I love how First Steps’ Johnny Storm is willing to die for his nephew multiple times and gets not one but two big moments where he shows how far he’s willing to go for Franklin. Uncles are vastly underrated in fiction - there are countless stories about brave self-sacrificing parents, but very few about brave self-sacrificing uncles. “Tell Franklin his Uncle Johnny loves him” is truly powerful.
Characters: Joaquín Torres, Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes
Tags: fluff, gen, no romance!, sfw
Word count: 1.7K
Summary: Joaquín comes back from the hospital and the surprise awaits him...
Content warnings: none, maybe just a cuteness overload
Author's note: proofread kinda sorta, but English is not my first language, plus it's my first work in English, so please be kind in your critique 🫂
Warm spring sunlight already started crawling across every surface at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, painting the walls and the floors in yellow and orange, eventually reaching the windows of Captain America's office.
Sam Wilson, the third wielder of the legendary vibranium shield, was sitting at his desk and sending occasional glances at the second one, usually occupied by Joaquín. But, due to the accident near the Celestial Island, Sam's wingman, best hacker and just a charming fella, Joaquín Torres was spending his time mostly horizontally at the hospital, getting his fair share of physical therapy and shitty hospital food.
Thankfully, the doctors assured Sam that the young man will be out in no time. That gave him enough hope to not worry his ass off. After all, the young body heals faster, right?
Right now Sam was free from any missions and that could mean only one thing – paperwork. Gosh, he hated that stuff. Especially when right now there wasn't anyone who he could share the comfortable silence with. Body doubling really worked wonders for both of the winged heroes.
Sigh.
𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙨𝙤𝙣.
Sam hunched over the desk, writing yet another report, rubbing his neck anxiously, when his phone buzzed with the incoming call.
𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨🐤
Sam picked up immediately, eager to hear the news from his teammate.
“Mornin', Falcon Junior. You good?”
Joyful chirping coming out of the speaker filled Sam's ears, making him pull the phone away for a moment. He shook his head, trying to suppress a laugh. That boy... Sometimes he's like an actual bird, really.
“Woah, slow down, Quin. Your old man can only understand this much.” Sam pleaded with a fond smile. Thankfully, Joaquín understood the assignment and actually slowed his happy rambling.
“Sam, Sam! They said that they'll let me out next week!” He announced proudly. “My physical therapist said that I've been an exceptionally good boy and I can finally leave the hospital, but I'll have to visit PT sessions every week. Is that okay? I can return to the base, right? Right? Please please please, say that I can!”
Sam actually beams at that and lets out a small giggle.
“Yes, 'course you can, Quin! 'Course you can. Do you need me to pick you up or anything...?”
A week later, still rugged but pretty much alive Torres was finally sitting at his desk and rambling about new video games that were released since his hospital trip started and that he was eager to play.
“Oh, by the way.” Sam perked up with a proud grin. “You know you're being promoted, right?”
That made Joaquín stop in his tracks and gaze up at Sam with the most surprised expression of all times.
“Really?!” He asks, a dopey grin splitting his face. “Bro... If you're kidding you gotta tell me right now! If it's April Fools' or something, I swear…”
“Funny that you mentioned that... Because the ceremony is on the 1st of April, actually…” Sam retaliated with a wide smile. “Get your service dress uniform ready! And don't worry, I'll get you on April Fools' one way or another.”
“Buck, I need advice from someone experienced. No, that's not about... Oh my god, you're impossible…” Sam sighed, rolling his eyes and gripping his phone firmer. “I need your help with pranking Torres on April Fools', alright? I really could use some words of wisdom from the past, if you catch the drift.”
Bucky on the other side of the line snorted. “You should've started with that. And I'm not that old, you know... Do you have any ideas already?”
“Well, first I was thinking of messing with his computer desktop, you know, setting the screenshot as the wallpaper and hiding the icons. But that could be not safe, even considering the fact that the kid is a tech prodigy. The sticky note on the back is not nice, he has a promotion ceremony that day, I can't risk him getting publicly humiliated at this important date. I need something innocent yet silly enough to make him laugh. So, waddaya think?”
“He's getting promoted?”
“Yup.”
“Good for him. The kid risked his life for the sake of all of us. Well…”
Bucky hums to himself, then presents a brilliant idea. “How about a good ole whoopee cushion?”
“Seriously?” Sam whips an eyebrow up, puzzled.
“What? It's a classic!”
“Fine. Whoopee cushion it is, then. But you'll have to be there.”
“Me? Why?”
“Well, do you want to see Torres fall victim to your genius prank or not?”
“Dammit... Fine, I'll be there.”
“Yessss!” Sam exclaimed giddily, pumping his fist into the air. “See ya then, Buck.”
“Only Steve could call me that.”
“Yeah, yeah... Because he knew you longer and he had a plan. But now I have a plan!”
“It's my plan.”
“Whatever. Be there at 8 AM sharp, sarge, don't be late!”
And there it was. The big day.
Sam and Bucky already gathered at the office, both looking sharp and fresh. Bucky in a suit, Sam in his service dress uniform.
“Huh, Wilson, never thought I'd have a chance to see you in 1620, but here you are…” Bucky mused, tapping the desk with vibranium fingers. Sam chuckled low, shaking his head.
“Shush, you... I'm not the man of the day, y'know. Speaking of which... where is he?”
As if on cue, the office door creaked open and Joaquín slowly walked in, smiling nervously and fidgeting the peaked service hat in his hands. Both men let out a low whistle. And honestly? The reaction was well-deserved.
Torres was standing tall, the uniform fitted him perfectly. Three silver-coloured buttons with Hap Arnold wings and silver mirror-finish “U.S.” lapel pins on his coat were shining bright, bringing out the glint in his dark eyes. Both the coat and the trousers were pressed and spotless, the soft dark blue shade of which—accompanied with the light blue shirt—was complimenting his tan skin. The silvery metal 1st Lieutenant rank insignia—which soon will be changed to Captain one—was pinned onto both of the epaulets of his coat. And, just to add some more charm to it, a ½ inch wide sleeve braid loops precisely 3 inches from the cuffs of the coat sleeves.
Sam's jaw dropped. He was wearing a similar uniform, but surely his wasn't looking so chic.
“Damn, boy... Have you escaped the runway just to bless us mortals with your presence?” Sam hummed, nodding appreciatively. Bucky was silent, yet he nodded along. Joaquín giggled at that, shuffling around and giving them a slow spin.
“Well, Torres, you look so good that I suggest you do everything today: get promoted, graduate from somewhere, propose and marry a pretty lady while you're at it…” Bucky added.
“Bucky!” Sam and Joaquín both yelped in unison.
“What? Just sayin'...”
Despite Sam and Bucky's humorous remarks Joaquín was still fidgeting nervously, a light sheen of sweat covering his forehead. Of course, Bucky's supersoldier nose immediately picked up a trace of adrenaline and cortisol in Joaquín’s scent.
“Hey…” He cooed gently. “What are you nervous about, kid?”
Joaquín gulped and pinched the bridge of his nose before muttering low. “The oath of office. I keep messing up the line about ‘mental reservation or purpose of eva… eba… evasion’!”
“It's alright, really.” Bucky replied calmly. “Everyone's nervous about the oath and promotion in general. You should've heard Wilson's heartbeat when he was giving his big Captain America speech…”
“Barnes’s right, Quin. You can do this. Calm your nerves, take a seat.” Sam added, glancing at Bucky with an absolutely shit-eating grin, which Joaquín would've noticed if he wasn't so distraught, and gestured towards the computer chair where, under Torres's usual orthopedic cushion, was carefully tucked a rubber whoopee cushion, waiting for its time to shine, per se.
“Thank you, Sam, you're so thoughtful…” the young man mumbled, lowering himself into the chair, careful not to wrinkle his trousers. When he finally fully dropped with a sigh, he was met with a god-awful, embarrassing sound of flatulence that echoed off the office walls.
PBRRRRRRRRRRRRT!
For a long moment after that—deafening silence. Sam and Bucky exchange concerned glances and then… Joaquín snorts. Then giggles. Then laughs out loud, clutching his stomach and doubling over.
“Bahahaha..! Fu— Haha..! Ughhhhahahaha! Bruh— Ahahaha, Dios mio… Brooooo, seriously? Tee hee..! A fart prank? That's…hahaha…Captain America's level of humor?” Joaquín was laughing-crying at this point, tears of joy falling from his lashes and running down his cheeks.
“It was his idea!” Sam retorts shamelessly, pointing in Bucky's direction.
“Me?! You called me, asking for advice, Wilson!” Bucky huffs indignantly.
“Oh my god…” Joaquín wheezes. “You two… are insufferable… Woo… Damn it… Alright, I need to calm down…” He finally exhales just to fall into the pit of giggles right after.
“Well, happy April Fools'! It's the only joke for today, Quin. You still have your promotion ceremony soon. Need help with that oath?”
“Good morning everyone! We're pleased all of you could join us as we recognize one of our own, first lieutenant Joaquín Torres, on the occasion of his promotion to captain…” The ceremony officiant's voice boomed across the ceremonial hall, echoing in the ears of the present guests. Everyone's attention was glued to the young man on the stage who was trying to keep a serious demeanor despite the happy grin splitting his face, making his cheeks ache.
“Attention to orders,” the officiant continued after the comment from Torres’s superior officer. “The president of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of the secretary of the Air Force, has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity and abilities of first lieutenant Joaquín Torres. In view of these special qualities, and his demonstrated potential to serve in the higher grade, first lieutenant Torres is promoted to the grade of captain, United States Air Force, effective the 2nd day of April, two thousand and twenty seven, by order of the secretary of the Air Force.”
The hall erupted with ovations from the present Airmen and such, while Sam, prompted by the officiant, stepped forward to do the honor of pinning Joaquín's new rank insignia onto his coat. And then came the time to take an oath of office. And it was brilliant. Because sometimes a little bit of genuine laughter might actually help to calm your freaking nerves.
