A/N: Phew! It took me ridiculously long to wrap this up. But here we are, at the FINAL chapter! I seriously can't believe it.

THANK YOU, a thousand times over, for all your reviews, listings, love and support! You can't even imagine how happy I am that you've all been sticking around for all this time. (HUGS) THANK YOU! You're awesome.

Awkay, folks. Wanna know how the story ends? Here we go! I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the ride.

IN THIS CHAPTER THE FOCUS SHIFTS A BIT TO ANOTHER CHARACTER FROM CLINT. Because we have one more soldier left to bring home. And we all know that Clint recovers best when he gets to help others. (smiles fondly)

Epilogue, part 3 of 3 – Live Again

The hallways were bleak and far too long for someone who wasn't entirely sure if he could actually handle this. But Steve was determined to do this, for Bucky. There was absolutely no way he was leaving his best friend behind, ever.

It helped that he had support. And also unnerved him, just a little bit. Despite their mixed feelings the whole team was taking this journey with him. Approaching a massive, white door, the Captain gave them a somewhat nervous look. "You don't have to do this", he pointed out. He didn't think he deserved their support after everything he put them through. And this… couldn't be a simple feat for them.

Natasha shrugged. "We're a team, remember? And you're our leader. You've always had our backs. We have yours." It ached how much she obviously meant those words.

Clint gave him a small but honest smile. "Besides. Bucky's important to you. Which means that he's important to all of us." Was it really as simple as that?

Steve wasn't sure what to say. Without really thinking about it he gave Clint's shoulder a grateful squeeze. It didn't occur to him until much later that it was the first time since everything the archer was able to handle being touched by him.

Focusing on the door in front of him, Steve took a deep breath. Then pressed the buzzer to invite someone to open. After a second he peered over his shoulder towards the others. "Sorry, but… Maybe I should go alone."

Bruce nodded, clearly understanding. "I think so, too. All of us showing up would just overwhelm him." The scientist, if anyone, understood what Bucky was going through.

From the corner of his eye Steve saw Tony tense up. For a moment there was a thoughtful look on the billionaire's face. Then, with a barely visible nod that was at the man himself as well as to Steve, a verdict was made. "We'll be right here waiting." It was easy to tell how difficult this all was on the Iron Man. That Tony agreed to go through this was quite possibly more touching than anything else.

Steve didn't have the time to respond. Because just then the door opened and a young nurse with a kind smile was looking at him. In seconds recognition dawned, and a hint of color appeared to her cheeks. "Ah, hi. I… was told to expect you, but I wasn't sure…" She cleared her throat. "You must be here to see James."

"Bucky", Steve was quick to correct. Politely, of course. He was led through the door and tried not to think too much about how it locked loudly behind him. "How is he?"

The nurse sobered alarmingly quickly. "He's… not well. We've treated several traumatized soldiers here, but… He doesn't seem to be responding." She gave him a moment to digest those news. "He's been here for over a month but we haven't managed to coax even a single word out of him. Which is partially why it took us so long to have him identified. He had no ID with him when he was found."

Steve wanted to ask where Bucky was found from, and in what condition. But just then they reached the man. Who wasn't alone.

Dr. Harris was talking to Bucky, a calm expression on her face although some frustration could be seen in her eyes. Steve didn't manage to pay a lot of attention to her. His gaze locked on Bucky.

Bucky didn't have a metallic arm anymore, or any form of a prosthetic to replace it. The man was alarmingly pale and those dark, haunted eyes had aged a couple of decades. It was obvious that the soldier hadn't slept in ages and even with the long-sleeved shirt and pants lost weight was apparent. But it was still Bucky, alive, right there in front of him. The slowly dawning realization made Steve want to laugh and cry simultaneously. He was too overwhelmed to manage either.

Eventually Bucky sensed that someone was staring at him. The man's whole frame tensed up and eyes widened at the sight of him. His best friend didn't seem to quite believe that he was there. A hurried hand grabbed a sleeve in a subconscious effort to hide a heavily bandaged wrist.

Steve felt his eyes soften while his heart shattered. "Hey, Bucky", he murmured. "'Til the end of the line, remember? We're not at the end of the line yet."

That evening Cooper was awake far later than he was supposed to be. He felt good. Great, actually. In control over himself and his powers. So he dared to sneak out of the tiny room.

Much like his dad the boy liked balconies. And the Tower had countless to choose from. It was almost funny that the one he decided on was occupied. He froze by the doorway when he saw Steve. The soldier stood with his back to him, squeezing the railing so hard that knuckles had turned white.

Cooper considered fleeing. But the sadness radiating from Steve halted his plans. The child hesitated, then walked a little closer. "Dad… said that you went to see Bucky today."

Steve swallowed loudly. "Oh?"

"Yeah." Cooper considered his following words carefully. "I know that you're worried, but… He'll be okay. Because, if you care about him that much… Then he's one of the good guys. And good guys always win."

Cooper was too young and innocent to know that it wasn't always so simple. His words made Steve shiver. A few moments of silence ticked by. "Coop… What… I did to your dad…"

Cooper shook his head, then realized that the soldier couldn't see it. "Dad said that sometimes even the good guys have to make… difficult decisions. And you made one for Bucky." Her pursed his lips, processing. "I… I guess I need some time to accept that. But… You're not a bad guy. I'm sorry you feel like one."

The two had no idea that they had audience. Laura and Clint watched the interaction with small smiles. "How proud of our kid are you right now?" she whispered in her husband's ear.

Clint responded with a long, tender kiss to her cheek.

Bucky didn't choose his state of muteness. He just couldn't find the words anymore. Dr. Harris attempted to calm him down, reasoning that he'd rediscover his voice when he really wanted to say something. It didn't help with his frustration.

One night, the rare kind when he actually fell asleep without medication, Bucky had a bizarre, horrible dream. There was a massive battle and Steve was facing it with him. Then his friend was standing in a forest. Bucky attempted to get to him. But all of a sudden he was fading away, transforming into dust. 'Steve…!' The Captain turned to look just in time to see him disappear completely.

Bucky woke up with a scream that nearly suffocated him building up in his throat. He couldn't think, couldn't concentrate on anything but his racing heart and the unreasonable, suffocating panic. Eventually he had no other choice. He snatched the phone Steve had left for a case of emergency and dialed.

Steve picked up almost instantly although the man had most likely been asleep. "Bucky, is that you? What's wrong?"

Bucky gasped, wheezed. His eyes filling with tears that refused to fall. And found the words. "I… I needed to hear your voice."

Weeks scrolled by. And the inevitable day when Bucky would be ready to come to New York grew closer. For obvious reasons the Winter Soldier couldn't stay at the Tower. Him and Tony crammed under the same ceiling would've been a horrible idea, no matter how big the building was. Steve's apartment was a far more reasonable choice. It was quiet and stress-free, and – as ice-cold as such reasoning was – the Captain would be able to keep his friend under constant watch.

Tony was better at reasoning than most people gave him credit for. But the idea of the guy who killed his parents staying in the same city, in the home of his friend… It didn't sit well with the billionaire, no matter how well sessions with Dr. Harris had hammered home that Bucky was also a victim.

To process his conflicted emotions Tony reverted to his most commonly used method of working through things. He hid and worked, like he was possessed. Determined to avoid confronting the source of his emotional chaos for as long as possible. Because he still didn't trust himself to be able to handle this in a manner that wouldn't lead to him hating himself even more.

Pepper understood, that amazing woman. Relentlessly but gently she kept trying to persuade him out of hiding. Never judging him, even when he would've deserved it.

It was only a matter of time before the safety-bubble of just her and work would burst. Somehow he wasn't even surprised when he sauntered from one lab to another and found Clint sitting there. The archer was fiddling with his phone while casually munching some fries. "How…?" was all the billionaire managed to sputter.

Clint gave him a dry look. "Agent and a former assassin, remember? Besides… The Tower's AI is one big rat. Of course I found you."

Tony groaned. "Should've known…", he muttered. Then gave his friend a look. "Don't take this the weird way, but… You look good."

Clint nodded. "I feel better." The Hawk obviously meant it. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but… Maybe Harris isn't totally useless. And the serum Xavier's people sent helps with the powers. Cooper and me both."

Tony blinked twice, slowly. "What serum?" How long had he spent hauled away from everyone? The fact that he hadn't slept in… maybe three days didn't help with the confusion.

Clint sighed heavily. "Tony… You're never gonna get better if you keep going like this. Because this isn't the kind of a thing you can run away from."

"I'm not running away", Tony scoffed stubbornly.

Clint, at least, didn't roll his eyes. "Yeah, you are. And now it's gonna stop. The first thing you'll do? You finish these fries with me. I can hear your stomach rumbling all the way from here. And then you'll get a good night's sleep. Come tomorrow, you'll have a clearer head to deal with… whatever the hell is to come."

Tony contemplated his options. Only to realize that he had none. He pursed his lips, then slumped to the chair next to Clint's. "You'd better have ketchup for the fries, Feathers."

Clint produced a large bottle, seemingly from thin air. And scoffed. "Of course I have. You wound me, Tin Can."

James Buchanan Barnes had spent a very, very long time with basically no control over his own life. Forced to do things that sickened him. Was it any wonder that as time went on he was so used to being the Winter Soldier that he began to forget Bucky, even without the aid of brainwashing?

Or maybe forgetting wasn't the worst. The worst was remembering who he once was, the man who fell from a train and never really came back. Knowing that Steve remembered, too, wanted that friend back. And also knowing that he'd never, ever be quite that same person again. Knowing that after everything Steve had done and sacrificed for him he'd have to let his best friend down.

Bucky had no idea what to do with his new freedom. Or who he was anymore. Or what to do with his life. He'd never been so lost.

Standing at Smithsonian, staring at the exhibit of Steve that had bits of him as well, he wondered if he really was just stuff that belonged to a museum.

He sensed someone's presence and didn't relax even after recognizing Clint. There was a long and heavy but not loaded moment of silence. "Steve called. Sounded worried. He said that you'd been away for over five hours and he had no idea where you are."

Bucky frowned. Not quite sure what to make of… whatever this was. "How did you find me?"

"I'm called Hawkeye for a reason." Clint gave him a moment. "Steve gets it, you know? That you're not the person you once were. He isn't, either. He's been through a lot since the 40s."

Bucky was tempted to ask. But he already knew that the archer wouldn't spill. He clenched his jaw, his eyes on the age-old footage of him and Steve together. "I'm dangerous."

"We all are. You clearly haven't seen the amount of damage our team is able to cause." There was a wry smile on Clint's face. "We're a bunch of lost, messed up people thrown in together. Our team? It doesn't make any sense. But we keep trying, anyway. As a family. Because giving up isn't an option."

"Sounds like an exhausting life."

Clint grinned. "It is. But it's also a hundred percent worth it. Give it a try and you'll know."

It was clearly an invitation. A subtle little 'You could be one of us'. Bucky was tempted to accept. Because… What else did he have left in this world that'd been turned upside down for him several times over? "Maybe I will."

If Clint noticed his hesitation the man didn't show it. "So… How about I take you back to Steve's? Because in the last two hours he's sent me twenty-two…" The archer's phone bleeped. "… Make it twenty-three texts." The man emitted something between a groan and a chuckle. "We really have to teach that guy how to use a phone."

Bucky wasn't entirely sure what happened. It was seemingly nothing special. But he could finally breathe easily, without an invisible weight sitting on his chest.

Clint looked towards him. One eyebrow bounced up. "How about that. So you can smile."

One late afternoon a couple of months later was a tense one. The whole gang had gathered to one of the Tower's laboratories. Several pairs of intense eyes observed how Tony's newest invention was tested for the very first time. No one was tenser than Steve's, whose whole body was rigid and ready to jump in if necessary. This… was a level of trust the Captain still wasn't sure he was ready for.

"So?" Tony inquired. "What's the verdict?"

The metallic fingers of Bucky's shiny, new arm moved effortlessly. The soldier did his best to ignore the unsettling amount of unwanted attention he was getting. "It… feels great." It felt better than words could say to have a limb that wasn't created by Hydra. That hadn't been used to harm innocent people. It was like starting anew. Almost. Because… While the arm hadn't killed anyone innocent, he had. He looked cautiously towards the billionaire. "This… isn't gonna blow up, right?"

"Nah." Tony's tone wasn't as light as the man probably intended. "No more trying to kill each other, for any of us. We made a pact, remember?" No outsider would've been able to tell if it was a joke. If it was, it was a bad one. But at least the room's tension lessened slightly.

Bucky felt his features soften. He nodded. "Thank you." For so much more than the arm. For letting me stay here every once in a while. For letting me join the team. For trying to forgive me.

Tony shrugged. Pretending remarkably well that he didn't hear the unvoiced words. "You did me a favor, Buckster. I was bored and needed a project."

They'd never be… the best of friends. Not after everything. But they were able to exist in the same room without wanting to kill each other. That was better than anyone had dared to hope for.

"Buckster?" Pietro snorted. "That was lame."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Everyone's a critic…"

Eventually it was the one-year anniversary of what they referred to as The Battle. The sun had just set while four men stood in front of the ruins of a much too familiar Hydra facility in Siberia. All of them with looks of steel-hard resolve on their faces.

The memories were still every bit as sharp as the wind howling around them, but time had made the pain seem dull and hollow. Manageable. They were able to look at each other and exchange nods without wavering.

Clint readied one of his exploding arrows. Tony readied his suit. Steve and Bucky roared the command simultaneously. "FIRE!" And the two men did.

What little there was left of the building went up in a set of deafening explosions. The recently darkened night was once again bathing in light as flames rose hungrily towards the sky. And despite the smoke filling the air they all found it easier to breathe. It felt almost like they'd just performed an exorcism. But despite their fierce attack some of the building still remained.

Clint grinned. Then put down his bow and arrows before peering over his shoulder. "You ready, Coop?"

Cooper didn't seem entirely sure. But nodded, anyway, trusting his dad. "Yeah." The child licked his lips while grabbing his dad's hand so tightly that knuckles turned white. "It's… not gonna hurt, or anything, right?"

Clint shook his head. "No, buddy. I promise. It won't hurt one bit." He wrapped one supportive arm around the boy. "Remember what Dr. Timothy said? Just breathe and relax. There's no need to be scared. Everything's gonna be okay."

Cooper nodded. Clearly believing it. "Okay." And that was all which needed to be said.

With identical stern expressions on their faces the father and son stood right beside the ruins while the others retreated. Then, slowly but determinedly, they lifted their hands. It didn't take long before flames were already rising. Fire took over the last of what was once a mighty enemy-base, swallowing it up in astonishing shades of red, purple, orange and blue. None of them could remember the last time either dad or son would've seemed as at peace as they did while watching the destruction they caused. In the light of fire the last of the nightmare was laid to rest.

A very impressed whistle pierced the night's quiet. "Gotta admit… That was pretty impressive", Pietro complimented.

By the time Clint and Cooper joined the whole gang waiting they were in perfect control over their powers. Laura wrapped her arms around them both and kissed Cooper's hair, then Clint's cheek. Lila also hugged her daddy and brother with a bright smile on her face. Soon the others gathered around them.

They were still together. After everything they'd gone through. That was the biggest miracle of all. Tonight it was time for them to head their separate ways, for a while. But it didn't mean that they would've been leaving each other behind.

Clint looked towards Steve and Bucky. "When did you say your flight was departing?"

"In three hours", Bucky replied after checking the time. The soldier seemed a little fidgety, still not quite trusting himself around others. Running away wasn't an answer but a breather was clearly what Bucky needed. And there was no way Steve was letting him go alone, ever again.

Natasha's eyebrows bounced up. "So you two finally decided where to go?"

"Bucharest", Steve announced. "A lot of people won't recognize us there, so… It's a good place to have a vacation, while the New Accords are finalized."

Tony tensed up a little. The rest of them understood. Some of the deepest mental wounds had been patched up. Still, trusting Steve to go with Bucky… It wasn't a simple matter on the billionaire. But time and therapy had worked their magic. The man didn't lose control over himself or his emotions. "Three hours, huh? In that case we have some time for some Shawarma."

The rest of them protested. Pretending that this wasn't a big deal although it was. Because it was the first time Bucky was invited to a Shawarma-fiesta, albeit indirectly.

Hours later they all saw Steve and Bucky off. They were sad to see the Captain go but they also knew that he'd come back. And whenever they'd need Steve, he'd be there.

The following day Clint did one more thing he needed in order to obtain a closure over the whole nightmare. He entered a top-secret prison called the Raft, which didn't officially even exist. And visited one of the whole place's most dangerous… inhabitants. The man glared at him but didn't utter a word. (Hadn't spoken a thing since they last met, the guard escorting him revealed.)

Clint had expected to feel a lot of things. And he did. Pain, sadness, pity. But not guilt, or anger. He sighed heavily, eyes on the horribly angry tormented man on the other side of the Plexiglass. "I'm sorry I couldn't follow you, back then. I'm sorry that I was able to recreate my life, and you weren't." He held a pause. "I… lost everything, too. Our parents, home… But instead of letting the loss carve me hollow I moved on. Maybe one day you'll be able to find peace, too. I hope you can. Because you're still my brother, despite everything." His eyes flashed. "That being said… I'll make sure that you'll spend the rest of your life here. Because although a part of me is happy that you're still alive… If there wasn't this wall between us I'd tear you to pieces for what you did and almost did to Lila and Laura. And I will tear you to pieces, if I ever get the chance to. Which is why I hope we'll never see each other again. Because I don't want your blood on my hands a third time." He lifted his chin. Gave the jaded, grudge-ridden man who could've cost him his family and life one last look. "Goodbye, Barney."

While Clint walked away ice formed patterns that looked like flowers to the other side of the glass. They never penetrated the surface and melted away quickly in front of Barney's glaring eyes. (The Barton brothers never saw each other again.)

Natasha was waiting for him outside, by the jet they borrowed from Tony. To most people her expression might've seemed indifferent. "Feel better, now?"

Clint nodded, feeling far too much for words.

Natasha nodded. "Good. Then let's go. This place gives me the creeps."

The following morning Clint had his current family with him as he headed towards the Farm, for the first time in what felt like forever. Laura walked close, baby-Nate sleeping in her arms. He was holding Lila and Cooper wasn't even a full step away from him. The archer smiled, basking in the warmth of their presence. In front of him the Farm seemed familiar and inviting instead of terrifying.

It felt even better to be back than he'd imagined.

After admiring the view for a while he looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Kids? Welcome home."

Wanda and Pietro hesitated for a moment. Just one. Then took each other's hands and continued to march onwards.

Maybe, after wandering in the dark for so long… They were really finally home. All of them.

They all chose to live again, because they weren't about to let Edith Barton win and have her legacy of death and destruction.

Post Credits Scene

Tony and Pepper were just returning from a jog when they heard that they had a visitor. After exchanging looks of confusion they headed towards the Tower's biggest common area. A by then familiar, bald man in a wheelchair was waiting for them, accompanied by a dark-skinned woman with bizarre hair and a man with even stranger sunglasses.

There was a grim look on Charles Xavier's kind face. "Some time ago you said that you owe me a favor. I'm afraid that I'm here to take you up on that offer. For the sake of the whole world." The man's solemn eyes traveled towards the sky. "Something sinister is approaching. I can feel it. And I know that you have seen and felt it, too."

End

A/N: Aaaw! They all got a happy ending. (BEAMS) As for the post credits scene… HA! SHUDDER THANOS! NO WAY he'd win against the united forces of the Avengers and all X-Men. He'll go down just like Edith did! (smirks evilly, clapping hands) TODAY EVERYBODY LIVES, MAD TITAN – GO HOME OR FADE TO DUST!

Eh… Sorry 'bout that. I've had too much sugar today. And 'IW' still gets me a bit… emotional. (The powers that be, if you could hurry up the next movie's release date it'd be great. Thank you.)

SOOOOO… How's that for an ending? Any good at all? PLEASE, do let me know! I LOVE hearing from you.

And THANK YOU, for sticking around all this time! It's been such a long but awesome flight. (HUGS) Who knows. Maybe I'll see you again one day.

Take care!

SomeRandomHuman: So good to see them recovering, isn't it? (BEAMS) Poor Bucky, though! Let's hope that he'll be okay, too.

LOL! I have no idea what my head will cook up next. We'll see! Whatever it is, I hope you'll enjoy it – and the final chapter of this tale!

Massive thank yous for the review! Until next time.