Bruce

Steve's breathing is slow… shallow as he tries to get much needed air into his damaged lungs. His chest barely rises with the intake of each breath and he wonders idly which breath will be his last. His head aches badly every time his weakening heart beats. He feels so weak. So weak, and vulnerable. He cant even comfort the man sitting beside him. Cant offer any words of comfort, or even a single gesture to let the man he's okay. He's not even strong enough to squeeze the hand of the man sitting beside him. The man who loves with all his heart. His heart aches for him deeply, knowing deep down inside that he wont be able to help the hurt expression on his boyfriend's face.

He winces in pain, softly and as quietly as he can so he doesn't alert Tony and allow him to know he's suffering. Although it's no use, his struggle is useless. Tony knows that there is nothing he can do to help his beloved Steve, his soul mate, get better. And it hurts him, hurts him terribly at the thought of saving goodbye to his beloved. No one has said it, even when the Avengers brought Steve to the ER, no one has said it. Either too upset to even utter the nonsense or they chose to deny it even happening. But they all know. Final goodbyes must be said, no matter how much they fight the idea of saying goodbye to Steve, to their Captain. Steve is going to die.

Steve opens his mouth to speak, but sucks in a pained breath groaning loudly, unable to keep quiet anymore. Tony moves closer, practically on the edge of his seat, his hand gripping Steve's in a death grip. Afraid if he lets go, Steve will be gone. Forever. He didn't even notice someone enter his room until he hears another voice call his name. A voice that isn't his Tony. "Steve." His name is called in a soft, gentle voice that reminds Steve instantly of the small quiet doctor that tried everything he could to save him. A hand lands on Steve's shoulder and he looks over to see Bruce. He allows the smallest of smiles on his face and Bruce nods his head in acknowledgement.

"It's alright, your going to be okay…soon." The doctor's voice breaks on the last word, his emotions slowly over coming him. "I promise," he whispers biting his bottom lip hard as tears escape his eyes. Taking a deep, calming breath Steve raises his hand and places it on top of the doctor's. He holds Bruce's gaze when he speaks,

"It's not your fault Doctor Banner. Not of this is." Steve says, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't blame yourself Bruce, please…" Steve nearly begs, gripping Bruce's hand as hard as he can as a mean of comfort. The doctor almost breaks down at the grip Steve has on his hand. He barely even feels it, although he knows Steve is holding his hand the tightest he can. Bruce takes a deep breath and removes his glasses from his face, cleaning them on his shirt before sticking them in his pocket. Bruce looks up at the ceiling for a moment, to recollect himself and during that moment Steve glances at the man sitting beside him completely silent. The most silent he's ever seen his lover before. Tony's eyes are planted right on Steve's face, his fingers slowly skimming the skin on his right arm. Tony raises the hand he's holding and places it on his lips closing his eyes as he plants tiny kisses on each of Steve's knuckles.

Steve turns his attention back to the doctor when Bruce clears his throat to speak, his voice thick with tears. Steve grips another squeeze to the doctor's hand before letting his hand fall back onto his chest, too weak to keep it up any longer. Bruce leans down and whispers in Steve's ear. "I did all I could to save you and even that wasn't good enough." Steve opens his mouth to speak, but Bruce beats it to him. "Your my Captain, our team leader and my job is to take care of the Avengers if they are injured in a battle… I've failed."

"No… You didn't do any of the sort Bruce. You didn't fail anyone, least of all me."

"But Steve-"

Steve's voice is so hoarse and barely audible and he coughs loudly to clear his voice up to speak loud enough for Bruce to hear, although the doctor can hear perfectly fine. "No, Bruce, stop. This is not your fault. You are not to blame and I don't blame you." Steve glances at Tony beside him before looking back at Bruce. "You are here to help us heal if we're injured in battle. Your not here to make miracles. You of all people know that there are some injures where people cant just shrug and walk away from. I may be a super soldier, but I'm also human too."

"I know that Steve, but… it's my job to save people's life. That's all I've done all my life and now, enduring this. It's almost too much for me. Steve your my friend and I cant help from-"

"Yes you can help from thinking that way. This is not your fault. Why cant you understand that?"

"Because in that battle I should've helped you. We all should've, but we didn't…"

"Yes you didn't, but like I said before, I don't blame you. Bruce read my lips carefully. I. Don't. Blame. You. Please understand that. This is not your fault and you'll always be friend no matter what. Tony doesn't blame as well, right Tony?" Steve looks over at his boyfriend, his eyes practically begging him to help reassure the distressed doctor.

Tony snorts, his eyes not even on Steve anymore, but on Bruce. "Of course not. It's not your fault Banner. You couldn't help it, they had Steve before any of us could reach him. It's not your fault some bastard injected something into his vein that is slowly killing-" Tony lashes out suddenly on the lamppost beside him making both the doctor and soldier jump. Steve hisses in pain and Tony mutters an apology before becoming silent again, his eyes transfixed on the broken lamppost. Bruce gives Tony a concern glance and Steve directs his attention back to him.

"Not your fault, or anyone's fault." Steve raises his voice to let Tony know that it's neither his or any of the Avengers fault of his demise. Tony doesn't say anything and doesn't even offer a sarcastic comment. Bruce stares down at Steve, at his Captain and can only offer a nod, not trusting his voice. Steve's eyes glance to Tony before going back to the troubled man beside him, a small joking smile on his face. "Look after your brother for me while I'm gone?" Steve hears Tony snort from beside him and watches as more tears escape Bruce's eyes when he chuckles. "Make sure he doesn't over do it on the science stuff."

Bruce nods, "I will…"

"Bruce I need you to remember something. Something important."

"What is it?"

"Please, whatever you do and whatever people say, I need you to always be you. Don't let anyone change you and tell you that you are a monster. Because your not. What others have said in the past, they only said it out of fear or jealous. Bruce Banner, you are not a monster and will never be one. You're a hero and will always be. That's why you are a part of the Avengers. Fury wasn't just after the other guy, he was after you because of your smarts and your capabilities. Do you understand me? You are not a monster." Steve emphases greatly on the last sentence, holding the doctor's gaze with intense eyes. Bruce stares back into Steve's eyes, his whole body and face expressing his uncertainty.

"I want to believe you Steve, I do. It's just I cant. I'm been on the run for a lot of years and during the years that's all I heard. Never once has someone told me that I'm not and I guess, after hearing something for so long I started to believe it-"

"Well don't believe it." Steve interrupts giving Bruce a look. "Don't believe any word those bastards said. You don't deserve it Bruce, you're a hero. Kids love you and look up at you. I even overheard some kids saying that they wanted you be you when they grow up. Not the Hulk, big green and powerful, but the guy behind the Hulk mask. They want to be you Bruce. You." Bruce's face soften and a small smile grace his features at the thought of children looking up to him. Seeing Bruce smile makes Steve smile in return. "People look up at to you and how can they do that when your bring yourself down and only hurting yourself with words? Don't do that Bruce, please for mine and your, don't. Promise me you wont?" Steve asks, his eyes full of hope. Bruce bites his bottom lip and after a long moment finally gives a small nod of the head.

"I promise, but only if you promise me something?" Bruce requests.

"Anything," Steve declares hoping to please his friend anyway he can so he can make Bruce's grieving easier.

"Wait for us? Make sure you're the first person we see when you join you." Steve smiles at Bruce and nods his head slowly, raising a hand and grasping Bruce's hand one last time.

"Of course, you don't think you and the others will get away that easily do you?" Steve says, in a joking manner. Bruce chuckles and squeezes slightly before turning to leave. Right before exiting the room completely, Bruce takes one last look at his Captain and exits the room as fast as he can, not being able to stay in the room any longer. The sight of his Captain too much for him and the Hulk to handle.

Bruce was incredibly guilty that he couldn't do anything to save Steve. It was just a simple injection and yet, even Dr. Banner was stumped and didn't know how to cure it. They never thought that it was actually going to take the Captain's life.

Bruce went into the room where everyone was waiting. Right when he stepped into the room he burst into tears. He could not control the guilt gnawing at his heart. Upon seeing the doctor break down, Clint and Natasha kneel in front of him to try and calm him down before he could lose control and transform in the hospital. Clint and Natasha give the people waiting in the waiting room; the two Asgardians, and Pepper, a knowing look before escorting Bruce outside.

Pepper

Pepper is practically on the edge of her seat, her eyes planted straight on the empty hallway that leads to her friend's hospital room. 'Go on Pepper. It's your turn… I cant. I just cant face him.' Thor and Loki look over at the women that has yet gotten up from her seat, but her face expressing her longing.

"Miss. Potts, go ahead. Loki and I will wait." Thor tells her. "Say your farewells to Steven. We'll be here when you get back." Pepper looks over at them and can only offer a nod of thanks before standing and heading towards Steve's room.

A soft, almost silent knock alerts Tony and Steve of the next company arriving. Tony straights in his seat immediately when he realizes it's Pepper whose next. He turns his face from the door on Steve to hide his emotions from his CEO, the only person who can actually knock some sense into the billionaire and help him. Pepper gives Steve a smile, putting her business face back on, and walks over to his bedside. She stays standing and smiles down at Steve reaching down and grabbing his hand.

"Hello Steve," she greets softly, her eyes full of concern and love. Steve closes his eyes and squeezes her hand softly before muttering a 'Hi'. Pepper glances over at Tony, knowing he's obviously hiding from her, but doesn't call him out on it. She instead turns back to the soldier and sighs slumping into the chair beside him, her legs seeming to give out. Of course, she doesn't let her mask slip, and seems to take control of the situation at him. "Steve, everything is ready for your funeral and burial. Your will is set in order and I made sure nothing will be amiss once your gone. Everything will be perfect and if it isn't I'll make sure to talk to a few people in order to get it settled." Pepper pulls out a tablet while speaking and starts going through Steve's information of what he wanted. "So everything is still the same. You still want to be cremated." Steve without hesitation nods. "Do you want an open casket or-"

"Miss. Potts-" Steve starts.

"Pepper." Pepper corrects the soldier.

"Sorry. Pepper, I would really appreciate it if there wasn't a casket ceremony at all. I want you guys to remember as I am now, not how you last saw me. In a casket. I want your last memory to be of me is now, this discussion were having. How I tell you the things I meant to tell you later when I was really ready to pass, but must tell you now." Pepper nods and types a couple of things in her tablet before Steve reaches out and snatches from her grasp. Pepper frowns slightly when Steve places the tablet on the other side of him, out of her reach if she didn't lean over and grab it. "Which means, no talk of funerals and burials. No working. I appreciate you doing everything and organizing things that need to be done, but Pepper I need to tell you a few things. Things you have to promise me you'll do once I'm gone." Steve says, his voice full of passion and pleading to the women in front of him. Steve reaches out and grasps her hands in his careful not to hurt her when he squeezes her hand when she squeezes. Pepper nods her head, her eyes suddenly starting to get moist as she finally takes a good look at the broken super soldier. Steve puts a finger under her chin and makes her look up when she drops her gaze. He makes eye contact with her. Without turning to look Steve directs his words towards Tony, "Tony, could you give us a few minutes?" It only takes a minute before Pepper and Steve hear the door close signaling Tony's departure.

"Pepper… please, please, please take care of Tony. You and I both know that he will do everything, almost anything to help take away his pain. He'll stay down in the lab for days on end trying to cope that he'll forget to take care of himself. He'll drink himself to death. You've got to help him. You've done it before and he'll listen to you more than the others. Please."

"Steve, of course, I'll help him. Granted I'll be out of it for a little bit because your my friend, but I wont let Tony suffer alone. I'll take care of him and I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Me and the others all will. I care about Tony way too much to let him do that himself. Steve you have my word, I'll do everything in my power to get Tony back to the way he use to be. Or at least as close as I can get him. Because we all know, you included, that Tony will never be the same. Not without you." Pepper replies sincerely, with a hint of pain in her eyes at the thought of never seeing the same narcissistic, ignorant, pain in the ass man again. Steve grips her hand tightly in his own, his eyes reflecting her own pain. He nods sadly, his eyes slowly starting to become misty thinking of his boyfriend, his Tony.

"That's why you've got save him. Help him become who he use to be because that's the guy I fell in love with." Pepper nods, assuring Steve that she will do everything in her power to save Tony from becoming somebody totally different, someone none of the Avengers will ever know.

"I will Steve, and you know I'll try my damn hardest. Sorry." Pepper apologizes as a afterthought after cussing in front of Steve. Steve waves off her apology and leans up to press a kiss to her forehead. Pepper meets him halfway and returns one to his cheek. "Thank you Steve."

"For what?" Steve asks staring up at the strawberry redhead. She smiles down at him and caresses his cheek before brushing the damp hair away from his sweaty forehead.

"For everything. What's there not to be thankful for. I can give you a full list of what I'm thankful to you about. But mostly I'm thankful that… you were ever born. That Sarah Rogers brought a son as wonderful as you are into our lives. Even if you felt that you were alone upon getting out of the ice, the truth is Steve was that you always had a family. Whether here or in the 1940s. You were never alone. And I'm thankful for our friendship and your relationship with Tony. You changed him, in a good way. Although he's still a pain in the ass, because that's just how Tony is, you changed in a better person then he was before you met him. I'm glad you didn't change him fully, but just the parts that needed to be changed. You did something that no one in this world could ever do and for that I'm thankful." Pepper leans down whispers softly in Steve's ear, "You are a true hero Steve." Steve's cheek burn red at the praises he's getting from his friend and can only offer a nod, accepting her thank although he feels he should be thanking her.

"Pepper," Steve starts giving her hand a last squeeze seeing that she turns to leave the room. Pepper turns to give Steve a smile and that's when Steve can tell why she's leaving so early. The tears are barely being held in and her business mask is slowly slipping from her face. "Your one of the best friends and I'm so glad I got to be friends with you. Your beautiful, smart, courageous and take control. And I found that, that was the best change in women since the 1940s." Pepper squeezes Steve's hand back and whispers softly before heading towards the door.

"Goodbye Steve." Pepper rushes out of the room as fast as she could tears already escaping her eyes and her mask coming off completely. Pepper passes Tony in the hallway on his way back to Steve's room, and takes a quick look at his face discreet. Tears run down his face and his shoulders shake with his sobs. Pepper wants to reach out and bring the boy genius in her arms, but refrains knowing that he'd want to get back to Steve as soon as possible. She watches him walk by her before turning and continuing on towards the waiting room. "Goodbye Steve." She whispers to no in particular on her way back to the waiting room.

3 & 4. Loki and Thor

Staring down into the hallway, Loki realized this is his only chance to say goodbye to the soldier. The soldier he at first despised with his life, but now has grown to love when he joined the Avengers years after the New York incident.

Sharing a glance with Thor, both boys nod in agreement before going down the hall and into Steve's room. The minute they saw the Captain, they instantly become heartbroken. Walking slowly to the soldier's bedside, Loki takes a seat next to him and stares down at Steve sadly while Thor stays over by the door, his eyes arms crossed. The Loki reaches out to take one of Steve's overly hot hands in his chilled ones and Steve gives him the biggest smile he conjure up. Loki whispers desperately at Steve's attempt at a smile, "Please Steven. You must fight, you have to. You lead this team of misfits well and we'd all be a mess with you as our leader. And…" Loki's voice seems to have gotten even lower, but Steve heard it. "With you I actually had a real friend."

"Look Loki, you must try to love again. If you did, the world would be much nicer to you and even then you'll realize that the people around you are trying to help you. You just wont let them by shutting them out." Steve's eyes glance over to Thor who gives the Captain a tiny smile. Loki gives a nod and leans forward, putting his hands on Steve's chest and trying with all his strength to use his magic. When nothing happens and Steve only moans in pain, Loki grits his teeth and tries harder. Again, nothing happens. Loki looks over at Thor and they share a silent conversation, in the end Loki looks extremely annoyed and irritated.

"Odin, must be enjoying my desperation to help a friend in need. Since that is why he took my magic and left me defenseless."

"Loki-" Thor starts, but Loki cuts him off and stands from his spot at Steve's bed. Loki directs his words to the Captain,

"I swear to you Steven, I will find who has done this to you and make them pay for taking your life." Loki declares, rage evident in his eyes. Steve gives him a smile and mouths 'Thank you' while Tony snorts out a "Get in line." Steve looks over at his boyfriend and shakes his head slightly. After nodding his welcome, Loki turns and storms out of the room. Thor sighs and rubs the heel of his hand his fear expressing his weariness.

"My apologize Captain, Loki is still… angered by what came of this battle and needs rest."

"You need rest as well Thor. You cant just revolve your world around Loki all the time. Your needs are important too." Steve informs him, his eyes closing in pain as he coughs loudly. Thor shifts uncomfortably in his spot, obviously feeling uncomfortably about watching his leader in this kind of state. "take care of yourself Thor. You and Loki need each other and please, don't let him seethe in rage for the rest of his life. Help him heal." Thor nods and reaches an arm out as he walks to the edge of the bed. He gently places a hand on Steve's shoulder and nods,

"Take care Steven. You are one of the greatest warriors I know, and you'll be welcomed in Valhalla with opened arms. I wish you well and hope to see you again when it is my time to pass." Steve smiles and pats the hand on his shoulder lightly nodding.

"Thank you Thor." Thor nods his head and pats Steve's shoulder once before exiting the room, overcome with emotion.