Love that Lasts Forever

eternal

A/N: words: 2442. this FICCCCCC. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. b r o. new favourite fic of mine i saw yes. not to pick favourites but nothing can beat the vibes. anyway, enjoy!

And the days passed like a river. So calm, so easy, flowing as they were supposed to. With the pure force of knowing. Knowing it was going to be a forever, and nothing else. No flimsy promise, no lies written beneath the words. An oath of forever that seemed put in place the moment they locked eyes. And Sam couldn't be happier. He genuinely could not be more at peace. The only issue was that Sam still had 4 broken ribs, and Christmas was now coming up.

"Sam, I'm telling you, it's not the end of the world." It really wasn't. Sam was concerned that, with the broken vital bones, it might slow him down in terms of Christmas festivities.

"Buck, this is my first real Christmas back here. I should be able to do normal Christmas things with my nephews." Sam argued, a small sigh escaping his lips. He and Bucky were seated in their living room, Sam's head resting against Bucky's knee. "I just... I wanna be there, finally be there."

"I'm sorry I kept you." The words feel faster than Bucky intended, and he watched as Sam turned his head to meet his eye.

"You didn't keep me, you found me."

Bucky pursed his lips to hide his smile, bowing his head. Sam's laughter filled the room, a grin spread across his face. "I know... I- I know, but I live here, and I've met your family, and sometimes I just think about the Sam I met in Bucharest who just wanted his family back."

"I think about that Sam, too, Buck." Sam admitted. "But, I'm telling you, I wouldn't have had it go any other way." Sam fiddled with the ring laying flat on his chest to emphasize his point. "Speaking of my family, when are we going to tell my sister?"

"Um."

"What did you do?"

"I didn't tell her I asked."

"No, but you told her before you did it, didn't you?" Sam inquired, a small smile dancing on his features.

"Okay, I did." Bucky said slowly. "In fairness, I'm very old-fashioned." Sam huffed out a laugh, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever, old timer, she still doesn't know that you actually asked me."

"We could just... walk in."

"And not mention it."

"And see if she notices."

"And bet money on it?" Sam suggested.

"Always." Bucky grinned down at Sam.

~~~~~~~~~

"You shouldn't be walking." Sarah scolded, watching as Sam hobbled into her front door, one arm looped around a crutch, the other around Bucky. Her eyes passed over the two, before her features slipped into an expression more smug. "The neighbours must've had a field day watching y'all get outta the car."

"Hilarious, Sar, thank you." Sam said dryly. His sister grinned. There was something off about her, Sam could tell.

"Sit down, I'll be in there in a minute." Sarah told them. Sam gestured for Bucky to go before him. Bucky raised an eyebrow, his eyes going softer, before making his way to the living room alone.

When Sam met Sarah's eyes, her grin was sliding off her face. "What's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Nothin', I'm fine."

"We both know that's not true." Sarah sighed, hanging her head low. Sam watched has his sister had conviction dancing around her face, before swiping her hand across her face.