Bucky had to hand it to Tony, the guy knew how to stock an arsenal. Guess that came from being the world's most prominent arms manufacturer at one point. He lifted an assault rifle from its rack to inspect it. He didn't know if Loki was susceptible to lead, but surely if he emptied a clip into him it would have to slow him down. He grabbed a couple of extra clips, just in case. Bucky was keen to get this thing over and done with. He'd had his fill of violence, he got no pleasure from what he was about to do, but he also knew it was what he was good at and that it had to be done. For Steve. It was as simple as that. He tested the action of the M4 one last time. It would do. He was ready to go.

Bucky's heart sank though when he heard Sam's familiar footfall, he'd really been hoping to get away without this conversation, it wasn't going to be a pleasant one.

"What the hell?" Sam demanded. He was as angry as Bucky had ever seen him but Bucky had to hold firm. He'd promised.

"You're gonna have to be a little more specific," Bucky said, doing his best to sound nonchalant. This didn't have to be a big deal unless Sam made it one.

"Don't play games. You're going after Loki. Seriously?"

"Someone's gotta stop him."

"I know that. I'm pissed because you didn't ask me to help. Steve's my friend too."

"You're kidding, right?" Bucky said, slinging the rifle and grabbing his pack. "Steve's a super soldier and look at him. What do you think a bird suit is gonna do?"

"Screw you."

Fuck. The anger he could take, the hurt not so much.

"Come on, I didn't mean it like that. You think I wanna see you get killed?"

"I can handle myself."

"You're not coming."

"That's not your call to make."

"That's too bad, because I just made it."

Bucky headed for the door, he had to get out of here now. It wasn't that easy though.

"Don't you dare walk away from me! Not after everything. You owe me more than that."

It was true, but Bucky didn't have much of a choice. He turned back to see Sam standing there, a seething combination of anger and hurt.

"Look, Sam. You've got something none of the rest of us do, so don't be an idiot. Sit this one out. You did last time."

"Is that what this is about? Do you blame me for not being there with Steve the first time? I wanted to be, but I... You needed me more."

"What?" Was Sam saying he'd stayed in Wakanda just for him? So he wouldn't be alone? Suddenly Bucky knew beyond a doubt that he was right to leave Sam behind, but Sam wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"I don't care how dangerous it is," Sam insisted. "Wherever you are, that's where I wanna be. You think I could live with myself if anything happened to you and I wasn't there?"

Bucky's next words were aimed as a critical hit, something that would take Sam out of the fight.

"You were there when Riley died."

It was a low blow but one that floored Sam long enough to give Bucky time to get away. Sam would probably never forgive him, but at least he'd be alive. And on the very slim chance that he ever saw Sam's father again, he'd be able to look him in the eye and honestly say he did what it took to keep Sam safe.

xxx

Sam was shattered. Who could he turn to? Steve didn't understand exactly what Bucky meant to him, how hard it was to open himself up to these kinds of feelings again. Or maybe he did, but it wasn't Steve he needed. He took the EXO-7 suit, and less than two hours later he was knocking on his parents' front door. His mom answered.

"Sam...?" she frowned. "Where's Bucky?"

Sam shook his head. Her hand went to her chest.

"He's not..." she gasped.

"No. He left me."

"Oh baby, come here."

She wrapped an arm around him and led him inside to the couch. His father was sitting in his favourite armchair. It was strange to see him idle in the middle of the day.

"What happened?" his mom asked. "He seemed like such a good boy."

It was ridiculous to be so upset over losing something he'd never had to begin with, but he couldn't help the way he felt. And Bucky's last words had really hurt. Throwing Riley's death back in his face was something he'd never believed Bucky would do. It was harsh and cruel.

"He said it was my fault Riley died."

"That's awful. Why would he say that?" She sounded as shocked as Sam had been.

"I found out he was going on a dangerous mission, and I wanted to go with him but he point blank refused. But ever since we met we've done things as a team. It felt so wrong to let him go without me."

"It sounds to me like he was just trying to protect you," his dad offered. Was that what this was? Were Bucky's harsh words just a way to prevent Sam following? If so, they'd worked.

"Paul?" his mother said, looking at his father. "What is it?"

His dad shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"What's he up against?" his dad asked.

"Never mind that," Sam said. "If you know something, you have to tell me."

"Alright," his father admitted. "I asked him to make sure you stayed safe. He promised he would."

A burst of fear shot through Sam. Bucky was so amazingly stupid!

"And now's he's gone after Loki by himself! I should be there with him!"

"Sam," his dad said. "You can't fight everyone's battles."

"I'm an Avenger. It's what we do."

"You're not like the others though, are you? They all have superpowers, you're just an ordinary man."

"Not all of them. Natasha doesn't. Neither does Clint. Or Tony, he's just really smart and has an awesome suit."

"What about Bucky?" his mother asked, Bucky's name being conspicuously missing from the non-gifted list. He decided there was no point keeping it secret. Bucky had run off to fight Loki, he was obviously strong.

"He's like Steve. Strong, fast. A super soldier."

His parents shared a look.

"But you knew that already..." he frowned.

"His face was all over the news after the UN bombing," his dad said. That meant they'd known the truth the whole time that Bucky had been here with them.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Being called out as different was the last thing that boy needed," his mum explained, reminding Sam of just how amazing his parents were.

"See?" his dad said. "He can take care of himself."

"No, he can't..." Sam realised. Physically Bucky was plenty strong enough, but he was a mess on his own, he needed a wingman. The fear threatened to choke Sam again, and he knew now that he would do absolutely anything to keep Bucky in his life. Whatever the risk. And then he understood that his parents were the same. They were just doing whatever they could to protect their only child. "Bucky's good," Sam said in a softer voice, seeing their worried faces. "But this is Loki we're talking about."

"But really," his father asked. "What could you do?"

"Be there for him," Sam decided. "Whatever it takes."

"You really love him?" said his mother.

Sam knew the idea of losing Bucky scared the absolute hell out of him.

"I do."

There was an unseasonal crack of thunder and Sam looked out the window to see an unmistakable storm brewing. He jumped to his feet, the battle was happening right now!

He looked down at his mother and heard Bucky's voice, you've got something none of the rest of us do... Yeah, but he'd never be able to face her again with any dignity if he didn't do everything he could to keep the people he loved safe.

She looked up at him with a shaky smile and patted his hand.

"Then go help him save the world, baby. You were never very good at standing by."