Chapter 7
It was their first Halloween together; Sam had decided to dress up as Captain America while Bucky did his classic look of Winter Soldier. They both was on their way to Tony’s house where he had a party, it still puzzles Sam that Tony could stay off campus when everyone had to stay in the school dorm for their first year. But hey it’s Halloween, he just wanted to enjoy himself over the weekend. He had made plans to go to Tony’s party and then spend the weekend with Bucky.
Bucky had spent thanksgiving with him, they had gone back to Sam’s old hometown and gave back to the community, Bucky had volunteered at the local church with Sam. They handed out food and drinks to the homeless and Bucky had played with the younger kids, showing off his arms. Sam played football with some of the kids. Even Tony and Steve dropped by and helped out. Tony even donated some of the food supplies. Tony eventually offered some Stark’s internship to the kids back home, as according to him, he saw a lot of potential in them.
As Sam and Bucky reached the common level, they were greeted with loud music and strong smell of alcohol, there were kids from school and some random strangers. Everyone was dressed up, even Bruce Banner who was busy flirting with Thor. Tony was wearing an Ironman suit, while Steve was wearing his Human Torch costume (more like him in his fantastic four suit with fake flames around him.) Natasha decided to be super girl while Clint was Flash. Peter decided to be batman while Loki being genderfluid and following his own rules, decided to be cat women. Thor decided to be a basketball player while Bruce dressed as a mad scientist. There was this twins that Sam never saw before, there were busy talking to Tony, when Tony realised Sam and Bucky had arrived, he excused himself and walked to them.
“You made it!” Tony cheered as he pulls Sam into a hug.
“Couldn’t miss it for anything.” Sam chuckles.
“The party looks great; you outdid yourself this year Tones.” Bucky chuckles.
“Well, when you have the money but not sure where to spent it.” Tony shrugs as he looks around at the party.
“And I would like to say my gratitude, especially for what you did back home for me. They boys called me this morning, saying they received some Stark Care Package.” Sam as he turns to Tony.
“Well, I see that they have potential to do more. Plus, I offered their parents too, since Stark Industries will be opening back at your place, I needed someone that knew the area well. Also, I want to venture in other industries too, so I was looking for some new workers for the mall my dad is building there. Plus, the kids had a vision of tomorrow, I see a part of me and Peter in them.” Tony said as he smiles softly to Sam.
“I owe you so much, Tony.” Sam sighs.
“The only thing you owe me, is Bucky’s smile. I haven’t seen him this happy in months. Ever since the accident, he would keep to himself. It took him forever to actually accept my offer. Everyone tried to talk to him and the only one manage to psycho him was his sister, and that literally drained Becky. The day you moved in, was they day Bucky had decided was they day he wanted to leave, he had actually packed his bag to leave for the army. He had decided to sign up the very next day.” Tony sighs as he looks over at Bucky who had went to the bar to get something to drink.
“That morning Bucky had texted me that he was giving up, he didn’t feel like he belonged here. He said he had packed his bags and was ready to leave. But by the time it was noon he had texted to meet me and to talked things out. So, we went to the diner down the block and he told me that he must have met his soulmate. He said when he brushed against your hands, he felt a tingling sensation. He smelled a sweet scent when he walked past you, his heart was about to explode in his chest. He never felt something like this before. He had decided to stay, and which I’m thankful for. With Bucky here, he keeps everyone together. He’s like our glue, he brought everyone together, and without him, we break apart. So, I’m much more thankful to you, because of you, Bucky is smiling again, he’s enjoying his life again, he found a purpose to be alive.” Tony said as he looks at Sam.
“Tony, I don’t know what to say.” Sam replies as he tries to process what Tony had said.
“You’re welcome. That’s what I want to hear.” Tony chuckles.
“Tony.” Sam sighs.
“Hey baby, your beer.” Bucky said as he suddenly pops out of nowhere.
“Thank you love.” Sam smiles as he took the beer.
“Alright I want you to enjoy the party okay! If you’re sleeping over, Jarvis already prepared the bedroom for everyone.” Tony said as he squeezed Sam’s shoulder.
“Thanks Tones.” Bucky said as he hands Tony a beer.
“I’ll see you guys around.” Tony said his goodbye and head off into the crowd.
“So, what were you and Tony talking about?” Bucky asked as he sips his beer.
“Nothing much, just about the scholarship back home.” Sam said as he sips his drink.
“Cool. Anyways rooftop?” Bucky offered, Sam smiles and nods at him.
As they sat at their usual spot, drinking their cold beers as they entangled their fingers together. Sam suddenly turns to Bucky who was busy looking up at the sky.
“Baby, you never told me exactly what happened to your arm.” Sam asked.
“Well, I was dumb and stupid and I thought it was a good idea to challenged god. It was exactly 2 years ago on Halloween night, I was drunk. I had been drinking Odinson mead and I thought I had always been reckless; I always did the dumbest things and I thought this time I wasn’t lucky. I had been drinking that night and I just grabbed my bike and rode off into the night, it was a cold night and I was literally in my white t-shirt and leather jacket, I had my hair done up like John Travolta in Grease, and I was living the dream. I was enjoying the cold breeze that night, and while I was speeding at the highway, a truck came out of nowhere and I hit it, the only thing I remembered was the excruciating pain in my arm, when I look down it was already broken, I could barely move it. I was in so much pain, I had begged God to take me away that night. I barely remembered my way to the hospital, I only heard Tony crying when they pushed me into the ER, I heard Steve calling for Tony. I was drowsy from all the pain killers they gave me. When I woke up 2 days later, I couldn’t feel my arm at all, when I look at it, it was a stump, there was nothing at all. Tony had been sleeping by my bed side, while Steve was on my other side as he did his homework. I remembered crying when the doctor came in to tell me that they couldn’t save my arm, and Tony was there to hold me tight as he comforts me, yes Steve was my best friend but Tony had always been the one who was more physical with others.” Bucky sighs as he turns to Sam.
“Could you imagine my pain when they handed me the clothes, I was wearing that night. They had to cut off my jacket and my t-shirt was soaked in blood, imagine a white t-shirt had turned bloody red. Imagine the photos Tony showed me of my bike, how bad the crash was. I was lucky to be alive. But I didn’t have my good arm, Tony had spent months working on a new arm for me. He had spent sleepless night to make the perfect arm for me. There were tons of prototype in his lab, but I like the latest ones. Tony was always there from the start, he was there for every rehab session, every doctor’s appointment, he was always there. I remembered him coming up to me and hugging me when I finally got discharged, he told me he was happy that I was still alive, even when I felt like I was dead. He gave me a reason to be alive.” Bucky said as he sips his beer.
“But I’m most thankful at this point, it’s you. You gave me a purpose to stay, a purpose to be alive, a purpose to be here. I never knew what being alive and being thankful felt like until I met you. I have always looked at death in the eyes, I have always challenged God, but now I’m grateful to be alive every single day, because of you. Nobody made my day better, until I see your smile. I would start my day happy when I get to hear your voice, I sleep with a smile whenever you kissed me goodbye, my heart skips a beat when you held my hand. It’s you Sam, it will always be you. I can never thank you enough my love, you have made me a better person and I love you, more than words.” Bucky said as he kissed the back of Sam’s hands
“Baby, I don’t know what to say.” Sam chokes on his tears.
“Just say you love me too.” Bucky smiles as he cups Sam’s face.
“I love you too, more than words.” Sam replies as he leans up and kisses Bucky’s soft lips.