Chapter One
When Loki showed up out of nowhere in his and Bucky’s apartment, Sam didn’t know what to do. If what Thor had told him was right, then Loki wasn’t bad anymore. Then again, Loki was the God of Mischief so he could have just tricked Thor. Bucky was getting groceries so if a fight was about to go down, Sam was seriously understaffed.
“Ah! Hello Son of Will!” Loki greeted. “You may relax. It is not my intention to harm anyone…today. It really varies from moment to moment, but as of now I am no threat.”
“Ummm…ok?” Sam said skeptically. “So, why are you here then?”
“It has come to my attention that you and James have been having some relationship issues. I simply wish to help you both if you’ll allow me.”
‘Relationship issues?’ Sam thought. “Uh Loki? How exactly were you planning on helping us? I’m pretty sure our… umm, relationship is perfectly fine.”
“On the contrary, Mr.Wilson. You both seem to be hiding your feelings about one another. I plan on helping you both by just giving your friend a little… nudge in the right direction, if you will. I will give you some time to make your decision. You shall thank me later.” And with that, Loki poofed away in a puff of green smoke.
Sam stood confused, looking around the room, wondering if that really just happened. “What the fuck?”
-
Bucky came back not too long after with bags of groceries in his hands. Sam sat on the couch, still going over what just happened in his head. Bucky looked over at him and sighed.
“Wow! Thanks Sam! I appreciate the help.” He said sarcastically as he kicked the door closed. When Sam didn’t reply, Bucky rolled his eyes and began to put everything away. Once finished, he walked over to the living room where Sam was.
Bucky must have noticed the glazed look in Sam’s eyes because he began to shake his hand in front of them, successfully drawing Sam away from his thoughts. “Hey, you good?” He asked softly.
Sam looked into his steel blue eyes as he was pulled back into reality. “Uh- ya…ya I’m alright. It- it was nothing.” Bucky seemed unsure and was about to question him when Sam cut him off.
“I’m fine, Buck. Just a little tired.” He looked at the clock and saw the hands read 10:00 which was a late enough time to excuse himself for bed. “I’m gonna go to sleep. ’Night Buck!” Sam called over his shoulder as he walked to his room.
“Goodnight Sammy.” Bucky called softly after him. Sam didn’t hear.
-
Bucky and Sam were complete opposites when it came to their sleep schedules. Sam always woke up early around 6:00 to go on a run and take a shower before making breakfast. Bucky never got up before 10:00.
Both boys would go about their days doing whatever they wanted or needed to get done. Most days, missions would draw them away from their apartment, but sometimes they were able to just relax and stay inside with one another. Sam would retire to his room around 11:00 while Bucky would clean up and then watch TV until he was tired.
What Sam didn’t know of their routines was a certain important detail in Bucky’s. As far as Sam knew, Bucky no longer had any nightmares, or at least not any horrible ones. He was wrong.
While Bucky’s nightmares had gotten better, they were still there. He’d no longer wake up screaming, but rather he'd just jump awake drenched in sweat. Every night when he woke, he’d try to force himself to fall back asleep. When that didn’t work, he’d cross the hall of the shared apartment and enter Sam’s room.
The slow rise and fall of his chest would calm Bucky and he became reliant on it. Every time he was awoken by a nightmare, he’d come to Sam’s room, watch him sleep peacefully for as long as it took him to calm himself, tell Sam ‘goodnight’ with a small kiss on the forehead, and scurry back to his room.
This particular day, Sam had already finished his morning run and shower and was making pancakes for himself and Bucky, who was still passed out in his bedroom. Sam was mid- flip when he was startled by someone tapping his back. He spun around with his spatula in hand as if it were a weapon.
Loki stared at Sam looking rather unimpressed at his attempt of defense. He grabbed a pancake off the stack Sam had made and shoved it in his mouth before Sam could protest. Once finished, he grabbed Sam’s cup of coffee off the counter and downed it.
“So, have you made your decision, Sam?”
“And what decision are you referring to?”
Loki rolled his eyes like the answer was obvious. “Will you accept my offer regarding you and James’ relationship?”
“I don’t know what relationship you’re talking about, but you know what? Sure Loki. Go ahead and do your weird ass magic so you can ‘nudge us in the right direction’.” Sam said, rolling his eyes.
“As you wish.” Loki replied, mysteriously. A vial holding a bright pinkish burgundy colored liquid appeared in Loki’s hand out of nowhere. He grabbed Sam’s now empty coffee mug and refilled its contents with more coffee and the vial of potion.
“You shall give this to your partner when he wakes up. He will probably feel a bit uneasy for the rest of the day, but by tomorrow he shall be fine, so no need to worry.”
“Are you gonna tell me exactly what this thing does before I give it to him?”
“In due time, Son of Will. In due time.” Loki muttered softly before disappearing once again in green smoke.
Sam stared at the contents of the mug for a while, sloshing it back and forth in an attempt to notice anything particularly unusual about the drink, but he didn’t. He was considering just pouring it down the drain in fear it may hurt his partner more than help them.
Sam stood up and walked over to the sink, about to dump it, when Bucky waddled into the room. Sam was met with the sight of Bukcy’s sleep disheveled hair, comfy sweatpants, and oversized hoodie. He nearly cooed at the sight. “Hey Sam!” Bucky said in his gravely and annoyingly seductive yet adorable morning voice.
“Hey Buck!” Said replied. He decided he’d trust Loki. It might just help him get closer to Bucky, who knows? He grabbed a plate and piled it high with ten pancakes and set it and the mug on the table where Bucky always sat. Bucky always had to eat more because of his metabolism. He then grabbed some food and coffee for himself and sat across from Bucky.
They ate in comfortable silence, simply chowing down on their food. The first time Bucky took a sip of his drink, Sam watched the whole time. He was looking for any immediate effects the liquid would have on Bucky at first, but soon his eyes were taking in the sharp edge of his jawline as he looked out the window and the way his Adam’s apple would bob up and down as he sipped.
Sam was awoken from his trance when he heard Bucky’s voice. “Whatcha ya lookin’ at?” Bucky questioned, Brooklyn accent always heavy in the morning.
“Nothing, nothing. Sorry, I just… zoned out for a second.” Sam suggested, hoping it was enough. Bucky simply nodded and said “It’s fine.”
Bucky finished eating and emptying his drink so he got up to put his dishes in the dishwasher. As soon as he stood up, he felt a wave of dizziness rush over him and he stumbled a few steps. Sam was quickly by his side, taking the dishes out of his hands and directing him to his bedroom.
Bucky fell onto his bed and climbed under the covers, his face scrunched up in pain. He had a dazed, confused expression in his eyes.
No sooner had he gotten into bed was he rushing into the bathroom sitting in front of the toilet throwing up. Sam followed him in and was rubbing his back with one hand and messaging his scalp with the other. “Thank you.” Bucky said softly. Using all his remaining strength, he looked up at Sam and gave him a small smile before turning back and vomiting.
Sam felt horrible. He was the one that gave Bucky the stupid vial and got him sick. He could do nothing but look away with guilt in his eyes after Bucky said ‘thank you’ again. He was disgusted with himself.
After a few more minutes, it seemed Bucky was done. He was completely exhausted and was slumped against one of the cabinets in the bathroom. Sam pulled him up, throwing his arm over his shoulder to help get him to the bed. He collapsed onto it once again and immediately passed out.
Sam stayed for a little while. He watched Bucky’s chest rise and fall with his breathing, and heard the soft snores coming from the man. He walked over to Bucky and brought the covers over him. Sam ran his fingers through Bucky’s hair once again and muttered a soft ‘I’m sorry’.
If Sam leant down and gave Bucky a quick kiss on the forehead, no one had to know.