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Are we live?
Great.
For years, I have been working secretly to develop a new age of protection.
"Hmph!"
Sam looked down at Bucky, who had just reacted to the words of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine on the television screen.
Sam was sitting on the sofa while Bucky lay down with his head resting on Sam's lap and one arm casually wrapped around his lover's thigh.
Sam's fingers were buried in Bucky's hair, gently stroking the base of his neck and soothing him.
Today, the citizens of the United States needed that protection.
And thanks to my hard work, they got it.
Ladies and gentlemen…
meet…
the new Avengers.
Sam let out a small chuckle.
“What possessed you to get yourself into such a mess?”
Bucky grunted again before answering.
“The same thing as usual, I guess. A moment of stupidity."
Sam laughed softly and stroked Bucky's temple with his thumb.
"Even though I call you an idiot sometimes, I know you didn't do this without good reason. I'd still like to know what it is."
Bucky shifted slightly, rolled onto his back, and looked up at Sam.
"First, I got into politics thinking I could change things. I told myself that at least there, I wouldn't have to fight—at least not physically. I thought I could contain people like her. I sensed the trap, but..."
Sam's fingers stopped moving. He noticed the slight tension in Bucky's jaw and finished for him. "But you didn't say no."
"Hear me out, Sam. I never trusted her. Not for a second. Obviously, I trust her even less now. But, as the saying goes, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'”
Allegra's face had disappeared from the screen, but the TV news was still talking about past events with analysts and commentators. Neither Sam nor Bucky were paying attention anymore, though.
Sam spoke again.
"I understand, Bucky. I really do. You made a choice when the options were limited."
Bucky raised his hand, his metal fingers brushing Sam's cheek.
He said firmly, "I won't let this get in your way, Sam. Neither in your values. Nor your Captain America duties. No matter what happens, no matter what she tries, I won't let anything touch you."
Sam smiled and nodded.
"I have no doubt. I have complete faith in you."
He leaned over and kissed Bucky on the forehead, despite the slightly awkward angle. Lifting his head slightly, he looked into his lover's eyes and said, "But I need you to promise me something, Bucky."
"Anything you want, Sam."
"If things ever go wrong, If you feel like the situation is getting out of hand, or if your life is truly in danger, you leave. Without hesitation. No sacrifices or such heroic acts. You come back to me."
Bucky stared at him and nodded slowly before solemnly saying, “I promise you, no heroics. No martyrdom. If it's not safe, I'll come home."
Sam's shoulders relaxed slightly. He ran his fingers through Bucky's hair again, more slowly this time, and said softly,
"Okay. That's all I need. I trust you to make the right decisions."
Bucky turned his head toward the television and whispered, "Aren't you tired of me?"
The question hung in the air, fragile. Sam could tell from Bucky's tone that it hadn't been asked lightly.
After turning off the television, he put down the remote.
He looked down at Bucky, placed his hand on his cheek, turned his head toward him, and said in an emotional voice,
"Believe me, I'll never tire of you."
Sam didn't miss his lover's sigh of relief when he sat up. Then Bucky embraced Sam, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder.
Sam wrapped his arms around Bucky, resting one hand at the base of his skull and stretching the other across his back to pull him close.
They remained like that, wrapped in silence, comforting each other for battles past and future, enjoying the moment of respite they had been given.