The Break of Winter ▸B. Barnes

Chapter 19

I run to his side, a tear slipping down my face. "Tony?" I say softly. He rolls his head weakly to look at me. I pull him in to a hug. "I'm so sorry," I sob weakly. "For everything. For your parents, for everything after the accords. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," He stutters out. I feel a hand on my shoulder, and look up to see Bucky standing there. I stand and quickly examine him for any injuries, before hugging him tightly, sobbing into his chest. He runs his hands through my knotted hair and rests his chin on my head. When I pull away, I see Pepper assuring him that they'll be okay. She rests her head on his shoulder as the light in his suit goes out, telling me that he was gone. Off to the side, Peter was crying. I walk over to him and pull him into a hug. He freezes for a minute, taken off guard, but returns the gesture. I let him cry into my shoulder for a moment until we both pull away. When I look around, each of the remaining members had taken a knee to pay their respects to their fallen member. Peter and I both join them, bowing our heads.
•••
Its been a few days since Tony passed, and the guilt still hasn't subsided. I pull on my black dress, preparing for the funeral. I stare at my reflection, not believing that the broken soldier staring back at me was the same girl that roamed the streets of Brooklyn a century ago. Bucky walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"You ready?" He asks softly. I nod, following him outside where the rest of the Avengers were waiting. I take a deep breath as Pepper steps outside, holding the hand of her and Tony's daughter, Morgan. We watch as Pepper places a bouquet of flowers into the water containing a metal piece that read 'Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.' Bucky places a comforting arm around my waist. After the ceremony, I quickly walk away to an area shaded by trees. I sit and lean against the tree. Seconds later, I hear footsteps behind me.

"Bucky I really don't need a pep talk about how it'll all be okay right now," I sigh.

"Guess again," a voice says. I turn around to see Peter.

"Hey kid," I sigh, turning back to face the water.

"What's wrong, Miss Quinn?" He asks, taking a seat next to me.

"What isn't?" I laugh sadly. "Nat and Tony are dead. Vision died for nothing."

"The wizard guy said there was only one way for us to win. This was that way. Sure, we would all have loved to keep them around, but they were willing to risk their lives for this.," Peter comforts.

"But it should've been me," I sigh

"Why do you say that?" Peter asks. He turns to look at me, but I keep my gaze out on the water.

"I hurt him. I killed his parents, I tore the avengers apart, I killed dozens of people over the years. That man didn't deserve to die," I rant. "It should've been me." A year slips down my cheek, but I wipe it away hoping that he didn't notice.

"But none of that was your fault."

"Everyone keeps saying that, and I know it's true, but it's never felt that way," I finally turn to look at him. "And I don't think it ever will."

"I'm not saying it'll get any better, because it won't," Peter says. "it just gets easier to live with."

"Thanks, Peter," I smile weakly. He nods. "You know, you're pretty wise for a kid." I smile at him, which he turns.

"Come on," He says as he gets up, holding his hand out to help me up. "Mr. Rogers and Mr. Bucky need you." I nod, taking his hand.
•••
       Bucky, Sam, Bruce and I stood in front of the newly built time machine. Bruce was explaining to Steve that he needed to return the stones to the exact point that he got them.

"You know, if you want," Sam says after Bruce finishes. "I could come with you."

"You're a good man, Sam," Steve smiles. "But this one's on me." He walks over to Bucky and I. "Don't do anything stupid til I get back." He says to us with a smirk.

"How can we? You're taking all the stupid with you," Bucky and I reply in unison. Steve pulls us into a group hug.

"Gonna miss you, buddy," Bucky says sadly. Steve had told us that he was going to stay and live his life out with Peggy, but we weren't allowed to tell anyone else that.

"It's gonna be okay, Buck," Steve replies. I pull him into one last hug.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Stevie," I say.

"There's not a lot that falls into that category," He laughs lightly. I pull away and go back to Bucky, who puts his arm around my waist. Steve turns and steps up onto the platform.

"How long is this going to take?" Sam asks. I look down guiltily. I hated keeping this from them, but it's what Steve wanted.

"For him, as long as he needs," Bruce responds. "For us? Five seconds." Steve picks up the hammer and the case that held the stones. "You ready, Cap?" Steve nods, giving us one last look. "All right, we'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet," Steve lies.

"Going quantum. Three... two... one." And just like that, our Steve was gone.

"And returning in five... four... three... two... one." As expected, Steve hadn't returned. Bucky and I stood silently as Sam and Bruce panicked, trying to figure out why he hadn't returned. I turn to where Steve had claimed he'd be waiting. I see an older man sitting there on the bench.

"Sam," Bucky says catching both of the men's attention. They both turn to look at Steve in shock. Bucky, Sam, and I walk towards the bench, but Bucky and I stop a few yards away. "Go ahead," Bucky nods to Sam. I lay my head against Bucky's chest with his arm around me as we watch Steve pass the shield on to Sam. He looks back at us, as if asking for permission. We both give him a nod and he accepts the shield. Sam thanks him and allows Bucky and I to have a moment with him.

"Did you tell Peggy I said hello?" I ask, taking a seat next to him on the bench. He just laughs in return. "Please tell me you at least bailed my other self out of HYDRA." I add.

"No, actually, I thought you enjoyed your time there," He replies sarcastically. "Of course I did." I smile, thankful that he thought of it and there was a version of myself that got to live her life freely.

A/N
      I know that the scene where they all kneel got cut from the movie, but I loved the scene too much not to write it in.