The Falcon and the Wolf

3

The two arrive at the hotel. They both get their room keys, right next door to each other. They walk to the elevator, pressing the 3rd floor button.

"Y'know, Buck, I like talking to you. When you're no being an ass."

"When was I ever an ass?" Bucky exclaims.

Sam laughs wholeheartedly, "You want me to make you a list?"

Bucky scoffs, followed by a small laugh. They get off the elevator, walking towards their rooms.

"Goodnight Buck."

"Night Sam"

"Bucky wait-" Sam says before he even has a chance to think about it. Bucky looks at him with wandering eyes. Sam's eyes fall upon his eyes, then his lips, then his eyes again.

"Nothing. Sorry. Night" Sam turns to insert the key card into the door.

"Sam, you know you can tell me if something's bothering you." Bucky's eyes meet Sam's again.

"I know Buck. It's nothing."

"Okay Sam."

They both enter their rooms, the doors shutting behind them. Sam takes a sigh of relief and drops his bag on the bed. He wanted to know what was in Bucky's head, what he was thinking. He was worried about him.

Sam pondered his thoughts all night. The butterflies at the police station, the longing gaze he gave Bucky on the plane. He didn't know what it meant. He knew he wanted to be with Bucky though.

Bucky was wide awake in the next room over. He hadn't slept well since Wakanda, and Sam was on his mind, making it worse. He wondered if Sam's wandering eyes meant anything. He knew he hated Sam, but his heart ached knowing he was next door and he couldn't talk to him. He shut his eyes, hoping to fall asleep. He didn't. Instead, he stared at the white, rough ceiling with a million things racing through his mind. He eventually drifted off, thinking of his friend next door.

--

The next day the boys decided it would be best to visit Zemo. The character that nearly tore apart the Avengers, tore apart Bucky. Zemo had more information on super soldiers than anyone Bucky knew, and he thought it might be helpful to have another source.

Bucky insisted on visiting Zemo alone, although Sam didn't like the idea. He felt somewhat protective over Bucky. Zemo fucked with his mind, and Sam didn't forget.

When Bucky returned, he suggested the unthinkable.

"We need Zemo's help. We have no leads, no moves, nothing."

"So you wanna break Zemo out of jail." Sam says with a furrowed brow.

"Zemo's gonna mess with our minds. Especially yours. No offense." Sam joked. Bucky just stared ahead. Maybe Sam shouldn't have said that.

Bucky explains the plan. The fight, the fire alarm, and the escape. Before Sam can ask too many questions, Zemo emerges from the shadow in a long fur coat. Probably real fur, too. Jackass. Sam knew Bucky was right. They needed help, and not from John Walker.

--

The three drive to an airport, where a man greets Zemo with a hug. Who knew Zemo had money. Zemo explains he comes from Sokovian wealth, and it was obvious to Sam and Bucky. His personality makes more sense now.

They get on the plane with Zemo, with Sam and Bucky facing each other and Zemo across the aisle. Bucky looks longingly in Sam's eyes, and Sam stares back before Zemo interrupts.

"You don't know what it's like to be locked in a cell. Oh. That's right. You do." Zemo smirks.

"Why don't you tell us about where we're going?" Sam says, brushing off Zemo's comment.

Bucky glances at Zemo as he's reading. "I'm sorry. I was just fascinated by this. I don't know what to call it, but this part seems important," Zemo says as he reads from Bucky's notebook, Steve's notebook.

Bucky stands angrily and grabs Zemo's neck.

"You touch that again, I'll kill you," Bucky spits out at Zemo.

Wow. That was... Sam's thoughts trail off. He feels a tingle and readjusts his legs.

--

The three land in Madripoor, a city with crime and clubs. They walk towards a bar where Zemo claims they will get answers. Bucky is instructed by Zemo to act like someone who he claims is gone, while Sam has to pose as the Smiling Tiger, a notorious name in Madripoor. They arrive at the bar and Sam receives his drink. Fish guts. Great. He chokes it down and before he knows it, Bucky is twisting someone's shoulder. He wants to interfere, tell Bucky it's okay, but he can't. They need answers for the mission.

They meet with a woman named Selby. A big name in Madripoor, and when things turn south, she is killed. The boys walk down the street as they hear phone chimes all around them. They run into an alley where they are being shot at. Sam and Bucky take cover, their body's close. Bucky feels the warmth behind him, and leans back just a bit. This sent a shiver up Sam's spine, but he lets it happen. The men shooting are gunned down as a familiar face emerges.

"Well this is just too perfect."