Summary: So what happens when Bucky Barnes is introduced to social media? This, basically this happens.
When he came home from the Afghanistan, Bucky isolated himself from all aspects of society and chose to stay holed up in his apartment for as long as he could. This not only included never going outside, but also forgoing all technology which only further cut himself off from the outside world.
He got the basic technological appliances, like a standard flip phone and a TV but that was about it. He didn't want to get a phone at first, because he was afraid hearing a sudden noise would set him off and he just didn't want that. What if he was out in public (he still had to buy groceries) and his phone rang and he got a panic attack right then and there?
So yeah, no phone. But then he realized he kinda needed one because his parents were worried, his sisters were worried, Nat was worried, Sam was worried, basically everyone on the face of this goddamn earth so Bucky had no choice and settled for the crappiest flip phone he could find.
But right now, he's proud to say that he's come a long way since then. He's got a laptop or 'Starkbook' as Tony calls it, a new flatscreen TV, an xbox, that stupid smartphone Tony practically forced on him, and a nook which gives him an excellent excuse not go to a library (or out at all), so he's basically all set.
And with that, social media came into the picture. Nat wanted him to follow her cooking blog on Tumblr, Sam's been begging him to get a Facebook just so he could receive Candy Crush lives ("What the hell is Candy Crush?" "The best and worst thing to ever come into existence"), and Clint and Tony had somehow ganged up on Bucky to favorite their tweets. Something about a 'tweet war?' Regardless, social media confuses Bucky but he figures he may as well start small right?
First thing he gets is a Snapchat, because that seems harmless enough and it's one of those platforms where the number of friends/followers you have doesn't matter. He updates his Snapchat story every once in a while, but it's nothing too exciting compared to other people's. Remarkably, it's quite fun sending selfies to all his friends and annoying the hell out of Stark with his 'fucking-loner-brooding-face.' Nat likes to sneak pictures of Clint doing all sorts of weird stuff, and Sam takes the most cliche photos of his Starbucks orders and even has the gall to post them on Instagram.
Instagram is the next thing he gets, and yes he may have a couple sunset and artsy food photos. It's a good outlet for his sort of artistic streak, okay?
Twitter is too much of a hassle, and he tries to get a Tumblr but they're both way too fucking complicated and he keeps getting the two confused. He can never seem to find the 'rebuff' or 'refind' or whatever 're-button' it is, so he just gives up altogether. He will check out Nat's blog every once in a while to see if he can cook up some new stuff for him and Steve.
And speaking of his boyfriend, he recently just discovered Steve has a Facebook. Well, more like Nat and Clint decided to full on STALK his boyfriend and are both currently looking through every photo on his Facebook wall.
"You have got to be kidding," Bucky says with his hands on his hips. He stares down accusingly at the two knuckleheads huddled together on the couch sharing the laptop. Their noses are literally plastered to the screen.
"What?" Clint says like he's deeply offended.
"This is important," Nat says as equally offended.
"Really? And how, exactly, is this important?" Bucky asks wryly.
"It's for research."
"You mean stalking my boyfriend?" Okay, he can't help it. He leans in to see what's so interesting and it's a picture of Steve in front of a canvas. His back is facing the camera with his head twisted around and a paintbrush and palette in hand. He's smiling that crooked grin Bucky just loves, and without even realizing it he's smiling his own crooked grin. It's a really great picture and he has to give credit to the person who took it.
He feels two pairs of eyes on him, and sure enough it's Nat and Clint smirking at him. Bucky quickly wipes the smile from his face and scowls. "So, research huh?"
"Yes, research," Nat repeats while Clint waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
Bucky groans and shoves both of their heads away from him. "You two are ridiculous."
"Hey, you won't be saying that anymore once you decide to actually get a Facebook," Nat says. Clint nods along and points to the screen repeatedly.
"And why would I want one?" Bucky asks.
"Because Steve has one."
"…So?"
"So, don't you want to, oh I don't know, friend him?"
"We just did," Clint pipes in excitedly. He clicks around and there's the notification showing 'Steven G. Rogers has accepted your Friend Request.' Bucky snorts because of course Steve decided to use his full name. What a dork.
"So?"
Bucky stares at Nat. "So what?"
"Are you gonna do it?"
"Do what exactly?"
Nat looks unimpressed at Bucky's stupidity while Clint looks like he wants to bang his head repeatedly against the coffee table.
A beat of silence goes by before they both shout in unison, "ARE YOU GONNA FRIEND HIM?!"
Bucky almost topples over from the shock of their loud voices. "NO!" He shouts back. They both stare at him like he just sprouted out another head.
"But why not?" Clint asks. Why the hell does he sound like Bucky just kicked a puppy? It's not like he's refusing Clint's friend request.
"….Because." It's not a very good answer he realizes, so he makes sure to walk away without having to explain himself to these two assholes. He shuts the bathroom door to drown out their protests and indignant squawking.
It's not that Bucky doesn't want to friend Steve. After getting his new phone and exchanging numbers with him, Bucky considers that a big enough win already. He's perfectly fine with just texting and calling Steve, he doesn't need Facebook to do that for him.
Sure, he was a little curious to see if Steve had a Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat, but after some searching he couldn't find Steve anywhere and just left it at that. Now that he's discovered Steve does in fact have a Facebook, he can't help feeling a little bit interested.
He admits that sometimes he'll use Clint or Sam's Facebook to check up on Steve's. Purely for research as Nat claims. He'll go through some of Steve's photo albums, and maybe even look at some older photos of him. He finds a couple childhood ones, like Steve celebrating his 15th birthday or laughing at the camera with his friend Peggy.
Turns out Steve's not only a good artist but an amazing photographer. He's got a whole album dedicated to these really professional shots of Peggy. They're mainly black and white or sepia, and in most of them Steve makes sure to leave Peggy's red lips as the only source of color. She looks amazing in all these different poses, and in some of the photos she's with another girl who kinda looks like her but not really.
Bucky squints at the photo and realizes it must be her cousin Sharon, a girl Steve only mentions every once in a lifetime. He knows about Steve's past crush on Sharon, and they've sort of talked about it. It doesn't really bother Bucky because it was such a long time ago and from the little tidbits he got from Steve, she's currently having relationship troubles with her husband. Still though, he can't help feeling a tiny bit of jealousy swell up in his chest. With the two cousins side by side like that, they look absolutely stunning. In one of the black and white photos, Peggy's red lips along with Sharon's blonde hair are outlined, and it's a beautiful contrast between the two women.
He frowns at the laptop and then promptly closes it. He decides to stay away from that one album, but don't mind him if he decides to click through the others.
Steve is also one of those people who posts just about every news article, whether it be about women's rights, the government's huge fail with Isis, pro-gay rights, anything righteous basically. And maybe in Bucky's free time when he's lazing on the couch on a Sunday morning, he'll peruse through the articles in order to familiarize himself with the issues of the world. He feels like he's getting to know Steve even more through his Facebook.
Of course he doesn't tell Steve this, because not only would it be a huge invasion of privacy it's also pretty fucking creepy. Bucky still has yet to actually sign up for Facebook, and he probably should at this point (he knows Sam is just dying for those Candy Crush lives).
He can't find it in him to get one though. He's perfectly fine with using other people's to stalk— no no, research, Steve's Facebook. Plus if he did get one, Nat and Clint would totally tease him until he turned 95 and they would probably keep teasing him to his grave so just no.
Not to mention he just can't find it in him to get a Facebook. It is a great way to stay in contact with friends, and it'd be so much easier to keep up with Pam and Aileen and see what his nieces and nephews are up to but he just… can't. He's totally fine with Snapchat and Instagram because all he has to worry about is taking photos. He doesn't have to document every part of his life and only has to speak through his photos.
Facebook is so much more different. Your whole life is literally put on the internet for everyone to see. You're way too exposed, too vulnerable, and suddenly Bucky understands why it's so easy for actual legit stalkers and hackers to steal your information. Maybe it's a soldier thing, maybe he's still not comfortable with people even if it is through a computer screen.
Eventually he does give in though. He's at a small hole in the wall cafe with Steve (something about expanding his tastes and going beyond Starbucks and okay Steve is just getting sick of Starbucks please don't take it personally Phil) when it happens. They're sitting close together at one of the high tables near the windows, sipping their coffee and nudging each other's shoulders and every once in a while Steve will hold Bucky's hand and chuckle whenever Bucky's face turns beet red. They have a couple of footsie wars but have to stop when they get dirty glares for causing a ruckus and 'behaving like children' as one older women decided to point out.
It's all in good fun of course, but it doesn't last very long because Steve asks, "So do you have a Facebook?"
Bucky almost chokes on his coffee and tries not to topple out of his chair. Steve's face pinches in worry but Bucky waves him off as he swallows down a couple deep breaths.
"Uh, no I don't. I do have an Instagram and Snapchat though," Bucky makes sure to point out. You know, just in case Steve does have one or the other.
Unfortunately Steve doesn't from the regretful smile on his face. "I don't have either of those. Snapchat gets boring and Instagram confuses the heck out of me."
Bucky chuckles at that. "I feel the same way about Tumblr and Twitter."
"Oh my gosh don't even get me started on that."
They get into an intense conversation over the confusing nature of the two networks and Steve doesn't bring up Facebook again. Bucky, however, keeps going over it in his head because maybe—maybe it's time. Maybe this is what he needs, to just trust the world and let go of his insecurities and fucking sign up for Facebook.
After spending the rest of the afternoon contemplating and arguing with himself, he calls Nat over and they set up Bucky's Facebook together. He almost feels nervous as he types in his sign up info and watches the little circle spin round and round. Then the screen shows his new Facebook wall, recommends him some pages to like, who to follow, etc.
He manages to set up his new profile picture and fix his privacy settings before it suddenly comes crashing down on him that yes, he has just gotten a Facebook. There's no turning back from this. His whole life is out on display for everyone to see, every page he likes, every picture he posts, every status update. He still can't believe he went through with this.
He carefully places his laptop to the side and sits stock-still on the couch. He can already feel the sweat pooling under his armpits and back and his hands start to shake a little. Before he even goes into full panic made, Nat places a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezes it tightly.
Bucky takes a series of quick short breaths and holds onto her hand the whole time. The panic finally subsides and all he's left with is a clammy body and slightly shaky hands. Nat doesn't relinquish her grip any time soon, and she waits while Bucky gathers himself back together and they go back to completing his Facebook. It's silly, and he almost feels ashamed for panicking but Nat doesn't bring up so he won't bring it up either.
It's mid-afternoon by the time they finish and Nat has to get back or Clint will supposedly die of starvation (Nat's words, not his). Bucky walks her to the door and makes sure to see her off. She's got one foot out the door when she turns and frowns worriedly at him.
"You gonna be okay?"
Bucky stares down at the ground, unable to meet her eyes. He's still a little embarrassed from earlier. Like, who panics over getting a Facebook?
He nods and clenches his fists at his side. Out of the corner of his vision he sees Nat's hands reach out and cover his left fist. The only thing he can feel is the pressure of her hands squeezing his prosthetic.
"Hey, it's okay. One step at a time, right?"
At that Bucky's eyes dart up to meet hers and they both smile at each other, her smile a little comforting and his with some hope.
Later that night, after Bucky's settled in bed with his laptop on top of the covers, he scrolls through his Facebook newsfeed. It's very limited, as he hasn't friended a ton of people or liked a lot of pages yet. So far he's only friended Nat, Clint, Phil and Becca. He's still waiting from Aileen and Pam to accept his requests, and he purposely decides to hold off on Sam just to torture him ("Come on man! I need those lives!"). He's a bit wary of friending Stark because the man already spams him with a shit ton of emails as it is.
The only person he has yet to friend is Steve. His mouse keeps hovering over the 'Friend' button, and after a while he decides this is just getting ridiculous. Suck it up Barnes, it's just Facebook it's not like you're going off to your death sentence. He's just nervous that's all. After spending so much time looking through Steve's page and going through his photos, it all feels so surreal. If he does this, he'll finally be able to explore Steve's world through Bucky's Facebook, not someone else's.
So he wills his heart to calm down, keeps his hand steady on the mouse, and clicks 'Friend.'
The moment he clicks that button he dives down into the covers and hides while he waits.
A couple weeks later, when Bucky's finally settled down on Facebook and starts to get the hang of things, he receives a notification. He usually ignores them if it's one of the millions of game requests from Clint or Stark, but to his surprise it's from Steve.
'Steven G. Rogers requested your relationship status.' He tilts his head at the screen and clicks on the notification.
Steve… Steve is asking him 'To be in a relationship with J. Bucky Barnes.'
Bucky doesn't even wait two seconds to click on the word yes.