Life of the Party

Untitled Part 2

The sound of a phone ringing brought Bucky out of a deep sleep, groaning as he rolled over and opened his eyes to see the screen lighting up the room. Leaning over to his nightstand he fumbled for his phone, nearly knocking it off the small surface before picking it up. A Brooklyn number flashed across the screen, though for all the years he'd lived there, it was one he didn't recognize. Bucky slid his finger across the screen, trying not to groan as he glanced at the time. Brooklyn was 3 hours ahead from where he lived in California, meaning whoever was calling was clearly oblivious to the fact that it was 4 in the fucking morning for him. With a yawn Bucky held the phone up to his ear, mumbling a tired 'hello?' into the receiving end.

There was a long pause before the person on the other end replied; something along the lines of, "Oh shoot, i didnt wake you did I?" Though it was hard to tell for sure due to the noise in the background.

Bucky considered lying, but considering he didn't even know the name of this guy, he decided against it. "S' fine, i'm getting up in an hour anyway for my 5am run. Might as well get a head start on my day."

"Shit."

Bucky couldn't help but laugh, getting to his feet and walking to the kitchen. "Don't worry about it, Man. However, i think i deserve to know the person thats taking credit for waking me up at..." He paused to check the time. "... 4:18."

"Sam Wilson, and while i'm at it i guess i might as well tell you what i'm calling for."

Bucky hummed his agreement, holding the phone against his ear and shoulder as he worked to get the coffee machine working. "Might want to make sure you've got the right number first," He joked, grabbing a mug from the cupboard.

"Am I on a role here or what?" Bucky could here him chuckle before he continued. "I'm calling for a James Barnes?"

Grabbing the cup of coffee after it filled, the brunette made his way over to his couch where he set down the mug. "That'd be me," He confirmed, turning on the TV and setting the volume low.

"Atleast i got that right," Same muttered before continuing. "So a friend of mine named Steve Rogers is getting married and he put me in charge of inviting guests to his bachelor party-"

"Wait wait wait," Bucky couldn't help but interrupt, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. "Little Stevie's getting married?!" The brunette leaned back into the couch, letting out a long breath. "Man, i never thought i'd see the day."

"Little? Sure man, sure. But yeah, it's tough for me to believe, too. Him and i have been through everything together and now he's up and leaving me for this girl of his."

"When's the wedding?" Bucky murmured absentmindedly, thoughts drifting back to over a decade ago. 'Him and i have been through everything together...' Sam's words kept echoing in his mind as he was suddenly assaulted with memories. Steve starting fights in the alley way, always for the better good, and Bucky having to come in and break up the fights. Save the little punks ass. Yeah, maybe that made him a jerk, but he was Steve's jerk. 'Till the end of the line...

"Uh, one thing," He interrupted as Sam was going over the details of this bachelor party, which he had evidently been invited to. Swallowing, he scratched the back of his neck, not sure if he should break it slowly or just ease into i- "I'm Gay." Yep. There it was. "I just...wanted to make sure that wouldn't be a problem."

"Hell no," Sam replied confidently, and Bucky could almost imagine him shaking his head. "In fact Steve and his friend Tony...-Don't tell him that!"

Bucky laughed, suddenly very curious after hearing the unmistakable voice of Steve Rogers.

"Nevermind, you'll just have to ask him yourself at the party."

Bucky rolled his eyes, a smirk appearing on his face. "Was that Steve?" He asked, knowing perfectly well that it was. Of course it was.

"Ye- Ow! God. No, Steve's..Steve isn't here."

"Mhm...Alright, we'll go with that answer then." If Bucky had to guess, though... "Hypothetically speaking, if I was on speaker and Steve was right next to you, then he'd certainly answer if i were to speak to him, right?"

"Uh," Sam muttered and Bucky saw the opportunity so he ran with it.

"Steve?"

There was silence on the other end for several long moments before a familiar voice picked up, so much deeper then Bucky remembered it but still carrying that unmistakable Brooklyn accent. "Hey, Buck." The man on the other line greeted, and Bucky felt his chest tighten as nostalgia swept over him. Steve had been his first love. He'd never admit that to anyone, though. Especially Steve.

They ended up talking until his throat hurt, and the clock had long since passed 5 am. They had lost touch for so long yet it felt like picking up right from where they'd left off. As if no time had passed at all. Bucky couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy, and when Steve admitted he had to go, the level of disappointment he felt only shone light on how alone he'd been for the last few years.

"But you'll be at the party, right?"

And God, how could he say no?

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He murmured, smiling into the phone.

The click of the line going dead left a void gaping open in his chest; One that he hadn't even realized existed until Steve had filled it back up. It was like leaving Brooklyn all over again, knowing his life would never be the same. Not without Steve Rogers in it. And now they were finally getting the chance to get back in touch, an opportunity to be 'Steve and Bucky' instead of 'Steve' and 'Bucky,' The lil punk was getting married. A sad smile appeared on his face, imagining the blonde, just 5' 4" as he said his wedding vows to his bride. Was she taller then him? Maybe he'd grown a few inches after they'd seen each other last? Bucky had been 18 when he'd left, Steve just a year younger. He would give anything to go back in time for a do over.