Hello, Stranger

(font: "Georgia")[<center>''<h2><div class= "vertical">//Hello, Stranger//''</center></h2> <img id="titleart" src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/6b6db2685cf814fc2e67471f603fd02d/fbabe5b16c86931f-43/s1280x1920/16ade0940956c75a2fdc92280161ae77d7484c0e.png"width="500"> <center>(text-style: "fade-in-out")[(link:"PRESS HERE TO START!")[(goto:"Finding Bucky")]]]</center></div>

Sam Wilson walked through the streets of London, watching the jarring mix of new and old; buildings hundreds of years old and newly created; wide gridded streets and narrow, winding alleyways. Sam had been to many cities in his search for Bucky Barnes. Well. He had been to many cities as he //visited// Bucky Barnes, really. Sam found him the first time around. Lounging in a hole in the wall deep in the heart of Prague. Low lighting; his face only lit really by a candle on the small booth he sat at. Intense eyes on Sam. Sipping on something Bucky would later say was a Czech Mule; a fascinating cocktail that tasted like Christmas. Bucky hadn't been ready for Steve to know where he was then. Sam doubted he was now. And. Sam was a little selfish. He liked his days with Bucky. He liked talking with him. He like - he liked getting to know the man. And there was part of Sam that just wanted to keep it that way. A little bubble. Only for Sam and Bucky. Though. //You're going to have to tell him that you won't be seeing him for a while.// Sam wasn't going to think about that until later. And. It wasn't as if it was a bad thing. The reason for it was good. But it was a longer time apart. Sam sighed, glancing at the path before him. [[Alleyway to the right.|A1. Alleyway to the Right]] [[Straight down the road.|A2. Straight Down the Road]]

(append: ?Sidebar)[(font: "Georgia")[''//Hello, Stranger by Writer Lethogica//''(text-style:"superscript")[(align:"<==")[(link:"Restart")[(goto:"Title Page")] ⎮ (link:"Back to AO3")[(gotoURL:"https://archiveofourown.org/works/59112670")](unless: (passage:)'s tags contains "No-Header")[ ⎮ (link-undo: 'Undo Last Turn ⏎')]]]]]

Sam turned into the alleyway; a winding, sprawling cobbled road that led to narrow spaces and businesses well-loved by the neighborhood. Sam turned into a pub; not one that had much unique or particular to it, but Sam knew Bucky's habits and he had made tracking the man a science. And there. Not quite in a corner, but a few booths down. Sat Bucky. Pint in hand with one waiting just for Sam. And Sam smiled, maybe a little smug as he wandered to the booth and slid in next to Bucky with ease. [["Found you."|B1. Alleyway - Found You]] [["Long time no see."|B2. Alleyway - Long Time No See]] [["How's London treating you?"|B3. Alleyway - London]]

Sam headed straight down the not quite //foggy,// but definitely smoggy street, passing crowds of people as he spotted a telltale baseball cap. He made his way through the populous, weaving and snaking as he got closer and closer to the man he could pick out from a mile away - Bucky Barnes. Months of this had really honed Sam's skills. And. Well. Maybe Sam had picked up on the skill quickly. He wondered if Bucky made it easy for Sam to find him too, in a way, but really, Sam suspected that Bucky hadn't at first. Sam was just that good. [["Are you even trying to lie low?"|B4. Road - Lie Low]] [["Why London?"|B5. Road - Why London]] [["Fancy meeting you here."|B6. Road - Fancy]]

"Found you." Bucky smiled. "You did, indeed," murmured Bucky, his voice thick and rich. "I should get paid for this. I'm good at finding you," said Sam, taking Bucky in. Sometimes, Bucky was a little worse for wear. But not tonight. No. He was honestly looking a little dapper. Which. Felt weird to say about Bucky Barnes, but he really did look it. Bucky moved his spare pint in front of Sam as he leaned a little closer and whispered coolly, "Your reward." [[Sam took a sip of his pint.|C1. Alleyway - Sip of His Pint]] [[Sam took Bucky's pint, grinning before he took a sip.|C2. Alleyway - Sip of Bucky's Pint]] [["You should get me a reward every time."|C3. Alleyway - Reward]]

"Long time no see." "I suppose it's been, what? A fortnight?" mused Bucky as he took a sip of his beer. Sam snorted. "Fortnight?" asked Sam, elbowing Bucky, "I thought you were from the forties, not the Victorian Era." "Yeah, yeah. Make fun. I'm right, though," mumbled Bucky faux grumpily into his pint glass. "That sounds about right," said Sam as he took a sip of his own; the beer was cool down his throat, but there was a warmth from the alcohol that was very needed; even a little comforting after a day of chilly weather. "Sooner than usual," hummed Bucky as he leaned over to Sam, "Not that I'm complaining." Sam felt the heat of Bucky. The closeness of him. Sam's heart fluttered. And. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//And.//',(either: "C4. Alleyway - Panicked Laughter", "C5. Alleyway - Stare into His Eyes", "C6. Alleyway - Lean Closer"))</div>

"How's London treating you?" asked Sam coolly as he took a sip of his beer. Bucky adjusted himself. There was a comfort there; Sam felt it too. They both felt an easiness with each other. Like they could breathe with one another around. Or. Maybe that was just Sam. But it felt like Bucky too as Bucky sighed and said, "It's nice enough, if a little depressing. The weather is - Well. I think I liked it better in Romania. I think I'll go back to Bucharest soon." "Your, uh. Your mom was from Romania, right?" asked Sam thoughtfully. Bucky smiled. "Constanța. I should visit there again," said Bucky as he glanced over at Sam, "I don't think you started to look for me when I visited there. Maybe we should go together." Sam felt his heart skip a beat. [["Want to take a vacation with me, huh?"|C7. Alleway - Vacation]] [["I don't think I found you there, no."|C8. Alleyway - Didn't Find]] [["Was it a good visit last time?"|C9. Alleyway - Good Visit]]

"Are you even trying to lie low?" asked Sam, amused. Bucky laughed. "I do pretty well up until you roll into town," said Bucky, raising an eyebrow, "You're the one blowing my cover." "Cover? What cover? Your disguise is a baseball cap and a hoodie," laughed Sam. Because. It was true. That //was// the disguise. "It works well enough," grumbled Bucky, "Though. I'm curious. Isn't it a little early for you to be visiting me?" [["It is."|D1. Road - It Is]] [["I was going to talk about this after we chatted for a bit."|D2. Road - Chat]] [["Smarter than you look."|D3. Road - Smarter]]

"Why London?" asked Sam curiously. And. Bucky seemed lost in a memory as he said, "When I was drafted, uh. I went to the front in Italy. But - but I heard about people taking leave in London. I never actually got to the point where I could go on leave. I was captured before that, so... I decided to see what all the fuss was about." "Do you like it here?" asked Sam softly. Bucky shrugged. "It's nice enough," said Bucky, "Though. I don't think you're here to talk to me about whether or not I like London. This visit's too soon. What are you really here to talk about, Sam?" Oh. He noticed. Well. It wasn't as if Sam was trying to hide why he was there. [["So, you noticed?"|D4. Road - You Noticed]] [["Nothing bad."|D5. Road - Nothing Bad]] [["Something's come up."|D6. Road - Come Up]]

"Fancy meeting you here." Bucky grinned. "Fancy meeting you too," hummed Bucky as he leaned a little closer, "Thoughtful of you to visit." And. Sam's heart stuttered at that. Absolute backflips as he felt the heat of Bucky so close. And. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//And.//',(either: "D7. Alleyway - Panicked Laughter", "D8. Road - Stare into His Eyes", "D9. Road - Lean Closer"))</div>

"Was it a good visit last time?" asked Sam curiously. And. Bucky's smile softened at that. "Remember how you talked to me about how you - you visited Harlem. And you could just //feel// your mom there because she was from there?" asked Bucky. And. Sam nodded. In the dark of the night, lying next to Bucky in the bed of a safehouse, Sam had talked to Bucky about his first trip to Harlem after the death of his mother. And. How he //felt.// The immensity of her in so many places just - it hurt. And Sam had remembered sitting in a hotel room with Riley crying about it. And Sam had told Bucky about that too. Sam wanted to reach out. "So, like that?" "Like that," said Bucky, "But, uh. I have a feeling you didn't come here to talk about the places I've been lying low. Why are you here early, Sam?" It wasn't as if Sam had been waiting to tell Bucky. He could tell Bucky now. [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

"I don't think I found you there, no," said Sam, flipping through the Rolodex of places he went to for Bucky in his mind. "I'll take you there soon. Some day. It's - It reminds me of my ma," said Bucky, some emotion blooming in his voice, "It's strange to feel that way. I don't even feel that way in Brooklyn. But - but it's nice." Sam could see that. "It's a little painful sometimes to be in Delacroix," Sam confessed, "My parents are dead and - and I see them everywhere. And I love my sister. I love her husband and her kid. But - but it's hard sometimes to go back and see all the things that used to be part of my life when my mom and daddy were alive." Bucky nodded as he took another sip of his drink. "I get that." Because of course Bucky did. Most everyone he knew was long gone now. "But... reminiscing about how places make us feel isn't why you're visiting right now," guessed Bucky, "Why are you here early, Sam?" It wasn't as if Sam had been waiting to tell Bucky. He could tell Bucky now. [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

"Want to take a vacation with me, huh?" asked Sam, amused. "If I could go wherever you went, I would," said Bucky wistfully. And Sam didn't know what //that// meant. Was Bucky being charming? Polite? Was he joking around? What did he want from Sam? Sam didn't know. He really didn't. And even if Sam did know, if he acknowledged //anything,// that would mean he would have to tell Steve. And. He didn't want to. Not yet. Selfishly, he kind of wanted Bucky to himself. To keep this little bubble. "But a vacation isn't why you came to visit me early," said Bucky as he tilted his head, "What's going on? Why are you here so soon?" It wasn't as if Sam had been waiting to tell Bucky. He could tell Bucky now. [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

"You should get me a reward every time." Sam liked the idea. Every time he found Bucky, he could have something. A free coffee. A free beer. Maybe. Maybe //more.// But no. What was Sam thinking there? It wasn't - they weren't //like that.// "Maybe," hummed Bucky as he glanced over at Sam, "But that's not why you're here, is it? Not the reward. And you're here earlier than usual. Why?" Sam took a deep breath. He needed to tell Bucky [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

Sam took Bucky's pint, grinning before he took a sip. It was nice. A coolness down the throat, but there was a warmth that spread; an ease from it. It was made all the better when Bucky laughed. "I get you a beer and you drink mine," bemoaned Bucky. "Oh, like you ever finish yours," snickered Sam, because Bucky tended not to finish his. Alcohol, it seemed, impacted Bucky more than he cared to say. Sam had been surprised by that at first - it did nothing to Steve, after all. Bucky grumbled about the serum he was forced to take being imperfect; that the side effects were different. And thus, he was a bit of a lightweight. "This can't be why you're visiting me early," said Bucky, "It's not to steal my drink." And. Okay. Sam needed to tell Bucky. [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

Sam took a sip of his pint. It was nice. A coolness down the throat, but there was a warmth that spread; an ease from it. //Or maybe that was because Bucky had bought it for Sam.// Sam didn't think about that. He focused on how nice it was to be with Bucky at that moment. To sit in a comfortable silence as several bar patrons cheered at a goal from the latest football game playing live on the pub's television. "You don't usually visit me so soon after a recent meeting," said Bucky softly after a few more swigs of his beer, "What's going on, Sam?" And. This was the reason Sam had come so soon. Sam took a long sip of his own, finishing his pint. [["There is a reason."|E1. Alleyway - Reason]] [["It's nothing bad."|E2. Alleyway - Nothing Bad]] [["I was going to tell you soon."|E3. Alleyway - Tell You Soon]]

"Smarter than you look." "Aw, thank you for the compliment. You're right. I am handsome //and// smart," said Bucky boastfully. Which. Made Sam snicker. "Great. You're letting the comment go to your head." "Sometimes, you just have to accept a compliment when you see one." And maybe this was why Sam was dreading saying what he had to say. Because he liked hanging out with Bucky. And while what he had to do wasn't bad, it was going to put a pause on whatever this was. "It's, uh. My sister. She's pregnant," said Sam, "I wasn't there for her first pregnancy and it was rough. So, I want to be there for her second. I'll be in Delacroix for a month or so. I'm not going to be able to meet up with you during that time." Bucky. Nodded. His smile was big as he said, "That's - that's wonderful. Tell your sister congratulations from me. Or - or maybe not, you're not supposed to know where I am." And. It was sweet. //Bucky// was sweet. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"I was going to talk about this after we chatted for a bit," said Sam, but it wasn't like he couldn't tell Bucky now. Bucky raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you cheating on me with a different brainwashed super soldier trying to recover on their own?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Yeah. Totally found myself another assassin trying to turn his life around." "And I thought it was only me." Sam snorted. "No, I - I'm trying to be a good older brother. I wasn't there for my sister when she was pregnant with Cass and that was a bit of a hard birth for her. This pregnancy has been a little rough too and - and I'm going to be there for her," explained Sam, "I'm probably going to be there for a month or so, so I might not be able to see you for a while." Sam wasn't sure what he had expected. But it was nice to see Bucky's smile grow at that. "That's - congratulations. Yeah. Of course. Be there for your sister." Somehow, the kind reaction made Sam's chest hurt. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"It is," said Sam as he began to fidget with his shirt. Because. Well. It wasn't bad. But it would put a lot of this on pause. "My sister's having a baby and - and she had a bit of a rough pregnancy the last time around. And I want to be there for this last month just in case," explained Sam, "It might take a while longer. Sometimes, babies come late, you know? I - I wasn't there for the Cass' birth. But I want to be there for AJ's. I want to be there for Sarah." He really did. Sam had been so deep in his depression spiral after Riley's death that he hadn't been there for Sarah. But he could be there now. And he would. "That's okay. I get it. We'll just... not see each other for a while," said Bucky, nodding. And. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"So, you noticed?" asked Sam as he took another sip of his pint. "I'm not always the smartest fella in the room, but I'm not dense. I can tell when something's up. What is it?" And maybe they have known each other long enough for Bucky to see that something was different. Maybe they've met enough times and talked enough to know the other wanted to talk. //Or maybe it was just because Sam came to visit earlier than usual.// "Well, you're right. I'm here sooner for a reason," said Sam, "My, uh. My sister's pregnant. I wasn't there to help her during the last pregnancy, and the pregnancy was rough. This pregnancy is a little rough too. I - I want to be there for her this time around. I might not be able to see you for a month or so after this." Bucky didn't look all that sad. He just. Seemed //happy// for Sam. "That's great. Congratulations to your sister. I hope everything goes well, then," said Bucky, beaming, "And it's sweet of you to be there. You're being a great older brother." It wasn't as if Sam expected otherwise from Bucky. But still. The warmth of it made Sam's chest hurt. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"Nothing bad," Sam said, because he wanted to make that clear. Bucky. Relaxed. "Oh. Oh, good. That's good," said Bucky, and Sam hadn't even noticed that Bucky had been a little tense, "What is it, then?" "My, uh. My sister's going through a bit of a rough pregnancy," explained Sam, "Her first pregnancy was a little rough too and I wasn't there for her." Sam hadn't been. He had been too swallowed by grief and depression over Riley's death to be there for himself, let alone Sarah. Sam regretted it, even if he couldn't control the depression spiral he had. "So, I want to be there for her for this one," continued Sam, "I'm going to be. That means I won't be seeing you for a month or so." Bucky. Nodded. "That's completely fine. Family's important," said Bucky softly, "I'd tell you to tell her congratulations from me, but it might be a little weird, seeing as though you technically 'haven't found Bucky Barnes yet'." And. That made Sam's heart skip a beat. It really made Sam //feel// some things. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"Something's come up," said Sam. Bucky. Raised an eyebrow. "What kind of something?" asked Bucky curiously, taking another swig of his beer. And it wasn't was if the something was bad. Sam just needed to say it. //You can just say it, Sam.// "My sister's pregnant. Second kid. And - and I wasn't there for her first pregnancy," explained Sam, "The first one was kind of bad. This one is a little rough too. I wasn't able to be there for her the first time around. But I want to be there for her this time. So I won't be able to visit you for a month or so." Which was true. Sam wasn't able to pull himself together in time for Sarah last time. The depression, the grief over Riley's loss - it had been so recent. Sam could barely be there for himself, let alone Sarah. But he was going to be there for her now. Bucky's smile grew. "That's great. That's amazing! I'd say tell her congratulations, but it might be weird to hear that from the Winter Soldier," said Bucky, "I completely get it." It was kind of what Sam expected from Bucky. But maybe that was why it made Sam's chest ache even more. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

Sam let out some nervous, if not a little //panicked// laughter. If only. Because. Bucky's lips were so close. And he kept looking up and down between Bucky's lips and his intense eyes. And Sam didn't know what to do with that; how to act. This was happening more and more frequently and Sam was very sure that Steve would be a little less forgiving if Sam not only found his old best friend, but had started //sleeping// with the guy without Sam telling him about anything. That. Was a recipe for disaster if there ever was one. "You're here for more than just me," said Bucky curiously, a hint of a bigger smile on his face as he leaned away; as if he had heard all of Sam's thoughts, "Why are you here sooner than usual?" And. Sam collected himself, because this was important. "My sister's pregnant. I wasn't there last time she was pregnant and the pregnancy was rough on her. This time's a little rough too and I need to be there for her," explained Sam, "So, I'm probably not going to see you for a month or so. Until the baby's born and she's okay." Bucky's smile grew. "Of course. Help your sister out. Congratulations on the upcoming niece or nephew," said Bucky as he clinked his glass with Sam's and took another sip, "I completely understand." And it was what Sam expected. But the warmth he felt from the words felt like too much. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

Sam couldn't stop staring into Bucky's eyes. He couldn't. They were a trap. Sam was some random rabbit minding his own business and now he was trapped in a //snare.// The scarier thing was that he didn't really want to look away. He felt seen in those eyes. He felt - he felt //wanted.// And not just for the first thing that might pop into one's mind when they thought //wanted,// it was an intimate want. A //I want to know what your schedule is so I can sync it with mine.// A //You got groceries last time, I got them this time.// Something more. Something that yearned for long term. Which was ridiculous. They weren't even dating. Bucky wasn't even an option. "You're here for more than just to meet up," said Bucky as he leaned back, a curiosity in his tone as he took another sip of his beer, "You're too early. Why?" Sam collected himself, because this was important. "My sister's pregnant. I wasn't there last time she was pregnant and the pregnancy was rough on her. This time's a little rough too and I need to be there for her," explained Sam, "So, I'm probably not going to see you for a month or so. Until the baby's born and she's okay." Bucky's smile grew. "Of course. Help your sister out. Congratulations on the upcoming niece or nephew," said Bucky as he clinked his glass with Sam's and took another sip, "I completely understand." And it was what Sam expected. But the warmth he felt from the words felt like too much. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

Sam. Found himself. Leaning a little closer. Into the warmth of Bucky. Toward his eyes. Toward his //lips.// And, well, Sam had always been an adrenaline junkie. There was an excitement to this all that made his heart race. But. But he didn't know if this was a good idea. Steve would probably be a little less forgiving if Sam not only found Bucky and not told Steve, but started //sleeping// with Steve's old best friend on top of that. And. Well. Sam didn't want that to be the foot he started anything with Bucky if anything even happened. "You're here for more than just visiting me," said Bucky, leaning away as if reading Sam's mind; and some traitorous part of Sam was disappointed in that, "What's happening? Why are you here so soon?" Sam collected himself, because this was important. "My sister's pregnant. I wasn't there last time she was pregnant and the pregnancy was rough on her. This time's a little rough too and I need to be there for her," explained Sam, "So, I'm probably not going to see you for a month or so. Until the baby's born and she's okay." Bucky's smile grew. "Of course. Help your sister out. Congratulations on the upcoming niece or nephew," said Bucky as he clinked his glass with Sam's and took another sip, "I completely understand." And it was what Sam expected. But the warmth he felt from the words felt like too much. Sam wanted to say more. Do more. [["I wish I could be in two places at once."|E4. Road - Two Places]] [["You have my number in case something happens."|E5. Road - My Number]] [["She needs me. I need to be there for her."|E6. Road - There For Her]]

"I was going to tell you soon," said Sam, because he really was. It wasn't a big secret. He came to London now because it was his last chance to tell Bucky. "What do you need to tell me?" asked Bucky curiously. "My sister's having a baby. It's her second one," explained Sam, "I - I wasn't there the first time she had one, and. Uh. The pregnancy was kind of rough. This one is turning out the same and I didn't want to not be there for her a second time. This is the last month of her pregnancy and I'm going to be there for her. Probably a little while after the birth too. I'm not going to be able to visit for a while." He couldn't be there for her then when she had Cass. Not in his grief for Riley. Not in his depression. He could be there for her now, though. Bucky's smile grew. "That's great. You should go there. Well, you are. That's why you're here telling me this. I'm happy for her. I absolutely get it. We'll see each other when we see each other," said Bucky. Sam smiled back. And. And Sam felt - felt this warmth that almost hurt. He needed to do something.. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Anything.//',(either: "F1. Alleyway - Hold Hand", "F2. Alleyway - Word Vomit"))</div>

"Nothing bad," Sam said, because he wanted to make that clear. Bucky. Relaxed. "Oh. Oh, good. That's good," said Bucky, and Sam hadn't even noticed that Bucky had been a little tense, "What is it, then?" "My, uh. My sister's going through a bit of a rough pregnancy," explained Sam, "Her first pregnancy was a little rough too and I wasn't there for her." Sam hadn't been. He had been too overwhelmed by the grief and depression over Riley's death to be there for himself, let alone Sarah. Sam regretted it, even if he couldn't control the depression spiral he went through back then. "So, I want to be there for her for this one," continued Sam, "I'm going to be. That means I won't be seeing you for a month or so." Bucky. Nodded. "That's completely fine. Family's important," said Bucky softly, "I'd tell you to tell her congratulations from me, but it might be a little weird, seeing as though you technically 'haven't found Bucky Barnes yet'." And. That made Sam's heart skip a beat. It really made Sam //feel// some things. And. And Sam And Sam felt - felt this warmth that almost hurt. He needed to do something. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Anything.//',(either: "F1. Alleyway - Hold Hand", "F2. Alleyway - Word Vomit"))</div>

"There is a reason," said Sam, nodding. Coming sooner was intentional. It was the last point in which he would be able to meet with Bucky for a while. "What's the reason?" asked Bucky softly. "My sister," explained Sam, before swiftly adding, "She's not in trouble. But - she's pregnant. Her last pregnancy was a little rough and - and I wasn't there for her then. This pregnancy is a little rough too and I just want to be there for her. So, I'm going to be with her for at least a month during the last stretch of her pregnancy. I'm probably going to be with her for a while. I'm probably not going to be able to visit any time soon." Sam needed to be there. He //wanted// to be there. Riley had died around the time of Sarah's pregnancy with Cass, and Sam - Sam barely remembered that first year without Riley. It had been a blur of grief and depression. He hadn't been able to help himself, really, let alone his sister. But he could be there for Sarah now. Bucky's smile grew. "That's fantastic. Tell her Congratulations! Or. Maybe not. I don't know if she'd be exactly happy to hear the Winter Soldier wants to congratulate her," said Bucky. Sam laughed. And. And Sam felt - felt this warmth that almost hurt. He needed to do something.. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Anything.//',(either: "F1. Alleyway - Hold Hand", "F2. Alleyway - Word Vomit"))</div>

"I wish I could be in two places at once," blurted Sam. Because. Well. He kind of did. Which wasn't great. It was selfish of him to say as much, he knew that. But it was nice to say the selfish thing sometimes. And he wanted to say it, if only to Bucky. "Well, if it's any consolation, you're choosing the right place to be. And I get it. I really do. If - if I could be there for my sister, I would." "I wasn't always there for Sarah. I feel like I've let her down more than helped her." Bucky shrugged. "Maybe you have. I don't know. I don't know your history with her - not well enough. But you making the decision to try to be better is never a bad choice. And if it means anything, I think you're the kind of guy who would do what you can. And maybe she sees that too. Even if you haven't always been there." Sam wasn't sure if what Bucky said was true. But it was kind. And the night was cold. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//And - and Sam wanted to do something.//',(either: "F3. Road - Hold Hand", "F4. Road - Word Vomit"))</div>

"You have my number in case something happens," rambled Sam, "Not that - I know you're taking care of yourself. I'm just saying. Number. There. If you need me." "I know," said Bucky as he bumped Sam playfully, "But I might just risk telling Stevie where I am than make you feel like you have to choose between me and family. Not that I don't appreciate the offer. I just - if I could have another moment with Becca? I'd be there in a heartbeat." "I don't know if I've always done my best for Sarah. I'm the middle child. And, well, Gideon is //way// older than us both. He's ten years older than me, fifteen years older than Sarah. I leaned on him a lot to help with Sarah, especially when Mom got sick and Daddy got sick too and... I should have been better. But I'm going to be better now." "Sam, I'm sure you did what you could. When parents die, it's - it's hard on everyone. And I know it's not a lot coming from a fella like me, but I feel like you're not the kind of guy to just brush off everything. I'm sure Sarah understands that." Sam wasn't sure if he believed Bucky. But it was a kind thing to say. And the night was cold. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//And - and Sam wanted to do something.//',(either: "F3. Road - Hold Hand", "F4. Road - Word Vomit"))</div>

"She needs me. I need to be there for her," Sam reiterated. "I know. I agree with you," said Bucky calmly, "You're not failing me or Stevie if you take time for yourself. For your sister." Which might be part of this too. It was hard for Sam to put down thoughts on work. It was hard to not feel like he was failing someone for taking time off to do this. But Sarah deserved Sam's help. "I wasn't always there for her, James. I always put work over her - or - or my feelings after Riley were so heavy. I could barely keep myself from drowning in them, and then I would throw myself into more work and fall into this work hole of no return. I need to be better." "Sam. I don't know you well. Not as well as your family, at least. But I feel like they know what kind of person you are. You're not a flake. You're not ignoring them. You're doing what you can. And I feel like she'll appreciate that at least." It was hard for Sam to believe Bucky's words. But they were a kind thing to say. And the night was cold. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//And - and Sam wanted to do something.//',(either: "F3. Road - Hold Hand", "F4. Road - Word Vomit"))</div>

"Do you really have to be like that?" mumbled Sam into his beer. "What? Kind? Thoughtful? Bare minimum understanding of family circumstances?" asked Bucky curiously. Sam laughed. "Okay. You kind of ruined it." "But I made you laugh." And. Sam didn't have an answer to that. So, he just kept drinking his beer. [[Trying not to think about how Bucky was watching him as he finished his beer.|Delacroix]]

Sam reached out for Bucky's hand. And. Froze. Because. That was a weird thing to do, wasn't it? It was weird. But he couldn't find it in himself to let go. And Bucky didn't seem to mind. "We'll cross paths again. I'm not worried," said Bucky. And maybe that was part of it too. And they walked the streets of London. [[Holding hands as they looked for a place to eat.|Delacroix]]

It was a salty marsh. Long expanses of sea and tall grass peppered with brown pelicans and white ibis and limpkins. It was home. It was a landscape that was etched into Sam's very soul. And he wasn't sure if it would ever not be haunted by the ghosts of dead relatives, but it was still home. It was a place that would always call Sam back. And Sam didn't know how long he would be back, but he was happy to be there. Sam didn't know why he felt so nervous standing at the door. Sarah's door. Well, the door to Sam's childhood home. He rang the doorbell, and - "Uncle Sam!" He was so big now. Cass was so big. Sam still needed to bend down to hug him, he wasn't a giant or anything, but there was such a difference between a baby and a toddler. Sam felt the start of tears forming. He tried his best to blink them away. "Hey, Cass," said Sam as he held his nephew tight, "Long time no see." "So, you really did come." Sarah held the railing of the stairs, leaning on it as she watched Sam hug her kid. She was eight months pregnant and looked //tired.// "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" asked Sam curiously, "Isn't that what 'bed rest' means?" Sam didn't have all the details. All he knew was that for the last month, Sarah was told she needed to stay in bed and rest. "I'm allowed to take one small walk to greet my brother," said Sarah, rolling her eyes as she walked over, as she said, to give Sam that hug. "Then back to bed!" yelled someone from - from the kitchen, maybe? Sam watched as Jody wandered in from the kitchen, apron and all. Jody Casper was a five-foot-eight man with rich umber skin, kind, dark brown eyes, and a constantly changing yet stylish fade. He had a casual confidence to him that could never be rivaled. No short jokes worked on him. It was hard to make fun of a man who seemed to only bring joy and an easygoing attitude into any room he found himself in. He wasn't a fisherman. Hell, he wasn't much of a businessman. But he was good at codes and worked from home doing web design for the state of Louisiana's parks and recreation department. He had met Sarah through Sam of all things. Sam had been in an ornithology club before he moved to D.C. with Riley and Sarah had picked Sam up once from the club when Sam's car broke down. Jody and Sarah had been inseperabele ever since. "Good to see you, Sam! We, uh. We definitely need all the help we can get. Especially on the boat," said Jody, sincere if not maybe a little more than stressed, "I don't know anything about boats, Sam." "I got you," said Sam as he hugged Jody too, "That's why I'm here. You need help. I'm here." "The boat stuff's for Gideon when he gets here. Let Carlos and Tommy run the boat until then," said Sarah. [["Hey! I'm good at boat stuff."|G1. Good at Boat Stuff]] [["Gideon's coming home?"|G2. Gideon]] [["I'm basically a rocket scientist. I can run a boat."|G3. Rocket Scientist]]

"Do you really have to be like that?" mumbled Sam at the sky. "What? Kind? Thoughtful? Bare minimum understanding of family circumstances?" asked Bucky curiously. Sam laughed. "Okay. You kind of ruined it." "But I made you laugh." And. Sam didn't have an answer to that. So, all Sam said was, "Have we figured out a place to eat? I feel like it's always hit or miss when we don't look a place up." [[Sam tried not to think about the fact that Bucky was watching him as he looked up on his phone where would be a good place to eat.|Delacroix]]

Sam reached out for Bucky's hand. And. Froze. Because. That was a weird thing to do, wasn't it? It was weird. But he couldn't find it in himself to let go. And Bucky didn't seem to mind. "We'll cross paths again. I'm not worried," said Bucky. And maybe that was part of it too. And they sat at that pub. [[Holding hands as they drank their beer.|Delacroix]]

"Gideon's coming home?" asked Sam curiously. Gideon Wilson was an ACLU lawyer based in Harlem. He also taught Pre-Law classes at City College. He had gone to college at Vanderbilt and began law school at Yale, but quickly switched to Tulane after their mom fell ill. When their mom was gone when Sam was fourteen? When their daddy died when Sam was sixteen? It was Gideon who was really there. Who moved back and made sure Sarah had someone there for her. Became the parent for years. And Sam paid for college through the Air Force. And some point between Sam going into the Air Force and coming back, Sarah had dropped out to take over the family business. Which worked out in the end, but it had been a bit of a surprise. Not everyone needed college, though. Gideon had moved a few years after Sam. It wasn't as if Gideon had planned to move back home forever. And something about going back to their mom's own roots, back to Harlem, well - it had called to Gideon. Sam got it. Gideon rarely visited. Not out of some hate or malice for Delacroix, but simply because he was a busy man who buried himself in work. "He visited the last time I had a kid," said Sarah. Which had been a point of contention. Gideon had never wanted Sam to join the military. Sam understood //afterward,// but it still felt like a sour subject. It didn't help that Gideon hadn't liked Riley. It didn't help that Sam hadn't been able to help the last time Sarah was pregnant. But still. They were family. And it wasn't as if they hadn't gotten on well before. "You shouldn't worry about him. He's a big teddy bear. He just worries about you, Sam. He worries about your line of work," said Jody. "I run support groups for veterans at the VA," said Sam bluntly. Jody raised an eyebrow. "You know the work I meant," said Jody, and okay, Sam was being obtuse. He knew it was about his part-time work with the Avengers. "Well, Gideon and I will just have to agree to disagree," said Sam. "Fun. Very fun to have both of your brothers here at the same time," said Jody as he took Sarah's hand to help her upstairs, "Could you check on the soup? I've been making a lot of soups." "He's been making so many soups," said Sarah, more like a desperate plea. "I just know soup, Sarah," Jody said as he helped her upstairs, "Tommy said he'd bring over something soon. I told you." Sam snorted as he wandered over to the kitchen, Cass trailing close behind. "At least that's something I can help with," said Sam to Cass as he checked what looked to be potato soup simmering on the stove, "Cooking." "Do you know how to make anything that's not soup?" whispered Cass, as if worried Jody might hear. Sam laughed. "Yes. I'll rescue you from continuous soup," said Sam. Not that he was the best cook or anything. But he at least could cook. [[He could do that for Sarah.|Sam's Room]]

"Hey! I'm good at boat stuff," <s>whined</s> said Sam. "And I'm a world-class flutist," said Sarah, not skipping a beat. Jody didn't hold back the laugh. Even Cass giggled. Everyone was against Sam here. "I worked the boat before you," countered Sam. "And Daddy said he was so happy you got into gymnastics. Meant you wouldn't try to help with the boat," Sarah said, and okay, their daddy //did// say that, but Sam wasn't //that// bad. Sam refused to think he was //that// bad. "Sorry. The rules are the rules. What Sarah says goes for //the Paul & Darlene,"// said Jody with a shrug, "Besides, the boat will be in good hands with Gideon." Which was true. Sam hated to say it, but Gideon //was// good on a boat, even if it wasn't the profession Gideon wanted. "You're going to play nice with Gideon, right?" asked Sarah. And. Yeah. His relationship with his older brother was strained, but Sam... Sam could make sure he was okay with Gideon. They weren't as bad as when Sam was younger. They worked out some of their problems. They could make peace for Sarah. "I can play nice. Can't promise Gideon knows how to," said Sam, because he couldn't make it without saying that. For a man ten years older than Sam, Gideon really didn't know how to not act as if he was the only person in the room who was the end all authority on every subject under the sun; the king of morality and what everyone should be doing. But. They have gotten better with one another. And Sam could play nice. "Well. That certainly inspires confidence that your brothers won't passive aggressively talk around each other for another visit," said Jody as he took Sarah's hand, "Could you check on the soup? I've been making a lot of soups." "He's been making so many soups," said Sarah, more like a desperate plea. "I just know soup, Sarah," Jody said as he helped her upstairs, "Tommy said he'd bring over something soon. I told you." Sam snorted as he wandered over to the kitchen, Cass trailing close behind. "At least that's something I can help with," said Sam to Cass as he checked what looked to be potato soup simmering on the stove, "Cooking." "Do you know how to make anything that's not soup?" whispered Cass, as if worried Jody might hear. Sam laughed. "Yes. I'll rescue you from continuous soup," said Sam. Not that he was the best cook or anything. But he at least could cook. [[He could do that for Sarah.|Sam's Room]]

"I'm basically a rocket scientist. I can run a boat," grumbled Sam, because he really was. If Sam could build a wingpack from the ground up, he could run a fishing boat. Sarah. //Laughed.// Laughed //hard.// "Oh. You're funny. You're a real comedian sometimes, Sam. I missed that," said Sarah, laughing so hard she was //crying.// Sam grimaced. "I really could," said Sam, but he knew she was right. There was a reason his daddy was so happy Sam decided fishing wasn't for him. "You're just lucky that other help is coming," said Sarah. Sam. Got it. "Gideon?" asked Sam. "Yeah. He came last time. He's coming this time too," said Sarah plainly. Sam and Gideon... well. They were family. And they got along more now than they had in the past. But he was also ten years older than Sam and always assumed he knew better than Sam. Which was right sometimes. But that didn't make it any more condescending. This wasn't about Sam, though. Sam could deal with Gideon if Sarah wanted him around. "I'll keep the peace. But I can't say Gideon will do the same," Sam offered. "I mean. You two are older. You've worked some of it out. I'm sure - I'm sure it'll be better," said Jody, always the optimist. "He's here to help. You're here to help. I appreciate you both," said Sarah sincerely. And Sam got it. "We'll make it work," said Sam, because he could do that for Sarah. "Thank you," said Sarah. "I'm going to help Sarah backup," said Jody said as he helped her upstairs, "Tommy said he'd bring over something soon. I told you." Sam snorted as he wandered over to the kitchen, Cass trailing close behind. "At least that's something I can help with," said Sam to Cass as he checked what looked to be potato soup simmering on the stove, "Cooking." "Do you know how to make anything that's not soup?" whispered Cass, as if worried Jody might hear. Sam laughed. "Yes. I'll rescue you from continuous soup," said Sam. Not that he was the best cook or anything. But he at least could cook. [[He could do that for Sarah.|Sam's Room]]

Sam was going to jog. It was part of his morning ritual, really. Get dressed. Get ready. Jog. Riley had gotten him into the ritual. Sam hadn't been a jogger before Riley, but now he was one. It felt like Riley was there sometimes. When he jogged. And it wasn't as bad as it was that first year. Nothing would be. But it was nice to still have this piece of Riley with him. The house was silent. With Sarah on bed rest, no one else was a morning person. Sam was quiet as he walked down the stairs and out of the house. He knew the path well to the park. Sam would never forget his hometown, even if there were new buildings and even a handful of new people. Sam was mostly on autopilot as he made his way down the roads toward the park. And it wasn't as if he was the only person who jogged in the morning. But. There was. There was a person who felt... strange? Something was making Sam's //weird// senses tingle as he saw a man in a hoodie and - and //jeans// and //gloves// jogging past him. And. Okay, so it wasn't as if Sam was in the habit of tackling random strangers. But at the same time, Sam had been working part-time fighting Nazis and aliens and wizards and Sam knew something off when he saw it. Though. The sound the man under him made as Sam tackled him to the ground. It sounded. //Familiar.// [["Bucky?"|I1. Morning Jog - Bucky?]] [["Did you actually follow me to the United States? Where you are actively wanted?"|I2. Morning Jog - Actively Wanted]] [["I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not."|I3. Morning Jog - Not Surprised]]

Breakfast. Sam could make some breakfast before everyone woke up. With Sarah stuck in bed, well, no one else in the house was a morning person. Sam could surprise them all with something nice. Sam put on actual clothes, walking silently downstairs. He opened the fridge and remembered. Right. They were running out of non-soup-related ingredients. Well. They were running out of //soup// related ingredients too. Sam had been meaning to go to the store anyway. He could do that. He could get some groceries and come back before anyone was awake. Sam grabbed Sarah's keys, heading over to her truck. A truck that had been Gideon's before. Sam had driven the car to the local Rouses. And it was a blast from the past; the store was still stuck in its early 2000s remodel. And as Sam wandered the aisles he felt - he felt //someone// around. It didn't feel necessarily malicious. But as a part-time superhero, well, Sam wasn't taking any chances. He doubled back, hoping to figure out who might be following him to find. Huh. Bad wig. Fake mustache. Different ballcap. Same build, even if he was trying to hide it with bad posture. [["Bucky?"|I4. Breakfast - Bucky?]] [["You can't seriously be in the United States where you're actively wanted."|I5. Breakfast - Actively Wanted]] [["I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not."|I6. Breakfast - Not Surprised]]

//The Paul & Darlene.// The boat was out of commission at the moment, but that didn't mean that upkeep wasn't necessary. Sam could at least do upkeep. Sam was a rocket scientist. He could look after one ship. With Sarah on bedrest, well, no one else in the house was a morning person. Sam could pop out and check on the ship, and then pop back in before anyone noticed. Sam made his way quietly down the stairs, grabbing Sarah's keys before taking the truck. Well. It was Gideon's truck before it was Sarah's. But it wasn't as if Sam hadn't driven it a million times down the coast to Point a la Hache to the docks where //the Paul & Darlene// sat. Sam practically grew up on those docks. It was nice to see them again. Be there again. To see the boat of his childhood still in such pristine condition. Maybe even in better condition than it had been with their daddy at the helm. Sarah had really done well with it. And Sam had been about to head onto the ship when - His body moved before he even understood what he had sensed; who he might have sensed behind him. He had a poorly disguised Bucky Barnes pinned to the outside wall of a warehouse. Terrible wig. Cheap sunglasses. Fully covered with gloves in //Louisiana.// What was Bucky even doing there? [["Bucky?"|I7. The Paul & Darlene - Bucky?]] [["Did you actually follow me to the United States? Where you are actively wanted?"|I8. The Paul & Darlene - Actively Wanted]] [["I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not."|I9. The Paul & Darlene - Not Surprised]]

Sam woke up in his old bedroom. A place barely changed since he left for the Air Force when he was eighteen. Gideon had threatened to turn the room into his own personal office if Sam left, but he hadn't gone through with it in the end. Sam had called that bluff. Looking back on it, maybe Gideon had just been scared for Sam. Rightly worried about what joining up might do to him. Sam got it more, looking back. But it was nice. That the room hadn't changed. Still the same posters of //Do the Right Thing// and TLC. Same gymnastics trophies and medals as well as science fair awards. It was Sam's childhood in a time capsule. It was home. Sam had been home for a few days. Getting the lay of the land. Finding his place here. Gideon wasn't there yet, but Sam was okay with waiting for him to come. He was probably finishing up a court case or making sure whoever was taking over his CUNY class could actually teach the class right. Because. Gideon cared. Even if he was higher-than-thou about it. Sam got up, thinking about what he should do first. [[Morning jog?|H1. Morning Jog]] [[Breakfast?|H2. Breakfast]] [[Check on //the Paul & Darlene?//|H3. The Paul & Darlene]]

"Bucky?" said Sam, taking a moment to realize, //Oh. Wow. He came to Delacroix.// For. //Sam.// //Fuck.// "Hey, Sam. Just. Getting some exercise?" said Bucky, "Or, I was." Sam sighed. "James. You're wanted in the US. //Actively// wanted," whispered Sam as he - //fuck,// he pulled Bucky backup to his feet and dragged him to behind a few trees. Like bare minimum cover would help. "I'm also actively wanted by Interpol, but I still was bopping across Europe," said Bucky as he raised an eyebrow, "Who says I can't follow you?" But. There was something more here. "That's not why you're here," said Sam to the point, "What did you hear?" Bucky. Sighed. "You're wrong about one thing. It is part of why I'm here. It's just - not the biggest reason," said Bucky softly. And. //Fuck.// Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J1. Morning Jog - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J2. Morning Jog - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J3. Morning Jog - Danger]]

"Did you actually follow me to the United States? Where you are actively wanted?" asked Sam, and he wasn't sure if he was mad or - or - //Maybe both?// "What can I say? It's hard to think of months away from your gorgeous face." And. //Fuck.// The way Bucky //looked// at him was just - //Fuck.// Sam's heart shouldn't be racing right now. He should be - he should be thinking about where they could talk that would hide Bucky. He took Bucky by the wrist, looking both ways before fast walking onto and into //the Paul & Darlene.// "It's not all that," said Sam, because he knew it couldn't be. Bucky wouldn't risk this if it wasn't important. And there was something so drawing in Bucky's gaze; so captivating that Sam couldn't look away. "Well," said Bucky whispered as he stepped closer to Sam, "Not all you. Mostly you. But not just //because// you." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J7. The Paul & Darlene - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J8. The Paul & Darlene - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J9. The Paul & Darlene - Danger]]

"Bucky?" breathed Sam, and - and it wasn't something Sam had ever dared to think about. Bucky Barnes. Standing on the docks Sam grew up on. It felt surreal. It felt like nothing Sam thought would happen. And it really wasn't a good time for Bucky to be there for either of them. "What? A friend can't visit?" asked Bucky innocently, "You visit me all the time." And Sam knew it wasn't just that. And it was also so strange to pin him down. Bucky could probably get out of Sam's grasp at any moment, but he just - he let Sam pin him to the wall. Sam thought better of being out in the open though. He took Bucky by the wrist, looking both ways before fast walking over onto and into //the Paul & Darlene.// "It's more than just me you're here for, though," said Sam because it had to be; Bucky wouldn't risk this if it wasn't, "What is it?" Bucky sighed. "It's - it's not just to see you, you're right about that," confessed Bucky, "But it was a reason to see you. And despite the circumstances, I'm happy about that." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J7. The Paul & Darlene - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J8. The Paul & Darlene - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J9. The Paul & Darlene - Danger]]

"I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not," said Sam, and he was feeling - what was Sam even feeling? Annoyance? Anger? //Relief?// //Maybe something more?// //Fuck.// "No, that's fair. I'm not saying I'm as reckless as Stevie, but you know, a man on a mission can kind of tunnel vision," said Bucky to the bottom shelf pancake mixes. And. //Shit.// Sam grabbed Buck's arm but - but didn't know where they would even go to hide in a grocery store. "It has to be more than just visiting me," said Sam, "What's going on?" Sam felt it. Bucky's gaze. It was an all-encompassing thing; something that dragged Sam in despite it all. "I mean, part of it was selfish, I'm sure. It's hard to think of months without you," said Bucky wistfully, "But you're not wrong." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J4. Breakfast - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J5. Breakfast - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J6. Breakfast - Danger]]

"Did you actually follow me to the United States? Where you are actively wanted?" asked Sam, and he wasn't sure if he was mad or - or - //Maybe both?// "What can I say? It's hard to think of months away from your gorgeous face." And. //Fuck.// The way Bucky //looked// at him was just - //Fuck.// Sam's heart shouldn't be racing right now. He needed to figure out where to go that had less people. Though, fuck Sam, was there a corner in a grocery store that had less people? "It's not all that," said Sam, because he knew it couldn't be. Bucky wouldn't risk this if it wasn't important. And there was something so drawing in Bucky's gaze; so captivating that Sam couldn't look away. "Well," said Bucky whispered as he stepped closer to Sam, "Not all you. Mostly you. But not just //because// you." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J4. Breakfast - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J5. Breakfast - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J6. Breakfast - Danger]]

"Bucky?" said Sam, taking a moment to realize - //Oh. Wow. He came to Delacroix.// For. //Sam.// //Fuck.// "Hey, Sam. Fancy meeting you here," said Bucky, his acting horrendous. Sam. Took a big breath in. Big breath out. "James," Sam started, trying not to let any of his complicated emotions about this win out before getting to the truth of the matter, "You're wanted in the US. //Actively.// What are you doing?" "I mean, I'm wanted actively by Interpol too, but - " Bucky started, but he must have seen how that wasn't winning him any favors, so he stopped that logic, "So, I can't follow you?" Sam hated that his breath hitched. His heart skipped a beat. That he didn't want to look away from those eyes of Bucky's. But. There was something more here. "That's not why you're here," said Sam to the point, "What did you hear?" Bucky. Sighed. "You're wrong about one thing. It is part of why I'm here. It's just - not the biggest reason," said Bucky softly. And. //Fuck.// Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J4. Breakfast - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J5. Breakfast - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J6. Breakfast - Danger]]

"I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not," said Sam, and he was feeling - what was Sam even feeling? Annoyance? Anger? //Relief?// //Maybe something more?// //Fuck.// "No, that's fair. I'm not saying I'm as reckless as Stevie, but you know, a man on a mission can kind of tunnel vision," said Bucky to the ground. And. //Shit.// Sam pulled Bucky up, bringing him to the bare minimum cover of the trees as if that might protect them both. "It has to be more than just visiting me," said Sam, "What's going on?" Sam felt it. Bucky's gaze. It was an all-encompassing thing; something that dragged Sam in despite it all. "I mean, part of it was selfish, I'm sure. It's hard to think of months without you," said Bucky wistfully, "But you're not wrong." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J1. Morning Jog - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J2. Morning Jog - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J3. Morning Jog - Danger]]

"Did you actually follow me to the United States? Where you are actively wanted?" asked Sam, and he wasn't sure if he was mad or - or - //Maybe both?// "What can I say? It's hard to think of months away from your gorgeous face." And. //Fuck.// Sam's heart raced at that as he pulled Bucky up and tried to hide him amongst the trees. Like that could actually help if someone caught wind of where Bucky was. "It's not all that," said Sam, because he knew it couldn't be. Bucky wouldn't risk this if it wasn't important. And there was something so drawing in Bucky's gaze; so captivating that Sam couldn't look away. "Well," said Bucky whispered as he stepped closer to Sam, "Not all you. Mostly you. But not just //because// you." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J1. Morning Jog - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J2. Morning Jog - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J3. Morning Jog - Danger]]

"I'd say I'm surprised, but somehow, I'm not," said Sam, and he was feeling - what was Sam even feeling? Annoyance? Anger? //Relief?// //Maybe something more?// //Fuck.// "No, that's fair. I'm not saying I'm as reckless as Stevie, but you know, a man on a mission can kind of tunnel vision," said Bucky to Sam's shoes. And. //Shit.// Sam grabbed Buck's arm, dragging him out of the open. They wandered over to //the Paul & Darlene,// walking onto and into the boat, hoping no one noticed. "It has to be more than just visiting me," said Sam, "What's going on?" Sam felt it. Bucky's gaze. It was an all-encompassing thing; something that dragged Sam in despite it all. "I mean, part of it was selfish, I'm sure. It's hard to think of months without you," said Bucky wistfully, "But you're not wrong." Sam's heart stuttered. [["You came for me?"|J7. The Paul & Darlene - For Me]] [["What did you hear, James?"|J8. The Paul & Darlene - Hear]] [["How much danger are we all in?"|J9. The Paul & Darlene - Danger]]

"How much danger are we all in?" asked Sam. Because. It had to be dangerous. Bucky wouldn't have risked coming back to the US if it wasn't. He wouldn't risk Sam's family. He wouldn't be here if danger wasn't coming Sam's way. And Sam needed to know the why //now.// Bucky nodded. "I - I was doing a usual takedown of a HYDRA base," explained Bucky, "I heard your name on their comms. They didn't say why. I didn't find files pertaining to you. I don't know if they just said your name or if there was something bigger there. But I couldn't risk it. I had to check to make sure no one was coming for you, especially when you're with your family. And I know you can take care of yourself, Sam, but I thought backup would be best given the potential situation." Sam did agree. If someone was coming, especially with family around? Sam wasn't going to turn down the backup. "I think you're right. Thank you for - for coming. For being my backup," said Sam, But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. And they snaked through the neighborhood, avoiding whoever they could before finding their way to Sarah's home. Sam walked over to the backyard and - //yes. It was still there.// "Crawling up a trellis, huh?" asked Bucky curiously. "It's strong enough. Trust me," said Sam, fondly thinking about nights coming back from parties as a kid, "Gideon used to hate that I'd do this, but hey. It's coming in handy." Sam got it now. He would have a heart attack if Cass or the soon-to-be AJ started doing what Sam did once they got older. But Sam was glad he knew how to do this now. Sam crawled up the trellis, Bucky close behind. Sam opened his window, flopping onto the floor before starting to help Bucky in and - //Oh.// Bucky. Fell on Sam. And there was a brief moment of just being frozen there, lost in Bucky's eyes; the weight of him on Sam's body. "Uh. Disguise," Bucky finally reminded Sam, and //shit.// //Right.// They didn't have much time before everyone was awake again. "There should be some of my daddy's old dye in the bathroom and - and we'll do some shaving too. There's definitely some old reading glasses around, so we'll pop out the lenses and use those," said Sam thoughtfully, catching Bucky's smile, "What?" "You're just so handsome when you're coming up with a plan," said Bucky, a little shameless. Still. Sam couldn't help but like that. [["Yes. I really am," said Sam as he took Bucky's hand and dragged him to the hall bathroom, "So, let's enact that plan before anyone notices you're in the house."|K1. Morning Jog - Think Quick]]

"What did you hear, James?" asked Sam, because it had to be serious. Bucky wouldn't just risk this. Bucky sighed. "You might be in danger." Sam nodded. He leaned on a tree. "I'm always in danger, Bucky." "No, I mean - I was - I was taking down a HYDRA base. I heard your name over their comms," explained Bucky, "I don't know what it means. I don't know if they're just keeping tabs on you or if it's something more. I couldn't find anything specifically pertaining to you in their files. But I don't want to risk it. I don't want to risk you or - or your family. And this isn't me saying you couldn't take care of it on your own, it's just me saying some backup might be nice. Just until we're sure no one is actually coming out here to get you." And. Okay. Sam knew this might happen. A dangerous job draws attention. "Okay. I get it. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. And they snaked through the neighborhood, avoiding whoever they could before finding their way to Sarah's home. Sam walked over to the backyard and - //yes. It was still there.// "Crawling up a trellis, huh?" asked Bucky curiously. "It's strong enough. Trust me," said Sam, fondly thinking about nights coming back from parties as a kid, "Gideon used to hate that I'd do this, but hey. It's coming in handy." Sam got it now. He would have a heart attack if Cass or the soon-to-be AJ started doing what Sam did once they got older. But Sam was glad he knew how to do this now. Sam crawled up the trellis, Bucky close behind. Sam opened his window, flopping onto the floor before starting to help Bucky in and - //Oh.// Bucky. Fell on Sam. And there was a brief moment of just being frozen there, lost in Bucky's eyes; the weight of him on Sam's body. "Uh. Disguise," Bucky finally reminded Sam, and //shit.// //Right.// They didn't have much time before everyone was awake again. "There should be some of my daddy's old dye in the bathroom and - and we'll do some shaving too. There's definitely some old reading glasses around, so we'll pop out the lenses and use those," said Sam thoughtfully, catching Bucky's smile, "What?" "You're just so handsome when you're coming up with a plan," said Bucky, a little shameless. Still. Sam couldn't help but like that. [["Yes. I really am," said Sam as he took Bucky's hand and dragged him to the hall bathroom, "So, let's enact that plan before anyone notices you're in the house."|K1. Morning Jog - Think Quick]]

"You came for me?" breathed Sam. "I'd always come for you," murmured Bucky, and - and it was so much. Too much. At the edge of what they haven't talked about. "But..." Bucky continued, "It's more because I was taking down another HYDRA base and - and someone said your name. Over the comms. I finished the job, but I needed to make sure no one was coming after you." Oh. So, the job was catching up to Sam. "And - and this isn't because I don't trust that you can't take care of yourself," added Bucky, "I just thought having backup would be a good idea." Which. It would. It honestly would. "Thanks, I - I'd like that. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. And they snaked through the neighborhood, avoiding whoever they could before finding their way to Sarah's home. Sam walked over to the backyard and - //yes. It was still there.// "Crawling up a trellis, huh?" asked Bucky curiously. "It's strong enough. Trust me," said Sam, fondly thinking about nights coming back from parties as a kid, "Gideon used to hate that I'd do this, but hey. It's coming in handy." Sam got it now. He would have a heart attack if Cass or the soon-to-be AJ started doing what Sam did once they got older. But Sam was glad he knew how to do this now. Sam crawled up the trellis, Bucky close behind. Sam opened his window, flopping onto the floor before starting to help Bucky in and - //Oh.// Bucky. Fell on Sam. And there was a brief moment of just being frozen there, lost in Bucky's eyes; the weight of him on Sam's body. "Uh. Disguise," Bucky finally reminded Sam, and //shit.// //Right.// They didn't have much time before everyone was awake again. "There should be some of my daddy's old dye in the bathroom and - and we'll do some shaving too. There's definitely some old reading glasses around, so we'll pop out the lenses and use those," said Sam thoughtfully, catching Bucky's smile, "What?" "You're just so handsome when you're coming up with a plan," said Bucky, a little shameless. Still. Sam couldn't help but like that. [["Yes. I really am," said Sam as he took Bucky's hand and dragged him to the hall bathroom, "So, let's enact that plan before anyone notices you're in the house."|K1. Morning Jog - Think Quick]]

"You came for me?" breathed Sam. "I'd always come for you," murmured Bucky, and - and it was so much. Too much. At the edge of what they haven't talked about. "But..." Bucky continued, "It's more because I was taking down another HYDRA base and - and someone said your name. Over the comms. I finished the job, but I needed to make sure no one was coming after you." Oh. So, the job was catching up to Sam. "And - and this isn't because I don't trust that you can't take care of yourself," added Bucky, "I just thought having backup would be a good idea." Which. It would. It honestly would. "Thanks, I - I'd like that. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. Sam made a beeline to one of the farther aisles - the one with shaving supplies and hair dye. "This will work better and - and one of Mom's old pairs of reading glasses is in the truck, so we can definitely pop the lenses out and use those," said Sam, "If you can make it to the bathroom here, I'll meet you once I've bought the supplies." And. Bucky. Was just smiling. "What?" asked Sam. "Just - just you," said Bucky and //how was he allowed to even say that?// "M - me?" asked Sam. "You're captivating on a mission," said Bucky, and that felt like another blow to Sam's concentration. "That's - that's not helping, jeez," said Sam as he felt his face heat up, "Now, go. I'll be there soon." [["Whatever you say, Sam," said Bucky as he left Sam with Sam's heart racing a mile a minute.|K2. Breakfast - Think Quick]]

"What did you hear, James?" asked Sam, because it had to be serious. Bucky wouldn't just risk this. Bucky sighed. "You might be in danger." Sam nodded. He leaned on a tree. "I'm always in danger, Bucky." "No, I mean - I was - I was taking down a HYDRA base. I heard your name over their comms," explained Bucky, "I don't know what it means. I don't know if they're just keeping tabs on you or if it's something more. I couldn't find anything specifically pertaining to you in their files. But I don't want to risk it. I don't want to risk you or - or your family. And this isn't me saying you couldn't take care of it on your own, it's just me saying some backup might be nice. Just until we're sure no one is actually coming out here to get you." And. Okay. Sam knew this might happen. A dangerous job draws attention. "Okay. I get it. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. Sam made a beeline to one of the farther aisles - the one with shaving supplies and hair dye. "This will work better and - and one of Mom's old pairs of reading glasses is in the truck, so we can definitely pop the lenses out and use those," said Sam, "If you can make it to the bathroom here, I'll meet you once I've bought the supplies." And. Bucky. Was just smiling. "What?" asked Sam. "Just - just you," said Bucky and //how was he allowed to even say that?// "M - me?" asked Sam. "You're captivating on a mission," said Bucky, and that felt like another blow to Sam's concentration. "That's - that's not helping, jeez," said Sam as he felt his face heat up, "Now, go. I'll be there soon." [["Whatever you say, Sam," said Bucky as he left Sam with Sam's heart racing a mile a minute.|K2. Breakfast - Think Quick]]

"How much danger are we all in?" asked Sam. Because. It had to be dangerous. Bucky wouldn't have risked coming back to the US if it wasn't. He wouldn't risk Sam's family. He wouldn't be here if danger wasn't coming Sam's way. And Sam needed to know the why //now.// Bucky nodded. "I - I was doing a usual takedown of a HYDRA base," explained Bucky, "I heard your name on their comms. They didn't say why. I didn't find files pertaining to you. I don't know if they just said your name or if there was something bigger there. But I couldn't risk it. I had to check to make sure no one was coming for you, especially when you're with your family. And I know you can take care of yourself, Sam, but I thought backup would be best given the potential situation." Sam did agree. If someone was coming, especially with family around? Sam wasn't going to turn down the backup. "I think you're right. Thank you for - for coming. For being my backup," said Sam, But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Come with me. Let's do something that might actually work," said Sam as - as he took Bucky's arm. Sam made a beeline to one of the farther aisles - the one with shaving supplies and hair dye. "This will work better and - and one of Mom's old pairs of reading glasses is in the truck, so we can definitely pop the lenses out and use those," said Sam, "If you can make it to the bathroom here, I'll meet you once I've bought the supplies." And. Bucky. Was just smiling. "What?" asked Sam. "Just - just you," said Bucky and //how was he allowed to even say that?// "M - me?" asked Sam. "You're captivating on a mission," said Bucky, and that felt like another blow to Sam's concentration. "That's - that's not helping, jeez," said Sam as he felt his face heat up, "Now, go. I'll be there soon." [["Whatever you say, Sam," said Bucky as he left Sam with Sam's heart racing a mile a minute.|K2. Breakfast - Think Quick]]

"How much danger are we all in?" asked Sam. Because. It had to be dangerous. Bucky wouldn't have risked coming back to the US if it wasn't. He wouldn't risk Sam's family. He wouldn't be here if danger wasn't coming Sam's way. And Sam needed to know the why //now.// Bucky nodded. "I - I was doing a usual takedown of a HYDRA base," explained Bucky, "I heard your name on their comms. They didn't say why. I didn't find files pertaining to you. I don't know if they just said your name or if there was something bigger there. But I couldn't risk it. I had to check to make sure no one was coming for you, especially when you're with your family. And I know you can take care of yourself, Sam, but I thought backup would be best given the potential situation." Sam did agree. If someone was coming, especially with family around? Sam wasn't going to turn down the backup. "I think you're right. Thank you for - for coming. For being my backup," said Sam, But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Here. let me see what I can do," said Sam as he surveyed what he was working with. He pulled off the wig. The glasses, the mustache despite the dramatic yelp from Bucky. Sam took Bucky in and - and dragged Bucky into the bathroom of //The Paul & Darlene.// The inside of the boat was crowded already, but two people in the bathroom was much more squished. Two sardines crammed in the tiniest can. Sam tried not to think about that as he dropped down to check the bathroom cabinets. "What are you looking for?" asked Bucky curiously. "Well - shaving supplies, for one," said Sam as he placed the supplies on the bathroom counter; a woman's razor Sarah must keep there as well as shaving cream, "And my dad's old hair dye." Bucky raised an eyebrow as Sam stood up with the hair dye. "What? He didn't want people to see his greys. Not that a little grey is bad, it's natural. But Daddy was particular and touched up his hair," said Sam, smiling at the thought of it. "Okay. Clean shave and some dye. That makes sense," said Bucky with a nod. "And we'll see if we can make those glasses look - wait. No, I think Mom's glasses are still - yes. Okay," said Sam as he squeezed past Bucky and grabbed reading glasses from a drawer. He popped the lenses off and placed the glasses on Bucky. They were square glasses. Sam had remembered them being a little dorky, but maybe a little dorky worked on Bucky. "Good look?" asked Bucky curiously. Sam smiled. "Yeah. That'll work. Now. Let's finish up the look." [["Lead the way," said Bucky as Sam brought Bucky back into the boat bathroom.|K3. The Paul & Darlene - Think Quick]]

"What did you hear, James?" asked Sam, because it had to be serious. Bucky wouldn't just risk this. Bucky sighed. "You might be in danger." Sam nodded. He leaned on a tree. "I'm always in danger, Bucky." "No, I mean - I was - I was taking down a HYDRA base. I heard your name over their comms," explained Bucky, "I don't know what it means. I don't know if they're just keeping tabs on you or if it's something more. I couldn't find anything specifically pertaining to you in their files. But I don't want to risk it. I don't want to risk you or - or your family. And this isn't me saying you couldn't take care of it on your own, it's just me saying some backup might be nice. Just until we're sure no one is actually coming out here to get you." And. Okay. Sam knew this might happen. A dangerous job draws attention. "Okay. I get it. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Here. let me see what I can do," said Sam as he surveyed what he was working with. He pulled off the wig. The glasses, the mustache despite the dramatic yelp from Bucky. Sam took Bucky in and - and dragged Bucky into the bathroom of //The Paul & Darlene.// The inside of the boat was crowded already, but two people in the bathroom was much more squished. Two sardines crammed in the tiniest can. Sam tried not to think about that as he dropped down to check the bathroom cabinets. "What are you looking for?" asked Bucky curiously. "Well - shaving supplies, for one," said Sam as he placed the supplies on the bathroom counter; a woman's razor Sarah must keep there as well as shaving cream, "And my dad's old hair dye." Bucky raised an eyebrow as Sam stood up with the hair dye. "What? He didn't want people to see his greys. Not that a little grey is bad, it's natural. But Daddy was particular and touched up his hair," said Sam, smiling at the thought of it. "Okay. Clean shave and some dye. That makes sense," said Bucky with a nod. "And we'll see if we can make those glasses look - wait. No, I think Mom's glasses are still - yes. Okay," said Sam as he squeezed past Bucky and grabbed reading glasses from a drawer. He popped the lenses off and placed the glasses on Bucky. They were square glasses. Sam had remembered them being a little dorky, but maybe a little dorky worked on Bucky. "Good look?" asked Bucky curiously. Sam smiled. "Yeah. That'll work. Now. Let's finish up the look." [["Lead the way," said Bucky as Sam brought Bucky back into the boat bathroom.|K3. The Paul & Darlene - Think Quick]]

"You came for me?" breathed Sam. "I'd always come for you," murmured Bucky, and - and it was so much. Too much. At the edge of what they haven't talked about. "But..." Bucky continued, "It's more because I was taking down another HYDRA base and - and someone said your name. Over the comms. I finished the job, but I needed to make sure no one was coming after you." Oh. So, the job was catching up to Sam. "And - and this isn't because I don't trust that you can't take care of yourself," added Bucky, "I just thought having backup would be a good idea." Which. It would. It honestly would. "Thanks, I - I'd like that. But are you sure that's the look you want to go with?" asked Sam, amused. The wig was Party City bad. The glasses looked fake. The mustache was atrocious. The hoodie did nothing. The baseball cap felt trite. Still. Bucky blinked as if he hadn't expected that. "You don't think it works?" asked Bucky. Sam laughed. "Bucky. You know there are masks that actually transform your face into a different face now, right?" "Well, masks cost money. I'm mostly getting by on hacks and glitches in systems," grumbled Bucky. And. Okay. Sam needed to do //something.// "Here. let me see what I can do," said Sam as he surveyed what he was working with. He pulled off the wig. The glasses, the mustache despite the dramatic yelp from Bucky. Sam took Bucky in and - and dragged Bucky into the bathroom of //The Paul & Darlene.// The inside of the boat was crowded already, but two people in the bathroom was much more squished. Two sardines crammed in the tiniest can. Sam tried not to think about that as he dropped down to check the bathroom cabinets. "What are you looking for?" asked Bucky curiously. "Well - shaving supplies, for one," said Sam as he placed the supplies on the bathroom counter; a woman's razor Sarah must keep there as well as shaving cream, "And my dad's old hair dye." Bucky raised an eyebrow as Sam stood up with the hair dye. "What? He didn't want people to see his greys. Not that a little grey is bad, it's natural. But Daddy was particular and touched up his hair," said Sam, smiling at the thought of it. "Okay. Clean shave and some dye. That makes sense," said Bucky with a nod. "And we'll see if we can make those glasses look - wait. No, I think Mom's glasses are still - yes. Okay," said Sam as he squeezed past Bucky and grabbed reading glasses from a drawer. He popped the lenses off and placed the glasses on Bucky. They were square glasses. Sam had remembered them being a little dorky, but maybe a little dorky worked on Bucky. "Good look?" asked Bucky curiously. Sam smiled. "Yeah. That'll work. Now. Let's finish up the look." [["Lead the way," said Bucky as Sam brought Bucky back into the boat bathroom.|K3. The Paul & Darlene - Think Quick]]

"Sam?" Sam heard it from the bedroom. Well. What used to be their parents bedroom. Now, was Sarah's and Jody's. Her door was open, enough to where she must have seen Sam walking back up. After shooing Bucky out of his bedroom, Sam quickly realized that it might be weird if he was sweaty in his jogging clothes //before// he went out to jog. So, out the window Sam went as well, taking the long way up starting at the front door of the Wilson family home. Sam walked back toward the door, poking his head in to find Sarah in bed. Which made sense. Bed rest and all. Sam had to act natural. Act normal. Act as if an ex-assassin in disguise wasn't about to ring their doorbell soon. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Sam could do that.//',(either: "L1. Morning Jog - Hey", "L2. Morning Jog - Nothing Weird Happened During My Jog!", "L3. Morning Jog - You're Acting Strange"))</div>

"Uncle Sam?" Sam heard it from behind him in the kitchen. Well. Someone was bound to check on what Sam was up to and probably heard Sam making breakfast. It might as well be Cass. Sam had finished his work on disguising Bucky quickly and had asked him to come by in an hour or so - to give Sam time to cook breakfast; explain that a friend was in town. Sam wasn't sure how weird it was to have a friend randomly show up to help out, but it couldn't be that weird, especially if Sam vouched for him, right? Right. Sam was going to believe that as he finished frying the bacon, turning off the stove. He turned to his little nephew in adorable space pajamas. Cass was staring up at Sam. Sam relaxed. It would be easy to act normal with Cass. What could a three-year-old pick up on, anyway? Though. Those sounded like famous last words. But Sam could act as if an ex-assassin in disguise wasn't about to ring their doorbell soon when talking with his nephew. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Sam could do that.//',(either: "L4. Breakfast - Hey, Buddy", "L5. Morning Jog - What Are You Doing Up?", "L6. Morning Jog - Becoming an Early Bird Like Me, Huh?"))</div>

"Sam?" Sam had been a little late getting back. Turned out, there was actually //traffic// getting from Point a la Hache to Delacroix now due to a tourism boom. Sam could see that maybe leaving a note might have been a better idea once he opened the door to find Sarah and Jody poking their heads out from the kitchen. Sam could see the relief... then a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "Where did you go?" asked Sarah, a half-whisper. Cass wasn't up yet, then. Sam. Could act like a normal person. He could act like an ex-assassin wasn't probably going to show up soon in disguise. He could do that. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Sam could do that.//',(either: "L7. The Paul & Darlene - Hey, Guys", "L8. The Paul & Darlene - Checked on the Boat", "L9. The Paul & Darlene - What About That Traffic?"))</div>

"What are you doing up?" asked Sam as he watched a tired little Cass shuffle over to the kitchen table. "I heard cooking. And it smelled so good," yawned Cass as he hopped up onto the chair, "Are you really a good cook, Uncle Sam?" Oh. Because Sam hadn't visited enough for Cass to remember that yet. //Fuck.// Sam really needed to visit more. Sam //would// visit more. "Good? I'm great," said Sam with a smile as he sat with Cass, "Going to make you the best breakfast." "He really is," said Jody as he wandered into the kitchen, "Which is good because I'm pretty sure everyone is tired of my cream of wheat." "I thought you only made soup," said Sam, amused as he watched Jody pour a glass of orange juice. "Cream of wheat is basically a soup," said Jody with a shrug as he handed Cass' little grabby hands the orange juice, "Can we, uh. Can we talk?" "Yeah. Sure," said Sam as he got up and walked with Jody into the dining room, "What's up?" "Sam. You know I don't ask much. I'm not - I don't really. And you're great. We're good. This isn't a personal thing, but it's important. And you're not the only person I'm going to be having this talk with, so it's not just you." Sam... nodded. "What is it?" "You don't have to get along with Gideon. But you're going to need to around Sarah. Seriously. She doesn't need to worry about you and Gideon fighting. She's got enough on her plate as is. She loves you both. She wants you both here. You need to at least be civil in front of her. Be cool." And. It was bad when //Jody// of all people was pleading this. //Shit.// "Of course. I won't - I'll make sure not to stress Sarah out," said Sam sincerely, "Gideon and I are adults. We can act like adults." Which. Sam hoped he could do that. He felt like he reverted back to the teen Gideon bossed around whenever Gideon entered a room. Which wasn't a great look. But it was the look Sam fell back into. "Good. Great. Thank you, Sam," said Jody. And. //Fuck.// Sam forgot. Sam forgot that Jody was a walking, talking secret detector. It was a gift Sam couldn’t even explain. The man just //knew// when a person had a secret. And Jody wasn’t omniscient; he didn’t know what the secret was, but he was never wrong when he pinged that someone was hiding something. Jody proved as much as he tilted his head curiously at Sam and asked, "But - there's something you're not telling me." Not like Sam hadn't planned to tell Jody and Sarah. "Not, uh. About Gideon. A - a friend of mine is in town. He heard I was helping take care of my sister and he offered to lend a helping hand too. He's uh - he's a great guy. And very handy? Doesn't hurt to have an extra person," Sam rambled. "Friend, huh?" asked Jody, raising an eyebrow, because //of course// he picked up on that. Before Jody could ask more, though, Sam heard the doorbell ring. [["I'll get that."|M4. Breakfast - I'll Get That]] [["There's nothing to confess."|M5. Breakfast - No Confession]] [["You be cool too."|M6. Breakfast - Be Cool]]

"Nothing weird happened during my jog!" announced Sam like a totally normal person. Nailed it. Sam totally nailed it. Sarah. Blinked. "Right. Uh. We'll put that aside for later," said Sarah, "Come over here, Sam." And. Sam did as Sarah asked of him. He walked over to the bed. Sarah started to sit up and - and Sam couldn't help it, he helped her sit up. Adjusted the pillows. Made sure she was comfortable. Sarah smiled. "Thanks." "Always, Sarah," said Sam, because he would be there for her. "I know - I know things are hard with Gideon. But I need you to actually try to get along with him. I can't have another stressor," said Sarah, and she was so serious. And. Sam couldn't be that to her. He didn't want to add to her stress. "I'll do what I can to get along with him," said Sam seriously. "That's all I ask," said Sarah, "Though. I think I might need to ask what happened during your jog." "Nothing." "Sam." Sam. Did need to tell her before Bucky came over. "So, a, uh. A friend of mine is in town. Said he wanted to help out. I, uh. I trust him. And I thought, well, another hand wouldn't hurt. He's handy. He's quick to like. He's - he's not going to be a stressor either." "Handy? And quick to like?" asked Sarah like she knew something. Sam didn't want her to know something. "Friends," Sam emphasized. "I remember Riley just being a 'friend'." Which. Okay. He was. "That was the truth at the time," Sam insisted, though. It was. They were. It was a little more than that; a little more complicated. And Sam's first relationship with a guy. And Riley would insist that they only started dating when Sam made it official, but there were so many moments before that were... that they were... not exactly sexual, but //intimate// in a way Sam rarely was with a person. Maybe they had been dating then. But Sam hadn't known it at the time. And Riley always insisted that they only started dating when Sam made it official. But deep down, Sam knew that was Riley being kind. They probably had been dating then. Before Sarah could say more, Sam heard the ring of the doorbell. [["I should get that."|M1. Morning Jog - I Should Get That]] [["It's not like that."|M2. Morning Jog - Not Like That]] [["Don't say that around him, please."|M3. Morning Jog - Don't, Please]]

"I just checked on the boat," Sam said, seeing the tension grow in Sarah before he added, "Well. I didn't exactly //check.// I got a little distracted." Sarah. Immediately relaxed. Which felt rude, but whatever. "Good. Distraction is good. And Gideon's coming today, so even if something was tweaked, he could have fixed it," said Jody, as Sarah nodded, needing that reminder. And. //Gideon was coming today?// "But, uh," Jody continued, turning back to Sam, "It would be nice if you left a note next time. Or a text. Anything. We didn't see you in your room and it was taking so long. We thought maybe..." Oh. //Oh, fuck.// "Of course. I wasn't - it wasn't my Avengers work. I just got stuck in traffic," said Sam sincerely, because he should have thought about that. Sam was so used to not having someone at home that he hadn't. Sam needed to be better about that. "What distracted you, though?" asked Sarah curiously. And. Sam //did// need to tell them about Bucky coming over before Bucky came over. "I found out a, uh. Friend. Is in the area at the moment. I didn't know he was visiting too. I explained why I was in town and he offered to help out a bit. He's - he's great. Quick thinker. A little grumpy, sure, a bit hardheaded, but he's nice to have around. Can't have too much help either." And. Sam could see it. //Fuck.// He forgot that Jody was basically a walking, talking secret detector. Sam didn't know how the man did it, but he had a 100% rate of uncovering secrets. Jody didn't know the secret, but he always knew there //was// one, and after decades of having the gift, the man knew how to catch people off guard with his friendly demeanor and how to get people to talk. "So," asked Sarah curiously, smiling because she had an ace up her sleeve with Jody, "Just a friend?" Before Sam had to figure out how to word a response to the question that might pass Jody's detection, he was saved by the doorbell. [["I'll get that."|M7. The Paul & Darlene - I'll Get That]] [["Oh. The door. Might be my //friend."//|M8. The Paul & Darlene - My Friend]] [["Please don't say that when he gets here."|M9. The Paul & Darlene - Please Don't]]

"You're acting strange!" Sam announced apropos of nothing. Sarah. Full-on laughed. "Yeah. Interesting way to begin a morning, but let's put a pin in that," said Sarah as she gestured for Sam to come over, "Can we talk?" "Of course," said Sam, coming to her side. He watched her try to put down her sudoku. Sam took it, helping her place it on the nightstand. "Thanks." "Of course." That was why he was here. To help. "Sam. I know Gideon and you, it's - it's hard for you two to get each other. And I'm not asking you to right now. I just - I need you two to be cool. Not fight when I'm in the room," Sarah said, "I know it's hard. I get it. But I invited you both down to help. Not stress me out." And. Okay. Sam got that. "I'll do what I can to make sure I'm getting along with him with you around," said Sam as he heard Sarah laugh. "That's all I'm asking. Duke it out with words when I'm not there, but I need peace, okay?" "I can do that." "So... what strange thing happened to you, Samuel?" And. Great. She saw through the ruse. Not that Sam's ruse was all that good to begin with. "There's a, uh. There's a friend of mine. In town. He's, uh. He's going to be coming over to help a bit here and there. He's great. He really is. He's funny. A little grumpy and quiet, but he's - he's easy to be with. And he's good in a pinch. I think you'll like him," Sam practically rambled, way more nervous than he thought he would be talking about this. There was. Something about Sarah's smile. "What?" asked Sam. "Haven't seen you like this since Riley.” And. Sam was going to denounce that very correct claim that Sam didn't want to admit to, but then - //the doorbell.// Sam heard it ring. [["I should get that."|M1. Morning Jog - I Should Get That]] [["It's not like that."|M2. Morning Jog - Not Like That]] [["Don't say that around him, please."|M3. Morning Jog - Don't, Please]]

"Hey," <s>yelped</s> Sam said totally casually, like a completely normal person not hiding the fact that an ex-assassin may or may not be ringing the doorbell at any moment. Sarah. Raised an eyebrow. "Hey. Okay. No, that sounded weird. Even from you, Sam. You're totally hiding something. But that's not important. I'm - I'm stressed out as is. I need you to actually say you're going to try to get along with Gideon," said Sarah, brushing off whatever Sam was doing with his hands to focus on the actual problem for her, "You can't help me if you're stressing me out too." And. Okay. Sam understood that. Sam. Nodded. "I'll get along with him," said Sam, but he knew it sounded like //try// to get along with Gideon. Because it really was try. Sarah sighed. "Good. Uh. Do I need to worry about why you seem to be doing weird jazz hands?" asked Sarah, and Sam stopped //whatever he was doing with his hands// immediately. "Well, uh. There's, uh - there's this guy. I kind of know. That said he was in town - weird, right?" said Sam nervously, "So he, uh. He might visit. And. Help out, maybe." Sarah. Stared at Sam. "Like, from an ornithology club or from wine club or from the VA or from - //you know?"// whispered Sarah, "It's not Steve Rogers, is it?" Sarah. Looked a little too excited about Steve Rogers. "No. It's not Steve. It's, uh. It's just a friend. He's nice. Great. Easy to talk to. Quick to warm up to. He's - he won't be a problem, really," Sam rambled, "He'll be helpful." Sarah looked as if she wanted to say something. "What?" asked Sam, frowning. "Nothing." "Really. What?" "Haven't seen you so nervous to introduce someone since Riley," said Sarah, all smiles. "It's - it's not. We're really not - Just a friend. Being friendly," said Sam, "Nothing more. Nothing less." Which wasn't exactly true. But. Well. "Uh-huh." "No, 'Uh-huh,' Sarah - " Sam started to <s>whine</s> say, before - //Ding dong.// [["I should get that."|M1. Morning Jog - I Should Get That]] [["It's not like that."|M2. Morning Jog - Not Like That]] [["Don't say that around him, please."|M3. Morning Jog - Don't, Please]]

"It's not like that," Sam insisted, but all the same, it didn't look like Sarah believed him as he left her room and made a beeline to the front door. He opened it and - //Fuck.// Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam forgot. He forgot Gideon was coming today. And Sam felt like a kid again. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N1. Morning Jog - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N2. Morning Jog - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N1. Morning Jog - Handshake", "N2. Morning Jog - Hug", "N3. Morning Jog - Awkward"))</div>

"Hey, buddy," said Sam as he bent down and scooped Cass up into his arms. He was a little heavier than Sam anticipated. Maybe because it had been a while since Sam visited last. But it wasn't a burden to carry the kid. "I heard the door and wanted to see what smelled so good," yawned Cass. "Bacon. And then, I'm going to cook the eggs in the bacon grease," explained Sam, "Big surprise breakfast for everyone." Cass grinned. "Really?" asked Cass, excited but still a little tired. "Yeah. Your Uncle Sam is a fantastic cook, kiddo," said Sam warmly. "Good. Because I think everyone is getting a little tired of my cream of wheat," announced Jody as he walked into the room. "I thought you could only make soup," said Sam as he handed Cass to Jody. "Cream of wheat is a soup. Sort of. Same difference," said Jody, helping a sleepy Cass into a chair at the breakfast table, "That does smell good, though." Sam grinned. "Thanks. I'll bring some up for Sarah once I'm done cooking," said Sam. "I, uh. I'd like to talk to you. Before you continue. If that's cool," said Jody as he poured Cass a glass of orange juice and handed it to the sleepy kid. "Uh. Yeah. Sure. Of course, man," said Sam as he followed Jody into the dining room away from Cass. "Sam. I love you. We're brothers. Basically. You know the difference between a Great Egret and a Snowy Egret. You introduced me to Sarah." "I'm sensing a but." Jody nodded. "But you're not always thinking about how you act with Gideon impacts her. And - this isn't a you problem, it's a both of you problem. I'll be having this talk with Gideon too, but. Man. I need you to not stress Sarah out. She's on bed rest. If you need to argue with Gideon, just wait until she can't hear you two or go somewhere else for it." And. Okay. This was coming from Jody. //Jody.// Sam couldn't say no to Jody. "I can do that. I was going to try to do that," Sam said, because he got that. He knew that he and Gideon arguing wouldn't help. "Good," sighed Jody. Before. //Shit.// Jody could smell a secret from a mile away. He definitely knew something was up with Sam. "You're... hiding something." Because Jody could always figure that out. "Just - a friend just told me he was in town. He said he'd help out when he can. Because. I talked a bit about why I was in town and - and he just thought another hand couldn't hurt." Which was true. "Really? Nice guy to, uh. Offer to help care for your very pregnant sister," said Jody casually, "Nothing else there that you want to confess?" And. //Fuck.// Sam forgot. Sam forgot that Jody was a walking, talking secret detector. Sam wasn’t sure how or why, but for as long as Sam knew the guy, Jody had a 100% rate of telling when someone had a secret, even if he couldn’t say //what// the secret was. No, that was where Jody’s finesse and charm came into play usually. He may never know what the secret is from the jump, but he knew when someone when someone had a secret and knew when someone finally told their secret. //Fuck, had Jody sniffed out Sam's feelings already? Why had Sam agreed to let Bucky around Jody, of course Jody would figure everything out.// Before Jody could ask another question, Sam heard the doorbell ring. [["I'll get that."|M4. Breakfast - I'll Get That]] [["There's nothing to confess."|M5. Breakfast - No Confession]] [["You be cool too."|M6. Breakfast - Be Cool]]

"Becoming an early bird like me, huh?" asked Sam as he walked over to the very sleepy toddler. "You're an early bird, Uncle Sam?" asked Cass curiously, “I thought you were a falcon.” Sam laughed. Though. //Shit.// Sam hadn't been around enough for Cass to know that Sam woke up early. Sam was going to be around more. "The earliest. Not that I’m not a falcon too. I always was. Well. Sort of. But it was really cemented after I met Riley," Sam said fondly. Because it was true. Sam had always sort of woken up early, but it became a habit with Riley. It stayed a habit after Riley. Part of Riley still there with Sam. "I remember that," said Jody as he wandered into the room, "Riley was always up early." "Who's Riley?" asked Cass, and - and that stung a bit. But it made sense. Riley was dead before Cass was born. "My husband," said Sam as he helped Cass over to the kitchen table and got him into a chair, "My late husband." "My middle name's Riley," mumbled Cass. Which hurt too. "I know," said Sam softly, "Your mom asked if that was okay before she gave you that middle name." Sam didn't remember the conversation. But he must have said okay because that was Cass' middle name. "Hey, could we - could we talk?" Jody asked Sam as he walked over to Cass and handed him a glass of orange juice. "Sure," said Sam, following Jody to the dining room. "Uh. I'm not usually one to make requests. I'm not. And you're a good guy. And Gideon's a good guy. And I'm going to be talking to him about this too. But - but I need you both to act like you're okay with each other when you're around Sarah. I'm - I'm not asking you to work everything out. I'm not asking you to stop fighting. But I am asking you not to stress Sarah out when you're supposed to be here supporting her. Just - be cool." Which. Was fair. It was a fair ask. "I can do that. For both of you. I can," said Sam sincerely. He didn't want to make this worse. She was already on bed rest. Though. //Shit.// That look. Sam totally forgot. He forgot that Jody had an uncanny ability to sense secrets. He couldn't tell what the secret was, but there was never a moment where Jody didn't know someone was hiding something. "... But there's something else. Isn't there?" asked Jody, as if on cue. Not like Sam wasn't going to tell Jody and Sarah. "There's a - a friend of mine. In town. He was visiting at the same time, I guess. I didn't know. He, uh. He said he'd be stopping by a few times to help out. He's - he's a little grumpy. Kind of gruff. And dense. But - but he's a good listener. Quick to make friends. He's - he's handy. Not a bad guy to have around as another helping hand," rambled Sam. And. Jody could definitely tell. "Friend or boyfriend?" asked Jody point blank. //Fuck, Jody could sense that too?// Before Jody could ask anything else, Sam heard the ringing of the doorbell. [["I'll get that."|M4. Breakfast - I'll Get That]] [["There's nothing to confess."|M5. Breakfast - No Confession]] [["You be cool too."|M6. Breakfast - Be Cool]]

"There's nothing to confess," Sam flat out lied; a lie Sam knew full well that Jody would catch. Sam didn't wait for Jody to prod more. Sam made his way to the front door, opening it to reveal - Him. Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. "Hey," breathed Sam, a little lost in the new look. "Hey, yourself," Bucky said smoothly as - as Sam heard someone walking over. "Oh," said Sarah, walking down the stairs, "Who's this?" "Sam's friend," said Jody as he wandered into the foyer from the dining room, "He's here to be helpful." "Friend, huh?" said Sarah curiously. "I didn't know we were bringing 'friends'." And. That was Gideon. Gideon. Was behind Bucky. Bucky stepped out of the way, allowing Gideon to walk into the house first. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N4. Breakfast - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N5. Breakfast - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N4. Breakfast - Handshake", "N5. Breakfast - Hug", "N6. Breakfast - Awkward"))</div>

"What about that traffic?" Sam said awkwardly before he saw how it might not be the best time to joke, "Look, I had gone over to check on //the Paul & Darlene,// okay? But, if it helps, I didn't actually get to do any maintenance because I got distracted." There was a range of emotions; a real rollercoaster on Sarah's face as she listened to Sam's entire statement. But at least the ride ended with Sarah relieved. "Don't just go out without leaving a note or - or a text," whispered Sarah worriedly, "Not now when you're doing superhero stuff." And. //Oh.// //Oh, fuck. Sam fucked up.// "No. You're right. I apologize. I'm - I'm not used to having to tell people. I'll be better about that. I'll make sure to tell you where I'm going next time," said Sam, because he should have known to do that. "It's stressful enough knowing you and Gideon will be here today," mumbled Sarah. //Gideon's coming to town today?// "I'm going to do what I can to not make that stressful. I promise. Gideon and I just want to be there for you. And I can respect that," Sam said. Sarah smiled at that. "Thanks, Sam," said Sarah. "So. What was the distraction, then?" asked Jody curiously. And. Well. It wasn't as if Sam wasn't planning on telling them. He needed to tell them about Bucky before he arrived, anyway. "I found out a friend is in the area. We got to talking, and after learning why I was in town, he volunteered to help. He's - he's very handy. He's a little grumpy and annoying, but he's good in a conversation when you get him going. He's - he's nice to have around." And. There was a //look.// A look on Jody's face, and - //shit.// Sam forgot Jody was basically a walking, talking secret detector. Sam didn't understand how Jody did it, but there had never been a time that anyone around Jody had a secret and Jody didn't find a friendly way to pry it out of them. It was a gift. An absolutely terrifying and amazing gift. And Sam totally forgot Jody had it. //Fuck.// Bucky was going to be there soon too. "So," asked Jody, his eyes focused on Sam, "Only a friend?" Before Sam had time to think of an answer to that, Sam heard the doorbell ring. [["I'll get that."|M7. The Paul & Darlene - I'll Get That]] [["Oh. The door. Might be my //friend."//|M8. The Paul & Darlene - My Friend]] [["Please don't say that when he gets here."|M9. The Paul & Darlene - Please Don't]]

"Hey, guys," said Sam, "Sorry, I was - I just wanted to check up on //the Paul & Darlene// and traffic caught me." Sarah's. Eye twitched. "Gideon's coming back, so I'm sure whatever Sam did can be undone," said Jody quickly, which felt //rude,// but at least Sarah seemed to relax. Wait. //Was Gideon coming today?// "I can't have you just disappearing like that. With you're Avengers work, we thought maybe..." And. Oh. There was the worry. And it wasn't out of malice or not trusting that Sam could take care of himself, it was just //worry// and //fear.// He didn't mean to make Sarah and Jody feel that way. //Sam hadn't thought.// "I should have left a note," Sam said as he walked over to Sarah and Jody, "Seriously. I'm sorry. That won't happen again. And, uh. I kind of got distracted anyway, so I wasn't able to fix anything before I had to come back." "Distracted?" asked Sarah, now more curious than worried. That was good. "Just, uh," Sam started, because he did want to tell Sarah and Jody before Bucky appeared that Bucky would be coming over, "I found out a friend was in town. Well. Around, really. Didn't know he would be here. And he, uh. He said he would love to help a bit around here actually after I told him why I was in town. And well, he's a handy guy. He's good in a conversation. Wouldn't hurt to have another person around to help." Sarah and Jody glanced at each other. They had that couple thing - that silent convo that only they could understand. Sam felt Jody's ability to detect secrets when Jody and Sarah turned their gaze back on Sam with smirks. //Shit.// Sam forgot that Jody had a 100% rate of pulling secrets out of people. Of //knowing// when someone had a secret. Sam didn't know how Jody could do that. And it wasn't as if it was necessarily an omniscient gift; Jody only knew when there was a secret and must have gotten good at parsing the secret out after decades with the gift. But Sam should have thought of that before inviting Bucky in disguise to Sarah's home. "Friend or boyfriend?" asked Sarah in that cute questioning little sister voice, and - //Ding dong.// Thank god for the doorbell. [["I'll get that."|M7. The Paul & Darlene - I'll Get That]] [["Oh. The door. Might be my //friend."//|M8. The Paul & Darlene - My Friend]] [["Please don't say that when he gets here."|M9. The Paul & Darlene - Please Don't]]

"Oh. The door. Might be my //friend,"// Sam emphasized. And. Sam could just //feel it.// The way Sarah and Jody didn't believe him. Of course Jody didn't, he was some sort of //secret detector.// But Sam really wasn't thinking about that right now. He just needed to open the door. Sam put his hand on the knob, opening the door to reveal - Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. Though. Strangely enough. Gideon. Was. Manhandling Bucky. Bucky had allowed Gideon to put Bucky's hands behind his back with what looked to be - was that a plastic zip tie? Gideon held Bucky by the arm, glaring at Bucky as he asked, "He says he knows you, Sam. Now, with your line of work, I wasn't sure what that meant. Who is he to you?" And wasn't that a question. Sam glanced at Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. Bucky looked to be a little unsure of what to do here. Maybe he already said his piece. It was clear that he hadn't tried to brute force his way out of the situation, so that was in their favor. "Oh. He's with me. He's my friend," said Sam, as. Well. Okay. Maybe Bucky kind of sucked at hiding because when Gideon, a little sheepish pulled out a pocket knife and said, "Oh. Well. I apologize. I was trying to be careful. Let me - " Bucky. Sort of. Freed himself easily. Gideon stared at the broken zip tie on the ground. "It's okay. I understand," said Bucky. Gideon. Closed slowly his knife and put it back into his pocket before turning his attention to Sam. "Sarah said you were coming," was the first actual thing Gideon said to Sam, and - and Gideon seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either:"N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake", "N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug", "N9. The Paul & Darlene - Awkward"))</div>

"I should get that," said Sam, and Sarah seemed absolutely //amused// as Sam left her room and made a beeline to the front door. He opened it and - //Fuck.// Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam forgot. He forgot that Gideon was coming today. And Sam felt like a kid again. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N1. Morning Jog - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N2. Morning Jog - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N1. Morning Jog - Handshake", "N2. Morning Jog - Hug", "N3. Morning Jog - Awkward"))</div>

"Don't say that around him, please," Sam said, because this really wasn't the time to figure out his feelings on Bucky Barnes. "Okay, okay," said Sarah as Sam left her room and made a beeline to the front door. He opened it and - //Fuck.// Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam forgot. He forgot Gideon was coming today. And Sam felt like a kid again. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N1. Morning Jog - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N2. Morning Jog - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N1. Morning Jog - Handshake", "N2. Morning Jog - Hug", "N3. Morning Jog - Awkward"))</div>

"I'll get that," said Sam as he left Jody in the dining room, heading over to the front door to find. Him. Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. "Hey," breathed Sam, a little lost in the new look. "Hey, yourself," Bucky said smoothly as - as Sam heard someone walking over. "Oh," said Sarah, walking down the stairs, "Who's this?" "Sam's friend," said Jody as he wandered into the foyer from the dining room, "He's here to be helpful." "Friend, huh?" said Sarah curiously. "I didn't know we were bringing 'friends'." And. That was Gideon. Gideon. Was behind Bucky. Bucky stepped out of the way, allowing Gideon to walk into the house first. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N4. Breakfast - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N5. Breakfast - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N4. Breakfast - Handshake", "N5. Breakfast - Hug", "N6. Breakfast - Awkward"))</div>

"You be cool too," whispered Sam, and Sam could hear Jody //laughing// behind him as he made a beeline to the front door. Because. Jody got some of what he wanted there. He knew something was definitely up with Sam and the "friend" coming over. Sam opened the door and it was //him.// Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. "Hey," breathed Sam, a little lost in the new look. "Hey, yourself," Bucky said smoothly as - as Sam heard someone walking over. "Oh," said Sarah, walking down the stairs, "Who's this?" "Sam's friend," said Jody as he wandered into the foyer from the dining room, "He's here to be helpful." "Friend, huh?" said Sarah curiously. "I didn't know we were bringing 'friends'." And. That was Gideon. Gideon. Was behind Bucky. Bucky stepped out of the way, allowing Gideon to walk into the house first. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. "Right. Sarah said you would be here," said Gideon as he put his suitcase down and - and seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N4. Breakfast - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N5. Breakfast - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either: "N4. Breakfast - Handshake", "N5. Breakfast - Hug", "N6. Breakfast - Awkward"))</div>

"I'll get that," said Sam as he made a tactical retreat from his sister and her very astute husband. Sam put his hand on the knob, opening the door to reveal - Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. Though. Strangely enough. Gideon. Was. Manhandling Bucky. Bucky had allowed Gideon to put Bucky's hands behind his back with what looked to be - was that a plastic zip tie? Gideon held Bucky by the arm, glaring at Bucky as he asked, "He says he knows you, Sam. Now, with your line of work, I wasn't sure what that meant. Who is he to you?" And wasn't that a question. Sam glanced at Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. Bucky looked to be a little unsure of what to do here. Maybe he already said his piece. It was clear that he hadn't tried to brute force his way out of the situation, so that was in their favor. "Oh. He's with me. He's my friend," said Sam, as. Well. Okay. Maybe Bucky kind of sucked at hiding because when Gideon, a little sheepish pulled out a pocket knife and said, "Oh. Well. I apologize. I was trying to be careful. Let me - " Bucky. Sort of. Freed himself easily. Gideon stared at the broken zip tie on the ground. "It's okay. I understand," said Bucky. Gideon. Closed slowly his knife and put it back into his pocket before turning his attention to Sam. "Sarah said you were coming," was the first actual thing Gideon said to Sam, and - and Gideon seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either:"N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake", "N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug", "N9. The Paul & Darlene - Awkward"))</div>

"Please don't say that when he gets here," <s>pleaded</s> said Sam, and he couldn't hide from whatever was happening forever, but maybe he could at least stop his sister and her husband from asking about it. They snickered at Sam as he made his way to the front door. Sam put his hand on the knob, opening the door to reveal - Gideon. Gideon was a five-ten man with deep ochre skin and eyes much like their mother's; a vibrant brown. He had a gaptooth as well, though, slightly wider compared to Sam's. He had salt-and-pepper hair styled precisely in short-haired waves. He wore Coke bottle glasses that had to be specifically compressed because his near-sightedness was just that bad. He always seemed to be in a suit no matter the occasion. It felt like Gideon would wear a suit to a waterpark if given the opportunity. Sam felt like a kid again with Gideon around. He felt like the twelve-year-old opening the door to a big brother he hadn't seen much of in five years. Who was going to //become// his dad in all but name in the next several years. Sam was taller than Gideon, but he felt small. He felt like that little kid looking at the neutral eyes of Gideon Wilson. Though. Strangely enough. Gideon. Was. Manhandling Bucky. Bucky had allowed Gideon to put Bucky's hands behind his back with what looked to be - was that a plastic zip tie? Gideon held Bucky by the arm, glaring at Bucky as he asked, "He says he knows you, Sam. Now, with your line of work, I wasn't sure what that meant. Who is he to you?" And wasn't that a question. Sam glanced at Bucky. The black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. The glasses were a little askew. The clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting; it felt like this could work. Bucky looked to be a little unsure of what to do here. Maybe he already said his piece. It was clear that he hadn't tried to brute force his way out of the situation, so that was in their favor. "Oh. He's with me. He's my friend," said Sam, as. Well. Okay. Maybe Bucky kind of sucked at hiding because when Gideon, a little sheepish pulled out a pocket knife and said, "Oh. Well. I apologize. I was trying to be careful. Let me - " Bucky. Sort of. Freed himself easily. Gideon stared at the broken zip tie on the ground. "It's okay. I understand," said Bucky. Gideon. Closed slowly his knife and put it back into his pocket before turning his attention to Sam. "Sarah said you were coming," was the first actual thing Gideon said to Sam, and - and Gideon seemed to be unable to figure out if he should shake Sam's hand or hug Sam. [[Sam shook Gideon's hand.|N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake]] [[Sam hugged Gideon.|N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug]] <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:'//Choose something, Sam. You can do this.//',(either:"N7. The Paul & Darlene - Handshake", "N8. The Paul & Darlene - Hug", "N9. The Paul & Darlene - Awkward"))</div>

Sam shook Gideon's hand. Gideon seemed to relax at that. Sam was a hugger, but Gideon was... it wasn't that he wasn't affectionate, it just felt like Gideon was entirely lost when hugs were involved. "It's, uh. Good to see you," said Sam, wishing that hadn't come out so formally. Gideon's smile was small. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Uh, come in - " said Sam, his eyes widening when he saw. Bucky. Disguised Bucky poking his head from behind a bush. Like he was about to walk to the door, but then saw Gideon and just //jumped into a bush.// Gideon. Frowned. "You invited someone, didn't you?" asked Gideon, and it felt like the time Sam had snuck Leila Taylor into his bedroom after prom. Sam froze right then and there. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he and Sarah walked downstairs to greet Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," countered Gideon before he gave Sarah a hug, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of that friend - is he hiding in the bushes?" asked Jody, raising an eyebrow. Right. "Yeah. I think he is," said Sam as he awkwardly waved at Bucky, who peaked his head out of the bushes again. Bucky waved back. Then. Noticed that everyone else noticed him. Then. Stumbled out of the bushes. And the black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. And the glasses were a little askew. And the clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting because no one called him out as Bucky Barnes. He wandered over to the front door, smiling nervously on the porch. (set: $name to (either: "Buggy", "Huffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O1. Morning Jog - New Name")</div>]

Sam went in for a hug. Gideon went in for a handshake. They both tried to course correct and - and Sam heard Sarah //laughing// as she walked down the stairs with Jody. "You can't even greet each other right," said Sarah fondly. "We'd figure it out eventually," said Gideon, very sheepish. Sam laughed. "It's good to see you, Gideon," said Sam, because it really was despite their inability to greet one another. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Uh, come in - " said Sam, his eyes widening when he saw. Bucky. Disguised Bucky poking his head from behind a bush. Like he was about to walk to the door, but then saw Gideon and just //jumped into a bush.// Gideon. Frowned. "You invited someone, didn't you?" asked Gideon, and it felt like the time Sam had snuck Leila Taylor into his bedroom after prom. Sam froze right then and there. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he and Sarah walked downstairs to greet Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," countered Gideon before he gave Sarah a hug, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of that friend - is he hiding in the bushes?" asked Jody, raising an eyebrow. Right. "Yeah. I think he is," said Sam as he awkwardly waved at Bucky, who peaked his head out of the bushes again. Bucky waved back. Then. Noticed that everyone else noticed him. Then. Stumbled out of the bushes. And the black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. And the glasses were a little askew. And the clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting because no one called him out as Bucky Barnes. He wandered over to the front door, smiling nervously on the porch. (set: $name to (either: "Buggy", "Huffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O1. Morning Jog - New Name")</div>]

Sam hugged Gideon. And at first, Gideon was stiff. Because he was always stiff when someone hugged him; as if caught off guard unless he himself initiated the hug. "Are you hugging me back, or...?" Sam asked, and Gideon seemed to remember that he could do that and did actually hug Sam back. And. That was nice, at least. "It's, uh. It's good to see you," said Sam, wincing at how formal that sounded as he finished his hug with Gideon. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Uh, come in - " said Sam, his eyes widening when he saw. Bucky. Disguised Bucky poking his head from behind a bush. Like he was about to walk to the door, but then saw Gideon and just //jumped into a bush.// Gideon. Frowned. "You invited someone, didn't you?" asked Gideon, and it felt like the time Sam had snuck Leila Taylor into his bedroom after prom. Sam froze right then and there. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he and Sarah walked downstairs to greet Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," countered Gideon before he gave Sarah a hug, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of that friend - is he hiding in the bushes?" asked Jody, raising an eyebrow. Right. "Yeah. I think he is," said Sam as he awkwardly waved at Bucky, who peaked his head out of the bushes again. Bucky waved back. Then. Noticed that everyone else noticed him. Then. Stumbled out of the bushes. And the black hair dye didn't look exactly right on Bucky. And the glasses were a little askew. And the clean-shaven look was a little odd on him. But the disguise, plus his change in posture, seemed to be doing a decent amount of heavy lifting because no one called him out as Bucky Barnes. He wandered over to the front door, smiling nervously on the porch. (set: $name to (either: "Buggy", "Huffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O1. Morning Jog - New Name")</div>]

"My name is (if: $name is "Huffy")[Huffy Hardes](else-if: $name is "Buggy")[Buggy Barks]," said Bucky, completely straight-faced. Okay. So, Bucky's name was now $name. Sam. Couldn't look at the reactions from his family. "Well, it's always good to meet a friend of Sam's," said Jody as he went in for a big hug, "I started as Sam's friend before I met this lady." "I remember," grumbled Sam, "I told you not to hit on my sister." "Hey. I was polite. Respectful. And Sarah hit on me first," said Jody as Sarah snickered. And. Wait. Why wasn't Jody pointing out the lie? Maybe he assumed the secret was just a first name and nothing more. "So. Sam invited you here," said Gideon, and Sam had almost forgotten his older brother was there. "Well. If I'm being completely honest, I might have invited myself," said Bucky as he went to shake Gideon's hand, "I don't mean to barge in, but I remember Sam talking about how hard the last pregnancy was and, well. My ma had a hard pregnancy herself with my sister. I get it. I wanted to just be helpful, if I could be. And, it doesn't hurt that I get to meet the family." Which. Gideon. Seemed to take way better than Sam expected? Sam stared as his brother actually //said,// "That's very kind of you, $name. Thank you for joining us, then." //What the fuck.// "Uncle Giddy!" yelled Cass as he bound down the stairs and hugged Gideon. Gideon froze for a moment, but he quickly, if a little awkwardly, hugged his nephew back. Cass glanced at Bucky. And. Tilted his head. "Who's that?" asked Cass. "A friend of your Uncle Sam's," said Sarah. Sam didn't actually know if Bucky was good with kids. But he seemed to be as he kneeled down to Cass' level and said, "Hey. I'm $name. I know. Weird name. But it's really nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. all of you, really. But it's especially nice to meet you." Which was true. Sam gushed about his family all the time. Sam glanced around and Gideon seemed - //surprised?// Was Gideon surprised that Sam talked about his family? Cass gave Bucky a big hug. Bucky hugged him in return, warm and easy. And. Okay. [[Maybe this could work.|Sarah's House]]

Sam wandered into the living room, hearing the sounds of a toddler having fun. Sam walked in to find Cass, like a cat to a laser pointer, playing with Redwing; Sam had taught Cass how to start up Redwing and play augmented reality games through the little drone, and now, Cass was chasing a holographic cube. Sam, for his part, had made sure to check Redwing's safety settings whenever he left Redwing alone, allowing the drone to provide some fun for his nephew while not turning fully on or accidentally running Cass into the coffee table or something. It was fun watching his nephew playing with Redwing. "You like Redwing?" asked Sam curiously. "Uncle Sam!" exclaimed Cass as he rushed over to Sam, "Can I keep him?" And. Oh no. Sam might have accidentally turned his drone into Cass' favorite toy. "Uh. I'll talk to your parents about it," said Sam, because he couldn't outright say //no// to that face, "How's your day going, kiddo?" And. It wasn't as if Cass //really// understood what was going on. But he seemed to understand enough judging by how his face immediately fell; the way he gripped Sam's jeans. "If Mommy's sick, is AJ sick too?" asked Cass point blank. //Oh.// Sam hadn't expected that. Sam knelt down to Cass' level. [["Sometimes, this happens."|Q7. Living Room - Happens]] [["She's going to be okay."|Q8. Living Room - Okay]] [["She's not exactly sick like that."|Q9. Living Room - Not Exactly]]

Sam hugged Gideon. And at first, Gideon was stiff. Because he was always stiff when someone hugged him; as if caught off guard unless he himself initiated the hug. "Are you hugging me back, or...?" Sam asked, and Gideon seemed to remember that he could do that and did actually hug Sam back. And. That was nice, at least. "It's, uh. It's good to see you," said Sam, wincing at how formal that sounded as he finished his hug with Gideon. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Of course he's alive. Sam's good at what he does," Bucky said, and Gideon turned all his attention onto Bucky now. "So? You're the plus one he brought. Didn't know we could bring plus ones," said Gideon. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he greeted Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," said Gideon as he walked over to hug Sarah, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed," "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "So, Sam impromptu brought a //pal?"// asked Gideon curiously. Sam froze right then and there. Gideon turned his attention to Bucky and asked, "What do I call you?" //Shit.// (set: $name to (either: "Dougie", "Lucky"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O2. Breakfast - New Name")</div>]

Sam went in for a hug. Gideon went in for a handshake. They both tried to course correct and - and Sam heard Sarah //laughing// as she walked down the stairs with Jody. "You can't even greet each other right," said Sarah fondly. "We'd figure it out eventually," said Gideon, very sheepish. Sam laughed. "It's good to see you, Gideon," said Sam, because it really was despite their inability to greet one another. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Of course he's alive. Sam's good at what he does," Bucky said, and Gideon turned all his attention onto Bucky now. "So? You're the plus one he brought. Didn't know we could bring plus ones," said Gideon. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he greeted Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," said Gideon as he walked over to hug Sarah, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "So, Sam impromptu brought a //pal?"// asked Gideon curiously. Sam froze right then and there. Gideon turned his attention to Bucky and asked, "What do I call you?" //Shit.// (set: $name to (either: "Dougie", "Lucky"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O2. Breakfast - New Name")</div>]

"You can call me (if: $name is "Dougie")[Dougie Darnes](else-if: $name is "Lucky")[Lucky Yarns]," said Bucky, completely straight-faced, "I apologize that I'm a last-minute helper. But I am here to make things easier. Nothing else. I'm Sam's backup." Okay. So, Bucky's name was now $name. Sam. Couldn't look at the reactions from his family. Sam stared as his brother actually looked pleasantly surprised by that and said, "Not a lot of people would drop things and help out of the blue, $name. Thank you for joining us, then." That. Wasn't what Sam expected from Gideon. //What the fuck.// "Well, it's always good to meet a friend of Sam's," said Jody as he went in for a big hug, "I started as Sam's friend before I met this lady." "I remember," grumbled Sam, "I told you not to hit on my sister." "Hey. I was polite. Respectful. And Sarah hit on me first," said Jody as Sarah snickered. And. Wait. Why wasn't Jody pointing out the lie? Maybe he assumed the secret was just a first name and nothing more. "It's nice to meet a friend of my brother's," said Sarah as she gave Bucky a hug too, "Blink twice if you know Steve Rogers." Bucky. Blinked twice, the fucker. Sarah laughed. "Now, can you tell me why he left Sam high and dry after their first date, because Sam won't tell me anything," Sarah continued. "He did //what?"// asked Gideon, surprised. "It was - he had a mission. We're over it. We're not dating. Just friends," said Sam because, //fuck,// he never told Bucky about that. "Shame on him. No way to treat a catch," said Bucky a little too smoothly. "And you work with him? He slept with you and he's your boss now?" asked Gideon. "It's - that's not - you're saying it like. Okay. No. Steve isn't like that. And we're all on equal footing, he just takes lead on missions," explained Sam because he didn't need Gideon to be //weird// about Steve too. "I know Stevie. He wouldn't misuse his power. He's not like that," Bucky agreed. But. Gideon just looked as if his mind was already made up. "You can't put yourself in messy situations with coworkers, Sam - " Gideon started to chastise Sam, before Sam was saved by the sound of a toddler scooting his way down the stairs. "Uncle Giddy!" yelled Cass as he ran in from the kitchen and hugged Gideon. Gideon froze for a moment, but he quickly, if a little awkwardly, hugged his nephew back. Cass glanced at Bucky. And. Tilted his head. "Who's that?" asked Cass. "A friend of your Uncle Sam's," said Sarah. Sam didn't actually know if Bucky was good with kids. But he seemed to be as he kneeled down to Cass' level and said, "Hey. I'm $name. I know. Weird name. But it's really nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. all of you, really. But it's especially nice to meet you." Which was true. Sam gushed about his family all the time. Sam glanced around and Gideon seemed - //surprised?// Was Gideon surprised that Sam talked about his family? Cass gave Bucky a big hug. Bucky hugged him in return, warm and easy. And. Okay. [[Maybe this could work.|Sarah's House]]

Sam felt the movement in his bed before he heard his alarm switch to snooze. //Fuck.// //Had Bucky just turned off Sam's alarm again?// Sam felt Bucky's arm relax back on Sam's chest and vaguely, a half-asleep Sam wondered how he got here. The first night, Sam had offered his bed. Gideon was sleeping in the guest bedroom and Bucky had said he would be fine to just find himself a motel room, but Sarah and Jody had put their foot down hearing that. Sam agreed with them, honestly. They had room. So, Sam had offered his bed and was fine just going downstairs to sleep on the living room couch, but Bucky had said it was fine. That they could just. Sleep. In the same bed. Not like they hadn't before. Which was true. They had shared many a bed whenever Sam had met up with Bucky in Europe. There was no reason to say //no.// So. They. Slept in the same bed. Going on for about a week and a half now, and Sam wondered sometimes why no one was questioning why Bucky wasn't leaving yet. //Because they know he came for you, Sam.// No. Sam. Wasn't going to think about //that// right now. He was going to think about how Bucky just turned off his alarm and - how many alarms did Sam miss this time? What time was it going to be when Sam woke up? "You're turning them off again," croaked Sam as Bucky snuggled closer. "You keep saying that, but you keep placing the phone close enough for me to snooze it," mumbled Bucky in a rough morning voice, his breath hot on Sam's shoulder. And. Yes. Sam kept doing that. [[Sam... stayed in bed a little longer.|P1. Stay in Bed]] [["I need to get out of bed."|P2. Out of Bed]] [["You can't just snooze it forever."|P6. Snooze]]

Sam went in for a hug. Gideon went in for a handshake. They both tried to course correct and - and Sam heard Sarah //laughing// as she walked down the stairs with Jody. "You can't even greet each other right," said Sarah fondly. "We'd figure it out eventually," said Gideon, very sheepish. Sam laughed. "It's good to see you, Gideon," said Sam, because it really was despite their inability to greet one another. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Of course he's alive. He's good at the job," said Bucky plainly. Sam. Felt himself scream internally. "Even people 'good at the job' don't always make it out," said Gideon as he picked up his suitcase and stared at Sam. Right. Sam needed to let them in. "You both should, uh - come on in," said Sam as he let them both in. "I didn't know we could bring plus ones," said Gideon as he hugged Jody. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he greeted Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," said Gideon as he walked over to hug Sarah, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of mysterious plus ones, though," said Gideon as he turned his attention to Bucky, "Who are you?" //Shit.// They hadn't really come up with a backstory. Sam felt like Bucky probably had a good one, but that he didn't know. (set: $name to (either: "Chucky", "Scruffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O3. The Paul & Darlene - New Name")</div>]

Sam hugged Gideon. And at first, Gideon was stiff. Because he was always stiff when someone hugged him; as if caught off guard unless he himself initiated the hug. "Are you hugging me back, or...?" Sam asked, and Gideon seemed to remember that he could do that and did actually hug Sam back. And. That was nice, at least. "It's, uh. It's good to see you," said Sam, wincing at how formal that sounded as he finished his hug with Gideon. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Of course he's alive. He's good at the job," said Bucky plainly. Sam. Felt himself scream internally. "Even people 'good at the job' don't always make it out," said Gideon as he picked up his suitcase and stared at Sam. Right. Sam needed to let them in. "You both should, uh - come on in," said Sam as he let them both in. "I didn't know we could bring plus ones," said Gideon as he hugged Jody. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he greeted Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," said Gideon as he walked over to hug Sarah, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of mysterious plus ones, though," said Gideon as he turned his attention to Bucky, "Who are you?" //Shit.// They hadn't really come up with a backstory. Sam felt like Bucky probably had a good one, but that he didn't know. (set: $name to (either: "Chucky", "Scruffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O3. The Paul & Darlene - New Name")</div>]

Sam shook Gideon's hand. Gideon seemed to relax at that. Sam was a hugger, but Gideon was... it wasn't that he wasn't affectionate, it just felt like Gideon was entirely lost when hugs were involved. "It's, uh. Good to see you," said Sam, wishing that hadn't come out so formally. Gideon's smile was small. "It's always good to see you alive, Sam," said Gideon, and Sam couldn't tell if Gideon was being sincere or this was a jab at how he //definitely// didn't approve of Sam working with the Avengers. Sam. Wasn't going to say a comment back. "Of course he's alive. He's good at the job," said Bucky plainly. Sam. Felt himself scream internally. "Even people 'good at the job' don't always make it out," said Gideon as he picked up his suitcase and stared at Sam. Right. Sam needed to let them in. "You both should, uh - come on in," said Sam as he let them both in. "I didn't know we could bring plus ones," said Gideon as he hugged Jody. "His friend was in town. He might help out," said Jody, saving Sam from that exchange for a moment as he greeted Gideon, "More help the better, right?" "Until it becomes a clown car," said Gideon as he walked over to hug Sarah, "Sarah. What are you doing? You should be in bed." "I know, I just - I can walk around sometimes. It's okay to stretch," said Sarah, which was true. "Well. Okay. I trust your judgment," said Gideon, words he had never said to Sam. "I know, Giddy," said Sarah, and it was in a way, better for Sarah, Sam supposed. Gideon had always gotten along with Sarah. He had been there for Sarah, even when Sam left for the Air Force. They had a bond. And Sam was happy about that, at least. "Speaking of mysterious plus ones, though," said Gideon as he turned his attention to Bucky, "Who are you?" //Shit.// They hadn't really come up with a backstory. Sam felt like Bucky probably had a good one, but that he didn't know. (set: $name to (either: "Chucky", "Scruffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O3. The Paul & Darlene - New Name")</div>]

"You can call me (if: $name is "Chucky")[Chucky Charmes](else-if: $name is "Scruffy")[Scruffy Scarnes]," said Bucky, completely straight-faced. Okay. So, Bucky's name was now $name. Sam. Couldn't look at the reactions from his family. "I really do apologize for the scare earlier," Bucky continued, "I really am just here to help out. Sam talked about the situation, and well, my ma had a hard time when she had my sister, Becca, so - I mean, I'd be here even if I didn't have the experience of seeing that already." Sam stared as his brother actually looked pleasantly surprised by that and said, "No. I'm, uh. I'm sorry for zip-tying you, $name. I can appreciate a man who decides to help a friend like this when they're not even in town for this. Thank you for joining us, then." That. Wasn't what Sam expected from Gideon. //What the fuck.// "Well, it's always good to meet a friend of Sam's," said Jody as he went in for a big hug, "I started as Sam's friend before I met this lady." "I remember," grumbled Sam, "I told you not to hit on my sister." "Hey. I was polite. Respectful. And Sarah hit on me first," said Jody as Sarah snickered. And. Wait. Why wasn't Jody pointing out the lie? Maybe he assumed the secret was just a first name and nothing more. "Well, I promise I won't be hitting on Sarah. She's obviously taken," said Bucky as Jody laughed. "Oh, I know you won't already," said Jody, because of course it was obvious. Sam glanced at Gideon. Gideon... didn't seem to react to that. Until. "Wait. You're obviously a co-worker with that strength of yours. What's the HR protocols?" asked Gideon. Bucky. Blinked. "HR protocols?" asked Bucky, because the only jobs he had before sergeant were dock worker and bootleg runner and possibly bartender in the //1920s and 30s.// There was no fucking way Bucky knew he had to look up the meaning of human resources. The way Gideon's head swiveled as he pointedly asked, //"You don't have an HR at your hero club?"// Sam glared. "You caught him off guard. Of course we do. And he's not part - it's a little more complicated than that. It's not important," said Sam. "It's clearly important if you're friendly," said Gideon as if he was flipping through a Rolodex of cases. "It's not - that's not what's happening - why are you always - ?" Sam started to say, when - Oh, thank //god// they were interrupted by the sound of a toddler scooting his butt down the stairs. "Uncle Giddy!" yelled Cass as he bound down the stairs and hugged Gideon. Gideon froze for a moment, but he quickly, if a little awkwardly, hugged his nephew back. Cass glanced at Bucky. And. Tilted his head. "Who's that?" asked Cass. "A friend of your Uncle Sam's," said Sarah. Sam didn't actually know if Bucky was good with kids. But he seemed to be as he kneeled down to Cass' level and said, "Hey. I'm $name. I know. Weird name. But it's really nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. all of you, really. But it's especially nice to meet you." Which was true. Sam gushed about his family all the time. Sam glanced around and Gideon seemed - //surprised?// Was Gideon surprised that Sam talked about his family? Cass gave Bucky a big hug. Bucky hugged him in return, warm and easy. And. Okay. [[Maybe this could work.|Sarah's House]]

Sam wandered over to the backyard, hearing some commotion, only to find Gideon fighting with the lawn mower. Sam. Snickered. "Gideon. What are you even doing? Did anyone even ask you to mow the backyard?" asked Sam, walking straight over to his older brother. Gideon glowered between the lawn mower and Sam. "No one had to. Sarah's resting. Jody's busy. The grass is a little long. I know how to use a lawn mower," said Gideon with the certainty of a man who didn't ask for directions when he was lost. "Gideon. //I// mowed the lawn when you lived here. The last time I visited you in Harlem, all your plants were dead," said Sam, amused. "Plants are hard." "You had a cactus and it was dead. Look. I can do this. Don't worry about it. I do it all the time at my condo." Gideon... reluctantly allowed Sam to take control of the lawn mower. Sam could feel Gideon watching him as Sam mowed the lawn, hearing backseat lawnmowing here and there that Sam ignored. Sam glanced Gideon's way after he was done with the task. "Well. I suppose it'll do. Maybe we should bring in professionals next time," said Gideon, deep in thought. "Or. I can just mow the lawn again," Sam pointed out, "Since I literally just did it." "Doesn't matter now, I suppose. I'll make a note about asking Sarah about this," said Gideon, and Sam didn't know if that was dismissive or not. Sam was trying not to read it as such. "Hey, we, uh. We haven't really talked much," said Sam, because. Because they probably //should// talk. Part of the reason why the visit was going so well was that they weren't often, but they should. Gideon blinked. "Now that you say it, yes. We haven't really," said Gideon. [["How is everything?"|Q10. Backyard - How is Everything]] [["Anything new with you?"|Q11. Backyard - New]] [["We should really talk more often."|Q12. Backyard - More Often]]

Sam walked into the kitchen to find him. Bucky Barnes. Still in his pajamas. Leaning on the counter as he watched his coffee brew. "You know, it's a little late for coffee," said Sam. "Maybe for you," yawned Bucky as he poured himself some coffee before adding a criminal amount of cream and sugar, "I need this to survive." "You're not even //dressed,"// laughed Sam, "How are you not even dressed?" "What? Do I have to leave the house today?" asked Bucky as if that was a reason to not get dressed. Well. Maybe it was. Still. "What are you doing today?" asked Bucky, as he - as he wrapped an arm around Sam's waist. Just. Casually. And it wasn't the first time Bucky did that this week and a half. But. Sam was thinking about that. And how they slept together. And - and how Bucky leaned closer despite the morning breath with a touch of coffee and asked, "You want me out of the pajamas, we can do something together. You want to see that movie Cass has been asking about? I feel like Cass would like going to the movies today." Sam. Had to do something. Had to //say// something. This was ridiculous. This was too much. This was - this was //dating,// wasn't it? Bucky pulled Sam's attention to his intense eyes. "What is it?" whispered Bucky; practically //breathed// onto Sam's cheek. [["Are we dating?"|Q13. Kitchen - Dating]] [["Is that really the question you want to ask me?"|Q14. Kitchen - Question]] [["What is this, James?"|Q15. Kitchen - James]]

Sam wandered over to Sarah's bedroom, knocking before he heard Sarah say on the other side of the door, "Come on in." Sarah was several days late on her due date at this point. They all knew things could start at any moment, but now it was a guessing game. Sarah, for her part, was being pampered to the point of - well, not suffocation, but to the point of it being a little ridiculous. Her bed at this point was more pillow than anything. Books, an iPad, a Kindle, several crossword and sudoku books littered areas around her. She had three different drinks on her nightstand as well as a basket filled with some of her biggest cravings; Flamin' Hot Cheetos and cotton candy grapes and already made s'mores. There was even a little bell to call people if a text didn't work. Sarah, looking as if she was trying to do anything to distract herself from her infinite boredom stuck in her bed, patted the spot next to her. "How are you feeling?" asked Sam as he took Sarah's offer and sat with her on the bed. "Like a //Rearview Window// should have happened by now," said Sarah. Sam laughed. "You don't have a window that would look into another home, Sarah." "Doesn't mean a //Rearview Window// couldn't have happened." She made grabby hands at her snacks. Sam obliged, reaching over and handing Sarah the basket. "I don't recommend bed rest," said Sarah. And Sam got that; he could see the fidgeting; the antsiness of her not moving. Sam knew how it felt to need constant motion. There were a lot of reasons why Sarah went into fishing, and the activeness of the profession was definitely one of them. "This is the second time I've had to do this," continued Sarah, staring up at the ceiling, "I hate it." Sam took Sarah's hand. [["About the last time..."|Q1. Sarah's Room - Last Time]] [["This time's at least different."|Q2. Sarah's Room - Different]] [["I'm sorry, Sarah."|Q3. Sarah's room - Sorry]]

Sam went down the hallway, stopping at the office. It used to be his mom's office. Then, his daddy's when his mom had passed. Then, it had been Gideon's. Now, Jody and Sarah shared it. Sam glanced through the cracked open door to see Jody. He was working on something; probably some tweaks to bugs on one of the various websites Jody did upkeep on.. "Jody?" asked Sam as he wandered into the room. Jody swiveled, facing Sam with a big smile. Despite the kind demeanor coming off Jody in waves, Sam could see how tired he was; how all of this was impacting him too. Not as much as Sarah, of course, but the stress was still there. "What brings you to my humble office, Sam?" asked Jody through a yawn before taking a large sip of coffee. [["How are you doing?"|Q4. Jody's Office - How Are You Doing?]] [["Getting as much work done as you can now?"|Q5. Jody's Office - Work]] [["You can probably take a break if you want."|Q6. Jody's Office - Break]]

"You can probably take a break if you want," said Sam. "Oh, I intend to. I like breaks," said Jody as he swiveled to face Sam, "Especially when I get to spend them with a friend." Sam smiled. Because. They were friends. Before he was Sam's brother-in-law, before he was dating Sarah, Jody was Sam and Riley's friend from ornithology club. And Sam missed Sarah a lot, but he missed Jody too. "So. I'm part of Bird of the Month and - look at the watercolor painting they sent me," said Jody excitedly as he showed Sam a tiny watercolor that he had already framed, "It's an Elegant Trogon." Sam grinned. "That is pretty cool." "Thanks. It's great to have you around," said Jody as he placed the framed watercolor painting lovingly onto his desk again, "Sarah and Cass ooh and ah but I know they're not as into the whole bird thing." Sam pulled up Sarah's desk chair, sitting next to Jody. "I know people have been checking up on Sarah, but... are you good?" asked Sam. Because Jody deserved someone checking up on him too. And Jody. He was an easygoing guy. He was always in a good mood. He was always ready to make someone else feel good. Sam wasn't sure if he had ever seen Jody deflate like this. Exhale everything that made him genial Jody and allowed him to be a human with worries. "It's tough on Sarah. She doesn't show it, but it is. And - and I'm constantly thinking about the statistics. Which doesn't help. And it isn't as if she doesn't have a fantastic O.B.G.Y.N. Her doctor's a Black woman who is constantly taking Sarah seriously and making sure she's getting the care she needs. That's good. We have a great team behind us here, especially with you all here too. It's just - it would have been fine. I know we wanted a bigger family, but... I hate that these complications happened //again.// Sorry. I - I don't usually get into this." "Hey. No. I'd be worried if you didn't have some feelings about this, Jody. I'm glad I can lend an ear." "Thanks," said Jody, wiping his eyes, "Let's, uh. Let's talk about something else, though. "What's up with you and...?" Sam. Felt Jody searching for secrets. [["...And $name?"|R4. Jody's Office - And Bucky]] [["...And Gideon?"|R5. Jody's Office - And Gideon]] [["...And the Avengers?"|R6. Jody's Office - And Avengers]]

"How are you doing?" asked Sam, because Jody deserved someone to ask that to him too. There were cracks to the usual Jody; the smiling, easygoing, go with the flow kind of guy showed some of his stress as he let out a long, drawn out sigh. Let his shoulders slouch. "I would have been fine with one kid. But - but Sarah liked having siblings. And - and it wasn't as if I didn't want //more,// but it was - I don't know. I had this feeling this would happen again. And it did," said Jody, rubbing his face with his hands, "And, you know, we're lucky. Sarah's O.B.G.Y.N. is a Black woman. She listens to Sarah. She makes sure Sarah's taken care of. She takes Sarah's problems seriously. But it's scary, you know? Maternal mortality is higher in Louisiana than the national average, and it's four times more likely for a Black woman too. And it isn't like we didn't discuss this, but I wish there was one pregnancy that didn't strain Sarah's body this much. Shit. I shouldn't be saying that." Jody looked utterly guilty for even saying it. Sam walked over and pulled Sarah's own desk chair up. He sat in it, facing Jody. "You're allowed to be worried," said Sam, "You're allowed to have feelings about this. It's okay, Jody." Jody groaned into his hands. And. Did his best to bounce back. "Thanks, Sam. I'm - I'm usually not this depressing, I swear," said Jody, wiping his eyes. "I know that very well, Jody," laughed Sam, "But it's okay to be like this too." "Ugh. I'd rather take a deep breath and... distract myself," said Jody, and Sam wondered how much Jody did that, "What's up with you and...?" Sam. Felt Jody searching for secrets. [["...And $name?"|R4. Jody's Office - And Bucky]] [["...And Gideon?"|R5. Jody's Office - And Gideon]] [["...And the Avengers?"|R6. Jody's Office - And Avengers]]

"Getting as much work done as you can now?" asked Sam curiously. "Better to get everything situated before the baby's here, you know?" said Jody, "Plus, uh. I need the distraction." Sam nodded as he pulled Sarah's desk chair over and sat on it. "That's understandable. It - it must be difficult going through this again." Sam hoped he hadn't overstepped. Jody sighed. And it was as if the usual joy in Jody left him with that sigh, replaced by a very real worry. "It would have been fine. One kid. I would have been fine with that. We wanted a big family, but - but maybe two is good too. Fuck. Sorry. I'm such a downer sometimes. I just think about last time this happened. I find my mind running through the statistics and - and we have such a good O.B.G.Y.N. She's a Black woman and she actually listens to Sarah and takes her problems seriously. We're in a great position. But this all makes me... nervous." "I'd be worried if it didn't make you at least a little nervous," admitted Sam, "I'm nervous too. I - I'm sure it will be fine, but it makes me nervous." Sam and Jody exchanged wary smiles before Jody wiped his eyes. "So, uh. Enough about that," said Jody as he collected himself, "What's up with you and...?" Sam. Felt Jody searching for secrets. [["...And $name?"|R4. Jody's Office - And Bucky]] [["...And Gideon?"|R5. Jody's Office - And Gideon]] [["...And the Avengers?"|R6. Jody's Office - And Avengers]]

Sam... stayed in bed a little longer. Let Bucky settle back in; his limbs wrapping loosely around Sam again. It was comfortable. And easy. And maybe Sam hadn't fought that much about the alarm because he kind of liked sleeping in with Bucky sometimes. "See?" murmured Bucky, "Nice." Sam wanted to argue that on principle. Sam found himself avoiding the discussion entirely in favor of, "I can't stay in bed forever, though. Bucky. Seemed to understand that. He detached himself from Sam, and Sam missed the warmth of him; the weight of him; his heartbeat offbeat to Sam's. "You're not getting up?" asked Sam amused as he got out of bed, putting on clothes. "Five more minutes," groaned Bucky into his pillow and Sam snorted. [["Okay. I'll see you when you're up," said Sam as he wandered out into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

Sam peered back inside the bedroom. Bucky was sleeping. Drooling on Sam's pillow, somehow //diagonal// now. He intensely snored, his hair everywhere as he slept. And. //Fuck,// it was cute. [[Sam slowly closed the door again.|Hallway.]]

Sam walked downstairs into the foyer, wondering where he should go next. [[Living Room?|Which Living Room]] [[Backyard?|Which Backyard]] [[What's that noise in the kitchen?|Proceed Further]]

Sam looked down the stretch of the hallway and wondered where he should go now. [[Sarah's Room?|Which Sarah's Room]] [[Jody's Office?|Which Jody's Office]] (link-goto:"Back to the Bedroom?", (either: "Back to Bedroom 1", "Back to Bedroom 2")) [[Downstairs Foyer?|Are you Sure You Want to Go Downstairs?]]

"I need to get out of bed," said Sam, not really fighting it as Bucky pulled Sam closer to him. "Okay, what's the password?" Sam laughed. "Password?" Sam asked. "Password," hummed Bucky, "I'm so nice, I'll give you a hint - starts with L. A place we've been to." Sam. Could do this. He knew how passwords worked. [[Sam could guess this password.|P3. Password?]]

"You can't just snooze it forever," chuckled Sam. "But I can //try,"// countered Bucky, which made Sam snicker more. And. Sam. Could stay in bed. He kind of wanted to. But... But, no. He had things to do. Bucky grumbled as Sam gently untangled himself from the man. "Are you seriously going to sleep in more?" asked Sam. "Five more minutes," groaned Bucky into his pillow and Sam snorted. [["Okay. I'll see you when you're up," said Sam as he wandered out into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"I'm sorry, Sarah," said Sam. "For what?" asked Sarah curiously. "For - for not always being there for you. For not being there last time. For bringing a random person into the mix." "Hey. No. I like $name. He's weird. It's amusing." Sam laughed, because for a second, he forgot Bucky was going by $name. "But seriously. I want to be there for you. I //can// be there for you now." Sarah glanced at Sam. And. There was a thoughtfulness in her gaze. "Sam, You were sixteen when Daddy died. I never expected a sixteen-year-old to take care of me. I feel bad that I did sort of expect Gideon to take care of me," said Sarah, "And - and there were times. Yes. There were moments in my life that I wish you hadn't joined the Air Force at eighteen. High school graduation. First day of college. The day I dropped out. You - you almost didn't make it to my wedding. And I had a lot of feelings about that. I still do sometimes." "That's okay. And - and you know Gideon. He doesn't do //anything// he doesn't want to do." "I know. But - I'm just happy you're here now," said Sarah as he squeezed Sam's hand, "Thank you for being here." "Of course, Sarah," said Sam softly. And. Took a moment to sit there with Sarah. [["Do you need anything else?"|R1. Sarah's Room - Anything Else]] [["Is it okay that my friend is around?"|R2. Sarah's Room - Friend]] [["I've got pictures of Figaro sent from my friend who's catsitting."|R3. Sarah's Room - Figaro]]

Are you sure you want to go downstairs? Can't come back up. [[Hallway.]] [[Downstairs Foyer.]]

"You're still in bed?" asked Sam, grinning as he heard a series of //noises// coming from Bucky that weren't quite words. Bucky flailed an arm Sam's way, but didn't do much else. Sam. Could probably let Bucky sleep in a few more minutes. [[Sam closed the door, returning to the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"This time's at least different," said Sam confidently. "What?" snorted Sarah, "Because I have you?" "Well. Yeah," said Sam as Sarah playfully shoved him. "Should have known asking you to come would go to your head," said Sarah, rolling her eyes. "I'm - I'm just happy you asked," said Sam honestly, "I know I haven't always been there for you. Not like Gideon." Sarah... sat with that. She squeezed Sam's hand. "Sam, you were a kid. I was a kid. Gideon was - he was a kid too, but he was older. I didn't expect you to give up your life to stay behind with me. I feel guilty about Gideon as is." "Hey," said Sam, turning completely to Sarah, "No. You were thirteen. It's not your fault. Gideon chose to be there for you. And - and it is okay. If you're mad that I wasn't there more. I - I got so focused on getting myself into a good place that I didn't..." //Didn't think about everyone else.// "I - I do get mad about it. Sometimes. But. Again. We were kids. You were doing the best that you could. We all were." Sam nodded. And. Took a moment to sit there with Sarah. [["Do you need anything else?"|R1. Sarah's Room - Anything Else]] [["Is it okay that my friend is around?"|R2. Sarah's Room - Friend]] [["I've got pictures of Figaro sent from my friend who's catsitting."|R3. Sarah's Room - Figaro]]

(set: $textbox to (prompt: "What's the Password. HINT: Starts with L. A place we've been to:", "Your Answer")) {(if: $textbox is "London")[(go-to:"P4. Correct Answer")](else-if:$textbox is "london")[(go-to:"P4. Correct Answer")](else:)[(go-to:"P5. Wrong Answer")]}

"About the last time..." Sam started, because. Because they hadn't really //talked// about it. How Sam hadn't been there. Sarah squeezed his hand. "Sam. Riley had died two months before Cass was born. I saw you at the funeral. You were barely in any shape to take care of yourself, let alone me. I don't blame you for not being there," said Sarah softly, frowning before she added, "I thought you knew that." "Still. I'm your older brother. I should have been there," mumbled Sam, "I - I know I haven't always been there." And there was an - an introspection to Sarah's gaze now. "I used to get angry about that," mumbled Sarah, "I didn't talk about it or anything. But. You weren't there for my high school graduation. My first day of college. Dropping out of college. You almost weren't there for my wedding. And, you know, you were part of the Air Force. What kind of dick gets mad about someone not being there because they were doing Air Force stuff?" "You're allowed to be mad about that, Sarah," said Sam, "I - I don't regret my choice. It did pay for college. I met Riley through the Air Force. I could never regret Riley. But - but there was a point where I was so focused on doing everything on my own that I wasn't always thinking about you or Gideon and - and I hope I'm proving that I'm different now." Sarah smiled. "You are. You have been for a while. And I get it. You're a busy guy. I'm happy you're here now." "Me too," said Sam softly. And. Took a moment to sit there with Sarah. [["Do you need anything else?"|R1. Sarah's Room - Anything Else]] [["Is it okay that my friend is around?"|R2. Sarah's Room - Friend]] [["I've got pictures of Figaro sent from my friend who's catsitting."|R3. Sarah's Room - Figaro]]

"Booo, I gave you an easy one," said Bucky as he let Sam out of the bed. "Yeah, yeah. You really did," said Sam, as if this wasn't the millionth time Bucky had done such a thing. Bucky tended to let Sam go, even if he didn't seem to want to. "Are you going to stay in bed?" asked Sam as he put on some clothes. "Five more minutes," groaned Bucky into his pillow and Sam snorted. [["Okay. I'll see you when you're up," said Sam as he wandered out into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"ER! It was London," said Bucky, snuggling closer. "Pretty sure I said London," Sam lied. Bucky groaned, but... let Sam get out of the bed. "Don't know why you want to wake up," mumbled Bucky. "Don't know why you want to keep sleeping," countered Sam as he got dressed, "You're going to sleep in more, aren't you?" "Five more minutes," groaned Bucky into his pillow and Sam snorted. [["Okay. I'll see you when you're up," said Sam as he wandered out into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

You can't go back if you go to the kitchen. [[Sam walked into the kitchen.|Kitchen]] [[Sam decided not go to the kitchen.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

"She's going to be okay," said Sam, "She just needs a little more care than usual." Which. Was true, from what Sam could tell. A lot of the bed rest was an abundance of caution from Sarah's doctor, the way both Jody and Sarah described the situation to Sam. Not to say there wasn't a lot of strain on Sarah's body right now, but she should be fine in the end. Sam didn't know such a tiny body could make such a huge sigh. And. Sam couldn't help but give his nephew the biggest hug. "Uncle Sam, you can stop hugging me," grumbled Cass, squirming in the now overlong hug. Sam chuckled as he let his nephew go. "And know that we're all here for your mom. Me. Your Uncle Giddy. Even $name. We're all here for her. Okay?" Cass nodded. "What's up with you two?" asked Cass point blank, maybe giving Sam a bit of a heart attack. //Even Cass was asking that?// [["Me and $name?"|R7. Living Room - Me and Bucky]] [["Me and Gideon?"|R8. Living Room - Me and Gideon]] [["Me and who?"|R9. Living Room - Me and Who]]

"Sometimes, this happens," said Sam, feeling incredibly out of his depth, "Sometimes, when a person's pregnant, their - their body can go through some strains or complications. And your mom took all the right steps to take care of herself when it happened. They'll both be fine." They //should// both be fine. And Sam knew that was a big thing to promise, but it was true. Cass nodded. "She just needs some extra care before AJ gets here," Sam added, hoping that helped. "That's why everyone's here?" asked Cass. And. Oh. I guess no one really explained that to him yet. Okay. Sam could do that. "Yeah. Me. Your Uncle Giddy. Even $name. We're all here to give your mom a little more care," explained Sam as Cass slowly let go of Sam's pants. "What's up with you two?" asked Cass, which knocked the air out of Sam a bit. //Even Cass was asking that?// [["Me and $name?"|R7. Living Room - Me and Bucky]] [["Me and Gideon?"|R8. Living Room - Me and Gideon]] [["Me and who?"|R9. Living Room - Me and Who]]

"She's not exactly sick like that," said Sam, not quite sure if he even knew how to explain what happened to Cass, "You see the, uh - when a baby is growing in a person, they're in this kind of - uh. This sack. The placenta. And that's normal. But one in every two hundred pregnancies, uh - the sack that has the baby. It covers something important. The uh, cervix." "Cervix?" said the toddler, trying to wrap his mind around it and, yup, this might be a little too complicated for a toddler. "Yes. All you need to know about what happened is that the baby is kind of in a complicated position. That's not a bad thing - it's just a little trickier. It just means your mom needs to take steps to take care of herself before giving birth. And it's not too bad because technically, it's only covering part of the cervix, so the sack with your baby brother might shift into a better position." The odds weren't really pointing to that. Sarah would most likely have a c-section. But it was still technically a possibility. "So... AJ is just in a weird spot. But Mommy and AJ are okay?" asked Cass, summarizing what he just heard. And thank god, the explanation for a partial placenta previa made sense. "The same thing happened when you were born and you turned out okay," said Sam. What was a little funny was that the odds of this happening again were around 2%. But that wasn't a very helpful fun fact for Cass right now. Cass, for his part, seemed a little better after hearing that. "Oh," said Cass, taking the information in, "Okay." "And your mom is getting all the help she needs. Me. Gideon. Even $name. We're all here to help you and your dad take care of your mom right now," said Sam. "What's up with you two?" asked Cass as if he had been meaning to ask Sam that for the last week and a half and just remembered. //Even Cass was asking that?// [["Me and $name?"|R7. Living Room - Me and Bucky]] [["Me and Gideon?"|R8. Living Room - Me and Gideon]] [["Me and who?"|R9. Living Room - Me and Who]]

"Anything new with you?" asked Sam awkwardly. Gideon furrowed his brow. "Do you not read the family newsletter I send out too?" asked Gideon. And. Sam laughed at //too.// "I don't think anyone's reading it," said Sam apologetically. "Well, I recently became the advisor to a - I suppose it's a film club or something. I'm not sure. The students said it's about 'watching films about lawyers and poking fun at the films'. I haven't been to a meeting yet, but it sounded harmless," Gideon started, "The complex I live in also started a community garden. Funnily enough, they will not let me help with the upkeep. They say I am 'much better at choosing the seeds'. I suspect they believe I have no ability at gardening either." Sam snickered. "They chose right. You can't garden to save your life." "This - this is nice." Gideon sounded - sounded a little emotional. A little vulnerable. A little open. "I was worried that we lost this," confessed Gideon with a deep sigh. Sam frowned. "Talking like this?" "I don't know if you really remember, but we used to be - we used to be more like this. When you were younger. //Much// younger. Always making little jokes. It's - it's nice being like this again," said Gideon, and as if he had been gathering the courage to say this, he blurted, "I am really sorry about how poorly our relationship has gone. I know we had a lot of friction when I became your guardian. I got so worried about you. I worried about your impulsiveness, the way you were drawn to adrenaline like a moth to a flame, and I - I tried to hold onto you too tightly. There are several things I regret about how I acted with you. Especially - especially not going to your courthouse wedding with Riley. I'm never going to forgive myself for that." Oh. Sam hadn't expected this. "But - but you hated Riley," was the first thing out of Sam's mouth. Gideon looked uncomfortable, but also a little horrified by the statement. "I didn't hate him. Samuel. You really thought that? I gave you that impression?" asked Gideon, mortified. Sam. Was a little mad now. "You refused to come to the wedding. You literally told me marrying him would be a mistake. You barely acknowledged him throughout the twelve years I was with him. What was I supposed to take that as?" asked Sam. Maybe demanded. "Five months, Sam. You knew him for five months. You only dated him for three of those months. You were twenty when you got married. Of course I was worried that you were rushing into things," said Gideon, "Tying your life to someone so quickly? So young? Yes, I had my misgivings. But I do regret the way I went about talking about them. And - and Riley was hard for me. Because so many of the things that made me worry about you - he had them too, Sam. But I didn't hate him. You loved him so much. How could I hate someone you loved so much?" "So you loved him, but you didn't like him," said Sam, remembering //those// words being told to him by Gideon. "I said that to you when I was angry," said Gideon. "So that makes them not hurt?" asked Sam. "I - I like you. I like you and I love you. I really do. I need you to know that." Which was. Huh. Sam never expected to hear that. Was it bad that he never expected that? Sam didn't know how much he needed to hear that. And. Gideon seemed to awkwardly open his arms; a rare hug Gideon started. Sam let himself fall into the stiff arms of his older brother. "He was good for you. He really was. I'm sorry I gave you that impression. I didn't hate Riley." "I'm sorry I wasn't easy back then," said Sam into Gideon's button-down shirt, "I know I made things difficult. And I was a bit of a contrarian with you. And I get that you were taking care of us. I feel like a good chunk of my early adult years was doing everything in my power to be able to take care of myself independently without putting the burden on you and - and I get that I stressed you out a lot." "You were a kid. Who lost his parents. I never expected going from brother to guardian to be easy on you," said Gideon, rubbing Sam's back. "You were a kid too, Gideon." "I was twenty-six by the time I had to take over, Sam." "You were still a kid who just lost his parents too." And. they sat with that for a moment. Because they had both been kids dealing with the loss of their parents. "I just wish you didn't give me a heart attack all the time. Even now you do." (link-goto:'"What do I do now that gives you a heart attack?" asked Sam, a little confused.', (either: "R10. Backyard - Bucky Barnes", "R11. Backyard - Superhero", "R12. Backyard - Flying"))

"We should really talk more often," said Sam. And. Gideon smiled. "I - I'd like to. I remember - I remember when you used to call me. When I was at college. You used to describe all the birds you saw. The ones you put in your bird notebook," said Gideon, his eyes lost in a distant memory, "I always thought you'd go into ornithology." Oh. Sam hadn't remembered that until now. Even now, it was a bit of a vague memory of talking Gideon's ear off. "I guess that stopped when you moved back," said Sam, a little sad that it did. "You were, uh. You weren't taking Mom's cancer well," said Gideon softly, "You got really depressed after she died. Which - which was understandable, but it was a little terrifying. I know I kind of panicked when you were depressed after Riley's death - " "You kept getting angry at me," said Sam, glaring, "I wasn't doing well and you kept yelling at me to do things." Sam barely remembered the depressions. But he remembered the yelling. "You thought I was mad?" whispered Gideon. "What do you think //yelling at me// would make me feel?" Gideon deflated. "I was just scared. I got - I got flashbacks of after Mom died, after - after Daddy died too. And I panicked," said Gideon, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound - I apologize, Sam." Oh. "I know I - I get closed off. I fall into work. My world grows small," said Sam, "I get scared when it happens too." "It's scarier when your work is deadly." "I know. I'm - I'm sorry that I was difficult when you became my guardian. I know I made everything harder sometimes. I - I know you were just trying to keep us all together. And I appreciate that. I appreciate everything you did for Sarah and me." Gideon smiled. "You were a kid, Sam. I'm not holding that against you." "You were a kid too." Gideon shrugged. "I was twenty-six by the time Daddy died." "You were still a kid who lost both his parents within the span of years. "I guess," said Gideon, though, he didn't sound like he believed Sam. But they really were just kids. One of them just had to play adult at that time. "I just wish you didn't give me a heart attack all the time," continued Gideon, "Even now you do." (link-goto:'"What do I do now that gives you a heart attack?" asked Sam, a little confused.', (either: "R10. Backyard - Bucky Barnes", "R11. Backyard - Superhero", "R12. Backyard - Flying"))

"How is everything?" asked Sam awkwardly. "Everything?" asked Gideon, raising an eyebrow. "You know - life. How are you? What's your life like in Harlem?" Sam expanded. "You could visit more often. Not like you don't have time to globetrot," said Gideon neutrally, "I've seen the shots of you around Europe." Sam. Took a deep breath. "That goes both ways. I'm a five hour drive. It wouldn't be hard for you to visit me too," said Sam pointedly, "I'm in Europe for //work,// Gideon." And. That wasn't exactly fair. "But - but you're right that I can visit more often," Sam reluctantly agreed. Gideon sighed. "I don't know why you always take it wrong. I'm not - I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable here, Sam." "It always sounds like you're judging me," Sam said honestly. "I'm not judging you!" argued Gideon. "Why would you bring up my work trips like I'm taking time to hang out in Europe instead of visiting you, then?" countered Sam, a little tired, "You're always like this." "No, I'm not. You're being unreasonable," said Gideon. "See, there. That's what I'm talking about," said Sam, //"You shouldn't have joined up, Sam. Why are you getting a psychology degree, Sam, what job could you get with that? You didn't have to marry Riley, Sam, don't you understand how big of a decision that is?// Always, always, always. Picking and dissecting and judging every aspect of my life." And. Gideon looked genuinely //hurt.// Sam wasn't sure if he had ever seen Gideon look like that before. "I - I just worry, Sam. It's not - it's not out of judgment, I - I was the only person left. I had to make sure you and Sarah were okay. I worry. So much. That you're okay. That you're doing well. That you'll be okay if anything happened to me too," said Gideon, "And - and maybe I don't say it right - " "You didn't come to the wedding, Gideon. That's a little more than worry." "You knew Riley Torres for five months before you married him. //Five months.// You dated him for three of those months. You were twenty. You didn't even know that you liked men before Riley. You married him after five months, and that's - I didn't know how to feel about that, Sam. You're so impulsive sometimes. You just rush into things and I don't want you to get hurt." "That doesn't mean you don't come to the courthouse, Gideon. You were five hours away. You could have come. I asked you to come. I was married to him for twelve years." Gideon sighed. "I regret that. I - I do," said Gideon silently, "Even if I - I had trouble wrapping my mind around Riley. There were so many things about him that reminded me of things that made me //worry// about you. Even with that I - I should have been there. I am sorry about that." It felt genuine. More emotional than Gideon usually was. And it didn't make up for what happened. But it was good to hear Gideon say that. "Thank you. And - and I'm sorry for how hard I made it for you. I get that you've only been trying to be there for Sarah and me. We were all so young. I'm sorry I acted out the way I did back then. And sometimes now. I'm trying to be better." Gideon smiled. "You were a kid," Gideon said with a shrug, "I didn't blame you for acting out a bit. I just wish you didn't give me a heart attack all the time. Even now you do." (link-goto:'"What do I do now that gives you a heart attack?" asked Sam, a little confused.', (either: "R10. Backyard - Bucky Barnes", "R11. Backyard - Superhero", "R12. Backyard - Flying"))

"I've got pictures of Figaro sent from my friend who's catsitting," said Sam as he pulled out his phone and showed all the pictures Natasha had been sending him. "Another friend, huh?" asked Sarah, smiling down at the Figaro photos. "Okay, No. Actually not like that. I'm just a popular guy." "Oh, I know that. I remember what it was like living with you. You've always been good with people." Sarah handed the phone back to Sam as he got off the bed. [["Hey. If you need anything, just text. Okay?" said Sam as he made his way back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"Is it okay that my friend is around?" "$name? He's nice. He's a little weird, but - but he seems kind to you. He's at least entertaining to watch." That. That was nice to hear. "He's kind of a mess, but - but we're both kind of messes. He's my kind of mess, I guess." Sarah smiled at that. "I'm glad you found a mess like that then." Sam smiled back as he got out of the bed. [["Thanks... I'll, uh. I'll just be a text away if you need anything, okay?" said Sam as he made his way back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"Do you need anything else?" asked Sam as he got out of the bed. "For this baby to be out of me," said Sarah. "I mean, you're going to be inducing labor by the end of the week if nothing happens, so?" Sam pointed out. "True, true," said Sarah. [["Well, if you need anything, I'm a text away," said Sam as he made his way back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"Me and Gideon?" asked Sam, a little embarrassed that Cass might have picked up on that. Cass nodded a little too much. "Do you - do you not like each other?" asked Cass, utterly confused. //Oh.// "We love each other very much," said Sam, not sure how he could explain this to Cass well, "We're just - we're very different people. And sometimes, we don't take the time to understand where the other is coming from. We don't not like each other. We do love one another. It can be a little hard when you don't always know where the other is coming from is all." "I won't be like that with AJ, will I?" asked Cass quietly. //Fuck.// "Hey. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe you'll be best buds. Maybe you'll butt heads. You'll find out when he's here," said Sam, "But even if it's hard to understand him, you'll try to, right? Because sometimes, family's worth understanding." Cass nodded. "And - and it wasn't always like that with Gideon," Sam assured Cass too. Because. Sam remembered a time when it didn't feel like that. When Gideon was distant, sure, but he was a welcome visit. It mostly started after their mom died; after their daddy passed away. When Gideon became the adult in the situation. "You and AJ are going to love each other so much that if you even get to that point, which I doubt you will, you'll - you'll be okay with each other," continued Sam, "You'll have each other's back no matter what." Because. Despite the tension, Gideon had always been there when it was important. He had kept them all together after the deaths of their parents. He had practically planned Riley's entire funeral. He had helped Sarah during that first pregnancy. If Gideon was anything, he was reliable. Cass nodded, though, his attention seemed to be drifting back to Redwing. "Yes. You can go back to playing with Redwing," said Sam as Cass abandoned Sam for Sam's drone with glee. [[Sam left Cass to play, heading back into the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

"Me and $name?" asked Sam, a little nervously. Cass. Nodded a bit too much. "Are you - is he Uncle $name?" Cass half-whispered, as if unsure if he was supposed to say that. And. Sam choked on his own spit. "Not, uh. Not yet. Not sure if that's happening," said Sam, maybe a little too honestly, "He's a friend. He's - he's a good guy for helping out." "I like him," announced Cass. "You like anyone who bribes you with ice cream," Sam countered, amused. "I can't like him because of ice cream?" asked Cass, giggling. "Yes - yes, you can like him because of ice cream," laughed Sam, "But I don't want to make you think - he might be around. He might not be. Just keep that in mind." And. It was a little sad when Cass said, gazing up at Sam, "I know. Your job is dangerous." Cass was used to the idea of it with Sam. Of course Bucky wouldn't be much different, then. "I'm always going to try to come back," said Sam; it was the best promise he could give. "I know, Uncle Sam," said Cass as his attention kept drifting away to Redwing, ready to continue their game. "Yes. You can go back to playing with Redwing," said Sam as Cass abandoned Sam for Sam's drone with glee. [[Sam left Cass to play, heading back into the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

(set: $who to (either: "Gideon", "$name"))["Me and who?" asked Sam, surprised Cass picked up on anything. "You and $who," said Cass. (if: $who is "Gideon")[(display:"R8. Living Room - Me and Gideon")](else-if: $who is "$name")[(display:"R7. Living Room - Me and Bucky")]]

"You could be that guy zipping around in a metal suit that protects your entire body, but instead, you fly around in a t-shirt and jeans." "Okay. That was once. It was an emergency. I was fighting Nazis," laughed Sam, "I wear... more protective gear now?" "But not an entire metal suit?" "Gideon, I don't need an entire metal suit to protect me." "That's what people say until they get mortally injured and then think, 'Gee. I really wish I wore an entire metal suit'." "Well, I haven't thought that yet, so I think we're good on that front." "You could have been a pilot. You know that, right? I thought you were going to be a pilot. I thought, 'Well, at least planes are the safest way to travel, but no. You decided to join a program for a highly experimental wingpack. That's basically two rockets strapped to your back." "I mean, technically, I'm a rocket scientist in all but degree. Though. I might get an honorary degree in it soon." "That doesn't make me feel any better, Sam." "It makes me feel better. I deserve the degree." Gideon laughed. "Yeah. You probably do." "I really do." "So, uh. Why did Bucky Barnes come here, exactly?" Sam. Laughed very suspiciously. "What? Bucky - no. //No.// That's - that's $name." Gideon gave Sam a //look.// "Sam. Do you know how many books I've read about World War Two? I know what Bucky Barnes looks like," said Gideon. Sam. Didn't know how to argue against that. "Just tell me one thing - do you trust him?" asked Gideon. "Yes," said Sam, without even thinking. He did trust Bucky. "Okay. I'll trust him too, then," said Gideon. Which was more trust than Gideon usually put into Sam's choices. "You go back inside," said Gideon, waving Sam off, "I'm sure I can at least water the plants without supervision." Sam wasn't sure if Gideon could. But Sam would try to trust Gideon too. [["Yeah. Okay. Good talk," said Sam as he walked back into the house and to the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

"You decided you needed to find the most dangerous, deadliest job possible," said Gideon deadpan, "Superhero." Sam laughed. //"Part-time,"// said Sam, "I'm not technically even an Avenger. They keep trying to hire me full-time, though." "Oh. Like you're not going to go full-time just to spite me." "Spite you? No. Because I feel like I can make a bigger difference that way? I could see that happening. Not yet, though." "Really? Not now? When you have an entire super name?" "A 'super name'?" "What are you? The Eagle?" Sam glowered. "Falcon - and you got it wrong to annoy me." Gideon... couldn't hold back a smile. "What? As your older brother, I have to have some fun with you. Even if I wish you weren't choosing to be a daredevil." "Oh, that's a different superhero." //"What?"// "How do you not know that? He's in Hell's Kitchen." "Sam, there's at least six hundred heroes in New York. There's a guy with super strength and impenetrable skin in Harlem. I don't know his name either." "I feel like you should at least know the Harlem one?" "Sam, there's only so much space I have in my brain for random knowledge. I'm good for now. If he's around I'll just yell help." Sam laughed. "You're terrible." "I have a life. Speaking of lives, is Bucky Barnes really part of yours?" Sam. Froze. "Sam. I read so many historical nonfiction novels. Please. I know what Bucky Barnes looks like." "I'm... not going to confirm that." Gideon nodded. "Okay. At least tell me this - do you trust him?" asked Gideon, staring Sam dead in the eyes. "Yes," said Sam, without even thinking. He did trust Bucky. "Okay. I'll trust him too, then," said Gideon. Which was more trust than Gideon usually put into Sam's choices. "You go back inside," said Gideon, waving Sam off, "I'm sure I can at least water the plants without supervision." Sam wasn't sure if Gideon could. But Sam would try to trust Gideon too. [["Yeah. Okay. Good talk," said Sam as he walked back into the house and to the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

"Bucky Barnes, for one," said Gideon, which made Sam choke on his own spit. "He's - he's not. It's $name," said Sam, a little panicked. "Sam. It's cheap hair dye, some fake glasses, and a little bad posture. And I read a lot of historical nonfiction," said Gideon as he raised an eyebrow, "I said in the monthly family newsletter that I was reading the unofficial Bucky Barnes biography, //From Crime to Soldier: The Unusual Life of James Buchanan Barnes."// Sam. Didn't read the family newsletter. "Right," said Sam, as if he read the family newsletter. "What's a man who died in 1944 doing in our home? At first, I thought about the mystery man you, Ms. Romanoff, and Mr. Rogers fought on the highway - the one who supposedly had similar abilities. Super-Soldier abilities. While not the only answer, well, there were spottings of a man who looked similar to Mr. Barnes in Europe around the times you were visiting. But the hunch was only solidified when he //showed up at this house.// Why is he even here?" And. Sam didn't really want to tell Gideon about the possible threat. But Sam had never been great at lying. "He heard something while he was - was lying low," said Sam, walking a thin line of what he was omitting, "He just wanted to make sure I was okay. And I am. But he was happy to help with Sarah, so..." Gideon looked like he wanted to prod more. But. All he asked was, "Do you trust him?" "Yes," said Sam, without even thinking. He did trust Bucky. "Okay. I'll trust him too, then," said Gideon. Which was more trust than Gideon usually put into Sam's choices. "You go back inside," said Gideon, waving Sam off, "I'm sure I can at least water the plants without supervision." Sam wasn't sure if Gideon could. But Sam would try to trust Gideon too. [["Yeah. Okay. Good talk," said Sam as he walked back into the house and to the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

"...And the Avengers?" asked Sam. "I mean, yeah. I'm curious. How does one become part of a super team?" "You go jogging on a random Thursday morning," offered Sam before adding, "And impressing Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff helps." "I'm sure it does," said Jody, nodding, "Do you - do you like working there?" "With the Avengers?" asked Sam. "Yeah." Sam sighed. "I'm not //technically// an Avenger. By choice, really. I - I'm not even sure if I'm ready for a life that's just //that.// But I do like it. I like the people. I like that I'm making a difference. I like being the difference I want to be. I just - I feel at home doing that kind of work. I don't know. Maybe I'll be a full-time one someday." "Hey. Maybe you'll run the place." "Maybe!" said Sam, kind of - kind of //liking// that idea, "Maybe someday." Liking it a lot. Maybe someday. "Well, I'll get back to work. But thank you for the distraction. Seriously," said Jody as he turned back to his three monitors. [["Always here to be a distraction," said Sam as he wandered back to the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"...And Gideon?" asked Sam, because it had been strangely frictionless with Gideon. Sure, maybe there were a few times they clearly weren't understanding each other, but for the most part, they had been... okay. More okay than usual. Though. Maybe it was because they were rarely in the same room. "Yeah, I was going to say this was the smoothest visit we've had with you two under the same roof. What happened? Demon deal? End of the world upon us?" Sam laughed. "It's - it's because we're here for Sarah. Not to fight each other," said Sam, "We can argue after the baby's here." "Hey. If you can keep this up forever, I'd be happy." "That would - that would be nice." Sam couldn't see this amount of getting along to be sustainable, but maybe he and Gideon could make it work. "He does care a lot about you." "He's my brother. Of course he does. He just - I've never been the person he wanted me to be." Sam really hadn't. They were such different people. And it wasn't bad that they were different people, but they were so different that it made it difficult to understand each other. "I'm sure he's happy with who you are now." Sam wasn't sure if he agreed with that. He wasn't sure if Gideon even //liked// the person Sam became. You could love a person without liking them, after all. Sam remembered that particular fight. "We're doing better," was all Sam could say. "I, uh. I need to get back to work. But thanks for the distraction, Sam," said Jody as he turned back to his three monitors. [["No problem," said Sam as he returned to the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"...And $name?" asked Sam, pretty sure he remembered the right fake name. "Yeah. You and $name," said Jody, leaning forward to give Sam a playful punch, "You're allowed to like $name. Even if his nickname is weird." Sam snorted. "I, uh. I know that. It's just - complicated." "Complicated because $name has apparently never heard of HR in his life? I'd say that's an issue, especially if you work part-time with him." Sam laughed. Because. Yeah. Somehow, that did pop up. And it made sense - how many places of work in the twenties and thirties had HR? Of course Bucky had never heard of it. "No. I mean, yes, I probably need to talk to him about that, but no. There's a few more things in play," said Sam. And. Sam could tell from that //look.// That prodding look. "Like what? Another potential love interest? A lost lenore that's not Riley because you know what Riley would say." "I know," said Sam before he and Jody both recited, //"If I die, I will haunt you until you find a hot person. Preferably a dude, just because I like guys, but I know you like everyone so go with your heart, babe. I'll give you a thumbs up from the grave."// They both laughed. "He was - he was pretty self-aware of the possibility of death," said Sam, "Maybe a little too morbid. But. That was just //Riley,// you know?" "I know. I was friends with him too," said Sam softly. "So? You and $name?" pushed Jody. Well. Not pushed. Gently nudged. "It's... something," said Sam, because that was all he could really say. "It's okay to like him," said Jody. And. Sam didn't know that he actually needed to hear that. "Thanks," said Sam. "I probably should get back to work," said Jody, pointing to his computer, "Gotta get as much as I can done before baby AJ is born." [["I'll leave you to that," said Sam as he headed back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

"What is this, James?" Sam breathed. Bucky's eyes grew soft. "I thought you didn't want to talk about that," whispered Bucky. Because. He understood. Understood why they probably shouldn't label this. Not right now. Not with how they had been sneaking around with one another. "You're here protecting my family. I'm not sure how long I can really deny something's here," murmured Sam. Sam wasn't sure if he could deny anything at this point. The way Bucky had his arm around Sam? What could Sam even say if Steve miraculously appeared out of thin air and saw this? "I don't want to push you when you're not ready," whispered Bucky. "What do you want this to be?" asked Sam. "That seems like an 'us' question. Not just a 'me' question. But - But if I had to say what I wanted - " Bucky started to say before - Bucky. Turned his head quickly to the window behind the. He gripped Sam's waist. "Company?" whispered Sam. "I wish it wasn't," mumbled Bucky, which meant //yes.// //What could Sam use as a weapon?// <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for whatever was within arm's reach!//",(either: "R13. Kitchen - Hand Grater", "R14. Kitchen - Seafood Cracker", "R15. Kitchen - Bottle of Fancy Olive Oil"))</div>

"Is that really the question you want to ask me?" asked Sam as Sam quirked an eyebrow. "What else could I want to ask?" said Bucky oh so innocently; even //smiling.// Sam gave Bucky a //look.// "Do you travel continents to keep guard of every friend's family?" whispered Sam. "I'd say for particular friends," murmured Bucky. "What kind of friend is that particular to you?" asked Sam and - and //fuck,// okay, that was sort of flirting. Sam was flirting. "What kind of friend is that particular?" hummed Bucky, "Well. Maybe the kind of friend I might want something - " Bucky. Turned his head quickly to the window behind the. He gripped Sam's waist. "Company?" whispered Sam. "I wish it wasn't," mumbled Bucky, which meant //yes.// //What could Sam use as a weapon?// <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for whatever was within arm's reach!//",(either: "R13. Kitchen - Hand Grater", "R14. Kitchen - Seafood Cracker", "R15. Kitchen - Bottle of Fancy Olive Oil"))</div>

"Are we dating?" blurted Sam. Which. //Whoops.// He probably shouldn't have asked that. Bucky. Blinked. "Well. I feel like that's - that's a both of us question. Not just a me question," said Bucky, dodging the question artfully, "Is that what you - ?" Bucky. Turned his head quickly to the window behind the sink. He gripped Sam's waist. "Company?" whispered Sam. "I wish it wasn't," mumbled Bucky, which meant //yes.// //What could Sam use as a weapon?// <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for whatever was within arm's reach!//",(either: "R13. Kitchen - Hand Grater", "R14. Kitchen - Seafood Cracker", "R15. Kitchen - Bottle of Fancy Olive Oil"))</div>

Sam grabbed the olive oil and - And he //smashed it// into the Nazi's head. Glass and very fancy chili-infused olive oil burst from the impact, the HYDRA agent yelling in pain from the glass and that //chili-infusion.// The oil made the Nazi slip and slide. He managed, unfortunately, to slap the remaining broken top of the olive oil bottle out of Sam's hand before slipping and falling to the ground, knocking himself out. "Shit. That was the nice olive oil Jody got from that second honeymoon to Italy," mourned Bucky. "I know," agreed Sam, wishing he grabbed the cheap plastic bottle. But. Sam could feel it. Another was coming Sam's way, though. Maybe two. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "S1. Kitchen - Muffin Pan", "S2. Kitchen - Cayenne", "S3. Kitchen - Hanging Basil Plant"))</div>

Sam grabbed the seafood cracker, which at first didn't feel like the best idea even if they were used for breaking open crustaceans. It did feel satifying as he dodged a HYDRA agent grabbing for him before Sam unceremoniously broke several of the man's fingers in the cracker. The man screamed, his fingers cartoonishly flopping around in unnatural angles as Sam went for the other hand for good measure. Another scream of pain. Before. The man managed to at least wrangle the seafood cracker out of Sam's hands. The man, blind with rage, started to lunge for Sam, only - only for Bucky to slam the empty coffee carafe into the man's head, the carafe shattering into hot glass as the man fell to the ground, knocked out cold. Another was coming Sam's way, though. Maybe two. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "S1. Kitchen - Muffin Pan", "S2. Kitchen - Cayenne", "S3. Kitchen - Hanging Basil Plant"))</div>

Sam. Grabbed a hand grater. Which wasn't really a weapon of choice, but maybe it wasn't the worst weapon when he found himself literally //grating the hand// of some Nazi asshat. Sam heard the man yell, before Sam slapped the man's face with the grater too, peeling the man like a block of cheese. The HYDRA agent. Was //pissed.// He punched Sam's hand, managing to surprise Sam and get him to drop the hand grater before - before Bucky moved Sam to the side and punched the man out cold. Another was coming Sam's way, though. Maybe two. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "S1. Kitchen - Muffin Pan", "S2. Kitchen - Cayenne", "S3. Kitchen - Hanging Basil Plant"))</div>

Sam grabbed the glass shaker filled with cayenne. Sam felt like he was already mourning the loss of the very good cayenne as Sam quickly dodged a swipe of a knife while he unscrewed the shaker and threw //all of the cayenne into the attacker's eyes.// The man. Screamed. The Nazi coughed and hacked, his eyes red and teary from the spice as he stumbled backward. //Wham.// Sam threw the deciding punch against the man before he jumped to the side, avoiding a slash from another attacker as Bucky slammed a frying pan into the back of the other HYDRA agent's head. The other Nazi, of course, fell to the ground unconscious. "Did you just //Tangled// that guy with a frying pan?" asked Sam. "Did I what?" asked Bucky, confused. And - And Sam could feel another wave, another //something// coming their way. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "T1. Kitchen - Knife Block", "T2. Kitchen - Seafood Fork", "T3. Kitchen - Bag of Takis"))</div>

Sam grabbed the muffin tin - not hot anymore, but still a little warm; still half-filled with cranberry lemon muffins Gideon had baked earlier that morning. Sam slammed the muffin pan onto the next HYDRA agent, chunks of muffin raining on the man as Sam hit him over and over and over again with the pan until the Nazi fell. Sam ducked as Bucky //whammed// and uppercut the agent before Sam rammed his leg as hard as he could into this Nazi's knee. The knee bent in an unnatural angle, the HYDRA agent yelping as he lost balance, hit his head on the counter, and fell to the ground unconscious. Sam frowned as he inspected the now bent muffin pan. "Aw, dang. I was going to have those for second breakfast," grumbled Bucky. Sam glanced at the microwave clock. "Don't you mean elevensies?" asked Sam as Bucky snickered. And - And Sam could feel another wave, another //something// coming their way. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "T1. Kitchen - Knife Block", "T2. Kitchen - Seafood Fork", "T3. Kitchen - Bag of Takis"))</div>

Sam grabbed the hanging basil plant in the kitchen, whispering an apology to Jody who lovingly cared for that plant before snapping the thin, weak chains that held it there. Sam heard the //crack// of the cheap plastic pot hitting the Nazi as Sam //slammed// the pot into the HYDRA agent's face. The broken plastic must have cut deep into the monster's cheek because the pot //stayed// where Sam had slammed it. The Nazi coughed and choked on fertilizer, dirt, and basil roots, confused as he tried to understand what just happened to him. //Kick!// Sam shoved his foot into the attacker's chest as hard as he could, the Nazi falling and hitting his head on the ground, the pot dislodging from his cheek as basil, dirt, and blood pooled on the ground next to the unconscious Nazi. Sam //ducked,// barely avoiding a slash from another Nazi. Bucky whacked a meat tenderizer straight onto the side of this other HYDRA agent's head, leaving a bloody indent of the tenderizer there as the attacker slumped down onto the ground, unconscious. Bucky winced at the way the tenderizer was now slightly bent. "I can pay for another one," offered Bucky. Sam let out a surprised laugh at that. And - And Sam could feel another wave, another //something// coming their way. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//Sam grabbed for another thing within arm's reach!//",(either: "T1. Kitchen - Knife Block", "T2. Kitchen - Seafood Fork", "T3. Kitchen - Bag of Takis"))</div>

Sam grabbed - grabbed a bag of Takis? Fuego flavored. Which. Okay, Sam could work with this. Though. Quality control could suck and it really depended on the bag as to whether or not it had enough spicy powder. Sam turned to the //feeling,// finding a redheaded woman who - was that Sinthia Schmidt? Red Skull's daughter? Sam had only seen files on her. "I have found you - " Sinthia began to villain monologue before - Well. Sam rushed Sinthia and ripped open the Takis bag, throwing the entirety of its contents at Sinthia's face. Sinthia coughed and gagged, wheezing and crying from the spice as she blindly grabbed around trying to catch Sam. "You fucker, you - //you - "// Sinthia started to say, but Bucky must have snuck around her because he was behind her with a steel mandoline. He swung the mandoline into the side of her face, peeling a chunk of her cheek off as the mandolin hit her. She wobbled, touching the wetness of the missing skin and open muscle before falling to the ground, unconscious. "Well. Looks like you're going to have to call Stevie for this. And I'm going to have to leave," said Bucky a little too casually. Sam. [[Went to find where Gideon put the zip ties he brought with him just in case something like this happened.|Baby is Coming]]

Sam grabbed seafood forks; odd, pronged creations built for crabs and lobsters. Sam turned to the //feeling,// finding a redheaded woman who - was that Sinthia Schmidt? Red Skull's daughter? Sam had only seen files on her. "I have found you - " Sinthia began to villain monologue before - Well. Sam threw the seafood forks like he was throwing knives. The forks swiftly flew through the air, one landing deep in her shoulder, the other in the side of her abdomen. "What the fuck? What even are these?" said Sinthia as she unadvisably began wiggling the forks and started bleeding more, "You're going to pay for that, you - " Before she could finish her sentence, though, Bucky must have snuck around because he was behind Sinthia now and slamming the heavy side of a handheld milk frother into the side of Sinthia's head, definitely hitting her eye too. Immediately, Sam could see Sinthia's head swelling and bruising as she stumbled once, twice, then collapsed to the ground. "Well. Looks like you're going to have to call Stevie for this. And I'm going to have to leave," said Bucky a little too casually. Sam. [[Went to find where Gideon put the zip ties he brought with him just in case something like this happened.|Baby is Coming]]

The knife block, currently empty because Sam kept forgetting to turn on the dishwasher, seemed to be what Sam's hands landed on. Sam turned to the //feeling,// finding a redheaded woman who - was that Sinthia Schmidt? Red Skull's daughter? Sam had only seen files on her. "I have found you - " Sinthia began to villain monologue before - Well. Sam threw a knife block at her. It hit her straight in the face at an odd angle and Sam could see the //blood// of a broken nose; of a fucked up mouth. "What the fuck?" she gargled through blood, "You broke my front teeth - " Which was when Bucky got behind her and slammed a pizza stone right on the side of her head. Sam could see an entire side of Sinthia's face already bruising from the hit as she stumbled to the ground, groaning before she let her consciousness slip. "Well. Looks like you're going to have to call Stevie for this. And I'm going to have to leave," said Bucky a little too casually. Sam. [[Went to find where Gideon put the zip ties he brought with him just in case something like this happened.|Baby is Coming]]

Sam. Saw Jody in the living room, holding Cass. Sam felt bad telling Jody what to do, but Jody didn't seem all that mad when Sam told him, "Stay right there." Sam saw Gideon rushing down with the - //with the zip ties.// "Those - give them to me," said Sam. Maybe ordered. Which definitely confused Gideon. "I can - " "No. Go back up and check on Sarah," said Sam as he took the zip ties from Gideon. Gideon. Nodded. And went back upstairs. Sam went back into the kitchen, handing Bucky half the zip ties as they quickly began to tie up the Nazis while Sam whistled for Redwing. Redwing sped into the room just as they finished tying up all the HYDRA agents. Sam. Should be calling Steve immediately. "Bucky," said Sam quietly, "You need to make yourself scarce." Bucky nodded reluctantly. "I know," he whispered. He didn't move to leave. "Bucky, I - " Sam started to say before Bucky - Bucky //kissed// Sam. And Sam melted right then and there. "I'll meet up with you later," said Bucky, holding Sam's face so tenderly before going in for one more breathtaking kiss, "I swear I will." "Good. I - I'd like that," said Sam, a little lightheaded, "Now go." Bucky rushed out the back door. Sam gave Bucky a minute headstart. Hopefully, that was enough as Sam turned his attention to Redwing and said, "Redwing - send Steve a message: 'HYDRA pickup at Sarah's house'." Sam heard the sound of a message sent by Redwing. Sam sighed when he heard the ding back; heard Redwing tell Sam back, "Message from - Steve Rogers - //'Will be there in five'."// Sam didn't know //how// Steve was going to do that. But Sam knew he would keep his word. "Uh," said Gideon, from the foyer, which brought Sam, Jody, and Cass out from where they were to find Gideon helping Sarah down the stairs, "We need to get to the hospital right now." "That should be safe. You all go. I'll meet you there in a bit," said Sam, because he really couldn't leave until Steve did the pickup and Sam cleaned up the kitchen. No one seemed to argue with Sam. [[They left for the hospital.|Steve Visit]]

"So. You did this. All by yourself," said Steve as SHIELD agents ushered the HYDRA goons into the quinjet. "You don't think I could do it?" asked Sam, quirking an eyebrow. Steve blanched. "That's not what I - it just looks like - looks like someone else had your back," explained Steve. As if. As if waiting for Sam to tell him something. Maybe Sam should. But he really didn't have the okay from Bucky. And Sam wasn't sure if he was comfortable saying anything if he didn't know if Bucky would be okay with it. [["It was just me."|U1. Just Me]] [["Again - you don't think I could do it?"|U2. Again]] [["What are you angling for here, Steven?"|U3. Angle]]

"Again - you don't think I could do it?" asked Sam curiously. "You know I don't mean - Okay. If you insist," said Steve as he conceded, "I believe you." And Sam was pretty sure Steve didn't believe him. But that didn't mean Steve was necessarily mad. "Leave Sam alone. He just fought off an entire squad of HYDRA assholes," said Nat as she wandered over. She gave Sam a hug. "Sorry he's prying," continued Nat, "I didn't teach him manners." "I'm a very polite person," grumbled Steve as Sam snickered, "You two are the worst." "See? Not a polite man," argued Nat. "Thanks for picking them up so quickly." "We're always here for you, Sam. Now. Get to your sister already," said Nat as she pulled Steve along with her to the quinjet. "Fun fact about Bucky Barnes - I heard he's a terrible kisser!" Steve quickly said, which was definitely a lie. Sam should know. Sam was recently kissed by said man. "Goodbye, Steve," said Sam, waving goodbye and ignoring the comment. "I also heard he's terrible at picking places for dates!" Steve yelled before the quinjet door closed. Sam kept waving goodbye to them as the quinjet left Sarah's backyard. Sam took a deep breath. And. [[Called himself a Lyft to the hospital.|Meeting AJ]]

"It was just me," Sam said clearly. And. Sam wasn't a good liar. But he seemed to at least dissuade Steve from asking more. Steve raised his hands in surrender. "Okay. I believe you," said Steve, and Sam wasn't sure if that was true, but it was what he said. "We're heading out," said Nat as she walked over and gave Sam a big hug, "Always good to see you, Sam. Figaro misses you." "I miss him too," said Sam, smiling at his friend, "Be good to him when you get back." "Oh, I spoil him," said Nat as she headed over to the Quinjet. Sam turned to Steve. "Fun fact about Bucky Barnes - he was a notorious heartbreaker," said Steve unprompted. "See you in a few weeks, Steve," said Sam, completely ignoring the comment as he gave his best friend a hug. "I also heard he's bad at sex," said Steve. "Goodbye, Steve," laughed Sam as he shooed Steve to the quinjet. Sam waved goodbye to them as the quinjet left Sarah's backyard. Sam took a deep breath. And. [[Called himself a Lyft to the hospital.|Meeting AJ]]

"What are you angling for here, Steven?" asked Sam. Because. He felt like Steve could tell if Bucky wasn't //ready// to be found, even if Sam could see how impatient Steve was growing about the subject. It was a battle of wills. A staring contest. Well. It would have been, if Steve wasn't so bad at staring contests. Steve sighed. "Okay. I believe you," said Steve, and Sam was pretty sure Steve didn't believe him, but he wasn't going to prod more. "Leave Sam be. He's got a birth to go to," said Nat as she walked over and gave Sam a hug, "Sorry you had to deal with HYDRA during your time off." "Hey. I got them all and you came quickly to pick them up, so..." said Sam as he shrugged. "Go. Get to the hospital. We're good here," said Nat as she looped her arm around Steve's and started dragging him to the quinjet. "Fun fact about Bucky - he's a serial flirt who can't commit," said Steve utterly unprompted. "Goodbye, Steve," Sam laughed. "I also heard he can't give head to save his life!" yelled Steve before the quinjet doors closed. Sam waved goodbye to them as the quinjet left Sarah's backyard. Sam took a deep breath. And. [[Called himself a Lyft to the hospital.|Meeting AJ]]

He was small. Tinier than Sam expected. Sarah insisted AJ was a normal size, that he was fine. And maybe it was because Sam had never held a newborn baby before. But he just felt so light and small. He was perfect. Even the little bit of curly hair he had was perfect. "I love him," said Sam as he did his best to hold AJ as carefully as physically possible. "I know. He's amazing. Look at him," said Sarah, tired. Sam hadn't made it for the birth. But he made it to at least be there right after. It wasn't as if Sam was going to be in the room anyway, that was always going to be Jody. But it was nice to be there for Sarah. For little baby AJ. "Let me give him back," said Sam, because he could see that Sarah wanted AJ again. "Thanks," said Sarah, and - and Sam was pretty sure he saw something out from the corner of his eye in the hospital hallway. "I'll - I'll be right back," said Sam as he made his way into the hallway. <div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(if: $name is (either: "Chucky", "Scruffy"))[(link-goto:"//Followed his instincts down the hall.//","Bucky Leaves - Chucky or Scruffy")](else-if: $name is (either: "Buggy", "Huffy"))[(link-goto:"//Followed his instincts down the hall.//","Bucky Leaves - Buggy or Huffy")](else:)[(link-goto:"//Followed his instincts down the hall.//","Bucky Leaves - Dougie or Lucky")]</div>

Sam found his way up to the roof of the hospital. Sam smiled as he saw Bucky trying to look cool. "What's up, dork?" asked Sam, smiling as he walked over to Bucky. "What? No. I'm - I'm cool. I'm definitely killer diller - " Bucky started to say before Sam pulled the man into a passionate kiss. And. And this was what Sam was waiting for. This was //everything.// "Wow. Uh. So. We should probably tell Stevie, I guess." "Are you sure?" asked Sam. Bucky. Nodded. "Sam, I've made you lie enough to him. I'm - I'm going to get myself situated in Bucharest. Visit. We'll have a night and - and then you tell him I'm there," said Bucky warmly. "One last night before he finds out, huh?" asked Sam, unable to stop himself from smiling. "Well. After you're done helping Sarah with the first few weeks of the baby," Bucky said. Sam nodded. "I'll, uh. I'll see you in a few weeks, then," said Sam, unable to stop himself from smiling. Bucky pulled Sam in for a devastating kiss. "A few weeks," breathed Bucky when he came up for air before. Before he left Sam on the roof. Disappeared into the night. //A few weeks.// //Sam would come clean to Steve about Bucky in a few weeks.// But for now, Sam made his way back downstairs to be with his family. ''<center><big>(text-style: "fade-in-out")[(link-goto:"PLAY AGAIN?","Title Page")]</center></big>''

Sam found himself pulled into a storage closet by Bucky, laughing as he felt his back hit a wall; felt Bucky's body pressed close to Sam. "What is this? //Grey's Anatomy?"// asked Sam. "I don't know what that is," said Bucky honestly. "Just kiss me," said Sam as he pulled Bucky closer and - And. Kissed Bucky. Melted into that kiss. "We're going to have to tell Stevie," blurted Bucky. Which. Yes. That was right. They would have to do that. "Are you sure?" asked Sam, because Sam didn't want to tell Steve if Bucky wasn't ready. "No. You've lied long enough. Here's the plan. I'll get my place in Bucharest looking nice enough for a visit. You come first. In a few weeks. After Sarah is settled. We'll have one last night together before we tell Stevie," offered Bucky, "Does that sound good to you?" "Yeah," said Sam, "Sounds like a good plan. I'll - I'll see you in a few weeks then." Bucky pulled Sam into a devastating kiss. "See you in a few weeks," said Bucky before he left Sam to collect himself in the storage closet. //A few weeks.// //Sam would come clean to Steve about Bucky in a few weeks.// But for now, Sam made his way back down the hall to be with his family. ''<center><big>(text-style: "fade-in-out")[(link-goto:"PLAY AGAIN?","Title Page")]</center></big>''

Sam found himself turning a corner into an empty family room - well, not quite empty. Bucky was there. And. Sam didn't think. He just. Made a beeline to Bucky and pulled Bucky into a passionate kiss. Lost himself in that kiss for a while. "Sam," breathed Bucky as he came up for air, "We're - we're going to have tell Stevie." "But do we have to?" joked Sam, "He said a lot of outright lies about you to get me to not make out with you." "Stevie did //what// - ? No. He's my best friend. I need to tell him even if he tried to //lie you away from me.// Besides. You've been lying for too long for me. We need to tell him." Sam sighed. And. Nodded. "What's the plan, James?" "While you're here for the next few weeks, I'll head over to Bucharest. I'll get the safehouse looking nice. You'll come over. Stay the night. Then - we'll tell him." Sam smiled. "One last night before we tell him, then?" Bucky smiled back. "One last night," said Bucky before he pulled Sam into a devasting kiss, "I'll see you then." "See you," breathed Sam, watching Bucky leave him in the family room. //A few weeks.// //Sam would come clean to Steve about Bucky in a few weeks.// But for now, Sam made his way back down the hall to be with his family. ''<center><big>(text-style: "fade-in-out")[(link-goto:"PLAY AGAIN?","Title Page")]</center></big>''

:root { --passage-color: #EED590; --story-color: #0e4673; --font-color: #e2f0ee; --hover-color: #ffe08a; --border-color: #e2f0ee; --underline-color: #f7999f; --sidebar-color: #0bab90; --link-text-color: #fbeeca; --default-font: 'Trebuchet MS', serif; --text-font-size: 20px; --bigger-text-font-size: 30px; } :root { --passage-color: #b43349; --story-color: #d37ea0; --font-color: #e6e9ea; --hover-color: #386b9a; --border-color: #e6e9ea; --underline-color: #6981a8; --sidebar-color: #ba325d; --link-text-color: #b2d6e6; --default-font: 'Trebuchet MS', serif; --text-font-size: 20px; --bigger-text-font-size: 30px; } tw-icon { text-align: top right; visibility: visible; position: fixed; top: 0; right: 0; margin-top: 2.5%; padding: 0 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em; } .sidebar-history-nav { display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; } .sidebar-history-nav span { background-color: var(--darker-main); color: white; width: 40px; height: 40px; margin: 0 5px; padding: 0.75rem 0 0 0.75rem; border-radius: 50%; } <div class="rightcolumn"><div class="sidebar-history-nav"></div></div><div class="leftcolumn"> .sidebar-history-nav { display: flex; justify-content: top right; align-items: top right; top: 0; right: 0; margin-top: 2.5%; padding: 0 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em; } .sidebar-history-nav span { background-color: #d37ea0; color: #e6e9ea; width: 40px; height: 40px; margin: 0 5px; padding: 0.75rem 0 0 0.75rem; border-radius: 50%; } .sidebar-history-nav span:hover { background-color: #c16087; } .leftcolumn { float: left; width: 75%; } .rightcolumn { float: right; width: 25%; top: 0; right: 0; margin-top: 2.5%; padding: 0 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em; } @keyframes shudder { 25% { top: 0.25em; } 75% { top: -0.25em; } 0%, 100% { top: 0px; } } (set: $name to (either: "Buggy", "Huffy"))[<div class="playful" aria-label="Anything">(link-goto:"//What was Bucky's name going to be?//","O1. Morning Jog - New Name")</div>] tw-passage { padding: 30px; margin: 1.3em; height: 100vh; overflow-y: scroll; border: 5px solid var(--border-color); } tw-story { color: var(--font-color); font-family: var(--default-font); font-size: var(--text-font-size); display: flex; height: 100vh; justify-content: center; align-items: center; }

Sarah glanced up from a book she was reading. She raised an eyebrow. "Don't you have other things to do?" [["I do. Sorry," laughed Sam as he went back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

(set: $myPassageName to (passage:"Sarah's Room?")'s name)(print: ($myPassageName))(if: (history:) contains $myPassageName)[(go-to:"Sarah's Room - Visited")](else:)[(go-to:"Sarah's Room?")]

(set: $myPassageName2 to (passage:"Jody's Office?")'s name)(print: ($myPassageName2))(if: (history:) contains $myPassageName2)[(go-to:"Jody's Office - Visited")](else:)[(go-to:"Jody's Office?")]

Jody glanced up from his work. He smiled, but said, "Love you, Sam. But I do need to finish this up. Sam nodded. [["Of course," said Sam as he went back into the hallway.|Hallway.]]

(set: $myPassageName2 to (passage:"Living Room?")'s name)(print: ($myPassageName2))(if: (history:) contains $myPassageName2)[(go-to:"Living Room - Visited")](else:)[(go-to:"Living Room?")]

(set: $myPassageName2 to (passage:"Backyard?")'s name)(print: ($myPassageName2))(if: (history:) contains $myPassageName2)[(go-to:"Backyard - Visited")](else:)[(go-to:"Backyard?")]

Sam walked back into the living room, only to find that Cass' attention had moved onto a show. "Shh. It's the middle of the episode," whispered Cass, entranced by the television. [["Sorry," Sam whispered back as he went back into the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]

Sam walked back outside, only to find Gideon watering the plants. "I'll be done in a minute. Let me do at least this," said Gideon, "I can water the backyard." [["Okay," chuckled Sam as he went back inside to the foyer.|Downstairs Foyer.]]