It's little things at first. Sam stays the night at Bucky's place about once a week these days and Bucky's noticed things. Sam left his toothbrush behind. When Bucky texted him about it after Sam was already back in DC, Sam just told him he'd buy a new one and the one he'd left could be his "at Bucky's" toothbrush.
Bucky doesn't think anything of it. It's convenient. It makes sense. Less for Sam to have to worry about packing when he comes over. Hell, Bucky might do the same at Sam's place. That's pretty smart.
Then, as he's doing laundry one day, he notices that there's some shirts in the pile that are definitely not his. And they haven't been left from just one trip. Sam's been leaving what seems to be a shirt each trip for the past eight or more weeks. When he texts Sam about it, Sam just blames his being tired when he packs and laughs about "No wonder my closet feels emptier these days." Bucky offers to bring them over when he comes to visit that weekend and Sam brushes it off, telling Bucky he's already replaced them in his closet, so why not just leave them at Bucky's place in case of emergencies.
Again, it just makes sense. Why not? It fits. Bucky's very okay with that. Hell, again, he could leave some clothes at Sam's place for those times after missions when they debrief and crash at his place. That way he doesn't have to worry about clothes to change into or borrowing something of Sam's
Though, Bucky will admit he doesn't mind borrowing Sam's clothes. It's nice to lie down at night in something that smells like Sam.
He goes out and buys the same laundry detergent Sam uses the next day and he starts washing all their clothes in it, his own and the ones Sam left behind. It helps keep Sam's smell on the clothes a little longer, but it's not exactly the same.
It's not until about six months into this whole situation of back and forth that it hits Bucky. More and more of Sam's things keep just sorting up at his place with Sam not being there, and Bucky has to wonder if maybe Sam is doing this on purpose after all.
Because who forgets three chargers in a row?
So, when another Thursday rolls around and Sam is on his way to Bucky's place, Bucky decides he's going to be a little bit of a shit. He goes through his entire apartment and finds everything. All the things Sam has left behind. He gently and lovingly folds the shirts and pants and sets them on the couch. He sets the now two toothbrushes on the coffee table (the coffee table Sam convinced him to buy, by the way). He puts the chargers out next to those. Then, he lines up the six novels Sam's left behind.
When Sam comes in, using his copy of Bucky's key, Bucky greets him with a warm cup of tea and Alpine, now fully grown and an absolute sweetheart of a cat, greets him with the loudest purrs she can muster. Bucky guides Sam to the living room and he hears Sam let out a confused sound.
Bucky chuckles and looks at the other man. "I'm not sayin' you gotta take all this stuff back," Bucky tells him right away. He doesn't want Sam to think he's upset with him. Because he's not. God, no. He loves Sam. Why would this upset him? He's amused more than anything.
"Then, what are you saying?" Sam asks, looking between the display and Bucky.
"I'm saying, if you wanted to move in with me, you could have just asked," Bucky says, shrugging as if this isn't something big he's just suggested. And so off the cuff, too.
He reaches over and catches the mug by the base as it slips from Sam's hands, only spoiling a couple drops. Sam stares at him for a long moment, then swallows and looks back at all his things.
"Move- Move in?"
Bucky chuckles softly and sets the mug down, then wraps an arm around Sam's shoulders. He presses his nose to Sam's temple and sighs against his skin. "Sammy. We been dancin' around somethin' for a while. Why not make this easier on both of us? Doesn't have to be here if you'd rather stick to DC. I can come out there. But, you always seem to sleep better when we're in the same place. And I know I do, too."
Sam shivers under his touch and lets out a soft laugh. "So, I wasn't all that subtle after all?"
Bucky chuckles again, kissing Sam's temple. "Doll, the first couple weeks, you coulda hit me upside the head with it and I was dumb as a rock about it. But I started to work it out."
"What gave me away?" Sam hums, turning slightly to wrap his arms around Bucky.
"One charger makes sense," Bucky says. "Two is pushing it, but still… it's when I found the third one, tucked into a pair of your shoes."
Sam laughs outright and turns his head, burying his face against Bucky's neck. "Oh God. I knew that might be a little much. I debated just doing the shoes."
"I think I still woulda figured it out. I was getting suspicious." Bucky tightens his grip on Sam and brings his head down, kissing Sam's cheek, and then down to his jaw. "But you know, you could have just asked, Sam."
"You're about as thick as they come, Buck," Sam chuckles. "I could have shown up to your house with a moving van and you would have asked me what I was doing."
Bucky snorts, pressing his face against Sam's neck now to hide his laugh. "God, I need that. I need you. All the time. Move in with me, Sammy. Not just your stuff. You."
"I thought you'd never ask," Sam laughs, turning to fully face Bucky and brushing his lips against the other man's. "And while we're on the subject, can we do something about this?" He gestures between them.
"Yeah?" Bucky hums. "You mean casually snuggling and weekly meal dates ain't enough?"
Sam leans back. "What are we, Buck? Seriously."
Bucky smiles softly at Sam, looking him up and down for a moment, then lets out a quiet, content sigh. "Hopefully? We're gonna be together for a long time. But if you wanna put words to it? I'd like to call you my man."
Sam takes a deep breath and a bright smile lifts his cheeks, brightens his eyes, and fills Bucky's head and stomach with fuzz.
"I'd like that," Sam sighs, leaning in and kissing Bucky properly. "In our place. Together."