Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff one-shot collection

Sign of the Times

Summary:

His job is simple - return the stones and try not to mess up. Then come back to the present, live his life with his best friends.
But he knew. He knew he can't come back. Not if she's not with him.
But if what if they can start all over again?
--
Just stop your crying
Have the time of your life
Breaking through the atmosphere
And things are pretty good from here
Remember everything will be alright
We can meet again somewhere
Somewhere far away from here

Notes:

title is a Harry Styles song, although I didn't know it was his bc I've always only just listened to LANY's version lol

--

this idea came to me after not accepting Steve's ending. steve in 2023 has no reason to go back to peggy like that. then i was like "hmmm... maybe *not* 2023 steve, then"

hence, this fic was born. please let me know what you guys think of it!! this was really cloudy in my mind and i debated a couple times whether or not to actually go through with it. i'd love to hear some input!

enjoy!!!

Work Text:

She isn't coming back.

Steve still has trouble wrapping this idea around his head. She was just gone for a minute and she promised to see him after that, but she never did.

At that moment, Steve knew. This fight is all or nothing, whatever it takes. The anger and pure sadness are fighting for dominance, but both are crushing his heart. The devastation of Natasha's loss was something he was never prepared for; something he never thought he would experience again. He remembered this feeling, pain so raw that he thought his heart was going to burst. The only time he felt this way was seeing Bucky fall from that train and waking up in the 21st century, taking in the fact that his old life was gone. And it really was.

That was, until Natasha came. She came into his life with her sarcasm and wit and humor, and the fact that she can totally beat Steve in combat. Her fearless and selfless nature that mirrors Steve's; making her his true partner. But now she's also gone.

Anger overtook sadness then. He wants to crush Thanos. He wants him to pay for Nat's death. But most importantly, he wants them to win. For her. So her life being gone wouldn't be in vain.

---

If Steve was being honest, he thought he was done for. With his shield breaking and Thanos and his army gaining advantage, he didn't think they'd stand a chance. But alas, they had to try - he had to try. That's what Nat would've done - fight til the end.

Everyone came back and they had done it - they won. But god , at what cost?

---

Clint insisted that Natasha's funeral will be held in his farm; it's only fitting, he said. He hasn't been the same since Vormir: sure, he's happy that his family is back, but it's not complete. And it's because of him . Steve understands his pain, him being in the same shoes with Bucky all those years ago.

"You loved her," were the words Clint whispered to him during Nat's funeral. Since her body wasn't physically there, they made sure that their memory of hers is. The kids drew pictures of their Auntie Nat and Clint and Steve printed out pictures of them with her. It's a mini-shrine dedicated to her, overflowing with flowers and pictures of her smile. The kids said a few words to her, and so did Clint. Steve couldn't bring himself to say anything so he just stayed standing, quietly weeping to himself.