the idea of like... Bucky not knowing how to shower
Like- it's something we're all taught very young, right? No one can really remember being taught to shower, it's just something people do, but everyone was, undoubtedly, taught how to do it at some point
But Bucky's mind has been wiped and fried and refreshed so much, and, well, Hydra kinda did everything for them, he was a machine that needed maintenance, not a man who could think for himself, so they sprayed him with water and doused him into ice cold bathtubs and called it a day
So one of his first missions out with Sam, they're both exhausted, it's been rough, covered in dirt and grime and probably blood, Sam is like "bru your apartment is so far away, just crash at mine tn it'll be fine you can split in the morning" and Bucky is too tired to care so he agrees
They head to Sam's place and he, being the nice host, is all 'you can shower first, I've got some phone calls and loose ends to do on the 'business' side of heroing, you go on ahead."
But like... Bucky was just planning on crashing on the floor and worrying about all that later- he wasn't exactly on base a lot and missions didn't allow for anything except End Goal so he's used to living in his own filth-
so he just... hovers awkwardly in the bathroom, staring at all the products and night routine and skin care stuff Sam has in it, shifting from foot to foot and getting nervous and anxious and - 'sam will notice if i stink, i dont want to bother him by not showering but what if i do it wrong and i still do and theres so much stuff and knobs and-"
And Sam knocks and pokes his head in like "bucky? Man, you good? Why're you not showering yet?"
And he 'mistakes' Bucky's nervousness for tiredness and is like 'dude wth man! you cant be too tired to shower. ok- fuck this."
and he forces bucky into the shower and starts cleaning him up.
Bucky is panicking and like- no no, i got it-
But Sam just tells him to shut up and starts massaging one of those beautiful many shampoos into his hair and Bucky shuts up real fast
Sam is calm and methodical and he rubs Bucky's back and sides and shoulders and up into his scalp and runs his fingers through every strand of hair to work out the knots and by the time he's done Bucky really is ready to fall asleep right then and there
Bucky stumbles to the door but Sam tsks at him and makes him sit on the toilet as he blow dries his hair because going to bed with wet hair is a no-no
And he's so soft and careful as he tilts Bucky's chin this way and that, his fingers carding through Bucky's hair-
Bucky wakes up in Sam's bed the next morning, better rested than he's ever felt (or can remember feeling, at least) and finds a note on the counter as well as a cup of coffee that's still warm. "Out for a jog. Made you some coffee, there's some fruit in the fridge- don't worry, I remember your affinity for raspberries. Be back later -Sam"
There's nothing that says he has to leave, in fact it sort of implies Sam wants him to still be there when he comes back, so Bucky drinks his coffee, eats a few raspberries and lays on the couch a bit, flipping through Sam's channels
Sam comes back from his run a half hour later and seems a little surprised and a lot happy to see Bucky still there
"just gonna hop into the shower real quick, then I thought I could show you my city for once."
Before Bucky can talk himself out of it he's on his feet and has blurted "Can I help you?"
Sam raises an eyebrow, about a dozen suggestive comments on the tip of his tongue, but refrains.
"I mean... sure?" He ventures at last, and Bucky flushes bright red.
"I just meant... the other night. You- with me. Thank you. I just. Returning the favor. You'll ah, uh. Have to talk me through it, though. I don't." He swallows. Stares at the ground. Swallows again. "I don't remember how to do it." Brushes past his lips like a curse.
Sam just nods, waving him towards the bathroom with ease. "Sure. C'mon."
And when they at last tumble into bed together a few weeks later, Sam talks him through that, too
