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If eight years ago, someone told Sam Wilson that he, an openly bisexual Black man in the United States of America would be Captain America, he probably would’ve laughed in their face. If they told him that he would not only inherit the shield but also befriend the overprotective yet somehow emotionally challenged super soldier that seemed attached to it, he probably would've had a much more violent reaction because he could never envision a time where Bucky would be even an acquaintance much less a friend.
And yet Bucky was so much more than that.
Somehow, despite the way they first met, Bucky became more than just Steve’s friend that Sam got stuck with when Steve decided to fuck off back to the 40s. Bucky wasn’t just Captain America’s sidekick or Sam's coworker/partner/guy with a mutual friend who’s gone, he was Sam’s family. He was the one Sam’s nephews turned to for help with homework when Sam was busy yelling at politicians that still thought this Captain America gig might be better off with someone “more appropriate” aka more complacent and white. Bucky was his sister’s confidant. He’s come across the pair huddled together with a pitcher of sweet tea and grins on their faces far too often to even feel remotely jealous anymore. They deserved one another. Both of them were clearly in need of someone who would listen and care. Sam couldn’t begrudge either of them their friendship.
Especially since he knew it was only friendship between them as Sarah made perfectly clear one day when Bucky was thankfully not in Louisiana. He could’ve dealt without her yelling about his “super gay crush on the centenarian white boy” but the message was clear. There was nothing going on between Sarah and Bucky other than friendship and a mutual desire to roast Sam’s entire existence.
Bucky was a part of his family. And he was slowly becoming a focal point in Sam’s world. And not just because he seemed content to live on the Wilsons’ couch but also because he was there for every mission since Sam put the suit on. He was there for every nightmare and bad day that Sam had. Bucky was there for Sam both on and off the field and that meant everything to Sam. He wished he could offer something more than just a couch to crash on. But Bucky seemed fine just sleeping on the sofa for the past few months in between missions. And Sarah wasn’t complaining and neither were the boys, so Sam just kept his mouth shut and enjoyed having Bucky close and here.
And yet, despite the smiles that were growing more frequent the longer he spent in Louisiana, it was clear that there was a part of Bucky that wasn’t actually all here. Sure, he was pleasant and engaging but there was a part of him that was somewhere else entirely in a way it hadn’t been before their cross-world journey. For a fleeting moment, Sam wondered if it was Zemo occupying his mind. But that was immediately discarded when the latest unsolicited letter from their newfound and unwanted friend came and Bucky took the unread letter outside to immediately set it on fire much to the utter delight of Cass and AJ. So that wasn’t it.
“Uncle Sam?”
Sam snapped out of his thoughts as his oldest nephew entered the kitchen wearing a contemplative expression on his face. He held an arm out to his nephew, smiling to himself as the boy happily snuggled into his embrace.
“What’s up, Cass?”
“I think something might be wrong with Uncle Bucky.”
Sam pushed back on the part of him that was giddy anytime his nephews thought of Bucky as their uncle. There were more important things to worry about right now.
“Well, you know he’s been through a lot before he came here and it’s….”
“Not that,” Cass cut him off, pulling away slightly to look his uncle in the eye. His face was scrunched in thought. “Like I mean something is really wrong right now. We were playing by the docks and he got a phone call. I don’t know who it was but whoever it was scared him. He made a weird sound and then threw it in the river.”
“Threw what in the river?”
“His phone.”
“He threw his phone in the river?!”
“Yeah,” Cass nodded like he was fully aware of just how crazy that sounded. “Just tossed the whole thing in the river and then tried to keep playing like that was totally fine.”
Sam blinked. That was… not normal.
“Uh, you see the thing is, your Uncle Bucky is a complex human cyborg who doesn’t operate the same way as us.”
“You know he’s not actually a robot, right?”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Don’t ruin the joke, kid. And don’t worry about it too much. Bucky is a strange, strange man but he eventually lets out what’s bothering him. He’ll be okay once he figures out a way to say what’s going on in that brain of his.”
Sam just hoped that it happened before the weight of it became too much for the super soldier to bear. And it was only because Bucky took too much on himself and didn’t realize he had people that cared about him. It had nothing to do with the fact that Sam wanted to be the person that supported him and shared his burdens with him. Nope. Not at all.
So that didn’t happen.
Despite having no phone, Bucky was seemingly content to pretend that everything was just fine. Unfortunately, Sam couldn’t devote too much more time to the matter as they were called out on a mission that ended with Bucky in the hospital and Sam tripping balls because Joaquin couldn’t read the proper dosage on pain meds. That led to an interesting few days while Bucky slept off being damn near blown up and Sam imagined that he could actually talk to birds.
Needless to say, the mystery of Bucky tossing his phone in the river remained a mystery for a few weeks. When they were finally back at the newly rebuilt Avengers campus, Sam made an attempt to bring it up again. This led to his grown-ass partner launching a food fight that damn near destroyed said newly rebuilt headquarters. Bruce and Yelena took food fights way too seriously.
Thankfully, despite Bucky’s reluctance to talk about what was going on with him, the problem revealed itself sooner rather than later. And ironically enough it was with yet another phone call when they were back home in Delacroix a month after Bucky first threw his phone away.
Sam almost didn’t answer it. He had just finished a video call with several government officials and barely refrained from literally bringing dishonor to his house by telling them exactly what he thought of them and the conditions they were attempting to place on him and the Avengers. He was still pissed off a whole hour after the call. Even sitting in his makeshift kitchen office wasn’t helping to restore the calm he had before the call.
So realizing that wasn’t working, Sam moved onto his favorite way of recentering himself: focusing on his family. The reason why he did what he did every day despite the jackasses determined to make his life miserable. He stood in the doorway of the porch watching Bucky playing with Cass and AJ as he often did when they finished their homework.
He focused on the easy laughter and carefree body language while ignoring Sarah’s knowing looks from the kitchen. He felt the tension drain from his body as he watched the former Winter Soldier literally swinging two children from his vibranium arm with no care in the world. It was a good look on him.
And then his damn phone rang.
He was tempted to leave it. He didn’t want to talk to anyone else today. He wanted to go outside and see what the boys and Bucky were getting into it. He wanted to have dinner with his family before everyone went to bed and he and Bucky started the next Hobbit movie. That’s what he wanted. But now the damn phone was ringing. And it wasn’t a saved number so the likelihood of it being someone unpleasant was growing exponentially. He sighed.
“Sam Wilson speaking. How can I help you?”
“ ‘Sam Wilson speaking’, ” a familiar voice repeated with a giggle. “ We’re so formal now that we’re the Captain .”
Sam smiled as he finally placed the voice. His earlier bad mood entirely vanished hearing the amused voice of the princess of Wakanda on the line.
“Princess Shuri,” Sam grinned. “To what do I owe the honor? But first, thank you again for the suit.”
“ You’re welcome. I wasn’t sure at first but the White Wolf was so insistent. We couldn’t deny such an unusually passionate request. ”
Sam’s brow furrowed. He knew Bucky “called in a favor” but he never gave much more thought to it outside of that. To be fair, back then there was still that part of Sam that didn’t feel he deserved the shield much less the suit. By the time he reconciled his feelings towards both, he never really thought about what kind of favor Bucky would’ve called in with the Wakandans given that they didn’t seem to be on speaking terms anymore. Now he was wishing that he asked more questions.
“Captain Wilson?”
“Sorry, Princess,” Sam said, shaking his head. “You were saying?”
“Have you seen or heard from Sgt. Barnes lately? We have tried to contact him but first, he wasn’t answering and now, his phone is disconnected. His apartment in New York has been unused for several months and none of his neighbors knew him to begin with.” Shuri paused. “Is he okay?”
“He’s… I know he burned his bridges in Wakanda but you have to understand we did what we thought was for the best at the time,” Sam blurted, feeling oddly protective of his partner.
“We know,” Shuri sighed. “It was.. unnerving to know that the Baron was walking around a free man but we know the White Wolf meant no harm. He of all people is aware of the damage that man did to our country. It was just shocking to know that Zemo was free and that James played a part in it.”
Not for the first time, Sam was really cursing the fact that he didn’t ask more questions about Bucky’s time in Wakanda. It was clear from his interactions with the Dora and now Shuri that he did a lot more than herding goats in the countryside.
“If you know that… What do you want from him? I know he called in a favor with the suit…” Sam trailed off not really sure where he was going with this.
He knew he didn’t stand a chance against Wakanda but he was willing to put up an effort if it meant protecting the man that was currently being ambushed by his nephews.
“I…” Shuri sighed again. “We miss him. Mother asks about him. He was supposed to be here for a maintenance check for his arm a month ago. Ayo informed me that she told him to lay low for a while but I thought he would know that he could come back by now. It has been almost a year with no word.”
Sam found himself surprised by more than just the passage of time. It didn’t seem like it had been almost a full year since he took up the mantle but Shuri was right. But what really grabbed his attention was the fact that Wakandans seemed to be missing Bucky. Almost as much as he was missing them.
That was the thing Sam wasn’t understanding. The longing looks when Bucky would watch AJ and Cass playing together. And Sam knew based on his few interactions with the royal siblings that he and Sarah probably reminded Bucky of them. It wasn’t that he was unhappy in Delacroix, he was just missing the rest of his family. And somehow despite it all, the Wakanda Royal Family was Bucky’s family. He really would process that at a later date. Really.
“Captain Wilson?”
“Ah, yeah. I’m here. Bucky he’s…” Sam trailed off, biting his lip in thought. “You ever been to Louisiana, Princess?”
This was only going to go one of two ways. It either went really well or, knowing how fully dramatic and extra Bucky not so secretly was, very, very badly. Sam was really regretting not asking Joaquin to join them after all. He could’ve used the backup. Surprisingly once Bucky stopped being an overly defensive weirdo, he found himself liking Torres. Sam still didn’t know what he missed when he was hospitalized after a mission gone wrong a few months ago but the pair were on much better terms now.
Even the Spider-Kid would’ve been a handy distraction. At the very least, he could’ve helped pin him down should the weirdo try and escape out the window before dessert. It also didn’t hurt that Bucky also had a soft spot for the kid. Peter was the first name that Bucky suggested when they were discussing reforming the Avengers. And though the reformed fist of HYDRA really thought he was hiding it, Sam knew about the weekly Skype calls between the pair. He really should’ve thought about adding Peter to the guestlist for tonight.
But hindsight is 20/20 and the dinner table was going to be full enough. He glanced at the table and frowned at the lack of better dinnerware. He was starting to regret not letting Sarah run out and buy more expensive-looking plates. Given their history together, Sam occasionally tended to forget that Shuri was a princess. T’Challa was king. He was really going to serve the Wakandan Royal Family on Walmart plates?!
“Finally registering, huh?” Sarah asked, stirring a pot metaphorically and physically. “Middle cabinet, third shelf.”
Sam raised an eyebrow but followed his sister’s instructions. There on the indicated shelf was a box of new plates that looked leagues better than the mismatched set stacked on the table. He looked up to see the smug tilt of her lips and couldn’t find it in himself to be upset. He pressed a kiss against her cheek before getting to work setting the table.
Ten minutes before their honored guests were set to arrive, Bucky and the boys arrived home. He was tapped earlier that day to pick them up from their after-school activities. It was a good way to keep Bucky occupied so he didn’t ask too many questions. Despite Sarah’s concern, even she agreed it might be best to keep their dinner plans a secret for as long as they could. They didn’t know how he was going to react but seeing as how they just got him a new phone that he had yet to activate, Sam didn’t think he was going to take it well. So better to put it off as long as possible. But now it was happening and Sam was worried.
“That’s a lot of plates for just us,” Bucky murmured, stepping into the kitchen. “Also are they new?”
“Uh, yeah. We have some guests joining us tonight,” Sam shrugged, trying to sound casual. “Just some family. No big deal.”
“Oh,” Bucky said. “I can find somewhere else to eat tonight. If you want more room.”
Sam struggled to not roll his eyes even as he grabbed the slightly taller man by the shoulders. Steel blue eyes stared at him from behind a curtain of long brown hair. Sam reached up to brush some of the loose locks behind his ear.
“You listen to me, you big dummy. You are a part of this family. You matter. You never have to leave. But,” Sam trailed off, listening as a car pulled up. “It’s not my family anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
Sam didn’t answer. Instead, he moved towards the door which rang right on cue. He didn’t need to look to know that Bucky was following him hesitantly. He heard Bucky let out a shaky breath as he pulled the door open to reveal T’Challa, Shuri, Ayo, and Okoye.
“Your highness,” Sam said, sweeping into a mock bow earning a halfhearted glare from T’Challa, a snicker from Shuri, and twin looks of bemusement from the two Dora. “Welcome to the Wilson residence. Come on in.”
The Wakandans stepped inside and found themselves face to face with their elusive White Wolf for the first time in a while. He was certainly living up to the name at the moment. Sam was concerned with just how pale Bucky was as he stared at the newcomers with wide eyes.
“Uh… you’re here?”
“I see your observation skills have not suffered through your absence, White Wolf,” T’Challa said, a smile pulling at his lips. Bucky looked in his direction between quickly going back to staring at the floor.
“Right. So, uh, dinner. You can… I’m just gonna see how that’s going….”
With that said, Bucky was spinning on his heels and walking briskly towards the kitchen. Too briskly. That’s why Sam wasn’t even surprised to hear the back door slamming open and Sarah’s voice yelling at the no doubt runway Wolf.
“Can’t say I didn’t see that coming,” Sam huffed before excusing himself to chase after his idiot partner.
The search for his best friend wasn’t a long one. He found him at the end of the dock, staring at the water below. Sam felt his breath catch as the moonlight hit Bucky at just the right angle. It wasn’t that he was unaware his partner was as beautiful but at that moment, all he wanted to do was wrap him in his arms and never let go.
The thought didn’t disturb him as much as he thought it would. For all that they insisted they were coworkers and possibly friends, Sam knew they were working towards something more. Something bigger. And he had all the time in the world to address that once he got this odd family reunion back on track.
“Can I sit?” Sam asked, stepping to Bucky’s side. He waited until the other man made a slight shrug before settling next to his partner. A smile tugged at his lips as Bucky shifted minutely so that their sides were pressed together as much as possible.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Sam knew better than to try and press Bucky before he got his thoughts in order. Comforting one another was as easy as breathing for them now.
“Why?” Bucky asked, finally. His voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper but it sounded deafening against the quiet of the night.
“Why? Why didn’t I tell you they were coming?” Bucky shook his head. “Oh. Why are they here?”
“Yes,” Bucky answered. He looked up at Sam with shiny blue eyes. “I don’t… why?”
“Oh, Buck,” Sam sighed, fingers scrambling to hold onto his partner’s hand. “Because they miss you. Because despite the truly awful way y’all met, the Wakandans seem to love you. They’re your family. And family love you even when you do dumb stuff like free the terrorist who murdered their king.”
That might’ve been a touch too dark as Bucky didn’t rise to the obvious hint at levity and instead shrunk further into himself. That wasn’t what he was trying to do here. But now he was just stuck. Because the usual bantering wasn’t going to work obviously and Sam didn’t know how he was supposed to deal with this. How he was supposed to get Bucky out of his head and back to the house where everyone was waiting for them along with a very delicious dinner.
“Captain, I think we should take it from here,” Ayo’s voice came from behind him.
Bucky didn’t even flinch, leading Sam to believe he heard the Dora and the Princess arrive long before they announced their presence. Sam looked up to the two women who were both watching Bucky with compassion and warmth on their faces. Yeah, this might be something they needed to work out. Sam gave them both a tight smile before turning to look at Bucky.
The older man was chewing on his bottom lip but nodded at the unasked question on Sam’s mind. Sam sighed, leaning forward to press a kiss to Bucky’s forehead. He squeezed the man’s hand before leaving the dock. He spared one glance over his shoulder to see Shuri claiming the spot Sam left. Ayo hovering above them both with a fond look on her face. Sam smiled and finished the trek back to his house.
T’Challa was on the porch when he got back. He could see Sarah and Okoye inside the kitchen. The general keeping an eye on her king from her spot leaned against a counter. Sam took the open seat next to T’Challa as an invitation.
“Tell me this was the right thing to do,” Sam asked, quietly. “Tell me this is going to set him back.”
“Shuri misses him and not just for maintenance on his arm,” T’Challa answered after a brief pause. “Ayo will not admit it to herself but she misses him as well. Despite the ugly circumstances behind how we came together, James is a part of our family. Even M’Baku asked about him.”
“M’Baku?!”
“Oh yes. Granted he asked when ‘our sad, broken white Jesus boy was coming home’ but I can read between the lines. He has grown as fond of him as the rest of the council.”
Once again, Sam was really wondering what Bucky did in Wakanda because he was cool with the Royal Council?!
“As much as he is our family, Wakanda is not his home. He was at peace there but he wasn’t happy. Not like he is here.” T’Challa glanced around. “This is his home, Sam. You are his home.”
Sam smiled. “Yeah, it is. And he’s mine.”
And that was that. The conversation shifted to the latest outreach center that Wakanda was setting up. After their visit in Delcroix, the royal siblings were planning on visiting MIT where a few graduates from their outreach centers were attending school. Shuri seemed very excited about one student in particular. A prodigy if her exuberant rambling could be understood. RiRi was her name and Shuri was convinced she could be the next Iron Man. Sam believed her.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but he suddenly heard voices coming their way. Sam found himself quickly distracted away from their discussion about whether there was any validity to the rumors of a woman in a nearby village who was being heralded as a goddess. Sam didn’t know what he was expecting but the tension drained from his body at Bucky’s laugh mixing with Shuri’s infectious giggles.
His smile grew as the trio finally came into sight and the reason for their laughter became clear. Apparently, the trip to and from the dock was too much as Shuri had jumped on Bucky’s back for a piggyback ride much to the exasperation of Ayo and the amusement of Bucky himself. The shadows in his face were gone as he continued to laugh at Ayo gently chiding Shuri in their native language.
“Brother!” Shuri yelled, leaping from Bucky’s back to stand in front of the porch. “James is over his bullshit and he has agreed to return home.”
T’Challa grinned, rising to his feet. “I am glad that you are over your bullshit, my brother. Mother has asked after you a great deal. It took a lot of convincing to get her to agree to let us make this trip alone. She will be pleased to know that you’ll be back soon.”
Bucky flushed, earning more gentle teasing from the siblings before they excused themselves and Ayo to join Sarah and Okoye in the kitchen. That left just Sam and Bucky. Bucky was still buzzing slightly from the obvious joy of reconnecting with Shuri and Ayo. The light that always burned bright in him was almost blinding now. It was a good look on him. One Sam could get used to.
“So you’re going back?”
Bucky startled at the words, his eyes going wide. “No! I mean well yes but only for a visit. I’m not staying or anything. Shuri has plans for the arm. She wants to take out the kill switch but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Ayo apologized for using it and yelled at me again for just not calling them if I needed help. I still think it’s a good idea to be able to disarm my uh arm if needed. So yeah I’m going for a visit. But they said that I could bring you. And Sarah and the boys too. If you want but like if you don’t that’s fine too. I…”
Sam smirked as Bucky’s rambling slowed under the force of Sam’s lips moving against his. He could tell the older man was surprised but also not as it only took a matter of seconds for him to get with the program and press into the kiss. His flesh hand rising to cup Sam’s cheek while the vibranium hand settled on Sam’s waist. Sam lost track of everything that wasn’t the man in front of him as they gave into what felt like the inevitable.
Everything they’ve been through since the moment Bucky ripped the steering wheel out of his car felt like it was leading to this moment. Just the two of them kissing on the porch of Sam’s childhood home while their apparent siblings, nephews, and friends catcalled because they were assholes.
Sam pulled away reluctantly but there was only so much of Shuri’s enthusiastic cheering to “get some” he could take. So he separated but kept his arms wrapped around his troublesome super soldier partner. Not that he had to worry about him as Bucky was standing completely still with a dazed expression on his face. His tongue peeked out and traced his red, swollen bottom lip. Sam couldn’t help but steal another kiss. And the way that Bucky chased after his lips when they parted the second time showed maybe he wasn’t opposed to it either.
“Umm, I’m not complaining,” Bucky murmured, leaning into Sam’s space. “But why?”
“Because you’re an adorable idiot and I love you,” Sam grinned. It grew wider at the wrinkled nose Bucky gave him. He leaned up to kiss him on the nose. “Buck, you still don’t get it, do you? You follow me wherever I go. No matter what mission. No matter the danger. You’re there with me. And I appreciate it so much. But I don’t think you get that it works both ways. I will follow you wherever you go.”
Sam watched as Bucky’s face went through an impressive journey of confusion to smitten to elation and ultimately settling on love. And Sam knew his own face was reflecting it right back. Because there was no way he didn’t love this complicated neurotic mess of a human. His hands cupped Bucky’s face, thumbs idly brushing away a few escaped tears.
“I love you,” Bucky whispered.
“I love you too,” Sam said. “It’s you and me, Buck. We make our own path. We call the shots. This life is ours. And we do it together. You and me until the end of time.”
Bucky swayed into him, resting his head against Sam’s. Both of them chose to ignore their ridiculous family blatantly gawking in the window now.
“Until the end of time,” Bucky repeated before meeting Sam for a kiss that felt like more than just a new beginning. It felt like a promise. A promise to stand by one another no matter what the world (or things beyond the world) threw at them.
It was Sam and Bucky until the end of time.