Love Wins
Bucky deletes every negative comments from the post of his kiss with Sam, although, thankfully, there aren't many. Most criticize that they are 2 men kissing and some others comment on the bad example they are giving to children, which Bucky finds absurd. There are also those who realize that you have deleted their comment and complain that it is taking away their right to freedom of expression, which causes Bucky to edit the post and add that freedom of speech does not mean that you can insult people, disrespect them, deny human rights or make others feel bad with impunity and that he will continue to delete every inappropriate comment.
The worst thing is that it not only happens online, he also hears a comment or notices the occasional look on the street, it is uncomfortable, but he ignores it as best he can and continues with his life.
He's in a coffee shop when he hears something he can't ignore because it really makes his blood boil. Two men are talking and one of them drops a string of insults at Sam
*****
The Stranger even saying that a human spoil like Sam is not worthy of being the successor of the great Captain America and that it is a disappointment that an upright and decent man like Bucky has gone off track and been corrupted by a "fucking black faggot who would be better off dead."
*****
Rage invades Bucky, he doesn't even listen to what the other man says because he just wants to get up and punch the guy. He remembers what his mother told him that he will count to 10 to calm down and he does. It doesn't work so he keeps counting, it's when he reaches 582 when he feels calm enough to be able to answer, but he still decides to count to 600. Then he gets up and approaches the table, the men are surprised to see him and seem a little scared and begins his defense towards Sam.
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"I couldn't help but listen to everything you said and let me tell you that all those insults towards Sam, show that the human dispossession that should be dead, is you and not him. You'll be white and straight, but you're a racist, homophobe, and a bad person. You are an embarrassment to America and not him. Sam is a good, just, noble and loyal man who makes the world a better place, instead of a person who only knows how to insult and criticize what is different, even if it is a million times better. People like you make the world a bad place for some people who have to face insults and derogatory comments for no reason and live in fear, while Sam risks his life to make everyone, including you, safe and secure. Of course, I don't expect a pea brain like yours to understand why you're wrong, if you're even such an asshole to think Sam has "corrupted" me, which in case it hasn't been clear isn't true. And, since you admire Steve so much, let me tell you that he spent his life fighting guys like you, you would have despised him, and yet he admired Sam because he knew what a great man he is and Steve did believe he was a worthy successor since it was he himself who gave him the shield. I was there, and I was right to believe it. Sam has proven it time and time again, but you are so locked in your own prejudiced world that you are unable to see it, which makes me feel very sorry for you because you miss the wonder that Sam Wilson is."
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Bucky finishes speaking, the two men seem to have been speechless, but the coffee shop erupts in applause and even some cheers, he hadn't noticed that everyone had shut up to hear what he was saying.
It feels good to know himself so supported, but at the same time he is somewhat embarrassed so he says goodbye with his head he takes his things and leaves there, he has barely taken a few steps when he hears someone calling him, he turns to discover one of the coffee shop workers going towards him with a box in his hands, Bucky approaches questioning. The boy seems nervous, but still finds the courage to say what he has to say.
"Forgive me for bothering you, Mr Barnes, but Mr Wilson and you have made life easier for people like me. I'm gay, and while things like what happened in the coffee shop may make it look like it, you're helped some people accept or normalize it, but most of all you're helped me to be brave. I thought I could never thank you, but when I saw you walk into the cafeteria I knew it was my chance so this is for you and Mr. Wilson," he says, holding out the box. Bucky goes to open it, but the boy stops him and says that he is embarrassed that Bucky opens it in front of him. In addition, he must return to work so he says goodbye and runs to the cafeteria, Bucky looks at the box in his hand and decides to open it together with Sam so he goes to his friend's house.
Sam denounces every negative comment from the post of his kiss with Bucky, though thankfully there aren't many. He is glad that there are so many people in favor. Most of comments mention the word Sambucky and you do not have to be very intelligent to know that it is the union of his two names and, therefore, the name of his ship. Search Sambucky on google and be amazed at everything there is: images, fanarts, videos, stories, even articles, some with titles as striking as "10 moments that prove Sambucky is real"
Sam has a good time immersed in all those things, he finds them fascinating. He is reading a fic of Bucky and he when the doorbell rings, with disgust, closes the browser, leaves the mobile and gets up to open, meeting Bucky there, for a moment he thinks if he has fallen asleep and this is nothing more than a fantasy.
"Mmm hello" says Bucky bringing back to earth Sam "is it a bad time?"
"Not at all, man, come in," Sam says moving away from the door to let him in, closes the door behind Bucky and turns to look at him, he is holding out a cardboard box
"I went to a cafeteria and one of the workers gave me this. It's for both of us, although I don't know what it is. He didn't want me to see it in front of him and I thought it was better for us to open it together." Bucky seems insecure, as if he's doubting whether it was a good idea to show up at Sam's house with something that a café worker has given him for both of them. It hasn't been, at least, not for Sam's feelings that are already sufficiently rowdy in themselves, but Bucky is not to blame so he smiles and says
"And what are we waiting for? Let's open it"
Bucky nods and opens it inside they find a heart-shaped cake and rainbow frosting, on it is written in chocolate letters "Thank you both". The two men look at each other touched by the detail and realize that it has really been worth kissing in public and putting up with shit.
In the interior lid of the box they find stuck an envelope stuck in a zip plastic bag, they take it off and take it out to read it also finding a card with the allergens, which is appreciated although fortunately none suffers from any food allergy. They will read the letter when Sam's mobile rings, it is a message from Sarah has sent him a video with the text: "I don't know what you do that you haven't proposed to this man."×in the miniature appears Bucky. Sam, full of curiosity, opens the video. As soon as Bucky listens to himself he pales he doesn't want Sam to feel bad about the things stupid people say about him.
"You don't need to see it, a guy was talking trash and I hit back. That's all. "
"It must be a very good one when Sarah thinks I should asking you to marry for that answer" the words escape Sam's lips before he can really think of them. Bucky opened his eyes wide
"It's not that good," he says finally looking away, Sam shrugs and hits play. Watch the video carefully and feel that your heart can not with so much love. Really, he would very much like Bucky to make it a little easier to overcome the stupid crush he has on him, but the man does not seem to be for the work.
"Thank you for standing up for me, Buck."
"Always, cap"
The atmosphere is charged with a strange and inexplicable tension or maybe it's just Sam who doesn't know how to handle the situation, mainly because his feelings are getting more intense and they seem to want to come to the surface, but Bucky can't find out about it, he doesn't think the other man reacted badly, but it would probably make things uncomfortable and Sam is not willing to do that.
"Uh... Is this video from today? Is it the coffee shop where you have been given the cake?" Bucky nods "Wow, going for coffee with you must be quite an adventure"
"A good one, you should try it"
"Are you asking me on a date, Barnes?" asks Sam, half-flirtatious, half-hopeful.
Bucky suddenly looks awkward, runs a hand through his hair and Sam insults himself and his stupid mouth.
"Friends don't drink coffee in this century?"
"Sure, man, that's what I meant. A date from friends"
Bucky nods in compression, but there is something strange in his eyes, if Sam did not know better, he would think he is disappointed, but he just left him in the friendzone and the kiss they gave each other meant nothing to him, he practically did it out of obligation. Bucky has been very clear with his feelings and Sam has to stop seeing things where there are none and have illusions about something that will not happen.
"Shall we read the letter?" asks Sam, changing the subject. Bucky smiles
"Sure, let's do it"
Dear Captain America and Sergeant Barnes:
I have been admiring you as heroes for a long time, but now I admire you as people too. The other day at the pride parade, you showed that it's not necessary to have super strength, mechanical wings, or a shield to be brave because you were indeed very brave by kissing in front of millions of people and exposing yourselves to public opinion. But what's even more important is that you have helped a lot of people to be brave as well, including me. My parents passed away when I was young, and I was raised by my grandparents. I was afraid to tell them I was gay because, even though they are the most wonderful people in the world, I didn't know if they would understand or accept it. However, you and your Instagram posts gave me the courage to do it, to finally be honest, to be myself, and I will always be grateful to you for that. This is my humble way of saying thank you. I would have liked to make a special cake for you with your favorite flavors, but I didn't know how long Mr. Barnes was going to stay like that, so I just decorated one that we already had. Still, I hope you like it, and you are invited to anything you want at the café.
Thank you for being heroes at the end of the world, when things get tough and in everyday life.
With all my admiration and the most sincere thanks
Mark.
The letter has moved them and now they confirm that it has been worth it, everything that has happened since they decided to go to the pride parade. Sam takes a picture of the cake and they both upload it to their instagram saying thank you, which unleashes a new wave of comments, likes and speculation, but ignore them in favor of trying the cake. When they take the first bite they know they've made the right decision, it tastes like glory.
They finish the slice of cake that have been served and Sam collects everything, rejecting the help that Bucky offers him, he soon returns to the living room, but when he arrives he finds Bucky serious and thoughtful.
"All right, man?" he asks, approaching him and sitting next to him.
"The letter thanked us for being brave, but I'm not being brave"
"Of course you are, Bucky, you're probably the bravest person I've ever met."
"No, I..." Bucky sighs "I have something to tell you" Sam panics imagining that it could be what his friend has to tell him and he has him like this, several horrible scenarios go through his mind so he is not prepared for the words that Bucky really says
"I'm in love with you, Sam"
"How?" he asks in shock.
"I... I know it's not the right thing to do and you don't feel the same and I really hope things don't get uncomfortable, but when that guy thanked us for being brave and helping him be brave, I realized that I wasn't being brave and that I had to be honest with you and tell you what I feel and that's I'm in love with you."
Sam finally assimilates what Bucky is saying and a smile comes to his lips. Bucky loves him, loves him like Sam loves him. His smile becomes wider and at this Bucky looks at him hopefully.
"I'm in love with you too, you idiot," he says before leaning over to him and letting their lips meet.
The world will still be disgusting at times and there will always be people spreading their hatred, but, at that moment, in Sam's apartment, love wins and that's all that matters.