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“Sam, can you pick up some books I had set out for AJ and Cass at the bookstore downtown, on your way back home? I don’t have time to pick them up today because of work and they need them for school.”
Sam sighed as he stepped into his truck, Bucky getting into the passenger seat beside him, after he was done loading their recently bought groceries into the backseat. The two had spent the weekend in Sam’s childhood home with Sarah and the kids, taking a much-needed break from the world—even if it was for a short amount of time.
“Yeah, sure, we’ve got time.”
Sarah let out a sigh of relief at the other end of the line. “Great, thanks, Sam. I’ll send you the details through text.”
“Alright, love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Sam pocketed his phone after hanging up. “So, we have to make a short stop before heading back home.”
Bucky raised an eyebrow at him, shrugging a shoulder. “Alright. As long as the ice cream doesn’t melt along the way.”
“Of course,” Sam chuckled, and gave Bucky a small smile.
—
A small bell chimed as Bucky and Sam walked into the small book store, the smell of old and new paper filling surrounding them. The place was cramped with shelves upon shelves of books, and a few stacks of used books here and there. A wooden desk as cramped in the corner, where a small woman stood, rifling through some papers. Sam immediately made a b-line for the front desk, leaving Bucky to wonder around.
Bucky glanced over at Sam as he spoke to the woman before letting his eyes roam around the store. He started walking around, noticing that he and Sam were the only people there. He went through a few lines of shelves, eyes skimming across the rows of spines of books, his nose filled with the smell of the thousands of pages of books in the room. Bucky ran his hand across the spines, realizing he’s never actually been in a bookstore before. He’d always thought of going, but with how chaotic his life has been after the Blip, after the Flag Smashers, after everything...he hasn’t really been able to have the time to dedicate to himself.
He finally reached the fantasy section of the store, where hundreds of books stood, just waiting to be read. A small smile made its way onto his face as he read over the book spines, a sort of childish excitement filling his heart. There were so many titles to choose from: How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Chronicles of Narnia...
Bucky almost felt giddy being here. He slowly lifted his hand and picked out one of the Narnia books, flipping through the pages before finally going back to the first page. He began reading the first few sentences, immediately becoming immersed in the fantasy world of a evil witch and talking lion and chosen heroes.
He was on the fifth page of the first chapter when Sam came up to him. “Buck, I’ve been looking for you.” Bucky jumped slightly in surprise, Sam’s voice snapping him out of his trance. “Oh, uh, sorry. Got distracted.” He quickly closed the book and put it back in its place on the shelf. Sam quirked an eyebrow, his eyes following Bucky’s hands. His eyes skimmed over the books and a small smile made its way onto his face. “Didn’t know you liked reading.”
Bucky shrugged a shoulder, his cheeks a bit red. “‘S an old habit. Let’s get going, I think the ice cream’s turned to milkshake by now.” He gave Sam a playful smile, making him chuckle. “Alright, let’s go.” He started walking away with his partner, glancing back at the books for a moment as they left. Sam made a mental note to come back before they left Louisiana.
—
Bucky was packing up his clothes while Sam got the truck ready, so they could make their way to the airport and head back to D.C.. Luckily, this time their flight was in the afternoon, unlike the last time...Bucky can’t imagine waking up at two in the morning for a six a.m. flight ever again.
As he finished packing up, Sam walked into the room. “Hey, are you finished packing your clothes?” Bucky asked as he turned to look at him, noticing he was carrying a pretty large bag in his hands, a goofy smile plastered on his face. Bucky furrowed his eyebrows and squinted his eyes at him. “What is that?” He pointed at the bag, and Sam placed it on the bed. “Open it,” he said, still smiling.
Bucky sighed, reaching for the bag. “You know I don’t like surprises...” He opened it, and pushed past the tissue paper covering the top. His eyes grew wide when he realized what was inside and took out a box set of books. It was the entire series of the Chronicles of Narnia books—the same ones he was interested in back at the bookstore. “Sam...” he started, but Sam quickly cut him off. “Nope, I know what you’re gonna say. I saw you were interested in them when we were picking up AJ and Cass’s books, and I know you used to like reading, so I decided to get them for you. And yes, you have to accept them, no take-backs.”
Bucky ran his right hand over the book spines, silently admiring the golden lettering on the covers, eyes rimmed with tears. He couldn’t find the words to express how grateful he was for the unexpected gift. Bucky set the box back into the bag, and quickly wiped away the unshed tears from his eyes. He gave Sam a small smile, trying his hardest to ignore the lump in his throat. “Thanks, Sam...”
Sam smiled back, and slightly leaned up, gently kissing his lips. “You deserve that and more.”
“God, you’re gonna make me cry here, Sam,” Bucky chuckled and quickly wiped at his eyes as more tears threatened to fall. Sam laughed softly and picked up their luggage. “Alright, let’s get going. We don’t wanna miss our flight.”
“Right.”
Bucky picked up the bag that carried his brand new books, his heart filled with the same giddiness he used to feel as a kid any time when his parents bought him a new book. He followed Sam out of the room, smiling widely. They both said their goodbyes to Sarah and the kids, and Bucky smile grew wider as he got into the truck with Sam and heard the boys calling their goodbyes to them. “Bye, Uncle Sam! Bye, Uncle Bucky!”
“Uncle Bucky, huh? Has a nice ring to it,” Sam said, giving Bucky a smile. “I guess so,” Bucky chuckled, returning a smile. He had to admit it: he truly got lucky with Sam Wilson.