Marvel One Shots

Happy?

!!!!!!!!!CAUTION!!!!!!!!!

MAJOR ENDGAME SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Dedicated To

https://www.wattpad.com/user/bestthereisatwhatido/activity#531877063

Thanks for the Inspiration and Crying through Endgame with me...

"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked nervously as Bruce geared up the "real life time machine".

"For him," Bruce explained, motioning towards Steve. "As long as he needs. For us; five seconds."

Eryn crossed her arms anxiously across her chest as Steve smiled at her. There was something in his eyes that just felt...sad.

The machine fired up and Eryn felt a strong hand grasp her shoulder. She turned to see Bucky offering whatever comfort he could. She reached up and held onto his hand and the two watched their friend vanish.

Bruce began the countdown; "5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" He slammed the return button.

Nothing.

Eryn felt her stomach churning. "Where is he?" She demanded, clutching tightly to Bucky's hand.

Bruce frantically looked at the monitors. "I-I don't know."

"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" Sam Wilson began to panic, something Eryn was on the verge of.

"He must have missed his time jump." Bruce explained.

"You've got three seconds to get his ass back here!" Sam made his way towards Bruce.

Eryn's heart began to race in her chest, she felt hot tears welling up in her eyes.

All of a sudden, Bucky let go of her shoulder and slowly walked away. Eryn followed him with her gaze, wondering what could have caught his attention at this critical moment.

"Sam," Bucky said, staring at the lake a few yards from them.

Sam stopped yelling at Bruce and looked over. A man sat alone on a bench, facing the calm waters.

Sam walked over and the man looked up at him.

He was old, but he still looked like Steve...

Eryn slowly moved her hand to her mouth, the reality hitting her. "No..." she breathed.

Steve spoke with Sam for several moments before doing the unthinkable; he gave him his shield.

Eryn noticed the single gold band on his left ring finger.

As if he could sense her staring at him, Steve turned his head towards her and smiled.

Eryn felt herself being pulled towards him.

She passed Sam on the way and he brushed his hand against hers, as if to pass on some strength.

"It's still him," Sam whispered. "It's still Steve."

Eryn nodded and composed herself before sitting down next to the man who she loved for so long.

She fought the urge to look at his hand again, but her gaze landed on that gold band once more.

Steve noticed and he took her hand in his.

His skin was soft, his callouses from countless battles had healed. His grip was still strong and comforting.

"Eryn..." he began. His voice was low and gravely, like an old mans, almost a whisper.

"Steve," Eryn cut him off. "I don't need you to explain. It's okay."

He looked at her with longing in his eyes, almost guilt.

Eryn clutched his hand in both of hers. "It's okay," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't need to know her name."

She lifted her right hand to his face and gently stroked his cheek with her thumb.

"Just promise me you were happy," she said, forcing a smile. "All these years later, you're happy."

Steve's eyes welled with tears. He closed his eyes and sighed, almost in relief. He nodded. "Yes," he whispered. "We both are."

Eryn leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "I love you Steve Rogers."

She kissed his cheek and stood up. He held onto her hand until she walked out of reach.

Eryn felt her heart break inside her, but she also felt...peace.

He had his normal life, with the woman he never stopped loving, not for a single moment. Even when he said he loved her, she always knew he loved someone else first, and that was something beautiful to her...

Bucky watched as she made her way back towards the house, but hung a left when she reached the porch. She ended up on the driveway where she collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.

Within moments, Bucky was beside her.

She began to frantically shake her head. "I'm okay," she began. "I'm...I'm okay."

Bucky gently pulled her into an embrace where she collapsed into a fit of anguished sobs.

"I love him Buck," she sobbed. "I love him."

Bucky just held onto her, as tight and and close as he could.

"I know kid," he whispered. "I do too."

Eryn watched in her minds eye flashes of memories she had shared with Steve for the past ten years. Slowly, she felt her heart piece itself back together.

With every memory, her sobs softened.

"He deserves to be happy," Eryn whispered. "Even if that means I have to let him go..."