Chapter 13
Bucky had been growing his hair out for months. The only thing it could be described as is Steves hair when he came back for the first war with Thanos. Imagine that, but brown and wavy. It was near curly in the humidity of Delacroix, and Sam was all over it. Bucky didnt mind, in fact he ate up all the head scratches he received. "You know... this feels really nice." He snickered as Sam ran his hand through his hair for the millionth time.
"It's just- like, I can't get enough of it." Sam hummed, mouth slightly agape in wonder as he marveled at his boyfriend's beauty. At this point Bucky didn't even need to brush his hair at all, Sam did it for him every time he ran his fingers through the brown ringlets of curls.
"I can tell." He chuckled, nuzzling his face further into Sams stomach where he layed in his lap.
Sam giggled in response, Bucky's nose having been poking him in the belly button. "H-hey stoppit that tickles!"
Bucky didnt stop, infact he nuzzled even more with ab-burning chuckles.
"Oh my God I'm gonna- ack, Bucky!" Sam exclaimed, Bucky's face snuggled into his stomach forcing him into a bout of ticklish cackles and giggles.
Bucky moved away with gasps and heavy laughs, hand-clapping over his chest. He felt so... light. It wasnt often he genuinely laughed, and only around Sam did he laugh this hard.
Sam caught his breath with a couple sharp gasps and he sighed happily, looking into the other man's eyes lovingly. "God, I love you Bucky.”
"I love you too Sammy." He sighed in return, relaxing into Sams lap, curls messy over Sams thigh and Buckys face. "Do we really have to go to that interview? id rather do somethin else if you catch my drift." He jokingly flirted, wiggling his eyebrows.
Sam rolled his eyes and hummed a giggle. Bucky's forwardness was definitely a favorite trait of his as of late. "Unless you mean you want us to record a sex tape, then no I'm sorry." He laughed.
"I mean-" He blushed dark. If Sam wanted to- Hed try anything. Literally.
"Oh my God-" Sam covered his face to conceal his own blush. "You are somethin' else Buck."
"Il try anything once." He shrugged, blush darkening if possible. "But really... do we have to go-? You know i hate the media..." He sighed.
Sam's knowing smirk faded hearing his love's dejection. "I know, yeah... I'll try to do most of the talking if you want but the press are basically begging us to go on.."
Bucky nodded silently and glanced at his watch. "We should get ready. Should i tie my hair back-?"
"Whatever you want, Buck." Sam responded simply, sitting up and stretching slightly. "I'd personally prefer it down and curly but whatever you prefer.
"Down n' curly then." He smirked. "You know i dont think people have seen my hair long since... you know. And it wasnt curly then." He shrugged.
"Well I think all their jaws'll be droppin' to the floor when they see you. I mean I don't mean to gush, but- holy fuckin' shit Bucky you're gorgeous-"
"Okay! Okay, no more." He laughed, blushing dark. "At least we dont have to wear tux's?" He considered. They told them to dress casually, so Bucky would wear one of his favorite outfits. A pair of black skinny jeans and a light blue short sleeve shirt layered over a grey long sleeve. He liked light blue. "God i hate dressing up. When i had to go to my pardon at the courthouse? i was so fucking itchy-" He rambled.
"Yeah I can imagine." Sam hummed, pulling on a dark blue v-neck. "But I do gotta say you look amazing in them."
"Thanks." He chuckled, wiggling into his skinny jeans. He pulled on the dark grey shirt, then the light blue one and patted himself down. His eyes brightened for a moment as he turned around and grabbed his wallet, shoving it into his back pocket. He smirked as he kissed Sams cheek from behind him before sliding past him to the bathroom to fix his hair.
Sam smirked and followed after his boyfriend, sneaking into the bathroom from behind him and giving his ass a quick pinch. "Hello handsome," He purred, pressing his chin to the crook of Bucky's neck and wrapping his arms around the man's torso.
Bucky jumped and rutted against the counter, groaning in pain. "Fuck you..." He chuckled, leaning back into Sams hold. "Now my dick hurts." He sighed, looking at Sam through the mirror. "Not so bad yourself, cutie." He winked with a smirk.
"Well oops," Sam chuckled and leaned up to kiss Bucky's jawline, then his cheek. "And nah, I can't even compare to you."
"Dont even get me started you sexy fuck." He rolled his eyes, running his hand through his wavy hair one more time before turning around in Sams arms. "Enough talking about how hot we are. We'll be late." He whispered, a bright smile on his face as he leaned forward and attached their lips.
Sam would have been happy to argue, but was even happier with Bucky's lips against his. They walked out to their now shared car hand-in-hand, Sam only having a little worry that they'd encounter another asshole like the night before.
Bucky was on edge, glancing around them continuously, waiting for Sam to be in the truck and the door closed before he went to his side. He glanced around him one more time as he hoisted himself up using the grips. "Okay, time to be beraded about personal lives." He sighed, sliding down his seat a bit to get comfortable. He put his metal hand palm up on the center console, an offer for Sams hand.
Sam offered a sympathetic smile in return and took his love's hand, squeezing it gently despite knowing Bucky couldn't necessarily feel it. "It'll be alright, I promise." He responded softly, using his free hand to tug the seat belt over his shoulders and click it into place.
"Is it-?" He mumbled. "What if they ask about that fuckin shiner? What if people think im abusing you?"
"Woah woah, nobody's gonna think that, Bucky. And even if some do, people can think what they want. I say fuck 'em."
“But im.. me. People arent so crazy to think that with my track record." He whined.
"Well, you aren't hurting me in any way. I'm pretty comfy saying this is the healthiest relationship I've been in. Don't doubt yourself, honey."
"You really think that...?" He asked, voice small and quiet though an even smaller smile appeared on his face as he squeezed Sams hand.
"I don't think it, I know it. Without a doubt in my mind."
"God, i love you." He sighed, looking dreamily at his boyfriend as he drove. He groaned when he felt the car park moments later, cameras and yells heard as they arrived to the shows office where they would be interviewed.
Sam held Bucky's flesh hand firmly as they walked beside one another into the studio. They were most by bright lights on the ceiling and a makeup crew trying to tear thr two apart. "Hey what- what the hell?"
Bucky stiffened in a mini panic at all the people trying to touch him and push him away from Sam. "Dont touch me." He said stirnly, voice booming, louder than he had anticipated.
"Dont. Touch me." He sighed, relaxing as the people stepped away from the two. The nonconsensual touch triggered a few memories and he took deep breaths to calm himself down, heart racing. People werent his thing, it was obvious why he hated the press so much.
Sam gave his boyfriend a worried look. With anybody else Sam would have taken some time to apologize to the crowd, but right now Sam couldn't care less about them. He turned to Bucky and held his face gently, making him turn to face him. "They're just a makeup crew, you're alright, Buck."
"I know... I know... Just- touching." He sighed, resting his forhead against the new Captains forhead. "Im okay." He reassured, kissing Sams nose before stepping back and looking back to the crew. "Dont do that again. But... Go ahead, do whatever make up shit you need."
With the man's consent, the crew carefully set to work touching up both men's practically clean faces. Neither of them actually needed any work done, both of them were both handsome in ways most people wished they were. But, it was the crew's job to make them look picture perfect, so that's what they did.
Bucky continued glancing over towards Sam, protectivly and possessivly. He didnt trust this crew, hell he hardly trusted anyone but Sam, Sarah and the boys.
Sam looked back over at his boyfriend the best he could, constantly blinking on impulse thanks to the bombardments of makeup brushes and blenders pounding makeup into his skin. It made him feel gunky and dirty. He sighed when they all backed away finally and instantly went back to being at Bucky's side.
It took all of his will power not to drag his hands over his face, rid himself of the makeup feeling. "They did a pretty damn good job covering up that bruise.." He said softly, brushing his finger lightly over it.
Sam lifted his eyebrows and smiled appreciatively. "That's good... now you're worries from earlier are out of the way, right?”
"Not totally, but sure." He laughed lightheartedly. His head shot over when he heard the producer calling them over, kissing Sams lips before taking his hand to walk off.
"Alrighty we have these question cards here, just answer whichever you're comfortable with and if you're not just uh.. make somethin' up." The show host spoke, sitting neatly in his couch like chair across from the two set out for the couple.
Bucky raised an eyebrow at that. Bullshit he was gonna make something up, the stubborn man would just say no. He didnt like lying, especially after all his years as the winter soldier and his time making ammends with Yori. He shuffed a breath as he plopped down in the comfortable armchair, tugging his sleeves down to cover as much of his arm as possible, crossing his legs.
Sam nodded alone to what the interviewer said, only halfway paying attention to his words. Something about questions and something about lying.. got it. He more so paid attention to his boyfriend's body language and facial expressions, a hand going to rest on Bucky's knee to ground him.
Bucky was certainly thankful for the hand, stopping his bouncing knee. He picked at a loose thread on his shirt, keeping his head down.
"Okay then- oh also, you two are aware this interview will be live broadcasting, yes?" The man asked like the answer was yes. Sam froze.
"Uh.. no, I'm sorry but we weren't informed. I thought it would be posted to YouTube or something-" The guy chuckled in response to the former falcon's words. "What? No, we're going live in two minutes."
Buckys leg started up again, bouncing even under Sams hand. He stayed quiet, a small glare towards the interviewer. Live was worse. Mess ups cant be filtered out. Expressions and reactions to invasive questions can rarely be denied.
Sam rubbed his thumb across Bucky's knee, a futile attempt to comfort the anxious man beside him. The two minutes felt like a million years within the blink of an eye, and then the lights got brighter and multiple cameras lit up with red bulbs of light as the recording began. The interviewer cheerily introduced himself and the show they were recording for, before turning his attention to the two men. "How are you two doing on this lovely morning?"
Bucky sighed with a forced smile, looking to Sam to answer first.. He was on edge, as if ready for the next question like it was a well planned strike and attack.
“I'm doing well, had a really good start of my day so I have high hopes for this interview." Sam forced the same toothy smile.
Buckys smile turned genuine as he looked down, looking back to the peaceful morning they had. Laying in eachothers arms in the sunrise glow, Sams hand tangled in his grown out curly hair. He nodded along in agreement.
"That sounds very good, yeah. Well then! Let's get right into things then." At that, Sam sat up attentively. "So, people have been speculating a lot of things obviously, and there hasn't been any public posts on anything, so tell me: is there something going on between you two?”
Bucky forced away a light blush as he looked to his knee, then to Sam, and then to the interviewer. It was blatantly obvious to the crew, the two of them having walked in holding hands and having kissed numerous times during the stressful preparations.
Sam glanced at Bucky then removed his hand conspicuously. "Uh.. well, I suppose you can say we've become really close," Sam responded with a shrug. Why couldn't they ask about work? Or life in delacroix? They just had to go right the relationship stuff.
Buckys heart skipped a beat. Did Sam not want them to be public? Bucky wasnt sure he was ready either, the whole world knowing is way different then passer bys in their life. "Yeah." He agreed, looking over to Sam with a hint of sadness.
The interviewer gave them both a quizzical look. He could tell that was a lie, but he wouldn't press. Yet. "What has work been for you two? Interested in picking up side jobs or trying to have a normal life at all?"
Sam looked to Bucky as if the question was aimed towards him. It was obvious what Sams job was as Captain America, going on missions as needed while he worked closely with law enforcments.
"Ive gone mostly into retirment. 90 years of fighting gets old, im old, and tired." He chuckled to brush off the weight of his sentence. "I help Sams sister around the house and with her buisness, though. Thats nice." He smiled and looked down at his lap bashfully at the domesticity of his explanation. He loved the domestic enviorment, at first it was overwhleming to finally relax, he didnt know how, but once he got confortable he felt at peace in Delacroix.
"Ah, so I see your age is finally catching up with you like the rest of us! About damn time-" The interviewer chuckled, and one of the crew members cued a laughing track in the background. Sam cringed. "I'd say he's fitter than me, in my opinion." He interjected.
Bucky rolled his eyes. "Just cuz im strong doesnt mean im not old, Sam." He reminded. "Besides, playing with AJ and Cass is the most fun workout i can get. Keeps me in shape and keeps em entertained." He joked, a smile on his face despite the anxiety running through his veins.
"AJ and Cass? Are these some family members we don't yet know about?" The interviewer prodded and Sam knew what to do.
"Yeah, but they'd rather have a private life than the shit me and Buck gotta go through." He chuckled to hide his seriousness.
Bucky looked to Sam as a 'sorry, got carried away' look. "What Cap said." He shrugged it off with a smile at the endearing nickname he gave Sam when he became Caotain America.
Sam smiled softly in his boyfriend's direction before turning his attention back to the show host. "Alrighty, sounds good. And next we have here is, how has you two's social media presence- or lack thereof, been?"
"Its been nice." Samsaid simply. There was no other way to put it for him. "Relaxing. Something i dont get alot of. I'm sure any avid fans would understand why we need it."
Bucky hummed, crossing one of his legs over the other and bouncing it casually. "Agreed. Something i havent gotten in a long, long time."
"Work is more important than media, and there hasnt been much work recently so weve had a big break." Sam nodded, adding to his boyfriends words.
"Ah, I see. Surely you could put some time aside to interact with people, check in on things? We've had quite the uproar of fans begging for something to let us know you're still alive-" Yet again another laughing track. It was starting to get annoying and overwhelming.
"Family first." Bucky said simply, though he knew thatd cause questions as to Sams family being his. He inwardly cringed.
"Family? Ah, we see- the good old brotherly friends then?" The interviewer chuckled and Sam felt like he'd punch a hole through the machine producing the annoying laughing noises. "We're just close." He mumbled.
Bucky actually sighed and looked down, waiting for the next question as he forced down his bouncing knee.
"Alright, let's see... Captain, we were wondering if you've heard of the backlash you've been getting? For your well, new status?" Sam frowned. "I don't think I know what you're talking about." He tested, although he knew damn well what the man was talking about. "Well, you know, you being a 'brutha' and all that." And another annoying laugh track. Sam sucked in a breath hearing how the man so casually mocked his people's vernacular english.
"Did you really just-? Not cool man." Bucky near growled. Sam had educated him alot, and he knew exactly what the interviewer was doing. "Dont do that."
"Whaat? Just trying to joke around some, y'know, set the mood!" The man chuckled that same fake show-perfect laugh. Sam cringed.
"Yeah let's not, I'm not comfortable with jokes like that." He said carefully, knowing if he acted 'out of line', the media would accuse him of being rude and not the slightly racist host. The man in question simply hummed, not really taking Sam's words to account.
"Alrighty then.. This next one's for the Wint- ...Bucky." The man grinned.
Bucky bit his lip at that and fiddled with his fingers. He had worked so long over their past months, differentiating himself from and healing from his past of the Winter Soldier. This dude wasnt helping. "Have at it." He sighed.
"Do you plan on getting back into action on the battle field? If your partner so needs-?"
"...Maybe. Im tired of fighting, but if i can fight for good, then im at Caps side when he says im needed." He stated simply.
"I couldn't put it any better. But I think people sometimes forget Bucky and I aren't the only people who fight for America- or more appropriately the world." Sam said simply and the show host raised his hands jokingly.
"Woah woah woah, this is a show not a place to give speeches!" He joked, and another laughing track ensued.
Sam's patience was wearing thin. "...I wasn't going to give a speech."
Bucky looked over to Sam, concern written all over it as the two met eyes. As if silently asking "you good?" as the two often exchanged throught the day.
Sam gave his boyfriend a side glance, his eyes flashing a complete no. Despite that, he have his same gapped smile to the cameras. "Alrighty, and here's our last question! This one's just for fun: do you think you'll get much memes out of this interview?"
"Memes-?" Bucky asked in confusion. "Whats a meme?" He looked to Sam for help.
Sam looked at Bucky with utter love in his eyes, he found the man's confusion adorable. "They're those things you called "me-me's" once." He explained with a chuckle.
Buckys eyes widened and his mouth dropped open with a whispered "ohhh!" as he turned back. "Uhm... i dont know, from what the boys have shown me memes come from anything and everything.
"Ah, we see. Well, that should be all then! Thank you folks at home for spending time to watch this fun interview!" The man gave his picture perfect smile then the recording stopped. Sam let out a breath.
Bucky sighed aswell, body relaxing as he let himself stare off into space.
"Well then," The man clapped and Sam flinched. "We sure had a lot of fun recording with you two, hopefully we can do more segments some time in the future!" As the host spoke, crew members had plucked both men's small microphones off of their shirts.
'Alright, this ones for the Win-' rang through Buckys head as he stared at his hands. Now that he was off camera he could succumb to his thoughts. "I am James Bucky Barnes... I am no longer the winter soldier." He whispered, closing his eyes and curling his hands into fists before relaxing them again.
Sam spoke absentmindedly to the crew as they cleaned up the set before he noticed Bucky's murmuring and otherwise uncanny silence. "Bucky..? You alright?"
He spoke his mantra the slightest bit louder for his boyfriend to here. "I... I am James Buchanan Barnes. I am no longer the winter soldier..." He sighed, leaning his elbows on his knees, hunching his back.
"...That's right, honey." Sam responded softly. And suddenly his focus was only on Bucky. None of the crew members, camera people, or the show host that had stared in judgmental confusion Others looked with sympathy, eyebrows turned up in worry, and it was obvious they didnt like the show host any more than Sam and Bucky did. Sam sat beside his boyfriend slowly. "You aren't him."
Bucky nodded, mouthing the words again as he leaned into Sams side. The younger wrapped an arm around Bucky's shoulders, gently urging him to stand up so they could exit the building. "Let's get you home, Buck."
"Sorry.. Im fine. He just- Im fine." He sighed, rubbing his eyes with his flesh hand to clear his head. "Im ok."
"You sure?" Sam asked worriedly, an arm wrapped around Bucky's shoulders still as they exited the place and walked back out to the car.
"....Yeah. He just- He almost said Winter Soldier... I-Im not-" He stammered as they left the building. His hands were shoved in his pockets, eyes towards the ground.
“Shh. Don't even say those words babe. That's behind us now, just like that stupid studio. And I'll make sure we'll never have to set eyes on that guy ever again."
"Im fine... Im fine." He reassured himself, more like convincing himself. He sighed. "I hate interviews…”
"So do I, Bucky.. so do I." Sam unlocked opened the car door for his boyfriend, getting in on the adjacent side and looking to his boyfriend. "Here, when we get home I'll give you a massage and we can watch movies. Sort out all this therapy business tomorrow."
"A massage?" He asked curiously. "Ive never gotten a massage before."
"Wait- really? Well, now I've got my work cut out for me." Sam snickered as he twisted the car key into the ignition and began the drive home.