SIEBB One Shots

Steve Rogers (Post Chapter 17)

When the ramp closes on Natasha and Bruce, I belatedly realize that the Sea Scorpion has disappeared. I frown, but accept that I can't do anything about it. So I sit back and fall asleep.

My dreams, like always, are of the war. I hear the ratatatatatat of distance gunfire, and see the smoky ashes of buildings. I run through the chaos, taking down enemies as I go. I hurl my shield at a gas tank, and it explodes. I catch my shield, and sling it onto my back. I keep moving forwards, and I tear down everyone in my way. I am saving the world, but I don't care about the cost anymore. And then, I stand victorious, looking down at a war-torn, half-destroyed world, and it feels like a Pyrrhic victory. I don't feel like a proud soldier. I feel like a monster. Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn and see Peggy.

She smiles at me softly, and I reach for her hand. But she is intangible, and my hand passes straight through hers. And then, she speaks.

"Steve, we're never going to get that dance." she says.

"I promised that we would. I'm so sorry, Peg." I reply earnestly.

"It's alright, Steve. I came to terms with it a long time ago." she responds.

"You'll always be my best girl." I vow, stepping towards her. She takes a step back.

"No, Steve. You need to move on." I shake my head.

"Peg-"

Move on. The phrase bounces around my head like a pinball, and I jerk awake.

I gasp for air slightly, and glance around. Everybody is asleep. I sigh, and put my head in my hands. I miss her so much. I miss Peggy so damn much, it hurts. I miss Bucky too. I miss everybody that I left behind in the 40s. And seeing that the Winter Soldier was my best friend...

When I woke up, and had to get adjusted to several decades worth of history, I felt like I was being swept away by the quickly flowing river of time. I was slowly drowning. Bucky had always been my anchor, because he'd been right by my side through every hardship I'd been through. We'd promised we'd be by each other's side till the end of the line.

And there he was, back from the dead, so close, but so far out of my reach. So far from my best friend. I break out of my thoughts, realizing that people are moving.

Clint is walking towards the cockpit, Tony is typing away at his tablet, and Thor is slowly blinking awake. I nod at the demigod, and then space out for a while. The plane lands, and I walk out, taking the elevator down to the garage. I move over to my motorcycle.

I need to clear my head. I ride my motorcycle through the city for a while. Every single time I do this, I am amazed by how different New York looks. I take in the view for a while. At the same time, I think about what Peggy said.

Can I really move on? Can I do that to her? That's what I wonder as I speed along.

As I'm riding, I notice Sharon Carter sitting at a cafe. I'm struck with a ridiculous idea.

"Hey, Sharon!" I yell. The blonde haired ex-agent looks up.

"Want to go for a ride?" I call, and a smile appears on her face. She hops on behind me, and we speed out of the city, and towards the setting sun.

And I realize that maybe, just maybe, I can move on after all. Because right now, riding into the sunset, I feel more grounded then I have in a while. Right now, I feel like an eagle, soaring high above the earth. Right now, I am invincible.