New Beginnings

Promises

Bucky, Clint, and Natasha walk off the ship and onto the soil of Vormir. The air was eerily silent. 

"Wow," Clint said, "Under different circumstances, this would be pretty cool!" 

Bucky scoffed, and the three Avengers made their way up the mountain. Natasha groans, "I bet that raccoon didn't have to climb a mountain!" 

"Technically, he's not a raccoon, ya know?" Clint responded.

"Whatever," Natasha pushed.

"He still eats garbage," Bucky spat out.

Nat smiled and continued climbing. The three Avengers meet with an unknown figure that looks like (For Star Wars fans) (Darth Maul) a red alien with black markings and tiny white horns. Natasha and Clint draw their weapons while Bucky stands where he is, his metal arm a weapon enough. 

Red Skull greets them with, "Natasha, Daughter of Ivan. . ." Natasha's guard released as she heard her father's name. "Clint, son of Edith; James Barnes, son of Winnifred"

"Who are you," Bucky snaps.

Red Skull bows his head, "Consider me a guide to all who seek the Soul Stone." 

Bucky senses his beloved's guard returns as she says, "Oh, good. You tell us where it is, then we'll be on our way." Red Skull seems sad as he shakes his head solemnly. "Ah--- I am afraid it is not that easy." Red Skull moves away, gesturing for the Avengers to follow him. They look at one another, cautiously following their "Guide".  

Red Skull stops at the edge of a cliff and steps away to let Bucky, Nat, and Clint peer over the edge.  "What you seek lies in front of you... As does your fear." Red Skull says. Bucky stares at the bottom of the cliff and responds with sarcasm. "The stone is done there? Horray!" 

"For two of you," Red Skull says grimly. "For the other, In order to take the stone, You must lose that which you love. A soul. . .for a soul"

...

Clint and Natasha are sitting on a rock while Bucky is pacing. 

"Maybe he's making this stuff up?" Clint proposes. 

Natasha shakes her head, "No. . .I don't think so. Not with this."

"Why?" Clint snaps, "Because he knows your daddy's name?" 

Bucky glares at him. Natasha shrugs it off and solemly adds, "I didn't." There was a moment before Nat broke the silence once more, "Thanos came here with his daughter but left without her and with the Stone. It's not a coincidence." She shares a sorrowful glance with Bucky and then Clint. 

"Yea... "

"Whatever it takes," Natasha says to herself more than to the others. 

The guys echoed her response, "Whatever it takes."  Natasha stands up and says determined, "If we don't get that stone, BILLIONS of people stay dead." Clint nods in agreement, "Then I guess we know who it's got to be." 

"I guess we do." Nat looks at her lover and her best friend. 

All three bring each other into a hug., despite Bucky's clear discomfort.  Clint looks at Natasha dejectedly, "Nat, I'm starting to think we mean different people." 

Natasha moves away from everyone and Bucky stands bewildered. She wants to give up everything. . .

"For the last five years I've been trying to do one thing: Get to right here. That's all it's been about. Bringing everybody back." Natasha said, trying to justify her thinking. 

Bucky shakes his head, " don't you get all decent on me now," 

Natasha glares at Bucky. "What, you think I wanna do it? I'm trying to save your life, you idiots!"

"You save so many people, Natalia, You don't have to keep saving everyone you love!" Bucky snaps back.

"Natasha, you know what I've done. You know what I've become." Clint says. 

Nat smirks, "I don't judge people by their worst mistakes,"

Clint replies coldly, "Maybe you should,"

"You didn't, " She fires back. 

"You a pain in my ass you know that?" 

Natasha hugs Clint, then Bucky. He bends his head into the crook of her neck. "I love you, Natalia." He whispers. Natasha sighs contently.  Bucky holds on to her tighter. "And I'm sorry." 

"What?"

Bucky knocks her off her feet, Clint following him, fighting to fall off the cliff. Natasha shoots Bucky, and he hunches over falling to the ground. Natasha catches up with Clint and pins him to the ground. Clint shifts his weight, Natasha tumbling over with Clint now on top of her. "Say hi to my family for me!" 

"YOu tell them yourself," She grits through her teeth, shocking him multiple times, so it'll take him a long while to recover. "No...Natasha" He manages to grit out. 

Natasha rushes to the cliff and jumps. Bucky, hot on her heels, catches her, and on instinct for Bucky, Natasha throws a line to the top of the cliff and connects her side of the line to Bucky. He grabs her hand tightly as Bucky's metal hand is on the line. They bounce off the cliff wall. Tears begin to blur Bucky's eyesight. 

"Let me go. . ." Nat pleads. 

"no. . please...."

"It's okay. . ."

"No Natalia! I just got you back! Please, I can't lose you again."

"Promise me you'll take care of her with your life, Bucky." 

"who, are you talking about, Talia?"

"Promise me, James. . ." Bucky freezes at the sound of his name bouncing off Natasha's lips. 

"Promise me. . .please. . .please, promise me, James.. . ."

"Okay. . . .I promise."

"I love you... .more than anything." Natasha sobs.

"I love you," Bucky sobbs. 

Natasha released her grip on his wrist and bounced herself off the wall and out of his grasp.

"NOOOOOO"