the end of the line

tw: implied suicide, but not really. mentions of depression, but nothing serious, just a lot of crying.

He stood there, ready to accomplish his mission, his destiny.

"I am... inevitable," Thanos boomed, a smug satisfaction and peace at completing his mission. He snapped his fingers, Clank.

Tony stood, holding the glove that would save the universe, its energy radiating out. As Tony was putting it on, Steve called out, "Wait! You distract him, I'll take it."

"What are you doing, Cap? There's a war; go out and fight."

But this wasn't Captain America, the actor for war bonds, or Captain America, the Howling Commando, or Captain America, war criminal. He wasn't Captain America, the man out of time, or Captain America, savior of the universe. Just Steve. Steve Rogers.

"I can't let you do that. You have a family, loved ones. Consider this an apology for the crap I gave you back in 2016."

"No, Steve!" Tony exclaimed.

"I'm taking the gauntlet, whether by force or not. Go help, I've got this." With that, Steve took the gauntlet, its power course through his body, an accursed feeling of possibility.

"I can do this all day." And Steve snapped, a horrible sensation of blood pounding, his heart straining in a way he hadn't felt in years. It felt like getting the serum all over again, tearing his insides apart, the thrum of life roaring in his ears. This wasn't how Steve had expected to die, he thought he would die bringing people back, not defeating Thanos. It didn't matter; it was his job to protect people, and that's what he was doing.

From there, he could see Tony fighting Thanos, the others fighting the Outriders as they all turned to dust. Sam, flying and Wanda doing her magic.

Pepper rushing to Tony, worried sick about whether he was injured, not bothered by the disintegrating army. Hulk, punching through a non existent foe, and realizing that they had won. Nakia and T'Challa reuniting. Gamora and Nebula, upon seeing their father gone, their relief practically radiating.

This was the messy, dysfunctional family he loved. The ones he would willing take a bullet for. And he knew it was cliche, but they were the people who had cared for him all these years. His found family, and by God, were they incredible.

As Steve crumpled to the ground he thought, I'm gonna miss you guys. Everyone came rushing over, pain-stricken by the thought of Steve dying.

Sam came up first, "Hey, Cap, or Steve. Yeah, Steve. You'll get out of this, man."

Steve shook his head, and Sam understood. Steve wouldn't make it. "I want you to take the shield. Be the next Captain America. You're a good man, Sam. Don't forget that." Sam backed off, knowing Steve would want his last moments to be with Bucky.

Bucky fell to his knees, dreading what could go wrong. He had to stay strong for Steve, no matter how bad the radiation poisoning was.

"Hey, Buck." It was too much, the heat searing his insides, the decay crawling up his arm.

"Stevie, its gonna be okay," Bucky cried, still in shock.

Steve's eyes fluttered shut, and Bucky crouched, feeling for a pulse.

"There's barely a pulse. Steve, you're gonna die. Please, don't go." Bucky choked up a bit.

"There's nothing I can do. The only reason I'm still alive is because of the serum," Steve wheezed.

Steve looked up to see Bucky and mumbled, "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back."

This was his way of saying goodbye. Weakly, Bucky replied, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Steve really was taking the stupid, jumping in to grab that glove.