A/N Yes, I should know better than starting another collection but really, I couldn't resist. This will deal with the Avengers, not one character in particular, The chapter titles will be taken from the titles of the soundtrack from Avengers Endgame. So start with the first one, shall we?

Totally Fine

When Bucky stepped through that sparkling portal, he inevitable kept an eye out for a familiar shock of blonde hair. He knew she had survived the snap; otherwise she would have been with him in Wakanda. But it was hard to distinguish single people on that battlefield. Plus, he didn't even know whether she was still blonde. That wizard had said five years had passed. For all he knew, she might have changed her hair again now that she wasn't on the run anymore.

The battle was exhausting and bloody and Bucky was sure he was done with fighting for the rest of his life. He just wanted his peace with his girl and their family. Maybe they'd get a farm.

Finally, he found Steve. Buff, clean shaven, broken Stevie, mourning the death of Howard's son. He hadn't known Tony very well but he felt a deep respect towards the man who had sacrificed everything to save everything. To make sure his daughter would have a future. "Stevie…"

"Bucky! Oh, thank God!" He wrapped him in a tight embrace and Bucky couldn't help but return it just as tightly.

"Bet you did a ton of stupid things while I wasn't there to stop you," Bucky mumbled and Steve sobbed in response. "Where's Nat? I haven't seen her yet."

Steve shook a bit harder but loosened the embrace to get a good look at Bucky. "Oh, Buck. I'm sorry. So sorry."

"What do you mean? Steve?" His voice trembled. "What the hell do you mean?"

"Natasha died. Clint and she were supposed to get the Soul Stone. We didn't know there was a sacrifice involved. A soul for a soul."

Bucky staggered back. "What? So Barton-"

"She jumped," Clint threw in, grief etched onto his face. "I didn't want her to do it; I didn't deserve her sacrifice. But she's… she was so fucking stubborn. In the last moment, she tied me to the ledge. I tried to hold her, but…" Fresh tears spilled over his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Barnes. I truly am. If anyone would have deserved that happy ending, it would have been Nat."

Bucky took some deep breaths, trying to fight the nausea that was threatening to overwhelm him. The other men didn't speak but gave him the time to deal with that information. "What about her child? Where is he? Or she?"

"Child?" Steve exchanged a glance with Clint who only shrugged. "Buck, Nat didn't have a child. She wasn't even pregnant."

"Of course she was. She told me so before the battle in Wakanda," Bucky answered confused. "C'mon, Steve. I know you don't have much experience with women, but even you should recognise a pregnant one. Especially if it's Nat."

Steve clasped his shoulder tightly and looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Natasha wasn't pregnant. I might not have been at the compound as often as I should have been but I'm sure I would have noticed if Natasha had been pregnant."

Bucky shrugged away from the touch; it didn't make any sense. He shook his head violently and backed away, neither trusting his voice nor his memories. Maybe it was just another nightmare. Maybe he would wake up soon, Natasha in his arms, soon to be awoken by a little child with that green eyes of hers.

~#~#~#~#~#~

Of he hadn't woken up. While the others mourned Tony and what had been their home for a long time, he spend his time guarding and watching the stone that Natasha had given her life to obtain. He knew Steve needed to take them all back to their respective times but it was hard letting go of that orange glowing rock. It was the last thing he got left of her. It wasn't like he felt a connection between the stone and Natasha but it still felt almost impossible to let go of it. What was he supposed to do after life turned back to normal? How could he move on from losing her a second time?

"You're ready for Tony's memorial?" Sam asked and finished buttoning his shirt. "We're going to be late."

"I don't think I should go," Bucky answered, not lifting his gaze from the stone. "I killed his parents, after all. It's my fault we fought at that airport. He probably wouldn't want me at his memorial."

Sam looked at him for a long time. "You know… If you want to honour or respect his sacrifice, him as a man or your memory of his dad, then I guess no one will kick you out." He paused before adding a bit quieter: "And maybe it'll help you say goodbye to Nat, too. I know Barton plans to hold a memorial for her at his farm, but still… I think it might help you."

Bucky took a deep breath and closed the hand holding the stone. "I don't have a suit."

A sympathetic smile found its way on Sam's lips. "I think we can find some black clothes for you. Nat would kick my ass if I'd let you go in sweats."

Bucky chuckled involuntarily and wiped his right hand down his face. "Yeah, she would."

~#~#~#~#~#~

It was time. They had sent Tony's first arc reactor out on the lake and now Steve would take back the stones. Bucky found himself both avoiding Tony's little girl and Barton. It wasn't like he blamed the latter for Natasha's death; he himself knew how impossible it was to stop her from doing anything. It was rather the fact that he saw his own grief mirrored on the man's face. As for Morgan, it hurt to see what could have been. The girl didn't deserve to grow up without her father. Did he deserve to survive without the first and only woman he ever loved? Bucky chose not to answer that question.

As Steve went to the platform to get ready for his time travel, Bucky lingered behind, trying to summon up the courage to give up the Soul Stone. It spoke volumes about how deep in thought he was that a woman like Laura Barton could surprise him.

"Mr. Barnes?" she asked softly.

Bucky looked up, his heart beating faster. "Bucky. Or… or James." Natasha had been the only one to call him James in a very long time.

She seemed to sense his hesitation concerning his given name. "Bucky then," she relented with a smile. "I understand that you and Natasha were close. I just want to tell you that you are always welcome at the farm if you want to trade stories. Or if you find yourself not wanting to be alone. Nat was an important part of our family – the kids adored her and she adored them. So if you want to learn more about the part of her that was Auntie Nat… Please drop by. You're not alone in your grief."

Bucky felt himself choking on the tears he had refused to shed those last days. "Thank you," he croaked. "Really. Thank you. I think I would like that."

"Any time." Laura smiled sadly and, once her maternal side won over, hugged him.

Mindful of his strength and trying hard not to crush her, Bucky returned the hug. "I'm glad Nat had you," he finally said, letting go of Laura. "When she was in Wakanda, she would often talk of you, Barton and the kids. Being called her family is a great achievement."

"When Clint first brought her home, I'd never thought we would grow that close. But maybe that's a story for a different time. When she was at the farm she would talk about you, too. I… I'm sure you know that but she did love you. Not because she told me so. But you could see it in her smile every time she talked about you."

Bucky gulped. He knew, of course. But it was nice to hear although it also ripped his heart in two. So he only nodded and went to join Steve, Sam and Bruce standing around the little platform that would transport Steve through time.

His best friend noticed him and hugged him briefly but tightly. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
Despite everything, Bucky smiled. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." He paused for a moment. "Be careful, punk."

"You know me. I'm always careful."

Somewhere to Bucky's left, Sam snorted.

Steve grew sober again. "If there's a way to bring her home, I will do so, Buck. I promise."

"I know." Bucky stepped a few feet away as Bruce counted down and watched with fascination and dread as Steve disappeared. The next five seconds seemed the longest in his life. What if something went wrong. Would it change anything if Steve had the possibility to bring back Natasha's body? He was sure he couldn't move on from that and burying her would make no difference.

Bruce counted down again and Steve reappeared, another person in a quantum suit cradled in his arms. All breath was punched from Bucky's lungs. She seemed so small, tucked tightly against Steve's chest; small and fragile. Time seemed to slow and stop and Bucky could barely think over the rushing in his ears. And then, suddenly, both helmet moved back to expose the faces of Steve and Natasha and Bucky's heart stopped beating for a moment when Natasha opened her eyes and moved to stand on the ground. He watched petrified as Natasha smiled at Steve who returned the smile and nodded in Bucky's direction, saying something he couldn't hear. Natasha turned and then, her whole face lit up. She jumped from the platform and then, suddenly, her arms were around his neck. Bucky needed a second but then he wrapped his arms around her, felt her warmth and hid his face in the crook of her neck. And then, for the first time in a very long while, James felt like himself again.

~#~#~#~#~#~

Through the window, James could see a sliver of the moon. The familiar weight of Natasha using his chest as a pillow grounded him. But then again, he hadn't had a nightmare in a very long time. Tomorrow he would chop some wood for the winter that was already lurking around the corners; Nat was insufferable when she was cold. Lost in thought, his drew shallow circles on her back. Six years ago he wouldn't have dreamt of a quiet night like this. Of leading a normal life.

The door to the bedroom squeaked softly and James turned his head. His gaze was met by sleepy greenish eyes. "Hey," he said softly.

"I couldn't sleep," the little girl answered and rubbed her eyes.

"I think we have room for you. C'mere."

The girl stumbled to the bedside and climbed on the bed only to tuck herself against James's free side. "Love you, daddy."

"Love you, too, Amy." He carefully kissed the crown of her head. "Sleep well, princess."