Sam would never tire of this sight.
As he followed the road that led him to their home, as he drove along the harbor, the sight of the "Paul & Darlene" had a way of soothing him. It was the sight that told him, "Welcome home."
But this view tonight, this view he had been graced with for the past few months, gave him a sense of belonging that made him say, "I am home."
Seeing Bucky busy on the boat had that kind of power. Sam felt like the sailors who navigated through the storm and saw the light of the lighthouse to show them the safe harbor.
No matter how chaotic the world was, when Sam would see this, he knew he could put his bags down, hang up his Captain America suit and just be the time he was here.
He decided to park the car and walk the rest of the way to enjoy the view.
The dockworkers were starting to head home, and Bucky was finishing unloading the boat. Sam couldn't help but think back to that day when Bucky had come to bring him his new armor.
There was so much misunderstanding and unspoken words between them at that time.
They had been drawn into a chain of events, between John Walker, the Flag Smashers, Madripoor and Riga. It had been impossible for them to settle down to clear the air between them. Both were struggling with their own demons.
"Just dropping this off. You can sign for it and I'll go."
Sam chuckled as he remembered Bucky's words when he had delivered the armor. To think that it had just taken a faulty boat pipe for them to be able to talk each other naturally and regain the closeness they had before.
Seeing Bucky now going down into the engine room, Sam remembered how they had worked on this boat together.
In fact, thinking back, it was so obvious that Bucky had come in the hope of being made to stay, the way he had spontaneously offered to help, the roundabout way he had gotten Sam to offer to stay with them.
Meanwhile, Bucky had gone back upstairs and put away whatever was still lying around, making sure everything was in order for the next day. Sam remembered fondly when Bucky had come to join him in that same engine room in the early morning, he remembered precisely the intimacy of that moment, their closeness, all those glances exchanged, no wonder they hadn't been able to fix the engine at the end.
As he got closer, he saw Bucky greeting some people who were passing by and others who came to exchange a few words. Old Carlos as usual. Sam had been surprised at the friendship that had formed between him and Bucky. Seeing Bucky laughing so freely, he thought to himself that at the time, it was something he would never have imagined seeing.
Bucky had once told him that what had been pivotal for him was the way he had been welcomed here combined with his discussion with Sam in the clearing.
That Sam had given him some perspective and something to look forward to. To him who had only gone from battle to battle, without having time to really stop and think about what he wanted to do and not what others wanted him to do.
Sam remembers how he felt that day.
The responsibility of that shield weighing on im. In that moment he had so strongly needed someone, for Bucky, to understand what it meant to him. And Bucky had reacted beyond his expectations, he had apologized to him, and even though he still didn't understand everything, he had taken the first step. Sam didn't need someone perfect, he knew there was a lot to learn, but Bucky was making the effort. He had also put his own insecurities into words, nothing like the aggressive talk from the disastrous session they had with Bucky's therapist.
Sam had found in Bucky an attentive and understanding ear, Sam had been able to express his fears and doubts. Bucky had accepted everything and validated everything.
Even though nothing had happened between them at that point, the dynamics of their relationship had changed and had planted the roots of their current relationship.
He remembered Bucky, stumbling over his words trying to make him understand what he was trying to do to make amends. He had seen the broken man, but he had also seen the man who wanted to get better, who wanted to break free, it had only taken a few words to guide him and Bucky had walked the rest of the way.
What a journey...
Seeing him laugh like that, communicating with people, freely, so open. Sam couldn't help but feel pride for the man who shared his life. He had found in Bucky a partner who complemented him, one who allowed him to put down his baggage, to be himself away from the expectations of the outside world and the responsibility he had taken on.
He was only a few steps away now, Bucky had his back to him and was looking out over the lake, the sun was setting, and it reminded Sam of the day Bucky had stayed.
Sam remembered little moments of that day, "Uncle Bucky" coming up here and there, Bucky taking the time to talk to every person he met, the smile that never seemed to leave his lips, the smile he had had when he had seen him, Sam. And later, when he had come to join Sam on the dock and without a word, they had returned together to Sam's house.
Today it was he who approached Bucky from behind.
"Hey..." he put his hand on his shoulder, not a flinch, Bucky simply leaned his head against Sam's hand before turning around.
"Hey Sam... already here? Weren't you supposed to be back tomorrow?" He framed Sam's face with both hands, not letting him answer, and kissed him softly before resuming, "I'm not complaining though..."
"Hm..." Sam grumbled because he hadn't had enough, he reclaimed Bucky's lips keeping him from moving back. In return, Bucky wrapped his arms around him and the reunion kiss dragged on and on, neither of them getting enough. Once they caught their breath, much later, Bucky put his head in Sam's neck and whispered, "I missed you."
Sam tightened the embrace before whispering back, "I missed you too Bucky. Why do you think I came home early?"
He took Bucky's hand and they stayed like that, facing the lake and the setting sun, in silence, enjoying each other's presence.
Sam cleared his throat.
"You know when I saw you on the boat when I first got there, I thought we were kind of like that boat. It has had its ups and downs. A while back I thought I was going to lose it, I thought the repairs would never be enough, but with a push, perseverance, and once we figured out what it needed, it started up again, and since then it's been cared for, paid more attention to its needs, and it's still here even after all it's been through, stronger than before."
"Just like us," Bucky replied in a slightly broken voice.
"Yes, just like us." Sam raised Bucky's hand to his lips and kissed it.
Bucky replied, his throat tight, "Thanks for not giving up on me."
Sam simply replied, "Thank you for understanding what I needed."
Then still holding Bucky's hand, he began to walk to get off the boat.
"Come on Bucky, let's go home."