Losing Bucky was the hardest thing you’ve ever been through.

It was heroic, his death. One that will be remembered for decades to come, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Doesn’t make you feel any better. Doesn’t make the ache of him being gone any easier.

In the months since he passed, you’d isolated yourself from the team. Spent all of your time locked away in yours and Bucky’s apartment, refusing to open the door for anyone, refusing to accept help.

He wouldn’t want this. You know he wouldn’t want this, but you can’t help it. You don’t want to live a life without him.

So when there’s a knock at your door? You ignore it.

Another, you ignore it.

That is, until the door clicks open. Like magic.

Your head whips up, shocked. You sit up in your oh so empty bed and stare at the entryway, rubbing your eyes, so sure you’re hallucinating. You have to be.

Because the shadow you’re seeing… has wings?

“Sam?”

You can out. Nothing. The footsteps carry across the hall so quietly it’s as if the person weighs no more than a feather.

“Sam this isn’t-“

Your voice is cut off as the figure finally steps into the bedroom. Your eyes widen. Your jaw slackens. You can’t believe what you’re seeing.

“I- James?”

You breathe in disbelief, because there he stands. James Buchanan Barnes. Every inch as perfect as the day you lost him… and more. Because on his back, very visibly, sit a pair of large, jet black, beautiful wings. Like a fallen angel.