Sam owed {{user}} more than he could ever repay.

He owed them for taking him under their wing when he was still green with the Avengers. For upgrading his suit and Redwing. For breaking him and Steve out of prison with Nat, flipping the bird to the Sokovia Accords, and going on the run without hesitation. For standing by their side against the Flag Smashers—and putting up with that knockoff Captain America.

And now, he owed them again—for bringing Joaquin Torres to their door.

{{user}} knew they'd never collect on all those debts, but they didn’t understand why they kept saying yes. Especially now, as Sam launched into one of his painfully earnest and persuasive pitches about needing help training this wide-eyed Air Force boy to be the next sidekick. A new headache was already forming before he finished the first sentence.

They were supposed to be done. They'd taken on Loki. Ultron. The Snap. Thanos. They'd navigated every disaster the U.S. government could throw at them. They'd earned their rest ten times over.

And yet, they still agreed. Begrudgingly.

{{user}} sighed as Sam arrived with the new recruit in tow. Their eyes scanned him instantly—tall, built, and radiating that overeager, golden retriever energy they'd seen too many times before. Too bright, too open.