Maybe We're Just Meant to Be

Recovery

Bucky went right into surgery after being flown directly to the hospital and has been unconscious in his room ever since then.

To say the least Sam and Steve were a wreck. For the past day and a half they had been switching between pacing outside of Bucky's hospital room and sitting next to his bed.

Steve was so caught up in worrying about Bucky's injuries that he almost forgot about Sam. Almost.

So when Steve walked into the hallway, and found Sam sitting on a stretcher, holding his face in his hands sobbing, he couldn't do anything except sit next to him and pull him into a tight embrace.

Sam clung to his chest and managed to choke out, "What if he doesn't wake up, Steve?"

Steve shook his head. "I can't afford to think like that, and you damn sure can't either," he told Sam, rubbing circles into his back.

Sam took a few deep breaths and pulled back studying Steve's face. "I love him, Steve. I love him so fucking much," he admitted.

Steve smiled and pushed Sam's shoulder gently. "I know you do. He'll be okay," he assured Sam.

Sam sighed and rolled his eyes. "This sucks. I just feel so fucking helpless," he whined.

Steve frowned and put an arm around Sam's shoulder pulling him close. "I know. I feel the same way. I mean this is my fault after all. If I had just listened to you and kept him home..." he trailed off, looking down.

"It's not your fault. He knew the risks, just like the rest of us," Sam told him, staring at the same spot on the floor that Steve was.

They sat in comfortable silence for the next couple of minutes before their doctor walked up to them. "James has just woken up. He's still very groggy but he asked for you two and I told him that I'd go find you both," he explained, leading the pair over to Bucky's room.

A smug grin grew on Bucky's face as he saw his two best friends walk into the room. "Took you long enough," he joked.

"What's with the smile, Goldilocks?" Sam asked, teasing right back.

Bucky's grin grew. "I'm just happy to see you both," he replied honestly.

Steve rolled his eyes and moved to sit in the seat on Bucky's left. "Wouldn't dare be anywhere else, punk," he said, letting the tension in his body dissipate.

"Jerk," Bucky said as he tore his eyes away from Steve and turned towards Sam. "Come here," he said, sliding over in the bed and reaching his arms out towards Sam.

Sam laughed and joined him in the bed. "I think you orchestrated this whole thing just to get me in bed with you," he quipped, wrapping Bucky in a huge hug.

Bucky hummed and nodded. "Always want you in bed with me," he mused, leaning impossibly closer to Sam.

Sam inhaled deeply and let out a loud sniffle. "You're not allowed to scare me like that. I don't know what I would've done if you didn't make it," he managed to get out in between sobs.

Bucky held on tighter, careful of his stitches. "I did though. I'm alive. I'm fine," he assured Sam.

Sam pulled back and wiped his eyes, taking in Bucky, who did look remarkably better. "I know. I just need you to be more careful. You almost didn't come back from this one," he reminded him.

Bucky nodded and leaned in to press a needy kiss to Sam's lips.

Steve just watched them and cleared his throat, stifling a laugh. "Is this how it's going to be from now on? 'Cause you two are obnoxiously sappy," he groaned.