You know, the MCU had so many great opportunities to really highlight Sam's pararescue background and flesh out his origin story on-screen.
I'll forever be sad we haven't gotten any flashbacks to him rescueing people in his EXO 7 wings.
Was he still serving when Tony was captured by the Ten Rings people? Could he have been frustrated at potentially getting pulled from his unit so that he and Riley could try to extract some billionaire weapons manufacturer.
Could've shown the times he butted up against authority, where he felt that following the orders given were the wrong move and wasn't right. (Something that tied into "Well, the number of people around here giving orders is down to zero, so yeah.")
Also, if Sam's EXO program was around before Iron Man 1, then the air force already possessed that kind of flight technology. Was the EXO 7 also Stark tech back then? Or was it developed by the Air Force itself? Did Rhodey know about it? Was he involved in its development as head of the weapons R&D sector? (I headcanon yes, cos I'd like history between Sam and Rhodey.)
Were the wings developed as a weapon/offensive measure first before they were then used for rescue purposes? (the military cynic in me says yes) Could this have been another interesting ethical dilemma Sam thought about.
Or maybe it could've been revealed that after field testing the EXOs in rescue ops, the air force was getting reckless with them and started sending Sam and Riley out on more dangerous offensive missions, and that's when Riley was killed (routine op was just the cover story).
Could've really hammered home the theme of Sam distrusting the government and that they will always end up using any weapon (or symbol) that's given to them. And he didn't want to be used again.
Anyway, this post got really away from me! This started as me thinking 'Gee I wish Marvel showed more of his backstory...the emblem of the 58th rescue squadron is LITERALLY an angel with its arms holding the weight of the world and shielding it with its wings. And if that ain't our angel Sam then...'
the pose started off as something completely different but then upon me came a vision......
Why, yes, I will like every Sam Wilson edit set to this song. Thanks for asking ;)
the way i was thinking about them when i first heard that song
That song is about them, right?
Based on this post where Bucky finds Sam's board that's filled with pictures of Bucky with strings pushed into it when he was trying to find him back in 2014-2016 and Bucky puts post it notes grading him if he was correct or not. People in the tags commented about this spinning off to a proposal and this was born.
This is my first finished fic in years so, I may be rusty. I hope y'all enjoy!
One day, Sam looks over at the board again— amongst all the chaos and dangling string and pinned up pictures and paper…
He tilts his head, squinting, before blinking his eyes.
There, on the map, is a new picture, stuck through with a blue pushpin.
Familiar brick, that doormat given by his nephews, the dark wood door.
Home.
100%, scribbled in black sharpie, across the surface of a bright yellow post it.
But what catches his eye—
“Will you marry me?”
Sam turns his head, footsteps creaking the wood underneath Bucky’s feet. He’s wearing a suit, not uncommon these days, but something different than the typical navy and grey suits he’s pilfered from Sam’s closet along with his ties.
No, there’s a svelte silhouette to his form, as if it’s important the fit is right. He’s in a three piece wearing a pin attached to the lapel.
And in his left hand is a small, velvet box.
The words on the post it note ring in his head as Bucky steps closer toward him.
“You found me,” he says, close enough his heat emanates from his body, seeping deep into Sam's own.
His eyes, those nowadays soft eyes, hold a glimmer of trepidation, but also hope.
“I sure did,” Sam replies, smile smug. “I’m good at what I do.”
Bucky’s other hand is warm when he reaches out, his thumb resting over Sam’s knuckles in a solid grip. There’s a slight tremor that seems to ease and settle when he brushes his thumb over Sam’s skin.
“Wouldn’t want anyone else to try and find me.”
“Well, you said I was 100% right on the last time I found you. No one can top that.”
A smile blooms across Bucky’s face, his eyes glowing.
“You’re right.”
Sam laughs, the joy bubbling through him, light and airy and warm.
“Can I get that in writing? Or better yet, on video?”
With a flick of Bucky's vibranium thumb, the box gently opens.
“Only if you say yes.”
Sam shakes his head, the line of his grin softer but no less strong, his eyes peering down at the ring gleaming in the lights of their home.
“You drive a hard bargain there.”
Bucky releases his hold, the absence creeping in, until he pulls the ring out of the cushion. Sam’s hand is still hovering in the air when the cool metal slides along his finger.
”What, do you want me to beg?”
The box snaps closed; Bucky’s hand slips into his pocket before drawing it out, resting his left hand on Sam’s waist. His other is holding Sam’s, thumb resting on top of the ring.
Their bodies draw closer, not quite a dance, but movements of a beat they’ve done so often, it’s like breathing.
Sam’s lips brush against Bucky’s, not quite a kiss.
“That could be a start.”
Their foreheads are pressed together, touching, gaze so focused all they can see in the reflection of their eyes is each other. Their hands warming the other’s waist.
“Say yes and I’ll do anything,” Bucky declares.
He tries one more time.
“Marry me?”
He strains to hear in the silence but his enhanced senses register Sam’s whisper like a yell.
“Yes.”
The taste of triumph, of victory, of finding peace and home, is on their lips, and steals their breath before they part for air.
They don’t move far away, foreheads still leaning against each other. Sam’s smile is a bit devious now, a cheeky twinkle in his eye.
“Gonna hold you to that, husband,” he says, and Bucky just laughs.
“Whatever you want, sweetheart. Whatever you want.”
_
If you like my writing, feel free to check out my writing tag!
A small alternative text, because imagining England thinking to himself that, maybe in another life and another time, he has an ordinary life - And that life is just my Punk Dad Au
I've seen a lot of people do inverse memes and I really wanted in on all the fun :,)
That song is about them, right?
Zombie au where ame has to fucking die at the end ☺