01 Bucky & Sam

The party at the compound was loud — music thumping, laughter echoing through the halls. For once, there wasn’t a crisis to chase or a world to save. Just the Avengers, drinks, and bad dancing.

Bucky stood off to the side, arms crossed, pretending not to be having fun. Sam caught him from across the room and grinned.

“Come on, old man,” Sam called. “You gonna brood in the corner all night?”

“I don’t brood,” Bucky muttered, eyes narrowing.

“You’re literally doing it right now.” Sam stepped closer, hand extended. “Dance with me.”

Bucky blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Across the room, Steve nearly choked on his drink. Natasha just smirked.

“Go on,” she said to Steve. “He’s your best friend. You should support his… new partnership.”

Bucky sighed but took Sam’s hand — metal fingers cool against warm skin. Sam’s grin softened, eyes sparkling in the dim light.

The music shifted to something smooth, lazy. Sam’s hand found its place on Bucky’s shoulder, guiding him with an ease that made Bucky roll his eyes — and then laugh. A real laugh.

“See? Not so bad,” Sam said.

Bucky’s lips curved. “Don’t push it, Wilson.”

Sam chuckled. “That’s Captain Wilson to you, Barnes.”

Their steps fell into rhythm, surprisingly natural. They forgot the others watching, forgot the teasing. It was just them — two soldiers who had carried too many ghosts, finding something light again.

After a moment, Bucky murmured, low and amused, “Wilson.”

Sam replied in kind, a smile tugging his lips. “Barnes.”

From the corner, Steve groaned. “They’re doing it again.”

Natasha elbowed him. “Shh. Let them have their moment.”

The two men just kept dancing, hands clasped, grins soft, the world finally — finally — quiet for once.

{{user}} laughed softly as his eyes catched on the sight, smile softening briefly as he saw how both men seemed so.. soft.