Winter Widow

XXI - Endgame

We burst from the ground and my eyes scan the horizon. Thanos's army stands in full force ready to fight. Scott lowers his hand to the ground and we jump. I look to our right to see large golden circles opening gateways to other places I recognize and some I don't. One is Wakanda.

My breath catches in my throat as we charge. I don't have time to find him. We rush forward and I take the daggers at my waist and click them into swords. My legs carry my slower than normal, no doubt due to injury from the rubble.

Our armies meet in the middle and I slash at every creature I come across. My muscles quickly begin to ache and I bask in it. The memory in my muscles kicks in quickly. Thank god I kept exercising for the last five years. My coms cut in and out as I fight mercilessly. I bare my teeth and my limbs move in deadly arcs, slashing, jabbing and slamming my blades into every creature in my path.

After a while the same blasts that destroyed the base rain from the ship again. One lands a few feet in front of me, blowing me back into a pile of rubble. I groan as a creature slams into me pinning me to the rubble. I scramble for my blades but they are nowhere near. Panic fills my chest before a gun fires beside me. I cover my head as the monster goes limp.

I lift my head to see a mop of messy brown hair lowering a rifle. My heart stops. The world stops. Sounds are distand echoes in my ears as I force my limbs ti stand slowly. He strides over to me quickly and my body is frozen.

"Are you hurt?" He asks, placing a hand on my cheek.

I almost flinch at the touch. I breathe rapidly, my mind not allowing this to feel real. I see him, you see him in your dreams. I feel him, you feel him as you feel your pillow at your back. I smell him, you smell him in the t-shirt you wore to bed.

"Valeria?" he asks softly.

"Is this real?" I manage to push out.

"Whata are you talking about?" his brows furrowed. "I'm right here, I always will be."

My body crumples against him, my arms circling his neck clutching him to me as the tears flow down my mud-splattered cheeks. His arms circle my waist and his chest rises and falls against mine.

He pulls back slightly, keeping my body pinned to his. His hand cradles my cheek as I crash my lips to his. Tears mix between our lips as I press harder against him. He pulls away with a smile.

I press my hands tk the sides of his face, pushing the hair from his features to I can see him fully. A smile tugs at my lips as I take a shaky breath.

"I missed you so much, more than you will ever know." I say as a sob escapes my lips

"You were gone for five minutes doll." he smiles.

"For me it was five years." his smile fades as his brows furrow.

Wordlessly he brings me to his chest again, cradling my head carefully. He rests his chin atop my hair.

"I'm sorry." He mutters, placing his lips on my hair. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry too," I say before my com crackles in my ear and I look up.

The ship above us has changed their target. It fires into the sky across from us and Bucky pulls me closer. I watch as a ball of light slams through the ship. I smile as Carol single handedly destroys the ship.

"What the hall is that?" Bucky asks.

"That would be Carol Danvers." I say and he looks at me with pinched brows. "New friend, ill explain later."

Another wave storms towards us and Bucky raises his rifle while I hold my swords I front of me. I bounce on my heels before nudging Bucky with my elbow and sprinting. His chuckles trail me as we run forward.

Seconds later we are thrown back by a powerful blast. I groan against the rocks.

"Every damn time." I curse, forcing myself to my feet.

Bucky helps me up but his eyes are trained somewhere in the distance. I follow his gaze and find my eyes drawn to Thanos with tendrils of light running up his arm.

"No," I seethe before sprinting.

Tony attacks him and is easily brushed off. I sprint harder as Thanks raises his hand and snaps. My heart stops, turning back to Bucky. His eyes search mine fearfully. I take his hand and find it solid and unwavering in my grasp. I look over my shoulder to see Tony holding his hand up. The stones run up his arm as he bares his teeth in pain. His lips move before he snaps his fingers.

I watch as the creatures around us and in the sky turn to ash. One by one they disappear and the battlefield quiets. I turn and Thanks sits on a boulder beside him. Slowly he follows his army and falls to the ground in ash.

Tony falls forward and lies against a rock, his armor moving erratically with his breath. My shoulders slump as I rush over to him. I fall to my knees beside him and his arm reaches up to clutch my bicep.

"Tony." I breathe taking in the damage done.

Half of his body is scorched and black with injury. Tears prick at the back of my eyes as Rhodes kneels beside me and presses his palm against Tony's jaw.

"We did it Tony," I say. "You did it. I'm so sorry."

"Mr. Stark?" I turn it see Spider man sprinting toward us.

The kid nearly crashes into me as he sprints and falls to his knees. I mating my hand to my lips as the kid sobs.

"Hey. Mr. Stark, can you hear me?" The kid asks. "Ifs Peter. Hey, we won, Mr. Stark. We won. You did it, sir. You did it. I'm sorry Tony."

Pepper comes and places her hands on the kid's shoulders and my heart aches for her and her daughter. She pulls Peter away gently before crouching beside Tony. I give her a sad smile before backing away, giving her a moment.

Bucky is at my side in an instant, offering his arms. I slowly turn into him, clutching him to me. I turn my head to see Tony's chestpeice light fade. The light is off and his heart stops. Pepper kisses his cheek before laying her head on his chest and sobbing.

I tear myself from Bucky and place my hands on her shoulders. After a few moments, she turns and wraps her arms around my shoulders. I hold her tightly. My chest swells with gratitude as I look at Tony and my eyes fill with tears. We did it.