Amends (Sambucky)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Bucky walked over to the crates, then back to the unending staircase, pacing.

He heard Sharon mention that she and Sam were together, but that's all he'd heard, and it'd been about a half an hour.

"Sharon," Bucky called on the earpiece, waiting for a moment, "Sam?"

Nothing again. He pulled his earpiece out, examining if it was broken. He was checking the back entrance again, just to be sure no one was coming inside, when a loud bunch of thumping interrupted him.

He sped, overlooking the oval to the spiraling stairs. He tried to pinpoint where he heard the sound,

"Bucky," Sam's voice rang through, "I'm sending three up."

Bucky sprung into action at the sound of Sam's voice, racing towards the stairs to meet them; however, he couldn't help but notice Sam's disgusted tone. He wondered if he'd successfully pushed Sam away, just like how he pushed Steve away. How long until he left too?

"Copy that," Bucky answered, still not seeing anyone come up.

"They're not talkers, but they'll know you. A woman, a man, and a boy," Sam finished.

Bucky lingered for a little longer, pulling his gun when he noticed a group inching towards him. He didn't say anything, but he quickly recognized them as a trio that fit Sam's description.

"Wait!" the woman raised her hands in surrender at the sight of Bucky's gun, "Your friend! Your friend, he-,"

"Yeah. He told me about you," Bucky lowered the weapon.

"Who? Who told you about us?" the 'man' Sam described, who was no older that nineteen, pushed the younger boy behind him skeptically.

"Sam. Sam Wilson," Bucky answered, "Captain America."

The woman was the first to continue up the steps, the other two following her lead. Bucky noticed how they all had the same bronzed skin tone with almond shaped eyes; he figured the woman to be their mom based upon how they trusted her.

"Here, get behind me," Bucky gestured, raising his gun toward the staircase, "I'm sure Sam didn't let you have a tail, but just in case, I'm gonna have you wait behind those crates."

They did as they were told, only the boy, who was about seven or eight, lingered,

"Excuse me?"

Bucky turned, doing his best to keep a child friendly demeanor, but failing miserably, "What?"

"Where's your metal arm?"

Bucky stopped for a moment, looking at his leather sleeves, "My metal arm?"

"Yeah. The one Captain America said you had," the boy continued, not letting up.

Bucky shook his head with a curse, "Well, um-,"

"Mahir, no, we can trust him," the woman waved him over, but Bucky noticed the distrust in both of the boys eyes despite their obedience. He raised his hand up to brush her off, "It's alright."

Bucky grabbed his left sleeve, ripping it off to reveal his metal arm. The younger child's jaw dropped, the older staring quietly. Bucky took a couple steps toward them with his gun lowered, "What's you guys' names?"

"I'm Maryam," she introduced herself, sending an encouraging look to the two boys, "And these are my sons."

The older shifted, grabbing his brother's shoulder, "I'm Malik. This is Mahir."

"You, and your partner. You're miracles," Maryam stepped closer, "I prayed for a savior and here you are. Your Sam is so caring, and-,"

"Stupid." Bucky interrupted, "He's stupid, and he's stubborn. Not the kind of man you want to be like."