After Bucky left Delacroix, having delivered Sam’s Wakandan-made suit and helped him fix the "Paul & Darlene," Sam called Shuri to thank her. But there was another reason for his call, so after the greetings and appropriate gratitude, he got to the point.
"I don’t mean to be impertinent, but I know you’re upset with Bucky for breaking Zemo out of prison."
"Upset is an understatement, Wilson, and I feel like you’re about to cross a red line."
"That’s not my intention, but I know how much Bucky respects and appreciates you. He’s incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done for him, and he never meant to betray you—he just wanted to help me. I know the way he went about it wasn’t the best, but his intentions were good."
"Zemo was responsible for my father’s death, Sam. Do you know what that means? And Bucky, after everything we did for him and after all the harm Zemo caused—not just to him, but to us—just let him out of prison. How do you think that feels?"
"I know it must be horrible. I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel. But Bucky would never betray you—especially not for Zemo."
"Except he did. He already has. For you."
Sam felt butterflies flutter in his stomach at those words, maybe because he hadn’t fully grasped what it meant that Bucky had been willing to break Zemo out of prison and go against Wakanda for a mission that was originally Sam’s. And what did it mean that Sam would have done the same for Bucky and that he would basically do anything for him? It wasn’t the time to think about that. He needed to focus.
"Maybe I’m shooting myself in the foot here, and I don’t want to sound ungrateful because I truly appreciate everything you’ve done, but I agreed to the plan, and yet I still received an incredible gift from you. Doesn’t Bucky deserve your forgiveness? I know we didn’t handle things the right way, and trust me, I’m sorry. We both are. But you know Bucky—he has a heart bigger than his chest, and he’ll always fight for what he believes is right. He’ll always throw himself into causes bigger than himself because that’s just who he is. You know him, Shuri. You know what he’s made of and why he’s so special."
"I know you’re right, and that he’s a good man. But why didn’t he just talk to us?"
"I don’t know," Sam admitted. "Maybe he was afraid, or maybe it just didn’t occur to him. I didn’t think about it, so maybe he didn’t either."
Shuri sighed.
"He broke my father’s killer out of prison."
"And then he put him back, Shuri. And trust me, he wasn’t happy about it. But we needed his help. His goal wasn’t to free a criminal from where he belonged—it was just to get information and an extra hand for a really complicated mission. I know that doesn’t justify it, but he truly didn’t have bad intentions."
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions," Shuri said, sounding tired. Sam hoped he wasn’t pushing too hard, but he wanted to do something for Bucky, and this was the best idea he had. He needed it to work.
"Maybe it is, but You know everything he’s been through. You helped him break free from the programming they put in his head, the one that erased his identity and turned him into a weapon. For God’s sake, Shuri, he even chose to go back into cryo until you found a solution, just because he was afraid of hurting someone again. He’s suffered so much, you know that. And it hurts him deeply to lose the people who helped him become himself again, the people who did so much good for him, over a mistake he made while trying to do the right thing"
"You must care about him a lot."
"More than he realizes," Sam admitted, because there was no point in lying.
"Alright, let’s do this. Come visit us—the two of you. Bring your family too. James and you can stay in his old cabin, and your sister and the kids can stay at the palace. There’s no better way to rebuild lost bonds than spending time together here. You could also visit the goats."
"Thank you, Shuri. That’s amazing and so generous of you. I don’t know how to thank you, really."
"No need to thank me. We’ll stay in touch to coordinate dates."
"Thanks again. I hope to wrap up this whole Flag Smasher situation soon, and then we can go. I just hope Bucky won’t mind sharing his old place with me."
"That man broke Zemo out of prison, putting himself at odds with the nation that helped him reclaim his identity—just to help you. And he had the audacity to ask for a suit for you when he returned Zemo and we told him to stay away for a while. Of course he won’t mind," Shuri said as if it were obvious.
"I guess you’re right." Sam said, not wanting to think too much about those words because of how hopeful and excited they made him feel. He didn't want to create castles in the air that would make him end up heartbroken. "Thanks again, Shuri."
After saying their goodbyes, they hung up, and Sam couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. He couldn’t wait to finish dealing with Karli and the Flag Smashers so he could tell Bucky, Sarah, and the kids about their upcoming trip to Wakanda.
Delacroix hosted an outdoor meal to celebrate Sam as the new Captain America. It was fun and heartwarming, and although Sam still felt somewhat guilty about how things had turned out with Karli and the Flag Smashers, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment and relax.
When most people had already left, and Sam and Bucky were alone, relaxed, and slightly away from the rest, Sam decided it was time to tell Bucky the news about their invitation to Wakanda.
"I think it’s time we take that long vacation," Sam said.
Bucky’s smile faltered, and pain flashed in his eyes, making Sam feel guilty, so he quickly clarified, "Together."
Bucky’s pain shifted into slight confusion—but also immense joy. Together? Just him and Sam?
"With Sarah and the kids," Sam added. Bucky was happy—he loved spending time with them—but he also felt a slight twinge of disappointment, though he chose not to dwell on it.
"Where?" Bucky asked, smiling.
"Wakanda."
Oh.
"I’m really sorry, Sam," Bucky said, ashamed. "But the Wakandans aren’t too happy with me after the whole Zemo thing. Ayo told me it’d be best if I stayed away for a while, and I hate to say it, but I don’t know if you guys would be welcome either."
Sam grinned.
"Well, it’s an invitation from the Queen, so I sure hope we are."
"Wait—Shuri invited you to Wakanda?"
"She invited us, Buck. All of us—including you. In fact, she said she could arrange for you to have your cabin back. You can even visit the goats."
And god Bucky couldn't help but be impressed about how absolutely amazing Sam Wilson was and and how lucky he was because, in spite of everything, they continued in each other's lives
"How did you pull that off?"
"Oh, you know, I’ve got great persuasion skills."
"Thanks, Sam. Really. I don’t know how you got them to forgive me, but—"
"It wasn’t me," Sam interrupted. "They know you’re a good person and that you didn’t mean to betray them. Sure, they were hurt at first, but they care about you, buddy."
Bucky placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder.
"I know you said something to change their minds so quickly and even get me invited. It’ll be good to go back—especially with you guys. So, thanks."
"Anytime, Buck. Now, what do you say? Wanna come with me to break the news to Sarah and the kids?"
"Of course," Bucky said, and the two of them got up to go find Sam’s family.