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James doesn't fully understand the whole situation, mainly because Sam's face against the sun was distracting him. Sam's face was so pretty from this angle. God, he has to concentrate more. He puts his hands on his leg nervously. "Why do you think they called us?" he asked. He blinked and swore to himself. What a stupid question.
"The usual," Doctor Sam laughed "murder."
"It's a kid," Torres groaned from the front seat of the car "I just got told it was a kid..."
It's always worse when it's a kid. Sam shifted in his seat. Bucky and Sam have been teaming up for cases for many, many years. He knows the ups and downs of solving a crime. Both of them have their fair share of undercover missions, sharing beds in hotel rooms and much more. The two are inseparable. Sam turned to Bucky for a moment. He always knew when to wake him up after a nightmare. Sam would grip the sheets at night, covered in sweat and feeling so sick and tired.
Bucky always knew when to wake him up. Hopefully, he could do it again this time.
"What's their name?" Bucky asked from the backseat, taking out his notepad. His hair was long, tied back into a ponytail and he wore and a long, elaborate coat.
Torres swallowed before answering. "Karli," he replied "she's only nineteen."
The skies are bright and open, they had pretty white clouds streaking above them as they approached the docks. The cruise ship was still upon the glistening, blue water. Sam loved the ocean. Maybe today he was going to hate it. He drummed his hands over the car door and noticed the way Bucky looked at him.
His eyes flickered up from his notebook to him now and then. It wasn't intimidating or unexpected. It was the most expected thing in the world – Sam secretly loved the way Bucky looked at him. It was like he was drunk on champagne and Sam was all the stars and glory in the world. He noticed Bucky's lame attempts for flirting and it was flattering.
Sam would never have the guts to flirt back, though.
"You good?" Bucky's voice asked. He was scribbling notes on his paper. Most of them were doodles of Sam.
He shifted in his seat and turned to him, meeting those blue eyes. "Yeah," Sam replied "I guess."
The cruise ship was incredibly large, with multiple floors and elaborate decorations. On the middle floor, there's entertainment. There are pieces of confetti and remains of a party from last night. There's a broken table near the large piano, with caution tape and a lot of blood around the woman's body.
"Jesus," Torres said before taking a photo of the evidence. The Captain of the ship was frantic, rambling on about how 'there was a disturbance in the middle of the night' and such.
There was a broken glass of wine near the girl's body and a wrecked table cloth. Bucky had taken off his coat and left it on one of the chairs. Sam always wondered why he wore overalls and a button-up shirt. He wasn't complaining though, it looked good. Barnes rolled up his sleeves and that did something to him. His heart was racing.
Focus, he told himself there's a dead woman.
He approached Bucky carefully, "what's happened?"
"A stab wound to the neck and back," Bucky mumbled a reply, bits of his hair was in front of his eyes. Other staff members were talking to Torres about what happened. He looked up and frowned "there's her blood on the piano...and a faint trail out to the deck - but it stops at the railing."
Sam sighed "yeah, I noticed that too." He almost gags at the sight, the smell is putrid and her mess of dark curls are over the floor like a messy painting. He takes out his kit and pulls Barnes away from the scene with his collar. Bucky felt his whole body shiver under the touch. Sam's hands were so soft.
"Were you really about to examine without gloves?" he asked with a smile.
Bucky stood there and grabbed gloves from Sam's tool kit. He slipped on the rubber gloves. "No," he choked out "but - thanks for the reminder." So what if Bucky acted a little stupid around Sam? His face was distracting enough. They kept eye contact as they slipped on the gloves and started moving around the body carefully. They put on protective suits and started doing more digging.
"So uh," Bucky said slowly as he turned the body upward - he turned away in disgust "I guess we need to put everyone on this boat as a suspect?"
"All five-thousand people?" Sam sighed "I dunno, Buck." he licked his lips and Bucky stopped what he was doing. His gloves were covered in blood.
"Her body is so cold," he groaned "are we getting the police up in here?"
"Yeah, Torres called back-up," Sam explained and their eyes met. Bucky swallowed nervously. Bucky always had Sam's back, in everything they did.
"I guess we're doing the questioning again?"
"Yup," Sam sighed - he turned to the Captain, who was still standing in shock "what floor did Miss Morgenthau have?"
"The top floor," The Captain explained nervously. He shivered at the sight "Now if you excuse me. I - I have some work to do."
No one on the boat was leaving until people came forward with information. Bucky loved working with Sam, if he wasn't working with him - he would try to hide his disappointment. He couldn't help it though, he liked Sam's smile, his laugh, his jokes and the way he's able to work with people. He put his hands on his hips "what were her contacts?" he asked as he found her phone and dropped it in a plastic sleeve that Sam brought along.
He found her small purse and dropped that in another separate plastic sleeve. It was covered in blood. Her eyes were blank and empty.
"Uh, she had like - two friends along with her on the cruise trip. I think they were also on the same floor." Sam explained.
Sam was very organised, unlike him. There was a twinkle in Sam's eye. He could see the view of the water through the window and he could see the slight excitement in Sam's eyes. Sam practically loved and grew up on boats, in Delacroix. Bucky visited there a few times, he met Sarah, Cass and AJ. He missed the smell of the cookout, the beers and Sam's aftershave.
Fuck. The movement of the water – Bucky hated boats. He felt the movement of the cruise ship slightly. It was a little nauseating - but not as gruesome as this. After a few minutes, they collected evidence, cleared the body to the police and were to investigate her stay room in a few hours. They washed their hands and changed out of their suits.
Torres typed up a report on his laptop. The police moved the body carefully and Sam travelled with them to examine the wounds.
Bucky was yearning for a drink right now. Most of all, he was yearning for Sam. Sam made this job easy and light, it was sort of his reason for doing this job in the first place. If Sam hadn't convinced him - then Bucky would still be taking off his clothes at nightclubs for a living. Sam was a good friend, and a better partner to work with. He wondered if Sam liked sharing a bed with him as much as he did.
Yes, they've shared a bed a few times.
It wasn't bad.
He sighed and tied up his hair again. Karli was dead. By a knife. The only plausible weapon around her would be the cutlery knives from the party, the wine bottle to hit her over the head - but there were no signs of a head injury. Someone must have brought a knife down here to the party. From what Bucky saw and from what the Captain told them - Karli was down here and was one of the last to leave.
He heard Sam's footsteps. He always knew when Sam was coming up behind him. "So, what are the wounds?"
"As you said, stab wounds," Sam let out a heavy sigh "Buck, how do you do it?"
They were out on the deck, leaning against the white railing.
"What?" Bucky perked up.
"How do you not - panic?" Sam fiddled with his sleeve. Bucky really shouldn't be finding that cute. "I see these dead bodies, these wounded and hurt people and I just think - why would anyone have the heart to do this?"
Bucky's gaze softened. "Well, I partly stay strong - because of you."
"Because of me?" Sam scoffed "what do I have to do with anything?"
His eyes flickered to his lips for a second, but he looked straight ahead into the waters. "Well, Sam, you're organised. You get to the point. You're caring. I - I guess my motivation to stay strong is for you to stay strong; and Sam, it's totally okay to panic on the job. It's not an easy one." he blushed slightly and nudged him "besides, there's no one else I'd rather be working with."
Every sense of nervousness left Sam's body.
Sam smiled at his words, "thanks, Buck. You're loyal. That's what I like about you..."
Bucky tucked a piece of hair behind his ear "really?"
"Yeah, Barnes. An honest man."
They broke out into laughter and Sam was reassured that everything was going to be okay. "You know," Bucky began slowly "I always found it odd that uh," it was Bucky's turn to be nervous now - he played with his hair and clothes and turned to Sam with a coy smile "that we keep getting paired together. You know how the papers are."
"What do the newspapers have to do with us?"
"Well," Bucky stammered "you know what they write, right?"
Sam sighed and smiled "yeah. I do."
Headlines and quotes were taken out of context many months ago, it was a repeated pattern. Sam was the heartthrob, the hot doctor, the mastermind and Bucky was just his sidekick. Or was he? Many people thought they were together. Sam wouldn't be opposed to the idea if he was honest.
"I don't blame them," Bucky had this sly smile on his face. It was his smile he did whenever he was going to flirt with someone. The confidence and stride in his words - the laughter and bubbling charm. Yeah, Sam was falling for him. Bucky continued, he looked Sam in the eyes and grinned "you're gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to date you?"
He moved his body closer. Sam could smell his cologne. His heat and warmth.
You. Sam thinks to himself glumly. Sam didn't think Bucky would ever really want to date him. Sam felt unlovable at times but Bucky made him feel cared for. Like he was an actual person. Bucky doesn't deserve him though. A handsome, smart guy like him could get anyone else and Sam would understand – right?
"You know," Bucky broke the silence "there are many cute guys and gals around here–"
"No thanks," Sam cut in "I- I'm not interested in any of that at the moment." I'm only interested in you, Sam thinks before he feels Bucky's hand brush up against his. He feels his entire body flush.
"Well," Bucky yawned and stretched "care for a drink? I can get you one." another sly grin on his face.
Sam couldn't help but smile back. "Buck, we're having a case right now. A girl is dead and we need to–"
"Since when did work stop you from drinking with me?" he teased and nudged his arm. He put his hand on his shoulder. They smelt the salty ocean water and the cool breeze. Sam was silent. Bucky's face fell and looked to the ground. He paused. "No, Sam, you're right. We should be serious."
That's why you won't go out with me. Bucky thought somberly, I'm just the loose, drinking detective and you're the responsible one. I'm too messy for your organised life.
Sam could feel Bucky's hand move from his shoulder. It's not like Sam disliked hanging out with Bucky, in fact, it was one of the best highlights of his life when they get together and chill out for a while. Sam took a shaky breath. All that blood from the victim's body. All that tragedy swooped up into a crime scene. He heard Bucky's footsteps trail away when Sam stared out into the water. He felt his breath hitch. He feels guilt creeping up his body. He couldn't imagine those sad, blue eyes drinking alone.
He turned around to speak to him but Bucky was already leaving the boat. He remembered how much Barnes hated boats as well. He let out another disappointed sigh. "You okay?"
He looked up to see Torres. "Yeah." he replied "I'm okay..."
Bucky remembered how cold the ocean wind was when the sun began to set. It was dauntingly cold. He wrapped his coat around his body and sat by the bench, watching the waves crash onto the layers of water, over and over. Sam wasn't interested in dating. Fair enough. The two of them have a lot on their hands. He heard footsteps approach, undoubtedly Sam's. He turned to him and feels the weight of the bench shift in the soft darkness. He sees the soft light from the streetlight illuminate Sam's pretty face. He sees his eyes look straight out into the water. Bucky could feel his breath. Sam was sitting next to him.
He's holding two bottles of beer. He handed one out to him with a small smile. "I'm sorry," Sam sighed "I - I don't want you to get the idea that I don't want to hang out with you. I do. A lot."
Bucky took the bottle and opened it gladly "it's okay. I guess I'm just used to it being just the two of us."
"It?" Sam squinted and drank a sip from his bottle. The cold drink made his brain a little fuzzy.
"Work," Bucky explained, "I'm used to having work and doing work - with you."
Sam smiled fondly "you having attachment issues now?"
"I guess."
Sam's eyes flickered back to the water and sighed. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight." his hands ran over the tip of the beer bottle.
"Why?" Bucky asked softly. There's a reason why Sam fell for Bucky. It was his softness, his ability to allow Sam to open up to him. Sam was able to be vulnerable around Bucky and he loved that. He loved the way he fell for Bucky, it was like falling through the sky with grace and poise, precision and heart. He shifted in his seat. "We can talk about it - if you want," he said slowly.
Sam opened up to Bucky like a flower, willingly showing his gentle petals and wounds. He sat there in silence for a while. He knows Bucky's, pretty blue eyes was looking at him now; if he were to turn to look at his face now and admit the truth, the tension in them would change forever. Bucky made Sam's heart clench.
You're always on my mind, Sam wanted to say "it's just - Karli had a family. Friends. I just, feel shitty. You know?"
Bucky hummed empathetically "if you get any nightmares, knock on my hotel door, okay? Or we can share, like usual. I don't mind taking care of you."
Sam chuckled lightly and took a sip of his bottle "it's sour work."
"Not when it's with you," Bucky smiled "not when it's you, it's not. It's the sweetest thing I'd be glad to do."
"Huh." Sam chuckled and nudged him lightly "who knew you were soft for me?"
Bucky broke out into a smile and he shivered. He stared out into the crashing waves as the night sky stared upon them. "Shit - it's cold. We should get back inside."
"Yeah," Sam agreed "we should."
Karli stood there, reaching out her hand over the bench and watching it go straight through. When she woke up a few hours ago, she didn't realise she was a ghost until she tried talking to Mattias and he didn't respond. She fixed up her hair and looked up into the night sky. The twinkling lights and soft moonlight shone on Barnes and Wilson with their bubbling laughter.
The two of them had something special, she had to admit. She looked down and found a huge, gaping hole in her side and she groaned. Shee grazed her empty, translucent hand over her neck and felt the wound. She shivered. It was just a black mark across her side and neck. She followed the two to the hotel room curiously. She doesn't really remember what happened last night, or who killed her.
The worst part is; Barnes and Wilson don't know she exists. Yet again, what help would she be? Her body's going through an autopsy right now and no one could communicate with ghosts. The hotel Bucky and Sam were staying at was incredibly sad and boring. The walls were plain, the furniture was brown and it felt cold. She tried to lean against the wall but she went straight through. Her legs hovered slightly above the ground.
Joaquin was calling Sam as he sat near the bed with his laptop open. Barnes was in the shower. She continued to look around. Two beds. She wondered what it was like for them to share a bed, and why were they used to it? They were just friends.
Unless...she looks up to see Sam typing and talking with Torres over the phone.
"No," Karli whispers to herself "their lives aren't your own...It's not your business."
She hears the door creak open and she hides behind a wall, listening in. Bucky had a towel wrapped around his waist, showing off his abs and scars. Sam scoffed lightly.
"You gonna put some clothes on?" he asked, still typing.
Bucky grinned and he grabbed his clothes "like what you see?"
"I'd prefer you with clothes on," Sam mumbled. He was definitely enjoying the show. The slight trickle of warm water going down his long hair and the sly smile made his heart race.
Bucky hummed happily and walked over, tracing his fingers lightly over Sam's shoulders. He was doing this on purpose, or not. He knew when Bucky was flirting with him. It's the late-night smiles, the soft drunkness in his voice – it was everything that Sam loved.
Bucky loved Sam, for many reasons. He loved Sam's laugh, his smile, intelligence, humour and his lips. His eyes were sculpted by golden flakes of honey, with eyes so soft like dark oak trees. Sam's eyes - they were so beautiful. He feels his body tingle at the thought of it. He loved his smell, his touch and the lingering fondness in his eyes. Sam's physique was quite impressive as well. God, he was beautiful. He slipped on his clothes and laid on the bed, watching as Sam typed away.
"You sleeping soon?" Bucky said softly as he looked at the clock.
Sam shifted in his seat and shut his laptop. "I guess..." Sam smiled and planted himself on the bed "man, I can't wait to get some rest." He turned to look at Bucky's soft blue eyes. They laid in bed in silence.
Karli felt her body tingle nervously. If she had a heart, it'd be pounding right now.
She's seen what love looked like, what it felt like and these two? They have an immense case of the 'falling in love' stage. Maybe they were past that stage? Either way, these two nutcases were supposed to catch her murderer. She was glad it was those two.
Karli wished she could interact with Sam and Bucky, mainly because she wanted to scream at them for not making a move. The two of them were out on the deck, scanning through files and information. Interview, after interview - Sam looked tired. He had a nightmare last night and Bucky was there. He was always there for Sam, which she found really sweet.
"Thank you," Sam mumbled, "for last night."
"No problem," he smiled "anything for you."
It was so obvious, yet none of them acted upon the affection, flirting or stolen glances. Couldn't Sam see how Bucky looked at him? Wasn't it obvious enough that James Bucky Barnes would give the whole world for Sam to be happy? Couldn't he see that? Or was he was so blinded by fear and denial that he refused to see his affections?
Bucky looked at Sam once more "you know - you don't need to...apologise. For the nightmares." he began nervously.
Sam sighed "you don't - you don't get sick of it?"
"No," Bucky replied honestly "why would I get sick of you? Everyone has their own shit to deal with." There it was again, Sam's slight hitch in the breath. The warming of each other's skin. The urge to reach out and touch each other. Love made people do weird things, but also great things. Bucky knew Sam's coffee order, the way he likes his eggs, the style of clothes he adores and the way he danced to a good Marvin Gaye song. Bucky was smitten by Sam and nothing could be more glaringly clear.
Karli stood there, watching the wind rustle in their clothes and hair, watching as they smile sickly at each other. They were drugged on love and they were riding in the thick of it all. She stood there, wondering why Barnes hasn't crossed the line. He was always the first to flirt or say a remark that made Sam smile. It was confusing, to see this unfold.
"Well - does Karli have any reason, any past or history that could have gotten her killed?" Sam moved on from the topic quickly.
"Uh, dunno," Bucky replied and stared at the photos again. He sighed and flipped through his notes. He got up and left his notebook on the table. "I hate boats. I'm taking a walk,"
"Okay," Sam replied. His eyes flickered to Bucky's notebook. There were scribbled doodles across the page in black ink. Sam flipped through the pages to add to their information but his heart stopped. Each corner was filled with silly things like 'S+B', 'JAMUEL', 'SAM'S EYES <3' - all about him. All about him and Bucky.
He felt like he was looking through a middle-schooler's diary during a major crush phase. Oh.
Oh.
Barnes liked him. He liked him, a lot. He put down the notebook suddenly and took a deep breath, consuming this information. He didn't want to touch it, yet he wanted to know more.
Barnes liked him and Sam reciprocated it.
Ugh. What a shitshow this was going to be. Karli was smiling ear-to-ear. Finally, something was going to happen. Right? As a ghost, watching two people fall in love was the only interesting thing she could ask for.
Sam moved nervously in his seat, trying to find a distraction - but he could only think of Bucky.
Shit. His eyes, laughter, his composure and his soft hair. His fondness and loyalty. Sam groaned into his sleeve as he sunk his head onto the table. Love wasn't meant to be like this. He gripped the table gently before looking out into the ocean. They cleared out Karli's room - for more evidence. He had to focus, but he can't. All he could think of was–
"Sam, you want coffee?" James asked and sat down on his seat. He looked at Sam, who was still burying his face on the table with shock and fear. Was it fear? Or joy? He can't tell. "Sam?" he asked, "you okay?"
"Yeah - just," Sam swallowed. He can't even look him in the eye anymore. "What did you write in your notebook?"
"Huh?" Bucky looked up. He blushed. Did he see the scribbles, the hearts and cheesy poems and notes that he took of Sam? Did he?
"What did - I mean," Sam took a slow breath "Bucky, what does 'S+B' mean in your notebook?"
Bucky didn't speak for a minute or two. He set down his coffee and his eyes darted around the room nervously. Karli was practically bouncing up and down on her heels. "It means...Stop and Break." he lied awfully, avoiding Sam's gaze. Sam broke out into a smile.
"Man, you're a horrible liar."
"Fine, what does it mean then?"
"Soup and Bread," Sam remarked teasingly. His nerves went away.
Bucky scoffed and pulled him by the collar "just shut up and kiss me."
So they kissed - and it was everything. It was fire, love and passion all swirled into one. It was addicting and soft, it was tender and sweet. Sam's heart was pounding in his chest. He smiled into the kiss and they continued like this for a while. Nothing was softer than this moment, nothing felt more loving and careful than being in Bucky's arms right now.
Karli was happy for them but - "are you two gonna make out or solve my death?" she asked. No response. Obviously. She sighed and turned away. The two were happily kissing, hugging and holding each other by the water.
Bucky held Sam's face gently in his hands and laughed. "I've been wanting to do that for so long," he smiled "you have no idea."
"I think I do," Sam leaned forward and kissed him again "Buck, as much as I would love to continue this - we have a case to solve."
James pouted lightly and Sam found it adorable. "God, okay," he sighed and kissed him again. Kissing Sam felt like touching heaven with his lips. Kissing Sam felt the best reward he's ever gotten. Sam felt loved, Sam felt true.
Sam felt like sugar melting against his tongue.
It was worth every second. Bucky joined their hands together. He was so warm, yet Sam was shaking. "You okay sweetheart?" he asked softly.
"Yeah," Sam mumbled and held him closer "I guess I've been waiting for this. For a long time. I've noticed it but never acted on it. I'm glad we did."
"Me too," Bucky smiled and kissed his hand gently. It was worth it; coming to this job. Coming home to Sam.
Mattias was shuffling in his seat. Karli watched from the window. The time for questioning was a difficult one. Bucky leaned back on his chair "so, I'm going to ask you again - what did you do the night Karli died?"
Sam would usually be paying attention but the small strands of hair in front of Bucky's face was annoying the crap out of him.
"I wasn't at the party," Mattias explained slowly and his hands played with the fabric of his jeans. "I didn't want to go because there's this asshole named John Walker."
Bucky flipped open his notebook and wrote down 'JOHN WALKER'. "Okay, why is he an 'asshole'?"
"He insulted Karli and her family," he replied, "so I think she went down to the party for payback."
Karli twitched at the name. John really wasn't the nicest person alive. Right now, Barnes and Wilson think they have Mattias as their main suspect.
''What did John have against Karli?"
"She got in the way of his 'power'. His friend, Lemar usually pulls him out of fights."
"There were fights on the cruise ship?" he continued to write down information. Sam finally pulled out a chair and sat next to Bucky.
"Yeah," he sighed "John has serious anger issues."
Then, Mattias described the night of the party. He was on the upper level, so he could see from the balcony. He didn't dare to go down and interact with anyone, though. Karli remembers it well. There were drinks, thumping music, dancing people and confetti everywhere. There were children running around, back and forth as young teenagers tried to try the champagne. It wasn't the most organised party ever. Or the most fun. People left after three hours or so.
Mattias claims he heard a glass bottle break down the hall from where he was staying. He doesn't know if that has to do with any information on the case. Sam thanked him and it was just the three of them alone in the room. Karli wishes she could make them aware that she was still around. Sam sighed and turned to Bucky, reaching over to fix that small strand of hair. He tucked it behind his ear.
Bucky laughed "so is that what bothered you this whole time?"
"Yeah," Sam grumbled, "now we have - Mama Donya to interview."
James scribbled something on a blank page, tore it and handed it to Sam. Sam burst out into a smile. "You're so cheesy," Sam laughed. His partner chuckled and leaned over, pecking him on the lips.
"It's true, you do look cute today."
Sam tilted his head and he looked at his long strands of hair "that ponytail will not suffice."
"Fine," he pulled out the hair tie and handed it to his partner "you do it then!"
Karli stood there, she felt like she was intruding. It felt soft, domestic. The atmosphere shifted to 'solve a murder' to 'domestic bliss' in a span of a minute. It was strange how the two interacted with each other. With such care, ease and affection. It was like they have loved each other for their entire lives.
Bucky shifted his chair so his back was turned to Sam. Sam's hands were so soft, so gentle and caring. Sam started pulling his fingers through lightly and started to pull his strands together into a neater ponytail. "Mhm, you wanna cut it?" Bucky said as he turned his chair to face Sam. His eyes were just like a sick puppy dog in love. It was sweet but sickening in Karli's eyes.
Maybe she should walk through the wall and get out.
Sam shook his head and placed a soft kiss on his forehead "no, not yet."
Mama Donya was crying the moment Sam said Karli's name. She was a sniffling, sobbing mess. Strange. Sam couldn't really get many answers from her. It was just a few 'Karli was so loved' and 'Karli was so strong'. Mama Donya didn't attend the party either. She left, still crying. It hurt to see her like this, too.
Karli wishes she could remember and reach out and help them. But she can't. She's a fucking ghost and stuck like this until they find out who killed her. She watches as the two try to lay out their information.
Joaquin Torres walks in with coffee and a lead. John Walker was their lead.
"How about dinner?" Bucky asked Sam, feet on the table.
"Like, a date? Sam chuckled.
"Yeah," his eyes twinkled "a date."
"Alright," Sam tossed him his coat and he stood up "let's go."
Bucky grinned mischievously. "Now?"
"Yeah, now, dumbass. Let's go!"
Bucky couldn't be happier than this. The dinner was nice, well-made and fun. The two of them laughed around and shared drinks with each other. Bucky was so in love with Sam, and he was sure of it. He noticed the way Sam smiled - it was like sweetness packed in a person. When they held hands, it meant the world.
Karli couldn't help but come along. Seeing them together made her feel less lonely.
"Man, I wish you guys could hear me," she mumbled as she sat on a seat and watched the two interact, laugh and kiss.
Then, Sam shifted in his seat and looked around. Bucky asked him something and Sam shook it off. But his eyes were cast directly to where she was sitting. Sam stilled for a moment. He pointed at her and Bucky squinted. He said something along the lines 'I don't see anything'. Karli stood from her seat and approached the table slowly.
"Sam," she called out "can you hear me? Respond if you can. Please."
Sam looked up and he blinked. He stammered with his words. "Bucky," Sam said slowly, "I think - I think Karli's a ghost."
"Bullshit," he said - he leaned over and placed a hand on Sam's forehead "are you okay?"
"Don't you feel that cold wind? Don't you hear her?"
Karli stopped walking and she stood very, very still. She watched as Bucky's expression dropped. There was silence. Bucky gripped Sam's hand, concerned.
"Can't you hear me, Barnes?" she called out to him.
It was Bucky's turn to feel spooked. "Shit," he shivered - he moved closer to his partner "I can hear her,"
"Me too -" Sam mumbled, "what do we do about it?"
Bucky shrugged. He's been a detective for a very long time but this was an odd predicament they were in.
Sam went to bed that night. But he was quickly awakened by a nightmare. It was just the sound of Karli screaming. He woke up, sweating and crying. Bucky quickly moved over from his twin bed to Sam's. He just held him gently and that's all they needed. He brought him close to his chest as he let Sam slow down his breathing. In and out.
He swallowed slowly and held Bucky in his arms.
"Sam," he said softly "I'm here, I'm here. It's okay."
Sam cradled his head in his chest as they held each other. He took a shaky breath and kissed Bucky's forehead. He smiled softly "your hair is messy."
Bucky smiled and kissed Sam softly. He kissed his neck and chest. He kissed Sam until they were breathless. He kissed Sam until he heard a soft groan against his lips. He kissed Sam until he left light bruises. He kissed him like it was the last moment they were going to spend together. They made love, slow and sweet. Caring and soft.
Sam would hear 'Is this okay?' from Bucky and 'we can stop if you want'. It was the care and softness that he loved getting from Bucky. Bucky was on top of him, slightly sweaty and smiling. He ran a hand through his hair. He smiled lightly. "You doing okay, Barnes?"
"Yeah," he smiled "you should see your face from up here. It's fucking angelic."
Sam chuckled and kissed him "mhm, right." Sam loved this. He loved being held and cared for. Sam spoke out Bucky's name like it was heaven, he spoke out his name from his lips like it was the only word he knew.
They held each other in the bed.
The detective and a doctor. An odd pairing.
Sam struggled to get out of bed. He shifted as Bucky's arm was draped around him. The bedsheets were warm, the sunlight streamed in. He felt his heartbeat against his skin.
"Buck," he groaned as his partner kisses his neck gently "we have work."
He yawned "work can wait, sweetheart. We can sleep for the whole day," he pulled him closer. Sam laughed gently.
Sam scoffed and turned to him "as tempting as that is, Karli is a ghost and we can hear her. Karli's case is still open,"
His partner whined softly and clung onto Sam like a magnet and buried his face into his bare chest. "Mhm, you're warm Sammy. Can't we stay here?"
"No," Sam sighed. He began to play with Bucky's hair gently "we have to go."
"He's right," Karli's voice made them jump "get up, please. I'm sick of watching you two lovebirds smother each other."
So the two eventually got out of bed and go ready for the day. They put on thick coats because the water and wind were cold today. They ordered coffee and shared a bread roll before going back on the cruise ship. The sky was cloudy today, with grey streaks across a pale blue.
Karli watched from the deck as the two started to talk with John Walker. Walker was choosy with his words, his eyes were like daggers and his posture was atrocious.
He claimed he did not kill Karli.
He claimed he did not host the party, yet he was the one who sent out invites.
He claimed he did not insult Karli's family.
Sam could sniff out the bullshit. He finished his coffee and looked him in the eye. "Listen, man, you gotta own up." Sam forced.
"Exactly," Barnes replied, "we need to solve her case."
"I didn't do it," Walker snapped back.
Sam folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "The evidence says otherwise. You're five rooms down from Karli's. You attacked her personal life. You're the lead."
The blonde man grumbled angrily "but she struck first."
Struck first?
"So, did you fight?" Bucky asked as he flipped open the notebook again and started writing.
"Yes," John groaned "the bitch is stronger than she looked."
Karli scoffed. "I could have broken your neck like a twig." she spat playfully.
Bucky and Sam tried to hide that they didn't hear her. After that whole fiasco, the two of them were looking out into the water. Their hands were linked and Sam rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Mhm, nightmares don't look good on me," Sam sighed.
His partner leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "It's okay," he reassured "this case is tricky. We'll get through it."
"Yeah," Sam smiled "I guess we will."
Karli smiled at the sight. The two loved each other like it was the easiest thing in the world. The two loved each other like it was the only thing worth doing. They loved each other like it was everything. Because it was. Bucky could go on for hours about how much he adored Sam. He could go on forever, loving him and cherishing him.
He was glad he was a detective, because, without this job, he wouldn't have met Sam. Without this case, maybe they would have yearned longer. He smiled at Sam and looked at him like he hung the moon.
Sam smiled back and that's all he needed.