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honeeysagee · 2 months ago

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When Fall Comes Rushing In - Family Dinner

summary AU: Sam invites Bucky to a family dinner, but this time, everything feels different. As the warmth of family surrounds them, the unspoken tension between Sam and Bucky builds, making them question how their relationship is evolving and what it truly means to be a part of each other’s lives.

word count: 3,301 words

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Sarah Wilson, the younger Wilson sibling, stared at Sam like he had just grown two heads, her eyes wide with disbelief as her lips parted slightly. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest as she raised an eyebrow, the skepticism practically radiating off her. The soft clatter of dishes being set on the table didn’t break the tension, her stare laser-focused on Sam as if waiting for him to explain this sudden and shocking revelation. The playful chatter of her kids running in the background faded as she zeroed in on her older brother.

"So, you're telling me you and Bucky are… what, dating now?" Sarah asked, her tone sharp with disbelief.

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing as she searched Sam's face for any sign that he was joking. The playful energy that usually flowed between them was gone, replaced by the weight of her question. The room seemed to pause, the clinking of silverware and the distant hum of the oven a soft backdrop to the tension hanging between them. Sam shifted his weight, his jaw tightening as he prepared to respond.

Sam didn’t know. He didn’t want to label it. How could he? Things with Bucky were complicated—comforting, but complicated. The lines between friendship and something more had blurred, but putting a name to it felt too final, too… real. He ran a hand over the back of his neck, exhaling slowly as he tried to find the right words. “I don’t know if it’s that simple,” he finally said, his voice low, almost uncertain. "We're just… figuring things out."

"Then, can we label you?" Sarah asked, sitting up straighter, her eyes narrowing as she studied her brother. There was no malice in her voice, just curiosity mixed with the usual protectiveness. Sam shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, feeling the weight of the question hang in the air. He shrugged, glancing down at his hands.

"Maybe... not yet," he admitted, his voice barely above a murmur. "It’s not that simple for me either."

Sam had always been the guy girls followed around. Back in high school, he was popular—the one with the easy smile, the charm that seemed effortless. Every girl loved him, and he never had to try too hard. Dates came naturally, and attention was never in short supply. But this—this thing with Bucky—felt different. It wasn’t about easy charm or popularity. It was messy, uncharted territory, full of complicated feelings and vulnerabilities that he hadn’t faced before. For once, Sam wasn’t sure if he had the right words to explain it.

Sure, he found men attractive, but this was different. Bucky wasn't just a passing crush or a fling. This was something he wanted, something that pulled at him in a way he couldn’t ignore. Sam hadn’t admitted to anyone that he was…gay? Bisexual? He didn’t even know. The labels felt inadequate, and limiting, and he had spent years fitting into a mold that was expected of him. With Bucky, everything felt expansive, like discovering a part of himself he didn’t even know existed.

"I just want you to be happy, big brother," Sarah said, her voice softening as she leaned forward, earnestness shining in her eyes. "In whatever way that means."

"Thanks, Sar," he replied, his tone more vulnerable than he intended. "It just… it feels complicated, you know?" He searched her gaze for understanding, hoping she could grasp the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. "Bucky and I… it's different."

AJ came barreling through the dining room, holding a cake aloft like a trophy, while Cass was hot on his heels, trying to snatch it from him. Their laughter echoed through the house, filling the space with an infectious energy. Just as the chaos reached its peak, Uncle Bucky strolled in behind them, a grin plastered on his face. “I brought cake,” he announced, his voice booming with playful authority.

His eyes locked onto Sam's for a brief moment, a spark of mischief glimmering in his blue gaze. Sam felt his heart race, the familiar warmth spreading through him at the sight of Bucky—tousled hair, that worn leather jacket, and a look that made Sam forget all the complications of their situation, even if just for a second. The air between them crackled with unspoken words and shared memories, making Sam’s earlier uncertainties momentarily fade away.

"Did you bake it, Buck?" Sarah asked, her tone light but knowing, clearly sensing the tension hanging in the air. Sam couldn’t help but glance away from Bucky, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks as he stepped back into the kitchen, wanting to escape Bucky’s piercing gaze for a moment.

Bucky chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. “No, but I got it from a new bakery across the street from my apartment, so I picked something up,” he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. “Figured I’d let the professionals handle the baking for once.”

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. “You know, if you ever need a taste tester for your baking experiments, I’m available,” she teased, earning a light-hearted nudge from Bucky as he stepped further into the dining room.

Sam lingered in the kitchen, listening to the laughter and playful banter, a mix of comfort and longing swirling inside him. He could almost picture Bucky’s smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, and it made Sam’s heart race. But as he stood there, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the unspoken feelings still lingering in the air, a tension that was both exhilarating and daunting.

“Sam! Dinner’s ready!” Sarah called out, breaking the moment between them. Sam quickly plastered on a smile and turned to the table, where plates were filled with steaming food and laughter bubbled in the air.

As everyone settled down, the boys excitedly began to recount their first day of school, voices overlapping in a delightful cacophony. AJ waved his hands animatedly, trying to convey the epic tale of his new teacher, while Cass chimed in about the playground equipment he couldn’t wait to try out.

“Okay, okay, one at a time!” Sarah laughed, trying to moderate the conversation. Sam served himself a portion of food, his mind still partly in the conversation he’d just had with Bucky. But as he looked around the table, he was swept up in the warmth of the family gathering, the chaotic yet comforting familiarity that filled their home.

Bucky, seated across from Sam, found it hard to concentrate on the kids’ stories. He watched Sam lean forward, genuinely engaged in the conversation, his eyes lighting up with each laugh and smile exchanged between the siblings. The way Sam interacted with them—patient, attentive, and full of love—stirred something deep within Bucky. It reminded him of his own family back in Brooklyn, the warmth of shared meals and the laughter of his own siblings echoing through the halls.

He felt a pang of longing, a bittersweet ache for a time and place that felt so far away. Bucky missed those simple moments, the sense of belonging that had been stripped from him. Sam’s natural ability to connect with the kids made Bucky realize how much he yearned for that again, a family of his own to care for, to love.

“Uncle Bucky,” AJ tugged at his sleeve, spaghetti sauce smeared across his mouth, “where are you from?”

Bucky blinked, caught off guard by the question. It was so innocent, so full of curiosity. “Brooklyn,” he replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s a cool place, lots of character and cool people.”

“Is it nice? Do they have parks?” Cass leaned in, her eyes wide with interest.

“Yeah, plenty of parks,” Bucky said, feeling the weight of the memories pressing down. He cleared his throat, the words feeling heavier than he expected. "My sister and I used to love going there."

Sam’s ear perked up at the mention of Bucky's sister. He had never known Bucky had a sibling, and it sparked a flurry of questions in his mind. His heart raced with curiosity as he glanced over at Bucky, wanting to know more about the person who had been such a significant part of his life. The room felt a bit quieter, as if everyone sensed the weight of the moment.

“Really?” Sam asked, trying to keep his tone casual but unable to mask the genuine interest in his voice. “You had a sister? What was she like?” He leaned in, eager to draw Bucky out of his shell, hoping to peel back the layers of the man he was still trying to understand.

Bucky hesitated, and Sam could see the flicker of emotions cross his face—something that danced between fondness and a deep-seated ache. “Yeah, I did,” he replied, the smile fading slightly as he searched for the right words. “Her name was Rebecca. She was… great. Tough as nails, always looking out for me. Never let me get away with anything.”

A soft chuckle escaped him, but it was tinged with sadness. “We used to spend hours in the park, just hanging out. She’d make me race her on the swings or challenge me to climb the biggest trees. I can still hear her laughter echoing through the leaves. It was so infectious, you know? Just being around her made everything feel lighter.”

As he spoke, Bucky’s gaze drifted away, lost in the memories that seemed to wash over him like a wave. There was a warmth in his expression, but it quickly turned bittersweet, a longing for the simplicity of those moments. “She always knew how to make the best out of any situation, even when things got tough. I miss that. I miss her,” he admitted, his voice dropping to a softer tone, laden with unspoken grief.

“Why don’t you visit her when we go to Pennsylvania? You can ride the plane with me and AJ!” Cass innocently suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Sarah shot her down immediately, her voice firm yet gentle. “We can’t ask Bucky to do that.”

“Well, why don’t you visit her when we go to Pennsylvania? You can ride the plane with me and AJ!” Cass suggested, her eyes bright with excitement.

Before Bucky could respond, Sarah shot her down immediately, her voice a mixture of concern and protectiveness. “We can’t ask Bucky to do that,” she said firmly.

Bucky looked confused for a moment, not entirely understanding the abrupt shift in the conversation. The mention of his sister sparked a blend of emotions within him—a mixture of nostalgia and sorrow that he hadn’t quite expected to feel in front of these kids.

“Why not?” AJ piped up, tilting his head in confusion.

Sarah sighed, the weight of unspoken history hanging in the air. “I send the boys to their dad through Thanksgiving break. He lives in Pennsylvania.”

Bucky’s heart sank at her words, understanding the implications without needing them spelled out. The mention of family and home had stirred something deep within him, a longing for connection that was both beautiful and painful. He wanted to share stories about Rebecca, but the ache of loss lingered just beneath the surface, leaving him hesitant.

“Oh, I get it,” he said, forcing a smile to mask the disappointment. “Maybe another time.”

Cass pouted, not fully grasping the gravity of the moment. “But I want you to meet her!” she insisted, her excitement unwavering.

Bucky exchanged a glance with Sam, whose expression reflected a mix of concern and empathy. In that fleeting moment, Bucky felt the warmth of family life envelop him, but the thought of being with them also reminded him of what he had lost.

Sam turned to the boys, a playful glint in his eye. “Enough with the questions, okay? How about you two go get the kitchen cleaned with your mom? Best cleaner gets the biggest piece of cake.”

“I’m gonna win!” AJ declared, jumping up from the table, his competitive spirit shining through the spaghetti sauce still clinging to his cheeks. He grabbed Cass's hand, pulling him up with an excited tug.

“No fair! I’m gonna get the biggest piece!” Cass shot back, his laughter echoing as they dashed toward the kitchen, the earlier conversation quickly forgotten in the thrill of the new challenge. Sarah stood from her chair, placing a hand on Bucky's shoulder, "I'm sorry about them. You know how they are."

He offered a smile to her before she walked into the kitchen behind them.

As the sounds of their playful bickering faded into the background, Sam leaned back in his chair, stealing a glance at Bucky. The tension had eased, replaced by the comfortable chaos of family life. Bucky, however, was still lost in thought, his expression a mix of longing and contemplation.

“You okay?” Sam asked softly, concern lacing his tone.

Bucky nodded slowly, but the uncertainty in his eyes lingered. “Yeah, just… reminded me of some things,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sam felt a pang of empathy at Bucky's words. He could see how the earlier conversation about Brooklyn had stirred something deep within him, memories that perhaps he wasn’t ready to confront. “You know, you can talk about it whenever you want,” Sam said gently, wanting to bridge the gap between them.

Bucky shifted in his seat, the warmth of Sam’s gaze grounding him. “It’s just… I miss my family,” he admitted, the weight of those words settling heavily between them. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like I belonged anywhere.”

Sam's heart ached for him. “You belong here, Buck,” he reassured, his voice firm yet soft. “You’re part of this family now.” The sincerity in his words hung in the air, a promise that they could build something together amidst the chaos of their lives.

Bucky's gaze flickered back to the kitchen, where Sarah was playfully chastising AJ and Cass about cleaning. The sight tugged at his heartstrings, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine a different life—a life filled with laughter and love, where he wouldn’t feel so alone.

Sam glanced out the window at the golden hues of the setting sun painting the sky. “Hey, you want to step outside for a minute?” he asked Bucky, a hint of adventure in his voice.

“Sure,” Bucky replied, a small smile flickering on his lips. They both stood up, leaving the laughter of the boys and the clatter of dishes behind as they made their way to the back door.

As they stepped outside, the brisk fall wind rushed at them like a playful child, sending a chill down Sam’s spine. He instinctively pulled his jacket tighter around him. “Whoa, it’s a little nippier than I expected,” he said, shivering slightly.

Bucky chuckled, but the sound was quickly swallowed by the wind. “Yeah, I think it’s trying to remind us that winter’s coming,” he replied, wrapping his arms around himself in a futile attempt to ward off the cold.

“Come here,” Sam said, without thinking. He stepped closer to Bucky, sharing his warmth. Bucky hesitated for a moment, but the biting wind prompted him to move in closer, their shoulders brushing against each other as they stood side by side. The closeness felt natural, like a piece of a puzzle falling into place.

“Better?” Sam asked, glancing sideways at Bucky.

“Much,” Bucky admitted, the corners of his mouth lifting into a genuine smile. He felt the heat radiating from Sam’s body, a comforting presence against the chilly air that surrounded them.

They both stood in silence for a moment, enjoying the simplicity of being close to each other, the world around them fading away. The wind howled through the trees, but it felt less intimidating now, softened by their shared warmth.

“You know,” Sam started, breaking the quiet, “I used to love this time of year when I was a kid. The leaves changing, the smell of bonfires… it always felt like a fresh start.”

Bucky nodded, glancing at the trees swaying gently in the breeze. “Yeah, I can see that,” he replied. “I didn’t appreciate it as much when I was younger. Too caught up in everything, I guess.”

“Sometimes it’s the simple things that ground us,” Sam replied, his tone sincere, a deeper understanding shimmering beneath the surface. He looked at Bucky, his gaze unwavering and sincere. “I’m really glad you’re here, Buck. You make this place feel… more like home.” His heart swelled as he spoke, each word filled with unfiltered emotion.

Bucky met his gaze, the warmth of Sam’s words wrapping around him like a cozy blanket. “Thanks, Sam. That means a lot,” he replied softly, feeling a rush of gratitude and something more profound bubbling within him.

As the wind picked up again, swirling around them like a gentle embrace, Sam instinctively leaned a little closer, their bodies almost touching, warmth mingling in the crisp air. Bucky felt a rush of heat flood his chest, the unspoken connection between them deepening, wrapping around them like a warm cocoon against the chill of the evening.

Bucky’s heart raced, each beat echoing the feelings he was learning to embrace. “Sam,” he started, the weight of his emotions pressing on him, but the words slipped away as he was drawn into the depths of Sam’s eyes.

“Can I—” Sam began, his breath hitching slightly, the vulnerability in his tone giving Bucky the courage he needed.

Before either of them could second-guess themselves, Sam closed the distance, their lips meeting in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened with longing. It felt electric, as if the world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their connection. The kiss was a blend of sweetness and urgency, a promise of everything that was still unspoken between them.

As they pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, the cool night air felt warmer, filled with a newfound intensity.

“You should stay the night at my place,” Bucky suggested, a hint of hope coloring his voice. “Is that too forward?”

Sam’s breath caught in his throat, surprise flickering in his eyes. “I—” he stammered, the invitation hitting him like a warm wave. It was so simple yet held so much weight, stirring feelings he had tucked away for far too long. “No, I mean… I’d like that,” he replied, his voice steadier than he felt.

A smile broke across Bucky’s face, lighting up his features. “Really?” His heart raced with the prospect, the idea of Sam staying filling him with a sense of warmth and excitement.

“Yeah,” Sam said, a smile creeping onto his own lips. “I could use a break from the… chaos inside.” He gestured back toward the house, where the sounds of the kids’ laughter filled the air. The thought of spending more time with Bucky, of letting their connection grow, made his heart swell.

Sam’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and he stepped back just enough to pull open the door, the sounds of the inside spilling out into the cool night. “Come on, then,” he urged, his voice light, teasingly, “let’s see if we can survive the kitchen cleaning without too many casualties.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head as he followed Sam inside. “If they think they can win the biggest piece of cake, I doubt we’ll make it out unscathed,” he replied, feeling a sense of ease settle over him.

As they entered the kitchen, the chaos erupted around them, with AJ and Cass arguing over who would wash and who would dry, while Sarah tried to restore order. Sam and Bucky shared a glance, their unspoken connection hanging in the air between them like a promise, the warmth of the kiss still lingering on their lips.

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