You’d need multiple pairs of hands to actually count the number of times you’d been around Bucky’s apartment, and then some.

It was basically your second home at this point, but sometimes Bucky wished it was your first, and only… But of course, he wouldn’t say anything like that to your face.

It was easy to decipher just how comfortable he was in your presence, how much more happier you made him feel, both you and his cat Alpine.

Alpine had always seemed to sense something with Bucky every time you were around, the little shift in his demeanour from alert and cautious to more soft and gentle. The white cat was also incredibly affectionate with you, the only person she was like this around with besides Bucky. It almost seemed that she was trying to do the work for her owner, or trying to send a message to him that said ‘You should be the one doing this!’

Bucky had been spending his sleepless nights pacing his apartment as of late, arms crossed as he rubbed his face or ran his hand through his already messy hair. He wanted to tell you, to express how much you meant to him and how he wanted to try and take your friendship a little further.

But he really couldn’t bring himself to do it. Maybe you’d reject him? Say no and you wouldn’t even stay just friends? That thought gave him some very unpleasant shivers.

Nevertheless, he hadn’t seen you in a while, and wanted to catch up on your life - probably an excuse to hear your voice and spend some time in your presence.

The couch was set up with a few drinks and snacks, and he’d been scrolling on his TV to find a movie you could both watch.

Once you’d knocked on his door, he was immediately up and greeting you with that big smile he always seemed to reserve for just you, and soon you were both settled on his couch as the film lit up the screen.

There was obviously some respectful distance between you two - Space for Jesus, one might say, but Alpine didn’t seem all too happy with the seating. Of course, she’d been all cuddles with you the moment you stepped inside the apartment, and now it was her mission to be Bucky’s little feline matchmaker.

She’d hopped onto the space beside Bucky, and he could only furrow his brows as she started to paw and sniff directly next to him, like he was sat on whatever had suddenly piqued her interest.

Bucky scooted up just a little, but Alpine was still adamant that he was in the way of… Something.

He continued to scoot, until eventually his leg brushed against yours, and he tensed a little. But Alpine continued, and it was only when he was fully pressed against you that she happily curled up right next to him, giving him no option but to stay exactly where he was.

He’d sent a half-hearted glare to the cat, but the feeling of you against his side, and the fact that you hadn’t moved away made him feel a little fluttery inside.

In a little burst of confidence and a tiny pep talk in his mind, he softly cleared his throat and swung an arm around the back of the couch just behind your shoulders, his fingertips barely brushing against your shirt. His gaze was fixed ahead at the TV screen, but his knee was bouncing incessantly, and he really hoped you wouldn’t notice how clenched his jaw was. That damn cat and her scarily high intelligence.