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Bingo Fill: Didn’t Know They Were Dating - how much i love you
Sam and Bucky have been acting like a couple, it wasn’t long before people picked it up. It started off simple, they’d get each other coffee. No one knew, for a long time, how Bucky liked his coffee. Sam did, though. Sam knew he liked it black with very little sugar.
“I’m getting coffee,” Joaquin said as the three of them walked along the streets of New York “want anything?”
“Sure,” Sam said as they entered a coffee shop “you want anything, James?”
Joaquin almost stopped in his tracks. Since when did Bucky and Sam start calling each other by their first names?
“Sure,” he said and they walked up to the counter.
Sam pulled out a few crumpled notes from his pockets. Bucky stuffed his hands in his pockets, noticing how good Sam looked in his purple shirt. He chewed on his lip as Sam gently smiled at the cashier.
Joaquin turned his head to see Bucky smitten. Just pure, smitten - as if Barnes’ eyes were sugar itself. He was smitten for Sam.
Odd, Torres thinks.
“One black coffee and cappuccino. Oh and a frappe for the little guy,”
Joaquin was about to protest how ‘he wasn’t the little guy’ before Bucky butted in, still smiling at Sam. “You remembered my coffee order, Samuel?” he was rocking back and forth on his heels like a middle-schooler with a huge crush.
Even odder, Joaquin noted down this information he called him Samuel.
“Of course,” Sam scoffed as they walked to a table together “I’d be a horrible partner if I didn’t,”
“Right,” Bucky smiled and nudged him on the shoulder.
Strange, Joaquin thought as he watched them laugh and sip their coffee.
The second time was a stranger, in the middle of battle. Barnes followed Sam like he was his compass, his anchor - his sense of everything. He was watching his six, all the time and eyed the battlefield and stepped close to anyone that looked like they could hurt Sam.
Then, there was a target ahead of them that launched at Sam. He pulled up his wings to protect himself from the bullets. Bucky charged at the figure, punching and kicking. Although the bullets didn’t hit Sam, it could have and that was the scariest part. He can’t lose Sam.
“Bucky, that’s enough!” Sam shouted over the comms as he flew in the air.
It happened again, but this time Sam got shot. It was nothing he couldn’t take but Bucky, he saw red. Sam, I have to find Sam. I have to save him. He kicked and punched his way through the ash and fire, the rough terrain and chaos around him - he had to get to Sam. He saw a falling body - Sam’s suit was failing.
“Sam, I’m coming!” he shouted over the comms.
“It’s okay - Redwing got me,” he rasped out as he felt gravity strangle him. Redwing beeped and soared through the sky, trying to release metal cables to try and save its owner. Sam was falling too fast.
Bucky kept on running, running until his feet hurt and the sulfur gripped his lungs. “Sam!” he screamed as an angel fell from the sky and landed with a heavy crash. There was an explosion, and Bucky screamed and ran towards it.
–
Torres noticed how Bucky paced across the room, for Sam. He waited for hours for Sam. “I think you can...relax,” Torres mumbled, trying to break the tension. There was a nasty bruise across Bucky’s face and a bandage across his arm.
“No,” he groaned and his eyes were tired. “I have to stay up, for Sam.” This is why I don’t trust Redwing.
“You uh, really care about him, don’t you?”
“He’s my partner, of course I do.” he said, oblivious. The image of Sam falling, the blood and his body. He suppressed a shiver. His eyes were still sore from crying.
Joaquin hummed thoughtfully. Maybe they really are together. They use the word ‘partner’ a lot.
“Well, you don’t have to stay up–”
“I’m going to,” he said firmly and folded his arms. “I have to. For him.”
“You two are an interesting couple,” Torres blurted out, trying to figure out his reaction.
“I guess,” Barnes said, oblivious once more, he stared at the ground and thought of Sam’s laugh and smile. He’d die for that smile, he’d do anything to see Sam alive and breathing.
Did he love him? Yes, Barnes was infatuated, smitten and he adored Sam Wilson with his entire heart. But he couldn’t know that. Sam was too good, for anyone. Especially him.
Bucky slept on the hospital chair next to Sam, waiting for him to wake up. He didn’t care if he woke up the next morning with a sore neck or back, he just needed to be there for Sam.
Torres found it strange.
(Bucky hugged Sam the moment he woke up.)
Sarah was the next person to notice. When Sam came home after that crash, battered and bruised - Bucky came along with him. He carried him into bed, made him hot mugs of coffee as they stayed up on the couch and watched TV together. Sam had his arm around Bucky playfully.
Their smiles were uncanny.
Sarah’s head tilted at the way they interacted. Zero personal space, pure joy, the flustering when they reached the remote at the same time. The way Bucky was so protective of Sam…the way AJ and Cass were so used to Bucky that they called him ‘Uncle’. She hummed thoughtfully.
The way Sam talked about Bucky was just endearment.
It was obvious(in her eyes) that they were a couple. Or seem to be.
Bucky bid Sam goodnight and began helping Sarah with the dishes. “Seriously, Bucky, what are you doing down here bothering me?” she smiled.
“I like helping out,” he smiled back as he put away the dirty plates.
“So,” she began carefully, “you and Sam have fun with movie night?”
“Yeah,” he beamed and his eyes twinkled at the thought of it. “Sam’s a great guy.”
“Y’know, Sam likes roses.” she said suddenly. He blinked. Why is she telling me this? I know that already.
“I know,” he said slowly, “he told me.” I need to get him some.
Sarah almost choked on air “oh,” she smiled “he did? When?” They must have been dating for a while.
“A while back,” he replied, “we saw a garden bed when he visited in Brooklyn.”
Silence.
Bucky felt his cheeks warm up. He remembered the little details Sam told him, the little creases on his lips when he smiled and the softness in his laughter.
“I should - go to bed,” he said awkwardly before bidding her goodnight and walking upstairs to Sam’s room.
Sarah blinked. In Sam’s room. She smiled. She was glad that Sam was with someone that could make him happy and make him feel good. She wondered why she wasn’t notified about it earlier.
Sarah asked Sam about it the following morning.
“Did you and Bucky uh, share a bed?”
“Yeah,” Sam said casually. There was a bruise across his face and cheek from the crash and his hand was covered in a bandage. “We made a deal. Well, he kind of –” he swallowed nervously “he insisted he wanted to share a bed with me. Mainly because of the nightmares we both get - and because he’s protective of me...”
“He’s a good partner,” she smiled.
“Yes,” Sam said slowly, not quite catching on the smugness in his sister’s tone.
Sharing beds, overprotectiveness and coffee orders weren’t the only thing that threw people off. It was the looks, the smiles.
Especially the smiles. It was the way Barnes looked at Sam like he was his whole world, like everything he knew was here in his arms and in his space. The way Bucky looked at Sam, it looked like he was staring at an angel, such a wonderful man. Torres was uncomfortable by the way the two threw heart-eyes at each other across the table of the meeting room. Were they even aware they were doing it?
Joaquin couldn’t concentrate on the conversation. He just focused on how James’ words were so soft around Sam. It was sickeningly sweet.
“Are you kidding me?” Sam chuckled as he scanned his fingers over the map again “I told you there’s something wrong with your taste in music.”
“Jazz ain’t so bad, Samuel,” he teased and leaned over “you should have seen me dance to it. I was getting all the women.”
Sam scoffed at that “yeah, right,” he said sarcastically “why don’t you prove it to me later?”
“Sure thing,” Bucky’s eyes were dazed again, like staring off into a sunset “but I think your music taste is more questionable.”
Torres bit his lip. This wasn’t even remotely flirting. It was the brushing of the hands, the lip bite and smiles. It was like he was intruding on a private conversation.
“Really?” Sam asked, slightly offended “so you’re telling me that Marvin Gaye isn’t your style? He’s incredible,”
“Hey!” Bucky pointed, “I’m still adjusting.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Sam huffed with a smile. They met eyes and it was silence, pure silence and Torres almost forgot he was in the same room as these two love-stricken idiots.
“Mariana,” he spoke out loud awkwardly, the two of them gave him a confused look “just in case if you’re looking for baby names.”
Bucky blushed and Sam stared at the floor.
“No thanks.” Sam eventually said. It’s not like Sam had spent the past few months yearning. Yearning painfully. The people used to look up to or admire or love are dead. Riley, Natasha, Steve. What was the point of loving Barnes? Did he even reciprocate the feeling?
“If we had a child, we wouldn’t name it Mariana, right Samuel?” Bucky had this stupid grin on his face that made him flustered.
He coughed. “Fine, what will we name it Barnes?”
Bucky chuckled “have you actually thought about having kids with me, Sammy?”
Sammy. Sam’s chest tightened at the word. The way he said it so softly, he swallowed awkwardly. “Well,” he said, trying to play it cool, “we’d have to get married first.”
Torres cringed and buried his face in his hands. What kind of conversation did he stir up? He audibly groaned and moved to another room.
That wasn’t the only thing. It was the bedroom. It was the fact they willingly shared a hotel room together, most of the time sharing a bed. It’s not too surprising, Joaquin thinks they are dating after all.
Torres and Sarah weren’t the only people who picked up these things.
Sharon called during a mission, Bucky and Sam were scoping out an area for a target.
“How’s the honeymoon, lovebirds?” She teased them over the phone.
“Ha, very funny,” Sam chuckled. “It's fine. The target is just, so still. He hasn’t made any moves yet.”
“Sadly,” Bucky grumbled from his place on the bed. He had a button-up shirt and jeans. He leaned back on the headboard of the bed and looked over to Sam “when can we get coffee?”
“Hold on,” Sam smiled “Bucky is getting clingy again,”
He pouted “Samuel,” he said firmly “I’m not clingy, I just like spending time with you.”
Sam smiled at his words “yeah but you’re clingy.”
“What was that?” Sharon asked.
“We’ll update you later,” Sam reported “bye.”
Bucky and Sam eventually found their way to a coffee shop. Bucky ordered Sam coffee, just the way he likes it. Bucky bought Sam a muffin and watched as the eager fans asked for photos.
“Why can’t I have you all to myself?” Bucky teased.
“Take me out to dinner first,” he quipped back.
I wish I could, Bucky’s eyes softened. I wish I could sweep you off your feet, Sam. I want to love you, care for you - so much. But I don’t think you’d ever feel the same way.
–
The strangest thing of all, they do everything a couple would typically do. Do each other’s washing, massages, smiling, compliments, protectiveness but - they never kissed. No one saw Bucky or Sam kiss each other. Or hug.
“Maybe they’re ashamed,” Sharon said, pouring a glass of water for herself.
“No,” Sarah chuckled “my brother wouldn’t be ashamed of dating anyone. Especially if it's a guy,”
“What if it’s a 100-year-old super soldier?” Torres perked up in his seat.
The three of them were waiting eagerly for Bucky and Sam’s return from a mission. Sharon sighed and pulled out a few files. “But,” she began, “the two of them share beds. All the time. Not to mention how Bucky is like -”
“His bodyguard?” Sarah finished for her with a smile “don’t get me started. Bucky’s like a mother hen to Sam. One time I saw him carry Sam up the stairs bridal style whilst Sam screamed in protest. Sam had a wound on his leg.”
Torres scoffed “I don’t think they realise that they’re dating,”
“Who?” Sam’s voice entered the kitchen. He was sweaty in his uniform, a few bruises along his face and Bucky was limping. They were both worn out and tired.
“No one.” all three of them said at once.
AJ and Cass came running down from the hallway to greet Sam with a hug. Sam laughed tearfully, grateful to be home. “Uncle Sam!” They cried, then turned to Bucky and ran to him, Bucky naturally scooping them up in his arms with a huge grin - despite being injured.
“Uncle James what happened to your face?” Cass questioned.
“Uncle James?” Bucky chuckled and looked down at them. “I thought it was ‘Uncle Bucky’.”
“Well Uncle Sam calls you James,” AJ smiled.
He does. He does and I love him for it. Bucky high fived them both before him and Sam began cleaning their wounds and getting rest. Once the two of them left the room, Joaquin’s mouth dropped open.
“Did you see that?!” he cried “Ms Wilson, your kids call him Uncle!”
“I know!” Sarah smiled “it’s so sweet!”
“Sarah, have you seen the two of them kiss or hug?”
“They’ve hugged plenty, especially Bucky. They share no kisses though,”
–
It was Saturday when Sam found yellow roses at his door. It was a sunny morning, they had pancakes on the outdoor table with fresh glasses of lemonade. Sam ran his fingers over the soft petals.
Oh, how he loves the man.
“Secret admirers?” Sarah teased as she watched Cass, AJ and Bucky have a water gun fight in the yard.
Sam smiled at the bouquet of roses and looked up at her “nah, just Bucky.”
“He’s a nice guy,” she smiled. “How long have you two been dating for?”
Sam choked on his lemonade. “I’m sorry?”
“Oh,” Sarah’s face dropped “I’m sorry Sam, I thought it was obvious - I can totally lay back if you wa–”
“We’re not together,” Sam defended, his cheeks warming up. Do we act like a couple? “Bucky and I are just friends.”
Sarah frowned “are you serious?”
Sam nodded slowly. “Why - why do you ask?” he asked shyly. He fiddled with the bouquet of flowers on the table and looked out from the porch to see Bucky’s laughter. AJ and Cass tackled him to the ground.
He’s so good with kids. Better than he knows. What if we had kids of our own? Sam thought.
“You two act like a couple, the coffee, the bedroom, the protectiveness...” Sarah said plainly - then she paused and looked at her brother’s face “wait, so you like him?”
Sam smiled, “I guess.”
“Ask him out!” Sarah encouraged “you two are perfect for each other!”
Sam swallowed nervously and stared at his sister, then at Bucky. “I’m not sure, Sarah...I don’t know if he even likes me that way.”
Sarah scoffed. “Bullshit, his face lights up everytime you walk in the room.”
Sam sighed and got up, he walked over and tapped Bucky on the shoulder.
“Uncle Sam, come play with us!” Cass begged.
He smiled softly “not yet. Bucky, can I talk to you?”
Bucky was focused about how the sunlight made Sam’s eyelashes look so pretty. “Sure,” he replied as he followed him into the house. He noticed the slight frown on his face and the tension in his fingers.
“You alright Sam?” he asked.
“Sarah thinks we’re dating,” he blurted. He watched as Sam paced the kitchen floor anxiously. He noticed his bouquet of flowers were outside on the table.
That was not what I was expecting to hear. “Oh,” was all he said, a blush creeped up on his neck and he stepped forward “uh - why?”
“Well,” he waved his hand between them, “we’re like...close.”
Bucky chewed on his lip and blinked. “Sam, have we been - dating without knowing it?” He folded his arms and stepped forward. Sam was so beautiful.
“I - Is that even possible?” Sam stammered. He noticed Bucky approaching him, their distance getting shorter.
Bucky fumbled with his hands and gently reached out to touch Sam’s hand. “I want to date you,” Bucky confessed with a smile. Sam’s heart leapt out of his chest when he said those words.
“You do?” Sam mumbled in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Bucky stepped forward and cupped his face. “I really do, Sam. For the longest time.”
Sam’s breath hitched and there was a small smile upon his face. “Really, James?”
“Really,” he sighed.
He cupped Sam’s face and their lips met. It was soft, sweet - it was everything. Bucky had imagined so many times what it would be like to kiss Sam, but it was better than his imagination. He could taste the lemonade on Sam’s lips and tongue, he could feel the heat of his skin.
He just wanted more, more of Sam. He pulled him closer and he felt a smile. “Jesus,” Sam sighed, breathless and still chasing his lips “you kiss good.”
“I know,” he said smugly before kissing him again.
Yeah, Sam thinks this is worth it.