“C’mon Barnes it’s a joke,” Sam says, a mischievous grin playing across his face. An indicator for Bucky that it was actually a joke. The joke in question was about whether or not Bucky swipes right on the tigers that pop up on his dating app.
“I’m going to get rid of this stupid phone and leave.” Bucky throws the phone right onto the couch.
“Now, you’re just lying.” Bucky is just intensely staring at Sam. “You’re doing that staring thing again.”
“Why do you care?”
“Oh, now we’re going to have a conversation?”
“Answer the question, why do you care about my attempt at modern-day dating?”
“I’m just looking out for you Buck, dating apps are dangerous.”
“First off, only Steve can call me Buck. Second off, I’m the dangerous one.”
“Bucky you’re not dangerous, could you use a better therapist absolutely but you’re not dangerous,” Sam says genuinely with a hint of sadness.
“Now answer the question with the real reason.”
“That is the real reason, Bucky there are things out there that even you wouldn’t be able to handle.”
“They’re stupid anyway, all I get are messages asking if I’m DTF when I get a match. I don’t know what that means.” Sam laughs, the type of laugh that makes him double over, Bucky can’t help but smile which goes away rather quickly when Sam looks back up at him.
“That is hilariously innocent. Why be in the dating scene?”
“Dr. Raynor thinks it could be beneficial for me to experience a ‘normal twenty-first-century life’ even though she is very aware of my past.”
“You can’t experience that differently?”
“I don’t know,” Bucky says in defeat, he didn’t quite get the answer he wanted from Sam.
“I’m going to go to bed now, night Buck.”
“Night Sam… quit calling me Buck.” Sam shakes his head as he is walking away from Bucky towards his room.
Sam stops and turns to see Bucky setting up his ‘bed’ which is on the floor, “you know Bucky, there’s a spare bedroom.”
“I know,” Bucky says simply, Sam sighs.
“If Raynor isn’t helping you can always go to a different therapist.”
“She’s government assigned.”
“Then you can talk to me.” Sam sees the little smirk on Bucky’s face, “nevermind forget I said that.” Sam starts to walk away again.
“Hey, Sam, can we talk?”
“Right now?”
“Yes?” Sam walks back over to him.
“About what?”
“He risked everything to save me countless times even back then but as soon as he had the chance he left me.”
“Do you know why?”
“I have a guess.” Sam looks at him with a confused look, “Peggy Carter, she was something and he wanted her.”
“Co-founder of SHIELD, Sharon’s aunt… that Peggy?”
“They had a thing back in the 40s, by thing I mean they kissed once and I fell off a train and got caught by Hydra.”
“Steve tried saving you.”
“Keyword is tried. Some of my Hydra memories of me being the Winter Soldier pop up. He has tried to get me to recognize him, even called me his best friend…”
“It’s okay, Bucky, to feel betrayed by him.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“What?”
“I always say I hate you, but I don’t. You remind me of Steve, especially now that you got the shield and kept it, as you should have. But I don’t hate you.”
“I don’t hate you either. Why do you say that?”
“In hopes, I don’t get attached and end up being alone like with Steve.”
“I would never leave you Bucky. Why do you sleep on the floor?”
“I don’t deserve a bed, I don’t deserve comfortable things.” Sam has a concerned look. Bucky looks at him, he shakes his head. “I’ve done terrible things, I’m working through it with Raynor but she just doesn’t understand.”
“You were under Hydra’s control. Bucky, it wasn’t you, it was the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier isn’t who you are, you are Bucky Barnes, the guy who saved a transportation van full of people who would have died if it wasn’t for you.”
“I was the Winter Soldier for so long.”
“You haven’t been the Winter Soldier for years now, you are White Wolf, adopted brother of King T’Challa the Black Panther.” Bucky’s breathing begins to shake, “are you okay?” Sam asks concern, lathering his voice. Bucky takes in a sharp breath and then breathes out.
“I’m not.” Bucky breaks down, Sam comforts him, he is letting it out not how Sam thought this talk would go. “Did you know that he offered to take me with him?”
“What?” Sam asks giving him space, Bucky looks at Sam with a nod. It’s taking everything in Sam to not wipe away Bucky’s tears.
“I said no, obviously. I didn’t tell him why but what if when I went back I would be going back to Hydra? I would have to face it all over again.” Bucky sobs and Sam starts to comfort him again.
“You know Bucky, you could’ve told me. All of this already. I am your friend, I care about you. Please sleep in a bed, you deserve it. You deserve peace, you deserve light.”
“Not yet.” Sam pulls away from Bucky.
“What do you mean not yet?”
“I still have one more name on the list. I’ve gotten this far, I have to finish it.”
“I can come with you.”
“You say that as if you know whose name it is.”
“It’s Tony Stark, he is gone, however.”
“I have to make amends.”
“Either way, I can go with you.”
“Okay.” Bucky accepts, and he sighs. Sam moves away from Bucky but is stopped by a cold hand on his. Surprisingly not the metal hand. “Thanks, Sam.” Sam nods and glances at their hands as Bucky’s lingers. Sam’s lips turn up slightly.
“You know–” the two start at the same time.
“You go ahead,” Sam says, their hands still touching each other.
“Nevermind,” Bucky says, moving his hand–forcing his hand away from Sam’s.
“Good night, Bucky.” Sam stands up.
“What were you going to say?”
“I‘ll tell you some other time.” Bucky nods. Sam goes to his room as Bucky is getting comfortable on the floor.
—
It’s the time when they’re on zero missions where no one needs them. So, the following morning while Sam is showering he has a brilliant idea. Which is to give Bucky a push about making amends with the Potts-Starks. Sam finishes his shower, lazily dries off, then wraps the towel around his waist. “Hey, Bucky!” Sam yells from the bathroom door, as he is pulling on his boxers.
“Yeah?!” Bucky yells from the living room. Sam is drying off now as he’s walking to Bucky.
“You know since we’re sort of on the down low with no missions–”
“Pepper is out of town, she took Morgan on a vacation. I already called.” Bucky cuts Sam off. Sam sighs but nods. He goes to his room to get dressed.
“Hear me out.” Sam starts when he walks out of his room, towards the living room.
“Now what?” Bucky sounds almost angry, but that's normal.
“What if you go out on a date with someone you know that way you can tell Raynor you’ve tried the dating scene then you can delete the apps.”
“Who?”
“I didn’t get that far. I thought I would have to convince you more.” Sam says, Bucky looks flustered now that Sam is noticing him. “What about me? I’ve seen you swipe right on the tigers, Bucky.”
“No.” Sam doesn’t know who’s redder him or Buck.
“Okay, fine, forget I said anything, and have fun swiping. I’m making breakfast.” Sam walks into the kitchen, he grabs things for pancakes. Bucky walks in and mumbles something to himself. “What was that?” Sam asks too distracted with measuring out things for two people for pancakes.
Sam looks up and Bucky is intensely staring at Sam’s hands which are covered in flour already and he just started. “Bucky, what’s up?”
“Raynor said I need to be more honest with people.”
“Okay?” Sam asks, confused.
“I don’t want to go on a fake date with you.”
“You’ve made that clear in the living room, Bucky.”
“No, I– Sam, I want to go on a real date with you,” Bucky says, still staring at Sam’s hands.
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or being serious. Look at me Bucky.” Bucky physically cannot look at him. His mind is racing. It’s racing so much that he almost missed what Sam said. “Buck?” Sam asks— when did he get next to me? Bucky thinks to himself. “You’re freaking me out Bucky.” Bucky finally looks at Sam.
“That was stupid. I’m sorry. Forget it.” Bucky says shortly.
“No, it wasn’t stupid, you shouldn’t be sorry, please don’t forget it,” Sam says softly yet seriously.
“I’ve liked you for a while.” Sam and Bucky confess. The two laugh, both clearly very nervous.
“Not expecting that and yet I’m still very nervous,” Sam says and Bucky smiles gently.
“You’re nervous?” Bucky says incredulously. “Mr. Suave is nervous.”
“Mr. Suave me? Mr. Suave you.”
“I saw how you were in Madripoor… made me wish you were in command of the winter soldier instead of Zemo,” Bucky says winter soldier with disdain.
“Well, you know Buck, I can still be in command.”
The small space between them was quickly closed as Bucky went in for a kiss. Sam wrapped one arm around Bucky’s waist, the other on the counter to kind of steady them. Bucky’s flesh arm was gently gripping the nape of Sam’s neck. His metal arm was situated on Sam’s hip. The two barely broke apart for air.
As the two were coming down from the rush of their first, completely lustful, longing mini make-out session, Bucky brought his flesh arm down tracing the curve of Sam’s back then gently dragging it across his hip to hook onto the belt loop of his jeans. The metal hand was already hooking his belt loop. Bucky gently kissed Sam. “As much as I have wanted to do this for so long now, I am starving. Not just for you.” Bucky says as Sam smiles.
“Let me finish making us pancakes as you change?” Bucky obliges then turns and walks away. As he was walking away Sam laughed.
“I have a flour handprint on me, don’t I?”
“Yeah…” Sam says with a loving sigh. Loving sigh, because no matter what he just doesn’t care about Bucky he loves him. As a partner, as a friend, as a lover.
The pancakes are done, “you know I liked your long hair but this haircut that you have now is so much better.”
“You like the short hair?”
“Yeah,” Sam says. They finish their pancakes now, Sam rinses off their plates. “So, we have nothing today and Potts is off the list for right now. Why don’t we go to a museum?” Sam asks, Bucky softly smiles almost unnoticeable.
“Sounds like a better day than what I had thought.”
“What, sit and watch the news about how Walker is trying to get my shield,” Sam says protectively of the shield.
“You’re hot when you realize what’s rightfully yours,” Bucky says Sam laughs.
“For being an old man you’re hot… that sounds so much weirder out loud.”
“Quit calling me an old man, I can outrun you.”
“But I can fly.”
“Are you going to take me to the museum or not?”
“Of course, darling,” Sam says as he grabs his shoes and then puts them on.
—
They’re in comfortable silence as they roam around the museum. They were getting closer to the War side of the museum. Sam stops Bucky– who seemingly wasn’t paying attention. “You know we don’t have to keep going this way,” Sam says that's when Bucky realizes where they were. “I notice whenever you come back from different museums that have a war section you are always…different. I don’t like it.” Sam kind of coos.
“Okay,” Bucky says he turns around, and Sam is still in the same position.
“Is that all it would’ve taken for you to stop going into the war section?”
“For you to have just said something? Yeah.” Bucky says a small smile on his face. Bucky gently grabs Sam’s hand. They start walking hand in hand.
“You are so hot,” Sam whispers, Bucky ducks his head. “You are so cute when you’re embarrassed.” Sam follows Bucky and lets Sam's hand go to push him. Sam quickly grabs Bucky’s hand back and pulls him in to kiss him.
“You frustrate me.” Sam’s eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“How so?” Sam asks so innocently, mouth turned up in a Grinch-like smile.
“That look on your face and how you sound, screams you know how.” Sam leans in and kisses Bucky. They start walking hand-in-hand again.
“Okay, so I was thinking about your therapy situation. I’m Captain America so I could put in a word with Congress or whoever to get you assigned a better therapist than Raynor.”
“Sam, sweetheart, I only have to deal with her for another year. I’ll be fine.” Sam has an idiotic look on his face.
“Are you sure a year is a long time?” Bucky gives Sam a look, Sam nods, “I’m sorry.” Bucky kisses Sam this time.
“You frustrated me because I wanted to hate you. Ever since you wouldn’t move your seat, I wanted to hate you but it was like you didn’t care that I was the Winter Soldier. You were so unbothered that day with me.” Sam kinda half smiles.
“That’s because I knew it wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t your choice. As a former military man, with knowledge of history, I could only guess what Hydra had done.” Sam explains. “There’s something about you that I was drawn to. Like a little kid who believes in soulmates.” Bucky nods. “Okay, we’ve been in the museum for like three hours–”
“Four.” Bucky corrects.
“Okay we’ve been here for four hours, let’s get something to eat.”
“Sounds good, doll.”
They were in comfortable silence again. As they normally were, honestly. They had a quiet dynamic. As if they had known each other for decades. Always knowing what the other is thinking, their minds on the same wavelength. Which was probably one of the biggest reasons they wanted to hate each other but couldn’t. Can you blame them? They make one hell of a team.
—
Now, as they’re finishing up their meal, Sam looks up at Bucky. “Are you going to tell Raynor about this?” Sam asks and Bucky shrugs.
“If it gets brought up,” Bucky says simply. “It’s her fault really with the whole couple’s therapy eye gazing exercise.”
“You have a staring problem anyway.”
“Yeah, sure, but you don’t stare back.”
“Do I, little Sam Wilson, make the Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes nervous? Or flustered?” Bucky was just doing his normal staring thing. But he added a small, delicate smile that made Sam crumble.
“Do I, little James Buchanan Barnes, make the Samuel Thomas Wilson nervous?” Bucky mocks and Sam nods in a pleading way. With puppy dog eyes and a small smile. “Let’s go home, Cap,” Bucky says, Sam nods. The two got up, Sam left money on the table not even caring how much was left for a tip.
—
As they arrived home, the two discarded their shoes and jackets by the door. “Home huh?” Sam asks because the home in question was Sam’s DC apartment.
“I mean I’m here, what, ninety percent of the time. So, yeah home. More of a home to me than my Brooklyn apartment.” Sam smiles, he opens his mouth but decides not to say the thought aloud and walks away. The thought in question was, we could completely move in together by getting a house of our own.
“Sammy Doll, finish your thought. Raynor says it’s important to be able to express your thoughts and feelings.” Bucky sing-songs.
“Okay, but don’t laugh… I was going to say that we could completely move in together and get a house of our own.” Bucky was silent, “See that's why I didn’t want to–” Sam looked at Bucky, who was thinking but he had a smile on his face, “Oh you’re thinking.”
“We should, but a house where?” Sam walks over to Bucky, gently grabbing his hips. Sam slides his thumbs under his shirt to delicately rub soothing circles on Bucky’s skin.
“Are you sure? Yes, you’re here ninety percent of the time but I know how you like to be alone sometimes.” Sam asks softly.
“I don’t like being alone… it’s just easier… sometimes.” Bucky matches Sam’s tone.
“You know that I trust you, right?” Bucky nods. “So, with that being said and understood, right it’s understood.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then, it’s settled, we will start looking for houses.”
“Okay, but a big enough house that will have enough room for Sarah and the boys.”
“Of course, and a separate room for you all to your own with as much or as little furniture in it just in case you want to be alone. Even though you don’t have to be alone.”
Bucky pulled Sam in for a hug. Sam hugged Bucky tightly, even though he knew Bucky could squeeze the air out of him. Bucky is squeezing Sam gently. Not because he thinks he’s going to hurt him but rather because he wants to show Sam how much he will be gentle with him.
—
“Sammy doll, could you be a dear and tell Sharon no,” Bucky says as he’s laying in their bed half naked. Sam was getting dressed for the day. Sam turns to look at Bucky.
“We have a job to get done, Buck. As much as I would rather get back in bed with you… we have to go. So, my dear, get dressed. Then when the mission is over we can lay here all we want.”
“Fine.” Bucky groans as he gets up. Bucky does a quick shower and then gets dressed. He puts his vibranium arm back on. No matter how many times Shuri says and assures him it’s completely waterproof, no matter how many times Sam says he can sleep with it on even if they’re in the same bed… he refuses to do it. Bucky walks out of their room, Sam is sitting at the island.
Bucky listens to half the conversation, then stands when he sees Bucky. “Come along my dear, before Sharon sends someone to get us.” Sam holds the door open for them. Allowing Bucky to go first and Bucky walks out. As Sam closes the door completely, Bucky spins around and pins him to the door. Sam quickly covers Bucky’s mouth. “My dear, if we want to get our own place we’re going to have to sing for our supper first,” Bucky mumbles something against Sam’s hand. “What was that?” Sam laughs as he uncovers Bucky’s mouth.
“Alright fine, but you owe me.”
“But of course my dear.” Sam pecks Bucky’s lips. Then gestures to him to move on.
They get to the private hangar that Sharon told them to go to. “Hey boys, I have an update from the last time we talked. There is a guy in Madripoor trying to replicate the Super Soldier serum. It is now a level-five threat. We have to move fast.” Sharon informs them as they are boarding and getting ready for take-off. “What took you guys so long?”
“Traffic.” Sam and Bucky speak at the same time.
“Well, relax boys, you're going to need the rest.” They were already going over Africa about two hours in the air. “As we’re approaching Madripoor, here’s the earpieces for comms, you two have to do a stealth op. I have some of my guys in there already but their plan of attack will go into motion once you two are down there. So, here are your costumes. You two are rich business partners and want to get the suspect’s business alliance. Any questions?”
“That’s all you are giving us, we’re rich business partners?”
“Yeah, I hope you guys are able to make up your covers. He doesn’t know that you are the Winter Soldier.”
“Were.” Sam corrects Sharon before Bucky can.
“Right, that you were the Winter Soldier.”
—
“South side, he’s on his way to you,” Bucky says, over the comms. Their covert plan didn’t work, he in fact knew who Bucky was and Sam. Bucky is running to the south side of the building trying so desperately to get there as fast as he can so Sam isn’t alone. A couple of Sharon’s guys were trailing far behind Bucky.
“Bucky, there are two more guys who seem to be carrying silver briefcases.”
“They have the serums,” Bucky says.
“How do you know it’s the serum?”
“Why else bring silver briefcases to a business exchange?”
“They have a–” Sam’s comms cut out.
“Sam? Sam?!” Bucky asks frantically. He is just about to Sam’s last known location. He sees the two guys, one has both briefcases, and the other has Sam in a chokehold with a gun to his head. The guy they were going to do business with has an assault rifle of a sort drawn on Bucky. “Woah now, if you let him go you can walk away from this. No pursuit. Just free.” Bucky negotiates.
“Why should I trust you, the Winter Soldier.” The guy laughs maniacally.
“Well, that's fair. However, we both know what I can do to you before you or your buddy over there can pull the trigger.”
“Let him go.” The guy says, his finger shakily balanced over the trigger. Sam was pushed over to Bucky, he was coughing trying to catch his breath. The three guys start walking away.
“Are you okay?” Bucky asks towards Sam but keeping his eyes on the three. Bucky pulls out his knives, he throws one at a time at each of the three guys, hitting the two with guns in their shoulder blade area and the guy with the briefcases in the back of the leg.
A couple of Sharon’s guys came around the corner in front of the three who were down, guns drawn on them. Then Sharon came around the corner, confiscating the briefcases. Bucky now turns his attention to Sam, who was trying to gain his composure while being completely upright. “Are you okay?” Bucky reiterates.
“Yeah,” Sam says in a coarsened voice.
“You don’t sound like it, let me have a look,” Bucky says Sam turns to face him. Bucky gently lifts Sam’s head up to look at his neck which has a terrible bruise around it. “No more talking, until you get completely checked out.” Sam does a stupid little solute. Bucky shakes his head. They walked out together, Sharon was waiting outside.
“Nice work, the jet will be taking off without us. We have a different protocol to go through, but I figured you two would like to get out of here faster than me.”
“Sounds good,” Bucky says. They got to the jet, where a medic was waiting. “Chokehold sounds rough when he speaks, check him out completely,” Bucky tells the medic, who just nods.
—
“Sam?” Bucky asks while peeking into their room. Sam looks over, “how are you feeling?” Sam gestures for him to come in. Bucky gets in bed with Sam.
“Better than before, even better now that you’re here,” Sam whispers. The medic told him not to talk for a few days and rest along with cold presses.
“Sammy doll, you know how I tell you about Raynor’s ridiculous suggestions about how I should vocalize my wants and needs.”
“That’s not a ridiculous suggestion. It’s true.” Sam whispers.
“Okay, well I need you to listen to me and I need you to not say anything. I want the truth, not something you think is what I want to hear.”
“I love you,” Sam whispers.
“I love you.” Bucky whispers back, “You act-” Sam cuts him off by kissing him.
“I’ve been wanting to tell that to you since before the blip.”
“What?” Sam was about to continue but lost his voice. Bucky gets up to get Sam fresh water then comes back. “I wanted to tell you before the blip as well.” Sam drinks the water. “Montana?” Sam looks at him with an incredulous look. “So no Montana?” Sam shakes his head. “We could buy the house next to Sarah's. She told me that they’re selling the place.” Sam gives him an ‘Are you stupid’ look. Bucky gives Sam a cheeky smile.
“How about Maryland?” Sam whispers, finally getting his voice back.
“Easier for us when we have DC meetings, but we wouldn’t be living in DC. Could we live in the countryside?”
“I’ll try my best,” Sam says, he then decided that he was going to sleep… on top of Bucky. So, Sam lays his head down on Bucky’s chest, he nuzzles in leaving light kisses on Bucky’s pec.
“I’ve always wanted to die, only because of Hydra. When the blip happened I was scared, I haven’t felt fear in a long time. I don’t want to die now, obviously coming back from the blip was a bit of a relief for me. During the blip it was an endless nightmare then it’s like I woke back up in Wakanda, confused, then again when aren’t I?” Bucky sighs at the end of his spiel.
“I love you.” Was Sam’s only response. Bucky kisses Sam’s head.
“You’re one of the reasons, when we were on the run… because of me. I got out of the cryo and Dora Milaje broke the Winter Soldier out of me. That entire time, I thought about you. You are one of the biggest reasons I got through it.”
“Not Steve?”
“Steve relished the 1940s Bucky Barnes. You got to know me…the new me…whoever that is still…” Bucky trails.
“Caring, thoughtful, and gentle,” Sam whispers.
“What?”
“Three words that come to mind when I think about you, that were even established when I first met you,” Sam whispers his response.
“Okay,” Bucky starts, he looks down at Sam who was staring up at him through his lashes. “I think the same about you, and then some because you’re good.” Sam sits up.
“You’re good too, Buck. You, James Buchanan Barnes, are a good person who was forced, manipulated, and brainwashed into thinking you were a bad person who only did bad things.” Sam tried whispering but ended up raising his voice a bit too loudly. Sam went into a coughing fit that resulted in more of a painful time. Bucky got up, quickly grabbed another cold compress, and grabbed Sam more water. He returned and Sam was quiet and laid back down. Bucky gave Sam the water, he sat up a little to drink some, then Bucky handed him the cold compress. Sam opens his mouth to talk.
“Don’t talk,” Bucky says softly. “Wanna take a nap? I could use a nap.” Sam smiles and then nods. Bucky was about to take his metal arm off, Sam stops him and shakes his head. “Fine.” Bucky huffs. Bucky wraps Sam up gently. The two drifted to sleep fairly quickly and easily.
—
It’s been a few days and Sam’s checkup went well. His vocal cords are healed, he just has a slight bruise still. The doctor suggests that he continue to talk in a low voice so he doesn’t strain it. “I love you.” Is the first thing Sam says in an above-whisper voice. Bucky’s face lights up.
“I love you.” Sam kisses him. “If you would’ve told Sharon no, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt,” Bucky says after they pull apart from each other. Sam gives Bucky a look.
“It comes with the job, Buck.”
“Yeah sure, but-”
“Bucky, I’m not going to have this conversation with you,” Sam says, Bucky sighs but nods.
“I have to go, Raynor scheduled an impromptu meeting after she heard about your close call.”
“So, you two are going to talk about me?”
“Don’t I always.” Sam narrows his eyes and then nods.
“Have fun, my dear.” Bucky grimaces in response and then heads out.
Bucky is sitting on the couch across from Raynor, sporting his usual scowl. “I thought we were past the scowling.”
“On our usual mandated sessions.”
“At least you’ll talk. So, how did you feel seeing your partner in that type of situation?”
“Terrible. I needed to stop it and I did. He’s okay and we got the crook.”
“Okay, how is your relationship with Sam?” Bucky’s scowl shifts and Raynor writes something down.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, clearly you care about him. You saw that he was in danger and put a stop to it. So, after our session with him, how is everything between you two?”
“You already know.”
“That you two became friends, hell even best friends. Has that changed since?”
“We’re best friends and partners.”
“So, your friendship is ranked higher than partners.”
“Well yeah, that's why I needed to save his ass. He’s saved mine plenty of times.”
“Okay, so how are the dating apps coming along?”
“My bio says I have a metal arm and I’m one hundred and six.”
“Okay, well you’ll have to work on that.”
“Have you been on dates?”
“A few.”
“How did those go?”
“Decent.”
“Is that all you’re going to give me now James?” Bucky went back to scowling. “Okay, well our time is up. I wanted to check in to make sure you’re okay.” Bucky stands and leaves.
—
“My dear, how was Raynor?” Bucky ignores the question to kiss Sam. “That bad huh?” Again, Bucky ignores him and kisses him again. Bucky’s flesh hand wrapped around the nape of Sam’s neck. He turned so that Sam was pinned against the counter.
“Twice now I’ve felt fear, as I was being dusted and seeing you struggle for breath with a gun to your head.”
“It comes with the job, Buck. I would never voluntarily leave you.” Sam kisses him this time. “Okay, well I guess if I die on the job it’s me voluntarily leaving you because I volunteer for the job but you know that's not what I meant.”
“I know, I think you should take the serum.”
“Buck, you know I can’t do that.”
“I’m sure Shuri can make a safer serum than whatever any random guy would make.”
“No, Buck. I don’t need it.”
“Please, Sam, I know you don’t need it. You have the strength like Steve but please just do it. It’ll guarantee your strength.” Sam never heard Bucky be so adamant over something.
“I’ll think about it, okay?” Bucky nods, and Sam kisses Bucky. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
—
Sam is completely healed up now. They’re at a Congress meeting, they’re currently debating whether they should allow enhanced humans to roam free. Bucky walks out, which makes the entire meeting silent. “You’ll have to excuse him,” Sam says, they all nod.
“So, Mr. Wilson, what are your thoughts? You have the floor.”
“I think it’s wrong. You should allow enhanced humans to be free. Unless they do something illegal. If you start locking up enhanced individuals you’ll be encroaching on human rights.” Sam says strongly.
“As Captain America has said, those in favor say aye.”
“Aye.” A round of every single person in that room.
“The issue of the table is dismissed, the meeting is now adjourned.” Sam walks out and tries to find Bucky.
Bucky was sitting on a bench outside of the building. “Hey, Buck, it’s dismissed, no one voted for it to move forward.”
“That’s good,” Bucky says but sounds like he’s lying.
“You are more than allowed to ‘roam free’,” Sam says.
“I know, I’m trying to know at least.”
“C’mon Buck that was our last thing on our list today le-” Sharon was calling. “Hello?” Sam answers.
“I need you at the UN ICJ in the Netherlands by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay,” Sam says and Sharon hangs up. “Cool, no explanation. So, how does a trip to the Netherlands sound?”
“It was supposed to be a week off after this.” Bucky sighs but stands.
“On the bright side, it doesn’t sound like a mission but rather a court issue,” Sam says as if that's any better.
“Alright, you’re lucky I’d follow you anywhere Wilson.”
“Woah now, since when are you doing last names again, Barnes,” Sam says and Bucky looks at him with puppy dog eyes. “Uh-uh you started it,” Sam says as he walks away so he isn’t tempted by Buck’s eyes. Bucky trails behind him, they get in Sam’s car and they go home. They change and pack quickly, as they’re in silence.
On the jet Sam looks over at Bucky– they’ve been in silence now for a little over two hours– he still has his sad puppy dog look going on. Sam rolls his eyes, “Buck,” Sam says softly, and Bucky looks at him. “Did you mean it?”
“Sammy Doll, when have I ever said something to you and didn’t mean it?”
“So, all those times you said you hated me?”
“You’re the one who grew up in the present times.”
“You’re so lucky I love you.”
“Yeah.” Bucky agrees he could argue or ask why but he’ll leave it as is. Sam moves so he’s next to Buck. “I love you.”
“And I’m lucky enough to have your love.”
“Debatable.” Bucky meets Sam’s eyes and then slightly grins, “Okay you’re lucky enough.”
“I can’t believe I’m in love with an old man!” Sam laughs and Bucky laughs.
“In the forties, our relationship would be so scandalous.”
“Black and white, homosexual relationship. Talk of the town.”
“Oh absolutely,” Bucky says, Sam leans over and kisses Bucky’s cheek. Bucky places a gentle hand on Sam’s cheek. He pulls Sam in for a kiss.
–
Sam and Bucky were walking around The Hague, Netherlands. Proudly holding hands and being couple-y. Sharon had dismissed them as they were in the air. The two ignored the order and joined the courts. Good thing at that too because Sharon wasn’t making a good case for enhanced humans. Sam encouraged Bucky to speak out, Bucky spoke in Dutch, to try and be personal. Which worked. Sam asked Buck what he said but he refused to give him an answer.
–
They were back home, “I’m Captain America, if I want a week off I can get a week off.” Sam says after Bucky asks if this will be an actual week off or not.
“Oh really?” Bucky asks, just like clockwork he’s getting a call. From Joaquin this time. “Wait, Torres? Answer it.”
“Since when do you care about Torres?” Bucky gives him a look. “I have the week off, you know,” Sam says Torres has a remark about how Captain America doesn’t get a week off. “Can it be rescheduled? Uh-huh, okay, sounds goodbye.” Sam hangs up. “So, we have the week off, what do you want to do my dear?”
“I personally would like to try and sleep. But I told Pepper I would be at her place tomorrow.”
“Wait, you wanted a week off to finish your list?”
“Well, not just that. I was serious about the sleep part.” Sam laughs and Bucky smiles.
“So, my dear, do you want to start with a nap?”
The two men curled up together ready to take a nap. Sam knew that the nap would be longer for Bucky and not him. Seriously, it’s been an hour and Sam woke up. Bucky passed out, Sam stayed in bed with him. Sometimes Bucky is so peaceful when he’s asleep. Sam finally gets up, quietly so he doesn’t wake Bucky. Sam grabs his laptop and takes it into the kitchen. He sits at the island and starts on the countless emails.
“Sam? Sam? Sam?” Bucky quietly questions. Sam gets up, he goes to the bedroom. Bucky is still asleep, this time he doesn’t look peaceful.
“Hey, Buck I’m right here,” Sam says, hoping it’ll calm him. It appears to not have calmed him, it looks like he’s more worried. Bucky’s breathing quickens, his chest rising and falling fast. Bucky told Sam to not be by him if he starts doing that especially if his metal arm is in. “Buck, Bucky!” Sam yells, and Bucky shoots upwards, sweating, and breathing harshly. “Baby, are you okay?” Sam asks softly, Bucky looks at him he looks so exhausted and sad.
“You’re okay?”
“Of course, I’m okay. Did you want to talk about it?”
“It was like flashbacks and as I was falling it would swap me out with you and I would be in Steve’s place. Or I would be falling and instead of Steve it was you. But this last time you were falling and I jumped after you, but it sent me right back up to the same position on the train as you continued to fall.”
“My dear, you’re okay, I’m okay. You scared me but I’m okay.”
“I’m-”
“Don’t apologize.” Sam cuts Bucky off. Sam walks over to Bucky, sits next to him, and gives him a hug. “You’re okay, you’ll always be okay.”
“As long as I have you,” Bucky says, Sam pulls away from him a small almost sad smile on his face.
“Exactly, my dear.”
The two were cuddling, by cuddling I mean Sam was laying in between Bucky’s legs as they were lounging on the couch. They were watching a movie, more specifically Godzilla: King of the Monsters. They were surprised that someone was able to make a movie during the blip. Bucky was absentmindedly massaging Sam, then he would drag his hands down Sam’s chest. “My dear, can you stop doing that? You’re making me sleepy.” Sam asks, Bucky lightly chuckles. He stops anyway until he starts doing it again. Sam grabs his hands in a hug type of way.
The movie finished, “That was so much better than the first Godzilla movie.” Bucky says, Sam dramatically and hastily moves off of him to look at him.
“Godzilla came out in the fifties, how would you watch it if you were being Winter Soldier-fied?”
“One of my first US missions involved a theater and I watched the movie Mission-based.” Bucky shrugs, and Sam shakes his head. “What?”
“Nothing, it’s just you and Steve are so different. You know more pop culture things than he did. It’s crazy.”
“Yeah.” Bucky shrugs again. “We have to go soon.”
“Okay, did you pack?” Sam asks, Bucky looks at him with an incredulous look. “Of course you did.”
“Did you pack, Sammy Doll?”
“Yes.” Sam leans over and kisses Bucky. “Seriously, who would have thought.”
“That we’d be together? Definitely not me.”
“Me neither.” The two nod.
–
Sam and Bucky have always had their own secret language. They understood each other’s body language and silence. It irritates everyone around them, quite honestly. So, when they arrived at Pepper’s house, they were watching Morgan play with something or another waiting for Pepper to come back with water. Pepper was watching them, the two shared a look and then nodded. No words were said, they just understood. “So, how long has this been a thing?” Pepper asks, pointing between the two.
“Oh, you know about three months?” Sam asks.
“Two and a half, actually two months, three weeks, and four days.” Bucky corrects, Sam feels his face get warm and he’s hoping it’s not noticeable but based on the look Buck is giving him…it’s noticeable.
“Well, I gotta say that that’s great. You two deserve light.”
“Thanks, so do you,” Bucky says. Pepper smiles at him. “Sam, could you give us a moment?” Bucky says Pepper looks at Sam who was staring at Bucky.
“Yeah, call me back whenever.” Bucky nods in response.
“Hey, Morgan, why don’t you show Sam around the garden.”
“Okay, Mom.” Morgan gets up and walks out. Sam follows her, Bucky has a small smile on his face. He enjoys how Sam is with kids.
Pepper and Bucky sit in silence for a minute or so. “Part of my government-mandated therapy is to make amends. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of Tony’s passing. I still need to make amends with him.”
“Bucky, you know you don’t have to,” Pepper says and Bucky shakes his head.
“I have a script I have to follow and I have to do this.” Pepper nods, “I am no longer the Winter Soldier. I am James Bucky Barnes, and you're part of my efforts to make amends.” Bucky smiles, not like the ones with the others on his list. This smile was real, genuine, and downright beautiful. “I’m assuming you know what I did to Tony’s parents.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t you. Tony came to realize that. He forgave you during the blip years. That's why I said you don’t have to.”
“Tony forgave me?” Bucky sounds sad, is he about to cry?
“Yes, he wanted to tell you in person but the battle wasn’t in favor of that.” Bucky’s eyes are getting watery.
“I’m sorry.” Bucky wept. Pepper places a hand on his shoulder. Bucky sobers up from the sudden emotions. “Thank you,” Bucky says.
“You’re doing great, Bucky,” Pepper says, he nods. “Let’s go and check on Sam and Morgan.” The two leave the house.
They found Sam pushing Morgan on the swing set. “She coaxed me over here, saying that the swingset is too hard for her to swing by herself,” Sam says, Pepper and Bucky laugh.
“How long have you been pushing her?” Pepper asks.
“Well we did a quick look at the garden then we’ve been here ever since so I would say ten minutes or so.”
“Morgan.” Pepper scolds and Sam takes that as an opportunity to leave.
“Tony would be proud of her,” Sam says and Pepper nods.
–
It’s been about a week since they visited Pepper. They’re in the middle of a mission. “You’ve been awfully quiet ever since we got back from Pepper’s,” Sam says, eyeing up Buck. He just shrugs in response. “I’m flying up now, watch your six.”
Sam flew up to get an aerial view. He sees two out of the three guys. “Buck, they’re about 50 yards from you, on the northeast side. Only two of them, I don’t have eyes on the third.”
“Copy.” Bucky continues the mission with more stealth and caution.
“I have eyes on the third, tell me when you’re ready to advance.”
“Nearly there,” Bucky says he peeks around a corner and sees the two. “Eyes on them, in three.”
“Three,” Sam says.
“Two,” Bucky continues.
“Go.” The two speak at the same time.
Bucky charges and slides at them, stabbing one in the thigh. The other dodges him. Sam flew down and swooped the other guy, he dropped him onto a nearby roof. Sam lands as well, the guy recovered rather quickly and charges after Sam. Bucky spun around, jumped to his feet, and went after the guy who dodged him. Bucky took out a throwing knife and tossed it eloquently into the back of the guy’s leg, sending him down. Bucky zip ties their wrists. “I got the two, heading out now, what’s your twenty?” No response from Sam.
Sam was in hand-to-hand with the guy. The guy went to pull out an unsuspected gun, Sam tossed the shield with enough velocity to stun him but not kill him. Risky with the close proximity but it had to be done. “Southside rooftop, I’ll meet you there.” Sam zip-ties him, then takes him down. The two handed the three men over and that was the end of the mission, one of their easiest ones.
As they’re on the jet, Sam looks over at Bucky. “Tony forgave you didn’t he?” Sam asks, Bucky nods unobtrusively. “How does that make you feel?” Sam asks in his counselor's voice.
“I just wished he could have told me himself. Not that I think Pepper is lying, because well, she wasn’t.”
“I understand, you know I’m always here to lend an ear.”
“I know, I just needed some space to process.” Sam nods, speaking of space there is so much between them right now. There’s been so much space between them for a week. Just when Sam was thinking Bucky would never need space again. There they are, with what feels like millions of miles of space between them.
Bucky stands and walks over to Sam. He sits next to him, “I don’t need the space anymore, Sammy Doll.” Sam blushes at the pet name.
“I’ve missed you calling me that.” Sam blurts, “That sounds so stupid it’s not like we weren’t in the same apartment. Yet, I missed you.” Bucky smiles.
“I missed you too, you know you can vocalize your needs.”
“I know, I just need to make sure you’re the one who is comfortable.”
“Trust me, you’re not going to get rid of me that easily,” Bucky says as he places a ginger kiss on Sam’s temple.
–
Sam and Bucky are laying in bed, the blanket lazily thrown over their naked bodies. One hell of a night they had. The two men had hot angry sex. They weren’t angry at each other, they were just not having a good week and it finally got let out. There was an annoying, adamant knocking at the door. “I’m going to kill whoever that is.” Bucky says Sam caresses Bucky’s body. “You’re right I won’t.” Sam smiles to himself.
“I’ll get it dear.” Sam stands, puts on a pair of boxers, and walks out, closing the bedroom door behind him. He looks through the peephole. It’s Torres. Sam opens the door, “what’s wrong?”
“It’s one in the afternoon and I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. I figured I will do the wellness check myself knowing how Bucky can get with people.”
“You know Buck has changed right?” Sam says defensively, Torres holds his hands up.
“I know, I’m just saying, because I can almost guarantee you that he said he was going to kill whomever it was at the door.”
“Did you bug this place? Those were his exact words.”
“I would– anyway, Rhodes said that the new Avengers compound is completed. He has a potential lineup of newcomers, including myself. Rhodes wanted your opinion on some of them.” Torres explains as Sam was making coffee.
“Okay, when does he want me there?”
“I’m heading back later today if you want to join.”
“Sure, is Buck needed?”
“Rhodes wasn’t sure, he heard about the week you two have had. If he’s down, he’s always invited.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Bucky says as he walks into the kitchen with a bright smile. Bucky is dressed in what looks like his pants but Sam’s shirt.
“Alright, we leave at four, I’ll be here quarter to,” Torres says.
“Sounds good,” Sam says, Torres sees himself out. “You’re wearing my shirt.”
“Your point?” Bucky says as he snakes his arm around Sam’s waist.
“I love you,” Sam whispers, and Bucky kisses his temple.
“I love you.” Bucky matches his tone. “Now, as much I love how you look right now, you have to get dressed.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Sam moves away from Bucky to pour them coffee. Sam takes a sip of his coffee and then sets it back down. “Did you want me to pack for us too?” Bucky shakes his head.
“No, we can do that later.” Sam nods then walks back to his room. Sam dresses rather quickly and then walk out. Bucky had started breakfast. Sam took over, Bucky sat down at the table. Sam served up breakfast with plenty of leftovers behind. Bucky finishes his first plate and starts on his second, “did you want more?”
“No baby, I’m good, you eat up.” Sam coos as he places his dishes in the sink.
“It’s safe to say that you’re the only person who can make me blush.”
“In your thousand years of life?” Sam jokes and Buck looks at him and nods. “Wait, you're being serious?”
“I was the player, I’m the one who made girls and guys blush. No one made me blush, you though, you can just look at me.”
“I’ve always thought you just had rosy cheeks,” Sam says, baffled.
“No doll, I’m just constantly blushing around you.”
“That is so wholesome I might cry,” Sam says and Bucky rolls his eyes.
“Are you making fun of me?” Sam does his Grinch smile, “you’re the reason why I don’t share things.” Sam’s Grinch smile shifts to puppy dog eyes.
“I’m sorry, it is cute and slightly baffling that I’m the only person in your century of life that made you blush.” Bucky stands there to think.
“Yeah,” Bucky says and Sam looks at him with an incredulous look.
“Okay,” Sam says and Bucky smiles. “You’re just so damn good,” Sam says and Bucky's smile shifts to a confused look. “Just take the compliment without an explanation or elaboration.” Bucky nods and smiles again. Sam walks over to him and kisses him.
–
“Bucky, I wasn’t expecting but I am glad you’re here,” Rhodes says, as he’s taking the two on a tour of the new compound. “So, I was wondering if you could help train the newbies. Clint will also be helping, because well whenever he retires the Avengers go to shit.” Sam and Bucky look at him, “his words not mine.” Rhodes rolls his eyes and the two chuckle.
“I can train hand-to-hand, okay well I can monitor hand-to-hand, weapons 101 and knives,” Bucky suggests, James nods.
“Sounds good.”
“I can handle basic stamina training and mentor Torres.”
“Great, I’ll call with a potential schedule in a few weeks.” Sam and Bucky nod.
They finished the tour, and Rhodes gave them a list of the potential newbies. Sam and Buck will do their own research on the list just in case Rhodey missed anything.
–
“I’m definitely changing up that knife-throwing room,” Bucky tells Sam randomly when they’re back from the little trip.
“I don’t think Rhodes is going to care.” Bucky nods, and Sam wraps his arm around Bucky’s waist. “How’ve you been?” Sam asks as he kisses his cheek.
“I’ve been doing a lot better than before. It’s like I froze when Pepper told me that Tony had forgiven me.”
“Which is valid and I would like to remind you that you can always talk to me.”
“I know, I know,” Bucky says as he kisses Sam’s shoulder. “I think what I need is some food.”
“I could eat,” Sam says, the two starts to cook together.
-
“I can’t believe that you did this,” Bucky says, surprisingly calm, at least that's what Sam thinks. Sam covered his entire metal arm in stickers.
“Listen, I’ve told you how many times to put your arm on?”
“I didn’t want to.” Bucky does calming breathing, “I didn’t need to.”
“Bucky, baby, I am proud of you for not wanting or needing to. However, when I say you should put your arm on, maybe you should…otherwise this will happen.”
“Are these the stickers you said you bought for AJ?”
“Maybe.” Bucky huffs and walks away.
Sam waits a few minutes, but Bucky doesn’t come back. Sam finds Bucky meticulously taking the stickers off of his arm. “Did you want help?”
“No,” Bucky says not exactly coldly but not exactly inviting either. Sam walks away.
About forty or so minutes later, Bucky comes out with his arm on, completely clean. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that Wilson?”
“Your pain.”
“Yeah.” Bucky kind of sighs. He sits next to Sam, who wraps his arm around his shoulders. “I hate you.”
“I love you too.” Sam kisses Bucky’s cheek.
“That can’t be healthy,” Bucky says and Sam furrows his eyebrows.
“What, us saying we hate each other but then saying we love each other or make out or have great sex?” Sam asks, Bucky nods, “Why don’t you ask Raynor?” Bucky laughs. “I’m not joking this time, what does she think about us? Not that I care what she thinks because nothing or no one will take you from me.”
“Wow.”
“What?” Sam asks, Bucky shakes his head.
“My first instinct is to think and say that I don’t believe you, that nothing or no one will make you not want me. But I know that it’s true, you’re a genuine person who literally doesn’t lie or at least lies often.”
“Buck, I don’t know how or why anyone would want to leave you or not want you anymore. You’re amazing and not just in bed.” Bucky playfully shoves Sam.
-
“Don’t forget after your call with Raynor we have that house showing.” Sam reminds Bucky who was meditating.
“I know,” Bucky says.
It’s been a few weeks since the stickers and the short heart-to-heart. Now they have a lot of downtimes. So, they’re finally deciding on looking at houses, granted they’ve been looking online but none of the houses piqued their interest. Until the house they’re going to look at now, it’s a fairly large home– okay it’s a large home.
This house has five designated bedrooms and a study/office. I mean the five bedrooms work out great, two guest rooms that way Sarah gets her own room away from the boys, and Bucky gets his own room, and their shared room. Plus the office space that the two can utilize together.
They’re now on their way to the house. Once they got there the realtor was already outside. “I thought that the Sam Wilson on the application was the Sam Wilson!” The lady says excitedly. “My nephew is a big fan of yours. Oh, here I am awestruck by you, my name is Jesalynn Saintclaire,” she holds her hand out to shake. Sam takes it first, then Bucky.
“I’m Bucky,” he says and she nods.
“I know who you are too, I’m sorry for making it seem like I didn’t. As I said, my nephew is a huge fan of Falcon, now Captain America.”
“No worries ma’am, what’s not to love about Sam Wilson.”
“You two aren’t public.” She says almost with confusion.
“Not really, but at the same time–” The two shrugged at the same time, and she laughs.
“Well anyway, let’s look at the house, shall we? Do you two want to start on the inside or the outside?”
“We’ll just stick with the inside, the outside unfortunately with our busy schedules we won’t see much of it anyway,” Sam says, she nods understanding.
They took the tour, having small talk about it as she just let them. In the end, she lets them deliberate on the house. “What do you think, Buck?”
“I like it, it already feels like home, y’know?”
“Then it’s settled.”
“Wait, no Sam, what do you think?”
“Baby if you like it then I like it.”
“Sam,” Bucky says sternly.
“Okay, I actually like it. There are enough bedrooms, it’s big but not too large. I also like the workspace in the garage and basement so we each could have an area for our own projects.”
“So?” Bucky questions.
“We’re taking it, definitely.” Bucky smiles.
Jesalynn walks over, “Did you two need more time or have you decided?”
“We’ll take it,” Sam says.
“Perfect, so let me get the paperwork and you can give a check for the down payment the payment plan is part of the paperwork,” Jesalynn says and Sam nods. We fill out the paperwork, meticulously reading it over. Bucky points to the co-owner part. Sam fills out that, then the two sign the paper and hand it over to her. “Perfect, it’ll be about three days for this to process and once that's done the house is yours.”
“Great, thanks!” Sam says and she nods. The two exit the house as Jesalynn does her thing.
–
“So, so, so… Here's my plan, we just go for it.” Sam says over the comms, what was supposed to be their ‘getting the house ready day’ turned into a mission in Germany.
“We need more than that.” Bucky says, “I got eyes on four of the guys.”
“There are at least five more that I know of,” Torres says.
“So a real plan?” Bucky asks.
“Since when do you care about real plans? If I remember correctly you’re the one who wanted to go against six flag smashers without knowing anything about them.” Sam says.
“Okay, but here we are, you're Captain America now,” Bucky says.
“You’re saying ranks me-” Torres cuts off Sam.
“As much as I love the whole bickering thing that you two do, can we get a plan out here because there’s the other five on the northeast side of the building?”
“Alright, real plan– Buck you got three guys coming up on your six.”
Bucky turns and three guys were there, they came out of nowhere. They started shooting at him, Bucky started to run in the other direction but the four guys that he saw before came running over because of the gunfire. Sam flies down to help Bucky, the two toss the shield back and forth and had the seven guys down easily.
“I got the other two,” Torres says as Sam and Bucky were zip-tying the seven guys.
“I’m going to do a perimeter check to make sure the building is secured,” Sam says as he leaves Bucky with the seven guys.
Five minutes later Sam is back with Bucky, “perimeter is secured, the BPOL can get their guys.” Sam says over the coms to Rhodes who was in charge of this mission.
The two met Torres by the front doors, BPOL pulled up and took the guys away. Meanwhile, Sam confiscated the supposed recipe for the serum. “How was my first official mission as Falcon?” Torres asks like an excited little boy.
“You were like a natural,” Sam says and Torres looks at him with bright eyes.
“Really?”
“No, you messed up your landing which could’ve messed up your knees,” Bucky says and Sam looks at Buck then Torres, and laughs.
“You did mess up your landing BUT other than that you were like a natural.”
“Landing got it.” Torres walks away from Sam and Bucky.
“How did you know it was the landing you weren’t even by him?”
“It’s always the landing,” Bucky says and Sam shrugs and nods.
–
The two invited a bunch of people over for the first successful Avengers mission under new staffing. Or so they claimed. As the people came in they were amazed by the beauty of the house and kind of confused as to why there. The patio and backyard were also all prettied up.
There had to have been about thirty or so people. That's when they were about to announce that the two are together and it’s their house. However, there was a knock at the door, Sam walks over to answer it. “Wanda, I was hoping you’d come.”
“Lovely as always Sam.”
“You know we miss you at the new Avengers HQ.”
“I’ve had some other business to take care of first, I’ll be glad to join back up if you’d still have me.”
“Of course, Wanda.”
“This is a big party for a successful mission celebration.”
“You know me…” Sam trails forgetting what he was going to say.
“This isn’t for the mission, Sam what is this really?”
“It’s partially for the mission.” Sam notices Bucky was gathering everyone back into the house. Bucky whistles to get everyone’s attention.
“Now that I have everyone’s attention, we would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the first successful mission as the new Avengers,” Bucky announces, Sam watches in awe because he wasn’t expecting Bucky to take over like this. “However, this part isn’t just for that. Sam and I would like to announce our relationship to you all, officially. So it’s a successful mission party and a housewarming party.” Bucky announces.
“Hold on, you two are dating?” Clint says, “I always thought you two hated each other.” Clint adds then laughs.
“There was a time that I thought I did hate him,” Bucky says along with a laugh.
“I always thought you two had something for each other, that wasn’t just resentment,” Wanda says and Sam shrugs with a loving smile as he stares at Bucky.
“Alright, everyone can go back to whatever it was you guys were doing,” Bucky says the party resumes as it was.
Bucky walks over to Sam as Wanda walks away to get something to drink. “I was getting impatient and I wanted to announce it,” Bucky says in an almost apologetic manner.
“That’s okay, love. I was admiring you from afar anyhow.”
“You’re cute,” Bucky says as he kisses Sam’s temple quickly.
“I love you.” Sam kisses Bucky’s cheek.
“You know who I haven’t seen?” Bucky asks as he’s glancing around.
“Bruce.”
“Exactly, I wonder what he’s up to.”
–
The SamBucky train ends here. With a party of celebration with friends. An old friend coming by, new friends are being discovered, and well a question about an old friend.