𝗀 𝗁 𝗈 𝗌 𝗍 | | 𝗌 𝗍 𝖾 𝗏 𝖾 𝗋 𝗈 𝗀 𝖾 𝗋 𝗌

𝗇 𝗂 𝗇 𝖾 𝗍 𝗒 － 𝗍 𝗁 𝗋 𝖾 𝖾

✧ 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟥, 𝗎𝗉𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗒𝗈𝗋𝗄 ✧

BRUCE HAD REFASHIONED THE TIME machine, and Steve was preparing to put all the stones back. "You really saw Becca?" Bucky asked as Marta held Steven, both of them watching Steve and Bruce make final preparations.

        Marta nodded. "She was older, but yeah. She lived a great life," Marta said, and then she remembered a detail, and sadness washed over her. "I did the test run, and I ended up back in '25. You remember her bunnies?" Marta asked her brother.

        "You mean her stupid stuffed animals with the pink and purple ribbons that went missing and she cried for seven months? Yeah, I remember." Bucky spoke, and Marta smiled.

        "I accidentally took them when I went back. So, it's technically my fault we had to listen to her screaming," Marta explained, and Bucky chuckled with an amazed smile. "They're gone, though. Thanos destroyed the compound, and with it everything I had. Steven's ultrasound pictures, the toys people have given him. It's all gone." Marta said with sadness.

        Bucky pressed a kiss into Marta's hair as Sam came over to them. "They're just things, Mar." Bucky said, and Marta nodded. She had him back, so she could cope with losing material items.

        Bruce packed up the stones into a case, his burned arm in a sling. "Remember, you have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them. Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." he said to Steve.

        Steve nodded, taking the case. "Don't worry, Bruce. Clip all the branches." he said, wearing his suit.

        "You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back," Bruce said sadly, speaking of Natasha. "I miss her, man."

        "Me, too." Steve said.

        Steve walked closer to Sam, Bucky, Marta and Steven. "You know, if you want, I can come with you." Sam offered when Steve reached them.

        Steve smiled lightly. "You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me, though," he said, and Sam understood. Steve faced his wife, son and brother-in-law. "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back." Steve said to Marta and Bucky.

        "How can we?" Marta began with a sad smile, holding Steven close.

        "You're taking all the stupid with you," Bucky finished with his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. Steven was apprehensive of his uncle's metal arm, so Bucky hid it from the toddler's view. Steve and Bucky embraced each other tightly, and Marta smiled. She had missed this. "Gonna miss you, buddy." Bucky said lowly.

        "It's gonna be okay, Buck." Steve promised.

        Bucky nodded, and Steve turned his attention to his wife. "You come back in one piece. You hear me?" Marta said seriously, worried about what trouble Steve would get into without her.

        Steve shielded their son's eyes and kissed his wife with meaning. "Yes, ma'am." he said before Marta drew him into a long hug.

        "Daddy, where are you going?" Steven asked, confused.

        Sharing a look with Marta, Steve fixed Steven's hair. "I'll be right back, buddy. Keep Mom safe?" Steve said, and his son nodded enthusiastically.

        Marta hugged him once more, kissing his cheek. "I love you." she said, not allowing herself to cry.

        "I love you, too." Steve said strongly, forcing himself to turn around. Steve walked up to the time machine, Thor's old hammer beside him.