“Thank you for bringing us cake uncle Bucky!” Aj shouts across the table.
“You’re welcome boys.” Bucky responds, playfully nudging Sam with a smirk.
“I’m still their favourite uncle so don’t go getting any ideas.” Sam says shooting Bucky a glare.
“We’ll see.” Bucky returns the same look.
“Alright, alright I’m sure the boys love you both plenty, right boys?”
A mix of “Yep” and “Mhmm Mama” come from Aj and Cass making everyone laugh lightly.
Bucky couldn’t help but look to his side, focusing on the smile lines on Sam’s face. The way they moved as he looked around at his family. The way his smile kept growing as Sarah and the boys speak about the activities they’re planning tomorrow. He doesn’t realise how long he’s staring until Sam turns to him, toothy grin and all. “Something caught your eye Buck?” He says, his smirk only growing.
He blinks as Sam’s voice breaks him out of his trance. “Hm? What? No I was just-” He rambles, only stopping when Sam moves his hand towards Bucky’s arm and squeezes slightly.
“Chill man, I’m just messing with ya.”
Bucky laughs but before he can respond, Sarah calls his name. “You staying here tonight, Bucky?”
“Oh, I- no that’s okay. Thanks Sarah.” Sam shoots him a look of confusion and answers again for him.
“Yes, he’s staying here tonight.” Bucky looks at him and mirrors the confusion on his face.
“Guys I really don’t mind getting a room at a motel.”
“Nonsense!” Sarah exclaims as she stands up from the table. “Boys, get ready for bed and I’ll set up the couch for Bucky.”
“It’s okay Sarah, I’ll do it. You just chill for the night.” Sam says. He gets up to hug the boys and Sarah goodnight. Bucky does the same.
“You sure?” She asks.
“Yeah I got it.” He says.
“Okay, goodnight then.”
“Night!” Bucky says as she walks away before he turns to Sam.
“You know I really don’t mind getting a hotel room Sam.” He says slightly quieter than his normal voice. He didn’t really want to get a hotel room but he equally didn’t want to impose on Sam and his family.
“Come on now, you’re part of the family now Buck, there’s always going to be room for you here.” Sam reassures him with a pat on the back. They both begin to walk up to the house and Bucky heads for the couch.
“Hey Sam?” Bucky shouts through to the kitchen where Sam was quickly finishing the clean up from the cookout.
“Yeah?”
“You got a spare pillow? Maybe a blanket?”
“Yeah, in my room, hang on.” He puts away the last bowl and strolls through. Bucky could almost see a slight smirk on his face but had no idea why.
“You know, I can’t really be bothered going all the way up, back down the stairs and all the way back up again.” Sam groans. He had been subtly hinting at Bucky to make a move but he hadn’t caught on, so Sam decided to up the stakes.
Bucky’s a bit confused but responds anyway. “Oh umm, I can get it? Where are they?” He heads for the stairs but stops on the first step, turning to Sam to wait for his answer.
“Or” Sam trails off. “You could just stay in my room. Beds big enough for both of us.” Sam notices Bucky’s eyes practically fall out the sockets in surprise and suddenly worries that he might’ve overstepped.
“Oh.” Bucky clears his throat before continuing, he pushes together his thumb and index finger, a nervous tic he had recently developed. “Yeah.. I- okay. If that’s okay with you?.” Truthfully the thought of sleeping in the same bed as Sam was a lot. He hadn’t even really admitted it to himself but there were feelings there, on his part anyway. Spending time with Sam, whether it was fighting on a mission or just sitting with him on the jet made him get a funny feeling inside his chest and he didn’t know how to handle it.
“Wouldn't ask if it wasn't.” Sam responds with a light chuckle. He follows Bucky up the stairs. Sam’s heart was beginning to race and he prayed Bucky couldn’t here it.
Bucky walks into Sam’s room and looks around. He’d only ever seen it in photos and once on a video call, but it was just as he imagined. It was tidy but had loads of little trinkets around. He sees photos of Sam with Riley, his parents and a baby he assumes is Cass or Aj. There’s also a diary, it looks like it had been read a lot but it had a pen sticking out. Maybe a journal, Bucky thought.
Below the photo wall is a bottle of aftershave, he couldn’t smell it but he guessed it was the smell he had become so used to smelling on Sam. The one that he had grown so attached to recently. It made him feel silly, being attached to a smell but it also made him feel safe and that was a feeling he had been craving ever since he fell off that train in the 40’s.
He turns to the left and sees Sam’s bed, it was covered in blankets and looked so comfy. It had been a while since he had slept in a bed, his apartment back in new york had a bed but he hadn’t once slept in it. He begins to think about whether he’ll be able to sleep okay but Sam’s voice cuts him off.
“It’s a hard one.”
Bucky turns around quickly and looks at Sam, he turns his head slightly, urging Sam to continue.
“The mattress I mean. Soft beds are the worst. Ya know?”
“Right.” Bucky says. He hated that Sam had those struggles but it made him feel better that he wasn’t the only one who did.
Bucky goes to the bathroom first and changes into a pair of sweatpants and vest. He brushes his teeth and heads back to Sam’s room. Sam does the same but takes a little longer, he had a more detailed night routine. He changes into a pair of shorts and leaves his shirt off. He takes the time to wash and moisturise his face and walks back to the room.
You got a side you prefer Buck?”
“By the door? If that’s okay with you?”
“Yep.”
They get into bed and Sam turns all the lights off, just leaving a lamp on his side table on. The room is silent but he can hear Bucky’s deep breathing. “You alright?”
“Yeah.” Bucky chuckles to try to hide his embarrassment but Sam notices his cheeks warming up and turn a shade of red. “Just been a while since I shared a bed with someone.”
“Are you uncomfortable?” Sam asks.
“No! God no!” He wanted to tell Sam he could never feel uncomfortable with him around but he held back. “I just.. The only time I ever really shared a bed was with a girl back in the day.” He admits with a shy grin.
Sam’s eyebrows raise at that and he takes a deep breath before responding “Is this so different?” He can’t help but chuckle when Bucky’s eyes do that thing again, they really would fall out if it kept happening.
“Hm?”
“Is this so different from then?”
“Sam.” Bucky calls his name.
“Bucky.” Sam responds in the same tone.
“Do you..”
“Do I..”
Bucky takes a breath, he knows what he wants to say but he just can’t get it out. “Do you feel this.. thing between us?” Sam really can’t help his full laugh coming out this time.
“Thing?” He asks, waiting for Bucky to say what he’s really thinking.
“Sam, If I’ve taken this the wrong way please tell me now to save me the embarrassment.”
“How can I know unless you tell me?” He was really gonna make him say it wasn’t he?
“Sam, I like you.”
“I’d hope so, we are partners after all.” Sam teases, he regrets it as he sees Bucky’s face drop.
“Right.” Bucky nods his head slightly. “Partners.” He starts to turn back and lie down but stops when he feels Sam’s hand on his arm.
“Oh my god, you idiot! Come here.” With that, Sam pulls Bucky towards him by the neckline of his vest and plants his lips against Bucky’s. The feeling of Sam’s soft lips melting into his was one he didn't think could ever be beaten. It’s a messy kiss and both of them don’t want it to end. Bucky’s the one to pull away, needing a second to catch his breath. He pulls away only slightly and presses his forehead against Sam’s.
Sam’s tongue comes out his mouth and licks along his lips, chasing the taste of Bucky he had finally gotten after craving it for so long. “I do.” He whispers. Bucky pulls away further and looks at Sam, urging him to continue. “I do feel that thing.”
Bucky chuckles at that, he feels shy and hides his head in the crook of Sam’s neck for a second. He couldn’t believe he had finally gotten to touch Sam in the way he way too often thought about.
“What took us so long?” He asks softly but it comes out as a mumble against Sam’s skin. Sam pulls away slightly and places his hands on Bucky’s face.
“What was that?” He asks and Bucky repeats himself but can’t bring himself to look in Sam’s eyes.
“I’d say we’ve had a lot on our plates, it didn’t exactly leave us a lot of time to be alone.” Bucky nods along, it’s true. There was always someone or something in their way. “Plus, I like seeing you flustered. It’s cute so I had to play a little.” Sam teases.
“Hey! I was not flustered.” Bucky argues playfully to which Sam laughs at.
“Buck, I honestly thought your eyes were gonna pop out of your head when I suggested sleeping up here.” Bucky feels his cheeks heat up even more.
“How else was I supposed to react? Sleeping in your bed with you in it.”
“Aw baby are you getting all flustered again?”
“You’re so annoying Sam.” Bucky playfully rolls his eyes and hides his smirk.
“Don’t act like you don’t love it.” They look into each other's eyes for a moment before he responds.
“Yeah, I really do.” The unspoken true meaning of their words float between them but neither of them bring them to light.
“Alright enough swooning.” Sam teases. “As much as I’d love to look into your eyes all night, we need to sleep.”
“Come here then.” Bucky responds, pulling Sam down towards the bed with him. He pulls Sam into his chest and lets him wiggle around until he’s comfy. Their legs tangle under the blanket and Sam rests his arm over Bucky.. “This okay?” Bucky asks.
“Mhmm. S’perfect.” Sam mumbles.
It’s silent for a few moments before Bucky breaks it.
“Sam?”
“Yeah Buck?”
“You think Sarah is free after their plans tomorrow?”
“Buck! It’s still not funny!”
Bucky can’t hold off his laughter.
“It will never not be funny Sam.” He speaks more softly as he continues. “Don’t worry, there’s only one Wilson I got my eyes on.”
With that he pressed a gentle kiss onto Sam’s forehead and closed his eyes.
“Goodnight Doll.”
He heard Sam giggle at that and it was the best sound he had ever heard, until Sam responded in his sleepy voice. “Goodnight Babe”