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Stark Lake House

2023

Steve was just staring off into space. Waiting till Bruce said it was time to go. Time to go return the stones and Mjolnir. Afterwards he would return back. But what would he really be returning to?

Tony was gone. Now the Avengers were down one teammate and friend. Now Pepper was a widow. Now Morgan would have to grow up without her father. Now Peter would have to move forward without his mentor. And the world was down a great man. A flawed one, but a great one. A hero. It hurt, but not as much as the other loss: Natasha.

Steve knew from the moment he laid eyes on her on the helicarrier that day that she was special. Not because of her skills and feats, but because the kind of person she was. After the invasion, she was the one who had helped him adapt to the new time he was in. She became his partner and friend. His best friend after Bucky. Natasha wanted him to be happy. Evidenced by how she had always tried to set him up. He had always avoided that. After dying and leaving Peggy and his poor experience with girls prior, he didn't have much confidence in that area, but appreciated her nevertheless. Natasha was there for him in more ways than one. When Peggy died and they still disagreed about the Accords, she was still there for him. When he and Bucky tried to escape the airport, she helped them instead of stopping them even if it meant going on the run.

The time after he moved to Brooklyn and her staying at the Compound was hard, but he got through it knowing that she was alive and okay. She didn't want to see him go but she still supported him. She supported him more when he decided to start a support group. Before Scott had shown up they had been talking about finding their own lives. Natasha had been so sad about everything going on. Then they got hope to reverse things, and they did. But what did it cost?

Everything

They got everyone back. They won, but it still came with loss.

Steve didn't know what to do now. He was broken out of his thoughts when he heard Sam speak, "Cap", Steve looked at him. "Its ready."

Steve picked up the case with the stones and the hammer. He went over to hug Bucky, "I'll see you."

Bucky nodded, but he didn't hide his concern for how Steve was feeling.

Whether Steve was ever going to admit it to anyone or himself or not. Bucky knew how he had felt for the Russian spy. Steve loved her, but was never going to make the first move. He didn't really know her but was still able to read her enough to know that she had felt something for Steve. And now Steve was going to have to live without her. All Bucky wanted for his best friend was to be happy and live a full life with whoever it was. Now he couldn't, and Steve would never be the same. It was the most tragic thing he had ever seen.

Steve stepped up to the platform and waited to disappear. Just had to return the stones and the hammer. Then he'd come back. To do what he had absolutely no idea. He was broken.

Steve saved returning the soul stone for last. It was the last thing he had of Natasha, and he had to part with it. This stone was what she sacrificed her life for. He hated it, but he didn't want to let go.

To say that Steve's little "reunion" with the Red Skull was awkward would be an understatement. Though it was an interesting change of pace to see that he was no longer a power hungry maniac, but rather a slave to guard the soul stone for eternity.

Steve was still hesitating. He was taking baby steps towards the cliff when Schmidt had spoken, "The daughter of Ivan made her choice Captain."

Steve looked to him, "No one could ever force her to do anything. It doesn't make it easier."

Schmidt had looked at him as if he was trying to read him. "When I became the guardian of the stone, I was given the ability to read the hearts of whoever came here seeking it. Yours is broken. Completely. And you feel as if it is beyond repair. All that is left of you is guilt and regret. It is because of her, isn't it?"

Steve chose not to answer. His words hit too close to home. On any other day, Steve would punch him. Not today. He just didn't have it in him anymore. No fight. No hope.

Steve walked towards the cliff. He pulled out the soul stone. He closed his eyes. I'm sorry, Natasha. You have no idea how much I'd give to have you back alive. Even if it meant my death.

Steve threw the stone over the cliff, keeping his eyes closed. In the seconds that the stone was falling all he could do was think about everything that has happened. Schmidt's words still stinging him. All the regrets he has. Everything he would go back and change.

All of the time I wasted. What I would give to have it all back.

There was a big flash of light that occurred as the stone was returned, and suddenly Steve felt himself being pulled and consumed by something odd, yet familiar.

Steve woke up in a familiar room, with a familiar ballgame being played in the background. It was the same room he was in when he woke up from the ice. He looked down and saw he was wearing the same clothes. What the hell is going on?

The door opened and saw the same woman from before entered. The next few moments were a blur as he ran outside the same way as last time into Times Square. He looked at a billboard and saw the date. He was shocked.

He heard vehicles pull up and saw Fury exit the SUV. "At ease, Captain. Look, I apologize for the show back there, but we thought it best to break this slowly."

Steve could only look at him in horror. Fury probably thought it was the shock of waking up to a new day and time, but it was something much worse.

Steve had to let this play out. But he was so afraid and reluctant of having this be real and having to live through it all again.