At the cookout
Bucky can’t describe the joy that being in Delacroix makes him feel. Everyone is so welcoming and accepting, and no one’s scared of him. The other day, kids were climbing on him like he was a jungle gym, and no parents shot him dirty looks, or hurried to get their kids away. Which is why he immediately accepted Sam’s invitation to come down to Delacroix for the post-flag smasher cookout.
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Bucky stood on the docks, the warmth of the sun on his face and the smell of delicious food relaxing him in ways he hadn’t been since the 40’s. He feels a familiar warm hand on his shoulder and turns with a warm smile towards Sam.
“You look like you’re having a good time.” Sam says with a smile, his rich southern baritone sounding more relaxed than Bucky had ever heard it.
“Yeah. It’s… nice to be a part of a community again.” He replies, before quickly realizing it might sound like he was imposing himself on Sam’s family, and hurried to correct himself. “I just mean that it’s nice to be a part of these sorts of events, I didn’t mean I’m part of-” He was cut off by Sam nudging his shoulder, a silent request for him to stop talking.
“Bucky, you are a part of the community, whether you like it or not. Sarah loves you, AJ and Cass already think of you as their uncle, and I think you’re ok.” Bucky laughed softly at his joke, blushing at the words.
“Thanks for inviting me. I mean it.” Bucky says, before an arm is slung over his shoulder and he’s being led back to the party.
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It’s 5 minutes later that it happens. It starts as heat spreads through Bucky’s body, and he slowly backs away from the conversation, quickly turning and speed walking back towards the Wilson’s house, where they have a makeshift training ground that would be perfect for this.
Now his muscles are cramping. Great. He really needs to get out of here. He tries to school his face into a neutral expression, but everytime a muscle cramps his face gives an involuntary grimace.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Sam break away from his own group and watch him retreat with a concerned look, and he would care if he wasn’t so desperate to get away.
As soon as he gets off the dock, he takes off running. And wow. It feels SO GOOD to let go and just run. He speeds into the training ground and spends probably 20 minutes just getting his energy out. He’s running, he’s jumping, he’s flipping around, he’s punching the training mats, he’s doing everything you can think of, just going absolutely crazy.
When he’s done, having gotten all of his zoomies out, he collapses on the grass in the middle of the training ground, and lays there, catching his breath.
It’s only when he hears shuffling footsteps along the grass that he looks over to see Sam staring at him, eyes comically wide.
“Who’s got a staring problem now?” Bucky says tiredy. Their eyes meet, and suddenly the whole situation is so inexplicably hilarious that they both burst out laughing.
Once they had both calmed down, Sam sat down on the grass next to where Bucky is sprawled across the ground.
“So, care to tell me what that was all about?” Sam asks.
“Did Steve never tell you about ‘super soldier zoomies’?” Bucky asks. He’s surprised that Sam apparently has no idea what just happened, but then he watches as realization crosses Sam's face.
“Oh no, he definitely did.” He said with a chuckle. “I just didn’t expect you to also get the zoomies. I thought it was just a Steve thing.”
“Oh no, it’s a super soldier thing.” Bucky replies, turning his head over to face Sam. “I’m going to turn in for the evening.” He says, before heaving himself off the ground and stumbling off towards the house.
Seeing how unsteady and tired Bucky is, Sam quickly grabs his elbow and helps him up the steps and into the house, where Bucky plops onto the couch and smiles softly at Sam.
“Thanks.” Bucky says, his voice gravelly with exhaustion.
“No problem man, really.” Sam replies, before sitting on the couch next to him and turning on the tv.
And if they spend the evening together watching movies and totally not cuddling, nobody needs to know.