday after seven, except for Wednesdays when I'm free after three."
"Okay. I've got a place in mind."
"Cool! Huh…"
"I'll send you the details, if that's alright?
"Yeah", Steve breathed, maybe a bit too fast, "yeah here, this is my card. There's my number on it."
Bucky took the offered card and let their fingers touch. "Okay. I'll text you then. See you soon Stevie."
And with that, he let go of Steve's gaze Steve's hand and left.
"So that was Bucky, huh? The infamous Bucky Barnes."
Steve jumped. He hadn't heard Sam coming.
"Yeah that's him. "
"Well. I'm not sure the dog is his only motivation to come back."
"What ?"
"Steve I love you but you are so oblivious it's frustrating."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you'd better do some grooming Steve."
Steve blinked at his best friend. Was he seriously implying …?
"Yeah, I'd say you're about to get some - HEY!"
Sam thankfully closed his mouth, the threat of another toy hitting him looming over his head.
The vet hurried back to the shelter, laughing. But now, the idea had wormed its way into Steve's brain.
