I had the pleasure of working with fluma_z ("fluma_z" on Instagram) on a warm and cozy illustration she created to accompany this chapter.

Please check out this chapter on Archive of Our Own to see the art and link to her social media pages see more of her wonderful art!

Once again: A *huge* thanks to her for capturing such a sweet, warm, if a bit melancholy story beat.

Simply search for: "KLeCrone Ao3 Winter of the White Wolf"

Winter of the White Wolf

Chapter 64 - Sunrises over Shackles

Sam was well aware that the problems spinning around the world didn't stop and take a load off simply because it was sunrise somewhere, but two lessons he learned early and often were that no matter how busy you were, you don't skip breakfast, and that the best meals were the ones where everyone chipped in.

Sometimes, it was the obvious stuff, like cookin' up an heirloom family recipe, takin' turns on the grill, or helpin' out the hosts by picking up some odds and ends to supplement that beautiful spread of food. Ice, pop, and napkins just had a way of… showing up, often in the hands of friends of friends that may not have been on the initial invite, but were welcome all the same.

Folks fell into the regular rhythm of settin' out the tablecloths and organizing the cutlery, but most were just as happy to lend a hand cleanin' up after. And when they did, they'd be liable to be standing around catching up on gossip while one group helped scoop up heaping piles of leftovers into mismatched, but very much well-loved tupperware, and the other made sure those iron skillets and serving trays were cleaned-up and returned to their proper owners.

And meals out here on the mountain? Sam could appreciate they had more'n a whiff of that poignant intermingling of kitchen camaraderie, casual conversation, and astoundingly good grub. It was hard to believe it'd only been five days since he'd been back in Delacroix eating country ham, gravy, grits, and home fries with Buck, Sarah, and his nephews. And now…?

Well, presently he was standing out on a mountain clearing hovering over a vibranium-powered camping stove trying to turn the raw materials his smart mouth had requested into something that approximated Southern cooking, and wouldn't bring shame to the Wilson family name.

On the far side of the valley, he could make out a series of towering waterfalls off in the distance that danced and glistened in the morning light. Warrior Falls, they'd called it. At Shuri's prompting, he'd gotten out that Wakandan phone of his and taken advantage of its advanced optics to zoom in and snap some photos and frame up a quick video for Sarah, Cass, and AJ as his way of check-in and letting them know that, true to his word: he was holdin' up okay, all things considered. Even though things weren't resolved, it felt good that she wasn't in the dark about at least the broad strokes of why 'Bucky' wasn't part of those long-distance communications. Sarah didn't prod him about the details, either. She just layered on that warm blanket of sisterly support from a distance, and Sam appreciated every drop of it tenfold.

So yeah, maybe he was man enough to admit that Shuri'd been right about leaning into his sister for support rather than trying to take it all on himself.

He thought about messaging Rhodey, but ehhh… that could wait until after this next round of breakfast. That'd give him time to take some more photos of the food for bragging rights. Though at this rate, he was only a few steps shy of turning into Yama, what with her penchant for documenting her ongoing food adventures.

He smiled: there were worse fates to be sure.

Though the people shuffling and standing around nearby didn't draw attention to it, Sam caught most of them taking a moment now and then to send and receive messages of their own. It wasn't Sam's business to pry for details about their private lives, but the sight of it was oddly humanizing, and it made him wonder if Buck knew any of the folks on the other end of their messages too, too.

What Sam hadn't expected was that while he was cooking, Yama would take a decided interest in helping him set up a number of regional apps on his new phone using a remote interface that was seamless as it was straightforward. In a few gestures of her fingers over her own Kimoyo beads and an acceptance prompt from his end, Yama added a page of new apps for him to take a look at at his convenience, including a few that had food icons.

"You can customize the news and social algorithms manually if you wish," Yama added from just to his left while she worked on another round of thick flapjacks with the practiced efficiency of someone that came from a family with more'n a few mouths to feed. "Our filtering options are quite useful when attempting to search out sublime examples of artistically presented foods or remarkably photogenic animals." The flapjacks went airborne with a quick flip of her wrist and sizzled as they settled on their opposite sides, "Or in best cases: both. Our local zoos put a lot of effort into celebrating the birthdays of many of the animals with special enrichment foods catered to their tastes."

"You know it's borderline cruel to say something like that and then not show me photos, right?"

Yama rolled her shoulders, "I would have assumed you might like to visit at some point so that you can see such celebrations for yourself."

"Deal. Put that on our itinerary."

"That will be after you meet with the Screaming Avengers," Yama specified.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Sam was quick to agree. Not to be outdone, he was amused, but not a drop surprised when he saw an animated icon for "Suit and Drone Tutorials" pop up in the top right corner of his screen. From a few steps away, Shuri herself, "I will not have you forget the remaining tutorials I mentioned in preference to browsing our robust social media networks."

"Never. Cross my heart."

To his right, the Princess of Wakanda simply smiled and briefly refocused her genius-level intellect to calculate just how much soiled cutlery and accouterments she could discreetly cram into the rear-hatch of a returning black and purple food delivery drone. You wouldn't've known she was multitasking by the ease in which she continued on about the intricacies of his phone, "I set the default language to English, which will automatically translate content posted in other languages, but there is a symbol at the tail-end you can click on in order to access the original sources and alternative translations."

"That's some incredible tech," Sam noted appreciatively as he returned his full attention to the contents of his saucepan so those grits of his didn't burn or dry-out around the edges.

Shuri was making use out of every square centimeter in the underbelly of that drone, "I might've considered remarking that the translations would come as no surprise to someone that had finished the custom tutorials I made specifically for them, but…"

"Yeah yeah," a pause, "Wait… the suit does that too?"

Was she rolling her eyes? "Both the visual field as well as audio, yes."

"Well that's sure to come in handy when I'm out and about," Sam remarked, "Thanks."

"It wouldn't be any trouble for one of us to do a trash run after breakfast, my Princess," Yama politely interjected between skilled flips of her skillet.

"Oh, this will be fine," Shuri insisted, but Sam didn't miss her double-checking the load-limit before she forced the rear hatch of the drone closed and set that baby transport hobbling into the air again.

Meals out here had become an easy-going blend of whatever was on-hand supplemented with the Wakandan equivalent of GrubHub, which Sam'd quick learned delivered both fresh groceries and take-out by way of flashy little remote drones emblazoned with animated mascots that looked like they'd been pulled right out of a sci-fi movie. Which, all things considered: he was probably livin' in, now that he thought about it. Even before he met up with bonafide gods and aliens…?

Yeah, that tracked too.

When had real-life gotten so weird?

But aside from the occasional delivery drone and that orange force-field surrounding Barnes, this out here felt closer to normal than it probably had any right to. Like some glorified cookout out in the mountains.

While folks took turns working over the burners and chowing down on the latest delicacies that'd flown in courtesy of Mamma and Ch'toa's culinary magic, Shuri returned to pacing about the edges of the camp, stopping only to, by the looks of it, place a follow-up order for another one of those espresso drinks Sam was fairly certain were sent over directly from the Design Center itself.

A few steps closer to the undulating orange dome, Ayo pretended not to notice Shuri's latest exploits, but that crooked eyebrow of hers said enough as she silently watched Shuri pace between sips of her latest drink with one hand, while the other floated over a holographic text display that drew her full-attention.

As breakfast had gotten rolling, Sam didn't miss that Shuri grew increasingly preoccupied with pouring over any number of messages and charts that Sam got the feeling probably related to one or more of her patients. While it was easy to presume Barnes was her sole focus, Sam'd seen M'yra and others enough to know that Shuri's responsibilities extended far beyond one transplanted foreigner and his scenic mountain top resort.

So yeah, Sam wasn't about to distract her or give her guff while she stretched her legs and moved about, head-down in her responsibilities.

A few steps beyond Ayo, Barnes was crouched down watching Nomble portion out rich heapings of shakshuka into individual serving bowls while she eagerly explained its history and various regional flavor profiles. Sam didn't miss that though no one had brought up that over the passing hours, everyone outside the dome had progressively shifted their rustic kitchenette setup increasingly closer to Barnes, as if everyone had an unspoken interest in ensuring he didn't feel excluded, even if it was only from casual courses of breakfast interspersed with preparations for whatever was up next on the docket.

Which yeah, he wasn't ashamed to admit it was still a bit of a head-trip watching the Dora patiently explain the finer steps of table manners and kitchen etiquette to someone that was a shade closer to the Winter Soldier than he all-around looked, "Is this food one you eat with your fingers?" he inquired to Nomble, intently observing the thickened tomato-red dish that was topped with poached eggs, minced, parsley and cilantro.

"Yes. It is considered a pairing consumed using pieces of bread as a vehicle."

"Not fufu?"

"Not customarily."

Barnes made a quizzical face, "Who make up all these rules? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just… roll it together into a nutrient-infused wrap?"

"As long as you do not bring shame to Mamma and Ch'toa's shakshuka by calling it a 'burrito,' you may of course eat it however you wish."

Sam snorted privately as Nomble prompted Barnes to sample the drippings, but he caught Yama watching him add just a bit more cream to the grits he was presently stirring with the focus of someone who was privately taking notes, "I take it you're cross-comparing it to your own recipes?"

Yama smiled, "We call it many things, but we do not usually add so much cheese."

"Well, your taste buds are obviously missing out." He caught Ayo casually listening in from nearby and figured it was apt to include her in the budding conversation, "Have either of you had the pleasure of visiting anywhere near my neck of the woods in Louisiana? We have some great food that'll put my hacksaw culinary attempts here to shame."

Now what was interesting, was that as innocent as his question was, he caught two very different expressions float over Yama and Ayo's faces at the mention. Yama's grew curious as she slowly adjusted her attention from her flapjacks to Ayo, while Ayo lowered her gaze to those heat-seared delicacies as if they suddenly required her full and undivided attention, "I did not do much sightseeing on my visit. It was intended as an educational excursion."

"Oh?"

She took a measured breath before she slowly responded, "Early in my service to the Dora Milaje, my sisters and I toured a number of historical locations, including the Whitney Plantation. It was arranged in preparation for a mission to a nearby state."

Sam sucked in a breath at that, quickly adding for Yama's benefit, "It's the only museum in Louisiana with an exclusive focus on the lives of the enslaved people that lived there. Heavy place." He turned his attention towards Ayo, "I'm surprised folks out here'd even heard of it, no less were interested in walkin' it firsthand."

Ayo paused to consider her next words before she spoke, "Even before Wakanda re-entered the world, there have been… complicated feelings… regarding our role on the world's stage. It is not my place to critique such things, nor the decisions made by those before me," she was quick to add, "But it has been important to not to turn a blind eye to the world and feign these events, distanced by time, did not happen. And moreover, that the press of them does not still impact the world we now openly share."

Sam could appreciate that Ayo's words, candid as they were, lacked a politician's grace that might've pushed things aside. Made excuses. Justified past decisions. Instead, the rawness of them just hung out in the open like laundry pinned to a clothes line. Who among the Wakandans had known way back what was going on elsewhere in the world? Why hadn't they chosen to get involved? If they had, how might things've unfolded differently?

A blazing ember in Sam's gut wanted to insist that anything would have been preferable to the harsh reality that history laid at their feet and at the bottom of the ocean, but who was to say this place wouldn't've fallen too? Wouldn't have been pillaged piece-by-piece right alongside so many others. Their tech? Claimed as a victor's prize, only to be used against the next set of people that dared to stand up to them.

So how might thing've gone, if they'd gone differently? The truth was? They'd never know. Not Ayo. Not Sam. Not any number of the silent bones of those that'd come before and been washed away by someone else's history books.

As they stood in that lingering silence with unspoken questions waving in the wind like musty old laundry someone forgot to pull in, Sam could tell Ayo was doing her best to gently adjust the prevailing tone of their discussion into something more palatable. She tried, at least, "But the meal I had after was good. It was simply soured by the knowledge of what I'd recently seen firsthand, especially when compared to Wakanda's own history during those years. It is not a pleasant comparison to think that when our 'Ilanga Khozi' first took to the sky in 1793..."

Ayo didn't complete her thought, but she didn't need to. Sam knew where she'd been headed. That around the time the Wakandans were figuring out the logistics of manned flight, just a short distance away, people were being torn from their homes and packed tight onto ships, all in the name of satisfying a distant cry for volunteering someone else's battered hands to pick their damn crops.

So yeah. Touchy subject.

"As you might imagine there are… varying degrees of guilt and regret surrounding these and similar topics, regardless of if they predate our own lives," Ayo noted somberly.

"The times are changing, though," Yama observed, and something in the way Ayo's attention swiftly turned to her made Sam wonder if Yama's choice to speak was with Ayo's blessing, or because she too was curious what her younger Lieutenant had to say. "Respectively," Yama added, "It has changed for us too. For Wakanda. For even the Dora Milaje."

Yeah, there was a warning in Ayo's deep brown eyes for Yama to tread carefully, but tread forward she did, "Even I was brought up in a time when we kept our sciences and technologies to ourselves. When we kept to old ways and did not question them. But now there are new generations growing up after periods of great strife, after we made ourselves known to the world. Still others have known nothing else, or deepened their education and training during or after the Decimation, and—"

"—It creates discontent over what of the old ways should still serve us," Ayo cut in, "Especially those of us that have chosen to serve Wakanda without question."

Sam got the impression there was a whole other layer of conversations happening between the two of them, and he was just doin' his best to keep up. "...Is this about the… 'Battle of Mount Bashenga,' was it? The civil war that happened here?"

He caught the hitch in Ayo's breathing at the mention, "It was… complicated."

"It was not nearly so complicated from where I stood," a pause, "my Chief."

And boy were Ayo's eyes saying something to Yama just then. Whole paragraphs. Entire chapters even. It wasn't anger or hurt so much as maybe, just maybe Yama was daring to say the quiet parts out loud. The parts Ayo couldn't say.

But Yama didn't shy away from Ayo's gaze. Didn't bend. Her young face wasn't accusatory so much as brimming with poignant empathy and understanding. Like whatever it was they'd experienced or seen, she'd held that molten metal in her hands too. That she had her own guilt, and that her way of showing she respected Ayo and what she stood for was her willingness to speak her peace in the hopes of something better.

In the hopes of helping work together towards something better.

And Sam could respect that. He could respect that maybe even more than either of 'em knew.

Or maybe they did? Maybe that was part of why the conversation'd been permitted to continue at all? Because under all the glamour and technology, the poise and resolve: they were flesh and blood too, and they were just as susceptible to the fragile push and pull of the gravity of humanity as he or anyone else.

Yama inclined her head slightly in what Sam took as a signal that she had said her peace and was now in agreement with steering the conversation towards lighter topics. "Did you travel abroad before your first international mission?" Her words smoothly pivoted the conversation with practiced skill as she placed the three flapjacks she was working on the blue ceramic plate beside her and poured the batter for another set.

Sam shook his head as he stirred his saucepan of heavy grits, "No. First made my way out across the Atlantic courtesy of the United States Air Force. You?"

"Like you, I did not travel widely before I pledged myself of service." A faint smile made its way across her face as she flipped her skillet, "When I was very young, I was told to become an esteemed member of the Dora Milaje would entail a great deal of travel! Unfortunately, I would come to learn that the child on the playground that once told me this secret likely confused these responsibilities with our Hatut Zeraze. Our War Dogs." Yama shrugged her shoulders, "But now I go wherever Wakanda needs me. And I honor Bast with hope and prayer that notable, photo-worthy foods accompany such continued responsibilities."

"We have vacations too," Ayo deadpanned.

Her remark lured out his smile alongside it, "Well if either of you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, I'll be sure to give you a culinary tour."

"...Would you wear the suit?" Yama slyly inquired with that mischievous smirk of hers.

"Yama!"

"I am only asking!"

Sam's grin widened, and he spared a moment to glance to where Nomble was busy pulling up a display over palm with that might've been about plants or maybe spices she was showcasing for Barnes, who was now helping her portion out the next round of grub.

Sam returned his attention to that skillet of grits, "Did both of you manage to get some sleep in between the Battle Yoga, I hope?"

"Enough," Ayo acquiesced, though Sam was fairly certain she was doing her best to stifle a yawn.

"How long were you up before I was?" He didn't miss that at his question, Ayo shot a glance to Yama, as if instructing her by will alone to not answer on her behalf.

In response, Yama just shrugged nonchalantly and continued flipping those flapjacks of hers.

"A few hours," Ayo admitted. "A bit before sunrise. Once we discovered a method that appeared fruitful, none of us were eager to return to our planned schedules."

"You might've chosen to wake me," Shuri's remark floated back into the conversation from a few steps away. Her tone bordered on reprimand, and Sam didn't miss that the Princess's comment had a way of prompting Ayo to be swiftly reminded of Barnes's presence close by.

"I considered it, but the experience I sought to draw out was not one you were present for."

At that, Sam watched Shuri's eyes narrow, and he got the decided impression these two were verging on having that conversation. The sticky one he'd felt brewing under the surface just before first breakfast. And boy could Sam feel the silent questions floating in the air between them.

But before either of them could say another word, Yama adjusted her shoulders and swiftly announced, "I think others nearby might benefit from my company, so I will make myself useful closer to the dome." And just like that, she pivoted on her heel and smoothly exited the developing confrontation, leaving Sam alone with Shuri doing that stern, unwavering glare of hers into the side of Ayo's cheek. It reminded Sam maybe a bit too much about what it was like to be over at a friend's house when you knew their parents were converging on a warpath.

And just as uncomfortable.

"I could…?" Sam began, but Shuri promptly shook her head, bringing up a familiar control on her wrist to dampen the local audio from the outside world. If Sam had to guess? She was gearing up to have a little privacy for whatever conversation was brewing between the two of them.

"No, I should prefer you to be present for this. I've no desire for secrets between us," Shuri's next words were locked squarely on Ayo, "including those kept from me from my own Dora."

Ayo flinched a little at that, but Shuri just kept right on going, "None of you made mention of anything I might've classified as 'Heightened Events' in the week before you first spoke the code words nearly seven years ago."

"There was work to be done in the time between and the time after," Ayo reasoned. And to her credit? She stayed firm, even under the Princess's rising scrutiny.

"How serious?"

Sam caught the first chink in Ayo's armor, "I was briefly knocked unconscious. It was an accident. Nothing more."

…Yeah… Sam got the impression that probably wasn't the whole story.

"I would have you be direct. If you choose not to, I will ask Barnes. He would not be so unnecessarily vague and dodgy."

Ayo's face soured and she waved a hand dismissively, "He was panicked that I suffered far greater harm, but I am telling you the truth: I was only knocked unconscious for a time. Nothing more, nothing less. Yama checked me over in the time after to ensure I was well enough to continue training."

"In 2016? Yama had only basic medical training."

"Now you are splitting hairs." A pause. "My Princess."

Sam did his best to focus on adding just a little more cream to his saucepan full of grits. Yep. This was exactly what it was like way back when he used to have supper over at the Robinsons. The adults had a way of mincing choice words with each other while polite company pretended not to notice, working to finish their meals just as quickly as possible so they could be excused from the table and the tension right along with it.

"Ayo…"

Yeah, Sam recognized that tone.

At her stated name, Ayo glanced to Sam, self-conscious that she was presently locked in debate with Shuri while he stood nearby making himself useful over that saucepan of grits.

Yeah, Sam was thinking maybe he should've taken Yama's lead on a smooth exit.

Shuri only crossed her arms defiantly, "Do not think that because Sam Wilson is presently in audience with us that I will not seek clarity on what happened, so I might understand why you chose to draw that specific memory out — without waking me — and why it was, apparently, successful."

Ayo's expression reshaped itself once, twice before she spoke, but Sam was beginning to get the distinct impression that maybe she wasn't necessarily being obtuse singularly on his account, "There are certain matters that can only be fully grasped by those that have walked similar paths. While many of our early concerns understandably surrounded what was done to him under HYDRA's mantle, he was also yet a man and soldier bearing other weights he rarely chose to speak of on his own accord. While it was certainly not a replacement for our repeated words of encouragement to speak privately with a qualified counselor about such matters, there is fellowship, even in silence, in knowing that others around you carry similar burdens, and that they too are continually challenged by their own instincts and decisions they have made."

And then Ayo just… cast her gaze right on over to Sam. And in that moment, he realized she wasn't goin' about this as she was because she set on speaking around him, but rather, she was acknowledging that he was bound to understand what she was diggin' at too. Because he was a soldier. Like her. Like Buck.

Like who he'd been before HYDRA.

There was a time not long ago when Steve and Sam-by-proxy had put a lot of focus on the need to strip away those poisoned code words that some assholes had shoved into his friend's mind. But neither of them had apparently stopped to think that there was a lot of other work to be done beyond getting rid of the impact of the trigger words themselves.

And Bucky's friends out here in Wakanda, his family? They got that. They'd been willing to help him in whatever ways they could. Even though by the sound of it? That well-meaning idiot had declined therapy here too.

Sam pulled in a long breath, not because he didn't know Bucky's service years extended way back forty years or so before he or Ayo even'd been born, but because sometimes it was maybe a little bit too easy to assume the weight he carried was all exclusively courtesy of HYDRA. Not just… maybe that it held a heavy heaping of the regular 'ol PTSD and trauma of those that'd served. The kind of stuff you don't just shake off the moment you finally iron and pack your uniform away for safekeeping.

And if he had to guess? That particular look Ayo was giving him right then had an added layer to it. A solemn request of support from someone that knew there were some things you couldn't truly understand unless you'd walked in those very particular shoes. "This wasn't exclusively Winter Soldier stuff, then?" Sam made it a point to direct his question to Ayo, though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.

She shook her head, offering simply, "Not in this instance, no," and when their eyes met, it was with the understanding of someone that'd served too. That was still serving. That Ayo knew Sam would grasp why she was being intentionally imprecise about the private details. Because that was her way of showing she respected Buck and what he'd gone through too.

And Sam could appreciate that. He could appreciate that she had her own code about what things were open for discussion, and what things simply weren't.

Even if it was the well-meaning Princess of Wakanda that was pryin' at 'em.

Ayo nodded once and turned her attention back to Shuri, apparently satisfied by Sam's subtle show of support. "It was as I said: I was briefly knocked unconscious during a training session I initiated. One meant to tap into his protective instincts. It was an accident, and it was my decision not to call attention to it then or now. I'd hoped that perhaps if Barnes could recall it, it might offer itself to be a handhold for nearby memories, ones that would offer further insight and reassurances to our claims of shared bonds."

At that, some of the tightness on Shuri's face fell away, "I am still within my right to be cross with you for choosing not to wake me."

"It would have changed his behavior and focus, as well as our own. And he was clearly at no risk of falling into REM sleep," Ayo offered, "Besides," she tilted her chin, "Perhaps there is something useful in the new data gathered from our sessions?"

Shuri waved a hand dismissively, but Sam got the distinct impression Ayo'd managed to win a debate against Wakanda's resident genius, "Yes, of course there was. I was already messaged by those in the Design Center with questions about what prompted some of the subtle shifts they saw in the data. But do not be so smug! Your creative gloating is still gloating."

That drew a hint of a satisfied smile from the corner of Ayo's lips.

Sam did what he could to help steer the conversation back on-track, "Did they have anything to say? The scientists, I mean?"

"They are still reviewing the data, but have uncovered nothing actionable yet. They would prefer to acquire more precise biological data by way of an applied transceiver rather than by using the shield's systems as a stop-gap, but perhaps that is a conversation we might broach later."

Sam could hear the question Shuri was dancing around, but Ayo was first to respond, "I would agree with Yama's early observation that he is not made of glass. I do not think it would be damaging to ask if he would consider such measures, especially as we are well-aware the surrounding shield and our present location were only intended to be temporary measures."

"I hope you are right," Shuri offered simply, briefly casting her attention over her shoulder to a scene that was a far-cry from the 'prison' Okoye'd probably intended. A step outside the shield, Yama was unofficially tasked with 'keeping watch' over Barnes, but she did so with her usual pleasantries as she passed a plate of steaming-hot flapjacks to Nomble and Barnes inside the shielded dome. Were it not for orange barrier between them and the fact that Barnes's face had a shade too little emotion to be Buck's own, it… it would've honestly been a rather pleasant scene, all things considered. Just three folks, sittin' around in a clearing, chatting over plates of steamin' hot food, while nearby, a Wakandan Princess, Chief of Security, and Captain America had a private chat from within an audio dampening field.

Shuri turned her attention back to Ayo, "Was there anything valuable you were able to glean firsthand as you performed the Guard's Dance with him?"

Ayo considered her words carefully before responding, "The instincts currently at-play now show uncharacteristic awareness of many formative lessons. Lessons fine-tuned over many years of diligent work. He leverages them. Perhaps not consciously, but they are there, under the surface. It explains what we saw at the Design Center. Why his actions were tempered rather than fraught to extremes." She cringed, suddenly self-aware that her words were perhaps not properly tuned for all of her audience. Her eyes darted to Sam's hands and back to his eyes as she quickly corrected herself, "'Tempered' was perhaps not the best term…"

"It's okay," Sam rubbed his hands together, idly reassuring himself they were still intact and in remarkably good shape, all things considered, "I knew what you meant though. I saw it too. Even back then during all that awful. He wasn't usin' his full strength. He was holdin' back."

Ayo inclined her head in agreement as she watched the man in question in conversation with Yama and Nomble a short distance away, "His actions were intentional. His movements were not of the timid refugee that first came to us, but of the confident man that grew in our midst over many months, many years of training."

"Wait… years?" Sam crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow as he sought out clarity, "I mean, beyond the fact we've established that Buck obviously didn't go into a lot of detail with me about this era of his life, I guess I… I hadn't stopped to think about how long it would take to get the other stuff. Beyond the code words, I mean."

"It 'twas a very long and involved process," Ayo admitted in probably the greatest single understatement of the morning.

Just before Sam started to flap his lips for a follow-up question, he found himself thinking back on the run-ins he'd had with the Winter Soldier, and placing that up against someone a hair closer to somebody approximating 'Barnes-on-the-Run' back in-between 2014 and 2016. Then his mind did a little jump ahead to the 'Bucky' he fought beside in recent months and he… he started to see more of an overall trend than maybe he caught on to originally.

Sam'd mostly been airborne during the meat and potatoes of the Battle of Wakanda and Battle for Earth, so he hadn't paid much attention to Buck's fighting style beyond the fact he was firing his rifle at the aliens and not him, which was an all-around improvement.

The next time they'd fought together after that was that early encounter with Karli and the Flag Smashers up in Munich. But that time, it was just the two of them, and they weren't anything close to Partners back then.

Privately, Sam'd been more'n a bit surprised just how thoroughly Buck'd gotten his ass handed to him by a bunch of fresh Super Soldiers. At the time, it struck him as ridiculous, if not outright comical, considering what he'd seen the other man was capable of. What he assumed was still his modus operandi, regardless of the fact that no one was forcing him to scream "Hail, HYDRA!" anymore.

And maybe Sam's attitude back then was out-of-line. Maybe he'd been irritated by Bucky's piss-poor attitude about the shield, and outright insulted the other man had forced his way into his mission when he was clearly anything but combat-ready.

But now? Sam was checkin' himself and the assumptions he'd been running with at the time, and was realizing that this here in Wakanda… it had a way of shining light on things. That initially, like him, Buck hadn't known the Flag Smashers were super-powered, so of course he wasn't going-in for any killing blows. He was playing it careful. And rather than offer Buck any sort of accolades for it, even just acknowledging that playing it a little too soft and letting them get away was still preferable over a pile of dead kids that'd suffered a mixed-up net of confused ideals, Sam'd just teased Bucky about the whole thing. Made light of it like it was some kinda weakness of character to have not just gone full Winter Soldier on them outta the gate.

Argh!

Sam'd had all those years with Steve and the time after the Blip to keep him on his toes against the next asshole in a long line of degenerates. But Bucky? His first opt-in fight against another human being after Tony, after Wakanda, and Sam gave him shit for it. Repeatedly. For not performing up to Sam's holier-than-thou standards.

And right about then, that's where Sam's gut made a sudden hard turn and he realized: For not being Steve.

He'd been holding all sorts of complex grudges and hero-worship for Steve for so long, that he'd taken it for granted it was somehow just natural for someone like him, like them, to know how much force to use at any given moment. He had been rolling alongside the mistaken idea that in the heat of the moment they just… what? Naturally knew how hard to throw a punch when your bare hands could crack concrete?

He'd seen what Karli'd done to Lemar, and she hadn't even been trying.

So now he was caught thinking about how the fact that Buck'd erred on the side of caution, on having the wisdom to slowly test his limits again was, in fact, credit to the Wakandans helping him find that middle ground, helping him rebuild seventy years or more of shattered confidence and self-doubt that Sam'd unwittingly taken for granted.

Which, looking back, was also probably why Ayo, Yama, and Nomble'd taken an extra-personal offense to watching that Winter Soldier: Madripoor Exclusive footage. Because they'd worked so hard together, for so long, that seein' him opt-in for that performance had carved into them in an especially personal way that even Shuri couldn't entirely relate to.

And Sam? Sam couldn't come close. A few odd fights with the Soldier over the years didn't come close to what these women had willingly opted-in to for years, apparently.

… So yeah, there were a lot more layers to that whole mess than Sam'd first realized.

Sam wasn't sure what expression he had on his face just then, but he was bettin' Ayo could see through to at least a fraction of his thoughts as the two of them cast their attention back to Barnes across the way from them, and the heavy history lingering in the air between all of them.

"His current instincts are more alike those I witnessed before the Battle of Wakanda. They show remarkable working knowledge of many lessons White Wolf was taught here that he would not have known prior to his arrival in Wakanda."

So it was back to White Wolf now? Huh!

"You saw it too?" Ayo pressed Shuri.

"I did, and I recorded it," she agreed. "My brother reached out to me for an update, and I had hoped we might be able to do so with a unified front. He mentioned that Okoye messaged you earlier, but found your response uncharacteristically short." Shuri casually shrugged, "I may have neglected to mention to my brother that it was likely because you were within the dome performing the Guard's Dance with the man she placed inside for safe-keeping."

Wakanda's Chief of Security didn't immediately respond, but Sam was well-aware that she wasn't the only one caught with her hand in the cookie-jar here.

"I believe it would be beneficial to share the footage with them, but you know it will bear many further questions, and they will think to check the timestamps." Shuri placed a hand to her hip as she added, "We cannot stay here forever, and this situation we find ourselves in does not appear to be on the course of an effortless resolution, much as we wish it to be. They will look to us to help determine what courses of action lay ahead."

Ayo frowned, but she didn't argue Shuri's point as Sam turned his attention to Shuri, "What do you think our options are at this point? Besides turning this to an indefinite wilderness camping excursion?"

That pulled the smallest of smiles out of Shuri, though her dimples quickly faded as their present reality settled back around them like clumps in a cheap snow globe, "I was hoping that though they will undoubtedly find the video I shot… somewhat unexpected… that they might see a fraction of what we see, and that it might encourage fruitful conversation that does not frame Barnes strictly as an unpredictable, dangerous criminal."

Sam's heart sank a little at the directness in Shuri's words, but… he definitely wasn't oblivious to where she was coming from. He'd seen and experienced the man's handiwork firsthand.

"While Barnes does not presently offer objections to our choice to keep him here," Shuri continued, "we all know it is not a suitable long-term arrangement. But any changes must be made with not only my brother and General Okoye's knowledge, but their blessing." Sam got the impression Shuri was doin' her best to make the point that this situation they'd found themselves in extended far beyond this idyllic mountaintop of theirs. "Any decisions made past this point will reflect on them as well. It is a responsibility they bear willingly, but neither will be eager to take further risks simply because it is uncomfortable seeing him remain caged."

Sam was still rolling over that grim reality in his head when the princess turned her attention squarely to him, "Were it up to you, what would you propose?"

"You mean, what do we do with him?"

She snorted lightly, bemused, "Before that possibility, even. What do you think of the possibility of removing the shield that surrounds him?"

Sam sucked in a breath between his front teeth at that.

"With contingencies," Ayo quickly added.

"With contingencies," Shuri agreed.

"I…" Sam really wasn't altogether sure what to say to that. He'd considered it, certainly. At least with things as they were now, it wasn't altogether impossible to imagine lifting the shield and Barnes just… willingly staying put as opposed to. Well. Running, and whatever else was tied to that. "Have you… asked him recently? Asked Barnes, I mean, what he thinks about the shield?"

Ayo's eyes glanced to her right where Barnes was sitting, innocuously eating another round of breakfast with Yama and Nomble, "Yama did, earlier this morning. He…" her voice faded momentarily, "he knows his mind is not well. He expressed interest in remaining around those that have shared memories with him, and is not opposed to our suggestions, if he finds them reasonable." She shifted her posture as she added, "He has also repeatedly inquired in topics regarding Sykmaria and HYDRA's base of operations he insists was once active there. Nomble believes it causes him distress to think there may be others, like him, that are still held against their will there."

Sam's face flinched at that, "But the only stuff he remembers is from a long time ago, right? Nothing recent? I mean I… I get where he's coming from, but the chances that anyone he remembers from back then are still there…" he faded off.

"I agree. Morbid as it is to speak aloud, it's unlikely any of them remain imprisoned there over seventy years later. But Barnes seeks closure, complicated, I think, by the guilt of his responsibility in their capture."

Shuri winced at that, "Even though it is not a situation of our making, it would be irresponsible of us to ignore the ghosts of his concerns, even if there is not presently urgency surrounding them."

"Especially when knowing what happened might bring closure to other lives and families," Sam agreed, "But he doesn't remember anything else about it?"

The Dora standing beside him shook her head, "Nothing that he has volunteered. He still believes there is a chance he might be able to retrace his steps from the ground, and after what I have seen this morning…" she inclined her head, "I feel there is perhaps a stronger likelihood that he could back up such claims than I once thought. Not that I am advising such a course of action," she quickly clarified.

Those might'a been the words that were coming out of her mouth, but Sam got the distinct impression she wasn't discounting the possibility.

The strange part was? He was telling himself that while he wasn't exactly open to any of the possibilities Ayo was floating, he did want to know too. What happened to those soldiers from back in the Korean War? But separately: if any of this was connected. It could'a been complete chance that he and Buck'd been out in Symkaria when this all began, and the fact his memories had been on the fritz were just more of the same, but the fact HYDRA'd apparently buried things so deep that not S.H.I.E.L.D., Wakanda, or any intelligence or counterintelligence they knew of were aware of them being up to something in those parts… well, it didn't settle well with him. It made him worry about what-all they'd been hiding. And regardless of if the facility was long-dead, or more importantly: if it was still active, he needed to know too.

And what if it was related to Buck somehow? Or maybe it wasn't, not directly, but he had a lead up on it because of something that had suddenly rattled loose in Barnes's head?

Did any of that relate to the recent murders? Or that Super Soldier sighting?

What if the only lead they had was the one presently sitting on the ground inside that orange energy dome, licking his fingers clean from Yama's latest culinary exploits?

There were too many damn questions for this early in the morning, but yeah, he could see why Ayo, and from the sounds of it, even Shuri weren't a hard 'no' at the broad possibility. The Princess's eyes lifted to Sam's, "He harmed you grievously, and before these troubled times befell us, you were closest to who he once was. What thoughts do you have about the possibility of even removing the dome? Would you find yourself in support of such an act? Or do you feel it remains necessary for him to be contained, whether for your own safety, or his own?"

Sam chewed his lip at that, doing his best to sort through his awfully complicated thoughts as he ran the fingers of one hand together self-consciously as he used his other hand to stir the thickening pan of cheesy grits, "I guess my answer'd depend on what all of you had planned for him after." His heart sank as it went straight to the most obvious solution, "The Raft…?"

Shuri shook her head rapidly, seemingly in disbelief that would have been his first thought, "Not there. I would hope for…" she made a face, "Something more intermediary and compassionate than the isolation of prison, but it is difficult to know the best course."

"What about either of you? You think it's a good idea to remove the shield?" he watched as Shuri raised an eyebrow in Ayo's direction, curious for her answer.

When no answer was quickly forthcoming, Shuri prompted her, "I would hear the honest answers from Wakanda's Chief of Security, a guardian of the royal family, and a friend and ally to those involved."

Ayo's mouth twitched uncomfortably at Shuri's directness, "They are not all the same answer, my Princess."

"They are not," Shuri agreed.

Ayo set her jaw, "The safest course for Wakanda, and the least risk would not be guarded isolation of prison, but a full-cryogenic freeze."

Sam felt a chill run up his spine at the possibility, but some part of him had to admit… she wasn't entirely wrong.

"Agreed. And as an esteemed guardian of the royal family?"

"I do not think he has any notable interest in the throne or those that stand near to it. He has not asked questions on these topics that raise undue concern. What I see is a question of risks and how they relate to his stability, intention, and instincts." She let out a breath of air as her eyes looked out over the man in question, "If you were to tell me that his condition were to be considered stable so long as he does not enter a state of REM sleep, I would tell you honestly, as Chief of Security and not 'Ayo,' that I do not think Barnes intends us harm. If anything, I think he feels a renewed responsibility to protect us, but we do not know how he may act or react if his memories shift again."

"So if he stays as he is now, you would find yourself inclined to trust his intentions enough to support removing the shield, with contingencies? But what of his instincts?"

At first Ayo didn't answer, not explicitly at least, "Instincts are… more difficult for me to place true trust in after all the possibilities I have seen." Her gaze returned to Sam, as if deferring to him, "I would hear Sam's thoughts and how they compare to my own."

Sam snorted lightly at that, at that frustrated place they were circling. So he tried to take a step back and think. How much did he trust Barnes? "We're running with the assumption he's stable, right? So we're pretending there isn't a chance something could suddenly flip and send us all right back to where we started, right?"

He saw Shuri cringe, but she nodded once, "Yes. We're asking how much you trust you have for 'Barnes,' and if you feel he is a danger to himself or others in his present state specifically."

Sam did his best to try to pull away from the present moment and extrapolate things as best he could, like… 'Would he trust Barnes around Sarah or his nephews…?'

Even though it pained him to admit it, he kept returning to that continued pang of palpable doubt and terrifying 'what if…?' that clenched itself around his gut, screamin' at him that Barnes, well meaning as he appeared, was still very much a wild-card he couldn't entirely trust. Not yet at least.

…Would he ever be able to, though?

With a resigned sigh, he was forced to admit, "I'm not even sure where to start with that one, Shuri. I'd like to think I'm not holdin' a grudge here, but just because he doesn't peg us as his enemies, it doesn't mean those instincts of his are entirely in-check under the hood. And at the end of the day, that's what I keep comin' back to." He didn't mean for his words to sound so much like an apology. He wished he could fully get behind the idea of letting Barnes out from that orange prison of his without a care in the world, because some part of him felt like just maybe that might even get them moving in the direction of resolving this mess, but he just… he had a host of understandable doubts lingering in his periphery. The kinda doubts that could get people hurt, even killed if they didn't speak about them aloud.

Though by the looks of it? That heavy sentiment was weighing on the women to either side of him too.

"Like you, my brother and Okoye will not be easily swayed by well-meaning assurances alone," Shuri agreed, "They will share in our concerns, especially after all that has happened. That his instincts could still prove dangerous, even if his intention is not to cause harm."

Ayo frowned, visibly frustrated, "Neither will consider letting him out of a cage without thoroughly testing him. Even if we let him know such tests await him, which I believe we in good conscience should, it is not a kindness to him after all that has happened. To seek to provoke him. It was difficult enough to reach a point with White Wolf where he was open to such things."

"Perhaps Barnes will be more open if the reasoning is explained to him?" Shuri considered aloud. When Ayo shot her a look dripping with doubt, she added, "You did not see what Sam and I did from the distance. It was… remarkable as it was compelling." Some of the optimism drained out of her as she added, "But that being as it is, I do not know if my brother or General Okoye will see him freed, even under close guard, or if, in my heart, it is advisable. Though I will of course continue speaking with the medical staff to see if any of their findings have a way of offering reassurances that it is a wise course to pursue."

Ayo sighed, "Then we are in agreement that shared uncertainties remain, and that we should seek their audience." She glanced to Shuri, "You have my blessing to send the video you took. I will deal with the questions or ire it raises with Okoye, but I would see it before you do."

At that, Shuri smiled, making a few gestures with her fingers as she transferred the video to Ayo, and by the shimmy of the cell phone in his pocket, to Sam as well.

Without any hesitation, Sam stopped stirring that pan of his long enough to pull the device from his pocket. He found himself seeking out the video and hitting play as quickly as he could, because after all this heavy talk, he knew he could use a breath of fresh air to relive that peace he'd seen of them all moving as one rolling unit of kindred souls.

From a step beside him, Ayo stepped closer and watched silently. Sam opted to keep his eyes on the screen, as if giving the soldier beside him the space to feel whatever she needed to as she reviewed the video of four remarkably synergized forms, doing that Battle Yoga of theirs against a Wakandan sunrise.

There was a lot that was up in the air that moment about Barnes, and the uncertain future that awaited him, but even without looking up, Sam could feel the resolve in Ayo's posture. And maybe the fact they weren't lookin' at each other was what prompted him to quietly confess, "I'd be lyin' if I told you I wasn't at least a little bit jealous that whatever you did back there got all of you more than a few steps closer to being on the same page with him."

Her voice from just to his left was surprisingly gentle, "I am certain his more recent times with you are not truly lost, that they remain only hidden in the cracks of his mind too."

He might'a let out a sigh of frustration, but before he could tell her that he still appreciated the sentiment, she quickly added, "You misunderstand. One of the photos you showed him the other day, the one with you and White Wolf standing out at the docks near your sister's home? A while earlier, when the sun was still warming and we briefly broke from our exercises, Barnes thought to mention that photo. Something in the colors of the sky here prompted him to recall other sunrises there, over the water in Louisiana. Though he did not remember the details, he felt certain of how they compared and contrasted with ones here. And the revelation in that moment… it was as if you could glimpse a moment of peace in his eyes. That something here had connected to something there. And to you."

And Sam just… wasn't sure what to say to that. The admission hit him hard, and he decided it was probably best to keep his eyes focused on that video clutched in his palm before any more emotion crept out to the corners of his eyes like it was threatening to do.

"T–Thanks for telling me," he finally managed as his trembling thumb flicked over his saved photos, pulling up the snapshot in question before he lost his nerve. Standing in front of a sunset-lit waterfront, Sam and Bucky slung their arms across each other's shoulders and smiled for Sarah, who'd been holding the camera. The moment wasn't a special occasion, but it had a way of capturing so much quiet strength and camaraderie between the two of them. The thought that Barnes could maybe even remember a piece of that place, even if it wasn't the exact moment itself, it… it was something.

He wasn't sure at what point the two women to either side of him had thought to place their hands on his shoulders, but damned it wasn't the sort of soothing gesture he'd needed right then.

None of them said a solemn word as he drank in that photo a while longer before flipping back to the video Shuri'd taken of their Wakandan sunrise Battle Yoga session.

A good two minutes in, Sam caught a sudden shift in the air as Ayo pulled her hand from his shoulder and in one smooth motion, held up a single finger. She addressed them both at once, "Wait… what if….?" Sam caught a curious expression spread across her face as she urgently added, "Stay here a moment. I will be right back."

Without any further hesitation, Ayo broke away from the two of them and hurried through the far end of the encampment towards the Royal Talon he and Shuri had flown in on the day before.

As she dashed away at something near-to a run, Sam shot Shuri a look of profound confusion, which the resident genius only returned, utterly perplexed.

But he didn't miss the unexpected flickers of hope he saw tucked away around the corners of their expressions, either.

[Chapter Art, by fluzma_z]

[ID: A painting of Sam Wilson's hand holding a gunmetal silver cell phone with glowing blue accents. Behind the phone are the bright oranges and reds of a Wakandan sunrise, set against a cascade of mountains and rolling green hills. Shown on the screen of the cell phone are Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. They have their hands spread across each other's shoulders and are smiling as they pose for the camera. Sam is wearing a grey t-shirt and camo green jacket. Bucky is wearing a maroon t-shirt and has his gunmetal silver and gold prosthetic arm. Behind them is a sunset view of a body of water in Louisiana that is slightly more muted than the vibrant Wakandan sunrise seen behind the cell phone. End ID]

I had the pleasure of working with fluma_z ("fluma_z" on Instagram) on a warm and cozy illustration she created to accompany this chapter.

Please check out this chapter on Archive of Our Own to see the art and link to her social media pages see more of her wonderful art!

Simply search for: "KLeCrone Ao3 Winter of the White Wolf"

I love the palpable emotion she infuses into her art, and in this case, the beautiful comparison and contrast between the Wakandan sunrise and sunset over the Louisiana docks. Also: I adore her take on Sam's "Wakandan" phone! It's so creative!

Once again: A *huge* thanks to her for capturing such a sweet, warm, if a bit melancholy story beat.

Author's Remarks:

In the background, I'm going to be working to add alt IDs with image descriptions for all of the images of this story to help aid accessibility. If any of you that utilize such features have any feedback or notice any issues, please let me know so I can remedy any oversights. ❤

This chapter covered some camaraderie and good food, but also some heavier topics too.

- Slavery and the Whitney Plantation - While there's a great many elements of fiction woven into the MCU and this story, the Whitney Plantation is a real place, and the history on display there and within other historical sites is something I think it's prudent we not brush under the rug and pretend they didn't happen. The ripples of impact are sobering, and carry over to the present day.

- The Aftermath of the Battle of Mount Bashenga - While we're still some months away from Wakanda Forever, I've definitely wondered about some of the many discussions that would have happened in the wake of Killmonger and the Battle of Mount Bashenga, as well as the Battle of Wakanda and Battle for Earth. Just… how much those events would have reshaped the world as well as Wakanda, who had been isolationist for much of its recorded history? I have so many questions! I'd just like to think that events like these have prompted some amount of soul-searching for people to want to do better, so they can hopefully avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

- Bucky's Strength - I really groove with the idea that part of the differences we see between The Winter Soldier and Bucky in TFATWS was because he was trying to temper his actions and avoid killing blows unless they were absolutely necessary. That his actions and decisions were made with decided intention.

- About that Shield… - That said, in a much more "close-to-home" inquiry, we are circling back to the question of what to do with Barnes now, which is one heck of an outstanding question, but I wonder why Ayo ran off at the end there…? Any ideas what she could be up to?

I hope you are having a wonderful week! Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and kind words about this story with me. It really helps keep me energized to keep on writing, editing, and moving forward through these plotty waters… :)