UNKNOWN GUEST

#126 New World Order

The time machine platform hummed, filling the room with an electric tension as Bruce, his right arm wrapped in a cast, worked the controls. The hum deepened, lights flickering in steady pulses around the edges of the platform, casting an unearthly glow. 

My dad stood there, preparing to return the Infinity Stones to their rightful places in time. His face was shadowed, etched with a pain he was trying so hard to bury. There was a tightness around his eyes, his jaw clenched as if the weight of his sorrow might break him.

 I knew why—Uncle Clint had told me that Dad and Mom were talking about getting married once this was all over. They were so close to finally living a life together. But now... that future felt shattered.

Mom had sacrificed herself, and though he stood tall, I knew he felt like the pieces of his life were falling apart. Captain America might be unbreakable, but Steve Rogers was broken. Still, he held it all together. There was no other choice; he had a mission to finish. With a steadying breath, Dad approached uncle Bucky, his oldest friend, the one who knew his pain without him needing to say a word.

A faint smile passed between them, a silent recognition of everything they'd been through. Dad sighed, his voice barely a whisper, "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

Bucky shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes, but also pride. "How can I? You're taking all the stupidity with you." They shared a soft laugh, a moment that felt like one of their last exchanges as soldiers and brothers. Dad reached out, pulling Bucky into a tight hug. "Everything is going to be okay, Buck."

Bucky held him close, his voice thick. "I'm sure of it, brother."

Dad then turned to Uncle Sam, who looked up at him with a knowing look. Uncle Sam chuckled, trying to lighten the tension. "You know, I could come with you if you want."

Dad's lips quirked up in a small smile. "You're a good friend, Sam. A good man. But this job is mine to finish." They hugged, and Uncle Sam patted his back firmly, almost as if he were passing on his strength.

Finally, Dad stepped in front of me. He gave me a once-over, as if he were memorizing every detail, and tried to smile. "Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone," he said, his voice gentle but carrying the weight of everything he couldn't say.

I looked down, feeling the swell of emotions rising inside me. Then I looked back up at him, meeting his gaze, and said, "Cap... when we love something, we fight for it. I know you'll win it." My voice trembled, but I held it steady, the words firm with conviction. 

Dad swallowed hard, his eyes glistening. For a moment, the mask of Captain America fell away, and it was just my dad, a man who'd loved and lost, who would give anything to make things right. He nodded, his voice breaking slightly. "I'll give my best," he said.

"I know," I whispered, feeling the depth of that promise. And then, I pulled him in for a hug, holding on tight, feeling his steady heartbeat against mine. He patted my back gently, and then, after what felt like an eternity but was far too brief, he pulled away. He gave me one last look, a silent assurance, and climbed onto the platform.

He picked up the case that held the stones, and took Thor's hammer in his other hand. He glanced around at each of us, nodding in silent goodbye, and then looked to Bruce, signaling he was ready.

Bruce, wincing slightly from his injuries, began the countdown. "Three... two... one..."

And just like that, Dad disappeared from the platform, vanishing in a blink of light, leaving only an echo of his presence. The silence that followed was deafening, and all of us stood there, waiting, holding our breath, hoping against hope.