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“Bucky, talk to me. You’re running out of room to land that thing. Don’t tell me you forgot how to fly.” Sam waited for the snarky retort and felt a bit of unease at the silence over their comm link. “Bucky, what’s going on?”
Static crackled over the line and then he heard Bucky‘s voice.
“Sorry Sam. Doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to land.”
“Can’t find a clearing? I know it’ll be a tight fit, but if you don’t turn around, you’re gonna be putting that thing down in the ocean.”
“Sam.”
Even through an earpiece, Sam could hear something was wrong. Bucky wasn’t outwardly emotional, but Sam knew him well enough to know when Bucky sounded ‘off’. “What is it?” he asked. “Be straight with me.”
“There’s a bomb on board. I can’t defuse it, and I can’t move it. It’s gonna blow in less than two minutes.”
Sam felt his stomach clench, but he pushed down the nausea that had bubbled up in his throat. He could see the plane. He could fix this. “Are you still in it? Get the chute on and get clearance. I’m right behind you.”
“Don’t!” Bucky snapped. “Sam,” he continued in a gentler tone, “there’s no chute. Just stay back so you’re not in the debris field. And…I’m sorry.”
“No! We’re not doing this. I’ve got eyes on you. Jump and I’ll catch you. We still got time.”
“I… I can’t.”
“Bucky! What the hell are you talking about? You have to get off that plane.”
“Sam, please.”
“This isn’t how we go out, man. Either jump and I’ll catch you or I’m coming after you. Either we make it, or we don’t.”
“Sam, there isn’t enough time.”
“I’m not leaving you. If this is it, then this is it.”
“Don’t do this,” Bucky pleaded.
“Then jump!” Sam shouted. “Man, you have to trust me.”
“I can’t!”
“You can! I’m close. I’ll catch you,” Sam promised. They were running out of time. He needed Bucky to get off that plane to make sure they weren’t caught in the blast. “Now, Bucky! Jump now!”
He’d just about given up hope when he saw Bucky’s body hurtling from the plane. Sam knew he could catch him. He wasn’t arrogant, just confident in his skills. Maybe a little arrogant, but he was still scared. He and Bucky had both lost so much from falls. He couldn’t fail this time. He couldn’t lose him.
He swooped in and got his arms up underneath Bucky’s arms and pulled him back against his chest. He wrapped his arms tight around him and pressed the side of his head against Bucky’s. “I got you. We’re all right. I got you.”
Bucky didn’t answer him, but he reached up and latched onto Sam’s forearms. Sam could feel the tremors shooting through his body but with the way Bucky’s back was pressed to his chest, he couldn’t see his face. He hooked one ankle around Bucky’s to bring them more in line together, and to hopefully offer a bit of security for his friend.
The blast was loud, and the force from it slammed into them. Sam had been expecting it and made sure his grip was firm. He felt Bucky squeeze his arms.
“It’s gonna be all right. I got you. We’re just gonna dodge some flying bits, but we’re good.”
This wasn’t Sam’s first time carrying someone. He easily got them clear and found a place to set down. The second they touched the ground, Bucky pushed out of his arms and fell to his knees. Sam stayed a couple of feet behind him, giving him some space as Bucky struggled to catch his breath.
“Hey, easy. Count them in.”
“Fuck…you,” Bucky gasped.
Sam crouched down beside him and took in Bucky’s red face and the tears streaming down his cheeks. He could see the full-on trembling that he’d felt in the air. He reached out and placed his hand on his back, rubbing small soothing circles. “You’re ok.”
The fear and adrenaline were hitting him as well and seeing Bucky crying had his own eyes watering. He would be feeling this one for a while. They had close calls, but this one was closer than most. The fact that Bucky had been willing to say goodbye hurt him in a way he didn’t think was possible.
“Hey. Hey, look at me.” Sam moved his hand to his cheek. “We’re good,” he said as he blinked away his own tears. “Come here.”
Sam moved slowly so Bucky could track his movement. He eased closer and pulled Bucky into his arms, cradling him close as if he were comforting one of his nephews. He knew neither of them would just bounce back from this one, but for now, they would take comfort from each other.