Santana (B.B)

The Shield

Months after the blip. Washington DC. At the Smithsonian.

I looked at the people in front of me "Steve represented the best in all of us. Courageous, righteous, hopeful. And he mastered posing stoically. The world has been forever changed.  A few months ago, billions of people reappeared after five years away, sending the world into turmoil. We need new heroes. Ones suited for the times we're in. Symbols... are nothing without the women and men that give them meaning."

Then i picked up the shield " And this thing... I don't know if there's ever been a greater symbol. But it's more about the man who propped it up, and he's gone. So, today we honor Steve's legacy. But also, we look to the future. So, thank you, Captain America. But this belongs to you. "

Everyone applauded. 

-

Sam walked over to me "hey"

I gave him a smiled "hey"

Sam "he was here"

I nodded "i know. I saw him."

Sam "you are not gonna tell him?"

I shook my head "i can't. At least not now"

Sam "you think he wouldn't understand? it's been months-"

I shook my head "Months are nothing compared to the friendship they had, Sam. I am doing you a favor"

Sam "He's gonna be mad at you once he finds out"

I nodded "then let him be mad. "

Sam looked at me. 

Rhodey walked over to us "Take a walk?"

We looked at him. 

-

We were walking through the gallery. 

Sam "Yeah, I've been a-at home with my sisters and my nephews, man. When I left, they were babies. I come back and they're little men. It's crazy, you know?"

Rhodey "Yeah. Well, you should bring 'em out to DC some time, I'll teach 'em how to fly. Y'know, I mean the right way."

Sam laughed. 

Rhodey "Crazy to think that nobody's gonna be carrying the shield."

Sam "Hey, we went seventy years without anybody carrying it while Steve was on ice, so... I think we'll be alright."

Rhodey "It was a different time, Sam. So, you're gonna make me ask? Why didn't you take up the mantle?"

Sam took a deep breath "When Steve first told me about the shield, the first words I said were, "it feels like it belongs to someone else." That someone else is Steve."

Rhodey "World's a crazy place right now. People are... Well, nobody's stable. Allies are now enemies, alliances are all torn apart... The world's broken. Everybody's just looking for somebody to fix it."

Sam nodded "Yeah."

Rhodey nodded "It's a new day, brother... I'll be in touch."

He gave me a quick hug before walking away. 

A few days later. At Sam's place .

I looked at the monitor. 

Sam pressed play and i looked at the widow. 

Torres had gotten his ass handed to him. 

The Flag Smashers had attacked a building. 

Sam "So, this is the leader of the Flag Smashers, huh?"

Torres "Yeah, real nice guy."

Sam "I thought you were supposed to be monitoring them online."

Torres "I was. I did. But you know sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty, or a broken orbital."

Sam "You're lucky that's all you got.He's strong."

Torres "He was. I mean, bro, they went dark as soon as it was all over. But that's their M.O. We gotta keep our eyes and ears to the ground till they pop up again."

Me "Anything else happen outside the video?"

Torres shook his head "No, man. My face was in the dirt before I knew what was happening. Why? What are you thinking?"

Sam shook his head "nothing"

Torres froze "Wait. You don't think he could be a..."

Me "Look, I'll circle back to you. Let's keep this between us , okay?"

He nodded. 

Sam hung up on the phone. 

Suddenly my phone buzzed and i looked at it. 

Sam "what's wrong?"

Me "turn on the tv"

Sam turned on the TV. 

Man "Unrest, in the wake of recent events has left us vulnerable. Every day Americans feel it. While we love heroes who put their lives on the line to defend Earth, we also need a hero to defend this country. We need a real person who embodies America's greatest values. We need someone to inspire us again, someone who can be a symbol for all of us. So, on behalf of the Department of Defense and our Commander-in-Chief, it is with great honor that we announce here today that the United States of America has a new hero.Join me in welcoming your new Captain America."

My jaw hit the ground when some asshole in Cap's suit walked out trying to be the new fucking Captain America. 

Sam let his head hand.

I asked pissed off "what in the actually fucking fuck is this?"