Word Count: 1k

Warnings: starts of angsty but happy(ish) ending (cmon, it's endgame, theres going to be death)

A/N: this is part two to the infinity war steve imagine i wrote a year ago. this is also the one that got deleted sooooooooooo i rewrote it so it's different

5 years.

5 long years.

5 difficult, depressing years since the Decimation.

5 years since he lost the battle, half the world's population, his best friends, Sam and Bucky, you. Losing you was the final straw, especially after reuniting with you for the first time in two years.

It wasn't fair, Steve had thought to himself, day after day, week after week. He managed to pull himself together for the sake of the team, for the sake of the world's population who were watching and waiting for his next move.

"I keep telling everybody they should move on," He had said to Natasha in private. "Some do, but not us." He thought of you, your smile, your laugh, the way you fit into his arms at night. God how he missed you.

Steve knew he wasn't the only one in pain. Thor left to New Asgard and was never seen again. Tony left to start a new life with Pepper.  Both Bruce and Clint were MIA. The only original Avenger that stayed was Natasha. Steve took comfort in Nat and she in him. She was like the sister he never had. Together, along with Rhodey, Rocket, Carol and Okoye did they try to keep humanity alive.

The day Scott Lang, who was presumed dead came back, Steve knew this was his second chance at getting you back. He didn't know if the time heist would work. He didn't know if he would end up dead or alive. But, he was willing to do anything. Whatever it takes.

Steve wasn't sure if he'd come out of the time heist alive. There were even times he had his doubts. But the thought of having you back pushed him beyond his limits. But when he was able to recruit Tony Stark, he knew he was a step closer to having you back. And he knew he was never going to let you go again.

–————-✪—————

This battle against 2014 Thanos felt worse than the one 5 years ago.

All that was left was him, Tony, and Thor. He knew, he knew, that this plan worked. But of course, something had to ruin it. The Avengers compound was in ruins. He was tired. Exhausted. He wanted to give up. But he didn't.

A million little things flooded his mind. When he went from city to city as a scrawny, pathetic even, little thing that was desperately trying to fight a war. He thought about the time he threw himself on the fake grenade, a test that compelled Dr. Erksine to choose him as the subject for the superhero serum. He remembered longing to fight, but instead, was forced to tour America like a dancing monkey. He remembered the pain of losing Bucky, his world. He remembered going into the ice and waking up 70 years later and seeing your face. He remembered falling in love with you and promising you that he'd always be there for you. He remembered seeing Bucky again and spending countless days and nights trying to find him.He remembered the best day of his life, the day he proposed and you said yes. He remembered the worst day of his life, the day you chose Tony over him, halting the wedding plans. He remembered refusing to fight you. He remembered walking away from it all, his career, his friends, his love, because of his beliefs. He remembered seeing you walk in with Bruce. He remembered crushing you in a hug, never wanting to let go. He remembered seeing you fade to ash and his vow to bring you back.

He saw Thor, struggling beneath Thanos. Summoning whatever strength he had left, he reached out and Mjolnir came to him. With a grin, he found a burst of energy overcome him. His victory was short-lived however. He soon felt himself one on one with Thanos, with only half a shield left. That's when he heard it.

"On your left," a male voice teased from behind him. Sam.

"And on your right," another voice sang. Y/N. Steve smiled. You were back.

More portals opened up. Thousands of heros poured out. Asgardians, Wakandans, sorcerers, Ravagers, the Guardians, Bucky, Peter, Strange, Wanda, T'Challa, Shuri, all those who had turned to dust.

You ran to Steve and he threw his arms around you, lifting you off the ground as he enveloped you into a bear hug.

"Don't ever disappear on me like that again," he whispered in your ear.

"Aye, aye Captain," you remarked with a smirk. "You ready for the fight of our lives?"

"Always," he replied, setting you back down on the ground. He surveyed the crowd.

"Avengers..." He called out, his voice, loud and proud. "Assemble."

–————-✪—————

Steve didn't expect Tony to take the sacrifice play. 11 years ago when he met him, he had told him "You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play, to lay down on a wire and let the other guy crawl over you." The moment was bittersweet. He was glad to be proven wrong, all those years ago yet the death of Tony Stark, the man who started it all, set a dull ache in his heart. He witnessed the pain in your eyes as you watched your only brother take his last breath. He took your hand as you knelt in honor of Tony. And he did the same at the funeral. Steve knew this wasn't the end of the story, but rather the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. He knew the kid, Peter Parker along with Harley would follow in Tony's footsteps. And he knew you would take great measures to make sure your brother was remembered.

Steve came up from behind you as you overlooked the nature surrounding Tony's cabin.

"We did it doll," he murmured, holding you around the waist and pulling you close.

"At what cost though," you sighed. "We've got a long road ahead of us. We may have won, but we still have to face the consequences. There's millions of people that are displaced, millions of broken up families, and-"

He cut you off with a tender kiss.

"I know. But we're in this together. Okay?"

"Together," you agreed.

"And Y/N?" he said softly.

"Yes love?"

"I will never lose you again."

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