my friends are so distressed

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Who| Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Clint Barton
What| Attempt one at a brainwashed assassins support group
Where| Capitol blind spot
When| Some time after the crowning
Warnings/Notes| Discussions of mind control, PTSD, violence, murder, etc.


Honestly, Sam had thought of doing something like this pretty much from the second Clint told him about what happened with Loki, and they both made a comparison to what Bucky’d been through. It’s what Sam does - what he’d done even before he started working for the VA, and even now that he’s stuck here - try to get people to realize that they’re not alone.

But he’d hesitated. He doubts Clint would have even said anything to him about it if he hadn’t been drunk, and Sam’s really not sure he’s in a place where he’d appreciate Sam trying to let someone else in on it. The same goes for Bucky, at least on the second bit, and it’s hard to ask either of them if they’d be okay with it with the Capitol listening in on them.

In the end, Sam goes for it. If they don’t like the idea, they don’t have to go along with it, but if Sam doesn’t at least try, he knows it’s just going to keep being on his mind.

He asks Clint to meet him at the same bar they’d gone to last time, then asks Bucky to go for a walk with him. It’s probably not a surprise to either of them that he’s angling for a blind spot meeting, he’s just… hoping the ‘why’ doesn’t end up with his ass in trouble.

As soon as all three of them are safely out of the Capitol’s sight, Sam leans back against the alley wall. “I got a proposition for you two. It’s not something you have to tell me yes or no right now, I just didn’t want anyone else listening in on any of this, you know?”

Comments

[cognitived]

Clint goes easily, wrapping his arms around Sam, holding tight. His breath shudders out of him, but this close he can feel the beat of Sam's heart, steady, strong. It's good, they're good. Maybe everything isn't perfect, maybe he's still feeling vulnerable and shamed and unsure. But that's -- well, somehow that's not too unusual.

Instead, he holds tight, basks for a long moment like a cat laying in the sun.

It takes a moment, pulse soothing out from the jackrabbit rate, mind clearing from the blue and he fear and the panic. Eventually, he pulls back, but not so far as to lose contact all together. Eyes Sam, takes in the worry still written faintly into his expression, and doesn't know what to do about it beyond what he's already doing. So, he makes a joke. Kind of.

"Should I get used to the emotional hugs?"

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Sam closes his eyes for a moment, hands splayed over Clint’s shoulder blades and holding on tight. He’s not sure if he’s giving comfort or taking it, if he’s trying to soothe Clint after Sam’s fuck up caused him trouble or if he’s trying to soothe himself back out of being vulnerable. Maybe both.

Either way, he just breathes for a long moment, watching Clint closely when he pulls back. And then he grins at that joke - it’s almost a relief, something to lighten the mood, and Sam gives him a slight squeeze before he lets go.

“Nah. This was a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, man, I hope you enjoyed it.”

He gives him a little shove, then slings his arm around Clint’s shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get back before they wonder where we are.”