Maya Stark

Chapter 45: Steve Rogers and his promise

The day had come all too quickly for my liking. I stood outside with Steve, Sam, Bucky, and Bruce. It was finally time to return the stones. I avoided looking at Steve for too long, knowing I would break down right there if I did. The bags under my eyes were dark, nightmares and insomnia combined, keeping me up at night. I stood next to Bucky; my hands shoved into my pockets so that nobody sees them shaking.

'Now, remember—you have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them,' Bruce said. 'Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities.'

'Don't worry, Bruce. Clip all the branches,' Steve said.

'You know, I tried,' Bruce said. 'When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back. I miss her, man.'

'Me too,' Steve said.

Him and Sam have a conversation and I stare at the ground. He goes to Bucky next. 'Don't do anything stupid till I get back.'

Bucky smirked. 'How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you.' They hug. 'I'm gonna miss you, buddy.

'It's gonna be okay, Bucky,' Steve said. He then turns to me.

I take a shaky breath. 'I hope everything turns out right, Steve.' He nods and pulls me into a hug.

'You're going to be fine, Maya. You're one of the strongest people I know,' He whispered.

We pulled away. I shove my hands back in my pockets. 'Do me a favor?'

'Anything.'

'Don't forget us, okay? Don't forget me.'

He smiles sadly and nods at me. That's all I needed. Some form of reassurance and he knew it. He walks over to the quantum portal and gets ready to go.

'How long is this gonna take?' Sam asked.

'For him? As long as he needs,' Bruce said. 'For us? Five seconds.' Steve picks up Thor's old hammer. 'Ready Cap? Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?'

'You bet,' Steve said. I turn away before he disappears, looking at the lake as panic ensues in Bruce and Sam about why Steve isn't returning. I look off and see someone sitting on a bench.

'Sam...' I said, getting his attention. He walks over to us and the three of us descend to an old looking Cap. We stop a couple feet away.

'Go,' I said to Sam. He looked at me and hesitated. I rolled my eyes and gave him a slight shove forward. Bucky and I shared a pained look as Sam walked the rest of the way.

'Cap?' Sam asked as he got to Steve.

'Hi Sam,' Steve said.

'So did something go wrong, or did something go right?'

'Well,' old Steve said with a sigh, 'after I put the stones back, I thought, maybe I'll try some of that life Tony was telling me to get.'

'How'd that work out for you?' Sam asked, glancing back at me.

'It was beautiful.'

'I'm happy for you,' Sam said. 'Truly.'

'Thank you.'

'The only thing bumming me out is the fact I have to live in a world without Captain America. '

'That reminds me. Maya, come on. I know you're back there.'

I sigh and shake my head. Bucky gave me an encouraging push and I walked up next to Sam. 'Hey, Steve.' Steve smiled at me and took out his shield. 'I thought—'

'I don't want you to keep it,' Steve said. 'Just pass it to the person I am giving it to. Like you said, a Stark was the one who gave it away first, a Stark should give it away here too.'

I smiled as I took the shield and a tear rolled down my cheek. It was lightweight. The same feel as the time I used it all those years ago in Germany. I looked at it before, looking at Sam and extending it to him. Sam gave me a shocked look. A look that said, "I can't take this".

'Come on, birdie,' I said quietly. 'Try it on.'

Sam glanced back at Bucky and I did the same. He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. Bucky gave Sam an encouraging nod and I looked back to him. He stared at me and I gave him another encouraging nod. Slowly, Sam took the shield and held it. I smiled slightly and shoved my hands in my pockets for the fifth time. I step back up to Bucky.

'How does it feel?' Steve asked.

'Like it's someone else's.'

'It isn't.'

Sam's eyes brim with tears and I smile again. He glances at me. 'Thank you. I'll do my best.'

'That's why it's yours,' I say before Steve can. The two shake hands.

'You wanna tell me about her?' Sam asked, indicating the new wedding ring.

'No,' Steve said smiling. 'No, I don't think I will.'