Training to fly the spaceship hadn't taken very long. It was a Kree ship, brought to Earth by Asgardian refugees. Thor had set the autopilot and instructed Sam and Bucky on the basics: powering up and down, minor landing adjustments, communications systems. The ship was small, and its cockpit bore a notable familiarity to other craft Sam had flown over the years. But this was different, because outside the cockpit windows was the deep expanse of space instead of blue skies.

Sam was in the pilot's seat, with Bucky next to him in the co-pilot's. They were alone in the spacecraft, not willing to risk any more lives on their quest to find Steve. Sam snuck a peek at Bucky, who had been in much the same pose for the past hour, looking out the window with a rapturous expression on his face.

Sam chuckled, and Bucky managed to tear his gaze from the stars. At Sam's raised eyebrow, Bucky excitedly said, "We're in space."

"That we are, Barnes."

"Hey, I understand you were born after the first Moon landing, so this is all normal to you…" Bucky broke off as Sam started to laugh.

"I'm freaking out as much as you are." Sam sighed and enjoyed the view for a moment. The beauty overwhelmed him. "Man, we're in space."

"Yeah." Bucky's smiled dimmed. "How much longer till we land on Vormir?"

"Forty-eight Earth minutes." Sam gestured at a readout on the control panel. "Thor kindly reprogrammed all of the output into Earth units."

Bucky shook his head as he looked back out of the window. "So many impossible things have happened to me over the years. I keep thinking it has to come to an end some time."

Sam heard the melancholy in Bucky's voice and knew he was thinking of the mission ahead of them. He tried to sound more confident than he felt. "I have a feeling it won't end today."

Sam become the subject of a penetrating stare. Then Bucky spoke softly.

"You're doing a good job as Captain America. Made good judgment calls, assembled a good team. Followed your gut on when to disobey orders."

Sam was surprised, but undeniably pleased, by this turn in conversation. "I just keep trying to do what Steve would do."

"You don't need to be more like Steve. You're doing a good job as Sam Wilson."

Sam felt that sinking sensation in his gut when thinking about his inherited role. "Captain America is a symbol, a superhero".

"Falcon was a superhero, too. You've got this, Sam."

"Steve was a better leader."

Bucky clearly wanted to say something, but hesitated. Sam need to hear it. "What?"

Bucky gnawed on his lower lip before deciding what to say. "Steve could be a great leader, but never really invested in it. He thought he worked better on his own."

Sam defensively responded, "He was great with our team."

"I'm not saying he wasn't. But he never attained a true comfort level with all of you. Steve never really believed, deep down, that he was worthy of a team. That people would follow him."

"Not even you?"

Bucky's eyes lost a bit of their focus as he reached back into his memories. "People in the old neighborhood thought I was nice to let Steve hang out with me. He heard them talk. They never saw how grateful I was to be his friend. I'm not sure he truly trusted in it, either. And if he couldn't believe me, of all people, how could he have ever truly thought people wanted him just for him?"

Sam thought back to the day of the battle over the Potomac. Steve's speech had inspired a revolt, and Sam had envied his easy leadership since that day. Hell, he'd followed Steve around the world, in violation of the law, the feeling in his heart and his gut based on that speech. But now, in hindsight, it was clear Steve had meant what he said about the price he was willing to pay, not knowing if anyone else would agree.

Bucky observed Sam as he was putting the pieces together. "Let me put it to you this way. It would not have come as any surprise to Steve that the Howling Commandos and I were mentioned so prominently in his biographies, but he would have been shocked to have been more than an honorable mention in ours. Because he thought we were the special ones, and he never moved on from being that sickly, stubborn kid who only knew how to be on his own. And if you didn't see him that way, it's because he didn't let you."

Sam knew Steve wielded his facade like his shield and felt more than a little guilt about how much of that act he bought into. "How about you, Barnes? Was he still that kid to you?"

"I loved that scrawny kid from Brooklyn." Bucky smiled sadly. "I still do."

"What did you see in him?" Because as much as he had tried, Sam couldn't envision Steve before the serum, and he had at his side the only man alive who knew who Steve Rogers had really been.

"He was the kind of guy that would have helped all of those hateful people who bullied him if something bad happened to them, because it would have been the right thing to do." Bucky explained, as if it were the simplest truth in his world.

And suddenly Sam realized they had to have the conversation about what awaited them on Vormir. Bucky knew it, too, because he leaned towards Sam and joked, "So don't do anything down there, because I don't love you and your sacrifice would be in vain."

"Barnes…"

Bucky interrupted him. "Seriously, though, you know it has to be me, right?"

"We don't know what will happen down there."

"I do. The universe has wanted it to be me or Steve, not me and Steve, ever since I received that damned draft notice. It has to be me."

Sam was not willing to accept that. "We'll see how it plays out."

"If there is a chance to save him, I'm taking it." Bucky's voice trailed off, becoming a whisper. "He's saved me so many times."

The two men remained silent until an indicator started flashing and a planet loomed in front of them.

Both burst into nervous laughter. "That's a planet, Wilson."

"Sure doesn't seem welcoming."

"Did… did we already spend five years here?"

"I don't think so." Sam's heart rate increased. "Why?"

"Just… something seems familiar."

Sam didn't have time to ask what Bucky meant because the ship began a rapid descent towards the ground. Both men gripped the arms of their chairs as they plummeted towards the coordinates provided by Clint. Quicker than Sam would have thought possible, they landed safely.

Sam couldn't help but be amazed. "We are on the surface of another planet."

"Not even one in our solar system."

"I wish we had the time to enjoy it." The two men shared a brief, wistful glance at each other.

They geared up, although they knew weapons would likely be of no assistance to them here. As they were about to open the hatch, Bucky asked, "You sure the air is safe to breathe?"

"Um, Clint said it was." Sam pushed a button. "Here goes nothing."

The door opened and a ramp extended towards the ground. After a brief hesitation, Bucky walked down the ramp. When he reached the bottom, he gingerly placed one foot, then the other, on the ground. He turned and flashed an irrepressible grin back up at Sam. "I'm standing on another planet!"

Sam observed Bucky, a man who believed he was going to his death, willingly sacrificing himself to save the man he loved, and yet still experiencing wonder in the moment. It was a lesson Sam wanted to take to heart in his duties as Captain America. From Steve, he'd learned about duty and justice. From Natasha, he'd learned adaptability and to never underestimate anyone. And from Bucky, he was learning about resilience and capacity for joy, remarkable for someone who had suffered so much. Sam forced himself to be playful as he hoped they both survived this day. "Did they know there were other planets back in your day?"

"Fuck you, Wilson."

Sam joined Bucky on the ground and was helpless to prevent a smile at the fact he was on another world. He was about to say something when Bucky embraced him, a quick brotherly hug. "Thanks for everything you've done for me and Steve, Sam. You're a good man."

"You're a good man, too. You know that, right?"

Bucky avoided answering by squeezing Sam's shoulder, then the two men began to ascend the cliff face. Clint had told them there was a rocky, temple-like structure at the top and there might be someone there to greet them.

Clint was right.

Sam and Bucky quietly approached the figure shrouded in a flowing hood and cloak. When the figure turned around, Bucky surprised Sam by laughing. "Of course."

"Barnes, who is that?"

"One of my personal demons." When Bucky noticed Sam wasn't satisfied, he added, "Red Skull. Johann Schmidt. The man who orchestrated my torture back in the war."

"Jesus." A shiver ran through Sam as he suspected this new complication would prevent Bucky from getting out of this alive. "How the hell did he get here?"

As the two men drew closer to him, Red Skull finally spoke.

"Samuel Thomas Wilson, son of Darlene, son of Paul. Welcome to Vormir."

Sam figured it wouldn't hurt to nod.

"Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes, son of Winifred, son of George. I have been expecting you."

This, more than the chill of the wind raised goosebumps on Sam's skin. He glanced over to Bucky, who was staring at Red Skull. Bucky took a step forward and motioned for Sam to stay back.

"Sergeant Barnes, you are here for Captain Rogers."

"Yes."

"You crossed vast distances between the stars in the slim, almost certainly futile hope to save him."

"Yes."

"And you are aware this world demands sacrifice for any transactions."

"Yes."

"Are you willing to sacrifice yourself to save Captain Rogers?"

"Yes."

"How do you know he is still alive?"

Bucky took a deep breath and surveyed his surreal environs. His body language relaxed. "I feel him."

Sam watched as an air of contentment settled over Bucky.

Red Skull asked, "Are you so certain you would die just in the small chance he could live?"

Bucky walked over to the edge of the cliff and looked over. "Falling off of a cliff." Sam heard him chuckle before he said, "This isn't even the first time I've done this."

"Barnes, don't."

Sam's breath caught in his throat as Bucky turned his back to the cliff and favored Sam with a jaunty salute and a bright smile. "It's gonna be okay, Sam."

Then Bucky threw himself backwards.

Steve appeared by Sam's side, just in time to see Bucky disappear.

"No!"

Sam grabbed Steve's arm, struggling to hold him in place. He gave Steve a quick once over. He seemed healthy, but emotionally shattered. "Steve, stay with me."

"I'm sorry." Steve clasped Sam's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze while removing it from his arm in spite of Sam's best efforts. "You don't understand, Sam. I can't lose him again. If I do, I'll never really be alive. This time I'm going after him, the way I should have all those years ago."

Sam watched in horror as Steve broke free and ran towards the edge of the cliff, not looking at Red Skull, not breaking stride, flying over the edge at full speed.

A mist started to rise around Sam. He couldn't move, not to raise his arms or to turn his head. He found it difficult to breathe. Red Skull's voice surrounded him. "It seems the Soul Stone has been satisfied. Leave now, and do not return. Next time, you will not be so lucky."

When the mist cleared, Sam was back in the cockpit of the spacecraft.

And he was not alone.

"Steve?"

Sam heard Bucky's voice, and he turned to see the two men staring at each other.

"Oh my god, Bucky?"

Sam's eyes filled with tears as he watched Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes pat each other down, performing a quick once-over for injuries like they must have done a thousand times before. And then they embraced. They rested their foreheads together, breathing in each other's scent. The intimacy of the gesture caused Sam's heart to swell with happiness to see his friends united.

Bucky eventually pulled away and tilted his head towards Sam. Sam suddenly had his arms full of super soldier. The tears flowed down his own cheeks then. "It is so good to have you back, Steve."

"Thank you." Steve clapped Sam on the back and stepped away. "Thank you both for finding me."

Bucky nodded, lost for words as he quickly wiped tears from his eyes.

Steve sobered at that. "How long?"

Sam answered. "It's been a little over a year."

Steve turned towards Bucky, his face full of dismay. He reached for Bucky, who stepped back. "I'll let the two of you catch up. I'm gonna get some rest, if that's okay with you, Sam?"

"Yeah." Sam gave Bucky a quick hug. "I'm glad you're still with us."

"Me, too." Bucky ducked his head shyly, then disappeared into the back of the ship.

Steve stared in the direction Bucky had taken. Sam knew Steve wanted to follow, but Bucky clearly needed some time alone. He put his arm around Steve's shoulders and said, "C'mon, Steve. Be my co-pilot. Let's go home."