Alpine (Sambucky)

Meeting The Cat

Bucky hasn't left Louisiana since he came along with Sam. It was actually the man himself, our new Captain America, who asked him to stay. He's appreciative of the hospitality of the community and the Wilson family as well. He loves the air and the mostly quiet jogs he gets, never seen as a famous - well, notorious criminal. He loves how charming they all are, a bit of a tight knit group. Maybe he's overstaying his welcome but it's nice, here away from the bustle and overwhelming noises of the city. He feels a bit more at peace and he plans to milk it all he can until he's either got another mission to deal with or gets kicked out.

Sam is glad to have Bucky around. He's a good friend and he finds it much easier to keep an eye on him when he's close. He doesn't have many friends left so he's glad to keep those he's still got to his chest. Bucky doesn't need to hear that, of course but if he's finding it uncomfortable to be around him that long, he doesn't mention it directly. They just bicker like an old married couple as they always do, watch shows together, train and wait for new missions.

Now, Bucky isn't one to show his vulnerability too easily but he's getting antsy. He thought that his last mission with Sam would count for something but they seem more intent on his therapy than letting him back to work. He understands they don't want a repeat of the fearsome Winter Soldier but he really, truly isn't that man anymore. He never truly had been... And most of him believes it. He  has to watch Captain America leave for the danger while he spends all day every day doing mostly nothing other than training for some undetermined future mission.

It's so bad he's considering applying for an actual job. Steve left him a hefty enough sum to live on in his will but Bucky had donated most of it from the get-go, leaving a small amount as an emergency stash. He really didn't deserve that amount anyway.

He finds a pair of fingers have been snapped in his face, looking to the body attached to them. Sam gives him a worried look and he holds back the urge to growl, choosing to stab his eggs with a fork instead and force a smile. "What is it you want, Wilson?"

"You spaced out, honey buck, I'm just checking if you're okay." Bucky deadpans at him, shaking his head and looking back to his food, fully focused now. Sam just watches him steadily, feeling a surge of victory wash over him when the slightest smile curves at the side of Bucky's lip. The fact that he got one of those out of his friend meant it was going to be a really good day.

He hops up, checks his watch and glances at Bucky one last time, headed for the door. Bucky manages a sour "see you soon, Cap". When Sam doesn't reply, he turns to the door, annoyed when he sees the man still standing there, an unbelievable amount of smugness in his face. "What do you want, a fucking medal?"

"Nah, I just feel flattered that you care about me replying to your half-assed goodbyes. You really love me, don't you bud?"

"Shut the hell up. Just be back in time for dinner. I'm not waiting for you, goddammit." Sam understands this is likely true and since sitting at the table is when they chat the most, he accepts the threat as legitimate, nodding his head.

"Yes, sir, I'll be by with bells on!" And then he's gone.

Bucky spends the day like he always does. He does barely any cleaning, sinks into a bit of a depressive funk for a while which he always struggles to get out of, works out. He's been working out a lot these days. It makes it easier to have nothing to do, especially now that he's done his shitty part apologising to the people whose loved ones he whisked away. Some were understanding after he explained he was being controlled. Most wanted him dead instead and no one understood that feeling more than him. He still thinks about their reactions, playing them over but even if he feels lighter and gets a lot less nightmares now, it's worse than those because it's actually real. They are memories to accept and live with, not hypotheticals.