Welcome, one and all, to the last chapter of We Didn't Start the Fire set firmly within Endgame!

This chapter covers some of the first things that I knew I wanted to change the moment I saw Endgame. As satisfied as I was with how they ended Tony's arc, I was NOT AT ALL satisfied with how they ended things for Steve. So this is my attempt to fix that a bit. Please enjoy.

Self explanatory title is self explanatory.

Chapter Ten: A Soul for a Soul

Morgan Stark had decided that she did not like funerals.

Especially when it was a funeral for her dad.

There was way too much black. Daddy never wore black, except when it was his Aycedece t-shirt, or he had to dress fancy.

Daddy wasn't black. Daddy was red and gold and white.

Morgan's stomach rumbled. Happy had promised to get her cheeseburgers, and had gone to get them from the delivery guy. So she was sitting alone on the front porch. Happy told her not to move. She didn't want to, anyway.

She was hungry, but her tummy felt all flip-floppy, like when she rode the kiddie coaster at Coney Island with Nate and Jamie.

Jamie…

Morgan frowned. It wasn't fair. Jamie had a daddy, and that was good, but now she didn't. Why couldn't everyone have nice things all at the same time? When she was older, she would make sure everyone had nice things together.

Suddenly, she felt a shadow cross her and looked up, thinking it was Happy. But this person was too small to be Happy. It was the boy from Daddy's pictures, the one he always said would have been her sort-of brother-just like Christy and Jamie and Nate and Shanta and Anish were her sort-of cousins.

"Hi." said the boy quietly. He looked very sad. "A-are you Morgan?"

Morgan nodded. "Yeah. Who else would I be?"

The boy looked like he was trying not to laugh, a little. "I guess you're right. I'm Peter. I dunno, did your dad ever...did he talk about me?"

"Yeah. Lots and lots. He said you would be my brother, if you came back. Will you be my brother?"

Peter closed his eyes and breathed really slow, like Mommy had been doing a lot lately.

"Y-yeah, I will." he said, sitting down next to her. "I'll be your brother. I-if you'll be my sister."

Morgan nodded and leaned over on him. "Peter?"

"Yeah?"

"My stomach feels weird. Like it's all floppy. And my throat is stuck."

She could see that Peter was crying a little bit, now. He reached over and tugged her closer.

"Me, too. M-my throat's stuck, too."

Now, Peter was crying more than a little bit. Morgan was scared. She had never seen a grown person cry like this before!

She rubbed his back, like Daddy always did when she had a bad dream or was upset.

"It's gonna get better." she whispered, just like Daddy did, too. "It's not gonna be sad forever. There's too much happening to be sad forever."

Usually, when Daddy said that, it made her stop crying. But her saying it only made Peter cry more.

Morgan whimpered a bit. Where was Happy?

But somehow, her whimper made him stop crying more than the nice words did.

"Hey, hey, 'm sorry…" he whispered, rocking her a little. "I'm sorry. I'm just really mixed up an' sad today. I was gone for three years, an' now I'm back, but Mr. Stark...he's gone."

Morgan nodded sullenly. "Jamie got his daddy back. But mine had to go away."

"Jamie...oh, right." Peter sighed. "Life's just not fair, huh, kid?"

"Nope. And Happy still didn't bring me cheeseburgers yet."

That made Peter laugh, a tiny, tiny bit. "You wanna go find him? I think I saw him. He was yelling at someone on the phone to hurry up."

"Okay." Morgan stood up, tugging on Peter's hand. "Let's go!"

It was still a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day-like the story Mommy read her. But at least she had a brother now.

And cheeseburgers.

"Carol...are you sure you wanna do this? That thing is lethal."

Carol crossed her arms and smirked at Nick Fury. "Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, the kid's in grief. She needs something to hug, to take her mind off things. Pepper, too. And Goose is a sweetie."

Goose himself lay in a small carrier, licking his paw daintily. Fury narrowed his eye.

"Fine. But you're handling the legal fees if Pepper sues you because her daughter lost an eye."

They found Morgan sitting with Pepper, Happy, and Peter. All of them were eating McDonalds.

Carol gave a small half-salute. "Hey. Uh...so, condolences and all that. I really am sorry. So...I thought the kid could use a friend." She held up the carrier.

Pepper glanced inside. "A cat? What's he like? Morgan likes...holding."

"Oh, he's chill. Very chill. Loves people. Isn't that right, Fury?"

Fury rolled his eye. "Yeah, he's a real good boy. Wanna test it?"

Pepper nodded. Carol opened the carrier. Goose sprung out and immediately started purring around Morgan's legs.

Morgan lit up. "Kitty! Look, Mommy, it's a kitty!"

Carol grinned. "Actually, he's a Flerken. An alien that looks like a cat."

Happy frowned. "And what does that mean?"

A fly buzzed by them lazily. Goose opened his mouth like a demented Venus flytrap and snagged the creature. Two seconds later, he innocently licked his lips.

Happy's eyes bugged. "Cool. Cool, cool, cool. So, uh, Morgan now has a security cat, Pepper?"

Pepper sighed. "I suppose so."

Goose looked at her with big, golden eyes and jumped up into her lap. Pepper reached down to tentatively stroke him, and he nuzzled into her.

"It's like he knows." she whispered.

Carol nodded. "He's a smart Flerken. He'll take care of you guys."

"I don't know what to say…"

"Just promise you'll take care of him. That's all I need. He's a bit...much, flying around space. He needs a home."

"What's his name?" Morgan asked, reaching over to pet the 'kitty' some more.

"Goose. You can try changing it, but I doubt he'll answer to anything else."

"I like Goose. Hi, Goose! You're gonna be my friend!"

Pepper looked quietly pleased, seeing her daughter so happy. Carol shot Fury a smug look.

Fury sighed and gave the cat a stink-eye. Goose stretched out his paws.

Yes, the remaining members of House Stark would certainly be well taken care of.

Steve had volunteered to take the Stones back. It was a good choice. They were all in agreement.

That didn't mean Christy had to like it.

She stood, arms crossed, watching as Shuri gave Steve final instructions and reminders. Steve held the briefcase with the Tesseract, the Power Stone-safely ensconced in a metal sphere retrieved from the now-resurrected Quill, and the Mind Stone Staff.

Bucky put a quiet hand on her shoulder. "He'll be back, kid. You heard Shuri. It'll take five seconds at most."

"But what if something happens?"

"You really think something would go wrong, at the end of all this? After everything?"

"Uncle Tony died. I don't know what to think anymore." Christy said honestly.

Bucky sighed, and looked at Sam for aid.

"Are you gonna solve anything by worrying about it?" Sam asked.

"No…"

"Then leave it to your Dad. He's good at finishing things."

"I guess...I'm just glad they're doing this while Jamie's taking a nap. He'd flip."

Bucky gave a bittersweet smile. Over the past few days, Jamie had progressed from staring awkwardly at Steve to voluntarily sitting with him on the couch. It wasn't quite an easy relationship yet, but it would get there. But the toddler currently wasn't fond of Steve going anywhere out of his line of sight yet, even if he wasn't sure what to make of Daddy.

Sharon streaked into the clearing. "Oh, good, he didn't leave yet. Jamie finally agreed to nap if Morgan would."

Sam laughed. "And they're cuddling like puppies now?"

"Exactly."

Steve turned to face them all and lit up, upon seeing Sharon. He gave her a small kiss.

"Don't worry. I'll be back."

Sharon leaned in. "I know you will. Because I will personally hunt you through time and space if you don't."

Steve gulped. "Yes, ma'am."

Smug, Sharon leaned back and stood next to Christy.

"Ready?" Bruce asked, from his place near the control panel. Shuri had been briefing him the past few days on how it worked.

Steve gave Christy a long hug, and then stepped onto the platform.

"Don't do anything stupid." he said, grinning at Bucky.

Bucky rolled his eyes. "How can I? You're takin' all the stupid with you. Be safe, jerk."

Steve gave a salute.

"Remember, you have to place the Stones back at the exact moment they were taken." Shuri reminded. "Or you will open up several nasty alternatives in time."

Steve nodded. "Clip all the branches. Got it."

"And if you can…" Shuri gestured pointedly to a pocket on Steve's space suit, where several containers of Pym particles, and another carefully shrunk suit resided.

Steve smiled grimly. "If I can, I will. A Soul Stone for a soul."

"Very good. This will take as long as it needs to for you. For us, five seconds."

"Alright."

"Three...two...one!"

Steve felt oddly weightless, yet full of pressure, as he felt himself jerked back to his first destination.

It was strange to be back where the Avengers had all begun, but thankfully, it took little effort to return both the Tesseract and the lost Staff to the bar counter of Stark Tower. After much deliberation, it was decided that since both Stones had originally been taken from the same place, it would be better to return them there. This also gave Steve less chance of being recognized at Camp Lehigh.

He spared a small smile for his past self.

Hang in there, soldier. Wait for it. It gets better, I swear.

He spared a bittersweet glance at Tony. He fingered his pocket, where the suit and Pym particles were, and for a moment, he thought.

And then, he shook his head.

It was Tony's time. He needed to rest.

Even Pepper, upon hearing that he was returning the Stones, had cautioned him against it.

"Tony was like a fire that could never have enough wood. He just burned until he burned out. Morgan and I will be fine. Let his story have it's end."

Though really, Steve thought, Tony's story was far from over. His legacy would spread, through the ones he had touched. The world would never forget the man who had begun as a playboy hedonist and died a hero.

In the shadows, he snapped to full attention and gave his most impressive salute.

"Rest well, Tony. You've earned it."

Returning the Time Stone was interesting, but brief. He was met outside the Sanctum by a tall, dignified woman with a shaved head.

"Captain Rogers. Welcome. I knew you would be coming."

Steve gave a respectful head nod. "Ma'am. I believe this is yours."

"It is, thank you." The Ancient One took the Time Stone and replaced it in its protective holder. "I trust that all succeeded?"

"It did. Thank you for believing in my friends."

"They both have good hearts. And the Universe is not finished with either of them. Their legacies will reach far into the future. As will yours."

Steve ducked his head. "Thank you, ma'am. Oh, and, uh...a message from Dr. Strange. He says thank you."

The Ancient One raised an eyebrow. "High praise indeed, from Steven Strange."

"He spoke of you with great respect. I can see why."

The Ancient One scoffed and waved her hand. "Be off with you. Finish your mission, Captain."

With one last salute, Steve pressed the button that catapulted himself to space.

Returning the Power Stone was a tad creepy. He was beginning to see why Sam had made Indiana Jones parallels.

"Push the scary button, enter the scary cave, put the scary ball in the scary...ah!"

Steve wasn't quite prepared for the searing pain that greeted him as he shoved the ball into the protected area. But thankfully the serum protected him and began the healing process instantly.

It still hurt.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...dammit, where next?"

"Next" was Asgard. Thor had given him a few pointers. Loki had given him an infinitely more practical invisibility potion.

But just as he was about to take it, a voice stopped him.

"Captain Rogers."

For one horrific moment, Steve thought he had been spotted by a past version of Thor. But the woman next to him was clearly not his friend. Though, there was a resemblance.

Steve swallowed. "...ma'am. Are you Queen Frigga?"

"I am." Frigga smiled. "What mischief are my sons up to in the far future?"

"You...how do you…?"

"I was raised by witches, boy. And I see with more than eyes. Do you have something to help us?"

"Yes, actually. Here, take this. It was taken from Miss Foster, but it shouldn't mess with anything to have it already removed."

Frigga's eyes widened. "The Aether...yes, it is good you returned this. Thank you, Captain."

Steve gave a polite bow. "You're welcome, ma'am. I'd love to stay and chat, but I should keep moving. I have...something to complete."

Frigga smiled. "Something important, I take it?"

"Yeah...I have a date."

Steve had clothes under the suit: a good plaid shirt, and khakis. Simple loafers. Good clothes that wouldn't attract suspicion.

Especially in 1946.

They had talked it out: him, Bucky, Sharon, and Sam. All had agreed that one day in the past, for closure, would hurt nothing.

"As long as you don't stay, I don't see what it would mess with." Bucky had said. "And if anyone deserves closure, Steve, it's you."

"Let me know how she looked." Sharon insisted. "I wanna know if she was as badass as I always imagined her."

With his space suit carefully hidden in a re-sized duffel, he made his way to the old address he knew by heart from files.

At this point, Peggy had still been living in a flat in England. She hadn't yet moved to the U.S. full time.

Steve approached the small apartment building and slowly climbed the stairs to the correct room. With trembling hands, he raised his fist to knock on the door.

"Coming!" a woman's voice answered promptly.

Steve nearly felt his legs collapse beneath him.

Peg...oh, Peg. Oh, God, why did I do this, why did I think this was a good idea…?

And then, the door swung open.

Peggy Carter gasped like she had seen a ghost.

In a way, she had.

"S-Steve…!"

Steve smiled weakly. "S-so about that date…?"

Thankfully, even in the midst of stress and shock, Peggy was still unflappably English enough to invite Steve in for a cup of tea, and listen quietly to his story.

It was a long story. Very, very long. Steve almost gave up at several points, but the steady trust in Peggy's eyes gave him the courage to keep going.

"So, you see...I just wanted to see you, one last time. To keep my promise. I dunno if I did the right thing, o-or if it's fair to you...but I just couldn't pass up the chance. I just wanted to see you, Peg."

Peggy took his hand. "Steve. I know that you are not a liar. But I do have to say, if it was anyone but you telling me this, I'd say it was the most beautiful load of crock I'd ever heard."

Steve laughed, clutching onto her hand like his life depended on it. "So you believe me?"

"The space suit is decent proof. And the pictures. I am so sorry to hear about Bucky…" Peggy's eyes widened. "Now that I know, can we change anything?"

Steve thought carefully. "It might branch another timeline, if you did. I don't know if it would affect any of us. I suppose you could…"

The thought of sparing his friend decades of pain was tempting. But would it work?

Peggy shook her head. "He'd tell us not to muck anything up, wouldn't he?"

"He absolutely would." Steve grinned. "He's got a girl, now. A girl with experimental mind powers."

Peggy chuckled. "She'll keep him in line, I'm sure."

"Oh, very much. And I've got my daughter an' son...and my wife."

Blushing slightly, he showed a picture of Sharon.

"She looks familiar…" Peggy said.

"...she's your great-niece."

Peggy arched her eyebrow. "I see."

"In my defense, I didn't know it when I fell for her!" Steve said hotly. "She was just the helpful neighbor that could also kick my a-butt. And knew how to use a gun."

Peggy smirked. "You always were attracted to powerful women. I'm glad the Carter charm still holds you thrall, even in the future."

Steve blushed harder. "She's wonderful. She said to find out if you were exactly as amazing as you...as you become. I think I can safely say yes."

Peggy shook her head softly. "You are still exactly as amazing as you were the day you fell, Steve Rogers."

"Peg...I'm sorry I can't stay. But I can take you on that date."

Peggy smiled. "Do let's. I'll get my hat."

They found a quiet café tucked away on a side street. Steve tried to argue that he had promised to take her dancing, but Peggy wouldn't hear of going anywhere loud.

"I'm not possibly wasting my one chance to talk to you all for the semantics of promises." she argued, stirring her cup of ersatz coffee.

That had been a bit of a shock. Steve had to pinch himself to remember that, currently, rationing was still a thing. And that no one had cell phones. He'd caught himself reaching for his phone in his pocket three times already.

His thoughts must have shown on his face, because Peggy asked, "Is it so very different? Your...future?"

Steve paused, weighing his words.

"It gets better." he said quietly. "Better, and worse. No more rationing and polio vaccines, and all the sci-fi tech you can think of comes true, but people are still people. Sometimes that's good and sometimes that's bad. Things are faster, a little sharper. But I found my place."

Peggy glanced up at him almost shyly. "Do I...oh, bother, how pathetic."

"No, no, ask!"

"...am I happy?"

Steve nodded quietly, remembering everything that Sharon-and Peggy herself-had told him.

"You meet a good fella. Have kids. Run a...a huge organization. The king of spy rings, if ya will. An' you die knowing that you have someone t' carry on your work."

"Very well. I suppose that is the highest we can strive for in this world." Peggy reached across the table and took his hand. "Now, tell me about this great-niece of mine."

Cheeks faintly pink, Steve started from the beginning. From there, they spoke about Christy and Jamie, and a tiny bit about the Avengers. But mostly, they just enjoyed each other's company in the slow, evening twilight.

When he walked her home, the lamplights were softly glowing. Steve smiled.

"No more air-raids." He pointed out. "The lights can shine again."

"So they can." Peggy squeezed his hand. "Oh...must you go?"

Steve sighed. "I've got a family that will hunt me through time and space if I don't. And a promise to keep. Several promises."

Under the streetlights, he took her hands gently.

"I'll still miss you, Peg. I don't know if I'll ever stop missing you. I wish I could show you how far I came...how my life is now. I wish I could show you my daughter and son...but that's okay. I'll be able to tell you someday."

Peggy gave a wistful smile. "Life never is quite fair under the sun, is it?"

"Never expected it to be. That's why I'm not pinning my hopes on fairness here and now. But...it'll come."

"Still so strong of faith, I see."

"It's the only thing that got me through it all." Steve sighed again. "I mean it. I'll miss you. I'll miss what we could have had."

"And that's alright." Peggy paused. "But don't only mourn. Go. Live your life. I thought you'd never get the chance. But now, I have mine. Go live yours."

"I will. I-I will. I, um...I'm not exactly allowed to kiss you. But, maybe a hug…?"

Peggy smiled. "I think that's perfectly alright." On tiptoes, she leaned up, and Steve caught her in an embrace.

"I'm so proud of you." she whispered in his ear.

Steve felt tears leak out of his eyes.

"I'm proud of you, too, Peggy. Just you wait...you'll blow everyone away. I promise."

They eventually separated, and Peggy gave him a watery smile.

"Come, you need to change into that garish space suit. You said Howard's son designed it? I can tell."

Heart slightly lighter, Steve followed Peggy back to her flat and changed into said 'garish space suit'. Peggy took his hand one last time.

"Thank you, Steve." she said. "Thank you for keeping your promise. Most wouldn't, after so long."

"Well...I'm not most." Steve gave her a small, chaste kiss on the cheek. "I love you Peg. I always will. But I'll go and live my life. Just know that it'll all be okay, in the end."

Peggy nodded, lips pressed together. "I'll close my eyes. I don't want to see you fade away."

"I understand. I-I...Bye, Peggy."

"Goodbye, Steve. And good luck."

At that, Peggy closed her eyes tightly, and Steve pressed the button which would catapult him to Vormir.

He still had one last score to settle.

Vormir was exactly as much of a cesspool as Wanda had described. Steve was muttering some very creative curses under his breath by the time he got to the top of the mountain.

"Damn, stupid...why is there so much snow on this godforsaken plan-."

"Welcome, Steven, son of Sarah."

Steve had to do a double-take as he beheld the shadowy figure in front of him.

It was Red Skull, alright. But clearly very changed and far more alien than Steve remembered.

Well, I suppose almost a hundred years trapped here will do that for ya…

"Whaddya want, Schmidt?" he growled out.

"Oh, it is not what I want, Steven Rogers. It is what you want."

"I've come to bring back the Stone. Where's my friend?"

"Ah, yes, the boy." A look of mild respect appeared in the Skull's eyes. "The one who died laughing."

"Yeah, that's the one. The one who shouldn't have died."

"He gave his life."

"Yeah, and now I give back the Stone."

Red Skull glanced doubtfully at the cliff's edge "You may try. But no one has ever brought back the Soul Stone to resurrect anyone."

"I always liked being a guinea pig. So, what, I just chuck it over the edge?"

Red Skull shrugged. So did Steve. He approached the edge and peered over it.

"A Soul Stone for a soul." he called out. "Give me back Pietro Maximoff. His sacrifice was not in vain. He accomplished his goal. Now, bring him back."

Closing his eyes in half-prayer, half-desperation, he threw the Stone. There was a brief clunk as it reached the bottom.

Steve counted five seconds, then ten, then thirty, then a minute. Then, two minutes. Nothing happened.

Suddenly, a horrible, terrible idea swept through him.

"A soul for a soul!" he cried out, voice cracking. "T-then...take Captain America! I'll give up the Shield. Hell, I'll give up the serum! Just give him back!"

Still nothing. Only the whistling of wind over the barren rocks.

His heart sank in his chest, and his knees buckled under him.

"I tried, Wanda." he whispered. "I'm sorry-I tried! Pietro...thank you. Thank you for everything."

Swallowing back tears of disappointment, Steve turned to face Red Skull. "Well, have fun stuck on this trash heap planet. I'm going home to break the news to my friends. So long, Schmidt."

Red Skull frowned. "You won't finish me?"

"Kill you? What good would that do? Nah, this punishment deserves you. Stuck for all eternity with the treasure you can't possess. Sounds perfect."

Something cracked in Red Skull's eyes. "No! No, don't do this! End me, I pray you! I cannot stay here!"

Steve smirked. "End yourself, Johan."

Two seconds rolled by, then four, then ten.

And then, Red Skull did.

His body careened over the cliff with a sickening thud. And Steve could only gawk in mingled pity and horror.

"Damn." he whispered. "Well, I'll be damned."

He stood, rooted to the cliff in sheer shock. He lost track of time and space for a minute.

"You know, you really should not be talking like that." said a voice behind him.

Steve had never spun around so fast in all his life.

"Pietro!"

Sure enough, the cocky Sokovian was standing behind him, grinning like mad.

"I think we win, yes?" he asked.

In answer, Steve engulfed him in a hug.

"C'mon, let's get you back. I've got a suit here. Wanda will be ecstatic…"

Five seconds later, Steve re-appeared on the metal platform. But he wasn't alone.

"Brate!" Wanda screamed, lurching forward out of Bucky's arms and practically tackling him to the ground.

"Oof!" Pietro cried. "Easy, sestrica, I only just come back to life."

Wanda slapped at him, and then resumed her tearful hug.

Steve could see Christy visibly deflate in relief as he stepped down from the platform and swept her in an embrace.

"I'm back, see?" he said. "Even brought a friend."

"You're good enough…" Christy whispered.

Steve nudged her. "G'wan, give him a hug."

"You just want to kiss Mom in private." Christy said. But she went over and hugged Pietro tight nonetheless.

Sharon grinned. "Hey, stranger. How was it?"

Steve sighed, a bittersweet smile stretching across his face.

"It was so good, to finally see her. To keep the promise. She's exactly as badass as you dreamed."

"Good, I'm glad." Sharon took his hands. "No hanky-panky, right?"

Steve gave a cheeky smile. "Nah, don' worry. I didn't cheat on ya. You're my wife, how could I forget that?"

"Good boy. And for being so good…" Sharon leaned up.

Steve's eyes burned eagerly.

This time, he did not settle for a kiss on the cheek.

That night, everyone was inside, except for Wanda. She had come out to watch the lake, and think.

"Dinar for your thoughts?"

Wanda jumped, but only a bit.

"Don't scare me like that, you annoying boy."

"Annoying! Boy!" Pietro spread his hands. "Is that any way to talk to a resurrected man?"

Wanda rolled her eyes, but she couldn't keep up the charade for long. Pietro slipped his arm around her, and they stared at the rippling water of what would always be Tony's Lake.

"I hope he knows." Wanda whispered. "And Vizh, too. He didn't come back. He's gone forever, I guess."

Pietro sighed. "You never win all the way, do you? But I think he knows. They both know."

"I wish they didn't have to die. I wish a lot of things. But wishing doesn't solve anything."

"...we need to build him a grave." Pietro said quietly. "We never did, after all this. I guess we all hoped that maybe he would come back with the others. But he sacrificed himself, too. He deserves to be remembered."

"He was so innocent." Wanda whispered. "He didn't deserve to be caught up in everything…"

"He knew what he was doing. And he did it, gladly. So let's be worth it. Let's live worth it, yes?"

Wanda sighed. "How did you get so wise? What happened to my skirt-chasing, trouble magnet brother?"

"Ej, you know. War, joining a superhero team, move to America, get adopted, more war, watch people I love die…"

"Fine, fine! Yes, I suppose we have grown up…" Wanda glanced at the sunset, which was streaking pink and gold and orange across the lake. "I can ask Pepper what company does headstones. And try to find a good place. Maybe also here, with Tony."

"I think that would be a good idea."

"Then I will, tomorrow."

Arm in arm they stood, and watched the sun bleed into the horizon.

It was time for peace.

"Steve, you're killing me with the suspense."

"What, can't a guy have a talk with his friend next to a nice lake?"

"Not like this, he can't. And Bucky's smiling."

Bucky gave a wounded look. "I'm not allowed to smile now?"

"Again, not like that!" Sam crossed his arms as he sat on the bench built by the water's edge. "He only grins like that when you two are up to something."

Steve sat down beside him, shield in hand.

It was a comforting weight. He was used to bearing it.

"Sam...I decided something. On Vormir."

Sam sat forward. "Go on."

"I told you what happened, with Red Skull. But before that...after I tossed in the Stone an' nothin' happened, I tried one more thing. I-I tried givin' up Captain America."

Sam frowned. "I don't follow."

"Wanda said that you had to give up something you loved, or someone you loved. And as much grief as bein' Captain America has given me, I can't deny, it's also been an identity that...that filled the cracks inside me. The old cracks, the ones tellin' me I was still a kid from Brooklyn that deserved to die young."

Bucky pursed his lips, but said nothing. He had thoughts about those 'cracks' inside of Steve.

"But in that moment, I knew I didn't need to be Captain America anymore, to mean something to the world. I already do, as myself. And now...I want some of that quiet life that Tony got. I dunno if it'll last, but I wanna try it. I wanna show that I can live without a war."

Sam nodded, slowly. "I get it. I'm happy for ya, Steve, truly. I guess...the only thing bumming me out is that I have to live in a world with no Captain America."

Steve ducked his head to hide the grin slowly stretching across his face. "That reminds me. Try this on for size."

He held up the Shield. Sam's eyes widened in shock, and he looked at Bucky for confirmation.

Bucky nodded, not even trying to hide his grin.

Slowly, Sam took the Shield and tightened the straps to fit his arm.

It was lighter than he had expected, though he'd known logically that Vibranium was light. But it still hung heavy with a weight that was more than physical.

"How does it feel?" Steve asked.

"...like someone else's." Sam said truthfully.

Steve shook his head. "It shouldn't. I can't think of a better man to carry it."

"Not even…?"

Bucky cut in. "Nope, not even me. I don't want it. I'm the Winter Solider, the ghost in the shadows. I'll cover your back, Sam. But I don't envy you the interviews."

Sam shuddered in mock horror. "Interviews. Ugh. But seriously, man, you sure…?"

Bucky nodded solemnly. "Like Steve said, I can't think of a better man to carry it. Plus, it should give you instant clout with the ladies. Or should I say, lady."

Sam tried to shush him, but Steve had heard. "Lady? What's this about a lady?"

As Bucky rushed to explain, Sam rolled his eyes and glanced down at the shield on his arm.

Can I do this? I can't be Cap…

He looked at Steve, and thought of the years of heartache his friend had endured, of the times he had had every right to throw in the towel-and didn't.

Maybe I can't be Cap like him. But I'll be Cap like me. Stubborn and honest and true. Hopefully that'll be enough.

He stroked the shiny metal and smiled.

Steve deserves to rest under his vine and fig tree.

Steve clapped him on the back. "Is it feeling more like yours, yet?"

"Not yet. But I'll do my best."

"I know. That's why it's yours."

That honest trust in Steve's voice made Sam feel strong enough to handle whatever might come his way-and after the last three years, he felt like nothing could surprise him.

Lines from a poem he had read long ago flooded his mind, as he beheld the young-old soldier he was proud to call friend.

"Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high…"

I'll hold it high, Sam thought. High enough for the whole world to see, until we don't need it anymore.

Yes, despite the whole "Steve abandons Bucky in 2023 and goes back in time" thing REALLY getting my goat, I did SO love the idea of Sam-Cap. Especially with the Falcon and Winter Soldier show coming to Disney Plus. By this point, I feel like Steve would be ready to "lay his sword by the riverside". He'll still be there, but it's time to pass the torch.

Tune in next time for: Asgardian brotherly heart-to-hearts, Steve bonding with his son, Christy attempting to pull a Nick Fury and start the Next Generation Avengers, and Bucky and Wanda making a big decision.

Reviews are Goose the Flerken's snuggles. (That dang cat was the best part of Captain Marvel.)