See You in a Minute

S T E V E

❝I miss her, man.❞
- Bruce Banner

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When we went back in 1970 and I saw Peggy again after so long, I knew right then and there that I wouldn't have minded staying back and living in that year. I knew the consequences of staying but I was willing to take the risk.

But despite that intense desire to stay and live the life I wanted, I chose to do what's needed and I went back even though I didn't know what the future has for me. I don't regret staying in this year because since I stayed, I saved many innocent people with the individuals I consider my team. However, it doesn't mean that just because I don't regret staying means that I don't want to go back.

I don't often think of the life I could've had if I didn't went in the ice but when I do, it doesn't seem so bad. In fact, I can even picture myself living that sort of life. The life after a war. The simple life. Finding someone you'll love unconditionally, marrying that person and growing old together, having kids and watching them grow up—the life of a man who has a family, who has something worth living for. I thought I didn't want that anymore, I know I've moved on. I focused my attention and dedicated my time to saving the world that having a life outside of work didn't feel quite right anymore because I know what's at stake. Eventually, I thought I had become another man who didn't want the simple life anymore—I guess I thought wrong.

So when I woke up in the Stark house to return the infinity stones back in their original timeline, my mind was set on the things I knew I have to do.

The skies were clear. The sun was out and the winds were calm. It felt like a good day. I take that as a good sign I can prevail, another little motivation to keep me going. I don't want a good day to end on bad terms.

I went out of the house in my Captain America uniform and stayed beside Bruce and Sam. Bruce was preparing the stones with a solemn look on his face and I knew that even if he was focusing on the task at hand, he was still thinking of her.

"You know, I tried," Bruce said quietly, his eyes trained on the controls of the time machine. "when I had the gauntlet, the stones, I've-I really tried to bring her back."

I looked down for a moment in the ground, not really knowing what to say to him.

It was Bruce who broke the short-lived silence. "I miss her, man."

"Me, too."

My voice didn't sound like I was in sorrow even if I was still mourning Natasha's death like I am with Tony's because I'm determined to bring her back. There's nothing I can do about what happened to the world's Iron Man but perhaps there's still a chance the Black Widow may return. I can't afford to be weak and give in to my emotions about the situation of Natasha when I know there's something I can do about it. Besides, I know she'd want me to be strong no matter how hard it is—especially for everyone who aren't yet because she knows I'm the captain, and the captain does what's best for his team. And I know, being strong for all of us is one of the best things I could do for everyone's sake right now.

I started to walk away from Bruce with Sam right with me.

"You know, if you want, I can come with you."

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

Sam and I stopped talking when we arrived in front of Bucky. I gave him my attention and offered a small smile, "Don't do anything stupid 'til I get back."

He smiled at me in a way that showed how amused he is but somehow, it was a sad one, too. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

I looked at him for a couple more seconds before we hugged each other. It may have been quick but it sure felt genuine.