Work Text:
“Bucky? You ready? Were gonna be late if you dont hurry the hell up!” Sam called as he tied and straightened his navy blue tie. He sighed and smoothed out his Air Force dress uniform. The two were going to the American Veterans Ball, and Sam was a bit excited for Bucky. He had been once before, but Bucky had never been. It was a big thing in Sam’s head, the old man being a WW2 vet. He was sure Bucky would get some odd questions when he answered truthfully towards questions about when and where he served, based off the fact that he definitely didnt look 106, but when he saw Bucky walk out he knew there'd be a bunch more questions if people didnt know who he was.
Bucky walked out, a shy smile on his face. He wore the uniform that would have been regulation back in the 1940’s, the taupe pants and suit jacket, military green dress shirt and tan tie, with a brown belt snug around his waist. The hat adorning his head with the slightest tilt that was definitly against regulation. He still wore his leather gloves, but Sam knew that was because of his metal hand.
“Think the museum will be mad at me?” He half-joked, chuckling as he walked forward. He looked down at himself as he smoothed the jacket down.
“
Fuck
this feels so weird Sam-” He rambled a bit, nervous and shy. Sam was shocked, honestly, frozen in place as he took in the Bucky Barnes he had only ever seen in the pictures that Sam showed him. The stories he was told of the total flirt, ladies man, Sergeant Barnes of the 107th.
“You look- I wasnt expecting you to go all vintage dude” He sighed and chuckled, snapping himself out of his amazed trance. “I thought you were gonna get a modern one, cuz yours was in the museum, but i mean this works too-”
Bucky laughed again and nodded. “Yeah well… I only got to wear these a handful of times before i was deployed in Europe against my will, soooo” He once again half-joked. “You think all the old guys are gonna be weirded out? Pretty sure I'm gonna be the only World War II vet that looks like me.”
“Oh youre gonna get questions Buck. It's a matter of if they believe you when you tell them the truth.” he laughed, slapping a hand onto Buckys shoulder.
“C’mon, were gonna be late if we dont go now old man.” Sam walked out the door, Bucky in his trail. It was a weird feeling to be walking around New York in his dress uniform again, the last time he had done that was at the Stark Expo. They made it to the car, driving off to the ball.
~~
Sam was the first to get out of the car, rolling his eyes with a small smirk at some cheers and flashes of cameras because of course people are excited about Captain America coming to a veterans ball. Bucky got out right behind him, and while there werent as many cheers he did notice a few of the older gentlemen looking at him confused as they saw the vintage uniform. Following in Sam's footsteps, they made it inside.
The two found their way to their seats at one of the dining tables, a round table with a handful of younger and older vets. The two age ranges were already having small conversations about military stuff, [WORD] for an event like this. Eyes darted to Bucky almost immediately as he sat down, offering a shy nod and a near panicked look to Sam.
“Nice to meet you two gentlemen. Captain America annndddd? Please excuse me, im sure i know you if i heard a name.” One man started the conversation.
“Uhm- Bucky. Bucky Barnes, sir.” He replied. He twisted his fingers together in his lap, forcing his leg not to bounce.
“Can i ask where you served? The uniform is throwing me off.” One of the younger ones chuckled. “That thing looks straight outa World War 2.” He “joked”.
“Uh- Thats cuz it is…” He chuckled. “I was a sergeant in WW2, became a POW and a prisoner of H.Y.D.R.A.” He explained. “Sergeant James Barnes of the 107th.” He nodded.
“Youre joking-” One of the older men gasped, eyes widening. “That was 60 years ago! You should be like 90 somethin, if not 100 years old.” He pointed out.
“Yeah well-” He said sheepishly, looking to Sam who just smirked and shook his head, sitting back and silently enjoying the conversation. He never heard Bucky talk about military stuff, the stuff he had heard was from Steve or when Bucky would occasionally explain a nightmare about his time with H.Y.D.R.A.
“You guys know Steve Rodgers, yes? The Captain America before Sam?” He asked, tapping Sams arm with his leather clad fist.
“He was my best friend, when i was captured by hydra they gave me the same serum they gave him.” He explained. It was brief, nearly no details, but they nodded in understanding.
“Wait! Arent you the guy with the sick arm? The like- ex-Winter Soldier guy or something?” Another one of the younger soldiers asked. He seemed excited, something Bucky wasnt used to. His breath hitched, a barely noticeable blush rising in his cheeks.
“Yeah- Yeah.” He mumbled, nodding in case he didnt hear him. Sam nudged his shoulder as a way of saying
‘You dont have to answer all these’.
“This is so fuckin crazy man… Captain America
and
a super soldier sitting at our table-” He laughed breathily with a smile on his face. It reminded Bucky of Torres, young and bright.
“Use your manners boy, they're veterans before they're those fancy names.” Another one of the older ones scolded, though there was a smile on his face. “Thank you for your service, both of you. And Bucky, your uniform is in amazing condition. Im impressed. It looks great on you.” He praised, offering his hand out for a handshake. Bucky smiled at that, taking the man’s hand in his right hand and shaking it.
“Sergeant- If this isnt too weird of a question, and you can totally say no, but can i see your arm- or like- hand?” The young soldier asked. Sam looked to Bucky again, curious on his answer aswell.
“You dont have to if your not comfortable, Buck. I know how you feel about this, keeping it on the down low.” Sam reassured, the younger one nodding along with him.
“No, no- Its okay. Aj and Cass asked too, i dont see why this kid cant.” He chuckled.
“Showing off how old you are, Buck.” Sam laughed, teasing him . Bucky scoffed and rolled his eyes. He forced away his awkwardness and took his leather gloves, off, the polished dark grey metal with gold accents shining in the ballrooms lights. The super soldier couldnt tell if the younger soldier or the older soldiers were more intrigued.
The night went on like this a few more times, minus the questions about the Sergeants metal arm. He kept his gloves on after his table took a look. He got more questions, he truthfully answered them, and some knew more than others. Whether they had gone to the museum, or done their own research, he didnt know. Nor did he mind, despite being uncomfortable by the attention. At the end of the day Sam was teasing him about all the attention the older got instead of himself, Captain Fricken America.