Hydra's Hound

Theyre back

I stood beside Rhodey as we watched Pepper and Morgan walk out of the cabin carrying Tony's first arc reactor in a float of flowers
I tried to hold back my tears watching my goddaughter walk out with Pep, her small hand having a choke hold on her mother's.

Pepper and I had to explain to the little girl that her father was dead, and I had a special message for her from him. She had cried for ages until I told her that Tony said "Maguna I'm always here watching you. I've never left you"

I sat beside Pepper as we watched the video recording of Tony on his helmet. The only ones present were, Pepper and Morgan, Rhodey, Happy, and me
"Everyone always wants a happy ending, but it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, that we get it back, and something of a normal version of the planet is restored. If there ever was such a thing, god what a world. Universe even, if you told me 10 years ago you told me we weren't alone, let alone to this extent, I-I I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on the forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And that reality is the world Morgan is going to have to find a way to grow up in. So I thought I'd better make a little recording in case of an untimely death, on my part. I mean not that death at any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing we're trying to pull tomorrow, has got me scratching my head about the survivability that's all.  But then again that's the hero gig, part of the journey is the end. What am I even tripping out about, everything is going to work out exactly the way it's supposed too" the recording of Tony said
"I love you 3000" he finished looking at the exact spot Morgan was

••••••

"Steve......." I trailed off
"I know, but it's something I want Ash. I've never done anything for myself" Steve replied taking my hands in his
"Bucky?" I looked at the man
"I- you really want to do this?" Bucky asked his oldest friend and Steve nodded "I do" he said
"I don't want to stop you Steve. But.....you'd be leaving us" Bucky said
"I know that. And I feel bad that I'm leaving you both, really. But this is something I've wanted me whole life. I want to have a life with Peggy" Steve said so desperate for us to accept his plan
"I can't stop you" I whispered remorsefully
"Thank you" the blonde smiled at me and wrapped me in a hug
"You're my only sibling left you know, then I'll be left with this idiot" I joked pointing at Bucky
"HEY!" Bucky said offended
"You'll always have me Ash. We'll meet again anyway" Steve smiled knowing he'd see me when he dies and I see him in the afterlife

"Dont do anything stupid till I get back" Steve said walking to us
"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you" Bucky replied
I smiled, they told me about that inside joke from the 40's
"I'm gonna miss you buddy" Bucky said hugging Steve
"It's going to be okay Buck" Steve replied and hugged me too
"Be safe Steve. And don't do anything stupid please, I don't want to see you too early" I joked getting a brotherly kiss on my forehead
"Will do" he chuckled and walked onto the platform
His time suit appearing around him as I took Buckys arm in mine, our hands joined

"How longs this going to take?" Sam asked
"For him as long as it takes, for us 5 seconds" Bruce answered
"Ready Cap? We'll meet you back here, okay?" Bruce double checked and Steve nodded briefly
"You bet" the Captain said
"Going quantum in three, two, one" Bruce clicked the buttons and Steve disappeared
"Returning in five, four, three, two, one" he counted again but no Steve appeared
"Where is he?" Sam asked
"I dont know he should be here. He flew right past his time stamp" Bruce worried
I sighed knowing this was going to happen.
I looked up at Bucky with my big puppy eyes and he smiled sadly leading us to turn away
"Bring him back?" Sam demanded
"I'm trying" Bruce replied