Amends (Sambucky)

Chapter Twenty

"You're slow today."

Sam's face twisted in distaste as he sped up, but Bucky followed in suit. The sun had just begun to rise, and the two decided to take a run before the day began- something they did more often than not.

"Wanna turn around?" Bucky questioned.

"I'm fine," Sam panted, trying to ignore how much more tired talking made him.

Bucky stopped the both of them, taking note of how Sam was trying to hide his hard breathing, "Did you sleep?"

"Yes! I'm just feeling a bit....." Sam breathed, trying to catch his breath, "A bit under the weather."

Bucky began to walk back to the hotel, "Your body won't be able to fight anything off if it's put under too much stress. You're already slow without sickness."

"I could kick your ass any day. Sick or not," Sam huffed, but followed Bucky anyway. A weight instantly lifted off his back, not having to say anything in order to turn back, or having Bucky look at him differently for it, felt much better than he'd anticipated. There were moments that he shared with Bucky that he couldn't with anyone else; he was never able to be as vulnerable.

Bucky shoved his hands in his pockets, both of them in joggers. He noticed Sam go quiet as they walked back, the sound of nature surrounding them. Still, it was too quiet, "You're thinking hard."

A small smile fell on Sam's face, "I am."

Bucky glanced over, not able to help returning it, "What about?"

Sam shrugged with a hint of embarrassment on his cheeks, "My birthday's coming up in four days. I'm really excited."

"Oh yeah?" Bucky raised his eyebrows, "September 23rd?"

"Yeah," Sam breathed, "I mean, I've never really done anything big, but I've always wanted to. Plus, Riley's back this time, and Sharon knows. I think it'll be fun."

Bucky forced a smile, but his teeth ground together, "That's nice."

"Yeah, I love birthdays," Sam explained, "I look forward to them. What about you?"

Bucky raised an eyebrow, "What about me?"

"Anything you lookin' forward to?"

Bucky thought for a moment, "In two days, it's the autumnal equinox. My mom always made a huge deal of it; she loved fall. Said that it always brought good things. It's kinda stupid to be honest."

"So you celebrate it?" Sam asked.

"No, not anymore. I haven't really celebrated anything in awhile," Bucky admitted, "But I remember she'd have a whole party, bake a bunch of stuff, invite a bunch of people over. Still, I'd rather she didn't let all those people come. I never liked celebrating things."

Sam frowned, "Well you have to have something to look forward to. Life is better when we celebrate everything."

Bucky shook his head, "If you say so."

Sam laughed, it shifting to a small cough. He brushed it off, "Yeah...yeah I do."

~~~~~