Author's Note: Ten chapters! Woot woot!
Tony and Steve took a moment to stare at each other until their tear-stained faces lit up with brilliant smiles and they shattered the silence hanging in the air.
"Oh my God, you're here! You're really here!"
"Someone can see me! Holy shit, Steve, you can see me!"
Tony whooped and flew in circles around Steve in a glowing, orange blur. The rush of air messed up Steve's well-groomed hair, so naturally Tony laughed at the strange sight.
"Tony!" Steve mock-scolded him. "Not the hair!"
"Then what else do I get to play with, old man?"
"Well, back in my day we had hoops, sticks, and dirt to play with so you'll have to make do like we did, young man."
"Cheeky old prune."
"You take that back!"
They laughed with the tears of bittersweet reunion hanging in their eyes. But when Tony rushed to embrace Steve and passed clean through him, they finally began to fall. Tony flew back to his front side and they just stared at each other, laughing and crying even harder than before.
"I'm so sorry-"
"Steve, it's not your fault."
"There were so many things I could have done better!"
"Maybe. Every single day of my life I told myself the same thing and took a daily bath in my own regrets. Where did that get me? Pretty much nowhere until I went to make sure it didn't happen again. Point is, Steve, shit happens. It just does."
The area around the bench went dead silent for a few minutes as Steve and Tony wiped their faces and stared at each other awkwardly.
"That means apology accepted, you old coot."
Steve busted out laughing and only stopped when he started wheezing. "Sharp as ever, Tony."
"I would hope so! How the hell are you still so buff, Rogers?" Tony asked.
Steve smirked. "The serum, of course. That and the boys are running me ragged trying to keep them in check."
"So Wilson got the shield and name?"
"Couldn't have found a better successor, and Buck wouldn't have wanted it anyway."
"Good pick," Tony remarked. "How's Aunt Peg?"
"She's doing well. Still dangerous with any firearm in her hands, of course. We have Sunday evening dinners with whoever can come over, but tonight it's just us, Bucky, and Sam," Steve replied. "You'd be welcome to stop by, but what I'd like to know is how in the world you're around to be talking with me right now."
Tony sucked in a breath, fidgeting with his hands behind his back. "Long story, but to put it simply I woke up in the soul stone and refused to go on. Then I took up a deal to either prove myself and return or fail and get stuck in it forever."
"Well, damn." Steve said, amazed. "Back from the dead or on your way to it already? I wonder…"
"What?"
"You had an infinity stone related death that probably put you there, so you might not be the only one-" Steve stopped abruptly at seeing the massive, shit-eating grin Tony was wearing. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Tony smiled even wider at the comprehending look on his face. "Natasha's here too?" Steve asked.
Tony felt a buzz in the back of his head and heard Natasha's voice in his mind. Tony, I just started glowing orange. What's happening?
Come outside, Nat!
"Steve, you can ask her that yourself."
Natasha was by his side in a flash, still lit up like a Christmas tree. "Tony, what's going on?"
"Nat, meet Old Steve. Old Steve, meet Nat. This is the part where you shake hands and acknowledge each other's existence, guys."
Natasha and Steve stared at each other.
"Um, guys?"
They continued to stare at each other.
"Guys?"
Nothing happened.
"This is getting weird."
"Zip it, Tony. Hi, Steve," Natasha greeted, finally responding. "You can see me?"
Steve smiled. "I thought that spies didn't like to be seen, Nat. Good to have you back."
Natasha returned the grin. "You too, Rogers. You too. How have things been?"
Steve exhaled slowly, releasing the last of the tension in his shoulders. "Half the universe is back again thanks to both of you. I feel like I should be celebrating, but the world just lost two of its best defenders. More importantly, I just lost two of my best friends and their families are grieving. There's still more I can do with my life but I don't know what to do besides keep moving."
Nat attempted to place a hand on his shoulder, but when it swiped through she left it hovering just above his body. Tony wriggled closer to them from his spot on the bench.
"How's the afterlife been treating you?"
"It's orange, watery, and dull. Glad Tony and I could make it back."
"Not what I was expecting, but I'm glad too. Do either of you have any dinner plans?"
Natasha grinned. "Dead people usually don't have dinners to go to, I'd be honored. Tony?"
"Can't wait to crash the party!" Tony's wicked grin matched hers, and Steve laughed. A voice behind all three of them spoke up.
"And speaking of crashing parties… Hello, Steven. We haven't officially met quite yet."
Natasha rolled her eyes as Steve and Tony jumped off the bench and stared at the third apparition joining them. Tony, flustered, blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Damn it, Stan!"
Author's Note: And there's Stan interrupting another chapter. Thank you so much for the patience and support so far; any reviews, follows, or favorites I see always make my day. Tune in next time for dinner at the Carter-Rogers household (that's your only hint as to something special I have planned)!