Summary: A quick filler scene during the Airport Battle. What happened between Sam and Bucky after Redwing saved them from Spiderman? Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I still own nothing and no one.
Hate is a Strong Word
Redwing to the rescue! Once again, the cute little flyer had proven his usefulness – this time by spiriting away that strange red spider creature. Sam Wilson was feeling pretty good about his mechanical sidekick, until…
"You couldn't have done that earlier?"
Sam grit his teeth in aggravation. Barnes. He really was trying to understand what Steve saw in the guy, but so far, he hadn't been able to identify many redeeming qualities. Least of all, gratitude.
"I hate you."
He spoke the words without the slightest consideration of how they might be received, and therefore didn't notice the way Barnes' shoulders drew defensively tense.
Wilson wiggled around on his back, trying to loosen the stubborn webbing that bound his arms in front of his chest like a mummy, but all to no avail. The Winter Soldier, meanwhile, had used his super-strength and super-arm to wrench his own limb free of the clinging mess, and he now stood towering over the enmeshed Falcon. The look on his face was not exactly hurt and not exactly challenging.
"What?" Sam contended after a few too many seconds of Barnes' mute staring. "Aren't you gonna help me out of this stuff?"
The assassin didn't move, his expression unchanging. Although he didn't speak, the words "give me one good reason" were as good as audible. Sam wanted to roll his eyes, but somehow he doubted that would go over well.
"Okay, man, I get it. Maybe 'hate' was a bit of a strong word. All I'm saying is that everyone's life was a lot simpler before you came back from the dead."
"Simpler? Or better?" The Soldier's blue eyes wavered with uncertainty, maybe even vulnerability, as he patiently awaited Falcon's response. Evidently, he was willing stand there as long as it took for the other man to either validate or demean his fragile sense of self-worth.
Sam sighed heavily; this was so not a conversation he'd intended to have – now or ever. Bucky Barnes was Steve's pet project, after all! Channeling his inner therapist, he chose his words with greater care this time.
"No, James, I don't mean that life was better without you. I know it sure as hell wasn't for Steve. It's just that two years of looking for your best friend without a trace really takes a lot out of a guy."
Barnes had the decency to avert his eyes guiltily at that, and Wilson continued, "Trust me, man, he is thrilled to have you back now, and I'm happy that he's happy. Things may have been simpler before you came along, but none of us want to go back to those days. And you'd better not want to, either – not if Captain America still means anything to you."
Bucky huffed out a quick breath. "You make it sound like I'm an 'accidental' baby that came along and ruined your lives."
"No, not ruined," Sam amended quickly. "Just changed – and changed for the better."
It was too much to expect that Barnes would smile at the encouragement, but he did nod once in appreciation. Then he at last knelt down to liberate Falcon's arms and haul him to his feet with ridiculous ease.
"Thanks, James," Wilson acknowledged with a forced grin of his own. "We're gonna have to teach you to lighten up a little, though. I don't really hate you."
The Winter Soldier met his gaze unashamedly then, blue eyes brightening a few shades, and Sam felt brave enough to pat the assassin on his metal elbow.
"Come on, big guy, we'd better get moving. Steve needs our help."