Emil stuffed his hands in his pockets nervously, fighting slightly. Next to him, Bucky placed a hand on his wrist. Emil stopped shifting and turned his gaze to the grass below his feet. His father's presence a calming weight against his anxiety. He could barely look at the silver machine before him. Unpleasant memories making him wish that he could destroy the dammed thing.

They were standing in a small clearing shaded with trees. It was on the opposite side of the lake to where the avengers facility had once stood. The detestation from the blasts and the battle had not reached here. But Emil knew that if he strode over to the waters edge and peered between the trees that the blackened earth would still be visible. Over three months since the battle and things were starting to fall back into place.

Society was still recovering from the snap, and the snap that brought everyone back. The sudden resurgence of billions of people had crashed the still fragile economies world wide. All the avengers had to appear on Tv and explain the situation. Film footage of the battle, from wakandan ships was broadcast and the defeat of Thanos was revealed to the world. The avengers were once again heroes. But the job was done.

The bringing back of a couple of billion people caused chaos at first. People, like May, reappeared in others apartments. Some people turned up to find that their family had moved away, or that they had died. A great search had been conducted to reunite families. Children who had been put into care were able to return to their parents, or parents who had lost children had managed to be reunited. Charities had risen up in a attempt to offer support and resources to people in need.

May was currently trying to start a charity to help people who had lost their homes during the snap. Emil was funding her start up and had allowed her to use the offices within the tower. It was hard going and Emil had to practically force May to take the money, (he didn't really use it anyway. Besides, what was one more charity? Emil was a sucker for good charity cases). But May seemed happy. Peter was pleased that his aunt had found a job she enjoyed.

Emil looked up as Bruce began speaking, voice disrupting him from his thoughts. Bruce was explaining to Steve about the infinity stones with one arm. The other had been burned and badly broken during the battle and was still in a sling. Steve nodded as Bruce talked, Sam listening intently at his side. Emil and Bucky standing a few feet away.

"Remember. You've got to return the stones at the exact moments you got them otherwise you're gong to open up a bunch of nasty alternate realities", Bruce warned as he opened the briefcase. Emil couldn't see the stones but he could feel their pulsing energy calling to him. Steve stepped forwards to examine them, then shut the case with loud clicks.

"Clip all the branches".

"You know I tried", Emil said softly to the air, half rhetorical. Voice choked up with dulled grief. "I did try to bring her back. But I couldn't". Bruce turned his head to the ground as he blinked back tears. Nat's death still a open wound to them all.

"I miss her man", Bruce sighed, stray tear hitting the grass.

"Meet too", Steve replied softly.

He turned and face Bucky and Emil with a unreadable expression. He crossed over to them in a few strides, pulling Bucky into a hug. "I'm going to miss you", Bucky sighed as they parted.

"Me too Buck. Don't do anything stupid until I get back".

"How can I?" Bucky replied teasingly. "You're taking all the stupid with you".

Steve chuckled as he pulled Emil into a hug, squeezing the lean frame tightly. Emil allowed himself to soak up his uncle's comfort for a second. Steve had always been there for him. Ever since he had found out that Emil existed, he had been there. A warm fatherly presence when Bucky was frozen. A strong dependable figure to lean on since he woke up. He was always there, yet Emil couldn't shake off the fear that he was leaving.

"You stay safe kid", Steve sighed as he reluctantly pulled away. "Keep a eye on your dad for me". Bucky snorted in mock offence.

Emil forced a wide grin, knowing that it probably looked weak. "Of course uncle Steve". Steve smiled back before returning to the control panel where Bruce and Sam were waiting.

Sam patted him on the shoulder. "Let's get you suited up then cap". Steve turned and pressed the button on his time travel gps wrist watch. The familiar red and white suit expanded over the Captain America uniform like water. Steve took the handle of the briefcase and picked up Thor's hammer from the grass.

Emil watched as Steve climbed up onto the platform. Their eyes caught and Steve nodded at him reassuringly. Emil gave a small smile as Steve's helmet assembled round his head. "Ready Cap?" Bruce asked. Steve nodded. "We'll meet you back here okay?"

"Okay".

"Going quantum in three, two, one". The machine whirled, arms spinning as it powered up. At 'one' a bright flash of light burst against Emil's eyes. He blinked and Steve was gone. He wondered if that was what his teleporting looked like to others.

The machine powered down slowly, Bruce giving it a minute to recharge. It didn't take long before he was pressing buttons again. "And returning in five, four, three, two, one". There was a flick of a button. Nothing happened.

Emil felt his pulse begin to race, breath stopping. The machine didn't move.

Bruce tried again. "Three, two, one".

Still nothing. At his side, Bucky began to turn. Emil glanced at him worriedly as Bucky began walking slowly back to the cars. He ran after him, still searching the empty platform in desperation. Steve wouldn't leave? Would he? With every step he took further away from the machine, the more his fear grew. He turned to his father, seeking confirmation. Bucky's face was carefully closed.

"One last time. Three, Two, One". Finally a flicker of light. The machine hummed, arms spinning and light flashed. The helmet disassembled itself and Steve was standing on the platform.

The first thing Emil noticed was the large round shield in his hands. The white star shiny and new against perfect paint. The second thing was Steve's face. There was something different about him. He was older. Not by much, probably only a couple of years. But there were a few grey hairs amidst the blonde and faint lines around his eyes. Steve smiled at them like he hadn't seen them in a long time.

"God, for a minute there I thought you weren't coming back", Bruce joked, face relaxing into a wide grin. Emil let himself relaxing slightly too. Adrenaline from fear still pumping through his veins.

A few metres away, Bucky froze. He stood stock still, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. Steve jumped off the platform in one movement and jogged over to him. He caught Bucky by the shoulders and turned him round to face him. Bucky's face was one of surprise and joy.

"But what about Peggy? You told me that you were going to see her. I thought you weren't coming back", He asked. Steve was grinning widely.

"I did go and see Peggy", he replied steadily. "I found her in the fifties. I explained how I was there and we had our dance. A bit overdue but she didn't blame me".

"But why?" Bucky's voice was a quiet whisper.

"I met her husband. A great man, ex soldier. And her two children. A girl and a boy. She had a lovely life that I was not going to ruin. I stayed for a while, which was why I was late. Sorry about that. But I came back". Steve took Bucky's hands in his. Clapping them together as he smiled softly. "I made you a promise Buck. To the end of the line, remember. I couldn't leave you. The past is the past. I can't undo it. But I'm willing to change our future if you let me".

Bucky didn't speak for a moment. His eyes exploring Steve's face as if he was searching for the truth. Once he realised that this was genuine and real, Bucky threw his arms around Steve in a hug. Steve stepped back slightly at the extra weight but clasped Bucky to him with a equal fierceness. They stood their for a long moment. As they separated, Steve turned his attention to Emil.

"Hey kid", he smiled gently. Emil sniffed as tears welled up in his eyes. The panic fading to relief. He was such a cry baby. The tears so easily triggered now. Sam has stated that it was part of the recovery process. But Emil had always been easy to cry.

"I thought you were going to leave too", he whined as he scrubbed at his eyes furiously with a sleeve. Steve sighed and pulled Emil into a hug. His large frame a familiar warmth that eased his overwhelmed emotions.

"Hey kid. How could I leave you? Didn't I tell you that I would always be there for you?" Steve soothed. Emil nodded and recollected himself. When they separated, he was wearing a small smile.

"Steve", Sam's voice called. Steve looked up as the dark skinned man walked over to them.

"Hey Sam".

"Why were you late? Did something go wrong, or did something go right?" Sam asked with a teasing grin. Steve laughed and draped an arm round Emil's shoulders, his other free hand linking with Bucky's.

"I thought I'd get some of that life Tony was always telling me about".

"How's that working out for you?"

"It should be beautiful. If he agrees". Steve turned to Bucky questioningly. Bucky nodded with a smile, hand squeezing Steve's tightly.

Sam eyed the gesture and smiled. "I'm happy for you", he praised. "So what's going to happen to captain America?"

"That reminds me". Steve let go of Emil to pick up the shield he had dropped on the grass. He spun it between his palms lightly. The sun reflecting off the scratch free paint. He exchanged looks with Bucky, the other supportive. Steve held the shield out to Sam. "Try it on".

Sam looked at the shield in surprise. He glanced up at both Emil and Bucky as if seeking permission. Bucky nodded wordlessly and Emil grinned. Slowly, Sam took the shield and fitted his arm through the straps. It suited him.

"How does it feel?"

"Like it's someone else's", Sam sighed.

"It isn't", Steve retorted with a grin.

Sam gazed down at the shield them turned to look over the lake. Eyes focusing on the patches of still charred earth on the horizon. He took a deep breath. "Thank you. I shall try my best".

"That's why it's yours". Steve's lips quirked up and Sam chuckled.

"So you want to tell me what you're doing next? Any retirement plans for the two of you?" Steve and Bucky exchanged looks again, both of them communicating seemingly telepathically. Steve laughed and turned back to Sam with a beaming face.

"No. I don't think I will".

"Ready to go home Emil?" Bucky asked.

"Yes", Emil replied happily. "I think it's time to go home. I want to see Peter".

"Yeah", Steve sighed, draping his arm back around Emil's shoulders. He pulled the boy to his side and squeezed him in a side hug. "Let's go back home".

Unedited