Returning The Stones

7. Vormir, 2014

Steve began to walk to the cliff on Vormir. For a planet of death, it was quite beautiful. Pools of water in the sand dunes lit in orange. Makes sense.

Steve continued on, climbing the mountain. Just a bit farther, then you're done. Steve thought. Then you can see her.

Peggy. It had been so long. Even though he did technically see her in her office, it wasn't what he had imagined. He was ready to see her, her seeing him. Finally have their dance. No more tears for when she was gone, no more pain looking at her beautiful eyes, knowing that she had lived a life without him, a life he had missed.

That's what had kept Steve going this entire journey. Why he hadn't given up when it got hard, was annoyed when things were taking to long, because he knew that at the end he could see the love of his life again, give her that dance he had promised her. All those dreams that seemed so unattainable were now in his grasp, and he knew this was his only opportunity. Sure, it was selfish. Leave everyone he knew back in 2023 to live a life with his girl. But then again, there had been so much he had done for others, wasn't it time to do this one thing for himself? After all, Nat and Tony were gone. The Avengers were done, at least, the original six were. This was his chance to try living like Tony had always said. And he had to take that.

Steve had felt as though he had been climbing forever. He should've just had Peter drop him off at the top of the mountain. Then again, he wouldn't have been able to reflect on his journey if Peter had dropped him off at the top.

When finally reaching the top, Steve sighed. He looked back at all the way he came, and he didn't just think about the mountain. His entire life had led to this, and at this moment he believed that this is how his story would come to a end, completing his circle of life. Not much further to go, just put the stone back and that's it. That's it for all the hero work. Then the shield can go up and he can sit with his girl, enjoying life without worrying about alien attacks.

"Welcome, Steve, son of Sarah." A voice said. Steve knew he had heard that voice before, he just couldn't put his finger on it. The figure came closer to Steve, and when seeing his face, Steve knew where he had heard the voice.

"Schmidt." Steve said. "How did you get here?"

"When I held the stone, it cursed me here, leading others to a treasure that I cannot possess." Schmidt led Steve to the edge of the cliff. "Unfortunately for you, that treasure has already been taken."

Steve looked down to see Natasha's body at the bottom of the cliff. He quickly looked away, blinking back the tears.

"I know it's been taken, that's not what I came for." Steve said. "I came to give it back."

"Give the stone back?" Schmidt asked.

"Yes." Steve said. "It is no longer of any use for me." Steve opened the case and took out the soul stone, handing it to Schmidt.

Schmidt took the stone and looked at the cliff. "You can't get her back." He said. "It's an everlasting exchange."

Steve looked down and nodded. "I understand." He said. "I didn't really think I could, just hoped that maybe there was a small chance it wasn't permanent."

"I'm sorry to tell you, but it is." Schmidt said.

"Well, it was nice seeing you, but I have to be somewhere." Steve said.

"Are you late for something?" Schmidt asked.

"Eighty years late." Steve said. He then proceeded to activate his quantum suit and travel through time for one last stop.

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