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As soon as they had made it through the door Bucky made a beeline for their couch, tipping forward to collapse face first into the soft cushions once he was in reach. Sam snorted behind him and Bucky listened to the comforting sounds of him shuffling around until he felt a light tap on his ankle.
“Up. You won’t want to get off the couch in a minute and I won’t be able to move you, my shoulders are killing me.” Bucky heard the cracks as Sam stretched his arms above his head and winced, then forced himself to roll over and look at him. He was struck by a thought he’d had many times which was that Sam always looked good, even now when he was sweaty and a little dirty he still looked amazing.
“You shower first then. I’ll order some food.” Sam nodded then turned his back to Bucky and waited. Just like every other time since they’d decided to split rent and move into together and they’d come back from a mission Bucky reached up and tugged down the zip on Sam’s uniform. He watched Sam shiver slightly, probably from the cold air hitting his back.
“Thanks.” Sam threw over his shoulder, setting off for the shower and peeling his arms out of the suit as he went. Bucky allowed himself a couple of seconds to stare then pulled out his phone.
Half an hour later and the two of them were both clean again, the dirt from the mission scrubbed away and washed down the drain. Wrapped in soft, comfy clothes and each holding a steaming plate piled high with a mix of takeaway food, Bucky flicked the TV on. They’d both settled back into the couch, upper arms just barely touching when Sam made a derisive huffing noise as he took in what was happening on the screen. Bucky looked up from where he was trying to spear a piece of chicken with his fork and watched as a reporter sent a withering look at her cohost.
“You really think after everything he’s done for us since the Blip we should be worried about Sergeant James Barnes?”
“Let’s change the channel.” But Bucky grabbed the remote before Sam could reach over him for it. The morbid curiosity building in him wanted to hear what was about to be said.
“If we were supposed to forget about what he’s done before the Blip then why are we still using the name The Winter Soldier? We are not supposed to forget that this man is dangerous, Lucy.”
On the screen Lucy looked as though she was barely containing an eye roll and Bucky was with her if he was being honest.
“Aren’t all the Avengers dangerous?”
“Fair point.” Sam chimed in, realising he wasn’t getting at the remote whilst it was held in Bucky’s hand.
“The other Avengers have always been in control of their actions, what if Mr Barnes relapses on a mission?”
“He’s not an addict, Ken.”
“And furthermore, how do we trust him? We never see the man beyond missions with Captain America and the occasional Avenger, can’t he be trusted in public? Would you want to be near him?”
With a disdainful scoff Bucky handed the remote over to Sam, letting him open Netflix as he went back to loading up his fork with as much food as he could.
“Just because they don’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not out in public, they think of that?” Sam looked at him out of the corner of his eye, a little smile beginning to form on his lips.
“Should we release a statement to tell them that you’re camera shy?”
“Somehow I doubt it would help- We are not watching that.” Distracted by Sam’s choice in mindless TV, the two of them didn’t think about the reporters again until they were called into Maria Hill’s office two days later.
———
Hill’s eyes flicked back and fourth between the two of them as they all sat in silence. Sam was avoiding eye contact, looking around the room and then pretending to be focused on something out the window. Bucky was tapping his thumbs together where his hands were clasped in his lap. A clock hidden somewhere in the room ticked.
“So.” Maria had cracked first. Sam’s head snapped back towards her and he gave her a grin.
“To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Don’t.” Maria frowned but Sam just kept smiling at her.
“I don’t actually know why we’re here, I thought we wrapped everything up on Monday?” Bucky was genuinely a little confused about why Maria Hill had called them this morning and insisted they come in to see her and discuss an important matter.
“You really don’t?” Maria’s eyes flicked between them again, her eyebrows slowly climbing up her forehead.
“Nope.” Sam popped the p as he sunk further into his chair, grin sliding off his face.
“You really don’t use those social media accounts that you’re supposed to, do you?” Maria frowned at them again as Bucky and Sam exchanged grimaces.
“I’m a senior citizen, so I don’t understand it?” Bucky’s voice crept up to a questioning tone as he finished his sentence, making an aborted attempt at a shrug.
“Don’t try that with me, Barnes.” Sam snorted and Bucky refused to look over at him, knowing he’d succumb to the blush he could feel bubbling up if he did. “I hate to do this then but look at this.” Maria held out a phone to Bucky, who reluctantly took it from her and quickly skimmed what was in front of him.
“I don’t understand what I’m looking at.” Bucky handed the phone off to Sam as he looked back at Maria. On the screen was a trending page on Twitter, screenshots and videos of the reporters’ conversation that Sam and Bucky had caught briefly on Monday night, tweeted about over and over again.
“Usually this news channel doesn’t make much noise. It’s a small, local network but there was a conversation on Monday after news broke of your success.” Bucky braced himself for what was coming, Maria Hill was not known to be a coddler. “Ken Smith, a man with a bigger mouth than brain might I add, had a lot to say about you,” at this she gestured towards Bucky who gave a jerk of the head in acknowledgment, “I’ll spare you the details-“
“We heard some of it actually, caught it as we got in. You’re right, he doesn’t know how to act.” Sam’s voice was full of disgust as he handed the phone back to Maria, glancing at Bucky as he did, who gave him a tight smile, grateful for the support.
“Yes, anyway. Right now people seem to be siding with his cohost Lucy Dale, who I will say did a very nice job of politely calling out his bullshit but there’s talk that public opinion may change. You know they’re fickle.” Sam and Bucky both nodded, all too aware of how fast the public could flip flop, whether it was justifiable or not. “So, the higher ups have decided they want you to be family friendly.”
“What?!” Bucky gaped at her as he sat up straighter. Sam had started laughing into his hand as he watched Maria and Bucky face off. “What do you mean family friendly?”
“Suitable or appropriate for all ages.”
“Yes, I know what it means but why?” Bucky could feel the scowl creasing his face until Sam reached over to push between his brows. He tried to relax, it wasn’t Maria’s fault after all. Sam tapped his brow again then moved his hand away. Bucky had the fleeting urge to whine about it.
“They want the Steve Rogers effect. For all that some of them didn’t like him by the end the public never wavered, I mean there’s even a musical about him, which you should actually go and see it’s-“
“No.”
“See, it’s things like that, that scowl has got to go.” Hill was tapping her pen against the desk and staring Bucky down.
“Okay, so how are we supposed to turn Bucky into a family friendly icon? Without, you know, giving him a full makeover.” Bucky whipped round to glare at Sam, mouth half open in shock, was he really going to go along with this stupid idea? “Don’t look at me like that, I know you’re a big softie and so does everyone at home but you gotta admit, people don’t really know much about you and after Walker they might be better knowing a little more. You’re a cryptid.” Sam paused, tapping his chin, “like the Yeti.”
“Can’t that be my brand?” Bucky turned a pleading look to Hill, “being a mysterious, handsome and very tired Avenger.” Sam let out a bark of laughter next to him and Bucky reached out to smack his arm. Lightly though, it wouldn’t help his image to injure his partner.
“Once I would’ve said you can try and get that past them but since Westview,” both Sam and Bucky cringed, both felt guilty that they’d been too caught up in their own issues to think of checking in with Wanda properly after the funeral. “I’m not sure if that’s the best idea. Look you don’t have to give people a play by play of your every move but a little bit of something would be good. A smile to start maybe. Even Rogers had to play along for a little at the start, they all did. I don’t think I need to explain why but wrecking New York didn’t pull them any favours, even if it was to stop an alien invasion. But think of this from a civilian’s point of view, James Barnes is someone you learnt about in your history class, you saw his picture at the Smithsonian on a class trip and then probably never thought about him again. Until Rogers is found and then a few years later SHIELD files are like leaked containing information about the Winter Soldier assassin and then a few years later the UN is bombed and who’s name is attached to all that? Then the Blip, then there you are working with Cap, still Cap’s best friend, Mr America.”
“You’ve been talking to Sharon.” But Bucky’s hands were clenching the arms of his chair, the brief overview of his life sending him into a small spiral. Then Sam’s hand was landing on his forearm.
“You good?” Nothing but concern in those warm brown eyes that looked like they were lined in gold in the sunlight, Maria Hill momentarily forgotten.
“I will be.” He gave Sam a curt nod and looked back at Hill. “So what am I supposed to do? They don’t have a plan?”
"Oh they did but I put a stop to that, something about school visits and your nephews.” She tipped her head at Sam and Bucky felt the grip on his arm tighten.
“Absolutely not.” He said before Sam could say anything and the hand relaxed slightly.
“I thought you’d say that so I said no. I know that their safety is the most important thing to you both and dropping their location would go against that completely. No, I said I would talk to you both, if there’s something more preferable for you then I’d rather choose the path of least resistance.”
“And you’re telling me you, or Sharon, don’t have a plan?” Sam was giving her a shrewd look, cocking his head to the side to watch her.
“We do but like I said, any ideas from the floor and we’ll be happy to go along with it. Provided it’s not entirely stupid.”
Bucky turned to exchange a look with Sam, who gave a little shrug.
“Give me a minute.” Bucky nodded and glanced around the room in desperation, hoping something would spark an idea.
“What sort of thing did you and Sharon have in mind then?” Bucky gripped the arms of the chair, bracing himself for the worst. He hoped they weren’t going to put him in tights like Steve.
“Well firstly how about something that makes you seem more settled here? Sam has his family and whilst they stay private, it is public knowledge that he has strong ties to his hometown and he’s a friendly guy too, which helps. Very popular with the younger crowd as well, if you used your social media accounts you’d know this. Also a lot of accounts dedicated to thirsting after you as well.” Maria added that last part with a smirk at Sam, who gave her a smug grin, wiggling his eyebrows.
“What’s that? What’s thirsting?” Bucky frowned, “have AJ and Cass taught me that one yet?”
“God I hope not.” Sam’s smug expression had slipped right away as he gave Bucky a little glare.
“What?”
“People think Sam is a handsome man, amongst other things, and they like to talk about it online with others of the same mindset. Nothing too awful.”
“See you’re saying that but that smile that makes it seem like it’s worse.”
“If you want to google it Barnes be my guest.” Bucky and Maria continued too bicker for a few moments until Sam piped back up.
“So you’re saying they want stability? Even though Steve never had anything like that?”
“He had the Avengers team and a majority of the public seemed to think of them as a pseudo family unit of sorts.” Bucky and Sam rolled their eyes in unison at that, the original Avengers team couldn’t have been further from a family.
“Well the Avengers have been reformed so why can’t I use that?”
“The current Avengers team is made up of a majority of unknown people to the major public, sure there’s Sam, Rhodey, Lang and Barton but a lot of them, even those from the earlier iterations of the team, if you could call it that, aren’t really out there in the public eye. So therefore-“
“It doesn’t have the same wholesome effect.” Sam finished.
“Exactly.”
“Isn’t staying in the fight enough to prove I’m tied down here, I clearly have something to fight for, right?”
“Perhaps or is the fight the only thing you know how to do?” Bucky tried not to rear back, knowing the words weren’t necessarily reflective of Hill’s thoughts but it felt like a punch to the gut to hear them anyway. Sam shot him a worried look and the hand that had slipped off his arm earlier reached up to pat him reassuringly once again.
“What about a partner?” At Bucky’s confused hum Sam rolled his eyes and added, “a romantic partner, like a girlfriend or boyfriend.” He added, apparently for Bucky’s benefit.
“It could work, a commitment to something outside of work.”
“I don’t want to date anyone.” Bucky was currently beyond caring that you could obviously hear the slight panic in his voice, “I just, I don’t think I want to do that right now.” He didn’t want to be selfish or put himself first unnecessarily but he knew that him having the biggest crush on Sam would definitely affect another person that was in a relationship with him. He didn’t want to embarrass anybody other than himself when it came to the matter of him being half in love with Samuel T. Wilson.
“You don’t have to. You can have a PR relationships, celebrities today do it all the time.” Bucky’s hands lifted off the arms of his chair to nervously wring together. “They turn up somewhere with each other a few times, get papped, maybe now there’s a few social media posts thrown in together and then they amicably breakup a few months down the line, done.” Maria had started tapping her pen against her desk again.
“Okay first problem, who would even want to date me, even if it’s fake, I’m not exactly a catch.”
“Hey!” Bucky looked across to Sam at the loud outburst, who seemed slightly awkward under the attention now on him, “you’re not that bad.” He coughed out.
“Wow, thanks for such a glowing review Sam.” Bucky bit out.
“I don’t want to boost your ego.” Sam said primly, folding his own hands into his lap.
“Not to put an end to whatever this is but I have no doubt that there’s plenty of people lining up to fake-date you Barnes.” Hill rolled her eyes at them, letting a little irritation start to slip through her mask. “Plus, if you really are that uncomfortable with it then there’s plenty of people you know that could do it. Or we can think of something else.”
“You offering?” He gave her a smarmy grin as he tried to play off the way his stomach had started to churn.
“God, no. But I’m sure we’d find someone. In fact, if you repaid her I’m sure Sharon would do it.” Maria paused for a moment, “actually I think she’d rather enjoy the scorned ex hooks up with his old best friend.” All three of them let themselves enjoy the image for a moment, Bucky even let out a quiet snort when he thought about Sharon innocently batting wide eyes at a news reporter whilst she tore them a new one about how much sweeter Bucky was than Steve had been to her. Maybe Steve didn’t deserve it but Sharon wouldn’t be the only one who would enjoy that charade if it really came down to it. Messing with Steve had always been fun, even if he wasn’t here to moan about it anymore.
“As funny as that would be, what about-“ Sam glanced over from Hill to Bucky then, “what about me?” Bucky opened his mouth to instantly reject the idea but the words got stuck in his throat and Sam took the opportunity to carry on talking. “I mean like you said Maria, we’re already sort of attached at the hip, it probably wouldn’t be much of a jump for people to make and in the end we can always wave the breakup off as too much heartache being out in the field together.”
Maria looked reluctantly impressed as she watched Sam, then she turned to Bucky and raised an eyebrow.
“I mean, sure that makes sense but would you really want to put your reputation out there like that?” It was a weak excuse but Bucky’s brain had slowed down to only one or two functioning cells.
“Look, the people that like me probably won’t start disliking me because I have a boyfriend and if they do well then maybe they didn’t like me that much in the first place. And the people that already hate me, well, no losses there, right?” Sam rolled his eyes at Bucky’s forlorn expression, “if you really think it would be that bad, then just say so Buck.”
“What, no! I’d be lucky to date a guy like you I’m just worried about you, I don’t want to make your life worse.”
“Please stop it, come on Bucky, if you made my life worse we wouldn’t be here, would we? Look do you have an argument that is actually logical because I think this could really work, plus we get to go to dinner and get dressed up and you can carry me off the battlefield in a victorious haze and sweep me right away from the press and paperwork.” It was Bucky’s turn to roll his eyes but he was smiling.
“Okay, fine, if you insist, didn’t know you wanted to kiss me so bad, Wilson.”
“In your dreams.” Yes, that did feature in Bucky’s dreams actually but over his dead body would Sam ever find out about that particular detail of his life.
“Plus I’m family friendly. I have a family and I’m friendly too.”
“Actually Maria, forget it, I’ll just resign from the team right now.”
“Too late, it’s in the system.” Hill was tapping away at her tablet, “maybe start slow though, a photo here and there, maybe a tweet if I’m lucky, then we can slowly ramp it up, nothing to cause suspicion and if you ever want to stop just let me know and I can sort that for you.” Say what you want about her but Hill was efficient.
“So we’re done?” Sam was standing up and rolling his shoulders.
“Yeah, just keep me in the loop if you’re about to drop something big but otherwise the next time I’ll be in touch will be something actually work related.” Sam nodded and started towards the door, looking back over his shoulder once he realised Bucky was still sat down. With a start he got up.
“Well it looks like it’s all arranged then.” With a gulp and a foreboding feeling Bucky made his way to join Sam, Hill waving them off and out of her office.
They walked towards the elevator in silence, neither saying anything as they stood in the small space, then made their way out of the doors into the fresh air.
“Hey wait, come here.” Sam grabbed at Bucky’s elbow to stop him walking and he pulled out his phone. “Smile.” And he lifted his phone up to take a photo. “Oh my god, that’s perfect.”
“What was that for?”
“Well why not appease Hill for once, right? I’ll post it on Instagram later.” And Sam slapped him on the back, steering him towards the car they’d come in.
Hours later when Bucky was laid in bed, sleep evading him, he decided to pull up Instagram and look at the photo Sam had taken. There on the screen was a picture of the two of them smiling at the camera, a normal photo of two friends, seemingly nothing more there.
Swipe to see how much of an old man he is
Was the caption, so Bucky did. The next photo was Bucky frowning at Sam, he must’ve already been taking a photo before Bucky had realised what he was doing, the photo after that was Sam smiling at the camera whilst Bucky was still frowning but this time he was also facing the camera. He realised then that he was smiling down at the set of photos, a happy feeling bubbling up in his chest. Then the reality of what he’d agreed to earlier, that for all intents and purposes he was about to start dating Sam for all to see, was setting in.
And he was so fucked.
———
The first incident that got the game going, Bucky will admit, was an accident. Well not really he hadn’t done it accidentally but he hadn’t realised that in the context of their new fake relationship how it could come across. Sharon and Hill had ‘leaked’ a couple pieces about the two of them being closer than just friends and people were starting to pick up on it.
They’d been on a mission, nothing big so it had just been the two of them but Sam’s comm had gone offline as they’d been wrapping up. Panicked, Bucky had stormed out of the building to find the other man and uncaring of the phones people were holding up, had almost knocked Sam down in his haste to reach him. Sam had been jogging back into the building, presumably to find Bucky, and they’d run right into each other. Bucky’s arms had shot out instinctively to grab Sam’s waist to keep him upright, then realising it was Sam he’d leaned forward to get a proper look at him. Sam had rolled his eyes as Bucky patted him down for a few moments but laughed as he did, insisting he was fine. Once Bucky was satisfied they’d set off back towards the rendezvous point, arms knocking against each other and their knuckles occasionally brushing.
Someone had caught the whole thing on video and posted it on Twitter. It hadn’t really gone viral considering how many videos of the Avengers were constantly circulated on the internet but quite a few people had left comments pointing out how close they looked and how cute it would be if they were really together. Bucky hadn’t even seen it himself until Hill had included it in a round up a couple of weeks later but the video had made him smile, knowing that at least one moment in this stupid game had been real.
———
DO YOU WANT TO GENTLY HOLD YOUR COWORKER CLOSE LIKE SAM WILSON AND BUCKY BARNES HOLD EACH OTHER?
DID YOU SEE THE LATEST VIDEO OF THE AVENGERS LEADERS? I want to scream.
———
Bucky would also admit that the second incident, whilst it hadn’t quite been an accident, it definitely hadn’t been planned.
Kate and Joaquin were laughing at the video of themselves they’d just taken on Kate’s phone. Whenever they were coming back from a mission in the Quinjet the two would usually sit together unless Torres had beaten Sam, Rhodey or Yelena to the cockpit. Right now they were obsessed with some kind of filter on Instagram and they’d play Smash or Pass or Do You Think Bucky Knows Them? Which was the public’s favourite. It consisted of them going round each Avenger, bringing up a picture using the filter thing (Bucky doesn’t know how it works but he’s definitely not going to ask) and they decided if Bucky had caught up on enough to know who it is.
He wonders if Steve had to do this.
He has also never told them that in Wakanda he had access to the internet and a teenager with a brain the size of the sun because playing along seems to bring them a lot of joy so he does it. He’s pretty sure Sam knows he’s pulling one over on them though but he’s never brought it up.
Sam had called dibs on flying and Yelena had settled into the cockpit before Bucky could so he’d been left to the rabid pack that was their team. He’d just been released from Scott and Clint’s argument about whether cereal could be counted as soup when he saw Kate and Joaquin making their way over to him.
Great.
“Wanna play?” Kate settled in next to him.
“Really?” He almost groaned, trying not to take out his crankiness on the two of them. Then Hill’s words played back in his mind. Guess he was playing along again today. “Fine, come on.” Kate looked too pleased with herself as she wiggled her phone and flipped the camera towards them. A second later the filter had landed on a picture of Sam decked out in his Captain America suit, smiling toothily at the camera. Bucky remembers those photos being taken and how good Sam looked that day, not that he doesn’t look good everyday, but his ass looked especially nice in the suit and without the adrenaline of being under fire Bucky had had a chance to appreciate it properly that day.
“Smash.” Kate and Torres both started laughing. “Are you done?” They nodded, the two of them exchanging wide grins as they moved across to Clint and Scott.
Bucky started to zone out when he heard a vague, “Bucky definitely doesn’t know who Regé-Jean Page is, do you think he’s watched Bridgerton?” Bucky scoffed silently because he most certainly had, he and Sarah had binged watched it one day when Sam had taken AJ and Cass to a baseball game, so he knew-
Wait.
They were playing Do You Think Bucky Knows Them?
Shit.
No it would be fine, it was just a bit of fun and Sam would probably never see it so Bucky tried not to think about it until he was walking through the door to their apartment hours later, Sam racing off to get to the shower, and he checked his phone.
Smash?
Was all Sarah had written but he felt the groan come from deep in his chest.
How did you know about that?
You’ve gone viral, check literally any social media account you have
Sighing he flicked through to Twitter. It was easy enough to find, there on the Avengers own official page was a thread of the videos from the Quinjet earlier and Bucky’s had the most likes and retweets of them all. The replies underneath were just as popular.
‘The total lack of hesitation, I love him’
‘NOT EVEN A SECOND OF THOUGHT’
‘Mr James Buchanan Barnes sticking to his brand and immediately saying smash when he saw that red, white and blue’
‘he didn’t even pause to think, just straight (lmao) instinct’
‘I agree’
‘Can you blame him Cap is a total babe’
‘this is my new favourite video’
‘I’m wheezing he was so confident’
“Shit.” He whispered to himself. Sam was going to see this and then what? He blamed his post mission brain for the amount of time he stood blinking at the screen, desperately trying to come up with a reason for his instant response if Sam asked.
“That was good thinking today!” His slow meltdown was interrupted by Sam, who was clad in a pair of soft looking sweatpants that made Bucky want to run his hands up and down Sam’s thighs even more than usual, stepping into the kitchen where Bucky had slowed to a stop whilst he checked his phone.
“Huh?” Bucky’s face scrunched up, trying to remember what exactly he’d done during the mission today. Despite trying his best every time they went out into the field to gel as well as he could with the team, it was difficult sometimes after years of operating alone. He didn’t think he’d done anything particularly inspiring today though.
“Joining in with the video, made you look friendly.” Sam watched him over the rim of the glass he’d been filling up as Bucky had played back the day. “And admitting you thought I was sexy was pretty nice too.”
“Stop.” He whined as Sam laughed into his glass. “I wasn’t-“ Bucky quickly cut himself off from almost admitting that he hadn’t been thinking when he’d seen the picture of Sam. Sam knowing that Bucky really did think he was hot would probably only make this situation ten times worse.
“You weren’t what?”
“Wasn't trying to be friendly.” He coughed then rubbed the back of his neck, “just wanted them to get on with it and leave me alone.”
“You know, just because you’re 1000 years old doesn’t mean you have to act like it, right? You’re allowed to have fun.” Sam scrutinised him for a moment before he turned to rummage through the cupboards behind him. “You want to make a cake?”
Bucky appreciated this about Sam, he always seemed to know when Bucky didn’t want to talk about something and usually didn’t press him about it and if he did push it was usually because Bucky should be talking about it. Sam must have deemed Bucky grumpily playing Smash or Pass with their fellow Avengers as a non worrying topic though and moved on.
“What kind?”
“We have chocolate or red velvet.”
“Red velvet. Let me go take a shower.”
After Bucky had showered and changed he joined Sam back in the kitchen, the ingredients and utensils set out in a small semi circle on the counter, Sam tapping away on his phone. Noticing he was back Sam put his phone down and they both got to work, silently moving around each other as they went through the motions. It had become a funny little ritual, when they got back from work and if they were in a decent enough mood they’d make food of some kind together. They couldn’t always get takeout because of the funny times they kept but their kitchen was always open.
“I think we should tell Sarah it’s not real.” Sam broke the silence. “You know, before it really gets going. Maybe she can explain it to the boys if they start asking questions and stuff.” Bucky nodded.
“That’s probably for the best.” He cracked an egg into the bowl Sam was using. “And maybe I’ll get out of the shovel talk, she can really throw a punch.”
“I know,” Sam’s upper body did a slight wiggle, as if it couldn’t contain his pride, “I taught her the best way to do it.” He slid the bowl towards Bucky, silently asking him to finish mixing it all together. “Don’t like when she uses it against me though.”
“Isn’t that what sisters are for?” They both grinned at each other. It had taken Bucky a while to start talking about his family or what he remembered of them anyway and it had taken even longer for him to be able to casually bring them up. Something he still only really did around Sam and occasionally Sarah. Sam bumped their hips together in a little comforting gesture as he moved to open the oven door.
“I’ll call Sarah now then, it’s not too late. And if I’m not done by the time that has finished please make sure to yell loudly enough so I have an excuse to hang up.”
“You know I won’t.” He called after him and Sam flipped him off as he left to make his call.
———
“So let me understand, you and Bucky are going to pretend to date each other, so that Bucky can improve his public image, which is stupid by the way, and you can live vicariously and pretend you’re actually dating him? Are you for real?”
“Yes to that except for the last part, what makes you think I want to date Bucky properly?” Sam whispered, aware that a man with super solider hearing was just in the other room. “And keep your voice down.”
“No it might help you get out of this because maybe one of you has some sense.” Sarah paused, “never mind I heard it, that’s a stupid thought.”
“Sarah!” Sam sighed and rubbed at his forehead, pacing his bedroom as he talked to his sister.
“Oh come on Sam, you can’t be serious, this has ‘bad idea’ written all over it. Even for you!”
“I’ll be fine, it’ll be fine. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Sam.”
“It’s only for a few months and you know, I haven’t been on a date in ages, it’ll be nice, no nerves because it’s Bucky. Just Bucky, that’s all.”
“Sam, forgive me for being blunt, but you have to know you like him by now. Like more than just a friend. I know you like to live in denial but maybe now is the time to try something new, why can’t you just date him properly?”
“Because Sarah! It’s Bucky! He doesn’t like me like that,” Sarah scoffed down the phone, “we’re just friends and that’s fine, really it is.” There was silence on the other end of the line. “I just, I don’t know. I’m not sure I was thinking in there and then I was just coming out with it and he seemed fine with it so it was too late to take it back, without being a total asshole. And, yeah, I don’t know, am I totally fucked?”
“Probably.”
“Thank you.” He said dryly, turning to lean against the wall.
“Look, I think you should just talk to each other properly but if you insist on this stupid charade I guess I can collude in the illusion for you. Just be careful alright? I think your heart has been through enough.” Sam swallowed down lump in his throat. “So where is he taking you? If this is for Bucky’s public image then he should be paying, right? I hope its somewhere fancy.”
“Sam! It’s ready!” Saved by the super solider.
“I gotta go but not a word to anyone okay?” Sarah made a huffing noise and muttered something under her breath but agreed, “I’ll call you later.” Hanging up Sam made his way back into the kitchen, grateful that it hadn’t been worse.
———
Around a week later Sam and Bucky were taking a walk around Central Park. They were in town for a meeting and took advantage of the overcrowded area to hopefully be spotted by someone with a camera.
“So, I thought I’d be getting dinner and a show when you said we were coming to New York but here we are.”
“With your people.” Bucky nodded seriously, gesturing towards a large flock of pigeons gathering in the middle of the pavement.
“Fuck off.” Sam crossed his arms and turned his head away as they carried on walking.
“Hey come on, look those two are even kinda cute.” Bucky pointed at a pair of pigeons stood on a low wall together, one looked to be nuzzling into the others neck. “It’s us.” Bucky gave Sam a smirk and leant over to nudge him.
“Fine.” Sam dropped his arms, begrudgingly admitting to himself that the birds were actually sort of cute. Bucky shuffled a little closer and their arms brushed a couple of times as they walked further into the park. Then Sam felt fingers threading through his own. “What are you-?”
“There’s some kids over there pointing their phones straight at us.” Bucky had apparently decided that he needed to quietly whisper this information too Sam, leaning right into his personal space and down to his ear. Sam tried to fight the rising blush but couldn’t contain the little shiver that ran up the back of his neck when he felt Bucky’s breath against his skin.
“Oh?” Sam turned his head to look directly at Bucky, tilting his chin up slightly to meet his gaze. In a moment of weakness he allowed his eyes to briefly drop to Bucky’s lips then flick back up and lifted half his mouth in a small smile. His heart rate shot up as he heard Bucky’s sharp intake of breath. Ignoring the part of his brain that was screaming at him that it was just a natural reaction to close proximity and not Bucky’s reaction to Sam himself, he leant even further forward and raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Sam.” Bucky’s voice was almost a growl, the fingers intertwined with his tightening.
Then somewhere nearby a dog barked and the moment shattered. Sam coughed and jerked back, looking around for the source of the noise. Bucky eased away from him as well but didn’t release his hand, just tugged Sam along in the direction he wanted to go in.
“So should we go and see that musical now that we’re in town?”
“Absolutely not.” Bucky huffed at him.
“Aw come on, I wanna see if you sing. Do you think you have a ballad?”
“I’d rather be shot.”
“I hope I do and that it’s called On Your Left, do you think people know about that?”
“I dunno.” Bucky paused to squint at Sam, “why don’t you just ask Clint?”
“Where’s the fun in that? You’re really not even curious?”
“Not really, do you really want ‘I’ve got to get the Tesseract!’-” Bucky very flatly broke into song, lifting his hands up, Sam’s going with the one it was holding, to wave around.
“‘The battle’s just begun!’ I knew you’d heard it!” Sam let out a loud laugh, picturing the look on Bucky’s face the first time he’d listened to it.
“Whatever, do you really want that stuck in your head?”
“Well now it will be either way.”
“Maybe another time.”
As they continued to bicker their hands stayed clasped together for the rest of the afternoon, the kids Bucky had pointed out earlier completely forgotten.
———
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE WINTER SOLIDER ENJOY A COSY WALK IN THE PARK
PLAYING FAVOURITES? CAP GETS CLOSE WITH SECOND IN COMMAND IN CENTRAL PARK
———
“Good you’re back!”
As soon as Sam stepped through the door to their apartment Bucky was charging towards him.
“Don’t take your coat off, I have a date idea.”
“What? Bucky!” But Bucky had grabbed Sam’s arm and spun him, practically shoving him back through the door.
“I know you’re showered and stuff because I made sure Torres got you to do it before you left your training session so let’s go.”
“You’ve got poor Joaquin involved now?” But Sam let himself be guided back down the stairs, all too aware of Bucky’s hand pressed into the small of his back. It’s just for show, in case anyone comes out of their apartment he told himself.
“I didn’t force him or anything, let’s take my bike.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun.” Bucky continued to herd him towards the parking lot. He opened Sam’s car to grab his helmet and evidently a spare one he had as well.
“Since when did you have two helmets, I just barely managed to force you into wearing the one.” Sam grabbed hold of the helmet being forced into his hands as Bucky locked Sam’s car up again. “And why were you keeping them in there?”
“Forgot to bring them up.” Bucky shrugged. “And I bought you your own so your precious skull is protected and then maybe you’ll get used to the feeling and wear one with your suit. Even Steve wore head protection Sam. Not that he needed it, his skull was thick enough. Come on get on.”
Sam felt warm at the thought that Bucky had bought him his own helmet for the bike. Something he knew wasn’t motivated by the new fake dating game they’d caught themselves in because Bucky had been bitching about Sam not wearing headgear pretty much since they met in Wakanda. Sam stopped to watch Bucky swing his leg over the bike, taking in how his thigh flexed and tensed as he moved to sit down and adjust until he was comfy.
“Erm, coming.” He settled in behind the other man and carefully wrapped his arms around Bucky’s waist.
“You’re gonna have to hold on tighter than that you know.” Bucky was glancing at him over his shoulder.
“I will when we set off, now put your helmet on.” Bucky merely grunted but did so and true to his word as soon as Bucky switched the bike on Sam’s arms tightened, squeezing Bucky’s middle like his life depended on it. And Sam had seen Bucky driving this thing so maybe he had a right to feel slightly nervous.
What simultaneously felt like too soon and much too long passed with Sam clinging to Bucky until they’d reached their destination. The bright blue box in front of them with the bold yellow letters stared back.
“This is IKEA.” Was all Sam said, arms still looped around Bucky’s waist.
“Yeah.” Bucky did a weird little shuffle, then tapped Sam’s hands. “Come on, let’s go.”
Jumping into action Sam got off the bike and handed his helmet to Bucky who attached them to the bike and locked them up.
“Okay but why are we here?” Bucky had started guiding him towards the entrance, his hand coming up to rest on the small of Sam’s back again. He swallowed and tried not to stumble as they carried on walking, feeling like his back was burning at the contact.
“Well,” Bucky squinted as he looked up at the sign they were walking under, shrugging and herding Sam towards the showroom, “last time we were here you wouldn’t let me walk off the path-“
“I told you at the time, once you leave the designated route that’s it, there’s no coming back, we’d have been here for hours and we really only needed a desk.”
“Still,” Bucky took a moment to glare at Sam as if he’d personally invented the time warp that was shopping in IKEA, “Twitter said it was a fun date idea if you wanted to be lowkey and I wanna demolish you at hide and seek too.”
“You asked Twitter for date ideas? And you have an unfair advantage, you know.”
“DIdn’t Hill say to actually use my account, be one with the people and all that. They actually had some good ideas, some weird, but this one sounded fun, right? And you chickening out?”
“Oh hell no.” And they were both off, power walking towards the living rooms as fast as they could without raising alarm.
“I’m hiding first!” Bucky was leaving him behind as he tore around the corner. “No cheating!” He called over his shoulder as Sam watched him disappear. He pulled his phone out to send a quick text to Sarah as he waited for Bucky to find a spot.
He’s brought me to IKEA
Why?
For a date, he’s just gone to hide
You have a crush on a manchild
He’s just young at heart
And I don’t have a crush
Whatever helps you sleep at night Sam
You know I think he’ll have found somewhere by now
He was a super assassin after all
Rolling his eyes Sam shoved his phone back in his pocket and set off to search for Bucky. About 15 minutes later he found him. Cornered by two little girls he was crouched down in one of the display living rooms, holding a book in his metal hand and the other braced on the back of an armchair. Sam shoved down the laugh that was brewing at the sight of Bucky’s slightly startled expression as the two girls babbled on at him. Their parents were stood off to one side, openly smiling at the encounter.
“Oh look who’s arrived, Cap is here.” Bucky had spotted him and at his words both girls whipped around to get a good look. The slightly shorter girl set off for him, her hair pulled up in two buns that reminded him of Sarah when they were kids, she threw her little arms around his legs and looked up at him.
“I love you.” She declared very seriously, large doe eyes gazing up at him.
“Oh.” Sam was taken aback by the announcement, looking over to Bucky for a little support but he was covering his mouth, trying to stop the laugh from escaping. He’d stood up though and reached forward to grip Sam’s waist.
“Hey.” Was all he said, then he added an awkward, “babe.” And Bucky jerked forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. That’s when Sam felt arms squeeze around his legs and looked back down towards the little girl.
“Alright Ava enough, you’ve both talked to Mr Barnes for long enough don’t start dragging Captain America in as well.” The girl’s mother was stepping forward to grab the girl, Ava apparently, who had attached herself to Sam.
“Oh it’s alright.” Sam tried to protest.
“No, no I’m sure you’re busy, sorry they’re so excitable.” Bucky was carefully sliding the book back into its place, other arm still wrapped around Sam’s waist.
“Can we have a photo mom, please please please!” The older girl was tugging on her mom’s shirt, head turning between her and Sam.
“Well you’ll have to ask them honey, not me.” Immediately Sam and Bucky had two sets of large, pleading eyes turned towards them, bottom lips stuck out in matching adorable pouts that neither could refuse.
“Of course!” The girls shrieked and ran over, wedging themselves between the two of them, forcing Bucky’s arm to drop. Ava reached up to grab Sam’s hand and Bucky leaned down slightly to rest his on the other girl’s shoulder and they all smiled for the camera.
“Thank you so much! Do you mind if I share this on Instagram?” The mom’s eyes flicked over to Bucky but she directed the question to both of them.
“Go for it, have fun you two.” Bucky smiled at the small family then waved as the two girls walked off, still chattering about their encounter with the Avengers. As the girls turned back for one final wave Bucky reached down to grab Sam’s hand, swinging it between them as they also started walking.
“So do I win that round?” Sam smirked as Bucky scoffed.
“No way, we have to start over.” And they did, eventually tiring of the game about half an hour later. They’d worked their way through the living and dining area and were just finishing off the kitchens.
“Hey Buck, I’m GLADOM here with you.” Sam waved a tag in Bucky’s face as they moved around a fake kitchen set up. Bucky snorted, then tried to look annoyed as he glared at Sam. A few moments later Sam heard Bucky call him over.
“Have we ALGOT what we need?” Bucky held up a tag of his own, then gasped and pointed to another as Sam tried to walk off. “Why are you in such a RUSCH? Hey come back!”
‘You’re so stupid, do you know that?”
“You started it!” Bucky shoved him lightly as they continued down the main walkway. They walked in silence for a minute or two until Bucky turned to look at him again.
“I’d tell you a joke about IKEA furniture but you’d have to put it together yourself.”
“Stop it.”
“You’re no fun, Sammy.” Sam’s stomach flip flopped at the nickname, which was silly because nobody had called him Sammy since he was about 15 but Bucky saying it had him blushing like he was that age all over again.
It’s not real, Sam.
“Would you rather all chairs had arms or all chairs had none?” He asked to distract himself from his pounding heart.
“None.” Bucky said after a moment of contemplation.
“So you wouldn’t miss armchairs? What about sofas?”
“Did you see that circular one earlier, no arms needed.”
They spent another hour combing through the store, picking up all sorts of accessories and deciding on furniture they’d have to come back for when they had time to redecorate their flat. As they made their way to the warehouse area Bucky caught Sam’s sleeve and pointed at a mirror.
“Sam, Sam, ROSSARED, violets are blue, hey guess what, I like you.”
“Oh my god.”
“Come on, you have to admit that was good.”
“It wasn’t.”
“You’re blushing so I beg to differ.”
“What?” Sam tried not to squawk but he reached up and felt his warm cheeks. Why the hell was he blushing at some cheesy line Bucky had come out with, this was so embarrassing. “It’s just warm, don’t flatter yourself.”
They ended up grabbing some meatballs and then Bucky went back for seconds. Then thirds. They were stopped for a couple more photos along the way but overall Sam actually had a lot of fun and that night when he was drifting off to sleep he found that there was a smile still on his face, refusing to fade even hours later.
———
SPOTTED: CAP AND WINTER SOLIDER TAKE A TRIP TO IKEA
AVENGERS SEEN AT IKEA. DOES THIS CONFIRM WILSON AND BARNES LIVE TOGETHER?
———
They were sat together on the sofa watching some mindless movie when Sam brought it up. He’d looked over at Bucky, he’d felt Sam’s eyes flick up and down his body then back to his face and tried not to make it obvious that the attention made his heart beat faster than it should.
“So Steve said that you were quite the charmer back in the day.”
“Did he?”
“Yep.” Was all Sam said and Bucky could feel his eyes boring into him.
“So?” Bucky asked after they’d been sat in silence for a moment.
“You’re really not catching on?” Bucky couldn’t stop the smirk spreading across his face, all while keeping his eyes pinned to the tv. “You do know!”
“You wanna be romanced Sammy? You want the full Bucky Barnes experience?” It was Bucky’s turn to look at Sam now, giving him his old trademark cocky grin that used to have the girls (and guys) queuing up to have their turn on his arm. He watched Sam swallow and couldn’t help but let his gaze briefly drop to Sam’s lips before hurrying back up to his eyes. “I have to warn you, it’s a dangerous game to play, don’t want you falling in love with me.”
Bucky wishes he would.
“Not a problem, Bucko.” Which definitely hurt, did he have to sound so assured of it? But Sam had turned his body to face Bucky, invested in the conversation now. “But what if I did want to be romanced, we’re supposed to be dating are we not? People might be expecting some of that old school charm.”
They locked eyes and Bucky contemplated where to go from here. He could take Sam out, treat him to a proper date but would that just be digging the hole deeper for himself? Although did it matter at this point, he was in so deep for Sam a little further couldn’t hurt.
“Alright, if you want romance then I’ll show you romance, baby.” He threw in a wink for good measure and watched Sam cough, trying to disguise the slightly choked sound he’d just made. Well that’s not quite the affect Bucky used to have but he’d take what he could get.
They were both quiet for the rest of the film and as soon as the credits rolled Bucky excused himself, he had some dates to plan.
———
Bucky was nervous, which he thought was probably quite silly because this was not really a proper date. Not for him and Sam but to other people it would seem that way. So he was nervous. He wasn't sure how Sam would feel about it but he’d wanted the Bucky Barnes experience so he was going to get it. It had taken him a while to track down the perfect place but he’d eventually found exactly what he was looking for and told Sam to be ready at 7 on Friday, dressed nicely and full of food but not too full he didn’t want him to be sick. Bucky took another glance in the mirror, he’d decided to go simple, just a white shirt and black trousers, his hair done neatly for once rather than just raking his hands through. He’d be just fine. Taking a deep breath he squared his shoulders and opened his bedroom door.
“Hey Buck, do I need a jacket?” Sam must’ve heard his door closing because he called out as soon as Bucky started to move down the hall.
“No it’s inside.” He hadn’t told Sam where they were going, hoping to make it more fun. Despite doing most of his dating in the 30s Bucky wasn’t sure Sam would really be thinking about that.
“Okay then I’m ready.” Then Sam was in front of Bucky, all smiles and overflowing with energy, which was a pretty perfect combination for Bucky tonight. Bucky let himself look Sam up and down under the guise of making sure his outfit was appropriate. Sam had chosen black trousers like him but Bucky’s attention was stuck on the shirt he was wearing. It was a burnt orange and clung to every muscle in Sam’s arms and chest, it looked soft and Bucky would be finding an excuse to touch it later to confirm if he was right. It was a turtle neck, which obviously looked great on Sam (Bucky had eyes and despite the high stakes in Madripoor he’d let himself check Sam out once or twice) and it had three striped panels down the front that gave it a bit of a shiny effect.
Bucky’s mouth felt dry.
“Nice watch.” He managed to force out, trying to sound calm and collected. “You look nice, really nice, ready to go?” Understatement of the century because Sam looked much more than nice, his skin seemed to glow and his eyes were as soft and warm as they’d ever been but Bucky couldn’t exactly tell him that without giving it all away.
“Thanks, er, you too.” Sam took the lead as Bucky gestured for him to go ahead. “Do you not own a shirt that actually fits?”
“Huh?” Bucky hadn’t quite heard Sam’s question, too focused on what was in front of him once Sam had turned around, honestly how could it be so round?
“Never mind, man.”
Even though they were taking Sam’s car Bucky insisted he drove, not wanting to let on to Sam where they were going. Once they pulled up to their destination Sam’s face broke out into a grin.
“Nah, no way, I didn’t think these still happened.”
“You said you wanted the Barnes experience so here we go.” They both got out the car and Bucky slid the keys into his pocket and held out his arm for Sam, “you ready to go, doll?”
Sam was beaming at him as he slipped his arm into Bucky’s, practically vibrating with excitement as they walked into the building. They were met with a loud and crowded, dim room. There was a bar tucked away in one corner, leaving plenty of space for the large dance floor and a few seating areas lining the walls.
“Not to act my age but back in my day these places were full of smoke you know.” Bucky took a deep breath, relishing the lack of cigars.
“I can’t believe you’re taking me dancing, Barnes.” But Sam sounded gleeful, eyes darting around the room as Bucky lead him to the bar. Hopping onto some stools, Bucky ordered their drinks.
“I’m going to need this if I’m going to be dancing again.” Trying not to sound too maudlin he took a gulp, observing the dance floor and trying not to let memories overwhelm him. He hadn’t thought it would matter, he didn’t remember much before the ice these days but now memories were flooding in. He felt a soft touch to his right hand where it was resting on his thigh.
“Hey,” Sam’s voice was soft and low, “we can go, you don’t have to.” Sam’s eyes were full of not quite pity but not fully concern either, it made Bucky feel like he was standing on shaky ground as he looked at him.
“It’s fine.” He turned his hand over to grab at Sam’s, “in places like these, it’s mostly good memories don’t you worry.” He winked and Sam snorted but seemed reassured that Bucky wasn’t on the edge of a meltdown.
“So Steve wasn’t lying, you really did take someone dancing everyday of the week?” Sam had leaned forward, their hands still clasped together, interest gleaming in his eyes now.
“Hey now, maybe not everyday.” Bucky felt a mischievous grin spreading across his face, ‘just most days. And sometimes twice a day on the weekend.” Sam laughed and looked around the hall again, finally noticing the live band on the other end of the room.
“How did you find this place?”
“The internet.” Bucky deadpanned. Sam glared at him as Bucky just smirked at him.
“You ask Twitter again?”
“I actually found this place all on my own, aren’t I clever?”
“You really were a lady killer then? I gotta say I started to think Steve was having me on after, well you know, you didn’t really seem a womaniser type.”
“Oh I wasn’t, I love women but I don’t love women you know?” Bucky felt a sudden thump to his arm and looked up to gape at Sam, “what the hell was that for?”
“Why were you out there flirting with my sister if you don’t even like women?”
“I can appreciate them Sam! And I knew it would annoy you, I like pulling your pigtails.” Suddenly Bucky realised how far ahead of him his mouth had gotten and felt a light blush spreading across his cheeks, hoping that Sam wouldn’t see it in the low lighting.
“Yeah whatever, man, no need to joke.” Sam sounded a bit put out so Bucky leant forward to elbow him lightly.
“Hey, save the last dance for me okay?”
“You’re not going to dance with me?” Sam was frowning at him now.
“Course I will Sammy but you’re gonna have a long line and I don’t want to deprive people of the chance to have a dance with you. How about we promise first and last dance and everything else is a bonus?” Sam gave him a small smile, then picked up his drink, knocking the whole thing back and hopping off the bar stool.
“Come on then.” Sam was tugging him up and towards the dance floor and Bucky just about managed to down his own drink before he was dragged away from the bar.
Sam managed to seamlessly join the flow of the crowd and found a small spot for them. Muscle memory kicked in and Bucky took the lead, spinning Sam around the room both of them laughing and relaxed. Bucky savoured being able to hold Sam without any excuses needed, Sam would just think they were dancing like anyone else and Bucky got a little time to pretend he was really getting to hold Sam like he wanted to. Shortly after the band took a few moments pause and two women took the chance to race over to them.
“Look see you’re already being snapped up by someone else.” Bucky said into Sam’s ear as he tried to joke but felt his stomach drop a little at having to let Sam go already.
“Hey, we saw you dancing and would love to have one with you if you’re willing, you’re both so good!” They both looked so eager and happy that Sam and Bucky couldn’t say no and soon they were both swept off in different directions, their eyes meeting and silently agreeing they’d join each other again as soon as they could.
Bucky had joked about Sam being in high demand but hadn’t considered himself. Once people had realised they were both here, through a chain of excited whispers, guys and girls had started tentatively approaching him again and again to get a dance. After working out that Bucky was the real deal and could take them for an authentic spin around the floor, the queue had grown and grown and Bucky hadn’t had a chance to work his way back to Sam. They’d crossed paths a couple of times as they swapped partners and they’d exchanged a couple of words but Bucky hadn’t had another chance to dance with him.
Some date.
Trying not to sigh Bucky smiled down at the older lady he was currently dancing with and then tried to sneakily check the time.
“There’s 10 minutes left.” She said, smiling up at him. “You wanna circle the floor until we find your boy?” Bucky sputtered at that and she tipped her head back and laughed loudly. “Oh honey, it’s rather obvious you know.”
“Really?” He ducked his head and tried not to blush, the Winter Soldier didn’t blush.
“You look as lovestruck as my husband used to.” She was giving him an affectionate grin that reminded him of his old neighbour from the forties, all kind smiles and crinkly eyes.
“Oh- well, I dunno, er, about marriage but er-“ the Winter Soldier didn’t blush but Bucky Barnes certainly did. She laughed again then nodded over his shoulder.
“Seems like he’s free.” Bucky turned and saw that Sam was in fact partnerless at the moment, leaning against the wall and apparently trying not to be noticeable.
“Do you mind?” He asked and she shook her head, smiling and giving him a light shove in Sam’s direction.
“Go get him.”
So Bucky did. Making his way through couples still on the floor to get to Sam, who’s face lit up with a wide grin once he saw Bucky coming towards him.
“You ready for that last dance?” Bucky held out his hand, dipping forward slightly in a mock imitation of a bow. He caught Sam rolling his eyes but he reached out and grabbed Bucky’s hand. The band had decided that they would play a few slow dances to round off the night so after finding a spot Bucky let his hand slide around Sam’s waist to rest on the small of his back. Sam followed his lead and brought his free hand up to hold the back of Bucky’s neck (Bucky wonder later why Sam hadn’t just taken his shoulder like someone normally would) and they swayed gently from side to side.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you much today.” And Bucky was sorry, just because he was Sam’s fake boyfriend, didn’t mean he wanted to be a shit one.
“Part of the job I suppose,” Sam shrugged looking away, “seems a lot of people wanted the Barnes experience today, huh?”
“Dancing isn’t the same anymore, lot less space involved.” And Bucky wiggled his eyebrows at Sam, making him laugh.
“You’re awful.”
“Only for you, Samuel.” Sam let out an ungraceful snort and Bucky let go of his waist to spin him under his arm, quickly settling his arm back into position once Sam had turned, not letting a moment pass when he could be holding him. He pulled Sam into him and Sam tucked his head under Bucky’s chin.
“Thanks for bringing me.” He murmured into Bucky’s neck.
“Of course sweetheart, thanks for coming.” Bucky let his cheek rest against Sam’s forehead, “and thanks for not laughing.”
“Why would I laugh?” Bucky could hear the frown in Sam’s voice.
“I dunno, you said you wanted the Barnes experience but this is pretty much all I know how to do.” Bucky couldn’t afford to take people to dinner when he was younger but he didn’t want to bring the mood down and tell Sam that.
“Well I had fun, even if we didn’t get much time to actually dance together.” Bucky hummed and continued to sway, oblivious to people whispering around them as they watched the two of them dance together in their own little world.
After the band had said goodnight the two of them left hand in hand, driving home in silence. Sam pretty tired from all the dancing and people and Bucky contemplating where he would take Sam next. They shuffled into their apartment and Bucky quietly locked the door behind them. They moved around each other in a practiced routine as they got ready for bed, darting in and out of the bathroom and wordlessly getting a snack for the other from the kitchen and then a glass of water too. As they stood in the dark hallway outside of their bedroom doors ready to say goodnight Sam turned to look at him.
“Do you ever miss it?” He asked quietly.
“Miss what?” Bucky looked at him over his glass as he took a sip.
“The forties, you know the dance halls, the simple life and stuff.”
“No.” Bucky answered immediately, surprising even himself at how fast he’d replied. Sam had startled a little at the force of the word. “I mean yeah I miss my family of course and Steve, my friends but life back then? No, I don’t.”
“Really?” Sam’s eyebrows had crept up his forehead a little.
“Yeah,” Bucky looked him in the eye, “yeah.” He said again, sounding more certain the second time.
“Why?”
The next thing Bucky said had him scrambling for his bedroom door, a little unsure of why he’d let it slip. It could have been the darkness of the hallway or the slight glint in Sam’s eye and his cocked head. Bucky might have just fallen victim to those hours in the early morning where nothing ever quite felt real, allowing you to be open and vulnerable without thought.
“Because you’re not there.”
And with that Bucky left Sam in the hallway, heart pounding and regret already swallowing him up, just not quite enough for him to take it back.
———
OMG ARE CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE WINTER SOLDIER DATING FOR REAL?!
CHARMING AS EVER, AVENGERS LEADERS SPOTTED DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY
FELLOW AVENGER HAWKEYE CONFIRMS ROMANCE BETWEEN LEADERS
‘I MEAN YEAH I GUESS THEY’RE DATING, I DON’T KNOW MAN ASK THEM’
———
“Because you’re not there.”
“Because you’re not there.”
“Only for you, Samuel.”
“Because you’re not there.”
“I like to pull your pigtails.”
“Only for you.”
“You’re not there.”
Bucky’s words had been playing in Sam’s head over and over for the last week.
The morning after they’d been pulled away on a mission and hadn’t actually had a proper conversation beyond a few tired grunts before setting off and orders out in the field until they’d wrapped up a couple days later. Sam was now really starting to regret ever asking Bucky for a proper date. Hell, he regretted even coming up with the whole stupid idea.
Except he didn’t because now he was getting to guiltily enjoy dating Bucky without actually having to put their friendship on the line. He felt awful about it until he was cuddled up to Bucky on a fake date and then he’d forget that it wasn’t real and he’d be enjoying himself too much only to come home and lay in bed letting the guilt eat away at him.
He’d put an end to this after tonight. One more date and then he’d stop.
Really.
Pulling him out of his head was a knock on his bedroom door. Bucky was ready to ‘pick him up’. The other man had insisted that they start the whole charade at home even though nobody else was around, so that they could ‘set the mood’ before going out. This had started Sam’s spiralling worry but he hadn’t had the heart to back out after Bucky had looked so earnest as he asked him to be ready by 6. So here he was in a cornflower blue suit with a white shirt under it and a worried frown on his face. He tried to smooth it out as best he could and got up to answer the door. Bucky was on the other side in a plain black suit, with a blue tie that matched Sam’s outfit, which for some reason had Sam’s cheeks heating up. And to finish the image Bucky was also clutching a bunch of flowers. Sunflowers actually.
“For you.” Bucky held them up for Sam to take.
“Oh my god.” Was all he managed to squeak out, not quite sure where his voice had disappeared to. His hand automatically reached up to take the flowers though and he couldn’t help but smile at them, even as his stomach dropped and his heart fell slightly. Looking up he caught Bucky looking slightly sheepish, with a little dopey smile on his face as he also looked down at the flowers.
“They’re your favourite.” He said it so matter of factly that Sam almost confessed right there and then that he was dangerously close to completely falling in love with Bucky. “And they remind me of you.” Were Sam’s knees going weak or was he just hungry?
“Well thank you, you didn’t have to.” Sam didn’t have a vase because they were in a hotel room so he carefully set them down on the desk. They were in New York for business but Bucky had asked if they could extend the trip an extra day because he had something planned for Sam.
“I thought you wanted to be romanced?” Bucky raised an eyebrow as he held out his arm. Something that Sam both loved and hated, he liked feeling close to Bucky and the gesture was horribly old fashioned but romantic at the same time, he vaguely remembers his dad doing the same thing for his mom when he was little. Which is also why he hated it, it blurred the lines in Sam’s brain between their real friendship and this fake relationship.
“You’ve certainly stepped up.” He forced out a little laugh and let Bucky lead him out of the hotel. They decided to walk the few blocks to wherever Bucky was taking them, both hoping that nobody stopped them, wanting the fake evening just for themselves.
Bucky suddenly veered down a side street and stopped outside a small restaurant. Flower boxes and fairy lights lined the windows and inside looked warm and cosy. Bucky pulled the door open and gestured for Sam to step in first. The hostess just blinked at them, mouth having fallen slightly until Bucky coughed and told her he had a reservation. Coming back to herself she lead them to a small table tucked away from the window and out of view of the majority of other diners.
“I read that they have a really good wine selection here and I know you like it even though I’m pretty sure it all just tastes the same, Sam.” Bucky was looking at him over the top of his menu and his eyes were dancing with amusement as he brought up one of their longest arguments.
“You know it doesn’t, I know you got some kinda super taste buds or something.” But Sam plucked up the wine list, knowing he’d be ordering for them both because Bucky had no taste, super senses or not. Soon a waitress was coming over to take their order and then they were left alone.
“So, do you think my ratings are through the roof yet?” Bucky was rolling his eyes but the mention of the whole scheme felt like a slap in the face for Sam. Neither of them ever really brought up the farce they were playing along with, it had almost become an unspoken rule to just not mention it but Bucky had finally brought it up.
“I dunno, hopefully, have you been particularly charming?”
“I’m the most charming Sam, you should know. This is all starting to dry up my bank account though, I didn’t know you were an extravagant one.”
“How can you start off a sentence saying you’re charming then tell me I’m too expensive to date?” But they were laughing again, slipping back into their natural rhythm. They started to gossip about the team, paused to test the wine their waitress (finding out her name was Zuri along the way) brought across, then started on the people in Delacroix. Apparently Bucky had heard that there was a new single man in town and Carlos had dropped Sarah’s name to him, encouraging him to check out the boat and Wilson’s Seafood.
“Yeah I bet he mentioned something other than the boat as well. I swear once he hit 65 he decided that he’d just start to cause chaos.”
Bucky tipped his head back to let out a loud laugh, then Sam felt something brushing against his ankle. He tried not to jump at the contact or look under the table, instead he kept his legs as still as possible as Bucky hooked his ankle around Sam’s.
“Alright food is here guys! One for you and one for you, enjoy! Call me over if you need anything you two.” Zuri gave a little wave and zipped back across the floor to a table on the opposite side of the restaurant.
Living with a super solider had taught Sam to eat fast, Bucky had a little more restraint than Steve did but both of them practically inhaled food and then unconsciously gave Sam a mournful look as they watched him eat. Probably something leftover from growing up in the Depression and never having enough to eat but Sam had always felt a little too awkward to ask and after what had happened the last time he’d brought up Bucky’s life pre war he decided he wouldn’t be asking today either. Instead he focused on his own food, not quite keeping pace with Bucky though because he actually wanted to enjoy it. And avoid indigestion.
“All done? That was quick.” Zuri popped back up half an hour later, after their empty plates had been sitting in front of them for 15 minutes. “Would you like anything else? I can bring two spoons with a dessert.” She gave Sam a little wink as she waited.
“I could eat more.”
“Can’t you always?” Sam shot at Bucky but kept it playful, not wanting to actually upset him.
“I need the energy, don’t I?” Bucky wiggled his eyebrows at Sam, who had just taken a sip of his wine and had to desperately try and stop himself from spitting it back out. Zuri’s eyebrows shot up and she let out a little snort. “What would you recommend?” Bucky gave her a charming smile.
“Cheesecake is always good, I can cut a slightly bigger slice for you but we’ll keep that between us.”
“You’re a doll, Zuri.” Sam shook his head at the oh shucks stunt Bucky was pulling but didn’t say anything, just nodded when he was asked about sharing.
“You’re awful, you know that?” He hissed once Zuri had bounced off to go cut an extra large slice for them.
“I just got you extra cheesecake and this is how you thank me? You wound me Samuel.” Bucky gave him a fake hurt look, clutching at his chest as if his heart was giving out.
“Stop it.” Sam kicked at the ankle hooked around his own and Bucky laughed again. Sam liked doing that, making him laugh.
“Order up, one supersized slice of cheesecake for you and two forks.”
“You’re the best Zuri.” Zuri just snorted and walked off, clearly unbothered by Bucky but then again she’d probably had to deal with much worse.
“Oh my god.” Sam let out an involuntary moan. “She wasn’t kidding, this is amazing, here.” Without thinking Sam lifted his fork up to Bucky’s mouth. Bucky pulled back slightly then with a slight shake of his head leaned forward to eat the forkful before Sam could move it away again.
“Oh my god.”
“I know!” Sam watched Bucky pick up his fork and go to attack the cake. “Wait, wait, wait.” Bucky’s fork halted in midair and he looked up from the plate to Sam. “Let me get a few bites before you start or that’ll be the only piece I get.”
“Sam.” For being over 100 years old sometimes Bucky could really channel the whiney energy of a three year old.
“Please.” Sam widened his eyes slightly and blinked at Bucky a couple of times, who sighed and put his fork back down. Sucker.
After bickering the whole time they finished the cheesecake and the wine and were waiting for the bill when Bucky did a double take to look at him.
“What?”
“You have a little- actually let me.” Then Bucky was reaching across the table and lifting his hand up to Sam’s face. He could feel his heart in his throat as Bucky’s hand came to settle on his cheek and then his thumb was brushing against the corner of Sam’s mouth. “Open.” Sam’s mouth fell open without him even thinking about it. “Got it.” Then Bucky was pulling his hand away, Sam almost following him before catching himself but he watched Bucky bring the thumb that had just wiped away some cheesecake from Sam’s lip, up to his own mouth and lick it off.
Jesus.
“Alright, I’ve got the bill, would you like to pay right now or shall I leave you for a few minutes.” Zuri had been looking down at her card machine as she came over and Sam was grateful that she hadn’t just witnessed whatever that was.
“I got it.” Bucky seemed completely unaware that he’d just set Sam’s whole body on fire and was absently paying for both of them and thanking Zuri before sliding out of the booth. “Coming?” He looked down at Sam and held out a hand.
“Er.” Was all he managed but he grabbed the offered hand and stood up, following Bucky out of the restaurant. “So where now?” He asked once his brain had come back online.
“You’ll see.” Was all Bucky said, looking straight forward to avoid Sam’s glare.
As they rounded a corner about 10 minutes later Sam gasped.
“No.”
“Yes!” Bucky was cackling in his ear as he tugged Sam along.
“I was joking, I thought you didn’t want to go!”
“Only for you Sam, only for you.”
There glowing back at them was the Rogers: The Musical theatre sign. People were crowded around the entrance, chattering excitedly and Sam’s palms were starting to feel clammy all of a sudden.
“This way.” Bucky was herding him away from the main entrance and around the side of the building. “I didn’t really want a big fuss about us coming, I knew you wouldn’t want that either but it was mainly me being selfish. There should be, ah here.” Bucky reached up to knock on an unmarked door and a blond head poked out.
“Oh my god you actually came!” A man in a navy shirt with a bright white star stamped across it was ushering them inside. “I kinda thought I was being pranked but it was really you, wow!” Sam and Bucky exchanged a glance, both knowing that if they said anything they’d start laughing. “I’ll sneak you round now, just don’t sit down until the lights go off and that way you won’t be spotted. The Battle of New York is the interval break so if you duck out right when that finishes you should be good!” Theatre Steve opened a door and waved them through. “Enjoy the show!”
“Wow.” Was all Sam could say.
“The only time I ever saw Steve with that kind of energy was when he was starting a fight.”
“So he was always like that?”
“Yeah I think his brain was built with some wires crossed.” Sam gave Bucky a gentle shove as he laughed.
“Are we really about to watch this?”
“Only if you want to.”
“How about we hang out here until the second half, I don’t arrive until then so what could we possibly be missing.” He gave Bucky a cheeky grin as he dropped to the floor and made himself comfortable.
“I’m sure I should be offended but I’m very grateful that I don’t have to hear myself sing.” Bucky glanced around the small hallway and then decided to sit down right next to Sam, their thighs pressed together like they did on their couch at home. They sat in comfortable silence until they heard the noise of the audience die down and the opening notes begin.
“I miss him.” Sam sighed, picking imaginary lint off his knees.
“Yeah me too.” Bucky swallowed, slumping further against he wall.
“But then sometimes I just get so angry about it. Why did he do that? Was I-, were we not enough? Then I feel awful because he’s happy, right? And that’s what matters.”
“Hey, your happiness is just as important, Sam.” Bucky’s voice was soft as he reached up to put his hand over Sam’s. “Our happiness is important.” Bucky let out a weary sigh, “I’m not sure why he did it, he told me and I couldn’t understand it and I’m still so sorry we left you out of that discussion, we shouldn’t have.” Sam let out a little noise, biting back the it’s fine because it hadn’t been. “I don’t understand why he’d just leave after throwing everything away just to find me, I don’t, why?”
“I don’t know.” Sam had also thrown almost everything away to follow Steve and in the end he’d still left them behind and it stung.
“I know that what we have and what we have with the team now, he didn’t. Losing Tony was a blow but it was you and Natalia that were his only real family here. Maybe if he’d not thrown Sharon under they might’ve worked and we could be at a different musical, who knows.”
“I really miss Nat.” And fuck, Sam’s voice was wobbling. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve said that out loud since we came back.” Tears threatened to spill and Bucky rushed to wrap him in a hug, dropping his hand so that he could properly hold Sam close. And Sam cried. Suddenly overwhelmed with the thought of Nat being gone, not living her life somewhere else like Steve but truly gone. Like his parents. Riley. All gone. Waves of sobs just kept coming and he clung onto Bucky, holding him tight in case he disappeared too. The whole time Bucky murmured softly in his ear, whispered that he was sorry and that Sam deserved so much better.
Eventually Sam took a deep, shaky breath, the tears finally coming to a stop. He didn’t move though, staying curled up against Bucky, his head tucked under Bucky’s chin and listening to Bucky’s heart under his ear. They stayed like that for a while, the muffled noises from the theatre filtering through the door.
“Some date, huh? I’m sorry I ruined it.” He sniffled slightly.
“It’s fine, this part was just for fun really, I won’t count it against you.” Sam sighed and sunk deeper into Bucky’s arms, letting himself enjoy being held. “I’m sorry you had to deal with the shield and me being the biggest asshole on the planet on top of all that.” The bluntness of it all had a laugh bubbling up in Sam’s chest.
“Well, you weren’t the biggest asshole, I’ll let Walker have that one.” Sam did laugh after that, knowing there was probably an affronted expression on Bucky’s face without having to look at him.
“You’re great for my ego Sam.” Was the only retort he got. Sam pulled his face away from Bucky’s chest to look up at him. Bucky was still holding him close so their faces were only inches apart, if Sam let out another sigh Bucky would surely have felt it against his own skin. The sour look on Bucky’s face slowly melted away and the dim light of the corridor smoothed his harsh edges.
“Thank you.” Bucky’s voice was low, like he was reluctant to break the hush that had fallen around them.
“What for?” Sam whispered too, edging just slightly closer under the guise of wanting to hear Bucky. Sometimes Bucky stared at Sam as if he was looking straight into his soul but perhaps today Sam’s watery eyes were offering more of a reflection than anything else.
“For staying. With me.” Sam felt Bucky’s hand lift off his waist to settle against his neck, his thumb slowly brushing over Sam’s skin. Before Sam could say anything else a loud bang came from the theatre just beyond the door, followed by a loud chorus of voices in harmony. They both jumped apart, startled by the noise and remembering that they were curled up on the sticky, carpeted floor of a Broadway theatre. “Fuck.” Bucky whispered.
“Okay help me get up, my legs are starting to feel stiff. And I think they’re taking their bows out there.”
“Shit, we missed the whole thing?” Bucky stood up and pulled Sam with him.
“Are we bad heroes if I say I’m glad we did.”
“If we are then it probably doesn’t help our case that I didn’t even pay for tickets, just used my good name to get us in.” And with smirked shared between the two of them they left the theatre.
———
DINNER AND A SHOW: CAP AND BARNES LOOK TOTALLY IN LOVE
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE WINTER SOLDIER GO TO SEE ROGERS THE MUSICAL
‘I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE IT’
CAN BUCKY BARNES AND SAM WILSON’S DATE BRING BACK OLD SCHOOL CHARM?
THE FOOD OF LOVE? AVENGERS LEADERS SPOTTED HITTING THE TOWN FOR DATE NIGHT
'MR BARNES WAS A TOTAL CHARMER JUST LIKE YOU’D THINK AND HE PAID FOR THEM BOTH TOO’
———
The sun was beating down on the docks in Delacroix and Sam basked in the warmth, happy to be back home again. They tried to come down from DC as often as possible and this weekend it was Tommy’s birthday so they’d made sure they were back. It also looked good for publicity Sam supposed, they’d fired off a selfie on Bucky’s Instagram account yesterday when they’d arrived and it was still trending on Twitter. People had always liked seeing Sam bringing Bucky with him back home though, even before they’d known the two of them were ‘dating’.
“You can’t hide out here all day you know.” Sam felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder and turned to glance up at Carlos.
“‘M not hiding.” Carlos just raised an eyebrow at him. Sam had ducked away from the crowded cookout for a few moments of quiet, happy to be home but running low on energy for social interactions.
“Your boy is looking a little lost out there, Mrs Williams has cornered him.” Sam bit his tongue to stop the automatic denial that Bucky was ‘his boy’ in any way.
“That’s his own fault for promising to dance with her last week, he should know by now that she has a memory like a steel trap.” Carlos laughed but offered his hand to Sam as he got up.
They walked back towards the main crowd, Sam could see AJ and Cass playing with some other kids, they were both sleeping over at their friends tonight. Which meant Sarah had decided she was treating herself to a night out with her own friends, trusting Sam and Bucky enough that if there were an immediate problem they’d sort it. Speaking of Sarah she was stood next to Bucky, hand covering her mouth to keep a laugh in, as he tried to evade Mrs Williams. She was notorious for stepping on toes.
“Guess you better go rescue him Cap.” Carlos chuckled as he wandered back to Tommy and Sam shook his head but started weaving through the crowd towards his sister and the village idiot. Bucky’s eyes lit up once he spotted Sam and he lifted his hand up in a dorky wave.
“Hey Mrs Williams,” Sam let her drag him down to give him a kiss on the cheek, “I’m sorry but I need to steal Bucky away from you for a moment, just some work stuff but I promise to hand deliver him back to you once I’m done.” He gave the older woman his most innocent grin, batting his eyelashes for good measure, knowing he’d had her wrapped around his finger since he was five.
“Well if duty calls, I suppose we can delay our dance for a few minutes young man.”
“Now if anyone is the young one here ma’am it’s you, I’m a good 30 years older than you, you’re far too young for me.” Bucky gave Mrs Williams a charming smile as he reached down to grab her hand and give it a kiss. This proved too much for Sarah who let out a loud snort that she instantly tried to play off as a cough.
“Alright darling,” Bucky was really going ham today, sliding his arm around Sam’s shoulders and drawing him close, “let’s go.” Once they were a good 20 feet from where they’d left Sarah and Mrs Williams Bucky leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. She’s great but last time she had me on the dance floor all she did was ask how we were doing, like as in our, er, relationship and stuff.”
“Oh.” Sam looked at Bucky out of the corner of his eye, realising their faces were a lot closer than he thought. “Well what did you tell her?” Bucky’s arm slid from Sam’s shoulders down his back to hold his waist. Sam could feeling his heart beating against his ribcage. Bucky turned him gently so they were now face to face.
“I just said we were seeing where life took us, kept it vague but Sam, if you’re uncomfortable with any of this just say the word and we’ll stop. Right away. I’m sure there are other ways to sway public opinion.” Their heads were tipped towards each other as Bucky murmured to him, keeping his voice low in case anyone was trying to listen in.
“No.” Maybe Sam said that too quickly. “No,” he said again. “It’s fine, I just forget that sometimes the public includes people we know because well, they’ve always liked you so what would being in a stable relationship mean to them you know?”
“Maybe because I’m in a stable relationship with their Sam Wilson, not Captain America, just Sam.”
“Just Sam.” He tried not to huff but having ‘just’ put in front of your name felt a little insulting.
“Shit, no I didn’t mean it like that. Come on Sam, you know I didn’t. I just meant that approval from their Sam is enough for them, shield or not.”
Sam hummed as he tipped his head back to look at Bucky properly, taking in the hues of blue in his eyes as he looked right back. Sam hoped he was cataloguing the shades of brown in Sam’s own eyes. At some point Sam’s hands had migrated from his sides to holding Bucky’s shirt in his fists, not exactly pulling him forward but keeping him in place just inches away from Sam.
“Oh, the lovebirds are out in full force.” Someone called and they both jumped. Sam glanced over his shoulder to see Tommy and Carlos smirking at them, drawing attention from those gathered around.
“Sorry.” Bucky muttered and Sam was sure nobody would hear it but Bucky dropped his waist.
“By all means don’t stop on our account boys.” Now Carlos was joining in and Sam could feel his face heating up, just like Bucky’s was turning bright red opposite him.
“You know you can give him a kiss James! We’ve decided we like you with Samuel!” Someone yelled.
“Wait-“ Sam said, trying to put a stop to the situation before it could escalate any further.
“Yeah go on, Barnes!” Another voice added until a wave of voices were all yelling out encouragement to the two of them.
“Oh my god.” Sam groaned, tipping his head forward into Bucky’s chest. Bucky had been a little alarmed by the shouts but Sam could feel his chest moving underneath him and could hear a low laugh in his ear.
“I think if we do they’ll stop, you mind?’ Sam reluctantly pulled his face away from Bucky’s chest to look up at him and gave him a small shake of his head.
“Er no,” He swallowed down his sudden nerves, why was he acting like a teenager who had never kissed anyone before? “Go for it.”
And so Bucky did. His hands came back up to hold Sam’s waist and back and then he yanked Sam even closer. Sam clung onto Bucky’s shirt as they were pressed together. He hadn’t been expecting Bucky to be so gentle as he softly pressed his lips to Sam’s. His body on autopilot Sam melted into Bucky’s chest, kissing him back whilst he could. Bucky let out a small noise and his hands around Sam tightened and the kiss suddenly got harder. Sam let out a quiet moan and Bucky took advantage of it, slipping his tongue into Sam’s mouth causing him to let out a squeak of surprise. Someone near them whooped. Sam let go of Bucky’s shirt to reach up and wrap his hands around his neck, vaguely remembering that there were a lot of people he knew standing and watching him but he was too busy taking in every moment of this probably once in a lifetime kiss he was currently having.
Too soon they were coming up for air, both panting slightly and both a little too stunned to speak for a second.
“Well, I’ll see you later, sweetheart.” And Bucky dipped back in to press one final short kiss to Sam’s lips then hurried off.
“Nobody follow the poor boy, I think he needs a few moments alone.” Raucous laughter followed as Sam gazed after Bucky, lips slightly parted and face red as a tomato.
“Sam fix your face, you look like you’ve never kissed him before.” Sarah’s harsh whisper broke Sam’s trance.
“That’s because I haven’t.” He hissed back as he whipped around to face her, bringing his hands up to his face for a moment to feel the damage.
“Really?” There was a sceptical tone to her voice as if she thought Sam had actually just been getting dicked down by Bucky every weekend and he just hadn’t told her. Then she was looking at him properly and taking in his still slightly shell shocked expression and her face softened, “you really haven’t?”
“No.” Was all he said before he started to head off towards the end of the docks, “I’m just gonna, go for a moment.” Sarah hurried to follow him and soon they were both sat with their legs dangling over the water, it reminded Sam of when they were little and hiding out from their parents after they’d got in trouble. If only they’d known then how little time they’d have.
“Sometimes I forget it isn’t real.” Sam didn’t look at Sarah as he spoke. “He’ll do all these things for me and sometimes he’ll just look at me and I-“ he swallowed but forced the next words out in a rush, “sometimes I think I might be in love with him.” He still didn’t look at Sarah. “And none of it is real.”
“Oh Sam.” He shook his head and brought his knees up to tuck under his chin. He felt Sarah’s hand on his back as he continued to stare ahead. “You should talk to him.”
“And say what?” It came out harsher than Sam meant it too but it was true, what was he supposed to say? ‘Hey, I know I suggested this whole idea and I understand it was kinda stupid because now I’m half in love with you, what do you say, still wanna be partners?’
“Just tell him the truth. You always want honesty from other people, you respect that a lot so surely he deserves the same?” She was right of course. Sarah was right about a lot of things but Sam would rarely tell her that, only when he was feeling sentimental.
“You’re probably right.” Guess he was feeling sentimental.
“Probably?” She gave him a light punch to the arm and they fell into silence.
“When are Cass and AJ going?”
“As soon as this winds down and then I’ll be leaving at 6. You’ll have the house to yourself so try not to break anything.”
“Sarah!”
———
A HOMETOWN HIGH - CAPTAIN AMERICA CAUGHT BRINGING BEAU HOME TO THE FAMILY (AGAIN)
HOT HOT HOT! AVENGERS LEADERS SHARE A STEAMY KISS IN CAP’S HOMETOWN
HOW SERIOUS ARE SAM WILSON AND BUCKY BARNES? HERE’S OUR GUESS.
———
Hours later Sam and Bucky were stood together at the sink, washing and drying in the quiet of the evening. They had barely spoken since Sarah had left a couple of hours ago. As they were finishing Sam decided the silence had gone on for too long, he’d just act like normal and they could pretend that Bucky hadn’t given him a life altering kiss a mere few hours ago.
“Today was nice, I’m glad Tommy had a good time.”
“Huh?” Bucky seemed to have just jerked out of a deep thought as he looked over to Sam, “oh. Yeah, yeah, he enjoyed himself.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just thinking about something.”
“Wanna talk about it?” Sam watched Bucky carefully fold the towel he’d been using to dry the dishes and put it down on the counter. He watched as he leaned forward slightly to grip the edges of the counter and dip his head between his shoulders. “You sure you’re okay?”
Bucky just gave a grunt. Clearly he didn’t want to talk about whatever was bothering him right now so Sam moved towards the fridge to get them both a drink, it wouldn’t be the first time they’d sat in silence on the couch. As he opened the fridge he heard Bucky moving behind him and as he turned and shut the door he found himself being backed up against it. Bucky reached down and took the bottles out of his hand, sliding them onto the counter next to them.
“What are you-?” Bucky shushed him by lifting a finger and pressing it to his lips. Sam frowned up at him as Bucky’s arms boxed him in against the fridge door.
“Sam.” Bucky’s voice was low, barely a whisper and Sam couldn’t stop himself from letting his eyes drop to Bucky’s lips. Bucky dipped closer then and Sam was suddenly very aware of his arms just hanging by his sides. He watched Bucky’s own gaze drop down to Sam’s lips and heard the blood rushing in his ears.
“Bucky.” Was all he got out before Bucky was pressing his lips to Sam’s. Again. Just like before Sam immediately melted into him, bringing his arms up to wrap around Bucky’s waist as he was pressed further into metal door behind him.
And just like before it felt filthy except this time there was nobody around to watch them, Bucky had moved his hand from the fridge to the back of Sam’s head to cushion it as Bucky took a small step closer. Soon they needed to part to take a breath but Bucky didn’t move any further back, not allowing Sam room to wiggle away.
“There’s nobody here.” He whispered, scared his voice might crack if he spoke any louder.
“I know.” Was all Bucky said as dove back in. Sam let out a little moan as Bucky slid his thigh between Sam’s legs. Bucky’s other hand moved to grab Sam’s hip, pulling him slightly as Bucky pushed his thigh higher, encouraging Sam to grind down. This time Sam’s moan was a lot louder.
They went at it like teenagers for a little longer. Sam starting a steady rhythm that had him getting hard in no time, causing Bucky to release a series of his own moans as he felt Sam against his leg.
“God.”
“It’s Sam actually.” He gave Bucky a cheeky grin as they pulled away again.
“Do you want this?” Was all Bucky said and Sam decided that he did, even if it was just for tonight, he wanted it.
“Yes.” He breathed out and then Bucky had his hands under his thighs and was lifting Sam up. His legs wrapped around Bucky’s waist on instinct as he was carried to his bedroom. Sam sent up a silent prayer that nobody would be coming back to the house tonight. He leant down, kissing Bucky again and knowing that Bucky would get them to the bed safely, he knew the layout of the house like the back of his hand now.
They burst through the door and Bucky shoved it closed with his foot and almost ran to the bed, tossing Sam down gently. They both paused as the bed let out a creak but Bucky jumped back into action a few moments later when it was clear that the bed was not about to collapse. Not yet anyway. Bucky was digging through his bag, he kept it in here instead of clogging up the living room, and pulling out a wrapper.
“You brought a condom here?” Sam didn’t know whether to be happy they had one or irritated that Bucky deemed it something he needed to bring.
“I brought a pack actually but we’ll start with just the one.”
“Just get back here.” Sam didn’t want to deal with Bucky’s cheek right now.
Bucky happily obliged and dashed back to the bed, toeing his shoes off and kneeling between Sam’s legs. He dropped the condom as he quickly tossed Sam’s shoes somewhere over the bed then leaned down until he was back in Sam’s space, elbows either side of his face.
“Hey.” Bucky gave him a stupid grin and Sam rolled his eyes but still reached up to yank Bucky down into another kiss. After a couple of minutes of sloppily making out Bucky’s hands had started to creep up under Sam’s shirt, running across his torso and then pushing his shirt up. Sam broke away and lifted his arms up, letting Bucky get his shirt free and that too was tossed behind Bucky and off the bed. Then Bucky reached up behind his head and pulled his own shirt off, which Sam should not have found as sexy as he did.
“Shit.” He whispered and Bucky smirked down at him, entirely too cocky. He must have been feeling confident because he dove back down to press his mouth to Sam’s again and then his hands were undoing Sam’s belt. Soon all their clothes had been thrown in a heap over the side of the bed and hands were wandering.
“Here.” Sam shoved Bucky back lightly and turned slightly to reach for the bedside table. “You probably have some in that bag because apparently you’re always ready to fuck but here.” And he slapped a small bottle of lube into Bucky’s chest. Bucky looked at him like Sam had just given him the greatest gift he’d ever received and it had Sam’s cheeks heating up yet again, Sam was getting tired of it, they were both fully naked, hard as nails but it was Bucky’s natural, happy smile that had Sam blushing.
“Thank you.”
“Jesus, Bucky.” Sam brought his hands up to cover his face, unable to keep looking at Bucky as long as he was staring at him like that. Sam flopped back onto the bed and then spread his legs, inviting Bucky in. “Well come on.”
“How sexy of you.”
“Bucky.”
“Yeah baby, say my name.” Sam lifted his hands away from his face to glare at Bucky, just to find that he was on the receiving end of an over exaggerated smoulder and he couldn’t stop the sharp laugh that he let out. Sam relaxed back into the pillows, feeling the tension leave his shoulders as Bucky got comfortable back between his legs. Sam’s laugh started to turn into hitching breaths as Bucky put his fingers to good use and soon he was teetering on the edge. Bucky was pressing hot kisses along his neck before making his way back to Sam’s lips.
“Can I fuck you?" Bucky panted against his mouth and Sam let out a groan, rearing back.
“Yes, please.” He’d never been into begging before but there was something about Bucky that had him ready to plead until Bucky fucked him into finding a new religion.
Bucky grabbed the condom he had thrown down beside them earlier, rolling it on then pulled Sam’s legs further apart, situating him just right and then Sam was taking him in. Bucky paused for a moment, looking down at him and Sam followed through on the urge to reach up and brush the hair away from Bucky’s forehead.
“Hi.” He whispered, an almost shy grin curling at the edges of his mouth.
“Hi." Sam mimicked, feeling his own smile spreading across his face. Then Bucky was moving over him, starting slow and then slowly building up and up, pressing in again and again. Sam rocked with him, pleasure building and then it was bubbling over.
“Bucky-“ Was all he got out before it hit him, tossing his head back as heat shot through him.
A few moments later Sam was still too blissed out to fully take in what Bucky was doing but he felt the whisper of his own name against his skin and he sighed in momentary, pure happiness.
Bucky got up at some point to clean them and when he came back he gently turned Sam onto his side so he could cuddle up behind him, tucking his face into the space between Sam’s shoulder blades. Sam’s brain had come around by then but he let them lay in silence for a while, playing with the fingers that were holding his chest. Maybe they should talk about what they’d just done but Sam was happy to sit in the moment for now.
“That was nice.” He eventually said into the quiet room.
“Just nice?” Bucky sounded affronted and Sam couldn’t stop the smirk creeping over his face.
“Sure.” He tried to sound nonchalant, he didn’t want Bucky to know he’d just had some of the best sex of his life, not wanting to put his heart on the line like that right now. Maybe in the morning.
“Oh I’ll show you nice.” Then Bucky was rolling them both over to press Sam face first into the mattress, the sheets muffling Sam’s giggles.
———
They must have fallen asleep at some point because Bucky was woken by Sam’s phone ringing and the sound of a car coming towards the house.
“Sam.” Bucky reached up from Sam’s chest to pat at his face, not quite sure where his hand landed because he hadn’t opened his eyes yet. “Phone.”
“Later.” Was all Sam mumbled, snuggling back into Bucky, which he sleepily thought was a very nice feeling. But the phone was still ringing and the car engine was cutting out, Bucky could hear voices in the distance.
“Car. Sarah.” He murmured into Sam’s back. Then he realised what he’d just said, “Sarah!” He yelped and flung himself out of bed, scrabbling around for his clothes. “Sam, your sister and nephews just pulled in and the phone is still ringing.” That seemed to prompt some action because Sam was sitting up and pulling up the sheets to his chest, grumbling as he finally answered the phone. Bucky had just managed to do up his jeans when the door was unlocked and two sets of footsteps came thundering through the house.
“Uncle Sam!”
“Bucky!”
“Uncle Sam why isn’t Bucky on the cou-? Oh Bucky you’re in here!” AJ and Cass threw open Sam’s bedroom door and AJ barrelled into Bucky, throwing his arms around his waist. Sam shushed them as he flapped his arm in greeting, frowning at whatever was being said over the phone.
“Hey, sorry about that, what are you doing in here?” Sarah had appeared in the doorway and was eyeing Bucky.
“Oh, er, just waking Sam up. Breakfast?” He started shifting AJ and Cass out of the room before anyone could notice that Sam wasn’t wearing any clothes under his bed sheets.
“It’s one in the afternoon Bucky.” Cass said as he bounced back towards the kitchen.
“We could have pancakes for lunch though!” AJ added as he let go of Bucky to follow his brother.
“So just what were you doing last night that had my brother sleeping the morning away?” Sarah was looking smug now, like she already knew everything that had happened without Bucky even opening his mouth. So he just shrugged and power walked after the boys.
About 10 minutes later Sam was joining them in the kitchen, thankfully now fully dressed and giving his family a proper greeting but there was a grim look settling on his face.
“That was Sharon.” He said as he turned to Bucky. “Said Torres would be here in half an hour to get us, he’s heading back this way and said he’d take us too.”
“What’s happening, is it urgent?”
“She didn’t say, just that it should be discussed at HQ.” They shared a grimace but before they could continue Cass was interrupting asking if they had to leave already.
In the rush to quickly eat, pack their bags and say their goodbyes to the Wilsons, there was no time to talk about what had happened last night and Bucky wanted to talk about it. He was going to tell Sam how he felt about him and that the dates and the chemistry and the sex last night had always been more than some silly PR stunt for him. Bucky really liked Sam, maybe even loved him. Well that was a lie he definitely loves Sam but he doesn't want to come on too strong, Bucky knows he can be intense. It was fine, Bucky’s sure there’ll be time to talk on the Quinjet.
There isn’t time to talk on the Quinjet.
As soon as they were on board Torres had cornered Sam to ask him about the wings.
“No matter how I fly I always seem to dip left after about 20 minutes in the air and I’ve taken them apart and the wiring seems fine so I’m stuck, I can’t feel myself favouring my left side, especially after those drills you gave me.” He babbled on and on and with a regretful look at him, Sam dutifully followed Joaquin over to look at his old set of wings.
Bucky spent the ride in silence, trying to formulate the best speech he could in his head. He’d just grab Sam after they’d spoken to Sharon about whatever urgent issue had come up before they headed out for the mission, he’d got his speech down to 3 minutes and 51 seconds so it wouldn’t be a long conversation hopefully. Just long enough for them to either agree to remove the fake in their current dating situation or for Bucky to launch himself into oncoming traffic because he’d fundamentally ruined their friendship forever. Either, or.
Bucky was banking on it being the first option though because he can’t have been the only one that felt something last night.
After they’d landed and Torres had sent them off with a spring in his step, thanks to his wings being back in top form, they silently made their way to Sharon’s office. It seemed as though both of them knew that if they spoke to the other they wouldn’t be making it to see Sharon very quickly.
“Come in.” Sharon calls once they reach her office. “There you are. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.” She gestured for them to sit as she shuffled a few things around on her desk.
“So, what do you need us for?” Sam might rib Bucky later for being so blunt but he did have a possibly life altering conversation to have with said man after this.
“Well, first I have this for you,” she handed over a thick envelope to Sam, “new mission for the two of you that starts in the next couple of days depending on when our intel comes through, I know I could’ve briefed you over the phone but with the uncertain start time we decided it would be best to call you back in.” She gave them both a once over and cocked her head, Bucky swore in another life Sharon had been a shark, able to sense even just a drop of blood in the water. Her mouth twitched like she was trying to hold back a grin, then she sat back in her chair.
“I was also told to let you know that public approval of James Buchanan Barnes has increased ten fold.” Just like Hill she tapped her pen against the desk. “Seems your crazy plan worked.” Her eyes flicked between the two of them. “Higher ups say that if you want, you can just let this thing fizzle out over the next couple of weeks and then when people ask just say you’re better as friends etc etc.”
Bucky froze.
He didn’t dare look at Sam as the perfect out was presented to them.
“Is that, is that all?” Sam asked eventually, sounding a little gravelly.
“Yep, you can head home and I’ll call you when we know more about that.” She gestured to the folder and then the two of them slowly stood up. Bucky swallowed past the lump in his throat. They turned in unison to walk to the door when Sharon spoke up again. “Actually, whilst your here please can I get your help with this file Bucky? It’s in Russian and I think you’ll do a much better and quicker job than me.”
“Oh, sure, yeah.” Sam turned to look at him and he tried to give him a smile.
“I’ll wait for you outside?”
“Would you?” Bucky felt warmed by the idea of Sam being willing to wait for him, he wasn’t totally freaked out by what happened last night then.
“Actually I’m not sure how long this might take, it’s a pretty thick file, sorry guys.”
“Oh, right, well then I guess I’ll see you at home?” Despite being put out by the whole situation Bucky felt a little smile flit across his face when Sam referred to their apartment as home.
“Sure, I’ll try and be quick, I want to talk to you later.” For some reason Sam paled a little and before Bucky could say anything else he was speeding towards the door.
“Alright, well, see you later then.” And without looking back Sam left. With a sigh, Bucky slumped back into the chair he’d just been occupying.
“Thanks so much.” Sharon had her head under her desk, then she was straightening up and handing over a stack of paper. Bucky grunted but started flicking through the folder.
“You’re gonna tell him, right?” She asked a few minutes later.
“Huh?” Bucky was half listening to her, trying to work through the file as fast as he could, his chicken scratch handwriting flying across a notes page Sharon had handed over.
“That you don’t want to fake breakup?” Unfortunately for Bucky he and Sharon had found out that they actually got on quite well and while he’d never told her he was pining after Sam, he’d never not told her either.
“Why would you think that?”
“You forget I’ve seen you in the field Barnes and you can’t lie for shit so I know you’ve not been acting, plus you both pretty much had ‘we just had sex’ written on your foreheads when you walked in here. Not to mention how crushed you both looked when I brought it up.”
“I have a speech.” Bucky felt the need to defend himself.
“Poor Sam.”
“Could you at least be useful and find out if there’s a place to buy some flowers on the way back to the apartment from here.”
———
Sam made it out of the building in seconds. He wasn’t sure why he was so panicked but he could feel it building in his chest. Without thinking he took his phone out and called Sarah.
“Did you forget something?” Was all she said when she picked up.
“Yeah, my common sense. Bucky and I, last night,-“
“No!”
“Yes.” He said morosely. He fiddled with the zip of his jacket as he walked down the street, glancing back and fourth to make sure there wasn’t anybody following or listening to him.
“God, finally.”
“Sarah!”
“What? It’s about time, this whole thing has felt like pulling teeth. Watching you both give each other those soulful eyes and then do absolutely nothing about it was driving me insane.” The retort that had been building on Sam’s tongue fell away.
“Soulful eyes?”
“You’ve both been pining in silence. I thought this stupid fake relationship thing would jumpstart you into action but even that has taken forever.”
“They just told us we could stop. The fake dating thing. His approval ratings are up or whatever.”
“Good. Now you can ask him out properly and not have this hanging over your head.”
“What if he wants to stop?"
“Sam I don’t say this often but I know you’re not that stupid, just talk okay? I know you don’t like opening up to people but it’ll be good for you.”
“You really think he likes me?”
“How old are you? Yes. I do. And maybe now I can give the boys a proper answer when they ask me when they can start calling him Uncle Bucky.”
Sam started sputtering out a reply but she’d already hung up. He unlocked the door and shuffled into the apartment. Uncle Bucky. God.
Maybe he just had to take a chance.
———
Bucky took the steps two at a time up to their apartment, red roses clutched in his hand as he felt around his bag for his key. He tumbled in, stopping dead when he spotted Sam sat on the couch, twisting his hands together, looking a bit sick.
“You okay?” He dropped his bag in the middle of the room and hesitantly stepped towards Sam.
“Roses?” Was all he said, focussing in on Bucky’s hand.
“Oh, yeah, they’re for you.” He handed them over and Sam gave him a shy smile.
“Thank you.” They both silently appraised the other, an awkward tension rolling around the room.
Then they both spoke at the same time.
“I don’t want to stop.”
“I don’t want to pretend anymore.”
Bucky huffed as he ran a hand through his hair, then he took the last few steps over to join Sam on the couch. Feeling confident he also reached forward to take Sam’s free hand in his own.
“Just so we’re clear, when I say I don’t want to pretend anymore I mean I don’t want this relationship to be a farce. I want to take you on proper dates and bring you flowers all the time and I definitely want to do what we did last night again and again.” Bucky wiggled his eyebrows at Sam, trying to get him to relax. It worked because Sam’s shoulders fell and he leaned into Bucky a little, tightening the grip he had on his hand.
‘Me too, I want all that too. I really, really like you. Even before all this but I’ve just had a preview of what dating would actually be like and I want it to be real. I don’t want to stop.”
“I really, really like you too.” Bucky knew there was a big, stupid grin on his face but he couldn’t hold it back even if he tried. Feeling giddy he pressed his lips to Sam’s and it felt like coming home. Bucky adjusted them on the couch until Sam was in his lap, the two of them chest to chest and Bucky’s arms securely around Sam’s waist. Unfortunately Sam decided to pull back and just look at him, not saying a word.
“What?”
“Nothing, just happy.” And Sam ducked down for another kiss.
“So we’re doing this properly then?” Bucky asked when they parted again, Sam tilted down until their foreheads were pressed together.
“Yes, we’re doing this properly.”
“Alright then, will you let me take you on a date Sam?”
“Yes."