JAMES WAS LEFT BEHIND in the memorial museum after Rhodey and him parted ways. James stood there and examined the suit. Peter matched the suits up well. James had so much going through his head... he was still confused about whether he did the right thing or not. He just didn't know what or how to feel at the moment.
"It's yours, Jay," Wanda says coming from behind the man and holding his hand. "It's always going to be yours and you know it."
"Why doesn't it feel like it?"
"Because you're not allowing yourself to. I hear you every day having those nightmares." Wanda whispers. "I know you fear that the world will fall into the wrong hands. But everyone here trusts you and wants you to be the next big thing. So why don't you trust yourself?"
"There are things I've done as a kid that not even the shield could justify," James says softly. "I'm trying Wanda—this is new for me. The only time I had to breathe and take everything in was where we were in Westview. And even then I wasn't in full control. I have been going from one fight to another for the past 28 years of my life. I'm tired and I'm not the same person that I was before. I don't even know if I want to be apart of this Superhero world anymore."
"I get that, but let's say now there's no more fighting, James. So what do you want now?" Wanda huffs.
"Peace."
"If you wanted peace you would've allowed yourself to have it, so stop with the bullshit," Wanda says narrowing her eyes at him. "You're bottling up your emotions, and I know that you have even through a lot but now you've got your mind back..your memories, you saved Vision—this is all good things."
"Are you hungry? I'm hungry." James says as he changes the subject.
Wanda rolled her eyes. "You know I'm always hungry."
"Yes, I know." James smiles as he lifts her onto his back. "Let's go get lunch."
Wanda knew that there was no saving James from his own mind. James was as stubborn as his parents. She knew that he would have to come with the terms that things were changing, he needed to forgive himself before he would truly realize what's going on in the world. And Wanda knew that it would take a while for him to accept the change. He lost his mother, uncle, father, and a close friend... he felt alone when he wasn't. But she would be by his side every step of the way.
Shortly after lunch, the two walked around the city back in Brooklyn as they made their way back home they had small talk.
"You know, it's been years since we've done anything coupleish," Wanda says.
"We had our own sitcom show... I think we defeated all coupleish things." James says chuckling.
Wanda smiles. "We did, didn't we?"
The man nods before thinking to himself. "Every Saturday Mom, dad, and I would do something," he explains. "It was our break from the world... don't you think we need it?"
"Family tradition type of thing?" Wanda questions.
"Exactly that."
"I'd love that." Wanda smiles. "What would we do?"
"Sitcoms? movies? board games?" James shrugs. "I am fine with whatever you want."
Just as Wanda was about to speak she was cut off by someone else.
"Can I have a picture?" A child asked walking up to the couple.
Wanda and James nod. "Yeah, of course."
James took the phone and the two bent down to the kid's height level to take a few photos. Once they were done the kid smiled happily and walked back to her parents.
"You're gonna have to get used to that," James says noticing the look on Wanda's face.
James examined it more and followed her gaze that was on the child and her parents.
"I miss them too," James says as he rubs Wanda's back, referring to their kids. "We'll get them back. If what we think is true... I'll continue my research, we'll keep on working on how to handle your powers and I promise you we will see them again."
"What if we don't?"
"That's not an option."
Wanda nods before placing her hand in his. With that, the two then made their way back home. After a show, they sat themselves on the couch and chatted about the past few years and anything else random. Their talks are what truly held their relationship together. They loved listening to each other's stories.
About an hour or so later, James's phone was blowing up with notifications from Sam. Just as he was about to text back, he was getting a call from the man.
"Sam? What's up?" James questions chuckling. "Did someone die? Why are you spamming so much."
"Turn on the news like right now," Sam says urgently over the phone.
James furrowed his brows before switching the channel. Once he switches the channel, it seemed like there was a live conference happening.
"Unrest, in the wake of recent events has left us vulnerable." The man on the tv says. "Everyday Americans feel it. While we love heroes who put their lives on the line to defend Earth, we also need a hero to defend this country. We need a real person who embodies America's greatest values. We need someone to inspire us again, someone who can be a symbol for all of us. So—"
"They better not," James whispers as he had a feeling of what was next to happen.
"—On behalf of the Department of Defense and our Commander-in-Chief-" The man on the tv continues with the speech. "It is with great honor that we announce here today that the United States of America has a new hero. Join me in welcoming your new Captain America!"
Through the door behind the man on the tv came some random guy wearing Steve's suit and holding Steve's shield. James's body tensed up at the sight.
"Oh, my god.." Wanda whispers from beside him.
"James, I'm sorry... I didn't kno—"
Before Sam could finish a word, James hung up the phone and walked away. There's no way the world is trying to replace Captain America with some random guy. And that was his eyes opener. James knew that suit and shield belonged to him.
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