It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 1

Steve's POV

"Now remember, you have to return the stones to the exact moment we got them. Or you're going to open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Bruce explained. "Don't worry, Bruce. Clip all the branches." I nodded at him slightly and watched as he looked down at his hands. "You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back." His gaze met mine, "I miss her man."

"Me too." I gave him a sad smile and looked forwards to Bucky and Sam. "You know, if you want, I can still come with you." Sam offered. I smiled at him. "You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me, though."

That and someone needed to take over the Captain America mantle when I'm gone. I approached Bucky slowly, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back." He huffed slightly with a slight smile. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." We embraced each other in a tight hug.

"Gonna miss you, buddy." He whispered. I pulled away and kept my hand on his shoulder, "It's gonna be okay, Buck." He gave me one last smile before I walked towards the quantum portal, engaging the quantum suit.

"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked Bruce. "For him? As long as he needs. For us? Five seconds." Bruce replied. I picked up Mjolnir from 2013 and the case containing the stones. "Ready, Cap?" Bruce asked. I replied with a short nod. Ready as I'll ever be. "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet."

"Going quantum. Three, two, one-" Bruce pressed buttons and it didn't take long before I disappeared into the quantum tunnel.

I rematerialized in 2012 where we retrieved the time and mind stones. I swiftly returned both, one to the ancient one and the other back into Loki's scepter. I reengaged my time gps to take me to asgard, 2014. I picked up Mjolnir once more and went quantum again, only to rematerialize on Asgard. I returned the reality stone, aether, into Jane and took the shrunken spaceship that Bruce provided to go return the Power and Soul stones.

Once those were back in their exact times, it was time to head back to Camp Lehigh and return the Space stone, the tesseract. That and to grab one more pym particle because I wouldn't be returning to my time. That wasn't my time, I belonged in the 40's. I belonged with Peggy. I activated the time gps once more and sent myself back to New Jersey, 1970.

I made my way quickly through the base and down to Howard's lab where the tesseract was currently being taken by Tony. I knew I couldn't let him see me as I returned it. I watched as he spoke with his dad, a small smile on my face. I'm glad he got this moment. He needed it. I placed the cube back in it's container and made my way towards Hank Pym's lab. I knew I really needed to be careful here. Not only was I walking around, but I knew that one woman had called security and they were bound to be lurking around.

I hid in Peggy's office once more and smiled at the picture of myself on her desk. "I'm coming, Peg." I whispered, setting the photo down. I peeked out of the office and the coast was clear. I snuck back into Hank's lab, grabbing the one single particle I would need. This was it. There was no going back. I carefully placed it in the suit and adjusted the gps to take me back to 1947.

I chose 1947 because it was the end of the war. A time where I could be with Peggy. We could live out our lives together. I knew I would have to do a lot of explaining, but I was ready. I was ready to see her. I activated the gps and the suit for one last time, transporting myself back to Brooklyn, 1947.

I let out a breath of relief as I looked around. I felt like I was home again. I made my way down the street to my old apartment, kicking the rock out of the way to reveal my spare key. I picked it up and unlocked the door, stepping inside. As expected, it had been slightly cleaned out. The only things left really were furniture that was covered up with sheets and a few things in my closet that would have fit me when I was 90 pounds. It was small, but honestly, it was perfect. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I knew I would have to go out and buy new clothes so I could change into something more comfortable. I placed the quantum suit and time gps in the back of my closet for the time being.

I looked at myself in the mirror of the bathroom. It felt weird being back here. Weird but good. It felt right. I took a deep breath in and knew I had to find Peggy. I didn't know where she would be, but I would find her. It didn't take long for me to track her down. I picked up some flowers on my way and fixed my hair as I went to knock on the door.

The door opened slowly, revealing Peggy. Her eyes widened as she stared at me. "Steve? You're alive?" Tears welled in her eyes and she reached out, grabbing my arm. "I'm alive." I replied. "What- you went into the ice. Howard has been looking everywhere for you. Oh gosh. I have to call Howard and Phillips and-" "Peggy." I cut her off and held onto her hand. "It's a long story. You can't tell Howard or Colonel Phillips. I'll tell you everything. I promise." She nodded slightly and opened the door further.

"These, um, these are for you." I held out the flowers and she took them gracefully. "I- I don't understand..." "I know. I'll help you." She nodded and went into the kitchen, placing the flowers in a vase before starting to prepare some tea. "Would you like some tea?" She asked. "No thank you." She nodded and motioned towards the couch, allowing me to sit down before sitting next to me.

"I know this is going to be hard to understand Peg, but I'm not from this time. I did go into the ice but I didn't die like everyone though. I was found...but not until 2011. I was asleep, frozen for 70 years. When I woke up everyone I knew was dead. Except you. I was thrown into a completely new world but it brought me comfort knowing I still had a sliver of my old life. Then you passed away and nothing made sense. Few years later, there was this well, alien, named Thanos. He was collecting these stones, infinity stones, that each contained great power. The cube, was one of them. His mission was to correct the universe. He believed the only way to do that was erase half of the population, everywhere. He succeeded and we failed. It took five years but Howard Stark's son, Tony Stark, figured out time travel. We went back in time, collected the stones, and had a chance to bring everyone back. An even longer story short, we won, but someone still had to return the stones. I knew that was my opportunity to come back. Come back to you. So I did. I returned the stones and I ended my journey here. I want to be here with you."

She stared at me, slowly processing the information I just spewed at her. I knew it was a lot and I knew she probably would struggle to make sense of it all. I mean it took me a while to make sense of aliens after the attack on New York. Plus, I don't think I was the best storyteller.

"Steve I-" "I know it's a lot. Please take your time." She shook her head slightly and laid her hand on mine. That's when I saw it. A ring. A shiny gold ring adorning her finger. I felt my heart plummet. I came too late. She had already moved on. "I missed you Steve. I can't even believe you're here right now but...I've moved on. I'm married." She looked down at her hand and sighed. "One of the men you saved, he's my husband. You must have known I was married?"

I hung my head slightly. I did know, I had just hoped to get to her first and then it wouldn't have mattered. "I did." "Then why did you come?"

"I was hoping-" "That I waited longer?" I nodded slightly. "Then what would have happened to my life? The life I was supposed to live?" She asked. I guess I didn't think about that. From what I learned from Bruce, it wouldn't have changed anything. Everything in the future already happened. It would have just created an alternate reality I guess. "I didn't think-" "Steve you shouldn't be here." She said, my heart dropping again. "This isn't your time."

"It is, Peggy. This is where I belong. I thought I belonged with you." "Well I'm sorry. I've started a life here Steve. A life you know I've already lived." She was right in a way. I guess I was just hopeful. Hopeful for a chance. "I'm glad you're here, Steve, and you will always be special to me...but..." "But you've moved on. Got it." I nodded and stood up abruptly. "I'll just go then."

"No, Steve, please." I shook my head and walked towards the door. "Steve, wait!" I paused and turned around. She placed her hand on my cheek and gazed into my eyes. "I'm sorry you didn't get to live your life but maybe we were never meant to be. The right partner for you is out there. I know it." I smiled slightly. "I thought she was in front of me, but I was wrong." I said, pulling away from her and walking out of the door.

I should have figured this would be the outcome. Peggy was a smart woman. One of the smartest I knew. A strong one too. How could I be so stupid to think she'd wait around for 2 years, hoping I was found. She was beautiful, of course someone swept her off her feet. I made my way back to my apartment and slammed the door behind me. I sat on the couch and sighed. I guess I would just have to adapt to life here because I was stuck here and alone.

A/N: Welcome to my newest Steve story!! I hope you enjoy this take on after Steve returns the stones! We will meet our main character in the next chapter 😊