Till the End of the Line: Our Future | Stucky Fanfic

One Last Time | The Epilogue

A/N: I've been thinking for some time about what I'll say when I finish this series. It's hard to put into words how much this means to me. This story was the first project I really put my all into, and yes it slipped here and there along the way, but it's the most thought out and complete story I've ever written. It's the story that made me realize that writing is what I want to do with my life. It inspired me to write, not because I loved the characters, but because of how powerful fiction can be, even fanfiction. So many friends have been created because of this story, a project I have spent five years writing. I can't begin to say how honored I am that you all stuck with me, that you keep reading this, that some of you have read and commented on my work dozens of times. Being able to hold Our Beginning in a physical, bounded version was unlike anything I've ever felt. And I hope that the emotions you feel while reading this final chapter can begin to explain how I felt, how I feel right now.

Enjoy this last ride. I think it speaks for itself.

- Jo x

2088

Weak fingers trace the worn edge of the photo album. It's thick, filled to the brim with every important event in Steve and Bucky's life, and covered in scratches. Just looking at it fills Steve's chest with warmth; Grant gave him this for Father's Day all those years ago.

2031

Gabe carries the two dangerously full plates to the table. "Here we go!"

Bucky laughs; a plate is set in front of him. "These look fantastic, guys," he says, picking up a fork and rearranging the contents the kids made; scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, bacon, and toast. Sure it wasn't gourmet level, but the kids were better than him in the kitchen. The eggs were fluffy, the pancakes were light and airy, the sausage and bacon weren't burnt, and the toast was perfectly browned on both sides; if he'd cooked this meal, there's no telling what fire he'd have caused.

Steve grabs Gabe by the waist as he tries to step away from the table and plants a kiss on the teen's cheek. "Thank you, son," he says.

Gabe wipes at his cheek, but doesn't move from his father's embrace. "Think of this as my gift to you, you know since I'm still grounded and couldn't get you anything."

"The price we have to pay for you running away," Bucky says with an eye roll. "Thank you, Gabe." He picks up his fork and starts to cut into his pancakes.

"Happy Father's Day," Gabe says, wiggling away from Steve to head back into the kitchen.

Daisy carries her own plate to the table, with the precision of a child, and sets it gently in front of the empty seat between her fathers. She takes a seat, beams at them both, and starts to eat.

"Good morning to you, too, Daze," Steve chuckles, reaching over to smooth down her wild mop of red hair.

She rests her head on his forearm for a second, still chewing, and then does the same to Bucky.

Bucky rolls his eyes, but runs a hand over her wild red hair anyway. "Sleep okay, princess?"

Daisy nods, scrunching her nose. "Yeah," she says around a mouthful.

"What ever will we do with you three?" Steve asks, taking a sip of his coffee.

Grant plops down in the chair beside Bucky, a big blue gift bag in each of his hands. He sets one in Bucky's lap and the other in Steve's. "Happy Father's Day."

"Why thank you!" Bucky leans over and kisses Grant's head. "You didn't have to, kiddo."

Grant shrugs him off and blushes. "I know, but I wanted to."