WILSON
Sam took a long deep breath as he stared at the small home before him. He never thought he'd visit this place again and he rather liked it that way. He preferred interacting with the person who lived here as little as possible nowadays. Not that he didn't love the person, but the more time spent together now just made it harder to accept that the glory days were gone and his friend wasn't the same anymore.
He was almost angry that Bucky led him here. And he'll be even angrier if it turns out he was wrong and Bucky wasn't hiding out here. But he knew Bucky and he knew Bucky would run to the one place and person that made him feel safe… outside of him and Sharon of course. Wakanda was Sam's first thought, but Bucky couldn't just hop on a commercial flight there. No, he needed a place to lay low until he could contact them and get them to send a plane. Bucky wasn't an idiot, he knew his best bet was Wakanda. This was just a holding place until he could get there.
Sam gently knocked on the door and smiled when Steve Rogers peeked through the window and opened the door with a knowing smile. He looked just the same as the last time he visited: khaki pants, brown shoes, navy pullover, and wizened twinkle in his eye. Sam had to admit, he didn't think he would see his old friend again until he was staring at his photo at his funeral. Steve knew how difficult it was for Sam and Bucky to visit him and keep up communication. He understood how hard it was for them to see their friend aged and in a different part of his life.
"Sam, what a surprise. I wasn't expecting you." Sam took notice of the way Steve stepped onto the porch and closed the door slyly behind him. He stuck out his hand and shook Sam's. He patted the top of it fondly. It was such an old-man gesture.
"Hey Cap. I have a feeling that's not true." Sam gave him a pointed look. "Where is he?"
"Who Sam?" Steve said innocently.
Sam smirked. "Is that how it's going to be?"
"I don't know what your talking about." Steve responded with a small smile.
Sam watched him closely. Steve may be older and wiser, but he wasn't fooling anyone. "You know your lying hasn't improved with old age."
Steve sighed. "He's long gone out the back by now."
Sam gave a curt nod. "Good. We were counting on that."
Steve gave a puzzled look. "We?"
"Yeah. Let's go take a look." Sam shoved his hands in his pockets and followed the wrap-around porch to the back. Steve hesitated before following him. Sam watched Steve's face closely as they rounded the corner to find Sharon having words with Bucky halfway across the lawn.
"Sharon." Steve was clearly surprised. Sam imagined Steve never thought he'd see her again. He certainly hadn't made a point to since he came back to their timeline.
Sam was mildly surprised himself at Steve's reaction. "Bucky didn't tell you we've been working together?"
"No." That surprised Sam too. Bucky had clearly been hiding out here for over a day, he couldn't believe he didn't tell Steve that Sharon was part of their trio. Which also meant Steve didn't know about their relationship. He would definitely be asking Bucky about that some day in the future.
"Someone had to keep our asses in line after you left." They watched the pair in silence. Sharon was gesturing wildly while Bucky stood with his head bent towards the ground. She was really letting him have it. Sam had never seen her so angry and upset at Bucky.
It was a stark contrast to the shell of a woman who sat motionless on their deck hours after finding Bucky gone. She was even more upset than that night they found her on the lawn ashamed of herself over seducing Walker. She knew Bucky running was a defense mechanism, but it didn't hurt her any less. Because in her heart, all she could feel was the bitterness of being left behind. She was an absolute wreck at the thought of Bucky leaving her just like Steve had.
"Why does everyone leave me?" Her words had stunned him speechless. And her eyes, he couldn't look at them in that moment without feeling his own tears form.
"Hey." He swallowed his own rising emotions to sit next to her. "You can't think like that. Sharon." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "It's not you. He's scared. He thinks he isn't safe and ran to protect us from himself. He's trying to control the situation. You know this." He emphasized.
Her eyes squeezed shut and she nodded. "I'm sorry. I know you're right. I just… I just can't stop thinking this is Steve all over again. Only worse." There was that heartbroken look again. This time, Sam did cry. "I love him Sam."
Sam was going to have a few choice words with Bucky when his brain was fixed about just up and leaving Sharon and then bringing them both here.
Sam shook himself from his thoughts and focused back on the scene playing out before him. Sharon was still raving at Bucky and looking on the verge of punching him square in the jaw. Steve took a step forward, clearly wondering if Sharon was about to use her fists instead of her words next. Sam held back a smile at Steve's apparent concern, he knew Sharon would never actually hit Bucky. But that didn't stop the disbelief in Steve's eyes that Bucky was just stand there and let Sharon rage at him. A few years ago Bucky would have walked off, shouted back, or hit someone. It was just another reminder of how different things were and that Steve no longer knew them intimately like he used to.
"Do you think we should- oh." Steve stopped mid-sentence. Sharon had grabbed Bucky by the collar and kissed him. Bucky's bag dropped from his hands as his arms wrapped around her and kissed her back with fervor.
Sam nodded at Steve's stunned expression and angled his body away from the kissing pair. "Yeah, a lot has changed in the last year and a half. They are still fairly new." Sharon's hands were on either side of Bucky's face now and she was talking to him much more calmly this time. Their foreheads met tenderly.
Sam was still watching Steve as he took in the new couple. "And can you blame him for falling for her? She's a damn catch. I know you went back to marry your girl, but Sharon is something special. She's good for him. Helped me a lot too."
"That's good… I'm glad they have each other. Bucky deserves someone as amazing as Sharon." Sam smiled to himself when he saw Sharon hold her earbud out to Bucky in a silent offering of peace. Her and those damn earbuds. They swayed unknowingly as they held each other tightly. Sam turned away completely to give them privacy.
Steve's eyes finally pulled away from the couple to meet Sam's. There was something unreadable in them. Something Sam almost thought looked like happiness with a tinge of regret. No, not regret. Curiosity. Curiosity about what could have been. Curiosity about what it would be like if he were the one down there holding Sharon. Dancing with Sharon. Curiosity of what it would be like if he had stayed and their trio was a quartet. Or if he had retired a young man with a bright future surrounded by him, Bucky, and Sharon.
"Did you know she has a theme song for every mission she goes on?" Sam asked suddenly. It was one of the few quirks about Sharon that really surprised him. There were a lot of things about Sharon that he wondered if Steve ever knew about. It was hard to imagine Steve walking away from her and not trying to win her back after the blip with everything Sam knew about her now.
"No I did not." He glanced at the pair again. Sam put a hand on his shoulder and slowly steered him back to the front of the house. Steve didn't need to watch the couple's private moment.
And to be completely honest, a part of Sam didn't want him to see it. Steve chose to step out of their lives with the understanding that he would miss out on theirs. It almost didn't feel right to let him see what had become of them, especially Bucky and Sharon. And Bucky apparently hadn't told him about Sharon in the day he had been here which meant something about Steve made him hold back. The couples' relationship was so unique and it had been so fragile in the beginning. Both struggled with their feelings of loss, hurt, jealousy, affection, and rejection. The worst of all was Bucky's worry that he was second best to Steve with Sharon. He already felt second best to Sam's relationship with Steve and then again with Peggy when Steve decided to leave- but it was nothing to Sharon. It's what held him back for so long in expressing his feelings.
Sam would be damned if he let his friends, no, his family, be affected by Steve again. He loved Steve like a brother, but there was no way he was going to let Bucky and Sharon slip back into their insecurities and lose sight of what they had between them. They didn't need Steve peeping on their intimate moments and start to wonder what he thought of them. He ushered Steve a little quicker back around the porch.
"You never went on a mission together?" Sam was fairly certain he knew the answer.
"We did not."
Sam blew a long whistle. "You missed out Cap. She's kick-ass in the field. She would give Natasha a run for her money."
Steve gave a small smile. "I don't doubt it. It sounds like you've gotten to know her pretty well."
Sam nodded and sat in one of the porch chairs. "I have. We both have. I'm not sure what we'd do without her anymore. She's our rock. Hell, we're our own little family."
"I'm glad." There was that look in his eye again. "I've been watching the news. I saw what happened with the shield and Walker. And Bucky filled me in on everything you've been up to. Although," he glanced over to where the porch curved around to the back of the house, "he apparently left out a few details." He seemed almost amused at the idea of Bucky keeping Sharon from him. Like he was almost proud that his friend had a secret.
"That mystery woman at the rally was Sharon, wasn't it?"
Sam smiled. "It was. She's been a lot of help with trying to get it back. You're not the only person she'd commit treason for."
"And you got your shield back?" There was a twinkle in his eye.
"I did. You know, you could have come out of retirement and helped me get it back a lot sooner and without as much fuss." Sam joked with a twinge of fact.
"That would defeat the purpose of my secret retirement, wouldn't it? I knew you could handle it." They both grinned. Good ole Steve Rogers humor right there. They sat there for a long time talking and waiting for Bucky and Sharon to sort each other out.
CARTER
Sharon wanted to roll her eyes as she watched Bucky silently shut the back door behind him. "Sneaking out the back doesn't work when there's more than one person looking for you." He froze at her voice and his head snapped to face her. She put her hands on her hips as he slowly made his way across the lawn to where she was standing.
"Sharon."
She put a hand up to stop him. "No. You ran away so you don't get to talk first." She was livid. "What the hell were you thinking? Just running away without a word to Sam or I? Do you know how worried we were? You left us. You left me. You fucking left me. Do you know how shitty that felt? To be left with no explanation? Again?" Bucky winced at her words.
"Sharon, it's not safe. I'm not safe."
She pointed a finger at him. "Don't you fucking dare James Buchanan Barnes." She hissed as her eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare use that excuse on me."
Bucky ran a hand down his face. "Come on Sharon, we both know my mind isn't safe anymore."
"And you thought coming here was safer than staying with us? You could kill him in an instant if you lost control! At least Sam and I would have a chance to subdue you and get you help!"
"I… I was afraid I would hurt you. I can't hurt you Sharon. I'd never forgive myself." His eyes were pleading for her to see his side of things.
"And you thought running away wouldn't hurt me? What the fuck is wrong with you?! You promised you would let me be an equal and to help you. You promised you wouldn't run!" She all but shouted the last sentence.
"I know."
"And can I just say, running away to Steve? Seriously? Steve?!" His eyes fell to the ground. Good, he should feel like shit for making her follow him to Steve's house. The man who left her to be with Peggy. The man who made her believe he never cared for her in order to walk away from her easily. The man who made her feel like nothing.
"We had a plan! We were going to get you back to Wakanda! If you had just waited until morning to talk to us!" She ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "If you had just talked to me! Fuck!" Bucky was deathly silent.
"Say something Barnes!" His face was full of torment when he finally lifted his head to look at her. Her face softened.
"James." She could see him slipping into himself, curling up into his regret and grief like wrapping a warm blanket around yourself. She'd pushed him too far. What the hell was she thinking? She knew he was fragile. She knew he was scared. Her temper got the best of her and now he was retreating into himself.
Now she felt like shit. How could she blame him for running? He was terrified and just trying to keep her and Sam safe the only way he knew how. He wasn't running to get away from her, he was running to get her away from him. Her emotions had clouded her mind and caused her to lash out. Normally she was always the sensible one, but her nerves and emotions were shot from the last few weeks and she had reached her breaking point.
It was as if ice water had been dumped over her head with how quickly her mind cleared and she finally saw reason instead of heartbreak.
"Sharon… I…" She pulled him forward and put her lips on his.
BARNES
Bucky felt like an asshole. There was no other word to describe it. He left her. He fucking left her after he promised only a week ago that he would follow her anywhere. And then he led her here, to Steve's house. What was he thinking? He was thinking he was terrified of what was lingering in his mind and what it could do to them. He could kill her. And he refused to hurt her. But then again, in running, he had hurt her. He hurt her just like Steve had.
"I'm so sorry." Sharon murmured against his lips. His body relaxed at her words and his arms pulled her in, one of his hands tangling in her hair. He loved the feel of her silky hair between his fingers.
"No, I'm sorry." He kissed her deeply, drinking her in as if this could be the last time his lips tasted hers. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as she lost herself in him.
"I shouldn't have yelled at you." Her hands were on either side of his face as she pulled back. Her eyes were soft and gentle and full of love. "I shouldn't be mad at you. I know you were doing what you thought was best. I let my emotions control me. I'm sorry." They both had.
Her forehead pressed to his and his eyes fell shut on instinct. She was grounding him, just like she always did. "I know you're scared, I'm scared too, but I want to be here for you. I want to help you. Let me help you." Her thumbs brushed the moisture from his cheeks. "Don't shut me out. Don't leave me." Her voice cracked at her last statement.
Bucky's eyes sprang open to find her eyes full of tears. She was breaking in front of him. Her normal composure was collapsing and for once she could no longer be the strong one. He could see the absolute heartbreak in her eyes at him leaving her. The fear that he wouldn't come back to her. He choked down his own emotions as his arms pulled her tighter to him.
He kissed her softly. "I won't. Not again." She let out a small broken sob that he kissed away. "I'm so sorry Sharon."
How could he have left her without a word? As he was carelessly packing his bag all he could think about was how Hydra was lingering in his mind and he needed to get as far away from her and Sam as possible in order to keep them safe. He had found them curled up together in Sam's bed, both exhausted and afraid for him. He wondered briefly what they would do when they found him gone before slipping out of the house. He needed to get somewhere he felt safe and call T'Challa and beg for them to take him back. He wouldn't feel safe until he was back in Wakanda where they could help control and deprogram him. His plan was to hide out with Steve until they sent a jet for him. He should have known Sam and Sharon would find him here.
"It's okay. We're okay. You'll be okay." She buried her head in his neck. "It's you and me… and Sam." Bucky let out a laugh and pulled back to wipe Sharon's tears. The tension was breaking at her light-hearted joke. She gave him a watery smile as he stared down at her. Her caramel eyes were almost golden from her tears. She was barely wearing any make up so her freckles were on full display over her rosy cheeks. His thumb brushed away another hot tear. She was so beautiful.
"You know we have an audience, right?" His eyes drifted to the two men still standing on the porch. Sam was angled away from them, but Steve was watching.
"Details."
Her hand came to his cheek making his eyes return to hers. She didn't even glance in their direction. Instead she reached into her pocket and held out an earbud to him. His lips twitched at the gesture. He took it wordlessly and wedged it into his ear. Their song began to play and his body instantly relaxed at the tune. Her arms encircled his neck as she stepped further into him and pressed her temple to his. They vanished into the song.
Standing there with Sharon in his arms he couldn't believe he just up and left. The last two weeks had taken a toll on him and sent him into a downward spiral of fear and anxiety. Every time he started to feel like himself again, something would remind him that Zemo was free. Just the thought of losing everything he had worked for made him feel numb and empty. He couldn't lose all the progress he had made in starting a new life. He couldn't lose Sam and he certainly couldn't lose Sharon. And then all his worst nightmares came true. Zemo. The Winter Soldier. Hurting the people he loved. It all came true. He was blinded in fear and all he could think about was running. He needed to run as far away from Sam and Sharon as possible and not look back until his mind was safe again.
Bucky knew standing here with Sharon wasn't enough to subdue his fear and heal his mind, but it was a start. He couldn't believe he let his mind convince him to run away from her instead of let her help him. What ever happened after this moment was going to be hard, but at least they would do it together. He wouldn't have to do it alone. Not this time. Sure, if he did go back to Wakanda he would probably go alone, but it would be with the support and love of Sharon and Sam. And it wouldn't be running, it would be making a choice to separate for his well-being.
Sharon's hands slid to the sides of his neck when the song ended. He could feel her fingers gently scraping through his scruff. She loved the feel of his scruff. Her eyes were open and wide as she peered up at him.
"James." He knew that look. She was trying to find the words to say what was on her mind. Her eyes were glassy and her lip trembled ever so slightly as she fought to speak. He gave her a gentle smile and tucked a golden lock behind her ear. He knew exactly what she was trying to say. He bent to place a slow kiss on her mouth.
"I love you too Sharon." He whispered against her lips.
CARTER
He loved her. She bit back a smile as they walked slowly around the house to the front. His arm was slung over her shoulders while hers was wrapped around his middle. She felt him pull her in and place a kiss to her head. He loved her. This wasn't how she imagined them professing their love to each other, but then again, when had anything about their relationship been normal or gone the way they planned?
Sharon was sure Bucky felt her tense when they rounded the corner of the house to find Steve and Sam sitting on the porch and talking. Their conversation faltered and they stood as soon as they spied the couple.
Sharon's eyes drank in Steve's form. Behind the wrinkles she could still see the same handsome man she once thought would be her future. She had so many things she wanted to ask and so many things she wanted to shout in his face. The big one being 'why?' Why did he leave her and go back? Why did he make her feel like she was nothing to him?
Bucky's thumb was stroking along her shoulder. She turned her head to find him looking down at her. He gave her a hesitant smile. If she wanted to yell at Steve he would let her. Hell, he might join her. But looking into his piercing blue eyes, it didn't matter anymore. Steve left and in return she gained Bucky. Bucky was all that mattered to her now. Her grip on his middle tightened.
She turned back to Steve and gave him a cordial nod. "Captain Rogers."
"Neighbor." Her lips flipped into a small smile. "Take good care of them Sharon." Even as an old man, Sharon could read his eyes and body language like it was just yesterday that he was flirting with her in the hallway of their apartment building. She could see the genuine care in his eyes. The acceptance that the boys were no longer his, but they were hers now. They were the new Golden Cap Trio.
"I will Steve."
Sam clapped a hand on Steve's back. "It's really good to see you Cap, but if you don't mind, we'd like to take our boy home." His gaze and proud smile turned to Bucky. They were both ready to take Bucky home and move forward with their lives and getting him help.
"Actually, if you two don't mind. I'd like to talk to Steve for a bit before I go." Bucky chimed in. Both Sam and Sharon hesitated at his request. "I promise I won't run." His hand slipped from Sharon's shoulder and captured her hand quickly to give it a reassuring squeeze. He pulled the bag from his shoulder and handed it to her.
"Okay." She let him step away and up onto the porch. Sam was at her side when Bucky gave them one last fleeting look before following Steve into the house.
"Come on, he's not going anywhere this time." Sam's arm replaced Bucky's around her shoulders as he steered her to the car.
"What are the chances they aren't talking about me?"
Sam snorted. "Slim to none." He tugged her a little closer. "Let's go get a burger or something while we wait."
"You know me too well." Sam chuckled.
BARNES
"Why didn't you tell me about Sharon?" Bucky ran a hand down his face at Steve's question. He hadn't even sat down before the words were cutting through the air. Steve had a knowing smirk on his face and curious eyes. It was such a familiar look that sent Bucky right back to the old days. It was the look Steve gave when he was about to learn something very interesting to him. Like a juicy secret was about to be revealed.
A shot of annoyance ran through him. "Why did you leave her?" Steve's face went from amused to surprised in a flash. "I don't know whether to hit you or shake your hand for leaving Sharon. Do you even realize what you put her through? You sneak around with her for over a year and then just leave her with a shitty phone call and the assumption that all that time together meant nothing to you?" His voice was getting louder the longer he raved at his old best friend.
"It was wrong how I left things with her. I was selfish at the time."
Bucky pointed an accusing finger at Steve. "You're damn right you were!"
"Buck-"
"She fucking loved you Steve! What a slap in the face it was to find out from Sam and I that you went back in time to be with Peggy who she idolized. And thank you for making Sam and I the ones who had to tell her. What a great conversation that was." He snapped sarcastically.
"I was grieving and could have handled it better." Steve was choosing his words carefully. "I could have handled a lot of things better." Bucky blew out a long breath and finally collapsed onto the couch across from Steve. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. They'd had a very similar conversation the night before about Steve just up and leaving, only it was Sam their conversation revolved around. The weight of the legacy and shield that Steve thrust onto him as a black man in America. Bucky spared no detail in what they went through in losing the shield twice and getting it back as well as the emotional toll it took on Sam. Well, except for all the details that involved Sharon.
"Why didn't you tell me Buck?" He repeated his earlier question.
"Because it took me a long time to stop seeing myself as your replacement." He finally admitted. Steve's eyes softened and his shoulders slumped at the honesty of his statement. "It took both of us a long time to get over the loss of losing you. And we denied our feelings for so long because of it." He scrubbed a hand down his face. "Our friendship was built around our mutual loss of you and there is so much complicated history that tells me it shouldn't work, but it does. And I was worried if you knew and I acknowledged that you are actually still here with us then I would spiral down a dark path of 'what-ifs?' involving you and Sharon and ruin everything between us. I can't fuck this up. I can't lose her. I love her Steve."
"Buck." If he closed his eyes he could picture Steve in his prime saying his name exactly like that.
"I understand why you went back for Peggy. I know you were grieving and scared and it felt like there was nothing left for you here once the dust settled." Two pairs of blue eyes met. "I wish you had seen that you could have retired and stayed with us, but I understand wanting to go back for Peggy. I would do the same thing if it was Sharon. You can't help who you love."
Steve gave that sad smile that the trio always joked was his puppy face. "No you can't."
"The world is so screwed up Steve. And I miss the hell out of you…" It struck him that this could be the last time he sees Steve for a long time or potentially again. "I wish you could be out there with us, but I understand now better than before why you did it. The more we fight the more I hope for the day I can walk away and just be happy with my life. To settle down with someone." He offered a bitter smile. "But every time I think my past is behind me it finds a way to come back and haunt me and ruin my future."
Steve leaned forward and put a hand on his shoulder. "Shuri will get your sorted out and this time you will be completely free of the Winter Soldier. You have a bright future ahead of you, Buck. And Sam and Sharon, they are your future. I don't need to be a mind reader to know that they won't rest until your happy and have found your place in the world. They love you. She loves you. And when this is all over, you'll get your happy ending."
CARTER
The next morning the trio found themselves standing in front of a Wakandan jet sent to pick up Bucky. King T'Challa himself decided to make the trip along with Okoye, Ayo, and Shuri. Bucky was visibly relieved to be going with them. Pleasantries were given as the small party stepped off the jet to greet them. Bucky said his goodbyes to Sam first. Sharon was mildly surprised to see the two embrace before Bucky turned to her. He and Sharon had a long conversation the night before about their relationship going forward. They knew this wasn't the end for them, but it didn't stop the tears from falling as they held each other in the darkness of their room.
"This isn't goodbye." His hands came to her face.
"Nope." She said with a half-hearted 'pop.' She pulled something from her bag and handed it to him. He smiled at the familiar Spider-man lunch box. "Snacks for the trip." She said with an innocent smile. His thumb brushed her bottom lip before capturing her lips with his. All joking aside, she was going to miss him. A piece of her heart was about to leave her for an indefinite amount of time. She pressed her mouth more firmly to his, unsure of when she would get to feel them against hers again.
"Please tell me if you have to go back into cryo." She was slightly breathless when she pulled from him.
"I will." Her hands gripped him a little tighter. "I promise no cryo unless Shuri finds it necessary."
"Guys, it's time." They turned at Sam's voice and nodded in understanding.
Bucky's hands tugged her in close one last time. "I love you."
"I love you too." She placed one last soft kiss on his mouth before stepping out of his grasp. His eyes were sad as he watched Sam step up next to her and wrap an arm around her shoulders in comfort. Him and Sam shared one last knowing nod before he followed their Wakandan friends up the ramp of the jet. Sharon and Sam stood back and watched from the tarmac until the jet was out of sight and their friend was officially gone.