#58th squadron

[casside-sionnach]

Space: Above and Beyond SABB The SA-43 Endo/Exo-Atmospheric Attack Jet ("Hammerhead") is the main-stay of the Marine Corps. Their SCRAM engines enable them to fly in an atmosphere and in the almost complete vacuum of space. Following in the modular design of aircraft of the late 20th century, Hammerheads can be adapted for normal combat, search and rescue, and possibly other missions. The canopies of the craft are also detachable allowing docking with space platforms. Systems that are known to exist in the Hammerheads include LIDAR (Laser Infrared Detection And Ranging), HUD (Heads-Up Display) and ODP (Optical Disk Playback). The 58th Squadron, also known as the "Wild Cards" is a United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry squadron, assigned to the 5th Wing. The 58th was formed in 2063, from recruits who graduated from the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Recruitment Depot in Loxley, Alabama. The newly formed 58th were vital in delaying a Chig fleet from attacking Earth until reinforcements arrived from Groombridge-34. The 58th Squadron, assigned to the carrier USS SARATOGA were on the forefront of several major battles in the Chig War * Triva: Full-scale models of the "Hammerhead" fighters used in the series were created in Australia at RAAF Base Williamtown. An unverified report stated that, while they were being stored on board the freighter before shipping, crewmen from a Russian freighter were caught taking pictures of them after mistakenly thinking they were a new kind of advanced U.S. tactical fighter.

[usafphantom2]

14 November 1974. The first operational McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle fighters were delivered to the 555th Tactical Training Squadron, 58th Tactical Training Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

@ron_eisele via X

[alex99achapterthree]

Phantom Friday...

...clean and shiny.

USAF F4-C ; 58th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, 1971.

It looks like they got into the Technical Orders and applied every last stencil and notification they could find.

Black and white bands indicate the wing commander's aircraft. Note two red stars on the intake, signifying two aerial victories. The aircraft was assigned to the 58th's Commander, in this case double MiG killer Brig Gen Fred Haeffner.

[pinturas-sgm-aviacion]

1945 02 Final assault - Stan Stokes

B-29 Superfortress 42-24625 from 498th BG, 875th Bomb Squadron Nose Art 'Lady Mary Anna'

The largest and most powerful bomber of WW II, the Boeing B-29 Super Fortress, played a major role in bringing about the defeat of Japan. In addition to accelerating Japans surrender following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs, thousands of B-29 crews flew tens of thousands of bombing missions against Japan from bases in China, India, and later in the War from recaptured islands in the Pacific. B-29s entered service in 1943 following a lengthy, problem-filled, development process of three years in response to the governments request for a long range strategic bomber. Only Boeing and Douglas (the B-32 Dominator) responded to the governments requests, and the B-32 had even greater development problems than the B-29. Powered by four giant Wright R-3350-23 radial engines generating a total horsepower of 8,924, the Super Fortresses typically carried crews of ten. They were capable of a top speed of 357-MPH, and at slower cruising speeds had a range of more than 3,200 miles. The B-29 was a large aircraft for its time with a wingspan in excess of 140 feet and a length of just under 100 feet. The Super Forts also had pressurized forward and aft hulls, which made the long distance missions a bit more comfortable for the flight crews. B-29s typically carried defensive armament which included ten machine guns and a single tail-mounted canon. Because of the pressurized hull, the guns were operated by remote control. The first operational B-29 wing was the 58th which flew out of the China-Burma-India theater. On March 9, 1945 General Curtis LeMay ordered an unusual low altitude attack on Tokyo by hundreds of B-29s carrying incendiary bombs. Five such low level missions were scheduled over a ten-day period, and the combined destruction of these missions exceeded that of either of the atomic bomb missions. B-29s were also effectively used to mine Japanese ports and shipping lanes. The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu heavy fighter, which is depicted attacking the B-29 in Stan Stokes painting, entered production in 1941 following a lengthy four year development. About 1,700 of these aircraft, code named Nick by the allies, were produced. The Ki-45 never proved effective as a long range daylight interceptor. It was, however, used effectively in ground attack and night fighter roles. It was one of only a few Japanese aircraft that had some success against the onslaught of B-29s because it was able to attain the high altitudes necessary to intercept the high-flying Super Fortresses.

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Broken Wings || Pt.5

Sam Wilson x OFC Ada Marks

Summary: A 6-8 part mini series following OC Ada Marks as she rekindles a relationship with Sam but can they really get past their long history for a fresh start or is it better to just let go. Set after FATWS with Bucky and Sam being friends. Warnings: 18+ only, NSFW, violence, warfare, sexual themes. || Series Masterlist || Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 ||

Afghanistan, 2013

“I don’t like this,” I said for the third time as Sam and Riley worked quickly to pack up the camp we had set up. “We should go together.”

Riley sighed to himself but wouldn’t say anything because it wasn’t in his nature to go against an order despite hating when we were separated too. “How long until they get here?” 

“Chopper will be here in an hour,” Sam said as he sat on my rucksack so I could zip the overfull bag closed. “You and I fly in at 2300.”

“What about me?” I rose with my hands on my hips.

“We have been over this babe, two of us going in is already a risk,” he said, shaking his head. “You’ll be on standby, Ada.”

I wasn’t happy with the strategy but arguing would get me nowhere, but I would damn well make sure I was ready and waiting should one of them need me. 

I rolled up my mattress and tied it up with twine before tossing it out of the tent and onto the growing pile of belongings. My uniform was the only thing left unpacked but I wouldn’t change into it until the tent was dismantled. Taking it down would break a sweat and the last thing I wanted was to sit in damp clothes on an hour long flight back to base. 

“Incoming,” Riley announced as he heard the chopper blades while we were rolling the last of the canvas tent up tight. 

We quickly shoved the tent into its travel sack and covered our eyes as our transport arrived, kicking up dust in its wake. Two fairly new soldiers jumped out and helped us pack the chopper with our bags before we strapped in and we were off. The desert terrain fell away as we climbed higher and higher and the peace I had felt camping with my boyfriends fell away with it. 

“We’re home,” Riley said as he shook my shoulder and woke me up. 

I rubbed my eyes and tried to lift my head off Sam’s shoulder but his head was heavy on top of mine and I nudged his side so he would wake up. He lifted his head and looked around, forgetting for a moment where we were before stretching and waiting for the skids to touch down.

“58th in the house!” A loud voice called out over the sounds of the engine turning off and we all smiled at the 48th Rescue Squadron leader. 

“You know how it is, Fischer, call in the big guns when shit gets real,” Sam joked as he pulled him into a hug and clapped each other on the back.

“Only until they share your tech with the rest of us,” Staff Sergeant Ian Fischer retorted with a laugh. “Go on, everyone’s in the bullring.”

I gave Ian a hug and Riley shook his hand as we walked past on our way to the building that Sam was already disappearing into. Riley slung his arm over my shoulder as he caught up and I felt the pre-mission jitters and excitement begin to build. I had no idea that just 12 hours later my world would come crashing down.

“Alright, Falcon and Eagle, you have Starling for backup but we want to get in and out under the radar so the less Exo-7s out and about the better.” 

We all nodded as we stepped into the straps of our suits and began the quite lengthy task of securing our jet propulsion wings to our backs. We checked each other’s buckles to make sure they were snug before stepping out into the cool evening air. I pushed my ear comms deeper into my ear to make sure it wouldn’t fall loose when I flew and checked that everyone could hear each other as well as command central. 

We reached the clearing where our take off point was and I stood between Sam and Riley, holding one of their hands each in mine. We had seven years of pararescue missions under our belts, four of those with the Exo-7 wings. It still never made this moment any easier. 

“These things we do,” Sam said as he squeezed my hand.

“So others may live,” Riley followed.

“58th until the end.” 

We never said I love you. We never said goodbye. It was an unspoken rule that had never been broken. We stepped away from each other and expanded our wings before engaging the jets and taking to the skies. Two yellow dots were blipping in my helmet and those would be the two lights that guided me home, Falcon and Eagle. 

"The target is 8.6 miles northeast of Dabay. Uploading coordinates now,” Air command notified us through our comms before a red dot was added to the map in my helmet. 

"Eagle, take the right flank. Starling, stay out of range behind us."

We followed Sam's direction and I broke away as we reached the mountains that crashed steeply into the valley where Khandil was in hiding. I watched as Riley barrel rolled to the right and they both dove down into the dark depths and out of my sight. The air was still as I hovered in place ready for any sign of trouble but there didn't seem to be any. I was beginning to think the intel was wrong as their positioning beacons showed they had landed in the enemies territory unscathed. 

Suddenly machine guns fired in rapid succession and I heard Sam call out to Riley as he located Khandil. Their beacons moved hastily around my helmet as they manoeuvred their way about of the valley they were trapped in and Sam confirmed he had Khandil in his custody. Unable to remain in position any longer, I set my thrusters to full speed and raced over the terrain to reach Sam and Riley. 

Bullets hit my wings as I swooped at the insurgents and took some of the heat away from my men before I saw an alert for a missile heading straight for me and I tucked my wings in close, dropping from the sky. I felt the heat of the explosion above me and looked up to find Riley had protected me from the shrapnel and other projectiles. Opening my wings wide I blew a thank you kiss to Riley before heading back to Sam.

"Starling, get out of here," Sam called out as I reached him. "Eagle, let's go!"

We both looked back as we banked sharply to avoid an RPG heading towards us and I turned to see another RPG coming from behind.

“RILEY!”

Time slowed as the horror unfolded before our eyes. He had a 50/50 chance of banking left or right to dodge the RPG that passed us but he chose wrong. His right wing curled in and he turned right into the second RPG that was coming up behind him. Fire and flames engulfed him and there was nothing that I could do as he disappeared in the explosion. 

Fury flooded me as I looked down at the men scattered around the valley walls, from here they looked like ants and those ants took Riley from me. Sam was calling out to me, ordering me to leave but I couldn’t just let them get away with what they did. I pulled the comms piece out of my ear and dropped it as I tucked my wings in and plummeted from the sky. 

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The drive from York to Washington DC was quiet. The only voice that broke the silence was Riley as he pressed his nose to the window and watched the scenery pass us by, questions flowing from his lips quicker than the water of the Potomac River Sam drove along. Trying to ask him to have quiet time was futile and I had given up by the time we crossed that state line into Maryland, opting to try to sleep instead.

“Mr Wilson?” Riley asked as he leant into the middle of the seat and found Sam looking at him in the small mirror.

“Come on little man, call me Sam.” He smiled. “What’s up?”

“What was my dad like?” 

I fought the urge to open my eyes and kept my head on my rolled up hoodie that was doubling as a pillow for the drive. 

“Shouldn’t you be asking your mom about him?” Sam was obviously uncomfortable with the question and you heard the leather seats creak with his shuffle of movements.

“I think it makes her sad when I ask.” 

Sam’s sigh was barely audible but you knew he did it. “He was brave and kind and always put everyone else first. He was like you, protective of your mom.”

Riley chewed his lip and returned to looking out his window before gasping with fright. I bolted upright and leant across the seat to look out his window and spotted a man flying towards us with a rudimentary version of a wingsuit. 

Grabbing Riley, I tucked him under my arms and slipped a pair of control gloves over my hands to activate my wingsuit that was in the cargo hold.

“We’ve got company,” I growled as I noticed another man out my window and grabbed my son’s face. “Stay low, Ry. Hear me? Just stay low.”

“Ada, what are you-”

I pinned Sam with a stare through the rearview mirror and interrupted him, “What I have to, get Riley out of here.” 

Wind whipped around the car as I opened the door and dove out, Riley and Sam’s shouts sounding behind me. The back of the car exploded as my wingsuit tore through the metal and erupted out of it before they slammed into my back and saved me from hitting the asphalt road. 

The thruster kicked in almost immediately and I was thrown forward with the power much stronger than the previous marks had been able to pull. I almost screamed in exhilaration but it was the fear of my son that kept me focused on the two targets I had my eyes on.

It was mere seconds later that I was swooping past the car and the men with the inferior suits were too slow to avoid my sharp blades that slashed through their own wings before they could draw their weapons. One crashed heavily into the highway and came to a rest unmoving but the other managed to crash into the grass verge and lifted his weapon towards Sam’s car, at my son. 

I could never make it there in time but my wingsuit could. There was no time to think about myself as I flicked my wrist and fell from the sky as my suit disappeared from my back. A scream of pain tore from my lips as I landed badly on my already sore leg, my skin shredding along the road as I rolled but it was all secondary to the relief I felt as the wings wrapped around the back of the car, protecting its occupants from the bullets. 

The harsh sound of metal dragging across the ground had me look away from where Riley was safe and I found the man who had attacked up aiming his gun at me. It wasn’t the first time I had stared down a barrel but it was not something that ever got any easier and I felt the blood rushing in my ears as my heart raced. I didn’t want to die but I couldn’t risk bringing the wingsuit back and leaving Riley unprotected, he was my world. 

“My boss wants you alive so he can kill you himself,” the man spoke in Pashto. 

“Khandil can kiss my ass,” I spat back and jutted my chin to the road behind him. “If he wants me, he’s going to have to go through that.”

The man’s eyes widened as he looked over his shoulder and saw Sam throw his vibranium shield. The metal crashed into his back, breaking the wingsuit he wore and throwing him off balance and off aim, right into my fist that rendered him an unconscious mess on the asphalt. 

“I told you to look after Riley!”

“I wasn’t going to leave you, again,” Sam said as his voice broke and he scooped me up as gently as he could. There was no stopping the memories that assaulted me as I inhaled the woody scent of his cologne and my head found its way into the curve where his strong shoulders met his neck. It was a place that always felt like home, and it still did.

“You really outdid yourself,” he said with a rather disbelieving chuckle as he reached the car and you closed the wingsuit up with a swish of your hand. “It’s like you’re trying to one up me.”

I barked a laugh as he slipped me onto the backseat beside a worried Riley who I immediately wrapped in my arms as I cocked an eyebrow at Sam. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Nothing can outdo that costume of yours.”

[tarithenurse]

Sam Wilson Masterlist

Smut/lemons/nsfw/sexual themes = * Mental health issues = % Violence/gore = #

Always watch out for individual chapter warnings/content.Reader is per default female unless otherwise stated.

Series

Accidental partners

Based on the prompt: “Two random strangers are in couples therapy together. They both decide to pretend they’re a couple, despite having met each other two minutes ago”. Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 || Chapter 11 || Chapter 12

At the end of this song *

Reader works as a bartender at a karaoke-bar and thought it would be just a usual day until three heroes step in for a drink…though one might be interested in more. Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3

Interconnected drabbles

Sam and Reader are a couple and both a part of the Avengers. Things happen. Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6

One-shots

A favour

Set before Civil War. Reader and Sam agrees to pretend to date for the sake of Sam’s old grandmother. Things happen.

Impervious

(challenge for @princessmisery666) GN!Reader. Online harassment is not enough to scare Reader away from their love.

Last Second

Sam Wilson &/x GN!reader. You've made the mistake to wait with the holiday shopping and you really should have known better. Thankfully a stranger is of help to you.

New Years Eve *

Time for a New Years bang. No plot.

Reunion 58th Rescue Squadron *

(Challenge for @beckzorz) Maybe those reunions aren’t all bad when there’s an old flame to have fun with.

Snow everywhere *

(challenge for @devilbat) Seasonal!Reader (I swear, it will make sense). Sam’s revisiting his hometown simultaneously with Winter.

The sweetest taste

Knight!Sam x Princess!reader. Medieval AU. The princess has a new personal guard and starts to find it agreeable.

Valentine's fool *

Fake dating with all the tropes.

[samwilsonanonn]

Background

Sam Wilson used to be in the Air Force's 58th Rescue Squadron with his friend/wingman, Riley, until Riley was killed on a mission. Eventually he moved to Washington DC where he dedicated his life to helping veterans adjust to their civilian life. He then met Steve Rogers on his morning run and the two bonded over the difficulties in getting used to civilian life again.

Rules

- No interactions with people under 18

- All storylines and interactions are separate, and do not intertwine unless agreed between both parties

- Moderator is 20+

- LGBTQ+ Friendly

- Littles are welcome

- NSFW is tolerated, do not start with it or you will be ignored

- No scat or watersports

-Asks and DMs are open to everyone!

- Pick an emoji if anon

Taken emojis: None yet...

[rodspurethoughts]

The story of a stealth fighter, the F35 Lightning

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. perform an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 336th Air Refueling Squadron from March ARB, Calif., May 14, 2013 off the coast of Northwest Florida. The 33rd Fighter Wing is a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing that trains Air Force,…

[captain-yellow-96]

Deceitfully Devoted: Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“You’re in for a real treat,” I said sarcastically as I watched the numbers climb on the elevator. 

“This is insane,” Sam gasped as he looked around the elevator. 

“Welcome Captain Rogers. Agent Gray. Mr. Stark is expecting your arrival,” a monotone voice rang from the speakers. 

“Woah! Who the hell was that?” Sam exclaimed as he looked up at the ceiling, searching for where the voice was coming from. 

“That,” I laughed as I pointed to the screen near the door, “is J.A.R.V.I.S. Tony’s Artificial Intelligence and the true reason for his success. He’d be lost without him.”

“Thank you, Agent Gray. That is very kind. Perhaps Mr. Stark is wrong about you,” J.A.R.V.I.S. stated over the intercom. 

“What does he say about me?” I asked, intrigued and a little offended. 

“It is better that I not say. Mr. Stark has not cleared your third party for entry. I am running a background check now.”

“Sam Wilson, Air Force. 58th Rescue Squadron,” Sam stated as he crossed his arms. 

“Yes, I see that. Former pilot of the EXO-7 Falcon flight suit,” J.A.R.V.I.S. explained. “I imagine Mr. Stark will have some thoughts about improving your suit for optimal-”

“Is this guy serious?” Sam asked, pulling his eyebrows together as he looked down at me.

“You get used to it,” Steve shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

The elevator chimed as the doors opened, revealing the entryway to Avenger’s Tower.

“Come on,” I chuckled as I motioned for Sam to follow me. 

I stepped out of the elevator and onto the gray tile. I let out a sigh as I took in the view of the city. 

“Home sweet home,” I hummed.

“I can’t believe you actually live here,” Sam exhaled as he did a full turn of the room. 

“Yeah, you think after all these years they’d finally move out and get their own place,” Tony’s voice echoed from down the hall. “Tony Stark,” he stated as he held out his hand for Sam to shake. 

“Sam Wilson. Hey,” Sam beamed as he took Tony’s hand. “Nice place you got here.” 

“Thanks, it is pretty nice. You know, when it isn’t being ransacked by these losers,” Tony mumbled. “I never get a moment of peace when they’re here.” 

“Nice to see you too, Tony,” Steve chuckled. 

“Always a pleasure Cap,” Tony stated as he nodded his head in Steve’s direction. 

Tony turned to face me, a smile spreading across his face.

“Ah, Rambo. Nice to see you’re still in one piece,” he said as he raised his eyebrows. His eyes scanned over my body from head to toe. “Little rough around the edges. That’s gonna scar,” he stated, pointing at the gash on my forehead that was almost fully healed. “Adds a bit of mystery to the whole thing you’ve got going on here. I’m into it,” he shrugged as he shot a wink in my direction. 

Steve’s posture stiffened as he inhaled sharply. He was glaring at the back of Tony’s head as he walked away into the living room. 

“So,” Steve said slowly as he turned to follow behind Tony. “What information were you able to gather on the Hydra bases?”

Sam turned his head to look at me, raising his eyebrow in confusion. 

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I followed behind Steve. 

“Please tell me you were able to find something,” I sighed as I took a seat on the leather couch. “I don’t think I can take any more disappointment.”

“Oh, is Cap not keeping you satisfied?” Tony whined, frowning in Steve’s direction.

Steve, who was leaning on the back of the couch behind me, let out a slow exhale.

“It’s not his fault you know,” Tony continued. “He was frozen for like, what, 70 years? Exposure to cold temperatures is bound to have an impact on his-”

“Did you find anything or not?” Steve interrupted, annoyed. 

“Of course I did,” Tony stated, pulling his eyebrows together. He took out a small screen from his pocket and motioned with it toward the coffee table in the center of the room. 

Images of an old stone building built into the side of a mountain appeared in front of us. 

“This is one of Hydra’s research bases. It’s located in Sokovia,” Tony explained as we stared at the images of the base. “We’ve got two other hits of bases nearby, but this is the big one.” 

“Do we know what they’re researching there?” Steve asked as he leaned in closer to me to get a better view of the base.    

“That’s a great question,” Tony stated, crossing his arms as he stood up and began to pace around the room. “You know, I should have looked into what they were researching when I single handedly dug up info on this place.”

“Did you find anything or not?” I asked, irritated. 

“Negative,” Tony sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Their defense system is one of the best I’ve seen. Couldn’t crack it. At least not remotely.”

“Mind if I take a look at it?” I asked, raising my eyebrows as I stared at Tony. 

“Yeah, whatever. It’s all yours,” Tony mumbled, waving his hand as he turned to walk away from the group. “Legolas has already set up shop in my lab. Make yourself at home. Not that you have any problem doing that.” 

“Clint’s here?” I asked, pushing myself up from my relaxed position on the couch.

I glanced up at Steve, smiling for a moment before I took off racing toward the stairs. I could hear Steve’s footsteps following behind me as I bound up the stairs, eager to see my mentor.

I gasped for air as I reached the top of the stairs, pausing when I saw Barton hunched over at one of the desks. His head was resting in his hand as he scanned through the information on the screen. 

“Thought you were supposed to be on vacation,” I called from behind him, crossing my arms as I leaned against the doorframe. 

Clint’s shoulders began to move from laughter as he turned around in his chair. A playful smile was tugging at his lips. 

“Well, you know,” he sighed. “When duty calls,” he shrugged his shoulders. 

I shook my head, letting out an amused exhale. I pushed myself off the wall and quickly made my way over to where he was sitting. 

Clint stood up upon my approach and wrapped me into a bear hug. He held me close, the embrace was so tight it was starting to get difficult to breathe. 

“Thought I’d never see you again,” he whispered into my ear and he pulled me closer to him. “Don’t ever do that shit again. Okay?”

“I was fine. I told you, I had it,” I exhaled as he released me from his hug. 

“You fell ten stories,” Clint scolded, glaring at me. 

“You make it seem like I had a say in the matter,” I joked, punching his shoulder.

“You shouldn’t have gone off on your own like that. You should have waited for backup,” he explained, shaking his head. 

“It all worked out in the end,” I said, holding my hands up in defense. “My grappling hook was jammed, but it shot out at the last second and everything was fine.”

“Everything was not fine,” Steve reprimanded from the doorway. 

I turned to face him and began to state my defense, but was quickly interrupted.

“You took quite the fall, Taylor,” Steve stated. “I was there, too. I saw the whole thing.”

“I lived to tell the tale, did I not?” I asked, sarcastically as I motioned toward myself, a smug smile growing on my face.

“Your reckless behavior isn’t something to joke about,” Steve exhaled, shaking his head.

“So I take it her streak continues?” Clint asked, crossing his arms as he looked around me to where Steve was standing. 

“Of course,” Steve said, smiling. “Did you expect any different?” 

“A guy can dream, can’t he?” Clint grimaced, forcing a smile in Steve’s direction. 

“Okay, well if you two are done fawning over me, I’d like to take a look at this base and see what other information we can pull,” I explained as I stepped around Clint to get a better view of the computer screen. 

My eyes scanned the monitors, skimming over the contents on the screen. I pulled my eyebrows together in confusion, turning to look over my shoulder at Clint. 

“Is this it?” I asked.

Clint shrugged, crossing his arms as he took a step closer to the computer. 

“Looks like it,” he stated. “I’ve been at it for an hour. No luck. This was all I could find.” 

I let out a loud sigh as I sunk into the computer chair. I continued to stare at the screen, reading what little information Clint was able to find. My eyes stopped on an image of the research base, focusing on a small electrical box on the outside of the building. 

I sat up in the chair, leaning forward as I reached for the mouse to zoom in on the image. 

“There,” I said as I pointed toward the enlarged picture. “That’s our way in.”

“Where?” Steve asked as he took a step closer to the computer. 

“You get me to that box, I guarantee you I can hack into their servers and figure out what they’re doing there,” I explained, leaning back in the seat, satisfied with my discovery. 

“Easy there, Tron,” Tony scoffed.

The three of us turned around to see him standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.

“It’s not exactly gonna be a picnic,” Tony stated, scratching his head. “That little box is in one of the most heavily guarded research facilities I’ve seen in years. I sent some of the Iron Legion there to do exactly what you just suggested and they were fried seconds upon entering the perimeter.” 

“Iron Legion?” Steve asked, looking confused.

“Oh yeah. It’s this new droid army I created to help us protect civilians when we’re doing our thing,” Tony explained, nonchalantly. “They can do other things, too, like gather intel on bases.” 

“Obviously not well if they were compromised the minute they entered the base,” I scoffed, shaking my head at Tony. 

“Is that all you’ve been up to?” Steve asked, tilting his head to look at Tony carefully. 

“No, of course not,” Tony exclaimed. “I made some improvements to your gear. It was a bit outdated if you ask me-”

“I didn’t,” Steve interrupted. 

“Yeah, well, you can thank me later,” Tony mumbled, dismissing Steve with his hand. 

Tony turned to face me. He raised his eyebrows, a wicked smile spreading across his face like a wildfire.

“Got some stuff for you, too,” he nodded in my direction. 

I raised my eyebrow, intrigued by his claim. 

“Wanna come check it out?” Tony asked, laughing. 

~ ~ ~ 

“Tony, are you sure this is safe?” Steve called from the observation deck above us. 

“Yeah, totally safe,” Tony yelled up at Steve, rolling his eyes. “She’s in a controlled environment. Your girlfriend will be just fine, Rogers.” 

“I am not-”

“Just focus on your targets,” Tony interrupted, handing me a blade that was glowing blue. “Aim it like you would a normal knife. After you’re done, move your arm like this and it should retract back to your hand.” 

“How exactly does this work again?” I asked, looking down at the glowing bands on my arms.

Tony closed his eyes, letting out a slow sigh. 

“I already told you. It's magnetic,” Tony explained, sounding annoyed. “You do know how magnets work, right?”  

“Yes, Tony. I know how magnets work,” I exhaled. “I just don’t get how the magnetic force will work from this far away. It doesn't make any sense how they-”

“Just try it first before you start to question my intelligence,” Tony snapped as he took a step back, allowing me clear sight of the targets. 

I closed my eyes, shaking my head, trying to clear my thoughts so I could focus on my aim. 

I scanned the targets on the other side of the training room. 

Three targets, glowing red. Evenly spaced. About 50 yards away. 

I twirled the knife in my hand, trying to get used to the light weight of the blade. My other hand traced over the leather holster strapped to my thigh. My fingertips brushed against the cool metal of the hilt tucked into the sheath. 

I inhaled slowly, focusing on the first target to my left. I spun the knife once more in my hand before retracting my arm back. I directed the blade to the first target, watching as it glided through the air with ease toward its destination. 

I smiled as a satisfying gust of air was released from the first target and stood up from my crouched position. I looked up at Steve and Sam, who were watching from the observation deck above. 

Steve was leaning on the railing and had an impressed smirk on his face. 

My fingertips traced over the hilt of the blade strapped to my thigh. I zeroed in on the middle target, gripping the new blade as I pulled it out from its case and sent it flying into the bull’s eye.

I stood up, pleased with the weight and force of Tony’s new blades. 

“Okay, now you should just have to move your hand like this,” Tony explained as he showed me the motion to make with my arm to activate the magnet to retract the blades. 

I lifted my wrist and pointed the band in the direction of the first blade I had thrown.

Within seconds, the blade began to wiggle in the target and shot out, making its way back to where I was standing. 

The blade was coming at an unreasonable speed, zooming toward my face with no intention of slowing down. 

My eyes grew wide as I watched the knife flip in the air toward my head, diving out of the way at the last second, barely missing its path. 

The second blade shot out of the middle target at the same time and hurtled toward my face. I barely had time to move out of the way before the blade nicked my ear. 

I let out a hiss as I lifted my hand to my ear. 

The knives clanged together as they soared through the air at my head again. 

“Oh shit,” Sam exclaimed.

“You call that safe, Tony?” Steve yelled as he ran down to the training area. 

After barely escaping the second attack, I ripped the glowing bands off of my wrists and threw them on the floor. 

“Yeah, so clearly there’s still some improvements that need to be made,” Tony gasped as he punched some commands into his tablet. 

The wrist bands and knives stopped glowing as they powered down.

“You think?” I shot at him before storming off to grab the first aid kit off the wall. 

I reached out my hand to grab the white box, but was stopped by a pair of hands before I could grab it.

“Let me,” Steve said as he picked up the first aid kit. “You okay?” he asked as he set the box down on a table nearby and began to search through it for supplies. 

“Yeah,” I sighed, lifting myself onto the table. “I gotta say, dodging my own blades was not on my list of things to do today,” I laughed as I settled myself next to Steve. 

“Watching you come close to death, again, wasn’t on my list either,” Steve exhaled as he brought a piece of gauze near my ear to stop the bleeding.   

“You mean, it isn’t your favorite hobby?” I joked, wincing at the contact of the cotton on my skin. 

“No, Taylor. It’s not,” Steve sighed, shaking his head as he applied pressure to my cut.

I stared up at Steve, watching him as he watched me. His eyes were swelling with sorrow with each moment that passed. I haven’t seen him this worried in a long time. 

He pressed the gauze to my ear with one hand. The other was moving my hair gently out of the way, resting on the space between my neck and shoulder. He slowly removed the gauze, leaning in closer to examine the cut. 

I closed my eyes as the smell of his cologne filled my lungs, a slight smile creeping onto my face at the scent of him. 

“You’re wearing cologne,” I hummed, trying to suppress my smile. 

“Maybe,” he murmured. 

I opened my eyes to see a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

“What’s the special occasion?” I teased. 

Flirting with Steve was one of my favorite pastimes. 

“Nothing,” he said quietly, refusing to meet my eyeline.

“Oh. Then it’s for someone?” I asked, amusingly.

“N-no. It’s not for, uh, anyone. No,” he stammered. 

“Then why wear it at all, Steve?” I prodded, leaning in closer to him. 

“I don’t know,” he said sheepishly. “Why? Does it smell bad?”

He pulled away from me, staring at me with a perplexed look. 

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh, throwing my head back and shaking my head. 

“No,” I whispered, sweetly. “It doesn’t smell bad. Quite the opposite.” 

Steve blinked a few times, staring down at me. His hand was still resting near my neck. I felt his fingers twitch as they slowly traced my jawline.  

“What the hell happened?” Clint asked as he jogged over to where Steve was triaging my injury. 

Clint and his suspiciously well-timed appearances.

“Ask Stark,” I growled as I shot a glare in Tony’s direction. 

“I leave for five minutes to make one phone call, and you’re injured already?” he asked, shaking his head at me. “I thought you said this was safe, Stark?”

“Yeah, I thought it was,” Tony said as he walked closer to where we were standing. 

“She could have been killed,” Sam said as he approached the group.

“Wow, he’s a sharp one, Cap. Where’d you dig him up?” Tony asked sarcastically. 

“Look man, I don’t know you,” Sam started, taking a step closer to Tony.

“You’re right,” Tony interrupted, holding his hand up. “And yet, you’re in my home. Whose bright idea was to bring him along anyway? Yours, Cap? Need a roadie to tag along to boost your ego-” 

“That’s enough, Tony,” I seethed.

Tony raised his eyebrows once, his eyes growing large. 

He quickly glanced in my direction, making eye contact for a brief moment, before mumbling something and turning to walk away. He was scratching his head and staring down at his tablet as he left the room, picking up the knives and bracelets on his way out.

“Ow,” I cried out as Clint pulled on my ear to get a better look at the cut.

“Yep,” he stated matter-of-factly as his mouth went into a straight line. “You’re gonna need stitches.” 

He picked up the first aid kit and started walking off toward the locker room. 

“Come on, kid,” he called over his shoulder.

I let out a loud sigh as I pushed myself off the table, landing on the ground with a thud.

Steve reached out his arm to steady me, but I shook my head as I stood up straight and followed after Clint. 

“You know I’m not a kid anymore, right?” I asked as I leaned against the doorframe, watching as Clint prepped the area to patch me up. 

“You’ll always be a kid in my mind,” Clint sighed. “You know that.” 

“I might be the youngest one on the team,” I explained, “but I’m not that scared teenager you rescued all those years ago.” 

“Sometimes I look at you and I still see that little girl I pulled from that burning building,” he shrugged as he sterilized the needle he would be using. 

“Well, that little girl grew up,” I stated, crossing my arms as I walked over to the table he prepped. “And she had a pretty badass mentor who taught her how to hold her own.”

“She did, huh?” he asked, smiling as he turned to face me. 

His smile fell when he saw the look on my face. 

“I just want you to be safe is all,” he said, quietly. “Sit.” 

I reluctantly moved to sit on the table. I moved my hair out of the way as he began to clean my ear. 

“What the hell happened in D.C.?” he asked as he wiped away the blood that had begun to dry. 

I let out a loud sigh. Figures he’d want details of what happened.

“We brought down a corrupt-”

“I know that,” Clint interrupted, his eyes snapping to meet mine. “I meant that,” he said, motioning toward my healing injuries. 

“Oh,” I said, quietly. “Courtesy of our friends Pierce and Rumlow.” 

“They held you captive?” he asked as he began to stitch the cartilage that had torn from contact with Tony’s knife.   

“Mmhm,” I winced as a stabbing pain shot out from my ear. 

“I told Laura I should have gone with you,” he grumbled as he continued to sew me up. 

“You were with your family,” I insisted. “We didn’t expect you to come with us.” 

“I should have been there,” he sneered. “I should have been there to protect you and Nat.”

“Natasha and I are both very capable of protecting ourselves, Clint,” I remarked. “We don’t need you there to fight our battles. We can handle ourselves.” 

“I-I know that,” he huffed, pausing to lean back and look at me. “I know you two can take care of yourselves. But you called. You needed my help. And I said no.”

“This isn’t your fault, Barton,” I stated, lowering my gaze so we were eye to eye. “You’re allowed to say no. You’re allowed to take time off. You’re allowed to have a life outside of this team.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me,” he said quietly, shifting his attention back to my ear. 

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “You’ll be there this time.”

[masqueradeassane]

Have been thinking about Space: Above and Beyond recently.

McQueen is an In-Vitro and we don't really know exactly when he was brought into the world.

For all we know, aside from Cooper Hawkes, McQueen could be all of two to five years older than the entire 58th Squadron. Hell he could be the same age as some of the Wildcards.

[usaac-official]

An A-20A of the 58th Bomb Squadron in flight over Hawaii, 29 May 1941

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: First Landing at the North Pole

On this day in 1974, Air Force pilot William P. Benedict passes away. Benedict is best known as the first American to land a plane at the North Pole. Did you know that the Air Force and the Navy were informally racing to be the first to land a plane at the North Pole? The Navy ran into failure during March and April 1952. The stumble gave the Air Force a chance to squeak in with its own attempt. Benedict was tasked with the mission, along with Lt. Col. Joseph O. Fletcher, commanding officer of the 58th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. The two men planned their mission in less than a month. It didn’t hurt that both had plenty of experience in Arctic conditions. The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-benedict-north-pole  

[usafphantom2]

Victoria Cross for Lancaster pilot Squadron Leader Ian Bazalgette – August 1944

Header main image: ‘Beyond Praise’ – Bazalgette’s blazing Lancaster ND811, ‘F2-T’, with only one engine still running, skims the village of Senantes, France, before crashing on 4th August 1944. (Artwork: Len Krenzler)

Eighty years ago this month, in August 1944, an incredible and selfless act of supreme gallantry by Lancaster Pathfinder pilot Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby “Baz” Bazalgette resulted in the subsequent award to him of a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC).

Ian Bazalgette was born in the Canadian city of Calgary in October 1918, to parents of English and Irish background. The family always called him “Will” and in 1927, when he was nine years old, they all moved back to England. When the Second World War began, he was almost 21 and having volunteered for military service he initially served with the Royal Artillery, being commissioned in 1940, before transferring to the RAF Volunteer Reserve. After completing his pilot training, he joined 115 Squadron at Mildenhall in September 1942, to fly the Vickers Wellington twin-engine bomber operationally. In the RAF his nickname became “Baz”.

When he had completed 13 operations flying Wellingtons, Bazalgette and his squadron transitioned to the four-engine Lancaster and he flew a further 15 ‘ops’ against heavily defended targets in Europe, surviving some harrowing experiences, including a crash landing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), with the citation mentioning his “great courage and determination in the face of the enemy”. When his first operational tour was complete, he was posted as an instructor at No 20 Operational Training Unit, based at Lossiemouth in Scotland. Then in April 1944 he was ‘head hunted’ for the Pathfinder Force and joined 635 Squadron at RAF Downham Market, Norfolk, as a flight commander with promotion to acting squadron leader. He completed a number of Pathfinder target- marking operations in the lead-up to D-Day and afterwards.

A 635 Sqn Lancaster with the unit’s ‘F2’ code letters at Downham Market in 1944. This aircraft has the H2S radar dome under the rear fuselage and is fitted with the then secret ‘Village Inn’ radar-directed Airborne Gun Laying Turret (AGLT) equipment for the rear turret. Bazalgette flew Lancaster ED811 ‘F2-T’ on 4th August 1944.

On 4th August 1944, on his 58th operation, Bazalgette was the master bomber for a daylight raid against the V-1 flying-bomb storage caves at Trossy St Maxim, France. He was tasked with marking the target and controlling the Main Force bombing. Nearing the target his Lancaster, ND811 ‘F2-T’, came under heavy anti-aircraft fire; both starboard engines were put out of action and serious fires broke out in the starboard wing and the fuselage. As the deputy master bomber had already been shot down, with the deaths of all those on board, the success of the attack depended on Bazalgette. Knowing this, he pressed onto the target, despite the state of his Lancaster, and marked it accurately.

Sqn Ldr Ian Bazalgette DFC (far left) with his usual 635 Sqn crew (L to R): Geoff Goddard, Ivan Hibbert, Chuck Godfrey, Bob Hurnhall (who was replaced by Vernon Leeder on 4th August 1944), Douglas Cameron and George Turner.

After dropping his markers and bombs, Bazalgette’s crippled Lancaster dived almost out of control and bursts of ‘flak’ hit the nose of the aircraft badly injuring the bomb aimer, Flight Lieutenant Ivan Hibbert, whose right arm was almost torn off. The flight engineer, Sergeant George Turner, and the wireless operator, Flying Officer Charles “Chuck” Godfrey, dragged Hibbert from his position in the nose in a critical condition, carried him to the rest bunk, applied a tourniquet and injected him with morphine. The crew attempted to fight the flames inside the aircraft, but smoke filled the fuselage and the mid-upper gunner, Flight Sergeant Vernon Leeder RAAF, was overcome by fumes. Leeder was not part of Bazalgette’s usual crew, but had replaced Flight Sergeant Hurnhall for this sortie. Then the port inner engine failed and, with only one engine running, altitude could no longer be maintained. Bazalgette ordered those of his crew able to do so to abandon the aircraft, and four of them bailed out from low altitude. All four survived and subsequently evaded capture with the help of the French Resistance. Aware that his bomb aimer and the mid-upper gunner could not bail out and refusing to leave them, Bazalgette attempted to crash-land the burning Lancaster in a last effort to save them. He managed to put the aircraft down in a field near the small French village of Senantes, but moments later the Lancaster exploded and Bazalgette and his two comrades were killed.

Left: Sqn Ldr Ian “Baz” Bazalgette. Centre: Bazalgette’s medals. Right: The BBMF Lancaster flies in tribute to all who flew with Bomber Command during the Second World War and especially those who lost their lives. (Lancaster image: Lisa Harding).

In August 1945 Squadron Leader Ian W Bazalgette DFC was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic sacrifice in not abandoning his two wounded comrades who remained on board. The citation for his VC in the London Gazette included the words, “His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career of operations against the enemy. He always chose the more dangerous and exacting roles. His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise.”

LEST WE FORGET

@memorialflightclub.com

[saryasy]

sary baby <3 15. dearest / ache (you can use one or both, do as you please!)

ahh a, my dear, thank you so much for the prompt 💖💖 this is very different so I hope you enjoy it!

the prompts list

15. Dearest/Ache

My dearest Sam,

How are you, my love? I hope this letter finds you well.

It has been 107 days since I was shipped out. I know because I counted them myself, one by one. And as each one passes, I miss you more and more. I lie in bed and think of you, of your beautiful smile, your calming voice. The nights are cold without you, my dear, and I want nothing more than to hold you, to touch you, to feel you.

I get anxious waiting for your letters. I hold them delicately for they were once in your hands. I read them quietly to the candlelight over and over, I can almost hear your voice whispering them to me.

My darling, there is an ache deep in me that can’t be calmed by anyone but you, and it has been growing impossibly large with every second I am away from you. I wish for this war to be over, for me to come back home to you, to hold you in my arms once again, my absolute beloved Sammy.

I love you and I miss you.

Yours forever and beyond,

James

This is the last known communication of Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. It was intended for his roommate (read: lover) Samuel Thomas Wilson, but its transport was intercepted at the border, making it impossible for it to reach its destination.

Sam Wilson - known as the Falcon to his fellow airmen at the 58th Rescue Squadron in the Air Force - went on to live a happy and long life, though he never married. On his death bed, Wilson's last words were of Barnes' name.

Some historians believe that Sergeant Barnes didn’t die on his last mission the night after this letter was sent out. Some theorize that he actually survived his fall from the train and went on to become the infamous Winter Soldier, the main suspect in many profile killings spanning across decades, though nothing was ever proven, including the existence of the Winter Soldier himself (who many believe was nothing but a conspiracy theory, a ghost story with no basis in reality.) Others believe that he reunited with Wilson before the latter’s death, and was present at his funeral according to conflicting and unreliable accounts.

[airmanisr]

P-47D Thunderbolt by Willard Womack Via Flickr: A P-47D Thunderbolt of the 201st Mexican Expeditionary Air Force, which called themselves, “Águilas Aztecas or "Aztec Eagles”. They were attached to the 58th Fighter Group of the 5th Air Force operating in the Philippines. Missions were flown with the 58th from June 1945 until their last mission on August 26th of that same year. In that short time the Squadron flew ninety-six missions, with fifty-three being ground support missions. Of the ninety-four pilots, only one died in Combat. Three were lost in training accidents, three lost at sea, and one lost in a crash for a total of eight. They were recognized by General McArthur, and upon returning to Mexico were honored with a military parade.

[ad1thi]

begin again

for @rhodeslabs‘ prompt: "OK I HAD AN IDEA A FEW DAYS AGO FOR SAMTONY THAT I THOUGHT YOU'D LOVE. Ok so teacher!Sam with single parent!Tony AU where Sam is the best teacher for Tony kid of your choice :)". major shout-out to @omg-just-peachy for the beta and @warmachinesocks for sensitivity reading!!

i’m super proud of this fic, i put a lot into it, so please consider reblogging, and leaving a comment if you liked it!!

//

There isn’t a specific rule against having opinions on your kid’s parents, but Sam knows that it’s not the done thing.

As a teacher, he may know a lot about his kids, but he learns next to nothing about the people raising them. He doesn’t know their work schedules, or what goes on in their private lives, hell - sometimes he doesn’t even know their names until he meets them at a PTA meeting. It’s bad form to judge people you don’t know, and it’s even worse to judge them through the very biased lens of their kids.

There’s exceptions of course, like the kinds of folks who leave bruises on their kids - but for the most part, passing judgement on parents isn’t standard procedure.

That doesn’t stop Sam from fiercely hating Lila Rhodes’ old man with every fiber of his being.

//

Sam never imagined himself as an elementary school teacher.

His father was Air Force right up until the day he died, just like his father before him, and there was never any question about whether Sam would follow in the family tradition. He enlisted right before college, because if he was going to give away the rest of his life to the military, the least they could do is pay for the next four years of his life. He picks an English degree, because it’s easy enough that he’ll actually be able to enjoy college and not find himself holed up in a library - but not too obscure that he can’t do anything with it after.

Not that Sam ever plans on using his degree, but his Ma mentioned that it was good to have a back-up plan. Just in case.

He graduates Summa Cum Laude on a Friday morning, and catches the evening train to Texas for Basic Military Training. There’s no break, no pause, no hesitation about who he’s going to be or what he’s going to do. He has his orders by the end of the year, and only has time to make a quick phone call to his sister to let her know where he’s gonna go and make her promise that she’ll tell the family before he’s on the first flight out.

In truth, Sam enlisted because it was the thing to do. There was never a time in his life when he considered another path, when he was allowed to consider another path. But now that he’s here, he finds that he loves it. All that bullshit they say about the military giving you a sense of purpose? It’s true.

Still, there’s an itch under his skin, something that keeps tugging at him that’s telling him he can do more, be more - so when it trickles down the pipeline that the Brass is looking for two flyboys to test out the experimental EXO flight-suits, Sam jumps at the chance.

It takes about six months for him to retrain as a paramedic, which is more than enough time for him to get to know his new partner, Riley Evans - but when Sam puts on the EXO-1 FALCON and kicks off the ground; everything in him settles.

It’s a stupid way to describe the feeling - but it feels like everything in his life has been leading up to this very moment, Sam in the sky with honest to god wings, Riley on his left, and nothing but the open sky around them.

There’s others in their unit - in total, there’s about 8 members of the 58th Squadron, but Sam knows that he and Riley are the best. The others are good, there’s no doubt about it, but they don’t come close to the kind of stats that Sam and Riley have.

It’s exhilarating work, saving people instead of killing them, and it makes the blood in Sam’s veins thrum. He can’t write home about it, because the 58th is shrouded under all sorts of covert operations and need-to-know missions, but he tries his best to let his family know that he’s happy.

That he's more than happy, that he’s found his purpose, he’s found himself a brother, that he finally gets what his father meant when he said there’s nothing like a life in the service, son.

It’s the best three years of his life, and then everything goes to shit.

It’s a routine training session, not even an operation, and Riley’s doing loop-de-loops around Sam and generally being a dumbass. The wings have been upgraded recently, more manoeuvrability and decreased weight, and Riley’s making sure he gets his promised full range of motion.

He shoots up, yelling something that gets lost in the wind, and Sam watches as he goes up, and up and up - and then just as abruptly, he goes down.

It takes a couple of seconds for Sam to realise that Riley isn’t slowing down, that he isn’t flying down - he’s falling down; and those precious seconds cost Riley his life.

Later, he’ll hear people say that it wasn’t his fault. That there was some sort of malfunction in the wings, that Riley went too high too fast and the shift in altitude caused something to break.

Sam knows the truth though.

He catches Riley’s arm just as Riley hits the ground, his head lolled back and body limp, and rushes him to the med-camp, screaming so loud his voice goes hoarse. They rush him inside, a large burly man stopping Sam from following, and Sam stands there for five hours, in the blazing sun, catching glimpses of the doctors working as the wind moves the tent.

He stands there, un-moving, until someone steps out of the tent, caked in blood, and solemnly tells Sam that they’re very sorry, and they did everything they could.

Sam files his discharge papers the very next day.

Sarah picks him up at the airport.

//

She’s waiting for him outside, leaning against her car and furiously texting someone, so Sam sees her before she sees him. He’s split between being grateful that he doesn’t have to hail a cab, because those are next to impossible to catch from Louis Armstrong Intl Airport to Delacroix and he does not feel like renting a car - and being annoyed because he thought he had a couple of hours before someone was going to start asking him questions.

“You didn’t have to do this y’know,” Sam says when he’s close enough, and Sarah looks up with wide eyes, expression softening into a smile when she sees him, “I could’ve caught myself a cab.”

“That’s what I told Mama, but you think she listened?” Sam steps into his sister’s arms to accept the proffered hug, “Her baby boy coming home on his own? Like the fully grown man he is? Perish the thought.”

“You know I’m her favourite,” Sam wiggles his eyebrows, throwing his bags into the trunk of the car and making his way over to the passenger side, “I don’t get why you gotta be so mad about it.”

“Trust me, everybody and their mother in Delacroix knows you’re our mother’s favourite. There’s a little shrine for you next to the cash register. Any day now she’s gonna start leaving out candles next to your photo like you’re the second Jesus.”

Sam rubs at his chin, “You know - there’s been a couple of girls, and guys who’ve made that mistake before.”

The only reason Sarah doesn’t reach out and slap him upside on his head is because she’s driving, and Sam’s never been more thankful for his sister’s hyper-focus on road safety. She packs a mean punch.

They fall into a companionable silence, the kind cultivated by knowing each other for their whole lives, but Sam knows she’s biting back her questions.

“It’s okay,” he says finally, because you have to rip the band-aid off fast to lessen the pain and all that jazz, “You can ask.”

“I don’t got nothing to ask,” Sarah says immediately, like it’s a rehearsed answer, “but Mama thinks you’ve been hiding some major injury from us. Like a missing leg or something.”

Sam huffs at the non-question, “I got all my limbs Sarah. All ten fingers and toes I promise.”

There’s a beat and then - “My partner died on my watch. Fell out of the sky during a training exercise. I couldn’t stay there after that.”

Sarah hums, “You know what you’re going to do now you’re back home?”

Sam shakes his head, even though Sarah isn’t looking at him, “I have no idea.”

read the rest on ao3!!