Worship Her - Steve Rogers (AU)

Epilogue

20 Years Later

Asgard 20th Anniversary Documentary

"And just what was he like? Behind the scenes, the camera and girls? Because obviously reporters are differently to those who are actually around a person, and for so many years too. I suppose you became family". The interviewer for the documentary sat opposite and asked.

"Great guy". Bucky said as he sat there, "he had his demons - but then again he'd spent so long trying to fight it...when we lost him we lost a brother..." now reaching for the glass of water in front of him to drink.

Thor nodded in agreement. "I know I drank a lot of bloody Mary's that evening - waiting for the call from our manager Tony - then when it came I drank some more, smoked, cried. Then just woke up and remembered it all over again. I think we all spent days trying to contemplate what had happened. Talking to one another on the phone - I hate to say it, but it brought us closer than we had been before.

The reporter nodded in understanding, then moving onto the next question. "And Steve, this must have affected you somewhat because you'd almost died years back before the LA gig. I know you don't do many interviews now and haven't really spoke on it, but did it kind of hit differently for you when you heard about Rocket?"

One year had gone by since the former Asgard lead singer had been found dead, succumbing to what he'd spent years dodging. It had been no surprise to Steve, but had hit home considering he had almost died - technically had been declared clinically dead - before being brought back miraculously.

The former Asgard guitarist now sat next to his remaining band mates, shades on and miraculously not looking like he'd aged a day if you quickly glanced at him.
Now it was the bands 20th anniversary, and they'd all agreed to be interviewed as well as play a one off gig for fans in memorial for Rocket.

Steve Rogers was proof to himself that he could change, finally realise just what good he'd had in his life. And it had taken just one person to realise that.

His unborn child.

"It did. I mean, when I OD'd back then, I had a reason to change. Rocket spent his life to cruising on by, which was just how he lived. There's only so many times that we could've said to him back when the band was together that he needed to get clean. But for me? My eldest son is the reason I'm still here".

A picture flashed up of Steve's now adult son - Devin, who had since become a household name himself in the world of rock.

"Devin is everything that I should've been - but wasn't. I never knew that I needed something so badly until I held him. I think if he hadn't of been born? I probably wouldn't be sat here today talking about all the shit that happened with these guys...."

Some home videos of Devin with Steve and Maggie were then shown before it switched to his son and daughter switch to Kade and Ruby. 

"I have three kids, and they're just awesome. After Devin was born, I quit the band...I figured that I needed to be alive and if I carried on with Asgard? I probably wouldn't have even made it a year - tops. That was how bad shit was. I was even on the verge of divorce, but after what happened? My wife gave me another shot - and I admit I really didn't deserve it, but I loved her and wanted to show her that I could change and be who she needed me to be." He continued and then paused before carrying on.

"Kade followed not long after Devin, and then Ruby - all three were part of the recovery. I focused on being dad, went to football games, all that - and when I felt like it I fell back into music again, but instead I played the shit that I wanted to play. I've been playing with my band, making appearances for others at their gigs, just enjoying the music and not the perks that come with it. Then they said about wanting Asgard to potentially get back together for a tour. And I said no".

"Why?" The reporter now frowned.

"Because Rocket was in bad shape - I couldn't be around that anymore. Do I regret saying no? No - but do I regret not being able to play with him one last time? Yeah...I think about that a lot".

He thought about it everyday, but knew he'd made the right decision when it came to putting himself first. Just like Maggie had back on the day she'd found him in the dressing room. She'd been on her way to tell him she was pregnant, but instead had been left a mess and planning a divorce.
When she'd got the news about him? She'd rushed to the hospital and stayed by his side until he came around - only then telling him in between tears that it was her fault he'd done what he had, and that they'd be having a baby.

He'd been numb...

"No Magpie - it was all me...and now it's time I actually did something about it, for us".  He'd said when he was finally in the sense to talk.

But he had done it.

He owed her that and so much more. He would've liked to have thought his family had the life they were supposed to.

Maggie turned away from the TV screen to where the band were preparing for the memorial gig that was due to start in just under 15 minutes.

"Can you help me with this earpiece". Steve asked as his wife came over, helping him to secure it before passing him his leather jacket and sunglasses. "Look at you, my rockstar". She smiled up at him as she kissed him gently. Devin simply rolled his eyes to his siblings as he was also getting ready.

He'd be the one taking the spotlight to keep Rocket's memory alive.

It was normal to see their parents like this though. They'd been a fixture in the 80s and even now still were a sight to be in awe of.

"I love you, Magpie". Steve said, kissing her head and then nodding to Devin. "You ready to get on out there and rock?"

"You bet". Devin grinned as Steve clapped him on the back. It wouldn't be the first time that he and his father had played on stage together. During his first tour, Devin had brought him out as a special guest which had sent fans wild.

"Well then, let's get this party started!" Bucky now stated, giving Nat a quick kiss and hugging his own kid while Thor did the same to Jane.

As they all filed out to make their way backstage, Maggie caught Steve's arm and gave him one more kiss. "For luck - love you too Rogers".

"See you after the show Magpie". He grinned, going in to sneak one last deep kiss before following the others.

And later that evening, as Maggie watched her son and husband onstage together with the biggest smile on her face, she knew that despite the ups and downs, the pain, the tears and all they'd had - she'd made the right decision. Not just when it had come to giving Steve Rogers a second chance - but for taking a chance on him in general.

THE END