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In Sam’s eyes, Bucky’s body was perfect. It always had been— even when he found him infuriating.
However, he knew that when Bucky looked in the mirror, he hated what he saw. Sam knew it was hard to love a body that wasn’t yours for more than half a century. No matter how Bucky tried to hide it, Sam could see that he sometimes still felt like the machine that HYDRA had made him. So, Sam did what he could to make Bucky feel as perfect as he saw him. He pressed gentle kisses to his arms or cheek throughout the day, and when they were intimate, he worshipped every inch of skin beneath him.
There was a particular spot that Sam paid extra attention to. Though he would kiss it as Bucky rode him and his fingers dragged over it when Bucky was on top of him, it wasn’t inherently sexual. He would trace it as Bucky lay sleeping on him; he would kiss it as Bucky stood at the stove making breakfast. Most importantly, it was where he would kiss when Bucky woke with tears in his eyes and nothing else would soothe him.
Bucky asked about it one night; they had spent their evening on their couch, eyes either on their phones or the TV. Bucky had his head on Sam’s chest, face turned towards the episode of Drag Race that was playing as Sam mindlessly ran his fingers through his hair. When Sam’s hand found its way to the familiar spot, Bucky turned his head to him.
“Why do you do that?”
Sam didn’t need to ask what Bucky meant. The question had been written on Bucky’s face for some time.
“To show you that I love you.” Sam stated simply. “Every part of you.”
Sam gently ran his fingers the scar where Bucky’s skin met vibranium; the first place HYDRA had claimed. Sam didn’t think of Bucky’s arm as a weapon because to him, it was just a part of him-- a part that should be cherished just as much as the rest of his body.
“Oh,” Bucky breathed. He sat up, wiping away the tears that had welled in his eyes. “You-- You’re such a sap.”
“You’re damn right I am.” Sam took Bucky’s hands in his own, placing deliberate kisses to both. Bucky didn’t bother to wipe his tears away this time. “What’s wrong?”
Bucky took a shuddering breath. “I just-- I never thought someone could love me after this ,” He gestured to his vibranium arm with his head, “Or because of it.”
Sam smiled and gently pulled Bucky into a kiss.
“Well, get used to it.”