[ Their first day back on the station, Sam gives Bucky some space. He can tell that Bucky's avoiding him, and it's not exactly telling him to get the hell out, but given how much it'd taken for Bucky to tell him that the first time, Sam kind of figures that it's close. And he made a promise to respect it.
It's only now, away from the mission, that Sam's starting to realize just how many promises they've made each other. It's another one that eventually sends Sam hunting for Bucky, though at least he does it physically, rather than pushing at Bucky's mind. He doubts that Bucky is staying in communal bunks of the life support area - granted, neither is Sam, but he doesn't need to be there to not see him to guess that. Just like he doesn't need the symbiote connection to assume that Bucky's hidden himself in some dark hidey-hole somewhere far away, but it definitely helps when it comes to actually pinpointing it down.
Still, he does most of his hunting the old fashioned way, doing his best to keep his shields up and stay out of Bucky's head, at least for right now. It's a relief when he finally manages to track Bucky down. ]
day 2ish
It's only now, away from the mission, that Sam's starting to realize just how many promises they've made each other. It's another one that eventually sends Sam hunting for Bucky, though at least he does it physically, rather than pushing at Bucky's mind. He doubts that Bucky is staying in communal bunks of the life support area - granted, neither is Sam, but he doesn't need to be there to not see him to guess that. Just like he doesn't need the symbiote connection to assume that Bucky's hidden himself in some dark hidey-hole somewhere far away, but it definitely helps when it comes to actually pinpointing it down.
Still, he does most of his hunting the old fashioned way, doing his best to keep his shields up and stay out of Bucky's head, at least for right now. It's a relief when he finally manages to track Bucky down. ]
Least it didn't take me two years this time.