How Did I End Up In This Situation?
Friday ends up coming sooner rather than later.
The past two days have been kind of a blur for Sam. He spent most of it dreading the day Bucky arrives at the safe house.
He remembers having a Girly Rom-Com movie marathon with Wanda. He personally wasn't into it, but seeing as though Wanda had kind of missed out on her childhood and teenage years, he accompanied her through 10 hours of movies.
The relaxation and normalness she was conveying totally made the situation worth it.
She smiled at him when they finished. "I think Mean Girls was my favorite; it actually taught you some life lessons."
"I hate to admit it, but I used to have the biggest crush on Gretchen Weiners back in the day."
She giggled. "Thanks for watching these movies with me Sam; I know it wasn't your favorite thing to watch."
He slung an arm around her, pulling her into a small hug. "Anything for a friend." The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.
He also remembers when Nat and Sharon show up on Thursday, and how Steve's face lit up as she made her way over to talk to him.
"Sam," Natasha said striding over to him.
"Natasha. You look good today."
She rolled her eyes. "Are you gonna flirt with me every time you see me?"
"Depends. Is it working?"
"No."
He smirked. "I'll have to try harder then." His face then got serious. "You spoke to Bruce?"
"Not since he went a-wall," she admitted softly. "I don't blame him if he hates me."
He placed one of his hands on her arm. "He doesn't."
"How do you know?"
"I just do," he assured. He then stifles a laugh after glancing at Steve and Sharon, and Steve not too subtly blushing at whatever she was talking to him about.
"Geez, when are those two just gonna hook up already?"
"Pretty sure they already did."
This made Sam's eyes widen. "Really?!"
"Oh yeah. They're kind of loud, to be honest."
Sam scrunched up his face. "Okay, overshare; didn't need to hear that."
She smiled. "What's up with you?"
"Nothing."
"Except you're dreading the fact that Bucky will be here tomorrow."
He looked at her skeptically. "How did you know?"
"You make it kind of obvious." she admitted.
"You're the only one that seems to notice, though."
"Pretty sure Wanda knows but doesn't want you to think she's been snooping around in your head."
He covered his face with his hands. "I just know it's going to be hella awkward."
"Only if you make it awkward. Give him a chance," she said with a nudge.
So that's what he's doing now. Bucky is on the way to the compound and Sam has done his best to make the place look as welcoming as possible. His belongings had already come in and he managed to put them all in his room to sort out later.
When he finally arrives, you could tell he wasn't cheerful, though no one expected to be. Steve comes over to embrace him, welcoming him back. He flashes a small smile at Steve, even though his eyes look tired. His hair is a mess and is in need of brushing. His shoulders are slumped and he has a slight limp as he is still missing an arm.
Sam slowly approaches him and Steve. "Welcome back."
"Thanks." is Bucky's response in a monotone voice. Sam didn't push.
"You hungry? Want something to eat?" Steve asks.
Bucky just shakes his head. "Nah, I'm tired, and cold, just wanna lie down."
Steve nods, understanding. "Okay, Sam, help me show him to his room." The trudged up to the second floor to show Bucky to his room, which happened to be right next to Sam's. JOY.
After closing the door and leaving Bucky to himself. Steve steps out to talk to Sam.
"I want you to keep an eye on him."
"Steve….."
"Please? I have to deal with the government if we're ever going to be able to step foot back in America again!"
Sam groans. "God dammit; how did I end up in this situation?"
"So you'll do it?" Steve asks hopefully.
"Do I have a choice?" Despite Steve staying silent, he knew what the answer was. Steve patted Sam on the shoulder before walking back to the main room, probably to find Sharon.
Sam then made his way to his own room to sort through his stuff. Almost all of it was organized the way he remembered: all of his CDs and vinyls, articles of clothing, books, etc.
He finally found his cell phone in one of the boxes. He quickly opens it and finds his mom's number.
Knowing his phone has no service, he makes his way to his bedroom and uses the landline, praying it works.
It only rings twice. "Hello?"
"Mom." Sam breathes.
He hears his mom gasp. "Samuel! Thank god, I was so worried! Baby where are you?!"
"Can't tell you specific details, but I'm not in America right now."
"I was so scared! The government wouldn't tell me anything, just that you're now a convicted felon!"
"It;s okay; I'm safe. I was locked up in a cell but I managed to get out and seek refuge in another country."
"A cell?! You're in another country?!"
"Mom, calm down; it's okay." Sam soothes. "I'm safe and that's all that matters."
He could hear her voice break through the phone. "When are you coming home?"
"I don't know." he whispers.
"I'm worried about you, and so is Sarah. We just want you to come home."
Sam feels tears slowly trickle down his face, knowing how much this must pain his family. He wanted to tell them everything. The Accords. The smuggling an assassin. The arrest. The escape.
But he couldn't.
"I'll be home soon; I promise." he says, tightening his grip on the phone.
"I love you Sam, stay safe."
"I love you too Mom. I gotta go."
"Bye baby." He reluctantly hangs up the phone. Instead of sorting through the rest of his stuff, Sam decides to go to bed early.
The phone call was less than five minutes and it's affecting his sleep. Every time he closes his eyes, all he hears was his mother and sisters, calling his name, begging for him to come home. To him, this was like Riley's death all over again. He feels so helpless, so alone, even though he had friends in the house with him right now. He wanted nothing more than to be with his family.
No one could possibly understand what he's going through right now. He whimpers quietly to himself, pulling the covers closer to his body.
He eventually falls asleep, but what he didn't know, was that Bucky was listening, hearing just how much Sam was hurting.