Knit and Purl
by Six2VII
Bucky has recently retired and joined a knitting circle.
Rated G
@sambuckyhalloweenbingo2022
The jangle of keys outside the front door jarred him from his daydream. Could it even be called that if he didn't remember what he was thinking about? Here lately, it was one of three things: Was it wise to retire? What am I going to do with my life? What would Sam do if I told him how I feel?
Bucky looked up into his aforementioned roommate's face. He smirked, grabbing the coffee Sam bought him. That made Sam stop looking at him with worry in his eyes. The man smiled and dropped a sack in his lap.
"I told you I didn't want breakfast," Bucky said.
"You want those apple fritters." Sam threw away an identical bag in the trash. "I had one and thought about proposing to the baker. You're welcome."
Bucky grumbled and opened the bag. The pastries did smell good. Bucky bit into one and moaned at the tart goodness playing on his tongue. The only thing that would make it better- Bucky took a sip of his coffee. It was perfect. Just the way he liked it.
His roommate had disappeared into his bedroom. He would be off to work after a while, and what was Bucky going to do? He spent years observing and infiltrating other people's lives. He had lived a thousand lives in the course of his work, but now had to live his own life; he was at a loss. He looked into some college courses at the local university but hadn't heard back yet. Bucky tried his hand at baking because Sam had a perpetual sweet tooth, but he burned everything, and the one time his cake came out decent looking it tasted weird. Bucky was glad he didn't tell Sam about it because he would never hear the end of it.
Bucky remembered his old pal Steve liked to draw. Bucky did too when he was a kid, so he signed up for an art class at the community center. When he got there the class was doing portraiture. Bucky decided to try even if all he painted was a stick figure. When the model walked in, it was a guy Bucky had dated for a bit; it didn't work out. The guy was jealous of Sam. Bucky tried to reassure him there was nothing between him and Sam. Yeah, Bucky didn't buy it either. He finished the art class that day and never went back.
"Hey," Sam said, coming back into the living room. He snorted at the empty pastry bag. Bucky pursed his lips. Sam ignored his grumpiness. "If you have time today, can you do me a favor?"
"What kind of favor?"
"I need you to pick up some books from the library for me. I'm working late tonight."
"Tonight? I thought we were-"
"I know, but this case is heating up?"
"What case?"
"Nope."
"So, you can't talk to me about work?"
"Won't. You're retired. You said you were tired of all the fighting, and you wanted peace. I want that for you and will help you protect your peace."
"So, you're never going to talk to me about work anymore?"
"Down the line. When you-"
"Figure out what I want to do with my life?"
"You don't have to do anything, Bucky, but chill."
"And run errands for you."
"If you want to and have time."
"Fine."
"Don't watch the next episode without me."
"I'll wait 48 hours tops."
"I should be done by then," Sam said. He placed a note card on the table. "Those are the books I need."
"You just figured I would say yes?"
"Hoped. I got to go. Have a good day." Sam squeezed his shoulder.
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