Second Sphere

Funeral

Bucky finds me on the field and he doesn't say anything just wraps me in a hug. We stay like that for a while and I let myself relax into it, and I let the tears flow freely. Tears of grief, over the loss we've faced. Tears of relief, that we did it. Tears of happiness, now that I have Bucky back, that I have my friends back.

When everything was said and done I took Bucky with me to my cabin. I offered to go with Pepper, but she needed some time alone with Morgan.

Nothing had changed at my cabin, everything was as it was when I left two years ago. It wasn't even that dusty. Apparently Tony had been seeing to the cleaning. So I would have a safe place to come back to. I don't want to talk about the last five years yet, and Bucky doesn't ask. We are just there. We rest.

It's about a week later when we go to Tony's place for the funeral.

Pepper plays a recording and Tony appears sitting in a chair, "Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited. I hope we get it back. And something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me 10 years ago that we weren't alone let alone to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised but come on, who knew? The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And for better or worse that's the reality Morgan's going to have to find a way to grow up in. So I'd thought I'd better record a little greeting in the case of an untimely death. On my part. Not that death at any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're going to try and pull off tomorrow it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. That's the thing. Then again, that's the hero gig, right? Part of the journey is the end. What am I even tripping for? Everything is going to work out exactly the way it's supposed to. I love you 3,000." The recording ends.

We all follow Pepper quietly outside. The wreath floats on the water away from us. Most of not all of us cry to some extent. I couldn't bring myself to be up on the dock, and stay back with Bucky, his arm wrapped around me. The funeral goes quietly and one by one people drift home. I'm one of the last to leave, staying with Pepper and Morgan until Morgan is asleep in bed and Pepper finally forces me to go home.

"You know I'm here if you need me." I tell her giving her a hug.

She gives me a smile, "I know."