Red, White & Blue | Bucky x Reader

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A few days later, Steve, Bucky, and I stand off to the side of the clearing, waiting for Banner to configure the new Quantum Tunnel.

"So, you've decided then," I say, my voice low so Sam and Banner don't overhear. "You're gonna go back."

Steve nods. "You were right. It's time for me to start over, to live my life instead of looking for the next fight."

"And the shield?" I ask. "Are you going to retire it?"

Steve hesitates, glancing between us. "Actually... I was thinking about giving it to Sam."

I smile as Bucky nods in agreement. "He's the perfect choice."

At that moment, the man himself approaches us. "Tunnel's all set, you ready to go?"

"Absolutely," Steve answers, leading us over to where Banner is waiting.

"Now remember," Banner urges. "You have to return the Stones to the exact moment you got them. Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities."

"Don't worry, Bruce," Steve assures him. "Clip all the branches."

"You know, if you want, I can come with you," Sam offers.

"You're a good man, Sam," Steve replies. "This one's on me though."

Steve steps away from them, walking over to us one last time.

"You two sure you'll be alright?" Steve asks, his voice low.

"Yeah," Bucky confirms with a smile. "I've got my best girl. We'll be fine."

"Go live your life, Steve," I say, pulling him into one last hug.

Steve turns to Bucky. "Don't do anything stupid till I get back."

"How can I?" Bucky replies. "You're taking all the stupid with you."

I lightly chuckle, fighting to hold back my tears as my two best friends hug each other.

"Gonna miss you, buddy," Bucky states, pulling away.

"We both will," I correct.

"I'll miss you both too," Steve replies, looking between us before walking over to the Quantum Tunnel and stepping up onto the platform.

Sam turns to Banner. "How long is this gonna take?"

"For him? As long as he needs," Banner answers. "For us? Five seconds."

Steve picks up Mjolnir and the case full of Infinity Stones, preparing to take them back to their correct moments in time.

"Ready, Cap?" Banner asks. Steve nods. "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet," Steve replies.

"Going Quantum," Banner states, pressing buttons on the control panel in front of him. "Three, two, one." Steve disappears into the Quantum Tunnel. "And returning in five, four, three, two, one."
Steve doesn't reappear on the pad, and Banner begins looking around his equipment, trying to figure out what went wrong.

"Where is he?" Sam asks.

"I don't know," Banner admits. "He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here."

My tears threatening to spill, I twist into Bucky's side. He wraps his arm around me, slowly leading me away as the other two begin to argue. However, as we turn our backs to them, we discover a grey-haired old man sitting on the bench by the lake.

"Sam," Bucky calls over his shoulder, interrupting their argument. Sam looks over and, spotting the man sitting on the bench, slowly approaches us. A smile forms on Bucky's lips as he turns to him. "Go ahead."

We watch from a distance as Sam approaches the man, instantly recognizing Steve as he draws near.

"Cap?" Sam asks.

"Hi, Sam," Steve greets.

"So, did something go wrong, or did something go right?" Sam questions, a smile forming.

"Well, after I put the Stones back, I thought, maybe I'll try some of that life everyone was telling me to get," Steve explains.

"How'd that work out for you?"

Steve smiles. "It was beautiful."

"I'm happy for you," Sam states. "Truly."

"Thank you."

"Only thing bumming me out is the fact I have to live in a world without Captain America."

"Oh, that reminds me," Steve muses, pulling the shield out of the leather case beside him. "Try it on."

Sam, surprised by the offer, glances over at me and Bucky. We smile, nodding in encouragement, and Sam picks up the shield, sliding it over his arm.

"How does it feel?" Steve asks him.

"Like it's someone else's," Sam admits.

"It isn't," Steve states.

Sam softly smiles. "Thank you, I'll do my best."

"That's why it's yours," Steve says, shaking Sam's hand.

Sam notices the ring on Steve's hand, and his smile grows. "You wanna tell me about her?"

"No," Steve smiles back. "No, I don't think I will."

Sam chuckles, turning to walk back to the Compound as Bucky and I approach, giving us space to talk with Steve.

He doesn't give us detail about his life, but he assures us that it was a happy one, and he hopes that the two of us will find happiness too.

After saying our goodbyes to Steve, Bucky and I wander down to the lake, looking out over the horizon.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Bucky asks, wrapping his arms around me.

"We need to find Yelena, Natasha's sister," I state. "She needs to know what Natasha did for her."

"Okay," Bucky agrees. "And after that?"

I smile up at him. "We go live our life, Sergeant."

Bucky bends down, pressing his lips to mine. "Where you go, I'll go, Doll. I'm with you till the end of the line."