i just got you back

p | 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑒

"How much time will it take him?"

Bruce shrugs in reply. "As long as he needs to. For us, ten seconds."

-

The van is all set. Luckily, Scott's own time-travel machine still works, since the larger one made by Tony Stark at the Avengers Tower was destroyed. Now, it doesn't matter what kind of time-travel machine they get. Someone has to put back all the Infinity Stones to where and when they were taken.

Steve took the job. No one else could lift up Mjolnir to bring it back to 2013 Asgard. Thor is still overwhelmed that Steve is actually worthy, but he knew it anyway.

Steve walks onto the platform, all the necessities in his own arms. The Stones and Mjolnir. Bruce and Scott were just finalizing stuff before he's able to go back through time.

Bucky stands farther away, looking gloomier than ever. His eyes only locked upon Steve. Thinking about the conversation they had earlier. Thinking that it might be the last conversation they'll have.

It was a hug. For Steve, just another best friendly hug. For Bucky, a painful and heart-wrenching one. It wasn't the great time for nostalgia, but he sure did have one.

"Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

The tables have turned, and now Steve is the one going to a dangerous odyssey, not Bucky. It's now Steve who's leaving, and not Bucky. It's now Bucky who'll be left 'waiting', but deep down Bucky knew that he wouldn't be waiting for someone to return once he vanishes into the quantum realm.

He manages not to choke his words.

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

It's the same line they shared when Bucky had to leave for the war. Because of patriotism. Because no one was stopping World War II from happening. Because Steve couldn't join him in the Army because he was skinny, sick, and not a soldier material guy. That time, they were just kidding each other with sarcasms. Now, it's a memory they share, and it stabs Bucky right through the heart.

"I'll miss you," he whispers, uncertain whether his friend heard it or not.

They share a hug. Bucky usually liked it when Steve hugs him for comfort, or anything like that, but now he wished it could last forever. But it won't.

They pull apart, Bucky mourning from the loss. His heart skipping beats and tears prickling from his eyes. He holds them back, but when a tear slipped down his cheeks, he wiped it away in a second, so nobody would notice.

Steve smiles.

God, that smile. It makes his insides warm and happy. He feels content whenever he sees that smile. That smile of positivity never got old, and it never changed when he became the husky super soldier everyone loved.

Steve loved his fans, too. But one woman certainly caught his eye. He misses Peggy Carter so much; he held his breakdown while carrying her coffin at her death. Now, he realizes he can change the past. He can spend more time with Peggy, to get a life of his own, just as Tony said before he passed away.

And that's what makes Bucky heartbroken. Sure, he took care of Steve since they were children, but just because you've been friends with someone for a longer time doesn't mean you'll be together.

Love doesn't work like that.

That is the one harsh truth that makes Bucky regret all the feelings he'd felt for his friend. He regrets taking too much care for Steve. He regrets sharing a bed with him when Steve had to live on his own because Sarah died. He regrets all of it, for those events had caused him to eventually fall for the guy.

Without anything else to do, he sighs heavily, accepting the fact that Steve will never be his Stevie anymore. He'll grow farther away from him, having a happy family with Peggy. He'll soon have children to take care of, and he'll have no time for war fights and patriotism.

He watches Steve on the platform, his quantum realm suit automatically appears on his body as Bruce does a countdown.

"Ten."

You were ten when I first saved you from your first punch because you hated bullies.

"Nine."

We were in ninth grade when I realized I was in love with you.

"Eight."

I tried to deny my feelings eight times because I knew it was wrong.

"Seven."

'James Barnes of the 107th.' That tore your heart apart, because you knew I had to leave you for the war.

"Six."

I was six when I first met you.

"Five."

You were five years old when I first met your adorable face.

"Four."

The Fourth of July always made you the happiest.

"Three."

But you'll be happier without me.

"Two."

You'll be happy with her. And I wish you all the best.

"One."

I love you, Steve.

Sparks were starting to surround Steve, signaling that he's about to enter the quantum realm. Bucky couldn't take the sight, and he did not want to risk tears in front of Sam, Bruce and Scott. So he looked away, quietly letting out a painful sob.

He didn't even got a chance to congratulate him for his marriage.