Dove on Fire (Bucky Barnes)

Chapter one

"Go ahead" Bucky told Sam, I watched as Sam took hesitated steps towards the bench where an elderly Steve sat. Bucky nudged me gently with his elbow, I turned to face him "you okay?" he asked, his baby blues searching my face. I glanced back over at Sam and Steve "absolutely" Bucky smiled down at me, I found myself lost in his gaze as I smiled back.

"It's going to be hard to live in a world without Captain America" Sam told Steve as he watched the water, Steve reached down to grab the brown leather bag "oh, that reminds me" he unzipped the bag and pushed it towards Sam "try it on"

Sam looked back at us, Buck and I nodded, telling him it was okay. Sam gently picked up the shield, placing it on his left arm "how does it feel?" Steve asked, Sam looked down at the red, white, and blue pattern on the front before looking back up at Steve "like it's someone else's".

"It isn't" Steve replied smiling slightly, I could see the tears in Sam's eyes as he inhaled deeply, his eyes finding mine as I sent a reassuring smile his way "thank you, I'll do my best" he breathed out. Steve took Sam's hand in his "and that's why it's yours".

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Present Day (6 months post blip)

"I have no idea Rhodey" I hissed into the phone again "I have no idea where Wanda is, after everything in Westview, can you blame her for going into hiding?" I added resting the phone between my cheek and shoulder as I flickered through the files on my coffee table. Rhodey huffed dramatically "I hear you Clem, but promise me you'll call me in you hear anything?" he begged "I promise, I've gotta go Rhodes, I'll call you next week" I mumbled before hanging up.

I've spent the last five months monitoring S.W.O.R.D and following up on all the criminal activity that Nat had been dealing with, seems the world really did go to shit when Thanos wiped out half the planet. Criminal activity is at its highest and the public isn't as afraid of the authorities as they were. Sam called every week and texts me every day, fills me in on his missions and I help him and Torres as much as I can. 

Bucky on the other hand, well Bucky hasn't replied in months, I still send him a text every week. He used to call every now and then, mainly at night but that stopped after the first two months, I figured he just needed space to heal. 

"What is it now Sam?" I chuckled to myself as I opened the video he sent me, the video was of a man in a black mask with a red smudged handprint. He was strong, very strong "what the hell?" I hissed opening up the following attachment, a picture of Torres, his face badly bruised. The third attachment was a file called 'Flagsmashers' I skimmed through the info and frowned.

I dialed Sams number, placing it on loud speaker "hey my little firecracker" Sam greeted after the second ring, I grinned at the sound of his voice "hey pigeon, I just checked out the info you sent over" Sam grunted at the nickname I gave him before replying "what are you thinking?" he asked. I sat back and signed "whoever they are Sam, they're strong and they seem to be stirring up a lot of trouble across Europe" I fiddled with my yellow cushion as I spoke.

"Redwing traced them to a building outside of Munich, we'll do this together like the old days. Meet me at the base tomorrow, yeah?" Sam informed excitedly, I chuckled at his eagerness "yeah okay fine, I'll help. Send over any more info you get and I'll see you in the morning" I exclaimed, hanging up before he could reply. 

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I flicked through the channels as I sipped my tea and waited for my pasta to cool down, my food was soon forgotten as I landed on 'News Exclusive'. The remote slipped from my hand and landed on the floor with a thud as I read the flashing words over and over again.

'JOHN WALKER NAMED CAPTAIN AMERICA'

My stomach twisted as my eyes stung, that shield belonged to Sam. I watched in disbelief as John Walked tossed around the shield, talking about his training. This isn't what Steve wanted. I needed to talk to Sam, he deserves that shield. 

"-I got big shoes to fill" John gushed, winking at the camera. I scrunched my face up in disgust "did you know Steve Rogers?" the interviewer asked, John shook his head "I was two years out of West Point when Steve came back on the scene, I followed his career very closely as an Avenger. So I like to think I model my work after his" I crossed my arms over my chest as I stared angrily at the screen. 

"So you've always wanted to be a hero?" she asked smiling brightly at him "I liked that what I was doing would make people feel safe, Steve Rogers was the kinda guy who could do that, he gave me hope. Even though I never met him, he feels like a brother" my stomach churned at his words, shaking my head I wiped away the tears that had escaped on to my cheeks.

"Wow. Have you reached out to any of the other heroes?" Walker smiled brightly at the camera, as though he was waiting for a question like this "I'm currently trying to get in contact with Clementine Creed, you know she was Steve's right hand and America's best girl, I'd love to have the honor of her working alongside me" I choked on my own saliva as I shot up on to my feet "he did not just say that?" I growled to myself, without thinking I slammed my hand into the screen, shattering the picture. 

I needed to speak with Sam and Bucky, we needed to fix this.