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"Your first vacation as Captain America and you really wanna lug me around?" Bucky says.
Sam smiles softly at the question.
"I ain't lugging you around, you're carrying yourself."
"I mean it. You want me to come with you?"
"Yeah, Buck. I was never a solo travel kind of guy and the boys are in school, Sarah's got them and work. I don't have many friends who can take off at the drop of a hat and since we've somehow become a package deal, you're off too."
"Right, but the beach?" Bucky frowns.
"You can't tell me you hate the beach."
"I don't hate it, I'm just... pale."
"Pale?" Sam smirks. He knows it's not the real answer and no way he's letting it slide. "Just tell me."
"I don't know how to swim," Bucky admits.
Sam makes a quizzical face.
"Actually, I'm sure you know how. You pulled Steve out of the water."
"No, the Winter Soldier did that. He's probably swam a thousand times," Bucky refutes.
Sam's contemplating this way too seriously and Bucky knows a hard-hitting, philosophical question he doesn't want to answer is coming.
"When I was the soldier, I worked on autopilot. It wouldn't have mattered if I knew how to swim or not."
"I get it," Sam nods. "Look, you don't have to swim. I promise."
Sam rents a house with a private beach. The ocean is sitting in their backyard and the second they arrive, Sam is already grabbing the beach bag and rushing outside.
When they step out onto the beach, the sand is hot under Bucky's toes. They're both walking barefoot and Bucky wonders how Sam is handling the burning sensation so well. Bucky's more tolerant to heat and pain due to the serum and yet, Sam isn't missing a step. Walking like the temperature doesn't exist with his eyes glued to the shoreline.
They set up two chairs and an umbrella for Bucky. Oddly, when Bucky sinks his toes deep under the sand it doesn't feel as hot and so he settles into his chair with his t-shirt and bathing suit already sticking to him. It's insanely hot, the humidity feels nearly suffocating but Sam doesn't look bothered about it. He crosses his arms and pulls the hem of his shirt over his head. His dark skin gleams under the sun, his muscles shimmering with every ray of light and jesus, Bucky's never seen so much of him. Bucky's eyes shift down, away from his partner's chiseled frame and his face flushes hotter than the sand burns his feet.
Sam races past him. Bucky watches Sam dash into the water. His thick thighs, trimmed waist, broad shoulders, all being swallowed up by the immersive body of blue. He dives under fully and reappears a moment later, water cascading down his neck and shoulders in easy streams highlighting every inch of him. Bucky digs his feet further into the sand and wishes someone would pour freezing water over him.
How did he not see this coming? Of course, Sam's going to be walking around half-naked at the beach and worse than that, he'll be wet all afternoon.
It's rough enough that Bucky has to watch the man heroically save the world in a fine-ass red, white, and blue suit. Beyond the suit, Bucky's only seen Sam appropriately dressed in casual attire. He's never had to fathom seeing Sam in much less. He's always kept his eyes straight ahead whenever Sam has been changing around him but now, he can’t escape it. His partner’s taken nearly everything off and he's flaunting around in the water like a damn swan. Bucky's completely screwed.
Sam treads back to their spot in the sand dripping from head to toe. His soaked swim trunks are clinging to him so tightly that Bucky can barely breathe when his eyes drop down to them.
Bucky shoots out of his chair and charges toward the ocean. He stops before the shore and watches the water flow in between his toes. He takes a step forward and the next wave reaches his ankles. He bends down and cups two handfuls of water to throw onto his face. God, it's good. So cool and reviving, washing away all the inappropriate thoughts about his partner.
"Want me to teach you?"
Sam's voice scares the shit out of Bucky, making him jump up from the water and nearly tumble backward.
"Sorry man. Thought you always hear me coming," Sam half grins.
"I had water in my ears," Bucky lies. "I'm trying to cool off."
"I can teach you," Sam offers again, glancing toward the ocean. "It's easy."
"No," Bucky growls and retreats back to their chairs.
Sam doesn't follow and instead takes a second dive into the waves. He swims a lot longer this time. Eventually, Bucky rests his eyes, leaning back under the shade of his umbrella.
The next time Bucky hears Sam return, he's panting. Bucky opens his eyes. Sam is just as wet as last time but now his chest is heaving. He lets himself collapse into his chair with a satisfied smile on his face. Bucky has to shut his eyes, that's not supposed to look so damn tempting. He really needs to splash water on his face again but he doesn't want Sam to follow so he forces himself still under the incessant heat coating him.
"Have you been drinking enough water?" Sam asks, forcing Bucky's eyes open once more.
"What?"
"Water. You look a little overheated. Or are you getting sunburnt already?"
Bucky feels his face, it's hot and he's flushing harder from the attention.
"I don't know," is all he can think to say.
Sam opens the cooler and tosses him an iced water. Bucky starts chugging it as Sam searches the beach bag for something else and soon pulls out a tube of sunscreen. Instead of throwing it to him, he gets up and steps right in front of Bucky's legs.
"Need any help applying?" Sam extends.
Bucky blinks. He can't tell if he's joking. He must be, he wouldn't seriously be offering to rub lotion all over his skin... right? Bucky belatedly shakes his head no. Sam only chuckles and then tosses him the lotion. Bucky barely catches it, so thrown off. He chucks off his shirt and begins pouring the sunscreen into his palms and rubbing it over his shoulders. Sam's gaze stays so steady on him it could burn holes through his skin. Why is he watching him so closely, Bucky worries. He keeps frantically applying sunscreen until most of his skin is horribly streaked in uneven globs of white.
"You gotta rub it in more," Sam points out, staring at his chest.
Bucky looks down and his heart races instantly when he imagines Sam's hands carefully working the lotion in. All over his body. Bucky jumps up and hurries back to the water without another word. It's not long before Sam joins him once again.
"You're supposed to wait like fifteen minutes after you put that on.”
Bucky only nods. He wishes he had pockets to shove his hands into. He hates this bathing suit, it's a little tight and shorter than he wanted. He didn't know what size he was and refused to try it on in the store. He swears Sam is staring at his shorts now.
"Come on, let me show you how to swim. You'll be much cooler in the ocean."
Bucky shakes his head.
"I bet it'll come right back to you. You swam before, Buck, you can do it again."
Bucky sighs. The ocean in front of him looks terrifyingly enormous but what feels worse is the endless torture from having to witness Sam's perfect body all day. He has to escape one of them.
"Fine," Bucky musters.
"Alright, on the count of—" Sam starts but Bucky doesn't wait. He sprints into the ocean and dives under a crashing wave. Sam was right, it comes right back to him. He doesn't even have to think about it. He swims easily underwater, pushing his body up to the surface like he's done a hundred times before. He sucks in a breath when he reaches air and spins around to see Sam with a shocked smile on his face, still standing on the shoreline.
"I told you!" Sam yells and then he runs in right behind him. It takes a minute before Sam appears before him, emerging out of the sea like the most beautiful creature Bucky has ever seen. And Bucky stares, a little too long.
"What, you freaking out now?" Sam questions.
Bucky shakes his head and forces himself out of the trance.
"It's so much nicer in here, ain't it?" Sam nudges getting close enough to poke his elbow into Bucky's side. Then he spreads his arms back and floats over the calming water.
It doesn't matter how long Bucky wants to stare this time because an impending wave threatens to interrupt Sam’s angelic floating. Bucky acts on instinct. He hauls himself over Sam, grabbing the man's waist and carrying him under the crashing wave.
When they rise from the water, Bucky doesn't realize how closely he's holding Sam until he registers the heavy breathing by his ear. He abruptly lets go and refuses to look at him, he doesn't want to know the look on his face right now.
"Lifeguarding too, huh?" Sam's voice is tinted with amusement.
Bucky shrugs, facing the other way.
"Man, come on. Enjoy it," Sam urges and grasps his shoulder. Bucky stiffens under the touch, Sam notices and lets his hand fall away. "Why're you so tense?"
"I'm not," Bucky argues turning back to him.
Sam narrows his eyes but doesn't push when Bucky stays quiet. An awkward silence falls over them and Bucky can't help when the only thing he can think to say is, "Sorry you didn't get to teach me."
Sam's mouth nearly curves into a smile, but he holds it back.
"I can still teach you a thing or two."
"Like what?"
"How to ride the waves."
Suddenly Sam's arms wrap around Bucky's waist. Bucky tries not to tense up but he's so shocked, his breath stays locked in place.
"Breathe," Sam instructs when he notices.
Bucky lets out a huff of air but blushes when it hits Sam in the face and he flinches. They're that close, Bucky can't even breathe without it touching him. Weirdly, Sam doesn't seem to mind.
"Do you want me to let go?" Sam asks.
Bucky shakes his head no before he can think straight.
"You gotta hold on too," Sam whispers. Bucky does automatically just as a wave creeps up behind them. They don't attempt to ride this one, they just go under. Bucky holds onto Sam like a lifeline and when they breach the surface they're both breathing heavily into each other faces. Bucky almost turns away to save Sam from his ragged breath but he doesn't get a chance when Sam closes the last inch between them and kisses his panting mouth.
Bucky’s eyes go wide as Sam pulls back. Bucky can't catch a breath but he couldn't care less. He lunges forward and kisses Sam again. Sam cups his cheek and lets the kiss deepen into something that flows right down to his toes. That's when the next wave hits them. They go flying this time, not ready for the impact, neither of them hangs on tight enough and they get separated under the water.
Bucky comes up for air searching frantically for Sam who pops up a moment later. Bucky surges forward, grabbing Sam's hands. Sam belts out a joyous laugh as he rocks against Bucky's chest. Bucky cuts him off with another breathless kiss. He can't get enough. Sam's lips are salty from the ocean and still so sweet against his own. He lets his hands grab the man's ass but it knocks them off balance and they both stumble under the surface. Sam gasps against his mouth as Bucky catches them. Sam smiles and Bucky kisses him even harder, not letting go this time.
"Jesus Buck, give me a second to breathe," Sam chuckles, finally drawing back.
Bucky's panting as well, he hadn't even realized how little air was left in his lungs. Sam smiles through shallow breaths as he lets his hands trace up Bucky's ribs.
"I'm really glad you came with me," Sam says.
Bucky swallows realizing for the first time, this was never about not wanting to travel alone for Sam. It was about being together.
"Me too," Bucky replies and then counts Sam's breaths. Three seems like enough. "Can I kiss you again?"
"Yeah, you can," Sam grins.
Bucky keeps kissing him even as the next wave collides with them. Bucky holds on, keeping Sam's mouth against his even with the strong current forcing them forward. When the rush calms, he lifts Sam to the surface and gives them a moment to breathe. To be fair, it's not a long moment. Bucky leans back in and quickly drowns in Sam's lips all over again.