Sam had made a habit out of texting Bucky at least once every two weeks, or at least something interesting that had happened to Sam recently.
Sam knew that Bucky was reading his texts, and Sam wondered what Bucky was doing when he read those texts, was he watching TV in a bar? Maybe taking a walk in a park? Or perhaps, Bucky was just enjoying where he was living, too caught up to really give much notice to Sam.
Sam truly hoped that Bucky was finally enjoying some part of piece in his life that made him leave him on read.
Sam had decided to stay at Sarah’s for a while as he got things figured out. Figured out his place in the new world, especially a world that was Steve Rodger-less, although the heavy weight of the shield was constantly looming over him from its duffle bag in the wardrobe.
You seen what’s on the TV tonight? Thought it might give you a kick.
Sam dropped Bucky another text on Friday afternoon, it only took a few seconds for the tick to turn green to say it had been read by the man on the other end. Sam hoped his almost snarky sarcasm came across through the text, he truly did hope this might be the text to get the former solider to open up to him; but as the minutes ticked by Sam realised it was fruitless.
“You really staying up late for this?” Sarah asked Sam later that afternoon jerking her head at the TV.
“Damn straight I am.” Sam said kicking his feet up on the sofa and grabbing a beer from the table next to him.
“Didn’t strike you as a war documentary kinda guy.” Sarah said with a roll of her eyes.
“Well, I figured since I’m trying to text Bucky maybe getting to know the real James Bucky Barnes will, ya know, get him to answer me for once in his over extended life.”
Sarah gave a snort of laughter and turned her back on Sam who took a swig of his beer in his hand.
Now, Sam wasn’t really a war documentary kinda guy, he’d watch the odd war film now and then but a real life war documentary did trigger a lot of bad memories for him; but Sam wanted to do this.
All Sam had heard about the original James Barnes was what Steve had told him when they decided to track him down and become criminals - he couldn’t help but let his curiosity get the better of him.
So when he saw the TV advert for a documentary on Steve Rodgers and the howling commandos he had to take his place on the sofa and hog the TV.
Are you watching it? Gotta admit you were a handsome son of a bitch when you were younger.
Again, a read notification and silence, Sam took another swig of beer as he watched the show unfold.
“Sad to watch.” Sarah said making Sam jump from behind him. “What happened to them I mean.” She said gesturing at the screen that was showing old footage of the original team with Steve at the front.
“I think they all survived bar Bucky I mean.” Sam said after a while studying the footage. “Well, Steve obviously went into the ice.”
Sam couldn’t help but study the way Bucky kept close to Steve, the way the pair seemed so inseparable that Sam could almost feel his heart literally breaking in his chest.
“The only member of the squad to give his life for the case was James Barnes. Steve Rodger’s close childhood friend was killed in action not long into Steve’s final mission before entering the ice.”
Sam sighed leaning back into the sofa, his fingers itching again for his phone to text Bucky but he thought better of it.
He thought back to what Steve had told him about the man beside him in the footage, how he was smooth and charming; Steve swore that Bucky could charm a room full of ladies and men, but looking at Bucky now he found it hard to believe.
“So you’re telling me, he was the ladies man?” Sam asked leaning against the wall in the safe place casting a glance to the man who was out cold with his metal hand gripped tightly.
“Oh of course.” Steve said laughing a little, “we’d go down to the dance hall, Bucky would be first up there dancing in the middle of the floor, he’d have a line of ladies waiting for his hand and of course, he’d sneak down to the docks afterwards.” Steve let out a laugh and Sam cocked an eyebrow.
“What’s down at the docks?”
“Well, it wasn’t a great time to be open about who you liked.” Steve said slowly, “and like I said Bucky could charm a room full of people, men included, and he enjoyed it. The docks were a known place people would sneak off too where you wouldn’t get caught for doing stuff that was illegal at the time.”
“I cant picture it.” Sam whistled slightly shaking his head.
“I promise you.” Steve said laughing, “did I ever tell you the time he beat up a guy in the alley for picking on me?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Sam turned to look at him a little shocked.
“That’s right so…”
Sam grumbled a little focusing his eyes on the TV in front of him as a little memorial message appeared after the credits, a small dedication to the members of the squad, saying what they went on to do after the war; until Bucky’s photo appeared on the tv and Sam realised something important.
Bucky never got to do anything when the war ended, he didn’t get to go to all the celebrations and parties that happened, he didn’t get to go back dancing, heck Bucky didn’t even get to see the things he would have been arrested for become normal; Sam wondered if Bucky knew this now, did Bucky accept this? Hell, did he even remember it?
Sam grabbed the phone again hitting the caller button, but as expected it continued to ring and the man on the other end never picked up.