It was not like Sarah Wilson to be taken with just anyone. She did not allow herself to give in to flights of fancy, especially with regard to men; especially when they were friends of her brother. She remembered the time in the tenth grade when she had a crush on Sam’s friend, Jordy. How she would hang around the older boys whenever they came over. How Jordy would flirt with her when Sam wasn’t around. How they had shared a secret kiss when Sam left them alone for a moment. How Jordy had broken her heart later when he ignored her at school.
No. Sarah Wilson did not allow herself to wish for anything more than an amicable acquaintance when it came to Sam’s friends. That was why she was having a tough time trying to push aside the butterflies in her tummy whenever Bucky Barnes was around.
Maybe it was in the way that he smiled brightly at her. Maybe it was because he was nothing but a gentleman to her. Maybe it was in the way that he was so good with her kids; how he was a great friend to her brother. How he helped out and never asked for anything in return. How he always offered to get a room when he was in town, but then graciously slept on their couch and cleared away the bedding before anyone else got up.
It might have been in the way that he was always respectful of Sarah and her home. How he was the same with her when Sam wasn’t around: Kind and funny and gentle. Kind in the way that he always checked to see if Sarah was okay, even if she wasn’t having a hard day. Funny in that, despite his super strength, he often held an unopened jar to one of her sons and said, “Can you please loosen this up for me?”
Bucky was so gentle that it surprised Sarah at first.
He was certainly strong, no doubt about that. She had seen his strength with her own two eyes. But he was always careful when he played with the boys. Always so gentle whenever he helped Sarah on and off the boat. As he brushed Sarah’s hair away from her face when one of her twists came loose. How he sent her texts of cute things that he knew would make her smile. How he said her name sometimes, like a whispered prayer of reverence.
Yes. Sarah Wilson had found herself taken with one of Sam’s friends. She was taken with Bucky Barnes.
…..
Sarah was so relieved when both Sam and Bucky returned from New York City, having done their job at saving the day. She was happy to have gotten to greet them before the fanfare and celebrations began. Sam wrapped Sarah up into a hug and rocked her from side-to-side. She playfully punched his arm and then checked him over for bruising.
She and Bucky shared a softer embrace that neither wanted to end. He offered her a soft smile and asked if she was okay.
“My heart feels a lot lighter seeing the two of you in one piece,” Sarah admitted to Bucky.
“Mine just won’t slow down at the sight of you,” Bucky flirted easily, much to Sam’s chagrin and Sarah’s delight.
…..
“You okay?” asked Bucky as he approached Sarah and took up a seat beside her.
“Yeah,” she replied, looking out over the water.
“Good turnout today,” he supplied, finding small talk with Sarah quite easy.
“It was,” she replied, turning to look at Bucky. “Sorry about the kids hanging off you like you’re a ride at an amusement park.”
He let out a nice little laugh that Sarah thought suited him thoroughly.
“It’s fine,” Bucky said, holding up his left arm. “Wakandan tech is actually real sturdy. Can handle a few enthusiastic rug rats.”
Sarah smiled and chuckled, her eyes falling to the prosthesis as she looked over the exquisite metal. She hoped Bucky didn’t feel self-conscious under her curious gaze.
“Wanna touch it?” he asked, with a little crooked grin.
“You sure?” Sarah replied. “I wouldn’t wanna make you uncomfortable.”
“You won’t, Sarah. I promise. Go ahead,” Bucky assured her.
Sarah smiled coyly at Bucky and then reached her hand over. Her fingers came to rest over his bicep. She expected the Vibranium to be cold to touch, but it was quite the opposite. Sarah ran her fingers over the lines of Bucky’s prosthesis. A soft humming seemed to emanate from his arm. Sarah traced the lines down the appendage and moved towards his hand.
“It’s awesome,” said Sarah, just above a whisper, and her index finger made a circle over Bucky’s palm and then moved down to his fingertips; she missed the way a small shiver coursed through Bucky at her touch. “You can’t feel that, can you?”
He shrugged and said, “Yeah, I can, actually.”
Sarah’s eyes widened at the news, and she went to pull away. Bucky’s hand caught hers as he went to entwine their fingers together.
“It’s okay,” he said, his voice low and husky, causing Sarah’s insides to flip. “I like the way you touch me. I like the way it feels.”
Sarah let her fingers melt into Bucky’s as she held his hand. She trailed her thumb over his thumb and then lifted her eyes to find his. They stared at one another a moment before Bucky’s gaze fell to her lips.
“You’re killin’ me, Sarah,” said Bucky in hushed tones. “I wanna kiss you so bad, but I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable.”
“I feel so comfortable with you, Bucky,” said replied, leaning closer into his orbit. “And I –I want to kiss you, too.”
Bucky breathed out a relieved sigh and then brought his free hand up to cup Sarah’s face. The pair shared a smile, a giddy little laugh, and then a sweet kiss as the last rays of the evening sun washed over them and then disappeared.