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Sam winced as the wind rattled the windows, and the rain poured against them. It was dark and dull in the living room. He couldn’t be bothered to get up and turn on the light, so he remained in the darkness. He was staying with Sarah and the boys, but AJ and Cass were at school and Sarah was busy. So he was left by himself, to think. Sure, he could watch something, or do something, but he just sat there and thought about things. His mind automatically wandered to Bucky, but he tried to dismiss those thoughts. Sarah would tease him about his ‘crush’ on Bucky, but of course he would deny it. Bucky had made his decision, so there was no point wasting his time on feelings that wouldn’t be returned. The wind whistled loudly and he couldn’t help but pull the blanket around him tighter. It wasn’t that he was cold exactly, he just felt the need for a blanket. It was comforting, an embrace for when he had no one there. He had just closed his eyes when a sharp knock on the door occurred. He jumped, a chill going down his spine. He hesitantly got up, making his way over to the front door. Looking out the window, it was really chucking it down. He slowly opened the door a tiny bit, the cold air coming in. To his surprise, there stood Bucky.
“Hi…” said Bucky slowly. Sam froze. What was he doing here? He had left a couple of weeks ago, and Sam was sure he wasn’t going to come back.
“Er…” Sam thought he probably shouldn’t outright ask what he was doing there. It would be rude. Besides, it was pouring rain and Bucky was soaked. Sam opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in. Bucky shuffled into the house, and Sam quickly shut the door. The sound of the wind and rain became quieter, and it was the only sound in the almost silent room. Sam turned to Bucky, looking him up and down.
“I’ll go get you a towel and some dry clothes,” said Sam, throwing his blanket onto the sofa and leaving the room. Bucky nodded, saying nothing. He stood awkwardly in the middle of the room as Sam left to find him some clothes. The storm outside seemed to be getting worse, so he probably wouldn’t be able to leave for a while. He didn’t really know why he came here, it’s just, he didn’t have anywhere else to go. He wanted to be close to Sam, it killed him to be so far away from him. Sam came back after a moment and threw a towel at him. Bucky was caught off guard, and couldn’t see a moment later as the towel landed on his head. Sam chuckled, putting the clothes on the coffee table. Bucky dried his face and hair.
“So,” began Sam, watching Bucky from his spot on the sofa. “Why’d you come back?” He asked, his arms crossed.
Bucky felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn’t have come back, really. He had intruded in their home, and Sam let him in because he’s a good person. A really good person. And Bucky loved him for that.
“Oh…” Bucky stammered, trying to think of a good reason that wasn’t ‘I’m completely in love with you and couldn’t bear being away from you for a second longer’. He cringed.
“Er… I was in the neighbourhood,” he said after a moment’s contemplation. Sam scoffed.
“Really?” He asked, an eyebrow raised. Bucky mentally cursed himself. Of course Sam wouldn’t believe him, he knew him too well. He knew when he was lying.
“Um…” Bucky couldn’t think of something else to say. He looked down, not able to meet Sam’s eyes. His eyes were too hypnotising and beautiful, he was sure he would get lost and never be found again. He clutched onto the towel.
Sam chuckled. “It’s fine, Buck,” he said, his eyes not leaving Bucky. Bucky’s heartbeat sped up and his cheeks flushed. He knew Sam was looking at him, but he couldn’t meet his gaze. Damn it, Wilson. Stop being so damn gorgeous.
“It’s not like I hate you or anything,” continued Sam with a shrug. Bucky chuckled weakly. Sam watched him carefully.
“You can go change in the bathroom,” said Sam, gesturing to the clothes on the table, and then to the bathroom. Bucky nodded, quickly grabbing the clothes and scrambling towards the bathroom, going in and shutting the door. Sam smiled, running a hand down his face. What luck that a certain handsome ex-soldier happened to turn up on his doorstep today? Sam bit his lip, his smile becoming a grin. Gosh, he was so head over heels for this man. He couldn’t help but be elated that Bucky had come back, he thought he never would. He thought he had deserted them, and Sam was prepared to be mad at him if he did come back. But he just couldn’t be. Bucky came out of the bathroom after a couple of minutes. Sam had just given him a Tshirt and some jogging bottoms to wear.
“Storm doesn’t seem to be easin’ off,” said Sam, watching Bucky with a smile on his face. He sat down next to Sam. His hand brushed Sam’s for a moment, but he pulled it away quickly.
“Guess I’ll have to stick around,” Bucky said, offering a smile. Sam’s heart beat loud in his chest. His smile had no right being that intoxicating. They sat in silence, neither daring to move. The storm did indeed seem to be getting stronger, and the rain and wind on the windows became louder. Sam almost wanted to shut the curtains, so at least they couldn’t see the roaring rain.
“Are you cold?” Asked Sam, turning to Bucky. He had gotten lost in his train of thought that he’d almost forgotten Bucky was there.
“A little,” said Bucky. Sam nodded, getting up. He went into the cupboard and found some more blankets. He brought the pile back into the living room, dumping them on the sofa and passing a thick soft one to Bucky. That blanket was the favourite in the house.
“Thanks, Sam,” Bucky said whilst wrapping the blanket around himself. Sam smiled.
“You might have to stay the night,” said Sam, looking out the window again. Bucky nodded, following Sam’s gaze.
“I’m sure it’ll ease off,” said Bucky, a sliver of hope in his voice. He did really want to stay with Sam, but he felt guilty for leaving so suddenly.
Sam bit his lip. “I wouldn’t get too hopeful,” he said, tearing his eyes away from the storm outside. Bucky nodded slowly, his eyes meeting Sam’s. Sam could feel the tension between the two, and he was sure Bucky could as well. It was undeniable.
“Hey, Buck…” started Sam, grabbing a blanket and pulling it around his shoulders. Bucky sat, intently listening.
“Why did you leave so suddenly?” Sam said after a moment. Silence followed that question as Bucky thought about what to say. Sam was nervous, to say the least. But, surely Bucky couldn’t hate him and his family, otherwise he wouldn’t have come back.
“You didn’t tell me anything,” added Sam, an undertone of hurt in his voice. Bucky’s expression turned guilty.
“I don’t know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. Sam pursed his lips. That’s not an answer. He waited for Bucky to say something.
“I guess I just…” Bucky said slowly, overthinking how to phrase this. Sam patiently awaited his answer, he didn’t want to pressure him. Bucky looked away, gathering his thoughts and words. The silence was killing Sam, he just wanted to know why. And if Bucky couldn’t give a proper answer, then why did he come back? Bucky met Sam’s eyes again. He took a deep breath, shaking his head slightly as if to shake off his nerves.
“I think… I’m in love with you,” mumbled Bucky, looking down at his hands. Sam’s eyes widened.
“What?” He said, his heart skipping a beat. Did he really just say that?
“Oh my god, Buck,” said Sam, running a hand down his face. Bucky looked at him in confusion.
“What?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. Sam grabbed Bucky’s hands.
“I can’t stand another day without you,” said Sam, holding his hands tightly. “I want to be with you all the time.” He pressed a kiss to Bucky’s hand. Bucky opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“So… you love me too?” Asked Bucky, trying to wrap his head around the fact that Sam Wilson felt the same way as he did about him. Sam nodded, squeezing Bucky’s hands.
“Yeah,” he said with a grin. A smile made its way onto Bucky’s face. He leant forward and kissed Sam, honestly quite proud of himself to have both confessed first and kissed Sam first. Sam wrapped his arms around Bucky and pulled him closer. They broke apart, the storm having been completely forgotten. Bucky stroked Sam’s cheek.
“You’re amazing,” said Sam, kissing Bucky again.