Final Lap - Sambucky AU

10

Bucky and Sam got back to the house. Bucky sighed and walked in tiredly and just laid on the couch.

Sam chuckled slightly and placed his workout bag by the door. "It's been a hell of a week for you huh." Sam said as he sat on the chair.

Bucky just nodded his head.

"So... where is this interview and when is it?"

"Tomorrow at 5:00 in California." Bucky said nonchalantly. Sam looked at him.

"Get up, time to pack." Sam said getting up and heading over to his own room. Bucky groaned in annoyance and just headed on over to his room.

"Also, what do I wear to an interview with ESPN..." Bucky said.

Sam chuckled and sighed. "I think you should wear a tight black t shirt, a silver chain, and a dress pants. Make sure to wear a nice pair of sneakers." Sam said as he basically finished packing cause... he packed to come.

Bucky walked over to Sam's room. "Why a tight shirt?"

Sam looked at him. "You want to start reviving your fan base. And that is a sure fire way of doing it."

Bucky looked a bit confused. Sam couldn't believe this man wasn't getting it. "Listen... you want people to be talking about you. Not just that you're a good racer, but you dress nice... you need to get your 'fandom' alive again." Sam said getting frustrated.

Bucky crossed his arms and nodded. "Got it." He walked out and headed back to his room.

Sam looked around for Natasha but realized she wasn't there. He raised a brow but then went back to his room to pack.

After a few hours of arguing and packing, Bucky finally finished and sat on the couch. He was scrolling when he saw an article about his appearance.

Is Bucky Barnes Coming Back to the Industry?

Bucky didn't understand why him coming back was a big deal. He just didn't understand.

He just relaxed into the couch and covered his head with a pillow. He wanted to do this, but it's just exhausting getting back into it.

He hadn't raced in 3 years....

And now after basically beating his record, he's being thrown right back into it. He's so excited, but... he's scared.

He's really scared of life repeating itself again. And he would be thrown back into the fog again and wouldn't be able to get out...

As Bucky was getting stuck in his thoughts, someone removed the pillow and was looking at him.

Sam.

"Come on Barnes. Get to sleep. We got to be at the airport tomorrow." Sam said. Bucky still understand two things.

1. Why this man was so kind to him

And....

2. Why he continues to be right here with him.

As he sat there contemplating life he snapped back to reality as someone threw a blanket on him. He turned and saw Sam heading to his room.

He closed the door. It was quiet.

The next morning, Bucky and Sam headed down to the airport. They eventually got to their plane and sooner than later, their interview location.

Bucky got into the changing room and pulled on his black shirt, black pants, and chain as Bucky told him.

He walked out and was being prepped by the staff. Sam stayed behind him, monitoring the situation.

"Alright. Thank you, ladies." He said as they finished briefing him. He stopped and looked at Sam. Sam smiled and chuckled.

"Looks like you're getting back into the flow of things."

Bucky shook his head. "I never was good at this. I was just good at pretending I was."
Bucky said as the interviewer called him over.

Sam patted him on the back. "I'll be behind the camera woman. Remember it's live, stay calm, and whatever happens keep cool and we can talk about it afterwards." Sam said.

Bucky nodded and walked over to the chair and sat down comfortably.

3

2

1

The interview started.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, join me in welcoming back the literal legend of the formula racing circuit, Bucky Barnes!" She said as she clapped.

Bucky nodded his head and looked at her. She chuckled and opened her notepad.

"So, Mr. Barnes, how does it feel being able to get back into the game after your crash?" She asked him.

Bucky thought of his crash but quickly snapped back. "It's exciting being back, doing what I've been doing since I was a kid." Bucky said as he sat up straight.

She nodded. "Has your accident caused any... issues with preparing for this season?" She said as she looked at him.

"It has caused a few issues, but I'm working past them right now." Bucky said as he fidgeted with his chain slightly so it looked casual.

"Issues like what?"

"Personal issues I'm not going to talk about on live." Bucky said with a faint chuckle. The interviewer gave an awkward laugh. She paused and looked at her questions.

"Do you think you'll crash again?" She asked.

Bucky paused and looked at her confused. "What kind of question is that? I would rather not crash." Bucky said. He started to think about it.

What if he did crash again?

He lowered his hand from his chain and started to fidget with his hands.

"I ask because most people don't do well after coming back into the industry." She said with a slight smirk.

This was planned. She was paid to ask these questions. Bucky simply turned and looked at her.

"I'm not like most. I've been back for what.. a week, and already beat my record. If anything, this break has made me stronger." Bucky says quickly with bite behind it.

"Alright. What will happen to the dynamic duo? Steve and Bucky?" She said with a smile. Bucky chuckled and looked at his hands.

"That duo is long gone. Especially since he left me behind and forgot about me." He said starting to get frustrated.

She nodded.

"Will this dynamic duo now be a rivalry instead?"

Bucky chuckled and shook his head. He looked at her and smirked.

"There cant be a rivalry If one person in the competing duo is mediocre."