[ He doesn't falter when Bucky tenses, hands calm and steady as he keeps braiding. Sam didn't expect to be able to say something like that with no reaction, for all that he'd said it like it was nothing, like just a continuation of talking about things he knew to be true.
For a long moment, he doesn't say anything back. He just tucks another feather into Bucky's hair, braiding slowly around it.
It's easier to say what he's thinking about when he's not looking at Bucky, when he's focused on his braiding. He doesn't regret his conversation with Steve before they took down the hellicarriers, nor would he do anything different if he had to do it again - and coming from someone who made Sam promise to take him out if he tried to hurt someone again, he doesn't think Bucky will hold it against him. But it's still not something he'd thought he'd ever talk to Bucky about. ]
I told Steve once that you might not be the kind you save, that you might be the kind we stop. Didn't wanna hear it, but I thought he needed to, needed to own up to the possibility. And you already know the promise I made you.
[ The one he meant when he said it, the one he still means, and he doesn't have any qualms about letting that sincerity out through their connection. It's not separate from the muted affection that's tangled up in it - both are rooted firmly by the bone-deep determination that Bucky can make his own choices. ]
Point is, it ain't sentiment when I say this shit. That you're your own person. [ His fingers stroke soothingly through Bucky's hair. ] But I'll shut up about it, if you want me to.
no subject
For a long moment, he doesn't say anything back. He just tucks another feather into Bucky's hair, braiding slowly around it.
It's easier to say what he's thinking about when he's not looking at Bucky, when he's focused on his braiding. He doesn't regret his conversation with Steve before they took down the hellicarriers, nor would he do anything different if he had to do it again - and coming from someone who made Sam promise to take him out if he tried to hurt someone again, he doesn't think Bucky will hold it against him. But it's still not something he'd thought he'd ever talk to Bucky about. ]
I told Steve once that you might not be the kind you save, that you might be the kind we stop. Didn't wanna hear it, but I thought he needed to, needed to own up to the possibility. And you already know the promise I made you.
[ The one he meant when he said it, the one he still means, and he doesn't have any qualms about letting that sincerity out through their connection. It's not separate from the muted affection that's tangled up in it - both are rooted firmly by the bone-deep determination that Bucky can make his own choices. ]
Point is, it ain't sentiment when I say this shit. That you're your own person. [ His fingers stroke soothingly through Bucky's hair. ] But I'll shut up about it, if you want me to.