The Promise

You Can Rest Now, We Won

A few months pass after Steve dies and the war ends. We have officially stopped the Nazi regime. Cheers erupt around our base. We are all released and ordered to go home. All of the test subjects seem to be fine, and I found a reversal for the serum, luckily. So, I won't need to be in contact with any of them anymore. Me and Peggy pack our things and head home.

Weeks later, Me and Peggy hold a service for Steve and Bucky. We have neither of their bodies, so we bury two side by side in a local cemetery. It's truly a beautiful service that I, thankfully, do not sob through. I miss them both, so much. I just want to hug them both, just one last time. I think back to the time we were all together, the night before they left. We hadn't been able to have any times like that during the war. They were either too busy with training or a mission. Peggy says a few words on Steve's half.

"Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America. Steve even before the serum was a kind heart. He was brave and kind in every way imaginable. He offered his life for this country time and time again, until it was finally claimed. Steve sacrificed himself to save countless lives in New York. Today, we honor him with a service, knowing that he deserves better. I love you, Steve. You can rest now. We've won." She smiles at me when she says she loves him. The two are put into the ground and the service is over. That was the last time I saw her. I return to my home and she returns to hers, wherever that may be. I wish I would've stayed in contact, but some things just aren't meant to last.

I come up to my home for the first time in years. It looks the same. I approach the door and open it. It's exactly how I left it, just a little dustier. I go upstairs and unpack my things, and attempt to clean up a bit. I go downstairs and pour myself a drink of something Philips gave me at the service. I go through my house, rediscovering things I forgot about. I make it to the mantel above my fireplace and find a picture of me and my parents, the only one I own. On either side are two candle holders and a vase of flowers. A tear slides down my cheek, but I wipe it away. I'm too tired to cry, so I stand there silently reminiscing. I trudge upstairs to my bedroom over to my chest. In the top drawer, I keep the majority of my keepsakes and my favorite things. I pull out a picture of me, Barnes, and Steve. It's from the Stark Exposition we went to years ago. I grab it and an old frame and put it on my mantel beside my parents. I take the sapphire necklace Barnes and put it in a small oak box of my mother's. I place it in between the pictures and step back. I look at the picture of Steve and Bucky and sigh.

"I love you." I say to the empty room. I turn and finish my drink and go off to bed.