First We Were Friends - A Bucky Barnes Novel

Chapter 7. Details

As soon as they stepped inside the sliding glass doors from the deck Sam started talking.  "You know what you're saying, right?" he asked.  "You basically are moving here, an hour from the nearest airport, to stay with Julia but keep on being an Avenger.  You think Rhodes is going to accept that?"

"Hope and Scott get to live in California, why can't I?" asked Bucky.  "Rhodes lived in California when he was first an Avenger, so did Tony Stark.  I don't know why it should be a big deal for me to be here."

"Because they weren't on conditional pardon," said Sam.  "Are you even allowed to live elsewhere?"

"No one complained when I moved from Brooklyn to New Orleans," stated Bucky, getting a little frustrated.  "Why are you against this?"

"Because you really don't know Julia that well," said Sam.  "Look, I like her.  She's lovely.  But what if she spirals, like her Dad says?  How are you going to handle that?  It's not like you're known for your patience."

"You think I'll lose it with her?" asked Bucky, getting a little angry.  "Is that it?  You think I would hurt her?  That's not who I am and I'm insulted you would even think that."

"No, I don't think you would hurt her," said Sam, pulling back.  "In fact, I think you would bend over backwards for her.  It's just ... this decision seems so impulsive, I'm concerned you're moving too fast."

"Yeah," admitted Bucky, his anger dissipating.  "It came out of nowhere, I'll admit that.  But I feel peaceful when I'm with her, Sam.  I feel the same as the six months in Wakanda when I was a farmer.  Normal, and that's a big deal for me."

"I can accept that," said Sam, after considering Bucky's words for several moments.  "Maybe normal is what you need more than anything.  Just don't be so impulsive about it.  If you're right for each other then slowing it down won't hurt."

He offered his hand to Bucky and they clasped their hands together then patted each other on the shoulder.  Returning outside they started back on the shingles on the side of the house and worked on them throughout the morning.  Storm clouds began building up early in the afternoon and when the rain drops started spattering on them they decided to pack it up.  By the time they put the ladder in the garage it was coming down and they got inside the house just in time.  Sam checked the forecast and saw that rain was expected for a couple of more hours.

"Was there any inside work on the list?" he asked Bucky, who had tacked it onto the fridge.

They both stood there reading it.  Painting was last on the list, but only if they had time.  They both looked at each other.

"Now I feel like I'm being taken advantage of," said Bucky. 

A knock on the deck door caught their attention.  Janey was there with an umbrella.  They slid the door open and she stepped in while shaking the umbrella off outside.

"Come on over," she said.  "A major board game is about to begin and we need more players."

"We're supposed to be painting," deadpanned Sam, to which Janey laughed.

"You know he's taking advantage of your good nature, right?" she said.  "If the Johnsons couldn't get anyone to fix it for free they just let it get worse.  That's why they have so much to fix.  Mr. Johnson was like that and so is Bob.  Don't get me wrong.  They were good neighbours and we had no problem with them.  They were just a bit lazy and definitely cheap.  At the going labour rates I would say you two have already paid for your stay here."

The two men looked at each other then back at Janey.  "We'll be right over," said Sam.  "What's the board game?"

"We'll choose when you get over there," answered Janey.