Chapter 59
After Dean got hugged by literally everyone, almost died of suffocation when Thor hugged him and then being smashed by a brutal hug from an overexcited Steve, he finally was able to take Cas in his arms again, while everyone surrounded him and Tony in a tight circle, showering them with endless questions.
That’s when Dean’s eyes caught Bucky standing a few feet away, shuffling on his feet uncertainly while tugging self-consciously on his sleeve that was covering his metal arm.
Steve caught Dean’s look and looked over at his friend with a warm smile then gestured for him to come closer.
Bucky walked over to them while looking at them carefully. When he was finally in arms reach, Dean grinned then crashed him in a bear hug and startling the poor guy, feeling satisfied that he was the one doing the bear hugging this time.
“Told you I will see you soon, man.” Dean said with a smile as he pulled away from him.
Bucky blinked at him for a second before smiling a little. “I kinda doubt it a few times after that, but I should have believed you more I guess.” He muttered, still smiling.
Dean was about to laugh but suddenly felt himself and Tony being pulled in the middle of a huge group hug because Thor got excited again and crashed them all in one hug.
“Fucking hell! Someone’s elbow is in my spleen!” Tony groaned as he struggled to get out but Steve just laughed and pushed him in the hug even more.
“Cas, babe? Please, tell me you are the one pressed to my crotch.”
“Actually, Dean, I am the one plastered to your back.”
“Nat! Your hair is in my mouth!”
“Well, I am trapped under someone’s armpit! So I can’t exactly move away!”
Dean just grinned as they all whined and writhed in a huge mess of bodies but no one actually tried to pull away from the hug. He missed this so damn much. It might have been only three days but it felt like years.
But he was back now. Back with his utterly dysfunctional crazy family who probably didn’t sleep or rest until they figured out the way to lead them back.
Most importantly, he was back to his husband, who was currently trying to avoid his head being smashed between Sam and Thor.
He couldn’t be happier in this exact moment.
***
Sydney was watching the reunion with a soft, sad smile.
Her family was right in front of her, but they were still too far out of her reach.
Only two of them knows that she was family too, the rest probably still had no idea who she was.
Admittedly, she too wished for family comfort after all she went through. She needed the feel of home again. She had been away for far too long and she was glad she didn’t breakdown in all this time. She was still young after all. She wasn’t ready to be away from her family and suspected that she will never be. Even after all those years of separation, she still feels lost without them.
Brigitte seemed to feel her sadness from the way she held her hand gently in hers and smiled sweetly at her. Sydney smiled back, at least she wasn’t alone anymore.
She was genuinely surprised to see Castiel’s eyes meeting hers from afar. His eyes met Steve’s then they disentangled themselves from their family and walked over towards her.
She saw Brigitte’s eyes widening in awe as she stared at Castiel who approached her first with a small smile.
“Hello, Brigitte.” He greeted warmly.
“Castiel.” she greeted, still in awe. “I can’t believe I met you again.”
He glanced between her and Sydney then back at their joined hands. His smile widened. “I am glad to be able to see you again. It seemed like you managed to find happiness of your own.”
“Yes, I-“ her face colored as she glanced at Sydney with a small shy smile. “I could say the same thing about you.”
Castiel chuckled before resting his eyes on Sydney just when Steve reached them and was greeting Brigitte.
“You know, you could have just told us.” He started with a kind smile. “It’d have made things much easier and less complicated.”
Sydney looked at him in confusion for a second before her eyes widened in understanding. “You-you know?”
“We all know.” Steve answered, smiling.
She glanced carefully at the both of them and she was surprised to find pride in their eyes.
“It was a little hard to take it in at first.” Steve chuckled a little. “I didn’t think I will ever be able to have a family with Tony, and I was okay with it. But here you are and I can’t say I am disappointed.”
“Wait, really?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Of course.” Castiel was the one to respond, smiling proudly at her. “If you are our future, then we must have done something right.”
She felt warmth spread through her at their words. They were proud of her. They were proud of her decades before she was born. She can’t believe what’s happening.
Steve placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled kindly at her.
“I am sure our future selves will have the same feeling, but we are already proud of the woman you became. A beautiful, strong and loyal leader. You took the best and worse from us and we couldn’t be prouder.” Castiel nodded along with his own smile on his face.
She felt a grin plastering itself on her face. She didn’t smile that hard in seven years. She really did need her family all along.
At that moment, she didn’t feel lost and alone anymore.
She was almost home.
***
The moment they returned to the tower, Dean and Cas rushed to their suite like their lives depended on it.
When the door closed behind them, they just stood there, staring at each other in awe. They both were still not sure if they were dreaming or not.
Castiel took a careful step towards him, then reached out to place his hand gently over his hand print on Dean’s shoulder. Dean took a shuddering breath as he felt his entire being sing at Castiel’s touch and raised his own hand to place it over his own hand print on Castiel’s shoulder that he left there when they bonded.
They rested their foreheads against each other as they breathed deeply and shakily while their bond was singing inside the both of them. From the warmth and calmness that spread through him from this single touch, Dean was finally complete and the hollowness inside him was gone.
“Cas.” he whispered reverently against his husband’s lips, saying his name like a prayer. “Cas, I-I need you. I need to feel you. Against me. Around me. In me. In any way possible. I just need you like I need to breathe.”
“Then have me.” Castiel murmured softly, his lips brushing Dean’s. “In any way you want. I am not going anywhere as long as you don’t leave.”
“I won’t leave. Ever.” Dean whispered before cupping Castiel’s face gently and kissed him with all the longing and love he was feeling right then. Telling him through this kiss how much he felt lost and alone without him. How many times he faced death in the past three days and thought he will not be able to see those beautiful eyes again and hear that warm voice saying his name like it was something precious. Like Dean was the most precious, valuable thing he laid eyes on. Dean might have at first, wasn’t sure how to handle such love being directed at him, but he realized that he couldn’t live without it anymore.
He wasn’t sure how, but suddenly they were undressing each other and soon they were naked. Dean gently pushed Castiel towards the bed and paused when he saw the angel sway and stumble a little before landing on the bed with Dean on top of him.
He pushed himself up on his elbows, so he could look down at his husband’s flushed face with a raised eyebrow while looking him over in concern.
“You haven’t been eating or sleeping, have you?” he wasn’t really asking since he already knew the answer and it made his heart break a little. He was perfectly aware of how hopeless Cas was at remembering such things and his tendency of ignoring those needs if there was something more important at hand. He was too stubborn to acknowledge how much it weakens him when he do that.
Castiel looked away from his eyes and sighed tiredly. “I tried. I tried to eat, but the food just wasn’t the same when it is not made by you. And I’d rather die from exhaustion than sleeping on an empty bed without you there.”
“Dammit, Cas.” Dean sighed but leaned down again to kiss the sappy Angel on the lips again while his hands trailed over the body he knew so well and never got tired of touching it.
While their tongues fought, he started to grind gently against his lover. He grabbed the lube from under the pillow and coated his fingers before trailing them around Castiel’s entrance then entered two fingers at once.
Castiel let out a small gasp against his lips and pushed his fingers through Dean’s hair to bring him closer.
“Your hair is longer.” Castiel murmured from between their kisses as Dean started to scissor him open. “I have been telling you this since Christmas maybe.”
“Maybe I like it when you hold onto it like that.” Dean smiled against his lips. “You won’t be able to do it anymore if I shortened it.”
“Next thing I will know is you parading around in a Sam like haircut and I am not sure how I feel about that.”
“Oh please, you will love me even if I shaved it all completely.”
“Good point.” Castiel smiled warmly up at him with a fond look in his eyes. Dean couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss that smile while adding a third finger.
After a few more minutes of scissoring and kissing, Dean was finally satisfied that Cas was stretched enough and withdrew his fingers carefully.
Castiel watched him from under his lashes while he coated himself with lube, then positioned himself and slowly entered his husband.
The angel wrapped his arms and legs around him and pulled him flush against his body. Dean hid his face into Castiel’s neck, kissing it everywhere until he was all the way in.
“Move.” Castiel whispered as he kissed everywhere he could reach from Dean’s skin. Dean complied and soon he was moving with a steady rhythm that was gaining speed by every passing second.
Their eyes met and they failed to look away. He failed to move his eyes away from the face he thought he won’t be able to see again. Before all of this, he wasn’t fully aware of how much he needed this beautiful angel. How much he needed him constantly at all times. To be always beside him, in his line of sight or at least to feel his reassuring presence inside him.
They both reached their climax together with a small cry of their names and Dean collapsed on top of Cas, who tightened his arms around him. They both tended to be quiet in bed, neither one of them was a screamer or anything.
They laid like that for what felt like hours, just listening to each other’s heartbeats and reveling in the warmth of their embrace.
“I don’t know how to be a parent.” Castiel suddenly whispered, breaking the quiet. Dean furrowed his brows in confusion for a second or two, before everything came back to him.
They will be parents someday. Well, shit.
“It never crossed my mind.” Castiel continued as he played distractedly with Dean’s hair. “Being a father. To have a child of my own. To raise them and be their everything. I-I don’t know if I will be even good at that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You are good at everything you try.” Dean scoffed and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. “I am the one terrified of that thought. Too afraid of becoming my dad.”
“You will be an amazing father one day, Dean.” Castiel smiled warmly at him. “I guess we will help each other through it. Be each other’s anchor if we will ever make it work.”
Dean looked up at him again and smiled. “From what I have seen in Sydney, I can tell that we will do a decent job, Cas.”
Castiel smiled back at him with his special Only-for-Dean smile and the hunter got dizzy from how much he missed it.
“Yes, Dean.” Castiel murmured and kissed Dean’s forehead gently. “We will.”
***
Steve and Tony were laying in bed, on their sides, staring at each other.
They were naked and were still trying to catch their breath after their enthusiastic Thank-God-you’re-here love making. Steve already was starting to feel the familiar soreness in his ass he missed so much. He needed to feel Tony inside him. He was still disoriented and a little lost since he woke up. Memories a jumbled mess inside his head, as the new memories takes place inside his mind. He needed to feel that he was actually here. And he knew Tony needed the confirmation too.
Tony raised his hand and was trailing it along Steve’s face gently, like he was afraid Steve will disappear or crumble to pieces. Steve smiled at him in reassurance and Tony smiled back and scooted closer to kiss his lips sweetly and Steve melted against him and thought that he would like to stay like this forever.
There was just one question nagging at his brain and he pulled away to look at Tony’s face.
“Why did you tell me to not get on the plane?” he asked suddenly, Tony tensed and Steve felt his heart fall a little. “Don’t you-You didn’t want me to be here? With you?” he asked in a smaller voice as he looked uncertainly at his husband. What if Tony told him that so he won’t end up with him? Maybe he was fed up with him already. He wouldn’t blame him really. Tony had been patient with him and his inability to adjust as fast as he would like and his insane fear of the cold.
“What? No! Are you crazy? Of course I want you here with me!” Tony stared at him like he was crazy.
“Then why did you tell me that?” Steve murmured while looking away from Tony’s eyes.
“Because I thought you would be happier.” Tony sighed and moved closer to press small kisses to Steve’s chest. “I thought-The ice took everything from you, Honey. You are struggling and at the same time, dealing with my own issues and attacks. When I saw you back then, you were brighter. Your smile was-easier. Much lighter with no grief lurking in the corners. I wanted you to always be like that. And I thought if you continue your life there, you would have been happier than you are here.”
“Didn’t it ever occur to you that I am actually happy here? With you?” Steve asked with a raised eyebrow. “Sure, I might have been happy enough back then, but you know that I wasn’t really straight back then and I’d have to hide that part forever. I’d have been content enough with Peggy, but-“ he cupped Tony’s face so he could make him look into his eyes. “I know for a fact that I am much happier here in your arms. I am struggling but I will be okay as long as you are here by my side. I love my family here. They’re what I always dreamed about. I won’t ever want all that to go away. And you never forced me or made me do anything. I was the one to ask you out on our first date, the one who brought you to bed the first time and I was the one who proposed. These were all my decisions.” He leaned forward and kissed Tony’s lips gently. “I love you, Tony. You are everything I needed and wanted. I waited for you before I even met you.”
Tony melted in his arms and kissed him again and again until they were both breathless and Steve already felt his arousal rising again.
“What changed in your life after I left back then?” Tony asked curiously as he moved Steve to his back then got on top to straddle him.
“I’m not sure what changed since I don’t know what happened the first time anymore. I just went back to my fight against Red Skull and Hydra, all the while thinking about the beautiful man with the blue light in his chest.” Steve smiled and placed a careful hand over Tony’s reactor. Tony smiled down at him and placed his hands over Steve’s. “Then Bucky’s fall, the plane and the ice. I remember then, when I thought I was going to die, that maybe I made the wrong choice and got myself killed before I could see you again, but here I am. The moment they told me I was seventy years away, everything you told me started to make sense. So, I just waited for the day where I finally see you.”
“Wait, so our first meeting is no longer terrible?”
“Well, you were an asshole. Does that answer your question?”
“Fuck. So, nothing much changed I guess.” Tony sighed and leaned down to nip at Steve’s neck.
“There is one thing that changed.” Steve smiled slyly and leaned in to whisper in Tony’s ear. “You are my first kiss now.”
Tony pulled back to look at him with wide eyes then a wide grin appeared on his face.
“Best change ever.” He laughed before pressing his lips to Steve’s again enthusiastically. While he was pushing his tongue inside his mouth, Steve felt him grabbing the discarded lube.
Tony kissed down his body while opening himself up. Steve just watched him intently, warmth and electricity spreading through him from everywhere Tony touched. It was always like that. From the day they met back in the forties then in the present, Tony’s touch managed to send delicious electricity through his whole body. He lives for those touches. Crave them. Needs them like he needs air.
He gasped when Tony took him in his mouth and sucked a few times till he was fully hard.
When Tony though he was stretched enough, he pulled off his cock and straddled him again, placing his hands on Steve’s chest then started to impale himself on his cock.
Steve gripped Tony’s hips tightly as he took a few calming breaths while Tony slid down slowly.
When he was fully in, Tony threw his head back and let out a loud moan.
Tony tended to be loud in bed. He sometimes manages to wrangle some loud sounds from Steve when he was in the mood. But usually, it was Tony’s screams that could be heard probably in the whole tower.
Tony started to move and Steve’s grip on his hips tightened. He moved one hand to cover Tony’s reactor and he heard him take a sharp, shaking breath before placing his own hand over Steve’s.
Steve knew that one of Tony’s biggest fears is the arc reactor. The thought of someone touching it or even see it, could make him go on full panic attack. In the beginning of their relationship, Tony insisted to wear a shirt even during sex. It took him months until he was comfortable enough to let Steve see it and touch it. There are approximately four people in Tony’s life that he allowed them that. Recently, Dean was added to that small list when Tony’s suite crashed down in a mission and the reactor stopped in the process and Dean was the one who pulled Tony out of the suite and made the reactor work again. Since then, Tony trusted him enough to add him on the small list.
The Holdstein thing is still fresh to Tony. He was literally there just a few hours ago. His arc reactor got ripped out of his chest just a few hours ago. No wonder Tony was still shaky and nervous.
As Tony started to ride him faster, Steve pulled himself up a little so he could kiss around Tony’s reactor gently, the genius took a shaky breath but placed a hand on the back of Steve’s head to pull him closer.
A few minutes later Tony threw his head back and screamed his name as he came, Steve followed soon behind him, moaning against Tony’s chest.
They collapsed on the bed in a jumbled mess of limbs. They were both panting hard and wrapped in each other’s arms.
Steve was confused to hear Tony chuckle against his chest a few minutes later.
“What are you laughing about?” Steve asked in confusion.
“Oh, nothing. I just remembered that I will be in-laws with Dean and my brain couldn’t handle the information.” He chuckled while shaking his head a little.
Steve stopped as he remembered what Castiel told him about Sydney when he woke up. He didn’t have time to process that information carefully.
“We are going to be parents.” He murmured in awe as he stared at the ceiling with wide eyes. “Oh God, Tony. We will actually be parents!”
Tony moved so he could look up at him and gave him a small smile.
“Yeah, honey. We will be.” Tony whispered softly. “Apparently, we will have an incredibly smart boy, but not smart enough if he is going to fall for the future Winchester kid.”
“You don’t mean that.” Steve grinned at him. “You and Dean will totally be cheering them on in the background.”
“That is because I will be the cool dad.”
“You will be the perfect dad.” Steve murmured placing a kiss to Tony’s hair. “The best dad that ever existed.”
“You will be better.”
“We will both be. Someday.”
“Yeah.” Tony murmured against his neck, placing a small kiss there. “Someday.”
***
Sydney entered Fury’s office, who asked for her presence, to find him waiting with Agents Coulson and Hill.
She stopped in front of them in a military pose and faced them with determination and respect.
“Agent Sydney Stark-Rogers, sir.” It felt nice to be able to say that again. She nodded at them then faced Fury. “You asked for my presence?”
Fury stood up with a small smile and the two agents followed his lead.
“We just wanted to apologize.” Fury started and seemed to be struggling with his words since he wasn’t used to apologize to anyone. “For all the troubles that we caused for you and getting in the way of your mission.”
“It’s alright, sir. I should be the one to apologize for the damage my ship had caused. It was never my intention.”
“Well, the ship is a Tony Stark creation, I am pretty sure it is programmed to make grand entrances.” Maria chuckled.
“He didn’t really change that much.” She smiled a little. “The only difference is the gray hair really.”
They chuckled then Coulson stepped closer to her and raised his hand so he could shake hers.
“I have known you for years, Agent. I just wanted to say how honored I am that I got to know you and work with you.” he said warmly with a small smile.
“Thanks, Coulson. I am glad I got the chance to meet you.” she smiled back.
“You are going back to your time today?” Fury asked curiously.
“Yes. It was impossible until what the team discovered. Dr. Foster and Sam are preparing the maps while we are speaking. I will be able to go home easily enough.”
“Are you going to take the French girl, Brigitte, with you?” Hill asked.
“Yup.” Sydney smile happily at that.
“And the second time traveler?” Fury looked at her in interest.
“Of course.”
“Who is he?”
Sydney was quiet for a second before smiling: “Why don’t you come to see me off and you will see for yourself?”
***
The whole team stood before Sydney who was standing with Brigitte in front of the ship, ready to leave.
“Well, I guess this is it.” Tony sighed as he looked at Sydney sadly. “I hate to admit it, but I think I will miss you, kid.”
“Ooh, you actually care.” She grinned at him cheekily. “This is so sweet.”
Tony just rolled his eyes then paused before surprising everyone by taking Sydney in his arms in a hug. Sydney was surprised but hugged back with a small smile.
“Take care of yourself, kid. And of her.” he murmured gesturing towards Brigitte who was watching them with a warm smile. “Future me will be so fucking proud of you, I tell you that.”
“I know.” she whispered and smiled at him when he pulled away.
Her eyes then met Dean’s who was staring at her with sad eyes. She held her breath as he just looked at her silently. Since the moment she was born, she always seeked Dean’s approval. Out of her four grandparents, Dean’s approval always managed to make her feel much larger than she was. Getting younger Dean’s approval will probably make her entire life.
Dean stepped closer to her and gave her a small sad smile.
“You turned out to be great, kiddo.” He murmured with clear pride in his eyes. “Seeing you made me feel that I finally did something good in my life.”
She grinned at him happily and wrapped her arms tightly around him. He chuckled and hugged her back gently.
“I am going to miss you, kiddo. Even if you were a pain in my ass since the moment I saw you.” Dean murmured in her hair.
“You see all of us as pain in your ass.” She whispered with a smirk.
“Yeah, that’s true.” Dean chuckled and pulled away after ruffling her hair affectionately.
She moved to hug Steve happily next who took her in his arms affectionately.
“Thanks for not telling me back then that you are my grandkid.” He chuckled after pulling away. “My brain would have melted from all the information I have been told then.”
“Yeah, I almost slipped a few times. Sorry.” She winced with an apologetic smile.
“Well, of course you are. You have Tony Stark’s genes. I am surprised that you actually could keep a secret.”
“Hey!” Tony objected making everyone laugh while Steve just wrapped an arm around him as he laughed.
She turned then to Castiel who was smiling at her softly. She felt herself smiling too from the familiarity of it. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug that she happily returned.
“Still not sure how you existed, but glad that you are.” He patted he shoulder before pulling away.
“You will find out soon enough.” She grinned at him sweetly.
She was pleasantly surprised to find the whole team hugging her affectionately, Thor lifting her off her feet in a bear hug, Natasha gave her a lingering hug and a smile, Clint hugged her tightly actually sad she was leaving since they knew each other for a few years, Bruce patted her awkwardly at first so she just rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around him happily, Sam hugged her affectionately and tightly making her feel relaxed at its familiarity, then Charlie came up to her and hugged her excitedly.
“Oh my God, I still can’t believe that you are actually a Destony child!” Charlie exclaimed enthusiastically.
“A Desto-what now?” Dean asked with a raised eyebrow as everyone looked at her in confusion.
“A combination of the names Stony and Destiel, duh! Because she is a combination of the four of you and all that.” Charlie explained looking at them like they were idiots.
“You combined our names in a coupley way?” Tony grimaced at her.
“Oh, not me! This what the world is calling both your ships.”
“Ships?” Steve blinked at her. “This is the most confusing conversation I ever had.”
“You get used to it.” Castiel sighed tiredly.
“I don’t think ‘Destony’ will catch on.” Natasha shrugged at her.
“Uhm, actually, that’s my middle name.” Sydney said while rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
“Wait, seriously?” Dean and Tony exclaimed in horror.
“Future Charlie kept nagging my parents to do it and they relented,” Sydney shrugged with an awkward smile.
“Fuck yeah! I am still cool in the future!” Charlie laughed loudly and smiled smugly at them.
“Why didn’t they named you Stoniel, or something? At least it could work as a girl’s name.” Clint asked with a roll of his eyes.
“Yeah, that’s my little brother’s middle name.” Sydney winced.
They all paused and stared at her like she was crazy.
“Great, our future kids are idiots and couldn’t even choose a name properly.” Tony sighed and shook his head.
“You have a freaking time ship. If I were you, I’d kill Charlie now so that monstrosity won’t happen.” Dean commented and ignore Charlie’s indignant yell and Castiel’s elbow hitting his ribs.
“The name kinda grew on me.” Sydney shrugged with a grin.
Before anyone can say something else, Fury appeared and made his way towards them.
“Well, I am here. Where’s your partner?” he greeted and raised an eyebrow at Sydney.
“He will be here any minute now.” she smirked. “He likes to be fashionably late.”
Just then, someone finally appeared and was making their way towards them on the hanger.
They all turned around and froze as they stared at the newcomer.
“Dr. Queen?!” Fury exclaimed with wide eyes.
“I knew there was something suspicious about him.” Sam muttered as he narrowed his eyes at the man.
“Hey, guys.” Robert smirked smugly as he made his way to Sydney. “Don’t be surprised, Director. You came to me. I didn’t offer my help.”
“But I-how did-“ Fury stammered as his eye kept widening in shock.
Robert laughed as he hugged Sydney tightly who chuckled and hugged back.
“Glad to see you are still alive, Cousin.” He squeezed her in his arms until she was struggling to get out of his hold.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Looks like you were busy while I was gone.” She laughed as he pulled away but kept his arm around her shoulders and she wrapped her arm around his waist.
“You’re good.” Natasha commented looking impressed. “You manipulated all of us and played us with almost no effort at all.”
“Well, I learned from the best spy in the world.” He smiled affectionately at her and she stared at him in shock.
“Wait, did you just call Sydney cousin?” Castiel suddenly asked in shock.
“Yup.” he answered shortly with a small smile.
They all paused as they stared at him in concentration, desperately trying to figure out what he wasn’t saying.
“Holy shit!” Tony suddenly exclaimed, getting a warning look from Steve telling he will pay up for the swear jar later. “You are their grandkid!” he pointed at a shocked Sam and Natasha.
“Ding ding ding! We have a winner! I knew they are calling you a genius for a reason.” Robert laughed getting a hard jab in his side and a glare from Sydney. He turned to Sam and Natasha. “Hey gramps and granny. Sorry about this whole thing.”
They kept blinking stupidly at him then at each other then back at him.
“Wow. Just wow.” Dean shook his head with a chuckle. “This is too much.”
“At least now we know the future of their relationship.” Steve grinned at them happily.
“I still can’t believe this.” Clint was blinking at Robert stupidly.
“Wait, just wait! You mean we will actually get married?” Sam exclaimed giddily.
“And I will be a mother?” Natasha whispered in disbelieve but a small smile was slowly taking over her face.
“Do I really need to explain how did I come to life? Do you want me to give you the birds and bees talk?” Robert just rolled his eyes.
“Sassy bastard.” Dean sighed. “Great, apparently all our descendants have a high level of sass. Why don’t you just kill me now?”
“Oh, please. You love that.” Castiel chuckled and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Yeah, yeah whatever.”
“By the way, I am pretty sure our family will have a field day when they you introduce them to your new girlfriend from the forties.” Robert laughed while her face paled.
“Shit! No! Why did you remind me? This is going to be awkward as hell!”
Dean and Tony let out a loud bark of laughter at her panicked face while the others chuckled.
“This is too much.” Fury muttered while pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can barely handle the current Avengers and I have been played by their grandkids. I am too old for this. I am getting out of here.”
They laughed at his stress as he stormed away like his life depended on it.
Sydney quieted down and took a look at the waiting ship.
“I guess it is time for us to go.” She said looking back at her family sadly.
“Yeah. We have been away for far too long.” Robert nodded with a small smile then looked at her, his bravado fell away and looked like a little kid then. “I want to go home, Cous.”
She nodded and pulled away after kissing his temple affectionately. “Take Brigitte and get on the ship.”
He looked back at the team who was watching them with small sad smiles.
“Goodbye, guys. It was nice seeing you without gray hair.” He nodded at Sam and Natasha with a smile before turning away and guided Brigitte, who waved goodbye with teary eyes, to the ship.
Sydney looked back at her family.
“We all will miss you, Sydney.” Castiel smiled gently at her and they all nodded along.
“Take care of your team and of yourself.” Steve nodded at her, looking proud.
“We will not forget you.” Tony murmured sadly.
“Yeah, it will be hard to forget you.” Dean smiled crookedly at her.
“Thanks, guys.” she grinned back at them. “I will see you soon, then.”
With one last look at them, she turned and jumped inside her waiting ship.
They all stared as the ship started to raise from the ground then suddenly darted towards the sky and disappeared out of sight.
They kept staring at the place where the ship disappeared for a long time with different feelings mixed through them.
They were happy for her that she finally will go back home, but it will take them decades until they could see her again.
She accidentally gave them what they didn’t know they need. A confirmation of a bright future waiting for them. That they are going to be a family for a very long time. A family that will continue to grow for decades after that.
That their descendants will carry their legacy forever.
She gave them the best gift they could ever wish for and they will forever carry that gratitude until the end of time.
***
“Alright, relax your mind completely. Don’t try to think about anything.”
Castiel instructed looking straight into Bucky’s eyes as he sat in front of him while the rest of the team were surrounding them, watching them intently.
“It is kinda hard to do that with their staring.” Bucky muttered looking pointedly at Steve who was hovering nervously next to him and was held in place by Tony.
“Sorry. I will back off a little.” Steve sighed dejectedly and allowed Tony to pull him a few steps back.
“Are you becoming shy, Barnes?” Dean smirked at him from where he was sitting next to Castiel. Nat and Sam were sitting on the floor next to him, glared up at Dean who just shrugged, his smirk still on his face. Clint, Bruce and Thor were sitting on another couch, watching them quietly.
“Try having all those eyes staring at you, dude.” Bucky glared at Dean with no real heat, then sighed and faced Cas again. “I’m ready.”
Castiel placed his hands on the sides of Bucky’s head and focused his grace on fixing his still shattered mind.
Bucky gasped as he felt his memories rearranging themselves in his brain in an organized rush. Everything came back to his clouded mind. Every detail. Every feeling he ever felt. Every face he had ever seen. Castiel was waking up everything in his mind in an organized way that Bucky wasn’t overwhelmed, he was just relaxed as he watched his life pass through his eyes.
It felt like hours but probably were just minutes when Castiel finally pulled back and placed a hand on his left shoulder. “How do you feel?”
Bucky took a few deep breaths, his eyes wide as he took everything in.
“Bucky?” Steve called out in concern and he looked up at his friend.
“I-I’m fine. I am actually fine.” He smiled happily. “I can remember everything. But-“ he frowned and looked back at Cas. “Why can’t I remember much of my time as the Winter Soldier?”
“I awakened the memories that belonged to James Barnes. The Winter Soldier isn’t you, so you don’t really need his memories.” Castiel just shrugged at him.
“That what I have been saying but you made it sound much more eloquent.” Tony commented and smirked at Castiel who just rolled his eyes.
“Wow, I-I don’t know what to say.” Bucky shook his head in wonder as he stared at Castiel.
“Well, since you haven’t been here in Christmas, I still feel like I need to give you a gift or something.” Castiel smiled at him. “And I have a gift in mind that I am sure you will like.”
“No, really you don’t have to, you already did eno-“ he cut himself off when he felt Castiel’s hand gripping his upper metal arm tightly then his hand, along with Bucky’s metal arm, started to glow.
Everyone in the room froze with slacked jaws as they watched with wide eyes the scene in front of them.
Bucky’s heart almost jumped of his chest as he watched with disbelieving awe as his metal arm started to change right in front of him into an actual, real arm.
A few seconds later, Castiel withdrew his hand and Bucky just sat there and stared at his new arm.
It was a real arm. With flesh, bones and everything. He flexed his fingers and just watched his arm move in wonder.
Castiel just gave him back his memories and his arm. He must be dreaming.
Steve shook himself out of his shock and darted forward, with Tony following close behind, and gripped Bucky’s arm with wide eyes to make sure it was real.
“Oh my God.” Steve murmured in awe as he raised his wide eyes to meet Tony’s shocked ones then they both looked at Castiel. “You-you just did that.”
“Yes?” Castiel looked at them in confusion and looked at Dean, who didn’t seem fazed, and shrugged at his husband with a proud smile.
Bucky shook himself out of his trance and jumped forward to wrap his arms tightly around a startled Castiel.
“Thank you. God, thank you.” he murmured over and over again in Castiel’s shoulder as he felt tears fall on his cheeks but he didn’t care. He was back. He was back to being Bucky Barnes. He was finally free. Free to have a family even if it was crazy and dysfunctional.
Castiel smiled and hugged him back. “You are very welcome.”
“You-you just did that?” Clint stammered.
“That was glorious.” Thor breathed out in wonder while Bruce kept blinking at Castiel.
“This is just Cas being Cas.” Sam shrugged with a proud smile, pulling a still shocked Natasha close to him.
“Actually there is another thing I still need to do. Something I should have done a long time ago.” Castiel announced after pulling away from Bucky. The angel exchanged a meaningful look with Dean that said they had discussed what Cas was about to do before. Castiel got up to his feet and moved so he was standing right in front of Tony who stared up at him in confusion. “Open your shirt, Tony.”
“What?” Tony squeaked out while tensing. “What are-“
“Just open your damn shirt, dude.” Dean said raising an eyebrow at him.
“Why would-I don’t-“
“Steve.” Castiel called out and Steve looked up at him in confusion, but he saw Castiel giving him a meaningful look and he felt his heart beat hard in his chest again.
“Tony, just do-“
“Steve, you know I can’t.” Tony hissed at him so only Steve could hear. “They will see it.”
“I will cover you, okay? No one will see anything except for Cas. You trust Cas, right?”
Tony looked up at Cas who gave him a reassuring smile. He sighed and unbuttoned his shirt with shaking fingers as Steve moved to cover him and wrap his arms around him reassuringly.
Everyone in the room were on their feet now as they watched the scene with their hearts beating loudly.
When Tony finally opened his shirt to allow Castiel to see the arc reactor, the Angel raised a careful hand to rest on it carefully. Immediately, Tony tensed and used all his well power to not flinch away from the unfamiliar touch. Steve’s arms tightened around him in reassurance.
“Relax. It is going to hurt a little.” Castiel warned before he gripped the casing of the reactor and started to pull the whole thing out while his hand glowed from his grace.
Tony gasped at the sharp pain and his struggle to keep the panic at bay. Castiel is not hurting him. Castiel is not trying to kill him. He grabbled at his husband anxiously who held him tightly as he watched Castiel with wide eyes.
Everyone watched, completely frozen, as Castiel removed the entire thing from Tony’s chest then slammed his hand at the gaping hole left behind and the entire room filled with Castiel’s grace that made them all shut their eyes.
When the light fade away, they opened their eyes carefully only to gape at the scene when Steve moved away so they finally could see Tony.
Tony stood there, staring down at his chest. His arc reactor free chest with no trace of it being ever there. He trailed his hand over it in disbelieve then looked up at Steve who was grinning at him with pure happiness.
“Congratulations, Tony. You no longer have a heart problem.” Castiel smiled at him tiredly and opened his fist to show Tony the shrapnels he pulled out of his chest.
Then Castiel stumbled tiredly and immediately Dean and Bucky were on his sides, helping him to sit on a chair while the others rushed to them.
“Why-Why would you do that for me?” Tony asked in wonder. “It is too much on you in one day. Why did you do that?”
“I know what happened to you in the forties.” Castiel started as he tried to pull himself upright. “It is my fault that man was alive and did that to you. And I should have taken it out months ago, I’m sorry for that.”
“You are apologizing. He is-he is apologizing. Oh my God.” Tony shook his head in disbelieve. “You can’t possibly be real.”
“Tony, you’re fine.” Natasha breathed with wide eyes. “You are really fine.”
“I-I’m. Steve, I am!” Tony let out an almost hysterical laugh. “Steve, I can take a deep breath! I can sleep on my back without being afraid of the reactor crushing my lungs!”
“Yes, Tony. You’re fine. You will always be fine.” Steve chuckled as tears fell slowly from his eyes and he took his perfectly healthy husband in his arms. He raised his eyes and met Castiel’s. In one day, he gave him back his best friend in one piece and removed one of Tony’s biggest fears and struggles. This angel just keeps saving him over and over again. “Thank you. Just-Thank you. For everything.” he whispered with all the emotions rising inside him.
“You are an incredibly good friend, Castiel.” Thor smiled at him, eyes filled with emotion.
“You can’t be real, honestly.” Clint shook his head with a chuckle.
They all just kept murmuring in disbelieve and staring at both Tony and Bucky until they finally noticed that Castiel fell asleep on Dean’s shoulder.
“Well, I guess it is time for bed for him.” Dean chuckled fondly at the sleeping angel next to him.
Bucky smiled and patted Castiel’s shoulder with his new hand, while Tony looked up at Dean.
“This was your idea, was it?” Tony murmured, already knowing it was true and already knew that the older Winchester will deny it.
“I don’t like you that much, dude.” Dean just shrugged nonchalantly. “Sammy, help me with this idiot.”
Sam just smiled at his brother knowingly, then moved to help along with Thor who insisted to help.
As the three of them escorted Castiel out of the room, the others just stood there looking at each other, still not believing what happened.
Bruce moved to grab the abandoned reactor from the floor and looked back at them.
This actually just happened.
Steve started to laugh hysterically and soon the others followed him and they bend over from how hard they were laughing.
Steve couldn’t believe it. For the first time in probably forever, everything was actually, truly perfect, with an even more perfect future waiting for them.
And all thanks to two hunters, an Angel and a team of superheroes.
The family he waited decades for.
The family Tony told him about seventy years ago.
He still didn’t regret his choice to get on the plane. And he suspects that he never will.
This is his life. His time. Where he truly belonged.