Sam speaks for the first time when Bucky lifts the last duffel bag into the back of his new Bronco. It was a going away present and a thank you for all the work Bucky had done to help him fix his family’s boat. It was also a congratulations for finally crossing off all the names in his book―although Sam knew that Bucky’s journey to forgiving himself was far from over―but a congratulations was due nonetheless.
“You know you don’t have to go, right?”
Bucky raised an eyebrow, closing the car boot. “You know, if you keep saying things like that, people are going to start thinking you like me.”
Sam rolled his eyes, pushing his hands further into the pockets of his jeans. “That is the furthest thing from the truth. But I’m being serious. No one wants you to go. Everyone in town likes you and I think the boys will miss you once you’re gone.”
“Well,” Bucky drawled, smiling as he thought of Sam’s nephews, “they’ll meet other cyborgs to mess around with. Besides, I don’t think you want me crashing on your couch forever.”
“I don’t know,” the other man said, chewing on his bottom lip. “It’s going to be weird without you here.”
“Aw, Cap, are you going to miss me?”
Sam scowled and nudged Bucky’s shoe with his own, ducking his head to hide the smile on his face. “That’s ridiculous. I just want someone with a metal arm to help me do all the work I can’t be bothered to do myself.”
“Yeah, right. Admit it,” he replied cockily, nudging Sam’s shoulder with his own. “You’re falling in love with me, Sam Wilson.”
He burst out laughing, placing his hands on his knees as he fought to get his breath back. “Whatever you say, man. But we both know you like my sister,” Sam uttered once he had recovered from his attack of giggles. “But you’re my partner, man. Whatever you need, just give me a call.”
Bucky did a salute, spinning his car keys around in his non-mental hand. “Thanks Cap, I appreciate it. I’ve got to say, the suit looked good. The Wakandans out did themselves.”
“Yeah,” he hummed. “I’m in their debt.”
“I would hope so. Treat them right Sammy and you’ll have one hell of an army behind you.”
“Sammy?” He snorted. “I’d prefer you call me a toilet bowl on public television.”
“Alright, alright,” Bucky huffed, swinging himself up into the driver’s seat. “No need to get snappy about it, Captain.”
Something claws at Sam’s chest and he finds himself reaching through the window to pull Bucky into a hug. The cyborg makes a startled noise in the back of his throat, but then he’s hugging Sam back just as tightly, even though the entire experience of hugging was entirely new to James Bucky Barnes.
“Thank you,” Sam whispered. “For everything.”
“Don’t mention it. Keep that shield safe for me, alright?”
“You know I will.”
“Steve was right about you,” Bucky called out as he started the engine of the Bronco. “You’re his legacy, Sam. Now go be America’s ass.”
“Stop. Don’t say that,” he muttered, making a face.
“What? It’s what the shrinking guy would’ve said!”
“Don’t do it again.”
“Okay, okay. Tell your sister to call me.”
“Bucky!”
Sam’s angry shout was lost in the wind as Bucky pulled out of the parking space and away from him.
Sam knew that no matter what he had said, he would’ve never been enough to make Bucky stay.
Not forever.