[ Despite that Sam picks up those fragments of memory and feeling, he's more grateful than ever for the symbiote link. Because it means he can feel what Bucky can, and he can know exactly when he might be pushing a little too much -

And he can feel the moment that something clicks over. The moment that it stops being just something that pulls up memories of the past and starts being a new experience, the moment that it becomes something different.

Something that might be good.

Sam's felt moments like this a hundred times over, coming back from his own shit, and damn but he's so grateful to get to feel one of Bucky's. To get to be the reason for one of Bucky's, to get to be the one sitting next to him and giving him something good.

Bucky smiles at him and Sam can't help but smile back, scratching through his beard again until his thumb just barely grazes Bucky's lower lip. Bucky doesn't have to say that he loves him for Sam to be able to feel it, and Sam echoes it back - love you too, Bucky. ]

You good just to sit like this for a bit, before we try anything else? Cause your eyes are unfairly blue, sunshine, I think I need a minute.

[ He's teasing, just a little - flirting, maybe - because he can't resist, but he's still going slow here. It's more to give them both a moment to adjust, to give Bucky some time to get used to it, before he starts bringing out the shaving cream. ]