He couldn’t sleep. Bucky lay there staring up at the ceiling of Sam’s sister’s house. Sarah’s house and an odd rush traveled through him causing the tips of his fingers to twitch. He turned around facing the sofa. He should be tired, after helping out Sam with the boat, but he couldn’t sleep.
He inhaled. He could smell the boys, a combination of backyard, rope swings, and stolen treats from the kitchen. He sniffed again and he noted some floral scents and fresh sea air, these fragrant notes belonged to Sarah.
Long forgotten sensations awakened in him. How long had it been since he’d been with family? How long had he felt included? Not since Steve. Bucky sighed and ran his hand through his short hair.
“Can’t sleep?” Sarah’s voice floated from the kitchen.
He turned around and a smile spread on his lips. Her braided locks fell over her shoulder. Her soft dark skin glowed. She held in her hand a cup of tea. “It’s chamomile and lavender, my own blend.”
Sitting up he reached for the cup. The brush of his fingers against hers sent tingles straight through his cyborg's brain as Sam called it and into another part of him that he hadn’t had use of in what felt like a hundred years or so. He cleared his throat.
“Don’t worry it’s not poisoned or anything,” Sarah said giving him a soft smile, her eyes twinkled.
He chuckled, feeling nervous. “So why are you awake?”
She shrugged walking to the kitchen.
It was a bad idea to follow her, Sam did tell him not to flirt with Sarah, but he did it anyway. She sat at the kitchen table with her cup, and he sat opposite her.
It was a comfortable silence. “If your brother were awake, he’d say something about us sitting here.”
“Of course, did he tell you he’d have Carlos cut you up and feed you to the fish?”
“Something like that,” he said grinning over the rim of tea. He took a sip of the flavorful brew.
“He told my hus…” she stopped. Then shook her head slightly her lips thinned, “Sorry it’s been years but old habits.”
“You miss him?”
“I do.” She glanced up at him her eyes watery. “I miss his friendship, his company. We were a team if that makes sense?”
Bucky understood. He had the same with Steve. They were friends and a team for so long. Now that he didn’t have anyone, he felt lonely. “I get it…”
“I’m sorry I keep on forgetting that…you and Steve…” she shook her head. “You’ve been around a lot longer than me even though you look…” She sputtered and bit the bottom of her lip not making eye contact with him.
He quirked an eyebrow up, “Younger?” He enjoyed the small smile that appeared on her face.
“Well, not that young,” she muttered.
He sat back and took a sip of his cup and chuckled. He felt like his old self. They stared for a long time the air between them growing thick.
“Is the sofa too soft?” She blurted.
“What?”
“The sofa, is it too soft?” Sarah pointed to the sofa in the living room. “Sam said when he came back, he couldn’t sleep on the bed or sofa because it was too soft. He slept on the floor for weeks.”
Bucky nodded. “I still sleep on the floor.”
She got up and walked to the pantry and withdrew a long thin panel of wood. “Come on,” she said.
Bucky followed her.
“Take off the cushions.”
He did as she bid obediently and watched as she put the panel down.
“This will help, it won’t make the sofa as fluffy. Sam’s words, not mine.”
“Your brother is kind of fluffy.”
She grinned as they put the sofa cushions back.
“Thanks, for ahh…” he scratched the back of his neck. “Hospitality. It’s been a long time since I’ve been part of a family.”
Sarah smiled and took his vibranium hand. Nobody touched him there unless they were trying to hurt him. Hell, he couldn't recall the last time someone touched him that wasn't in a lab coat or holding some sort of weapon. He looked at her in the eyes, his breathing became harsh.
She squeezed his hand, wetting her lips, before saying softly, “You’re a good man Buck, just like my husband.”
Bucky sucked in a breath at her sincerity, conviction, and the strength of character that she displayed in her eyes.
Leaning up she kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight.”
Bucky watched her go but the smile that spread on his face lasted to the morning when he woke up listening to the kids play with the shield.