Ever After

Part 29 - New Asgard, New Start

"Well," Bucky almost shouts. "What does it say?" But Sam doesn't answer, he slowly paces around the room, rereading the note before collapsing into a chair. "Do we need all this suspense Wilson, spit it out already?" Bucky half laughs, making you look at him curiously. He knew something.

"Steve..." Sam can barely meet your eyes. "He's given me the shield." Sam runs a hand down his face before looking at the letter once again. "He wants me to be Captain America." Once again he reads the letter, the shock settling on his face. "I have to go collect the shield from Stark Industries..."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Bucky asks calmly, the biggest grin etched on his face. "Go get that shield Cap."

"It can't still be there." Sam huffs out. "This letter is dated 1945....how?"

"We were in 1945 before I came home." You are in almost as much shock as Sam is, but deep down you know that it is the right decision; possibly the last good decision Steve made that you could agree on. "He must have left a note with Howard or something." You pause, hesitant to ask your next question. "Does he mention...anything else?"

Sam looks down at the floor, unable to look you in the eye. "I'm sorry Belle," He shakes his head. You don't reply, feeling the pain swelling in your chest again, before Bucky wraps an arm around your waist. But the guilt filling Sam bothers you; and that's the last thing you want. Pulling away from Bucky, you wrap Sam in a tight hug.

"Like the man said," You press a kiss to his cheek. "Go get that shield. Cap." You follow it up with a punch to the arm; despite it actually hurting a little, Sam feigns hurt in front of Bucky.

"Yes ma'am." He salutes before heading out the door. "You coming with...stupid question." He chuckles closing the door behind him.

"You should go with him," You nudge Bucky. "Can't have a Captain America without his Bucky Barnes."

"Nah," Bucky shakes his head, laughing slightly. "Truth be told I can't stand that guy." You can't help but laugh too, knowing that nothing could be further from the truth. "Besides, he's not..."

"He doesn't have to be. I think that was Steve's point." You sigh. "You knew he was going to do that?"

"We talked about it. Amongst other things." Bucky sighs too, before sitting back down, rereading the pardon still firmly clasped in his hand. "You ok?"

"Not really," You sit beside him, staring slightly at the ceiling, desperately trying to keep the tears at bay. "But I will be, I just need...of all things, time I suppose." Bucky nudges your shoulder.

"So a billionaire huh?" He laughs, "Looks like I'm going to be a kept man after all."

"In your dreams Bucket," You laugh back too, before snuggling into his side, letting him wrap an arm around you and holding you in silence. The last 24 hours had been the most heartbreaking you had had to endure, and you had been through your fair share. But now, with everything Tony had left behind for you, maybe finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

***

After another few days of trying to wash away the heartache over losing Steve, you finally feel strong enough to make it out of your hotel room; Sam meeting you with an exuberant smile at the hotel lobby. "Your chariot awaits m'lady." He bows to you, not before you push him off making him laugh.

"What's the matter with you?" You laugh, heading out to the car already waiting; alongside a still half asleep Bucky. "What's the matter with him?" You smile, knocking on the window to frighten Bucky; making him jump in his seat.

"That's just cruel!" He yells through the glass before shutting his eyes again.

"Him," Sam sighs. "He's just an old man who still needs his beauty sleep. Or maybe I have been running him too hard, wore down some of those batteries." A vibranium middle finger appears in window. "He's been helping me work out with the shield." Sam further explains.