So Long || J.B.B.

9: one world, one people

It was a tight squeeze on the couch but Bucky and I made it work. He had his head on one side and I had mine on the other. That way we kept a promise to Sam about no 'adult fun' for the night.

I woke up earlier than him to get a run in to clear my mind of anything negative from the past week. It worked. When I got back to the house I could see Sarah in the kitchen having her breakfast along with her boys.

"Morning guys, did I miss anything yet?"

"Well, I can see the men at the dock. Not sure what they're doing though."

"Knowing both of them, probably something they're not supposed to do."

I grabbed a granola bar and headed up to the bathroom for a shower. It was a quick one since Bucky and I had a flight to catch in the afternoon.

I could see the two of them coming back to the house. Looks like Sarah kicked them off of whatever they were working on. They walked inside and greeted me as I came down with my and Bucky's bags.

"Hey Gracie, we're gonna throw the shield around if you wanna join," Sam asked.

"I don't think I'll join in but I'll watch."

"Fair enough. We shouldn't be long. I know y'all got a flight to catch."

The two men started throwing the shield around like it was a game of catch. I stayed on the porch just watching. Seeing them have a decent conversation where neither are having a shouting match or a staring contest was progress in itself. I tried not to eavesdrop on the conversation too much but it was hard considering how close they were to me.

"When Steve told her and I what he was planning, I don't think the three- sorry- the two of us understood what it felt like for a black man to be handed the shield. How could we? I owe you an apology. I'm sorry."

When I heard Bucky say that, it put a little pressure off my shoulders that I didn't know was there.

"And what happened with Walker, it wasn't your fault. I get it. It's just that shield's one of the closest things I've got left of a family," he said looking toward my direction. I figured it was my que to head on over. "So when you retired it, I didn't think I had too much to lose at this point. It made me question everything. You, Rose and Steve, me. You know, I've got his book, and I just figured if it worked for him, then it'd work for me."

I arrived to them as Bucky finished his little speech

"I understand, man. But Steve is gone and you got Gracie. You and I both know she's never gonna leave your side," Sam said then greeted me.

"Damn right," I interjected.

"It also doesn't matter what Steve thought. You gotta stop looking to other people to tell you who you are, though. Let me ask you. You still having those nightmares?"

"All the time. It means I remember. It means a part of me is still there. Which means a part of the Winter Soldier is still in me," Bucky answered while throwing the shield.

I caught it instead of Sam. Since I wasn't playing this version of catch, I handed it back to Sam. "Thank you for letting us stay, Sam. We appreciate it. I'll head to the car, Buck."

"I'll be in touch with any updates. Keep your phones on," Sam said to me as I was walking away.

"Yes, sir," I saluted.

The walk down to the car on the dirt road felt longer than it did earlier this morning on my run. Maybe it was because I was waiting for Bucky to catch up. Yep that was it. Minutes later I felt his arm go around my shoulders as he gave me a kiss on my temple.