It started with a throwaway comment. You hadn’t meant for it to spiral. The sky was shifting to evening gold, and for once, Bucky looked relaxed. Or at least, as relaxed as a former assassin can look. You two were sitting on your apartments fire escape.

“…and now my nineteen year old cousin is engaged. Engaged, Bucky. She’s out here picking floral arrangements like she’s lived five lives,” you said.

He blinked slowly. “Maybe she has. Who knows what goes on in Idaho.”

You snorted. “Point is, it’s insane. Everyone’s pairing off. Weddings, awkward couple Instagram posts with captions like ‘he’s my home.’ Meanwhile I’m eating mac and cheese for breakfast lunch and dinner.”

He leaned back against the brick, eyeing you with the world’s most unimpressed expression. “You trying to guilt trip me into being your boyfriend or something?”

You almost choked. “What? No!”

Bucky shrugged, all fake innocence. “Kinda sounds like it. Real subtle too. ‘Bucky, everyone’s dating. Bucky, my cousin’s engaged. Bucky, I’m tragically single and no one loves me—’”

“I never said—”

He pointed at you. “You implied it.”

You scowled. He narrowed his eyes but there was a small smile. Sheepish mixed with bold. “You started this conversation. I’m just offering solutions.”

“Oh, so now you want to be helpful?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Depends. Are you planning a wedding or just want a guy to split the mac and cheese with?”