This fill is written for getyourwordsout's Yahtzee challenge, where I have five prompts and need to write a certain amount of words to make my Yahtzee. I'm writing for "Sevens" where I need to write over 700 words.

This prompt is for my getyourwordsout Yahtzee prompt that was a pic of a flash of lightning. This is set post-both canons and contains vague spoilers for both. This deals with the ramifications of Endgame. All I want in the next phase is Wanda, Bucky and Sam teaming up and being friends.

Tags that apply to this part: Post-canon, PTSD, established relationship and hurt/comfort.

summary: Sam and Bucky express their concern about Wanda.

her face says freedom
part three: storm

Sam peers up at the lightning heating the sky. The clouds are a lukewarm orange and the softest of pinks. He waits for the inevitable moment that the dark grey clouds grow thicker and angrier.

The crash of thunder frightens him.

"Oh, don't tell me you invited Thor, too!" He points an accusing finger at Bucky. Bucky only laughs, pearly white teeth glinting beneath the dark stormy skies. "I'm going to punch that smile off your face, Buck."

"You keep making promises you refuse to keep," Bucky says, laughing. Leaning against the doorframe of the boat's cockpit, he doesn't venture any closer. Sam stands out at the corner of the boat, covered by the open sky. "Afraid you're going to melt if you get wet?"

"That ain't my concern," Sam says, peering up at the sky worriedly. He feels his heart thump wildly in his chest. "My concern's her."

Sam looks pointedly at Wanda who stands on the edge of the wharf, far away from the boat. She balances herself on the very edge of the barrier, looking out at the sea. He isn't quite sure what she's looking for, but ever since Bucky brought her here, she's always wandered out to stand at the furthest end of the wharf and stare out at the sea.

Licking his lips, he glances up at the sky before he looks at Bucky. "She's been worrying me since you went and fetched her. She's not the same."

Bucky looks beyond him, watching Wanda stand still. Sam knows he's worried. Bucky's always had a piss poor poker face. Usually, he's grateful at seeing it, but right now, he wishes Bucky Barnes was capable of masking his feelings. He doesn't like it when his friend's worried, too. Never means well. Never ends well, either.

"Were we ever the same coming back?" Bucky watches her a moment longer before he looks at him. His blue eyes are bright against the darkening backdrop.

"I don't even know what normalcy is after that," Sam says, shaking his head. He crosses his arms against his chest to try and curb the desire to shake. His anxiety's always through the roof when there's thunder. "But I know it's being here on this boat. I've got something."

Bucky arches his brow. "What are you saying?"

"You know what I'm saying," Sam says. Coming closer, he steps beneath the roof of the deck and glances at Wanda over his shoulder. "I had Sarah and the boat. You had Steve before he left. You've got your list and your therapist. Wanda's got nothing."

"She's got us."

"That's not enough," Sam says with a shake of his head. "No offence, man, but we're not…" He inhales before he rubs his hand over his face. "She talks to Sarah a lot."

Bucky shrugs. "Sarah's nice."

"She is," Sam says with a smile before he shakes his head. "You can't tell her I told you this. Promise?"

"Do I look like I'm ten?"

With a pointed look, Sam insists, "Promise me."

"Promise, whatever. Tell me."

Swallowing thickly, he glances over his shoulder and spies that Wanda hasn't moved. She stares out at the dark ocean, her hair shifting in the wind. Nothing about her even seems afraid.

"She told Sarah that her brother came back," he says quietly. "But he wasn't her brother. Not the Pietro from Sokovia. Now, I didn't meet the guy, and I don't think you did, either. But someone in Westview brought him back to her."

Bucky's eyes narrow slightly, his lips parted as he tries to take in his words. It's the look Sam often calls the Dumb Golden Retriever Look, but he doesn't want to tease him now. He's processing. Sam can see the cogwheels turning viciously in his head.

After a moment, Bucky's shoulders shift upwards and grow hard. "You think she's going to try and bring him back."

All Sam can do in reply is shrug. "She's not talking to me, man. She talks to me about kids—her kids, actually—and she tells me about Vision and flying, but that's all."

"She hasn't told me anything," Bucky says, looking away from him. Sam feels compelled to reach out and touch his bicep to comfort him, but he keeps his arms locked against his chest.

"Don't take it personally," Sam says. "Westview was rough."

In reply, Bucky runs his tongue over his teeth, shaking his head. Jaw tense. "I don't understand how we're meant to help her when she's fully capable of helping herself."

"Me neither," Sam sighs heavily. "I'm as lost as you."

Rubbing at his face, Bucky sighs. "She's coming back," he says, glancing over Sam's shoulder. With a quick look back, he sees Wanda walking towards them from the distance, her head bowed. She brushes her hair behind her ear but doesn't peer up at them. He knows she knows they're looking at her.

"Don't say anything to her, man," he says quietly. Peering at Bucky, he takes a step forward. "We need to make sure we play this right."

"I know," Bucky says quietly. "We don't need to lose another person."

Wanda's boots are purposefully loud. She easily lifts herself up with her magic as her hands burn a bright red. Sam's jealous of how delicately she lands on the deck. With a smile, she teases, "You boys talking about me?"

"Always," Bucky says with a big toothy grin. Sam looks at him, shaking his head. "You're a great topic of conversation, Wanda."

Wanda blushes. That wasn't even Bucky's best line.

Sam shakes his head, sighing. "All right," he says loudly. Clapping his hands together, he takes a step out. "So, we have a decision to make. We can stay here and pretend we're out at sea or we can try and convince ourselves to go out to sea and not go out at all."

Wanda laughs. "I think we can stay anchored, Captain."

Bucky steps out from the doorframe and easily glides to Wanda's side. Looping his arm around her, Sam notices how he squeezes her bicep. With a grin, Bucky teases, "Don't encourage him."

Sam rolls his eyes. "You're walking the plank when I get one."

"I could always make you one," Bucky says with a shrug.

Wanda shakes her head. "How long are we staying out here before Sarah comes to yell at you again?"

Pursing his lips, Sam peers up at the ceiling as he does his calculations. Sarah's bound to realise he hasn't started preparing dinner in half an hour. "Maybe twenty minutes."

"Good," Bucky says with a laugh. "I don't like the look of this storm."

"Me neither," Wanda says with a shake of her head. She leans into Bucky as she peers up at the sky. "Thunderstorms make me nervous."

"Thank you!" Sam yells, then clears his throat sheepishly. "Sorry," he says, clearing it again. "I'm… not a fan of thunderstorms."

"Yeah, you're a scaredy cat," Bucky laughs. "Last time there was a storm, he literally threw me out onto the deck so he could lock the door. Storms can break doors, Sam."

Crossing his arms against his chest, Sam mumbles sarcastically, "No one likes you, Bucky."