Steve rubbed his neck as he walked down the hallway to Bucky and his apartment. It had been another long day. He had bought more groceries using some of his depleting money and visited Sam to make sure he was doing okay in his apartment a few streets over. They had decided to not all live together-it would raise too many eyebrows. Plus, the place where Sam was currently living was much more heavily regulated. He had had to create a fake ID and everything. Where Steve and Bucky were, as long as you were quiet and had a little money, you were left alone. Or mugged. Steve pitied the fool that had tried to pull that one on Bucky a few nights ago.
He opened the door and, locking it behind him, called out softly, "I'm home-"
A small ball of fur barreled around the corner and into his legs, barking madly.
Steve dropped the groceries on the floor and removed his baseball cap, running a hand through his hair. "Bucky."
Bucky came trotting sheepishly around the corner, dressed in a tank top and pajama bottoms. His new metallic arm from the king of Wakanda gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the window as he picked up the mangy-looking puppy and bit his lip.
"What the hell is that, Bucky?" Steve demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at the puppy, who yipped happily.
"Listen, Steve, he was so cute and friendly, and he was just on the side of the street, and he was chained up but there was a note in his collar saying his owner wasn't coming back-"
"Bucky, we're running low on money as it is-"
"We can't give him to a pound, they'll kill him!"
Steve sighed, again running a hand through his hair. "For God's sake-"
Bucky smiled adorably, sensing Steve's breaking point. Steve melted.
"Fine. But you're taking care of him." He grinned and picked up the groceries, walking into the kitchenette to put them away. Bucky heard a curse and then, "Dammit, Bucky, he made me break the eggs!"
That night, the puppy was whining, scratching at the door. Steve was getting more and more annoyed and Bucky wasn't sure what to do.
"Just-let's take him out and see if he needs to go to the bathroom, or something," Steve growled finally.
"I...don't have a leash," Bucky murmured.
Steve picked up the puppy and strode over to their balcony. He held the puppy over the potted plant and grimaced. "What made you think this was a good idea?" he called back to Bucky.
When he turned around, Bucky was looking so lost that he instantly felt bad. He placed the puppy carefully in his boyfriend's arms and kissed Bucky's forehead. "I'm sorry. It's just been a long day."
The puppy, for one thing, didn't take up much room. He lay on his back in between the two men, snoring slightly.
Steve and Bucky lay, foreheads pressed together, Bucky idly stroking the dog's stomach. "He is pretty cute," Steve admitted finally. Bucky smiled and closed his eyes, and slowly, the family drifted off to sleep.