Returning The Stones

1. Stark Cabin, 2023

Steve stood on the dock in silence, surrounded by all the friends and family of Tony. Tony had sacrificed himself to save the universe. So had Natasha.

Natasha. Every time Steve had lost someone, she was always there. When he had lost Peggy, she was there. When he had lost Bucky, she was there. When he lost Tony during the Civil War, she was there. When they all lost, she was there. He wasn't prepared to lose her too. Now she was gone.

And then Tony. Sure, Steve and Tony had their differences. They fought many times and never saw eye to eye, but he still loved him. Tony was like his brother. And now he was gone too.

After the funeral, Steve decided to talk to a few of the guests. He went and talked to Morgan and told her stories avout how her dad had saved New York from and alien invasion and about the time they had fought at an airport. He talked to Thor and gave him comforts about his losses.

Steve was about to go and talk to Bruce about returning the infinity stones when he heard someone call his name.

"Hey Mr. Rogers?"

Steve turned around to see Peter Parker, eyes swollen and puffy.

"Hey Queens." He said, walking up to the teenager.

"I was just wondering, I mean, you've been through so much but you're still doing great, how do you get through rough times?" Peter asked Steve.

Steve sighed. "It's hard. Don't be afraid to grieve, don't hold it in. Find someone to talk to, and eventually it will get better. It will never go away fully but it will get better."

"Thank you." Peter said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"I'm sorry. He meant a lot to me too, kid."

"I just, I wish I had more time. There are so many things I wish I would've told him."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Steve asked. Peter nodded.

The two sat down and Peter began to speak. "My parents died when I was five. It was hard, but I mean, my father was always off on business anyways so I didn't even really know him that well. Then my uncle Ben died when I was twelve. It was hard, especially to watch aunt May go through it. And, I've always looked up to Mr. Stark. Even before I met him he was who I wanted to be like. Then, when he recruited me and began to mentor me, I guess I began to feel whole again, like he had filled the space that my father and uncle left when they died. I never thought that I'd lose him too."

"You meant so much to him, Peter. He thought of you as a son."

Peter looked up. "Really?"

"Yes. The first thing he said when he got back to earth after the snap was 'I lost the kid.' Losing you was the hardest thing he ever had to do."

"I just wish I would've told him what he meant to me. He was the dad I never had." Peter said.

"It's okay, kid." Steve said, giving Peter a hug.

"Peter!" Aunt May called Peter.

"Thank you, Mr. Rogers." Peter said.

"Your welcome, Queens."

Steve entered the garage where Bruce was getting everything ready.

"Almost done, Steve. Just a few more minutes." Bruce said.

Steve stood by the garage door while waiting for Bruce when Bucky walked up next to him, eating a plum.

"Want one?" He asked Steve, offering him a plum. Steve took it and bit into the plum. "You ready?"

"Yeah." Steve said, staring straight ahead.

Bucky studied Steve's face. "You aren't coming back, are you?"

"What makes you think that?" Steve asked, looking at his friend.

"I know you, Steve. You're going to go back to her."

Steve nodded. "That's the hope." Steve paused. "You know, I'm going to need someone to take the shield-"

"No." Bucky said. "I can't take on the role of Captain America."

"Why not?" Steve asked.

"It wouldn't feel right." Bucky thought for a moment. "You know who could take up the mantel?"

Steve saw Bucky's thinking. "Sam."

"Yup."

"It's ready!" Bruce said. "I'm going to set it up outside. Go get your suit on."

Steve went inside and put on his suit, and then put the time navigator on his wrist. He walked out to where Bruce was and saw Sam and Bucky waiting with Bruce.

Bruce opened a case with all the infinity stones in it. "Remember, you gotta return all the stones to the exact time they were taken or else you're going to open up a lot of nasty alternate realities."

"Don't worry Bruce, I'll clip all the branches." Steve said, closing the case.

"You know, I tried." Bruce paused. "When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back." Bruce looked at Steve. "I miss her, man."

"Me too." Steve said.

Steve began to walk over to the time machine.

"You know, if you want I could come with you." Sam said.

"You're a good man, Sam. This one's up to me though."

Steve looked at Bucky. "Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

Bucky laughed. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Steve hugged Bucky. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy." Bucky said.

"It's gonna be okay, Buck." Steve said. Bucky smiled.

Steve walked up the steps of the time machine, stood on the platform and activated his quantum suit.

"How long is this going to take?" Sam asked Bruce.

"For him, as long as he needs. For us, five seconds." Bruce said. Steve picked up Mjolnir. "You ready, Cap?" Bruce asked. Steve nodded. "Okay, we'll meet you back here."

"I'll be back." Steve said, knowing that to an extent, it wasn't true. He activated the helmet and got ready.

"Going quantum in three... two... one." Bruce activated the machine and Steve disappeared into the quantum realm.

...