rodrikstark's headcanons (part 1)

b. barnes + first time staying over

"you sleep on the floor?"

bucky's left hand swipes quickly over his eyes.

you had just been bar hopping with your friends, and apparently you'd drunk enough that you resolved to drop by your boyfriend's apartment, late at night and unannounced.

your giggly friends had teased you about it. don't spend too much time up there with your man, we've got places to be.

but you stand at bucky's door now, feeling completely sober.

his pristine-looking bed, in your mind, had always been the result of his past as a soldier. military corners, or whatever.

"sometimes." he glances over his shoulder, then steps further out into the hallway, letting the door close on his heel so you can barely see the blanket and pillow sprawled on the floor. "doll, i thought you were having fun with your friends tonight."

"you were on the way, i just wanted to say hi."

"well, hi." he gives you a smile, but doesn't show his teeth. "don't you worry about me."

you blink away tears. okay, maybe not completely sober; you're a bit of a sad drunk. "are you okay?"

"what'd i just say?" he asks gently, placing a big hand on your cheek so he can kiss you. "go, have a good time."

"i... okay." you sniffle. "g'night, jamie."

the next evening, when bucky shows up to your apartment with the groceries to make dinner, he finds your living room furniture rearranged. the coffee table and the sofa sit along the walls.

you grab the grocery bags from him and study the look on his face. "you're welcome to stay over tonight," you offer tentatively. "i don't mind sleeping on the floor."

seemingly every blanket and pillow you own scatters across the floor, even a stuffed animal or two.

maybe, if he slept next to you, he wouldn't wake up in a cold sweat. but what if he's wrong? if he scares you off?

your wide, earnest eyes make him feel brave.

his jaw twitches. "you sure?"

instantly, you perk up. "of course, jamie. i'm not 106 years old like you, so it's no problem. plus it kind of reminds me of sleepovers at my best friend's..."

he watches you unpack the groceries, a grateful smile growing on his face.