First Light | Steve Rogers (Book Two)

Chapter Fifty-Four: When The War Is Over

The days just after the battle seemed to pass in a haze of tears and aftershock. Of course we were happy to see our loved ones again, but that didn't erase any of it. Tony and Nat's death had taken a toll on the team. We'd seen loss up close, but this was in our own team. It was too close, too familiar.

I held onto Steve's hand for the entire service, not letting go for a second. We watched in silence as Pepper knelt down on the platform by the lake, placing a wreath of flowers on the water. Even through the tears, I couldn't help but smile at the inscription around Tony's arc-reactor: 'Proof that Tony Stark has a heart'.

Everyone was there, even Nebula and her friends. I turned around slightly to look back at the house, my gaze landing on a familiar figure stood in the shadows of the porch. Nick Fury gave me a small nod, which I returned. I didn't know what else to say, but I knew that he understood.

I made my way down to the edge of the lake, sending Clint and Wanda a sad smile as I joined them. He sighed heavily as he glanced over at us, "You know, I wish there was a way that I could let her know that we won. We did it"

My eyes glazed over with tears and I felt Wanda hold onto my hand. She nodded slowly, "She knows. They both do"

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Steve and I were lying in bed, holding each other close as we tried to sleep. I huffed, shifting uncomfortably as I stared up at the ceiling. "Steve, are you awake?" I hissed.

"Yep. Can't sleep?"

"Nope," he pulled me closer and I let out a heavy sigh, "I'm going with you tomorrow. To put the stones back"

He raised an eyebrow and sat up so that he could get a better look at me, "You sure?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I actually wanted to talk to you about that. One of the places to stop off at is Camp Lehigh... It'll probably be your last chance to go back to your old life"

"Rory, my old life ended when I went in the ice. I can't go back," he sighed as he gently placed his hand on my cheek to get me to look at him, "When are you gonna realise that I'm happier here with you than anywhere else?"

Shrugging quietly, I searched his sky blue eyes for the answer to a question I had been asking myself for a while. I finally opened my mouth to speak, "After we take the stones back, I'm retiring. For good"

He stared at me in surprise, "Oh, um, okay. Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yeah. I was... I w-was wondering if you would be ready to finally go along with our plan. Settle down, find someplace quiet... be together?"

I watched in confusion as he turned away, beginning to search through the drawer of his bedside table. When he faced me again, there was a small box in his hand. The breath hitched in my throat and I stared as he opened it to reveal a ring. The bright green gem shone through the dimly lit room, the shade perfectly matching my eyes.

"I got this a while ago, wasn't sure when to ask," he murmured before climbing out of bed and getting down on one knee, "Aurora Kay Mitchells... will you marry me?"

There was a pause as I stared at him in shock. Before I knew what I was doing, I launched myself toward him, tackling him to the ground with a tight hug. He chuckled, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead as I nodded hurriedly, "Yes, o-of course!" Once the ring was on my finger, I pulled him into a gentle kiss, holding him as close as possible.