My Soulmate (Stony)

Epilogue

A/N: Last chapter of the book guys! Thank you to all who have read this book, voted, and commented. You have been the highlight of my motivation, and I thank you so much for it!

I also want to point out that, yes, I know the game Steve talks about took place in 1941, but once again the timeline of this book was during the 1970's, so that got changed. Other than that, happy reading!

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Tony's POV

Things just haven't been the same ever since Steve disappeared. I don't want to admit it to myself, even though I know it's the correct term in this situation, that Steve had died to save me- to save all of New York from being blown to smithereens, because if I say that he died it means he's gone forever, and I don't think he's truly gone. He's not gone, he's somewhere out there and he's just... He's just sleeping, and he's waiting to wake up and he'll come looking for me and we'll be together again.

Even so, the day we had saluted him as a national hero, and when we had that funeral for him where the entire state of New York had attended, it really was a blow to my heart to just be there to witness it, and even if I kept telling myself that he wasn't dead, somewhere deep down I knew he was gone, but I didn't want to believe that.

Each day that passed by, I never forgot about him. I didn't want to forget about him, because then that means he's gone for good. My heart still beats for him each day I think about him. Each time I look at my wrist, I still see his name inked into my wrist as a constant reminder of the love I still have for him.

Each night I kiss my wrist, hoping that he can feel the sensation I do every time he kisses his wrist that holds my name on it. Each night I take a few minutes to open that folder Colonel Phillips had given me on Steve- which included a picture of him taken when he was skinny and in his military uniform that just consisted of the standard military pants and a white T-shirt. There's also dog tags included that contain his name, and his birthdate on it.

When I had first looked at the photo and the dog tags, I was overcome with immense sadness. It rolled over me like a tidal wave, crashing down hard on top of me when I least suspected it. I missed him so much; so much so that I had worn the dog tags everywhere I went. I didn't even take it off when I went to sleep. I kept it on from morning until the night, because I wanted him close to my heart, as if I wanted him to know that he still holds a place in my heart.

Somewhere along the way I've lost the need to eat, sleep, and overall hydrate. My Dad became worried, but I assured him that I was just going through grief due to losing my best friend. He believed me, and along the way he told me that he would find Steve for me, and every day he doesn't stop.

Now, today is just like every other day- or well, technically night since it is night time right now. I sit in my bed and hold the dog tags that are around my neck in my palm, looking at his name, all while I hold the photo of him in front of me. And just like every night, I feel that first tear that slowly slides down my cheek, leaving a ghostly trail in its wake.

"I love you." I whispered to his picture, just like all the other nights I've done it. It hurts each day being alone in my bed, wishing that he was here, wishing that I told him I loved him before he went down with the plane. So many things I wish were different before I lost him, but now all I'm left with are memories, dog tags, and a picture to remind me of him every day. I sigh heavily, and the breath I expelled from my lungs is all expunged from the organ, my door opens.

"Son, can I talk to you?" Dad asked. I nod my head as I look towards his direction, watching as he closes the door before he strides over towards me, taking a comfortable seat next to me on the bed. He doesn't say anything for awhile as he looks at me; as if he's analyzing my form, or searching my eyes for something to tell him how I truly feel. "Son, what does, Steve, mean to you?"