Settling in

Sam promised he would go look in on Bucky. They didn't want to hover and make it seem like they didn't trust him but they also had a list of conditions a mile wide to follow between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Tony. Normally on Saturday the common area was busy. He walked in to find it empty. The lights still off as if no one had been there. He did notice Banners coffee cup so there had to be someone around. "Yo Friday, where is everyone?"
"Hello Sam. Tony is away as is Ms. Romanov"
"Friday I know you know who I mean. Where's Barnes?"
"My scanners indicate he is not currently in the building."
"What do you mean he is not in the building?"
"He and Dr. Banner left a few hours ago. I expect that he is under capable supervision."
"That's not the point Friday. Steve is comin' back early, as this afternoon early. We promised Tony we would keep an eye on him till he got the clearance from his psychiatrist. Jeez Steve is gonna kill me."
"I can put you through to Dr. Banner if that helps."
"Yea do that. Then i gotta figure out what to tell Steve."

They were just getting seated for lunch when the phone was ringing. Bruce was about to silence it when he saw that it was Friday. "Excuse me guys I gotta take this one." He walked over to a less crowded spot. "Hello?"
"Where are you and please tell me you have Barnes with you."
"Sam, yea I felt bad leaving him alone so I took him out." There was a sudden loud shout from a crowd followed by a cannon blast. "Did I just hear an explosion? Where are you?"
"It was a canon and I took him to a living history thing. Don't worry its fine. We will be back this evening."
"Well you get to answer to Cap because he wrapped up that job early and he's headed back this afternoon."
"I'm sure he will understand. Tell Steve if he needs to he can call me but I swear nothing is going to happen." Sam hung up and he made his way back over. "Everything ok Dr. Banner?" He nodded "It will be. Sam came to check in and found the place deserted and panicked. I assured him everything was good and we would be back this evening."

There were dozens of food stalls to choose from. They took turns watching their table and going to grab food. "Mr. Barnes any idea what you wanna eat?" He shook his head. "Not really got a recommendation?" Before Peter could say anything Loki appeared and placed a tray and two cups in front of him. "I took the liberty of getting a few things you might like." He raised an eyebrow. "Um...thanks?"
"You are most welcome squire." He had to admit Loki made some good choices.

They had seen all of the shows they wanted by then and were going to close out the day with the joust. Peter suggested they play some games in the meantime. They stepped up to the ax throw. "So what's the goal here?" Bucky watched as people lined up. "Well you gotta hit the target. The closer to the center the better your points and you get a better prize." He nodded. "Seems simple enough." Bruce was watching them carefully. "Remember guys low key." They both nodded. Loki was perched on the wooden fence nearby. "I think things are about to get more interesting. James has already had two drinks which has caused him to lower his inhibitions and the spiderling is quite good at egging people on." Bruce looked over at him. "He's a super soldier he can't get drunk."
"I assure you Dr. he can and he is at least a bit buzzed. Do you think its been awhile since he last drank?"

There was a cheer from the booth and they looked over to see Peter practically sulking. "I can't beat a guy who can hit the target in the same spot three shots in a row." Bucky patted his back. "I've got a good 75 years of experience on you kid. You did alright. Just don't call for a challenge round if you can't keep up." Wong came back over. "So what did you win?" He held up a wooden coin. "Drink token." Bruce looked a little worried. "I didn't realize the prize was alcohol." Peter shook his head. "Only if you are old enough and you have to get a perfect score." He looked over at Bucky. "I need you to take it easy ok? If this goes well we can make the argument that you can leave the tower more with others." He waved him off. "I'll be fine. I am a super soldier after all. Plus this stuff isn't half as bad as some of the garbage I have drank."

By the time they sat down for the joust he was sloshed. Loki and Peter were holding him up mostly after he stumbled down a hill in the mud. Bruce was trying to take it in stride. "You all are horrible enablers. I'm the one that is gonna have to deal with Cap and Sam." Just then his phone rang. As if on cue it was Steve. "Hey Dr. Banner just checking in. I was supposed to be back this afternoon but Sam and I were called out on another job. Just let Buck know we will see him either late tonight or in the am."
"Yea Cap thanks for the update." They all looked at him. "Well someone was looking out for me. Cap and Sam were sent out on a call. We will be back before they are." Peter nodded "That's awesome. I'm sure he will be fine in a while."

Bucky was leaning his head on Loki's shoulder as he watched the joust. "You know you smell pretty" he slurred out. Loki smiled. "It's true. You smell nice doll. Like old books and nutmeg." Even Bruce couldn't keep a straight face. Peter leaned toward Wong "I think this is gonna be more entertaining than the joust."

He managed to mostly pay attention to the show but was still occasionally telling Loki what was nice about them. When they got back to the car they helped him into the back seat and all piled in Bruce and Strange taking the front seat Peter and Wong in the middle leaving Loki to sit in the back. Before they were even out of the parking lot Bucky was sound asleep snoring into Loki's shoulder as they read a book.

Three hours later he wasn't quite as sober as Bruce would have hoped. They got him upstairs and onto the couch. Loki surprisingly stayed to help look after him. Bucky had resumed the position of being snuggled against him. They felt a little bad for not stopping him but it was hilarious to see him drink several cups of mead and still best most the people there. Not even Thor could claim to be that efficient while impaired despite his size he was a bit of a lightweight. Bruce left to change "Ask Friday to grab me is you need anything."

When Tony arrived at the tower get a spare part for his suit he dropped into the common area to see if anyone was around despite the late hour. He did not expect to find a muddy hung over winter soldier dressed like a nerd cuddling Loki on the couch. He took a deep breath and grabbed a pot from the kitchen.

"This is not a flop house for tortured nerds" he said banging on the pot loudly. They both jumped up rolling off the couch. The blanket now off he saw the lipstick marks where his shirt was bunched up. Loki was also in a similar state of undress the placement of mud telling most of the story. Just then Sam and Steve walked in. "Surprised anyone was still up." They both stopped. "No way ...Barnes I didn't think you swung that way." Steve looked a bit embarrassed. "Buck really?"

Loki began buttoning up their shirt and picked up the corset. "I'll see myself out. Until next time Sergeant." They disappeared into the hall. Bucky sat back down on the couch. "I'm not even gonna explain myself just get it over with." Sam was now howling with laughter as Tony made a comment about incinerating the couch and bleaching his brain. Steve shook his head. "You always were a sucker for a brunette."

Tony got his last few quips in and left. "So looks like you had a good day." Bucky got up. "I'm going to bed." Sam raised an eyebrow as he staggered by. "Are you hung over? I didn't think you could get drunk." He stopped. "I'm not Mr. perfect here, there's a lot that still gets to me." He could see Sam now looked a bit uncomfortable. "Sorry man i didn't know. Look I hope you had a good day. I'm sorry I laughed at you." He stopped in the doorway "Don't be sorry for me." He walked out to his room.

He opened the door and found Loki on the bed. "Thought you left." They looked over at him. "Seeing oneself out doesn't mean they are leaving completely. I came to thank you for an enjoyable day and if you should feel you need a certain amount of ...companionship again I might be inclined to visit." He nodded and they left.

When he finally joined the living for breakfast everyone was looking at him. He said nothing only grabbed some coffee and sat down. Bruce got up. "I've got some stuff to do" He nudged Wanda "me too." They both scurried off. He looked up at Steve. "Really? You wanna do this now?" Sam took a seat closer to them. "I just want to make sure you aren't making a decision for the wrong reasons."
He glared at him. "Is it so hard to believe I actually kind of liked their company? I mean Jesus it's been years since someone looked at me that way."
"Well that's kind of the point. Loki likes to play with people and you could make an easy target for mind games." He got up from the table. "Look I know your experience with them hasn't been great but guess what I don't have that baggage it was a clean slate for both of us."

Sam now stepped in as mediator. "Look Steve is just tryin' to watch your back. I don't have much of an opinion on Loki." Steve looked at him as if he betrayed him. "Look I know adjusting has been tough. I also know you have a habit of getting mixed up with people who hurt you."
"I think you are just jealous that I was with someone, especially someone you wrote off as bad news. Maybe I get them, the way people look at you unsure if you are really safe." Sam looked over at Steve. "That's a fair point." He ran his hands through his hair. "I'm beginning to think that you only like a dame that's trouble." Bucky growled and began to pace. "And you like feet which is gross by the way but do I bother you about that? No" Sam was now looking between them. "Ok first of lets not make this personal and second off really Cap? Look I'm gonna say this, Barnes is a big boy and he knows what he wants. As long as it's something safe leave him to it. We gotta extend a little more trust here."

He sat back down in the chair. "You're right. I just worry. Just promise me you wont get yourself into trouble and if you do just talk to me please." He nodded "I can do that." As if on cue his phone lit up with a text message from the kid. It was a picture of them all together. It was the first happy picture of him in a long time. He passed the phone over to them. "This is what I got out of yesterday aside from the hangover."

Sam looked at the picture. "Wow y'all a bunch of nerds but that's a pretty genuine smile. See this is a good thing. Let him be the world's oldest nerd. You gonna show this to the therapist at the next session?" He nodded "figured it was part of that whole healthy social interactions." Steve smiled. "How did you end up such a nerd?" He shrugged "guess i'm just lucky like that."