And I haven't even seent Superman yet. But thinking snippey like things. Fer instance...
Say Clark actually goes onto vacation into a neighboring big city. Could be New York, maybe D.C., hell even New Orleans. And maybe, because it would just be his luck, right, that Some Shit™️ goes down at his current location.
But before homie can whip out the S-covered chest to shut it down, a streak goes rushing through the sky with metal looking wings glinting in the sunlight. And what must surely be an avenging angel is reigning an aerial ass whooping on who/whatever decided to interrupt Clark's vacay.
Clark gets a little overwhelmed and incredibly interested in the superheroing on display: the intricate flight maneuvers; the way the wings play a pivotal role in both the man's offensive and defensive tactics; the incredible physics-denying capability of that round shield wielded like a ricocheting piece of self. Turns out Clark has got himself a bit of a competency kink and whoever this is, is compentent to say the very least. The man is also very easy on the eyes, Clark's super vision able to keep track of that face through the rapid movements of battle.
There are other stragglers gathered round him also more interested in gawking than self preservation. Phones are out and up recording videos of something he's likely never to forget, enthusiastic whisper shouts about Captain America kicking absolute ass. He couldn't agree more.
The battle is over and Captain America is victorious, the bad guys defeated and being coralled away into custody as the man of the hour is assisting first responders in treating any injured on site. There are impatient yells asking him to do a press conference, and while he finds them demanding and annoying, Clark realizes this is his chance to get to hear the voice of the man, the hero, who's captured his full attention with ease.
But the man relays his message through one of the attendings that he will not be taking any of the media's questions until all of those hurt are attended to. Quickly surveying the area of injured, Clark knows that will be at least an hour or so before it can be set up. Which is all the more perfect for him, as it gives him time to get back to his hotel, grab his credentials and have time to look up just who this Captain America is.
And the first picture pulled up of the brightest smile lighting up the entirety of his face, Sam Wilson's face, is breathtaking. From the slight space on the top row of his teeth to the crinkled corners of his eyes and the adorably scrunched nose, Clark is further besotted, so much that he's knocked off his feet. He's lost for a stretch of time looking through pictures of Sam on scene, fighting the threat of the moment, but there are so many more of him helping those injured in the fray.
He clicks through some video clips and hears that gentle baritoned voice and falls just a bit harder in like. Then, a news clip catches his eye and while he's not necessarily proud of it, he clicks it.
"Avengers power couple no more? We bring to you tonight the shocking reveal of Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson, heroes extraordinaire, on opposing sides of a legal battle. The two, who'd always appeared close with years-long speculations about the closeness of their partnership, are on the outs.
"This is following months after former Congressman Barnes was revealed to take up with another team of supers, The New Avengers, as announced by CIA head, Valentina de Fontaine. The band of alternative heroes, formerly known as the Thunderbolts, have yet to make a big enough splash as heroes. The rare appearances has many wondering just how they have claim to a name as explicitly associated with saving the day as The Avengers. Sam Wilson, Captain America himself must've felt similarly as a copyright suit for the title was launched just weeks following the reveal.
"I think it's safe to say, if ever any of the speculation about Wilson and Barnes were true, this turn of events certainly has Captain America flying solo. And without a doubt, a line of suitors stretched from the California coast to New York are ready to see if they could be the light of Sam Wilson's heroic life."
Clark paused a bit, saddened at such a discovery that may very well have hurt Sam. If all that was ever between the two was just friendship, it still had to hurt that a friend could blindside you like that.
But, this bit of probing into the gossip junket also made for great news - Sam Wilson was potentially a single man as of this release, which was dated just two months ago. There was a chance this vacation could turn into a romantic getaway if he was brave enough to see this initial attraction through.
But first, he needed to get back down to the scene, badge his way in and see if maybe he could be of use before Sam took to the podium. It took quite a bit of self convincing to not take to the skies to prevent losing more time. He compromised by sprinting the whole way there, barely remembering to appear winded as he came to a stop just outside the perimeter.
Clark continued the charade of catching his breath only to actually have his breath stolen when he caught another glimpse of Captain Wilson, sleeves of his suit rolled up as he helped roll a gurney out to the waiting ambulance. Through the pounding of his heart, he heard the child, maybe a teenager would be more accurate, thank the Captain for saving him over and over again, overwhelmed from the waning adrenaline and the likely onset of pain from his casted left leg.
And Captain gripped the young man's hand in both of his, smiling down at him in complete assurance that even eased Clark's heart. "You're gonna be fine, Jordan. That was a real brave thing you did getting your sister out of the path of harm. Now yoi go get checked out so you can get back on your feet. We need every good person as we can get to do their part to help one another. Okay?"
Jordan nodded enthusiastically, smiling even through his tears. He let go of Sam's hands as they lifted the gurney, Sam still smiling as he turned away.
Clark secretly wondered if Sam had super hearing because how else was it when he turned from surveying the remaining field of destruction for more survivors, did he turn and lock eyes with him? How else would he hear Clark's internal chant of "look up, look over, see me" unless he was a mind reader? Clark for lack of anything better to do than ogle the man smiled and gave a shy finger wave, internally shouting at his own utter failure at being cool.
But perhaps he should cut himself some slack for his nerdy display pulled another of those eye crinkling smiles out plus his own half wave.
Cool or not, he did that. Clark got the Captain to smile at him! Step one of wooing Wilson completed and only about a hundred more to go.
And how their first time seeing each other since Bucky's questionable, disloyal decisions. Literally the last 15mins of work this was on my mind so I'm sitting in the parking lot trynna get it before it poofs
It'd been close to two years since the last time he's seen Sam in person. Bucky lead the group from the elevator to the designated conference room on autopilot, half of him wanting to sprint to get eyes on Sam again, the other half wanting to fall through the floor thinking of the anger that awaited him in Sam's eyes.
But neither half was prepared for the joy Sam showed first when he saw Bucky nor the way it died immediately as the rest of the group stepped in behind him, Walker and Alexei flanking him as they did. The disappointment that replaced the joy Bucky thinks he could've dealt with, but the lingering hurt Sam flashed before masking it flooded him with shame that sat heavy in his chest.
He blinked rapidly trying to keep his eyes from welling up, but still Bucky saw when Sam folded his lips in before he looked away, nodding once like he was accepting the sight of Bucky working with them, with Walker. But before Bucky could muster the courage to go to him, to plead with him, to let Sam yell at him, or just beg Sam to look at him again, Sam had reset, presenting leader neutrality again and addressed the room.
"Thank you all for being here. We're still waiting on several members to arrive and we'll all brief at the same time. Until then, there is food and drinks. Please, help yourselves." He nodded to the group at large before excusing himself while Bucky just stood in place, watching Sam flee the room with an unfamiliar man at his side.
The rest of the team -- even after two years, it was still hard to think of them as his team, but the team -- moved around him to the spread set up near the wall of windows. Joaquin stood at the head of the conference table taking in the new additions before his eyes landed on Bucky. His jaw tensed as he eyed Bucky with a distinct derision, not at all attempting to hide his disappointment. But when an Asian man he was also unfamiliar with stole Joaquin's attention, his face instantly softening, Bucky finally took the time to really look at the others in the room.
He recognized Thor, the ones from space, Danvers, Monica, Scott and Hope and a host of others he'd yet to learn their names. Having run out of recognizable faces, he immediately thought back to the one that left with Sam. What could Sam possibly need help with that couldn't be taking care of in here?
Bucky flushed furiously though the stone look of his face remained unchanged. Was Sam seeing that man? Bucky's head turned as he followed the memory of the two leaving, the bearded man's arm coming up to rest on Sam's shoulder as they did. Sam was obviously upset at seeing Bucky again. Was the mystery man there to console Sam because of his arrival?
Sam had never mentioned seeing anyone new but they hadn't exactly been on speaking terms. Still, none of the tabloids that had taken an involved interest in Sam's life since it became public knowledge they were on separate teams had mentioned anything about a new guy. Either they were worse at their job than originally believed or he and Sam were a more recent thing. Worse still, maybe the two of them were very good at keeping their relationship secret and had been together longer than Bucky cared to imagine.
The thought of being replaced when in actuality they had never had anything set in stone was paralyzing. Bucky knew he'd felt something strong for Sam for years, and he thought it was finally time to move on it. Sam was sending all the right receptive signals and being ever encouraging and supportive when Bucky ran for Congress. They had a dinner planned the weekend before Bucky got word of the trap Valentina had set. He hated to cancel but all Sam had said was to call if he got in trouble. And then he kissed Bucky, on the cheek, but it was a lingering one right next to his lips. Coming home to receive the real deal after dinner and before Bucky invited Sam back to his place consumed his thoughts the entire way over.
Up until the point of learning Sam had seen the news conference announcing the "new avengers" and watching in real time as Bucky said nothing to contradict Fontaine, Bucky was certain Sam was it for him. He was positive the best outcome of his overextended life would be loving Sam. But the clipped tone Sam used when Bucky finally got him on the phone... the way Sam asked if he was staying like he already knew he wasn't going to be Bucky's choice shot that dream down - and Bucky had pulled the trigger.
"Excuse me." He mumbled in Joaquin's general direction before spinning on his heel out of the room, heading to the right and the direction he was sure Sam had gone with Beardo. But what he'd say when he found him -- or them -- he had no clue. And what if he found them and confirmed his suspicions? Then what? Beg Sam to choose him instead yet when the shoe was on the other foot Bucky didn't?
Bucky pivoted on his heels again, heading back towards the elevator bank. Maybe he could take one to the roof, just get some air to clear his head and get the fuck over himself. However much the thought of Sam being loved by someone else had gut punched him with a cinderblock, he had nobody to blame but himself. It was an undeniable fact that Sam was an amazing man deserving of someone who would cherish him, someone who wouldn't hesitate to choose him as Bucky so foolishly had.
Maybe I'll just jump.
Bucky stood before the elevator, hands on his hips never pushing the call button. Instead he tuned in just before the ding announcing the car's arrival. Part of him thinks he'll see Sam and Stranger locked in a passionate embrace but still refuses to look away as the doors part.
For the third time in as many minutes, Bucky is on the receiving end of a very disappointed stare - this time from five pairs of eyes, though he was focused on just the one.
By hovering outside of Captain's Quarters and doing this through the window. Sam's back is to the window when he shows up, but Joaquin's inability to fix his face witnessing such hilarity clues him in.
Sam turns and is greeted by floating tomfoolery:
Luckily he's wearing his Wakandan tech suit and he engages it, nanobots going to work suiting him up. He's racing toward their balcony slash landing pad door, calling back to Jay, "Don't forget to lock up!"
The stifled laughter finally bursts from Joaquin as he watches Sam flying towards Superman, an "oh shit" look on Supes' face as Sam rushes after him. Then he, too, races off, both their laughter carrying on the wind back to Joaquin.
I've been thinking about my SaM'Baku verse again, wanting to finish my prequel to Mornings Were Made for This. So I went digging to find my completed bits, but there's still a piece missing from first glimpses/meeting between our eventual married couple.
But until I find it, iffin ever I do, here's a Sam & Rhodey buddy moment with a very grown ass conversation. I love the idea of them being besties and am always saddened by how neglected the friendship is in canon and fanon alike. Anywhos, the snippet is beneath the break, a bit cleaned up from its original posting.
"Hey, Sam, I been meaning to ask you man, how goes the love life?"
"Dry as this Arizona weather today. Why do you ask?" Sam turned narrowed eyes at Rhodey as they stood near the back of the event where Tony was standing on the stage. He was playing nice with the cameras during his speech for an opening of a string of facilities dedicated to helping underserved Veterans and their families.
"Welllll–"
"Nonono, hold up! Uh uh! No blind dates, James, no setups, no 'Oh, let me introduce you to this guy I know', please. My love life may be dry, but I will apply my own moisturizer in my own time rather than suffer another mismatched date."
Rhodey held himself up by holding onto Sam's right shoulder, silent laughter at Sam's pleading tirade rocking him. "I'm so glad my trauma at my many past failed entanglements amuses you." Sam bit out, poorly disguising the laughter in his own voice at the usually stoic Rhodey beside him busting his side.
Rhodey stifles a few more snorts before finally composing himself, "Waitwaitwait, Sam, it's not like that. It's… well, it's a party Tony and I are throwing. Every couple of years or so, we have one when things have been tense and some, hmm, unwinding should I say, is in immediate order."
Sam looked at the faraway look on Rhodey's face, wondering what memory he's looking back into that's putting that dirty smirk on his face. He cleared his throat, watching Rhodey snap out of his daze with that smile growing wider, but no less dirty. "Just what do you and Tony get up to at these kindsa parties?"
"You should stop by the house tonight for dinner and drinks after, yeah?"
For a second Sam was confused about the segway, but then understood the subject matter at hand was best discussed around a room not currently full of dozens of visible microphones and cameras. No telling how many were not visible. "Yeah, sounds like a plan. Need me to bring anything?"
"Just an open mind." Rhodey winked at Sam saucily before weaving through the crowd to get to his husband beckoning him over for the photo ops.
[Dinner at Iron Husbands, Tony's excused himself, leaving Rhodey and Sam to continue their earlier conversation.]
"And what pray tell are you doing hosting shindigs like this? Aren't you a happily married man?" "Oh, don't sound so scandalized, Sammy! To put it simply, I enjoyed a very healthy sex life in my college years."
"So you had a ho phase?"
"Oh, a big one. Also, I didn't grow out of it so much as I learned to enjoy it still, just in heavily moderated moderation."
"You're telling me, no bullshit, that every so often, you host a party where you get your back blown out?"
"Several times."
"And Tony?"
"Learned he enjoys watching years ago." Sam's eyebrows shot up, lip poked out as he nodded in approval. "With these stressful positions we find ourselves, trying to get help to those ignored and cast aside, things get hectic and overwhelming and that itch to not think for just a moment needs to be scratched." Sam nodded all too familiar with the want to forget, to escape. "When that itch hits, we find a secluded, luxury location, invite some like minded individuals after strenuous vetting on both our parts. We have many repeat attendees and some new blood dropping in, being mindful of our guests and who might vibe well to make the trip worth it for everyone involved."
"So, what, you just spend the night getting railed into the mattress while your husband watches?"
"Correction: I spend the weekend getting railed into any given number of surfaces while my husband watches, yes." Rhodey sighs wistfully.
"Alright then. I made the short list, huh? You said you've been doing this for years. Why now?"
Rhodey shrugs one shoulder, "Riley." Sam knew that'd be the answer, but nodded anyway. "You've been in mourning a long time Sammy. I wasn't gonna push you into something like this with you missing your man the way you were. Of course I know you still do, know you always will, but you've seemed lighter these past few months than you have in close to a decade. And while it's hard as shit in these dating streets, everyone could use a night or two of getting their spine realigned." Sam chuckled through his sniffles. "Or maybe you'll be the one doing the realignment." Rhodey added drawing more somber laughter from Sam.
"But this work we do, the good of it comes with a lot of bullshit: horrible hours, bigots ranging from politicians to civilians and every walk of life in between, not to mention that it's entirely detrimental to weathering one's love life, whether that's initiating or maintaining relationships. And not to brag, but we have seen a few hookups turn permanent. It doesn't happen everytime and a few were less than permanent, though long-lasting."
"Just to clarify: you're basically offering me an opportunity to get these cobwebs knocked out while submitting I may also meet another lasting love?"
"You just get it, Sam, truly you do. So, what do you say man? Will you come to, and possibly at, the party?"
"I can't believe you're inviting me to an orgy."
"Organized orgy, thank you."
"What in the world is the difference?"
"Well, how many orgies have you been to where all in attendance surrender their electronics upon pickup to the chauffeur before they're even in transit, submit to frisking and searching before admittance on the private jet and sign NDAs before take off?"
Sam blinked rapidly, shocked silent momentarily. "Uhm, zero."
"Exactly. We're a group of varying professionals who seek to enjoy one another's carnal company. We have not successfully hosted these parties for years without due diligence to assure privacy. We normally don't extend invites to people we work with for obvious reasons and we don't choose just anybody. You are our dear friend, a hardworking colleague and in desperate need of a dick down, Sammy." Rhodey patted Sam's shoulder jovially.
"This isn't a proposition, either. You decide to attend, it's not for me or for Tony. There's no pressure to say yes, but the offer is there. We're finalizing a few more details, the list is mostly finalized and the guests have been invited. It's still some months out, so take your time and think it over okay?"
I'm just grabbing whatever silly lil discord things I've posted and putting em here bc Sam's tags suffer so many fools. By 1231am, I'd already reported 2 spam taggers and blocked an additional 1. 🙃
Anywho, the rando bit below was just me thinking about grumpy old SamBucky. When Sam's lightly chastising Bucky and calling him by his almost government name. He calls out some real doozies twisting up his middle name.
"James Buckerino Barnes!"
"James Buckatunde Barnes!"
"James Buckazoidonal Barnes!"
"James BuckameBuckawhoBuckaboo Barnes!"
"James Buckenzie Barnes!" etc
Sam: James Bucktholomew Barnes! Cease and desist this instant.
Bucky: ... Bucktholomew?!
Sam: You heard me.
Bucky: Yeah, Doll, I did. shakes head in utter bewilderment How do you do it?
Sam: Do what?
Bucky: Make me love you?
Sam: chuckles For what this time?
Bucky: For making me appreciate Buchanan. I can't even imagine what it'd be like going through this cruel world with a name like Bucktholomew.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America - All Media Types, Captain America (Anthony Mackie Movies), Captain America (Chris Evans Movies), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Sam Wilson
Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel)
Additional Tags: More of a preship story, past SamRiley mention
Summary:
A little mix up from our overexerted Captain that tickles Bucky to no end and also makes him both hopeful and wishful for the future.
Saw an art of Sam rescuing a couple cats from a tree
And now cute meet idea with Sam saving a cat in the park and Superman across the path placing a rescued squirrel into a tree fer safety. And their eyes lock.
"Encroaching on my territory, there, Supes? No choo choo train to race?"
And Superman is instantly smitten by the snark and that smile. "No, just trying to make a good first impression." He floats over, raised eyebrow. "How'd I do?"
Sam chuckles, still calming the cat in his arms, making a ridiculously adorable picture with that bashful smile. "Ten outta ten, no notes."
"No?"
Sam waggles his head from side to side, "Nope, but a question: dinner?"
Superman is basking in the sunlight generated by Sam's ensuing bright smile. There's really no answer to give in the face of it, except, "I'd love to."
They're now face to face, Supes reaching out to stroke the kitty still in Sam's impressive arms, beaming at each other as they did.
Little Sariyah, who'd frantically called out to Captain America for him to help Butterball down, isn't sure how much longer she should wait while the heroes make goo-goo eyes at each other.
Her mom had once told her that it was impolite to interrupt when adults are having a quiet moment together like this. And her pudgy pet is safely down and purring gently at the attention and rubs, so it wasn't an emergency exactly.
And so she stood back, swaying side to side, humming her favorite song from The Little Mermaid when Prince Eric and Ariel were looking at each other much like Superman and Captain America were right now.
