Y/n's POV
I didn't sleep all night, I would just close my eyes and I would be woken by the sight of her face. I would try to get comfortable but it had been so long since I had fallen asleep alone, she was not there to embrace me, nor could I feel the soft touch of her fingers tracing patterns on my back. I couldn't feel her warmth beside me and when I opened my eyes I couldn't see her peaceful face. In the end I gave in, the air was cold outside of the covers so I grabbed the nearest jumper in the dark and slipped it on. The smell of Nat's perfume flooded my nostrils as I pulled it over my head, and before I knew it tears were tumbling down my cheeks again.
I used my powers to create a small purple glow, I shone the light over the picture on the dresser. It was a picture of Natasha and I at our wedding, sharing our first dance. I felt the hot tears stop as emptiness filled me again. Was this how it was going to be? Pain, emptiness and pain again; a cycle of realisation and denial.
I just about managed a small nap, wrapped in Nat's hoodie but woke before I had the chance to feel rested. Despite the exhaustion I got up the next morning, determination on my face. I wouldn't let her efforts be for nothing and because of that I would not stop until we won, even if it was going to kill me. I didn't care, Nat was dead.
Everyone was in the kitchen by sunrise and there was not a word shared between us, just the occasional pitiful glance. I was preparing myself, Haz was coming home today and she would have to be told that Nat was no longer going to be there to comfort her after a nightmare or there to tell her it was alright if she grazed her knee.
I went for a run after breakfast to clear my head and ran until I couldn't feel my legs. Just as I had done after my father's passing. Take the pain out through exercise.
When I got back it was mid morning and people were busy with their work. Tony, Bruce and Rocket had been working on making a gauntlet to hold the stones. It was suspended in a box and Rocket was making the final touches as we walked in.
"Alright, the gloves ready." He looked up at Tony. "Question is, who's gonna snap their freakin' fingers?" He almost chuckled.
"I'll do it." Thor wobbled over, looking a little drunk.
"Excuse me?" Tony choked.
"It's okay." The God held up his hand.
"Stop, stop. Slow down." Tony positioned himself between the gauntlet and Thor.
"Thor. Just... wait." Steve put a hand on his shoulder. "We haven't decided who's going to put that on yet." He told the man.
I'm sorry. What, we're all just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" He looked puzzled.
"We should at least discuss it." Scott looked up at him.
"Look, sitting here staring at the thing is not going to bring everybody back. I'm the strongest Avenger, okay? So, this responsibility falls upon me." Thor reasoned.
"Normally, you're right." Tony interrupted.
"It's my duty." Thor continued.
"It's not about that." Tony shushed the man.
"It's not that." Thor shushed angrily.
"Hey, buddy..." Tony sighed.
"Stop it! Just let me. Just let me do it." He teared up, clinging onto Tony's jumper. "Just let me do something good. Something right." He breathed desperately.
"Look, it's not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent. I'm telling you. You're in no condition." Tony looked at him calmly.
"What do you think is coursing through my veins right now?" Thor replied.
"Cheez whiz?" Rhodey frowned.
"A gallon of beer." I smirked. Thor pointed his finger at us.
"Lightning." He grabbed hold of Tony's shoulders.
"Yeah." Tony nodded.
"Lightning." Thor repeated
"Lightning won't help you pal." Bruce sighed. "It's gotta be me." He continued softly. Everyone looked up at him. "You saw what those stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him. None of you could survive." He walked towards the glove.
"How do we know you will?" Steve asked him.
"We don't." Bruce didn't seem to care. "But the radiation's mostly gamma. It's like er... I was made for this." He sounded unsure now. I looked around the group. It was hard to tell what they were thinking and now was not the time to use my powers.
"Fine. Fine. But only if you're sure." Steve sighed. Bruce nodded and picked up the glove.
"Good to go, yeah?" Tony asked the man.
"Let's do it." Bruce said.
"Okay, remember. Everyone Thanos snapped away five years ago, you're just bringing them back to now, today. Don't change anything from the last five years." Tony explained.
"Got it." Bruce nodded. I stepped closer to Clint and his hand found mine. He wasn't looking much better than I was as I stood puffy eyed in my suit and leather jacket. Everyone was already suited up and ready. Anyone with a mask or helmet put it on. Tony used his tech shield to protect Clint. I used my energy to make an energy shield that covered Thor and Rocket. Bruce nodded at Tony.
"Friday, do me a favor and activate barn door protocol, will ya?" Tony said. At his words the doors all closed and metal barriers covered them as well as all the windows. The building was in lockdown.
"Everybody comes home." Bruce told himself. The gloves expanded to fit over his large hand. Everyone watched nervously. As soon as the glove was in place the stones glowed and colourful streams of energy traveled up his arm. His face screwed up in pain and he dropped onto one knee. He groaned in pain. "Careful Banner." I sighed. Shocks of energy crackled around the gauntlet.
"Take it off! Take it off!" Thor called.
"No wait! Bruce are you okay?" Steve asked loudly. Bruce groaned as it travelled up his arm.
"Talk to me Banner." Tony shouted.
"I'm okay." Bruce breathed, his face radiating his pain. "I'm okay." He sighed. Thor gave him a nervous thumbs up. His arm looked like it was burning causing a horrific look on my face. With a yell of pain he raised his arm up and clicked his finger. There was a quick flash of white. When I opened my eyes the glove had fallen off and he was unconscious on the floor. "Bruce!" Steve rushed to his side. I kicked the glove away.
"Don't move him!" Steve told us as Thor crouched beside Steve. Tony used some sort of substance from his suit to cover Bruce's arm Bruce opened his eyes with a gasp and grabbed hold of Steve's arm.
"Did it work?" He panted.
"We're not sure. It's okay." Thor reassured him. The doors opened and Scott slowly wandered into the next room. I heard a buzzing coming from the messy table in the corner of the room. I rushed over to the phone. It was Clint's phone, and it was Laura. I looked down at it and felt my chin quiver as I bit back tears. "They're back." Clint whispered.
"Guys..." Scott called from the other room. "I think it worked." He laughed. Suddenly there was a flash of white and a great explosion. We were all knocked to the floor with a wave of energy from an explosion.
My ears rang and I could barely feel what was happening around me apart from the pain as rubble hit me from every direction. With my eyes screwed shut I had no idea what was happening around me. All I could see at that moment was Natasha's face. Burning through my memory again as I felt the world crash down around me.
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So I messed up a little for those who read to the chapter with the mistakes in I must clarify Nat is dead, Y/n is not hallucinating i just messed up. The first draft I wrote long before now included a very alive and well Natasha however I had better ideas since then and switched it all up! Sorry <3