Chapter Text
A couple of days later, Bucky’s doctor finally released him.
He was feeling a lot better. All his bruises and cuts were gone, and he was able to take the splint off of his arm. The burns on his feet were still causing him a little pain, but it was tolerable. It would only take another day or two before they also disappeared.
The only real concern left was fixing his diet. After going nearly two months without a proper meal, just the sight of food left him feeling nauseous. They’d given him a plan to help him build his appetite back up, and Sam said he’d help.
Of course, Bucky already knew Sam would. They were a team; a united front. If one of them had a problem, so did the other.
With what happened, Sam was being extra careful around him. Not only with his actions, but his words too. For once, Bucky didn’t mind. He was starting to feel more like himself, but it wasn’t over. He was going to have to go back a few steps in therapy. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but dwelling on it would be a waste of energy. He just needed to focus on getting better.
He did, however, complain when the nurse told him he had to leave in a wheelchair. The nurse rolled her eyes, but Sam laughed. His laugh was always so pretty and for a second, he felt like he did before everything happened.
Happy, in love, and limitless.
For absolutely no reason at all, Sam carried Bucky from the bed to the wheelchair. Once he was sitting down, he grabbed Sam’s collar and gently pulled him forward.
“You’re an asshole,” he muttered, pressing their lips together. It was so nice that it almost didn’t feel real.
He didn’t mean to voice his concern but apparently, it had slipped past him. When he opened his eyes, Sam was looking at him with a soft smile on his face.
“It is,” he whispered, the words meant for Bucky and Bucky only. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Sam leaned down, leaving a kiss on his forehead. Bucky believed him.
Right before the nurse could start wheeling Bucky out, Sam asked if he could do do it instead. She didn’t realize saying yes was a mistake until it was too late. As soon as she was out of the way, Sam was racing down the halls.
Not too fast. Just enough to be considered speeding.
“They’re going to ban us!” Bucky shouted, shaking his head as he grasped the armrests.
Sam slowed down a little, but the people they passed still didn’t look happy with them. Bucky decided he didn’t care. The last few weeks had been a complete nightmare for both of them; they deserved some fun.
“I don’t think they can do that, Buck,” Sam insisted. “And banning Captain America would be a PR nightmare.”
Bucky snickered before rolling his eyes. He wasn’t wrong. They’d let Sam go in with him when they arrived, and it probably had something to do with his title. Denying a superhero was a little different than saying no to a civilian.
They didn’t have a car with them, but Sam made a few calls and arranged one to be waiting for them.
When they got to the main doors, they stopped to peek outside. The path to the black SUV picking them up was blocked off, but the surrounding areas were infested with reporters.
They weren’t waiting for the Winter Soldier, wondering if he was okay. They were waiting for Captain America, who was definitely seen bringing him in.
Bucky moved his head, letting it fall back against one of Sam’s arms. “I don’t want to go out there,” he complained quietly. “They’re always so… pushy.” They always begged them for answers, even though it was none of their business.
Sam glanced down at him. “What if we hold hands?”
Bucky didn’t bother hiding his confusion. “Then they’d ask about that.”
Moving his free hand, he brushed through Bucky’s hair. “That’s the point.”
They’d been dating for a while, but they hadn’t told anyone outside of their circles. Although, honestly, Bucky was surprised the public hadn’t found out. They weren’t exactly careful. They got so happy sometimes that they’d just… forget.
If they ever got married, the news would leak. It would be unavoidable. Given how things were going, Bucky could picture it. He really could. If he closed his eyes long enough, he could see every detail.
When he thought about it that way, it didn’t seem as big of a deal. They didn’t have to tell them everything. The world already knew they were close, so this wasn’t that much different.
Okay, it kind of was, but Bucky was going to pretend it wasn’t.
He took a slow, calculated breath. He wasn’t expecting them to come out today, but it felt right. They wouldn’t have to worry about their relationship being leaked anymore. They could focus on more important things, like getting better and moving forward.
Bucky’s lips curved into a small, but certain grin. “Okay.”
Before he could try to stand up on his own, Sam walked in front of him. They were supposed to wait until they were outside, but both of them seemed to agree they were close enough.
Sam held both of his hands out. After Bucky took them, he slowly stood up. A small wince escaped him when his feet hit the floor, but Sam rubbed his knuckles with his thumbs until he was okay again.
“If you don’t want to, it’s okay. I’m not gonna be mad.” Sam gave him a stern, but reassuring look. “Whatever you need.”
Instead of answering, Bucky began walking forward, letting go of only one of his hands. “Come on— I got plants to water.”
They were still smiling when they walked past the double doors. Every camera and newscaster turned towards them, but they stayed focused on each other.
With Sam beside him, Bucky knew he was safe. He hoped Sam knew that beside him, he would always be safe too.