It's the Great Pumpkin, Samuel Thomas Wilson
He couldn’t remember what the joke was, something about a frat house and that weird stupid cat poster they passed earlier that made him giggle like a schoolgirl. The joke itself wasn’t even funny, but the mischievous glint in Bucky’s alluring blue eyes and half cocked smile did something to Sam’s nervous system that he couldn’t control. This wasn’t even the first time Bucky’s classically handsome demeanor triggered giggles and sweaty palms, whatever that meant. No, it had been…a while. Probably the second day they moved in together, when Bucky made him his favorite tea in the morning without asking. The moment the cup transferred hands, Sam realized the convenience he convinced himself this decision was based on might not have been the only reason.
No, that decision had been based on a bunch of smaller ones before, and for the rest of that day, Sam could only look at Bucky as he flashed those award winning teeth, and went back to cooking an old fashioned American breakfast.
It wasn’t the first time, but usually Sam was pretty good at controlling himself on missions. He’d banter the thoughts and temptation away, sometimes even putting on a game face to calm himself down at Bucky’s potential flirting. Although most of the time it wasn’t outwardly flirting, he could tell they were starting to build up to something. Maybe. Either way, on missions he always laser had focus, always remained alert, always at least had Redwing deployed.
But his partner's shoulders were looking mighty and wide in the navy blue plated jacket, stretching over his muscles while he wiped out over half the room less than a minute ago, his baby blues shining with mirth and adrenaline.
Sam leaned in a little closer, intrigued again by the same damn face he saw every day.
Sam…Sam really had a problem.
One…he might have to address…
Damn…he might just have to-
Before he could register what his dangerously tempting thoughts were directing his body to do, he was being spun around and two gunshots rang through his eardrum. He very faintly heard a body slump behind him, but his only focus was his suddenly limp partner slumping forward.
“Bucky?”
Sam gathered him in his arms and carefully crouched to lay his partner down on his thighs.
Red coated his hands, staining his white suit, probably permanently. “Bucky, where are you hurt?!” He shouted at his partner, but he wasn't responsive. Sam turned his head slowly, thinking it was a graze.
“Buc-” there was a hole in his brain.
A hole in Bucky Barnes' brain.
A hole in-
“Bucky…Bucky wake up. What the fuck. Hey old man - Redwing call for backup- Bucky!”
Nothing could kill this stubborn, old fossil from the twenty’s. It was literally impossible. Yet his face was becoming whiter and whiter by the second, his body limp as a noodle.
Even better, judging by the amount of footsteps from the thumping down just a few flights from their location, backup wasn’t on express delivery.
Sam turned his attention back to his partner, the man needed to wake the fuck up and have his back. He was the only one who could.
The only one who wanted to.
The only one he wanted to.
And suddenly he’s-
"Buc-Bucky, no no no-"
Sam couldn't hear the stampede of combat boots anymore but knew he was running out of time.
"Bucky come on! Wake up man walk it off!"
Despite gently cradling his face, Sam went as far as slapping Bucky, hard, with his gloved hand. Any moment, with his face smeared with unnatural amounts of blood even for a super soldier, Buck would scowl at Sam. Ouch , he would say. Bucky would threaten to slap Sam too, only to pull him into a brief hug as reassurance. He would. He had to.
He didn't even blink.
" Bucky , p-p-please, we aren't done…”
“ we're not done yet…"
"...Bucky…BUCK-"
Sam sobbed desperately into Bucky's neck, his blood spilling more onto his suit. The footsteps were getting closer, and Sam can’t fight back. He just can’t.
Its over. Bucky Barnes, Captain America. How would Sarah ever be okay? How would the boys? Is he letting them down by giving up? Would she ever come to understand?
Would Bucky ever understand… if he gave up?
Sam cradled him as close as he could, understanding this was something they signed up for from the moment they enlisted in the military.
But still. Sam couldn't fathom continuing without Bucky, and suddenly hated himself more than ever for not just jumping the man when he had the chance. He had the chance and he couldn't even save his partner.
He had a curse, clearly. One that might be taking him with it this time.
Sam shook his thoughts away, focusing on the feel of Bucky in his arms, and the blood in his mouth that wasn't his own.
“Bucky…Bucky please…please wake up. I need to try again, I'm sorry. Please, give me another chance. I need him, I can’t, I can't do this without you baby….”
For the first time since Riley’s death, Sam prayed.
“Whoever is there, please… please give us another chance. I know its foolish of me to ask of this, to beg for something I don't…I don't deserve but…I'll tell him the moment I see him. Please…give me this…” Sam bowed his head again in frustration. “ fuck I wish I told him sooner…”
The footsteps thudded, impeding his judgement, his legs weren't working yet his mind raced faster-
Get up Bucky…Please!
The window, grab him, jump out of the window-
But Bucky needs to be stabilized-
They were behind the doors down the hall, louder than trumpets inching closer and closer with death in their hands.
They're getting closer!
Bucky-
Just as the terrorists rounded the corner, their flashlights temporarily blinded Sam.
Fuck, you messed up. I’m sorry, Sarah-
And…nothing.
He…was right back where he was standing. In front of Bucky.
But…
Wait…Why is he smiling-
Wasn’t he just-
Bucky’s expression twisted into concentration as firm hands grabbed his arms and spun him around. Sam turned his head around just in time to hear two gunshots, see the terrorist in front of the cat poster drop, and feel Bucky collapse in his arms.
Again?
“Redwing, call for help!”
Something in his gut told Sam to get the fuck out right now , or they'd die.
Right the fuck now Wilson!
Honestly, he didn't know if it was his gut, because it sounded like he was screaming at himself to get out. So without checking Bucky against his pararescue instincts, he buckled his partner to his belt, hugged him close and ran through the nearest window.
“So…wait. You literally said ‘ I wish ’? You're sure you didn't say anything else.”
Sam side eyed Bucky for interrupting the last clear memory he had, but remedied it by massaging the back of this head. Bucky practically purred, his question clearly unimportant. “Yeah, I said I wish-”
Bucky's eyes shot open, state of bliss forgotten. He shifted to face Sam better, but with the limited room on the hospital bed, he only succeeded in spooning Sam's side more. “The…Sorcerer Supreme-I'm assuming-at the time mentioned this part about wishes. It was weird how she said it. Seems like your wish did work.”
Sam smiled, pressing a kiss on his forehead. “Damn right it did. I got the juice baby, how do you think I reeled you in?”
Bucky propped himself on his elbow to look down at Sam. “First off, if anything i reeled you in, who was always coming to visit you-”
“I offered-”
“And cover your ass 24/7. Support like that will make anyone fall in love.”
“Oh so now you want your pick of the street-”
“Sam you know that's not what I-”
“So you're saying I'm anyone off the street, are you calling me easy-”
Lips met his own, not for the first time in the past few days, yet it certainly felt like it no matter how many times they kissed.
“You know you're a dime a million love.”
Sam couldn't help but blush. “Come on-”
Bucky wrapped himself around Sam, trapping him to listen to his embarrassingly sweet compliments while peppering him with kisses. “The bee’s knees, a swell bird, bang up to the elephant, shame to all the stars, a brick house, a dream boat-”
Sam squirmed in the glow of his affection. Breathless, Sam interrupted him. “Bucky if you don’t-”
“I'm so, so sorry it took me so long to get here, Barnes I'm glad- Oh!” They halted, seeing Torres gaping at them. No one moved while Torres squinted his eyes, then said “Oh, ohhh, dammit,” before squeaking a quick sorry and slamming the door shut behind him. Sam looked at Bucky, sharing a similar expression of confusion.
“Sammy why did he say it like that.”
“I-I don’t know. Hes just surprised.”
Bucky looked at Sam, seemingly meek. "You think he-"
"No, Buck no. He just-" He was sure Torres had to have figured something out, or at least been suspicious. The way he said dammit felt as though maybe he couldn't believe it. Was it really that surprising? He’d thought it was fairly obvious looking back, secondary experienced yet not real timeline excluded. Or maybe, as if he was disappointed. But what for? As a role model? Mentor? Why would his relationship with Bucky matter to him?
Torres’ surprise sobered them both up for a conversation Sam new was probably coming sooner rather than later.
“Sammy, I-I’m not really worried about our colleagues-”
“Friends-” He corrected patiently.
“Fine. Friends. But the public.” Bucky's puppy dog eyes made it hard not to melt right then and there.
“Listen sweetheart. You know how its gonna be. I don't care. I'm with you. I wished that remember? And against all odds, we're here. Together. No matter what, we have each others backs right?”
His shoulders visibly relaxed, leaning in for another kiss. “Whether its in Wakanda, at home or at the end of the world. Im luckiest man alive Sam.”
He could only respond with tears of joy and kisses. Time traveling wasn't the ideal way to come to terms with his feelings, but at the chance now to hold Bucky, kiss him and wipe his tears, Sam would wish it a million times again.
Joaquin lingered in the same hall, hoping Sam would come out soon. His return flight was scheduled within two hours, and the base was a forty minute drive. Finally, his cell phone reception worked and the call connected.
"Yelena, I change my mind. Cut me in."
Her heavy voice rumbled with intrigue. "Whats with the sudden switch Torres? Thought you said there was no way the nightingale would fall for Rose." He eyed the hallway door with a soft smile.
"Well, I've had some time to think it over. Just change my bet."