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"Loki is back!"
Bucky's voice booms through the restaurant.
Sam's face flushes even though he asked for this. He sent the "SOS" text only fourteen minutes ago even though the restaurant is a good twenty minutes away. Guess super speed is good for a few things.
Bucky's rushing through the seated crowd to Sam's table when the multitude of gasps sound around the public dining room. The restaurant goes dead silent and Sam realizes how distressing that announcement could be to the civilians around them.
Sam stands abruptly, keeping his composure calm.
"He means Loki is in custody. Right, Sergeant Barnes?" Sam eyes Bucky sternly.
Bucky quickly shakes his head.
"Right, yeah," he affirms softly looking abashed when he notices everyone staring at them with faces of sheer terror.
All the surrounding patrons release sighs of relief and chatter soon fills the air again as everyone returns to their meals.
Sam turns apologetically to his date sitting across from him, who appears startled and perplexed.
"Sorry, I um need to take care of this," Sam says, pointing ruefully at his partner.
His date stands and promptly accepts the excuse.
"Of course, maybe we could reschedule sometime."
"I'll definitely try to fit you in. Thank you for understanding," Sam recites like always and then Bucky is swiftly pulling him away.
This has been their regular routine as of late. Ever since Sam got back into dating and found meeting men as Captain America is less than great.
Honestly, it's Bucky's fault this happened. After Sam came home from his first bad date and complained about how long it went on because he was too nervous to end it, Bucky offered his help. He literally phrased it as, "Just use me. I'll barge in and make up some Avengers crap you gotta handle."
It seemed like a perfect solution. This way, Sam wasn't wasting his precious time while also not dismantling the Captain America image by having to reject guys he didn't vibe with.
Of course, Sam never felt the need to discuss the criteria for Bucky's rescue missions. Tonight proved that falsifying real-life danger could cause havoc in public settings.
"We need to work on your fake emergencies," Sam comments when they return home.
Bucky promptly rolls his eyes as they kick off their shoes at the door.
"Maybe I'm running low on material," Bucky mumbles but loud enough.
"You trying to say I date too much?" Sam squawks insulted.
"No," Bucky denies and before Sam can argue, the man moves right into the kitchen and says, "Come on, I picked up your favorite Thai food."
Sam follows Bucky to the kitchen and watches his roommate open the oven door where he was clearly storing the take-out food to keep warm while he was rescuing Sam tonight.
"Woah hold up, were you assuming my date was gonna crash and burn before the entrees even arrived?" Sam accuses outright offended regardless of his favorite smell wafting through the air, making his mouth water and stomach growl.
Bucky only shrugs as he lays the food containers on the counter.
"Well, that's how your last four went. Gotta be prepared," Bucky defends plainly.
Sam winces at the unbearable truth. He sinks down into one of the kitchen chairs, feeling utterly defeated with his current love life.
"It ain't my fault all these guys are weird or insanely boring. Where are all the good guys at?" Sam whines, honestly frustrated with the slim pickings he's been encountering.
"Who knows, Sammy. Come on, it's getting cold," Bucky retorts as if the food's not piping hot and he knows it.
Sam walks over and makes himself a plate.
It's delicious.
"Sam, someone stole my arm!"
That's the next brilliant lie. Sam asked for better excuses and this is what he gets. Bucky standing at the bar without his prosthetic, pointing to the empty space as if it wasn't obvious enough he's missing a vibranium limb.
Sam's staring open-mouthed at his very dumb roommate who really thought this was a good excuse to get him out of another dreary date. Sam finally closes his mouth and frowns over at the man next to him.
"I'm so sorry, I clearly need to lend a hand here," Sam apologizes and then stands next to Bucky.
His date is somehow understanding and after they say their goodbyes, Sam quite literally rushes out of the bar. He's speeding walking far ahead of his partner in the parking lot.
"Geez, he must've really been bad," Bucky scoffs from behind him.
Sam spins back around to his roommate who continues to walk at a leisurely pace.
"Actually, I'm trying to get out of here before someone realizes how stupidly awful that lie was," Sam huffs.
"It wasn't that bad. Your response was gold," Bucky chuckles, obviously amused by the whole thing.
"Buck, this was supposed to be realistic. Can't you just go with something vague like 'Hey Cap, you're needed for a highly confidential mission.'"
"Being specific is believable. Besides, the proof is in the pudding," Bucky counters, wiggling his left shoulder.
Sam sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"This isn't worth it," he mutters into his palm.
"Okay, fine. I'll say your thing," Bucky tries to compromise.
Sam shakes his head, meeting his friend's eyes again.
"Not that. Dating. It's just exhausting going on so many disappointing dates," Sam battles.
He doesn't even realize he's staring off into the horizon contemplating his entire life until Bucky brings him back to reality.
"You don't have to go on any more bad dates," Bucky says.
Sam sighs tiredly.
"I don't want to."
"Then, go on a good one," Bucky proposes and right before Sam can debate the likelihood of that happening, Bucky adds, "With me."
Sam stares at him for a long moment, not sure he actually heard him right.
Bucky swallows tensely, growing increasingly nervous in the stretching silence.
"I'll show you a way better time. Let me take you out, Sammy," Bucky fights and he's serious. It's all in his eyes, they're swimming in oceans of sincerity.
Maybe it's the absurdly sweet nickname that developed naturally over the year they've been living together. Or perhaps, it's something that's been suppressed for far too long climbing back to the surface and Sam knows it far too well.
"Alright," Sam agrees.
Bucky's face positively lights up, it's downright adorable.
"How about right now?" Bucky poses and grabs Sam's hand like it's nothing - like they do this all the time.
Sam blinks down at their joined hands and then back up at his gleaming partner.
He finds himself smiling too.
"Sure, why the hell not."
They're sitting in an Italian restaurant across town and Sam's favorite bottle of wine has just arrived at the table. Sam's not really surprised anymore by how much Bucky knows him. The man pays attention and Sam's always appreciated it, he just never thought he'd be appreciating it on a date.
"I hope you didn't call in any backup," Bucky smirks over his wine glass.
"Backup?"
"You know, someone else to run in and get you out of here when this goes south," Bucky jokes wearing a grin too large for his face. It makes Sam's stomach swoop.
"I'm hoping I won't need one," Sam plays along.
Bucky smiles brightly at that. He's smiling so much. Is it possible Sam never let himself admire Bucky's smile enough? It looks so gorgeous tonight.
Sam shakes himself out of his staring and changes the topic.
"So, how long have you liked me?" he can't help but ask.
Bucky's smile rapidly shatters and he looks away, his cheeks visibly blushing even in the dim lighting.
"If you were gonna need a backup-" Bucky tries but Sam cuts him off.
"Don't try and change the subject."
Bucky quietly sighs and fidgets with his silverware.
"Uh, let me think," Bucky stalls and it's enough because the waiter comes over in the next minute delaying Bucky's time to respond.
They put in their order of appetizers and entrees. When the waiter walks away, Sam narrows his eyes.
"You're not getting out of the question," he warns lightheartedly.
Bucky clenches his jaw.
"Fine. The whole time," he admits.
Sam squints at him, racking his brain around the complicated timeline of their friendship.
"Gonna have to be more specific, Buck."
"Since the Flag Smashers... at least," Bucky clarifies uneasily.
"At least? You weren't even answering my texts before that."
Bucky squirms in his chair.
"I was figuring things out and I didn't think you... can we talk about something else, please," Bucky gripes looking noticeably uncomfortable.
"Alright," Sam gives in but only pauses a moment before he reveals, "For me, it's been since we started living together."
Bucky's eyes go impossibly wide.
"What?"
Sam smiles as Bucky blinks repeatedly in disbelief.
"You seriously went out on all those dates and you liked me?"
Sam shrugs, trying to think back to why he'd been repressing his lingering feelings for the other man.
"I didn't realize you were interested," Sam shares honestly. He leaves out the constant battling thoughts of complicating their partnership and living arrangement.
Bucky regrettably runs his hand through his hair.
"Dammit," Bucky mutters.
"What?" Sam snickers.
"We wasted so much time," Bucky grouses, rubbing his hand down his eyes.
"Pretty much," Sam comically supports.
He finds it pretty amusing how blind they've both been but the fact is, you can't turn back time unless you're a sorcerer. So, Sam's content just moving forward in this moment. They're on their first date thus already making incredible progress.
Bucky's still shaking his head like that will reverse time.
"I should've just barged in on one of your dates and kissed you."
"That could probably be arranged," Sam chuckles.
Bucky finally meets Sam's gaze again.
"I'd rather just kiss you on our date."
"That would be preferred," Sam teases.
An easy smile roams across Bucky's face and he shakes his head one last time.
"Can we start over?" Bucky requests.
"Why?"
"I don't wanna harp on old... this should be perfect," Bucky battles - with himself.
Sam bites a smile back and reaches over the table for his hand. Bucky meets him halfway, holding onto his hand and looking right into his eyes.
"It's already perfect."