Morning finally arrived, ushered in by the soft chirping of birds outside Sam’s window and— is that, snoring?
As Sam stirred awake, his groggy mind registered an unusual weight across his waist. Slowly, he looked down and froze. A metal arm rested heavily over him.
His eyes widened as he turned his head just enough to confirm his suspicion. There, sleeping soundly behind him, was Bucky Barnes.
“What the hell…” Sam muttered under his breath, careful not to disturb the slumbering supersoldier.
Bucky’s face was relaxed, his features softened in a way Sam rarely saw. He looked… peaceful, like someone who’d finally found a moment of respite. Despite the absurdity of the situation, Sam felt a small pang of relief. If Bucky felt safe enough to fall asleep like this, that had to mean something.
But seriously—of all the places in the house, why did he decide to crash here?
Sam sighed quietly, lying still as he weighed his options. Waking Bucky up risked an awkward conversation—or worse, a fight if the guy woke up startled. On the other hand, staying like this wasn’t exactly on his list of morning routines.
He stared at the ceiling, muttering to himself, “This is not how I planned to start my day.”
Sam shifted slightly, testing if he could wriggle free without waking Bucky. The metal arm tightened instinctively, holding him in place.
“Great,” Sam muttered under his breath. “Supersoldier sleep-snuggles. Just my luck.”
Bucky stirred slightly, his brow furrowing as if caught in a dream. Sam froze, holding his breath.
“Don’t move,” Bucky mumbled groggily, his voice thick with sleep.
Sam’s eyes widened. “You awake?”
A pause. Then Bucky groaned softly, burying his face into the pillow. “Kinda. What time is it?”
“Time for you to explain why you’re spooning me,” Sam deadpanned, craning his neck to look at him.
Bucky’s eyes shot open, his grogginess giving way to realization. He blinked, then glanced at his metal arm still draped over Sam.
“Oh, crap.” Bucky sat up abruptly, pulling his arm back like it burned him. “I—I didn’t mean to… I don’t even know how…” He trailed off, looking genuinely mortified.
Sam turned to sit up as well, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. “Of all the places in this house, you chose my bed? What, the couch wasn’t comfy enough for you?”
Bucky rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Sam’s gaze. “I… I guess I didn’t want to be alone. And your room was closer.”
Sam raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Closer? You had to walk past the couch to get here.”
Bucky sighed, his face flushed with embarrassment. “Look, I didn’t do it on purpose, alright? I wasn’t exactly thinking straight.”
Sam studied him for a moment, then his expression softened. “You had another nightmare, didn’t you?”
Bucky didn’t respond immediately, but the way his shoulders slumped gave Sam the answer he needed.
“Alright,” Sam said, his tone gentler now. “Next time, just knock or something. I don’t need a surprise cuddle session, okay?”
Bucky glanced away, his usual confidence faltering. He shifted uncomfortably, a rare hint of shyness crossing his face. “Yeah… sorry about that,” he muttered, barely above a whisper.
Sam got up, stretching as he headed for the door. “C’mon, let’s get some coffee. We’ll chalk this up to another weird chapter in the ‘Bucky Barnes Recovery Saga.’”
Bucky chuckled softly, following after him. “You’re not gonna let me live this down, are you?”
“Not a chance,” Sam called over his shoulder with a grin. “This is going in the archives, my man.”
As they stepped into the kitchen, the early morning light streamed through the windows, casting a soft glow over the space. Sam immediately moved to the coffee maker, his movements practiced and efficient.
Bucky leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “You know, for a guy who claims to be ‘all business,’ you sure enjoy holding onto embarrassing moments for leverage.”
Sam snorted as he filled the coffee pot. “Leverage? Nah. I just like reminding you that even the great Bucky Barnes has his awkward moments. Keeps you humble.”
Bucky smirked, shaking his head. “Right. Because being a 100-year-old ex-assassin with a nightmare problem isn’t humbling enough.”
Sam glanced at him over his shoulder, his expression thoughtful. “Hey, you’re not the only one carrying baggage. We all got stuff. But the difference is, you’ve got people now. You don’t have to carry it alone.”
Bucky looked away, his smirk fading into something more contemplative. “Yeah, I know.”
The coffee maker sputtered as it finished brewing, and Sam poured two mugs, sliding one across the counter to Bucky.
“Besides,” Sam said, taking a sip and grinning over the rim of his mug, “what would you do without me? I’m basically your unofficial therapist at this point.”
Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. “Pretty sure therapists don’t keep a running list of all the dumb things their clients do.”
“Depends on the therapist,” Sam quipped.
Bucky sipped his coffee, savoring the warmth. “So, what’s on the agenda today? More awkward bonding moments, or are we actually gonna do something productive?”
Sam leaned against the counter, his grin fading as he grew more serious. “Actually, I was thinking we could hit the trail later. Get some fresh air, clear our heads.”
“Trail?” Bucky raised an eyebrow. “You mean like a hike?”
“Yeah, a hike. You know, walk in the woods, breathe in nature, not punch anyone for a few hours. It’s good for the soul.”
Bucky frowned, skeptical. “I don’t think my soul is the hiking type.”
Sam smirked. “Well, it’s about time you found out. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? You trip over a tree root?”
Bucky rolled his eyes, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Fine. But if this turns into one of those cheesy team-building exercises, I’m out.”
Sam raised his mug in a mock toast. “Deal. But don’t blame me if you start feeling all refreshed and enlightened afterward.”
Bucky snorted. “Yeah, sure. Enlightened.”
As they finished their coffee and prepared for the day ahead, the lingering tension seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of ease that neither of them openly acknowledged but both silently appreciated.
Bucky stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of a chair. “Alright, let’s get this hike over with,” he muttered.
Sam followed him out of the kitchen, grinning. “See? Told you you’d like it.”
Bucky shot him a glare, but the edge of his mouth twitched upward. “Just don’t expect me to start singing kumbaya around the campfire or something.”
“Hey, I don’t make the rules. But maybe after a few hours on the trail, you’ll be a convert,” Sam teased, patting Bucky’s back as they headed for the door.
—#—
The cool morning air hit them from outside, refreshing and invigorating. Bucky squinted into the bright sunlight, still skeptical. “You know, I’ve never been much of a nature guy.”
Sam shrugged. “Guess we’ll see if today changes that. Besides, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey, right?”
Bucky gave a noncommittal grunt but fell into step beside Sam as they started down the dirt path. The woods around them were quiet, the only sounds the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and the occasional distant call of a bird. Bucky inhaled deeply, the fresh scent of pine needles filling his lungs.
“Alright, maybe this isn’t so bad,” he admitted grudgingly after a few minutes. “Feels kinda… peaceful out here.”
Sam glanced over, grinning. “See? Told you.”
Bucky rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile in his voice. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it.”
They walked in companionable silence for a while, the path winding through the trees. Sam pointed out various flora and fauna, chatting animatedly about the different types of birds and plants they might spot.
Bucky listened, half-amused and half-annoyed by Sam’s enthusiasm, but there was something oddly calming about the easy camaraderie between them.
Eventually, they found a clearing, and Sam suggested they sit down for a while. Bucky settled on a fallen log, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Not exactly roughing it, huh?”
Sam shrugged, sitting down beside him. “Hey, roughing it is for people who actually enjoy that kind of thing. This is more my speed.”
Bucky grunted. “Figures.”
They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the rustling leaves and the distant hum of insects. After a while, Sam turned to Bucky, his expression serious. “You know, I really meant what I said back there in the kitchen. You don’t have to carry all that stuff on your own.”
Bucky looked away, his jaw tightening. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, Sam. I’m used to it.”
Sam’s voice was gentle. “Maybe it’s time to let some of it go, though. You don’t have to do everything alone.”
Bucky didn’t answer for a long moment, then he sighed, the tension in his shoulders visibly relaxing. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Sam leaned closer, giving Bucky a reassuring smile. “Start with today. With this. Being here with me. You’ve got people who care about you now, Bucky. That’s a start.”
Bucky looked at him, the weight of everything finally seeming a little lighter. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the clearing in a warm, golden light. For a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world, their shared silence speaking volumes. Then Bucky nudged Sam’s shoulder playfully. “Okay, enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Let’s get back to the trail before I start feeling all… enlightened.”
Sam grinned, rolling his eyes. “Deal. But don’t say I didn’t warn you if you start liking this nature stuff.”
Bucky just shook his head, a genuine smile on his face. “Not happening. Let’s get moving before I change my mind.”
As they headed back down the trail, the early evening light filtering through the trees, the easy banter between them was a silent promise. Whatever came next, they’d face it together. And for once, Bucky felt a small but solid glimmer of hope.
They stumbled upon a baby bear, sitting alone in the forest.
Bucky approached it cautiously, oblivious to the danger. "Hey, look at this little guy. It's cute," he said with a grin.
Sam, the nature expert, froze. "Idiot! Get back!" he hissed, his voice urgent.
"It's just a baby bear—"
Before Bucky could finish, the mother bear charged out of the underbrush, roaring ferociously and swiping her massive claws in warning.
Despite the imminent threat, Bucky stood his ground.
"Barnes! You fucking dumbass! Are you trynna get yourself killed?!" Sam yelled from a safe distance.
Bucky glanced back at him, unfazed. "I've got a vibranium arm. I can take 'em."
Sam's voice rose, panic laced with fury. "Bears are big ass killing machines, who gives a shit!"
Sam's voice was frantic, cutting through the tense silence of the woods. "Get back here, Bucky! Now!"
The mother bear roared again, its massive form barreling toward Bucky with all the protective fury of a parent defending its cub. For a moment, Bucky held his ground, his vibranium arm flexing in readiness. His calm was unnerving.
“I’ve fought androids, aliens and wizards, Sam,” Bucky said over his shoulder. “It’s just a bear.”
Sam was ready to tear his hair out. “That’s not just a bear! That’s a mother bear. And you don’t mess with moms!”
The bear swiped its claws, narrowly missing Bucky as he sidestepped at the last second. He raised his vibranium arm, ready to defend himself, but before he could make a move, Sam grabbed a stick and hurled it in the bear’s direction—not to hit it, but to distract it.
“Hey! Over here, big mama!” Sam yelled, waving his arms wildly.
The bear hesitated, its attention flickering to Sam. It roared again, standing on its hind legs to its full, imposing height. Sam took a cautious step back but kept yelling, trying to keep its focus on him.
“Bucky!” Sam barked, his voice sharp. “Move. Now. Before I let this thing finish what Hydra started!”
Bucky scowled but finally relented, taking a slow step backward, then another. The bear dropped back onto all fours, its growls echoing through the woods as it turned its attention back to its cub.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Sam muttered under his breath. “Go back to your baby. We’re not here to bother you.”
When the mother bear finally herded the cub away, disappearing into the trees, Sam let out a shaky breath and turned to Bucky, who was now leaning casually against a tree as if nothing had happened.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Sam exploded, marching up to him. “You’re not invincible! That thing could’ve torn you to shreds!”
Bucky smirked, raising his vibranium arm. “Not likely.”
Sam jabbed a finger into his chest. “You are not a nature expert, Barnes! Next time, you listen to me, or so help me god—”
Bucky held up his hands in mock surrender, his smirk turning into a chuckle. “Alright, alright. You saved my life, Wilson. Feel free to gloat.”
“Oh, I’m gonna do more than gloat,” Sam shot back. “I’m writing a list of every dumb thing you’ve done since we started hanging out. And guess what? This one’s going right at the top.”
Bucky crossed his arms, his smirk unshaken. “Can’t wait to read it.”
Sam rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he turned to head back down the trail. “Unbelievable. Out here risking your life for a bear cub. I swear, you’re like a toddler with a death wish.”
Bucky followed, his grin softening into something more genuine. “You know you’d miss me if something happened.”
Sam didn’t look back, but his voice was quieter when he answered. “Yeah, I would. That’s why I’m making sure nothing does happen.”
The two walked in silence for a while, the adrenaline slowly ebbing. The forest seemed to breathe easier around them, the tension fading as the distant sounds of the bear and its cub faded away. Finally, Sam spoke again.
“No more bear encounters, okay?”
“Deal,” Bucky said with a faint smile. “Unless it’s a koala. Those I can handle.”
Sam snorted, shaking his head. “Man, you’re gonna be the death of me.”
As they continued down the trail, the tension between them began to settle into a familiar rhythm, punctuated by Bucky’s occasional smirks and Sam’s exasperated sighs. The forest grew denser around them, the sunlight filtering through the trees in fractured beams, casting shifting shadows on the ground.
Sam finally broke the silence, glancing over his shoulder. “You know, if you’d just listened to me in the first place, we wouldn’t have almost been bear chow back there.”
Bucky shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”
Sam stopped in his tracks, spinning around to face him. “Fun?” His voice climbed an octave. “Do you have any idea how many bad decisions you’ve made today? You’re officially banned from any and all nature-related activities from here on out.”
Bucky raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely amused. “Banned? You’re not exactly in a position to enforce that.”
“Oh, don’t you worry,” Sam said, crossing his arms. “I’ll find a way. Maybe I’ll start by telling everyone back at HQ about how the Winter Soldier almost got mauled by a mama bear because he thought her cub was cute.”
“You wouldn’t,” Bucky said, though the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes betrayed him.
“Oh, I absolutely would.” Sam grinned, his confidence returning now that the danger had passed. “And don’t think I’ll forget to include the part where you said, ‘I can take ’em.’”
Bucky rolled his eyes, muttering, “It was cute…”
Sam shook his head, laughing despite himself. “Unbelievable. You know, you’re lucky that bear didn’t knock some sense into you.”
“I’m lucky you didn’t knock some sense into me,” Bucky said with a wry smile. “Not that you didn’t try.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Sam shot back, though there was a warmth in his tone that softened the words.
They resumed walking, the forest gradually thinning out as the trail led them closer to the edge of the woods. The light was warmer now, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the ground. Birds chirped overhead, their calls echoing through the trees.
“So, what’s next on this grand adventure?” Bucky asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “A snake pit? Maybe we wrestle an alligator?”
Sam smirked. “Don’t give me ideas. But no, I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
They finally emerged from the woods, stepping into a clearing where Sam had parked the car. Bucky stretched, his vibranium arm catching the sunlight. “You know, I’ve got to admit, Wilson, this wasn’t the worst idea you’ve ever had.”
Sam opened the car door, raising an eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Bucky slid into the passenger seat, leaning back with a sigh. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
As Sam started the car and they pulled onto the road, the tension of the day gave way to an easy silence. Bucky stared out the window, the trees blurring into streaks of green and gold, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“You’re not bad at this whole ‘friendship’ thing, you know,” he said after a while.
Sam glanced at him, surprised. “Did the bear knock something loose in your brain? Did I just hear you give me a compliment?”
“Don’t get used to it,” Bucky said, his smirk returning. “But yeah. You’re alright.”
Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “Coming from you, that’s practically a love letter.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Bucky warned, though his tone was light.
As they drove on, the forest fading behind them, both men felt a little more grounded, a little more connected. The day hadn’t gone quite as planned, but maybe that was the point. Together, they could handle whatever came their way—even if it involved bears.
—#—
As they pulled up to the safe house, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. The tension from their forest adventure had dissipated, leaving behind a comfortable silence between them. Sam parked the car, letting the engine rumble to a stop before stepping out, stretching his legs.
“You know,” he started, smirking at Bucky as they approached the front door, “you owe me big time for saving your ass today.”
Bucky raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “I already admitted you were right. Don’t push it.”
Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “Admitting I’m right isn’t payment. That’s just common sense.”
They stepped inside, the house warm and quiet after the long day. Bucky shrugged off his jacket, tossing it over the back of the couch, while Sam made a beeline for the kitchen, grabbing two beers from the fridge. He handed one to Bucky before collapsing onto the couch, sighing deeply.
Bucky took a seat beside him, their shoulders brushing lightly. “You’re really milking this hero act, aren’t you?”
Sam took a sip of his beer, glancing sideways at Bucky. “Oh, absolutely. Someone’s gotta keep you in check, Barnes.”
Bucky chuckled softly, the sound low and genuine. For a moment, the room was quiet, the only noise the soft hum of the fridge in the background. Sam leaned back, letting his head rest against the couch, his eyes flickering to Bucky’s face.
“You’re not bad at this whole ‘human’ thing, you know,” Sam said after a moment, his voice softer now. “I mean, you’ve got your moments, but… you’re not as broken as you think you are.”
Bucky’s smirk faded, replaced by something more vulnerable. He stared at the bottle in his hand, rolling it between his fingers. “I don’t know about that,” he murmured. “Sometimes it feels like I’m just… piecing things together as I go.”
Sam shifted closer, their knees almost touching. “Yeah, well, isn’t that what we’re all doing? You don’t have to have it all figured out, man. That’s why you’ve got people—why you’ve got me.”
Bucky looked up, his blue eyes meeting Sam’s. There was something unspoken in the way they held each other’s gaze, a quiet understanding that neither of them could fully put into words. Bucky swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah… I guess I do.”
Sam reached out, his hand brushing against Bucky’s vibranium arm. “You’re not alone, Buck. Not anymore.”
The touch lingered, and Bucky didn’t pull away. Instead, he turned slightly, his face inches from Sam’s. “You’re really good at this whole pep talk thing, you know that?”
Sam smirked, though there was a softness in his eyes. “Well, you’re not exactly the easiest guy to get through to. But I’ve got my methods.”
Bucky’s lips quirked into a faint smile, but his gaze dropped to Sam’s lips for a split second, betraying his thoughts. Sam noticed, his heart skipping a beat, but he didn’t pull back. Instead, he leaned in ever so slightly, testing the waters.
“Is this one of your methods?” Bucky asked, his voice low, a teasing edge to it.
Sam grinned, his voice a murmur. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
The space between them disappeared as Sam closed the distance, pressing his lips to Bucky’s in a kiss that was soft yet full of unspoken emotion. For a moment, Bucky froze, caught off guard, but then he relaxed, leaning into it, his vibranium hand resting lightly on Sam’s knee.
When they finally broke apart, Sam pulled back just enough to look at Bucky, his expression both amused and serious. “You good?”
Bucky’s smile was small but real, his voice steady. “Yeah. Better than good.”
Sam laughed softly, leaning his head against Bucky’s shoulder. “Well, that’s progress.”
They sat there for a while, the weight of the day melting away in the warmth of each other’s presence. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they knew they’d face them together—and maybe, just maybe, they’d be stronger for it.
The quiet warmth of the living room lingered as Sam sat up, his hand lightly brushing against Bucky's vibranium arm. "You staying out here all night, or are you coming to bed?" Sam asked, his voice low and inviting.
Bucky raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "'S that an invitation?"
Sam chuckled, standing and stretching. "You think I invite just anyone into my bed?" He turned, a playful glint in his eyes as he added, "C'mon, soldier. The bedsheets don't wait by themselves."
Bucky followed Sam down hallway, the quiet creek of the wooden floorboards beneath their adding to a comfortable silence. When they reached Sam's room, the dim light spilling in from the hallway cast soft shadows across the space.
Sam pulled back the covers, climbing into the bed with a sigh of contentment. Bucky hesitated for a moment, then kicked off his boots and slid in beside him. The bed wasn't small, but their proximity felt natural, their shoulders brushing as they settled in.
For a while, they lay side by side, the quiet night enveloping them. Bucky's arm draped over Sam's waist, pulling him closer. Sam exhaled softly, his back pressing against Bucky's chest.
"This is...nice," Bucky murmured, his low voice low and warm against Sam's ear.
Sam smiled, his hand lightly tracing over Bucky's vibranium fingers. "Yeah. Didn't think you were the 'cuddling' type."
Bucky chuckled, the sound rumbling against Sam's back. "I guess you bring it out of me."
As they settled further into the embrace, Sam shifted slightly, his movements unintentional but enough to make Bucky freeze for a moment. His breath hitched as his body responded to the closeness, his growing arousal brushing lightly against Sam's bum.
Sam stilled, his cheeks warming as he realized the situation. A small, amused grin crept onto his face. "Well, Winter Soldier," he said softly, glancing back over his shoulder, "anything you wanna talk about?"
Bucky groaned, burying his face in Sam's shoulder. "Don't start."
"Start what?" Sam teased, his tone playful but tinged with curiosity. "I didn't say anything."
Bucky sighed, his lips brushing against the curve of Sam's neck. "You're not making this easy, Wilson."
Sam shifted again, pressing back just enough to make Bucky's grip on his waist tighten. "Who said anything about making it easy?"
Sam tilted his head, giving Bucky more access as his breathing grew uneven. "You sure you wanna do this?" His voice mumured, his voice barely audible.
Bucky's response was immediate, his lips brushing against Sam's ear as he whispered, "I've never been more sure of anything."
Sam shivered as Bucky's breath fanned across his sensitive skin. A thrill shot through him, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He turned his head slightly, offering easier access to his neck.
Bucky, sensing the invitation, leaned in, his lips grazing Sam's skin. With a soft moan, Sam arched his back, inviting Bucky deeper. The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing in a passionate duet. Bucky's hands tightened around Sam's waist, pulling him closer.
The room was filled with the sound of their ragged breathing and the soft rustling of clothes. Sam's heart pounded in his chest as he felt Bucky's growing arousal pressing against him. He couldn't help but smile, a small, contented sound escaping his lips.
"You're beautiful," Bucky murmured, his voice rough with desire.
"You're not so bad yourself," Sam replied, his voice barely a whisper.
With a final, urgent kiss, Bucky broke away, his eyes filled with a hunger that Sam couldn't resist. He pulled Sam closer, their bodies pressed together, and began to move slowly, deliberately. Each thrust was a promise, a prelude to the ecstasy that awaited them.
Bucky's fingers found the zipper of Sam's jeans, his touch hesitant but purposeful. He slowly lowered it, his eyes never leaving Sam's face. Sam's breath hitched as Bucky's hand slid inside, his fingers exploring the soft fabric of his underwear.
A low groan escaped Sam's lips as Bucky's touch reached his sensitive skin. He arched his back, pressing against Bucky's hand, inviting him deeper. Bucky obliged, his fingers tracing circles along Sam's inner thigh, sending shivers down Sam's spine.
The room was filled with the sound of their ragged breathing and the soft rustling of their clothes. Sam's heart pounded in his chest as he felt Bucky's growing arousal pressing against him. He couldn't help but moan, his voice barely audible.
"Bucky," he whispered, his voice trembling.
Bucky didn't respond, his attention focused on the task at hand. He continued to explore Sam's body, his fingers moving with a slow, deliberate rhythm. Sam's body tensed, his muscles clenching as Bucky's touch reached its climax.
With a final, guttural moan, Sam came, his body shaking uncontrollably. Bucky pulled his hand away, his eyes filled with a mixture of satisfaction and desire.
"That was incredible," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Sam smiled weakly, his body still trembling. "Nah," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.
Bucky leaned in, his lips brushing against Sam's ear. "I want more," he whispered, his voice low and seductive.
Sam's heart skipped a beat. He knew what Bucky wanted, and he was more than willing to give it to him. But before he could respond, Bucky pulled away, his eyes filled with a mischievous glint.
"Not yet," he said, his voice teasing. "I want to savor this."
Sam smiled, knowing that Bucky was right. There was no rush. They had all night to explore each other, to discover all the secrets that lay hidden beneath their skin.