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“I’m not talking about this again.” Sam could barely contain the anger that was clawing its way up his throat.
“But it’s not just your decision!” Bucky was quick to retort, leaning forward with the sharp words. Sam squeezed his eyes shut, looks like they were going to talk about it anyways. Even when Sam set boundaries, even when he straight up said no. Nothing was going to stop Bucky when it was about that stupid hunk of metal. When it was about Steve . “It means something to lots of people, especially me!”
“Then what the hell does it mean to you?!” Sam couldn’t take it anymore. Couldn’t just sit by while Bucky was ignoring the history behind it. Ignoring all the people that it ruined. “Why is it so damn important to you?!”
“Because it was Steve’s! Because Steve made that shield what it is today! And he gave it to you !”
“So just because it was Steve it makes it okay to forget everything else? Just because you knew the man behind the mask you can forget everything that happened to people like Isaiah?!” Sam angrily stood and started to pace up and down the plane. “He was, he…” Sam came to a stop and angrily ran his hands over his head. “You didn’t even tell me about him!” Sam turned to Bucky now, expecting something from him.
“I-” Bucky averted his eyes, “I thought he’d been through enough.”
“Yeah, you’ve said that already.” Sam rolled his eyes.
“You could change things as Captain America, it could be better!”
Sam groaned, “That’s not possible,” Sam sat back down and planted his head in his hands. “Both you and Steve think it’s okay to just put all this on me. I can’t do that!” There was a long silence until Bucky stood and put a hand on his shoulder.
“I-“ Bucky looked away, “I can’t say that I fully understand why you can’t just pick up the shield. But I can say that whatever you do,” Bucly squeezed his shoulder to get Sam’s attention, “I’ll be there.” Bucky was looking at him again now, intent on making sure Sam knew he was serious, that he meant it. “I just think you should have it instead of that asshole Walker.” Bucky made a face as if just the mention of his name made him sick.
“Walker being Captain America is just another reminder that our country will never accept a black man as their hero. Just look at what being a hero did to Isaiah.” Sam sighed, ready to leave the conversation at that. Bucky squeezed his shoulder and Sam looked up. Bucky looked almost angry.
“I will never let that happen to you.” Sam raised an eyebrow at that. “I promise.”
Sam chuckled, “That’s a pretty big promise.” Bucky squeezed his shoulder one last time before letting his hand slide off.
“Yeah, well,” Bucky sat down in the chair across from him, “just means you can’t get rid of me.” He gave a playful smile and Sam inwardly sighed, grateful the conversation was over and they were back on more familiar grounds.
Sam was about to tease Bucky about being soft for him when Zemo interrupted, “I’m so glad you boys made up, but we’ve got work to do.” Bucky’s smile melted back into his usual scowl and Sam nodded, the mission waited for no one.