"Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited. I hope we get it back. And something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me 10 years ago that we weren't alone, let alone to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised but come on, who knew? The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in."
Steve pulled his hands from his pockets when Tony's voice paused. He sighed, turning the locket over in his hands as he looked sadly between each of the people in the living room- Stark's closest friends and family. Pepper sniffled where she sat on the couch in front of him, pulling Morgan a bit closer.
"So I thought I probably better record a little greeting in case of an untimely death. On my part. Not that death at any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. That's the thing." Tony's hologram shrugged. "Then again, that's the hero gig, right? Part of the journey is the end." He groaned and stood from the chair he sat on. "What am I even tripping for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to."
Morgan sunk further back into the couch when he stepped forward, gazing directly at her.
"I love you 3,000." He smiled before fading away.
A bit of time had passed and Steve's breath hitched in his throat when Pepper carefully pushed the front door open. A crowd of familiar faces turned to look at them, a few tears scattered throughout. He peered down at the bouquet of white flowers in his hand. He glanced over at Clint, who held a similar bouquet for Natasha, Pepper carrying one for Tony. They slowly made their way over the soft green lawn before stopping at the end of the wooden dock. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, a few drifting gracefully to land atop the lake's smooth surface.
Clint stepped forward first, gently giving Natasha's flowers a push. Pepper came next, drawing in a deep breath before allowing Tony's flowers to drift away. An old arc reactor sat in the center, 'Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.'
Steve hesitated before diving his hand into his pocket, his heart skipping as he retrieved the silver locket from the depths. He held it tightly in his palm for a second before resting it on top of Everly's flowers and sending her off with an encouraging push, feeling as though a piece of himself had been chipped away. The crowd stood in silence, just watching the trio of flowers fade from view. He wanted so badly to jump in and haul them back to shore; anything to keep them from leaving.
~~~
Steve huffed and allowed his eyes to wander the platform before him. He turned to Bruce standing behind a control panel, the green giant's scarred arm hung in a black sling. He opened the metal briefcase to reveal each of the six stones.
"Remember," Banner began. "You have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them or you're going to open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Steve sighed and carefully closed the case, snapping it shut.
"Don't worry, Bruce. Clip all the branches." He said, pausing while he peered down at his hands, quickly slipping the spare tube of Pym particles into his pocket.
"You know, I tried." Steve turned to his friend and rose a questioning brow. "When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back." He finished sadly. Steve's shoulders fell and he nodded lightly as Banner met his eyes. "I miss her, man."
"Me too." He agreed, peeking behind him at the helicopter moving rubble in the distance.
"You know, if you want, I could come with you." Sam offered where he appeared at Steve's side. The pair started toward where Bucky stood staring at the time machine with a lost look in his eye. Steve managed a smile and slowed to a stop.
"You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me though." Sam's gaze sunk to the ground beneath his feet and he nodded in understanding. Steve looked to Bucky and his heart sunk as he continued toward his best friend. Bucky met his eyes and they both remained silent for a second or two before Steve grinned.
"Don't do anything stupid until I get back."
Bucky chuckled and shook his head lightly. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Steve's expression fell and he stepped forward, pulling Bucky in for a hug. When they finally separated, something had changed in his friend's sad eyes.
"I'm gonna miss you, buddy." He breathed.
"It's gonna be okay, Buck." Steve returned softly.
Bucky smiled, his eyes filling with tears while he watched Steve climb to the top of the platform. The soldier stopped, picking up the briefcase before tapping the device on his wrist, the red and white suit covering him from head to toe.
"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked worriedly as he turned to Bruce. Banner flipped a few switches on the control panel.
"For him, as long as he needs. For us, five seconds."
Steve stood a bit straighter and reached down to grab Mjolnir resting at his feet.
"You ready, Cap?" Bruce questioned. "All right, we'll meet you back here, okay?" Steve let out a shaky breath and nodded, his eyes flicking between each of his friends.
"You bet." He returned, the helmet flipping over his face.
"Going quantum in three, two..." He found himself looking to Bucky one final time. "One"
A/N
Super short, I know :(
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Everly || Steve Rogers
Fanfiction"Though I may cry a river, I will not drown in it." In which she needed a hero, so she became one. "She loved him too early, and he loved her too late." #1 in "thefirstavenger" as of 1/24/20 #1 in "buckybarnes" as of 5/4/20 #1 in "captainamericathef...
