A/N~~*** Hey Everyone! You know I normally write Richonne stories but when I saw episode 5 of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Sarah and Bucky flirting, I had to write something. This will probably only be 4 chapters since I have a few Richonne stories in the works. I need to focus lol
I did a little research on Sarah Wilson in the comics since Bucky's story (comic and cinema) is more familiar to me. It will mostly be based on the show/ movie element with possibly some comic stuff added to my own imaginings. Hope you all like it, please review and share. Thanks and stay safe!
On the Dock of the Bayou
Dawn was Bucky's favorite time of day now. It held so much potential for the incoming day. Before he was thankfully freed by Shuri and Ayo, as well as a host of Wakandan scientists, the morning signified another day in captivity. Another day waiting to be harnessed as a weapon to destroy something or worse, someone. Yet his newly acquired freedom meant the knowledge of his time as an assassin had begun to eat away at the proud man he once was.
But now, waking each day was something special to behold. He'd spent so much time caught in a living nightmare when flashes of the real him would take hold, just long enough to realize he was trapped. He'd slip back under and sometimes willingly so, the pain of his actions too much to process. The time he'd spent in cryosleep in Wakanda was welcomed. He couldn't risk being brainwashed again and he hoped they could aid him but, he was still skeptical. When they revived him saying he'd been alleviated of Hydra's govern, he was still uncertain.
When Ayo tested him with the multiple Russian trigger words they discovered, he was beyond fearful. Nervous of who he could harm but also for the possibility of independence. He hadn't been sure of what to do in his liberation until very recently. His future was his own and he planned to use it in a positive light. So now he could relish in the suns beams cresting on the horizon. The light breeze pleasing to his usually war battered face.
Sam had been gracious enough to allow him to spend time here in Delacroix, Louisiana with his family while he figured out his next move. He didn't want to return to the empty apartment where he slept on the cold floor. He had punished himself long enough for the heinous acts he had no control over committing while Hydra had him programmed. Sam had advised him, along with his therapist Dr. Raynor, that he needed to give closure to his past traumas. It would not only free him to some degree, but also give closure to the survivors of his crimes.
Today, he stood on the dock where Wilson Family Seafood sat looking out at the dark water. He inhaled the briny air into his lungs and listened to the wind whistle through the trees. Seagulls squawked from their berths, preparing to swoop down to catch a meal swimming near the surface. He could also hear the sounds of vehicles approaching. The fishermen arriving early to take their boats out to snag the day's catch. He pivoted his head to block out those sounds so he could focus on the nature that surrounded him.
"Oh, so that's what my brother meant by the "head tilt"."
Bucky snickered and held his head up straight at the sound of her unexpected voice.
"Don't stop on my account, I'm sure there's some fish in the water that is petrified. It may even jump on the dock if you intensify that stare." Sarah jested as she came to stand next to him.
"You talk to your brother about me?"
"I never said that. He complains about you and I'm forced to hear it."
They both chuckled before Bucky finally turned to look at her. He always had to prepare himself for the stolen glances he'd take at Sam Wilson's sister. Her beautiful chocolate skin was ever dewy making her look younger than she actually was. The wind had caught the loose ends of her twists even though they were in a ponytail and she reached up a hand to stop them from blocking her view. The rising sun highlighted her high cheekbones and added a glimmer to her brown eyes that had him enchanted. He felt that flutter in his stomach that he hadn't experienced in so many years. She was so beautiful that it made him quite nervous but he attempted to play it cool whenever she was around.
"I didn't expect you to be out here today after the cookout went late into last night."
"AJ and Cass are sleeping. So is Sam, I figured I could sneak off on this Sunday morning and just enjoy a moment of peace."
"Sorry."
Sarah looked at him confusedly. "For what?"
"I beat you to it."
She smiled brightly at him and then giggled. "Partially."
"What do you mean?"
"I was planning on taking the boat out." she held up the keys to dangle between them.
Bucky snickered. "Sam will be stuck working the market?"
"Yep, he maybe Captain America now but he's still my brother. I just have to remind him of that every now and then, its keeps him humble." They both laughed.
"So are you game?"
"You mean…to go on the boat, with you?"
"Yes." she nodded her head at him, not understanding the conflicted look he wore.
Sam's stern voice played unprovoked in Bucky's head.
'But don't flirt with my sister.'
"Maybe I should just help out around here today." he fidgeted running a hand through his hair.
"I didn't realize Avengers got seasick."
"I don't get…seasick and technically I don't really consider myself to be an Avenger."
"Oh, you are definitely an Avenger." Sarah smirked. "Well, it's your loss." she added before walking towards the boat and Bucky reassessed.
"I did help repair the boat so technically, I am owed a ride."
"Owed a ride, huh?"
He playfully shrugged.
"Fine, come get your reward." Sarah coyly grinned before she turned around to continue to the vessel.
Bucky couldn't help but to look down at her behind. She wore army green cargo pants but the delectable shape of her ass could still be seen perfectly. That plumpness had been calling out to him to be squeezed whenever the button up shirts she usually wore raised with each of her steps. He fought to get a hold of himself but was failing miserably.
Sarah swiftly jumped aboard and looked back, catching Bucky trying to play off his unabashed looks at her butt. She didn't mind at all since she had been checking him out since he showed up at the dock a while back.
She hadn't had the opportunity with all she had to deal with in the last few years to indulge in any real attractions. But looking at Bucky's steely blue eyes had reawakened that lure for her. That five o'clock shadowed chiseled jaw and dimpled chin drew her in. His pink lips were smooth and surprisingly full, encouraging her to imagine what they'd feel like pressed against hers.
"What do you need me to do?" Bucky climbed aboard startling her, his question creating more lurid thoughts to run free in her mind.
"Untie the ropes while I go start it up."
"Okay."
Sarah went to the helm and began the checks that needed to be completed before they could cast off. She ran through all the procedures and started up the engine right before Bucky walked in.
"Can you pull up the anchor?" she pointed.
"Sure." she watched as he walked over and began to use his right arm.
Then he abruptly decided to remove his jacket, tossing it to the side. He switched to use his vibranium arm instead. He swiftly and with ease maneuvered the anchor from the water, impressing her. He cheekily grinned at her awestruck expression before she went back to her controls.
She blew the horn and pushed the throttle up gently after adjusting the shift and turning the wheel. The boat slowly hitched forward as she eased them out of the port towards open water. The thrill and excitement of boating returned to her. She had made some peace with its forfeiture, once she decided to sell the craft. But now that it was fixed up, Sam was back and the community was here to assist her, she felt like there wasn't anything she couldn't achieve. She didn't even want to mention what could be done with this handsome man that stood raptly gazing at her.
The sun had risen enough to shine through the windows at the helm. Bucky watched the rays on her pretty brown skin and took in the fulfilled toothy smile, spread across her face. He couldn't help but to smile also, happy that she was enjoying this moment and he got to be present for it. He wanted to know more about her, but she deserved to relish this feeling so he just appreciated his close proximity in silence.
As they continued out further, leaving other vessels in the distance, the gust was comforting on what was inevitably going to be a hot, sticky southern day. For a moment, Bucky missed his longer hair because the wind would be breezing through his strands giving him an even greater sense of freedom. He closed his eyes for a few moments, taking it all in until he felt the boat slowing to a stop.
The waves were mostly calm that morning but they could still feel the gentle rock of the sea. Bucky watched Sarah in awe of not only her beauty but her skill and tenacity. She had managed to keep this business alive in the five years that her brother had been blipped away with the snap of Thanos' fingers. She'd also raised two smart and amazing sons in that time as well. He was in total admiration of her as he followed her out onto the deck.
"Is Bucky your real name?" she interrupted his thoughts.
"It's James, but no one has called me that in such a long time, well except my counselor. Steve nicknamed me Bucky way back in Brooklyn and it stuck ever since."
He watched her face as she seemed to be digesting this information. Her full lips were plump and her eyes inquisitive, more so with their almond shape. He was almost distracted then something occurred to him and he crossed his arms.
"You don't know about the Avengers and adjacent backstories?"
Sarah snickered and eyed him. "Do most people know all about their sibling's co-workers?"
His jaw dropped open and then he closed it while she grinned.
"I guess you are right. I just figured with-"
"You figured with the worldwide notoriety that I would've been some superhero fan girl?"
"Not exactly that, but there's a whole section of the Smithsonian dedicated to Steve Rogers and what became of Battalion 107, The Howling Commandos."
"Well, I've haven't been there since that installation opened, too many other things to handle here."
Bucky felt like he'd just put his foot in his own mouth. Of course she had, no pun intended, bigger fish to fry. But now that Sam was back and the siblings had realized the support they had from their community this whole time, maybe she could have time to take a moment to enjoy other ventures.
"Well, I could take you." he hastily offered and almost retracted but the bright smile she flashed him had him upping the ante instead.
"We could make a trip out of it, see all the sights in DC."
"AJ and Cass would love that. They love museums and anything Captain America."
"Yeah, I've caught them playing with the shield a few times."
Sarah playfully sighed. "They are so excited their Uncle is back and that he's assumed the title. They have been telling all the kids at school that they will get him to come visit."
"Sam? Your brother Sam?"
"I know, right?"
They both chuckled before Sarah continued.
"Don't ever tell him but…" she leaned towards Bucky making his cheeks redden. "…it really is amazing having him back. Unblipped and back home in Louisiana. I missed him, I missed the relationship he should've been building with his nephews." she exhaled deeply to keep her emotions in check.
"I can't imagine what it was like for you. I'm sorry you had to go through that alone."
"I had my sons and neighbors, but thank you." she smiled at him. "I know you are super old but do you have any family?"
He smirked at her. "I thought you didn't know anything about your brother's co-workers?"
She tried to fight the smile from spreading across her face. "I never said that. When the news stations are talking about Captain America losing his childhood friend again, after they had just reunited not too long before, I may have taken notice."
"Hmm." he nodded.
"Remember, I was also listening for information on my lost brother." she smirked.
"Of course. But no, no close family. My older sister Becca married and had kids then grandkids they clearly thought I was dead all of these decades. Besides before the Snap, I was just rediscovering so much about my life as Bucky, then dealing with all I had done as the Winter Soldier, it didn't seem right to pull anyone in during that turmoil."
He watched Sarah anxiously contemplating and he wanted to reassure her.
"But I've worked through a lot with help from kind people that I didn't think would except me." he beamed a grateful smile at her that she happily returned.
"Don't tell your brother but, he really played a major part in that healing." they snickered.
"He has for me too, but I also think I just missed bossing him around."
"Oh, that's the best part. But we are partners now and he's the new Cap, so I guess I have to follow his lead."
"I thought he said you were his sidekick?"
"What? He said that?" his began to squint from his annoyance.
Sarah burst out laughing and Bucky eventually joined her hoping it was really a joke.
Once they sobered she wavered. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What was it like to…disappear?"
Bucky thought back to that moment when he felt himself slipping away and looked down pensively.
"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that. I just-"
"It's okay. You…never had this conversation with Sam." he assumed and she nodded to confirm.
"Remember as a kid, that feeling when your feet are falling asleep and you would just let it continue up your ankles to your legs? But you'd stop it before it could go any further, then you'd try to stand and it's all pins and needles mixed with numbness? It was like that, but it just kept going up my body."
Sarah watched him intently eager to learn about his experience.
"I could see myself transforming to ashes and I knew what was coming. It happened quickly and I made some peace with it for myself, but was devastated for Steve."
'I'm with you to the end of the line, pal.'
He closed his eyes, not allowing himself to flee from the memory and he felt warmth in the form of a squeeze on his right bicep. He opened his eyes to see Sarah had stepped closer into his space in her effort to comfort him. He took a deep breath before he went on strengthened by her caress.
"It was more unnerving returning. I was trapped in this dark place, almost like-"
"Like the time you were trapped as the Winter Soldier..." he nodded and she rubbed his arm. Her compassion making him want to open up more so he went on.
"Thankfully, we came back where we were before Thanos' finger snap."
Sarah looked crestfallen for a second but quickly recovered and he went on.
"Luckily, I was back in Wakanda. Okoye and the Dora Milaje helped T'Challa, Shuri, Groot, Wanda, Sam and I quickly adjust to everything we had missed in that five-year gap so we could help finish the fight against Thanos. After we won, Steve and the other Avengers got me a pardon and I was allowed to come back to the United States as long as I agreed to court ordered therapy. I didn't have any place else to go so…" he shrugged.
Sarah looked deeply into Bucky's eyes. "I'm glad that you are back."
He stared back just as intensely and his pulse pounded. He noticed her lips slightly part and he willed it to be a cue to move in for a kiss. But he was second guessing himself, his old ways of courting and waiting for the delicacy of such a maneuver when you really cared for the woman were fresh in his mind. But then Yori's wingman act popped in his head unwarranted, reminding him he didn't have to slowly dance to these things anymore. He was still nervous since it had been a while since he had taken the reigns himself.
He was 104 and he'd spent too much time not getting to fulfill any of his yearnings. He was secluded with a beautiful woman that appeared to be returning his affections, he couldn't waste this opportunity. He wanted to trace her cheek, but his metal arm wouldn't provide him with the sense of touch he ached for. And he wasn't going to stop the connection they shared, with her hand on him. So all he could do was to simply lean in partially and hope that she'd meet him there.
The lighter brown strands of his auburn hair were asking to be played with, but Sarah didn't release his strong arm from her grasp. Instead, she leaned upwards to Bucky's pivoting head figuring her fingers would make their way to his crown momentarily. She quickly moistened her lips with her tongue in anticipation and closed her eyes. She was ready to explore this blossoming magnetism between the two of them. Their lips gently brushed, teasing the other with what was about to ensue.
"S.S. Paul and Darlene pick up!"
Sam's voice came blaring through the radio, making the two back away from one another. They both fought to calm their breathing and Sarah rolled her eyes after she walked into the helm to pick up the mic.
"Shit." Bucky cursed under his breath.
"Yes, Sam."
"You took the boat?"
"Who else would've taken the boat?"
"I don't know; some pirates could've stolen it now that I fixed it up."
Bucky frustratedly laughed as he joined her inside. "Pirates?!"
Sarah snickered too. "And he fixed it singlehandedly."
"I would say that was more me." Bucky raised his metal arm for emphasis and spun it in a circle.
The sound that the gears made when his arm was engaged caused Sarah's core to contract. She didn't understand why on earth that was sexy as fuck but it was and she had to pull her eyes away from his toned body in his snug t-shirt. To help compose herself she joined Bucky in chuckling at her older brother's expense before Sam's irritated voice cut in.
"Bucky? What are you doing on my parent's boat with my sister?"
Bucky began to fiddle and went to open his mouth to respond but Sarah released her hold on the button. She tossed it down because she didn't have time for the big protective brother response right now.
"Bucky! Sarah! I know you two can hear me!"
Sarah turned the volume down and crossed her arms over her chest still irritated that Sam had gotten in the middle of whatever was about to occur between the two of them.
Bucky ran a hand through his hair and hesitated. "I guess we should head back."
"Sam has always fought one way or another to weasel his way into extinguishing my desires."
Sarah began to prepare to turn the boat around, meanwhile Bucky was flustered by her choice of words. He quickly turned around to avoid ogling her to satisfy his own longings. He was annoyed also that their intimate moment was thwarted but he knew there would be hell to pay when they returned. Once Sam got a hold of him, he'd question him down and reiterate what he told him before. And honestly, he didn't want to damage their newfound friendship or get cut up and feed to the fish by Carlos either.
He held on tight to the railing as Sarah quickly spun the boat around and powered them back to the dock. They exchanged a few woeful glances at one another but remained silent as they drove back. Bucky wanted to tell her that since he'd been freed he considered other romantic encounters but this felt different to him. If he didn't want something serious he wouldn't attempt to pursue his new best friend's sister. But the risk of damaging his only familial connection in this world did give him pause.
Sarah looked to Bucky who appeared to be reconsidering what they had just nearly gotten up to. She figured he'd had plenty of women throwing themselves at him since his return to the States. Meanwhile, in these last five years, she had to push herself into going on a date or two since the boy's father was to become part of the Unreturned. She sighed, longing for the moment they had come so close to. She kept replaying the slight feel of his soft lips brushing hers and she wanted to risk it again. But she was unsure of his feelings now, so she just jet-powered their way back to the shore.
As they sailed back up to the dock, they could see Sam standing with his arms crossed over his chest. Sarah slowed the ship and shifted towards the marina then quickly put the boat into reverse so it pivoted sideways. They floated smoothly right up so the hull didn't even kiss the dock before she turned the ignition off. Bucky was again impressed by her expertise before he went to tether the ship. Her boys ran over, waving before excitedly grabbing the ropes that he tossed to them and tying them onto the anchors.
"Aww, man I wanted to go out on the boat too!" AJ pouted.
"Me too!" Cass added.
"Sorry, guys I wasn't even supposed to be here. Your mom wanted some tranquility and I happened to get up and make it to the dock before her." Bucky explained to them but he was really speaking to Sam who he continued to avoid making eye contact with.
"I'll take you guys out next weekend as long as your homework and chores are completed throughout the week." Sarah announced once she walked out to her son's delight.
"Yes, Ma'am." they both joyfully responded before high-fiving and running off down the pier.
Sarah's smile dropped when she turned her attention to her brother. "Pirates."
Bucky had to fight the laugh from erupting from his throat not wanting anymore of Sam's ire. But the man was definitely glaring at him and he remembered his other task was not completed.
"I'll go drop the anchor."
Sarah smirked at him. "Don't forget to grab your jacket."
"Thanks." he simpered back before entering the control room.
"Why the hell was your jacket off in the first place?" Sam shouted at Bucky's exiting back.
"What is wrong with you?" Sarah climbed off the boat and glowered at her brother.
"Nothing's wrong with me. I wake up and you two are gone."
Bucky reemerged with his jacket in hand and swiftly climbed off. "I couldn't let Sarah go out on the boat that we had just fixed, alone. What if something went wrong?"
"Umm, hello. I've grown up on this ship right along with Sam and our parents, I don't need any saving."
"Sarah, I didn't mean it that way." Bucky tried to apologize for putting his foot in his mouth yet again. "You were amazing out there on the water and I'm glad you let me come along with you."
She couldn't help but to soften like melted butter from the respect that shone through his baby blues for her.
"I'll just get out of the way for a little while." he grinned and backed away.
"I'll deal with you later." Sam threatened and Bucky sighed before he jogged down the way to play with the kids.
Sarah walked over to their stall and started to rearrange items and signs with Sam right on her heels.
"Sarah, what was I supposed to think?"
"Oh, I don't know. That your sister has lived on the sea with you most of her life and that she's quite capable, probably more adept than you on the water."
"That's not fair, I know all of that but you're still my baby sister-"
"Younger sister, not a baby."
"Yes, not a baby but I'm back and I have to protect you and my nephews. I can't go off saving the world and my own family isn't safe."
She turned to face her brother after understanding the concern in his voice and exhaled.
"All that you had to endure in the last few years was out of my control but now that I'm back I want to shield you from as much hurt and pain as I can."
"Was that a Captain America nod?" she smirked and put a hand on her hip.
"It was a good one, right? You gotta give me credit for that at least." they chuckled together.
"Sure whatever, but you can really disturb a groove."
"A groove? What groove?" his face scrunched up.
Sarah snickered at her brother's swift return to anxiousness and she went to get her gloves so she could complete some work while he continued to question her. The two fell right back into their past of childhood squabbles while they continued to work side by side for the rest of the day. But every so often she'd look up from her work or a customer and catch Bucky sneaking a peek at her, to her overjoyed pleasure.