Heartbreak, Hope, Miracles, and Delusions
Bruce sighted as he finally payed down in a bed.
They had just returned from space. They had found Val and the other Asgardians.
They managed to find a place for them to stay, provided by S.I And the Accords Council.
Bruce had heard a lot about the Civil War from Rhodey. He didn’t understand why Steve had such a problem with the Accords.
But of course, what mattered most is what Bruce learned that Steve did. Tony’s anger at the sanctum made full sense when Rhodey told him everything. How could Steve lie to Tony like that, beat him up to a coma, and expect to be welcome with open arms ? He simply didn’t get it ? Why did the so called team cap refused to admit their mistakes. Hell, the only one that actually apologizes to Tony was Wanda Maximoff herself. Bruce wasn’t too happy about the witch, but she did seem to be getting better.
It didn’t matter though. She’s dead anyways, so are most of Steve’s team.
The truth is, Steve has always been his least favorite of the team. Tony and Thor had always treated him as ever, and never once made him feel like and outsider. Clint had his mistakes, but usually he apologized, and after learning of his family, Bruce got why the man didn’t want to risk himself, he had to support them.
Natasha......he thought she was like that. That he could trust her, that he could love her. But for her it was always about controlling the Hulk. Nothing about Bruce and his feelings. Or Hulk’s for that matter.
Steve However never got around with Bruce. Always looking at him like a time bomb. Like he was a danger. Bruce also didn’t like Steve’s act first, ask later way of thinking. After Steve threw his shield at Tony with no questions. Bruce knew this was not a man that should be followed.
Then again, he has little time to think about Steve and Natasha, with Bruce himself still troubling with the Hulk issue. Hulk just didn’t want to come out. No matter what Bruce did. Once, he would he so happy with this. But now....now Bruce feels empty. He had finally accepted that Hulk is a part of him, but now he’s gone....
Then there is some personal stuff that came from the snap. Aside from the S.I And Avengers world, Bruce has little friends. He was able to contact Helen Cho, and his cousin Jennifer was alive as well. It brought relief to him.
But Betty........Betty has been dusted. Now Bruce can surely said he no longer has any romantic feelings towards her, but he would always care for her, and he wishes he could have proper closure with her. But she, a brilliant person, is gone.
Now he is focusing on helping the Asgardians. The people that were the most hurt from this ordieal. First Hela, then Thanos, and the snap. Only 15% of the original Asgardian population remains.
This of course had a huge effect on Thor. He lost too much. His father, Heimdall, and Loki, who he was finally repairing his relationship with, were dead. There was also the Warrios Three, But Thor confessed he had been drifting from them ever since Ultron, and their deaths didn’t hit him hard.
He was sure Thor would have collapsed if it wasn’t for Jane’s support. At the very least, she was still around to help Thor.
Bruce went to catch some shut eye, tired, when a knock came to his door.
“Hey big, not big guy, it’s your favorite Asgardian, can I come in ?”
That was Val. Meeting her was Probably the best thing out of his space trip.
It was good to have another friend that didn't mind the Hulk, and did not look at Bruce like he is a time bomb or a caged animal.
Though ofcourse, unlike the others she can actually hurt Hulk back.
Bruce walked and opened the door.
"Hey Val, how is it going ?"
"Ah you know. We just got everyone settled into this....hotel. Now we are off to rest."
"That's good. I don't remember the last time I slept on a bed so...."
"Hold on big guy. Yes sleep sounds good, but there is another thing left."
"There.....is ?"
"I spent a month taking care of the remaining Asgardians, with Korg as my only back up. You know what that meant ?"
"No...."
"I didn't get a single drink during that time, and I am thirsty. However, I don't have your currency, so I need someone to take me out."
Well money was something Bruce had. He still works for S.I, and Pepper gives him a wealth salary. He was amazed his post was still there actually.
But there is one thing that was on his mind.
"Why not ask Thor ? Surely you would like to be with another Asgardian."
"He is busy, what with what is left of Asgard is now under his command. And the reappearance of the girl who he loves, and now they are on the, not you left, no you left phase, so I don't want to get into that territory. Also I like being with both sides of you. So come on, let's get a drink, I think you could use one."
Bruce thought about it for a moment, and he felt a desire to join her. But not because of the drink but.....because of her.
"Sure, let's go."
"Are you sure you are alright Captain ?" Coulson asked Carol.
"I am fine ok....thanks for letting me crash in here."
"Its ok. You are an old ally."
Carol just looked down. She did not feel like a good ally now.
She had not been there, why had she not been there ? She was supposed to protect the universe, but when a mad titan threatened to erase half of it, and when she finally learned about it, the dead was done.
The whole universe was in a precarious position, and she had not tried to even stop it. She didn't even have it on her radar, despite knowing how dangerous Infinity Stones were.
At least the other heroes could know they tried, they fought Thanos, she did not have that.
And the few people she had, were all gone. Despite her time in space, Carol has always been a loner, not really a team player or a friendly person. It got even more when Maria had asked for a divorce. Carol had accepted it without question, because she knew how much pain her new life placed her in, but it still hurt, it hurt like hell.
But Maria is dead now, not from the snap, but actually dead. She had died to cancer, and Carol did not even know that she had been sick. Monica, her daughter, was gone from the snap, and so was Fury. That only left Goose.
She had been called by Phil Coulson after her second return to Earth. She had just felt like she needed to be in a home place, and he gave him a place to sleep.
He remembered the rockie she had met during that time. To think the man would rise all the way up to the Director spot. That is amazing.
"Congrats on the new spot I guess. Fury always saw good on you."
"Thank you."
"Also, I heard you died."
"And I did, but they used Kree tech to bring me back. I finally understand your hatred towards them."
"Hm."
"Though they do bring some good things. Like giving someone very special to me a second life, and her powers."
"Hm....What about you Agent, lost someone ?"
"I think every body did....Yes, I lost very dear friends of mine. Alphonzo Mackenzie, Elena Rodriguez, Lance Hunter, Bobbi Morse, good agents, close friends above that. They were dusted. Half of my team is gone."
"At least you have the other..."
"Yes. Having May, Daisy, Fitz, and Simmons here has helped."
"Lucky you...."
"And I am sorry....about Captain Rambeau."
"Stop...I wasn't there when she died, when she let out her last breath.I was on another galaxy. She was alone, and....I could have been there."
“We never know when things happen Carol. All we can do is, when they happen....move on.”
“Maria said that. In a letter she left. She said I still deserved a happy life and to find someone to love. Like I’ll ever be able to find someone to love that is not her.”
“Well you never know. I once felt I’d never love someone like Andrie again, But May came in and....anway, I think you need to rest. Daisy will show you your room.”
Phil nodded and left, leaving her with a woman with brown hair, with some purple in it.
“Come on Captain, follow me.”
Carol sighted and followed her.
She wasn’t even able to notice the clear beauty that was before her. Everything felt bad, and she didn’t know if it would ever end.
“Why are we doing this again ?”
“Shut up Fox.”
“Hey, if we are working together, I deserve to know what the f we are doing.”
Nebula sighted. He was right, if they are gonna work together, they need to comunícate,
“I......want to recover Gamora’s body. Give her a proper funeral.”
“Oh.....yeah that’s fine...we can go.”
It felt so strange being in the Milano. It used to be full of life with Quill’s music, Drax and Mantis’ laughs, and Groot’s game. But all of them were gone now. Leaving the Guardians of the Galaxy with two members only.
Rocket And Nebula had lost the only family they ever had. They shared that at least.
And a love for machines, which was strange, but fun.
“It’s also good to check the place to see if Thanos left behind, before Supergiant can get it.”
“Is she really that dangerous ?”
“She was the only that destroyed Xandar and got him the Power Stone, And also dealt with Hala while we fought him. That last one was by herself.”
“Oh.”
They reached Vormir two hours later.
They walked across the mountains, searching for her sister’s body.
“The Stone is no longer here.”
They both turned their weapons at the speaker. A clocked figure came to them.
“The Stone has been destroyed.” The red man spoke.
“We know that you idiot.” Rocket snorts.
“We are here for the body that the person that got it sacrificed.” Nebula said.
“Oh child. The sacrifice is meant to be a price for the Soul Stone, whoever was sacrificed had their soul trapped in there, so the owner could remember the price of the powerful object they had. But with the Stone gone, that soul has been freed.”
“What does that mean ?” She said angry. “I just want my sister’s body !”
“Child......no soul stone....no sacrifice. The thing you are looking for, it’s not a body.”
The next thing would shock them both greatly, as another figure came.
“Nebula....Rocket ?”
Both of them gasped.
“Oh shit !” Rocket yelled.
Nebula felt some tears come from her eyes.
“Gamora ?”
Gamora was there, standing in front of them.
Gamora is alive !
Steve still could not believe that they lost.
How, they were heroes. Heroes always won !
But here they are. Thanos had won, and they could not undo what he did.
Sam, Wanda, they were gone.
Bucky was gone. For real this time. After all Steve had done to get him back, Bucky was once again out of his grip. It was not fair, it was simply not fair.
For 22 days, Steve did not know what to do, what to live for.
But then Tony came back and Steve finally had hope again.
If he was unable to have his best friend back....then he should be able to get with the man that he loves.
Steve took sometime to realize it, but after Ultron, and Tony had stepped back. Steve started to really miss him.
And that’s when he realizes that he had fallen in love with Tony.
It was hard not to, he was named the sexiest man in the planet for many years. But for Steve it was like falling in love with Peggy again.
At first he was unable to pursue it. He had to find Bucky and he knew Tony could not learn the truth. No matter what the courts said. Steve had been in the right to keep that from him.
When he learned that he and Pepper broke up, Steve saw it as a sign. That they were meant to be together.
But then Siberia happened and sadly, Steve had to choose, and he had to save Bucky. Meaning his dream for love had to wait.
He knew Tony was petty, but in the end, he would realize that Steve was right. He would get rid of the Accords, and welcome them back. He already was making peace with Wanda, and that was a start (even though Wanda started to distance herself from him after that), So Steve felt hope.
Then Thanos came and Tony went missing, and Steve was afraid he lost that too.
But he is alive, he is here now, and Steve plans to use his chance. There is no way the genius is still mad at Steve for Siberia right ?
Steve tried his best to get closer to Tony. So in time he could show the man how much he loved him.
But.....Tony for some reason didn’t want to be around Steve. He yelled at Steve for doing what he had to do, and when they returned to the compound, Tony had returned to the tower.
Steve wanted to go there, to be with him, but Pepper had come and presented him and Nat with a restriction order. Not allowing them to go into the tower.
Steve thought it was ridiculous. But there was nothing he could do about it.
It still baffles him that the accords are still around. If it weren’t for them. The team would have been together and Steve would have defeated Thanos.
When they go back to the States, he and Nat were arrested. They were told that thanks to their actions against Thanos, they could get pardoned, if they signed the Accords and did comunuty service to repay the damages.
Steve hates it, but at the time. He has no choice.
That’s another reason he has to speak to Tony. Tony could fix all of this.
Steve and Nat weren’t getting funds from him any longer, they basically had to do with what the council gave them. Which wasn’t enough. They also needed new tech to go out there and fight the good fight.
This are things Tony has to fix. But Steve is sure there won’t be any problems. After all, once the man realizes that Steve is the love of his life, he won’t resist at all.
Steve might have lost Bucky, but he will gain his love and have a happy ending. Who knows. Maybe they’ll adopt a son and name him James, after Bucky, his honorary uncle.
“Steve.” Natasha called. “We need to leave, the meeting is soon.”
“Right.” He told Nat. They had a meeting with the Avengers council about how the team would continue with half of them gone. A meeting Tony was surely gonna be there, and Steve would finally get the chance to talk to him.
“Don’t worry Tony, we will be together soon, my love.”
He had done so much good as Captain America. Steve finally deserves to get the ending he deserves.
And he won’t allow anyone to take it from him.