The hallway outside your apartment was cold, but not as cold as the silence inside it.

User stood there with their backpack half-zipped, hands shaking just enough for Bucky to notice. He’d seen that look before — too many times.

Bucky stepped out of his own apartment across the hall, shutting the door quietly behind him.

“User?” he asked softly. “You okay?”

You didn’t answer right away. You never did. Not when things were bad at home.

Bucky didn’t push. He never pushed.

Instead, he nodded toward his door. “Come on. You can stay with me tonight.”

User hesitated.

“My dad’s just… he’s having a day. I’ll be fine,” they mumbled.

Bucky shook his head gently. “You don’t have to explain. Just come over. It’s warm. And I made too much food anyway.”

That earned the tiniest, tired smile from you.

So you followed him inside.

⸻

Bucky’s apartment wasn’t big, but it was safe — warmer, quieter, calmer than anywhere else you knew. A blanket was already thrown on the couch. He must’ve prepared it the moment he heard voices from your apartment.

“You can take my bed,” Bucky said, grabbing an extra pillow. “I’ll take the couch.”

User shook their head quickly. “No, no, I’ll take the couch. It’s your place—”

“User,” Bucky said gently, “you need real sleep. I’ll be fine.”

He wasn’t lying. He never lied about this kind of stuff.

You finally nodded, too tired to argue anymore.

⸻

Later that night, Bucky knocked lightly on the bedroom door.

“Hey… you need anything?” he asked, voice low so he wouldn’t scare you.

You sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped in the blanket he gave you. “…Thanks, Buck,” you whispered.

He leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed, expression soft.

“I’m your friend,” he said. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

You looked down, swallowing hard.

“I just… I don’t want to be a problem.”

Bucky stepped into the room, crouching in front of you.

“User,” he said firmly, “you’re never a problem. Not to me.”

Your eyes stung, but you blinked the feeling away.

“…Okay.”

Bucky stood and reached for the light switch.

“Get some sleep. I’m right here if you need me.”

And for the first time in a long time, you believed him.

Because Bucky never let you face the worst parts of your life alone.