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“You! Half! Scared! Me! To! Death!” The moment the door opened she was on him, smacking him hard with the first thing she could grab out of the laundry basket on her hip. Which happened to be Jody’s Captain America themed boxers.
“Ow! Sarah! Sarah stop it! We have a guest!” Sam had raised his arms in defence against his sisters rage, stumbling back into said guest who caught him with easy, seemingly amusing by their greeting.
Sarah gave a huff, scowling as she calmed herself.
“You, Samuel Wilson, are the bane of my existence.” She grumbled, throwing the underwear back into the basket. “And this must be...” She tilted her slightly at the tall man, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. “Bucky Barnes. The man my idiot brother ran off to find, huh?”
Bucky looked slightly uncomfortable at the acknowledgment, bowing his head gently in a respectful gesture.
“Ma’am. I’m sorry we barged in so suddenly and caused you trouble.” Sarah hummed, her frown slowly turning upwards.
“I like him. Your friends were always more polite than you.” Sam laughed lightly.
“Good to see you too, sis.”
“Ma? Who’s at the door?” Jim called out, coming into the hall with his game console in hand, not even looking up as he shot the bad guys.
“James Wilson, get your head outta your game and say hello to your uncle!” Sarah scolded. Jim snapped his head up at the mention of his uncle, Jody suddenly rounding him with the speed of a sugar high child.
“Uncle Sammy!” Jody clung to the older’s waist. Sam laughed, bending down to haul the boy into his arms. Sarah guessed there was perks to his strength training.
“Hey little man! How’s my favourite nephew?” Sam grinned.
“Hey!” Jim scolded at the insinuation, ever the grump.
“Don’t go snapping at me, Jimbo, you said so yourself that you’re ‘too old’ for Uncle Sam’s hugs.” Sam teased. Jim looked around, obviously embarrassed.
“You’re not supposed to have favourites.” Jim grumbled.
They all turned to Bucky when they heard a snort, the older man turning a little pink at the sudden attention.
“Sorry, sorry, I uh... I had a lot of sisters growing up. It’s just... it’s nice.” Bucky cleared his throat awkwardly at the end.
Sarah’s poor bleeding heart suddenly felt the urge to wrap the man up in some motherly love. Of course Sam would bring home an old tragic stray, when did he not? Her brother’s heart bled faster than a high pressure tap!
“Well, come on inside, I don’t feel like having my door blown out by some super solider cause you two spent too long in the public eye.” Sarah rolled her eyes, burying the genuine worry. Sam would never come here if he thought there was a chance of him being followed. He’d never put his family in danger on purpose.
Once the two men were inside, Sam made himself at home on the sofa, a nephew on either side of him as they tried to talk over each other to inform their uncle of how they’ve been. Ever the favourite. Perks of being a superhero.
Sam’s guest stood off to the side awkwardly, watching Sarah walk about as she put clothes away in each persons respective rooms. Sarah could feel Bucky’s eyes every time she passed the living room. She finally stopped, putting the empty laundry basket aside, turning to him.
“You prefer to be called Bucky, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Bucky stood tall like the soldier he had been, tense.
“Please, call me Sarah. Ma’am makes me sound old.” She chuckled, glancing behind to the sofa where Sam was pretending to tug at Jim’s twists and teasing him about something.
“Boys.” She mused with an eye roll.
“Yeah.” Bucky’s face softened slightly as he watched Sam. Sarah rose a brow mentally, placing a hand gently on his prosthetic without a second thought. She hesitated a moment, wondering if he’d even notice the touch since it probably didn’t have nerves, but Bucky turned his gaze to hers instantly.
“It’s getting late. Do you mind helping me in the kitchen? It’s been a while since I’ve had a helping hand.” Sarah wanted Bucky to feel comfortable in her home. She was also curious about the man that had flipped their world upside down.
“I can’t say I know more than how to dice and boil, but I wouldn’t mind learning not to survive on microwave meals, if you don’t mind.” Bucky crackled a small smile, shy yet charming. Sarah understood what the 40’s women saw in him.
“Come along then, hun.” Sarah slipped her hand into the crease of his elbow and pulled him along to the kitchen as Sam piped up.
“You better not be putting any moves on my sister, Barnes!”
“If anything she’s putting moves on me, I might just swoon!” Bucky snarked back, his tense posture seeming to melt away with Sam’s answering laugh.
Sarah threw the vegetables Bucky’s way as she went about boiling the water, heating the pan and finding the right herbs and spices. She bustled about to the sound of him chopping and dicing, and found an easy rhythm around the broad man.
“So, Bucky, you and Sam are...?” Sarah finally spoke up, leaning against the kitchen counter as she watched the pot begin to bubble.
“Uh, we’re... coworkers? I guess.” Bucky shrugged awkwardly, unsure how to explain it. “I’m stubborn and we had a similar goal but different opinions, so we started working together...him more so reluctantly.” Bucky chuckled softly.
“I just thought you two seemed close.” Sarah shrugged, not noticing the flinch of surprise from Bucky. “Like friends perhaps.” She heard a scrap of metal on metal and snapped around.
“Sorry! I’m fine, just uh, cut my finger? By accident.” The metal arm didn’t have a scratch on it, but the knife had a tiny divot where it had hit the metal. “Sorry.” Bucky winced at the knife.
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you were uh... hurt.” Sarah felt curious about the material of his arm but pushed it aside. “That should be plenty for the five of us. Thank you for the help, I’ll take it from here.” Sarah tried to ignore the kicked puppy look at the super soldiers face, but her heart squeezed a little at it nonetheless.
“Why don’t you go check on Sam and the boys? Can’t be trusted, those three.” She tried instead, and Bucky seemed a little happier at given a different task he felt he could achieve.
“Sure thing, ma’am— uh, Sarah. Sorry. It’s just weird. Steve’s Ma was a Sarah too, and I always called her Ma’am too outta respect.” Bucky scratched the back of his head, flustered.
“It must be hard. Being in such an unfamiliar place, yet have so many similar things around.” Sarah said sympathetically. She wasn’t one to coddle but this big sad white man was activating her protective instincts she usual kept for Sam or the boys. It was those damn sad eyes.
“Sometimes. I find it’s easier when the good outweighs the bad.” Bucky smiled, but it seemed more for himself than her.
“I’m glad you’re making the best of things.” Sarah rubbed his shoulder gently, patting it. “Go check on the rascals, hm?”
“Sure thing.” Bucky gave her a shy smile as he left the kitchen. Sarah smiled, returning to her cooking. As the sun began to dip, and the aroma grew strong, Sarah peaked outside the window of the kitchen and found herself smiling at the two men, Sam who was letting Jody beat on him dramatically, and Bucky who was chatting with Jim who had perch himself on the man’s flexed metal arm, grinning wider than Sarah had seen in a long time.
Jim took the blip hard, after his father was dusted. She felt horribly angry about it some days, that his father still hadn’t come back. But she feared she wouldn’t have made it during or after the blip without her little Jim’s big heart.
She pushed the window open to hear them better, ready to call out to them that dinner was ready.
“Oi, Buck, you gonna let this little tyke get the best of your partner?!” Sam called out to the brunet as he wrestled Jody.
“I think he’d just beat us both up, honestly.” Bucky mused, a small amused grin growing on his face.
“Terrible, you are a terrible friend, Buck.” Sam snorted, rolling Jody off him with a silly roar of strength. Bucky’s face went slack with surprise at Sam’s words, almost dropping Jim if not for him gripping his shoulder tighter.
Sarah furrowed her brows, confused at his reaction before remembering how Bucky had reacted to her calling them friends earlier.
Sam had never actually called them friends until now. And the way Bucky’s cheeks had grown pink against the orange sunset just proved how happy he was deep beneath his relaxed facade.
“These boys... Useless.” Sarah muttered to herself with a fond smile. “Boys! It’s dinner time! Go wash up!” Sarah finally called, grinning as Sam and Jody scrambled to stand up like they hadn’t been caught wrestling in the dirt. Bucky laughed at the display, helping Jim off his perch, patting the young teens head as he pushed him towards the door.
“You heard the boss lady, hop to it.”
—
Bucky had marvelled at Sarah’s cooking, gaining a taste for the kick of spice she’d added as he delved into seconds with Sam.
“I lived in the Great Depression, Sam, the modern food is the only thing I’m living for.” Bucky and Sam had somehow ended up facing each other as they ate, bowls in hand. The boys had run off to shower and get into their pyjamas while Sarah packed the boys lunches for school tomorrow, watching the pair talk.
Bucky had his ankle over on knee as he spoke, hands gesturing between spoonfuls. Sam had the audacity to rest one foot on the bridge of Bucky’s calf, which led to a little foot kicking war.
“I made Steve a sandwich with hot and spicy mustard once and he coughed for a full minute, it was hilarious.”
“One of my sisters made that punk a cake with cinnamon once and he almost cried, but ate the whole thing. He can’t handle a kick unless it’s to his face.” Bucky mused with a grin, kicking Sam’s ankle.
“Knew that motherfucker had a flaw.” Sam snickered, finishing his bowl as he stood, kicking Bucky’s knee as he went. The man swatted his hip as he escaped to the sink, looking back down at his bowl as he finished up his meal.
Sarah smiled as Sam passed her, kissing her head.
“Thanks for the meal, sis, you’re the best.”
“I like that, keep that up. Flattery does work on me.” Sarah glanced at Bucky before turning back to Sam. “Does it work on him?” She queried.
“Ha! I wish.” Sam grinned, looking down as he did, a soft and fond look on his features.
Oh no.
That was the same damn look Sam had when he talked about Riley back in the day.
“I see.” She mused, rounding her brother to get to the sink and fill it with water.
“Oh, no, Ma’a— Sarah, please, let me.” Bucky insisted as he stood, taking the bowl out of Sam’s hand as he shoved the man aside to take the sink hostage. “You cooked, let me wash up.”
“Sam, can we keep him? I need a gentleman around here instead of your lazy ass.” Sarah smirked.
“I was gonna offer!” No, he wasn’t.
“Oh, perfect. Bucky can wash and you can dry. I’m gonna go sit down since you boys got this.” Sarah took her leave with a grin, sitting down of the sofa with a sigh, turning the tv on.
Being a working single mother was exhausting, so she’d take what she could get out of Sam and his wonderful guest.
“Stop making me a bad guest, man!”
“I didn’t do anything, you did that yourself.”
“Dammit, if only she knew how much of an asshole you actually were.”
“She thinks I’m a gentleman.” She could hear Bucky’s smugness.
“A gentlemanly pain in my ass.”
“I’m just saying, you should appreciate your sister more.”
“I do appreciate her! But like, I’m supposed to be annoying. I’m her brother. It’s the order of things.”
“... I like her.” Sarah felt her heart swell with fondness. “She’s nice to me. Makes me feel...” He didn’t finish.
“Don’t go crushing on my sister, man. It’s weird.”
“What? No! Not like that.” Bucky scoffed, no doubt rolling his eyes. “She treats me like a person, of course I think she’s nice. I can think a girl is nice without wanting to date her.” He grumbled.
“Sorry, sorry. It’s my instinct to keep guys away from my little sis, you know? I wasn’t around when she met her late husband. Gideon gave him the shovel talk back then.”
Sarah felt a soft ache in her chest. She missed Gideon. He had been taken in the Blip but when everyone else returned he didn’t come home. Jim may have been her nephew, technically, but he was as much her son as Gideon’s after five long years alone with just her, Jim and Jody.
“Who’s Gideon?”
“He’s the eldest of the three of us. He took after our Father, who was a Reverend of the Church, and became a Minister. Jim, that’s Gideon’s son.”
“I thought Jim was...”
“He’s not Sarah’s baby, but he is her son. She earned that right when Gideon didn’t come back for Jim.” Sam’s tone was hard and certain; rightfully angry.
“I see.”
Sarah felt strangely raw at being talked about without being a participant.
“Stop that!”
“What?”
“Stop flicking me!”
“Oh so you can threaten me with that big old hunk of metal, but I can’t flick you with a little bit of cloth?”
“When have I ever— ow!” Sarah sucked in a laugh at the sound of a tee-towel hitting skin. Sam cackled.
“I’m not engaging in your little games, Sam, I’m doing the dish—“ Another smack sounded, making Sarah wince from how sharp it was.
There was silence.
A skid of feet and heavy footsteps sounded, leaving the kitchen towards the stairs before she heard a smack and a groan that sounded exactly like a bitching Sam.
“Boys?” She called, body shaking with silent laughter.
“Yes, Ma’am?” Bucky replied, sounding breathless but polite.
“You okay?” She mused.
“Of cour— Sam!” There was a thud and scuffle. Sarah sighed as she stood, walking around to the stairs to find Bucky and Sam at the bottom of them, Sam holding Bucky’s metal arm between his thighs as he pinned him down.
“Apologise!”
“You hit me first!”
“You’re supposed to be the responsible one!”
“Since when?!”
“You’re older!”
“I hate you!”
“Oh, you wanna—“
“BOYS!” The Sam scrambled away from Bucky, patting himself down as he cleared his throat. He paused, looking down at Bucky who was sprawled on the floor. He kicked him in the side.
“Get up, man!”
“Your brother is beating up a veteran and an old man, ma’am. He’s a menace to society. Take him away.” Bucky wheezed, rubbing his shoulder.
“Samuel Thomas Wilson.” Sam groaned as Bucky sputtered into laughter, rolling onto his side as he shook.
“Oh my god, your middle name is Thomas?”
“Your middle name is literally Buchanan. He was pro-slavery. Shut your white ass up.” Bucky pursed his lips, grimacing.
“That’s fair... Tommy.”
“I HATE YOU!”
“Uncle Sam, stop yelling at Uncle Buck! We’re trying to watch the newest episode of Batman!” Jim complained from the top of the stairs, scowling in annoyance.
“I— what did you just call him?” Sam blinked in surprise as Bucky rose his brows.
“Uncle Buck?”
“Oh my god.”
“Welcome to the family, Bucky.” Sarah chuckled, patting Sam’s shoulder. “It’s your fault, Sam. You keep adopting white men.”
“I do not—“
“Riley. Steve. Bucky.”
“Shut up.”
“To be fair, this is first one you’ve brought home so that’s a plus.” Sarah grinned, squeezing his shoulder as she glanced at Bucky.
He looked close to tears; but he didn’t seem sad. More overwhelmed. Sarah leant into Sam’s ear.
“Go take him for some fresh air, hm?” Sarah patted Sam’s shoulder as she turned up the stairs to meet Jim. “What’s this about Batman?” Jim smiled a little shyly but led Sarah away to Jody’s room where it was playing.
She barely heard Sam and Bucky’s conversation as she left.
“Hey, man, don’t, don’t cry okay? Come on, let’s go take a breather, my family can be a lot...”
“I never got to be an uncle...”
“Bucky....”
“Sorry, let’s go, I’m sorry—“
She didn’t hear much else until she heard the front door close heavily.
They didn’t return until well past the boys bedtime, Sarah barely keeping herself awake on the couch as the tv ran an old program of golden girls.
“— Be quiet, I don’t wanna wake the boys.” Sam said quietly, gaining Sarah’s attention. She didn’t bother opening her eyes back up.
“Sorry I kept us out so late—“
“I think you needed the breather. There’s a lot more space out here than the city. It was a good chance for a walk and talk.” Sam insisted, Bucky not responding for a few moments. Sarah peaked an eye open to see Sam’s hand on the back of Bucky’s neck, a thumb rubbing the tension out of the broad fellow. She smiled softly.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” Bucky muttered, looking up at the couch where Sarah sat, curled up and apparently sleeping. “I’ll take the floor.” Bucky said this time.
“No, it’s fine, I’ll just wake her up and move her—“
“I don’t want to bother her, Sam. She’s been... good to me. Your family has been good to me.” There was quiet and then Sam sighed.
“I’d offer my bed but you wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.”
“You’re not gonna let this go, are you?” Bucky whispered.
“Don’t really want to, Buck.”
“Fine. Fine.” Bucky sighed. “I’ll take her to bed. I can lift her.” Sarah was tempted to just open her eyes and do so herself, but she was curious.
“Bucky—“ Bucky didn’t let Sam stop him, slipping his hands under her knees and shoulders, lifting her easily against his chest.
“I used to do this for Rebecca when we were still so small...” He murmured, holding her that little bit closer.
“... Her rooms up this way.” Sam led Bucky to Sarah’s room, opening the door and letting Bucky lay her on the bed. Bucky pulled the blanket over her, his warm flesh hand pushing a few braids behind her ear. Sarah focused on keeping her breathing regular, feeling nostalgic. She had a sudden feeling of sadness pass through her as she remembered her father doing the same to her as a little girl before he died.
“Sleep well, Sarah.” Bucky rubbed a gentle hand over her shoulder as he walked to Sam by the door.
“You two are awfully close already, huh?” Sam sounded stiff as he spoke. A telltale sign of jealousy, of unease, in her brother.
“She...Sarah reminds me of a lot of good things. From my old life. She feels like...” He was quiet a solid three tense seconds before he chuckled. “Home. She feels like being back home with Ma and my sisters.” He mused finally, footsteps leaving the room. Sam’s own feet didn’t follow.
“I know you’re not asleep, Sarah.”
“And?” She murmured, close enough to it.
“...Thank you.” Sam sounded grateful too. “For just... existing. Even though you’re an unbearable sister.” He chuckled and she threw her spare pillow at the doorway where he was. He caught it and grinned.
“Have you realised it, yet?” She hummed.
“Realised what?” Sam rose a brow.
“Bucky. What you two are.”
“And what are we?” Sam gave a falser grin, the hint of self deprecation in his gaze he’s had buried since he lost Riley.
“I think you know. I don’t know if Bucky’s realised it yet, but I know you two can only be so clueless.”
“I... I know I act like I know what I’m doing, sis, but I don’t.” Sam laughed wryly.
“You don’t have to. You’ll both figure it out eventually.” She smiled, sleepy and soft as she tucked herself deeper into her sheets.
“...I love you, sis.”
“I love you too, Sam.”
—
Sarah watched the two men spar and kick up mud outside as she prepared her breakfast, the boys bustling about so they could run for the bus to school.
They’d been out there since before anyone else had awoken, both sweaty and obviously tired but still going.
Bucky had the advantage of brute force and quick strategy but Sam was agile and just as quick on his feet, one with every part of his body and knowing where to use each part of it from memory alone.
Bucky lacked the full connection of brain to body, distrusting his own being. He thought too much before every action instead of trusting muscle memory when he fought Sam. His muscle memory wasn’t his though, but the soldiers, and it put him at enough of a disadvantage that Sam could pin him with ease.
After five minutes of watching them, sipping her coffee, she noticed that Sam was starting to let Bucky win, letting the man flip and pin him. Sam’s warm laughter made Bucky furrow his brows and the elder grumbled.
“You can’t let me win, Sam!”
“Come on man, you were starting to look like a kicked puppy when I kept owning your ass!” Sam laughed breathlessly, shirt soaked with sweat as he laid against the dewy grass.
“The point of sparring is to improve, Sam.” Bucky huffed, hands on his knees as he regularity his breathing.
“Bucky, you obviously don’t want to hurt me. You’re holding back.”
“Sam, I hold back with everyone I don’t want to instantly kill.” Bucky deadpanned.
“Oh, I’m glad I moved off that list at least.” Sam grinned, putting his hand up. “Help me up would you?”
Bucky looked like he was muttering something angrily as he grabbed Sam’s hand with his left and hauled him up roughly. Sam let out a noise of surprise as he collided, chest to chest with the soldier.
Bucky looked surprised, the only face Sarah could see with Sam’s blocked out of view. His metal hand was still holding Sam’s own, the black and gold melting into the warm brown of Sam’s skin.
Bucky’s flushed face from sparring seemed to grow darker as he released Sam’s hand, stepping back. Sam cleared his throat, stepping back too the moment he felt Bucky move.
“Um, thanks, Buck.” Sam cleared his throat and looked away. Sarah sighed into her cup as the two men quickly agreed to head back inside for showers and breakfast. Sarah wanted to smack them both.
—
It’s been five days since Sam and Bucky had arrived. Sarah was happy to have Bucky around. He was a right gentleman, helping around the house and drawing Jim out of his shell. The boy had taken a shine to the man, seemingly okay with not being Sam’s ‘favourite nephew’ anymore when he had Uncle Buck in his corner.
Which resulted in stupid arguments like the one they were having right now.
“You’re stealing my nephew!”
“I’m not stealing your nephew, Sam.”
“You so totally are and I want my Jimbo back.”
“Jimbo? That’s terrible. Jim is already his nickname. His name is actually James.”
“Stop stealing my James then!”
“Uncle Buck!” Jim was running down the stairs despite Sarah’s warning, grabbing the man’s arm. “Come check this out! The new designs for Nightwing just came out!”
Sam let out a dramatic gasp.
“That used to our thing, Jim! Hero costumes!” Jim looked at Sam and rose a brow.
“I mean, you can see too if you want.” He shrugged. Sam turned to glare at Bucky.
“Proof. You’re stealing my James.” Jim furrowed his brows in confusion before huffing in frustration.
“Uncle Sam, you’re the one stealing James from me.”
“What?” Sam blinked in surprise; he wasn’t used to Bucky being called James. “How the hell am I stealing James?”
“You’re always hanging out with him! I wanna hang out with him too!” The thirteen year old had the audacity to cross his arms and glare at his uncle.
“Wha—“ Sam grabbed Bucky’s shoulder. “Get your own James!” Sarah covered her mouth to muffle her laugh. He sounded so offended to be challenge by a barely teenage.
“Do I get a say in this—?”
“NO!” Both boys turned to Bucky and then back to each other to sear each other with a burning glare.
“Okay, okay, that enough.” Sarah finally stepped in between the children. “There’s enough James to go around.”
“Like there’s enough Uncle Sammy!” Jody popped up from behind his favourite uncle, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist.
Bucky looked down at the child with a grin.
“Yeah, there’s enough Sam to go around too.”
“Enough for me, get your own Sam.” Jody pouted, squeezing his uncle tighter. Bucky’s brow twitched.
“I’m suddenly filled with unbridled rage.” Bucky whispered to himself and Sarah grinned wider.
These boys were hopeless.
—
Sarah watched as Sam and Bucky chatted from a distance, Bucky squinting against the sun as the boat rocked gently under them. Sarah was enjoying a nice break in the shade from fishing, sipping her lemonade as the two circled each other, Bucky grabbing different tools at Sam’s request and touching random pipes and latches while Sam obviously reprimanded him.
Their body language was so open around each other, both feeding off it as they bickered and laughed.
Bucky was leaning against the mast as Sam spoke, intent interest on the others features as he nodded along. Sam was making more gestures than normal. It made Sarah smile. She still believed the boat couldn’t be saved, but Sam was insistent that they’d find a way.
Sam was always the stubborn one, too bullheaded for his own good.
“Hey, Ma?” Sarah looked up at Jim with a raised brow.
“Hey, what’s up, baby?” Sarah glanced over to Jody who was chatting away to one of their neighbours, Ester. He was a nice old man, but after his wife passed away while he was blipped, he’s taken to being a bit of a hermit. The younger fishermen in the neighbourhood had collectively convinced him to come to the docks on Saturday’s so he wasn’t left to be lonely in that quiet house of his. “Ester too boring for you?” She chuckled.
“Oh, always. Guy can go on for hours about his teacup collection.” Jim grinned but shook his head. “But nah, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What do you need, honey?”
“Uh, Uncle Sam and Uncle Buck...” Jim pointed at the pair, and Sarah noticed they had gotten closer, both wearing mischievous grins. Her instincts as a mother with two kids made her weary of that shared look.
“What about ‘em?” She hummed.
“Is Buck Uncle Sam’s boyfriend?” Sarah laughed. “What? Don’t laugh! I can’t tell and I didn’t want to ask them!” The teens mood seemed to sour, thinking he was being mocked for his lack of knowledge.
“No, no, honey, it’s just funny. No, Bucky isn’t Sam’s boyfriend. But I have a good feeling that’s going to change soon.” Sarah shook her head as she chuckled, turning to look back at the pair only to see Sam push Bucky overboard.
“SAMUEL!” She screeched in shock, running over to the boat as Sam broke into laughter, looking over the edge.
“I GOT SOMETHING!” She heard Bucky yell from below, shoving Sam aside to look down at the soppy wet super soldier holding a fish by the tail as it flopped, smacking him in the face.
“Good on ya, Buck! Providing for the family like some caveman.” Sam said the last part to Sarah with a owlish laugh, eyes fondly crinkling as the soldier pushed the wet hair out of his face.
“Yeah, let’s see you catch a fish when I kick your ass overboard!” Bucky yelled back, flashing teeth as he ducked back under water to swim towards the jetty.
He climbed up and out, still holding the fish that was flipping about, wet clothes clinging to his frame.
“Mm.” Sarah smacked Sam’s shoulder when she caught him staring unabashedly.
“Ow! Like you wouldn’t!”
“If you wouldn’t do it to a woman, you don’t do it to a man.” Sarah glared and Sam pursed his lips but sighed.
“Fine, yeah, you’re right, I’ll stop leering.” Sam looked almost pouty as he made his way off the boat towards Bucky who hit Sam with the fish.
“What’s with y’all beating on me?!” Sam rose his arms up to defend himself, making a grab for the slimy fish. Bucky grinned.
“You make it too easy, man.”
“I’ll show you easy!” Sam tackled the larger man, toppling them both over the jetty as Jim and Jody laughed, Ester even letting out a little chuckle.
Sarah shook her head fondly.
“Boys.”
—
It was coming up to almost two weeks of Sam and Bucky hanging around the place, and Sarah was honest, she loved them both but...
She needed her space back!
She’d been living by herself with the boys for five years! Having company was nice but it was tiring. Especially when the company was Sam and Bucky and their damn idiocy.
They bicker and fight over stupid things, or they’re sending each other heart eyes when the others not looking.
Sarah was pretty sure they were both aware of their own feelings towards each other, but Sam seemed to be certain Bucky wasn’t interested in anything but friendship and Bucky seemed to be a whole bucket of self worth issues and assuming him and Sam being friends was the best he’d ever achieve.
Sarah didn’t want to step in but if she didn’t soon, she might have to deal with this for another few years before they pulled their heads out of their asses.
“Hey Bucky, can you help me with dinner tonight?” Bucky had grown a knack for cooking during his stay here. He’d even volunteered to make lunch the other day and it hadn’t been half bad. She was also pretty sure if they had expressed any displeasure Bucky would have crumbled. Man needed a little praise and affection in his life.
Thankfully Sam offered just enough to make it not go to Bucky’s head.
“Sure, Sarah!” Bucky had also gotten more used to calling her by name. Sarah had found ‘Ma’am’ charming at first but she liked her name better.
“Why don’t you ever ask me to help? I learnt just as much from Ma and Titi as you did!” Sam frowned.
“This house is full of boys day in and out, and Bucky grew up with all girls, he needs a little girl time!” Sarah insisted and Bucky laughed.
“I don’t mind it. You’re a delight, Sarah.”
“I’m glad someone thinks so!” Sarah gave Sam a pointed look and he rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, you girls go gossip without me.” Sam scoffed, smacking Jim’s lightly to get his attention while he gestured to Bucky and Sarah, giving another eye roll. Jim grinned, smacking his Uncle back, which just created another slap and poke war.
“Boys.” Bucky said with disdain before Sarah could, making her snort.
“Alright, come along, girlie.” Bucky grinned and shook his head at the silliness of it all, letting Sarah lead him into the kitchen.
They bustled around each other with ease, having learned to avoid bumping after the first few days.
“So, Bucky, you like our family, right?” Sarah queried after a few minutes of them flittering about.
“You know I do, Sarah. I think of you as a sister, and the boys as nephews I never got to know.” Bucky said, voice soft and sincere. Sarah looked at him and saw his baby blues were just as sincere as his voice.
“I’m glad.” She smiled back, sneaking a piece of chopped carrot into her mouth. “How do you feel about marrying into it?”
Bucky’s hand slipped and he dropped the knife as he choked on spit, placing a hand over his mouth as he coughed out his surprise.
“What?” He said in a strangled voice.
“You have super hearing, you heard me.” Sarah rose a brow in challenge and Bucky flushed pink.
“I, that’s uh... That was very sudden, I just, I just said I see you as a sister is all and while I like girls and you’re very pretty—“ Sarah burst into laughter. “What? What is it? What’s so funny?” He looked more concerned and confused with each second.
“Oh no, Bucky, no. Not us. You and Sam.” Sarah grinned.
“Pardon?” Bucky’s face tinted darker as he cleared his throat.
“You like Sam. As more than a friend. Romantically.”
“I don’t know what gave you that idea.” Oh god, Bucky Barnes, the Winter Solider, a literal ex-spy and assassin, couldn’t lie to save his life.
His entire posture just screamed liar.
“James Bucky Barnes. Don’t lie to me.” She put on her mom voice, knowing how effective it was on her own James.
“...That’s not fair.” Bucky deflated, hanging his head. “How did you know?”
“Besides the heart eyes? You got the same stupid lovestruck smile my brother gets when he’s with you.” Sarah smiled knowingly.
“What how who?” Bucky blinked rapidly at Sarah, expecting her to say more.
“I know my brother when he’s crushing hard. And he is. On you. He had the same damn smile talking about you that he used to have talking about Riley.” Bucky’s face shadowed at the mention of Riley, obviously having had a long talk already about him with Sam in the past. His expression showed a great deal of sadness at the name, upset on Sam’s behalf.
Sarah had a feeling this stupid broken white boy with a knack for recklessness and snark was gonna be the one for her equally reckless brother and she was gonna have to say a prayer to god because she didn’t know if she could survive four troublesome boys in her life.
“So... you’re certain our Sam, Sam Wilson, likes me? Like... wants to date me, kind of like.” Bucky picked at his nails with an anxious glance to the doorway of the living room where Sam was watching TV with the boys.
“Honey, I wouldn’t tell you this if I didn’t think our Sam adored you.” Sarah placed a gentle hand over Bucky’s, earning a small, happily flustered smile.
“I just— I don’t want to approach him and then he doesn’t feel the same. I don’t... I don’t want to ruin this balance we got by tipping the scales too far, y’know?” Bucky fidgeted with his metal hand, tapping his nail against the black.
“You have nothing to lose, Bucky. You only have something to gain.” Sarah turned back to the stove with those words or wisdom and figuratively settled herself in.
This was the make or break and she was just there to observe with her fingers crossed.
—
Sarah watched from the porch with a mug in hand as she watched Bucky and Sam push Jody on the tire swing.
They were heading off for the next length of their mission now that they had found a lead on Zemo’s whereabouts, though that was all Sam would tell her. She couldn’t help but worry for their safety when they packed their bags last night, saying they’d be heading off at day break.
The boys had woken up extra early to get their last few minutes in with their uncles, Jim chattering away to Bucky as Sam laughed at whatever they were saying. Jody was happy to just observe and swing.
“I’m gonna miss ‘em.” As much as she liked her space and her boys to herself, she would miss the everloving fuck out of her brother and his gentleman.
It looked like Sam was wrapping things up with his nephews as the orange sunrise began to fade into a pink and blue mirage. He squeezed them both tightly, even if Jim acted like he didn’t care for one.
Jim was tentative in motioning for a hug from Bucky but the man gave it with ease, pulling both boys closer and up off their feet with little struggle. Jody gave a squeal while Jim squeaked, voice cracking as he told Bucky to put him down.
Sarah sighed softly as she stood, walking over to the four as Bucky put the boys down, Sam grinning and pulling on Jim’s twists like he was pulling a girls pigtails, ribbing him about his voice cracks.
“Do I get one of those hugs, or am I too big for ‘em?” Sarah joked.
“How can I deny you?” Bucky grinned, gathering Sarah around the waist and lifting her up to squeeze her in a hug.
“Oh! I don’t think my back can take too many of those bone crushers.” Sarah wheezed. “Put me down, put me down.” She giggled as Buck complied, pulling Sarah in for a proper hug, rubbing her back.
“Thank you for letting us stay as long as we did, Sarah.” Bucky spoke softly his gratitude, giving her a firm squeeze before letting go. “I haven’t felt that welcomed in a long time.” He admitted.
“You’re always welcome here, Bucky. You’re just as much family as Sam is.” Sarah cupped Bucky’s face with a sincere look, and Bucky returned it was a shy smile.
“Okay, okay, hands off the merchandise, we got places to be.” Sam interrupted, though he didn’t sound as peeved as usual about their closeness. “Go, shoo, brats.” He gestured to the boys to scurry off. “Come on, bring one in for your brother, lil Sarah.” Sam wrapped warm, familiar arms around his sister, kissing her temple. “Call me if you need anything. And next time I pick up and talk about fake evil shit, play along.”
Sarah laughed.
“I don’t know, life might be quieter if the mob takes you out.”
“You’d go stir crazy without my kind of crazy lurking in the corners of your mundane life.”
“Mm, maybe.” Sarah shook her head in amusement. “You boys better get on the road. You got a Baron to catch.”
“Ma’am, yes, Ma’am.” Bucky saluted, Sam mocking his salute as the man walked over to the car.
“You take care of yourself and the boys, okay?”
“And you take care of yourself and your boy.” Sam gave a bashful smile at her words, nodding softly.
“I will. I love you, sis.”
“Love you too, Sam. Go kick ass.”
“You know I will.” Sam gave a confident grin as he jogged on after Bucky, dodging around the super solider to open the car door.
“Ladies first.” Sarah heard Sam faintly as the cheeky man rested his chin on his hands, waiting.
“Thanks, Samuel.” Bucky returned, tone smug as he leaned in a planted a kiss on her brothers lips. As Bucky slipped into the passenger seat, Sam stood with wide eyes and a half open mouth.
She watched as his fish mouth turned into a beaming toothy grin, slamming the door shut behind Bucky and fist pumping the air in a way that felt distinctly like Freddie Mercury. Sarah laughed at his display.
“This is gonna be a good day, lil Sarah—“
“Oh god, just go—“
“This gonna be a damn good day for Sam motherfuckin’ Wilson, baby!” He pulled open the drivers seat door and pointed at her.
“Keep it chill, Sarah Wilson.”
“You’re so embarrassing, leave.”
“I will, but not because you told me too.” Sam slipped into the drivers seat, slamming the door behind him.
The engine rumbled to life as they took down the road, and Sarah felt strangely full and empty all at once.
“I’m gonna miss those assholes.” Sarah smiled to herself as she walked back to the porch where Jim and Jody were laughing and poking each other.
“Hey Ma! Looks like you were right!” Jim grinned. He looked so much like Gideon when he smiled.
“Excuse me, young man?” Sarah rose a brow at Jim. “Your Mama is always right! Now get inside before I do or I’ll be rethinking that morning cocoa.”
Both boys grinned, Jody letting out a squeal as they bolted into the house. Sarah looked at her home, her life, and smiled.
Looks like she wouldn’t need to sort out another bed for Bucky next time he stopped by.