Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I head into the old veterans building, they let my dad use it for support groups for those who lost loved ones in the blip. I know my dad leads the last session of the day. I walk in the building, their voices echo down the halls. 

“I went in the ice in ‘45 right after I met the love of my life.” I hear my dad share. “Woke up 70 years later.” There's a pause. “You gotta move on… Gotta move on.” Of course my dad is telling people to move on. Ironic. “The world is in our hands. It's left to us guys. And we gotta do something with it. Otherwise… Thanos shoulda killed all of us.” I hear a phone alarm go off.

“Sorry. I have to go.” One person says.

“No it's okay we went a bit over today and that's good. Means we are talking through it. I hope to see you all next week.” My dad says I hear chairs scoot as people start walking in my direction. 

“Hey Ry.” One of the males says I give him a small smile.

“Ry you're dad is amazing.” Mr. Russo says he's been to a few of my dad's talks now.

“Thanks.” I respond. Finally after they all leave I see my father walking towards me. “So you gotta move on?” 

“Working on it.” My dad responds.

“You should tell them that.” I inform him. 

“And you should join us.” He responds. I sigh.

“I got lucky. They didn't. I don't want to remind them of what they lost.” I tell him and he sighs.

“Definitely my kid.” He responds, wrapping an arm around me.

“Speaking of being your kid…” I look away slightly. “You should go to the compound and check on Aunt Nat. She could use a friend right now.”

“Ry-”

“I know. Okay.” I cut him off. “I know you aren't an Avenger. I know you just want to be a normal citizen for once in your life. But please. She needs a friend and support I can't give. So just… talk.”

“Okay. Okay. Let's go to the compound.” My dad says I get on the back of his bike as we drive outside the city. “Wanna hint me on what's going on with Nat?”

“I can't do that without sharing sensitive information. Just know she's been taking the lack of her family hard.” I tell him and he hums a bit. 

“How are you doing? I mean with working on all this?” He asks me.

“Keeps me busy. Keeps worlds safer. We are still working on outreach to countries. Wars and politics have died down. Borders are gone. It's been quiet but every once and awhile things go awry.” I inform him.

“I heard a story about an assassin going after mobs that survived the blip. Are you guys working on that?” He asks, I shift uncomfortably at that. I know he's referring to Barton. That's the reason I think Nat could use a friend right now. “Ry? What's wrong?”

“Just The Ronin is a global issue that's been bothering us for awhile.” I lie, it's not that I lied about him being an issue. I lied that that's what's wrong. Ronin being Barton makes the situation so delicate, if the governments of the world catch him he'd be sent to the Raft. If we catch him… Part of me hopes we don't catch him.

“Ryanne.” His voice is a warning.

“Nat knows Ronin okay. Or well knew them. Someone from her past. I've been trying to work on his cases instead of her.” I half truth. I don't want my dad to see Barton differently. I know I did. 

“Then I'm glad you told me.” He says we pull up to the compound. I sigh looking up at the building. I get off the bike and open the door. I turn to face my dad.

“It won't get any easier if you stand there staring.” I tell him he gives a soft chuckle before shaking his head walking in. I navigate to where Nat’s office is and gesture for him to head in. My wrist band pings as I head off to take it.

“Good, you picked up.” Rhodey says.

“Yeah just brought in my dad didn't tell him it was Barton. I hope it helps her.” I answer him.

“She didn't take it well. She wants to know where he's headed next.” Rhodey responds.

“Okay. Well then you can work on that and I'll try and get to him before Nat does. Because it won't be good for either of them.” I tell him.

“You do know I out rank you?” Rhody says with a soft chuckle.

“And yet here I am giving out the orders.” I laugh a bit. 

“It's that Captain blood.” He jokes.

“Oh I have an alert from the compound, it could be another lost kid.” I say.

“I'll leave that to you.” The call goes away and I pull up the holographic screen to see Scott Lang at the door. 

“Uhh hello?” He says. I quickly run into Nat's office.

“You're going to want to see this.” I tell the two swiping my wrist band to the big holographic screen.

“Oh Hi! Hi! Is anyone home?” Scott calls out. He's out front with the van behind him. “It's Scott Lang. We met a few years ago. At the airport. In Germany! I was the guy that got really big. I had a mask on.” Both adults stand up. “You wouldn't recognize me.”

“Is this an old message?” My dad asks.

“Ant-Man? I know you know that.” Lang continues. 

“It's the front gate.” I tell them.

Chapter Text

Lang is muttering to himself pacing. How did he come back? He seems frazzled, confused. 

“Scott.” My dad says getting Lang's attention. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He says putting his hands on his face before taking a deep breath. “Have any of you guys studied quantum physics?” My dad looks over to me.

“Only to make conversation.” I respond, Lang faces me and points to me.

“Alright, so..” he looks at me, his hands moving, probably to release his anxious feelings. “Five years ago right before.. right before Thanos… I was in a place called the Quantum Realm.” He turns to face my dad and aunt. “The Quantum Realm is like it's own microscopic universe. To get in there you have to be incredibly small. Hope. She's my umm… well she she was my…” he's losing the words but I know what he means. “She… she was supposed to pull me out. And then Thanos happened and.. I got stuck in there.”

“I'm sorry that must've been a really long 5 years.” Nat sympathizes 

“But that's just it. It wasn't.” Lang says. My eyes widen, I see where this is going. “For me it was 5 hours. See, the rules of the Quantum Realm aren't like they are up here. Everything is unpredictable. Is that anybody's sandwich? I'm starving” Lang points to a sandwich going over to eat it. I look at my dad and aunt. This might be. This could be our chance to fix everything. 

“Scott. What are you talking about?” My dad asks. 

“So. What I'm saying is. Time works differently in the Quantum Realm. The only problem is right now. We don't have a way to navigate it.” Lang starts pacing again while eating. “But what if we did? I can't stop thinking about it. What if we could somehow control the chaos and we could navigate it? What if there was a-a way we could enter the Quantum Realm from a certain point in time but then exit at another point in time? Like… like before Thanos.”

“Wait. Are you talking about a time machine?” My dad asks kinda over simplifying it but also just stating what it is. But in theory it could work. 

“No. No of course not. No not a time machine. This is more like uh.” He pauses trying to find a better word. He won't. “Yeah… like a time machine. I know. It's crazy. It's crazy. But I - I can't stop thinking about it. There's gotta be.. some-” Lang sighs looking down. “It's crazy.”

“Scott I get emails from a Raccoon… so nothing sounds crazy anymore.”Nat says.

“So who do we talk to about this?” Lang asks. And I sigh. 

“A man who has everything to lose.” I mutter. 

“Okay let's go!” Lang says excited bounding off Nat follows him.

“You shouldn't go.” I say grabbing my dads arm preventing him from following.

“I ignored Tony for too long. You should come.” My dad says I shake my head.

 “Nothing against him but I think me being there will hurt your chances. He needs to see what is lost, not what is gained.”

“Besides, you're gonna look over the compound?” He says.

“Someones got to incase people call in. Or if we get another...” I gesture over to Lang. “Him.”

“Making your old man proud.” My dad pats my shoulder. I watch as they leave. I sit down in Nat’s chair with a sigh. Maybe after we solve this nightmare I'll finally get my dad back. I wander around the compound in silence. As much as I've loved playing with frisbees, and training, learning to fight effectively. It still just feels wrong. I miss the dad who’d jog every morning, the dad who'd discuss putting me into public schooling, the dad who laughed, who smiled. I miss my dad but I don't blame him. I know what happened with Thanos changes people. So if I can correct this. Maybe then he'll be back to somewhat normal.

My phone vibrates, dragging me out of my thoughts. I hit the answer button, putting it on speaker.

“Hey Ryanne.” My dad says. 

“What's up?” I respond. 

“We need a big brain.” He says.

“Who has a bigger brain than him?” I hear Lang in the background. 

“I'm guessing it didn't go well.” I respond, pulling up the holographic scene searching with the word Hulk. 

“By not going well you mean laughed at our faces.” Lang calls out again. I give a soft chuckle.

“Dude was always like that.” I mutter. Trying to find the most recent post for the big green star. 

“Son, not the time.” My dad scolds. I sigh.

“Looks like jolly green is over at a Waffle House in Jersey sending location now.” I respond, grabbing the location and swiping it to my phone.

“I got it thanks.” Nat says. 

“Hope this goes well.” I tell them. “Bye dad.” I say softly.

 “Love ya Cadet.” He responds hanging up. Returning me to silence. They'll be on the road overnight so I curl up in a chair and head to sleep. 

The next day

We are testing time travel with Bruce Banner, Dr.Banner, smart Hulk, Dr. Hulk. I don't even know what to call him anymore. But everyone handles things differently.  I head over to Dr. Banner and Nat. I look to see Lang bouncing between his feet. He's nervous.

“Okay. Here we go. Time travel test number 1.” Dr. Banner says. “Scott fire up the uhh. Van thing.” Lang opens the 2 back doors. 

“Breakers are set. Emergency generators are on standby.” My dad says walking over I smile. I remember a time where if you said those words to him he'd look at you like you spoke alien. 

“Good. Cause if we blow the grid I don't wanna lose tiny here in 1950’s.” Dr. Banner says. I raise an eyebrow. He's surely joking. 

“Excuse me?” Lang says obviously he too is nervous.

“He's kidding.” Nat chuckles a bit. “You can't say things like that.” 

“Jus-just. It was just a bad joke.” Dr. Banner responds and I look at my dad who sighs. 

“You were kidding right?” Nat whispers.

“I have no idea. We're talking bout time travel here. Either it's all a joke or none of it is.” I feel a bit of worry rise in me at those very uncomforting words. “We're good! Get your helmet on.” Banner says loudly to Lang with a thumbs up. “Scott, I'm gonna send you back a week let you walk around for an hour then bring you back in 10 seconds. Make sense?”

“Perfectly not confusing.” Lang says with a nervous smile. 

“Good luck Scott. You got this.” My dad tries to instill confidence in the adult.

“You're right. I do Captain Ameri-” Lang is cut off as he shrinks into the little thing in the van. 

“On a count of 3.” Banner says. “ Three. Two… One.” The machine hums as a shorter person preteen age pops out wearing the gear Lang was. 

“Guys.. this doesn't feel right.” The preteen says. 

“What is this?” I ask quietly. 

“What's going on?” Banner mumbles to himself.

“Who is that?” Nat asks

“Hold on.” Banner mutters.

“Is that Scott?” Nat asks again.

“Yes, it's Scott.” The preteen says with a small stomp of the foot. Lang gets sucked back in. Banner presses a few buttons.

“What's going on Bruce?” My dad asks as the machine whirrs with an old man in the outfit.

“Oh! My back!” The now old Lang says.

“What is this?” I'm so lost now. 

“Hold on a second.” Banner says a bit louder as he frantically starts pressing buttons. “Could I get a bit of space?”

“Yeah yeah, yeah. Can you bring him back?” My dad says as we rotate over to where Nat is giving the big guy room. 

“I'm working on it!” Banner snaps. The machine whirrs again Banner bangs his hand against the monitor as a baby appears. 

“It's a baby.” I comment not even believing this. What the hell is happening?

“It's Scott!” Banner rebutes.

“As a baby!” My dad says loudly. 

“He'll grow.” Banner responds.

“Bring Scott back.” My dad orders. 

“When I say kill the power. Kill the power.” Banner says.

“Oh my god.” Nat mutters going over to shut down the power to this insanity.  Banner pressed a few buttons.

“Aanndd… kill it!” There's a shut down noise. As the machine spits out Lang before shutting down. 

“Somebody peed my pants.” Lang says.

“Oh, thank God.” I mutter. 

“But I don't know if it was baby me, or old me.” Lang continues. “Or just me, me.” 

“Time travel!” Dr. Banner shouts his arms up wide. I roll my eyes walking away. “What? I-I see this as an absolute win.” I sigh, closing the door behind me. Maybe it slams, I don't know. But I'm upset. I try to breathe through it as I head into the black walled room.

“Hey.” I jerk up my head to see my aunt there. I sniffle. 

“S-sorry.” I mumble.

“What's going on?” She asks, putting a hand on my shoulder. 

“What was I thinking? This actually working.” I try and keep it together, my grip on the railing squeezes underneath the pressure. 

“Hey you're hopeful. And you still can be.” She says rubbing my back. “I know why you brought your dad here. I appreciate it.” I just lean my head down against the railing as I cry. “Shhh. It's okay. It's all okay.” Nat starts rubbing circles on my back. 

“I just want to make this work.” I say quietly. “Not for me but for him. Nat you haven't seen how much more reserved he is now.”

“Hey. It's not over yet.” Nat says, turning me to face her. “Tony is here.” My eyes widen.

“Stark actually came?” I ask and she smiles.

“He lost things too.” Nat reminds me and I nod. My band beeps and I swipe up to see Rhodeys holographic self show up. 

“Hey we got a hit on Barton.” Rhodey says I internally wince. I didn't want Nat to know.

“Where?” She asks eagerly. 

“Oh uhm.” Rhodey looks between us. I give him a head nod. “Tokyo.” 

“Good job. By the way we need you here, all hands on deck.” I inform him and he gives me a headnod before hanging up. 

“You got the information before me.” She sounds either proud or offended. “I don't know if I should be angry at you for going behind my back or proud at the initiative shown?” She responds with a slight tilt in her head. I give her a small smile.

“How about you just take the information and bring Barton home.” I tell her and she nods heading out. With Stark on the scene this is going to work.

Chapter Text

Barton is standing on top of that newly formed platform. I smile a bit seeing everyone getting together for this. It makes me a bit sad seeing what's happened to some of them. Thor saddens me the most. His hair unkempt. He's constantly drinking or snacking. Then the weight. It just upsets me. I look over to Barton. This could go so wrong in so many ways. 

“Alright Clint.” The new machine beeps and looks a lot more easy to use. The power of a Stark I guess. “We're going in 3… 2… 1..” the platform glows as it looks like he's sucked down. “Returning in 5.. 4… 3… 2..” the color returns to the platform.

“Lila!” Barton screams, almost sounding in pain. I'm just about to rush over before my dad stops me. Barton is grunting in pain as Nat, Lang and Stark run up. 

“Hey, hey. Look at me.” Nat sounds worried. “You okay?” she helps him up 

“Yeah. Yeah.” Barton responds out of breath. “It worked.” He then looks over to Stark passing over a baseball glove. “It worked.” I smile as we head into the office space. I pull up the files of all the stones prepping the area for my dad before I sit down on the table. 

“Kay, so the how works. Now we got to figure out the when and the where.” My dad says walking in. “Almost everyone in this room has had an encounter with at least one of the 6 infinity stones.”

“Or substitute encounter with damn near been killed by one of the 6 infinity stones.” Stark adds in making me chuckle a bit cause he isn't wrong. 

“Well I haven't.” Lang pipes in. “I don't even know what the hell you all are talking about.” 

“Regardless we only have enough Pym particles for one round trip each.” Banner adds in. “And these stones have been in a lot of different places throughout history.”

“Our history.” Stark corrects. “So, not a lot of convenient spots to just drop in, yeah?”

“Which means we'll have to pick our targets.” Barton responds.

“Correct.” Stark says.

“So, let's start with the Aether. Thor, what do you know?” We all turn to face him. He just sits in his chair in the corner. 

“Is he asleep?” Nat asks.

“No, no. I'm pretty sure he's dead.” Rhodey responds. I try to muffle my laugh. I feel my dad glare at me so I try and cover my smile. 

“Thor!” My dad shouts at him, startling him awake.

“Hm. Oh. Uh yes yes.” He mutters getting up walking to the front. “Uh where to start. Uhm. The Aether. Firstly is not a stone. Someone called it a stone before. Uhm it's more of an angry sludge sort of thing. So.” He uses the end of his sunglasses to clear the corner of his eyes and I want to throw up a little. “So someone's going to need to amend that and stop saying that.” I turn to face my dad who just shrugs. 

“Here's an interesting story about the Aether. My grandfather many years ago had to hide the stone from the Dark Elves. Scary beasts. So Jane actually.” He clicks on the screen a bit. “Oh there she is. Yeah so Jane's uh was an old flame of mine. Uh you you know she she stuck her hand inside a rock this one time and uh and then the Aether stick itself inside her. And she became very very sick. And so I had to take her to Asgard. Which is where I am from. And we had to try and fix her. We were dating at the time so you see. And i got to introduce her to my mother… who's dead. And uhhh. Oh you know Jane and I aren't even dating anymore so… yes. These things happen. Nothing lasts forever. The only thing that-”

“Why don't you go sit down.” Stark tries to stop him.

“I'm not done yet! The only thing that is permanent in life is impermanence.” Thor finally finishes. Stark claps. 

“Awesome. Eggs? Breakfast?” Stark offers.

“No. I'd like a Bloody Mary.” Thor responds. I put my head in my hand, shaking it slightly. Before I grab a notebook. 

Reality stone isn't in stone form

Jane has the Aether inside her body like an infection.

“I am rather hungry.” Lang says and I look over to him.

“Well I'll order us something.” Stark says.

“You ordering for everyone?” I ask.

“Relax kid, I'll make sure there's options for everyone.” Stark responds. “Rocky you got any diet specifics?”

“Names Rocket you half assed billionaire.” The raccoon snaps back. “An no, I have no restrictions.” 

“Okay good. I'm ordering Chinese.” Stark says getting up and heading out of the room.

“I'm getting drinks.” Thor mumbles stumbling out. 

“Let's talk about one that they are very familiar with and most of us are as well.” Nat says.

“The mind stone.” I say and she nods. 

“That thing has been everywhere.” Banner says.

“I mean after it was Loki's personal toy to play with our minds in 2012 it turned into HYDRA property.” Steve says.

“Which HYDRA used to give the Maximoffs powers.” Barton responds.

“Before we took it back and gave it to Vision.” Banner finishes the story.

“What if it always was HYDRA’s?” I ask, they all turn to face me and I stand up. “I mean think about it back then it was just S.H.I.E.L.D. right?”

“Yeah?” Barton answers.

“So you guys didn't know you handed it right into their hands.” I tell them. 

“You might be onto something. Check the records, find out who it was given to.” Nat tells me and I nod rushing off. I go to the archives, everything about S.H.I.E.L.D. was printed and saved here. I find the records of what happened in 2012 as I feel a buzz on my band. I send it over to Nat before picking up the boxes and carrying them towards the office spaces. 

“Watch out I got food.” Stark says. I stay on the right side so they can pass out food while I put the boxes down in the corner of the room.

“Chow time.” Stark says I grab a small box and a pair of chopsticks.

“Alrighty then, Rocket you said you know about the power stone?” my dad asks the raccoon. He gets on the table so I sneak into an actual chair. 

“Quill said he stole the power stone from Morag.” The raccoon talks. 

“Is that a person?” Banner asks.

“Morag is a planet. Quill is a person.” The raccoon clarifies.

“Like-like a planet? Like in outer space?” Lang asks with food in his mouth.

“Awh look. It's like a little puppy all happy and everything.” Rocket teases Lang petting the top of the guys head. “Do you wanna go to space? Wanna go to space puppy? I'll take you to space.” I roll my eyes as I take out my notebook.

Power stone stolen from the planet Morag by a person named Quill.  

I underlined multiple times the planet part. I put my trash in one of the bags it was delivered in. I start gathering others' trash as the discussion for the power stone continues. When my trash pass is done I head outside throwing it away. I come back to an orange stone on the screen.

“Okay Nebula seemed to know a bit about what happened with the soul stone.” Stark says. 

“Let me clean this up, you guys go upstairs to continue.” I tell them.

“Thanks kid but I think I'll stay here and help.” Rhodey says. Lang, Banner, Nat, my dad, Barton, Stark, Rocket, and Nebula head out. Thor just lays in the seat. I sigh.

“Thor get out and go somewhere else to play dead.” I roll my eyes. He doesn't respond. “Alright yeah no I'm not playing.” I roll up my sleeves a bit. 

“Need help?” Rhodey asks. 

“Uh, maybe a forklift.” I joke and he chuckles at that. I grab Thor by the arm and pull he doesn't even move. I grab the backing of the chair and the bottom of it yanking it back making Thor fall out.

“That hurt.” He whines.

“Then next time get off your ass.” I cross my arms looking down at him. “Now you have two choices. I drag you by the leg into a bathtub where I run cold water on you. Or you get up off of your ass and find another room to take up.” 

“Alright alright. I'm moving.” He complains waddling away.

“Does your dad know about that language problem?” Rhodey asks. 

“I can hear the scolding already.” I chuckle, grabbing the remaining empty boxes. 

“Here you wanted to work on the 2012 stone so I'll take this out and help the newcomers get some rooms going.” Rhodey tells me grabbing the trash bag.

“Thanks.” I tell him as I move the boxes on the table I pull out the files. Finding the order to send not only the scepter to Dr. List but an order for the tesseract to go there as well. I turn to see Nat, Banner, and Stark arriving. 

“Guys the Space stone is on Earth for awhile and has always been HYDRA possession. Even after your.” I wave my hand at Stark. “Dad found it in the sea.”

“Wait so HYDRA had 2 stones?” Nat asks.

“Supposed to.” I correct.

“What do you mean?” Banner asks. 

“Well when you guys defeated Loki in 2012 you got the tesseract back.” I tell them.

“And Secretary Pierce wanted it back. I remember that asshole.” Stark says.

“What else could you find?”Banner asks, Stark lays down on the table moving some of the papers with him. 

“Well the scepter stayed in Sokovia but immediately was used to test on people.” I respond as Nat sits on the table. Banner sits on the floor.

“That time Stone guy.” Nat asks. Banner yawns. I can see we lost daylight outside.

“Doctor Strange.” Banner provides the name.

“What kind of Doctor was he?” I ask. 

“Ear, nose, throat, meets rabbit.” Stark answers and I chuckle a bit. 

“Nice place in the village though.” Banner compliments. 

“Yeah on Sullivan Street.” Stark responds my head perks up isn't that in New York.

“Umm Bleeker Street.” Banner responds.

“Wait, he lived in New York?” Nat asks. 

“No no. He lived in Toronto.” Stark says confused.

“Uh yeah on Bleeker and Sullivan.” Banner says over Stark. 

“Have you been listening to anything?” Stark comments.

“Guys.” I stop their bickering. “If you go to 2012 there is 3 stones in New York.” I say and they all sit up to look at me. 

“Shut the front door.” Banner responds. I chuckle. 

“She's right though. Space and Mind stone was in our hands and Doctor Strange wasn't that far away.” Nat backs me up. I smile as I lay down on my research. 

“So now we just need the 2 planet ones and the one on Asgard.”Stark groans. 

“Well Thor said Dark Elves right?” I respond.

“Yeah. Among other things.” Stark grumbles.

“Wasn't there that incident in 2014?” I try and remember the details. 

“Yeah. I remember that. Big obelisk landed in an old campus S.H.I.E.L.D. had to run cleanup. But that was 2013” Nat backs me up.

“We just need the specific day of when Jane had it.” Banner says.

“2014 was the year Rocket said Quill looked for the stone duh.” I respond. 

“We can probably send 2 people out there, one uses the spaceship to get to Vormir the other stays on Morag.” Nat formulates a plan. I slowly feel my eyes close.

“So we have approximately the When's so now the who's.” I say with a yawn.

“Well obviously Thor should go to Asgard since he's the only one who knows the place.” Banner says. I lose myself in the conversation as my eyes close. I kinda swim in the darkness as I feel a light touch on my leg. 

“Ry” I hear a sharp whisper, I shoot up rubbing my eyes frantically looking around trying to find the source of what happened. I feel the bright sun in my eyes. “Rise n shine Cadet.” Light blue eyes look at me, the green in them so bright. My dad chuckles and I groan, getting up stretching. 

“What's the plan?” I ask. 

“I'll debrief you with the others, come on.” My dad says and I nod following them to the lounge area upstairs. Everyone is waiting on us in there.

“Coffee?” Stark offers I shake my head. 

“Okay Rhodey, Nebula, Clint, and Natasha. You are Team 1. Your watches are set for Morag, there you will use the Milano and Clint and Natasha will go to Vormir to get the soul stone. Whilst Rhodey and Nebula will wait for Quill to lead them to the Power Stone.” My dad says as watches are passed out to them. 

“Thor and Rocket. You are team 2. You will go to Asgard extract the Aether from Jane and we can turn it into a stone here.” My dad continues as Stark hands the god and Raccoon their watches. 

“Finally team 3 consists of Banner, Tony, Scott, Ryanne and me. Banner will find Strange and work on the time stone. Tony and Scott will work on retrieving the Space stone. Me and Ryanne will retrieve the mind stone.” I carefully take my watch. 

“Alright we have a plan. 6 stones, 3 teams, 1 shot.” My dad says “let's suit up.” I head out looking through the S.H.I.E.L.D. leftovers for an old uniform. In doing so I found my dads old Avengers stars n stripes. I smile. 

“Hey dad!” I call out.

“Dad?” I hear Lang ask, I laugh a bit.

“Yeah?” My dad asks and I turn to face him holding out his old suit. 

“Look what I found!” I say excitedly. I've only seen pictures of him in the outfit. 

“Man that outfit just feels ancient.” Stark says and I laugh a bit.

“Thanks Ry.” My dad responds to me. I get changed into the S.H.I.E.L.D. outfit then put on the watch as a white suit Avengers branded covers overtop of the uniform. We all walk into the entrance of the hangar together. All in our uniform. I walk into the hangar following everyone. We stand on the platform in a circle.

“5 years ago we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves. Today we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams. You know your missions. Get the stones, Get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes.. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. That doesn't mean we should know what to expect.” My dad looks around at us. “Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives, and we’re gonna win. Whatever it takes.” My dads eyes fall on Starks for a moment. “Good luck.”

“He’s pretty good at that.” Rocket comments and I smile.

“Right?” Lang responds. I feel hopeful in my chest and happy. Inspired probably. I need him to teach me how to do that.

“Alright. You heard the man.” Stark says “Stroke those keys Jolly Green.” I stifle a laugh at the nickname. Barton holds the spaceship in his hand.

“Trackers engaged.” Banner says.

“You promise to bring that back in one piece right?” Rocket asks 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay.” Barton answers “I’ll do my best.”

“As promises go, that was pretty lame.” The Raccoon responds. Banner walks over onto the platform pressing his watch.

“See you in a minute.” Nat says with a smirk. The panels above us turn and shift the mask on the suit closes infront of my face showing a light blue screen. I take a deep breath as the floor begins to glow and opens up below. My stomach drops as it feels like I fall in. So many bright colors flash infront of me I watch as the teams split apart then it goes dark.

Chapter Text

I hear aliens screeching in the distance as I land on ground that feels like it's spinning. I hear Hulks roar in the distance. The white suit disappears back into the watch. 

“Alright, we all have our assignments. Two stones uptown one stone down.” My dad says he sounds like himself again. “Stay low. Keep an eye on the clock.” I hear a banging noise behind us as the Hulk roars. Smashing a car into what I assume to be the Chitari another Chitari gets closer as Hulk pounds the car over the first one then taking the tire throwing it at the other with a roar. Then starts jumping on the car. Then running off. I try and stifle laughter at that. I look over to Banner. “Maybe smash a few things along the way.” My dad comments I look over to Lang who seems to be grinning. I quickly look away before I start laughing. I hear a soft laugh leave Lang and I bite my tongue preventing it.

“I think it's gratuitous. But whatever.” Banner responds walking out. It's embarrassing and that's what makes me laugh a bit. 

“Lets move out.” My dad says and I follow him over to the Tower. 

“See you there.” Stark says as Lang goes tiny I assume getting onto Stark’s suit as he flies off. We start running through side streets avoiding public eye.

“How do you remember which ways are clear?” I ask him as we take another turn. 

“Because I led the evacuation of the blocks. Or at least told the police where to go.” I look up at the giant wormhole in the sky.

“So your first fight out of the ice was against aliens?” I ask. He chuckles a bit.

“Yeah.” he responds quietly.

“Well that's one way to throw you out of the nest.” I joke. I look up to the sky seeing a bright light fly through. “Is that?” I trail off.

“A sign to pick up the pace come on.” My dad says I dig deep following him through the streets I can see the destroyed tower with the letter A remaining. I see the wormhole closing just before Stark falls through. I see Hulk jump out of the Tower. We are only a couple blocks out. I hear Hulks roar. I see the team heading towards the tower and then I don't see them anymore. We rush inside where we run up the steps, my dad getting off on one floor and me getting off 5 stories above him.

“Better hustle Cap. Things look about wrapped up here.” Stark says through the comms.

“Got it. We’re almost in position.” My dad responds. I head over to the elevator and take a deep breath regaining my composition. I check my hair in the reflection making sure it's in S.H.I.E.L.D. standards before I relax a bit.

“In position.” I say in my comms. I hear Stark scoff.

“Mr. Rogers I almost forgot that that suit did nothing for your ass.” Stark comments.

“No one asked you to look Tony.” My dad responds.

“Its ridiculous.” Stark continues.

“I think you look great Cap. As far as I’m concerned thats America’s ass.” Lang responds.

“Can we please stop talking about my dads butt for like 5 seconds?” I grumble putting my head in my hand. I sigh.

“Who are these guys?” Lang asks.

“They are S.H.I.E.L.D. Well actually HYDRA, but we didn’t know that yet” Stark explains.

“Seriously you didn’t?” Lang comments. “I mean. They look like bad guys.”

“You’re small but you are talking loud.” Stark responds. There's quiet for a while. I try to breathe. This is our one shot. 

“Alright Ry. I got our scepter in the elevator… just passing 80th floor.” Stark informs me

“On it.” I respond, hitting the elevator button to go down. 

“Head to the lobby.” My dad orders Stark.

“Alright see you there.” Stark says.

“Now remember Ry. These are highly trained HYDRA members they will be able to sense if there’s something off about you.” My dad informs me. 

“Elevators here. Going quiet.” I respond. Right before the doors open. I stare at them all for a second before stepping aboard.

“And who might you be?” Sitwell asks. I press the button for the floor my dads on before scooching into open space on the elevator.

“New Recruit.” I reply quickly. I stand there facing the front of the elevator. I’ve seen the footage of my dads fight in the elevator. I know most of those guys are in here. 

“You seem a bit young.” Rumlow says. I clench my teeth. 

“Older than you might think Rumlow, sir.” I give him a slight nod as my eyes dart around. I see one of the guys hands slowly creep onto their gun holster. I look forward again. “I just got a call from the Secretary. I’m going to be running point on the scepter.” I need to get the stone. One chance. Sitwell turns to face me.

“I don’t understand.” Sitwell says. I feel everyone's eyes on me.

“We got word there may be an attempt to steal it.” I respond. Taking deep breaths.

“Sorry recruit. We can’t give you the scepter.” Rumlow says turning to face me.

“I’m going to have to call the Director.” Sitwell says taking out a phone.

“That’s okay. Trust me.” I respond. Sitwell just looks at me confused. Fuck it. “Hail Hydra.” I say quietly to Sitwell. He looks at me confused and I just give him a slight nod.  The case is handed over to me

“What the hell did my daughter say?!” I hear my dad shout in my ear piece. The doors to the elevator finally open

“In my defense I did what I had to.” I mutter as I leave the elevator.

“That makes me feel disgusting, we are cleaning your mouth after this.” He says walking over to me.

“Oh come on dad.” I roll my eyes. “I got the scepter did I not?” I gesture to the case in my hand, handing it over to him. We start walking around the tower as alarms are going off in the distance.

“Tony what’s going on?” my dad asks, looking around. “Tell me you found that cube.”  We stop at a glass bridge and my dad sighs. 

“Oh you gotta be shittin me.” My dad comments as we stare at his 2012 self. 

“I have eyes on Loki. 14th floor.” the old Cap says. “ Seems like he has a hostage.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m not Loki.” my dad says handing me the case. “And I don’t want to hurt you.” The old one charges forward my dad runs ahead, he swings his shield which clashes against my dads. Old Cap goes to punch my dad a couple of times missing each time. Before he kicks my dad back towards me.

“Heh. Lose your edge?” I ask my dad he rolls his eyes. Slowly getting up.

“I can do this all day.” Old Cap says, making me laugh a bit.

“Yeah. I know… I know.” My dad says before throwing his shield at old Cap same time as old Cap throws his shield both clatter against each other and land on the ground. 

“On it.” I say starting to jump down the levels as I hear them grunting and trading blows. One of the floors though I land a bit too hard on as they start shattering underneath me until I land on solid ground the case clattering open. As I tumble. I see my dad and Cap both falling down as well. I pick up the scepter as they both stand up.

“Where'd you get this?” Old Cap says. I run over grabbing my dads shield before I forget as old Cap has an arm around my dad’s neck. My dad kicks off the ground as he continues to be choked out the roll on the ground I rush over. My dad looks at me then gets dragged back by old Cap. 

“Bucky.. Is alive..” My dad mutters out. Old Cap loosens his grip around my dad.

“What?” Old Cap asks My dad punches old Cap in the head rolling away as I slide in putting the scepter to 2012 Captain America's chest. I watch as his eyes fill with a dark blue before he collapses.

“Couldn’t have done that earlier?” My dad asks.

“Couldn't have pulled the Bucky card earlier?” I respond and he shrugs. “Besides, I got this for you.” I hand him the shield. He nods his thanks. He goes over picking up his Peggy compass. Then looks at his old self. 

“That is America’s ass.” My dad compliments.

“Oh my word.” I roll my eyes “let's just go to the rendezvous.”  My dad laughs a bit. 

“Don’t you dare think that this means you are in the clear for what happened in the elevator.” My dad says as we jog out of the building.

“It was either that or a full on brawl.” I respond. We use the rooftops running and jumping along a lot faster than using alleyways. I have the scepter in my hand. It feels weird to hold it. I don’t like how powerful it feels. How controlling it is. Finally we reach our destination and we jump off the fire escape to see Lang and Stark sitting in a totaled car.

“Cap.” Stark says, directing my dads attention over to the car.”Sorry buddy, we got a problem.”

“Yeah we do.” Langs scoffs. I raise an eyebrow at the duo.

“Start explaining. Now.” My dad says. My face goes from confusion to shock to horror as they tell their story of how badly things got messed up. They had the stone and now 2012vLoki is free with a tesseract and we are down a stone. I lean back against a wall.

“Well now what are we going to do now?” My dad asks.

“Y’know give me a break, Steve. I just got hit in the head with the Hulk.” Stark says I watch as Lang is now pacing.

“You said we had one shot.” Lang says gesturing all around. “This was our shot. We shot it! Its shot! Six stones or nothing. It was six stones of nothing!”

“You’re repeating yourself you know that?” Stark comments I look over to my dad to gauge a reaction. “You’re repeating yourself.”

“You're repeating yourself. You’re repeating yourself. You know-”

“Dude, come on.”

“No! You never wanted a Time Heist. You weren't on board with the Time Heist.”

“I dropped the ball”

“You ruined the Time Heist.”

“Is that what I did?”

“Yeah.” The 2 yell at each other. I look over to my dad whose face is stone cold. I shake my head a bit. I need them to stop bickering.

“Are there any other options with the tesseract?” I ask Stark. It was in his fathers possession for so long he has to know something.

“No no no. Theres’s no others options. Theres no do-overs.” Lang slams the car door. “We’re not going anywhere else. We have one particle left. Each. Thats it alright. We use that. Bye-bye, you’re not going home.” 

“Yeah well if we don’t try no one else is coming home either.” My dad says the suit or shield must’ve unlocked something in him cause he sounds like my dad again.

“I got it.” Stark says getting out of the car. “There's another way, to retake the Tesseract, and acquire new particles.” I smile as Stark closes the door. Stark walks over to my dad. “Little stroll down memory lane, Military Installation. Garden State.” Camp Leigh.

“When were they both there?” My dad asks.

“They were there at a time.. I have a vaguely exact idea.” Stark says.

“How vague?” My dad asks coldly.

“What are you talking about?” Lang asks and I walk over to him and glare hoping he’ll shut up. “Where are we. where are we going?”

“I know for a fact they were there.” Stark says. “And I know how I know.” My dad looks around and sighs.

“Guys what is it?” Lang asks.

“Well looks like we’re improvising.” My dad says.

“Great.” Stark respond.

“Wh-what are we improvising?” Lang asks.

“Ry. get this to the compound.” My dad says handing me his shield and I nod.

“Suit up.” Stark says they both pull out their watches.

“Whats in new Jersey?” Lang asks. I hold my dad’s shield in my arm.

“0-4” Stark says probably the date.

“0-4.” my dad repeats.

“Uh 0-7.”

“0-7”

“1-9-7-0” Stark finishes and I smile. I’m pretty sure he’s right.

“Excuse me!” Lang calls out.

“Are you sure?” My dad asks.

“Cap? Captain? Steve. Sorry.” Lang says they both turn to face him “America. Rogers. Look if you do this… and it doesn’t work. You’re not coming back..” 

“Thanks for the pep talk Piss-ant.” Stark says then turns back to my dad “you trust me.” My dad looks at me and I smile at him giving him a nod.

“I do.” My dad says turning to Stark.

“Your call.” Stark responds. 

“Here we go.” they both touch their watches and disappear. 

“They got that.” I respond.

“How can you be so hopeful?” Lang responds.

“Because I know the date is good. I did research on the space stone and it's at camp Leigh for many years before that base was abandoned. I also know camp Lehigh is where Doctor Pym did his last research before he quit.” I tell Lang.

“And you just let them go in uncertain?” Lang exclaims.

“There was a bond there that needed to be fixed. I know the moment Stark said the date that it was taken care of.” I tell him.

“Now lets sync up and meet with them.” I tell Lang tapping my watch as the white suit comes back. Lang does the same.

“3…2…1” I double tap the watch as we get thrown into the colorful mess again.

Chapter Text

I am jolted as I get back to our time. I look arnound and my eyes fall on Barton as he falls to his knees. An empty space next to him. I freeze. My eyes widen in horror. Natasha. 

“I’ll see you in a minute”  

Her voice echoes in my head. Everything feels dizzy. I can't breathe even though the suit is gone. I stand there. ALmost begging its not true. Begging that maybe she just missed the return. I wait. And I wait. My aunt is gone. Nat… 

We all just stand there for a second before Thor, My dad, Stark, Banner, and Barton leave. Rocket goes to follow and I just put a hand out stopping him.

“Give them a second.” I whisper. I feel dizzy. 

“Why?” Lang asks.

“You don’t understand she.. Well she was their family.” I try to say the words stuck in my throat. I almost choke on them. 

“She was yours too.” I hear Rhodey say and I just shake my head.

“We got to get to work.” I respond, the scepter still in my hand. I see the soul stone and the Tesseract on a table. 

“Who was she?” I hear Rocket ask.

“Well to the original founding Avengers she was family they’ve all been through a lot with her.” Rhodey explains.

“And the kid?” Lang asks.

“Let me put it in perspective. Out of everyone here who has she called by some sort of family title besides her dad.” Rhodey says. 

“Aunt Nat.” Rocket mumbles. I pretend to not hear their conversation just like I pretend the tears don’t fall from my eyes. But I do hear them, and the water droplets hit the table. 

“C-come on lets start getting things set up for the geniuses.” I say I feel something soft hug my arm. I look down to see the raccoon snuggled on my arm. The coldness hits me hard as I fall to my knees sobbing. 

“Hey. Hey easy. Easy there.” I hear Rhodey say as his arms envelope me. I don't move to try and hug back. I just feel cold and no amount of hugging is making it go away. I start taking deep breaths. “That's it. That’s it. Nice breaths there you go.” Rhodey talks me through it as the Raccoon and Rhodey both let go of me. I stand up, wiping away my tears and sniffling.

“Come on, kids got a point. The best we can do now is make it easier for them when they are ready.” Rocket says putting on the extractor do-dad that has the Aether in it. We roll the table into the lab area. I watch as the others walk into the lab room. I look away. I don't want them to see my face not after me breaking down. I quickly rush off mumbling, I don’t even know what. Somehow I ended up at my old room. I smile a little seeing all of 7-9 year old me’s child drawings. I find one in particular that makes me smile. Its a drawing I made of me and Miss. Maximoff I only know it's supposed to be her because little me wrote her name horribly wrong. I smile at the photographs of me in frames. One of them is an 8 year old me wearing my dads jacket. The sleeves are way too long and the jacket goes past my knees.

“That has to be one of my favorite ones.” Barton comments. I freeze up. “That or the one of you and your dad playing catch with his huge shield.” he chuckles a bit at that. 

“Wha-what are you doing here?” I ask him. He wraps an arm around me.

“It’s what Nat would’ve done.” He says those words freeze me up. I tense up a bit.

“I don’t blame you for what happened.” I tell him. 

“I do.” He says.

“Well don't. She wouldn’t want you too. I don't want you too. And they certainly don't either.” I gesture to the lab area where they probably all are. This is the first time I’ve seen Barton. His eyes are a bit pink and are shiny while his cheeks are a light pink from wiping away tears no doubt. “It’s not your fault Clint. You know she’s stubborn you-you kn-kn….” I can’t finish my sentence. Barton hugs me.

“I know, kid. I know…” he whispers, rubbing my back.

“I want to finish this. For her.” I respond. Pulling away he smiles a little.

“Then lets go finish it.” Barton responds. I smile at him. We head into the center area where the glove lies infornt of everyone. I walk over to my dad, he rubs my back. Rocket adjusts the glove.

“Alright, the gloves ready. The Racoon says. “Question is who’s going to snap their freaking fingers?”

“I’ll do it.” Thor says walking forward. 

“Excuse me?” Stark asks. 

“Its okay.” Thor responds. 

“Hey,hey,hey,hey.” Stark says stepping infront of the god. “Stop stop

“Woah, woah” Banner also starts coming in.

“Wait,wait.” My dad joins in. “Thor just wait. We haven't decided who’s gonna put it on yet.”

“Oh I’m sorry.oh we are just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?” Thor asks.

“We should at least discuss it.” Lang responds. 

“Look, sitting here staring at the thing is not going to bring everybody back.” Thor says. “I’m the strongest Avenger. Okay?” not in this state he isn’t I doubt his mind is even clear enough to take on the tax the stones will no doubt toll on him. “So this responsibility falls on me.”

“Normally you’re right-”Stark starts

“Its my duty-”

“-its not about that-”

“-shhh”

“-Hey buddy!”

“-Stop it just let me!” their bickering quiets down as Thor grabs Stark by the shirt. “Just let me do it. Just let me do something good. Something right”

“Look its not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent. I'm telling you. Youre in no condition.” Stark says.

“Do what do you think is coursing through my veins right now?” Thor asks.

“Cheez Whiz.” Rhodey answers with no hesitation. I give him a mini shrug he's probably not wrong.

“Lightning.” Thor says ignoring Rhodey’s jab.

“Yeah.” Stark responds patting the god on the shoulder.

“Lightning.” Thor repeats with a whisper. 

“Lightning won’t help you pal.” Banner says “it's gotta be me.” Thor lets go of Stark's shirt. “You saw what those stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him.” Banner walks towards the glove. “None of you could survive.”

“How do we know you will?” My dad asks.

“We don't.” Banner responds. “But the radiations mostly Gamma. Its like…” Banner stares at the glove for awhile. “I was made for this.” Banner picks up the glove.

“Lets get ready then.” My dad says as those who have a suit go to suit up. I wait looking over to Banner.

“Be careful.” I tell Banner and he gives me a small smile.

“No promises.” He responds as the team returns suited up.

“Good to go yeah?” Stark asks as we all get away from him backing up.

“Lets do it.” Banner responds.

“Okay remember. Everyone Thanos snapped away 5 years ago you're just bringing them back to now, today. Don’t change anything from the last 5 years.” Stark restates. It's so sweet having him care so much for his daughter.

“Got it.” Banner responds. I turn to face my dad as he puts himself infront of me. Thor pushes Rocket behind him. Lang and Rhodey put up their helmets and Stark puts on his suit with a shield for Barton.

“Friday do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol, will ya.” Stark says into his earpiece. I see as the windows become shuttered the room closes off from the natural world, closing off natural light darkening the room.

“Everybody comes home.” Banner says as the glove enlargens to fit his hand. The moment it goes on completely red, yellow, green, blue, and purple lines of energy race up his arm looking like its burning it. Hulk falls down to a knee groaning. The stones glow as his skin around the glove glows a bright pinkish red.

“Take it off! Take it off!” Thor shouts.

“No wait!” My dad puts an arm out to Thor. Probably remembering his own experience with willingly going through pain. “Bruce, are you ok?”

“Talk to me Banner.” Stark says. His whole arms looked singed and flaky like rocks burning on reentry or slow moving molten lava. The pained groans and grunts quiet down a bit.

“I’m ok, Im ok.” Banner responds He then takes deep breaths before raising his hand and snapping. Dad covers me with his shield and himself as a bright white light blinds us all for a second like a flashbang. Then it's over. I blink my eyes a bit as I see Banner standing there for a moment, his eyes closed, the glove slides off and Banner falls to the ground.

“Bruce!” My dad shouts I kick the glove away before going to check on him.

“Don't move him.” Stark says. The arm that had the glove is so skinny now. I see Stark spray some sort of ice thing on the arm. My dad has a hand on Banner's shoulder. The big guy grabs my dads arm as he tries to breathe. The shuttered doors start to open.

“Did it work?” Banner asks.

“We're not sure. Itsa its okay.” Thor responds patting Banners head. I look around the room the light flooding in. Lang walks over to look out the window. I hear a cell phone vibrating on a table. Banners pained noises fills my ears. Barton walks over to the phone as he picks it up. 

“Honey.” I hear him say. Mrs. Barton?

“Guys.” I hear Lang whisper. “I think it worked.” the sunlight above us and Banner is covered by a cloak of shadows. I look up to see a dark object in the sky. Bright blue projectiles are launched at us. I grab my dad trying to use his shield to cover us. I hear shouts as the ground shifts. My dad holds onto me tighter before he's knocked away from me and then I feel the heat of an explosion. 

Chapter Text

The rubble that lays ontop of me hurts. I feel pinned. I take as deep of breaths as I can as I put my palms on the ground pushing up. I feel more rubble sliding around me as I do. I quickly slide out with the space I created. I stand up looking around. Everything is gray. Its all dull, ash and dirt are mixed together caking my body. I cough as my lungs burn.

“Kid,” I turn around to see Stark. His suit of armor already dirtied up.

“Stark, do-do you-” I cough, my throat burns for a second he walks over to me quickly. “I’m okay. I’m okay. Where's my dad?” 

“I-I don’t know.” Stark responds. “Come on, I'm sure he's here somewhere.” We start walking ontop of what used to be the Compound. I look around, then in the distance I see the shimmer of gold.

“Stark.” I say 

“Kid, did you find him?” he asks and I shake my head pointing at the gold.

“Worse.” My voice is hollow as I say those words.

“I’ll find your dad. Keep watch on him.” Stark says before he walks off I grab his arm, he looks at me.

“Please find him Tony.” I say, I’m scared for my dad, scared for everyone. We aren’t in a position for this fight.

“I will.” He says with a nod and I walk over to the edge of the compound. I sit down watching the large purple alien sitting there doing nothing, it's obvious he doesn't have the stones.

“Young one. Is that?” Thor asks and I nod.

“Yep. Just sitting there.” I answer him. He stands next to me.

“The others?” Thor asks.

“I saw Stark, everyone else, no idea.” I answer. 

“Stark… where is he?” Thor asks I know the god is looking around but my eyes don't leave the alien.

“Looking for my dad.” I respond. 

“We should be down there fighting.” Thor says.

“Once Stark is back.” I tell him. We wait in silence just watching the man. I hear the iron steps behind us and I stand up turning to see Stark with my dad walking over. I sigh in relief seeing him with the shield.

“What's he been doing?” Stark asks me.

“Absolutely nothing.” I answer with disdain. He’s reveling in a victory that hasn’t been accomplished yet. 

“Where are the Stones? My dad asks.

“Somewhere under all this.” Stark responds. “All I know is he doesn’t have em.”

“So we keep it that way.” My dad says.

“You know its a trap right?” Thor says. Of course it is.

“Yeah… I don't much care.” Stark responds.

“Good. Just as long as we’re all in agreement.” Thor responds I feel the electricity in the air, the thunder roars as Thor takes a few steps forward his ax and Mjølnir fly to him as electricity lands around and on him. “Lets kill him properly this time.” I take a deep breath, my dad puts a hand on my shoulder.

“You sure you're ready for this?” my dad asks quietly.

“Been training for nothing else. Besides you need the extra hand.” I answer him. He nods and we walk forward it's a clear and barren path ahead of us. Once we are about 20 feet from him he talks.

“You could not live with your own failure.” Thanos says his voice is exactly how I remember it from the recordings 5 years ago. “Where did that bring you? Back to me.” I hang back with Thor as he goes right, I go left,and my dad and Stark face him head on. 

“I thought by eliminating half of life, the other half would thrive.” Stark and my dad spread out a bit so I keep rotating until I am positioned behind Thanos. “But you’ve shown me, that's impossible.” I am in position as I see Thor and Stark are too. “And as long as there are those who remember what was, there will always be those who are unable to accept what can be. They will resit.”

“Yep. We’re all kinds of stubborn,” Stark says he sounds worried. Thanos chuckles

“I’m thankful.” The alien responds. Because now, I know what I must do.” He stands up facing Stark and his weapon. “I will shred this universe down to its last atom. And then..” Thanos picks up the helmet from his weapon. “With the stones you’ve collected for me. Create a new one…” My dad and Thor move in I hold my position. “Teeming with life that knows not what it has lost but only what it has been given.” Thors hammer and ax glow that electrical blue I glance over to my dad with a slight nod. I'm ready. “A grateful universe.” he says, picking his weapon off of the ground. Turning to face my dad.

“Born out of blood.” My dad says.

“They’ll never know it. Because you won’t be alive to tell them.” My gaze darkens at the threat. Thor moves in first with a shout running into the frey Tony flies up going to hit as we all run over Thanos blocks Tony's swing my dad tosses his shield at the weapon which bounces off Thanos into my hands. 

Thor and Tony run at the alien as he kicks my dad back. I throw the shield at his chest, getting it back in my hands as Tony uses his yellow glowing laser as Thanos swings the blunt side of the weapon hitting Thor away. Tony aims the laser at Thanos who uses his weapon to deflect the lasers into different directions. The laser goes away as I see my dad getting up. I throw the shield between the Titans legs as my dad slides over picking it up. I dodge the swing of his blades. Keeping him distracted and moving away from Thor who is now getting up. I see Tony’s suit branches out.

“Okay Thor hit me.” Tony says as I roll out of the way of a downswing. I see the lighting land on Thor before it's sent into Tony’s back. Thanos switches his attention as multiple of Tony’s yellow lasers are sent at him. His weapon starts to spin as he blocks them getting closer to Tony before smacking his face. 

I see Thor swing Mjølnir up before hitting Tony now used as Thanos’ shield. Launched the Iron Man into me I grunt as I’m flown back. Tony tumbles away. I see the electricity emanating from his suit. I look over to see Thor's hammer. 

I hear my dad grunt as he’s sent flying into rubble. I watch as Thor is running towards the Titan sliding underneath Thanos' double bladed weapon. Which returns to its owner. Thor's weapon is swung to the ground same with Thanos’ as he grabs Thor by the neck slamming him into the roots of a tree. 

I look at my dad who’s slowly getting up, and Tony who's laying on the ground. And now Thor, whose own weapon is being pushed into his chest. My eyes fall once again on Mjølnir. 

That brief moment 8 years ago. I slide over to Mjølnir. I take a deep breath as I feel a tingle of electricity flow through me. I grab the handle taking a deep breath as I hear Thor's pained noises. I pull it up looking over to see my dad standing.

“Hey dad. Catch!” I shout as I toss him the hammer, hitting Thanos away from Thor in the process. He grabs the hammer. Readying himself up the shield in one hand hammer in the other.

“I knew it.” I hear Thor say before his face is kicked in rendering him out. 

Thanos starts walking towards my dad as he runs swinging the Hammer I run behind Thanos. My dad uses a shield to block the downswing of Thanos’ weapon and uses the hammer to give him an uppercut. My dad swings the shield above the Titans head as Thanos stands then sends the hammer flying at it to create a sound wave pushing the alien forward. 

I grab the shield as my dad calls the hammer back to him. I run behind the opponents hitting the side of his face with the shield to discombobulate him. My dad swings the hammer up at his face as I push him in the chest with the shield. My dad swings the hammer at Thanos’ helmet taking a chunk off and knocking our opponent back. I throw the shield at the Titan it bounces back and my dad swings the hammer at it launching it back again even harder. I grab the shield as my dad swings the hammer sending lighting into Thanos, knocking him to the ground again. Strategy, don't let up. 

I hear thunder roar as my dad raises the hammer. Thanos starts taking the moment to get up so I send the shield to his face and it bounces back knocking his head down as a blast of multiple lightning strikes hits the alien. I hear him groan as his body spasms. I dash over before the lighting dissipates, going to slam the shield where his head is, Thanos quickly rolls to the side grabbing my dad and slamming him into the ground. I run over as he picks up the weapon swinging the blade at my dad. I block the attack, planting my feet down so he can’t push me back. I call the hammer to my hand swinging it a little as I launch it at my opponent making him stumble back giving me a chance to help my dad up.

“Duck!” My father calls out as the Titan swings over our heads. I back up as he keeps swinging the weapon. He downswings it at my dad who sidesteps the attack. The weapon digs deep into the rubble, he backhand swings it and I hit the attack away with the shield. He swings it at my dads leg. I hear my father shout in pain. My dad swings the hammer at Thanos’ weapon, hitting it away from the Titan. 

The alien swings his fist down. I jump infront of the punch. The force pushes the both of us back. My dad goes flying back as I fall on the other side of the broken tree that was behind us. I hop to my feet as the alien uses his foot to kick up his weapon. He downswings on me and I raise the shield the weapon digs into the vibranium. 

My eyes widen, that's not good. 

I push the shield up a piece of the top goes flying up. Another swing comes down and my knees bend as the shield takes another hit losing more of it. His swings don’t let up. I keep on blocking the attacks. As I watch as my fathers shield is chipped away piece by piece. He swings at the side of the shield, launching me back a bit. 

I grunt as I look at the now half of a shield. I look up to see Thanos swing up. The attack hits my fathers shield, sending me flying back. My head hurts My thoughts swimming. 

I look over to see my dad slowly rolling over onto his stomach. Panting. My lungs burn. 

“In all my years of conquest… violence.” Thanos starts monologuing again. I shut my eyes tightly. My body hurts so much. “Slaughter..” I open my eyes to look at my dad who's pushing himself up. I lean to my side to face him. I control my breathing. “It was never personal.” My dad looks at me worried, I just give him a slight nod as he works his way up. 

“But I'll tell you now.” My dad is on his knees first glaring at our opponent. I grunt using the shield to steady myself as I get on my knees, my body sways “What I’m about to do to your stubborn, annoying little planet… I’m going to enjoy it. Very, very much.” I see blue beams hitting the ground. Monsters, creatures, aliens all being sent down. There are tanks, the lead group I remember from 5 years ago, Chitari, and so many more opponents. I hear my dad grunt as he goes to stand. 

“Come on.” I whisper to myself as I lift my knees pushing against the ground. Dragging my unwilling body up. I look over to my dad. He looks at me. As we see Thanos’ handed his weapon again. My dad looks over to my right arm holding the shield. I look as well to see a large gash in it that makes me feel queasy. He tightens the strap closing the wound. I give a small grunt of pain. As we look to the army of aliens. Flying creatures are coming out of his ship. 

“You ready Cadet?” my dad asks, I give him a small head nod. As he limps forward I follow. As we face their army. 2 Rogers versus an army of aliens. I know both me and my father would die before we let these people take away our world. Maybe we will. 

Chapter Text

Me and my dad walk forward facing the army. Captain America and his little Cadet. Just like we should be. Protecting not only our country but our world, our universe. Protecting the same people that hunted us down, tried to kill us multiple times, called us criminals. Yet here we stand as Earths protectors.

“Hey Cap, you read me?” The comms ring out. The voice sounds familiar but I can place it. My dad stops for a second and I stop as well. “Cap, it’s Sam. Can you hear me?” I look to my dad. Mr. Wilson? Did the snap actually work? “On your left.” Both me and him turn to see an orange sparkling ring open up a hole. It's bright as 3 figures walk out. I blink a few times to see The Dora Milaje general, King T’Challa, and princess Shuri walking out. The Black Panther mask disappears. I sigh in relief. We aren’t alone. King T’Challa nods at my father as Mr. Wilson flies out. I feel my lip quiver. It wasn’t all for nothing. 

I look around seeing more orange circles appear. As different groups, different allies come together. Walking or flying out. Most of which I don’t even know. I recognize the Wakandan chant. I smile looking out at our army. Ships start flying out into the sky, I see a woman on a horse with wings. Wizards are also coming out their orange magic glows in the distance. 

I see Thor getting up as is Stark. I hear a distant rumble as breaking through a pile of Compound remains is Lang holding Rhodey, Banner and I assume Rocket. I look up at my dad with a smile. He smiles back. 

“We’re so back.” I say as we turn to face Thanos, he looks confused at everyone here. I feel them behind me. Our team. Led by my dad, by our Captain.

“Avengers!” my dad shouts. I hear people land around us. My dad summons Mjølnir. “Assemble.” We run forward. Everyone yells in unison as we charge at the aliens. Thanos points his weapon at us, sending his army forward. I hear the thrusters of Iron Man suits above me as well as the Falcon suit. My dads speed is a bit slower so we can all rush in as one team. I swing my shield at a crawling alien. I hear lightning crackle as my dad swings the Hammer around us. I block a hit sent for him. I hear blasts and shouts all around. I block another punch hitting the Chitari twice in the leg knocking him back. As my dad throws the hammer at him. I turn to nod my thanks seeing him summon Thor's ax instead. As Thor wields Mjølnir. 

“No no give me that.” Thor says and my dad passes over the ax. “You have the little one.” Thor passes over the hammer as my dad runs off. I see Mr. Barnes shooting at some aliens and I see one running behind him. I quickly run over, sliding on my knees grabbing the pocket knife in his holster using my momentum to slide towards the flanking opponent. I swipe their legs with the knife making it fall down where I hit up with the shield. My opponent is sprayed with bullets, I look back at Mr. Barnes his weapon pointed at the assailant. 

“Kid shield.” He calls out and I run to his side blocking another hit directed towards him as he shoots the enemy. “Left.”

“Knife.” I say tossing it into the air. He grabs it as I block the alien shots. Mr. Barnes throws the knife into the alien's chest. I run forward grabbing it out of the chest and throwing it at the face of the Chitari behind Mr. Barnes. I look at the alien bodies around us.

“I don’t think we’ve met properly.” Mr. Barnes says. I give him a small smile. “Bucky Barnes.”

“Ryanne. Ryanne Rogers.” I respond with a little nod.

“Makes sense.” He chuckles a bit, nodding to my shield. He looks behind me and I quickly turn using the broken shield to stab into the alien as I swing them up getting a blast from Rocket.

“You two sure act like you know each other.” The raccoon comments before scurrying away.  I see a big guy running over to us. I raise the shield only to see Mr. Wilson flying in, stabbing his wings into the beast with a shout. 

“Cap.” I hear Barton over the comms. “What do you want me to do with this damn thing?” I run over to Mr. Wilson charging the shield first, hitting an opponent away. 

“Get those stones as far away as possible!” I hear my dad shout over comms.

“No!” Banner yells back in the comms I see Mr. Barnes' knife sail through the air. I catch it stabbing into what I hope is the stomach of the alien I twist and kick it off as I swipe the knife at a crawling alien that jumps at me. “We need to get em back where they came from.” 

“No way to get em back. Thanos destroyed the quantum tunnel.” Stark says flying over head blasting one of the opponents away from me he points his arm at me and I raise the shield as the laser shoots at my dads broken shield we cut through multiple opponents before Tony flies off. 

“Hold on.” Lang says and I see Giant-Man shrink. “That wasn’t our only time machine.” I hear the horn of the van playing La Cucaracha and I look around.

“Does anyone see an ugly brown van out there?” I ask, getting to higher ground. Looking around before I see a blast headed at me. I bring the shield to block it as it launches me back into some rubble. 

“Yes! But you are not going to like where its parked!” A female voice I don’t recognize responds. 

“Scott, how long you need to get that thing working?” Stark asks. I shake my head a bit as I see my dad jump in swinging the hammer around me.

“Uh maybe 10 minutes.” Lang responds. 

“Get it started we’ll get the stones to you.” My dad says lightning hits the enemies around us.

“We’re on it Cap.” another different female voice responds. My dad helps me up.

“You good?” He asks me and I nod. I'm panting and in pain this small break is the worst thing right now. 

“Still up and kicking. So to speak.” I tell him. 

“Come on.” Me and my dad start tearing through Chitari aliens alike but I can tell their forces are focused on probably wherever the glove is. I look over to see it going into the air, a lanky guy controlling the ruble around it. T’Challa jumps grabbing it but the rocks just grab him now.

“I got it!” Hear Spider-Man shout as he shoots a web grabbing the glove.

“Dad!” I shout looking at Spider-Man getting swarmed by the crawling creatures.

“Help! Somebody Help!” Spider-Man calls over comms. My dad tosses me the hammer.

“Hey Queens, Heads up!” My dad says I spin Mjølnir flying up and over. Towards Spider-Man he looks up and I look to see webbing stuck to my feet as we fly along. 

“I got ya kid.” I tell Spider-Man. I hear the whirring of cannons as I look up, seeing blue projectiles flying down one of which hits Spider-Man. I hear his shouting, I let go of the hammer immediately dropping down as the missiles don't let up. I rush over to Spider-Man putting my body over his as I use the shield to block what I can.

“Don’t let go of the shield.” He tells me. His voice is shaking as another blast hits by our faces.

“Don't you dare let go of that glove.” I respond grunting as one of the missiles land right on the shield pushing me back into the arachnid themed hero. I groan as the fire doesn’t let up exploding around us. It hits the shield again pushing it away from us but I keep my body over Spider-Man as a shield. I shout ready for another blast to hit me. It never comes. I look up to see the weapons pointing at the sky firing. I help Spider-Man up he grunts a bit in pain.

“You okay?” I ask him, his mask falls off and he nods. I lean against the rubble my chest burns. I check my arm where the gash was to see it's still dripping blood. My vision gets blurry.

“I’m-”

“I’m assuming you’re Spiderman?” I ask and he nods, hugging the glove tightly to his chest.

“Ryanne.” I introduce myself. Spider-Man looks terrified; his eyes are wide his face caked in dust, small scratches on his cheeks. I assume I don't look much better. I look up to see glowing so bright as the sun as something blasts though the ship. I smile watching the ship crumble down. Crashing into the water. 

“Danvers.” I say in the comms panting. Looking at Spider-Man. “We need an assist here.” I see Carol Danvers land over by us. Walking over to Spider-Man who's gripping the glove tightly. 

“You two okay?” Danvers asks. I nod.

“Just get this to the van.” I tell her as Spider-Man hands her the glove.

“I don't know how you're going to get it through there.” He comments shakily. 

“Don't worry. She's not alone.” A voice says and I look to see Miss. Maximoff, Mrs. Potts-Stark, and other women coming in. I can see in the distance the army charging full force in their direction. The group of females charge forward and my feet slip under me for a second. The rest feels so painful. 

“Ryanne?” Spider-Man asks, his voice is quiet. I feel his hands on my arms it's grounding. I put up a hand. 

“I'm. I'm okay. Just need to keep going.” I tell him my chest screams at me to stop. 

“Okay. Then lets keep going.” Spider-Man says and I nod seeing the bright light of Danvers charging through the army. I take a deep breath before running into the fray. I see 3 blasts of energy knocking Thanos back away from Danvers. She's almost reaches the van before his weapon goes in and I see a bright light explode from it. The energy sends me flying back. I dig the shield in the ground to prevent me from going too far away. I look up to see the glove on the ground in front of me. 

Everything is so blurry as I see Tony get kicked back. Thor immediately jumps in swinging his ax at Thanos, the god does 2 swings at the Titan both swings miss but Thor lands the third knocking back the alien. I see Thor summon his hammer. Using its force to push the ax closer to Thanos then my dad jumps on the Titans back pushing the ax closer even more. I grab the glove holding it closer to me. Thanos kicks Thor's knee down headbutting the god back, then grabs my dad by the back of his uniform throwing him on the ground then punching his head in. 

Then his eyes fall on me with anger and hatred. My heart stops. I grip onto the glove for dear life. I feel frozen in place.

“You think you can kill me?” Thanos says gesturing to my dad, Tony, Thor all laying on the ground hopefully just unconscious. The message is clear though. If these adults who are more powerful than me couldn't defeat him, what chance do I have?

“I don’t want to kill anyone.” I respond looking up at the alien. Despite my jelly legs that I can barely feel, I stand up. “I just don’t like bullies.” he runs at me and I run at him sliding down. I use the shield to cut his legs in. I see a chuck of rock fly at me. I block it with the shield. I look up to see him running at me. He grabs the glove. I hold on tight as he swings me to the ground. I don’t let go.

“You think you're so special!” He asks, shouting at me. He punches me in the face. I kick him only for him to slam my leg away. 

“I’m not Special.” I say as he goes to punch my face I roll out of the way holding the glove tightly. “I never claim to be.” I call the hammer to my left hand as the right hand tightly holds the shield. I feel electricity crackle as it hits him in the back zapping him. I use his brief moment of daze to stand up. Shakily.

My lungs burn, my throat hurts, the world feels like I’m on a tilt-a-whirl. I see the glow of yellow and blue. Danvers, she’s flying over and she nods at me. I shout as I slide down, going for the legs again I feel a dull force in the back of my head. As I fall. The darkness wraps me tightly and I welcome the rest.

Chapter Text

I look up. My vision is blurry as I see purple and yellow collide. I blink away the spinning. I see Thanos kicking Tony away before adjusting the glove. 

“I am… inevitable.” Thanos says snapping his fingers but nothing happens. I hear the clicking of things going into place. I see Tony the colors going up through his arms. No, no no.

“And I..” I look over to Stark. No. “Am..” I struggle to get up. “Iron Man.”

“Tony No!” I scream before the same flashbang happens. I hurry over to Tony scrambling to him, I yank off the broken shield from my arm. “No, no no no.” I mutter as I rip off the glove holding the stones. I help him stabilize as he stumbles forward to a covered piece of rubble. I help him sit down. His eyes stare so blankly. I hear someone land behind us. I turn to see Rhodey. My heart races. My eyes are wide as he just stares at his best friend. I hear soft her feet land and I turn to see Spider-Man. 

“Mr. Stark?” He asks. I feel my heart squeeze. “Hey.” Spider-Man rushes over his voice is shaky. As he holds Tony’s hand. I back away a bit to give him space. “Mr. Stark can you hear me? It’s Peter.” Spider-Man puts his hands gently on the armored chest. “ Hey... We won. We won Mr. Stark..” I blink a few times my eyes sting. “We won Mr. Stark.” I look over to see Mrs. Potts-Stark land I walk over to Spider-Man. “We won. You did it, sir, you did it.” I gently place my hands on the kids back. “I'm sorry.” He starts crying. “Tony.” I carefully put an arm on his shoulder and another on his side as I lift him up carefully. He doesn't resist as we walk away Giving the man’s wife a chance to talk to him. Spider-Man holds onto me tightly and my tears fall as he cries into my shoulder. My heart hurts. I hear the young hero sob into my chest. I just hold him tightly. I don’t want Mrs.Potts-Stark to hear him cry. I don’t want anyone to. 

The Funeral

I wait outside the house next to Mr. Barnes and Mr. Wilson. There's so many lined up as his close family including the Avengers walk out of the house. My heart hurts as I see Spider-Man. I just watch as his daughter walks to the end of the dock. As they send him down the river. I hang back. I try to keep it together. There's a lump in my throat. I frown, blinking my eyes a few times. We stand there for a bit before people start dispersing. The only one who doesn’t go around to the others is Spider-Man who’s sitting on the edge of the dock. I walk over to him. Sitting down next to.

“He was the one who recruited me.” Spider-Man says quietly. “He helped guide me into becoming a hero.” Spider-Man coughs out a sob.

“I can tell you right now you made an impact on him too.” I respond looking out into the water. “You were the driving reason he worked on bringing everyone back.” we sit in silence for a bit longer.

“Ryanne?” I turn to face him.

“Yeah?”

“My names Peter by the way. Peter Parker.” he responds and I give him a small smile.

“Peter. I’ll be sure to remember it.” I tell him. “My dad says you live in Queens?”

“Y-yeah I do.”

“Well I live in Brooklyn so if you ever need a friend.” I hand him a note with my number on it. “Give me a call.” he opens the paper.

“Ryanne Rogers.” He mumbles then looks at me. “Thank you.” I see he tucks the number in between his phone and phone case. 

“Of course. I have your back.” I respond. A woman clears her throat behind us. I turn around.

“Excuse me. I just.” The woman points to Peter. I nod standing up.

“See you around Peter.” I tell him turning around to walk over to my dad.

“Who was that? She’s cute.” I hear the woman comment.

“Ryanne Rogers.” Peter responds.

“Rogers like?” the woman asks.

“Yeah. like Steve Rogers.”

“Glad you got her number then.”

“Aunt May.” Peter groans. I have a small smile at least he isn’t alone. The smile drops as I see parties leaving. I walk up to my dad who is talking with Mr. Barnes. 

“Hey Kiddo. You ok?” My dad asks. I just lean my head against his arm. 

“Just as well as everyone else.” I sigh looking down.

“Lets go home.” My dad says and I nod. “Bucky is coming with us since he doesn’t have somewhere to go.” 

“Okay.” I mumble as he gets into a car driving off into Brooklyn. 

Chapter Text

Me and Mr. Barnes are standing away from Banner and the control panel. I look at my feet. Last time me and my dad were separated he got branded a criminal. Things only went worse from there.

“Remember, you have to return the stones you got em or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities.” Banner tells me dad. 

“Don’t worry Bruce.” My dad responds, closing the case. “Clip all the branches.”

“You know I tried…” Banner says. “When I had the gauntlet, the stones. I-I really tried to bring her back.” He’s talking about aunt Nat. “I miss her man.”

“Me too.” My dad says. 

“You know if you want. I could come with you.” Mr. Wilson says. As he and my dad walk over to me and Me. Barnes.

“You’re a good man Sam.” My dad responds, “This ones on me though.” I feel off, like something is wrong. My dad looks at me and gives me a tight hug. Then lets go. “See you around my little Cadet.” He says and I give him a little salute which he returns. I walk over to Mr. Wilson. As my dad goes over to Mr. Barnes. “Don’t do anything stupid until I get back.” Mr. Barnes gives a soft chuckle.

“How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” Mr. Barnes responds. But it seems so sad. The two give each other a tight hug. I know something is wrong. Mr. Barnes backs away. There's a few words said. Before my dad walks onto the platform. Picking up the hammer and holding the case. He presses a button on his watch.

“How long is this gonna take?” Mr. Wilson asks. I look up to my dad. He looks at me for a bit.

“For him, as long as he needs. For us 5 seconds.” Banner responds. 

“Dad?” I ask. He gives me a small smile.

“Yeah?” he responds.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” I tell him. He lets out a soft chuckle.

“It’s all going to go according to plan.” My dad responds with a nod.

“You ready Cap?” Banner asks. My dad turns to give the Doctor a little nod. “All right, we'll meet you back here, ok?”

“You bet.” My dad says.

“Going Quantum 3…” Banner starts, my dads gaze doesn’t leave me “two…” He gives me a tiny nod. “One” and just like that my dad is sucked into the floor. “And returning in 5..4.. 3.. 2.. 1..” the machine hums to life but nothing happens. My heart feels like it stops. Nothing happens. Nothing is happening. Where is my dad? 

“Where is he?” Mr. Wilson asks.

“I don’t know. He blew right by his time stamp.” Banner responds. My ears start to ring as my stomach drops. The world feels dizzy. I should’ve pushed harder. I knew something was wrong. I want to be sick. I feel a hand on my shoulder.

“Sam.” Mr. Barnes says I turn to look at what Mr. Barnes sees. Behind us is a bench with an older man sitting on it. The 3 of us walk forward but I stop. That's my dad. 

“Its all going to go according to plan.” I hear my dads words echo.

“Go ahead, I got her.” Mr. Barnes says as Mr. Wilson walks forward. I can't move. I don’t want to. This was the plan. This was his plan. I watch as my dad pulls out the shield. His shield handing it to Mr. Wilson. He’s giving the shield to Mr. Wilson. He’s not Captain America anymore. I see Mr. Wilson walking over with the shield, he looks at me.

“He wants to talk to you.” my dads friend tells me. I take a deep breath as I walk forward. My heart tightens with every step. My mind rushes with a new thought every breath. 

“Hey Ry.” His voice is soft. Just seeing him makes the tears fall.

“D-dad?” I ask hesitantly and he nods. He pats on the bench next to him.

“Sit. we should talk.” he says. I take a seat. 

“All according to plan. Huh.” I say with a soft chuckle which is more so me choking back a sob. His hand rests behind me. His hands are shaky. Small. Not like the ones I remember growing up. 

“I’m sorry hun.” He says. That's what breaks me into sobs.

“Why?” I choke out. Coughing. “W-why?” I ask again. Looking away. His fingers gently touch my face pushing back a strand of my hair. Almost reflective of when we first met. But this time it's a goodbye.

“I couldn’t move on.” he responds. Showing me the ring on his finger. I give him a small sad smile.

“I’m happy for you. Upset you aren’t in my life. That you won’t be here. But happy for you.” I respond. I cry again. I look into his blue eyes, the specks of green a lot more prominent. 

“That's my girl.” he says. His hand leaves my face as he hands me over a box. “I um, wrote letters when I could. Each one for you.” I look at the box. 

“You wrote to- to me?” I ask looking up at him he gives me a soft smile. 

“You are still my kid. Always were.” He tells me, I smile softly. “Bucky is going to take care of you now though. Don’t give him too much trouble.” I let out a sad chuckle.

“He isn’t you though.” I say quietly.

“You’re right. He's not. He's better.” My dad says. “I love you kid.” My dad says as he hugs me tightly or as tight as a 200 year old man can. I hug back gently as I cry.

Chapter Text

Ryanne,

I want to say these words right now while I remember them in case I don't a century from now. I stayed back not because I'm unhappy with you. Quite the opposite. But it wasn't fair for you to only have my focus half the time. You're right I couldn't move on and you didn't deserve that in a father. So yeah I stayed back with her. We grew old but I never could have another kid. Because they could never live up to how great you were. I love you, always have, always will. But you deserve a parent who gives you all their time like Bucky can. Maybe I should give you the shield but I didn't want you in my shadow. You deserve to be your own person before potentially being the next Captain. Loving you forever and always Cadet.

Your father,

Steve Rogers 

P.S. Peggy loves the stories about you and wishes she could've met you.